Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-10-22
CHAPTER III.
The Two Ordeals.

Umballa was not coward; he was
only ruthless and predatory after the
manner of his kind. A thrill Of admi-
ration tingled his spine. The women
OF his race were chattels, lazy and in
ert. without fire. merely drudges or
playthings. Here was one worth con-
quering. a white flame to be controlled.
To bend her without breaking her.
that must be his method of procedure.
The skin under her chin was as white
as the heart OF a mangosteen, and the
longing to sweep her into his arms was
almost Irresistible.
A high priest spoke to kathlyn.
What does he say?" she asked.
That you must marry me-
Tell him | refuse."
Umballa shrugged and repeated her
words. Here the Council of Three in
terposed. warning Kathlyn that she
must submit to the law as it read.
There was no appeal from 1t.
Then l shall appeal to the British
raj"
"How?" asked Umballa. urbanely.
Swiftly she stepped to the front of
the platform and extended her arms.
II was an appeal. She pointed to Um-
balla and shook her head. Her arms
went out again. A low murmur rippled
over the pressing crowd; 1t grew in
volume; and a frown of doubt fitted
over Umballa's brow. The soldiers
were swaying restlessly. Kathlyn saw
this sign and was quick to seize upon
its possibilities. She renewed her ges-
ture toward them. 1t seemed that
To-, hi,
dening tongue: Il appeal to the
chivalry of Allaha! Soldiers,
you now wear my uniform! Liberate
me-" But her tongue was mute; yet
her eyes, her face. her arms spoke
eloquently enough to the turbulent sol
diers. Besides, they welcomed the op-
portunity to show the populace how
strong they were and how little they
feared Umballa. At nod from their
leader they came romping up the steps
to the dais and surrounded Kathlyn.
A roar came from the populace; an
elephant trumpeted; the pariah dogs
barked.
Umballa stepped back. his hand on
his jeweled sword. He was quite un-
prepared for any such fragrant mutiny
-mutiny from his angle of vision
though in law the troopers had only
responded to the desire of their queen
He turned questioningly to the Council
and the priests. He himself could
move no further. His confreres appre-
ciated the danger in which their power
stood. They announced that it was
decreed to give the queen respite Of
seven days In which to yield. 1t
would at least hold the bold troopers
on the leash till they could be brought
to see the affair in its true light by the
way of largess in rupees. Umballa
consented because he was at the bot
tom of the sack. A priest read from a
scroll the law. explaining that no
woman might rule unmarried. Because
the young queen was not conversant
with the laws of the state she would
! be given seven days. Thus the dur.
bar ended.
With a diplomacy which would have
graced a better man UmbalIa directed
the troopers to escort Kathlyn to her
chamber in the zenana. He had in
mind seven days. Many things could
be accomplished in that space of time
For the present" he said. smiling
at Kathlyn. the God of your fathers
has proven strongest. But tomorrow!
All. tomorrow, There will be
seven days. Think then. deeply and
wisely. Your khitmatgar Rao Is a
prisoner. 1t will be weeks ere your
presence is known here. You are
helpless as bird in the net. Struggle
II you will: you will only bruise your
wings. The British raj? The British
raj does not want a great border war.
and ! can bring down ten thousand
wild hill men outlaws between whom
and the British raj there is a blood
feud; ten thousand from a land where
there IL never peace. only truce. In