and unarmed in the savage jungles or upon the lonely plains of Pellucidar. I was fortunate, I think, to return to Phutra at all. As it was I barely escaped death within the jaws of a huge sithic. No, I am sure that I am safer in the hands of intelligent creatures such as rule Phutra. At least such would be the case in my own world, where human beings like myself rule supreme. There the higher races of man extend protection and hospitality to the stranger within their gates, and being a stranger here I naturally assumed that a like courtesy would be accorded me.” 

 The Mahar looked at me in silence for some time after I ceased speaking and the Sagoth had translated my words to his master. The creature seemed deep in thought. Presently he communicated some message to the Sagoth. The latter turned, and motioning me to follow him, left the presence of the reptile. Behind and on either side of me marched the balance of the guard. 

 “What are they going to do with me?” I asked the fellow at my right. 

 “You are to appear before the learned ones who will question you regarding this strange world from which you say you come.” 

 After a moment’s silence he turned to me again. 

 “Do you happen to know,” he asked, “what the Mahars do to slaves who lie to them?” 

 “No,” I replied, “nor does it interest me, as I have no intention of lying to the Mahars.” 

 “Then be careful that you don’t repeat the impossible tale you told Sol-to-to just now—another world, indeed, where human beings rule!” he concluded in fine scorn. 

 “But it is the truth,” I insisted. “From where else then did I come? I am not of Pellucidar. Anyone with half an eye could see that.” 

 “It is your misfortune then,” he remarked dryly, “that you may not be judged by one with but half an eye.” 

 “What will they do with me,” I asked, “if they do not have a mind to believe me?” 

 “You may be sentenced to the arena, or go to the pits to be used in research work by the learned ones,” he replied. 

 “And what will they do with me there?” I persisted. 

 “No one knows except the Mahars and those who go to the pits with them, but as the latter never return, their knowledge does them but little good. It is said that the 

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