He was sitting therewith several high ranking
officers, to whom he was giving instructions. Spread out and comb theroof right
to the city wall.
Watch the clock, Ptantus, for at that instant
you aregoing to lose your wager, and Motus his life. RebeccaDews a good cook
and a genius with cold potatoes.
Come here a moment, John Carter, she said; I
have something to sayto you. A little after midnight she will hear me whistle.
He carried an extra sword which he handed to meand then motioned us to cross
swords. Dotar Sojat is merely a name that Iassumed temporarily. Presently
several patrol boats rose to meet me. Wherever you are, I shall be happy, she
said.
Braddock, as ifeverybody, even an ignorant B.
It hasalways been your way to do things alone.
I saw many an eye glance quickly at the clock.
The fight was to have been to the death and Ptantus had wagered that Iwould not
kill Motus. I circled the ship, drawing nearer and nearer.
A fifthman then appeared who I later
discovered was what you might call areferee, or umpire.
It is a despicable trick; and Ptantus musthave
seen it coming, but he made no move to prevent it. I am so glad that you did,
she said, for I deceived you.
You have three xats to live, Motus, I said;
you had better make thebest of them.
Rojas, I said, dont you think that you should
reconsider yourdecision to come with me? You know Ive always been one to whom
adventures came unsought.
He was glaring fiercely at me and had
evidently justwaked up.
I thought I had succeeded, and I was very much
ashamed of myself.
If she takes anotion to you youll be in
clover.
Come here a moment, John Carter, she said; I
have something to sayto you.
I fought on the defensive at first with one
eye on the great clock. A Martian day is divided into ten zodes, there being
four tals to axat, or two hundred to a zode.
The referee was almost beside himself with
embarrassment. We approached to within about a hundred feet of the flier and
stopped.
Her voice wasperfectly normal; there was no
trace of nervousness nor bitterness init. But, forsome unknown reason, she has
grown suddenly tired of beingbothered and wouldnt take me. You can see them,
but itll be Rebecca wholl really decidewhether theyll take you or not. Tell
them you are going to get some money to wager on me, I said. You gave Llana of
Gathol theinvisibility sphere? The Invakshad seen the ship, but too late to
prevent our escape.