'A Princess of Mars,' by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Part Three

2017 · VOA Learning English

This speaker is a general-american model. Each line below can be recorded and scored against it.

Transcript

1. Members of the crew fell to the ground. The huge ship lost control and began turning again and again.

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2. 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.

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3. Soon the fighting stopped. The warriors began taking everything from the ship.

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4. At last, they brought a captive from deep within the ship. Two of the warriors had their captive by each arm.

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5. 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.

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6. She looked like a woman from Earth. She was young. Her skin was a light red, almost a copper color.

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7. I saw at once that she was extremely beautiful. She had a fine face with large dark eyes and long, black hair.

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8. As her guards led her away, she saw me for a moment. She seemed very surprised.

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9. 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.

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10. As I watched her disappear into a building, I realized that Sola was near me.

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11. The games are long and cruel and end in death for those captured in battle. Her death will be slow and painful.

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12. She will die for the enjoyment of all. JOHN CARTER: Sola’s face seemed sad when she said this.

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13. 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.

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14. My mother died in the games. That is a secret you must not tell anyone.

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15. The wall where Tars Tarkas found you held eggs that produce our young. All the children belong to the tribe.

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16. A mother never knows which child is hers when they come out of the egg. My mother hid the egg that carried me.

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17. It was not placed within the walled area. She kept her secret until after I was born.

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18. But others discovered her secret and she was condemned to die in the games. She hid me among other children before she was captured.

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19. 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.

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20. I alone keep that secret. It would mean death for him as well as me.

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21. My people are violent and cruel.

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22. The red woman prisoner was there too. Soon, the leader of the green Martians came into the room.

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23. His name was Lorquas Ptomel. He began speaking to the prisoner.

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24. Our air ship was on a scientific flight. We were to study the air and atmosphere.

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25. Without our work the air on our planet would grow thin and we would all die. Why would you attack us?

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26. He placed a foot on her small body and began laughing.

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27. I reached for the small sword I carried and rushed to attack the huge warrior.

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28. He was a strong opponent. But again, because of the low gravity on Mars, my strength was far greater than his.

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29. In a few short minutes, the green warrior was dead. I helped the young woman to her feet.

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30. 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.

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31. I am from the planet Earth. How I got here is a long story.

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32. 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.

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33. However, I must tell you that I, too, am a captive. SOLA: Come, John Carter, and bring the red woman with you.

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34. Let us leave this room quickly before some warrior attempts to stops us.

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35. Sola then left to prepare food. Woola sat in the corner and looked at the both of us.

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36. The young woman was afraid of poor, ugly Woola. I told her not to fear him.

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37. Woola is not only my guard. He is my friend. I have treated him with kindness that he has never known.

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38. As each day passes, he trusts me more. I now think he would follow any command I give.

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39. Sola has told me that all captives are held until they can die in the great games held by the green Martians. Our only chance to survive is to escape.

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40. But we must have Sola’s help for our plan to succeed.

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41. If we stay with the green warriors, we will both die. If we are to escape, we will need several of the animals to ride.

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42. They were given to me when I became a warrior. Sola came back later with food for the two of us.

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43. Dejah Thoris and I asked for her help. The three of us talked long into the night.

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44. At last Sola gave us her answer. SOLA: Your best chance for escape will be in the next two days.

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45. We will leave this city tomorrow and begin a long trip to the home of our tribe. I will help you escape.

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46. But I must come with you. I will be killed if you escape.

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47. You are not cruel or violent as many of your people are. Help us and I can promise you a much better life.

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48. You will be treated with respect as an honored guest.

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49. More than a thousand animals were carrying the huge tribe of green Martians.

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50. Also in the group were one American, one Princess of the Royal House of Helium, our guard, Sola, and poor ugly Woola.

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51. Late that night we left the camp. One animal carried me.

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52. Another Sola and Princess Dejah Thoris. Woola followed close behind.

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53. We rode quickly through the Martian night. I looked into the sky and saw Earth across the great distance of space.

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54. Since I had met the Princess Dejah Thoris, I had not thought once of Earth or home.

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55. I knew then that I would never willingly leave her.

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56. The next morning, I could see that we were being followed by several hundred of the green warriors. Our animals were very tired.

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57. I knew we must stop. I told Sola and the Princess to take the stronger of the two animals and ride away.

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58. I will hold back the green warriors as long as I can. Woola!

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59. Go with them and guard them with your life.

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60. It would be certain death if you are captured again. You must come with us!

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61. Quickly she began riding away. For a moment, Woola looked at me, then turned and ran after them.

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62. I took out my rifle from its case. I began firing to slow the green warriors.

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63. I was able to slow them for more than an hour. But then I had no more ammunition

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64. Soon I was surrounded. A green warrior got off his animal and came toward me.

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65. He pulled out his long, thin sword. I reached for mine.

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66. As we neared each other I saw it was Tars Tarkas. He stopped and spoke to me very slowly.

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67. It is I who must kill you. Know that I will take no pleasure in your death.

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