THE BLUE DRAGOONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 490, 10 August 1912, Page 2

THE BLUE DRAGOONS.

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AN INDIAN SOLDIER STORY. BY GEORGE MANVILLE PENN. PART 23. Jackson had made up his mind htow to act, and was hopeful of obtaining horses. The rest of the proceedings depended upon the Rana's ring. He was half humming a tune over to himself and thinking of the strangeness of his position here, in the midst of an Indian palace, when he heard a whisper close to his ear, and turning, he saw the face of what he thought the most beautiful woman he had ever seen at the little open

panel. " Listen," she said ; " tell Freda—your chief," she added as the young soldier looked puzzled—" tell your chief that it must be to-night, and that he must break in through the door. I shall be waiting here at the end of two hours. Tell them quick ; I cannot stay. Ah !"• Alsa uttered a faint cry of alarm —so low, though that it was not heard in the ante-room. " What is it.?" said Jackson, quickly, taking a step ~ nearer the wicket. That step saved his life, for as he did so he became aware of the grating noise made by a fceen blade being drawn from a scabbard, followed directly by the whizz of the steel as a cut was made at his head. He leaped round, on guard directly to find himself facing the infuriated Rana, whose countenance was absol-

utely diabolical as he recovered himself, and aimed a second furious cut from the shoulder with his trenchant curved scimitar at the young dragoon's neck. For the moment Jackson forgot all his swordl practice, with the cuts and guards so carefully drilled into him by the sergeants, and incited by nature, ducked down so that the sword passed over his head. But the fencing master came in the next moment, galloping up before the Rana could recover his sword. Jackson, with one motion, passed the blade right through the Rana's neck the thrust being so deadly that the sword hilt struck against the Rana's jaw, and borne back by the force of the blow, the tyrant fell with a gurgling cry upon -the pavement, turned over upon his side bit at the marble flooring and then, with a shiver that seemed to run through him, he stretched out his arms and legs and lay dead. "What have you done?" exclaimed Lawrence and Melton running up, alarmed by the cry and the fall. " What his royal highness meant tc do, gentlemen," said Jackson, coollv wiping his sword on the Rana's rob« —" killed a man." The friends glanced one at the other for a moment, and then Lawrence caught sight of Alsa at the

wicket. " Is—is he dead ?" she whispered in an awestruck tone. " I think so," said Lawre'nce, watching her. " Poor wretch ! I did not mean that," said the girl, averting hex eyes. "But, quick—we must escape before we are discovered," Lawrence darted back to where

Jackson was taking off the Rana's belt and jewelled sheath, which he transferred to his own waist, with the begemmed pistols and dagger that were there as well, while Melton tore off the great signet ring from his hand.

" There should be a key here," said. Lawrence, stooping over the figure with an air of disgust, and finding it at last in an outer bunch hanging from' the belt now on Jackson's person ; " Quick !""'■..said Lawrence in a whisper to Jackson —" make youi way down into the court and contrive, if possible, to get the horses to the gateway where we entered." "Trust me," said Jackson; and he passed rapidly along the corridor through which they had come on their first visit to the zenana door. Lawrence then ran to the wicket, where Alsa stood as if petrified. " Close the wicket for a few minutes," he said. " Why ?" exclaimed Alsa, starting, and gazing at him suspiciously. " Alsa," he said, taking hfer hand, and kissing it, " trust me, love ;I

am yours." A thrilP of joy passed through the girl's breast as she obeyed him, and darting back, he - made a sign to Melton, and they dragged the body into the ante-room and closed the door.

The next moment they were at the zenana door, which yielded readily to the key, and passing through, Lawrence locked the door again. " For our own security," he muttered.

Alsa stood half aloof as this was done, but at a motion from Lawrence she threw herself into his arms all her doubts solved ; for he pressed his lips to hers for a moment.

" Now,"- he said, passing his arm round her. " I have sent for horses. Lead us where the ladies are confined."

Alsa stifled a sob of dread, and glanced up in his face again ; but the firm pressure of his arm again reassured her, and taking his hand she led him on through the gloomy pas-

sages, lit here and there by lamps hanging from the ceiling. It was now midnight, and all was perfectly still as they passed a window, and the adventurers' hearts throbbed high as Alsa stopped in front of a door, drew aside a curtain turned a bey, and entered. It was a hard task for Lawrence, as he followed Alsa with Melton ; for there upon the divan, locked in

the faint rays of a shaded lamp falling upon their features. For a moment he felt that he must throw himself at their feet and cover their hands with kisses, but he restrained himself, pressed Alsa's hand as she watched him keenly, and then said : "Go and wake them, my child, we have not a moment to lose." Alsa seemed to regain confidence, and returning the pressure of Lawrence's hand she ran to the divan, and lightly touched the faces of the sleeping girls. Thej woke instantly, and v started up, when the officers saw that they were both clothed in Turkish costume ; but pallid and wan as they both were, Lawrence's heart leapt as he thought that they had never looked so beautiful before. Ella uttered a low cry of horror as she saw that there were two dark, fierce-looking Hindoos, sword in hand watching them ; and she threw her arm round her sister, who clung to her and then stood looking from one to the other. " Miss Leslie, quick—this way," said Melton. " Who is this ?" exclaimed Ella, wondering as she peered through the twilight shed by the lamp, at the intruders. "You do not recognise me, of course," said Melton. " I am Captain Melton and this is Lieutenant Lawrence."

The sisters uttered a cry of joy, and Laura ran towards the speaker, but tottered and fell, fainting directly in her sister's arms. " It is with joy.f whispered Ella. " She will recover ifl a moment. Captain Melton, can we go ? Is it true that we can escape ?" Ella said these words hurriedly her face glowing with hope the while, as she bent over her sister and bathed her face. " Yes, I am hopeful that we can get away," said Melton, while Lawrence remained perfectly silent by the side of Alsa. Laura uttered a sigh, and opened her eyes, when seeing who bent over her.

" Is it true ?" she whispered. " Yes, quick, love," replied Ella. Apparently satisfied in her owd mind, Alsa brought forward veils, which the sisters hurriedly assumed, and on Laura declaring herself sufficiently strong, Melton advanced to take her in his arms. " No, no," she said, hastily. I can walk. Give m* your arm, Mr. Lawrence." Melton bowed and caught Ella's hand, while Alsa stood for a moment hesitating. But a word from Lawrence restored her confidence. " Quick, child," he said, in a low tone of endearment ; and with a sigh of relief she led the way once more. As they passed out into the corridor thiey heard the low buzz of voices, and Alsa, who was first evidently saw something that startled her, and made the young officers clutch more tightly their swords. " Stop—hide " whispered Alsa, trying to draw the "great curtain that draped the door before them. But she was too late. Half a dozen women who had been alarmed, and had clustered together at one ol the doors, saw them, and began to utter shrill cries.

" Silence !" cried Lawrence, darting at them, sword in hand, when they sank cowering in speechless dread upon the floor. He held his sword menacingly hefore them, and then ran back, for the alarm was spreading. " Quick," he said, rejoining his friends. "To the door, Alsa." The young girl—widow now, il there had been anything worthy ol the name of husband before —caught Lawrence's hand, pressed it firmly in hers, and, ,- as they supported Laura on the other arm, hurried the party towards the door.

" She loves him —she loves Mm!" thought Melton, even in that time of supreme peril, as they ran down a corridor with the noise of gathering feet around.

" Is there any hope of escape, Mr. Melton ?" whispered Ella, as she clung to his arm.

" I hope so, Miss Leslie," said Melton, gravely. *' But trust us ; we shall do our best."

" Captain Melton," -whispered Ella, " save us if you can, for life is sweet, even though it has been nearly crushed out of us now. But if there is no hope—kilL us—kill us both."

" What !" exclaimed Melton, in a horrified whisper. " Kill us both," wliispered Ella, hoarsely, " sooner than let us fall into that demon's hands: again." As she spoke they reached the zenana side of the door, where the friends had so often watched. Lawrence placed a key in the lock, turned it, and. was about to> swing the door open when from the other side came the loud sounds of voices, mingled with the jingle of ar;ns and the loud cry of some officer evidently urging forward his men. 1762 CHAPTER XIX.. HEMMED IN BY DANGERS. Lawrence turned the It ley in the lock once rctore as the sounds approached, while those from "behind increased every minute, as the alarrr. seemed to spread that there were mer in the zenana. The great danger was, "however, ii front, and Lawrence stood listening as the voices came nesarer. Then a thought struck Itim,. and he turned to Alsa.

" Show me how to- open the wicket," he -whispered ; and she guided. hi.< hand to a stud, wMen on. pressare allowed him to force the panel slightly on one side and gjlasnce- -through. As he did sc>, the band of soldiery in the corridor reached the anteroom, when a loud burst a I rage ensued, for the body of the .Rana was

:ries of horror and dismay they :ame raging out, some to try and Dpen the zenana door, others to run sack to spread the tidings through the palace. Retreat in that direction seemed mpossible, and Lawrence was about propose that they should intimilate the women, and force them into silence, when loud shouts behind, and the glare cast by lights, showed 'hat some of the soldiery had run "ound and entered to search the zenina for those who had been seen :herein.

"We must try the way by the corridor," said Melton, in quick, sharp tones; "It may be safer, after all. Can this lady lead us?" Alsa uttered a quick affirmative, and Lawrence opened the door an:l the little party hurried through. " Shut the wicket or they will see," muttered Alsa, for lights were jvidently coming their way.

Lawrence tried to close the wicket but he was unaccustomed to its management, and but for the quick, willing hands of Alsa, he would have been too late. As it was she had hardly closed it and darted through Lawrence changing the key to the other side and locking the door after them, bfffore the lights flashed along the carpetted passages, and the shouts of the searching party were leard.

" Now, forward," whispered Melton but a sign from Alsa stopped them, and they stood there listening to hear the searchers come up to the door on the other side, try it, and then spread in other directions. But it was not thlis that had made Alsa hold up her finger, but a faint noise which she heard in the anteroom ; and a horrified look was seen by the rays of a lamp to cross her beautiful face. " Is—is he alive ?" she whispered at length to Lawrence.

There was no occasion for answer, for at that moment three men who had remained behind to plunder the dead Rana's bcdy of its rich pearls, darted out with a loud cry, tulwar and shield armed and dashed at the fugitives. Melton and Lawrence leaped forward to protect their charge and one ruffian fell, pierced through the body by Melton ; the second avoided Lawrence's fierce cut —for he was hampered by being close to the wall — closed with him, and in a moment's struggle they fell, the Hindoo uppermost. Ella clung horrified to liar sister, unable to move, and Fred Lawrence's spell of life looked very brief for, dragging out a keen-bladed khanjar, the Hindoo was about to plunge it into the young officer's breast, when a tiny dagger flashed like a ray of light through the air, stuck right between the Hindoo's shoulders, deep into his heart, and the ruffian rolled over dead, with distended nostrils, and flashing eyes. " Is my lord and life hurt ?" she whispered in a tone of intense lov« and passion, as Lawrence leaped up in time to see the third ruffian fall. " No, safe, child—you saved me," cried Lawrence, his voice full ol gratitude ; and a faint sigh fluttered from the breast of one of the sisters as Alsa threw herself sobbing on the young man's breast. But she leaped up instantly. " Quick —this way !" she exclaimed; " let me lead you by a safe road;" for the noise of the alarm grew louder every moment. The sisters looked pale as death at so soon being called upon to encounter the scene of blcod ; but they followed bravely, Ella holding tightly by Captain Melton's arm, while Laura clung to Lawrence and Alsa led the way.

They had to step over the bodies of their assailants, one of whom, but wounded, hissed a curse at them as they passed, and made an impotent attempt to strike with his khanjar—a blow which passed through Laura's tunic, and the weapon was jerked from the man's hand, to fall jingling upon the marble floor.

Lawrence half raised his sword tc retaliate, but he saw that the ruffian was falling back fainting and lei it pass.

The great anxiety now on the part of the friends was regarding the fat< of Jackson ; for upon the success o: his mission to secure horses depended to a great extent their future fate.

They were too much excited to b« able to dwell much upon the risks they ran, for danger hemmed them ir* on every side, and their nerves were so strung up to encounter all thai might befall, that it was certair to go hard with the first who encountered them.

Alsa was evidently well acquainted with the palace, for she led there quickly along the various corridors but twice had to turn back on account of voices in front.

Lights were flashing here and there, and it was evident that the excitement in the place was tremendous ; for though there was hatred enougl of Hissar's tyrannical ways, yet he was liked for his daring and militarj prowess, and could those who had slain him be found, his death woule have been ', avenged with savage energy.

The fugitives had passed along e piazza-like corridor, open on one side to a court, where all below was ir commotion, men hurrying here anc there, swords, spears, and armoui flashing, and cries mingling in strang< confusion with the orders of the various leaders.

Alsa had hesitated for a momenl on stepping into the corridor, bul arguing that a bold policy was tin best, she hurried on, and the litth partj had reached the end and wen about to turn down a fresh passage when the tread of many feet arrest ed them, and it was evident that i large body of armed men were approaching.