The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-03-27
CHAPTER III.
The TWO Ordeals.

mDdlld was hot u COWdAu, uC Woo |
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 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 I refused"
| 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 it.
Then | shall appeal to the British
raj"
Howl" asked Umballa, urbanely.
Swiftly she stepped to the front OF |
the platform and extended her arms. |
1t 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
we're swaying restlessly. Kathlyn saw
this sign and was quick to seize upon
its possibilities. She renewed her ges-
, ture toward them. 1t seemed that
she must burst forth in their mad
, dening tongue: i appeal to the
, chivalry of Alfalfa! Soldiers,
, you now wear my uniform! Liberate
' mel" 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
y feared Umballa At a nod from their
\ leader they came romping up the steps
n to the dais and surrounded kathlyn
v A roar came from the populace; an
q elephant trumpeted; the pariah dogs
barked.
I Umballa stepped back, his hand on
| his jeweled sword He was quite I'M
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.
i 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
n stood They announced that 1t was
N decreed to give the queen respite OF
y seven days in which to yield. 1t
u would at least hold the bold troopers
4 on the leash till they could be brought
! to see the affair in its true light by the
| way of largess in rupees. Umbalia
I'll consented because he was at the bot
IL tom of the sack. A priest read from
II scroll the law, explaining that nc
81 woman might rule unmarried. Because
81 the young queen was not conversan
Il with the laws Of the state she Woult
be given seven days. Thus the our
81 bar ended.
S5 With diplomacy which would hav'
81 graced a better man Umballa directed
Isl the troopers to escort Kathlyn to he
g chamber in the zenana. He had II
81 mind seven days. Many things coul
be accomplished in that space OF time
81 For the present" he said, smilin
- at Kathlyn, "the God Of your father
has proven strongest. But tomorrow
All, tomorrow! There will b
nd seven days Think then, deeply an
rit. wisely. Your khitmatgar Rao is
prisoner. 1t will be weeks ere you
an presence is known here. You ar
he HELPLESS as a bird in the net. Struggl
ers If you will; you will only bruise you
All wings. The British raj? The BIRTHS
raj does not want a great border wa
and can bring down ten thousan
she wild hill men outlaws between whol
she and the British raj there is a bloc
his feud; ten thousand from land whel
'eet there is never peace, only truce.
she seven days. Salaam, heaven born!"
ted. She returned his ironical gaze cali
ced ly over the shoulder Of trooper.
the Wait" she said. Il wish you
pro- understand the enormity OF yo'
crime"
old "Crime?" with elevated eyebrows.
ow. Yves. You have abducted me-"
ave mo. You came of your own fr
Be will"
The white men Of my race will y
out pause to argue over any such subtle
lie, / Marry you? do not like your colo
Let A duh red settled under Umballi
and. skin.
ice? Il merely wish to warn you," 6
cred went on, that my blood will be up
ring your head. And woe to you IL it
dag. There are white men who will !
hite await the coming Of the British re-
She "Ah, yes; some brave. hardy Am'
tive can: Bruce Sahib, for instance. Al