The Lamar register., 1921-02-23

softer sentiments of humanity, but we
are a Just and truthful race. You may
60"
Turning. l left the audience cham
Der. SO this was the beginning of
Sarko1a's persecution. | knew that
none other could be responsible for
this report which had reached the
ears Of Lorquas Ptomel so quickly.
and now I recalled those portions of
our conversation which had touched
upon escape and upon my origin.
Sarkoja was at this time Tars Tar
kas' oldest and most trusted female.
As such she was a mighty power be-
hind the throne, for no warrior had
the confidence of Lorquas PtOmel to
such an extent as did his ablest lieu
tenant, Tars Tarkas.
However. instead of putting thoughts
Of possible escape from my mind. my
audience with Lorquas Ptomel only
served to center my every faculty ON
this subject Now, more than before,
the absolute necessity for escape, in
so far as Dejah Thoris was concerned.
was impressed upon me. for was
convinced that some horrible fate
awaited her ut the headquarters of
Tai Hajus.
AS described by Sola, this monster
was the exaggerated personification
of all the ages of cruelty. ferocity.
and brutality from which he had de-
scended. Cold. cunning, calculating:
he was. also. in marked contrast TO
most of his fellows. slave TO that
brute passion which the waning de-
mands for procreation upon their dy-
Ing planet had almost stilled In the
Aartian breast.
As I wandered about the plaza lost
In my gloomy forebodings Tars Tar
kas approached me on his way from
the audience chamber.
"Where are your quarters, John Car
terri he asked.
Il have selected none," l replied.
TT seemed best that quartered either
by myself or among the other war
riors. and ! was awaiting an oppor-
tunity to ask your advice"
Come with me-" he directed, and to-
gether we moved on across the plaza
to a building which was glad to see
adjoined that occupied by Sola and
her charges.
my quarters are on the nrst hoor
Of this building he said. "and the
second floor also Is fully occupied by
warriors. bur the third door and the
floors above are vacant; you may tnke
your choice of these.
II understand" hr continued. that
you have given up your woman 10
the red prisoner. Well. II you wish
to give your woman 10 q captive. II
Ii your own AFFAIR: bur a> - chiefiain
you should have those TO serve you,
and In accordance with our customs
you may seiect any or all the femnies
from the retinues of the chiefinins
whose metal you now wear.
l thanked him. but assured him that
I could get along very nicely without
assistance except in the maiter Of pre-
pairing food. and 40 he promised 10
send women TO me for this purpose
and also for the care OF my arms aud
the manufacture OF my ammunition.
which he said wonld be necessary.
finally chose front room OH tile
third floor, because this brought me
ment was on the second floor Of the
adjoining building. and II flashed up
on me that could rig up some means
Of communication whereby she might
signal me In case she needed either
my services or my protection.
My thoughts were cut short by the
advent of several young females bear
ing loads OF weapors. silks, furs. jew
els. cooking utensils. and casks Of food
aad drink. Including considerable loot
from the air craft. All this. It seemed,
had been the property Of the two
chieftains ! had slain. and now, BY
the customs Of the Thanks, Il had be
come mine. At my direction they
placed the stun In one Of the back
rooms. and then departed. only to re-
turn with q second load, which they
advised me constituted the balance
q my goods.
Finding that must assume respons-
ibility for these creatures. whether
I would or not. / made the best OF 1t
And rfa 0u