"No," admitted the officer, "but where is this Gordon King? He has disappeared from Lodidhapura."
"I told you that he tried to rescue me," explained Fou-tan. "He followed us into the jungle. What became of him I do not know. Perhaps the Yeacks wrought a magic spell that killed him."
"Yeacks!" exclaimed the officer. "What do you mean?"
"Did you not recognise my captor as a Yeack?" asked Fou-tan. "Do you not know a Yeack when you see one?"
Exclamations arose from the soldiers gathered about them. "By the gods, it was a Yeack," said one. "Perhaps there are others about," suggested another. The men looked about them fearfully.
Fou-tan thought that she saw in their superstitious terror, which she fully shared herself, a possibility of escape. "The Yeacks will be angry with you for having taken me from one of their number," she said. "Doubtless he has gone to summon his fellows. You had best escape while you can. If you do not take me with you, they will not follow you."
"By Siva, she is right!" exclaimed a warrior.
"I am not afraid of the Yeacks," said the officer bravely; "but we have the apsaras and there is no reason why we should remain here longer. Come!" He took Fou-tan gently by the arm.
"If you take me they will follow you," she said. "You had better leave me here."
"Yes, leave her here," grumbled some of the warriors.