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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1934-01-04, Page 6PAGE SIX. `saw THE SEAFORTH NEWS, tt t'�+ 1s�+`al'• � §q - SA tt x 111411 u! Frig a F .,V4+ f C iWSV;tn 4$1,e' ?t t';4. It appeared to the Lana as. ii the lennadar etas reading his thoughts as clearly a- if tic sere telling them himself, "And if rte it ere in battle," he con- tinued, "and any one were trying to get auay:ram me, he would be shot hearten tae sh,•i;lers before he could c•te l' Tc.1e'.tt11,. tree r'ea'der," "1-1—have no doubt of it. Jemad- ar Sahib." ruturued the Lalla, —Pao aui,t: and your speech is pleasant to ivar aster the tough language here- ala.at." "Come. came," cried Lukshtntm, with scanting impatience "if you tvant to pay compliments, noble sir, wait ti'1 ice _ct ti, the end of our journey. Corner and as he spoke he touched \lottec's rein, "Conte on. my son!" he said. and the horse followed. As they passed the little temple in its loneiitess wader the shadow of the huge tree, .it looked a place for evil deeds. A large horned owl on the highest branch, now awakening for his evening flight, hooted loudly above them, and was answered by another. It seemed an evil omen, and struck to the Lalla's heart. ":\hl we cannot pass you, my friend," said Gopal Singh. "Look, Lalla Sahib, what my gun can do." As he :poke; he raised the nice and fired. The aim was true and dead ly and the huge bird fell down heavil close to 'Motee's feet with a rushin sound, causing the horse to star hack. "T ,never miss," said tate man, de cicledly, and reloading his piece "Now come on." "Shabash 1 ,Well shot," said th Lalla; but his heart was throbbing fast, and it was a positive relief to hint when the dark grove was behind then, and they emerged upon the bare, wild, open plain beyond. '•A lonely place that, Jemadar," re- marked the Lalla, turning to the man who walked behind hint; "and the old Pyragee, where I slept, advised me not to go by it; he said Pahar Singh's men might he about. Who is this Pahar Singh?" "Pahar Singh?" returned the Jona- car. "0, a worthy gentleman who is quiet enough when not plagued. He is the lard of the marches hereaboitts— a valiant man, and a goad soldier; and in these troubled tithes. Lallajee, has his friends and his enemies, like most of us: 'tis the way of the world." After another mile, during which none of the party spoke, 'the Jemadar proposed to the Lalla to dispense with the guide. "Evening was drawing on," he said; "they knew the country, and the contents of the bundle could be carried on the saddle or divided among then;" and, indeed, it appear- ed necessary, as the guide, limping, declared he could go no farther, and had a thorn, in his foot. The neces- sary arrangements were soon com- pleted; and, between the 'Lalla's sad- dle -hags and his saddle, the contents of the bundle were soon disposed of; the guide received a small gratuity, and retraced his steps at a far more rapid pace than he had advanced. "He has no more a thorn in his foot than I have, Lalla Sahib," said the Jemadar, laughing. "Look how he goes! but Iihceena there is no worse than his fellows, and does not like the idea of a night journey without change. NOW we shall get on better. Let the horse walk ottt, Lukshmun; only keep by him," Luks.hmatn let go the rein, but be did not leave his place, and though the rate at 'which the horse now pro- ceeded I ep,ttthe men at a rapid walk, and occasionally, indeed.at a trot, they preserved the positions they had taken up without alteration, speaking little among ;themselves, except occa- sionally in Ifaltratta or Canarese, with both of which languages they appear- ed familiar. The sun was' setting in great glory. After the hcavv clonris had- passed away to the eastward; a clear bltte sky succeeded for a while; but as .a gentle 'breeze arose, it had brought up' with it light, Fleecy va„tours„which,, as' the. wind again died away at sunset, ;be - carte motionless, and, gradually at traetcd to each other, formed piles o white clouds edged with deep grey As the sun declined, white became or ange and gold and crimson: while th sky itself, of an intense purple above faded into green, yellow, and ros tints, on which the golden cloud seemed to float in soft but ibrilliat masses; and, as it dipped below th horizon, a flood of light suddenly sho up, :tinging :he latter edges of all th lighter portions with vivid scarlet, an- mingling n mingling with the deep orango an purple hues abate, gorgeously, 'The gods '.are a festival twat Mount (fern tit -night, 'Lallajee. Doe d the sun go (loan in that fashion it your. country ?” said the.'Jemadar pointing to the sky and breaking long silage. "We have made good work of it .in:,- the guide left tis Conte, here is a little stream, and yot need a change of mature; dismoun and rest, whilt I offer my evening li- bations :to the Cour elements” "Nn,1 will not dismount, Jemadar,' returned the Lalla; "vnu will not be long, and by all 01e:pt- let your men get a drink r.f water and wash their feet. I will stay here." "Hr is not to be trusted," said the Jemadar to his Wren in Canarese; "1 e see it in his even. l f he stirs, shoot - hint, and bath of you stay by shim." Y `Rama had fattened ime of the horse g e $ THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1934 knife, Tanta?" Not I, Jemadar, but he 'fell heav- ily, What could I do? He would have been off, for the horse is a strong ,beast, and I could hardly hold him— only for the old trick. Get some water, Jeutadar, ,he will drink from thee. I will hold him up. Stay, here is his h ta," While the Jemadar ran for water, Rams knelt down and raised the Lal - la's head, who NOW opened his eyes, Speak to hint, Lukshmun; tell hint to get up and be quiet," said Rama •to itis brother, "Do you hear, Maharaj? you are to tel up and be (inlet, ,Zama says so," crier.' Luks'htnan, "and he is not a child," "Nor 'I •Lalia," said the Jemadar, returning with the water, "By Kri- shna, what made thee vex the hunch- backs? they were likely to be.rough enough if prosoked, Art thou hart?" "'No, any lord—that is, valiant sir— only a little," replied the 'Lalla, mov- ing his body about to ascertain the fact, "No; bat my life) -0 spare my life!—do not kill me." I ant more hart than he is, Jent- tttar," said Rama, rubbing his a•rm, "for he Sell' •on mc. Ah, you xascald" he continued with a 1Iahratta Hath, "only 'for the Jemadar there 1 had settled accounts with thee; get up!" "1 petition," said 1Lvkshmun, who led up -'force, novo calmed, ''as the Latta broke faith with us, .that he tt' walks; and Rama rides, as he is hurt." "Ah, by your heads, not" exclaimed t the Lalla; "1 never could walk a cuss e. in my life; and my feet would never d .co aver these stones and briars. Dill ate, 1f ve will, 'but walk" I cannot," "Tie him up, suggested ;Rasta, "if I he can't walk; we meat not trust him s in the dark on that gond horse." "A good thought," said the 3enta- , car; "give rue his sheet fi'otn the sad- , die."." The Lalla guessed What had .been ' said. and protested and resisted veh- emently; but he ti as as a child in the t hands of the then, and. in a few inc' meats his hands and arms were swathed to his body gently within the ahcet, but so that he could not use theist; and he was raised to his feet, trembling violently, while the band- age was fastened behind 'brit. "Alt, sirl do not sh,ake so," said Lukshmun, smiling, and joining bit own hands in mock supplication; "if you do you will go to pieces and there will be none of yon left when we get. to our uncle, ?altar Singh." Pahar Singlt 1 the Lalla's heart sank • II tether -ropes about his waist, and he nut proceeded :h. tie the end of it to Bile check -strap .,f the bridle in a me- - t! . d c:d manner, • "What it 'are yam d�,inc?" cried the Leila, alarmed at the action, "loose c ;t!•, "it, my lord will dismount," said Lu .:011m n, "and w lin is to hold the 1:,arse „ 1 ant net going to move: loose it I say' cried the iLalla, impatiently. 1 ti iReina stet down doggedly at a little distance, holding the rope and began deliherately to munch a cake his br.,ther iliac' unfastened froth his back, resting his gut across his knees. "Loose it!" again cried the Lalla, ^Jemadar; why have 'I been tied like a thief?" The Jemadar had divested `himself cif his upper clothing and stepped into the stream; he was taking up water in his Shands and pouring 11 to the four quarters of the earth. His clothes and arms were on the river 'bank. "There is 110 use fn disturbing -hint, Maharaj," said Lnkshntun quietly; "he is at his prayers, and can't `hear. Mybrother, you see, doesn't understand you, and he only does what the Jema- dar told Thin; so get off and walk ab- out a little. Come, I will hold the stirrup for you;" "No; loose the rope!" cried the Lai - la again, eagerly, and.reaclhing over to do so 'himself, "Alt, \laharaj 1 you must not do that; you see my brother will be ang- ry. I advise you to be quiet," ;~aid aid .putting back the 'Dalla's hand, and pulling the knot of the rope firmer. Out the Lalla could not now con- tain himself; his alarm was gradually increasing, He thought he .could break away front Ghe men, and dash Through the stream ere they could fire at him, 'Touching Motet with .the bridle and his heel at the same time. lie aroused him from the sluggish po- sition he had assumed, and moved him a little to 'face ;Rama, who still 'sa't eating; and the Lalla was quietlly ga- thering up the reins preparatory to urgin•.g the horse 'forward, when the :eel practised eyes of the men detect ed ,the intention, :Excited by his ,rider the horse gathered ' himself on his taunc!iea and made a bound; but Lukshmun, leaping at the bridle, lung on to it, jerking it back -so vio- c tly that horse reared, while the Leila, whose right arm had Item,antieized by !Rama, lost .his 'balance, ,a ell heavily to the ground. 'Hearin.. the cries of the men, +Gopal Singh had' ran front the stream hast- ily, taking tip his sword, .and .reached he 'spot as the'Lalla' fell. "`'Get up," he cried, seizing 'his arm; what 'folly is this? By the gads, he };as fainted! '.Chou hast; not used thy aithnt him: , ut he had no time f. or remonstrance, ;Nt was lifted like a child into the saddle, the men resum- ed their arms and positions and again set forward, "Where are you going to take me, Jemadar?" asked the Lalia, trembling, as they crossed the stream. •Ah, be ulcrcifnl t0--„ "So you hare gist speech ,at last" returned ,dopa! Singh. "Listen, Lalla, if you had been quiet you should have ridden as a gentleman, now you go as a thief. Pahar Singh, my uncle, is lord of these marches, and knows tt{tat to do with you. One thing, how- ever, owever, I may tell you; if you make any further attempt t„ escape, I will shoot you. It is not your carcass that he wants, ,but what you have on it; the mild you got a K'illiancc, Now be- ware, for you know the worst," Of what use was resistance, and the Lalla clung to life. They might take his gold. There retrained,- at least, the papers he possessed; and if he begged his way on foot to Beejapoor, what natter, so that he goe there with them? So they proceeded as rapidly as the ground .world admit, still continuing to avoid all villages by paths through the fields, with which they seemed perfectly acquainted, iBeiore they reach their destination which they will do in two or three hours more, we may describe the per- son to whom they are proceeding. CHASTER X!DII, As at the •banian tree, when. -Luk shmun was guide, .and the Latta had risen up the rising ground, the sun had .shone out brightly with a broad. gleam ,through its giant trunks and branches, and over the villages and cornafields about; so at the same time the light, glittering through the watery particles w'h;ch ,tilled the air, spread over a rich landscape, as view- ed from a height above the prettyy vil- lage of Itga, whence by a rough stony path a company of horsemen were now proceeding to the village itself, There might have been twenty»five to thirty men, from the youth yet un - bearded to the grizzled trooper, whose swarthy sunburnt face and large whiskers and moustaches touched with grey, wiry 'frame and easy lounging on his saddle—as he balanc- ed his heavy \4ahratta spear across his shoulders'—showed the years of service he .had clone. There was 110 richness of costume among the party, nn the contrary .the dresses were worn and weather -stained, and di a nirtley character, ;Sosie wore thickly quilted white or chintz doublets strong enough to turn ;a sword -cut; ar ordiii- cry wihlte cotton clothes, with 'back' and breast pieces of thick padded cloth or light shirts of chain -mail, with a piece of the same or twisted wire, folded into their• hub pts; and a fete \voce steel morions, with turbans tied around thein, and steel gauntlets which reached to the elbows, inlaid' With gold and silver in delicate arab- eagnc patterns. The caparisons of ' their horses Were as shabby as the dresses; but some had .once been l andsome, with embroidered reins and cruppers, and gay muslin narlingals. All were now however soiled by the wet and Maud of the day. It was clear that this party had ridden far, and the horses, though excellent and in high condi- tion, were, from their drooping crests and sluggish action, evidently weary. 'tour of the men had been trounced in some skirntis'h, 'for it was with dif- ficulty they sat their horses: and the bandages about them, covered with blood, showed the wounds to 'hat=e bean severe. 'Birt the sight of the vil- lage appeared to have revived the' party; the horses were neighing and tossing their (mads, and the Brien. shifting. their places in the saddles, pointed eagerly to it, or brandishing their spears, shouted one to another,. cheering up the wounded men. Among these horsemen, as also ov- er the valley below, the sun's gleams shone brightly, casting long irregular shadows over the ground as they Moved, and, glinting front spear- head, morion, and steel armour as. the Hien swayed itt their saddles, lighted ap faces of varied character, all now joyous, but Wearing an, expression of habitual recklessness and lawless ex- oitetueut, Below them, at fess than hall a- mile's distance, was the village itself. In the centre of it, or rather more to the right hand, was a high square castle, with round bastions at the corners, having loopholed parapets, thick, where it had not been wetted by the rain, 1va5 of a warm grey, the colour of tlte mud or clay of which it had been built, 11 it'aa in perfect re- tiair, and the close smooth plastering af the walls and parapets showed that the weather was. not allowed to in- jure it. (Inside the castle walla were the white terraced roofs of a dwel'ling- ltcnise, and in the bastions in the cast and north corners several windows and other perforations in the curtain walls, which showed that rooms were connected with them; but it was clear from the height of the ,parapets above the ground, which might be sixty feet, that most of the inside must be a solid mass of earth, as indeed it was as far as the courtyard, around vhicli were the houses already not- iced. On one high bastion, in w'•Iticlt several small cannon were placed. weal a flag -staff, and a large white flag, bordered with green, which floated out lazily upon the evening breeze, showing the device—a figure cut ottt in tett cloth and sewn upon the white—of the monkey god FIutto- aman, who might be supposed to be, as he was, the tutelary divinity of the castle. To protect the gateway there was a double outwork with several narrow traverses and large flanking bastions, but otherwise no additional defence to the castle nulls, which were quite inaccessible. ,Around their 'foot, se- parated only 'by an open courtyard, surrounded by a low: wall with bas- tions at intervals, were the terraced houses of the place, thickly placed together, and filling up the space be- tween the outer wall of the village and the castle itself. ,There was no doubt that the community living there was thriving, and better pro- tected than those of the more open villages of the country. The houses, too, ware of a superior and more sub- stantial character .and gave assurance of habitual safety and wealth. Outside all, ran a high wall, also of mud, with large round bastions at intervals, loop'hoied and mounted with jinyalls, and other wallpieces, with two large gates, •each defended by an outer work and,—:traverse, and heavy bastions on each side; and there were several smaller wickets or posterns, each with a parapet wall before, and a tower beside it. The whole formed a very strong position, impregnable against any attack by marauding horse; and even in the event of a siege by a better organized .force, it could have head out stoutly. The ground' for some distance round Itga formed a clear natural es- planade, over which it was impossible for anything to advance without 'be- ing seen front the caste' walls, .This was now like a: carpet of emerald green, on which fellthebroad shod- eros di the tail trees near the gates and a grove round a small Hindu temple, anal several large herds, of cattle' rested or browsed before eatt- ering the village walls for the fright. ,Beyond the olpen ground the irrigated fields anid gardens of the village com- menced; and the bright yellow green of the sugar -cane, in large patches, catching the sun's rays, glowed am- ong the darker colours of the ,grain crops and cotton, 'which spread alp and down .the valley as far as could he seen, and on both sides of the, stream flowing in the centre. !Above the village the valley 'ap• 'feared' to contract gra.c1utily, and the ro. stream to disappear behind a proje iu.g bhtl'. Below', it opened out con clerably; and could be sten for seve utiles, showing other villages' in distance, with their sherries, castles, of the same character an 11 ()Cf ;Itga, bat smaller, rising above trees; ttrhile, here and there, the tv'h dome of a mosque, or steeple of:'11 d11 teurile, with portions of t stream, sparkled in the evening sun A fair scene now when, over t 'rich crops and gardens; at ci sprcadi over the tender distance, the brig evening light threw a nrdlbow radiad resting with brilliant effect upon iprojections and bastions of the cast upoau the terraces of the .houses, t heavy gateways,:the people passing and 'fro, and the ,bright -calm -wed c tic upon the village green. A f scene, truly, and in strong coati' tt'ith the character of the place, wh•i to ,say the truth, was evil enough sonic respects, 'The owner of this village, and several ,adjoining villages, was t 'Pahar'.Singh, whom, casualty, we ha already had occasion to mention. N minally, a frontier officer of the 13 japoor 'State, "Ilazaree' or comma er of a thousand men, and holding estate in' maintenance of'a troop horse and a number of foot solclie which, though somewhat less, .pass for a thousand • in the royal trusters fleejapaor,--Pahar Singh had by means 'Followed lids father's exabl of steady devotion to duty or eonilin itis hien to the purpose for ,which th were intended. During his lathe lifetime die had engaged with 1 utast dissolute anti lawless of his titer's retainers in border raids a forays without number, and had unfrequently defied the troops o'f t State, bringing his fa'ther's go name into very questionabile repute 'After the old titan's death, wide tittles ensued, when a bold .stroke he and there decided a man's fortu and proportionately. as he was paw fol or otherwise locally, his influen both at court and in the provinc extended. Pahar Singh had stru many such, with which, however, 'have no concern, Following the e ample of the :Beydur chief of ;Sugg he }tad itupoaed a system of bate mail all over the frontier near his e tate, which, if not ,regularly paid, w enforced roughly enough; while, his part, his clients were protect from violence by other parties. T system, in fact, extended to the cap tal itself, and merchants and rich tr yellers paid Pahar :Singh's does as t best means ,of escaping outrage they had to travel across his ntarche To others but his own people Pah •Singh was a merciless savage, for th most part; and evert his own relatioi and those who 'knew hint best, cool hardly account for the variation temper which could watch torture 10 the extortion of stoney—perhaps i agonized death—at One moment, and at the next listen to a tale of distress; or need, or sickness, and relieve it himself, or send it to his wife Rook- mfnee, with a message which insured prompt attention from that kind ilady. Tt is perhaps untaacessary to go far back into history for illustrations of character 'like that of the.`Hataree," Such still exists among the nativ states of India, and even in More civ- ilzed places restrained, perhaps, b the spirit of the times, but still res trained=from lives as reckless and and lawless, from savagery as deep and as unrelenting, as was .that of tPa- har Singh. With .such characters, evil passions have taken the form of sen suality in its varied phases, which, as mostly concerning the individual him self, blunts the exercise of all finer feelings, 'but noes not occasion the misery to others which would be the result of unfettered and misguided ac- tion, The party we have 'mentioned had descended the small. pass front the table -land above, and had pressed merrily on to the. village gate, where they were met by friend's, and wel- comed by many a Tough but kind greeting and by a discharge of 'wall - pieces from the bastions, and shots from the castle, ,answered by the matchlocks of the party. Having en- tered the deep arched gateway, they were now'emerging irregularly into the, main street, down which the sha- dows were dispersed by the brightly gleaming sun, The terraced , :houses were covered with women and child- ren waving cloths, or whatever they could catch tip. 'The •shopkeepers, for the most part, descended from their seats and exchanged .respectful greet- ings with the header, and as the small troop passed up towards the open space below the castle, still:, firing shots, it (vas plain that every one had 'forgotten the fatigue of the march in lits safe return. The horsemen remained mounted after the halt, and several stout serv- n-e-t took the heavy bags of money Which ascii, in succession loosed from his saddle -boyo, and carried theme into the castle. Tins dc,.7e, the leader dis- mounted, and the chief "Karkoou," or scribe, cleilivered a short but'pleasant message from the chief, and dismiss- ed the rest; and the enen, t heeling sect, •discharged an irregular volley c t- si- ral' the o1' tat bhe ite in he he ng ht ice the le, he to st- air est ch, in of he ve ee C0111111111 the of r8, ed: of 170 tie ed ey is he fa- n rl not It e e,d ler re ue; Or- es, es, ck we er, lc- s - as on ed T1 be if s, ar to d of 0 n e y i PROFES5IOiNAL CARDS Medical DR, H. HUGH HO'SIS, Physician and Surgeon. Late of London Hos- pital, awpital,London, England. Special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat,' Office and real - dance behind Dominion Bank, Office etcial hotel, Seaforth, 3rd Monday is Phone No, 5; Residence Phone 1194. OR. F. 3. BURROWS, Seaford!, Office and residence, Goderich street,. east of the United Church,, Cononar. for the County of Huron. Telephone. No. 46. DR, F, J. R. H0'TS'T121R.,—+Eye, Eta Nose and Throat, Graduate in Medi- cine, i5rdicine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefieid'e Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London, England. At Comm- ercial Hotel, 'Seaforth, 3rd Wednes- day in each month from 1.50 part. to-. 5 p.n. DIR. W. C. SPtROAT.—Graduate of . Faculty. of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. Office in rear of Aber hart's drug . store, Seaforth, • Phone 90, Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.30 -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment,. Dental DR, 3. A. MUNN, Successor tsa.. Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western University, Chicago, Ill. Gtr• cen.tiate Royal College of Dental Sur geons, Toronto, Office over Sills` hardware, Main St., Seaforth, Phone: 151. • DR. F. J. BIECH,EL'Y, graduate.. Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto, Office over W. R. Smith's grocery, Main St., Seaforth, Phones,. office 185W, residence 1853. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction gurantaed WATSON AND RE1Dwt REAL ESTATE � , AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James 'Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT, All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies, THE McKJLLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co, HEAD OFFICE--+SEAFORTH, Ont- OFFICERS Geo. R. McCartney, Seaforth - Pres, James Oonn'ohly, Goderic'h Vicepres, Merton A. 'Reid, Seaforth-Sec.- Treas. AGENTS: W. E. Hinckley, Seaforth; John Murray, R. R. 3, Seaforth; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brod'hagen; James Watt, B•lyt'h; C. +i'. 'Hewitt, Kincardine;. Wm. Yeo, Hbhnest^itle. DIRECTORS: William ILnox, Londesboro; George- Leonhard(, Brodhagen; Jantes Con - many, God'eriah; Alex. Broadfoot, No, 3. Seaforth; Robert Ferris, Blyith;. George McCartney, No. 3, Seaforth; John Pepper, Brucefield; James S'hol- dice, Walton; Thomas Moylan, No. 5, Seaforth, Parties desirous to effect insurance, or transact other business, wil3 be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers ad- dressed totheir respective post offices., 'from •their ntatchloc'ks aid, passiae back around the foot of the outer bastion of the court, separated, each to itis awn house, Continued Next Week Stop the Cough. g Gouglti6. is caused by irritation in the repira- tot•y passages and is the effort t dia.- lodge obstructions that come fret iia- flanrmation of the -mucous menjtiane, Treatment with. Dr. "Thomas' ;ciect, rid Oil' will allay tate inifi'aithatior, • and I;t coesequence the coed will usually stop. Tr yit and. yotarai'fl 'bc•_ satisfied. to a