Finally, I suggested that we experiment with it and see what it

would do, so Perry built a fire, after placing the powder at a safe

distance, and then touched a glow-ing ember to a minute particle

of the deadly explosive. It extinguished the ember.

Repeated experiments with it determined me that in searching for

a high explosive, Perry had stumbled upon a fire-extinguisher that

would have made his fortune for him back in our own world.

So now he set himself to work to build a scientific canoe. I had

suggested that we construct a dugout, but Perry convinced me that

we must build something more in keeping with our positions of

supermen in this world of the Stone Age.

"We must impress these natives with our superiority," he explained.

"You must not forget, David, that you are emperor of Pellucidar.

As such you may not with dignity approach the shores of a foreign

power in so crude a vessel as a dugout."

I pointed out to Perry that it wasn't much more in-congruous for

the emperor to cruise in a canoe, than it was for the prime minister

to attempt to build one with his own hands.

He had to smile at that; but in extenuation of his act he assured

me that it was quite customary for prime ministers to give their

personal attention to the building of imperial navies; "and this,"

he said, "is the imperial navy of his Serene Highness, David I,

Emperor of the Federated Kingdoms of Pellucidar."

I grinned; but Perry was quite serious about it. It had always seemed

rather more or less of a joke to me that I should be addressed as

majesty and all the rest of it. Yet my imperial power and dignity

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