ause of the darkness I might
pass among them without being recognized, reach the chief's cave and in
some way set you free."

"You could never have done it." Tharn's voice was stern, revealing
nothing of his inner feelings. He was more deeply touched by this
evidence of loyalty than he cared to admit. For this untrained boy to
pit his relatively puny muscles against an entire community in an effort
to rescue his benefactor was proof enough that here was material for the
shaping of a great warrior; and with this thought Tharn's last remaining
reluctance to be saddled with Trakor during the search for Dylara
disappeared.

* * * * *

The warriors of Gerdak appeared to have recovered their courage; already
several of them were entering the jungle in search of Trakor and the
mysterious bowman. Two of them passed cautiously beneath the very tree
in which their quarry was seated. Tharn touched his own lips in warning,
pointed up at the branches overhead, then lifted the youth to his back
and climbed in perfect silence to where he had left the captive Roban.

In the dim light Tharn could see the whites of rolling, fear-filled eyes
and beads of perspiration dotting the receding forehead. A muffled
chattering pushed through the wad of leaves and the prisoner shrank away
as far as the vines binding his wrists to the tree would permit.

The cave lord was undecided as to his next step. He dared not remove the
gag from Roban's lips and question him here. A single shout would bring
Gerdak's men to the scene; and while this would mean little if any
danger to Tharn and his new-found companion, it could mean he might lose
the services of Roban as involuntary guide.

The alternative was to carry Roban deeper into the jungle where he might
be questioned without interruption, but Tharn knew that Trakor could not
hope to follow through the tree tops.

There was but one answer: he must carry both of them. Quickly he
loosened Roban's bonds and swung him lightly across one shoulder, then
turned to Trakor.

"Lock your arms about my neck," he said.

There was wonder and doubt in Trakor's expression as understanding came
to him. But such was his faith and confidence that he did not hesitate
to comply with the order.

And once more Trakor, heart in his mouth, rode the skyway. Where before
the awful depths had sent cold fear to his core, he was now confident
and unafraid; yet actually the danger of plunging