The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-04-30
CHAPTER TX.
We Plan Escape.

JfiaC L NOulQ De WelCOult at Hci tA"ii
OF, and my foolish pride kept Inc from
making any advances.
Just thirty days after my advent
upon BarsoOm we entered the ancient
city of Thark, from whose lons-fOrgot-
ten people this horde of green men
have stolen even their name. The
hOrdes of Thark number some thirty
thousand souls. and are divided into
twenty-five communities. Each COM
munity has its own jed and lesser
cheftains. but all are under the rule
of Tai Hajus. Jeddak of Thark. Five
communities make their headquarters
at the city of Thank, and the balance
are scattered among other deserted
cities of ancient Mars throughout the
district claimed by Tai Hajus.
We made our entry into the great
central plaza early in the afternoon.
There were no enthusiastic friendly
greetings for the returned expedition.
Those who CHANGED to be in sight
spoke the names of warriors or women
with whom they came in direct con-
kind, but when it was discovered that
they brought two captiyes greater
interest was aroused. and Dejah
Thoris and l were the centers of in
curing groups.
We were soon assigned 10 new quar-
ters, and the balance of the day was
devoted to settling ourselves to the
changed conditions. When / had put
my house i'm order, or rather seen that
| it had been done, it was nearing sun
set, and FASTENED out with the inten-
| ton of locating Sofa and her charges,
as l had determined upon having
| speech with Dejah Thoris and trying
| to impress on her the necessity OF our
| at least patching up truce until
| could fino some way of aiding her to
escape. | searched in vain until the
upper rim of the great red sun was
just disappearing behind the horizon
and then spied the ugly head of Woo
| la peering from secOnd-story window
on the opposite side of the very street
where l was quartered.
|
tation | bolted up the winding runway
which led to the second floor and en-
| tering great chamber at the front OF
the building was greeted by the fren-
zied Woola, who threw his great car
cass upon me. nearly hurting me 10 the
floor; the poor old fellow was so glad
to see me that | thought he would de,
YOUR me. his head split from ear 70
ear showing his three rows of tu&hS
in his hobgoblin smile.
Quieting him with word of com
mand and caresS. looked hurriedly
through the approaching gloom for
sign of Dejah Thoris, and then. moi
seeing her. called her name. There
was an answering murmur from the
far corner of the apartment. and witt
a couple of quick strides was stand
ing beside her where she crouchet
among the furs and silks upon an an
cient carved wooden seat. As | wait
ed she rose to her full height ant
looking me straight in the eye said:
"What would Dotar Sojat. Thank, o.
| DeJan 1nOr1S HIS SdptfNC!
"Dejah Thoris. do not know how
have angered you. 1t was furtheres
from my desire tn hurt or offend you
whom rad hoped 70 protect and com
fort. Have none Of me if it is YOU
will, but that you must aid me i'll Ell
fecting your escape, if such thing b'
possible. is not my request. but m.
command. When you are safe ono
more at your fathers court you ma!
do with me as you please, but from
now on until that day ! am your mas
ter. and you must obey and aid me-
She looked at me long and earnest
!, " and l thought that she was soften
ing toward me.
II understand your words. Dotar So
iat.- she replied. but you do not I'm
derstand. You are queer mixture
child and man, of brute and noble.
only wish that 1 might read you
heart"
Look down at your feet. DeJa
Thoris; it lies there now where it ma
lain since that other night at koraC
and where III Will ever ic oc"ui
alone for you until death stills 1t fol
ever"
She took little step toward me. he
beautiful hands outstretched In
strange, cropping gesture.
"What do you mean. John Carter!
she whispered. "What are you sayin
to mel"
II am saying what l had promise
myself that would not say to you. q
least until you were no longer cal
tive among the green men what froI
your attitude toward me for the pas
twenty days had thought never
say 70 you; am saying. Dejah Thori
that am yours. body and soul. to serv
you, to fight for you, and to die ft
you. Only one thing l ask of you !
return, and that is that you make
\ sign, either of condemnation or of al
probation of my words until you al
safe among your own people, and thi
whatever sentiments you harbor t
ward me they be not influenced or co
ored by gratitude"
! IL will respect your wishes. Jon