The Adventures of Kathlyn

Umballa was not a coward; he was only ruthless and predatory after the

manner of his kind. A thrill of admiration tingled his spine. The

women of his race were chattels, lazy and inert, without fire, merely

drudges or playthings. Here was one worth conquering, a white flame to

be controlled. To bend her without breaking her, that must be his

method of procedure. The skin under her chin was as white as the heart

of a mangosteen, and the longing to sweep her into his arms was almost

irresistible.

A high priest spoke to Kathlyn.

"What does he say?" she asked.

"That you must marry me."

"Tell him that I refuse!"

Umballa shrugged and repeated her words. Here the Council of Three

interposed, warning Kathlyn that she must submit to the law as it read.

There was no appeal from it.

"Then I shall appeal to the British Raj."

"How?" asked Umballa urbanely.

Swiftly she stepped to the front of the platform and extended her arms.

It was an appeal. She pointed to Umballa and shook her head. Her arms

went out again. A low murmur rippled over the pressing crowd; it grew

in volume; and a frown of doubt flitted over Umballa's brow. The

soldiers were swaying restlessly. Kathlyn saw this sign and was quick

to seize upon its possibilities. She renewed her gesture toward them.

It seemed that she must burst forth in their maddening tongue: "I

appeal to the chivalry of Allaha! . . . Soldiers, you now wear my

uniform! Liberate me!" But her tongue was mute; yet her eyes, her

face, her arms spoke eloquently enough to the turbulent soldiers.

Besides, they welcomed the opportunity to show the populace how strong

they were and how little they feared Umballa. At a nod from their

leader they came romping up the steps to this dais and surrounded

Kathlyn. A roar came from the populace; an elephant trumpeted; the

pariah dogs barked.

Umballa stepped back, his hand on his jeweled sword. He was quite

unprepared for any such flagrant mutiny--mutiny from his angle of

vision, though in law the troopers had only responded to the desire of

their queen. He turned questioningly to the council and the priests.

He himself could move no further. His confreres appreciated the danger

in which their power stood. They announced that it was decreed to give

the queen a respite of seven days in which to yield. It would at least

hold the bold troopers on the leash till they could be brought to see

the affair in its true light by the way of largess in rupees. Umballa

consented because he was at the bottom of the sack. A priest read from

a scroll the law, explaining that no woman might rule unmarried.

Because the young queen was not conversant with the laws of the state

she would be given seven days. Thus the durbar ended.