第41章

For several moments they discussed their plans--whether it would be best to wait where they were until darkness hid their movements and then approach the city in search of food and water, or approach it now, taking advantage of what cover they could, until they could glean something of the nature of its inhabitants.

It was Turan's plan which finally prevailed.They would approach as close as safety dictated in the hope of finding water outside the city; food, too, perhaps.If they did not they could at least reconnoiter the ground by daylight, and then when night came Turan could quickly come close to the city and in comparative safety prosecute his search for food and drink.

Following the ravine upward they finally topped the summit of the ridge, from which they had an excellent view of that part of the city which lay nearest them, though themselves hidden by the brush behind which they crouched.Ghek had resumed his rykor, which had suffered less than either Tara or Turan through their enforced fast.

The first glance at the city, now much closer than when they had first discovered it, revealed the fact that it was inhabited.

Banners and pennons broke from many a staff.People were moving about the gate before them.The high white walls were paced by sentinels at far intervals.Upon the roofs of higher buildings the women could be seen airing the sleeping silks and furs.Turan watched it all in silence for some time.

"I do not know them," he said at last."I cannot guess what city this may be.But it is an ancient city.Its people have no fliers and no firearms.It must be old indeed.""How do you know they have not these things?" asked the girl.

"There are no landing-stages upon the roofs--not one that can be seen from here; while were we looking similarly at Helium we would see hundreds.And they have no firearms because their defenses are all built to withstand the attack of spear and arrow, with spear and arrow.They are an ancient people.""If they are ancient perhaps they are friendly," suggested the girl."Did we not learn as children in the history of our planet that it was once peopled by a friendly, peace-loving race?""But I fear they are not as ancient as that," replied Turan,laughing."It has been long ages since the men of Barsoom loved peace.""My father loves peace," returned the girl.

"And yet he is always at war," said the man.

She laughed."But he says he likes peace.""We all like peace," he rejoined; "peace with honor; but our neighbors will not let us have it, and so we must fight.""And to fight well men must like to fight," she added.

"And to like to fight they must know how to fight," he said, "for no man likes to do the thing that he does not know how to do well.""Or that some other man can do better than he.""And so always there will be wars and men will fight," he concluded, "for always the men with hot blood in their veins will practice the art of war.""We have settled a great question," said the girl, smiling; "but our stomachs are still empty.""Your panthan is neglecting his duty," replied Turan; "and how can he with the great reward always before his eyes!"She did not guess in what literal a sense he spoke.

"I go forthwith," he continued, "to wrest food and drink from the ancients.""No," she cried, laying a hand upon his arm, "not yet.They would slay you or make you prisoner.You are a brave panthan and a mighty one, but you cannot overcome a city singlehanded."She smiled up into his face and her hand still lay upon his arm.

He felt the thrill of hot blood coursing through his veins.He could have seized her in his arms and crushed her to him.There was only Ghek the kaldane there, but there was something stronger within him that restrained his hand.Who may define it--that inherent chivalry that renders certain men the natural protectors of women?

From their vantage point they saw a body of armed warriors ride forth from the gate, and winding along a well-beaten road pass from sight about the foot of the hill from which they watched.

The men were red, like themselves, and they rode the small saddle thoats of the red race.Their trappings were barbaric and magnificent, and in their head-dress were many feathers as had been the custom of ancients.They were armed with swords and long spears and they rode almost naked, their bodies being painted in ochre and blue and white.There were, perhaps, a score of them in the party and as they galloped away on their tireless mounts they presented a picture at once savage and beautiful.

"They have the appearance of splendid warriors," said Turan."Ihave a great mind to walk boldly into their city and seek service."Tara shook her head."Wait," she admonished."What would I do without you, and if you were captured how could you collect your reward?""I should escape," he said."At any rate I shall try it," and he started to rise.

"You shall not," said the girl, her tone all authority.

The man looked at her quickly--questioningly.

"You have entered my service," she said, a trifle haughtily.

"You have entered my service for hire and you shall do as I bid you."Turan sank down beside her again with a half smile upon his lips.

"It is yours to command, Princess," he said.

The day passed.Ghek, tiring of the sunlight, had deserted his rykor and crawled down a hole he had discovered close by.Tara and Turan reclined beneath the scant shade of a small tree.They watched the people coming and going through the gate.The party of horsemen did not return.A small herd of zitidars was driven into the city during the day, and once a caravan of broad-wheeled carts drawn by these huge animals wound out of the distant horizon and came down to the city.It, too, passed from their sight within the gateway.Then darkness came and Tara of Helium bid her panthan search for food and drink; but she cautioned him against attempting to enter the city.Before he left her he bent and kissed her hand as a warrior may kiss the hand of his queen.