Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

“ae J "e , * pom 7iX - ae. tee sah . » Ay j ak ~~ Se: : = < * n> Gale . » Se > —- * ue 2 a. . & He turned to Barlow. “ Captain Sahib, C | has t heard. The word of a Pindari, ken in the name of Allah, is inviolate. hat is our answer to the message from he Englay chief. There is no writing to s given, for a Pindari deals in yea and aay. Is it to be considered, Captain Sahib? Is it a message to send that is worthy of “Tt is, Commander Kassim,” Barlow an- t _ “Then wait thou for the seal.” He raised his éa/war aloft—and as he did so the steel of every jamadar and hazari flashed upward—saying, “ We Pindaris and Bundoolas who rode for Amir Khan, and now ride for Kassim, swear in the name of Allah, and on the beard of Mahomet, who is his Prophet, friendship to the Englay _ “By Allah and the beard of Mahomet, whe is his Prophet, we make oath!” the deep voices boomed solemnly. “Tt is all,” Kassim said quietly. “I “wot ld make speech for a little with the —_ + : A As each officer passed toward the door he held out a hand and gripped the hand of Zhen they had gone Kassim said: “ Go thou back, sahib, to the one who is to re- ceive our answer, and let our promise be sent to the one who commands the Englay army and is even now at Tonk, in Mewar, for the purpose of putting the Mahrattas to the sword. Tell the sa/ib to strike and rive the accursed dogs from Mewar, and we no fear that the Pindaris will fall upon is flank. Even also our éulwars and our sears are ready for service so be it there is reward in lands and gold.” The Pindari chief paced the marble floor e, then with his eyes watching the ef- of his words in the face of Barlow, he “ Captain Sahib, it is of an affair of sould speak now. It relates to who has done us all a service, ,0ws what a perception Amir ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. in a man desire. And I, mysel hard riding and combat ‘taciny Cee out of my colt days, wondered why the chief, being busy otherwise and a man of short temper, should entail labor in the way of claiming her regard. I may sa sahib, that a Pindari seizes upon what he wants and backs the claiming with his sword. But now it is all explained—the wise gentleness that really was in the heart of one so fierce as the chief—Allah rest his soul! What say thou, Captain Sahib?” “ Bootea is wonderful,” Barlow answered fervidly. ‘“ She is like a Rajput princess.” Kassim coughed, stroked his black beard, adjusted the hilt of his ¢wwar, then coughed again. “Inshalla! But thou hast said some- thing.” He turned to face Barlow more squarely. ‘‘ Captain Sahib, the one who suffered the wrath of Allah to-day last night sent a salaam that I would listen to a mat- ter of value. Not wishing to have the hated presence of the murderer in the room near where was Amir Khan I went below to where in a rock cell was this Hunsa, This is the matter he spoke of, no doubt hoping that it would make me more merciful; therefore, of a surety I think it isa lie. It is well known, sa/ib, that the Rana of Udaipur had a beautiful daughter, and Rajah Jaipur and Rajah Marwar both laid claim to her hand; even Sindhia wanted the princess, but, being a Mahratta—who are nothing in the way of breeding such as are the Children of the Sun—dust was thrown upon his beard. But the Rajputs fly to the sword over everything, and a terrible war ensued in which Udaipur was about ruined. Then one hyena, garbed as the minister of state, persuaded the cowardly rana to sac- rifice Princess Kumari to save Udaipur. “ All this is known, safib, and that she, with the courage of a Rajputni, drained the cup that contained the poison brewed from poppy leaves, and died with a smile on her lips, saying, ‘ Do not cry, mother. To give my life for my country is nothing.’ That sahib. But what Hunsa — is the known story, related was that Kumari did not die, but — fs" lives, and has the name of Bootea the ; »” * re ae foot ical aE: ees 53 eal ete v f Aes , comicbooks.com