The Wolf Point herald., 1920-01-22
| Swami |
| Rams |
4 ReincarnatiOn
i By FRANK BLICHTON
Copyright.
(From Last Week.
CHAPTER vi.
Strangely Set Free.

'My friend, we have less IMAM
twelve hours to live"
Buck Williams gazed down at the
stoical Jitendra. The Hindu was sit
ting in one corner of the cell, a dark
er blotch against the gloom, save for
his snowy turban and cleaning eyes.
The farcical court-martial was con-
cluded, Mexican justice had been done,
and Hardinges prophecy verified in
detail.
II am very sorry you persisted in
following me into this diabolical coun-
try." regretfully went on the mine
owner. II knew there was bound to
be trouble. You have sacrificed your
self uselessly."
A paradoxical expression swept
over the Hindu's face.
"What is to be, will be, Sahib Buck
1t is as Vishnu and silva ordain-but
we are not yet dead"
The reply irritated Williams.
'If Mr.. Vishnu has any pull in this
precinct, I sure hope he'll do some
thing for YOU" he sarcastically OBJ
served. 81 wouldn't bother about send
ing him any thoughtless messages,
Jitendra. If knew Vishnu well
enough I'd brace him for a good gun
and about fifty cartridges. OF course
Morenos men might get me, but it
would be some satisfaction TO have
little company across the river tomor-
row morning. Do you suppose Nishnu
could slip us a .30-.30 in here, some
how?
"Sahib Buck wishes a gun?"
"In the absence of anything that
will assist us both to dissolve and float
out of here through the keyhole-yes
I'll be very glad to have gun. I've
heard how people in India grow plants
from seeds under cloth in few min
utes. Now, if you can pull off a stunt
like that, only grow me gun instead
of a plant-one that won't miss fire or
Jam cartridges in the magazine-Tll
guarantee to make mighty good use Of
it. Do you happen to have any gun
seeds or ammunition sprouts with
your
Jitendra grew thoughtful. VERY
well. Will the sahib not first seek re-
pose?"
Williams sneered.
'Well have plenty Of sleep a little
after sunrise" he remarked. "Why
waste the time now?"
"What says the Ancient Wisdom:
Sleep is a lake wherein the soul finds
food" politely returned the other.
'In sleep many strange things come to
one-is it not so?"
The mine owner sat down with a
sardonic smile. Jitendra was chanting
softly. Even the proximity of death
had not changed him in the slightest.
AS Williams pondered and listened to
the regular tramp of the Mexican on
guard in the corridor, something of
the utter fatalism of life-or death
came over him.
Why cry out or struggle against the
inevitable? Sooner or later he must
certainly pass from out the ferment Of
humanity, to lie forgotten in some
quiet corner. 1t might as well be now
as any other time, except for one thing
Ell Tigre.
For an instant flame of bitter
hatred blazed up as he thought of the
crafty Hardinge Had it not been for
that subtle, human scorpion he would
not be lying in this horrid hole, wait
ing the summons which would termi-
nate his ambitious life.
But the bitterness died away.
Hardinge was only another puppet
of fate-a stuffed doll-like himself
q mere marionette in the drama of ex-
istence, for fate bears rule over all.
Presently he, too, would be thrust back
into the cosmic trunk by the Great
Property Man of the whole fantastic
show, and death, the wardrobe mis-
tress, would receive the battered au-
tomaton, the same as she would claim
him at sunrise.
The voice Of the chanting Hindu
grew fainter.
The drowsy American felt that he
was falling into the abyss of all things
the place from which he had sprung.
Around him mysterious creatures,
with calm, untroubled countenances,
like Jitendra's face, swirled on sound
Less wings.
The world Of strife and struggle, of
bitter hate and burning discord, Of
which he had been part was blottcd
out, and, instead, there was only q
superlative sense of contenbuent q
divine peace, a sweet oblivion.
"Sahib Buck Sahib I,uck!"
Williams struggled in dazed fashion
to his knees.
Between his dream and the dark
ness he was so confused that he did
not realize where he was-or why.
Something cold, metallic, slender, was
forcing itself into his hands.
There is little time. sahfb," Kissed
the voice. "Sce-the door Is open and
the gods granted thy request Make
haste, 1 pray thee, and depart. Be
King Alfonso of Spain received
Cantain Thomas j. Sem Of the Uni