Evening star., 1937-05-16
% avEnGER !! VI: nc;
by TALBOT MUNDY

the Pacific. Quiet soft, slow wind in the trees.
the cry of insects. the rustic of quails on date
palm, the far-off murmur of the sea, the fire
light, the immensty of heaven - and the butt
of Quinn's revolver bulging just exactly where
his hand could reach it in fraction CT a second.
"Sirdar,' said, my friend and have been
wondering why you ever came to America. Will
you tell us?'
Over beyond the fire the Sirdar stood up.
bearded, erect, in an ancient beachrobe that in
moonlight resembled toga His right hand was
on the hilt of the saber with which. for dollar
or two, he does what look like superhuman
tricks.
1T is a long tale" he said But will you
listen?"
There was chorus of grunts. MIR. Whittle-
sea spoke: Nights yours. Cut the 'pologies."
The Sirdar drew long breath. For about
minute, as if searching memory. he gazed
along the moonlit glade. Then he looked at us
one by one; think he was suspicious. But his
voice, when at last he spoke, was firm and
resonant:
such as this was the night of the justice that
fell upon Yussuf bin lbraim, Khan of the
Abazai had served my time and was no longer
a soldier on the night when Yussuf bin lbsaim
the Afridi, on black mare lifted from the horse
lines of the Bengal Lancers, stole my sons wife.
Through the darkness, with her on his saddle
bow - she willing - he spurred for kalat -
with my son at his heels on kathiawari geld
ing.
Fleet and stanch was the black mare, hard
to see or to hear in that darkness. Nowhere is it
darker and more trackless than at night in the
bowling gorges beyond Quetta on what is
known as Allah's Stag Heap. But anger, like
magnet, drew the one toward the two. The
mare was overburdened. The gelding gained
My son, being not yet eighteen or experienced
in border warfare, let fly. Nine shots with an old
Martini rifle All wild but the last. That slew
the woman. She fell from Yussuf bin lbraim's
saddle, lifeless.
Then Yussuf bin lbraim reined the foun-
dered mare and waited in the dark. He was
reckoned the deadliest swordsman from Duaz-
alb to Shal Kot. None was better than he with
tulwar A ft-handed man. As tricky as devil.
NV son, whom Allah blessed with more courage
than brains, had at him with the clubbed Mar
TIM, having used his last shot. Yussuf bin
Ibraim slew him and wiped the tulwar. Upon
me fell duty
"Corfey, anyone?" asked Mr.. Whittlesea.
He passed the pot around and broke thespell.
Inc Sirdar looked now like gray-haired druid.
He raised the tin mug to his lips. set it down,
and resumed:
Il, with my own hands, dug their graves
As have told you, though a Moslem born,
have been blessed by higher teaching. To the
Guru went, at whose feet had sat when SOL
diering was done.
II asked him: What shall do?'
He answered: I have taught much. You
have learned little Now is the time for you to
reap what sowed.'
80 asked him: Though seek not ven
geance, since may not, shall sit submissive
to the will of Yussuf bin lbraim? Shall accept
the name of coward? Shall beg his mercy, lest
he come and slay me also?'
my Guru answered: Who has taught you
that towards cloak might possibly redeem
the killings that you did when you were under
oath to kill? When you were soldier, did
blame you? Did forbid you to slay at the word
of commando
II answered: You bade me be true to my
soldiers oath. was. Until that soldiers oath,
which had freely given, had been fulfilled to
the last obedience and the last minute. you re-
fused me the teaching l sought. But am no