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。
