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CHAPTER IV - CAPTURED

As Thuria, swift racer of the night, shot again into the sky the scene changed. As

by magic a new aspect fell athwart the face of Nature. It was as though in the

instant one had been transported from one planet to another. It was the age-old

miracle of the Martian nights that is always new, even to Martians--two moons

resplendent in the heavens, where one had been but now; conflicting, fast-

changing shadows that altered the very hills themselves; far Cluros, stately,

majestic, almost stationary, shedding his steady light upon the world below;

Thuria, a great and glorious orb, swinging swift across the vaulted dome of the

blue-black night, so low that she seemed to graze the hills, a gorgeous spectacle

that held the girl now beneath the spell of its enchantment as it always had and

always would.

Ah, Thuria, mad queen of heaven!" murmured Tara of Helium. "The hills pass in

stately procession, their bosoms rising and falling; the trees move in restless

circles; the little grasses describe their little arcs; and all is movement, restless,

mysterious movement without sound, while Thuria passes." The girl sighed and

let her gaze fall again to the stern realities beneath. There was no mystery in the

huge banths. He who had discovered her squatted there looking hungrily up at

her. Most of the others had wandered away in search of other prey, but a few

remained hoping yet to bury their fangs in that soft body.

The night wore on. Again Thuria left the heavens to her lord and master, hurrying

on to keep her tryst with the Sun in other skies. But a single banth waited

impatiently beneath the tree which harbored Tara of Helium. The others had left,

but their roars, and growls, and moans thundered or rumbled, or floated back to

her from near and far. What prey found they in this little valley? There must be

something that they were accustomed to find here that they should be drawn in

so great numbers. The girl wondered what it could be.

How long the night! Numb, cold, and exhausted, Tara of Helium clung to the tree

in growing desperation, for once she had dozed and almost fallen. Hope was low

in her brave little heart. How much more could she endure? She asked herself the

question and then, with a brave shake of her head, she squared her shoulders. "I

still live!" she said aloud.

The banth looked up and growled.

Came Thuria again and after awhile the great Sun--a flaming lover, pursuing his

heart's desire. And Cluros, the cold husband, continued his serene way, as placid

as before his house had been violated by this hot Lothario. And now the Sun and

The Chessmen of Mars