Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-02-11


several days subsequent to our first en-
counter, and then only TO catch feet
Ing glimpse Of her as she was being
conducted to the great audience cham
Der where | 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 IN
derstood by common language. With
this added incentive I nearly drove
Sofa distracted by my opportunities
to hasten on my education, and with
in few more days had mastered the
Marian tongue sufficiently well to en-
able me to carry on passable con-
versation and to fully understand
practically all that 1 heard.
At this time our sleeping quarters
were occupied by three or four females
and couple Of the recently Matched
young, beside Sofa and her youthful
ward, myself, and Woola the hound.
After they had retired for the night
1t was customary for the adults to
carry on a desultory conversation for
a short time before lapsing into sleep,
and now that could understand their
language was always keen listener,
although never proffered any re-
marks myself
On the night following the prisoners
visit to the audience chamber the con-
versation finally fell upon this subject,
and was all ears On the instant
Sarkoja. one Of the older women
who shared our domicile, had been
present at the audience as one of
the captive's guards, and it was to-
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 ransomr
'@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.
going out?" inquired Sofa. "She is
very small and very beautiful; l had
hoped that they would hold her for
ransom"
One thing this episode accomplished
was to assure me of Sola's rriendli-
ness toward the poor girl, and alse to
convince me that I had been extreme
ly fortunate in falling into her hands
rather than those of some of the other
females. | knew that she was fond of
me. and now that her remarks showed
that she hated cruelty and barbarity
was confident that I could depend
upon her to aid me and the girl cap
tive to escape. provided of course that
such a thing was within the range of
possibilities.
Early the next morning was astir,
Considerable freedom was allowed me-
as Sofa had informed me that so long
as / did not attempt to leave the city
/ was free to go and come as pleased
She had warned me, however, against
venturing forth unarmed, as this city
like all other deserted metropolises OF
an ancient Marian 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
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 ] approa ched the boundary line
WOola ran anxfously before me, and
thrust his body against my legs. His
expression was pleading rather than
ferocious, nor did be bare his great
tusks or utter his fearful cultural
warnings Denied the friendship and
companionship of my kind, had de.
veloped considerable affection for
Woola and Sofa, 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 l would
not be disappointed.
l had never petted nor fondled him,
but now sat upon the ground and
putting my arms around his heavy
neck stroked and coaxed him, talk
1 Ing in my newly acquired Marian
tongue as I would have to my hound
at home, as would have talked to
any other friend among the lower an
finals. His response to my nantes