The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-22

You have kicked and cufed us for the,Iast time!">s
Bruce picked up one Of the rifles and drew Kathlyn
further into the cave.
Get behind me and crouch low. They'll come
around to us presently"
The rascals gave the rope a savage pull, and from
where he stood Bruce could see the lean striped body of
the furious tiger leap to freedom.
Keep your eyes shut. 1t will not be a pleasant thing
to look at" he warned the girl.
But kathlyn could not have closed ner eyes If she had
tried. She saw the brute pause, turn, and strike
at the helpless man at the wheel, then fope off, doubt
less having in mind to test his freedom before he fed.
The remaining brigands rushed out and gathered up
the bags Of rupees.
This was the opportunity for which ruce had waited.
Come. There may be some outlet to this cave. Here
is another rifle Let us cut for it! When thieves fall
out; you know the old saying"
They ran back several yards and discovered a kind of
chasm leading diagonally upward.
"Thank God! We can get out of this after all Are
you strong enough for a stiff climb"
"Tve got to be-John!" ..... ...
Trust me, Kathyn," he replied simply. He had but
one life, but he determined tnen and there to make it
equal or outlast the six lives which stood between him
and liberty. ..
The %brigands, having succeeded in their mutiny, be-
thought themselves of their prisoners, only to find that
they had vanished. Familiar with the cave and its out
lei, they started eagerly in pursuit. They reasoned that
if an old man was worth three bags of rupees, two
young people might naturally be worth twice as much.
And besides, being tigers, they had tasted blood.
A shout caused Bruce to turn. Instantly he raised his
rifle, and pulled the trigger. The result was merely a
snap. The gun had not been loaded. He snatched
Kathlyns rife, but this, too, was useless. The brigands
yelled exultantly and began to swarm up the ragged
cliff. Bruce flung aside the gun and turned his atten-
ton to a bowlder. Half way up the chasm had a widtb
which was little broader than the shoulders Of an or
binary man. He waited till he saw the wretches within
a yard or SO Of this spot, then pushed this bowlder. It
roared and crashed and bounded, and, before it reached
the narrow pathway Bruce had started a mate to ii.
Then a third followed. This caused a terrific slide Of
rocks and powders, and the brigands turned for their
lives.
That will be about all for the present" said Bruce.
wiping his forehead. Now If we can make that village
we shall be all right. Bala Khan's men will not leave
with the camels till they learn whether we are dead or
alive. 1t will be a hard trek, Miss Kathlyn. Ten miles
over sand is worse than fifty over turf. / don't think
We'll see any more of those rufians.'
/" Kathryn" she said.
Well-Kathlyni"
Or, better still, at home they call me Kit
Tney smiled into each Others eyes, and no words were
needed. Thus quickly youth. discards its burdens!
That he did not take her into his arms at once proved
the caliber OF the man. And kathryn respected him
none the less for his control. She knew now, and she
was certain that her eyes mad told him as frankly as
any words would have done: and she fell into his stride.
strangely embarrassed and not n little frightened. The
firm grasp OF his hand as here and there he steadied
her sent q thrill Of exquisite pleasure through her.
Love. She laughed softly and he stopped and eyed her
lin astonfshnlent.
What is ft?.
Nothing she answered
lnt she weat ON NTH The tiiEaii.at whioAa had prn.s
rpkea her itiisslfpF Lore i1aiges all alaast. unseen.
a isIs .siSnsNi Ia tie fnrrv~etfri. ma tn~Sr slstih8