The Lamar register., 1921-02-16

male guards who had been detailed 10
watch over Dejah Thoris hurried up
and made as though to assume custody
of her once more. The poor child
shrank against me and l felt her two
little hands fold tightly over my arm.
Waving the women away, | informed
them that sola would attend the cap
tive hereafter. Sarkoja merely gave
MS ain ugly look and departed to hatch
up deviltries against us
soon found Sola and explained to
her that ] wished her TO guard Dejah
Thoris as she had guarded me: that
wished her to find other quarters
where they would not be molested by
that I myself would take up my quar-
ters among the men.
you are a great chieftain now. John
Carter" she said. "and ! must do your
bidding. though indeed I am glad TO do
il under any circumstances. The man
whose metal you carry was young. bur
he was great warrior, and had by his
promotions and kills won his way close
to the rank of Tars Tarkas, who as
you know. is second TO Lorquas Ptomel
only. You are eleventh, there are but
ten chieftains in this community who
rank you in prowess."
"And If should kill Lorquas Pto-
mel" | asked
You would be first, John Carter
nut you may only win that honor by
the will OF the entire council that Lor-
quas Ptomel meet you In combat. or
should he attack you. you may kill him
in self-defense, and thus win first
place"
! laughed. and changed the subject.
1 had no particular desire TO kill Lor-
luas Ptomel. and less to be jed
among the Tharks.
accompanied Sola and Dejah Thor
is In q search for new quarters. which
we found in a building near the audi
ence chamber and OF far more preten-
tious architecture than our former
hahltation. We also found in this
building real sleeping apartments with
ancient beds of highly wrought metal
swinging from enormous gold chains
depending from the marble ceilings,
nt uttbIhNlDn VI lut WhiiS was lIO1l
elaborate and. unlike the frescoes In
the other buildings ! had examined,
portrayed many human figures In the
compositions. These were of people
like myself, and OF a much lighter col
or than Dejah Thoris. They were clad
in graceful, flowing robes, highly orna-
mented with metal and jewels, and
their luxuriant hair was of beautiful
golden and reddish bronze. The men
were beardless and only few wore
arms The scenes depicted for the
most part fair-skinned. fairhaired
people AT play.
DeJah Thoris clasped her hands
with an exclamation of rapture as she
gazed upon these magnificent works of
Art, wrought by a people long extinct
while Sofa. on the other hand. appar-
emily did not see them.
We decided TO use this room. on the
second floor and overlooking the plaza,
for Dejah Thorls and Sola. and an
other room adjoining and In the rear
for cooking and supplies. then dis
patched Sola TO bring the bedding and
such food and utensils as she might
need. telling her that would guard
Dejah Thorls until her return.
As Sofa departed Dejah Thoris
turned to me with faint smile.
And TO where. then, would your pris-
oner escape should you leave her, un-
less II was To follow you and crave
your protection, and ask your pardon
Tor the cruel thoughts she has har
bored against you these past Few
daysf'
You are right" | answered There
is 10 escape for either Of us unless We
go together"
II heard your challenge 10 the crea-
ture you call Tars Tarkas. and ! think
understand your position among
these people. bur what | cannot fnthom
is your statement that you are not Of
Barsoom.
In the name of my first ancestor,
then" she continued. where may You
be- frUmi You are like unto my peo-
pie. and yet so unlike. You speak my
language. and yeI heard you tell
TarS Tarkus thar You had but learned
1t recently. All Barsoomlans speak the
same tongue from the ice-c clad south 10
the ice-clud north. though their written
languages differ. Only In the valley
Dor where the river Iss emptieS Into
the lost sea of Korus. is there supposed
to he different language spoken. and.