Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-25
CHAPTER xu-tCont,nued)

CHAPTER Nu-(Continued)
ssOAHIB. 1t Is best not to anger him too
~ much. lie says he means TO have the
girl. He saw her beauty that day and she In
famed his heart. She has cost him many
lives, but she is worth n Sultan's ransom.
He cares not for warships. They cannot
reach his village in the hills by the
tomb of Nizam-ud-din, sahlb. he will not
harm you II you give her up, but " you
refuse he will kill you both. And what is
one woman more or less In the world that
she should cause strife and blood-letting?"
The sailor knew the eastern character
too well not to understand the mans
amazement that he should be so solicitous
about the fate OF one OF the weaker sex.
IL was seemingly useless TO offer terms vet
the native was clearly so anxious for an
amicable settlement that he caught at n
straw.
You como from Delhi7" he asked,
'Honored one. you have great wisdom"
None but Debit man swears by the
tomb on the road to Kutub. You have es-
capped from the Andamans7"
"Sahib. did but slay man in self
defense"
Whatever the cause. you can never
again see India. Nevertheless. you would
give many years OF your life TO mix once
more with the bazaar folk in the Chandni
Chowk, and sit at night on a charpoy near
the Lahore Cater"
The brown skin assumed n sallow tlnge.
That is good speaking" he gurgled.
Then help me and my friend to escape
Compel your chief to leave the Island. XIII
him Plot against him l will promise
you freedom and plenty of rupees Do this
and l swear to you will come in ship
and take you away The miss-sahib's
father is powerful. He has great influence
with the Sirkar"
Taung S'Ali was evidently bewidered
and annoyed by this passionate appeal
which he did not understand. He demand
ed an explanation and the ready-witted ma
tive was obliged to invent some plausible
excuse. Yet when he raised his face to
jerks there was tho look of a hunted ami
NAL In his eyes
"Sahib." he said, endeavoring to conceal
his agitation. II am one among many.
A word from me and they would cut my
throat II l were with you there on the
rock 1 would die with you. for l was in the
KumAon Rlssala when the trouble befell
me. II Is of no avail 10 bargain with
tiger. sahib suppose you will not give
up the miss-sahib. Pretend TO argue with
me. 1 will help in any way possible"
Jenk's heart bounded when this unlocked
for offer reached his ears. The unfortunate
Mahommedan was evidently eager to get
away from the piratical gang into whose
power he had fallen. But the chief was
impatient, IL not suspicious OF these long
speeches.
Angrily holding forth Lee-Metford, ythe
sailor shouted
Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay him
and all HIS men ere tomorrows sun rises.
He knows something OF my power. but not
all. Tonight, at the twelfth hour. you will
find n rope hanging from the rock Tie
thereto a vessel of water. Fall not In this,
1 will not forget your services l am An
struther Sabit, of the Belgaum Rissala."
The native translated his words into a
fierce defiance of Taung S'Ali and his Dyals.
The chief glanced at jerks and Iris with
aNl
Then sahib. there is nothing more to be
said. Beware of the trees on your right.
They can send silent death even to the
place where you stand. And / will not
fail you tonight on my llfe." cried the
| interpreter.
"I believe you Col But inform your
chief that once you have disappeared round
the rock whence you came will talk TO
him only with a rifle"
Taung S'Ali seemed to comprehend the
Englshman's emphatic motions Waving
his hand defiantly, the Dyak turned, and,
with one parting glance of mute assurance,
| the Indian followed him.
And now there came TO jerks a great
temptation. Iris touched hfs arm and whis-
pered-
what have you decided3 I did not
dare to speak lest he should hear my
voice"
Keeping a close watch on the sheltering
promontory. he told her all that had taken
place. Iris became very downcast when
she grasped the exact state of affairs.
What an unlucky influence 1 have had
on your existence !" she exclaimed. IF II
were not for me this trouble at least would
| be spared you. Because / am here you are
condemned. Again. because stopped you
from shooting that wretched chief and his
companions they are now demanding your
life as a forfeit II is all my fault
cannot bear it."
jerks was very stern and curt in his
reply.
I'VE must make the best OF bad busi-
ness" he said. IF we are In a tight place
the Dyaks are not much better off, and