Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-12-03
-Ramab.i,~ called Bruce In . whis.

A servant ran to the gate.
who calls?" demanded Ramabia.
suspicious as all conspirators ever are.
"It is l, Bruce" was the reply in
English, fiinging aside his burnoose.
"Rruce Sahib? Open!" cried Ra-
mabai. What do you here? Have
you found herr"
Ramabai's wife, Pundita. came from
the house. She recognized Bruce i'm
mediately.
THE memsahib! Have you found
herr"
Just a moment. Kathlyn Memsahib
j.! is in one of the palace dungeons. She
must be liberated tonight. We need
| money to bribe what sentries are
about" Bruce went on to relate the
incident OF the baboon. This proves
that the note was written not more
than three hours ago. She probably
will be held there till morning. This
time we'll place her far beyond the
| reach of Umballa."
Either my money or my life. In
| month from now
"What?" asked Ahmed.
"Ah. l must not tell" Pundita stole
| close to Ramabai.
Ahmed smiled.
I'VE have elephants but little way
outside the city. We have pulling
chains. Let us he off at once. 1t is
not necessary to enter the city, for this
window, Ahmed says. is on the out
| side. We can easily approach the wall
| in roundabout way without being
seen. Have you money!"
From his belt Ramabal produced
| some gold.
THAT will be sufficient To you,
then. the bribing. The men. should
there be any. will bark to you. Comet"
| concluded Bruce. impatient to be off.
And II" timidly asked Pundita.
You will seek Hare Sahibs camp"
said Ramabai. This is good oppor-
| tunity to get you away also"
Ahmed nodded approvingly.
Pundita kissed her husband: for
these two loved each other. circum-
stance almost unknown In this dark.
mysterious land of many gods
"Pundita, you will remain at the camp
In readiness to receive US. At dawn
we shall leave for the frontier. And
when we return 1t will be with might
and reprisal. Umballa shall die the
death Of dog" Ramabai clinched his
hands.
But first" cooed Ahmed. he shall
wear out the soles OF his pigs feet In
the treadmill 1t is written. ! am a
Mohammedan. Yet sometimes these
vile fakirs have the gift of seeing into
the future. And one has seen
lie paused
Seen WHAT" demanded Bruce.
81 must not put false hopes In your
hearts But this ! may say: Trials will
come. bitter and heart burning; a
storm. a whirlwind. fire; but peace
is after that. But Allah uses US as his
tools. Let us haste!"
"And II" said Ramabai, sending
piercing glance at Ahmed.
But Ahmed smiled and shook his
head Wait and see Ramabai Some
day they will call you the Fortunate.
Let us hurry. My memsahib waits.
What did this fakir see7" whis-
pered Bruce as he donned his burnoose
again.
Many wonderful things; but per-
haps the fakir lied. They all lie. Yet
. Hurry"
| The quartet passed out of the city
unmolested. Ramabai's house was
supposed to be under strict surveil-
lance: but the soldiers. due to largess.
were junketing in the bazaars. Short
ly they came up TO two elephants with
howdahs. They were the best man
nered of the half dozen owned or rent
! ed by Colonel Hare. Mahouts sat
/ astride. Rifles reposed in the side
sheaths This was to be no light ad-
venture There might be a small war
| fare.
| Pundita flung her arms round Ra-
mabai, and he consoled her. She was
then led away to the coloners camp.
Remember" Ramabai said at part
ing, she saved both our lives. We
owe debt"
Go. my lord: and may all the gods
nay. the Christian God-~atch over
you!'
Forward" growled Ahmed. First.
though. he saw TO 1t that the pulling
chains we're well wrapped In cotton
blankets There must be no sound to
warn others OF their approach.
Ahmed" began Bruce.
| Leave all things to me. sahib," in
terrupted Ahmed, who assumed
strange authority at times that con-
fused and puzzled Bruce. 1T Is my
memsahib. and am one Of the fingers
OF the long arm of the British raj And
there are books in Calcutta In which
my name is written high. No more!"
Through the moon-frosted Jungle
the two elephants moved silently.
drove of wild pigs scampered across
the path and the wild peacock hissed
from the underbrush sleepily. All ST.