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Hurry, Ghek!" she admonished him. "Back into the hills! You may find there a

hiding-place;" but the creature only stepped between her and the oncoming

riders, drawing his long-sword.

It is useless, Ghek," she said, when she saw that he intended to defend her.

What can a single sword accomplish against such odds?"

I can die but once," replied the kaldane. "You and your panthan saved me from

Luud and I but do what your panthan would do were he here to protect you."

"It is brave, but it is useless," she replied. "Sheathe your sword. They may not

intend us harm."

Ghek let the point of his weapon drop to the ground, but he did not sheathe it,

and thus the two stood waiting as U-Dor the dwar stopped his thoat before them

while his twenty warriors formed a rough circle about. For a long minute U-Dor

sat his mount in silence, looking searchingly first at Tara of Helium and then at

her hideous companion.

What manner of creature are you?" he asked presently. "And what do you before

the gates of Manator?"

We are from far countries," replied the girl, "and we are lost and starving. We ask

only food and rest and the privilege to go our way seeking our own homes."

U-Dor smiled a grim smile. "Manator and the hills which guard it alone know the

age of Manator," he said; "yet in all the ages that have rolled by since Manator

first was, there be no record in the annals of Manator of a stranger departing

from Manator."

"But I am a princess," cried the girl haughtily, "and my country is not at war with

yours. You must give me and my companions aid and assist us to return to our

own land. It is the law of Barsoom."

"Manator knows only the laws of Manator," replied U-Dor; "but come. You shall

go with us to the city, where you, being beautiful, need have no fear. I, myself,

will protect you if O-Tar so decrees. And as for your companion--but hold! You

said 'companions'--there are others of your party then?"

"You see what you see," replied Tara haughtily.

"Be that as it may," said U-Dor. "If there be more they shall not escape Manator;

but as I was saying, if your companion fights well he too may live, for O-Tar is

just, and just are the laws of Manator. Come!"

Ghek demurred.

The Chessmen of Mars