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] 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].
Once the conversation finally fell upon the prisoner. I was all ears[46] 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], 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].
She also explained that Woola would prevent any attempt to leave the boundaries of the city. His nature was such[49], 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 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.