=== apom_ch6_pt7 === 

Satisfying herself that I had come off unscathed she smiled quietly, and, taking my hand, started toward the door of the chamber. =

Tars Tarkas and the other warriors had entered and were standing over the now rapidly reviving brute which had saved my life, and whose life I, in turn, had rescued.  They seemed to be deep in argument, and finally one of them addressed me, but remembering my ignorance of his language turned back to Tars Tarkas, who, with a word and gesture, gave some command to the fellow and turned to follow us from the room. =

There seemed something menacing in their attitude toward my beast, and I hesitated to leave until I had learned the outcome.  It was well I did so, for the warrior drew an evil looking pistol from its holster and was on the point of putting an end to the creature when 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 then knelt down beside the fearsome looking thing, and raising it to its feet motioned for it to follow me.  The looks of surprise which my actions elicited from the Martians were ludicrous, they could not understand, except in a feeble and childish way, such attributes as gratitude and compassion. = 

=== end of pt7 ===