ere was
between the latter and man, while both had many human attributes, some
of which were better developed in one species and some in the other.

The black apes were hairless and built thatched huts in their arboreal
retreats; they kept domesticated dogs and ruminants, in which respect
they were farther advanced than the human beings of Pellucidar; but
they appeared to have only a meager language, and sported long, apelike
tails.

On the other hand, Gr-gr-gr's people were, for the most part, quite
hairy, but they were tailless and had a language similar to that of the
human race of Pellucidar; nor were they arboreal. Their skins, where
skin showed, were white.

From the foregoing facts and others that I have noted during my long
life within Pellucidar, which is now passing through an age analogous
to some pre-glacial age of the outer crust, I am constrained to the
belief that evolution is not so much a gradual transition from one form
to another as it is an accident of breeding, either by crossing or the
hazards of birth. In other words, it is my belief that the first man
was a freak of nature--nor would one have to draw over-strongly upon
his credulity to be convinced that Gr-gr-gr and his tribe were also
freaks.

The great man-brute seated himself upon a flat rock--his throne, I
imagine--just before the entrance to his lair. With elbows on knees
and chin in palms he regarded me intently through his lone sheep-eye
while one of my captors told of my taking.

When all had been related Gr-gr-gr questioned me. I shall not attempt
to quote these people in their own abbreviated tongue--you would have
even greater difficulty in interpreting them than did I. Instead, I
shall put the words into their mouths which will carry to you the ideas
which they intended to convey.

"You are an enemy," was Gr-gr-gr's initial declaration. "You belong to
the tribe of Hooja."

Ah! So they knew Hooja and he was their enemy! Good!

"I am an enemy of Hooja," I replied. "He has stolen my mate and I have
come here to take her away from him and punish Hooja."

"How could you do that alone?"

"I do not know," I answered, "but I should have tried had you not
captured me. What do you intend to do with me?"

"You shall work for us."

"You will not kill me?" I asked.

"We do not kill except in self-defense," he replied; "self-defense and
punishment. Those who would kill us and those who do wrong we kill.
If we knew you we