The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-11
UMeALLAH's CAPTAIN oFGUAR0s SEES wlNNlE. PASS
THROUGH THE GATE TO THE cry OF ALLAHAs

man could put on his back and carry almost indefinitely
would have killed many y white man who bossted Of hs
strength. On hall a loaf of black read and q soldiers
canteen of water he could travel for two days. He could
go without sleep for ~forty-eight hours, and when no slept
he could sleep anywhere, on the moment.
Filling his saddle bags with three days rations, two
canteens Of water, he set off on a hagin, or racing camel,
for Alfalfa, 300 miles inland as the crow flies. 1t was
his intention to ride straight down to the desert and
across this to Col. Hare's camp, if such a thing now
existed. A dromsdary in good condition can mako from
sixty to eighty miles a day; and the beast Ahmed had
engaged was Of Arab blood. In four days he expected
to reach the camp. If Winnie had not yet arrived, he
would take the road, meet her, warn her OF the dangers
which she was about to face, and convey her to the
seaport. If it was too late, he would send the camel
back with a trusted messenger 10 the Colonel, to advise
him.
They watched him depart in a cloud Of dust, and then
played the most enervting game In existence--that Of
waiting Tor they had decided to wait till they heard from
Ahmed before they moved. .. ..
Four nights later, when Ahmed arrived at the bunga-
low, he found conditions as usual. For reasons best
known to himself Umballah had not disturbed anything.
In fact, he had always had the coming Of the younger
sister in mind and left the bungalow and camp I'M
touched, so as not 10 alarm her.
She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed flung himself
down upon his cotton rug, telling the keepers not to dis
turb him; he would be able to wake himself when the
time came. But Ahmed had overrated his powers; he
was getting along in years; and it was noon Of the next
day when a hand shook him by the shoulder and he
awoke to witness the arrival Of Winnie and her woman
companion.
For the first time in many years Ahmed cursed hs
prophet. He that had had time to warn the child had
slept like the sloth Of CeyIoni
He went directly to the point He told her briefly
what had happened. He had not the least doubt that
UmbaLah was already aware of her arrival. She must
remain hidden in the go-down of tho bungalow her
maid also. That night, if Umballah or his men failed to
appear, he would lead her off to safety. But there was
no hope Of stealing away in the daytime. In his heart,
however, he entertained no hope; and like the good gen.
eral he was' he dispatched the messenger and camel to the
sea. The father and daughter were fated to return.
Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Umballah appearea
later in the day and demanded the daughter Of Col. Hare,
Backed as he was by numerous soldiers, Ahmed resigned
himself to the inevitable. They found Winnie and her
maid (whom Later they sent to the frontier and aban.
doned) and took them to the palace.
There was no weeping or waiing or struggling. The
dark, proud face of the young girl gave forth no sign Of
the terror and utter loneliness of her position. And
Umballah realized that it was in the blood of these chill.
dren to be brave and quiet. There was no mercy In bis
heart he was power mad and gold mad, and his enemies
lived because he could reach neither Of his desires over
their dead bodies.
The rigamarole and nummery Winnie went through
affected her exactly as 1t had affected her sister. II WA
all a hideous nightmare, and at any moment she expected
to wake up in her coy corner at Glendale.
In the bazaars they began to laugh at Umballah and
his coronatons, or durbars. They began to lest at hi.
futile eHorrs to crown some one through whom he could
put his greedy hand into the treasury. Still. they found
plenty OF amusement and excitement. And 80 thew fllsd
the square in front of the platform when UmbaIah mt
the crown on Winnie's head. How long would this oseen
last?
And Kathlyn, her father, and Bruce wera forcoa j.
witness the event from behind the Gordon az g,ara,
dressed In native costume, their faces stained. and the,r
hearts swelling with impotent anger and DESPAIR. For IL
was in such guise they had returned to AlIaha.
During a lull in the ceremonies q resonant voice from
out the dense throng cried, " Give us a queen OF our blood
and race, thou black, gutter born dog ~
Ramabai started at the sound of that voice. but cansh,
h'nleseif before he looked In the direction whence IL
rose. It belonged to one Lal Singh.
Umballah scowled, but gave no other sipn shat W
heard. But a guard dove into the crowd uaelaaslv
however.
Kathlyn touched Ramabai's arm.
g, I must speak to herr
( BE careful, Memsahib r he warned.
But even as he spoke she stepped past him. toward her
beloved sister, and offered the flowers she held.
Winnie, not dreaming that this dark yelled crsa+nre
was her sister, smelled the flowers and beheld 4 card
which had writing on it-English!
.Couragel Father and I have q plan for your escape
Kathlyn."
TTo HE coNrrruED.l