Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1918-01-17

Khan. Mamie me q Village the first
name you can think of-Quick
"Kurram," said Ismail, at a hazard.
"Kurram is good. Kurram I am
Kurram Khan Is my name hencefor.
ward! Kurram Khan the dakitar"
But where Is the sahib who came
from the fort to talk?" asked the man
whose stomach ached yet from IsmaAl
and Darya Khan's attentions to it.
"Gone! !" announced King. HE went
with the other Onel"
"Went whittier? Did any see him
GOT"
us that thy AFFAIR." asked King, and
the man collapsed. 1t is not considered
wise to the north of Jamrud to argue
with wizard, or even with a man who
only claims to be one. This was a
man who had changed his very nature
almost under their eyes.
"Even his other clothes nave gone -
murmured one man, he who had poked
about among the packs.
"And now, Ismail, Darya Khan, We
two dunderheads !-ye bellies without
brains when was there ever daki-
tara hakim, who had not two assist
ants at the least? Have We never seen,
ye blinder-than-bats-h one man
holds a patient while his boils are
lanced. and yet another makes the hot
iron ready?"
aye! Aver
They had both seen that often.
'Then. what are YEP
They gaped at him. Were they to
work wonders too?. Were they to be
part and parcel Of the miracle? Watch
ing them, King saw understanding
dawn behind IsmaiPs eyes and knew
he was winning more than q mere ad.
mirer. He knew 1t might be days yet
might be weeks before the truth was
out, but 1t seemed to him that Ismail
was at heart his friend. And there
are no friendships stronger than those
formed in the Khyber and beyond-no
more loyal partnerships. The Hills
are the home Of contrasts, of blood
feuds that last until the last-but-one
man dies, and Of friendships that no
crime or need or SANDER can efface. If
the feuds are to be avoided like the
devil, the friendships are worth hav-
ing.
"There is another thing ye might
do" he suggested, IF We two grown
men are afraid to see boil slit open.
Always there are timid patients who
hang back and refuse to drink the
medicines. There should be one or
two among the crowd who will come
forward and swallow the draughts
eagerly. in proof that no harm results.
Be We two they"
Ismail spat savagely.
"Nay! Bismillah! Nay, nayl I
will hold them who have boils, sitting
firmly on their bellies-so-or between
their shoulders-thus-wh the boils
are behind! Nay. I will drink no
.draughts! am a man, not cess
pool!"
"And I will study how to heat hot
lrons!" said Darya Khan, with grim
conviction. ut Is likely that. having
worked for blacksmith once, may
learn quickly! Phaughghgh! have
tasted medaceen! have drunk Apsin
eaats Epson salts)."
He spat, too, In very fury Of rcmi-
niscence.
'Good!" said King. "Henceforward,
then, am Kurram Khan, the dakitar,
and ye two are my assistants. Ismail to
hold the men with hollis, and Darya
Khan to heat the irons-both OF ye to
be my men and support me with
words when need be!'
"Aye!" said Ismail, quick to think
Of details. "and these others shall be
the tastersr
I'VE Will not drink the memcinesT'
,..I. .a<eG tie nan who ral a sio,a-
a''h ache Nay. nay"
Bnt Ismail hit him with the back UI
his hand in the stomach again ard
danced away, hugging himself and
shouting "Hee-yee-yee!" until the
jackals joined him In discontinued
chorus and the Khyber pass became
full Of weird bowling. Then suddenly
the old Afridi thought Of something
else and came hack to thrust his face
close to Kings.
"Why be Hangar? Why be Raj.
put, sahib? She loves US hillmen bet.
teri"
do I look like q hillman Of the
'Hills'f" asked King.
NAY. not now. But he who can work
one miracle can work another. Change
thy skin once more and be q true
Hillman!"
AYE" King laughed. "And fall heir
to blood-feud with every second man
I chance upon! Better be q converted
Hindu and be despised by some than
have cousins In the Hills! 70 that