'I'd never heard of the Golden Sands -- it's highly secret! Owned by the Emperor Joonkar -- whom, of course, I knew by reputation. Who hadn't heard of Joonkar? -- One of the world's great rulers, he ruled half the continent -- a great bold man.
'He loved to hunt -- sometimes on safari with full regalia -- sometimes with only a spear carrier, he hunted tiger -- truly a bold man! He did this once too often! One day he missed his throw -- his carrier panicked and ran away. Barehanded, the Emperor faced the great tiger as I came upon them!
'Now I didn't know this man nor the tiger -- but I could not wait for a formal introduction. As the tiger leaped at Joonkar --- I leaped upon the tiger. An 800-pounder like this one can snap off your head or rip you in two with his claws. If you ever meet one, dear reader, finish him off fast! I did.
'At this, Joonkar spoke up, "How dare you interfere with my sport? I could have handled him bare-handed! Do not come to me for a reward because you think you saved my life."
'"You ungrateful swine!" I returned.
'"Men do not use such words to me and live -- since you did risk your worthless skin -- thinking to help me -- I'll give you a fighting chance". He broke the heavy spear in half as though it were straw -- then drove the broken butt end into the ground. "This is my own game", he continued. "A test of strength. The loser usually dies. You dare?"
'"I do not play such games. I fight when necessary".
'He knew how to get me. "This is necessary -- or you can leave -- branded a coward!" I then had to agree.
'"Take my hand", he said, "You understand the game?"
'"Any fool can understand this!" It was simple enough -- you try to push your opponent onto the spear!
'"Go!" he shouted and the game began. He was unusually powerful -- I had to fight for my life -- I was unaware of the gathering audience.
'"Do we help you, majesty?" asked someone from the people gathered around. They were in uniform.
'Joonkar replied, "No! This is a fair contest!"
'I suddenly noticed a huge crowd gathered -- where did they come from? Even as we were locked in this deadly game -- I wondered -- Who is he? Who are they?
'Suddenly, my bold lieutenants -- Redbeard, Crusher, Sala and all, came upon the scene -- ready to aid me if needed. For a moment, the stranger almost finished me -- then I whirled -- and finished the game!
'"You had me! But you threw me the wrong way!"
'"No -- the right way. I do not play games to hurt."
'Twice he owed his life to me -- and he liked it not!
'"Who are you, masked fellow?"
'"Who are you, ingrate?"
'"He is the Emperor Joonkar!" boomed a reply from one side of the crowd. "He is the Phantom -- the Ghost Who Walks!" boomed from the other side.
'At this, both Joonkar and I split into laughter. "You are the Phantom? But you are a silly tale, a myth", Joonkar jested. "You are Joonkar, the magnificent -- ruler of half the world -- who chews iron nails for dessert?" I replied.
'Joonkar then invited me to visit his palace and also told me to ask for any boon in his power. I was curious to see his palace, so I tagged along.
'The palace was magnificent, filled with all manner of beautiful objects -- art treasures from all over the Earth. We then came upon the place where executions took place. Here the spear carrier who had deserted Joonkar on the tiger hunt was about to be beheaded. This is when I stepped up and asked Joonkar for my boon. "Spare his life", I said.
'"I offered you anything -- you ask only for the life of this coward".
'"He was not bad -- only afraid. He might be brave another time".
'"I promised you a boon. This coward's life is spared but he will leave my service".
'I told Redbeard, Colonel of Jungle Patrol, to make use of the spear carrier. He became one of us -- and, as will be seen, did well.
'How more dazzling views of Joonkar's powerful empire -- his great armies, extravagant entertainments, wild animal games, huge banquets -- all the pomp of a mighty emperor. Then he showed me his greatest treasure -- a portrait of Sheebah, his bride-to-be. We then rode off into the night for many hours to the sea.
'There, gleaming in the moonlight like a dream, I saw it for the first time -- the Golden Sands -- the House of Jade! Joonkar explained, "Golden Sands of Keela-Wee have belonged to my house for centuries. None but my family have ever seen this -- it is secret. None may approach on pain of death. The sands are almost pure gold -- a natural phenomenon. I had the Jade House built for my bride-to-be, Sheebah of Tigra. I will spend my wedding night here -- and you, Phantom, when you are wed, I invite you to do the same!"
'Hours later when we returned to the palace, Joonkar asked me to be his best man at his wedding. A few minutes later, an emissary for the Barbary Pirates entered. He told us that Queen Sheebah had been captured and held for ranson. He said, "Your Sheebah is suspended in a cage over gunpowder on one of our ships. If you move against us, sire, she will be blown to bits at once. My masters of Barbary declare the ransom shall be enough gold and jewels to fill this courtroom."
'Joonkar was crushed -- ready to pay the Barbary ransom for his Queen. The blackmail angered me. I urged delay. I asked for proof that they truly had the lady. At this, the pirate showed the necklace Joonkar had gifted her. Then I demanded that we know whether she is safe and alive. The pirate agreed to take us to a place from where we could view the ships.
'After a day's ride, we could see the Barbary Pirates at a distance from the shore. I whispered a plan to Joonkar. He was hesitant at first but I convinced him.
'"When shall my masters expect the ransom?" the pirate emissary demanded to know. "Never", I replied as I knocked him out cold with a punch.
'As night came, we started with my plan. Kali, the man I saved from beheading, a magnificent swimmer, went ahead with a floating pot of fire. On the pirate ship, there was confusion. What they saw was fire floating on water. They could not see Kali beneath the sea. They were puzzled and attracted by the floating fire, giving us, men of the Jungle Patrol and me, a chance to board the ship unnoticed. What if we were outnumbered twenty to one? Good odds against such riffraff. Helpless on shore, the mighty emperor Joonkar stared at the dark sea.
'Queen Sheebah was imprisoned in a cage on gun powder kegs with a cannon aimed at her. For a moment, however, the cannoneers left their posts to join the others staring at the mysterious floating fire. That moment was all we needed to board the pirate ship!
'"Keep them busy, Redbeard, while I go after the lady!" I gave out a command. Redbeard replied, "I would rather go after the lady -- but orders are orders, sire!"
'My lieutenants engaged the scoundrels. I raced up the mast to the caged queen who looked dazed, not knowing friend from foe. I gave her my hand but she would not come. Seated on powder kegs -- bullets flying about her -- not much time to explain! "Trust me -- I'm from Joonkar!"
'As I dove with Sheebah in my arms, toward the dark sea, a bullet hit the cage! In the dark night -- explosion at sea -- Joonkar and his army watched -- horrified. As the cage exploded, I reached the water with the terrified Queen Sheebah. I didn't stop -- I knew what was coming. Meanwhile, my lieutenants enjoyed their favourite pastime -- fighting. The swimmer, Kali, and the floating jar of fire were forgotten. He reached the powder storage room and set it ablaze from the outside.
'Another mighty explosion. This was when my men jumped off the ship. On shore, the great Emperor Joonkar sat like stone, certain his beloved Sheebah and all of us were dead. Then -- what seemed a miracle to him -- I emerged from the water and walked onto the shore with the beautiful queen in my arms. "Swallowed too much water -- but she's unhurt", I told Joonkar who had come running to us.
 © 1990 King Features Syn. |
'Queen Sheebah rescued from the Barbary Pirates, reunited with Joonkar. The pirate ship that held her captive was at the bottom of the sea.
'Emperor Joonkar presented to each of my lientenants who had fought on the ship a chest of gold. He even presented a gold chest to Kali, whom he would have beheaded for cowardice. Joonkar then thanked me and again requested to ask anything of him. "Only this, Joonkar", I replied. "Let me be best man at your wedding to Sheebah".
'So it was that I stood by Joonkar at his wedding. He and Sheebah passed the wedding night in the Jade House on the Golden Sands of Keela-Wee.
'But within one short year -- tragedy -- the beauteous Queen Sheebah died in childbirth.
'While Joonkar mourned the passing of his beautiful Sheebah, I brought my own queen to the jungle -- my bride-to-be -- Natala! The entire jungle attended our wedding! In the midst of it -- an unexpected arrival -- Joonkar!
'"You were my best man!" he exclaimed. "I've come to be yours! I brought you both a wedding present. Twice you saved my life -- then the life of my dear departed Sheebah. For this -- and I know Sheebah would have wanted it -- I give you for this wedding -- and for you and your heirs forever -- the Jade House and the Golden Sands of Keela-Wee".
'From this time on -- every Phantom brought his bride to Keela-Wee after the wedding ceremony!'