The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-04-03


become of him?"
The officer smiled and shook his
head
"Rao is a prisoner. them" thought
the young man. THAT black scoundrel
Umballa is at least thorough" Aloud
he said: I'VE shall go at once to your
house, Ramabai."
And all through the night they
planned and planned, but not knowing
where the first ordeal was to take
place. nor the hour. they found them.
selves going round in a circle. getting
nowhere. To man of action like
| Bruce it was maddening
He slept little before dawn, and
was aroused by voices below. He
! listened.
Il am Jawahir Lal, the water car
| rier. Each day at dawn / water the
garden of Ramabai to pay debt"
| Bruce looked toward Ramabai. who
slept the sleep of the profoundly
wearied. A bhisti; perhaps a messen.
ger.
can be opened" said the trooper.
Bruce went to the window overlook.
ing the garden. He saw the water
carrier enter through the bamboo gate,
heard the water slosh about jerkily as
the bhisti emptied his goatskin. He
watched the man curiously; saw him
drop the skin and tiptoe toward the
house, glance right and left alertly
Then he disappeared. Presently at
the head of the stairs Bruce heard
whisper-"Ramabai."
who is it?' Bruce whispered in the
dialect.
Ahmed"
Ahmed. Who was Ahmed?
Bruce shook Ramabai Ahmed Is
here. Who is he?" he asked softly
"Ahmed?" drowsily. Then, wide
awake enough: Ahmed? He was
Hare Sahibs head animal man Where
is he?"
flush! Not so loud Come up,
Ahmed; ! am Bruce. Let us speak in
English"
Good" Ahmed came into the
chamber. ITO see Bruce Sahib is
good Tomorrow my masters daush.
ter is to be carried into the jungle.
The memsahib is to be tied inside a
tiger trap. bait for the cat. That is the
first ordeal"
"Shaitan!" murmured Ramabai.
Go on, Ahmed"
THE cage will be set near the old
peepul tree, not far from the south
gate. Now, you sahib, and you, Rama
bal, must hide somewhere near. 1t is
the law that if she escapes the ordeal
from unexpected sources she is free,
at least till the second ordeal. know
not what that is at present or when
it is to take place. The troops will be
there, and the populace, the Council,
the priests, and Umballa | shall have
two swift camels near the clump of
bamboo. l may not be there, but
some one will. She must be hurried
off before the confusion dies away.
Must, sahib. There must be no second
ordeal"
But how am to get out Of here?"
asked Ramabai. Guards all about, and
doubtless hidden to shoot if | stir,"
Itch! Tch!" clicked Ahmed. He
unwound his dirty turban and slipped
out Of the ragged shirtlike frock
These and the water skin below A
bhisti entered, bhisti goes out. What
is simpler than that? 1t is not light
enough for the soldiers to notice
Ahmed said Bruce, holding out
his hand, you're a man."
Thanks, sahib," drily But hasten!
At dawn tomorrow, or late tonight, Ra-
mabai returns with full water skin
The memsahib must at least stand the
ordeal of terror, for she is guarded too
we'll. Yet, if they were not going to
bind her. should not worry. She has
animal magic in her eye, in her voice
have seen wild beasts grow still
when she spoke. Who knows? Now,
Sleep"
Bruce and Ramabai had no difficulty
in passing the guards. They wisely
made a wide detour to the peepul tree,
which they climbed, disturbing the
apes and the parrakeets.
somewhere near 8 o'clock they
heard the creaking of wheels and a
murmur of voices. Shortly into the
range of vision drew pair of bullocks,
pulling a tiger trap toward the clear
ing.
When Bruce saw this damnable
thing he understood, and he shook
with horror and voiceless rage. He
caught Ramabai by the arm SO savage
ly that low cry came from the brown
mans lips.
Patience, sahib!" he warned with
out you what will the memsahib do?
They will tie her in that and liberate
a tiger. The rest lies with you, sahib."
"Ramabai, as God hears me, some
one shall pay for this!.
"Hush!" again warned Ramabai.
hugging his perch.
Later by half an hour Bruce wit