Princess of Mars / Принцесса Марса. Уровень 2

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; aВ 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.В 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.