ten had guided Tharn through unfamiliar
territory did not fail him this time, and within half an hour he and his
burden were gazing from the safety of a high branch at the deserted
cliffside containing the caves of Gerdak.

At the sight of the familiar scene a great weight seemed to press
against Trakor's heart. Was his new-found friend deserting
him--returning him to certain suffering at the hands of short-tempered
Gerdak? Did not Tharn know that never again would he dare to return to
his own cave--that the chief would make him pay a thousandfold for
championing the giant stranger?

Dreading the reply, he asked: "Why have we come back here, Tharn?"

"You told me Roban, son of Gerdak, knows the route taken by the
Ammadians," said Tharn. "I am going to ask him where I may find it."

"But you cannot!" cried Trakor. "The instant Gerdak and his warriors see
you their spears will cut you to pieces!"

"Then I must keep from being seen," Tharn observed lightly. "Point out
to me the cave where Roban sleeps. I will enter and get him, bringing
him here that I may question him in peace."

Trakor was horrified by the suggestion. "It is impossible! Mighty as you
are, you could not hope to enter and leave the chief's own cave without
being caught. Always several warriors sleep just within the entrance,
for there are several among the tribe who hate Gerdak and he fears
assassination while he sleeps."

For a long moment Tharn seemed lost in thought and Trakor was
congratulating himself upon his success in talking the cave lord out of
his mad scheme. But Tharn's next words showed his silence had been
prompted by another reason altogether.

"Describe Gerdak's cave to me," he said, "telling me, if you can, where
in it Roban is most likely to be sleeping."

For a second Trakor was tempted to disclaim all knowledge of the
subject. But then the realization came that Tharn would go ahead with
his plan with or without the information he sought.

Carefully he told all he could about the chief's cave, describing in
minute detail its layout and plan, together with such information as
where the guards were likely to be sleeping and the probable location of
Roban's sleeping furs.

Roban, he said, would not be difficult to pick out. He was about
Trakor's own age but very skinny, with long legs and arms and a
peculiarly shaped head, the crown rising almost to a point. He was an
unpleasant youngster, sly and cunning, and generally dislike