The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-18

Where is It? Give it to us!" cried one OF the
brigands.
The chief thought quickly. If his men would smoke
they should suffer the penalty of being left at the well
to await the arrival of the tender Bala Khan. The
white elephant was worth ten thousand rupees. He might
not be. obliged to share these bags of silver. His men
could not complain. They had discharged him. Let them
have the pipes. He himself would only pretend to smoke.
But the first Whit of the fumes was too much for
his will power. He sucked in the smoke, down to the
bottom of his very soul, and suddenly found peace. The
superdrug with which the poppy had been mixed was
unknown to Ramabai, but he had often witnessed tests
Of its potency. 1t worked with the rapidity of viper
venom. Within ten minutes after the first inhalation
the nine brigands sank back upon the sand, az nearly
dead as any man might care to be.
At once the elephant was liberated, and the party
made off toward the town. Col. Hare, suspicious of
everything these days, marveled over the simplicity OF
the trick and the smoothness with which it had been
turned. He began to have hope for the future. Perhaps
this time they were really going to escape from this land
accused.
There was great powwowing ard salaaming at tue gate
as the sacred white elephant doomed INTO sight. The old
Brahmin who had charge Of him wept Tor joy. He was
still a parsonage, respected, salaamed to-, despite the pre-
ponderance Of Mohammedans. His sacred elephant!
Bala Khan was joyous. Here was the sacred elephant
once more in the compound, and not a piece out of his
treasure chest. He was If ok. In the midst of his
self-congratulations came the alarming news that a large
body Of men were seen approaching across the desert
from the direction Of Allaha. Bala Khan, his chiefs,
and his guests climbed to the top IF the wall and beheld
the spectacle in truth. It required but a single look
through the binoculars to discover to whom this host be-
longed. ...
"UmbalLah ~ said Ramabai. E.
"Ah! Durga Ram, to pay his respects" Bala Khan
rubbed his hands together. 1t had been many moons
since he. had met a tulwar.
The colonel examined his revolver coldly. The mo-
ment that Umballah came within range the colonel in
tended to shoot. This matter was going to be settled
definitely, here and now. So long as UmbalIah lived, q
dread menace hung above Kathlyns head. So, then,
Umballah must die.
Bala Khan was for beginning the warfare at once,
but Bruce argued him out of this idea. Let them learn
first what Umballah intended to do. There was no reed
Of shedding blood needlessly.
" You white people must always talk grumbled the
khan, who was a fighting man, born Of a race Of fight
ers yet to bow the head To the yoke. 1t "a better to
kill and talk afterward. I have given my word to pro-
tect YOU, and the word OF Bala Khan is as sound as
British gold"
" For that" said Bruce, "thanks.',
keep your men from the walls cried Kathlyn, land
bring me the white elephant. I would deal with this
man Umballah.'
Her request was granted. SO when Durga Ram and
his soldiers arrived before the closed gates they heheld
Eathlyn mounted ON the white elephant, aIons.