e gone, and we were living beneath a
stationary sun. Already I was puzzled to compute the period of time
which had elapsed since we broke through the crust of the inner world.
It might be hours, or it might be days--who in the world could tell
where it was always noon! By the sun, no time had elapsed--but my
judgment told me that we must have been several hours in this strange
world.

Presently the forest terminated, and we came out upon a level plain. A
short distance before us rose a few low, rocky hills. Toward these our
captors urged us, and after a short time led us through a narrow pass
into a tiny, circular valley. Here they got down to work, and we were
soon convinced that if we were not to die to make a Roman holiday, we
were to die for some other purpose. The attitude of our captors
altered immediately as they entered the natural arena within the rocky
hills. Their laughter ceased. Grim ferocity marked their bestial
faces--bared fangs menaced us.

We were placed in the center of the amphitheater--the thousand
creatures forming a great ring about us. Then a wolf-dog was
brought--hyaenadon Perry called it--and turned loose with us inside the
circle. The thing's body was as large as that of a full-grown mastiff,
its legs were short and powerful, and its jaws broad and strong. Dark,
shaggy hair covered its back and sides, while its breast and belly were
quite white. As it slunk toward us it presented a most formidable
aspect with its upcurled lips baring its mighty fangs.

Perry was on his knees, praying. I stooped and picked up a small
stone. At my movement the beast veered off a bit and commenced
circling us. Evidently it had been a target for stones before. The
ape-things were dancing up and down urging the brute on with savage
cries, until at last, seeing that I did not throw, he charged us.

At Andover, and later at Yale, I had pitched on winning ball teams. My
speed and control must both have been above the ordinary, for I made
such a record during my senior year at college that overtures were made
to me in behalf of one of the great major-league teams; but in the
tightest pitch that ever had confronted me in the past I had never been
in such need for control as now.

As I wound up for the delivery, I held my nerves and muscles under
absolute command, though the grinning jaws were hurtling toward me at
terrific speed. And then I let go, with every ounce of my weight and
muscle and sci