Edward Sylvester Ellis

“ The flaming sun rose once more in the brassy sky, its rays glowing with a fervor that made all nature gasp and pant.
Looking out from their refuge, the Ghoojurs were seen in the distance, beyond rifle shot, but still vigilant Luchman went out of the temple and climbed to the most elevated portion of the ruins, so as to gain the best view. He spent some time among the limbs of the twisted trees, and carefully scrutinized every part of the landscape. ”

“ The dark face instantly became serious, and the native looked down at the ground, as he softly said,
"God will take care of it, sahib."
"You have a fortune such as few in this world possess; and do you still carry it in your turban?"
Luchman looked around in the faces of his three friends. Satisfied that they were really asleep, he raised with dignity the turban, insinuated his fingers among the downy recesses, and in a twinkling held up the gem between his thumb and forefinger. ”

“ Late in the afternoon all were thrown into alarm by the appearance of Wana Affghar to make a charge upon the temple. He galloped out at full speed from the edge of the grove, followed by his horde of ruffians, and rushed directly for the entrance way.
Mr. Hildreth and Dr. Avery cocked their guns, and awaited the moment when their aim would be sure. Luchman placed his hand upon his pistol, and stood like a bronze statue, his eyes fixed upon the advancing brigands. The ladies withdrew beyond the reach of any flying bullets. ”

“ At this moment Luchman straightened up, and, compressing his thin lips, said,
"It is in vain, sahibs; it is death for us to stay here longer; the lives of you all are worth more than the Star of India."
"The life of any one of us is worth more than that."
"Then, sahib, I shall go out and meet Wana Affghar face to face, and offer to give him the diamond, if he will let us go."
"When will you do that?" asked the astonished Avery. ”

“ The dark line of grass was agitated just beyond Luchman as he approached the temple. The stirring of the grass was of a nature to show that it was caused by some person. The sentinels brought their guns to their shoulders.
At the moment of doing so, two hideous looking heads rose in sight, followed by the shoulders and bodies of the Ghoojurs, who stole as noiselessly as phantoms out upon the level plain and hurried after the guide. ”

“ This was Luchman's way of expressing his good will toward the Englishman, who, it cannot be said, was strongly impressed by his words.
"What are your intentions?" asked the latter.
"Sahib, I shall go to Delhi and give up my life in the hope that I may save the missionary and his family."
"And what do you expect me to do?"
The brown face of the native was eclipsed by what seemed a passing cloud of regret, as he answered:
"You must turn back, sahib. At the cantonment of Lucknow, or Cawnpore, or Allahabad you will find friends; you can die with them." ”

“ Avery what had passed between her and the nawab, Marian turned toward him again, as if inviting him to continue the conversation.
"Where is the home of Miss sahib, who honors me with her presence?" asked the native, after taking two or three strong puffs at his hookah, which had been neglected for a few minutes.
She gave him the address, and he nodded his head.
"I know the good man—I know Mr. Jennings also. He is a missionary. I do not believe in your faith, but I am none the less your friend. A true follower of the Prophet is the enemy of no man." ”

“ Could the moonlight have stolen through the tattie it would have seen them seated side by side on the cane settee, her hand folded in his, while the murmur of their voices was so soft and low that no listener could have caught the syllables that fell from their lips.
This was the hour for which both had sighed during the weeks and months that were past. The belief that such blissful communion awaited him cheered Dr. Avery during that long, dusty, laborious journey up the valley of the Ganges. ”

“ The approaching mutineers from Meerut were now in full view. They were a tumultuous horde, at whose head rode two hundred and fifty troopers of the Third Cavalry, the most fiendish of the Meerut butchers. On the breasts of many of them were medals gained in fighting the battles of England. Their horses were on the gallop, and they swung their swords on high and shouted greeting to the native regiments, drawn up with loaded muskets, awaiting the order to fire upon them. ”

“ Luchman was quick to observe that the danger was ended, and he glanced around to see who had befriended him.
A stranger stood at his elbow, a large brawny man, dressed like an English sportsman. He wore a short cutaway coat, helmet hat and high cavalry boots; he had a full beard, yellow of color like his hair, and evidently was the possessor of great coolness, presence of mind and activity.
He held his rifle, which he had just discharged, in his hand, and his whole appearance was prepossessing. ”

“ No man has ever met an enraged tiger and fought him with but a single knife and lived to tell of it. Luchman was well aware of that, but for the sake of those whom he loved he was ready to add another to the list of victims.
The ferocity of the beast was intensified by his failure to seize his prey at the first leap. His growl was sharper, probably caused by his wound, and drawing his feet under him with incredible quickness, he repeated the bound, when the native was no more than three yards away. ”

“ He strode across the plain until he stood in front of the shaded entrance, through which he, Dr. Avery and Harkins had fled in such hot haste before the pursuing Ghoojurs. The silence of death rested upon them, and the hot air did not rustle a leaf.
"They have gone," reflected Luchman, walking slowly through the arched way; "that which resistance could not do has been done by the Star of India. They have been led out of the valley of death and Heaven will deliver them from further trouble." ”

“ The conversation went on in this fashion for an hour, when Avery made his salaam and withdrew, borne by the same gaudily caparisoned elephant and attended by the same showy escort that had brought him thither.
"I wonder whether there can be any foundation for the rumors that are in the air of Calcutta, of an impending revolt of the sepoys. Can it be that the whole country is on the verge of mutiny? Possibly such is the fact, but if the tempest of fire and blood comes we are sure of one friend, the Maharajah; nothing can swerve him from his loyalty to the Queen." ”

“ I leave the rest for my brothers."
"What have you done with your share?"
"Placed it where no thief can find it," was the daring answer of Luchman, who looked straight in the eye of the leading brigand.
"Is there plenty of loot left in the city?" asked the latter, his eyes flickering like those of a serpent.
"Enough to make tens of thousands rich, but the people from the country are flocking in so fast that it will soon be gone." ”

“ He saw that the intruder was Luchman, who was standing motionless and looking intently at him. Without opening his eyes any wider and without any start or sign of fright, the surgeon moved his hand in a lazy accidental way to his side, until it rested on the handle of his revolver at his hip. Then he felt safe.
The native might leap upon him with the quickness of a serpent, but Avery would meet him half way with a bullet from his pistol. No untamed cowboy from the plains of Texas could "get the drop" on an antagonist more promptly than could the surgeon. ”

“ But he could not have the slightest faith in the honor of Wana Affghar. Like the perfidious Nana Sahib (as was afterwards shown) , he would deliberately violate the most solemn oath that a Mohammedan or Hindoo could take upon himself. Let him but once lay hold of the diamond, and he would turn loose his fiends upon the fugitives.
"How can I know that your chieftain will keep his word?" asked Luchman, as though impressed by the offer.
"The word of Wana Affghar has never been broken," was the overwhelming falsehood of Buktar Sing.
"Ram! Ram! japana Paraya mal apana!" ”

“ He bounded through the arched way that had once spanned the entrance as if he were shot from a catapult.
His companions were scarcely behind him, and they rushed in like a couple of contestants on the home-stretch, all quickly pausing, for they were doubtful of what remained beyond.
"Stop, sahibs," shouted Luchman; "they must not come in!"
The native breathed no faster because of his exertion, but the two athletes were panting, though able to do far more had it been necessary. Checking themselves, they turned about to watch the movements of their enemies. ”

“ Hurrying into the audience chamber, they declared that the whole of Hindostan had risen in rebellion and cast off the English yoke; that Calcutta and other leading cities were already in the possession of the native troops, and that it only remained for his Imperial Majesty to unfurl the sacred banner of the Prophet, when the millions of India would rally beneath it and the Mogul Empire, in all its ancient glory, should be re-established to last as long as the sun and stars. ”

“ I didn't dare wait; there seems to be about as much light in that apartment as there is in this."
Both were quiet, and the next minute whispers were heard, followed by the cautious movement of feet.
"Be careful," whispered Harkins; "there are more wonders in the ruins than are dreamt of in our philosophy; there's deviltry afoot, and we'll get a shot before you know it."
"Baird, Baird, is that you?"
The soft voice came from within the smaller apartment. It was low, but its music had charmed Avery many a time. He sprang forward into the room.
"Good heavens! it is Marian!" ”

“ This was comparatively an easy task, for, instead of venturing out upon the moonlit plain, he clambered up the shaded archway, where he could not be seen from the outside. His friends saw him make a leap upward, catch hold of the stone above his head, his long legs beating the air for a moment, and then he was gone.
"There are some things which cannot be done," remarked Harkins, "and I have a fear that he means to try them. If he undertakes to get down the stream or to the jungle or ventures away from the ruins at all, he will lose his life. ”

“ Wherever there was a chance for plunder, there rushed the mob like so many tigers. Age and sex were not spared, and the scenes which marked the first revolt in India were a forerunner of what was to follow. The telegraph lines to Delhi were cut, so that no news of the revolt reached Delhi until the following day, when it was carried thither by natives on horseback. General Hewitt had neglected to place a guard over the disaffected sepoys in irons, and he now failed, although quite a force remained at his disposal, to attack or follow the mutineers, who were marching toward Delhi. ”

“ The ruffians looked in each other's faces and muttered something. Then they seemed to conclude that the best thing to do was to move on toward Delhi. The leader gave Luchman a parting salutation, and the half dozen horsemen resumed their journey on a slow walk.
The little party hiding in the luxuriant vegetation stealthily watched every movement of the brigands, and breathed freely when they started forward again.
They had advanced only a few paces, however, when the leader uttered an exclamation and checked his horse. Luchman turned his head, and the Ghoojur beckoned him to approach. ”

“ So far as they could see none of the Ghoojurs was within call, and the little company made their way to the water's edge, where they dipped up enough with their hands to quench their thirst.
"We have been fortunate beyond our deserts," said Mr. Hildreth, "and I have an abiding faith that we shall be delivered from all our perils. Luchman instructed us to approach the river bank a quarter of a mile above, but we have been unable to follow his directions, since the tunnel does not trend that way." ”

“ If by withdrawing and taking to the mofussil, or interior of the country, he could improve their chance of escape, it was clearly his duty to do so.
But what true lover can be persuaded that his absence from his sweetheart is better than his presence with her? Avery did not believe the native was honest in what he had said.
"God speed you in your effort to befriend them! I am sure they need all that you can do; make haste, therefore, and never leave them till they are safe beyond the reach of those who clamor for their lives." ”

“ You may kill us all, but that will not give you the diamond; you may slay me and every one of the Feringhees, but that will not help you to find the diamond for which you have sighed so long, nor will you and the Ghoojurs get much plunder from our bodies. ”

“ Across the flaming plain, the keen vision searched for that which it could not see.
Ah, what means that dust? Is it not made by the hoofs of the cavalry galloping in mad haste to the rescue of the garrison, which can hold out but a few minutes longer? No; the faint puff of dust is wafted aside like a feather, and there is nothing beneath.
Meanwhile Scully grows impatient. He knows that when the magazine is fired it will hurl hundreds of the sepoys into eternity. They are swarming so fast that the opportunity is a glorious one. ”

“ Though a score of brave men might recoil from an attempt to carry the place by storm, yet the Ghoojurs must have known that they had but to contain their souls in patience for only a brief while. The tempting fruit if left alone will fall to the ground in the fulness of time.
Since the Ghoojurs showed no disposition to make any immediate advance, the guide told his friends that if they wished they could take a survey of the interior, and he would call them when wanted. Thereupon Harkins and the surgeon passed through the gateway, and entered the large apartment. ”

“ With his gaze still riveted on the diamond, as he slowly opened and closed his hand, he said:
"It is the will of Allah that the Star of India shall be mine, and I accept it bismillah (by the will of God) ; but the infidel deserves only death. The Feringhees that profaned the temple are prisoners, for, despite the cunning of the dog, Luchman, Ramsurun Duss remained with some of the faithful, and has prevented their flight. Their eyes shall not see the rising of tomorrow's sun, nor shall you, infidel dog, go hence; he who allows Luchman to escape shall lose his head!" ”

“ The horseman halted when he reached the squad of brigands, and talked several minutes with them. Then he wheeled his horse around, and rode on a walk toward the ruined temple.
Coming into clearer view, it was seen that he was dressed better than any of the others, and no doubt was their leader. He wore a massive turban, from which descended a graceful scarf of embroidered muslin, and carried a beautifully ornamented sword at his side. His animal was a small pony of high blood, jet black in color, and was caparisoned as gayly as the steed of a Rajah. ”

“ There could be no doubt that a general revolt of the sepoys through India had been fixed for the latter part of the month. Emissaries had been engaged for months in inflaming the minds of Hindoo and Mussulman alike, until the fanatical population were like so many cobras bursting with venom. The majority believed that the English were determined to break their caste and convert them to Christianity by means of the defiling cartridges. The war, therefore, would be a religious one, which is another way of saying that the strife would be the most cruel on which the sun ever shines. ”