The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-06
CHAPTER XII.
copyright: 1914; BY Harold Mao Gsath.l
THREE BAGS OF SILVER.

copyright: 1914: BY Harold MaO crathl
THREE BAGS OF silver. .
r was the shock Of the bullet rather than the serious.
ness Of the wound that had; toppled Kathlyn into the
river. In the confusion, the rattle OF musketry. the
yelling Of the panic stricken pack coolies who had
Aed helterskelter for the jungle, the squealng of the
Elephants she had forgotten to crouch low in the how
dab. There had come a staggering blow, after which sky
and earth careened for a moment and became black;
then the chill Of water and strangulation, and she found
herself struggling in the deepest part OF the ford, .
strange deadpess in one arm. She had no distinct recOl-
lection Of what took place: her one thought was to keep
her head above water.
Instantly the firing ceased; on one side because there
were no more cartridges, on the other for fear Of hitting
the one person who had made this pursuit necessary.
kathryn struggled between the elephant which carried
Ramabai and Punditn and the boat or barge which held
the eager Umballah and his soldiers. The mahout, ter
rorized, had slid OF and taken to his heels ingloriously.
Thus Ramabai could do nothing to aid Kathlyn. Nor
could the elephant ridden by the colonel and Bruce be
managed. ... .~..
Umballah was quick to see his advantage, and, laugh.
ing, he urged his men toward the helpless girl. The
colonel raised his rife and aimed at Umballah, but there
was no report, only q click which to the frantic mans
ears sounded like the gates Of hell closing in behind him.
Forward" shouted Umballah.
she was his again; he would have the pleasure Of TAX.
&heSNN@ ~ASA AAN $50 r~S
His star never faltered.
Bruce stood up in the howdah, ready 10 dive; but the
colonel restrained him.
Don't waste your life! My God, we can't help her!
Not a bullet in either gun. Gods curse on all these
worthless stones men call gunsl . There, he's got
her! Not q shell left! Kit, Kit!' The colonel broke
dorn and cried like q child. As Cor himself. hot irons
could not have, wrung q tear from his eyes; but Kit, In
the hands of that black devil again!
Colonel said Bruce, I'm, going to get some cart
ridges"
He realized then that Kathlyn't future depended upon
him alone. The colonel was a broken MANS he struck
the elephant, which numbered ashore. a8he moment
Kathiyn was safe In the barge Unballah would probably
give orders to resume firing. Hs could do 20 now with
impnnity.
The soldiers drew Kathlyn into the barge. Umballah
saw that she was wounded in the Aeshy part of the arm.
Quickly he snatched Off the turban OF one Of the soldiers,
unwound 1t, and began to bandase Kathlyns arm.
The man, for all his oriental c~raftiness, was still guile
less enough to expect some aign OF gratitude from har;
but as he touched her she shrank in loathing. His anger
aamed and he dung her roughly into q seat.
Suffer, then, little foolI'
Meantime the colonel and Bruce dismountsd and tried
TO stem the tide OF fleeing coolies; but II was no more
eGective than blowing against the wind. They found,
however, an abandoned pack containing cartridges cases.
and they filed their pockets. calling 70 Ramabai ana
Pundita to FOLLOW them along the river in pursuit OF
Umbalah's barge, which was now being rapidly poled
upstream. They might be able to pick Off enough sol
diars, sharpshooting. to make 1t impossible 10 man the
barge. They were both dead shots, and the least they.
couldsd DO would be to put the light on O basis OF equality
30 Ear as numbers were concerned.
The colonel forgot all about how weak he was. This
rage and despair in bis, heart had once nore given him .
fictitious strength.
The curse, the curse. always the curse!'
Don't you believe that, colonel. It " only nisfor-
tune. Now I'm going 70 pot Umballah. That will SINE
plify everything. Without i head the soldiers will By
without g cause, and they'll desert KathIyn as quickly
as our coolies deserted us
N Where Is Ahmed? n
" Ahmed? A had forgotten all about himI But We
cant wait nov. Hell have to look out for hiuasalf.
Harky'