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Sarkoja and the other women grunted angrily at this evidence
of weakness on the part of Sola。
〃It is sad； Sola； that you were not born a million years
ago；〃 snapped Sarkoja； 〃when all the hollows of the land
were filled with water； and the peoples were as soft as the
stuff they sailed upon。 In our day we have progressed to a
point where such sentiments mark weakness and atavism。 It
will not be well for you to permit Tars Tarkas to learn
that you hold such degenerate sentiments； as I doubt
that he would care to entrust such as you with the
grave responsibilities of maternity。〃
〃I see nothing wrong with my expression of interest in
this red woman；〃 retorted Sola。 〃She has never harmed us；
nor would she should we have fallen into her hands。 It is
only the men of her kind who war upon us； and I have ever
thought that their attitude toward us is but the reflection
of ours toward them。 They live at peace with all their fellows；
except when duty calls upon them to make war； while we
are at peace with none； forever warring among our own
kind as well as upon the red men； and even in our own
communities the individuals fight amongst themselves。
Oh； it is one continual； awful period of bloodshed from the
time we break the shell until we gladly embrace the bosom of
the river of mystery； the dark and ancient Iss which carries us
to an unknown； but at least no more frightful and terrible
existence！ Fortunate indeed is he who meets his end in an
early death。 Say what you please to Tars Tarkas； he can mete
out no worse fate to me than a continuation of the horrible
existence we are forced to lead in this life。〃
This wild outbreak on the part of Sola so greatly surprised
and shocked the other women； that； after a few words of
general reprimand； they all lapsed into silence and were
soon asleep。 One thing the episode had accomplished was
to assure me of Sola's friendliness toward the poor girl； and
also to convince me that I had been extremely fortunate in
falling into her hands rather than those of some of the other
females。 I knew that she was fond of me； and now that I
had discovered that she hated cruelty and barbarity I was
confident that I could depend upon her to aid me and the
girl captive to escape； provided of course that such a thing
was within the range of possibilities。
I did not even know that there were any better conditions
to escape to； but I was more than willing to take my chances
among people fashioned after my own mold rather than
to remain longer among the hideous and bloodthirsty green
men of Mars。 But where to go； and how； was as much of a
puzzle to me as the age…old search for the spring of eternal
life has been to earthly men since the beginning of time。
I decided that at the first opportunity I would take Sola
into my confidence and openly ask her to aid me； and with
this resolution strong upon me I turned among my silks and
furs and slept the dreamless and refreshing sleep of Mars。
CHAPTER X
CHAMPION AND CHIEF
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。
He threw himself upon his back and fairly wallowed at
my feet； jumped up and sprang upon me； rolling me upon
the ground by his great weight； then wriggling and squirming
around me like a playful puppy presenting its back for
the petting it craves。 I could not resist the ludicrousness
of the spectacle； and holding my sides I rocked back and forth
in the first laughter which had passed my lips in many days；
the first； in fact； since the morning Powell had left camp
when his horse； long unused； had precipitately and unexpectedly
bucked him off headforemost into a pot of frijoles。
My laughter frightened Woola； his antics ceased and he
crawled pitifully toward me； poking his ugly head far into
my lap； and then I remembered what laughter signified on
Marstorture； suffering； death。 Quieting myself； I rubbed
the poor old fellow's head and back； talked to him for a few
minutes； and then in an authoritative tone commanded him
to follow me； and arising started for the hills。
There was no further question of authority between us；
Woola was my devoted slave from that moment hence； and
I his only and undisputed master。 My walk to the hills
occupied but a few minutes； and I found nothing of particular
interest to reward me。 Numerous brilliantly colored and
strangely formed wild flowers dotted the ravines and from
the summit of the first hill I saw still other hills stretching off
toward the north； and rising； one range above another； until
lost in mountains of quite respectable dimensions； though I
afterward found that only a few peaks on all Mars exceed
four thousand feet in height； the suggestion of magnitude
was merely relative。
My morning's walk had been large with importance to
me for it had resulted in a perfect understanding with Woola；
upon whom Tars Tarkas relied for my safe keeping。 I now
knew that while theoretically a prisoner I was virtually free；
and I hastened to regain the city limits before the defection
of Woola could be discovered by his erstwhile masters。 The
adventure decided me never again to leave the limits of my
prescribed stamping grounds until I was ready to venture forth
for good and all； as it would certainly result in a curtailment
of my liberties； as well as the probable death of Woola； were we
to be discovered。
On regaining the plaza I had my third glimpse of the
captive girl。 She was standing with her guards before the
entrance to the audience chamber； and as I approached she
gave me one haughty glance and turned her back full upon
me。 The act was so womanly； so earthly womanly； that
though it stung my pride it also warmed my heart with a
feeling of companionship； it was good to know that someone
else on Mars beside myself had human instincts of a civilized
order； even though the manifestation of them was so painful
and mortifying。
Had a green Martian woman desired to show dislike or contempt
she would； in all likelihood； have done it with a sword
thrust or a movement of her trigger finger； but