A Random "Out Of Time's Abyss" Cutup

At a word from the Wieroo of the yellow slashing who evidently was a pacific and the unique honeymoon which, had it not been for stern duty often I have heard them speak of it--a corridor that runs beside the allies there were only Tippet and James to be mourned, and no one until its head towered a full twenty-five feet above the ground. From whispered.

Olson and Brady were not long in acting upon the suggestion. They had ground, and yet his cap lay well toward the center of it.

Mainland--that is all. It is the price of your lives. Do you agree?" Bosh!" exclaimed Bradley, and then: "But you were going to knife him roots and down he went, his rifle flying from his hand and falling you the strange creature that Fosh-bal-soj captured and brought thither past two days to have brought them to a point almost directly north of fastened against the hides were many pairs of Wieroo wings, mounted so higher form, just as the frog's egg develops through various stages the appearance of having been a veritable shambles. An odor of their mouths. At the other end of the skewer was fastened a small bradley looked in the direction her slim forefinger indicated. He that take the fight out of a man in quick time.

Been visible; and so they did what they had learned by long experience motion of his great wings, he launched himself upon the red-robed quickly he hunted about the room until he found what he sought--a you up into the shaft, jerk once. Don't be afraid--it is the only way." James, Brady and Sinclair were at his heels, each with his rifle in among the hideous inhabitants of the City of Human Skulls. For a chin to the brain. So quickly was the thing done and so quick the might have given him safety and turn back in the direction of the bear. Men scattered for the various trees they had selected--all except him for its own, and that he was as good as dead, nor could any amount apparition swooped down upon the Englishman.

He judged that they were human, and being human, he knew that they bearing him to the floor. Instantly a dozen more were piling on top of "They have heard of the killing of Him Who Speaks for Luata," whispered and the almost equally unthinkable trials of its effort to survive asleep. Bradley shook him--there was no response. He stooped lower their acts are regulated by ages of custom--they are all alike--and her in his arms, swept over him, and then there flashed upon the screen decorative skulls became more and more numerous. Many of the latter but to such sights and sounds as these the five men had become callous. "If I was after bein' the king," said Olson, "I'd pin the V.C. on your and that was to lower himself into the stream. For only an instant he them outside the fort, capturing them that they might be used to assist ground, and yet his cap lay well toward the center of it.

One edge of the door was formed of a straight, round pole about two rescue, it desisted, flapping rapidly upward and away, its long, ragged slipping his fingers to the barrel he raised the weapon and struck toward the dark, distant line that meant for him comparative freedom after eyeing Bradley for a moment the thing approached him. "Where arrows cannot miss them; but when they hurl theirs at our warriors, if soft grasses. She cured the hides of the animals he killed and made seemed to consist of a combination of meat, fruits, vegetables, small you behemoth of Holy Writ!" he cried. "Come on, you duffer! Can't or sympathy; but their very cruelty and wickedness kept them from flapping far overhead. Two more stood near a door a few yards distant. To the floor of the room, the curved blade slipping from nerveless figure. The latter dodged the first charge, drew a wicked-looking with his feet, closed the panel behind him, and started downward into an almost inaudible voice. "Holy Mother protect us--it's a banshee!" Passed through during the unthinkable eons since life first moved upon her quickly behind a clump of bushes.

Several yards away. Instantly Bradley's piece was at his shoulder, "You don't know my jailer," replied Billings, "or you'd not be so sure. Constant dread of being assassinated. The fact that he permitted none connecting links between the two extremes with which he, had come in with her back against a column which rose from the center of the were visited by the weird, nocturnal apparition that had already filled evolution outside the womb as develops our own young within; but in she drew away. "I already have a brother," she said, "and I do not higher form, just as the frog's egg develops through various stages which the door swung. An eccentric disk upon the inside face of the waiting for what was next to transpire, he looked about him at the over every square inch of that area with the tips of his fingers. Near within Fort Dinosaur. A moment later three men issued from the and vanished behind the hides that had hidden the girl.

Looked again at the smooth, worn pavement, and a rueful grin crossed shut off his line of vision at about twenty feet. Slipping out, he "I am not afraid," replied the girl, rather haughtily Bradley thought, for An-Tak.

It was horrible. Bradley shuddered. For a long time each sat in creature and with a heavy blow to the jaw felled it.

"Hell Creek's in Montana," said Sinclair. "I used to punch cows in stage they became fishes or reptiles, An-Tak was not positive which, england." The Wieroo showed evidences of consternation as it seized the Englishman lowered himself to the floor of the room and approached fingers released their hold, and the creature sank limply to the floor ankles and rolled him over the edge of the opening. All was dark below at thy command."

Hurried story of the eleven eventful days since they had set out upon but possibly once a man like himself who had been cast into this pit of permitting Bradley to pass out onto another roof on a level lower than connecting links between the two extremes with which he, had come in shape, one side curving outward, another being indented by what might fell upon the little party.

All intent and purpose genuine Wieroos. Besides his pistol Bradley carries a sharp blade, and I carry this weapon that you know kills died. Oh, Luata, if he had lived but a moment more!"

It was, until we came in search of Bowen J. Tyler, Jr.," replied "But how can he smile?" questioned the girl, a half-puzzled,

Speaks for Luata has said what shall be done with it. It is one of countless forms that inhabit the deeps of Caprona's frightful sea. Carry me and the girl I saw in the place of the yellow door near to room stored with food in wooden vessels. A grated window in one wall last regained sufficient composure to tell them how the thing must have break for liberty had attracted its attention; and after Tippet it no longer endure the brutality of the U-boat commander.

"This jaal-lu," cried the offended one, "has threatened me. Take its "Now approach!" A great plan--the only plan--had suddenly come to him which they wear robes with a slash of some color--I think yellow comes saw the other's danger, he too stopped and wheeling about sent a bullet the appearance of having been a veritable shambles. An odor of reached for his pistol. It was with difficulty that he drew it from description of traffic congestion at the Rush Street bridge during the better would it have been had he given in to the insistent demand of all, just to get poor Tippet. If it had of been a lion or something the back of von Schoenvorts' head."

Until it was entirely hidden from sight; but now how was he to make best of it. We have escaped from death for a time at least. We have turning quickly he saw that the thing was what he had immediately "Come! Come!" snapped Bradley. "Won't do. Won't do at all. Get to the morrow they would make the final stretch, yet the nerves of each lizards and the rats and the constant waiting for death."

When, as in one of the doors he had seen, contiguous patches were precaution against possible danger, permitted no gloomy forebodings to it was after bein' then."

Turned in flight toward a nearby tree. The other men, now safely co-Tan.

Silence there was born upon Bradley's ears a faint, monotonous sound as one another, so that no Wieroo trusted another.

Over on the prairie near Brighton--her throat was cut from ear to ear, "There were two reasons," replied Bradley. "You told me that there are that?" she whispered. "What strange reptile is it?"

The diminution in reptilian life was the most noticeable change in the terror. Bradley held the light far into the opening before him and in strength enough for this in its mad efforts to eat. Mumbling as it anything from a bundle of rags to a dead body.

And on it, in a fine hand, written compactly, were many strange cried out a warning, it came too late for him to avoid a large Wieroo ran in baffling turns and twists, nor ever reached a destination, with a scream as he rushed upon the girl.

Climbing, for he was soaked from head to foot, cold and almost went, bowling over small trees, uprooting underbrush and leaving a wake creature.

Else humanlike it wouldn't look so strange; but this here thing ain't "He is my man," replied Co-Tan simply.

Nowhere about them could Bradley see signs of other Wieroos, nor of the creature addressed turned and slipped through the doorway, closing about it."

Tan are splendid men and they will think me an ingrate; but I can't that he might discover some easier way out of the city than that bradley's head was whirling before he even commenced to grasp the firing until he stood within a foot of the brute, which lay almost as the body disappeared, the Wieroo turned and cast about the room for search for Miss La Rue and Mr. Tyler. I say a sad duty because we know "Come!" said the Englishman. "We've got to get out of here. If you the pedestal upon which it rested. The font was of stone worn smooth the well through which the ladder rose continually canted at an angle as the door toward which they were advancing opened and a dozen others the foot of a plateau when Whitely called attention to a score of sought to grasp the other by the wrist of its knife-hand and by the picture of skeleton in magazine. There's one in New York Natural am avenged and Schwerke is avenged, so you can kill me if you wish. Their rifles cool, yet even in the brief time they had dwelt upon announced. "Get water. Hurry!" Then he loosened Tippet's shirt at controlled, and here the U-33 still lies while those who passed so many laughing and chatting like soldiers on a summer hike.

Displayed little of the cowardice of those that had attacked Bradley in loud and boisterous. "No," shouted one, "you will not harm us, for we the girl to accompany him to another Wieroo city. "Come with me," he quite evidently impossible to follow the bed of the river and ascend hand-to-hand encounter, Plesser and Hindle standing aside from the upon the platform. The creature carried a large wooden basin filled securely from behind and aiming a pistol at them over his shoulder. Following the Englishman's entry it made a few characters of its own. There seemed a dismal note in even the gayest of tunes.

Lower altitude as though to assure itself that what it saw was a man. Provision the ship and the refining of the crude oil they had "Stuff and nonsense," snapped Bradley. "Did you get a good look at it?" Hand came suddenly in contact with a slimy thing clinging to the looked at the girl, and it was as though in the days that they had been each, as though they had been constructed to catch rain-water and rifle with bayonet fixed, that he had snatched from the side of Dietz's toward the hides to see what had become of the girl, and, to his he asked.

Neither harm nor detain us, nor will we have to fire a shot at them." of the pool which they had wished to avoid.

You're mussing up the floor something awful, you." This last to the jerks upon the rope. If there is danger there and you want me to draw for how long a period of time Bradley could not even guess. Everything below came the sound of some one ascending.

Walking close behind and that I will shoot the nearer one should either rifle with bayonet fixed, that he had snatched from the side of Dietz's house.

And all but mad he was as with a final effort backed by almost maniacal wide-eyed girl standing flattened against the opposite wall, an it crawled toward Bradley. "Food! Food!" it screamed. "There is a wall. It was nearer him.

Ready to defend himself stretched forth his right hand to push away the level land. Here they stopped, for here also the stream ended. They planning, though almost hopelessly, such an attempt.

Bad; but the rats are foul to taste. However, I must eat them or they accompanied him he called her by name. "Ajor," he said, "permit me to possible before they get me. Good-bye! You're a mighty decent little skinny legs and the further fact that the thing wore but the single wild schemes of escape, it opened and a white robed Wieroo stepped out speaks for Luata," he said, "that Fosh-bal-soj we could not find; but stood the frightful mountain of blood-mad flesh and bone and sinew that bradley shrugged. "Here I am," he said; "but the thing now is to get bradley's suggestion they decided to remain hidden here until after his bayonet, fearing to fire his piece lest he kill some of his for the doorway. He had covered half the distance when he heard the the Wieroo bearing Bradley passed over one corner of the open space what he heard them say was to the effect that having covered half the announced. "Get water. Hurry!" Then he loosened Tippet's shirt at sound came from within, and gently Bradley pushed open the door. All as he had imagined from the noise of the running water.

Opening in its face. Bradley knew it for what it was. Here the the little dots in the foreground became grazing herds of deer and through the weave of the cloth he could distinguish large objects. He suddenly an inspiration and a bold scheme leaped to his mind. Turning schoenvorts walked in the rear of the column, encouraging Schwartz and creatures dropping slowly in ever-lessening spirals toward their little occasional shot from the gun. Often the vessel was brought to a stop, grasses starred with myriad gorgeous blooms, now across open

The sounds of commotion, now pierced by occasional shrill screams. Foundation wall. From the large saucer-shaped roof and the vivid "You struck me," shrieked Plesser. "Once, twice, three times, you and the almost equally unthinkable trials of its effort to survive necks as though offering them to the sharp swords of the grim and in the dark--they resemble dull splotches of light. They glow, but do the girl. "Soon they will spread in all directions searching for us." and grasped her wrist.

Sought sleep early, nor, once disposed upon the ground for slumber, sinclair, Wilson, and Whitely.

Discovered why he had seen no babes or children among the Caspakian for five minutes Bradley watched, and then he determined to board the all the strange and wonderful things of which my Tom tells me!" Then they turned toward James, who lay face downward upon the ground, "I couldn't help it, sir," said Sinclair. "Lord, it would take an iron was best to do. Each covered a front leg, and as the tail snapped caught me. How he must have grieved for me! He also was cos-ata-lu, no ghost; rather just another of the strange forms of life which we to and fro flew Wieroos, going to and from the temple. Others passed von Schoenvorts wheeled about and seized Bradley's pistol arm with both as these thoughts flashed through his mind, the Wieroo held out a pen them of the presence of flesh, killed and ready for the eating. Even if she did not understand all he said, she at least read something the peace and security of their sanctuary forever. Bradley was just creatures dropping slowly in ever-lessening spirals toward their little don't know a better way than the river, it's the river then." Wonder who was to settle for his meal. As he waited for the proprietor latter was absolutely astounded to discover so wondrous a creature suppose, an all blue robe. I have never seen such a one."

Evolution. From the egg, then, the individual developed slowly into a bear turned again in his direction. Bradley shouted loudly. "Come on, accustomed to the gloom that was partially relieved by the soft pedestal of Oo-oh."

Tinged with sorrow by recollection of the two members of his party who they were large men with features closely resembling those of the required two days by fresh and untired men. Within hailing distance from?" it asked.

Meadow-land and great park-like areas where countless herbivorous with hideous persistence the thing fastened itself upon him. The weak low greeting.

Out!" until Bradley thought those two expressions alone would drive him rat leaped from beneath the coverings and scurried away. "Poor devil!" alone--go and get him!"

With long w'ite 'ands it clawed for me. Oh, Gord! Hit almost caught preparing the evening meal. It was while they were thus engaged that to leave behind.

Caught me. How he must have grieved for me! He also was cos-ata-lu, another, sometimes standing alone in an open court-way, but usually turned in flight toward a nearby tree. The other men, now safely scale of evolution. The Wieroo developed the first cos-ata-lu but they dated doubtlessly back into remote ages, far beyond what the outer today you go to his temple--" the Wieroo used a phrase meaning first law of nature, rolled the inanimate body over the edge into the live either upon land or in the water and these only close to the the body float downward toward the temple. With great care he draped every living thing in his part of the world.

Of Bradley's end, for though neither had witnessed the tragedy, both billings heard and speaking in English, asked Ajor if she would go. Best of it. We have escaped from death for a time at least. We have "Gawd!" he almost screamed. "What is it?"

Overcome by weight of numbers and relieved of possession of what he which is always loath to accept aught beyond its own little experience, and ran toward her, fairly screaming for joy.

Bradley was the first to speak. "Shouldn't have fired, Sinclair," he right, and beyond, a mighty mammoth culled the tender shoots from a disappeared and silence reigned, broken only by the breathing of the shelf.

He looked down into her face for a moment and then: "Who was An-Tak?" Ability to overwhelm these two fugitives, and with the fullest measure race to the four corners of the earth. What new mysteries lay hidden he was quite close to the girl when she replied by striking him in the and ancient trees and of a proud old man with beetling brows--an old without. Its post was immediately taken by another and Bradley now saw the Wieroo had seated him at a pedestal by himself, and as he sat apprehension, awaiting the moment when the hunters would come for them; Junction of the neck and torso and with such force as to completely eyes. Then his gaze fell upon Bradley. The thin lips drew back had been incarcerated there. Again and again Bradley went over the late in the second day, after running through swarms of hideous room stored with food in wooden vessels. A grated window in one wall severed while still I live and my head will be severed and I shall be boldness of his plan; then he directed her to adjust the other pair of denizens of Caspak.

"Many months have passed since I knew what was going on among my of home after a long absence. Then the Wieroos dropped swiftly figure. The latter dodged the first charge, drew a wicked-looking "But how have you lived, then?"

Pistol jerked from its holster. He gave a cry of fright and warning, sought the man's bare throat.

It crawled toward Bradley. "Food! Food!" it screamed. "There is a girl. I wish that I might have helped you."

That I am supposed now to be in the temple; but you could go elsewhere tell him that she would go to the end of the world with him if he would its body was covered with plates of thick skin which bore a striking in the meantime the girl moved about the room, keeping out of the way was hemmed in by the jungle on one side and the water on the other, again, my friends must be near this spot--it cannot be over two marches both men knew this signal only too well--the immediate forerunner of a "Now bear him to the Blue Place of Seven Skulls," directed the chief midst of their conversation the yellow door swung open and a Wieroo the floor. It was hinged at the bottom, and when lowered the outer that they resembled long, black shields. Upon the ceiling were painted slain him on the spot had not one clothed all in red held them back, if you be cos-ata-lu."

He put his hand on her shoulder. "I would not do that, little girl," Wieroo who was attacking the girl leaped to his feet and faced the articulated it might have been expressed otherwise, albeit more yellow teeth in a perpetual grimace. Upon either side of it lay an yellow teeth in a perpetual grimace. Upon either side of it lay an the pedestal upon which it rested. The font was of stone worn smooth reptiles, they submerged at the point where the river entered beneath the skulls and the wings. Come, let us sleep."

Glaring at this profaning alien who dared intrude upon the waters of the party. Even Bradley felt depressed, though for the sake of the cliffs were scalable.

Though he advanced very slowly, he tried always to take steps of about day and another and much larger edifice near the center of the city. Become the tongue of Luata. It is well for us, since it keeps them too the girl shook her head and edged away from the man--toward the door. Unsmiling.

"Now go out into the clearing," said Bradley, "and remember that I am the weapon, and he could not afford to chance wasting ammunition on again, my friends must be near this spot--it cannot be over two marches they all were familiar with.

Turned to the right and in a few steps found a narrow passageway "And you?" asked the girl.

The round tower of human skulls that Bradley had noted earlier in the overtook the harassed men toward morning; nor was there any return of occasional shot from the gun. Often the vessel was brought to a stop, of the repast into which all four of the occupants of each table dipped was difficult work raising him to the high perch and dragging him the body float downward toward the temple. With great care he draped below he glimpsed momentarily the second white-robed figure; then the anything from a bundle of rags to a dead body.

The following forenoon the party reached the base of the barrier cliffs couples, their bonds now duly solemnized by the master of the ship, completing the whole circle--that is from a Galu egg, back to a fully question. He would know from whence you came and why; but principally breakfastless and with shaken nerves the two survivors plunged madly allies there were only Tippet and James to be mourned, and no one all species of animals became, though it was still present in what almost immediately after he had taken his bearings Bradley commenced "This jaal-lu," cried the offended one, "has threatened me. Take its began a hurried descent toward the river. An instant later he stood "Are you cos-ata-lu?" demanded the Wieroo.

Tribes with which he had come in contact; why each more northerly tribe required to avoid the many snakes of various degrees of repulsiveness "We are just below the place of the yellow door," she said. "It is far and some not until they reached the great inland sea. In the next the trees, he could see a party of men coming down toward the shore. Another in a lazy procession of hot, humid days and warm, humid nights. Yacht as no one there had ever dreamed might be possible. Of the of the panel and pulled toward him, steadily but with considerable the cliffs beside one of the numerous cool springs that are to be found am Tom Billings of Santa Monica, California," he said. "I know all "I should be over there with my men," he replied. "I do not know what as Bradley entered, some of the Wieroos espied him, and a dismal wail ammunition, really."

Could not have descended more than fifty feet. The bottom of the bradley tiptoed to the door and peered cautiously into the well; then and I will go meet them."

Hither and thither within the temple. Many now were the solid red looked upon the Wieroo almost as supernatural beings. "There is a upraised hand. "We are friends," he called in the tongue of Ahm, the still growling menacingly. He was exposed to the shoulders now. See the huge head and the massive jaws from which protruded the limp they discard it for a white robe with a red slash; and when one wins a the doorkeeper was gone but for a moment, and when he returned, he "It is still there," replied, the girl. "I saw it placed in a chest long since adopted the policy of slaying all those among them whose bradley possessed knowledge of a written language of his own, for shaft into an all blue room adjoining, where they sat down together in pinnacle of man's evolution?

Wieroos only cos-ata-lu--in other words all Wieroos are born male, and his return in the gloom of the Place of Seven Skulls.

"Soon the Galus and the lesser races of men came to hate and fear them. Any relationship to those low orders of men, nor was she appareled as he sensed without recognizing.

Corner; but the man lay beneath them, he made no response to Bradley's firing as he ran, Tippet raced after the great cave bear--the monstrous aught to surprise him, though surprised he was for the face in the though still growling most fearsomely. Tippet never stopped running or coast. Requiring meat for food the Wieroos carried to the island such the leader came another hatchet-man, and with the report of Sinclair's for several minutes after An-Tak ceased speaking, his voice having hit was a-goin' for to carry me horf, sir."

Bradley now realized the strategy that the pair had used to capture him rue, nor of the perfidy of the Germans in shelling the fort and it--they did not even mention it--yet all day long the thing was for three days the party marched due south through forests and every step. He had promised to return for An-Tak if it proved humanly see the huge head and the massive jaws from which protruded the limp recognized it as the temple past which he had been borne to the Blue inevitable and quickly over.

Tippet took one look at the monster and bolted for the nearest tree; Them appearing to recall that he grasped a loaded rifle in his hands. Upon his antagonist's throat. Presently he succeeded in tripping the when he awoke, it was broad daylight, and the sight that met his eyes a soft hide fell from her left shoulder to just below her left hip on should soon know definitely he was positive.

Backward glance the Englishman, clinging firmly to the ladder with both authors of this new and frightful noise that killed warriors at a great just then it occurred to Brady to fire and he, too, opened upon the through unscathed and with the minimum of delay.

Busy to give the time for searching for us. They think that we cannot early hours of the morning after his arrival.

Beasts that are so numerous upon the mainland of Caprona, the girl have been well-nigh an impossible feat. Brady stepped close in and quickly to where Tippet lay sprawled upon his face. By this time the farther he advanced now, the lighter it became. The number of around our heads in a minute, and neither of us will escape. Be quiet, is the thing of which you told me," she exclaimed, "--the thing that new terror settled upon Dinosaur.

Half-smile played across his lips but his cold, gray eyes were was well into his third song before anyone joined him, and even then alcoved by three sides of an octagon, while the fourth was serpentine the starving Galu. An-Tak seized upon it and devoured it ravenously. Wheeled toward Bradley. "Here I am," he said. "Do with me as you "England," replied Bradley, as briefly.

Tell him that she would go to the end of the world with him if he would moment he stood thus, running his fingers through his hair; then he dismal wail that Bradley had heard so often in the past--it was like a he told her briefly who and what he was, though he doubted if she stood the frightful mountain of blood-mad flesh and bone and sinew that bradley; but already it seemed too late.

Every creature of Caspak, for no one wanted their tas-ad, and so they know how to write, you poor, low creature; but you can make your mark." Was about her manner and her expression just a trace of wistfulness, river. At the mouth of the river await many large reptiles. Thus do that the Englishman was taken completely off his guard. When he arose, a wail. It was then that Tippet appeared to come out of his trance, that had marked their intercourse before, even in the face of blighting

That upon which they had landed earlier in the morning. By daylight the German's corpse had toppled to the ground.

The latter owing to the long and precarious stages of development. Alcoved by three sides of an octagon, while the fourth was serpentine sullenly the Wieroos acquiesced. Bradley examined the knots that held waste ammunition. Won't last forever. Follow me." And he set off at and the almost equally unthinkable trials of its effort to survive "This reminds me of South Clark Street," remarked Brady, who had once forgot, he lies in a lonely grave marked by a rough headstone. In his smiling countenance--something which reassured her. "I do not and on the following day William James was killed by a saber-tooth those dismally flapping wings lessening in the distance until they here and there upon the walls. A striking feature of the decorations if you be cos-ata-lu."

They might expect to come upon a stagnant pool of warm water if they wieroo; and Bradley did as he was bid. As he approached the creature co-Tan." And he bent still lower yet from his height and kissed her wings. The chamber was as irregularly shaped as the other and had but or sympathy; but their very cruelty and wickedness kept them from interpose and in a low voice asked her if there was no way by which he was bearing down with the speed of an express train upon the seemingly dismal wail that Bradley had heard so often in the past--it was like a blue building surmounted by seven poles bearing seven skulls. This chance on earth that it would not discover what he was.

And the bear did charge. Like a bolt of lightning he flashed down upon were other horses too; but all were small, the largest being not above each was occupied with his own duties; but each worked in silence and trembling as with ague. For a time he could not even speak, but at like a maniac, sought to exterminate the Englische schweinhunde with rather all in, himself, more so than he had at any time since he had adam," he thought, and then he crossed and entered the building through sometimes the columns were at one corner of the roof, sometimes at forests, prove to be of no considerable extent.

Same in which Bradley had first met the girl. To find the pistol was a ravenous creatures of the deep.

If it turned toward him there was none at all. Bradley held his breath. Climbed fully fifty feet from the river level. Here he discovered a but they continued on their fruitless quest, and the third day, after presently the Englishman leaped to his feet--freer than he had ever they plodded on until darkness overtook them. With comparative safety among the hideous inhabitants of the City of Human Skulls. For a food! There is a way out!" The pitiful supplication in the tones rifle and bayonet, he met the bull-rush of the Hun with the cold, cruel necks as though offering them to the sharp swords of the grim and letting a faint light into the well. As he paused, the girl climbed to from Caspak."

Finished him with a shot in the base of the brain lest his terrific blue-and-white chest encircled her arms and legs, while a golden fillet marched northwest from Fort Dinosaur, now waist-deep in lush, jungle about you, and I'm mighty glad to find you alive."

Line of warriors approached. When they had come within some fifty for five minutes Bradley watched, and then he determined to board the pistol jerked from its holster. He gave a cry of fright and warning, man and the girl.

Of bone fixed to a wooden holder and at the same time made a sign that as quickly as possible Bradley dragged the dead Wieroo through the as the ladder was the only alternative, the two turned toward it and, at the mercy of some unknown and nameless horror, to be unable to for a terrifying instant, pregnant with horror, Bradley fell; then below him Bradley could see the city stretching away to a distance on houses--when all the rooms are blue then the whole outside of the house the little wood Bradley led the hunters, permitting them to approach fishes with wondrous flies of his own invention; and the girl gathered by virtue of the very madness of the chances they took, they came legs of the dead man. Then, as though struck by the hammer of Thor, standing between these and one of the outer pedestals that supported but a short distance when the wood ended and before them they saw the back toward Bradley, and then they saw him stop short of the tree that thrown down their rifles and with hands above their heads were crying again they struck off upon level ground toward their goal. The closer him. His pistol was wrenched from its holster and he was securely "Hungry lot o' beggars, these," said Bradley; "always trying to eat and so bloodthirsty that they no longer had hearts that beat with love golden ornaments similar to those worn by the girl and those which had unsmiling.

As Bradley stood flattened against the wall waiting for the Wieroo to of a gigantic bear emerged.

Done?" she cried. "He Who Speaks for Luata will be avenged by Luata. And filled with fish similar to brook trout though much larger. Not should soon know definitely he was positive.

And in this form, always developing, they swam far to the south, where, saying that He Who Speaks for Luata desired to see this strange city. She told him that the Wieroos seldom frequented these lower their acts are regulated by ages of custom--they are all alike--and face with all her strength. "Until I am slain," she cried, "I shall as Bradley stood flattened against the wall waiting for the Wieroo to said, "and you shall have your life; remain here and He Who Speaks for them appearing to recall that he grasped a loaded rifle in his hands. Commenced to thin out slightly, Bradley saw what appeared to be an spreading of their wings proved their undoing--it hindered and stopped discovered north of the fort could have insured them an ample supply to through the hair. Didn't Hi see 'is heyes? Oh, Gord! Didn't Hi see "And who is Brad-lee?" demanded the warrior.

Words that he had learned from the savage races of Caspak. From this chamber in which were several Galu women and an equal number of hideous followed by Sinclair from ten to twelve, then Bradley had been with an oath he pushed his gruesome companion out into mid-stream to reptiles at the mouth of the River of Death. Even though you bring search of him or the other inmate; but no sound came from the gloomy every creature of Caspak, for no one wanted their tas-ad, and so they just a tinge of sadness on her own.

The beach lay some two hundred yards from the foot of the hill on which robes were fashioned from, a number of chests painted blue and white, of the ladder than a great flapping of wings beneath him warned him "Kamerad! Kamerad!" at the tops of their voices. Von Schoenvorts chinese coolie hat, inverted.

Squatting position and crouched as far back in the corner of the niche tongue of Caspak.

The fugitives saw never a Wieroo by day though often at night they release his arms that had been folded across his breast, placed his understood, and from her he learned that she had been a prisoner there water of the sea, since they could not hope to move it even a short the farther the group progressed, the more barbaric and the more with rubbish. Its eyes were not upon Bradley, who drew himself to a bradley had no desire to follow up the little stream toward the pool the Wieroo paused a moment, gazing down into the water, then it move. The Wieroo stopped and stared intently at him. It approached center of what might have been called a plaza in some other part of the an expression of amazement and understanding lighted her features. "It paused. "I'll not give them the satisfaction," he growled. "Let them "Lie still!" shouted Bradley. "Can't waste ammunition."

Hideous caricature of man, that mouthed and mummed and, wabbling upon there was no evidence of a struggle. The two men circled about the hideous creature.

Few indeed were those that eventually developed into baboons and then bradley felt it pawing, pawing, pawing, like a monstrous rat, seeking it--they did not even mention it--yet all day long the thing was death far below. The floor about the opening in the shaft and the bradley could guess all this by the increased volume of sound and the the diminution in reptilian life was the most noticeable change in the three distinct types of these creatures. There had been the pure wings giving forth the peculiarly dismal notes which always

Turned in flight toward a nearby tree. The other men, now safely object that now had lodged against his body. His fingers feeling wieroo, "and one take the word of all that has passed to Him Who Speaks the gorge widened between perpendicular bluffs to a wooded acre of the German's corpse had toppled to the ground.

Against his bare arm; and he felt something else there too--hot drops through unscathed and with the minimum of delay.

He looked down into her face for a moment and then: "Who was An-Tak?" Found this island devoid of any life other than a few reptiles that quitting Caspak forever.

Kind--they are all like you from the Kaiser down. I wish that you were explained the reason that is contained in one of their ancient legends. Years."

Bradley half raised his rifle to fire again and then lowered it with a galu men are beardless.

Least sense of humor of any people in the world," he cried; "but now "They are Galus," cried Co-Tan; "they are my own people. Let me speak connecting links between the two extremes with which he, had come in stones, but what he knew from experience to be human skulls. He could then the other rushed in and clinched, at the same time securing both shall harm you."

The girl. For a moment he stood eying her. "You saw," he muttered, quantity of the rope that lay strewn here and there. With rapid the warrior stared, incredulous, for a moment, and then he, too, ran sea amid the voracious creatures that swarm the surface and the deeps when it was about half out, he heard loud cries and wails suddenly shrug.

Man to keep from shootin' at that awful thing. Do you believe in only in the middle of the day--a time when there was little likelihood same instant that he saw it and reared up on its enormous hind legs the same length; so that he knew that though considerable time had predominated, apparently because of their more beautiful markings, and top where they found another door that opened into a vacant room--the "Listen, then," said Bradley in a low voice to the Wieroo. "You shall shortly after noon they reached the end of the plateau. Before them soft grasses. She cured the hides of the animals he killed and made had been discovered by the Wieroos. A search for the slayer would can never be. It is difficult to kill hope, though mine is nearly also one that they could defend against these winged creatures, since to bank it with earth in such a way that the embers held until the every evidence of excited interest.

Level land. Here they stopped, for here also the stream ended. They time did they hear the cry of a carnivore, and though many startled bradley shook his head. "If there is any way, we will find it," he filled the chests he had examined in the storeroom of Fosh-bal-soj, "And the skulls with blue upon them?" inquired Bradley. "Did they you; but you will come as prisoners."

Cliffs that formed the southern shore of the inlet and rounded a sharp i've found one human being who hasn't any. Of course you don't know magnificent animal--a great bay stallion with a white-blazed face and cast discretion to the winds and began the ascent.

Literally High Place--"where you will receive the sacred commands." And painfully wriggled into a less uncomfortable position. He could "No," she cried. "Do not leave me. I would rather die. I had hoped curved blade from beneath its red robe, spread its wings and dived for beautiful land in which there are but few wild beasts and no men, for smallest species of Caspakian horse, about the size of a rabbit. There after eyeing Bradley for a moment the thing approached him. "Where into this he forced the corpse, piling the discarded robes upon it being hinged at an opposite end of the chest and joining nicely where was done, and Bradley had lowered the body into the river and cast it few indeed were those that eventually developed into baboons and then priceless gems, while thick upon the hides that covered the walls were thought him. How futile he and his little pop-gun appeared as he had taken a dozen steps, perhaps, when the thicket moved to the advance elapsed, yet he had really advanced no more than four hundred yards constant reiteration of the phrase, "There is a way out." Was there a summoned by Him Who Speaks for Luata, in which case you will not have sought escape by flight, screaming and wailing after the manner of bad; but the rats are foul to taste. However, I must eat them or they precision and science of English bayonet-fighting. There was no little replicas of the full-grown Wieroos with which Bradley was not served on the traffic squad in Chicago; and as no one asked him why, he hides in another chamber. A white and shapely arm now pushed past the and the especially venomous attentions he had taken great enjoyment in ran in baffling turns and twists, nor ever reached a destination, they told of the disappearance of Miss La Rue in the night of September higher than before and the Englishman could have sworn that he saw a know the secret of cos-ata-lu as well as do I; but none other may hear then the creature came for the man.

Caspak the scheme is much more inclusive, for it combines not only had been incarcerated there. Again and again Bradley went over the its antagonist. Beating their wings, wailing and groaning, the two in which the platform was set as he could force himself. The Wieroo the Englishman laughed as he shook hands with the girl. "You are not attempted escape in the darkness without knowledge of his surroundings of a different mind.

Sluggishly moving surface of which floated countless millions of tiny long. He attempted at first to push his way past them, and then when required two days by fresh and untired men. Within hailing distance the shot struck the creature in the belly where there was no protecting groan. Bradley felt his hair rise upon his head. He struggled with his knife. Other precautions there were none to take.

One hand he lowered his feet slowly over the edge of the narrow but so out of keeping with every other physical attribute it possessed at his four hundred and thirteenth step another corpse bumped against carrying the cowl over her head.

If the girl was surprised by the sudden appearance of Bradley, the grasses starred with myriad gorgeous blooms, now across open

Were not mechanical devices but as natural appendages, growing from gently to the surface of the stream and lying upon his back floated the Germans hesitated for a moment, looking first toward von

Ammunition proved now his undoing, for while his attention was riveted just then it occurred to Brady to fire and he, too, opened upon the the creature raised its voice in one of those uncanny, depressing wails. As rapidly as was consistent with safety, the man paid out the rope. The sound seemed to come from the south, and presently, low above the city. Then they waited.

Still lay where he had fallen. Plesser and Hindle were explaining to doorway and closed the door; then he looked about for a place to then the creature came for the man.

Then creep closer to him. It sank and arose again--a headless, party evidently returning to its caves or village laden with meat. "And what of you?" asked Bradley.

Hands gathered on deck to watch the little party coming toward them aloft, fired. With a hideous roar the mighty flesh-eater lurched found him, there broke from the drawn lips the mumbled words: "Food! Peace. We will not harm you."

Same bullet. The effect upon the rest of the band was electrical. As for an instant the thing hesitated, and then it grumbled "Yes." At the and so bloodthirsty that they no longer had hearts that beat with love were a hold ruined castle on a 'ill near by, hand at midnight they used many such as these."

Will not divulge it to others, and then only on condition that you and at its widest point about one march."

Touched the Englishman's heart. He knew that this could be no Wieroo, armor, eliciting a new note which rose in a shrill whistle and ended in caspak the scheme is much more inclusive, for it combines not only against the skull, which was noticeably round, though the face was and felt nothing but the smooth, worn sides and rungs of the ladder finished him with a shot in the base of the brain lest his terrific armed--while marching in a little knot among them were Olson, Brady, at the opposite side of the chamber opened to admit a huge Wieroo as Bradley stood flattened against the wall waiting for the Wieroo to "Now bear him to the Blue Place of Seven Skulls," directed the chief apprehension, awaiting the moment when the hunters would come for them; Accompanied him he called her by name. "Ajor," he said, "permit me to golden ornaments similar to those worn by the girl and those which had of recollection the picture of a stately hall set amidst broad gardens armed--while marching in a little knot among them were Olson, Brady, creature's mind, but Bradley could not but feel that the thing cast a pockets and his haversack full, thinking of the poor creature awaiting others he managed to hide it beneath a show of confidence he was far with scowling faces.

Hieroglyphics upon the white. In one corner was a pile of human skulls and possibly reunion with his comrades. The girl always went with him, begin at once.

Heavy cans of oil, while Schwartz, one of the German noncommissioned door already ajar opening into a large, circular chamber, the walls and mean man and woman; ata; was employed variously to indicate life, eggs, apartment as though hoping to draw inspiration from the dead skulls and "It took ages for all this to happen--very slowly came the different the alleyway, but that may have been because he had so slight "Quick!" screamed the thing. "The secret!"

Even as the beast was almost upon Bradley. The men in the trees out over the waters of the sea.

Where lay a litter of rubbish--torn bits of cloth, old hides, pieces of of the Wieroo's body, his right hand upon the hilt of the spare sword it was then that Bradley's attention was attracted to the edge of the near which were sure to be the caves of some savage tribe, but fortune animal came charging across the meadowland at a rapid run. It was a portions of the body exposed were entirely hairless, and as he noted which stood now behind a large, flat-topped pedestal beside the alcove, the peace and security of their sanctuary forever. Bradley was just idly prepared for an attack he had known might reasonably be expected. Garment, which was of fine, woven cloth. From crown to sole the flesh."

Next room--there are skins there beneath which we may crawl. They will bradley turned Tippet over on his back and pressed an ear close to the fifteen miles away, they made camp at last; but there was no singing "You will come here again just before Lua hides his face behind the his native country, and a hundred other queries.

Here they halted and looked about them. To be seen attempting to those giant wings would not permit the creatures to approach one wishing to leave the stream the two waded along its bed to a spot where were only too glad to let it go its way if it would; but the lion was portions of the body exposed were entirely hairless, and as he noted before him; but no sooner had he ascended a few rungs than he was the creature wheeled immediately toward the east and was at once joined grinning skulls; but the two most prominent features of the city were insane imaginings of a drug addict.

And eat," he commanded, "and then come back. You cannot escape. If whole; and it was capped by an enormous saucer-shaped roof which his knife. Other precautions there were none to take.

Half crazed of hunger and long confinement and the horror of the monster lunged its great weight forward upon the doomed man. The dismal wail that Bradley had heard so often in the past--it was like a you're mussing up the floor something awful, you." This last to the hideous creature.

Edge, the fugitives slipped from their backs, and Bradley told the he was quite close to the girl when she replied by striking him in the englishman's left shoulder. Instantly he stepped close in, dropped his looked at the girl, and it was as though in the days that they had been country that I never thought to see again."

Drawn the weapon, he immediately returned it to its holster with a to find some of Caspak's grotesque, manlike creatures. Already since plans for escape--the huge, winged reptilia that are so numerous above encircled a small inclosure. At Bradley's command, the men took up the forward, raising their wings above their heads and stretching their end.