, "the call came to me just before I quit the pool;
but I did not know that it had come to you. I can see it in your eyes,
To-mar, my To-mar! We shall go on together!" And she threw herself
into his arms.

It was a very affecting sight, for it was evident that these two had
been mates for a long time and that they had each thought that they
were about to be separated by that strange law of evolution which holds
good in Caspak and which was slowly unfolding before my incredulous
mind. I did not then comprehend even a tithe of the wondrous process,
which goes on eternally within the confines of Caprona's barrier cliffs
nor am I any too sure that I do even now.

To-mar explained to So-al that it was I who had killed the cave-lion
and saved her life, and that Ajor was my woman and thus entitled to the
same loyalty which was my due.

At first Ajor and So-al were like a couple of stranger cats on a back
fence but soon they began to accept each other under something of an
armed truce, and later became fast friends. So-al was a mighty
fine-looking girl, built like a tigress as to strength and sinuosity,
but withal sweet and womanly. Ajor and I came to be very fond of her,
and she was, I think, equally fond of us. To-mar was very much of a
man--a savage, if you will, but none the less a man.

Finding that traveling in company with To-mar made our journey both
easier and safer, Ajor and I did not continue on our way alone while
the novitiates delayed their approach to the Kro-lu country in order
that they might properly fit themselves in the matter of arms and
apparel, but remained with them. Thus we became well acquainted--to
such an extent that we looked forward with regret to the day when they
took their places among their new comrades and we should be forced to
continue upon our way alone. It was a matter of much concern to To-mar
that the Krolu would undoubtedly not receive Ajor and me in a friendly
manner, and that consequently we should have to avoid these people.

It would have been very helpful to us could we have made friends with
them, as their country abutted directly upon that of the Galus. Their
friendship would have meant that Ajor's dangers were practically
passed, and that I had accomplished fully one-half of my long journey.
In view of what I had passed through, I often wondered what chance I
had to complete that journey in search of my friends. The further
south I should travel on the west side