The planet of peril
As he pulled out slab after slab he found plans for the construction
of practically all the machines he had seen, but the bottom slab
particularly interested him, for he saw that it consisted of two maps
side by side, the general shape of both being identical, but the
details different.
He recognized one as a map of the valley surface, the other as a plan
of the underground passageways and chambers of the Albines. Holding the
flickering torch nearer, he eagerly examined his find in the hope that
it might contain information regarding the location of the secret way
out of the valley.
A careful scrutiny of the surface map revealed only the solid, unbroken
cliffs in oval formation, so he concluded that the tunnel mentioned
by the marsh-men must not have been known to the Albines. Turning
from this to the underground map, he noticed a discrepancy that had
previously escaped his observation, for in the first map the river
began at the western end of the valley and wound its way south of the
center to the point where it ended in a whirlpool; while in the second
it began in the northwest and flowed for some distance north of the
center, apparently going directly through the point where the other map
showed the whirlpool, and flowing thence on through the cliffs to the
east.
Grandon was puzzled by this seeming paradox, for he had seen enough
of the valley to know that but one river flowed through it. Then the
significance of the thing dawned on him. This river was drawn on an
underground map. Obviously it was an underground river! Furthermore, it
could not have been mapped unless navigable, in which case it offered a
means of escape from the valley providing he could locate it.
He noticed that at one point the river appeared to touch the end of the
chamber he was in, but there seemed to be no mode of exit other than
the door which led to the passageway through which he had entered. His
curiosity aroused to a fever pitch, he walked back and forth along the
walls searching for a concealed door, but without success.
When about to give up his seemingly hopeless quest he arrived at a
certain point where his attention was attracted by a gentle murmuring
as of distant waters. Pausing, he listened breathlessly, and noticed
that the sound seemed to emanate from the figure of an armed warrior
which was chiseled in bold relief on the wall before him.
A careful search revealed a small lever behind the right elbow, and on
pulling this a section of the wall four feet wide and higher than a
man moved toward him, revealing a flat platform and a flight of steps
beyond. The unmistakable sound of roaring water was now plainly audible.
Grandon stepped on the platform and, finding it firm, held his torch
aloft and descended the steps. After traveling for a considerable
distance he reached a level floor of stone and a moment later came upon
a sight that amazed and startled him, inured though he was to strange
and awesome spectacles.
* * * * *
Before him lay a great stone dock on which, as far as his torchlight
carried in both directions, reposed a fleet of metal boats, each about
fifty feet in length and built in the form of those huge amphibious
reptiles such as he had rescued Vernia from, back in Reabon. The
prow ended in the arched serpentine neck and head, while the stern
terminated in the flat, pointed tail. Behind these grotesque craft
he could see the black, foam-flecked water rushing headlong beneath
stalactite-festooned subterranean arches.
He examined one of the boats with intense interest. It was constructed
of brown metal similar to that from which the Albines made their
weapons and armor, and appeared quite strong and seaworthy. The deck
was completely arched over with the same material, fashioned in
imitation of reptilian scales, except at the front and rear where there
were oval holes provided with hinged metal lids.
Upon entering the forward hole he found a roomy interior all of metal,
and saw that the hull was rigidly ribbed and braced. Twenty large metal
paddies lay on the floor and there were twenty seats for paddlers, ten
on each side, while metal hoods projected outward almost to the water
line, in such a manner that they would completely hide the paddlers and
protect them from the missiles of an enemy. The steering device and
helmsman's seat were immediately behind the top of the rear entrance
hole, and were also protected by movable metal plates.
Upon his moving the tiller the entire tail turned, and he learned
later, as he had surmised, that the rudder was fastened beneath this
tail.
Grandon made his way back to the armory and carefully closed the secret
doorway. He started along the passageway, reflecting on the importance
of the discoveries he had made, when he noticed a soldier running
toward him.
The man stopped suddenly when he saw Grandon and saluted stiffly.
"Joto bade me tell you that the sabits are beginning the attack," he
announced breathlessly.
"Attacking already?" Grandon was dumfounded. He hurried swiftly forward
to join in the momentous conflict which was to decide, once and for
all, whether men or monsters should rule the Valley of the Sabits.
As soon as he had left the room a tall, bulky figure in armor stepped
from behind a large catapult and went directly to the hidden door,
wrenching one of the torches from its fastening as he passed. The
soldier fumbled with the hidden lever for a moment, then managed to
swing the door back and disappeared in the dark interior.
Some twenty minutes later he reappeared, carefully fastened the door
and replaced the torch. His visor was raised, and an expression of
malicious cunning overspread the face beneath it. The face was that of
Tholto, the brutal marsh-man of the mating pits.
"A way out of the valley," he muttered. "This farce of pretended
friendship will soon be over. I have only to gather a few provisions
and to get _her_."
He lowered his visor and slunk out of the door and down the passageway.
CHAPTER XXII.
TREACHERY.
The pandemonium of battle was punctuated by the staccato reports of
the men's cannonlike mattorks as Grandon reached the interior of the
men's sleeping quarters. He mounted to the topmost chamber from which
Joto directed the activities of the two mattork crews while he shouted
orders to the defenders.
Here he found Vernia and Rotha, and could not but notice the difference
in the expressions of the two girls as they viewed the attack. While
Vernia, daughter of a thousand fighting emperors, maintained a calm
demeanor in the face of that oncoming horde, Rotha, pale and trembling,
looked this way and that, like a hunted wild thing.
"See," the marsh-girl cried, "they come by thousands and tens of
thousands. They cover the entire landscape. Our defenses will be
crushed."
"You forget that they are only brutes, Rotha," replied Vernia, "and as
such may be overcome by creatures of superior intellect. Men are the
lords of creation, not sabits."
"But they are wiser than all other animals--"
"Except men." She turned to Grandon smiling. "We are going to win this
battle, are we not, Robert Grandon?"
"Most assuredly," he replied. "However, I am not so positive that we
will be able to hold this building. This is hardly a safe place."
"You forget," said Vernia, "that I, too, am a soldier. I prefer to
remain here, and if necessary, take part in the fighting."
"I am sure you are too good a soldier to disobey orders, and I am in
command. You are ordered below."
A quick flash of resentment came to her eyes at his tone and words.
"You presume to command me? To dictate to the Princess of Reabon? I
only command. Others obey."
In outraged dignity she turned her back on him and walked toward the
ramparts--that is she started toward them, but a strong pair of arms
picked her up, armor and all, and carried her struggling and kicking
down the runways and to the foot of the stairway, while Rotha, passive
and thoroughly frightened, trailed behind. Grandon set Vernia gently on
her feet and, taking her by the shoulders, turned her so she looked up
at him with flaming eyes and heaving bosom.
"That is a man's fight out there," he said softly, apparently
unperturbed by the storm of anger he was creating. "You would only be
in the way, and would more than likely be carried off by the sabits.
Now will you go forward peaceably or must I carry you the rest of the
way?"
A slight flush suffused her cheeks. When she raised her eyes to his
there was a new look in them--a soft, melting look that gave him his
answer even before she spoke. The woman had conquered the princess, and
the man had conquered the woman.
She saluted stiffly, and there was a slight catch in her voice as she
replied:
"I will go, my commander."
"Spoken like a true soldier," he said, and paused for a moment to
admire her, walking gracefully with Rotha down the passageway. Then he
turned and took the steps three at a time, to join in the fighting.
* * * * *
In one of the more remote underground chambers, Tholto, the mighty
man of the mating pens, was haranguing a group of twenty followers
recruited from the army of marsh-men. His first plan had been the
overthrow of Grandon and Joto and the establishing of himself as ruler
of the new community. Later, when he had discovered the way out of the
valley, he decided on flight and the establishing of a community of his
own. He felt it was the wiser course, not only because his following
was inadequate to cope with the guards of Grandon and Joto, but because
it was his belief that the sabits would eventually win the battle for
domination of this valley.
Since the night when Grandon rescued Vernia from his clutches in the
mating pens, he had secretly harbored a hatred that was none the less
violent because of his apparent passivity.
Fate played into his hands when he discovered the secret way out of
the valley, and he was not slow to take advantage of the opportunity
offered. His co-plotters had been hastily summoned from their various
posts, and now awaited his orders.
He instructed the men to place provisions and water aboard the boat
at once, then await his coming in the passageway which led to the
armory. When all had departed he lowered his visor and started down the
passageway when he saw Vernia and Rotha approaching.
Quickly leaping to a vacant position in front of one of the hexagonal
columns, he assumed the pose of the empty suits of armor that were
similarly placed in front of the other columns, and stood in breathless
silence until they passed--then followed with the patient stealth of a
tiger stalking its prey.
He saw the two girls enter the fountain room and seat themselves on the
edge of the fountain where they bathed their hands and faces in the
clear, cold water. As he stood immobile before a column he could hear
the ring of their silvery laughter mingled with the soft, splashing
murmur of the fountain.
As the minutes passed he fidgeted uneasily. What if some one should
come? What if Grandon should discover his absence, or Joto should
notice that there were twenty men missing?
As the time wore on, and no one put in an appearance from the direction
of the men's sleeping quarters, he regained confidence. The boat would
be provisioned by now and the men waiting his coming. He chose a moment
when neither of the girls was looking his way--then stepped boldly into
the room and approached them.
Vernia looked up inquiringly.
"I bring orders from Grandon of Terra," he said, bowing low.
"What are his orders, soldier?" she asked.
"We cannot resist the sabits much longer. Many of our soldiers have