=== apom_ch9_pt1 === 

A Princess of Mars =

I LEARN THE LANGUAGE =

As I came back to myself I glanced at Sola, who had witnessed this encounter and I was surprised to note a strange expression upon her usually expressionless countenance.  What her thoughts were I did not know, for as yet I had learned but little of the Martian tongue, enough only to suffice for my daily needs. =

As I reached the doorway of our building a strange surprise awaited me.  A warrior approached bearing the arms, ornaments, and full accouterments of his kind.  These he presented to me with a few unintelligible words, and a bearing at once respectful and menacing. =

Later, Sola, with the aid of several of the other women, remodeled the trappings to fit my lesser proportions, and after they completed the work I went about garbed in all the panoply of war. =

From then on Sola instructed me in the mysteries of the various weapons, and with the Martian young I spent several hours each day practicing upon the plaza.  I was not yet proficient with all the weapons, but my great familiarity with similar earthly weapons made me an unusually apt pupil, and I progressed in a very satisfactory manner. = 

=== end of pt1 ===