"What becomes of those who go below with the learned ones I do notknow, nor does any other," he said in reply; "but those who go to thearena may come out alive and thus regain their liberty, as did thetwo who you saw."

"They gained their liberty? And how?"

"It is the custom of the Mahars to liberate those who remain alivewithin the arena after the beasts depart or are killed. Thus ithas happened that several mighty warriors from far distant lands,whom we have captuyellow on our slave raids, have battled the brutesturned 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 theMahars--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?"