The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-15

in there"
sYou are o brave and ready man.
Mr.. Bruce
You called me John once.
well. then, john o ghost OF a
smile fitting across her lips. Men
were not generally sentimental in the
face of death.
There are nine Of us!r screamed
one OF the brigands.
.And ! claim one bag because with
out my help and brains you would have
had nothing" roared the chief who
warned you against the opium? Ha,
plg!"
The first blow was struck. Instant,
ly the chief drew his knife and lunsed
at the two nearest him.
"Treachery!"
@Ha! Pigs! Dogs! Come. III show
you who is master!"
Thief 49,
The remaining brigands closed IN
upon, their leader and bore him down
upon his back. 80
ITO the tiger with him!"
"Now!n cried Bruce.
He flung the rope from his hands,
caught Kathlyn by the arm, and, run
ming and stumbling, they gained the
cave, either ignored or unobseryed by
the victorious brigands. SF3
They dragged the stunned leader 10
his feet and hailed him to the cage,
flashing him to wheel. Next; they
seized the rope which operated the
door and retired to the mouth OF the
cave.
Rob US, would he!" et
Take the lions share when VIC did
all the work."
"Swine!"
II will give it all to you!" whined
the whilom chief. mad with terror.
And knife US in the back when We
sleep! No, no! You have kicked and
cuffed US for the last time!"hA
Bruce picked up one Of the rifles and
drew Kathlyn farther into the cave.
Get behind me and crouch low.
They'll come around to US presently"
The rascals gave the rope savage
pull, and from where he stood Bruce
could see the lean striped body of tho
furious tiger leap to freedom.
"Keepyour eyes shut. twill not DO
apleasant thing to look att he warned
the GIL. = -
But Rsullyn could not have closed
her eyes II She had tried. She saw the
brute pause, turn, and strike at the
helpless man ct the wheel, then lope
OF, doubtless having in mind to test
bis freedom before he fed.
The remaining brigands rushed out
and gathered up the bags of rupees.
This was the opportunity for which
Bruce 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. kind of chasm leading
diagonally upward. .fs'
Thank God! We can get out OF this
after all. Are you strong enough for a
stir climb?'
I've got to be-John!"
Trust me, Kathlyn," he replied sim.
|nly. He had but one life, but he de.
termined then and there to make 1t
equal or outlast the six lives which
stood between him and liberty.
The brigands. having succeeded in
their mutiny, bethought themselves OF
their prisoners, only to find that they
had vanished. Familiar with the cave
and its outlet, they started eagerly in
pursuit. They reasoned that II 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. In
stantly he raised his rifle, and pulled
the trigger. The result was merely a
snap. The gun had not been loaded.
He snatched Kathlyn's rifle, but this.
too. was useless. The brigands yelled
exultantly and began to swarm up the
ragged clitf. Bruce flung aside the
gun and turned his attention to a
boulder. Half way up the chasm had
a width which was little broader than
the shoulders Of an ordinary man. He
waited till he saw the wretches within
yard or so of this spot, then pushed
the boulder. 1t roared and crashed
and bounded, and before It reached
the narrow pathway Bruce had started
mate to It Then a third followed
This caused a terrific slide OF rocks
and boulders, and the brigands turned
for their lives.
THAT will be about all for the pres.
emit" said Bruce, wiping his forehead.
Now IL 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. It
will be hard trek, Miss Kathlyn. Ten
miles over sand is worse than so over
turf. 1rdon't think we'll-see any more
Of those rufians."
"Kathlyn." she said.
EENWE