Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

256 ‘‘ All good Mohammedans,” said Monsey, complacently. “Then why are not they at sunrise prayers?” demanded Edith coldly, remem- bering the custom of the devout Moslems of Yahka Arik. ‘“ Prayers?” Monsey stared at her in some surprise. ‘‘Oh, my fellows are well enough. They are Mohammedans now, be- cause they are on a religious mission. If need be, I dare say they could be Jainists or other things—anything but Sayaks, sun- worshipers. Every Mohammedan hates a Sayak. Now, look there.” Below the wall on the side away from the cliff Edith could see that the moat had been dug out to a greater depth. In it was a tangle of dead tree branches, with many pointed stakes uprising from the ground. ~“ A Jesson of the war,” laughed the Rus- sian. “‘ Openings in the wall command that cursed ditch. My men could dig there with- out being seen because it is below the level of the surrounding ground. Oh, they made a good job of it—after one or two of the lazy Tartars had the soles of their feet touched up a bit by Abbas. Now’ why don’t you ask how they got here?” Edith was silent. “ Well,” he wend on, pleased with his own cleverness, “‘ you'll notice these nzllahs to the south. They lead, in a roundabout fashion, to Kashgar, I brought in my fel- lows, fifty or so at a time, at night. No one saw them. Only a dozen riders have been seen by.the Sayak devils.” As a matter of fact, the wooded ravines running between the heights that led to the great southern peaks of the Himalayas might have afforded shelter to many times that number. To the west, facing the pre- pared trench, was a level plain of some size, rocky at the further end, and leading to broken, rolling woodland, beyond which lay Yahka Arik. At a distance, on all sides, were the mountains. | ; Nothing could be seen from here of Yahka Arik, the village, fields, or lake. Edith fancied as the sun topped the peaks behind them, that she could recognize the snow summit of Mus-tagh-ata standing against the dawn in the direCtion of Kash- gar, across the river’s gorge. THE ARGOSY. “You see, I’ve studied the defenses of this place, my lady,” grinned the Russian. “Tve been here before, and by. the beard of Allah and Satan’s hoof, I didn’t want to come here again without a bodyguard.” At that, Edith drew a quick breath, re- calling the tale of Iskander. So Monsey had been the Russian who raided Yahka Arik! But her companion saw no reason for further concealment. “You don’t understand it all yet, my American.” He paused, at a sound from below, and went on in an altered tone: “You were necessary to our plans. The Sayaks will follow you because you know the secret of their mosque. Abbas and I know that, too, and when the Sayaks realize we're here, they will fall the more easily ®into our trap, the Abbas and.I will settle the reckoning with our enemies. Oh, I know those fanatics: their fighting men will, attack this castle like mad dogs, thinking only a score of men are here. Then they will find themselves ‘in a pretty mess.” I wonder why they haven’t tried it BUTEA. My outposts haven’t seen anything.” Three or four scattered groups were sta- tioned on knolls in the plateau. Monsey waved his hand at them, and Abbas grinned. ‘“ Now you understand, my lady. When _we have killed off the armed men of those brigands wé’ll move against the valley. And there won’t be so many to kill, at that. Besides some Arabs and a handful of Afghans, those Sayaks are not much use in a fight. They do not number a’ hundred able-bodied wha Then we will: take care of the mosque.” Abbas stretched powerful arms. “Spoil,” he grunted, “ gold—ev’ryt’ing, by Allah. Mail barlik!” “T thought,” Edith faced Monsey, “ you came to Yahka Arik because my father sent you to rescue me.” Monsey scowled, then shrugged. “Why keep up the appearance, made- moiselle? 1 must have something to pay my men—” ‘“* And yourself! 1 He “This merchant needs “Ves,” the said softly, “ myself.” nodded at Abbas. new goods—”’ 7 Arcosy Co DOOLK AMG ¢ C@