ngs rule!" he
concluded in fine scorn.

"But it is the truth," I insisted. "From where else then did I come?
I am not of Pellucidar. Anyone with half an eye could see that."

"It is your misfortune then," he remarked dryly, "that you may not be
judged by one with but half an eye."

"What will they do with me," I asked, "if they do not have a mind to
believe me?"

"You may be sentenced to the arena, or go to the pits to be used in
research work by the learned ones," he replied.

"And what will they do with me there?" I persisted.

"No one knows except the Mahars and those who go to the pits with them,
but as the latter never return, their knowledge does them but little
good. It is said that the learned ones cut up their subjects while
they are yet alive, thus learning many useful things. However I should
not imagine that it would prove very useful to him who was being cut
up; but of course this is all but conjecture. The chances are that ere
long you will know much more about it than I," and he grinned as he
spoke. The Sagoths have a well-developed sense of humor.

"And suppose it is the arena," I continued; "what then?"

"You saw the two who met the tarag and the thag the time that you
escaped?" he said.

"Yes."

"Your end in the arena would be similar to what was intended for them,"
he explained, "though of course the same kinds of animals might not be
employed."

"It is sure death in either event?" I asked.

"What becomes of those who go below with the learned ones I do not
know, nor does any other," he replied; "but those who go to the arena
may come out alive and thus regain their liberty, as did the two whom
you saw."

"They gained their liberty? And how?"

"It is the custom of the Mahars to liberate those who remain alive
within the arena after the beasts depart or are killed. Thus it has
happened that several mighty warriors from far distant lands, whom we
have captured on our slave raids, have battled the brutes turned in
upon them and slain them, thereby winning their freedom. In the
instance which you witnessed the beasts killed each other, but the
result was the same--the man and woman were liberated, furnished with
weapons, and started on their homeward journey. Upon the left shoulder
of each a mark was burned--the mark of the Mahars--which will forever
protect these two from slaving parties."

"There is a slender chance for me then if I be sent to the arena, and
none at all if