n
and perilous effort to enter the hideous reptile-infested country to
the south. Owing to the number of guns among them, they had not lost a
man; but their path was strewn with the dead creatures they had been
forced to slay to win their way to the north end of the island, where
they had found Bowen and his bride among the Galus of Jor.

The reunion between Bowen and Nobs was marked by a frantic display upon
Nobs' part, which almost stripped Bowen of the scanty attire that the
Galu custom had vouchsafed him. When we arrived at the Galu city, Lys
La Rue was waiting to welcome us. She was Mrs. Tyler now, as the
master of the Toreador had married them the very day that the
search-party had found them, though neither Lys nor Bowen would admit
that any civil or religious ceremony could have rendered more sacred
the bonds with which God had united them.

Neither Bowen nor the party from the Toreador had seen any sign of
Bradley and his party. They had been so long lost now that any hopes
for them must be definitely abandoned. The Galus had heard rumors of
them, as had the Western Kro-lu and Band-lu; but none had seen aught of
them since they had left Fort Dinosaur months since.

We rested in Jor's village for a fortnight while we prepared for the
southward journey to the point where the Toreador was to lie off shore
in wait for us. During these two weeks Chal-az came up from the Krolu
country, now a full-fledged Galu. He told us that the remnants of
Al-tan's party had been slain when they attempted to re-enter Kro-lu.
Chal-az had been made chief, and when he rose, had left the tribe under
a new leader whom all respected.

Nobs stuck close to Bowen; but Ace and Ajor and I went out upon many
long rides through the beautiful north Galu country. Chal-az had
brought my arms and ammunition up from Kro-lu with him; but my clothes
were gone; nor did I miss them once I became accustomed to the free
attire of the Galu.

At last came the time for our departure; upon the following morning we
were to set out toward the south and the Toreador and dear old
California. I had asked Ajor to go with us; but Jor her father had
refused to listen to the suggestion. No pleas could swerve him from
his decision: Ajor, the cos-ata-lo, from whom might spring a new and
greater Caspakian race, could not be spared. I might have any other
she among the Galus; but Ajor--no!

The poor child was heartbroken; and as for me, I was slowly rea