Perry’s experiments in the manufacture of gunpowder and the fashioning of rifles had not progressed as rapidly as we had hoped—­there was a whole lot about these two arts which Perry didn’t know.  We were both assured that the solution of these problems would advance the cause of civilization within Pellucidar thousands of years at a single stroke.  Then there were various other arts and sciences which we wished to introduce, but our combined knowledge of them did not embrace the mechanical details which alone could render them of commercial, or practical value.

“David,” said Perry, immediately after his latest failure to produce gunpowder that would even burn, “one of us must return to the outer world and bring back the information we lack.  Here we have all the labor and materials for reproducing anything that ever has been produced above—­what we lack is knowledge.  Let us go back and get that knowledge in the shape of books—­then this world will indeed be at our feet.”

And so it was decided that I should return in the prospector, which still lay upon the edge of the forest at the point where we had first penetrated to the surface of the inner world.  Dian would not listen to any arrangement for my going which did not include her, and I was not sorry that she wished to accompany me, for I wanted her to see my world, and I wanted my world to see her.

With a large force of men we marched to the great iron mole, which Perry soon had hoisted into position with its nose pointed back toward the outer crust.  He went over all the machinery carefully.  He replenished the air tanks, and manufactured oil for the engine.  At last everything was ready, and we were about to set out when our pickets, a long, thin line of which had surrounded our camp at all times, reported that a great body of what appeared to be Sagoths and Mahars were approaching from the direction of Phutra.

Dian and I were ready to embark, but I was anxious to witness the first clash between two fair-sized armies of the opposing races of Pellucidar.  I realized that this was to mark the historic beginning of a mighty struggle for possession of a world, and as the first emperor of Pellucidar I felt that it was not alone my duty, but my right, to be in the thick of that momentous struggle.

As the opposing army approached we saw that there were many Mahars with the Sagoth troops—­an indication of the vast importance which the dominant race placed upon the outcome of this campaign, for it was not customary with them to take active part in the sorties which their creatures made for slaves—­the only form of warfare which they waged upon the lower orders.

Ghak and Dacor were both with us, having come primarily to view the prospector.  I placed Ghak with some of his Sarians on the right of our battle line.  Dacor took the left, while I commanded the center.  Behind us I stationed a sufficient reserve under one of Ghak’s head men.  The Sagoths advanced steadily with menacing spears, and I let them come until they were within easy bowshot before I gave the word to fire.