Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14

could see several figures ,Uith guns
silhO"ested against the sky.
A LREADY our arms were filled with fierce
ly shooting pains. Our hands grew cold at
first, for only the tiny fire In the center of
the yurt seryed TO warm the place. and it was
zero outside. Then, as the ropes shrank and
the circulation was cut on more and more, our
hands seemed to burn like balls Of fire. and
the pains in our arms grew and grew.
We asked our guide whether or not he had
understood anything that the Mongols had been
saying. He knew little enough Of the Mongol
tongue. but We thought he might have gotten
some bit Of information. He groaned because
Of his own tortured arms. and replied that he
had heard them say that they were going to
kill US. It did not surprise as any, bat stM We
did not know whether death might come BY tor
ture or not.
We hoped against hope that they would de-
eide to shoot Us. It would be 50 much quicker
that way. But We did not expect any sach
consideration. Il wasn't that we were afraid
Of death. Meme Of rs were, apparently. We
had o natural aversion to torture, certainly,
but death itseh was not uppermost IN our
minds. We would have welcomed quick death
as means Of getting away from our tortures.
But more than anything else, Bin and
thought Of our wives. II would soon be over
for u. whichever way things went but it would
be months-p0ssihly yearS-before they could
learn what had happened, and It was possible
that they might never learn anything save
that We had not returned.
For an hour We lay there, the pains I'm our
hands and arms growing greater every minute.
We talked nov and then, and We watched every
move Of the Mongols for some tel1tale sign d
what was to happen next. I groaned occa-
sionally, for somehow 1t seemed to relieve me
. trifle. I even asked Bill Morden why he
didn't try IT, He gritted his teeth before he
spoke, and then looked grimly at me.
81 wouldn't give these devils the satisfac-
tion." he replied.
They searched US again after we were tied.
They turned us this way and that-very rough
ly. The ropes jerked at our wrists, sending
fearful pains burning up our arms. One fierce
looking scoundrel stood with his foot on BUS
head, and one OF them sat on me. They rolled
US about, generally with their feet and having
cleaned our pockets out they talked together
for q little while, and then ordered US to get
to our feet We obeyed awkwardly, wondering
what was to happen now. Then it was that
they nnCtioned to us to follow them outside.
Bill and had had time to talk Of those
things closest to our hearts. We had each
promised the other that If. by any chance,
one Of US managed to get away alive. he would
do what he could for the others wife, We
talked Of our insurance. Both Of US were glad
that we carried enough. 1t was a decided re-
lief to realize that.
But now we believed that we were bound
for the firing The order to follow cur
captors outside could have no other meaning
and there in the dimly lighted yurt. surrounded
by the evil-looking Mongols who were to lead
US forth, We said good-by. We might not have
another chance.
As stopped to pass through the low door,
way into the darkness outside, could see
several figures with guns silhouetted against
the sky. Only the dimmest starlight served
to soften the blackness of the desert night.
I could make out the black shadows that
marked the location of the tent and Of the
other yurt that made up the rest Of the camp.
The camelS of our caravan were parked not
far away kneeling with their packs still on
their backs. Everything was quiet now, and
the sharpness of the cold was noticeable even
after the limited warmth Of the yurt we had
just left. A camel groaned in the darkness.
and . donkey started to bray, only to break
of In the middle of his song.
remember half smiling to myself as In
terpreted those two sounds. Tragedy or farce2
It all depended on the viewpoint. knew, but
1t was farcical that we should die as enemies
Of these people when we were more than ready
to be their friends. It heartened me o trine
to philosophi1e even that little bit. and then