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As Gahan ceased speaking Ghek made a little noise in his throat as one does who
would attract attention. "You speak as one who has thought much upon many
subjects. Is it, then, possible that you of the red race have pleasure in thought?
Do you know aught of the joys of introspection? Do reason and logic form any
part of your lives?"
"Most assuredly," replied Gahan, "but not to the extent of occupying all our time--
at least not objectively. You, Ghek, are an example of the egotism of which I
spoke. Because you and your kind devote your lives to the worship of mind, you
believe that no other created beings think. And possibly we do not in the sense
that you do, who think only of yourselves and your great brains. We think of
many things that concern the welfare of a world. Had it not been for the red men
of Barsoom even the kaldanes had perished from the planet, for while you may
live without air the things upon which you depend for existence cannot, and there
had been no air in sufficient quantities upon Barsoom these many ages had not a
red man planned and built the great atmosphere plant which gave new life to a
dying world.
"
What have all the brains of all the kaldanes that have ever lived done to compare
with that single idea of a single red man?"
Ghek was stumped. Being a kaldane he knew that brains spelled the sum total of
universal achievement, but it had never occurred to him that they should be put
to use in practical and profitable ways. He turned away and looked down upon
the valley of his ancestors across which he was slowly drifting, into what
unknown world? He should be a veritable god among the underlings, he knew;
but somehow a doubt assailed him. It was evident that these two from that other
world were ready to question his preeminence. Even through his great egotism
was filtering a suspicion that they patronized him; perhaps even pitied him. Then
he began to wonder what was to become of him. No longer would he have many
rykors to do his bidding. Only this single one and when it died there could not be
another. When it tired, Ghek must lie almost helpless while it rested. He wished
that he had never seen this red woman. She had brought him only discontent
and dishonor and now exile. Presently Tara of Helium commenced to hum a tune
and Ghek, the kaldane, was content.
Gently they drifted beneath the hurtling moons above the mad shadows of a
Martian night. The roaring of the banths came in diminishing volume to their
ears as their craft passed on beyond the boundaries of Bantoom, leaving behind
the terrors of that unhappy land. But to what were they being borne? The girl
looked at the man sitting cross-legged upon the deck of the tiny flier, gazing off
into the night ahead, apparently absorbed in thought.
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