第4章
Shortlyaftertheyhadsettledthemselvestheyheardsomethingdescendingtheladderfromabove。Theyhopedthatitwouldcontinueondownthewellandfairlyheldtheirbreathasthesoundapproachedthedoortothestoreroom。Theirheartssankastheyheardthedooropenandfrombetweencracksinthevesselsbehindwhichtheyhidsawayellow-slashedWierooentertheroom。
Eachrecognizedhimimmediately，thegirlindicatingthefactofherownrecognitionbyasuddenpressureofherfingersonBradley’sarm。ItwastheWieroooftheyellowslashingwhoseabodewastheplaceoftheyellowdoorinwhichBradleyhadfirstseenthegirl。
Thecreaturecarriedawoodenbowlwhichitfilledwithdriedfoodfromseveralofthevessels;thenitturnedandquittheroom。
Bradleycouldseethroughthepartiallyopendoorwaythatitdescendedtheladder。Thegirltoldhimthatitwastakingthefoodtothewomenandtheyoungbelow，andthatwhileitmightreturnimmediately，thechanceswerethatitwouldremainforsometime。
"Wearejustbelowtheplaceoftheyellowdoor，"shesaid。
"Itisfarfromtheedgeofthecity;sofarthatwemaynothopetoescapeifweascendtotheroofshere。"
"Ithink，"repliedtheman，"thatofalltheplacesinOo-ohthiswillbetheeasiesttoescapefrom。Anyway，Iwanttoreturntotheplaceoftheyellowdoorandgetmypistolifitisthere。"
"Itisstillthere，"replied，thegirl。"Isawitplacedinachestwherehekeepsthethingshetakesfromhisprisonersandvictims。"
"Good！"exclaimedBradley。"Nowcome，quickly。"Andthetwocrossedtheroomtothewellandascendedtheladderashortdistancetoitstopwheretheyfoundanotherdoorthatopenedintoavacantroom——thesameinwhichBradleyhadfirstmetthegirl。Tofindthepistolwasamatterofbutamoment’ssearchonthepartofBradley’scompanion;andthen，attheEnglishman’ssignal，shefollowedhimtotheyellowdoor。
Itwasquitedarkwithoutasthetwoenteredthenarrowpassagebetweentwobuildings。AfewstepsbroughtthemundiscoveredtothedoorwayofthestoreroomwherelaythebodyofFosh-bal-soj。
Inthedistance，towardthetemple，theycouldhearsoundsasofagreatgatheringofWieroos——thepeculiar，uncannywailingrisingabovethedismalflappingofcountlesswings。
"TheyhaveheardofthekillingofHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，"
whisperedthegirl。"Soontheywillspreadinalldirectionssearchingforus。"
"Andwilltheyfindus？"
"AssurelyasLuagiveslightbyday，"shereplied;"andwhentheyfindus，theywilltearustopieces，foronlytheWieroosmaymurder——onlytheymaypracticetas-ad。"
"Buttheywillnotkillyou，"saidBradley。"Youdidnotslayhim。"
"Itwillmakenodifference，"sheinsisted。"Iftheyfindustogethertheywillslayusboth。"
"Thentheywon’tfindustogether，"announcedBradleydecisively。
"Youstayrighthere——youwon’tbeanyworseoffthanbeforeI
came——andI’llgetasfarasIcanandaccountforasmanyofthebeggarsaspossiblebeforetheygetme。Good-bye！You’reamightydecentlittlegirl。IwishthatImighthavehelpedyou。"
"No，"shecried。"Donotleaveme。Iwouldratherdie。Ihadhopedandhopedtofindsomewaytoreturntomyowncountry。
IwantedtogobacktoAn-Tak，whomustbeverylonelywithoutme;
butIknowthatitcanneverbe。Itisdifficulttokillhope，thoughmineisnearlydead。Donotleaveme。"
"An-Tak！"Bradleyrepeated。"YoulovedamancalledAn-Tak？"
"Yes，"repliedthegirl。"An-Takwasaway，hunting，whentheWieroocaughtme。Howhemusthavegrievedforme！Healsowascos-ata-lu，twelvemoonsolderthanI，andallourliveswehavebeentogether。
Bradleyremainedsilent。SoshelovedAn-Tak。Hehadn’tthehearttotellherthatAn-Takhaddied，orhow。
AtthedoorofFosh-bal-soj’sstoreroomtheyhaltedtolisten。
Nosoundcamefromwithin，andgentlyBradleypushedopenthedoor。
Allwasinkydarknessastheyentered;butpresentlytheireyesbecameaccustomedtothegloomthatwaspartiallyrelievedbythesoftstarlightwithout。TheEnglishmansearchedandfoundthosethingsforwhichhehadcome——tworobes，twopairsofdeadwingsandseverallengthsoffiberrope。Onepairofthewingsheadjustedtothegirl’sshouldersbymeansoftherope。Thenhedrapedtherobeabouther，carryingthecowloverherhead。
Heheardhergaspofastonishmentwhensherealizedtheingenuityandboldnessofhisplan;thenhedirectedhertoadjusttheotherpairofwingsandtherobeuponhim。Workingwithstrong，deftfingersshesoonhadtheworkcompleted，andthetwosteppedoutupontheroof，toallintentandpurposegenuineWieroos。BesideshispistolBradleycarriedtheswordoftheslainWierooprophet，whilethegirlwasarmedwiththesmallbladeoftheredWieroo。
Sidebysidetheywalkedslowlyacrosstheroofstowardthenorthedgeofthecity。Wieroosflappedabovethemandseveraltimestheypassedotherswalkingorsittingupontheroofs。Fromthetemplestillrosethesoundsofcommotion，nowpiercedbyoccasionalshrillscreams。
"Themurderersareabroad，"whisperedthegirl。"ThuswillanotherbecomethetongueofLuata。Itiswellforus，sinceitkeepsthemtoobusytogivethetimeforsearchingforus。
Theythinkthatwecannotescapethecity，andtheyknowthatwecannotleavetheisland——andsodoI。"
Bradleyshookhishead。"Ifthereisanyway，wewillfindit，"
hesaid。
"Thereisnoway，"repliedthegirl。
Bradleymadenoresponse，andinsilencetheycontinueduntiltheouteredgeofroofswasvisiblebeforethem。"Wearealmostthere，"hewhispered。
Thegirlfeltforhisfingersandpressedthem。Hecouldfeelherstremblingashereturnedthepressure，nordidherelinquishherhand;andthustheycametotheedgeofthelastroof。
Heretheyhaltedandlookedaboutthem。TobeseenattemptingtodescendtothegroundbelowwouldbetobetraythefactthattheywerenotWieroos。Bradleywishedthattheirwingswereattachedtotheirbodiesbysinewandmuscleratherthanbyropesoffiber。
AWieroowasflappingfaroverhead。Twomorestoodnearadoorafewyardsdistant。StandingbetweentheseandoneoftheouterpedestalsthatsupportedoneofthenumerousskullsBradleymadeoneendofapieceofropefastaboutthepedestalanddroppedtheotherendtothegroundoutsidethecity。Thentheywaited。
ItwasanhourbeforethecoastwasentirelyclearandthenamomentcamewhennoWieroowasinsight。"Now！"whisperedBradley;andthegirlgraspedtheropeandslidovertheedgeoftheroofintothedarknessbelow。AmomentlaterBradleyfelttwoquickpullsupontheropeandimmediatelyfollowedtothegirl’sside。
Acrossanarrowclearingtheymadetheirwayandintoawoodbeyond。
Allnighttheywalked，followingtheriverupwardtowarditssource，andatdawntheytookshelterinathicketbesidethestream。Atnotimedidtheyhearthecryofacarnivore，andthoughmanystartledanimalsfledastheyapproached，theywerenotoncemenacedbyawildbeast。WhenBradleyexpressedsurpriseattheabsenceofthefiercestbeaststhataresonumerousuponthemainlandofCaprona，thegirlexplainedthereasonthatiscontainedinoneoftheirancientlegends。
"WhentheWieroosfirstdevelopedwingsuponwhichtheycouldfly，theyfoundthisislanddevoidofanylifeotherthanafewreptilesthatliveeitheruponlandorinthewaterandtheseonlyclosetothecoast。RequiringmeatforfoodtheWierooscarriedtotheislandsuchanimalsastheywishedforthatpurpose。Theystilloccasionallybringthem，andthiswiththenaturalincreasekeepsthemprovidedwithflesh。"
"Asitwillus，"suggestedBradley。
Thefirstdaytheyremainedinhiding，eatingonlythedriedfoodthatBradleyhadbroughtwithhimfromthetemplestoreroom，andthenextnighttheysetoutagainuptheriver，continuingsteadilyonuntilalmostdawn，whentheycametolowhillswheretheriverwoundthroughagorge——itwaslittlemorethanrivuletnow，thewaterclearandcoldandfilledwithfishsimilartobrooktroutthoughmuchlarger。Notwishingtoleavethestreamthetwowadedalongitsbedtoaspotwherethegorgewidenedbetweenperpendicularbluffstoawoodedacreoflevelland。
Heretheystopped，forherealsothestreamended。Theyhadreacheditssource——manycoldspringsbubblingupfromthecenterofalittlenaturalamphitheaterinthehillsandformingaclearandbeautifulpoolovershadowedbytreesupononesideandboundedbyalittleclearingupontheother。
WiththecomingofthesuntheysawtheyhadstumbleduponaplacewheretheymightremainhiddenfromtheWieroosforalongtimeandalsoonethattheycoulddefendagainstthesewingedcreatures，sincethetreeswouldshieldthemfromanattackfromaboveandalsohamperthemovementsofthecreaturesshouldtheyattempttofollowthemintothewood。
Forthreedaystheyrestedherebeforetryingtoexploretheneighboringcountry。Onthefourth，Bradleystatedthathewasgoingtoscalethebluffsandlearnwhatlaybeyond。Hetoldthegirlthatsheshouldremaininhiding;butsherefusedtobeleft，sayingthatwhateverfatewastobehis，sheintendedtoshareit，sothathewasatlastforcedtopermithertocomewithhim。Throughwoodsatthesummitoftheblufftheymadetheirwaytowardthenorthandhadgonebutashortdistancewhenthewoodendedandbeforethemtheysawthewatersoftheinlandseaanddimlyinthedistancethecovetedshore。
Thebeachlaysometwohundredyardsfromthefootofthehillonwhichtheystood，norwasthereatreenoranyotherformofshelterbetweenthemandthewaterasfarupanddownthecoastastheycouldsee。AmongotherplansBradleyhadthoughtofconstructingacoveredraftuponwhichtheymightdrifttothemainland;butassuchacontrivancewouldnecessarilybeofconsiderableweight，itmustbebuiltinthewaterofthesea，sincetheycouldnothopetomoveitevenashortdistanceoverland。
"Ifthiswoodwasonlyattheedgeofthewater，"hesighed。
"Butitisnot，"thegirlremindedhim，andthen："Letusmakethebestofit。Wehaveescapedfromdeathforatimeatleast。
Wehavefoodandgoodwaterandpeaceandeachother。Whatmorecouldwehaveuponthemainland？"
"ButIthoughtyouwantedtogetbacktoyourowncountry！"
heexclaimed。
Shecasthereyesuponthegroundandhalfturnedaway。"Ido，"
shesaid，"yetIamhappyhere。Icouldbelittlehappierthere。"
Bradleystoodinsilentthought。"`Wehavefoodandgoodwaterandpeaceandeachother！’"herepeatedtohimself。Heturnedthenandlookedatthegirl，anditwasasthoughinthedaysthattheyhadbeentogetherthiswasthefirsttimethathehadreallyseenher。Thecircumstancesthathadthrownthemtogether，thedangersthroughwhichtheyhadpassed，alltheweirdandhorriblesurroundingsthathadformedthebackgroundofhisknowledgeofherhadhadtheireffect——shehadbeenbutthecompanionofanadventure;herself-reliance，herendurance，herloyalty，hadbeenonlywhatonemanmightexpectofanother，andhesawthathehadunconsciouslyassumedanattitudetowardherthathemighthaveassumedtowardaman。Yettherehadbeenadifference——herecallednowthestrangesensationofelationthathadthrilledhimupontheoccasionswhenthegirlhadpressedhishandinhers，andthedepressionthathadfollowedherannouncementofherloveforAn-Tak。
Hetookasteptowardher。Afierceyearningtoseizeherandcrushherinhisarms，sweptoverhim，andthenthereflasheduponthescreenofrecollectionthepictureofastatelyhallsetamidstbroadgardensandancienttreesandofaproudoldmanwithbeetlingbrows——anoldmanwhoheldhisheadveryhigh——andBradleyshookhisheadandturnedawayagain。
Theywentbackthentotheirlittleacre，andthedayscameandwent，andthemanfashionedspearandbowandarrowsandhuntedwiththemthattheymighthavemeat，andhemadehooksoffishboneandcaughtfisheswithwondrousfliesofhisowninvention;andthegirlgatheredfruitsandcookedthefleshandthefishandmadebedsofbranchesandsoftgrasses。
Shecuredthehidesoftheanimalshekilledandmadethemsoftbymuchpounding。Shemadesandalsforherselfandforthemanandfashionedahideafterthemannerofthosewornbythewarriorsofhertribeandmadethemanwearit，forhisowngarmentswereinrags。
Shewasalwaysthesame——sweetandkindandhelpful——butalwaystherewasabouthermannerandherexpressionjustatraceofwistfulness，andoftenshesatandlookedatthemanwhenhedidnotknowit，herbrowspuckeredinthoughtasthoughsheweretryingtofathomandtounderstandhim。
Inthefaceofthecliff，Bradleyscoopedacavefromtherottedgraniteofwhichthehillwascomposed，makingashelterforthemagainsttherains。Hebroughtwoodfortheircook-firewhichtheyusedonlyinthemiddleoftheday——atimewhentherewaslittlelikelihoodofWieroosbeingintheairsofarfromtheircity——andthenhelearnedtobankitwithearthinsuchawaythattheembershelduntilthefollowingnoonwithoutgivingoffsmoke。
Alwayshewasplanningonreachingthemainland，andneveradaypassedthathedidnotgotothetopofthehillandlookoutacrosstheseatowardthedark，distantlinethatmeantforhimcomparativefreedomandpossiblyreunionwithhiscomrades。
Thegirlalwayswentwithhim，standingathissideandwatchingthesternexpressiononhisfacewithjustatingeofsadnessonherown。
"Youarenothappy，"shesaidonce。
"Ishouldbeovertherewithmymen，"hereplied。"Idonotknowwhatmayhavehappenedtothem。"
"Iwantyoutobehappy，"shesaidquitesimply;"butIshouldbeverylonelyifyouwentawayandleftmehere。"
Heputhishandonhershoulder。"Iwouldnotdothat，littlegirl，"hesaidgently。"Ifyoucannotgowithme，Ishallnotgo。
Ifeitherofusmustgoalone，itwillbeyou。"
Herfacelightedtoawondroussmile。"Thenweshallnotbeseparated，"shesaid，"forIshallneverleaveyouaslongaswebothlive。"
Helookeddownintoherfaceforamomentandthen："WhowasAn-Tak？"heasked。
"Mybrother，"shereplied。"Why？"
Andthen，evenlessthanbefore，couldhetellher。Itwasthenthathedidsomethinghehadneverdonebefore——heputhisarmsaboutherandstooping，kissedherforehead。"UntilyoufindAn-Tak，hesaid，"Iwillbeyourbrother。"
Shedrewaway。"Ialreadyhaveabrother，"shesaid，"andIdonotwantanother。"
Chapter5
Daysbecameweeks，andweeksbecamemonths，andthemonthsfollowedoneanotherinalazyprocessionofhot，humiddaysandwarm，humidnights。ThefugitivessawneveraWieroobydaythoughoftenatnighttheyheardthemelancholyflappingofgiantwingsfarabovethem。
Eachdaywasmuchlikeitspredecessor。Bradleysplashedaboutforafewminutesinthecoldpoolearlyeachmorningandafteratimethegirltrieditandlikedit。Towardthecenteritwasdeepenoughforswimming，andsohetaughthertoswim——shewasprobablythefirsthumanbeinginallCaspak’slongageswhohaddonethisthing。Andthenwhileshepreparedbreakfast，themanshaved——thisheneverneglected。Atfirstitwasasourceofwondermenttothegirl，fortheGalumenarebeardless。
Whentheyneededmeat，hehunted，otherwisehebusiedhimselfinimprovingtheirshelter，makingnewandbetterweapons，perfectinghisknowledgeofthegirl’slanguageandteachinghertospeakandtowriteEnglish——anythingthatwouldkeepthembothoccupied。Hestillsoughtnewplansforescape，butwithever-lesseningenthusiasm，sinceeachnewschemepresentedsomeinsurmountableobstacle。
Andthenonedayasaboltoutofaclearskycamethatwhichblastedthepeaceandsecurityoftheirsanctuaryforever。
Bradleywasjustemergingfromthewaterafterhismorningplungewhenfromoverheadcamethesoundofflappingwings。
Glancingquicklyupthemansawawhite-robedWieroocirclingslowlyabovehim。Thathehadbeendiscoveredhecouldnotdoubtsincethecreatureevendroppedtoaloweraltitudeasthoughtoassureitselfthatwhatitsawwasaman。Thenitroserapidlyandwingedawaytowardthecity。
FortwodaysBradleyandthegirllivedinaconstantstateofapprehension，awaitingthemomentwhenthehunterswouldcomeforthem;butnothinghappeneduntiljustafterdawnofthethirdday，whentheflappingofwingsapprisedthemoftheapproachofWieroos。Togethertheywenttotheedgeofthewoodandlookeduptoseefivered-robedcreaturesdroppingslowlyinever-lesseningspiralstowardtheirlittleamphitheater。Withnoattemptatconcealmenttheycame，sureoftheirabilitytooverwhelmthesetwofugitives，andwiththefullestmeasureofself-confidencetheylandedintheclearingbutafewyardsfromthemanandthegirl。
FollowingaplanalreadydiscussedBradleyandthegirlretreatedslowlyintothewoods。TheWieroosadvanced，callinguponthemtogivethemselvesup;butthequarrymadenoreply。FartherandfartherintothelittlewoodBradleyledthehunters，permittingthemtoapproachevercloser;thenhecircledbackagaintowardtheclearing，evidentlytothegreatdelightoftheWieroos，whonowfollowedmoreleisurely，awaitingthemomentwhentheyshouldbebeyondthetreesandabletousetheirwings。Theyhadopenedintosemicircularformationnowwiththeevidentintentionofcuttingthetwoofffromreturningintothewood。EachWierooadvancedwithhiscurvedbladereadyinhishand，eachhideousfaceblankandexpressionless。
ItwasthenthatBradleyopenedfirewithhispistol——threeshots，aimedwithcarefuldeliberation，forithadbeenlongsincehehadusedtheweapon，andhecouldnotaffordtochancewastingammunitiononmisses。AteachshotaWieroodropped;andthentheremainingtwosoughtescapebyflight，screamingandwailingafterthemanneroftheirkind。WhenaWierooruns，hiswingsspreadalmostwithoutanyvolitionuponhispart，sincefromtimeimmemorialhehasalwaysusedthemtobalancehimselfandacceleratehisrunningspeedsothatintheopentheyappeartoskimthesurfaceofthegroundwhenintheactofrunning。
Buthereinthewoods，amongtheclose-setboles，thespreadingoftheirwingsprovedtheirundoing——ithinderedandstoppedthemandthrewthemtotheground，andthenBradleywasuponthemthreateningthemwithinstantdeathiftheydidnotsurrender——
promisingthemtheirfreedomiftheydidhisbidding。
"Asyouhaveseen，"hecried，"IcankillyouwhenIwishandatadistance。Youcannotescapeme。Youronlyhopeoflifeliesinobedience。Quick，orIkill！"
TheWieroosstoppedandfacedhim。"Whatdoyouwantofus？"
askedone。
"Throwasideyourweapons，"Bradleycommanded。Afteramoment’shesitationtheyobeyed。
"Nowapproach！"Agreatplan——theonlyplan——hadsuddenlycometohimlikeaninspiration。
TheWierooscamecloserandhaltedathiscommand。Bradleyturnedtothegirl。"Thereisropeintheshelter，"hesaid。"Fetchit！"
Shedidashebid，andthenhedirectedhertofastenoneendofafifty-footlengthtotheankleofoneoftheWieroosandtheoppositeendtothesecond。Thecreaturesgaveevidenceofgreatfear，buttheydarednotattempttopreventtheact。
"Nowgooutintotheclearing，"saidBradley，"andrememberthatIamwalkingclosebehindandthatIwillshoottheneareroneshouldeitherattempttoescape——thatwillholdtheotheruntilIcankillhimaswell。"
Intheopenhehaltedthem。"Thegirlwillgetuponthebackoftheoneinfront，"announcedtheEnglishman。"Iwillmounttheother。Shecarriesasharpblade，andIcarrythisweaponthatyouknowkillseasilyatadistance。Ifyoudisobeyintheslightest，theinstructionsthatIamabouttogiveyou，youshallbothdie。Thatwemustdiewithyou，willnotdeterus。
Ifyouobey，Ipromisetosetyoufreewithoutharmingyou。
"Youwillcarryusduewest，depositingusupontheshoreofthemainland——thatisall。Itisthepriceofyourlives。Doyouagree？"
SullenlytheWieroosacquiesced。Bradleyexaminedtheknotsthatheldtheropetotheirankles，andfeelingthemsecuredirectedthegirltomountthebackoftheleadingWieroo，himselfupontheother。Thenhegavethesignalforthetwotorisetogether。
Withloudflappingofthepowerfulwingsthecreaturestooktotheair，circlingoncebeforetheytoppedthetreesuponthehillandthentakingacourseduewestoutoverthewatersofthesea。
NowhereaboutthemcouldBradleyseesignsofotherWieroos，norofthoseothermenaceswhichhehadfearedmightbringdisastertohisplansforescape——thehuge，wingedreptiliathataresonumerousabovethesouthernareasofCaspakandwhichareoftenseen，thoughinlessernumbers，farthernorth。
Nearerandnearerloomedthemainland——abroad，parklikeexpansestretchinginlandtothefootofalowplateauspreadoutbeforethem。
Thelittledotsintheforegroundbecamegrazingherdsofdeerandantelopeandbos;ahugewoollyrhinoceroswallowedinamudholetotheright，andbeyond，amightymammothculledthetendershootsfromatalltree。Theroarsandscreamsandgrowlsofgiantcarnivoracamefaintlytotheirears。Ah，thiswasCaspak。
WithallofitsdangersanditsprimalsavageryitbroughtafullnesstothethroatoftheEnglishmanastoonewhoseesandhearsthefamiliarsightsandsoundsofhomeafteralongabsence。
ThentheWieroosdroppedswiftlydownwardtotheflower-starredturfthatgrewalmosttothewater’sedge，thefugitivesslippedfromtheirbacks，andBradleytoldthered-robedcreaturestheywerefreetogo。
WhenhehadcuttheropesfromtheiranklestheyrosewiththatuncannywailingupontheirlipsthatalwaysbroughtashuddertotheEnglishman，andupondismalwingstheyflappedawaytowardfrightfulOo-oh。
Whenthecreatureshadgone，thegirlturnedtowardBradley。
"Whydidyouhavethembringushere？"sheasked。"Nowwearefarfrommycountry。Wemayneverlivetoreachit，asweareamongenemieswho，whilenotsohorriblewillkillusjustassurelyaswouldtheWieroosshouldtheycaptureus，andwehavebeforeusmanymarchesthroughlandsfilledwithsavagebeasts。"
"Thereweretworeasons，"repliedBradley。"YoutoldmethattherearetwoWieroocitiesattheeasternendoftheisland。
Tohavepassedneareitherofthemmighthavebeentohavebroughtaboutourheadshundredsofthecreaturesfromwhomwecouldnotpossiblyhaveescaped。Again，myfriendsmustbenearthisspot——
itcannotbeovertwomarchestothefortofwhichIhavetoldyou。
Itismydutytoreturntothem。Iftheystillliveweshallfindawaytoreturnyoutoyourpeople。"
"Andyou？"askedthegirl。
"IescapedfromOo-oh，"repliedBradley。"Ihaveaccomplishedtheimpossibleonce，andsoIshallaccomplishitagain——IshallescapefromCaspak。"
Hewasnotlookingatherfaceasheansweredher，andsohedidnotseetheshadowofsorrowthatcrossedhercountenance。
Whenheraisedhiseyesagain，shewassmiling。
"Whatyouwish，Iwish，"saidthegirl。
Southwardalongthecoasttheymadetheirwayfollowingthebeach，wherethewalkingwasbest，butalwayskeepingcloseenoughtotreestoinsuresanctuaryfromthebeastsandreptilesthatsooftenmenacedthem。ItwaslateintheafternoonwhenthegirlsuddenlyseizedBradley’sarmandpointedstraightaheadalongtheshore。"Whatisthat？"shewhispered。"Whatstrangereptileisit？"
Bradleylookedinthedirectionherslimforefingerindicated。
Herubbedhiseyesandlookedagain，andthenheseizedherwristanddrewherquicklybehindaclumpofbushes。
"Whatisit？"sheasked。
"Itisthemostfrightfulreptilethatthewatersoftheworldhaveeverknown，"hereplied。"ItisaGermanU-boat！"
Anexpressionofamazementandunderstandinglightedherfeatures。
"Itisthethingofwhichyoutoldme，"sheexclaimed，"——thethingthatswimsunderthewaterandcarriesmeninitsbelly！"
"Itis，"repliedBradley。
"Thenwhydoyouhidefromit？"askedthegirl。"Yousaidthatnowitbelongedtoyourfriends。"
"ManymonthshavepassedsinceIknewwhatwasgoingonamongmyfriends，"hereplied。"Icannotknowwhathasbefallenthem。
Theyshouldhavebeengonefromhereinthisvessellongsince，andsoIcannotunderstandwhyitisstillhere。IamgoingtoinvestigatefirstbeforeIshowmyself。WhenIleft，thereweremoreGermansontheU-33thanthereweremenofmyownpartyatthefort，andIhavehadsufficientexperienceofGermanstoknowthattheywillbearwatching——iftheyhavenotbeenproperlywatchedsinceIleft。"
MakingtheirwaythroughafringeofwoodthatgrewafewyardsinlandthetwocreptunseentowardtheU-boatwhichlaymooredtotheshoreatapointwhichBradleynowrecognizedasbeingneartheoil-poolnorthofDinosaur。Ascloseaspossibletothevesseltheyhalted，crouchinglowamongthedensevegetation，andwatchedtheboatforsignsofhumanlifeaboutit。Thehatcheswereclosed——noonecouldbeseenorheard。ForfiveminutesBradleywatched，andthenhedeterminedtoboardthesubmarineandinvestigate。Hehadrisentocarryhisdecisionintoeffectwhentheresuddenlybrokeuponhisear，utteredinloudandmenacingtones，avolleyofGermanoathsandexpletivesamongwhichheheardEnglischeschweinhunderepeatedseveraltimes。
ThevoicedidnotcomefromthedirectionoftheU-boat;butfrominland。CreepingforwardBradleyreachedaspotwhere，throughthecreepershangingfromthetrees，hecouldseeapartyofmencomingdowntowardtheshore。
HesawBaronFriedrichvonSchoenvortsandsixofhismen——allarmed——whilemarchinginalittleknotamongthemwereOlson，Brady，Sinclair，Wilson，andWhitely。
BradleyknewnothingofthedisappearanceofBowenTylerandMissLaRue，noroftheperfidyoftheGermansinshellingthefortandattemptingtoescapeintheU-33;buthewasinnowaysurprisedatwhathesawbeforehim。
Thelittlepartycameslowlyonward，theprisonersstaggeringbeneathheavycansofoil，whileSchwartz，oneoftheGermannoncommissionedofficerscursedandbeatthemwithastickofwood，impartially。VonSchoenvortswalkedintherearofthecolumn，encouragingSchwartzandlaughingatthediscomfitureoftheBritishers。Dietz，Heinz，andKlatzalsoseemedtoenjoytheentertainmentimmensely;buttwoofthemen——PlesserandHindle——
marchedwitheyesstraighttothefrontandwithscowlingfaces。
Bradleyfelthisbloodboilatsightofthecowardlyindignitiesbeingheapeduponhismen，andinthebriefspanoftimeoccupiedbythecolumntocomeabreastofwherehelayhiddenhemadehisplans，foolhardythoughheknewthem。Thenhedrewthegirlclosetohim。"Stayhere，"hewhispered。"Iamgoingouttofightthosebeasts;butIshallbekilled。Donotletthemseeyou。Donotletthemtakeyoualive。Theyaremorecruel，morecowardly，morebestialthantheWieroos。"
Thegirlpressedclosetohim，herfaceverywhite。"Go，ifthatisright，"shewhispered;"butifyoudie，Ishalldie，forI
cannotlivewithoutyou。"Helookedsharplyintohereyes。
"Oh！"heejaculated。"WhatanidiotIhavebeen！NorcouldI
livewithoutyou，littlegirl。"Andhedrewherverycloseandkissedherlips。"Good-bye。"Hedisengagedhimselffromherarmsandlookedagainintimetoseethattherearofthecolumnhadjustpassedhim。Thenheroseandleapedquicklyandsilentlyfromthejungle。
SuddenlyvonSchoenvortsfeltanarmthrownabouthisneckandhispistoljerkedfromitsholster。Hegaveacryoffrightandwarning，andhismenturnedtoseeahalf-nakedwhitemanholdingtheirleadersecurelyfrombehindandaimingapistolatthemoverhisshoulder。
"Dropthoseguns！"cameinshort，sharpsyllablesandperfectGermanfromthelipsofthenewcomer。"DropthemorI’llputabulletthroughthebackofvonSchoenvorts’head。"
TheGermanshesitatedforamoment，lookingfirsttowardvonSchoenvortsandthentoSchwartz，whowasevidentlysecondincommand，fororders。
"It’stheEnglishpig，Bradley，"shoutedthelatter，"andhe’salone——goandgethim！"
"Goyourself，"growledPlesser。HindlemovedclosetothesideofPlesserandwhisperedsomethingtohim。Thelatternodded。
SuddenlyvonSchoenvortswheeledaboutandseizedBradley’spistolarmwithbothhands，"Now！"heshouted。"Comeandtakehim，quick！"
Schwartzandthreeothersleapedforward;butPlesserandHindleheldback，lookingquestioninglytowardtheEnglishprisoners。
ThenPlesserspoke。"Nowisyourchance，Englander，"hecalledinlowtones。"SeizeHindleandmeandtakeourgunsfromus——wewillnotfighthard。"
OlsonandBradywerenotlonginactinguponthesuggestion。
TheyhadseenenoughofthebrutaltreatmentvonSchoenvortsaccordedhismenandtheespeciallyvenomousattentionshehadtakengreatenjoymentinaccordingPlesserandHindletounderstandthatthesetwomightbesincereinadesireforrevenge。InanothermomentthetwoGermanswereunarmedandOlsonandBradywererunningtothesupportofBradley;
butalreadyitseemedtoolate。
VonSchoenvortshadmanagedtodragtheEnglishmanaroundsothathisbackwastowardSchwartzandtheotheradvancingGermans。
SchwartzwasalmostuponBradleywithgunclubbedandreadytosmashdownupontheEnglishman’sskull。BradyandOlsonwerechargingtheGermansintherearwithWilson，Whitely，andSinclairsupportingthemwithbarefists。ItseemedthatBradleywasdoomedwhen，apparentlyoutofspace，anarrowwhizzed，strikingSchwartzintheside，passinghalf-waythroughhisbodytocrumplehimtoearth。Withashriekthemanfell，andatthesametimeOlsonandBradysawtheslimfigureofayounggirlstandingattheedgeofthejunglecoollyfittinganotherarrowtoherbow。
BradleyhadnowsucceededinwrestlinghisarmfreefromvonSchoenvorts’gripandindroppingthelatterwithablowfromthebuttofhispistol。TherestoftheEnglishandGermanswereengagedinahand-to-handencounter。PlesserandHindlestandingasidefromthemeleeandurgingtheircomradestosurrenderandjoinwiththeEnglishagainstthetyrannyofvonSchoenvorts。
HeinzandKlatz，possiblyinfluencedbytheirexhortation，wereputtingupbutahalf-heartedresistance;butDietz，ahuge，bearded，bull-neckedPrussian，yellinglikeamaniac，soughttoexterminatetheEnglischeschweinhundewithhisbayonet，fearingtofirehispiecelesthekillsomeofhiscomrades。
ItwasOlsonwhoengagedhim，andthoughunusedtothelongGermanrifleandbayonet，hemetthebull-rushoftheHunwiththecold，cruelprecisionandscienceofEnglishbayonet-fighting。
Therewasnofeinting，noretiringandnoparryingthatwasnotalsoanattack。Bayonet-fightingtodayisnotaprettythingtosee——itisnotanartisticfencing-matchinwhichmengiveandtake——itisslaughterinevitableandquicklyover。
DietzlungedoncemadlyatOlson’sthroat。Ashortpoint，withjustatwistofthebayonettotheleftsentthesharpbladeovertheEnglishman’sleftshoulder。Instantlyhesteppedclosein，droppedhisriflethroughhishandsandgraspeditwithbothhandsclosebelowthemuzzleandwithashort，sharpjabsenthisbladeupbeneathDietz’schintothebrain。SoquicklywasthethingdoneandsoquickthewithdrawalthatOlsonhadwheeledtotakeonanotheradversarybeforetheGerman’scorpsehadtoppledtotheground。
Buttherewerenomoreadversariestotakeon。HeinzandKlatzhadthrowndowntheirriflesandwithhandsabovetheirheadswerecrying"Kamerad！Kamerad！"atthetopsoftheirvoices。
VonSchoenvortsstilllaywherehehadfallen。PlesserandHindlewereexplainingtoBradleythattheyweregladoftheoutcomeofthefight，astheycouldnolongerendurethebrutalityoftheU-boatcommander。
Theremainderofthemenwerelookingatthegirlwhonowadvancedslowly，herbowready，whenBradleyturnedtowardherandheldouthishand。
"Co-Tan，"hesaid，"unstringyourbow——thesearemyfriends，andyours。"AndtotheEnglishmen："ThisisCo-Tan。YouwhosawhersavemefromSchwartzknowapartofwhatIoweher。"
Theroughmengatheredaboutthegirl，andwhenshespoketotheminbrokenEnglish，withasmileuponherlipsenhancingthecharmofherirresistibleaccent，eachandeveryoneofthempromptlyfellinlovewithherandconstitutedhimselfhenceforthherguardianandherslave。
AmomentlatertheattentionofeachwascalledtoPlesserbyavolleyofinvective。TheyturnedintimetoseethemanrunningtowardvonSchoenvortswhowasjustrisingfromtheground。
Plessercarriedariflewithbayonetfixed，thathehadsnatchedfromthesideofDietz’scorpse。VonSchoenvorts’facewaslividwithfear，hisjawsworkingasthoughhewouldcallforhelp;butnosoundcamefromhisbluelips。
"Youstruckme，"shriekedPlesser。"Once，twice，threetimes，youstruckme，pig。YoumurderedSchwerke——youdrovehiminsanebyyourcrueltyuntilhetookhisownlife。Youareonlyoneofyourkind——theyarealllikeyoufromtheKaiserdown。IwishthatyouweretheKaiser。ThuswouldIdo！"AndhelungedhisbayonetthroughvonSchoenvorts’chest。ThenhelethisriflefallwiththedyingmanandwheeledtowardBradley。"HereIam，"
hesaid。"Dowithmeasyoulike。AllmylifeIhavebeenkickedandcuffedbysuchasthat，andyetalwayshaveIgoneoutwhentheycommanded，singing，togiveupmylifeifneedbetokeeptheminpower。OnlylatelyhaveIcometoknowwhatafoolIhavebeen。ButnowIamnolongerafool，andbesides，IamavengedandSchwerkeisavenged，soyoucankillmeifyouwish。
HereIam。"
"IfIwasafterbein’theking，"saidOlson，"I’dpintheV。C。onyournoblechist;butbein’onlyanIrishmanwithaSwedename，forwhichGodforgiveme，thebistIcandoisshakeyourhand。"
"Youwillnotbepunished，"saidBradley。"Therearefourofyouleft——ifyoufourwanttocomealongandworkwithus，wewilltakeyou;butyouwillcomeasprisoners。"
"Itsuitsme，"saidPlesser。"Nowthatthecaptain-lieutenantisdeadyouneednotfearus。Allourliveswehaveknownnothingbuttoobeyhisclass。IfIhadnotkilledhim，IsupposeI
wouldbefoolenoughtoobeyhimagain;butheisdead。Nowwewillobeyyou——wemustobeysomeone。"
"Andyou？"BradleyturnedtotheothersurvivorsoftheoriginalcrewoftheU-33。Eachpromisedobedience。
ThetwodeadGermanswereburiedinasinglegrave，andthenthepartyboardedthesubmarineandstowedawaytheoil。
HereBradleytoldthemenwhathadbefallenhimsincethenightofSeptember14thwhenhehaddisappearedsomysteriouslyfromthecampupontheplateau。NowhelearnedforthefirsttimethatBowenJ。Tyler，Jr。，andMissLaRuehadbeenmissingevenlongerthanheandthatnofaintesttraceofthemhadbeendiscovered。
OlsontoldhimofhowtheGermanshadreturnedandwaitedinambushforthemoutsidethefort，capturingthemthattheymightbeusedtoassistintheworkofrefiningtheoilandlaterinmanningtheU-33，andPlessertoldbrieflyoftheexperiencesoftheGermancrewundervonSchoenvortssincetheyhadescapedfromCaspakmonthsbefore——ofhowtheylosttheirbearingsafterhavingbeenshelledbyshipstheyhadattemptedtosneakfarthernorthandhowatlastwithprovisionsgoneandfuelalmostexhaustedtheyhadsoughtandatlastfound，morebyaccidentthandesign，themysteriousislandtheyhadoncebeensogladtoleavebehind。
"Now，"announcedBradley，"we’llplanforthefuture。Theboathasfuel，provisionsandwaterforamonth，Ibelieveyousaid，Plesser;therearetenofustomanit。Wehavealastsaddutyhere——wemustsearchforMissLaRueandMr。Tyler。Isayasaddutybecauseweknowthatweshallnotfindthem;butitisnonethelessourdutytocombtheshoreline，firingsignalshellsatintervals，thatweatleastmayleaveatlastwithfullknowledgethatwehavedoneallthatmenmightdotolocatethem。"
Nonedissentedfromthisconviction，norwasthereavoiceraisedinprotestagainsttheplantoatleastmakeassurancedoublysurebeforequittingCaspakforever。
Andsotheystarted，cruisingslowlyupthecoastandfiringanoccasionalshotfromthegun。Oftenthevesselwasbroughttoastop，andalwaystherewereanxiouseyesscanningtheshoreforanansweringsignal。LateintheafternoontheycaughtsightofanumberofBand-luwarriors;butwhenthevesselapproachedtheshoreandthenativesrealizedthathumanbeingsstooduponthebackofthestrangemonsterofthesea，theyfledinterrorbeforeBradleycouldcomewithinhailingdistance。
Thatnighttheydroppedanchoratthemouthofasluggishstreamwhosewarmwatersswarmedwithmillionsoftinytadpolelikeorganisms——minutehumanspawnstartingontheirprecariousjourneyfromsomeinlandpooltoward"thebeginning"——ajourneywhichoneinmillions，perhaps，mightsurvivetocomplete。
Alreadyalmostattheinceptionoflifetheywerebeinggreetedbythousandsofvoraciousmouthsasfishandreptilesofmanykindsfoughttodevourthem，thewhileotherandlargercreaturespursuedthedevourers，tobe，inturn，preyeduponbysomeotherofthecountlessformsthatinhabitthedeepsofCaprona’sfrightfulsea。
Theseconddaywaspracticallyarepetitionofthefirst。
TheymovedveryslowlywithfrequentstopsandoncetheylandedintheKro-lucountrytohunt。Heretheywereattackedbythebow-and-arrowmen，whomtheycouldnotpersuadetopalaverwiththem。Sobelligerentwerethenativesthatitbecamenecessarytofireintotheminordertoescapetheirpersistentandferociousattentions。
"Whatchance，"askedBradley，astheywerereturningtotheboatwiththeirgame，"couldTylerandMissLaRuehavehadamongsuchasthese？"
Buttheycontinuedontheirfruitlessquest，andthethirdday，aftercruisingalongtheshoreofadeepinlet，theypassedalineofloftycliffsthatformedthesouthernshoreoftheinletandroundedasharppromontoryaboutnoon。Co-TanandBradleywereondeckalone，andasthenewshorelineappearedbeyondthepoint，thegirlgaveanexclamationofjoyandseizedtheman’shandinhers。
"Oh，look！"shecried。"TheGalucountry！TheGalucountry！
ItismycountrythatIneverthoughttoseeagain。"
"Youaregladtocomeagain，Co-Tan？"askedBradley。
"Oh，soglad！"shecried。"Andyouwillcomewithmetomypeople？
Wemaylivehereamongthem，andyouwillbeagreatwarrior——oh，whenJordiesyoumayevenbechief，forthereisnonesomightyasmywarrior。Youwillcome？"
Bradleyshookhishead。"Icannot，littleCo-Tan，"heanswered。
"Mycountryneedsme，andImustgoback。MaybesomedayI
shallreturn。Youwillnotforgetme，Co-Tan？"
Shelookedathiminwide-eyedwonder。"Youaregoingawayfromme？"sheaskedinaverysmallvoice。"YouaregoingawayfromCo-Tan？"
Bradleylookeddownuponthelittlebowedhead。Hefeltthesoftcheekagainsthisbarearm;andhefeltsomethingelsetheretoo——
hotdropsofmoisturethatrandowntohisveryfinger-tipsandsplashed，buteachonewrungfromawoman’sheart。
Hebentlowandraisedthetear-stainedfacetohisown。
"No，Co-Tan，"hesaid，"Iamnotgoingawayfromyou——foryouaregoingwithme。Youaregoingbacktomyowncountrytobemywife。Tellmethatyouwill，Co-Tan。"Andhebentstillloweryetfromhisheightandkissedherlips。Nordidheneedmorethanthewonderfulnewlightinhereyestotellhimthatshewouldgototheendoftheworldwithhimifhewouldbuttakeher。
Andthenthegun-crewcameupfrombelowagaintofireasignalshot，andthetwowerebroughtdownfromthehighheavenoftheirnewhappinesstothescarredandweather-beatendeckoftheU-33。
AnhourlaterthevesselwasrunningcloseinbyashoreofwondrousbeautybesideaparklikemeadowthatstretchedbackamileinlandtothefootofaplateauwhenWhitelycalledattentiontoascoreoffiguresclamberingdownwardfromtheelevationtothelowlandbelow。Theengineswerereversedandtheboatbroughttoastopwhileallhandsgatheredondecktowatchthelittlepartycomingtowardthemacrossthemeadow。
"TheyareGalus，"criedCo-Tan;"theyaremyownpeople。Letmespeaktothemlesttheythinkwecometofightthem。Putmeashore，myman，andIwillgomeetthem。"
ThenoseoftheU-boatwasruncloseintothesteepbank;butwhenCo-Tanwouldhaverunforwardalone，Bradleyseizedherhandandheldherback。"Iwillgowithyou，Co-Tan，"hesaid;andtogethertheyadvancedtomeettheoncomingparty。
Therewereabouttwentywarriorsmovingforwardinathinline，asourinfantryadvanceasskirmishers。Bradleycouldnotbutnoticethemarkeddifferencebetweenthisformationandthemoblikemethodsofthelowertribeshehadcomeincontactwith，andhecommenteduponittoCo-Tan。
"Galuwarriorsalwaysadvanceintobattlethus，"shesaid。
"Thelesserpeopleremaininahuddledgroupwheretheycanscarceusetheirweaponsthewhiletheypresentsobigamarktousthatourspearsandarrowscannotmissthem;butwhentheyhurltheirsatourwarriors，iftheymissthefirstman，thereisnochancethattheywillkillsomeonebehindhim。
"Standstillnow，"shecautioned，"andfoldyourarms。Theywillnotharmusthen。"
Bradleydidashewasbid，andthetwostoodwitharmsfoldedasthelineofwarriorsapproached。Whentheyhadcomewithinsomefiftyyards，theyhaltedandonespoke。"Whoareyouandfromwhencedoyoucome？"heasked;andthenCo-Tangavealittle，gladcryandsprangforwardwithout-stretchedarms。
"Oh，Tan！"sheexclaimed。"DoyounotknowyourlittleCo-Tan？"
Thewarriorstared，incredulous，foramoment，andthenhe，too，ranforwardandwhentheymet，tookthegirlinhisarms。ItwasthenthatBradleyexperiencedtothefullasensationthatwasnewtohim——asuddenhatredforthestrangewarriorbeforehimandadesiretokillwithoutknowingwhyhewouldkill。Hemovedquicklytothegirl’ssideandgraspedherwrist。
"Whoisthisman？"hedemandedincoldtones。
Co-TanturnedasurprisedfacetowardtheEnglishmanandthenofasuddenbrokeforthintoamerrypealoflaughter。"Thisismyfather，Brad-lee，"shecried。
"AndwhoisBrad-lee？"demandedthewarrior。
"Heismyman，"repliedCo-Tansimply。
"Bywhatright？"insistedTan。
AndthenshetoldhimbrieflyofallthatshehadpassedthroughsincetheWierooshadstolenherandofhowBradleyhadrescuedherandsoughttorescueAn-Tak，herbrother。
"Youaresatisfiedwithhim？"askedTan。
"Yes，"repliedthegirlproudly。
ItwasthenthatBradley’sattentionwasattractedtotheedgeoftheplateaubyamovementthere，andlookingcloselyhesawahorsebearingtwofiguresslidingdownthesteepdeclivity。
Onceatthebottom，theanimalcamechargingacrossthemeadowlandatarapidrun。Itwasamagnificentanimal——agreatbaystallionwithawhite-blazedfaceandwhiteforelegstotheknees，itsbarrelencircledbyabroadsurcingleofwhite;andasitcametoasuddenstopbesideTan，theEnglishmansawthatitboreamanandagirl——atallmanandagirlasbeautifulasCo-Tan。Whenthegirlespiedthelatter，sheslidfromthehorseandrantowardher，fairlyscreamingforjoy。
ThemandismountedandstoodbesideTan。LikeBradleyhewasgarbedafterthefashionofthesurroundingwarriors;buttherewasasubtledifferencebetweenhimandhiscompanion。
PossiblyhedetectedasimilardifferenceinBradley，forhisfirstquestionwas，"Fromwhatcountry？"andthoughhespokeinGaluBradleythoughthedetectedanaccent。
"England，"repliedBradley。
Abroadsmilelightedthenewcomer’sfaceasheheldouthishand。
"IamTomBillingsofSantaMonica，California，"hesaid。"Iknowallaboutyou，andI’mmightygladtofindyoualive。"
"Howdidyougethere？"askedBradley。"IthoughtourswastheonlypartyofmenfromtheouterworldevertoenterCaprona。"
"Itwas，untilwecameinsearchofBowenJ。Tyler，Jr。，"
repliedBillings。"Wefoundhimandsenthimhomewithhisbride;butIwaskeptaprisonerhere。"
Bradley’sfacedarkened——thentheywerenotamongfriendsafterall。"TherearetenofusdownthereonaGermansubwithsmall-armsandagun，"hesaidquicklyinEnglish。
"Itwillbenotricktogetawayfromthesepeople。"
"Youdon’tknowmyjailer，"repliedBillings，"oryou’dnotbesosure。Wait，I’llintroduceyou。"Andthenturningtothegirlwhohadaccompaniedhimhecalledherbyname。"Ajor，"hesaid，"permitmetointroduceLieutenantBradley;Lieutenant，Mrs。
Billings——myjailer！"
TheEnglishmanlaughedasheshookhandswiththegirl。"YouarenotasgoodasoldierasI，"hesaidtoBillings。"InsteadofbeingtakenprisonermyselfIhavetakenone——Mrs。Bradley，thisisMr。Billings。"
Ajor，quicktounderstand，turnedtowardCo-Tan。"Youaregoingbackwithhimtohiscountry？"sheasked。Co-Tanadmittedit。
"Youdare？"askedAjor。"Butyourfatherwillnotpermitit——
Jor，myfather，HighChiefoftheGalus，willnotpermitit，forlikemeyouarecos-ata-lo。Oh，Co-Tan，ifwebutcould！
HowIwouldlovetoseeallthestrangeandwonderfulthingsofwhichmyTomtellsme！"
Bradleybentandwhisperedinherear。"Saythewordandyoumaybothgowithus。"
BillingsheardandspeakinginEnglish，askedAjorifshewouldgo。
"Yes，"sheanswered，"Ifyouwishit;butyouknow，myTom，thatifJorcapturesus，bothyouandCo-Tan’smanwillpaythepenaltywithyourlives——notevenhisloveformenorhisadmirationforyoucansaveyou。"
BradleynoticedthatshespokeinEnglish——brokenEnglishlikeCo-Tan’sbutequallyappealing。"Wecaneasilygetyouaboardtheship，"hesaid，"onsomepretextorother，andthenwecansteamaway。Theycanneitherharmnordetainus，norwillwehavetofireashotatthem。"
Andsoitwasdone，BradleyandCo-TantakingAjorandBillingsaboardto"show"themthevessel，whichalmostimmediatelyraisedanchorandmovedslowlyoutintothesea。
"Ihatetodoit，"saidBillings。"Theyhavebeenfinetome。
JorandTanaresplendidmenandtheywillthinkmeaningrate;
butIcan’twastemylifeherewhenthereissomuchtobedoneintheouterworld。"
AstheysteameddowntheinlandseapasttheislandofOo-oh，thestoriesoftheiradventureswereretold，andBradleylearnedthatBowenTylerandhisbridehadlefttheGalucountrybutafortnightbeforeandthattherewaseveryreasontobelievethattheToreadormightstillbelyinginthePacificnotfaroffthesubterraneanmouthoftheriverwhichemittedCaprona’sheatedwatersintotheocean。
Lateinthesecondday，afterrunningthroughswarmsofhideousreptiles，theysubmergedatthepointwheretheriverenteredbeneaththecliffsandshortlyafterrosetothesunlitsurfaceofthePacific;butnowhereasfarastheycouldseewassignofanothercraft。DownthecoasttheysteamedtowardthebeachwhereBillingshadmadehiscrossinginthehydro-aeroplaneandjustatduskthelookoutannouncedalightdeadahead。ItprovedtobeaboardtheToreador，andahalf-hourlatertherewassuchareuniononthedeckofthetriglittleyachtasnoonetherehadeverdreamedmightbepossible。OftheAlliestherewereonlyTippetandJamestobemourned，andnoonemournedanyoftheGermansdeadnorBenson，thetraitor，whoseuglystorywasfirsttoldinBowenTyler’smanuscript。
Tylerandtherescuepartyhadbutjustreachedtheyachtthatafternoon。Theyhadheard，faintly，thesignalshotsfiredbytheU-33buthadbeenunabletolocatetheirdirectionandsohadassumedthattheyhadcomefromthegunsoftheToreador。
Itwasahappypartythatsailednorthtowardsunny，southernCalifornia，theoldU-33trailinginthewakeoftheToreadorandflyingwiththelatterthegloriousStarsandStripesbeneathwhichshehadbeenbornintheshipyardatSantaMonica。
Threenewlymarriedcouples，theirbondsnowdulysolemnizedbythemasteroftheship，joyedinthepeaceandsecurityoftheuntrackedwatersofthesouthPacificandtheuniquehoneymoonwhich，haditnotbeenforsterndutyahead，theycouldhavewishedprotractedtilltheendoftime。
AndsotheycameonedaytodockattheshipyardwhichBowenTylernowcontrolled，andheretheU-33stilllieswhilethosewhopassedsomanyeventfuldayswithinandbecauseofher，havegonetheirvariousways。