Page:Weird Tales Volume 9 Number 1 (1927-01).djvu/111

 mosphere of Jupiter did not disagree with him.

"This is the plan I suggest," he resumed, sobering down suddenly. "When we reach the edge of the Red Forest we must separate, going in two pairs into the enemy's country. We shall keep apart, but each couple will make for Malador. I will take Astris; you, Harry, can go with Delius. Dandy we had better leave just at the forest edge, with one of the mechanics for company, to help us on our way back to the ship. The other three of the crew must stick by the vessel. It is clear that we must bring the queen here to the ship, by some means or other. Is it agreed?"

It was, and only Prince Danda grumbled.

"Somebody has to do the idle waiting, I know," he said. "But me, I it not like at all."

"And if we don't return in ten days," said I, "you will return to Nadir, thankful you were left behind. I wonder why they gave us so long."

"The Barbarians are cunning," said Astris. "They know our people are slow to decide, and they fear that if we were to act hurriedly we might not give way to them—as they think we shall do after long consideration. They judge rightly, for though I am for the new ideas, I am afraid the counsels of Ostrong will prevail."

"All the more reason, then, to save the queen," said Mark. "Her influence will overcome Old Stick-in-the-Mud. And here comes the sun."

We started at once. The short Jovian days compel one to hustle. It seems noon directly after breakfast, and bedtime soon after that. At the edge of the forest we left Dandy and his companion, and separated into two parties. The country was fairly level, moderately wooded, and with but few hamlets in sight. These settlements were merely clusters of rude tents encircled by rough stockades. Our plan was to avoid these, not showing ourselves, even disguised as we were, till we were nearly at Malador.

Good fortune favored Astris and me until we reached the town. Two miles from the forest we found a herd of zemas grazing, and each of us appropriated a mount. This helped us greatly, and it was scarcely past midday when we topped a slight rise and saw in the hollow before us the straggling, irregularly walled city wherein the queen was held captive.

"Not much of a city, after yours," I said to Astris, as we rode down. "Mud walls, mud huts, skin tents, thatched hovels. Savages, animals and dirty children playing around the gates. And your folks would let such people as these dominate the planet!"

"I am one of those who think more like you, Solitarian," replied my companion. "When the Barbarians were not so many, nor so well led, they were not such a danger, and perhaps we could then afford to have scruples—now we can not."

We were soon on the beaten track—it could hardly be called a road—leading to the main gate of the city, and had to mingle with the traffic of mounted men, creaking wagons, and laden zemas. Our disguises were good, and nobody took much notice of us. Again and again I reflected what a good thing it was that all the peoples of Jupiter had one language, and that we strangers had learned it so quickly and thoroughly. It had simplified many things for us.

Passing through the gateway, we kept our ears open, and soon gathered vital news. There was a steady pressure of the uncouth savages, jostling each other, scowling and snarling, toward the center of the city. It was a show day; captives of the hated civilized race were on view in cages, for all to see and gloat over.

"And today," croaked an old barbarian, a toothless hag, whose moldy skin robe hung in tatters from her