"I was right. Very well, Leekno, you may distribute the other captives to our men by lot. And mind there be no wrangling amongst them. This barbarian I will take to my tent." Meg demanded, "What is the meaning of this, little monster? Who are you to thus address a Priestess of the Jinnia Clan, and what would you of me?" The commander's slant eyes blinked in appreciative delight. "A spirited filly, this!" he murmured. "Know, then, Woman, that you are greatly honored. I am Grensu, captain of this band. We are a legion of the mighty race of Japcans who rule in the sunny land of Mayco, many days' march to the south of here." From behind Meg the aged Mother's voice stirred in sighing wonder. "Mayco? In the books of the Ancient Ones it is written of a land by that name. But its rulers were white men--" Grensu made mirthless happy-sounds in his throat. "The old one surprises me. Aye, withered crone, in the early days it was as you say. But that was before the great wars, and before the rebellion of the Women. Even then there were in Mayco many of our race, children of the Sun. "But when mankind destroyed itself and the Ancient Ones died out, battling first each other, then between their sexes, we stayed aloof; we waited and planned and bred. Our Japni blood mixed well with that of the Maycans, giving rise to the mighty stock we now represent--the Japcans." Grensu glanced down his own obese frame pridefully. "Now, not only are we the possessors of the secrets of the Ancient Ones' war-weapons, but we are become perfect in body and brain." Meg laughed scornfully, "Little fat-bellied lemon, I could squeeze between my fingers--_so_!" And she took a step toward Grensu. For a second he looked startled; then an expression of mingled pique and admiration mottled his pudgy features. "You will make a haughty doe to tame, ivory one," he smirked, "but tame you I will. Come!" Still Meg did not move. "Come where?" "Have I not said," Grensu informed her, "that you are to be favored? Like the Wild Ones who infest the forests of your land, we of Mayco find need of new and sturdy mates. That is the purpose of our expedition. But you, white-limbs, I have chosen for myself!" The high color rushed to Meg's cheeks. "Me, little toadstool! Know you not I am a priestess and inviolate?" Grensu's waning patience snapped. He turned to his lieutenant. "Leekno--!" he said. CHAPTER IV Meg's Daring But not at that moment was Meg to be forced to make the choice between submission and death. For there came an interruption. One of the Japcan lieutenants approached the group, hailed his leader. "The wall is set up, O Grensu! The men await your inspection before setting its field into operation." Grensu snarled, "Away, sluggard. Cannot the men do the least thing without--Very well. I will come immediately. Leekno, stay you here and keep a watchful eye on my reluctant priestess. I will return soon."