The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-19
By ERNEST BRENNECKE.

TOW often do we hear the glib assertion | \ that 'the day of miracles is overt" Liv- Ing n the world of subways telephones and automatic iuncheons. we tend to become sceD- dcs. materiaists. indifferent or inimical to any suggestions of the supernatural in our mecha- nized scheme of existence. At certain rare times. however. we find ourselves running across authenticated tales of mystery and enchant- ment from strange distant corners of the world that seem again to open for a few brief mo- ments the gateways to land far removed in time and space. where the magic colors of the Arabian Nights are more real to than the drabness of our everyday rounds
 Many such moments are to be experienced in the reading of Ferdinand Ossendowskis Beasts. Men and Gods" the true narrative of Polish scientists flight through Mongolia two years ago In many of the pages of this stir ring book lately published by E. P. Dutton Co.,. we find ourselves in a realm of bizarre ad- venture. bristling with true episodes that put to shame the weirdest devices of our literary TO- mancers Among Tibetan and Kalmuck priests. medicine-men and warriors. Ossendowski has discovered tremendous store of magic and wonder. few gleanings from which are re- produced below:
 The Mysterious Lama Ayenger
 (Ossendowski after a fruitless journey of thousand miles into Tibet. was forced to turn back to the town of Uliassutai in Mongolia. the s1au nd of ho n oh " the dread Tusbegoun Lama. man of mystery. self-appointed "avenger." and hero of thousand extraordinary tales).
 Without the walls of the yurta the wind whistled and roared and drove the frozen snow sharply against the stretched felt. Through the roar Of the wind came the sound of many voices in mingled shouting. wailng and laughter. l felt that in such surroundings 1t were not dim- cult to dumefound wandering nomad with miracles Tusheeoun Lama suddenly raised his head and said:
 .~There is much unknown in Nature. and the skin of using the unknown causes the miracie' hut the power is given to few. l want to prove fl to you. and you may tell me afterward whether you have seen 1t before or Aot"
 He stood up pushed back the sleeves of his yellow garment. seized his knife and stTode across to the shepherd.
 "Micnik, stand up!" he ordered.
 When the shepherd had risen the Lama quick ly unbuttoned his coat and barred the mans chest I could not yet understand what was his intention, when suddenly the Tushegoun struck his knife with all his force into the chest of the shepherd The Mongol fell all covered with blood. splash of which I noticed on the yellow silk of the Lamas coat
 ~what have you doner' I exclaimed.
 sSh. Be still" he whispered turning to me his now quite blanched face. With few strokes of the knife he opened the chest Of the Moneol and saw the mans lungs softly breath ing and the distinct paipitatons of the heart As the Lama began to open his abdomen l shut my eyes in fear and horror; and, when l opened them little while later, was still more dume- founded at seeing the shepherd. with his coat still open and his breast normal quietly sleep ing on his side and Tushegoun Lama sitting peacefully by the brazier. smoking his pipe
 "It is wonderful!" I confessed. q have never seen anything like it
 About what are you speaking?" asked the