Askov American., 1917-12-27

L tofI1d esSttts tie TRACK. Laughing ~
r the whole thing was the greatest
ske Imaginable. Rews Genxa fell into
stride beside King and led him away In
he directfoa Of some tents
-Shs is mp ses pass ahead Of us he
announced. she was i'm the deuce
IT hurry. can assure you. She want
I'd to wait and meet you. but matters
| we're too jolly well urgent. and we
shall have our bally work cut out to
catch her. you can bet! But I 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.
II heve horses said Rewa Gunga,
and mules and"
"How did she ravei up the kny.
De King a>..eu lam. aiu tn. is.itlGs'.
spared him curious siGcwise glance.
'"The Hills are her escort, King sa-
bib. She is mistress In the Hills
There isn't numbering ruilian who
would not lie down and let her walk
on hlml 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 cluster string of
horses whinnied at a 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 at the trampled grass, was a black
mare that made his eyes open wide.
Once In hundred years or so VICE
roy's cup or Derby is won by an ami
NAL 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
0ne." laughed the Rangar. "She has
her."
"WhatM you take for this oner''
King asked him. "Name your price r.
"The mare is hers. You must ask
her. Who knows2 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!'
"That Is loan." said King. uncover.
Ing the bracelet. II shall give 1t back
to her when we meet"
"See what she says when you meet r.
laughed the Rangar, taking cigarette
from his jeweled case with an air and
smiling as he lighted it. "There is
your tent, sahib."
With nod Of dismissal, King
walked over to inspect the bandobast,
and finding 1t 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 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 tho
escort were heavily burdened; he could
see that from distance.
"Hellow he said by the fort gate,
cheerily, after he had saluted and the
salute had been returned.
| "Oh. hello, King! Glad to see you.
Heard you were coming. Of course.
Anything can dor"
"Tell me anything you know" said
King. offering him cheroot. which the
| other accepted. As he bit of the end
they stood facing each other, so that
King could see the oncoming escort
and what II carried. Courtenay read
his eyes.
1.-TWO Of my men I" he said. "Found
'em up the pass. Gaxi work, I think.
They were cut all to pieces. There's
n big lashkar gathering somewhere in
the HILLS and 1t might have been done
by their skirmishers. but don't think
sO."
"Who's supposed to be leading itr'
"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 Yasminil" 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 hels''
King nodded. "When did she start
up the pass?" he asked.
"She didn't start! know who goes
| up and who comes down."
"Know anything Of Rewa Gunga r
King asked him.
"Not much. Tried to buy his mare.
Seen the animalf Cad! I'd give q
years pay for that beast He wouldn't
sell and I don't blame him."
"He told me just now." said King,
shat Yasmini went up the pass unes.
corted. mounted on mare the very
dead spit Of the black one you say
you wanted to buy"
Courtenay whistled.
"rm sorry. King. I'm sorry to say