Thecreaturestoodabouttheheightofanaveragemanbutappearedmuchtallerfromthefactthatthejointsofhislongwingsrosefullyafootabovehishairlesshead。Thebarearmswerelongandsinewy，endinginstrong，bonyhandswithclawlikefingers——almosttalonlikeintheirsuggestiveness。Thewhiterobewasseparatedinfront，revealingskinnylegsandthefurtherfactthatthethingworebutthesinglegarment，whichwasoffine，wovencloth。Fromcrowntosoletheportionsofthebodyexposedwereentirelyhairless，andashenotedthis，Bradleyalsonotedforthefirsttimethecauseofmuchoftheseemingexpressionlessnessofthecreature’scountenance——ithadneithereye-browsorlashes。Theearsweresmallandrestedflatagainsttheskull，whichwasnoticeablyround，thoughthefacewasquiteflat。Thecreaturehadsmallfeet，beautifullyarchedandplump，butsooutofkeepingwitheveryotherphysicalattributeitpossessedastoappearridiculous。
AftereyeingBradleyforamomentthethingapproachedhim。
"Wherefrom？"itasked。
"England，"repliedBradley，asbriefly。
"WhereisEnglandandwhat？"pursuedthequestioner。
"Itisacountryfarfromhere，"answeredtheEnglishman。
"Areyourpeoplecor-sva-joorcos-ata-lu？"
"Idonotunderstandyou，"saidBradley;"andnowsupposeyouanswerafewquestions。Whoareyou？Whatcountryisthis？
Whydidyoubringmehere？"
Againthesepulchralgrimace。"WeareWieroos——Luataisourfather。
Caspakisours。This，ourcountry，iscalledOo-oh。Webroughtyouherefor（literally）HimWhoSpeaksforLuatatogazeuponandquestion。Hewouldknowfromwhenceyoucameandwhy;butprincipallyifyoubecos-ata-lu。"
"AndifIamnotcos——whateveryoucallthebloomin’beast——
whatofit？"
TheWierooraisedhiswingsinaveryhumanshrugandwavedhisbonyclawstowardthehumanskullssupportingtheceiling。
Hisgesturewaseloquent;butheembellisheditbyremarking，"Andpossiblyifyouare。"
"I’mhungry，"snappedBradley。
TheWieroomotionedhimtooneofthedoorswhichhethrewopen，permittingBradleytopassoutontoanotherroofonalevellowerthanthatuponwhichtheyhadlandedearlierinthemorning。
Bydaylightthecityappearedevenmoreremarkablethaninthemoonlight，thoughlessweirdandunreal。Thehousesofallshapesandsizeswerepiledaboutasachildmightpileblocksofvariousformsandcolors。Hesawnowthattherewerewhatmightbecalledstreetsoralleys，buttheyraninbafflingturnsandtwists，noreverreachedadestination，alwaysendinginadeadwallwheresomeWieroohadbuiltahouseacrossthem。
Uponeachhousewasaslendercolumnsupportingahumanskull。
Sometimesthecolumnswereatonecorneroftheroof，sometimesatanother，oragaintheyrosefromthecenterornearthecenter，andthecolumnswereofvaryingheights，fromthatofamantothosewhichrosetwentyfeetabovetheirroofs。
Theskullswere，asarule，painted——blueorwhite，orincombinationsofbothcolors。Themosteffectivewerepaintedbluewiththeteethwhiteandtheeye-socketsrimmedwithwhite。
Therewereotherskulls——thousandsofthem——tens，hundredsofthousands。Theyrimmedtheeavesofeveryhouse，theyweresetintheplasteroftheouterwallsandatnogreatdistancefromwhereBradleystoodrosearoundtowerbuiltentirelyofhumanskulls。AndthecityextendedineverydirectionasfarastheEnglishmancouldsee。
AllabouthimWieroosweremovingacrosstheroofsorwingingthroughtheair。Thesadsoundoftheirflappingwingsroseandfelllikeasolemndirge。Mostofthemwereappareledallinwhite，likehiscaptors;butothershadmarkingsofredorblueoryellowslashedacrossthefrontoftheirrobes。
Hisguidepointedtowardadoorwayinanalleybelowthem。
"Gothereandeat，"hecommanded，"andthencomeback。
Youcannotescape。Ifanyquestionyou，saythatyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj。Thereistheway。"Andthistimehepointedtothetopofaladderwhichprotrudedabovetheeavesoftheroofnear-by。Thenheturnedandreenteredthehouse。
Bradleylookedabouthim。No，hecouldnotescape——thatseemedevident。Thecityappearedinterminable，andbeyondthecity，ifnotasavagewildernessfilledwithwildbeasts，therewasthebroadinlandseainfestedwithhorridmonsters。NowonderhiscaptorfeltsafeinturninghimlooseinOo-oh——hewonderedifthatwasthenameofthecountryorthecityandiftherewereothercitieslikethisupontheisland。
Slowlyhedescendedtheladdertotheseeminglydesertedalleywhichwaspavedwithwhatappearedtobelarge，roundcobblestones。
Helookedagainatthesmooth，wornpavement，andaruefulgrincrossedhisfeatures——thealleywaspavedwithskulls。"TheCityofHumanSkulls，"musedBradley。"Theymusthavebeencollectin’
’emsinceAdam，"hethought，andthenhecrossedandenteredthebuildingthroughthedoorwaythathadbeenpointedouttohim。
InsidehefoundalargeroominwhichweremanyWieroosseatedbeforepedestalsthetopsofwhichwerehollowedoutsothattheyresembledtheordinarybirddrinking-andbathing-fontssocommonlyseenonsuburbanlawns。Aseatprotrudedfromeachofthefoursidesofthepedestals——justaflatboardwithasupportrunningfromitsouterenddiagonallytothebaseofthepedestal。
AsBradleyentered，someoftheWieroosespiedhim，andadismalwailarose。Whetheritwasagreetingorathreat，Bradleydidnotknow。SuddenlyfromadarkalcoveanotherWieroorushedouttowardhim。"Whoareyou？"hecried。"Whatdoyouwant？"
"Fosh-bal-sojsentmeheretoeat，"repliedBradley。
"DoyoubelongtoFosh-bal-soj？"askedtheother。
"Thatappearstobewhathethinks，"answeredtheEnglishman。
"Areyoucos-ata-lu？"demandedtheWieroo。
"GivemesomethingtoeatorI’llbeallofthat，"repliedBradley。
TheWieroolookedpuzzled。"Sithere，jaal-lu，"hesnapped，andBradleysatdownunconsciousofthefactthathehadbeeninsultedbybeingcalledahyena-man，anappellationofcontemptinCaspak。
TheWieroohadseatedhimatapedestalbyhimself，andashesatwaitingforwhatwasnexttotranspire，helookedabouthimattheWierooinhisimmediatevicinity。Hesawthatineachfontwasaquantityoffood，andthateachWieroowasarmedwithawoodenskewer，sharpenedatoneend;withwhichtheycarriedsolidportionsoffoodtotheirmouths。Attheotherendoftheskewerwasfastenedasmallclam-shell。Thiswasusedtoscoopupthesmallerandsofterportionsoftherepastintowhichallfouroftheoccupantsofeachtabledippedimpartially。TheWierooleanedfarovertheirfood，scoopingituprapidlyandwithmuchnoise，andsogreatwastheirhastethatapartofeachmouthfulalwaysfellbackintothecommondish;andwhentheychoked，byreasonoftherapiditywithwhichtheyattemptedtobolttheirfood，theyoftenlostitall。Bradleywasgladthathehadapedestalalltohimself。
Soonthekeeperoftheplacereturnedwithawoodenbowlfilledwithfood。ThishedumpedintoBradley’s"trough，"ashealreadythoughtofit。TheEnglishmanwasgladthathecouldnotseeintothedarkalcoveorknowwhatwerealltheingredientsthatconstitutedthemessbeforehim，forhewasveryhungry。
Afterthefirstmouthfulhecaredevenlesstoinvestigatetheantecedentsofthedish，forhefounditpeculiarlypalatable。
Itseemedtoconsistofacombinationofmeat，fruits，vegetables，smallfishandotherundistinguishablearticlesoffoodallseasonedtoproduceagastronomiceffectthatwasatoncebafflinganddelicious。
Whenhehadfinished，histroughwasempty，andthenhecommencedtowonderwhowastosettleforhismeal。Ashewaitedfortheproprietortoreturn，hefelltoexaminingthedishfromwhichhehadeatenandthepedestaluponwhichitrested。Thefontwasofstonewornsmoothbylong-continueduse，thefourouteredgeshollowedandpolishedbythecontactofthecountlessWieroobodiesthathadleanedagainstthemforhowlongaperiodoftimeBradleycouldnotevenguess。Everythingabouttheplacecarriedtheimpressionofhoaryage。Thecarvedpedestalswereblackwithuse，thewoodenseatswerewornhollow，thefloorofstoneslabswaspolishedbythecontactofpossiblymillionsofnakedfeetandwornawayintheaislesbetweenthepedestalssothatthelatterresteduponlittlemoundsofstoneseveralinchesabovethegenerallevelofthefloor。
Finally，seeingthatnoonecametocollect，Bradleyaroseandstartedforthedoorway。Hehadcoveredhalfthedistancewhenheheardthevoiceofminehostcallingtohim："Comeback，jaal-lu，"screamedtheWieroo;andBradleydidashewasbid。
Asheapproachedthecreaturewhichstoodnowbehindalarge，flat-toppedpedestalbesidethealcove，hesawlyinguponthesmoothsurfacesomethingthatalmostelicitedagaspofastonishmentfromhim——asimple，commonthingitwas，orwouldhavebeenalmostanywhereintheworldbutCaspak——asquarebitofpaper！
Andonit，inafinehand，writtencompactly，weremanystrangehieroglyphics！Theseremarkablecreatures，then，hadawrittenaswellasaspokenlanguageandbesidestheartofweavingclothpossessedthatofpaper-making。CoulditbethatsuchgrotesquebeingsrepresentedthehighcultureofthehumanracewithintheboundariesofCaspak？HadnaturalselectionproducedduringthecountlessagesofCaspakianlifeawingedmonstrositythatrepresentedtheearthlypinnacleofman’sevolution？
BradleyhadnotedsomethingoftheobviousindicationsofagradualevolutionfromapetospearmanasexemplifiedbytheseveraloverlappingracesofAlalus，club-menandhatchet-menthatformedtheconnectinglinksbetweenthetwoextremeswithwhichhe，hadcomeincontact。HehadheardoftheKrolusandtheGalus——reputedtobestillhigherintheplaneofevolution——
andnowhehadindisputableevidenceofaracepossessingrefinementsofcivilizationeonsinadvanceofthespear-men。
Theconjecturesawakenedbyevenamomentaryconsiderationofthepossibilitiesinvolvedbecameatonceaswildlybizarreastheinsaneimagingsofadrugaddict。
Asthesethoughtsflashedthroughhismind，theWierooheldoutapenofbonefixedtoawoodenholderandatthesametimemadeasignthatBradleywastowriteuponthepaper。ItwasdifficulttojudgefromtheexpressionlessfeaturesoftheWieroowhatwaspassinginthecreature’smind，butBradleycouldnotbutfeelthatthethingcastasuperciliousglanceuponhimasmuchastosay，"Ofcourseyoudonotknowhowtowrite，youpoor，lowcreature;butyoucanmakeyourmark。"
Bradleyseizedthepenandinaclear，boldhandwrote："JohnBradley，England。"TheWierooshowedevidencesofconsternationasitseizedthepieceofpaperandexaminedthewritingwitheverymarkofincredulityandsurprise。Ofcourseitcouldmakenothingofthestrangecharacters;butitevidentlyacceptedthemasproofthatBradleypossessedknowledgeofawrittenlanguageofhisown，forfollowingtheEnglishman’sentryitmadeafewcharactersofitsown。
"YouwillcomehereagainjustbeforeLuahideshisfacebehindthegreatcliff，"announcedthecreature，"unlessbeforethatyouaresummonedbyHimWhoSpeaksforLuata，inwhichcaseyouwillnothavetoeatanymore。"
"Reassuringcuss，"thoughtBradleyasheturnedandleftthebuilding。
OutsidewereseveralWieroosthathadbeeneatingatthepedestalswithin。Theyimmediatelysurroundedhim，askingallsortsofquestions，pluckingathisgarments，hisammunition-beltandhispistol。Theirdemeanorwasentirelydifferentfromwhatithadbeenwithintheeating-placeandBradleywastolearnthatahouseoffoodwassanctuaryforhim，sincethesternlawsoftheWieroosforbadealtercationswithinsuchwalls。Nowtheywereroughandthreatening，aswithwingshalfspreadtheyhoveredabouthiminmenacingattitudes，barringhiswaytotheladderleadingtotherooffromwhencehehaddescended;buttheEnglishmanwasnotonetobrookinterferenceforlong。Heattemptedatfirsttopushhiswaypastthem，andthenwhenoneseizedhisarmandjerkedhimroughlyback，Bradleyswunguponthecreatureandwithaheavyblowtothejawfelledit。
Instantlypandemoniumreigned。Loudwailsarose，greatwingsopenedandclosedwithaloud，beatingnoiseandmanyclawlikehandsreachedforthtoclutchhim。Bradleystrucktorightandleft。Hedarednotusehispistolforfearthatoncetheydiscovereditspowerhewouldbeovercomebyweightofnumbersandrelievedofpossessionofwhatheconsideredhistrumpcard，tobereserveduntilthelastmomentthatitmightbeusedtoaidinhisescape，foralreadytheEnglishmanwasplanning，thoughalmosthopelessly，suchanattempt。
AfewblowsconvincedBradleythattheWierooswerearrantcowardsandthattheyborenoweapons，foraftertwoorthreehadfallenbeneathhisfiststheothersformedacircleabouthim，butatasafedistanceandcontentedthemselveswiththreateningandblustering，whilethosewhomhehadfelledlayuponthepavementwithouttryingtoarise，thewhiletheymoanedandwailedinlugubriouschorus。
AgainBradleystrodetowardtheladder，andthistimethecirclepartedbeforehim;butnosoonerhadheascendedafewrungsthanhewasseizedbyonefootandaneffortmadetodraghimdown。
WithaquickbackwardglancetheEnglishman，clingingfirmlytotheladderwithbothhands，drewuphisfreefootandwithallthestrengthofapowerfulleg，plantedaheavyshoesquarelyintheflatfaceoftheWieroothatheldhim。Shriekinghorribly，thecreatureclappedbothhandstoitsfaceandsanktothegroundwhileBradleyclamberedquicklytheremainingdistancetotheroof，thoughnosoonerdidhereachthetopoftheladderthanagreatflappingofwingsbeneathhimwarnedhimthattheWierooswererisingafterhim。Amomentlatertheyswarmedabouthisheadasheranfortheapartmentinwhichhehadspenttheearlyhoursofthemorningafterhisarrival。
Itwasbutashortdistancefromthetopoftheladdertothedoorway，andBradleyhadalmostreachedhisgoalwhenthedoorflewopenandFosh-bal-sojsteppedout。ImmediatelythepursuingWieroosdemandedpunishmentofthejaal-luwhohadsogrievouslymaltreatedthem。Fosh-bal-sojlistenedtotheircomplaintsandthenwithasuddensweepofhisrighthandseizedBradleybythescruffoftheneckandhurledhimsprawlingthroughthedoorwayuponthefloorofthechamber。
SosuddenwastheassaultandsosurprisingthestrengthoftheWieroothattheEnglishmanwastakencompletelyoffhisguard。
Whenhearose，thedoorwasclosed，andFosh-bal-sojwasstandingoverhim，hishideousfacecontortedintoanexpressionofrageandhatred。
"Hyena，snake，lizard！"hescreamed。"Youwoulddarelayyourlow，vile，profaninghandsuponeventhelowliestoftheWieroos——
thesacredchosenofLuata！"
Bradleywasmad，andsohespokeinaverylow，calmvoicewhileahalf-smileplayedacrosshislipsbuthiscold，grayeyeswereunsmiling。
"Whatyoudidtomejustnow，"hesaid，"——Iamgoingtokillyouforthat，"andevenashespoke，helaunchedhimselfatthethroatofFosh-bal-soj。TheotherWieroothathadbeenasleepwhenBradleyleftthechamberhaddeparted，andthetwowerealone。
Fosh-bal-sojdisplayedlittleofthecowardiceofthosethathadattackedBradleyinthealleyway，butthatmayhavebeenbecausehehadsoslightopportunity，forBradleyhadhimbythethroatbeforehecouldutteracryandwithhisrighthandstruckhimheavilyandrepeatedlyuponhisfaceandoverhisheart——ugly，smashing，short-armjabsofthesortthattakethefightoutofamaninquicktime。
ButFosh-bal-sojwasofnomindtodiepassively。HeclawedandstruckatBradleywhilewithhisgreatwingsheattemptedtoshieldhimselffromthemercilessrainofblows，atthesametimesearchingforaholduponhisantagonist’sthroat。PresentlyhesucceededintrippingtheEnglishman，andtogetherthetwofellheavilytothefloor，Bradleyunderneath，andatthesameinstanttheWieroofastenedhislongtalonsabouttheother’swindpipe。
Fosh-bal-sojwaspossessedofenormousstrengthandhewasfightingforhislife。TheEnglishmansoonrealizedthatthebattlewasgoingagainsthim。Alreadyhislungswerepoundingpainfullyforairashereachedforhispistol。Itwaswithdifficultythathedrewitfromitsholster，andeventhen，withdeathstaringhimintheface，hethoughtofhispreciousammunition。
"Can’twasteit，"hethought;andslippinghisfingerstothebarrelheraisedtheweaponandstruckFosh-bal-sojaterrificblowbetweentheeyes。Instantlytheclawlikefingersreleasedtheirhold，andthecreaturesanklimplytothefloorbesideBradley，wholayforseveralminutesgaspingpainfullyinanefforttoregainhisbreath。
Whenhewasable，herose，andleanedcloseovertheWieroo，lyingsilentandmotionless，hiswingsdroppinglimplyandhisgreat，roundeyesstaringblanklytowardtheceiling。AbriefexaminationconvincedBradleythatthethingwasdead，andwiththeconvictioncameanoverwhelmingsenseofthedangerswhichmustnowconfronthim;buthowwashetoescape？
Hisfirstthoughtwastofindsomemeansforconcealingtheevidenceofhisdeedandthentomakeaboldefforttoescape。
Steppingtotheseconddoorhepusheditgentlyopenandpeeredinuponwhatseemedtobeastoreroom。InitwasalitterofclothsuchastheWieroos’robeswerefashionedfrom，anumberofchestspaintedblueandwhite，withwhitehieroglyphicspaintedinboldstrokesupontheblueandbluehieroglyphicsuponthewhite。InonecornerwasapileofhumanskullsreachingalmosttotheceilingandinanotherastackofdriedWieroowings。
Thechamberwasasirregularlyshapedastheotherandhadbutasinglewindowandaseconddooratthefurtherend，butwaswithouttheexitthroughtheroofand，mostimportantofall，therewasnocreatureofanysortinit。
AsquicklyaspossibleBradleydraggedthedeadWieroothroughthedoorwayandclosedthedoor;thenhelookedaboutforaplacetoconcealthecorpse。Oneofthechestswaslargeenoughtoholdthebodyifthekneeswerebentwellup，andwiththisideainviewBradleyapproachedthechesttoopenit。Thelidwasmadeintwopieces，eachbeinghingedatanoppositeendofthechestandjoiningnicelywheretheymetinthecenterofthechest，makingasnug，well-fittingjoint。Therewasnolock。
Bradleyraisedonehalfthecoverandlookedin。Withasmothered"ByJove！"hebentclosertoexaminethecontents——thechestwasabouthalffilledwithanassortmentofgoldentrinkets。
Therewerewhatappearedtobebracelets，ankletsandbroochesofvirgingold。
RealizingthattherewasnoroominthechestforthebodyoftheWieroo，Bradleyturnedtoseekanothermeansofconcealingtheevidenceofhiscrime。Therewasaspacebetweenthechestsandthewall，andintothisheforcedthecorpse，pilingthediscardedrobesuponituntilitwasentirelyhiddenfromsight;
butnowhowwashetomakegoodhisescapeinthebrightglareofthatearlySpringday？
Hewalkedtothedooratthefarendoftheapartmentandcautiouslyopeneditaninch。Beforehimandabouttwofeetawaywastheblankwallofanotherbuilding。Bradleyopenedthedooralittlefartherandlookedinbothdirections。Therewasnooneinsighttotheleftoveraconsiderableexpanseofroof-top，andtotherightanotherbuildingshutoffhislineofvisionatabouttwentyfeet。Slippingout，heturnedtotherightandinafewstepsfoundanarrowpassagewaybetweentwobuildings。
TurningintothishepassedabouthalfitslengthwhenhesawaWierooappearattheoppositeendandhalt。Thecreaturewasnotlookingdownthepassageway;butatanymomentitmightturnitseyestowardhim，whenhewouldbeimmediatelydiscovered。
ToBradley’sleftwasatriangularnicheinthewallofoneofthehousesandintothishedodged，thusconcealinghimselffromthesightoftheWieroo。BesidehimwasadoorpaintedavividyellowandconstructedafterthesamefashionastheotherWieroodoorshehadseen，beingmadeupofcountlessnarrowstripsofwoodfromfourtosixinchesinlengthlaidoninpatchesofaboutthesamewidth，thestripsinadjacentpatchesneverrunninginthesamedirection。Theresultboresomeresemblancetoacrazypatchworkquilt，whichwasheightenedwhen，asinoneofthedoorshehadseen，contiguouspatcheswerepainteddifferentcolors。Thestripsappearedtohavebeenboundtogetherandtotheunderlyingframeworkofthedoorwithgutorfiberandalsoglued，afterwhichathickcoatingofpainthadbeenapplied。Oneedgeofthedoorwasformedofastraight，roundpoleabouttwoinchesindiameterthatprotrudedattopandbottom，theprojectionssettinginroundholesinbothlintelandsillformingtheaxisuponwhichthedoorswung。Aneccentricdiskupontheinsidefaceofthedoorengagedaslotintheframewhenitwasdesiredtosecurethedooragainstintruders。
AsBradleystoodflattenedagainstthewallwaitingfortheWierootomoveon，heheardthecreature’swingsbrushingagainstthesidesofthebuildingsasitmadeitswaydownthenarrowpassageinhisdirection。Astheyellowdoorofferedtheonlymeansofescapewithoutdetection，theEnglishmandecidedtoriskwhatevermightliebeyondit，andso，boldlypushingitin，hecrossedthethresholdandenteredasmallapartment。
Ashedidso，heheardamuffledejaculationofsurprise，andturninghiseyesinthedirectionfromwhencethesoundhadcome，hebeheldawide-eyedgirlstandingflattenedagainsttheoppositewall，anexpressionofincredulityuponherface。AtaglancehesawthatshewasofnoraceofhumansthathehadcomeincontactwithsincehisarrivaluponCaprona——therewasnotraceaboutherformorfeaturesofanyrelationshiptothoselowordersofmen，norwassheappareledasthey——or，rather，shedidnotentirelylackapparelasdidmostofthem。
Asofthidefellfromherleftshouldertojustbelowherlefthipononesideandalmosttoherrightkneeontheother，aloosegirdlewasaboutherwaist，andgoldenornamentssuchashehadseenintheblue-and-whitechestencircledherarmsandlegs，whileagoldenfilletwithatriangulardiademboundherheavyhairaboveherbrows。Herskinwaswhiteasfromlongconfinementwithindoors;butitwasclearandfine。Herfigure，butpartiallyconcealedbythesoftdeerskin，wasallcurvesofsymmetryandyouthfulgrace，whileherfeaturesmighteasilyhavebeentheenvyofthemostfetedofContinentalbeauties。
IfthegirlwassurprisedbythesuddenappearanceofBradley，thelatterwasabsolutelyastoundedtodiscoversowondrousacreatureamongthehideousinhabitantsoftheCityofHumanSkulls。Foramomentthetwolookedatoneanotherinunconcealedconsternation，andthenBradleyspoke，usingtothebestofhispoorability，thecommontongueofCaspak。
"Whoareyou，"heasked，"andfromwheredoyoucome？DonottellmethatyouareaWieroo。"
"No，"shereplied，"IamnoWieroo。"Andsheshudderedslightlyasshepronouncedtheword。"IamaGalu;butwhoandwhatareyou？
IamsurethatyouarenoGalu，fromyourgarments;butyouareliketheGalusinotherrespects。Iknowthatyouarenotofthisfrightfulcity，forIhavebeenhereforalmosttenmoons，andneverhaveIseenamaleGalubroughthitherbefore，noraretheresuchasyouandI，otherthanprisonersinthelandofOo-oh，andtheseareallfemales。Areyouaprisoner，then？"
Hetoldherbrieflywhoandwhathewas，thoughhedoubtedifsheunderstood，andfromherhelearnedthatshehadbeenaprisonerthereformanymonths;butforwhatpurposehedidnotthenlearn，asinthemidstoftheirconversationtheyellowdoorswungopenandaWieroowitharobeslashedwithyellowentered。
AtsightofBradleythecreaturebecamefurious。"Whencecamethisreptile？"itdemandedofthegirl。"Howlonghasitbeenherewithyou？"
"Itcamethroughthedoorwayjustaheadofyou，"Bradleyansweredforthegirl。
TheWieroolookedrelieved。"Itiswellforthegirlthatthisisso，"itsaid，"fornowonlyyouwillhavetodie。"
Andsteppingtothedoorthecreatureraiseditsvoiceinoneofthoseuncanny，depressingwails。
TheEnglishmanlookedtowardthegirl。"ShallIkillit？"heasked，halfdrawinghispistol。"Whatisbesttodo？——Idonotwishtoendangeryou。"
TheWieroobackedtowardthedoor。"Defiler！"itscreamed。
"YoudaretothreatenoneofthesacredchosenofLuata！"
"Donotkillhim，"criedthegirl，"forthentherecouldbenohopeforyou。Thatyouarehere，alive，showsthattheymaynotintendtokillyouatall，andsothereisachanceforyouifyoudonotangerthem;buttouchhiminviolenceandyourbleachedskullwilltoptheloftiestpedestalofOo-oh。"
"Andwhatofyou？"askedBradley。
"Iamalreadydoomed，"repliedthegirl;"Iamcos-ata-lo。"
"Cos-ata-lo！cos-ata-lu！"WhatdidthesephrasesmeanthattheyweresooftrepeatedbythedenizensofOo-oh？Luandlo，Bradleyknewtomeanmanandwoman;ata;wasemployedvariouslytoindicatelife，eggs，young，reproductionandkindredsubject;coswasanegative;butincombinationtheyweremeaninglesstotheEuropean。
"Doyoumeantheywillkillyou？"askedBradley。
"Ibutwishthattheywould，"repliedthegirl。"Myfateistobeworsethandeath——injustafewnightsmore，withthecomingofthenewmoon。"
"Poorshe-snake！"snappedtheWieroo。"Youaretobecomesacredaboveallothershes。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatahaschosenyouforhimself。Todayyougotohistemple——"theWieroousedaphrasemeaningliterallyHighPlace——"whereyouwillreceivethesacredcommands。"
ThegirlshudderedandcastasorrowfulglancetowardBradley。
"Ah，"shesighed，"ifIcouldbutseemybelovedcountryonceagain！"
ThemansteppedsuddenlyclosetohersidebeforetheWieroocouldinterposeandinalowvoiceaskedheriftherewasnowaybywhichhemightencompassherescape。Sheshookherheadsorrowfully。"Evenifweescapedthecity，"shereplied，"thereisthebigwaterbetweentheislandofOo-ohandtheGalushore。"
"Andwhatisbeyondthecity，ifwecouldleaveit？"pursuedBradley。
"ImayonlyguessfromwhatIhaveheardsinceIwasbroughthere，"sheanswered;"butbyreportsandchanceremarksItakeittobeabeautifullandinwhichtherearebutfewwildbeastsandnomen，foronlytheWieroosliveuponthisislandandtheydwellalwaysincitiesofwhichtherearethree，thisbeingthelargest。
Theothersareatthefarendoftheisland，whichisaboutthreemarchesfromendtoendandatitswidestpointaboutonemarch。"
Fromhisownexperienceandfromwhatthenativesonthemainlandhadtoldhim，Bradleyknewthattenmileswasagoodday’smarchinCaspak，owingtothefactthatatmostpointsitwasatracklesswildernessandatalltimestravelerswerebesetbyhideousbeastsandreptilesthatgreatlyimpededrapidprogress。
ThetwohadspokenrapidlybutwerenowinterruptedbytheadventthroughtheopeningintheroofofseveralWierooswhohadcomeinanswertothealarmitoftheyellowslashinghaduttered。
"Thisjaal-lu，"criedtheoffendedone，"hasthreatenedme。
TakeitshatchetfromitandmakeitfastwhereitcandonoharmuntilHeWhoSpeaksforLuatahassaidwhatshallbedonewithit。ItisoneofthosestrangecreaturesthatFosh-bal-sojdiscoveredfirstabovetheBand-lucountryandfollowedbacktowardthebeginning。HeWhoSpeaksforLuatasentFosh-bal-sojtofetchhimoneofthecreatures，andhereitis。Itishopedthatitmaybefromanotherworldandholdthesecretofthecos-ata-lus。"
TheWieroosapproachedboldlytotakeBradley’s"hatchet"fromhim，theirleaderhavingindicatedthepistolhanginginitsholsterattheEnglishman’ship，butthefirstonewentreelingbackwardagainsthisfellowsfromtheblowtothechinwhichBradleyfollowedupwitharushandtheintentiontocleanuptheroominrecordtime;buthehadreckonedwithouttheopeningintheroof。Twoweredownandagreatwailingandmoaningwasarisingwhenreinforcementsappearedfromabove。Bradleydidnotseethem;butthegirldid，andthoughshecriedoutawarning，itcametoolateforhimtoavoidalargeWieroowhodivedheadforemostforhim，strikinghimbetweentheshouldersandbearinghimtothefloor。Instantlyadozenmorewerepilingontopofhim。Hispistolwaswrenchedfromitsholsterandhewassecurelypinioneddownbytheweightofnumbers。
AtawordfromtheWieroooftheyellowslashingwhoevidentlywasapersonofauthority，oneleftandpresentlyreturnedwithfiberropeswithwhichBradleywastightlybound。
"NowbearhimtotheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls，"directedthechiefWieroo，"andonetakethewordofallthathaspassedtoHimWhoSpeaksforLuata。"
Eachofthecreaturesraisedahand，thebackagainstitsface，asthoughinsalute。OneseizedBradleyandcarriedhimthroughtheyellowdoorwaytotherooffromwhenceitroseuponitswide-spreadwingsandflappedoffacrosstheroof-topsofOo-ohwithitsheavyburdenclutchedinitslongtalons。
BelowhimBradleycouldseethecitystretchingawaytoadistanceoneveryhand。Itwasnotaslargeashehadimagined，thoughhejudgedthatitwasatleastthreemilessquare。
Thehouseswerepiledinindescribableheaps，sometimestoaheightofahundredfeet。Thestreetsandalleyswereshortandcrookedandthereweremanyareaswherebuildingshadbeenwedgedinsocloselythatnolightcouldpossiblyreachthelowesttiers，theentiresurfaceofthegroundbeingpackedsolidlywiththem。
Thecolorswerevariedandstartling，thearchitectureamazing。
Manyroofswerecuporsaucer-shapedwithasmallholeinthecenterofeach，asthoughtheyhadbeenconstructedtocatchrain-waterandconductittoareservoirbeneath;butnearlyalltheothershadthelargeopeninginthetopthatBradleyhadseenusedbytheseflyingmeninlieuofdoorways。Atalllevelswerethemyriadpolessurmountedbygrinningskulls;butthetwomostprominentfeaturesofthecityweretheroundtowerofhumanskullsthatBradleyhadnotedearlierinthedayandanotherandmuchlargeredificenearthecenterofthecity。Astheyapproachedit，Bradleysawthatitwasahugebuildingrisingahundredfeetinheightfromthegroundandthatitstoodaloneinthecenterofwhatmighthavebeencalledaplazainsomeotherpartoftheworld。Itsvariousparts，however，weresettogetherwiththesamestrangeirregularitythatmarkedthearchitectureofthecityasawhole;anditwascappedbyanenormoussaucer-shapedroofwhichprojectedfarbeyondtheeaves，havingtheappearanceofacolossalChinesecooliehat，inverted。
TheWieroobearingBradleypassedoveronecorneroftheopenspaceaboutthelargebuilding，revealingtotheEnglishmangrassandtreesandrunningwaterbeneath。Theypassedthebuildingandaboutfivehundredyardsbeyondthecreaturealightedontheroofofasquare，bluebuildingsurmountedbysevenpolesbearingsevenskulls。Thisthen，thoughtBradley，istheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
Overtheopeningintheroofwasagratedcovering，andthistheWierooremoved。ThethingthentiedapieceoffiberropetooneofBradley’sanklesandrolledhimovertheedgeoftheopening。
AllwasdarkbelowandforaninstanttheEnglishmancameasneartoexperiencingrealterrorashehadevercomeinhislifebefore。
Asherolledoffintotheblackabysshefelttheropetightenabouthisankleandaninstantlaterhewasstoppedwithasuddenjerktoswingpendulumlike，headdownward。ThenthecreatureloweredawayuntilBradley’sheadcameinsuddenandpainfulcontactwiththefloorbelow，afterwhichtheWierooletlooseoftheropeentirelyandtheEnglishman’sbodycrashedtothewoodenplanking。Hefeltthefreeendoftheropedroppeduponhimandheardthegratingbeingslidintoplaceabovehim。
Chapter3
Half-stunned，Bradleylayforaminuteashehadfallenandthenslowlyandpainfullywriggledintoalessuncomfortableposition。
Hecouldseenothingofhissurroundingsinthegloomabouthimuntilafterafewminuteshiseyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkinteriorwhenherolledthemfromsidetosideinsurveyofhisprison。
Hediscoveredhimselftobeinabareroomwhichwaswindowless，norcouldheseeanyotheropeningthanthatthroughwhichhehadbeenlowered。Inonecornerwasahuddledmassthatmighthavebeenalmostanythingfromabundleofragstoadeadbody。
AlmostimmediatelyafterhehadtakenhisbearingsBradleycommencedworkingwithhisbonds。Hewasamanofpowerfulphysique，andasfromthefirsthehadbeenimbuedwithabeliefthatthefiberropesweretooweaktoholdhim，heworkedonwithafirmconvictionthatsoonerorlatertheywouldparttohisstrainings。Afteramatteroffiveminuteshewaspositivethatthestrandsabouthiswristswerebeginningtogive;buthewascompelledtorestthenfromexhaustion。
Ashelay，hiseyesresteduponthebundleinthecorner，andpresentlyhecouldhaveswornthatthethingmoved。Witheyesstrainingthroughthegloomthemanlaywatchingthegrimandsinisterthinginthecorner。Perhapshisoverwroughtnerveswereplayingasorryjokeuponhim。Hethoughtofthisandalsothathisconditionofutterhelplessnessmightstillfurtherhavestimulatedhisimagination。Heclosedhiseyesandsoughttorelaxhismusclesandhisnerves;butwhenhelookedagain，heknewthathehadnotbeenmistaken——thethinghadmoved;nowitlayinaslightlyalteredformandfartherfromthewall。Itwasnearerhim。
WithrenewedstrengthBradleystrainedathisbonds，hisfascinatedgazestillgluedupontheshapelessbundle。Nolongerwasthereanydoubtthatitmoved——hesawitriseinthecenterseveralinchesandthencreepclosertohim。Itsankandaroseagain——aheadless，hideous，monstrousthingofmenace。Itsverysilencerendereditthemoreterrible。
Bradleywasabraveman;ordinarilyhisnerveswereofsteel;buttobeatthemercyofsomeunknownandnamelesshorror，tobeunabletodefendhimself——itwasthesethingsthatalmostunstrunghim，foratbesthewasonlyhuman。Tostandintheopen，evenwiththeoddsallagainsthim;tobeabletousehisfists，toputupsomesortofdefense，toinflictpunishmentuponhisadversary——thenhecouldfacedeathwithasmile。Itwasnotdeaththathefearednow——itwasthathorroroftheunknownthatispartofthefiberofeverysonofwoman。
Closerandclosercametheshapelessmass。Bradleylaymotionlessandlistened。Whatwasthatheheard！Breathing？
Hecouldnotbemistaken——andthenfromoutofthebundleofragsissuedahollowgroan。Bradleyfelthishairriseuponhishead。
Hestruggledwiththeslowlypartingstrandsthatheldhim。
ThethingbesidehimroseuphigherthanbeforeandtheEnglishmancouldhaveswornthathesawasingleeyepeeringathimfromamongthetumbledcloth。Foramomentthebundleremainedmotionless——onlythesoundofbreathingissuedfromit，thentherebrokefromitamaniacallaugh。
ColdsweatstooduponBradley’sbrowashetuggedforliberation。
Hesawtheragsrisehigherandhigherabovehimuntilatlasttheytumbleduponthefloorfromthebodyofanakedman——athin，abony，ahideouscaricatureofman，thatmouthedandmummedand，wabblinguponitsweakandshakinglegs，crumpledtotheflooragain，stilllaughing——laughinghorribly。
ItcrawledtowardBradley。"Food！Food！"itscreamed。
"Thereisawayout！Thereisawayout！"
DraggingitselftohissidethecreatureslumpedupontheEnglishman’sbreast。"Food！"itshrilledaswithitsbonyfingersanditsteeth，itsoughttheman’sbarethroat。
"Food！Thereisawayout！"Bradleyfeltteethuponhisjugular。
Heturnedandtwisted，shakinghimselffreeforaninstant;butoncemorewithhideouspersistencethethingfasteneditselfuponhim。Theweakjawswereunabletosendthedullteeththroughthevictim’sflesh;butBradleyfeltitpawing，pawing，pawing，likeamonstrousrat，seekinghislife’sblood。
Theskinnyarmsnowembracedhisneck，holdingtheteethtohisthroatagainstallhiseffortstodislodgethething。Weakasitwasithadstrengthenoughforthisinitsmadeffortstoeat。
Mumblingasitworked，itrepeatedagainandagain，"Food！Food！
Thereisawayout！"untilBradleythoughtthosetwoexpressionsalonewoulddrivehimmad。
Andallbutmadhewasaswithafinaleffortbackedbyalmostmaniacalstrengthhetorehiswristsfromtheconfiningbondsandgraspingtherepulsivethinguponhisbreasthurledithalfwayacrosstheroom。PantinglikeaspenthoundBradleyworkedatthethongsabouthisankleswhilethemaniaclayquiveringandmumblingwhereithadfallen。PresentlytheEnglishmanleapedtohisfeet——freerthanhehadeverbeforefeltinallhislife，thoughhewasstillhopelesslyaprisonerintheBluePlaceofSevenSkulls。
Withhisbackagainstthewallforsupport，soweakthereactionlefthim，Bradleystoodwatchingthecreatureuponthefloor。
Hesawitmoveandslowlyraiseitselftoitshandsandknees，whereitswayedtoandfroasitseyesrovedaboutinsearchofhim;andwhenatlasttheyfoundhim，therebrokefromthedrawnlipsthemumbledwords："Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"
ThepitifulsupplicationinthetonestouchedtheEnglishman’sheart。
HeknewthatthiscouldbenoWieroo，butpossiblyonceamanlikehimselfwhohadbeencastintothispitofsolitaryconfinementwiththishideousresultthatmightintimebehisfate，also。
Andthen，too，therewasthesuggestionofhopeheldoutbytheconstantreiterationofthephrase，"Thereisawayout。"
Wasthereawayout？Whatdidthispoorthingknow？
"Whoareyouandhowlonghaveyoubeenhere？"Bradleysuddenlydemanded。
Foramomentthemanuponthefloormadenoresponse，thenmumblinglycamethewords："Food！Food！"
"Stop！"commandedtheEnglishman——theinjunctionmighthavebeenbarkedfromthemuzzleofapistol。Itbroughtthemantoasittingposture，hishandsofftheground。Hestoppedswayingtoandfroandappearedtobestartledintoanattempttomasterhisfacultiesofconcentrationandthought。
Bradleyrepeatedhisquestionssharply。
"IamAn-Tak，theGalu，"repliedtheman。"LuataaloneknowshowlongIhavebeenhere——maybetenmoons，maybetenmoonsthreetimes"——itwastheCaspakianequivalentofthirty。"Iwasyoungandstrongwhentheybroughtmehere。NowIamoldandveryweak。
Iamcos-ata-lu——thatiswhytheyhavenotkilledme。
IfItellthemthesecretofbecomingcos-ata-lutheywilltakemeout;buthowcanItellthemthatwhichLuataaloneknows？
"Whatiscos-ata-lu？"demandedBradley。
"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"mumbledtheGalu。
Bradleystrodeacrossthefloor，seizedthemanbyhisshouldersandshookhim。
"Tellme，"hecried，"whatiscos-ata-lu？"
"Food！"whimperedAn-Tak。
Bradleybethoughthimself。Hishaversackhadnotbeentakenfromhim。Initbesideshisrazorandknifewereoddsandendsofequipmentandasmallquantityofdriedmeat。HetossedasmallstripofthelattertothestarvingGalu。An-Takseizeduponitanddevoureditravenously。Itinstillednewlifeintheman。
"Whatiscos-ata-lu？"insistedBradleyagain。
An-Taktriedtoexplain。Hisnarrativewasoftenbrokenbylapsesofconcentrationduringwhichherevertedtohisplaintivemumblingforfoodandrecurrencetothestatementthattherewasawayout;butbyfirmnessandpatiencetheEnglishmandrewoutpiece-mealamoreorlesslucidexpositionoftheremarkableschemeofevolutionthatrulesinCaspak。Inithefoundexplanationsofthehithertoinexplicable。HediscoveredwhyhehadseennobabesorchildrenamongtheCaspakiantribeswithwhichhehadcomeincontact;whyeachmorenortherlytribeevincedahigherstateofdevelopmentthanthosesouthofthem;
whyeachtribeincludedindividualsranginginphysicalandmentalcharacteristicsfromthehighestofthenextlowerracetothelowestofthenexthigher，andwhythewomenofeachtribeimmersedthemselvesmorningforanhourormoreinthewarmpoolsnearwhichthehabitationsoftheirpeoplealwayswerelocated;
and，too，hediscoveredwhythosepoolswerealmostimmunefromtheattacksofcarnivorousanimalsandreptiles。
Helearnedthatallbutthosewhowerecos-ata-lucameupcor-sva-jo，orfromthebeginning。Theeggfromwhichtheyfirstdevelopedintotadpoleformwasdeposited，withmillionsofothers，inoneofthewarmpoolsandwithitapoisonousserumthatthecarnivorainstinctivelyshunned。
Downthewarmstreamfromthepoolfloatedthecountlessbillionsofeggsandtadpoles，developingastheydriftedslowlytowardthesea。Somebecametadpolesinthepool，someinthesluggishstreamandsomenotuntiltheyreachedthegreatinlandsea。
Inthenextstagetheybecamefishesorreptiles，An-Takwasnotpositivewhich，andinthisform，alwaysdeveloping，theyswamfartothesouth，where，amidtherankandteemingjungles，someofthemevolvedintoamphibians。Alwaystherewerethosewhosedevelopmentstoppedatthefirststage，otherswhosedevelopmentceasedwhentheybecamereptiles，whilebyfarthegreaterproportionformedthefoodsupplyoftheravenouscreaturesofthedeep。
Fewindeedwerethosethateventuallydevelopedintobaboonsandthenapes，whichwasconsideredbyCaspakianstherealbeginningofevolution。Fromtheegg，then，theindividualdevelopedslowlyintoahigherform，justasthefrog’seggdevelopsthroughvariousstagesfromafishwithgillstoafrogwithlungs。
WiththatthoughtinmindBradleydiscoveredthatitwasnotdifficulttobelieveinthepossibilityofsuchascheme——
therewasnothingnewinit。
Fromtheapetheindividual，ifitsurvived，slowlydevelopedintothelowestorderofman——theAlu——andthenbydegreestoBo-lu，Sto-lu，Band-lu，Kro-luandfinallyGalu。Andineachstagecountlessmillionsofothereggsweredepositedinthewarmpoolsofthevariousracesandfloateddowntothegreatseatogothroughasimilarprocessofevolutionoutsidethewombasdevelopsourownyoungwithin;butinCaspaktheschemeismuchmoreinclusive，foritcombinesnotonlyindividualdevelopmentbuttheevolutionofspeciesandgenera。Ifaneggsurvivesitgoesthroughallthestagesofdevelopmentthatmanhaspassedthroughduringtheunthinkableeonssincelifefirstmovedupontheearth’sface。
Thefinalstage——thatwhichtheGalushavealmostattainedandforwhichallhope——iscos-ata-lu，whichliterally，meansno-egg-man，oronewhoisborndirectlyasaretheyoungoftheouterworldofmammals。SomeoftheGalusproducecos-ata-luandcos-ata-loboth;theWeiroosonlycos-ata-lu——inotherwordsallWieroosarebornmale，andsotheypreyupontheGalusfortheirwomenandsometimescaptureandtorturetheGalumenwhoarecos-ata-luinanendeavortolearnthesecretwhichtheybelievewillgivethemunlimitedpoweroverallotherdenizensofCaspak。
NoWierooscomeupfromthebeginning——allarebornoftheWieroofathersandGalumotherswhoarecos-ata-lo，andthereareveryfewofthelatterowingtothelongandprecariousstagesofdevelopment。Sevengenerationsofthesameancestormustcomeupfromthebeginningbeforeacos-ata-luchildmaybeborn;
andwhenoneconsidersthefrightfuldangersthatsurroundthevitalsparkfromthemomentitleavesthewarmpoolwhereithasbeendepositedtofloatdowntotheseaamidthevoraciouscreaturesthatswarmthesurfaceandthedeepsandthealmostequallyunthinkabletrialsofitsefforttosurviveafteritoncebecomesalandanimalandstartsnorthwardthroughthehorrorsoftheCaspakianjunglesandforests，itisplainlyawonderthatevenasinglebabehaseverbeenborntoaGaluwoman。
SevencyclesitrequiresbeforetheseventhGalucancompletetheseventhdanger-infestedcirclesinceitsfirstGaluancestorachievedthestateofGalu。Foragesbefore，theancestorsofthisfirstGalumayhavedevelopedfromaBand-luorBo-lueggwithouteveroncecompletingthewholecircle——thatisfromaGaluegg，backtoafullydevelopedGalu。
Bradley’sheadwaswhirlingbeforeheevencommencedtograspthecomplexitiesofCaspakianevolution;butasthetruthslowlyfilteredintohisunderstanding——asgraduallyitbecamepossibleforhimtovisualizethescheme，itappearedsimpler。Infact，itseemedevenlessdifficultofcomprehensionthanthatwithwhichhewasfamiliar。
ForseveralminutesafterAn-Takceasedspeaking，hisvoicehavingtrailedoffweaklyintosilence，neitherspokeagain。
ThentheGalurecommencedhis，"Food！Food！Thereisawayout！"
Bradleytossedhimanotherbitofdriedmeat，waitingpatientlyuntilhehadeatenit，thistimemoreslowly。
"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthereisawayout？"heasked。
"HewhodiedherejustafterIcame，toldme，"repliedAn-Tak。
"Hesaidtherewasawayout，thathehaddiscovereditbutwastooweaktousehisknowledge。Hewastryingtotellmehowtofinditwhenhedied。Oh，Luata，ifhehadlivedbutamomentmore！"
"Theydonotfeedyouhere？"askedBradley。
"No，theygivemewateronceaday——thatisall。"
"Buthowhaveyoulived，then？"
"Thelizardsandtherats，"repliedAn-Tak。"Thelizardsarenotsobad;buttheratsarefoultotaste。However，Imusteatthemortheywouldeatme，andtheyarebetterthannothing;butoflatetheydonotcomesooften，andIhavenothadalizardforalongtime。Ishalleatthough，"hemumbled。"Ishalleatnow，foryoucannotremainawakeforever。"Helaughed，acackling，drylaugh。"Whenyousleep，An-Takwilleat。"
Itwashorrible。Bradleyshuddered。Foralongtimeeachsatinsilence。TheEnglishmancouldguesswhytheothermadenosound——heawaitedthemomentthatsleepshouldovercomehisvictim。
InthelongsilencetherewasbornuponBradley’searsafaint，monotonoussoundasofrunningwater。Helistenedintently。
Itseemedtocomefromfarbeneaththefloor。
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