But for Perry and Ghak I should
have leaped to the floor of the arena and shared whatever fate lay
in store for this priceless treasure of the Stone Age.
With the advent of the Bos--they call the thing a thag within
Pellucidar--two spears were tossed into the arena at the feet of
the prisoners. It seemed to me that a bean shooter would have been
as effective against the mighty monster as these pitiful weapons.
As the animal approached the two, bellowing and pawing the ground
with the strength of many earthly bulls, another door directly
beneath us was opened, and from it issued the most terrific roar
that ever had fallen upon my outraged ears. I could not at first
see the beast from which emanated this fearsome challenge, but
the sound had the effect of bringing the two victims around with
a sudden start, and then I saw the girl's face--she was not Dian!
I could have wept for relief.
And now, as the two stood frozen in terror, I saw the author of
that fearsome sound creeping stealthily into view. It was a huge
tiger--such as hunted the great Bos through the jungles primeval
when the world was young. In contour and markings it was not unlike
the noblest of the Bengals of our own world, but as its dimensions
were exaggerated to colossal proportions so too were its colorings
exaggerated. Its vivid yellows fairly screamed aloud; its whites
were as eider down; its blacks glossy as the finest anthracite
coal, and its coat long and shaggy as a mountain goat.
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