Tars Tarkas grieved for
the loss of his daughter. Xodar alone was care-free--a fugitive
and outlaw, he could be no worse off in Helium than elsewhere.
"Let us hope that we may at least go out with good red blood upon
our blades," he said. It was a simple wish and one most likely to
be gratified.
Among the officers of the Xavarian I thought I could discern
division into factions ere we had reached Helium. There were those
who gathered about Carthoris and myself whenever the opportunity
presented, while about an equal number held aloof from us. They
offered us only the most courteous treatment, but were evidently
bound by their superstitious belief in the doctrine of Dor and Iss
and Korus. I could not blame them, for I knew how strong a hold
a creed, however ridiculous it may be, may gain upon an otherwise
intelligent people.
By returning from Dor we had committed a sacrilege; by recounting
our adventures there, and stating the facts as they existed we had
outraged the religion of their fathers. We were blasphemers--lying
heretics. Even those who still clung to us from personal love and
loyalty I think did so in the face of the fact that at heart they
questioned our veracity--it is very hard to accept a new religion
for an old, no matter how alluring the promises of the new may
be; but to reject the old as a tissue of falsehoods without being
offered anything in its stead is indeed a most difficult thing to
ask of any people.
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241