And Umballa’s spy hastened away.

All day long they wound in and out, over and down the rolling mounds of sand, pausing only once, somewhere near four o’clock, when they dismounted for a space to enjoy a bite to eat and a cup of tea.  Then on again, through the night, making about sixty miles in all.  At dawn they came upon a well, and here they decided to rest till sunset.  Beyond the well, some twenty-five miles, lay the low mountain range over which they must pass to the sea.  At the foot of these hills stood a small village, which they reached about ten o’clock that night.

They found the village wide awake.  The pariah dogs were howling.  And on making inquiries it was learned that a tiger had been prowling about for three or four nights, and that they had set a trap cage for the brute.  The colonel and Bruce at once assumed charge.  The old zest returned with all its vigor and allurement.  Even Kathlyn and Pundita decided to join the expedition, though Pundita knew nothing of arms.

Now, this village was the home of the nine brigands, and whenever they were about they dominated the villagers.  They were returning from a foraging expedition into the hills, and discovered the trap cage with the tiger inside.  Very good.  The tiger was no use to any but themselves, since they knew where to sell it.  They were in the act of pulling the brush away from the cage when they heard sounds of others approaching.  With the suspicion which was a part of their business they immediately ran to cover to see who it was.

Instantly the chief of the brigands discovered that these new arrivals were none other than the white people who had given him and his men a superdrug and thereby mulcted them out of the sacred white elephant which was to have brought them a fortune.

Unfortunately, the men of Kathlyn’s party laid aside their weapons on approaching the cage to tear away the brush.  Eight brigands, at a sign from their chief, surrounded the investigators, who found themselves nicely caught.

The natives fled incontinently.  So did Bala Khan’s camel men.

“Death if you move!” snarled the chief.  “Ah, you gave us bad opium, and we dropped like logs!  Swine!” He raised his rifle threateningly.

“Wait a minute,” said Bruce coolly.  “What you want is money.”

“Ay, money!  Ten thousand rupees!”

“It shall be given you if you let us go.  You will conduct us over the hills to the sea, and there the money will be given you.”

The chief laughed long and loudly.  “What!  Am I a goat to put my head inside the tiger’s jaws?  Nay, I shall hold you here for ransom.  Let them bring gold.  Now, take hold,” indicating the trap cage.  “We shall take this fine man eater along with us.  I am speaking to you, white men, and you, pig of a Hindu!  Chalu!  I will kill any one who falters.  Opium!  Ah, yes!  You shall pay for my headache and the sickness of my comrades.  Chalu!  And your white woman; she shall give a ransom of her own!”