按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
their own race and then attempt to find employment in Zodanga；
either in the army or the navy。
〃The chances are small that your tale will be believed
until after you have proven your trustworthiness and won
friends among the higher nobles of the court。 This you can
most easily do through military service； as we are a warlike
people on Barsoom；〃 explained one of them； 〃and save our
richest favors for the fighting man。〃
When I was ready to depart they furnished me with a
small domestic bull thoat； such as is used for saddle
purposes by all red Martians。 The animal is about the size
of a horse and quite gentle； but in color and shape an exact
replica of his huge and fierce cousin of the wilds。
The brothers had supplied me with a reddish oil with which
I anointed my entire body and one of them cut my hair；
which had grown quite long； in the prevailing fashion of the
time； square at the back and banged in front； so that I could
have passed anywhere upon Barsoom as a full…fledged red
Martian。 My metal and ornaments were also renewed in the
style of a Zodangan gentleman； attached to the house of
Ptor； which was the family name of my benefactors。
They filled a little sack at my side with Zodangan money。
The medium of exchange upon Mars is not dissimilar from
our own except that the coins are oval。 Paper money is
issued by individuals as they require it and redeemed twice
yearly。 If a man issues more than he can redeem； the
government pays his creditors in full and the debtor works out
the amount upon the farms or in mines； which are all owned
by the government。 This suits everybody except the debtor as
it has been a difficult thing to obtain sufficient voluntary
labor to work the great isolated farm lands of Mars； stretching
as they do like narrow ribbons from pole to pole； through wild
stretches peopled by wild animals and wilder men。
When I mentioned my inability to repay them for their kindness
to me they assured me that I would have ample opportunity
if I lived long upon Barsoom； and bidding me farewell
they watched me until I was out of sight upon the broad
white turnpike。
CHAPTER XXI
AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA
As I proceeded on my journey toward Zodanga many strange and
interesting sights arrested my attention； and at the several
farm houses where I stopped I learned a number of new and
instructive things concerning the methods and manners of Barsoom。
The water which supplies the farms of Mars is collected
in immense underground reservoirs at either pole from the
melting ice caps； and pumped through long conduits to the
various populated centers。 Along either side of these conduits；
and extending their entire length； lie the cultivated districts。
These are divided into tracts of about the same size； each tract
being under the supervision of one or more government officers。
Instead of flooding the surface of the fields； and thus wasting
immense quantities of water by evaporation； the precious
liquid is carried underground through a vast network of
small pipes directly to the roots of the vegetation。 The crops
upon Mars are always uniform； for there are no droughts； no
rains； no high winds； and no insects； or destroying birds。
On this trip I tasted the first meat I had eaten since
leaving Earthlarge； juicy steaks and chops from the well…fed
domestic animals of the farms。 Also I enjoyed luscious fruits
and vegetables； but not a single article of food which was
exactly similar to anything on Earth。 Every plant and flower
and vegetable and animal has been so refined by ages of careful；
scientific cultivation and breeding that the like of them on
Earth dwindled into pale； gray； characterless nothingness
by comparison。
At a second stop I met some highly cultivated people of
the noble class and while in conversation we chanced to
speak of Helium。 One of the older men had been there on
a diplomatic mission several years before and spoke with
regret of the conditions which seemed destined ever to keep
these two countries at war。
〃Helium；〃 he said； 〃rightly boasts the most beautiful
women of Barsoom； and of all her treasures the wondrous
daughter of Mors Kajak； Dejah Thoris； is the most exquisite
flower。
〃Why；〃 he added； 〃the people really worship the ground
she walks upon and since her loss on that ill…starred
expedition all Helium has been draped in mourning。
〃That our ruler should have attacked the disabled fleet
as it was returning to Helium was but another of his awful
blunders which I fear will sooner or later compel Zodanga
to elevate a wiser man to his place。〃
〃Even now； though our victorious armies are surrounding
Helium； the people of Zodanga are voicing their displeasure；
for the war is not a popular one； since it is not based on
right or justice。 Our forces took advantage of the absence
of the principal fleet of Helium on their search for the
princess； and so we have been able easily to reduce the city
to a sorry plight。 it is said she will fall within the next few
passages of the further moon。〃
〃And what； think you； may have been the fate of the
princess； Dejah Thoris？〃 I asked as casually as possible。
〃She is dead；〃 he answered。 〃This much was learned
from a green warrior recently captured by our forces in
the south。 She escaped from the hordes of Thark with a
strange creature of another world； only to fall into the hands
of the Warhoons。 Their thoats were found wandering upon
the sea bottom and evidences of a bloody conflict were
discovered nearby。〃
While this information was in no way reassuring； neither
was it at all conclusive proof of the death of Dejah Thoris；
and so I determined to make every effort possible to reach
Helium as quickly as I could and carry to Tardos Mors
such news of his granddaughter's possible whereabouts as
lay in my power。
Ten days after leaving the three Ptor brothers I arrived
at Zodanga。 From the moment that I had come in contact
with the red inhabitants of Mars I had noticed that Woola
drew a great amount of unwelcome attention to me； since
the huge brute belonged to a species which is never
domesticated by the red men。 Were one to stroll down
Broadway with a Numidian lion at his heels the effect would
be somewhat similar to that which I should have produced
had I entered Zodanga with Woola。
The very thought of parting with the faithful fellow caused
me so great regret and genuine sorrow that I put it off until
just before we arrived at the city's gates； but then； finally；
it became imperative that we separate。 Had nothing further
than my own safety or pleasure been at stake no argument
could have prevailed upon me to turn away the one creature
upon Barsoom that had never failed in a demonstration
of affection and loyalty； but as I would willingly have offered
my life in the service of her in search of whom I was about
to challenge the unknown dangers of this； to me； mysterious
city； I could not permit even Woola's life to threaten the
success of my venture； much less his momentary happiness；
for I doubted not he soon would forget me。 And so I bade
the poor beast an affectionate farewell； promising him；
however； that if I came through my adventure in safety that
in some way I should find the means to search him out。
He seemed to understand me fully； and when I pointed
back in the direction of Thark he turned sorrowfully away；
nor could I bear to watch him go； but resolutely set my
face toward Zodanga and with a touch of heartsickness
approached her frowning walls。
The letter I bore from them gained me immediate entrance
to the vast； walled city。 It was still very early in
the morning and the streets were practically deserted。
The residences； raised high upon their metal columns； resembled
huge rookeries； while the uprights themselves presented the
appearance of steel tree trunks。 The shops as a rule were
not raised from the ground nor were their doors bolted or
barred； since thievery is practically unknown upon Barsoom。
Assassination is the ever…present fear of all Barsoomians；
and for this reason alone their homes are raised high above
the ground at night； or in times of danger。
The Ptor brothers had given me explicit directions for
reaching the point of the city where I could find living
accommodations and be near the offices of the government
agents to whom they had given me letters。 My way led to
the central square or plaza； which is a characteristic of all
Martian cities。
The plaza of Zodanga covers a square mile and is bounded
by the palaces of the jeddak； the jeds； and other members
of the royalty and nobility of Zodanga； as well as by the
principal public buildings； cafes； and shops。
As I was crossing the great square lost in wonder and
admiration of the magnificent architecture and the gor