The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-07-08
'a~r~ygs-

His attempted Cry for Assistance
not dare to enter the building, filed as
it was with members of the air-scout
squadron, who, in common with all
Zodanga. were on the lookout for me.
The building was an enormous one,
rearing its lofty head fully thousand
feet into the air. 1t was long climb
up the face of the building, but there
| was no other way, and so I essayed
the task. The fact that Barsoomian
architecture is extremely ornate made
the feat much simpler than had an
cipated, since I found ornamental
lodges and projections which fairly
! formed perfect ladder for me all the
| way to the caves Of the building. Here
met my first real obstacle. The caves
projected nearly twenty feet from the
wall to which clung, and though I
encircled the great building could
find no opening through them.
There was one slight, desperate
chance, and that decided must take
lit was for Dejah Thoris. and no man
has lived who would not risk thou
sand deaths for such as she.
Clinging to the wall with my feet
| and one hand unloosened one of the
! long leather straps of my trappings
at the end of which dangled great
| hook by which air sailors are hung to
the sides and bottoms OF their craft
for various purposes Of repair, and by
means of which landing parties are
lowered to the ground from the battle
ships.
I swung this hook cautiously to the
roof several times before it finally
found Judgment; gently pulled on it
to strengthen its hold, but whether 1t
would bear the weight of my body I
| did not know. 1t might be barely
| caught upon the very outer verge of
the roof, so that as my body swung out
at the end of the strap it would slip
off and launch me to the pavement a
thousand feet below.
An instant hesitated, and then, re-
leasing my grasp upon the supporting
ornament, swung out into space at
the end of the strap. Far below me
lay the brilliantly lighted streets, the
hard pavements, and death There was
little jerk at the top of the support
ing caves, and nasty slipping, graft
ing sound which turned me cold with
apprehension; then the hook caught
and I was safe.
Clambering quickly a1oft 1 grasped
the edge of the caves and drew myself
to the surface of the room above. AS
1 gained my feet was confronted by
the sentry on duty, into the muzzle of
whose revolver found myself looking.
3Who are you and whence came
your he cried.
81 am an air scout, friend, and very
near dead one. for just by the merest
chance I escaped falling to the avenue
below" l replied.
But how came you upon the roof,
man? Quick, explain yourself, or I
call the guard"
Look you here. sentry, and you
shall see how ] came and how close
shave had to not coming at ALL" an
swered, turning toward the edge of the
roof, where, twenty feet below, at the
end Of my strap, hung all my weapons.
The fellow, acting on impulse Of Gu
riosity, stepped to my side and to mis-
undoing. for as he leaned to peer over
the caves grasped him by his throat
and his pistol arm and threw him heay-
lily to the roof The weapon dropped
from his grasp. and my fingers choked
or bis attempted cry for assistance. l
gagged and bound him and thea hung
him over the edge OF the roof as my
self had hung few minutes before.
knew 1t would be morning before h.