The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-06-19

For the FIRST time since the expedi-
ton started out the colonel became
normal. q man of action. cool In the
head, and foresighted. The hardships
of his Incarceration. the many dangers
through which he had passed and the
constant worry over his daughters had
had their effect upon his mental and
physical being. Heretofore he had
been content to let others lead and
blindly follow. apparently hoping little
for ultimate success and freedom. Now
he was the colonel of old. the intrepid
and resourceful man whom Ahmed
had followed in many q hunting exps-
dition.
Ahmed. spread out the men around
the camp" he ordered. briskly. In
struct them to shoot over the head Of
anyone who approaches; this the first
time. The second time, to kill. Bruce
has the right idea; 30 let Us get busy.
Over there. where that boulder IL. The
ground will be damp and soft under II.
and when we roll 1t back there will be
no sign Of its having been disturbed. |
used to cache ammunition that way.
Give me that spade"
|. It was good to Kathlyn's ears to hear
her father talk like this.
At depth of three feet the basket
was lowered. covered and the boulder
rolled into place. After that the colo
mel stopped and combed the turf where
the boulder had temporarily rested.
He showed his wonderful woodcraft
there. It would take keener eye than
Umballa possessed to note any disturb
ance. The safety or the treasure ulti-
mately. however. depended upon the
loyalty Of the keepers under Ahmed.
They had been with the colonel for
years; yet :. 4. The colonel shrugged.
He had to trust them; that was ak
there was to the matter. Here was q
treasure that might we'll test the hon
esty of any man. No one could fore
tell whether the loyalty of his keep
ers would stand up against q tempta-
ton such as this. But there was no
alternative. he must trust them.
A sentinel came rushing up--one Of
the keepers.
Something IL stampeding the ele-
2hants!" he cried.
Ahmed and the men with him rushed
Of. In Ahmed's opinion. considering
what lay before them. elephants were
more important than colored stones
and yellow metal. Without the ele-
plants they would indeed find them
selves In sore straits.
LET US move away from here" ad-
vised Bruce. picking up the imple-
ments and shouldering them. He
walked several yards away. tossed
shovel and pick into the bushes. tore
at the turf and stamped on It, giving
It every appearance Of having been dis
turbed. The colonel nodded approving.
ily 1t was good point and he had
overlooked it.
They returned hastily to camp.
which was about two hundred yards
beyond the boulder. Kathlyn entered
her tent to change her clothes. ragged.
soiled and burnt The odpr OF wet
burnt cloth Is never agreeable. And
she needed dry shoes. even II there
Was but an hour or two before bed.
time. - a&as q
Only one elephant had succeeded In
bolting. In some manner he had
loosened his peg: but what had started
him on the run they never learned.
The other elephants were swaying un-
easily, but their pegs were deep and
their chains stout. Ahmed and the
keepers went after the truant on foot.
The noise Of the chase died away.
Bruce was lighting his pipe. The colo
mel was examining by the frelight Z
few emeralds which he had taken from
the basket. Ramabai was pleasantly
gazing at his wife. Kathlyn and Win.
ME were emerging from the tent. when
yell greeted their astonished ears
The camp was surrounded From one
side came Umballa, from the other
came the mutineers. Kathlyn and
Winnie few to their fathers side. In
between came Umballs. with Bruce
and Ramabai and Pundita efectually
separated. Umballa and his mer
closed In upon the colonel and his
daughter. Treasure and revenge!
Bruce made . furious effort TO Join
Kathlyn. but the numbers against him