Burroughs, E: Land of Hidden Men

The Cambodian guide refused to proceed farther. "There are things deep in the jungle, my lord," he protested, "that no man may look upon and live." "What, for example?" demanded King. "The ghosts of my ancestors," answered the Cambodian, "--the Khmers who dwelt here in great cities ages ago. Within the dark shadows of the jungle the ruins of their cities still stand, and down the dark aisles of the forest pass the ancient kings and warriors, and little sad-faced queens on ghostly elephants. We might escape the tigers and wild elephants, but none may look upon the ghosts of the Khmers, and live." Impatient of the Cambodian's fears, Gordon King left him and set out into the jungle alone. It was not long before King actually did come upon a vast vine-grown ruin of an ancient city. He was hopelessly lost and he spent the next seven days in desperate wandering. Then one day when fever was making him dizzy, he saw far down a jungle aisle and elephant preceded and followed by marching warriors in brazen armor. NOTE: The text used in this book is the original magazine text.