The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-06

dow she had seen a bold leopard OF over to the bullock
cart and carry away tie kid. he chief at once sum-
moned his remaining men, and they proceeded to set a
trap for the prowler. The cat had already killed one
bullock and injured another. They knew that the beast
would not return for some hours, having gorged itself
upon the kid. But 1t was we'll to be prepared.
Toward noon the other treasure seekers drew up within
a quarter of a mile behind the village. The men folk
thought it advisable to reconnoiter before entering the
village. One never could tell. Winnie declared her in
tention of snoozing while they waited, and curled up in
her rugs. Kathlyn, however, could not resist the longing
to look upon the sea again. She could see the lovely blue
water through the spaces between the trees. Soon she
would be flying over that water, flying for home, home!
She went farther from the camp than she really In
tended, and came unexpectedly upon the leopard, which
stood guarding its cubs while they growled and tore at
the dead kid. Kathlyn realized that she was unarmed,
and that the leopard was between her and the camp. She
could see the roofs of the village below her so toward
the huts she ran. The leopard stood still for a while, eye
ing her d%oubtfully, then made up it's mind to give chase.
She had tasted blood, but had not eaten.
Meantime the little child had forgotten her loss In her
interest in the bullock cart with its grotesque lure; and
she climbed into the cart just as Kathlyn appeared, fol-
lowed by the excited leopard. She saw the child and
snatched her instinctively from the cart. The leopard
leaped into the cart at the rear, while Kathlyn ran toward
the chiefs hut, into which she staggered without the for
mality OF announcing her advent.
The father of the child had no need to question, though
he marveled at the white skin and dress Of this visitor,
who had doubtless saved his child from death. He flung
the door shut and dropped the bar. Next he sought his
gun and fired through a crack in the door. He missed;
but the noise and smoke frightened the leopard away.
And later, Bruce, wild with anxiety over the disappear
ance Of Kathlyn, came across the chief battling for his
life. He had gone forth to hunt the leopard, and the
leopard had hunted him. Bruce dared not fire, for fear
oF Li1spo h nov CIR 1fthou& baSitapna NJ Soo ha oan0hk
the leopard by the back of the neck and BY a hind leg and
swung her into the sea.
The chief was severely mauled, but he was able to get
to his feet and walk. The white woman had saved his
child and the white man had saved him. He would 70.
member.
Thus the leopard quite innocently served a purpose, for
all her deadly intentions the chief was filled with gratt-
tude.
When the Colonel and the others came into view the
former seized Kathlyn by the shoulders and shook her
Historically.
I'm Gods name, Kit, don't you know any better than
to wander off alone? Do you want to drive me mad?"
why father, I wasn't afraid"
Afraid? Who said anything about your being afraid1
Didn't you know that we were being followed2 II Ia Um-
balIah! All! that gives you a ~Start!"
Colonel! " said Bruce gently.
81 know, Bruce, I sound harsh. But you were tearing
your hair, too"
Forgive me" cried Kathlyn, ~penitent, for she knew
she had done wrong. "I did not think. But Umballah2 }"
Eyes, Umballah. One OF the keepers found a knife by
that bridge, and Ramabai Identifies it as belonging to
Umballah. Whether he is alone or with many, I do not
know; but this / do know: we must under no circum-
stances become separated again. Now, I'm going to Quis
the chief" ...
But the chief said that no person described had passed
or been seer. No one but a holy man had come that
morning, and he had gone to the island in the sloop.
"Eor what?" E..
The chief smiled, but shook his head.
"Was 1t not a basket of gold and precious stones? "
demanded the Colonel.
The chiefs eyes widened. There were others who knew,
then? Bruce noticed his surprise. ~....
"Colonel, show the good chief the royal seal on your
document"
The Colonel did so, and the chief salaamed when he
saw the royal signature. He was nightly b~ewildered, and
gradually he was made to understand that be had been
yilely tricked.
10 the boatsi" he shouted. az Il suddenly awaken.