First I took the wolf dog to the spot where the man had
fought with Dian. A few paces behind us followed Raja's fierce mate.
I pointed to the ground where the evidences of the struggle were
plainest and where the scent must have been strong to Raja's nostrils.

Then I grasped the remnant of leash that hung about his neck and urged
him forward upon the trail. He seemed to understand. With nose to
ground he set out upon his task. Dragging me after him, he trotted
straight out upon the Lidi Plains, turning his steps in the direction
of the Thurian village. I could have guessed as much!

Behind us trailed the female. After a while she closed upon us, until
she ran quite close to me and at Raja's side. It was not long before
she seemed as easy in my company as did her lord and master.

We must have covered considerable distance at a very rapid pace, for we
had reentered the great shadow, when we saw a huge lidi ahead of us,
moving leisurely across the level plain. Upon its back were two human
figures. If I could have known that the jaloks would not harm Dian I
might have turned them loose upon the lidi and its master; but I could
not know, and so dared take no chances.

However, the matter was taken out of my hands presently when Raja
raised his head and caught sight of his quarry. With a lunge that
hurled me flat and jerked the leash from my hand, he was gone with the
speed of the wind after the giant lidi and its riders. At his side
raced his shaggy mate, only a trifle smaller than he and no whit less
savage.

They did not give tongue until the lidi itself discovered them and
broke into a lumbering, awkward, but none the less rapid gallop. Then
the two hound-beasts commenced to bay, starting with a low, plaintive
note that rose, weird and hideous, to terminate in a series of short,
sharp yelps. I feared that it might be the hunting-call of the pack;
and if this were true, there would be slight chance for either Dian or
her abductor--or myself, either, as far as that was concerned. So I
redoubled my efforts to keep pace with the hunt; but I might as well
have attempted to distance the bird upon the wing; as I have often
reminded you, I am no runner. In that instance it was just as well
that I am not, for my very slowness of foot played into my hands; while
had I been fleeter, I might have lost Dian that time forever.

The lidi, with the hounds running close on either side, had almost
disappeared in th