St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1915-01-09


Ramabai Drinks to HE White Friends.
Kathlyn. But I shall never wear a
precious stone again. If live. abhor
them!"
Il am my fathers daughter" said
Winnie.
Put the howdahs on the two ele-
phants,'' Umballa ordered.
The men obeyed clumsily, being fish
ermen by occupation and mahouts by
compulsion.
Kathlyn tried in vain to. see where
they were taking Bruce and the others.
Some day, il she lived, she was going
to devote a whole day to weeping. for
she never had time to in this land. The
thought caused her to smile. despite
her despair OF adventure and suffer
ing and hardship she had had more
than her share since coming to this be-
nighted country. If she eyer escaped
she would be content to settle down
to the quiet humdrum Of ordinary ex-
istence for many months.
When the elephants were properly
saddled with the howdahs Umballa
gave his attention to the prisoners. He
hailed them jovially. They were old
friends What could he do for them?
Conduct us to the seaport said the
colonel, "and on my word of honor I
will tell you where we have hidden the
treasure.
"Ho!" jeered Umballa, arms akimbo,
.I'd be a1fool to put my head into such
a trap. love you too WELL Yet am
not wholly without heart. Tell me
where it lies and will let you go"
"Cut our Threats at once, you beast,
for none of us will tell you under any
conditions save those have named.
Men, the colonel continued, this man
is an migrate, thief and a murderer.
He has promised you much gold for
your part in this. But in the end he
will cheat you and destroy you"
Unballa. laughed. They have al
ready had their earnest. Soon they
will have more But talk with them
plead, urge, promise. No more ques-
tons? Well, then, listen. Reveal to
me the treasure and you may go free.
II you refuse ! shall take you back to
Allaha-not publicly, but secretly
there to infiict what puuishments I see
fit
II have nothing more to say" re-
piled the colonel.
mo? And thou, white goddess?"
Kathlyn stared over his head her
face expressionless. It stirred him
more than outspoken contempt would
have done.
"And you, pretty one?" Umballa
eyed Winnie speculatively.
Winnie drew closer to her sister, but
that was all
so be it. Alfalfa it shall be, with
out meddling Ramabai; back to the
gurus who love you SOL" He dropped
his banter. "You call me murderer.
I admit it,, have killed the man who
was always throwing his benefits into
my face, who brought me up not as a
companion but as plaything. He Is
dead. / slew him After the first,
what are two or three more crimes Of
this order?' He snapped his fingers.
Il want that treasure, and you will tell
me where it is before am done with
you. You will tell me on your knees.
gladly! Now, men! There is long
journey before u.s.
The colonel, Kathlyn and Winnie
were forced into one howdah, while
Umballa mounted the other. AS for
the quasi-mahouts, they were not par
ticularly happy behind the ears OF the
elephants, who, with that keen appre-
citation of their kind, understood in
stinctively that they had to do with
novices. But for the promise Of gold
that dangled before their eyes, threats
of violent death could not have forced
these men upon the elephants.
They started east, and the jungle
closed in behind them
AS for Umballa, he cared not what
became of the other prisoners.
They were being held captive in one
of the village huts. The chief had
pleaded in vain. He was dishonored,
for they had made him break his word
to the white people. So be it. Sooner
or later the. xlitter-of. sold G1ula lseye