Adventure Magazine Cover — page 146: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

136 guessed that Severn was going to pieces in- side, breaking up fast; it was a crucial mo- ment. The wrong word, the wrong tone, and Severn would go mad, shoot himself, snap somewhere. Only such a man as Kil- . gore would have guessed this, for sees ap- peared quite steady. The Canadian—for such Kilgore really. was—snapped out an’ order and his five Sikhs went on to join their advancing fel- lows. Then he produced a cigaret and lighted it. His words came fast, but not too fast, getting swift impact on Severn’s brain. - “Qur scouts heard the firing this morning, and we came ahead. Surrounded the place, of course; if any of these chaps had gotten away, would have been bad for us. Con- founded lucky thing we’ve met you, Severn. You’re the one man I know who might solve the enigma we’re up against—the Temple of _ the Ten Dromedaries. We'll seize it, of course, but none of us are in your class, and we'd only waste the greatest opportunity an ethnologist could have. If you.could come along with us, now—oh, hello! Here are my companions in crime.” Severn looked up. Curiosity was already rising in his brain; he was steady now, in control again, and the critical instant was past. To join the two men came two oth- ers; Severn saw that there were a score of Sikhs engaged in rounding up the horses of the Mongol raiders, and all had been led by Kilgore and his two companions. Severn was introduced to Day, a huge, cheerful American, and to Sir Fandi Singh, a Rajput gentleman, bearded and swart. An odd company, he thought. And before much speech had passed among them, Sev- ern spoke his curiosity. Kilgore was hand- ing about a canteen of lukewarm water as if he were quite unaware that Severn was per- ishing of thirst. “How on earth did you fellows come to be here—with these Sikhs?” There was a general smile, and Kilgore made off-hand response. “Oh, we expect to reach the Temple of the Ten in a day or so. Let’s get out of this devilish hot bowl and back to the horses. We can talk then in some peace.” THEY walked back toward the rim by the way Kilgore had come, 3 and in silence. . Severn, safely over that tremendous shock of meeting white men in his present circumstances, was al- Adventure ready afire at thought of Kilgore’s words and their implications. Why not? Hehad heard of the Temple of the Ten Dromeda-. ries; every one in Mongolia had heard of it, a place fabulous as the palace of Kubla Khan. The tales about it would have done credit to the Arabian romancers; singing fishes, purple grass, magic and wonders in- numerable! Severn, like other men of fact, had ignored the tales, Ing them for fiction pure and simple. Day produced some chocolate and Severn ‘seized it eagerly. ‘Do you mean to say,” he demanded be- tween bites, ‘‘that this place does exist?” Kilgore gave him a sidelong glance and smiled in satisfaction. “We've been there—at least, Fandi Singh and I have. We're going back. These chaps who tried to pot you were members of the temple tribe. Their own name for the place, by the way, is Darkan.”’ At this word a singular light blazed up in the eyes of Severn. “Darkan!”’ he murmured. traordinary!”’ = Kilgore smiled again, as if he had calcu- lated the effect of this word. The four men went on in silence. At the crest of the depression they sighted the horses, waiting at a little distance. Day placed a whistle at his lips and blew a shrill blast. The horse-guards brought forward the animals, while the Sikhs began the as- cent from the basin. Severn glanced around, his eyes sparkling. “Where is your baggage train?” he de- manded. ‘Your camels and “They come to meet us at Darkan,” said Kilgore. “They are in charge of Sheng Wu, a Chinese political agent and a most effi- cient man; he has an escort of fifty Manchu horsemen. We pushed ahead for a surprize stroke. Now, we'll camp here until night; do you want to clean up first and sleep after- “By all means,” rejoined Severn. The Sikhs assembled, and Severn sahib was introduced; they were delighted at hav- ing rescued him, grinned and _jested like boys, proud of their work. The last four to arrive bore two Mongol bodies, which they laid down. Kilgore beckoned to Severn. “Here’s a surprize for you! Did you ever see Mongols like these?”’ : Severn stood over the two bodies, aston- ished. They were totally unlike the usual “That is ex- f 000) cS (E@) 3 com