Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
y Airplane Leaves Officer Stranded in Hills of Asia

At the first streak Of dawn re-
ceived visit from the old mullah, who
came In with many Saiaams and what
was no doubt intended as friendly
smile. He spoke few words OF Pushtu
a language I could talk with Diff
Guilty. The purport Of his visit ap-
peared to be to try and induce me 70
promise larger ransom, as ne e.i-
IDENTIFY considered the governments
offer very mean. 49,,
that + vas to be moved to another vii
lace "y7here I should be more COM
Portable" I guessed that the real rea-
son was the fact that our planes had
spotted the village.
The mullafl's visit, therefore, reas-
sured me. for It vas evident that tney
did net desire me to be blown to bits
in en- cir raid and thereby lose the
ransom. It was equally evident that
they did rot, at the moment, contem-
plate getting to work on me with tnose
looking kniyesi
felt quite cheered when, IeE
hours later, was led out 'of the DUR
and told to march between TWO sentries-
The morning was rather nazy, ano q
heat-mist was rising from the Vaiieys'
We were q party Of about dozen, m
GLIDING the old mullah. and noticed
that all the men carried number OF
rounds of ammunition and stores OF
food and water. Evidently we were out
for long march!
The Wazirs we're running no risks.
however, for whenever we crossed the
skyline at the top OF q hill we were
told to lie down and crawl. Several
times we hid behind rocks, but 1t always
proved to be false alarm. Al midday,
when a short halt was called. was
given food and water.
All this time had been mentaly
mapping our direction by the sun, but
by EVENING we had crossed so many val
leys and scaled 50 many hills that be-
came rather logged.
The Wazirs, however, seemed to thlni-
there was now no danger, for they
ceased to take any more precautions.
They marched along almost jauntily,
and as their pace increased ] gathered
that we we're nearing our destination.
No doubt they already saw themselves
counting the thousands Of rupees which
were to constitute my ransom!
y + +
THEN, all of a sudden, curious thing
= happened. The leader Of our party
dropped behind a rock, and the others.
jerked into sudden wakefulness, fol-
lowed his example just as . rifle shot
rang out. The noise echoed through
the valley. and all eyes were strained to
discover whether the shot betokened
| friend CT foe.
Some of the tribes were known to be
amicably disposed toward the British.
| while others had been bought on" by
substantial bribes. Either OF these pos
sibilities might be the explanation Of the
shot; or it might turn out to be an
other tribe, hostile to the British, but
jealous Of the men who had cap
tured me-
had visions Of pitched battle tax
ing place over my dead body, for
felt pretty sure that should end BY
| stopping bullet
Meanwhile we lay behind the rocks In
breathiess silence. Not soul stirred
as we watched the hill opposite. from.
which the shot had been fired. The
light was falling fast. and could see
| that our party were nonpluSsed.
Then, In the twinkling Of an eye, the
whole situation was changed. and the
mysterious shot explained ITSELF Pop
popl" barked machine gun-and I
knew was saved!
The next few moments were like q
dream. The Wazirs were promptly en-
gagged by q party Of men who had
miraculously appeared from nowhere,
and heavy firing started. Guided by
blind instinct. I rose and ran I'D the
side of the hill, shouting and waving
my topee. A khaki-clad figure rose
| suddenly from behind a bush in front
Of me, and friendly Monaghan face
III up with smile as collapsed into
the arms OF Gurkha soldier.
(Copyrixht. 1921