The great conqueror, Jenghiz Khan, held some of his warriors always ready to ride like an arrow bbetween the farthest provinces of his empire. It was death to block their way or refuse them a change of horse.

An arrow-messenger raced through Dashan's village when Dashan was considering his chances of entering warrior training at the usual age of fourteen, and Dashan at once resolved that he would be not only a warrior but an arrow-messenger. He was small, but he was the best rider of all the boys. Now he must prove it.

First came the matter of the test of manhood for the warrior training; how could Dashan prove his manhood when his uncle kept him at home herding the young animals instead of sending him out on the steppes with the main herd like other boys? Then Dashan must train his horse for the boys' race at the summer festival—train his horse adn train himself, for the boys' race was a cross-country race over a hazardous course, a grueling test of strngth and courage and judgement.

Fast-moving adventure with a capable and determined young hero and an unusual and convincing background.

 

From the dust jacket