Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-04-01
''The Wings
of the Morning
BY LOUIS TRACY
Copyrighted by E. J. Clode)
BY LOUIS TRACY


his men so quickly that he saw spir-
it's"
The chief caught his name and
broke in with a question. A volley of
talk between the two was enllvened
with expressive gestures by Taung
sail, who several times pointed to
Iris, and jerks now mathematical his
thoughtless folly in permitting the Dy-
ak to approach SO near her, and might
have persuaded the other that in truth
there were two men only on the rock.
His fears were only too well found
ed The Mussulman salamed respect
fully and said
Protector of the poor, | cannot
gainsay your word, but Taung Sail
says that the maid stands by your
side, and is none the less the woman
he seeks in that she wears mans
clothing"
HE has sharp eyes, but his brain
is added" returned the sailor. "Why
does he come here to seek a woman
who is not of his race? Not only has
he brought death to his people and
narrowly escaped it himself, but he
must know that any violence offered
to us will mean the determination of
his whole tribe by an English war
ship. Tell him to take away his boats
and never visit this isle again. Per-
haps / will then forget his treacher-
Gus attempt to murder us whilst we
slept last night
The chief glared back deiantly,
whilst the Mohammedan said
"Sahib, it is best not to anger him
too much He says he means to have
the girl. He saw her beauty that day
and she inf1amed his heart. She has
cost him many lives, but she is worth
Sultan's ransom. He cares not for
warships. They cannot reach his vii
lage in the hills. By the tomb of N1z-
am-ud-din, sahib, he will not harm
you if you give her up, but if you re-
fuse he will kill you both. And what
is one woman more or less in the
world that she should cause strife
and blOod-letting?
The sailor knew the Eastern char
acter too well not to understand the
mans amazement that he should be so
solicitious about the fate of one OF the
weaker sex 1t was seemingly useless
to offer terms, yet the native was
clearly so anxious for an amicable
settlement that he caught at a straw.
"You come from Delhi?" he asked.
dom"
"None but a Delhi man swears by
the tomb on the road to the Kutub.
You have escaped from the Anda-
mans"'
"Sahib, l did but Stay a man in
self-defence."
whatever the cause, you can new
or again see India. Nevertheless, you
would give many years of your life
to mix once more with the bazaar
folk in the Chandni Chowk, and sit at
night on the charpoy near the Lahore
Gate?"
The brown skin assumed sallow
tinge.
'That is good speaking" he gurgled.
"Then help me and my friend to es-
cane. Compel your chief to leave the
island. Kill him! Plot against him!
I will promise you freedom and plenty
of rupees. Do this, and l swear to you
7 will come in a ship and take you
away. The miss-sahib's father is pow
erful. He has great influence with the
Sirkar"
Taung sail was evidently Devil
dered and annoyed by this passionate
appeal which he did not understand
He demanded an explanation, and the
ready-witted native was obliged to IN
vent some plausible excuse. Yet when
he raised his face to jerks there was
the look of hunted animal III MS
eyes.
"Sahib," he said, endeavoring to con-
ceal his agitation 81 am one among
many. A word from me and they would
cut nv throat. If 1 were with you
there on the rock l would die with
YOU. for | was the Kumaon Rlssala
when the trouble befell me. 1t is of no
avail to bargain with a tiger, sahlb.
I suppose you will not give up the
miss-sahib Pretend to argue with me.
/ will help in any way possible:
Jerks heart bounded when this I'M
looked-for offer reached his ears. Inc
unfortunate Mohammedan was evil
IDENTIFY eager to get away from the pi-
ratical gang into whose power ne had
fallen. But the chief was impatient II
not suspicious of these long speeches
Angrily holding forth a Lee-Met-
ford the sailor shouted
'aTell Taung Sail that l will Stay
him and all his men ere tomorrow S
SIN rises. He knows something OF my
mower. but not ALL Tonight, at the
twelfth hour. you will find rope
hanging from the rock. Tie thereto
vessel of water. Fail not in this.
will not forget your services. am
Anstruther Sahib, of the Belgium
Rissala." :,
The native translated his words IN
To a fierce defiance of Taung All ana
his Dyaks. The chief glanced at Jenks
and Iris with an ominous smile he
muttered something.
sThen, sahib There is nothing more
to he said. Beware of the trees on your
right. They can send silent death even
to the place where you stand. Ana !,
will not fail you tonight, on my me-
cried the interpreter.
81 believe you. Go! But inform your
chief that once you have disappeared
round the rock whence you came
will talk to him only with rlfle
Taung sail seemed to comprehend
the Establishments emphatic motions.
Waving his hand defiantly, the Dyak