The Rajah's Fortress — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS, 157 mounting on this at Topee’s suggestion, Guy ob- tained a perfect view of the little valley. He could see the opposite wing of the crescent with its craggy summit, and there in plain view ran the long bristling mountain range which formed a barrier on the opposite side of the plain, and still beyond this were seen faintly the peaks of moun- tain after mountain, some of them on the very borders of Chittagong. But directly before him, in the center of the hollow, lay the sight which had the chief fascination and held his gaze riveted—a great irregular pile of gray stones, heaped up apparently in the wildest confusion. Only one thing denoted the presence of human life. From the topmost rock towered a slender pole, a pole that was fearful to behold, for from its summit floated a black flag, fluttering its waving folds in the clear morning breeze. It was a significant sight, that emblem of piracy, a sight of hatred to all mankind, polluting the purity of this lovely valley. “ What does that flag mean? ” Guy asked. The Chinaman climbed up and took a view for himself. “ Flag velly bad,” was the reply. ‘“ It means dacoits go after Inglis.” ‘“ You mean that whenever they are out on a raid they float the black flag? ” The Chinaman nodded. ‘“ When dacoit capture Inglis,” he continued, COLUM 1OOO SS co