The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-08-31


brute after his victim. The tempta-
ton always is to do the wrong thing
to cap wrath with wrath, injustice
with vengeance. That way wars begin
and are never ended. King beckoned
him into the cave, and bent over the
chest of medical supplies. Then. find
ing the light better for his purpose at
the entrance, he called the man back
and made him sit down on the box.
The business of lancing boils is not
especially edifying in itself; but that
particular minor operation probably
saved India. But for hope Of it the
man with boils would never have
stood two turns on guard hand run
ming and let the relief sleep on; so he
would not have been on duty when the
message came to carry Kings belong
ings to his new cave Of residence.
There would have been no object in
killing the dumb man, and so there
would have been an expert with load
ed rifle to keep Muhammad Amin Turk
ing down the trail.
Muhammad Amin came-like the
devil, to scotch Kings faith. He had
followed the women with the loads He
stood now, like big bear on noun
tain track, swaying his head from side
to side six feet away from King,
watching the boils succumb to treat
ment He grunted when the job was
finished, and King jumped. nearly
driving the lance into new place in
his patients neck.
Let him go!' growled Muhammad
Amin GO, thou! Stand guard over
the women until | comet
The mullah turned rifle this way
and that in his paws, like a great bear
dancing. The Mahsudi with a sore
neck could have shot him. perhaps,
but there are men with whom only the
bravest dare try conclusions. In cold
gray dawn it would have needed mar
tinet to make firing squad do execu-
ton on Muhammad Amin, even with
his hands tied and his back against a
wall A man whose boils had just
been lanced was no match for him at
all, even in broad daylight. The Hill
man skunk away and did as he was
told.
What meant thy message?" growl-
ed the mullah There came a Pathan
10 me in the Cavern of Earth's Drink
with word that yonder sits hakim
What of it?"
King had almost forgotten the mes
sage he had sent to Muhammad Amin
in the Cavern of Earth's Drink. But
that was not why his eyes looked past
the mullah's now, nor why he did not
answer The mullah did not look
round, for he knew what was happen.
ing.
The very Orakzai Pathan who had
sat next King in the Cavern of Earth S
Drink, and who had carried the mes
sage for him, was creeping up behind
the women and already had his rifle
leveled at the man with boils.
'Aye!" said the mullah, watching
Kings eyes. He has done well, and
the road is clear!
The man with boils offered no fight.
He dropped his rifle and threw his
hands up. In a moment the Orakzal
Pathan was in command of two rifles,
holding them in one hand and nodding
and making signs to King from among
the women, whom he seemed to re-
gard as his plumber too. The women
appeared supremely Indifferent in any
event King nodded back to him. A
friend is friend in the Hills" and
rare is the man who spares his en-
envy.
why send that message to me?''
asked Muhammad Amin.
why not?" asked King. eff none
know where the halim is, how shall
the hakim earn living?'
None comes to earn living in the
Hills" growlcd the mullah, swaying
his head slowly and devouring kins
with cruel calculating eyes. why art
thou here?'
II slew man." said King.
Thou lest! 1t was my men who got
the head that let thee in! Speak! Why
are thou here?"
But King did not answer. The null
lah resumed.
HE who brought me the message
yesterday says he has it from another
who had it from third, that thou art
here because she pins a simultaneous
rising in India, and thou are from the
Punjab where the Sikhs all wait to
rise Is that true?"
Thy man said it," answered King.
What sayest thou?" the mullah ask.
ed.
u say nothing" said King.
Then hear mel" said the mullah.
Listen, thou" But he did not begin to
speak yet He tried to see past King