rn for
one last appealing glance. But the boy forged steadily ahead....

"Wait, Trakor," Tharn called.

The youth turned quickly and watched as Tharn gathered up his bow,
quiver of arrows and grass rope from where they had fallen when he
leaped to do battle with Sadu. With his weapons restored to their usual
places, the caveman rejoined Trakor at the forest's edge.

"Since my way lies in the same direction," Tharn said, "I will go with
you for a time."

"Good," Trakor said laconically. He might have said more, but he doubted
the steadiness of his own voice, so great his relief.

Side by side they moved briskly along the winding trail, while the gloom
of early night grew amidst the semi-tropical depths of forest and its
inextricably tangled maze of branches, vines and creepers.

In some way these two members of the first race of _true men_ to trod
the globe were much alike; in others, as different as day from night. In
age Tharn was no more than four years beyond his companion; in height
perhaps an inch taller. Both were darkly tanned and each was clothed
only by a loin-cloth of panther skin.

But there the similarity ended. Where Trakor was slender and with
muscles not yet fully developed, Tharn's bronzed body was sheathed in
supple sinews that rippled like steel cables beneath smooth skin. There
was an undefinable surety, a boundless confidence, reflected in the
graceful majesty of his expression and bearing. Unconsciously Trakor
sought to carry himself in a like manner, for he was deep in the throes
of hero worship.

"Tell me, Tharn," Trakor said diffidently, at last, "are you not truly a
god?"

"It might be," Tharn said lightly. "Since I have never met a god, I
would not know."

Trakor thought over the answer for a while. It did not seem that a real
god such as old Wokard described would speak so of himself. Could it be
that his new found friend, for all his superhuman abilities, was
actually an ordinary man, just as he had claimed from the first?

Well, man he might be, but never an ordinary one!

"I am glad you are a man, Tharn," he said finally. "I do not think I
would like to know a god."

"Nor would I," Tharn agreed soberly.

* * * * *

They moved rapidly ahead for a time, neither speaking. Suddenly the
thunderous challenge of a lion rose from the depths of jungle not far to
their right. Trakor shivered slightly and shot a quick glance at his
companion. It was t