The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

650 dead laughingly overtook the party and took their appointed places. By daybreak they had reached the fort, and the two wounded officers were handed sorrowfully over to the care of the surgeon at the Apozai post, while the prisoners were securely chained in the guard-room. A week later Andy was able to hob- ble painfully around, and went to call upon his chief. He found the political propped up in bed, industriously wri- ting his report to the chief political officer at Peshawar. “IT have recommended to the chief,” the political announced vindictively, after he had told Andy that his wound was progressing as well as could be expected, “that Sher Afzal should be hanged with all his band in our hands as a lesson to these hillsmen.”’ “Good!” Andy nodded, smiling. “ That is the way to tames these bad- mashes. By the way,” he inquired sweetly, “ how about diplomacy now?” “Hang diplomacy!” exploded the political angrily. “I have just written the chief that a little punitive expedi- tion in the hills among these swine would do no harm.” ‘‘ Splendid, sir!’* Andy agreed hap- pily. “Only, for Heaven’s sake, do not let them send one until I’m fit to go along. I think you'll agree with me that armed force is much better.” “You go to the deuce, Nugent!” the political replied with a sheepish grin. ‘I must say, however, I’m aw- fully grateful to you, old chap. I heard how you set out to save me, and I have made a strong recommenda- tion in your favor to headquarters. | - dari (Order of Merit), and I the Your action was most gallant?” “Oh, not at all, sir!* Andy pro- tested. “ Honestly, it was all Suba- dar Gurdit Singh’s affair. He secured the tip, made the plan, and helped me carry it out.” “Then T’ll recommend him for the Order of Merit, for he deserves it.” A month later Sher Afzal and his four comrades paid the penalty of their crimes. Their courage was ad- THE ARGOSY. mirable, and it made the Sikhs mutter their admiration. It was late afternoon, and the sun had almost dipped behind the crests of the hills, when they led the chief- tain and his four men out onto the temporary gallows, fastened a noose about each neck, and waited for the signal from Andy which would end the lives of the badmashes. A curious throng of fierce hillsmen, hearing of their leader’s fate, had come into the fort to see the end. Andy watched the sun until the golden disk dipped out of view. He raised his hand, and the instant he did so the five bodies were shot through the trap before the eyes of the won- dering Waziri, who had momentarily expected to see the game called off. As their deep murmur of horror rose above the silence the souls of the badmashes went to eternity. The might and power of the raj was vindi- cated, and the badmashes tamed. After such a lesson no punitive ex- pedition would be necessary for a long time —not until the lesson had been forgotten, which does not take long on the Bloody Border. Leaving the dangling bodies of the five men for all to see their disgrace, Andy turned to. grip the hand of the grinning subadar. “ Salaam, Subadar Gurdit Singh! ” he said softly and with pride of the old man shining in his eyes. “ Great honor has come to me and you and the regiment through your deeds. The colonel sahib has written me a letter which says that you for your everlasting izzat shall wear the Baha- Mthrbani of the sahibs. Salaam!” “Thanks, Sahib Bahadur!” Gur- dit Singh saluted respectfully, then bent and with great dignity lifted the subaltern’s hand to his lips. ‘ The izzat of the regiment is ours and the iggat of our own is the regiment’s.”’ And as man to man they shook hands heartily. Andy had won the first step on the ladder for promotion. COMicdoo S CO@