The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-10-30
Chapter II
Dream Travel

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THE next day the trek across
l. the stony desert of bitter wa
ter began, to continue day after
day in forced marches ever bear
ing west by south. The caravan
started at dawn, plodded steadily
through icy mists or rains or bit
ing winds, with occasional days of
spring mildneSs. Sometimes the
camels grazed the sparse desert
growth; at other times not a reed
nor a thorn could be found. and
the animals ate double ration of
dried peas and barley, while the
horses drank limited amounts of
water carried in goat skins.
Nothing of moment happened.
There was no brush with brigands
or unusual struggle against the
elements. Lynn lived like a per-
son in a dream. finding an odd,
passive pleasure in following the
eyer-receding horizon and in
talking to Temu and Sherlock
and Gersing during the morning
and evening meals. She knew
they would eventually pass into
the mountain country where the
Hoang-ho steamboats, owned by
white men piled the waters.
Leaving the bleakest part of the
desert, they entered a rolling
country of better grass where
sheep replaced goats in the nomad
docks. They camped one night at
a pleasant spot called Watch
Tower Wells, at the edge of a
wide plain where spring had
touched the sod. bringing out the
grass and flowers.
The next morning after break
fast the four travellers sat a while
In the dining tent. Temu had in
terviewed a local nomad chief
tain. as well as Chin PAX and
Bula and the head camel-puller.
Little Bamboo brought in the
kitten which jumped from its
basket and came forward meWing
for attention like child that has
been left alone for a while. It
arehed its neck, half rising to
meet Lynn's caressing hand.
'How it has grown" she re-
marked, lifting it to her lap as
Temu watched her.
THAT we see beings such as
that kitten with our limited
vision. is always evidence to me
that there are other beings we do
not see," he said.
Sherlock put away his long
stemmed pipe. Some people," he
declared, do not even see the
spirits of the earth"
81 don't" said Lynn. 'Tm not
even convinced there are such
things"
you will be some day. Let
Temu take you into the noun
tains back of Delun."
Her eyes twinkling, she turned
to the younger man. Twill you
take me If I should happen to 60
to Delun some day of my own
free will?"
whats this" he bantered.
"Are you still believing that you
can escape?"
Luck won't be with you al
ways"
ooh. I don't know. You will
love the mountains back of Delun.
] am told there are gnomeS and
pixies in every glen"
"You are told? Haven't you
seen them?"
81 lack the magic that opens
a mans eyes," he answered
gravely. They tell me that if I
would see the fairies, I must
walk hand in hand with an incar-
nate goddess"
He might be hooking her. but
the words and timbre of his voice
stirred her pulses. He reached
over and gave the kitten a stroke
" two and then desisted.
ats bones are too frail for me.
prefer a husky pet, something
my hands won't crush" He picked
up one of Lynn's firm. white
hands. Something like this
strong and splendid" He tipped
her chin with a gentle, nudging
fist and spoke to the Duchess.
"Gersing, see this Tara chin
with threat of dimple in il"
Lynn thought it was an odd
mood for him, for ordinarily, he
was rather careful not to touch
her. He jumped to his feet i'm
patiently.
evil we ever reach the end OF
this journey!" He strobe cut OF
the tent, the three of them fol-
lowing him with their eyes.
Lynn turned in time to see
Sherlock smiling to himself. Eve
have done well" he said. Never
before has a caravan of this size
crossed the desert with such
speed"
''Pve got to get away from
theml" Lynn thought, in a sud-
den state of panic. They're weav-
ing a net around me-"
She went out to Temu who wa:
talking to Bula about q sicl
camel.
MAY I go for a horseback
rider" she asked abruptly.
Dressed in Mongol trousers anC
a full-sleeved Mongol shirt o.
brightest blue beneath a fawn'
skin vest, and with a gay, reC
beret on her head. she made [
pretty picture for Mongol eyes.
He looked at her sharply for
moment. Sorry. You're in thu