Last week we broadcast the second of our programs called “A Princess of Mars.”The story is from a series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Last week we told how John Carter was captured by a group of warriors on the planet Mars.Later, he became one of them by defeating a huge warrior in a fight.He is still a captive, but he is treated with honor because he is a skilled fighter.We left John Carter at the beginning of a fierce battle between the green warriors and their main enemy.The enemy came close to the green Martians in huge air ships.The green Martians attacked. John Carter continutes to tell about what happens to him in Edgar Rice Burroughs’s story, “A Princess of Mars.”
JOHN CARTER:Another of the large air ships exploded high in the air. Members of the crew fell to the ground.The huge ship lost control and began turning again and again.
Soon it was close to the ground.The warriors climbed aboard the ship and began fighting the members of the crew who were still alive.Soon the fighting stopped.The warriors began taking everything from the ship.
At last, they brought a captive from deep within the ship.Two of the warriors had their captive by each arm. I wanted to see what new and strange form of life this creature would be.
As they came near, I saw that it was a woman.She looked like a woman from Earth.She was young.Her skin was a light red, almost a copper color.
I saw at once that she was extremely beautiful.She had a fine face with large dark eyes and long, black hair. As her guards led her away, she saw me for a moment.She seemed very surprised.Her face looked hopeful.But when I made no attempt to speak to her, her face grew sad and she looked very small and frightened.As I watched her disappear into a building, I realized that Sola was near me.
SOLA: John Carter, that woman will be saved for the great games that are held by our people.The games are long and cruel and end in death for those captured in battle.Her death will be slow and painful. She will die for the enjoyment of all.
JOHN CARTER: Sola’s face seemed sad when she said this.I could tell by the way she spoke that she did not like the games and did not want to see the young woman die.She was very different from the rest of her people.
Sola, do you not like the games?
SOLA: No, John Carter.My mother died in the games.That is a secret you must not tell anyone.The wall where Tars Tarkas found you held eggs that produce our young.All the children belong to the tribe.A mother never knows which child is hers when they come out of the egg.
My mother hid the egg that carried me.It was not placed within the walled area. She kept her secret until after I was born. But others discovered her secret and she was condemned to die in the games.She hid me among other children before she was captured.If this secret were learned, I too would die in the games.
Before she left me, my mother told me the name of my father.I alone keep that secret.It would mean death for him as well as me.My people are violent and cruel.
JOHN CARTER:The next day I entered the great room where the green Martians held meetings.The red woman prisoner was there too. Soon, the leader of the green Martians came into the room.His name was Lorquas Ptomel.He began speaking to the prisoner.
LORQUAS PTOMEL:Who are you and what is your name?
DEJAH THORIS: I am the Princess Dejah Thoris, daughter of Mors Kajak, the ruler of Helium. Our air ship was on a scientific flight.We were to study the air and atmosphere. Without our work the air on our planet would grow thin and we would all die. Why would you attack us?
JOHN CARTER: As she talked, a warrior ran to her and hit her in the face, knocking her to the ground.He placed a foot on her small body and began laughing.
I reached for the small sword I carried and rushed to attack the huge warrior.
(FIGHTING SOUNDS)
JOHN CARTER: He was a strong opponent.But again, because of the low gravity on Mars, my strength was far greater than his.In a few short minutes, the green warrior was dead.I helped the young woman to her feet.
DEJAH THORIS: Who are you?Why did you risk your life to help me?You look almost the same as my people, but you wear the weapons of a green warrior. Who… or what.. are you?
JOHN CARTER: My name is John Carter. I am from the planet Earth.How I got here is a long story.I attacked that warrior because, where I come from, men do not attack women.I will offer you my protection as long as I can.However, I must tell you that I, too, am a captive
