“But how about me?” Toplinsky objected. “What do I get?”
“You will become the husband of the queen, and if I find that I love you as I think I shall, you will become the leader above me.”
Toplinsky picked her up in his left hand, kissed her, and put her back on the floor.
“It shall be as you say.”
“If you take that woman for your queen you must slay thousands of innocent people,” Moawha broke out passionately. “They are gentle, kind-hearted, and constantly warred upon by these abominable crickets—who eat them.”
Moawha also spoke in broken English but her words were not as clear as those pronounced by the queen.
“I shall have your feet toasted in that nice little stream of fire,” Carza said coldly, turning malevolently on Moawha. “You are not interested in this.”
Her black eyes were flashing fiercely as she spoke but they cleared instantly when she turned to Toplinsky.
“Yes, it pleases me. I shall make you king.”
“Ho, comrades!” Toplinsky called out to the little men. “See that these Americans do not escape. Also look after this strange little woman. Presently we shall slay the two men but not the earth woman. Ha! ha!”