The Key West citizen., 1940-11-11
Chapter q
Rescue Party

were IllSSEQ 1LOIl Tic l41OAicS
terry. The gates had been closed
for the night and the old abbot
had sent to inquire if the child
were in the visitors apartment.
Temu and Chan, just return
ing, discovered the girls alb
sence; Temu noticed they had
worn their wraps and taken the
binoculars from the shelf. Moth
ing else was missing.
"Run away?" asked Chan
Temu shook his head. Gone
scouting"
rs they went into the courtyard,
others appeared looking for the
child. Then a serving monk re-
membered seeing him, the Tara,
and the red-headed one walk up
the narrow alley between the
houses to the north gate.
Bula, who had been hanging
around the stables all day, ap-
peared and told of noticing the
trio on the hill back of the mon
astery early in the afternoon. No
one had seen them return.
The tremulous, old abbot began
to weep lest he had lost his elder
brother by death a second time.
Temu ordered Bula to saddle
horses and follow him while he
and one of the monks fastened
toward the north gate.
In the fading light they climbed
the hill to the spot where Lynn,
attempting to return, had been
intercepted. Bula, riding on e
horse and leading two others,
overlook them.
Temu and the lama mounted
and followed the tracks around the
hill till they came upon the boys
scull cap lying on the ground with
a clod inside to hold it against
the wind. Under the clod lay a
piece Of paper bearing Arabic let
ters torn from a poster depicting
q view of the Kaaba.
''Mohammedans," Temu NUT
tered, looking across the hills
westward to the Moslem strong
hold looming against the fading
skyline like grim and forbid
ding isle of darkness.
Bula was for going on, just they
three, and storming the strong
hold. They'd like us to try i" ,"
commented Temu. "The whole
1orce at the monastery could not
take that fort with the weapons
we have. And perhaps that is not
the thing we want to do"
He sat for a while in deep
thought, the others watching him
patiently. Presently, he reused
and spoke: Come with mel"
Then, whirling his horse, he has
tened back to the path and
through the north gate.
Stopping a moment, he reas-
cured the old abbot, and ordered
every available fighting man TO
mount and follow him. Then he
rode on down the canyon to the
plain, where, as he expected. a
regiment of Chinese infantry on
its way from the south to
strengthen the garrison at TuSin,
had bivouacked for the night.
They were rather a sorry lot of
conScripts; half in uniform and
the others wearing their worka-
day blue.
The commander had already
dropped into his customary opium
stupoT. His aide, Major Tsin, an
alert and soldiery young fellow,
saluted Temu and walked with
him among the men squatted
about their tiny fires. Few had
new and decent weapons, al
though they had brought along an
ancient cannon, but no ammnui-
ton.
Temu presented credentials to
Major TSin and spoke criSply. 81
shall take command of your men
for the time being. They are to
make forced march west to the
Mohammedan stronghold of Kiah-
yu. Well leave a guard about
your commanders tent"
The major spoke doubtfully
sTheSe men are unframed. None
of their ancestors, when called
upon to bear arms, were ever eX-
pected to march or fight at night
They'll obey me-"
Born to Command
At a second quick scrutiny oi
"A Temu'S face the major seemed
inclined to agree. There were mer
who could mould circumstances
Temu DARN was one of these
men.
The next instant the company
of Mongols and Tibetans from
the lamaSSery in cavalry forma'
ton broke from the mouth of the
canyon and came cantering across
the plain in warlike array. They
had thrown aside their religou:
robes and taken up gay banners
swords, and rifles hastily blessed
in the temple.
At sight of them the Chinese
soldiers seized their weapons anc
began to huddle Temu jumped
to a commanding position on the
cannon carriage and spoke swiftly
in Chinese.
There was no muttering, no de.
lay-only the temporary confu-
sion of a timid people Fastening
to obey the commands of one they
recognized as leader. A detach-
ment of horsemen took charge OF
the cannon. Another was detailed
to stop at the monastery for what
ever could be used as ammunition
for the weapons.
Temu gave the command and
the soldiers began their forced
march with lama outriders sur
rounding them.
Morning saw the Mohammedan
fortress surrounded by q rein.