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ey!" and he turned his eyes from O-Tar toward the warriors who had arisen, only
to discover that, to a man, they were hurriedly resuming their seats.
The cackling laughter of I-Gos broke derisively the hush that had fallen on the
room. The warriors looked sheepishly at the food upon their plates of gold. O-Tar
snapped his fingers impatiently.
"
Be there only cravens among the chiefs of Manator?" he cried. "Repeatedly have
these presumptuous slaves flouted the majesty of your jeddak. Must I command
one to go and fetch them?"
Slowly a chief arose and two others followed his example, though with ill-
concealed reluctance. "All, then, are not cowards," commented O-Tar. "The duty
is distasteful. Therefore all three of you shall go, taking as many warriors as you
wish."
"
But do not ask for volunteers," interrupted I-Gos, "or you will go alone."
The three chiefs turned and left the banquet hall, walking slowly like doomed
men to their fate.
Gahan and Tara remained in the chamber to which Tasor had led them, the man
brushing away the dust from a deep and comfortable bench where they might
rest in comparative comfort. He had found the ancient sleeping silks and furs too
far gone to be of any service, crumbling to powder at a touch, thus removing any
chance of making a comfortable bed for the girl, and so the two sat together,
talking in low tones, of the adventures through which they already had passed
and speculating upon the future; planning means of escape and hoping Tasor
would not be long gone. They spoke of many things--of Hastor, and Helium, and
Ptarth, and finally the conversation reminded Tara of Gathol.
"
"
"
You have served there?" she asked.
Yes," replied Turan.
I met Gahan the Jed of Gathol at my father's palace," she said, "the very day
before the storm snatched me from Helium--he was a presumptuous fellow,
magnificently trapped in platinum and diamonds. Never in my life saw I so
gorgeous a harness as his, and you must well know, Turan, that the splendor of
all Barsoom passes through the court at Helium; but in my mind I could not see
so resplendent a creature drawing that jeweled sword in mortal combat. I fear me
that the Jed of Gathol, though a pretty picture of a man, is little else."
In the dim light Tara did not perceive the wry expression upon the half-averted
face of her companion.
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