“None,” replied the other. “Absolutely none; but tell me who are you and from what country? I cannot believe that you are a native of Amiocap, for what Amiocapian is there who would need ask questions about the Buried People?”
“I am not of Amiocap,” replied Tanar. “I am from Sari, upon the far distant mainland.”
“Sari! I never heard of such a country,” said the other. “What is your name?”
“Tanar, and yours?”
“I am Jude of Hime,” replied the man. “Hime is an island not far from Amiocap. Perhaps you have heard of it.”
“No,” said Tanar.
“I was fishing in my canoe, off the coast of Hime,” continued Jude, “when a great storm arose which blew me across the waters and hurled me upon the coast of Amiocap. I had gone into the forest to hunt for food when three of these creatures fell upon me and dragged me into their underworld.”
“And you think that there is no escape?” demanded Tanar.
“None—absolutely none,” replied Jude.