The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-02

bore a charmed life, and all the wild beasts of the jun
giles of Hind could not harm her. 1t was written.
And then Bruce discovered her upon the wall.
1t took but q moment to bring the elephant alongside:
and Kathlyn dropped down into the howdah.
"A narrow squeak, dad" was all she said.
"Let us get on our way" said the Colonel, hoarsely.
Aud remember, shoot to kill any man who attempts
to stop Us. My Kitv' embracing Kathlyn. Perhaps
the escape Of the leopards is the luckiest thing that could
have happened. 1t will keep them all busy for an hour
or more. Since Umballah believes you to be dead, he will
be concerned about my disappearance only. And it will
be some time ere they learn Of my escape. Forward,
Ahmed! This time ."
Don't father!' interrupted Kathlyn. perhaps we
shall escape, but none Of us is sure. Let US merely hope.
I'm so tired!'
Bruce reached over and pressed her hand reassurlns.
"; and the Colonel eyed him as from a new angle.
"Good!" he murmured under his breath. Nothing
better could happen. He is a man, and a tried one, I
know. Good! If once We get clear of this hell, 1 shall
not stand in their way. But. Winnie, Winnie; what In
Gods name will that kitten be doing all these terrible
weeks? Will she try to find us? The first telegraph
office we reach I must cable her under no circumstances
to stir from home. Ahmed" he said aloud, "how far
are we from the nearest telegraph ~statioR?"
Three days, Sahib."
shall we be obliged to stop at the gate to change
our mounts"
"No, sahib; only to take supplies enough to last uu."
Lose as little tms as you can. Now drop the cur.
tains, Bruce"
So through the streets they hurried, unmolested. Thoss
who saw the curtained howdah took It for granted that
some unsuccessful candidate was returning to her home.
1t was we'll for Kathlyn that she had made up her
mind to leap for the vines at the moment she did. For
the elephants had not left the first turn In the street
when keepers and soldiers came running pellLnel into
the street with ropes and ladders, prepared for the
~recapture of the treasury leopards, which, Of course, wezs
looked upon as sacred. ~~"
At the ancient gate the fugitives paused for the sup
piles awaiting them. Ahmed was not known to the
guards there; that was good fortune. In the dialect he
TESTED with them, winked and nodded toward the cur
tanned howdah. The guards laughed; they understood.
Some disappointed houri was returning whence she
had come. Ahmed took his time; he had no reason to
hurry. Nothing must pass which would arouse the sue
picions Of the guards; and haste always alarmed the
oriental. ."'s =
To the Colonel, however, things appeared to lag unnee-
essarny. He finally lost patience and swept back the
curtain despite Bruce's restraining hand. A native ma
bout, who had been lettering in town that day, recognized
at once the royal turban which the colonel still wore.
The colonel's face meant nothing; the turban, everything.
The mahout stood stock still for q moment, not quite
believing his eyes. By this time, however, Ahmed was
comfortably straddled back Of his elephants ears and
was jogging along the road.
"The kingv' shouted the surprised mahout to the
guards, who had not seen the man or the turban.
"What king, fooIT' returned the guards.
"The white king who was betrothed this dayI Al, oil
1 have seen the royal turban. It is he!'t
The guards derided him. So, finding no hope In them,
he ran to his elephant, mounted, and rode back into
town. Durga Ram would pay well for this news.
Father" said kathryn reproachfully, THAT mahodt
recognized you. l warned you not to move the curtain
Bruce shrugged.
"But, Kit" returned her father, Ahmed was so
Internally slow! He could spend time IN ~chattering to
the guards
Ahmed heard, but said nothing.
Never mind p interposed Bruce practically. A any
rate we shall have the advantage Of a couple OF hours,