CHAPTER VI

ON CRIFFELL HILL

The sun burned down on the heather. Below, in the curving glen where the heath gave place to white bent-grass, a burn flashed like a silver riband among the stones; above, the long ridge of Criffell ran up against the clear blue sky. Grouse were calling as they skimmed the steep downward slope, and a curlew's wild cry fell sharply from the summit of the hill. These were sounds that delighted Andrew, for he loved the fellside almost as he loved the sea; but his lips were set and his brows knitted as he stood waist-deep in the heather.

Whitney was toiling up the hill beside Elsie a short distance farther on, and Dick was behind them; but, seeing Andrew stop, they waited until he came up.

"It's rather steep," said Elsie, giving Andrew a sympathetic glance. "Here's a nice flat stone; we'll rest for a few minutes."

She sat down on a slab of lichened granite, and Dick found a place beside her.

"I wonder why Andrew loaded himself up with that heavy ruck-sack on a day like this?" he said. "I suppose there's a pair of marine glasses and a chart, and a parallel rule and compass, inside of it. Andrew thinks he'd get lost if he didn't carry the lot about when he risks himself ashore."

"They're all there," Andrew replied somewhat grimly. "Still, it wasn't the bag that stopped me."

"I'm sorry we forced the pace," Elsie said. "You were going well at the bottom." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who was delighted by the sounds
2. Where did the sun burn down on?
3. What was calling as they skimmed the steep downward?
4. Did Andrew love the sea?
5. Who was moving up the hill beside Elsie?
6. And behind them?
7. Did Andrew keep moving?
8. What did he do then?
9. Did the others wait for him when he stopped?
10. Who told him it was steep?
11. Where did she sit down?
12. Beside who?
13. Who questioned Andrew?
14. Who said they were sorry?
Answer: 1. Andrew
2. the heather
3. Grouse
4. yes
5. Whitney
6. Dick
7. no
8. he came up
9. yes
10. Elsie
11. on a slab of lichened granite
12. Dick
13. Dick
14. Elsie

CHAPTER XI

WITH DEJAH THORIS

As we reached the open the two female guards who had been detailed to watch over Dejah Thoris hurried up and made as though to assume custody of her once more. The poor child shrank against me and I felt her two little hands fold tightly over my arm. Waving the women away, I informed them that Sola would attend the captive hereafter, and I further warned Sarkoja that any more of her cruel attentions bestowed upon Dejah Thoris would result in Sarkoja's sudden and painful demise.

My threat was unfortunate and resulted in more harm than good to Dejah Thoris, for, as I learned later, men do not kill women upon Mars, nor women, men. So Sarkoja merely gave us an ugly look and departed to hatch up deviltries against us.

I soon found Sola and explained to her that I wished her to guard Dejah Thoris as she had guarded me; that I wished her to find other quarters where they would not be molested by Sarkoja, and I finally informed her that I myself would take up my quarters among the men.

Sola glanced at the accouterments which were carried in my hand and slung across my shoulder.

"You are a great chieftain now, John Carter," she said, "and I must do your bidding, though indeed I am glad to do it under any circumstances. The man whose metal you carry was young, but he was a 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." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who was asked to guard someone?
2. By whom?
3. Who was she to watch over?
4. Did he ask her to do anything else?
5. What?
6. And to avoid whom?
7. How many people were guarding when they got to the opening?
8. Males?
9. How did the young one react?
10. Who did he threaten?
11. Was it effective?
12. Why not?
13. Do males and females murder each other?
14. What section of Earth are they on?
15. Is John a slave?
16. What is he then?
17. Who serves him?
18. Does this make her unhappy?
19. What is the 2nd in command called?
20. What ranking is John?
Answer:
1. Sola
2. John Carter
3. Dejah Thoris
4. Yes
5. To find other quarters
6. Sarkoja
7. Two
8. No
9. She shrank
10. Sarkoja
11. No
12. Becaus Sarkoja departed to hatch up deviltries against her
13. No
14. Mars
15. No
16. A chieftain
17. Sola
18. Yes
19. Tars Tarkas
20. Eleventh