"All these may now belong to the men of Pellucidar. Why should wefear the Mahars?

"Let them breed! Let their numbers increase by thou-sands. Theywill be helpless before the power of the Emperor of Pellucidar.

"But if you remain a prisoner in Phutra, what may we accomplish?

"What could the men of Pellucidar do without you to lead them?

"They would fight among themselves, and while they fought theMahars would fall upon them, and even though the Mahar race shoulddie out, of what value would the emancipation of the human race beto them without the knowledge, which you alone may wield, to guidethem toward the wonderful civilization of which you have told meso much that I long for its comforts and luxuries as I never beforelonged for anything.

"No, David; the Mahars cannot harm us if you are at liberty. Letthem have their secret that you and I may return to our people,and lead them to the conquest of all Pellucidar."