The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1916-02-02

that | should command. The sun al
ready was low. 50 that I did not have
long to wait before the sudden dark
ness OF Barsoom engulfed us.
With n parting word OF instruction
20 Carthorls and Nodar, In case I
should not return. l babe them all
farewell and set forth at q rapid
dog-trot toward tho city.
AS I emerged from tho hills the
nearer moon was swinging Its wild
flight through the heavens, its bright
beams turning TO FURNISHED silver the
barbaric splcndor OF tho ancient me-
tropolis.
Tho city had been built upon the
gently rolling foothills that, in the
dim and distant past, had sloped
down TO meet the sea. IL was due to
this fact that 1 had no difficulty In
entering the streets unobserved.
Tho green hordes that use those
deserted cities seldom occupy more
than a fow squares about the central
plaza, and as they come and go.
always across tho dead sea bottoms
! that the cities face, II In usually a
matter of comparative case to enter
from the hillside.
once within the street kept close
| in the dense shadows OF the walls. At
make sure that none was in sight be-
| fore I sprang quickly TO the shadows
of the opposite side.
Thus | made tho Journey to the
| vicinity OF the plaza without detection.
As | approached the purlieus OF the
inhabited portion OF the city 1 wus
made aware OF the proximity OF war
riors' quarters by the squealing and
grunting OF the thoats and htidars cor
rallied within the hollow courtyards
! formed by tho buildings surrounding
each square.
These old familiar sounds that are
no distinctive OF green Marian life sent
a thrill OF pleasure surging through
me. Ii was as one might feel on CON-
ing homo after long absence.
IL was amid such sounds that i had
first courted the Incompatible Dejah
| Thoris in the age'old marble halls oi
the dead city OF Korad.
AsI stood in the shadows ut the Far
corner OF the first square which housed
members OF the horde i saw warriors
emerging from several OF the build
lings. They all went In the same direc'
ton. toward great building whicf
stood In the centre OF tho plaza.
NV knowledge of green Marttar
customs convinced me that this wa<
either the quarters OF tho principal
chieftain or contained the audience
chamber wherein the Jeddak met his
feds and lesser chieftains. In either
event IL was evident that something
was afoot which might have bearing
on tho recent capture of Tars Tarkas
To reach this building, which l now
felt It imperative that I do. I must
need traverse the entire length of one
square and cross broad avenue and a
portion of the plaza.
From the noises of tho animals
which came from every courtyard
about me / knew that there were
many people In the surrounding build
unexpectedly several communities OF
the great horde OF the Warhoons OF
tho south.
To pass undetected among all these
people was in Itself a difficult task.
but IL ] was to find and rescue the
great Thark 1 must expect oven more
formidable obstacles before success
could bo mine,
| had entered the city from the
south, and now stood on the corner
OF tho avenue through which | had
passed and the first intersecting ave-
nue. south OF the plaza.
The buildings on the south side OF
this square did not appear to be In
no | decided to gain the inner court
yard through ono OF them.
Nothing occurred to interrupt my
progress through the deserted pile
] chose, and l came into the innei
court close TO the rear walls OF the
east buildings without detection.
Within the court n great herd OF
thoats and zitidars moved restlessly
about, cropping tho moss-like ochei
t..a Nga t.,I nj al
cally the entire uncultivated area OF
Mars.
Close TO tho east wall. beneath the
ovcrhanRing balconies OF the second
floors / Cropt in dense shadows the
full longth OF the courtyard until
caino TO tho buildings at the NORTH
end. These wero lighted for about
three floors up. but above the THIRD
floor all was dark
The reaching of the balcony OF the
second floor was IL matter OF easy
accomplishment-an agile leap gave
my hands a grasp upon the stone
hand rail above. In another instant
had drawn myself up on the balcony.
Here through tho open windows
saw the green folk sduatting upor
their sleeping silks and furs, gruntini
an occasional monOsyllable which, II
connection with their wondrous tele
pathlc powers, Is ample for their con
vocational requirements.
As I drew closer TO listen 10 theil
words warrior entered the room
from tho hall beyond.
Come, Tan Gama!' he cried. We
nre TO take the Thark before kal
Kadja Bring another with you"
The warrior addressed arose, and
bcckoning 10 follow squatting near
the three left the apartment
IL | could but follow them III
chance might come 90 FREQ Tars Tar
kas at once. At least | would Learn
the location OF his prison,
had no more than entered the cor
ridor than saw tho three warriors a
the other end--those whom I had jus
seen leaving tho apartment Then 1
turn 10 tho right took them from m,
sight again,
Quickly | FASTENED along tho hall
way in pursuit, My gait was reckless
but felt that fato had been kind In
deed 10 throw such an opportunity
within NV grasp, aud could not nf'
ford 30 allow II 40 "lul" me now,
A. tho far end of the corridor
found a spiral stairway leading To th'
floors above and below. The tire,
had evidently left tho floor 10y thi
avenue That they had gone dow
and not UP 1 was sure from m