Quotation from: The Gods of Mars

Written by: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Several miles in advance lay a range of hills--the farther shore
of the dead sea we had been crossing. Could we but reach these
hills our chances of escape would be greatly enhanced, but Thuvia's
mount, although carrying the lightest burden, already was showing
signs of exhaustion. I was riding beside her when suddenly her
animal staggered and lurched against mine. I saw that he was going
down, but ere he fell I snatched the girl from his back and swung
her to a place upon my own thoat, behind me, where she clung with
her arms about me.