The Key West citizen., 1940-11-19

reached the easier gong near the
fat bottom Of the canyon.
Then suddenly, on a curve
above a gravel slope. Temu's
horse stumbled and went over.
Temu jumped. He landed clear,
on the edge. of the bank. But his
head struck a rock and ne lay still
in a strange, unnatural position.
Lynn dismounted and ran to
his side. She turned him over,
face to the sky. A trickle of blood
ran down his temple. With shak-
ing hands she wiped It away. It
wet her handkerchief and more
came. She had no water; there
was little she could do. She stared
at Temu'S face, pale under the
weathered bronze, yet serene and
strong. almost stern, even in this
sleep of Inconsistencies. Never
had she felt more helpless.
At last with an effort she rose
and moved him into a more COM
Portable position at the edge Of
the trail. Then she walked up and
down trying to compose herself
and still the excited beating Of
her heart. Presently in panic
stricken tones she ventured to
call. No answering sound came
except a mocking echo and a
bounding slide of rocks She
picked her way down the trail
towards the level floor Of the
main gorge, calling and listening,
calling and listening. 80
Finally she fancied she heard
an answering voice. Then she
caught a single note as If metal
struck against stone. She ran far
ther along the trail until she
could hear the ring of Shod hoofs
and the jingle of accoutrements.
A band of Mongol horsemen
rounded a cliff and came into
view. They were travelling down
the canyon floor.
Lynn recognized the leader.
She caught her breath in aston
ishment.
New Plan
"CHIN PAKI" she called. He
~ heard her voice and with an
answering shout led his men up
the side trail They dismounted
and knelt in deep respect. Dick
must have sent him in search of
her.
Chin PAX" she demanded,
'who am ~.
He touched his head to the
ground and raised il. The God
deSs Tara"
"You told me once you wished
to serve the Tara"
Eyes, Missile, it IS true"
"Now think carefully and an.
swer me this: Are you loyal to
me above all men?"
above all men, Missile. Are
you not one with the gods?" He
met her eyes with genuine devo-
ton.
81 can depend on you?"
ITO the death, MiSsie."
She asked abruptly: Where is
my brother?"
He 60 to Dorchi to carry out
his plans. He say me find you and
follow him"
"And you will obey?"
IF that Is your wish, MiSSie."
Then she told him that Temu
DARN was lying on the trail
above, unconscious. HE is my
prisoner" she added. He must
not be harmed or turned over to
my brother or the Duke Of
Sachto. He belongs to me. Do you
understand"
yes, Missile, Temu DARN be-
long to the Tara"
She pointed to the water bag
hanging to his saddle. He directed
certain of the men to make camp
on the canyon floor. Then he and
one other mounted their ponies
and climbed up the trail.
When Lynn arrived at the spot,
Temu was sitting up holding his
head. The wound had stopped
bleeding. Chin PAX was offering
him a bowl of water. Temu
glanced at her and grinned
family.
This young fellow tells me I
am your prisoner"
Turn about is fair play" she
smiled How do you feel?"
"a bit groggy, that's all"
You see it doesn't work." she
Knocked him with one of his own
arguments. you can't escape
your destiny. You may evade the
Chinese riders only to get caught
by Dicks and my men. Let Chin
Palr holm Won ~ HE h1rea a-l
take you down to camp"
81 believe l can climb on a
horse by myself" He rose and
proceeded to do so. Lynn caught
the bride rein; she wasn't taking
any chances. Temu grinned again.
Chin PAX took the prisoners re-
volver and placed it in his own
belt. He led the horse down the
trail.
Lynn turned and followed the
other man who had clambered
down the slide to the place where
Temu'S horse lay dead among the
boulders. The Mongol had re-
moved the equipment and was
waiting respectfully for her on
the trail above. She noticed that
shadows were already deepening
on the ridges. Her own horse
whinnied impatiently.
Down at the camp on the floor
of the gorge she found Temu
lying on a bearskin rug in a blue
and white tent. He was looking
pale and worn, and LET down.
I've not had. enough sleep In
days" he sighed. The wound had
begun to bleed afresh. She sur
missed he had struggled to resist
his captorS. He fell asleep while
she dressed the cut. A smiling
tenderness flooded her heart.
To be continued