Part 12 (2/2)

Tharn, listening, shrugged indifferently The incident was closed as far as he was concerned, and Vulcar's thinly veiled threat did not impress him

”I was about to tell your wild friend,” the captain continued, ”that Uriht before hi, Katon; you seem to be the only one able to control hih the guarded doorway and went up a long ramp to the first floor of the palace There they turned left anda narrow corridor until stopped by a heavy door Vulcar rapped on this with his knife hilt, it opened froh

What met the cave-man's eyes caused him to catch his breath, so unusual did it appear to one who had known nothing le and forest

Here was a great, high-ceilinged room, well-filled arriors, citizens, slaves--even a sprinkling of worouped about a loooden frustu of steps On the flattened apex stood a large chair, co back

Here sat the dignified figure of Urim, ruler of Sephar

As Tharn and his companions entered, all conversation ceased, every eye turned toward the of necks Some of those present had heard details of the cave- His God-like figure, the rippling sinews beneath a sun-bronzed skin, the primitive loin-cloth of panther hide--all drew forth murmurs of admiration

As for Tharn--he strode toward the elevated throne with all of Sadu's ray eyes bored into those of the man above hie

When they had halted, Uri his words to Vulcar

”Is this the prowler you captured in the slave quarters?” he asked, indicating Tharn

”It is, O Urim”

The ruler's eyes shi+fted to the stiffly erect figure of Katon ”Why have you brought this man?” he demanded

”The prisoner has been troublesoe hiood nature ”Well, Katon,” he said coldly, ”I have not forgotten you Do you find the pits e of the quarry slaves?”

Katon's face ithout expression ”Both places have their good points, O Urim,” he replied evenly

Urim scowled ”Let me remind you the Gaood points there--unless they be fang points!”

He turned back to Tharn ”What were you seeking in Sephar, forest-man?”

”I came here for my mate,” Tharn said briefly

”Your o not far froly at Vulcar ”He o I understood the man with her had been slain”

”This is the one,” admitted Vulcar ”There is an arroound--a fresh one--in his side When we took the girl, the ht he had died from a blow from one of our clubs; it seems impossible that he has survived its force”

For several ht, his eyes on the giant Cro-Magnon This wild man's fate was in his hands, and his alone As a slave the uard or warrior--that is, were he tractable, a warned hinize no authority or law beyond his own Such a slave would only stir up unrest, perhaps open rebellion a his fellows

And so Urim made his decision

”Confine him to the pits, Vulcar,” he commanded in dismissal ”He is to take part in the Games”