Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-21

Sola and | looked both in the direction
she indicated and there plainly discern
| ible we're several hundred mounted war
riors. They seemed to be headed in n
| southwesterly direction, which would take
| them away from us.
They doubtless we're returning Thark
warriors who had been sent out to capture
| u.s. and we breathed a great sigh of re-
| lief that they we're travelling In the op-
posite direction.
Quickly lifting DeJah Thors from the
thoat commanded the animal to lie
down. and we three then did the same,
presenting as small an object as possible
for fear Of attracting the attention of the
warriors
We could see them as they filed out Of
the pass just for an instant before they
were lost to view behind a friendly ridge
to us n most providential ridge since, had
they been in view for any great length
of time. they scarcely could have failed
to discover us.
As what proved to be the last warrior
came into view from the pass, he halted
and to our CONSERVATION, threw his small
but powerful fleldglass 20 his eye and
scanned the sea bottom in all directions.
Evidently he was a chieftaln, for In certain
marching formation among the green men
n chieftain brings up at the extreme rear
of the column.
AS his glass swung toward us our hearts
stopped in our breasts, and I could feel
the cold sweat start from every pore in
my body.
Presently IL swung full upon us and
stopped The tension on our nerves was
near the breaking point, and I doubt IL
any of us breathed for. the few moments
he held US covered by his glass; and then
he lowered It, and we could see him shout
command to the warriors who had
passed from our sight behind the ridge.
He did not walt for them to Join him,
however; instead. he wheeled his thoat
and came tearing madly in our direction.
There was but one slight chance, and
that we must take quickly. Raising my
strange Marian rifle to my shoulder
sighted and touched the button which con-
trolled the trigger; there was sharp
explosion as the missile reached its goal.
and the charging chleftain pitched back
ward from his flying mount.
Springing to my feet urged the thoat
to rise, and directed Sola to take Dejah
Thorls with her upon him and make a
mighty effort to reach the hills before the
green warriors were upon us.
| knew that In the ravines and Rullies
they might find a temporary hiding place,
and even though they died there of hunger
and thirst 1t would be better so than that
they fell into the hands of the Tharks
Forcing my two revolvers upon them as
slight means of protection. and. as
last resort, as an escape for themselves
from the horrld death which recapture
would surely mean, l lifted Dejah Thorls
In my arms and placed her upon the
thoat behind Sola. Who had already
mounted at my command.
"Good-by, my princess" I whispered
I'VE may meet In Helium yet. l have
escaped worse plights than this"
tried to smile as l lied.
What" she cried, ARE you not COM
ing with us?"
How may I, Dejah Thoris? Some one
must hold these fellows off for while
and I can better escape them alone than
could the three of us together"
She sprang quickly from the thoat and
throwing her dear arms about my neck,
turned to Sola with quiet dignity:
Fly. Sola! Dejah Thors remains to
die with the man she loves !"
Those words All. gladly would l give
up my life a thousand times could 1
only hear them thus but | could not give
even second to the rapture of her sweet
embrace. and pressing my lips to hers for