'Oh, Yellow-beard, where are you,
Yellow-beard?' he went on, mimicking his wife's voice. 'Come back and
let me melt your ice, Yellow-beard.'"
Again he laughed; then said suddenly--"When can you be ready?"
"In half an hour," I answered.
"Good. Go to your chambers and prepare. I will join you there
presently."
So we went.
CHAPTER XI
THE HUNT AND THE KILL
We reached our rooms, meeting no one in the passages, and there made
our preparations. First we changed our festal robes for those warmer
garments in which we had travelled to the city of Kaloon. Then we ate
and drank what we could of the victuals which stood in the antechamber,
not knowing when we should find more food, and filled two satchels such
as these people sling about their shoulders, with the remains of the
meat and liquor and a few necessaries. Also we strapped our big hunting
knives about our middles and armed ourselves with short spears that were
made for the stabbing of game.
"Perhaps he has laid a plot to murder us, and we may as well defend
ourselves while we can," suggested Leo.
I nodded, for the echoes of the Khan's last laugh still rang in my ears.
It was a very evil laugh.
"Likely enough," I said. "I do not trust that insane brute. Still, he
wishes to be rid of us."
"Yes, but as he said, live men may return, whereas the dead do not.
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