And as I crossed Phutra's flower-bespangled plain that time I
seemed almost to fly, though how much of the sensation was due to
Perry's suggestion and how much to actuality I am sure I do not know.
The more I thought of Perry the less pleasure I took in my new-found
freedom. There could be no liberty for me within Pellucidar unless
the old man shared it with me, and only the hope that I might find
some way to encompass his release kept me from turning back to
Phutra.
Just how I was to help Perry I could scarce imagine, but I hoped
that some fortuitous circumstance might solve the problem for me.
It was quite evident however that little less than a miracle could
aid me, for what could I accomplish in this strange world, naked
and unarmed? It was even doubtful that I could retrace my steps to
Phutra should I once pass beyond view of the plain, and even were
that possible, what aid could I bring to Perry no matter how far
I wandered?
The case looked more and more hopeless the longer I viewed it, yet
with a stubborn persistency I forged ahead toward the foothills.
Behind me no sign of pursuit developed, before me I saw no living
thing. It was as though I moved through a dead and forgotten world.
I have no idea, of course, how long it took me to reach the limit
of the plain, but at last I entered the foothills, following a pretty
little canyon upward toward the mountains. Beside me frolicked a
laughing brooklet, hurrying upon its noisy way down to the silent
sea.
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