Khrisong ignored him. ‘Ready, brothers?’ The little band of monks prepared to shoot at the three figures on the path. Bows were drawn, spears raised in readiness. It was Travers who saved them all. Shouldering Jamie and Victoria aside, he ran straight at the little group of warriors, ignoring the danger. ‘Stop all this nonsense at once – it’s me, Travers. You know me!’
‘Perhaps it is witchcraft,’ one of them muttered. ‘The Yeti try to trick us with their magic, speaking with the voice of Travers. Better to kill, and be sure.’ He raised his spear.
Khrisong stopped him, knocking the spear aside. ‘No. It is Travers!’
Travers puffed up to him angrily. ‘Look here, what do you think you’re doing?’ he shouted.
Khrisong said, ‘I am sorry. It was a mistake. Who are these others?’
‘Couple of kids I met on the mountain. Say they’re friends of the Doctor’s.’ Travers called over to his two companions. ‘It’s all right, come down. It’s safe now.’
Jamie and Victoria ran to the Doctor. Furiously, Jamie asked Khrisong, ‘What’s going on? Why’s the Doctor tied up like that?’
‘He is a suspected criminal,’ said Khrisong sternly. ‘So too are you, if you are his friends. Seize them!’
One of the monks tried to grab Victoria. Jamie promptly knocked him down, snatching away his spear. He turned threateningly on the approaching monks. Trouble seemed inevitable. Another monk ran out from inside the Monastery. It was Thomni. ‘Wait, Khrisong,’ he called. ‘I have a message for you from the Abbot.’
Khrisong held up his hand to restrain the warriors. ‘Well?’
‘This man has brought back the sacred ghanta. We must treat him with all kindness and respect. Those are the commands of the Abbot.’
Khrisong swung round on the Doctor, ‘Why did you not tell me of this?’
The Doctor smiled. ‘Would you have listened?’
Khrisong glared at him for a moment, then nodded to one of the monks. The monk stepped forward and began cutting the Doctor’s bonds. ‘I’m sure the Abbot meant his words to apply to my friends as well,’ said the Doctor mildly. The warriors menacing Jamie and Victoria stood back. Victoria ran to the Doctor. ‘Are you all right?’ she said.
The Doctor rubbed his wrists. ‘Oh, I think so. A little stiff, perhaps. They were using me as Yeti bait, you see! But there’s no real harm done.’ Looking sternly at Travers, the Doctor continued sternly, ‘But there might have been, Mr Travers. We might all have been killed. All through that ridiculous story of yours. Isn’t it time you told the truth?’
‘What truth?’ asked Khrisong sternly.
Travers looked thoroughly abashed. ‘I’m sorry, Khrisong. I’m afraid I misled you. It couldn’t have been the Doctor who attacked me. The thing was huge – not human at all. I just wanted him safely locked up. I didn’t mean you to hurt him.’ Khrisong turned in disgust and strode back inside the Monastery.
Thomni said apologetically, ‘Doctor, the Abbot has given orders for comfortable quarters and refreshments to be prepared for you. Later, when you are rested, he would like to see you and thank you. Shall we go inside?’
The Doctor said, ‘An excellent idea. Come along, you two. You come as well, Mr Travers. You may have got us into trouble but at least you helped to get us out.’
They all went back inside the Monastery and the great bronze doors clanged to behind them.
High on the mountainside, three enormous, shaggy shapes were standing motionless near the mouth of the cave where Jamie and Victoria had been trapped. Suddenly they jerked into life. As if in obedience to a common command, they began lumbering down the path, towards the Monastery.
In the simple guest room provided by the monks, the Doctor finished a mug of scalding Tibetan tea and sighed with pleasure. ‘My thanks to your Abbot, Thomni. A truly splendid meal.’ Jamie and Victoria exchanged glances.
‘Och, yes,’ muttered Jamie. ‘It was verra nice.’
‘Yes, it was lovely,’ added Victoria.
Actually neither of them were very impressed with Tibetan food. The pile of yellow rice, covered with strange meats and vegetables, had been palatable enough, especially since they were both ravenous with hunger. But the milkless, unsweetened tea with Yak butter floating in it had been too much for them. Travers had eaten and drunk with gusto. Victoria supposed he must be used to strange foods. As for the Doctor, he seemed ready, as usual, to eat and drink anything, anywhere, with anyone.
Thomni flushed with pleasure at their praise. ‘When you have rested further the Abbot will wish to see you and thank you, Doctor.’ He bowed and withdrew. Travers poured the Doctor another mug of tea. ‘You certainly seem to be well in with the monks, Doctor.’
The Doctor smiled. ‘Well, it is my second visit, you know.’
‘I thought I was one of the first white men to reach here,’ said Travers. ‘When was your first visit?’
‘Oh, about three hundred years ago,’ replied the Doctor airily. Ignoring Travers’ astonished reaction, he went on. ‘Jamie, let’s have another look at this sphere you found in the cave.’ Jamie fished it out, and handed it over. The Doctor stared at it, lost in thought.
‘I still don’t believe those things that attacked us were my Yeti,’ said Travers argumentatively. ‘All the reports agree – the creature is shy and timid. The monks confirm it too. In the old days the Yeti were hardly ever seen.’
‘Yet all at once they’ve become bold and savage,’ said the Doctor thoughtfully. Travers nodded.
‘According to the monks they’ve been killing all sorts of people, attacking the camps of the pilgrims and merchants, just as they did mine.’
‘Maybe they don’t want people to come here any more,’ suggested Victoria.
‘They, or whoever’s controlling them,’ chimed in Jamie. They all looked at him in surprise. Jamie felt suddenly embarrassed.
‘Go on, Jamie,’ said the Doctor encouragingly. He knew that although the Scots lad was more of a fighting man than a thinker, he had a shrewd, quick mind, especially where practical problems were concerned.
‘I’ve been thinking, Doctor,’ said Jamie. ‘Yon beastie – there was something awful strange about it. What kind of an animal can get smashed over the head with a pile of rocks and scramble out as good as new? And the other one, by the TARDIS, it didna attack at all. I’m no’ sure they’re just animals at all. They’re not natural somehow.’
The Doctor sighed. ‘I’d like to see one of these things, I really would.’
As if in answer to the Doctor’s wish, Thomni rushed into the room. ‘Mr Travers, Doctor, you must come at once. The Yeti are approaching the Monastery!’
Travers, Jamie and Victoria leaped to their feet and followed Thomni from the room. Before he left, the Doctor placed the silver sphere which Jamie had given him carefully on the bed, under the pillow. Then he followed the others.
In the torch-lit courtyard, there was a scene of bustle and activity. Khrisong had every available warrior monk armed, and on duty. Some were being sent to the observation platform, others waited by the doors in case the Yeti should try to break through.
The Doctor and his little party stood on an observation platform, looking out over the walls. It was dark now, and they could just make out the bulk of the mountain as it loomed over the Monastery. The area just before the gates was lit up by blazing torches on the walls, but beyond their circle of light, it was hard to see anything at all. ‘Well, where are they?’ grumbled Travers.
‘Wait,’ said Khrisong. ‘When the moon comes from behind those clouds, you will see them. They are very close.’ As he spoke the moon began to appear. Its rays lit up the snow-covered mountain, the track leading upwards. Then they saw them. A group of shaggy forms, milling about just beyond the circle of torch-light.
‘That’s them, right enough,’ said Jamie. ‘There’s a whole gang of them now!’
Travers had a pair of battered binoculars to his eyes. His face was radiant. ‘At last,’ he was
muttering. ‘At last. Look at them! Aren’t they magnificent?’
Victoria wasn’t so enthusiastic. ‘Doctor, look,’ she whispered. ‘They’re coming nearer.’ And, indeed, the lumbering figures seemed to be edging closer and closer to the Monastery gates.
The Doctor tapped Khrisong’s shoulder. ‘Do you think they’ll attack?’ Khrisong’s face was grim.
‘I cannot tell, Doctor. We can only be ready. But they have never come so close before.’
The Doctor had taken the binoculars from a reluctant Travers and was staring eagerly at the creatures. ‘You know, Jamie, I see what you mean. There’s something about the way they move…’ He handed the binoculars back. ‘Oh, I do wish I could examine one properly. Do you think you could capture one for me?’
Jamie chuckled. ‘Oh, aye, nothing to it. Shall we wrap it up for you, Doctor?’
Khrisong looked at the Doctor in amazement. ‘We will kill them, Doctor – if we can. But why should we wish to capture one?’
‘Because if you can get me one to examine, I may be able to find out why the Yeti have suddenly become killers. I might even be able to find a way for you to defeat them.’
Jamie cleared his throat. ‘You’re really serious, Doctor? About needing one of those beasties?’
‘Very much so, Jamie.’
‘Och, well, I think I can get hold of one for you. I’ll need some equipment, Khrisong, and the help of those warriors of yours.’
Khrisong looked dubiously at Jamie. ‘You are little more than a boy…’
‘Believe me, Khrisong,’ said the Doctor firmly, ‘if Jamie says he can do it – he can do it. I’ve seen him in some very tight corners indeed.’
Khrisong turned to Jamie. ‘Well, boy, what do you need?’
‘Come on, Victoria,’ said the Doctor. ‘I think we’d better get out of the way. It’s time we paid our respects to the Abbot Songtsen.’
The Great Hall was the biggest room in the Monastery. It was filled with long tables and benches, enough to hold hundreds of monks when they gathered for food and prayer. Now only a handful of lamas were assembled.
‘Do not fear, brethren,’ Songtsen was saying, ‘I am sure that the return of the sacred ghanta means better times for us at Det-sen.’
‘Master Abbot,’ Sapan objected mildly, ‘even now the Yeti gather at our gates to attack us.’
The Abbot smiled reassuringly. ‘Have faith. Khrisong and his warriors will protect us.’
Sapan frowned. ‘Khrisong is a rash and angry man. He disobeyed me, Lord Abbot. So sure was he that the Doctor was a danger to us.’
There was a deprecating cough from the doorway. The lamas looked up to see the Doctor and Victoria standing in the doorway. ‘Me, a danger?’ said the Doctor. ‘I can assure you I’m not. In fact, I very much hope I can help you.’
The Abbot came forward, smiling. ‘You have helped us greatly already, Doctor, by returning the sacred ghanta. We owe you much.’
In the Monastery courtyard, Jamie had taken charge of things with a will. Except for a few sentries, he had all the warrior monks, and Travers too, assembling a kind of improvised net. All the available ropes in the Monastery had been woven together into a sort of tangled cat’s cradle. Khrisong looked on, half resentful and half amused, as Jamie harried the monks into doing exactly what he wanted. ‘Och, no, ye great loon. The rope goes over there, and under here. Then tie it there. And make those knots good ones. If the beastie gets loose, we shall all be for it.’
At last the work was complete. The improvised net lay spread out in the courtyard, long ropes tied to each corner. Under Jamie’s instructions, a party of monks carried the net out through the doors, and spread it on the ground just under the wall. ‘Right,’ said Jamie. ‘Off you go, the lot of you.’ The monks, all except for Thomni and Khrisong, went back inside. Jamie waited a moment then yelled, ‘Ready inside?’ He grabbed one of the long ropes attached to a corner, coiled it, and threw it over the wall. He did the same thing with the ropes at the other three corners of the improvised net. Quickly, Jamie dashed back inside the courtyard to check.
The ends of the four ropes were now dangling over the wall inside the courtyard. A couple of brawny young monks had hold of each rope. Travers was in charge of them. ‘Remember,’ said Jamie grimly, ‘when you hear me yell “Now!”, tug with all your might, and dinna let go.’ Travers nodded determinedly, Jamie grabbed a flaming torch from the wall, and went outside where Khrisong and Thomni were waiting, both armed with heavy spears.
Jamie looked at the outspread net, the ropes at each corner stretching away over the wall. ‘All we need now is a Yeti,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I’ll just awa’ and whistle one up!’
‘You are brave, stranger,’ said Thomni. ‘Our prayers go with you.’
Holding his blazing torch in front of him, Jamie set off up the mountain path towards the waiting Yeti.
All this time the little group of Yeti had stayed on the mountain, sometimes advancing, sometimes retreating, but never far away. Jamie whistled to keep his spirits up as he came closer to them. He picked the nearest Yeti, and marched boldly towards it.
The Yeti stood motionless as he approached. Just like the one outside the TARDIS, thought Jamie. Even when he was almost within touching distance, the creature didn’t move. Jamie held up his torch. The light glinted on the Yeti’s yellow fangs, and was reflected fierily in its little red eyes. Jamie summoned up all his courage, and yelled at the top of his voice, ‘Garn, ye great hairy loon. I’ll have you for a doormat, so I will!’ He thrust the flaming torchlight right under the Yeti’s nose, close enough to singe its whiskers.
With a nerve-shattering roar the Yeti came to life. A giant, hairy hand aimed a savage slash at Jamie’s head. Jamie ducked, turned, and ran back down the path at full speed. He could hear the angry howls of the Yeti as it lumbered after him.
He timed his speed carefully, letting the Yeti get as close as he could without actually being caught. He didn’t want the beast to get discouraged and give up. Soon Jamie was nearly at the Monastery gates, where Khrisong and Thomni waited, spears in hand. Now if he could only lure the creature on to the net…
Jamie was almost there, when he slipped and fell on the icy ground. The Yeti loomed over him, the great clawed hands reaching out. Jamie, the breath knocked out of him, lay helpless on the ground.
Khrisong and Thomni ran forward, thrusting at the Yeti with their spears. The creature whirled round on them, shattering Thomni’s spear at a single blow. Khrisong held it off alone, jabbing and thrusting with his spear while Thomni helped Jamie to his feet.
Khrisong fought hard, but his blows had no effect. He was forced to fall back before the attacking monster. The Yeti lumbered further and further forward. It advanced until it was standing right on the net. ‘Khrisong, get back!’ shouted Jamie. With a final spear-thrust Khrisong leaped backwards, and Jamie gave a mighty yell of ‘Now!’ at the top of his voice.
In the courtyard, Travers shouted ‘Heave!’ The warrior monks pulled hard on the ropes. The corner ropes jerked taut, and, caught in the net, the Yeti was lifted off its feet. It was slammed against the wall, then tugged higher and higher off the ground. The Yeti thrashed about frenziedly in the tangle of ropes, roaring with rage. More armed monks ran from the courtyard and began belabouring the Yeti with swords, spears and clubs. None of their blows had the slightest effect. The maddened creature still continued its thrashing and roaring. It ripped savagely at the net and, to his horror, Jamie saw some of the ropes beginning to fray and snap. To make matters worse, no one told the monks inside the courtyard to stop pulling. The entangled monster was jerked higher and higher up the wall, until it was out of reach of those attacking it from below.
‘They’ll pull it over the top and inside with them in a minute,’ thought Jamie, ‘and the beast’s alive and kicking!’
He turned to go and warn the monks in the courtyard, when suddenly he saw that it was already too late. The net was coming apart like a wet
paper bag. With the Yeti hanging almost at the top of the high wall, it flew to pieces. There was a tremendous thud as the Yeti slammed down on to the icy ground below, and lay completely still. Cautiously the ring of warrior monks approached it. Khrisong jabbed it with his spear. The Yeti didn’t stir. ‘The thing is dead,’ said Thomni.
Jamie nodded. ‘It wasna just as I’d planned it, but it’s worked out well enough. Come on. Let’s get the puir beastie inside.’
As the monks began to drag the Yeti into the courtyard, Jamie turned and looked up the mountain path. The little group of Yeti stood motionless, watching. Then, moving with one accord, they turned and shambled into the darkness.
Jamie turned and followed the monks inside. One of the warrior monks began clearing up the remains of the broken net from the place where the Yeti had fallen. As he did so, his sandalled foot came down on a little silver sphere, pressing it down further into the icy mud.
In the Great Hall, the Yeti lay stretched out on the huge central dining table. The Hall was brightly lit, for the Doctor had called for extra torches. Outside waited a hushed group of monks and lamas. At first they had all crowded round the table, eager to see the captured Yeti. But the Doctor had chased them away, saying he couldn’t work in the middle of a Rugby scrum. Only Travers, Jamie, Victoria, Khrisong and Thomni were allowed to stay.
The Doctor leaned over the prostrate Yeti. Victoria thought he looked rather like a surgeon at the operating table. She stood well at the back of the little group. She wasn’t going to get too close to the Yeti, even if it was dead. Victoria and the Doctor had come running at the news of the Yeti’s capture, and she had scolded Jamie for taking such terrible risks.
The Doctor looked up. ‘Well, I can tell you one thing. This creature isn’t flesh and blood. Look!’ He beckoned them forward and indicated a place on the massive arm. He had removed a patch of fur. Beneath it they could see the unmistakable glint of metal. ‘You were right – it’s not your Abominable Snowman after all, Travers,’ the Doctor added.
‘Then what is it, Doctor?’ Travers asked.
Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen Page 5
