"She knew, what I did not, that never again after that night would she

hold me to her breast, nor was it likely we would ever look upon each

other's face again. In the confusion of the plaza she mixed me with

the other children, whose guardians during the journey were now free to

relinquish their responsibility. We were herded together into a great

room, fed by women who had not accompanied the expedition, and the next

day we were parceled out among the retinues of the chieftains.

"I never saw my mother after that night. She was imprisoned by Tal

Hajus, and every effort, including the most horrible and shameful

torture, was brought to bear upon her to wring from her lips the name

of my father; but she remained steadfast and loyal, dying at last

amidst the laughter of Tal Hajus and his chieftains during some awful

torture she was undergoing.

"I learned afterwards that she told them that she had killed me to save

me from a like fate at their hands, and that she had thrown my body to

the white apes. Sarkoja alone disbelieved her, and I feel to this day

that she suspects my true origin, but does not dare expose me, at the

present, at all events, because she also guesses, I am sure, the

identity of my father.

"When he returned from his expedition and learned the story of my

mother's fate I was present as Tal Hajus told him; but never by the

quiver of a muscle did he betray the slightest emotion; only he did not

laugh as Tal Hajus gleefully described her death struggles. From that

moment on he was the cruelest of the cruel, and I am awaiting the day

when he shall win the goal of his ambition, and feel the carcass of Tal

Hajus beneath his foot, for I am as sure that he but waits the

opportunity to wreak a terrible vengeance, and that his great love is

as strong in his breast as when it first transfigured him nearly forty

years ago, as I am that we sit here upon the edge of a world-old ocean

while sensible people sleep, John Carter."

"And your father, Sola, is he with us now?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied, "but he does not know me for what I am, nor does he

know who betrayed my mother to Tal Hajus. I alone know my father's

name, and only I and Tal Hajus and Sarkoja know that it was she who

carried the tale that brought death and torture upon her he loved."

We sat silent for a few moments, she wrapped in the gloomy thoughts of

her terrible past, and I in pity for the poor creatures whom the

heartless, senseless customs of their race had doomed to loveless lives

of cruelty and of hate. Presently she spoke.




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