Chapter VI. Lieutenant Gullivar Jones, USN
As the royal barge neared the dock of Seth, Princess Heru noted a strangely dressed man standing among the city's residents that were gathered at the port to welcome the return of the Jeddak. His apparel was so different from the Sethians that she smiled to herself. Yet, this difference piqued her interest.
"Mother," said Heru, "look at that oddly dressed man on the landing."
Thoris of Accer looked toward the direction indicated by her daughter and beheld a man with hair colour like the typical Hither. He was dressed so oddly from the Hither people that he stood out among them. But strangest of all, he held what appeared to be a large rug in his arms.
Just as the Jeddara was to reply to her daughter's statement, a low rumble was heard from beneath the boat and it listed to the right at a steep angle. Thoris of Accer quickly grasped the gunwale that surrounded the yacht as did many of the others onboard. But she heard a scream and looked about to see her daughter pitch over the side of the boat and into the water. Thoris's face blanched as she realized that her offspring was in the sea. Deep water was unknown to the Reds and Heru had never learned to swim. Thoris of Accer's heart caught in her throat as she realized that the great joy of her life was to drown.
A splash was heard and Thoris of Accer noted that the oddly dressed man had dived into the water and was swimming downward under the foam. Long moments passed before the water's surface erupted with the faces of the man and a clinging Princess Heru.
"Thank the Goddess," prayed Thoris of Accer.
The sinking vessel was pulled into the docks and the passengers disembarked. Hath and Thoris of Accer rushed over to the landing where some of the bystanders were aiding the princess and her rescuer out of the water. Quickly, cloaks were placed about the princess and her rescuer to warm them.
"Who is it that we must express our thanks for the succor of our daughter?" asked Hath as he gazed upon the countenance of the stranger.
His dress was so different from the Hithers. He wore a jacket over his torso and had no leather and metal war harness so common to the men of Barsoom. Yet, he carried a sword at his side. It hung upon a belt around his waist in a gold coloured scabbard. Upon his legs were trousers coloured the same as his jacket. On his jacket were two vertical rows of gold buttons and on his shoulders were small epilates with silver markings. His clothing differed so from the lightly attired Hithers. His features were similar to the Hither people, having yellow hair and blue eyes, yet a richer yellow not the pale whitish blond of most of Hath's subjects. If he was not drenched, he would have cut a dashing figure. Retainers of the jeddak worked to dry his body and clothing.
"My Jeddak," answered one of the bystanders. "He calls himself Gullivar Jones and claims he is from Jasoom."
"Gullivar Jones, you are a very brave man," said the Jeddak Hath as he placed his right hand upon the stranger's left shoulder. "You have saved the Jewel of Seth and for this you must dine with us this very day at my palace."
"It would be my honor, sir," answered Gullivar Jones. His glance left the face of the jeddak and stole over to glimpse the lithe figure and fine face of Princess Heru as servants removed the Princess's wet apparel and dried her ruddy skin and coal black hair. She caught his glance and returned a shy, yet thankful smile. Her nakedness was barely covered by the drying cloths of the servants.
The meal at the palace was well laid. Yellow robed servants carried platters of roast thoat and zitidar about the hall. Music played by minstrels softly filled the air and added to the festive atmosphere. Wine of various vintages and colours flowed freely. A plethora of various fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked, were found upon platters at the long tables. Gullivar, due to his heroic rescue of the princess was seated to the right of Hath. It was the traditional seat of honor in the Hither society. About the table sat various Jeds and nobles of the court of Seth. Gullivar Jones, being the man he was, gave little thought to the repast before him. He was enjoying the limelight his actions had provided him. He felt that he was receiving the earned accolades that he failed to receive from his own navy back on Earth. He was soon regaling the crowd with witty answers to the questions posed by Hath. Thoris of Accer and Princess Heru listened keenly to this fair stranger as he told of his story to the Jeddak of Seth.
"So Gullivar Jones," said Hath. "You claim you hail from the fifth object of the system, Jasoom we name it."
"That is true Jeddak, although we call our world Earth."
"You clothing seems to indicate that you are in the service of someone or perhaps a kingdom?" asked Thoris of Accer.
"Aye, fair queen of Seth," answered Jones. "Until moments ago, I served in the navy of my country, the United States of America. It is not a kingdom but a republic."
"A republic?" queried Hath. "What is this word republic? I have never heard such a word. It is unknown to me."
"Jeddak Hath, on my world we have kingdoms but where I reside, our country is a republic. This means that we choose a leader from among us and elect men to represent us at the capital."
"So these men are like noble Jeds that serve the Jeddak you select?" asked Thoris of Accer.
"We call our leader the President and he serves at the will of the people. We always change leaders after four or eight years. The others are called senators or congressmen and they do not represent the President. Often they work at odds against his wishes."
"I understand this type of government not. It would seem to be chaos in the making, Gullivar Jones," laughed Hath. Then Hath turned to the head porter, "More wine for everyone." Hath returned his gaze to Gullivar Jones and continued, "If I were your president, I would have these others imprisoned or executed if they thwarted my will."
All the guests at the dinner laughed at the Jeddak's remark, even Jones. Yet Gullivar noted that Thoris of Accer did not seem very amused at her spouse's quip. Gullivar's eyes glanced askance to his right to covertly study Princess Heru's beautiful face. He was quite taken with her. Never had one so ruddy seemed so charming and alluring. He noted her mirth was quite lively after he father's remark.
As the banquet continued, Gullivar Jones was asked many questions, especially on how he arrived upon Barsoom. He confided to the listeners that he was brought to Barsoom by that oddly marked rug that he carried with him. In telling his tale, Gullivar Jones related how he had wished to be anywhere but on Earth. He then stated that he had been reading a book by an author named Percival Lowell about Mars, the name he called Barsoom. So he wished to be on Mars and so it was. The rug had somehow carried him to Mars. He did not understand it but here he was on the surface of Barsoom.
"A most interesting story, very difficult to believe but your appearance suggests you are not from Barsoom. How is it that you understand our language? Do all Jasoomians speak our language?" asked Princess Heru as she looked into Gullivar Jones' dark blue eyes.
"No, Princess," answered Gullivar. "When I found myself on this world, I encountered some of your subjects and I could not understand a single word they spoke and they failed to understand me. So in my confusion, one of your people placed her hands to my temples and looked me in the eyes. My mind raced, but it was as if her thoughts became my thoughts. I sensed the 'voice of Barsoom' and she told me I could hear if I choose."
Heru smiled and Gullivar was taken with the beauty of her smile and the intelligent spark of her eyes.
"You have the mind of a child," said Heru kindly.
"What princess?"
"You mind was an open slate ready to take in our language. You learned much of it by telepathic methods, Gullivar Jones."
He had been seated to her left and across from Thoris of Accer at the main dining table. Thoris of Accer had requested this for she had an interest in fathoming what manner of man was Gullivar Jones.
Thoris of Accer asked, "So Gullivar Jones you said you were in the navy of your world. Have you been in battles?"
"Yes, my queen."
"Gullivar Jones," said Princess Heru. "I know not the word queen that you have used twice in addressing my mother; I suspect that it means the same as our word, Jeddara. My mother is the Jeddara, wife of the Jeddak. My father as you guess is the Jeddak, the supreme ruler of Seth."
"Yes, I surmised Jeddak meant ruler, Princess," answered Gullivar. "May I ask; how are you Princess?"
"I am fine. Again I express my gratitude to you for saving me from drowning. And you may call me Heru."
"Heru is a lovely name and I must say I have never seen women as lovely and exotic looking as you or your mother. I hope I am not being impertinent in saying this?"
"No. I accept the compliment," answered Heru smiling. "I have never met someone as interesting as you and such a story to be from Jasoom. No, Earth as you named it."
"Yes Earth, although hearing you call it Jasoom makes it sound strange and exotic. Yet, I have failed to complete an answer for you, Jeddara," replied Gullivar using the Barsoomian title, as his eyes shifted from Heru's beauty to Thoris of Accer's eyes. "I have fought in many naval battles. Prior to my unexpected journey to your world, my country was divided and a great war was fought to ensure my country stayed as one. I supported our President, we won, and the country remained united. Yet the war cost many lives. At the end we lost our President to an assassin." Gullivar's voice slightly broke at the end of his speech.
"Assassins," spat out Thoris of Accer. "You have them also."
"Yes, Jeddara," replied Jones. Then he asked, "There are assassins here on Barsoom?"
"Yes, they have guilds and are found in every city and kingdom. They are a plague over Barsoom," said Thoris of Accer.
Heru looked concerned. She lightly laid her gentle hand on Gullivar's arm nearest her. "Who was this President that was killed? You sound saddened by his death Gullivar Jones. Was he greatly loved?"
Gullivar was silent for long moments. Most near him went silent after Heru's question. Even the loud boisterous Hath ceased talking. They awaited an answer. Gullivar looked about finally and returned his eyes to the countenance of the lovely Heru. Her eyes rested upon his face with a kind, questioning look and her soft touch still lay lightly upon his arm.
Gullivar's heart swelled with a restive emotion and he answered, "His name was Abraham Lincoln. He was a great man. It seems too small in saying it and yes he was loved by many." Here Gully paused, took a drink of wine then continued, "I beg pardon for I lower the mood of the meal. As I understand, we are here to celebrate and enjoy the day."
Within short moments, the mood again returned to the gay carefree melee common to the Hithers, live for today, tomorrow matters not. Laughter was soon filling the hall and the din of many voices echoed in the chamber. Hath rose and moved about joining in conversations with bothers, it was evident he was becoming intoxicated.
"I have a question I wish to ask," said Gullivar addressing both Heru and her mother, "but I do not want to be insulting or boorish. Since I am not acquainted with Barsoomian customs I am not sure if I should ask it."
"Gullivar Jones we will forgive any slight on your part if it should occur since you are our guest, a stranger to Barsoom, and my rescuer," answered Heru smiling. She batted her eyes at Gullivar Jones in an inviting sensual manner and a slight bluish blush coloured her cheeks.
"Well, Princess Heru…"
"Please not princess, I already told you to call me Heru, just Heru Gullivar Jones."
"Heru it shall be and please call me Gullivar."
"Agreed Gullivar; now to your question."
Thoris and Heru learned toward Jones, eyes wide and smiling. Both were interested in what his question could be. Thoris looked upon him as a possible fighting man, perhaps a suitable bond mate for her daughter. Heru looked at Gullivar with gratitude and also with a young woman's heart. He was very different from any of the Orovars. She particularly liked his blue eyes, much bluer than hers and his smile greatly affected her.
Before Gullivar asked his question he thought to himself how lovely his name sounded from the lips of Princess Heru. "My question deals with the pigmentation of your skin Jeddara and of Heru's. Most everyone here in the city are pale skinned, even more pale than I. Yet both of you are red-hued, don't misunderstand me, a very attractive copper colour but different from the others. Why is that if I may ask?"
Both women laughed short sweet laughs. Heru smiled and said, "Gullivar, my mother Thoris of Accer is of the red race of Barsoom. As she tells me, they are the dominant people on the planet. My father is an Orovar, the white race. Once they held sway over the entire planet, but that was very long ago before the seas disappeared."
"So there are different races of men on this world?"
"Yes," answered Heru. "Legends say a black race is found in the south. Isn't that correct Mother?"
"True, my daughter," replied Thoris of Accer. She continued to study Gullivar Jones and had decided to let Heru have the most of the conversation with the blond stranger from Jasoom.
"We have black races on Earth also," said Gullivar. "In fact that was why we fought the great war back on Earth. The blacks were slaves and the war freed them and disallowed slavery in my country."
"No slavery? Who does the physical work required?" asked Heru.
"Everyone, unless you are wealthy enough to hire someone to do it for you."
"Strange." Heru sat silent for a moment, her face losing its smile as she mused on the idea of no slaves. Soon she again smiled and continued, "Gullivar, besides the whites, reds, and blacks on Barsoom, we also have a race of yellow men. Mother was their slave until Father purchased her from them."
Gullivar's eyes widened in surprise.
"You were a slave?" he asked turning his gaze to Thoris of Accer.
"Yes, I have led an interesting life. I was born a simple farm girl outside of the red city of Accer, part of the realm of Amhor. Once during a raid by the Thurds, I fled into the hills. It was there that I was captured by the yellowish-red hued men. They called themselves the Thither people, but I recognized them as having Okarian bloodlines. The people of Okar were thought not to exist anymore. Obviously some still live and have mixed with the red race."
"Were they cruel these Thither people?" asked Gullivar.
"Generally not, but my life was far from pleasant. I was worked constantly, since all peoples on Barsoom avoid physical labor and require slaves to perform those tasks. Generally the men are warriors while the women lead lives of ease; we bear children, rear them and generally keep the men civil," said Thoris of Accer. Then she leaned toward Gullivar and whispered, "Yet here in Seth the men are not warriors but soft. Even my spouse is not a warrior. We are at the mercy of the Okarians and must annually pay them a tribute."
Gullivar nodded and wondered at this statement. He lifted his glass, drank wine and then sat the cup down. He looked about at the people in the room, past the Jeddak. He noted that the Hithers did seem soft. Perhaps what she said was true. Obviously, she and Heru were different from the rest and not just by their red coloured skin. He noted a slight contempt in her voice for her husband, Hath.
"Pardon my question, Jeddara Thoris, but you said that your farm was raided by the Thurds, I think that was the word used by you?"
"Yes, Thurds, a tribe of the green race found on Barsoom. They are monsters."
"When you say green, do you mean to indicate that they have green coloured skin?" asked Jones incredulously. "Truly green hued men?"
"Yes green skinned, but I would not call them men. Monsters, sub-humans, horrors, calots, any number of insults, but men I would not use," replied Thoris of Accer with a passion rich in abhorrence.
Gullivar Jones was startled by the depth of feeling he noted in the Jeddara. He turned and gazed at Heru. She seemed not surprised by her mother's statement. She merely nodded assent as she met Gullivar's eyes and she smiled sweetly. Obviously in the little time he had been with these Martians, the reds were a different sort from the whites. It was apparent from the way the Jeddara and Heru carried themselves and how they felt about life. He could sense hardness in them that the Orovars did not have.
"Describe these Thurds to me, please. They must be abominations to instill such livid dislike in the heart of such a refined woman as yourself, Jeddara."
Heru spoke up at this point, "Gullivar let me enlighten you on the Thurds. The green peoples of Barsoom are hardly proper men. They are much taller than us, between tee and ayja sofads. They have tusks coming out of their jaws. Blood-red eyes and small antennae atop their heads act as ears. They have an extra set of arms and are lean. Worse is their heartlessness. They live a communal life with no love amongst them. Always they war, either with themselves, the Warhoon, the Thark, the Torqua, or with the Reds."
Gullivar listened and tried to picture her description. Most of it he understood but could not really picture. They sounded almost like the native peoples of the west in America that he often had read about back home. Yet he thought, "Tee? Yes that is ten; ja is five, ay is what? Perhaps ay means one, so ayja is fifteen that would agree with ten. It comes to me now. Yet a sofad?"
"Heru, what is this word sofad that you used in describing the Thurds?"
"A sofad is tee safads, a unit of measure. Surely on Jasoom you have sofads, measurements?"
"True, we have feet, inches, meters, and many others units. In the navy, I use fathoms, but sofads and safads I have never heard. Is it easy to indicate the approximate size of a sofad?"
Heru smiled and spread her fine delicate hands apart to indicate the size of a sofad. Gullivar noted that the distance between those attractive hands of the princess was about one foot.
"My God," thought Gullivar. "These Thurds are ten to fifteen feet tall with four arms and tusks. They are devils, monsters from a nightmare if they are real."
He turned to the Jeddara and asked, "These Thurds are real; you have seen them?"
Thoris of Accer nodded assent. Gullivar was speechless for several minutes. Heru smiled at his astonishment and sipped wine.
"He is very handsome," she thought. "His eyes have fire in them. That is something all the men of Seth lack. I believe him to be a Jasoomian. He is certainly sturdy enough, well built, and confident."
"Gullivar, has the image of the Thurd caused you such fear that you are rendered speechless?" teased Heru as she set her wine cup down.
"Not speechless Heru. I am just trying to picture these monsters. What were the other names you mentioned, the ones with which they often warred?"
"Warhoon, Thark, and Torqua are different tribes of the green ones. All the green people roam the dead ocean bottoms living off plunder from one another or from ships that they manage to scuttle. They never work, being nomads they travel on their thoats and zitidars with calots running alongside. Mother says that if the Reds find an incubator they often destroy the green ones' eggs."
"Whoa, Heru," pleaded Gullivar Jones. "My head is quite full of words I do not understand."
"Which words, Gullivar?"
"First what is a thoat?"
"A thoat," laughed Heru. "How would I describe it? It is an animal all peoples of Barsoom ride upon. It has eight legs, is very fast, somewhat vicious. They are grey in colour generally. They can survive long periods without water just by feeding on the moss laden sea bottoms. I could show you one tomorrow if you wish? I own several, we could ride."
"The horse of Mars," said Gullivar softly.
"What, Gullivar?" asked Heru.
"Nothing, Heru, Yes I would like to see one. I am uncertain if I would like to ride."
"Oh, surely a man as brave as you Gullivar, who dove into the sea to rescue me and came from Jasoom on this magic carpet would not be frightened to ride a thoat," teased Heru. She smiled a small smirk at Gullivar Jones. His cheeks coloured slightly as he realized that Heru was flirting with him and he found he was enjoying himself all due to her company.
"What is a calot and a zitinar or something sounding like that?" asked Gullivar.
Heru giggled and covered her shapely mouth with her left hand. "It is called a zitidar. It is a very large animal that the greens use to pull their carts and wagons as they caravan across the sea bottoms. Here I will try to draw one for you."
Heru spilled some salt upon the table and roughly traced the shape of a zitidar in the salt. Gullivar watched as her slim shapely index finger traced an outline that roughly resembled an animal much like an elephant. He thought, "She has attractive slim hands, strong appearing but still very womanly."
"Interesting," he replied. "Is this zitidar very large?"
"Yes, much larger than a thoat, but better natured I have heard. I have never really seen a live one."
Gullivar laughed aloud at this and smiled at Heru. Thoris of Accer all this time just studied the Earthman and listened to the interchange between him and her daughter. She noticed how he sat confidently at the table and looked everyone in the eyes when he talked. He had strength she could tell. It appeared that Heru found him attractive and interesting. She had never engaged in dialogue with a man where she appeared to hang on his words and was eager to answer his questions. Thoris also was aware of Heru's overt flirting with Jones.
"Oh and Gullivar, a calot is a large animal, quite dangerous that the greens use to guard their camps. It is the fastest animal on Barsoom. It is so large," said Heru and she indicated a height of about one hundred fifty centimeters above the floor. "It has tee legs and can run aytortan ads per tal. It has several rows of sharp teeth." She then laid both her hands on Gullivar right arm and smiled sweetly, her blue eyes locked on his eyes.
"Aytortan? Ads per tal?" asked Gullivar rubbing his chin with his left hand. "Heru, how many sofads make an ad?"
"Tee, my Gullivar Jones," answered Heru with a knowing smile.
Gullivar mused, "Ten feet is approximately an ad. Aytortan is fourteen hundred I think," Then he asked, "Is a tal a unit of time?"
"Yes Gullivar."
"About how lengthy is this tal?"
"Very short only several moments or so."
"As long as it takes me to say one thousand one?"
"I do not understand the words one thousand one, but much longer, perhaps if you repeated it tortee times that would be about the length of a tal."
Gullivar nodded and then thought, "Tortee what is…yes tor is four. So a tal is about forty to fifty seconds and an ad is about ten feet." He strained mentally to convert that speed to miles per hour and then realized that it was around two hundred miles per hour. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Gullivar are you well?" asked Heru concerned at his expression.
"Yes Heru, I am fine. It is just so much to take in. You world is very different from mind. Yet, much seems the same also. My country has troubles, yours has problems. But I find what you tell me very fascinating."
"I must beg forgiveness, Gullivar. I have talked too freely of my world and not asked more of yours," said Heru again smiling as she brushed her right hand through her raven coloured hair.
"One last question about these green men, you said something about destroying incubators?"
"Yes, since the greens roam the sea bottoms, they take their eggs and store them. On a set occasion, they place many in large incubators hidden on the floor of the dead sea. If another tribe of greens locate the incubator, they will destroy the eggs. This eliminates a hatching of young Thurds or Warhoon. You understand?" asked Heru smiling. She noted Gullivar look of astonishment. Her smile widened with amusement. "He is so easy to charm and seems so interested in my narrative," mused Heru.
"So these green people lay eggs you say?"
"Yes, many eggs, but as I understand it, they only select the largest and best to hatch. Then they capture the young after hatching and divide them among the females to rear. No love, no connections, all they know is the communal life of the horde. My mother speaks the truth in saying they have no heart, no love, no honor, they are barbarians and not men."
"They lay eggs," again said Gullivar, not so much a question but a statement. He was trying to come to grips with such an outlandish concept. "The green men are oviparous. I am amazed." Then a thought came to him and he knew he had to ask.
"Heru, I see very few children here in Seth. Do your people also lay eggs and use an incubator?"
Both Thoris of Accer and Princess Heru Thoris laughed gaily. Once their mirth subsided, Heru said, "No Gullivar, we are probably like your people, we give live birth."
Gullivar nodded and looked relieved.
Heru could not stop without a final tease, so she added, "Unless of course your females of Jasoom lay eggs?"
Now Gullivar laughed and replied, "Well said. No the women of Earth give live birth also."
"Are these women of Earth very beautiful," asked Heru as she ruffled her long black hair again with her left hand and leaned more closely towards Gullivar Jones. She had emphasized his name for Jasoom. Her lovely face and full lips were mere inches from Gullivar's.
Gullivar noted her movements, smiled and replied, "Yes many of the women on my world are very beautiful, whether they are white, red, or brown. Still, I have seen none as beautiful as the Jeddara of Seth or her daughter, the Princess Heru. Compared to both of you these women of Earth appear drab and colourless."
Heru smiled and flushed slightly. "Thank you, Gulliver Jones, my Jasoomian."
Thoris of Accer made a slight sound and looked sharply at her daughter. Heru pretended not to notice the mild rebuke from her mother and again touched Jones' arm and her face moved closer to his. She was about to make another remark when she was interrupted by her father.
"The night and meal have been well done. And we welcome our new friend, the Jasoomian, Gullivar Jones. My father's heart is deeply indebted to you for the saving of my greatest joy, my daughter, Heru. So again I say thank you."
The room erupted in cheers to the health of Jones and to applause. Once the din had subsided, Hath proclaimed the evening repast finished. He called for an aide and informed Gullivar Jones that he should be given a fine suite of rooms to spend the night. On the morrow they would meet again and learn more of their worlds. And with that, Lieutenant Gullivar Jones, naval officer from the United States of America, veteran of the Civil War, was escorted to his rooms with carpet in tow unaware that he had traveled back in time almost three hundred Earth years besides across many miles of empty space to the planet Barsoom.