Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-07-19
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BY JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright, lsoe. by T. R. Toombs
Copyright, 1sG. by +. R. Toombs
CHAPTER XXI.
BY JOHN ROE GORDON
THE MONASTERY OF THE LAMAs.

CHAPTER XXI.
THE MONASTERY OF THE LAMAs.
I" @ 0URELY," said Orskon. peer
I> ing in the darkness at the
Ss@s face Of the American, 1T In
not your purpose to desert
the girls"
81 should say not; but with our feet
and hands tied and we helpless In that
camp we could not assist them. 1ta
this way: Domitan is now camping IN
the woods. His horses are on the clin.
According to what he said, there is
road farther up the pass by which he
will take the camels to the mountains.
II that rascal ever gets the girls into
the Zannuck stronghold, nothing that
we can do will avail. We've got to
think Of something to do now"
But what? Is it to fight? l Will
fight to the last drop Of blood!
mo; fighting will not help us. We've
got to win out by some trick"
They sat down, and Orskoh leaned
his head in his hands. Harvey became
intent with his thoughts.
Hello" said Harvey, getting to biz
feet quickly. Somebody around here!
Hear that noise? Sounds like wound
ed man calling for aid"
"Must be one Of the Zannucks or one
Of the ameer's men who crawled here
to get out of the way"
"I'm going to see who and what II
is," said Harvey. 81 can't see friend
or enemy suffer when helpless"
They soon discovered man. wound
ed by spear and sword, lying near the
side Of the road.
"Art thou friendsT he whispered IN
the tongue of the ameer's people.
1--WE have reason to be enemies, but
we have no wish to harm you. Is
there anything we can do"
"Canst thou bring water"
T could If knew where there was
any," said Harvey. "Do you know OF
q river or spring near byT
"Nay, there is none nearer than the
Batoola tempR."
"And what is this Batoola temple"
"a place for lamas-priests Of the
monastery. There are many there.
They are hospitable. II I could get
there, they would know how to deal
with my wounds"
"How far is it?"
1T is not far. It stands on the high.
way, but Is surrounded by high walls"
"How came you here"
81 was with the ameer's men when
we were attacked by the Zannucks.
I was wounded and crawled away
from the pass, for the Zannucks kill
all their wounded enemies. I could 60
no farther"
"You came to good place. The
Zannucks are almost within reach OF
our voices. But tell me more about
that Batoola temple"
"As I said, 1t is a lama monastery.
There are monks of all kinds there
missionary monks, begging monks,
praying monks"
"Are they all natives Of Bokhara"
"Not all. They come Of many ma.
tions. Could be carried there" asked
the wounded soldier.
1--WE have work to do here" broke in
Orskoff. I'VE cannot give. you the
time"
"You spoke Of begging monks" said
Harvey. "What do they beg? How do
they reach people"
"They walk along the roads and ask
aims Of all they meet. 1t is in this way
the monasteries are supported"
"What do they wear? What sort OF
looking
"You interested in monksp' inter.
rupted Orskoff impatiently. 1--WE have
no time to think Of them"
II am thinking Of them very hard
just now."
Again addressing the wounded man,
Harvey asked:
"What sort Of garb do these monks
wear2"
"Cloaks and hoods. They are hum.
BILE and holy men,"
"T've seen them near Lake Baikal In
Siberia" said Orskoff. "They cover
their heads and faces so their own
grandmothers wouldn't recognize
them"
"Oh, they do! And the monastery is
poor, supported by alms"
"Yes," said the soldier Of the ameer,
"You want to 60 thereT"
"I would live If I could be carried
there"
IF we could make litter Of some
kind, we might do It,"
1--WE could manage with our coats
to make a chair in which to carry
him." said Orskoff, "but we have no,
the time. We cannot forsake our duty
to the girls for wounded enemy"
1--WE are not forsaking the girls.
have an idea these monks can be Of ust
to US. want to see them. Help me
make the chair"
Harvey's voice was imperative. Ors
koff protested, but 1t was Of no avail
He tied the sleeves Of their coats to
gether and formed what he called
Russian field chair. The wounded maj
was then picked up. and the three
started of.
"Tell me more about these monks,
said Harvey as they went along.
"They are priests Of the religion OF
Buddha- -Sakymuni. They are good ant
holy men,"