any other potentate in a world's history ever made a more
un-dignified entrance. I landed head first on all fours, but I came
quickly and was on my feet before the man in the dark guessed what had
happened.

He saw me, though, when I arose and, sensing that no friend came thus
precipitately, turned to meet me even as I charged him. I had my stone
knife in my hand, and he had his. In the darkness of the cave there
was little opportunity for a display of science, though even at that I
venture to say that we fought a very pretty duel.

Before I came to Pellucidar I do not recall that I ever had seen a
stone knife, and I am sure that I never fought with a knife of any
description; but now I do not have to take my hat off to any of them
when it comes to wielding that primitive yet wicked weapon.

I could just see Dian in the darkness, but I knew that she could not
see my features or recognize me; and I enjoyed in anticipation, even
while I was fighting for her life and mine, her dear joy when she
should discover that it was I who was her deliverer.

My opponent was large, but he also was active and no mean knife-man.
He caught me once fairly in the shoulder--I carry the scar yet, and
shall carry it to the grave. And then he did a foolish thing, for as
I leaped back to gain a second in which to calm the shock of the wound
he rushed after me and tried to clinch. He rather neglected his knife
for the moment in his greater desire to get his hands on me. Seeing
the opening, I swung my left fist fairly to the point of his jaw.

Down he went. Before ever he could scramble up again I was on him and
had buried my knife in his heart. Then I stood up--and there was Dian
facing me and peering at me through the dense gloom.

"You are not Juag!" she exclaimed. "Who are you?"

I took a step toward her, my arms outstretched.

"It is I, Dian," I said. "It is David."

At the sound of my voice she gave a little cry in which tears were
mingled--a pathetic little cry that told me all without words how far
hope had gone from her--and then she ran forward and threw herself in
my arms. I covered her perfect lips and her beautiful face with
kisses, and stroked her thick black hair, and told her again and again
what she already knew--what she had known for years--that I loved her
better than all else which two worlds had to offer. We couldn't devote
much time, though, to the happiness of love-making, for we were in the
midst