The Adventures of Kathlyn

Filling his saddle-bags with three days' rations, two canteens of

water, he set off on a hagin, or racing camel, for Allaha, three

hundred miles inland as the crow flies. It was his intention to ride

straight down to the desert and across this to Colonel Hare's camp, if

such a thing now existed. A dromedary in good condition can make from

sixty to eighty miles a day; and the beast Ahmed had engaged was of

Arab blood. In four days he expected to reach the camp. If Winnie had

not yet arrived, he would take the road, meet her, warn her of the

dangers which she was about to face, and convey her to the sea-port.

If it was too late, he would send the camel back with a trusted

messenger to the colonel, to advise him.

They watched him depart in a cloud of dust, and then played the most

enervating game in existence--that of waiting; for they had decided to

wait till they heard from Ahmed before they moved.

Four nights later, when Ahmed arrived at the bungalow, he found

conditions as usual. For reasons best known to himself Umballa had not

disturbed anything. In fact, he had always had the coming of the

younger sister in mind and left the bungalow and camp untouched, so as

not to alarm her.

She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed flung himself down upon his cotton

rug, telling the keepers not to disturb him; he would be able to wake

himself when the time came. But Ahmed had overrated his powers; he was

getting along in years; and it was noon of the next day when a hand

shook him by the shoulder and he awoke to witness the arrival of Winnie

and her woman companion.

For the first time in many years Ahmed cursed his prophet. He that had

had time to warn the child, had slept like the sloth of Ceylon!

He went directly to the point. He told her briefly what had happened.

He had not the least doubt that Umballa was already aware of her

arrival. She must remain hidden in the go-down of the bungalow; her

maid also. That night, if Umballa or his men failed to appear, he

would lead her off to safety. But there was no hope of stealing away

in the daytime. In his heart, however, he entertained no hope; and

like the good general he was, he despatched the messenger and camel to

the sea. The father and daughter were fated to return.

Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Umballa appeared later in the day and

demanded the daughter of Colonel Hare. Backed as he was by numerous

soldiers, Ahmed resigned himself to the inevitable. They found Winnie

and her maid (whom later they sent to the frontier and abandoned) and

took them to the palace.