Cumner & South Sea Folk, Complete

echanically, between two ten-pounders marking the limit of their patrol; and an orderly stood at an open door, lazily shifting his eyes from the sentinels to the bl

ve head into the Eastern sky. "League-long rollers" came in as steady as columns of infantry, with white streamers flying along t

e pipe was in barracks, and must lie there untouched until evening at least; for he had stood at this door since seve

sweetmeats went by calling his wares in a gentle, unassertive voice; in dark doorways worn-eyed women and men gossiped in voices scarce above a whisper; and brown children fondled each other, laughing noiselessly, or lay asleep on rugs which would be costly else

re, low-voiced men talking covertly to each other. They were not the ordinary gossipers; in the fac

o Boonda Broke, the half-breed son of a former Dakoon who had ruled the State of Mandakan when first the English came. The saddest person in Mandakan was the pr

of the well that is by Bakbar; he had eaten of the sweetmeat called the Flower of Bambaba, his chosen priests had prayed, a

lm-tree and sticking a passing dog behind the shoulder. The dog belonged to Cumner's Son, and the lad's face suddenly blazed with anger. He ran to the dog, w

nd-and I tell you what, sir, I've had enough of you. A man

s in his hand above the dog. His pas

ke smiled

it a man the same

d cultivated his friendship for months, to worm out of him all the secrets of the Residency, there might have been a violent and immediate conclusion to the incident, for the lad was fiery, and he had no fear in his heart; he was combative, high-tempered, and daring. Boonda Broke had learned no secrets of him, had been met by an unconscious but steady resistance, and at length his patience had given way in

dead like thy brother there

of those natives who, a little while before, ha

in white undress uniform, appeared in the doorway and spoke quickly to the orderly. In a moment two troopers were galloping out of the Residency Square and into the city. Before two minutes had passed one had ridden back to the orderl

ought his knuckles down smartly on the table. He

rother. It's the only thing to do-some one must go to Pango Dooni, tell him the truth, ask him to com

loomy. At last a grey-haired captain of ar

ooni, rank robber-steal like a barrack cat-besides, no man could ge

of-war put in. The danger is a matter of hours. A hundred men, and a

ery. Every man in the garrison had killed at least one of Pango Dooni's men, and every man o

t you, for I know you all! But consider the nest of murderers that'll be let loose here when the Dakoon dies. Bette

ooni!" broke out McDerm

usand pounds, or a thousand head of cattle. Is there any of you will ride to the Neck of Baroob for me? For

Cumner's Son stepped forward. "I will go, if I

ly at the lad. He was only eighteen years old, but o

said he. "He may throw it soon-to-night-to-morrow. No man can leave here-all are needed; but a boy can ride; he is light in the saddle, and he may pass where a man would be

r the other, getting to

aye, even in the Garden of the Dakoon, the night of the Dance of the Yellow Fire, I myself helped him to escape, for I stand for a fearless robber before a cowardly saint." His grey moustache and eyebrows bristled with e

so young!" said McDermot; but yet h

let him go, why should you prate like women? The lad is my son,

hispered in his ear the tribe-call and the countersign that he might know them. The lad

's palace yard by a quiet gateway, and came,

nd a man came out of the darkne

s at the Bar of Balmud, and pause again where the roof of the Brown Hermit drums to the sorrel's h

s all night long, as he sat waiting for news from the Palace, the sentinels walk