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scattered the others; but several times later during the day we were menaced by
them, until we had left their country and entered that of the Sto-lu, or hatchet-
men. These people were less hairy and more man-like; nor did they appear so
anxious to destroy us. Rather they were curious, and followed us for some
distance examining us most closely. They called out to us, and Ajor answered
them; but her replies did not seem to satisfy them, for they gradually became
threatening, and I think they were preparing to attack us when a small deer that
had been hiding in some low brush suddenly broke cover and dashed across our
front. We needed meat, for it was near one o'clock and I was getting hungry; so I
drew my pistol and with a single shot dropped the creature in its tracks. The
effect upon the Bo-lu was electrical. Immediately they abandoned all thoughts of
war, and turning, scampered for the forest which fringed our path.
That night we spent beside a little stream in the Sto-lu country. We found a tiny
cave in the rock bank, so hidden away that only chance could direct a beast of
prey to it, and after we had eaten of the deer-meat and some fruit which Ajor
gathered, we crawled into the little hole, and with sticks and stones which I had
gathered for the purpose I erected a strong barricade inside the entrance.
Nothing could reach us without swimming and wading through the stream, and I
felt quite secure from attack. Our quarters were rather cramped. The ceiling was
so low that we could not stand up, and the floor so narrow that it was with
difficulty that we both wedged into it together; but we were very tired, and so we
made the most of it; and so great was the feeling of security that I am sure I fell
asleep as soon as I had stretched myself beside Ajor.
During the three days which followed, our progress was exasperatingly slow. I
doubt if we made ten miles in the entire three days. The country was hideously
savage, so that we were forced to spend hours at a time in hiding from one or
another of the great beasts which menaced us continually. There were fewer
reptiles; but the quantity of carnivora seemed to have increased, and the reptiles
that we did see were perfectly gigantic. I shall never forget one enormous
specimen which we came upon browsing upon water-reeds at the edge of the
great sea. It stood well over twelve feet high at the rump, its highest point, and
with its enormously long tail and neck it was somewhere between seventy-five
and a hundred feet in length. Its head was ridiculously small; its body was
unarmored, but its great bulk gave it a most formidable appearance. My
experience of Caspakian life led me to believe that the gigantic creature would but
have to see us to attack us, and so I raised my rifle and at the same time drew
away toward some brush which offered concealment; but Ajor only laughed, and
picking up a stick, ran toward the great thing, shouting. The little head was
raised high upon the long neck as the animal stupidly looked here and there in
search of the author of the disturbance. At last its eyes discovered tiny little Ajor,
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