Never in all his life had the geologist felt so small and insignificant as in the presence of that towering survivor of the prehistoric past. Zoar stepped forward in front of the beast. "Ixstus!" he called gently. The great ears inclined forward to attention. "_Stekkar mal!_" the old man commanded. Down swung the vast, wrinkled trunk in a huge loop, into which Zoar stepped and was hoisted to the table of the monstrous skull--a flat place where five men might have sat and played at cards. Another word of command, and the mammoth advanced a couple of paces. The snakelike trunk groped forward, and Zenas, wriggling some as he went, was swung aloft and found himself seated breathlessly by the side of Zoar. The master of the beasts smiled at the other old man. "When you come again to your own land, you may tell your children's children, if you have them, that you have sat on the head of an amaloc, the grandfather of all beasts," said Zoar. While Zenas appreciated that honor, it might be said that he was much relieved when he got his feet on the ground again. From building to building of the immense stables, the scientist was led with growing wonder. Ninety and three of the giant mammals there were, of which no one stood less than twelve feet high. But Ixstus was the champion and patriarch of the herd. * * * * * As the riders journeyed back to Zele-omaz, Oleric told again how the Children of Ad had driven the beasts southward from their lands with fire, and how the men of Ruthar likewise had made war upon them, until they were in danger of becoming extinct. "But then came the prophecy, and men of wisdom set themselves to study and tame the beasts," he said. "And now, when the wall is down, and Ruthar takes the road to Adlaz, the amalocs shall lead the way, and Zoar and his servants shall drive them against the hosts of Bel-Ar." "Won't the Maeronicans scare them again with fires?" asked Everson. "Nay; that has been provided against," said the captain. "Lady," Polaris said to Glorian, "I have heard and seen many strange things in this country of yours, and I have learned much. One more thing I would ask that you make clear to me. Oleric has, and last night the old man back yonder did again speak of things of the long ago, in which you had a part. What did they mean? You are scarcely of mine own years." Glorian glanced hastily at Oleric, and then she answered: "When the world was younger, men had the secret of years. The slave O'Connell told Oleric that it was written in your sacred book out yonder in the world that such was so. That secret was lost. For ages it was lost. But it was found again in Ruthar. I am one of those to whom it has been imparted." "You mean, lady, that _you_--" Polaris gasped.