Pellucidar · Chapter
XII: Kidnapped! explained
David Innes discovers that Dian has been abducted by a Thurian while he and Juag were hunting a thag.
What happens
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the protagonis…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Survival and Resilience
David and Juag adapt to the loss of Dian and use the jaloks to continue their quest.
- Love and Loyalty
David's determination to rescue Dian and the loyalty of Raja the jalok.
- Deception and Betrayal
Dian's abduction by a Thurian who took her from behind.
Characters to notice
- David Innes
Narrator and protagonist; searches for Dian after her abduction, uses Raja to track the kidnapper.
- Dian the Beautiful
Abducted by a Thurian while David and Juag were hunting; her javelin and signs of struggle are found.
- Juag
Islander companion; helps with the thag kill and is left to prepare the canoe and wait for David's return.
- Raja
David's tamed jalok; returns with his mate and helps track Dian's abductor.
- Ranee
Raja's mate; initially hostile but eventually accepts David and Juag.
Key passages
“I searched about the spot carefully. At last I was rewarded by the discovery of her javelin, a few yards from the bush that had concealed us from the charging thag—her javelin and the indications of a struggle revealed by the trampled vegetation and the overlapping footprints of a woman and a man.”
David finds Dian's javelin and signs of a struggle, confirming she was abducted.
Discovery of the abduction.
“It was Raja—the jalok whose life I had saved, and whom I then had tamed! There was no doubt that he was glad to see me.”
David recognizes Raja, the jalok he had tamed, who returns with his mate.
Reunion with Raja.
“I pointed to the ground where the evidences of the struggle were plainest and where the scent must have been strong to Raja’s nostrils. Then I grasped the remnant of leash that hung about his neck and urged him forward upon the trail.”
David uses Raja to track Dian's kidnapper by scent.
Tracking the kidnapper.
