"It could go out under the guise of a hunting party," suggested Dorf.
"If he has not returned within an hour," said Zuppner, "we shall have to do something of the sort."
Hines and Von Horst now entered the mess room, and when they learned of Tarzan's absence from the ship and had heard from Dorf a description of some of the animals that he might have encountered, they were equally as apprehensive as the others of his safety.
"We might cruise around a bit, sir," suggested Von Horst to Zuppner.
"But suppose he returns to this spot during our absence?" asked Gridley.
"Could you return the ship to this anchorage again?" inquired Zuppner.
"I doubt it," replied the Lieutenant. "Our instruments are almost worthless under the conditions existing in Pellucidar."
"Then we had better remain where we are," said Gridley, "until he returns."
"But if we send a searching party after him on foot, what assurance have we that it will be able to find its way back to the ship?" demanded Zuppner.
"That will not be so difficult," said Gridley. "We can always blaze our trail as we go and thus easily retrace our steps."