Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-07-09

upon me if / remain?''
"In the yard of the carcel, senior.
They will tell you to go, that you are
free, and then as you near the gate to
pass through it they will fire at your
back"
Jitendra pOndered moment, his
head inclined little forward. He was
debating what course to pursue. If he
attempted to flee now out into the
night in this unknown country, his
swollen feet would be terrible handi-
cap. Even with horse he would al
most certainly be seen, Overtaken and
shot by the soldiers who swarmed
through the province of Sinaloa.
Beside, Sahib Buck must have ample
time to reach his friends, else what he
had done for his preserver would count
for nothing.
"Where will the men stand to stay
one who bears them no malicew he
queried.
"Does the senior remember how the
carcel yard looks?"
Somewhat"
1.-THE passage through which you
were brought to this cell leads to the
carcel yard Directly across on the
other side is the gate to the street.
The soldiers"
"How many?
"Six., senior, and corporal, make
up the firing squad. These will take
you to the yard You will be told that
any reasonable request of yours will
be granted. 1T may also be made to
appear that you are free to depart.
But, if so, be not deceived. You will
never pass the gate alive.
Behind, near the edge Of the yard,
close to the building and directly over
an old drain, the six will stand with
rifles ready. AS you near the gate you
will die by their shots. | have spoken
truth, senior, swear it by the saints"
"What is this drain?-I do not I'M
derstand."
"a very old, large, round pipe, senior,
once used to carry off waste, but now
abandoned. You may see the end
above the ground on the way to the
gate. It is not far from the carcel it.
self where it comes up through the
ground, from there it runs along the
yard beneath where the soldiers stand.
Senior, I swear l have told you all
will you now not take from me this
strange, hideous monster with the
flaming eyes, ere die?"
zone more thing must know" icily
replied the Hindu. IF I should ask Of
the corporal cigarette--what then"
'The officer in command would give
it to YOU
"Now, listen with care to my words
for on them hang life or death for
thee" venomously Kissed Jitendra,
bending so low that his lips almost
touched those of the other man. II
shall ask for that cigarette when L
start for the gate. And if am given
it not-well, it were better for thee
that thou vert never born. If receive
it. and thou also obey me in what /
shall now require of thee-it shall be
life and joy to thee in the years to
come. Heed we'll, therefore, and fail
not to obey me in all shall command
of thee"
He whispered a few words in the
ear of the PROSTATE figure.
''That Is ALL" he observed.
81 understand, senior. By the blessed
saints, I swear to do as you have
asked. Now, may depart?"
Slowly Jitendra arose and stood be-
fore the door. The angry, crimson
orbs above the breast of the soldier
vanished, to reappear near the other
two above the Hindu's turban.
"All men are brothers and thou art
mine," resumed Jitendra. ITO kill Is
sin. Therefore, and because thou hast
promised to do as I have commanded,
I bind upon thee the sacred symbols OF
Vishnu and Siva-that no harm may
hereafter come to thee. Loose thy
shirt"
The quivering Mexican obeyed.
Something cold, clammy, and unspeak-
ably repugnant wrapped itself around
him.
''Thus does silva enfold thee went
on the Oriental. "Never again canst
thou offend the gods by causing the
death of any living thing" His 1.-the
arm flung itself out in the darkness,
and again the shuddering Mexican ex-
perienced the sublimity of horror as
his hot blood raced through his icy
body.
with Vishnu, too, do crown thee,
brother. Now, If thou do but keep
thy promise all will be we'll with thee.
But"-Jitendra paused significantly
"of this also be assured. If | die at
sunrise because thou hast lied, the
gods Vishnu and silva die not with me,
but live on forever. Whittier thou
goest, even if it were to the ends Of the
earth, there Vishnu will pursue thee
and silva, too, will seek thee out J"
CHAPTER VII.