United States or Georgia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Running was his business; he was as tireless as a camel and could run twenty and thirty miles at a stretch. The soles of his feet were as tough as elephant's hide. Thus he reached the city an hour before Bruce and Ramabai. When Bruce and the native banker arrived at the gate coolies stood about with torches. Suddenly beyond the gate half a regiment drew up.
Dawn. The garden was filling with silent armed men. With Ramabai, in the secret gallery, were the chiefs. Ramabai indicated the blazing swords. "My friends, choose among these weapons. The gems are nothing, but the steel is tried and true." Lal Singh selected the simplest, salaamed and slid the scabbard through his cummerbund.
During a lull in the ceremonies a resonant voice from out the dense throne cried, "Give us a queen of our blood and race, thou black, gutter born dog!" Ramabai started at the sound of that voice, but caught himself before he looked in the direction from whence it rose. It belonged to one Lal Singh. Umballa scowled, but gave no other sign that he heard.
He was so pitiably weak that he could scarcely stand and only vaguely understood that he was to follow this man Ramabai, whom he did not recognize. Ramabai, comprehending his plight, gave him the support of his arm, and together they left the palace. So far all had gone smoothly. The council had no suspicions. Twenty men had followed Durga Ram and without doubt they were at this moment with him.
"You shall go, Pundita," said Ramabai; "and Durga Ram shall choke between these two hands if he harms a hair of your head." "And now to bed," said Ahmed. Well for Kathlyn that she had not the gift of clairvoyance. At the precise moment she put her head upon the pillow her father was writhing under the lash; but never a sound came from his lips. Kit was free. Kit was free!
What is simpler than that? It is not light enough for the soldiers to notice. There is food and water here. Trust me to elude those bhang-guzzlers outside. Am I a ryot, a farmer, to twist naught but bullocks' tails?" "Ahmed," said Bruce, holding out his hand, "you're a man." "Thanks, Sahib," dryly. "But hasten! At dawn to-morrow, or late to-night, Ramabai returns with a full water skin.
Presently a splendid palanquin arrived, and within it a tardy candidate. She was laden with jewels, armlets, anklets and head ornaments; pearls and uncut sapphires and rubies. Upon lifting her veil she revealed a beautiful high caste face. Ramabai bade her pass on.
At length priest turned to priest, and the wrinkled faces became more wrinkled still: smiles. "Highness," said the eldest, "we had thought of this, but you did not make us your confidant." "Till an hour gone it had not occurred to me. Shall Ramabai, then, become your master, to set forth the propaganda of the infidel?" "No!"
Kathlyn understood by the expression on Umballa's countenance what was taking place. She smiled down at her enemy. "So be it, Bala Khan," snarled Umballa, his rage no longer on the rein. "In one month's time I shall return, and of your city there will not be one stone upon another when I leave it!" "One month!" Ramabai laughed. "Why are you always smiling, Ramabai?" asked Bruce.
Besides, one of them watched Winnie constantly, because the bearded scoundrel had attracted her fancy and because she hoped to enchain his. So the note from Kathlyn did not pass unnoticed, though Winnie believed that she was without espionage. Kathlyn, her father, Bruce, Ramabai and Pundita met at the colonel's bungalow, and with Ahmed's help they thrashed out the plan to rescue Winnie.
Word Of The Day