Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-05-23
Copyright by the Century Co..
CHAPTER XIV.
The Tawny Bose proons.

She touched silver spurs to her
mount, and galloped to the city, bear
ing the false alarm Lexington re-
person, an agony of Imagination. Con
picked him up and bore him along the
slant of hill toward the deep shaft.
Figured silks fiuttered about his chin.
One of the royal sandals was missing.
The other, sparkling brightly, tapped
on a long foot.
Lexington was keenly alive to the
press of time. He realized that the
swift, delicate affairs of the moment
and all brutal consequences, were now
in the lap of the gods.
Before Helen had reached the city
gate, he had showed the helpless Yeku-
tot over the ridge and down to the
big hole. The Mongolian's slim hands
were conyulSed with horror, and he
shrilled like a mouse when he felt the
emptiness below his legs. Con let go,
and the shaft swallowed up the prince.
He went down after him through the
flying dirt.
Torches again in the heavy gloom of
the Ipit-bOttoms. His eyes grew ac-
customed to the depths From all
directions the strange little men came
running. The babble of excitement
fell into sudden hush when they saw
the prisoner more closely. They press
ed backward, murmuring. Lexington
felt q great need for March.
He found the Arab and still did not
see his cOmrade.
where is my friend?'
The eX-seaman made inquiry round
about. Then one timid hunchback
with lnotted queue came forward. He
pinched Levington's sleeve and show
ed willingness to lead on.
Out of the confusion, high upon one
of the lodges in the adjoining rock
room, lay Andrew March. They had
cushioned him upon pallet of grass,
and his sleep was deep. Con had diff
Guilty in getting him to open his eyes.
There was a lightning thread of suspi-
cion, ana he held Il torch down close
to March's face. The story was plain
over with koresh and its deadly spice
was in the air, cinnamon and lees.
Con lnelt closer, quite sure that his
friend could hear and understand
through the veil, if not reply. It was
a black moment, cold rising wave of
failure.
I'VE have the prince down here,
captive, alone. Helen is sending the
warriors on gOose-chase. We must
move upon the city while they are
away"
MARGINS mouth twitched, and with
great effort he mumbled, do not
wait"
But need you. They trust you
because you speak their language.
Try to rouse Yourself"
"Don't-wait."
1--WE may not have time to come
back this way"
GO" gasped the sleeper. "Tm not
worth it,"
Lexington left him there, sought out
the Arab, and gave orders for ham
mock to be borne by four men, to
carry March along in the rear of
the charge.
we go into palace?" asked the
Arab.
Eyes, as soon as the riders go forth
to find their prince"
The sailor comprehended and rather
frightened at the plan. 1t was better
IA in, h.
dark Of the mines. He called to his
men. The swinging palanQuin was
taken in for March. In that final min
ute in the caverns, Con had a word
with him.
ITS all right said the younger
man.
Marchs eyelids remained calmly
closed, but his voice came in a dry
rustic
"Some men grow brave in theit sor-
row, but l was not one of them. 1
waited so lons-you understand, boy.
If you get away make the report.
Show them how to find Tau Kuan, 20
scotch this curse of the world, if
possible"
Lexington gave assurance, then ran
after the Arabian, who had taken
position near the base of the shaft.
Here Yekutoi still lay upon his back,
although no bond held him. No one
dared go near him. The twisted men
retained their SuperStitions concern
ing royalty. Now in great numbers
they hobbled about, gcsturing, lifting
odd weapons, like a nestful of MANNED
spiders.
The cry of the watcher at the top
sent a galvQnic shudder over them all.
The riders
Con went up with the sailor. and
from the mouth of the pit they saw
three score horsemen strung across
the plain. They were like a sword
cutting into the desert surface, al
ready far on their way to retrieve
their ill-starred prince. Away TO the
south, as if driven by invisible gods,
Yekutoi's horse was running. Loving
ton grew conscious Of many bodies