grassland stood trees, usually no more than one or two
together. To the south, nearly at the horizon, was a long dark line that
Trakor at first took to be clouds but which, later, he was to learn was
the beginning of another expanse of forest and jungle.

Food was distributed and eaten, an hour's rest period was announced, and
the Ammadians gathered their strength for the final stage of the
journey. From remarks the two prisoners overheard they learned that
Ammad lay half a day's march beyond that distant line of trees, and that
every man in the group was anxious to put the city's strong walls
between him and the hated jungle.

Trakor was beginning to worry. Crossing that vast plain during the heat
of day was bound to be a trying experience, especially for the
comparatively frail girl. But worse than that, Tharn was going to be
placed at a disadvantage in following them. These Ammadians were not
complete fools; they would keep a sharp lookout in all directions
against possible attack from animals or men; for Tharn to attempt to
follow them during daylight hours would mean certain detection. Still,
even though the cave lord was forced to wait until darkness before
venturing out into the open, he could easily overtake the Ammadians
while they were camped for the night.

* * * * *

All during the long afternoon which followed, Trakor kept shooting brief
glances over his shoulder toward the north, half-expecting to catch a
glimpse of his friend. But other than a distant herd or two of
grass-eaters, no sign of life appeared.

Night came while the column was still an hour's march from the last
barrier of jungle between it and Ammad. At any moment Trakor expected to
hear the captain call a halt.

That call never came. Instead the group pushed on until the trees were
reached; a brief stop was made near the mouth of a wide trail at that
point while gumwood branches were found and ignited, and once more the
column took up the march.

After two hours of plodding along the winding game path, flames from the
smoking torches casting eerie shadows among the thick foliage and heavy
tree boles, Trakor could stand this uncertainty no longer.

"When," he said to the Ammadian warrior next to him, "are we to make
camp for the night?"

The man gave him a sidelong glance and a crooked grimace of derision. "I
thought you men of the caves were accustomed to walking long distances?"

"I can walk the be