第2章

Heexchangedafewwordswithhismen，motionedtomethatIwouldridebehindoneofthem，andthenmountedhisownanimal。Thefellowdesignatedreacheddowntwoorthreehandsandliftedmeupbehindhimontheglossybackofhismount，whereIhungonasbestIcouldbythebeltsandstrapswhichheldtheMartian"sweaponsandornaments。

Theentirecavalcadethenturnedandgallopedawaytowardtherangeofhillsinthedistance。

CHAPTERIV

APRISONER

Wehadgoneperhapstenmileswhenthegroundbegantoriseveryrapidly。Wewere，asIwaslatertolearn，nearingtheedgeofoneofMars"long-deadseas，inthebottomofwhichmyencounterwiththeMartianshadtakenplace。

Inashorttimewegainedthefootofthemountains，andaftertraversinganarrowgorgecametoanopenvalley，atthefarextremityofwhichwasalowtablelanduponwhichI

beheldanenormouscity。Towardthiswegalloped，enteringitbywhatappearedtobearuinedroadwayleadingoutfromthecity，butonlytotheedgeofthetableland，whereitendedabruptlyinaflightofbroadsteps。

UponcloserobservationIsawaswepassedthemthatthebuildingsweredeserted，andwhilenotgreatlydecayedhadtheappearanceofnothavingbeentenantedforyears，possiblyforages。Towardthecenterofthecitywasalargeplaza，anduponthisandinthebuildingsimmediatelysurroundingitwerecampedsomenineortenhundredcreaturesofthesamebreedasmycaptors，forsuchInowconsideredthemdespitethesuavemannerinwhichIhadbeentrapped。

Withtheexceptionoftheirornamentsallwerenaked。Thewomenvariedinappearancebutlittlefromthemen，exceptthattheirtusksweremuchlargerinproportiontotheirheight，insomeinstancescurvingnearlytotheirhigh-setears。Theirbodiesweresmallerandlighterincolor，andtheirfingersandtoesboretherudimentsofnails，whichwereentirelylackingamongthemales。Theadultfemalesrangedinheightfromtentotwelvefeet。

Thechildrenwerelightincolor，evenlighterthanthewomen，andalllookedpreciselyaliketome，exceptthatsomeweretallerthanothers；older，Ipresumed。

Isawnosignsofextremeageamongthem，noristhereanyappreciabledifferenceintheirappearancefromtheageofmaturity，aboutforty，until，atabouttheageofonethousandyears，theygovoluntarilyupontheirlaststrangepilgrimagedowntheriverIss，whichleadsnolivingMartianknowswhitherandfromwhosebosomnoMartianhaseverreturned，orwouldbeallowedtolivedidhereturnafteronceembarkinguponitscold，darkwaters。

OnlyaboutoneMartianinathousanddiesofsicknessordisease，andpossiblyabouttwentytakethevoluntarypilgrimage。

Theotherninehundredandseventy-ninedieviolentdeathsinduels，inhunting，inaviationandinwar；butperhapsbyfarthegreatestdeathlosscomesduringtheageofchildhood，whenvastnumbersofthelittleMartiansfallvictimstothegreatwhiteapesofMars。

TheaveragelifeexpectancyofaMartianaftertheageofmaturityisaboutthreehundredyears，butwouldbenearertheone-thousandmarkwereitnotforthevariousmeansleadingtoviolentdeath。Owingtothewaningresourcesoftheplanetitevidentlybecamenecessarytocounteracttheincreasinglongevitywhichtheirremarkableskillintherapeuticsandsurgeryproduced，andsohumanlifehascometobeconsideredbutlightlyonMars，asisevidencedbytheirdangeroussportsandthealmostcontinualwarfarebetweenthevariouscommunities。

Thereareotherandnaturalcausestendingtowardadiminutionofpopulation，butnothingcontributessogreatlytothisendasthefactthatnomaleorfemaleMartianisevervoluntarilywithoutaweaponofdestruction。

Aswenearedtheplazaandmypresencewasdiscoveredwewereimmediatelysurroundedbyhundredsofthecreatureswhoseemedanxioustopluckmefrommyseatbehindmyguard。Awordfromtheleaderofthepartystilledtheirclamor，andweproceededatatrotacrosstheplazatotheentranceofasmagnificentanedificeasmortaleyehasrestedupon。

Thebuildingwaslow，butcoveredanenormousarea。Itwasconstructedofgleamingwhitemarbleinlaidwithgoldandbrilliantstoneswhichsparkledandscintillatedinthesunlight。Themainentrancewassomehundredfeetinwidthandprojectedfromthebuildingpropertoformahugecanopyabovetheentrancehall。Therewasnostairway，butagentleinclinetothefirstfloorofthebuildingopenedintoanenormouschamberencircledbygalleries。

Onthefloorofthischamber，whichwasdottedwithhighlycarvedwoodendesksandchairs，wereassembledaboutfortyorfiftymaleMartiansaroundthestepsofarostrum。Ontheplatformpropersquattedanenormouswarriorheavilyloadedwithmetalornaments，gay-coloredfeathersandbeautifullywroughtleathertrappingsingeniouslysetwithpreciousstones。

Fromhisshouldersdependedashortcapeofwhitefurlinedwithbrilliantscarletsilk。

Whatstruckmeasmostremarkableaboutthisassemblageandthehallinwhichtheywerecongregatedwasthefactthatthecreatureswereentirelyoutofproportiontothedesks，chairs，andotherfurnishings；thesebeingofasizeadaptedtohumanbeingssuchasI，whereasthegreatbulksoftheMartianscouldscarcelyhavesqueezedintothechairs，norwasthereroombeneaththedesksfortheirlonglegs。Evidently，then，therewereotherdenizensonMarsthanthewildandgrotesquecreaturesintowhosehandsIhadfallen，buttheevidencesofextremeantiquitywhichshowedallaroundmeindicatedthatthesebuildingsmighthavebelongedtosomelong-extinctandforgottenraceinthedimantiquityofMars。

Ourpartyhadhaltedattheentrancetothebuilding，andatasignfromtheleaderIhadbeenloweredtotheground。

Againlockinghisarminmine，wehadproceededintotheaudiencechamber。TherewerefewformalitiesobservedinapproachingtheMartianchieftain。Mycaptormerelystrodeuptotherostrum，theothersmakingwayforhimasheadvanced。Thechieftainrosetohisfeetandutteredthenameofmyescortwho，inturn，haltedandrepeatedthenameoftherulerfollowedbyhistitle。

Atthetime，thisceremonyandthewordstheyutteredmeantnothingtome，butlaterIcametoknowthatthiswasthecustomarygreetingbetweengreenMartians。Hadthemenbeenstrangers，andthereforeunabletoexchangenames，theywouldhavesilentlyexchangedornaments，hadtheirmissionsbeenpeaceful——otherwisetheywouldhaveexchangedshots，orhavefoughtouttheirintroductionwithsomeotheroftheirvariousweapons。

Mycaptor，whosenamewasTarsTarkas，wasvirtuallythevice-chieftainofthecommunity，andamanofgreatabilityasastatesmanandwarrior。Heevidentlyexplainedbrieflytheincidentsconnectedwithhisexpedition，includingmycapture，andwhenhehadconcludedthechieftainaddressedmeatsomelength。

IrepliedinourgoodoldEnglishtonguemerelytoconvincehimthatneitherofuscouldunderstandtheother；

butInoticedthatwhenIsmiledslightlyonconcluding，hedidlikewise。Thisfact，andthesimilaroccurrenceduringmyfirsttalkwithTarsTarkas，convincedmethatwehadatleastsomethingincommon；theabilitytosmile，thereforetolaugh；

denotingasenseofhumor。ButIwastolearnthattheMartiansmileismerelyperfunctory，andthattheMartianlaughisathingtocausestrongmentoblanchinhorror。

TheideasofhumoramongthegreenmenofMarsarewidelyatvariancewithourconceptionsofincitantstomerriment。Thedeathagoniesofafellowbeingare，tothesestrangecreaturesprovocativeofthewildesthilarity，whiletheirchiefformofcommonestamusementistoinflictdeathontheirprisonersofwarinvariousingeniousandhorribleways。

Theassembledwarriorsandchieftainsexaminedmeclosely，feelingmymusclesandthetextureofmyskin。Theprincipalchieftainthenevidentlysignifiedadesiretoseemeperform，and，motioningmetofollow，hestartedwithTarsTarkasfortheopenplaza。

Now，Ihadmadenoattempttowalk，sincemyfirstsignalfailure，exceptwhiletightlygraspingTarsTarkas"arm，andsonowIwentskippingandflittingaboutamongthedesksandchairslikesomemonstrousgrasshopper。Afterbruisingmyselfseverely，muchtotheamusementoftheMartians，I

againhadrecoursetocreeping，butthisdidnotsuitthemandIwasroughlyjerkedtomyfeetbyatoweringfellowwhohadlaughedmostheartilyatmymisfortunes。

AshebangedmedownuponmyfeethisfacewasbentclosetomineandIdidtheonlythingagentlemanmightdounderthecircumstancesofbrutality，boorishness，andlackofconsiderationforastranger"srights；Iswungmyfistsquarelytohisjawandhewentdownlikeafelledox。AshesunktothefloorIwheeledaroundwithmybacktowardthenearestdesk，expectingtobeoverwhelmedbythevengeanceofhisfellows，butdeterminedtogivethemasgoodabattleastheunequaloddswouldpermitbeforeIgaveupmylife。

Myfearsweregroundless，however，astheotherMartians，atfirststruckdumbwithwonderment，finallybrokeintowildpealsoflaughterandapplause。Ididnotrecognizetheapplauseassuch，butlater，whenIhadbecomeacquaintedwiththeircustoms，IlearnedthatIhadwonwhattheyseldomaccord，amanifestationofapprobation。

ThefellowwhomIhadstrucklaywherehehadfallen，nordidanyofhismatesapproachhim。TarsTarkasadvancedtowardme，holdingoutoneofhisarms，andwethusproceededtotheplazawithoutfurthermishap。Ididnot，ofcourse，knowthereasonforwhichwehadcometotheopen，butI

wasnotlonginbeingenlightened。Theyfirstrepeatedtheword"sak"anumberoftimes，andthenTarsTarkasmadeseveraljumps，repeatingthesamewordbeforeeachleap；then，turningtome，hesaid，"sak!"Isawwhattheywereafter，andgatheringmyselftogetherI"sakked"withsuchmarveloussuccessthatIclearedagoodhundredandfiftyfeet；nordidI

thistime，losemyequilibrium，butlandedsquarelyuponmyfeetwithoutfalling。Ithenreturnedbyeasyjumpsoftwenty-

fiveorthirtyfeettothelittlegroupofwarriors。

MyexhibitionhadbeenwitnessedbyseveralhundredlesserMartians，andtheyimmediatelybrokeintodemandsforarepetition，whichthechieftainthenorderedmetomake；butIwasbothhungryandthirsty，anddeterminedonthespotthatmyonlymethodofsalvationwastodemandtheconsiderationfromthesecreatureswhichtheyevidentlywouldnotvoluntarilyaccord。Ithereforeignoredtherepeatedcommandsto"sak，"andeachtimetheyweremadeImotionedtomymouthandrubbedmystomach。

TarsTarkasandthechiefexchangedafewwords，andtheformer，callingtoayoungfemaleamongthethrong，gavehersomeinstructionsandmotionedmetoaccompanyher。I

graspedherprofferedarmandtogetherwecrossedtheplazatowardalargebuildingonthefarside。

Myfaircompanionwasabouteightfeettall，havingjustarrivedatmaturity，butnotyettoherfullheight。Shewasofalightolive-greencolor，withasmooth，glossyhide。Hername，asIafterwardlearned，wasSola，andshebelongedtotheretinueofTarsTarkas。Sheconductedmetoaspaciouschamberinoneofthebuildingsfrontingontheplaza，andwhich，fromthelitterofsilksandfursuponthefloor，Itooktobethesleepingquartersofseveralofthenatives。

Theroomwaswelllightedbyanumberoflargewindowsandwasbeautifullydecoratedwithmuralpaintingsandmosaics，butuponallthereseemedtorestthatindefinabletouchofthefingerofantiquitywhichconvincedmethatthearchitectsandbuildersofthesewondrouscreationshadnothingincommonwiththecrudehalf-bruteswhichnowoccupiedthem。

Solamotionedmetobeseateduponapileofsilksnearthecenteroftheroom，and，turning，madeapeculiarhissingsound，asthoughsignalingtosomeoneinanadjoiningroom。

InresponsetohercallIobtainedmyfirstsightofanewMartianwonder。Itwaddledinonitstenshortlegs，andsquatteddownbeforethegirllikeanobedientpuppy。ThethingwasaboutthesizeofaShetlandpony，butitsheadboreaslightresemblancetothatofafrog，exceptthatthejawswereequippedwiththreerowsoflong，sharptusks。

CHAPTERV

IELUDEMYWATCHDOG

Solastaredintothebrute"swicked-lookingeyes，mutteredawordortwoofcommand，pointedtome，andleftthechamber。

Icouldnotbutwonderwhatthisferocious-lookingmonstrositymightdowhenleftaloneinsuchcloseproximitytosucharelativelytendermorselofmeat；butmyfearsweregroundless，asthebeast，aftersurveyingmeintentlyforamoment，crossedtheroomtotheonlyexitwhichledtothestreet，andlaydownfulllengthacrossthethreshold。

ThiswasmyfirstexperiencewithaMartianwatchdog，butitwasdestinednottobemylast，forthisfellowguardedmecarefullyduringthetimeIremainedacaptiveamongthesegreenmen；twicesavingmylife，andnevervoluntarilybeingawayfrommeamoment。

WhileSolawasawayItookoccasiontoexaminemoreminutelytheroominwhichIfoundmyselfcaptive。Themuralpaintingdepictedscenesofrareandwonderfulbeauty；

mountains，rivers，lake，ocean，meadow，treesandflowers，windingroadways，sun-kissedgardens——sceneswhichmighthaveportrayedearthlyviewsbutforthedifferentcoloringsofthevegetation。Theworkhadevidentlybeenwroughtbyamasterhand，sosubtletheatmosphere，soperfectthetechnique；

yetnowherewastherearepresentationofalivinganimal，eitherhumanorbrute，bywhichIcouldguessatthelikenessoftheseotherandperhapsextinctdenizensofMars。

WhileIwasallowingmyfancytorunriotinwildconjectureonthepossibleexplanationofthestrangeanomalieswhichIhadsofarmetwithonMars，Solareturnedbearingbothfoodanddrink。Thesesheplacedonthefloorbesideme，andseatingherselfashortwaysoffregardedmeintently。

Thefoodconsistedofaboutapoundofsomesolidsubstanceoftheconsistencyofcheeseandalmosttasteless，whiletheliquidwasapparentlymilkfromsomeanimal。Itwasnotunpleasanttothetaste，thoughslightlyacid，andIlearnedinashorttimetoprizeitveryhighly。Itcame，asIlaterdiscovered，notfromananimal，asthereisonlyonemammalonMarsandthatoneveryrareindeed，butfromalargeplantwhichgrowspracticallywithoutwater，butseemstodistillitsplentifulsupplyofmilkfromtheproductsofthesoil，themoistureoftheair，andtheraysofthesun。Asingleplantofthisspecieswillgiveeightortenquartsofmilkperday。

AfterIhadeatenIwasgreatlyinvigorated，butfeelingtheneedofrestIstretchedoutuponthesilksandwassoonasleep。Imusthavesleptseveralhours，asitwasdarkwhenIawoke，andIwasverycold。Inoticedthatsomeonehadthrownafuroverme，butithadbecomepartiallydislodgedandinthedarknessIcouldnotseetoreplaceit。Suddenlyahandreachedoutandpulledthefuroverme，shortlyafterwardsaddinganothertomycovering。

IpresumedthatmywatchfulguardianwasSola，norwasIwrong。Thisgirlalone，amongallthegreenMartianswithwhomIcameincontact，disclosedcharacteristicsofsympathy，kindliness，andaffection；herministrationstomybodilywantswereunfailing，andhersolicitouscaresavedmefrommuchsufferingandmanyhardships。

AsIwastolearn，theMartiannightsareextremelycold，andasthereispracticallynotwilightordawn，thechangesintemperaturearesuddenandmostuncomfortable，asarethetransitionsfrombrilliantdaylighttodarkness。Thenightsareeitherbrilliantlyilluminedorverydark，forifneitherofthetwomoonsofMarshappentobeintheskyalmosttotaldarknessresults，sincethelackofatmosphere，or，rather，theverythinatmosphere，failstodiffusethestarlighttoanygreatextent；ontheotherhand，ifbothofthemoonsareintheheavensatnightthesurfaceofthegroundisbrightlyilluminated。

BothofMars"moonsarevastlynearerherthanisourmoontoEarth；thenearermoonbeingbutaboutfivethousandmilesdistant，whilethefurtherisbutlittlemorethanfourteenthousandmilesaway，againstthenearlyone-quartermillionmileswhichseparateusfromourmoon。ThenearermoonofMarsmakesacompleterevolutionaroundtheplanetinalittleoversevenandone-halfhours，sothatshemaybeseenhurtlingthroughtheskylikesomehugemeteortwoorthreetimeseachnight，revealingallherphasesduringeachtransitoftheheavens。

ThefurthermoonrevolvesaboutMarsinsomethingoverthirtyandone-quarterhours，andwithhersistersatellitemakesanocturnalMartiansceneoneofsplendidandweirdgrandeur。AnditiswellthatnaturehassograciouslyandabundantlylightedtheMartiannight，forthegreenmenofMars，beinganomadicracewithouthighintellectualdevelopment，havebutcrudemeansforartificiallighting；dependingprincipallyupontorches，akindofcandle，andapeculiaroillampwhichgeneratesagasandburnswithoutawick。

Thislastdeviceproducesanintenselybrilliantfar-reachingwhitelight，butasthenaturaloilwhichitrequirescanonlybeobtainedbymininginoneofseveralwidelyseparatedandremotelocalitiesitisseldomusedbythesecreatureswhoseonlythoughtisfortoday，andwhosehatredformanuallaborhaskepttheminasemi-barbaricstateforcountlessages。

AfterSolahadreplenishedmycoveringsIagainslept，nordidIawakenuntildaylight。Theotheroccupantsoftheroom，fiveinnumber，wereallfemales，andtheywerestillsleeping，piledhighwithamotleyarrayofsilksandfurs。Acrossthethresholdlaystretchedthesleeplessguardianbrute，justasI

hadlastseenhimontheprecedingday；apparentlyhehadnotmovedamuscle；hiseyeswerefairlyglueduponme，andI

felltowonderingjustwhatmightbefallmeshouldIendeavortoescape。

Ihaveeverbeenpronetoseekadventureandtoinvestigateandexperimentwherewisermenwouldhaveleftwellenoughalone。Itthereforenowoccurredtomethatthesurestwayoflearningtheexactattitudeofthisbeasttowardmewouldbetoattempttoleavetheroom。IfeltfairlysecureinmybeliefthatIcouldescapehimshouldhepursuemeonceIwasoutsidethebuilding，forIhadbeguntotakegreatprideinmyabilityasajumper。Furthermore，Icouldseefromtheshortnessofhislegsthatthebrutehimselfwasnojumperandprobablynorunner。

Slowlyandcarefully，therefore，Igainedmyfeet，onlytoseethatmywatcherdidthesame；cautiouslyIadvancedtowardhim，findingthatbymovingwithashufflinggaitI

couldretainmybalanceaswellasmakereasonablyrapidprogress。AsInearedthebrutehebackedcautiouslyawayfromme，andwhenIhadreachedtheopenhemovedtoonesidetoletmepass。HethenfellinbehindmeandfollowedabouttenpacesinmyrearasImademywayalongthedesertedstreet。

Evidentlyhismissionwastoprotectmeonly，Ithought，butwhenwereachedtheedgeofthecityhesuddenlysprangbeforeme，utteringstrangesoundsandbaringhisuglyandferocioustusks。Thinkingtohavesomeamusementathisexpense，Irushedtowardhim，andwhenalmostuponhimsprangintotheair，alightingfarbeyondhimandawayfromthecity。HewheeledinstantlyandchargedmewiththemostappallingspeedIhadeverbeheld。Ihadthoughthisshortlegsabartoswiftness，buthadhebeencoursingwithgreyhoundsthelatterwouldhaveappearedasthoughasleeponadoormat。AsIwastolearn，thisisthefleetestanimalonMars，andowingtoitsintelligence，loyalty，andferocityisusedinhunting，inwar，andastheprotectoroftheMartianman。

IquicklysawthatIwouldhavedifficultyinescapingthefangsofthebeastonastraightawaycourse，andsoImethischargebydoublinginmytracksandleapingoverhimashewasalmostuponme。Thismaneuvergavemeaconsiderableadvantage，andIwasabletoreachthecityquiteabitaheadofhim，andashecametearingaftermeIjumpedforawindowaboutthirtyfeetfromthegroundinthefaceofoneofthebuildingsoverlookingthevalley。

GraspingthesillIpulledmyselfuptoasittingposturewithoutlookingintothebuilding，andgazeddownatthebaffledanimalbeneathme。Myexultationwasshort-lived，however，forscarcelyhadIgainedasecureseatuponthesillthanahugehandgraspedmebytheneckfrombehindanddraggedmeviolentlyintotheroom。HereIwasthrownuponmyback，andbeheldstandingovermeacolossalape-likecreature，whiteandhairlessexceptforanenormousshockofbristlyhairuponitshead。

CHAPTERVI

AFIGHTTHATWONFRIENDS

Thething，whichmorenearlyresembledourearthlymenthanitdidtheMartiansIhadseen，heldmepinionedtothegroundwithonehugefoot，whileitjabberedandgesticulatedatsomeansweringcreaturebehindme。Thisother，whichwasevidentlyitsmate，sooncametowardus，bearingamightystonecudgelwithwhichitevidentlyintendedtobrainme。

Thecreatureswereabouttenorfifteenfeettall，standingerect，andhad，likethegreenMartians，anintermediarysetofarmsorlegs，midwaybetweentheirupperandlowerlimbs。

Theireyeswereclosetogetherandnon-protruding；theirearswerehighset，butmorelaterallylocatedthanthoseoftheMartians，whiletheirsnoutsandteethwerestrikinglylikethoseofourAfricangorilla。AltogethertheywerenotunlovelywhenviewedincomparisonwiththegreenMartians。

Thecudgelwasswinginginthearcwhichendeduponmyupturnedfacewhenaboltofmyriad-leggedhorrorhurleditselfthroughthedoorwayfulluponthebreastofmyexecutioner。

Withashriekoffeartheapewhichheldmeleapedthroughtheopenwindow，butitsmateclosedinaterrificdeathstrugglewithmypreserver，whichwasnothinglessthanmyfaithfulwatch-thing；Icannotbringmyselftocallsohideousacreatureadog。

AsquicklyaspossibleIgainedmyfeetandbackingagainstthewallIwitnessedsuchabattleasitisvouchsafedfewbeingstosee。Thestrength，agility，andblindferocityofthesetwocreaturesisapproachedbynothingknowntoearthlyman。

Mybeasthadanadvantageinhisfirsthold，havingsunkhismightyfangsfarintothebreastofhisadversary；butthegreatarmsandpawsoftheape，backedbymusclesfartranscendingthoseoftheMartianmenIhadseen，hadlockedthethroatofmyguardianandslowlywerechokingouthislife，andbendingbackhisheadandneckuponhisbody，whereImomentarilyexpectedtheformertofalllimpattheendofabrokenneck。

Inaccomplishingthistheapewastearingawaytheentirefrontofitsbreast，whichwasheldinthevise-likegripofthepowerfuljaws。Backandforthuponthefloortheyrolled，neitheroneemittingasoundoffearorpain。PresentlyIsawthegreateyesofmybeastbulgingcompletelyfromtheirsocketsandbloodflowingfromitsnostrils。Thathewasweakeningperceptiblywasevident，butsoalsowastheape，whosestrugglesweregrowingmomentarilyless。

SuddenlyIcametomyselfand，withthatstrangeinstinctwhichseemsevertopromptmetomyduty，Iseizedthecudgel，whichhadfallentotheflooratthecommencementofthebattle，andswingingitwithallthepowerofmyearthlyarmsIcrasheditfullupontheheadoftheape，crushinghisskullasthoughithadbeenaneggshell。

ScarcelyhadtheblowdescendedwhenIwasconfrontedwithanewdanger。Theape"smate，recoveredfromitsfirstshockofterror，hadreturnedtothesceneoftheencounterbywayoftheinteriorofthebuilding。Iglimpsedhimjustbeforehereachedthedoorwayandthesightofhim，nowroaringasheperceivedhislifelessfellowstretcheduponthefloor，andfrothingatthemouth，intheextremityofhisrage，filledme，Imustconfess，withdireforebodings。

Iameverwillingtostandandfightwhentheoddsarenottoooverwhelminglyagainstme，butinthisinstanceIperceivedneitherglorynorprofitinpittingmyrelativelypunystrengthagainsttheironmusclesandbrutalferocityofthisenrageddenizenofanunknownworld；infact，theonlyoutcomeofsuchanencounter，sofarasImightbeconcerned，seemedsuddendeath。

IwasstandingnearthewindowandIknewthatonceinthestreetImightgaintheplazaandsafetybeforethecreaturecouldovertakeme；atleasttherewasachanceforsafetyinflight，againstalmostcertaindeathshouldIremainandfighthoweverdesperately。

ItistrueIheldthecudgel，butwhatcouldIdowithitagainsthisfourgreatarms？EvenshouldIbreakoneofthemwithmyfirstblow，forIfiguredthathewouldattempttowardoffthecudgel，hecouldreachoutandannihilatemewiththeothersbeforeIcouldrecoverforasecondattack。

IntheinstantthatthesethoughtspassedthroughmymindIhadturnedtomakeforthewindow，butmyeyesalightingontheformofmyerstwhileguardianthrewallthoughtsofflighttothefourwinds。Helaygaspinguponthefloorofthechamber，hisgreateyesfasteneduponmeinwhatseemedapitifulappealforprotection。Icouldnotwithstandthatlook，norcouldI，onsecondthought，havedesertedmyrescuerwithoutgivingasgoodanaccountofmyselfinhisbehalfashehadinmine。

Withoutmoreado，therefore，Iturnedtomeetthechargeoftheinfuriatedbullape。Hewasnowtoocloseuponmeforthecudgeltoproveofanyeffectiveassistance，soImerelythrewitasheavilyasIcouldathisadvancingbulk。Itstruckhimjustbelowtheknees，elicitingahowlofpainandrage，andsothrowinghimoffhisbalancethathelungedfulluponmewitharmswidestretchedtoeasehisfall。

Again，asontheprecedingday，Ihadrecoursetoearthlytactics，andswingingmyrightfistfulluponthepointofhischinIfolloweditwithasmashinglefttothepitofhisstomach。Theeffectwasmarvelous，for，asIlightlysidestepped，afterdeliveringthesecondblow，hereeledandfelluponthefloordoubledupwithpainandgaspingforwind。Leapingoverhisprostratebody，Iseizedthecudgelandfinishedthemonsterbeforehecouldregainhisfeet。

AsIdeliveredtheblowalowlaughrangoutbehindme，and，turning，IbeheldTarsTarkas，Sola，andthreeorfourwarriorsstandinginthedoorwayofthechamber。AsmyeyesmettheirsIwas，forthesecondtime，therecipientoftheirzealouslyguardedapplause。

MyabsencehadbeennotedbySolaonherawakening，andshehadquicklyinformedTarsTarkas，whohadsetoutimmediatelywithahandfulofwarriorstosearchforme。

Astheyhadapproachedthelimitsofthecitytheyhadwitnessedtheactionsofthebullapeasheboltedintothebuilding，frothingwithrage。

Theyhadfollowedimmediatelybehindhim，thinkingitbarelypossiblethathisactionsmightproveaclewtomywhereaboutsandhadwitnessedmyshortbutdecisivebattlewithhim。Thisencounter，togetherwithmyset-towiththeMartianwarrioronthepreviousdayandmyfeatsofjumpingplacedmeuponahighpinnacleintheirregard。Evidentlydevoidofallthefinersentimentsoffriendship，love，oraffection，thesepeoplefairlyworshipphysicalprowessandbravery，andnothingistoogoodfortheobjectoftheiradorationaslongashemaintainshispositionbyrepeatedexamplesofhisskill，strength，andcourage。

Sola，whohadaccompaniedthesearchingpartyofherownvolition，wastheonlyoneoftheMartianswhosefacehadnotbeentwistedinlaughterasIbattledformylife。She，onthecontrary，wassoberwithapparentsolicitudeand，assoonasI

hadfinishedthemonster，rushedtomeandcarefullyexaminedmybodyforpossiblewoundsorinjuries。SatisfyingherselfthatIhadcomeoffunscathedshesmiledquietly，and，takingmyhand，startedtowardthedoorofthechamber。

TarsTarkasandtheotherwarriorshadenteredandwerestandingoverthenowrapidlyrevivingbrutewhichhadsavedmylife，andwhoselifeI，inturn，hadrescued。Theyseemedtobedeepinargument，andfinallyoneofthemaddressedme，butrememberingmyignoranceofhislanguageturnedbacktoTarsTarkas，who，withawordandgesture，gavesomecommandtothefellowandturnedtofollowusfromtheroom。

Thereseemedsomethingmenacingintheirattitudetowardmybeast，andIhesitatedtoleaveuntilIhadlearnedtheoutcome。ItwaswellIdidso，forthewarriordrewanevillookingpistolfromitsholsterandwasonthepointofputtinganendtothecreaturewhenIsprangforwardandstruckuphisarm。Thebulletstrikingthewoodencasingofthewindowexploded，blowingaholecompletelythroughthewoodandmasonry。

Ithenkneltdownbesidethefearsome-lookingthing，andraisingittoitsfeetmotionedforittofollowme。ThelooksofsurprisewhichmyactionselicitedfromtheMartianswereludicrous；theycouldnotunderstand，exceptinafeebleandchildishway，suchattributesasgratitudeandcompassion。

ThewarriorwhosegunIhadstruckuplookedenquiringlyatTarsTarkas，butthelattersignedthatIbelefttomyowndevices，andsowereturnedtotheplazawithmygreatbeastfollowingcloseatheel，andSolagraspingmetightlybythearm。

IhadatleasttwofriendsonMars；ayoungwomanwhowatchedovermewithmotherlysolicitude，andadumbbrutewhich，asIlatercametoknow，heldinitspooruglycarcassmorelove，moreloyalty，moregratitudethancouldhavebeenfoundintheentirefivemilliongreenMartianswhorovethedesertedcitiesanddeadseabottomsofMars。

CHAPTERVII

CHILD-RAISINGONMARS

Afterabreakfast，whichwasanexactreplicaofthemealoftheprecedingdayandanindexofpracticallyeverymealwhichfollowedwhileIwaswiththegreenmenofMars，Solaescortedmetotheplaza，whereIfoundtheentirecommunityengagedinwatchingorhelpingattheharnessingofhugemastodoniananimalstogreatthree-wheeledchariots。Therewereabouttwohundredandfiftyofthesevehicles，eachdrawnbyasingleanimal，anyoneofwhich，fromtheirappearance，mighteasilyhavedrawntheentirewagontrainwhenfullyloaded。

Thechariotsthemselveswerelarge，commodious，andgorgeouslydecorated。IneachwasseatedafemaleMartianloadedwithornamentsofmetal，withjewelsandsilksandfurs，anduponthebackofeachofthebeastswhichdrewthechariotswasperchedayoungMartiandriver。Liketheanimalsuponwhichthewarriorsweremounted，theheavierdraftanimalsworeneitherbitnorbridle，butwereguidedentirelybytelepathicmeans。

ThispoweriswonderfullydevelopedinallMartians，andaccountslargelyforthesimplicityoftheirlanguageandtherelativelyfewspokenwordsexchangedeveninlongconversations。

ItistheuniversallanguageofMars，throughthemediumofwhichthehigherandloweranimalsofthisworldofparadoxesareabletocommunicatetoagreaterorlessextent，dependingupontheintellectualsphereofthespeciesandthedevelopmentoftheindividual。

Asthecavalcadetookupthelineofmarchinsinglefile，SoladraggedmeintoanemptychariotandweproceededwiththeprocessiontowardthepointbywhichIhadenteredthecitythedaybefore。Attheheadofthecaravanrodesometwohundredwarriors，fiveabreast，andalikenumberbroughtuptherear，whiletwenty-fiveorthirtyoutridersflankedusoneitherside。

Everyonebutmyself——men，women，andchildren——wereheavilyarmed，andatthetailofeachchariottrottedaMartianhound，myownbeastfollowingcloselybehindours；infact，thefaithfulcreatureneverleftmevoluntarilyduringtheentiretenyearsIspentonMars。Ourwayledoutacrossthelittlevalleybeforethecity，throughthehills，anddownintothedeadseabottomwhichIhadtraversedonmyjourneyfromtheincubatortotheplaza。Theincubator，asitproved，wastheterminalpointofourjourneythisday，and，astheentirecavalcadebrokeintoamadgallopassoonaswereachedthelevelexpanseofseabottom，weweresoonwithinsightofourgoal。

Onreachingitthechariotswereparkedwithmilitaryprecisiononthefoursidesoftheenclosure，andhalfascoreofwarriors，headedbytheenormouschieftain，andincludingTarsTarkasandseveralotherlesserchiefs，dismountedandadvancedtowardit。IcouldseeTarsTarkasexplainingsomethingtotheprincipalchieftain，whosename，bytheway，was，asnearlyasIcantranslateitintoEnglish，LorquasPtomel，Jed；jedbeinghistitle。

Iwassoonappraisedofthesubjectoftheirconversation，as，callingtoSola，TarsTarkassignedforhertosendmetohim。

IhadbythistimemasteredtheintricaciesofwalkingunderMartianconditions，andquicklyrespondingtohiscommandIadvancedtothesideoftheincubatorwherethewarriorsstood。

AsIreachedtheirsideaglanceshowedmethatallbutaveryfeweggshadhatched，theincubatorbeingfairlyalivewiththehideouslittledevils。Theyrangedinheightfromthreetofourfeet，andweremovingrestlesslyabouttheenclosureasthoughsearchingforfood。

AsIcametoahaltbeforehim，TarsTarkaspointedovertheincubatorandsaid，"Sak。”IsawthathewantedmetorepeatmyperformanceofyesterdayfortheedificationofLorquasPtomel，and，asImustconfessthatmyprowessgavemenolittlesatisfaction，Irespondedquickly，leapingentirelyovertheparkedchariotsonthefarsideoftheincubator。AsIreturned，LorquasPtomelgruntedsomethingatme，andturningtohiswarriorsgaveafewwordsofcommandrelativetotheincubator。TheypaidnofurtherattentiontomeandI

wasthuspermittedtoremaincloseandwatchtheiroperations，whichconsistedinbreakinganopeninginthewalloftheincubatorlargeenoughtopermitoftheexitoftheyoungMartians。

OneithersideofthisopeningthewomenandtheyoungerMartians，bothmaleandfemale，formedtwosolidwallsleadingoutthroughthechariotsandquiteawayintotheplainbeyond。

BetweenthesewallsthelittleMartiansscampered，wildasdeer；beingpermittedtorunthefulllengthoftheaisle，wheretheywerecapturedoneatatimebythewomenandolderchildren；thelastinthelinecapturingthefirstlittleonetoreachtheendofthegauntlet，heroppositeinthelinecapturingthesecond，andsoonuntilallthelittlefellowshadlefttheenclosureandbeenappropriatedbysomeyouthorfemale。Asthewomencaughttheyoungtheyfelloutoflineandreturnedtotheirrespectivechariots，whilethosewhofellintothehandsoftheyoungmenwerelaterturnedovertosomeofthewomen。

Isawthattheceremony，ifitcouldbedignifiedbysuchaname，wasover，andseekingoutSolaIfoundherinourchariotwithahideouslittlecreatureheldtightlyinherarms。

Theworkofrearingyoung，greenMartiansconsistssolelyinteachingthemtotalk，andtousetheweaponsofwarfarewithwhichtheyareloadeddownfromtheveryfirstyearoftheirlives。Comingfromeggsinwhichtheyhavelainforfiveyears，theperiodofincubation，theystepforthintotheworldperfectlydevelopedexceptinsize。Entirelyunknowntotheirmothers，who，inturn，wouldhavedifficultyinpointingoutthefatherswithanydegreeofaccuracy，theyarethecommonchildrenofthecommunity，andtheireducationdevolvesuponthefemaleswhochancetocapturethemastheyleavetheincubator。

Theirfostermothersmaynotevenhavehadaneggintheincubator，aswasthecasewithSola，whohadnotcommencedtolay，untillessthanayearbeforeshebecamethemotherofanotherwoman"soffspring。ButthiscountsforlittleamongthegreenMartians，asparentalandfilialloveisasunknowntothemasitiscommonamongus。Ibelievethishorriblesystemwhichhasbeencarriedonforagesisthedirectcauseofthelossofallthefinerfeelingsandhigherhumanitarianinstinctsamongthesepoorcreatures。Frombirththeyknownofatherormotherlove，theyknownotthemeaningofthewordhome；

theyaretaughtthattheyareonlysufferedtoliveuntiltheycandemonstratebytheirphysiqueandferocitythattheyarefittolive。Shouldtheyprovedeformedordefectiveinanywaytheyarepromptlyshot；nordotheyseeatearshedforasingleoneofthemanycruelhardshipstheypassthroughfromearliestinfancy。

IdonotmeanthattheadultMartiansareunnecessarilyorintentionallycrueltotheyoung，buttheirsisahardandpitilessstruggleforexistenceuponadyingplanet，thenaturalresourcesofwhichhavedwindledtoapointwherethesupportofeachadditionallifemeansanaddedtaxuponthecommunityintowhichitisthrown。

Bycarefulselectiontheyrearonlythehardiestspecimensofeachspecies，andwithalmostsupernaturalforesighttheyregulatethebirthratetomerelyoffsetthelossbydeath。

EachadultMartianfemalebringsforthaboutthirteeneggseachyear，andthosewhichmeetthesize，weight，andspecificgravitytestsarehiddenintherecessesofsomesubterraneanvaultwherethetemperatureistoolowforincubation。Everyyeartheseeggsarecarefullyexaminedbyacounciloftwentychieftains，andallbutaboutonehundredofthemostperfectaredestroyedoutofeachyearlysupply。Attheendoffiveyearsaboutfivehundredalmostperfecteggshavebeenchosenfromthethousandsbroughtforth。Thesearethenplacedinthealmostair-tightincubatorstobehatchedbythesun"sraysafteraperiodofanotherfiveyears。Thehatchingwhichwehadwitnessedtodaywasafairlyrepresentativeeventofitskind，allbutaboutonepercentoftheeggshatchingintwodays。IftheremainingeggseverhatchedweknewnothingofthefateofthelittleMartians。Theywerenotwanted，astheiroffspringmightinheritandtransmitthetendencytoprolongedincubation，andthusupsetthesystemwhichhasmaintainedforagesandwhichpermitstheadultMartianstofigurethepropertimeforreturntotheincubators，almosttoanhour。

Theincubatorsarebuiltinremotefastnesses，wherethereislittleornolikelihoodoftheirbeingdiscoveredbyothertribes。Theresultofsuchacatastrophewouldmeannochildreninthecommunityforanotherfiveyears。Iwaslatertowitnesstheresultsofthediscoveryofanalienincubator。

ThecommunityofwhichthegreenMartianswithwhommylotwascastformedapartwascomposedofsomethirtythousandsouls。Theyroamedanenormoustractofaridandsemi-aridlandbetweenfortyandeightydegreessouthlatitude，andboundedontheeastandwestbytwolargefertiletracts。

Theirheadquarterslayinthesouthwestcornerofthisdistrict，nearthecrossingoftwooftheso-calledMartiancanals。

Astheincubatorhadbeenplacedfarnorthoftheirownterritoryinasupposedlyuninhabitedandunfrequentedarea，wehadbeforeusatremendousjourney，concerningwhichI，ofcourse，knewnothing。

AfterourreturntothedeadcityIpassedseveraldaysincomparativeidleness。Onthedayfollowingourreturnallthewarriorshadriddenforthearlyinthemorningandhadnotreturneduntiljustbeforedarknessfell。AsIlaterlearned，theyhadbeentothesubterraneanvaultsinwhichtheeggswerekeptandhadtransportedthemtotheincubator，whichtheyhadthenwalledupforanotherfiveyears，andwhich，inallprobability，wouldnotbevisitedagainduringthatperiod。

Thevaultswhichhidtheeggsuntiltheywerereadyfortheincubatorwerelocatedmanymilessouthoftheincubator，andwouldbevisitedyearlybythecounciloftwentychieftains。

Whytheydidnotarrangetobuildtheirvaultsandincubatorsnearerhomehasalwaysbeenamysterytome，and，likemanyotherMartianmysteries，unsolvedandunsolvablebyearthlyreasoningandcustoms。

Sola"sdutieswerenowdoubled，asshewascompelledtocarefortheyoungMartianaswellasforme，butneitheroneofusrequiredmuchattention，andaswewerebothaboutequallyadvancedinMartianeducation，Solatookituponherselftotrainustogether。

Herprizeconsistedinamaleaboutfourfeettall，verystrongandphysicallyperfect；also，helearnedquickly，andwehadconsiderableamusement，atleastIdid，overthekeenrivalrywedisplayed。TheMartianlanguage，asIhavesaid，isextremelysimple，andinaweekIcouldmakeallmywantsknownandunderstandnearlyeverythingthatwassaidtome。Likewise，underSola"stutelage，IdevelopedmytelepathicpowerssothatIshortlycouldsensepracticallyeverythingthatwentonaroundme。

WhatsurprisedSolamostinmewasthatwhileIcouldcatchtelepathicmessageseasilyfromothers，andoftenwhentheywerenotintendedforme，noonecouldreadajotfrommymindunderanycircumstances。Atfirstthisvexedme，butlaterIwasverygladofit，asitgavemeanundoubtedadvantageovertheMartians。

CHAPTERVIII

AFAIRCAPTIVEFROMTHESKY

Thethirddayaftertheincubatorceremonywesetforthtowardhome，butscarcelyhadtheheadoftheprocessiondebouchedintotheopengroundbeforethecitythanordersweregivenforanimmediateandhastyreturn。Asthoughtrainedforyearsinthisparticularevolution，thegreenMartiansmeltedlikemistintothespaciousdoorwaysofthenearbybuildings，until，inlessthanthreeminutes，theentirecavalcadeofchariots，mastodonsandmountedwarriorswasnowheretobeseen。

SolaandIhadenteredabuildinguponthefrontofthecity，infact，thesameoneinwhichIhadhadmyencounterwiththeapes，and，wishingtoseewhathadcausedthesuddenretreat，Imountedtoanupperfloorandpeeredfromthewindowoutoverthevalleyandthehillsbeyond；andthereIsawthecauseoftheirsuddenscurryingtocover。Ahugecraft，long，low，andgray-painted，swungslowlyoverthecrestofthenearesthill。Followingitcameanother，andanother，andanother，untiltwentyofthem，swinginglowabovetheground，sailedslowlyandmajesticallytowardus。