Adventure Magazine Cover — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

‘ea The Grand Cham 4 e he was a prisoner, kept for the pleasure of the Grand Cham who is the king of this place.” Clavijo’s broad face turned toward the stately red-haired woman who was the mistress of his host. “My lady, it came to his ears in the city of the Grand Cham that all who entered the valley never got any older.. There is no time in this city of Cathay, and people do as they please. It is a most pleasant spot. Many marvels Clavijo heard there—of the cameleopard and the taurelephus that gives most rare milk. But concerning this Cla- vijo can not know the truth. The gardens and the Cathayans he saw with his own eyes. Some of the silk of the place-he had made into a doublet and this you yourselves may see——”’ Clavijo tapped his broad chest with a smile. “This is but a poor specimen. The robes of the slaves of the Grand Cham are of the sheerest gossamer, my ladies. The emeralds on his fingers are large as hens’ eggs. The perfumes of the palace are finer than the dried roses of Persia.” The women who had been listening sleep- ily until now looked up with interest. “Living unto themselves as they do, the Cathayans have no knowledge of the value of gold in the other world. It comes, Cla- vijo heard, from the mines of Ectag, some- times called the Golden Mountains. Here there be slaves who labor in the mines, and but for the grace of God Clavijo would be such a slave.” The small eyes. of Guistani Soranzi widened and he plucked at the edge of his fur robe. “Did you bring back some of the gold, Messer Clavijo?” he asked. “Alas, some I took with me when I fled from the city, but necessity compelled me to cast it away when I crossed the desert.’ Clavijo stepped back and bowed. “My es- cape was due to one of the servants of the Cham who was a Christian at heart. Other- wise, it would not have been possible to sur- mount the brazen walls.’’ “And the Grand Cham?” put in Rudolfo curiously. ‘‘What was he?” “Some called him Cham, some Khan. Perchance the two words be the same. He is like to the Emperor of the Chin, be- cause Persian and Turk and other pagan sultans render him tribute. Also, of all the 9 129 caravans that pass by the valley he takes tribute. Some say he has the powers of a potent magician, yet this must be because he has the wisdom of a hundred years.” Fal low bow. Contarini studied him with green, fathomless eyes, but the mistress of Contarini was a-quiver with eagerness and whispered to him of the gems of Cathay that might adorn her beauty. Rudolfo’s elegant figure advanced to ex- change greetings with the voyager, as did the other guests with the exception of Michael, who remained leanifig against the wall, rubbing his chin reflectively as if some- thing puzzled him greatly. He saw that Clavijo presently left the throng. Straightway Michael followed down a narrow hall that led to an alcove where a table loaded with fruits, wines and sweet- meats awaited the guests who had not yet arrived. Somewhat to Michael’s surprize the portly Spaniard dug his fingers into a fine dish— peacock pie. From the pie his hands went to his mouth. His bearded chin worked voraciously and the pie diminished apace. Michael’s hunger came upon*him anew and he joined the man on the other side of the table. “By your leave, Messer Voyager.” His left hand began to make havoc with the remnant of the pastry. Clavijo glanced at him from small black eyes, as if disturbed by the interruption. “Tt irks me to eat alone,”’ smiled Michael invitingly. “Come, good sir, I see you looked at yonder Sicilian grapes desirefully. Proceed. Consume. Your long suffering in the Orient must have given you a rare stomach for such fare. See, I join you.” The Spaniard wiped his beard with the back of his hand and with the other covertly fastened upon some. brandied figs. He seemed to have an unlimited appetite. “Verily, I see that you are a man of parts,” said Michael again. “Let me call to your notice this excellent Chian wine. A toast, Messer Clavijo—a toast.” Nh” The Soaniand nodded approvingly and poured out two cups of the fine wine. Michael, who had had enough of the food, CLAVIJO ceased his tale with a lifted his politely. “To Cathay,” he announced, bowing. “To Cathay,” responded the other heartily. cOIRIC DSBS