Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-31
CHAPTER VI
4 Pendent World

HNHE Mahars set me free as they had
L promised. but with strict injunctions
never to approach Phutra or any other
Mahar city. They ALSO made it perfectly
plain that they considered me a dangerous
creature, and that having wiped the slate
clean in so far as they were under obliga-
tons TO me. they now considered me fair
prey. Should | again fall into their hands,
they intimated it would go i'll with me.
They would not tell me in which direction
Hooja had set forth with Dian, so | de-
parted from Phutra filled with bitterness
against the Mahars and rage toward the
Sly One who had once again robbed me Of
my greatest treasure.
At first was minded to go directly back
to Anoroc: but upon second thought turned
my face toward Sari, as felt that some-
where in that direction Hooja would travel
his own country lying in that general di-
rectiun.
OF my journey to Sari it is only neces-
say to say that it was fraught with the
usual excitement and adventure incident to
all travel across the face of savage Pelluci-
dar. The dangers, however were greatly
reduced through the medium of my arma-
ment | often wondered how il had hap
pened that | had ever survived the first
ten years of my life within the inner world.
when. naked and primitively armed, I had
traversed great areas of her beast ridden
surface.
With the aid OF my map. which "A
Kept with great care during my march W =.
the Sagoths in search of the great seer, t..
| arrived at Sari at last. AS topped the
lofty plateau in whose rocky cliffs the
principal tribe of Sarians find their cave
homes great hue and cry arose from
those who first discovered me.
Like wasps from their nests the hairy
warriors poured from their caves. The bows
with their poison-tpped arrows which had
to fDS nd
raised against me. Swords of hammered
iron--another of my innovations-men-
aced me, as with lusty shouts the horde
charged down.
1t was critical moment Before
should be recognized ! might be dead. 1t
was evident that all semblance of inter-
tribal relationship had ceased with my CO.
ing, and that my people had reverted to
their former savage, suspicious hatred of
all strangers. My garb must have puzzled
them, too, for never before, of course, had
they seen man clothed in khaki and put
tees.
Leaning my express rife against my
body | raised both hands aloft. 1t was
the peace sign that is recognized every
where upon the surface of Pellucidar The
charging warriors paused and surveyed me.
| looked for my friend Ghak the Hairy
one, king of Sar and presently saw him
coming from a distance. All. but It was
good to see his mighty hairy form once
more A friend was Ghak--a friend well
worth the having and it had been some
time since | had seen a friend.
Shouldering his way through the throng
of warriors, the mighty chieftain advanced
toward me. There was an expression of
puzZlement upon his fine features. He
crossed the space between the warriors and
myself, halting before me.
I did not speak. I did not even smile
wanted to see If Ghak, my principal lieu
tenant, would recognize me- For some time
he stood there looking me over carefully
His eyes took in my large pith helmet, my
khaki jacket, and bandoleers of cartridges
the two revolvers swinging at my hips, the
large rifle resting against my body Still
/ stood with my hands above my head. He
examined my puttees and my strong tan
shoes-a little the worse for wear now
Then he glanced up once more to my face
AS his gaze rested there quite steadily for