"And you kept it from me?"
"Why should I tell you what I did not believe myself, and what those who told me were not at all sure of? It was only a report, and now I know for certain that Master Peter is alive."
"Certain? how?"
"Truly," and he told how the news had reached him, adding, "so now we know where to find him, when we have the opportunity."
"Ah! that settles it then, Talabor. The proper place for a good daughter is with her father. I'll go to him!"
But while Dora was thus making up her mind to ride to the camp, events had taken place which, when they came to her ears, made her hesitate again as to what she ought to do.
Meantime, until they could decide, Talabor went on strengthening the walls in every way he could think of, and rendering the steep approach more difficult.
CHAPTER XIII.
CAMP FIRES.
Dschingiz Khan had died in 1227, and by the year 1234 his son and successor, Oktai, had completed the subjugation of Northern China. Two years later he sent his nephew Batu westwards at the head of 500,000 men, and in less than six years the latter had overrun nearly one quarter of the circumference of the earth.