Pellucidar · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Chapter 1
Pellucidar
David Innes and Abner Perry return to Pellucidar in the Iron Mole, reunite with Perry, and begin their journey across the Mountains of the Clouds. They encounter various tribes, rescue Dian from an arena, and are freed by the Mahars. Later, they are captured by the Brute-Folk, rescue Raja the Jalok, and raid a cave prison.
Chapter 2
Prologue
The narrator receives a letter from Cogdon Nestor, who discovered a buried telegraph instrument in the Sahara that appears to be connected to David Innes's inner world of Pellucidar. The narrator rushes to Algiers, meets Nestor, and together with a telegraph operator they unearth the instrument and establish communication with David Innes, who recounts his adventures.
Chapter 3
Lost on Pellucidar
David Innes returns to Pellucidar via the iron mole, accompanied by a Mahar. He finds himself in an unfamiliar region and sets out to locate his friends, particularly Ghak the Hairy One and Dian the Beautiful. After wandering for days or months, he witnesses the pursuit of an old man by Sagoths and realizes the fugitive is his friend Abner Perry.
Chapter 4
Traveling with Terror
David Innes and Abner Perry camp by a peaceful river, where Perry recounts the chaos that followed David's departure: Hooja's lies led to Dian's disappearance, tribal wars shattered the federation, and the Mahars exploited the division. Determined to find Dian, David insists on crossing the Mountains of the Clouds. They kill a cave bear for its fur, fashion cold-weather gear, and build a base hut. Their systematic search for a pass is harrowing, with constant attacks from bears and wolves, and Perry obsessively counts their dwindling ammunition.
Chapter 5
Shooting the Chutes—and After
David Innes and Abner Perry, having crossed the Mountains of the Clouds, descend into a warm jungle and follow a river to the Lural Az sea. They spot the island of Anoroc, their goal, but must build a canoe to reach it. Perry constructs an elaborate 'imperial navy' vessel, reflecting on David's role as emperor of Pellucidar and the setbacks caused by Hooja's treachery. They launch successfully, and after a perilous sleep, continue their journey toward Ja the Mezop and the road to Sari.
Chapter 6
IV: Friendship and Treachery
David Innes and Abner Perry celebrate their naval victory over the Mezops, then anchor near Anoroc to seek Ja. After initial hesitation, Mezops escort them to shore. David plans to return to Sari to search for Dian and rebuild the federation, while Perry will fetch supplies from the prospector. On the journey, David and his Mezop companions encounter Sagoths, and later David is captured in his sleep after his companions are killed.
Chapter 7
Surprises
David Innes, held captive by the Mahars with Dian, negotiates their release by agreeing to retrieve the stolen great secret from a hidden cave. He travels with a Sagoth escort, recovering his rifle and mapping the region. Upon reaching the cave, he finds the manuscript gone. Returning to Phutra, he learns that Hooja the Sly One has already delivered the document to the Mahars and taken Dian as his hostage.
Chapter 8
A Pendent World
David Innes is freed by the Mahars but warned to stay away from their cities. He journeys to Sari, where he is joyfully reunited with his people and Ghak the Hairy One. A stranger named Kolk arrives from Thuria, seeking the emperor and reporting that Hooja the Sly One has gathered a band of outcasts on an island, aided by the Mahars. Innes learns that Hooja has taken Dian, and he resolves to combine the search for her with rebuilding the federation. Despite Ghak's advice, Innes grows restless and decides to personally pursue the trail of his lost love.
Chapter 9
From Plight to Plight
David Innes, traveling with his newly tamed hyaenodon Raja, approaches the Thurian village of Thuria. He is met by Goork and his warriors, but discovers that the token from Kolk has been stolen. After a brief confrontation, David fights off attackers with Raja's help, solidifying their bond. He reflects on the domestication of animals and the early steps of civilization in Pellucidar.
Chapter 10
Captive
David Innes is captured by the brute-men of Gr-gr-gr, a tribe of sheep-gorilla hybrids living on a mesa. He learns they are enemies of Hooja and hopes to ally with them against Hooja to rescue Dian. He is put to work in their fields. Meanwhile, he recounts his earlier failed attempt to enlist the help of Goork's tribe, his journey to the island, and his subsequent capture by Gr-gr-gr's people.
Chapter 11
IX: Hooja’s Cutthroats Appear
David Innes, living among the brute-folk as a captive melon-patch worker, learns that Hooja's forces are attacking the village. Instead of escaping, he rushes to help and devises a tactic of hurling rocks down on the attackers, turning the tide of battle. Gr-gr-gr, impressed, frees David and offers guides to Hooja's village. After a feast, David sets out with six beast-men, who lead him to a forest near a cliff of caves, where he hides in a tree to observe.
Chapter 12
X: The Raid on the Cave-Prison
David Innes infiltrates the cave-prison to rescue Dian the Beautiful. He encounters Juag, a prisoner and son of the chief, who had been aided by Dian. After a fight with a guard, David reunites with Dian and they escape together, facing further threats from Hooja's men.
Chapter 13
Escape
David, Dian, and Juag are captured by Hooja's warriors but are rescued by Gr-gr-gr and his gorilla-men. After being freed, they retrieve their canoe and set out for the mainland. They hunt a thag for food and materials, but during the hunt Dian goes missing.
Chapter 14
XII: Kidnapped!
David Innes discovers that Dian has been abducted by a Thurian while he and Juag were hunting a thag. He finds his tamed jalok Raja, who has returned with his mate Ranee, and uses Raja's tracking ability to pursue the kidnapper. Juag is left to prepare the canoe and await David's return or summon help from Ghak.
Chapter 15
XIII: Racing for Life
After the storm subsides, David, Dian, and Juag spot a fleet of boats in pursuit, which they identify as belonging to Hooja. They attempt to escape using their sail, but Hooja's archers fire on them. A tense chase ensues, with the trio barely staying ahead until a strong gale allows them to outrun their pursuers.
Chapter 16
Gore and Dreams
David Innes, Dian, and Juag are rescued by the newly built Pellucidarian navy, a fleet of fifty feluccas armed with cannon, commanded by Abner Perry and Ja the Mezop. After a naval battle against Hooja's fleet, David and Dian are hailed as emperor and empress, and David creates Ja king of Anoroc and the other captains dukes. Perry explains how the fleet was built and the Mezops' rapid technological progress.
Chapter 17
Conquest and Peace
David Innes consolidates his empire, defeats Hooja's forces, restores Juag's island, establishes a code of laws with Gr-gr-gr, and returns to find Ghak's army besieging Thuria. He negotiates peace with Goork, who swears allegiance, and describes the growing civilization of Pellucidar with its factories, printing press, wireless, and railway plans.
