The Adventures of Kathlyn

"But you, Ramabai?" said Kathlyn.

"I shall return to Allaha, I and Pundita," replied Ramabai.

"It will be death!" objected Bruce and Kathlyn together.

"I think not," and Ramabai permitted one of his mysterious smiles to

stir his lips.

"Ramabai!" whispered Pundita fearfully.

"Yes. After all, why should we wait?"

"I?"

"Even so!"

"What is all this about?" inquired Kathlyn.

"Allaha is weary of Umballa's iron heel, weary of a vacillating

council. And the time has arrived when the two must be abolished. A

thousand men await the turn of my hand. And who has a better right to

the throne of Allaha than Pundita, my wife?"

"Good!" cried Kathlyn, her eyes sparkling. "Good! And if we can help

you----"

"Kit," interposed the colonel, "we can give Ramabai and Pundita only

our good wishes. Our way lies to the west, to the seaport and home."

Ramabai bowed.

And the party returned to the compound rather subdued. This quiet

young native banker would go far.

"And if I am ever queen, will my beautiful Mem-sahib come back some day

and visit me?"

"That I promise, Pundita, though I have no love for Allaha."

"We will go with you to the coast," said Ramabai, "and on our return to

Allaha will see what has become of the faithful Ahmed."

"For that my thanks," responded the colonel. "Ahmed has been with me

for many years, and has shared with me many hardships. If he lives, he

will be a marked man, so far as Umballa is concerned. Aid him to come

to me. The loss of my camp and bungalow is nothing. The fact that we

are all alive to-day is enough for me. But you, Bruce; will it hit you

hard?"

Bruce laughed easily. "I am young. Besides, it was a pastime for me,

though I went at it in a business way."

"I am glad of that. There is nothing to regret in leaving this part of

the world." Yet the colonel sighed.

And Kathlyn heard that sigh, and intuitively understood. The filigree

basket of gems. Of such were the minds of men.

But the colonel was taken ill that night, and it was a week before he

left his bed, and another before he was considered strong enough to

attempt the journey. Bala Khan proved to be a fine host, for he loved

men of deeds, and this white-haired old man was one of the right

kidney. He must be strong ere he took the long journey over the hot

sands to the sea.

A spy of Umballa's watched and waited to carry the news to his master,

the day his master's enemies departed from the haven of Bala Khan's

walled city.

When the day came the Khan insisted that his guests should use his own

camels and servants, and upon Ramabai's return the elephants would be

turned over to him for his journey back to Allaha. Thus, one bright

morning, the caravan set forth for what was believed to be the last

journey.