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"You are the third foreman of the fields of Luud?" he asked

"Yes, Luud; I am called Ghek"

"Tell me what you know of this," and he nodded toward Tara of Heliuirl

"What were you doing within the borders of Bantooreat storm that injured my flier and carried ht for food and drink The banths came and drove htto leave the valley I do not knohy they took o my way in peace"

"None who enters Bantoom ever leaves," replied Luud

"But my people are not at ith yours I arandfather a jed; and ht to keep me and I demand that you liberate me at once"

"None who enters Bantoom ever leaves," repeated the creature without expression "I know nothing of the lesser creatures of Barsooh race-the race of Bantoomians All Nature exists to serve them You shall do your share, but not yet-you are too skinny We shall have to put some fat upon it, Sept I tire of rykor Perhaps this will have a different flavor The banths are too rank and it is seldom that any other creature enters the valley And you, Ghek; you shall be rewarded I shall promote you froround as every Bantoos to No more shall you be forced to endure the hated sun, or look upon the hideous sky, or the hateful growing things that defile the surface For the present you shall look after this thing that you have broughtelse You understandelse!"

"I understand, Luud," replied the other

"Take it away!" commanded the creature

Ghek turned and led Tara of Heliuirl was horrified by contemplation of the fate that awaited her-a fate from which it seemed, there was no escape It was only too evident that these creatures possessed no gentle or chivalric sentiht escape froround burrows appeared impossible