The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-30
TANAR OF PELLUCIDAR
By EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS rAauzs sg IS 4 e Ars

had examined. The creature was,
by far, the most repulsive Of all the
repulsiye horde.
On the floor Of the grotto, di-
rectly before this creature, were
gathered number Of male Coripios
and toward this congregation Ia
mars captors bore him.
Scarcely had they entered the
grotto when it became apparent to
Tanar that those creatures could
see, a thing that he had commenced
to suspect shortly after his capture,
for now, at sight Of him, they COM
n1enced to scream and make
strange. whistling sounds, and from
the openings Of many of the high
flung caves within the walls heads
protruded and the hideouS, eyeless
faces seemed to be bending eyes
upon him.
One cry seemed to rise above all
others as he was borne across the
grotto toward the creature sitting
in the niche. It was Flesh
Fleshl" and it sounded gruesome
and horrible.
Fleshl Yes, he knew that they
ate human flesh and it seemed now
that they were but awaiting a sig
nal to leap upon him and devour
him alive, tearing pieces from him
with heavy claws. But when one
cid rush upon him, there came a
scream from the creature in the
niche and the fellow desisted, even
as one Of his captors had turned
to defend him.
TINE cavern crossed at last, Ia
4 mar was deposited upon his feet
in front of the creature squatting
in the niche. Tanar could see the
great eyeballs revolving beneath the
pulsing skin of the protuberances,
and though he could see no eyes he
knew that he was being examined
coldly and calculatingly.
Where did you get it?" finally de-
manded the creature, addressing
Tanar's captors.
"He tumbled into the Well of
Sounding Water" replied one
How do you know?"
"He told us So"
do you believe hiIn?"
There was no other way In which
he could enter the land of the
coripics," replied one of the cap
tors.
Perhaps he was leading a party
In to slay U.s." said the creature in
the niche. GO, many Of you, and
search the corridors and the tun-
nels about the Well of Sounding
Water" Then the creature turned
to Tanar's captors. "Take this and
put it with the others; we have not
yet enough"
Tanar again was now placed upon
the back Of a Qoripi. who carried
him across the grotto and up one
Of the pathway cut into the face of
the limestone wall. Ascending this
pathway a short distance, the
creature turned int cone Of the cave
openings, and Tanar found himself
again in a narrow, dark, winding
tunnel.
AS the Coripi bore him through
the long tunnel, Tanar thought of
the statement OF the creature IN the
niche, to the effect that there were
not yet enough. What did he mean?
Enough of what? Enough .prisoners21
And when there were enough to
what purpose would they be de-
voted?
wow far the tireless Coripi bore
4 A Tanar, the Sarian could net
guess, but presently they emerged
into lighted grotto, before the
narrow entrance to which squatted
a dozen CoripioS. Within the cham
Der were a score more and one hui
man being-a man with sandy hair,
cloSe-Set eyes and a certain mean,
crafty expression Of coantenance
that repealed the Sarian immedi-
ately.
Here is another" said the Coripi
who had carried Tanar to the ca
NN444, Sh44lt W4gAl IA1ctO 4lC Qu41lkCQ U1lG
Sarian unceremoniously upon the
stone floor at the foot of the dozen
Ceripios who stood guard at the
entrance.
With teeth and claws they severed
the bonds that secured his wrists
and ankles.
'"They come slowly grumbled one
of the guards. How much longer
must we waltz"
tOld xax wishes to have the
greatest number that ever has been
collected" remarked another of the
CoripioS.
But we grow impatient" said the
first speaker. IF he makes us wait
much longer he may be one Of the
number here himself"
BE careful" cautioned one of his
fellows. IF Xax heard that you
had said such a thing as that the
number Of our prisoners would be
increased by one"
AS Tanar arose to his feet, after
his bonds were severed, he was