The Adventures of Kathlyn

At a depth of three feet the basket was lowered, covered and the

boulder rolled into place. After that the colonel stooped and combed

the turf where the boulder had temporarily rested. He showed his

woodcraft there. It would take a keener eye than Umballa possessed to

note any disturbance. The safety of the treasure ultimately, however,

depended upon the loyalty of the keepers under Ahmed. They had been

with the colonel for years; yet . . . The colonel shrugged. He had to

trust them; that was all there was to the matter.

A sentinel came rushing up--one of the keepers.

"Something is stampeding the elephants!" he cried.

Ahmed and the men with him rushed off. In Ahmed's opinion, considering

what lay before them, elephants were more important than colored stones

and yellow metal. Without the elephants they would indeed find

themselves in sore straits.

"Let us move away from here," advised Bruce, picking up the implements

and shouldering them. He walked several yards away, tossed shovel and

pick into the bushes, tore at the turf and stamped on it, giving it

every appearance of having been disturbed. The colonel nodded

approvingly. It was a good point and he had overlooked it.

They returned hastily to camp, which was about two hundred yards beyond

the boulder. Kathlyn entered her tent to change her clothes, ragged,

soiled and burned. The odor of wet burned cloth is never agreeable.

And she needed dry shoes, even if there was but an hour or two before

bedtime.

Only one elephant had succeeded in bolting. In some manner he had

loosed his peg; but what had started him on the run they never learned.

The other elephants were swaying uneasily; but their pegs were deep and

their chains stout. Ahmed and the keepers went after the truant on

foot.

The noise of the chase died away. Bruce was lighting his pipe. The

colonel was examining by the firelight a few emeralds which he had

taken from the basket. Ramabai was pleasantly gazing at his wife.

Kathlyn and Winnie were emerging from the tent, when a yell greeted

their astonished ears. The camp was surrounded. From one side came

Umballa, from the other came the mutineers. Kathlyn and Winnie flew to

their father's side. In between came Umballa, with Bruce and Ramabai

and Pundita effectually separated. Umballa and his men closed in upon

the colonel and his daughters. Treasure and revenge!

Bruce made a furious effort to join Kathlyn, but the numbers against

him were too many. It was all done so suddenly and effectually, and

all due to their own carelessness.

"Kit," said her father, "our only chance is to refuse to discover to

Umballa where we have hidden the basket. Winnie, if you open your lips

it will be death--yours, Kit's, mine. To have been careless like this!

Oh, Kit, on my honor, if Umballa would undertake to convoy us to the

seaport I'd gladly give him all the treasure and all the money I have

of my own. But we know him too well. He will torture us all."