The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-06-11

slthic. ia did his best to dissuade me
from returning to Phutra. but when
he saw that | had determined 20 40
so he consented TO guide me to "A
point from which | could see the
plain OF Phutra.
I was sorry to part with him. for |
had come to like him very much In
deed. with his hidden city upon tho
island of Anoroc as "a base, and his
savage warriors as escort, Perry
and | could have accomplished much
in the line Of exploration. and | hoped
that were we successful In our effort
to escape we might return to AnOroc
later.
There was, however, ono great
thing to be accomplished lrst-at
least 1t was the great thing to me
tho finding OF Dian the Beautiful.
1 wanted to make amends for tho
affront I had put upon her in my tx
norance, and | wanted to. Well.
I wanted to see her again, and to DO
with her.
Down the hillside I made my way
iuto the gorgeous field of flowers. and
then across the rolling land toward
the shadowiess columns that guard
the ways to buried Phutra. At n
quarter mile from the nearest en-
trance was discovered by the Sagoth
guard, and IN an instant four OF the
gorilla men were dashing toward me.
Though they brandished their long
spears and yelled like wild COmanches
1 paid not the slightest attention to
them, walking quietly toward them
M though unaware OF their existence.
NV manner had the effect upon them
that had hoped. and MS we came
quite near together they ceased their
savage shouting.
What do you here!' shouted one
and then as he recognized me, "lio'
n IA the slave who claims to be from
another world-he who escaped when
the thae ran amuck within tho anphi-
theatre, But why do you return. hav-
Ing once made good your escape"
81 aid not escape" l replied. :"
hut ran away to avoid the thag, rs die
others. and coming into long pas
sage I became confused ana iost III!
way in the foothills beyond Phutra
only now have found my way
and you come Of your free will
hack TO Phutra!" exclaimed one o
the guardsmen.
"Where else might I go?" l aske'
ct am m stranger within Pellucldd
and know no otherwhere than Phu
ira. why should not desire to be !,
Phutra? Am l not well fed and wei
treated. Am I not happy what bet
ter lot could man desireY
The Sagoths scratched their heads
This was a new one on them. and &c
being stupid brutes they took me I
their masters who they felt woul
be better fitted to solve the riddle O
my return. for riddle they still con
80 they led mo before the slim
Mnhar, who chung to Shiny roc
within the large room that was Tn
things office.
With cold, reptilian eyes the creatur
seemed to bore through the thin venee
OF my deceit and read my limos
thoughts. II needed the story whic
; the Sagoths told of my return I
Phutra, watching the gorilla-men's lir
and fingers during the recital. Then
questioned me through one OF tn
sagoths, ,,,,,r
2 Of your own free will because you thin
) yourself better Off here than elscwher
5 DO you not know that you may he n
I next chosen to give up your life In IN
, interests of the wonderful scientific ir
vestigations that our learned ones al
r continually occupied WITH
: | hadn't heard OF anything or thf
; nature, but / thought best not to AZ
+. nit II.
3 81 could he In no more danger here
; said, than naked and unarmed in Y
3 savage jungles or upon the lionel
T. plains OF Pellucidar. | was fortunat
think. 10 return to Phutra at all. a
I, Il was, I barrel escaped death With
! the jaws OF huge sithic.
NO: ! am sure that ] am safer
! the hands OF intelligent creatures sue
. as rule Phutra. At least, such won
! be the case In my own world, wheI
human beings like myself rule suprem
"There the higher races OF man c'
4, tend protection and hospitality To II
!, stranger within their gates Being
> stranger here, ! naturally assume
a that n like courtesy would be az
, corded me-"
The Mahar looked at mo In silcnC
Q for some time after | ceased speakin
and the Sagoth had translated NJ
n words to his master. The crcatui
|. seemed deep in thought.
Z Presently she communicated son
[ message to the Sagoth. The latt,
turned and, motioning me to folio
n him, left the presence of the rcptll
:. Behind and on either side of II
marched the balance Of the guard.
d what are they going to do wit
@ you are To appear before n
7, learned ones. who will question yo
g regarding this str; ngo world fro
= which you say you come"
After moments silence ne turns
Il TO me again.
y "Do you happen to know" he aske
d "what the Mahars do TO slaves who |
r TO them"
mo" | replied: NOR does II inteI
q est me. as | have no intention Of lyn
o to the Mahars,"
p. "Then bc careful that you don't r.
u peat the impossible tale you told 50
o toto Just now. Another world, II
deed. whore human beings rulo."
z concluded In fine scorn.
d TO my surprise they returned mo
e the same building in which had bee