St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1915-01-09
their eyes and they would come to
him and beg for pardon.


examine the boulder.
Meantime. Ahmed returned with the
truant elephant to find nothing but dis
order and evidences Of a struggle. A
tent was overturned. the long grass
trampled. and the colonel's sola-topee
hat lay crumpled near Kathlyn's tent.
"Ai, ai!" he walled. But, being a
philosopher. his wailing was of short
duration. He ran to the boulder and
examined it carefully. 1t had not been
touched. That was well. At least that
meant that his sahib and memsahib
lived. Treasure! He spat out a curse
=. and threw his rife to his shoulder.
But his rage turned to Joy as he dis
covered who the arrivals were.
Bruce Sahib!"
Yes, Ahmed. Umballa got the best
Of US. We were tricked by the truant
elephant. He has taken Kathlyn back
to Allaha."
And 30 shall we return!"
Ahmed called to his weary men.
His idea was to fill the elephant saddle
bags with the gold and stones, leave
1t in trust with Bala Khan, who should
in truth this time take his tulwar down
from the wall. He divided his men, one
company to guard and the other to
labor. It took half an hour to push
back the boulder and dig up the has
ket. After this was done Bruce and
Ramahai and Ahmed the indefatigable
carried the gold and precious stones
to the especially made saddlebags. All
told, it took fully an hour to complete
the work
With water and food, and well
armed. they began the journey back
to Alfalfa. formidable cortege and
in no tender mood. They proceeded in
forced marches. snatching what sleep
they could during the preparation Of
the meals.
Many q time the impulse came to
Bruce to pluck the shining metal and
sparkling stones from the saddlebags
and toss them out into the jungle, to
be lost till the crack Of doom. There
were also moments when he felt moth
ing but hatred toward the father Of the
girl he loved. For these trinkets Kath-
Ign had gone through tortures as
frightful almost as those in the days
Of the inquisition. Upon one thing he
and Ahmed had agreed. despite Rama
bats wild protest, they would leave
the treasure with Bala Khan and follow
his army to the walls Of Alfalfa. II
harm b64oll any Of their loved ones
not onA stone should remain upon an
other. And Bruce declared that he
would seek Umballa to the ends Of the
earth for the infinite pleasure Of Ia
king his black throat In his two hands
and squeezing the life out Of it.
Eventually and without mishap they
came to the walled city of the desert,
Bala Khan's stronghold. Bala Khan Of
necessity was always ready. always
prepared. Before night Of the day Of
their arrival an army was gathered
within the city, fierce eyed, lean
Joined men who asked nothing better
than to 60 to paradise, where they had
but to select what houri they would
and be happy eternally. For Bala
Khan's army. was wholly Mohamme-
dan; and so long since was it they had
fought that they romped toward AL
laha with the spirit and e6ervescence
Of puppies.
Ramabai sat in his howdah, sad
and dispirited. He himself had al
ways been an honorable man, had
never acted treacherously to any, had
been banker but never usurer. In
his heart he knew that he still held
the love of his people; but they dwell:
in the shadow Of superstition.
"Bala Khan. we have been friends.
and my father was your good friend"
1T is true
will you do favor for the son?''
Yes. IL the Colonel Sahib and his
daughter live. II they are dead. woe
to your people. son Of my friend!
have given my word to the memsahib.
l have made threat before my men
and must fulfil it If would hold them
hereafter. II the Colonel Sahib and
his daughter live, ask what you will"
Ramabai bowed.
Il will set my camp five miles be-
yond your walls and wait. When l
see the memsahib l will salaam, turn
right about face and go home. Now,
to you, Bruce Sahib: Leave not your
treasure within my walls when shall
be absent, for cannot guarantee pro-
lection. Leave It where 1t is and bring
1t with you. Save myself, no one of
my men knows what your saddlebags
contain. Let us proceed upon our
junket-or our war;
Umballa reached the ancient gate Of
Alfalfa at the same time Bruce stopped
before the walls Of Bala Khan's city.
He pulled the curtains Of the howdahs
and threatened death II they called out.
From time to time he gave directions
to the weary men astride the ele-
plants neck. The thought OF gold was
not as tempting as it had been. There
was fear In his heart This false holy
one was or had been the most power
full man in all Alfalfa. Here he would
be among friends. And the man who
had but recently been q peaceful fish