of the felucca to repel them. The commander of the felucca, who

proved to be Ja, let them come quite close and then turned loose

upon them a volley of shots from small-arms.

The cave men and Sagoths in the dugouts seemed to wither before

that blast of death like dry grass before a prairie fire. Those

who were not hit dropped their bows and javelins and, seizing

upon paddles, attempted to escape. But the felucca pursued them

relentlessly, her crew firing at will.

At last I heard Ja shouting to the survivors in the dugouts--they

were all quite close to us now--offer-ing them their lives if they

would surrender. Perry was standing close behind Ja, and I knew

that this merciful action was prompted, perhaps commanded, by the

old man; for no Pellucidarian would have thought of showing leniency

to a defeated foe.

As there was no alternative save death, the survivors surrendered

and a moment later were taken aboard the Amoz, the name that I

could now see printed in large letters upon the felucca's bow, and

which no one in that whole world could read except Perry and I.

When the prisoners were aboard, Ja brought the felucca alongside

our dugout. Many were the willing hands that reached down to lift

us to her decks. The bronze faces of the Mezops were broad with

smiles, and Perry was fairly beside himself with joy.

Dian went aboard first and then Juag, as I wished to help Raja and

Ranee aboard myself, well knowing that it would fare ill with any

Mezop who touched them. We got them aboard at last, and a great

com-motion they caused among the crew, who had never seen a wild

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