The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-03-31
HIRA SINGH
BY
TALBOT MUNDY

- WVhAs 110 W08 KIOWl0K y2ly
uneasy. although trying hard moi
to show It
Then gve me name for the
tales you have been party tc
against ~ Eikhs!" said Ranjoof
Singh; but once more the German
refrained from answering. The
men were growing very attentive
breathing all in unison and careful
to make no sound to disturb the
talking. At that instant a great
burst Of fire broke out over the
water. so far away that l could
only see one or two flashes, and
although that was none too re-
assuring to US. it seemed to Tu-
gendheim like his death knell. He
set his lips and drew back half q
step.
Can you wish to live with the
shame Of all those lies against M
on your heart-you, who have lived
In India and know so much bet
ter" asked Ranjoor singh.
"Of course I wish to live!" said
Tugendheim.
Have you any price to offer for
your life" asked Ranjoor Singh
and stepping back two PAGES he
ordered a havildar with a loud
voice to take six men and hunt for
dry kindling. "For there is not
enough here" said he.
price," said Tugerfdheim. Il
have handful of coins, and my
uniform, and a sword. You left my
baggage on the steamer"
"Nay!" said Ranjoor Singh.
Your baggage came ashore in one
of the boats. Where is it? Who
has it"'
A man stepped forward and
pointed to it, lying in the shadow
of the hut with the rain from the
roof dripping down on it.
who brought it ashore?" asked
Ranjoor Singh.
a." said the trooper.
Then, for leaving it there in the
rain, you shall carry it three days
without assistance or relief" said
Ranjoor Singh. Get back to your
place in the ranks!" And the man
got back, saying nothing. Ranjoor
Singh picked up the baggage and
tossed it past Tugendheim into the
hut.
That is all I have!" said Tu-
gendheim.
IF you decide to burn, it shall
burn with. you." said Ranjoor Singh.
land that trooper shall carry a
good big stone instead to teach
him manners"
"Gott in Himmel." exclaimed
Tugendheim. losing his self-control
at last. Can l offer what l have
not got?"
lis there nothing you can do!'
asked Ranjoor Singh.
I'm what way? How" asked
the German.
I'm the way of making amends
to US Sikhs for all those lies you
have been party to- said Ranjoor
Singh. IF you were willing to
offer amends, would listen to
you"
Il will do anything in reason. :"
said Tugendheim, looking him full
in the eye and growing more at
ease.
Il am a reasonable man." said
Ranjoor Singh.
Then speak," said Tugendheim.
NAY, nay!" said Ranjoor Singh,
at is for you to make proposals,
and not for me. 1t is not l who
stand waiting to be burned alive!
Let me make you suggestion,
however. What had we Sikhs to
offer when we were prisoners in
Germany"
"Oh, l sect" said Tugendheim,
you mean you wish me to join
you-to be one Of you?"
II mean" said Ranjoor Singh,
that if you we're to apply to be
allowed to join this regiment for a
while, and to be allowed to serve
us in certain manner, we would
consider the proposal. Otherwise
is my meaning clear?
"Yes!" said Tugendheim.
Then" said Ranjoor Singh.
Il apply" said Tugendheim;
and at that moment the havildar
and his men returned with some
straw they had found in another
tumble-down hut They had stuffed
it under their overcoats to keep it
dry.
TOO late!" said Tugendheim with
a grimace, but Ranjoor Singh babe
them throw aside the straw for
all that.
I'm Germany we were required
to set our names to paper" he said.
and Tugendheim looked him in the
eyes again for full half minute.
DO you expect better conditions
than were offered u.s." asked Ran
joor Singh.
II will sign!" said Tugendheim.
what will you sign?" asked
Ranjoor Singh.
Anything in reason" answered
Tupendheim