davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

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 explainT
'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 a 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 worldr'
The Hangar was looking past him,
facing the great gorge that let's 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 a little letter In cleft stick
in his hand. He held it out and Cour-
tenay took it and shifted.
"Well-Tn be blessedi A note
sniff-sniff-"on scented paperw 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 Gun
gas face. The Hangar seemed inter-
ested and amused. The note. in Eng
lish ran:
Lear Cdptaln hlug: fAluOiy po
quick to follow me, because there Is
much talk of lashkar getting ready for
a 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.
"Tll 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 him, and that was many days
later, when a terrible cloud no longer
threatened India from the north.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08
CHAPTER VII.

81 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 ad-
mitted it," said King.
Not far from them a herd of pack
camels grunted and dubbed after the
evening meal. The evening breeze
brought the smoke of dung fires down
70 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-
her 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. thought 1t 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 a 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-all natives"
like 'em?
whats 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, ehT
"To the last man." said Courtenay
quietly with that conviction that can
only be arrived at IN one way, and
that not the easiest.
"rd die alone" said King. "It'n be
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

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! I" he said by the fort gate,
cheerily, after he had saluted and the
sllute 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 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 it,"
"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. Ta-
nous person-sings like a bulbul-
dances like the devil-lives in Delhi
mean herr"
King nodded. "When 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?"
King asked him.
"Not 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
shat Yasmini went up the pass unes-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

He Recognized the Same Strange
Scent That Had Been Waited From
Behind Yasmini's SiIken Hangings
In Her Room In Delhi.
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
he lied"
King threw away his less than half
consumed cheroot and they started to
walk together toward Kings camp.
After q few minutes they arrived at a
point from which they could see the
prisoners lined 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.
II was cautioning those savages ~
he explained. ''They're an escort, but
they need reminder of the fact, else
they might jolly well imagine them
selves mountain goats and scatter
among the 'Hillsr"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

swhat now7s asked Ismail, picking
up the leather bag that he regarded
as his own particular charge. *
Forward" said King. "Come
along!"
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, hurs
rying out Of Egypt, as depicted in tho
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 II
there neither rest nor fear? Has she
bewitched him? Hal! Ye lazy ones!
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 one
He will do unexpected thingsl''
"Forward!" King called to them,
thinking they were grumbling. "Eor.
ward, men Of the Hillsp"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08
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 a volley at short range, with
the mere words afterward, and the
wise man takes precautions.
"Off with the mules packs! 70 he or
dered, and the men stood round and
stared. Darya Khan, leaning on the
only rifle in the party, grinned like q
post-office letter box.
'Truly," growled Ismail, forgetting
past expressions of different opinion.
''this man is as mad as all the other
Englishmen."
"Were you ever bitten by one2" won
dered King aloud.
"God Forbid"
'Erhen off with the packs-and
hurryp
Ismail began to obey.
"Thou! Lord of the Rivers! (For
that is what Darya Khan means.)
What is thy callingT"
"Badragga" (guide), he answered.
did she not send me back down the
pass to be guide? If she says I am
badragga, shall any say she ies?"
II say thou art unpacker of mules
burdens!" answered King. "Begin!"
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 mist 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 rifle
and went to help off-load the mules.
King stepped aside and cursed soft.
Iy. But for vein of wisdom that un-
derlay his pride ne would have peck.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

lonely in the 'HiIls.' Got any moro
QuailY
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"
''Not sure" said King. s'May and
may not. I'd like to see him. Haven't
seen the old chap in q donkey's age.
How Is he?"
"well two days ago." said Courte-
nay.
Here's wishing you lucki" said
King. TITS 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 a cluster, each
with a load of some sort on his head,
were the thirty prisoners, and Ismail
took charge Of them obviously.
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.
xsvz n ege
and the little procession started.
"Oh, men Of the FILLS We look like
ghosts - like graveyard ghosts n
jeered Courtenay. as they all filed
past him. "Ye look like dead men,
going to be judgedi"
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,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08
He Fired Straight at the Blue Light.

ne Ftreu SSrdl0He at GnS 6iUS 6i9nGs
born in the "HilIs" and knowing them
as a wolf-pack knows its 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 'Hillsr" he called.
''Kuch dar nahin hal /"
"Nahin hail Hah!" shouted Ismail.
$50 speaks man! Hear that, We
mountain folk! He says, There is
no such thing as fear!'"
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 ard 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 time.
"King sahibl" he called softly, re-
peating it louder and more loudly I'M
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? Lookl 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
him, close up, and both horse and
mare sensed excitement.
Look, sahibl !"
After a second or two he caught
glimpse Of blush flame that flashed
suddenly and died again, somewhere
below to the right Then all at once
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

At That Instant the Moon Shone
Through the Mist and the Gold
Bracelet Glittered in the Moonlight.
eted the bracelet there and then and
have refused to wear it again. But as
he sweated his pride he overheard Is
mail growl:
"Good for thee! He had taught thee
obedience in another bat of the eye"
II obey her" muttered Darya Khan.
II, too" said Ismail. $50 shall he
before the week diesI But now it Is
good to obey him. He is an ugly man
to disobeyl"
II obey him until she sets me free.
then" grumbled Darya Khan.
Better for theew said Ismail.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08
THE MYSTERIOUS RANGAR DESERTS CAPT. KING AND HIS
cUTTHRoAT ESCORT in DANGEROUS PART OF KHY-
Der PASS AND ADVENTURES COME RAPIDLY

synopss-At beginning the Athelstan
of its ordered
Yasmini with Khnan
had holy Delhi King quietly os plan to
that Yasmn after him. He meets
Gunga has already north
dances Ima Afrd be-
Yasminis
with trkng the Hangar into going
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

King meets his brother at Ali
Masjid fort and they hold a me-
fnorable conference. The British
captain disappears in the dark
MISS and strange native medi-
Cine man takes his place.
4
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-08

tTo BE coNTINHEDl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
5000 REFUGEES IN OLD HOMES
Red Cross Aids Return to Recon
quered Districts in France.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
PARIS, September 1.-The American
Red Cross has aided 5000 refugees to
return to their homes in the recon-
quered Aisne and Marine districts
since the Germans have been driven
back, Forty-five carloads of supplies
have been sent since August to
Chateau Thierry. Essones, Dormana,
Troissy, Verneuil and Villers-Cotteret
Three camions, known as rolling
grocery stores, made the rounds of
the districts to supply the needs of
the home corners in places where no
shops have been opened.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
Allotment Is Trebled.

It should be said that the budget
committee of Clark county fixed the
allotment at $4,000. But a commu-
nifty spirit of such intensity had been
created that the sum was nearly treb-
led. This means that Clark county
will not have war work drive this
fall or next year.
In Columbus by the war chest meth
cd s3.3O0,000 was obtained. 1t is i'm
possible for any organization to OBJ
tain any money from the war chest
without proving that it is doing the
kind of work which the governme mt
would approve. In communities where
this method has been used there will
be no drive this fall. The allotments
for war work will simply be appro-
priated from the chests.
Thus" said Representative Fess.
"the people of these communities will
be able to buy more liberty bonds and
more thrift stamps"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
Agencies Endorsed by Bureau.
How War Chest Plan Works.

In many communities the war chest
plan is the only recognized method of
raising war relief money. The plan is
simple. A war chest committee COM
posed of responsible and patriotic men
and women is created. Chambers of
commerce. commercial clubs churches
labor unions. the city government and
all other recognized civic organiza-
lions unite in selecting this commit
tee.
Then budget committee composed
of men of recognized financial ability
is selected. 1t is the business of this
budget committee, after hearing evil
dence from all organizations claim
ing the right to participate in the war
chest, to fix the amount necessary to
finance all organiza atoms interested
for one year. Then all get together
and all work together. Denomination
al lines are obliterated. All interests
become one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
ADJOURNS UNTIL FRIDAY.
House Galleries Closed in Precau.
ton Against Influenza.

The House adjourned today after
the reading of the journal to meet
again Friday noon. The House gal
Ieries were closed today as a result
of an agreement with the medical au-
thorities to prevent the spread Of in
duenza.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
ACT TO PREVENT FRAUDS.
GOES TO THEPRES|DENT.
Senator Gerry's Measure Is Aimed
at Corrupt Practices in Fed
eral Elections.

The Gerry bill to prevent corrupt
practices in the election of senators.
representatives or delegates in Con-
gress has been sent to the President
for his approval and will become a
law as soon as he signs it.
The bill, introduced by Senator
Gerry of Rhode Island. is designed to
put an end to bribery of various kinds
in operation in elections of members
of Congress in many states and to
make it possible to prosecute and pun
ish vigorously corrupt practices in
these elections. Penalties for violation
of the law are fines of not more than
81. 900 or imprisonment for not more
than a year. or both, in the discretion
of the court.
To Prevent Corrupt Practices.
Senator Gerry desired to give the
federal courts jurisdiction over cases
of bribery in the election of Senators
and memmers of the House. He had
own and other states Indictments
"Sio iCluiiCu dSdlHSI d HUNK Der OF
persons charged with corrupt prac-
tees. largely through his efforts, in
federal district courts, under sections
10 and 81 of the criminal code.
The courts have held, however, that
these sections of the law were not
applicable in the case Of cleo
tons. dealing as they do with con-
spiracies of two or more persons to
commit any offense against the
United States or to prevent any per-
son from enjoying the rights con-
ferred upon him by the constitution
or laws Of the United States.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
Crews Rated Highly.

Experts rate the place of the skilled
commander and crew on the sub
marine very highly. 1t has been said
that boat with an experienced and
daring commander with a good crew
s ten or fifteen times as effective as
craft with an ordinary personnel.
1t is through the killing or capturing
of the skilled crews that much has
been done to lessen the effectiveness
OF the U-boats. The supply of good
officers in the German fleet is running
low, and now instead of a volunteer
crew the submarines carry men draft
ed from the main fleet. 1t has not been
possible to keep the raiders filled with
volunteers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
80 Per Cent Margin.

A margin of 80 per cent over the
demonstrated needs is allowed to
meet unforeseen contingencies and to
provide for any shrinkages in COL
lections. Wherever tried. according
to the national investigation bureau,
the plan has proved successful.
In Clark county, Ohio. a community
of less, than 100000 souls, total of
81, 900 was raised. Every person
in the county who was earning any
money, had any resources or any
prospect of obtaining any contributed
Representative Fess, who represents
Clark county, said 1880 men and
women are employed in the factories
at Springfield, the county seat. and
exactly 12,50O employees of the fac
tories subscribed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
Operated in Restricted Zone.

The Flanders f1oti1la, it has been
frequently stated, consisted largely
of short-range submarine raiders and
mine layers which operated in very
restricted zones in the channel. The
Gripping of the bases, it is now vir-
tually certain, has already made these
types useless and in his largely in
creased submarine building enter
prises the enemy is known to be de-
voting himself to seagoing craft of
larger size and endurance.
The developments of the battle
submarine situation SO far as officials
can see. 1t remains about where it
has been for some months. In regard
to the number of allied craft sunk
it is highly satisfactory. The month
ly toll is going down and will never,
officials believe, return to the danger
point. This is said to be due to pro-
tective measures, however, and the
price paid for that protection is the
withdrawal of naval units for es-
cort duty that might be engaged in
hunting down and exterminating sub
marines.
Production of "Pests" Continues.
There is strong feeling here that
the Germans are now keeping abreast
of the destruction of submarines. For
time they were falling steadily be-
hind, but their enlarged program, it is
now thought by some observers, has
enabled them to keep even in the
number of raiders they can keep in
operation. 1t is the ambition of the
naval forces eventually to carry the
battle to the submarines in such fash
ion that they will be mastered and
the danger be finally over
The effectiveness of the submarines
is the point on which the greatest ad-
vance has been scored. One raider no
longer can get the results it did. This
is ascrlbed. in part, to the waning
morale and skill of the submarine
crews and in part to the fact that
protective measures and the Flanders
coast raids have forced the boats to
take longer roads to sea, where their
operations are now being conducted.
Crews Rated Highly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-08
Bolsheviki to Adhere to Treaty.

STOCKHOLM, October Z. (by Havas
Agency.)-TheR Russian bolshevik gov
eminent, according to a wireless dis
patch received here from Moscow, has
declared its intention Of adhering to
the Brest-Litovsk treaty.