The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-17

happy eternally. For Balakhan's army was wholly
M~ohammedan and so long since was it they had fought
that they romped toward Alfalfa with the spirit and
ehervescence of puppies.
Ramabai sat in his howdah, sad and dispirited. He
himself had always been an honorable man, had never
acted treacherously to any, had been a banker but never
a usurer. In his heart he knew that he still held the
love of his people; but they dwelt in the shadow of
superstition.
"Balakhan, we have been friends, and my father
was your good friend"
lit is true"
w you do a favor for the SOM"
Yes, if the Colonel Sahib and his daughter live. "
they are dead, woe 70 your people, son of my friend! I
cave given my word to the Memsahib. 1 have made a
threat before my men and must fulfill it if l would hold
them hereafter. If the Colonel Sahib and his daughter
live, ask what you VIII"
Ramabai bowed.
II will set my camp five miles beyond your walls and
wait. When l see the Memsahib | will salaam, turn
right about face, and go home. Now, to you, Bruce
Sahib: Leave not your treasure within my walls when
I shall be absent, for 1 cannot guarantee protection.
Leave it where it is and bring it with you. Save my
self, no one of my men knows what your saddIebags
contain. Let US proceed upon our junket-or our warl
Umballah reached the ancient gate OF Alfalfa at the
same time Bruce stopped before the walls of Bala Khan's
city. He pulled the curtains of the howdahs and threat
ened death if they called out. From time to time he gave
directions to the weary men astride the elephants neck.
Tic thought of gold was not as tempting as it had been.
There was fear in his heart. This false Holy One was
or had been the most powerful man in all Alfalfa. Here
he would be among friends. And the man who had but
recently been a peaceful fisherman felt intermittent hot
flashes about his throat.
Umballah had no intention whatever of making his
presence known in Alfalfa. HI determined to wiring the
secret from either the Colonel or his daughter, return for
the treasure, and depart for Egypt down the Persian gulf
He could have tortured his captives on the way but he
was oriental; he wanted to feel all the Injuries he had
formerly known, to- enjoy himself physically as well az
mentally. He missed the exhilaration of his kings peg.
He made a wide detour and came out at the rear OF
his house. No one was in light. He dismounted and en-
tered, found three or four of his whilom slaves, who
when he revealed his identity felt the old terror and fear
of the man His prisoners were brought in. A slave
took the elephants to the stables. He wanted to run
away and declare Umballah's presence, but fear was too
strong.
Ironically Umba1lah babe the fishermen to enter. To
eat and drink what they liked. Later he found them In
a drunken stupor in The kitchen. That was where they
belonged. ,......
Umballah cast his prisoners into the secret chamber.
Then he gave himself up to the luxury of a bath, had his
hair and beard combed, his body anointed with perfumes,
and put on his finest raiment. Then he drank his peg.
AS for his prisoners, he did not visit them again that
day nor yet that night. The initial torture Of suspense
was always excellent. One thing annoyed'him,. however
not a murmur from these calm eyed white. people who
were about to face death. He ragged against this lack OF
feeling, for it robbed him Of half his pleasure He liked
his victims to whine and cringe and beg for mercy
Like many rich Asiatics, Umballah had his own me.
nagerie. He had inherited 1t along with the .demi-palace
when the kings sister died several years before. There
existed what was called the Court Of Death. There were
four sides to this court and in the center of each side
were bars, and behind these bars tigers or leopards or
lions or wild boar-whateyer pleased the owners fancy.
Many a royal battle had been waged in this court, some-
times between tigers. or . tiger and a Hon, a leopard and
a boar.
UmbalIah, after hs bath, asked IL the old boar was