Her young voice rang out sharp and clear, sending terror to all
cowardly hearts, not least among these being those beating in the
breasts of the priests.
"Now," speaking to the soldiers, "go liberate my father, my sister and
my husband-to-be; and woe to any who disobey me! For while I stand
here I shall be a queen indeed! Peace; or war, famine and the plague.
Summon the executioner. Arrest Durga Ram. Strip him before my eyes of
his every insignia of rank. He is a murderer. He shall go to the
tread-mill, there to slave till death. I have said it!"
Far in the rear of the cowed assemblage, near the doors, stood Ahmed,
in his old guise of bheestee, or water carrier. When he heard that
beloved voice he felt the blood rush into his throat. Aye, they were
right. Who but a goddess would have had at such a time an inspiration
so great? But it gave him an idea, and he slipped away to complete it.
Bala Khan should come in fact.
So he did not see Umballa upon his knees, whining for mercy, making
futile promises, begging for liberty. The soldiers spat contemptuously
as they seized him and dragged him off.
The priests conferred hastily. Bala Khan was a fierce Mohammedan, a
ruthless soldier; his followers were without fear. The men of Allaha
might put up a good defense, but in the end they would be whelmed; and
the gods of Hind would be cast out to make way for the prophet of
Allah. This young woman with the white skin had for the nonce beaten
them. Durga Ram had played the fool: between the two women, he had
fallen. They had given him power, and he had let it slip through his
fingers for the sake of reprisal where it was not needed. Let him go,
then, to the treadmill; they were through with him. He had played his
game like a tyro. They must placate this young woman whom the people
believed was their queen, but who they knew was the plaything of
politics and expediencies.
The chief or high priest salaamed, and Kathlyn eyed him calmly, though
her knees threatened to refuse support.
"Majesty, we bow to your will. Allaha can not hope to cope with Bala
Khan's fierce hillmen. All we ask is that you abide with us till you
have legally selected your successor."
"Who shall be Pundita," said Kathlyn resolutely.
The chief priest salaamed again. The movement cost him nothing. Once
Bala Khan was back in his city and this white woman out of the country,
he would undertake to deal with Ramabai and Pundita. He doubted Bala
Khan would stir from his impregnable city on behalf of Ramabai.
The frail woman who loved Umballa raised her hands in supplication.