diff options
Diffstat (limited to '62.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 62.txt | 7546 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 7546 deletions
@@ -1,7546 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: A Princess of Mars - -Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs - -Release Date: June 23, 2008 [EBook #62] -Last updated: October 12, 2012 -Last updated: December 8, 2012 -Last updated: February 6, 2013 -Last updated: March 11, 2013 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRINCESS OF MARS *** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[Frontispiece: With my back against a golden throne, I fought once -again for Dejah Thoris] - - - - -A PRINCESS OF MARS - - -by - -Edgar Rice Burroughs - - - -To My Son Jack - - - - -FOREWORD - - -To the Reader of this Work: - -In submitting Captain Carter's strange manuscript to you in book form, -I believe that a few words relative to this remarkable personality will -be of interest. - -My first recollection of Captain Carter is of the few months he spent -at my father's home in Virginia, just prior to the opening of the civil -war. I was then a child of but five years, yet I well remember the -tall, dark, smooth-faced, athletic man whom I called Uncle Jack. - -He seemed always to be laughing; and he entered into the sports of the -children with the same hearty good fellowship he displayed toward those -pastimes in which the men and women of his own age indulged; or he -would sit for an hour at a time entertaining my old grandmother with -stories of his strange, wild life in all parts of the world. We all -loved him, and our slaves fairly worshipped the ground he trod. - -He was a splendid specimen of manhood, standing a good two inches over -six feet, broad of shoulder and narrow of hip, with the carriage of the -trained fighting man. His features were regular and clear cut, his -hair black and closely cropped, while his eyes were of a steel gray, -reflecting a strong and loyal character, filled with fire and -initiative. His manners were perfect, and his courtliness was that of -a typical southern gentleman of the highest type. - -His horsemanship, especially after hounds, was a marvel and delight -even in that country of magnificent horsemen. I have often heard my -father caution him against his wild recklessness, but he would only -laugh, and say that the tumble that killed him would be from the back -of a horse yet unfoaled. - -When the war broke out he left us, nor did I see him again for some -fifteen or sixteen years. When he returned it was without warning, and -I was much surprised to note that he had not aged apparently a moment, -nor had he changed in any other outward way. He was, when others were -with him, the same genial, happy fellow we had known of old, but when -he thought himself alone I have seen him sit for hours gazing off into -space, his face set in a look of wistful longing and hopeless misery; -and at night he would sit thus looking up into the heavens, at what I -did not know until I read his manuscript years afterward. - -He told us that he had been prospecting and mining in Arizona part of -the time since the war; and that he had been very successful was -evidenced by the unlimited amount of money with which he was supplied. -As to the details of his life during these years he was very reticent, -in fact he would not talk of them at all. - -He remained with us for about a year and then went to New York, where -he purchased a little place on the Hudson, where I visited him once a -year on the occasions of my trips to the New York market--my father and -I owning and operating a string of general stores throughout Virginia -at that time. Captain Carter had a small but beautiful cottage, -situated on a bluff overlooking the river, and during one of my last -visits, in the winter of 1885, I observed he was much occupied in -writing, I presume now, upon this manuscript. - -He told me at this time that if anything should happen to him he wished -me to take charge of his estate, and he gave me a key to a compartment -in the safe which stood in his study, telling me I would find his will -there and some personal instructions which he had me pledge myself to -carry out with absolute fidelity. - -After I had retired for the night I have seen him from my window -standing in the moonlight on the brink of the bluff overlooking the -Hudson with his arms stretched out to the heavens as though in appeal. -I thought at the time that he was praying, although I never understood -that he was in the strict sense of the term a religious man. - -Several months after I had returned home from my last visit, the first -of March, 1886, I think, I received a telegram from him asking me to -come to him at once. I had always been his favorite among the younger -generation of Carters and so I hastened to comply with his demand. - -I arrived at the little station, about a mile from his grounds, on the -morning of March 4, 1886, and when I asked the livery man to drive me -out to Captain Carter's he replied that if I was a friend of the -Captain's he had some very bad news for me; the Captain had been found -dead shortly after daylight that very morning by the watchman attached -to an adjoining property. - -For some reason this news did not surprise me, but I hurried out to his -place as quickly as possible, so that I could take charge of the body -and of his affairs. - -I found the watchman who had discovered him, together with the local -police chief and several townspeople, assembled in his little study. -The watchman related the few details connected with the finding of the -body, which he said had been still warm when he came upon it. It lay, -he said, stretched full length in the snow with the arms outstretched -above the head toward the edge of the bluff, and when he showed me the -spot it flashed upon me that it was the identical one where I had seen -him on those other nights, with his arms raised in supplication to the -skies. - -There were no marks of violence on the body, and with the aid of a -local physician the coroner's jury quickly reached a decision of death -from heart failure. Left alone in the study, I opened the safe and -withdrew the contents of the drawer in which he had told me I would -find my instructions. They were in part peculiar indeed, but I have -followed them to each last detail as faithfully as I was able. - -He directed that I remove his body to Virginia without embalming, and -that he be laid in an open coffin within a tomb which he previously had -had constructed and which, as I later learned, was well ventilated. -The instructions impressed upon me that I must personally see that this -was carried out just as he directed, even in secrecy if necessary. - -His property was left in such a way that I was to receive the entire -income for twenty-five years, when the principal was to become mine. -His further instructions related to this manuscript which I was to -retain sealed and unread, just as I found it, for eleven years; nor was -I to divulge its contents until twenty-one years after his death. - -A strange feature about the tomb, where his body still lies, is that -the massive door is equipped with a single, huge gold-plated spring -lock which can be opened _only from the inside_. - -Yours very sincerely, - -Edgar Rice Burroughs. - - - - -CONTENTS - - I On the Arizona Hills - II The Escape of the Dead - III My Advent on Mars - IV A Prisoner - V I Elude My Watch Dog - VI A Fight That Won Friends - VII Child-Raising on Mars - VIII A Fair Captive from the Sky - IX I Learn the Language - X Champion and Chief - XI With Dejah Thoris - XII A Prisoner with Power - XIII Love-Making on Mars - XIV A Duel to the Death - XV Sola Tells Me Her Story - XVI We Plan Escape - XVII A Costly Recapture - XVIII Chained in Warhoon - XIX Battling in the Arena - XX In the Atmosphere Factory - XXI An Air Scout for Zodanga - XXII I Find Dejah - XXIII Lost in the Sky - XXIV Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend - XXV The Looting of Zodanga - XXVI Through Carnage to Joy - XXVII From Joy to Death - XXVIII At the Arizona Cave - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - -With my back against a golden throne, - I fought once again for Dejah Thoris . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ - -I sought out Dejah Thoris in the throng of departing chariots. - -She drew upon the marble floor the first map of the - Barsoomian territory I had ever seen. - -The old man sat and talked with me for hours. - - - - -CHAPTER I - -ON THE ARIZONA HILLS - - -I am a very old man; how old I do not know. Possibly I am a hundred, -possibly more; but I cannot tell because I have never aged as other -men, nor do I remember any childhood. So far as I can recollect I have -always been a man, a man of about thirty. I appear today as I did -forty years and more ago, and yet I feel that I cannot go on living -forever; that some day I shall die the real death from which there is -no resurrection. I do not know why I should fear death, I who have -died twice and am still alive; but yet I have the same horror of it as -you who have never died, and it is because of this terror of death, I -believe, that I am so convinced of my mortality. - -And because of this conviction I have determined to write down the -story of the interesting periods of my life and of my death. I cannot -explain the phenomena; I can only set down here in the words of an -ordinary soldier of fortune a chronicle of the strange events that -befell me during the ten years that my dead body lay undiscovered in an -Arizona cave. - -I have never told this story, nor shall mortal man see this manuscript -until after I have passed over for eternity. I know that the average -human mind will not believe what it cannot grasp, and so I do not -purpose being pilloried by the public, the pulpit, and the press, and -held up as a colossal liar when I am but telling the simple truths -which some day science will substantiate. Possibly the suggestions -which I gained upon Mars, and the knowledge which I can set down in -this chronicle, will aid in an earlier understanding of the mysteries -of our sister planet; mysteries to you, but no longer mysteries to me. - -My name is John Carter; I am better known as Captain Jack Carter of -Virginia. At the close of the Civil War I found myself possessed of -several hundred thousand dollars (Confederate) and a captain's -commission in the cavalry arm of an army which no longer existed; the -servant of a state which had vanished with the hopes of the South. -Masterless, penniless, and with my only means of livelihood, fighting, -gone, I determined to work my way to the southwest and attempt to -retrieve my fallen fortunes in a search for gold. - -I spent nearly a year prospecting in company with another Confederate -officer, Captain James K. Powell of Richmond. We were extremely -fortunate, for late in the winter of 1865, after many hardships and -privations, we located the most remarkable gold-bearing quartz vein -that our wildest dreams had ever pictured. Powell, who was a mining -engineer by education, stated that we had uncovered over a million -dollars worth of ore in a trifle over three months. - -As our equipment was crude in the extreme we decided that one of us -must return to civilization, purchase the necessary machinery and -return with a sufficient force of men properly to work the mine. - -As Powell was familiar with the country, as well as with the mechanical -requirements of mining we determined that it would be best for him to -make the trip. It was agreed that I was to hold down our claim against -the remote possibility of its being jumped by some wandering prospector. - -On March 3, 1866, Powell and I packed his provisions on two of our -burros, and bidding me good-bye he mounted his horse, and started down -the mountainside toward the valley, across which led the first stage of -his journey. - -The morning of Powell's departure was, like nearly all Arizona -mornings, clear and beautiful; I could see him and his little pack -animals picking their way down the mountainside toward the valley, and -all during the morning I would catch occasional glimpses of them as -they topped a hog back or came out upon a level plateau. My last sight -of Powell was about three in the afternoon as he entered the shadows of -the range on the opposite side of the valley. - -Some half hour later I happened to glance casually across the valley -and was much surprised to note three little dots in about the same -place I had last seen my friend and his two pack animals. I am not -given to needless worrying, but the more I tried to convince myself -that all was well with Powell, and that the dots I had seen on his -trail were antelope or wild horses, the less I was able to assure -myself. - -Since we had entered the territory we had not seen a hostile Indian, -and we had, therefore, become careless in the extreme, and were wont to -ridicule the stories we had heard of the great numbers of these vicious -marauders that were supposed to haunt the trails, taking their toll in -lives and torture of every white party which fell into their merciless -clutches. - -Powell, I knew, was well armed and, further, an experienced Indian -fighter; but I too had lived and fought for years among the Sioux in -the North, and I knew that his chances were small against a party of -cunning trailing Apaches. Finally I could endure the suspense no -longer, and, arming myself with my two Colt revolvers and a carbine, I -strapped two belts of cartridges about me and catching my saddle horse, -started down the trail taken by Powell in the morning. - -As soon as I reached comparatively level ground I urged my mount into a -canter and continued this, where the going permitted, until, close upon -dusk, I discovered the point where other tracks joined those of Powell. -They were the tracks of unshod ponies, three of them, and the ponies -had been galloping. - -I followed rapidly until, darkness shutting down, I was forced to await -the rising of the moon, and given an opportunity to speculate on the -question of the wisdom of my chase. Possibly I had conjured up -impossible dangers, like some nervous old housewife, and when I should -catch up with Powell would get a good laugh for my pains. However, I -am not prone to sensitiveness, and the following of a sense of duty, -wherever it may lead, has always been a kind of fetich with me -throughout my life; which may account for the honors bestowed upon me -by three republics and the decorations and friendships of an old and -powerful emperor and several lesser kings, in whose service my sword -has been red many a time. - -About nine o'clock the moon was sufficiently bright for me to proceed -on my way and I had no difficulty in following the trail at a fast -walk, and in some places at a brisk trot until, about midnight, I -reached the water hole where Powell had expected to camp. I came upon -the spot unexpectedly, finding it entirely deserted, with no signs of -having been recently occupied as a camp. - -I was interested to note that the tracks of the pursuing horsemen, for -such I was now convinced they must be, continued after Powell with only -a brief stop at the hole for water; and always at the same rate of -speed as his. - -I was positive now that the trailers were Apaches and that they wished -to capture Powell alive for the fiendish pleasure of the torture, so I -urged my horse onward at a most dangerous pace, hoping against hope -that I would catch up with the red rascals before they attacked him. - -Further speculation was suddenly cut short by the faint report of two -shots far ahead of me. I knew that Powell would need me now if ever, -and I instantly urged my horse to his topmost speed up the narrow and -difficult mountain trail. - -I had forged ahead for perhaps a mile or more without hearing further -sounds, when the trail suddenly debouched onto a small, open plateau -near the summit of the pass. I had passed through a narrow, -overhanging gorge just before entering suddenly upon this table land, -and the sight which met my eyes filled me with consternation and dismay. - -The little stretch of level land was white with Indian tepees, and -there were probably half a thousand red warriors clustered around some -object near the center of the camp. Their attention was so wholly -riveted to this point of interest that they did not notice me, and I -easily could have turned back into the dark recesses of the gorge and -made my escape with perfect safety. The fact, however, that this -thought did not occur to me until the following day removes any -possible right to a claim to heroism to which the narration of this -episode might possibly otherwise entitle me. - -I do not believe that I am made of the stuff which constitutes heroes, -because, in all of the hundreds of instances that my voluntary acts -have placed me face to face with death, I cannot recall a single one -where any alternative step to that I took occurred to me until many -hours later. My mind is evidently so constituted that I am -subconsciously forced into the path of duty without recourse to -tiresome mental processes. However that may be, I have never regretted -that cowardice is not optional with me. - -In this instance I was, of course, positive that Powell was the center -of attraction, but whether I thought or acted first I do not know, but -within an instant from the moment the scene broke upon my view I had -whipped out my revolvers and was charging down upon the entire army of -warriors, shooting rapidly, and whooping at the top of my lungs. -Singlehanded, I could not have pursued better tactics, for the red men, -convinced by sudden surprise that not less than a regiment of regulars -was upon them, turned and fled in every direction for their bows, -arrows, and rifles. - -The view which their hurried routing disclosed filled me with -apprehension and with rage. Under the clear rays of the Arizona moon -lay Powell, his body fairly bristling with the hostile arrows of the -braves. That he was already dead I could not but be convinced, and yet -I would have saved his body from mutilation at the hands of the Apaches -as quickly as I would have saved the man himself from death. - -Riding close to him I reached down from the saddle, and grasping his -cartridge belt drew him up across the withers of my mount. A backward -glance convinced me that to return by the way I had come would be more -hazardous than to continue across the plateau, so, putting spurs to my -poor beast, I made a dash for the opening to the pass which I could -distinguish on the far side of the table land. - -The Indians had by this time discovered that I was alone and I was -pursued with imprecations, arrows, and rifle balls. The fact that it -is difficult to aim anything but imprecations accurately by moonlight, -that they were upset by the sudden and unexpected manner of my advent, -and that I was a rather rapidly moving target saved me from the various -deadly projectiles of the enemy and permitted me to reach the shadows -of the surrounding peaks before an orderly pursuit could be organized. - -My horse was traveling practically unguided as I knew that I had -probably less knowledge of the exact location of the trail to the pass -than he, and thus it happened that he entered a defile which led to the -summit of the range and not to the pass which I had hoped would carry -me to the valley and to safety. It is probable, however, that to this -fact I owe my life and the remarkable experiences and adventures which -befell me during the following ten years. - -My first knowledge that I was on the wrong trail came when I heard the -yells of the pursuing savages suddenly grow fainter and fainter far off -to my left. - -I knew then that they had passed to the left of the jagged rock -formation at the edge of the plateau, to the right of which my horse -had borne me and the body of Powell. - -I drew rein on a little level promontory overlooking the trail below -and to my left, and saw the party of pursuing savages disappearing -around the point of a neighboring peak. - -I knew the Indians would soon discover that they were on the wrong -trail and that the search for me would be renewed in the right -direction as soon as they located my tracks. - -I had gone but a short distance further when what seemed to be an -excellent trail opened up around the face of a high cliff. The trail -was level and quite broad and led upward and in the general direction I -wished to go. The cliff arose for several hundred feet on my right, -and on my left was an equal and nearly perpendicular drop to the bottom -of a rocky ravine. - -I had followed this trail for perhaps a hundred yards when a sharp turn -to the right brought me to the mouth of a large cave. The opening was -about four feet in height and three to four feet wide, and at this -opening the trail ended. - -It was now morning, and, with the customary lack of dawn which is a -startling characteristic of Arizona, it had become daylight almost -without warning. - -Dismounting, I laid Powell upon the ground, but the most painstaking -examination failed to reveal the faintest spark of life. I forced -water from my canteen between his dead lips, bathed his face and rubbed -his hands, working over him continuously for the better part of an hour -in the face of the fact that I knew him to be dead. - -I was very fond of Powell; he was thoroughly a man in every respect; a -polished southern gentleman; a staunch and true friend; and it was with -a feeling of the deepest grief that I finally gave up my crude -endeavors at resuscitation. - -Leaving Powell's body where it lay on the ledge I crept into the cave -to reconnoiter. I found a large chamber, possibly a hundred feet in -diameter and thirty or forty feet in height; a smooth and well-worn -floor, and many other evidences that the cave had, at some remote -period, been inhabited. The back of the cave was so lost in dense -shadow that I could not distinguish whether there were openings into -other apartments or not. - -As I was continuing my examination I commenced to feel a pleasant -drowsiness creeping over me which I attributed to the fatigue of my -long and strenuous ride, and the reaction from the excitement of the -fight and the pursuit. I felt comparatively safe in my present -location as I knew that one man could defend the trail to the cave -against an army. - -I soon became so drowsy that I could scarcely resist the strong desire -to throw myself on the floor of the cave for a few moments' rest, but I -knew that this would never do, as it would mean certain death at the -hands of my red friends, who might be upon me at any moment. With an -effort I started toward the opening of the cave only to reel drunkenly -against a side wall, and from there slip prone upon the floor. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD - - -A sense of delicious dreaminess overcame me, my muscles relaxed, and I -was on the point of giving way to my desire to sleep when the sound of -approaching horses reached my ears. I attempted to spring to my feet -but was horrified to discover that my muscles refused to respond to my -will. I was now thoroughly awake, but as unable to move a muscle as -though turned to stone. It was then, for the first time, that I -noticed a slight vapor filling the cave. It was extremely tenuous and -only noticeable against the opening which led to daylight. There also -came to my nostrils a faintly pungent odor, and I could only assume -that I had been overcome by some poisonous gas, but why I should retain -my mental faculties and yet be unable to move I could not fathom. - -I lay facing the opening of the cave and where I could see the short -stretch of trail which lay between the cave and the turn of the cliff -around which the trail led. The noise of the approaching horses had -ceased, and I judged the Indians were creeping stealthily upon me along -the little ledge which led to my living tomb. I remember that I hoped -they would make short work of me as I did not particularly relish the -thought of the innumerable things they might do to me if the spirit -prompted them. - -I had not long to wait before a stealthy sound apprised me of their -nearness, and then a war-bonneted, paint-streaked face was thrust -cautiously around the shoulder of the cliff, and savage eyes looked -into mine. That he could see me in the dim light of the cave I was -sure for the early morning sun was falling full upon me through the -opening. - -The fellow, instead of approaching, merely stood and stared; his eyes -bulging and his jaw dropped. And then another savage face appeared, -and a third and fourth and fifth, craning their necks over the -shoulders of their fellows whom they could not pass upon the narrow -ledge. Each face was the picture of awe and fear, but for what reason -I did not know, nor did I learn until ten years later. That there were -still other braves behind those who regarded me was apparent from the -fact that the leaders passed back whispered word to those behind them. - -Suddenly a low but distinct moaning sound issued from the recesses of -the cave behind me, and, as it reached the ears of the Indians, they -turned and fled in terror, panic-stricken. So frantic were their -efforts to escape from the unseen thing behind me that one of the -braves was hurled headlong from the cliff to the rocks below. Their -wild cries echoed in the canyon for a short time, and then all was -still once more. - -The sound which had frightened them was not repeated, but it had been -sufficient as it was to start me speculating on the possible horror -which lurked in the shadows at my back. Fear is a relative term and so -I can only measure my feelings at that time by what I had experienced -in previous positions of danger and by those that I have passed through -since; but I can say without shame that if the sensations I endured -during the next few minutes were fear, then may God help the coward, -for cowardice is of a surety its own punishment. - -To be held paralyzed, with one's back toward some horrible and unknown -danger from the very sound of which the ferocious Apache warriors turn -in wild stampede, as a flock of sheep would madly flee from a pack of -wolves, seems to me the last word in fearsome predicaments for a man -who had ever been used to fighting for his life with all the energy of -a powerful physique. - -Several times I thought I heard faint sounds behind me as of somebody -moving cautiously, but eventually even these ceased, and I was left to -the contemplation of my position without interruption. I could but -vaguely conjecture the cause of my paralysis, and my only hope lay in -that it might pass off as suddenly as it had fallen upon me. - -Late in the afternoon my horse, which had been standing with dragging -rein before the cave, started slowly down the trail, evidently in -search of food and water, and I was left alone with my mysterious -unknown companion and the dead body of my friend, which lay just within -my range of vision upon the ledge where I had placed it in the early -morning. - -From then until possibly midnight all was silence, the silence of the -dead; then, suddenly, the awful moan of the morning broke upon my -startled ears, and there came again from the black shadows the sound of -a moving thing, and a faint rustling as of dead leaves. The shock to -my already overstrained nervous system was terrible in the extreme, and -with a superhuman effort I strove to break my awful bonds. It was an -effort of the mind, of the will, of the nerves; not muscular, for I -could not move even so much as my little finger, but none the less -mighty for all that. And then something gave, there was a momentary -feeling of nausea, a sharp click as of the snapping of a steel wire, -and I stood with my back against the wall of the cave facing my unknown -foe. - -And then the moonlight flooded the cave, and there before me lay my own -body as it had been lying all these hours, with the eyes staring toward -the open ledge and the hands resting limply upon the ground. I looked -first at my lifeless clay there upon the floor of the cave and then -down at myself in utter bewilderment; for there I lay clothed, and yet -here I stood but naked as at the minute of my birth. - -The transition had been so sudden and so unexpected that it left me for -a moment forgetful of aught else than my strange metamorphosis. My -first thought was, is this then death! Have I indeed passed over -forever into that other life! But I could not well believe this, as I -could feel my heart pounding against my ribs from the exertion of my -efforts to release myself from the anaesthesis which had held me. My -breath was coming in quick, short gasps, cold sweat stood out from -every pore of my body, and the ancient experiment of pinching revealed -the fact that I was anything other than a wraith. - -Again was I suddenly recalled to my immediate surroundings by a -repetition of the weird moan from the depths of the cave. Naked and -unarmed as I was, I had no desire to face the unseen thing which -menaced me. - -My revolvers were strapped to my lifeless body which, for some -unfathomable reason, I could not bring myself to touch. My carbine was -in its boot, strapped to my saddle, and as my horse had wandered off I -was left without means of defense. My only alternative seemed to lie -in flight and my decision was crystallized by a recurrence of the -rustling sound from the thing which now seemed, in the darkness of the -cave and to my distorted imagination, to be creeping stealthily upon me. - -Unable longer to resist the temptation to escape this horrible place I -leaped quickly through the opening into the starlight of a clear -Arizona night. The crisp, fresh mountain air outside the cave acted as -an immediate tonic and I felt new life and new courage coursing through -me. Pausing upon the brink of the ledge I upbraided myself for what -now seemed to me wholly unwarranted apprehension. I reasoned with -myself that I had lain helpless for many hours within the cave, yet -nothing had molested me, and my better judgment, when permitted the -direction of clear and logical reasoning, convinced me that the noises -I had heard must have resulted from purely natural and harmless causes; -probably the conformation of the cave was such that a slight breeze had -caused the sounds I heard. - -I decided to investigate, but first I lifted my head to fill my lungs -with the pure, invigorating night air of the mountains. As I did so I -saw stretching far below me the beautiful vista of rocky gorge, and -level, cacti-studded flat, wrought by the moonlight into a miracle of -soft splendor and wondrous enchantment. - -Few western wonders are more inspiring than the beauties of an Arizona -moonlit landscape; the silvered mountains in the distance, the strange -lights and shadows upon hog back and arroyo, and the grotesque details -of the stiff, yet beautiful cacti form a picture at once enchanting and -inspiring; as though one were catching for the first time a glimpse of -some dead and forgotten world, so different is it from the aspect of -any other spot upon our earth. - -As I stood thus meditating, I turned my gaze from the landscape to the -heavens where the myriad stars formed a gorgeous and fitting canopy for -the wonders of the earthly scene. My attention was quickly riveted by -a large red star close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it I -felt a spell of overpowering fascination--it was Mars, the god of war, -and for me, the fighting man, it had always held the power of -irresistible enchantment. As I gazed at it on that far-gone night it -seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw -me as the lodestone attracts a particle of iron. - -My longing was beyond the power of opposition; I closed my eyes, -stretched out my arms toward the god of my vocation and felt myself -drawn with the suddenness of thought through the trackless immensity of -space. There was an instant of extreme cold and utter darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -MY ADVENT ON MARS - - -I opened my eyes upon a strange and weird landscape. I knew that I was -on Mars; not once did I question either my sanity or my wakefulness. I -was not asleep, no need for pinching here; my inner consciousness told -me as plainly that I was upon Mars as your conscious mind tells you -that you are upon Earth. You do not question the fact; neither did I. - -I found myself lying prone upon a bed of yellowish, mosslike vegetation -which stretched around me in all directions for interminable miles. I -seemed to be lying in a deep, circular basin, along the outer verge of -which I could distinguish the irregularities of low hills. - -It was midday, the sun was shining full upon me and the heat of it was -rather intense upon my naked body, yet no greater than would have been -true under similar conditions on an Arizona desert. Here and there -were slight outcroppings of quartz-bearing rock which glistened in the -sunlight; and a little to my left, perhaps a hundred yards, appeared a -low, walled enclosure about four feet in height. No water, and no -other vegetation than the moss was in evidence, and as I was somewhat -thirsty I determined to do a little exploring. - -Springing to my feet I received my first Martian surprise, for the -effort, which on Earth would have brought me standing upright, carried -me into the Martian air to the height of about three yards. I alighted -softly upon the ground, however, without appreciable shock or jar. Now -commenced a series of evolutions which even then seemed ludicrous in -the extreme. I found that I must learn to walk all over again, as the -muscular exertion which carried me easily and safely upon Earth played -strange antics with me upon Mars. - -Instead of progressing in a sane and dignified manner, my attempts to -walk resulted in a variety of hops which took me clear of the ground a -couple of feet at each step and landed me sprawling upon my face or -back at the end of each second or third hop. My muscles, perfectly -attuned and accustomed to the force of gravity on Earth, played the -mischief with me in attempting for the first time to cope with the -lesser gravitation and lower air pressure on Mars. - -I was determined, however, to explore the low structure which was the -only evidence of habitation in sight, and so I hit upon the unique plan -of reverting to first principles in locomotion, creeping. I did fairly -well at this and in a few moments had reached the low, encircling wall -of the enclosure. - -There appeared to be no doors or windows upon the side nearest me, but -as the wall was but about four feet high I cautiously gained my feet -and peered over the top upon the strangest sight it had ever been given -me to see. - -The roof of the enclosure was of solid glass about four or five inches -in thickness, and beneath this were several hundred large eggs, -perfectly round and snowy white. The eggs were nearly uniform in size -being about two and one-half feet in diameter. - -Five or six had already hatched and the grotesque caricatures which sat -blinking in the sunlight were enough to cause me to doubt my sanity. -They seemed mostly head, with little scrawny bodies, long necks and six -legs, or, as I afterward learned, two legs and two arms, with an -intermediary pair of limbs which could be used at will either as arms -or legs. Their eyes were set at the extreme sides of their heads a -trifle above the center and protruded in such a manner that they could -be directed either forward or back and also independently of each -other, thus permitting this queer animal to look in any direction, or -in two directions at once, without the necessity of turning the head. - -The ears, which were slightly above the eyes and closer together, were -small, cup-shaped antennae, protruding not more than an inch on these -young specimens. Their noses were but longitudinal slits in the center -of their faces, midway between their mouths and ears. - -There was no hair on their bodies, which were of a very light -yellowish-green color. In the adults, as I was to learn quite soon, -this color deepens to an olive green and is darker in the male than in -the female. Further, the heads of the adults are not so out of -proportion to their bodies as in the case of the young. - -The iris of the eyes is blood red, as in Albinos, while the pupil is -dark. The eyeball itself is very white, as are the teeth. These -latter add a most ferocious appearance to an otherwise fearsome and -terrible countenance, as the lower tusks curve upward to sharp points -which end about where the eyes of earthly human beings are located. -The whiteness of the teeth is not that of ivory, but of the snowiest -and most gleaming of china. Against the dark background of their olive -skins their tusks stand out in a most striking manner, making these -weapons present a singularly formidable appearance. - -Most of these details I noted later, for I was given but little time to -speculate on the wonders of my new discovery. I had seen that the eggs -were in the process of hatching, and as I stood watching the hideous -little monsters break from their shells I failed to note the approach -of a score of full-grown Martians from behind me. - -Coming, as they did, over the soft and soundless moss, which covers -practically the entire surface of Mars with the exception of the frozen -areas at the poles and the scattered cultivated districts, they might -have captured me easily, but their intentions were far more sinister. -It was the rattling of the accouterments of the foremost warrior which -warned me. - -On such a little thing my life hung that I often marvel that I escaped -so easily. Had not the rifle of the leader of the party swung from its -fastenings beside his saddle in such a way as to strike against the -butt of his great metal-shod spear I should have snuffed out without -ever knowing that death was near me. But the little sound caused me to -turn, and there upon me, not ten feet from my breast, was the point of -that huge spear, a spear forty feet long, tipped with gleaming metal, -and held low at the side of a mounted replica of the little devils I -had been watching. - -But how puny and harmless they now looked beside this huge and terrific -incarnation of hate, of vengeance and of death. The man himself, for -such I may call him, was fully fifteen feet in height and, on Earth, -would have weighed some four hundred pounds. He sat his mount as we -sit a horse, grasping the animal's barrel with his lower limbs, while -the hands of his two right arms held his immense spear low at the side -of his mount; his two left arms were outstretched laterally to help -preserve his balance, the thing he rode having neither bridle or reins -of any description for guidance. - -And his mount! How can earthly words describe it! It towered ten feet -at the shoulder; had four legs on either side; a broad flat tail, -larger at the tip than at the root, and which it held straight out -behind while running; a gaping mouth which split its head from its -snout to its long, massive neck. - -Like its master, it was entirely devoid of hair, but was of a dark -slate color and exceeding smooth and glossy. Its belly was white, and -its legs shaded from the slate of its shoulders and hips to a vivid -yellow at the feet. The feet themselves were heavily padded and -nailless, which fact had also contributed to the noiselessness of their -approach, and, in common with a multiplicity of legs, is a -characteristic feature of the fauna of Mars. The highest type of man -and one other animal, the only mammal existing on Mars, alone have -well-formed nails, and there are absolutely no hoofed animals in -existence there. - -Behind this first charging demon trailed nineteen others, similar in -all respects, but, as I learned later, bearing individual -characteristics peculiar to themselves; precisely as no two of us are -identical although we are all cast in a similar mold. This picture, or -rather materialized nightmare, which I have described at length, made -but one terrible and swift impression on me as I turned to meet it. - -Unarmed and naked as I was, the first law of nature manifested itself -in the only possible solution of my immediate problem, and that was to -get out of the vicinity of the point of the charging spear. -Consequently I gave a very earthly and at the same time superhuman leap -to reach the top of the Martian incubator, for such I had determined it -must be. - -My effort was crowned with a success which appalled me no less than it -seemed to surprise the Martian warriors, for it carried me fully thirty -feet into the air and landed me a hundred feet from my pursuers and on -the opposite side of the enclosure. - -I alighted upon the soft moss easily and without mishap, and turning -saw my enemies lined up along the further wall. Some were surveying me -with expressions which I afterward discovered marked extreme -astonishment, and the others were evidently satisfying themselves that -I had not molested their young. - -They were conversing together in low tones, and gesticulating and -pointing toward me. Their discovery that I had not harmed the little -Martians, and that I was unarmed, must have caused them to look upon me -with less ferocity; but, as I was to learn later, the thing which -weighed most in my favor was my exhibition of hurdling. - -While the Martians are immense, their bones are very large and they are -muscled only in proportion to the gravitation which they must overcome. -The result is that they are infinitely less agile and less powerful, in -proportion to their weight, than an Earth man, and I doubt that were -one of them suddenly to be transported to Earth he could lift his own -weight from the ground; in fact, I am convinced that he could not do so. - -My feat then was as marvelous upon Mars as it would have been upon -Earth, and from desiring to annihilate me they suddenly looked upon me -as a wonderful discovery to be captured and exhibited among their -fellows. - -The respite my unexpected agility had given me permitted me to -formulate plans for the immediate future and to note more closely the -appearance of the warriors, for I could not disassociate these people -in my mind from those other warriors who, only the day before, had been -pursuing me. - -I noted that each was armed with several other weapons in addition to -the huge spear which I have described. The weapon which caused me to -decide against an attempt at escape by flight was what was evidently a -rifle of some description, and which I felt, for some reason, they were -peculiarly efficient in handling. - -These rifles were of a white metal stocked with wood, which I learned -later was a very light and intensely hard growth much prized on Mars, -and entirely unknown to us denizens of Earth. The metal of the barrel -is an alloy composed principally of aluminum and steel which they have -learned to temper to a hardness far exceeding that of the steel with -which we are familiar. The weight of these rifles is comparatively -little, and with the small caliber, explosive, radium projectiles which -they use, and the great length of the barrel, they are deadly in the -extreme and at ranges which would be unthinkable on Earth. The -theoretic effective radius of this rifle is three hundred miles, but -the best they can do in actual service when equipped with their -wireless finders and sighters is but a trifle over two hundred miles. - -This is quite far enough to imbue me with great respect for the Martian -firearm, and some telepathic force must have warned me against an -attempt to escape in broad daylight from under the muzzles of twenty of -these death-dealing machines. - -The Martians, after conversing for a short time, turned and rode away -in the direction from which they had come, leaving one of their number -alone by the enclosure. When they had covered perhaps two hundred -yards they halted, and turning their mounts toward us sat watching the -warrior by the enclosure. - -He was the one whose spear had so nearly transfixed me, and was -evidently the leader of the band, as I had noted that they seemed to -have moved to their present position at his direction. When his force -had come to a halt he dismounted, threw down his spear and small arms, -and came around the end of the incubator toward me, entirely unarmed -and as naked as I, except for the ornaments strapped upon his head, -limbs, and breast. - -When he was within about fifty feet of me he unclasped an enormous -metal armlet, and holding it toward me in the open palm of his hand, -addressed me in a clear, resonant voice, but in a language, it is -needless to say, I could not understand. He then stopped as though -waiting for my reply, pricking up his antennae-like ears and cocking -his strange-looking eyes still further toward me. - -As the silence became painful I concluded to hazard a little -conversation on my own part, as I had guessed that he was making -overtures of peace. The throwing down of his weapons and the -withdrawing of his troop before his advance toward me would have -signified a peaceful mission anywhere on Earth, so why not, then, on -Mars! - -Placing my hand over my heart I bowed low to the Martian and explained -to him that while I did not understand his language, his actions spoke -for the peace and friendship that at the present moment were most dear -to my heart. Of course I might have been a babbling brook for all the -intelligence my speech carried to him, but he understood the action -with which I immediately followed my words. - -Stretching my hand toward him, I advanced and took the armlet from his -open palm, clasping it about my arm above the elbow; smiled at him and -stood waiting. His wide mouth spread into an answering smile, and -locking one of his intermediary arms in mine we turned and walked back -toward his mount. At the same time he motioned his followers to -advance. They started toward us on a wild run, but were checked by a -signal from him. Evidently he feared that were I to be really -frightened again I might jump entirely out of the landscape. - -He exchanged a few words with his men, motioned to me that I would ride -behind one of them, and then mounted his own animal. The fellow -designated reached down two or three hands and lifted me up behind him -on the glossy back of his mount, where I hung on as best I could by the -belts and straps which held the Martian's weapons and ornaments. - -The entire cavalcade then turned and galloped away toward the range of -hills in the distance. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A PRISONER - - -We had gone perhaps ten miles when the ground began to rise very -rapidly. We were, as I was later to learn, nearing the edge of one of -Mars' long-dead seas, in the bottom of which my encounter with the -Martians had taken place. - -In a short time we gained the foot of the mountains, and after -traversing a narrow gorge came to an open valley, at the far extremity -of which was a low table land upon which I beheld an enormous city. -Toward this we galloped, entering it by what appeared to be a ruined -roadway leading out from the city, but only to the edge of the table -land, where it ended abruptly in a flight of broad steps. - -Upon closer observation I saw as we passed them that the buildings were -deserted, and while not greatly decayed had the appearance of not -having been tenanted for years, possibly for ages. Toward the center -of the city was a large plaza, and upon this and in the buildings -immediately surrounding it were camped some nine or ten hundred -creatures of the same breed as my captors, for such I now considered -them despite the suave manner in which I had been trapped. - -With the exception of their ornaments all were naked. The women varied -in appearance but little from the men, except that their tusks were -much larger in proportion to their height, in some instances curving -nearly to their high-set ears. Their bodies were smaller and lighter -in color, and their fingers and toes bore the rudiments of nails, which -were entirely lacking among the males. The adult females ranged in -height from ten to twelve feet. - -The children were light in color, even lighter than the women, and all -looked precisely alike to me, except that some were taller than others; -older, I presumed. - -I saw no signs of extreme age among them, nor is there any appreciable -difference in their appearance from the age of maturity, about forty, -until, at about the age of one thousand years, they go voluntarily upon -their last strange pilgrimage down the river Iss, which leads no living -Martian knows whither and from whose bosom no Martian has ever -returned, or would be allowed to live did he return after once -embarking upon its cold, dark waters. - -Only about one Martian in a thousand dies of sickness or disease, and -possibly about twenty take the voluntary pilgrimage. The other nine -hundred and seventy-nine die violent deaths in duels, in hunting, in -aviation and in war; but perhaps by far the greatest death loss comes -during the age of childhood, when vast numbers of the little Martians -fall victims to the great white apes of Mars. - -The average life expectancy of a Martian after the age of maturity is -about three hundred years, but would be nearer the one-thousand mark -were it not for the various means leading to violent death. Owing to -the waning resources of the planet it evidently became necessary to -counteract the increasing longevity which their remarkable skill in -therapeutics and surgery produced, and so human life has come to be -considered but lightly on Mars, as is evidenced by their dangerous -sports and the almost continual warfare between the various communities. - -There are other and natural causes tending toward a diminution of -population, but nothing contributes so greatly to this end as the fact -that no male or female Martian is ever voluntarily without a weapon of -destruction. - -As we neared the plaza and my presence was discovered we were -immediately surrounded by hundreds of the creatures who seemed anxious -to pluck me from my seat behind my guard. A word from the leader of -the party stilled their clamor, and we proceeded at a trot across the -plaza to the entrance of as magnificent an edifice as mortal eye has -rested upon. - -The building was low, but covered an enormous area. It was constructed -of gleaming white marble inlaid with gold and brilliant stones which -sparkled and scintillated in the sunlight. The main entrance was some -hundred feet in width and projected from the building proper to form a -huge canopy above the entrance hall. There was no stairway, but a -gentle incline to the first floor of the building opened into an -enormous chamber encircled by galleries. - -On the floor of this chamber, which was dotted with highly carved -wooden desks and chairs, were assembled about forty or fifty male -Martians around the steps of a rostrum. On the platform proper -squatted an enormous warrior heavily loaded with metal ornaments, -gay-colored feathers and beautifully wrought leather trappings -ingeniously set with precious stones. From his shoulders depended a -short cape of white fur lined with brilliant scarlet silk. - -What struck me as most remarkable about this assemblage and the hall in -which they were congregated was the fact that the creatures were -entirely out of proportion to the desks, chairs, and other furnishings; -these being of a size adapted to human beings such as I, whereas the -great bulks of the Martians could scarcely have squeezed into the -chairs, nor was there room beneath the desks for their long legs. -Evidently, then, there were other denizens on Mars than the wild and -grotesque creatures into whose hands I had fallen, but the evidences of -extreme antiquity which showed all around me indicated that these -buildings might have belonged to some long-extinct and forgotten race -in the dim antiquity of Mars. - -Our party had halted at the entrance to the building, and at a sign -from the leader I had been lowered to the ground. Again locking his -arm in mine, we had proceeded into the audience chamber. There were -few formalities observed in approaching the Martian chieftain. My -captor merely strode up to the rostrum, the others making way for him -as he advanced. The chieftain rose to his feet and uttered the name of -my escort who, in turn, halted and repeated the name of the ruler -followed by his title. - -At the time, this ceremony and the words they uttered meant nothing to -me, but later I came to know that this was the customary greeting -between green Martians. Had the men been strangers, and therefore -unable to exchange names, they would have silently exchanged ornaments, -had their missions been peaceful--otherwise they would have exchanged -shots, or have fought out their introduction with some other of their -various weapons. - -My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was virtually the vice-chieftain -of the community, and a man of great ability as a statesman and -warrior. He evidently explained briefly the incidents connected with -his expedition, including my capture, and when he had concluded the -chieftain addressed me at some length. - -I replied in our good old English tongue merely to convince him that -neither of us could understand the other; but I noticed that when I -smiled slightly on concluding, he did likewise. This fact, and the -similar occurrence during my first talk with Tars Tarkas, convinced me -that we had at least something in common; the ability to smile, -therefore to laugh; denoting a sense of humor. But I was to learn that -the Martian smile is merely perfunctory, and that the Martian laugh is -a thing to cause strong men to blanch in horror. - -The ideas of humor among the green men of Mars are widely at variance -with our conceptions of incitants to merriment. The death agonies of a -fellow being are, to these strange creatures, provocative of the wildest -hilarity, while their chief form of commonest amusement is to inflict -death on their prisoners of war in various ingenious and horrible ways. - -The assembled warriors and chieftains examined me closely, feeling my -muscles and the texture of my skin. The principal chieftain then -evidently signified a desire to see me perform, and, motioning me to -follow, he started with Tars Tarkas for the open plaza. - -Now, I had made no attempt to walk, since my first signal failure, -except while tightly grasping Tars Tarkas' arm, and so now I went -skipping and flitting about among the desks and chairs like some -monstrous grasshopper. After bruising myself severely, much to the -amusement of the Martians, I again had recourse to creeping, but this -did not suit them and I was roughly jerked to my feet by a towering -fellow who had laughed most heartily at my misfortunes. - -As he banged me down upon my feet his face was bent close to mine and I -did the only thing a gentleman might do under the circumstances of -brutality, boorishness, and lack of consideration for a stranger's -rights; I swung my fist squarely to his jaw and he went down like a -felled ox. As he sunk to the floor I wheeled around with my back -toward the nearest desk, expecting to be overwhelmed by the vengeance -of his fellows, but determined to give them as good a battle as the -unequal odds would permit before I gave up my life. - -My fears were groundless, however, as the other Martians, at first -struck dumb with wonderment, finally broke into wild peals of laughter -and applause. I did not recognize the applause as such, but later, -when I had become acquainted with their customs, I learned that I had -won what they seldom accord, a manifestation of approbation. - -The fellow whom I had struck lay where he had fallen, nor did any of -his mates approach him. Tars Tarkas advanced toward me, holding out -one of his arms, and we thus proceeded to the plaza without further -mishap. I did not, of course, know the reason for which we had come to -the open, but I was not long in being enlightened. They first repeated -the word "sak" a number of times, and then Tars Tarkas made several -jumps, repeating the same word before each leap; then, turning to me, -he said, "sak!" I saw what they were after, and gathering myself -together I "sakked" with such marvelous success that I cleared a good -hundred and fifty feet; nor did I, this time, lose my equilibrium, but -landed squarely upon my feet without falling. I then returned by easy -jumps of twenty-five or thirty feet to the little group of warriors. - -My exhibition had been witnessed by several hundred lesser Martians, -and they immediately broke into demands for a repetition, which the -chieftain then ordered me to make; but I was both hungry and thirsty, -and determined on the spot that my only method of salvation was to -demand the consideration from these creatures which they evidently -would not voluntarily accord. I therefore ignored the repeated -commands to "sak," and each time they were made I motioned to my mouth -and rubbed my stomach. - -Tars Tarkas and the chief exchanged a few words, and the former, -calling to a young female among the throng, gave her some instructions -and motioned me to accompany her. I grasped her proffered arm and -together we crossed the plaza toward a large building on the far side. - -My fair companion was about eight feet tall, having just arrived at -maturity, but not yet to her full height. She was of a light -olive-green color, with a smooth, glossy hide. Her name, as I -afterward learned, was Sola, and she belonged to the retinue of Tars -Tarkas. She conducted me to a spacious chamber in one of the buildings -fronting on the plaza, and which, from the litter of silks and furs -upon the floor, I took to be the sleeping quarters of several of the -natives. - -The room was well lighted by a number of large windows and was -beautifully decorated with mural paintings and mosaics, but upon all -there seemed to rest that indefinable touch of the finger of antiquity -which convinced me that the architects and builders of these wondrous -creations had nothing in common with the crude half-brutes which now -occupied them. - -Sola motioned me to be seated upon a pile of silks near the center of -the room, and, turning, made a peculiar hissing sound, as though -signaling to someone in an adjoining room. In response to her call I -obtained my first sight of a new Martian wonder. It waddled in on its -ten short legs, and squatted down before the girl like an obedient -puppy. The thing was about the size of a Shetland pony, but its head -bore a slight resemblance to that of a frog, except that the jaws were -equipped with three rows of long, sharp tusks. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG - - -Sola stared into the brute's wicked-looking eyes, muttered a word or -two of command, pointed to me, and left the chamber. I could not but -wonder what this ferocious-looking monstrosity might do when left alone -in such close proximity to such a relatively tender morsel of meat; but -my fears were groundless, as the beast, after surveying me intently for -a moment, crossed the room to the only exit which led to the street, -and lay down full length across the threshold. - -This was my first experience with a Martian watch dog, but it was -destined not to be my last, for this fellow guarded me carefully during -the time I remained a captive among these green men; twice saving my -life, and never voluntarily being away from me a moment. - -While Sola was away I took occasion to examine more minutely the room -in which I found myself captive. The mural painting depicted scenes of -rare and wonderful beauty; mountains, rivers, lake, ocean, meadow, -trees and flowers, winding roadways, sun-kissed gardens--scenes which -might have portrayed earthly views but for the different colorings of -the vegetation. The work had evidently been wrought by a master hand, -so subtle the atmosphere, so perfect the technique; yet nowhere was -there a representation of a living animal, either human or brute, by -which I could guess at the likeness of these other and perhaps extinct -denizens of Mars. - -While I was allowing my fancy to run riot in wild conjecture on the -possible explanation of the strange anomalies which I had so far met -with on Mars, Sola returned bearing both food and drink. These she -placed on the floor beside me, and seating herself a short ways off -regarded me intently. The food consisted of about a pound of some -solid substance of the consistency of cheese and almost tasteless, -while the liquid was apparently milk from some animal. It was not -unpleasant to the taste, though slightly acid, and I learned in a short -time to prize it very highly. It came, as I later discovered, not from -an animal, as there is only one mammal on Mars and that one very rare -indeed, but from a large plant which grows practically without water, -but seems to distill its plentiful supply of milk from the products of -the soil, the moisture of the air, and the rays of the sun. A single -plant of this species will give eight or ten quarts of milk per day. - -After I had eaten I was greatly invigorated, but feeling the need of -rest I stretched out upon the silks and was soon asleep. I must have -slept several hours, as it was dark when I awoke, and I was very cold. -I noticed that someone had thrown a fur over me, but it had become -partially dislodged and in the darkness I could not see to replace it. -Suddenly a hand reached out and pulled the fur over me, shortly -afterwards adding another to my covering. - -I presumed that my watchful guardian was Sola, nor was I wrong. This -girl alone, among all the green Martians with whom I came in contact, -disclosed characteristics of sympathy, kindliness, and affection; her -ministrations to my bodily wants were unfailing, and her solicitous -care saved me from much suffering and many hardships. - -As I was to learn, the Martian nights are extremely cold, and as there -is practically no twilight or dawn, the changes in temperature are -sudden and most uncomfortable, as are the transitions from brilliant -daylight to darkness. The nights are either brilliantly illumined or -very dark, for if neither of the two moons of Mars happen to be in the -sky almost total darkness results, since the lack of atmosphere, or, -rather, the very thin atmosphere, fails to diffuse the starlight to any -great extent; on the other hand, if both of the moons are in the -heavens at night the surface of the ground is brightly illuminated. - -Both of Mars' moons are vastly nearer her than is our moon to Earth; -the nearer moon being but about five thousand miles distant, while the -further is but little more than fourteen thousand miles away, against -the nearly one-quarter million miles which separate us from our moon. -The nearer moon of Mars makes a complete revolution around the planet -in a little over seven and one-half hours, so that she may be seen -hurtling through the sky like some huge meteor two or three times each -night, revealing all her phases during each transit of the heavens. - -The further moon revolves about Mars in something over thirty and -one-quarter hours, and with her sister satellite makes a nocturnal -Martian scene one of splendid and weird grandeur. And it is well that -nature has so graciously and abundantly lighted the Martian night, for -the green men of Mars, being a nomadic race without high intellectual -development, have but crude means for artificial lighting; depending -principally upon torches, a kind of candle, and a peculiar oil lamp -which generates a gas and burns without a wick. - -This last device produces an intensely brilliant far-reaching white -light, but as the natural oil which it requires can only be obtained by -mining in one of several widely separated and remote localities it is -seldom used by these creatures whose only thought is for today, and -whose hatred for manual labor has kept them in a semi-barbaric state -for countless ages. - -After Sola had replenished my coverings I again slept, nor did I awaken -until daylight. The other occupants of the room, five in number, were -all females, and they were still sleeping, piled high with a motley -array of silks and furs. Across the threshold lay stretched the -sleepless guardian brute, just as I had last seen him on the preceding -day; apparently he had not moved a muscle; his eyes were fairly glued -upon me, and I fell to wondering just what might befall me should I -endeavor to escape. - -I have ever been prone to seek adventure and to investigate and -experiment where wiser men would have left well enough alone. It -therefore now occurred to me that the surest way of learning the exact -attitude of this beast toward me would be to attempt to leave the room. -I felt fairly secure in my belief that I could escape him should he -pursue me once I was outside the building, for I had begun to take -great pride in my ability as a jumper. Furthermore, I could see from -the shortness of his legs that the brute himself was no jumper and -probably no runner. - -Slowly and carefully, therefore, I gained my feet, only to see that my -watcher did the same; cautiously I advanced toward him, finding that by -moving with a shuffling gait I could retain my balance as well as make -reasonably rapid progress. As I neared the brute he backed cautiously -away from me, and when I had reached the open he moved to one side to -let me pass. He then fell in behind me and followed about ten paces in -my rear as I made my way along the deserted street. - -Evidently his mission was to protect me only, I thought, but when we -reached the edge of the city he suddenly sprang before me, uttering -strange sounds and baring his ugly and ferocious tusks. Thinking to -have some amusement at his expense, I rushed toward him, and when -almost upon him sprang into the air, alighting far beyond him and away -from the city. He wheeled instantly and charged me with the most -appalling speed I had ever beheld. I had thought his short legs a bar -to swiftness, but had he been coursing with greyhounds the latter would -have appeared as though asleep on a door mat. As I was to learn, this -is the fleetest animal on Mars, and owing to its intelligence, loyalty, -and ferocity is used in hunting, in war, and as the protector of the -Martian man. - -I quickly saw that I would have difficulty in escaping the fangs of the -beast on a straightaway course, and so I met his charge by doubling in -my tracks and leaping over him as he was almost upon me. This maneuver -gave me a considerable advantage, and I was able to reach the city -quite a bit ahead of him, and as he came tearing after me I jumped for -a window about thirty feet from the ground in the face of one of the -buildings overlooking the valley. - -Grasping the sill I pulled myself up to a sitting posture without -looking into the building, and gazed down at the baffled animal beneath -me. My exultation was short-lived, however, for scarcely had I gained -a secure seat upon the sill than a huge hand grasped me by the neck -from behind and dragged me violently into the room. Here I was thrown -upon my back, and beheld standing over me a colossal ape-like creature, -white and hairless except for an enormous shock of bristly hair upon -its head. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS - - -The thing, which more nearly resembled our earthly men than it did the -Martians I had seen, held me pinioned to the ground with one huge foot, -while it jabbered and gesticulated at some answering creature behind -me. This other, which was evidently its mate, soon came toward us, -bearing a mighty stone cudgel with which it evidently intended to brain -me. - -The creatures were about ten or fifteen feet tall, standing erect, and -had, like the green Martians, an intermediary set of arms or legs, -midway between their upper and lower limbs. Their eyes were close -together and non-protruding; their ears were high set, but more -laterally located than those of the Martians, while their snouts and -teeth were strikingly like those of our African gorilla. Altogether -they were not unlovely when viewed in comparison with the green -Martians. - -The cudgel was swinging in the arc which ended upon my upturned face -when a bolt of myriad-legged horror hurled itself through the doorway -full upon the breast of my executioner. With a shriek of fear the ape -which held me leaped through the open window, but its mate closed in a -terrific death struggle with my preserver, which was nothing less than -my faithful watch-thing; I cannot bring myself to call so hideous a -creature a dog. - -As quickly as possible I gained my feet and backing against the wall I -witnessed such a battle as it is vouchsafed few beings to see. The -strength, agility, and blind ferocity of these two creatures is -approached by nothing known to earthly man. My beast had an advantage -in his first hold, having sunk his mighty fangs far into the breast of -his adversary; but the great arms and paws of the ape, backed by -muscles far transcending those of the Martian men I had seen, had -locked the throat of my guardian and slowly were choking out his life, -and bending back his head and neck upon his body, where I momentarily -expected the former to fall limp at the end of a broken neck. - -In accomplishing this the ape was tearing away the entire front of its -breast, which was held in the vise-like grip of the powerful jaws. -Back and forth upon the floor they rolled, neither one emitting a sound -of fear or pain. Presently I saw the great eyes of my beast bulging -completely from their sockets and blood flowing from its nostrils. -That he was weakening perceptibly was evident, but so also was the ape, -whose struggles were growing momentarily less. - -Suddenly I came to myself and, with that strange instinct which seems -ever to prompt me to my duty, I seized the cudgel, which had fallen to -the floor at the commencement of the battle, and swinging it with all -the power of my earthly arms I crashed it full upon the head of the -ape, crushing his skull as though it had been an eggshell. - -Scarcely had the blow descended when I was confronted with a new -danger. The ape's mate, recovered from its first shock of terror, had -returned to the scene of the encounter by way of the interior of the -building. I glimpsed him just before he reached the doorway and the -sight of him, now roaring as he perceived his lifeless fellow stretched -upon the floor, and frothing at the mouth, in the extremity of his -rage, filled me, I must confess, with dire forebodings. - -I am ever willing to stand and fight when the odds are not too -overwhelmingly against me, but in this instance I perceived neither -glory nor profit in pitting my relatively puny strength against the -iron muscles and brutal ferocity of this enraged denizen of an unknown -world; in fact, the only outcome of such an encounter, so far as I -might be concerned, seemed sudden death. - -I was standing near the window and I knew that once in the street I -might gain the plaza and safety before the creature could overtake me; -at least there was a chance for safety in flight, against almost -certain death should I remain and fight however desperately. - -It is true I held the cudgel, but what could I do with it against his -four great arms? Even should I break one of them with my first blow, -for I figured that he would attempt to ward off the cudgel, he could -reach out and annihilate me with the others before I could recover for -a second attack. - -In the instant that these thoughts passed through my mind I had turned -to make for the window, but my eyes alighting on the form of my -erstwhile guardian threw all thoughts of flight to the four winds. He -lay gasping upon the floor of the chamber, his great eyes fastened upon -me in what seemed a pitiful appeal for protection. I could not -withstand that look, nor could I, on second thought, have deserted my -rescuer without giving as good an account of myself in his behalf as he -had in mine. - -Without more ado, therefore, I turned to meet the charge of the -infuriated bull ape. He was now too close upon me for the cudgel to -prove of any effective assistance, so I merely threw it as heavily as I -could at his advancing bulk. It struck him just below the knees, -eliciting a howl of pain and rage, and so throwing him off his balance -that he lunged full upon me with arms wide stretched to ease his fall. - -Again, as on the preceding day, I had recourse to earthly tactics, and -swinging my right fist full upon the point of his chin I followed it -with a smashing left to the pit of his stomach. The effect was -marvelous, for, as I lightly sidestepped, after delivering the second -blow, he reeled and fell upon the floor doubled up with pain and -gasping for wind. Leaping over his prostrate body, I seized the cudgel -and finished the monster before he could regain his feet. - -As I delivered the blow a low laugh rang out behind me, and, turning, I -beheld Tars Tarkas, Sola, and three or four warriors standing in the -doorway of the chamber. As my eyes met theirs I was, for the second -time, the recipient of their zealously guarded applause. - -My absence had been noted by Sola on her awakening, and she had quickly -informed Tars Tarkas, who had set out immediately with a handful of -warriors to search for me. As they had approached the limits of the -city they had witnessed the actions of the bull ape as he bolted into -the building, frothing with rage. - -They had followed immediately behind him, thinking it barely possible -that his actions might prove a clew to my whereabouts and had witnessed -my short but decisive battle with him. This encounter, together with -my set-to with the Martian warrior on the previous day and my feats of -jumping placed me upon a high pinnacle in their regard. Evidently -devoid of all the finer sentiments of friendship, love, or affection, -these people fairly worship physical prowess and bravery, and nothing -is too good for the object of their adoration as long as he maintains -his position by repeated examples of his skill, strength, and courage. - -Sola, who had accompanied the searching party of her own volition, was -the only one of the Martians whose face had not been twisted in -laughter as I battled for my life. She, on the contrary, was sober -with apparent solicitude and, as soon as I had finished the monster, -rushed to me and carefully examined my body for possible wounds or -injuries. Satisfying herself that I had come off unscathed she smiled -quietly, and, taking my hand, started toward the door of the chamber. - -Tars Tarkas and the other warriors had entered and were standing over -the now rapidly reviving brute which had saved my life, and whose life -I, in turn, had rescued. They seemed to be deep in argument, and -finally one of them addressed me, but remembering my ignorance of his -language turned back to Tars Tarkas, who, with a word and gesture, gave -some command to the fellow and turned to follow us from the room. - -There seemed something menacing in their attitude toward my beast, and -I hesitated to leave until I had learned the outcome. It was well I -did so, for the warrior drew an evil looking pistol from its holster -and was on the point of putting an end to the creature when I sprang -forward and struck up his arm. The bullet striking the wooden casing -of the window exploded, blowing a hole completely through the wood and -masonry. - -I then knelt down beside the fearsome-looking thing, and raising it to -its feet motioned for it to follow me. The looks of surprise which my -actions elicited from the Martians were ludicrous; they could not -understand, except in a feeble and childish way, such attributes as -gratitude and compassion. The warrior whose gun I had struck up looked -enquiringly at Tars Tarkas, but the latter signed that I be left to my -own devices, and so we returned to the plaza with my great beast -following close at heel, and Sola grasping me tightly by the arm. - -I had at least two friends on Mars; a young woman who watched over me -with motherly solicitude, and a dumb brute which, as I later came to -know, held in its poor ugly carcass more love, more loyalty, more -gratitude than could have been found in the entire five million green -Martians who rove the deserted cities and dead sea bottoms of Mars. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -CHILD-RAISING ON MARS - - -After a breakfast, which was an exact replica of the meal of the -preceding day and an index of practically every meal which followed -while I was with the green men of Mars, Sola escorted me to the plaza, -where I found the entire community engaged in watching or helping at -the harnessing of huge mastodonian animals to great three-wheeled -chariots. There were about two hundred and fifty of these vehicles, -each drawn by a single animal, any one of which, from their appearance, -might easily have drawn the entire wagon train when fully loaded. - -The chariots themselves were large, commodious, and gorgeously -decorated. In each was seated a female Martian loaded with ornaments -of metal, with jewels and silks and furs, and upon the back of each of -the beasts which drew the chariots was perched a young Martian driver. -Like the animals upon which the warriors were mounted, the heavier -draft animals wore neither bit nor bridle, but were guided entirely by -telepathic means. - -This power is wonderfully developed in all Martians, and accounts -largely for the simplicity of their language and the relatively few -spoken words exchanged even in long conversations. It is the universal -language of Mars, through the medium of which the higher and lower -animals of this world of paradoxes are able to communicate to a greater -or less extent, depending upon the intellectual sphere of the species -and the development of the individual. - -As the cavalcade took up the line of march in single file, Sola dragged -me into an empty chariot and we proceeded with the procession toward -the point by which I had entered the city the day before. At the head -of the caravan rode some two hundred warriors, five abreast, and a like -number brought up the rear, while twenty-five or thirty outriders -flanked us on either side. - -Every one but myself--men, women, and children--were heavily armed, and -at the tail of each chariot trotted a Martian hound, my own beast -following closely behind ours; in fact, the faithful creature never -left me voluntarily during the entire ten years I spent on Mars. Our -way led out across the little valley before the city, through the -hills, and down into the dead sea bottom which I had traversed on my -journey from the incubator to the plaza. The incubator, as it proved, -was the terminal point of our journey this day, and, as the entire -cavalcade broke into a mad gallop as soon as we reached the level -expanse of sea bottom, we were soon within sight of our goal. - -On reaching it the chariots were parked with military precision on the -four sides of the enclosure, and half a score of warriors, headed by -the enormous chieftain, and including Tars Tarkas and several other -lesser chiefs, dismounted and advanced toward it. I could see Tars -Tarkas explaining something to the principal chieftain, whose name, by -the way, was, as nearly as I can translate it into English, Lorquas -Ptomel, Jed; jed being his title. - -I was soon appraised of the subject of their conversation, as, calling -to Sola, Tars Tarkas signed for her to send me to him. I had by this -time mastered the intricacies of walking under Martian conditions, and -quickly responding to his command I advanced to the side of the -incubator where the warriors stood. - -As I reached their side a glance showed me that all but a very few eggs -had hatched, the incubator being fairly alive with the hideous little -devils. They ranged in height from three to four feet, and were moving -restlessly about the enclosure as though searching for food. - -As I came to a halt before him, Tars Tarkas pointed over the incubator -and said, "Sak." I saw that he wanted me to repeat my performance of -yesterday for the edification of Lorquas Ptomel, and, as I must confess -that my prowess gave me no little satisfaction, I responded quickly, -leaping entirely over the parked chariots on the far side of the -incubator. As I returned, Lorquas Ptomel grunted something at me, and -turning to his warriors gave a few words of command relative to the -incubator. They paid no further attention to me and I was thus -permitted to remain close and watch their operations, which consisted -in breaking an opening in the wall of the incubator large enough to -permit of the exit of the young Martians. - -On either side of this opening the women and the younger Martians, both -male and female, formed two solid walls leading out through the -chariots and quite away into the plain beyond. Between these walls the -little Martians scampered, wild as deer; being permitted to run the -full length of the aisle, where they were captured one at a time by the -women and older children; the last in the line capturing the first -little one to reach the end of the gauntlet, her opposite in the line -capturing the second, and so on until all the little fellows had left -the enclosure and been appropriated by some youth or female. As the -women caught the young they fell out of line and returned to their -respective chariots, while those who fell into the hands of the young -men were later turned over to some of the women. - -I saw that the ceremony, if it could be dignified by such a name, was -over, and seeking out Sola I found her in our chariot with a hideous -little creature held tightly in her arms. - -The work of rearing young, green Martians consists solely in teaching -them to talk, and to use the weapons of warfare with which they are -loaded down from the very first year of their lives. Coming from eggs -in which they have lain for five years, the period of incubation, they -step forth into the world perfectly developed except in size. Entirely -unknown to their mothers, who, in turn, would have difficulty in -pointing out the fathers with any degree of accuracy, they are the -common children of the community, and their education devolves upon the -females who chance to capture them as they leave the incubator. - -Their foster mothers may not even have had an egg in the incubator, as -was the case with Sola, who had not commenced to lay, until less than a -year before she became the mother of another woman's offspring. But -this counts for little among the green Martians, as parental and filial -love is as unknown to them as it is common among us. I believe this -horrible system which has been carried on for ages is the direct cause -of the loss of all the finer feelings and higher humanitarian instincts -among these poor creatures. From birth they know no father or mother -love, they know not the meaning of the word home; they are taught that -they are only suffered to live until they can demonstrate by their -physique and ferocity that they are fit to live. Should they prove -deformed or defective in any way they are promptly shot; nor do they -see a tear shed for a single one of the many cruel hardships they pass -through from earliest infancy. - -I do not mean that the adult Martians are unnecessarily or -intentionally cruel to the young, but theirs is a hard and pitiless -struggle for existence upon a dying planet, the natural resources of -which have dwindled to a point where the support of each additional -life means an added tax upon the community into which it is thrown. - -By careful selection they rear only the hardiest specimens of each -species, and with almost supernatural foresight they regulate the birth -rate to merely offset the loss by death. - -Each adult Martian female brings forth about thirteen eggs each year, -and those which meet the size, weight, and specific gravity tests are -hidden in the recesses of some subterranean vault where the temperature -is too low for incubation. Every year these eggs are carefully -examined by a council of twenty chieftains, and all but about one -hundred of the most perfect are destroyed out of each yearly supply. -At the end of five years about five hundred almost perfect eggs have -been chosen from the thousands brought forth. These are then placed in -the almost air-tight incubators to be hatched by the sun's rays after a -period of another five years. The hatching which we had witnessed -today was a fairly representative event of its kind, all but about one -per cent of the eggs hatching in two days. If the remaining eggs ever -hatched we knew nothing of the fate of the little Martians. They were -not wanted, as their offspring might inherit and transmit the tendency -to prolonged incubation, and thus upset the system which has maintained -for ages and which permits the adult Martians to figure the proper time -for return to the incubators, almost to an hour. - -The incubators are built in remote fastnesses, where there is little or -no likelihood of their being discovered by other tribes. The result of -such a catastrophe would mean no children in the community for another -five years. I was later to witness the results of the discovery of an -alien incubator. - -The community of which the green Martians with whom my lot was cast -formed a part was composed of some thirty thousand souls. They roamed -an enormous tract of arid and semi-arid land between forty and eighty -degrees south latitude, and bounded on the east and west by two large -fertile tracts. Their headquarters lay in the southwest corner of this -district, near the crossing of two of the so-called Martian canals. - -As the incubator had been placed far north of their own territory in a -supposedly uninhabited and unfrequented area, we had before us a -tremendous journey, concerning which I, of course, knew nothing. - -After our return to the dead city I passed several days in comparative -idleness. On the day following our return all the warriors had ridden -forth early in the morning and had not returned until just before -darkness fell. As I later learned, they had been to the subterranean -vaults in which the eggs were kept and had transported them to the -incubator, which they had then walled up for another five years, and -which, in all probability, would not be visited again during that -period. - -The vaults which hid the eggs until they were ready for the incubator -were located many miles south of the incubator, and would be visited -yearly by the council of twenty chieftains. Why they did not arrange -to build their vaults and incubators nearer home has always been a -mystery to me, and, like many other Martian mysteries, unsolved and -unsolvable by earthly reasoning and customs. - -Sola's duties were now doubled, as she was compelled to care for the -young Martian as well as for me, but neither one of us required much -attention, and as we were both about equally advanced in Martian -education, Sola took it upon herself to train us together. - -Her prize consisted in a male about four feet tall, very strong and -physically perfect; also, he learned quickly, and we had considerable -amusement, at least I did, over the keen rivalry we displayed. The -Martian language, as I have said, is extremely simple, and in a week I -could make all my wants known and understand nearly everything that was -said to me. Likewise, under Sola's tutelage, I developed my telepathic -powers so that I shortly could sense practically everything that went -on around me. - -What surprised Sola most in me was that while I could catch telepathic -messages easily from others, and often when they were not intended for -me, no one could read a jot from my mind under any circumstances. At -first this vexed me, but later I was very glad of it, as it gave me an -undoubted advantage over the Martians. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY - - -The third day after the incubator ceremony we set forth toward home, -but scarcely had the head of the procession debouched into the open -ground before the city than orders were given for an immediate and -hasty return. As though trained for years in this particular -evolution, the green Martians melted like mist into the spacious -doorways of the nearby buildings, until, in less than three minutes, -the entire cavalcade of chariots, mastodons and mounted warriors was -nowhere to be seen. - -Sola and I had entered a building upon the front of the city, in fact, -the same one in which I had had my encounter with the apes, and, -wishing to see what had caused the sudden retreat, I mounted to an -upper floor and peered from the window out over the valley and the -hills beyond; and there I saw the cause of their sudden scurrying to -cover. A huge craft, long, low, and gray-painted, swung slowly over -the crest of the nearest hill. Following it came another, and another, -and another, until twenty of them, swinging low above the ground, -sailed slowly and majestically toward us. - -Each carried a strange banner swung from stem to stern above the upper -works, and upon the prow of each was painted some odd device that -gleamed in the sunlight and showed plainly even at the distance at -which we were from the vessels. I could see figures crowding the -forward decks and upper works of the air craft. Whether they had -discovered us or simply were looking at the deserted city I could not -say, but in any event they received a rude reception, for suddenly and -without warning the green Martian warriors fired a terrific volley from -the windows of the buildings facing the little valley across which the -great ships were so peacefully advancing. - -Instantly the scene changed as by magic; the foremost vessel swung -broadside toward us, and bringing her guns into play returned our fire, -at the same time moving parallel to our front for a short distance and -then turning back with the evident intention of completing a great -circle which would bring her up to position once more opposite our -firing line; the other vessels followed in her wake, each one opening -upon us as she swung into position. Our own fire never diminished, and -I doubt if twenty-five per cent of our shots went wild. It had never -been given me to see such deadly accuracy of aim, and it seemed as -though a little figure on one of the craft dropped at the explosion of -each bullet, while the banners and upper works dissolved in spurts of -flame as the irresistible projectiles of our warriors mowed through -them. - -The fire from the vessels was most ineffectual, owing, as I afterward -learned, to the unexpected suddenness of the first volley, which caught -the ship's crews entirely unprepared and the sighting apparatus of the -guns unprotected from the deadly aim of our warriors. - -It seems that each green warrior has certain objective points for his -fire under relatively identical circumstances of warfare. For example, -a proportion of them, always the best marksmen, direct their fire -entirely upon the wireless finding and sighting apparatus of the big -guns of an attacking naval force; another detail attends to the smaller -guns in the same way; others pick off the gunners; still others the -officers; while certain other quotas concentrate their attention upon -the other members of the crew, upon the upper works, and upon the -steering gear and propellers. - -Twenty minutes after the first volley the great fleet swung trailing -off in the direction from which it had first appeared. Several of the -craft were limping perceptibly, and seemed but barely under the control -of their depleted crews. Their fire had ceased entirely and all their -energies seemed focused upon escape. Our warriors then rushed up to -the roofs of the buildings which we occupied and followed the -retreating armada with a continuous fusillade of deadly fire. - -One by one, however, the ships managed to dip below the crests of the -outlying hills until only one barely moving craft was in sight. This -had received the brunt of our fire and seemed to be entirely unmanned, -as not a moving figure was visible upon her decks. Slowly she swung -from her course, circling back toward us in an erratic and pitiful -manner. Instantly the warriors ceased firing, for it was quite -apparent that the vessel was entirely helpless, and, far from being in -a position to inflict harm upon us, she could not even control herself -sufficiently to escape. - -As she neared the city the warriors rushed out upon the plain to meet -her, but it was evident that she still was too high for them to hope to -reach her decks. From my vantage point in the window I could see the -bodies of her crew strewn about, although I could not make out what -manner of creatures they might be. Not a sign of life was manifest -upon her as she drifted slowly with the light breeze in a southeasterly -direction. - -She was drifting some fifty feet above the ground, followed by all but -some hundred of the warriors who had been ordered back to the roofs to -cover the possibility of a return of the fleet, or of reinforcements. -It soon became evident that she would strike the face of the buildings -about a mile south of our position, and as I watched the progress of -the chase I saw a number of warriors gallop ahead, dismount and enter -the building she seemed destined to touch. - -As the craft neared the building, and just before she struck, the -Martian warriors swarmed upon her from the windows, and with their -great spears eased the shock of the collision, and in a few moments -they had thrown out grappling hooks and the big boat was being hauled -to ground by their fellows below. - -After making her fast, they swarmed the sides and searched the vessel -from stem to stern. I could see them examining the dead sailors, -evidently for signs of life, and presently a party of them appeared -from below dragging a little figure among them. The creature was -considerably less than half as tall as the green Martian warriors, and -from my balcony I could see that it walked erect upon two legs and -surmised that it was some new and strange Martian monstrosity with -which I had not as yet become acquainted. - -They removed their prisoner to the ground and then commenced a -systematic rifling of the vessel. This operation required several -hours, during which time a number of the chariots were requisitioned to -transport the loot, which consisted in arms, ammunition, silks, furs, -jewels, strangely carved stone vessels, and a quantity of solid foods -and liquids, including many casks of water, the first I had seen since -my advent upon Mars. - -After the last load had been removed the warriors made lines fast to -the craft and towed her far out into the valley in a southwesterly -direction. A few of them then boarded her and were busily engaged in -what appeared, from my distant position, as the emptying of the -contents of various carboys upon the dead bodies of the sailors and -over the decks and works of the vessel. - -This operation concluded, they hastily clambered over her sides, -sliding down the guy ropes to the ground. The last warrior to leave -the deck turned and threw something back upon the vessel, waiting an -instant to note the outcome of his act. As a faint spurt of flame rose -from the point where the missile struck he swung over the side and was -quickly upon the ground. Scarcely had he alighted than the guy ropes -were simultaneously released, and the great warship, lightened by the -removal of the loot, soared majestically into the air, her decks and -upper works a mass of roaring flames. - -Slowly she drifted to the southeast, rising higher and higher as the -flames ate away her wooden parts and diminished the weight upon her. -Ascending to the roof of the building I watched her for hours, until -finally she was lost in the dim vistas of the distance. The sight was -awe-inspiring in the extreme as one contemplated this mighty floating -funeral pyre, drifting unguided and unmanned through the lonely wastes -of the Martian heavens; a derelict of death and destruction, typifying -the life story of these strange and ferocious creatures into whose -unfriendly hands fate had carried it. - -Much depressed, and, to me, unaccountably so, I slowly descended to the -street. The scene I had witnessed seemed to mark the defeat and -annihilation of the forces of a kindred people, rather than the routing -by our green warriors of a horde of similar, though unfriendly, -creatures. I could not fathom the seeming hallucination, nor could I -free myself from it; but somewhere in the innermost recesses of my soul -I felt a strange yearning toward these unknown foemen, and a mighty -hope surged through me that the fleet would return and demand a -reckoning from the green warriors who had so ruthlessly and wantonly -attacked it. - -Close at my heel, in his now accustomed place, followed Woola, the -hound, and as I emerged upon the street Sola rushed up to me as though -I had been the object of some search on her part. The cavalcade was -returning to the plaza, the homeward march having been given up for -that day; nor, in fact, was it recommenced for more than a week, owing -to the fear of a return attack by the air craft. - -Lorquas Ptomel was too astute an old warrior to be caught upon the open -plains with a caravan of chariots and children, and so we remained at -the deserted city until the danger seemed passed. - -As Sola and I entered the plaza a sight met my eyes which filled my -whole being with a great surge of mingled hope, fear, exultation, and -depression, and yet most dominant was a subtle sense of relief and -happiness; for just as we neared the throng of Martians I caught a -glimpse of the prisoner from the battle craft who was being roughly -dragged into a nearby building by a couple of green Martian females. - -And the sight which met my eyes was that of a slender, girlish figure, -similar in every detail to the earthly women of my past life. She did -not see me at first, but just as she was disappearing through the -portal of the building which was to be her prison she turned, and her -eyes met mine. Her face was oval and beautiful in the extreme, her -every feature was finely chiseled and exquisite, her eyes large and -lustrous and her head surmounted by a mass of coal black, waving hair, -caught loosely into a strange yet becoming coiffure. Her skin was of a -light reddish copper color, against which the crimson glow of her -cheeks and the ruby of her beautifully molded lips shone with a -strangely enhancing effect. - -She was as destitute of clothes as the green Martians who accompanied -her; indeed, save for her highly wrought ornaments she was entirely -naked, nor could any apparel have enhanced the beauty of her perfect -and symmetrical figure. - -As her gaze rested on me her eyes opened wide in astonishment, and she -made a little sign with her free hand; a sign which I did not, of -course, understand. Just a moment we gazed upon each other, and then -the look of hope and renewed courage which had glorified her face as -she discovered me, faded into one of utter dejection, mingled with -loathing and contempt. I realized I had not answered her signal, and -ignorant as I was of Martian customs, I intuitively felt that she had -made an appeal for succor and protection which my unfortunate ignorance -had prevented me from answering. And then she was dragged out of my -sight into the depths of the deserted edifice. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -I LEARN THE LANGUAGE - - -As I came back to myself I glanced at Sola, who had witnessed this -encounter and I was surprised to note a strange expression upon her -usually expressionless countenance. What her thoughts were I did not -know, for as yet I had learned but little of the Martian tongue; enough -only to suffice for my daily needs. - -As I reached the doorway of our building a strange surprise awaited me. -A warrior approached bearing the arms, ornaments, and full -accouterments of his kind. These he presented to me with a few -unintelligible words, and a bearing at once respectful and menacing. - -Later, Sola, with the aid of several of the other women, remodeled the -trappings to fit my lesser proportions, and after they completed the -work I went about garbed in all the panoply of war. - -From then on Sola instructed me in the mysteries of the various -weapons, and with the Martian young I spent several hours each day -practicing upon the plaza. I was not yet proficient with all the -weapons, but my great familiarity with similar earthly weapons made me -an unusually apt pupil, and I progressed in a very satisfactory manner. - -The training of myself and the young Martians was conducted solely by -the women, who not only attend to the education of the young in the -arts of individual defense and offense, but are also the artisans who -produce every manufactured article wrought by the green Martians. They -make the powder, the cartridges, the firearms; in fact everything of -value is produced by the females. In time of actual warfare they form -a part of the reserves, and when the necessity arises fight with even -greater intelligence and ferocity than the men. - -The men are trained in the higher branches of the art of war; in -strategy and the maneuvering of large bodies of troops. They make the -laws as they are needed; a new law for each emergency. They are -unfettered by precedent in the administration of justice. Customs have -been handed down by ages of repetition, but the punishment for ignoring -a custom is a matter for individual treatment by a jury of the -culprit's peers, and I may say that justice seldom misses fire, but -seems rather to rule in inverse ratio to the ascendency of law. In one -respect at least the Martians are a happy people; they have no lawyers. - -I did not see the prisoner again for several days subsequent to our -first encounter, and then only to catch a fleeting glimpse of her as -she was being conducted to the great audience chamber where I had had -my first meeting with Lorquas Ptomel. I could not but note the -unnecessary harshness and brutality with which her guards treated her; -so different from the almost maternal kindliness which Sola manifested -toward me, and the respectful attitude of the few green Martians who -took the trouble to notice me at all. - -I had observed on the two occasions when I had seen her that the -prisoner exchanged words with her guards, and this convinced me that -they spoke, or at least could make themselves understood by a common -language. With this added incentive I nearly drove Sola distracted by -my importunities to hasten on my education and within a few more days I -had mastered the Martian tongue sufficiently well to enable me to carry -on a passable conversation and to fully understand practically all that -I heard. - -At this time our sleeping quarters were occupied by three or four -females and a couple of the recently hatched young, beside Sola and her -youthful ward, myself, and Woola the hound. After they had retired for -the night it was customary for the adults to carry on a desultory -conversation for a short time before lapsing into sleep, and now that I -could understand their language I was always a keen listener, although -I never proffered any remarks myself. - -On the night following the prisoner's visit to the audience chamber the -conversation finally fell upon this subject, and I was all ears on the -instant. I had feared to question Sola relative to the beautiful -captive, as I could not but recall the strange expression I had noted -upon her face after my first encounter with the prisoner. That it -denoted jealousy I could not say, and yet, judging all things by -mundane standards as I still did, I felt it safer to affect -indifference in the matter until I learned more surely Sola's attitude -toward the object of my solicitude. - -Sarkoja, one of the older women who shared our domicile, had been -present at the audience as one of the captive's guards, and it was -toward her the question turned. - -"When," asked one of the women, "will we enjoy the death throes of the -red one? or does Lorquas Ptomel, Jed, intend holding her for ransom?" - -"They have decided to carry her with us back to Thark, and exhibit her -last agonies at the great games before Tal Hajus," replied Sarkoja. - -"What will be the manner of her going out?" inquired Sola. "She is -very small and very beautiful; I had hoped that they would hold her for -ransom." - -Sarkoja and the other women grunted angrily at this evidence of -weakness on the part of Sola. - -"It is sad, Sola, that you were not born a million years ago," snapped -Sarkoja, "when all the hollows of the land were filled with water, and -the peoples were as soft as the stuff they sailed upon. In our day we -have progressed to a point where such sentiments mark weakness and -atavism. It will not be well for you to permit Tars Tarkas to learn -that you hold such degenerate sentiments, as I doubt that he would care -to entrust such as you with the grave responsibilities of maternity." - -"I see nothing wrong with my expression of interest in this red woman," -retorted Sola. "She has never harmed us, nor would she should we have -fallen into her hands. It is only the men of her kind who war upon us, -and I have ever thought that their attitude toward us is but the -reflection of ours toward them. They live at peace with all their -fellows, except when duty calls upon them to make war, while we are at -peace with none; forever warring among our own kind as well as upon the -red men, and even in our own communities the individuals fight amongst -themselves. Oh, it is one continual, awful period of bloodshed from -the time we break the shell until we gladly embrace the bosom of the -river of mystery, the dark and ancient Iss which carries us to an -unknown, but at least no more frightful and terrible existence! -Fortunate indeed is he who meets his end in an early death. Say what -you please to Tars Tarkas, he can mete out no worse fate to me than a -continuation of the horrible existence we are forced to lead in this -life." - -This wild outbreak on the part of Sola so greatly surprised and shocked -the other women, that, after a few words of general reprimand, they all -lapsed into silence and were soon asleep. One thing the episode had -accomplished was to assure me of Sola's friendliness toward the poor -girl, and also to convince me that I had been extremely fortunate in -falling into her hands rather than those of some of the other females. -I knew that she was fond of me, and now that I had discovered that she -hated cruelty and barbarity I was confident that I could depend upon -her to aid me and the girl captive to escape, provided of course that -such a thing was within the range of possibilities. - -I did not even know that there were any better conditions to escape to, -but I was more than willing to take my chances among people fashioned -after my own mold rather than to remain longer among the hideous and -bloodthirsty green men of Mars. But where to go, and how, was as much -of a puzzle to me as the age-old search for the spring of eternal life -has been to earthly men since the beginning of time. - -I decided that at the first opportunity I would take Sola into my -confidence and openly ask her to aid me, and with this resolution -strong upon me I turned among my silks and furs and slept the dreamless -and refreshing sleep of Mars. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -CHAMPION AND CHIEF - - -Early the next morning I was astir. Considerable freedom was allowed -me, as Sola had informed me that so long as I did not attempt to leave -the city I was free to go and come as I pleased. She had warned me, -however, against venturing forth unarmed, as this city, like all other -deserted metropolises of an ancient Martian civilization, was peopled -by the great white apes of my second day's adventure. - -In advising me that I must not leave the boundaries of the city Sola -had explained that Woola would prevent this anyway should I attempt it, -and she warned me most urgently not to arouse his fierce nature by -ignoring his warnings should I venture too close to the forbidden -territory. His nature was such, she said, that he would bring me back -into the city dead or alive should I persist in opposing him; -"preferably dead," she added. - -On this morning I had chosen a new street to explore when suddenly I -found myself at the limits of the city. Before me were low hills -pierced by narrow and inviting ravines. I longed to explore the -country before me, and, like the pioneer stock from which I sprang, to -view what the landscape beyond the encircling hills might disclose from -the summits which shut out my view. - -It also occurred to me that this would prove an excellent opportunity -to test the qualities of Woola. I was convinced that the brute loved -me; I had seen more evidences of affection in him than in any other -Martian animal, man or beast, and I was sure that gratitude for the -acts that had twice saved his life would more than outweigh his loyalty -to the duty imposed upon him by cruel and loveless masters. - -As I approached the boundary line Woola ran anxiously before me, and -thrust his body against my legs. His expression was pleading rather -than ferocious, nor did he bare his great tusks or utter his fearful -guttural warnings. Denied the friendship and companionship of my kind, -I had developed considerable affection for Woola and Sola, for the -normal earthly man must have some outlet for his natural affections, -and so I decided upon an appeal to a like instinct in this great brute, -sure that I would not be disappointed. - -I had never petted nor fondled him, but now I sat upon the ground and -putting my arms around his heavy neck I stroked and coaxed him, talking -in my newly acquired Martian tongue as I would have to my hound at -home, as I would have talked to any other friend among the lower -animals. His response to my manifestation of affection was remarkable -to a degree; he stretched his great mouth to its full width, baring the -entire expanse of his upper rows of tusks and wrinkling his snout until -his great eyes were almost hidden by the folds of flesh. If you have -ever seen a collie smile you may have some idea of Woola's facial -distortion. - -He threw himself upon his back and fairly wallowed at my feet; jumped -up and sprang upon me, rolling me upon the ground by his great weight; -then wriggling and squirming around me like a playful puppy presenting -its back for the petting it craves. I could not resist the -ludicrousness of the spectacle, and holding my sides I rocked back and -forth in the first laughter which had passed my lips in many days; the -first, in fact, since the morning Powell had left camp when his horse, -long unused, had precipitately and unexpectedly bucked him off -headforemost into a pot of frijoles. - -My laughter frightened Woola, his antics ceased and he crawled -pitifully toward me, poking his ugly head far into my lap; and then I -remembered what laughter signified on Mars--torture, suffering, death. -Quieting myself, I rubbed the poor old fellow's head and back, talked -to him for a few minutes, and then in an authoritative tone commanded -him to follow me, and arising started for the hills. - -There was no further question of authority between us; Woola was my -devoted slave from that moment hence, and I his only and undisputed -master. My walk to the hills occupied but a few minutes, and I found -nothing of particular interest to reward me. Numerous brilliantly -colored and strangely formed wild flowers dotted the ravines and from -the summit of the first hill I saw still other hills stretching off -toward the north, and rising, one range above another, until lost in -mountains of quite respectable dimensions; though I afterward found -that only a few peaks on all Mars exceed four thousand feet in height; -the suggestion of magnitude was merely relative. - -My morning's walk had been large with importance to me for it had -resulted in a perfect understanding with Woola, upon whom Tars Tarkas -relied for my safe keeping. I now knew that while theoretically a -prisoner I was virtually free, and I hastened to regain the city limits -before the defection of Woola could be discovered by his erstwhile -masters. The adventure decided me never again to leave the limits of -my prescribed stamping grounds until I was ready to venture forth for -good and all, as it would certainly result in a curtailment of my -liberties, as well as the probable death of Woola, were we to be -discovered. - -On regaining the plaza I had my third glimpse of the captive girl. She -was standing with her guards before the entrance to the audience -chamber, and as I approached she gave me one haughty glance and turned -her back full upon me. The act was so womanly, so earthly womanly, -that though it stung my pride it also warmed my heart with a feeling of -companionship; it was good to know that someone else on Mars beside -myself had human instincts of a civilized order, even though the -manifestation of them was so painful and mortifying. - -Had a green Martian woman desired to show dislike or contempt she -would, in all likelihood, have done it with a sword thrust or a -movement of her trigger finger; but as their sentiments are mostly -atrophied it would have required a serious injury to have aroused such -passions in them. Sola, let me add, was an exception; I never saw her -perform a cruel or uncouth act, or fail in uniform kindliness and good -nature. She was indeed, as her fellow Martian had said of her, an -atavism; a dear and precious reversion to a former type of loved and -loving ancestor. - -Seeing that the prisoner seemed the center of attraction I halted to -view the proceedings. I had not long to wait for presently Lorquas -Ptomel and his retinue of chieftains approached the building and, -signing the guards to follow with the prisoner entered the audience -chamber. Realizing that I was a somewhat favored character, and also -convinced that the warriors did not know of my proficiency in their -language, as I had plead with Sola to keep this a secret on the -grounds that I did not wish to be forced to talk with the men until I -had perfectly mastered the Martian tongue, I chanced an attempt to -enter the audience chamber and listen to the proceedings. - -The council squatted upon the steps of the rostrum, while below them -stood the prisoner and her two guards. I saw that one of the women was -Sarkoja, and thus understood how she had been present at the hearing of -the preceding day, the results of which she had reported to the -occupants of our dormitory last night. Her attitude toward the captive -was most harsh and brutal. When she held her, she sunk her rudimentary -nails into the poor girl's flesh, or twisted her arm in a most painful -manner. When it was necessary to move from one spot to another she -either jerked her roughly, or pushed her headlong before her. She -seemed to be venting upon this poor defenseless creature all the -hatred, cruelty, ferocity, and spite of her nine hundred years, backed -by unguessable ages of fierce and brutal ancestors. - -The other woman was less cruel because she was entirely indifferent; if -the prisoner had been left to her alone, and fortunately she was at -night, she would have received no harsh treatment, nor, by the same -token would she have received any attention at all. - -As Lorquas Ptomel raised his eyes to address the prisoner they fell on -me and he turned to Tars Tarkas with a word, and gesture of impatience. -Tars Tarkas made some reply which I could not catch, but which caused -Lorquas Ptomel to smile; after which they paid no further attention to -me. - -"What is your name?" asked Lorquas Ptomel, addressing the prisoner. - -"Dejah Thoris, daughter of Mors Kajak of Helium." - -"And the nature of your expedition?" he continued. - -"It was a purely scientific research party sent out by my father's -father, the Jeddak of Helium, to rechart the air currents, and to take -atmospheric density tests," replied the fair prisoner, in a low, -well-modulated voice. - -"We were unprepared for battle," she continued, "as we were on a -peaceful mission, as our banners and the colors of our craft denoted. -The work we were doing was as much in your interests as in ours, for -you know full well that were it not for our labors and the fruits of -our scientific operations there would not be enough air or water on -Mars to support a single human life. For ages we have maintained the -air and water supply at practically the same point without an -appreciable loss, and we have done this in the face of the brutal and -ignorant interference of you green men. - -"Why, oh, why will you not learn to live in amity with your fellows? -Must you ever go on down the ages to your final extinction but little -above the plane of the dumb brutes that serve you! A people without -written language, without art, without homes, without love; the victims -of eons of the horrible community idea. Owning everything in common, -even to your women and children, has resulted in your owning nothing in -common. You hate each other as you hate all else except yourselves. -Come back to the ways of our common ancestors, come back to the light -of kindliness and fellowship. The way is open to you, you will find -the hands of the red men stretched out to aid you. Together we may do -still more to regenerate our dying planet. The granddaughter of the -greatest and mightiest of the red jeddaks has asked you. Will you -come?" - -Lorquas Ptomel and the warriors sat looking silently and intently at -the young woman for several moments after she had ceased speaking. -What was passing in their minds no man may know, but that they were -moved I truly believe, and if one man high among them had been strong -enough to rise above custom, that moment would have marked a new and -mighty era for Mars. - -I saw Tars Tarkas rise to speak, and on his face was such an expression -as I had never seen upon the countenance of a green Martian warrior. -It bespoke an inward and mighty battle with self, with heredity, with -age-old custom, and as he opened his mouth to speak, a look almost of -benignity, of kindliness, momentarily lighted up his fierce and -terrible countenance. - -What words of moment were to have fallen from his lips were never -spoken, as just then a young warrior, evidently sensing the trend of -thought among the older men, leaped down from the steps of the rostrum, -and striking the frail captive a powerful blow across the face, which -felled her to the floor, placed his foot upon her prostrate form and -turning toward the assembled council broke into peals of horrid, -mirthless laughter. - -For an instant I thought Tars Tarkas would strike him dead, nor did the -aspect of Lorquas Ptomel augur any too favorably for the brute, but the -mood passed, their old selves reasserted their ascendency, and they -smiled. It was portentous however that they did not laugh aloud, for -the brute's act constituted a side-splitting witticism according to the -ethics which rule green Martian humor. - -That I have taken moments to write down a part of what occurred as that -blow fell does not signify that I remained inactive for any such length -of time. I think I must have sensed something of what was coming, for -I realize now that I was crouched as for a spring as I saw the blow -aimed at her beautiful, upturned, pleading face, and ere the hand -descended I was halfway across the hall. - -Scarcely had his hideous laugh rang out but once, when I was upon him. -The brute was twelve feet in height and armed to the teeth, but I -believe that I could have accounted for the whole roomful in the -terrific intensity of my rage. Springing upward, I struck him full in -the face as he turned at my warning cry and then as he drew his -short-sword I drew mine and sprang up again upon his breast, hooking -one leg over the butt of his pistol and grasping one of his huge tusks -with my left hand while I delivered blow after blow upon his enormous -chest. - -He could not use his short-sword to advantage because I was too close -to him, nor could he draw his pistol, which he attempted to do in -direct opposition to Martian custom which says that you may not fight a -fellow warrior in private combat with any other than the weapon with -which you are attacked. In fact he could do nothing but make a wild -and futile attempt to dislodge me. With all his immense bulk he was -little if any stronger than I, and it was but the matter of a moment or -two before he sank, bleeding and lifeless, to the floor. - -Dejah Thoris had raised herself upon one elbow and was watching the -battle with wide, staring eyes. When I had regained my feet I raised -her in my arms and bore her to one of the benches at the side of the -room. - -Again no Martian interfered with me, and tearing a piece of silk from -my cape I endeavored to staunch the flow of blood from her nostrils. I -was soon successful as her injuries amounted to little more than an -ordinary nosebleed, and when she could speak she placed her hand upon -my arm and looking up into my eyes, said: - -"Why did you do it? You who refused me even friendly recognition in -the first hour of my peril! And now you risk your life and kill one of -your companions for my sake. I cannot understand. What strange manner -of man are you, that you consort with the green men, though your form -is that of my race, while your color is little darker than that of the -white ape? Tell me, are you human, or are you more than human?" - -"It is a strange tale," I replied, "too long to attempt to tell you -now, and one which I so much doubt the credibility of myself that I -fear to hope that others will believe it. Suffice it, for the present, -that I am your friend, and, so far as our captors will permit, your -protector and your servant." - -"Then you too are a prisoner? But why, then, those arms and the -regalia of a Tharkian chieftain? What is your name? Where your -country?" - -"Yes, Dejah Thoris, I too am a prisoner; my name is John Carter, and I -claim Virginia, one of the United States of America, Earth, as my home; -but why I am permitted to wear arms I do not know, nor was I aware that -my regalia was that of a chieftain." - -We were interrupted at this juncture by the approach of one of the -warriors, bearing arms, accoutrements and ornaments, and in a flash one -of her questions was answered and a puzzle cleared up for me. I saw -that the body of my dead antagonist had been stripped, and I read in -the menacing yet respectful attitude of the warrior who had brought me -these trophies of the kill the same demeanor as that evinced by the -other who had brought me my original equipment, and now for the first -time I realized that my blow, on the occasion of my first battle in the -audience chamber had resulted in the death of my adversary. - -The reason for the whole attitude displayed toward me was now apparent; -I had won my spurs, so to speak, and in the crude justice, which always -marks Martian dealings, and which, among other things, has caused me to -call her the planet of paradoxes, I was accorded the honors due a -conqueror; the trappings and the position of the man I killed. In -truth, I was a Martian chieftain, and this I learned later was the -cause of my great freedom and my toleration in the audience chamber. - -As I had turned to receive the dead warrior's chattels I had noticed -that Tars Tarkas and several others had pushed forward toward us, and -the eyes of the former rested upon me in a most quizzical manner. -Finally he addressed me: - -"You speak the tongue of Barsoom quite readily for one who was deaf and -dumb to us a few short days ago. Where did you learn it, John Carter?" - -"You, yourself, are responsible, Tars Tarkas," I replied, "in that you -furnished me with an instructress of remarkable ability; I have to -thank Sola for my learning." - -"She has done well," he answered, "but your education in other respects -needs considerable polish. Do you know what your unprecedented -temerity would have cost you had you failed to kill either of the two -chieftains whose metal you now wear?" - -"I presume that that one whom I had failed to kill, would have killed -me," I answered, smiling. - -"No, you are wrong. Only in the last extremity of self-defense would a -Martian warrior kill a prisoner; we like to save them for other -purposes," and his face bespoke possibilities that were not pleasant to -dwell upon. - -"But one thing can save you now," he continued. "Should you, in -recognition of your remarkable valor, ferocity, and prowess, be -considered by Tal Hajus as worthy of his service you may be taken into -the community and become a full-fledged Tharkian. Until we reach the -headquarters of Tal Hajus it is the will of Lorquas Ptomel that you be -accorded the respect your acts have earned you. You will be treated by -us as a Tharkian chieftain, but you must not forget that every chief -who ranks you is responsible for your safe delivery to our mighty and -most ferocious ruler. I am done." - -"I hear you, Tars Tarkas," I answered. "As you know I am not of -Barsoom; your ways are not my ways, and I can only act in the future as -I have in the past, in accordance with the dictates of my conscience -and guided by the standards of mine own people. If you will leave me -alone I will go in peace, but if not, let the individual Barsoomians -with whom I must deal either respect my rights as a stranger among you, -or take whatever consequences may befall. Of one thing let us be sure, -whatever may be your ultimate intentions toward this unfortunate young -woman, whoever would offer her injury or insult in the future must -figure on making a full accounting to me. I understand that you -belittle all sentiments of generosity and kindliness, but I do not, and -I can convince your most doughty warrior that these characteristics are -not incompatible with an ability to fight." - -Ordinarily I am not given to long speeches, nor ever before had I -descended to bombast, but I had guessed at the keynote which would -strike an answering chord in the breasts of the green Martians, nor was -I wrong, for my harangue evidently deeply impressed them, and their -attitude toward me thereafter was still further respectful. - -Tars Tarkas himself seemed pleased with my reply, but his only comment -was more or less enigmatical--"And I think I know Tal Hajus, Jeddak of -Thark." - -I now turned my attention to Dejah Thoris, and assisting her to her -feet I turned with her toward the exit, ignoring her hovering guardian -harpies as well as the inquiring glances of the chieftains. Was I not -now a chieftain also! Well, then, I would assume the responsibilities -of one. They did not molest us, and so Dejah Thoris, Princess of -Helium, and John Carter, gentleman of Virginia, followed by the -faithful Woola, passed through utter silence from the audience chamber -of Lorquas Ptomel, Jed among the Tharks of Barsoom. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -WITH DEJAH THORIS - - -As we reached the open the two female guards who had been detailed to -watch over Dejah Thoris hurried up and made as though to assume custody -of her once more. The poor child shrank against me and I felt her two -little hands fold tightly over my arm. Waving the women away, I -informed them that Sola would attend the captive hereafter, and I -further warned Sarkoja that any more of her cruel attentions bestowed -upon Dejah Thoris would result in Sarkoja's sudden and painful demise. - -My threat was unfortunate and resulted in more harm than good to Dejah -Thoris, for, as I learned later, men do not kill women upon Mars, nor -women, men. So Sarkoja merely gave us an ugly look and departed to -hatch up deviltries against us. - -I soon found Sola and explained to her that I wished her to guard Dejah -Thoris as she had guarded me; that I wished her to find other quarters -where they would not be molested by Sarkoja, and I finally informed her -that I myself would take up my quarters among the men. - -Sola glanced at the accouterments which were carried in my hand and -slung across my shoulder. - -"You are a great chieftain now, John Carter," she said, "and I must do -your bidding, though indeed I am glad to do it under any circumstances. -The man whose metal you carry was young, but he was a great warrior, -and had by his promotions and kills won his way close to the rank of -Tars Tarkas, who, as you know, is second to Lorquas Ptomel only. You -are eleventh, there are but ten chieftains in this community who rank -you in prowess." - -"And if I should kill Lorquas Ptomel?" I asked. - -"You would be first, John Carter; but you may only win that honor by -the will of the entire council that Lorquas Ptomel meet you in combat, -or should he attack you, you may kill him in self-defense, and thus win -first place." - -I laughed, and changed the subject. I had no particular desire to kill -Lorquas Ptomel, and less to be a jed among the Tharks. - -I accompanied Sola and Dejah Thoris in a search for new quarters, which -we found in a building nearer the audience chamber and of far more -pretentious architecture than our former habitation. We also found in -this building real sleeping apartments with ancient beds of highly -wrought metal swinging from enormous gold chains depending from the -marble ceilings. The decoration of the walls was most elaborate, and, -unlike the frescoes in the other buildings I had examined, portrayed -many human figures in the compositions. These were of people like -myself, and of a much lighter color than Dejah Thoris. They were clad -in graceful, flowing robes, highly ornamented with metal and jewels, -and their luxuriant hair was of a beautiful golden and reddish bronze. -The men were beardless and only a few wore arms. The scenes depicted -for the most part, a fair-skinned, fair-haired people at play. - -Dejah Thoris clasped her hands with an exclamation of rapture as she -gazed upon these magnificent works of art, wrought by a people long -extinct; while Sola, on the other hand, apparently did not see them. - -We decided to use this room, on the second floor and overlooking the -plaza, for Dejah Thoris and Sola, and another room adjoining and in the -rear for the cooking and supplies. I then dispatched Sola to bring the -bedding and such food and utensils as she might need, telling her that -I would guard Dejah Thoris until her return. - -As Sola departed Dejah Thoris turned to me with a faint smile. - -"And whereto, then, would your prisoner escape should you leave her, -unless it was to follow you and crave your protection, and ask your -pardon for the cruel thoughts she has harbored against you these past -few days?" - -"You are right," I answered, "there is no escape for either of us -unless we go together." - -"I heard your challenge to the creature you call Tars Tarkas, and I -think I understand your position among these people, but what I cannot -fathom is your statement that you are not of Barsoom." - -"In the name of my first ancestor, then," she continued, "where may you -be from? You are like unto my people, and yet so unlike. You speak my -language, and yet I heard you tell Tars Tarkas that you had but learned -it recently. All Barsoomians speak the same tongue from the ice-clad -south to the ice-clad north, though their written languages differ. -Only in the valley Dor, where the river Iss empties into the lost sea -of Korus, is there supposed to be a different language spoken, and, -except in the legends of our ancestors, there is no record of a -Barsoomian returning up the river Iss, from the shores of Korus in the -valley of Dor. Do not tell me that you have thus returned! They would -kill you horribly anywhere upon the surface of Barsoom if that were -true; tell me it is not!" - -Her eyes were filled with a strange, weird light; her voice was -pleading, and her little hands, reached up upon my breast, were pressed -against me as though to wring a denial from my very heart. - -"I do not know your customs, Dejah Thoris, but in my own Virginia a -gentleman does not lie to save himself; I am not of Dor; I have never -seen the mysterious Iss; the lost sea of Korus is still lost, so far as -I am concerned. Do you believe me?" - -And then it struck me suddenly that I was very anxious that she should -believe me. It was not that I feared the results which would follow a -general belief that I had returned from the Barsoomian heaven or hell, -or whatever it was. Why was it, then! Why should I care what she -thought? I looked down at her; her beautiful face upturned, and her -wonderful eyes opening up the very depth of her soul; and as my eyes -met hers I knew why, and--I shuddered. - -A similar wave of feeling seemed to stir her; she drew away from me -with a sigh, and with her earnest, beautiful face turned up to mine, -she whispered: "I believe you, John Carter; I do not know what a -'gentleman' is, nor have I ever heard before of Virginia; but on -Barsoom no man lies; if he does not wish to speak the truth he is -silent. Where is this Virginia, your country, John Carter?" she asked, -and it seemed that this fair name of my fair land had never sounded -more beautiful than as it fell from those perfect lips on that far-gone -day. - -"I am of another world," I answered, "the great planet Earth, which -revolves about our common sun and next within the orbit of your -Barsoom, which we know as Mars. How I came here I cannot tell you, for -I do not know; but here I am, and since my presence has permitted me to -serve Dejah Thoris I am glad that I am here." - -She gazed at me with troubled eyes, long and questioningly. That it -was difficult to believe my statement I well knew, nor could I hope -that she would do so however much I craved her confidence and respect. -I would much rather not have told her anything of my antecedents, but -no man could look into the depth of those eyes and refuse her slightest -behest. - -Finally she smiled, and, rising, said: "I shall have to believe even -though I cannot understand. I can readily perceive that you are not of -the Barsoom of today; you are like us, yet different--but why should I -trouble my poor head with such a problem, when my heart tells me that I -believe because I wish to believe!" - -It was good logic, good, earthly, feminine logic, and if it satisfied -her I certainly could pick no flaws in it. As a matter of fact it was -about the only kind of logic that could be brought to bear upon my -problem. We fell into a general conversation then, asking and -answering many questions on each side. She was curious to learn of the -customs of my people and displayed a remarkable knowledge of events on -Earth. When I questioned her closely on this seeming familiarity with -earthly things she laughed, and cried out: - -"Why, every school boy on Barsoom knows the geography, and much -concerning the fauna and flora, as well as the history of your planet -fully as well as of his own. Can we not see everything which takes -place upon Earth, as you call it; is it not hanging there in the -heavens in plain sight?" - -This baffled me, I must confess, fully as much as my statements had -confounded her; and I told her so. She then explained in general the -instruments her people had used and been perfecting for ages, which -permit them to throw upon a screen a perfect image of what is -transpiring upon any planet and upon many of the stars. These pictures -are so perfect in detail that, when photographed and enlarged, objects -no greater than a blade of grass may be distinctly recognized. I -afterward, in Helium, saw many of these pictures, as well as the -instruments which produced them. - -"If, then, you are so familiar with earthly things," I asked, "why is -it that you do not recognize me as identical with the inhabitants of -that planet?" - -She smiled again as one might in bored indulgence of a questioning -child. - -"Because, John Carter," she replied, "nearly every planet and star -having atmospheric conditions at all approaching those of Barsoom, -shows forms of animal life almost identical with you and me; and, -further, Earth men, almost without exception, cover their bodies with -strange, unsightly pieces of cloth, and their heads with hideous -contraptions the purpose of which we have been unable to conceive; -while you, when found by the Tharkian warriors, were entirely -undisfigured and unadorned. - -"The fact that you wore no ornaments is a strong proof of your -un-Barsoomian origin, while the absence of grotesque coverings might -cause a doubt as to your earthliness." - -I then narrated the details of my departure from the Earth, explaining -that my body there lay fully clothed in all the, to her, strange -garments of mundane dwellers. At this point Sola returned with our -meager belongings and her young Martian protege, who, of course, would -have to share the quarters with them. - -Sola asked us if we had had a visitor during her absence, and seemed -much surprised when we answered in the negative. It seemed that as she -had mounted the approach to the upper floors where our quarters were -located, she had met Sarkoja descending. We decided that she must have -been eavesdropping, but as we could recall nothing of importance that -had passed between us we dismissed the matter as of little consequence, -merely promising ourselves to be warned to the utmost caution in the -future. - -Dejah Thoris and I then fell to examining the architecture and -decorations of the beautiful chambers of the building we were -occupying. She told me that these people had presumably flourished -over a hundred thousand years before. They were the early progenitors -of her race, but had mixed with the other great race of early Martians, -who were very dark, almost black, and also with the reddish yellow race -which had flourished at the same time. - -These three great divisions of the higher Martians had been forced into -a mighty alliance as the drying up of the Martian seas had compelled -them to seek the comparatively few and always diminishing fertile -areas, and to defend themselves, under new conditions of life, against -the wild hordes of green men. - -Ages of close relationship and intermarrying had resulted in the race -of red men, of which Dejah Thoris was a fair and beautiful daughter. -During the ages of hardships and incessant warring between their own -various races, as well as with the green men, and before they had -fitted themselves to the changed conditions, much of the high -civilization and many of the arts of the fair-haired Martians had -become lost; but the red race of today has reached a point where it -feels that it has made up in new discoveries and in a more practical -civilization for all that lies irretrievably buried with the ancient -Barsoomians, beneath the countless intervening ages. - -These ancient Martians had been a highly cultivated and literary race, -but during the vicissitudes of those trying centuries of readjustment -to new conditions, not only did their advancement and production cease -entirely, but practically all their archives, records, and literature -were lost. - -Dejah Thoris related many interesting facts and legends concerning this -lost race of noble and kindly people. She said that the city in which -we were camping was supposed to have been a center of commerce and -culture known as Korad. It had been built upon a beautiful, natural -harbor, landlocked by magnificent hills. The little valley on the west -front of the city, she explained, was all that remained of the harbor, -while the pass through the hills to the old sea bottom had been the -channel through which the shipping passed up to the city's gates. - -The shores of the ancient seas were dotted with just such cities, and -lesser ones, in diminishing numbers, were to be found converging toward -the center of the oceans, as the people had found it necessary to -follow the receding waters until necessity had forced upon them their -ultimate salvation, the so-called Martian canals. - -We had been so engrossed in exploration of the building and in our -conversation that it was late in the afternoon before we realized it. -We were brought back to a realization of our present conditions by a -messenger bearing a summons from Lorquas Ptomel directing me to appear -before him forthwith. Bidding Dejah Thoris and Sola farewell, and -commanding Woola to remain on guard, I hastened to the audience -chamber, where I found Lorquas Ptomel and Tars Tarkas seated upon the -rostrum. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -A PRISONER WITH POWER - - -As I entered and saluted, Lorquas Ptomel signaled me to advance, and, -fixing his great, hideous eyes upon me, addressed me thus: - -"You have been with us a few days, yet during that time you have by -your prowess won a high position among us. Be that as it may, you are -not one of us; you owe us no allegiance. - -"Your position is a peculiar one," he continued; "you are a prisoner -and yet you give commands which must be obeyed; you are an alien and -yet you are a Tharkian chieftain; you are a midget and yet you can kill -a mighty warrior with one blow of your fist. And now you are reported -to have been plotting to escape with another prisoner of another race; -a prisoner who, from her own admission, half believes you are returned -from the valley of Dor. Either one of these accusations, if proved, -would be sufficient grounds for your execution, but we are a just -people and you shall have a trial on our return to Thark, if Tal Hajus -so commands. - -"But," he continued, in his fierce guttural tones, "if you run off with -the red girl it is I who shall have to account to Tal Hajus; it is I -who shall have to face Tars Tarkas, and either demonstrate my right to -command, or the metal from my dead carcass will go to a better man, for -such is the custom of the Tharks. - -"I have no quarrel with Tars Tarkas; together we rule supreme the -greatest of the lesser communities among the green men; we do not wish -to fight between ourselves; and so if you were dead, John Carter, I -should be glad. Under two conditions only, however, may you be killed -by us without orders from Tal Hajus; in personal combat in -self-defense, should you attack one of us, or were you apprehended in -an attempt to escape. - -"As a matter of justice I must warn you that we only await one of these -two excuses for ridding ourselves of so great a responsibility. The -safe delivery of the red girl to Tal Hajus is of the greatest -importance. Not in a thousand years have the Tharks made such a -capture; she is the granddaughter of the greatest of the red jeddaks, -who is also our bitterest enemy. I have spoken. The red girl told us -that we were without the softer sentiments of humanity, but we are a -just and truthful race. You may go." - -Turning, I left the audience chamber. So this was the beginning of -Sarkoja's persecution! I knew that none other could be responsible for -this report which had reached the ears of Lorquas Ptomel so quickly, -and now I recalled those portions of our conversation which had touched -upon escape and upon my origin. - -Sarkoja was at this time Tars Tarkas' oldest and most trusted female. -As such she was a mighty power behind the throne, for no warrior had -the confidence of Lorquas Ptomel to such an extent as did his ablest -lieutenant, Tars Tarkas. - -However, instead of putting thoughts of possible escape from my mind, -my audience with Lorquas Ptomel only served to center my every faculty -on this subject. Now, more than before, the absolute necessity for -escape, in so far as Dejah Thoris was concerned, was impressed upon me, -for I was convinced that some horrible fate awaited her at the -headquarters of Tal Hajus. - -As described by Sola, this monster was the exaggerated personification -of all the ages of cruelty, ferocity, and brutality from which he had -descended. Cold, cunning, calculating; he was, also, in marked -contrast to most of his fellows, a slave to that brute passion which -the waning demands for procreation upon their dying planet has almost -stilled in the Martian breast. - -The thought that the divine Dejah Thoris might fall into the clutches -of such an abysmal atavism started the cold sweat upon me. Far better -that we save friendly bullets for ourselves at the last moment, as did -those brave frontier women of my lost land, who took their own lives -rather than fall into the hands of the Indian braves. - -As I wandered about the plaza lost in my gloomy forebodings Tars Tarkas -approached me on his way from the audience chamber. His demeanor -toward me was unchanged, and he greeted me as though we had not just -parted a few moments before. - -"Where are your quarters, John Carter?" he asked. - -"I have selected none," I replied. "It seemed best that I quartered -either by myself or among the other warriors, and I was awaiting an -opportunity to ask your advice. As you know," and I smiled, "I am not -yet familiar with all the customs of the Tharks." - -"Come with me," he directed, and together we moved off across the plaza -to a building which I was glad to see adjoined that occupied by Sola -and her charges. - -"My quarters are on the first floor of this building," he said, "and -the second floor also is fully occupied by warriors, but the third -floor and the floors above are vacant; you may take your choice of -these. - -"I understand," he continued, "that you have given up your woman to the -red prisoner. Well, as you have said, your ways are not our ways, but -you can fight well enough to do about as you please, and so, if you -wish to give your woman to a captive, it is your own affair; but as a -chieftain you should have those to serve you, and in accordance with -our customs you may select any or all the females from the retinues of -the chieftains whose metal you now wear." - -I thanked him, but assured him that I could get along very nicely -without assistance except in the matter of preparing food, and so he -promised to send women to me for this purpose and also for the care of -my arms and the manufacture of my ammunition, which he said would be -necessary. I suggested that they might also bring some of the sleeping -silks and furs which belonged to me as spoils of combat, for the nights -were cold and I had none of my own. - -He promised to do so, and departed. Left alone, I ascended the winding -corridor to the upper floors in search of suitable quarters. The -beauties of the other buildings were repeated in this, and, as usual, I -was soon lost in a tour of investigation and discovery. - -I finally chose a front room on the third floor, because this brought -me nearer to Dejah Thoris, whose apartment was on the second floor of -the adjoining building, and it flashed upon me that I could rig up some -means of communication whereby she might signal me in case she needed -either my services or my protection. - -Adjoining my sleeping apartment were baths, dressing rooms, and other -sleeping and living apartments, in all some ten rooms on this floor. -The windows of the back rooms overlooked an enormous court, which -formed the center of the square made by the buildings which faced the -four contiguous streets, and which was now given over to the quartering -of the various animals belonging to the warriors occupying the -adjoining buildings. - -While the court was entirely overgrown with the yellow, moss-like -vegetation which blankets practically the entire surface of Mars, yet -numerous fountains, statuary, benches, and pergola-like contraptions -bore witness to the beauty which the court must have presented in -bygone times, when graced by the fair-haired, laughing people whom -stern and unalterable cosmic laws had driven not only from their homes, -but from all except the vague legends of their descendants. - -One could easily picture the gorgeous foliage of the luxuriant Martian -vegetation which once filled this scene with life and color; the -graceful figures of the beautiful women, the straight and handsome men; -the happy frolicking children--all sunlight, happiness and peace. It -was difficult to realize that they had gone; down through ages of -darkness, cruelty, and ignorance, until their hereditary instincts of -culture and humanitarianism had risen ascendant once more in the final -composite race which now is dominant upon Mars. - -My thoughts were cut short by the advent of several young females -bearing loads of weapons, silks, furs, jewels, cooking utensils, and -casks of food and drink, including considerable loot from the air -craft. All this, it seemed, had been the property of the two -chieftains I had slain, and now, by the customs of the Tharks, it had -become mine. At my direction they placed the stuff in one of the back -rooms, and then departed, only to return with a second load, which they -advised me constituted the balance of my goods. On the second trip -they were accompanied by ten or fifteen other women and youths, who, it -seemed, formed the retinues of the two chieftains. - -They were not their families, nor their wives, nor their servants; the -relationship was peculiar, and so unlike anything known to us that it -is most difficult to describe. All property among the green Martians -is owned in common by the community, except the personal weapons, -ornaments and sleeping silks and furs of the individuals. These alone -can one claim undisputed right to, nor may he accumulate more of these -than are required for his actual needs. The surplus he holds merely as -custodian, and it is passed on to the younger members of the community -as necessity demands. - -The women and children of a man's retinue may be likened to a military -unit for which he is responsible in various ways, as in matters of -instruction, discipline, sustenance, and the exigencies of their -continual roamings and their unending strife with other communities and -with the red Martians. His women are in no sense wives. The green -Martians use no word corresponding in meaning with this earthly word. -Their mating is a matter of community interest solely, and is directed -without reference to natural selection. The council of chieftains of -each community control the matter as surely as the owner of a Kentucky -racing stud directs the scientific breeding of his stock for the -improvement of the whole. - -In theory it may sound well, as is often the case with theories, but -the results of ages of this unnatural practice, coupled with the -community interest in the offspring being held paramount to that of the -mother, is shown in the cold, cruel creatures, and their gloomy, -loveless, mirthless existence. - -It is true that the green Martians are absolutely virtuous, both men -and women, with the exception of such degenerates as Tal Hajus; but -better far a finer balance of human characteristics even at the expense -of a slight and occasional loss of chastity. - -Finding that I must assume responsibility for these creatures, whether -I would or not, I made the best of it and directed them to find -quarters on the upper floors, leaving the third floor to me. One of -the girls I charged with the duties of my simple cuisine, and directed -the others to take up the various activities which had formerly -constituted their vocations. Thereafter I saw little of them, nor did -I care to. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -LOVE-MAKING ON MARS - - -Following the battle with the air ships, the community remained within -the city for several days, abandoning the homeward march until they -could feel reasonably assured that the ships would not return; for to -be caught on the open plains with a cavalcade of chariots and children -was far from the desire of even so warlike a people as the green -Martians. - -During our period of inactivity, Tars Tarkas had instructed me in many -of the customs and arts of war familiar to the Tharks, including -lessons in riding and guiding the great beasts which bore the warriors. -These creatures, which are known as thoats, are as dangerous and -vicious as their masters, but when once subdued are sufficiently -tractable for the purposes of the green Martians. - -Two of these animals had fallen to me from the warriors whose metal I -wore, and in a short time I could handle them quite as well as the -native warriors. The method was not at all complicated. If the thoats -did not respond with sufficient celerity to the telepathic instructions -of their riders they were dealt a terrific blow between the ears with -the butt of a pistol, and if they showed fight this treatment was -continued until the brutes either were subdued, or had unseated their -riders. - -In the latter case it became a life and death struggle between the man -and the beast. If the former were quick enough with his pistol he -might live to ride again, though upon some other beast; if not, his -torn and mangled body was gathered up by his women and burned in -accordance with Tharkian custom. - -My experience with Woola determined me to attempt the experiment of -kindness in my treatment of my thoats. First I taught them that they -could not unseat me, and even rapped them sharply between the ears to -impress upon them my authority and mastery. Then, by degrees, I won -their confidence in much the same manner as I had adopted countless -times with my many mundane mounts. I was ever a good hand with -animals, and by inclination, as well as because it brought more lasting -and satisfactory results, I was always kind and humane in my dealings -with the lower orders. I could take a human life, if necessary, with -far less compunction than that of a poor, unreasoning, irresponsible -brute. - -In the course of a few days my thoats were the wonder of the entire -community. They would follow me like dogs, rubbing their great snouts -against my body in awkward evidence of affection, and respond to my -every command with an alacrity and docility which caused the Martian -warriors to ascribe to me the possession of some earthly power unknown -on Mars. - -"How have you bewitched them?" asked Tars Tarkas one afternoon, when he -had seen me run my arm far between the great jaws of one of my thoats -which had wedged a piece of stone between two of his teeth while -feeding upon the moss-like vegetation within our court yard. - -"By kindness," I replied. "You see, Tars Tarkas, the softer sentiments -have their value, even to a warrior. In the height of battle as well -as upon the march I know that my thoats will obey my every command, and -therefore my fighting efficiency is enhanced, and I am a better warrior -for the reason that I am a kind master. Your other warriors would find -it to the advantage of themselves as well as of the community to adopt -my methods in this respect. Only a few days since you, yourself, told -me that these great brutes, by the uncertainty of their tempers, often -were the means of turning victory into defeat, since, at a crucial -moment, they might elect to unseat and rend their riders." - -"Show me how you accomplish these results," was Tars Tarkas' only -rejoinder. - -And so I explained as carefully as I could the entire method of -training I had adopted with my beasts, and later he had me repeat it -before Lorquas Ptomel and the assembled warriors. That moment marked -the beginning of a new existence for the poor thoats, and before I left -the community of Lorquas Ptomel I had the satisfaction of observing a -regiment of as tractable and docile mounts as one might care to see. -The effect on the precision and celerity of the military movements was -so remarkable that Lorquas Ptomel presented me with a massive anklet of -gold from his own leg, as a sign of his appreciation of my service to -the horde. - -On the seventh day following the battle with the air craft we again -took up the march toward Thark, all probability of another attack being -deemed remote by Lorquas Ptomel. - -During the days just preceding our departure I had seen but little of -Dejah Thoris, as I had been kept very busy by Tars Tarkas with my -lessons in the art of Martian warfare, as well as in the training of my -thoats. The few times I had visited her quarters she had been absent, -walking upon the streets with Sola, or investigating the buildings in -the near vicinity of the plaza. I had warned them against venturing -far from the plaza for fear of the great white apes, whose ferocity I -was only too well acquainted with. However, since Woola accompanied -them on all their excursions, and as Sola was well armed, there was -comparatively little cause for fear. - -On the evening before our departure I saw them approaching along one of -the great avenues which lead into the plaza from the east. I advanced -to meet them, and telling Sola that I would take the responsibility for -Dejah Thoris' safekeeping, I directed her to return to her quarters on -some trivial errand. I liked and trusted Sola, but for some reason I -desired to be alone with Dejah Thoris, who represented to me all that I -had left behind upon Earth in agreeable and congenial companionship. -There seemed bonds of mutual interest between us as powerful as though -we had been born under the same roof rather than upon different -planets, hurtling through space some forty-eight million miles apart. - -That she shared my sentiments in this respect I was positive, for on my -approach the look of pitiful hopelessness left her sweet countenance to -be replaced by a smile of joyful welcome, as she placed her little -right hand upon my left shoulder in true red Martian salute. - -"Sarkoja told Sola that you had become a true Thark," she said, "and -that I would now see no more of you than of any of the other warriors." - -"Sarkoja is a liar of the first magnitude," I replied, "notwithstanding -the proud claim of the Tharks to absolute verity." - -Dejah Thoris laughed. - -"I knew that even though you became a member of the community you would -not cease to be my friend; 'A warrior may change his metal, but not his -heart,' as the saying is upon Barsoom." - -"I think they have been trying to keep us apart," she continued, "for -whenever you have been off duty one of the older women of Tars Tarkas' -retinue has always arranged to trump up some excuse to get Sola and me -out of sight. They have had me down in the pits below the buildings -helping them mix their awful radium powder, and make their terrible -projectiles. You know that these have to be manufactured by artificial -light, as exposure to sunlight always results in an explosion. You -have noticed that their bullets explode when they strike an object? -Well, the opaque, outer coating is broken by the impact, exposing a -glass cylinder, almost solid, in the forward end of which is a minute -particle of radium powder. The moment the sunlight, even though -diffused, strikes this powder it explodes with a violence which nothing -can withstand. If you ever witness a night battle you will note the -absence of these explosions, while the morning following the battle -will be filled at sunrise with the sharp detonations of exploding -missiles fired the preceding night. As a rule, however, non-exploding -projectiles are used at night." [I have used the word radium in -describing this powder because in the light of recent discoveries on -Earth I believe it to be a mixture of which radium is the base. In -Captain Carter's manuscript it is mentioned always by the name used in -the written language of Helium and is spelled in hieroglyphics which it -would be difficult and useless to reproduce.] - -While I was much interested in Dejah Thoris' explanation of this -wonderful adjunct to Martian warfare, I was more concerned by the -immediate problem of their treatment of her. That they were keeping -her away from me was not a matter for surprise, but that they should -subject her to dangerous and arduous labor filled me with rage. - -"Have they ever subjected you to cruelty and ignominy, Dejah Thoris?" I -asked, feeling the hot blood of my fighting ancestors leap in my veins -as I awaited her reply. - -"Only in little ways, John Carter," she answered. "Nothing that can -harm me outside my pride. They know that I am the daughter of ten -thousand jeddaks, that I trace my ancestry straight back without a -break to the builder of the first great waterway, and they, who do not -even know their own mothers, are jealous of me. At heart they hate -their horrid fates, and so wreak their poor spite on me who stand for -everything they have not, and for all they most crave and never can -attain. Let us pity them, my chieftain, for even though we die at -their hands we can afford them pity, since we are greater than they and -they know it." - -Had I known the significance of those words "my chieftain," as applied -by a red Martian woman to a man, I should have had the surprise of my -life, but I did not know at that time, nor for many months thereafter. -Yes, I still had much to learn upon Barsoom. - -"I presume it is the better part of wisdom that we bow to our fate with -as good grace as possible, Dejah Thoris; but I hope, nevertheless, that -I may be present the next time that any Martian, green, red, pink, or -violet, has the temerity to even so much as frown on you, my princess." - -Dejah Thoris caught her breath at my last words, and gazed upon me with -dilated eyes and quickening breath, and then, with an odd little laugh, -which brought roguish dimples to the corners of her mouth, she shook -her head and cried: - -"What a child! A great warrior and yet a stumbling little child." - -"What have I done now?" I asked, in sore perplexity. - -"Some day you shall know, John Carter, if we live; but I may not tell -you. And I, the daughter of Mors Kajak, son of Tardos Mors, have -listened without anger," she soliloquized in conclusion. - -Then she broke out again into one of her gay, happy, laughing moods; -joking with me on my prowess as a Thark warrior as contrasted with my -soft heart and natural kindliness. - -"I presume that should you accidentally wound an enemy you would take -him home and nurse him back to health," she laughed. - -"That is precisely what we do on Earth," I answered. "At least among -civilized men." - -This made her laugh again. She could not understand it, for, with all -her tenderness and womanly sweetness, she was still a Martian, and to a -Martian the only good enemy is a dead enemy; for every dead foeman -means so much more to divide between those who live. - -I was very curious to know what I had said or done to cause her so much -perturbation a moment before and so I continued to importune her to -enlighten me. - -"No," she exclaimed, "it is enough that you have said it and that I -have listened. And when you learn, John Carter, and if I be dead, as -likely I shall be ere the further moon has circled Barsoom another -twelve times, remember that I listened and that I--smiled." - -It was all Greek to me, but the more I begged her to explain the more -positive became her denials of my request, and, so, in very -hopelessness, I desisted. - -Day had now given away to night and as we wandered along the great -avenue lighted by the two moons of Barsoom, and with Earth looking down -upon us out of her luminous green eye, it seemed that we were alone in -the universe, and I, at least, was content that it should be so. - -The chill of the Martian night was upon us, and removing my silks I -threw them across the shoulders of Dejah Thoris. As my arm rested for -an instant upon her I felt a thrill pass through every fiber of my -being such as contact with no other mortal had even produced; and it -seemed to me that she had leaned slightly toward me, but of that I was -not sure. Only I knew that as my arm rested there across her shoulders -longer than the act of adjusting the silk required she did not draw -away, nor did she speak. And so, in silence, we walked the surface of -a dying world, but in the breast of one of us at least had been born -that which is ever oldest, yet ever new. - -I loved Dejah Thoris. The touch of my arm upon her naked shoulder had -spoken to me in words I would not mistake, and I knew that I had loved -her since the first moment that my eyes had met hers that first time in -the plaza of the dead city of Korad. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A DUEL TO THE DEATH - - -My first impulse was to tell her of my love, and then I thought of the -helplessness of her position wherein I alone could lighten the burdens -of her captivity, and protect her in my poor way against the thousands -of hereditary enemies she must face upon our arrival at Thark. I could -not chance causing her additional pain or sorrow by declaring a love -which, in all probability she did not return. Should I be so -indiscreet, her position would be even more unbearable than now, and -the thought that she might feel that I was taking advantage of her -helplessness, to influence her decision was the final argument which -sealed my lips. - -"Why are you so quiet, Dejah Thoris?" I asked. "Possibly you would -rather return to Sola and your quarters." - -"No," she murmured, "I am happy here. I do not know why it is that I -should always be happy and contented when you, John Carter, a stranger, -are with me; yet at such times it seems that I am safe and that, with -you, I shall soon return to my father's court and feel his strong arms -about me and my mother's tears and kisses on my cheek." - -"Do people kiss, then, upon Barsoom?" I asked, when she had explained -the word she used, in answer to my inquiry as to its meaning. - -"Parents, brothers, and sisters, yes; and," she added in a low, -thoughtful tone, "lovers." - -"And you, Dejah Thoris, have parents and brothers and sisters?" - -"Yes." - -"And a--lover?" - -She was silent, nor could I venture to repeat the question. - -"The man of Barsoom," she finally ventured, "does not ask personal -questions of women, except his mother, and the woman he has fought for -and won." - -"But I have fought--" I started, and then I wished my tongue had been -cut from my mouth; for she turned even as I caught myself and ceased, -and drawing my silks from her shoulder she held them out to me, and -without a word, and with head held high, she moved with the carriage of -the queen she was toward the plaza and the doorway of her quarters. - -I did not attempt to follow her, other than to see that she reached the -building in safety, but, directing Woola to accompany her, I turned -disconsolately and entered my own house. I sat for hours cross-legged, -and cross-tempered, upon my silks meditating upon the queer freaks -chance plays upon us poor devils of mortals. - -So this was love! I had escaped it for all the years I had roamed the -five continents and their encircling seas; in spite of beautiful women -and urging opportunity; in spite of a half-desire for love and a -constant search for my ideal, it had remained for me to fall furiously -and hopelessly in love with a creature from another world, of a species -similar possibly, yet not identical with mine. A woman who was hatched -from an egg, and whose span of life might cover a thousand years; whose -people had strange customs and ideas; a woman whose hopes, whose -pleasures, whose standards of virtue and of right and wrong might vary -as greatly from mine as did those of the green Martians. - -Yes, I was a fool, but I was in love, and though I was suffering the -greatest misery I had ever known I would not have had it otherwise for -all the riches of Barsoom. Such is love, and such are lovers wherever -love is known. - -To me, Dejah Thoris was all that was perfect; all that was virtuous and -beautiful and noble and good. I believed that from the bottom of my -heart, from the depth of my soul on that night in Korad as I sat -cross-legged upon my silks while the nearer moon of Barsoom raced -through the western sky toward the horizon, and lighted up the gold and -marble, and jeweled mosaics of my world-old chamber, and I believe it -today as I sit at my desk in the little study overlooking the Hudson. -Twenty years have intervened; for ten of them I lived and fought for -Dejah Thoris and her people, and for ten I have lived upon her memory. - -The morning of our departure for Thark dawned clear and hot, as do all -Martian mornings except for the six weeks when the snow melts at the -poles. - -I sought out Dejah Thoris in the throng of departing chariots, but she -turned her shoulder to me, and I could see the red blood mount to her -cheek. With the foolish inconsistency of love I held my peace when I -might have pled ignorance of the nature of my offense, or at least the -gravity of it, and so have effected, at worst, a half conciliation. - -[Illustration: I sought out Dejah Thoris in the throng of departing -chariots.] - -My duty dictated that I must see that she was comfortable, and so I -glanced into her chariot and rearranged her silks and furs. In doing -so I noted with horror that she was heavily chained by one ankle to the -side of the vehicle. - -"What does this mean?" I cried, turning to Sola. - -"Sarkoja thought it best," she answered, her face betokening her -disapproval of the procedure. - -Examining the manacles I saw that they fastened with a massive spring -lock. - -"Where is the key, Sola? Let me have it." - -"Sarkoja wears it, John Carter," she answered. - -I turned without further word and sought out Tars Tarkas, to whom I -vehemently objected to the unnecessary humiliations and cruelties, as -they seemed to my lover's eyes, that were being heaped upon Dejah -Thoris. - -"John Carter," he answered, "if ever you and Dejah Thoris escape the -Tharks it will be upon this journey. We know that you will not go -without her. You have shown yourself a mighty fighter, and we do not -wish to manacle you, so we hold you both in the easiest way that will -yet ensure security. I have spoken." - -I saw the strength of his reasoning at a flash, and knew that it was -futile to appeal from his decision, but I asked that the key be taken -from Sarkoja and that she be directed to leave the prisoner alone in -future. - -"This much, Tars Tarkas, you may do for me in return for the friendship -that, I must confess, I feel for you." - -"Friendship?" he replied. "There is no such thing, John Carter; but -have your will. I shall direct that Sarkoja cease to annoy the girl, -and I myself will take the custody of the key." - -"Unless you wish me to assume the responsibility," I said, smiling. - -He looked at me long and earnestly before he spoke. - -"Were you to give me your word that neither you nor Dejah Thoris would -attempt to escape until after we have safely reached the court of Tal -Hajus you might have the key and throw the chains into the river Iss." - -"It was better that you held the key, Tars Tarkas," I replied - -He smiled, and said no more, but that night as we were making camp I -saw him unfasten Dejah Thoris' fetters himself. - -With all his cruel ferocity and coldness there was an undercurrent of -something in Tars Tarkas which he seemed ever battling to subdue. -Could it be a vestige of some human instinct come back from an ancient -forbear to haunt him with the horror of his people's ways! - -As I was approaching Dejah Thoris' chariot I passed Sarkoja, and the -black, venomous look she accorded me was the sweetest balm I had felt -for many hours. Lord, how she hated me! It bristled from her so -palpably that one might almost have cut it with a sword. - -A few moments later I saw her deep in conversation with a warrior named -Zad; a big, hulking, powerful brute, but one who had never made a kill -among his own chieftains, and so was still an _o mad_, or man with -one name; he could win a second name only with the metal of some -chieftain. It was this custom which entitled me to the names of either -of the chieftains I had killed; in fact, some of the warriors addressed -me as Dotar Sojat, a combination of the surnames of the two warrior -chieftains whose metal I had taken, or, in other words, whom I had -slain in fair fight. - -As Sarkoja talked with Zad he cast occasional glances in my direction, -while she seemed to be urging him very strongly to some action. I paid -little attention to it at the time, but the next day I had good reason -to recall the circumstances, and at the same time gain a slight insight -into the depths of Sarkoja's hatred and the lengths to which she was -capable of going to wreak her horrid vengeance on me. - -Dejah Thoris would have none of me again on this evening, and though I -spoke her name she neither replied, nor conceded by so much as the -flutter of an eyelid that she realized my existence. In my extremity I -did what most other lovers would have done; I sought word from her -through an intimate. In this instance it was Sola whom I intercepted -in another part of camp. - -"What is the matter with Dejah Thoris?" I blurted out at her. "Why -will she not speak to me?" - -Sola seemed puzzled herself, as though such strange actions on the part -of two humans were quite beyond her, as indeed they were, poor child. - -"She says you have angered her, and that is all she will say, except -that she is the daughter of a jed and the granddaughter of a jeddak and -she has been humiliated by a creature who could not polish the teeth of -her grandmother's sorak." - -I pondered over this report for some time, finally asking, "What might -a sorak be, Sola?" - -"A little animal about as big as my hand, which the red Martian women -keep to play with," explained Sola. - -Not fit to polish the teeth of her grandmother's cat! I must rank -pretty low in the consideration of Dejah Thoris, I thought; but I could -not help laughing at the strange figure of speech, so homely and in -this respect so earthly. It made me homesick, for it sounded very much -like "not fit to polish her shoes." And then commenced a train of -thought quite new to me. I began to wonder what my people at home were -doing. I had not seen them for years. There was a family of Carters -in Virginia who claimed close relationship with me; I was supposed to -be a great uncle, or something of the kind equally foolish. I could -pass anywhere for twenty-five to thirty years of age, and to be a great -uncle always seemed the height of incongruity, for my thoughts and -feelings were those of a boy. There were two little kiddies in the -Carter family whom I had loved and who had thought there was no one on -Earth like Uncle Jack; I could see them just as plainly, as I stood -there under the moonlit skies of Barsoom, and I longed for them as I -had never longed for any mortals before. By nature a wanderer, I had -never known the true meaning of the word home, but the great hall of -the Carters had always stood for all that the word did mean to me, and -now my heart turned toward it from the cold and unfriendly peoples I -had been thrown amongst. For did not even Dejah Thoris despise me! I -was a low creature, so low in fact that I was not even fit to polish -the teeth of her grandmother's cat; and then my saving sense of humor -came to my rescue, and laughing I turned into my silks and furs and -slept upon the moon-haunted ground the sleep of a tired and healthy -fighting man. - -We broke camp the next day at an early hour and marched with only a -single halt until just before dark. Two incidents broke the -tediousness of the march. About noon we espied far to our right what -was evidently an incubator, and Lorquas Ptomel directed Tars Tarkas to -investigate it. The latter took a dozen warriors, including myself, -and we raced across the velvety carpeting of moss to the little -enclosure. - -It was indeed an incubator, but the eggs were very small in comparison -with those I had seen hatching in ours at the time of my arrival on -Mars. - -Tars Tarkas dismounted and examined the enclosure minutely, finally -announcing that it belonged to the green men of Warhoon and that the -cement was scarcely dry where it had been walled up. - -"They cannot be a day's march ahead of us," he exclaimed, the light of -battle leaping to his fierce face. - -The work at the incubator was short indeed. The warriors tore open the -entrance and a couple of them, crawling in, soon demolished all the -eggs with their short-swords. Then remounting we dashed back to join -the cavalcade. During the ride I took occasion to ask Tars Tarkas if -these Warhoons whose eggs we had destroyed were a smaller people than -his Tharks. - -"I noticed that their eggs were so much smaller than those I saw -hatching in your incubator," I added. - -He explained that the eggs had just been placed there; but, like all -green Martian eggs, they would grow during the five-year period of -incubation until they obtained the size of those I had seen hatching on -the day of my arrival on Barsoom. This was indeed an interesting piece -of information, for it had always seemed remarkable to me that the -green Martian women, large as they were, could bring forth such -enormous eggs as I had seen the four-foot infants emerging from. As a -matter of fact, the new-laid egg is but little larger than an ordinary -goose egg, and as it does not commence to grow until subjected to the -light of the sun the chieftains have little difficulty in transporting -several hundreds of them at one time from the storage vaults to the -incubators. - -Shortly after the incident of the Warhoon eggs we halted to rest the -animals, and it was during this halt that the second of the day's -interesting episodes occurred. I was engaged in changing my riding -cloths from one of my thoats to the other, for I divided the day's work -between them, when Zad approached me, and without a word struck my -animal a terrific blow with his long-sword. - -I did not need a manual of green Martian etiquette to know what reply -to make, for, in fact, I was so wild with anger that I could scarcely -refrain from drawing my pistol and shooting him down for the brute he -was; but he stood waiting with drawn long-sword, and my only choice was -to draw my own and meet him in fair fight with his choice of weapons or -a lesser one. - -This latter alternative is always permissible, therefore I could have -used my short-sword, my dagger, my hatchet, or my fists had I wished, -and been entirely within my rights, but I could not use firearms or a -spear while he held only his long-sword. - -I chose the same weapon he had drawn because I knew he prided himself -upon his ability with it, and I wished, if I worsted him at all, to do -it with his own weapon. The fight that followed was a long one and -delayed the resumption of the march for an hour. The entire community -surrounded us, leaving a clear space about one hundred feet in diameter -for our battle. - -Zad first attempted to rush me down as a bull might a wolf, but I was -much too quick for him, and each time I side-stepped his rushes he -would go lunging past me, only to receive a nick from my sword upon his -arm or back. He was soon streaming blood from a half dozen minor -wounds, but I could not obtain an opening to deliver an effective -thrust. Then he changed his tactics, and fighting warily and with -extreme dexterity, he tried to do by science what he was unable to do -by brute strength. I must admit that he was a magnificent swordsman, -and had it not been for my greater endurance and the remarkable agility -the lesser gravitation of Mars lent me I might not have been able to -put up the creditable fight I did against him. - -We circled for some time without doing much damage on either side; the -long, straight, needle-like swords flashing in the sunlight, and -ringing out upon the stillness as they crashed together with each -effective parry. Finally Zad, realizing that he was tiring more than -I, evidently decided to close in and end the battle in a final blaze of -glory for himself; just as he rushed me a blinding flash of light -struck full in my eyes, so that I could not see his approach and could -only leap blindly to one side in an effort to escape the mighty blade -that it seemed I could already feel in my vitals. I was only partially -successful, as a sharp pain in my left shoulder attested, but in the -sweep of my glance as I sought to again locate my adversary, a sight -met my astonished gaze which paid me well for the wound the temporary -blindness had caused me. There, upon Dejah Thoris' chariot stood three -figures, for the purpose evidently of witnessing the encounter above -the heads of the intervening Tharks. There were Dejah Thoris, Sola, -and Sarkoja, and as my fleeting glance swept over them a little tableau -was presented which will stand graven in my memory to the day of my -death. - -As I looked, Dejah Thoris turned upon Sarkoja with the fury of a young -tigress and struck something from her upraised hand; something which -flashed in the sunlight as it spun to the ground. Then I knew what had -blinded me at that crucial moment of the fight, and how Sarkoja had -found a way to kill me without herself delivering the final thrust. -Another thing I saw, too, which almost lost my life for me then and -there, for it took my mind for the fraction of an instant entirely from -my antagonist; for, as Dejah Thoris struck the tiny mirror from her -hand, Sarkoja, her face livid with hatred and baffled rage, whipped out -her dagger and aimed a terrific blow at Dejah Thoris; and then Sola, -our dear and faithful Sola, sprang between them; the last I saw was the -great knife descending upon her shielding breast. - -My enemy had recovered from his thrust and was making it extremely -interesting for me, so I reluctantly gave my attention to the work in -hand, but my mind was not upon the battle. - -We rushed each other furiously time after time, 'til suddenly, feeling -the sharp point of his sword at my breast in a thrust I could neither -parry nor escape, I threw myself upon him with outstretched sword and -with all the weight of my body, determined that I would not die alone -if I could prevent it. I felt the steel tear into my chest, all went -black before me, my head whirled in dizziness, and I felt my knees -giving beneath me. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY - - -When consciousness returned, and, as I soon learned, I was down but a -moment, I sprang quickly to my feet searching for my sword, and there I -found it, buried to the hilt in the green breast of Zad, who lay stone -dead upon the ochre moss of the ancient sea bottom. As I regained my -full senses I found his weapon piercing my left breast, but only -through the flesh and muscles which cover my ribs, entering near the -center of my chest and coming out below the shoulder. As I had lunged -I had turned so that his sword merely passed beneath the muscles, -inflicting a painful but not dangerous wound. - -Removing the blade from my body I also regained my own, and turning my -back upon his ugly carcass, I moved, sick, sore, and disgusted, toward -the chariots which bore my retinue and my belongings. A murmur of -Martian applause greeted me, but I cared not for it. - -Bleeding and weak I reached my women, who, accustomed to such -happenings, dressed my wounds, applying the wonderful healing and -remedial agents which make only the most instantaneous of death blows -fatal. Give a Martian woman a chance and death must take a back seat. -They soon had me patched up so that, except for weakness from loss of -blood and a little soreness around the wound, I suffered no great -distress from this thrust which, under earthly treatment, undoubtedly -would have put me flat on my back for days. - -As soon as they were through with me I hastened to the chariot of Dejah -Thoris, where I found my poor Sola with her chest swathed in bandages, -but apparently little the worse for her encounter with Sarkoja, whose -dagger it seemed had struck the edge of one of Sola's metal breast -ornaments and, thus deflected, had inflicted but a slight flesh wound. - -As I approached I found Dejah Thoris lying prone upon her silks and -furs, her lithe form wracked with sobs. She did not notice my -presence, nor did she hear me speaking with Sola, who was standing a -short distance from the vehicle. - -"Is she injured?" I asked of Sola, indicating Dejah Thoris by an -inclination of my head. - -"No," she answered, "she thinks that you are dead." - -"And that her grandmother's cat may now have no one to polish its -teeth?" I queried, smiling. - -"I think you wrong her, John Carter," said Sola. "I do not understand -either her ways or yours, but I am sure the granddaughter of ten -thousand jeddaks would never grieve like this over any who held but the -highest claim upon her affections. They are a proud race, but they are -just, as are all Barsoomians, and you must have hurt or wronged her -grievously that she will not admit your existence living, though she -mourns you dead. - -"Tears are a strange sight upon Barsoom," she continued, "and so it is -difficult for me to interpret them. I have seen but two people weep in -all my life, other than Dejah Thoris; one wept from sorrow, the other -from baffled rage. The first was my mother, years ago before they -killed her; the other was Sarkoja, when they dragged her from me today." - -"Your mother!" I exclaimed, "but, Sola, you could not have known your -mother, child." - -"But I did. And my father also," she added. "If you would like to -hear the strange and un-Barsoomian story come to the chariot tonight, -John Carter, and I will tell you that of which I have never spoken in -all my life before. And now the signal has been given to resume the -march, you must go." - -"I will come tonight, Sola," I promised. "Be sure to tell Dejah Thoris -I am alive and well. I shall not force myself upon her, and be sure -that you do not let her know I saw her tears. If she would speak with -me I but await her command." - -Sola mounted the chariot, which was swinging into its place in line, -and I hastened to my waiting thoat and galloped to my station beside -Tars Tarkas at the rear of the column. - -We made a most imposing and awe-inspiring spectacle as we strung out -across the yellow landscape; the two hundred and fifty ornate and -brightly colored chariots, preceded by an advance guard of some two -hundred mounted warriors and chieftains riding five abreast and one -hundred yards apart, and followed by a like number in the same -formation, with a score or more of flankers on either side; the fifty -extra mastodons, or heavy draught animals, known as zitidars, and the -five or six hundred extra thoats of the warriors running loose within -the hollow square formed by the surrounding warriors. The gleaming -metal and jewels of the gorgeous ornaments of the men and women, -duplicated in the trappings of the zitidars and thoats, and -interspersed with the flashing colors of magnificent silks and furs and -feathers, lent a barbaric splendor to the caravan which would have -turned an East Indian potentate green with envy. - -The enormous broad tires of the chariots and the padded feet of the -animals brought forth no sound from the moss-covered sea bottom; and so -we moved in utter silence, like some huge phantasmagoria, except when -the stillness was broken by the guttural growling of a goaded zitidar, -or the squealing of fighting thoats. The green Martians converse but -little, and then usually in monosyllables, low and like the faint -rumbling of distant thunder. - -We traversed a trackless waste of moss which, bending to the pressure -of broad tire or padded foot, rose up again behind us, leaving no sign -that we had passed. We might indeed have been the wraiths of the -departed dead upon the dead sea of that dying planet for all the sound -or sign we made in passing. It was the first march of a large body of -men and animals I had ever witnessed which raised no dust and left no -spoor; for there is no dust upon Mars except in the cultivated -districts during the winter months, and even then the absence of high -winds renders it almost unnoticeable. - -We camped that night at the foot of the hills we had been approaching -for two days and which marked the southern boundary of this particular -sea. Our animals had been two days without drink, nor had they had -water for nearly two months, not since shortly after leaving Thark; -but, as Tars Tarkas explained to me, they require but little and can -live almost indefinitely upon the moss which covers Barsoom, and which, -he told me, holds in its tiny stems sufficient moisture to meet the -limited demands of the animals. - -After partaking of my evening meal of cheese-like food and vegetable -milk I sought out Sola, whom I found working by the light of a torch -upon some of Tars Tarkas' trappings. She looked up at my approach, her -face lighting with pleasure and with welcome. - -"I am glad you came," she said; "Dejah Thoris sleeps and I am lonely. -Mine own people do not care for me, John Carter; I am too unlike them. -It is a sad fate, since I must live my life amongst them, and I often -wish that I were a true green Martian woman, without love and without -hope; but I have known love and so I am lost. - -"I promised to tell you my story, or rather the story of my parents. -From what I have learned of you and the ways of your people I am sure -that the tale will not seem strange to you, but among green Martians it -has no parallel within the memory of the oldest living Thark, nor do -our legends hold many similar tales. - -"My mother was rather small, in fact too small to be allowed the -responsibilities of maternity, as our chieftains breed principally for -size. She was also less cold and cruel than most green Martian women, -and caring little for their society, she often roamed the deserted -avenues of Thark alone, or went and sat among the wild flowers that -deck the nearby hills, thinking thoughts and wishing wishes which I -believe I alone among Tharkian women today may understand, for am I not -the child of my mother? - -"And there among the hills she met a young warrior, whose duty it was -to guard the feeding zitidars and thoats and see that they roamed not -beyond the hills. They spoke at first only of such things as interest -a community of Tharks, but gradually, as they came to meet more often, -and, as was now quite evident to both, no longer by chance, they talked -about themselves, their likes, their ambitions and their hopes. She -trusted him and told him of the awful repugnance she felt for the -cruelties of their kind, for the hideous, loveless lives they must ever -lead, and then she waited for the storm of denunciation to break from -his cold, hard lips; but instead he took her in his arms and kissed her. - -"They kept their love a secret for six long years. She, my mother, was -of the retinue of the great Tal Hajus, while her lover was a simple -warrior, wearing only his own metal. Had their defection from the -traditions of the Tharks been discovered both would have paid the -penalty in the great arena before Tal Hajus and the assembled hordes. - -"The egg from which I came was hidden beneath a great glass vessel upon -the highest and most inaccessible of the partially ruined towers of -ancient Thark. Once each year my mother visited it for the five long -years it lay there in the process of incubation. She dared not come -oftener, for in the mighty guilt of her conscience she feared that her -every move was watched. During this period my father gained great -distinction as a warrior and had taken the metal from several -chieftains. His love for my mother had never diminished, and his own -ambition in life was to reach a point where he might wrest the metal -from Tal Hajus himself, and thus, as ruler of the Tharks, be free to -claim her as his own, as well as, by the might of his power, protect -the child which otherwise would be quickly dispatched should the truth -become known. - -"It was a wild dream, that of wresting the metal from Tal Hajus in five -short years, but his advance was rapid, and he soon stood high in the -councils of Thark. But one day the chance was lost forever, in so far -as it could come in time to save his loved ones, for he was ordered -away upon a long expedition to the ice-clad south, to make war upon the -natives there and despoil them of their furs, for such is the manner of -the green Barsoomian; he does not labor for what he can wrest in battle -from others. - -"He was gone for four years, and when he returned all had been over for -three; for about a year after his departure, and shortly before the -time for the return of an expedition which had gone forth to fetch the -fruits of a community incubator, the egg had hatched. Thereafter my -mother continued to keep me in the old tower, visiting me nightly and -lavishing upon me the love the community life would have robbed us both -of. She hoped, upon the return of the expedition from the incubator, -to mix me with the other young assigned to the quarters of Tal Hajus, -and thus escape the fate which would surely follow discovery of her sin -against the ancient traditions of the green men. - -"She taught me rapidly the language and customs of my kind, and one -night she told me the story I have told to you up to this point, -impressing upon me the necessity for absolute secrecy and the great -caution I must exercise after she had placed me with the other young -Tharks to permit no one to guess that I was further advanced in -education than they, nor by any sign to divulge in the presence of -others my affection for her, or my knowledge of my parentage; and then -drawing me close to her she whispered in my ear the name of my father. - -"And then a light flashed out upon the darkness of the tower chamber, -and there stood Sarkoja, her gleaming, baleful eyes fixed in a frenzy -of loathing and contempt upon my mother. The torrent of hatred and -abuse she poured out upon her turned my young heart cold in terror. -That she had heard the entire story was apparent, and that she had -suspected something wrong from my mother's long nightly absences from -her quarters accounted for her presence there on that fateful night. - -"One thing she had not heard, nor did she know, the whispered name of -my father. This was apparent from her repeated demands upon my mother -to disclose the name of her partner in sin, but no amount of abuse or -threats could wring this from her, and to save me from needless torture -she lied, for she told Sarkoja that she alone knew nor would she ever -tell her child. - -"With final imprecations, Sarkoja hastened away to Tal Hajus to report -her discovery, and while she was gone my mother, wrapping me in the -silks and furs of her night coverings, so that I was scarcely -noticeable, descended to the streets and ran wildly away toward the -outskirts of the city, in the direction which led to the far south, out -toward the man whose protection she might not claim, but on whose face -she wished to look once more before she died. - -"As we neared the city's southern extremity a sound came to us from -across the mossy flat, from the direction of the only pass through the -hills which led to the gates, the pass by which caravans from either -north or south or east or west would enter the city. The sounds we -heard were the squealing of thoats and the grumbling of zitidars, with -the occasional clank of arms which announced the approach of a body of -warriors. The thought uppermost in her mind was that it was my father -returned from his expedition, but the cunning of the Thark held her -from headlong and precipitate flight to greet him. - -"Retreating into the shadows of a doorway she awaited the coming of the -cavalcade which shortly entered the avenue, breaking its formation and -thronging the thoroughfare from wall to wall. As the head of the -procession passed us the lesser moon swung clear of the overhanging -roofs and lit up the scene with all the brilliancy of her wondrous -light. My mother shrank further back into the friendly shadows, and -from her hiding place saw that the expedition was not that of my -father, but the returning caravan bearing the young Tharks. Instantly -her plan was formed, and as a great chariot swung close to our hiding -place she slipped stealthily in upon the trailing tailboard, crouching -low in the shadow of the high side, straining me to her bosom in a -frenzy of love. - -"She knew, what I did not, that never again after that night would she -hold me to her breast, nor was it likely we would ever look upon each -other's face again. In the confusion of the plaza she mixed me with -the other children, whose guardians during the journey were now free to -relinquish their responsibility. We were herded together into a great -room, fed by women who had not accompanied the expedition, and the next -day we were parceled out among the retinues of the chieftains. - -"I never saw my mother after that night. She was imprisoned by Tal -Hajus, and every effort, including the most horrible and shameful -torture, was brought to bear upon her to wring from her lips the name -of my father; but she remained steadfast and loyal, dying at last -amidst the laughter of Tal Hajus and his chieftains during some awful -torture she was undergoing. - -"I learned afterwards that she told them that she had killed me to save -me from a like fate at their hands, and that she had thrown my body to -the white apes. Sarkoja alone disbelieved her, and I feel to this day -that she suspects my true origin, but does not dare expose me, at the -present, at all events, because she also guesses, I am sure, the -identity of my father. - -"When he returned from his expedition and learned the story of my -mother's fate I was present as Tal Hajus told him; but never by the -quiver of a muscle did he betray the slightest emotion; only he did not -laugh as Tal Hajus gleefully described her death struggles. From that -moment on he was the cruelest of the cruel, and I am awaiting the day -when he shall win the goal of his ambition, and feel the carcass of Tal -Hajus beneath his foot, for I am as sure that he but waits the -opportunity to wreak a terrible vengeance, and that his great love is -as strong in his breast as when it first transfigured him nearly forty -years ago, as I am that we sit here upon the edge of a world-old ocean -while sensible people sleep, John Carter." - -"And your father, Sola, is he with us now?" I asked. - -"Yes," she replied, "but he does not know me for what I am, nor does he -know who betrayed my mother to Tal Hajus. I alone know my father's -name, and only I and Tal Hajus and Sarkoja know that it was she who -carried the tale that brought death and torture upon her he loved." - -We sat silent for a few moments, she wrapped in the gloomy thoughts of -her terrible past, and I in pity for the poor creatures whom the -heartless, senseless customs of their race had doomed to loveless lives -of cruelty and of hate. Presently she spoke. - -"John Carter, if ever a real man walked the cold, dead bosom of Barsoom -you are one. I know that I can trust you, and because the knowledge -may someday help you or him or Dejah Thoris or myself, I am going to -tell you the name of my father, nor place any restrictions or -conditions upon your tongue. When the time comes, speak the truth if -it seems best to you. I trust you because I know that you are not -cursed with the terrible trait of absolute and unswerving truthfulness, -that you could lie like one of your own Virginia gentlemen if a lie -would save others from sorrow or suffering. My father's name is Tars -Tarkas." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -WE PLAN ESCAPE - - -The remainder of our journey to Thark was uneventful. We were twenty -days upon the road, crossing two sea bottoms and passing through or -around a number of ruined cities, mostly smaller than Korad. Twice we -crossed the famous Martian waterways, or canals, so-called by our -earthly astronomers. When we approached these points a warrior would -be sent far ahead with a powerful field glass, and if no great body of -red Martian troops was in sight we would advance as close as possible -without chance of being seen and then camp until dark, when we would -slowly approach the cultivated tract, and, locating one of the -numerous, broad highways which cross these areas at regular intervals, -creep silently and stealthily across to the arid lands upon the other -side. It required five hours to make one of these crossings without a -single halt, and the other consumed the entire night, so that we were -just leaving the confines of the high-walled fields when the sun broke -out upon us. - -Crossing in the darkness, as we did, I was unable to see but little, -except as the nearer moon, in her wild and ceaseless hurtling through -the Barsoomian heavens, lit up little patches of the landscape from -time to time, disclosing walled fields and low, rambling buildings, -presenting much the appearance of earthly farms. There were many -trees, methodically arranged, and some of them were of enormous height; -there were animals in some of the enclosures, and they announced their -presence by terrified squealings and snortings as they scented our -queer, wild beasts and wilder human beings. - -Only once did I perceive a human being, and that was at the -intersection of our crossroad with the wide, white turnpike which cuts -each cultivated district longitudinally at its exact center. The -fellow must have been sleeping beside the road, for, as I came abreast -of him, he raised upon one elbow and after a single glance at the -approaching caravan leaped shrieking to his feet and fled madly down -the road, scaling a nearby wall with the agility of a scared cat. The -Tharks paid him not the slightest attention; they were not out upon the -warpath, and the only sign that I had that they had seen him was a -quickening of the pace of the caravan as we hastened toward the -bordering desert which marked our entrance into the realm of Tal Hajus. - -Not once did I have speech with Dejah Thoris, as she sent no word to me -that I would be welcome at her chariot, and my foolish pride kept me -from making any advances. I verily believe that a man's way with women -is in inverse ratio to his prowess among men. The weakling and the -saphead have often great ability to charm the fair sex, while the -fighting man who can face a thousand real dangers unafraid, sits hiding -in the shadows like some frightened child. - -Just thirty days after my advent upon Barsoom we entered the ancient -city of Thark, from whose long-forgotten people this horde of green men -have stolen even their name. The hordes of Thark number some thirty -thousand souls, and are divided into twenty-five communities. Each -community has its own jed and lesser chieftains, but all are under the -rule of Tal Hajus, Jeddak of Thark. Five communities make their -headquarters at the city of Thark, and the balance are scattered among -other deserted cities of ancient Mars throughout the district claimed -by Tal Hajus. - -We made our entry into the great central plaza early in the afternoon. -There were no enthusiastic friendly greetings for the returned -expedition. Those who chanced to be in sight spoke the names of -warriors or women with whom they came in direct contact, in the formal -greeting of their kind, but when it was discovered that they brought -two captives a greater interest was aroused, and Dejah Thoris and I -were the centers of inquiring groups. - -We were soon assigned to new quarters, and the balance of the day was -devoted to settling ourselves to the changed conditions. My home now -was upon an avenue leading into the plaza from the south, the main -artery down which we had marched from the gates of the city. I was at -the far end of the square and had an entire building to myself. The -same grandeur of architecture which was so noticeable a characteristic -of Korad was in evidence here, only, if that were possible, on a larger -and richer scale. My quarters would have been suitable for housing the -greatest of earthly emperors, but to these queer creatures nothing -about a building appealed to them but its size and the enormity of its -chambers; the larger the building, the more desirable; and so Tal Hajus -occupied what must have been an enormous public building, the largest -in the city, but entirely unfitted for residence purposes; the next -largest was reserved for Lorquas Ptomel, the next for the jed of a -lesser rank, and so on to the bottom of the list of five jeds. The -warriors occupied the buildings with the chieftains to whose retinues -they belonged; or, if they preferred, sought shelter among any of the -thousands of untenanted buildings in their own quarter of town; each -community being assigned a certain section of the city. The selection -of building had to be made in accordance with these divisions, except -in so far as the jeds were concerned, they all occupying edifices which -fronted upon the plaza. - -When I had finally put my house in order, or rather seen that it had -been done, it was nearing sunset, and I hastened out with the intention -of locating Sola and her charges, as I had determined upon having -speech with Dejah Thoris and trying to impress on her the necessity of -our at least patching up a truce until I could find some way of aiding -her to escape. I searched in vain until the upper rim of the great red -sun was just disappearing behind the horizon and then I spied the ugly -head of Woola peering from a second-story window on the opposite side -of the very street where I was quartered, but nearer the plaza. - -Without waiting for a further invitation I bolted up the winding runway -which led to the second floor, and entering a great chamber at the -front of the building was greeted by the frenzied Woola, who threw his -great carcass upon me, nearly hurling me to the floor; the poor old -fellow was so glad to see me that I thought he would devour me, his -head split from ear to ear, showing his three rows of tusks in his -hobgoblin smile. - -Quieting him with a word of command and a caress, I looked hurriedly -through the approaching gloom for a sign of Dejah Thoris, and then, not -seeing her, I called her name. There was an answering murmur from the -far corner of the apartment, and with a couple of quick strides I was -standing beside her where she crouched among the furs and silks upon an -ancient carved wooden seat. As I waited she rose to her full height -and looking me straight in the eye said: - -"What would Dotar Sojat, Thark, of Dejah Thoris his captive?" - -"Dejah Thoris, I do not know how I have angered you. It was furtherest -from my desire to hurt or offend you, whom I had hoped to protect and -comfort. Have none of me if it is your will, but that you must aid me -in effecting your escape, if such a thing be possible, is not my -request, but my command. When you are safe once more at your father's -court you may do with me as you please, but from now on until that day -I am your master, and you must obey and aid me." - -She looked at me long and earnestly and I thought that she was -softening toward me. - -"I understand your words, Dotar Sojat," she replied, "but you I do not -understand. You are a queer mixture of child and man, of brute and -noble. I only wish that I might read your heart." - -"Look down at your feet, Dejah Thoris; it lies there now where it has -lain since that other night at Korad, and where it will ever lie -beating alone for you until death stills it forever." - -She took a little step toward me, her beautiful hands outstretched in a -strange, groping gesture. - -"What do you mean, John Carter?" she whispered. "What are you saying -to me?" - -"I am saying what I had promised myself that I would not say to you, at -least until you were no longer a captive among the green men; what from -your attitude toward me for the past twenty days I had thought never to -say to you; I am saying, Dejah Thoris, that I am yours, body and soul, -to serve you, to fight for you, and to die for you. Only one thing I -ask of you in return, and that is that you make no sign, either of -condemnation or of approbation of my words until you are safe among -your own people, and that whatever sentiments you harbor toward me they -be not influenced or colored by gratitude; whatever I may do to serve -you will be prompted solely from selfish motives, since it gives me -more pleasure to serve you than not." - -"I will respect your wishes, John Carter, because I understand the -motives which prompt them, and I accept your service no more willingly -than I bow to your authority; your word shall be my law. I have twice -wronged you in my thoughts and again I ask your forgiveness." - -Further conversation of a personal nature was prevented by the entrance -of Sola, who was much agitated and wholly unlike her usual calm and -possessed self. - -"That horrible Sarkoja has been before Tal Hajus," she cried, "and from -what I heard upon the plaza there is little hope for either of you." - -"What do they say?" inquired Dejah Thoris. - -"That you will be thrown to the wild calots [dogs] in the great arena -as soon as the hordes have assembled for the yearly games." - -"Sola," I said, "you are a Thark, but you hate and loathe the customs -of your people as much as we do. Will you not accompany us in one -supreme effort to escape? I am sure that Dejah Thoris can offer you a -home and protection among her people, and your fate can be no worse -among them than it must ever be here." - -"Yes," cried Dejah Thoris, "come with us, Sola, you will be better off -among the red men of Helium than you are here, and I can promise you -not only a home with us, but the love and affection your nature craves -and which must always be denied you by the customs of your own race. -Come with us, Sola; we might go without you, but your fate would be -terrible if they thought you had connived to aid us. I know that even -that fear would not tempt you to interfere in our escape, but we want -you with us, we want you to come to a land of sunshine and happiness, -amongst a people who know the meaning of love, of sympathy, and of -gratitude. Say that you will, Sola; tell me that you will." - -"The great waterway which leads to Helium is but fifty miles to the -south," murmured Sola, half to herself; "a swift thoat might make it in -three hours; and then to Helium it is five hundred miles, most of the -way through thinly settled districts. They would know and they would -follow us. We might hide among the great trees for a time, but the -chances are small indeed for escape. They would follow us to the very -gates of Helium, and they would take toll of life at every step; you do -not know them." - -"Is there no other way we might reach Helium?" I asked. "Can you not -draw me a rough map of the country we must traverse, Dejah Thoris?" - -"Yes," she replied, and taking a great diamond from her hair she drew -upon the marble floor the first map of Barsoomian territory I had ever -seen. It was crisscrossed in every direction with long straight lines, -sometimes running parallel and sometimes converging toward some great -circle. The lines, she said, were waterways; the circles, cities; and -one far to the northwest of us she pointed out as Helium. There were -other cities closer, but she said she feared to enter many of them, as -they were not all friendly toward Helium. - -[Illustration: She drew upon the marble floor the first map of the -Barsoomian territory I had ever seen.] - -Finally, after studying the map carefully in the moonlight which now -flooded the room, I pointed out a waterway far to the north of us which -also seemed to lead to Helium. - -"Does not this pierce your grandfather's territory?" I asked. - -"Yes," she answered, "but it is two hundred miles north of us; it is -one of the waterways we crossed on the trip to Thark." - -"They would never suspect that we would try for that distant waterway," -I answered, "and that is why I think that it is the best route for our -escape." - -Sola agreed with me, and it was decided that we should leave Thark this -same night; just as quickly, in fact, as I could find and saddle my -thoats. Sola was to ride one and Dejah Thoris and I the other; each of -us carrying sufficient food and drink to last us for two days, since -the animals could not be urged too rapidly for so long a distance. - -I directed Sola to proceed with Dejah Thoris along one of the less -frequented avenues to the southern boundary of the city, where I would -overtake them with the thoats as quickly as possible; then, leaving -them to gather what food, silks, and furs we were to need, I slipped -quietly to the rear of the first floor, and entered the courtyard, -where our animals were moving restlessly about, as was their habit, -before settling down for the night. - -In the shadows of the buildings and out beneath the radiance of the -Martian moons moved the great herd of thoats and zitidars, the latter -grunting their low gutturals and the former occasionally emitting the -sharp squeal which denotes the almost habitual state of rage in which -these creatures passed their existence. They were quieter now, owing -to the absence of man, but as they scented me they became more restless -and their hideous noise increased. It was risky business, this -entering a paddock of thoats alone and at night; first, because their -increasing noisiness might warn the nearby warriors that something was -amiss, and also because for the slightest cause, or for no cause at all -some great bull thoat might take it upon himself to lead a charge upon -me. - -Having no desire to awaken their nasty tempers upon such a night as -this, where so much depended upon secrecy and dispatch, I hugged the -shadows of the buildings, ready at an instant's warning to leap into -the safety of a nearby door or window. Thus I moved silently to the -great gates which opened upon the street at the back of the court, and -as I neared the exit I called softly to my two animals. How I thanked -the kind providence which had given me the foresight to win the love -and confidence of these wild dumb brutes, for presently from the far -side of the court I saw two huge bulks forcing their way toward me -through the surging mountains of flesh. - -They came quite close to me, rubbing their muzzles against my body and -nosing for the bits of food it was always my practice to reward them -with. Opening the gates I ordered the two great beasts to pass out, -and then slipping quietly after them I closed the portals behind me. - -I did not saddle or mount the animals there, but instead walked quietly -in the shadows of the buildings toward an unfrequented avenue which led -toward the point I had arranged to meet Dejah Thoris and Sola. With -the noiselessness of disembodied spirits we moved stealthily along the -deserted streets, but not until we were within sight of the plain -beyond the city did I commence to breathe freely. I was sure that Sola -and Dejah Thoris would find no difficulty in reaching our rendezvous -undetected, but with my great thoats I was not so sure for myself, as -it was quite unusual for warriors to leave the city after dark; in fact -there was no place for them to go within any but a long ride. - -I reached the appointed meeting place safely, but as Dejah Thoris and -Sola were not there I led my animals into the entrance hall of one of -the large buildings. Presuming that one of the other women of the same -household may have come in to speak to Sola, and so delayed their -departure, I did not feel any undue apprehension until nearly an hour -had passed without a sign of them, and by the time another half hour -had crawled away I was becoming filled with grave anxiety. Then there -broke upon the stillness of the night the sound of an approaching -party, which, from the noise, I knew could be no fugitives creeping -stealthily toward liberty. Soon the party was near me, and from the -black shadows of my entranceway I perceived a score of mounted -warriors, who, in passing, dropped a dozen words that fetched my heart -clean into the top of my head. - -"He would likely have arranged to meet them just without the city, and -so--" I heard no more, they had passed on; but it was enough. Our -plan had been discovered, and the chances for escape from now on to the -fearful end would be small indeed. My one hope now was to return -undetected to the quarters of Dejah Thoris and learn what fate had -overtaken her, but how to do it with these great monstrous thoats upon -my hands, now that the city probably was aroused by the knowledge of my -escape was a problem of no mean proportions. - -Suddenly an idea occurred to me, and acting on my knowledge of the -construction of the buildings of these ancient Martian cities with a -hollow court within the center of each square, I groped my way blindly -through the dark chambers, calling the great thoats after me. They had -difficulty in negotiating some of the doorways, but as the buildings -fronting the city's principal exposures were all designed upon a -magnificent scale, they were able to wriggle through without sticking -fast; and thus we finally made the inner court where I found, as I had -expected, the usual carpet of moss-like vegetation which would provide -their food and drink until I could return them to their own enclosure. -That they would be as quiet and contented here as elsewhere I was -confident, nor was there but the remotest possibility that they would -be discovered, as the green men had no great desire to enter these -outlying buildings, which were frequented by the only thing, I believe, -which caused them the sensation of fear--the great white apes of -Barsoom. - -Removing the saddle trappings, I hid them just within the rear doorway -of the building through which we had entered the court, and, turning -the beasts loose, quickly made my way across the court to the rear of -the buildings upon the further side, and thence to the avenue beyond. -Waiting in the doorway of the building until I was assured that no one -was approaching, I hurried across to the opposite side and through the -first doorway to the court beyond; thus, crossing through court after -court with only the slight chance of detection which the necessary -crossing of the avenues entailed, I made my way in safety to the -courtyard in the rear of Dejah Thoris' quarters. - -Here, of course, I found the beasts of the warriors who quartered in -the adjacent buildings, and the warriors themselves I might expect to -meet within if I entered; but, fortunately for me, I had another and -safer method of reaching the upper story where Dejah Thoris should be -found, and, after first determining as nearly as possible which of the -buildings she occupied, for I had never observed them before from the -court side, I took advantage of my relatively great strength and -agility and sprang upward until I grasped the sill of a second-story -window which I thought to be in the rear of her apartment. Drawing -myself inside the room I moved stealthily toward the front of the -building, and not until I had quite reached the doorway of her room was -I made aware by voices that it was occupied. - -I did not rush headlong in, but listened without to assure myself that -it was Dejah Thoris and that it was safe to venture within. It was -well indeed that I took this precaution, for the conversation I heard -was in the low gutturals of men, and the words which finally came to me -proved a most timely warning. The speaker was a chieftain and he was -giving orders to four of his warriors. - -"And when he returns to this chamber," he was saying, "as he surely -will when he finds she does not meet him at the city's edge, you four -are to spring upon him and disarm him. It will require the combined -strength of all of you to do it if the reports they bring back from -Korad are correct. When you have him fast bound bear him to the vaults -beneath the jeddak's quarters and chain him securely where he may be -found when Tal Hajus wishes him. Allow him to speak with none, nor -permit any other to enter this apartment before he comes. There will -be no danger of the girl returning, for by this time she is safe in the -arms of Tal Hajus, and may all her ancestors have pity upon her, for -Tal Hajus will have none; the great Sarkoja has done a noble night's -work. I go, and if you fail to capture him when he comes, I commend -your carcasses to the cold bosom of Iss." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A COSTLY RECAPTURE - - -As the speaker ceased he turned to leave the apartment by the door -where I was standing, but I needed to wait no longer; I had heard -enough to fill my soul with dread, and stealing quietly away I returned -to the courtyard by the way I had come. My plan of action was formed -upon the instant, and crossing the square and the bordering avenue upon -the opposite side I soon stood within the courtyard of Tal Hajus. - -The brilliantly lighted apartments of the first floor told me where -first to seek, and advancing to the windows I peered within. I soon -discovered that my approach was not to be the easy thing I had hoped, -for the rear rooms bordering the court were filled with warriors and -women. I then glanced up at the stories above, discovering that the -third was apparently unlighted, and so decided to make my entrance to -the building from that point. It was the work of but a moment for me -to reach the windows above, and soon I had drawn myself within the -sheltering shadows of the unlighted third floor. - -Fortunately the room I had selected was untenanted, and creeping -noiselessly to the corridor beyond I discovered a light in the -apartments ahead of me. Reaching what appeared to be a doorway I -discovered that it was but an opening upon an immense inner chamber -which towered from the first floor, two stories below me, to the -dome-like roof of the building, high above my head. The floor of this -great circular hall was thronged with chieftains, warriors and women, -and at one end was a great raised platform upon which squatted the most -hideous beast I had ever put my eyes upon. He had all the cold, hard, -cruel, terrible features of the green warriors, but accentuated and -debased by the animal passions to which he had given himself over for -many years. There was not a mark of dignity or pride upon his bestial -countenance, while his enormous bulk spread itself out upon the -platform where he squatted like some huge devil fish, his six limbs -accentuating the similarity in a horrible and startling manner. - -But the sight that froze me with apprehension was that of Dejah Thoris -and Sola standing there before him, and the fiendish leer of him as he -let his great protruding eyes gloat upon the lines of her beautiful -figure. She was speaking, but I could not hear what she said, nor -could I make out the low grumbling of his reply. She stood there erect -before him, her head high held, and even at the distance I was from -them I could read the scorn and disgust upon her face as she let her -haughty glance rest without sign of fear upon him. She was indeed the -proud daughter of a thousand jeddaks, every inch of her dear, precious -little body; so small, so frail beside the towering warriors around -her, but in her majesty dwarfing them into insignificance; she was the -mightiest figure among them and I verily believe that they felt it. - -Presently Tal Hajus made a sign that the chamber be cleared, and that -the prisoners be left alone before him. Slowly the chieftains, the -warriors and the women melted away into the shadows of the surrounding -chambers, and Dejah Thoris and Sola stood alone before the jeddak of -the Tharks. - -One chieftain alone had hesitated before departing; I saw him standing -in the shadows of a mighty column, his fingers nervously toying with -the hilt of his great-sword and his cruel eyes bent in implacable -hatred upon Tal Hajus. It was Tars Tarkas, and I could read his -thoughts as they were an open book for the undisguised loathing upon -his face. He was thinking of that other woman who, forty years ago, -had stood before this beast, and could I have spoken a word into his -ear at that moment the reign of Tal Hajus would have been over; but -finally he also strode from the room, not knowing that he left his own -daughter at the mercy of the creature he most loathed. - -Tal Hajus arose, and I, half fearing, half anticipating his intentions, -hurried to the winding runway which led to the floors below. No one -was near to intercept me, and I reached the main floor of the chamber -unobserved, taking my station in the shadow of the same column that -Tars Tarkas had but just deserted. As I reached the floor Tal Hajus -was speaking. - -"Princess of Helium, I might wring a mighty ransom from your people -would I but return you to them unharmed, but a thousand times rather -would I watch that beautiful face writhe in the agony of torture; it -shall be long drawn out, that I promise you; ten days of pleasure were -all too short to show the love I harbor for your race. The terrors of -your death shall haunt the slumbers of the red men through all the ages -to come; they will shudder in the shadows of the night as their fathers -tell them of the awful vengeance of the green men; of the power and -might and hate and cruelty of Tal Hajus. But before the torture you -shall be mine for one short hour, and word of that too shall go forth -to Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium, your grandfather, that he may grovel -upon the ground in the agony of his sorrow. Tomorrow the torture will -commence; tonight thou art Tal Hajus'; come!" - -He sprang down from the platform and grasped her roughly by the arm, -but scarcely had he touched her than I leaped between them. My -short-sword, sharp and gleaming was in my right hand; I could have -plunged it into his putrid heart before he realized that I was upon -him; but as I raised my arm to strike I thought of Tars Tarkas, and, -with all my rage, with all my hatred, I could not rob him of that sweet -moment for which he had lived and hoped all these long, weary years, -and so, instead, I swung my good right fist full upon the point of his -jaw. Without a sound he slipped to the floor as one dead. - -In the same deathly silence I grasped Dejah Thoris by the hand, and -motioning Sola to follow we sped noiselessly from the chamber and to -the floor above. Unseen we reached a rear window and with the straps -and leather of my trappings I lowered, first Sola and then Dejah Thoris -to the ground below. Dropping lightly after them I drew them rapidly -around the court in the shadows of the buildings, and thus we returned -over the same course I had so recently followed from the distant -boundary of the city. - -We finally came upon my thoats in the courtyard where I had left them, -and placing the trappings upon them we hastened through the building to -the avenue beyond. Mounting, Sola upon one beast, and Dejah Thoris -behind me upon the other, we rode from the city of Thark through the -hills to the south. - -Instead of circling back around the city to the northwest and toward -the nearest waterway which lay so short a distance from us, we turned -to the northeast and struck out upon the mossy waste across which, for -two hundred dangerous and weary miles, lay another main artery leading -to Helium. - -No word was spoken until we had left the city far behind, but I could -hear the quiet sobbing of Dejah Thoris as she clung to me with her dear -head resting against my shoulder. - -"If we make it, my chieftain, the debt of Helium will be a mighty one; -greater than she can ever pay you; and should we not make it," she -continued, "the debt is no less, though Helium will never know, for you -have saved the last of our line from worse than death." - -I did not answer, but instead reached to my side and pressed the little -fingers of her I loved where they clung to me for support, and then, in -unbroken silence, we sped over the yellow, moonlit moss; each of us -occupied with his own thoughts. For my part I could not be other than -joyful had I tried, with Dejah Thoris' warm body pressed close to mine, -and with all our unpassed danger my heart was singing as gaily as -though we were already entering the gates of Helium. - -Our earlier plans had been so sadly upset that we now found ourselves -without food or drink, and I alone was armed. We therefore urged our -beasts to a speed that must tell on them sorely before we could hope to -sight the ending of the first stage of our journey. - -We rode all night and all the following day with only a few short -rests. On the second night both we and our animals were completely -fagged, and so we lay down upon the moss and slept for some five or six -hours, taking up the journey once more before daylight. All the -following day we rode, and when, late in the afternoon we had sighted -no distant trees, the mark of the great waterways throughout all -Barsoom, the terrible truth flashed upon us--we were lost. - -Evidently we had circled, but which way it was difficult to say, nor -did it seem possible with the sun to guide us by day and the moons and -stars by night. At any rate no waterway was in sight, and the entire -party was almost ready to drop from hunger, thirst and fatigue. Far -ahead of us and a trifle to the right we could distinguish the outlines -of low mountains. These we decided to attempt to reach in the hope -that from some ridge we might discern the missing waterway. Night fell -upon us before we reached our goal, and, almost fainting from weariness -and weakness, we lay down and slept. - -I was awakened early in the morning by some huge body pressing close to -mine, and opening my eyes with a start I beheld my blessed old Woola -snuggling close to me; the faithful brute had followed us across that -trackless waste to share our fate, whatever it might be. Putting my -arms about his neck I pressed my cheek close to his, nor am I ashamed -that I did it, nor of the tears that came to my eyes as I thought of -his love for me. Shortly after this Dejah Thoris and Sola awakened, -and it was decided that we push on at once in an effort to gain the -hills. - -We had gone scarcely a mile when I noticed that my thoat was commencing -to stumble and stagger in a most pitiful manner, although we had not -attempted to force them out of a walk since about noon of the preceding -day. Suddenly he lurched wildly to one side and pitched violently to -the ground. Dejah Thoris and I were thrown clear of him and fell upon -the soft moss with scarcely a jar; but the poor beast was in a pitiable -condition, not even being able to rise, although relieved of our -weight. Sola told me that the coolness of the night, when it fell, -together with the rest would doubtless revive him, and so I decided not -to kill him, as was my first intention, as I had thought it cruel to -leave him alone there to die of hunger and thirst. Relieving him of -his trappings, which I flung down beside him, we left the poor fellow -to his fate, and pushed on with the one thoat as best we could. Sola -and I walked, making Dejah Thoris ride, much against her will. In this -way we had progressed to within about a mile of the hills we were -endeavoring to reach when Dejah Thoris, from her point of vantage upon -the thoat, cried out that she saw a great party of mounted men filing -down from a pass in the hills several miles away. Sola and I both -looked in the direction she indicated, and there, plainly discernible, -were several hundred mounted warriors. They seemed to be headed in a -southwesterly direction, which would take them away from us. - -They doubtless were Thark warriors who had been sent out to capture us, -and we breathed a great sigh of relief that they were traveling in the -opposite direction. Quickly lifting Dejah Thoris from the thoat, I -commanded the animal to lie down and we three did the same, presenting -as small an object as possible for fear of attracting the attention of -the warriors toward us. - -We could see them as they filed out of the pass, just for an instant, -before they were lost to view behind a friendly ridge; to us a most -providential ridge; since, had they been in view for any great length -of time, they scarcely could have failed to discover us. As what -proved to be the last warrior came into view from the pass, he halted -and, to our consternation, threw his small but powerful fieldglass to -his eye and scanned the sea bottom in all directions. Evidently he was -a chieftain, for in certain marching formations among the green men a -chieftain brings up the extreme rear of the column. As his glass swung -toward us our hearts stopped in our breasts, and I could feel the cold -sweat start from every pore in my body. - -Presently it swung full upon us and--stopped. The tension on our -nerves was near the breaking point, and I doubt if any of us breathed -for the few moments he held us covered by his glass; and then he -lowered it and we could see him shout a command to the warriors who had -passed from our sight behind the ridge. He did not wait for them to -join him, however, instead he wheeled his thoat and came tearing madly -in our direction. - -There was but one slight chance and that we must take quickly. Raising -my strange Martian rifle to my shoulder I sighted and touched the -button which controlled the trigger; there was a sharp explosion as the -missile reached its goal, and the charging chieftain pitched backward -from his flying mount. - -Springing to my feet I urged the thoat to rise, and directed Sola to -take Dejah Thoris with her upon him and make a mighty effort to reach -the hills before the green warriors were upon us. I knew that in the -ravines and gullies they might find a temporary hiding place, and even -though they died there of hunger and thirst it would be better so than -that they fell into the hands of the Tharks. Forcing my two revolvers -upon them as a slight means of protection, and, as a last resort, as an -escape for themselves from the horrid death which recapture would -surely mean, I lifted Dejah Thoris in my arms and placed her upon the -thoat behind Sola, who had already mounted at my command. - -"Good-bye, my princess," I whispered, "we may meet in Helium yet. I -have escaped from worse plights than this," and I tried to smile as I -lied. - -"What," she cried, "are you not coming with us?" - -"How may I, Dejah Thoris? Someone must hold these fellows off for a -while, and I can better escape them alone than could the three of us -together." - -She sprang quickly from the thoat and, throwing her dear arms about my -neck, turned to Sola, saying with quiet dignity: "Fly, Sola! Dejah -Thoris remains to die with the man she loves." - -Those words are engraved upon my heart. Ah, gladly would I give up my -life a thousand times could I only hear them once again; but I could -not then give even a second to the rapture of her sweet embrace, and -pressing my lips to hers for the first time, I picked her up bodily and -tossed her to her seat behind Sola again, commanding the latter in -peremptory tones to hold her there by force, and then, slapping the -thoat upon the flank, I saw them borne away; Dejah Thoris struggling to -the last to free herself from Sola's grasp. - -Turning, I beheld the green warriors mounting the ridge and looking for -their chieftain. In a moment they saw him, and then me; but scarcely -had they discovered me than I commenced firing, lying flat upon my -belly in the moss. I had an even hundred rounds in the magazine of my -rifle, and another hundred in the belt at my back, and I kept up a -continuous stream of fire until I saw all of the warriors who had been -first to return from behind the ridge either dead or scurrying to cover. - -My respite was short-lived however, for soon the entire party, -numbering some thousand men, came charging into view, racing madly -toward me. I fired until my rifle was empty and they were almost upon -me, and then a glance showing me that Dejah Thoris and Sola had -disappeared among the hills, I sprang up, throwing down my useless gun, -and started away in the direction opposite to that taken by Sola and -her charge. - -If ever Martians had an exhibition of jumping, it was granted those -astonished warriors on that day long years ago, but while it led them -away from Dejah Thoris it did not distract their attention from -endeavoring to capture me. - -They raced wildly after me until, finally, my foot struck a projecting -piece of quartz, and down I went sprawling upon the moss. As I looked -up they were upon me, and although I drew my long-sword in an attempt -to sell my life as dearly as possible, it was soon over. I reeled -beneath their blows which fell upon me in perfect torrents; my head -swam; all was black, and I went down beneath them to oblivion. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -CHAINED IN WARHOON - - -It must have been several hours before I regained consciousness and I -well remember the feeling of surprise which swept over me as I realized -that I was not dead. - -I was lying among a pile of sleeping silks and furs in the corner of a -small room in which were several green warriors, and bending over me -was an ancient and ugly female. - -As I opened my eyes she turned to one of the warriors, saying, - -"He will live, O Jed." - -"'Tis well," replied the one so addressed, rising and approaching my -couch, "he should render rare sport for the great games." - -And now as my eyes fell upon him, I saw that he was no Thark, for his -ornaments and metal were not of that horde. He was a huge fellow, -terribly scarred about the face and chest, and with one broken tusk and -a missing ear. Strapped on either breast were human skulls and -depending from these a number of dried human hands. - -His reference to the great games of which I had heard so much while -among the Tharks convinced me that I had but jumped from purgatory into -gehenna. - -After a few more words with the female, during which she assured him -that I was now fully fit to travel, the jed ordered that we mount and -ride after the main column. - -I was strapped securely to as wild and unmanageable a thoat as I had -ever seen, and, with a mounted warrior on either side to prevent the -beast from bolting, we rode forth at a furious pace in pursuit of the -column. My wounds gave me but little pain, so wonderfully and rapidly -had the applications and injections of the female exercised their -therapeutic powers, and so deftly had she bound and plastered the -injuries. - -Just before dark we reached the main body of troops shortly after they -had made camp for the night. I was immediately taken before the -leader, who proved to be the jeddak of the hordes of Warhoon. - -Like the jed who had brought me, he was frightfully scarred, and also -decorated with the breastplate of human skulls and dried dead hands -which seemed to mark all the greater warriors among the Warhoons, as -well as to indicate their awful ferocity, which greatly transcends even -that of the Tharks. - -The jeddak, Bar Comas, who was comparatively young, was the object of -the fierce and jealous hatred of his old lieutenant, Dak Kova, the jed -who had captured me, and I could not but note the almost studied -efforts which the latter made to affront his superior. - -He entirely omitted the usual formal salutation as we entered the -presence of the jeddak, and as he pushed me roughly before the ruler he -exclaimed in a loud and menacing voice. - -"I have brought a strange creature wearing the metal of a Thark whom it -is my pleasure to have battle with a wild thoat at the great games." - -"He will die as Bar Comas, your jeddak, sees fit, if at all," replied -the young ruler, with emphasis and dignity. - -"If at all?" roared Dak Kova. "By the dead hands at my throat but he -shall die, Bar Comas. No maudlin weakness on your part shall save him. -O, would that Warhoon were ruled by a real jeddak rather than by a -water-hearted weakling from whom even old Dak Kova could tear the metal -with his bare hands!" - -Bar Comas eyed the defiant and insubordinate chieftain for an instant, -his expression one of haughty, fearless contempt and hate, and then -without drawing a weapon and without uttering a word he hurled himself -at the throat of his defamer. - -I never before had seen two green Martian warriors battle with nature's -weapons and the exhibition of animal ferocity which ensued was as -fearful a thing as the most disordered imagination could picture. They -tore at each others' eyes and ears with their hands and with their -gleaming tusks repeatedly slashed and gored until both were cut fairly -to ribbons from head to foot. - -Bar Comas had much the better of the battle as he was stronger, quicker -and more intelligent. It soon seemed that the encounter was done -saving only the final death thrust when Bar Comas slipped in breaking -away from a clinch. It was the one little opening that Dak Kova -needed, and hurling himself at the body of his adversary he buried his -single mighty tusk in Bar Comas' groin and with a last powerful effort -ripped the young jeddak wide open the full length of his body, the -great tusk finally wedging in the bones of Bar Comas' jaw. Victor and -vanquished rolled limp and lifeless upon the moss, a huge mass of torn -and bloody flesh. - -Bar Comas was stone dead, and only the most herculean efforts on the -part of Dak Kova's females saved him from the fate he deserved. Three -days later he walked without assistance to the body of Bar Comas which, -by custom, had not been moved from where it fell, and placing his foot -upon the neck of his erstwhile ruler he assumed the title of Jeddak of -Warhoon. - -The dead jeddak's hands and head were removed to be added to the -ornaments of his conqueror, and then his women cremated what remained, -amid wild and terrible laughter. - -The injuries to Dak Kova had delayed the march so greatly that it was -decided to give up the expedition, which was a raid upon a small Thark -community in retaliation for the destruction of the incubator, until -after the great games, and the entire body of warriors, ten thousand in -number, turned back toward Warhoon. - -My introduction to these cruel and bloodthirsty people was but an index -to the scenes I witnessed almost daily while with them. They are a -smaller horde than the Tharks but much more ferocious. Not a day -passed but that some members of the various Warhoon communities met in -deadly combat. I have seen as high as eight mortal duels within a -single day. - -We reached the city of Warhoon after some three days march and I was -immediately cast into a dungeon and heavily chained to the floor and -walls. Food was brought me at intervals but owing to the utter -darkness of the place I do not know whether I lay there days, or weeks, -or months. It was the most horrible experience of all my life and that -my mind did not give way to the terrors of that inky blackness has been -a wonder to me ever since. The place was filled with creeping, -crawling things; cold, sinuous bodies passed over me when I lay down, -and in the darkness I occasionally caught glimpses of gleaming, fiery -eyes, fixed in horrible intentness upon me. No sound reached me from -the world above and no word would my jailer vouchsafe when my food was -brought to me, although I at first bombarded him with questions. - -Finally all the hatred and maniacal loathing for these awful creatures -who had placed me in this horrible place was centered by my tottering -reason upon this single emissary who represented to me the entire horde -of Warhoons. - -I had noticed that he always advanced with his dim torch to where he -could place the food within my reach and as he stooped to place it upon -the floor his head was about on a level with my breast. So, with the -cunning of a madman, I backed into the far corner of my cell when next -I heard him approaching and gathering a little slack of the great chain -which held me in my hand I waited his coming, crouching like some beast -of prey. As he stooped to place my food upon the ground I swung the -chain above my head and crashed the links with all my strength upon his -skull. Without a sound he slipped to the floor, stone dead. - -Laughing and chattering like the idiot I was fast becoming I fell upon -his prostrate form my fingers feeling for his dead throat. Presently -they came in contact with a small chain at the end of which dangled a -number of keys. The touch of my fingers on these keys brought back my -reason with the suddenness of thought. No longer was I a jibbering -idiot, but a sane, reasoning man with the means of escape within my -very hands. - -As I was groping to remove the chain from about my victim's neck I -glanced up into the darkness to see six pairs of gleaming eyes fixed, -unwinking, upon me. Slowly they approached and slowly I shrank back -from the awful horror of them. Back into my corner I crouched holding -my hands palms out, before me, and stealthily on came the awful eyes -until they reached the dead body at my feet. Then slowly they -retreated but this time with a strange grating sound and finally they -disappeared in some black and distant recess of my dungeon. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -BATTLING IN THE ARENA - - -Slowly I regained my composure and finally essayed again to attempt to -remove the keys from the dead body of my former jailer. But as I -reached out into the darkness to locate it I found to my horror that it -was gone. Then the truth flashed on me; the owners of those gleaming -eyes had dragged my prize away from me to be devoured in their -neighboring lair; as they had been waiting for days, for weeks, for -months, through all this awful eternity of my imprisonment to drag my -dead carcass to their feast. - -For two days no food was brought me, but then a new messenger appeared -and my incarceration went on as before, but not again did I allow my -reason to be submerged by the horror of my position. - -Shortly after this episode another prisoner was brought in and chained -near me. By the dim torch light I saw that he was a red Martian and I -could scarcely await the departure of his guards to address him. As -their retreating footsteps died away in the distance, I called out -softly the Martian word of greeting, kaor. - -"Who are you who speaks out of the darkness?" he answered - -"John Carter, a friend of the red men of Helium." - -"I am of Helium," he said, "but I do not recall your name." - -And then I told him my story as I have written it here, omitting only -any reference to my love for Dejah Thoris. He was much excited by the -news of Helium's princess and seemed quite positive that she and Sola -could easily have reached a point of safety from where they left me. -He said that he knew the place well because the defile through which -the Warhoon warriors had passed when they discovered us was the only -one ever used by them when marching to the south. - -"Dejah Thoris and Sola entered the hills not five miles from a great -waterway and are now probably quite safe," he assured me. - -My fellow prisoner was Kantos Kan, a padwar (lieutenant) in the navy of -Helium. He had been a member of the ill-fated expedition which had -fallen into the hands of the Tharks at the time of Dejah Thoris' -capture, and he briefly related the events which followed the defeat of -the battleships. - -Badly injured and only partially manned they had limped slowly toward -Helium, but while passing near the city of Zodanga, the capital of -Helium's hereditary enemies among the red men of Barsoom, they had been -attacked by a great body of war vessels and all but the craft to which -Kantos Kan belonged were either destroyed or captured. His vessel was -chased for days by three of the Zodangan war ships but finally escaped -during the darkness of a moonless night. - -Thirty days after the capture of Dejah Thoris, or about the time of our -coming to Thark, his vessel had reached Helium with about ten survivors -of the original crew of seven hundred officers and men. Immediately -seven great fleets, each of one hundred mighty war ships, had been -dispatched to search for Dejah Thoris, and from these vessels two -thousand smaller craft had been kept out continuously in futile search -for the missing princess. - -Two green Martian communities had been wiped off the face of Barsoom by -the avenging fleets, but no trace of Dejah Thoris had been found. They -had been searching among the northern hordes, and only within the past -few days had they extended their quest to the south. - -Kantos Kan had been detailed to one of the small one-man fliers and had -had the misfortune to be discovered by the Warhoons while exploring -their city. The bravery and daring of the man won my greatest respect -and admiration. Alone he had landed at the city's boundary and on foot -had penetrated to the buildings surrounding the plaza. For two days -and nights he had explored their quarters and their dungeons in search -of his beloved princess only to fall into the hands of a party of -Warhoons as he was about to leave, after assuring himself that Dejah -Thoris was not a captive there. - -During the period of our incarceration Kantos Kan and I became well -acquainted, and formed a warm personal friendship. A few days only -elapsed, however, before we were dragged forth from our dungeon for the -great games. We were conducted early one morning to an enormous -amphitheater, which instead of having been built upon the surface of -the ground was excavated below the surface. It had partially filled -with debris so that how large it had originally been was difficult to -say. In its present condition it held the entire twenty thousand -Warhoons of the assembled hordes. - -The arena was immense but extremely uneven and unkempt. Around it the -Warhoons had piled building stone from some of the ruined edifices of -the ancient city to prevent the animals and the captives from escaping -into the audience, and at each end had been constructed cages to hold -them until their turns came to meet some horrible death upon the arena. - -Kantos Kan and I were confined together in one of the cages. In the -others were wild calots, thoats, mad zitidars, green warriors, and -women of other hordes, and many strange and ferocious wild beasts of -Barsoom which I had never before seen. The din of their roaring, -growling and squealing was deafening and the formidable appearance of -any one of them was enough to make the stoutest heart feel grave -forebodings. - -Kantos Kan explained to me that at the end of the day one of these -prisoners would gain freedom and the others would lie dead about the -arena. The winners in the various contests of the day would be pitted -against each other until only two remained alive; the victor in the -last encounter being set free, whether animal or man. The following -morning the cages would be filled with a new consignment of victims, -and so on throughout the ten days of the games. - -Shortly after we had been caged the amphitheater began to fill and -within an hour every available part of the seating space was occupied. -Dak Kova, with his jeds and chieftains, sat at the center of one side -of the arena upon a large raised platform. - -At a signal from Dak Kova the doors of two cages were thrown open and a -dozen green Martian females were driven to the center of the arena. -Each was given a dagger and then, at the far end, a pack of twelve -calots, or wild dogs were loosed upon them. - -As the brutes, growling and foaming, rushed upon the almost defenseless -women I turned my head that I might not see the horrid sight. The -yells and laughter of the green horde bore witness to the excellent -quality of the sport and when I turned back to the arena, as Kantos Kan -told me it was over, I saw three victorious calots, snarling and -growling over the bodies of their prey. The women had given a good -account of themselves. - -Next a mad zitidar was loosed among the remaining dogs, and so it went -throughout the long, hot, horrible day. - -During the day I was pitted against first men and then beasts, but as I -was armed with a long-sword and always outclassed my adversary in -agility and generally in strength as well, it proved but child's play -to me. Time and time again I won the applause of the bloodthirsty -multitude, and toward the end there were cries that I be taken from the -arena and be made a member of the hordes of Warhoon. - -Finally there were but three of us left, a great green warrior of some -far northern horde, Kantos Kan, and myself. - -The other two were to battle and then I to fight the conqueror for the -liberty which was accorded the final winner. - -Kantos Kan had fought several times during the day and like myself had -always proven victorious, but occasionally by the smallest of margins, -especially when pitted against the green warriors. I had little hope -that he could best his giant adversary who had mowed down all before -him during the day. The fellow towered nearly sixteen feet in height, -while Kantos Kan was some inches under six feet. As they advanced to -meet one another I saw for the first time a trick of Martian -swordsmanship which centered Kantos Kan's every hope of victory and -life on one cast of the dice, for, as he came to within about twenty -feet of the huge fellow he threw his sword arm far behind him over his -shoulder and with a mighty sweep hurled his weapon point foremost at -the green warrior. It flew true as an arrow and piercing the poor -devil's heart laid him dead upon the arena. - -Kantos Kan and I were now pitted against each other but as we -approached to the encounter I whispered to him to prolong the battle -until nearly dark in the hope that we might find some means of escape. -The horde evidently guessed that we had no hearts to fight each other -and so they howled in rage as neither of us placed a fatal thrust. -Just as I saw the sudden coming of dark I whispered to Kantos Kan to -thrust his sword between my left arm and my body. As he did so I -staggered back clasping the sword tightly with my arm and thus fell to -the ground with his weapon apparently protruding from my chest. Kantos -Kan perceived my coup and stepping quickly to my side he placed his -foot upon my neck and withdrawing his sword from my body gave me the -final death blow through the neck which is supposed to sever the -jugular vein, but in this instance the cold blade slipped harmlessly -into the sand of the arena. In the darkness which had now fallen none -could tell but that he had really finished me. I whispered to him to -go and claim his freedom and then look for me in the hills east of the -city, and so he left me. - -When the amphitheater had cleared I crept stealthily to the top and as -the great excavation lay far from the plaza and in an untenanted -portion of the great dead city I had little trouble in reaching the -hills beyond. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY - - -For two days I waited there for Kantos Kan, but as he did not come I -started off on foot in a northwesterly direction toward a point where -he had told me lay the nearest waterway. My only food consisted of -vegetable milk from the plants which gave so bounteously of this -priceless fluid. - -Through two long weeks I wandered, stumbling through the nights guided -only by the stars and hiding during the days behind some protruding -rock or among the occasional hills I traversed. Several times I was -attacked by wild beasts; strange, uncouth monstrosities that leaped -upon me in the dark, so that I had ever to grasp my long-sword in my -hand that I might be ready for them. Usually my strange, newly -acquired telepathic power warned me in ample time, but once I was down -with vicious fangs at my jugular and a hairy face pressed close to mine -before I knew that I was even threatened. - -What manner of thing was upon me I did not know, but that it was large -and heavy and many-legged I could feel. My hands were at its throat -before the fangs had a chance to bury themselves in my neck, and slowly -I forced the hairy face from me and closed my fingers, vise-like, upon -its windpipe. - -Without sound we lay there, the beast exerting every effort to reach me -with those awful fangs, and I straining to maintain my grip and choke -the life from it as I kept it from my throat. Slowly my arms gave to -the unequal struggle, and inch by inch the burning eyes and gleaming -tusks of my antagonist crept toward me, until, as the hairy face -touched mine again, I realized that all was over. And then a living -mass of destruction sprang from the surrounding darkness full upon the -creature that held me pinioned to the ground. The two rolled growling -upon the moss, tearing and rending one another in a frightful manner, -but it was soon over and my preserver stood with lowered head above the -throat of the dead thing which would have killed me. - -The nearer moon, hurtling suddenly above the horizon and lighting up -the Barsoomian scene, showed me that my preserver was Woola, but from -whence he had come, or how found me, I was at a loss to know. That I -was glad of his companionship it is needless to say, but my pleasure at -seeing him was tempered by anxiety as to the reason of his leaving -Dejah Thoris. Only her death I felt sure, could account for his -absence from her, so faithful I knew him to be to my commands. - -By the light of the now brilliant moons I saw that he was but a shadow -of his former self, and as he turned from my caress and commenced -greedily to devour the dead carcass at my feet I realized that the poor -fellow was more than half starved. I, myself, was in but little better -plight but I could not bring myself to eat the uncooked flesh and I had -no means of making a fire. When Woola had finished his meal I again -took up my weary and seemingly endless wandering in quest of the -elusive waterway. - -At daybreak of the fifteenth day of my search I was overjoyed to see -the high trees that denoted the object of my search. About noon I -dragged myself wearily to the portals of a huge building which covered -perhaps four square miles and towered two hundred feet in the air. It -showed no aperture in the mighty walls other than the tiny door at -which I sank exhausted, nor was there any sign of life about it. - -I could find no bell or other method of making my presence known to the -inmates of the place, unless a small round hole in the wall near the -door was for that purpose. It was of about the bigness of a lead -pencil and thinking that it might be in the nature of a speaking tube I -put my mouth to it and was about to call into it when a voice issued -from it asking me whom I might be, where from, and the nature of my -errand. - -I explained that I had escaped from the Warhoons and was dying of -starvation and exhaustion. - -"You wear the metal of a green warrior and are followed by a calot, yet -you are of the figure of a red man. In color you are neither green nor -red. In the name of the ninth ray, what manner of creature are you?" - -"I am a friend of the red men of Barsoom and I am starving. In the -name of humanity open to us," I replied. - -Presently the door commenced to recede before me until it had sunk into -the wall fifty feet, then it stopped and slid easily to the left, -exposing a short, narrow corridor of concrete, at the further end of -which was another door, similar in every respect to the one I had just -passed. No one was in sight, yet immediately we passed the first door -it slid gently into place behind us and receded rapidly to its original -position in the front wall of the building. As the door had slipped -aside I had noted its great thickness, fully twenty feet, and as it -reached its place once more after closing behind us, great cylinders of -steel had dropped from the ceiling behind it and fitted their lower -ends into apertures countersunk in the floor. - -A second and third door receded before me and slipped to one side as -the first, before I reached a large inner chamber where I found food -and drink set out upon a great stone table. A voice directed me to -satisfy my hunger and to feed my calot, and while I was thus engaged my -invisible host put me through a severe and searching cross-examination. - -"Your statements are most remarkable," said the voice, on concluding -its questioning, "but you are evidently speaking the truth, and it is -equally evident that you are not of Barsoom. I can tell that by the -conformation of your brain and the strange location of your internal -organs and the shape and size of your heart." - -"Can you see through me?" I exclaimed. - -"Yes, I can see all but your thoughts, and were you a Barsoomian I -could read those." - -Then a door opened at the far side of the chamber and a strange, dried -up, little mummy of a man came toward me. He wore but a single article -of clothing or adornment, a small collar of gold from which depended -upon his chest a great ornament as large as a dinner plate set solid -with huge diamonds, except for the exact center which was occupied by a -strange stone, an inch in diameter, that scintillated nine different -and distinct rays; the seven colors of our earthly prism and two -beautiful rays which, to me, were new and nameless. I cannot describe -them any more than you could describe red to a blind man. I only know -that they were beautiful in the extreme. - -The old man sat and talked with me for hours, and the strangest part of -our intercourse was that I could read his every thought while he could -not fathom an iota from my mind unless I spoke. - -[Illustration: The old man sat and talked with me for hours.] - -I did not apprise him of my ability to sense his mental operations, and -thus I learned a great deal which proved of immense value to me later -and which I would never have known had he suspected my strange power, -for the Martians have such perfect control of their mental machinery -that they are able to direct their thoughts with absolute precision. - -The building in which I found myself contained the machinery which -produces that artificial atmosphere which sustains life on Mars. The -secret of the entire process hinges on the use of the ninth ray, one of -the beautiful scintillations which I had noted emanating from the great -stone in my host's diadem. - -This ray is separated from the other rays of the sun by means of finely -adjusted instruments placed upon the roof of the huge building, -three-quarters of which is used for reservoirs in which the ninth ray -is stored. This product is then treated electrically, or rather -certain proportions of refined electric vibrations are incorporated -with it, and the result is then pumped to the five principal air -centers of the planet where, as it is released, contact with the ether -of space transforms it into atmosphere. - -There is always sufficient reserve of the ninth ray stored in the great -building to maintain the present Martian atmosphere for a thousand -years, and the only fear, as my new friend told me, was that some -accident might befall the pumping apparatus. - -He led me to an inner chamber where I beheld a battery of twenty radium -pumps any one of which was equal to the task of furnishing all Mars -with the atmosphere compound. For eight hundred years, he told me, he -had watched these pumps which are used alternately a day each at a -stretch, or a little over twenty-four and one-half Earth hours. He has -one assistant who divides the watch with him. Half a Martian year, -about three hundred and forty-four of our days, each of these men spend -alone in this huge, isolated plant. - -Every red Martian is taught during earliest childhood the principles of -the manufacture of atmosphere, but only two at one time ever hold the -secret of ingress to the great building, which, built as it is with -walls a hundred and fifty feet thick, is absolutely unassailable, even -the roof being guarded from assault by air craft by a glass covering -five feet thick. - -The only fear they entertain of attack is from the green Martians or -some demented red man, as all Barsoomians realize that the very -existence of every form of life of Mars is dependent upon the -uninterrupted working of this plant. - -One curious fact I discovered as I watched his thoughts was that the -outer doors are manipulated by telepathic means. The locks are so -finely adjusted that the doors are released by the action of a certain -combination of thought waves. To experiment with my new-found toy I -thought to surprise him into revealing this combination and so I asked -him in a casual manner how he had managed to unlock the massive doors -for me from the inner chambers of the building. As quick as a flash -there leaped to his mind nine Martian sounds, but as quickly faded as -he answered that this was a secret he must not divulge. - -From then on his manner toward me changed as though he feared that he -had been surprised into divulging his great secret, and I read -suspicion and fear in his looks and thoughts, though his words were -still fair. - -Before I retired for the night he promised to give me a letter to a -nearby agricultural officer who would help me on my way to Zodanga, -which he said, was the nearest Martian city. - -"But be sure that you do not let them know you are bound for Helium as -they are at war with that country. My assistant and I are of no -country, we belong to all Barsoom and this talisman which we wear -protects us in all lands, even among the green men--though we do not -trust ourselves to their hands if we can avoid it," he added. - -"And so good-night, my friend," he continued, "may you have a long and -restful sleep--yes, a long sleep." - -And though he smiled pleasantly I saw in his thoughts the wish that he -had never admitted me, and then a picture of him standing over me in -the night, and the swift thrust of a long dagger and the half formed -words, "I am sorry, but it is for the best good of Barsoom." - -As he closed the door of my chamber behind him his thoughts were cut -off from me as was the sight of him, which seemed strange to me in my -little knowledge of thought transference. - -What was I to do? How could I escape through these mighty walls? -Easily could I kill him now that I was warned, but once he was dead I -could no more escape, and with the stopping of the machinery of the -great plant I should die with all the other inhabitants of the -planet--all, even Dejah Thoris were she not already dead. For the -others I did not give the snap of my finger, but the thought of Dejah -Thoris drove from my mind all desire to kill my mistaken host. - -Cautiously I opened the door of my apartment and, followed by Woola, -sought the inner of the great doors. A wild scheme had come to me; I -would attempt to force the great locks by the nine thought waves I had -read in my host's mind. - -Creeping stealthily through corridor after corridor and down winding -runways which turned hither and thither I finally reached the great -hall in which I had broken my long fast that morning. Nowhere had I -seen my host, nor did I know where he kept himself by night. - -I was on the point of stepping boldly out into the room when a slight -noise behind me warned me back into the shadows of a recess in the -corridor. Dragging Woola after me I crouched low in the darkness. - -Presently the old man passed close by me, and as he entered the dimly -lighted chamber which I had been about to pass through I saw that he -held a long thin dagger in his hand and that he was sharpening it upon -a stone. In his mind was the decision to inspect the radium pumps, -which would take about thirty minutes, and then return to my bed -chamber and finish me. - -As he passed through the great hall and disappeared down the runway -which led to the pump-room, I stole stealthily from my hiding place and -crossed to the great door, the inner of the three which stood between -me and liberty. - -Concentrating my mind upon the massive lock I hurled the nine thought -waves against it. In breathless expectancy I waited, when finally the -great door moved softly toward me and slid quietly to one side. One -after the other the remaining mighty portals opened at my command and -Woola and I stepped forth into the darkness, free, but little better -off than we had been before, other than that we had full stomachs. - -Hastening away from the shadows of the formidable pile I made for the -first crossroad, intending to strike the central turnpike as quickly as -possible. This I reached about morning and entering the first -enclosure I came to I searched for some evidences of a habitation. - -There were low rambling buildings of concrete barred with heavy -impassable doors, and no amount of hammering and hallooing brought any -response. Weary and exhausted from sleeplessness I threw myself upon -the ground commanding Woola to stand guard. - -Some time later I was awakened by his frightful growlings and opened my -eyes to see three red Martians standing a short distance from us and -covering me with their rifles. - -"I am unarmed and no enemy," I hastened to explain. "I have been a -prisoner among the green men and am on my way to Zodanga. All I ask is -food and rest for myself and my calot and the proper directions for -reaching my destination." - -They lowered their rifles and advanced pleasantly toward me placing -their right hands upon my left shoulder, after the manner of their -custom of salute, and asking me many questions about myself and my -wanderings. They then took me to the house of one of them which was -only a short distance away. - -The buildings I had been hammering at in the early morning were -occupied only by stock and farm produce, the house proper standing -among a grove of enormous trees, and, like all red-Martian homes, had -been raised at night some forty or fifty feet from the ground on a -large round metal shaft which slid up or down within a sleeve sunk in -the ground, and was operated by a tiny radium engine in the entrance -hall of the building. Instead of bothering with bolts and bars for -their dwellings, the red Martians simply run them up out of harm's way -during the night. They also have private means for lowering or raising -them from the ground without if they wish to go away and leave them. - -These brothers, with their wives and children, occupied three similar -houses on this farm. They did no work themselves, being government -officers in charge. The labor was performed by convicts, prisoners of -war, delinquent debtors and confirmed bachelors who were too poor to -pay the high celibate tax which all red-Martian governments impose. - -They were the personification of cordiality and hospitality and I spent -several days with them, resting and recuperating from my long and -arduous experiences. - -When they had heard my story--I omitted all reference to Dejah Thoris -and the old man of the atmosphere plant--they advised me to color my -body to more nearly resemble their own race and then attempt to find -employment in Zodanga, either in the army or the navy. - -"The chances are small that your tale will be believed until after you -have proven your trustworthiness and won friends among the higher -nobles of the court. This you can most easily do through military -service, as we are a warlike people on Barsoom," explained one of them, -"and save our richest favors for the fighting man." - -When I was ready to depart they furnished me with a small domestic bull -thoat, such as is used for saddle purposes by all red Martians. The -animal is about the size of a horse and quite gentle, but in color and -shape an exact replica of his huge and fierce cousin of the wilds. - -The brothers had supplied me with a reddish oil with which I anointed -my entire body and one of them cut my hair, which had grown quite long, -in the prevailing fashion of the time, square at the back and banged in -front, so that I could have passed anywhere upon Barsoom as a -full-fledged red Martian. My metal and ornaments were also renewed in -the style of a Zodangan gentleman, attached to the house of Ptor, which -was the family name of my benefactors. - -They filled a little sack at my side with Zodangan money. The medium -of exchange upon Mars is not dissimilar from our own except that the -coins are oval. Paper money is issued by individuals as they require -it and redeemed twice yearly. If a man issues more than he can redeem, -the government pays his creditors in full and the debtor works out the -amount upon the farms or in mines, which are all owned by the -government. This suits everybody except the debtor as it has been a -difficult thing to obtain sufficient voluntary labor to work the great -isolated farm lands of Mars, stretching as they do like narrow ribbons -from pole to pole, through wild stretches peopled by wild animals and -wilder men. - -When I mentioned my inability to repay them for their kindness to me -they assured me that I would have ample opportunity if I lived long -upon Barsoom, and bidding me farewell they watched me until I was out -of sight upon the broad white turnpike. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA - - -As I proceeded on my journey toward Zodanga many strange and -interesting sights arrested my attention, and at the several farm -houses where I stopped I learned a number of new and instructive things -concerning the methods and manners of Barsoom. - -The water which supplies the farms of Mars is collected in immense -underground reservoirs at either pole from the melting ice caps, and -pumped through long conduits to the various populated centers. Along -either side of these conduits, and extending their entire length, lie -the cultivated districts. These are divided into tracts of about the -same size, each tract being under the supervision of one or more -government officers. - -Instead of flooding the surface of the fields, and thus wasting immense -quantities of water by evaporation, the precious liquid is carried -underground through a vast network of small pipes directly to the roots -of the vegetation. The crops upon Mars are always uniform, for there -are no droughts, no rains, no high winds, and no insects, or destroying -birds. - -On this trip I tasted the first meat I had eaten since leaving -Earth--large, juicy steaks and chops from the well-fed domestic animals -of the farms. Also I enjoyed luscious fruits and vegetables, but not a -single article of food which was exactly similar to anything on Earth. -Every plant and flower and vegetable and animal has been so refined by -ages of careful, scientific cultivation and breeding that the like of -them on Earth dwindled into pale, gray, characterless nothingness by -comparison. - -At a second stop I met some highly cultivated people of the noble class -and while in conversation we chanced to speak of Helium. One of the -older men had been there on a diplomatic mission several years before -and spoke with regret of the conditions which seemed destined ever to -keep these two countries at war. - -"Helium," he said, "rightly boasts the most beautiful women of Barsoom, -and of all her treasures the wondrous daughter of Mors Kajak, Dejah -Thoris, is the most exquisite flower. - -"Why," he added, "the people really worship the ground she walks upon -and since her loss on that ill-starred expedition all Helium has been -draped in mourning. - -"That our ruler should have attacked the disabled fleet as it was -returning to Helium was but another of his awful blunders which I fear -will sooner or later compel Zodanga to elevate a wiser man to his -place." - -"Even now, though our victorious armies are surrounding Helium, the -people of Zodanga are voicing their displeasure, for the war is not a -popular one, since it is not based on right or justice. Our forces -took advantage of the absence of the principal fleet of Helium on their -search for the princess, and so we have been able easily to reduce the -city to a sorry plight. It is said she will fall within the next few -passages of the further moon." - -"And what, think you, may have been the fate of the princess, Dejah -Thoris?" I asked as casually as possible. - -"She is dead," he answered. "This much was learned from a green -warrior recently captured by our forces in the south. She escaped from -the hordes of Thark with a strange creature of another world, only to -fall into the hands of the Warhoons. Their thoats were found wandering -upon the sea bottom and evidences of a bloody conflict were discovered -nearby." - -While this information was in no way reassuring, neither was it at all -conclusive proof of the death of Dejah Thoris, and so I determined to -make every effort possible to reach Helium as quickly as I could and -carry to Tardos Mors such news of his granddaughter's possible -whereabouts as lay in my power. - -Ten days after leaving the three Ptor brothers I arrived at Zodanga. -From the moment that I had come in contact with the red inhabitants of -Mars I had noticed that Woola drew a great amount of unwelcome -attention to me, since the huge brute belonged to a species which is -never domesticated by the red men. Were one to stroll down Broadway -with a Numidian lion at his heels the effect would be somewhat similar -to that which I should have produced had I entered Zodanga with Woola. - -The very thought of parting with the faithful fellow caused me so great -regret and genuine sorrow that I put it off until just before we -arrived at the city's gates; but then, finally, it became imperative -that we separate. Had nothing further than my own safety or pleasure -been at stake no argument could have prevailed upon me to turn away the -one creature upon Barsoom that had never failed in a demonstration of -affection and loyalty; but as I would willingly have offered my life in -the service of her in search of whom I was about to challenge the -unknown dangers of this, to me, mysterious city, I could not permit -even Woola's life to threaten the success of my venture, much less his -momentary happiness, for I doubted not he soon would forget me. And so -I bade the poor beast an affectionate farewell, promising him, however, -that if I came through my adventure in safety that in some way I should -find the means to search him out. - -He seemed to understand me fully, and when I pointed back in the -direction of Thark he turned sorrowfully away, nor could I bear to -watch him go; but resolutely set my face toward Zodanga and with a -touch of heartsickness approached her frowning walls. - -The letter I bore from them gained me immediate entrance to the vast, -walled city. It was still very early in the morning and the streets -were practically deserted. The residences, raised high upon their -metal columns, resembled huge rookeries, while the uprights themselves -presented the appearance of steel tree trunks. The shops as a rule -were not raised from the ground nor were their doors bolted or barred, -since thievery is practically unknown upon Barsoom. Assassination is -the ever-present fear of all Barsoomians, and for this reason alone -their homes are raised high above the ground at night, or in times of -danger. - -The Ptor brothers had given me explicit directions for reaching the -point of the city where I could find living accommodations and be near -the offices of the government agents to whom they had given me letters. -My way led to the central square or plaza, which is a characteristic of -all Martian cities. - -The plaza of Zodanga covers a square mile and is bounded by the palaces -of the jeddak, the jeds, and other members of the royalty and nobility -of Zodanga, as well as by the principal public buildings, cafes, and -shops. - -As I was crossing the great square lost in wonder and admiration of the -magnificent architecture and the gorgeous scarlet vegetation which -carpeted the broad lawns I discovered a red Martian walking briskly -toward me from one of the avenues. He paid not the slightest attention -to me, but as he came abreast I recognized him, and turning I placed my -hand upon his shoulder, calling out: - -"Kaor, Kantos Kan!" - -Like lightning he wheeled and before I could so much as lower my hand -the point of his long-sword was at my breast. - -"Who are you?" he growled, and then as a backward leap carried me fifty -feet from his sword he dropped the point to the ground and exclaimed, -laughing, - -"I do not need a better reply, there is but one man upon all Barsoom -who can bounce about like a rubber ball. By the mother of the further -moon, John Carter, how came you here, and have you become a Darseen -that you can change your color at will?" - -"You gave me a bad half minute my friend," he continued, after I had -briefly outlined my adventures since parting with him in the arena at -Warhoon. "Were my name and city known to the Zodangans I would shortly -be sitting on the banks of the lost sea of Korus with my revered and -departed ancestors. I am here in the interest of Tardos Mors, Jeddak -of Helium, to discover the whereabouts of Dejah Thoris, our princess. -Sab Than, prince of Zodanga, has her hidden in the city and has fallen -madly in love with her. His father, Than Kosis, Jeddak of Zodanga, has -made her voluntary marriage to his son the price of peace between our -countries, but Tardos Mors will not accede to the demands and has sent -word that he and his people would rather look upon the dead face of -their princess than see her wed to any than her own choice, and that -personally he would prefer being engulfed in the ashes of a lost and -burning Helium to joining the metal of his house with that of Than -Kosis. His reply was the deadliest affront he could have put upon Than -Kosis and the Zodangans, but his people love him the more for it and -his strength in Helium is greater today than ever. - -"I have been here three days," continued Kantos Kan, "but I have not -yet found where Dejah Thoris is imprisoned. Today I join the Zodangan -navy as an air scout and I hope in this way to win the confidence of -Sab Than, the prince, who is commander of this division of the navy, -and thus learn the whereabouts of Dejah Thoris. I am glad that you are -here, John Carter, for I know your loyalty to my princess and two of us -working together should be able to accomplish much." - -The plaza was now commencing to fill with people going and coming upon -the daily activities of their duties. The shops were opening and the -cafes filling with early morning patrons. Kantos Kan led me to one of -these gorgeous eating places where we were served entirely by -mechanical apparatus. No hand touched the food from the time it -entered the building in its raw state until it emerged hot and -delicious upon the tables before the guests, in response to the -touching of tiny buttons to indicate their desires. - -After our meal, Kantos Kan took me with him to the headquarters of the -air-scout squadron and introducing me to his superior asked that I be -enrolled as a member of the corps. In accordance with custom an -examination was necessary, but Kantos Kan had told me to have no fear -on this score as he would attend to that part of the matter. He -accomplished this by taking my order for examination to the examining -officer and representing himself as John Carter. - -"This ruse will be discovered later," he cheerfully explained, "when -they check up my weights, measurements, and other personal -identification data, but it will be several months before this is done -and our mission should be accomplished or have failed long before that -time." - -The next few days were spent by Kantos Kan in teaching me the -intricacies of flying and of repairing the dainty little contrivances -which the Martians use for this purpose. The body of the one-man air -craft is about sixteen feet long, two feet wide and three inches thick, -tapering to a point at each end. The driver sits on top of this plane -upon a seat constructed over the small, noiseless radium engine which -propels it. The medium of buoyancy is contained within the thin metal -walls of the body and consists of the eighth Barsoomian ray, or ray of -propulsion, as it may be termed in view of its properties. - -This ray, like the ninth ray, is unknown on Earth, but the Martians -have discovered that it is an inherent property of all light no matter -from what source it emanates. They have learned that it is the solar -eighth ray which propels the light of the sun to the various planets, -and that it is the individual eighth ray of each planet which -"reflects," or propels the light thus obtained out into space once -more. The solar eighth ray would be absorbed by the surface of -Barsoom, but the Barsoomian eighth ray, which tends to propel light -from Mars into space, is constantly streaming out from the planet -constituting a force of repulsion of gravity which when confined is -able to lift enormous weights from the surface of the ground. - -It is this ray which has enabled them to so perfect aviation that -battle ships far outweighing anything known upon Earth sail as -gracefully and lightly through the thin air of Barsoom as a toy balloon -in the heavy atmosphere of Earth. - -During the early years of the discovery of this ray many strange -accidents occurred before the Martians learned to measure and control -the wonderful power they had found. In one instance, some nine hundred -years before, the first great battle ship to be built with eighth ray -reservoirs was stored with too great a quantity of the rays and she had -sailed up from Helium with five hundred officers and men, never to -return. - -Her power of repulsion for the planet was so great that it had carried -her far into space, where she can be seen today, by the aid of powerful -telescopes, hurtling through the heavens ten thousand miles from Mars; -a tiny satellite that will thus encircle Barsoom to the end of time. - -The fourth day after my arrival at Zodanga I made my first flight, and -as a result of it I won a promotion which included quarters in the -palace of Than Kosis. - -As I rose above the city I circled several times, as I had seen Kantos -Kan do, and then throwing my engine into top speed I raced at terrific -velocity toward the south, following one of the great waterways which -enter Zodanga from that direction. - -I had traversed perhaps two hundred miles in a little less than an hour -when I descried far below me a party of three green warriors racing -madly toward a small figure on foot which seemed to be trying to reach -the confines of one of the walled fields. - -Dropping my machine rapidly toward them, and circling to the rear of -the warriors, I soon saw that the object of their pursuit was a red -Martian wearing the metal of the scout squadron to which I was -attached. A short distance away lay his tiny flier, surrounded by the -tools with which he had evidently been occupied in repairing some -damage when surprised by the green warriors. - -They were now almost upon him; their flying mounts charging down on the -relatively puny figure at terrific speed, while the warriors leaned low -to the right, with their great metal-shod spears. Each seemed striving -to be the first to impale the poor Zodangan and in another moment his -fate would have been sealed had it not been for my timely arrival. - -Driving my fleet air craft at high speed directly behind the warriors I -soon overtook them and without diminishing my speed I rammed the prow -of my little flier between the shoulders of the nearest. The impact -sufficient to have torn through inches of solid steel, hurled the -fellow's headless body into the air over the head of his thoat, where -it fell sprawling upon the moss. The mounts of the other two warriors -turned squealing in terror, and bolted in opposite directions. - -Reducing my speed I circled and came to the ground at the feet of the -astonished Zodangan. He was warm in his thanks for my timely aid and -promised that my day's work would bring the reward it merited, for it -was none other than a cousin of the jeddak of Zodanga whose life I had -saved. - -We wasted no time in talk as we knew that the warriors would surely -return as soon as they had gained control of their mounts. Hastening -to his damaged machine we were bending every effort to finish the -needed repairs and had almost completed them when we saw the two green -monsters returning at top speed from opposite sides of us. When they -had approached within a hundred yards their thoats again became -unmanageable and absolutely refused to advance further toward the air -craft which had frightened them. - -The warriors finally dismounted and hobbling their animals advanced -toward us on foot with drawn long-swords. - -I advanced to meet the larger, telling the Zodangan to do the best he -could with the other. Finishing my man with almost no effort, as had -now from much practice become habitual with me, I hastened to return to -my new acquaintance whom I found indeed in desperate straits. - -He was wounded and down with the huge foot of his antagonist upon his -throat and the great long-sword raised to deal the final thrust. With -a bound I cleared the fifty feet intervening between us, and with -outstretched point drove my sword completely through the body of the -green warrior. His sword fell, harmless, to the ground and he sank -limply upon the prostrate form of the Zodangan. - -A cursory examination of the latter revealed no mortal injuries and -after a brief rest he asserted that he felt fit to attempt the return -voyage. He would have to pilot his own craft, however, as these frail -vessels are not intended to convey but a single person. - -Quickly completing the repairs we rose together into the still, -cloudless Martian sky, and at great speed and without further mishap -returned to Zodanga. - -As we neared the city we discovered a mighty concourse of civilians and -troops assembled upon the plain before the city. The sky was black -with naval vessels and private and public pleasure craft, flying long -streamers of gay-colored silks, and banners and flags of odd and -picturesque design. - -My companion signaled that I slow down, and running his machine close -beside mine suggested that we approach and watch the ceremony, which, -he said, was for the purpose of conferring honors on individual -officers and men for bravery and other distinguished service. He then -unfurled a little ensign which denoted that his craft bore a member of -the royal family of Zodanga, and together we made our way through the -maze of low-lying air vessels until we hung directly over the jeddak of -Zodanga and his staff. All were mounted upon the small domestic bull -thoats of the red Martians, and their trappings and ornamentation bore -such a quantity of gorgeously colored feathers that I could not but be -struck with the startling resemblance the concourse bore to a band of -the red Indians of my own Earth. - -One of the staff called the attention of Than Kosis to the presence of -my companion above them and the ruler motioned for him to descend. As -they waited for the troops to move into position facing the jeddak the -two talked earnestly together, the jeddak and his staff occasionally -glancing up at me. I could not hear their conversation and presently -it ceased and all dismounted, as the last body of troops had wheeled -into position before their emperor. A member of the staff advanced -toward the troops, and calling the name of a soldier commanded him to -advance. The officer then recited the nature of the heroic act which -had won the approval of the jeddak, and the latter advanced and placed -a metal ornament upon the left arm of the lucky man. - -Ten men had been so decorated when the aide called out, - -"John Carter, air scout!" - -Never in my life had I been so surprised, but the habit of military -discipline is strong within me, and I dropped my little machine lightly -to the ground and advanced on foot as I had seen the others do. As I -halted before the officer, he addressed me in a voice audible to the -entire assemblage of troops and spectators. - -"In recognition, John Carter," he said, "of your remarkable courage and -skill in defending the person of the cousin of the jeddak Than Kosis -and, singlehanded, vanquishing three green warriors, it is the pleasure -of our jeddak to confer on you the mark of his esteem." - -Than Kosis then advanced toward me and placing an ornament upon me, -said: - -"My cousin has narrated the details of your wonderful achievement, -which seems little short of miraculous, and if you can so well defend a -cousin of the jeddak how much better could you defend the person of the -jeddak himself. You are therefore appointed a padwar of The Guards and -will be quartered in my palace hereafter." - -I thanked him, and at his direction joined the members of his staff. -After the ceremony I returned my machine to its quarters on the roof of -the barracks of the air-scout squadron, and with an orderly from the -palace to guide me I reported to the officer in charge of the palace. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -I FIND DEJAH - - -The major-domo to whom I reported had been given instructions to -station me near the person of the jeddak, who, in time of war, is -always in great danger of assassination, as the rule that all is fair -in war seems to constitute the entire ethics of Martian conflict. - -He therefore escorted me immediately to the apartment in which Than -Kosis then was. The ruler was engaged in conversation with his son, -Sab Than, and several courtiers of his household, and did not perceive -my entrance. - -The walls of the apartment were completely hung with splendid -tapestries which hid any windows or doors which may have pierced them. -The room was lighted by imprisoned rays of sunshine held between the -ceiling proper and what appeared to be a ground-glass false ceiling a -few inches below. - -My guide drew aside one of the tapestries, disclosing a passage which -encircled the room, between the hangings and the walls of the chamber. -Within this passage I was to remain, he said, so long as Than Kosis was -in the apartment. When he left I was to follow. My only duty was to -guard the ruler and keep out of sight as much as possible. I would be -relieved after a period of four hours. The major-domo then left me. - -The tapestries were of a strange weaving which gave the appearance of -heavy solidity from one side, but from my hiding place I could perceive -all that took place within the room as readily as though there had been -no curtain intervening. - -Scarcely had I gained my post than the tapestry at the opposite end of -the chamber separated and four soldiers of The Guard entered, -surrounding a female figure. As they approached Than Kosis the -soldiers fell to either side and there standing before the jeddak and -not ten feet from me, her beautiful face radiant with smiles, was Dejah -Thoris. - -Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga, advanced to meet her, and hand in hand -they approached close to the jeddak. Than Kosis looked up in surprise, -and, rising, saluted her. - -"To what strange freak do I owe this visit from the Princess of Helium, -who, two days ago, with rare consideration for my pride, assured me -that she would prefer Tal Hajus, the green Thark, to my son?" - -Dejah Thoris only smiled the more and with the roguish dimples playing -at the corners of her mouth she made answer: - -"From the beginning of time upon Barsoom it has been the prerogative of -woman to change her mind as she listed and to dissemble in matters -concerning her heart. That you will forgive, Than Kosis, as has your -son. Two days ago I was not sure of his love for me, but now I am, and -I have come to beg of you to forget my rash words and to accept the -assurance of the Princess of Helium that when the time comes she will -wed Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga." - -"I am glad that you have so decided," replied Than Kosis. "It is far -from my desire to push war further against the people of Helium, and, -your promise shall be recorded and a proclamation to my people issued -forthwith." - -"It were better, Than Kosis," interrupted Dejah Thoris, "that the -proclamation wait the ending of this war. It would look strange indeed -to my people and to yours were the Princess of Helium to give herself -to her country's enemy in the midst of hostilities." - -"Cannot the war be ended at once?" spoke Sab Than. "It requires but -the word of Than Kosis to bring peace. Say it, my father, say the word -that will hasten my happiness, and end this unpopular strife." - -"We shall see," replied Than Kosis, "how the people of Helium take to -peace. I shall at least offer it to them." - -Dejah Thoris, after a few words, turned and left the apartment, still -followed by her guards. - -Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of happiness dashed, broken, to -the ground of reality. The woman for whom I had offered my life, and -from whose lips I had so recently heard a declaration of love for me, -had lightly forgotten my very existence and smilingly given herself to -the son of her people's most hated enemy. - -Although I had heard it with my own ears I could not believe it. I -must search out her apartments and force her to repeat the cruel truth -to me alone before I would be convinced, and so I deserted my post and -hastened through the passage behind the tapestries toward the door by -which she had left the chamber. Slipping quietly through this opening -I discovered a maze of winding corridors, branching and turning in -every direction. - -Running rapidly down first one and then another of them I soon became -hopelessly lost and was standing panting against a side wall when I -heard voices near me. Apparently they were coming from the opposite -side of the partition against which I leaned and presently I made out -the tones of Dejah Thoris. I could not hear the words but I knew that -I could not possibly be mistaken in the voice. - -Moving on a few steps I discovered another passageway at the end of -which lay a door. Walking boldly forward I pushed into the room only -to find myself in a small antechamber in which were the four guards who -had accompanied her. One of them instantly arose and accosted me, -asking the nature of my business. - -"I am from Than Kosis," I replied, "and wish to speak privately with -Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium." - -"And your order?" asked the fellow. - -I did not know what he meant, but replied that I was a member of The -Guard, and without waiting for a reply from him I strode toward the -opposite door of the antechamber, behind which I could hear Dejah -Thoris conversing. - -But my entrance was not to be so easily accomplished. The guardsman -stepped before me, saying, - -"No one comes from Than Kosis without carrying an order or the -password. You must give me one or the other before you may pass." - -"The only order I require, my friend, to enter where I will, hangs at -my side," I answered, tapping my long-sword; "will you let me pass in -peace or no?" - -For reply he whipped out his own sword, calling to the others to join -him, and thus the four stood, with drawn weapons, barring my further -progress. - -"You are not here by the order of Than Kosis," cried the one who had -first addressed me, "and not only shall you not enter the apartments of -the Princess of Helium but you shall go back to Than Kosis under guard -to explain this unwarranted temerity. Throw down your sword; you -cannot hope to overcome four of us," he added with a grim smile. - -My reply was a quick thrust which left me but three antagonists and I -can assure you that they were worthy of my metal. They had me backed -against the wall in no time, fighting for my life. Slowly I worked my -way to a corner of the room where I could force them to come at me only -one at a time, and thus we fought upward of twenty minutes; the -clanging of steel on steel producing a veritable bedlam in the little -room. - -The noise had brought Dejah Thoris to the door of her apartment, and -there she stood throughout the conflict with Sola at her back peering -over her shoulder. Her face was set and emotionless and I knew that -she did not recognize me, nor did Sola. - -Finally a lucky cut brought down a second guardsman and then, with only -two opposing me, I changed my tactics and rushed them down after the -fashion of my fighting that had won me many a victory. The third fell -within ten seconds after the second, and the last lay dead upon the -bloody floor a few moments later. They were brave men and noble -fighters, and it grieved me that I had been forced to kill them, but I -would have willingly depopulated all Barsoom could I have reached the -side of my Dejah Thoris in no other way. - -Sheathing my bloody blade I advanced toward my Martian Princess, who -still stood mutely gazing at me without sign of recognition. - -"Who are you, Zodangan?" she whispered. "Another enemy to harass me in -my misery?" - -"I am a friend," I answered, "a once cherished friend." - -"No friend of Helium's princess wears that metal," she replied, "and -yet the voice! I have heard it before; it is not--it cannot be--no, -for he is dead." - -"It is, though, my Princess, none other than John Carter," I said. "Do -you not recognize, even through paint and strange metal, the heart of -your chieftain?" - -As I came close to her she swayed toward me with outstretched hands, -but as I reached to take her in my arms she drew back with a shudder -and a little moan of misery. - -"Too late, too late," she grieved. "O my chieftain that was, and whom -I thought dead, had you but returned one little hour before--but now it -is too late, too late." - -"What do you mean, Dejah Thoris?" I cried. "That you would not have -promised yourself to the Zodangan prince had you known that I lived?" - -"Think you, John Carter, that I would give my heart to you yesterday -and today to another? I thought that it lay buried with your ashes in -the pits of Warhoon, and so today I have promised my body to another to -save my people from the curse of a victorious Zodangan army." - -"But I am not dead, my princess. I have come to claim you, and all -Zodanga cannot prevent it." - -"It is too late, John Carter, my promise is given, and on Barsoom that -is final. The ceremonies which follow later are but meaningless -formalities. They make the fact of marriage no more certain than does -the funeral cortege of a jeddak again place the seal of death upon him. -I am as good as married, John Carter. No longer may you call me your -princess. No longer are you my chieftain." - -"I know but little of your customs here upon Barsoom, Dejah Thoris, but -I do know that I love you, and if you meant the last words you spoke to -me that day as the hordes of Warhoon were charging down upon us, no -other man shall ever claim you as his bride. You meant them then, my -princess, and you mean them still! Say that it is true." - -"I meant them, John Carter," she whispered. "I cannot repeat them now -for I have given myself to another. Ah, if you had only known our -ways, my friend," she continued, half to herself, "the promise would -have been yours long months ago, and you could have claimed me before -all others. It might have meant the fall of Helium, but I would have -given my empire for my Tharkian chief." - -Then aloud she said: "Do you remember the night when you offended me? -You called me your princess without having asked my hand of me, and -then you boasted that you had fought for me. You did not know, and I -should not have been offended; I see that now. But there was no one to -tell you what I could not, that upon Barsoom there are two kinds of -women in the cities of the red men. The one they fight for that they -may ask them in marriage; the other kind they fight for also, but never -ask their hands. When a man has won a woman he may address her as his -princess, or in any of the several terms which signify possession. You -had fought for me, but had never asked me in marriage, and so when you -called me your princess, you see," she faltered, "I was hurt, but even -then, John Carter, I did not repulse you, as I should have done, until -you made it doubly worse by taunting me with having won me through -combat." - -"I do not need ask your forgiveness now, Dejah Thoris," I cried. "You -must know that my fault was of ignorance of your Barsoomian customs. -What I failed to do, through implicit belief that my petition would be -presumptuous and unwelcome, I do now, Dejah Thoris; I ask you to be my -wife, and by all the Virginian fighting blood that flows in my veins -you shall be." - -"No, John Carter, it is useless," she cried, hopelessly, "I may never -be yours while Sab Than lives." - -"You have sealed his death warrant, my princess--Sab Than dies." - -"Nor that either," she hastened to explain. "I may not wed the man who -slays my husband, even in self-defense. It is custom. We are ruled by -custom upon Barsoom. It is useless, my friend. You must bear the -sorrow with me. That at least we may share in common. That, and the -memory of the brief days among the Tharks. You must go now, nor ever -see me again. Good-bye, my chieftain that was." - -Disheartened and dejected, I withdrew from the room, but I was not -entirely discouraged, nor would I admit that Dejah Thoris was lost to -me until the ceremony had actually been performed. - -As I wandered along the corridors, I was as absolutely lost in the -mazes of winding passageways as I had been before I discovered Dejah -Thoris' apartments. - -I knew that my only hope lay in escape from the city of Zodanga, for -the matter of the four dead guardsmen would have to be explained, and -as I could never reach my original post without a guide, suspicion -would surely rest on me so soon as I was discovered wandering aimlessly -through the palace. - -Presently I came upon a spiral runway leading to a lower floor, and -this I followed downward for several stories until I reached the -doorway of a large apartment in which were a number of guardsmen. The -walls of this room were hung with transparent tapestries behind which I -secreted myself without being apprehended. - -The conversation of the guardsmen was general, and awakened no interest -in me until an officer entered the room and ordered four of the men to -relieve the detail who were guarding the Princess of Helium. Now, I -knew, my troubles would commence in earnest and indeed they were upon -me all too soon, for it seemed that the squad had scarcely left the -guardroom before one of their number burst in again breathlessly, -crying that they had found their four comrades butchered in the -antechamber. - -In a moment the entire palace was alive with people. Guardsmen, -officers, courtiers, servants, and slaves ran helter-skelter through -the corridors and apartments carrying messages and orders, and -searching for signs of the assassin. - -This was my opportunity and slim as it appeared I grasped it, for as a -number of soldiers came hurrying past my hiding place I fell in behind -them and followed through the mazes of the palace until, in passing -through a great hall, I saw the blessed light of day coming in through -a series of larger windows. - -Here I left my guides, and, slipping to the nearest window, sought for -an avenue of escape. The windows opened upon a great balcony which -overlooked one of the broad avenues of Zodanga. The ground was about -thirty feet below, and at a like distance from the building was a wall -fully twenty feet high, constructed of polished glass about a foot in -thickness. To a red Martian escape by this path would have appeared -impossible, but to me, with my earthly strength and agility, it seemed -already accomplished. My only fear was in being detected before -darkness fell, for I could not make the leap in broad daylight while -the court below and the avenue beyond were crowded with Zodangans. - -Accordingly I searched for a hiding place and finally found one by -accident, inside a huge hanging ornament which swung from the ceiling -of the hall, and about ten feet from the floor. Into the capacious -bowl-like vase I sprang with ease, and scarcely had I settled down -within it than I heard a number of people enter the apartment. The -group stopped beneath my hiding place and I could plainly overhear -their every word. - -"It is the work of Heliumites," said one of the men. - -"Yes, O Jeddak, but how had they access to the palace? I could believe -that even with the diligent care of your guardsmen a single enemy might -reach the inner chambers, but how a force of six or eight fighting men -could have done so unobserved is beyond me. We shall soon know, -however, for here comes the royal psychologist." - -Another man now joined the group, and, after making his formal -greetings to his ruler, said: - -"O mighty Jeddak, it is a strange tale I read in the dead minds of your -faithful guardsmen. They were felled not by a number of fighting men, -but by a single opponent." - -He paused to let the full weight of this announcement impress his -hearers, and that his statement was scarcely credited was evidenced by -the impatient exclamation of incredulity which escaped the lips of Than -Kosis. - -"What manner of weird tale are you bringing me, Notan?" he cried. - -"It is the truth, my Jeddak," replied the psychologist. "In fact the -impressions were strongly marked on the brain of each of the four -guardsmen. Their antagonist was a very tall man, wearing the metal of -one of your own guardsmen, and his fighting ability was little short of -marvelous for he fought fair against the entire four and vanquished -them by his surpassing skill and superhuman strength and endurance. -Though he wore the metal of Zodanga, my Jeddak, such a man was never -seen before in this or any other country upon Barsoom. - -"The mind of the Princess of Helium whom I have examined and questioned -was a blank to me, she has perfect control, and I could not read one -iota of it. She said that she witnessed a portion of the encounter, -and that when she looked there was but one man engaged with the -guardsmen; a man whom she did not recognize as ever having seen." - -"Where is my erstwhile savior?" spoke another of the party, and I -recognized the voice of the cousin of Than Kosis, whom I had rescued -from the green warriors. "By the metal of my first ancestor," he went -on, "but the description fits him to perfection, especially as to his -fighting ability." - -"Where is this man?" cried Than Kosis. "Have him brought to me at -once. What know you of him, cousin? It seemed strange to me now that -I think upon it that there should have been such a fighting man in -Zodanga, of whose name, even, we were ignorant before today. And his -name too, John Carter, who ever heard of such a name upon Barsoom!" - -Word was soon brought that I was nowhere to be found, either in the -palace or at my former quarters in the barracks of the air-scout -squadron. Kantos Kan, they had found and questioned, but he knew -nothing of my whereabouts, and as to my past, he had told them he knew -as little, since he had but recently met me during our captivity among -the Warhoons. - -"Keep your eyes on this other one," commanded Than Kosis. "He also is -a stranger and likely as not they both hail from Helium, and where one -is we shall sooner or later find the other. Quadruple the air patrol, -and let every man who leaves the city by air or ground be subjected to -the closest scrutiny." - -Another messenger now entered with word that I was still within the -palace walls. - -"The likeness of every person who has entered or left the palace -grounds today has been carefully examined," concluded the fellow, "and -not one approaches the likeness of this new padwar of the guards, other -than that which was recorded of him at the time he entered." - -"Then we will have him shortly," commented Than Kosis contentedly, "and -in the meanwhile we will repair to the apartments of the Princess of -Helium and question her in regard to the affair. She may know more -than she cared to divulge to you, Notan. Come." - -They left the hall, and, as darkness had fallen without, I slipped -lightly from my hiding place and hastened to the balcony. Few were in -sight, and choosing a moment when none seemed near I sprang quickly to -the top of the glass wall and from there to the avenue beyond the -palace grounds. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -LOST IN THE SKY - - -Without effort at concealment I hastened to the vicinity of our -quarters, where I felt sure I should find Kantos Kan. As I neared the -building I became more careful, as I judged, and rightly, that the -place would be guarded. Several men in civilian metal loitered near -the front entrance and in the rear were others. My only means of -reaching, unseen, the upper story where our apartments were situated -was through an adjoining building, and after considerable maneuvering I -managed to attain the roof of a shop several doors away. - -Leaping from roof to roof, I soon reached an open window in the -building where I hoped to find the Heliumite, and in another moment I -stood in the room before him. He was alone and showed no surprise at -my coming, saying he had expected me much earlier, as my tour of duty -must have ended some time since. - -I saw that he knew nothing of the events of the day at the palace, and -when I had enlightened him he was all excitement. The news that Dejah -Thoris had promised her hand to Sab Than filled him with dismay. - -"It cannot be," he exclaimed. "It is impossible! Why no man in all -Helium but would prefer death to the selling of our loved princess to -the ruling house of Zodanga. She must have lost her mind to have -assented to such an atrocious bargain. You, who do not know how we of -Helium love the members of our ruling house, cannot appreciate the -horror with which I contemplate such an unholy alliance." - -"What can be done, John Carter?" he continued. "You are a resourceful -man. Can you not think of some way to save Helium from this disgrace?" - -"If I can come within sword's reach of Sab Than," I answered, "I can -solve the difficulty in so far as Helium is concerned, but for personal -reasons I would prefer that another struck the blow that frees Dejah -Thoris." - -Kantos Kan eyed me narrowly before he spoke. - -"You love her!" he said. "Does she know it?" - -"She knows it, Kantos Kan, and repulses me only because she is promised -to Sab Than." - -The splendid fellow sprang to his feet, and grasping me by the shoulder -raised his sword on high, exclaiming: - -"And had the choice been left to me I could not have chosen a more -fitting mate for the first princess of Barsoom. Here is my hand upon -your shoulder, John Carter, and my word that Sab Than shall go out at -the point of my sword for the sake of my love for Helium, for Dejah -Thoris, and for you. This very night I shall try to reach his quarters -in the palace." - -"How?" I asked. "You are strongly guarded and a quadruple force -patrols the sky." - -He bent his head in thought a moment, then raised it with an air of -confidence. - -"I only need to pass these guards and I can do it," he said at last. -"I know a secret entrance to the palace through the pinnacle of the -highest tower. I fell upon it by chance one day as I was passing above -the palace on patrol duty. In this work it is required that we -investigate any unusual occurrence we may witness, and a face peering -from the pinnacle of the high tower of the palace was, to me, most -unusual. I therefore drew near and discovered that the possessor of -the peering face was none other than Sab Than. He was slightly put out -at being detected and commanded me to keep the matter to myself, -explaining that the passage from the tower led directly to his -apartments, and was known only to him. If I can reach the roof of the -barracks and get my machine I can be in Sab Than's quarters in five -minutes; but how am I to escape from this building, guarded as you say -it is?" - -"How well are the machine sheds at the barracks guarded?" I asked. - -"There is usually but one man on duty there at night upon the roof." - -"Go to the roof of this building, Kantos Kan, and wait me there." - -Without stopping to explain my plans I retraced my way to the street -and hastened to the barracks. I did not dare to enter the building, -filled as it was with members of the air-scout squadron, who, in common -with all Zodanga, were on the lookout for me. - -The building was an enormous one, rearing its lofty head fully a -thousand feet into the air. But few buildings in Zodanga were higher -than these barracks, though several topped it by a few hundred feet; -the docks of the great battleships of the line standing some fifteen -hundred feet from the ground, while the freight and passenger stations -of the merchant squadrons rose nearly as high. - -It was a long climb up the face of the building, and one fraught with -much danger, but there was no other way, and so I essayed the task. -The fact that Barsoomian architecture is extremely ornate made the feat -much simpler than I had anticipated, since I found ornamental ledges -and projections which fairly formed a perfect ladder for me all the way -to the eaves of the building. Here I met my first real obstacle. The -eaves projected nearly twenty feet from the wall to which I clung, and -though I encircled the great building I could find no opening through -them. - -The top floor was alight, and filled with soldiers engaged in the -pastimes of their kind; I could not, therefore, reach the roof through -the building. - -There was one slight, desperate chance, and that I decided I must -take--it was for Dejah Thoris, and no man has lived who would not risk -a thousand deaths for such as she. - -Clinging to the wall with my feet and one hand, I unloosened one of the -long leather straps of my trappings at the end of which dangled a great -hook by which air sailors are hung to the sides and bottoms of their -craft for various purposes of repair, and by means of which landing -parties are lowered to the ground from the battleships. - -I swung this hook cautiously to the roof several times before it -finally found lodgment; gently I pulled on it to strengthen its hold, -but whether it would bear the weight of my body I did not know. It -might be barely caught upon the very outer verge of the roof, so that -as my body swung out at the end of the strap it would slip off and -launch me to the pavement a thousand feet below. - -An instant I hesitated, and then, releasing my grasp upon the -supporting ornament, I swung out into space at the end of the strap. -Far below me lay the brilliantly lighted streets, the hard pavements, -and death. There was a little jerk at the top of the supporting eaves, -and a nasty slipping, grating sound which turned me cold with -apprehension; then the hook caught and I was safe. - -Clambering quickly aloft I grasped the edge of the eaves and drew -myself to the surface of the roof above. As I gained my feet I was -confronted by the sentry on duty, into the muzzle of whose revolver I -found myself looking. - -"Who are you and whence came you?" he cried. - -"I am an air scout, friend, and very near a dead one, for just by the -merest chance I escaped falling to the avenue below," I replied. - -"But how came you upon the roof, man? No one has landed or come up -from the building for the past hour. Quick, explain yourself, or I -call the guard." - -"Look you here, sentry, and you shall see how I came and how close a -shave I had to not coming at all," I answered, turning toward the edge -of the roof, where, twenty feet below, at the end of my strap, hung all -my weapons. - -The fellow, acting on impulse of curiosity, stepped to my side and to -his undoing, for as he leaned to peer over the eaves I grasped him by -his throat and his pistol arm and threw him heavily to the roof. The -weapon dropped from his grasp, and my fingers choked off his attempted -cry for assistance. I gagged and bound him and then hung him over the -edge of the roof as I myself had hung a few moments before. I knew it -would be morning before he would be discovered, and I needed all the -time that I could gain. - -Donning my trappings and weapons I hastened to the sheds, and soon had -out both my machine and Kantos Kan's. Making his fast behind mine I -started my engine, and skimming over the edge of the roof I dove down -into the streets of the city far below the plane usually occupied by -the air patrol. In less than a minute I was settling safely upon the -roof of our apartment beside the astonished Kantos Kan. - -I lost no time in explanation, but plunged immediately into a -discussion of our plans for the immediate future. It was decided that -I was to try to make Helium while Kantos Kan was to enter the palace -and dispatch Sab Than. If successful he was then to follow me. He set -my compass for me, a clever little device which will remain steadfastly -fixed upon any given point on the surface of Barsoom, and bidding each -other farewell we rose together and sped in the direction of the palace -which lay in the route which I must take to reach Helium. - -As we neared the high tower a patrol shot down from above, throwing its -piercing searchlight full upon my craft, and a voice roared out a -command to halt, following with a shot as I paid no attention to his -hail. Kantos Kan dropped quickly into the darkness, while I rose -steadily and at terrific speed raced through the Martian sky followed -by a dozen of the air-scout craft which had joined the pursuit, and -later by a swift cruiser carrying a hundred men and a battery of -rapid-fire guns. By twisting and turning my little machine, now rising -and now falling, I managed to elude their search-lights most of the -time, but I was also losing ground by these tactics, and so I decided -to hazard everything on a straight-away course and leave the result to -fate and the speed of my machine. - -Kantos Kan had shown me a trick of gearing, which is known only to the -navy of Helium, that greatly increased the speed of our machines, so -that I felt sure I could distance my pursuers if I could dodge their -projectiles for a few moments. - -As I sped through the air the screeching of the bullets around me -convinced me that only by a miracle could I escape, but the die was -cast, and throwing on full speed I raced a straight course toward -Helium. Gradually I left my pursuers further and further behind, and I -was just congratulating myself on my lucky escape, when a well-directed -shot from the cruiser exploded at the prow of my little craft. The -concussion nearly capsized her, and with a sickening plunge she hurtled -downward through the dark night. - -How far I fell before I regained control of the plane I do not know, -but I must have been very close to the ground when I started to rise -again, as I plainly heard the squealing of animals below me. Rising -again I scanned the heavens for my pursuers, and finally making out -their lights far behind me, saw that they were landing, evidently in -search of me. - -Not until their lights were no longer discernible did I venture to -flash my little lamp upon my compass, and then I found to my -consternation that a fragment of the projectile had utterly destroyed -my only guide, as well as my speedometer. It was true I could follow -the stars in the general direction of Helium, but without knowing the -exact location of the city or the speed at which I was traveling my -chances for finding it were slim. - -Helium lies a thousand miles southwest of Zodanga, and with my compass -intact I should have made the trip, barring accidents, in between four -and five hours. As it turned out, however, morning found me speeding -over a vast expanse of dead sea bottom after nearly six hours of -continuous flight at high speed. Presently a great city showed below -me, but it was not Helium, as that alone of all Barsoomian metropolises -consists in two immense circular walled cities about seventy-five miles -apart and would have been easily distinguishable from the altitude at -which I was flying. - -Believing that I had come too far to the north and west, I turned back -in a southeasterly direction, passing during the forenoon several other -large cities, but none resembling the description which Kantos Kan had -given me of Helium. In addition to the twin-city formation of Helium, -another distinguishing feature is the two immense towers, one of vivid -scarlet rising nearly a mile into the air from the center of one of the -cities, while the other, of bright yellow and of the same height, marks -her sister. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND - - -About noon I passed low over a great dead city of ancient Mars, and as -I skimmed out across the plain beyond I came full upon several thousand -green warriors engaged in a terrific battle. Scarcely had I seen them -than a volley of shots was directed at me, and with the almost -unfailing accuracy of their aim my little craft was instantly a ruined -wreck, sinking erratically to the ground. - -I fell almost directly in the center of the fierce combat, among -warriors who had not seen my approach so busily were they engaged in -life and death struggles. The men were fighting on foot with -long-swords, while an occasional shot from a sharpshooter on the -outskirts of the conflict would bring down a warrior who might for an -instant separate himself from the entangled mass. - -As my machine sank among them I realized that it was fight or die, with -good chances of dying in any event, and so I struck the ground with -drawn long-sword ready to defend myself as I could. - -I fell beside a huge monster who was engaged with three antagonists, -and as I glanced at his fierce face, filled with the light of battle, I -recognized Tars Tarkas the Thark. He did not see me, as I was a trifle -behind him, and just then the three warriors opposing him, and whom I -recognized as Warhoons, charged simultaneously. The mighty fellow made -quick work of one of them, but in stepping back for another thrust he -fell over a dead body behind him and was down and at the mercy of his -foes in an instant. Quick as lightning they were upon him, and Tars -Tarkas would have been gathered to his fathers in short order had I not -sprung before his prostrate form and engaged his adversaries. I had -accounted for one of them when the mighty Thark regained his feet and -quickly settled the other. - -He gave me one look, and a slight smile touched his grim lip as, -touching my shoulder, he said, - -"I would scarcely recognize you, John Carter, but there is no other -mortal upon Barsoom who would have done what you have for me. I think -I have learned that there is such a thing as friendship, my friend." - -He said no more, nor was there opportunity, for the Warhoons were -closing in about us, and together we fought, shoulder to shoulder, -during all that long, hot afternoon, until the tide of battle turned -and the remnant of the fierce Warhoon horde fell back upon their -thoats, and fled into the gathering darkness. - -Ten thousand men had been engaged in that titanic struggle, and upon -the field of battle lay three thousand dead. Neither side asked or -gave quarter, nor did they attempt to take prisoners. - -On our return to the city after the battle we had gone directly to Tars -Tarkas' quarters, where I was left alone while the chieftain attended -the customary council which immediately follows an engagement. - -As I sat awaiting the return of the green warrior I heard something -move in an adjoining apartment, and as I glanced up there rushed -suddenly upon me a huge and hideous creature which bore me backward -upon the pile of silks and furs upon which I had been reclining. It -was Woola--faithful, loving Woola. He had found his way back to Thark -and, as Tars Tarkas later told me, had gone immediately to my former -quarters where he had taken up his pathetic and seemingly hopeless -watch for my return. - -"Tal Hajus knows that you are here, John Carter," said Tars Tarkas, on -his return from the jeddak's quarters; "Sarkoja saw and recognized you -as we were returning. Tal Hajus has ordered me to bring you before him -tonight. I have ten thoats, John Carter; you may take your choice from -among them, and I will accompany you to the nearest waterway that leads -to Helium. Tars Tarkas may be a cruel green warrior, but he can be a -friend as well. Come, we must start." - -"And when you return, Tars Tarkas?" I asked. - -"The wild calots, possibly, or worse," he replied. "Unless I should -chance to have the opportunity I have so long waited of battling with -Tal Hajus." - -"We will stay, Tars Tarkas, and see Tal Hajus tonight. You shall not -sacrifice yourself, and it may be that tonight you can have the chance -you wait." - -He objected strenuously, saying that Tal Hajus often flew into wild -fits of passion at the mere thought of the blow I had dealt him, and -that if ever he laid his hands upon me I would be subjected to the most -horrible tortures. - -While we were eating I repeated to Tars Tarkas the story which Sola had -told me that night upon the sea bottom during the march to Thark. - -He said but little, but the great muscles of his face worked in passion -and in agony at recollection of the horrors which had been heaped upon -the only thing he had ever loved in all his cold, cruel, terrible -existence. - -He no longer demurred when I suggested that we go before Tal Hajus, -only saying that he would like to speak to Sarkoja first. At his -request I accompanied him to her quarters, and the look of venomous -hatred she cast upon me was almost adequate recompense for any future -misfortunes this accidental return to Thark might bring me. - -"Sarkoja," said Tars Tarkas, "forty years ago you were instrumental in -bringing about the torture and death of a woman named Gozava. I have -just discovered that the warrior who loved that woman has learned of -your part in the transaction. He may not kill you, Sarkoja, it is not -our custom, but there is nothing to prevent him tying one end of a -strap about your neck and the other end to a wild thoat, merely to test -your fitness to survive and help perpetuate our race. Having heard -that he would do this on the morrow, I thought it only right to warn -you, for I am a just man. The river Iss is but a short pilgrimage, -Sarkoja. Come, John Carter." - -The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor was she ever seen after. - -In silence we hastened to the jeddak's palace, where we were -immediately admitted to his presence; in fact, he could scarcely wait -to see me and was standing erect upon his platform glowering at the -entrance as I came in. - -"Strap him to that pillar," he shrieked. "We shall see who it is dares -strike the mighty Tal Hajus. Heat the irons; with my own hands I shall -burn the eyes from his head that he may not pollute my person with his -vile gaze." - -"Chieftains of Thark," I cried, turning to the assembled council and -ignoring Tal Hajus, "I have been a chief among you, and today I have -fought for Thark shoulder to shoulder with her greatest warrior. You -owe me, at least, a hearing. I have won that much today. You claim to -be a just people--" - -"Silence," roared Tal Hajus. "Gag the creature and bind him as I -command." - -"Justice, Tal Hajus," exclaimed Lorquas Ptomel. "Who are you to set -aside the customs of ages among the Tharks." - -"Yes, justice!" echoed a dozen voices, and so, while Tal Hajus fumed -and frothed, I continued. - -"You are a brave people and you love bravery, but where was your mighty -jeddak during the fighting today? I did not see him in the thick of -battle; he was not there. He rends defenseless women and little -children in his lair, but how recently has one of you seen him fight -with men? Why, even I, a midget beside him, felled him with a single -blow of my fist. Is it of such that the Tharks fashion their jeddaks? -There stands beside me now a great Thark, a mighty warrior and a noble -man. Chieftains, how sounds, Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark?" - -A roar of deep-toned applause greeted this suggestion. - -"It but remains for this council to command, and Tal Hajus must prove -his fitness to rule. Were he a brave man he would invite Tars Tarkas -to combat, for he does not love him, but Tal Hajus is afraid; Tal -Hajus, your jeddak, is a coward. With my bare hands I could kill him, -and he knows it." - -After I ceased there was tense silence, as all eyes were riveted upon -Tal Hajus. He did not speak or move, but the blotchy green of his -countenance turned livid, and the froth froze upon his lips. - -"Tal Hajus," said Lorquas Ptomel in a cold, hard voice, "never in my -long life have I seen a jeddak of the Tharks so humiliated. There -could be but one answer to this arraignment. We wait it." And still -Tal Hajus stood as though petrified. - -"Chieftains," continued Lorquas Ptomel, "shall the jeddak, Tal Hajus, -prove his fitness to rule over Tars Tarkas?" - -There were twenty chieftains about the rostrum, and twenty swords -flashed high in assent. - -There was no alternative. That decree was final, and so Tal Hajus drew -his long-sword and advanced to meet Tars Tarkas. - -The combat was soon over, and, with his foot upon the neck of the dead -monster, Tars Tarkas became jeddak among the Tharks. - -His first act was to make me a full-fledged chieftain with the rank I -had won by my combats the first few weeks of my captivity among them. - -Seeing the favorable disposition of the warriors toward Tars Tarkas, as -well as toward me, I grasped the opportunity to enlist them in my cause -against Zodanga. I told Tars Tarkas the story of my adventures, and in -a few words had explained to him the thought I had in mind. - -"John Carter has made a proposal," he said, addressing the council, -"which meets with my sanction. I shall put it to you briefly. Dejah -Thoris, the Princess of Helium, who was our prisoner, is now held by -the jeddak of Zodanga, whose son she must wed to save her country from -devastation at the hands of the Zodangan forces. - -"John Carter suggests that we rescue her and return her to Helium. The -loot of Zodanga would be magnificent, and I have often thought that had -we an alliance with the people of Helium we could obtain sufficient -assurance of sustenance to permit us to increase the size and frequency -of our hatchings, and thus become unquestionably supreme among the -green men of all Barsoom. What say you?" - -It was a chance to fight, an opportunity to loot, and they rose to the -bait as a speckled trout to a fly. - -For Tharks they were wildly enthusiastic, and before another half hour -had passed twenty mounted messengers were speeding across dead sea -bottoms to call the hordes together for the expedition. - -In three days we were on the march toward Zodanga, one hundred thousand -strong, as Tars Tarkas had been able to enlist the services of three -smaller hordes on the promise of the great loot of Zodanga. - -At the head of the column I rode beside the great Thark while at the -heels of my mount trotted my beloved Woola. - -We traveled entirely by night, timing our marches so that we camped -during the day at deserted cities where, even to the beasts, we were -all kept indoors during the daylight hours. On the march Tars Tarkas, -through his remarkable ability and statesmanship, enlisted fifty -thousand more warriors from various hordes, so that, ten days after we -set out we halted at midnight outside the great walled city of Zodanga, -one hundred and fifty thousand strong. - -The fighting strength and efficiency of this horde of ferocious green -monsters was equivalent to ten times their number of red men. Never in -the history of Barsoom, Tars Tarkas told me, had such a force of green -warriors marched to battle together. It was a monstrous task to keep -even a semblance of harmony among them, and it was a marvel to me that -he got them to the city without a mighty battle among themselves. - -But as we neared Zodanga their personal quarrels were submerged by -their greater hatred for the red men, and especially for the Zodangans, -who had for years waged a ruthless campaign of extermination against -the green men, directing special attention toward despoiling their -incubators. - -Now that we were before Zodanga the task of obtaining entry to the city -devolved upon me, and directing Tars Tarkas to hold his forces in two -divisions out of earshot of the city, with each division opposite a -large gateway, I took twenty dismounted warriors and approached one of -the small gates that pierced the walls at short intervals. These gates -have no regular guard, but are covered by sentries, who patrol the -avenue that encircles the city just within the walls as our -metropolitan police patrol their beats. - -The walls of Zodanga are seventy-five feet in height and fifty feet -thick. They are built of enormous blocks of carborundum, and the task -of entering the city seemed, to my escort of green warriors, an -impossibility. The fellows who had been detailed to accompany me were -of one of the smaller hordes, and therefore did not know me. - -Placing three of them with their faces to the wall and arms locked, I -commanded two more to mount to their shoulders, and a sixth I ordered -to climb upon the shoulders of the upper two. The head of the topmost -warrior towered over forty feet from the ground. - -In this way, with ten warriors, I built a series of three steps from -the ground to the shoulders of the topmost man. Then starting from a -short distance behind them I ran swiftly up from one tier to the next, -and with a final bound from the broad shoulders of the highest I -clutched the top of the great wall and quietly drew myself to its broad -expanse. After me I dragged six lengths of leather from an equal -number of my warriors. These lengths we had previously fastened -together, and passing one end to the topmost warrior I lowered the -other end cautiously over the opposite side of the wall toward the -avenue below. No one was in sight, so, lowering myself to the end of -my leather strap, I dropped the remaining thirty feet to the pavement -below. - -I had learned from Kantos Kan the secret of opening these gates, and in -another moment my twenty great fighting men stood within the doomed -city of Zodanga. - -I found to my delight that I had entered at the lower boundary of the -enormous palace grounds. The building itself showed in the distance a -blaze of glorious light, and on the instant I determined to lead a -detachment of warriors directly within the palace itself, while the -balance of the great horde was attacking the barracks of the soldiery. - -Dispatching one of my men to Tars Tarkas for a detail of fifty Tharks, -with word of my intentions, I ordered ten warriors to capture and open -one of the great gates while with the nine remaining I took the other. -We were to do our work quietly, no shots were to be fired and no -general advance made until I had reached the palace with my fifty -Tharks. Our plans worked to perfection. The two sentries we met were -dispatched to their fathers upon the banks of the lost sea of Korus, -and the guards at both gates followed them in silence. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA - - -As the great gate where I stood swung open my fifty Tharks, headed by -Tars Tarkas himself, rode in upon their mighty thoats. I led them to -the palace walls, which I negotiated easily without assistance. Once -inside, however, the gate gave me considerable trouble, but I finally -was rewarded by seeing it swing upon its huge hinges, and soon my -fierce escort was riding across the gardens of the jeddak of Zodanga. - -As we approached the palace I could see through the great windows of -the first floor into the brilliantly illuminated audience chamber of -Than Kosis. The immense hall was crowded with nobles and their women, -as though some important function was in progress. There was not a -guard in sight without the palace, due, I presume, to the fact that the -city and palace walls were considered impregnable, and so I came close -and peered within. - -At one end of the chamber, upon massive golden thrones encrusted with -diamonds, sat Than Kosis and his consort, surrounded by officers and -dignitaries of state. Before them stretched a broad aisle lined on -either side with soldiery, and as I looked there entered this aisle at -the far end of the hall, the head of a procession which advanced to the -foot of the throne. - -First there marched four officers of the jeddak's Guard bearing a huge -salver on which reposed, upon a cushion of scarlet silk, a great golden -chain with a collar and padlock at each end. Directly behind these -officers came four others carrying a similar salver which supported the -magnificent ornaments of a prince and princess of the reigning house of -Zodanga. - -At the foot of the throne these two parties separated and halted, -facing each other at opposite sides of the aisle. Then came more -dignitaries, and the officers of the palace and of the army, and -finally two figures entirely muffled in scarlet silk, so that not a -feature of either was discernible. These two stopped at the foot of -the throne, facing Than Kosis. When the balance of the procession had -entered and assumed their stations Than Kosis addressed the couple -standing before him. I could not hear his words, but presently two -officers advanced and removed the scarlet robe from one of the figures, -and I saw that Kantos Kan had failed in his mission, for it was Sab -Than, Prince of Zodanga, who stood revealed before me. - -Than Kosis now took a set of the ornaments from one of the salvers and -placed one of the collars of gold about his son's neck, springing the -padlock fast. After a few more words addressed to Sab Than he turned -to the other figure, from which the officers now removed the -enshrouding silks, disclosing to my now comprehending view Dejah -Thoris, Princess of Helium. - -The object of the ceremony was clear to me; in another moment Dejah -Thoris would be joined forever to the Prince of Zodanga. It was an -impressive and beautiful ceremony, I presume, but to me it seemed the -most fiendish sight I had ever witnessed, and as the ornaments were -adjusted upon her beautiful figure and her collar of gold swung open in -the hands of Than Kosis I raised my long-sword above my head, and, with -the heavy hilt, I shattered the glass of the great window and sprang -into the midst of the astonished assemblage. With a bound I was on the -steps of the platform beside Than Kosis, and as he stood riveted with -surprise I brought my long-sword down upon the golden chain that would -have bound Dejah Thoris to another. - -In an instant all was confusion; a thousand drawn swords menaced me -from every quarter, and Sab Than sprang upon me with a jeweled dagger -he had drawn from his nuptial ornaments. I could have killed him as -easily as I might a fly, but the age-old custom of Barsoom stayed my -hand, and grasping his wrist as the dagger flew toward my heart I held -him as though in a vise and with my long-sword pointed to the far end -of the hall. - -"Zodanga has fallen," I cried. "Look!" - -All eyes turned in the direction I had indicated, and there, forging -through the portals of the entranceway rode Tars Tarkas and his fifty -warriors on their great thoats. - -A cry of alarm and amazement broke from the assemblage, but no word of -fear, and in a moment the soldiers and nobles of Zodanga were hurling -themselves upon the advancing Tharks. - -Thrusting Sab Than headlong from the platform, I drew Dejah Thoris to -my side. Behind the throne was a narrow doorway and in this Than Kosis -now stood facing me, with drawn long-sword. In an instant we were -engaged, and I found no mean antagonist. - -As we circled upon the broad platform I saw Sab Than rushing up the -steps to aid his father, but, as he raised his hand to strike, Dejah -Thoris sprang before him and then my sword found the spot that made Sab -Than jeddak of Zodanga. As his father rolled dead upon the floor the -new jeddak tore himself free from Dejah Thoris' grasp, and again we -faced each other. He was soon joined by a quartet of officers, and, -with my back against a golden throne, I fought once again for Dejah -Thoris. I was hard pressed to defend myself and yet not strike down -Sab Than and, with him, my last chance to win the woman I loved. My -blade was swinging with the rapidity of lightning as I sought to parry -the thrusts and cuts of my opponents. Two I had disarmed, and one was -down, when several more rushed to the aid of their new ruler, and to -avenge the death of the old. - -As they advanced there were cries of "The woman! The woman! Strike -her down; it is her plot. Kill her! Kill her!" - -Calling to Dejah Thoris to get behind me I worked my way toward the -little doorway back of the throne, but the officers realized my -intentions, and three of them sprang in behind me and blocked my -chances for gaining a position where I could have defended Dejah Thoris -against an army of swordsmen. - -The Tharks were having their hands full in the center of the room, and -I began to realize that nothing short of a miracle could save Dejah -Thoris and myself, when I saw Tars Tarkas surging through the crowd of -pygmies that swarmed about him. With one swing of his mighty longsword -he laid a dozen corpses at his feet, and so he hewed a pathway before -him until in another moment he stood upon the platform beside me, -dealing death and destruction right and left. - -The bravery of the Zodangans was awe-inspiring, not one attempted to -escape, and when the fighting ceased it was because only Tharks -remained alive in the great hall, other than Dejah Thoris and myself. - -Sab Than lay dead beside his father, and the corpses of the flower of -Zodangan nobility and chivalry covered the floor of the bloody shambles. - -My first thought when the battle was over was for Kantos Kan, and -leaving Dejah Thoris in charge of Tars Tarkas I took a dozen warriors -and hastened to the dungeons beneath the palace. The jailers had all -left to join the fighters in the throne room, so we searched the -labyrinthine prison without opposition. - -I called Kantos Kan's name aloud in each new corridor and compartment, -and finally I was rewarded by hearing a faint response. Guided by the -sound, we soon found him helpless in a dark recess. - -He was overjoyed at seeing me, and to know the meaning of the fight, -faint echoes of which had reached his prison cell. He told me that the -air patrol had captured him before he reached the high tower of the -palace, so that he had not even seen Sab Than. - -We discovered that it would be futile to attempt to cut away the bars -and chains which held him prisoner, so, at his suggestion I returned to -search the bodies on the floor above for keys to open the padlocks of -his cell and of his chains. - -Fortunately among the first I examined I found his jailer, and soon we -had Kantos Kan with us in the throne room. - -The sounds of heavy firing, mingled with shouts and cries, came to us -from the city's streets, and Tars Tarkas hastened away to direct the -fighting without. Kantos Kan accompanied him to act as guide, the -green warriors commencing a thorough search of the palace for other -Zodangans and for loot, and Dejah Thoris and I were left alone. - -She had sunk into one of the golden thrones, and as I turned to her she -greeted me with a wan smile. - -"Was there ever such a man!" she exclaimed. "I know that Barsoom has -never before seen your like. Can it be that all Earth men are as you? -Alone, a stranger, hunted, threatened, persecuted, you have done in a -few short months what in all the past ages of Barsoom no man has ever -done: joined together the wild hordes of the sea bottoms and brought -them to fight as allies of a red Martian people." - -"The answer is easy, Dejah Thoris," I replied smiling. "It was not I -who did it, it was love, love for Dejah Thoris, a power that would work -greater miracles than this you have seen." - -A pretty flush overspread her face and she answered, - -"You may say that now, John Carter, and I may listen, for I am free." - -"And more still I have to say, ere it is again too late," I returned. -"I have done many strange things in my life, many things that wiser men -would not have dared, but never in my wildest fancies have I dreamed of -winning a Dejah Thoris for myself--for never had I dreamed that in all -the universe dwelt such a woman as the Princess of Helium. That you -are a princess does not abash me, but that you are you is enough to -make me doubt my sanity as I ask you, my princess, to be mine." - -"He does not need to be abashed who so well knew the answer to his plea -before the plea were made," she replied, rising and placing her dear -hands upon my shoulders, and so I took her in my arms and kissed her. - -And thus in the midst of a city of wild conflict, filled with the -alarms of war; with death and destruction reaping their terrible -harvest around her, did Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, true daughter -of Mars, the God of War, promise herself in marriage to John Carter, -Gentleman of Virginia. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY - - -Sometime later Tars Tarkas and Kantos Kan returned to report that -Zodanga had been completely reduced. Her forces were entirely -destroyed or captured, and no further resistance was to be expected -from within. Several battleships had escaped, but there were thousands -of war and merchant vessels under guard of Thark warriors. - -The lesser hordes had commenced looting and quarreling among -themselves, so it was decided that we collect what warriors we could, -man as many vessels as possible with Zodangan prisoners and make for -Helium without further loss of time. - -Five hours later we sailed from the roofs of the dock buildings with a -fleet of two hundred and fifty battleships, carrying nearly one hundred -thousand green warriors, followed by a fleet of transports with our -thoats. - -Behind us we left the stricken city in the fierce and brutal clutches -of some forty thousand green warriors of the lesser hordes. They were -looting, murdering, and fighting amongst themselves. In a hundred -places they had applied the torch, and columns of dense smoke were -rising above the city as though to blot out from the eye of heaven the -horrid sights beneath. - -In the middle of the afternoon we sighted the scarlet and yellow towers -of Helium, and a short time later a great fleet of Zodangan battleships -rose from the camps of the besiegers without the city, and advanced to -meet us. - -The banners of Helium had been strung from stem to stern of each of our -mighty craft, but the Zodangans did not need this sign to realize that -we were enemies, for our green Martian warriors had opened fire upon -them almost as they left the ground. With their uncanny marksmanship -they raked the on-coming fleet with volley after volley. - -The twin cities of Helium, perceiving that we were friends, sent out -hundreds of vessels to aid us, and then began the first real air battle -I had ever witnessed. - -The vessels carrying our green warriors were kept circling above the -contending fleets of Helium and Zodanga, since their batteries were -useless in the hands of the Tharks who, having no navy, have no skill -in naval gunnery. Their small-arm fire, however, was most effective, -and the final outcome of the engagement was strongly influenced, if not -wholly determined, by their presence. - -At first the two forces circled at the same altitude, pouring broadside -after broadside into each other. Presently a great hole was torn in -the hull of one of the immense battle craft from the Zodangan camp; -with a lurch she turned completely over, the little figures of her crew -plunging, turning and twisting toward the ground a thousand feet below; -then with sickening velocity she tore after them, almost completely -burying herself in the soft loam of the ancient sea bottom. - -A wild cry of exultation arose from the Heliumite squadron, and with -redoubled ferocity they fell upon the Zodangan fleet. By a pretty -maneuver two of the vessels of Helium gained a position above their -adversaries, from which they poured upon them from their keel bomb -batteries a perfect torrent of exploding bombs. - -Then, one by one, the battleships of Helium succeeded in rising above -the Zodangans, and in a short time a number of the beleaguering -battleships were drifting hopeless wrecks toward the high scarlet tower -of greater Helium. Several others attempted to escape, but they were -soon surrounded by thousands of tiny individual fliers, and above each -hung a monster battleship of Helium ready to drop boarding parties upon -their decks. - -Within but little more than an hour from the moment the victorious -Zodangan squadron had risen to meet us from the camp of the besiegers -the battle was over, and the remaining vessels of the conquered -Zodangans were headed toward the cities of Helium under prize crews. - -There was an extremely pathetic side to the surrender of these mighty -fliers, the result of an age-old custom which demanded that surrender -should be signalized by the voluntary plunging to earth of the -commander of the vanquished vessel. One after another the brave -fellows, holding their colors high above their heads, leaped from the -towering bows of their mighty craft to an awful death. - -Not until the commander of the entire fleet took the fearful plunge, -thus indicating the surrender of the remaining vessels, did the -fighting cease, and the useless sacrifice of brave men come to an end. - -We now signaled the flagship of Helium's navy to approach, and when she -was within hailing distance I called out that we had the Princess Dejah -Thoris on board, and that we wished to transfer her to the flagship -that she might be taken immediately to the city. - -As the full import of my announcement bore in upon them a great cry -arose from the decks of the flagship, and a moment later the colors of -the Princess of Helium broke from a hundred points upon her upper -works. When the other vessels of the squadron caught the meaning of -the signals flashed them they took up the wild acclaim and unfurled her -colors in the gleaming sunlight. - -The flagship bore down upon us, and as she swung gracefully to and -touched our side a dozen officers sprang upon our decks. As their -astonished gaze fell upon the hundreds of green warriors, who now came -forth from the fighting shelters, they stopped aghast, but at sight of -Kantos Kan, who advanced to meet them, they came forward, crowding -about him. - -Dejah Thoris and I then advanced, and they had no eyes for other than -her. She received them gracefully, calling each by name, for they were -men high in the esteem and service of her grandfather, and she knew -them well. - -"Lay your hands upon the shoulder of John Carter," she said to them, -turning toward me, "the man to whom Helium owes her princess as well as -her victory today." - -They were very courteous to me and said many kind and complimentary -things, but what seemed to impress them most was that I had won the aid -of the fierce Tharks in my campaign for the liberation of Dejah Thoris, -and the relief of Helium. - -"You owe your thanks more to another man than to me," I said, "and here -he is; meet one of Barsoom's greatest soldiers and statesmen, Tars -Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark." - -With the same polished courtesy that had marked their manner toward me -they extended their greetings to the great Thark, nor, to my surprise, -was he much behind them in ease of bearing or in courtly speech. -Though not a garrulous race, the Tharks are extremely formal, and their -ways lend themselves amazingly to dignified and courtly manners. - -Dejah Thoris went aboard the flagship, and was much put out that I -would not follow, but, as I explained to her, the battle was but partly -won; we still had the land forces of the besieging Zodangans to account -for, and I would not leave Tars Tarkas until that had been accomplished. - -The commander of the naval forces of Helium promised to arrange to have -the armies of Helium attack from the city in conjunction with our land -attack, and so the vessels separated and Dejah Thoris was borne in -triumph back to the court of her grandfather, Tardos Mors, Jeddak of -Helium. - -In the distance lay our fleet of transports, with the thoats of the -green warriors, where they had remained during the battle. Without -landing stages it was to be a difficult matter to unload these beasts -upon the open plain, but there was nothing else for it, and so we put -out for a point about ten miles from the city and began the task. - -It was necessary to lower the animals to the ground in slings and this -work occupied the remainder of the day and half the night. Twice we -were attacked by parties of Zodangan cavalry, but with little loss, -however, and after darkness shut down they withdrew. - -As soon as the last thoat was unloaded Tars Tarkas gave the command to -advance, and in three parties we crept upon the Zodangan camp from the -north, the south and the east. - -About a mile from the main camp we encountered their outposts and, as -had been prearranged, accepted this as the signal to charge. With -wild, ferocious cries and amidst the nasty squealing of battle-enraged -thoats we bore down upon the Zodangans. - -We did not catch them napping, but found a well-entrenched battle line -confronting us. Time after time we were repulsed until, toward noon, I -began to fear for the result of the battle. - -The Zodangans numbered nearly a million fighting men, gathered from -pole to pole, wherever stretched their ribbon-like waterways, while -pitted against them were less than a hundred thousand green warriors. -The forces from Helium had not arrived, nor could we receive any word -from them. - -Just at noon we heard heavy firing all along the line between the -Zodangans and the cities, and we knew then that our much-needed -reinforcements had come. - -Again Tars Tarkas ordered the charge, and once more the mighty thoats -bore their terrible riders against the ramparts of the enemy. At the -same moment the battle line of Helium surged over the opposite -breastworks of the Zodangans and in another moment they were being -crushed as between two millstones. Nobly they fought, but in vain. - -The plain before the city became a veritable shambles ere the last -Zodangan surrendered, but finally the carnage ceased, the prisoners -were marched back to Helium, and we entered the greater city's gates, a -huge triumphal procession of conquering heroes. - -The broad avenues were lined with women and children, among which were -the few men whose duties necessitated that they remain within the city -during the battle. We were greeted with an endless round of applause -and showered with ornaments of gold, platinum, silver, and precious -jewels. The city had gone mad with joy. - -My fierce Tharks caused the wildest excitement and enthusiasm. Never -before had an armed body of green warriors entered the gates of Helium, -and that they came now as friends and allies filled the red men with -rejoicing. - -That my poor services to Dejah Thoris had become known to the -Heliumites was evidenced by the loud crying of my name, and by the -loads of ornaments that were fastened upon me and my huge thoat as we -passed up the avenues to the palace, for even in the face of the -ferocious appearance of Woola the populace pressed close about me. - -As we approached this magnificent pile we were met by a party of -officers who greeted us warmly and requested that Tars Tarkas and his -jeds with the jeddaks and jeds of his wild allies, together with -myself, dismount and accompany them to receive from Tardos Mors an -expression of his gratitude for our services. - -At the top of the great steps leading up to the main portals of the -palace stood the royal party, and as we reached the lower steps one of -their number descended to meet us. - -He was an almost perfect specimen of manhood; tall, straight as an -arrow, superbly muscled and with the carriage and bearing of a ruler of -men. I did not need to be told that he was Tardos Mors, Jeddak of -Helium. - -The first member of our party he met was Tars Tarkas and his first -words sealed forever the new friendship between the races. - -"That Tardos Mors," he said, earnestly, "may meet the greatest living -warrior of Barsoom is a priceless honor, but that he may lay his hand -on the shoulder of a friend and ally is a far greater boon." - -"Jeddak of Helium," returned Tars Tarkas, "it has remained for a man of -another world to teach the green warriors of Barsoom the meaning of -friendship; to him we owe the fact that the hordes of Thark can -understand you; that they can appreciate and reciprocate the sentiments -so graciously expressed." - -Tardos Mors then greeted each of the green jeddaks and jeds, and to -each spoke words of friendship and appreciation. - -As he approached me he laid both hands upon my shoulders. - -"Welcome, my son," he said; "that you are granted, gladly, and without -one word of opposition, the most precious jewel in all Helium, yes, on -all Barsoom, is sufficient earnest of my esteem." - -We were then presented to Mors Kajak, Jed of lesser Helium, and father -of Dejah Thoris. He had followed close behind Tardos Mors and seemed -even more affected by the meeting than had his father. - -He tried a dozen times to express his gratitude to me, but his voice -choked with emotion and he could not speak, and yet he had, as I was to -later learn, a reputation for ferocity and fearlessness as a fighter -that was remarkable even upon warlike Barsoom. In common with all -Helium he worshiped his daughter, nor could he think of what she had -escaped without deep emotion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -FROM JOY TO DEATH - - -For ten days the hordes of Thark and their wild allies were feasted and -entertained, and, then, loaded with costly presents and escorted by ten -thousand soldiers of Helium commanded by Mors Kajak, they started on -the return journey to their own lands. The jed of lesser Helium with a -small party of nobles accompanied them all the way to Thark to cement -more closely the new bonds of peace and friendship. - -Sola also accompanied Tars Tarkas, her father, who before all his -chieftains had acknowledged her as his daughter. - -Three weeks later, Mors Kajak and his officers, accompanied by Tars -Tarkas and Sola, returned upon a battleship that had been dispatched to -Thark to fetch them in time for the ceremony which made Dejah Thoris -and John Carter one. - -For nine years I served in the councils and fought in the armies of -Helium as a prince of the house of Tardos Mors. The people seemed -never to tire of heaping honors upon me, and no day passed that did not -bring some new proof of their love for my princess, the incomparable -Dejah Thoris. - -In a golden incubator upon the roof of our palace lay a snow-white egg. -For nearly five years ten soldiers of the jeddak's Guard had constantly -stood over it, and not a day passed when I was in the city that Dejah -Thoris and I did not stand hand in hand before our little shrine -planning for the future, when the delicate shell should break. - -Vivid in my memory is the picture of the last night as we sat there -talking in low tones of the strange romance which had woven our lives -together and of this wonder which was coming to augment our happiness -and fulfill our hopes. - -In the distance we saw the bright-white light of an approaching -airship, but we attached no special significance to so common a sight. -Like a bolt of lightning it raced toward Helium until its very speed -bespoke the unusual. - -Flashing the signals which proclaimed it a dispatch bearer for the -jeddak, it circled impatiently awaiting the tardy patrol boat which -must convoy it to the palace docks. - -Ten minutes after it touched at the palace a message called me to the -council chamber, which I found filling with the members of that body. - -On the raised platform of the throne was Tardos Mors, pacing back and -forth with tense-drawn face. When all were in their seats he turned -toward us. - -"This morning," he said, "word reached the several governments of -Barsoom that the keeper of the atmosphere plant had made no wireless -report for two days, nor had almost ceaseless calls upon him from a -score of capitals elicited a sign of response. - -"The ambassadors of the other nations asked us to take the matter in -hand and hasten the assistant keeper to the plant. All day a thousand -cruisers have been searching for him until just now one of them returns -bearing his dead body, which was found in the pits beneath his house -horribly mutilated by some assassin. - -"I do not need to tell you what this means to Barsoom. It would take -months to penetrate those mighty walls, in fact the work has already -commenced, and there would be little to fear were the engine of the -pumping plant to run as it should and as they all have for hundreds of -years; but the worst, we fear, has happened. The instruments show -a rapidly decreasing air pressure on all parts of Barsoom--the engine -has stopped." - -"My gentlemen," he concluded, "we have at best three days to live." - -There was absolute silence for several minutes, and then a young noble -arose, and with his drawn sword held high above his head addressed -Tardos Mors. - -"The men of Helium have prided themselves that they have ever shown -Barsoom how a nation of red men should live, now is our opportunity to -show them how they should die. Let us go about our duties as though a -thousand useful years still lay before us." - -The chamber rang with applause and as there was nothing better to do -than to allay the fears of the people by our example we went our ways -with smiles upon our faces and sorrow gnawing at our hearts. - -When I returned to my palace I found that the rumor already had reached -Dejah Thoris, so I told her all that I had heard. - -"We have been very happy, John Carter," she said, "and I thank whatever -fate overtakes us that it permits us to die together." - -The next two days brought no noticeable change in the supply of air, -but on the morning of the third day breathing became difficult at the -higher altitudes of the rooftops. The avenues and plazas of Helium -were filled with people. All business had ceased. For the most part -the people looked bravely into the face of their unalterable doom. -Here and there, however, men and women gave way to quiet grief. - -Toward the middle of the day many of the weaker commenced to succumb -and within an hour the people of Barsoom were sinking by thousands into -the unconsciousness which precedes death by asphyxiation. - -Dejah Thoris and I with the other members of the royal family had -collected in a sunken garden within an inner courtyard of the palace. -We conversed in low tones, when we conversed at all, as the awe of the -grim shadow of death crept over us. Even Woola seemed to feel the -weight of the impending calamity, for he pressed close to Dejah Thoris -and to me, whining pitifully. - -The little incubator had been brought from the roof of our palace at -request of Dejah Thoris and she sat gazing longingly upon the -unknown little life that now she would never know. - -As it was becoming perceptibly difficult to breathe Tardos Mors arose, -saying, - -"Let us bid each other farewell. The days of the greatness of Barsoom -are over. Tomorrow's sun will look down upon a dead world which -through all eternity must go swinging through the heavens peopled not -even by memories. It is the end." - -He stooped and kissed the women of his family, and laid his strong hand -upon the shoulders of the men. - -As I turned sadly from him my eyes fell upon Dejah Thoris. Her head -was drooping upon her breast, to all appearances she was lifeless. -With a cry I sprang to her and raised her in my arms. - -Her eyes opened and looked into mine. - -"Kiss me, John Carter," she murmured. "I love you! I love you! It is -cruel that we must be torn apart who were just starting upon a life of -love and happiness." - -As I pressed her dear lips to mine the old feeling of unconquerable -power and authority rose in me. The fighting blood of Virginia sprang -to life in my veins. - -"It shall not be, my princess," I cried. "There is, there must be some -way, and John Carter, who has fought his way through a strange world -for love of you, will find it." - -And with my words there crept above the threshold of my conscious mind -a series of nine long forgotten sounds. Like a flash of lightning in -the darkness their full purport dawned upon me--the key to the three -great doors of the atmosphere plant! - -Turning suddenly toward Tardos Mors as I still clasped my dying love to -my breast I cried. - -"A flier, Jeddak! Quick! Order your swiftest flier to the palace top. -I can save Barsoom yet." - -He did not wait to question, but in an instant a guard was racing to -the nearest dock and though the air was thin and almost gone at the -rooftop they managed to launch the fastest one-man, air-scout machine -that the skill of Barsoom had ever produced. - -Kissing Dejah Thoris a dozen times and commanding Woola, who would have -followed me, to remain and guard her, I bounded with my old agility and -strength to the high ramparts of the palace, and in another moment I -was headed toward the goal of the hopes of all Barsoom. - -I had to fly low to get sufficient air to breathe, but I took a -straight course across an old sea bottom and so had to rise only a few -feet above the ground. - -I traveled with awful velocity for my errand was a race against time -with death. The face of Dejah Thoris hung always before me. As I -turned for a last look as I left the palace garden I had seen her -stagger and sink upon the ground beside the little incubator. That she -had dropped into the last coma which would end in death, if the air -supply remained unreplenished, I well knew, and so, throwing caution to -the winds, I flung overboard everything but the engine and compass, -even to my ornaments, and lying on my belly along the deck with one -hand on the steering wheel and the other pushing the speed lever to its -last notch I split the thin air of dying Mars with the speed of a -meteor. - -An hour before dark the great walls of the atmosphere plant loomed -suddenly before me, and with a sickening thud I plunged to the ground -before the small door which was withholding the spark of life from the -inhabitants of an entire planet. - -Beside the door a great crew of men had been laboring to pierce the -wall, but they had scarcely scratched the flint-like surface, and now -most of them lay in the last sleep from which not even air would awaken -them. - -Conditions seemed much worse here than at Helium, and it was with -difficulty that I breathed at all. There were a few men still -conscious, and to one of these I spoke. - -"If I can open these doors is there a man who can start the engines?" I -asked. - -"I can," he replied, "if you open quickly. I can last but a few -moments more. But it is useless, they are both dead and no one else -upon Barsoom knew the secret of these awful locks. For three days men -crazed with fear have surged about this portal in vain attempts to -solve its mystery." - -I had no time to talk, I was becoming very weak and it was with -difficulty that I controlled my mind at all. - -But, with a final effort, as I sank weakly to my knees I hurled the -nine thought waves at that awful thing before me. The Martian had -crawled to my side and with staring eyes fixed on the single panel -before us we waited in the silence of death. - -Slowly the mighty door receded before us. I attempted to rise and -follow it but I was too weak. - -"After it," I cried to my companion, "and if you reach the pump room -turn loose all the pumps. It is the only chance Barsoom has to exist -tomorrow!" - -From where I lay I opened the second door, and then the third, and as I -saw the hope of Barsoom crawling weakly on hands and knees through the -last doorway I sank unconscious upon the ground. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -AT THE ARIZONA CAVE - - -It was dark when I opened my eyes again. Strange, stiff garments were -upon my body; garments that cracked and powdered away from me as I rose -to a sitting posture. - -I felt myself over from head to foot and from head to foot I was -clothed, though when I fell unconscious at the little doorway I had -been naked. Before me was a small patch of moonlit sky which showed -through a ragged aperture. - -As my hands passed over my body they came in contact with pockets and -in one of these a small parcel of matches wrapped in oiled paper. One -of these matches I struck, and its dim flame lighted up what appeared -to be a huge cave, toward the back of which I discovered a strange, -still figure huddled over a tiny bench. As I approached it I saw that -it was the dead and mummified remains of a little old woman with long -black hair, and the thing it leaned over was a small charcoal burner -upon which rested a round copper vessel containing a small quantity of -greenish powder. - -Behind her, depending from the roof upon rawhide thongs, and stretching -entirely across the cave, was a row of human skeletons. From the thong -which held them stretched another to the dead hand of the little old -woman; as I touched the cord the skeletons swung to the motion with a -noise as of the rustling of dry leaves. - -It was a most grotesque and horrid tableau and I hastened out into the -fresh air; glad to escape from so gruesome a place. - -The sight that met my eyes as I stepped out upon a small ledge which -ran before the entrance of the cave filled me with consternation. - -A new heaven and a new landscape met my gaze. The silvered mountains -in the distance, the almost stationary moon hanging in the sky, the -cacti-studded valley below me were not of Mars. I could scarce -believe my eyes, but the truth slowly forced itself upon me--I was -looking upon Arizona from the same ledge from which ten years before I -had gazed with longing upon Mars. - -Burying my head in my arms I turned, broken, and sorrowful, down the -trail from the cave. - -Above me shone the red eye of Mars holding her awful secret, -forty-eight million miles away. - -Did the Martian reach the pump room? Did the vitalizing air reach the -people of that distant planet in time to save them? Was my Dejah -Thoris alive, or did her beautiful body lie cold in death beside the -tiny golden incubator in the sunken garden of the inner courtyard of -the palace of Tardos Mors, the jeddak of Helium? - -For ten years I have waited and prayed for an answer to my questions. -For ten years I have waited and prayed to be taken back to the world of -my lost love. I would rather lie dead beside her there than live on -Earth all those millions of terrible miles from her. - -The old mine, which I found untouched, has made me fabulously wealthy; -but what care I for wealth! - -As I sit here tonight in my little study overlooking the Hudson, just -twenty years have elapsed since I first opened my eyes upon Mars. - -I can see her shining in the sky through the little window by my desk, -and tonight she seems calling to me again as she has not called before -since that long dead night, and I think I can see, across that awful -abyss of space, a beautiful black-haired woman standing in the garden -of a palace, and at her side is a little boy who puts his arm around -her as she points into the sky toward the planet Earth, while at their -feet is a huge and hideous creature with a heart of gold. - -I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells me -that I shall soon know. - - - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRINCESS OF MARS *** - -***** This file should be named 62.txt or 62.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/6/62/ - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -https://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at https://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit https://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |