October 6, 2021
and 81 years ago on this day in 1940, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “Men
of the Bronze Age,” which would ultimately become the second installment of
“Savage Pellucidar.” It was originally published in “Amazing” in March 1942,
reprinted in ‘Amazing Stories Quarterly in the fall of 1942, and published as
part of the first edition of “Savage Pellucidar” by Canaveral Press on November
25, 1963. I especially enjoyed this book. I thought ERB wrote it a little
tongue in cheek. The character, “The little man who wasn’t Dolly Dorcas”
remains one of my favorites – even though he was a cannibal.
“Men of the Bronze
Age,” got a cover mention by “Amazing” in 1942, but the cover illustration went
to “Disciples of Destiny” by Don Wilcox. The illustration with this article and
drabble is by J. Allen St. John.
The publishing
history of Savage Pellucidar and several illustrations may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0747.html
The 100 word
drabble for today, “Positive Landing,” was inspired by “Men of the Bronze Age,”
and the title of the drabble, “Positive Landing,” is a pilot’s euphemism for a
hard landing, especially appropriate for today, the fifth day of the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. However, I checked with the FAA and
there wasn’t a NOTAM this morning for
flying reptiles during the flight window.
Dian the Beautiful
was in one of Abner Perry’s inventions, a balloon. The craft escaped its
moorings and rose quickly toward the central sun.
A winged reptile,
a thipdar, circled the balloon. Dian couldn’t make the balloon rise higher, but
she opened the gas valve and the balloon dropped like a rock.
The thipdar became
entangled in balloon’s ropes. His struggles slowed the balloon’s descent into
tall trees where tree dwellers killed the thipdar, Dian slipped to the ground.
She said, “Abner, I’m
sorry I broke your balloon.”
“You walked away
from the landing. Don’t apologize. Take credit for it.”
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