A Princess of Mars

A sense of delicious dreaminess overcame me, my muscles relaxed, and I

was on the point of giving way to my desire to sleep when the sound of

approaching horses reached my ears. I attempted to spring to my feet

but was horrified to discover that my muscles refused to respond to my

will. I was now thoroughly awake, but as unable to move a muscle as

though turned to stone. It was then, for the first time, that I

noticed a slight vapor filling the cave. It was extremely tenuous and

only noticeable against the opening which led to daylight. There also

came to my nostrils a faintly pungent odor, and I could only assume

that I had been overcome by some poisonous gas, but why I should retain

my mental faculties and yet be unable to move I could not fathom.

I lay facing the opening of the cave and where I could see the short

stretch of trail which lay between the cave and the turn of the cliff

around which the trail led. The noise of the approaching horses had

ceased, and I judged the Indians were creeping stealthily upon me along

the little ledge which led to my living tomb. I remember that I hoped

they would make short work of me as I did not particularly relish the

thought of the innumerable things they might do to me if the spirit

prompted them.

I had not long to wait before a stealthy sound apprised me of their

nearness, and then a war-bonneted, paint-streaked face was thrust

cautiously around the shoulder of the cliff, and savage eyes looked

into mine. That he could see me in the dim light of the cave I was

sure for the early morning sun was falling full upon me through the

opening.

The fellow, instead of approaching, merely stood and stared; his eyes

bulging and his jaw dropped. And then another savage face appeared,

and a third and fourth and fifth, craning their necks over the

shoulders of their fellows whom they could not pass upon the narrow

ledge. Each face was the picture of awe and fear, but for what reason

I did not know, nor did I learn until ten years later. That there were

still other braves behind those who regarded me was apparent from the

fact that the leaders passed back whispered word to those behind them.

Suddenly a low but distinct moaning sound issued from the recesses of

the cave behind me, and, as it reached the ears of the Indians, they

turned and fled in terror, panic-stricken. So frantic were their

efforts to escape from the unseen thing behind me that one of the

braves was hurled headlong from the cliff to the rocks below. Their

wild cries echoed in the canyon for a short time, and then all was

still once more.