"Oh!" She smiled back. "Now that you are my--master, they'll let me change to my own things, won't they? I'll run back to Bassalor Danek's house." He saw that she was disturbed by the multitude, But the lines about his mouth hardened. His arm tightened about her. "You won't leave me--now," he whispered. Then he saw sudden alarm in her eyes. "We're in trouble, as usual. I'll send a woman for your clothes." He spoke lightly, trying to reassure her. "Here's Timur----" At his request, the lame chieftain curtly dispatched an attendant for Mary's garments. Timur was watching Bassalor Danek. The Gur-Khan was staring blankly before him. He was called upon to make a decision which meant much to his people. Gray also was watching the ruler of the Wusun, wondering whether the latter's pride would lead him to resist Wu Fang Chien. Then a figure pushed through the _tumani_ at the foot of the daïs. It was Gela, staggering with weariness, the blood still flowing from the cuts in his face. In spite of this he carried himself proudly, and there was a savage light in the eyes that peered at Bassalor Danek and the two white people. He pointed at Gray and growled something that the American did not understand. "He says," interpreted Timur, "that you are a brave man. That the word of Gela will not be broken. He will guard the Kha Rakcha from the Buddhists. And he will protect you who are the husband of the woman." A murmur of approval came from the ranks of the _tumani_ at the words of their leader. Bassalor Danek looked troubled. "It is well said," cried Gray. He stepped forward, holding out his hand. Gela drew himself up defiantly. It may have been that he did not understand the gesture of the white man. "Gela says," explained Timur, "that he will do this for the Kha Rakcha. Not for you." But Gray had seen his chance, and turned to Bassalor Danek. "Harken, Gur-Khan of the Wusun," he said clearly. "You must answer Wu Fang Chien. You have heard the word of Gela, who is a generous foe. Have you forgotten that your fathers and mine were once the same? Or the talisman in the shrine? By this thing, I ask a favor. It will be the last." "Speak," responded the chieftain quietly. "I have not forgotten." "The Kha Rakcha and I have come across the desert to Sungan to seek the Wusun, who are of our blood. Many died, that we should come here. And"--he recalled the words Mirai Khan had once used--"we have eaten your meat and bread. What we came for has been accomplished. Why should we stay here? Would it not be better to bring word of what we have seen to those of your blood who are across the desert?" Bassalor Danek meditated, stroking his beard. "Once I said to Wu Fang Chien and the priests, O Man-from-the-Outside, that you are my guest. So it shall be. I will not give you up."