Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-09-01
CHAPTER xl'-con.,nued.


There Is always sufficient reserve Of
he ninth ray stored In the great
building to maintain the present Mar
tian atmosphere for 4 thousand years,
and the only fear. as my new friend
told ME. was that some accident might
befall the pumping apparatus.
Before retired for the night he
promised to give me letter to near
By agricultural ofiicer who would help
ne ON my way to Zodanga. which he
said was the nearest Martian city.
"But be sure that you do not let
them know you are bound for Helium.
~ thev are at war with that country.
Ny assIEtant and are Of no country
.we belUre to all Barsoom and this tai.
lsman which We wear projects US In
all lands, even among the green men
their hands II We can avoid It" he
added.
."And SO goodnight. my friend" he
continued. "may you have q long and
eestful sleep-yes. q long Sleep"
And though he smiled pleasantly I
saw In his thoughts the wish that he
had never admitted me. and then pic
ture Of him standing over me In the
night and the swift thrust Of long
dagger and the half-formed words. II
an. q, rry. but 1t Is for the best good of
BarScom."
Wht was to dof How could es-
cape through these mighty walls7
Easily could I kill him now that was
warned. but once he was dead I could
no more escape. and with the stop
ping Of the machinery Of the great
plant should die with all the other
Inhabitants Of the planet-all. even
Dejah Thoris were she not already
dead.
Cautiously I opened the door Of my
apartment and, followed BY Woola.
sought the inner Of the great doors.
A wild scheme had come to me:
would attempt to force the great locks
BY the nine thought waves had read
In my hosts mind.
Creeping stealthily through corridor
after corridor and down winding run
ways which turned hither and thither
finally reached the great hall In
which I had broken my long fast that
morning.
Twas on the point Of stepping bold
~ out into the room when q slight
noise behind me warned me back into
the shadows Of q recess In the corrl-
dor. Dragging wooia after me
crouched low in the darkness.
Presently the old man passed close
Av ma and "a hA entered the dfmlv
lighted chamber which had been
about to pass through saw that he
be,d long thin dagger In his hand
and chat he was sharpening It upon
q stone. In his mind was the decision
to Inspect the radium pumps. which
would take about thirty minutes, and
then return to my bedchamber and fn-
ish me.
Az he passed through the great hall
md disappeared down the runway
which led to the pumproom. stole
stsalthily from my hiding place and
crossed to the great door. the inner
Of the three which stood between me
and liberty.
Concentrating my mind upon the
massive lock hurled the nine
thought waves against It. In breath
LEES expectancy I waited. when finally
the great door moved softly toward
ne and slid quietly to one side. One
after the other the remaining mighty
portals opened at my command and
woola and I stepped forth Into the
darkness, free, but little better of
than we had been before. other than
that we had full stomachs.
Fastening away from the shadows
Of the formidable pile made for the
drst crossroad. intending to strike the
central turnpike as quickly as pos
slble. This I reached about morning
and entering the first enclosure came
to searched for some evidence Of
habitation.
There were low rambling buildings
Of concrete barred with heavy impass-
able doors, and no amount Of ham
mering and hallooing brought any re-
sponse. Weary and exhausted from
sleeplessness I threw myself upon the
ground commanding Woola to stand
guard.
Some time later was awakened by
MS frtghtful grOWlingS ana opened my
eyes to see three red Martians stand
~ q short distance from US and COW
ering me with their rides.
II am unarmed and no enemy"
Aastened T. explain. II have been
pfisouer among the green men and
en- On my way to Zodanga. All ask
- food and rest for myself and my
ealot and The proper directions for
reaching my destination"
They lowered their rifles and ad-
vancsd pleasantly teward me. placing
thsir right hands upon my left shoul.
der, after the mannee Of their custom
of salute. and asking me many ques-
lions about myself and my wander
ings. They then took me b the
house Of one of them which was only
q short distance away.
They were the personincation Of
cordiaiity and hospitality and ! spent