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KRAMER, Attorney -CompuServe: 72600,2026 - Internet: 72600.2026@compuserve.com - Tel: (212) 254-5093 - -WRITE TO US! We can be reached at: - -Internet: dircompg@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu -Bitnet: pgdircom@uiucvmd -CompuServe: >internet:dircompg@.vmd.cso.uiuc.edu -Attmail: internet!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!dircompg - -or -Project Gutenberg -Illinois Benedictine College -5700 College Road -Lisle, IL 60532 - -Drafted by CHARLES B. KRAMER, Attorney -CompuServe: 72600,2026 - Internet: 72600.2026@compuserve.com - Tel: (212) 254-5093 -*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.08.29.92*END* - - - - - - -The Project Gutenberg Etext of A PRINCESS OF MARS - -by Edgar Rice Burroughs - - - - - -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 simultaneous 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 pleaded 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 your 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 victim 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 grand- -daughter 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, accouterments 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 -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 alone -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."1 - -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 - - -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. - -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 plead ignorance -of the nature of my offense, or at least the gravity of it, -and so have effected, at worst, a half conciliation. - -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 were 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 were 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 -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 grand- -daughter 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 was 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 even 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 I 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. - -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 prove 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 -role 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 day, -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. - -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 life 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 ante- -chamber 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 ante- -chamber, 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 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 electrified. - -"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 any 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 well 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 now; 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 now 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 scarcely 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 The Project Gutenberg Etext of A PRINCESS OF MARS - |