A Princess of Mars

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 developed considerable affection for Woola and Sola, for the

normal earthly man must have some outlet for his natural affections,

and so I decided upon an appeal to a like instinct in this great brute,

sure that I would not be disappointed.

I had never petted nor fondled him, but now I sat upon the ground and

putting my arms around his heavy neck I stroked and coaxed him, talking

in my newly acquired Martian tongue as I would have to my hound at

home, as I would have talked to any other friend among the lower

animals. His response to my manifestation of affection was remarkable

to a degree; he stretched his great mouth to its full width, baring the

entire expanse of his upper rows of tusks and wrinkling his snout until

his great eyes were almost hidden by the folds of flesh. If you have

ever seen a collie smile you may have some idea of Woola's facial

distortion.