St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1914-11-28
CHAPTER Nv.

throwing the court into confusion.
CHAPTER xv.
- Panthe,
Crouched in the paiaots,hn, Kathlyn
waited for the onslaught Of the
bopards. Once abe heard q ire
mendous scratching at the rear Of her
hiding place: the palanquin tottered.
But the animal was not trying to get
inside: he was merely sharpening his
claws after the manner Of his kind,
claws which were sharp enough,
heaven knew. since. regularly, once 4
month the keepers dled them to needle
point. z
An elephant trumpeted near by, and
Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
Outside the wall were friends. doubt
less BY this time Joined BY her father
and Ramabai. and all wondering where
she was. She dared not call out for
tear Of attracting the leopards, whose
movements she could hear constantly:
the jar Of their padded feet % they
trotted under and about the palanquin,
the sni6-snin Of their vet noses. IN
sscasis1m ysw1tnx.
By aud by her curiosity could not be
wtthstood. even though she might be
counting death. Cautiously and sound
lessly she moved the curtain which
laced the wall. A mass Of heavy vines
ran from the ground to the top Of this
wall II only she could reach It; II
only she dared try! Presently the
teepE, harmed with g and ropes,
would be forthcoming, and all hope
OF flight banished. umballa, upon
close inspection, would recognize her
despite her darkened skin and Indian
dress.
From the other window she peered.
There, In the path, were two leopards,
boxing and trolicking In play. As she
watched. always interested in the gam
ools Of such animals. she noticed that
TWO other leopards left OF prowling.
approached, sat upon their launches.
and critically followed the friendly set
to. Then the other three, seeking d.
version. sauntered into view. Kathlyn
quickened with life and hope. The ,
seven leopards were at least half
ooaen yards away. It was but . step |
% the vines sprawling over the wall.
10 think that all depended upon the |
handle Of the palanquin door! II it
cFeaked she was lost; for she would !
tau Into the hands Of the keepers IL |
NOT under the merciless paws Of the
cats.
But the longer she hesitatsd the less
ume she would have. Bravely. then,
sne tried her hand upon the door
handle and slowly but firmly turned 1t.
anere was no sound that she could
aesf. She pressed it outward with q
Now steady movement. Fortunately
tne dress Of the Hindu was short.
somewhat above the ankles, and With.
y. asr strong young body was tree Of
taose modern contrivances known -
eoEsets and stays.
one sprang out, dashed for the vines, !
ma drew herself up rapidly. In unison |
sne seven leopards whirled and dew ct
~. But the half dozen yards which
1aey had first to cover to reach the
nsu saved her. Up. up. desperately.
Mloly' with Z nervous energy which
ald far more for her than her natural
1aensth. The cats leaped and snaxled
!. !. ner heels She went on. Beneath
=! me leopards tore at the vines and
! Tried to follow. one succeeding n
:. her skirt with a desperate
.'asn Of his paw. He lost his hold and
'amoled back among his mates.
nuta every minute theo Pines. sturdy
q. Y = rvi~, thfeasl % come tum-
ping to the ground, ~
!. her long and lonely Experiences I
:. y tne jungle had taught he the need I
= enmo'ng quickly yet lignly. She {
jug herself across the toA of the
W.. exhausted. For the timA being. ,
= least, she was safe. She hunA there {
~ : lev minutes till she had falv re-
A4S heaaSh. .na,nv ia