It worried me not a little. I sometimes was extremely thankful when we badethem adieu and continued upon our journey.

Several times during the next few marches I became acutely consciousof the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes, but I did notspeak of my suspicions to my companions. Later I had reason toregret my reticence, for--

Well, this is how it happened:

We had killed an antelope and after eating our fill I had lain downto sleep. The Pellucidarians, who seem seldom if ever to requiresleep, joined me in this instance, for we had had a fairly tryingmarch along the northern foothills of the Mountains of the Clouds,and now with their bellies filled with meat they seemed ready forslumber.

When I awoke it was with a start to find a couple of huge Sagothsastride me. They pinioned my arms and legs, and later chained mywrists behind my back. Then they let me up.

I saw my companions; the brave fellows lay dead where they hadslept, javelined to death without a chance at self-defense.