nd still none of the spider-men entered the hut. Both men
were suffering the pangs of thirst, but hunger had not yet become a
problem. Evidently their hosts had no intentions of pampering them.

Sometime later three of the spider-men crawled into the hut and
immediately set about examining the prisoners' thongs. So intense was
the darkness now that they had to depend solely on the sense of touch.
Satisfied the bonds were intact, the three found places on the floor and
presently the sounds of even breathing told all were asleep.

Tharn lay there unmoving while the minutes slipped by and became hours.
With the inexhaustible patience of all wild creatures he bided his time,
waiting until the sleep of those guards was sound. Several times he
heard Trakor stir impatiently and he smiled a little under cover of
darkness. Trakor was waiting for a miracle.

The position of the three spider-men was such that leaving by the
door was impossible, even were the prisoners able to gain use of legs
and arms. Even if they were able to loose their bonds, a simultaneous
attack could account only for two--leaving the third free to raise an
alarm.

Slowly, with many pauses lest the jiggling of the flooring arouse those
guards, Tharn began to roll himself to Trakor's side. So carefully did
he move that almost a full hour had passed before he reached his
objective.

He felt the animal heat of the youth's body, and a barely audible word
reached his ears. "Tharn?"

"Shhh!"

And then Tharn began to gnaw at Trakor's bonds. His strong sharp teeth
bit into those tough green vines, filling his mouth with an unpleasant
taste. It was slow, jaw-tiring work and the vines were many, stringy and
reluctant to part. But the cave lord's indomitable patience and
perseverance were not to be denied.

* * * * *

At long last Trakor was able to free his hands. He winced as blood began
to move again in his veins and minutes passed before he was able to
control his hands. His questing fingers found the knots holding Tharn
helpless and very soon both men were free to act.

Still lying side by side, Tharn began to whisper instructions. Twice one
of the sleeping spider-men stirred and the two Cro-Magnards held their
breaths until he had quieted.

When Trakor nodded to indicate Tharn's plan was clear to him, the cave
lord rose to his feet and, like a shadowy wraith, moved to the nearest
wall. This was a tense moment in the ex