of their wars with their own weapons! No,
Perry; we've got to give them something better than scientific methods
of killing one another."

The old man looked at me in amazement. There was reproach in his eyes,
too.

"Why, David!" he said sorrowfully. "I thought that you would be
pleased with what I had done. We planned these things together, and I
am sure that it was you who suggested practically all of it. I have
done only what I thought you wished done and I have done it the best
that I know how."

I laid my hand on the old man's shoulder.

"Bless your heart, Perry!" I cried. "You've accomplished miracles.
You have done precisely what I should have done, only you've done it
better. I'm not finding fault; but I don't wish to lose sight myself,
or let you lose sight, of the greater work which must grow out of this
preliminary and necessary carnage. First we must place the empire upon
a secure footing, and we can do so only by putting the fear of us in
the hearts of our enemies; but after that--

"Ah, Perry! That is the day I look forward to! When you and I can build
sewing-machines instead of battle-ships, harvesters of crops instead of
harvesters of men, plow-shares and telephones, schools and colleges,
printing-presses and paper! When our merchant marine shall ply the
great Pellucidarian seas, and cargoes of silks and typewriters and
books shall forge their ways where only hideous saurians have held sway
since time began!"

"Amen!" said Perry.

And Dian, who was standing at my side, pressed my hand.

CHAPTER XV

CONQUEST AND PEACE

The fleet sailed directly for Hooja's island, coming to anchor at its
north-eastern extremity before the flat-topped hill that had been
Hooja's stronghold. I sent one of the prisoners ashore to demand an
immediate surrender; but as he told me afterward they wouldn't be-lieve
all that he told them, so they congregated on the cliff-top and shot
futile arrows at us.

In reply I had five of the feluccas cannonade them. When they
scampered away at the sound of the terrific explosions, and at sight of
the smoke and the iron balls I landed a couple of hundred red warriors
and led them to the opposite end of the hill into the tunnel that ran
to its summit. Here we met a little resistance; but a volley from the
muzzle-loaders turned back those who disputed our right of way, and
presently we gained the mesa. Here again we met resistance, but at
last the remnant of Hoo