ured them that my only wish
was to find my friends and return to my own country. In the Galu
Du-seen and his warriors I saw something of the explanation of the term
"golden race" which is applied to them, for their ornaments and weapons
were either wholly of beaten gold or heavily decorated with the
precious metal. They were a very imposing set of men--tall and
straight and handsome. About their heads were bands of gold like that
which Ajor wore, and from their left shoulders depended the
leopard-tails of the Galus. In addition to the deer-skin tunic which
constituted the major portion of their apparel, each carried a light
blanket of barbaric yet beautiful design--the first evidence of weaving
I had seen in Caspak. Ajor had had no blanket, having lost it during
her flight from the attentions of Du-seen; nor was she so heavily
incrusted with gold as these male members of her tribe.

The audience must have lasted fully an hour when Al-tan signified that
I might return to my hut. All the time Nobs had lain quietly at my
feet; but the instant that I turned to leave, he was up and after me.
Duseen called to him; but the terrier never even so much as looked in
his direction. I had almost reached the doorway leading from the
council-hall when Al-tan rose and called after me. "Stop!" he shouted.
"Stop, stranger! The beast of Du-seen the Galu follows you."

"The dog is not Du-seen's," I replied. "He belongs to my friend, as I
told you, and he prefers to stay with me until his master is found."
And I turned again to resume my way. I had taken but a few steps when
I heard a commotion behind me, and at the same moment a man leaned
close and whispered "Kazar!" close to my ear--kazar, the Caspakian
equivalent of beware. It was To-mar. As he spoke, he turned quickly
away as though loath to have others see that he knew me, and at the
same instant I wheeled to discover Du-seen striding rapidly after me.
Al-tan followed him, and it was evident that both were angry.

Du-seen, a weapon half drawn, approached truculently. "The beast is
mine," he reiterated. "Would you steal him?"

"He is not yours nor mine," I replied, "and I am not stealing him. If
he wishes to follow you, he may; I will not interfere; but if he wishes
to follow me, he shall; nor shall you prevent." I turned to Al-tan.
"Is not that fair?" I demanded. "Let the dog choose his master."

Du-seen, without waiting for Al-tan's reply, reached for Nobs and
gr