ss we have rain
before to-morrow morning the heat and smoke will drive us out into
the open."

"But we can go to the top of the plateau," suggested the girl. "There
aren't any trees--"

A concentrated bellowing cut off the rest of her words. Driven towards
higher ground by the heat of the flames, the dinosaurs were trampling
up the path leading to the tunnel.

Once again Carruthers rallied his army of apemen around him and
attempted to drive the mammals away. As they reached the end of the
tunnel a cloud of dense smoke stung their eyes. The apemen shrilled in
a sudden panic and forgot all their previous training in driving off
the dinosaurs. Like scurrying rats they scattered.

* * * * *

Flames from the conflagration broke through the smoke--flames that
leaped and twisted skyward.

Carruthers flung off the fear that held him spellbound and started
along up the path leading to the top of the plateau. A disheveled
figure appeared suddenly at his side--Nanette!

"Come," he whispered, hoarsely. "We've got to get out of this or we'll
choke to death."

"But Zark," breathed the girl, "He and his followers are still in the
cavern. We can't leave them."

Like one demented of reason, Carruthers raced back along the tunnel to
the cavern. "Zark!" he shouted.

The sound of his voice was drowned in the welter of screaming bedlam
coming up from below as the dinosaurs and apes fought for the
supremacy of life. But of Zark and his six followers he found
absolutely no sign. Quickly he hurried back to where he had left
Nanette.

Even as he reached the spot he had a sudden premonition of danger. A
gorilla, huge and black, brushed past him on the path, carrying a limp
burden under his shaggy arm.

"Stop!" commanded Carruthers, hurrying after the animal.

A huge arm knocked him sprawling. Spitting blood Carruthers staggered
to his feet. Up to this time he had felt no fear of the gorillas. They
had been orderly and well behaved. Fearful that harm would come to the
girl he ran after the dark figure ahead. The red glow of flames swept
nearer. The gorilla came to a stop and faced its pursuer. Lust shone
from its close-set eyes--lust and passion.

Carruthers stopped dead in his tracks. "Drop her!" he demanded.

The animal snarled hoarsely. There came the sound of ripping cloth.
Nanette screamed--a terrifying scream that echoed and re-echoed
through the electron night.

* *