the islands of the seas. In so far as I ever have heard no Mezop
lives elsewhere, and no others than Mezops dwell upon islands, but
of course it may be different in other far-distant lands. I do not
know. At any rate in this sea and those near by it is true that
only people of my race inhabit the islands.

"We are fishermen, though we be great hunters as well, often going
to the mainland in search of the game that is scarce upon all but
the larger islands. And we are warriors also," he added proudly.
"Even the Sagoths of the Mahars fear us. Once, when Pellucidar
was young, the Sagoths were wont to capture us for slaves as they
do the other men of Pellucidar, it is handed down from father to
son among us that this is so; but we fought so desperately and slew
so many Sagoths, and those of us that were captured killed so many
Mahars in their own cities that at last they learned that it were
better to leave us alone, and later came the time that the Mahars
became too indolent even to catch their own fish, except for
amusement, and then they needed us to supply their wants, and so a
truce was made between the races. Now they give us certain things
which we are unable to produce in return for the fish that we catch,
and the Mezops and the Mahars live in peace.

"The great ones even come to our islands. It is there, far from
the prying eyes of their own Sagoths, that they practice their
religious rites in the temples they have builded there with our
assistance. If you live among us you will doubtless see the manner
of their worship, which is strange indeed, and most unpleasant for
the poor slaves they bring to take part in it."

As Ja talked I had an excellent opportunity to inspect him more