"The priestess led the rigid little creature forward under the fabulous tree."
| The | Tree of Life |
By C. L. MOORE
A gripping tale of the planet Mars and the terrible monstrosity that called
its victims to it from afar—a tale of Northwest Smith
Over time-ruined Illar the searching planes swooped and circled. Northwest Smith, peering up at them with a steel-pale stare from the shelter of a half-collapsed temple, thought of vultures wheeling above carrion. All day long now they had been raking these ruins for him. Presently, he knew, thirst would begin to parch his throat and hunger to gnaw at him. There was neither food nor water in these ancient Martian ruins, and he knew{{right|315
