A Princess of Mars

As I delivered the blow a low laugh rang out behind me, and, turning, I

beheld Tars Tarkas, Sola, and three or four warriors standing in the

doorway of the chamber. As my eyes met theirs I was, for the second

time, the recipient of their zealously guarded applause.

My absence had been noted by Sola on her awakening, and she had quickly

informed Tars Tarkas, who had set out immediately with a handful of

warriors to search for me. As they had approached the limits of the

city they had witnessed the actions of the bull ape as he bolted into

the building, frothing with rage.

They had followed immediately behind him, thinking it barely possible

that his actions might prove a clew to my whereabouts and had witnessed

my short but decisive battle with him. This encounter, together with

my set-to with the Martian warrior on the previous day and my feats of

jumping placed me upon a high pinnacle in their regard. Evidently

devoid of all the finer sentiments of friendship, love, or affection,

these people fairly worship physical prowess and bravery, and nothing

is too good for the object of their adoration as long as he maintains

his position by repeated examples of his skill, strength, and courage.

Sola, who had accompanied the searching party of her own volition, was

the only one of the Martians whose face had not been twisted in

laughter as I battled for my life. She, on the contrary, was sober

with apparent solicitude and, as soon as I had finished the monster,

rushed to me and carefully examined my body for possible wounds or

injuries. Satisfying herself that I had come off unscathed she smiled

quietly, and, taking my hand, started toward the door of the chamber.

Tars Tarkas and the other warriors had entered and were standing over

the now rapidly reviving brute which had saved my life, and whose life

I, in turn, had rescued. They seemed to be deep in argument, and

finally one of them addressed me, but remembering my ignorance of his

language turned back to Tars Tarkas, who, with a word and gesture, gave

some command to the fellow and turned to follow us from the room.

There seemed something menacing in their attitude toward my beast, and

I hesitated to leave until I had learned the outcome. It was well I

did so, for the warrior drew an evil looking pistol from its holster

and was on the point of putting an end to the creature when I sprang

forward and struck up his arm. The bullet striking the wooden casing

of the window exploded, blowing a hole completely through the wood and

masonry.

I then knelt down beside the fearsome-looking thing, and raising it to

its feet motioned for it to follow me. The looks of surprise which my

actions elicited from the Martians were ludicrous; they could not

understand, except in a feeble and childish way, such attributes as

gratitude and compassion. The warrior whose gun I had struck up looked

enquiringly at Tars Tarkas, but the latter signed that I be left to my

own devices, and so we returned to the plaza with my great beast

following close at heel, and Sola grasping me tightly by the arm.