# IX: Hooja’s Cutthroats Appear explained — Pellucidar > Chapter companion for Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## What happens 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. ## Themes in this chapter ### Survival and Resilience David adapts to captivity and uses his wits to survive, turning a battle in favor of his captors to secure his freedom. ### Deception and Betrayal Hooja's attack on the brute-folk and his earlier trickery to steal Dian highlight themes of treachery and deceit. ### Civilization vs. Savagery The contrast between the brute-folk's simple, honorable ways and Hooja's cutthroat tactics explores the line between civilized and savage behavior. ## Character check-ins ### David Innes Narrator and protagonist; captive among the brute-folk, he aids them in battle against Hooja's forces and is granted freedom. ### Gr-gr-gr Leader of the brute-folk; initially suspicious of David, he later frees him and provides guides to Hooja's village. ### Hooja the Sly One Antagonist leading the attack on the brute-folk village; his forces are defeated by David's rock-hurling strategy. ### Dian the Beautiful David's mate; mentioned as possibly being held by Hooja, driving David's quest. ## Key lines > I had built a little shelter of rocks and brush where I might crawl in and sleep out of the perpetual light and heat of the noonday sun. David constructed a small rock-and-brush hut to escape the constant sunlight and heat. _Describes David's adaptation to the harsh environment of Pellucidar._ > The only flesh they eat is that of herbivorous animals and birds. The brute-folk exclusively consume plant-eating animals and birds. _Highlights the dietary habits of the beast-men._ > When running these beast-men often go upon all fours. Thus they leap over obstacles that would slow up a human being, and upon the level attain a speed that would make a thoroughbred look to his laurels. The beast-men run on all fours, clearing obstacles easily and outrunning thoroughbred horses on flat ground. _Illustrates the physical prowess and agility of the brute-folk._ > I was alone! It was the first time since my capture that no beast-man had been within sight of me. For the first time since being captured, David found himself completely alone. _Marks a turning point where David could have escaped but chose to help instead._ > Those were your people," he said. "Why did you kill them? Gr-gr-gr asked David why he killed his own kind. _Shows Gr-gr-gr's confusion about David's loyalty._ > Gilak," he said, "you have made Gr-gr-gr ashamed. He would have killed you. How can he reward you? Gr-gr-gr admitted his shame for wanting to kill David and asked how to reward him. _Demonstrates Gr-gr-gr's change of heart and respect for David._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se/chapters/ix-hooja-s-cutthroats-appear - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pellucidar_se/chapters