Page:Harold Lamb--Marching Sands.djvu/302

 A murmur from a hundred throats, a muttered lament, greeted this.

"We will deliver our message," said Gray,

Timur was silent, standing beside the troubled Gur-Khan. A quick emotion of friendship for these resigned captives of Sungan swept over Gray. He turned to Gela.

"Will you do this for the Kha Rakcha?" he asked. "Will you escort us through the ranks of the Buddhist priests and the soldiers? It will not be an easy task. There will be bloodshed. But it would save the life of the Kha Rakcha."

Timur interpreted his request. The Kha Khan lifted his head proudly. He spoke rapidly, harshly, pointing to the watching warriors.

"He will do what you say," assented Timur. "The tumani will take you through the guards of Sungan. It has not been done before"

"Wu Fang Chien first broke the covenant," reminded the American.

"Aie! It will be a hard struggle. The soldiers have guns"

Gela broke in sternly. Already the light of conflict showed in his keen eyes. He issued a series of guttural commands to the tumani. The women began to press from the hall, uttering wailing laments. The young men clustered around the Kha Khan.