Part 21 (1/2)

”And I?” timidly asked Pundita

”You will seek Hare Sahib's caet you away also”

Ahly

Pundita kissed her husband; for these two loved each other, a circumstance almost unknown in this dark mysterious land of many Gods

”Pundita, you will remain at the camp in readiness to receive us At dae shall leave for the frontier And e return it will be with ”

Ramabai clenched his hands

”But first,” cooed Ah's feet in the treadmill It is written I aift of seeing into the future

And me has seen” He paused

”Seen what?” demanded Bruce

”I must not put false hopes in your hearts But this I : a storm, a ind, a fire; but peace is after that But Allah uses us as his tools Let us haste!”

”And I?” said Ralance at Ahmed

But Ahmed smiled and shook his head ”Wait and see, Ramabai Some day they will call you the Fortunate Let us hurry My Mem-sahib waits”

”What did this fakir see?” whispered Bruce as he donned his burnoose again

”Many wonderful things; but perhaps the fakir lied They all lie Yethurry!”

The quartet passed out of the city unmolested Ramabai's house was supposed to be under strict surveillance; but the soldiers, due to largess, were junketing in the bazaars Shortly they came up to two elephants with howdahs They were the best mannered of the half dozen owned or rented by Colonel Hare Mahouts sat astride Rifles reposed in the side sheathsThis was to be no light adventure Thereher arms around Ramabai, and he consoled her She was then led away to the colonel's ca, ”she saved both our lives We owe a debt”

”Go, my Lord; and may all the Gods--no, the Christian God--watch over you!”

”Forward!” growled Ah chains rapped in cotton blankets There must be no sound to warn others of their approach

”Ahs to e authority at times that confused and puzzled Bruce ”It isarm of the British Raj And there are books in Calcutta in which h the le the two elephants s scampered across the path, and the wild peacock hissed froain Several ti his ears It seemed incredible to Bruce that the enormous beasts could move so soundlessly It was a part of their business; they were hunters of their kind

At length they came out into the open at the rear of the prison walls

Here Raot down, and went In search of any sentries He returned alood news that there was none

The marble walls shi+mmered like clusters of dull opals Whatbeauty!

Ahn

”Bruce Sahib!” he called

”Yes, Ahmed I'll risk it first”