The Rajah's Fortress — page 133: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

124 THE RAJAH'S FORTRESS. though. You can see it keeps us all pretty active. It is no slight task to provide fresh meat for all these hungry animals, especially since the game is getting scarce in the immediate vicinity. And what is your opinion of Castle Bolton now?” “T think it is the most remarkable place I ever saw, rejoined Melton, truthfully. ‘And I can never repay your hospitality. I could pass a month or two here most enjoyably, and I am very sorry that I am compelled to leave as soon as possible, for 9 “You are not going to leave,” said Bolton abruptly. ‘Itisimpossible. How could you make your way back to the Chindwin now? And more- over, if things were in the condition you described, your friends have probably given up the expedition and gone back. And to attempt to go from here to Mandalay would be madness.” “But what am I to do then?” asked Melton. “Stay here and be comfortable,” was the reply. “T will send one of my men over toward Balet, and he will come back and tell you what condition things are in.” “ But that’s putting you to a terrible amount of trouble,” said Melton. ‘None at all, not a bit. So remember now, you are my guest, and my fish and game are at your disposal. I will see that a messenger goes off to- night.” “ Could I send some letters along with him?” COLUM 1OOO SS co