Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-03-31

not one stone should remain upon an
other. Aud Bruce declared that he
would seek Umballa to the ends of the
earth for the infinite pleasure of ta-
king his black throat in his two hands
and squeezing the life out of it.
Eventually and without mishap they
came to the walled city of the desert,
Bala Khan's stronghold. Bala Khan of
necessity was always ready. always
prepared. Before night of the day of
their arrival an army was gathered
within the city. fierce eyed. lean
loined men who asked nothing better
than to go to paradise. where they had
but to select what houri they would
and be happy eternally. For Bala
Khan's army was wholly Mohamme-
dan; and so long since was 1t they had
fought that they romped toward Al
laha with the spirit and effervescence
of puppies.
Ramabai sat in his howdah, sad
and dispirited. He himself had al
ways been an honorable man. had
never acted treacherously to any. had
his heart he knew that he still held
the love OF his people; but they dwelt
in the shadow of superstition.
"Bala Khan, we have been friends,
and my father was your good friend"
TT is true"
"Will you do favor for the son?".
"Yes. If the Colonel Sahib and his
daughter live. II they are dead. woe
to your people, son of my friend!
have given my word to the memsahib.
l have made a threat before my men
and must fulfil 1t II would hold them
hereafter. If the Colonel Sahib and
his daughter live. ask what you will"
Ramabai bowed.
Il will set my camp five miles be-
yond your walls and wait. When
see the memsahib will salaam, turn
right about face and go home. Now.
to you. Bruce Sahib: Leave not your
treasure within my walls when shall
be absent, for l cannot guarantee pro-
lection. Leave 1t where it is and bring
it with you. Save myself, no one of
my men knows what your saddlebags
contain. Let us proceed upon our
junket-or our war!"
Umballa reached the ancient gate of
Allaha at the same time Bruce stopped
before the walls of Bala Khan's city.
He pulled the curtains of the howdahs
and threatened death II they called out.
From time to time he gave directions
to the weary men astride the ele-
plants neck. The thought Of gold was
not az tempting as it had been. There
was fear in his heart. This false holy
one was or had been the most power
full man in all Allaha. Here he would
be among friends. And the man who
had but recently been a peaceful fish
erman felt intermittent hot flashes
about his throat.
Umballa had no intention whatever
of making his presence known in ALA
ha. He determined to wiring the Sc
cret from either the colonel or his
daughter, return for the treasure and
depart for Egypt down the Persian
gulf. He could have tortured his cap
tives on the way. but he was oriental:
he wanted to feel all the luxuries he
had formerly known, to enjoy himself
physically as well as mentally. He
missed the exhilaration of his kings
peg.
He made a wide detour and came
out at the rear of his house. No one
was In sight. He dismounted and en-
tered, found three or four of his Will
ON slaves, who, when he revealed his
identity, felt the old terror and fear
of the man. His prisoners were brought
;,, hn IN
stables. He wanted to run away and
declare Umballas presence. but fear
was too strong.
Ironically Umballa bade the fisher
men to enter. to eat and drink what
they liked. Later he found them in a
drunken stupor In the kitchen. That
was where they belonged.
Umballa cast his prisoners into the
secret chamber. Then he gave himself
up to the luxury of a bath. had his
hair and beard combed. his body
anointed with perfumes, and put on his
finest raiment. Then he drank his peg.
AS for his prisoners, he did not visit
them again that day nor yet that
night. The initial torture of suspense
was always excellent. One thing an
noyed him, however-not murmur
from these calm-eyed white people
who were about to face death. He
ragged against this lack OF feeling. for
1t robbed him of half his pleasure. He
liked his victims to whine and cringe
and beg for mercy.
Like many rich Asiatics. Umballa
had his own menagerie. He had in
herited It along with the demi-palace
when the kings sister died. several
years before. There existed what was
called the Court of Death. There were
| fa..z sidas to this court and in tho