"A. E. Merritt - Dwellers in the mirage" - читать интересную книгу автора (Merritt A. E)

"Where do we go--and for how long?" I asked.

"To a holy man of your people," he answered. "For how long--he alone can
answer."

I felt a momentary irritation at the casualness with which I was being
disposed of. Also I wondered why he spoke of his men and his people as
mine.

"Why does he not come to me?" I asked.

"He is old," he answered. "He could not make the journey."

I looked at the troop, now standing up beside their horses. If I
refused to go, it would undoubtedly mean the wiping out of the camp if
my companions attempted, as they would, to resist my taking. Besides, I
was on fire with curiosity.

"I must speak to my comrades before I go," I said.

"If it please Dwayanu"--this time I caught the word--"to bid farewell to
his dogs, let him." There was a nicker of contempt in his eyes as he
looked at old Fairchild and the others.

Definitely I did not like what he had said, nor his manner.

"Await me here," I told him curtly, and walked over to Fairchild. I
drew him into his tent, Barr and the others of the expedition at our


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heels. I told them what was happening. Barr took my hand, and
scrutinized the ring. He whistled softly.

"Don't you know what this is?" he asked me. "It's the Kraken--that
super-wise, malignant and mythical sea-monster of the old Norsemen.
See, its tentacles are not eight but twelve. Never was it pictured with
less than ten. It symbolized the principle that is inimical to Life--not
Death precisely, more accurately annihilation. The Kraken--and here in
Mongolia!"

"See here. Chief," I spoke to Fairchild. "There's only one way you can
help me--if I need help. And that's to get back quick as you can to the
old camp. Get hold of the Mongols and send word to that chief who kept
bringing in the big wrestlers--they'll know whom I mean. Persuade or
hire him to get as many able fighting men at the camp as you can. I'll
be back, but I'll probably come back running. Outside of that, you're
all in danger. Not at the moment, maybe, but things may develop which