The Rajah's Fortress — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

142 THE RAJAHM'S FORTRESS. and glanced from the burnished arms that lay care- lessly by their side. One was a Chinaman, a fellow of huge stature, with brawny limbs that showed in bold proportions through the linen blouse that clung to him loosely. Ugly as was Topee, this man was ten times uglier, and Guy shivered as he looked on him. “That fellow velly bad man,” whispered Topee with much pride. ‘“ He Shere Ali.” Guy gazed at him with deeper interest. So this was really that fearful cutthroat, the one time dreaded pirate of the Yellow Sea who was now Pandy’s right hand man. The other two were native dacoits. Not the more civilized Burmans, but evidently, as their great size showed, savage fellows from the hill tribes, with dark, coffee-colored faces that were horribly repulsive, and in no wise improved by hideous purple scars that testified to many a desperate con- flict. They were fitting types of the choice band, that Pandy kept constantly about him, and beyond the mountain were doubtless many more like them. Guy watched them with a peculiar fascination. They were stretched out in lazy attitudes, chatting softly among themselves, and at times lapsing into excited gestures which suggested to Guy that they were discussing the recent capture of Balet. Then Topee gently touched his arm. “ Listen,” he said. Givee me gin bottle.” Guy silently handed him his pocket flask. COLUM 1OOO SS co