WAITING
Kathlyn flung herself into her father's arms.
"Dad, dad! To leave you alone!"
"Kit, you are wasting time. Be off. Trust me; I wasn't meant to die
in this dog's kennel, curse or no curse. Kiss me and go!"
"Curse? What do you mean, father?"
"Ahmed will tell you. In God's name go, child!"
"Come, Miss Kathlyn," Bruce called anxiously.
Kathlyn then climbed up to the window, and Bruce lifted her into his
howdah, bidding her to lie low. How strong he was, she thought. Ah,
something had whispered to her day by day that he would come when she
needed him. Suddenly she felt her cheeks grow hot with shame. She
snuggled her bare legs under her grass dress. Till this moment she had
never given her appearance a single thought. There had been things so
much more vital. But youth, and there is ever the way of a man with a
maid.
Now, Kathlyn did not love this quiet, resourceful young man, at least
if she did she was not yet aware of it; but the touch of his hand and
the sound of his voice sent a shiver over her that was not due to the
chill of the night. She heard him give his orders, low voiced.
"Do not lift your head above the howdah rim, Miss Kathlyn, till we are
in the jungle. And don't worry about your father. He's alive, and
that's enough for Ahmed and me. What a strange world it is, and how
fate shuffles us about! Forward!"
The curse: what did her father mean by that? It seemed to Kathlyn that
hours passed before Bruce spoke again.
"Now you may sit up. What in the world have you got on? Good heavens,
grass! You poor girl!" He took off his coat and threw it across her
shoulders, and was startled by the contact of her warm flesh.
"I can not thank you in words," she said faintly.
"Don't. Pshaw, it was nothing. I would have gone----" He stopped
embarrassedly.
"Well?" Perhaps it was coquetry which impelled the query; perhaps it
was something deeper.
He laughed. "I was going to say that I would have gone into the depths
of hell to serve you. We'll be at your father's bungalow in a minute
or so, and then the final stroke. Umballa is not dependable. He may
or may not pay a visit to the cell to-night. I can only pray that he
will come down the moment I arrive."
But he was not to meet Umballa that night. Umballa had won his point
in regard to having his prisoners flogged; but, Oriental that he was,
he went about the matter leisurely. He ate his supper, changed his
clothes and dallied in the zenana for an hour. The rascal had made a
thorough study of the word "suspense"; he knew the exquisite torture of
making one's victim wait. For the time being his passion for Kathlyn
had subsided. He desired above all things just then revenge for the
humiliating experience in the ceil; he wanted to put pain and terror
into her heart. Ah, she would be on her knees, begging, begging, and
her father would struggle in vain at his shackles. Spurned; so be it.
She should have a taste of his hate, the black man's hate. Two should
hold her by the arms while the professional flogger seared the white
soft back of her. She would soon come to him begging. He had been too
kind. The lash of the zenana, it should bite into her soft flesh. He
would break her spirit and her body together and fling her into his own
zenana to let her gnaw her heart out in suspense. She should be the
least of his women, the drudge.
First, however, the lash should bite the father till he dropped in his
chains; thus she would be able to anticipate the pain and degradation.
And always there would remain the little dark-haired sister. She would
marry him; she would do it to save her father and sister. Then the
filigree basket heaped with rubies and pearls and emeralds and
sapphires! As for the other, what cared he if he rotted? It gave him
the whip hand over the doddering council. Master he would be; he would
blot out all things which stood in his path. A king, till he had
gathered what fortune he needed. Then let the jackals howl.
Accompanied by torch bearers, servants and the professional flogger, he
led the way to the cell and flung open the door triumphantly. For a
moment he could not believe his eyes. She was gone, and through yonder
window! Hell of all hells of Hind! She was gone, and he was robbed!
"Out of your reach this time, you black devil!" cried the colonel. "Go
on. Do what you please to me, I'm ready."
Umballa ran to the tabouret and jumped upon it. He saw the trampled
grass. Elephants. And these doubtless had come from the colonel's
camp. He jumped off the tabouret and dashed to the door.
"Follow me!" he cried. "Later, Colonel Hare, later!" he threatened.
The colonel remained silent.
Up above, in the palace, Umballa summoned a dozen troopers and gave
them explicit orders. He was quite confident that Kathlyn would be
carried at once to her father's bungalow, if only for a change of
clothes. It was a shrewd guess.
As the iron door clanged upon the sill Colonel Hare leaned against the
pillar and closed his eyes, praying silently.
At the bungalow Pundita fell at Kathlyn's feet and kissed them.
"Mem-sahib!" she cried brokenly.
"Pundita!" Kathlyn stooped and gathered her up in her arms.
After that Ramabai would have died for her under any torture.
"Now, Ahmed, what did my father mean when he said 'curse or no curse'?"
"It's a long story, Mem-sahib," said Ahmed evasively.
"Tell it."
"It was in a temple in the south. The Colonel Sahib took a sapphire
from an idol's eye. The guru, a very wise and ancient priest, demanded
the return of it. The Colonel Sahib, being a young man, refused. The
guru cursed him. That is all."
"No, Ahmed; there must be more. Did not the guru curse my father's
children and their children's children?"
"Ah, Mem-sahib, what does the curse of a Hindu amount to?"
"Perhaps it is stronger than we know," glancing down at her dress.
Further discussion was interrupted by one of the armed keepers, who
came rushing up with the news that armed soldiers were approaching.
Bruce swore frankly. This Umballa was supernaturally keen. What to do
now?
"Quick!" cried Ahmed. "Get the howdahs off the elephants." It was
done. "Hobble them." It was immediately accomplished. "Into the
bungalow, all of you. Mem-sahib, follow me!"
"What are you going to do?" asked Bruce.
"Hide her where none will dare to look," answered Ahmed.
He seized Kathlyn by the hand and urged her to run. She had implicit
faith in this old friend, who had once dandled her on his knees. They
disappeared behind the bungalow and ran toward the animal cages. He
stopped abruptly before one of the cages.
"A leopard, but harmless. You'll know how to soothe him if he becomes
nervous. Enter."
[Illustration: You'll know how to soothe him.]
Kathlyn obeyed.
This cage was not a movable one, and had a cavity underneath. The
heavy teak flooring was not nailed.
The soldiers arrived at the bungalow, boisterously threatening the
arrest of the entire camp if Durga Ram's slave was not produced
forthwith.
"You are mistaken," said Bruce. "There is no slave here. Search."
"You stand in extreme danger, Sahib. You have meddled with what does
not concern you," replied the captain, who had thrown his fortunes with
Umballa, sensing that here was a man who was bound to win and would be
liberal to those who stood by him during the struggle.
"Search," repeated Bruce.
The captain and his men ran about, but not without a certain system of
thoroughness. They examined the elephants, but were baffled there,
owing to Ahmed's foresight. They entered the native quarters, looked
under the canvases into the empty cages, from cellar to roof in the
bungalow, when suddenly the captain missed Ahmed.
"Where is the Colonel Sahib's man?" he asked bruskly.
"Possibly he is going the rounds of the animal cages," said Bruce,
outwardly calm and shaking within.
"And thou, Ramabai, beware!"
"Of what, Captain?" coolly.
"Thou, too, hast meddled; and meddlers burn their fingers."
"I am innocent of any crime," said Ramabai. "I am watched, I know; but
there is still some justice in Allaha."
"Bully for you!" said Bruce in English.
The captain eyed him malevolently.
"Search the animal cages," he ordered.
Bruce, Ramabai and Pundita followed the captain. He peered into the
cages, one by one, and at length came to the leopard's cage. And there
was the crafty Ahmed, calmly stroking the leopard, which snarled
suddenly. Ahmed stood up with a fine imitation of surprise. The
captain, greatly mystified, turned about; he was partially convinced
that he had had his work for nothing. Still, he had his tongue.
"Thou, Ramabai, hast broken thy parole. Thou wert not to leave thy
house. It shall be reported." Then he took a shot at Bruce: "And thou
wilt enter the city on the pain of death."
With this he ordered the soldiers right about and proceeded the way he
had come.
"Ahmed, where is she?" cried Bruce, who was as mystified as the captain.
Smiling, Ahmed raised one of the broad teak boards, and the golden head
of Kathlyn appeared.
"Ahmed," said Bruce, delighted, "hereafter you shall be chief of this
expedition. Now, what next?"
"Secure files and return for my master."
"Wait," interposed Kathlyn, emerging. "I have a plan. It will be
useless to return to-night. He will be too well guarded. Are you
brave, Pundita?"
"I would die for the Mem-sahib."
"And I, too," added Ramabai.
Ahmed and Bruce gazed at each other.
"What is your plan, Mem-sahib?" asked Ahmed, replacing the board and
helping Kathlyn out of the cage, the door of which he closed quickly,
as the leopard was evincing a temper at all this nocturnal disturbance.
"It is a trap for Umballa."
"He is as wise as the cobra and as suspicious as the jackal," said
Ahmed doubtfully.
"Reason forbids that we return to-night. Umballa will wait, knowing
me. Listen. Pundita, you shall return to the city. Two men will
accompany you to the gate. You will enter alone in the early morning."
Pundita drew close to her husband.
"You will seek Umballa and play traitor. You will pretend to betray
me."
"No, no, Mem-sahib!"
"Listen. You will demand to see him alone. You will say that you are
jealous of me. You will tell him that you are ready to lead him to my
hiding-place."
"No, Miss Kathlyn; that will not do at all," declared Bruce
emphatically.
To this Ahmed agreed with a slow shake of the head.
"Let me finish," said Kathlyn. "You will tell him, Pundita, that he
must come alone. He will promise, but by some sign or other he will
signify to his men to follow. Well, the guard may follow. Once
Umballa steps inside the bungalow we will seize and bind him. His life
will depend upon his writing a note to the council to liberate my
father. If he refuses, the leopard."
"The leopard?"
"Yes; why not? A leopard was the basic cause of all this misery and
treachery. Let us give Umballa a taste of it. Am I cruel? Well, yes;
all that was gentle and tender in me seems either to have vanished or
hardened. He has put terror into my heart; let me put it into his."
"It is all impractical," demurred Bruce.
"He will never follow Pundita," said Ahmed.
"Then shall we all sit down and wait?" Kathlyn asked bitterly. "At
least let me try. He will not harm Pundita, since it is I he wants."
"She is right," averred Pundita. "A woman can do more at this moment
than a hundred men. I will go, Mem-sahib; and, more, I will bring him
back."
"But if he should hold you as a hostage?" suggested the harried Ahmed.
"What then?"
"What will be will be," answered Pundita with oriental philosophy.
"You shall go, Pundita," said Ramabai; "and Durga Ram shall choke
between these two hands if he harms a hair of your head."
"And now to bed," said Ahmed.
Well for Kathlyn that she had not the gift of clairvoyance. At the
precise moment she put her head upon the pillow her father was writhing
under the lash; but never a sound came from his lips. Kit was free.
Kit was free!
"To-morrow and to-morrow's to-morrow you shall feel the lash," cried
Umballa when he saw that his victim could stand no more. "Once more,
where is the filigree basket?"
Feebly the colonel shook his head.
"To-morrow, then! Up till now you have known only neglect. Now you
shall feel the active hatred of the man you robbed and cheated. Ah,
rubies and pearls and emeralds; you will never see them."
"Nor shall you!"
"Wait and see. There's another way of twisting the secret from you.
Wait; have patience." Umballa laughed.
And this laughter rang in the colonel's ears long after the door had
closed. What new deviltry had he in mind?
The next morning Kathlyn came into the living-room dressed, for the
first time in weeks. She felt strangely uncomfortable. For so long a
time her body had been free that the old familiar garments of
civilization (are they civilized?) almost suffocated her.
"You are not afraid, Pundita?"
"No, Mem-sahib. Ahmed will have me carried to within a few yards of
the gate, and after that it will be easy to find Durga Ram. Ah,
Mem-sahib, if you but knew how I hate him!"
After Pundita had departed Ahmed brought in the leopard. Kathlyn
petted it and crooned, and the magic timbre of her tones won over the
spotted cat. He purred.
And now they must wait. An hour flew past. Kathlyn showed signs of
restlessness, and this restlessness conveyed itself to the leopard, who
began to switch his tail about.
"Mem-sahib, you are losing your influence over the cat," warned Ahmed.
"Go walk; go talk elephant; and you, Bruce Sahib, go with her. I'll
take care of the cat."
So Bruce and Kathlyn went the rounds of the cages. She was a veritable
enigma to Bruce. Tigers lost their tenseness and looked straight into
her eyes. A cheetah with cubs permitted her to touch the wabbly
infants, whereas the keeper of this cage dared not go within a foot of
it. By the time she reached the elephants a dozen keepers were
following her, their eyes wide with awe. They had heard often of the
Mem-sahib who calmed the wild ones, but they had not believed. With
the elephants she did about as she pleased.
"Miss Kathlyn, I am growing a bit afraid of you," said Bruce.
"And why?"
"I've never seen animals act like that before. What is it you do to
them?"
"Let them know that I am not afraid of them and that I am fond of them."
"I am not afraid of them and am also fond of them. Yet they spit at me
whenever I approach."
"Perhaps it is black art." The shadow of a smile crossed her lips.
Then the smile stiffened and she breathed deeply. For the moment she
had forgot her father, who stood chained to a pillar in a vile cell.
She put her hand over her eyes and swayed.
"What is it?" he cried in alarm.
"Nothing. I had almost forgot where I am."
"I, too. I am beginning to let Ahmed think for me. Let us get back to
the bungalow."
He loved her. And he feared her, too. She was so unlike any young
woman he had ever met that she confused his established ideas of the
sex. The cool blood of her disturbed him as much as anything. Not a
sign of that natural hysteria of woman, though she had been through
enough to drive insane a dozen ordinary women. He loved the fearless
eye of her, the flat back, the deep chest, the spring with which she
measured her strides. Here at last was the true normal woman. She was
of the breed which produced heroes.
He loved her, and yet was afraid of her. A wall seemed to surround
her, and nowhere could he discover any breach. Vaguely he wondered how
the Viking made love to the Viking's daughter. By storm, or by guile?
Yes, he was afraid of her; afraid of her because she could walk alone.
He locked up his thoughts in his heart; for instinct advised him to say
nothing now; this was no time for the declaration of love.
"It is best," said Ahmed, "that we all remain inside the bungalow.
Ramabai, have you any plan in case Pundita does not return?"
Ramabai's breast swelled. "Yes, Ahmed. I have a thousand friends in
yonder city, ready at my call. Only, this is not the time. Still, I
can call to them, and by to-morrow there will not be a stone of the
palace upon another. Be not alarmed. Pundita will return, but mayhap
alone."
So they waited.
Now, Pundita, being a woman, was wise in the matter of lure. She
entered the city unquestioned. She came to the palace steps just as
Umballa was issuing forth. She shivered a little--she could not help
it; the man looked so gloomy and foreboding. The scowl warned her to
walk with extreme care.
He stopped when he saw her and was surprised into according her the
salute one gave to a woman of quality.
"Ah!"
"Durga Ram," she began, "I am seeking you." Her voice trembled ever so
little.
"Indeed! And why do you seek me, who am your enemy, and who always
will be?"
"A woman loves where she must, not where she wills."
Umballa seemed to ponder over this truth.
"And why have you sought me?"
"A woman's reasons. My husband and the Mem-sahib----"
"You know, then, where she is?" quickly.
"Aye, Durga Ram; I alone know where she is hiding."
He sent a shrewd glance into her eyes. Had she wavered, ill would have
befallen her.
"Tell me."
"Follow."
He laughed. Near by stood two of the palace guards. "All women are
liars. Why should I trust you?"
"That is true. Why indeed should you trust me?" She turned and with
bowed head started to walk away.
"Wait!" he called to her, at the same time motioning to the guards to
follow at a distance.
"If I lead you to the Mem-sahib, it must be alone."
"You say that you alone know where she is?"
"I meant that I alone will lead you to her. And you must decide
quickly, Durga Ram, for even now they are preparing for night, and this
time they will go far."
"Lead on."
"Send the guards back to the palace."
Umballa made a sign with his hand, but another with his eyes. The
guards fell back to the palace steps, understanding perfectly that they
and others were to follow unseen. Umballa knew instinctively that this
was a trap. He would apparently walk into it unsuspectingly; but those
who sprung the trap would find no rat, but a tiger. And after the
manner of hungry tigers, he licked his chops. A trap; a child could
have discerned it. But having faith in his star he followed Pundita.
Only once during the journey did he speak.
"Pundita, remember, if you have lied you will be punished."
"Durga Ram, I have not lied. I have promised to lead you to her, and
lead you to her I shall."
"Durga Ram," he mused. She did not give him his title of prince;
indeed, she never had. She was really the rightful heir to this crown;
but her forbears had legally foresworn. Ah! the Colonel Sahib's camp.
Good! He knew now that in Kathlyn's escape he had the man Ahmed to
reckon with. Presently.
"She is there, Durga Ram."
"And what more?" ironically.
His coolness caused her some uneasiness. Had he, by means unknown to
her, signed to the guards to follow?
Umballa entered the living-room of the bungalow. It was apparently
deserted. He cast a quick glance about. The curtains trembled
suspiciously, and even as he noted it, Bruce, Ramabai and Ahmed sprang
forth, carrying ropes. Umballa made a dash for the door, but they were
too quick for him. Struggling, he was seized and bound; but all the
while he was laughing inwardly. Did they dream of trapping him in this
childish fashion? By now twenty or thirty of his paid men were drawing
a cordon about the camp. All of them should pay the full penalty for
this act. What mattered a few ropes? He was rather puzzled as to the
reason of their leaving his right arm free.
Next, the curtains were thrown back, and Kathlyn stood revealed. Near
her a leopard strained impatiently on the leash. Umballa eyed her
wonderingly. She was like the woman who had arrived weeks ago. And
yet to him she seemed less beautiful than when he paid five thousand
rupees for her in the slave mart. He waited.
"Umballa, write an order for my father's release."
"And if I refuse?" Umballa wanted to gain time.
"You shall be liberated at the same time as this leopard. You have had
experience with leopards. Do you not recall the one my father killed,
saving the life of your benefactor?"
"I will free him in exchange for yourself."
"Write."
She offered the pen to him.
He shrugged and made no effort to take it.
"Very well," said Kathlyn. "Leave us." Once alone she said: "Can you
run as fast as this cat?" She approached and began at the knots of the
ropes.
He saw by the thin determined line of her lips that she meant to do
exactly as she threatened. He concluded then to sign the paper. His
men would arrive before a messenger could reach the city.
"I will sign," he said. "For the present you have the best of me. But
what of the afterwards?"
"We are going to hold you as hostage, Umballa. When my father arrives
we intend to escort you to the frontier and there leave you."
"Give me the pen." His men were drawing nearer and nearer. He signed
the order of release. He knew that even if it reached the council it
would not serve, lacking an essential.
Kathlyn joyfully caught up the order and called to her friends.
Ramabai smiled and shook his head. It was not enough, he said. He
took the jeweled triangle from Umballa's turban.
"Go, Ramabai," said Kathlyn, strangely tender all at once; "go bring my
father back to me. Rest assured that if aught happens to you, Umballa
shall pay."
"With his head," supplemented Bruce. "Look not so eagerly toward the
west, Umballa. Your troopers will remain at the edge of the clearing.
They have been informed that a single misstep on their part and their
master dies."
Umballa sat up stiffly in the chair. They had beaten him by a point.
The heat of his rage swept over him like fire, and he closed his eyes.
Ramabai passed the guards, giving them additional warning to remain
exactly where they were. The captain shrugged; it was all in a day's
work, women were always leading or driving men into hell.
When Ramabai appeared before the council he did so proudly. He
salaamed as etiquette required, however, and extended the written order
for Colonel Hare's release. At first they refused to regard it as
authentic. Ramabai produced the jeweled triangle.
"The prince has made this order imperative," he said. "Colonel Hare
will proceed in my custody."
"Where is Durga Ram?"
"At the bungalow of Colonel Hare, where he found the daughter."
Ah, that cleared up everything. Umballa had some definite plan in
releasing Colonel Hare. It would confuse the public, who had been
given to understand that the hunter was dead; but they would claim that
it was an affair of state, in nowise concerning the populace. So
Colonel Hare was brought up. Ramabai instantly signaled him to smother
his joy. But it was not necessary for the colonel to pretend
dejection. He was so pitiably weak that he could scarcely stand and
only vaguely understood that he was to follow this man Ramabai, whom he
did not recognize.
Ramabai, comprehending his plight, gave him the support of his arm, and
together they left the palace. So far all had gone smoothly.
The council had no suspicions. Twenty men had followed Durga Ram and
without doubt they were at this moment with him.
"Free!" breathed the colonel, as Ramabai beckoned to a public litter.
"Hush! You are supposed to be my prisoner. Make no sign of
jubilation." Ramabai helped the broken man into the litter and bade
the coolies to hurry. "Elephants will be ready to start the moment we
reach your camp. This time I believe we can get away in safety."
"And Umballa?"
"Shall go with us as hostage."
But Umballa did not go with them as hostage. On the contrary, the
moment they left him alone he quickly undid his bonds. He tiptoed past
the leopard which flew at him savagely, ripping the post from its
socket and wrecking the banisters. Umballa, unprepared for this
stroke, leaped through the window, followed by the hampered leopard.
It would have gone ill with Umballa even then had not some keepers
rushed for the leopard. In the ensuing confusion Umballa escaped.
"He is gone!" cried Bruce. "Ahmed, send a runner to warn Ramabai to
head for my camp! Quick! Get the elephants ready! Come, Kathlyn;
come, Pundita!" He hastened them toward the elephants. "Umballa made
his escape east; it will take him some minutes to veer round to his
men. Come!"
They waited at Bruce's camp an hour. A litter was seen swaying to and
fro, with coolies on the run. Ahmed ran forward and hailed it. A
moment later Kathlyn and her father were reunited.
"In God's name, Bruce, let us get out of this damnable country; I am
dying for want of light, air, food!"
They lifted the colonel into a howdah and started south, urging the
elephants at top speed. No sooner had they left the river than some
native boats landed at the broken camp, gleefully picking up things
which had been left behind in the rush.
"Our troubles are over, father."
"Perhaps! So long as I remain in India, there is that curse. Ah, I
once laughed at it; but not now."
Umballa at length found his captain.
"Follow me'" he cried in a fury.
He led them back to the colonel's camp, but those he sought had flown.
He reasoned quickly. The trail led toward the camp of Bruce Sahib, and
along this he led his men, arriving in time to find the native boatmen
leaving for their boats.
A hurried question or two elicited the direction taken by the
fugitives. Umballa commandeered the boats. There was some protest,
but Umballa threatened death to those who opposed him, and the
frightened natives surrendered. The soldiers piled into the boats and
began poling down-stream rapidly. A mile or two below there was a ford
and to go south the pursued must cross it.
Later, pursuer and pursued met, and a real warfare began, with a death
toll on both sides. Bruce and Ahmed kept the elephants going, but in
the middle of the ford a bullet struck Kathlyn, and she tumbled
headlong into the water.
The curse had not yet lifted its evil hand.