Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-06

q great iuttering 81 wings above, and q
moment later q long procession or the
frightful reptiles Of Pellucidar winged
slowly and majestically through the large
central opening in the roof and circled
IN stately manner about the temple.
There were several Mahnrs first, and
then at least 20 inspiring pterodactyls--
thipdars they are called within Pellucidar.
Behind these came the queen flanBed by
other thipdors as she had been when she
entered the amphitheatre mt Phutra.
Three times they wheeled about the in-
terlor of the oval chamber, 20 settle final
ly upon the damp, cold boulders that
fringe the outer edge Of the pool. In tho
centre OF one side the largest rock was
reserved for the queen, and here she took
her place surrounded by her terrible
guard.
All lay quiet for several minutes after
settling to their places. One might have
imagined them In silent prayer. The poor
slaves upon the diminutive Islands
watched the horrid creatures with wide
eyes. The men, for the most part, stood
erect and stately with folded arms, await
Ing ther doom; but the women and chill
dren chung to one another, hiding behind
the males.
Now the queen moved. She raised her
ugly head, looking about; then very slow
ly she crawled to the edge of her throne
and slid noiselessly into the water. Up
anu uoMH lne lOnB tHnk Sne swami IuID-
ing at the ends as you have seen captive
seals turn upon their backs and dive be-
low the surface.
Nearer and nearer to the islands she
came, until at last she remained at rest
before the largest, which lay directly OPP
posite her throne, Raising her hldeous
head from the water. she fixed her great
round eyes upon the slaves.
The queen fixed her gaze upon a plump
young maiden.
Her victim tried to turn away, hiding
her face In her hands and kneelIng be-
hind woman: but the reptile with un-
blinking eyes, stared on with such fXity
that l could have sworn her vision pene-
trated the woman and the girls hands,
to reach at last the very centre of her
brain.
Slowly the reptiles head commenced to
move to and fro, but the eyes never
ceased to bore toward the frightened
girl, and then the victim responded.
She turned wide, fear-haunted eyes to-
ward the Mahar queen; slowly she rose
to her feet, and then, as though dragged
by some unseen power, moved as one in
trance straight toward the reptile, her
CLASSY eyes fixed upon those of her can
tor.
To the waters edge she came, nor did
she even pause, but stepped into the shall
lows beside the little island.
On she moved toward the Mahar who
now slowly retreated as though leading
her victim on.
The water rose to the girls knees, and
still she advanced, chained by that clam
my eye.
Now the water was Mt her waist.
Now to her armpits.
Her fellows upon the island looked Oil
In horror, helpless to avert her doom In
which they saw n forecast of their own
The Mahar had sunk now till only the
long upper bill and eyes were exposed
above the surface of the water and the
girl advanced until the end of that fright
full beak was but an inch or two from her
face, her horror-filled eyes riveted upon
those OF the repulsive reptile
Now the water passed above the girls
mouth and nose. her eyes and forehead
were all that showed, yet still she walked
on after the retreating NTahar.
The queens head slowly disappeared be-
meath the surface, and after 1t went the
eyes of her victim
Only a slow ripple widened toward the
shores to mark where the two vanished.
CONTINUED TOMORROW.