| 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 |
| 1 | 50 | 99 | 149 | 198 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
spent. Already it was showing the effects of privation. Ghek crawled about the
vessel like a great spider--over the side, down beneath the keel, and up over the
opposite rail. He seemed equally at home one place as another. For his
companions, however, the quarters were cramped, for the deck of a one-man flier
is not intended for three.
Turan sought always ahead for signs of water. Water they must have, or that
water-giving plant which makes life possible upon many of the seemingly arid
areas of Mars; but there was neither the one nor the other for these two days and
now the third night was upon them. The girl did not complain, but Turan knew
that she must be suffering and his heart was heavy within him. Ghek suffered
least of all, and he explained to them that his kind could exist for long periods
without food or water. Turan almost cursed him as he saw the form of Tara of
Helium slowly wasting away before his eyes, while the hideous kaldane seemed as
full of vitality as ever.
"
There are circumstances," remarked Ghek, "under which a gross and material
body is less desirable than a highly developed brain."
Turan looked at him, but said nothing. Tara of Helium smiled faintly. "One
cannot blame him," she said, "were we not a bit boastful in the pride of our
superiority? When our stomachs were filled," she added.
"Perhaps there is something to be said for their system," Turan admitted. "If we
could but lay aside our stomachs when they cried for food and water I have no
doubt but that we should do so."
"I should never miss mine now," assented Tara; "it is mighty poor company."
A new day had dawned, revealing a less desolate country and renewing again the
hope that had been low within them. Suddenly Turan leaned forward, pointing
ahead.
"Look, Tara of Helium!" he cried. "A city! As I am Ga--as I am Turan the panthan,
a city."
Far in the distance the domes and walls and slender towers of a city shone in the
rising sun. Quickly the man seized the control and the ship dropped rapidly
behind a low range of intervening hills, for well Turan knew that they must not be
seen until they could discover whether friend or foe inhabited the strange city.
Chances were that they were far from the abode of friends and so must the
panthan move with the utmost caution; but there was a city and where a city
was, was water, even though it were a deserted city, and food if it were inhabited.
8
0
Page
Quick Jump
|