burroughs-warlord of mars

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Title:WarlordofMars

Author:EdgarRiceBurroughs

PostingDate:June23,2008[EBook#68]ReleaseDate:June,1993Lastupdated:April12,2012

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKWARLORDOFMARS***

ProducedbyJudithBossandCharlesKeller.HTMLversionbyAlHaines.

WarlordofMars

By

EdgarRiceBurroughs

CONTENTS

OntheRiverIssUndertheMountainsTheTempleoftheSun

TheSecretTowerOntheKaolianRoadAHeroinKaolNewAlliesThroughtheCarrionCavesWiththeYellowMenInDuranceThePityofPlenty"FollowtheRope!"TheMagnetSwitch



TheTideofBattleRewardsTheNewRuler

ONTHERIVERISS

IntheshadowsoftheforestthatflanksthecrimsonplainbythesideoftheLostSeaofKorusintheValleyDor,beneaththehurtlingmoonsofMars,speedingtheirmeteoricwaycloseabovethebosomofthedyingplanet,Icreptstealthilyalongthetrailofashadowyformthathuggedthedarkerplaceswithapersistencythatproclaimedthesinisternatureofitserrand.

ForsixlongMartianmonthsIhadhauntedthevicinityofthehatefulTempleoftheSun,withinwhoseslow-revolvingshaft,farbeneaththesurfaceofMars,myprincesslayentombed--butwhetheraliveordeadIknewnot.HadPhaidor'sslimbladefoundthatbelovedheart?Timeonlywouldrevealthetruth.

Sixhundredandeighty-sevenMartiandaysmustcomeandgobeforethecell'sdoorwouldagaincomeoppositethetunnel'sendwherelastIhadseenmyever-beautifulDejahThoris.

Halfofthemhadpassed,orwouldonthemorrow,yetvividinmymemory,obliteratingeveryeventthathadcomebeforeorafter,thereremainedthelastscenebeforethegustofsmokeblindedmyeyesandthenarrowslitthathadgivenmesightoftheinteriorofhercellclosedbetweenmeandthePrincessofHeliumforalongMartianyear.

Asifitwereyesterday,IstillsawthebeautifulfaceofPhaidor,daughterofMataiShang,distortedwithjealousrageandhatredas

shesprangforwardwithraiseddaggeruponthewomanIloved.

Isawtheredgirl,ThuviaofPtarth,leapforwardtopreventthehideousdeed.

Thesmokefromtheburningtemplehadcomethentoblotoutthetragedy,butinmyearsrangthesingleshriekastheknifefell.Thensilence,andwhenthesmokehadcleared,therevolvingtemplehadshutoffallsightorsoundfromthechamberinwhichthethreebeautifulwomenwereimprisoned.

Muchtherehadbeentooccupymyattentionsincethatterriblemoment;butneverforaninstanthadthememoryofthethingfaded,and

allthetimethatIcouldsparefromthenumerousdutiesthathaddevolveduponmeinthereconstructionofthegovernmentoftheFirstBornsinceourvictoriousfleetandlandforceshadoverwhelmedthem,hadbeenspentclosetothegrimshaftthatheldthemotherofmyboy,CarthorisofHelium.

TheraceofblacksthatforageshadworshipedIssus,thefalsedeityofMars,hadbeenleftinastateofchaosbymyrevealmentofherasnaughtmorethanawickedoldwoman.Intheirragetheyhadtornhertopieces.



FromthehighpinnacleoftheiregotismtheFirstBornhadbeenplungedtothedepthsofhumiliation.Theirdeitywasgone,andwithherthewholefalsefabricoftheirreligion.TheirvauntednavyhadfallenindefeatbeforethesuperiorshipsandfightingmenoftheredmenofHelium.

FiercegreenwarriorsfromtheocherseabottomsofouterMarshadriddentheirwildthoatsacrossthesacredgardensoftheTempleofIssus,andTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,fiercestofthemall,hadsatuponthethroneofIssusandruledtheFirstBornwhilethealliesweredecidingtheconquerednation'sfate.

AlmostunanimouswastherequestthatIascendtheancientthroneoftheblackmen,eventheFirstBornthemselvesconcurringinit;butIwouldhavenoneofit.Myheartcouldneverbewiththeracethathadheapedindignitiesuponmyprincessandmyson.

AtmysuggestionXodarbecameJeddakoftheFirstBorn.Hehadbeenadator,orprince,untilIssushaddegradedhim,sothathisfitnessforthehighofficebestowedwasunquestioned.

ThepeaceoftheValleyDorthusassured,thegreenwarriorsdispersedtotheirdesolateseabottoms,whileweofHeliumreturnedtoour

owncountry.Hereagainwasathroneofferedme,sincenowordhadbeenreceivedfromthemissingJeddakofHelium,TardosMors,grandfatherofDejahThoris,orhisson,MorsKajak,JedofHelium,herfather.

OverayearhadelapsedsincetheyhadsetouttoexplorethenorthernhemisphereinsearchofCarthoris,andatlasttheirdisheartenedpeoplehadacceptedastruththevaguerumorsoftheirdeaththathadfilteredinfromthefrozenregionofthepole.

OnceagainIrefusedathrone,forIwouldnotbelievethatthemightyTardosMors,orhisnolessredoubtableson,wasdead.

"Letoneoftheirownbloodruleyouuntiltheyreturn,"IsaidtotheassemblednoblesofHelium,asIaddressedthemfromthePedestalofTruthbesidetheThroneofRighteousnessintheTempleofReward,fromtheveryspotwhereIhadstoodayearbeforewhenZatArraspronouncedthesentenceofdeathuponme.

AsIspokeIsteppedforwardandlaidmyhandupontheshoulderofCarthoriswherehestoodinthefrontrankofthecircleofnoblesaboutme.

Asone,thenoblesandthepeopleliftedtheirvoicesinalongcheerofapprobation.Tenthousandswordssprangonhighfromasmanyscabbards,andthegloriousfightingmenofancientHelium

hailedCarthorisJeddakofHelium.

Histenureofofficewastobeforlifeoruntilhisgreat-grandfather,orgrandfather,shouldreturn.HavingthussatisfactorilyarrangedthisimportantdutyforHelium,IstartedthefollowingdayfortheValleyDorthatImightremainclosetotheTempleoftheSununtilthefatefuldaythatshouldseetheopeningoftheprisoncellwheremylostlovelayburied.

HorVastusandKantosKan,withmyothernoblelieutenants,Ileft



withCarthorisatHelium,thathemighthavethebenefitoftheirwisdom,bravery,andloyaltyintheperformanceofthearduousdutieswhichhaddevolveduponhim.OnlyWoola,myMartianhound,accompaniedme.

Atmyheelstonightthefaithfulbeastmovedsoftlyinmytracks.AslargeasaShetlandpony,withhideousheadandfrightfulfangs,hewasindeedanawesomespectacle,ashecreptaftermeonhistenshort,muscularlegs;buttomehewastheembodimentofloveandloyalty.

ThefigureaheadwasthatoftheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,Thurid,whoseundyingenmityIhadearnedthattimeIlaidhimlowwithmybarehandsinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssus,andboundhimwithhisownharnessbeforethenoblemenandwomenwhohadbutamomentbeforebeenextollinghisprowess.

Likemanyofhisfellows,hehadapparentlyacceptedtheneworderofthingswithgoodgrace,andhadswornfealtytoXodar,hisnewruler;butIknewthathehatedme,andIwassurethatinhisheartheenviedandhatedXodar,soIhadkeptawatchuponhiscomingsandgoings,totheendthatoflateIhadbecomeconvincedthathewasoccupiedwithsomemannerofintrigue.

SeveraltimesIhadobservedhimleavingthewalledcityoftheFirstBornafterdark,takinghiswayoutintothecruelandhorribleValleyDor,wherenohonestbusinesscouldleadanyman.

Tonighthemovedquicklyalongtheedgeoftheforestuntilwellbeyondsightorsoundofthecity,thenheturnedacrossthecrimsonswardtowardtheshoreoftheLostSeaofKorus.

Theraysofthenearermoon,swinginglowacrossthevalley,touchedhisjewel-incrustedharnesswithathousandchanginglightsandglancedfromtheglossyebonyofhissmoothhide.Twiceheturnedhisheadbacktowardtheforest,afterthemannerofonewhoisuponanevilerrand,thoughhemusthavefeltquitesafefrompursuit.

Ididnotdarefollowhimtherebeneaththemoonlight,sinceitbestsuitedmyplansnottointerrupthis--Iwishedhimtoreachhisdestinationunsuspecting,thatImightlearnjustwherethatdestinationlayandthebusinessthatawaitedthenightprowlerthere.

SoitwasthatIremainedhiddenuntilafterThuridhaddisappearedovertheedgeofthesteepbankbesidetheseaaquarterofamileaway.Then,withWoolafollowing,Ihastenedacrosstheopenaftertheblackdator.

Thequietofthetomblayuponthemysteriousvalleyofdeath,

crouchingdeepinitswarmnestwithinthesunkenareaatthesouthpoleofthedyingplanet.InthefardistancetheGoldenCliffsraisedtheirmightybarrierfacesfarintothestarlitheavens,thepreciousmetalsandscintillatingjewelsthatcomposedthemsparklinginthebrilliantlightofMars'stwogorgeousmoons.

Atmybackwastheforest,prunedandtrimmedliketheswardtoparklikesymmetrybythebrowsingoftheghoulishplantmen.

BeforemelaytheLostSeaofKorus,whilefartheronIcaughtthe



shimmeringribbonofIss,theRiverofMystery,whereitwoundoutfrombeneaththeGoldenCliffstoemptyintoKorus,towhichforcountlessageshadbeenbornethedeludedandunhappyMartiansoftheouterworlduponthevoluntarypilgrimagetothisfalseheaven.

Theplantmen,withtheirblood-suckinghands,andthemonstrouswhiteapesthatmakeDorhideousbyday,werehiddenintheirlairsforthenight.

TherewasnolongeraHolyThernuponthebalconyintheGoldenCliffsabovetheIsstosummonthemwithweirdcrytothevictimsfloatingdowntotheirmawsuponthecold,broadbosomofancientIss.

ThenaviesofHeliumandtheFirstBornhadclearedthefortressesandthetemplesofthethernswhentheyhadrefusedtosurrenderandaccepttheneworderofthingsthathadswepttheirfalsereligionfromlong-sufferingMars.

Inafewisolatedcountriestheystillretainedtheirage-oldpower;butMataiShang,theirhekkador,FatherofTherns,hadbeendrivenfromhistemple.Strenuoushadbeenourendeavorstocapturehim;butwithafewofthefaithfulhehadescaped,andwasinhiding--whereweknewnot.

AsIcamecautiouslytotheedgeofthelowcliffoverlookingtheLostSeaofKorusIsawThuridpushingoutuponthebosomoftheshimmeringwaterinasmallskiff--oneofthosestrangelywroughtcraftofunthinkableagewhichtheHolyTherns,withtheirorganizationofpriestsandlessertherns,werewonttodistributealongthebanksoftheIss,thatthelongjourneyoftheirvictimsmightbefacilitated.

Drawnuponthebeachbelowmewereascoreofsimilarboats,eachwithitslongpole,atoneendofwhichwasapike,attheotherapaddle.Thuridwashuggingtheshore,andashepassedoutofsightroundanear-bypromontoryIshovedoneoftheboatsinto

thewaterand,callingWoolaintoit,pushedoutfromshore.

ThepursuitofThuridcarriedmealongtheedgeoftheseatowardthemouthoftheIss.Thefarthermoonlayclosetothehorizon,castingadenseshadowbeneaththecliffsthatfringedthewater.Thuria,thenearermoon,hadset,norwoulditriseagainfornearfourhours,sothatIwasensuredconcealingdarknessforthatlengthoftimeatleast.

Onandonwenttheblackwarrior.NowhewasoppositethemouthoftheIss.Withoutaninstant'shesitationheturnedupthegrimriver,paddlinghardagainstthestrongcurrent.

AfterhimcameWoolaandI,closernow,forthemanwastoointentuponforcinghiscraftuptherivertohaveanyeyesforwhatmightbetranspiringbehindhim.Hehuggedtheshorewherethecurrentwaslessstrong.

PresentlyhecametothedarkcavernousportalinthefaceoftheGoldenCliffs,throughwhichtheriverpoured.OnintotheStygiandarknessbeyondheurgedhiscraft.

ItseemedhopelesstoattempttofollowhimherewhereIcouldnot



Isat,andIcouldseetheripplingjunctionofitandthemysteriouscurrentwhichhadarousedmycuriosity.

WhileIwasstillspeculatinguponthephenomenon,myattentionwassuddenlyriveteduponThurid,whohadraisedbothpalmsforwardabovehisheadintheuniversalsaluteofMartians,andamomentlaterhis"Kaor!"theBarsoomianwordofgreeting,cameinlowbutdistincttones.

Iturnedmyeyesuptheriverinthedirectionthathiswerebent,andpresentlytherecamewithinmylimitedrangeofvisionalongboat,inwhichweresixmen.Fivewereatthepaddles,whilethesixthsatintheseatofhonor.

Thewhiteskins,theflowingyellowwigswhichcoveredtheirbaldpates,andthegorgeousdiademssetincircletsofgoldabouttheirheadsmarkedthemasHolyTherns.

AstheydrewupbesidetheledgeuponwhichThuridawaitedthem,heinthebowoftheboatarosetostepashore,andthenIsawthatitwasnoneotherthanMataiShang,FatherofTherns.

Theevidentcordialitywithwhichthetwomenexchangedgreetingsfilledmewithwonder,fortheblackandwhitemenofBarsoomwere

hereditaryenemies--noreverbeforehadIknownoftwomeetingotherthaninbattle.

Evidentlythereversesthathadrecentlyovertakenbothpeopleshadresultedinanalliancebetweenthesetwoindividuals--atleastagainstthecommonenemy--andnowIsawwhyThuridhadcomesooftenoutintotheValleyDorbynight,andthatthenatureofhisconspiringmightbesuchastostrikeveryclosetomeortomyfriends.

IwishedthatImighthavefoundapointclosertothetwomenfromwhichtohaveheardtheirconversation;butitwasoutofthequestionnowtoattempttocrosstheriver,andsoIlayquietly

watchingthem,whowouldhavegivensomuchtohaveknownhowcloseIlaytothem,andhoweasilytheymighthaveovercomeandkilledmewiththeirsuperiorforce.

SeveraltimesThuridpointedacrosstheriverinmydirection,butthathisgestureshadanyreferencetomeIdidnotforamomentbelieve.PresentlyheandMataiShangenteredthelatter'sboat,whichturnedoutintotheriverand,swinginground,forgedsteadilyacrossinmydirection.

AstheyadvancedImovedmyboatfartherandfartherinbeneaththeoverhangingwall,butatlastitbecameevidentthattheircraftwasholdingthesamecourse.Thefivepaddlerssentthelarger

boataheadataspeedthattaxedmyenergiestoequal.

EveryinstantIexpectedtofeelmyprowcrashagainstsolidrock.Thelightfromtheriverwasnolongervisible,butaheadIsawthefainttingeofadistantradiance,andstillthewaterbeforemewasopen.

Atlastthetruthdawneduponme--IwasfollowingasubterraneanriverwhichemptiedintotheIssattheverypointwhereIhadhidden.



Therowerswerenowquiteclosetome.Thenoiseoftheirownpaddlesdrownedthesoundofmine,butinanotherinstantthegrowinglightaheadwouldrevealmetothem.

Therewasnotimetobelost.WhateveractionIwastotakemustbetakenatonce.Swingingtheprowofmyboattowardtheright,Isoughttheriver'srockyside,andthereIlaywhileMataiShangandThuridapproachedupthecenterofthestream,whichwasmuchnarrowerthantheIss.

AstheycamenearerIheardthevoicesofThuridandtheFatherofThernsraisedinargument.

"Itellyou,Thern,"theblackdatorwassaying,"thatIwishonlyvengeanceuponJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.Iamleadingyouintonotrap.WhatcouldIgainbybetrayingyoutothosewhohaveruinedmynationandmyhouse?"

"LetusstophereamomentthatImayhearyourplans,"repliedthehekkador,"andthenwemayproceedwithabetterunderstandingofourdutiesandobligations."

Totherowersheissuedthecommandthatbroughttheirboatin

towardthebanknotadozenpacesbeyondthespotwhereIlay.

Hadtheypulledinbelowmetheymustsurelyhaveseenmeagainstthefaintglowoflightahead,butfromwheretheyfinallycametorestIwasassecurefromdetectionasthoughmilesseparatedus.

ThefewwordsIhadalreadyoverheardwhettedmycuriosity,andIwasanxioustolearnwhatmannerofvengeanceThuridwasplanningagainstme.NorhadIlongtowait.Ilistenedintently.

"Therearenoobligations,FatherofTherns,"continuedtheFirstBorn."Thurid,DatorofIssus,hasnoprice.WhenthethinghasbeenaccomplishedIshallbegladifyouwillseetoitthatIam

wellreceived,asisbefittingmyancientlineageandnoblerank,atsomecourtthatisyetloyaltothyancientfaith,forIcannotreturntotheValleyDororelsewherewithinthepowerofthePrinceofHelium;buteventhatIdonotdemand--itshallbeasyourowndesireinthematterdirects."

"Itshallbeasyouwish,Dator,"repliedMataiShang;"noristhatall--powerandrichesshallbeyoursifyourestoremydaughter,Phaidor,tome,andplacewithinmypowerDejahThoris,PrincessofHelium.

"Ah,"hecontinuedwithamalicioussnarl,"buttheEarthmanshallsufferfortheindignitieshehasputupontheholyofholies,nor

shallanyvilenessbetooviletoinflictuponhisprincess.Wouldthatitwereinmypowertoforcehimtowitnessthehumiliationanddegradationoftheredwoman."

"Youshallhaveyourwaywithherbeforeanotherdayhaspassed,MataiShang,"saidThurid,"ifyoubutsaytheword."

"IhaveheardoftheTempleoftheSun,Dator,"repliedMataiShang,"butneverhaveIheardthatitsprisonerscouldbereleasedbeforetheallottedyearoftheirincarcerationhadelapsed.How,then,



mayyouaccomplishtheimpossible?"

"Accessmaybehadtoanycellofthetempleatanytime,"repliedThurid."OnlyIssusknewthis;norwasiteverIssus'waytodivulgemoreofhersecretsthanwerenecessary.Bychance,afterherdeath,Icameuponanancientplanofthetemple,andthereIfound,plainlywrit,themostminutedirectionsforreachingthecellsatanytime.

"AndmoreIlearned--thatmanymenhadgonethitherforIssusinthepast,alwaysonerrandsofdeathandtorturetotheprisoners;butthosewhothuslearnedthesecretwaywerewonttodiemysteriouslyimmediatelytheyhadreturnedandmadetheirreportstocruelIssus."

"Letusproceed,then,"saidMataiShangatlast."Imusttrustyou,yetatthesametimeyoumusttrustme,forwearesixtoyourone."

"Idonotfear,"repliedThurid,"norneedyou.Ourhatredofthecommonenemyissufficientbondtoinsureourloyaltytoeachother,andafterwehavedefiledthePrincessofHeliumtherewillbestillgreaterreasonforthemaintenanceofourallegiance--unlessIgreatlymistakethetemperofherlord."

MataiShangspoketothepaddlers.Theboatmovedonupthetributary.

ItwaswithdifficultythatIrestrainedmyselffromrushinguponthemandslayingthetwovileplotters;butquicklyIsawthemadrashnessofsuchanact,whichwouldcutdowntheonlymanwhocouldleadthewaytoDejahThoris'prisonbeforethelongMartianyearhadswungitsinterminablecircle.

IfheshouldleadMataiShangtothathallowedspot,then,too,shouldheleadJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.

WithsilentpaddleIswungslowlyintothewakeofthelargercraft.

UNDERTHEMOUNTAINS

AsweadvanceduptheriverwhichwindsbeneaththeGoldenCliffsoutofthebowelsoftheMountainsofOtztomingleitsdarkwaterswiththegrimandmysteriousIssthefaintglowwhichhadappearedbeforeusgrewgraduallyintoanall-envelopingradiance.

Theriverwideneduntilitpresentedtheaspectofalargelakewhosevaulteddome,lightedbyglowingphosphorescentrock,wassplashedwiththevividraysofthediamond,thesapphire,theruby,andthecountless,namelessjewelsofBarsoomwhichlayincrustedinthevirgingoldwhichformsthemajorportionofthesemagnificentcliffs.

Beyondthelightedchamberofthelakewasdarkness--whatlaybehindthedarknessIcouldnotevenguess.



Tohavefollowedthethernboatacrossthegleamingwaterwouldhavebeentoinviteinstantdetection,andso,thoughIwasloathtopermitThuridtopassevenforaninstantbeyondmysight,Iwasforcedtowaitintheshadowsuntiltheotherboathadpassedfrommysightatthefarextremityofthelake.

ThenIpaddledoutuponthebrilliantsurfaceinthedirectiontheyhadtaken.

When,afterwhatseemedaneternity,IreachedtheshadowsattheupperendofthelakeIfoundthattheriverissuedfromalowaperture,topassbeneathwhichitwasnecessarythatIcompelWoolatolieflatintheboat,andI,myself,mustneedbenddoublebeforethelowroofclearedmyhead.

Immediatelytheroofroseagainupontheotherside,butnolongerwasthewaybrilliantlylighted.Insteadonlyafeebleglowemanatedfromsmallandscatteredpatchesofphosphorescentrockinwallandroof.

Directlybeforemetheriverranintothissmallerchamberthroughthreeseparatearchedopenings.

Thuridandthethernswerenowheretobeseen--intowhichofthe

darkholeshadtheydisappeared?TherewasnomeansbywhichImightknow,andsoIchosethecenteropeningasbeingaslikelytoleadmeintherightdirectionasanother.

Herethewaywasthroughutterdarkness.Thestreamwasnarrow--sonarrowthatintheblacknessIwasconstantlybumpingfirstonerockwallandthenanotherastheriverwoundhitherandthitheralongitsflintybed.

FaraheadIpresentlyheardadeepandsullenroarwhichincreasedinvolumeasIadvanced,andthenbrokeuponmyearswithalltheintensityofitsmadfuryasIswungroundasharpcurveintoadimlylightedstretchofwater.

Directlybeforemetheriverthundereddownfromaboveinamightywaterfallthatfilledthenarrowgorgefromsidetoside,risingfarabovemeseveralhundredfeet--asmagnificentaspectacleasIeverhadseen.

Buttheroar--theawful,deafeningroarofthosetumblingwaterspennedintherocky,subterraneanvault!HadthefallnotentirelyblockedmyfurtherpassageandshownmethatIhadfollowedthewrongcourseIbelievethatIshouldhavefledanywaybeforethemaddeningtumult.

Thuridandthethernscouldnothavecomethisway.Bystumbling

uponthewrongcourseIhadlostthetrail,andtheyhadgainedsomuchaheadofmethatnowImightnotbeabletofindthembeforeitwastoolate,if,infact,Icouldfindthematall.

Ithadtakenseveralhourstoforcemywayuptothefallsagainstthestrongcurrent,andotherhourswouldberequiredforthedescent,althoughthepacewouldbemuchswifter.

WithasighIturnedtheprowofmycraftdownstream,andwithmightystrokeshastenedwithrecklessspeedthroughthedarkand



tortuouschanneluntilonceagainIcametothechamberintowhichflowedthethreebranchesoftheriver.

Twounexploredchannelsstillremainedfromwhichtochoose;norwasthereanymeansbywhichIcouldjudgewhichwasthemorelikelytoleadmetotheplotters.

Neverinmylife,thatIcanrecall,haveIsufferedsuchanagonyofindecision.Somuchdependeduponacorrectchoice;somuchdependeduponhaste.

ThehoursthatIhadalreadylostmightsealthefateoftheincomparableDejahThoriswereshenotalreadydead--tosacrificeotherhours,andmaybedaysinafruitlessexplorationofanotherblindleadwouldunquestionablyprovefatal.

SeveraltimesIessayedtheright-handentranceonlytoturnbackasthoughwarnedbysomestrangeintuitivesensethatthiswasnottheway.Atlast,convincedbytheoft-recurringphenomenon,Icastmyallupontheleft-handarchway;yetitwaswithalingeringdoubtthatIturnedapartinglookatthesullenwaterswhichrolled,darkandforbidding,frombeneaththegrim,lowarchwayontheright.

AndasIlookedtherecamebobbingoutuponthecurrentfromtheStygiandarknessoftheinteriortheshellofoneofthegreat,succulentfruitsofthesorapustree.

Icouldscarcerestrainashoutofelationasthissilent,insensatemessengerfloatedpastme,ontowardtheIssandKorus,forittoldmethatjourneyingMartianswereabovemeonthatverystream.

Theyhadeatenofthismarvelousfruitwhichnatureconcentrateswithinthehardshellofthesorapusnut,andhavingeatenhadcastthehuskoverboard.ItcouldhavecomefromnoothersthanthepartyIsought.

QuicklyIabandonedallthoughtoftheleft-handpassage,andamomentlaterhadturnedintotheright.Thestreamsoonwidened,andrecurringareasofphosphorescentrocklightedmyway.

Imadegoodtime,butwasconvincedthatIwasnearlyadaybehindthoseIwastracking.NeitherWoolanorIhadeatensincethepreviousday,butinsofarashewasconcerneditmatteredbutlittle,sincepracticallyalltheanimalsofthedeadseabottomsofMarsareabletogoforincredibleperiodswithoutnourishment.

NordidIsuffer.Thewateroftheriverwassweetandcold,foritwasunpollutedbydecayingbodies--liketheIss--andasforfood,whythemerethoughtthatIwasnearingmybelovedprincess

raisedmeaboveeverymaterialwant.

AsIproceeded,theriverbecamenarrowerandthecurrentswiftandturbulent--soswiftinfactthatitwaswithdifficultythatIforcedmycraftupwardatall.Icouldnothavebeenmakingtoexceedahundredyardsanhourwhen,atabend,Iwasconfrontedbyaseriesofrapidsthroughwhichtheriverfoamedandboiledataterrificrate.

Myheartsankwithinme.Thesorapusnutshellhadprovedafalse



prophet,and,afterall,myintuitionhadbeencorrect--itwastheleft-handchannelthatIshouldhavefollowed.

HadIbeenawomanIshouldhavewept.Atmyrightwasagreat,slow-movingeddythatcircledfarbeneaththecliff'soverhangingside,andtorestmytiredmusclesbeforeturningbackIletmyboatdriftintoitsembrace.

Iwasalmostprostratedbydisappointment.Itwouldmeananotherhalf-day'slossoftimetoretracemywayandtaketheonlypassagethatyetremainedunexplored.Whathellishfatehadledmetoselectfromthreepossibleavenuesthetwothatwerewrong?

Asthelazycurrentoftheeddycarriedmeslowlyabouttheperipheryofthewaterycirclemyboattwicetouchedtherockysideoftheriverinthedarkrecessbeneaththecliff.Athirdtimeitstruck,gentlyasithadbefore,butthecontactresultedinadifferentsound--thesoundofwoodscrapinguponwood.

InaninstantIwasonthealert,fortherecouldbenowoodwithinthatburiedriverthathadnotbeenmanbrought.Almostcoincidentallywithmyfirstapprehensionofthenoise,myhandshotoutacrosstheboat'sside,andasecondlaterIfeltmyfingersgrippingthegunwaleofanothercraft.

AsthoughturnedtostoneIsatintenseandrigidsilence,strainingmyeyesintotheutterdarknessbeforemeinanefforttodiscoveriftheboatwereoccupied.

Itwasentirelypossiblethattheremightbemenonboarditwhowerestillignorantofmypresence,fortheboatwasscrapinggentlyagainsttherocksupononeside,sothatthegentletouchofmyboatupontheothereasilycouldhavegoneunnoticed.

PeerasIwouldIcouldnotpenetratethedarkness,andthenIlistenedintentlyforthesoundofbreathingnearme;butexceptforthenoiseoftherapids,thesoftscrapingoftheboats,andthe

lappingofthewaterattheirsidesIcoulddistinguishnosound.Asusual,Ithoughtrapidly.

Aropelaycoiledinthebottomofmyowncraft.VerysoftlyIgathereditup,andmakingoneendfasttothebronzeringintheprowIsteppedgingerlyintotheboatbesideme.InonehandIgraspedtherope,intheothermykeenlong-sword.

Forafullminute,perhaps,Istoodmotionlessafterenteringthestrangecraft.Ithadrockedatriflebeneathmyweight,butithadbeenthescrapingofitssideagainstthesideofmyownboatthathadseemedmostlikelytoalarmitsoccupants,iftherewereany.

Buttherewasnoansweringsound,andamomentlaterIhadfeltfromstemtosternandfoundtheboatdeserted.

Gropingwithmyhandsalongthefaceoftherockstowhichthecraftwasmoored,IdiscoveredanarrowledgewhichIknewmustbetheavenuetakenbythosewhohadcomebeforeme.ThattheycouldbenoneotherthanThuridandhispartyIwasconvincedbythesizeandbuildoftheboatIhadfound.



CallingtoWoolatofollowmeIsteppedoutupontheledge.Thegreat,savagebrute,agileasacat,creptafterme.

AshepassedthroughtheboatthathadbeenoccupiedbyThuridandthethernsheemittedasinglelowgrowl,andwhenhecamebesidemeupontheledgeandmyhandresteduponhisneckIfelthisshortmanebristlingwithanger.Ithinkhesensedtelepathicallytherecentpresenceofanenemy,forIhadmadenoefforttoimparttohimthenatureofourquestorthestatusofthosewetracked.

ThisomissionInowmadehastetocorrect,and,afterthemannerofgreenMartianswiththeirbeasts,IlethimknowpartiallybytheweirdanduncannytelepathyofBarsoomandpartlybywordofmouththatwewereuponthetrailofthosewhohadrecentlyoccupiedtheboatthroughwhichwehadjustpassed.

Asoftpurr,likethatofagreatcat,indicatedthatWoolaunderstood,andthen,withawordtohimtofollow,Iturnedtotherightalongtheledge,butscarcelyhadIdonesothanIfelthismightyfangstuggingatmyleathernharness.

AsIturnedtodiscoverthecauseofhisacthecontinuedtopullmesteadilyintheoppositedirection,norwouldhedesistuntilIhadturnedaboutandindicatedthatIwouldfollowhimvoluntarily.

NeverhadIknownhimtobeinerrorinamatteroftracking,soitwaswithafeelingofentiresecuritythatImovedcautiouslyinthehugebeast'swake.ThroughCimmeriandarknesshemovedalongthenarrowledgebesidetheboilingrapids.

Asweadvanced,thewayledfrombeneaththeoverhangingcliffsoutintoadimlight,andthenitwasthatIsawthatthetrailhadbeencutfromthelivingrock,andthatitranupalongtheriver'ssidebeyondtherapids.

ForhourswefollowedthedarkandgloomyriverfartherandfartherintothebowelsofMars.FromthedirectionanddistanceIknew

thatwemustbewellbeneaththeValleyDor,andpossiblybeneaththeSeaofOmeanaswell--itcouldnotbemuchfarthernowtotheTempleoftheSun.

Evenasmymindframedthethought,Woolahaltedsuddenlybeforeanarrow,archeddoorwayinthecliffbythetrail'sside.Quicklyhecrouchedbackawayfromtheentrance,atthesametimeturninghiseyestowardme.

Wordscouldnothavemoreplainlytoldmethatdangerofsomesortlaynearby,andsoIpressedquietlyforwardtohisside,andpassinghimlookedintotheapertureatourright.

Beforemewasafair-sizedchamberthat,fromitsappointments,Iknewmusthaveatonetimebeenaguardroom.Therewereracksforweapons,andslightlyraisedplatformsforthesleepingsilksandfursofthewarriors,butnowitsonlyoccupantsweretwoofthethernswhohadbeenofthepartywithThuridandMataiShang.

Themenwereinearnestconversation,andfromtheirtonesitwasapparentthattheywereentirelyunawarethattheyhadlisteners.

"Itellyou,"oneofthemwassaying,"Idonottrusttheblack



one.Therewasnonecessityforleavingusheretoguardtheway.Againstwhat,pray,shouldweguardthislong-forgotten,abysmalpath?Itwasbutarusetodivideournumbers.

"HewillhaveMataiShangleaveotherselsewhereonsomepretextorother,andthenatlasthewillfalluponuswithhisconfederatesandslayusall."

"Ibelieveyou,Lakor,"repliedtheother,"therecanneverbeaughtelsethandeadlyhatredbetweenthernandFirstBorn.Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight?'Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals,andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit,andthenfortwenty-fivetalswithnineunits.'Thosewerehisverywords,andtothinkthatwiseoldMataiShangshouldlistentosuchfoolishness."

"Indeed,itissilly,"repliedLakor."Itwillopennothingotherthanthewaytoaquickdeathforusall.HehadtomakesomeanswerwhenMataiShangaskedhimflatlywhatheshoulddowhenhecametotheTempleoftheSun,andsohemadehisanswerquicklyfromhisimagination--Iwouldwagerahekkador'sdiademthathecouldnotnowrepeatithimself."

"Letusnotremainherelonger,Lakor,"spoketheotherthern."PerchanceifwehastenafterthemwemaycomeintimetorescueMataiShang,andwreakourownvengeanceupontheblackdator.Whatsayyou?"

"Neverinalonglife,"answeredLakor,"haveIdisobeyedasinglecommandoftheFatherofTherns.IshallstayhereuntilIrotifhedoesnotreturntobidmeelsewhere."

Lakor'scompanionshookhishead.

"Youaremysuperior,"hesaid;"Icannotdootherthanyousanction,thoughIstillbelievethatwearefoolishtoremain."

I,too,thoughtthattheywerefoolishtoremain,forIsawfromWoola'sactionsthatthetrailledthroughtheroomwherethetwothernsheldguard.Ihadnoreasontoharboranyconsiderableloveforthisraceofself-deifieddemons,yetIwouldhavepassedthembywereitpossiblewithoutmolestingthem.

Itwasworthtryinganyway,forafightmightdelayusconsiderably,orevenputanendentirelytomysearch--bettermenthanIhavegonedownbeforefightersofmeanerabilitythanthatpossessedbythefiercethernwarriors.

SignalingWoolatoheelIsteppedsuddenlyintotheroombeforethe

twomen.Atsightofmetheirlong-swordsflashedfromtheharnessattheirsides,butIraisedmyhandinagestureofrestraint.

"IseekThurid,theblackdator,"Isaid."Myquarreliswithhim,notwithyou.Letmepasstheninpeace,forifImistakenotheisasmuchyourenemyasmine,andyoucanhavenocausetoprotecthim."

TheyloweredtheirswordsandLakorspoke.



"Iknownotwhomyoumaybe,withthewhiteskinofathernandtheblackhairofaredman;butwereitonlyThuridwhosesafetywereatstakeyoumightpass,andwelcome,insofaraswebeconcerned.

"Telluswhoyoube,andwhatmissioncallsyoutothisunknownworldbeneaththeValleyDor,thenmaybewecanseeourwaytoletyoupassupontheerrandwhichweshouldliketoundertakewouldourorderspermit."

Iwassurprisedthatneitherofthemhadrecognizedme,forIthoughtthatIwasquitesufficientlywellknowneitherbypersonalexperienceorreputationtoeverythernuponBarsoomastomakemyidentityimmediatelyapparentinanypartoftheplanet.Infact,IwastheonlywhitemanuponMarswhosehairwasblackandwhoseeyesweregray,withtheexceptionofmyson,Carthoris.

Torevealmyidentitymightbetoprecipitateanattack,foreverythernuponBarsoomknewthattometheyowedthefalloftheirage-oldspiritualsupremacy.Ontheotherhandmyreputationasafightingmanmightbesufficienttopassmebythesetwoweretheirliversnotoftherightcomplexiontowelcomeabattletothedeath.

TobequitecandidIdidnotattempttodeludemyselfwithanysuchsophistry,sinceIknewwellthatuponwar-likeMarstherearefewcowards,andthateveryman,whetherprince,priest,orpeasant,gloriesindeadlystrife.AndsoIgrippedmylong-swordthetighterasIrepliedtoLakor.

"Ibelievethatyouwillseethewisdomofpermittingmetopassunmolested,"Isaid,"foritwouldavailyounothingtodieuselesslyintherockybowelsofBarsoommerelytoprotectahereditaryenemy,suchasThurid,DatoroftheFirstBorn.

"ThatyoushalldieshouldyouelecttoopposemeisevidencedbythemolderingcorpsesofallthemanygreatBarsoomianwarriors

whohavegonedownbeneaththisblade--IamJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium."

Foramomentthatnameseemedtoparalyzethetwomen;butonlyforamoment,andthentheyoungerofthem,withavilenameuponhislips,rushedtowardmewithreadysword.

Hehadbeenstandingalittlebehindhiscompanion,Lakor,duringourparley,andnow,erehecouldengageme,theoldermangraspedhisharnessanddrewhimback.

"Hold!"commandedLakor."Therewillbeplentyoftimetofightifwefinditwisetofightatall.Therebegoodreasonswhyevery

thernuponBarsoomshouldyearntospillthebloodoftheblasphemer,thesacrilegist;butletusmixwisdomwithourrighteoushate.ThePrinceofHeliumisbounduponanerrandwhichweourselves,butamomentsince,werewishingthatwemightundertake.

"Lethimgothenandslaytheblack.Whenhereturnsweshallstillbeheretobarhiswaytotheouterworld,andthusweshallhaveridourselvesoftwoenemies,norhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheFatherofTherns."



AshespokeIcouldnotbutnotethecraftyglintinhisevileyes,andwhileIsawtheapparentlogicofhisreasoningIfelt,subconsciouslyperhaps,thathiswordsdidbutveilsomesinisterintent.Theotherthernturnedtowardhiminevidentsurprise,butwhenLakorhadwhisperedafewbriefwordsintohisearhe,too,drewbackandnoddedacquiescencetohissuperior'ssuggestion.

"Proceed,JohnCarter,"saidLakor;"butknowthatifThuriddoesnotlayyoulowtherewillbethoseawaitingyourreturnwhowillseethatyouneverpassagainintothesunlightoftheupperworld.Go!"

DuringourconversationWoolahadbeengrowlingandbristlingclosetomyside.Occasionallyhewouldlookupintomyfacewithalow,pleadingwhine,asthoughbeggingforthewordthatwouldsendhimheadlongatthebarethroatsbeforehim.He,too,sensedthevillainybehindthesmoothwords.

Beyondthethernsseveraldoorwaysopenedofftheguardroom,andtowardtheoneupontheextremerightLakormotioned.

"ThatwayleadstoThurid,"hesaid.

ButwhenIwouldhavecalledWoolatofollowmetherethebeast

whinedandheldback,andatlastranquicklytothefirstopeningattheleft,wherehestoodemittinghiscoughingbark,asthoughurgingmetofollowhimupontherightway.

IturnedaquestioninglookuponLakor.

"Thebruteisseldomwrong,"Isaid,"andwhileIdonotdoubtyoursuperiorknowledge,Thern,IthinkthatIshalldowelltolistentothevoiceofinstinctthatisbackedbyloveandloyalty."

AsIspokeIsmiledgrimlythathemightknowwithoutwordsthatIdistrustedhim.

"Asyouwill,"thefellowrepliedwithashrug."Intheenditshallbeallthesame."

IturnedandfollowedWoolaintotheleft-handpassage,andthoughmybackwastowardmyenemies,myearswereonthealert;yetIheardnosoundofpursuit.Thepassagewaywasdimlylightedbyoccasionalradiumbulbs,theuniversallightingmediumofBarsoom.

Thesesamelampsmayhavebeendoingcontinuousdutyinthesesubterraneanchambersforages,sincetheyrequirenoattentionandaresocompoundedthattheygiveoffbuttheminutestoftheirsubstanceinthegenerationofyearsofluminosity.

Wehadproceededforbutashortdistancewhenwecommencedtopassthemouthsofdivergingcorridors,butnotoncedidWoolahesitate.ItwasattheopeningtooneofthesecorridorsuponmyrightthatIpresentlyheardasoundthatspokemoreplainlytoJohnCarter,fightingman,thancouldthewordsofmymothertongue--itwastheclankofmetal--themetalofawarrior'sharness--anditcamefromalittledistanceupthecorridoruponmyright.

Woolaheardit,too,andlikeaflashhehadwheeledandstoodfacingthethreateneddanger,hismaneallabristleandallhis



rowsofglisteningfangsbaredbysnarling,backdrawnlips.WithagestureIsilencedhim,andtogetherwedrewasideintoanothercorridorafewpacesfartheron.

Herewewaited;nordidwehavelongtowait,forpresentlywesawtheshadowsoftwomenfalluponthefloorofthemaincorridorathwartthedoorwayofourhidingplace.Verycautiouslytheyweremovingnow--theaccidentalclankthathadalarmedmewasnotrepeated.

Presentlytheycameoppositeourstation;norwasIsurprisedtoseethatthetwowereLakorandhiscompanionoftheguardroom.

Theywalkedverysoftly,andintherighthandofeachgleamedakeenlong-sword.Theyhaltedquiteclosetotheentranceofourretreat,whisperingtoeachother.

"Canitbethatwehavedistancedthemalready?"saidLakor.

"Eitherthatorthebeasthasledthemanuponawrongtrail,"repliedtheother,"forthewaywhichwetookisbyfartheshortertothispoint--forhimwhoknowsit.JohnCarterwouldhavefounditashortroadtodeathhadhetakenitasyousuggestedtohim."

"Yes,"saidLakor,"noamountoffightingabilitywouldhavesavedhimfromthepivotedflagstone.Hesurelywouldhavesteppeduponit,andbynow,ifthepitbeneathithasabottom,whichThuriddenies,heshouldhavebeenrapidlyapproachingit.Cursesonthatcalotofhisthatwarnedhimtowardthesaferavenue!"

"Therebeotherdangersaheadofhim,though,"spokeLakor'sfellow,"whichhemaynotsoeasilyescape--shouldhesucceedinescapingourtwogoodswords.Consider,forexample,whatchancehewillhave,comingunexpectedlyintothechamberof--"

IwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveheardthebalanceofthatconversationthatImighthavebeenwarnedoftheperilsthatlayahead,but

fateintervened,andjustattheveryinstantofallotherinstantsthatIwouldnothaveelectedtodoit,Isneezed.

THETEMPLEOFTHESUN

Therewasnothingforitnowotherthantofight;nordidIhaveanyadvantageasIsprang,swordinhand,intothecorridorbeforethetwotherns,formyuntimelysneezehadwarnedthemofmypresenceandtheywerereadyforme.

Therewerenowords,fortheywouldhavebeenawasteofbreath.Theverypresenceofthetwoproclaimedtheirtreachery.Thattheywerefollowingtofalluponmeunawareswasalltooplain,andthey,ofcourse,musthaveknownthatIunderstoodtheirplan.

InaninstantIwasengagedwithboth,andthoughIloathetheverynameofthern,Imustinallfairnessadmitthattheyaremightyswordsmen;andthesetwowerenoexception,unlessitwerethattheywereevenmoreskilledandfearlessthantheaverageamong



theirrace.

WhileitlasteditwasindeedasjoyousaconflictasIeverhadexperienced.TwiceatleastIsavedmybreastfromthemortalthrustofpiercingsteelonlybythewondrousagilitywithwhichmyearthlymusclesendowmeundertheconditionsoflessergravityandairpressureuponMars.

YetevensoIcameneartotastingdeaththatdayinthegloomycorridorbeneathMars'ssouthernpole,forLakorplayedatrickuponmethatinallmyexperienceoffightingupontwoplanetsIneverbeforehadwitnessedthelikeof.

Theotherthernwasengagingmeatthetime,andIwasforcinghimback--touchinghimhereandtherewithmypointuntilhewasbleedingfromadozenwounds,yetnotbeingabletopenetratehismarvelousguardtoreachavulnerablespotforthebriefinstantthatwouldhavebeensufficienttosendhimtohisancestors.

ItwasthenthatLakorquicklyunslungabeltfromhisharness,andasIsteppedbacktoparryawickedthrusthelashedoneendofitaboutmyleftanklesothatitwoundthereforaninstant,whilehejerkedsuddenlyupontheotherend,throwingmeheavilyuponmyback.

Then,likeleapingpanthers,theywereuponme;buttheyhadreckonedwithoutWoola,andbeforeeverabladetouchedme,aroaringembodimentofathousanddemonshurtledabovemyprostrateformandmyloyalMartiancalotwasuponthem.

Imagine,ifyoucan,ahugegrizzlywithtenlegsarmedwithmightytalonsandanenormousfroglikemouthsplittinghisheadfromeartoear,exposingthreerowsoflong,whitetusks.Thenendowthiscreatureofyourimaginationwiththeagilityandferocityofahalf-starvedBengaltigerandthestrengthofaspanofbulls,andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionofWoolainaction.

BeforeIcouldcallhimoffhehadcrushedLakorintoajellywithasingleblowofonemightypaw,andhadliterallytorntheothertherntoribbons;yetwhenIspoketohimsharplyhecowedsheepishlyasthoughhehaddoneathingtodeservecensureandchastisement.

NeverhadIhadthehearttopunishWooladuringthelongyearsthathadpassedsincethatfirstdayuponMarswhenthegreenjedoftheTharkshadplacedhimonguardoverme,andIhadwonhisloveandloyaltyfromthecruelandlovelessmastersofhisformerlife,yetIbelievehewouldhavesubmittedtoanycrueltythatImighthaveinflicteduponhim,sowondrouswashisaffectionforme.

ThediademinthecenterofthecircletofgolduponthebrowofLakorproclaimedhimaHolyThern,whilehiscompanion,notthusadorned,wasalesserthern,thoughfromhisharnessIgleanedthathehadreachedtheNinthCycle,whichisbutonebelowthatoftheHolyTherns.

AsIstoodforamomentlookingatthegruesomehavocWoolahadwrought,thererecurredtomethememoryofthatotheroccasionuponwhichIhadmasqueradedinthewig,diadem,andharnessofSatorThrog,theHolyThernwhomThuviaofPtarthhadslain,andnow



itoccurredtomethatitmightproveofworthtoutilizeLakor'strappingsforthesamepurpose.

AmomentlaterIhadtornhisyellowwigfromhisbaldpateandtransferreditandthecirclet,aswellasallhisharness,tomyownperson.

Wooladidnotapproveofthemetamorphosis.Hesniffedatmeandgrowledominously,butwhenIspoketohimandpattedhishugeheadheatlengthbecamereconciledtothechange,andatmycommandtrottedoffalongthecorridorinthedirectionwehadbeengoingwhenourprogresshadbeeninterruptedbythetherns.

Wemovedcautiouslynow,warnedbythefragmentofconversationIhadoverheard.IkeptabreastofWoolathatwemighthavethebenefitofalloureyesforwhatmightappearsuddenlyaheadtomenaceus,andwellitwasthatwewereforewarned.

Atthebottomofaflightofnarrowstepsthecorridorturnedsharplybackuponitself,immediatelymakinganotherturnintheoriginaldirection,sothatatthatpointitformedaperfectletterS,thetoplegofwhichdebouchedsuddenlyintoalargechamber,illylighted,andthefloorofwhichwascompletelycoveredbyvenomoussnakesandloathsomereptiles.

Tohaveattemptedtocrossthatfloorwouldhavebeentocourtinstantdeath,andforamomentIwasalmostcompletelydiscouraged.ThenitoccurredtomethatThuridandMataiShangwiththeirpartymusthavecrossedit,andsotherewasaway.

HaditnotbeenforthefortunateaccidentbywhichIoverheardevensosmallaportionofthetherns'conversationweshouldhaveblunderedatleastasteportwointothatwrigglingmassofdestruction,andasinglestepwouldhavebeenall-sufficienttohavesealedourdoom.

TheseweretheonlyreptilesIhadeverseenuponBarsoom,butI

knewfromtheirsimilaritytothefossilizedremainsofsupposedlyextinctspeciesIhadseeninthemuseumsofHeliumthattheycomprisedmanyoftheknownprehistoricreptiliangenera,aswellasothersundiscovered.

Amorehideousaggregationofmonstershadneverbeforeassailedmyvision.ItwouldbefutiletoattempttodescribethemtoEarthmen,sincesubstanceistheonlythingwhichtheypossessincommonwithanycreatureofthepastorpresentwithwhichyouarefamiliar--eventheirvenomisofanunearthlyvirulencethat,bycomparison,wouldmakethecobradecapelloseemquiteasharmlessasanangleworm.

Astheyspiedmetherewasaconcertedrushbythosenearesttheentrancewherewestood,butalineofradiumbulbsinsetalongthethresholdoftheirchamberbroughtthemtoasuddenhalt--evidentlytheydarednotcrossthatlineoflight.

IhadbeenquitesurethattheywouldnotventurebeyondtheroominwhichIhaddiscoveredthem,thoughIhadnotguessedatwhatdeterredthem.Thesimplefactthatwehadfoundnoreptilesinthecorridorthroughwhichwehadjustcomewassufficientassurancethattheydidnotventurethere.



IdrewWoolaoutofharm'sway,andthenbeganacarefulsurveyofasmuchoftheChamberofReptilesasIcouldseefromwhereIstood.AsmyeyesbecameaccustomedtothedimlightofitsinteriorIgraduallymadeoutalowgalleryatthefarendoftheapartmentfromwhichopenedseveralexits.

ComingasclosetothethresholdasIdared,Ifollowedthisgallerywithmyeyes,discoveringthatitcircledtheroomasfarasIcouldsee.ThenIglancedabovemealongtheupperedgeoftheentrancetowhichwehadcome,andthere,tomydelight,Isawanendofthegallerynotafootabovemyhead.InaninstantIhadleapedtoitandcalledWoolaafterme.

Heretherewerenoreptiles--thewaywascleartotheoppositesideofthehideouschamber--andamomentlaterWoolaandIdroppeddowntosafetyinthecorridorbeyond.

Nottenminuteslaterwecameintoavastcircularapartmentofwhitemarble,thewallsofwhichwereinlaidwithgoldinthestrangehieroglyphicsoftheFirstBorn.

Fromthehighdomeofthismightyapartmentahugecircularcolumnextendedtothefloor,andasIwatchedIsawthatitslowly

revolved.

IhadreachedthebaseoftheTempleoftheSun!

SomewhereabovemelayDejahThoris,andwithherwerePhaidor,daughterofMataiShang,andThuviaofPtarth.Buthowtoreachthem,nowthatIhadfoundtheonlyvulnerablespotintheirmightyprison,wasstillabafflingriddle.

SlowlyIcircledthegreatshaft,lookingforameansofingress.PartwayaroundIfoundatinyradiumflashtorch,andasIexamineditinmildcuriosityastoitspresencethereinthisalmostinaccessibleandunknownspot,Icamesuddenlyupontheinsignia

ofthehouseofThuridjewel-insetinitsmetalcase.

Iamupontherighttrail,Ithought,asIslippedthebaubleintothepocket-pouchwhichhungfrommyharness.ThenIcontinuedmysearchfortheentrance,whichIknewmustbesomewhereabout;norhadIlongtosearch,foralmostimmediatelythereafterIcameuponasmalldoorsocunninglyinlaidintheshaft'sbasethatitmighthavepassedunnoticedbyalesskeenorcarefulobserver.

Therewasthedoorthatwouldleadmewithintheprison,butwherewasthemeanstoopenit?Nobuttonorlockwerevisible.AgainandagainIwentcarefullyovereverysquareinchofitssurface,butthemostthatIcouldfindwasatinypinholealittleabove

andtotherightofthedoor'scenter--apinholethatseemedonlyanaccidentofmanufactureoranimperfectionofmaterial.

IntothisminuteapertureIattemptedtopeer,butwhetheritwasbutafractionofaninchdeeporpassedcompletelythroughthedoorIcouldnottell--atleastnolightshowedbeyondit.Iputmyeartoitnextandlistened,butagainmyeffortsbroughtnegligibleresults.

DuringtheseexperimentsWoolahadbeenstandingatmysidegazing



intentlyatthedoor,andasmyglancefelluponhimitoccurredtometotestthecorrectnessofmyhypothesis,thatthisportalhadbeenthemeansofingresstothetempleusedbyThurid,theblackdator,andMataiShang,FatherofTherns.

Turningawayabruptly,Icalledtohimtofollowme.Foramomenthehesitated,andthenleapedafterme,whiningandtuggingatmyharnesstodrawmeback.Iwalkedon,however,somedistancefromthedoorbeforeIlethimhavehisway,thatImightseepreciselywhathewoulddo.ThenIpermittedhimtoleadmewhereverhewould.

Straightbacktothatbafflingportalhedraggedme,againtakinguphispositionfacingtheblankstone,gazingstraightatitsshiningsurface.ForanhourIworkedtosolvethemysteryofthecombinationthatwouldopenthewaybeforeme.

CarefullyIrecalledeverycircumstanceofmypursuitofThurid,andmyconclusionwasidenticalwithmyoriginalbelief--thatThuridhadcomethiswaywithoutotherassistancethanhisownknowledgeandpassedthroughthedoorthatbarredmyprogress,unaidedfromwithin.Buthowhadheaccomplishedit?

IrecalledtheincidentoftheChamberofMysteryintheGolden

CliffsthattimeIhadfreedThuviaofPtarthfromthedungeonofthetherns,andshehadtakenaslender,needle-likekeyfromthekeyringofherdeadjailertoopenthedoorleadingbackintotheChamberofMysterywhereTarsTarkasfoughtforhislifewiththegreatbanths.Suchatinykeyholeasnowdefiedmehadopenedthewaytotheintricatelockinthatotherdoor.

HastilyIdumpedthecontentsofmypocket-pouchuponthegroundbeforeme.CouldIbutfindaslenderbitofsteelImightyetfashionakeythatwouldgivemeingresstothetempleprison.

AsIexaminedtheheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandendsthatisalwaystobefoundinthepocket-pouchofaMartianwarriormy

handfellupontheemblazonedradiumflashtorchoftheblackdator.

AsIwasabouttolaythethingasideasofnovalueinmypresentpredicamentmyeyeschanceduponafewstrangecharactersroughlyandfreshlyscratcheduponthesoftgoldofthecase.

Casualcuriositypromptedmetodecipherthem,butwhatIreadcarriednoimmediatemeaningtomymind.Therewerethreesetsofcharacters,onebelowanother:

3|--|50T1|--|1X9|--|25T

Foronlyaninstantmycuriositywaspiqued,andthenIreplacedthetorchinmypocket-pouch,butmyfingershadnotunclaspedfromitwhenthererushedtomymemorytherecollectionoftheconversationbetweenLakorandhiscompanionwhenthelesserthernhadquotedthewordsofThuridandscoffedatthem:"Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight?Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals"--ah,therewasthefirstlineofcharactersuponthetorch'smetal



case--3--50T;"andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit"--therewasthesecondline;"andthenfortwenty-fivetalswithnineunits."

Theformulawascomplete;but--whatdiditmean?

IthoughtIknew,and,seizingapowerfulmagnifyingglassfromthelitterofmypocket-pouch,Iappliedmyselftoacarefulexaminationofthemarbleimmediatelyaboutthepinholeinthedoor.IcouldhavecriedaloudinexultationwhenmyscrutinydisclosedthealmostinvisibleincrustationofparticlesofcarbonizedelectronswhicharethrownoffbytheseMartiantorches.

Itwasevidentthatforcountlessagesradiumtorcheshadbeenappliedtothispinhole,andforwhatpurposetherecouldbebutasingleanswer--themechanismofthelockwasactuatedbylightrays;andI,JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,heldthecombinationinmyhand--scratchedbythehandofmyenemyuponhisowntorchcase.

InacylindricalbraceletofgoldaboutmywristwasmyBarsoomianchronometer--adelicateinstrumentthatrecordsthetalsandxatsandzodesofMartiantime,presentingthemtoviewbeneathastrongcrystalmuchafterthemannerofanearthlyodometer.

Timingmyoperationscarefully,Iheldthetorchtothesmallapertureinthedoor,regulatingtheintensityofthelightbymeansofthethumb-leveruponthesideofthecase.

ForfiftytalsIletthreeunitsoflightshinefullinthepinhole,thenoneunitforonexat,andfortwenty-fivetalsnineunits.Thoselasttwenty-fivetalswerethelongesttwenty-fivesecondsofmylife.Wouldthelockclickattheendofthoseseeminglyinterminableintervalsoftime?

Twenty-three!Twenty-four!Twenty-five!

Ishutoffthelightwithasnap.ForseventalsIwaited--therehadbeennoappreciableeffectuponthelock'smechanism.Coulditbethatmytheorywasentirelywrong?

Hold!Hadthenervousstrainresultedinahallucination,ordidthedoorreallymove?Slowlythesolidstonesanknoiselesslybackintothewall--therewasnohallucinationhere.

Backandbackitslidfortenfeetuntilithaddisclosedatitsrightanarrowdoorwayleadingintoadarkandnarrowcorridorthatparalleledtheouterwall.ScarcelywastheentranceuncoveredthanWoolaandIhadleapedthrough--thenthedoorslippedquietlybackintoplace.

DownthecorridoratsomedistanceIsawthefaintreflectionofalight,andtowardthiswemadeourway.Atthepointwherethelightshonewasasharpturn,andalittledistancebeyondthisabrilliantlylightedchamber.

Herewediscoveredaspiralstairwayleadingupfromthecenterofthecircularroom.

ImmediatelyIknewthatwehadreachedthecenterofthebaseof



theTempleoftheSun--thespiralrunwayledupwardpasttheinnerwallsoftheprisoncells.SomewhereabovemewasDejahThoris,unlessThuridandMataiShanghadalreadysucceededinstealingher.

WehadscarcelystarteduptherunwaywhenWoolasuddenlydisplayedthewildestexcitement.Heleapedbackandforth,snappingatmylegsandharness,untilIthoughtthathewasmad,andfinallywhenIpushedhimfrommeandstartedoncemoretoascendhegraspedmyswordarmbetweenhisjawsanddraggedmeback.

Noamountofscoldingorcuffingwouldsufficetomakehimreleaseme,andIwasentirelyatthemercyofhisbrutestrengthunlessIcaredtousemydaggeruponhimwithmylefthand;but,madorno,Ihadnotthehearttorunthesharpbladeintothatfaithfulbody.

Downintothechamberhedraggedme,andacrossittothesideoppositethatatwhichwehadentered.Herewasanotherdoorwayleadingintoacorridorwhichrandirectlydownasteepincline.Withoutamoment'shesitationWoolajerkedmealongthisrockypassage.

Presentlyhestoppedandreleasedme,standingbetweenmeandthe

waywehadcome,lookingupintomyfaceasthoughtoaskifIwouldnowfollowhimvoluntarilyorifhemuststillresorttoforce.

LookingruefullyatthemarksofhisgreatteethuponmybarearmIdecidedtodoasheseemedtowishmetodo.Afterall,hisstrangeinstinctmightbemoredependablethanmyfaultyhumanjudgment.

AndwellitwasthatIhadbeenforcedtofollowhim.Butashortdistancefromthecircularchamberwecamesuddenlyintoabrilliantlylightedlabyrinthofcrystalglasspartitionedpassages.

AtfirstIthoughtitwasonevast,unbrokenchamber,soclearandtransparentwerethewallsofthewindingcorridors,butafterI

hadnearlybrainedmyselfacoupleoftimesbyattemptingtopassthroughsolidvitreouswallsIwentmorecarefully.

WehadproceededbutafewyardsalongthecorridorthathadgivenusentrancetothisstrangemazewhenWoolagavemouthtoamostfrightfulroar,atthesametimedashingagainsttheclearpartitionatourleft.

TheresoundingechoesofthatfearsomecrywerestillreverberatingthroughthesubterraneanchamberswhenIsawthethingthathadstartleditfromthefaithfulbeast.

Farinthedistance,dimlythroughthemanythicknessesofintervening

crystal,asinahazethatmadethemseemunrealandghostly,Idiscernedthefiguresofeightpeople--threefemalesandfivemen.

Atthesameinstant,evidentlystartledbyWoola'sfiercecry,theyhaltedandlookedabout.Then,ofasudden,oneofthem,awoman,heldherarmsouttowardme,andevenatthatgreatdistanceIcouldseethatherlipsmoved--itwasDejahThoris,myeverbeautifulandeveryouthfulPrincessofHelium.

WithherwereThuviaofPtarth,Phaidor,daughterofMataiShang,



andThurid,andtheFatherofTherns,andthethreelesserthernsthathadaccompaniedthem.

Thuridshookhisfistatme,andthentwoofthethernsgraspedDejahThorisandThuviaroughlybytheirarmsandhurriedthemon.Amomentlatertheyhaddisappearedintoastonecorridorbeyondthelabyrinthofglass.

Theysaythatloveisblind;butsogreataloveasthatofDejahThoristhatknewmeevenbeneaththetherndisguiseIworeandacrossthemistyvistaofthatcrystalmazemustindeedbefarfromblind.

THESECRETTOWER

IhavenostomachtonarratethemonotonouseventsofthetediousdaysthatWoolaandIspentferretingourwayacrossthelabyrinthofglass,throughthedarkanddeviouswaysbeyondthatledbeneaththeValleyDorandGoldenCliffstoemergeatlastupontheflankoftheOtzMountainsjustabovetheValleyofLostSouls--thatpitifulpurgatorypeopledbythepoorunfortunateswhodarenot

continuetheirabandonedpilgrimagetoDor,orreturntothevariouslandsoftheouterworldfromwhencetheycame.

HerethetrailofDejahThoris'abductorsledalongthemountains'base,acrosssteepandruggedravines,bythesideofappallingprecipices,andsometimesoutintothevalley,wherewefoundfightingaplentywiththemembersofthevarioustribesthatmakeupthepopulationofthisvaleofhopelessness.

Butthroughitallwecameatlasttowherethewayledupanarrowgorgethatgrewsteeperandmoreimpracticableateverystepuntilbeforeusloomedamightyfortressburiedbeneaththesideofanoverhangingcliff.

HerewasthesecrethidingplaceofMataiShang,FatherofTherns.Here,surroundedbyahandfulofthefaithful,thehekkadoroftheancientfaith,whohadoncebeenservedbymillionsofvassalsanddependents,dispensedthespiritualwordsamongthehalfdozennationsofBarsoomthatstillclungtenaciouslytotheirfalseanddiscreditedreligion.

Darknesswasjustfallingaswecameinsightoftheseeminglyimpregnablewallsofthismountainstronghold,andlestwebeseenIdrewbackwithWoolabehindajuttinggranitepromontory,intoaclumpofthehardy,purplescrubthatthrivesuponthebarrensidesofOtz.

Herewelayuntilthequicktransitionfromdaylighttodarknesshadpassed.ThenIcreptouttoapproachthefortresswallsinsearchofawaywithin.

Eitherthroughcarelessnessorover-confidenceinthesupposedinaccessibilityoftheirhidingplace,thetriple-barredgatestoodajar.Beyondwereahandfulofguards,laughingandtalkingoveroneoftheirincomprehensibleBarsoomiangames.



IsawthatnoneoftheguardsmenhadbeenofthepartythataccompaniedThuridandMataiShang;andso,relyingentirelyuponmydisguise,Iwalkedboldlythroughthegatewayanduptothethernguard.

Themenstoppedtheirgameandlookedupatme,buttherewasnosignofsuspicion.SimilarlytheylookedatWoola,growlingatmyheel.

"Kaor!"IsaidintrueMartiangreeting,andthewarriorsaroseandsalutedme."IhavebutjustfoundmywayhitherfromtheGoldenCliffs,"Icontinued,"andseekaudiencewiththehekkador,MataiShang,FatherofTherns.Wheremayhebefound?"

"Followme,"saidoneoftheguard,and,turning,ledmeacrosstheoutercourtyardtowardasecondbuttressedwall.

WhytheapparenteasewithwhichIseeminglydeceivedthemdidnotrousemysuspicionsIknownot,unlessitwasthatmymindwasstillsofullofthatfleetingglimpseofmybelovedprincessthattherewasroominitfornaughtelse.Bethatasitmay,thefactisthatImarchedbuoyantlybehindmyguidestraightintothejawsofdeath.

AfterwardIlearnedthatthernspieshadbeenawareofmycomingforhoursbeforeIreachedthehiddenfortress.

Thegatehadbeenpurposelyleftajartotemptmeon.Theguardshadbeenschooledwellintheirpartoftheconspiracy;andI,morelikeaschoolboythanaseasonedwarrior,ranheadlongintothetrap.

Atthefarsideoftheoutercourtanarrowdoorletintotheanglemadebyoneofthebuttresseswiththewall.Heremyguideproducedakeyandopenedthewaywithin;then,steppingback,hemotionedmetoenter.

"MataiShangisinthetemplecourtbeyond,"hesaid;andasWoolaandIpassedthrough,thefellowclosedthedoorquicklyuponus.

Thenastylaughthatcametomyearsthroughtheheavyplankingofthedoorafterthelockclickedwasmyfirstintimationthatallwasnotasitshouldbe.

Ifoundmyselfinasmall,circularchamberwithinthebuttress.Beforemeadooropened,presumably,upontheinnercourtbeyond.ForamomentIhesitated,allmysuspicionsnowsuddenly,thoughtardily,aroused;then,withashrugofmyshoulders,Iopenedthedoorandsteppedoutintotheglareoftorchesthatlightedtheinnercourt.

Directlyoppositemeamassivetowerrosetoaheightofthreehundredfeet.ItwasofthestrangelybeautifulmodernBarsoomianstyleofarchitecture,itsentiresurfacehandcarvedinboldreliefwithintricateandfancifuldesigns.Thirtyfeetabovethecourtyardandoverlookingitwasabroadbalcony,andthere,indeed,wasMataiShang,andwithhimwereThuridandPhaidor,Thuvia,andDejahThoris--thelasttwoheavilyironed.Ahandfulofthernwarriorsstoodjustbehindthelittleparty.



AsIenteredtheenclosuretheeyesofthoseinthebalconywerefulluponme.

AnuglysmiledistortedthecruellipsofMataiShang.Thuridhurledatauntatmeandplacedafamiliarhandupontheshoulderofmyprincess.Likeatigresssheturneduponhim,strikingthebeastaheavyblowwiththemanaclesuponherwrist.

HewouldhavestruckbackhadnotMataiShanginterfered,andthenIsawthatthetwomenwerenotover-friendly;forthemannerofthethernwasarrogantanddomineeringashemadeitplaintotheFirstBornthatthePrincessofHeliumwasthepersonalpropertyoftheFatherofTherns.AndThurid'sbearingtowardtheancienthekkadorsavorednotatalloflikingorrespect.

WhenthealtercationinthebalconyhadsubsidedMataiShangturnedagaintome.

"Earthman,"hecried,"youhaveearnedamoreignobledeaththannowlieswithinourweakenedpowertoinflictuponyou;butthatthedeathyoudietonightmaybedoublybitter,knowyouthatwhenyouhavepassed,yourwidowbecomesthewifeofMataiShang,HekkadoroftheHolyTherns,foraMartianyear.

"Attheendofthattime,asyouknow,sheshallbediscarded,asisthelawamongus,butnot,asisusual,toleadaquietandhonoredlifeashighpriestessofsomehallowedshrine.Instead,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,shallbecometheplaythingofmylieutenants--perhapsofthymosthatedenemy,Thurid,theblackdator."

Asheceasedspeakingheawaitedinsilenceevidentlyforsomeoutbreakofrageuponmypart--somethingthatwouldhaveaddedtothespiceofhisrevenge.ButIdidnotgivehimthesatisfactionthathecraved.

Instead,Ididtheonethingofallothersthatmightrousehis

angerandincreasehishatredofme;forIknewthatifIdiedDejahThoris,too,wouldfindawaytodiebeforetheycouldheapfurthertorturesorindignitiesuponher.

Ofalltheholyofholieswhichthethernveneratesandworshipsnoneismorereveredthantheyellowwigwhichcovershisbaldpate,andnexttheretocomesthecircletofgoldandthegreatdiadem,whosescintillantraysmarktheattainmentoftheTenthCycle.

And,knowingthis,Iremovedthewigandcircletfrommyhead,tossingthemcarelesslyupontheflaggingofthecourt.ThenIwipedmyfeetupontheyellowtresses;andasagroanofragearosefromthebalconyIspatfullupontheholydiadem.

MataiShangwentlividwithanger,butuponthelipsofThuridIcouldseeagrimsmileofamusement,fortohimthesethingswerenotholy;so,lestheshouldderivetoomuchamusementfrommyact,Icried:"AndthusdidIwiththeholiesofIssus,GoddessofLifeEternal,ereIthrewIssusherselftothemobthatoncehadworshipedher,tobetorntopiecesinherowntemple."

ThatputanendtoThurid'sgrinning,forhehadbeenhighinthefavorofIssus.



"Letushaveanendtothisblaspheming!"hecried,turningtotheFatherofTherns.

MataiShangroseand,leaningovertheedgeofthebalcony,gavevoicetotheweirdcallthatIhadheardfromthelipsofthepriestsuponthetinybalconyuponthefaceoftheGoldenCliffsoverlookingtheValleyDor,when,intimespast,theycalledthefearsomewhiteapesandthehideousplantmentothefeastofvictimsfloatingdownthebroadbosomofthemysteriousIsstowardthesilian-infestedwatersoftheLostSeaofKorus."Letloosethedeath!"hecried,andimmediatelyadozendoorsinthebaseofthetowerswungopen,andadozengrimandterriblebanthssprangintothearena.

ThiswasnotthefirsttimethatIhadfacedtheferociousBarsoomianlion,butneverhadIbeenpitted,single-handed,againstafulldozenofthem.EvenwiththeassistanceofthefierceWoola,therecouldbebutasingleoutcometosounequalastruggle.

Foramomentthebeastshesitatedbeneaththebrilliantglareofthetorches;butpresentlytheireyes,becomingaccustomedtothelight,felluponWoolaandme,andwithbristlingmanesanddeep-throatedroarstheyadvanced,lashingtheirtawnysideswith

theirpowerfultails.

InthebriefintervaloflifethatwasleftmeIshotalast,partingglancetowardmyDejahThoris.Herbeautifulfacewassetinanexpressionofhorror;andasmyeyesmetherssheextendedbotharmstowardmeas,strugglingwiththeguardswhonowheldher,sheendeavoredtocastherselffromthebalconyintothepitbeneath,thatshemightsharemydeathwithme.Then,asthebanthswereabouttocloseuponme,sheturnedandburiedherdearfaceinherarms.

SuddenlymyattentionwasdrawntowardThuviaofPtarth.Thebeautifulgirlwasleaningfarovertheedgeofthebalcony,her

eyesbrightwithexcitement.

Inanotherinstantthebanthswouldbeuponme,butIcouldnotforcemygazefromthefeaturesoftheredgirl,forIknewthatherexpressionmeantanythingbuttheenjoymentofthegrimtragedythatwouldsosoonbeenactedbelowher;therewassomedeeper,hiddenmeaningwhichIsoughttosolve.

ForaninstantIthoughtofrelyingonmyearthlymusclesandagilitytoescapethebanthsandreachthebalcony,whichIcouldeasilyhavedone,butIcouldnotbringmyselftodesertthefaithfulWoolaandleavehimtodiealonebeneaththecruelfangsofthehungrybanths;thatisnotthewayuponBarsoom,norwasit

everthewayofJohnCarter.

ThenthesecretofThuvia'sexcitementbecameapparentasfromherlipsthereissuedthepurringsoundIhadheardoncebefore;thattimethat,withintheGoldenCliffs,shecalledthefiercebanthsaboutherandledthemasashepherdessmightleadherflockofmeekandharmlesssheep.

Atthefirstnoteofthatsoothingsoundthebanthshaltedintheirtracks,andeveryfierceheadwenthighasthebeastssoughtthe



originofthefamiliarcall.Presentlytheydiscoveredtheredgirlinthebalconyabovethem,and,turning,roaredouttheirrecognitionandtheirgreeting.

GuardssprangtodragThuviaaway,buteretheyhadsucceededshehadhurledavolleyofcommandsatthelisteningbrutes,andasonetheyturnedandmarchedbackintotheirdens.

"Youneednotfearthemnow,JohnCarter!"criedThuvia,beforetheycouldsilenceher."Thosebanthswillneverharmyounow,norWoola,either."

ItwasallIcaredtoknow.Therewasnaughttokeepmefromthatbalconynow,andwithalong,runningleapIsprangfaraloftuntilmyhandsgraspeditslowestsill.

Inaninstantallwaswildconfusion.MataiShangshrankback.Thuridsprangforwardwithdrawnswordtocutmedown.

AgainDejahThoriswieldedherheavyironsandfoughthimback.ThenMataiShanggraspedheraboutthewaistanddraggedherawaythroughadoorleadingwithinthetower.

ForaninstantThuridhesitated,andthen,asthoughfearingthat

theFatherofThernswouldescapehimwiththePrincessofHelium,he,too,dashedfromthebalconyintheirwake.

Phaidoraloneretainedherpresenceofmind.TwooftheguardssheorderedtobearawayThuviaofPtarth;theothersshecommandedtoremainandpreventmefromfollowing.Thensheturnedtowardme.

"JohnCarter,"shecried,"forthelasttimeIofferyoutheloveofPhaidor,daughteroftheHolyHekkador.Acceptandyourprincessshallbereturnedtothecourtofhergrandfather,andyoushallliveinpeaceandhappiness.RefuseandthefatethatmyfatherhasthreatenedshallfalluponDejahThoris.

"Youcannotsavehernow,forbythistimetheyhavereachedaplacewhereevenyoumaynotfollow.Refuseandnaughtcansaveyou;for,thoughthewaytothelaststrongholdoftheHolyThernswasmadeeasyforyou,thewayhencehathbeenmadeimpossible.Whatsayyou?"

"Youknewmyanswer,Phaidor,"Ireplied,"beforeeveryouspoke.Makeway,"Icriedtotheguards,"forJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,wouldpass!"

WiththatIleapedoverthelowbalusterthatsurroundedthebalcony,andwithdrawnlong-swordfacedmyenemies.

Therewerethreeofthem;butPhaidormusthaveguessedwhattheoutcomeofthebattlewouldbe,forsheturnedandfledfromthebalconythemomentshesawthatIwouldhavenoneofherproposition.

Thethreeguardsmendidnotwaitformyattack.Instead,theyrushedme--thethreeofthemsimultaneously;anditwasthatwhichgavemeanadvantage,fortheyfouledoneanotherinthenarrowprecinctsofthebalcony,sothattheforemostofthemstumbledfulluponmybladeatthefirstonslaught.



Theredstainuponmypointrousedtoitsfulltheoldblood-lustofthefightingmanthathaseverbeensostrongwithinmybreast,sothatmybladeflewthroughtheairwithaswiftnessanddeadlyaccuracythatthrewthetworemainingthernsintowilddespair.

Whenatlastthesharpsteelfoundtheheartofoneofthemtheotherturnedtoflee,and,guessingthathisstepswouldleadhimalongthewaytakenbythoseIsought,Ilethimkeepeverfarenoughaheadtothinkthathewassafelyescapingmysword.

Throughseveralinnerchambersheraceduntilhecametoaspiralrunway.Upthishedashed,Iinclosepursuit.Attheupperendwecameoutintoasmallchamber,thewallsofwhichwereblankexceptforasinglewindowoverlookingtheslopesofOtzandtheValleyofLostSoulsbeyond.

Herethefellowtorefranticallyatwhatappearedtobebutapieceoftheblankwalloppositethesinglewindow.InaninstantIguessedthatitwasasecretexitfromtheroom,andsoIpausedthathemighthaveanopportunitytonegotiateit,forIcarednothingtotakethelifeofthispoorservitor--allIcravedwasaclearroadinpursuitofDejahThoris,mylong-lostprincess.

But,tryashewould,thepanelwouldyieldneithertocunningnor

force,sothateventuallyhegaveitupandturnedtofaceme.

"Gothyway,Thern,"Isaidtohim,pointingtowardtheentrancetotherunwayupwhichwehadbutjustcome."Ihavenoquarrelwithyou,nordoIcraveyourlife.Go!"

Foranswerhespranguponmewithhissword,andsosuddenly,atthat,thatIwasliketohavegonedownbeforehisfirstrush.Sotherewasnothingforitbuttogivehimwhathesought,andthatasquicklyasmightbe,thatImightnotbedelayedtoolonginthischamberwhileMataiShangandThuridmadewaywithDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth.

Thefellowwasacleverswordsman--resourcefulandextremelytricky.Infact,heseemednevertohaveheardthatthereexistedsuchathingasacodeofhonor,forherepeatedlyoutragedadozenBarsoomianfightingcustomsthatanhonorablemanwouldratherdiethanignore.

Heevenwentsofarastosnatchhisholywigfromhisheadandthrowitinmyface,soastoblindmeforamomentwhilehethrustatmyunprotectedbreast.

Whenhethrust,however,Iwasnotthere,forIhadfoughtwiththernsbefore;andwhilenonehadeverresortedtopreciselythatsameexpedient,Iknewthemtobetheleasthonorableandmost

treacherousfightersuponMars,andsowaseveronthealertforsomenewanddevilishsubterfugewhenIwasengagedwithoneoftheirrace.

Butatlengthheoverdidthething;for,drawinghisshortsword,hehurledit,javelinwise,atmybody,atthesameinstantrushinguponmewithhislong-sword.Asinglesweepingcircleofmyownbladecaughttheflyingweaponandhurleditclatteringagainstthefarwall,andthen,asIsidesteppedmyantagonist'simpetuousrush,Ilethimhavemypointfullinthestomachashehurtled



by.

Cleartothehiltmyweaponpassedthroughhisbody,andwithafrightfulshriekhesanktothefloor,dead.

Haltingonlyforthebriefinstantthatwasrequiredtowrenchmyswordfromthecarcassofmylateantagonist,Isprangacrossthechambertotheblankwallbeyond,throughwhichthethernhadattemptedtopass.HereIsoughtforthesecretofitslock,butalltonoavail.

IndespairItriedtoforcethething,butthecold,unyieldingstonemightwellhavelaughedatmyfutile,punyendeavors.Infact,IcouldhaveswornthatIcaughtthefaintsuggestionoftauntinglaughterfrombeyondthebafflingpanel.

IndisgustIdesistedfrommyuselesseffortsandsteppedtothechamber'ssinglewindow.

TheslopesofOtzandthedistantValleyofLostSoulsheldnothingtocompelmyinterestthen;but,toweringfaraboveme,thetower'scarvedwallrivetedmykeenestattention.

SomewherewithinthatmassivepilewasDejahThoris.AbovemeI

couldseewindows.There,possibly,laytheonlywaybywhichIcouldreachher.Theriskwasgreat,butnottoogreatwhenthefateofaworld'smostwondrouswomanwasatstake.

Iglancedbelow.Ahundredfeetbeneathlayjaggedgranitebouldersatthebrinkofafrightfulchasmuponwhichthetowerabutted;andifnotupontheboulders,thenatthechasm'sbottom,laydeath,shouldafootslipbutonce,orclutchingfingersloosetheirholdforthefractionofaninstant.

Buttherewasnootherwayandwithashrug,whichImustadmitwashalfshudder,Isteppedtothewindow'soutersillandbeganmyperilousascent.

TomydismayIfoundthat,unliketheornamentationuponmostHeliumeticstructures,theedgesofthecarvingswerequitegenerallyrounded,sothatatbestmyeveryholdwasmostprecarious.

Fiftyfeetabovemecommencedaseriesofprojectingcylindricalstonessomesixinchesindiameter.Theseapparentlycircledthetoweratsix-footintervals,inbandssixfeetapart;andaseachstonecylinderprotrudedsomefourorfiveinchesbeyondthesurfaceoftheotherornamentation,theypresentedacomparativelyeasymodeofascentcouldIbutreachthem.

LaboriouslyIclimbedtowardthembywayofsomewindowswhich

laybelowthem,forIhopedthatImightfindingresstothetowerthroughoneofthese,andthenceaneasieravenuealongwhichtoprosecutemysearch.

Attimessoslightwasmyholdupontheroundedsurfacesofthecarving'sedgesthatasneeze,acough,orevenaslightgustofwindwouldhavedislodgedmeandsentmehurtlingtothedepthsbelow.

ButfinallyIreachedapointwheremyfingerscouldjustclutch



thesillofthelowestwindow,andIwasonthepointofbreathingasighofreliefwhenthesoundofvoicescametomefromabovethroughtheopenwindow.

"Hecanneversolvethesecretofthatlock."ThevoicewasMataiShang's."Letusproceedtothehangarabovethatwemaybefartothesouthbeforehefindsanotherway--shouldthatbepossible."

"Allthingsseempossibletothatvilecalot,"repliedanothervoice,whichIrecognizedasThurid's.

"Thenletushaste,"saidMataiShang."Buttobedoublysure,Iwillleavetwowhoshallpatrolthisrunway.Latertheymayfollowusuponanotherflier--overtakingusatKaol."

Myupstretchedfingersneverreachedthewindow'ssill.AtthefirstsoundofthevoicesIdrewbackmyhandandclungtheretomyperilousperch,flattenedagainsttheperpendicularwall,scarcedaringtobreathe.

Whatahorribleposition,indeed,inwhichtobediscoveredbyThurid!Hehadbuttoleanfromthewindowtopushmewithhissword'spointintoeternity.

Presentlythesoundofthevoicesbecamefainter,andonceagainItookupmyhazardousascent,nowmoredifficult,sincemorecircuitous,forImustclimbsoastoavoidthewindows.

MataiShang'sreferencetothehangarandthefliersindicatedthatmydestinationlaynothingshortoftheroofofthetower,andtowardthisseeminglydistantgoalIsetmyface.

Themostdifficultanddangerouspartofthejourneywasaccomplishedatlast,anditwaswithreliefthatIfeltmyfingerscloseaboutthelowestofthestonecylinders.

Itistruethattheseprojectionsweretoofaraparttomakethe

balanceoftheascentanythingofasinecure,butIatleasthadalwayswithinmyreachapointofsafetytowhichImightclingincaseofaccident.

Sometenfeetbelowtheroof,thewallinclinedslightlyinwardpossiblyafootinthelasttenfeet,andheretheclimbingwasindeedimmeasurablyeasier,sothatmyfingerssoonclutchedtheeaves.

AsIdrewmyeyesabovethelevelofthetower'stopIsawaflierallbutreadytorise.

UponherdeckwereMataiShang,Phaidor,DejahThoris,Thuviaof

Ptarth,andafewthernwarriors,whilenearherwasThuridintheactofclamberingaboard.

Hewasnottenpacesfromme,facingintheoppositedirection;andwhatcruelfreakoffateshouldhavecausedhimtoturnaboutjustasmyeyestoppedtheroof'sedgeImaynotevenguess.

Butturnhedid;andwhenhiseyesmetminehiswickedfacelightedwithamalignantsmileasheleapedtowardme,whereIwashasteningtoscrambletothesecurefootingoftheroof.



DejahThorismusthaveseenmeatthesameinstant,forshescreamedauselesswarningjustasThurid'sfoot,swinginginamightykick,landedfullinmyface.

Likeafelledox,Ireeledandtumbledbackwardoverthetower'sside.

ONTHEKAOLIANROAD

Iftherebeafatethatissometimescrueltome,theresurelyisakindandmercifulProvidencewhichwatchesoverme.

AsItoppledfromthetowerintothehorridabyssbelowIcountedmyselfalreadydead;andThuridmusthavedonelikewise,forheevidentlydidnoteventroublehimselftolookafterme,butmusthaveturnedandmountedthewaitingflieratonce.

TenfeetonlyIfell,andthenaloopofmytough,leathernharnesscaughtupononeofthecylindricalstoneprojectionsinthetower's

surface--andheld.EvenwhenIhadceasedtofallIcouldnotbelievethemiraclethathadpreservedmefrominstantdeath,andforamomentIhungthere,coldsweatexudingfromeveryporeofmybody.

ButwhenatlastIhadworkedmyselfbacktoafirmpositionIhesitatedtoascend,sinceIcouldnotknowthatThuridwasnotstillawaitingmeabove.

Presently,however,therecametomyearsthewhirringofthepropellersofaflier,andaseachmomentthesoundgrewfainterIrealizedthatthepartyhadproceededtowardthesouthwithoutassuringthemselvesastomyfate.

CautiouslyIretracedmywaytotheroof,andImustadmitthatitwaswithnopleasantsensationthatIraisedmyeyesoncemoreaboveitsedge;but,tomyrelief,therewasnooneinsight,andamomentlaterIstoodsafelyuponitsbroadsurface.

Toreachthehangaranddragforththeonlyotherflierwhichitcontainedwastheworkofbutaninstant;andjustasthetwothernwarriorswhomMataiShanghadlefttopreventthisverycontingencyemergedupontherooffromthetower'sinterior,Iroseabovethemwithatauntinglaugh.

ThenIdivedrapidlytotheinnercourtwhereIhadlastseenWoola,

andtomyimmenserelieffoundthefaithfulbeaststillthere.

Thetwelvegreatbanthslayinthedoorwaysoftheirlairs,eyeinghimandgrowlingominously,buttheyhadnotdisobeyedThuvia'sinjunction;andIthankedthefatethathadmadehertheirkeeperwithintheGoldenCliffs,andendowedherwiththekindandsympatheticnaturethathadwontheloyaltyandaffectionofthesefiercebeastsforher.

Woolaleapedinfranticjoywhenhediscoveredme;andastheflier



touchedthepavementofthecourtforabriefinstantheboundedtothedeckbesideme,andinthebearlikemanifestationofhisexuberanthappinessallbutcausedmetowreckthevesselagainstthecourtyard'srockywall.

AmidtheangryshoutingofthernguardsmenwerosehighabovethelastfortressoftheHolyTherns,andthenracedstraighttowardthenortheastandKaol,thedestinationwhichIhadheardfromthelipsofMataiShang.

Farahead,atinyspeckinthedistance,Imadeoutanotherflierlateintheafternoon.Itcouldbenoneotherthanthatwhichboremylostloveandmyenemies.

Ihadgainedconsiderablyonthecraftbynight;andthen,knowingthattheymusthavesightedmeandwouldshownolightsafterdark,Isetmydestinationcompassuponher--thatwonderfullittleMartianmechanismwhich,onceattunedtotheobjectofdestination,pointsawaytowardit,irrespectiveofeverychangeinitslocation.

AllthatnightweracedthroughtheBarsoomianvoid,passingoverlowhillsanddeadseabottoms;abovelong-desertedcitiesandpopulouscentersofredMartianhabitationupontheribbon-likelinesofcultivatedlandwhichbordertheglobe-encirclingwaterways,

whichEarthmencallthecanalsofMars.

DawnshowedthatIhadgainedappreciablyupontheflieraheadofme.Itwasalargercraftthanmine,andnotsoswift;butevenso,ithadcoveredanimmensedistancesincetheflightbegan.

Thechangeinvegetationbelowshowedmethatwewererapidlynearingtheequator.Iwasnownearenoughtomyquarrytohaveusedmybowgun;but,thoughIcouldseethatDejahThoriswasnotondeck,Ifearedtofireuponthecraftwhichboreher.

Thuridwasdeterredbynosuchscruples;andthoughitmusthavebeendifficultforhimtobelievethatitwasreallyIwhofollowed

them,hecouldnotverywelldoubtthewitnessofhisowneyes;andsohetrainedtheirsterngunuponmewithhisownhands,andaninstantlateranexplosiveradiumprojectilewhizzedperilouslycloseabovemydeck.

Theblack'snextshotwasmoreaccurate,strikingmyflierfullupontheprowandexplodingwiththeinstantofcontact,rippingwideopenthebowbuoyancytanksanddisablingtheengine.

SoquicklydidmybowdropaftertheshotthatIscarcehadtimetolashWoolatothedeckandbucklemyownharnesstoagunwaleringbeforethecraftwashangingsternupandmakingherlastlongdroptoground.

Hersternbuoyancytankspreventedherdroppingwithgreatrapidity;butThuridwasfiringrapidlynowinanattempttoburstthesealso,thatImightbedashedtodeathintheswiftfallthatwouldinstantlyfollowasuccessfulshot.

Shotaftershottorepastorintous,butbyamiracleneitherWoolanorIwashit,norweretheaftertankspunctured.Thisgoodfortunecouldnotlastindefinitely,and,assuredthatThuridwouldnotagainleavemealive,Iawaitedtheburstingofthenext



shellthathit;andthen,throwingmyhandsabovemyhead,Iletgomyholdandcrumpled,limpandinert,danglinginmyharnesslikeacorpse.

Theruseworked,andThuridfirednomoreatus.PresentlyIheardthediminishingsoundofwhirringpropellersandrealizedthatagainIwassafe.

Slowlythestrickenfliersanktotheground,andwhenIhadfreedmyselfandWoolafromtheentanglingwreckageIfoundthatwewereuponthevergeofanaturalforest--sorareathinguponthebosomofdyingMarsthat,outsideoftheforestintheValleyDorbesidetheLostSeaofKorus,Ineverbeforehadseenitslikeupontheplanet.

FrombooksandtravelersIhadlearnedsomethingofthelittle-knownlandofKaol,whichliesalongtheequatoralmosthalfwayroundtheplanettotheeastofHelium.

Itcomprisesasunkenareaofextremetropicalheat,andisinhabitedbyanationofredmenvaryingbutlittleinmanners,customs,andappearancefromthebalanceoftheredmenofBarsoom.

Iknewthattheywereamongthoseoftheouterworldwhostill

clungtenaciouslytothediscreditedreligionoftheHolyTherns,andthatMataiShangwouldfindareadywelcomeandsaferefugeamongthem;whileJohnCartercouldlookfornothingbetterthananignobledeathattheirhands.

TheisolationoftheKaoliansisrenderedalmostcompletebythefactthatnowaterwayconnectstheirlandwiththatofanyothernation,norhavetheyanyneedofawaterwaysincethelow,swampylandwhichcomprisestheentireareaoftheirdomainself-waterstheirabundanttropicalcrops.

Forgreatdistancesinalldirectionsruggedhillsandaridstretchesofdeadseabottomdiscourageintercoursewiththem,and

sincethereispracticallynosuchthingasforeigncommerceuponwarlikeBarsoom,whereeachnationissufficienttoitself,reallylittlehasbeenknownrelativetothecourtoftheJeddakofKaolandthenumerousstrange,butinteresting,peopleoverwhomherules.

Occasionalhuntingpartieshavetraveledtothisout-of-the-waycorneroftheglobe,butthehostilityofthenativeshasusuallybroughtdisasteruponthem,sothateventhesportofhuntingthestrangeandsavagecreatureswhichhauntthejunglefastnessesofKaolhasoflateryearsprovedinsufficientlureeventothemostintrepidwarriors.

ItwasuponthevergeofthelandoftheKaolsthatInowknewmyselftobe,butinwhatdirectiontosearchforDejahThoris,orhowfarintotheheartofthegreatforestImighthavetopenetrateIhadnotthefaintestidea.

ButnotsoWoola.

ScarcelyhadIdisentangledhimthanheraisedhisheadhighinairandcommencedcirclingaboutattheedgeoftheforest.Presentlyhehalted,and,turningtoseeifIwerefollowing,setoffstraight



intothemazeoftreesinthedirectionwehadbeengoingbeforeThurid'sshothadputanendtoourflier.

AsbestIcould,Istumbledafterhimdownasteepdeclivitybeginningattheforest'sedge.

Immensetreesrearedtheirmightyheadsfaraboveus,theirbroadfrondscompletelyshuttingofftheslightestglimpseofthesky.ItwaseasytoseewhytheKaoliansneedednonavy;theircities,hiddeninthemidstofthistoweringforest,mustbeentirelyinvisiblefromabove,norcouldalandingbemadebyanybutthesmallestfliers,andthenonlywiththegreatestriskofaccident.

HowThuridandMataiShangweretolandIcouldnotimagine,thoughlaterIwastolearnthattotheleveloftheforesttopthererisesineachcityofKaolaslenderwatchtowerwhichguardstheKaoliansbydayandbynightagainstthesecretapproachofahostilefleet.TooneofthesethehekkadoroftheHolyThernshadnodifficultyinapproaching,andbyitsmeansthepartywassafelyloweredtotheground.

AsWoolaandIapproachedthebottomofthedeclivitythegroundbecamesoftandmushy,sothatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatwemadeanyheadwaywhatever.

Slenderpurplegrassestoppedwithredandyellowfern-likefrondsgrewranklyallaboutustotheheightofseveralfeetabovemyhead.

Myriadcreepershungfestoonedingracefulloopsfromtreetotree,andamongthemwereseveralvarietiesoftheMartian"man-flower,"whosebloomshaveeyesandhandswithwhichtoseeandseizetheinsectswhichformtheirdiet.

Therepulsivecalottreewas,too,muchinevidence.Itisacarnivorousplantofaboutthebignessofalargesage-brushsuchasdotsourwesternplains.Eachbranchendsinasetofstrong

jaws,whichhavebeenknowntodragdownanddevourlargeandformidablebeastsofprey.

BothWoolaandIhadseveralnarrowescapesfromthesegreedy,arboreousmonsters.

Occasionalareasoffirmsodgaveusintervalsofrestfromthearduouslaboroftraversingthisgorgeous,twilightswamp,anditwasupononeofthesethatIfinallydecidedtomakecampforthenightwhichmychronometerwarnedmewouldsoonbeuponus.

Manyvarietiesoffruitgrewinabundanceaboutus;andasMartiancalotsareomnivorous,Woolahadnodifficultyinmakingasquare

mealafterIhadbroughtdowntheviandsforhim.Then,havingeaten,too,Ilaydownwithmybacktothatofmyfaithfulhound,anddroppedintoadeepanddreamlesssleep.

TheforestwasshroudedinimpenetrabledarknesswhenalowgrowlfromWoolaawakenedme.AllaboutusIcouldhearthestealthymovementofgreat,paddedfeet,andnowandthenthewickedgleamofgreeneyesuponus.Arising,Idrewmylong-swordandwaited.

Suddenlyadeep-toned,horridroarburstfromsomesavagethroat



almostatmyside.WhatafoolIhadbeennottohavefoundsaferlodgingsformyselfandWoolaamongthebranchesofoneofthecountlesstreesthatsurroundedus!

BydaylightitwouldhavebeencomparativelyeasytohavehoistedWoolaaloftinonemanneroranother,butnowitwastoolate.Therewasnothingforitbuttostandourgroundandtakeourmedicine,though,fromthehideousracketwhichnowassailedourears,andforwhichthatfirstroarhadseemedtobethesignal,Ijudgedthatwemustbeinthemidstofhundreds,perhapsthousands,ofthefierce,man-eatingdenizensoftheKaolianjungle.

Allthebalanceofthenighttheykeptuptheirinfernaldin,butwhytheydidnotattackusIcouldnotguess,noramIsuretothisday,unlessitisthatnoneofthemeverventureuponthepatchesofscarletswardwhichdottheswamp.

Whenmorningbroketheywerestillthere,walkingaboutasinacircle,butalwaysjustbeyondtheedgeofthesward.Amoreterrifyingaggregationoffierceandblood-thirstymonstersitwouldbedifficulttoimagine.

Singlyandinpairstheycommencedwanderingoffintothejungleshortlyaftersunrise,andwhenthelastofthemhaddepartedWoola

andIresumedourjourney.

Occasionallywecaughtglimpsesofhorridbeastsallduringtheday;but,fortunately,wewereneverfarfromaswardisland,andwhentheysawustheirpursuitalwaysendedatthevergeofthesolidsod.

Towardnoonwestumbleduponawell-constructedroadrunninginthegeneraldirectionwehadbeenpursuing.Everythingaboutthishighwaymarkeditastheworkofskilledengineers,andIwasconfident,fromtheindicationsofantiquitywhichitbore,aswellasfromtheveryevidentsignsofitsbeingstillineverydayuse,thatitmustleadtooneoftheprincipalcitiesofKaol.

Justasweentereditfromonesideahugemonsteremergedfromthejungleupontheother,andatsightofuschargedmadlyinourdirection.

Imagine,ifyoucan,abald-facedhornetofyourearthlyexperiencegrowntothesizeofaprizeHerefordbull,andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionoftheferociousappearanceandawesomeformidabilityofthewingedmonsterthatboredownuponme.

Frightfuljawsinfrontandmighty,poisonedstingbehindmademyrelativelypunylong-swordseemapitifulweaponofdefenseindeed.NorcouldIhopetoescapethelightning-likemovementsorhide

fromthosemyriadfaceteyeswhichcoveredthree-fourthsofthehideoushead,permittingthecreaturetoseeinalldirectionsatoneandthesametime.

EvenmypowerfulandferociousWoolawasashelplessasakittenbeforethatfrightfulthing.Buttofleewereuseless,evenhaditeverbeentomylikingtoturnmybackuponadanger;soIstoodmyground,Woolasnarlingatmyside,myonlyhopetodieasIhadalwayslived--fighting.



Thecreaturewasuponusnow,andattheinstantthereseemedtomeasingleslightchanceforvictory.IfIcouldbutremovetheterriblemenaceofcertaindeathhiddeninthepoisonsacsthatfedthestingthestrugglewouldbelessunequal.

AtthethoughtIcalledtoWoolatoleapuponthecreature'sheadandhangthere,andashismightyjawscloseduponthatfiendishface,andglisteningfangsburiedthemselvesintheboneandcartilageandlowerpartofoneofthehugeeyes,Idivedbeneaththegreatbodyasthecreaturerose,draggingWoolafromtheground,thatitmightbringitsstingbeneathandpiercethebodyofthethinghangingtoitshead.

Toputmyselfinthepathofthatpoison-ladenlancewastocourtinstantdeath,butitwastheonlyway;andasthethingshotlightning-liketowardmeIswungmylong-swordinaterrificcutthatseveredthedeadlymemberclosetothegorgeouslymarkedbody.

Then,likeabattering-ram,oneofthepowerfulhindlegscaughtmefullinthechestandhurledme,halfstunnedandwhollywinded,clearacrossthebroadhighwayandintotheunderbrushofthejunglethatfringesit.

Fortunately,Ipassedbetweenthebolesoftrees;hadIstruckone

ofthemIshouldhavebeenbadlyinjured,ifnotkilled,soswiftlyhadIbeencatapultedbythatenormoushindleg.

DazedthoughIwas,IstumbledtomyfeetandstaggeredbacktoWoola'sassistance,tofindhissavageantagonistcirclingtenfeetabovetheground,beatingmadlyattheclingingcalotwithallsixpowerfullegs.

EvenduringmysuddenflightthroughtheairIhadnotoncereleasedmygripuponmylong-sword,andnowIranbeneaththetwobattlingmonsters,jabbingthewingedterrorrepeatedlywithitssharppoint.

Thethingmighteasilyhaverisenoutofmyreach,butevidentlyit

knewaslittleconcerningretreatinthefaceofdangeraseitherWoolaorI,foritdroppedquicklytowardme,andbeforeIcouldescapehadgraspedmyshoulderbetweenitspowerfuljaws.

Timeandagainthenowuselessstubofitsgiantstingstruckfutilelyagainstmybody,buttheblowsalonewerealmostaseffectiveasthekickofahorse;sothatwhenIsayfutilely,Ireferonlytothenaturalfunctionofthedisabledmember--eventuallythethingwouldhavehammeredmetoapulp.Norwasitfarfromaccomplishingthiswhenaninterruptionoccurredthatputanendforevertoitshostilities.

FromwhereIhungafewfeetabovetheroadIcouldseealongthe

highwayafewhundredyardstowhereitturnedtowardtheeast,andjustasIhadaboutgivenupallhopeofescapingtheperilouspositioninwhichInowwasIsawaredwarriorcomeintoviewfromaroundthebend.

Hewasmountedonasplendidthoat,oneofthesmallerspeciesusedbyredmen,andinhishandwasawondrouslong,lightlance.

HismountwaswalkingsedatelywhenIfirstperceivedthem,buttheinstantthattheredman'seyesfelluponusawordtothethoat



broughttheanimalatfullchargedownuponus.Thelonglanceofthewarriordippedtowardus,andasthoatandriderhurtledbeneath,thepointpassedthroughthebodyofourantagonist.

Withaconvulsiveshudderthethingstiffened,thejawsrelaxed,droppingmetotheground,andthen,careeningonceinmidair,thecreatureplungedheadforemosttotheroad,fulluponWoola,whostillclungtenaciouslytoitsgoryhead.

BythetimeIhadregainedmyfeettheredmanhadturnedandriddenbacktous.Woola,findinghisenemyinertandlifeless,releasedhisholdatmycommandandwriggledfrombeneaththebodythathadcoveredhim,andtogetherwefacedthewarriorlookingdownuponus.

Istartedtothankthestrangerforhistimelyassistance,buthecutmeoffperemptorily.

"Whoareyou,"heasked,"whodareenterthelandofKaolandhuntintheroyalforestofthejeddak?"

Then,ashenotedmywhiteskinthroughthecoatingofgrimeandbloodthatcoveredme,hiseyeswentwideandinanalteredtonehewhispered:"CanitbethatyouareaHolyThern?"

Imighthavedeceivedthefellowforatime,asIhaddeceivedothers,butIhadcastawaytheyellowwigandtheholydiademinthepresenceofMataiShang,andIknewthatitwouldnotbelongeremynewacquaintancediscoveredthatIwasnothernatall.

"Iamnotathern,"Ireplied,andthen,flingingcautiontothewinds,Isaid:"IamJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,whosenamemaynotbeentirelyunknowntoyou."

IfhiseyeshadgonewidewhenhethoughtthatIwasaHolyThern,theyfairlypoppednowthatheknewthatIwasJohnCarter.Igraspedmylong-swordmorefirmlyasIspokethewordswhichIwas

surewouldprecipitateanattack,buttomysurprisetheyprecipitatednothingofthekind.

"JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,"herepeatedslowly,asthoughhecouldnotquitegraspthetruthofthestatement."JohnCarter,themightiestwarriorofBarsoom!"

AndthenhedismountedandplacedhishanduponmyshoulderafterthemannerofmostfriendlygreetinguponMars.

"Itismyduty,anditshouldbemypleasure,tokillyou,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"butalwaysinmyheartofheartshaveIadmiredyourprowessandbelievedinyoursinceritythewhileIhave

questionedanddisbelievedthethernsandtheirreligion.

"ItwouldmeanmyinstantdeathweremyheresytobesuspectedinthecourtofKulanTith,butifImayserveyou,Prince,youhavebuttocommandTorkarBar,DwaroftheKaolianRoad."

Truthandhonestywerewritlargeuponthewarrior'snoblecountenance,sothatIcouldnotbuthavetrustedhim,enemythoughheshouldhavebeen.HistitleofCaptainoftheKaolianRoadexplainedhistimelypresenceintheheartofthesavageforest,forevery



highwayuponBarsoomispatrolledbydoughtywarriorsofthenobleclass,noristhereanyservicemorehonorablethanthislonelyanddangerousdutyinthelessfrequentedsectionsofthedomainsoftheredmenofBarsoom.

"TorkarBarhasalreadyplacedagreatdebtofgratitudeuponmyshoulders,"Ireplied,pointingtothecarcassofthecreaturefromwhosehearthewasdragginghislongspear.

Theredmansmiled.

"ItwasfortunatethatIcamewhenIdid,"hesaid."Onlythispoisonedspearprickingtheveryheartofasithcankillitquicklyenoughtosaveitsprey.InthissectionofKaolweareallarmedwithalongsithspear,whosepointissmearedwiththepoisonofthecreatureitisintendedtokill;noothervirusactssoquicklyuponthebeastasitsown.

"Look,"hecontinued,drawinghisdaggerandmakinganincisioninthecarcassafootabovetherootofthesting,fromwhichhepresentlydrewforthtwosacs,eachofwhichheldfullyagallonofthedeadlyliquid.

"Thuswemaintainoursupply,thoughwereitnotforcertaincommercial

usestowhichthevirusisput,itwouldscarcelybenecessarytoaddtoourpresentstore,sincethesithisalmostextinct.

"Onlyoccasionallydowenowrunuponone.Ofold,however,Kaolwasoverrunwiththefrightfulmonstersthatoftencameinherdsoftwentyorthirty,dartingdownfromaboveintoourcitiesandcarryingawaywomen,children,andevenwarriors."

AshespokeIhadbeenwonderingjusthowmuchImightsafelytellthismanofthemissionwhichbroughtmetohisland,buthisnextwordsanticipatedthebroachingofthesubjectonmypart,andrenderedmethankfulthatIhadnotspokentoosoon.

"Andnowastoyourself,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"Ishallnotaskyourbusinesshere,nordoIwishtohearit.Ihaveeyesandearsandordinaryintelligence,andyesterdaymorningIsawthepartythatcametothecityofKaolfromthenorthinasmallflier.ButonethingIaskofyou,andthatis:thewordofJohnCarterthathecontemplatesnoovertactagainsteitherthenationofKaoloritsjeddak."

"Youmayhavemywordastothat,TorkarBar,"Ireplied.

"MywayleadsalongtheKaolianroad,awayfromthecityofKaol,"hecontinued."Ihaveseennoone--JohnCarterleastofall.NorhaveyouseenTorkarBar,noreverheardofhim.Youunderstand?"

"Perfectly,"Ireplied.

Helaidhishanduponmyshoulder.

"ThisroadleadsdirectlyintothecityofKaol,"hesaid."Iwishyoufortune,"andvaultingtothebackofhisthoathetrottedawaywithoutevenabackwardglance.

ItwasafterdarkwhenWoolaandIspiedthroughthemightyforest



thegreatwallwhichsurroundsthecityofKaol.

Wehadtraversedtheentirewaywithoutmishaporadventure,andthoughthefewwehadmethadeyedthegreatcalotwonderingly,nonehadpiercedtheredpigmentwithwhichIhadsmoothlysmearedeverysquareinchofmybody.

Buttotraversethesurroundingcountry,andtoentertheguardedcityofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,weretwoverydifferentthings.NomanentersaMartiancitywithoutgivingaverydetailedandsatisfactoryaccountofhimself,nordidIdeludemyselfwiththebeliefthatIcouldforamomentimposeupontheacumenoftheofficersoftheguardtowhomIshouldbetakenthemomentIappliedatanyoneofthegates.

Myonlyhopeseemedtolieinenteringthecitysurreptitiouslyundercoverofthedarkness,andoncein,trusttomyownwitstohidemyselfinsomecrowdedquarterwheredetectionwouldbelessliabletooccur.

WiththisideainviewIcircledthegreatwall,keepingwithinthefringeoftheforest,whichiscutawayforashortdistancefromthewallallaboutthecity,thatnoenemymayutilizethetreesasameansofingress.

SeveraltimesIattemptedtoscalethebarrieratdifferentpoints,butnotevenmyearthlymusclescouldovercomethatcleverlyconstructedrampart.Toaheightofthirtyfeetthefaceofthewallslantedoutward,andthenforalmostanequaldistanceitwasperpendicular,abovewhichitslantedinagainforsomefifteenfeettothecrest.

Andsmooth!Polishedglasscouldnotbemoreso.FinallyIhadtoadmitthatatlastIhaddiscoveredaBarsoomianfortificationwhichIcouldnotnegotiate.

Discouraged,Iwithdrewintotheforestbesideabroadhighwaywhich

enteredthecityfromtheeast,andwithWoolabesidemelaydowntosleep.

AHEROINKAOL

ItwasdaylightwhenIwasawakenedbythesoundofstealthymovementnearby.

AsIopenedmyeyesWoola,too,movedand,cominguptohishaunches,

staredthroughtheinterveningbrushtowardtheroad,eachhairuponhisneckstifflyerect.

AtfirstIcouldseenothing,butpresentlyIcaughtaglimpseofabitofsmoothandglossygreenmovingamongthescarletandpurpleandyellowofthevegetation.

MotioningWoolatoremainquietlywherehewas,Icreptforwardtoinvestigate,andfrombehindtheboleofagreattreeIsawalonglineofthehideousgreenwarriorsofthedeadseabottomshiding



inthedensejunglebesidetheroad.

AsfarasIcouldsee,thesilentlineofdestructionanddeathstretchedawayfromthecityofKaol.Therecouldbebutoneexplanation.Thegreenmenwereexpectinganexodusofabodyofredtroopsfromthenearestcitygate,andtheywerelyingthereinambushtoleapuponthem.

IowednofealtytotheJeddakofKaol,buthewasofthesameraceofnobleredmenasmyownprincess,andIwouldnotstandsupinelybyandseehiswarriorsbutcheredbythecruelandheartlessdemonsofthewasteplacesofBarsoom.

CautiouslyIretracedmystepstowhereIhadleftWoola,andwarninghimtosilence,signaledhimtofollowme.Makingaconsiderabledetourtoavoidthechanceoffallingintothehandsofthegreenmen,Icameatlasttothegreatwall.

Ahundredyardstomyrightwasthegatefromwhichthetroopswereevidentlyexpectedtoissue,buttoreachitImustpasstheflankofthegreenwarriorswithineasysightofthem,and,fearingthatmyplantowarntheKaoliansmightthusbethwarted,Idecideduponhasteningtowardtheleft,whereanothergateamileawaywouldgivemeingresstothecity.

IknewthatthewordIbroughtwouldproveasplendidpassporttoKaol,andImustadmitthatmycautionwasduemoretomyardentdesiretomakemywayintothecitythantoavoidabrushwiththegreenmen.AsmuchasIenjoyafight,Icannotalwaysindulgemyself,andjustnowIhadmoreweightymatterstooccupymytimethanspillingthebloodofstrangewarriors.

CouldIbutwinbeyondthecity'swall,theremightbeopportunityintheconfusionandexcitementwhichweresuretofollowmyannouncementofaninvadingforceofgreenwarriorstofindmywaywithinthepalaceofthejeddak,whereIwassureMataiShangandhispartywouldbequartered.

ButscarcelyhadItakenahundredstepsinthedirectionofthefarthergatewhenthesoundofmarchingtroops,theclankofmetal,andthesquealingofthoatsjustwithinthecityapprisedmeofthefactthattheKaolianswerealreadymovingtowardtheothergate.

Therewasnotimetobelost.Inanothermomentthegatewouldbeopenedandtheheadofthecolumnpassoutuponthedeath-borderedhighway.

Turningbacktowardthefatefulgate,Iranrapidlyalongtheedgeoftheclearing,takingthegroundinthemightyleapsthathadfirstmademefamousuponBarsoom.Thirty,fifty,ahundredfeet

ataboundarenothingforthemusclesofanathleticEarthmanuponMars.

AsIpassedtheflankofthewaitinggreenmentheysawmyeyesturneduponthem,andinaninstant,knowingthatallsecrecywasatanend,thosenearestmesprangtotheirfeetinanefforttocutmeoffbeforeIcouldreachthegate.

AtthesameinstantthemightyportalswungwideandtheheadoftheKaoliancolumnemerged.Adozengreenwarriorshadsucceeded



inreachingapointbetweenmeandthegate,buttheyhadbutlittleideawhoitwastheyhadelectedtodetain.

IdidnotslackenmyspeedaniotaasIdashedamongthem,andastheyfellbeforemybladeIcouldnotbutrecallthehappymemoryofthoseotherbattleswhenTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,mightiestofMartiangreenmen,hadstoodshouldertoshoulderwithmethroughlong,hotMartiandays,astogetherweheweddownourenemiesuntilthepileofcorpsesaboutusrosehigherthanatallman'shead.

Whenseveralpressedmetooclosely,therebeforethecarvedgatewayofKaol,Ileapedabovetheirheads,andfashioningmytacticsafterthoseofthehideousplantmenofDor,struckdownuponmyenemies'headsasIpassedabovethem.

Fromthecitytheredwarriorswererushingtowardus,andfromthejunglethesavagehordeofgreenmenwerecomingtomeetthem.InamomentIwasintheverycenterofasfierceandbloodyabattleasIhadeverpassedthrough.

TheseKaoliansaremostnoblefighters,norarethegreenmenoftheequatoronewhitlesswarlikethantheircold,cruelcousinsofthetemperatezone.Thereweremanytimeswheneithersidemighthavewithdrawnwithoutdishonorandthusendedhostilities,but

fromthemadabandonwithwhicheachinvariablyrenewedhostilitiesIsooncametobelievethatwhatneednothavebeenmorethanatriflingskirmishwouldendonlywiththecompleteexterminationofoneforceortheother.

Withthejoyofbattleoncerousedwithinme,Itookkeendelightinthefray,andthatmyfightingwasnotedbytheKaolianswasoftenevidencedbytheshoutsofapplausedirectedatme.

IfIsometimesseemtotaketoogreatprideinmyfightingability,itmustberememberedthatfightingismyvocation.Ifyourvocationbeshoeinghorses,orpaintingpictures,andyoucandooneortheotherbetterthanyourfellows,thenyouareafoolifyouare

notproudofyourability.AndsoIamveryproudthatupontwoplanetsnogreaterfighterhaseverlivedthanJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.

AndIoutdidmyselfthatdaytoimpressthefactuponthenativesofKaol,forIwishedtowinawayintotheirhearts--andtheircity.NorwasItobedisappointedinmydesire.

Alldaywefought,untiltheroadwasredwithbloodandcloggedwithcorpses.Backandforthalongtheslipperyhighwaythetideofbattlesurged,butneveroncewasthegatewaytoKaolreallyindanger.

TherewerebreathingspellswhenIhadachancetoconversewiththeredmenbesidewhomIfought,andoncethejeddak,KulanTithhimself,laidhishanduponmyshoulderandaskedmyname.

"IamDotarSojat,"Ireplied,recallinganamegivenmebytheTharksmanyyearsbefore,fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwooftheirwarriorsIhadkilled,whichisthecustomamongthem.

"Youareamightywarrior,DotarSojat,"hereplied,"andwhenthisdayisdoneIshallspeakwithyouagaininthegreataudience



chamber."

Andthenthefightsurgeduponusoncemoreandwewereseparated,butmyheart'sdesirewasattained,anditwaswithrenewedvigorandajoyoussoulthatIlaidaboutmewithmylong-sworduntilthelastofthegreenmenhadhadenoughandhadwithdrawntowardtheirdistantseabottom.

NotuntilthebattlewasoverdidIlearnwhytheredtroopshadsalliedforththatday.ItseemedthatKulanTithwasexpectingavisitfromamightyjeddakofthenorth--apowerfulandtheonlyallyoftheKaolians,andithadbeenhiswishtomeethisguestafullday'sjourneyfromKaol.

Butnowthemarchofthewelcominghostwasdelayeduntilthefollowingmorning,whenthetroopsagainsetoutfromKaol.IhadnotbeenbiddentothepresenceofKulanTithafterthebattle,buthehadsentanofficertofindmeandescortmetocomfortablequartersinthatpartofthepalacesetasidefortheofficersoftheroyalguard.

There,withWoola,Ihadspentacomfortablenight,androsemuchrefreshedafterthearduouslaborsofthepastfewdays.Woolahadfoughtwithmethroughthebattleofthepreviousday,trueto

theinstinctsandtrainingofaMartianwardog,greatnumbersofwhichareoftentobefoundwiththesavagegreenhordesofthedeadseabottoms.

Neitherofushadcomethroughtheconflictunscathed,butthemarvelous,healingsalvesofBarsoomhadsufficed,overnight,tomakeusasgoodasnew.

IbreakfastedwithanumberoftheKaolianofficers,whomIfoundascourteousanddelightfulhostsaseventhenoblesofHelium,whoarerenownedfortheireaseofmannersandexcellenceofbreeding.ThemealwasscarcelyconcludedwhenamessengerarrivedfromKulanTithsummoningmebeforehim.

AsIenteredtheroyalpresencethejeddakrose,andsteppingfromthedaiswhichsupportedhismagnificentthrone,cameforwardtomeetme--amarkofdistinctionthatisseldomaccordedtootherthanavisitingruler.

"Kaor,DotarSojat!"hegreetedme."IhavesummonedyoutoreceivethegratefulthanksofthepeopleofKaol,forhaditnotbeenforyourheroicbraveryindaringfatetowarnusoftheambuscadewemustsurelyhavefallenintothewell-laidtrap.Tellmemoreofyourself--fromwhatcountryyoucome,andwhaterrandbringsyoutothecourtofKulanTith."

"IamfromHastor,"Isaid,forintruthIhadasmallpalaceinthatsoutherncitywhichlieswithinthefar-flungdominionsoftheHeliumeticnation.

"MypresenceinthelandofKaolispartlyduetoaccident,myflierbeingwreckeduponthesouthernfringeofyourgreatforest.ItwaswhileseekingentrancetothecityofKaolthatIdiscoveredthegreenhordelyinginwaitforyourtroops."

IfKulanTithwonderedwhatbusinessbroughtmeinafliertothe



veryedgeofhisdomainhewasgoodenoughnottopressmefurtherforanexplanation,whichIshouldindeedhavehaddifficultyinrendering.

Duringmyaudiencewiththejeddakanotherpartyenteredthechamberfrombehindme,sothatIdidnotseetheirfacesuntilKulanTithsteppedpastmetogreetthem,commandingmetofollowandbepresented.

AsIturnedtowardthemitwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmyfeatures,forthere,listeningtoKulanTith'seulogisticwordsconcerningme,stoodmyarch-enemies,MataiShangandThurid.

"HolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns,"thejeddakwassaying,"showerthyblessingsuponDotarSojat,thevalorousstrangerfromdistantHastor,whosewondrousheroismandmarvelousferocitysavedthedayforKaolyesterday."

MataiShangsteppedforwardandlaidhishanduponmyshoulder.Noslightestindicationthatherecognizedmeshoweduponhiscountenance--mydisguisewasevidentlycomplete.

HespokekindlytomeandthenpresentedmetoThurid.Theblack,too,wasevidentlyentirelydeceived.ThenKulanTithregaled

them,muchtomyamusement,withdetailsofmyachievementsuponthefieldofbattle.

Thethingthatseemedtohaveimpressedhimmostwasmyremarkableagility,andtimeandagainhedescribedthewondrouswayinwhichIhadleapedcompletelyoveranantagonist,cleavinghisskullwideopenwithmylong-swordasIpassedabovehim.

IthoughtthatIsawThurid'seyeswidenabitduringthenarrative,andseveraltimesIsurprisedhimgazingintentlyintomyfacethroughnarrowedlids.Washecommencingtosuspect?AndthenKulanTithtoldofthesavagecalotthatfoughtbesideme,andafterthatIsawsuspicionintheeyesofMataiShang--ordidI

butimagineit?

AtthecloseoftheaudienceKulanTithannouncedthathewouldhavemeaccompanyhimuponthewaytomeethisroyalguest,andasIdepartedwithanofficerwhowastoprocurepropertrappingsandasuitablemountforme,bothMataiShangandThuridseemedmostsincereinprofessingtheirpleasureathavinghadanopportunitytoknowme.ItwaswithasighofreliefthatIquittedthechamber,convincedthatnothingmorethanaguiltyconsciencehadpromptedmybeliefthateitherofmyenemiessuspectedmytrueidentity.

Ahalf-hourlaterIrodeoutofthecitygatewiththecolumnthataccompaniedKulanTithuponthewaytomeethisfriendandally.

Thoughmyeyesandearshadbeenwideopenduringmyaudiencewiththejeddakandmyvariouspassagesthroughthepalace,IhadseenorheardnothingofDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarth.ThattheymustbesomewherewithinthegreatramblingedificeIwaspositive,andIshouldhavegivenmuchtohavefoundawaytoremainbehindduringKulanTith'sabsence,thatImightsearchforthem.

Towardnoonwecameintouchwiththeheadofthecolumnwehadsetouttomeet.



Itwasagorgeoustrainthataccompaniedthevisitingjeddak,andformilesitstretchedalongthewide,whiteroadtoKaol.Mountedtroops,theirtrappingsofjewelandmetal-incrustedleatherglisteninginthesunlight,formedthevanguardofthebody,andthencameathousandgorgeouschariotsdrawnbyhugezitidars.

Theselow,commodiouswagonsmovedtwoabreast,andoneithersideofthemmarchedsolidranksofmountedwarriors,forinthechariotswerethewomenandchildrenoftheroyalcourt.UponthebackofeachmonsterzitidarrodeaMartianyouth,andthewholescenecarriedmebacktomyfirstdaysuponBarsoom,nowtwenty-twoyearsinthepast,whenIhadfirstbeheldthegorgeousspectacleofacaravanofthegreenhordeofTharks.

NeverbeforetodayhadIseenzitidarsintheserviceofredmen.Thesebrutesarehugemastodoniananimalsthattowertoanimmenseheightevenbesidethegiantgreenmenandtheirgiantthoats;butwhencomparedtotherelativelysmallredmanandhisbreedofthoatstheyassumeBrobdingnagianproportionsthataretrulyappalling.

Thebeastswerehungwithjeweledtrappingsandsaddlepadsofgaysilk,embroideredinfancifuldesignswithstringsofdiamonds,pearls,rubies,emeralds,andthecountlessunnamedjewelsofMars,

whilefromeachchariotroseadozenstandardsfromwhichstreamers,flags,andpennonsflutteredinthebreeze.

Justinfrontofthechariotsthevisitingjeddakrodealoneuponapurewhitethoat--anotherunusualsightuponBarsoom--andafterthemcameinterminableranksofmountedspearmen,riflemen,andswordsmen.Itwasindeedamostimposingsight.

Exceptfortheclankingofaccoutermentsandtheoccasionalsquealofanangrythoatorthelowgutturalofazitidar,thepassageofthecavalcadewasalmostnoiseless,forneitherthoatnorzitidarisahoofedanimal,andthebroadtiresofthechariotsareofanelasticcomposition,whichgivesforthnosound.

Nowandthenthegaylaughterofawomanorthechatterofchildrencouldbeheard,fortheredMartiansareasocial,pleasure-lovingpeople--indirectantithesistothecoldandmorbidraceofgreenmen.

Theformsandceremonialsconnectedwiththemeetingofthetwojeddaksconsumedanhour,andthenweturnedandretracedourwaytowardthecityofKaol,whichtheheadofthecolumnreachedjustbeforedark,thoughitmusthavebeennearlymorningbeforetherearguardpassedthroughthegateway.

Fortunately,Iwaswelluptowardtheheadofthecolumn,andafter

thegreatbanquet,whichIattendedwiththeofficersoftheroyalguard,Iwasfreetoseekrepose.Therewassomuchactivityandbustleaboutthepalaceallduringthenightwiththeconstantarrivalofthenobleofficersofthevisitingjeddak'sretinuethatIdarednotattempttoprosecuteasearchforDejahThoris,andso,assoonasitwasseemlyformetodoso,Ireturnedtomyquarters.

AsIpassedalongthecorridorsbetweenthebanquethallandtheapartmentsthathadbeenallottedme,Ihadasuddenfeelingthat



Iwasundersurveillance,and,turningquicklyinmytracks,caughtaglimpseofafigurewhichdartedintoanopendoorwaytheinstantIwheeledabout.

ThoughIranquicklybacktothespotwheretheshadowerhaddisappearedIcouldfindnotraceofhim,yetinthebriefglimpsethatIhadcaughtIcouldhaveswornthatIhadseenawhitefacesurmountedbyamassofyellowhair.

Theincidentgavemeconsiderablefoodforspeculation,sinceifIwererightintheconclusioninducedbythecursoryglimpseIhadhadofthespy,thenMataiShangandThuridmustsuspectmyidentity,andifthatweretruenoteventheserviceIhadrenderedKulanTithcouldsavemefromhisreligiousfanaticism.

Butneverdidvagueconjectureorfruitlessfearsforthefutureliewithsufficientweightuponmymindtokeepmefrommyrest,andsotonightIthrewmyselfuponmysleepingsilksandfursandpassedatonceintodreamlessslumber.

Calotsarenotpermittedwithinthewallsofthepalaceproper,andsoIhadhadtorelegatepoorWoolatoquartersinthestableswheretheroyalthoatsarekept.Hehadcomfortable,evenluxuriousapartments,butIwouldhavegivenmuchtohavehadhimwithme;

andifhehadbeen,thethingwhichhappenedthatnightwouldnothavecometopass.

IcouldnothavesleptoveraquarterofanhourwhenIwassuddenlyawakenedbythepassingofsomecoldandclammythingacrossmyforehead.InstantlyIsprangtomyfeet,clutchinginthedirectionIthoughtthepresencelay.Foraninstantmyhandtouchedagainsthumanflesh,andthen,asIlungedheadforemostthroughthedarknesstoseizemynocturnalvisitor,myfootbecameentangledinmysleepingsilksandIfellsprawlingtothefloor.

BythetimeIhadresumedmyfeetandfoundthebuttonwhichcontrolledthelightmycallerhaddisappeared.Carefulsearchof

theroomrevealednothingtoexplaineithertheidentityorbusinessofthepersonwhohadthussecretlysoughtmeinthedeadofnight.

ThatthepurposemightbetheftIcouldnotbelieve,sincethievesarepracticallyunknownuponBarsoom.Assassination,however,isrampant,buteventhiscouldnothavebeenthemotiveofmystealthyfriend,forhemighteasilyhavekilledmehadhedesired.

IhadaboutgivenupfruitlessconjectureandwasonthepointofreturningtosleepwhenadozenKaolianguardsmenenteredmyapartment.Theofficerinchargewasoneofmygenialhostsofthemorning,butnowuponhisfacewasnosignoffriendship.

"KulanTithcommandsyourpresencebeforehim,"hesaid."Come!"

NEWALLIES

SurroundedbyguardsmenImarchedbackalongthecorridorsofthepalaceofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,tothegreataudiencechamber



inthecenterofthemassivestructure.

AsIenteredthebrilliantlylightedapartment,filledwiththenoblesofKaolandtheofficersofthevisitingjeddak,alleyeswereturneduponme.Uponthegreatdaisattheendofthechamberstoodthreethrones,uponwhichsatKulanTithandhistwoguests,MataiShang,andthevisitingjeddak.

Upthebroadcenteraislewemarchedbeneathdeadlysilence,andatthefootofthethroneswehalted.

"Preferthycharge,"saidKulanTith,turningtoonewhostoodamongthenoblesathisright;andthenThurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,steppedforwardandfacedme.

"MostnobleJeddak,"hesaid,addressingKulanTith,"fromthefirstIsuspectedthisstrangerwithinthypalace.Yourdescriptionofhisfiendishprowesstalliedwiththatofthearch-enemyoftruthuponBarsoom.

"ButthattheremightbenomistakeIdespatchedapriestofyourownholyculttomakethetestthatshouldpiercehisdisguiseandrevealthetruth.Beholdtheresult!"andThuridpointedarigidfingeratmyforehead.

Alleyesfollowedthedirectionofthataccusingdigit--Ialoneseemedatalosstoguesswhatfatalsignresteduponmybrow.

Theofficerbesidemeguessedmyperplexity;andasthebrowsofKulanTithdarkenedinamenacingscowlashiseyesresteduponme,thenobledrewasmallmirrorfromhispocket-pouchandhelditbeforemyface.

Oneglanceatthereflectionitgavebacktomewassufficient.

Frommyforeheadthehandofthesneakingthernhadreachedoutthroughtheconcealingdarknessofmybed-chamberandwipedawaya

patchofthedisguisingredpigmentasbroadasmypalm.Beneathshowedthetannedtextureofmyownwhiteskin.

ForamomentThuridceasedspeaking,toenhance,Isuspect,thedramaticeffectofhisdisclosure.Thenheresumed.

"Here,OKulanTith,"hecried,"ishewhohasdesecratedthetemplesoftheGodsofMars,whohasviolatedthepersonsoftheHolyThernsthemselvesandturnedaworldagainstitsage-oldreligion.Beforeyou,inyourpower,JeddakofKaol,DefenderoftheHolies,standsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium!"

KulanTithlookedtowardMataiShangasthoughforcorroboration

ofthesecharges.TheHolyThernnoddedhishead.

"Itisindeedthearch-blasphemer,"hesaid."Evennowhehasfollowedmetotheveryheartofthypalace,KulanTith,forthesolepurposeofassassinatingme.He--"

"Helies!"Icried."KulanTith,listenthatyoumayknowthetruth.ListenwhileItellyouwhyJohnCarterhasfollowedMataiShangtotheheartofthypalace.Listentomeaswellastothem,andthenjudgeifmyactsbenotmoreinaccordwithtrueBarsoomian



chivalryandhonorthanthoseoftheserevengefuldevoteesofthespuriouscreedsfromwhosecruelbondsIhavefreedyourplanet."

"Silence!"roaredthejeddak,leapingtohisfeetandlayinghishanduponthehiltofhissword."Silence,blasphemer!KulanTithneednotpermittheairofhisaudiencechambertobedefiledbytheheresiesthatissuefromyourpollutedthroattojudgeyou.

"Youstandalreadyself-condemned.Itbutremainstodeterminethemannerofyourdeath.EventheservicethatyourenderedthearmsofKaolshallavailyounaught;itwasbutabasesubterfugewherebyyoumightwinyourwayintomyfavorandreachthesideofthisholymanwhoselifeyoucraved.Tothepitswithhim!"heconcluded,addressingtheofficerofmyguard.

Herewasaprettypass,indeed!WhatchancehadIagainstawholenation?WhathopeformeofmercyatthehandsofthefanaticalKulanTithwithsuchadvisersasMataiShangandThurid.Theblackgrinnedmalevolentlyinmyface.

"Youshallnotescapethistime,Earthman,"hetaunted.

Theguardsclosedtowardme.Aredhazeblurredmyvision.ThefightingbloodofmyVirginiansirescoursedhotthroughmyveins.

Thelustofbattleinallitsmadfurywasuponme.

WithaleapIwasbesideThurid,anderethedevilishsmirkhadfadedfromhishandsomefaceIhadcaughthimfulluponthemouthwithmyclenchedfist;andasthegood,oldAmericanblowlanded,theblackdatorshotbackadozenfeet,tocrumpleinaheapatthefootofKulanTith'sthrone,spittingbloodandteethfromhishurtmouth.

ThenIdrewmyswordandswunground,onguard,tofaceanation.

Inaninstanttheguardsmenwereuponme,butbeforeablowhadbeenstruckamightyvoiceroseabovethedinofshoutingwarriors,

andagiantfigureleapedfromthedaisbesideKulanTithand,withdrawnlong-sword,threwhimselfbetweenmeandmyadversaries.

Itwasthevisitingjeddak.

"Hold!"hecried."Ifyouvaluemyfriendship,KulanTith,andtheage-oldpeacethathasexistedbetweenourpeoples,calloffyourswordsmen;forwhereveroragainstwhomsoeverfightsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,therebesidehimandtothedeathfightsThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth."

TheshoutingceasedandthemenacingpointswereloweredasathousandeyesturnedfirsttowardThuvanDihninsurpriseandthen

towardKulanTithinquestion.AtfirsttheJeddakofKaolwentwhiteinrage,butbeforehespokehehadmasteredhimself,sothathistonewascalmandevenasbefittedintercoursebetweentwogreatjeddaks.

"ThuvanDihn,"hesaidslowly,"musthavegreatprovocationthustodesecratetheancientcustomswhichinspirethedeportmentofaguestwithinthepalaceofhishost.LestI,too,shouldforgetmyselfashasmyroyalfriend,IshouldprefertoremainsilentuntiltheJeddakofPtarthhaswonfrommeapplauseforhisaction



byrelatingthecauseswhichprovokedit."

IcouldseethattheJeddakofPtarthwasofhalfamindtothrowhismetalinKulanTith'sface,buthecontrolledhimselfevenaswellashadhishost.

"NoneknowsbetterthanThuvanDihn,"hesaid,"thelawswhichgoverntheactsofmeninthedomainsoftheirneighbors;butThuvanDihnowesallegiancetoahigherlawthanthese--thelawofgratitude.NortoanymanuponBarsoomdoesheoweagreaterdebtofgratitudethantoJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.

"Yearsago,KulanTith,"hecontinued,"upontheoccasionofyourlastvisittome,youweregreatlytakenwiththecharmsandgracesofmyonlydaughter,Thuvia.YousawhowIadoredher,andlateryoulearnedthat,inspiredbysomeunfathomablewhim,shehadtakenthelast,long,voluntarypilgrimageuponthecoldbosomofthemysteriousIss,leavingmedesolate.

"SomemonthsagoIfirstheardoftheexpeditionwhichJohnCarterhadledagainstIssusandtheHolyTherns.FaintrumorsoftheatrocitiesreportedtohavebeencommittedbythethernsuponthosewhoforcountlessageshavefloateddownthemightyIsscametomyears.

"Iheardthatthousandsofprisonershadbeenreleased,fewofwhomdaredtoreturntotheirowncountriesowingtothemandateofterribledeathwhichrestsagainstallwhoreturnfromtheValleyDor.

"ForatimeIcouldnotbelievetheheresieswhichIheard,andIprayedthatmydaughterThuviamighthavediedbeforesheevercommittedthesacrilegeofreturningtotheouterworld.Butthenmyfather'sloveasserteditself,andIvowedthatIwouldprefereternaldamnationtofurtherseparationfromherifshecouldbefound.

"SoIsentemissariestoHelium,andtothecourtofXodar,JeddakoftheFirstBorn,andtohimwhonowrulesthoseofthethernnationthathaverenouncedtheirreligion;andfromeachandallIheardthesamestoryofunspeakablecrueltiesandatrocitiesperpetrateduponthepoordefenselessvictimsoftheirreligionbytheHolyTherns.

"Manytherewerewhohadseenorknownmydaughter,andfromthernswhohadbeenclosetoMataiShangIlearnedoftheindignitiesthathepersonallyheapeduponher;andIwasgladwhenIcameheretofindthatMataiShangwasalsoyourguest,forIshouldhavesoughthimouthadittakenalifetime.

"More,too,Iheard,andthatofthechivalrouskindnessthatJohnCarterhadaccordedmydaughter.Theytoldmehowhefoughtforherandrescuedher,andhowhespurnedescapefromthesavageWarhoonsofthesouth,sendinghertosafetyuponhisownthoatandremaininguponfoottomeetthegreenwarriors.

"Canyouwonder,KulanTith,thatIamwillingtojeopardizemylife,thepeaceofmynation,orevenyourfriendship,whichIprizemorethanaughtelse,tochampionthePrinceofHelium?"



ForamomentKulanTithwassilent.Icouldseebytheexpressionofhisfacethathewassoreperplexed.Thenhespoke.

"ThuvanDihn,"hesaid,andhistonewasfriendlythoughsad,"whoamItojudgemyfellow-man?InmyeyestheFatherofThernsisstillholy,andthereligionwhichheteachestheonlytruereligion,butwereIfacedbythesameproblemthathasvexedyouIdoubtnotthatIshouldfeelandactpreciselyasyouhave.

"InsofarasthePrinceofHeliumisconcernedImayact,butbetweenyouandMataiShangmyonlyofficecanbeoneofconciliation.ThePrinceofHeliumshallbeescortedinsafetytotheboundaryofmydomainerethesunhassetagain,whereheshallbefreetogowhitherhewill;butuponpainofdeathmustheneveragainenterthelandofKaol.

"IftherebeaquarrelbetweenyouandtheFatherofTherns,Ineednotaskthatthesettlementofitbedeferreduntilbothhavepassedbeyondthelimitsofmypower.Areyousatisfied,ThuvanDihn?"

TheJeddakofPtarthnoddedhisassent,buttheuglyscowlthathebentuponMataiShangharboredillforthatpasty-facedgodling.

"ThePrinceofHeliumisfarfromsatisfied,"Icried,breakingrudelyinuponthebeginningsofpeace,forIhadnostomachforpeaceatthepricethathadbeennamed.

"IhaveescapeddeathinadozenformstofollowMataiShangandovertakehim,andIdonotintendtobeled,likeadecrepitthoattotheslaughter,fromthegoalthatIhavewonbytheprowessofmyswordarmandthemightofmymuscles.

"NorwillThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth,besatisfiedwhenhehasheardmethrough.DoyouknowwhyIhavefollowedMataiShangandThurid,theblackdator,fromtheforestsoftheValleyDoracrosshalfaworldthroughalmostinsurmountabledifficulties?

"ThinkyouthatJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,wouldstooptoassassination?CanKulanTithbesuchafoolastobelievethatlie,whisperedinhisearbytheHolyThernorDatorThurid?

"IdonotfollowMataiShangtokillhim,thoughtheGodofmineownplanetknowsthatmyhandsitchtobeathisthroat.Ifollowhim,ThuvanDihn,becausewithhimaretwoprisoners--mywife,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,andyourdaughter,ThuviaofPtarth.

"NowthinkyouthatIshallpermitmyselftobeledbeyondthewallsofKaolunlessthemotherofmysonaccompaniesme,andthydaughterberestored?"

ThuvanDihnturneduponKulanTith.Rageflamedinhiskeeneyes;butbythemasterfulnessofhisself-controlhekepthistoneslevelashespoke.

"Knewyouthisthing,KulanTith?"heasked."Knewyouthatmydaughterlayaprisonerinyourpalace?"

"Hecouldnotknowit,"interruptedMataiShang,whitewithwhatIamsurewasmorefearthanrage."Hecouldnotknowit,forit



isalie."

Iwouldhavehadhislifeforthatuponthespot,butevenasIsprangtowardhimThuvanDihnlaidaheavyhanduponmyshoulder.

"Wait,"hesaidtome,andthentoKulanTith."Itisnotalie.ThismuchhaveIlearnedofthePrinceofHelium--hedoesnotlie.Answerme,KulanTith--Ihaveaskedyouaquestion."

"ThreewomencamewiththeFatherofTherns,"repliedKulanTith."Phaidor,hisdaughter,andtwowhowerereportedtobeherslaves.IfthesebeThuviaofPtarthandDejahThorisofHeliumIdidnotknowit--Ihaveseenneither.Butiftheybe,thenshalltheybereturnedtoyouonthemorrow."

AshespokehelookedstraightatMataiShang,notasadevoteeshouldlookatahighpriest,butasarulerofmenlooksatonetowhomheissuesacommand.

ItmusthavebeenplaintotheFatherofTherns,asitwastome,thattherecentdisclosuresofhistruecharacterhaddonemuchalreadytoweakenthefaithofKulanTith,andthatitwouldrequirebutlittlemoretoturnthepowerfuljeddakintoanavowedenemy;butsostrongaretheseedsofsuperstitionthateventhegreat

Kaolianstillhesitatedtocutthefinalstrandthatboundhimtohisancientreligion.

MataiShangwaswiseenoughtoseemtoacceptthemandateofhisfollower,andpromisedtobringthetwoslavewomentotheaudiencechamberonthemorrow.

"Itisalmostmorningnow,"hesaid,"andIshoulddisliketobreakinupontheslumberofmydaughter,orIwouldhavethemfetchedatoncethatyoumightseethatthePrinceofHeliumismistaken,"andheemphasizedthelastwordinanefforttoaffrontmesosubtlelythatIcouldnottakeopenoffense.

Iwasabouttoobjecttoanydelay,anddemandthatthePrincessofHeliumbebroughttomeforthwith,whenThuvanDihnmadesuchinsistenceseemunnecessary.

"Ishouldliketoseemydaughteratonce,"hesaid,"butifKulanTithwillgivemehisassurancethatnonewillbepermittedtoleavethepalacethisnight,andthatnoharmshallbefalleitherDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarthbetweennowandthemomenttheyarebroughtintoourpresenceinthischamberatdaylightIshallnotinsist."

"Noneshallleavethepalacetonight,"repliedtheJeddakofKaol,"andMataiShangwillgiveusassurancethatnoharmwillcometo

thetwowomen?"

Thethernassentedwithanod.AfewmomentslaterKulanTithindicatedthattheaudiencewasatanend,andatThuvanDihn'sinvitationIaccompaniedtheJeddakofPtarthtohisownapartments,wherewesatuntildaylight,whilehelistenedtotheaccountofmyexperiencesuponhisplanetandtoallthathadbefallenhisdaughterduringthetimethatwehadbeentogether.

IfoundthefatherofThuviaamanaftermyownheart,andthat



nightsawthebeginningofafriendshipwhichhasgrownuntilitissecondonlytothatwhichobtainsbetweenTarsTarkas,thegreenJeddakofThark,andmyself.

ThefirstburstofMars'ssuddendawnbroughtmessengersfromKulanTith,summoningustotheaudiencechamberwhereThuvanDihnwastoreceivehisdaughterafteryearsofseparation,andIwastobereunitedwiththegloriousdaughterofHeliumafteranalmostunbrokenseparationoftwelveyears.

MyheartpoundedwithinmybosomuntilIlookedaboutmeinembarrassment,sosurewasIthatallwithintheroommusthear.Myarmsachedtoenfoldoncemorethedivineformofherwhoseeternalyouthandundyingbeautywerebutoutwardmanifestationsofaperfectsoul.

AtlastthemessengerdespatchedtofetchMataiShangreturned.Icranedmynecktocatchthefirstglimpseofthosewhoshouldbefollowing,butthemessengerwasalone.

Haltingbeforethethroneheaddressedhisjeddakinavoicethatwasplainlyaudibletoallwithinthechamber.

"OKulanTith,MightiestofJeddaks,"hecried,afterthefashion

ofthecourt,"yourmessengerreturnsalone,forwhenhereachedtheapartmentsoftheFatherofThernshefoundthemempty,aswerethoseoccupiedbyhissuite."

KulanTithwentwhite.

AlowgroanburstfromthelipsofThuvanDihnwhostoodnextme,nothavingascendedthethronewhichawaitedhimbesidehishost.ForamomentthesilenceofdeathreignedinthegreataudiencechamberofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol.Itwashewhobrokethespell.

Risingfromhisthronehesteppeddownfromthedaistotheside

ofThuvanDihn.Tearsdimmedhiseyesasheplacedbothhishandsupontheshouldersofhisfriend.

"OThuvanDihn,"hecried,"thatthisshouldhavehappenedinthepalaceofthybestfriend!WithmyownhandswouldIhavewrungtheneckofMataiShanghadIguessedwhatwasinhisfoulheart.Lastnightmylife-longfaithwasweakened--thismorningithasbeenshattered;buttoolate,toolate.

"Towrestyourdaughterandthewifeofthisroyalwarriorfromtheclutchesofthesearchfiendsyouhavebuttocommandtheresourcesofamightynation,forallKaolisatyourdisposal.Whatmaybedone?Saytheword!"

"First,"Isuggested,"letusfindthoseofyourpeoplewhoberesponsiblefortheescapeofMataiShangandhisfollowers.Withoutassistanceonthepartofthepalaceguardthisthingcouldnothavecometopass.Seektheguilty,andfromthemforceanexplanationofthemanneroftheirgoingandthedirectiontheyhavetaken."

BeforeKulanTithcouldissuethecommandsthatwouldinitiatetheinvestigationahandsomeyoungofficersteppedforwardandaddressed



hisjeddak.

"OKulanTith,MightiestofJeddaks,"hesaid,"Ialoneberesponsibleforthisgrievouserror.LastnightitwasIwhocommandedthepalaceguard.Iwasondutyinotherpartsofthepalaceduringtheaudienceoftheearlymorning,andknewnothingofwhattranspiredthen,sothatwhentheFatherofThernssummonedmeandexplainedthatitwasyourwishthathispartybehastenedfromthecitybecauseofthepresencehereofadeadlyenemywhosoughttheHolyHekkador'slifeIdidonlywhatalifetimeoftraininghastaughtmewastheproperthingtodo--IobeyedhimwhomIbelievedtobetherulerofusall,mightiereventhanthou,mightiestofjeddaks.

"Lettheconsequencesandthepunishmentfallonmealone,forIaloneamguilty.Thoseothersofthepalaceguardwhoassistedintheflightdidsoundermyinstructions."

KulanTithlookedfirstatmeandthenatThuvanDihn,asthoughtoaskourjudgmentupontheman,buttheerrorwassoevidentlyexcusablethatneitherofushadanymindtoseetheyoungofficersufferforamistakethatanymightreadilyhavemade.

"Howleftthey,"askedThuvanDihn,"andwhatdirectiondidtheytake?"

"Theyleftastheycame,"repliedtheofficer,"upontheirownflier.ForsometimeaftertheyhaddepartedIwatchedthevessel'slights,whichvanishedfinallyduenorth."

"WherenorthcouldMataiShangfindanasylum?"askedThuvanDihnofKulanTith.

ForsomemomentstheJeddakofKaolstoodwithbowedhead,apparentlydeepinthought.Thenasuddenlightbrightenedhiscountenance.

"Ihaveit!"hecried."OnlyyesterdayMataiShangletdropahintofhisdestination,tellingmeofaraceofpeopleunlikeourselves

whodwellfartothenorth.They,hesaid,hadalwaysbeenknowntotheHolyThernsandweredevoutandfaithfulfollowersoftheancientcult.Amongthemwouldhefindaperpetualhavenofrefuge,whereno'lyingheretics'mightseekhimout.ItistherethatMataiShanghasgone."

"AndinallKaoltherebenoflierwhereintofollow,"Icried.

"NornearerthanPtarth,"repliedThuvanDihn.

"Wait!"Iexclaimed,"beyondthesouthernfringeofthisgreatforestliesthewreckofthethernflierwhichbroughtmethatfaruponmyway.Ifyouwillloanmementofetchit,andartificers

toassistme,Icanrepairitintwodays,KulanTith."

IhadbeenmorethanhalfsuspiciousoftheseemingsincerityoftheKaolianjeddak'ssuddenapostasy,butthealacritywithwhichheembracedmysuggestion,andthedespatchwithwhichaforceofofficersandmenwereplacedatmydisposalentirelyremovedthelastvestigeofmydoubts.

Twodayslatertheflierresteduponthetopofthewatchtower,readytodepart.ThuvanDihnandKulanTithhadofferedmethe



entireresourcesoftwonations--millionsoffightingmenwereatmydisposal;butmyfliercouldholdbutoneotherthanmyselfandWoola.

AsIsteppedaboardher,ThuvanDihntookhisplacebesideme.Icastalookofquestioningsurpriseuponhim.HeturnedtothehighestofhisownofficerswhohadaccompaniedhimtoKaol.

"ToyouIentrustthereturnofmyretinuetoPtarth,"hesaid."Theremysonrulesablyinmyabsence.ThePrinceofHeliumshallnotgoaloneintothelandofhisenemies.Ihavespoken.Farewell!"

THROUGHTHECARRIONCAVES

Straighttowardthenorth,dayandnight,ourdestinationcompassledusafterthefleeingflieruponwhichithadremainedsetsinceIfirstattuneditafterleavingthethernfortress.

Earlyinthesecondnightwenoticedtheairbecomingperceptiblycolder,andfromthedistancewehadcomefromtheequatorwere

assuredthatwewererapidlyapproachingthenortharcticregion.

Myknowledgeoftheeffortsthathadbeenmadebycountlessexpeditionstoexplorethatunknownlandbademetocaution,forneverhadflierreturnedwhohadpassedtoanyconsiderabledistancebeyondthemightyice-barrierthatfringesthesouthernhemofthefrigidzone.

Whatbecameofthemnoneknew--onlythattheypassedforeveroutofthesightofmanintothatgrimandmysteriouscountryofthepole.

Thedistancefromthebarriertothepolewasnomorethanaswift

fliershouldcoverinafewhours,andsoitwasassumedthatsomefrightfulcatastropheawaitedthosewhoreachedthe"forbiddenland,"asithadcometobecalledbytheMartiansoftheouterworld.

ThusitwasthatIwentmoreslowlyasweapproachedthebarrier,foritwasmyintentiontomovecautiouslybydayovertheice-packthatImightdiscover,beforeIhadrunintoatrap,iftherereallylayaninhabitedcountryatthenorthpole,forthereonlycouldIimagineaspotwhereMataiShangmightfeelsecurefromJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.

Wewereflyingatasnail'spacebutafewfeetabovetheground--literallyfeelingourwayalongthroughthedarkness,for

bothmoonshadset,andthenightwasblackwiththecloudsthataretobefoundonlyatMars'stwoextremities.

Suddenlyatoweringwallofwhiterosedirectlyinourpath,andthoughIthrewthehelmhardover,andreversedourengine,Iwastoolatetoavoidcollision.Withasickeningcrashwestruckthehighloomingobstaclethree-quarterson.

Theflierreeledhalfover;theenginestopped;asone,thepatchedbuoyancytanksburst,andweplunged,headforemost,totheground



twentyfeetbeneath.

Fortunatelynoneofuswasinjured,andwhenwehaddisentangledourselvesfromthewreckage,andthelessermoonhadburstagainfrombelowthehorizon,wefoundthatwewereatthefootofamightyice-barrier,fromwhichoutcroppedgreatpatchesofthegranitehillswhichholditfromencroachingfarthertowardthesouth.

Whatfate!Withthejourneyallbutcompletedtobethuswreckeduponthewrongsideofthatprecipitousandunscalablewallofrockandice!

IlookedatThuvanDihn.Hebutshookhisheaddejectedly.

Thebalanceofthenightwespentshiveringinourinadequatesleepingsilksandfursuponthesnowthatliesatthefootoftheice-barrier.

Withdaylightmybatteredspiritsregainedsomethingoftheiraccustomedhopefulness,thoughImustadmitthattherewaslittleenoughforthemtofeedupon.

"Whatshallwedo?"askedThuvanDihn."Howmaywepassthatwhichisimpassable?"

"Firstwemustdisproveitsimpassability,"Ireplied."NorshallIadmitthatitisimpassablebeforeIhavefolloweditsentirecircleandstandagainuponthisspot,defeated.Thesoonerwestart,thebetter,forIseenootherway,anditwilltakeusmorethanamonthtotraveltheweary,frigidmilesthatliebeforeus."

Forfivedaysofcoldandsufferingandprivationwetraversedtheroughandfrozenwaywhichliesatthefootoftheice-barrier.Fierce,fur-bearingcreaturesattackedusbydaylightandbydark.Neverforamomentwerewesafefromthesuddenchargeofsomehugedemonofthenorth.

Theaptwasourmostconsistentanddangerousfoe.

Itisahuge,white-furredcreaturewithsixlimbs,fourofwhich,shortandheavy,carryitswiftlyoverthesnowandice;whiletheothertwo,growingforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong,powerfulneck,terminateinwhite,hairlesshands,withwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey.

Itsheadandmoutharemoresimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamusthantoanyotherearthlyanimal,exceptthatfromthesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront.

Itstwohugeeyesinspiredmygreatestcuriosity.Theyextendintwovast,ovalpatchesfromthecenterofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns,sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes,whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach.

Thiseyestructureseemedremarkableinabeastwhosehauntswereuponaglaringfieldoficeandsnow,andthoughIfounduponminuteexaminationofseveralthatwekilledthateachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid,andthattheanimalcanatwillclose



asmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses,yetIwaspositivethatnaturehadthusequippedhimbecausemuchofhislifewastobespentindark,subterraneanrecesses.

Shortlyafterthiswecameuponthehugestaptthatwehadseen.Thecreaturestoodfullyeightfeetattheshoulder,andwassosleekandcleanandglossythatIcouldhaveswornthathehadbutrecentlybeengroomed.

Hestoodhead-oneyeingusasweapproachedhim,forwehadfounditawasteoftimetoattempttoescapetheperpetualbestialragewhichseemstopossessthesedemoncreatures,whorovethedismalnorthattackingeverylivingthingthatcomeswithinthescopeoftheirfar-seeingeyes.

Evenwhentheirbelliesarefullandtheycaneatnomore,theykillpurelyforthepleasurewhichtheyderivefromtakinglife,andsowhenthisparticularaptfailedtochargeus,andinsteadwheeledandtrottedawayaswenearedhim,IshouldhavebeengreatlysurprisedhadInotchancedtoglimpsethesheenofagoldencollaraboutitsneck.

ThuvanDihnsawit,too,anditcarriedthesamemessageofhopetousboth.Onlymancouldhaveplacedthatcollarthere,andas

noraceofMartiansofwhichweknewaughteverhadattemptedtodomesticatetheferociousapt,hemustbelongtoapeopleofthenorthofwhoseveryexistencewewereignorant--possiblytothefabledyellowmenofBarsoom;thatoncepowerfulracewhichwassupposedtobeextinct,thoughsometimes,bytheorists,thoughtstilltoexistinthefrozennorth.

Simultaneouslywestarteduponthetrailofthegreatbeast.Woolawasquicklymadetounderstandourdesires,sothatitwasunnecessarytoattempttokeepinsightoftheanimalwhoseswiftflightovertheroughgroundsoonputhimbeyondourvision.

Forthebetterpartoftwohoursthetrailparalleledthebarrier,

andthensuddenlyturnedtowarditthroughtheroughestandseeminglymostimpassablecountryIeverhadbeheld.

Enormousgranitebouldersblockedthewayoneveryhand;deepriftsintheicethreatenedtoengulfusattheleastmisstep;andfromthenorthaslightbreezewaftedtoournostrilsanunspeakablestenchthatalmostchokedus.

Foranothertwohourswewereoccupiedintraversingafewhundredyardstothefootofthebarrier.

Then,turningaboutthecornerofawall-likeoutcroppingofgranite,wecameuponasmoothareaoftwoorthreeacresbeforethebase

ofthetoweringpileoficeandrockthathadbaffledusfordays,andbeforeusbeheldthedarkandcavernousmouthofacave.

Fromthisrepellingportalthehorridstenchwasemanating,andasThuvanDihnespiedtheplacehehaltedwithanexclamationofprofoundastonishment.

"Byallmyancestors!"heejaculated."ThatIshouldhavelivedtowitnesstherealityofthefabledCarrionCaves!Iftheseindeedbethey,wehavefoundawaybeyondtheice-barrier.



"TheancientchroniclesofthefirsthistoriansofBarsoom--soancientthatwehaveforagesconsideredthemmythology--recordthepassingoftheyellowmenfromtheravagesofthegreenhordesthatoverranBarsoomasthedryingupofthegreatoceansdrovethedominantracesfromtheirstrongholds.

"Theytellofthewanderingsoftheremnantsofthisoncepowerfulrace,harassedateverystep,untilatlasttheyfoundawaythroughtheice-barrierofthenorthtoafertilevalleyatthepole.

"Attheopeningtothesubterraneanpassagethatledtotheirhavenofrefugeamightybattlewasfoughtinwhichtheyellowmenwerevictorious,andwithinthecavesthatgaveingresstotheirnewhometheypiledthebodiesofthedead,bothyellowandgreen,thatthestenchmightwarnawaytheirenemiesfromfurtherpursuit.

"Andeversincethatlong-gonedayhavethedeadofthisfabledlandbeencarriedtotheCarrionCaves,thatindeathanddecaytheymightservetheircountryandwarnawayinvadingenemies.Here,too,isbrought,sothefableruns,allthewastestuffofthenation--everythingthatissubjecttorot,andthatcanaddtothefoulstenchthatassailsournostrils.

"Anddeathlurksateverystepamongrottingdead,forherethefierceaptslair,addingtotheputridaccumulationwiththefragmentsoftheirownpreywhichtheycannotdevour.Itisahorridavenuetoourgoal,butitistheonlyone."

"Youaresure,then,thatwehavefoundthewaytothelandoftheyellowmen?"Icried.

"Assureasmaybe,"hereplied;"havingonlyancientlegendtosupportmybelief.Butseehowclosely,sofar,eachdetailtallieswiththeworld-oldstoryofthehegiraoftheyellowrace.Yes,Iamsurethatwehavediscoveredthewaytotheirancienthidingplace."

"Ifitbetrue,andletuspraythatsuchmaybethecase,"Isaid,"thenheremaywesolvethemysteryofthedisappearanceofTardosMors,JeddakofHelium,andMorsKajak,hisson,fornootherspotuponBarsoomhasremainedunexploredbythemanyexpeditionsandthecountlessspiesthathavebeensearchingforthemfornearlytwoyears.ThelastwordthatcamefromthemwasthattheysoughtCarthoris,myownbraveson,beyondtheice-barrier."

Aswetalkedwehadbeenapproachingtheentrancetothecave,andaswecrossedthethresholdIceasedtowonderthattheancientgreenenemiesoftheyellowmenhadbeenhaltedbythehorrorsofthatawfulway.

Thebonesofdeadmenlaymanhighuponthebroadfloorofthefirstcave,andoverallwasaputridmushofdecayingflesh,throughwhichtheaptshadbeatenahideoustrailtowardtheentrancetothesecondcavebeyond.

Theroofofthisfirstapartmentwaslow,likeallthatwetraversedsubsequently,sothatthefoulodorswereconfinedandcondensedtosuchanextentthattheyseemedtopossesstangiblesubstance.Onewasalmosttemptedtodrawhisshort-swordandhewhisway



throughinsearchofpureairbeyond.

"Canmanbreathethispollutedairandlive?"askedThuvanDihn,choking.

"Notforlong,Iimagine,"Ireplied;"soletusmakehaste.Iwillgofirst,andyoubringuptherear,withWoolabetween.Come,"andwiththewordsIdashedforward,acrossthefetidmassofputrefaction.

Itwasnotuntilwehadpassedthroughsevencavesofdifferentsizesandvaryingbutlittleinthepowerandqualityoftheirstenchesthatwemetwithanyphysicalopposition.Then,withintheeighthcave,wecameuponalairofapts.

Afullscoreofthemightybeastsweredisposedaboutthechamber.Someweresleeping,whileotherstoreatthefresh-killedcarcassesofnew-broughtprey,orfoughtamongthemselvesintheirlove-making.

Hereinthedimlightoftheirsubterraneanhomethevalueoftheirgreateyeswasapparent,fortheseinnercavesareshroudedinperpetualgloomthatisbutlittlelessthanutterdarkness.

Toattempttopassthroughthemidstofthatfierceherdseemed,

eventome,theheightoffolly,andsoIproposedtoThuvanDihnthathereturntotheouterworldwithWoola,thatthetwomightfindtheirwaytocivilizationandcomeagainwithasufficientforcetoovercomenotonlytheapts,butanyfurtherobstaclesthatmightliebetweenusandourgoal.

"Inthemeantime,"Icontinued,"Imaydiscoversomemeansofwinningmywayalonetothelandoftheyellowmen,butifIamunsuccessfulonelifeonlywillhavebeensacrificed.Shouldweallgoonandperish,therewillbenonetoguideasuccoringpartytoDejahThorisandyourdaughter."

"Ishallnotreturnandleaveyouherealone,JohnCarter,"replied

ThuvanDihn."Whetheryougoontovictoryordeath,theJeddakofPtarthremainsatyourside.Ihavespoken."

Iknewfromhistonethatitwereuselesstoattempttoarguethequestion,andsoIcompromisedbysendingWoolabackwithahastilypennednoteenclosedinasmallmetalcaseandfastenedabouthisneck.IcommandedthefaithfulcreaturetoseekCarthorisatHelium,andthoughhalfaworldandcountlessdangerslaybetweenIknewthatifthethingcouldbedoneWoolawoulddoit.

Equippedashewasbynaturewithmarvelousspeedandendurance,andwithfrightfulferocitythatmadehimamatchforanysingleenemyoftheway,hiskeenintelligenceandwondrousinstinct

shouldeasilyfurnishallelsethatwasneededforthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofhismission.

Itwaswithevidentreluctancethatthegreatbeastturnedtoleavemeincompliancewithmycommand,anderehehadgoneIcouldnotresisttheinclinationtothrowmyarmsabouthisgreatneckinapartinghug.Herubbedhischeekagainstmineinafinalcaress,andamomentlaterwasspeedingthroughtheCarrionCavestowardtheouterworld.



InmynotetoCarthorisIhadgivenexplicitdirectionsforlocatingtheCarrionCaves,impressinguponhimthenecessityformakingentrancetothecountrybeyondthroughthisavenue,andnottoattemptunderanycircumstancestocrosstheice-barrierwithafleet.ItoldhimthatwhatlaybeyondtheeighthcaveIcouldnotevenguess;butIwassurethatsomewhereupontheothersideoftheice-barrierhismotherlayinthepowerofMataiShang,andthatpossiblyhisgrandfatherandgreat-grandfatheraswell,iftheylived.

Further,IadvisedhimtocalluponKulanTithandthesonofThuvanDihnforwarriorsandshipsthattheexpeditionmightbesufficientlystrongtoinsuresuccessatthefirstblow.

"And,"Iconcluded,"iftherebetimebringTarsTarkaswithyou,forifIliveuntilyoureachmeIcanthinkoffewgreaterpleasuresthantofightoncemore,shouldertoshoulder,withmyoldfriend."

WhenWoolahadleftusThuvanDihnandI,hidingintheseventhcave,discussedanddiscardedmanyplansforcrossingtheeighthchamber.Fromwherewestoodwesawthatthefightingamongtheaptswasgrowingless,andthatmanythathadbeenfeedinghadceasedandlaindowntosleep.

Presentlyitbecameapparentthatinashorttimealltheferociousmonstersmightbepeacefullyslumbering,andthusahazardousopportunitybepresentedtoustocrossthroughtheirlair.

Onebyonetheremainingbrutesstretchedthemselvesuponthebubblingdecompositionthatcoveredthemassofbonesupontheflooroftheirden,untilbutasingleaptremainedawake.Thishugefellowroamedrestlesslyabout,nosingamonghiscompanionsandtheabhorrentlitterofthecave.

Occasionallyhewouldstoptopeerintentlytowardfirstoneoftheexitsfromthechamberandthentheother.Hiswholedemeanorwasasofonewhoactsassentry.

Wewereatlastforcedtothebeliefthathewouldnotsleepwhiletheotheroccupantsofthelairslept,andsocastaboutinourmindsforsomeschemewherebywemighttrickhim.FinallyIsuggestedaplantoThuvanDihn,andasitseemedasgoodasanythatwehaddiscussedwedecidedtoputittothetest.

TothisendThuvanDihnplacedhimselfcloseagainstthecave'swall,besidetheentrancetotheeighthchamber,whileIdeliberatelyshowedmyselftotheguardianaptashelookedtowardourretreat.ThenIsprangtotheoppositesideoftheentrance,flatteningmybodyclosetothewall.

Withoutasoundthegreatbeastmovedrapidlytowardtheseventhcavetoseewhatmannerofintruderhadthusrashlypenetratedsofarwithintheprecinctsofhishabitation.

Ashepokedhisheadthroughthenarrowaperturethatconnectsthetwocavesaheavylong-swordwasawaitinghimuponeitherhand,andbeforehehadanopportunitytoemitevenasinglegrowlhisseveredheadrolledatourfeet.

Quicklyweglancedintotheeighthchamber--notanapthadmoved.



CrawlingoverthecarcassofthehugebeastthatblockedthedoorwayThuvanDihnandIcautiouslyenteredtheforbiddinganddangerousden.

Likesnailswewoundoursilentandcarefulwayamongthehuge,recumbentforms.Theonlysoundaboveourbreathingwasthesuckingnoiseofourfeetasweliftedthemfromtheoozeofdecayingfleshthroughwhichwecrept.

Halfwayacrossthechamberandoneofthemightybeastsdirectlybeforememovedrestlesslyattheveryinstantthatmyfootwaspoisedabovehishead,overwhichImuststep.

BreathlesslyIwaited,balancingupononefoot,forIdidnotdaremoveamuscle.Inmyrighthandwasmykeenshort-sword,thepointhoveringaninchabovethethickfurbeneathwhichbeatthesavageheart.

Finallytheaptrelaxed,sighing,aswiththepassingofabaddream,andresumedtheregularrespirationofdeepslumber.Iplantedmyraisedfootbeyondthefierceheadandaninstantlaterhadsteppedoverthebeast.

ThuvanDihnfolloweddirectlyafterme,andanothermomentfound

usatthefurtherdoor,undetected.

TheCarrionCavesconsistofaseriesoftwenty-sevenconnectingchambers,andpresenttheappearanceofhavingbeenerodedbyrunningwaterinsomefar-goneagewhenamightyriverfounditswaytothesouththroughthissinglebreachinthebarrierofrockandicethathemsthecountryofthepole.

ThuvanDihnandItraversedtheremainingnineteencavernswithoutadventureormishap.

WewereafterwardtolearnthatbutonceamonthisitpossibletofindalltheaptsoftheCarrionCavesinasinglechamber.

Atothertimestheyroamsinglyorinpairsinandoutofthecaves,sothatitwouldhavebeenpracticallyimpossiblefortwomentohavepassedthroughtheentiretwenty-sevenchamberswithoutencounteringanaptinnearlyeveryoneofthem.Onceamonththeysleepforafullday,anditwasourgoodfortunetostumblebyaccidentupononeoftheseoccasions.

Beyondthelastcaveweemergedintoadesolatecountryofsnowandice,butfoundawell-markedtrailleadingnorth.Thewaywasboulder-strewn,ashadbeenthatsouthofthebarrier,sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceaheadofusatanytime.

Afteracoupleofhourswepassedroundahugebouldertocometoasteepdeclivityleadingdownintoavalley.

Directlybeforeuswesawahalfdozenmen--fierce,black-beardedfellows,withskinsthecolorofaripelemon.

"TheyellowmenofBarsoom!"ejaculatedThuvanDihn,asthoughevennowthathesawthemhefounditscarcepossibletobelievethattheveryraceweexpectedtofindhiddeninthisremoteandinaccessiblelanddidreallyexist.



Wewithdrewbehindanadjacentbouldertowatchtheactionsofthelittleparty,whichstoodhuddledatthefootofanotherhugerock,theirbackstowardus.

Oneofthemwaspeeringroundtheedgeofthegranitemassasthoughwatchingonewhoapproachedfromtheoppositeside.

PresentlytheobjectofhisscrutinycamewithintherangeofmyvisionandIsawthatitwasanotheryellowman.Allwereclothedinmagnificentfurs--thesixintheblackandyellowstripedhideoftheorluk,whilehewhoapproachedalonewasresplendentinthepurewhiteskinofanapt.

Theyellowmenwerearmedwithtwoswords,andashortjavelinwasslungacrossthebackofeach,whilefromtheirleftarmshungcuplikeshieldsnolargerthanadinnerplate,theconcavesidesofwhichturnedoutwardtowardanantagonist.

Theyseemedpunyandfutileimplementsofsafetyagainstanevenordinaryswordsman,butIwaslatertoseethepurposeofthemandwithwhatwondrousdexteritytheyellowmenmanipulatethem.

Oneoftheswordswhicheachofthewarriorscarriedcaught

myimmediateattention.Icallitasword,butreallyitwasasharp-edgedbladewithacompletehookatthefarend.

Theotherswordwasofaboutthesamelengthasthehookedinstrument,andsomewherebetweenthatofmylong-swordandmyshort-sword.Itwasstraightandtwo-edged.InadditiontotheweaponsIhaveenumeratedeachmancarriedadaggerinhisharness.

Asthewhite-furredoneapproached,thesixgraspedtheirswordsmorefirmly--thehookedinstrumentinthelefthand,thestraightswordintheright,whileabovetheleftwristthesmallshieldwasheldrigiduponametalbracelet.

AsthelonewarriorcameoppositethemthesixrushedoutuponhimwithfiendishyellsthatresemblednothingmorecloselythanthesavagewarcryoftheApachesoftheSouth-west.

Instantlytheattackeddrewbothhisswords,andasthesixfelluponhimIwitnessedasprettyfightingasonemightcaretosee.

Withtheirsharphooksthecombatantsattemptedtotakeholdofanadversary,butlikelightningthecupshapedshieldwouldspringbeforethedartingweaponandintoitshollowthehookwouldplunge.

Oncethelonewarriorcaughtanantagonistinthesidewithhishook,anddrawinghimcloseranhisswordthroughhim.

Buttheoddsweretoounequal,and,thoughhewhofoughtalonewasbyfarthebestandbravestofthemall,Isawthatitwasbutaquestionoftimebeforetheremainingfivewouldfindanopeningthroughhismarvelousguardandbringhimdown.

Nowmysympathieshaveeverbeenwiththeweakersideofanargument,andthoughIknewnothingofthecauseofthetroubleIcouldnotstandidlybyandseeabravemanbutcheredbysuperiornumbers.



AsamatteroffactIpresumeIgavelittleattentiontoseekinganexcuse,forIloveagoodfighttoowelltoneedanyotherreasonforjoininginwhenoneisafoot.

SoitwasthatbeforeThuvanDihnknewwhatIwasabouthesawmestandingbythesideofthewhite-cladyellowman,battlinglikemadwithhisfiveadversaries.

WITHTHEYELLOWMEN

ThuvanDihnwasnotlonginjoiningme;and,thoughwefoundthehookedweaponastrangeandsavagethingwithwhichtodeal,thethreeofussoondespatchedthefiveblack-beardedwarriorswhoopposedus.

Whenthebattlewasoverournewacquaintanceturnedtome,andremovingtheshieldfromhiswrist,helditout.Ididnotknowthesignificanceofhisact,butjudgedthatitwasbutaformofexpressinghisgratitudetome.

Iafterwardlearnedthatitsymbolizedtheofferingofaman'slifeinreturnforsomegreatfavordonehim;andmyactofrefusing,whichIhadimmediatelydone,waswhatwasexpectedofme.

"ThenacceptfromTalu,PrinceofMarentina,"saidtheyellowman,"thistokenofmygratitude,"andreachingbeneathoneofhiswidesleeveshewithdrewabraceletandplacedituponmyarm.HethenwentthroughthesameceremonywithThuvanDihn.

Nextheaskedournames,andfromwhatlandwehailed.Heseemedquitefamiliarwiththegeographyoftheouterworld,andwhenIsaidIwasfromHeliumheraisedhisbrows.

"Ah,"hesaid,"youseekyourrulerandhiscompany?"

"Knowyouofthem?"Iasked.

"Butlittlemorethanthattheywerecapturedbymyuncle,SalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks,RulerofOkar,landoftheyellowmenofBarsoom.AstotheirfateIknownothing,forIamatwarwithmyuncle,whowouldcrushmypowerintheprincipalityofMarentina.

"Thesefromwhomyouhavejustsavedmearewarriorshehassentouttofindandslayme,fortheyknowthatoftenIcomealonetohuntandkillthesacredaptwhichSalensusOllsomuchreveres.ItispartlybecauseIhatehisreligionthatSalensusOllhates

me;butmostlydoeshefearmygrowingpowerandthegreatfactionwhichhasarisenthroughoutOkarthatwouldbegladtoseemerulerofOkarandJeddakofJeddaksinhisplace.

"Heisacruelandtyrannousmasterwhomallhate,andwereitnotforthegreatfeartheyhaveofhimIcouldraiseanarmyovernightthatwouldwipeoutthefewthatmightremainloyaltohim.Myownpeoplearefaithfultome,andthelittlevalleyofMarentinahaspaidnotributetothecourtofSalensusOllforayear.



"Norcanheforceus,foradozenmenmayholdthenarrowwaytoMarentinaagainstamillion.Butnow,astothineownaffairs.HowmayIaidyou?Mypalaceisatyourdisposal,ifyouwishtohonormebycomingtoMarentina."

"Whenourworkisdoneweshallbegladtoacceptyourinvitation,"Ireplied."ButnowyoucanassistusmostbydirectingustothecourtofSalensusOll,andsuggestingsomemeansbywhichwemaygainadmissiontothecityandthepalace,orwhateverotherplacewefindourfriendstobeconfined."

TalugazedruefullyatoursmoothfacesandatThuvanDihn'sredskinandmywhiteone.

"FirstyoumustcometoMarentina,"hesaid,"foragreatchangemustbewroughtinyourappearancebeforeyoucanhopetoenteranycityinOkar.Youmusthaveyellowfacesandblackbeards,andyourapparelandtrappingsmustbethoseleastlikelytoarousesuspicion.InmypalaceisonewhocanmakeyouappearastrulyyellowmenasdoesSalensusOllhimself."

Hiscounselseemedwise;andastherewasapparentlynootherwaytoinsureasuccessfulentrytoKadabra,thecapitalcityofOkar,wesetoutwithTalu,PrinceofMarentina,forhislittle,rock-bound

country.

ThewaywasoversomeoftheworsttravelingIhaveeverseen,andIdonotwonderthatinthislandwherethereareneitherthoatsnorfliersthatMarentinaisinlittlefearofinvasion;butatlastwereachedourdestination,thefirstviewofwhichIhadfromaslightelevationahalf-milefromthecity.

NestledinadeepvalleylayacityofMartianconcrete,whoseeverystreetandplazaandopenspacewasroofedwithglass.Allaboutlaysnowandice,buttherewasnoneupontherounded,domelike,crystalcoveringthatenvelopedthewholecity.

ThenIsawhowthesepeoplecombatedtherigorsofthearctic,andlivedinluxuryandcomfortinthemidstofalandofperpetualice.Theircitieswereveritablehothouses,andwhenIhadcomewithinthisonemyrespectandadmirationforthescientificandengineeringskillofthisburiednationwasunbounded.

ThemomentweenteredthecityTaluthrewoffhisoutergarmentsoffur,asdidwe,andIsawthathisappareldifferedbutlittlefromthatoftheredracesofBarsoom.Exceptforhisleathernharness,coveredthickwithjewelsandmetal,hewasnaked,norcouldonehavecomfortablywornapparelinthatwarmandhumidatmosphere.

ForthreedaysweremainedtheguestsofPrinceTalu,andduring

thattimeheshowereduponuseveryattentionandcourtesywithinhispower.Heshowedusallthatwasofinterestinhisgreatcity.

TheMarentinaatmosphereplantwillmaintainlifeindefinitelyinthecitiesofthenorthpoleafteralllifeuponthebalanceofdyingMarsisextinctthroughthefailureoftheairsupply,shouldthegreatcentralplantagainceasefunctioningasitdiduponthatmemorableoccasionthatgavemetheopportunityofrestoringlifeandhappinesstothestrangeworldthatIhadalreadylearnedto



lovesowell.

Heshowedustheheatingsystemthatstoresthesun'sraysingreatreservoirsbeneaththecity,andhowlittleisnecessarytomaintaintheperpetualsummerheatofthegloriousgardenspotwithinthisarcticparadise.

Broadavenuesofsodsewnwiththeseedoftheochervegetationofthedeadseabottomscarriedthenoiselesstrafficoflightandairygroundfliersthataretheonlyformofartificialtransportationusednorthofthegiganticice-barrier.

Thebroadtiresoftheseuniquefliersarebutrubber-likegasbagsfilledwiththeeighthBarsoomianray,orrayofpropulsion--thatremarkablediscoveryoftheMartiansthathasmadepossiblethegreatfleetsofmightyairshipsthatrendertheredmanoftheouterworldsupreme.Itisthisraywhichpropelstheinherentorreflectedlightoftheplanetoffintospace,andwhenconfinedgivestotheMartiancrafttheirairybuoyancy.

ThegroundfliersofMarentinacontainjustsufficientbuoyancyintheirautomobile-likewheelstogivethecarstractionforsteeringpurposes;andthoughthehindwheelsaregearedtotheengine,andaidindrivingthemachine,thebulkofthisworkiscarriedbya

smallpropelleratthestern.

Iknowofnomoredelightfulsensationthanthatofridinginoneoftheseluxuriouslyappointedcarswhichskim,lightandairyasfeathers,alongthesoft,mossyavenuesofMarentina.TheymovewithabsolutenoiselessnessbetweenbordersofcrimsonswardandbeneatharchingtreesgorgeouswiththewondrousbloomsthatmarksomanyofthehighlycultivatedvarietiesofBarsoomianvegetation.

Bytheendofthethirddaythecourtbarber--Icanthinkofnootherearthlyappellationbywhichtodescribehim--hadwroughtsoremarkableatransformationinbothThuvanDihnandmyselfthatourownwiveswouldneverhaveknownus.Ourskinswereofthe

samelemoncolorashisown,andgreat,blackbeardsandmustacheshadbeendeftlyaffixedtooursmoothfaces.ThetrappingsofwarriorsofOkaraidedinthedeception;andforwearbeyondthehothousecitiesweeachhadsuitsoftheblack-andyellow-stripedorluk.

TalugaveuscarefuldirectionsforthejourneytoKadabra,thecapitalcityoftheOkarnation,whichistheracialnameoftheyellowmen.Thisgoodfriendevenaccompanieduspartway,andthen,promisingtoaidusinanywaythathefoundpossible,badeusadieu.

Onpartingheslippeduponmyfingeracuriouslywroughtringset

withadead-black,lusterlessstone,whichappearedmorelikeabitofbituminouscoalthanthepricelessBarsoomiangemwhichinrealityitis.

"Therehadbeenbutthreeotherscutfromthemotherstone,"hesaid,"whichisinmypossession.Thesethreearewornbynobleshighinmyconfidence,allofwhomhavebeensentonsecretmissionstothecourtofSalensusOll.

"Shouldyoucomewithinfiftyfeetofanyofthesethreeyouwill



feelarapid,prickingsensationinthefingeruponwhichyouwearthisring.Hewhowearsoneofitsmateswillexperiencethesamefeeling;itiscausedbyanelectricalactionthattakesplacethemomenttwoofthesegemscutfromthesamemotherstonecomewithintheradiusofeachother'spower.Byityouwillknowthatafriendisathanduponwhomyoumaydependforassistanceintimeofneed.

"Shouldanotherwearerofoneofthesegemscalluponyouforaiddonotdenyhim,andshoulddeaththreatenyouswallowtheringratherthanletitfallintothehandsofenemies.Guarditwithyourlife,JohnCarter,forsomedayitmaymeanmorethanlifetoyou."

WiththispartingadmonitionourgoodfriendturnedbacktowardMarentina,andwesetourfacesinthedirectionofthecityofKadabraandthecourtofSalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks.

Thatveryeveningwecamewithinsightofthewalledandglass-roofedcityofKadabra.Itliesinalowdepressionnearthepole,surroundedbyrocky,snow-cladhills.Fromthepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalleywehadasplendidviewofthisgreatcityofthenorth.Itscrystaldomessparkledinthebrilliantsunlightgleamingabovethefrost-coveredouterwallthatcirclestheentireonehundredmilesofitscircumference.

Atregularintervalsgreatgatesgiveentrancetothecity;butevenatthedistancefromwhichwelookeduponthemassivepilewecouldseethatallwereclosed,and,inaccordancewithTalu'ssuggestion,wedeferredattemptingtoenterthecityuntilthefollowingmorning.

Ashehadsaid,wefoundnumerouscavesinthehillsidesaboutus,andintooneofthesewecreptforthenight.Ourwarmorlukskinskeptusperfectlycomfortable,anditwasonlyafteramostrefreshingsleepthatweawokeshortlyafterdaylightonthefollowingmorning.

Alreadythecitywasastir,andfromseveralofthegateswesawpartiesofyellowmenemerging.FollowingcloselyeachdetailoftheinstructionsgivenusbyourgoodfriendofMarentina,weremainedconcealedforseveralhoursuntilonepartyofsomehalfdozenwarriorshadpassedalongthetrailbelowourhidingplaceandenteredthehillsbywayofthepassalongwhichwehadcomethepreviousevening.

Aftergivingthemtimetogetwelloutofsightofourcave,ThuvanDihnandIcreptoutandfollowedthem,overtakingthemwhentheywerewellintothehills.

WhenwehadcomealmosttothemIcalledaloudtotheirleader,when

thewholepartyhaltedandturnedtowardus.Thecrucialtesthadcome.Couldwebutdeceivethesementherestwouldbecomparativelyeasy.

"Kaor!"IcriedasIcameclosertothem.

"Kaor!"respondedtheofficerinchargeoftheparty.

"WebefromIllall,"Icontinued,givingthenameofthemostremotecityofOkar,whichhaslittleornointercoursewithKadabra.



"Onlyyesterdaywearrived,andthismorningthecaptainofthegatetoldusthatyouweresettingouttohuntorluks,whichisasportwedonotfindinourownneighborhood.Wehavehastenedafteryoutopraythatyouallowustoaccompanyyou."

Theofficerwasentirelydeceived,andgraciouslypermittedustogowiththemfortheday.Thechanceguessthattheywerebounduponanorlukhuntprovedcorrect,andTaluhadsaidthatthechancesweretentoonethatsuchwouldbethemissionofanypartyleavingKadabrabythepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalley,sincethatwayleadsdirectlytothevastplainsfrequentedbythiselephantinebeastofprey.

Insofarasthehuntwasconcerned,thedaywasafailure,forwedidnotseeasingleorluk;butthisprovedmorethanfortunateforus,sincetheyellowmenweresochagrinedbytheirmisfortunethattheywouldnotenterthecitybythesamegatebywhichtheyhadleftitinthemorning,asitseemedthattheyhadmadegreatboaststothecaptainofthatgateabouttheirskillatthisdangeroussport.

We,therefore,approachedKadabraatapointseveralmilesfromthatatwhichthepartyhadquitteditinthemorning,andsowererelievedofthedangerofembarrassingquestionsandexplanations

onthepartofthegatecaptain,whomwehadsaidhaddirectedustothisparticularhuntingparty.

Wehadcomequiteclosetothecitywhenmyattentionwasattractedtowardatall,blackshaftthatreareditsheadseveralhundredfeetintotheairfromwhatappearedtobeatangledmassofjunkorwreckage,nowpartiallysnow-covered.

IdidnotdareventureaninquiryforfearofarousingsuspicionbyevidentignoranceofsomethingwhichasayellowmanIshouldhaveknown;butbeforewereachedthecitygateIwastolearnthepurposeofthatgrimshaftandthemeaningofthemightyaccumulationbeneathit.

Wehadcomealmosttothegatewhenoneofthepartycalledtohisfellows,atthesametimepointingtowardthedistantsouthernhorizon.Followingthedirectionheindicated,myeyesdescriedthehullofalargeflierapproachingrapidlyfromabovethecrestoftheencirclinghills.

"Stillotherfoolswhowouldsolvethemysteriesoftheforbiddennorth,"saidtheofficer,halftohimself."Willtheyneverceasetheirfatalcuriosity?"

"Letushopenot,"answeredoneofthewarriors,"forthenwhatshouldwedoforslavesandsport?"

"True;butwhatstupidbeaststheyaretocontinuetocometoaregionfromwhencenoneofthemeverhasreturned."

"Letustarryandwatchtheendofthisone,"suggestedoneofthemen.

Theofficerlookedtowardthecity.

"Thewatchhasseenhim,"hesaid;"wemayremain,forwemaybe



needed."

Ilookedtowardthecityandsawseveralhundredwarriorsissuingfromthenearestgate.Theymovedleisurely,asthoughtherewerenoneedforhaste--norwasthere,asIwaspresentlytolearn.

ThenIturnedmyeyesoncemoretowardtheflier.Shewasmovingrapidlytowardthecity,andwhenshehadcomecloseenoughIwassurprisedtoseethatherpropellerswereidle.

Straightforthatgrimshaftshebore.AtthelastminuteIsawthegreatbladesmovetoreverseher,yetonshecameasthoughdrawnbysomemighty,irresistiblepower.

Intenseexcitementprevaileduponherdeck,wheremenwererunninghitherandthither,manningthegunsandpreparingtolaunchthesmall,one-manfliers,afleetofwhichispartoftheequipmentofeveryMartianwarvessel.Closerandclosertotheblackshafttheshipsped.Inanotherinstantshemuststrike,andthenIsawthefamiliarsignalflownthatsendsthelesserboatsinagreatflockfromthedeckofthemothership.

Instantlyahundredtinyfliersrosefromherdeck,likeaswarmofhugedragonflies;butscarcelyweretheyclearofthebattleship

thanthenoseofeachturnedtowardtheshaft,andthey,too,rushedonatfrightfulspeedtowardthesamenowseeminglyinevitableendthatmenacedthelargervessel.

Amomentlaterthecollisioncame.Menwerehurledineverydirectionfromtheship'sdeck,whileshe,bentandcrumpled,tookthelast,longplungetothescrap-heapattheshaft'sbase.

Withherfellashowerofherowntinyfliers,foreachofthemhadcomeinviolentcollisionwiththesolidshaft.

Inoticedthatthewreckedfliersscrapeddowntheshaft'sside,andthattheirfallwasnotasrapidasmighthavebeenexpected;

andthensuddenlythesecretoftheshaftburstuponme,andwithitanexplanationofthecausethatpreventedaflierthatpassedtoofaracrosstheice-barriereverreturning.

Theshaftwasamightymagnet,andwhenonceavesselcamewithintheradiusofitspowerfulattractionforthealuminumsteelthatenterssolargelyintotheconstructionofallBarsoomiancraft,nopoweronearthcouldpreventsuchanendaswehadjustwitnessed.

IafterwardlearnedthattheshaftrestsdirectlyoverthemagneticpoleofMars,butwhetherthisaddsinanywaytoitsincalculablepowerofattractionIdonotknow.Iamafightingman,notascientist.

Here,atlast,wasanexplanationofthelongabsenceofTardosMorsandMorsKajak.ThesevaliantandintrepidwarriorshaddaredthemysteriesanddangersofthefrozennorthtosearchforCarthoris,whoselongabsencehadbowedingrieftheheadofhisbeautifulmother,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium.

Themomentthatthelastoftheflierscametorestatthebaseoftheshafttheblack-bearded,yellowwarriorsswarmedoverthemassofwreckageuponwhichtheylay,makingprisonersofthosewhowere



uninjuredandoccasionallydespatchingwithasword-thrustoneofthewoundedwhoseemedpronetoresenttheirtauntsandinsults.

Afewoftheuninjuredredmenbattledbravelyagainsttheircruelfoes,butforthemostparttheyseemedtoooverwhelmedbythehorrorofthecatastrophethathadbefallenthemtodomorethansubmitsupinelytothegoldenchainswithwhichtheyweremanacled.

Whenthelastoftheprisonershadbeenconfined,thepartyreturnedtothecity,atthegateofwhichwemetapackoffierce,gold-collaredapts,eachofwhichmarchedbetweentwowarriors,whoheldthemwithstrongchainsofthesamemetalastheircollars.

Justbeyondthegatetheattendantsloosenedthewholeterribleherd,andastheyboundedofftowardthegrim,blackshaftIdidnotneedtoasktoknowtheirmission.HadtherenotbeenthosewithinthecruelcityofKadabrawhoneededsuccorfarworsethanthepoorunfortunatedeadanddyingoutthereinthecolduponthebentandbrokencarcassesofathousandfliersIcouldnothaverestrainedmydesiretohastenbackanddobattlewiththosehorridcreaturesthathadbeendespatchedtorendanddevourthem.

AsitwasIcouldbutfollowtheyellowwarriors,withbowedhead,andgivethanksforthechancethathadgivenThuvanDihnandme

sucheasyingresstothecapitalofSalensusOll.

Oncewithinthegates,wehadnodifficultyineludingourfriendsofthemorning,andpresentlyfoundourselvesinaMartianhostelry.

INDURANCE

ThepublichousesofBarsoom,Ihavefound,varybutlittle.Thereisnoprivacyforotherthanmarriedcouples.

Menwithouttheirwivesareescortedtoalargechamber,thefloorofwhichisusuallyofwhitemarbleorheavyglass,keptscrupulouslyclean.Herearemanysmall,raisedplatformsfortheguest'ssleepingsilksandfurs,andifhehavenoneofhisownclean,freshonesarefurnishedatanominalcharge.

Onceaman'sbelongingshavebeendepositedupononeoftheseplatformsheisaguestofthehouse,andthatplatformhisownuntilheleaves.Noonewilldisturbormolesthisbelongings,astherearenothievesuponMars.

Asassassinationistheonethingtobefeared,theproprietors

ofthehostelriesfurnisharmedguards,whopacebackandforththroughthesleeping-roomsdayandnight.Thenumberofguardsandgorgeousnessoftheirtrappingsquiteusuallydenotethestatusofthehotel.

Nomealsareservedinthesehouses,butgenerallyapubliceatingplaceadjoinsthem.Bathsareconnectedwiththesleepingchambers,andeachguestisrequiredtobathedailyordepartfromthehotel.

Usuallyonasecondorthirdfloorthereisalargesleeping-room



forsinglewomenguests,butitsappointmentsdonotvarymateriallyfromthechamberoccupiedbymen.Theguardswhowatchthewomenremaininthecorridoroutsidethesleepingchamber,whilefemaleslavespacebackandforthamongthesleeperswithin,readytonotifythewarriorsshouldtheirpresenceberequired.

Iwassurprisedtonotethatalltheguardswiththehotelatwhichwestoppedwereredmen,andoninquiringofoneofthemIlearnedthattheywereslavespurchasedbytheproprietorsofthehotelsfromthegovernment.ThemanwhosepostwaspastmysleepingplatformhadbeencommanderofthenavyofagreatMartiannation;butfatehadcarriedhisflagshipacrosstheice-barrierwithintheradiusofpowerofthemagneticshaft,andnowformanytediousyearshehadbeenaslaveoftheyellowmen.

Hetoldmethatprinces,jeds,andevenjeddaksoftheouterworld,wereamongthemenialswhoservedtheyellowrace;butwhenIaskedhimifhehadheardofthefateofMorsKajakorTardosMorsheshookhishead,sayingthatheneverhadheardoftheirbeingprisonershere,thoughhewasveryfamiliarwiththereputationsandfametheyboreintheouterworld.

NeitherhadheheardanyrumorofthecomingoftheFatherofThernsandtheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,buthehastenedtoexplain

thatheknewlittleofwhattookplacewithinthepalace.Icouldseethathewonderednotalittlethatayellowmanshouldbesoinquisitiveaboutcertainredprisonersfrombeyondtheice-barrier,andthatIshouldbesoignorantofcustomsandconditionsamongmyownrace.

Infact,Ihadforgottenmydisguiseupondiscoveringaredmanpacingbeforemysleepingplatform;buthisgrowingexpressionofsurprisewarnedmeintime,forIhadnomindtorevealmyidentitytoanyunlesssomegoodcouldcomeofit,andIdidnotseehowthispoorfellowcouldservemeyet,thoughIhaditinmymindthatlaterImightbethemeansofservinghimandalltheotherthousandsofprisonerswhodothebiddingoftheirsternmasters

inKadabra.

ThuvanDihnandIdiscussedourplansaswesattogetheramongoursleepingsilksandfursthatnightinthemidstofthehundredsofyellowmenwhooccupiedtheapartmentwithus.Wespokeinlowwhispers,but,asthatisonlywhatcourtesydemandsinapublicsleepingplace,werousednosuspicion.

Atlast,determiningthatallmustbebutidlespeculationuntilafterwehadhadachancetoexplorethecityandattempttoputintoexecutiontheplanTaluhadsuggested,webadeeachothergoodnightandturnedtosleep.

AfterbreakfastingthefollowingmorningwesetouttoseeKadabra,andas,throughthegenerosityoftheprinceofMarentina,wewerewellsuppliedwiththefundscurrentinOkarwepurchasedahandsomegroundflier.HavinglearnedtodrivethemwhileinMarentina,wespentadelightfulandprofitabledayexploringthecity,andlateintheafternoonatthehourTalutolduswewouldfindgovernmentofficialsintheiroffices,westoppedbeforeamagnificentbuildingontheplazaoppositetheroyalgroundsandthepalace.

Herewewalkedboldlyinpastthearmedguardatthedoor,tobe



metbyaredslavewithinwhoaskedourwishes.

"TellSorav,yourmaster,thattwowarriorsfromIllallwishtotakeserviceinthepalaceguard,"Isaid.

Sorav,Taluhadtoldus,wasthecommanderoftheforcesofthepalace,andasmenfromthefurthercitiesofOkar--andespeciallyIllall--werelesslikelytobetaintedwiththegermofintriguewhichhadforyearsinfectedthehouseholdofSalensusOll,hewassurethatwewouldbewelcomedandfewquestionsaskedus.

HehadprimeduswithsuchgeneralinformationashethoughtwouldbenecessaryforustopassmusterbeforeSorav,afterwhichwewouldhavetoundergoafurtherexaminationbeforeSalensusOllthathemightdetermineourphysicalfitnessandourabilityaswarriors.

Thelittleexperiencewehadhadwiththestrangehookedswordoftheyellowmanandhiscuplikeshieldmadeitseemratherunlikelythateitherofuscouldpassthisfinaltest,buttherewasthechancethatwemightbequarteredinthepalaceofSalensusOllforseveraldaysafterbeingacceptedbySoravbeforetheJeddakofJeddakswouldfindtimetoputustothefinaltest.

Afterawaitofseveralminutesinanante-chamberweweresummoned

intotheprivateofficeofSorav,wherewewerecourteouslygreetedbythisferocious-appearing,black-beardedofficer.Heaskedusournamesandstationsinourowncity,andhavingreceivedrepliesthatwereevidentlysatisfactorytohim,heputcertainquestionstousthatTaluhadforeseenandpreparedusfor.

TheinterviewcouldnothavelastedovertenminuteswhenSoravsummonedanaidwhomheinstructedtorecordusproperly,andthenescortustothequartersinthepalacewhicharesetasideforaspirantstomembershipinthepalaceguard.

Theaidtookustohisownofficefirst,wherehemeasuredandweighedandphotographedussimultaneouslywithamachineingeniously

devisedforthatpurpose,fivecopiesbeinginstantlyreproducedinfivedifferentofficesofthegovernment,twoofwhicharelocatedinothercitiesmilesdistant.Thenheledusthroughthepalacegroundstothemainguardroomofthepalace,thereturningusovertotheofficerincharge.

Thisindividualagainquestionedusbriefly,andfinallydespatchedasoldiertoguideustoourquarters.Thesewefoundlocateduponthesecondfloorofthepalaceinasemi-detachedtowerattherearoftheedifice.

Whenweaskedourguidewhywewerequarteredsofarfromtheguardroomherepliedthatthecustomoftheoldermembersofthe

guardofpickingquarrelswithaspirantstotrytheirmetalhadresultedinsomanydeathsthatitwasfounddifficulttomaintaintheguardatitsfullstrengthwhilethiscustomprevailed.SalensusOllhad,therefore,setapartthesequartersforaspirants,andheretheyweresecurelylockedagainstthedangerofattackbymembersoftheguard.

Thisunwelcomeinformationputasuddenchecktoallourwell-laidplans,foritmeantthatweshouldvirtuallybeprisonersinthepalaceofSalensusOlluntilthetimethatheshouldseefitto



giveusthefinalexaminationforefficiency.

AsitwasthisintervaluponwhichwehadbankedtoaccomplishsomuchinoursearchforDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth,ourchagrinwasunboundedwhenweheardthegreatlockclickbehindourguideashehadquittedusafterusheringusintothechambersweweretooccupy.

WithawryfaceIturnedtoThuvanDihn.Mycompanionbutshookhisheaddisconsolatelyandwalkedtooneofthewindowsuponthefarsideoftheapartment.

Scarcelyhadhegazedbeyondthemthanhecalledtomeinatoneofsuppressedexcitementandsurprise.InaninstantIwasbyhisside.

"Look!"saidThuvanDihn,pointingtowardthecourtyardbelow.

AsmyeyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedIsawtwowomenpacingbackandforthinanenclosedgarden.

AtthesamemomentIrecognizedthem--theywereDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth!

ThereweretheywhomIhadtrailedfromonepoletoanother,thelengthofaworld.Onlytenfeetofspaceandafewmetalbarsseparatedmefromthem.

WithacryIattractedtheirattention,andasDejahThorislookedupfullintomyeyesImadethesignoflovethatthemenofBarsoommaketotheirwomen.

Tomyastonishmentandhorrorherheadwenthigh,andasalookofuttercontempttouchedherfinelychiseledfeaturessheturnedherbackfulluponme.Mybodyiscoveredwiththescarsofathousandconflicts,butneverinallmylonglifehaveIsufferedsuchanguishfromawound,forthistimethesteelofawoman's

lookhadenteredmyheart.

WithagroanIturnedawayandburiedmyfaceinmyarms.IheardThuvanDihncallaloudtoThuvia,butaninstantlaterhisexclamationofsurprisebetokenedthathe,too,hadbeenrepulsedbyhisowndaughter.

"Theywillnotevenlisten,"hecriedtome."Theyhaveputtheirhandsovertheirearsandwalkedtothefartherendofthegarden.Everheardyouofsuchmadwork,JohnCarter?Thetwomustbebewitched."

PresentlyImusteredthecouragetoreturntothewindow,for

eventhoughshespurnedmeIlovedher,andcouldnotkeepmyeyesfromfeastinguponherdivinefaceandfigure,butwhenshesawmelookingsheagainturnedaway.

Iwasatmywit'sendtoaccountforherstrangeactions,andthatThuvia,too,hadturnedagainstherfatherseemedincredible.CoulditbethatmyincomparableprincessstillclungtothehideousfaithfromwhichIhadrescuedherworld?CoulditbethatshelookeduponmewithloathingandcontemptbecauseIhadreturnedfromtheValleyDor,orbecauseIhaddesecratedthetemplesandpersonsof



theHolyTherns?

TonaughtelsecouldIascribeherstrangedeportment,yetitseemedfarfrompossiblethatsuchcouldbethecase,fortheloveofDejahThorisforJohnCarterhadbeenagreatandwondrouslove--faraboveracialdistinctions,creed,orreligion.

AsIgazedruefullyatthebackofherhaughty,royalheadagateattheoppositeendofthegardenopenedandamanentered.Ashedidsoheturnedandslippedsomethingintothehandoftheyellowguardsmanbeyondthegate,norwasthedistancetoogreatthatImightnotseethatmoneyhadpassedbetweenthem.

InstantlyIknewthatthisnewcomerhadbribedhiswaywithinthegarden.Thenheturnedinthedirectionofthetwowomen,andIsawthathewasnoneotherthanThurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn.

Heapproachedquiteclosetothembeforehespoke,andastheyturnedatthesoundofhisvoiceIsawDejahThorisshrinkfromhim.

Therewasanastyleeruponhisfaceashesteppedclosetoherandspokeagain.Icouldnothearhiswords,butheranswercameclearly.

"ThegranddaughterofTardosMorscanalwaysdie,"shesaid,"butshecouldneverliveatthepriceyouname."

ThenIsawtheblackscoundrelgouponhiskneesbesideher,fairlygrovelinginthedirt,pleadingwithher.Onlypartofwhathesaidcametome,forthoughhewasevidentlylaboringunderthestressofpassionandexcitement,itwasequallyapparentthathedidnotdareraisehisvoiceforfearofdetection.

"IwouldsaveyoufromMataiShang,"Iheardhimsay."Youknowthefatethatawaitsyouathishands.Wouldyounotchoosemeratherthantheother?"

"Iwouldchooseneither,"repliedDejahThoris,"evenwereIfreetochoose,asyouknowwellIamnot."

"YouAREfree!"hecried."JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,isdead."

"Iknowbetterthanthat;butevenwerehedead,andImustneedschooseanothermate,itshouldbeaplantmanoragreatwhiteapeinpreferencetoeitherMataiShangoryou,blackcalot,"sheansweredwithasneerofcontempt.

Ofasuddentheviciousbeastlostallcontrolofhimself,aswithavileoathheleapedattheslenderwoman,grippinghertender

throatinhisbruteclutch.Thuviascreamedandsprangtoaidherfellow-prisoner,andatthesameinstantI,too,wentmad,andtearingatthebarsthatspannedmywindowIrippedthemfromtheirsocketsastheyhadbeenbutcopperwire.

HurlingmyselfthroughtheapertureIreachedthegarden,butahundredfeetfromwheretheblackwaschokingthelifefrommyDejahThoris,andwithasinglegreatboundIwasuponhim.IspokenowordasItorehisdefilingfingersfromthatbeautifulthroat,nordidIutterasoundasIhurledhimtwentyfeetfromme.



Foamingwithrage,Thuridregainedhisfeetandchargedmelikeamadbull.

"Yellowman,"heshrieked,"youknewnotuponwhomyouhadlaidyourvilehands,butereIamdonewithyou,youwillknowwellwhatitmeanstooffendthepersonofaFirstBorn."

Thenhewasuponme,reachingformythroat,andpreciselyasIhaddonethatdayinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssusIdidhereinthegardenofthepalaceofSalensusOll.Iduckedbeneathhisoutstretchedarms,andashelungedpastmeIplantedaterrificrightuponthesideofhisjaw.

Justashehaddoneuponthatotheroccasionhedidnow.Likeatophespunround,hiskneesgavebeneathhim,andhecrumpledtothegroundatmyfeet.ThenIheardavoicebehindme.

Itwasthedeepvoiceofauthoritythatmarkstherulerofmen,andwhenIturnedtofacetheresplendentfigureofagiantyellowmanIdidnotneedtoasktoknowthatitwasSalensusOll.AthisrightstoodMataiShang,andbehindthemascoreofguardsmen.

"Whoareyou,"hecried,"andwhatmeansthisintrusionwithinthe

precinctsofthewomen'sgarden?Idonotrecallyourface.Howcameyouhere?"

ButforhislastwordsIshouldhaveforgottenmydisguiseentirelyandtoldhimoutrightthatIwasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium;buthisquestionrecalledmetomyself.Ipointedtothedislodgedbarsofthewindowabove.

"Iamanaspiranttomembershipinthepalaceguard,"Isaid,"andfromyonderwindowinthetowerwhereIwasconfinedawaitingthefinaltestforfitnessIsawthisbruteattackthe--thiswoman.Icouldnotstandidlyby,OJeddak,andseethisthingdonewithintheverypalacegrounds,andyetfeelthatIwasfittoserveand

guardyourroyalperson."

IhadevidentlymadeanimpressionupontherulerofOkarbymyfairwords,andwhenhehadturnedtoDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth,andbothhadcorroboratedmystatementsitbegantolookprettydarkforThurid.

IsawtheuglygleaminMataiShang'sevileyesasDejahThorisnarratedallthathadpassedbetweenThuridandherself,andwhenshecametothatpartwhichdealtwithmyinterferencewiththedatoroftheFirstBornhergratitudewasquiteapparent,thoughIcouldseebyhereyesthatsomethingpuzzledherstrangely.

Ididnotwonderatherattitudetowardmewhileotherswerepresent;butthatsheshouldhavedeniedmewhilesheandThuviaweretheonlyoccupantsofthegardenstillcutmesorely.

AstheexaminationproceededIcastaglanceatThuridandstartledhimlookingwide-eyedandwonderinglyatme,andthenofasuddenhelaughedfullinmyface.

AmomentlaterSalensusOllturnedtowardtheblack.



"Whathaveyoutosayinexplanationofthesecharges?"heaskedinadeepandterriblevoice."DareyouaspiretoonewhomtheFatherofThernshaschosen--onewhomightevenbeafitmatefortheJeddakofJeddakshimself?"

Andthentheblack-beardedtyrantturnedandcastasuddengreedylookuponDejahThoris,asthoughwiththewordsanewthoughtandanewdesirehadsprungupwithinhismindandbreast.

Thuridhadbeenabouttoreplyand,withamaliciousgrinuponhisface,waspointinganaccusingfingeratme,whenSalensusOll'swordsandtheexpressionofhisfacecuthimshort.

Acunninglookcreptintohiseyes,andIknewfromtheexpressionofhisfacethathisnextwordswerenottheoneshehadintendedtospeak.

"OMightiestofJeddaks,"hesaid,"themanandthewomendonotspeakthetruth.Thefellowhadcomeintothegardentoassistthemtoescape.Iwasbeyondandoverheardtheirconversation,andwhenIentered,thewomanscreamedandthemanspranguponmeandwouldhavekilledme.

"Whatknowyouofthisman?Heisastrangertoyou,andIdare

saythatyouwillfindhimanenemyandaspy.Lethimbeputontrial,SalensusOll,ratherthanyourfriendandguest,Thurid,DatoroftheFirstBorn."

SalensusOlllookedpuzzled.HeturnedagainandlookeduponDejahThoris,andthenThuridsteppedquiteclosetohimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear--what,Iknownot.

Presentlytheyellowrulerturnedtooneofhisofficers.

"Seethatthismanbesecurelyconfineduntilwehavetimetogodeeperintothisaffair,"hecommanded,"andasbarsaloneseeminadequatetorestrainhim,letchainsbeadded."

Thenheturnedandleftthegarden,takingDejahThoriswithhim--hishanduponhershoulder.ThuridandMataiShangwentalso,andastheyreachedthegatewaytheblackturnedandlaughedagainaloudinmyface.

Whatcouldbethemeaningofhissuddenchangetowardme?Couldhesuspectmytrueidentity?Itmustbethat,andthethingthathadbetrayedmewasthetrickandblowthathadlaidhimlowforthesecondtime.

Astheguardsdraggedmeawaymyheartwasverysadandbitterindeed,fornowtothetworelentlessenemiesthathadhoundedher

forsolonganotherandamorepowerfulonehadbeenadded,forIwouldhavebeenbutafoolhadInotrecognizedthesuddenloveforDejahThoristhathadjustbeenbornintheterriblebreastofSalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks,rulerofOkar.

THEPITOFPLENTY



IdidnotlanguishlongwithintheprisonofSalensusOll.DuringtheshorttimethatIlaythere,fetteredwithchainsofgold,IoftenwonderedastothefateofThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth.

MybravecompanionhadfollowedmeintothegardenasIattackedThurid,andwhenSalensusOllhadleftwithDejahThorisandtheothers,leavingThuviaofPtarthbehind,he,too,hadremainedinthegardenwithhisdaughter,apparentlyunnoticed,forhewasappareledsimilarlytotheguards.

ThelastIhadseenofhimhestoodwaitingforthewarriorswhoescortedmetoclosethegatebehindthem,thathemightbealonewithThuvia.Coulditbepossiblethattheyhadescaped?Idoubtedit,andyetwithallmyheartIhopedthatitmightbetrue.

Thethirddayofmyincarcerationbroughtadozenwarriorstoescortmetotheaudiencechamber,whereSalensusOllhimselfwastotryme.Agreatnumberofnoblescrowdedtheroom,andamongthemIsawThurid,butMataiShangwasnotthere.

DejahThoris,asradiantlybeautifulasever,satuponasmallthronebesideSalensusOll.Theexpressionofsadhopelessnessuponherdearfacecutdeepintomyheart.

HerpositionbesidetheJeddakofJeddaksbodedillforherandme,andontheinstantthatIsawherthere,theresprangtomymindthefirmintentionnevertoleavethatchamberaliveifImustleaveherintheclutchesofthispowerfultyrant.

IhadkilledbettermenthanSalensusOll,andkilledthemwithmybarehands,andnowIsworetomyselfthatIshouldkillhimifIfoundthattheonlywaytosavethePrincessofHelium.ThatitwouldmeanalmostinstantdeathformeIcarednot,exceptthatitwouldremovemefromfurthereffortsinbehalfofDejahThoris,andforthisreasonaloneIwouldhavechosenanotherway,foreventhoughIshouldkillSalensusOllthatactwouldnotrestore

mybelovedwifetoherownpeople.Ideterminedtowaitthefinaloutcomeofthetrial,thatImightlearnallthatIcouldoftheOkarianruler'sintentions,andthenactaccordingly.

ScarcelyhadIcomebeforehimthanSalensusOllsummonedThuridalso.

"DatorThurid,"hesaid,"youhavemadeastrangerequestofme;but,inaccordancewithyourwishesandyourpromisethatitwillresultonlytomyinterests,Ihavedecidedtoaccede.

"Youtellmethatacertainannouncementwillbethemeansofconvictingthisprisonerand,atthesametime,openthewayto

thegratificationofmydearestwish."

Thuridnodded.

"ThenshallImaketheannouncementherebeforeallmynobles,"continuedSalensusOll."Forayearnoqueenhassatuponthethronebesideme,andnowitsuitsmetotaketowifeonewhoisreputedthemostbeautifulwomanuponBarsoom.Astatementwhichnonemaytruthfullydeny.



"NoblesofOkar,unsheatheyourswordsanddohomagetoDejahThoris,PrincessofHeliumandfutureQueenofOkar,forattheendoftheallottedtendayssheshallbecomethewifeofSalensusOll."

Asthenoblesdrewtheirbladesandliftedthemonhigh,inaccordancewiththeancientcustomofOkarwhenajeddakannounceshisintentiontowed,DejahThorissprangtoherfeetand,raisingherhandaloft,criedinaloudvoicethattheydesist.

"ImaynotbethewifeofSalensusOll,"shepleaded,"foralreadyIbeawifeandmother.JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,stilllives.Iknowittobetrue,forIoverheardMataiShangtellhisdaughterPhaidorthathehadseenhiminKaor,atthecourtofKulanTith,Jeddak.Ajeddakdoesnotwedamarriedwoman,norwillSalensusOllthusviolatethebondsofmatrimony."

SalensusOllturneduponThuridwithanuglylook.

"Isthisthesurpriseyouheldinstoreforme?"hecried."Youassuredmethatnoobstaclewhichmightnotbeeasilyovercomestoodbetweenmeandthiswoman,andnowIfindthattheoneinsuperableobstacleintervenes.Whatmeanyou,man?Whathaveyoutosay?"

"AndshouldIdeliverJohnCarterintoyourhands,SalensusOll,

wouldyounotfeelthatIhadmorethansatisfiedthepromisethatImadeyou?"answeredThurid.

"Talknotlikeafool,"criedtheenragedjeddak."Iamnochildtobethusplayedwith."

"Iamtalkingonlyasamanwhoknows,"repliedThurid."Knowsthathecandoallthatheclaims."

"ThenturnJohnCarterovertomewithintendaysoryourselfsuffertheendthatIshouldmeteouttohimwereheinmypower!"snappedtheJeddakofJeddaks,withanuglyscowl.

"Youneednotwaittendays,SalensusOll,"repliedThurid;andthen,turningsuddenlyuponmeasheextendedapointingfinger,hecried:"TherestandsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium!"

"Fool!"shriekedSalensusOll."Fool!JohnCarterisawhiteman.Thisfellowbeasyellowasmyself.JohnCarter'sfaceissmooth--MataiShanghasdescribedhimtome.ThisprisonerhasabeardandmustacheaslargeandblackasanyinOkar.Quick,guardsmen,tothepitswiththeblackmaniacwhowishestothrowhislifeawayforapoorjokeuponyourruler!"

"Hold!"criedThurid,andspringingforwardbeforeIcouldguesshisintention,hehadgraspedmybeardandrippedthewholefalse

fabricfrommyfaceandhead,revealingmysmooth,tannedskinbeneathandmyclose-croppedblackhair.

InstantlypandemoniumreignedintheaudiencechamberofSalensusOll.Warriorspressedforwardwithdrawnblades,thinkingthatImightbecontemplatingtheassassinationoftheJeddakofJeddaks;whileothers,outofcuriositytoseeonewhosenamewasfamiliarfrompoletopole,crowdedbehindtheirfellows.

AsmyidentitywasrevealedIsawDejahThorisspringtoher



feet--amazementwritlargeuponherface--andthenthroughthatjamofarmedmensheforcedherwaybeforeanycouldprevent.Amomentonlyandshewasbeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandeyesfilledwiththelightofhergreatlove.

"JohnCarter!JohnCarter!"shecriedasIfoldedhertomybreast,andthenofasuddenIknewwhyshehaddeniedmeinthegardenbeneaththetower.

WhatafoolIhadbeen!ExpectingthatshewouldpenetratethemarvelousdisguisethathadbeenwroughtformebythebarberofMarentina!Shehadnotknownme,thatwasall;andwhenshesawthesignoflovefromastrangershewasoffendedandrighteouslyindignant.Indeed,butIhadbeenafool.

"Anditwasyou,"shecried,"whospoketomefromthetower!HowcouldIdreamthatmybelovedVirginianlaybehindthatfiercebeardandthatyellowskin?"

ShehadbeenwonttocallmeherVirginianasatermofendearment,forsheknewthatIlovedthesoundofthatbeautifulname,madeathousandtimesmorebeautifulandhallowedbyherdearlips,andasIhearditagainafterallthoselongyearsmyeyesbecamedimmedwithtearsandmyvoicechokedwithemotion.

ButaninstantdidIcrushthatdearformtomeereSalensusOll,tremblingwithrageandjealousy,shoulderedhiswaytous.

"Seizetheman,"hecriedtohiswarriors,andahundredruthlesshandstoreusapart.

WellitwasforthenoblesofthecourtofOkarthatJohnCarterhadbeendisarmed.Asitwas,adozenofthemfelttheweightofmyclenchedfists,andIhadfoughtmywayhalfupthestepsbeforethethronetowhichSalensusOllhadcarriedDejahThorisereevertheycouldstopme.

ThenIwentdown,fighting,beneathahalf-hundredwarriors;butbeforetheyhadbatteredmeintounconsciousnessIheardthatfromthelipsofDejahThoristhatmadeallmysufferingwellworthwhile.

Standingtherebesidethegreattyrant,whoclutchedherbythearm,shepointedtowhereIfoughtaloneagainstsuchawfulodds.

"Thinkyou,SalensusOll,thatthewifeofsuchasheis,"shecried,"wouldeverdishonorhismemory,wereheathousandtimesdead,bymatingwithalessermortal?LivesthereuponanyworldsuchanotherasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium?Livesthereanothermanwhocouldfighthiswaybackandforthacrossawarlikeplanet,

facingsavagebeastsandhordesofsavagemen,fortheloveofawoman?

"I,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,amhis.Hefoughtformeandwonme.Ifyoubeabravemanyouwillhonorthebraverythatishis,andyouwillnotkillhim.Makehimaslaveifyouwill,SalensusOll;butsparehislife.IwouldratherbeaslavewithsuchashethanbeQueenofOkar."

"NeitherslavenorqueendictatestoSalensusOll,"repliedthe



JeddakofJeddaks."JohnCartershalldieanaturaldeathinthePitofPlenty,andthedayhediesDejahThorisshallbecomemyqueen."

Ididnothearherreply,foritwasthenthatablowuponmyheadbroughtunconsciousness,andwhenIrecoveredmysensesonlyahandfulofguardsmenremainedintheaudiencechamberwithme.AsIopenedmyeyestheygoadedmewiththepointsoftheirswordsandbademerise.

Thentheyledmethroughlongcorridorstoacourtfartowardthecenterofthepalace.

Inthecenterofthecourtwasadeeppit,neartheedgeofwhichstoodhalfadozenotherguardsmen,awaitingme.Oneofthemcarriedalongropeinhishands,whichhecommencedtomakereadyasweapproached.

WehadcometowithinfiftyfeetofthesemenwhenIfeltasuddenstrangeandrapidprickingsensationinoneofmyfingers.

ForamomentIwasnonplusedbytheoddfeeling,andthentherecametomerecollectionofthatwhichinthestressofmyadventureIhadentirelyforgotten--thegiftringofPrinceTaluofMarentina.

InstantlyIlookedtowardthegroupwewerenearing,atthesametimeraisingmylefthandtomyforehead,thattheringmightbevisibletoonewhosoughtit.Simultaneouslyoneofthewaitingwarriorsraisedhislefthand,ostensiblytobrushbackhishair,andupononeofhisfingersIsawtheduplicateofmyownring.

Aquicklookofintelligencepassedbetweenus,afterwhichIkeptmyeyesturnedawayfromthewarrioranddidnotlookathimagain,forfearthatImightarousethesuspicionoftheOkarians.WhenwereachedtheedgeofthepitIsawthatitwasverydeep,andpresentlyIrealizedIwassoontojudgejusthowfaritextendedbelowthesurfaceofthecourt,forhewhoheldtheropepassedit

aboutmybodyinsuchawaythatitcouldbereleasedfromaboveatanytime;andthen,asallthewarriorsgraspedit,hepushedmeforward,andIfellintotheyawningabyss.

AfterthefirstjerkasIreachedtheendoftheropethathadbeenpaidouttoletmefallbelowthepit'sedgetheyloweredmequicklybutsmoothly.Themomentbeforetheplunge,whiletwoorthreeofthemenhadbeenassistinginadjustingtheropeaboutme,oneofthemhadbroughthismouthclosetomycheek,andinthebriefintervalbeforeIwascastintotheforbiddingholehebreathedasinglewordintomyear:

"Courage!"

Thepit,whichmyimaginationhadpicturedasbottomless,provedtobenotmorethanahundredfeetindepth;butasitswallsweresmoothlypolisheditmightaswellhavebeenathousandfeet,forIcouldneverhopetoescapewithoutoutsideassistance.

ForadayIwasleftindarkness;andthen,quitesuddenly,abrilliantlightilluminedmystrangecell.Iwasreasonablyhungryandthirstybythistime,nothavingtastedfoodordrinksincethedaypriortomyincarceration.



TomyamazementIfoundthesidesofthepit,thatIhadthoughtsmooth,linedwithshelves,uponwhichwerethemostdeliciousviandsandliquidrefreshmentsthatOkarafforded.

WithanexclamationofdelightIsprangforwardtopartakeofsomeofthewelcomefood,butereeverIreacheditthelightwasextinguished,and,thoughIgropedmywayaboutthechamber,myhandscameincontactwithnothingbesidethesmooth,hardwallthatIhadfeltonmyfirstexaminationofmyprison.

Immediatelythepangsofhungerandthirstbegantoassailme.WherebeforeIhadhadbutamildcravingforfoodanddrink,Inowactuallysufferedforwantofit,andallbecauseofthetantalizingsightthatIhadhadoffoodalmostwithinmygrasp.

Oncemoredarknessandsilenceenvelopedme,asilencethatwasbrokenonlybyasinglemockinglaugh.

Foranotherdaynothingoccurredtobreakthemonotonyofmyimprisonmentorrelievethesufferingsuperinducedbyhungerandthirst.Slowlythepangsbecamelesskeen,assufferingdeadenedtheactivityofcertainnerves;andthenthelightflashedononceagain,andbeforemestoodanarrayofnewandtemptingdishes,

withgreatbottlesofclearwaterandflagonsofrefreshingwine,upontheoutsideofwhichthecoldsweatofcondensationstood.

Again,withthehungermadnessofawildbeast,Isprangforwardtoseizethosetemptingdishes;but,asbefore,thelightwentoutandIcametoasuddenstopagainstahardwall.

Thenthemockinglaughrangoutforasecondtime.

ThePitofPlenty!

Ah,whatacruelmindmusthavedevisedthisexquisite,hellishtorture!Dayafterdaywasthethingrepeated,untilIwason

thevergeofmadness;andthen,asIhaddoneinthepitsoftheWarhoons,Itookanew,firmholduponmyreasonandforceditbackintothechannelsofsanity.

Bysheerwill-powerIregainedcontrolovermytotteringmentality,andsosuccessfulwasIthatthenexttimethatthelightcameIsatquitestillandlookedindifferentlyatthefreshandtemptingfoodalmostwithinmyreach.GladIwasthatIhaddoneso,foritgavemeanopportunitytosolvetheseemingmysteryofthosevanishingbanquets.

AsImadenomovetoreachthefood,thetorturersleftthelightturnedoninthehopethatatlastIcouldrefrainnolongerfrom

givingthemthedeliciousthrillofenjoymentthatmyformerfutileeffortstoobtainithadcaused.

AndasIsatscrutinizingtheladenshelvesIpresentlysawhowthethingwasaccomplished,andsosimplewasitthatIwonderedIhadnotguesseditbefore.Thewallofmyprisonwasofclearestglass--behindtheglasswerethetantalizingviands.

Afternearlyanhourthelightwentout,butthistimetherewasnomockinglaughter--atleastnotuponthepartofmytormentors;



butI,tobeatquitswiththem,gavealowlaughthatnonemightmistakeforthecackleofamaniac.

Ninedayspassed,andIwasweakfromhungerandthirst,butnolongersuffering--Iwaspastthat.Then,downthroughthedarknessabove,alittleparcelfelltotheflooratmyside.

IndifferentlyIgropedforit,thinkingitbutsomenewinventionofmyjailerstoaddtomysufferings.

AtlastIfoundit--atinypackagewrappedinpaper,attheendofastrongandslendercord.AsIopeneditafewlozengesfelltothefloor.AsIgatheredthemup,feelingofthemandsmellingofthem,IdiscoveredthattheyweretabletsofconcentratedfoodsuchasarequitecommoninallpartsofBarsoom.

Poison!Ithought.

Well,whatofit?Whynotendmymiserynowratherthandragoutafewmorewretcheddaysinthisdarkpit?SlowlyIraisedoneofthelittlepelletstomylips.

"Good-bye,myDejahThoris!"Ibreathed."Ihavelivedforyouandfoughtforyou,andnowmynextdearestwishistoberealized,

forIshalldieforyou,"and,takingthemorselinmymouth,Idevouredit.

OnebyoneIatethemall,noreverdidanythingtastebetterthanthosetinybitsofnourishment,withinwhichIknewmustlietheseedsofdeath--possiblyofsomehideous,torturingdeath.

AsIsatquietlyuponthefloorofmyprison,waitingfortheend,myfingersbyaccidentcameincontactwiththebitofpaperinwhichthethingshadbeenwrapped;andasIidlyplayedwithit,mymindroamingfarbackintothepast,thatImightliveagainforafewbriefmomentsbeforeIdiedsomeofthemanyhappymomentsofalongandhappylife,Ibecameawareofstrangeprotuberances

uponthesmoothsurfaceoftheparchment-likesubstanceinmyhands.

Foratimetheycarriednospecialsignificancetomymind--Imerelywasmildlywondrousthattheywerethere;butatlasttheyseemedtotakeform,andthenIrealizedthattherewasbutasinglelineofthem,likewriting.

Now,moreinterestedly,myfingerstracedandretracedthem.Therewerefourseparateanddistinctcombinationsofraisedlines.Coulditbethatthesewerefourwords,andthattheywereintendedtocarryamessagetome?

ThemoreIthoughtofitthemoreexcitedIbecame,untilmyfingers

racedmadlybackandforthoverthosebewilderinglittlehillsandvalleysuponthatbitofpaper.

ButIcouldmakenothingofthem,andatlastIdecidedthatmyveryhastewaspreventingmefromsolvingthemystery.ThenItookitmoreslowly.Againandagainmyforefingertracedthefirstofthosefourcombinations.

MartianwritingisratherdifficulttoexplaintoanEarthman--itissomethingofacrossbetweenshorthandandpicture-writing,and



isanentirelydifferentlanguagefromthespokenlanguageofMars.

UponBarsoomthereisbutasingleorallanguage.

Itisspokentodaybyeveryraceandnation,justasitwasatthebeginningofhumanlifeuponBarsoom.Ithasgrownwiththegrowthoftheplanet'slearningandscientificachievements,butsoingeniousathingitisthatnewwordstoexpressnewthoughtsordescribenewconditionsordiscoveriesformthemselves--nootherwordcouldexplainthethingthatanewwordisrequiredforotherthanthewordthatnaturallyfallstoit,andso,nomatterhowfarremovedtwonationsorraces,theirspokenlanguagesareidentical.

Notsotheirwrittenlanguages,however.Notwonationshavethesamewrittenlanguage,andoftencitiesofthesamenationhaveawrittenlanguagethatdiffersgreatlyfromthatofthenationtowhichtheybelong.

Thusitwasthatthesignsuponthepaper,ifinrealitytheywerewords,baffledmeforsometime;butatlastImadeoutthefirstone.

Itwas"courage,"anditwaswritteninthelettersofMarentina.

Courage!

ThatwasthewordtheyellowguardsmanhadwhisperedinmyearasIstooduponthevergeofthePitofPlenty.

Themessagemustbefromhim,andheIknewwasafriend.

WithrenewedhopeIbentmyeveryenergytothedecipheringofthebalanceofthemessage,andatlastsuccessrewardedmyendeavor--Ihadreadthefourwords:

"Courage!Followtherope."

"FOLLOWTHEROPE"

Whatcoulditmean?

"Followtherope."Whatrope?

PresentlyIrecalledthecordthathadbeenattachedtotheparcelwhenitfellatmyside,andafteralittlegropingmyhandcameincontactwithitagain.Itdependedfromabove,andwhenIpulled

uponitIdiscoveredthatitwasrigidlyfastened,possiblyatthepit'smouth.

UponexaminationIfoundthatthecord,thoughsmall,wasamplyabletosustaintheweightofseveralmen.ThenImadeanotherdiscovery--therewasasecondmessageknottedintheropeatabouttheheightofmyhead.ThisIdecipheredmoreeasily,nowthatthekeywasmine.

"Bringtheropewithyou.Beyondtheknotsliesdanger."



Thatwasalltherewastothismessage.Itwasevidentlyhastilyformed--anafterthought.

Ididnotpauselongerthantolearnthecontentsofthesecondmessage,and,thoughIwasnonetoosureofthemeaningofthefinaladmonition,"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger,"yetIwassurethatherebeforemelayanavenueofescape,andthatthesoonerItookadvantageofitthemorelikelywasItowintoliberty.

Atleast,IcouldbebutlittleworseoffthanIhadbeeninthePitofPlenty.

Iwastofind,however,ereIwaswelloutofthatdamnableholethatImighthavebeenverymuchworseoffhadIbeencompelledtoremainthereanothertwominutes.

Ithadtakenmeaboutthatlengthoftimetoascendsomefiftyfeetabovethebottomwhenanoiseaboveattractedmyattention.TomychagrinIsawthatthecoveringofthepitwasbeingremovedfaraboveme,andinthelightofthecourtyardbeyondIsawanumberofyellowwarriors.

CoulditbethatIwaslaboriouslyworkingmywayintosomenew

trap?Werethemessagesspurious,afterall?Andthen,justasmyhopeandcouragehadebbedtotheirlowest,Isawtwothings.

Onewasthebodyofahuge,struggling,snarlingaptbeingloweredoverthesideofthepittowardme,andtheotherwasanapertureinthesideoftheshaft--anaperturelargerthanaman'sbody,intowhichmyropeled.

JustasIscrambledintothedarkholebeforemetheaptpassedme,reachingoutwithhismightyhandstoclutchme,andsnapping,growling,androaringinamostfrightfulmanner.

PlainlynowIsawtheendforwhichSalensusOllhaddestinedme.

Afterfirsttorturingmewithstarvationhehadcausedthisfiercebeasttobeloweredintomyprisontofinishtheworkthatthejeddak'shellishimaginationhadconceived.

Andthenanothertruthflasheduponme--IhadlivedninedaysoftheallottedtenwhichmustintervenebeforeSalensusOllcouldmakeDejahThorishisqueen.Thepurposeoftheaptwastoinsuremydeathbeforethetenthday.

IalmostlaughedaloudasIthoughthowSalensusOll'smeasureofsafetywastoaidindefeatingtheveryendhesought,forwhentheydiscoveredthattheaptwasaloneinthePitofPlentytheycouldnotknowbutthathehadcompletelydevouredme,andsono

suspicionofmyescapewouldcauseasearchtobemadeforme.

Coilingtheropethathadcarriedmethusfaruponmystrangejourney,Isoughtfortheotherend,butfoundthatasIfolloweditforwarditextendedalwaysbeforeme.Sothiswasthemeaningofthewords:"Followtherope."

ThetunnelthroughwhichIcrawledwaslowanddark.IhadfolloweditforseveralhundredyardswhenIfeltaknotbeneathmyfingers."Beyondtheknotsliesdanger."



NowIwentwiththeutmostcaution,andamomentlaterasharpturninthetunnelbroughtmetoanopeningintoalarge,brilliantlylightedchamber.

ThetrendofthetunnelIhadbeentraversinghadbeenslightlyupward,andfromthisIjudgedthatthechamberintowhichInowfoundmyselflookingmustbeeitheronthefirstfloorofthepalaceordirectlybeneaththefirstfloor.

Upontheoppositewallweremanystrangeinstrumentsanddevices,andinthecenteroftheroomstoodalongtable,atwhichtwomenwereseatedinearnestconversation.

Hewhofacedmewasayellowman--alittle,wizened-up,pasty-facedoldfellowwithgreateyesthatshowedthewhiteroundtheentirecircumferenceoftheiris.

Hiscompanionwasablackman,andIdidnotneedtoseehisfacetoknowthatitwasThurid,fortherewasnootheroftheFirstBornnorthoftheice-barrier.

ThuridwasspeakingasIcamewithinhearingofthemen'svoices.

"Solan,"hewassaying,"thereisnoriskandtherewardisgreat.YouknowthatyouhateSalensusOllandthatnothingwouldpleaseyoumorethantothwarthiminsomecherishedplan.TherebenothingthathemorecherishestodaythantheideaofweddingthebeautifulPrincessofHelium;butI,too,wanther,andwithyourhelpImaywinher.

"YouneednotmorethanstepfromthisroomforaninstantwhenIgiveyouthesignal.Iwilldotherest,andthen,whenIamgone,youmaycomeandthrowthegreatswitchbackintoitsplace,andallwillbeasbefore.Ineedbutanhour'sstarttobesafebeyondthedevilishpowerthatyoucontrolinthishiddenchamberbeneaththepalaceofyourmaster.Seehoweasy,"andwiththe

wordstheblackdatorrosefromhisseatand,crossingtheroom,laidhishanduponalarge,burnishedleverthatprotrudedfromtheoppositewall.

"No!No!"criedthelittleoldman,springingafterhim,withawildshriek."Notthatone!Notthatone!Thatcontrolsthesunraytanks,andshouldyoupullittoofardown,allKadabrawouldbeconsumedbyheatbeforeIcouldreplaceit.Comeaway!Comeaway!Youknownotwithwhatmightypowersyouplay.Thisistheleverthatyouseek.Notewellthesymbolinlaidinwhiteuponitsebonsurface."

Thuridapproachedandexaminedthehandleofthelever.

"Ah,amagnet,"hesaid."Iwillremember.ItissettledthenItakeit,"hecontinued.

Theoldmanhesitated.Alookofcombinedgreedandapprehensionoverspreadhisnonetoobeautifulfeatures.

"Doublethefigure,"hesaid."Eventhatwerealltoosmallanamountfortheserviceyouask.Why,Iriskmylifebyevenentertainingyouherewithintheforbiddenprecinctsofmystation.Should



SalensusOlllearnofithewouldhavemethrowntotheaptsbeforethedaywasdone."

"Hedarenotdothat,andyouknowitfullwell,Solan,"contradictedtheblack."ToogreatapoweroflifeanddeathyouholdoverthepeopleofKadabraforSalensusOllevertoriskthreateningyouwithdeath.Beforeeverhisminionscouldlaytheirhandsuponyou,youmightseizethisveryleverfromwhichyouhavejustwarnedmeandwipeouttheentirecity."

"Andmyselfintothebargain,"saidSolan,withashudder.

"Butifyouweretodie,anyway,youwouldfindthenervetodoit,"repliedThurid.

"Yes,"mutteredSolan,"Ihaveoftenthoughtuponthatverything.Well,FirstBorn,isyourredprincessworththepriceIaskformyservices,orwillyougowithoutherandseeherinthearmsofSalensusOlltomorrownight?"

"Takeyourprice,yellowman,"repliedThurid,withanoath."Halfnowandthebalancewhenyouhavefulfilledyourcontract."

Withthatthedatorthrewawell-filledmoney-pouchuponthetable.

Solanopenedthepouchandwithtremblingfingerscounteditscontents.Hisweirdeyesassumedagreedyexpression,andhisunkemptbeardandmustachetwitchedwiththemusclesofhismouthandchin.ItwasquiteevidentfromhisverymannerismthatThuridhadkeenlyguessedtheman'sweakness--eventheclawlike,clutchingmovementofthefingersbetokenedtheavariciousnessofthemiser.

Havingsatisfiedhimselfthattheamountwascorrect,Solanreplacedthemoneyinthepouchandrosefromthetable.

"Now,"hesaid,"areyouquitesurethatyouknowthewaytoyourdestination?Youmusttravelquicklytocoverthegroundtothe

caveandfromthencebeyondtheGreatPower,allwithinabriefhour,fornomoredareIspareyou."

"Letmerepeatittoyou,"saidThurid,"thatyoumayseeifIbeletter-perfect."

"Proceed,"repliedSolan.

"Throughyonderdoor,"hecommenced,pointingtoadooratthefarendoftheapartment,"Ifollowacorridor,passingthreedivergingcorridorsuponmyright;thenintothefourthright-handcorridorstraighttowherethreecorridorsmeet;hereagainIfollowtotheright,huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit.

"AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunway,whichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor.AmIright?"

"Quiteright,Dator,"answeredSolan;"andnowbegone.Alreadyhaveyoutemptedfatetoolongwithinthisforbiddenplace."

"Tonight,ortomorrow,then,youmayexpectthesignal,"saidThurid,risingtogo.



"Tonight,ortomorrow,"repeatedSolan,andasthedoorclosedbehindhisguesttheoldmancontinuedtomutterasheturnedbacktothetable,whereheagaindumpedthecontentsofthemoney-pouch,runninghisfingersthroughtheheapofshiningmetal;pilingthecoinsintolittletowers;counting,recounting,andfondlingthewealththewhilehemutteredonandoninacrooningundertone.

Presentlyhisfingersceasedtheirplay;hiseyespoppedwiderthaneverastheyfasteneduponthedoorthroughwhichThuridhaddisappeared.Thecroonchangedtoaquerulousmuttering,andfinallytoanuglygrowl.

Thentheoldmanrosefromthetable,shakinghisfistatthecloseddoor.Nowheraisedhisvoice,andhiswordscamedistinctly.

"Fool!"hemuttered."ThinkyouthatforyourhappinessSolanwillgiveuphislife?Ifyouescaped,SalensusOllwouldknowthatonlythroughmyconnivancecouldyouhavesucceeded.Thenwouldhesendforme.Whatwouldyouhavemedo?Reducethecityandmyselftoashes?No,fool,thereisabetterway--abetterwayforSolantokeepthymoneyandberevengeduponSalensusOll."

Helaughedinanasty,cacklingnote.

"Poorfool!YoumaythrowthegreatswitchthatwillgiveyouthefreedomoftheairofOkar,andthen,infatuoussecurity,goonwiththyredprincesstothefreedomof--death.Whenyouhavepassedbeyondthischamberinyourflight,whatcanpreventSolanreplacingtheswitchasitwasbeforeyourvilehandtouchedit?Nothing;andthentheGuardianoftheNorthwillclaimyouandyourwoman,andSalensusOll,whenheseesyourdeadbodies,willneverdreamthatthehandofSolanhadaughttodowiththething."

ThenhisvoicedroppedoncemoreintomutteringsthatIcouldnottranslate,butIhadheardenoughtocausemetoguessagreatdealmore,andIthankedthekindProvidencethathadledmetothis

chamberatatimesofilledwithimportancetoDejahThorisandmyselfasthis.

Buthowtopasstheoldmannow!Thecord,almostinvisibleuponthefloor,stretchedstraightacrosstheapartmenttoadooruponthefarside.

TherewasnootherwayofwhichIknew,norcouldIaffordtoignoretheadviceto"followtherope."Imustcrossthisroom,buthoweverIshouldaccomplishitundetectedwiththatoldmanintheverycenterofitbaffledme.

OfcourseImighthavesprunginuponhimandwithmybarehands

silencedhimforever,butIhadheardenoughtoconvincemethatwithhimalivetheknowledgethatIhadgainedmightservemeatsomefuturemoment,whileshouldIkillhimandanotherbestationedinhisplaceThuridwouldnotcomehitherwithDejahThoris,aswasquiteevidentlyhisintention.

AsIstoodinthedarkshadowofthetunnel'sendrackingmybrainforafeasibleplanthewhileIwatched,catlike,theoldman'severymove,hetookupthemoney-pouchandcrossedtooneendoftheapartment,where,bendingtohisknees,hefumbledwithapanel



inthewall.

InstantlyIguessedthatherewasthehidingplaceinwhichhehoardedhiswealth,andwhilehebentthere,hisbacktowardme,Ienteredthechamberupontiptoe,andwiththeutmoststealthessayedtoreachtheoppositesidebeforeheshouldcompletehistaskandturnagaintowardtheroom'scenter.

Scarcelythirtysteps,alltold,mustItake,andyetitseemedtomyoverwroughtimaginationthatthatfartherwallwasmilesaway;butatlastIreachedit,noroncehadItakenmyeyesfromthebackoftheoldmiser'shead.

Hedidnotturnuntilmyhandwasuponthebuttonthatcontrolledthedoorthroughwhichmywayled,andthenheturnedawayfrommeasIpassedthroughandgentlyclosedthedoor.

ForaninstantIpaused,myearclosetothepanel,tolearnifhehadsuspectedaught,butasnosoundofpursuitcamefromwithinIwheeledandmademywayalongthenewcorridor,followingtherope,whichIcoiledandbroughtwithmeasIadvanced.

ButashortdistancefartheronIcametotherope'sendatapointwherefivecorridorsmet.WhatwasItodo?WhichwayshouldI

turn?Iwasnonplused.

Acarefulexaminationoftheendoftheroperevealedthefactthatithadbeencleanlycutwithsomesharpinstrument.ThisfactandthewordsthathadcautionedmethatdangerlaybeyondtheKNOTSconvincedmethattheropehadbeenseveredsincemyfriendhadplaceditasmyguide,forIhadbutpassedasingleknot,whereastherehadevidentlybeentwoormoreintheentirelengthofthecord.

Now,indeed,wasIinaprettyfix,forneitherdidIknowwhichavenuetofollownorwhendangerlaydirectlyinmypath;buttherewasnothingelsetobedonethanfollowoneofthecorridors,for

IcouldgainnothingbyremainingwhereIwas.

SoIchosethecentralopening,andpassedonintoitsgloomydepthswithaprayeruponmylips.

ThefloorofthetunnelroserapidlyasIadvanced,andamomentlaterthewaycametoanabruptendbeforeaheavydoor.

Icouldhearnothingbeyond,and,withmyaccustomedrashness,pushedtheportalwidetostepintoaroomfilledwithyellowwarriors.

Thefirsttoseemeopenedhiseyeswideinastonishment,andatthesameinstantIfeltthetinglingsensationinmyfingerthat

denotedthepresenceofafriendofthering.

Thenotherssawme,andtherewasaconcertedrushtolayhandsuponme,forthesewereallmembersofthepalaceguard--menfamiliarwithmyface.

Thefirsttoreachmewasthewearerofthematetomystrangering,andashecameclosehewhispered:"Surrendertome!"theninaloudvoiceshouted:"Youaremyprisoner,whiteman,"andmenacedmewithhistwoweapons.



AndsoJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,meeklysurrenderedtoasingleantagonist.Theothersnowswarmedaboutus,askingmanyquestions,butIwouldnottalktothem,andfinallymycaptorannouncedthathewouldleadmebacktomycell.

Anofficerorderedseveralotherwarriorstoaccompanyhim,andamomentlaterwewereretracingthewayIhadjustcome.Myfriendwalkedclosebesideme,askingmanysillyquestionsaboutthecountryfromwhichIhadcome,untilfinallyhisfellowspaidnofurtherattentiontohimorhisgabbling.

Gradually,ashespoke,heloweredhisvoice,sothatpresentlyhewasabletoconversewithmeinalowtonewithoutattractingattention.Hisrusewasacleverone,andshowedthatTaluhadnotmisjudgedtheman'sfitnessforthedangerousdutyuponwhichhewasdetailed.

Whenhehadfullyassuredhimselfthattheotherguardsmenwerenotlistening,heaskedmewhyIhadnotfollowedtherope,andwhenItoldhimthatithadendedatthefivecorridorshesaidthatitmusthavebeencutbysomeoneinneedofapieceofrope,forhewassurethat"thestupidKadabranswouldneverhaveguesseditspurpose."

BeforewehadreachedthespotfromwhichthefivecorridorsdivergemyMarentinianfriendhadmanagedtodroptotherearofthelittlecolumnwithme,andwhenwecameinsightofthebranchingwayshewhispered:

"Runupthefirstupontheright.Itleadstothewatchtoweruponthesouthwall.Iwilldirectthepursuitupthenextcorridor,"andwiththathegavemeagreatshoveintothedarkmouthofthetunnel,atthesametimecryingoutinsimulatedpainandalarmashethrewhimselfuponthefloorasthoughIhadfelledhimwithablow.

Frombehindthevoicesoftheexcitedguardsmencamereverberatingalongthecorridor,suddenlygrowingfainterasTalu'sspyledthemupthewrongpassagewayinfanciedpursuit.

AsIranformylifethroughthedarkgalleriesbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllImustindeedhavepresentedaremarkableappearancehadtherebeenanytonoteit,forthoughdeathloomedlargeaboutme,myfacewassplitbyabroadgrinasIthoughtoftheresourcefulnessofthenamelessheroofMarentinatowhomIowedmylife.

OfsuchstuffarethemenofmybelovedHelium,andwhenImeetanotheroftheirkind,ofwhateverraceorcolor,myheartgoes

outtohimasitdidnowtomynewfriendwhohadriskedhislifeformesimplybecauseIworethematetotheringhisrulerhadputuponhisfinger.

ThecorridoralongwhichIranledalmoststraightforaconsiderabledistance,terminatingatthefootofaspiralrunway,upwhichIproceededtoemergepresentlyintoacircularchamberuponthefirstfloorofatower.

Inthisapartmentadozenredslaveswereemployedpolishingor



repairingtheweaponsoftheyellowmen.Thewallsoftheroomwerelinedwithracksinwhichwerehundredsofstraightandhookedswords,javelins,anddaggers.Itwasevidentlyanarmory.Therewerebutthreewarriorsguardingtheworkers.

Myeyestookintheentiresceneataglance.Herewereweaponsinplenty!Hereweresinewyredwarriorstowieldthem!

AndherenowwasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,inneedbothofweaponsandwarriors!

AsIsteppedintotheapartment,guardsandprisonerssawmesimultaneously.

ClosetotheentrancewhereIstoodwasarackofstraightswords,andasmyhandcloseduponthehiltofoneofthemmyeyesfelluponthefacesoftwooftheprisonerswhoworkedsidebyside.

Oneoftheguardsstartedtowardme."Whoareyou?"hedemanded."Whatdoyouhere?"

"IcomeforTardosMors,JeddakofHelium,andhisson,MorsKajak,"Icried,pointingtothetworedprisoners,whohadnowsprungtotheirfeet,wide-eyedinastonishedrecognition.

"Rise,redmen!BeforewedieletusleaveamemorialinthepalaceofOkar'styrantthatwillstandforeverintheannalsofKadabratothehonorandgloryofHelium,"forIhadseenthatalltheprisonersthereweremenofTardosMors'snavy.

Thenthefirstguardsmanwasuponmeandthefightwason,butscarcedidweengageere,tomyhorror,Isawthattheredslaveswereshackledtothefloor.

THEMAGNETSWITCH

Theguardsmenpaidnottheslightestattentiontotheirwards,fortheredmencouldnotmoveovertwofeetfromthegreatringstowhichtheywerepadlocked,thougheachhadseizedaweaponuponwhichhehadbeenengagedwhenIenteredtheroom,andstoodreadytojoinmecouldtheyhavebutdoneso.

Theyellowmendevotedalltheirattentiontome,norweretheylongindiscoveringthatthethreeofthemwerenonetoomanytodefendthearmoryagainstJohnCarter.WouldthatIhadhadmyowngoodlong-swordinmyhandthatday;but,asitwas,Irendereda

satisfactoryaccountofmyselfwiththeunfamiliarweaponoftheyellowman.

AtfirstIhadatimeofitdodgingtheirvillainoushook-swords,butafteraminuteortwoIhadsucceededinwrestingasecondstraightswordfromoneoftheracksalongthewall,andthereafter,usingittoparrythehooksofmyantagonists,Ifeltmoreevenlyequipped.

Thethreeofthemwereonmeatonce,andbutforaluckycircumstance



myendmighthavecomequickly.Theforemostguardsmanmadeaviciouslungeformysidewithhishookafterthethreeofthemhadbackedmeagainstthewall,butasIsidesteppedandraisedmyarmhisweaponbutgrazedmyside,passingintoarackofjavelins,whereitbecameentangled.

BeforehecouldreleaseitIhadrunhimthrough,andthen,fallingbackuponthetacticsthathavesavedmeahundredtimesintightpinches,Irushedthetworemainingwarriors,forcingthembackwithaperfecttorrentofcutsandthrusts,weavingmyswordinandoutabouttheirguardsuntilIhadthefearofdeathuponthem.

Thenoneofthemcommencedcallingforhelp,butitwastoolatetosavethem.

Theywereasputtyinmyhandsnow,andIbackedthemaboutthearmoryasIwoulduntilIhadthemwhereIwantedthem--withinreachoftheswordsoftheshackledslaves.Inaninstantbothlaydeaduponthefloor.Buttheircrieshadnotbeenentirelyfruitless,fornowIheardansweringshoutsandthefootfallsofmanymenrunningandtheclankofaccoutermentsandthecommandsofofficers.

"Thedoor!Quick,JohnCarter,barthedoor!"criedTardosMors.

Alreadytheguardwasinsight,chargingacrosstheopencourtthatwasvisiblethroughthedoorway.

Adozensecondswouldbringthemintothetower.Asingleleapcarriedmetotheheavyportal.WitharesoundingbangIslammeditshut.

"Thebar!"shoutedTardosMors.

Itriedtoslipthehugefasteningintoplace,butitdefiedmyeveryattempt.

"Raiseitalittletoreleasethecatch,"criedoneoftheredmen.

Icouldheartheyellowwarriorsleapingalongtheflaggingjustbeyondthedoor.Iraisedthebarandshotittotherightjustastheforemostoftheguardsmenthrewhimselfagainsttheoppositesideofthemassivepanels.

Thebarrierheld--Ihadbeenintime,butbythefractionofasecondonly.

NowIturnedmyattentiontotheprisoners.ToTardosMorsIwentfirst,askingwherethekeysmightbewhichwouldunfastentheirfetters.

"Theofficeroftheguardhasthem,"repliedtheJeddakofHelium,"andheisamongthosewithoutwhoseekentrance.Youwillhavetoforcethem."

Mostoftheprisonerswerealreadyhackingattheirbondswiththeswordsintheirhands.Theyellowmenwerebatteringatthedoorwithjavelinsandaxes.

IturnedmyattentiontothechainsthatheldTardosMors.AgainandagainIcutdeepintothemetalwithmysharpblade,butever



fasterandfasterfellthetorrentofblowsupontheportal.

Atlastalinkpartedbeneathmyefforts,andamomentlaterTardosMorswasfree,thoughafewinchesoftrailingchainstilldangledfromhisankle.

Asplinterofwoodfallinginwardfromthedoorannouncedtheheadwaythatourenemiesweremakingtowardus.

Themightypanelstrembledandbentbeneaththefuriousonslaughtoftheenragedyellowmen.

Whatwiththebatteringuponthedoorandthehackingoftheredmenattheirchainsthedinwithinthearmorywasappalling.NosoonerwasTardosMorsfreethanheturnedhisattentiontoanotheroftheprisoners,whileIsettoworktoliberateMorsKajak.

Wemustworkfastifwewouldhaveallthosefetterscutbeforethedoorgaveway.Nowapanelcrashedinwarduponthefloor,andMorsKajaksprangtotheopeningtodefendthewayuntilweshouldhavetimetoreleasetheothers.

WithjavelinssnatchedfromthewallhewroughthavocamongtheforemostoftheOkarianswhilewebattledwiththeinsensatemetal

thatstoodbetweenourfellowsandfreedom.

Atlengthallbutoneoftheprisonerswerefreed,andthenthedoorfellwithamightycrashbeforeahastilyimprovisedbattering-ram,andtheyellowhordewasuponus.

"Totheupperchambers!"shoutedtheredmanwhowasstillfetteredtothefloor."Totheupperchambers!ThereyoumaydefendthetoweragainstallKadabra.Donotdelaybecauseofme,whocouldprayfornobetterdeaththanintheserviceofTardosMorsandthePrinceofHelium."

ButIwouldhavesacrificedthelifeofeverymanofusrather

thandesertasingleredman,muchlessthelion-heartedherowhobeggedustoleavehim.

"Cuthischains,"Icriedtotwooftheredmen,"whilethebalanceofusholdoffthefoe."

ThereweretenofusnowtodobattlewiththeOkarianguard,andIwarrantthatthatancientwatchtowerneverlookeddownuponamorehotlycontestedbattlethantookplacethatdaywithinitsowngrimwalls.

ThefirstinrushingwaveofyellowwarriorsrecoiledfromtheslashingbladesoftenofHelium'sveteranfightingmen.Adozen

Okariancorpsesblockedthedoorway,butoverthegruesomebarrierascoremoreoftheirfellowsdashed,shoutingtheirhoarseandhideouswar-cry.

Uponthebloodymoundwemetthem,handtohand,stabbingwherethequartersweretooclosetocut,thrustingwhenwecouldpushafoemantoarm'slength;andmingledwiththewildcryoftheOkarianthereroseandfellthegloriouswords:"ForHelium!ForHelium!"thatforcountlessageshavespurredonthebravestofthebravetothosedeedsofvalorthathavesentthefameofHelium's



Aninstantlatereveryredmanintheloftychamberhadseentheinspiringsight,andsuchashoutofthanksgivingaroseasIwarrantneverbeforeechoedthroughthatage-oldpileofstone.

Butstillwemustfighton,forthoughourtroopshadenteredKadabra,thecitywasyetfarfromcapitulation,norhadthepalacebeenevenassaulted.Turnandturnaboutweheldthetopoftherunwaywhiletheothersfeastedtheireyesuponthesightofourvaliantcountrymenbattlingfarbeneathus.

Nowtheyhaverushedthepalacegate!Greatbattering-ramsaredashedagainstitsformidablesurface.Nowtheyarerepulsedbyadeadlyshowerofjavelinsfromthewall'stop!

Onceagaintheycharge,butasortiebyalargeforceofOkariansfromanintersectingavenuecrumplestheheadofthecolumn,andthemenofHeliumgodown,fighting,beneathanoverwhelmingforce.

Thepalacegatefliesopenandaforceofthejeddak'sownguard,pickedmenfromthefloweroftheOkarianarmy,salliesforthtoshatterthebrokenregiments.Foramomentitlooksasthoughnothingcouldavertdefeat,andthenIseeanoblefigureuponamightythoat--notthetinythoatoftheredman,butoneofhis

hugecousinsofthedeadseabottoms.

Thewarriorhewshiswaytothefront,andbehindhimrallythedisorganizedsoldiersofHelium.AsheraiseshisheadalofttoflingachallengeatthemenuponthepalacewallsIseehisface,andmyheartswellsinprideandhappinessastheredwarriorsleaptothesideoftheirleaderandwinbackthegroundthattheyhadbutjustlost--thefaceofhimuponthemightythoatisthefaceofmyson--CarthorisofHelium.

AthissidefightsahugeMartianwar-hound,nordidIneedasecondlooktoknowthatitwasWoola--myfaithfulWoolawhohadthuswellperformedhisarduoustaskandbroughtthesuccoring

legionsinthenickoftime.

"Inthenickoftime?"

Whoyetmightsaythattheywerenottoolatetosave,butsurelytheycouldavenge!AndsuchretributionasthatunconqueredarmywoulddealouttothehatefulOkarians!IsighedtothinkthatImightnotbealivetowitnessit.

AgainIturnedtothewindows.Theredmenhadnotyetforcedtheouterpalacewall,buttheywerefightingnoblyagainstthebestthatOkarafforded--valiantwarriorswhocontestedeveryinchoftheway.

Nowmyattentionwascaughtbyanewelementwithoutthecitywall--agreatbodyofmountedwarriorsloominglargeabovetheredmen.TheywerethehugegreenalliesofHelium--thesavagehordesfromthedeadseabottomsofthefarsouth.

Ingrimandterriblesilencetheyspedontowardthegate,thepaddedhoofsoftheirfrightfulmountsgivingforthnosound.Intothedoomedcitytheycharged,andastheywheeledacrossthewideplazabeforethepalaceoftheJeddakofJeddaksIsaw,ridingat



theirhead,themightyfigureoftheirmightyleader--TarsTarkas,JeddakofThark.

Mywish,then,wastobegratified,forIwastoseemyoldfriendbattlingonceagain,andthoughnotshouldertoshoulderwithhim,I,too,wouldbefightinginthesamecausehereinthehightowerofOkar.

Nordiditseemthatourfoeswouldeverceasetheirstubbornattacks,forstilltheycame,thoughthewaytoourchamberwasoftencloggedwiththebodiesoftheirdead.Attimestheywouldpauselongenoughtodragbacktheimpedingcorpses,andthenfreshwarriorswouldforgeupwardtotastethecupofdeath.

IhadbeentakingmyturnwiththeothersindefendingtheapproachtoourloftyretreatwhenMorsKajak,whohadbeenwatchingthebattleinthestreetbelow,calledaloudinsuddenexcitement.TherewasanoteofapprehensioninhisvoicethatbroughtmetohissidetheinstantthatIcouldturnmyplaceovertoanother,andasIreachedhimhepointedfaroutacrossthewasteofsnowandicetowardthesouthernhorizon.

"Alas!"hecried,"thatIshouldbeforcedtowitnesscruelfatebetraythemwithoutpowertowarnoraid;buttheybepasteither

now."

AsIlookedinthedirectionheindicatedIsawthecauseofhisperturbation.AmightyfleetofflierswasapproachingmajesticallytowardKadabrafromthedirectionoftheice-barrier.Onandontheycamewitheverincreasingvelocity.

"ThegrimshaftthattheycalltheGuardianoftheNorthisbeckoningtothem,"saidMorsKajaksadly,"justasitbeckonedtoTardosMorsandhisgreatfleet;seewheretheylie,crumpledandbroken,agrimandterriblemonumenttothemightyforceofdestructionwhichnaughtcanresist."

I,too,saw;butsomethingelseIsawthatMorsKajakdidnot;inmymind'seyeIsawaburiedchamberwhosewallswerelinedwithstrangeinstrumentsanddevices.

Inthecenterofthechamberwasalongtable,andbeforeitsatalittle,pop-eyedoldmancountinghismoney;but,plainestofall,Isawuponthewallagreatswitchwithasmallmagnetinlaidwithinthesurfaceofitsblackhandle.

ThenIglancedoutatthefast-approachingfleet.Infiveminutesthatmightyarmadaoftheskieswouldbebentandworthlessscrap,lyingatthebaseoftheshaftbeyondthecity'swall,andyellowhordeswouldbeloosedfromanothergatetorushoutuponthefew

survivorsstumblingblindlydownthroughthemassofwreckage;thentheaptswouldcome.Ishudderedatthethought,forIcouldvividlypicturethewholehorriblescene.

QuickhaveIalwaysbeentodecideandact.Theimpulsethatmovesmeandthedoingofthethingseemsimultaneous;forifmymindgoesthroughthetediousformalityofreasoning,itmustbeasubconsciousactofwhichIamnotobjectivelyaware.Psychologiststellmethat,asthesubconsciousdoesnotreason,toocloseascrutinyofmymentalactivitiesmightproveanythingbutflattering;



butbethatasitmay,Ihaveoftenwonsuccesswhilethethinkerwouldhavebeenstillattheendlesstaskofcomparingvariousjudgments.

AndnowcelerityofactionwastheprimeessentialtothesuccessofthethingthatIhaddecidedupon.

Graspingmyswordmorefirmlyinmyhand,Icalledtotheredmanattheopeningtotherunwaytostandaside.

"WayforthePrinceofHelium!"Ishouted;andbeforetheastonishedyellowmanwhosemisfortuneitwastobeatthefightingendofthelineatthatparticularmomentcouldgatherhiswitstogethermyswordhaddecapitatedhim,andIwasrushinglikeamadbulldownuponthosebehindhim.

"WayforthePrinceofHelium!"IshoutedasIcutapaththroughtheastonishedguardsmenofSalensusOll.

Hewingtorightandleft,Ibeatmywaydownthatwarrior-chokedspiraluntil,nearthebottom,thosebelow,thinkingthatanarmywasdescendinguponthem,turnedandfled.

ThearmoryatthefirstfloorwasvacantwhenIenteredit,the

lastoftheOkarianshavingfledintothecourtyard,sononesawmecontinuedownthespiraltowardthecorridorbeneath.

HereIranasrapidlyasmylegswouldcarrymetowardthefivecorners,andthereplungedintothepassagewaythatledtothestationoftheoldmiser.

Withouttheformalityofaknock,Iburstintotheroom.Theresattheoldmanathistable;butashesawmehesprangtohisfeet,drawinghissword.

WithscarcemorethanaglancetowardhimIleapedforthegreatswitch;but,quickasIwas,thatwiryoldfellowwastherebefore

me.

HowhediditIshallneverknow,nordoesitseemcrediblethatanyMartian-borncreaturecouldapproximatethemarvelousspeedofmyearthlymuscles.

Likeatigerheturneduponme,andIwasquicktoseewhySolanhadbeenchosenforthisimportantduty.

NeverinallmylifehaveIseensuchwondrousswordsmanshipandsuchuncannyagilityasthatancientbagofbonesdisplayed.Hewasinfortyplacesatthesametime,andbeforeIhadhalfachancetoawakentomydangerhewasliketohavemadeamonkeyofme,

andadeadmonkeyatthat.

Itisstrangehownewandunexpectedconditionsbringoutunguessedabilitytomeetthem.

ThatdayintheburiedchamberbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllIlearnedwhatswordsmanshipmeant,andtowhatheightsofswordmasteryIcouldachievewhenpittedagainstsuchawizardofthebladeasSolan.



Foratimehelikedtohavebestedme;butpresentlythelatentpossibilitiesthatmusthavebeenlyingdormantwithinmeforalifetimecametothefore,andIfoughtasIhadneverdreamedahumanbeingcouldfight.

Thatthatduel-royalshouldhavetakenplaceinthedarkrecessesofacellar,withoutasingleappreciativeeyetowitnessithasalwaysseemedtomealmostaworldcalamity--atleastfromtheviewpointBarsoomian,wherebloodystrifeisthefirstandgreatestconsiderationofindividuals,nations,andraces.

Iwasfightingtoreachtheswitch,Solantopreventme;and,thoughwestoodnotthreefeetfromit,Icouldnotwinaninchtowardit,forheforcedmebackaninchforthefirstfiveminutesofourbattle.

IknewthatifIweretothrowitintimetosavetheoncomingfleetitmustbedoneinthenextfewseconds,andsoItriedmyoldrushingtactics;butImightaswellhaverushedabrickwallforallthatSolangaveway.

Infact,Icameneartoimpalingmyselfuponhispointformypains;butrightwasonmyside,andIthinkthatthatmustgiveamangreaterconfidencethanthoughheknewhimselftobebattling

inawickedcause.

Atleast,Ididnotwantinconfidence;andwhenInextrushedSolanitwastoonesidewithimplicitconfidencethathemustturntomeetmynewlineofattack,andturnhedid,sothatnowwefoughtwithoursidestowardsthecovetedgoal--thegreatswitchstoodwithinmyreachuponmyrighthand.

Touncovermybreastforaninstantwouldhavebeentocourtsuddendeath,butIsawnootherwaythantochanceit,ifbysodoingImightrescuethatoncoming,succoringfleet;andso,inthefaceofawickedsword-thrust,Ireachedoutmypointandcaughtthegreatswitchasuddenblowthatreleaseditfromitsseating.

SosurprisedandhorrifiedwasSolanthatheforgottofinishhisthrust;instead,hewheeledtowardtheswitchwithaloudshriek--ashriekwhichwashislast,forbeforehishandcouldtouchtheleveritsought,mysword'spointhadpassedthroughhisheart.

THETIDEOFBATTLE

ButSolan'slastloudcryhadnotbeenwithouteffect,foramoment

lateradozenguardsmenburstintothechamber,thoughnotbeforeIhadsobentanddemolishedthegreatswitchthatitcouldnotbeagainusedtoturnthepowerfulcurrentintothemightymagnetofdestructionitcontrolled.

TheresultofthesuddencomingoftheguardsmenhadbeentocompelmetoseekseclusioninthefirstpassagewaythatIcouldfind,andthattomydisappointmentprovedtobenottheonewithwhichIwasfamiliar,butanotheruponitsleft.



TheymusthaveeitherheardorguessedwhichwayIwent,forIhadproceededbutashortdistancewhenIheardthesoundofpursuit.IhadnomindtostopandfightthesemenherewhentherewasfightingaplentyelsewhereinthecityofKadabra--fightingthatcouldbeofmuchmoreavailtomeandminethanuselesslife-takingfarbelowthepalace.

Butthefellowswerepressingme;andasIdidnotknowthewayatall,IsoonsawthattheywouldovertakemeunlessIfoundaplacetoconcealmyselfuntiltheyhadpassed,whichwouldthengivemeanopportunitytoreturnthewayIhadcomeandregainthetower,orpossiblyfindawaytoreachthecitystreets.

Thepassagewayhadrisenrapidlysinceleavingtheapartmentoftheswitch,andnowranlevelandwelllightedstraightintothedistanceasfarasIcouldsee.ThemomentthatmypursuersreachedthisstraightstretchIwouldbeinplainsightofthem,withnochancetoescapefromthecorridorundetected.

PresentlyIsawaseriesofdoorsopeningfromeithersideofthecorridor,andastheyalllookedaliketomeItriedthefirstonethatIreached.Itopenedintoasmallchamber,luxuriouslyfurnished,andwasevidentlyanante-chamberoffsomeofficeoraudiencechamberofthepalace.

OnthefarsidewasaheavilycurtaineddoorwaybeyondwhichIheardthehumofvoices.InstantlyIcrossedthesmallchamber,and,partingthecurtains,lookedwithinthelargerapartment.

Beforemewereapartyofperhapsfiftygorgeouslycladnoblesofthecourt,standingbeforeathroneuponwhichsatSalensusOll.TheJeddakofJeddakswasaddressingthem.

"Theallottedhourhascome,"hewassayingasIenteredtheapartment;"andthoughtheenemiesofOkarbewithinhergates,naughtmaystaythewillofSalensusOll.Thegreatceremonymustbeomittedthatnosinglemanmaybekeptfromhisplaceinthe

defensesotherthanthefiftythatcustomdemandsshallwitnessthecreationofanewqueeninOkar.

"Inamomentthethingshallhavebeendoneandwemayreturntothebattle,whileshewhoisnowthePrincessofHeliumlooksdownfromthequeen'stowerupontheannihilationofherformercountrymenandwitnessesthegreatnesswhichisherhusband's."

Then,turningtoacourtier,heissuedsomecommandinalowvoice.

Theaddressedhastenedtoasmalldooratthefarendofthechamberand,swingingitwide,cried:"WayforDejahThoris,futureQueenofOkar!"

Immediatelytwoguardsmenappeareddraggingtheunwillingbridetowardthealtar.Herhandswerestillmanacledbehindher,evidentlytopreventsuicide.

Herdisheveledhairandpantingbosombetokenedthat,chainedthoughshewas,stillhadshefoughtagainstthethingthattheywoulddotoher.

AtsightofherSalensusOllroseanddrewhissword,andthesword



ofeachofthefiftynobleswasraisedonhightoformanarch,beneathwhichthepoor,beautifulcreaturewasdraggedtowardherdoom.

AgrimsmileforceditselftomylipsasIthoughtoftherudeawakeningthatlayinstorefortherulerofOkar,andmyitchingfingersfondledthehiltofmybloodysword.

AsIwatchedtheprocessionthatmovedslowlytowardthethrone--aprocessionwhichconsistedofbutahandfulofpriests,whofollowedDejahThorisandthetwoguardsmen--IcaughtafleetingglimpseofablackfacepeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatcoveredthewallbackofthedaisuponwhichstoodSalensusOllawaitinghisbride.

NowtheguardsmenwereforcingthePrincessofHeliumupthefewstepstothesideofthetyrantofOkar,andIhadnoeyesandnothoughtsforaughtelse.Apriestopenedabookand,raisinghishand,commencedtodroneoutasing-songritual.SalensusOllreachedforthehandofhisbride.

Ihadintendedwaitinguntilsomecircumstanceshouldgivemeareasonablehopeofsuccess;for,eventhoughtheentireceremonyshouldbecompleted,therecouldbenovalidmarriagewhileI

lived.WhatIwasmostconcernedin,ofcourse,wastherescuingofDejahThoris--IwishedtotakeherfromthepalaceofSalensusOll,ifsuchathingwerepossible;butwhetheritwereaccomplishedbeforeorafterthemockmarriagewasamatterofsecondaryimport.

When,however,IsawthevilehandofSalensusOllreachoutforthehandofmybelovedprincessIcouldrestrainmyselfnolonger,andbeforethenoblesofOkarknewthataughthadhappenedIhadleapedthroughtheirthinlineandwasuponthedaisbesideDejahThorisandSalensusOll.

WiththeflatofmyswordIstruckdownhispollutinghand;andgraspingDejahThorisroundthewaist,Iswungherbehindmeas,

withmybackagainstthedraperiesofthedais,Ifacedthetyrantofthenorthandhisroomfulofnoblewarriors.

TheJeddakofJeddakswasagreatmountainofaman--acoarse,brutalbeastofaman--andashetoweredabovemethere,hisfierceblackwhiskersandmustachebristlinginrage,Icanwellimaginethatalessseasonedwarriormighthavetrembledbeforehim.

Withasnarlhesprangtowardmewithnakedsword,butwhetherSalensusOllwasagoodswordsmanorapoorIneverlearned;forwithDejahThorisatmybackIwasnolongerhuman--Iwasasuperman,andnomancouldhavewithstoodmethen.

Withasingle,low:"ForthePrincessofHelium!"IranmybladestraightthroughtherottenheartofOkar'srottenruler,andbeforethewhite,drawnfacesofhisnoblesSalensusOllrolled,grinninginhorribledeath,tothefootofthestepsbelowhismarriagethrone.

Foramomenttensesilencereignedinthenuptial-room.Thenthefiftynoblesrusheduponme.Furiouslywefought,buttheadvantagewasmine,forIstooduponaraisedplatformabovethem,andIfoughtforthemostgloriouswomanofagloriousrace,andIfought



foragreatloveandforthemotherofmyboy.

Andfrombehindmyshoulder,inthesilverycadenceofthatdearvoice,rosethebravebattleanthemofHeliumwhichthenation'swomensingastheirmenmarchouttovictory.

Thatalonewasenoughtoinspiremetovictoryoverevengreaterodds,andIverilybelievethatIshouldhavebestedtheentireroomfulofyellowwarriorsthatdayinthenuptialchamberofthepalaceatKadabrahadnotinterruptioncometomyaid.

FastandfuriouswasthefightingasthenoblesofSalensusOllsprang,timeandagain,upthestepsbeforethethroneonlytofallbackbeforeaswordhandthatseemedtohavegainedanewwizardryfromitsexperiencewiththecunningSolan.

TwowerepressingmesocloselythatIcouldnotturnwhenIheardamovementbehindme,andnotedthatthesoundofthebattleanthemhadceased.WasDejahThorispreparingtotakeherplacebesideme?

Heroicdaughterofaheroicworld!Itwouldnotbeunlikehertohaveseizedaswordandfoughtatmyside,for,thoughthewomenofMarsarenottrainedintheartsofwar,thespiritistheirs,

andtheyhavebeenknowntodothatverythinguponcountlessoccasions.

Butshedidnotcome,andgladIwas,foritwouldhavedoubledmyburdeninprotectingherbeforeIshouldhavebeenabletoforceherbackagainoutofharm'sway.Shemustbecontemplatingsomecunningstrategy,Ithought,andsoIfoughtonsecureinthebeliefthatmydivineprincessstoodclosebehindme.

ForhalfanhouratleastImusthavefoughtthereagainstthenoblesofOkarereeveraoneplacedafootuponthedaiswhereIstood,andthenofasuddenallthatremainedofthemformedbelowmeforalast,mad,desperatecharge;butevenastheyadvanced

thedooratthefarendofthechamberswungwideandawild-eyedmessengersprangintotheroom.

"TheJeddakofJeddaks!"hecried."WhereistheJeddakofJeddaks?Thecityhasfallenbeforethehordesfrombeyondthebarrier,andbutnowthegreatgateofthepalaceitselfhasbeenforcedandthewarriorsofthesoutharepouringintoitssacredprecincts.

"WhereisSalensusOll?Healonemayrevivetheflaggingcourageofourwarriors.HealonemaysavethedayforOkar.WhereisSalensusOll?"

Thenoblessteppedbackfromaboutthedeadbodyoftheirruler,

andoneofthempointedtothegrinningcorpse.

Themessengerstaggeredbackinhorrorasthoughfromablowintheface.

"Thenfly,noblesofOkar!"hecried,"fornaughtcansaveyou.Hark!Theycome!"

Ashespokeweheardthedeeproarofangrymenfromthecorridorwithout,andtheclankofmetalandtheclangofswords.



Withoutanotherglancetowardme,whohadstoodaspectatorofthetragicscene,thenobleswheeledandfledfromtheapartmentthroughanotherexit.

Almostimmediatelyaforceofyellowwarriorsappearedinthedoorwaythroughwhichthemessengerhadcome.Theywerebackingtowardtheapartment,stubbornlyresistingtheadvanceofahandfulofredmenwhofacedthemandforcedthemslowlybutinevitablyback.

AbovetheheadsofthecontestantsIcouldseefrommyelevatedstationuponthedaisthefaceofmyoldfriendKantosKan.HewasleadingthelittlepartythathadwonitswayintotheveryheartofthepalaceofSalensusOll.

InaninstantIsawthatbyattackingtheOkariansfromtherearIcouldsoquicklydisorganizethemthattheirfurtherresistancewouldbeshort-lived,andwiththisideainmindIsprangfromthedais,castingawordofexplanationtoDejahThorisovermyshoulder,thoughIdidnotturntolookather.

Withmyselfeverbetweenherenemiesandherself,andwithKantosKanandhiswarriorswinningtotheapartment,therecouldbeno

dangertoDejahThorisstandingtherealonebesidethethrone.

IwantedthemenofHeliumtoseemeandtoknowthattheirbelovedprincesswashere,too,forIknewthatthisknowledgewouldinspirethemtoevengreaterdeedsofvalorthantheyhadperformedinthepast,thoughgreatindeedmusthavebeenthosewhichwonforthemawayintothealmostimpregnablepalaceofthetyrantofthenorth.

AsIcrossedthechambertoattacktheKadabransfromtherearasmalldoorwayatmyleftopened,and,tomysurprise,revealedthefiguresofMataiShang,FatherofThernsandPhaidor,hisdaughter,peeringintotheroom.

Aquickglanceabouttheytook.Theireyesrestedforamoment,wideinhorror,uponthedeadbodyofSalensusOll,uponthebloodthatcrimsonedthefloor,uponthecorpsesofthenobleswhohadfallenthickbeforethethrone,uponme,anduponthebattlingwarriorsattheotherdoor.

Theydidnotessaytoentertheapartment,butscanneditseverycornerfromwheretheystood,andthen,whentheireyeshadsoughtitsentirearea,alookoffiercerageoverspreadthefeaturesofMataiShang,andacoldandcunningsmiletouchedthelipsofPhaidor.

Thentheyweregone,butnotbeforeatauntinglaughwasthrown

directlyinmyfacebythewoman.

IdidnotunderstandthenthemeaningofMataiShang'srageorPhaidor'spleasure,butIknewthatneitherbodedgoodforme.

AmomentlaterIwasuponthebacksoftheyellowmen,andastheredmenofHeliumsawmeabovetheshouldersoftheirantagonistsagreatshoutrangthroughthecorridor,andforamomentdrownedthenoiseofbattle.



lifelesstomysides;asonewhoreelsbeneaththeburdenofamortalwoundIstaggeredupthestepsbeforethethrone.

DejahThoriswasgone.

REWARDS

WiththerealizationthatDejahThoriswasnolongerwithinthethroneroomcamethebelatedrecollectionofthedarkfacethatIhadglimpsedpeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatbackedthethroneofSalensusOllatthemomentthatIhadfirstcomesounexpectedlyuponthestrangescenebeingenactedwithinthechamber.

Whyhadthesightofthatevilcountenancenotwarnedmetogreatercaution?WhyhadIpermittedtherapiddevelopmentofnewsituationstoeffacetherecollectionofthatmenacingdanger?But,alas,vainregretwouldnoterasethecalamitythathadbefallen.

OnceagainhadDejahThorisfallenintotheclutchesofthatarchfiend,Thurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn.Againwas

allmyarduouslaborgonefornaught.NowIrealizedthecauseoftheragethathadbeenwritsolargeuponthefeaturesofMataiShangandthecruelpleasurethatIhadseenuponthefaceofPhaidor.

Theyhadknownorguessedthetruth,andthehekkadoroftheHolyTherns,whohadevidentlycometothechamberinthehopeofthwartingSalensusOllinhiscontemplatedperfidyagainstthehighpriestwhocovetedDejahThorisforhimself,realizedthatThuridhadstolentheprizefrombeneathhisverynose.

Phaidor'spleasurehadbeenduetoherrealizationofwhatthislastcruelblowwouldmeantome,aswellastoapartialsatisfaction

ofherjealoushatredforthePrincessofHelium.

Myfirstthoughtwastolookbeyondthedraperiesatthebackofthethrone,forthereitwasthatIhadseenThurid.WithasinglejerkItorethepricelessstufffromitsfastenings,andtherebeforemewasrevealedanarrowdoorwaybehindthethrone.

NoquestionenteredmymindbutthatherelaytheopeningoftheavenueofescapewhichThuridhadfollowed,andhadtherebeenitwouldhavebeendissipatedbythesightofatiny,jeweledornamentwhichlayafewstepswithinthecorridorbeyond.

AsIsnatchedupthebaubleIsawthatitborethedeviceofthe

PrincessofHelium,andthenpressingittomylipsIdashedmadlyalongthewindingwaythatledgentlydownwardtowardthelowergalleriesofthepalace.

IhadfollowedbutashortdistancewhenIcameupontheroominwhichSolanformerlyhadheldsway.HisdeadbodystilllaywhereIhadleftit,norwasthereanysignthatanotherhadpassedthroughtheroomsinceIhadbeenthere;butIknewthattwohaddoneso--Thurid,theblackdator,andDejahThoris.



havingknowledgeofit,hadstoppedheretooutfithimselfandDejahThorisbeforeventuringintothebittercoldofthearcticworldbeyond.

Inhishastehehaddroppedseveralgarmentsuponthefloor,andthetelltalefurthathadfallenpartlywithinthecorridorhadprovedthemeansofguidingmetotheveryspothewouldleasthavewishedmetohaveknowledgeof.

Itrequiredbutthematterofafewsecondstodonthenecessaryorluk-skinclothing,withtheheavy,fur-linedbootsthataresoessentialapartofthegarmentureofonewhowouldsuccessfullycontendwiththefrozentrailsandtheicywindsofthebleaknorthland.

OncemoreIsteppedbeyondthetunnel'smouthtofindthefreshtracksofThuridandDejahThorisinthenew-fallensnow.Now,atlast,wasmytaskaneasyone,forthoughthegoingwasroughintheextreme,IwasnolongervexedbydoubtsastothedirectionIshouldfollow,orharassedbydarknessorhiddendangers.

Throughasnow-coveredcanyonthewayleduptowardthesummitoflowhills.Beyondtheseitdippedagainintoanothercanyon,onlytoriseaquarter-milefartherontowardapasswhichskirtedthe

flankofarockyhill.

IcouldseebythesignsofthosewhohadgonebeforethatwhenDejahThorishadwalkedshehadbeencontinuallyholdingback,andthattheblackmanhadbeencompelledtodragher.Forotherstretchesonlyhisfoot-printswerevisible,deepandclosetogetherintheheavysnow,andIknewfromthesesignsthatthenhehadbeenforcedtocarryher,andIcouldwellimaginethatshehadfoughthimfiercelyeverystepoftheway.

AsIcameroundthejuttingpromontoryofthehill'sshoulderIsawthatwhichquickenedmypulsesandsetmyhearttobeatinghigh,forwithinatinybasinbetweenthecrestofthishillandthenext

stoodfourpeoplebeforethemouthofagreatcave,andbesidethemuponthegleamingsnowrestedaflierwhichhadevidentlybutjustbeendraggedfromitshidingplace.

ThefourwereDejahThoris,Phaidor,Thurid,andMataiShang.Thetwomenwereengagedinaheatedargument--theFatherofThernsthreatening,whiletheblackscoffedathimashewentabouttheworkatwhichhewasengaged.

AsIcrepttowardthemcautiouslythatImightcomeasnearaspossiblebeforebeingdiscovered,Isawthatfinallythemenappearedtohavereachedsomesortofacompromise,forwithPhaidor'sassistancetheybothsetaboutdraggingtheresistingDejahThoris

totheflier'sdeck.

Heretheymadeherfast,andthenbothagaindescendedtothegroundtocompletethepreparationsfordeparture.Phaidorenteredthesmallcabinuponthevessel'sdeck.

IhadcometowithinaquarterofamileofthemwhenMataiShangespiedme.IsawhimseizeThuridbytheshoulder,wheelinghimaroundinmydirectionashepointedtowhereIwasnowplainlyvisible,forthemomentthatIknewIhadbeenperceivedIcast



asideeveryattemptatstealthandbrokeintoamadracefortheflier.

Thetworedoubledtheireffortsatthepropelleratwhichtheywereworking,andwhichveryevidentlywasbeingreplacedafterhavingbeenremovedforsomepurposeofrepair.

TheyhadthethingcompletedbeforeIhadcoveredhalfthedistancethatlaybetweenmeandthem,andthenbothmadearushfortheboarding-ladder.

Thuridwasthefirsttoreachit,andwiththeagilityofamonkeyclamberedswiftlytotheboat'sdeck,whereatouchofthebuttoncontrollingthebuoyancytankssentthecraftslowlyupward,thoughnotwiththespeedthatmarksthewell-conditionedflier.

IwasstillsomehundredyardsawayasIsawthemrisingfrommygrasp.

BackbythecityofKadabralayagreatfleetofmightyfliers--theshipsofHeliumandPtarththatIhadsavedfromdestructionearlierintheday;butbeforeeverIcouldreachthemThuridcouldeasilymakegoodhisescape.

AsIranIsawMataiShangclamberinguptheswaying,swingingladdertowardthedeck,whileabovehimleanedtheevilfaceoftheFirstBorn.Atrailingropefromthevessel'ssternputnewhopeinme,forifIcouldbutreachitbeforeitwhippedtoohighabovemyheadtherewasyetachancetogainthedeckbyitsslenderaid.

Thattherewassomethingradicallywrongwiththeflierwasevidentfromitslackofbuoyancy,andthefurtherfactthatthoughThuridhadturnedtwicetothestartinglevertheboatstillhungmotionlessintheair,exceptforaslightdriftingwithalowbreezefromthenorth.

NowMataiShangwasclosetothegunwale.Along,claw-likehand

wasreachinguptograspthemetalrail.

Thuridleanedfartherdowntowardhisco-conspirator.

Suddenlyaraiseddaggergleamedintheupflunghandoftheblack.DownitdrovetowardthewhitefaceoftheFatherofTherns.WithaloudshriekoffeartheHolyHekkadorgraspedfranticallyatthatmenacingarm.

Iwasalmosttothetrailingropebynow.Thecraftwasstillrisingslowly,thewhileitdriftedfromme.ThenIstumbledontheicyway,strikingmyheaduponarockasIfellsprawlingbutanarm'slengthfromtherope,theendofwhichwasnowjustleaving

theground.

Withtheblowuponmyheadcameunconsciousness.

ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanafewsecondsthatIlaysenselessthereuponthenorthernice,whileallthatwasdearesttomedriftedfartherfrommyreachintheclutchesofthatblackfiend,forwhenIopenedmyeyesThuridandMataiShangyetbattledattheladder'stop,andtheflierdriftedbutahundredyardsfarthertothesouth--buttheendofthetrailingropewasnowagoodthirty



feetabovetheground.

Goadedtomadnessbythecruelmisfortunethathadtrippedmewhensuccesswasalmostwithinmygrasp,Itorefranticallyacrosstheinterveningspace,andjustbeneaththerope'sdanglingendIputmyearthlymusclestothesupremetest.

Withamighty,catlikeboundIsprangupwardtowardthatslenderstrand--theonlyavenuewhichyetremainedthatcouldcarrymetomyvanishinglove.

Afootaboveitslowestendmyfingersclosed.TightlyasIclungIfelttheropeslipping,slippingthroughmygrasp.Itriedtoraisemyfreehandtotakeasecondholdabovemyfirst,butthechangeofpositionthatresultedcausedmetoslipmorerapidlytowardtheendoftherope.

SlowlyIfeltthetantalizingthingescapingme.InamomentallthatIhadgainedwouldbelost--thenmyfingersreachedaknotattheveryendoftheropeandslippednomore.

WithaprayerofgratitudeuponmylipsIscrambledupwardtowardtheboat'sdeck.IcouldnotseeThuridandMataiShangnow,butIheardthesoundsofconflictandthusknewthattheystill

fought--thethernforhislifeandtheblackfortheincreasedbuoyancythatrelieffromtheweightofevenasinglebodywouldgivethecraft.

ShouldMataiShangdiebeforeIreachedthedeckmychancesofeverreachingitwouldbeslenderindeed,fortheblackdatorneedbutcuttheropeabovemetobefreedfrommeforever,forthevesselhaddriftedacrossthebrinkofachasmintowhoseyawningdepthsmybodywoulddroptobecrushedtoashapelesspulpshouldThuridreachtheropenow.

Atlastmyhandclosedupontheship'srailandthatveryinstantahorridshriekrangoutbelowmethatsentmybloodcoldandturned

myhorrifiedeyesdownwardtoashrieking,hurtling,twistingthingthatshotdownwardintotheawfulchasmbeneathme.

ItwasMataiShang,HolyHekkador,FatherofTherns,gonetohislastaccounting.

ThenmyheadcameabovethedeckandIsawThurid,daggerinhand,leapingtowardme.Hewasoppositetheforwardendofthecabin,whileIwasattemptingtoclamberaboardnearthevessel'sstern.Butafewpaceslaybetweenus.Nopoweronearthcouldraisemetothatdeckbeforetheinfuriatedblackwouldbeuponme.

Myendhadcome.Iknewit;buthadtherebeenadoubtinmymind

thenastyleeroftriumphuponthatwickedfacewouldhaveconvincedme.BeyondThuridIcouldseemyDejahThoris,wide-eyedandhorrified,strugglingatherbonds.Thatsheshouldbeforcedtowitnessmyawfuldeathmademybitterfateseemdoublycruel.

Iceasedmyeffortstoclimbacrossthegunwale.InsteadItookafirmgraspupontherailwithmylefthandanddrewmydagger.

IshouldatleastdieasIhadlived--fighting.



AsThuridcameoppositethecabin'sdoorwayanewelementprojecteditselfintothegrimtragedyoftheairthatwasbeingenacteduponthedeckofMataiShang'sdisabledflier.

ItwasPhaidor.

Withflushedfaceanddisheveledhair,andeyesthatbetrayedtherecentpresenceofmortaltears--abovewhichthisproudgoddesshadalwaysheldherself--sheleapedtothedeckdirectlybeforeme.

Inherhandwasalong,slimdagger.Icastalastlookuponmybelovedprincess,smiling,asmenshouldwhoareabouttodie.ThenIturnedmyfaceuptowardPhaidor--waitingfortheblow.

NeverhaveIseenthatbeautifulfacemorebeautifulthanitwasatthatmoment.Itseemedincrediblethatonesolovelycouldyetharborwithinherfairbosomaheartsocruelandrelentless,andtodaytherewasanewexpressioninherwondrouseyesthatIneverbeforehadseenthere--anunfamiliarsoftness,andalookofsuffering.

Thuridwasbesidehernow--pushingpasttoreachmefirst,andthenwhathappenedhappenedsoquicklythatitwasalloverbeforeIcouldrealizethetruthofit.

Phaidor'sslimhandshotouttocloseupontheblack'sdaggerwrist.Herrighthandwenthighwithitsgleamingblade.

"ThatforMataiShang!"shecried,andsheburiedherbladedeepinthedator'sbreast."ThatforthewrongyouwouldhavedoneDejahThoris!"andagainthesharpsteelsankintothebloodyflesh.

"Andthat,andthat,andthat!"sheshrieked,"forJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,"andwitheachwordhersharppointpiercedthevileheartofthegreatvillain.Then,withavindictiveshoveshecastthecarcassoftheFirstBornfromthedecktofallinawfulsilenceafterthebodyofhisvictim.

IhadbeensoparalyzedbysurprisethatIhadmadenomovetoreachthedeckduringtheawe-inspiringscenewhichIhadjustwitnessed,andnowIwastobestillfurtheramazedbyhernextact,forPhaidorextendedherhandtomeandassistedmetothedeck,whereIstoodgazingatherinunconcealedandstupefiedwonderment.

Awansmiletouchedherlips--itwasnotthecruelandhaughtysmileofthegoddesswithwhichIwasfamiliar."Youwonder,JohnCarter,"shesaid,"whatstrangethinghaswroughtthischangeinme?Iwilltellyou.Itislove--loveofyou,"andwhenIdarkenedmybrowsindisapprovalofherwordssheraisedanappealinghand.

"Wait,"shesaid."Itisadifferentlovefrommine--itistheloveofyourprincess,DejahThoris,foryouthathastaughtmewhattruelovemaybe--whatitshouldbe,andhowfarfromreallovewasmyselfishandjealouspassionforyou.

"NowIamdifferent.NowcouldIloveasDejahThorisloves,andsomyonlyhappinesscanbetoknowthatyouandsheareoncemoreunited,forinheralonecanyoufindtruehappiness.

"ButIamunhappybecauseofthewickednessthatIhavewrought.I



havemanysinstoexpiate,andthoughIbedeathless,lifeisalltooshortfortheatonement.

"Butthereisanotherway,andifPhaidor,daughteroftheHolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns,hassinnedshehasthisdayalreadymadepartialreparation,andlestyoudoubtthesincerityofherprotestationsandheravowalofanewlovethatembracesDejahThorisalso,shewillprovehersincerityintheonlywaythatliesopen--havingsavedyouforanother,Phaidorleavesyoutoherembraces."

Withherlastwordsheturnedandleapedfromthevessel'sdeckintotheabyssbelow.

WithacryofhorrorIsprangforwardinavainattempttosavethelifethatfortwoyearsIwouldsogladlyhaveseenextinguished.Iwastoolate.

Withtear-dimmedeyesIturnedawaythatImightnotseetheawfulsightbeneath.

AmomentlaterIhadstruckthebondsfromDejahThoris,andasherdeararmswentaboutmyneckandherperfectlipspressedtomineIforgotthehorrorsthatIhadwitnessedandthesufferingthat

Ihadenduredintheraptureofmyreward.

THENEWRULER

TheflieruponwhosedeckDejahThorisandIfoundourselvesaftertwelvelongyearsofseparationprovedentirelyuseless.Herbuoyancytanksleakedbadly.Herenginewouldnotstart.Wewerehelplessthereinmidairabovethearcticice.

ThecrafthaddriftedacrossthechasmwhichheldthecorpsesofMataiShang,Thurid,andPhaidor,andnowhungabovealowhill.OpeningthebuoyancyescapevalvesIpermittedhertocomeslowlytotheground,andasshetouched,DejahThorisandIsteppedfromherdeckand,handinhand,turnedbackacrossthefrozenwastetowardthecityofKadabra.

Throughthetunnelthathadledmeinpursuitofthemwepassed,walkingslowly,forwehadmuchtosaytoeachother.

ShetoldmeofthatlastterriblemomentmonthsbeforewhenthedoorofherprisoncellwithintheTempleoftheSunwasslowlyclosingbetweenus.OfhowPhaidorhadsprunguponherwith

uplifteddagger,andofThuvia'sshriekasshehadrealizedthefoulintentionofthetherngoddess.

Ithadbeenthatcrythathadrunginmyearsallthelong,wearymonthsthatIhadbeenleftincrueldoubtastomyprincess'fate;forIhadnotknownthatThuviahadwrestedthebladefromthedaughterofMataiShangbeforeithadtouchedeitherDejahThorisorherself.

Shetoldme,too,oftheawfuleternityofherimprisonment.Of



thecruelhatredofPhaidor,andthetenderloveofThuvia,andofhowevenwhendespairwasthedarkestthosetworedgirlshadclungtothesamehopeandbelief--thatJohnCarterwouldfindawaytoreleasethem.

PresentlywecametothechamberofSolan.Ihadbeenproceedingwithoutthoughtofcaution,forIwassurethatthecityandthepalacewerebothinthehandsofmyfriendsbythistime.

AndsoitwasthatIboltedintothechamberfullintothemidstofadozennoblesofthecourtofSalensusOll.Theywerepassingthroughontheirwaytotheoutsideworldalongthecorridorswehadjusttraversed.

Atsightofustheyhaltedintheirtracks,andthenanuglysmileoverspreadthefeaturesoftheirleader.

"Theauthorofallourmisfortunes!"hecried,pointingatme."WeshallhavethesatisfactionofapartialvengeanceatleastwhenweleavebehindusherethedeadandmutilatedcorpsesofthePrinceandPrincessofHelium.

"Whentheyfindthem,"hewenton,jerkinghisthumbupwardtowardthepalaceabove,"theywillrealizethatthevengeanceofthe

yellowmancostshisenemiesdear.Preparetodie,JohnCarter,butthatyourendmaybethemorebitter,knowthatImaychangemyintentionastometingamercifuldeathtoyourprincess--possiblysheshallbepreservedasaplaythingformynobles."

Istoodclosetotheinstrument-coveredwall--DejahThorisatmyside.Shelookedupatmewonderinglyasthewarriorsadvanceduponuswithdrawnswords,forminestillhungwithinitsscabbardatmyside,andtherewasasmileuponmylips.

Theyellownobles,too,lookedinsurprise,andthenasImadenomovetodrawtheyhesitated,fearingaruse;buttheirleaderurgedthemon.Whentheyhadcomealmostwithinsword'sreachofme

Iraisedmyhandandlaidituponthepolishedsurfaceofagreatlever,andthen,stillsmilinggrimly,Ilookedmyenemiesfullintheface.

Asonetheycametoasuddenstop,castingaffrightedglancesatmeandatoneanother.

"Stop!"shriekedtheirleader."Youdreamnotwhatyoudo!"

"Rightyouare,"Ireplied."JohnCarterdoesnotdream.Heknows--knowsthatshouldoneofyoutakeanothersteptowardDejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,Ipullthisleverwide,andsheandIshalldietogether;butweshallnotdiealone."

Thenoblesshrankback,whisperingtogetherforafewmoments.Atlasttheirleaderturnedtome.

"Goyourway,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"andweshallgoours."

"Prisonersdonotgotheirownway,"Ianswered,"andyouareprisoners--prisonersofthePrinceofHelium."

Beforetheycouldmakeansweradoorupontheoppositesideofthe



apartmentopenedandascoreofyellowmenpouredintotheapartment.Foraninstantthenobleslookedrelieved,andthenastheireyesfellupontheleaderofthenewpartytheirfacesfell,forhewasTalu,rebelPrinceofMarentina,andtheyknewthattheycouldlookforneitheraidnormercyathishands.

"Welldone,JohnCarter,"hecried."Youturntheirownmightypoweragainstthem.FortunateforOkarisitthatyouwereheretopreventtheirescape,forthesebethegreatestvillainsnorthoftheice-barrier,andthisone"--pointingtotheleaderoftheparty--"wouldhavemadehimselfJeddakofJeddaksintheplaceofthedeadSalensusOll.Thenindeedwouldwehavehadamorevillainousrulerthanthehatedtyrantwhofellbeforeyoursword."

TheOkariannoblesnowsubmittedtoarrest,sincenothingbutdeathfacedthemshouldtheyresist,and,escortedbythewarriorsofTalu,wemadeourwaytothegreataudiencechamberthathadbeenSalensusOll's.Herewasavastconcourseofwarriors.

RedmenfromHeliumandPtarth,yellowmenofthenorth,rubbingelbowswiththeblacksoftheFirstBornwhohadcomeundermyfriendXodartohelpinthesearchformeandmyprincess.Thereweresavage,greenwarriorsfromthedeadseabottomsofthesouth,andahandfulofwhite-skinnedthernswhohadrenouncedtheir

religionandswornallegiancetoXodar.

TherewasTardosMorsandMorsKajak,andtallandmightyinhisgorgeouswarriortrappings,Carthoris,myson.ThesethreefelluponDejahThorisasweenteredtheapartment,andthoughthelivesandtrainingofroyalMartianstendnottowardvulgardemonstration,Ithoughtthattheywouldsuffocateherwiththeirembraces.

AndtherewereTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,andKantosKan,myold-timefriends,andleapingandtearingatmyharnessintheexuberanceofhisgreatlovewasdearoldWoola--franticmadwithhappiness.

Longandloudwasthecheeringthatburstforthatsightofus;deafeningwasthedinofringingmetalastheveteranwarriorsofeveryMartianclimeclashedtheirbladestogetheronhighintokenofsuccessandvictory,butasIpassedamongthethrongofsalutingnoblesandwarriors,jedsandjeddaks,myheartstillwasheavy,forthereweretwofacesmissingthatIwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveseenthere--ThuvanDihnandThuviaofPtarthwerenottobefoundinthegreatchamber.

Imadeinquiriesconcerningthemamongmenofeverynation,andatlastfromoneoftheyellowprisonersofwarIlearnedthattheyhadbeenapprehendedbyanofficerofthepalaceastheysoughttoreachthePitofPlentywhileIlayimprisonedthere.

Ididnotneedtoasktoknowwhathadsentthemthither--thecourageousjeddakandhisloyaldaughter.Myinformersaidthattheylaynowinoneofthemanyburieddungeonsofthepalacewheretheyhadbeenplacedpendingadecisionastotheirfatebythetyrantofthenorth.

Amomentlatersearchingpartieswerescouringtheancientpileinsearchofthem,andmycupofhappinesswasfullwhenIsawthembeingescortedintotheroombyacheeringguardofhonor.



Thuvia'sfirstactwastorushtothesideofDejahThoris,andIneedednobetterproofofthelovethesetwoboreforeachotherthanthesinceritywithwhichtheyembraced.

LookingdownuponthatcrowdedchamberstoodthesilentandemptythroneofOkar.

Ofallthestrangescenesitmusthavewitnessedsincethatlong-deadagethathadfirstseenaJeddakofJeddakstakehisseatuponit,nonemightcomparewiththatuponwhichitnowlookeddown,andasIponderedthepastandfutureofthatlong-buriedraceofblack-beardedyellowmenIthoughtthatIsawabrighterandmoreusefulexistenceforthemamongthegreatfamilyoffriendlynationsthatnowstretchedfromthesouthpolealmosttotheirverydoors.

Twenty-twoyearsbeforeIhadbeencast,nakedandastranger,intothisstrangeandsavageworld.Thehandofeveryraceandnationwasraisedincontinualstrifeandwarringagainstthemenofeveryotherlandandcolor.Today,bythemightofmyswordandtheloyaltyofthefriendsmyswordhadmadeforme,blackmanandwhite,redmanandgreenrubbedshouldersinpeaceandgood-fellowship.AllthenationsofBarsoomwerenotyetasone,butagreatstrideforwardtowardthatgoalhadbeentaken,andnowifIcould

butcementthefierceyellowraceintothissolidarityofnationsIshouldfeelthatIhadroundedoutagreatlifework,andrepaidtoMarsatleastaportionoftheimmensedebtofgratitudeIowedherforhavinggivenmemyDejahThoris.

AndasIthought,Isawbutoneway,andasinglemanwhocouldinsurethesuccessofmyhopes.Asiseverthewaywithme,IactedthenasIalwaysact--withoutdeliberationandwithoutconsultation.

Thosewhodonotlikemyplansandmywaysofpromotingthemhavealwaystheirswordsattheirsideswherewithtobackuptheirdisapproval;butnowthereseemedtobenodissentingvoice,as,graspingTalubythearm,Isprangtothethronethathadoncebeen

SalensusOll's.

"WarriorsofBarsoom,"Icried,"Kadabrahasfallen,andwithherthehatefultyrantofthenorth;buttheintegrityofOkarmustbepreserved.Theredmenareruledbyredjeddaks,thegreenwarriorsoftheancientseasacknowledgenonebutagreenruler,theFirstBornofthesouthpoletaketheirlawfromblackXodar;norwoulditbetotheinterestsofeitheryelloworredmanwerearedjeddaktosituponthethroneofOkar.

"TherebebutonewarriorbestfittedfortheancientandmightytitleofJeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth.MenofOkar,raiseyourswordstoyournewruler--Talu,therebelprinceofMarentina!"

AndthenagreatcryofrejoicingroseamongthefreemenofMarentinaandtheKadabranprisoners,forallhadthoughtthattheredmenwouldretainthatwhichtheyhadtakenbyforceofarms,forsuchhadbeenthewayuponBarsoom,andthattheyshouldberuledhenceforthbyanalienJeddak.

ThevictoriouswarriorswhohadfollowedCarthorisjoinedinthemaddemonstration,andamidstthewildconfusionandthetumultandthecheering,DejahThorisandIpassedoutintothegorgeous



causedalovelygardentobemadethatwethreemightfindseclusionandquiethappinessamongourselves,farfromthepompandceremonyofcourt,tosummonustotheTempleofReward--"whereoneistobejudgedthisnight,"thesummonsconcluded.

IrackedmybraintotryanddeterminewhatimportantcasetheremightbependingwhichcouldcalltheroyalfamilyfromtheirpalacesontheeveoftheirreturntoHeliumafteryearsofabsence;butwhenthejeddaksummonsnomandelays.

Asourfliertouchedthelandingstageatthetemple'stopwesawcountlessothercraftarrivinganddeparting.Inthestreetsbelowagreatmultitudesurgedtowardthegreatgatesofthetemple.

SlowlytherecametometherecollectionofthedeferreddoomthatawaitedmesincethattimeIhadbeentriedhereintheTemplebyZatArrasforthesinofreturningfromtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus.

CoulditbepossiblethatthestrictsenseofjusticewhichdominatesthemenofMarshadcausedthemtooverlookthegreatgoodthathadcomeoutofmyheresy?Couldtheyignorethefactthattome,andmealone,wasduetherescueofCarthoris,ofDejahThoris,ofMorsKajak,ofTardosMors?

Icouldnotbelieveit,andyetforwhatotherpurposecouldIhavebeensummonedtotheTempleofRewardimmediatelyuponthereturnofTardosMorstohisthrone?

MyfirstsurpriseasIenteredthetempleandapproachedtheThroneofRighteousnesswastonotethemenwhosatthereasjudges.TherewasKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,whomwehadbutjustleftwithinhisownpalaceafewdayssince;therewasThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth--howcamehetoHeliumassoonaswe?

TherewasTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,andXodar,JeddakoftheFirstBorn;therewasTalu,JeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth,whom

Icouldhaveswornwasstillinhisice-boundhothousecitybeyondthenorthernbarrier,andamongthemsatTardosMorsandMorsKajak,withenoughlesserjedsandjeddakstomakeupthethirty-onewhomustsitinjudgmentupontheirfellow-man.

Arightroyaltribunalindeed,andsuchaone,Iwarrant,asneverbeforesattogetherduringallthehistoryofancientMars.

AsIentered,silencefelluponthegreatconcourseofpeoplethatpackedtheauditorium.ThenTardosMorsarose.

"JohnCarter,"hesaidinhisdeep,martialvoice,"takeyourplaceuponthePedestalofTruth,foryouaretobetriedbyafairand

impartialtribunalofyourfellow-men."

Withleveleyeandhigh-heldheadIdidashebade,andasIglancedaboutthatcircleoffacesthatamomentbeforeIcouldhavesworncontainedthebestfriendsIhaduponBarsoom,Isawnosinglefriendlyglance--onlystern,uncompromisingjudges,theretodotheirduty.

AclerkroseandfromagreatbookreadalonglistofthemorenotabledeedsthatIhadthoughttomycredit,coveringalongperiod



oftwenty-twoyearssincefirstIhadsteppedtheocherseabottombesidetheincubatoroftheTharks.WiththeothershereadofallthatIhaddonewithinthecircleoftheOtzMountainswheretheHolyThernsandtheFirstBornhadheldsway.

ItisthewayuponBarsoomtoreciteaman'svirtueswithhissinswhenheiscometotrial,andsoIwasnotsurprisedthatallthatwastomycreditshouldbereadtheretomyjudges--whoknewitallbyheart--evendowntothepresentmoment.WhenthereadinghadceasedTardosMorsarose.

"Mostrighteousjudges,"heexclaimed,"youhaveheardrecitedallthatisknownofJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium--thegoodwiththebad.Whatisyourjudgment?"

ThenTarsTarkascameslowlytohisfeet,unfoldingallhismighty,toweringheightuntilheloomed,agreen-bronzestatue,faraboveusall.Heturnedabalefuleyeuponme--he,TarsTarkas,withwhomIhadfoughtthroughcountlessbattles;whomIlovedasabrother.

IcouldhavewepthadInotbeensomadwithragethatIalmostwhippedmyswordoutandhadatthemalluponthespot.

"Judges,"hesaid,"therecanbebutoneverdict.Nolongermay

JohnCarterbePrinceofHelium"--hepaused--"butinsteadlethimbeJeddakofJeddaks,WarlordofBarsoom!"

Asthethirty-onejudgessprangtotheirfeetwithdrawnandupraisedswordsinunanimousconcurrenceintheverdict,thestormbrokethroughoutthelengthandbreadthandheightofthatmightybuildinguntilIthoughttheroofwouldfallfromthethunderofthemadshouting.

Now,atlast,Isawthegrimhumorofthemethodtheyhadadoptedtodomethisgreathonor,butthattherewasanyhoaxintherealityofthetitletheyhadconferreduponmewasreadilydisprovedbythesincerityofthecongratulationsthatwereheapeduponmeby

thejudgesfirstandthenthenobles.

PresentlyfiftyofthemightiestnoblesofthegreatestcourtsofMarsmarcheddownthebroadAisleofHopebearingasplendidcarupontheirshoulders,andasthepeoplesawwhosatwithin,thecheersthathadrungoutformepaledintoinsignificancebesidethosewhichthunderedthroughthevastedificenow,forshewhomthenoblescarriedwasDejahThoris,belovedPrincessofHelium.

StraighttotheThroneofRighteousnesstheyboreher,andthereTardosMorsassistedherfromthecar,leadingherforwardtomyside.

"Letaworld'smostbeautifulwomansharethehonorofherhusband,"hesaid.

BeforethemallIdrewmywifeclosetomeandkissedheruponthelips.



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