His sacred elephant!

Bala Khan was joyous. Here was the sacred elephant once more in the
compound, and not a piece out of his treasure chest. He was in luck.
In the midst of his self-congratulations came the alarming news that a
large body of men were seen approaching across the desert from the
direction of Allaha. Bala Khan, his chiefs and his guests climbed to
the top of the wall and beheld the spectacle in truth. It required but
a single look through the binoculars to discover to whom this host
belonged.

"Umballa!" said Ramabai,

"Ah! Durga Ram, to pay his respects." Bala Khan rubbed his hands
together. It had been many moons since he had met a tulwar.

The colonel examined his revolver coldly. The moment that Umballa came
within range the colonel intended to shoot. This matter was going to
be settled definitely, here and now. So long as Umballa lived, a dread
menace hung above Kathlyn's head. So, then, Umballa must die.

Bala Khan was for beginning the warfare at once, but Bruce argued him
out of this idea. Let them first learn what Umballa intended to do.
There was no need of shedding blood needlessly.

"You white people must always talk," grumbled the Khan, who was a
fighting man, born of a race of fighters yet to bow the head to the
yoke. "It is better to kill and talk afterward. I have given my word
to protect you, and the word of Bala Khan is as sound as British gold."

"For that," said Bruce, "thanks."

"Keep your men from the walls," cried Kathlyn, "and bring me the white
elephant. I would deal with this man Umballa."

Her request was granted. So when Durga Ram and has soldiers arrived
before the closed gates they beheld Kathlyn mounted on the white
elephant alone.

"What wish you here, Durga Ram?" she called down to the man on the
richly caparisoned war elephant.

"You! Your father and those who have helped you to escape."

"Indeed! Well, then, come and take us."

"I would speak with Bala Khan," imperiously.

"You will deal with me alone," declared Kathlyn.

Umballa reached for his rifle, but a loud murmur from the men stayed
his impulse.

"It is the sacred white elephant, Highness. None dare fire at that,"
his captain warned him. "Those with him or upon him are in sanctity."

"Tell Bala Khan," said Umballa, controlling his rage as best he could,
"tell Bala Khan that I would be his friend, not his enemy."

"Bala Khan," boomed a voice from the other side of the wall