The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-06

are going in, too. What caste would those dancers be,
Ramabai?" "
"Pariahs, quite possibly; probably brigands."
The rim Of the sun was sinking rapidly as Bruce drew
hs elephant to a halt before the gate of the white walled
city. The guard ran out, barring the way.
~ am Ramabai, a friend of Baia Khan. / am come
to pay him a visit. Direct me to his house or his palace"
The authority in Ramabai's voice was sufficient for
the guard, who gave the necessary directions. The party
continued on into town. 1t was an odd place for a
walled city. There wasn't a tree about, not q sign Of
boscage, except some miles away where the hills began
to slope upwards. Bruce wondered what the inhabitants
fed upon. 1t was more like an Egyptian village THAI
anything he had ever seen in India. Bruce asked for hp
rife, which he laid carelessly in the crook Of his arm.
One never could tell.
Presently they came upon a group In the center o.
which were the dancers at their vocation. They ceased
their mad whirlings at the sight Of the two elephants.
There were nine Of these men, fierce Of eye and built
muscularly. No effeminate Hindus here, unused Bruce,
who did not like the looks of them at all. The surround.
ing natives stared with variant emotions. Many Of them
had never seen a white man before. Their gaze centered
upon the colonel. Kathlyn was almost as dark as Pun.
dita, and as for Bruce, only his European dress distin.
guished him from Ramabai, for there was scarcely a
shade difference in color. But the colonel, having been
weeks in prison, was as pale as alabaster and his hair
shone like threads Of silver.
On through the narrow streets, sometimes the sides
of the elephants scraping against the mud and plaster Of
the buildings, and one could easily look into the second
stories. No one seemed hostile; only a natural curiosity
was evinced by those standing in doorways or leaning
out of windows.
The house Of Bala Khan was not exactly a palace,
but it was of respectable size. A high wall surrounded
the compound. There was a gateway, open at this mo-
10000 .A - 1-5T- -.S-InA -mAnA $50.
wanted.
Say to your master, Baa Khan, that Ramabai, son
of Maaho Singh, his old friend, awaits with friendly
greetings"
Kit" whispered KathIyn's father, this chap Rama
bal wouldn't make a bad king. And lookv' excitedly
"There's the sacred elephant, and il he isn't white IN
eat my hRtI'
Kathlyn sighed gratefully. That her father could be
interested in anything was a good sign for the future.
A few days rest and wholesome food would put him half
way on his legs. Her own vitality was an inheritance
from her father. The male line of the family was we'll
known for its recuperative powers.
The servant ran back into the compound and spoke to
a dignifed man, who proved to be a high caste Brahmin,
having in his charge the care Of the white elephant. He
disappeared and returned soon with the khan. The
pleasant face, though proudly nodded, together with
the simplicity of his appearance, conveyed to Kathlyn the
fact that here was a man to be trusted, at least for ths
present. He greeted Ramabai cordially, struck his hands
and ordered out the servants to take charge Of what
luggage there was and to lead away the elephants to be
fed and watered.
Courteously he asked kathryn how she had become
injured, and Ramabai acted as interpreter. he then
ushered them into his house, spread rugs and cushions
for them to sit upon, and mildly inquired what had
brought the son Of his old friend 80 far.
Col. Hare spoke several dialects Auently, and briefly
told (between sips of tea and bites of cake which had
been set out for the guests his experiences in Alfalfa.
"The rulers Of Allaha," observed Bala Khan, have
always been half mad"
Ramabai nodded in agreement.
"You should never have gone back went on Bala
Khan, lighting a cigaret and cycling Kathlyn with won.
der and interest. "Ah, that Durga Ram whom they call
Umballah! I have heard Of him, but fortunately for
him our paths have not crossed in any way" He blew
a cloud Of smoke above his head. SWELL, he has shown
wisdom in avoiding me. In front OF me, a desert; be.
hind me, verdant hills and many sheep and cattle, we'll
guarded. I am too far away for them to bother. Some
times the desert thieves cause a furry, but that 10
nothing. 1t keeps the tulwar from growing rusty" pat.
ting the great knife at his side. .
Bala Khan was muscular; his lean hands denoted
work; his clear eyes. the sun and wind. He was ia
height and build something after the pattern of the
colonel.
And to force a crown on me!' said the colonel.
"You could have given 1t to this UmbalIah." wisely.
"That I would not do"
ain each case you showed forethought. The Durga
Ram, when he had you where he wanted you-" Bala
Khan drew a finger ,suggestively across his throat
"Ramabai, SON Of my friend, I will have many sheep
for you this autumn. What Is it to me whether you
Hindus eat beef or notT' He laughed.
81 am not a Hindu In that sense" returned Ramabai.
at have but one God"
And Mahomet is his prophet" said the host piously.
Perhaps. I am a Christian"
Bruce stirred uneasily, but his alarm was without
foundation.
"A Christian" unused Bala Khan. "Ah, well; have
no fear of nae. There ia no Nahdi il these hills. There
is but one road to paradise, and argument does not help
us on the way"
Lowly and quickly Pundita translated for Kathlyn 90
that she might miss none Of the conversation.
The Colonel Sahib looks worm Y
"I am"
Now, in my travels I have been to Bombay, and
there I dressed like you white people. I have the COM
plete dress. Perhaps the Colonel sahib would be pleased
to zee il he can wear It? And also the use Of my
~barber?"
J" Bala Kahn" cried the colonel "you are d prince
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