Meade County news., 1915-01-28
CHAPTER xIl-continued.

GTIAF En- NIl-SOUtlUbCbs
All day long they wound In and out,
lover and down the rolling mounds Of
sand, pausing only once, somewhere
near four o'clock, when they dismount-
led for space to enjoy bite to eat
land dish OF tea Then on again,
Through the night, making about sixty
miles in all. At dawn they came upon
"a well, and here they decided to rest
hill sunset Beyond the well, some
twenty-five miles, lay the low noun
tain range over which they must pass
Ito the sea- At the foot Of these hills
stood a small village, which they
reached about ten o'clock that night.
They found the village wide awake.
The pariah dogs we're bowling. And
on making inquiries 1t was learned
that tiger had been prowling about
for three or four nights, and that they
had set trap cage for the brute. The
colonel and Bruce at once assumed
charge. The old zest returned with
all its vigor and allurement. Even
Kathlyn and Pundita decided to join
the expedition, though Pundita knew
nothing Of arms
Now, this village was the home OF
the nine brigands, and whenever they
were about they dominated the vlllag-
ers They were returning from a for
aging expedition into the hills, and
discovered the trap cage with the tiger
Inside. Very good. The tiger was no
hse to any but themselves, since they
knew where to sell 1t. They were in
the act OF pulling the brush away from
the cage when they heard sounds of
Others approaching. With the suspi-
Icion which was part Of their busi-
mess they Immediately ran to cover to
Isee who 1t was.
Instantly the chief Of the brigands
discovered that these new arrivals
were none other than the white people
lwho had given him and his men a
superdrug and thereby mulcted them
tout of the sacred white elephant
which was to have brought them a
fortune.
Unfortunately, the men OF Kathlyn's
lparty laid aside their weapons on ap-
preaching the cage to tear away the
brush. Eight brigands. at sign from
their chief, surrounded the investiga-
tors, who found themselves nicely
caught.
The natives fed incontlnently. So
did Bala Khan's camel men.
Death II you novel" snarled the
chief "Ah, you gave us bad opium.
and we dropped like logs! Swine!"
He raised his rife threateningly.
wait a minute" said Bruce coolly.
"What you want is money"
"Ay, money! Ten thousand rupees!"
1T shall be given you II you let US
go. You will conduct US over the hills
to the sea, and there the money will
be given you"
The chief laughed long and loudly
What! Am goat to put my head
inside the tigers jaws? Nay, l shall
hold you here for ransom. Let then
bring gold. Now, take hold" indicat
ing the trap cage. I'VE shall take thii
fine man eater along with us. l an
speaking to you. white men, and you
pig Of Hindu! Chalu! will xii
anyone who falters. Opium! All, yes
You shall pay for my headache and tn,
sickness of my comrades. Chalu! Ant
yon white woman; she shall give
ransom of her own!"
The village jutted out into the des
ert after the fashion Of a peninsula
lon the west Of it lay another stretcl
of sand They followed the verdur
till they reached the base Of the rock
hills, which were barren of any vegt
tation; huge jumbles Of granite tn
color of porphyry. During the nigh
dawn were smothered by one of thos
raging sandstorms, prevalent in thi
latitude. They had to abandon tn
trap cage and seek shelter in a nea
by cave. Here they remained huddle
together till the storm died away.
1T has blown itself out" commen
ed the chief. Then he spoke to Ram
bal. who is this MANI" with nc
toward the colonel.
"He is an American"
He came for Allaha?'
YES" said Ramabai, unsusplciou
"Ha! Then that great prince did n
HaL"