The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-03-04

The training OF myself and the
young Martians was conducted solely
by the women, who not only attend
TO the education of the young I'm the
arts OF individual defense and offense,
but are also the artisans who produce
every manufactured article wrought
by the green Martlans. In time of
actual warfare they form part OF
the reserves, and when the necessity
arises fight with even greater intel.
! ligence and feroclty than the men.
! The men nrc trained IN the higher
! branches OF the art of war; I'm STRAIT
egg and the maneuverlng OF large
! bodies OF troops. They make the laws
as they are needed; a new law for
each emergency. Customs have been
! handed down by ages OF repetition,
but the punishment for ignoring Gus.
| tom Is a matter for individual treat
ment by a Jury Of the culprlts peers.
and ! may say that justice seldom
misses fire. but seems rather 20 rule
in inverse ratio 20 the Gsccndoncy OF
law. In one respect at leo 'r Mar.
tlans are Il happy people; ley have
no lawyers.
/ did not see the prisoner again for
several days subsequent 10 our first en-.
counter and then only TO catch fleet
conducted to the great audience cham.
Der where had had my first meeting
with Lorquas Ptomel.
had observed on the two occasions
when I had seen her that the prisoner
exchanged words with her guards, and
this convinced me that they spoke. or
at least could make themselves un.
derstOod by common language. With
this added incentive ! 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 a passable con-
versation and 10 fully understand
practically all that l 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
IL was customary for the adults to
carry on a desultory conversation for
a short time before lapslng into sleep,
and now that | could understand their
language was always a 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, hpl been
present at the audience as one OF
ne captive's guards, and It was to
ward her the questioners turned.
"when." asked one OF the women,
twill we enjoy the death throes of the
red one, or does Lorquas Ptomel, Jed,
intend holding her for ransom?"
"They have decided to carry her
with us back to Thank, and exhibit
her last agones at the great games
before Tai Hajus," replied SarkoJa.
"what will be the manner of her
going out?" inquired Sofa. "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 Sola's frlendli.
ness toward the poor girl, and also to
convince me that had been extreme
~ 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 ! could depend
upon her 20 aid me and the girl cap
tive TO c~rul.n u',...lrd of course that
such 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 l did not attempt to leave the city
was free to 60 and come as pleased.
She had warned me, however against
venturlng 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 encircllng 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, ! had de-
| yeloped considerable affection for