y paid no attention whatever to
my companion. Once inside the council-hut, for such it appeared to be,
I found a large concourse of warriors seated, or rather squatted,
around the floor. At one end of the oval space which the warriors left
down the center of the room stood Al-tan and another warrior whom I
immediately recognized as a Galu, and then I saw that there were many
Galus present. About the walls were a number of flaming torches stuck
in holes in a clay plaster which evidently served the purpose of
preventing the inflammable wood and grasses of which the hut was
composed from being ignited by the flames. Lying about among the
warriors or wandering restlessly to and fro were a number of savage
dogs.

The warriors eyed me curiously as I entered, especially the Galus, and
then I was conducted into the center of the group and led forward
toward Al-tan. As I advanced I felt one of the dogs sniffing at my
heels, and of a sudden a great brute leaped upon my back. As I turned
to thrust it aside before its fangs found a hold upon me, I beheld a
huge Airedale leaping frantically about me. The grinning jaws, the
half-closed eyes, the back-laid ears spoke to me louder than might the
words of man that here was no savage enemy but a joyous friend, and
then I recognized him, and fell to one knee and put my arms about his
neck while he whined and cried with joy. It was Nobs, dear old Nobs.
Bowen Tyler's Nobs, who had loved me next to his master.

"Where is the master of this dog?" I asked, turning toward Al-tan.

The chieftain inclined his head toward the Galu standing at his side.
"He belongs to Du-seen the Galu," he replied.

"He belongs to Bowen J. Tyler, Jr., of Santa Monica," I retorted, "and
I want to know where his master is."

The Galu shrugged. "The dog is mine," he said. "He came to me
cor-sva-jo, and he is unlike any dog in Caspak, being kind and docile
and yet a killer when aroused. I would not part with him. I do not
know the man of whom you speak."

So this was Du-seen! This was the man from whom Ajor had fled. I
wondered if he knew that she was here. I wondered if they had sent for
me because of her; but after they had commenced to question me, my mind
was relieved; they did not mention Ajor. Their interest seemed
centered upon the strange world from which I had come, my journey to
Caspak and my intentions now that I had arrived. I answered them
frankly as I had nothing to conceal and ass