Evening star., 1937-09-05
Aoeodns Section

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under his armpit and used the other half for
a sling for his left arm.
She knelt beside him. These people think
we doube-crossed them They think we knew
that machine-gun was coming! They think
Captain Haigh's promise Of no reprisals If
they'd go home was mere trick to gain time
until -
''Yes," said the Guru, they think that
Who shall persuade them otherwise? have
done my utmost"
"Guru Sahib, don't be a defeatist - not
after all your splendid Efforts Be brave! Be
wise! Tell me what to do!''
She could hardly hear his answer. 1t was
something about quietness and wisdom. He
was the guru again, teacher of principles
Action was not in him. Il sent the camel-man
to Palanpur. General O'ReA is toreworned
There is no more can do, unless -"
Marquise interrupted: you and l must
get to Palanpur! That camel-man may fall
Perhaps the camel -"
'.Sahiba, God and its rider must guide that
camel But who shall control those officers?
Will they listen to you?"
mo! Both of them believe I'm disloyal
They
Her voice was drowned by the increasing
tumult: it poured into the shrine like breakers
laundering into cavern. She could hear the
trucks backfire, saw the changing angle of
the headlights, knew that Goddard had
moved, as he would move a cannon, with his
mind on the angle of fire. Goddard of the
Horse Guns! Heart-whole believer in massed
might and the will to prevail There was a
surging of men on the platform outside the
shrine. She heard the clean, unarguing, oiled
click of firearms. The Guru also heard it.
"All my work" he said, lis undone. per-
suaded them to hide their weapons They
have brought them out again.
The drumbeat thundered off the shrine
walls like the thump of machinery driving
ship in the dark to invisible doom. 1t was
unbearable.
Think! Think! What can do?" Marquise
shouted. How can sit here, when -"
Quiet, child! There is nothing you can do.
Out there death quivers on the lips of anger.
1t awaits finger at a trigger One unwise
move ="
"Guru Sahib we've got to act now v
quickly"
He took her hand as if borrowing strength.
Child, you are beautiful, young, overfowing
with kindness 1t is not your fault, it is mine,
that two officers whose integrity is equal to
their pride, have thought you false to the
code by which they live and die. You have
saved your father by bringing me this far.
But for you never could have sent that
messenger on camel back to -"
She scrambled to her feet. ''Oh don't try
to comfort me! won't be comforted! There'l
be a slaughter - here - now - tonight -
unless -"
The Guru gestured for help. She gave him
her hand He stood up leaning against the
wall
"Curu Sahtb, there's only one thing l
can do III do it. If l can reach Captain
Goddard -"
Does he love you? Sahiba might lead
you to him. These villagers are ashamed of
having hurt me- They won't hurt me again.
If should lean on your arm that might pro-
tect YOU" The Guru looked at her queerly,
blinking behind his spectacles He could see
her eyes. "You make sacrihce?"
Marquise spoke as if she were flinging her
last stake on a hazard. Il can try to persuade
Captain Goddard not to use that machine
gum"
Love is great persuader, said the Guru.
"Since you love him A."