The Adventures of Kathlyn

Bruce looked toward Ramabai, who slept the sleep of the profoundly

wearied. A bheestee, perhaps a messenger.

"Go around to the rear gate, which can be opened," said the trooper.

Bruce went to the window overlooking the garden. He saw the water

carrier enter through the bamboo gate, heard the water slosh about

jerkily as the bheestee emptied his goatskin. He watched the man

curiously; saw him drop the skin and tiptoe toward the house, glance to

right and left alertly. Then he disappeared. Presently at the head of

the stairs Bruce heard a whisper--"Ramabai!"

"Who is it?" Bruce whispered in the dialect.

"Ahmed."

Ahmed. Who was Ahmed?

Bruce shook Ramabai. "Ahmed is here. Who is he?" he asked softly.

"Ahmed?" drowsily. Then, wide awake enough: "Ahmed? He was Hare Sahib's

head animal man. Where is he?"

"Hush! Not so loud. Come up, Ahmed; I am Bruce. Let us speak in

English."

"Good!" Ahmed came into the chamber. "To see Bruce Sahib is good.

To-morrow my master's daughter is to be carried into the jungle. The

Mem-sahib is to be tied inside a tiger trap, bait for the cat. That is

the first ordeal."

"Shaitan!" murmured Ramabai.

"Go on, Ahmed."

"The cage will be set near the old peepul tree, not far from the south

gate. Now, you, Sahib, and you, Ramabai, must hide somewhere near. It

is the law that if she escapes the ordeal from unexpected sources she is

free, at least till the second ordeal. I know not what that is at

present or when it is to take place. The troops will be there, and the

populace, the council, the priest and Umballa. I shall have two swift

camels near the clump of bamboo. I may not be there, but some one will.

She must be hurried off before the confusion dies away. Must, Sahib.

There must be no second ordeal."

"But how am I to get out of here?" asked Ramabai. "Guards all about, and

doubtless bidden to shoot if I stir!"

"Tch! Tch!" clicked Ahmed. He unwound his dirty turban and slipped out

of the ragged shirtlike frock. "These and the water skin below. A

bheestee entered, a bheestee goes out. 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. The Mem-sahib must at

least stand the ordeal of terror, for she is guarded too well. Yet, if

they were not going to bind her, I should not worry. She has animal

magic in her eye, in her voice. I have seen wild beasts grow still when

she spoke. Who knows? Now, I sleep."