The Lamar register., 1921-02-16
n. A.c. Me CIurs ond ConPony

ola not see the prisoner again for
several days subsequent to our first en-.
counter, and then only 10 catch feet
ing glimpse of her as she was being
conducted TO the great audience cham
ber where I had had my first meeting
with Lorquas Ptomel.
had observed on the two occasions
when had seen her that the prisoner
exchanged words with her guards. and
this convinced me that they spoke. or
at least could make themselves I'M
derstood by common language. with
this added incentive nearly drove
Sola distracted by my opportunities
to hasten on my education. and with
In few more days ! had mastered the
Martian tongue sufficiently well TO en-
able me TO carry on a pRssable con
versation and TO fully understand
practically all that | heard.
At this time our sleeping quarters
were occupied by three or four females
and a couple Of the recently Matched
young, beside Sola and her youthful
ward, myself and Wooln the hound.
After they had retired for the night
IL was customary for the adults TO
carry on Il desultory conversation for
n short time before lapsing into sleep
and now that could understand their
language I was always a keen listener.
although ! never profered any re
marks myself
On the night following the prisoners
visit TO the audience chamber the con
versation finally fell upon this subject.
n
Sarkoja. one of the older women
who shared our domiclle. had been
present at the audience as one OF
the captive's guards. and 1T was 10
ward her the questioners turned
when, asked one Of the women.
will we enjoy the death throes of the
red one, or does Lorquas Ptomel Jed
intend holding her for ransom7"
They have decided to carry her
with us back to Thark, and exhibit
her last agonies at the great games
before Tai Hajus," replied Sarkoja.
"what will be the manner Of her
going out?" inquired SoIa. "She is
very small and very beautiful; | had
hoped that they would hold her for
ransom"
One thing this episode accomplished
was TO assure me Of Soln's frlendli-
ness toward the poor girl, and also To-
convince me that ! had been extreme
ly fortunate in falling into her hands
rather than those Of some Of The other
females. knew that she wn~ fond If
me. and now that her remarks showed
that she hated cruelty and harharity
| was confident that | could DEPEND
upon her 10 aid mo and the girl cup-
tive to escape. provided Of course that
possibilities.
Early the next morning | was astir.
Considerable freedom was allowed me.
as Sola had Informed me that so long
as did not attempt to leave the city
l was free to go and come as | pleased.
She had warned me, however against
yenturing forth unarmed, as this city,
like all other deserted metropollses of
an ancient Martian civilization, was
peopled by the great white apes of my
second days adventure.
On this morning | had chosen a new
street to explore when suddenly
found myself at the limits of the city.
l longed to explore the country before
me. and, like the pioneer stock from
which ] sprang. to view what the land
scape beyond the encircling hills might
disclose from the submits which shut
out my view.
AS ! approached the boundary line
Woola ran anxiously before me. and
thrust his body against my legs. His
expression was pleading rather than
ferocious, nor did he bare his great
tusks or utter his fearful cultural
warnings. Denied the friendship and
companlonship Of my kind. I had de-
veloped considerable affection for
Woola and Sola. for the normal earth
ly man must have some outlet for his
natural affections. and so l decided
upon an appeal to like instinct in
this great brute. sure that / would
not be disappointed.
1 had never petted nor fondled him,
but now / sat upon the ground and
putting my arms around his heavy
neck I stroked and coaxed him. talk
Ing in my newly acquired Martian
tongue as l would have to my hound
at home. as I would have talked to
any other friend among the lower an
imals. His response to my manifes-