"Quite high enough to play the deuce with us, though," I replied.
"Now what do you suppose they intend doing with us?"

We were not long in learning. As on the occasion of our trip to
the village we were seized by a couple of the powerful creatures
and whirled away through the tree tops, while about us and in our
wake raced a chattering, jabbering, grinning horde of sleek, black
ape-things.

Twice my bearers missed their footing, and my heart ceased beating
as we plunged toward instant death among the tangled deadwood beneath.
But on both occasions those lithe, powerful tails reached out and
found sustaining branches, nor did either of the creatures loosen
their grasp upon me. In fact, it seemed that the incidents were
of no greater moment to them than would be the stubbing of one's
toe at a street crossing in the outer world--they but laughed
uproariously and sped on with me.

For some time they continued through the forest--how long I could
not guess for I was learning, what was later borne very forcefully
to my mind, that time ceases to be a factor the moment means for
measuring it cease to exist. Our watches were gone, and we were
living beneath a stationary sun. Already I was puzzled to compute
the period of time which had elapsed since we broke through the crust
of the inner world. It might be hours, or it might be days--who
in the world could tell where it was always noon! By the sun, no
time had elapsed--but my judgment told me that we must have been
several hours in this strange world.

Presently the forest terminated, and we came out upon a level plain.