"I will not desert a companion," was Ghak's simple reply. I hadn'tknown that this great, hairy, primeval man had any such nobilityof character stowed away inside him. I had always liked him, butnow to my liking was added honor and respect. Yes, and love.

But still I urged him to go on ahead, insisting that if he couldreach his people he might be able to bring out a sufficient forceto drive off the Sagoths and rescue Perry and myself.

No, he wouldn't leave us, and that was all there was to it, buthe suggested that Hooja might hurry on and warn the Sarians of theking's danger. It didn't require much urging to start Hooja--thenaked idea was enough to send him leaping on ahead of us into thefoothills which we now had reached.

Perry realized that he was jeopardizing Ghak's life and mine and theold fellow fairly begged us to go on without him, although I knewthat he was suffering a perfect anguish of terror at the thoughtof falling into the hands of the Sagoths. Ghak finally solved theproblem, in part, by lifting Perry inside his powerful arms and carryinghim. While the act cut down Ghak's speed he still could travelfaster thus than when half supporting the stumbling very very aged man.