The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1921-03-18

and l was all ears on the instant.
Sarkoja. one of the older women
who shared our domicile, had been
present AT the audience rs one OF
the captive's guards. and it was to-
ward her the auestioners turned.
When, asked one OF the women.
twill we enjoy the death throes of the
red one, or does Lorauas PtomeI, Jed,
intend holding her for ransom?"
''They have decided to carry her
with us back TO Thark, and exhibit
herr last agonies 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 I had
hoped that they would hold her for
ransom"
One thing this episode accomplished
was TO assure me of Sola's friendli-
ness toward the poor girl, and also TO
convince me that 1 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 1 could depend
upon her TO aid me and the girl cap
tive to escape. provided OF course that
such q thing was within the range of
possibilities.
Early the next morning l was astir.
Considerable freedom Was allowed me.
as Sofa had informed me that so long
as / did not attempt to leave the city
1 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 l had chosen a new
street to explore when suddenly /
found myself at the limits of the city.
l IOnged to explore the country before
me, and. like the pioneer stock from
which I sprang, to view what the land
scape beyond the encircling hills might
disclose from the SUBMITS which shut
out my view.
AS l 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
companiOnship of my kind. 1 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 a like instinct in
this great brute. sure that I would
not be disappointed.
l had never petted nor fondled him,
but now l sat upon the ground and
putting my arms around his heavy
neck stroked and cOaxed him, talk
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
imals. His response TO my manifes-
tation of affection was remarkable to
a degree; he stretched his great mouth
to its full width, barring the entire
expanse of his upper rows of tusks
and wrlnkling his folds of flesh. If
you have ever seen a collie smile you
may have some idea Of WoOla's facial
distortion.
There was no further question of
authority between US; Woola was my
devoted slave from that moment
hence, and I, his only and undisputed
master. My walk to the hills occu-
pied but a few minutes, and 1 found
nothing of particular interest to re-
ward me- But the walk had been
large with Importance to me. for it
had resulted in a perfect understand
ing with Woola, upon whom Tars
Tarkas relied for my safe keeping. I
now knew that while theoretically
prisoner l was virtually free. and I
FASTENED TO regain the city limits be-
fore the detection of Woola could be
discovered by his erstwhile masters.
ON regaining the plaza l had my
third glimpse of the captive girl She
was standing with her guards before
the entrance to the audience chamber.
and as 1 approached she gave me one
naughty glance and turned her back
full upon me- The act was so wom-
anly, so earthly wOmanly, that though
it stung my pride it also warmed my
heart with a feeling of companiOnship
it was good TO know that some one
else on Mars beside myself had hui
man instincts. of civilized order even
though the manifestation of them was
so painful and notifying.
Seeing that the prisoner seemed the
center of attraction 1 halted to view
the proceedings. The council squatted
upon the steps of the roStrum, while
below them stood the prisoner and her
two guards. l saw that one of the
women was Sarkoja, and thus under
stood how she had been present at the
hearing of the preceding day, the re-
suits of which she had reported to
the occupants of our dormitory last
night Her attitude toward the cap
tive was most harsh and brutal She |
seemed to be venting upon this poor |
creature all the hatred |
cruelty, ferocity. and spite of her nine |
hundred years. backed by unguessable |
ages of fierce and brutal ancestors.
AS Lorquas Ptomel raised his ewes I
to address the prisoner they fell on me I
and he turned to Tars Tarkas with +
4 word, and gesture of impatience I
Tars Tarkas made some reply which /
[ could not catch, but which caused /
oro,1aS pfotnpl tO smile. after which |