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第13章

a princess of mars-第13章

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the culprit's peers; and I may say that justice seldom

misses fire; but seems rather to rule in inverse ratio to

the ascendency of law。  In one respect at least the Martians

are a happy people; they have no lawyers。



I did not see the prisoner again for several days subsequent

to our first encounter; and then only to catch a fleeting

glimpse of her as she was being conducted to the great

audience chamber where I had had my first meeting with

Lorquas Ptomel。  I could not but note the unnecessary

harshness and brutality with which her guards treated her;

so different from the almost maternal kindliness which Sola

manifested toward me; and the respectful attitude of the few

green Martians who took the trouble to notice me at all。



I had observed on the two occasions when I had seen her

that the prisoner exchanged words with her guards; and this

convinced me that they spoke; or at least could make

themselves understood by a common language。  With this added

incentive I nearly drove Sola distracted by my importunities

to hasten on my education and within a few more days

I had mastered the Martian tongue sufficiently well to enable

me to carry on a passable conversation and to fully understand

practically all that I heard。



At this time our sleeping quarters were occupied by three

or four females and a couple of the recently hatched young;

beside Sola and her youthful ward; myself; and Woola the

hound。  After they had retired for the night it was customary

for the adults to carry on a desultory conversation for a

short time before lapsing into sleep; and now that I could

understand their language I was always a keen listener;

although I never proffered any remarks myself。



On the night following the prisoner's visit to the audience

chamber the conversation finally fell upon this subject; and

I was all ears on the instant。  I had feared to question Sola

relative to the beautiful captive; as I could not but recall the

strange expression I had noted upon her face after my first

encounter with the prisoner。  That it denoted jealousy I could

not say; and yet; judging all things by mundane standards

as I still did; I felt it safer to affect indifference in the matter

until I learned more surely Sola's attitude toward the object

of my solicitude。



Sarkoja; one of the older women who shared our domicile;

had been present at the audience as one of the captive's

guards; and it was toward her the question turned。



〃When;〃 asked one of the women; 〃will we enjoy the

death throes of the red one? or does Lorquas Ptomel; Jed;

intend holding her for ransom?〃



〃They have decided to carry her with us back to Thark;

and exhibit her last agonies at the great games before Tal

Hajus;〃 replied Sarkoja。



〃What will be the manner of her going out?〃 inquired

Sola。  〃She is very small and very beautiful; I had hoped that

they would hold her for ransom。〃



Sarkoja and the other women grunted angrily at this evidence

of weakness on the part of Sola。



〃It is sad; Sola; that you were not born a million years

ago;〃 snapped Sarkoja; 〃when all the hollows of the land

were filled with water; and the peoples were as soft as the

stuff they sailed upon。  In our day we have progressed to a

point where such sentiments mark weakness and atavism。  It

will not be well for you to permit Tars Tarkas to learn

that you hold such degenerate sentiments; as I doubt

that he would care to entrust such as you with the

grave responsibilities of maternity。〃



〃I see nothing wrong with my expression of interest in

this red woman;〃 retorted Sola。  〃She has never harmed us;

nor would she should we have fallen into her hands。  It is

only the men of her kind who war upon us; and I have ever

thought that their attitude toward us is but the reflection

of ours toward them。  They live at peace with all their fellows;

except when duty calls upon them to make war; while we

are at peace with none; forever warring among our own

kind as well as upon the red men; and even in our own

communities the individuals fight amongst themselves。

Oh; it is one continual; awful period of bloodshed from the

time we break the shell until we gladly embrace the bosom of

the river of mystery; the dark and ancient Iss which carries us

to an unknown; but at least no more frightful and terrible

existence!  Fortunate indeed is he who meets his end in an

early death。  Say what you please to Tars Tarkas; he can mete

out no worse fate to me than a continuation of the horrible

existence we are forced to lead in this life。〃



This wild outbreak on the part of Sola so greatly surprised

and shocked the other women; that; after a few words of

general reprimand; they all lapsed into silence and were

soon asleep。  One thing the episode had accomplished was

to assure me of Sola's friendliness toward the poor girl; and

also to convince me that I had been extremely fortunate in

falling into her hands rather than those of some of the other

females。  I knew that she was fond of me; and now that I

had discovered that she hated cruelty and barbarity I was

confident that I could depend upon her to aid me and the

girl captive to escape; provided of course that such a thing

was within the range of possibilities。



I did not even know that there were any better conditions

to escape to; but I was more than willing to take my chances

among people fashioned after my own mold rather than

to remain longer among the hideous and bloodthirsty green

men of Mars。  But where to go; and how; was as much of a

puzzle to me as the age…old search for the spring of eternal

life has been to earthly men since the beginning of time。



I decided that at the first opportunity I would take Sola

into my confidence and openly ask her to aid me; and with

this resolution strong upon me I turned among my silks and

furs and slept the dreamless and refreshing sleep of Mars。









CHAPTER X





CHAMPION AND CHIEF





Early the next morning I was astir。  Considerable freedom was

allowed me; as Sola had informed me that so long as I did

not attempt to leave the city I was free to go and come as

I pleased。  She had warned me; however; against venturing forth

unarmed; as this city; like all other deserted metropolises of

an ancient Martian civilization; was peopled by the great

white apes of my second day's adventure。



In advising me that I must not leave the boundaries of

the city Sola had explained that Woola would prevent this

anyway should I attempt it; and she warned me most urgently

not to arouse his fierce nature by ignoring his warnings

should I venture too close to the forbidden territory。  His

nature was such; she said; that he would bring me back into

the city dead or alive should I persist in opposing him;

〃preferably dead;〃 she added。



On this morning I had chosen a new street to explore when

suddenly I found myself at the limits of the city。  Before

me were low hills pierced by narrow and inviting ravines。

I longed to explore the country before me; and; like the

pioneer stock from which I sprang; to view what the

landscape beyond the encircling hills might disclose

from the summits which shut out my view。



It also occurred to me that this would prove an excellent

opportunity to test the qualities of Woola。  I was convinced

that the brute loved me; I had seen more evidences of affection

in him than in any other Martian animal; man or beast;

and I was sure that gratitude for the acts that had twice

saved his life would more than outweigh his loyalty to the

duty imposed upon him by cruel and loveless masters。



As I 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 guttural warnings。  Denied

the friendship and companionship of my kind; I had develope

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