ut-ing excitedly. As
he approached I came from my shelter to learn what all the commotion
might be about, for the monotony of my existence in the melon-patch
must have fostered that trait of my curiosity from which it had always
been my secret boast I am peculiarly free.

The other workers also ran forward to meet the messenger, who quickly
unburdened himself of his information, and as quickly turned and
scampered back toward the village. When running these beast-men often
go upon all fours. Thus they leap over obstacles that would slow up a
human being, and upon the level attain a speed that would make a
thoroughbred look to his laurels. The result in this instance was that
before I had more than assimilated the gist of the word which had been
brought to the fields, I was alone, watching my co-workers speeding
villageward.

I was alone! It was the first time since my capture that no beast-man
had been within sight of me. I was alone! And all my captors were in
the village at the op-posite edge of the mesa repelling an attack of
Hooja's horde!

It seemed from the messenger's tale that two of Gr-gr-gr's great males
had been set upon by a half-dozen of Hooja's cutthroats while the
former were peaceably returning from the thag hunt. The two had
returned to the village unscratched, while but a single one of Hooja's
half-dozen had escaped to report the outcome of the battle to their
leader. Now Hooja was coming to punish Gr-gr-gr's people. With his
large force, armed with the bows and arrows that Hooja had learned from
me to make, with long lances and sharp knives, I feared that even the
mighty strength of the beastmen could avail them but little.

At last had come the opportunity for which I waited! I was free to
make for the far end of the mesa, find my way to the valley below, and
while the two forces were engaged in their struggle, continue my search
for Hooja's village, which I had learned from the beast-men lay farther
on down the river that I had been following when taken prisoner.

As I turned to make for the mesa's rim the sounds of battle came
plainly to my ears--the hoarse shouts of men mingled with the
half-beastly roars and growls of the brute-folk.

Did I take advantage of my opportunity?

I did not. Instead, lured by the din of strife and by the desire to
deliver a stroke, however feeble, against hated Hooja, I wheeled and
ran directly toward the village.

When I reached the edge of the pla