o."

"Up here?" Trakor's voice faltered a little.

"Would it be better to sleep on the ground?" Tharn asked with grim
humor.

As though to underscore the question, the distant scream of a panther
came to their ears. Trakor shivered. "The tree is better," he admitted.
"It is only that I have never slept in a tree," he laughed uncertainly.
"I suppose I can get used to it."

"Lean your back against the trunk," Tharn said, "and allow your legs to
drop on either side of the branch you are sitting on, resting your feet
on the branches directly below. That way you will not fall, no matter
how soundly you sleep."

The boy obeyed, and while he found the position less restful than the
heap of pelts in the cave of his father, it was bearable. He knew he
would not be able to sleep, for already the chill of the jungle at
night was creeping into his bones.

Seconds later he was sleeping soundly, while above him Tharn too slept
in a fork of the same tree.

* * * * *

A hand shaking his shoulder awoke Trakor with a start. Crouching on the
branch beside him was Tharn, his magnificent body faintly discernible in
the diffused light of Uda, the moon.

"Come," Tharn said. "It is time we set about locating the path used by
the Ammadians in scaling the cliffside."

"At night?" Trakor asked wonderingly. "Would it not be better to wait
until there is enough light to pick up the trail?"

"I have another plan," Tharn replied evasively. "Here," he added,
stooping. "Place your arms about my neck."

Although he did not understand the reason behind the order Trakor
followed his companion's bidding. An instant later he was swept up and
out into the maze of branches while borne in Tharn's arms.

Where before much of the passage through the middle terraces of the
trees had been hidden from Trakor by darkness, now the way was lighted
by the moon, disclosing to the youth's horrified eyes the awful depths
beneath. Gradually Trakor's fears grew less as he observed the unfailing
sureness with which Tharn trod this high-flung pathway, and in its place
came an abounded admiration of his agility and strength. Never before
had he heard of a human who used the same avenues as little Nobar, the
monkey--and used them with the same nimbleness and speed. Occasionally
warriors of his tribe lay in wait for game among tree branches, but such
climbing was as nothing when compared to this.

That uncanny instinct which so of