Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-20
UNDER THE MOONS OF MARS
By EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS

BURROUGHS

miles north of us; IL Is one of the water
ways we crossed on the trip to Thark
They would never suspect that we
would try for that distant waterway" |
answered. land that Is why | think that
Il is the best route for our escape"
Sola agreed with me, and II was decided
that we should leave Thark this same
night; just as quickly. in fact. as ! could
find and saddle my thoats Sola was to
ride one. and Dejah Thoris and I the
other, each of us carrying sufficient food
and drink to last us for two days, since
the animals could not be urged too rap.
idly for so long distance.
directed Sola TO proceed with Deiah
Thoris along one OF the less frequented
avenues to the southern boundary OF the
city, where I would overtake them with
the thoats as quickly as possible; then,
leaving them to gather what food silks
and furs we were TO need. slipped quietly
to the rear of the first floor and entered
the courtyard where our animals were
moving restlessly about as was their
habit before settling for the night.
In the shadows of the buildings ard nut
beneath the radiance OF the Martian
moons moved the great hh"d ~ ats
and zitidars, the latter grunting their low
gutturnls and the former occasionally
emitting the sharp squeal which denotes
the almost habtual state of rage in
which these creatures pass their exist
ence
They we're auieter now. owing to the alb.
sence Of man; but as they scented me they
became more restless and their hideous
noise increased
II was risky business. this entering a
Paddock of thoats alone and at night;
first. because their increasing noisiness
might warn the nearby warriors that
something was amIss; and again since for
the slightest cause, or for no cause at all,
some great bull thoat might take it upon
himself to lead n charge upon me.
Having no desire to awaken their nasty
tempers upon such night as this. where
so much depended upon secrecy and dis.
ratch | hugged the shadows of the build
ings, ready at an instauts warning to
leap into the safety OF nearby door
or window. Thus ! moved silently to the
great gate, which opened upon the street
Mt the back Of the court. and as | neared
the exit I called softly to my two ami
mails.
How I thanked the kind Provider.'c
which had given me the foresight to win
the love and confidence Of these wild
dumb brutes. for presently from the far
side Of the court ! saw two huge bul!;s
forcing their way toward me through
s,rEing mountains Of flesh.
They came quite close TO me, rubbing
their muzZles against my body and nosing
for the bite of food 1t was always my
practice to reward them with.
Opening IT, gates ordered the two
great beasts to pass out: and then,
slipping quietly after them, l closed the
portals behind me.
I did not saddle or mount the animals
here, but instead walked quietly In the
shadows of the buildings toward an un-
frequented avenue which led toward the
point / had chosen to meet Dejah Thoris
and Sola
With the noiselcssness OF disembodled
spirits we moved stealthily along the
deserted streets, but not unit! we We're
within sight of the plain beyond the city
did | commence to breathe freely.
I was sure that Sola and Deiah Thoris
would find no difficulty in reaching our
rendezvous undetected but with my great
thoats | was not so sure for myself, as it
was quite unusual for warriors to leave
the city after dark: in fact. there was no
place for them TO go within any but
long ride.