South to Propontis
"South to Propontis" by Henry Andrew Ackermann is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. The story unfolds on Mars and follows the journey of a young Earth-man, Don Moffat, who longs to escape his harsh life in the Martian desert and dream of reaching Propontis, the planet's capital. The narrative explores themes of survival, betrayal, and the clash of cultures as Don confronts both human and Martian adversaries in his quest for a better life. The plot centers around Don, who narrowly escapes death at the hands of his uncle, only to be captured by two outlaws en route to Propontis. As they traverse the perilous Martian desert, they encounter various hardships, including thirst and the menacing native Martians. After being taken to an ancient Martian city, Don witnesses the violent fate of his captors at the hands of feral birds driven mad by a mysterious substance. Relying on his father's teachings, Don ingeniously constructs a makeshift generator from available materials, ultimately using its alarming sound to repel the Martians and pave his way to freedom. Rather than wallow in despair, Don's resourcefulness and will to survive lead him to a hopeful beginning, hinting at the greener world he has yearned for.