As we started out, led by Kam Han Tor, I noticed
the lid of a chestmoving slightly.
I looked around the horizon in every direction.
Andthen the import of the THINGS words reached my reasoning mind.
We wont sink any lower then, but well never go
anyhigher, either.
When I find what I wish,he said, I shall conquer
its people.
My friend, Pan Dan Chee of Horz, I explained.
Recently there came to the court of my father, Gahan of Gathol, astrange red
man.
All the time, he keptgesturing like a Fourth of
July orator. Pan Dan Chee bridled, and laid a hand on the hilt of his sword. Were
these pits not builtaccording to my plans!
Byhypnosis we were being condemned to a living
death!
No, said Llana of Gathol, they could never have
been happy again.
The awakened men and women were forcing their way
from the chests inwhich they had been kept. I believe in lettingnature take her
course. I saw it as it sailed out upon Throxeus, said the other. We retraced our
steps and tried another corridor, yet still noentrance.
It is, in away, something even more sacred. Had she
simply refused it, she would have left the sword lyingwhere it had been placed. He
looked at me andthen at the grinning head upon the floor, and he commenced to
weaken.
Do you know how to get out of these pits? I looked
around the horizon in every direction. You havemade it possible for me to die
honorably and content.
He had no nose;it appeared to have been eaten away
by disease.
The man looked down at the staring head upon the
floor.
Were these pits not builtaccording to my
plans!
Pan Dan Chee came forward rather open-mouthed and
goggle-eyed. Itwithdrew within the doorway where it had stood, but the
lightpersisted.
I can assure you a welcome in Helium and a post of
somenature in the army of the jeddak.
It would have been better for you and forGathol had
you believed me.
The daughter of Gahan of Gathol will choose her own
mate. A long time ago, perhaps ages, some venturesomemen entered the pits to
investigate them.
I shall kill myself, I told him, before I shall
mate with such anulsio as you.