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diff --git a/old/pmars12h.htm b/old/pmars12h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index fd6534a..0000000 --- a/old/pmars12h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7935 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>Princess of Mars</title> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= -"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -<!-- -body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} -blockquote {font-size:14pt} -P {font-size:14pt} ---> -</style> -</head> -<body> -The Project Gutenberg Etext of Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice -Burroughs (#1 in The Martian Tales by Edgar Rice Burroughs) <br> -<p>Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to -check the laws for your country before redistributing these -files!!!<br> -</p> - -Please take a look at the important information in this header. -We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an -electronic path open for the next readers. <br> -<p>Please do not remove this.<br> -</p> - -This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. -Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.07/27/01*END* -<br> - -<br><br><br><br> -<h1>A Princess Of Mars</h1> -<br><br> -<h2>By Edgar Rice Burroughs</h2> -<br><br><br> -<br> - - -<h1 id="ref_1">CHAPTER I</h1> - -ON THE ARIZONA HILLS <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_2">CHAPTER II</h1> - -THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_3">CHAPTER III</h1> - -MY ADVENT ON MARS <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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!<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>The entire cavalcade then turned and galloped away toward the -range of hills in the distance.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_4">CHAPTER IV</h1> - -A PRISONER <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_5">CHAPTER V</h1> - -I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_6">CHAPTER VI</h1> - -A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_7">CHAPTER VII</h1> - -CHILD-RAISING ON MARS <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_8">CHAPTER VIII</h1> - -A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_9">CHAPTER IX</h1> - -I LEARN THE LANGUAGE <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>Sarkoja and the other women grunted angrily at this evidence -of weakness on the part of Sola.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_10">CHAPTER X</h1> - -CHAMPION AND CHIEF <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"What is your name?" asked Lorquas Ptomel, addressing the -prisoner.<br> -</p> - -"Dejah Thoris, daughter of Mors Kajak of Helium." <br> -<p>"And the nature of your expedition?" he continued.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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:<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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: <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"I presume that that one whom I had failed to kill, would have -killed me," I answered, smiling. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_11">CHAPTER XI</h1> - -WITH DEJAH THORIS <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -Sola glanced at the accouterments which were carried in my hand -and slung across my shoulder. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"And if I should kill Lorquas Ptomel?" I asked. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -I laughed, and changed the subject. I had no particular desire to -kill Lorquas Ptomel, and less to be a jed among the Tharks. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -As Sola departed Dejah Thoris turned to me with a faint smile. -<br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"You are right," I answered, "there is no escape for either of us -unless we go together." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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!" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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!"<br> -</p> - -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: <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -She smiled again as one might in bored indulgence of a -questioning child. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_12">CHAPTER XII</h1> - -A PRISONER WITH POWER <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -As I entered and saluted, Lorquas Ptomel signaled me to advance, -and, fixing his great, hideous eyes upon me, addressed me thus: -<br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"Where are your quarters, John Carter?" he asked. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>I thanked him, but assured him that I could get along very -nicely without assistance except in the matter of preparing food, -and so he promised to send women to me for this purpose and also -for the care of my arms and the manufacture of my ammunition, -which he said would be necessary. I suggested that they might -also bring some of the sleeping silks and furs which belonged to -me as spoils of combat, for the nights were cold and I had none -of my own.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_13">CHAPTER XIII</h1> - -LOVE-MAKING ON MARS <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"Show me how you accomplish these results," was Tars Tarkas' -only rejoinder.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"Sarkoja is a liar of the first magnitude," I replied, -"notwithstanding the proud claim of the Tharks to absolute -verity." <br> -<p>Dejah Thoris laughed.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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]<br> -</p> - -[1]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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -Dejah Thoris caught her breath at my last words, and gazed upon -me with dilated eyes and quickening breath, and then, with an odd -little laugh, which brought roguish dimples to the corners of her -mouth, she shook her head and cried: <br> -<p>"What a child! A great warrior and yet a stumbling little -child."<br> -</p> - -"What have I done now?" I asked, in sore perplexity. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"I presume that should you accidentally wound an enemy you -would take him home and nurse him back to health," she -laughed.<br> -</p> - -"That is precisely what we do on Earth," I answered. "At least -among civilized men." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_14">CHAPTER XIV</h1> - -A DUEL TO THE DEATH <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"Why are you so quiet, Dejah Thoris?" I asked. "Possibly you -would rather return to Sola and your quarters."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"Parents, brothers, and sisters, yes; and," she added in a low, -thoughtful tone, "lovers." <br> -<p>"And you, Dejah Thoris, have parents and brothers and -sisters?"<br> -</p> - -"Yes." <br> -<p>"And a--lover?"<br> -</p> - -She was silent, nor could I venture to repeat the question. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"What does this mean?" I cried, turning to Sola. <br> -<p>"Sarkoja thought it best," she answered, her face betokening -her disapproval of the procedure.<br> -</p> - -Examining the manacles I saw that they fastened with a massive -spring lock. <br> -<p>"Where is the key, Sola? Let me have it."<br> -</p> - -"Sarkoja wears it, John Carter," she answered. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"This much, Tars Tarkas, you may do for me in return for the -friendship that, I must confess, I feel for you." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"Unless you wish me to assume the responsibility," I said, -smiling. <br> -<p>He looked at me long and earnestly before he spoke.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"It were better that you held the key, Tars Tarkas," I -replied<br> -</p> - -He smiled, and said no more, but that night as we were making -camp I saw him unfasten Dejah Thoris' fetters himself. <br> -<p>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!<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"What is the matter with Dejah Thoris?" I blurted out at her. -"Why will she not speak to me?" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>I pondered over this report for some time, finally asking, -"What might a sorak be, Sola?"<br> -</p> - -"A little animal about as big as my hand, which the red Martian -women keep to play with," explained Sola. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>"They cannot be a day's march ahead of us," he exclaimed, the -light of battle leaping to his fierce face.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"I noticed that their eggs were so much smaller than those I -saw hatching in your incubator," I added.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_15">CHAPTER XV</h1> - -SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"Is she injured?" I asked of Sola, indicating Dejah Thoris by -an inclination of my head.<br> -</p> - -"No," she answered, "she thinks that you are dead." <br> -<p>"And that her grandmother's cat may now have no one to polish -its teeth?" I queried, smiling.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"Your mother!" I exclaimed, "but, Sola, you could not have known -your mother, child." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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? <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"And your father, Sola, is he with us now?" I asked. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_16">CHAPTER XVI</h1> - -WE PLAN ESCAPE <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>When I had finally put my house in order, or rather seen that -it had been done, it was nearing sunset, and I hastened out with -the intention of locating Sola and her charges, as I had -determined upon having speech with Dejah Thoris and trying to -impress on her the necessity of our at least patching up a truce -until I could find some way of aiding her to escape. I searched -in vain until the upper rim of the great red sun was just -disappearing behind the horizon and then I spied the ugly head of -Woola peering from a second-story window on the opposite side of -the very street where I was quartered, but nearer the plaza.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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:<br> -</p> - -"What would Dotar Sojat, Thark, of Dejah Thoris his captive?" -<br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -She looked at me long and earnestly and I thought that she was -softening toward me. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>She took a little step toward me, her beautiful hands -outstretched in a strange, groping gesture.<br> -</p> - -"What do you mean, John Carter?" she whispered. "What are you -saying to me?" <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"What do they say?" inquired Dejah Thoris.<br> -</p> - -"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." -<br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"Does not this pierce your grandfather's territory?" I -asked.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_17">CHAPTER XVII</h1> - -A COSTLY RECAPTURE <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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!" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"What," she cried, "are you not coming with us?"<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_18">CHAPTER XVIII</h1> - -CHAINED IN WARHOON <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>As I opened my eyes she turned to one of the warriors, -saying,<br> -</p> - -"He will live, O Jed." <br> -<p>"'Tis well," replied the one so addressed, rising and -approaching my couch, "he should render rare sport for the great -games."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"He will die as Bar Comas, your jeddak, sees fit, if at all," -replied the young ruler, with emphasis and dignity.<br> -</p> - -"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!" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_19">CHAPTER XIX</h1> - -BATTLING IN THE ARENA <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"Who are you who speaks out of the darkness?" he answered <br> -<p>"John Carter, a friend of the red men of Helium."<br> -</p> - -"I am of Helium," he said, "but I do not recall your name." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"Dejah Thoris and Sola entered the hills not five miles from a -great waterway and are now probably quite safe," he assured me. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Next a mad zitidar was loosed among the remaining dogs, and so -it went throughout the long, hot, horrible day.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Finally there were but three of us left, a great green warrior -of some far northern horde, Kantos Kan, and myself.<br> -</p> - -The other two were to battle and then I to fight the conqueror -for the liberty which was accorded the final winner. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_20">CHAPTER XX</h1> - -IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -I explained that I had escaped from the Warhoons and was dying of -starvation and exhaustion. <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"I am a friend of the red men of Barsoom and I am starving. In -the name of humanity open to us," I replied. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"Can you see through me?" I exclaimed. <br> -<p>"Yes, I can see all but your thoughts, and were you a -Barsoomian I could read those."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"And so good-night, my friend," he continued, "may you have a -long and restful sleep--yes, a long sleep."<br> -</p> - -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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -They were the personification of cordiality and hospitality and I -spent several days with them, resting and recuperating from my -long and arduous experiences. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_21">CHAPTER XXI</h1> - -AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"And what, think you, may have been the fate of the princess, -Dejah Thoris?" I asked as casually as possible. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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:<br> -</p> - -"Kaor, Kantos Kan!" <br> -<p>Like lightning he wheeled and before I could so much as lower -my hand the point of his long-sword was at my breast.<br> -</p> - -"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, <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -The warriors finally dismounted and hobbling their animals -advanced toward us on foot with drawn long-swords. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -Quickly completing the repairs we rose together into the still, -cloudless Martian sky, and at great speed and without further -mishap returned to Zodanga. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -Ten men had been so decorated when the aide called out, <br> -<p>"John Carter, air scout!"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -Than Kosis then advanced toward me and placing an ornament upon -me, said: <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_22">CHAPTER XXII</h1> - -I FIND DEJAH <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>Dejah Thoris only smiled the more and with the roguish dimples -playing at the corners of her mouth she made answer:<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." -<br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"We shall see," replied Than Kosis, "how the people of Helium -take to peace. I shall at least offer it to them." <br> -<p>Dejah Thoris, after a few words, turned and left the -apartment, still followed by her guards.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"I am from Than Kosis," I replied, "and wish to speak privately -with Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium." <br> -<p>"And your order?" asked the fellow.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>But my entrance was not to be so easily accomplished. The -guardsman stepped before me, saying,<br> -</p> - -"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." -<br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Sheathing my bloody blade I advanced toward my Martian -Princess, who still stood mutely gazing at me without sign of -recognition.<br> -</p> - -"Who are you, Zodangan?" she whispered. "Another enemy to harass -me in my misery?" <br> -<p>"I am a friend," I answered, "a once cherished friend."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"But I am not dead, my princess. I have come to claim you, and -all Zodanga cannot prevent it." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"No, John Carter, it is useless," she cried, hopelessly, "I may -never be yours while Sab Than lives." <br> -<p>"You have sealed his death warrant, my princess--Sab Than -dies."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"It is the work of Heliumites," said one of the men. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -Another man now joined the group, and, after making his formal -greetings to his ruler, said: <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"What manner of weird tale are you bringing me, Notan?" he -cried.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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!"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -Another messenger now entered with word that I was still within -the palace walls. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_23">CHAPTER XXIII</h1> - -LOST IN THE SKY <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -Kantos Kan eyed me narrowly before he spoke. <br> -<p>"You love her!" he said. "Does she know it?"<br> -</p> - -"She knows it, Kantos Kan, and repulses me only because she is -promised to Sab Than." <br> -<p>The splendid fellow sprang to his feet, and grasping me by the -shoulder raised his sword on high, exclaiming:<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"How?" I asked. "You are strongly guarded and a quadruple -force patrols the sky."<br> -</p> - -He bent his head in thought a moment, then raised it with an air -of confidence. <br> -<p>"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?"<br> -</p> - -"How well are the machine sheds at the barracks guarded?" I -asked. <br> -<p>"There is usually but one man on duty there at night upon the -roof."<br> -</p> - -"Go to the roof of this building, Kantos Kan, and wait me there." -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"Who are you and whence came you?" he cried. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_24">CHAPTER XXIV</h1> - -TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -He gave me one look, and a slight smile touched his grim lip as, -touching my shoulder, he said, <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"And when you return, Tars Tarkas?" I asked.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor was she ever seen -after.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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--" <br> -<p>"Silence," roared Tal Hajus. "Gag the creature and bind him as -I command."<br> -</p> - -"Justice, Tal Hajus," exclaimed Lorquas Ptomel. "Who are you to -set aside the customs of ages among the Tharks." <br> -<p>"Yes, justice!" echoed a dozen voices, and so, while Tal Hajus -fumed and frothed, I continued.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>A roar of deep-toned applause greeted this suggestion.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"Chieftains," continued Lorquas Ptomel, "shall the jeddak, Tal -Hajus, prove his fitness to rule over Tars Tarkas?"<br> -</p> - -There were twenty chieftains about the rostrum, and twenty swords -flashed high in assent. <br> -<p>There was no alternative. That decree was final, and so Tal -Hajus drew his long-sword and advanced to meet Tars Tarkas.<br> -</p> - -The combat was soon over, and, with his foot upon the neck of the -dead monster, Tars Tarkas became jeddak among the Tharks. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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?" <br> -<p>It was a chance to fight, an opportunity to loot, and they -rose to the bait as a speckled trout to a fly.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -At the head of the column I rode beside the great Thark while at -the heels of my mount trotted my beloved Woola. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_25">CHAPTER XXV</h1> - -THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"Zodanga has fallen," I cried. "Look!"<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -As they advanced there were cries of "The woman! The woman! -Strike her down; it is her plot. Kill her! Kill her!" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Fortunately among the first I examined I found his jailer, and -soon we had Kantos Kan with us in the throne room.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>She had sunk into one of the golden thrones, and as I turned -to her she greeted me with a wan smile.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -A pretty flush overspread her face and she answered, <br> -<p>"You may say that now, John Carter, and I may listen, for I am -free."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<br> -<h1 id="ref_26">CHAPTER XXVI</h1> - -THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY <br> -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -The first member of our party he met was Tars Tarkas and his -first words sealed forever the new friendship between the races. -<br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>Tardos Mors then greeted each of the green jeddaks and jeds, -and to each spoke words of friendship and appreciation<br> -</p> - -As he approached me he laid both hands upon my shoulders. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_27">CHAPTER XXVII</h1> - -FROM JOY TO DEATH <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Sola also accompanied Tars Tarkas, her father, who before all -his chieftains had acknowledged her as his daughter.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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. <br> -<p>"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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>"My gentlemen," he concluded, "we have at best three days to -live."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"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."<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"We have been very happy, John Carter," she said, "and I thank -whatever fate overtakes us that it permits us to die together." -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>As it was becoming perceptibly difficult to breathe Tardos -Mors arose, saying,<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>He stooped and kissed the women of his family, and laid his -strong hand upon the shoulders of the men.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>Her eyes opened and looked into mine.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>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!<br> -</p> - -Turning suddenly toward Tardos Mors as I still clasped my dying -love to my breast I cried. <br> -<p>"A flier, Jeddak! Quick! Order your swiftest flier to the -palace top. I can save Barsoom yet."<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>"If I can open these doors is there a man who can start the -engines?" I asked.<br> -</p> - -"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." <br> -<p>I had no time to talk, I was becoming very weak and it was -with difficulty that I controlled my mind at all.<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>Slowly the mighty door receded before us. I attempted to rise -and follow it but I was too weak.<br> -</p> - -"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!" <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -<br> -<p><br> -</p> - -<h1 id="ref_28">CHAPTER XXVIII</h1> - -AT THE ARIZONA CAVE <br> -<p><br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -It was a most grotesque and horrid tableau and I hastened out -into the fresh air; glad to escape from so gruesome a place. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -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. -<br> -<p>Burying my head in my arms I turned, broken, and sorrowful, -down the trail from the cave.<br> -</p> - -Above me shone the red eye of Mars holding her awful secret, -forty-eight million miles away. <br> -<p>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?<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>The old mine, which I found untouched, has made me fabulously -wealthy; but what care I for wealth!<br> -</p> - -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. <br> -<p>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.<br> -</p> - -I believe that they are waiting there for me, and something tells -me that I shall soon know. <br> -<p>End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Princess of Mars by -Edgar Rice Burroughs<br> -</p> -</body> -</html> - |