asked, for I cared little for my own safety
while she was in danger.

"Ajor is safe, too," he answered. "We learned the designs of Al-tan
and Du-seen. The latter, learning that Ajor was here, demanded her;
and Al-tan promised that he should have her; but when the warriors went
to get her To-mar went with them. Ajor tried to defend herself. She
killed one of the warriors, and then To-mar picked her up in his arms
when the others had taken her weapons from her. He told the others to
look after the wounded man, who was really already dead, and to seize
you upon your return, and that he, To-mar, would bear Ajor to Al-tan;
but instead of bearing her to Al-tan, he took her to his own hut, where
she now is with So-al, To-mar's she. It all happened very quickly.
To-mar and I were in the council-hut when Du-seen attempted to take the
dog from you. I was seeking To-mar for this work. He ran out
immediately and accompanied the warriors to your hut while I remained
to watch what went on within the council-hut and to aid you if you
needed aid. What has happened since you know."

I thanked him for his loyalty and then asked him to take me to Ajor;
but he said that it could not be done, as the village streets were
filled with searchers. In fact, we could hear them passing to and fro
among the huts, making inquiries, and at last Chal-az thought it best
to go to the doorway of his dwelling, which consisted of many huts
joined together, lest they enter and search.

Chal-az was absent for a long time--several hours which seemed an
eternity to me. All sounds of pursuit had long since ceased, and I was
becoming uneasy because of his protracted absence when I heard him
returning through the other apartments of his dwelling. He was
perturbed when he entered that in which I awaited him, and I saw a
worried expression upon his face.

"What is wrong?" I asked. "Have they found Ajor?"

"No," he replied; "but Ajor has gone. She learned that you had escaped
them and was told that you had left the village, believing that she had
escaped too. So-al could not detain her. She made her way out over
the top of the palisade, armed with only her knife."

"Then I must go," I said, rising. Nobs rose and shook himself. He had
been dead asleep when I spoke.

"Yes," agreed Chal-az, "you must go at once. It is almost dawn.
Du-seen leaves at daylight to search for her." He leaned close to my
ear and whispered: "There are many to follo