Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-08-11
CHAPTER TX
We Plan Escape.


that would be welcome at her chara-
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 Thark, from whose long-forgot'
ten people this horde Of green men
have stolen even their name. The
Aerdes Of Thark number some thirty
thousand souls, and are divided Int
twenty-five communities. Each COM
munity has Its swn jed and lesser
ehieftains, but all are under the rule
Of Tai Hiatus, Jeddak Of Thark. Five
communities make their headquarters
at tho city Of Thark. and the balance
are scattered among other deserted
eities Of ancient Mars throughout the
district claimed By Tai HaJus.
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 b 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 1t was discovered that
they brought two captives a greater
interest was aroused, and Dejah
Thoris and I were the centers Of in
quiring groups.
We were soon assigned to new quar-.
tiers, and the balance of the day was
devoted to settling ourselves to the
changed conditions. When I had put
my house in order. or rather seen that
set, and l hastened out with the inten-
tion of locating Sola and her charges.
as I had determined upon having
speech with Dejah Thoris and trying
to Impress on her the necessity Of our
at least patching up q truce until
could fina some way Of aiding her to
escape. I 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
la peering from a second-story window
on the opposite side Of the very street
where I was Quartered.
Without waiting for q further invi.
tation bolted up the winding runway
which led to the second door. and en-.
terinE q great chamber at the front Of
the building was greeted By the fren-
sled woola, who threw his great car.
cass upon me, nearly hurting me to the
hoor; the poor old fellow was 20 glad
to see me that thought he would de-
YOUR me, his head split from ear to
ear, showing his three rows Of tusks
In his hobgoblin smile.
Quieting him with . word Of com.
mand and . 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
4 couple Of quick strides I was stand
ing beside her where she crouched
among the furs and silks upon an an
Client carved wooden seat. As I wait.
ed she rose to her full height and
looking mo straight IN the eye said:
"what would Dotar sojat, Thark. Of
Dejah Thoris his eaptiver'
"Dejah Thoris, do not know how !
have angered you. It was furtherest
from my denre to hurt or offend you.
whom had hoped to protect and COM
fort. Have none Of me II 1t 10 your
will, but that you must aid me In sf-
fectinE your escape. II such thing be
possible. 10 not my request, but my
command. When you are safe once
more at your fathers court you may
do with mo 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.
ly and I thought that she was soften
ing toward me.
Il understand your words. Dotar So
jat," she replied. 'but you do not un-
derstand. You are q queer mixture of
child and man, Of brute and noble.
only wish that I might read your
heart"
Look down at your feet, Dejah
Thoris; 1t lies there now where 1t has
lain since that other night at Korad,
and where 1t will ever lie beating
alone for you until death stills 1t for
ever"
She took q little step toward me, her
beautiful hands outgtretched In q
strange, cropping gesture.
"What do you mean, John Carterr
she whispered. "What are you saying
to met"
Il am saying what I had promised
myself that would not say to you, at
least until you were NO longer q 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
you. Only one thing I ask of you In
return. and that IL that you make NO
sign. either Of condemnation or Of ap-
probation Of my words until you are
safe among your own people, and that
whatever sentiments you harbor to-
ward me they be not Influenced or COL
ored by gratitude"