Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-03-17


subjected to scrutiny in India
Umballa was in good humor. Here
he was, several hours ahead of his
enemies. He would have the filigree
basket dug up and transferred to the
sloop before the Colonel Sahib could
reach the village. And Umballa would
have succeeded but for the fact that
the wind fell unaccountably and they
lost more than an hour in handling the
sloop with oars.
When the sloop left the primitive
and told his wife what had taken place.
like the good husband he was. They
would be rich.
Suddenly the child set up wailing
Through the window she had seen
bold leopard trot over to the bullock
cart and carry away the kid. The
chief at once summoned his remaining
men. and they proceeded to set a trap
for the prowler. The cat had already
killed one bullock and injured another.
They knew that the beast would not
return for some hours. having gorged
itself upon the kid. But It was well to
be prepared.
Toward noon the other treasure
seekers drew up within a quarter Of
a mile behind the village. The men
folk thought 1t advisable to reconnoi-
ter before entering the village. One
never could tell. Winnie declared her
intention of snoozing while they walt
ed. and curled up in her rugs. Kath-
lyn, however. could not resist the
longing to look upon the sea again.
She could see the lovely blue water
through the spaces between the trees.
Soon she would be flying over that wa
ter. flying for home. home!
She went farther from the camp
than she really intended. and came un-
expectedly upon the leopard. which
stood guarding its cubs while they
growled and tore at the dead kid.
Kathlyn realized that she was un-
armed. and that the leopard was be-
tween her and the camp. She could
see the roofs of the village below her:
so toward the huts she ran. The leop-
ard stood still for a while. eyeing her
doubtfully, then made up its mind to
give chase. She had tasted blood. but
had not eaten.
Meantime the little child had forgot
ten her loss in her interest in the bull.
lock cart with its grotesque lure; and
she climbed into the cart just as Kath-
lyn appeared. followed by the excited
leopard. She saw the child and
snatched her instinctively from the
cart. The leopard leaped into the cart
at the rear. while Kathlyn ran toward
the chiefs hut. into which she stag
gered without the formality Of an
nouncing her advent
The father OF the child had no need
to question, though he marveled at the
white skin and dress Of this visitor.
who had doubtless saved his child from
death. He flung the door shut and
dropped the bar. Next he sought his
gun and fired through a crack in the
door. He missed: but the noise and
smoke frightened the leopard away.
And later. Bruce. wild with anxiety
over the disappearance of Kathlyn.
came across the chief battling for his
life. He had gone forth to hunt the
leopard. and the leopard had hunted
him. Bruce dared not fire, for fear
Of killing tho man: SO without hesi-
tance or fear he caught the leopard by
the back of the neck and by a hind leg
and swung her into the sea.
The chief was severely mauled, but
he was able to get to his feet and
walk. The white woman had saved his
child and the white man had saved
him. He would remember.
served purpose. for all her deadly In
tentions; the chief was filled with
gratitude.
When the colonel and the others
came into view the former seized Kath-
lyn by the shoulders and shook her
Historically.
in Gods name. Kit. don't you know
any better than to wander OFF alone?
Do you want to drive me mad?"
why, father, I wasn't afraid"
Afraid? Who said anything about
your being afraid? Didn't you know
that we were being followed? 1t is
Umballa! All! that gives you a start!"
Colonel" said Bruce gently.
Il know. Bruce. sound harsh. But
you were tearing your hair, too"
Forgive me-" cried Kathlyn. peni-
tent, for she knew she had done wrong.
Il did not think. But Umballa?"
Yes. Umballa. One of the keepers
found knife by that bridge, and
Ramabai Identifies It as belonging to
Umballa. Whether he is alone or with
many, do not know: but this l do
know: we must under no circum-
stances become separated again. Now,
I'm going to quiz the chief"
But the chief said that no person
described had passed or been seen. No
one but a holy man had come that
morning, and he had gone tn the island
in the sloop.
L.