New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-12-07
CHAPTER VI--Continued.

go '''' - '''- - =
SLOW one, for there was nothing to
block the way except occasional men
with flags, who guarded CulvcrtS and
little bridges. 1t was low tide under
the HimaluyaS. The flood that was
draining India of her armed men had
left Jamrud high and dry with II little
nOndescript force stranded there, rs
1t were, under "a British major and
some native officers. browning over
Jamrud were the lean "%IIills." peopled
by the ~firrcost fighting men ON earth,
and the clouds that hung over the Khy-
ber's curse were an accent to the say
aGery.
But King smiled mcrrily as he
jumped out of the train, and IteWa
Gunga, who was there to meet him.
advanced with outstretched hand and
a smile that would have melted snow
on the distant peaks if he had only
looked the other way.
"Welcome, King sahib! !" he laughed,
with the air OF Il skilled fenccr who
admires another, better one, ~ shall
know better another time and let YOU
keep In front of me. | trust you had
= comfortable %iourney?"
"Thpnks," said King. shaking hands
with him, and then turning AWAY to un-
lock the carriage doors that held his
prisoners in. They were baying now
Hike wolves to be free, and they Surged
out, like wolves from a cage, to clamor
round the Hangar, paving him and
struggling to be the first to ask him
questions.
NAY, we mountain people; nay :" he
laughed. 81, too, am from the plains!
What do I know of your families or
Of your friends? Am to be torn to
pieces to make n menl?"
At that lsmuil interfered, with the
aid of an ash pick handle, chance
found beside the track. Laughing as
II the whole thing WAS the greatest
joke Imaginable, l;cwn Gunga fell into
stride beside King and led him way in
The direction of some tents.
"She is up the pass ahead Of us" he
"She was in the deuce
of II hurry, l 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 lSmail was bringing
the little leather bag along.
$50 have l." he said quietly.
u have horses said I;ewa Gunga.
"and mules and"
"HOw did She travel III the XIV
ber?" King asked him. and the Ronuur
spared him II curious sidewiSc glance.
"The Hills are her escort. King Sa-
NIB. She is mistress in the Hills
There isn't Il numbering ruilian who
would not lie down and let her walk
on him She rode away alone on a
thoroughbred mare and she jolly well
left me the mares double on which to
follow her. Come and look"
Not far from where the tents had
been pitched in II cluster Il string of
horses Whinni"1 at II 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 mt the end of the line. paw
Ing al the trnmrlrd grass, was a black
mare that made his eyes open wide.
Once in Il hundred years or so II vice
roy'S cup or Il Derby is won by an ami
ma that car stand and look and move
81 that mare did.
Never saw anything better" King
admitted ungrudgingly.
There is only one mare like this
laughed the Hangar. she has
"Whatll you take for this one?"
King asked him. Name your price,"
"The mare is hers. You must ask
her. Who knows? She is generous.
is nobody on earth more gen
than she when she cares TO he.
See what you Wear on your wrist !"
"That is n loan" said King. uncover
ing the bracelet. 81 shall give 1t back
10 her when we meet" ,
"See what she says when you meet - ,
the Hangar, taking a cigarette
rom his jeweled case with an air and ,
as he lighted 1t. "There Is :
your tent. sahih." +
with a nod Of dismissal. King =
walked over to inspect the h~andohaSt. j.,
md finding it much more extravagant :
han he would have dreamed of provid- =
ng for himself. he lit one of his black q
.heroots, and with hands clasped be- I;
hind him stroIled over to the fort to Y
interview Courtenay, the officer CON-
handing. f
X so happened that Courtenay had n
up the pass that morning with his n
after quail. He came back 4
nto view. followed by his little ten II
escort just as King neared the d
ort, and King timed his approach so c
Is to meet him. The men of the
scort were heavily burdened he could h
hat from a distance.
"HelloT" he said by the fort gate, e
after he had saluted and the n
had been returned. O
sOh, hello. King. Glad to see you. Il