Shortlyaftertheyhadsettledthemselvestheyheardsomethingdescendingtheladderfromabove。Theyhopedthatitwouldcontinueondownthewellandfairlyheldtheirbreathasthesoundapproachedthedoortothestoreroom。Theirheartssankastheyheardthedooropenandfrombetweencracksinthevesselsbehindwhichtheyhidsawayellow-slashedWierooentertheroom。
Eachrecognizedhimimmediately，thegirlindicatingthefactofherownrecognitionbyasuddenpressureofherfingersonBradley’sarm。ItwastheWieroooftheyellowslashingwhoseabodewastheplaceoftheyellowdoorinwhichBradleyhadfirstseenthegirl。
Thecreaturecarriedawoodenbowlwhichitfilledwithdriedfoodfromseveralofthevessels;thenitturnedandquittheroom。
Bradleycouldseethroughthepartiallyopendoorwaythatitdescendedtheladder。Thegirltoldhimthatitwastakingthefoodtothewomenandtheyoungbelow，andthatwhileitmightreturnimmediately，thechanceswerethatitwouldremainforsometime。
\"Wearejustbelowtheplaceoftheyellowdoor，\"shesaid。
\"Itisfarfromtheedgeofthecity;sofarthatwemaynothopetoescapeifweascendtotheroofshere。\"
\"Ithink，\"repliedtheman，\"thatofalltheplacesinOo-ohthiswillbetheeasiesttoescapefrom。Anyway，Iwanttoreturntotheplaceoftheyellowdoorandgetmypistolifitisthere。\"
\"Itisstillthere，\"replied，thegirl。\"Isawitplacedinachestwherehekeepsthethingshetakesfromhisprisonersandvictims。\"
\"Good！\"exclaimedBradley。\"Nowcome，quickly。\"Andthetwocrossedtheroomtothewellandascendedtheladderashortdistancetoitstopwheretheyfoundanotherdoorthatopenedintoavacantroom——thesameinwhichBradleyhadfirstmetthegirl。Tofindthepistolwasamatterofbutamoment’ssearchonthepartofBradley’scompanion;andthen，attheEnglishman’ssignal，shefollowedhimtotheyellowdoor。
Itwasquitedarkwithoutasthetwoenteredthenarrowpassagebetweentwobuildings。AfewstepsbroughtthemundiscoveredtothedoorwayofthestoreroomwherelaythebodyofFosh-bal-soj。
Inthedistance，towardthetemple，theycouldhearsoundsasofagreatgatheringofWieroos——thepeculiar，uncannywailingrisingabovethedismalflappingofcountlesswings。
\"TheyhaveheardofthekillingofHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，\"
whisperedthegirl。\"Soontheywillspreadinalldirectionssearchingforus。\"
\"Andwilltheyfindus？\"
\"AssurelyasLuagiveslightbyday，\"shereplied;\"andwhentheyfindus，theywilltearustopieces，foronlytheWieroosmaymurder——onlytheymaypracticetas-ad。\"
\"Buttheywillnotkillyou，\"saidBradley。\"Youdidnotslayhim。\"
\"Itwillmakenodifference，\"sheinsisted。\"Iftheyfindustogethertheywillslayusboth。\"
\"Thentheywon’tfindustogether，\"announcedBradleydecisively。
\"Youstayrighthere——youwon’tbeanyworseoffthanbeforeI
came——andI’llgetasfarasIcanandaccountforasmanyofthebeggarsaspossiblebeforetheygetme。Good-bye！You’reamightydecentlittlegirl。IwishthatImighthavehelpedyou。\"
\"No，\"shecried。\"Donotleaveme。Iwouldratherdie。Ihadhopedandhopedtofindsomewaytoreturntomyowncountry。
IwantedtogobacktoAn-Tak，whomustbeverylonelywithoutme;
butIknowthatitcanneverbe。Itisdifficulttokillhope，thoughmineisnearlydead。Donotleaveme。\"
\"An-Tak！\"Bradleyrepeated。\"YoulovedamancalledAn-Tak？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedthegirl。\"An-Takwasaway，hunting，whentheWieroocaughtme。Howhemusthavegrievedforme！Healsowascos-ata-lu，twelvemoonsolderthanI，andallourliveswehavebeentogether。
Bradleyremainedsilent。SoshelovedAn-Tak。Hehadn’tthehearttotellherthatAn-Takhaddied，orhow。
AtthedoorofFosh-bal-soj’sstoreroomtheyhaltedtolisten。
Nosoundcamefromwithin，andgentlyBradleypushedopenthedoor。
Allwasinkydarknessastheyentered;butpresentlytheireyesbecameaccustomedtothegloomthatwaspartiallyrelievedbythesoftstarlightwithout。TheEnglishmansearchedandfoundthosethingsforwhichhehadcome——tworobes，twopairsofdeadwingsandseverallengthsoffiberrope。Onepairofthewingsheadjustedtothegirl’sshouldersbymeansoftherope。Thenhedrapedtherobeabouther，carryingthecowloverherhead。
Heheardhergaspofastonishmentwhensherealizedtheingenuityandboldnessofhisplan;thenhedirectedhertoadjusttheotherpairofwingsandtherobeuponhim。Workingwithstrong，deftfingersshesoonhadtheworkcompleted，andthetwosteppedoutupontheroof，toallintentandpurposegenuineWieroos。BesideshispistolBradleycarriedtheswordoftheslainWierooprophet，whilethegirlwasarmedwiththesmallbladeoftheredWieroo。
Sidebysidetheywalkedslowlyacrosstheroofstowardthenorthedgeofthecity。Wieroosflappedabovethemandseveraltimestheypassedotherswalkingorsittingupontheroofs。Fromthetemplestillrosethesoundsofcommotion，nowpiercedbyoccasionalshrillscreams。
\"Themurderersareabroad，\"whisperedthegirl。\"ThuswillanotherbecomethetongueofLuata。Itiswellforus，sinceitkeepsthemtoobusytogivethetimeforsearchingforus。
Theythinkthatwecannotescapethecity，andtheyknowthatwecannotleavetheisland——andsodoI。\"
Bradleyshookhishead。\"Ifthereisanyway，wewillfindit，\"
hesaid。
\"Thereisnoway，\"repliedthegirl。
Bradleymadenoresponse，andinsilencetheycontinueduntiltheouteredgeofroofswasvisiblebeforethem。\"Wearealmostthere，\"hewhispered。
Thegirlfeltforhisfingersandpressedthem。Hecouldfeelherstremblingashereturnedthepressure，nordidherelinquishherhand;andthustheycametotheedgeofthelastroof。
Heretheyhaltedandlookedaboutthem。TobeseenattemptingtodescendtothegroundbelowwouldbetobetraythefactthattheywerenotWieroos。Bradleywishedthattheirwingswereattachedtotheirbodiesbysinewandmuscleratherthanbyropesoffiber。
AWieroowasflappingfaroverhead。Twomorestoodnearadoorafewyardsdistant。StandingbetweentheseandoneoftheouterpedestalsthatsupportedoneofthenumerousskullsBradleymadeoneendofapieceofropefastaboutthepedestalanddroppedtheotherendtothegroundoutsidethecity。Thentheywaited。
ItwasanhourbeforethecoastwasentirelyclearandthenamomentcamewhennoWieroowasinsight。\"Now！\"whisperedBradley;andthegirlgraspedtheropeandslidovertheedgeoftheroofintothedarknessbelow。AmomentlaterBradleyfelttwoquickpullsupontheropeandimmediatelyfollowedtothegirl’sside。
Acrossanarrowclearingtheymadetheirwayandintoawoodbeyond。
Allnighttheywalked，followingtheriverupwardtowarditssource，andatdawntheytookshelterinathicketbesidethestream。Atnotimedidtheyhearthecryofacarnivore，andthoughmanystartledanimalsfledastheyapproached，theywerenotoncemenacedbyawildbeast。WhenBradleyexpressedsurpriseattheabsenceofthefiercestbeaststhataresonumerousuponthemainlandofCaprona，thegirlexplainedthereasonthatiscontainedinoneoftheirancientlegends。
\"WhentheWieroosfirstdevelopedwingsuponwhichtheycouldfly，theyfoundthisislanddevoidofanylifeotherthanafewreptilesthatliveeitheruponlandorinthewaterandtheseonlyclosetothecoast。RequiringmeatforfoodtheWierooscarriedtotheislandsuchanimalsastheywishedforthatpurpose。Theystilloccasionallybringthem，andthiswiththenaturalincreasekeepsthemprovidedwithflesh。\"
\"Asitwillus，\"suggestedBradley。
Thefirstdaytheyremainedinhiding，eatingonlythedriedfoodthatBradleyhadbroughtwithhimfromthetemplestoreroom，andthenextnighttheysetoutagainuptheriver，continuingsteadilyonuntilalmostdawn，whentheycametolowhillswheretheriverwoundthroughagorge——itwaslittlemorethanrivuletnow，thewaterclearandcoldandfilledwithfishsimilartobrooktroutthoughmuchlarger。Notwishingtoleavethestreamthetwowadedalongitsbedtoaspotwherethegorgewidenedbetweenperpendicularbluffstoawoodedacreoflevelland。
Heretheystopped，forherealsothestreamended。Theyhadreacheditssource——manycoldspringsbubblingupfromthecenterofalittlenaturalamphitheaterinthehillsandformingaclearandbeautifulpoolovershadowedbytreesupononesideandboundedbyalittleclearingupontheother。
WiththecomingofthesuntheysawtheyhadstumbleduponaplacewheretheymightremainhiddenfromtheWieroosforalongtimeandalsoonethattheycoulddefendagainstthesewingedcreatures，sincethetreeswouldshieldthemfromanattackfromaboveandalsohamperthemovementsofthecreaturesshouldtheyattempttofollowthemintothewood。
Forthreedaystheyrestedherebeforetryingtoexploretheneighboringcountry。Onthefourth，Bradleystatedthathewasgoingtoscalethebluffsandlearnwhatlaybeyond。Hetoldthegirlthatsheshouldremaininhiding;butsherefusedtobeleft，sayingthatwhateverfatewastobehis，sheintendedtoshareit，sothathewasatlastforcedtopermithertocomewithhim。Throughwoodsatthesummitoftheblufftheymadetheirwaytowardthenorthandhadgonebutashortdistancewhenthewoodendedandbeforethemtheysawthewatersoftheinlandseaanddimlyinthedistancethecovetedshore。
Thebeachlaysometwohundredyardsfromthefootofthehillonwhichtheystood，norwasthereatreenoranyotherformofshelterbetweenthemandthewaterasfarupanddownthecoastastheycouldsee。AmongotherplansBradleyhadthoughtofconstructingacoveredraftuponwhichtheymightdrifttothemainland;butassuchacontrivancewouldnecessarilybeofconsiderableweight，itmustbebuiltinthewaterofthesea，sincetheycouldnothopetomoveitevenashortdistanceoverland。
\"Ifthiswoodwasonlyattheedgeofthewater，\"hesighed。
\"Butitisnot，\"thegirlremindedhim，andthen：\"Letusmakethebestofit。Wehaveescapedfromdeathforatimeatleast。
Wehavefoodandgoodwaterandpeaceandeachother。Whatmorecouldwehaveuponthemainland？\"
\"ButIthoughtyouwantedtogetbacktoyourowncountry！\"
heexclaimed。
Shecasthereyesuponthegroundandhalfturnedaway。\"Ido，\"
shesaid，\"yetIamhappyhere。Icouldbelittlehappierthere。\"
Bradleystoodinsilentthought。\"`Wehavefoodandgoodwaterandpeaceandeachother！’\"herepeatedtohimself。Heturnedthenandlookedatthegirl，anditwasasthoughinthedaysthattheyhadbeentogetherthiswasthefirsttimethathehadreallyseenher。Thecircumstancesthathadthrownthemtogether，thedangersthroughwhichtheyhadpassed，alltheweirdandhorriblesurroundingsthathadformedthebackgroundofhisknowledgeofherhadhadtheireffect——shehadbeenbutthecompanionofanadventure;herself-reliance，herendurance，herloyalty，hadbeenonlywhatonemanmightexpectofanother，andhesawthathehadunconsciouslyassumedanattitudetowardherthathemighthaveassumedtowardaman。Yettherehadbeenadifference——herecallednowthestrangesensationofelationthathadthrilledhimupontheoccasionswhenthegirlhadpressedhishandinhers，andthedepressionthathadfollowedherannouncementofherloveforAn-Tak。
Hetookasteptowardher。Afierceyearningtoseizeherandcrushherinhisarms，sweptoverhim，andthenthereflasheduponthescreenofrecollectionthepictureofastatelyhallsetamidstbroadgardensandancienttreesandofaproudoldmanwithbeetlingbrows——anoldmanwhoheldhisheadveryhigh——andBradleyshookhisheadandturnedawayagain。
Theywentbackthentotheirlittleacre，andthedayscameandwent，andthemanfashionedspearandbowandarrowsandhuntedwiththemthattheymighthavemeat，andhemadehooksoffishboneandcaughtfisheswithwondrousfliesofhisowninvention;andthegirlgatheredfruitsandcookedthefleshandthefishandmadebedsofbranchesandsoftgrasses。
Shecuredthehidesoftheanimalshekilledandmadethemsoftbymuchpounding。Shemadesandalsforherselfandforthemanandfashionedahideafterthemannerofthosewornbythewarriorsofhertribeandmadethemanwearit，forhisowngarmentswereinrags。
Shewasalwaysthesame——sweetandkindandhelpful——butalwaystherewasabouthermannerandherexpressionjustatraceofwistfulness，andoftenshesatandlookedatthemanwhenhedidnotknowit，herbrowspuckeredinthoughtasthoughsheweretryingtofathomandtounderstandhim。
Inthefaceofthecliff，Bradleyscoopedacavefromtherottedgraniteofwhichthehillwascomposed，makingashelterforthemagainsttherains。Hebroughtwoodfortheircook-firewhichtheyusedonlyinthemiddleoftheday——atimewhentherewaslittlelikelihoodofWieroosbeingintheairsofarfromtheircity——andthenhelearnedtobankitwithearthinsuchawaythattheembershelduntilthefollowingnoonwithoutgivingoffsmoke。
Alwayshewasplanningonreachingthemainland，andneveradaypassedthathedidnotgotothetopofthehillandlookoutacrosstheseatowardthedark，distantlinethatmeantforhimcomparativefreedomandpossiblyreunionwithhiscomrades。
Thegirlalwayswentwithhim，standingathissideandwatchingthesternexpressiononhisfacewithjustatingeofsadnessonherown。
\"Youarenothappy，\"shesaidonce。
\"Ishouldbeovertherewithmymen，\"hereplied。\"Idonotknowwhatmayhavehappenedtothem。\"
\"Iwantyoutobehappy，\"shesaidquitesimply;\"butIshouldbeverylonelyifyouwentawayandleftmehere。\"
Heputhishandonhershoulder。\"Iwouldnotdothat，littlegirl，\"hesaidgently。\"Ifyoucannotgowithme，Ishallnotgo。
Ifeitherofusmustgoalone，itwillbeyou。\"
Herfacelightedtoawondroussmile。\"Thenweshallnotbeseparated，\"shesaid，\"forIshallneverleaveyouaslongaswebothlive。\"
Helookeddownintoherfaceforamomentandthen：\"WhowasAn-Tak？\"heasked。
\"Mybrother，\"shereplied。\"Why？\"
Andthen，evenlessthanbefore，couldhetellher。Itwasthenthathedidsomethinghehadneverdonebefore——heputhisarmsaboutherandstooping，kissedherforehead。\"UntilyoufindAn-Tak，hesaid，\"Iwillbeyourbrother。\"
Shedrewaway。\"Ialreadyhaveabrother，\"shesaid，\"andIdonotwantanother。\"
Chapter5
Daysbecameweeks，andweeksbecamemonths，andthemonthsfollowedoneanotherinalazyprocessionofhot，humiddaysandwarm，humidnights。ThefugitivessawneveraWieroobydaythoughoftenatnighttheyheardthemelancholyflappingofgiantwingsfarabovethem。
Eachdaywasmuchlikeitspredecessor。Bradleysplashedaboutforafewminutesinthecoldpoolearlyeachmorningandafteratimethegirltrieditandlikedit。Towardthecenteritwasdeepenoughforswimming，andsohetaughthertoswim——shewasprobablythefirsthumanbeinginallCaspak’slongageswhohaddonethisthing。Andthenwhileshepreparedbreakfast，themanshaved——thisheneverneglected。Atfirstitwasasourceofwondermenttothegirl，fortheGalumenarebeardless。
Whentheyneededmeat，hehunted，otherwisehebusiedhimselfinimprovingtheirshelter，makingnewandbetterweapons，perfectinghisknowledgeofthegirl’slanguageandteachinghertospeakandtowriteEnglish——anythingthatwouldkeepthembothoccupied。Hestillsoughtnewplansforescape，butwithever-lesseningenthusiasm，sinceeachnewschemepresentedsomeinsurmountableobstacle。
Andthenonedayasaboltoutofaclearskycamethatwhichblastedthepeaceandsecurityoftheirsanctuaryforever。
Bradleywasjustemergingfromthewaterafterhismorningplungewhenfromoverheadcamethesoundofflappingwings。
Glancingquicklyupthemansawawhite-robedWieroocirclingslowlyabovehim。Thathehadbeendiscoveredhecouldnotdoubtsincethecreatureevendroppedtoaloweraltitudeasthoughtoassureitselfthatwhatitsawwasaman。Thenitroserapidlyandwingedawaytowardthecity。
FortwodaysBradleyandthegirllivedinaconstantstateofapprehension，awaitingthemomentwhenthehunterswouldcomeforthem;butnothinghappeneduntiljustafterdawnofthethirdday，whentheflappingofwingsapprisedthemoftheapproachofWieroos。Togethertheywenttotheedgeofthewoodandlookeduptoseefivered-robedcreaturesdroppingslowlyinever-lesseningspiralstowardtheirlittleamphitheater。Withnoattemptatconcealmenttheycame，sureoftheirabilitytooverwhelmthesetwofugitives，andwiththefullestmeasureofself-confidencetheylandedintheclearingbutafewyardsfromthemanandthegirl。
FollowingaplanalreadydiscussedBradleyandthegirlretreatedslowlyintothewoods。TheWieroosadvanced，callinguponthemtogivethemselvesup;butthequarrymadenoreply。FartherandfartherintothelittlewoodBradleyledthehunters，permittingthemtoapproachevercloser;thenhecircledbackagaintowardtheclearing，evidentlytothegreatdelightoftheWieroos，whonowfollowedmoreleisurely，awaitingthemomentwhentheyshouldbebeyondthetreesandabletousetheirwings。Theyhadopenedintosemicircularformationnowwiththeevidentintentionofcuttingthetwoofffromreturningintothewood。EachWierooadvancedwithhiscurvedbladereadyinhishand，eachhideousfaceblankandexpressionless。
ItwasthenthatBradleyopenedfirewithhispistol——threeshots，aimedwithcarefuldeliberation，forithadbeenlongsincehehadusedtheweapon，andhecouldnotaffordtochancewastingammunitiononmisses。AteachshotaWieroodropped;andthentheremainingtwosoughtescapebyflight，screamingandwailingafterthemanneroftheirkind。WhenaWierooruns，hiswingsspreadalmostwithoutanyvolitionuponhispart，sincefromtimeimmemorialhehasalwaysusedthemtobalancehimselfandacceleratehisrunningspeedsothatintheopentheyappeartoskimthesurfaceofthegroundwhenintheactofrunning。
Buthereinthewoods，amongtheclose-setboles，thespreadingoftheirwingsprovedtheirundoing——ithinderedandstoppedthemandthrewthemtotheground，andthenBradleywasuponthemthreateningthemwithinstantdeathiftheydidnotsurrender——
promisingthemtheirfreedomiftheydidhisbidding。
\"Asyouhaveseen，\"hecried，\"IcankillyouwhenIwishandatadistance。Youcannotescapeme。Youronlyhopeoflifeliesinobedience。Quick，orIkill！\"
TheWieroosstoppedandfacedhim。\"Whatdoyouwantofus？\"
askedone。
\"Throwasideyourweapons，\"Bradleycommanded。Afteramoment’shesitationtheyobeyed。
\"Nowapproach！\"Agreatplan——theonlyplan——hadsuddenlycometohimlikeaninspiration。
TheWierooscamecloserandhaltedathiscommand。Bradleyturnedtothegirl。\"Thereisropeintheshelter，\"hesaid。\"Fetchit！\"
Shedidashebid，andthenhedirectedhertofastenoneendofafifty-footlengthtotheankleofoneoftheWieroosandtheoppositeendtothesecond。Thecreaturesgaveevidenceofgreatfear，buttheydarednotattempttopreventtheact。
\"Nowgooutintotheclearing，\"saidBradley，\"andrememberthatIamwalkingclosebehindandthatIwillshoottheneareroneshouldeitherattempttoescape——thatwillholdtheotheruntilIcankillhimaswell。\"
Intheopenhehaltedthem。\"Thegirlwillgetuponthebackoftheoneinfront，\"announcedtheEnglishman。\"Iwillmounttheother。Shecarriesasharpblade，andIcarrythisweaponthatyouknowkillseasilyatadistance。Ifyoudisobeyintheslightest，theinstructionsthatIamabouttogiveyou，youshallbothdie。Thatwemustdiewithyou，willnotdeterus。
Ifyouobey，Ipromisetosetyoufreewithoutharmingyou。
\"Youwillcarryusduewest，depositingusupontheshoreofthemainland——thatisall。Itisthepriceofyourlives。Doyouagree？\"
SullenlytheWieroosacquiesced。Bradleyexaminedtheknotsthatheldtheropetotheirankles，andfeelingthemsecuredirectedthegirltomountthebackoftheleadingWieroo，himselfupontheother。Thenhegavethesignalforthetwotorisetogether。
Withloudflappingofthepowerfulwingsthecreaturestooktotheair，circlingoncebeforetheytoppedthetreesuponthehillandthentakingacourseduewestoutoverthewatersofthesea。
NowhereaboutthemcouldBradleyseesignsofotherWieroos，norofthoseothermenaceswhichhehadfearedmightbringdisastertohisplansforescape——thehuge，wingedreptiliathataresonumerousabovethesouthernareasofCaspakandwhichareoftenseen，thoughinlessernumbers，farthernorth。
Nearerandnearerloomedthemainland——abroad，parklikeexpansestretchinginlandtothefootofalowplateauspreadoutbeforethem。
Thelittledotsintheforegroundbecamegrazingherdsofdeerandantelopeandbos;ahugewoollyrhinoceroswallowedinamudholetotheright，andbeyond，amightymammothculledthetendershootsfromatalltree。Theroarsandscreamsandgrowlsofgiantcarnivoracamefaintlytotheirears。Ah，thiswasCaspak。
WithallofitsdangersanditsprimalsavageryitbroughtafullnesstothethroatoftheEnglishmanastoonewhoseesandhearsthefamiliarsightsandsoundsofhomeafteralongabsence。
ThentheWieroosdroppedswiftlydownwardtotheflower-starredturfthatgrewalmosttothewater’sedge，thefugitivesslippedfromtheirbacks，andBradleytoldthered-robedcreaturestheywerefreetogo。
WhenhehadcuttheropesfromtheiranklestheyrosewiththatuncannywailingupontheirlipsthatalwaysbroughtashuddertotheEnglishman，andupondismalwingstheyflappedawaytowardfrightfulOo-oh。
Whenthecreatureshadgone，thegirlturnedtowardBradley。
\"Whydidyouhavethembringushere？\"sheasked。\"Nowwearefarfrommycountry。Wemayneverlivetoreachit，asweareamongenemieswho，whilenotsohorriblewillkillusjustassurelyaswouldtheWieroosshouldtheycaptureus，andwehavebeforeusmanymarchesthroughlandsfilledwithsavagebeasts。\"
\"Thereweretworeasons，\"repliedBradley。\"YoutoldmethattherearetwoWieroocitiesattheeasternendoftheisland。
Tohavepassedneareitherofthemmighthavebeentohavebroughtaboutourheadshundredsofthecreaturesfromwhomwecouldnotpossiblyhaveescaped。Again，myfriendsmustbenearthisspot——
itcannotbeovertwomarchestothefortofwhichIhavetoldyou。
Itismydutytoreturntothem。Iftheystillliveweshallfindawaytoreturnyoutoyourpeople。\"
\"Andyou？\"askedthegirl。
\"IescapedfromOo-oh，\"repliedBradley。\"Ihaveaccomplishedtheimpossibleonce，andsoIshallaccomplishitagain——IshallescapefromCaspak。\"
Hewasnotlookingatherfaceasheansweredher，andsohedidnotseetheshadowofsorrowthatcrossedhercountenance。
Whenheraisedhiseyesagain，shewassmiling。
\"Whatyouwish，Iwish，\"saidthegirl。
Southwardalongthecoasttheymadetheirwayfollowingthebeach，wherethewalkingwasbest，butalwayskeepingcloseenoughtotreestoinsuresanctuaryfromthebeastsandreptilesthatsooftenmenacedthem。ItwaslateintheafternoonwhenthegirlsuddenlyseizedBradley’sarmandpointedstraightaheadalongtheshore。\"Whatisthat？\"shewhispered。\"Whatstrangereptileisit？\"
Bradleylookedinthedirectionherslimforefingerindicated。
Herubbedhiseyesandlookedagain，andthenheseizedherwristanddrewherquicklybehindaclumpofbushes。
\"Whatisit？\"sheasked。
\"Itisthemostfrightfulreptilethatthewatersoftheworldhaveeverknown，\"hereplied。\"ItisaGermanU-boat！\"
Anexpressionofamazementandunderstandinglightedherfeatures。
\"Itisthethingofwhichyoutoldme，\"sheexclaimed，\"——thethingthatswimsunderthewaterandcarriesmeninitsbelly！\"
\"Itis，\"repliedBradley。
\"Thenwhydoyouhidefromit？\"askedthegirl。\"Yousaidthatnowitbelongedtoyourfriends。\"
\"ManymonthshavepassedsinceIknewwhatwasgoingonamongmyfriends，\"hereplied。\"Icannotknowwhathasbefallenthem。
Theyshouldhavebeengonefromhereinthisvessellongsince，andsoIcannotunderstandwhyitisstillhere。IamgoingtoinvestigatefirstbeforeIshowmyself。WhenIleft，thereweremoreGermansontheU-33thanthereweremenofmyownpartyatthefort，andIhavehadsufficientexperienceofGermanstoknowthattheywillbearwatching——iftheyhavenotbeenproperlywatchedsinceIleft。\"
MakingtheirwaythroughafringeofwoodthatgrewafewyardsinlandthetwocreptunseentowardtheU-boatwhichlaymooredtotheshoreatapointwhichBradleynowrecognizedasbeingneartheoil-poolnorthofDinosaur。Ascloseaspossibletothevesseltheyhalted，crouchinglowamongthedensevegetation，andwatchedtheboatforsignsofhumanlifeaboutit。Thehatcheswereclosed——noonecouldbeseenorheard。ForfiveminutesBradleywatched，andthenhedeterminedtoboardthesubmarineandinvestigate。Hehadrisentocarryhisdecisionintoeffectwhentheresuddenlybrokeuponhisear，utteredinloudandmenacingtones，avolleyofGermanoathsandexpletivesamongwhichheheardEnglischeschweinhunderepeatedseveraltimes。
ThevoicedidnotcomefromthedirectionoftheU-boat;butfrominland。CreepingforwardBradleyreachedaspotwhere，throughthecreepershangingfromthetrees，hecouldseeapartyofmencomingdowntowardtheshore。
HesawBaronFriedrichvonSchoenvortsandsixofhismen——allarmed——whilemarchinginalittleknotamongthemwereOlson，Brady，Sinclair，Wilson，andWhitely。
BradleyknewnothingofthedisappearanceofBowenTylerandMissLaRue，noroftheperfidyoftheGermansinshellingthefortandattemptingtoescapeintheU-33;buthewasinnowaysurprisedatwhathesawbeforehim。
Thelittlepartycameslowlyonward，theprisonersstaggeringbeneathheavycansofoil，whileSchwartz，oneoftheGermannoncommissionedofficerscursedandbeatthemwithastickofwood，impartially。VonSchoenvortswalkedintherearofthecolumn，encouragingSchwartzandlaughingatthediscomfitureoftheBritishers。Dietz，Heinz，andKlatzalsoseemedtoenjoytheentertainmentimmensely;buttwoofthemen——PlesserandHindle——
marchedwitheyesstraighttothefrontandwithscowlingfaces。
Bradleyfelthisbloodboilatsightofthecowardlyindignitiesbeingheapeduponhismen，andinthebriefspanoftimeoccupiedbythecolumntocomeabreastofwherehelayhiddenhemadehisplans，foolhardythoughheknewthem。Thenhedrewthegirlclosetohim。\"Stayhere，\"hewhispered。\"Iamgoingouttofightthosebeasts;butIshallbekilled。Donotletthemseeyou。Donotletthemtakeyoualive。Theyaremorecruel，morecowardly，morebestialthantheWieroos。\"
Thegirlpressedclosetohim，herfaceverywhite。\"Go，ifthatisright，\"shewhispered;\"butifyoudie，Ishalldie，forI
cannotlivewithoutyou。\"Helookedsharplyintohereyes。
\"Oh！\"heejaculated。\"WhatanidiotIhavebeen！NorcouldI
livewithoutyou，littlegirl。\"Andhedrewherverycloseandkissedherlips。\"Good-bye。\"Hedisengagedhimselffromherarmsandlookedagainintimetoseethattherearofthecolumnhadjustpassedhim。Thenheroseandleapedquicklyandsilentlyfromthejungle。
SuddenlyvonSchoenvortsfeltanarmthrownabouthisneckandhispistoljerkedfromitsholster。Hegaveacryoffrightandwarning，andhismenturnedtoseeahalf-nakedwhitemanholdingtheirleadersecurelyfrombehindandaimingapistolatthemoverhisshoulder。
\"Dropthoseguns！\"cameinshort，sharpsyllablesandperfectGermanfromthelipsofthenewcomer。\"DropthemorI’llputabulletthroughthebackofvonSchoenvorts’head。\"
TheGermanshesitatedforamoment，lookingfirsttowardvonSchoenvortsandthentoSchwartz，whowasevidentlysecondincommand，fororders。
\"It’stheEnglishpig，Bradley，\"shoutedthelatter，\"andhe’salone——goandgethim！\"
\"Goyourself，\"growledPlesser。HindlemovedclosetothesideofPlesserandwhisperedsomethingtohim。Thelatternodded。
SuddenlyvonSchoenvortswheeledaboutandseizedBradley’spistolarmwithbothhands，\"Now！\"heshouted。\"Comeandtakehim，quick！\"
Schwartzandthreeothersleapedforward;butPlesserandHindleheldback，lookingquestioninglytowardtheEnglishprisoners。
ThenPlesserspoke。\"Nowisyourchance，Englander，\"hecalledinlowtones。\"SeizeHindleandmeandtakeourgunsfromus——wewillnotfighthard。\"
OlsonandBradywerenotlonginactinguponthesuggestion。
TheyhadseenenoughofthebrutaltreatmentvonSchoenvortsaccordedhismenandtheespeciallyvenomousattentionshehadtakengreatenjoymentinaccordingPlesserandHindletounderstandthatthesetwomightbesincereinadesireforrevenge。InanothermomentthetwoGermanswereunarmedandOlsonandBradywererunningtothesupportofBradley;
butalreadyitseemedtoolate。
VonSchoenvortshadmanagedtodragtheEnglishmanaroundsothathisbackwastowardSchwartzandtheotheradvancingGermans。
SchwartzwasalmostuponBradleywithgunclubbedandreadytosmashdownupontheEnglishman’sskull。BradyandOlsonwerechargingtheGermansintherearwithWilson，Whitely，andSinclairsupportingthemwithbarefists。ItseemedthatBradleywasdoomedwhen，apparentlyoutofspace，anarrowwhizzed，strikingSchwartzintheside，passinghalf-waythroughhisbodytocrumplehimtoearth。Withashriekthemanfell，andatthesametimeOlsonandBradysawtheslimfigureofayounggirlstandingattheedgeofthejunglecoollyfittinganotherarrowtoherbow。
BradleyhadnowsucceededinwrestlinghisarmfreefromvonSchoenvorts’gripandindroppingthelatterwithablowfromthebuttofhispistol。TherestoftheEnglishandGermanswereengagedinahand-to-handencounter。PlesserandHindlestandingasidefromthemeleeandurgingtheircomradestosurrenderandjoinwiththeEnglishagainstthetyrannyofvonSchoenvorts。
HeinzandKlatz，possiblyinfluencedbytheirexhortation，wereputtingupbutahalf-heartedresistance;butDietz，ahuge，bearded，bull-neckedPrussian，yellinglikeamaniac，soughttoexterminatetheEnglischeschweinhundewithhisbayonet，fearingtofirehispiecelesthekillsomeofhiscomrades。
ItwasOlsonwhoengagedhim，andthoughunusedtothelongGermanrifleandbayonet，hemetthebull-rushoftheHunwiththecold，cruelprecisionandscienceofEnglishbayonet-fighting。
Therewasnofeinting，noretiringandnoparryingthatwasnotalsoanattack。Bayonet-fightingtodayisnotaprettythingtosee——itisnotanartisticfencing-matchinwhichmengiveandtake——itisslaughterinevitableandquicklyover。
DietzlungedoncemadlyatOlson’sthroat。Ashortpoint，withjustatwistofthebayonettotheleftsentthesharpbladeovertheEnglishman’sleftshoulder。Instantlyhesteppedclosein，droppedhisriflethroughhishandsandgraspeditwithbothhandsclosebelowthemuzzleandwithashort，sharpjabsenthisbladeupbeneathDietz’schintothebrain。SoquicklywasthethingdoneandsoquickthewithdrawalthatOlsonhadwheeledtotakeonanotheradversarybeforetheGerman’scorpsehadtoppledtotheground。
Buttherewerenomoreadversariestotakeon。HeinzandKlatzhadthrowndowntheirriflesandwithhandsabovetheirheadswerecrying\"Kamerad！Kamerad！\"atthetopsoftheirvoices。
VonSchoenvortsstilllaywherehehadfallen。PlesserandHindlewereexplainingtoBradleythattheyweregladoftheoutcomeofthefight，astheycouldnolongerendurethebrutalityoftheU-boatcommander。
Theremainderofthemenwerelookingatthegirlwhonowadvancedslowly，herbowready，whenBradleyturnedtowardherandheldouthishand。
\"Co-Tan，\"hesaid，\"unstringyourbow——thesearemyfriends，andyours。\"AndtotheEnglishmen：\"ThisisCo-Tan。YouwhosawhersavemefromSchwartzknowapartofwhatIoweher。\"
Theroughmengatheredaboutthegirl，andwhenshespoketotheminbrokenEnglish，withasmileuponherlipsenhancingthecharmofherirresistibleaccent，eachandeveryoneofthempromptlyfellinlovewithherandconstitutedhimselfhenceforthherguardianandherslave。
AmomentlatertheattentionofeachwascalledtoPlesserbyavolleyofinvective。TheyturnedintimetoseethemanrunningtowardvonSchoenvortswhowasjustrisingfromtheground。
Plessercarriedariflewithbayonetfixed，thathehadsnatchedfromthesideofDietz’scorpse。VonSchoenvorts’facewaslividwithfear，hisjawsworkingasthoughhewouldcallforhelp;butnosoundcamefromhisbluelips。
\"Youstruckme，\"shriekedPlesser。\"Once，twice，threetimes，youstruckme，pig。YoumurderedSchwerke——youdrovehiminsanebyyourcrueltyuntilhetookhisownlife。Youareonlyoneofyourkind——theyarealllikeyoufromtheKaiserdown。IwishthatyouweretheKaiser。ThuswouldIdo！\"AndhelungedhisbayonetthroughvonSchoenvorts’chest。ThenhelethisriflefallwiththedyingmanandwheeledtowardBradley。\"HereIam，\"
hesaid。\"Dowithmeasyoulike。AllmylifeIhavebeenkickedandcuffedbysuchasthat，andyetalwayshaveIgoneoutwhentheycommanded，singing，togiveupmylifeifneedbetokeeptheminpower。OnlylatelyhaveIcometoknowwhatafoolIhavebeen。ButnowIamnolongerafool，andbesides，IamavengedandSchwerkeisavenged，soyoucankillmeifyouwish。
HereIam。\"
\"IfIwasafterbein’theking，\"saidOlson，\"I’dpintheV。C。onyournoblechist;butbein’onlyanIrishmanwithaSwedename，forwhichGodforgiveme，thebistIcandoisshakeyourhand。\"
\"Youwillnotbepunished，\"saidBradley。\"Therearefourofyouleft——ifyoufourwanttocomealongandworkwithus，wewilltakeyou;butyouwillcomeasprisoners。\"
\"Itsuitsme，\"saidPlesser。\"Nowthatthecaptain-lieutenantisdeadyouneednotfearus。Allourliveswehaveknownnothingbuttoobeyhisclass。IfIhadnotkilledhim，IsupposeI
wouldbefoolenoughtoobeyhimagain;butheisdead。Nowwewillobeyyou——wemustobeysomeone。\"
\"Andyou？\"BradleyturnedtotheothersurvivorsoftheoriginalcrewoftheU-33。Eachpromisedobedience。
ThetwodeadGermanswereburiedinasinglegrave，andthenthepartyboardedthesubmarineandstowedawaytheoil。
HereBradleytoldthemenwhathadbefallenhimsincethenightofSeptember14thwhenhehaddisappearedsomysteriouslyfromthecampupontheplateau。NowhelearnedforthefirsttimethatBowenJ。Tyler，Jr。，andMissLaRuehadbeenmissingevenlongerthanheandthatnofaintesttraceofthemhadbeendiscovered。
OlsontoldhimofhowtheGermanshadreturnedandwaitedinambushforthemoutsidethefort，capturingthemthattheymightbeusedtoassistintheworkofrefiningtheoilandlaterinmanningtheU-33，andPlessertoldbrieflyoftheexperiencesoftheGermancrewundervonSchoenvortssincetheyhadescapedfromCaspakmonthsbefore——ofhowtheylosttheirbearingsafterhavingbeenshelledbyshipstheyhadattemptedtosneakfarthernorthandhowatlastwithprovisionsgoneandfuelalmostexhaustedtheyhadsoughtandatlastfound，morebyaccidentthandesign，themysteriousislandtheyhadoncebeensogladtoleavebehind。
\"Now，\"announcedBradley，\"we’llplanforthefuture。Theboathasfuel，provisionsandwaterforamonth，Ibelieveyousaid，Plesser;therearetenofustomanit。Wehavealastsaddutyhere——wemustsearchforMissLaRueandMr。Tyler。Isayasaddutybecauseweknowthatweshallnotfindthem;butitisnonethelessourdutytocombtheshoreline，firingsignalshellsatintervals，thatweatleastmayleaveatlastwithfullknowledgethatwehavedoneallthatmenmightdotolocatethem。\"
Nonedissentedfromthisconviction，norwasthereavoiceraisedinprotestagainsttheplantoatleastmakeassurancedoublysurebeforequittingCaspakforever。
Andsotheystarted，cruisingslowlyupthecoastandfiringanoccasionalshotfromthegun。Oftenthevesselwasbroughttoastop，andalwaystherewereanxiouseyesscanningtheshoreforanansweringsignal。LateintheafternoontheycaughtsightofanumberofBand-luwarriors;butwhenthevesselapproachedtheshoreandthenativesrealizedthathumanbeingsstooduponthebackofthestrangemonsterofthesea，theyfledinterrorbeforeBradleycouldcomewithinhailingdistance。
Thatnighttheydroppedanchoratthemouthofasluggishstreamwhosewarmwatersswarmedwithmillionsoftinytadpolelikeorganisms——minutehumanspawnstartingontheirprecariousjourneyfromsomeinlandpooltoward\"thebeginning\"——ajourneywhichoneinmillions，perhaps，mightsurvivetocomplete。
Alreadyalmostattheinceptionoflifetheywerebeinggreetedbythousandsofvoraciousmouthsasfishandreptilesofmanykindsfoughttodevourthem，thewhileotherandlargercreaturespursuedthedevourers，tobe，inturn，preyeduponbysomeotherofthecountlessformsthatinhabitthedeepsofCaprona’sfrightfulsea。
Theseconddaywaspracticallyarepetitionofthefirst。
TheymovedveryslowlywithfrequentstopsandoncetheylandedintheKro-lucountrytohunt。Heretheywereattackedbythebow-and-arrowmen，whomtheycouldnotpersuadetopalaverwiththem。Sobelligerentwerethenativesthatitbecamenecessarytofireintotheminordertoescapetheirpersistentandferociousattentions。
\"Whatchance，\"askedBradley，astheywerereturningtotheboatwiththeirgame，\"couldTylerandMissLaRuehavehadamongsuchasthese？\"
Buttheycontinuedontheirfruitlessquest，andthethirdday，aftercruisingalongtheshoreofadeepinlet，theypassedalineofloftycliffsthatformedthesouthernshoreoftheinletandroundedasharppromontoryaboutnoon。Co-TanandBradleywereondeckalone，andasthenewshorelineappearedbeyondthepoint，thegirlgaveanexclamationofjoyandseizedtheman’shandinhers。
\"Oh，look！\"shecried。\"TheGalucountry！TheGalucountry！
ItismycountrythatIneverthoughttoseeagain。\"
\"Youaregladtocomeagain，Co-Tan？\"askedBradley。
\"Oh，soglad！\"shecried。\"Andyouwillcomewithmetomypeople？
Wemaylivehereamongthem，andyouwillbeagreatwarrior——oh，whenJordiesyoumayevenbechief，forthereisnonesomightyasmywarrior。Youwillcome？\"
Bradleyshookhishead。\"Icannot，littleCo-Tan，\"heanswered。
\"Mycountryneedsme，andImustgoback。MaybesomedayI
shallreturn。Youwillnotforgetme，Co-Tan？\"
Shelookedathiminwide-eyedwonder。\"Youaregoingawayfromme？\"sheaskedinaverysmallvoice。\"YouaregoingawayfromCo-Tan？\"
Bradleylookeddownuponthelittlebowedhead。Hefeltthesoftcheekagainsthisbarearm;andhefeltsomethingelsetheretoo——
hotdropsofmoisturethatrandowntohisveryfinger-tipsandsplashed，buteachonewrungfromawoman’sheart。
Hebentlowandraisedthetear-stainedfacetohisown。
\"No，Co-Tan，\"hesaid，\"Iamnotgoingawayfromyou——foryouaregoingwithme。Youaregoingbacktomyowncountrytobemywife。Tellmethatyouwill，Co-Tan。\"Andhebentstillloweryetfromhisheightandkissedherlips。Nordidheneedmorethanthewonderfulnewlightinhereyestotellhimthatshewouldgototheendoftheworldwithhimifhewouldbuttakeher。
Andthenthegun-crewcameupfrombelowagaintofireasignalshot，andthetwowerebroughtdownfromthehighheavenoftheirnewhappinesstothescarredandweather-beatendeckoftheU-33。
AnhourlaterthevesselwasrunningcloseinbyashoreofwondrousbeautybesideaparklikemeadowthatstretchedbackamileinlandtothefootofaplateauwhenWhitelycalledattentiontoascoreoffiguresclamberingdownwardfromtheelevationtothelowlandbelow。Theengineswerereversedandtheboatbroughttoastopwhileallhandsgatheredondecktowatchthelittlepartycomingtowardthemacrossthemeadow。
\"TheyareGalus，\"criedCo-Tan;\"theyaremyownpeople。Letmespeaktothemlesttheythinkwecometofightthem。Putmeashore，myman，andIwillgomeetthem。\"
ThenoseoftheU-boatwasruncloseintothesteepbank;butwhenCo-Tanwouldhaverunforwardalone，Bradleyseizedherhandandheldherback。\"Iwillgowithyou，Co-Tan，\"hesaid;andtogethertheyadvancedtomeettheoncomingparty。
Therewereabouttwentywarriorsmovingforwardinathinline，asourinfantryadvanceasskirmishers。Bradleycouldnotbutnoticethemarkeddifferencebetweenthisformationandthemoblikemethodsofthelowertribeshehadcomeincontactwith，andhecommenteduponittoCo-Tan。
\"Galuwarriorsalwaysadvanceintobattlethus，\"shesaid。
\"Thelesserpeopleremaininahuddledgroupwheretheycanscarceusetheirweaponsthewhiletheypresentsobigamarktousthatourspearsandarrowscannotmissthem;butwhentheyhurltheirsatourwarriors，iftheymissthefirstman，thereisnochancethattheywillkillsomeonebehindhim。
\"Standstillnow，\"shecautioned，\"andfoldyourarms。Theywillnotharmusthen。\"
Bradleydidashewasbid，andthetwostoodwitharmsfoldedasthelineofwarriorsapproached。Whentheyhadcomewithinsomefiftyyards，theyhaltedandonespoke。\"Whoareyouandfromwhencedoyoucome？\"heasked;andthenCo-Tangavealittle，gladcryandsprangforwardwithout-stretchedarms。
\"Oh，Tan！\"sheexclaimed。\"DoyounotknowyourlittleCo-Tan？\"
Thewarriorstared，incredulous，foramoment，andthenhe，too，ranforwardandwhentheymet，tookthegirlinhisarms。ItwasthenthatBradleyexperiencedtothefullasensationthatwasnewtohim——asuddenhatredforthestrangewarriorbeforehimandadesiretokillwithoutknowingwhyhewouldkill。Hemovedquicklytothegirl’ssideandgraspedherwrist。
\"Whoisthisman？\"hedemandedincoldtones。
Co-TanturnedasurprisedfacetowardtheEnglishmanandthenofasuddenbrokeforthintoamerrypealoflaughter。\"Thisismyfather，Brad-lee，\"shecried。
\"AndwhoisBrad-lee？\"demandedthewarrior。
\"Heismyman，\"repliedCo-Tansimply。
\"Bywhatright？\"insistedTan。
AndthenshetoldhimbrieflyofallthatshehadpassedthroughsincetheWierooshadstolenherandofhowBradleyhadrescuedherandsoughttorescueAn-Tak，herbrother。
\"Youaresatisfiedwithhim？\"askedTan。
\"Yes，\"repliedthegirlproudly。
ItwasthenthatBradley’sattentionwasattractedtotheedgeoftheplateaubyamovementthere，andlookingcloselyhesawahorsebearingtwofiguresslidingdownthesteepdeclivity。
Onceatthebottom，theanimalcamechargingacrossthemeadowlandatarapidrun。Itwasamagnificentanimal——agreatbaystallionwithawhite-blazedfaceandwhiteforelegstotheknees，itsbarrelencircledbyabroadsurcingleofwhite;andasitcametoasuddenstopbesideTan，theEnglishmansawthatitboreamanandagirl——atallmanandagirlasbeautifulasCo-Tan。Whenthegirlespiedthelatter，sheslidfromthehorseandrantowardher，fairlyscreamingforjoy。
ThemandismountedandstoodbesideTan。LikeBradleyhewasgarbedafterthefashionofthesurroundingwarriors;buttherewasasubtledifferencebetweenhimandhiscompanion。
PossiblyhedetectedasimilardifferenceinBradley，forhisfirstquestionwas，\"Fromwhatcountry？\"andthoughhespokeinGaluBradleythoughthedetectedanaccent。
\"England，\"repliedBradley。
Abroadsmilelightedthenewcomer’sfaceasheheldouthishand。
\"IamTomBillingsofSantaMonica，California，\"hesaid。\"Iknowallaboutyou，andI’mmightygladtofindyoualive。\"
\"Howdidyougethere？\"askedBradley。\"IthoughtourswastheonlypartyofmenfromtheouterworldevertoenterCaprona。\"
\"Itwas，untilwecameinsearchofBowenJ。Tyler，Jr。，\"
repliedBillings。\"Wefoundhimandsenthimhomewithhisbride;butIwaskeptaprisonerhere。\"
Bradley’sfacedarkened——thentheywerenotamongfriendsafterall。\"TherearetenofusdownthereonaGermansubwithsmall-armsandagun，\"hesaidquicklyinEnglish。
\"Itwillbenotricktogetawayfromthesepeople。\"
\"Youdon’tknowmyjailer，\"repliedBillings，\"oryou’dnotbesosure。Wait，I’llintroduceyou。\"Andthenturningtothegirlwhohadaccompaniedhimhecalledherbyname。\"Ajor，\"hesaid，\"permitmetointroduceLieutenantBradley;Lieutenant，Mrs。
Billings——myjailer！\"
TheEnglishmanlaughedasheshookhandswiththegirl。\"YouarenotasgoodasoldierasI，\"hesaidtoBillings。\"InsteadofbeingtakenprisonermyselfIhavetakenone——Mrs。Bradley，thisisMr。Billings。\"
Ajor，quicktounderstand，turnedtowardCo-Tan。\"Youaregoingbackwithhimtohiscountry？\"sheasked。Co-Tanadmittedit。
\"Youdare？\"askedAjor。\"Butyourfatherwillnotpermitit——
Jor，myfather，HighChiefoftheGalus，willnotpermitit，forlikemeyouarecos-ata-lo。Oh，Co-Tan，ifwebutcould！
HowIwouldlovetoseeallthestrangeandwonderfulthingsofwhichmyTomtellsme！\"
Bradleybentandwhisperedinherear。\"Saythewordandyoumaybothgowithus。\"
BillingsheardandspeakinginEnglish，askedAjorifshewouldgo。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，\"Ifyouwishit;butyouknow，myTom，thatifJorcapturesus，bothyouandCo-Tan’smanwillpaythepenaltywithyourlives——notevenhisloveformenorhisadmirationforyoucansaveyou。\"
BradleynoticedthatshespokeinEnglish——brokenEnglishlikeCo-Tan’sbutequallyappealing。\"Wecaneasilygetyouaboardtheship，\"hesaid，\"onsomepretextorother，andthenwecansteamaway。Theycanneitherharmnordetainus，norwillwehavetofireashotatthem。\"
Andsoitwasdone，BradleyandCo-TantakingAjorandBillingsaboardto\"show\"themthevessel，whichalmostimmediatelyraisedanchorandmovedslowlyoutintothesea。
\"Ihatetodoit，\"saidBillings。\"Theyhavebeenfinetome。
JorandTanaresplendidmenandtheywillthinkmeaningrate;
butIcan’twastemylifeherewhenthereissomuchtobedoneintheouterworld。\"
AstheysteameddowntheinlandseapasttheislandofOo-oh，thestoriesoftheiradventureswereretold，andBradleylearnedthatBowenTylerandhisbridehadlefttheGalucountrybutafortnightbeforeandthattherewaseveryreasontobelievethattheToreadormightstillbelyinginthePacificnotfaroffthesubterraneanmouthoftheriverwhichemittedCaprona’sheatedwatersintotheocean。
Lateinthesecondday，afterrunningthroughswarmsofhideousreptiles，theysubmergedatthepointwheretheriverenteredbeneaththecliffsandshortlyafterrosetothesunlitsurfaceofthePacific;butnowhereasfarastheycouldseewassignofanothercraft。DownthecoasttheysteamedtowardthebeachwhereBillingshadmadehiscrossinginthehydro-aeroplaneandjustatduskthelookoutannouncedalightdeadahead。ItprovedtobeaboardtheToreador，andahalf-hourlatertherewassuchareuniononthedeckofthetriglittleyachtasnoonetherehadeverdreamedmightbepossible。OftheAlliestherewereonlyTippetandJamestobemourned，andnoonemournedanyoftheGermansdeadnorBenson，thetraitor，whoseuglystorywasfirsttoldinBowenTyler’smanuscript。
Tylerandtherescuepartyhadbutjustreachedtheyachtthatafternoon。Theyhadheard，faintly，thesignalshotsfiredbytheU-33buthadbeenunabletolocatetheirdirectionandsohadassumedthattheyhadcomefromthegunsoftheToreador。
Itwasahappypartythatsailednorthtowardsunny，southernCalifornia，theoldU-33trailinginthewakeoftheToreadorandflyingwiththelatterthegloriousStarsandStripesbeneathwhichshehadbeenbornintheshipyardatSantaMonica。
Threenewlymarriedcouples，theirbondsnowdulysolemnizedbythemasteroftheship，joyedinthepeaceandsecurityoftheuntrackedwatersofthesouthPacificandtheuniquehoneymoonwhich，haditnotbeenforsterndutyahead，theycouldhavewishedprotractedtilltheendoftime。
AndsotheycameonedaytodockattheshipyardwhichBowenTylernowcontrolled，andheretheU-33stilllieswhilethosewhopassedsomanyeventfuldayswithinandbecauseofher，havegonetheirvariousways。
