The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-07-01
CHAPTER xIl-continued.


befall the pumping apparatus.
Before 1 retired for the night he
promised TO give me letter to a near
by agricultural officer who would help
me on my way to Zodanga, which he
said was the nearest Marian city.
But be sure that you do not let
them know you are bound for Helium,
as thew are at war with that country.
Ny assistant and 1 are of no country
we belong to all Barsoom and this tai
tsman which we wear projects Us in
e'l lands, even among the green mem
trough we do not trus- ourselves to
their hands If we can avoid it" he
added.
And so goodnight, my friend" he
continued, may you have long and
restful sleep-yes, long sleep"
And though he smiled pleasantly l
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. L
an. sorry, but it is for the best good Of
BarSoem."
What was I to do? How could es-
cape through these mighty walls?
Easily could kill him now that was
warned. but once he was dead l could
no more escape, and with the stop
ping of the machinery Of the great
plant 1 should die with all the other
inhabitants Of the planet-all, even
oh mi already
dead.
Cautiously opened the door Of my
apartment and, followed by Woola,
sought the inner Of the great doors.
A wild scheme had come to me; l
would attempt to force the great locks
by the nine thought waves had read
IN my hosts mind.
Creeping stealthily through corridor
efter corridor and down winding run
WAYS which turned hither and thither
1 finally reached the great hall in
which I had broken my long fast that
morning
was on the point Of stepping bold
IL out into the room when a slight
noise behind me warned me back into
tic SlldNO"S VI q ACASSo ~ liz 49,
dor. Dragging Woola after me l
crouched low in the darkness.
Presently the old man passed close
by me. and as he entered the dimly
lighted chamber which I had been
about to pass through saw that he
held long thin dagger in his hand
and that he was sharpening it upon
a 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 I'm
fish me.
As he passed through the great hall
and disappeared down the runway
which led to the pumproom, stole
stealthily 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 I hurled the nine
thought waves against 1t. In breath
less expectancy waited, when finally
the great door moved softly toward
me 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
first crossroad. intending to strike the
central turnpike as quickly as pos
sible This I reached about morning
and entering the first enclosure came
TO l 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-
Spouse. Weary and exhausted from
sleeplessness threw myself upon the
ground commanding Woola to stand
guard.
Some time later I was awakened by
his frightful growlings and opened my
eyes to see three red Martians stand
ing a short distance from US and COW
ering me with their rifles.
Il am unarmed and no enemy" l
fastened to explain. IT have been a
prisoner among the green men and
am on my way to Zodanga. All I ask
is food and rest for myself and my
calot and the proper. directions for
reaching my destination"
They lowered their rifles and ad-
vanced pleasantly toward me, placing
their right hands upon my left shoul-
der, after the manner of their custom
of salute, and asking me many ques-
tons about myself and my wander
ings. They then took me to the
house of one of them which was only
q short distance away.
They were the personification of
cordially and hospitality and I spent
several days with them, resting and
recuperating from my long and artlu-
Gus experiences.
When / was ready TO depart they
furnished me with a small domestic
bull thoat. such as Is used for saddle
purposes by all red Martians. The
animal is about the size Of a horse and
quite gentle, but In color and shape
an exact replica Of his huge and fierce
cousin Of the wilds.
The brothers had supplied me with
a reddish oil with which 1 anointed
my entire body and one Of them cut
my hair. which had grown quite long,
IN the prevailing fashion Of the time,
square at the back and banged I'm
front, so that I could have passed any,
d ELL a