As had all the other villagers they had passed, these, too, leaped to their feet and seized weapons when they saw Tanar. “Do not harm him,” repeated Balal. “I have brought him to you, Scurv, my father, because he saved my life when it was threatened simultaneously by a snake and a wolf and I promised him that you would receive him and treat him well.” Scurv eyed Tanar suspiciously and there was no softening of the lines upon his sullen countenance even when he heard that the stranger had saved the life of his son. “Who are you and what are you doing in our country?” he demanded. “I am looking for one named Jude,” replied Tanar. “What do you know of Jude?” asked Scurv. “Is he your friend?” There was something in the man’s tone that made it questionable as to the advisability of claiming Jude as a friend. “I know him,” he said. “We were prisoners together among the Coripies on the island of Amiocap.” “You are an Amiocapian?” demanded Scurv. “No,” replied Tanar, “I am a Sarian from a country on a far distant mainland.” “Then what were you doing on Amiocap?” asked Scurv. “I was captured by the Korsars and the ship in which they were taking me to their country was wrecked on Amiocap. All that I ask of you is that you give me food and show me where I can find Jude.” “I do not know where you can find Jude,” said Scurv. “His people and my people are always at war.” “Do you not know where their country or village is?” demanded Tanar. “Yes, of course I know where it is, but I do not know that Jude is there.” “Are you going to give him food,” asked Balal, “and treat him well as I promised you would?” “Yes,” said Scurv, but his tone was sullen and his shifty eyes looked neither at Balal nor Tanar as he replied. In the center of the ledge, opposite the mouth of the cave, a small fire was burning beneath an earthen bowl, which was supported by three or four small pieces of stone. Squatting close to this was a female, who, in youth, might have been a fine looking girl, but now her face was lined by bitterness and hate as she glared sullenly into the caldron, the contents of which she was stirring with the rib of some large animal. “Tanar is hungry, Sloo,” said Balal, addressing the woman. “When will the food be cooked?” “Have I not enough to do preparing hides and cooking food for all of you without having to cook for every enemy that you see fit to bring to the cave of your father?” “This is the first time I ever brought any one, mother,” said Balal. “Let it be the last, then,” snapped the woman. “Shut up, woman,” snapped Scurv, “and hasten with the food.” The woman leaped to her feet, brandishing the rib above her head. “Don’t tell me what to do, Scurv,” she shrilled. “I have had about enough of you anyway.” “Hit him, mother!” screamed a lad of about eleven, jumping to his feet and dancing about in evident joy and excitement.