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.They must be the fellows who bolted," guessed Ginger."Coming to collect their horses and their sick pal, I suppose," opined Algy."I hope they'll soon clear off.We don't want them hanging about here.Oh yes, I know they were useful on one occasion but they always seem to carry a load of trouble.Without wishing any harm I don't want them to spill it on us."They went on to the oasis where a meal of hashed corn beef and rice had been prepared.The entire party was seated round it when the Kirghiz arrived on the scene in what might best be described a disorderly rush.Flinging themselves off their horses they said something to Ritzen in a manner that was brusque, to say the least of it."What do they want?" asked Algy, who was far from pleased by their intrusion."They demand food.""Food.Tell them we're sorry but we have none to spare.We shall need every scrap of what we have.I can let them have a handful or two of rice, but that’s all we can manage."There was more talk and Ritzen went on."They say they must have much food.They are on the run.Soldiers are after them; they're going to leave the district and they have a long journey before them."To the deuce with that for a tale," expostulated Algy."Tell them they're lucky that we could let have any at all."There was another exchange of words, now in a tone that Ginger did not like.The expressions on the faces of the missionaries, who understood what was being and who had stopped eating to listen, told him the argument was taking a nasty turn.The face that Ritzen turned to Algy was serious."We shall have to give them a quantity," he said quietly.They say that if we don't give it they'll take it-and they will, too, and think nothing of it.""Why are they in such a hurry?" asked Algy."D'you believe this story about them being on the run?""Yes.It sounds reasonable to me.They say they've heard that many more soldiers have arrived in Tunhwang, and the Tiger has given orders that all Kirghiz are to be hunted down and exterminated.These fellows are making for the mountains of Turkistan.That's a long step from here.They say they must have food for the journey for there is none to be had either in this district or on the way.They say that if we will give them food they won't trouble us again.""What do you suggest?""We're really in no position to argue.My advice is, give them a fair quantity or they will murder us and take the lot.These men don't make idle threats.They mean what they say.We're in no state to oppose them.It's more than likely that if we hadn't taken care of their wounded companion they would have killed and robbed us anyway."Algy looked at the sullen faces of the barbaric tribesmen and knew that Ritzen was telling the truth.They were armed to the teeth."All right," he assented reluctantly.It went against the grain to have to submit to force, but he could see there was nothing else for it.The outlaws stood watching in silence while a quantity of rice, biscuits and cheese, was put together and handed over.This they took without a word.They then fetched their sick comrade, lifted him on his horse, and taking the Chinese horses with them, rode off."I hate parting with all that food," grumbled Algy watching them go."There was no alternative.We were lucky to get off as lightly as we have," averred Ritzen, and the others agreed."Aye, had we refused the rascals they would have killed the lot of us," declared Dr.McDougall.Father Dubron nodded in confirmation.They continued with their so rudely interrupted meal.Half an hour later, just as they had finished tidying up and were preparing to retire for the night, there was consternation when, before they could move, seven more Kirghiz came clattering up.They seemed to be in even greater hurry than the first lot."What is it this time?" asked Algy, speaking through his teeth."They demand food," translated Ritzen, shrugging his shoulders helplessly."What, again! Tell them that we have no food for ourselves, let alone any spare food to give away."The Swede complied.The information was received with scowls and maledictions.Indeed, so ugly did things look that Ginger's hand went instinctively to the pocket where he carried his gun."They say we are liars," translated Ritzen, in a hopeless sort of voice."They swear we have plenty of food for in the desert, they met friends who told them so.I'm afraid it's no use denying it.""That's what we get for giving way to that other bunch,” muttered Algy savagely."I wish I had a machine gun.I'd teach these confounded thieves a lesson.""You haven't got one so you'll have to give in," said Ritzen calmly."But we've practically nothing left.""If you refuse they'll take the lot and our lives as well," said Ritzen."I know these people better than you do and I know what I'm talking about."Nearly choking with anger and mortification Algy saw that he would have to submit.Much as he hated parting with their now meagre supply of food he realised that the Swede was telling the simple truth.With two pistols between the lot of them they were in no condition to fight seven fully armed bandits.Ginger, tight-lipped, remembered the wretched king, Ethelred the Unready, who, in buying off his enemies, only encouraged further demands.There was this about it he thought morosely.There could be no repetition of this outrage for the simple reason they had nothing left to give.Practically all the remaining food was set before the brigands, who, shouting, said it was not enough.At this, Ritzen himself got angry, and shouted back that there was no more.If they could find any more they were welcome to it.This was as near the truth as made no difference.All that remained was a small quantity of emergency rations in the deepest part of the caves.Anyway, Ritzen managed to convince the marauders, who snatched up the food and galloped away, the horses hoofs kicking dust into the faces of their victims as a final insult."If the aircraft doesn't turn up on time, now we are sunk," said Algy grimly."We've barely enough for left for one day.""Instead of crying over spilt milk I think we'd bet get ourselves to the caves in case any more of the toughs come along," said Ginger practically."There's no doubt about one thing," put in Ritzen soberly."If the Kirghiz, who are desperate fighters and not given to panic, are clearing out, it can only me that the Chinese Government troops are going to start a big operation at last to clear them out of the country.I can't imagine where they'll go because Kirghistan, their own country, has already been taken over by the Soviets, a state to which these wild men will not submit.For years they've plundered this part of Asia but now seems that the end has come.""Pity it had to happen just at this moment," return Algy dolefully."Will the troops catch up with them, do you think?"They won't need to do that.By putting a guard on the water-holes, they'll force them to leave the district —unless they prefer to die of thirst.""If they put a guard on this place it'll be just dandy,” muttered Algy."What a bedlam this is! The sooner I'm out of it the better I'll be pleased, and I shan't lose any sleep if I never see it again.Which reminds me, let's get some sleep while we can.""When we wake up to-morrow we can say, only one more day," announced Ginger cheerfully."We're still alive, anyhow, and that's something to be thankful for considering all that's happened."A general move was made towards the sleeping quarters and night settled over the strife-stricken oasis that had for centuries been a haven of rest and peace.When Ginger awoke in the morning his first feeling was one of relief that they had got through the night without any more worries piling up on them [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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