A Princess of Mars

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."

"And if I should kill Lorquas Ptomel?" I asked.

"You would be first, John Carter; but you may only win that honor by

the will of the entire council that Lorquas Ptomel meet you in combat,

or should he attack you, you may kill him in self-defense, and thus win

first place."

I laughed, and changed the subject. I had no particular desire to kill

Lorquas Ptomel, and less to be a jed among the Tharks.

I accompanied Sola and Dejah Thoris in a search for new quarters, which

we found in a building nearer the audience chamber and of far more

pretentious architecture than our former habitation. We also found in

this building real sleeping apartments with ancient beds of highly

wrought metal swinging from enormous gold chains depending from the

marble ceilings. The decoration of the walls was most elaborate, and,

unlike the frescoes in the other buildings I had examined, portrayed

many human figures in the compositions. These were of people like

myself, and of a much lighter color than Dejah Thoris. They were clad

in graceful, flowing robes, highly ornamented with metal and jewels,

and their luxuriant hair was of a beautiful golden and reddish bronze.

The men were beardless and only a few wore arms. The scenes depicted

for the most part, a fair-skinned, fair-haired people at play.