And Umballa's spy hastened away.
All day long they wound in and out, over and down the rolling mounds of
sand, pausing only once, somewhere near four o'clock, when they
dismounted for a space to enjoy a bite to eat and a cup of tea. Then
on again, through the night, making about sixty miles in all. At dawn
they came upon a well, and here they decided to rest till sunset.
Beyond the well, some twenty-five miles, lay the low mountain range
over which they must pass to the sea. At the foot of these hills stood
a small village, which they reached about ten o'clock that night.
They found the village wide awake. The pariah dogs were howling. And
on making inquiries it was learned that a tiger had been prowling about
for three or four nights, and that they had set a trap cage for the
brute. The colonel and Bruce at once assumed charge. The old zest
returned with all its vigor and allurement. Even Kathlyn and Pundita
decided to join the expedition, though Pundita knew nothing of arms.
Now, this village was the home of the nine brigands, and whenever they
were about they dominated the villagers. They were returning from a
foraging expedition into the hills, and discovered the trap cage with
the tiger inside. Very good. The tiger was no use to any but
themselves, since they knew where to sell it. They were in the act of
pulling the brush away from the cage when they heard sounds of others
approaching. With the suspicion which was a part of their business
they immediately ran to cover to see who it was.
Instantly the chief of the brigands discovered that these new arrivals
were none other than the white people who had given him and his men a
superdrug and thereby mulcted them out of the sacred white elephant
which was to have brought them a fortune.
Unfortunately, the men of Kathlyn's party laid aside their weapons on
approaching the cage to tear away the brush. Eight brigands, at a sign
from their chief, surrounded the investigators, who found themselves
nicely caught.
The natives fled incontinently. So did Bala Khan's camel men.
"Death if you move!" snarled the chief. "Ah, you gave us bad opium,
and we dropped like logs! Swine!" He raised his rifle threateningly.
"Wait a minute," said Bruce coolly. "What you want is money."
"Ay, money! Ten thousand rupees!"
"It shall be given you if you let us go. You will conduct us over the
hills to the sea, and there the money will be given you."
The chief laughed long and loudly. "What! Am I a goat to put my head
inside the tiger's jaws? Nay, I shall hold you here for ransom. Let
them bring gold. Now, take hold," indicating the trap cage. "We shall
take this fine man eater along with us. I am speaking to you, white
men, and you, pig of a Hindu! Chalu! I will kill any one who falters.
Opium! Ah, yes! You shall pay for my headache and the sickness of my
comrades. Chalu! And your white woman; she shall give a ransom of her
own!"