Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-19
KNG-:Wf TIE
|KHYBEp pEIES
ARomance Of Adventure s !. ;;;:;.
~ TALBOT f1UNDY '.='

joke Imaginable, Rewa Gunga fell into
stride beside King and led him away In
the direction of some tents.
"She is up the pass ahead of u.s." he
announced. "She was in the deuce
of hurry | can assure you. She want
ed to wait and meet you, but matters
were too jolly well urgent, and we
shall have our bally work cut out to
catch her. you can bet! But | have
everything ready-tents and beds and
stores--everything."
King looked over his shoulder to
make sure that Ismail was bringing
the little leather bag along.
$50 have l." he said quietly.
u have horses said Rewa Gunga,
sand mules and"
slow did she travel up the Kly.
ber?" King asked him, and the Hangar
spared him curious sidewise glance.
"The Hills are her escort. King sa-
bib. She Is mistress in the Hills
There isn't numbering ruffian who
would not lie down and let her walk
on him! She rode away alone on n
thoroughbred mare and she jolly we'll
left me the mares double, on which to
follow her Come and look"
Not far from where the tents had
been pitched in a cluster a string of
horses whinnled at picket rope. King
saw the two good horses ready for
himself, and ten mules beside them
that would have done credit to any
outfit. But at the end of the line, paw
Ing Mt the trampled grass. was a black
mare that made his eyes open wide
Once in hundred years or so a vice
roys cup or Il Derby Is won by an ami
mai that can stand and look and move
as that mare did.
"Never saw anything better" King
admitted ungrudgingly.
There Is only one mare like this
one" laughed the Hangar. "She has
her"
"What'll you take for this oneT'
King asked him. Shame your price =
"Thc mare is hers. You must ask
her. Who knows? She is generous.
There is nobody on earth more gen.
erous than she when she cares to be.
See what you wear on your wrist! y
"That is a loan," said King, uncover
ing the bracelet. II shall give 1t back
to her when we meet"
"See what she says when you meet ~
laughed the Hangar, taking Il cigarette
from his jeweled case with an air and
smiling as he lighted 1t. "There is
your tent, sahib."
With nod Of dismissal, King
walked over to inspect the bandobast
and finding it much more extravagant
than he would have dreamed of provid
ing for himself. he lit one Of his black
cheroots, and with hands clasped be.
hind him strOlled over to the fort tC
Interview CoNrtenay, the officer com.
handing.
1t 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 SC
as to meer him. The men Of thu
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.
"Oh hello, King! Glad to see yol
Heard you were coming, of course
Anything can doT'
"Tell me anything you know sait
King, offering him cheroot, which tn,
other accepted. As he bit of the enc
they stood facing each other, so tina
King could see the oncoming escor
and what II carried. Courtenay reaf
his eyes.
1.-TWO of my men !" he said. "Tount
'em up the pass. Gazi work, l think
They were cut ali to pieces. There's
a big lashkar gathering somewhere 1t
the Hills and 1t might have been don,
by their skirmishers, but / don't thinl
sO."
"Who's supposed to be leading TT
Cant find out" said Courtenay
Then he stepped aside to give order,
to the escort. They carried the deat
bodies into the fort.
"Know anything Of Yasminl?' KIM
asked when the major stood in from
Of him again.
"By reputation. of course, yes. Ta
nous pcrson---sings like n bulbul--
dances Ike the devll--lives In Delhi