Thecreaturestoodabouttheheightofanaveragemanbutappearedmuchtallerfromthefactthatthejointsofhislongwingsrosefullyafootabovehishairlesshead。Thebarearmswerelongandsinewy，endinginstrong，bonyhandswithclawlikefingers——almosttalonlikeintheirsuggestiveness。Thewhiterobewasseparatedinfront，revealingskinnylegsandthefurtherfactthatthethingworebutthesinglegarment，whichwasoffine，wovencloth。Fromcrowntosoletheportionsofthebodyexposedwereentirelyhairless，andashenotedthis，Bradleyalsonotedforthefirsttimethecauseofmuchoftheseemingexpressionlessnessofthecreature’scountenance——ithadneithereye-browsorlashes。Theearsweresmallandrestedflatagainsttheskull，whichwasnoticeablyround，thoughthefacewasquiteflat。Thecreaturehadsmallfeet，beautifullyarchedandplump，butsooutofkeepingwitheveryotherphysicalattributeitpossessedastoappearridiculous。
AftereyeingBradleyforamomentthethingapproachedhim。
\"Wherefrom？\"itasked。
\"England，\"repliedBradley，asbriefly。
\"WhereisEnglandandwhat？\"pursuedthequestioner。
\"Itisacountryfarfromhere，\"answeredtheEnglishman。
\"Areyourpeoplecor-sva-joorcos-ata-lu？\"
\"Idonotunderstandyou，\"saidBradley;\"andnowsupposeyouanswerafewquestions。Whoareyou？Whatcountryisthis？
Whydidyoubringmehere？\"
Againthesepulchralgrimace。\"WeareWieroos——Luataisourfather。
Caspakisours。This，ourcountry，iscalledOo-oh。Webroughtyouherefor（literally）HimWhoSpeaksforLuatatogazeuponandquestion。Hewouldknowfromwhenceyoucameandwhy;butprincipallyifyoubecos-ata-lu。\"
\"AndifIamnotcos——whateveryoucallthebloomin’beast——
whatofit？\"
TheWierooraisedhiswingsinaveryhumanshrugandwavedhisbonyclawstowardthehumanskullssupportingtheceiling。
Hisgesturewaseloquent;butheembellisheditbyremarking，\"Andpossiblyifyouare。\"
\"I’mhungry，\"snappedBradley。
TheWieroomotionedhimtooneofthedoorswhichhethrewopen，permittingBradleytopassoutontoanotherroofonalevellowerthanthatuponwhichtheyhadlandedearlierinthemorning。
Bydaylightthecityappearedevenmoreremarkablethaninthemoonlight，thoughlessweirdandunreal。Thehousesofallshapesandsizeswerepiledaboutasachildmightpileblocksofvariousformsandcolors。Hesawnowthattherewerewhatmightbecalledstreetsoralleys，buttheyraninbafflingturnsandtwists，noreverreachedadestination，alwaysendinginadeadwallwheresomeWieroohadbuiltahouseacrossthem。
Uponeachhousewasaslendercolumnsupportingahumanskull。
Sometimesthecolumnswereatonecorneroftheroof，sometimesatanother，oragaintheyrosefromthecenterornearthecenter，andthecolumnswereofvaryingheights，fromthatofamantothosewhichrosetwentyfeetabovetheirroofs。
Theskullswere，asarule，painted——blueorwhite，orincombinationsofbothcolors。Themosteffectivewerepaintedbluewiththeteethwhiteandtheeye-socketsrimmedwithwhite。
Therewereotherskulls——thousandsofthem——tens，hundredsofthousands。Theyrimmedtheeavesofeveryhouse，theyweresetintheplasteroftheouterwallsandatnogreatdistancefromwhereBradleystoodrosearoundtowerbuiltentirelyofhumanskulls。AndthecityextendedineverydirectionasfarastheEnglishmancouldsee。
AllabouthimWieroosweremovingacrosstheroofsorwingingthroughtheair。Thesadsoundoftheirflappingwingsroseandfelllikeasolemndirge。Mostofthemwereappareledallinwhite，likehiscaptors;butothershadmarkingsofredorblueoryellowslashedacrossthefrontoftheirrobes。
Hisguidepointedtowardadoorwayinanalleybelowthem。
\"Gothereandeat，\"hecommanded，\"andthencomeback。
Youcannotescape。Ifanyquestionyou，saythatyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj。Thereistheway。\"Andthistimehepointedtothetopofaladderwhichprotrudedabovetheeavesoftheroofnear-by。Thenheturnedandreenteredthehouse。
Bradleylookedabouthim。No，hecouldnotescape——thatseemedevident。Thecityappearedinterminable，andbeyondthecity，ifnotasavagewildernessfilledwithwildbeasts，therewasthebroadinlandseainfestedwithhorridmonsters。NowonderhiscaptorfeltsafeinturninghimlooseinOo-oh——hewonderedifthatwasthenameofthecountryorthecityandiftherewereothercitieslikethisupontheisland。
Slowlyhedescendedtheladdertotheseeminglydesertedalleywhichwaspavedwithwhatappearedtobelarge，roundcobblestones。
Helookedagainatthesmooth，wornpavement，andaruefulgrincrossedhisfeatures——thealleywaspavedwithskulls。\"TheCityofHumanSkulls，\"musedBradley。\"Theymusthavebeencollectin’
’emsinceAdam，\"hethought，andthenhecrossedandenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwaythathadbeenpointedouttohim。
InsidehefoundalargeroominwhichweremanyWieroosseatedbeforepedestalsthetopsofwhichwerehollowedoutsothattheyresembledtheordinarybirddrinking-andbathing-fontssocommonlyseenonsuburbanlawns。Aseatprotrudedfromeachofthefoursidesofthepedestals——justaflatboardwithasupportrunningfromitsouterenddiagonallytothebaseofthepedestal。
AsBradleyentered，someoftheWieroosespiedhim，andadismalwailarose。Whetheritwasagreetingorathreat，Bradleydidnotknow。SuddenlyfromadarkalcoveanotherWieroorushedouttowardhim。\"Whoareyou？\"hecried。\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Fosh-bal-sojsentmeheretoeat，\"repliedBradley。
\"DoyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj？\"askedtheother。
\"Thatappearstobewhathethinks，\"answeredtheEnglishman。
\"Areyoucos-ata-lu？\"demandedtheWieroo。
\"GivemesomethingtoeatorI’llbeallofthat，\"repliedBradley。
TheWieroolookedpuzzled。\"Sithere，jaal-lu，\"hesnapped，andBradleysatdownunconsciousofthefactthathehadbeeninsultedbybeingcalledahyena-man，anappellationofcontemptinCaspak。
TheWieroohadseatedhimatapedestalbyhimself，andashesatwaitingforwhatwasnexttotranspire，helookedabouthimattheWierooinhisimmediatevicinity。Hesawthatineachfontwasaquantityoffood，andthateachWieroowasarmedwithawoodenskewer，sharpenedatoneend;withwhichtheycarriedsolidportionsoffoodtotheirmouths。Attheotherendoftheskewerwasfastenedasmallclam-shell。Thiswasusedtoscoopupthesmallerandsofterportionsoftherepastintowhichallfouroftheoccupantsofeachtabledippedimpartially。TheWierooleanedfarovertheirfood，scoopingituprapidlyandwithmuchnoise，andsogreatwastheirhastethatapartofeachmouthfulalwaysfellbackintothecommondish;andwhentheychoked，byreasonoftherapiditywithwhichtheyattemptedtobolttheirfood，theyoftenlostitall。Bradleywasgladthathehadapedestalalltohimself。
Soonthekeeperoftheplacereturnedwithawoodenbowlfilledwithfood。ThishedumpedintoBradley’s\"trough，\"ashealreadythoughtofit。TheEnglishmanwasgladthathecouldnotseeintothedarkalcoveorknowwhatwerealltheingredientsthatconstitutedthemessbeforehim，forhewasveryhungry。
Afterthefirstmouthfulhecaredevenlesstoinvestigatetheantecedentsofthedish，forhefounditpeculiarlypalatable。
Itseemedtoconsistofacombinationofmeat，fruits，vegetables，smallfishandotherundistinguishablearticlesoffoodallseasonedtoproduceagastronomiceffectthatwasatoncebafflinganddelicious。
Whenhehadfinished，histroughwasempty，andthenhecommencedtowonderwhowastosettleforhismeal。Ashewaitedfortheproprietortoreturn，hefelltoexaminingthedishfromwhichhehadeatenandthepedestaluponwhichitrested。Thefontwasofstonewornsmoothbylong-continueduse，thefourouteredgeshollowedandpolishedbythecontactofthecountlessWieroobodiesthathadleanedagainstthemforhowlongaperiodoftimeBradleycouldnotevenguess。Everythingabouttheplacecarriedtheimpressionofhoaryage。Thecarvedpedestalswereblackwithuse，thewoodenseatswerewornhollow，thefloorofstoneslabswaspolishedbythecontactofpossiblymillionsofnakedfeetandwornawayintheaislesbetweenthepedestalssothatthelatterresteduponlittlemoundsofstoneseveralinchesabovethegenerallevelofthefloor。
Finally，seeingthatnoonecametocollect，Bradleyaroseandstartedforthedoorway。Hehadcoveredhalfthedistancewhenheheardthevoiceofminehostcallingtohim：\"Comeback，jaal-lu，\"screamedtheWieroo;andBradleydidashewasbid。
Asheapproachedthecreaturewhichstoodnowbehindalarge，flat-toppedpedestalbesidethealcove，hesawlyinguponthesmoothsurfacesomethingthatalmostelicitedagaspofastonishmentfromhim——asimple，commonthingitwas，orwouldhavebeenalmostanywhereintheworldbutCaspak——asquarebitofpaper！
Andonit，inafinehand，writtencompactly，weremanystrangehieroglyphics！Theseremarkablecreatures，then，hadawrittenaswellasaspokenlanguageandbesidestheartofweavingclothpossessedthatofpaper-making。CoulditbethatsuchgrotesquebeingsrepresentedthehighcultureofthehumanracewithintheboundariesofCaspak？HadnaturalselectionproducedduringthecountlessagesofCaspakianlifeawingedmonstrositythatrepresentedtheearthlypinnacleofman’sevolution？
BradleyhadnotedsomethingoftheobviousindicationsofagradualevolutionfromapetospearmanasexemplifiedbytheseveraloverlappingracesofAlalus，club-menandhatchet-menthatformedtheconnectinglinksbetweenthetwoextremeswithwhichhe，hadcomeincontact。HehadheardoftheKrolusandtheGalus——reputedtobestillhigherintheplaneofevolution——
andnowhehadindisputableevidenceofaracepossessingrefinementsofcivilizationeonsinadvanceofthespear-men。
Theconjecturesawakenedbyevenamomentaryconsiderationofthepossibilitiesinvolvedbecameatonceaswildlybizarreastheinsaneimagingsofadrugaddict。
Asthesethoughtsflashedthroughhismind，theWierooheldoutapenofbonefixedtoawoodenholderandatthesametimemadeasignthatBradleywastowriteuponthepaper。ItwasdifficulttojudgefromtheexpressionlessfeaturesoftheWieroowhatwaspassinginthecreature’smind，butBradleycouldnotbutfeelthatthethingcastasuperciliousglanceuponhimasmuchastosay，\"Ofcourseyoudonotknowhowtowrite，youpoor，lowcreature;butyoucanmakeyourmark。\"
Bradleyseizedthepenandinaclear，boldhandwrote：\"JohnBradley，England。\"TheWierooshowedevidencesofconsternationasitseizedthepieceofpaperandexaminedthewritingwitheverymarkofincredulityandsurprise。Ofcourseitcouldmakenothingofthestrangecharacters;butitevidentlyacceptedthemasproofthatBradleypossessedknowledgeofawrittenlanguageofhisown，forfollowingtheEnglishman’sentryitmadeafewcharactersofitsown。
\"YouwillcomehereagainjustbeforeLuahideshisfacebehindthegreatcliff，\"announcedthecreature，\"unlessbeforethatyouaresummonedbyHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，inwhichcaseyouwillnothavetoeatanymore。\"
\"Reassuringcuss，\"thoughtBradleyasheturnedandleftthebuilding。
OutsidewereseveralWieroosthathadbeeneatingatthepedestalswithin。Theyimmediatelysurroundedhim，askingallsortsofquestions，pluckingathisgarments，hisammunition-beltandhispistol。Theirdemeanorwasentirelydifferentfromwhatithadbeenwithintheeating-placeandBradleywastolearnthatahouseoffoodwassanctuaryforhim，sincethesternlawsoftheWieroosforbadealtercationswithinsuchwalls。Nowtheywereroughandthreatening，aswithwingshalfspreadtheyhoveredabouthiminmenacingattitudes，barringhiswaytotheladderleadingtotherooffromwhencehehaddescended;buttheEnglishmanwasnotonetobrookinterferenceforlong。Heattemptedatfirsttopushhiswaypastthem，andthenwhenoneseizedhisarmandjerkedhimroughlyback，Bradleyswunguponthecreatureandwithaheavyblowtothejawfelledit。
Instantlypandemoniumreigned。Loudwailsarose，greatwingsopenedandclosedwithaloud，beatingnoiseandmanyclawlikehandsreachedforthtoclutchhim。Bradleystrucktorightandleft。Hedarednotusehispistolforfearthatoncetheydiscovereditspowerhewouldbeovercomebyweightofnumbersandrelievedofpossessionofwhatheconsideredhistrumpcard，tobereserveduntilthelastmomentthatitmightbeusedtoaidinhisescape，foralreadytheEnglishmanwasplanning，thoughalmosthopelessly，suchanattempt。
AfewblowsconvincedBradleythattheWierooswerearrantcowardsandthattheyborenoweapons，foraftertwoorthreehadfallenbeneathhisfiststheothersformedacircleabouthim，butatasafedistanceandcontentedthemselveswiththreateningandblustering，whilethosewhomhehadfelledlayuponthepavementwithouttryingtoarise，thewhiletheymoanedandwailedinlugubriouschorus。
AgainBradleystrodetowardtheladder，andthistimethecirclepartedbeforehim;butnosoonerhadheascendedafewrungsthanhewasseizedbyonefootandaneffortmadetodraghimdown。
WithaquickbackwardglancetheEnglishman，clingingfirmlytotheladderwithbothhands，drewuphisfreefootandwithallthestrengthofapowerfulleg，plantedaheavyshoesquarelyintheflatfaceoftheWieroothatheldhim。Shriekinghorribly，thecreatureclappedbothhandstoitsfaceandsanktothegroundwhileBradleyclamberedquicklytheremainingdistancetotheroof，thoughnosoonerdidhereachthetopoftheladderthanagreatflappingofwingsbeneathhimwarnedhimthattheWierooswererisingafterhim。Amomentlatertheyswarmedabouthisheadasheranfortheapartmentinwhichhehadspenttheearlyhoursofthemorningafterhisarrival。
Itwasbutashortdistancefromthetopoftheladdertothedoorway，andBradleyhadalmostreachedhisgoalwhenthedoorflewopenandFosh-bal-sojsteppedout。ImmediatelythepursuingWieroosdemandedpunishmentofthejaal-luwhohadsogrievouslymaltreatedthem。Fosh-bal-sojlistenedtotheircomplaintsandthenwithasuddensweepofhisrighthandseizedBradleybythescruffoftheneckandhurledhimsprawlingthroughthedoorwayuponthefloorofthechamber。
SosuddenwastheassaultandsosurprisingthestrengthoftheWieroothattheEnglishmanwastakencompletelyoffhisguard。
Whenhearose，thedoorwasclosed，andFosh-bal-sojwasstandingoverhim，hishideousfacecontortedintoanexpressionofrageandhatred。
\"Hyena，snake，lizard！\"hescreamed。\"Youwoulddarelayyourlow，vile，profaninghandsuponeventhelowliestoftheWieroos——
thesacredchosenofLuata！\"
Bradleywasmad，andsohespokeinaverylow，calmvoicewhileahalf-smileplayedacrosshislipsbuthiscold，grayeyeswereunsmiling。
\"Whatyoudidtomejustnow，\"hesaid，\"——Iamgoingtokillyouforthat，\"andevenashespoke，helaunchedhimselfatthethroatofFosh-bal-soj。TheotherWieroothathadbeenasleepwhenBradleyleftthechamberhaddeparted，andthetwowerealone。
Fosh-bal-sojdisplayedlittleofthecowardiceofthosethathadattackedBradleyinthealleyway，butthatmayhavebeenbecausehehadsoslightopportunity，forBradleyhadhimbythethroatbeforehecouldutteracryandwithhisrighthandstruckhimheavilyandrepeatedlyuponhisfaceandoverhisheart——ugly，smashing，short-armjabsofthesortthattakethefightoutofamaninquicktime。
ButFosh-bal-sojwasofnomindtodiepassively。HeclawedandstruckatBradleywhilewithhisgreatwingsheattemptedtoshieldhimselffromthemercilessrainofblows，atthesametimesearchingforaholduponhisantagonist’sthroat。PresentlyhesucceededintrippingtheEnglishman，andtogetherthetwofellheavilytothefloor，Bradleyunderneath，andatthesameinstanttheWieroofastenedhislongtalonsabouttheother’swindpipe。
Fosh-bal-sojwaspossessedofenormousstrengthandhewasfightingforhislife。TheEnglishmansoonrealizedthatthebattlewasgoingagainsthim。Alreadyhislungswerepoundingpainfullyforairashereachedforhispistol。Itwaswithdifficultythathedrewitfromitsholster，andeventhen，withdeathstaringhimintheface，hethoughtofhispreciousammunition。
\"Can’twasteit，\"hethought;andslippinghisfingerstothebarrelheraisedtheweaponandstruckFosh-bal-sojaterrificblowbetweentheeyes。Instantlytheclawlikefingersreleasedtheirhold，andthecreaturesanklimplytothefloorbesideBradley，wholayforseveralminutesgaspingpainfullyinanefforttoregainhisbreath。
Whenhewasable，herose，andleanedcloseovertheWieroo，lyingsilentandmotionless，hiswingsdroppinglimplyandhisgreat，roundeyesstaringblanklytowardtheceiling。AbriefexaminationconvincedBradleythatthethingwasdead，andwiththeconvictioncameanoverwhelmingsenseofthedangerswhichmustnowconfronthim;buthowwashetoescape？
Hisfirstthoughtwastofindsomemeansforconcealingtheevidenceofhisdeedandthentomakeaboldefforttoescape。
Steppingtotheseconddoorhepusheditgentlyopenandpeeredinuponwhatseemedtobeastoreroom。InitwasalitterofclothsuchastheWieroos’robeswerefashionedfrom，anumberofchestspaintedblueandwhite，withwhitehieroglyphicspaintedinboldstrokesupontheblueandbluehieroglyphicsuponthewhite。InonecornerwasapileofhumanskullsreachingalmosttotheceilingandinanotherastackofdriedWieroowings。
Thechamberwasasirregularlyshapedastheotherandhadbutasinglewindowandaseconddooratthefurtherend，butwaswithouttheexitthroughtheroofand，mostimportantofall，therewasnocreatureofanysortinit。
AsquicklyaspossibleBradleydraggedthedeadWieroothroughthedoorwayandclosedthedoor;thenhelookedaboutforaplacetoconcealthecorpse。Oneofthechestswaslargeenoughtoholdthebodyifthekneeswerebentwellup，andwiththisideainviewBradleyapproachedthechesttoopenit。Thelidwasmadeintwopieces，eachbeinghingedatanoppositeendofthechestandjoiningnicelywheretheymetinthecenterofthechest，makingasnug，well-fittingjoint。Therewasnolock。
Bradleyraisedonehalfthecoverandlookedin。Withasmothered\"ByJove！\"hebentclosertoexaminethecontents——thechestwasabouthalffilledwithanassortmentofgoldentrinkets。
Therewerewhatappearedtobebracelets，ankletsandbroochesofvirgingold。
RealizingthattherewasnoroominthechestforthebodyoftheWieroo，Bradleyturnedtoseekanothermeansofconcealingtheevidenceofhiscrime。Therewasaspacebetweenthechestsandthewall，andintothisheforcedthecorpse，pilingthediscardedrobesuponituntilitwasentirelyhiddenfromsight;
butnowhowwashetomakegoodhisescapeinthebrightglareofthatearlySpringday？
Hewalkedtothedooratthefarendoftheapartmentandcautiouslyopeneditaninch。Beforehimandabouttwofeetawaywastheblankwallofanotherbuilding。Bradleyopenedthedooralittlefartherandlookedinbothdirections。Therewasnooneinsighttotheleftoveraconsiderableexpanseofroof-top，andtotherightanotherbuildingshutoffhislineofvisionatabouttwentyfeet。Slippingout，heturnedtotherightandinafewstepsfoundanarrowpassagewaybetweentwobuildings。
TurningintothishepassedabouthalfitslengthwhenhesawaWierooappearattheoppositeendandhalt。Thecreaturewasnotlookingdownthepassageway;butatanymomentitmightturnitseyestowardhim，whenhewouldbeimmediatelydiscovered。
ToBradley’sleftwasatriangularnicheinthewallofoneofthehousesandintothishedodged，thusconcealinghimselffromthesightoftheWieroo。BesidehimwasadoorpaintedavividyellowandconstructedafterthesamefashionastheotherWieroodoorshehadseen，beingmadeupofcountlessnarrowstripsofwoodfromfourtosixinchesinlengthlaidoninpatchesofaboutthesamewidth，thestripsinadjacentpatchesneverrunninginthesamedirection。Theresultboresomeresemblancetoacrazypatchworkquilt，whichwasheightenedwhen，asinoneofthedoorshehadseen，contiguouspatcheswerepainteddifferentcolors。Thestripsappearedtohavebeenboundtogetherandtotheunderlyingframeworkofthedoorwithgutorfiberandalsoglued，afterwhichathickcoatingofpainthadbeenapplied。Oneedgeofthedoorwasformedofastraight，roundpoleabouttwoinchesindiameterthatprotrudedattopandbottom，theprojectionssettinginroundholesinbothlintelandsillformingtheaxisuponwhichthedoorswung。Aneccentricdiskupontheinsidefaceofthedoorengagedaslotintheframewhenitwasdesiredtosecurethedooragainstintruders。
AsBradleystoodflattenedagainstthewallwaitingfortheWierootomoveon，heheardthecreature’swingsbrushingagainstthesidesofthebuildingsasitmadeitswaydownthenarrowpassageinhisdirection。Astheyellowdoorofferedtheonlymeansofescapewithoutdetection，theEnglishmandecidedtoriskwhatevermightliebeyondit，andso，boldlypushingitin，hecrossedthethresholdandenteredasmallapartment。
Ashedidso，heheardamuffledejaculationofsurprise，andturninghiseyesinthedirectionfromwhencethesoundhadcome，hebeheldawide-eyedgirlstandingflattenedagainsttheoppositewall，anexpressionofincredulityuponherface。AtaglancehesawthatshewasofnoraceofhumansthathehadcomeincontactwithsincehisarrivaluponCaprona——therewasnotraceaboutherformorfeaturesofanyrelationshiptothoselowordersofmen，norwassheappareledasthey——or，rather，shedidnotentirelylackapparelasdidmostofthem。
Asofthidefellfromherleftshouldertojustbelowherlefthipononesideandalmosttoherrightkneeontheother，aloosegirdlewasaboutherwaist，andgoldenornamentssuchashehadseenintheblue-and-whitechestencircledherarmsandlegs，whileagoldenfilletwithatriangulardiademboundherheavyhairaboveherbrows。Herskinwaswhiteasfromlongconfinementwithindoors;butitwasclearandfine。Herfigure，butpartiallyconcealedbythesoftdeerskin，wasallcurvesofsymmetryandyouthfulgrace，whileherfeaturesmighteasilyhavebeentheenvyofthemostfetedofContinentalbeauties。
IfthegirlwassurprisedbythesuddenappearanceofBradley，thelatterwasabsolutelyastoundedtodiscoversowondrousacreatureamongthehideousinhabitantsoftheCityofHumanSkulls。Foramomentthetwolookedatoneanotherinunconcealedconsternation，andthenBradleyspoke，usingtothebestofhispoorability，thecommontongueofCaspak。
\"Whoareyou，\"heasked，\"andfromwheredoyoucome？DonottellmethatyouareaWieroo。\"
\"No，\"shereplied，\"IamnoWieroo。\"Andsheshudderedslightlyasshepronouncedtheword。\"IamaGalu;butwhoandwhatareyou？
IamsurethatyouarenoGalu，fromyourgarments;butyouareliketheGalusinotherrespects。Iknowthatyouarenotofthisfrightfulcity，forIhavebeenhereforalmosttenmoons，andneverhaveIseenamaleGalubroughthitherbefore，noraretheresuchasyouandI，otherthanprisonersinthelandofOo-oh，andtheseareallfemales。Areyouaprisoner，then？\"
Hetoldherbrieflywhoandwhathewas，thoughhedoubtedifsheunderstood，andfromherhelearnedthatshehadbeenaprisonerthereformanymonths;butforwhatpurposehedidnotthenlearn，asinthemidstoftheirconversationtheyellowdoorswungopenandaWieroowitharobeslashedwithyellowentered。
AtsightofBradleythecreaturebecamefurious。\"Whencecamethisreptile？\"itdemandedofthegirl。\"Howlonghasitbeenherewithyou？\"
\"Itcamethroughthedoorwayjustaheadofyou，\"Bradleyansweredforthegirl。
TheWieroolookedrelieved。\"Itiswellforthegirlthatthisisso，\"itsaid，\"fornowonlyyouwillhavetodie。\"
Andsteppingtothedoorthecreatureraiseditsvoiceinoneofthoseuncanny，depressingwails。
TheEnglishmanlookedtowardthegirl。\"ShallIkillit？\"heasked，halfdrawinghispistol。\"Whatisbesttodo？——Idonotwishtoendangeryou。\"
TheWieroobackedtowardthedoor。\"Defiler！\"itscreamed。
\"YoudaretothreatenoneofthesacredchosenofLuata！\"
\"Donotkillhim，\"criedthegirl，\"forthentherecouldbenohopeforyou。Thatyouarehere，alive，showsthattheymaynotintendtokillyouatall，andsothereisachanceforyouifyoudonotangerthem;buttouchhiminviolenceandyourbleachedskullwilltoptheloftiestpedestalofOo-oh。\"
\"Andwhatofyou？\"askedBradley。
\"Iamalreadydoomed，\"repliedthegirl;\"Iamcos-ata-lo。\"
\"Cos-ata-lo！cos-ata-lu！\"WhatdidthesephrasesmeanthattheyweresooftrepeatedbythedenizensofOo-oh？Luandlo，Bradleyknewtomeanmanandwoman;ata;wasemployedvariouslytoindicatelife，eggs，young，reproductionandkindredsubject;coswasanegative;butincombinationtheyweremeaninglesstotheEuropean。
\"Doyoumeantheywillkillyou？\"askedBradley。
\"Ibutwishthattheywould，\"repliedthegirl。\"Myfateistobeworsethandeath——injustafewnightsmore，withthecomingofthenewmoon。\"
\"Poorshe-snake！\"snappedtheWieroo。\"Youaretobecomesacredaboveallothershes。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatahaschosenyouforhimself。Todayyougotohistemple——\"theWieroousedaphrasemeaningliterallyHighPlace——\"whereyouwillreceivethesacredcommands。\"
ThegirlshudderedandcastasorrowfulglancetowardBradley。
\"Ah，\"shesighed，\"ifIcouldbutseemybelovedcountryonceagain！\"
ThemansteppedsuddenlyclosetohersidebeforetheWieroocouldinterposeandinalowvoiceaskedheriftherewasnowaybywhichhemightencompassherescape。Sheshookherheadsorrowfully。\"Evenifweescapedthecity，\"shereplied，\"thereisthebigwaterbetweentheislandofOo-ohandtheGalushore。\"
\"Andwhatisbeyondthecity，ifwecouldleaveit？\"pursuedBradley。
\"ImayonlyguessfromwhatIhaveheardsinceIwasbroughthere，\"sheanswered;\"butbyreportsandchanceremarksItakeittobeabeautifullandinwhichtherearebutfewwildbeastsandnomen，foronlytheWieroosliveuponthisislandandtheydwellalwaysincitiesofwhichtherearethree，thisbeingthelargest。
Theothersareatthefarendoftheisland，whichisaboutthreemarchesfromendtoendandatitswidestpointaboutonemarch。\"
Fromhisownexperienceandfromwhatthenativesonthemainlandhadtoldhim，Bradleyknewthattenmileswasagoodday’smarchinCaspak，owingtothefactthatatmostpointsitwasatracklesswildernessandatalltimestravelerswerebesetbyhideousbeastsandreptilesthatgreatlyimpededrapidprogress。
ThetwohadspokenrapidlybutwerenowinterruptedbytheadventthroughtheopeningintheroofofseveralWierooswhohadcomeinanswertothealarmitoftheyellowslashinghaduttered。
\"Thisjaal-lu，\"criedtheoffendedone，\"hasthreatenedme。
TakeitshatchetfromitandmakeitfastwhereitcandonoharmuntilHeWhoSpeaksforLuatahassaidwhatshallbedonewithit。ItisoneofthosestrangecreaturesthatFosh-bal-sojdiscoveredfirstabovetheBand-lucountryandfollowedbacktowardthebeginning。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatasentFosh-bal-sojtofetchhimoneofthecreatures，andhereitis。Itishopedthatitmaybefromanotherworldandholdthesecretofthecos-ata-lus。\"
TheWieroosapproachedboldlytotakeBradley’s\"hatchet\"fromhim，theirleaderhavingindicatedthepistolhanginginitsholsterattheEnglishman’ship，butthefirstonewentreelingbackwardagainsthisfellowsfromtheblowtothechinwhichBradleyfollowedupwitharushandtheintentiontocleanuptheroominrecordtime;buthehadreckonedwithouttheopeningintheroof。Twoweredownandagreatwailingandmoaningwasarisingwhenreinforcementsappearedfromabove。Bradleydidnotseethem;butthegirldid，andthoughshecriedoutawarning，itcametoolateforhimtoavoidalargeWieroowhodivedheadforemostforhim，strikinghimbetweentheshouldersandbearinghimtothefloor。Instantlyadozenmorewerepilingontopofhim。Hispistolwaswrenchedfromitsholsterandhewassecurelypinioneddownbytheweightofnumbers。
AtawordfromtheWieroooftheyellowslashingwhoevidentlywasapersonofauthority，oneleftandpresentlyreturnedwithfiberropeswithwhichBradleywastightlybound。
\"NowbearhimtotheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，\"directedthechiefWieroo，\"andonetakethewordofallthathaspassedtoHimWhoSpeaksforLuata。\"
Eachofthecreaturesraisedahand，thebackagainstitsface，asthoughinsalute。OneseizedBradleyandcarriedhimthroughtheyellowdoorwaytotherooffromwhenceitroseuponitswide-spreadwingsandflappedoffacrosstheroof-topsofOo-ohwithitsheavyburdenclutchedinitslongtalons。
BelowhimBradleycouldseethecitystretchingawaytoadistanceoneveryhand。Itwasnotaslargeashehadimagined，thoughhejudgedthatitwasatleastthreemilessquare。
Thehouseswerepiledinindescribableheaps，sometimestoaheightofahundredfeet。Thestreetsandalleyswereshortandcrookedandthereweremanyareaswherebuildingshadbeenwedgedinsocloselythatnolightcouldpossiblyreachthelowesttiers，theentiresurfaceofthegroundbeingpackedsolidlywiththem。
Thecolorswerevariedandstartling，thearchitectureamazing。
Manyroofswerecuporsaucer-shapedwithasmallholeinthecenterofeach，asthoughtheyhadbeenconstructedtocatchrain-waterandconductittoareservoirbeneath;butnearlyalltheothershadthelargeopeninginthetopthatBradleyhadseenusedbytheseflyingmeninlieuofdoorways。Atalllevelswerethemyriadpolessurmountedbygrinningskulls;butthetwomostprominentfeaturesofthecityweretheroundtowerofhumanskullsthatBradleyhadnotedearlierinthedayandanotherandmuchlargeredificenearthecenterofthecity。Astheyapproachedit，Bradleysawthatitwasahugebuildingrisingahundredfeetinheightfromthegroundandthatitstoodaloneinthecenterofwhatmighthavebeencalledaplazainsomeotherpartoftheworld。Itsvariousparts，however，weresettogetherwiththesamestrangeirregularitythatmarkedthearchitectureofthecityasawhole;anditwascappedbyanenormoussaucer-shapedroofwhichprojectedfarbeyondtheeaves，havingtheappearanceofacolossalChinesecooliehat，inverted。
TheWieroobearingBradleypassedoveronecorneroftheopenspaceaboutthelargebuilding，revealingtotheEnglishmangrassandtreesandrunningwaterbeneath。Theypassedthebuildingandaboutfivehundredyardsbeyondthecreaturealightedontheroofofasquare，bluebuildingsurmountedbysevenpolesbearingsevenskulls。Thisthen，thoughtBradley，istheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
Overtheopeningintheroofwasagratedcovering，andthistheWierooremoved。ThethingthentiedapieceoffiberropetooneofBradley’sanklesandrolledhimovertheedgeoftheopening。
AllwasdarkbelowandforaninstanttheEnglishmancameasneartoexperiencingrealterrorashehadevercomeinhislifebefore。
Asherolledoffintotheblackabysshefelttheropetightenabouthisankleandaninstantlaterhewasstoppedwithasuddenjerktoswingpendulumlike，headdownward。ThenthecreatureloweredawayuntilBradley’sheadcameinsuddenandpainfulcontactwiththefloorbelow，afterwhichtheWierooletlooseoftheropeentirelyandtheEnglishman’sbodycrashedtothewoodenplanking。Hefeltthefreeendoftheropedroppeduponhimandheardthegratingbeingslidintoplaceabovehim。
Chapter3
Half-stunned，Bradleylayforaminuteashehadfallenandthenslowlyandpainfullywriggledintoalessuncomfortableposition。
Hecouldseenothingofhissurroundingsinthegloomabouthimuntilafterafewminuteshiseyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkinteriorwhenherolledthemfromsidetosideinsurveyofhisprison。
Hediscoveredhimselftobeinabareroomwhichwaswindowless，norcouldheseeanyotheropeningthanthatthroughwhichhehadbeenlowered。Inonecornerwasahuddledmassthatmighthavebeenalmostanythingfromabundleofragstoadeadbody。
AlmostimmediatelyafterhehadtakenhisbearingsBradleycommencedworkingwithhisbonds。Hewasamanofpowerfulphysique，andasfromthefirsthehadbeenimbuedwithabeliefthatthefiberropesweretooweaktoholdhim，heworkedonwithafirmconvictionthatsoonerorlatertheywouldparttohisstrainings。Afteramatteroffiveminuteshewaspositivethatthestrandsabouthiswristswerebeginningtogive;buthewascompelledtorestthenfromexhaustion。
Ashelay，hiseyesresteduponthebundleinthecorner，andpresentlyhecouldhaveswornthatthethingmoved。Witheyesstrainingthroughthegloomthemanlaywatchingthegrimandsinisterthinginthecorner。Perhapshisoverwroughtnerveswereplayingasorryjokeuponhim。Hethoughtofthisandalsothathisconditionofutterhelplessnessmightstillfurtherhavestimulatedhisimagination。Heclosedhiseyesandsoughttorelaxhismusclesandhisnerves;butwhenhelookedagain，heknewthathehadnotbeenmistaken——thethinghadmoved;nowitlayinaslightlyalteredformandfartherfromthewall。Itwasnearerhim。
WithrenewedstrengthBradleystrainedathisbonds，hisfascinatedgazestillgluedupontheshapelessbundle。Nolongerwasthereanydoubtthatitmoved——hesawitriseinthecenterseveralinchesandthencreepclosertohim。Itsankandaroseagain——aheadless，hideous，monstrousthingofmenace。Itsverysilencerendereditthemoreterrible。
Bradleywasabraveman;ordinarilyhisnerveswereofsteel;buttobeatthemercyofsomeunknownandnamelesshorror，tobeunabletodefendhimself——itwasthesethingsthatalmostunstrunghim，foratbesthewasonlyhuman。Tostandintheopen，evenwiththeoddsallagainsthim;tobeabletousehisfists，toputupsomesortofdefense，toinflictpunishmentuponhisadversary——thenhecouldfacedeathwithasmile。Itwasnotdeaththathefearednow——itwasthathorroroftheunknownthatispartofthefiberofeverysonofwoman。
Closerandclosercametheshapelessmass。Bradleylaymotionlessandlistened。Whatwasthatheheard！Breathing？
Hecouldnotbemistaken——andthenfromoutofthebundleofragsissuedahollowgroan。Bradleyfelthishairriseuponhishead。
Hestruggledwiththeslowlypartingstrandsthatheldhim。
ThethingbesidehimroseuphigherthanbeforeandtheEnglishmancouldhaveswornthathesawasingleeyepeeringathimfromamongthetumbledcloth。Foramomentthebundleremainedmotionless——onlythesoundofbreathingissuedfromit，thentherebrokefromitamaniacallaugh。
ColdsweatstooduponBradley’sbrowashetuggedforliberation。
Hesawtheragsrisehigherandhigherabovehimuntilatlasttheytumbleduponthefloorfromthebodyofanakedman——athin，abony，ahideouscaricatureofman，thatmouthedandmummedand，wabblinguponitsweakandshakinglegs，crumpledtotheflooragain，stilllaughing——laughinghorribly。
ItcrawledtowardBradley。\"Food！Food！\"itscreamed。
\"Thereisawayout！Thereisawayout！\"
DraggingitselftohissidethecreatureslumpedupontheEnglishman’sbreast。\"Food！\"itshrilledaswithitsbonyfingersanditsteeth，itsoughttheman’sbarethroat。
\"Food！Thereisawayout！\"Bradleyfeltteethuponhisjugular。
Heturnedandtwisted，shakinghimselffreeforaninstant;butoncemorewithhideouspersistencethethingfasteneditselfuponhim。Theweakjawswereunabletosendthedullteeththroughthevictim’sflesh;butBradleyfeltitpawing，pawing，pawing，likeamonstrousrat，seekinghislife’sblood。
Theskinnyarmsnowembracedhisneck，holdingtheteethtohisthroatagainstallhiseffortstodislodgethething。Weakasitwasithadstrengthenoughforthisinitsmadeffortstoeat。
Mumblingasitworked，itrepeatedagainandagain，\"Food！Food！
Thereisawayout！\"untilBradleythoughtthosetwoexpressionsalonewoulddrivehimmad。
Andallbutmadhewasaswithafinaleffortbackedbyalmostmaniacalstrengthhetorehiswristsfromtheconfiningbondsandgraspingtherepulsivethinguponhisbreasthurledithalfwayacrosstheroom。PantinglikeaspenthoundBradleyworkedatthethongsabouthisankleswhilethemaniaclayquiveringandmumblingwhereithadfallen。PresentlytheEnglishmanleapedtohisfeet——freerthanhehadeverbeforefeltinallhislife，thoughhewasstillhopelesslyaprisonerintheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
Withhisbackagainstthewallforsupport，soweakthereactionlefthim，Bradleystoodwatchingthecreatureuponthefloor。
Hesawitmoveandslowlyraiseitselftoitshandsandknees，whereitswayedtoandfroasitseyesrovedaboutinsearchofhim;andwhenatlasttheyfoundhim，therebrokefromthedrawnlipsthemumbledwords：\"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！\"
ThepitifulsupplicationinthetonestouchedtheEnglishman’sheart。
HeknewthatthiscouldbenoWieroo，butpossiblyonceamanlikehimselfwhohadbeencastintothispitofsolitaryconfinementwiththishideousresultthatmightintimebehisfate，also。
Andthen，too，therewasthesuggestionofhopeheldoutbytheconstantreiterationofthephrase，\"Thereisawayout。\"
Wasthereawayout？Whatdidthispoorthingknow？
\"Whoareyouandhowlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"Bradleysuddenlydemanded。
Foramomentthemanuponthefloormadenoresponse，thenmumblinglycamethewords：\"Food！Food！\"
\"Stop！\"commandedtheEnglishman——theinjunctionmighthavebeenbarkedfromthemuzzleofapistol。Itbroughtthemantoasittingposture，hishandsofftheground。Hestoppedswayingtoandfroandappearedtobestartledintoanattempttomasterhisfacultiesofconcentrationandthought。
Bradleyrepeatedhisquestionssharply。
\"IamAn-Tak，theGalu，\"repliedtheman。\"LuataaloneknowshowlongIhavebeenhere——maybetenmoons，maybetenmoonsthreetimes\"——itwastheCaspakianequivalentofthirty。\"Iwasyoungandstrongwhentheybroughtmehere。NowIamoldandveryweak。
Iamcos-ata-lu——thatiswhytheyhavenotkilledme。
IfItellthemthesecretofbecomingcos-ata-lutheywilltakemeout;buthowcanItellthemthatwhichLuataaloneknows？
\"Whatiscos-ata-lu？\"demandedBradley。
\"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！\"mumbledtheGalu。
Bradleystrodeacrossthefloor，seizedthemanbyhisshouldersandshookhim。
\"Tellme，\"hecried，\"whatiscos-ata-lu？\"
\"Food！\"whimperedAn-Tak。
Bradleybethoughthimself。Hishaversackhadnotbeentakenfromhim。Initbesideshisrazorandknifewereoddsandendsofequipmentandasmallquantityofdriedmeat。HetossedasmallstripofthelattertothestarvingGalu。An-Takseizeduponitanddevoureditravenously。Itinstillednewlifeintheman。
\"Whatiscos-ata-lu？\"insistedBradleyagain。
An-Taktriedtoexplain。Hisnarrativewasoftenbrokenbylapsesofconcentrationduringwhichherevertedtohisplaintivemumblingforfoodandrecurrencetothestatementthattherewasawayout;butbyfirmnessandpatiencetheEnglishmandrewoutpiece-mealamoreorlesslucidexpositionoftheremarkableschemeofevolutionthatrulesinCaspak。Inithefoundexplanationsofthehithertoinexplicable。HediscoveredwhyhehadseennobabesorchildrenamongtheCaspakiantribeswithwhichhehadcomeincontact;whyeachmorenortherlytribeevincedahigherstateofdevelopmentthanthosesouthofthem;
whyeachtribeincludedindividualsranginginphysicalandmentalcharacteristicsfromthehighestofthenextlowerracetothelowestofthenexthigher，andwhythewomenofeachtribeimmersedthemselvesmorningforanhourormoreinthewarmpoolsnearwhichthehabitationsoftheirpeoplealwayswerelocated;
and，too，hediscoveredwhythosepoolswerealmostimmunefromtheattacksofcarnivorousanimalsandreptiles。
Helearnedthatallbutthosewhowerecos-ata-lucameupcor-sva-jo，orfromthebeginning。Theeggfromwhichtheyfirstdevelopedintotadpoleformwasdeposited，withmillionsofothers，inoneofthewarmpoolsandwithitapoisonousserumthatthecarnivorainstinctivelyshunned。
Downthewarmstreamfromthepoolfloatedthecountlessbillionsofeggsandtadpoles，developingastheydriftedslowlytowardthesea。Somebecametadpolesinthepool，someinthesluggishstreamandsomenotuntiltheyreachedthegreatinlandsea。
Inthenextstagetheybecamefishesorreptiles，An-Takwasnotpositivewhich，andinthisform，alwaysdeveloping，theyswamfartothesouth，where，amidtherankandteemingjungles，someofthemevolvedintoamphibians。Alwaystherewerethosewhosedevelopmentstoppedatthefirststage，otherswhosedevelopmentceasedwhentheybecamereptiles，whilebyfarthegreaterproportionformedthefoodsupplyoftheravenouscreaturesofthedeep。
Fewindeedwerethosethateventuallydevelopedintobaboonsandthenapes，whichwasconsideredbyCaspakianstherealbeginningofevolution。Fromtheegg，then，theindividualdevelopedslowlyintoahigherform，justasthefrog’seggdevelopsthroughvariousstagesfromafishwithgillstoafrogwithlungs。
WiththatthoughtinmindBradleydiscoveredthatitwasnotdifficulttobelieveinthepossibilityofsuchascheme——
therewasnothingnewinit。
Fromtheapetheindividual，ifitsurvived，slowlydevelopedintothelowestorderofman——theAlu——andthenbydegreestoBo-lu，Sto-lu，Band-lu，Kro-luandfinallyGalu。Andineachstagecountlessmillionsofothereggsweredepositedinthewarmpoolsofthevariousracesandfloateddowntothegreatseatogothroughasimilarprocessofevolutionoutsidethewombasdevelopsourownyoungwithin;butinCaspaktheschemeismuchmoreinclusive，foritcombinesnotonlyindividualdevelopmentbuttheevolutionofspeciesandgenera。Ifaneggsurvivesitgoesthroughallthestagesofdevelopmentthatmanhaspassedthroughduringtheunthinkableeonssincelifefirstmovedupontheearth’sface。
Thefinalstage——thatwhichtheGalushavealmostattainedandforwhichallhope——iscos-ata-lu，whichliterally，meansno-egg-man，oronewhoisborndirectlyasaretheyoungoftheouterworldofmammals。SomeoftheGalusproducecos-ata-luandcos-ata-loboth;theWeiroosonlycos-ata-lu——inotherwordsallWieroosarebornmale，andsotheypreyupontheGalusfortheirwomenandsometimescaptureandtorturetheGalumenwhoarecos-ata-luinanendeavortolearnthesecretwhichtheybelievewillgivethemunlimitedpoweroverallotherdenizensofCaspak。
NoWierooscomeupfromthebeginning——allarebornoftheWieroofathersandGalumotherswhoarecos-ata-lo，andthereareveryfewofthelatterowingtothelongandprecariousstagesofdevelopment。Sevengenerationsofthesameancestormustcomeupfromthebeginningbeforeacos-ata-luchildmaybeborn;
andwhenoneconsidersthefrightfuldangersthatsurroundthevitalsparkfromthemomentitleavesthewarmpoolwhereithasbeendepositedtofloatdowntotheseaamidthevoraciouscreaturesthatswarmthesurfaceandthedeepsandthealmostequallyunthinkabletrialsofitsefforttosurviveafteritoncebecomesalandanimalandstartsnorthwardthroughthehorrorsoftheCaspakianjunglesandforests，itisplainlyawonderthatevenasinglebabehaseverbeenborntoaGaluwoman。
SevencyclesitrequiresbeforetheseventhGalucancompletetheseventhdanger-infestedcirclesinceitsfirstGaluancestorachievedthestateofGalu。Foragesbefore，theancestorsofthisfirstGalumayhavedevelopedfromaBand-luorBo-lueggwithouteveroncecompletingthewholecircle——thatisfromaGaluegg，backtoafullydevelopedGalu。
Bradley’sheadwaswhirlingbeforeheevencommencedtograspthecomplexitiesofCaspakianevolution;butasthetruthslowlyfilteredintohisunderstanding——asgraduallyitbecamepossibleforhimtovisualizethescheme，itappearedsimpler。Infact，itseemedevenlessdifficultofcomprehensionthanthatwithwhichhewasfamiliar。
ForseveralminutesafterAn-Takceasedspeaking，hisvoicehavingtrailedoffweaklyintosilence，neitherspokeagain。
ThentheGalurecommencedhis，\"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！\"
Bradleytossedhimanotherbitofdriedmeat，waitingpatientlyuntilhehadeatenit，thistimemoreslowly。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthereisawayout？\"heasked。
\"HewhodiedherejustafterIcame，toldme，\"repliedAn-Tak。
\"Hesaidtherewasawayout，thathehaddiscovereditbutwastooweaktousehisknowledge。Hewastryingtotellmehowtofinditwhenhedied。Oh，Luata，ifhehadlivedbutamomentmore！\"
\"Theydonotfeedyouhere？\"askedBradley。
\"No，theygivemewateronceaday——thatisall。\"
\"Buthowhaveyoulived，then？\"
\"Thelizardsandtherats，\"repliedAn-Tak。\"Thelizardsarenotsobad;buttheratsarefoultotaste。However，Imusteatthemortheywouldeatme，andtheyarebetterthannothing;butoflatetheydonotcomesooften，andIhavenothadalizardforalongtime。Ishalleatthough，\"hemumbled。\"Ishalleatnow，foryoucannotremainawakeforever。\"Helaughed，acackling，drylaugh。\"Whenyousleep，An-Takwilleat。\"
Itwashorrible。Bradleyshuddered。Foralongtimeeachsatinsilence。TheEnglishmancouldguesswhytheothermadenosound——heawaitedthemomentthatsleepshouldovercomehisvictim。
InthelongsilencetherewasbornuponBradley’searsafaint，monotonoussoundasofrunningwater。Helistenedintently。
Itseemedtocomefromfarbeneaththefloor。
