The Rajah's Fortress — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

246 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. The robber dropped the half drawn blade back into place and stepped toward the door that gave access to the corridor. With a quick motion Forbes snatched up the stool and retreated to the wall again. His heart was beating painfully. Was it possible the Eng- lish had penetrated to the fortress? What else could this firing portend? The robber’s face showed a strange pallor as he turned to Forbes, and pointing to the iron door said fiercely : “ Follow me.” Forbes only clutched his stool the harder, re- solved to remain where he was at all hazards. The robber’s eyes shone with fury. “ Die then,” he cried, drawing his blade; but before he could rush at him the iron door opened and in rushed Dalo, his face pale with fright. He took in the situation ata glance. He seized Pandy’s arm and poured outa torrent of Hindu- stanee, pointing to the door with an appealing gesture. “ What!’ cried Pandy furiously, ignoring Hindustanee and bursting into English. * You would have me flee, and leave this dog here to fall into the hands of his friends? No! He must go with us or die.” A furious burst of rifle fire almost drowned his voice, and a loud outcry arose from the corridor. The robber attempted to rush at Forbes again but finding his appeals of no avail, Dalo threw COLUM 1OOO SS co