Princess of Mars / Принцесса Марса. Уровень 2

They removed their prisoner to the ground and then commenced a systematic rifling of the vessel. This operation required several hours. During this time a number of the chariots were requisitioned to transport the loot, which consisted in arms, ammunition, silks, furs, jewels, strangely carved stone vessels, and a quantity of solid foods and liquids, including many casks of water.

After that operation, the last warrior to leave the desk[43 - the last warrior to leave the desk – последний воин, покинувший судно] turned and threw something back upon the vessel. A faint spurt of flame rose from the point where the missile struck. He swung over the side and was quickly upon the ground and the guy ropes were simultaneously released. The great warship, lightened by the removal of the loot, soared majestically into the air, her decks and upper works a mass of roaring flames.

Slowly she drifted to the southeast, rising higher and higher as the flames ate away her wooden parts. I watched her for hours, until finally she was lost in the dim vistas of the distance. The sight of this mighty floating funeral pyre was awe-inspiring. It drifted unguided and unmanned through the lonely wastes of the Martian heavens.

I slowly descended to the street. I was much depressed. I had a feeling that it was the forces of a kindred people rather than a horde of unfriendly creatures who was defeated and annihilated. Somewhere in the innermost recesses of my soul, I felt a strange yearning toward these unknown foemen.

We decided to stay in the deserted city for another week as there was danger of a return attack by the air craft. Lorquas Ptomel was too astute an old warrior to be caught upon the open plains with a caravan of chariots and children.

When I emerged upon the street, Sola rushed to me as if she was searching for me. Woola, the hound was also following me. We entered the plaza and I saw something that filled my whole being with a great surge of mingled hope, fear, exultation, and depression, and yet most dominant was a subtle sense of relief and happiness. As we neared the throng of Martians I caught a glimpse of the prisoner from the battle craft.

The sight that met my eyes was that of a slender, girlish figure, similar in every detail to the earthly women of my past life. She turned, and her eyes met mine. She was extremely beautiful. Her face was oval, her every feature was finely chiseled and exquisite, her eyes large and lustrous and her head surmounted by a mass of coal black, waving hair, caught loosely into a strange yet becoming coiffure. Her skin was of a light reddish copper color, her cheeks glowed and the lips shone like a ruby. She was entirely naked except her intricate ornaments and one could see the beauty of her perfect and symmetrical figure.

As she saw me, her eyes opened wide in astonishment. She made a little sign with her free hand; a sign which I did not, of course, understand. The look of hope and renewed courage in her eyes faded into one of utter dejection, mingled with loathing and contempt. I realized she made an appeal for help and protection. But my unfortunate ignorance prevented me from answering it. And then she was dragged out of my sight into the depths of the deserted edifice.

IX. I Learn the Language

When I came back to myself, I looked at Sola. She witnessed this encounter and I was surprised to see a strange expression upon her usually expressionless face. I did not know what she was thinking, because I just began to learn the Martian tongue. I knew enough only to suffice for my daily needs.

There was a strange surprise when I reached the doorway of our building. An armed warrior with arms, ornaments and full equipment of his kind approached me and gave them to me. He talked to me with a few unintelligible words. He was respectful and menacing at the same time.

Later, Sola remodeled the trappings to fit my lesser proportions with the aid of several of the other women. After they completed the work, I was garbed in all the panoply of war.

After that Sola instructed me in the mysteries of the various weapons. I spent several hours each day practicing upon the plaza with the young Martians. I was not yet familiar with all the weapons, but my great knowledge about similar weapons from Earth made me a quick learner and I progressed very fast.

Solely the women conducted my training with the young Martians. They were not only teaching the young about individual defense and offense, but also did a production of manufactures. They create all they need for the green Martians:the powder, the cartridges, the firearms. The females produced everything valuable. In the wartime, they form a part of the reserves and, if needed, fight with even greater intelligence and fury than the men.

The men learn higher branches of the art of war:strategy and the maneuvering of large units. They also make the laws; a new law for each emergency. These customs are old. The punishment for ignoring a custom is determined by individual treatment in a jury of the criminal's peers. I may say that justice is rarely wrong.

I did not see the prisoner again for several days after our first encounter. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of her when she was being conducted to the great audience chamber. I noted the unnecessary harshness and brutality by her guards; so different from the almost maternal Sola's kindliness to me.

I noticed that the prisoner exchanged words with her guards for two times when I saw her. That meant that they spoke, or at least could make themselves understood by a common language.

With this added incentive, I nearly drove Sola distracted by my importunities to hasten on my education. Within a few more days I was able fully communicate and understand practically all that I heard.

Three or four females and a couple of the recently hatched young Martians occupied our sleeping quarters at this time; Sola and her youthful ward, myself, and Woola the hound. It was customary[44 - it was customary – было принято] for the adults to carry on a desultory conversation for a short time before sleeping. I was always a keen listener because now I could understand their language, although I never proffered any remarks myself[45 - I never proffered any remarks myself – хотя сам я ничего не говорил].

Once the conversation finally fell upon the prisoner. I was all ears[46 - I was all ears – я стал внимательно слушать] on the instant. I never dared to question Sola about the beautiful captive. I remembered the strange expression I noted upon her face after my first encounter with the prisoner. I did not know if it was jealousy, and I felt it safer to affect indifference judging by earthly standards. I wanted to learn more surely Sola's attitude toward the object of my solicitude.

Someone asked Sarkoja, one of the older women who shared our home and one of the prisoner's guards:

“When will we enjoy the death throes of the red one? or does our Jed Lorquas Ptomel intend holding her for ransom?”

“They decided to carry her with us back to Thark, and exhibit her last agonies at the great games before Tal Hajus,” replied Sarkoja.

“How will she die?” asked Sola. “She is very small and very beautiful; I hoped that they would hold her for ransom.”

Sarkoja and the other women grunted angrily at this evidence of weakness on the part of Sola.

“It is sad that you were not born a million years ago, Sola” 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. We progressed to a point where such sentiments mark weakness and atavism in our day. It will not be well for you to let Tars Tarkas know your degenerate sentiments. I doubt that he would give you the grave responsibilities of maternity after that.

“I see nothing wrong with my expression of interest in this red woman,” answered Sola. “She never harmed us. It is only the men of her kind who fight against us. I always thought that it is just the reflection to our attitude towards them. They live at peace with all their fellows and fight only when duty calls upon them, while we are at peace with none. We are always at war with our own kind and with the red men. Even in our own communities, the individuals fight amongst themselves. Say what you want to Tars Tarkas. He cannot give worse fate to me than a continuation of the horrible existence in this life.”

This wild outbreak of Sola greatly surprised and shocked the other women. After a few words of general reprimand, they all went silent and soon fell asleep. That episode showed me Sola's friendliness toward the poor girl. It also convinced me that I was 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 that she hated cruelty and barbarity. Now I was confident that she would help me to escape with the captured girl.

I did not even know if there were any better conditions to escape to. But I was ready to take my chances among people of my own kind rather than to remain longer among the hideous and bloodthirsty green men of Mars. But I did not know where and how to go.

I decided that I will ask Sola for help at the first opportunity. I turned among my silks and furs and, with this resolution strong upon me[47 - with this resolution strong upon me – с твердым решением], slept the dreamless and refreshing sleep of Mars.

X. Champion and Chief

Early the next morning I was astir. Sola said that as long as I did not attempt to leave the city I was free to go and come as I pleased. She warned me, however, against venturing forth unarmed, as this city was peopled by great white apes[48 - this city was peopled by great white apes – город был населен большими белыми обезьянами].

She also explained that Woola would prevent any attempt to leave the boundaries of the city. His nature was such[49 - his nature was such – его характер был таков], as she said, that he would be bring me back into the city dead or alive; “preferably dead,” she added.

I was exploring a new street on this morning and suddenly found myself at the limits of the city. Low hills pierced by narrow and inviting ravines were before me shutting out my view. I felt an urge to explore the new land. I also thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to test the qualities of Woola. I was sure the brute loved me.

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. Just like any normal earthly man, I needed some outlet for my natural affections[50 - I needed some outlet for my natural affections – я должен был найти выход своим естественным чувствам]. I developed considerable affection for Woola and Sola and was not disappointed in both of them.

I sat upon the ground and put my arms around Woola's heavy neck. I talked to him in my newly acquired Martian tongue as I would talk to any animal on the Earth. 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, looking a bit like smiling collie.

He threw himself upon his back and fairly wallowed at my feet. He was wriggling and squirming around me like a playful puppy presenting its back for the petting it craves. I talked to him for more few minutes, and then, in an authoritative tone, commanded him to follow me, and started for the hills.

There was no further question of authority between us; Woola was my devoted slave from that moment hence. I reached the hill in a few minutes but I found nothing interesting to reward me. Numerous brilliantly colored and strangely formed wild flowers dotted the ravines. From the summit of the first hill, I saw other hills stretching off toward the north.

My morning walk was important as it 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. I hastened to regain the city limits before Woola's erstwhile masters could discover the defection of him. I decided never again leave the limits of my prescribed stamping grounds again until I was ready to venture forth for good and all.

On regaining the plaza, I saw the captive girl. She was standing with her guards before the entrance to the audience chamber. 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[51 - it stung my pride – это задело мою гордость] 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.

If a Martian woman wanted to show dislike or contempt, she would do it with a sword thrust or a movement of her trigger finger. But their sentiments are mostly atrophied and it would require a serious injury to arouse such passions in them. Sola, let me add, was an exception. I never saw her perform a cruel or rude act, or fail in uniform kindliness and good nature. She was indeed, as her fellow Martian had said of her, an atavism; a dear and precious reversion to a former type of loved and loving ancestor.

Seeing that the prisoner seemed the center of attraction, I halted to view the proceedings. Lorquas Ptomel and his retinue of chieftains approached the building and, signing the guards to follow with the prisoner entered the audience chamber. I chanced an attempt to enter the audience chamber and listen to the proceeding, as I was a somewhat favored character