Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-05-27
CHAPTER vi.
With pelah Thoris.


AS we reached the open the two fe-
male guards who had been detailed to
watch over Deiah Thoris hurried up
hnd made as though to assume custody
3Of her once more. The poor child
sehrank against me and / felt her two
little hands fold tightly over my arm.
Waving the women away, l informed
khem that Sofa would attend the cap
hive hereafter. Sarkoja merely gave
ns an ugly look and departed to hatch
np deviltries against us.
soon found Sofa and explained TO
her that l wished her to guard Dejah
rhoris as she had guarded me; that
wished her to find other quarters
where they would not be molested by
Sarkoja, and | finally Informed her
that myself would take up my quar-
ters among the zen.
"You are a great ehieftain now, John
Garter" she said, "and l must do your
Bidding, though indeed / am glad to DO
"a under any circumstances. The man
whose metal you carry was young, but
She was a great warrior, and had by his
promotions and kills won his way close
s 10 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 proves"
"And if l should kill Lorquas Pto-
nel?" asked
"You would be first, John Carter;
but you may only win that honor by
the will of the entire council that Lor-
quas Ptomel meet you in combat, or
should re attack you, you may kill him
IN self-defense, and thus win first
place"
| laughed, and changed the subject.
/ had no particular desire to kill Lor-
quas Ptomel, and less to be a jed
among the Thanks.
l accompanied Sofa and Dejah Thor
is In search for new quarters, which
we found in building near the audi
ence chamber and Of far more preten-
tious architecture than our former
habitation. 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.
The decoration of the walls was most
elaborate and, unlike the frescoes in
The other buildings had examined,
portrayed many human figures in the
compositions. These were Of people
ike 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
we're beardless and only a few wore
arms. The scenes depicted for the
most part a fair-skinned, fair-haired
people at play.
Dejah Thoris clasped her hands
with an exclamation of rapture as she
sszed upon these magnificent works Of
aFt wrought by people long extinct;
While Sofa, on the other hand, appar-
~huy did not see them.
we decided to use this room, on the
second floor and overlooking the plaza,
TOT Dejah Thoris and Sofa. and an
ss-er room adjoining and In the rear
~. sol cooking and supplies l then dis
-. ghed Sofa to bring the bedding and
@-1 food and utensils as she might
| Tse telling her that i would guard
s5ah Thoris until her return.
As Soda departed Dejah Thoris
u.ilea to me with faint smile.
ana 10 where, then, would your pris-
'.sf escape should you leave her. I'M
- Il was to follow you and crave
1 protection. ard ssk your pardon
- me cruel thoughts she has bar
80 against you these past lew
lou are right" answered, 'there
20 together"