The Key West citizen., 1940-11-13
Chapter 2e
Desert Attack

INN DlL IlET Lips aIlO lOIESO
l. herself to speak. also my
heart warns to you"
She felt a tremor in Temu's
arm, but his face was expression
less, his eyes straight ahead like
a soldier at attention. She scru-
tinized his profile with its strong
nose and chin, the lean, bronze
cheek that bore no scar.
We'll soon be in Delun," he
said through closed teeth.
She laughed and stepped away
from his side. Faithful subject
1ncorruptible to the end!" Yet, a
vague depression clutched at her
heart. He seemed SO confident that
she belonged TO the Prince.
Why, wondered her dire C
American mind. What queer. fa-
talistic twist gave him this iron
control and determination?
simultaneously they b G ca m G
aware of a dull, droning noise.
They Whirled and looked south,
searching for the noise. Temu was
the first to see the tiny bl a c K
specks in the sky.
They've come" he exclaimed.
Three bombing planesl"
The ships dipped low and cir
cled over them. All the men in the
camp were staring; Peggy had
rushed out from her tent. The
grazing horses began to mill with
the herderS trying TO circle round
them.
You knew they were comingl''
Lynn gaSped. What are tn e y
after?"
Temu watched the maneuvers
in the air for a moment longer
before he answered. They're
looking for a camel caravan
bringing in contraband arms. They
are Chinese government planes"
At that instant. the machines
rose and Strengthened out in for
nation. headed east.
It was then Temu spied the
caravan, lined up in several rows
along the edge of a hill bordering
the plain. They were Just leaving
camp for the nights march.
There must be a thousand
camels." muttered Temu, calling
for his field-glasses.
The planes had evidently
spotted their prey. They zoomed
low over the flies of loaded ami
mails. and Strengthening out
dropped their bombs at spaced in
terVals.
Bula handed Temu the glasses.
Lynn was glad she had none: she
could see enough as it was. Fire
flashed. dust spoutedl Ammuni-
ton exploded with Staccato bursts
of drumfire h drowned b e
screams Of the men and camels.
A few of the animals stampeded
and escaped. Some fell injured;
many dropped dead Others. load
ed with explosives, disappeared
into fragments of bone and skin
and mist
AS the planes rose from tn e
holocaust. the watchers noticed
that one machine Jagged behind.
1t seemed to try 10 climb. and
then made a neat landing on the
plain about a mile to the south.
Temu and certain of hi s m n
mounted the string of ponies that
stood saddled day and night be-
fore a Mongol camp and raced
down to the grounded flying ma
chine. above which two ships cir
cled like eagles watching their
babe that has failed tC fly.
The girls. left alone, looked at
each other white-faced. They felt
half stunned. Everything had hap
pened with such incredible speed.
Peggy turned and entered the tent
with faltering ste3s. Lynn would
have followed her.
Dick Returns
CUDDENLY she stopped and
- stiffened. Acricket had chirped.
Or had she heard a low whistle?
She turned toward the direction
from which the sound had come
the cliff side of the elevation on
which she stood A cautious head
rose over the rim Of the CANYON
wall. Lynn recognized her half
brother.
She could not believe her eyes.
AS she stood rooted 10 the spot
he beckoned her 10 approach In
stead Of obeying the summons she
turned and entered the tent.
Lynn spoke as casually as she
could to Peggy. who had dropped
down on her bed. 81 am going 70
stroll around bit. I'll return
later"
Lynn noted that the few men who
had not followed :'enu were busy
about the campfircs- The sentry
who always guarded her tent sat
croSs-legged beside a pile Of bag
gage eating ms supper. S h :
walked 10 I h e promontory rim
and dropped over the edge tC
Dicks side. He was trembling
with excitement; the contagior
spread to her.
Thank God. you understood
he whispered hoarsely.
What are you doing b er e?'
she demanded.
I've come to rescue you. II We
can get away from here without
being seen were safe. I've a few
men and horses hidden beyond {
curve in the canyon. Not enough
TO attack this whitehorSe trooE
but enough to take you fro n
them. Come"
He saw her hesitate. 81 alway:
intended TO rescue you, Lynn
Haven't time to explain now. VII
you Gomez"
A moments thought and she
gave him her hand.
They made breathless haste
down the difficult cliff of dull, rec
clay, and. rounding the curve II
the cany n, approached Dick:
waiting men. A band of hard-rid.