Another adventure tale set in Asia from the prolific H. Bedford-Jones (1887-1949) is The Seal of Genghis Khan. It originally appeared in Adventure in the June 10, 1923, issue as “The Seal of Jenghis Khan” and is a novelette. It was reprinted in 2020 by Wildside Press, and thankfully, they gave it a decent cover and a brief intro on Genghis Khan and Bedford-Jones. Strangely, while it’s on Amazon, I couldn’t find it in their website store.
The story starts in the middle, so to speak. We meet the survivors of a failed expedition in Mongolia, who had found various treasures: rare manuscripts in monastaries, exotic animals, and the like. But all are gone but three after being attacked by a series of foes: Russians, Chinese, and then Mongols. Americans David Hume and Jim Patrick, along with Namki, a Kalmuck Tartar and their guide and would-be wizard. Patrick had left for three weeks to go to Urga (Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia), and has just come back with a trio of Russians in pursuit.
There are various dangers they must face. Bands of Russians, Chinese, and Mongols are all possible threats. Russia has gone soviet, and there are Russians from both sides of that conflict; the Chinese want to prevent the Mongols from becoming a power. And the Mongols could be bandits or those fighting the rest.
Namki has told Patrick a story, and he wants to go to the place mentioned. We hear of a flat-topped mountain that a demon strikes people dead who try to ascend it. Near it is a lake named Dzu Nor that burns with fire at night. This leads to a hidden valley where a band of Russians live. In this valley is a sacred black stone with writing that only appears when it is wet, but none can translate it. This seems a sacred stone wanted by Buddhist priests. Who are these Russians living in this hidden valley? There must be a reason they are there. But there is danger as not only was Patrick pursued by a band of Russians, but there is a Prince Kaigor who is pursuing them.
Are these places real or just a tall tales? We know it’s real because Namki has been there. However, it is a Bedford-Jones tale, so there will be action and danger and adventure. There is even a girl to rescue and protect. I do wonder how much he made up, and how much is based on real stories and places.
They will go to that hidden valley and scale that mountain, despite the dangers. What will they find there and afterwards?
This is an enjoyable read, as are most from Bedford-Jones’ stories. I have no idea when Steeger Books will add this to their Bedford-Jones Library, but when they do, I hope they include it with other appropriate stories set in Asia from Adventure or other pulps, and not as a stand-alone work. Till then, check out this one.
