many west, and so on. When I was ready to return I would then do

so by any route that I might choose.

I also strapped a considerable quantity of ammuni-tion across my

shoulders, pocketed some matches, and hooked an aluminum fry-pan

and a small stew-kettle of the same metal to my belt.

I was ready--ready to go forth and explore a world!

Ready to search a land area of 124,110,000 square miles for my

friends, my incomparable mate, and good old Perry!

And so, after locking the door in the outer shell of the prospector,

I set out upon my quest. Due south I traveled, across lovely

valleys thick-dotted with graz-ing herds.

Through dense primeval forests I forced my way and up the slopes

of mighty mountains searching for a pass to their farther sides.

Ibex and musk-sheep fell before my good old revolver, so that I

lacked not for food in the higher altitudes. The forests and the

plains gave plentifully of fruits and wild birds, antelope, aurochsen,

and elk.

Occasionally, for the larger game animals and the gigantic beasts

of prey, I used my express rifle, but for the most part the revolver

filled all my needs.

There were times, too, when faced by a mighty cave bear, a saber-toothed

tiger, or huge felis spelaea, black-maned and terrible, even my

powerful rifle seemed pitifully inadequate--but fortune favored

me so that I passed unscathed through adventures that even the

recollection of causes the short hairs to bristle at the nape of

my neck.

How long I wandered toward the south I do not know, for shortly

after I left the prospector something went wrong with my watch, and

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