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You may need an extra sword hand, she replied.
As she left the control room,
Jat Ors eyes followed her. I knew that there were very many of them, because
there were so many,many hands upon me.
No, I do not mean that, he said; I mean
that as far as everreturning to Barsoom. There is something eerie about the
place, said Zanda, in low, tensetones. It doesnt seem possiblethat we have come
close enough to make her took as large as that.
At the same time he rubbed his
palms up and downhis thighs.
As I raced after Zanda my long sword was out,
though I saw no enemywhose blood it might drink.
His upper mouth stretched
sideways; he cametoward me. Then the things, whatever they were that assailed
me, overpowered me bynumbers. It even seemed possible that I might be intended
to serveas its food.
Perhaps, on the other hand, the grimace and the gesture of
the creatureconstituted a challenge.
Then mycompanion commenced to stalk it,
for all the world like a cat stalkingits prey. My sword was tom from my grasp;
my other weapons were snatchedaway.
Again I tell you that you are not my slave,
Zanda, I said.
It even seemed possible that I might be intended to serveas its
food.
I estimated that we shouldcomplete the trip in about five zodes. We came
here to find Gar Nals ship, I replied, and we must searchfor that first. I
could not know if the brain had responded tomy directions. I would not give you
away if I could,I said.
Doubtless, when she completed another revolution, we
should be withinthe sphere of her influence.
I wondered if it were endowed with
speech, and so I addressed it.
Perhaps he would make a good master, she said,
but I shall be slaveto no one but Vandor.
Here, at last, I detected a common
ground upon which we might discovermutual understanding. I moved toward him,
and again he changed his position.
Wear them, if you like, I said, but remain
in the ship where youwill be safe.
Then I calledaloud, voicing the common peace
greeting of Barsoom.
Perhaps, on the other hand, the grimace and the gesture of
the creatureconstituted a challenge.
I told you once that you werefree, and now
I tell you again in the presence of a witness. Raising my eyes, I saw Jat Or
moving along the corridor near me.
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