The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-22


and when he slept he could sleep any.
where, on the moment
Filling his saddle bags with three
| days rations, two oanteens of water,
he set off on hagin, or racing camel,
for Alfalfa, 200 miles inland as the
crow flies. 1t was his intention to
ride straight down to the desert and
across this to Colonel Hare's camp, il
such thing now existed. A dromedary
in good condition can make from sixty
to eighty miles 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 con-
vey her to the seaport. If it was too
late, he would send the camel back
with trusted messenger to the colo
mel, to advise him.
They watched him depart in cloud
of dust, and then played the most en-
ervating game in existence-that of
waiting; for they had decided to wait
till they heard from Ahmed before
they moved.
Four nights later, when Ahmed ar
rived at the bungalow, he found condi-
lions as usual. For reasons best known
TO himself Umballa had not disturbed
anything. In fact, he had always had
the coming of the younger sister in
mind and left the bungalow and camp
untouched. so as not to alarm her
She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed
flung himself down upon his cotton
rug, telling the keepers not to disturb
him; he would 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 hand shook him by the shout
der and he awoke to witness the ar
rival of Winnie and her woman COM
panion.
For the first time in many years
Ahmed cursed his prophet. He that
had had time to warn the child had
slept like the sloth of Ceylon!
He went directly to the point. He
told her briefly what had happened
He had not the least doubt that Um-
balla was already aware of her ar
rival She must remain hidden in the
go-down CT the bungalow; her maid
also. That night, if Umballa 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 general he
was, he dispatched the messenger and
camel to the sea. The father and
daughter were fated to return.
Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Um.
balla appeared later in the day and de.
manded the daughter of Colonel Hare.
Backed as he was by numerous sol.
diers, Ahmed resigned himself to the
inevitable. They found Winnie and her
maid (whom later they sent to the
frontier and abandoned) and took
them to the palace.
There was no weeping or wailing or
struggling. The dark, proud face of
the young girl gave forth no sign of
the terror and utter loneliness Of her
position. And Umballa realized that
it was in the blood of these children
to be brave and quiet. There was no
mercy in his heart. He was power
mad and gold mad, and his enemies
lived because he could reach neither
Of hic dacirac ovor thar daod ho1;ac
The rigmarole and mummery Win
ME went through affected her exactly
as it had affected her sister 1t was
all a hideous nightmare, and at any
moment she expected to make up in
her cozy corner at Glendale.
In the bazaars they began to laugh
at Umballa and his coronations, or
durbars. They began to jest at his flu
tile efforts to crown some one through
whom he could put his greedy hand
into the treasury. Still, they found
plenty of amusement and excitement.
And so they filled the square in front
of the platform when Umballa put the
crown on Winne's head. How long
would this queen last?
And Kathlyn, her father and Bruce
were forced to witness the event from
behind the Gordon Of guards, dressed
in native costume, their faces stained,
and their hearts swelling with impo.
tent anger and despair. For it was In
such guise they had returned to AL.
laha
During lull in the ceremonies a
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 caught himself before he
looked in the direction from whence
it rose. 1t belonged to one Lal Singh.
Umballa scowled, but gave no other
sign that he heard. But guard dived
into the crowd uselessly. however.
Kathlyn touched Ramabai's arm.
20, must speak to herr"
BE careful, memsahib!" he warned.
But even as she spoke she stepped
past him, toward her beloved sister.
and offered the flowers she held.
Winnie, not dreaming that this dark
yelled creature was her sister, smelled
l n.