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CHAPTER III - THE HEADLESS HUMANS
Above the roof of the palace that housed the Jed of Gathol and his entourage, the
cruiser Vanator tore at her stout moorings. The groaning tackle bespoke the mad
fury of the gale, while the worried faces of those members of the crew whose
duties demanded their presence on the straining craft gave corroborative evidence
of the gravity of the situation. Only stout lashings prevented these men from
being swept from the deck, while those upon the roof below were constantly
compelled to cling to rails and stanchions to save themselves from being carried
away by each new burst of meteoric fury. Upon the prow of the Vanator was
painted the device of Gathol, but no pennants were displayed in the upper works
since the storm had carried away several in rapid succession, just as it seemed to
the watching men that it must carry away the ship itself. They could not believe
that any tackle could withstand for long this Titanic force. To each of the twelve
lashings clung a brawny warrior with drawn short-sword. Had but a single
mooring given to the power of the tempest eleven short-swords would have cut
the others; since, partially moored, the ship was doomed, while free in the
tempest it stood at least some slight chance for life.
"
By the blood of Issus, I believe they will hold!" screamed one warrior to another.
"And if they do not hold may the spirits of our ancestors reward the brave
warriors upon the Vanator," replied another of those upon the roof of the palace,
for it will not be long from the moment her cables part before her crew dons the
"
leather of the dead; but yet, Tanus, I believe they will hold. Give thanks at least
that we did not sail before the tempest fell, since now each of us has a chance to
live."
"Yes," replied Tanus, "I should hate to be abroad today upon the stoutest ship
that sails the Barsoomian sky."
It was then that Gahan the Jed appeared upon the roof. With him were the
balance of his own party and a dozen warriors of Helium. The young chief turned
to his followers.
"
I sail at once upon the Vanator," he said, "in search of Tara of Helium who is
thought to have been carried away upon a one-man flier by the storm. I do not
need to explain to you the slender chances the Vanator has to withstand the fury
of the tempest, nor will I order you to your deaths. Let those who wish remain
behind without dishonor. The others will follow me," and he leaped for the rope
ladder that lashed wildly in the gale.
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