# IV: Friendship and Treachery explained — Pellucidar

> Chapter companion for Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Empire Building

David asserts his imperial authority over the Mezops and plans to rebuild the Federated Kingdoms, expanding his influence.

### Friendship and Loyalty

David's deep bond with Perry is highlighted; Perry's loyalty is emphasized despite his cowardice.

### Deception and Betrayal

The Sagoths' ambush and murder of David's companions exemplify treachery, and David's earlier reticence about his suspicions leads to his capture.

## Character check-ins

### David Innes

Narrator and emperor; wins naval engagement, plans to search for Dian and rebuild federation, later captured by Sagoths.

### Abner Perry

Celebrates victory with David; tasked with returning to the prospector to fetch supplies and oversee boat-building.

### Ja the Mezop

Mezop chieftain; not present when David arrives, but his warriors eventually escort David ashore.

### Ghak the Hairy One

Mentioned as part of the federation; David intends to rehabilitate the federation with Ghak's help.

### Dian the Beautiful

David's primary motivation; he plans to search for her in Sari.

### Hooja the Sly One

Implied as a threat; David's federation efforts are partly to counter treachery like Hooja's.

## Key lines

> Perry is the only male coward I have ever known whom I could respect and love. He was not created for fighting; but I think that if the occasion should ever arise where it became necessary he would give his life cheerfully for me—yes, I know it.

David acknowledges Perry's cowardice but affirms his deep respect and love, believing Perry would sacrifice himself for David if needed.

_Highlights the theme of friendship and loyalty._

> In Pellucidar, where there is no time, death-agonies may endure for eternities. Accordingly, I had to steel myself against an endless doom, which now stared me in the face!

Because Pellucidar lacks time, the fear of a prolonged death torments David as he faces possible vivisection.

_Illustrates the unique temporal nature of Pellucidar and David's psychological resilience._

> The sense of direction and location of these primitive Pellucidarians is little short of uncanny... the homing instinct is supreme.

Pellucidarians possess an extraordinary innate ability to navigate directly home from any location, without maps or instruments.

_Describes a key characteristic of Pellucidarian physiology and culture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se/chapters/iv-friendship-and-treachery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se/chapters