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At first Tara of Helium had hoped that she might dodge him, for she could not

but guess that she was not only more fleet but infinitely more agile than these

strange creatures; but soon there came to her the realization that in the time

consumed in an attempt to elude his grasp his nearer fellows would be upon her

and escape then impossible, so she chose instead to charge straight for him, and

when he guessed her decision he stood, half crouching and with outstretched

arms, awaiting her. In one hand was his sword, but a voice arose, crying in tones

of authority. "Take her alive! Do not harm her!" Instantly the fellow returned his

sword to its scabbard and then Tara of Helium was upon him. Straight for that

beautiful body she sprang and in the instant that the arms closed to seize her her

sharp blade drove deep into the naked chest. The impact hurled them both to the

ground and as Tara of Helium sprang to her feet again she saw, to her horror,

that the loathsome head had rolled from the body and was now crawling away

from her on six short, spider-like legs. The body struggled spasmodically and lay

still. As brief as had been the delay caused by the encounter, it still had been of

sufficient duration to undo her, for even as she rose two more of the things fell

upon her and instantly thereafter she was surrounded. Her blade sank once more

into naked flesh and once more a head rolled free and crawled away. Then they

overpowered her and in another moment she was surrounded by fully a hundred

of the creatures, all seeking to lay hands upon her. At first she thought that they

wished to tear her to pieces in revenge for her having slain two of their fellows,

but presently she realized that they were prompted more by curiosity than by any

sinister motive.

"Come!" said one of her captors, both of whom had retained a hold upon her. As

he spoke he tried to lead her away with him toward the nearest tower.

"She belongs to me," cried the other. "Did not I capture her? She will come with

me to the tower of Moak."

"Never!" insisted the first. "She is Luud's. To Luud I will take her, and whosoever

interferes may feel the keenness of my sword--in the head!" He almost shouted

the last three words.

"Come! Enough of this," cried one who spoke with some show of authority. "She

was captured in Luud's fields--she will go to Luud."

She was discovered in Moak's fields, at the very foot of the tower of Moak,"

insisted he who had claimed her for Moak.

You have heard the Nolach speak," cried the Luud. "It shall be as he says."

Not while this Moak holds a sword," replied the other. "Rather will I cut her in

twain and take my half to Moak than to relinquish her all to Luud," and he drew

The Chessmen of Mars