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To the red man food and water, even in the citadel of an enemy, meant food and
drink for Tara of Helium. He would accept it from friends or he would take it from
enemies. Just so long as it was there he would have it--and there was shown the
egotism of the fighting man, though Turan did not see it, nor Tara who came from
a long line of fighting men; but Ghek might have smiled had he known how.
Turan permitted the flier to drift closer behind the screening hills, and then when
he could advance no farther without fear of discovery, he dropped the craft gently
to ground in a little ravine, and leaping over the side made her fast to a stout
tree. For several moments they discussed their plans--whether it would be best to
wait where they were until darkness hid their movements and then approach the
city in search of food and water, or approach it now, taking advantage of what
cover they could, until they could glean something of the nature of its
inhabitants.
It was Turan's plan which finally prevailed. They would approach as close as
safety dictated in the hope of finding water outside the city; food, too, perhaps. If
they did not they could at least reconnoiter the ground by daylight, and then
when night came Turan could quickly come close to the city and in comparative
safety prosecute his search for food and drink.
Following the ravine upward they finally topped the summit of the ridge, from
which they had an excellent view of that part of the city which lay nearest them,
though themselves hidden by the brush behind which they crouched. Ghek had
resumed his rykor, which had suffered less than either Tara or Turan through
their enforced fast.
The first glance at the city, now much closer than when they had first discovered
it, revealed the fact that it was inhabited. Banners and pennons broke from many
a staff. People were moving about the gate before them. The high white walls were
paced by sentinels at far intervals. Upon the roofs of higher buildings the women
could be seen airing the sleeping silks and furs. Turan watched it all in silence for
some time.
"I do not know them," he said at last. "I cannot guess what city this may be. But
it is an ancient city. Its people have no fliers and no firearms. It must be old
indeed."
"
"
How do you know they have not these things?" asked the girl.
There are no landing-stages upon the roofs--not one that can be seen from here;
while were we looking similarly at Helium we would see hundreds. And they have
no firearms because their defenses are all built to withstand the attack of spear
and arrow, with spear and arrow. They are an ancient people."
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