The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-10-28


Joined 1t. Two figures hurled out of
the gloom and landed at the white
mans feet They were the hunched
and deformed little men of the sand
hills, a dozen or more, and they broke
into talking. Their arms were like
metal bands upon Lexington. The
gong had reached them and brought
them up out of their warrens. 1t
! seemed they were animated by curios-
ity and natural malice more than by
the idea of reward.
Struggle was unavailing. These
miners had terrible arms, despite
bodies that were Shrunken and gro
tesque. March was speaking in native
dialect. Lexington was borne of his
feet, lifted over the last ditch, and
then deftly stretched face downward
upon the sand March was pleading.
The hills were near.
Con did not understand the appeal
March was making, but was surprised
at the force OF it. They were listening
reluctant, like some blind evil turned
aside for a moment. March went on
fervently.
Points of light were low toward the
city, the torches coming out. It
seemed that the gray-haired mans ar
gument had an effect, for Lexington
was picked up as before, and carried.
In the confusion he saw that they
were not going in the direction Of the
city. The bones of their shoulders hurt
his back. He was unable to turn.
Forty PAGES of this and they paused.
March repeated his phrases. Loving
ton was allowed to stand upon his
feet, but his hands were held. Then
the group ran with him up the hill.
''What did you say?" inquired Con.
81 reminded them that they have no
more love for the city than we. and
that our enemy is their enemy"
''What made you think of that?"
"They are slaves, worse"
This was cut short as the workers
let go Cons wrists, and he pitched feet
first into perfect blackness. The fall
was giddy; then scramble down an
incline of loose earth. Choking with
the dust. he could not guess to what
depth he was sliding. Something
came down upon his head, and this
was Andrew March.
You asked them to take US in?"
Eyes. 1t occurred to me that they
do not love their masters. I referred
to that, and promised everything
could think of, if they would not turn
us over to the horsemen."
The center of the world gave forth a
speck of light that was a torch. The
party that had come VI at the sum-
mons of the distant gong was close
about the white men again at the base
of the shaft, which seemed endlessly
large; and other torches were coming
nearer out of blackness. Still it was
not clear to Con why the miners did
not take them TO the city. THE hover
ing figures in the cavern seemed half
afraid, half spiteful. March wss doing
his best in Chinese.
The torches threw a serried glare
on the rock walls of the underground
passage. 1t was low but very wide
In another chamber, to which the pris-
Oners were led, the roof was higher,
of ragged sandstone, and the floor had
been swept. Here was the settlement
of workers, every one defOrmed below
the shoulders.
Out of the red-lighted press of these
CdAuC uSuIC Jul SAASnllg CICNl
than his fellows He was dark of skin,
but his eyes were full and did not
slant or pinch. His barred throat was
significant of strength and poise, from
no mean ancestry, but his knees locked
and jOinted pitifully, as from some
caIamitous accident.
Friend" he said in a low voice.
It was music to hear the English
word.
The miners were waving torches of
bitumen over their large heads. The
length and agility of their arms was
ape-like. They looked to be a race of
Asiatic changelings, their hair coiled
into little caps, one or two showing
queues, and all with the peculiar mall
formation of spine. Every eye
cleaned upon Lexington.
Friend" replied Con.
'"They come for you" said the dark
skinned person who stood before the
crowd.
'Down hereF'
Eyes. All where"
''Hide u.s.. Give US protection,
friend"
Eyes. You say you befriend u.s.
The speaker turned TO March, who
answered: 'Yes. We will, If you pro-
tect Us now. We come from the most
powerful country in the world. Help
US return to it."
''No. oI'' said the dark-faced man.
''I beg Of yOu!" urged March.
"GObi too big. too big"
Talk of that later But hide US
away now"
''They see your footprints, and ask
US. What2"
"Say that we were killed and thrown
in the ditches.''
Eyes" said the speaker of English.
He turned to confer with several
others, in a rapid monotone.
Con said to his friend: "What is
hep"
Looks Arabian" replied March.
The speaker had heard the word,
and he turned sharply, with a smile
parting his lips. From the waist up
he was handsome man OF forty
Eyes, Arab" he said. Fifteen, big,
was, at sea. I know your country
Saint Lawrence, Buffalo"
ssNiaCar FNalIS offered TaxiroFor