第16章

Without warning it swung open toward her.She saw that for a moment it would hide her from those within and in that moment she turned and ran, keeping close to the wall, until, passing out of sight beyond the curve of the structure, she came to the opposite side of the enclosure.Here, panting from her exertion and from the excitement of her narrow escape, she threw herself among some tall weeds that grew close to the foot of the wall.There she lay trembling for some time, not even daring to raise her head and look about.Never before had Tara of Helium felt the paralyzing effects of terror.She was shocked and angry at herself, that she, daughter of John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom, should exhibit fear.Not even the fact that there had been none there to witness it lessened her shame and anger, and the worst of it was she knew that under similar circumstances she would again be equally as craven.It was not the fear of death--she knew that.No, it was the thought of those headless bodies and that she might see them and that they might even touch her--lay hands upon her--seize her.She shuddered and trembled at the thought.

After a while she gained sufficient command of herself to raise her head and look about.To her horror she discovered that everywhere she looked she saw people working in the fields or preparing to do so.Workmen were coming from other towers.Little bands were passing to this field and that.They were even some already at work within thirty ads of her--about a hundred yards.

There were ten, perhaps, in the party nearest her, both men and women, and all were beautiful of form and grotesque of face.So meager were their trappings that they were practically naked; a fact that was in no way remarkable among the tillers of the fields of Mars.Each wore the peculiar, high leather collar that completely hid the neck, and each wore sufficient other leather to support a single sword and a pocket-pouch.The leather was very old and worn, showing long, hard service, and was absolutely plain with the exception of a single device upon the left shoulder.The heads, however, were covered with ornaments of precious metals and jewels, so that little more than eyes, nose, and mouth were discernible.These were hideously inhuman and yet grotesquely human at the same time.The eyes were far apart and protruding, the nose scarce more than two small, parallel slits set vertically above a round hole that was the mouth.The heads were peculiarly repulsive--so much so that it seemed unbelievable to the girl that they formed an integral part of the beautiful bodies below them.

So fascinated was Tara of Helium that she could scarce take her eyes from the strange creatures--a fact that was to prove her undoing, for in order that she might see them she was forced to expose a part of her own head and presently, to her consternation, she saw that one of the creatures had stopped his work and was staring directly at her.She did not dare move, for it was still possible that the thing had not seen her, or at least was only suspicious that some creature lay hid among the weeds.If she could allay this suspicion by remaining motionless the creature might believe that he had been mistaken and return to his work; but, alas, such was not to be the case.She saw the thing call the attention of others to her and almost immediately four or five of them started to move in her direction.

It was impossible now to escape discovery.Her only hope lay in flight.If she could elude them and reach the hills and the flier ahead of them she might escape, and that could be accomplished in but one way--flight, immediate and swift.Leaping to her feet she darted along the base of the wall which she must skirt to the opposite side, beyond which lay the hill that was her goal.Her act was greeted by strange whistling sounds from the things behind her, and casting a glance over her shoulder she saw them all in rapid pursuit.

There were also shrill commands that she halt, but to these she paid no attention.Before she had half circled the enclosure she discovered that her chances for successful escape were great, since it was evident to her that her pursuers were not so fleet as she.High indeed then were her hopes as she came in sight of the hill, but they were soon dashed by what lay before her, for there, in the fields that lay between, were fully a hundred creatures similar to those behind her and all were on the alert, evidently warned by the whistling of their fellows.Instructions and commands were shouted to and fro, with the result that those before her spread roughly into a great half circle to intercept her, and when she turned to the right, hoping to elude the net, she saw others coming from fields beyond, and to the left the same was true.But Tara of Helium would not admit defeat.Without once pausing she turned directly toward the center of the advancing semi-circle, beyond which lay her single chance of escape, and as she ran she drew her long, slim dagger.Like her valiant sire, if die she must, she would die fighting.There were gaps in the thin line confronting her and toward the widest of one of these she directed her course.The things on either side of the opening guessed her intent for they closed in to place themselves in her path.This widened the openings on either side of them and as the girl appeared almost to rush into their arms she turned suddenly at right angles, ran swiftly in the new direction for a few yards, and then dashed quickly toward the hill again.Now only a single warrior, with a wide gap on either side of him, barred her clear way to freedom, though all the others were speeding as rapidly as they could to intercept her.

If she could pass this one without too much delay she could escape, of that she was certain.Her every hope hinged on this.

The creature before her realized it, too, for he moved cautiously, though swiftly, to intercept her, as a Rugby fullback might maneuver in the realization that he alone stood between the opposing team and a touchdown.