Читать книгу Princess of Mars / Принцесса Марса. Уровень 2 - Эдгар Берроуз, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Эдгар Райс Берроуз - Страница 7

The thing pinched me to the ground with one huge foot, while it jabbered and gesticulated at some answering creature behind me. This other came toward us with a mighty stone club in his hands with which it evidently intended to brain[34] me.

The creatures were about ten or fifteen feet tall. Like the green Martians, they had an intermediary set of arms or legs, midway between their upper and lower limbs. Their eyes were close together and non-protruding; their ears were high set. Snouts and teeth were strikingly like those of our African gorilla.

The club was swinging in the arc when my faithful watch-thing hurled itself full upon the breast of my executioner. The ape, which held me, leaped through the open window. Its mate closed in a terrific death struggle with my preserver.

My beast had an advantage in his first hold as he sunk his mighty fangs far into the breast of his adversary. But the great arms and paws of the ape locked the throat of my guardian and slowly were choking out his life. It was evident that the beast was weakening, but so also was the ape. Instinctively I seized the club and crashed it full upon the head of the ape, crushing his skull as it was an eggshell.

The ape's mate recovered from its first shock of terror and returned to the scene of the encounter by way of the interior of the building. I knew the odds were too against me[35]. It is true I held the club, but what could I do with it against the ape's four great arms? I was standing near the window and I knew that once in the street I might gain safety before the creature could overtake me. I turned to jump out of the window but saw my guardian lying and gasping upon the floor of the chamber. His great eyes fastened upon me in what seemed a pitiful appeal for protection. This view threw all thoughts of flight to the four winds.

Without more ado, therefore, I turned to meet the charge of the infuriated bull ape. He was now close to me and I hit him with the club as heavily as I could, just below his knees. Then, when he lost his balance, I swung my right fist full upon the point of his chin and smashed with the left one to the pit of his stomach. He doubled up with pain[36]. I seized the club and finished the monster before he could regain his feet.

As I delivered the blow, a low laugh rang out behind me. It was Tars Tarkas, Sola, and three or four warriors standing in the doorway of the chamber. My eyes met theirs and they applauded.

It turned out that they witnessed my short but decisive battle with the ape. This, together with my jump skills, placed me upon a high pinnacle in their regard. Evidently, these people fairly worship physical prowess and bravery.

Sola was the only one who did not laugh while I battled for my life. She, on the contrary, was sober with apparent solicitude. She rushed to me and carefully examined my body for possible wounds or injuries. Only after making sure I was unharmed, she smiled quietly, and, taking my hand, started toward the door of the chamber.

Tars Tarkas and the other warriors were standing over the brute. They seemed to be deep in argument. Finally, Tars Tarkas gave some command to the fellow with a word and gesture, and turned to follow us from the room. I sensed that something was wrong and hesitated to leave. The warrior drew an evil looking pistol from its holster and intended to shoot the creature. I sprang forward and struck up his arm. The bullet striking the wooden casing of the window exploded, blowing a hole completely through the wood and masonry.

I knelt down beside the fearsome-looking thing and motioned for it to follow me. The looks of surprise the Martians' faces were ludicrous. They could not understand, except in a feeble and childish way, such attributes as gratitude and compassion. The warrior looked enquiringly at Tars Tarkas, but the latter signed to left me to my own devices. We returned to the plaza with my great beast following close at heel, and Sola grasping me tightly by the arm.

I had at least two friends on Mars:a young woman who watched over me with motherly solicitude[37], and a brute which held in its poor ugly carcass love, loyalty and gratitude.