The bladed barrier

by Joseph Bushnell Ames

1929. Rick Stillman and Jimmy Cavanaugh are young prospectors, discouraged by a streak of bad luck, until they find a Mexican, dying from several stab wounds, who grasps a gigantic emerald. Before he dies, the Mexican whispers words about treasures - fiends - serpents - the gate of swords. Following an arduous trek through the deserts of Lower California, they find Hells Mouth in an obsidian canyon, beyond which they find themselves in an amazing hidden valley. A group of spooky hooded priests capture the boys, taking them to a lost city of an ancient Chinese civilization. This city is ruled by a cruel Chinese Mandarin, Li-Kiang, who threatens to torture and kill the boys if they do not give him the emerald. Not willing to part with the stone, Li-Kiang makes them watch a terrifying ceremony where a man is fed alive to the gigantic serpent-god of the people. With the help of another captive, Phyllis Brooks, the boys make a daring escape, passing through the terrible Gate of Swords and the bladed barrier.

393 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1929