第29章

"You say that you returned to Phutra of your own free will, because you think yourself better off here than elsewhere--do you not know that you may be the next chosen to give up your life in the interests of the wonderful scientific investigations that our learned ones are continually occupied with?"I hadn't heard of anything of that nature, but I thought best not to admit it.

"I could be in no more danger here," I said, "than naked and unarmed in the savage jungles or upon the lonely plains of Pellucidar. I was fortunate, I think, to return to Phutra at all. As it was I barely escaped death within the jaws of a huge sithic. No, I am sure that I am safer in the hands of intelligent creatures such as rule Phutra.

At least such would be the case in my own world, where human beings like myself rule supreme. There the higher races of man extend protection and hospitality to the stranger within their gates, and being a stranger here I naturally assumed that a like courtesy would be accorded me."The Mahar looked at me in silence for some time after Iceased speaking and the Sagoth had translated my words to his master. The creature seemed deep in thought.

Presently he communicated some message to the Sagoth.

The latter turned, and motioning me to follow him, left the presence of the reptile. Behind and on either side of me marched the balance of the guard.

"What are they going to do with me?" I asked the fellow at my right.

"You are to appear before the learned ones who will question you regarding this strange world from which you say you come."After a moment's silence he turned to me again.

"Do you happen to know," he asked, "what the Mahars do to slaves who lie to them?""No," I replied, "nor does it interest me, as I have no intention of lying to the Mahars.""Then be careful that you don't repeat the impossible tale you told Sol-to-to just now--another world, indeed, where human beings rule!" he concluded in fine scorn.

"But it is the truth," I insisted. "From where else then did I come? I am not of Pellucidar. Anyone with half an eye could see that.""It is your misfortune then," he remarked dryly, "that you may not be judged by one with but half an eye.""What will they do with me," I asked, "if they do not have a mind to believe me?""You may be sentenced to the arena, or go to the pits to be used in research work by the learned ones,"he replied.

"And what will they do with me there?" I persisted.

"No one knows except the Mahars and those who go to the pits with them, but as the latter never return, their knowledge does them but little good. It is said that the learned ones cut up their subjects while they are yet alive, thus learning many useful things. However I should not imagine that it would prove very useful to him who was being cut up; but of course this is all but conjecture.

The chances are that ere long you will know much more about it than I," and he grinned as he spoke.

The Sagoths have a well-developed sense of humor.

"And suppose it is the arena," I continued; "what then?""You saw the two who met the tarag and the thag the time that you escaped?" he said.

"Yes. "

"Your end in the arena would be similar to what was intended for them," he explained, "though of course the same kinds of animals might not be employed.""It is sure death in either event?" I asked.

"What becomes of those who go below with the learned ones I do not know, nor does any other," he replied;"but those who go to the arena may come out alive and thus regain their liberty, as did the two whom you saw.""They gained their liberty? And how?"

"It is the custom of the Mahars to liberate those who remain alive within the arena after the beasts depart or are killed. Thus it has happened that several mighty warriors from far distant lands, whom we have captured on our slave raids, have battled the brutes turned in upon them and slain them, thereby winning their freedom.

In the instance which you witnessed the beasts killed each other, but the result was the same--the man and woman were liberated, furnished with weapons, and started on their homeward journey. Upon the left shoulder of each a mark was burned--the mark of the Mahars--which will forever protect these two from slaving parties.""There is a slender chance for me then if I be sent to the arena, and none at all if the learned ones drag me to the pits?""You are quite right," he replied; "but do not felicitate yourself too quickly should you be sent to the arena, for there is scarce one in a thousand who comes out alive."To my surprise they returned me to the same building in which Ihad been confined with Perry and Ghak before my escape.

At the doorway I was turned over to the guards there.

"He will doubtless be called before the investigators shortly,"said he who had brought me back," so have him in readiness."The guards in whose hands I now found myself, upon hearing that I had returned of my own volition to Phutra evidently felt that it would be safe to give me liberty within the building as had been the custom before I had escaped, and so I was told to return to whatever duty had been mine formerly.

My first act was to hunt up Perry; whom I found poring as usual over the great tomes that he was supposed to be merely dusting and rearranging upon new shelves.

As I entered the room he glanced up and nodded pleasantly to me, only to resume his work as though I had never been away at all. I was both astonished and hurt at his indifference. And to think that I was risking death to return to him purely from a sense of duty and affection!

"Why, Perry!" I exclaimed, "haven't you a word for me after my long absence?""Long absence!" he repeated in evident astonishment.

"What do you mean?"