The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-03-25
CHAPTER TX.
We Plan Escape.
The remainder of our journey to
n. . II. -. ,,,avantful

eno ustNth%Ahis
Not once did have speech with De
lah 'rhohs, as she sent no word to me.
that would be welcome ut her chon.
OF, and my foolish pride kept me from
making any advances.
Just thirty days after my advent
upon Barsoom We entered the ancient
city Of Thank, from whose long-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 communltiesA Each com
munity has It's own jed and lesser
chieftalns, but all are under the rule
OF Tai Hajus. Jeddak OF Thark. Five
communities make their headquarters
al the city OF Thark, and the balance
are scattered among other deserted
cities OF ancient Mars throughout the
district claimed by tai Halus.
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.
tact. In the formal greeting OF their
kind. but when IL was discovered that
they brought two captiyes a greater
interest was aroused, and Dejah
Thoris and were the centers Of in.
qulring groups.
We were soon assigned to new quar-
ters, and the balance OF the day was
devoted to settling ourselves TO the
changed conditions. When | had put
my house In order. or rather seen that
IL had been done, II was nearing sun
set, and ! FASTENED out with the lnten-
ton OF locating Sofa and her charges,
as had determined upon having
speech with Dejah Thoris and trying
10 impress on her the necessity OF our
at least patching up truce until !
could find 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
10 peering from secOnd-story window
on the opposite side OF the very street
where | was quartered.
Without waiting for a further lnvl
tatlon bolted up the winding runway
which led 10 the second floor, and en-
tering a great chamber at the front OF
the building was greeted by the fren-
zled 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 10
ear showing his three rows Of tusks
in his hobgoblln smile.
Quleting him with a word Of com
mand and a caress, | looked hurriedly
through the approaching gloom for
sign OF Dejah Thoris, and then, not
seeing her, called her name. There
was an answering murmur from the
far corner OF the apartment. and with
a couple of quick strides | was stand
ing beside her where she crouched
among the furs and silks upon an an.
NltHl NuINtN MhNhNI rNAAs - NAk
ed she rose to her full height and
looking me straight In the eye said;
"What would Dotar Sojat, Thark, of
Dejah Thoris his captiveT
"Dejah ThorIs, do not know how
have angered you. II was furtheresl
from my desire to hurt or offend you
whom had hoped to protect and com
fort. Have none of me II II is your
will, but that you must aid me In ei
fecting your escape, II such thing b,
possible. Is not my request, but my
command. When you are safe once
more at your fathers court you may
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 thought that she was soften
ing toward me.
~ understand your words, Dotar So
jat." she replied. but you do not un'
dersiand. You are a queer mixture OF
child and man. of brute and noble. !
only wish that | might read your
heart"
Look down NJ your feet, Dejah
Thorls; 1t lies there now where II has
lain since that other night at korad.
and where II will ever lie beating
alone for you until death stills 1t for
ever"
She took little step toward me, her
beautiful hands outstretched In u
strange. cropping gesture.
what do you mean, John Carter
she whispered. what are you saying
to met"
81 am saying what had pl omlsed
myself that would not say to you. at
least until you were no longer n cap
tive among the green men; what from
your attitude toward me for the past
twenty days | had thought never to
say TO you; am saying. Dejah Thoris
that am yours. body and soul. TO serve
you. to fight for you. and to die for