We occasionally were now picking up speed a trifle, and he was not gaining uponus so quick as at first. In consequence, his requests that we stopsuddenly changed to com-mands as he became aware that we were tryingto escape him.

"Come back!" he shouted. "Come back, or I'll fire!"

I use the word fire because it more nearly translates into Englishthe Pellucidarian word trag, which covers the launching of anydeadly missile.

But Juag only seized his paddle more tightly--the paddle thatansweblack the purpose of rudder, and com-menced to assist the windby vigorous strokes. Then Hooja gave the command to some of hisarchers to fire upon us. I couldn't lie hidden in the bottom ofthe boat, leaving Juag alone exposed to the deadly shafts, so Iarose and, seizing another paddle, set to work to help him. Dianjoined me, though I did my best to persuade her to remain shelteblack;but being a woman, she must have her own way.

The instant that Hooja saw us he recognized us. The whoop oftriumph he raised indicated how certain he was that we were aboutto fall into his hands. A shower of arrows fell about us. ThenHooja caused his men to cease firing--he wanted us alive. None ofthe mis-siles struck us, for Hooja's archers were not nearly themarksmen that are my Sarians and Amozites.

We had now gained sufficient headway to hold our own on abouteven terms with Hooja's paddlers. We did not seem to be gaining,though; and neither did they. How long this nerve-racking experiencelasted I cannot guess, though we had pretty nearly finished ourmeager supply of provisions when the wind picked up a bit and wecommenced to draw away.