davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

He drew out his wonderful cigarette
case and offered it open to Courtenay,
who hesitated, and then helped him.
self. King refused.
: ''Major Courtenay has just told me"
said King, shat nobody resembling
Yasmini has gone up the pass recently.
Can you explain?"
do you mean, can ] explain why
the major failed to see her? Pom my
soul, King sahib, d'you want me to
insult the man? Yasmini is too jolly
clever for me, or for any other man /
ever met; and the majors man, isn't
he? He may pack the Khyber SO full
Of men that there's only standing room
and still she'll go up without his leave
if she chooses! There is nobody like
Yasmini in all the world J"
The Hangar was looking past him.
facing the great gorge that lets the
north Of Asia trickle down into India
and back again when weather and the
tribes permit. His eyes had become
interested in the distance. King won
dered why-and looked-and saw.
Courtenay saw, too.
"Hail that man and bring him here!''
he ordered.
Ismail, keeping his distance with
ears and eyes peeled, heard instantly
and hurried off. Fifteen minutes later
an Afridi stood scowling in front OF
them with little letter in cleft stick
in his hand. He held it out and Cour-
tenay took IL and shifted.
'Well-Tll be blessed! A note"-
sniff sniff-"on scented paper" Sniff
sniff! Carried down the Khyber in a
split stick! Take it, Knights adj
dressed to you"
King obeyed and shifted too. It
smelt Of something far more subtle
than musk. He recognized the same
strange scent that had been waited
from behind Yasmini's silken hangings
in her room In Delhi. AS he unfolded
the note-it WAS not sealed-he found
time for swift glance at Rewa Gum
gas face. The Hangar seemed inter-
ested and amused. The note, in Eng
lish ran:
Dear Captain King: Kindly be
quick to follow me, because there is
much talk of lashkar getting ready for
raid. shall wait for you in Khinjan,
whittier my messenger shall show the
way Please let him keep his rifle. Trust
him. and Rewa Gunga and my thirty
whom you brought with you. The mes
senger's name is Darya Kahn. Your serv-
ant. Yasmini.'
He passed the note to Courtenay.
who read it and passed it back.
'Pll find out" the major muttered.
show she got up the pass without my
knowing it. Somebody's tail shall be
twisted for this.'
But he did not find out until King
told | In, and that was many days
later, when a. terrible cloud no longer
threatened India from the north.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

what nowT' asked Ismail. picking
up the leather bag that he regarded
as his own particular charge.
"Forward!" said King. "Come
alongw
He began to set a fairly fast pace.
Ismail leading the spare horse ana
the others towing the mules along.
Except for King, who was modern
and out of the picture, they looked
like Old Testament patriarchs, hur.
rying out of Egypt, as depicted in the
Illustrated Bibles Of generation ago
all leaning forward-each man carry
ing staff-and none looking to the
right or left.
Forward" growled Ismail "With
this man it is ever forwardr ID
there neither rest nor fear? Has she
bewitched him? Hail Ye lazy onesl
Ho! Sons Of slothI Urge the mules
faster! Beat the led horse |"
So in weird, wan moonlight, King
led them forward, straight up the
narrowing gorge, between cliffs that
seemed to fray the very bosom Of the
sky. He smoked cigar and stared
at the view, as If he were of to the
mountains for months sport with
dependable shikarris whom he knew.
Nobody could have looked at him and
guessed he was not enjoying himself.
"That man." mumbled Ismail be-
hind him, sis not as other sahibS I
have known. He is a man, this onel
He will do unexpected thingsi'
Forward" King called to them
thinking they were grumbling. 'For.
ward, men Of the .Rillsp"
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21
CHAPTER VII.
ST think I envy you!" said Courte.

ST think I envy you'll" said Courte-
nay.
They were seated in Courtenay's
tent, face to face across the low table,
with guttering lights between and Is
mail outside the tent handing plates
and things to Courtenay's servant in
side.
you're about the first who has adj
mitted it," said King.
Not far from them herd Of pack
camels grunted and dubbed after the
evening meal. The evening breeze
brought the smoke Of dung fires down
to them, and an Afghan-one Of the
little crowd of traders who had come
down with the camels three hours ago
sang wailing song about his lady
love. Overhead the sky was like black
velvet, pierced with silver holes.
"You see, you can't call our end Of
this business war-it's sport" said
Courtenay. "Two battalions Of Khy-
Der rifles, hired to hold the pass
against their own relations. Against
them a couple Of hundred thousand
tribesmen, very hungry for loot, armed
with up-to-date rifles, thanks to Russia
yesterday and Germany today, and all
perfectly well aware that world war
is in progress. That's sport, you know
not the image and likeness Of war
that Jorrocks called it, but the real
red root. And you've got mystery
thrown in to give it piquancy.
haven't found out yet how Yasmini
got up the pass without my knowl-
edge. I thought it was a trick.
Didn't believe she'd gone. Yet all my
men swear they know she has gone,
and not one of them will own to hav-
ing seen her go! What d'you think of
that?"
For while, as he ate Courtenay's
broiled quail, King did not answer.
But the merry smile had left his eyes
and he seemed for once to be letting
his mind dwell on conditions as they
concerned himself.
"How many men have you at the
fort?" he asked at last.
1.-TWO hundred-au natives"
Like 'em?"
'What's the use Of talking?" an
swered Courtenay. "You know what
it means when men Of an alien race
stand up to you and grin when they
salute. They're my own"
King nodded. "Die with you, eh?"
"To the last man." said Courtenay
quietly with that conviction that can
only be arrived at In one way, and
that not the easiest.
I'D die Alone" said King. eth be
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21
CHAPTER VIII.


After time King urged his horse to
a jog-trot, and they trotted forward
until the bed Of the Khyber began to
grow very narrow, and Ali Masjid fort
could not be much more than a mile
away, at the widest guess. Then King
drew rein and dismounted, for he
would have been challenged had he
ridden much farther. A challenge in
the Khyber after dark consists inva.
riably of volley at short range, with
the mere words afterward, and the
wise man takes precautions.
"Off with the mules packs!' he or
dered, and the men stood round and
stared. Darya Khan, leaning on the
only rifle in the party, grinned like
post-off1ce letter box.
'Truly," growled Ismail, forgetting
past expressions Of a different opinion.
''this man is as mad as all the other
Englishmen"
"Were you ever bitten by one7" won
dered King aloud.
"God forbid -
''Then off with the packs-and
hurry!''
Ismau began to obey.
"Thoul Lord Of the Riversi Cor
that is what Darya Khan means.)
What is thy calling?'
"Badragga" (guide), he answered
ibid she not send me back down the
pass to be guide? # she says I am
badragga, shall any say she lies?'
II say thou art unpacker Of mules
burdens! !" answered King. "Begin r.
For answer the fellow grinned from
ear to ear and thrust the rifle barrel
forward insolently. King, with the
movement of determination that man
makes when about to force conclu-
sions, drew up his sleeves above the
wrist. At that instant the moon shone
through the rnist and the gold bracelet
glittered in the moonlight.
'May God be with thee!' said lord
Of the Rivers" at once. And without
another word he laid down his rife
and went to help off-load the mules.
King stepped aside and cursed soft
ly. But for vein of wisdom that I'M
derlay his pride he would have peck.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

lonely IN the .Hi1ls.' Got any more
Suail?"
And that was all he ever did say
on that subject, then or at any other
time.
''What shall you do first after you
get up the pass? Call on your brother
at Ali Masjid? He's likely to know
a lot by the time you get there"
mot sure" said King. MAY and
may not. I'd like to see him. Haven't
seen the old chap in donkey's age.
How is hep
well two days ago." said Courte-
nay
Here's wishing you luck" said
King, ITS time to go, sir"
He rose, and Courtenay walked with
him to where his party waited in the
dark, chilled by the cold wind whis-
Ting down the Khyber. Rewa Gunga
sat, mounted. at their head, and close
to him his personal servant rode an
other horse. Behind them were the
mules, and then in cluster, each
with a load Of some sort on his head,
were the thirty prisoners. and Ismail
took charge Of them officiously.
Darya Khan, the man who had
brought the letter down the pass, kept
close to Ismail.
King mounted, and Courtenay shook
hands; then he went to Rewa Gunga's
side and shook hands with him, too.
1Forwardi Marchi0 King ordered
and the little procession started.
"Oh, men Of the Hills ye look like
ghosts - like graveyard ghosts y
jeered Courtenay. as they all filed
past him. Eye look like dead men
going to be judged!"
Nobody answered. They STROBE
behind the horses, with the swift, ST
lent strides of men who are going
home to the Hills" but even they
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

cheroots, and with hands clasped be-
hind him strolled over to the fort to
interview Courtenay, the officer COM
manding.
It so happened that Courtenay had
gone up the pass that morning with his
shotgun after quail. He came back
into view, followed by his little ten
man escort just as King neared the
fort, and King timed his approach so
as to meet him. The men Of the
escort were heavily burdened; he could
see that from distance.
"Hello!" he said by the fort gate,
cheerily, after he had saluted and the
salute had been returned.
ooh, hello, King! Glad to see you.
Heard you were coming, Of course.
Anything can do?"
"Tell me anything you know" said
King, offering him a cheroot, which the
other accepted. AS he bit off the end
they stood facing each other, so that
King could see the OncOming escort
and what it carried. Courtenay read
his eyes.
'"Two of my men - he said. "Found
'em up the pass. Gazi work, think.
They were cut all to pieces. There's
big lashkar gathering somewhere in
the Hills and it might have been done
by their skirmishers, but don't think
So"
"Who's supposed to be leading itT''
"Can't find out" said Courtenay.
Then he stepped aside to give orders
to the escort. They carried the dead
bodies into the fort.
"Know anything Of Yasmini?' King
asked, when the major stood in front
Of him again.
'By reputation, Of course, yes. Fa-
nous person-sings like bulbul-
dances like the devil-lives in Delhi
mean herr"
King nodded. 'sWhen did she start
up the pass?" he asked.
"She didn't start! I know who goes
up and who comes down."
"KnoW anything of Rewa Gunga p
King asked him.
'sNot much. Tried to buy his mare.
Seen the animal? Cad! I'd give a
years pay for that beast He wouldn't
sell and I don't blame him."
"He told me just now,'' said King,
"that YaSmfni went I'D the pass uneS-
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21
He Fired Straight at the Blue Light


born in the "Hills'' and knowing them
as a wolf-pack knows it's hunting
ground. were awed by the gloom Of
Khyber mouth ahead. Kings voice
was the first to break the silence, and
he did not speak until Courtenay was
out of earshot. Then:
men of the 'Hills!" he called.
''Kuch dar nahin hal !"
"Nahin hal! Hah!" shouted Ismail.
$50 speaks a man! Hear that, We
mountain folk! He says, There is
no such thing as fearp"
In his place in the lead, King whis-
tied softly to himself; but he drew an
automatic pistol from its place be-
meath his armpit and transferred it to
reader position.
Fear or no fear, Khyber mouth is
haunted after dark by the men whose
blood feuds are too reeking raw to
let them dare go home and for whom
the British hangman very likely waits
mile or two farther south. 1t is one
Of the few places in the world where
pistol is better than a thick stick.
Boulder, crag and loose rock
faded into gloom behind; in front on
both hands ragged hillsides were be-
ginning to close in; and the wind,
whose home is in Allah's refuse heap,
whistled as it searched busily among
the black ravines. Then presently
the shadow Of the thousand-foot-high
Khyber walls began to cover them.
After a while Kings cheroot went
out, and he threw it away. A little
later Rewa Gunga threw away his
cigarette. After that, the veriest five
year-old among the Zakka Khels,
watching sleepless over the rim Of
some stone watch tower, could have
taken oath that the Khyber's unbur-
led dead were prowling in search Of
empty graves. Probably their I'M
canny silence was their best protec-
ton; but Rewa Gunga chose to break
it after a time.
skiing sahib!'' he called softly, re-
peating it louder and more loudly un-
til King heard him. SLOWLY Not so
fast! There are men among those
boulders, and to go too fast is to make
them think you are afraid! To seem
afraid is to invite attack! Can we
defend ourselves, with three firearms
between us? Look! What is that?"
They were at the point where the
road begins to lead uphill, westward,
leaving the bed Of a ravine and as
cending to join the highway built by
British engineers. Below, to left and
right, was plymouth gloom, shadows
amid shadows, full of eerie whisper
ings, and King felt the short hair on
his neck begin to rise. He urged his
horse forward. The Hangar followed
l,im, close up, and both horse and
mare sensed excitement.
''Look, sahib -
After a second or two he caught
a glimpse of blush fame that flashed
suddenly and died again, somewhere
below to the right Tken oil at once
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21


Scent That Had Been Waited From
Behind Yasmini's SiII<en Hangings
In Her Room in Delhi.
corted, mounted on a mare the very
dead spit of the black one you say
you wanted to buy"
Courtenay whistled.
"I'm sorry, King. I'm sorry to say
he lied"
King threw away his less than half
consumed cheroot and they started to
walk together toward Kings camp.
After few minutes they arrived at a
point from which they could see the
prisoners fined up in a row facing
Rewa Gunga. A less experienced eye
than Kings or Courtenay's could have
recognized their attitude of reverent
obedience. Within two minutes the
Hangar stood facing them, looking
more at ease than they.
81 was cautioning those savages W
he explained. They're an escort, but
they need a reminder Of the fact, else
they might jolly well imagine them
selves mountain goats and scatter
among the 'Hjllsi"
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

At That Instant the Moon Shona
Through the Mist and the Gold
Bracelet GIittered in the Moonlight
eted the bracelet there and then an0
have refused to wear it again. But 40
he Jsweated his pride he overheard Ina
mail grOwl:
"Good for theei He had taught thee
obedience in another bat of the eye r.
81 obey hcr!'' muttered Darya Khan.
81, too" said Ismail. $50 shall he
before che week diesl But now 1t "a
good to obey him. He Is an ugly man
to disobey"
81 obey him until she sets me free,
them" grumbled Darya Khan.
"Better for thee!' said Ismail.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

Ting meets his brother at Ali
Masjid fort and they hold a me-
morabIe conference. The British
captain disappears In the dark
ness and a strange native medi-
cine man takes his place.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
How Fine Thing 1t Is to Be New Man
Soundly Dressed in the Right Fashion
Hour, and Vigorous with the Breat
of the New Season!

How Fine Put of Shabby Old Clothes and our Shabby Old
Ff 5Gugh b md to b g and to know i'll To know that the Other
and to be rid that odd o feeling that the last few weeks has made
you Dflden about Meeting Your Friends
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

to report as a volunteer until August
81, although he had been soldering
ever since he came back. Sensing that
his volunteer" fetch had lost its pow
er to ward off trouble, on Tuesday
morning he decided to work a bluff.
So he appeared in the vicinity of Ser.
geant Nelson's residence armed with
a loaded shotgun, with pocket filed
with shotgun shells, having vowed he
would spill his last drop Of blood be-
fore he'd surrender, and he'd sprinkle
the street with the gore OF the ser.
geant If that officer attempted to ar.
rest him. When, short time later,
Sergeant Nelson appeared on the scene
with a wicked looking revolver trained
on Banks he couldn't surrender quick
enough. Sergeant Nelson, to further
show his contempt for his prisoner,
made him tote the shotgun to lookup
before disarming him. In the after.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

vagrancy law enacted at the late ses-
sion of the legislature. to discourage
idleness during the war on the part of
those who can but won't work. Ser.
e:trans-inh ?1(?-?ETAOINUNUNUNU
geant Nelson says there will be other
arrests If some more of the local loaf,
ers do not get busy.
Banks, who had been In Fayette
county for some time and who regis,
tered there in June, returned to AL.
derson several weeks ago and gave II
out that as he would probably be draft
ed for military service he had volun.
teered. Days sped by and he didn't
get any nearer to army service nor to
work. 1t became evident that neither
Of these objects was embraced in the
volunteer" scheme. The sergeant a
few days before his arrest made COM
plain against HON, but deferred the ar
rest because Banks claimed he wasn't
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
noon he took Banks to the county Jail
at Union.

Triplets, the first to be born in Har-
rison county in many years, have ar.
rived at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. L.
Hickman at West Milford. The three
babies, all girls, have been named Eliz
abeth, Eleanor and Ernestine. A Pc
culiar feature is that each weighs 8
pounds. Usually the weight of triplets
varies slightly, but these babies do
not vary more than fraction of an
ounce. The mother is getting along
nicely and the little ones are healthy
looking. Mr.. Hickman, father of the
triplets, is an employee Of the Hope
Gas company.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

The following from the Anderson Ad.
vcrtiser tells how rebellion against
the government of the United States
in Monroe county began and was Il.
nally suppressed:
Pearl Banks (colored) was on Tues.
day given a sentence of 60 days work
on the road and fine of 500 by May
or Thompson, Of Anderson, on COM
plant of Sergeant Nelson. 1t was
the first arrest in Anderson urLer the
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

tel by number of citizens of Clarks-
burg, Adamston, Northview, Stealey
Heights and other sections Of Greater
Clarksburg for the purpose of arrang.
ing for meeting at which steps will
be taken to form an organization the
object of which will be to secure the
adoption of the new Greater Clarks.
burg charter. The meeting will be
held Friday night
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
New Clothes Ready for the New Man

Fall fashions in Suits and Overcoats are here in full
assOrtments
Michae-Stern, Kuppenheimer and Fashion Park
Clothes
They are the best and finest in the land.
They are allwool and they are manufactured.
They are new in design and they are improved in
the making.
They are absolutely dependable for wear and for !
fashion.
For the young man upon whom America has TO de-
pend the style today is military They will find it at its
best in the new Fall Overcoats now ready in beal1t
full choice OF richly patterned alwoo fabrics at $500
and upwards
New Autumn Suits in beautiful selections begin at
the same price.
The best sign of them-both Suits and Oyercoats-
is the way they are selling.
Mems Store First Floor
All The Mems Furnishings Are at
Their Best and Their Bravest
The new shirts and necEe the wholly exclusive city They are
new hats the new hosiery and under $3to$6
your tin
side the Main r New Cordan shoes
well oaoe 1he 80
You can choose from the first Heavier shirts flowing
nooKen cohecons You demanded;
IE1 WIN the oesI collection of them
A hat you'll
il
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

the old veterans that the expense of
transportation will exceed the appro.
priation. The commissioners will fix
the number that will go. Capt Glover
representing the old union veterans
and Capt. Mehan representing the old
Confederates. 1t was stated by the
commissioners that it will be impossi-
BILE to arrange for transportation for
all who have applied and who expect
to make the trip. 1t is the opinion that
only about one hundred and sixty can
be provided for under the appropria.
tion, while the applications aggregate
nearly five hundred. The affair begins
on October I6 and the party will leave
Parkersburg on the 14th. 1t is proba-
BILE special cars will be operated
through from this state.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

hip. Miss Ashton claims the aesthet
ic dancing steps he taught were too
difficult, and dislocated her hip joint.
The professor says he told Miss Ash.
ton no one weighing $50 pounds could
succeed as an aesthetic dancer, and
she went ahead on her own risk.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
All The Mems Furnishings Are at
Their Best and Their Bravest

The new shirts and neckties, the
new hats, the new hosiery and under
wear, the new shoes, meet you right in
side the Main Street doors. You can
choose now as well as you can any time
later. You can choose from the first
unbroken collections, You can be the
first with the best.
A new hat you'll have to have i'm
mediately and right now we are ready
with many styles of new soft hats
beautiful handmade things that are
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

Mr.. and Mrs. John Guy Prichard are
guests at the St, Charles Hotel at At
lantic City.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
BITS OF
STATE NEWS

To be one of the 81 survivors of a
regiment of over 1900 is the fortunate
lot of Thomas Hale Erwin, Harrison
county boy, and former star athlete at
Broaddus college, who now lies wound
ed in an American hospital in London.
This is the information brought in a
letter to relatives, among them Stan
ley Young, a prominent automobile
dealer of Salem. Erwin was member
OF the Eighty-sixth Machine Gun com.
pany OF the Canadian CONTINGENT and
has been in action for about a year.
He was recently transferred to the
Yukon Motor Machine Battery. He
has taken part in all of the principal
battles at Verdun, Lens and Ypres.
Erwin after receiving his wound was
first In hospital in France, but was
only recently transferred to the Amer
lean hospital in London. His wound is
not q dangerous one, and he was able
to write the letter to the folks back
home telling of his wonderful exper.
fence and telling how he had been one
Of the g. of his whole regiment who
were spared. Erwin, whose parents
are dead, lived with his grandmother.
Mrs. D. w. Boggess at Bristol until a
few years ago. At the time he enlisted
he was working at Akron, Ohio.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
DANCE BREAKS HIP

AHoSKIE, N. C.-Letitia Ashton of
this place Is suing New York dane
ing teacher for $4,000 for a broken
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

Captain W. H. Glover of Terra Alta,
and Capt ]. R. Mehen of Parkersburg,
who were appointed commissioners by
Governor Cornwell to arrange for the
transportation of the old Union and
Confederate veterans to the national
reunion Of the blue and the gray to
ba held at Vicksburg, the last legisla.
ture making an appropriation Of 81, 800
for that purpose had a conference in
Parkersburg last Tuesday over the
matter and arranging as to who shall
make the trip, Applications have been
Tecelyed from nuch large number Of
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20

A meeting was held Tuesday night
in the assembly room of the Waldo no.