The camp was surrounded. From one side came
Umballa, from the other came the mutineers. Kathlyn and Winnie flew to
their father's side. In between came Umballa, with Bruce and Ramabai
and Pundita effectually separated. Umballa and his men closed in upon
the colonel and his daughters. Treasure and revenge!
Bruce made a furious effort to join Kathlyn, but the numbers against
him were too many. It was all done so suddenly and effectually, and
all due to their own carelessness.
"Kit," said her father, "our only chance is to refuse to discover to
Umballa where we have hidden the basket. Winnie, if you open your lips
it will be death--yours, Kit's, mine. To have been careless like this!
Oh, Kit, on my honor, if Umballa would undertake to convoy us to the
seaport I'd gladly give him all the treasure and all the money I have
of my own. But we know him too well. He will torture us all."
"I have gone through much; I can go through more," calmly replied
Kathlyn. "But I shall never wear a precious stone again, if I live. I
abhor them!"
"I am my father's daughter," said Winnie.
"Put the howdahs on the two elephants," Umballa ordered.
The men obeyed clumsily, being fishermen by occupation and mahouts by
compulsion.
Kathlyn tried in vain to see where they were taking Bruce and the
others.
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