burroughs-warlord of mars
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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofWarlordofMars,byEdgarRiceBurroughs
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net
Title:WarlordofMars
Author:EdgarRiceBurroughs
PostingDate:June23,2008[EBook#68]ReleaseDate:June,1993Lastupdated:April12,2012
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKWARLORDOFMARS***
ProducedbyJudithBossandCharlesKeller.HTMLversionbyAlHaines.
WarlordofMars
By
EdgarRiceBurroughs
CONTENTS
OntheRiverIssUndertheMountainsTheTempleoftheSun
TheSecretTowerOntheKaolianRoadAHeroinKaolNewAlliesThroughtheCarrionCavesWiththeYellowMenInDuranceThePityofPlenty"FollowtheRope!"TheMagnetSwitch
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TheTideofBattleRewardsTheNewRuler
ONTHERIVERISS
IntheshadowsoftheforestthatflanksthecrimsonplainbythesideoftheLostSeaofKorusintheValleyDor,beneaththehurtlingmoonsofMars,speedingtheirmeteoricwaycloseabovethebosomofthedyingplanet,Icreptstealthilyalongthetrailofashadowyformthathuggedthedarkerplaceswithapersistencythatproclaimedthesinisternatureofitserrand.
ForsixlongMartianmonthsIhadhauntedthevicinityofthehatefulTempleoftheSun,withinwhoseslow-revolvingshaft,farbeneaththesurfaceofMars,myprincesslayentombed--butwhetheraliveordeadIknewnot.HadPhaidor'sslimbladefoundthatbelovedheart?Timeonlywouldrevealthetruth.
Sixhundredandeighty-sevenMartiandaysmustcomeandgobeforethecell'sdoorwouldagaincomeoppositethetunnel'sendwherelastIhadseenmyever-beautifulDejahThoris.
Halfofthemhadpassed,orwouldonthemorrow,yetvividinmymemory,obliteratingeveryeventthathadcomebeforeorafter,thereremainedthelastscenebeforethegustofsmokeblindedmyeyesandthenarrowslitthathadgivenmesightoftheinteriorofhercellclosedbetweenmeandthePrincessofHeliumforalongMartianyear.
Asifitwereyesterday,IstillsawthebeautifulfaceofPhaidor,daughterofMataiShang,distortedwithjealousrageandhatredas
shesprangforwardwithraiseddaggeruponthewomanIloved.
Isawtheredgirl,ThuviaofPtarth,leapforwardtopreventthehideousdeed.
Thesmokefromtheburningtemplehadcomethentoblotoutthetragedy,butinmyearsrangthesingleshriekastheknifefell.Thensilence,andwhenthesmokehadcleared,therevolvingtemplehadshutoffallsightorsoundfromthechamberinwhichthethreebeautifulwomenwereimprisoned.
Muchtherehadbeentooccupymyattentionsincethatterriblemoment;butneverforaninstanthadthememoryofthethingfaded,and
allthetimethatIcouldsparefromthenumerousdutiesthathaddevolveduponmeinthereconstructionofthegovernmentoftheFirstBornsinceourvictoriousfleetandlandforceshadoverwhelmedthem,hadbeenspentclosetothegrimshaftthatheldthemotherofmyboy,CarthorisofHelium.
TheraceofblacksthatforageshadworshipedIssus,thefalsedeityofMars,hadbeenleftinastateofchaosbymyrevealmentofherasnaughtmorethanawickedoldwoman.Intheirragetheyhadtornhertopieces.
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FromthehighpinnacleoftheiregotismtheFirstBornhadbeenplungedtothedepthsofhumiliation.Theirdeitywasgone,andwithherthewholefalsefabricoftheirreligion.TheirvauntednavyhadfallenindefeatbeforethesuperiorshipsandfightingmenoftheredmenofHelium.
FiercegreenwarriorsfromtheocherseabottomsofouterMarshadriddentheirwildthoatsacrossthesacredgardensoftheTempleofIssus,andTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,fiercestofthemall,hadsatuponthethroneofIssusandruledtheFirstBornwhilethealliesweredecidingtheconquerednation'sfate.
AlmostunanimouswastherequestthatIascendtheancientthroneoftheblackmen,eventheFirstBornthemselvesconcurringinit;butIwouldhavenoneofit.Myheartcouldneverbewiththeracethathadheapedindignitiesuponmyprincessandmyson.
AtmysuggestionXodarbecameJeddakoftheFirstBorn.Hehadbeenadator,orprince,untilIssushaddegradedhim,sothathisfitnessforthehighofficebestowedwasunquestioned.
ThepeaceoftheValleyDorthusassured,thegreenwarriorsdispersedtotheirdesolateseabottoms,whileweofHeliumreturnedtoour
owncountry.Hereagainwasathroneofferedme,sincenowordhadbeenreceivedfromthemissingJeddakofHelium,TardosMors,grandfatherofDejahThoris,orhisson,MorsKajak,JedofHelium,herfather.
OverayearhadelapsedsincetheyhadsetouttoexplorethenorthernhemisphereinsearchofCarthoris,andatlasttheirdisheartenedpeoplehadacceptedastruththevaguerumorsoftheirdeaththathadfilteredinfromthefrozenregionofthepole.
OnceagainIrefusedathrone,forIwouldnotbelievethatthemightyTardosMors,orhisnolessredoubtableson,wasdead.
"Letoneoftheirownbloodruleyouuntiltheyreturn,"IsaidtotheassemblednoblesofHelium,asIaddressedthemfromthePedestalofTruthbesidetheThroneofRighteousnessintheTempleofReward,fromtheveryspotwhereIhadstoodayearbeforewhenZatArraspronouncedthesentenceofdeathuponme.
AsIspokeIsteppedforwardandlaidmyhandupontheshoulderofCarthoriswherehestoodinthefrontrankofthecircleofnoblesaboutme.
Asone,thenoblesandthepeopleliftedtheirvoicesinalongcheerofapprobation.Tenthousandswordssprangonhighfromasmanyscabbards,andthegloriousfightingmenofancientHelium
hailedCarthorisJeddakofHelium.
Histenureofofficewastobeforlifeoruntilhisgreat-grandfather,orgrandfather,shouldreturn.HavingthussatisfactorilyarrangedthisimportantdutyforHelium,IstartedthefollowingdayfortheValleyDorthatImightremainclosetotheTempleoftheSununtilthefatefuldaythatshouldseetheopeningoftheprisoncellwheremylostlovelayburied.
HorVastusandKantosKan,withmyothernoblelieutenants,Ileft
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withCarthorisatHelium,thathemighthavethebenefitoftheirwisdom,bravery,andloyaltyintheperformanceofthearduousdutieswhichhaddevolveduponhim.OnlyWoola,myMartianhound,accompaniedme.
Atmyheelstonightthefaithfulbeastmovedsoftlyinmytracks.AslargeasaShetlandpony,withhideousheadandfrightfulfangs,hewasindeedanawesomespectacle,ashecreptaftermeonhistenshort,muscularlegs;buttomehewastheembodimentofloveandloyalty.
ThefigureaheadwasthatoftheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,Thurid,whoseundyingenmityIhadearnedthattimeIlaidhimlowwithmybarehandsinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssus,andboundhimwithhisownharnessbeforethenoblemenandwomenwhohadbutamomentbeforebeenextollinghisprowess.
Likemanyofhisfellows,hehadapparentlyacceptedtheneworderofthingswithgoodgrace,andhadswornfealtytoXodar,hisnewruler;butIknewthathehatedme,andIwassurethatinhisheartheenviedandhatedXodar,soIhadkeptawatchuponhiscomingsandgoings,totheendthatoflateIhadbecomeconvincedthathewasoccupiedwithsomemannerofintrigue.
SeveraltimesIhadobservedhimleavingthewalledcityoftheFirstBornafterdark,takinghiswayoutintothecruelandhorribleValleyDor,wherenohonestbusinesscouldleadanyman.
Tonighthemovedquicklyalongtheedgeoftheforestuntilwellbeyondsightorsoundofthecity,thenheturnedacrossthecrimsonswardtowardtheshoreoftheLostSeaofKorus.
Theraysofthenearermoon,swinginglowacrossthevalley,touchedhisjewel-incrustedharnesswithathousandchanginglightsandglancedfromtheglossyebonyofhissmoothhide.Twiceheturnedhisheadbacktowardtheforest,afterthemannerofonewhoisuponanevilerrand,thoughhemusthavefeltquitesafefrompursuit.
Ididnotdarefollowhimtherebeneaththemoonlight,sinceitbestsuitedmyplansnottointerrupthis--Iwishedhimtoreachhisdestinationunsuspecting,thatImightlearnjustwherethatdestinationlayandthebusinessthatawaitedthenightprowlerthere.
SoitwasthatIremainedhiddenuntilafterThuridhaddisappearedovertheedgeofthesteepbankbesidetheseaaquarterofamileaway.Then,withWoolafollowing,Ihastenedacrosstheopenaftertheblackdator.
Thequietofthetomblayuponthemysteriousvalleyofdeath,
crouchingdeepinitswarmnestwithinthesunkenareaatthesouthpoleofthedyingplanet.InthefardistancetheGoldenCliffsraisedtheirmightybarrierfacesfarintothestarlitheavens,thepreciousmetalsandscintillatingjewelsthatcomposedthemsparklinginthebrilliantlightofMars'stwogorgeousmoons.
Atmybackwastheforest,prunedandtrimmedliketheswardtoparklikesymmetrybythebrowsingoftheghoulishplantmen.
BeforemelaytheLostSeaofKorus,whilefartheronIcaughtthe
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shimmeringribbonofIss,theRiverofMystery,whereitwoundoutfrombeneaththeGoldenCliffstoemptyintoKorus,towhichforcountlessageshadbeenbornethedeludedandunhappyMartiansoftheouterworlduponthevoluntarypilgrimagetothisfalseheaven.
Theplantmen,withtheirblood-suckinghands,andthemonstrouswhiteapesthatmakeDorhideousbyday,werehiddenintheirlairsforthenight.
TherewasnolongeraHolyThernuponthebalconyintheGoldenCliffsabovetheIsstosummonthemwithweirdcrytothevictimsfloatingdowntotheirmawsuponthecold,broadbosomofancientIss.
ThenaviesofHeliumandtheFirstBornhadclearedthefortressesandthetemplesofthethernswhentheyhadrefusedtosurrenderandaccepttheneworderofthingsthathadswepttheirfalsereligionfromlong-sufferingMars.
Inafewisolatedcountriestheystillretainedtheirage-oldpower;butMataiShang,theirhekkador,FatherofTherns,hadbeendrivenfromhistemple.Strenuoushadbeenourendeavorstocapturehim;butwithafewofthefaithfulhehadescaped,andwasinhiding--whereweknewnot.
AsIcamecautiouslytotheedgeofthelowcliffoverlookingtheLostSeaofKorusIsawThuridpushingoutuponthebosomoftheshimmeringwaterinasmallskiff--oneofthosestrangelywroughtcraftofunthinkableagewhichtheHolyTherns,withtheirorganizationofpriestsandlessertherns,werewonttodistributealongthebanksoftheIss,thatthelongjourneyoftheirvictimsmightbefacilitated.
Drawnuponthebeachbelowmewereascoreofsimilarboats,eachwithitslongpole,atoneendofwhichwasapike,attheotherapaddle.Thuridwashuggingtheshore,andashepassedoutofsightroundanear-bypromontoryIshovedoneoftheboatsinto
thewaterand,callingWoolaintoit,pushedoutfromshore.
ThepursuitofThuridcarriedmealongtheedgeoftheseatowardthemouthoftheIss.Thefarthermoonlayclosetothehorizon,castingadenseshadowbeneaththecliffsthatfringedthewater.Thuria,thenearermoon,hadset,norwoulditriseagainfornearfourhours,sothatIwasensuredconcealingdarknessforthatlengthoftimeatleast.
Onandonwenttheblackwarrior.NowhewasoppositethemouthoftheIss.Withoutaninstant'shesitationheturnedupthegrimriver,paddlinghardagainstthestrongcurrent.
AfterhimcameWoolaandI,closernow,forthemanwastoointentuponforcinghiscraftuptherivertohaveanyeyesforwhatmightbetranspiringbehindhim.Hehuggedtheshorewherethecurrentwaslessstrong.
PresentlyhecametothedarkcavernousportalinthefaceoftheGoldenCliffs,throughwhichtheriverpoured.OnintotheStygiandarknessbeyondheurgedhiscraft.
ItseemedhopelesstoattempttofollowhimherewhereIcouldnot
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Isat,andIcouldseetheripplingjunctionofitandthemysteriouscurrentwhichhadarousedmycuriosity.
WhileIwasstillspeculatinguponthephenomenon,myattentionwassuddenlyriveteduponThurid,whohadraisedbothpalmsforwardabovehisheadintheuniversalsaluteofMartians,andamomentlaterhis"Kaor!"theBarsoomianwordofgreeting,cameinlowbutdistincttones.
Iturnedmyeyesuptheriverinthedirectionthathiswerebent,andpresentlytherecamewithinmylimitedrangeofvisionalongboat,inwhichweresixmen.Fivewereatthepaddles,whilethesixthsatintheseatofhonor.
Thewhiteskins,theflowingyellowwigswhichcoveredtheirbaldpates,andthegorgeousdiademssetincircletsofgoldabouttheirheadsmarkedthemasHolyTherns.
AstheydrewupbesidetheledgeuponwhichThuridawaitedthem,heinthebowoftheboatarosetostepashore,andthenIsawthatitwasnoneotherthanMataiShang,FatherofTherns.
Theevidentcordialitywithwhichthetwomenexchangedgreetingsfilledmewithwonder,fortheblackandwhitemenofBarsoomwere
hereditaryenemies--noreverbeforehadIknownoftwomeetingotherthaninbattle.
Evidentlythereversesthathadrecentlyovertakenbothpeopleshadresultedinanalliancebetweenthesetwoindividuals--atleastagainstthecommonenemy--andnowIsawwhyThuridhadcomesooftenoutintotheValleyDorbynight,andthatthenatureofhisconspiringmightbesuchastostrikeveryclosetomeortomyfriends.
IwishedthatImighthavefoundapointclosertothetwomenfromwhichtohaveheardtheirconversation;butitwasoutofthequestionnowtoattempttocrosstheriver,andsoIlayquietly
watchingthem,whowouldhavegivensomuchtohaveknownhowcloseIlaytothem,andhoweasilytheymighthaveovercomeandkilledmewiththeirsuperiorforce.
SeveraltimesThuridpointedacrosstheriverinmydirection,butthathisgestureshadanyreferencetomeIdidnotforamomentbelieve.PresentlyheandMataiShangenteredthelatter'sboat,whichturnedoutintotheriverand,swinginground,forgedsteadilyacrossinmydirection.
AstheyadvancedImovedmyboatfartherandfartherinbeneaththeoverhangingwall,butatlastitbecameevidentthattheircraftwasholdingthesamecourse.Thefivepaddlerssentthelarger
boataheadataspeedthattaxedmyenergiestoequal.
EveryinstantIexpectedtofeelmyprowcrashagainstsolidrock.Thelightfromtheriverwasnolongervisible,butaheadIsawthefainttingeofadistantradiance,andstillthewaterbeforemewasopen.
Atlastthetruthdawneduponme--IwasfollowingasubterraneanriverwhichemptiedintotheIssattheverypointwhereIhadhidden.
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Therowerswerenowquiteclosetome.Thenoiseoftheirownpaddlesdrownedthesoundofmine,butinanotherinstantthegrowinglightaheadwouldrevealmetothem.
Therewasnotimetobelost.WhateveractionIwastotakemustbetakenatonce.Swingingtheprowofmyboattowardtheright,Isoughttheriver'srockyside,andthereIlaywhileMataiShangandThuridapproachedupthecenterofthestream,whichwasmuchnarrowerthantheIss.
AstheycamenearerIheardthevoicesofThuridandtheFatherofThernsraisedinargument.
"Itellyou,Thern,"theblackdatorwassaying,"thatIwishonlyvengeanceuponJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.Iamleadingyouintonotrap.WhatcouldIgainbybetrayingyoutothosewhohaveruinedmynationandmyhouse?"
"LetusstophereamomentthatImayhearyourplans,"repliedthehekkador,"andthenwemayproceedwithabetterunderstandingofourdutiesandobligations."
Totherowersheissuedthecommandthatbroughttheirboatin
towardthebanknotadozenpacesbeyondthespotwhereIlay.
Hadtheypulledinbelowmetheymustsurelyhaveseenmeagainstthefaintglowoflightahead,butfromwheretheyfinallycametorestIwasassecurefromdetectionasthoughmilesseparatedus.
ThefewwordsIhadalreadyoverheardwhettedmycuriosity,andIwasanxioustolearnwhatmannerofvengeanceThuridwasplanningagainstme.NorhadIlongtowait.Ilistenedintently.
"Therearenoobligations,FatherofTherns,"continuedtheFirstBorn."Thurid,DatorofIssus,hasnoprice.WhenthethinghasbeenaccomplishedIshallbegladifyouwillseetoitthatIam
wellreceived,asisbefittingmyancientlineageandnoblerank,atsomecourtthatisyetloyaltothyancientfaith,forIcannotreturntotheValleyDororelsewherewithinthepowerofthePrinceofHelium;buteventhatIdonotdemand--itshallbeasyourowndesireinthematterdirects."
"Itshallbeasyouwish,Dator,"repliedMataiShang;"noristhatall--powerandrichesshallbeyoursifyourestoremydaughter,Phaidor,tome,andplacewithinmypowerDejahThoris,PrincessofHelium.
"Ah,"hecontinuedwithamalicioussnarl,"buttheEarthmanshallsufferfortheindignitieshehasputupontheholyofholies,nor
shallanyvilenessbetooviletoinflictuponhisprincess.Wouldthatitwereinmypowertoforcehimtowitnessthehumiliationanddegradationoftheredwoman."
"Youshallhaveyourwaywithherbeforeanotherdayhaspassed,MataiShang,"saidThurid,"ifyoubutsaytheword."
"IhaveheardoftheTempleoftheSun,Dator,"repliedMataiShang,"butneverhaveIheardthatitsprisonerscouldbereleasedbeforetheallottedyearoftheirincarcerationhadelapsed.How,then,
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mayyouaccomplishtheimpossible?"
"Accessmaybehadtoanycellofthetempleatanytime,"repliedThurid."OnlyIssusknewthis;norwasiteverIssus'waytodivulgemoreofhersecretsthanwerenecessary.Bychance,afterherdeath,Icameuponanancientplanofthetemple,andthereIfound,plainlywrit,themostminutedirectionsforreachingthecellsatanytime.
"AndmoreIlearned--thatmanymenhadgonethitherforIssusinthepast,alwaysonerrandsofdeathandtorturetotheprisoners;butthosewhothuslearnedthesecretwaywerewonttodiemysteriouslyimmediatelytheyhadreturnedandmadetheirreportstocruelIssus."
"Letusproceed,then,"saidMataiShangatlast."Imusttrustyou,yetatthesametimeyoumusttrustme,forwearesixtoyourone."
"Idonotfear,"repliedThurid,"norneedyou.Ourhatredofthecommonenemyissufficientbondtoinsureourloyaltytoeachother,andafterwehavedefiledthePrincessofHeliumtherewillbestillgreaterreasonforthemaintenanceofourallegiance--unlessIgreatlymistakethetemperofherlord."
MataiShangspoketothepaddlers.Theboatmovedonupthetributary.
ItwaswithdifficultythatIrestrainedmyselffromrushinguponthemandslayingthetwovileplotters;butquicklyIsawthemadrashnessofsuchanact,whichwouldcutdowntheonlymanwhocouldleadthewaytoDejahThoris'prisonbeforethelongMartianyearhadswungitsinterminablecircle.
IfheshouldleadMataiShangtothathallowedspot,then,too,shouldheleadJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.
WithsilentpaddleIswungslowlyintothewakeofthelargercraft.
UNDERTHEMOUNTAINS
AsweadvanceduptheriverwhichwindsbeneaththeGoldenCliffsoutofthebowelsoftheMountainsofOtztomingleitsdarkwaterswiththegrimandmysteriousIssthefaintglowwhichhadappearedbeforeusgrewgraduallyintoanall-envelopingradiance.
Theriverwideneduntilitpresentedtheaspectofalargelakewhosevaulteddome,lightedbyglowingphosphorescentrock,wassplashedwiththevividraysofthediamond,thesapphire,theruby,andthecountless,namelessjewelsofBarsoomwhichlayincrustedinthevirgingoldwhichformsthemajorportionofthesemagnificentcliffs.
Beyondthelightedchamberofthelakewasdarkness--whatlaybehindthedarknessIcouldnotevenguess.
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Tohavefollowedthethernboatacrossthegleamingwaterwouldhavebeentoinviteinstantdetection,andso,thoughIwasloathtopermitThuridtopassevenforaninstantbeyondmysight,Iwasforcedtowaitintheshadowsuntiltheotherboathadpassedfrommysightatthefarextremityofthelake.
ThenIpaddledoutuponthebrilliantsurfaceinthedirectiontheyhadtaken.
When,afterwhatseemedaneternity,IreachedtheshadowsattheupperendofthelakeIfoundthattheriverissuedfromalowaperture,topassbeneathwhichitwasnecessarythatIcompelWoolatolieflatintheboat,andI,myself,mustneedbenddoublebeforethelowroofclearedmyhead.
Immediatelytheroofroseagainupontheotherside,butnolongerwasthewaybrilliantlylighted.Insteadonlyafeebleglowemanatedfromsmallandscatteredpatchesofphosphorescentrockinwallandroof.
Directlybeforemetheriverranintothissmallerchamberthroughthreeseparatearchedopenings.
Thuridandthethernswerenowheretobeseen--intowhichofthe
darkholeshadtheydisappeared?TherewasnomeansbywhichImightknow,andsoIchosethecenteropeningasbeingaslikelytoleadmeintherightdirectionasanother.
Herethewaywasthroughutterdarkness.Thestreamwasnarrow--sonarrowthatintheblacknessIwasconstantlybumpingfirstonerockwallandthenanotherastheriverwoundhitherandthitheralongitsflintybed.
FaraheadIpresentlyheardadeepandsullenroarwhichincreasedinvolumeasIadvanced,andthenbrokeuponmyearswithalltheintensityofitsmadfuryasIswungroundasharpcurveintoadimlylightedstretchofwater.
Directlybeforemetheriverthundereddownfromaboveinamightywaterfallthatfilledthenarrowgorgefromsidetoside,risingfarabovemeseveralhundredfeet--asmagnificentaspectacleasIeverhadseen.
Buttheroar--theawful,deafeningroarofthosetumblingwaterspennedintherocky,subterraneanvault!HadthefallnotentirelyblockedmyfurtherpassageandshownmethatIhadfollowedthewrongcourseIbelievethatIshouldhavefledanywaybeforethemaddeningtumult.
Thuridandthethernscouldnothavecomethisway.Bystumbling
uponthewrongcourseIhadlostthetrail,andtheyhadgainedsomuchaheadofmethatnowImightnotbeabletofindthembeforeitwastoolate,if,infact,Icouldfindthematall.
Ithadtakenseveralhourstoforcemywayuptothefallsagainstthestrongcurrent,andotherhourswouldberequiredforthedescent,althoughthepacewouldbemuchswifter.
WithasighIturnedtheprowofmycraftdownstream,andwithmightystrokeshastenedwithrecklessspeedthroughthedarkand
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tortuouschanneluntilonceagainIcametothechamberintowhichflowedthethreebranchesoftheriver.
Twounexploredchannelsstillremainedfromwhichtochoose;norwasthereanymeansbywhichIcouldjudgewhichwasthemorelikelytoleadmetotheplotters.
Neverinmylife,thatIcanrecall,haveIsufferedsuchanagonyofindecision.Somuchdependeduponacorrectchoice;somuchdependeduponhaste.
ThehoursthatIhadalreadylostmightsealthefateoftheincomparableDejahThoriswereshenotalreadydead--tosacrificeotherhours,andmaybedaysinafruitlessexplorationofanotherblindleadwouldunquestionablyprovefatal.
SeveraltimesIessayedtheright-handentranceonlytoturnbackasthoughwarnedbysomestrangeintuitivesensethatthiswasnottheway.Atlast,convincedbytheoft-recurringphenomenon,Icastmyallupontheleft-handarchway;yetitwaswithalingeringdoubtthatIturnedapartinglookatthesullenwaterswhichrolled,darkandforbidding,frombeneaththegrim,lowarchwayontheright.
AndasIlookedtherecamebobbingoutuponthecurrentfromtheStygiandarknessoftheinteriortheshellofoneofthegreat,succulentfruitsofthesorapustree.
Icouldscarcerestrainashoutofelationasthissilent,insensatemessengerfloatedpastme,ontowardtheIssandKorus,forittoldmethatjourneyingMartianswereabovemeonthatverystream.
Theyhadeatenofthismarvelousfruitwhichnatureconcentrateswithinthehardshellofthesorapusnut,andhavingeatenhadcastthehuskoverboard.ItcouldhavecomefromnoothersthanthepartyIsought.
QuicklyIabandonedallthoughtoftheleft-handpassage,andamomentlaterhadturnedintotheright.Thestreamsoonwidened,andrecurringareasofphosphorescentrocklightedmyway.
Imadegoodtime,butwasconvincedthatIwasnearlyadaybehindthoseIwastracking.NeitherWoolanorIhadeatensincethepreviousday,butinsofarashewasconcerneditmatteredbutlittle,sincepracticallyalltheanimalsofthedeadseabottomsofMarsareabletogoforincredibleperiodswithoutnourishment.
NordidIsuffer.Thewateroftheriverwassweetandcold,foritwasunpollutedbydecayingbodies--liketheIss--andasforfood,whythemerethoughtthatIwasnearingmybelovedprincess
raisedmeaboveeverymaterialwant.
AsIproceeded,theriverbecamenarrowerandthecurrentswiftandturbulent--soswiftinfactthatitwaswithdifficultythatIforcedmycraftupwardatall.Icouldnothavebeenmakingtoexceedahundredyardsanhourwhen,atabend,Iwasconfrontedbyaseriesofrapidsthroughwhichtheriverfoamedandboiledataterrificrate.
Myheartsankwithinme.Thesorapusnutshellhadprovedafalse
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prophet,and,afterall,myintuitionhadbeencorrect--itwastheleft-handchannelthatIshouldhavefollowed.
HadIbeenawomanIshouldhavewept.Atmyrightwasagreat,slow-movingeddythatcircledfarbeneaththecliff'soverhangingside,andtorestmytiredmusclesbeforeturningbackIletmyboatdriftintoitsembrace.
Iwasalmostprostratedbydisappointment.Itwouldmeananotherhalf-day'slossoftimetoretracemywayandtaketheonlypassagethatyetremainedunexplored.Whathellishfatehadledmetoselectfromthreepossibleavenuesthetwothatwerewrong?
Asthelazycurrentoftheeddycarriedmeslowlyabouttheperipheryofthewaterycirclemyboattwicetouchedtherockysideoftheriverinthedarkrecessbeneaththecliff.Athirdtimeitstruck,gentlyasithadbefore,butthecontactresultedinadifferentsound--thesoundofwoodscrapinguponwood.
InaninstantIwasonthealert,fortherecouldbenowoodwithinthatburiedriverthathadnotbeenmanbrought.Almostcoincidentallywithmyfirstapprehensionofthenoise,myhandshotoutacrosstheboat'sside,andasecondlaterIfeltmyfingersgrippingthegunwaleofanothercraft.
AsthoughturnedtostoneIsatintenseandrigidsilence,strainingmyeyesintotheutterdarknessbeforemeinanefforttodiscoveriftheboatwereoccupied.
Itwasentirelypossiblethattheremightbemenonboarditwhowerestillignorantofmypresence,fortheboatwasscrapinggentlyagainsttherocksupononeside,sothatthegentletouchofmyboatupontheothereasilycouldhavegoneunnoticed.
PeerasIwouldIcouldnotpenetratethedarkness,andthenIlistenedintentlyforthesoundofbreathingnearme;butexceptforthenoiseoftherapids,thesoftscrapingoftheboats,andthe
lappingofthewaterattheirsidesIcoulddistinguishnosound.Asusual,Ithoughtrapidly.
Aropelaycoiledinthebottomofmyowncraft.VerysoftlyIgathereditup,andmakingoneendfasttothebronzeringintheprowIsteppedgingerlyintotheboatbesideme.InonehandIgraspedtherope,intheothermykeenlong-sword.
Forafullminute,perhaps,Istoodmotionlessafterenteringthestrangecraft.Ithadrockedatriflebeneathmyweight,butithadbeenthescrapingofitssideagainstthesideofmyownboatthathadseemedmostlikelytoalarmitsoccupants,iftherewereany.
Buttherewasnoansweringsound,andamomentlaterIhadfeltfromstemtosternandfoundtheboatdeserted.
Gropingwithmyhandsalongthefaceoftherockstowhichthecraftwasmoored,IdiscoveredanarrowledgewhichIknewmustbetheavenuetakenbythosewhohadcomebeforeme.ThattheycouldbenoneotherthanThuridandhispartyIwasconvincedbythesizeandbuildoftheboatIhadfound.
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CallingtoWoolatofollowmeIsteppedoutupontheledge.Thegreat,savagebrute,agileasacat,creptafterme.
AshepassedthroughtheboatthathadbeenoccupiedbyThuridandthethernsheemittedasinglelowgrowl,andwhenhecamebesidemeupontheledgeandmyhandresteduponhisneckIfelthisshortmanebristlingwithanger.Ithinkhesensedtelepathicallytherecentpresenceofanenemy,forIhadmadenoefforttoimparttohimthenatureofourquestorthestatusofthosewetracked.
ThisomissionInowmadehastetocorrect,and,afterthemannerofgreenMartianswiththeirbeasts,IlethimknowpartiallybytheweirdanduncannytelepathyofBarsoomandpartlybywordofmouththatwewereuponthetrailofthosewhohadrecentlyoccupiedtheboatthroughwhichwehadjustpassed.
Asoftpurr,likethatofagreatcat,indicatedthatWoolaunderstood,andthen,withawordtohimtofollow,Iturnedtotherightalongtheledge,butscarcelyhadIdonesothanIfelthismightyfangstuggingatmyleathernharness.
AsIturnedtodiscoverthecauseofhisacthecontinuedtopullmesteadilyintheoppositedirection,norwouldhedesistuntilIhadturnedaboutandindicatedthatIwouldfollowhimvoluntarily.
NeverhadIknownhimtobeinerrorinamatteroftracking,soitwaswithafeelingofentiresecuritythatImovedcautiouslyinthehugebeast'swake.ThroughCimmeriandarknesshemovedalongthenarrowledgebesidetheboilingrapids.
Asweadvanced,thewayledfrombeneaththeoverhangingcliffsoutintoadimlight,andthenitwasthatIsawthatthetrailhadbeencutfromthelivingrock,andthatitranupalongtheriver'ssidebeyondtherapids.
ForhourswefollowedthedarkandgloomyriverfartherandfartherintothebowelsofMars.FromthedirectionanddistanceIknew
thatwemustbewellbeneaththeValleyDor,andpossiblybeneaththeSeaofOmeanaswell--itcouldnotbemuchfarthernowtotheTempleoftheSun.
Evenasmymindframedthethought,Woolahaltedsuddenlybeforeanarrow,archeddoorwayinthecliffbythetrail'sside.Quicklyhecrouchedbackawayfromtheentrance,atthesametimeturninghiseyestowardme.
Wordscouldnothavemoreplainlytoldmethatdangerofsomesortlaynearby,andsoIpressedquietlyforwardtohisside,andpassinghimlookedintotheapertureatourright.
Beforemewasafair-sizedchamberthat,fromitsappointments,Iknewmusthaveatonetimebeenaguardroom.Therewereracksforweapons,andslightlyraisedplatformsforthesleepingsilksandfursofthewarriors,butnowitsonlyoccupantsweretwoofthethernswhohadbeenofthepartywithThuridandMataiShang.
Themenwereinearnestconversation,andfromtheirtonesitwasapparentthattheywereentirelyunawarethattheyhadlisteners.
"Itellyou,"oneofthemwassaying,"Idonottrusttheblack
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one.Therewasnonecessityforleavingusheretoguardtheway.Againstwhat,pray,shouldweguardthislong-forgotten,abysmalpath?Itwasbutarusetodivideournumbers.
"HewillhaveMataiShangleaveotherselsewhereonsomepretextorother,andthenatlasthewillfalluponuswithhisconfederatesandslayusall."
"Ibelieveyou,Lakor,"repliedtheother,"therecanneverbeaughtelsethandeadlyhatredbetweenthernandFirstBorn.Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight?'Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals,andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit,andthenfortwenty-fivetalswithnineunits.'Thosewerehisverywords,andtothinkthatwiseoldMataiShangshouldlistentosuchfoolishness."
"Indeed,itissilly,"repliedLakor."Itwillopennothingotherthanthewaytoaquickdeathforusall.HehadtomakesomeanswerwhenMataiShangaskedhimflatlywhatheshoulddowhenhecametotheTempleoftheSun,andsohemadehisanswerquicklyfromhisimagination--Iwouldwagerahekkador'sdiademthathecouldnotnowrepeatithimself."
"Letusnotremainherelonger,Lakor,"spoketheotherthern."PerchanceifwehastenafterthemwemaycomeintimetorescueMataiShang,andwreakourownvengeanceupontheblackdator.Whatsayyou?"
"Neverinalonglife,"answeredLakor,"haveIdisobeyedasinglecommandoftheFatherofTherns.IshallstayhereuntilIrotifhedoesnotreturntobidmeelsewhere."
Lakor'scompanionshookhishead.
"Youaremysuperior,"hesaid;"Icannotdootherthanyousanction,thoughIstillbelievethatwearefoolishtoremain."
I,too,thoughtthattheywerefoolishtoremain,forIsawfromWoola'sactionsthatthetrailledthroughtheroomwherethetwothernsheldguard.Ihadnoreasontoharboranyconsiderableloveforthisraceofself-deifieddemons,yetIwouldhavepassedthembywereitpossiblewithoutmolestingthem.
Itwasworthtryinganyway,forafightmightdelayusconsiderably,orevenputanendentirelytomysearch--bettermenthanIhavegonedownbeforefightersofmeanerabilitythanthatpossessedbythefiercethernwarriors.
SignalingWoolatoheelIsteppedsuddenlyintotheroombeforethe
twomen.Atsightofmetheirlong-swordsflashedfromtheharnessattheirsides,butIraisedmyhandinagestureofrestraint.
"IseekThurid,theblackdator,"Isaid."Myquarreliswithhim,notwithyou.Letmepasstheninpeace,forifImistakenotheisasmuchyourenemyasmine,andyoucanhavenocausetoprotecthim."
TheyloweredtheirswordsandLakorspoke.
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"Iknownotwhomyoumaybe,withthewhiteskinofathernandtheblackhairofaredman;butwereitonlyThuridwhosesafetywereatstakeyoumightpass,andwelcome,insofaraswebeconcerned.
"Telluswhoyoube,andwhatmissioncallsyoutothisunknownworldbeneaththeValleyDor,thenmaybewecanseeourwaytoletyoupassupontheerrandwhichweshouldliketoundertakewouldourorderspermit."
Iwassurprisedthatneitherofthemhadrecognizedme,forIthoughtthatIwasquitesufficientlywellknowneitherbypersonalexperienceorreputationtoeverythernuponBarsoomastomakemyidentityimmediatelyapparentinanypartoftheplanet.Infact,IwastheonlywhitemanuponMarswhosehairwasblackandwhoseeyesweregray,withtheexceptionofmyson,Carthoris.
Torevealmyidentitymightbetoprecipitateanattack,foreverythernuponBarsoomknewthattometheyowedthefalloftheirage-oldspiritualsupremacy.Ontheotherhandmyreputationasafightingmanmightbesufficienttopassmebythesetwoweretheirliversnotoftherightcomplexiontowelcomeabattletothedeath.
TobequitecandidIdidnotattempttodeludemyselfwithanysuchsophistry,sinceIknewwellthatuponwar-likeMarstherearefewcowards,andthateveryman,whetherprince,priest,orpeasant,gloriesindeadlystrife.AndsoIgrippedmylong-swordthetighterasIrepliedtoLakor.
"Ibelievethatyouwillseethewisdomofpermittingmetopassunmolested,"Isaid,"foritwouldavailyounothingtodieuselesslyintherockybowelsofBarsoommerelytoprotectahereditaryenemy,suchasThurid,DatoroftheFirstBorn.
"ThatyoushalldieshouldyouelecttoopposemeisevidencedbythemolderingcorpsesofallthemanygreatBarsoomianwarriors
whohavegonedownbeneaththisblade--IamJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium."
Foramomentthatnameseemedtoparalyzethetwomen;butonlyforamoment,andthentheyoungerofthem,withavilenameuponhislips,rushedtowardmewithreadysword.
Hehadbeenstandingalittlebehindhiscompanion,Lakor,duringourparley,andnow,erehecouldengageme,theoldermangraspedhisharnessanddrewhimback.
"Hold!"commandedLakor."Therewillbeplentyoftimetofightifwefinditwisetofightatall.Therebegoodreasonswhyevery
thernuponBarsoomshouldyearntospillthebloodoftheblasphemer,thesacrilegist;butletusmixwisdomwithourrighteoushate.ThePrinceofHeliumisbounduponanerrandwhichweourselves,butamomentsince,werewishingthatwemightundertake.
"Lethimgothenandslaytheblack.Whenhereturnsweshallstillbeheretobarhiswaytotheouterworld,andthusweshallhaveridourselvesoftwoenemies,norhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheFatherofTherns."
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AshespokeIcouldnotbutnotethecraftyglintinhisevileyes,andwhileIsawtheapparentlogicofhisreasoningIfelt,subconsciouslyperhaps,thathiswordsdidbutveilsomesinisterintent.Theotherthernturnedtowardhiminevidentsurprise,butwhenLakorhadwhisperedafewbriefwordsintohisearhe,too,drewbackandnoddedacquiescencetohissuperior'ssuggestion.
"Proceed,JohnCarter,"saidLakor;"butknowthatifThuriddoesnotlayyoulowtherewillbethoseawaitingyourreturnwhowillseethatyouneverpassagainintothesunlightoftheupperworld.Go!"
DuringourconversationWoolahadbeengrowlingandbristlingclosetomyside.Occasionallyhewouldlookupintomyfacewithalow,pleadingwhine,asthoughbeggingforthewordthatwouldsendhimheadlongatthebarethroatsbeforehim.He,too,sensedthevillainybehindthesmoothwords.
Beyondthethernsseveraldoorwaysopenedofftheguardroom,andtowardtheoneupontheextremerightLakormotioned.
"ThatwayleadstoThurid,"hesaid.
ButwhenIwouldhavecalledWoolatofollowmetherethebeast
whinedandheldback,andatlastranquicklytothefirstopeningattheleft,wherehestoodemittinghiscoughingbark,asthoughurgingmetofollowhimupontherightway.
IturnedaquestioninglookuponLakor.
"Thebruteisseldomwrong,"Isaid,"andwhileIdonotdoubtyoursuperiorknowledge,Thern,IthinkthatIshalldowelltolistentothevoiceofinstinctthatisbackedbyloveandloyalty."
AsIspokeIsmiledgrimlythathemightknowwithoutwordsthatIdistrustedhim.
"Asyouwill,"thefellowrepliedwithashrug."Intheenditshallbeallthesame."
IturnedandfollowedWoolaintotheleft-handpassage,andthoughmybackwastowardmyenemies,myearswereonthealert;yetIheardnosoundofpursuit.Thepassagewaywasdimlylightedbyoccasionalradiumbulbs,theuniversallightingmediumofBarsoom.
Thesesamelampsmayhavebeendoingcontinuousdutyinthesesubterraneanchambersforages,sincetheyrequirenoattentionandaresocompoundedthattheygiveoffbuttheminutestoftheirsubstanceinthegenerationofyearsofluminosity.
Wehadproceededforbutashortdistancewhenwecommencedtopassthemouthsofdivergingcorridors,butnotoncedidWoolahesitate.ItwasattheopeningtooneofthesecorridorsuponmyrightthatIpresentlyheardasoundthatspokemoreplainlytoJohnCarter,fightingman,thancouldthewordsofmymothertongue--itwastheclankofmetal--themetalofawarrior'sharness--anditcamefromalittledistanceupthecorridoruponmyright.
Woolaheardit,too,andlikeaflashhehadwheeledandstoodfacingthethreateneddanger,hismaneallabristleandallhis
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rowsofglisteningfangsbaredbysnarling,backdrawnlips.WithagestureIsilencedhim,andtogetherwedrewasideintoanothercorridorafewpacesfartheron.
Herewewaited;nordidwehavelongtowait,forpresentlywesawtheshadowsoftwomenfalluponthefloorofthemaincorridorathwartthedoorwayofourhidingplace.Verycautiouslytheyweremovingnow--theaccidentalclankthathadalarmedmewasnotrepeated.
Presentlytheycameoppositeourstation;norwasIsurprisedtoseethatthetwowereLakorandhiscompanionoftheguardroom.
Theywalkedverysoftly,andintherighthandofeachgleamedakeenlong-sword.Theyhaltedquiteclosetotheentranceofourretreat,whisperingtoeachother.
"Canitbethatwehavedistancedthemalready?"saidLakor.
"Eitherthatorthebeasthasledthemanuponawrongtrail,"repliedtheother,"forthewaywhichwetookisbyfartheshortertothispoint--forhimwhoknowsit.JohnCarterwouldhavefounditashortroadtodeathhadhetakenitasyousuggestedtohim."
"Yes,"saidLakor,"noamountoffightingabilitywouldhavesavedhimfromthepivotedflagstone.Hesurelywouldhavesteppeduponit,andbynow,ifthepitbeneathithasabottom,whichThuriddenies,heshouldhavebeenrapidlyapproachingit.Cursesonthatcalotofhisthatwarnedhimtowardthesaferavenue!"
"Therebeotherdangersaheadofhim,though,"spokeLakor'sfellow,"whichhemaynotsoeasilyescape--shouldhesucceedinescapingourtwogoodswords.Consider,forexample,whatchancehewillhave,comingunexpectedlyintothechamberof--"
IwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveheardthebalanceofthatconversationthatImighthavebeenwarnedoftheperilsthatlayahead,but
fateintervened,andjustattheveryinstantofallotherinstantsthatIwouldnothaveelectedtodoit,Isneezed.
THETEMPLEOFTHESUN
Therewasnothingforitnowotherthantofight;nordidIhaveanyadvantageasIsprang,swordinhand,intothecorridorbeforethetwotherns,formyuntimelysneezehadwarnedthemofmypresenceandtheywerereadyforme.
Therewerenowords,fortheywouldhavebeenawasteofbreath.Theverypresenceofthetwoproclaimedtheirtreachery.Thattheywerefollowingtofalluponmeunawareswasalltooplain,andthey,ofcourse,musthaveknownthatIunderstoodtheirplan.
InaninstantIwasengagedwithboth,andthoughIloathetheverynameofthern,Imustinallfairnessadmitthattheyaremightyswordsmen;andthesetwowerenoexception,unlessitwerethattheywereevenmoreskilledandfearlessthantheaverageamong
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theirrace.
WhileitlasteditwasindeedasjoyousaconflictasIeverhadexperienced.TwiceatleastIsavedmybreastfromthemortalthrustofpiercingsteelonlybythewondrousagilitywithwhichmyearthlymusclesendowmeundertheconditionsoflessergravityandairpressureuponMars.
YetevensoIcameneartotastingdeaththatdayinthegloomycorridorbeneathMars'ssouthernpole,forLakorplayedatrickuponmethatinallmyexperienceoffightingupontwoplanetsIneverbeforehadwitnessedthelikeof.
Theotherthernwasengagingmeatthetime,andIwasforcinghimback--touchinghimhereandtherewithmypointuntilhewasbleedingfromadozenwounds,yetnotbeingabletopenetratehismarvelousguardtoreachavulnerablespotforthebriefinstantthatwouldhavebeensufficienttosendhimtohisancestors.
ItwasthenthatLakorquicklyunslungabeltfromhisharness,andasIsteppedbacktoparryawickedthrusthelashedoneendofitaboutmyleftanklesothatitwoundthereforaninstant,whilehejerkedsuddenlyupontheotherend,throwingmeheavilyuponmyback.
Then,likeleapingpanthers,theywereuponme;buttheyhadreckonedwithoutWoola,andbeforeeverabladetouchedme,aroaringembodimentofathousanddemonshurtledabovemyprostrateformandmyloyalMartiancalotwasuponthem.
Imagine,ifyoucan,ahugegrizzlywithtenlegsarmedwithmightytalonsandanenormousfroglikemouthsplittinghisheadfromeartoear,exposingthreerowsoflong,whitetusks.Thenendowthiscreatureofyourimaginationwiththeagilityandferocityofahalf-starvedBengaltigerandthestrengthofaspanofbulls,andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionofWoolainaction.
BeforeIcouldcallhimoffhehadcrushedLakorintoajellywithasingleblowofonemightypaw,andhadliterallytorntheothertherntoribbons;yetwhenIspoketohimsharplyhecowedsheepishlyasthoughhehaddoneathingtodeservecensureandchastisement.
NeverhadIhadthehearttopunishWooladuringthelongyearsthathadpassedsincethatfirstdayuponMarswhenthegreenjedoftheTharkshadplacedhimonguardoverme,andIhadwonhisloveandloyaltyfromthecruelandlovelessmastersofhisformerlife,yetIbelievehewouldhavesubmittedtoanycrueltythatImighthaveinflicteduponhim,sowondrouswashisaffectionforme.
ThediademinthecenterofthecircletofgolduponthebrowofLakorproclaimedhimaHolyThern,whilehiscompanion,notthusadorned,wasalesserthern,thoughfromhisharnessIgleanedthathehadreachedtheNinthCycle,whichisbutonebelowthatoftheHolyTherns.
AsIstoodforamomentlookingatthegruesomehavocWoolahadwrought,thererecurredtomethememoryofthatotheroccasionuponwhichIhadmasqueradedinthewig,diadem,andharnessofSatorThrog,theHolyThernwhomThuviaofPtarthhadslain,andnow
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itoccurredtomethatitmightproveofworthtoutilizeLakor'strappingsforthesamepurpose.
AmomentlaterIhadtornhisyellowwigfromhisbaldpateandtransferreditandthecirclet,aswellasallhisharness,tomyownperson.
Wooladidnotapproveofthemetamorphosis.Hesniffedatmeandgrowledominously,butwhenIspoketohimandpattedhishugeheadheatlengthbecamereconciledtothechange,andatmycommandtrottedoffalongthecorridorinthedirectionwehadbeengoingwhenourprogresshadbeeninterruptedbythetherns.
Wemovedcautiouslynow,warnedbythefragmentofconversationIhadoverheard.IkeptabreastofWoolathatwemighthavethebenefitofalloureyesforwhatmightappearsuddenlyaheadtomenaceus,andwellitwasthatwewereforewarned.
Atthebottomofaflightofnarrowstepsthecorridorturnedsharplybackuponitself,immediatelymakinganotherturnintheoriginaldirection,sothatatthatpointitformedaperfectletterS,thetoplegofwhichdebouchedsuddenlyintoalargechamber,illylighted,andthefloorofwhichwascompletelycoveredbyvenomoussnakesandloathsomereptiles.
Tohaveattemptedtocrossthatfloorwouldhavebeentocourtinstantdeath,andforamomentIwasalmostcompletelydiscouraged.ThenitoccurredtomethatThuridandMataiShangwiththeirpartymusthavecrossedit,andsotherewasaway.
HaditnotbeenforthefortunateaccidentbywhichIoverheardevensosmallaportionofthetherns'conversationweshouldhaveblunderedatleastasteportwointothatwrigglingmassofdestruction,andasinglestepwouldhavebeenall-sufficienttohavesealedourdoom.
TheseweretheonlyreptilesIhadeverseenuponBarsoom,butI
knewfromtheirsimilaritytothefossilizedremainsofsupposedlyextinctspeciesIhadseeninthemuseumsofHeliumthattheycomprisedmanyoftheknownprehistoricreptiliangenera,aswellasothersundiscovered.
Amorehideousaggregationofmonstershadneverbeforeassailedmyvision.ItwouldbefutiletoattempttodescribethemtoEarthmen,sincesubstanceistheonlythingwhichtheypossessincommonwithanycreatureofthepastorpresentwithwhichyouarefamiliar--eventheirvenomisofanunearthlyvirulencethat,bycomparison,wouldmakethecobradecapelloseemquiteasharmlessasanangleworm.
Astheyspiedmetherewasaconcertedrushbythosenearesttheentrancewherewestood,butalineofradiumbulbsinsetalongthethresholdoftheirchamberbroughtthemtoasuddenhalt--evidentlytheydarednotcrossthatlineoflight.
IhadbeenquitesurethattheywouldnotventurebeyondtheroominwhichIhaddiscoveredthem,thoughIhadnotguessedatwhatdeterredthem.Thesimplefactthatwehadfoundnoreptilesinthecorridorthroughwhichwehadjustcomewassufficientassurancethattheydidnotventurethere.
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IdrewWoolaoutofharm'sway,andthenbeganacarefulsurveyofasmuchoftheChamberofReptilesasIcouldseefromwhereIstood.AsmyeyesbecameaccustomedtothedimlightofitsinteriorIgraduallymadeoutalowgalleryatthefarendoftheapartmentfromwhichopenedseveralexits.
ComingasclosetothethresholdasIdared,Ifollowedthisgallerywithmyeyes,discoveringthatitcircledtheroomasfarasIcouldsee.ThenIglancedabovemealongtheupperedgeoftheentrancetowhichwehadcome,andthere,tomydelight,Isawanendofthegallerynotafootabovemyhead.InaninstantIhadleapedtoitandcalledWoolaafterme.
Heretherewerenoreptiles--thewaywascleartotheoppositesideofthehideouschamber--andamomentlaterWoolaandIdroppeddowntosafetyinthecorridorbeyond.
Nottenminuteslaterwecameintoavastcircularapartmentofwhitemarble,thewallsofwhichwereinlaidwithgoldinthestrangehieroglyphicsoftheFirstBorn.
Fromthehighdomeofthismightyapartmentahugecircularcolumnextendedtothefloor,andasIwatchedIsawthatitslowly
revolved.
IhadreachedthebaseoftheTempleoftheSun!
SomewhereabovemelayDejahThoris,andwithherwerePhaidor,daughterofMataiShang,andThuviaofPtarth.Buthowtoreachthem,nowthatIhadfoundtheonlyvulnerablespotintheirmightyprison,wasstillabafflingriddle.
SlowlyIcircledthegreatshaft,lookingforameansofingress.PartwayaroundIfoundatinyradiumflashtorch,andasIexamineditinmildcuriosityastoitspresencethereinthisalmostinaccessibleandunknownspot,Icamesuddenlyupontheinsignia
ofthehouseofThuridjewel-insetinitsmetalcase.
Iamupontherighttrail,Ithought,asIslippedthebaubleintothepocket-pouchwhichhungfrommyharness.ThenIcontinuedmysearchfortheentrance,whichIknewmustbesomewhereabout;norhadIlongtosearch,foralmostimmediatelythereafterIcameuponasmalldoorsocunninglyinlaidintheshaft'sbasethatitmighthavepassedunnoticedbyalesskeenorcarefulobserver.
Therewasthedoorthatwouldleadmewithintheprison,butwherewasthemeanstoopenit?Nobuttonorlockwerevisible.AgainandagainIwentcarefullyovereverysquareinchofitssurface,butthemostthatIcouldfindwasatinypinholealittleabove
andtotherightofthedoor'scenter--apinholethatseemedonlyanaccidentofmanufactureoranimperfectionofmaterial.
IntothisminuteapertureIattemptedtopeer,butwhetheritwasbutafractionofaninchdeeporpassedcompletelythroughthedoorIcouldnottell--atleastnolightshowedbeyondit.Iputmyeartoitnextandlistened,butagainmyeffortsbroughtnegligibleresults.
DuringtheseexperimentsWoolahadbeenstandingatmysidegazing
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intentlyatthedoor,andasmyglancefelluponhimitoccurredtometotestthecorrectnessofmyhypothesis,thatthisportalhadbeenthemeansofingresstothetempleusedbyThurid,theblackdator,andMataiShang,FatherofTherns.
Turningawayabruptly,Icalledtohimtofollowme.Foramomenthehesitated,andthenleapedafterme,whiningandtuggingatmyharnesstodrawmeback.Iwalkedon,however,somedistancefromthedoorbeforeIlethimhavehisway,thatImightseepreciselywhathewoulddo.ThenIpermittedhimtoleadmewhereverhewould.
Straightbacktothatbafflingportalhedraggedme,againtakinguphispositionfacingtheblankstone,gazingstraightatitsshiningsurface.ForanhourIworkedtosolvethemysteryofthecombinationthatwouldopenthewaybeforeme.
CarefullyIrecalledeverycircumstanceofmypursuitofThurid,andmyconclusionwasidenticalwithmyoriginalbelief--thatThuridhadcomethiswaywithoutotherassistancethanhisownknowledgeandpassedthroughthedoorthatbarredmyprogress,unaidedfromwithin.Buthowhadheaccomplishedit?
IrecalledtheincidentoftheChamberofMysteryintheGolden
CliffsthattimeIhadfreedThuviaofPtarthfromthedungeonofthetherns,andshehadtakenaslender,needle-likekeyfromthekeyringofherdeadjailertoopenthedoorleadingbackintotheChamberofMysterywhereTarsTarkasfoughtforhislifewiththegreatbanths.Suchatinykeyholeasnowdefiedmehadopenedthewaytotheintricatelockinthatotherdoor.
HastilyIdumpedthecontentsofmypocket-pouchuponthegroundbeforeme.CouldIbutfindaslenderbitofsteelImightyetfashionakeythatwouldgivemeingresstothetempleprison.
AsIexaminedtheheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandendsthatisalwaystobefoundinthepocket-pouchofaMartianwarriormy
handfellupontheemblazonedradiumflashtorchoftheblackdator.
AsIwasabouttolaythethingasideasofnovalueinmypresentpredicamentmyeyeschanceduponafewstrangecharactersroughlyandfreshlyscratcheduponthesoftgoldofthecase.
Casualcuriositypromptedmetodecipherthem,butwhatIreadcarriednoimmediatemeaningtomymind.Therewerethreesetsofcharacters,onebelowanother:
3|--|50T1|--|1X9|--|25T
Foronlyaninstantmycuriositywaspiqued,andthenIreplacedthetorchinmypocket-pouch,butmyfingershadnotunclaspedfromitwhenthererushedtomymemorytherecollectionoftheconversationbetweenLakorandhiscompanionwhenthelesserthernhadquotedthewordsofThuridandscoffedatthem:"Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight?Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals"--ah,therewasthefirstlineofcharactersuponthetorch'smetal
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case--3--50T;"andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit"--therewasthesecondline;"andthenfortwenty-fivetalswithnineunits."
Theformulawascomplete;but--whatdiditmean?
IthoughtIknew,and,seizingapowerfulmagnifyingglassfromthelitterofmypocket-pouch,Iappliedmyselftoacarefulexaminationofthemarbleimmediatelyaboutthepinholeinthedoor.IcouldhavecriedaloudinexultationwhenmyscrutinydisclosedthealmostinvisibleincrustationofparticlesofcarbonizedelectronswhicharethrownoffbytheseMartiantorches.
Itwasevidentthatforcountlessagesradiumtorcheshadbeenappliedtothispinhole,andforwhatpurposetherecouldbebutasingleanswer--themechanismofthelockwasactuatedbylightrays;andI,JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,heldthecombinationinmyhand--scratchedbythehandofmyenemyuponhisowntorchcase.
InacylindricalbraceletofgoldaboutmywristwasmyBarsoomianchronometer--adelicateinstrumentthatrecordsthetalsandxatsandzodesofMartiantime,presentingthemtoviewbeneathastrongcrystalmuchafterthemannerofanearthlyodometer.
Timingmyoperationscarefully,Iheldthetorchtothesmallapertureinthedoor,regulatingtheintensityofthelightbymeansofthethumb-leveruponthesideofthecase.
ForfiftytalsIletthreeunitsoflightshinefullinthepinhole,thenoneunitforonexat,andfortwenty-fivetalsnineunits.Thoselasttwenty-fivetalswerethelongesttwenty-fivesecondsofmylife.Wouldthelockclickattheendofthoseseeminglyinterminableintervalsoftime?
Twenty-three!Twenty-four!Twenty-five!
Ishutoffthelightwithasnap.ForseventalsIwaited--therehadbeennoappreciableeffectuponthelock'smechanism.Coulditbethatmytheorywasentirelywrong?
Hold!Hadthenervousstrainresultedinahallucination,ordidthedoorreallymove?Slowlythesolidstonesanknoiselesslybackintothewall--therewasnohallucinationhere.
Backandbackitslidfortenfeetuntilithaddisclosedatitsrightanarrowdoorwayleadingintoadarkandnarrowcorridorthatparalleledtheouterwall.ScarcelywastheentranceuncoveredthanWoolaandIhadleapedthrough--thenthedoorslippedquietlybackintoplace.
DownthecorridoratsomedistanceIsawthefaintreflectionofalight,andtowardthiswemadeourway.Atthepointwherethelightshonewasasharpturn,andalittledistancebeyondthisabrilliantlylightedchamber.
Herewediscoveredaspiralstairwayleadingupfromthecenterofthecircularroom.
ImmediatelyIknewthatwehadreachedthecenterofthebaseof
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theTempleoftheSun--thespiralrunwayledupwardpasttheinnerwallsoftheprisoncells.SomewhereabovemewasDejahThoris,unlessThuridandMataiShanghadalreadysucceededinstealingher.
WehadscarcelystarteduptherunwaywhenWoolasuddenlydisplayedthewildestexcitement.Heleapedbackandforth,snappingatmylegsandharness,untilIthoughtthathewasmad,andfinallywhenIpushedhimfrommeandstartedoncemoretoascendhegraspedmyswordarmbetweenhisjawsanddraggedmeback.
Noamountofscoldingorcuffingwouldsufficetomakehimreleaseme,andIwasentirelyatthemercyofhisbrutestrengthunlessIcaredtousemydaggeruponhimwithmylefthand;but,madorno,Ihadnotthehearttorunthesharpbladeintothatfaithfulbody.
Downintothechamberhedraggedme,andacrossittothesideoppositethatatwhichwehadentered.Herewasanotherdoorwayleadingintoacorridorwhichrandirectlydownasteepincline.Withoutamoment'shesitationWoolajerkedmealongthisrockypassage.
Presentlyhestoppedandreleasedme,standingbetweenmeandthe
waywehadcome,lookingupintomyfaceasthoughtoaskifIwouldnowfollowhimvoluntarilyorifhemuststillresorttoforce.
LookingruefullyatthemarksofhisgreatteethuponmybarearmIdecidedtodoasheseemedtowishmetodo.Afterall,hisstrangeinstinctmightbemoredependablethanmyfaultyhumanjudgment.
AndwellitwasthatIhadbeenforcedtofollowhim.Butashortdistancefromthecircularchamberwecamesuddenlyintoabrilliantlylightedlabyrinthofcrystalglasspartitionedpassages.
AtfirstIthoughtitwasonevast,unbrokenchamber,soclearandtransparentwerethewallsofthewindingcorridors,butafterI
hadnearlybrainedmyselfacoupleoftimesbyattemptingtopassthroughsolidvitreouswallsIwentmorecarefully.
WehadproceededbutafewyardsalongthecorridorthathadgivenusentrancetothisstrangemazewhenWoolagavemouthtoamostfrightfulroar,atthesametimedashingagainsttheclearpartitionatourleft.
TheresoundingechoesofthatfearsomecrywerestillreverberatingthroughthesubterraneanchamberswhenIsawthethingthathadstartleditfromthefaithfulbeast.
Farinthedistance,dimlythroughthemanythicknessesofintervening
crystal,asinahazethatmadethemseemunrealandghostly,Idiscernedthefiguresofeightpeople--threefemalesandfivemen.
Atthesameinstant,evidentlystartledbyWoola'sfiercecry,theyhaltedandlookedabout.Then,ofasudden,oneofthem,awoman,heldherarmsouttowardme,andevenatthatgreatdistanceIcouldseethatherlipsmoved--itwasDejahThoris,myeverbeautifulandeveryouthfulPrincessofHelium.
WithherwereThuviaofPtarth,Phaidor,daughterofMataiShang,
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andThurid,andtheFatherofTherns,andthethreelesserthernsthathadaccompaniedthem.
Thuridshookhisfistatme,andthentwoofthethernsgraspedDejahThorisandThuviaroughlybytheirarmsandhurriedthemon.Amomentlatertheyhaddisappearedintoastonecorridorbeyondthelabyrinthofglass.
Theysaythatloveisblind;butsogreataloveasthatofDejahThoristhatknewmeevenbeneaththetherndisguiseIworeandacrossthemistyvistaofthatcrystalmazemustindeedbefarfromblind.
THESECRETTOWER
IhavenostomachtonarratethemonotonouseventsofthetediousdaysthatWoolaandIspentferretingourwayacrossthelabyrinthofglass,throughthedarkanddeviouswaysbeyondthatledbeneaththeValleyDorandGoldenCliffstoemergeatlastupontheflankoftheOtzMountainsjustabovetheValleyofLostSouls--thatpitifulpurgatorypeopledbythepoorunfortunateswhodarenot
continuetheirabandonedpilgrimagetoDor,orreturntothevariouslandsoftheouterworldfromwhencetheycame.
HerethetrailofDejahThoris'abductorsledalongthemountains'base,acrosssteepandruggedravines,bythesideofappallingprecipices,andsometimesoutintothevalley,wherewefoundfightingaplentywiththemembersofthevarioustribesthatmakeupthepopulationofthisvaleofhopelessness.
Butthroughitallwecameatlasttowherethewayledupanarrowgorgethatgrewsteeperandmoreimpracticableateverystepuntilbeforeusloomedamightyfortressburiedbeneaththesideofanoverhangingcliff.
HerewasthesecrethidingplaceofMataiShang,FatherofTherns.Here,surroundedbyahandfulofthefaithful,thehekkadoroftheancientfaith,whohadoncebeenservedbymillionsofvassalsanddependents,dispensedthespiritualwordsamongthehalfdozennationsofBarsoomthatstillclungtenaciouslytotheirfalseanddiscreditedreligion.
Darknesswasjustfallingaswecameinsightoftheseeminglyimpregnablewallsofthismountainstronghold,andlestwebeseenIdrewbackwithWoolabehindajuttinggranitepromontory,intoaclumpofthehardy,purplescrubthatthrivesuponthebarrensidesofOtz.
Herewelayuntilthequicktransitionfromdaylighttodarknesshadpassed.ThenIcreptouttoapproachthefortresswallsinsearchofawaywithin.
Eitherthroughcarelessnessorover-confidenceinthesupposedinaccessibilityoftheirhidingplace,thetriple-barredgatestoodajar.Beyondwereahandfulofguards,laughingandtalkingoveroneoftheirincomprehensibleBarsoomiangames.
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IsawthatnoneoftheguardsmenhadbeenofthepartythataccompaniedThuridandMataiShang;andso,relyingentirelyuponmydisguise,Iwalkedboldlythroughthegatewayanduptothethernguard.
Themenstoppedtheirgameandlookedupatme,buttherewasnosignofsuspicion.SimilarlytheylookedatWoola,growlingatmyheel.
"Kaor!"IsaidintrueMartiangreeting,andthewarriorsaroseandsalutedme."IhavebutjustfoundmywayhitherfromtheGoldenCliffs,"Icontinued,"andseekaudiencewiththehekkador,MataiShang,FatherofTherns.Wheremayhebefound?"
"Followme,"saidoneoftheguard,and,turning,ledmeacrosstheoutercourtyardtowardasecondbuttressedwall.
WhytheapparenteasewithwhichIseeminglydeceivedthemdidnotrousemysuspicionsIknownot,unlessitwasthatmymindwasstillsofullofthatfleetingglimpseofmybelovedprincessthattherewasroominitfornaughtelse.Bethatasitmay,thefactisthatImarchedbuoyantlybehindmyguidestraightintothejawsofdeath.
AfterwardIlearnedthatthernspieshadbeenawareofmycomingforhoursbeforeIreachedthehiddenfortress.
Thegatehadbeenpurposelyleftajartotemptmeon.Theguardshadbeenschooledwellintheirpartoftheconspiracy;andI,morelikeaschoolboythanaseasonedwarrior,ranheadlongintothetrap.
Atthefarsideoftheoutercourtanarrowdoorletintotheanglemadebyoneofthebuttresseswiththewall.Heremyguideproducedakeyandopenedthewaywithin;then,steppingback,hemotionedmetoenter.
"MataiShangisinthetemplecourtbeyond,"hesaid;andasWoolaandIpassedthrough,thefellowclosedthedoorquicklyuponus.
Thenastylaughthatcametomyearsthroughtheheavyplankingofthedoorafterthelockclickedwasmyfirstintimationthatallwasnotasitshouldbe.
Ifoundmyselfinasmall,circularchamberwithinthebuttress.Beforemeadooropened,presumably,upontheinnercourtbeyond.ForamomentIhesitated,allmysuspicionsnowsuddenly,thoughtardily,aroused;then,withashrugofmyshoulders,Iopenedthedoorandsteppedoutintotheglareoftorchesthatlightedtheinnercourt.
Directlyoppositemeamassivetowerrosetoaheightofthreehundredfeet.ItwasofthestrangelybeautifulmodernBarsoomianstyleofarchitecture,itsentiresurfacehandcarvedinboldreliefwithintricateandfancifuldesigns.Thirtyfeetabovethecourtyardandoverlookingitwasabroadbalcony,andthere,indeed,wasMataiShang,andwithhimwereThuridandPhaidor,Thuvia,andDejahThoris--thelasttwoheavilyironed.Ahandfulofthernwarriorsstoodjustbehindthelittleparty.
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AsIenteredtheenclosuretheeyesofthoseinthebalconywerefulluponme.
AnuglysmiledistortedthecruellipsofMataiShang.Thuridhurledatauntatmeandplacedafamiliarhandupontheshoulderofmyprincess.Likeatigresssheturneduponhim,strikingthebeastaheavyblowwiththemanaclesuponherwrist.
HewouldhavestruckbackhadnotMataiShanginterfered,andthenIsawthatthetwomenwerenotover-friendly;forthemannerofthethernwasarrogantanddomineeringashemadeitplaintotheFirstBornthatthePrincessofHeliumwasthepersonalpropertyoftheFatherofTherns.AndThurid'sbearingtowardtheancienthekkadorsavorednotatalloflikingorrespect.
WhenthealtercationinthebalconyhadsubsidedMataiShangturnedagaintome.
"Earthman,"hecried,"youhaveearnedamoreignobledeaththannowlieswithinourweakenedpowertoinflictuponyou;butthatthedeathyoudietonightmaybedoublybitter,knowyouthatwhenyouhavepassed,yourwidowbecomesthewifeofMataiShang,HekkadoroftheHolyTherns,foraMartianyear.
"Attheendofthattime,asyouknow,sheshallbediscarded,asisthelawamongus,butnot,asisusual,toleadaquietandhonoredlifeashighpriestessofsomehallowedshrine.Instead,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,shallbecometheplaythingofmylieutenants--perhapsofthymosthatedenemy,Thurid,theblackdator."
Asheceasedspeakingheawaitedinsilenceevidentlyforsomeoutbreakofrageuponmypart--somethingthatwouldhaveaddedtothespiceofhisrevenge.ButIdidnotgivehimthesatisfactionthathecraved.
Instead,Ididtheonethingofallothersthatmightrousehis
angerandincreasehishatredofme;forIknewthatifIdiedDejahThoris,too,wouldfindawaytodiebeforetheycouldheapfurthertorturesorindignitiesuponher.
Ofalltheholyofholieswhichthethernveneratesandworshipsnoneismorereveredthantheyellowwigwhichcovershisbaldpate,andnexttheretocomesthecircletofgoldandthegreatdiadem,whosescintillantraysmarktheattainmentoftheTenthCycle.
And,knowingthis,Iremovedthewigandcircletfrommyhead,tossingthemcarelesslyupontheflaggingofthecourt.ThenIwipedmyfeetupontheyellowtresses;andasagroanofragearosefromthebalconyIspatfullupontheholydiadem.
MataiShangwentlividwithanger,butuponthelipsofThuridIcouldseeagrimsmileofamusement,fortohimthesethingswerenotholy;so,lestheshouldderivetoomuchamusementfrommyact,Icried:"AndthusdidIwiththeholiesofIssus,GoddessofLifeEternal,ereIthrewIssusherselftothemobthatoncehadworshipedher,tobetorntopiecesinherowntemple."
ThatputanendtoThurid'sgrinning,forhehadbeenhighinthefavorofIssus.
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"Letushaveanendtothisblaspheming!"hecried,turningtotheFatherofTherns.
MataiShangroseand,leaningovertheedgeofthebalcony,gavevoicetotheweirdcallthatIhadheardfromthelipsofthepriestsuponthetinybalconyuponthefaceoftheGoldenCliffsoverlookingtheValleyDor,when,intimespast,theycalledthefearsomewhiteapesandthehideousplantmentothefeastofvictimsfloatingdownthebroadbosomofthemysteriousIsstowardthesilian-infestedwatersoftheLostSeaofKorus."Letloosethedeath!"hecried,andimmediatelyadozendoorsinthebaseofthetowerswungopen,andadozengrimandterriblebanthssprangintothearena.
ThiswasnotthefirsttimethatIhadfacedtheferociousBarsoomianlion,butneverhadIbeenpitted,single-handed,againstafulldozenofthem.EvenwiththeassistanceofthefierceWoola,therecouldbebutasingleoutcometosounequalastruggle.
Foramomentthebeastshesitatedbeneaththebrilliantglareofthetorches;butpresentlytheireyes,becomingaccustomedtothelight,felluponWoolaandme,andwithbristlingmanesanddeep-throatedroarstheyadvanced,lashingtheirtawnysideswith
theirpowerfultails.
InthebriefintervaloflifethatwasleftmeIshotalast,partingglancetowardmyDejahThoris.Herbeautifulfacewassetinanexpressionofhorror;andasmyeyesmetherssheextendedbotharmstowardmeas,strugglingwiththeguardswhonowheldher,sheendeavoredtocastherselffromthebalconyintothepitbeneath,thatshemightsharemydeathwithme.Then,asthebanthswereabouttocloseuponme,sheturnedandburiedherdearfaceinherarms.
SuddenlymyattentionwasdrawntowardThuviaofPtarth.Thebeautifulgirlwasleaningfarovertheedgeofthebalcony,her
eyesbrightwithexcitement.
Inanotherinstantthebanthswouldbeuponme,butIcouldnotforcemygazefromthefeaturesoftheredgirl,forIknewthatherexpressionmeantanythingbuttheenjoymentofthegrimtragedythatwouldsosoonbeenactedbelowher;therewassomedeeper,hiddenmeaningwhichIsoughttosolve.
ForaninstantIthoughtofrelyingonmyearthlymusclesandagilitytoescapethebanthsandreachthebalcony,whichIcouldeasilyhavedone,butIcouldnotbringmyselftodesertthefaithfulWoolaandleavehimtodiealonebeneaththecruelfangsofthehungrybanths;thatisnotthewayuponBarsoom,norwasit
everthewayofJohnCarter.
ThenthesecretofThuvia'sexcitementbecameapparentasfromherlipsthereissuedthepurringsoundIhadheardoncebefore;thattimethat,withintheGoldenCliffs,shecalledthefiercebanthsaboutherandledthemasashepherdessmightleadherflockofmeekandharmlesssheep.
Atthefirstnoteofthatsoothingsoundthebanthshaltedintheirtracks,andeveryfierceheadwenthighasthebeastssoughtthe
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originofthefamiliarcall.Presentlytheydiscoveredtheredgirlinthebalconyabovethem,and,turning,roaredouttheirrecognitionandtheirgreeting.
GuardssprangtodragThuviaaway,buteretheyhadsucceededshehadhurledavolleyofcommandsatthelisteningbrutes,andasonetheyturnedandmarchedbackintotheirdens.
"Youneednotfearthemnow,JohnCarter!"criedThuvia,beforetheycouldsilenceher."Thosebanthswillneverharmyounow,norWoola,either."
ItwasallIcaredtoknow.Therewasnaughttokeepmefromthatbalconynow,andwithalong,runningleapIsprangfaraloftuntilmyhandsgraspeditslowestsill.
Inaninstantallwaswildconfusion.MataiShangshrankback.Thuridsprangforwardwithdrawnswordtocutmedown.
AgainDejahThoriswieldedherheavyironsandfoughthimback.ThenMataiShanggraspedheraboutthewaistanddraggedherawaythroughadoorleadingwithinthetower.
ForaninstantThuridhesitated,andthen,asthoughfearingthat
theFatherofThernswouldescapehimwiththePrincessofHelium,he,too,dashedfromthebalconyintheirwake.
Phaidoraloneretainedherpresenceofmind.TwooftheguardssheorderedtobearawayThuviaofPtarth;theothersshecommandedtoremainandpreventmefromfollowing.Thensheturnedtowardme.
"JohnCarter,"shecried,"forthelasttimeIofferyoutheloveofPhaidor,daughteroftheHolyHekkador.Acceptandyourprincessshallbereturnedtothecourtofhergrandfather,andyoushallliveinpeaceandhappiness.RefuseandthefatethatmyfatherhasthreatenedshallfalluponDejahThoris.
"Youcannotsavehernow,forbythistimetheyhavereachedaplacewhereevenyoumaynotfollow.Refuseandnaughtcansaveyou;for,thoughthewaytothelaststrongholdoftheHolyThernswasmadeeasyforyou,thewayhencehathbeenmadeimpossible.Whatsayyou?"
"Youknewmyanswer,Phaidor,"Ireplied,"beforeeveryouspoke.Makeway,"Icriedtotheguards,"forJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,wouldpass!"
WiththatIleapedoverthelowbalusterthatsurroundedthebalcony,andwithdrawnlong-swordfacedmyenemies.
Therewerethreeofthem;butPhaidormusthaveguessedwhattheoutcomeofthebattlewouldbe,forsheturnedandfledfromthebalconythemomentshesawthatIwouldhavenoneofherproposition.
Thethreeguardsmendidnotwaitformyattack.Instead,theyrushedme--thethreeofthemsimultaneously;anditwasthatwhichgavemeanadvantage,fortheyfouledoneanotherinthenarrowprecinctsofthebalcony,sothattheforemostofthemstumbledfulluponmybladeatthefirstonslaught.
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Theredstainuponmypointrousedtoitsfulltheoldblood-lustofthefightingmanthathaseverbeensostrongwithinmybreast,sothatmybladeflewthroughtheairwithaswiftnessanddeadlyaccuracythatthrewthetworemainingthernsintowilddespair.
Whenatlastthesharpsteelfoundtheheartofoneofthemtheotherturnedtoflee,and,guessingthathisstepswouldleadhimalongthewaytakenbythoseIsought,Ilethimkeepeverfarenoughaheadtothinkthathewassafelyescapingmysword.
Throughseveralinnerchambersheraceduntilhecametoaspiralrunway.Upthishedashed,Iinclosepursuit.Attheupperendwecameoutintoasmallchamber,thewallsofwhichwereblankexceptforasinglewindowoverlookingtheslopesofOtzandtheValleyofLostSoulsbeyond.
Herethefellowtorefranticallyatwhatappearedtobebutapieceoftheblankwalloppositethesinglewindow.InaninstantIguessedthatitwasasecretexitfromtheroom,andsoIpausedthathemighthaveanopportunitytonegotiateit,forIcarednothingtotakethelifeofthispoorservitor--allIcravedwasaclearroadinpursuitofDejahThoris,mylong-lostprincess.
But,tryashewould,thepanelwouldyieldneithertocunningnor
force,sothateventuallyhegaveitupandturnedtofaceme.
"Gothyway,Thern,"Isaidtohim,pointingtowardtheentrancetotherunwayupwhichwehadbutjustcome."Ihavenoquarrelwithyou,nordoIcraveyourlife.Go!"
Foranswerhespranguponmewithhissword,andsosuddenly,atthat,thatIwasliketohavegonedownbeforehisfirstrush.Sotherewasnothingforitbuttogivehimwhathesought,andthatasquicklyasmightbe,thatImightnotbedelayedtoolonginthischamberwhileMataiShangandThuridmadewaywithDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth.
Thefellowwasacleverswordsman--resourcefulandextremelytricky.Infact,heseemednevertohaveheardthatthereexistedsuchathingasacodeofhonor,forherepeatedlyoutragedadozenBarsoomianfightingcustomsthatanhonorablemanwouldratherdiethanignore.
Heevenwentsofarastosnatchhisholywigfromhisheadandthrowitinmyface,soastoblindmeforamomentwhilehethrustatmyunprotectedbreast.
Whenhethrust,however,Iwasnotthere,forIhadfoughtwiththernsbefore;andwhilenonehadeverresortedtopreciselythatsameexpedient,Iknewthemtobetheleasthonorableandmost
treacherousfightersuponMars,andsowaseveronthealertforsomenewanddevilishsubterfugewhenIwasengagedwithoneoftheirrace.
Butatlengthheoverdidthething;for,drawinghisshortsword,hehurledit,javelinwise,atmybody,atthesameinstantrushinguponmewithhislong-sword.Asinglesweepingcircleofmyownbladecaughttheflyingweaponandhurleditclatteringagainstthefarwall,andthen,asIsidesteppedmyantagonist'simpetuousrush,Ilethimhavemypointfullinthestomachashehurtled
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by.
Cleartothehiltmyweaponpassedthroughhisbody,andwithafrightfulshriekhesanktothefloor,dead.
Haltingonlyforthebriefinstantthatwasrequiredtowrenchmyswordfromthecarcassofmylateantagonist,Isprangacrossthechambertotheblankwallbeyond,throughwhichthethernhadattemptedtopass.HereIsoughtforthesecretofitslock,butalltonoavail.
IndespairItriedtoforcethething,butthecold,unyieldingstonemightwellhavelaughedatmyfutile,punyendeavors.Infact,IcouldhaveswornthatIcaughtthefaintsuggestionoftauntinglaughterfrombeyondthebafflingpanel.
IndisgustIdesistedfrommyuselesseffortsandsteppedtothechamber'ssinglewindow.
TheslopesofOtzandthedistantValleyofLostSoulsheldnothingtocompelmyinterestthen;but,toweringfaraboveme,thetower'scarvedwallrivetedmykeenestattention.
SomewherewithinthatmassivepilewasDejahThoris.AbovemeI
couldseewindows.There,possibly,laytheonlywaybywhichIcouldreachher.Theriskwasgreat,butnottoogreatwhenthefateofaworld'smostwondrouswomanwasatstake.
Iglancedbelow.Ahundredfeetbeneathlayjaggedgranitebouldersatthebrinkofafrightfulchasmuponwhichthetowerabutted;andifnotupontheboulders,thenatthechasm'sbottom,laydeath,shouldafootslipbutonce,orclutchingfingersloosetheirholdforthefractionofaninstant.
Buttherewasnootherwayandwithashrug,whichImustadmitwashalfshudder,Isteppedtothewindow'soutersillandbeganmyperilousascent.
TomydismayIfoundthat,unliketheornamentationuponmostHeliumeticstructures,theedgesofthecarvingswerequitegenerallyrounded,sothatatbestmyeveryholdwasmostprecarious.
Fiftyfeetabovemecommencedaseriesofprojectingcylindricalstonessomesixinchesindiameter.Theseapparentlycircledthetoweratsix-footintervals,inbandssixfeetapart;andaseachstonecylinderprotrudedsomefourorfiveinchesbeyondthesurfaceoftheotherornamentation,theypresentedacomparativelyeasymodeofascentcouldIbutreachthem.
LaboriouslyIclimbedtowardthembywayofsomewindowswhich
laybelowthem,forIhopedthatImightfindingresstothetowerthroughoneofthese,andthenceaneasieravenuealongwhichtoprosecutemysearch.
Attimessoslightwasmyholdupontheroundedsurfacesofthecarving'sedgesthatasneeze,acough,orevenaslightgustofwindwouldhavedislodgedmeandsentmehurtlingtothedepthsbelow.
ButfinallyIreachedapointwheremyfingerscouldjustclutch
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thesillofthelowestwindow,andIwasonthepointofbreathingasighofreliefwhenthesoundofvoicescametomefromabovethroughtheopenwindow.
"Hecanneversolvethesecretofthatlock."ThevoicewasMataiShang's."Letusproceedtothehangarabovethatwemaybefartothesouthbeforehefindsanotherway--shouldthatbepossible."
"Allthingsseempossibletothatvilecalot,"repliedanothervoice,whichIrecognizedasThurid's.
"Thenletushaste,"saidMataiShang."Buttobedoublysure,Iwillleavetwowhoshallpatrolthisrunway.Latertheymayfollowusuponanotherflier--overtakingusatKaol."
Myupstretchedfingersneverreachedthewindow'ssill.AtthefirstsoundofthevoicesIdrewbackmyhandandclungtheretomyperilousperch,flattenedagainsttheperpendicularwall,scarcedaringtobreathe.
Whatahorribleposition,indeed,inwhichtobediscoveredbyThurid!Hehadbuttoleanfromthewindowtopushmewithhissword'spointintoeternity.
Presentlythesoundofthevoicesbecamefainter,andonceagainItookupmyhazardousascent,nowmoredifficult,sincemorecircuitous,forImustclimbsoastoavoidthewindows.
MataiShang'sreferencetothehangarandthefliersindicatedthatmydestinationlaynothingshortoftheroofofthetower,andtowardthisseeminglydistantgoalIsetmyface.
Themostdifficultanddangerouspartofthejourneywasaccomplishedatlast,anditwaswithreliefthatIfeltmyfingerscloseaboutthelowestofthestonecylinders.
Itistruethattheseprojectionsweretoofaraparttomakethe
balanceoftheascentanythingofasinecure,butIatleasthadalwayswithinmyreachapointofsafetytowhichImightclingincaseofaccident.
Sometenfeetbelowtheroof,thewallinclinedslightlyinwardpossiblyafootinthelasttenfeet,andheretheclimbingwasindeedimmeasurablyeasier,sothatmyfingerssoonclutchedtheeaves.
AsIdrewmyeyesabovethelevelofthetower'stopIsawaflierallbutreadytorise.
UponherdeckwereMataiShang,Phaidor,DejahThoris,Thuviaof
Ptarth,andafewthernwarriors,whilenearherwasThuridintheactofclamberingaboard.
Hewasnottenpacesfromme,facingintheoppositedirection;andwhatcruelfreakoffateshouldhavecausedhimtoturnaboutjustasmyeyestoppedtheroof'sedgeImaynotevenguess.
Butturnhedid;andwhenhiseyesmetminehiswickedfacelightedwithamalignantsmileasheleapedtowardme,whereIwashasteningtoscrambletothesecurefootingoftheroof.
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DejahThorismusthaveseenmeatthesameinstant,forshescreamedauselesswarningjustasThurid'sfoot,swinginginamightykick,landedfullinmyface.
Likeafelledox,Ireeledandtumbledbackwardoverthetower'sside.
ONTHEKAOLIANROAD
Iftherebeafatethatissometimescrueltome,theresurelyisakindandmercifulProvidencewhichwatchesoverme.
AsItoppledfromthetowerintothehorridabyssbelowIcountedmyselfalreadydead;andThuridmusthavedonelikewise,forheevidentlydidnoteventroublehimselftolookafterme,butmusthaveturnedandmountedthewaitingflieratonce.
TenfeetonlyIfell,andthenaloopofmytough,leathernharnesscaughtupononeofthecylindricalstoneprojectionsinthetower's
surface--andheld.EvenwhenIhadceasedtofallIcouldnotbelievethemiraclethathadpreservedmefrominstantdeath,andforamomentIhungthere,coldsweatexudingfromeveryporeofmybody.
ButwhenatlastIhadworkedmyselfbacktoafirmpositionIhesitatedtoascend,sinceIcouldnotknowthatThuridwasnotstillawaitingmeabove.
Presently,however,therecametomyearsthewhirringofthepropellersofaflier,andaseachmomentthesoundgrewfainterIrealizedthatthepartyhadproceededtowardthesouthwithoutassuringthemselvesastomyfate.
CautiouslyIretracedmywaytotheroof,andImustadmitthatitwaswithnopleasantsensationthatIraisedmyeyesoncemoreaboveitsedge;but,tomyrelief,therewasnooneinsight,andamomentlaterIstoodsafelyuponitsbroadsurface.
Toreachthehangaranddragforththeonlyotherflierwhichitcontainedwastheworkofbutaninstant;andjustasthetwothernwarriorswhomMataiShanghadlefttopreventthisverycontingencyemergedupontherooffromthetower'sinterior,Iroseabovethemwithatauntinglaugh.
ThenIdivedrapidlytotheinnercourtwhereIhadlastseenWoola,
andtomyimmenserelieffoundthefaithfulbeaststillthere.
Thetwelvegreatbanthslayinthedoorwaysoftheirlairs,eyeinghimandgrowlingominously,buttheyhadnotdisobeyedThuvia'sinjunction;andIthankedthefatethathadmadehertheirkeeperwithintheGoldenCliffs,andendowedherwiththekindandsympatheticnaturethathadwontheloyaltyandaffectionofthesefiercebeastsforher.
Woolaleapedinfranticjoywhenhediscoveredme;andastheflier
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touchedthepavementofthecourtforabriefinstantheboundedtothedeckbesideme,andinthebearlikemanifestationofhisexuberanthappinessallbutcausedmetowreckthevesselagainstthecourtyard'srockywall.
AmidtheangryshoutingofthernguardsmenwerosehighabovethelastfortressoftheHolyTherns,andthenracedstraighttowardthenortheastandKaol,thedestinationwhichIhadheardfromthelipsofMataiShang.
Farahead,atinyspeckinthedistance,Imadeoutanotherflierlateintheafternoon.Itcouldbenoneotherthanthatwhichboremylostloveandmyenemies.
Ihadgainedconsiderablyonthecraftbynight;andthen,knowingthattheymusthavesightedmeandwouldshownolightsafterdark,Isetmydestinationcompassuponher--thatwonderfullittleMartianmechanismwhich,onceattunedtotheobjectofdestination,pointsawaytowardit,irrespectiveofeverychangeinitslocation.
AllthatnightweracedthroughtheBarsoomianvoid,passingoverlowhillsanddeadseabottoms;abovelong-desertedcitiesandpopulouscentersofredMartianhabitationupontheribbon-likelinesofcultivatedlandwhichbordertheglobe-encirclingwaterways,
whichEarthmencallthecanalsofMars.
DawnshowedthatIhadgainedappreciablyupontheflieraheadofme.Itwasalargercraftthanmine,andnotsoswift;butevenso,ithadcoveredanimmensedistancesincetheflightbegan.
Thechangeinvegetationbelowshowedmethatwewererapidlynearingtheequator.Iwasnownearenoughtomyquarrytohaveusedmybowgun;but,thoughIcouldseethatDejahThoriswasnotondeck,Ifearedtofireuponthecraftwhichboreher.
Thuridwasdeterredbynosuchscruples;andthoughitmusthavebeendifficultforhimtobelievethatitwasreallyIwhofollowed
them,hecouldnotverywelldoubtthewitnessofhisowneyes;andsohetrainedtheirsterngunuponmewithhisownhands,andaninstantlateranexplosiveradiumprojectilewhizzedperilouslycloseabovemydeck.
Theblack'snextshotwasmoreaccurate,strikingmyflierfullupontheprowandexplodingwiththeinstantofcontact,rippingwideopenthebowbuoyancytanksanddisablingtheengine.
SoquicklydidmybowdropaftertheshotthatIscarcehadtimetolashWoolatothedeckandbucklemyownharnesstoagunwaleringbeforethecraftwashangingsternupandmakingherlastlongdroptoground.
Hersternbuoyancytankspreventedherdroppingwithgreatrapidity;butThuridwasfiringrapidlynowinanattempttoburstthesealso,thatImightbedashedtodeathintheswiftfallthatwouldinstantlyfollowasuccessfulshot.
Shotaftershottorepastorintous,butbyamiracleneitherWoolanorIwashit,norweretheaftertankspunctured.Thisgoodfortunecouldnotlastindefinitely,and,assuredthatThuridwouldnotagainleavemealive,Iawaitedtheburstingofthenext
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shellthathit;andthen,throwingmyhandsabovemyhead,Iletgomyholdandcrumpled,limpandinert,danglinginmyharnesslikeacorpse.
Theruseworked,andThuridfirednomoreatus.PresentlyIheardthediminishingsoundofwhirringpropellersandrealizedthatagainIwassafe.
Slowlythestrickenfliersanktotheground,andwhenIhadfreedmyselfandWoolafromtheentanglingwreckageIfoundthatwewereuponthevergeofanaturalforest--sorareathinguponthebosomofdyingMarsthat,outsideoftheforestintheValleyDorbesidetheLostSeaofKorus,Ineverbeforehadseenitslikeupontheplanet.
FrombooksandtravelersIhadlearnedsomethingofthelittle-knownlandofKaol,whichliesalongtheequatoralmosthalfwayroundtheplanettotheeastofHelium.
Itcomprisesasunkenareaofextremetropicalheat,andisinhabitedbyanationofredmenvaryingbutlittleinmanners,customs,andappearancefromthebalanceoftheredmenofBarsoom.
Iknewthattheywereamongthoseoftheouterworldwhostill
clungtenaciouslytothediscreditedreligionoftheHolyTherns,andthatMataiShangwouldfindareadywelcomeandsaferefugeamongthem;whileJohnCartercouldlookfornothingbetterthananignobledeathattheirhands.
TheisolationoftheKaoliansisrenderedalmostcompletebythefactthatnowaterwayconnectstheirlandwiththatofanyothernation,norhavetheyanyneedofawaterwaysincethelow,swampylandwhichcomprisestheentireareaoftheirdomainself-waterstheirabundanttropicalcrops.
Forgreatdistancesinalldirectionsruggedhillsandaridstretchesofdeadseabottomdiscourageintercoursewiththem,and
sincethereispracticallynosuchthingasforeigncommerceuponwarlikeBarsoom,whereeachnationissufficienttoitself,reallylittlehasbeenknownrelativetothecourtoftheJeddakofKaolandthenumerousstrange,butinteresting,peopleoverwhomherules.
Occasionalhuntingpartieshavetraveledtothisout-of-the-waycorneroftheglobe,butthehostilityofthenativeshasusuallybroughtdisasteruponthem,sothateventhesportofhuntingthestrangeandsavagecreatureswhichhauntthejunglefastnessesofKaolhasoflateryearsprovedinsufficientlureeventothemostintrepidwarriors.
ItwasuponthevergeofthelandoftheKaolsthatInowknewmyselftobe,butinwhatdirectiontosearchforDejahThoris,orhowfarintotheheartofthegreatforestImighthavetopenetrateIhadnotthefaintestidea.
ButnotsoWoola.
ScarcelyhadIdisentangledhimthanheraisedhisheadhighinairandcommencedcirclingaboutattheedgeoftheforest.Presentlyhehalted,and,turningtoseeifIwerefollowing,setoffstraight
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intothemazeoftreesinthedirectionwehadbeengoingbeforeThurid'sshothadputanendtoourflier.
AsbestIcould,Istumbledafterhimdownasteepdeclivitybeginningattheforest'sedge.
Immensetreesrearedtheirmightyheadsfaraboveus,theirbroadfrondscompletelyshuttingofftheslightestglimpseofthesky.ItwaseasytoseewhytheKaoliansneedednonavy;theircities,hiddeninthemidstofthistoweringforest,mustbeentirelyinvisiblefromabove,norcouldalandingbemadebyanybutthesmallestfliers,andthenonlywiththegreatestriskofaccident.
HowThuridandMataiShangweretolandIcouldnotimagine,thoughlaterIwastolearnthattotheleveloftheforesttopthererisesineachcityofKaolaslenderwatchtowerwhichguardstheKaoliansbydayandbynightagainstthesecretapproachofahostilefleet.TooneofthesethehekkadoroftheHolyThernshadnodifficultyinapproaching,andbyitsmeansthepartywassafelyloweredtotheground.
AsWoolaandIapproachedthebottomofthedeclivitythegroundbecamesoftandmushy,sothatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatwemadeanyheadwaywhatever.
Slenderpurplegrassestoppedwithredandyellowfern-likefrondsgrewranklyallaboutustotheheightofseveralfeetabovemyhead.
Myriadcreepershungfestoonedingracefulloopsfromtreetotree,andamongthemwereseveralvarietiesoftheMartian"man-flower,"whosebloomshaveeyesandhandswithwhichtoseeandseizetheinsectswhichformtheirdiet.
Therepulsivecalottreewas,too,muchinevidence.Itisacarnivorousplantofaboutthebignessofalargesage-brushsuchasdotsourwesternplains.Eachbranchendsinasetofstrong
jaws,whichhavebeenknowntodragdownanddevourlargeandformidablebeastsofprey.
BothWoolaandIhadseveralnarrowescapesfromthesegreedy,arboreousmonsters.
Occasionalareasoffirmsodgaveusintervalsofrestfromthearduouslaboroftraversingthisgorgeous,twilightswamp,anditwasupononeofthesethatIfinallydecidedtomakecampforthenightwhichmychronometerwarnedmewouldsoonbeuponus.
Manyvarietiesoffruitgrewinabundanceaboutus;andasMartiancalotsareomnivorous,Woolahadnodifficultyinmakingasquare
mealafterIhadbroughtdowntheviandsforhim.Then,havingeaten,too,Ilaydownwithmybacktothatofmyfaithfulhound,anddroppedintoadeepanddreamlesssleep.
TheforestwasshroudedinimpenetrabledarknesswhenalowgrowlfromWoolaawakenedme.AllaboutusIcouldhearthestealthymovementofgreat,paddedfeet,andnowandthenthewickedgleamofgreeneyesuponus.Arising,Idrewmylong-swordandwaited.
Suddenlyadeep-toned,horridroarburstfromsomesavagethroat
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almostatmyside.WhatafoolIhadbeennottohavefoundsaferlodgingsformyselfandWoolaamongthebranchesofoneofthecountlesstreesthatsurroundedus!
BydaylightitwouldhavebeencomparativelyeasytohavehoistedWoolaaloftinonemanneroranother,butnowitwastoolate.Therewasnothingforitbuttostandourgroundandtakeourmedicine,though,fromthehideousracketwhichnowassailedourears,andforwhichthatfirstroarhadseemedtobethesignal,Ijudgedthatwemustbeinthemidstofhundreds,perhapsthousands,ofthefierce,man-eatingdenizensoftheKaolianjungle.
Allthebalanceofthenighttheykeptuptheirinfernaldin,butwhytheydidnotattackusIcouldnotguess,noramIsuretothisday,unlessitisthatnoneofthemeverventureuponthepatchesofscarletswardwhichdottheswamp.
Whenmorningbroketheywerestillthere,walkingaboutasinacircle,butalwaysjustbeyondtheedgeofthesward.Amoreterrifyingaggregationoffierceandblood-thirstymonstersitwouldbedifficulttoimagine.
Singlyandinpairstheycommencedwanderingoffintothejungleshortlyaftersunrise,andwhenthelastofthemhaddepartedWoola
andIresumedourjourney.
Occasionallywecaughtglimpsesofhorridbeastsallduringtheday;but,fortunately,wewereneverfarfromaswardisland,andwhentheysawustheirpursuitalwaysendedatthevergeofthesolidsod.
Towardnoonwestumbleduponawell-constructedroadrunninginthegeneraldirectionwehadbeenpursuing.Everythingaboutthishighwaymarkeditastheworkofskilledengineers,andIwasconfident,fromtheindicationsofantiquitywhichitbore,aswellasfromtheveryevidentsignsofitsbeingstillineverydayuse,thatitmustleadtooneoftheprincipalcitiesofKaol.
Justasweentereditfromonesideahugemonsteremergedfromthejungleupontheother,andatsightofuschargedmadlyinourdirection.
Imagine,ifyoucan,abald-facedhornetofyourearthlyexperiencegrowntothesizeofaprizeHerefordbull,andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionoftheferociousappearanceandawesomeformidabilityofthewingedmonsterthatboredownuponme.
Frightfuljawsinfrontandmighty,poisonedstingbehindmademyrelativelypunylong-swordseemapitifulweaponofdefenseindeed.NorcouldIhopetoescapethelightning-likemovementsorhide
fromthosemyriadfaceteyeswhichcoveredthree-fourthsofthehideoushead,permittingthecreaturetoseeinalldirectionsatoneandthesametime.
EvenmypowerfulandferociousWoolawasashelplessasakittenbeforethatfrightfulthing.Buttofleewereuseless,evenhaditeverbeentomylikingtoturnmybackuponadanger;soIstoodmyground,Woolasnarlingatmyside,myonlyhopetodieasIhadalwayslived--fighting.
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Thecreaturewasuponusnow,andattheinstantthereseemedtomeasingleslightchanceforvictory.IfIcouldbutremovetheterriblemenaceofcertaindeathhiddeninthepoisonsacsthatfedthestingthestrugglewouldbelessunequal.
AtthethoughtIcalledtoWoolatoleapuponthecreature'sheadandhangthere,andashismightyjawscloseduponthatfiendishface,andglisteningfangsburiedthemselvesintheboneandcartilageandlowerpartofoneofthehugeeyes,Idivedbeneaththegreatbodyasthecreaturerose,draggingWoolafromtheground,thatitmightbringitsstingbeneathandpiercethebodyofthethinghangingtoitshead.
Toputmyselfinthepathofthatpoison-ladenlancewastocourtinstantdeath,butitwastheonlyway;andasthethingshotlightning-liketowardmeIswungmylong-swordinaterrificcutthatseveredthedeadlymemberclosetothegorgeouslymarkedbody.
Then,likeabattering-ram,oneofthepowerfulhindlegscaughtmefullinthechestandhurledme,halfstunnedandwhollywinded,clearacrossthebroadhighwayandintotheunderbrushofthejunglethatfringesit.
Fortunately,Ipassedbetweenthebolesoftrees;hadIstruckone
ofthemIshouldhavebeenbadlyinjured,ifnotkilled,soswiftlyhadIbeencatapultedbythatenormoushindleg.
DazedthoughIwas,IstumbledtomyfeetandstaggeredbacktoWoola'sassistance,tofindhissavageantagonistcirclingtenfeetabovetheground,beatingmadlyattheclingingcalotwithallsixpowerfullegs.
EvenduringmysuddenflightthroughtheairIhadnotoncereleasedmygripuponmylong-sword,andnowIranbeneaththetwobattlingmonsters,jabbingthewingedterrorrepeatedlywithitssharppoint.
Thethingmighteasilyhaverisenoutofmyreach,butevidentlyit
knewaslittleconcerningretreatinthefaceofdangeraseitherWoolaorI,foritdroppedquicklytowardme,andbeforeIcouldescapehadgraspedmyshoulderbetweenitspowerfuljaws.
Timeandagainthenowuselessstubofitsgiantstingstruckfutilelyagainstmybody,buttheblowsalonewerealmostaseffectiveasthekickofahorse;sothatwhenIsayfutilely,Ireferonlytothenaturalfunctionofthedisabledmember--eventuallythethingwouldhavehammeredmetoapulp.Norwasitfarfromaccomplishingthiswhenaninterruptionoccurredthatputanendforevertoitshostilities.
FromwhereIhungafewfeetabovetheroadIcouldseealongthe
highwayafewhundredyardstowhereitturnedtowardtheeast,andjustasIhadaboutgivenupallhopeofescapingtheperilouspositioninwhichInowwasIsawaredwarriorcomeintoviewfromaroundthebend.
Hewasmountedonasplendidthoat,oneofthesmallerspeciesusedbyredmen,andinhishandwasawondrouslong,lightlance.
HismountwaswalkingsedatelywhenIfirstperceivedthem,buttheinstantthattheredman'seyesfelluponusawordtothethoat
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broughttheanimalatfullchargedownuponus.Thelonglanceofthewarriordippedtowardus,andasthoatandriderhurtledbeneath,thepointpassedthroughthebodyofourantagonist.
Withaconvulsiveshudderthethingstiffened,thejawsrelaxed,droppingmetotheground,andthen,careeningonceinmidair,thecreatureplungedheadforemosttotheroad,fulluponWoola,whostillclungtenaciouslytoitsgoryhead.
BythetimeIhadregainedmyfeettheredmanhadturnedandriddenbacktous.Woola,findinghisenemyinertandlifeless,releasedhisholdatmycommandandwriggledfrombeneaththebodythathadcoveredhim,andtogetherwefacedthewarriorlookingdownuponus.
Istartedtothankthestrangerforhistimelyassistance,buthecutmeoffperemptorily.
"Whoareyou,"heasked,"whodareenterthelandofKaolandhuntintheroyalforestofthejeddak?"
Then,ashenotedmywhiteskinthroughthecoatingofgrimeandbloodthatcoveredme,hiseyeswentwideandinanalteredtonehewhispered:"CanitbethatyouareaHolyThern?"
Imighthavedeceivedthefellowforatime,asIhaddeceivedothers,butIhadcastawaytheyellowwigandtheholydiademinthepresenceofMataiShang,andIknewthatitwouldnotbelongeremynewacquaintancediscoveredthatIwasnothernatall.
"Iamnotathern,"Ireplied,andthen,flingingcautiontothewinds,Isaid:"IamJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,whosenamemaynotbeentirelyunknowntoyou."
IfhiseyeshadgonewidewhenhethoughtthatIwasaHolyThern,theyfairlypoppednowthatheknewthatIwasJohnCarter.Igraspedmylong-swordmorefirmlyasIspokethewordswhichIwas
surewouldprecipitateanattack,buttomysurprisetheyprecipitatednothingofthekind.
"JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,"herepeatedslowly,asthoughhecouldnotquitegraspthetruthofthestatement."JohnCarter,themightiestwarriorofBarsoom!"
AndthenhedismountedandplacedhishanduponmyshoulderafterthemannerofmostfriendlygreetinguponMars.
"Itismyduty,anditshouldbemypleasure,tokillyou,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"butalwaysinmyheartofheartshaveIadmiredyourprowessandbelievedinyoursinceritythewhileIhave
questionedanddisbelievedthethernsandtheirreligion.
"ItwouldmeanmyinstantdeathweremyheresytobesuspectedinthecourtofKulanTith,butifImayserveyou,Prince,youhavebuttocommandTorkarBar,DwaroftheKaolianRoad."
Truthandhonestywerewritlargeuponthewarrior'snoblecountenance,sothatIcouldnotbuthavetrustedhim,enemythoughheshouldhavebeen.HistitleofCaptainoftheKaolianRoadexplainedhistimelypresenceintheheartofthesavageforest,forevery
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highwayuponBarsoomispatrolledbydoughtywarriorsofthenobleclass,noristhereanyservicemorehonorablethanthislonelyanddangerousdutyinthelessfrequentedsectionsofthedomainsoftheredmenofBarsoom.
"TorkarBarhasalreadyplacedagreatdebtofgratitudeuponmyshoulders,"Ireplied,pointingtothecarcassofthecreaturefromwhosehearthewasdragginghislongspear.
Theredmansmiled.
"ItwasfortunatethatIcamewhenIdid,"hesaid."Onlythispoisonedspearprickingtheveryheartofasithcankillitquicklyenoughtosaveitsprey.InthissectionofKaolweareallarmedwithalongsithspear,whosepointissmearedwiththepoisonofthecreatureitisintendedtokill;noothervirusactssoquicklyuponthebeastasitsown.
"Look,"hecontinued,drawinghisdaggerandmakinganincisioninthecarcassafootabovetherootofthesting,fromwhichhepresentlydrewforthtwosacs,eachofwhichheldfullyagallonofthedeadlyliquid.
"Thuswemaintainoursupply,thoughwereitnotforcertaincommercial
usestowhichthevirusisput,itwouldscarcelybenecessarytoaddtoourpresentstore,sincethesithisalmostextinct.
"Onlyoccasionallydowenowrunuponone.Ofold,however,Kaolwasoverrunwiththefrightfulmonstersthatoftencameinherdsoftwentyorthirty,dartingdownfromaboveintoourcitiesandcarryingawaywomen,children,andevenwarriors."
AshespokeIhadbeenwonderingjusthowmuchImightsafelytellthismanofthemissionwhichbroughtmetohisland,buthisnextwordsanticipatedthebroachingofthesubjectonmypart,andrenderedmethankfulthatIhadnotspokentoosoon.
"Andnowastoyourself,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"Ishallnotaskyourbusinesshere,nordoIwishtohearit.Ihaveeyesandearsandordinaryintelligence,andyesterdaymorningIsawthepartythatcametothecityofKaolfromthenorthinasmallflier.ButonethingIaskofyou,andthatis:thewordofJohnCarterthathecontemplatesnoovertactagainsteitherthenationofKaoloritsjeddak."
"Youmayhavemywordastothat,TorkarBar,"Ireplied.
"MywayleadsalongtheKaolianroad,awayfromthecityofKaol,"hecontinued."Ihaveseennoone--JohnCarterleastofall.NorhaveyouseenTorkarBar,noreverheardofhim.Youunderstand?"
"Perfectly,"Ireplied.
Helaidhishanduponmyshoulder.
"ThisroadleadsdirectlyintothecityofKaol,"hesaid."Iwishyoufortune,"andvaultingtothebackofhisthoathetrottedawaywithoutevenabackwardglance.
ItwasafterdarkwhenWoolaandIspiedthroughthemightyforest
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thegreatwallwhichsurroundsthecityofKaol.
Wehadtraversedtheentirewaywithoutmishaporadventure,andthoughthefewwehadmethadeyedthegreatcalotwonderingly,nonehadpiercedtheredpigmentwithwhichIhadsmoothlysmearedeverysquareinchofmybody.
Buttotraversethesurroundingcountry,andtoentertheguardedcityofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,weretwoverydifferentthings.NomanentersaMartiancitywithoutgivingaverydetailedandsatisfactoryaccountofhimself,nordidIdeludemyselfwiththebeliefthatIcouldforamomentimposeupontheacumenoftheofficersoftheguardtowhomIshouldbetakenthemomentIappliedatanyoneofthegates.
Myonlyhopeseemedtolieinenteringthecitysurreptitiouslyundercoverofthedarkness,andoncein,trusttomyownwitstohidemyselfinsomecrowdedquarterwheredetectionwouldbelessliabletooccur.
WiththisideainviewIcircledthegreatwall,keepingwithinthefringeoftheforest,whichiscutawayforashortdistancefromthewallallaboutthecity,thatnoenemymayutilizethetreesasameansofingress.
SeveraltimesIattemptedtoscalethebarrieratdifferentpoints,butnotevenmyearthlymusclescouldovercomethatcleverlyconstructedrampart.Toaheightofthirtyfeetthefaceofthewallslantedoutward,andthenforalmostanequaldistanceitwasperpendicular,abovewhichitslantedinagainforsomefifteenfeettothecrest.
Andsmooth!Polishedglasscouldnotbemoreso.FinallyIhadtoadmitthatatlastIhaddiscoveredaBarsoomianfortificationwhichIcouldnotnegotiate.
Discouraged,Iwithdrewintotheforestbesideabroadhighwaywhich
enteredthecityfromtheeast,andwithWoolabesidemelaydowntosleep.
AHEROINKAOL
ItwasdaylightwhenIwasawakenedbythesoundofstealthymovementnearby.
AsIopenedmyeyesWoola,too,movedand,cominguptohishaunches,
staredthroughtheinterveningbrushtowardtheroad,eachhairuponhisneckstifflyerect.
AtfirstIcouldseenothing,butpresentlyIcaughtaglimpseofabitofsmoothandglossygreenmovingamongthescarletandpurpleandyellowofthevegetation.
MotioningWoolatoremainquietlywherehewas,Icreptforwardtoinvestigate,andfrombehindtheboleofagreattreeIsawalonglineofthehideousgreenwarriorsofthedeadseabottomshiding
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inthedensejunglebesidetheroad.
AsfarasIcouldsee,thesilentlineofdestructionanddeathstretchedawayfromthecityofKaol.Therecouldbebutoneexplanation.Thegreenmenwereexpectinganexodusofabodyofredtroopsfromthenearestcitygate,andtheywerelyingthereinambushtoleapuponthem.
IowednofealtytotheJeddakofKaol,buthewasofthesameraceofnobleredmenasmyownprincess,andIwouldnotstandsupinelybyandseehiswarriorsbutcheredbythecruelandheartlessdemonsofthewasteplacesofBarsoom.
CautiouslyIretracedmystepstowhereIhadleftWoola,andwarninghimtosilence,signaledhimtofollowme.Makingaconsiderabledetourtoavoidthechanceoffallingintothehandsofthegreenmen,Icameatlasttothegreatwall.
Ahundredyardstomyrightwasthegatefromwhichthetroopswereevidentlyexpectedtoissue,buttoreachitImustpasstheflankofthegreenwarriorswithineasysightofthem,and,fearingthatmyplantowarntheKaoliansmightthusbethwarted,Idecideduponhasteningtowardtheleft,whereanothergateamileawaywouldgivemeingresstothecity.
IknewthatthewordIbroughtwouldproveasplendidpassporttoKaol,andImustadmitthatmycautionwasduemoretomyardentdesiretomakemywayintothecitythantoavoidabrushwiththegreenmen.AsmuchasIenjoyafight,Icannotalwaysindulgemyself,andjustnowIhadmoreweightymatterstooccupymytimethanspillingthebloodofstrangewarriors.
CouldIbutwinbeyondthecity'swall,theremightbeopportunityintheconfusionandexcitementwhichweresuretofollowmyannouncementofaninvadingforceofgreenwarriorstofindmywaywithinthepalaceofthejeddak,whereIwassureMataiShangandhispartywouldbequartered.
ButscarcelyhadItakenahundredstepsinthedirectionofthefarthergatewhenthesoundofmarchingtroops,theclankofmetal,andthesquealingofthoatsjustwithinthecityapprisedmeofthefactthattheKaolianswerealreadymovingtowardtheothergate.
Therewasnotimetobelost.Inanothermomentthegatewouldbeopenedandtheheadofthecolumnpassoutuponthedeath-borderedhighway.
Turningbacktowardthefatefulgate,Iranrapidlyalongtheedgeoftheclearing,takingthegroundinthemightyleapsthathadfirstmademefamousuponBarsoom.Thirty,fifty,ahundredfeet
ataboundarenothingforthemusclesofanathleticEarthmanuponMars.
AsIpassedtheflankofthewaitinggreenmentheysawmyeyesturneduponthem,andinaninstant,knowingthatallsecrecywasatanend,thosenearestmesprangtotheirfeetinanefforttocutmeoffbeforeIcouldreachthegate.
AtthesameinstantthemightyportalswungwideandtheheadoftheKaoliancolumnemerged.Adozengreenwarriorshadsucceeded
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inreachingapointbetweenmeandthegate,buttheyhadbutlittleideawhoitwastheyhadelectedtodetain.
IdidnotslackenmyspeedaniotaasIdashedamongthem,andastheyfellbeforemybladeIcouldnotbutrecallthehappymemoryofthoseotherbattleswhenTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,mightiestofMartiangreenmen,hadstoodshouldertoshoulderwithmethroughlong,hotMartiandays,astogetherweheweddownourenemiesuntilthepileofcorpsesaboutusrosehigherthanatallman'shead.
Whenseveralpressedmetooclosely,therebeforethecarvedgatewayofKaol,Ileapedabovetheirheads,andfashioningmytacticsafterthoseofthehideousplantmenofDor,struckdownuponmyenemies'headsasIpassedabovethem.
Fromthecitytheredwarriorswererushingtowardus,andfromthejunglethesavagehordeofgreenmenwerecomingtomeetthem.InamomentIwasintheverycenterofasfierceandbloodyabattleasIhadeverpassedthrough.
TheseKaoliansaremostnoblefighters,norarethegreenmenoftheequatoronewhitlesswarlikethantheircold,cruelcousinsofthetemperatezone.Thereweremanytimeswheneithersidemighthavewithdrawnwithoutdishonorandthusendedhostilities,but
fromthemadabandonwithwhicheachinvariablyrenewedhostilitiesIsooncametobelievethatwhatneednothavebeenmorethanatriflingskirmishwouldendonlywiththecompleteexterminationofoneforceortheother.
Withthejoyofbattleoncerousedwithinme,Itookkeendelightinthefray,andthatmyfightingwasnotedbytheKaolianswasoftenevidencedbytheshoutsofapplausedirectedatme.
IfIsometimesseemtotaketoogreatprideinmyfightingability,itmustberememberedthatfightingismyvocation.Ifyourvocationbeshoeinghorses,orpaintingpictures,andyoucandooneortheotherbetterthanyourfellows,thenyouareafoolifyouare
notproudofyourability.AndsoIamveryproudthatupontwoplanetsnogreaterfighterhaseverlivedthanJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.
AndIoutdidmyselfthatdaytoimpressthefactuponthenativesofKaol,forIwishedtowinawayintotheirhearts--andtheircity.NorwasItobedisappointedinmydesire.
Alldaywefought,untiltheroadwasredwithbloodandcloggedwithcorpses.Backandforthalongtheslipperyhighwaythetideofbattlesurged,butneveroncewasthegatewaytoKaolreallyindanger.
TherewerebreathingspellswhenIhadachancetoconversewiththeredmenbesidewhomIfought,andoncethejeddak,KulanTithhimself,laidhishanduponmyshoulderandaskedmyname.
"IamDotarSojat,"Ireplied,recallinganamegivenmebytheTharksmanyyearsbefore,fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwooftheirwarriorsIhadkilled,whichisthecustomamongthem.
"Youareamightywarrior,DotarSojat,"hereplied,"andwhenthisdayisdoneIshallspeakwithyouagaininthegreataudience
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chamber."
Andthenthefightsurgeduponusoncemoreandwewereseparated,butmyheart'sdesirewasattained,anditwaswithrenewedvigorandajoyoussoulthatIlaidaboutmewithmylong-sworduntilthelastofthegreenmenhadhadenoughandhadwithdrawntowardtheirdistantseabottom.
NotuntilthebattlewasoverdidIlearnwhytheredtroopshadsalliedforththatday.ItseemedthatKulanTithwasexpectingavisitfromamightyjeddakofthenorth--apowerfulandtheonlyallyoftheKaolians,andithadbeenhiswishtomeethisguestafullday'sjourneyfromKaol.
Butnowthemarchofthewelcominghostwasdelayeduntilthefollowingmorning,whenthetroopsagainsetoutfromKaol.IhadnotbeenbiddentothepresenceofKulanTithafterthebattle,buthehadsentanofficertofindmeandescortmetocomfortablequartersinthatpartofthepalacesetasidefortheofficersoftheroyalguard.
There,withWoola,Ihadspentacomfortablenight,androsemuchrefreshedafterthearduouslaborsofthepastfewdays.Woolahadfoughtwithmethroughthebattleofthepreviousday,trueto
theinstinctsandtrainingofaMartianwardog,greatnumbersofwhichareoftentobefoundwiththesavagegreenhordesofthedeadseabottoms.
Neitherofushadcomethroughtheconflictunscathed,butthemarvelous,healingsalvesofBarsoomhadsufficed,overnight,tomakeusasgoodasnew.
IbreakfastedwithanumberoftheKaolianofficers,whomIfoundascourteousanddelightfulhostsaseventhenoblesofHelium,whoarerenownedfortheireaseofmannersandexcellenceofbreeding.ThemealwasscarcelyconcludedwhenamessengerarrivedfromKulanTithsummoningmebeforehim.
AsIenteredtheroyalpresencethejeddakrose,andsteppingfromthedaiswhichsupportedhismagnificentthrone,cameforwardtomeetme--amarkofdistinctionthatisseldomaccordedtootherthanavisitingruler.
"Kaor,DotarSojat!"hegreetedme."IhavesummonedyoutoreceivethegratefulthanksofthepeopleofKaol,forhaditnotbeenforyourheroicbraveryindaringfatetowarnusoftheambuscadewemustsurelyhavefallenintothewell-laidtrap.Tellmemoreofyourself--fromwhatcountryyoucome,andwhaterrandbringsyoutothecourtofKulanTith."
"IamfromHastor,"Isaid,forintruthIhadasmallpalaceinthatsoutherncitywhichlieswithinthefar-flungdominionsoftheHeliumeticnation.
"MypresenceinthelandofKaolispartlyduetoaccident,myflierbeingwreckeduponthesouthernfringeofyourgreatforest.ItwaswhileseekingentrancetothecityofKaolthatIdiscoveredthegreenhordelyinginwaitforyourtroops."
IfKulanTithwonderedwhatbusinessbroughtmeinafliertothe
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veryedgeofhisdomainhewasgoodenoughnottopressmefurtherforanexplanation,whichIshouldindeedhavehaddifficultyinrendering.
Duringmyaudiencewiththejeddakanotherpartyenteredthechamberfrombehindme,sothatIdidnotseetheirfacesuntilKulanTithsteppedpastmetogreetthem,commandingmetofollowandbepresented.
AsIturnedtowardthemitwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmyfeatures,forthere,listeningtoKulanTith'seulogisticwordsconcerningme,stoodmyarch-enemies,MataiShangandThurid.
"HolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns,"thejeddakwassaying,"showerthyblessingsuponDotarSojat,thevalorousstrangerfromdistantHastor,whosewondrousheroismandmarvelousferocitysavedthedayforKaolyesterday."
MataiShangsteppedforwardandlaidhishanduponmyshoulder.Noslightestindicationthatherecognizedmeshoweduponhiscountenance--mydisguisewasevidentlycomplete.
HespokekindlytomeandthenpresentedmetoThurid.Theblack,too,wasevidentlyentirelydeceived.ThenKulanTithregaled
them,muchtomyamusement,withdetailsofmyachievementsuponthefieldofbattle.
Thethingthatseemedtohaveimpressedhimmostwasmyremarkableagility,andtimeandagainhedescribedthewondrouswayinwhichIhadleapedcompletelyoveranantagonist,cleavinghisskullwideopenwithmylong-swordasIpassedabovehim.
IthoughtthatIsawThurid'seyeswidenabitduringthenarrative,andseveraltimesIsurprisedhimgazingintentlyintomyfacethroughnarrowedlids.Washecommencingtosuspect?AndthenKulanTithtoldofthesavagecalotthatfoughtbesideme,andafterthatIsawsuspicionintheeyesofMataiShang--ordidI
butimagineit?
AtthecloseoftheaudienceKulanTithannouncedthathewouldhavemeaccompanyhimuponthewaytomeethisroyalguest,andasIdepartedwithanofficerwhowastoprocurepropertrappingsandasuitablemountforme,bothMataiShangandThuridseemedmostsincereinprofessingtheirpleasureathavinghadanopportunitytoknowme.ItwaswithasighofreliefthatIquittedthechamber,convincedthatnothingmorethanaguiltyconsciencehadpromptedmybeliefthateitherofmyenemiessuspectedmytrueidentity.
Ahalf-hourlaterIrodeoutofthecitygatewiththecolumnthataccompaniedKulanTithuponthewaytomeethisfriendandally.
Thoughmyeyesandearshadbeenwideopenduringmyaudiencewiththejeddakandmyvariouspassagesthroughthepalace,IhadseenorheardnothingofDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarth.ThattheymustbesomewherewithinthegreatramblingedificeIwaspositive,andIshouldhavegivenmuchtohavefoundawaytoremainbehindduringKulanTith'sabsence,thatImightsearchforthem.
Towardnoonwecameintouchwiththeheadofthecolumnwehadsetouttomeet.
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Itwasagorgeoustrainthataccompaniedthevisitingjeddak,andformilesitstretchedalongthewide,whiteroadtoKaol.Mountedtroops,theirtrappingsofjewelandmetal-incrustedleatherglisteninginthesunlight,formedthevanguardofthebody,andthencameathousandgorgeouschariotsdrawnbyhugezitidars.
Theselow,commodiouswagonsmovedtwoabreast,andoneithersideofthemmarchedsolidranksofmountedwarriors,forinthechariotswerethewomenandchildrenoftheroyalcourt.UponthebackofeachmonsterzitidarrodeaMartianyouth,andthewholescenecarriedmebacktomyfirstdaysuponBarsoom,nowtwenty-twoyearsinthepast,whenIhadfirstbeheldthegorgeousspectacleofacaravanofthegreenhordeofTharks.
NeverbeforetodayhadIseenzitidarsintheserviceofredmen.Thesebrutesarehugemastodoniananimalsthattowertoanimmenseheightevenbesidethegiantgreenmenandtheirgiantthoats;butwhencomparedtotherelativelysmallredmanandhisbreedofthoatstheyassumeBrobdingnagianproportionsthataretrulyappalling.
Thebeastswerehungwithjeweledtrappingsandsaddlepadsofgaysilk,embroideredinfancifuldesignswithstringsofdiamonds,pearls,rubies,emeralds,andthecountlessunnamedjewelsofMars,
whilefromeachchariotroseadozenstandardsfromwhichstreamers,flags,andpennonsflutteredinthebreeze.
Justinfrontofthechariotsthevisitingjeddakrodealoneuponapurewhitethoat--anotherunusualsightuponBarsoom--andafterthemcameinterminableranksofmountedspearmen,riflemen,andswordsmen.Itwasindeedamostimposingsight.
Exceptfortheclankingofaccoutermentsandtheoccasionalsquealofanangrythoatorthelowgutturalofazitidar,thepassageofthecavalcadewasalmostnoiseless,forneitherthoatnorzitidarisahoofedanimal,andthebroadtiresofthechariotsareofanelasticcomposition,whichgivesforthnosound.
Nowandthenthegaylaughterofawomanorthechatterofchildrencouldbeheard,fortheredMartiansareasocial,pleasure-lovingpeople--indirectantithesistothecoldandmorbidraceofgreenmen.
Theformsandceremonialsconnectedwiththemeetingofthetwojeddaksconsumedanhour,andthenweturnedandretracedourwaytowardthecityofKaol,whichtheheadofthecolumnreachedjustbeforedark,thoughitmusthavebeennearlymorningbeforetherearguardpassedthroughthegateway.
Fortunately,Iwaswelluptowardtheheadofthecolumn,andafter
thegreatbanquet,whichIattendedwiththeofficersoftheroyalguard,Iwasfreetoseekrepose.Therewassomuchactivityandbustleaboutthepalaceallduringthenightwiththeconstantarrivalofthenobleofficersofthevisitingjeddak'sretinuethatIdarednotattempttoprosecuteasearchforDejahThoris,andso,assoonasitwasseemlyformetodoso,Ireturnedtomyquarters.
AsIpassedalongthecorridorsbetweenthebanquethallandtheapartmentsthathadbeenallottedme,Ihadasuddenfeelingthat
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Iwasundersurveillance,and,turningquicklyinmytracks,caughtaglimpseofafigurewhichdartedintoanopendoorwaytheinstantIwheeledabout.
ThoughIranquicklybacktothespotwheretheshadowerhaddisappearedIcouldfindnotraceofhim,yetinthebriefglimpsethatIhadcaughtIcouldhaveswornthatIhadseenawhitefacesurmountedbyamassofyellowhair.
Theincidentgavemeconsiderablefoodforspeculation,sinceifIwererightintheconclusioninducedbythecursoryglimpseIhadhadofthespy,thenMataiShangandThuridmustsuspectmyidentity,andifthatweretruenoteventheserviceIhadrenderedKulanTithcouldsavemefromhisreligiousfanaticism.
Butneverdidvagueconjectureorfruitlessfearsforthefutureliewithsufficientweightuponmymindtokeepmefrommyrest,andsotonightIthrewmyselfuponmysleepingsilksandfursandpassedatonceintodreamlessslumber.
Calotsarenotpermittedwithinthewallsofthepalaceproper,andsoIhadhadtorelegatepoorWoolatoquartersinthestableswheretheroyalthoatsarekept.Hehadcomfortable,evenluxuriousapartments,butIwouldhavegivenmuchtohavehadhimwithme;
andifhehadbeen,thethingwhichhappenedthatnightwouldnothavecometopass.
IcouldnothavesleptoveraquarterofanhourwhenIwassuddenlyawakenedbythepassingofsomecoldandclammythingacrossmyforehead.InstantlyIsprangtomyfeet,clutchinginthedirectionIthoughtthepresencelay.Foraninstantmyhandtouchedagainsthumanflesh,andthen,asIlungedheadforemostthroughthedarknesstoseizemynocturnalvisitor,myfootbecameentangledinmysleepingsilksandIfellsprawlingtothefloor.
BythetimeIhadresumedmyfeetandfoundthebuttonwhichcontrolledthelightmycallerhaddisappeared.Carefulsearchof
theroomrevealednothingtoexplaineithertheidentityorbusinessofthepersonwhohadthussecretlysoughtmeinthedeadofnight.
ThatthepurposemightbetheftIcouldnotbelieve,sincethievesarepracticallyunknownuponBarsoom.Assassination,however,isrampant,buteventhiscouldnothavebeenthemotiveofmystealthyfriend,forhemighteasilyhavekilledmehadhedesired.
IhadaboutgivenupfruitlessconjectureandwasonthepointofreturningtosleepwhenadozenKaolianguardsmenenteredmyapartment.Theofficerinchargewasoneofmygenialhostsofthemorning,butnowuponhisfacewasnosignoffriendship.
"KulanTithcommandsyourpresencebeforehim,"hesaid."Come!"
NEWALLIES
SurroundedbyguardsmenImarchedbackalongthecorridorsofthepalaceofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,tothegreataudiencechamber
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inthecenterofthemassivestructure.
AsIenteredthebrilliantlylightedapartment,filledwiththenoblesofKaolandtheofficersofthevisitingjeddak,alleyeswereturneduponme.Uponthegreatdaisattheendofthechamberstoodthreethrones,uponwhichsatKulanTithandhistwoguests,MataiShang,andthevisitingjeddak.
Upthebroadcenteraislewemarchedbeneathdeadlysilence,andatthefootofthethroneswehalted.
"Preferthycharge,"saidKulanTith,turningtoonewhostoodamongthenoblesathisright;andthenThurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,steppedforwardandfacedme.
"MostnobleJeddak,"hesaid,addressingKulanTith,"fromthefirstIsuspectedthisstrangerwithinthypalace.Yourdescriptionofhisfiendishprowesstalliedwiththatofthearch-enemyoftruthuponBarsoom.
"ButthattheremightbenomistakeIdespatchedapriestofyourownholyculttomakethetestthatshouldpiercehisdisguiseandrevealthetruth.Beholdtheresult!"andThuridpointedarigidfingeratmyforehead.
Alleyesfollowedthedirectionofthataccusingdigit--Ialoneseemedatalosstoguesswhatfatalsignresteduponmybrow.
Theofficerbesidemeguessedmyperplexity;andasthebrowsofKulanTithdarkenedinamenacingscowlashiseyesresteduponme,thenobledrewasmallmirrorfromhispocket-pouchandhelditbeforemyface.
Oneglanceatthereflectionitgavebacktomewassufficient.
Frommyforeheadthehandofthesneakingthernhadreachedoutthroughtheconcealingdarknessofmybed-chamberandwipedawaya
patchofthedisguisingredpigmentasbroadasmypalm.Beneathshowedthetannedtextureofmyownwhiteskin.
ForamomentThuridceasedspeaking,toenhance,Isuspect,thedramaticeffectofhisdisclosure.Thenheresumed.
"Here,OKulanTith,"hecried,"ishewhohasdesecratedthetemplesoftheGodsofMars,whohasviolatedthepersonsoftheHolyThernsthemselvesandturnedaworldagainstitsage-oldreligion.Beforeyou,inyourpower,JeddakofKaol,DefenderoftheHolies,standsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium!"
KulanTithlookedtowardMataiShangasthoughforcorroboration
ofthesecharges.TheHolyThernnoddedhishead.
"Itisindeedthearch-blasphemer,"hesaid."Evennowhehasfollowedmetotheveryheartofthypalace,KulanTith,forthesolepurposeofassassinatingme.He--"
"Helies!"Icried."KulanTith,listenthatyoumayknowthetruth.ListenwhileItellyouwhyJohnCarterhasfollowedMataiShangtotheheartofthypalace.Listentomeaswellastothem,andthenjudgeifmyactsbenotmoreinaccordwithtrueBarsoomian
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chivalryandhonorthanthoseoftheserevengefuldevoteesofthespuriouscreedsfromwhosecruelbondsIhavefreedyourplanet."
"Silence!"roaredthejeddak,leapingtohisfeetandlayinghishanduponthehiltofhissword."Silence,blasphemer!KulanTithneednotpermittheairofhisaudiencechambertobedefiledbytheheresiesthatissuefromyourpollutedthroattojudgeyou.
"Youstandalreadyself-condemned.Itbutremainstodeterminethemannerofyourdeath.EventheservicethatyourenderedthearmsofKaolshallavailyounaught;itwasbutabasesubterfugewherebyyoumightwinyourwayintomyfavorandreachthesideofthisholymanwhoselifeyoucraved.Tothepitswithhim!"heconcluded,addressingtheofficerofmyguard.
Herewasaprettypass,indeed!WhatchancehadIagainstawholenation?WhathopeformeofmercyatthehandsofthefanaticalKulanTithwithsuchadvisersasMataiShangandThurid.Theblackgrinnedmalevolentlyinmyface.
"Youshallnotescapethistime,Earthman,"hetaunted.
Theguardsclosedtowardme.Aredhazeblurredmyvision.ThefightingbloodofmyVirginiansirescoursedhotthroughmyveins.
Thelustofbattleinallitsmadfurywasuponme.
WithaleapIwasbesideThurid,anderethedevilishsmirkhadfadedfromhishandsomefaceIhadcaughthimfulluponthemouthwithmyclenchedfist;andasthegood,oldAmericanblowlanded,theblackdatorshotbackadozenfeet,tocrumpleinaheapatthefootofKulanTith'sthrone,spittingbloodandteethfromhishurtmouth.
ThenIdrewmyswordandswunground,onguard,tofaceanation.
Inaninstanttheguardsmenwereuponme,butbeforeablowhadbeenstruckamightyvoiceroseabovethedinofshoutingwarriors,
andagiantfigureleapedfromthedaisbesideKulanTithand,withdrawnlong-sword,threwhimselfbetweenmeandmyadversaries.
Itwasthevisitingjeddak.
"Hold!"hecried."Ifyouvaluemyfriendship,KulanTith,andtheage-oldpeacethathasexistedbetweenourpeoples,calloffyourswordsmen;forwhereveroragainstwhomsoeverfightsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,therebesidehimandtothedeathfightsThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth."
TheshoutingceasedandthemenacingpointswereloweredasathousandeyesturnedfirsttowardThuvanDihninsurpriseandthen
towardKulanTithinquestion.AtfirsttheJeddakofKaolwentwhiteinrage,butbeforehespokehehadmasteredhimself,sothathistonewascalmandevenasbefittedintercoursebetweentwogreatjeddaks.
"ThuvanDihn,"hesaidslowly,"musthavegreatprovocationthustodesecratetheancientcustomswhichinspirethedeportmentofaguestwithinthepalaceofhishost.LestI,too,shouldforgetmyselfashasmyroyalfriend,IshouldprefertoremainsilentuntiltheJeddakofPtarthhaswonfrommeapplauseforhisaction
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byrelatingthecauseswhichprovokedit."
IcouldseethattheJeddakofPtarthwasofhalfamindtothrowhismetalinKulanTith'sface,buthecontrolledhimselfevenaswellashadhishost.
"NoneknowsbetterthanThuvanDihn,"hesaid,"thelawswhichgoverntheactsofmeninthedomainsoftheirneighbors;butThuvanDihnowesallegiancetoahigherlawthanthese--thelawofgratitude.NortoanymanuponBarsoomdoesheoweagreaterdebtofgratitudethantoJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.
"Yearsago,KulanTith,"hecontinued,"upontheoccasionofyourlastvisittome,youweregreatlytakenwiththecharmsandgracesofmyonlydaughter,Thuvia.YousawhowIadoredher,andlateryoulearnedthat,inspiredbysomeunfathomablewhim,shehadtakenthelast,long,voluntarypilgrimageuponthecoldbosomofthemysteriousIss,leavingmedesolate.
"SomemonthsagoIfirstheardoftheexpeditionwhichJohnCarterhadledagainstIssusandtheHolyTherns.FaintrumorsoftheatrocitiesreportedtohavebeencommittedbythethernsuponthosewhoforcountlessageshavefloateddownthemightyIsscametomyears.
"Iheardthatthousandsofprisonershadbeenreleased,fewofwhomdaredtoreturntotheirowncountriesowingtothemandateofterribledeathwhichrestsagainstallwhoreturnfromtheValleyDor.
"ForatimeIcouldnotbelievetheheresieswhichIheard,andIprayedthatmydaughterThuviamighthavediedbeforesheevercommittedthesacrilegeofreturningtotheouterworld.Butthenmyfather'sloveasserteditself,andIvowedthatIwouldprefereternaldamnationtofurtherseparationfromherifshecouldbefound.
"SoIsentemissariestoHelium,andtothecourtofXodar,JeddakoftheFirstBorn,andtohimwhonowrulesthoseofthethernnationthathaverenouncedtheirreligion;andfromeachandallIheardthesamestoryofunspeakablecrueltiesandatrocitiesperpetrateduponthepoordefenselessvictimsoftheirreligionbytheHolyTherns.
"Manytherewerewhohadseenorknownmydaughter,andfromthernswhohadbeenclosetoMataiShangIlearnedoftheindignitiesthathepersonallyheapeduponher;andIwasgladwhenIcameheretofindthatMataiShangwasalsoyourguest,forIshouldhavesoughthimouthadittakenalifetime.
"More,too,Iheard,andthatofthechivalrouskindnessthatJohnCarterhadaccordedmydaughter.Theytoldmehowhefoughtforherandrescuedher,andhowhespurnedescapefromthesavageWarhoonsofthesouth,sendinghertosafetyuponhisownthoatandremaininguponfoottomeetthegreenwarriors.
"Canyouwonder,KulanTith,thatIamwillingtojeopardizemylife,thepeaceofmynation,orevenyourfriendship,whichIprizemorethanaughtelse,tochampionthePrinceofHelium?"
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ForamomentKulanTithwassilent.Icouldseebytheexpressionofhisfacethathewassoreperplexed.Thenhespoke.
"ThuvanDihn,"hesaid,andhistonewasfriendlythoughsad,"whoamItojudgemyfellow-man?InmyeyestheFatherofThernsisstillholy,andthereligionwhichheteachestheonlytruereligion,butwereIfacedbythesameproblemthathasvexedyouIdoubtnotthatIshouldfeelandactpreciselyasyouhave.
"InsofarasthePrinceofHeliumisconcernedImayact,butbetweenyouandMataiShangmyonlyofficecanbeoneofconciliation.ThePrinceofHeliumshallbeescortedinsafetytotheboundaryofmydomainerethesunhassetagain,whereheshallbefreetogowhitherhewill;butuponpainofdeathmustheneveragainenterthelandofKaol.
"IftherebeaquarrelbetweenyouandtheFatherofTherns,Ineednotaskthatthesettlementofitbedeferreduntilbothhavepassedbeyondthelimitsofmypower.Areyousatisfied,ThuvanDihn?"
TheJeddakofPtarthnoddedhisassent,buttheuglyscowlthathebentuponMataiShangharboredillforthatpasty-facedgodling.
"ThePrinceofHeliumisfarfromsatisfied,"Icried,breakingrudelyinuponthebeginningsofpeace,forIhadnostomachforpeaceatthepricethathadbeennamed.
"IhaveescapeddeathinadozenformstofollowMataiShangandovertakehim,andIdonotintendtobeled,likeadecrepitthoattotheslaughter,fromthegoalthatIhavewonbytheprowessofmyswordarmandthemightofmymuscles.
"NorwillThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth,besatisfiedwhenhehasheardmethrough.DoyouknowwhyIhavefollowedMataiShangandThurid,theblackdator,fromtheforestsoftheValleyDoracrosshalfaworldthroughalmostinsurmountabledifficulties?
"ThinkyouthatJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,wouldstooptoassassination?CanKulanTithbesuchafoolastobelievethatlie,whisperedinhisearbytheHolyThernorDatorThurid?
"IdonotfollowMataiShangtokillhim,thoughtheGodofmineownplanetknowsthatmyhandsitchtobeathisthroat.Ifollowhim,ThuvanDihn,becausewithhimaretwoprisoners--mywife,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,andyourdaughter,ThuviaofPtarth.
"NowthinkyouthatIshallpermitmyselftobeledbeyondthewallsofKaolunlessthemotherofmysonaccompaniesme,andthydaughterberestored?"
ThuvanDihnturneduponKulanTith.Rageflamedinhiskeeneyes;butbythemasterfulnessofhisself-controlhekepthistoneslevelashespoke.
"Knewyouthisthing,KulanTith?"heasked."Knewyouthatmydaughterlayaprisonerinyourpalace?"
"Hecouldnotknowit,"interruptedMataiShang,whitewithwhatIamsurewasmorefearthanrage."Hecouldnotknowit,forit
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isalie."
Iwouldhavehadhislifeforthatuponthespot,butevenasIsprangtowardhimThuvanDihnlaidaheavyhanduponmyshoulder.
"Wait,"hesaidtome,andthentoKulanTith."Itisnotalie.ThismuchhaveIlearnedofthePrinceofHelium--hedoesnotlie.Answerme,KulanTith--Ihaveaskedyouaquestion."
"ThreewomencamewiththeFatherofTherns,"repliedKulanTith."Phaidor,hisdaughter,andtwowhowerereportedtobeherslaves.IfthesebeThuviaofPtarthandDejahThorisofHeliumIdidnotknowit--Ihaveseenneither.Butiftheybe,thenshalltheybereturnedtoyouonthemorrow."
AshespokehelookedstraightatMataiShang,notasadevoteeshouldlookatahighpriest,butasarulerofmenlooksatonetowhomheissuesacommand.
ItmusthavebeenplaintotheFatherofTherns,asitwastome,thattherecentdisclosuresofhistruecharacterhaddonemuchalreadytoweakenthefaithofKulanTith,andthatitwouldrequirebutlittlemoretoturnthepowerfuljeddakintoanavowedenemy;butsostrongaretheseedsofsuperstitionthateventhegreat
Kaolianstillhesitatedtocutthefinalstrandthatboundhimtohisancientreligion.
MataiShangwaswiseenoughtoseemtoacceptthemandateofhisfollower,andpromisedtobringthetwoslavewomentotheaudiencechamberonthemorrow.
"Itisalmostmorningnow,"hesaid,"andIshoulddisliketobreakinupontheslumberofmydaughter,orIwouldhavethemfetchedatoncethatyoumightseethatthePrinceofHeliumismistaken,"andheemphasizedthelastwordinanefforttoaffrontmesosubtlelythatIcouldnottakeopenoffense.
Iwasabouttoobjecttoanydelay,anddemandthatthePrincessofHeliumbebroughttomeforthwith,whenThuvanDihnmadesuchinsistenceseemunnecessary.
"Ishouldliketoseemydaughteratonce,"hesaid,"butifKulanTithwillgivemehisassurancethatnonewillbepermittedtoleavethepalacethisnight,andthatnoharmshallbefalleitherDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarthbetweennowandthemomenttheyarebroughtintoourpresenceinthischamberatdaylightIshallnotinsist."
"Noneshallleavethepalacetonight,"repliedtheJeddakofKaol,"andMataiShangwillgiveusassurancethatnoharmwillcometo
thetwowomen?"
Thethernassentedwithanod.AfewmomentslaterKulanTithindicatedthattheaudiencewasatanend,andatThuvanDihn'sinvitationIaccompaniedtheJeddakofPtarthtohisownapartments,wherewesatuntildaylight,whilehelistenedtotheaccountofmyexperiencesuponhisplanetandtoallthathadbefallenhisdaughterduringthetimethatwehadbeentogether.
IfoundthefatherofThuviaamanaftermyownheart,andthat
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nightsawthebeginningofafriendshipwhichhasgrownuntilitissecondonlytothatwhichobtainsbetweenTarsTarkas,thegreenJeddakofThark,andmyself.
ThefirstburstofMars'ssuddendawnbroughtmessengersfromKulanTith,summoningustotheaudiencechamberwhereThuvanDihnwastoreceivehisdaughterafteryearsofseparation,andIwastobereunitedwiththegloriousdaughterofHeliumafteranalmostunbrokenseparationoftwelveyears.
MyheartpoundedwithinmybosomuntilIlookedaboutmeinembarrassment,sosurewasIthatallwithintheroommusthear.Myarmsachedtoenfoldoncemorethedivineformofherwhoseeternalyouthandundyingbeautywerebutoutwardmanifestationsofaperfectsoul.
AtlastthemessengerdespatchedtofetchMataiShangreturned.Icranedmynecktocatchthefirstglimpseofthosewhoshouldbefollowing,butthemessengerwasalone.
Haltingbeforethethroneheaddressedhisjeddakinavoicethatwasplainlyaudibletoallwithinthechamber.
"OKulanTith,MightiestofJeddaks,"hecried,afterthefashion
ofthecourt,"yourmessengerreturnsalone,forwhenhereachedtheapartmentsoftheFatherofThernshefoundthemempty,aswerethoseoccupiedbyhissuite."
KulanTithwentwhite.
AlowgroanburstfromthelipsofThuvanDihnwhostoodnextme,nothavingascendedthethronewhichawaitedhimbesidehishost.ForamomentthesilenceofdeathreignedinthegreataudiencechamberofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol.Itwashewhobrokethespell.
Risingfromhisthronehesteppeddownfromthedaistotheside
ofThuvanDihn.Tearsdimmedhiseyesasheplacedbothhishandsupontheshouldersofhisfriend.
"OThuvanDihn,"hecried,"thatthisshouldhavehappenedinthepalaceofthybestfriend!WithmyownhandswouldIhavewrungtheneckofMataiShanghadIguessedwhatwasinhisfoulheart.Lastnightmylife-longfaithwasweakened--thismorningithasbeenshattered;buttoolate,toolate.
"Towrestyourdaughterandthewifeofthisroyalwarriorfromtheclutchesofthesearchfiendsyouhavebuttocommandtheresourcesofamightynation,forallKaolisatyourdisposal.Whatmaybedone?Saytheword!"
"First,"Isuggested,"letusfindthoseofyourpeoplewhoberesponsiblefortheescapeofMataiShangandhisfollowers.Withoutassistanceonthepartofthepalaceguardthisthingcouldnothavecometopass.Seektheguilty,andfromthemforceanexplanationofthemanneroftheirgoingandthedirectiontheyhavetaken."
BeforeKulanTithcouldissuethecommandsthatwouldinitiatetheinvestigationahandsomeyoungofficersteppedforwardandaddressed
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hisjeddak.
"OKulanTith,MightiestofJeddaks,"hesaid,"Ialoneberesponsibleforthisgrievouserror.LastnightitwasIwhocommandedthepalaceguard.Iwasondutyinotherpartsofthepalaceduringtheaudienceoftheearlymorning,andknewnothingofwhattranspiredthen,sothatwhentheFatherofThernssummonedmeandexplainedthatitwasyourwishthathispartybehastenedfromthecitybecauseofthepresencehereofadeadlyenemywhosoughttheHolyHekkador'slifeIdidonlywhatalifetimeoftraininghastaughtmewastheproperthingtodo--IobeyedhimwhomIbelievedtobetherulerofusall,mightiereventhanthou,mightiestofjeddaks.
"Lettheconsequencesandthepunishmentfallonmealone,forIaloneamguilty.Thoseothersofthepalaceguardwhoassistedintheflightdidsoundermyinstructions."
KulanTithlookedfirstatmeandthenatThuvanDihn,asthoughtoaskourjudgmentupontheman,buttheerrorwassoevidentlyexcusablethatneitherofushadanymindtoseetheyoungofficersufferforamistakethatanymightreadilyhavemade.
"Howleftthey,"askedThuvanDihn,"andwhatdirectiondidtheytake?"
"Theyleftastheycame,"repliedtheofficer,"upontheirownflier.ForsometimeaftertheyhaddepartedIwatchedthevessel'slights,whichvanishedfinallyduenorth."
"WherenorthcouldMataiShangfindanasylum?"askedThuvanDihnofKulanTith.
ForsomemomentstheJeddakofKaolstoodwithbowedhead,apparentlydeepinthought.Thenasuddenlightbrightenedhiscountenance.
"Ihaveit!"hecried."OnlyyesterdayMataiShangletdropahintofhisdestination,tellingmeofaraceofpeopleunlikeourselves
whodwellfartothenorth.They,hesaid,hadalwaysbeenknowntotheHolyThernsandweredevoutandfaithfulfollowersoftheancientcult.Amongthemwouldhefindaperpetualhavenofrefuge,whereno'lyingheretics'mightseekhimout.ItistherethatMataiShanghasgone."
"AndinallKaoltherebenoflierwhereintofollow,"Icried.
"NornearerthanPtarth,"repliedThuvanDihn.
"Wait!"Iexclaimed,"beyondthesouthernfringeofthisgreatforestliesthewreckofthethernflierwhichbroughtmethatfaruponmyway.Ifyouwillloanmementofetchit,andartificers
toassistme,Icanrepairitintwodays,KulanTith."
IhadbeenmorethanhalfsuspiciousoftheseemingsincerityoftheKaolianjeddak'ssuddenapostasy,butthealacritywithwhichheembracedmysuggestion,andthedespatchwithwhichaforceofofficersandmenwereplacedatmydisposalentirelyremovedthelastvestigeofmydoubts.
Twodayslatertheflierresteduponthetopofthewatchtower,readytodepart.ThuvanDihnandKulanTithhadofferedmethe
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entireresourcesoftwonations--millionsoffightingmenwereatmydisposal;butmyfliercouldholdbutoneotherthanmyselfandWoola.
AsIsteppedaboardher,ThuvanDihntookhisplacebesideme.Icastalookofquestioningsurpriseuponhim.HeturnedtothehighestofhisownofficerswhohadaccompaniedhimtoKaol.
"ToyouIentrustthereturnofmyretinuetoPtarth,"hesaid."Theremysonrulesablyinmyabsence.ThePrinceofHeliumshallnotgoaloneintothelandofhisenemies.Ihavespoken.Farewell!"
THROUGHTHECARRIONCAVES
Straighttowardthenorth,dayandnight,ourdestinationcompassledusafterthefleeingflieruponwhichithadremainedsetsinceIfirstattuneditafterleavingthethernfortress.
Earlyinthesecondnightwenoticedtheairbecomingperceptiblycolder,andfromthedistancewehadcomefromtheequatorwere
assuredthatwewererapidlyapproachingthenortharcticregion.
Myknowledgeoftheeffortsthathadbeenmadebycountlessexpeditionstoexplorethatunknownlandbademetocaution,forneverhadflierreturnedwhohadpassedtoanyconsiderabledistancebeyondthemightyice-barrierthatfringesthesouthernhemofthefrigidzone.
Whatbecameofthemnoneknew--onlythattheypassedforeveroutofthesightofmanintothatgrimandmysteriouscountryofthepole.
Thedistancefromthebarriertothepolewasnomorethanaswift
fliershouldcoverinafewhours,andsoitwasassumedthatsomefrightfulcatastropheawaitedthosewhoreachedthe"forbiddenland,"asithadcometobecalledbytheMartiansoftheouterworld.
ThusitwasthatIwentmoreslowlyasweapproachedthebarrier,foritwasmyintentiontomovecautiouslybydayovertheice-packthatImightdiscover,beforeIhadrunintoatrap,iftherereallylayaninhabitedcountryatthenorthpole,forthereonlycouldIimagineaspotwhereMataiShangmightfeelsecurefromJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium.
Wewereflyingatasnail'spacebutafewfeetabovetheground--literallyfeelingourwayalongthroughthedarkness,for
bothmoonshadset,andthenightwasblackwiththecloudsthataretobefoundonlyatMars'stwoextremities.
Suddenlyatoweringwallofwhiterosedirectlyinourpath,andthoughIthrewthehelmhardover,andreversedourengine,Iwastoolatetoavoidcollision.Withasickeningcrashwestruckthehighloomingobstaclethree-quarterson.
Theflierreeledhalfover;theenginestopped;asone,thepatchedbuoyancytanksburst,andweplunged,headforemost,totheground
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twentyfeetbeneath.
Fortunatelynoneofuswasinjured,andwhenwehaddisentangledourselvesfromthewreckage,andthelessermoonhadburstagainfrombelowthehorizon,wefoundthatwewereatthefootofamightyice-barrier,fromwhichoutcroppedgreatpatchesofthegranitehillswhichholditfromencroachingfarthertowardthesouth.
Whatfate!Withthejourneyallbutcompletedtobethuswreckeduponthewrongsideofthatprecipitousandunscalablewallofrockandice!
IlookedatThuvanDihn.Hebutshookhisheaddejectedly.
Thebalanceofthenightwespentshiveringinourinadequatesleepingsilksandfursuponthesnowthatliesatthefootoftheice-barrier.
Withdaylightmybatteredspiritsregainedsomethingoftheiraccustomedhopefulness,thoughImustadmitthattherewaslittleenoughforthemtofeedupon.
"Whatshallwedo?"askedThuvanDihn."Howmaywepassthatwhichisimpassable?"
"Firstwemustdisproveitsimpassability,"Ireplied."NorshallIadmitthatitisimpassablebeforeIhavefolloweditsentirecircleandstandagainuponthisspot,defeated.Thesoonerwestart,thebetter,forIseenootherway,anditwilltakeusmorethanamonthtotraveltheweary,frigidmilesthatliebeforeus."
Forfivedaysofcoldandsufferingandprivationwetraversedtheroughandfrozenwaywhichliesatthefootoftheice-barrier.Fierce,fur-bearingcreaturesattackedusbydaylightandbydark.Neverforamomentwerewesafefromthesuddenchargeofsomehugedemonofthenorth.
Theaptwasourmostconsistentanddangerousfoe.
Itisahuge,white-furredcreaturewithsixlimbs,fourofwhich,shortandheavy,carryitswiftlyoverthesnowandice;whiletheothertwo,growingforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong,powerfulneck,terminateinwhite,hairlesshands,withwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey.
Itsheadandmoutharemoresimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamusthantoanyotherearthlyanimal,exceptthatfromthesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront.
Itstwohugeeyesinspiredmygreatestcuriosity.Theyextendintwovast,ovalpatchesfromthecenterofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns,sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes,whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach.
Thiseyestructureseemedremarkableinabeastwhosehauntswereuponaglaringfieldoficeandsnow,andthoughIfounduponminuteexaminationofseveralthatwekilledthateachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid,andthattheanimalcanatwillclose
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asmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses,yetIwaspositivethatnaturehadthusequippedhimbecausemuchofhislifewastobespentindark,subterraneanrecesses.
Shortlyafterthiswecameuponthehugestaptthatwehadseen.Thecreaturestoodfullyeightfeetattheshoulder,andwassosleekandcleanandglossythatIcouldhaveswornthathehadbutrecentlybeengroomed.
Hestoodhead-oneyeingusasweapproachedhim,forwehadfounditawasteoftimetoattempttoescapetheperpetualbestialragewhichseemstopossessthesedemoncreatures,whorovethedismalnorthattackingeverylivingthingthatcomeswithinthescopeoftheirfar-seeingeyes.
Evenwhentheirbelliesarefullandtheycaneatnomore,theykillpurelyforthepleasurewhichtheyderivefromtakinglife,andsowhenthisparticularaptfailedtochargeus,andinsteadwheeledandtrottedawayaswenearedhim,IshouldhavebeengreatlysurprisedhadInotchancedtoglimpsethesheenofagoldencollaraboutitsneck.
ThuvanDihnsawit,too,anditcarriedthesamemessageofhopetousboth.Onlymancouldhaveplacedthatcollarthere,andas
noraceofMartiansofwhichweknewaughteverhadattemptedtodomesticatetheferociousapt,hemustbelongtoapeopleofthenorthofwhoseveryexistencewewereignorant--possiblytothefabledyellowmenofBarsoom;thatoncepowerfulracewhichwassupposedtobeextinct,thoughsometimes,bytheorists,thoughtstilltoexistinthefrozennorth.
Simultaneouslywestarteduponthetrailofthegreatbeast.Woolawasquicklymadetounderstandourdesires,sothatitwasunnecessarytoattempttokeepinsightoftheanimalwhoseswiftflightovertheroughgroundsoonputhimbeyondourvision.
Forthebetterpartoftwohoursthetrailparalleledthebarrier,
andthensuddenlyturnedtowarditthroughtheroughestandseeminglymostimpassablecountryIeverhadbeheld.
Enormousgranitebouldersblockedthewayoneveryhand;deepriftsintheicethreatenedtoengulfusattheleastmisstep;andfromthenorthaslightbreezewaftedtoournostrilsanunspeakablestenchthatalmostchokedus.
Foranothertwohourswewereoccupiedintraversingafewhundredyardstothefootofthebarrier.
Then,turningaboutthecornerofawall-likeoutcroppingofgranite,wecameuponasmoothareaoftwoorthreeacresbeforethebase
ofthetoweringpileoficeandrockthathadbaffledusfordays,andbeforeusbeheldthedarkandcavernousmouthofacave.
Fromthisrepellingportalthehorridstenchwasemanating,andasThuvanDihnespiedtheplacehehaltedwithanexclamationofprofoundastonishment.
"Byallmyancestors!"heejaculated."ThatIshouldhavelivedtowitnesstherealityofthefabledCarrionCaves!Iftheseindeedbethey,wehavefoundawaybeyondtheice-barrier.
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"TheancientchroniclesofthefirsthistoriansofBarsoom--soancientthatwehaveforagesconsideredthemmythology--recordthepassingoftheyellowmenfromtheravagesofthegreenhordesthatoverranBarsoomasthedryingupofthegreatoceansdrovethedominantracesfromtheirstrongholds.
"Theytellofthewanderingsoftheremnantsofthisoncepowerfulrace,harassedateverystep,untilatlasttheyfoundawaythroughtheice-barrierofthenorthtoafertilevalleyatthepole.
"Attheopeningtothesubterraneanpassagethatledtotheirhavenofrefugeamightybattlewasfoughtinwhichtheyellowmenwerevictorious,andwithinthecavesthatgaveingresstotheirnewhometheypiledthebodiesofthedead,bothyellowandgreen,thatthestenchmightwarnawaytheirenemiesfromfurtherpursuit.
"Andeversincethatlong-gonedayhavethedeadofthisfabledlandbeencarriedtotheCarrionCaves,thatindeathanddecaytheymightservetheircountryandwarnawayinvadingenemies.Here,too,isbrought,sothefableruns,allthewastestuffofthenation--everythingthatissubjecttorot,andthatcanaddtothefoulstenchthatassailsournostrils.
"Anddeathlurksateverystepamongrottingdead,forherethefierceaptslair,addingtotheputridaccumulationwiththefragmentsoftheirownpreywhichtheycannotdevour.Itisahorridavenuetoourgoal,butitistheonlyone."
"Youaresure,then,thatwehavefoundthewaytothelandoftheyellowmen?"Icried.
"Assureasmaybe,"hereplied;"havingonlyancientlegendtosupportmybelief.Butseehowclosely,sofar,eachdetailtallieswiththeworld-oldstoryofthehegiraoftheyellowrace.Yes,Iamsurethatwehavediscoveredthewaytotheirancienthidingplace."
"Ifitbetrue,andletuspraythatsuchmaybethecase,"Isaid,"thenheremaywesolvethemysteryofthedisappearanceofTardosMors,JeddakofHelium,andMorsKajak,hisson,fornootherspotuponBarsoomhasremainedunexploredbythemanyexpeditionsandthecountlessspiesthathavebeensearchingforthemfornearlytwoyears.ThelastwordthatcamefromthemwasthattheysoughtCarthoris,myownbraveson,beyondtheice-barrier."
Aswetalkedwehadbeenapproachingtheentrancetothecave,andaswecrossedthethresholdIceasedtowonderthattheancientgreenenemiesoftheyellowmenhadbeenhaltedbythehorrorsofthatawfulway.
Thebonesofdeadmenlaymanhighuponthebroadfloorofthefirstcave,andoverallwasaputridmushofdecayingflesh,throughwhichtheaptshadbeatenahideoustrailtowardtheentrancetothesecondcavebeyond.
Theroofofthisfirstapartmentwaslow,likeallthatwetraversedsubsequently,sothatthefoulodorswereconfinedandcondensedtosuchanextentthattheyseemedtopossesstangiblesubstance.Onewasalmosttemptedtodrawhisshort-swordandhewhisway
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throughinsearchofpureairbeyond.
"Canmanbreathethispollutedairandlive?"askedThuvanDihn,choking.
"Notforlong,Iimagine,"Ireplied;"soletusmakehaste.Iwillgofirst,andyoubringuptherear,withWoolabetween.Come,"andwiththewordsIdashedforward,acrossthefetidmassofputrefaction.
Itwasnotuntilwehadpassedthroughsevencavesofdifferentsizesandvaryingbutlittleinthepowerandqualityoftheirstenchesthatwemetwithanyphysicalopposition.Then,withintheeighthcave,wecameuponalairofapts.
Afullscoreofthemightybeastsweredisposedaboutthechamber.Someweresleeping,whileotherstoreatthefresh-killedcarcassesofnew-broughtprey,orfoughtamongthemselvesintheirlove-making.
Hereinthedimlightoftheirsubterraneanhomethevalueoftheirgreateyeswasapparent,fortheseinnercavesareshroudedinperpetualgloomthatisbutlittlelessthanutterdarkness.
Toattempttopassthroughthemidstofthatfierceherdseemed,
eventome,theheightoffolly,andsoIproposedtoThuvanDihnthathereturntotheouterworldwithWoola,thatthetwomightfindtheirwaytocivilizationandcomeagainwithasufficientforcetoovercomenotonlytheapts,butanyfurtherobstaclesthatmightliebetweenusandourgoal.
"Inthemeantime,"Icontinued,"Imaydiscoversomemeansofwinningmywayalonetothelandoftheyellowmen,butifIamunsuccessfulonelifeonlywillhavebeensacrificed.Shouldweallgoonandperish,therewillbenonetoguideasuccoringpartytoDejahThorisandyourdaughter."
"Ishallnotreturnandleaveyouherealone,JohnCarter,"replied
ThuvanDihn."Whetheryougoontovictoryordeath,theJeddakofPtarthremainsatyourside.Ihavespoken."
Iknewfromhistonethatitwereuselesstoattempttoarguethequestion,andsoIcompromisedbysendingWoolabackwithahastilypennednoteenclosedinasmallmetalcaseandfastenedabouthisneck.IcommandedthefaithfulcreaturetoseekCarthorisatHelium,andthoughhalfaworldandcountlessdangerslaybetweenIknewthatifthethingcouldbedoneWoolawoulddoit.
Equippedashewasbynaturewithmarvelousspeedandendurance,andwithfrightfulferocitythatmadehimamatchforanysingleenemyoftheway,hiskeenintelligenceandwondrousinstinct
shouldeasilyfurnishallelsethatwasneededforthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofhismission.
Itwaswithevidentreluctancethatthegreatbeastturnedtoleavemeincompliancewithmycommand,anderehehadgoneIcouldnotresisttheinclinationtothrowmyarmsabouthisgreatneckinapartinghug.Herubbedhischeekagainstmineinafinalcaress,andamomentlaterwasspeedingthroughtheCarrionCavestowardtheouterworld.
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InmynotetoCarthorisIhadgivenexplicitdirectionsforlocatingtheCarrionCaves,impressinguponhimthenecessityformakingentrancetothecountrybeyondthroughthisavenue,andnottoattemptunderanycircumstancestocrosstheice-barrierwithafleet.ItoldhimthatwhatlaybeyondtheeighthcaveIcouldnotevenguess;butIwassurethatsomewhereupontheothersideoftheice-barrierhismotherlayinthepowerofMataiShang,andthatpossiblyhisgrandfatherandgreat-grandfatheraswell,iftheylived.
Further,IadvisedhimtocalluponKulanTithandthesonofThuvanDihnforwarriorsandshipsthattheexpeditionmightbesufficientlystrongtoinsuresuccessatthefirstblow.
"And,"Iconcluded,"iftherebetimebringTarsTarkaswithyou,forifIliveuntilyoureachmeIcanthinkoffewgreaterpleasuresthantofightoncemore,shouldertoshoulder,withmyoldfriend."
WhenWoolahadleftusThuvanDihnandI,hidingintheseventhcave,discussedanddiscardedmanyplansforcrossingtheeighthchamber.Fromwherewestoodwesawthatthefightingamongtheaptswasgrowingless,andthatmanythathadbeenfeedinghadceasedandlaindowntosleep.
Presentlyitbecameapparentthatinashorttimealltheferociousmonstersmightbepeacefullyslumbering,andthusahazardousopportunitybepresentedtoustocrossthroughtheirlair.
Onebyonetheremainingbrutesstretchedthemselvesuponthebubblingdecompositionthatcoveredthemassofbonesupontheflooroftheirden,untilbutasingleaptremainedawake.Thishugefellowroamedrestlesslyabout,nosingamonghiscompanionsandtheabhorrentlitterofthecave.
Occasionallyhewouldstoptopeerintentlytowardfirstoneoftheexitsfromthechamberandthentheother.Hiswholedemeanorwasasofonewhoactsassentry.
Wewereatlastforcedtothebeliefthathewouldnotsleepwhiletheotheroccupantsofthelairslept,andsocastaboutinourmindsforsomeschemewherebywemighttrickhim.FinallyIsuggestedaplantoThuvanDihn,andasitseemedasgoodasanythatwehaddiscussedwedecidedtoputittothetest.
TothisendThuvanDihnplacedhimselfcloseagainstthecave'swall,besidetheentrancetotheeighthchamber,whileIdeliberatelyshowedmyselftotheguardianaptashelookedtowardourretreat.ThenIsprangtotheoppositesideoftheentrance,flatteningmybodyclosetothewall.
Withoutasoundthegreatbeastmovedrapidlytowardtheseventhcavetoseewhatmannerofintruderhadthusrashlypenetratedsofarwithintheprecinctsofhishabitation.
Ashepokedhisheadthroughthenarrowaperturethatconnectsthetwocavesaheavylong-swordwasawaitinghimuponeitherhand,andbeforehehadanopportunitytoemitevenasinglegrowlhisseveredheadrolledatourfeet.
Quicklyweglancedintotheeighthchamber--notanapthadmoved.
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CrawlingoverthecarcassofthehugebeastthatblockedthedoorwayThuvanDihnandIcautiouslyenteredtheforbiddinganddangerousden.
Likesnailswewoundoursilentandcarefulwayamongthehuge,recumbentforms.Theonlysoundaboveourbreathingwasthesuckingnoiseofourfeetasweliftedthemfromtheoozeofdecayingfleshthroughwhichwecrept.
Halfwayacrossthechamberandoneofthemightybeastsdirectlybeforememovedrestlesslyattheveryinstantthatmyfootwaspoisedabovehishead,overwhichImuststep.
BreathlesslyIwaited,balancingupononefoot,forIdidnotdaremoveamuscle.Inmyrighthandwasmykeenshort-sword,thepointhoveringaninchabovethethickfurbeneathwhichbeatthesavageheart.
Finallytheaptrelaxed,sighing,aswiththepassingofabaddream,andresumedtheregularrespirationofdeepslumber.Iplantedmyraisedfootbeyondthefierceheadandaninstantlaterhadsteppedoverthebeast.
ThuvanDihnfolloweddirectlyafterme,andanothermomentfound
usatthefurtherdoor,undetected.
TheCarrionCavesconsistofaseriesoftwenty-sevenconnectingchambers,andpresenttheappearanceofhavingbeenerodedbyrunningwaterinsomefar-goneagewhenamightyriverfounditswaytothesouththroughthissinglebreachinthebarrierofrockandicethathemsthecountryofthepole.
ThuvanDihnandItraversedtheremainingnineteencavernswithoutadventureormishap.
WewereafterwardtolearnthatbutonceamonthisitpossibletofindalltheaptsoftheCarrionCavesinasinglechamber.
Atothertimestheyroamsinglyorinpairsinandoutofthecaves,sothatitwouldhavebeenpracticallyimpossiblefortwomentohavepassedthroughtheentiretwenty-sevenchamberswithoutencounteringanaptinnearlyeveryoneofthem.Onceamonththeysleepforafullday,anditwasourgoodfortunetostumblebyaccidentupononeoftheseoccasions.
Beyondthelastcaveweemergedintoadesolatecountryofsnowandice,butfoundawell-markedtrailleadingnorth.Thewaywasboulder-strewn,ashadbeenthatsouthofthebarrier,sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceaheadofusatanytime.
Afteracoupleofhourswepassedroundahugebouldertocometoasteepdeclivityleadingdownintoavalley.
Directlybeforeuswesawahalfdozenmen--fierce,black-beardedfellows,withskinsthecolorofaripelemon.
"TheyellowmenofBarsoom!"ejaculatedThuvanDihn,asthoughevennowthathesawthemhefounditscarcepossibletobelievethattheveryraceweexpectedtofindhiddeninthisremoteandinaccessiblelanddidreallyexist.
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Wewithdrewbehindanadjacentbouldertowatchtheactionsofthelittleparty,whichstoodhuddledatthefootofanotherhugerock,theirbackstowardus.
Oneofthemwaspeeringroundtheedgeofthegranitemassasthoughwatchingonewhoapproachedfromtheoppositeside.
PresentlytheobjectofhisscrutinycamewithintherangeofmyvisionandIsawthatitwasanotheryellowman.Allwereclothedinmagnificentfurs--thesixintheblackandyellowstripedhideoftheorluk,whilehewhoapproachedalonewasresplendentinthepurewhiteskinofanapt.
Theyellowmenwerearmedwithtwoswords,andashortjavelinwasslungacrossthebackofeach,whilefromtheirleftarmshungcuplikeshieldsnolargerthanadinnerplate,theconcavesidesofwhichturnedoutwardtowardanantagonist.
Theyseemedpunyandfutileimplementsofsafetyagainstanevenordinaryswordsman,butIwaslatertoseethepurposeofthemandwithwhatwondrousdexteritytheyellowmenmanipulatethem.
Oneoftheswordswhicheachofthewarriorscarriedcaught
myimmediateattention.Icallitasword,butreallyitwasasharp-edgedbladewithacompletehookatthefarend.
Theotherswordwasofaboutthesamelengthasthehookedinstrument,andsomewherebetweenthatofmylong-swordandmyshort-sword.Itwasstraightandtwo-edged.InadditiontotheweaponsIhaveenumeratedeachmancarriedadaggerinhisharness.
Asthewhite-furredoneapproached,thesixgraspedtheirswordsmorefirmly--thehookedinstrumentinthelefthand,thestraightswordintheright,whileabovetheleftwristthesmallshieldwasheldrigiduponametalbracelet.
AsthelonewarriorcameoppositethemthesixrushedoutuponhimwithfiendishyellsthatresemblednothingmorecloselythanthesavagewarcryoftheApachesoftheSouth-west.
Instantlytheattackeddrewbothhisswords,andasthesixfelluponhimIwitnessedasprettyfightingasonemightcaretosee.
Withtheirsharphooksthecombatantsattemptedtotakeholdofanadversary,butlikelightningthecupshapedshieldwouldspringbeforethedartingweaponandintoitshollowthehookwouldplunge.
Oncethelonewarriorcaughtanantagonistinthesidewithhishook,anddrawinghimcloseranhisswordthroughhim.
Buttheoddsweretoounequal,and,thoughhewhofoughtalonewasbyfarthebestandbravestofthemall,Isawthatitwasbutaquestionoftimebeforetheremainingfivewouldfindanopeningthroughhismarvelousguardandbringhimdown.
Nowmysympathieshaveeverbeenwiththeweakersideofanargument,andthoughIknewnothingofthecauseofthetroubleIcouldnotstandidlybyandseeabravemanbutcheredbysuperiornumbers.
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AsamatteroffactIpresumeIgavelittleattentiontoseekinganexcuse,forIloveagoodfighttoowelltoneedanyotherreasonforjoininginwhenoneisafoot.
SoitwasthatbeforeThuvanDihnknewwhatIwasabouthesawmestandingbythesideofthewhite-cladyellowman,battlinglikemadwithhisfiveadversaries.
WITHTHEYELLOWMEN
ThuvanDihnwasnotlonginjoiningme;and,thoughwefoundthehookedweaponastrangeandsavagethingwithwhichtodeal,thethreeofussoondespatchedthefiveblack-beardedwarriorswhoopposedus.
Whenthebattlewasoverournewacquaintanceturnedtome,andremovingtheshieldfromhiswrist,helditout.Ididnotknowthesignificanceofhisact,butjudgedthatitwasbutaformofexpressinghisgratitudetome.
Iafterwardlearnedthatitsymbolizedtheofferingofaman'slifeinreturnforsomegreatfavordonehim;andmyactofrefusing,whichIhadimmediatelydone,waswhatwasexpectedofme.
"ThenacceptfromTalu,PrinceofMarentina,"saidtheyellowman,"thistokenofmygratitude,"andreachingbeneathoneofhiswidesleeveshewithdrewabraceletandplacedituponmyarm.HethenwentthroughthesameceremonywithThuvanDihn.
Nextheaskedournames,andfromwhatlandwehailed.Heseemedquitefamiliarwiththegeographyoftheouterworld,andwhenIsaidIwasfromHeliumheraisedhisbrows.
"Ah,"hesaid,"youseekyourrulerandhiscompany?"
"Knowyouofthem?"Iasked.
"Butlittlemorethanthattheywerecapturedbymyuncle,SalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks,RulerofOkar,landoftheyellowmenofBarsoom.AstotheirfateIknownothing,forIamatwarwithmyuncle,whowouldcrushmypowerintheprincipalityofMarentina.
"Thesefromwhomyouhavejustsavedmearewarriorshehassentouttofindandslayme,fortheyknowthatoftenIcomealonetohuntandkillthesacredaptwhichSalensusOllsomuchreveres.ItispartlybecauseIhatehisreligionthatSalensusOllhates
me;butmostlydoeshefearmygrowingpowerandthegreatfactionwhichhasarisenthroughoutOkarthatwouldbegladtoseemerulerofOkarandJeddakofJeddaksinhisplace.
"Heisacruelandtyrannousmasterwhomallhate,andwereitnotforthegreatfeartheyhaveofhimIcouldraiseanarmyovernightthatwouldwipeoutthefewthatmightremainloyaltohim.Myownpeoplearefaithfultome,andthelittlevalleyofMarentinahaspaidnotributetothecourtofSalensusOllforayear.
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"Norcanheforceus,foradozenmenmayholdthenarrowwaytoMarentinaagainstamillion.Butnow,astothineownaffairs.HowmayIaidyou?Mypalaceisatyourdisposal,ifyouwishtohonormebycomingtoMarentina."
"Whenourworkisdoneweshallbegladtoacceptyourinvitation,"Ireplied."ButnowyoucanassistusmostbydirectingustothecourtofSalensusOll,andsuggestingsomemeansbywhichwemaygainadmissiontothecityandthepalace,orwhateverotherplacewefindourfriendstobeconfined."
TalugazedruefullyatoursmoothfacesandatThuvanDihn'sredskinandmywhiteone.
"FirstyoumustcometoMarentina,"hesaid,"foragreatchangemustbewroughtinyourappearancebeforeyoucanhopetoenteranycityinOkar.Youmusthaveyellowfacesandblackbeards,andyourapparelandtrappingsmustbethoseleastlikelytoarousesuspicion.InmypalaceisonewhocanmakeyouappearastrulyyellowmenasdoesSalensusOllhimself."
Hiscounselseemedwise;andastherewasapparentlynootherwaytoinsureasuccessfulentrytoKadabra,thecapitalcityofOkar,wesetoutwithTalu,PrinceofMarentina,forhislittle,rock-bound
country.
ThewaywasoversomeoftheworsttravelingIhaveeverseen,andIdonotwonderthatinthislandwherethereareneitherthoatsnorfliersthatMarentinaisinlittlefearofinvasion;butatlastwereachedourdestination,thefirstviewofwhichIhadfromaslightelevationahalf-milefromthecity.
NestledinadeepvalleylayacityofMartianconcrete,whoseeverystreetandplazaandopenspacewasroofedwithglass.Allaboutlaysnowandice,buttherewasnoneupontherounded,domelike,crystalcoveringthatenvelopedthewholecity.
ThenIsawhowthesepeoplecombatedtherigorsofthearctic,andlivedinluxuryandcomfortinthemidstofalandofperpetualice.Theircitieswereveritablehothouses,andwhenIhadcomewithinthisonemyrespectandadmirationforthescientificandengineeringskillofthisburiednationwasunbounded.
ThemomentweenteredthecityTaluthrewoffhisoutergarmentsoffur,asdidwe,andIsawthathisappareldifferedbutlittlefromthatoftheredracesofBarsoom.Exceptforhisleathernharness,coveredthickwithjewelsandmetal,hewasnaked,norcouldonehavecomfortablywornapparelinthatwarmandhumidatmosphere.
ForthreedaysweremainedtheguestsofPrinceTalu,andduring
thattimeheshowereduponuseveryattentionandcourtesywithinhispower.Heshowedusallthatwasofinterestinhisgreatcity.
TheMarentinaatmosphereplantwillmaintainlifeindefinitelyinthecitiesofthenorthpoleafteralllifeuponthebalanceofdyingMarsisextinctthroughthefailureoftheairsupply,shouldthegreatcentralplantagainceasefunctioningasitdiduponthatmemorableoccasionthatgavemetheopportunityofrestoringlifeandhappinesstothestrangeworldthatIhadalreadylearnedto
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lovesowell.
Heshowedustheheatingsystemthatstoresthesun'sraysingreatreservoirsbeneaththecity,andhowlittleisnecessarytomaintaintheperpetualsummerheatofthegloriousgardenspotwithinthisarcticparadise.
Broadavenuesofsodsewnwiththeseedoftheochervegetationofthedeadseabottomscarriedthenoiselesstrafficoflightandairygroundfliersthataretheonlyformofartificialtransportationusednorthofthegiganticice-barrier.
Thebroadtiresoftheseuniquefliersarebutrubber-likegasbagsfilledwiththeeighthBarsoomianray,orrayofpropulsion--thatremarkablediscoveryoftheMartiansthathasmadepossiblethegreatfleetsofmightyairshipsthatrendertheredmanoftheouterworldsupreme.Itisthisraywhichpropelstheinherentorreflectedlightoftheplanetoffintospace,andwhenconfinedgivestotheMartiancrafttheirairybuoyancy.
ThegroundfliersofMarentinacontainjustsufficientbuoyancyintheirautomobile-likewheelstogivethecarstractionforsteeringpurposes;andthoughthehindwheelsaregearedtotheengine,andaidindrivingthemachine,thebulkofthisworkiscarriedbya
smallpropelleratthestern.
Iknowofnomoredelightfulsensationthanthatofridinginoneoftheseluxuriouslyappointedcarswhichskim,lightandairyasfeathers,alongthesoft,mossyavenuesofMarentina.TheymovewithabsolutenoiselessnessbetweenbordersofcrimsonswardandbeneatharchingtreesgorgeouswiththewondrousbloomsthatmarksomanyofthehighlycultivatedvarietiesofBarsoomianvegetation.
Bytheendofthethirddaythecourtbarber--Icanthinkofnootherearthlyappellationbywhichtodescribehim--hadwroughtsoremarkableatransformationinbothThuvanDihnandmyselfthatourownwiveswouldneverhaveknownus.Ourskinswereofthe
samelemoncolorashisown,andgreat,blackbeardsandmustacheshadbeendeftlyaffixedtooursmoothfaces.ThetrappingsofwarriorsofOkaraidedinthedeception;andforwearbeyondthehothousecitiesweeachhadsuitsoftheblack-andyellow-stripedorluk.
TalugaveuscarefuldirectionsforthejourneytoKadabra,thecapitalcityoftheOkarnation,whichistheracialnameoftheyellowmen.Thisgoodfriendevenaccompanieduspartway,andthen,promisingtoaidusinanywaythathefoundpossible,badeusadieu.
Onpartingheslippeduponmyfingeracuriouslywroughtringset
withadead-black,lusterlessstone,whichappearedmorelikeabitofbituminouscoalthanthepricelessBarsoomiangemwhichinrealityitis.
"Therehadbeenbutthreeotherscutfromthemotherstone,"hesaid,"whichisinmypossession.Thesethreearewornbynobleshighinmyconfidence,allofwhomhavebeensentonsecretmissionstothecourtofSalensusOll.
"Shouldyoucomewithinfiftyfeetofanyofthesethreeyouwill
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feelarapid,prickingsensationinthefingeruponwhichyouwearthisring.Hewhowearsoneofitsmateswillexperiencethesamefeeling;itiscausedbyanelectricalactionthattakesplacethemomenttwoofthesegemscutfromthesamemotherstonecomewithintheradiusofeachother'spower.Byityouwillknowthatafriendisathanduponwhomyoumaydependforassistanceintimeofneed.
"Shouldanotherwearerofoneofthesegemscalluponyouforaiddonotdenyhim,andshoulddeaththreatenyouswallowtheringratherthanletitfallintothehandsofenemies.Guarditwithyourlife,JohnCarter,forsomedayitmaymeanmorethanlifetoyou."
WiththispartingadmonitionourgoodfriendturnedbacktowardMarentina,andwesetourfacesinthedirectionofthecityofKadabraandthecourtofSalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks.
Thatveryeveningwecamewithinsightofthewalledandglass-roofedcityofKadabra.Itliesinalowdepressionnearthepole,surroundedbyrocky,snow-cladhills.Fromthepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalleywehadasplendidviewofthisgreatcityofthenorth.Itscrystaldomessparkledinthebrilliantsunlightgleamingabovethefrost-coveredouterwallthatcirclestheentireonehundredmilesofitscircumference.
Atregularintervalsgreatgatesgiveentrancetothecity;butevenatthedistancefromwhichwelookeduponthemassivepilewecouldseethatallwereclosed,and,inaccordancewithTalu'ssuggestion,wedeferredattemptingtoenterthecityuntilthefollowingmorning.
Ashehadsaid,wefoundnumerouscavesinthehillsidesaboutus,andintooneofthesewecreptforthenight.Ourwarmorlukskinskeptusperfectlycomfortable,anditwasonlyafteramostrefreshingsleepthatweawokeshortlyafterdaylightonthefollowingmorning.
Alreadythecitywasastir,andfromseveralofthegateswesawpartiesofyellowmenemerging.FollowingcloselyeachdetailoftheinstructionsgivenusbyourgoodfriendofMarentina,weremainedconcealedforseveralhoursuntilonepartyofsomehalfdozenwarriorshadpassedalongthetrailbelowourhidingplaceandenteredthehillsbywayofthepassalongwhichwehadcomethepreviousevening.
Aftergivingthemtimetogetwelloutofsightofourcave,ThuvanDihnandIcreptoutandfollowedthem,overtakingthemwhentheywerewellintothehills.
WhenwehadcomealmosttothemIcalledaloudtotheirleader,when
thewholepartyhaltedandturnedtowardus.Thecrucialtesthadcome.Couldwebutdeceivethesementherestwouldbecomparativelyeasy.
"Kaor!"IcriedasIcameclosertothem.
"Kaor!"respondedtheofficerinchargeoftheparty.
"WebefromIllall,"Icontinued,givingthenameofthemostremotecityofOkar,whichhaslittleornointercoursewithKadabra.
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"Onlyyesterdaywearrived,andthismorningthecaptainofthegatetoldusthatyouweresettingouttohuntorluks,whichisasportwedonotfindinourownneighborhood.Wehavehastenedafteryoutopraythatyouallowustoaccompanyyou."
Theofficerwasentirelydeceived,andgraciouslypermittedustogowiththemfortheday.Thechanceguessthattheywerebounduponanorlukhuntprovedcorrect,andTaluhadsaidthatthechancesweretentoonethatsuchwouldbethemissionofanypartyleavingKadabrabythepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalley,sincethatwayleadsdirectlytothevastplainsfrequentedbythiselephantinebeastofprey.
Insofarasthehuntwasconcerned,thedaywasafailure,forwedidnotseeasingleorluk;butthisprovedmorethanfortunateforus,sincetheyellowmenweresochagrinedbytheirmisfortunethattheywouldnotenterthecitybythesamegatebywhichtheyhadleftitinthemorning,asitseemedthattheyhadmadegreatboaststothecaptainofthatgateabouttheirskillatthisdangeroussport.
We,therefore,approachedKadabraatapointseveralmilesfromthatatwhichthepartyhadquitteditinthemorning,andsowererelievedofthedangerofembarrassingquestionsandexplanations
onthepartofthegatecaptain,whomwehadsaidhaddirectedustothisparticularhuntingparty.
Wehadcomequiteclosetothecitywhenmyattentionwasattractedtowardatall,blackshaftthatreareditsheadseveralhundredfeetintotheairfromwhatappearedtobeatangledmassofjunkorwreckage,nowpartiallysnow-covered.
IdidnotdareventureaninquiryforfearofarousingsuspicionbyevidentignoranceofsomethingwhichasayellowmanIshouldhaveknown;butbeforewereachedthecitygateIwastolearnthepurposeofthatgrimshaftandthemeaningofthemightyaccumulationbeneathit.
Wehadcomealmosttothegatewhenoneofthepartycalledtohisfellows,atthesametimepointingtowardthedistantsouthernhorizon.Followingthedirectionheindicated,myeyesdescriedthehullofalargeflierapproachingrapidlyfromabovethecrestoftheencirclinghills.
"Stillotherfoolswhowouldsolvethemysteriesoftheforbiddennorth,"saidtheofficer,halftohimself."Willtheyneverceasetheirfatalcuriosity?"
"Letushopenot,"answeredoneofthewarriors,"forthenwhatshouldwedoforslavesandsport?"
"True;butwhatstupidbeaststheyaretocontinuetocometoaregionfromwhencenoneofthemeverhasreturned."
"Letustarryandwatchtheendofthisone,"suggestedoneofthemen.
Theofficerlookedtowardthecity.
"Thewatchhasseenhim,"hesaid;"wemayremain,forwemaybe
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needed."
Ilookedtowardthecityandsawseveralhundredwarriorsissuingfromthenearestgate.Theymovedleisurely,asthoughtherewerenoneedforhaste--norwasthere,asIwaspresentlytolearn.
ThenIturnedmyeyesoncemoretowardtheflier.Shewasmovingrapidlytowardthecity,andwhenshehadcomecloseenoughIwassurprisedtoseethatherpropellerswereidle.
Straightforthatgrimshaftshebore.AtthelastminuteIsawthegreatbladesmovetoreverseher,yetonshecameasthoughdrawnbysomemighty,irresistiblepower.
Intenseexcitementprevaileduponherdeck,wheremenwererunninghitherandthither,manningthegunsandpreparingtolaunchthesmall,one-manfliers,afleetofwhichispartoftheequipmentofeveryMartianwarvessel.Closerandclosertotheblackshafttheshipsped.Inanotherinstantshemuststrike,andthenIsawthefamiliarsignalflownthatsendsthelesserboatsinagreatflockfromthedeckofthemothership.
Instantlyahundredtinyfliersrosefromherdeck,likeaswarmofhugedragonflies;butscarcelyweretheyclearofthebattleship
thanthenoseofeachturnedtowardtheshaft,andthey,too,rushedonatfrightfulspeedtowardthesamenowseeminglyinevitableendthatmenacedthelargervessel.
Amomentlaterthecollisioncame.Menwerehurledineverydirectionfromtheship'sdeck,whileshe,bentandcrumpled,tookthelast,longplungetothescrap-heapattheshaft'sbase.
Withherfellashowerofherowntinyfliers,foreachofthemhadcomeinviolentcollisionwiththesolidshaft.
Inoticedthatthewreckedfliersscrapeddowntheshaft'sside,andthattheirfallwasnotasrapidasmighthavebeenexpected;
andthensuddenlythesecretoftheshaftburstuponme,andwithitanexplanationofthecausethatpreventedaflierthatpassedtoofaracrosstheice-barriereverreturning.
Theshaftwasamightymagnet,andwhenonceavesselcamewithintheradiusofitspowerfulattractionforthealuminumsteelthatenterssolargelyintotheconstructionofallBarsoomiancraft,nopoweronearthcouldpreventsuchanendaswehadjustwitnessed.
IafterwardlearnedthattheshaftrestsdirectlyoverthemagneticpoleofMars,butwhetherthisaddsinanywaytoitsincalculablepowerofattractionIdonotknow.Iamafightingman,notascientist.
Here,atlast,wasanexplanationofthelongabsenceofTardosMorsandMorsKajak.ThesevaliantandintrepidwarriorshaddaredthemysteriesanddangersofthefrozennorthtosearchforCarthoris,whoselongabsencehadbowedingrieftheheadofhisbeautifulmother,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium.
Themomentthatthelastoftheflierscametorestatthebaseoftheshafttheblack-bearded,yellowwarriorsswarmedoverthemassofwreckageuponwhichtheylay,makingprisonersofthosewhowere
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uninjuredandoccasionallydespatchingwithasword-thrustoneofthewoundedwhoseemedpronetoresenttheirtauntsandinsults.
Afewoftheuninjuredredmenbattledbravelyagainsttheircruelfoes,butforthemostparttheyseemedtoooverwhelmedbythehorrorofthecatastrophethathadbefallenthemtodomorethansubmitsupinelytothegoldenchainswithwhichtheyweremanacled.
Whenthelastoftheprisonershadbeenconfined,thepartyreturnedtothecity,atthegateofwhichwemetapackoffierce,gold-collaredapts,eachofwhichmarchedbetweentwowarriors,whoheldthemwithstrongchainsofthesamemetalastheircollars.
Justbeyondthegatetheattendantsloosenedthewholeterribleherd,andastheyboundedofftowardthegrim,blackshaftIdidnotneedtoasktoknowtheirmission.HadtherenotbeenthosewithinthecruelcityofKadabrawhoneededsuccorfarworsethanthepoorunfortunatedeadanddyingoutthereinthecolduponthebentandbrokencarcassesofathousandfliersIcouldnothaverestrainedmydesiretohastenbackanddobattlewiththosehorridcreaturesthathadbeendespatchedtorendanddevourthem.
AsitwasIcouldbutfollowtheyellowwarriors,withbowedhead,andgivethanksforthechancethathadgivenThuvanDihnandme
sucheasyingresstothecapitalofSalensusOll.
Oncewithinthegates,wehadnodifficultyineludingourfriendsofthemorning,andpresentlyfoundourselvesinaMartianhostelry.
INDURANCE
ThepublichousesofBarsoom,Ihavefound,varybutlittle.Thereisnoprivacyforotherthanmarriedcouples.
Menwithouttheirwivesareescortedtoalargechamber,thefloorofwhichisusuallyofwhitemarbleorheavyglass,keptscrupulouslyclean.Herearemanysmall,raisedplatformsfortheguest'ssleepingsilksandfurs,andifhehavenoneofhisownclean,freshonesarefurnishedatanominalcharge.
Onceaman'sbelongingshavebeendepositedupononeoftheseplatformsheisaguestofthehouse,andthatplatformhisownuntilheleaves.Noonewilldisturbormolesthisbelongings,astherearenothievesuponMars.
Asassassinationistheonethingtobefeared,theproprietors
ofthehostelriesfurnisharmedguards,whopacebackandforththroughthesleeping-roomsdayandnight.Thenumberofguardsandgorgeousnessoftheirtrappingsquiteusuallydenotethestatusofthehotel.
Nomealsareservedinthesehouses,butgenerallyapubliceatingplaceadjoinsthem.Bathsareconnectedwiththesleepingchambers,andeachguestisrequiredtobathedailyordepartfromthehotel.
Usuallyonasecondorthirdfloorthereisalargesleeping-room
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forsinglewomenguests,butitsappointmentsdonotvarymateriallyfromthechamberoccupiedbymen.Theguardswhowatchthewomenremaininthecorridoroutsidethesleepingchamber,whilefemaleslavespacebackandforthamongthesleeperswithin,readytonotifythewarriorsshouldtheirpresenceberequired.
Iwassurprisedtonotethatalltheguardswiththehotelatwhichwestoppedwereredmen,andoninquiringofoneofthemIlearnedthattheywereslavespurchasedbytheproprietorsofthehotelsfromthegovernment.ThemanwhosepostwaspastmysleepingplatformhadbeencommanderofthenavyofagreatMartiannation;butfatehadcarriedhisflagshipacrosstheice-barrierwithintheradiusofpowerofthemagneticshaft,andnowformanytediousyearshehadbeenaslaveoftheyellowmen.
Hetoldmethatprinces,jeds,andevenjeddaksoftheouterworld,wereamongthemenialswhoservedtheyellowrace;butwhenIaskedhimifhehadheardofthefateofMorsKajakorTardosMorsheshookhishead,sayingthatheneverhadheardoftheirbeingprisonershere,thoughhewasveryfamiliarwiththereputationsandfametheyboreintheouterworld.
NeitherhadheheardanyrumorofthecomingoftheFatherofThernsandtheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn,buthehastenedtoexplain
thatheknewlittleofwhattookplacewithinthepalace.Icouldseethathewonderednotalittlethatayellowmanshouldbesoinquisitiveaboutcertainredprisonersfrombeyondtheice-barrier,andthatIshouldbesoignorantofcustomsandconditionsamongmyownrace.
Infact,Ihadforgottenmydisguiseupondiscoveringaredmanpacingbeforemysleepingplatform;buthisgrowingexpressionofsurprisewarnedmeintime,forIhadnomindtorevealmyidentitytoanyunlesssomegoodcouldcomeofit,andIdidnotseehowthispoorfellowcouldservemeyet,thoughIhaditinmymindthatlaterImightbethemeansofservinghimandalltheotherthousandsofprisonerswhodothebiddingoftheirsternmasters
inKadabra.
ThuvanDihnandIdiscussedourplansaswesattogetheramongoursleepingsilksandfursthatnightinthemidstofthehundredsofyellowmenwhooccupiedtheapartmentwithus.Wespokeinlowwhispers,but,asthatisonlywhatcourtesydemandsinapublicsleepingplace,werousednosuspicion.
Atlast,determiningthatallmustbebutidlespeculationuntilafterwehadhadachancetoexplorethecityandattempttoputintoexecutiontheplanTaluhadsuggested,webadeeachothergoodnightandturnedtosleep.
AfterbreakfastingthefollowingmorningwesetouttoseeKadabra,andas,throughthegenerosityoftheprinceofMarentina,wewerewellsuppliedwiththefundscurrentinOkarwepurchasedahandsomegroundflier.HavinglearnedtodrivethemwhileinMarentina,wespentadelightfulandprofitabledayexploringthecity,andlateintheafternoonatthehourTalutolduswewouldfindgovernmentofficialsintheiroffices,westoppedbeforeamagnificentbuildingontheplazaoppositetheroyalgroundsandthepalace.
Herewewalkedboldlyinpastthearmedguardatthedoor,tobe
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metbyaredslavewithinwhoaskedourwishes.
"TellSorav,yourmaster,thattwowarriorsfromIllallwishtotakeserviceinthepalaceguard,"Isaid.
Sorav,Taluhadtoldus,wasthecommanderoftheforcesofthepalace,andasmenfromthefurthercitiesofOkar--andespeciallyIllall--werelesslikelytobetaintedwiththegermofintriguewhichhadforyearsinfectedthehouseholdofSalensusOll,hewassurethatwewouldbewelcomedandfewquestionsaskedus.
HehadprimeduswithsuchgeneralinformationashethoughtwouldbenecessaryforustopassmusterbeforeSorav,afterwhichwewouldhavetoundergoafurtherexaminationbeforeSalensusOllthathemightdetermineourphysicalfitnessandourabilityaswarriors.
Thelittleexperiencewehadhadwiththestrangehookedswordoftheyellowmanandhiscuplikeshieldmadeitseemratherunlikelythateitherofuscouldpassthisfinaltest,buttherewasthechancethatwemightbequarteredinthepalaceofSalensusOllforseveraldaysafterbeingacceptedbySoravbeforetheJeddakofJeddakswouldfindtimetoputustothefinaltest.
Afterawaitofseveralminutesinanante-chamberweweresummoned
intotheprivateofficeofSorav,wherewewerecourteouslygreetedbythisferocious-appearing,black-beardedofficer.Heaskedusournamesandstationsinourowncity,andhavingreceivedrepliesthatwereevidentlysatisfactorytohim,heputcertainquestionstousthatTaluhadforeseenandpreparedusfor.
TheinterviewcouldnothavelastedovertenminuteswhenSoravsummonedanaidwhomheinstructedtorecordusproperly,andthenescortustothequartersinthepalacewhicharesetasideforaspirantstomembershipinthepalaceguard.
Theaidtookustohisownofficefirst,wherehemeasuredandweighedandphotographedussimultaneouslywithamachineingeniously
devisedforthatpurpose,fivecopiesbeinginstantlyreproducedinfivedifferentofficesofthegovernment,twoofwhicharelocatedinothercitiesmilesdistant.Thenheledusthroughthepalacegroundstothemainguardroomofthepalace,thereturningusovertotheofficerincharge.
Thisindividualagainquestionedusbriefly,andfinallydespatchedasoldiertoguideustoourquarters.Thesewefoundlocateduponthesecondfloorofthepalaceinasemi-detachedtowerattherearoftheedifice.
Whenweaskedourguidewhywewerequarteredsofarfromtheguardroomherepliedthatthecustomoftheoldermembersofthe
guardofpickingquarrelswithaspirantstotrytheirmetalhadresultedinsomanydeathsthatitwasfounddifficulttomaintaintheguardatitsfullstrengthwhilethiscustomprevailed.SalensusOllhad,therefore,setapartthesequartersforaspirants,andheretheyweresecurelylockedagainstthedangerofattackbymembersoftheguard.
Thisunwelcomeinformationputasuddenchecktoallourwell-laidplans,foritmeantthatweshouldvirtuallybeprisonersinthepalaceofSalensusOlluntilthetimethatheshouldseefitto
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giveusthefinalexaminationforefficiency.
AsitwasthisintervaluponwhichwehadbankedtoaccomplishsomuchinoursearchforDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth,ourchagrinwasunboundedwhenweheardthegreatlockclickbehindourguideashehadquittedusafterusheringusintothechambersweweretooccupy.
WithawryfaceIturnedtoThuvanDihn.Mycompanionbutshookhisheaddisconsolatelyandwalkedtooneofthewindowsuponthefarsideoftheapartment.
Scarcelyhadhegazedbeyondthemthanhecalledtomeinatoneofsuppressedexcitementandsurprise.InaninstantIwasbyhisside.
"Look!"saidThuvanDihn,pointingtowardthecourtyardbelow.
AsmyeyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedIsawtwowomenpacingbackandforthinanenclosedgarden.
AtthesamemomentIrecognizedthem--theywereDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth!
ThereweretheywhomIhadtrailedfromonepoletoanother,thelengthofaworld.Onlytenfeetofspaceandafewmetalbarsseparatedmefromthem.
WithacryIattractedtheirattention,andasDejahThorislookedupfullintomyeyesImadethesignoflovethatthemenofBarsoommaketotheirwomen.
Tomyastonishmentandhorrorherheadwenthigh,andasalookofuttercontempttouchedherfinelychiseledfeaturessheturnedherbackfulluponme.Mybodyiscoveredwiththescarsofathousandconflicts,butneverinallmylonglifehaveIsufferedsuchanguishfromawound,forthistimethesteelofawoman's
lookhadenteredmyheart.
WithagroanIturnedawayandburiedmyfaceinmyarms.IheardThuvanDihncallaloudtoThuvia,butaninstantlaterhisexclamationofsurprisebetokenedthathe,too,hadbeenrepulsedbyhisowndaughter.
"Theywillnotevenlisten,"hecriedtome."Theyhaveputtheirhandsovertheirearsandwalkedtothefartherendofthegarden.Everheardyouofsuchmadwork,JohnCarter?Thetwomustbebewitched."
PresentlyImusteredthecouragetoreturntothewindow,for
eventhoughshespurnedmeIlovedher,andcouldnotkeepmyeyesfromfeastinguponherdivinefaceandfigure,butwhenshesawmelookingsheagainturnedaway.
Iwasatmywit'sendtoaccountforherstrangeactions,andthatThuvia,too,hadturnedagainstherfatherseemedincredible.CoulditbethatmyincomparableprincessstillclungtothehideousfaithfromwhichIhadrescuedherworld?CoulditbethatshelookeduponmewithloathingandcontemptbecauseIhadreturnedfromtheValleyDor,orbecauseIhaddesecratedthetemplesandpersonsof
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theHolyTherns?
TonaughtelsecouldIascribeherstrangedeportment,yetitseemedfarfrompossiblethatsuchcouldbethecase,fortheloveofDejahThorisforJohnCarterhadbeenagreatandwondrouslove--faraboveracialdistinctions,creed,orreligion.
AsIgazedruefullyatthebackofherhaughty,royalheadagateattheoppositeendofthegardenopenedandamanentered.Ashedidsoheturnedandslippedsomethingintothehandoftheyellowguardsmanbeyondthegate,norwasthedistancetoogreatthatImightnotseethatmoneyhadpassedbetweenthem.
InstantlyIknewthatthisnewcomerhadbribedhiswaywithinthegarden.Thenheturnedinthedirectionofthetwowomen,andIsawthathewasnoneotherthanThurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn.
Heapproachedquiteclosetothembeforehespoke,andastheyturnedatthesoundofhisvoiceIsawDejahThorisshrinkfromhim.
Therewasanastyleeruponhisfaceashesteppedclosetoherandspokeagain.Icouldnothearhiswords,butheranswercameclearly.
"ThegranddaughterofTardosMorscanalwaysdie,"shesaid,"butshecouldneverliveatthepriceyouname."
ThenIsawtheblackscoundrelgouponhiskneesbesideher,fairlygrovelinginthedirt,pleadingwithher.Onlypartofwhathesaidcametome,forthoughhewasevidentlylaboringunderthestressofpassionandexcitement,itwasequallyapparentthathedidnotdareraisehisvoiceforfearofdetection.
"IwouldsaveyoufromMataiShang,"Iheardhimsay."Youknowthefatethatawaitsyouathishands.Wouldyounotchoosemeratherthantheother?"
"Iwouldchooseneither,"repliedDejahThoris,"evenwereIfreetochoose,asyouknowwellIamnot."
"YouAREfree!"hecried."JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,isdead."
"Iknowbetterthanthat;butevenwerehedead,andImustneedschooseanothermate,itshouldbeaplantmanoragreatwhiteapeinpreferencetoeitherMataiShangoryou,blackcalot,"sheansweredwithasneerofcontempt.
Ofasuddentheviciousbeastlostallcontrolofhimself,aswithavileoathheleapedattheslenderwoman,grippinghertender
throatinhisbruteclutch.Thuviascreamedandsprangtoaidherfellow-prisoner,andatthesameinstantI,too,wentmad,andtearingatthebarsthatspannedmywindowIrippedthemfromtheirsocketsastheyhadbeenbutcopperwire.
HurlingmyselfthroughtheapertureIreachedthegarden,butahundredfeetfromwheretheblackwaschokingthelifefrommyDejahThoris,andwithasinglegreatboundIwasuponhim.IspokenowordasItorehisdefilingfingersfromthatbeautifulthroat,nordidIutterasoundasIhurledhimtwentyfeetfromme.
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Foamingwithrage,Thuridregainedhisfeetandchargedmelikeamadbull.
"Yellowman,"heshrieked,"youknewnotuponwhomyouhadlaidyourvilehands,butereIamdonewithyou,youwillknowwellwhatitmeanstooffendthepersonofaFirstBorn."
Thenhewasuponme,reachingformythroat,andpreciselyasIhaddonethatdayinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssusIdidhereinthegardenofthepalaceofSalensusOll.Iduckedbeneathhisoutstretchedarms,andashelungedpastmeIplantedaterrificrightuponthesideofhisjaw.
Justashehaddoneuponthatotheroccasionhedidnow.Likeatophespunround,hiskneesgavebeneathhim,andhecrumpledtothegroundatmyfeet.ThenIheardavoicebehindme.
Itwasthedeepvoiceofauthoritythatmarkstherulerofmen,andwhenIturnedtofacetheresplendentfigureofagiantyellowmanIdidnotneedtoasktoknowthatitwasSalensusOll.AthisrightstoodMataiShang,andbehindthemascoreofguardsmen.
"Whoareyou,"hecried,"andwhatmeansthisintrusionwithinthe
precinctsofthewomen'sgarden?Idonotrecallyourface.Howcameyouhere?"
ButforhislastwordsIshouldhaveforgottenmydisguiseentirelyandtoldhimoutrightthatIwasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium;buthisquestionrecalledmetomyself.Ipointedtothedislodgedbarsofthewindowabove.
"Iamanaspiranttomembershipinthepalaceguard,"Isaid,"andfromyonderwindowinthetowerwhereIwasconfinedawaitingthefinaltestforfitnessIsawthisbruteattackthe--thiswoman.Icouldnotstandidlyby,OJeddak,andseethisthingdonewithintheverypalacegrounds,andyetfeelthatIwasfittoserveand
guardyourroyalperson."
IhadevidentlymadeanimpressionupontherulerofOkarbymyfairwords,andwhenhehadturnedtoDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth,andbothhadcorroboratedmystatementsitbegantolookprettydarkforThurid.
IsawtheuglygleaminMataiShang'sevileyesasDejahThorisnarratedallthathadpassedbetweenThuridandherself,andwhenshecametothatpartwhichdealtwithmyinterferencewiththedatoroftheFirstBornhergratitudewasquiteapparent,thoughIcouldseebyhereyesthatsomethingpuzzledherstrangely.
Ididnotwonderatherattitudetowardmewhileotherswerepresent;butthatsheshouldhavedeniedmewhilesheandThuviaweretheonlyoccupantsofthegardenstillcutmesorely.
AstheexaminationproceededIcastaglanceatThuridandstartledhimlookingwide-eyedandwonderinglyatme,andthenofasuddenhelaughedfullinmyface.
AmomentlaterSalensusOllturnedtowardtheblack.
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"Whathaveyoutosayinexplanationofthesecharges?"heaskedinadeepandterriblevoice."DareyouaspiretoonewhomtheFatherofThernshaschosen--onewhomightevenbeafitmatefortheJeddakofJeddakshimself?"
Andthentheblack-beardedtyrantturnedandcastasuddengreedylookuponDejahThoris,asthoughwiththewordsanewthoughtandanewdesirehadsprungupwithinhismindandbreast.
Thuridhadbeenabouttoreplyand,withamaliciousgrinuponhisface,waspointinganaccusingfingeratme,whenSalensusOll'swordsandtheexpressionofhisfacecuthimshort.
Acunninglookcreptintohiseyes,andIknewfromtheexpressionofhisfacethathisnextwordswerenottheoneshehadintendedtospeak.
"OMightiestofJeddaks,"hesaid,"themanandthewomendonotspeakthetruth.Thefellowhadcomeintothegardentoassistthemtoescape.Iwasbeyondandoverheardtheirconversation,andwhenIentered,thewomanscreamedandthemanspranguponmeandwouldhavekilledme.
"Whatknowyouofthisman?Heisastrangertoyou,andIdare
saythatyouwillfindhimanenemyandaspy.Lethimbeputontrial,SalensusOll,ratherthanyourfriendandguest,Thurid,DatoroftheFirstBorn."
SalensusOlllookedpuzzled.HeturnedagainandlookeduponDejahThoris,andthenThuridsteppedquiteclosetohimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear--what,Iknownot.
Presentlytheyellowrulerturnedtooneofhisofficers.
"Seethatthismanbesecurelyconfineduntilwehavetimetogodeeperintothisaffair,"hecommanded,"andasbarsaloneseeminadequatetorestrainhim,letchainsbeadded."
Thenheturnedandleftthegarden,takingDejahThoriswithhim--hishanduponhershoulder.ThuridandMataiShangwentalso,andastheyreachedthegatewaytheblackturnedandlaughedagainaloudinmyface.
Whatcouldbethemeaningofhissuddenchangetowardme?Couldhesuspectmytrueidentity?Itmustbethat,andthethingthathadbetrayedmewasthetrickandblowthathadlaidhimlowforthesecondtime.
Astheguardsdraggedmeawaymyheartwasverysadandbitterindeed,fornowtothetworelentlessenemiesthathadhoundedher
forsolonganotherandamorepowerfulonehadbeenadded,forIwouldhavebeenbutafoolhadInotrecognizedthesuddenloveforDejahThoristhathadjustbeenbornintheterriblebreastofSalensusOll,JeddakofJeddaks,rulerofOkar.
THEPITOFPLENTY
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IdidnotlanguishlongwithintheprisonofSalensusOll.DuringtheshorttimethatIlaythere,fetteredwithchainsofgold,IoftenwonderedastothefateofThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth.
MybravecompanionhadfollowedmeintothegardenasIattackedThurid,andwhenSalensusOllhadleftwithDejahThorisandtheothers,leavingThuviaofPtarthbehind,he,too,hadremainedinthegardenwithhisdaughter,apparentlyunnoticed,forhewasappareledsimilarlytotheguards.
ThelastIhadseenofhimhestoodwaitingforthewarriorswhoescortedmetoclosethegatebehindthem,thathemightbealonewithThuvia.Coulditbepossiblethattheyhadescaped?Idoubtedit,andyetwithallmyheartIhopedthatitmightbetrue.
Thethirddayofmyincarcerationbroughtadozenwarriorstoescortmetotheaudiencechamber,whereSalensusOllhimselfwastotryme.Agreatnumberofnoblescrowdedtheroom,andamongthemIsawThurid,butMataiShangwasnotthere.
DejahThoris,asradiantlybeautifulasever,satuponasmallthronebesideSalensusOll.Theexpressionofsadhopelessnessuponherdearfacecutdeepintomyheart.
HerpositionbesidetheJeddakofJeddaksbodedillforherandme,andontheinstantthatIsawherthere,theresprangtomymindthefirmintentionnevertoleavethatchamberaliveifImustleaveherintheclutchesofthispowerfultyrant.
IhadkilledbettermenthanSalensusOll,andkilledthemwithmybarehands,andnowIsworetomyselfthatIshouldkillhimifIfoundthattheonlywaytosavethePrincessofHelium.ThatitwouldmeanalmostinstantdeathformeIcarednot,exceptthatitwouldremovemefromfurthereffortsinbehalfofDejahThoris,andforthisreasonaloneIwouldhavechosenanotherway,foreventhoughIshouldkillSalensusOllthatactwouldnotrestore
mybelovedwifetoherownpeople.Ideterminedtowaitthefinaloutcomeofthetrial,thatImightlearnallthatIcouldoftheOkarianruler'sintentions,andthenactaccordingly.
ScarcelyhadIcomebeforehimthanSalensusOllsummonedThuridalso.
"DatorThurid,"hesaid,"youhavemadeastrangerequestofme;but,inaccordancewithyourwishesandyourpromisethatitwillresultonlytomyinterests,Ihavedecidedtoaccede.
"Youtellmethatacertainannouncementwillbethemeansofconvictingthisprisonerand,atthesametime,openthewayto
thegratificationofmydearestwish."
Thuridnodded.
"ThenshallImaketheannouncementherebeforeallmynobles,"continuedSalensusOll."Forayearnoqueenhassatuponthethronebesideme,andnowitsuitsmetotaketowifeonewhoisreputedthemostbeautifulwomanuponBarsoom.Astatementwhichnonemaytruthfullydeny.
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"NoblesofOkar,unsheatheyourswordsanddohomagetoDejahThoris,PrincessofHeliumandfutureQueenofOkar,forattheendoftheallottedtendayssheshallbecomethewifeofSalensusOll."
Asthenoblesdrewtheirbladesandliftedthemonhigh,inaccordancewiththeancientcustomofOkarwhenajeddakannounceshisintentiontowed,DejahThorissprangtoherfeetand,raisingherhandaloft,criedinaloudvoicethattheydesist.
"ImaynotbethewifeofSalensusOll,"shepleaded,"foralreadyIbeawifeandmother.JohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,stilllives.Iknowittobetrue,forIoverheardMataiShangtellhisdaughterPhaidorthathehadseenhiminKaor,atthecourtofKulanTith,Jeddak.Ajeddakdoesnotwedamarriedwoman,norwillSalensusOllthusviolatethebondsofmatrimony."
SalensusOllturneduponThuridwithanuglylook.
"Isthisthesurpriseyouheldinstoreforme?"hecried."Youassuredmethatnoobstaclewhichmightnotbeeasilyovercomestoodbetweenmeandthiswoman,andnowIfindthattheoneinsuperableobstacleintervenes.Whatmeanyou,man?Whathaveyoutosay?"
"AndshouldIdeliverJohnCarterintoyourhands,SalensusOll,
wouldyounotfeelthatIhadmorethansatisfiedthepromisethatImadeyou?"answeredThurid.
"Talknotlikeafool,"criedtheenragedjeddak."Iamnochildtobethusplayedwith."
"Iamtalkingonlyasamanwhoknows,"repliedThurid."Knowsthathecandoallthatheclaims."
"ThenturnJohnCarterovertomewithintendaysoryourselfsuffertheendthatIshouldmeteouttohimwereheinmypower!"snappedtheJeddakofJeddaks,withanuglyscowl.
"Youneednotwaittendays,SalensusOll,"repliedThurid;andthen,turningsuddenlyuponmeasheextendedapointingfinger,hecried:"TherestandsJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium!"
"Fool!"shriekedSalensusOll."Fool!JohnCarterisawhiteman.Thisfellowbeasyellowasmyself.JohnCarter'sfaceissmooth--MataiShanghasdescribedhimtome.ThisprisonerhasabeardandmustacheaslargeandblackasanyinOkar.Quick,guardsmen,tothepitswiththeblackmaniacwhowishestothrowhislifeawayforapoorjokeuponyourruler!"
"Hold!"criedThurid,andspringingforwardbeforeIcouldguesshisintention,hehadgraspedmybeardandrippedthewholefalse
fabricfrommyfaceandhead,revealingmysmooth,tannedskinbeneathandmyclose-croppedblackhair.
InstantlypandemoniumreignedintheaudiencechamberofSalensusOll.Warriorspressedforwardwithdrawnblades,thinkingthatImightbecontemplatingtheassassinationoftheJeddakofJeddaks;whileothers,outofcuriositytoseeonewhosenamewasfamiliarfrompoletopole,crowdedbehindtheirfellows.
AsmyidentitywasrevealedIsawDejahThorisspringtoher
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feet--amazementwritlargeuponherface--andthenthroughthatjamofarmedmensheforcedherwaybeforeanycouldprevent.Amomentonlyandshewasbeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandeyesfilledwiththelightofhergreatlove.
"JohnCarter!JohnCarter!"shecriedasIfoldedhertomybreast,andthenofasuddenIknewwhyshehaddeniedmeinthegardenbeneaththetower.
WhatafoolIhadbeen!ExpectingthatshewouldpenetratethemarvelousdisguisethathadbeenwroughtformebythebarberofMarentina!Shehadnotknownme,thatwasall;andwhenshesawthesignoflovefromastrangershewasoffendedandrighteouslyindignant.Indeed,butIhadbeenafool.
"Anditwasyou,"shecried,"whospoketomefromthetower!HowcouldIdreamthatmybelovedVirginianlaybehindthatfiercebeardandthatyellowskin?"
ShehadbeenwonttocallmeherVirginianasatermofendearment,forsheknewthatIlovedthesoundofthatbeautifulname,madeathousandtimesmorebeautifulandhallowedbyherdearlips,andasIhearditagainafterallthoselongyearsmyeyesbecamedimmedwithtearsandmyvoicechokedwithemotion.
ButaninstantdidIcrushthatdearformtomeereSalensusOll,tremblingwithrageandjealousy,shoulderedhiswaytous.
"Seizetheman,"hecriedtohiswarriors,andahundredruthlesshandstoreusapart.
WellitwasforthenoblesofthecourtofOkarthatJohnCarterhadbeendisarmed.Asitwas,adozenofthemfelttheweightofmyclenchedfists,andIhadfoughtmywayhalfupthestepsbeforethethronetowhichSalensusOllhadcarriedDejahThorisereevertheycouldstopme.
ThenIwentdown,fighting,beneathahalf-hundredwarriors;butbeforetheyhadbatteredmeintounconsciousnessIheardthatfromthelipsofDejahThoristhatmadeallmysufferingwellworthwhile.
Standingtherebesidethegreattyrant,whoclutchedherbythearm,shepointedtowhereIfoughtaloneagainstsuchawfulodds.
"Thinkyou,SalensusOll,thatthewifeofsuchasheis,"shecried,"wouldeverdishonorhismemory,wereheathousandtimesdead,bymatingwithalessermortal?LivesthereuponanyworldsuchanotherasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium?Livesthereanothermanwhocouldfighthiswaybackandforthacrossawarlikeplanet,
facingsavagebeastsandhordesofsavagemen,fortheloveofawoman?
"I,DejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,amhis.Hefoughtformeandwonme.Ifyoubeabravemanyouwillhonorthebraverythatishis,andyouwillnotkillhim.Makehimaslaveifyouwill,SalensusOll;butsparehislife.IwouldratherbeaslavewithsuchashethanbeQueenofOkar."
"NeitherslavenorqueendictatestoSalensusOll,"repliedthe
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JeddakofJeddaks."JohnCartershalldieanaturaldeathinthePitofPlenty,andthedayhediesDejahThorisshallbecomemyqueen."
Ididnothearherreply,foritwasthenthatablowuponmyheadbroughtunconsciousness,andwhenIrecoveredmysensesonlyahandfulofguardsmenremainedintheaudiencechamberwithme.AsIopenedmyeyestheygoadedmewiththepointsoftheirswordsandbademerise.
Thentheyledmethroughlongcorridorstoacourtfartowardthecenterofthepalace.
Inthecenterofthecourtwasadeeppit,neartheedgeofwhichstoodhalfadozenotherguardsmen,awaitingme.Oneofthemcarriedalongropeinhishands,whichhecommencedtomakereadyasweapproached.
WehadcometowithinfiftyfeetofthesemenwhenIfeltasuddenstrangeandrapidprickingsensationinoneofmyfingers.
ForamomentIwasnonplusedbytheoddfeeling,andthentherecametomerecollectionofthatwhichinthestressofmyadventureIhadentirelyforgotten--thegiftringofPrinceTaluofMarentina.
InstantlyIlookedtowardthegroupwewerenearing,atthesametimeraisingmylefthandtomyforehead,thattheringmightbevisibletoonewhosoughtit.Simultaneouslyoneofthewaitingwarriorsraisedhislefthand,ostensiblytobrushbackhishair,andupononeofhisfingersIsawtheduplicateofmyownring.
Aquicklookofintelligencepassedbetweenus,afterwhichIkeptmyeyesturnedawayfromthewarrioranddidnotlookathimagain,forfearthatImightarousethesuspicionoftheOkarians.WhenwereachedtheedgeofthepitIsawthatitwasverydeep,andpresentlyIrealizedIwassoontojudgejusthowfaritextendedbelowthesurfaceofthecourt,forhewhoheldtheropepassedit
aboutmybodyinsuchawaythatitcouldbereleasedfromaboveatanytime;andthen,asallthewarriorsgraspedit,hepushedmeforward,andIfellintotheyawningabyss.
AfterthefirstjerkasIreachedtheendoftheropethathadbeenpaidouttoletmefallbelowthepit'sedgetheyloweredmequicklybutsmoothly.Themomentbeforetheplunge,whiletwoorthreeofthemenhadbeenassistinginadjustingtheropeaboutme,oneofthemhadbroughthismouthclosetomycheek,andinthebriefintervalbeforeIwascastintotheforbiddingholehebreathedasinglewordintomyear:
"Courage!"
Thepit,whichmyimaginationhadpicturedasbottomless,provedtobenotmorethanahundredfeetindepth;butasitswallsweresmoothlypolisheditmightaswellhavebeenathousandfeet,forIcouldneverhopetoescapewithoutoutsideassistance.
ForadayIwasleftindarkness;andthen,quitesuddenly,abrilliantlightilluminedmystrangecell.Iwasreasonablyhungryandthirstybythistime,nothavingtastedfoodordrinksincethedaypriortomyincarceration.
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TomyamazementIfoundthesidesofthepit,thatIhadthoughtsmooth,linedwithshelves,uponwhichwerethemostdeliciousviandsandliquidrefreshmentsthatOkarafforded.
WithanexclamationofdelightIsprangforwardtopartakeofsomeofthewelcomefood,butereeverIreacheditthelightwasextinguished,and,thoughIgropedmywayaboutthechamber,myhandscameincontactwithnothingbesidethesmooth,hardwallthatIhadfeltonmyfirstexaminationofmyprison.
Immediatelythepangsofhungerandthirstbegantoassailme.WherebeforeIhadhadbutamildcravingforfoodanddrink,Inowactuallysufferedforwantofit,andallbecauseofthetantalizingsightthatIhadhadoffoodalmostwithinmygrasp.
Oncemoredarknessandsilenceenvelopedme,asilencethatwasbrokenonlybyasinglemockinglaugh.
Foranotherdaynothingoccurredtobreakthemonotonyofmyimprisonmentorrelievethesufferingsuperinducedbyhungerandthirst.Slowlythepangsbecamelesskeen,assufferingdeadenedtheactivityofcertainnerves;andthenthelightflashedononceagain,andbeforemestoodanarrayofnewandtemptingdishes,
withgreatbottlesofclearwaterandflagonsofrefreshingwine,upontheoutsideofwhichthecoldsweatofcondensationstood.
Again,withthehungermadnessofawildbeast,Isprangforwardtoseizethosetemptingdishes;but,asbefore,thelightwentoutandIcametoasuddenstopagainstahardwall.
Thenthemockinglaughrangoutforasecondtime.
ThePitofPlenty!
Ah,whatacruelmindmusthavedevisedthisexquisite,hellishtorture!Dayafterdaywasthethingrepeated,untilIwason
thevergeofmadness;andthen,asIhaddoneinthepitsoftheWarhoons,Itookanew,firmholduponmyreasonandforceditbackintothechannelsofsanity.
Bysheerwill-powerIregainedcontrolovermytotteringmentality,andsosuccessfulwasIthatthenexttimethatthelightcameIsatquitestillandlookedindifferentlyatthefreshandtemptingfoodalmostwithinmyreach.GladIwasthatIhaddoneso,foritgavemeanopportunitytosolvetheseemingmysteryofthosevanishingbanquets.
AsImadenomovetoreachthefood,thetorturersleftthelightturnedoninthehopethatatlastIcouldrefrainnolongerfrom
givingthemthedeliciousthrillofenjoymentthatmyformerfutileeffortstoobtainithadcaused.
AndasIsatscrutinizingtheladenshelvesIpresentlysawhowthethingwasaccomplished,andsosimplewasitthatIwonderedIhadnotguesseditbefore.Thewallofmyprisonwasofclearestglass--behindtheglasswerethetantalizingviands.
Afternearlyanhourthelightwentout,butthistimetherewasnomockinglaughter--atleastnotuponthepartofmytormentors;
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butI,tobeatquitswiththem,gavealowlaughthatnonemightmistakeforthecackleofamaniac.
Ninedayspassed,andIwasweakfromhungerandthirst,butnolongersuffering--Iwaspastthat.Then,downthroughthedarknessabove,alittleparcelfelltotheflooratmyside.
IndifferentlyIgropedforit,thinkingitbutsomenewinventionofmyjailerstoaddtomysufferings.
AtlastIfoundit--atinypackagewrappedinpaper,attheendofastrongandslendercord.AsIopeneditafewlozengesfelltothefloor.AsIgatheredthemup,feelingofthemandsmellingofthem,IdiscoveredthattheyweretabletsofconcentratedfoodsuchasarequitecommoninallpartsofBarsoom.
Poison!Ithought.
Well,whatofit?Whynotendmymiserynowratherthandragoutafewmorewretcheddaysinthisdarkpit?SlowlyIraisedoneofthelittlepelletstomylips.
"Good-bye,myDejahThoris!"Ibreathed."Ihavelivedforyouandfoughtforyou,andnowmynextdearestwishistoberealized,
forIshalldieforyou,"and,takingthemorselinmymouth,Idevouredit.
OnebyoneIatethemall,noreverdidanythingtastebetterthanthosetinybitsofnourishment,withinwhichIknewmustlietheseedsofdeath--possiblyofsomehideous,torturingdeath.
AsIsatquietlyuponthefloorofmyprison,waitingfortheend,myfingersbyaccidentcameincontactwiththebitofpaperinwhichthethingshadbeenwrapped;andasIidlyplayedwithit,mymindroamingfarbackintothepast,thatImightliveagainforafewbriefmomentsbeforeIdiedsomeofthemanyhappymomentsofalongandhappylife,Ibecameawareofstrangeprotuberances
uponthesmoothsurfaceoftheparchment-likesubstanceinmyhands.
Foratimetheycarriednospecialsignificancetomymind--Imerelywasmildlywondrousthattheywerethere;butatlasttheyseemedtotakeform,andthenIrealizedthattherewasbutasinglelineofthem,likewriting.
Now,moreinterestedly,myfingerstracedandretracedthem.Therewerefourseparateanddistinctcombinationsofraisedlines.Coulditbethatthesewerefourwords,andthattheywereintendedtocarryamessagetome?
ThemoreIthoughtofitthemoreexcitedIbecame,untilmyfingers
racedmadlybackandforthoverthosebewilderinglittlehillsandvalleysuponthatbitofpaper.
ButIcouldmakenothingofthem,andatlastIdecidedthatmyveryhastewaspreventingmefromsolvingthemystery.ThenItookitmoreslowly.Againandagainmyforefingertracedthefirstofthosefourcombinations.
MartianwritingisratherdifficulttoexplaintoanEarthman--itissomethingofacrossbetweenshorthandandpicture-writing,and
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isanentirelydifferentlanguagefromthespokenlanguageofMars.
UponBarsoomthereisbutasingleorallanguage.
Itisspokentodaybyeveryraceandnation,justasitwasatthebeginningofhumanlifeuponBarsoom.Ithasgrownwiththegrowthoftheplanet'slearningandscientificachievements,butsoingeniousathingitisthatnewwordstoexpressnewthoughtsordescribenewconditionsordiscoveriesformthemselves--nootherwordcouldexplainthethingthatanewwordisrequiredforotherthanthewordthatnaturallyfallstoit,andso,nomatterhowfarremovedtwonationsorraces,theirspokenlanguagesareidentical.
Notsotheirwrittenlanguages,however.Notwonationshavethesamewrittenlanguage,andoftencitiesofthesamenationhaveawrittenlanguagethatdiffersgreatlyfromthatofthenationtowhichtheybelong.
Thusitwasthatthesignsuponthepaper,ifinrealitytheywerewords,baffledmeforsometime;butatlastImadeoutthefirstone.
Itwas"courage,"anditwaswritteninthelettersofMarentina.
Courage!
ThatwasthewordtheyellowguardsmanhadwhisperedinmyearasIstooduponthevergeofthePitofPlenty.
Themessagemustbefromhim,andheIknewwasafriend.
WithrenewedhopeIbentmyeveryenergytothedecipheringofthebalanceofthemessage,andatlastsuccessrewardedmyendeavor--Ihadreadthefourwords:
"Courage!Followtherope."
"FOLLOWTHEROPE"
Whatcoulditmean?
"Followtherope."Whatrope?
PresentlyIrecalledthecordthathadbeenattachedtotheparcelwhenitfellatmyside,andafteralittlegropingmyhandcameincontactwithitagain.Itdependedfromabove,andwhenIpulled
uponitIdiscoveredthatitwasrigidlyfastened,possiblyatthepit'smouth.
UponexaminationIfoundthatthecord,thoughsmall,wasamplyabletosustaintheweightofseveralmen.ThenImadeanotherdiscovery--therewasasecondmessageknottedintheropeatabouttheheightofmyhead.ThisIdecipheredmoreeasily,nowthatthekeywasmine.
"Bringtheropewithyou.Beyondtheknotsliesdanger."
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Thatwasalltherewastothismessage.Itwasevidentlyhastilyformed--anafterthought.
Ididnotpauselongerthantolearnthecontentsofthesecondmessage,and,thoughIwasnonetoosureofthemeaningofthefinaladmonition,"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger,"yetIwassurethatherebeforemelayanavenueofescape,andthatthesoonerItookadvantageofitthemorelikelywasItowintoliberty.
Atleast,IcouldbebutlittleworseoffthanIhadbeeninthePitofPlenty.
Iwastofind,however,ereIwaswelloutofthatdamnableholethatImighthavebeenverymuchworseoffhadIbeencompelledtoremainthereanothertwominutes.
Ithadtakenmeaboutthatlengthoftimetoascendsomefiftyfeetabovethebottomwhenanoiseaboveattractedmyattention.TomychagrinIsawthatthecoveringofthepitwasbeingremovedfaraboveme,andinthelightofthecourtyardbeyondIsawanumberofyellowwarriors.
CoulditbethatIwaslaboriouslyworkingmywayintosomenew
trap?Werethemessagesspurious,afterall?Andthen,justasmyhopeandcouragehadebbedtotheirlowest,Isawtwothings.
Onewasthebodyofahuge,struggling,snarlingaptbeingloweredoverthesideofthepittowardme,andtheotherwasanapertureinthesideoftheshaft--anaperturelargerthanaman'sbody,intowhichmyropeled.
JustasIscrambledintothedarkholebeforemetheaptpassedme,reachingoutwithhismightyhandstoclutchme,andsnapping,growling,androaringinamostfrightfulmanner.
PlainlynowIsawtheendforwhichSalensusOllhaddestinedme.
Afterfirsttorturingmewithstarvationhehadcausedthisfiercebeasttobeloweredintomyprisontofinishtheworkthatthejeddak'shellishimaginationhadconceived.
Andthenanothertruthflasheduponme--IhadlivedninedaysoftheallottedtenwhichmustintervenebeforeSalensusOllcouldmakeDejahThorishisqueen.Thepurposeoftheaptwastoinsuremydeathbeforethetenthday.
IalmostlaughedaloudasIthoughthowSalensusOll'smeasureofsafetywastoaidindefeatingtheveryendhesought,forwhentheydiscoveredthattheaptwasaloneinthePitofPlentytheycouldnotknowbutthathehadcompletelydevouredme,andsono
suspicionofmyescapewouldcauseasearchtobemadeforme.
Coilingtheropethathadcarriedmethusfaruponmystrangejourney,Isoughtfortheotherend,butfoundthatasIfolloweditforwarditextendedalwaysbeforeme.Sothiswasthemeaningofthewords:"Followtherope."
ThetunnelthroughwhichIcrawledwaslowanddark.IhadfolloweditforseveralhundredyardswhenIfeltaknotbeneathmyfingers."Beyondtheknotsliesdanger."
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NowIwentwiththeutmostcaution,andamomentlaterasharpturninthetunnelbroughtmetoanopeningintoalarge,brilliantlylightedchamber.
ThetrendofthetunnelIhadbeentraversinghadbeenslightlyupward,andfromthisIjudgedthatthechamberintowhichInowfoundmyselflookingmustbeeitheronthefirstfloorofthepalaceordirectlybeneaththefirstfloor.
Upontheoppositewallweremanystrangeinstrumentsanddevices,andinthecenteroftheroomstoodalongtable,atwhichtwomenwereseatedinearnestconversation.
Hewhofacedmewasayellowman--alittle,wizened-up,pasty-facedoldfellowwithgreateyesthatshowedthewhiteroundtheentirecircumferenceoftheiris.
Hiscompanionwasablackman,andIdidnotneedtoseehisfacetoknowthatitwasThurid,fortherewasnootheroftheFirstBornnorthoftheice-barrier.
ThuridwasspeakingasIcamewithinhearingofthemen'svoices.
"Solan,"hewassaying,"thereisnoriskandtherewardisgreat.YouknowthatyouhateSalensusOllandthatnothingwouldpleaseyoumorethantothwarthiminsomecherishedplan.TherebenothingthathemorecherishestodaythantheideaofweddingthebeautifulPrincessofHelium;butI,too,wanther,andwithyourhelpImaywinher.
"YouneednotmorethanstepfromthisroomforaninstantwhenIgiveyouthesignal.Iwilldotherest,andthen,whenIamgone,youmaycomeandthrowthegreatswitchbackintoitsplace,andallwillbeasbefore.Ineedbutanhour'sstarttobesafebeyondthedevilishpowerthatyoucontrolinthishiddenchamberbeneaththepalaceofyourmaster.Seehoweasy,"andwiththe
wordstheblackdatorrosefromhisseatand,crossingtheroom,laidhishanduponalarge,burnishedleverthatprotrudedfromtheoppositewall.
"No!No!"criedthelittleoldman,springingafterhim,withawildshriek."Notthatone!Notthatone!Thatcontrolsthesunraytanks,andshouldyoupullittoofardown,allKadabrawouldbeconsumedbyheatbeforeIcouldreplaceit.Comeaway!Comeaway!Youknownotwithwhatmightypowersyouplay.Thisistheleverthatyouseek.Notewellthesymbolinlaidinwhiteuponitsebonsurface."
Thuridapproachedandexaminedthehandleofthelever.
"Ah,amagnet,"hesaid."Iwillremember.ItissettledthenItakeit,"hecontinued.
Theoldmanhesitated.Alookofcombinedgreedandapprehensionoverspreadhisnonetoobeautifulfeatures.
"Doublethefigure,"hesaid."Eventhatwerealltoosmallanamountfortheserviceyouask.Why,Iriskmylifebyevenentertainingyouherewithintheforbiddenprecinctsofmystation.Should
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SalensusOlllearnofithewouldhavemethrowntotheaptsbeforethedaywasdone."
"Hedarenotdothat,andyouknowitfullwell,Solan,"contradictedtheblack."ToogreatapoweroflifeanddeathyouholdoverthepeopleofKadabraforSalensusOllevertoriskthreateningyouwithdeath.Beforeeverhisminionscouldlaytheirhandsuponyou,youmightseizethisveryleverfromwhichyouhavejustwarnedmeandwipeouttheentirecity."
"Andmyselfintothebargain,"saidSolan,withashudder.
"Butifyouweretodie,anyway,youwouldfindthenervetodoit,"repliedThurid.
"Yes,"mutteredSolan,"Ihaveoftenthoughtuponthatverything.Well,FirstBorn,isyourredprincessworththepriceIaskformyservices,orwillyougowithoutherandseeherinthearmsofSalensusOlltomorrownight?"
"Takeyourprice,yellowman,"repliedThurid,withanoath."Halfnowandthebalancewhenyouhavefulfilledyourcontract."
Withthatthedatorthrewawell-filledmoney-pouchuponthetable.
Solanopenedthepouchandwithtremblingfingerscounteditscontents.Hisweirdeyesassumedagreedyexpression,andhisunkemptbeardandmustachetwitchedwiththemusclesofhismouthandchin.ItwasquiteevidentfromhisverymannerismthatThuridhadkeenlyguessedtheman'sweakness--eventheclawlike,clutchingmovementofthefingersbetokenedtheavariciousnessofthemiser.
Havingsatisfiedhimselfthattheamountwascorrect,Solanreplacedthemoneyinthepouchandrosefromthetable.
"Now,"hesaid,"areyouquitesurethatyouknowthewaytoyourdestination?Youmusttravelquicklytocoverthegroundtothe
caveandfromthencebeyondtheGreatPower,allwithinabriefhour,fornomoredareIspareyou."
"Letmerepeatittoyou,"saidThurid,"thatyoumayseeifIbeletter-perfect."
"Proceed,"repliedSolan.
"Throughyonderdoor,"hecommenced,pointingtoadooratthefarendoftheapartment,"Ifollowacorridor,passingthreedivergingcorridorsuponmyright;thenintothefourthright-handcorridorstraighttowherethreecorridorsmeet;hereagainIfollowtotheright,huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit.
"AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunway,whichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor.AmIright?"
"Quiteright,Dator,"answeredSolan;"andnowbegone.Alreadyhaveyoutemptedfatetoolongwithinthisforbiddenplace."
"Tonight,ortomorrow,then,youmayexpectthesignal,"saidThurid,risingtogo.
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"Tonight,ortomorrow,"repeatedSolan,andasthedoorclosedbehindhisguesttheoldmancontinuedtomutterasheturnedbacktothetable,whereheagaindumpedthecontentsofthemoney-pouch,runninghisfingersthroughtheheapofshiningmetal;pilingthecoinsintolittletowers;counting,recounting,andfondlingthewealththewhilehemutteredonandoninacrooningundertone.
Presentlyhisfingersceasedtheirplay;hiseyespoppedwiderthaneverastheyfasteneduponthedoorthroughwhichThuridhaddisappeared.Thecroonchangedtoaquerulousmuttering,andfinallytoanuglygrowl.
Thentheoldmanrosefromthetable,shakinghisfistatthecloseddoor.Nowheraisedhisvoice,andhiswordscamedistinctly.
"Fool!"hemuttered."ThinkyouthatforyourhappinessSolanwillgiveuphislife?Ifyouescaped,SalensusOllwouldknowthatonlythroughmyconnivancecouldyouhavesucceeded.Thenwouldhesendforme.Whatwouldyouhavemedo?Reducethecityandmyselftoashes?No,fool,thereisabetterway--abetterwayforSolantokeepthymoneyandberevengeduponSalensusOll."
Helaughedinanasty,cacklingnote.
"Poorfool!YoumaythrowthegreatswitchthatwillgiveyouthefreedomoftheairofOkar,andthen,infatuoussecurity,goonwiththyredprincesstothefreedomof--death.Whenyouhavepassedbeyondthischamberinyourflight,whatcanpreventSolanreplacingtheswitchasitwasbeforeyourvilehandtouchedit?Nothing;andthentheGuardianoftheNorthwillclaimyouandyourwoman,andSalensusOll,whenheseesyourdeadbodies,willneverdreamthatthehandofSolanhadaughttodowiththething."
ThenhisvoicedroppedoncemoreintomutteringsthatIcouldnottranslate,butIhadheardenoughtocausemetoguessagreatdealmore,andIthankedthekindProvidencethathadledmetothis
chamberatatimesofilledwithimportancetoDejahThorisandmyselfasthis.
Buthowtopasstheoldmannow!Thecord,almostinvisibleuponthefloor,stretchedstraightacrosstheapartmenttoadooruponthefarside.
TherewasnootherwayofwhichIknew,norcouldIaffordtoignoretheadviceto"followtherope."Imustcrossthisroom,buthoweverIshouldaccomplishitundetectedwiththatoldmanintheverycenterofitbaffledme.
OfcourseImighthavesprunginuponhimandwithmybarehands
silencedhimforever,butIhadheardenoughtoconvincemethatwithhimalivetheknowledgethatIhadgainedmightservemeatsomefuturemoment,whileshouldIkillhimandanotherbestationedinhisplaceThuridwouldnotcomehitherwithDejahThoris,aswasquiteevidentlyhisintention.
AsIstoodinthedarkshadowofthetunnel'sendrackingmybrainforafeasibleplanthewhileIwatched,catlike,theoldman'severymove,hetookupthemoney-pouchandcrossedtooneendoftheapartment,where,bendingtohisknees,hefumbledwithapanel
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inthewall.
InstantlyIguessedthatherewasthehidingplaceinwhichhehoardedhiswealth,andwhilehebentthere,hisbacktowardme,Ienteredthechamberupontiptoe,andwiththeutmoststealthessayedtoreachtheoppositesidebeforeheshouldcompletehistaskandturnagaintowardtheroom'scenter.
Scarcelythirtysteps,alltold,mustItake,andyetitseemedtomyoverwroughtimaginationthatthatfartherwallwasmilesaway;butatlastIreachedit,noroncehadItakenmyeyesfromthebackoftheoldmiser'shead.
Hedidnotturnuntilmyhandwasuponthebuttonthatcontrolledthedoorthroughwhichmywayled,andthenheturnedawayfrommeasIpassedthroughandgentlyclosedthedoor.
ForaninstantIpaused,myearclosetothepanel,tolearnifhehadsuspectedaught,butasnosoundofpursuitcamefromwithinIwheeledandmademywayalongthenewcorridor,followingtherope,whichIcoiledandbroughtwithmeasIadvanced.
ButashortdistancefartheronIcametotherope'sendatapointwherefivecorridorsmet.WhatwasItodo?WhichwayshouldI
turn?Iwasnonplused.
Acarefulexaminationoftheendoftheroperevealedthefactthatithadbeencleanlycutwithsomesharpinstrument.ThisfactandthewordsthathadcautionedmethatdangerlaybeyondtheKNOTSconvincedmethattheropehadbeenseveredsincemyfriendhadplaceditasmyguide,forIhadbutpassedasingleknot,whereastherehadevidentlybeentwoormoreintheentirelengthofthecord.
Now,indeed,wasIinaprettyfix,forneitherdidIknowwhichavenuetofollownorwhendangerlaydirectlyinmypath;buttherewasnothingelsetobedonethanfollowoneofthecorridors,for
IcouldgainnothingbyremainingwhereIwas.
SoIchosethecentralopening,andpassedonintoitsgloomydepthswithaprayeruponmylips.
ThefloorofthetunnelroserapidlyasIadvanced,andamomentlaterthewaycametoanabruptendbeforeaheavydoor.
Icouldhearnothingbeyond,and,withmyaccustomedrashness,pushedtheportalwidetostepintoaroomfilledwithyellowwarriors.
Thefirsttoseemeopenedhiseyeswideinastonishment,andatthesameinstantIfeltthetinglingsensationinmyfingerthat
denotedthepresenceofafriendofthering.
Thenotherssawme,andtherewasaconcertedrushtolayhandsuponme,forthesewereallmembersofthepalaceguard--menfamiliarwithmyface.
Thefirsttoreachmewasthewearerofthematetomystrangering,andashecameclosehewhispered:"Surrendertome!"theninaloudvoiceshouted:"Youaremyprisoner,whiteman,"andmenacedmewithhistwoweapons.
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AndsoJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,meeklysurrenderedtoasingleantagonist.Theothersnowswarmedaboutus,askingmanyquestions,butIwouldnottalktothem,andfinallymycaptorannouncedthathewouldleadmebacktomycell.
Anofficerorderedseveralotherwarriorstoaccompanyhim,andamomentlaterwewereretracingthewayIhadjustcome.Myfriendwalkedclosebesideme,askingmanysillyquestionsaboutthecountryfromwhichIhadcome,untilfinallyhisfellowspaidnofurtherattentiontohimorhisgabbling.
Gradually,ashespoke,heloweredhisvoice,sothatpresentlyhewasabletoconversewithmeinalowtonewithoutattractingattention.Hisrusewasacleverone,andshowedthatTaluhadnotmisjudgedtheman'sfitnessforthedangerousdutyuponwhichhewasdetailed.
Whenhehadfullyassuredhimselfthattheotherguardsmenwerenotlistening,heaskedmewhyIhadnotfollowedtherope,andwhenItoldhimthatithadendedatthefivecorridorshesaidthatitmusthavebeencutbysomeoneinneedofapieceofrope,forhewassurethat"thestupidKadabranswouldneverhaveguesseditspurpose."
BeforewehadreachedthespotfromwhichthefivecorridorsdivergemyMarentinianfriendhadmanagedtodroptotherearofthelittlecolumnwithme,andwhenwecameinsightofthebranchingwayshewhispered:
"Runupthefirstupontheright.Itleadstothewatchtoweruponthesouthwall.Iwilldirectthepursuitupthenextcorridor,"andwiththathegavemeagreatshoveintothedarkmouthofthetunnel,atthesametimecryingoutinsimulatedpainandalarmashethrewhimselfuponthefloorasthoughIhadfelledhimwithablow.
Frombehindthevoicesoftheexcitedguardsmencamereverberatingalongthecorridor,suddenlygrowingfainterasTalu'sspyledthemupthewrongpassagewayinfanciedpursuit.
AsIranformylifethroughthedarkgalleriesbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllImustindeedhavepresentedaremarkableappearancehadtherebeenanytonoteit,forthoughdeathloomedlargeaboutme,myfacewassplitbyabroadgrinasIthoughtoftheresourcefulnessofthenamelessheroofMarentinatowhomIowedmylife.
OfsuchstuffarethemenofmybelovedHelium,andwhenImeetanotheroftheirkind,ofwhateverraceorcolor,myheartgoes
outtohimasitdidnowtomynewfriendwhohadriskedhislifeformesimplybecauseIworethematetotheringhisrulerhadputuponhisfinger.
ThecorridoralongwhichIranledalmoststraightforaconsiderabledistance,terminatingatthefootofaspiralrunway,upwhichIproceededtoemergepresentlyintoacircularchamberuponthefirstfloorofatower.
Inthisapartmentadozenredslaveswereemployedpolishingor
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repairingtheweaponsoftheyellowmen.Thewallsoftheroomwerelinedwithracksinwhichwerehundredsofstraightandhookedswords,javelins,anddaggers.Itwasevidentlyanarmory.Therewerebutthreewarriorsguardingtheworkers.
Myeyestookintheentiresceneataglance.Herewereweaponsinplenty!Hereweresinewyredwarriorstowieldthem!
AndherenowwasJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,inneedbothofweaponsandwarriors!
AsIsteppedintotheapartment,guardsandprisonerssawmesimultaneously.
ClosetotheentrancewhereIstoodwasarackofstraightswords,andasmyhandcloseduponthehiltofoneofthemmyeyesfelluponthefacesoftwooftheprisonerswhoworkedsidebyside.
Oneoftheguardsstartedtowardme."Whoareyou?"hedemanded."Whatdoyouhere?"
"IcomeforTardosMors,JeddakofHelium,andhisson,MorsKajak,"Icried,pointingtothetworedprisoners,whohadnowsprungtotheirfeet,wide-eyedinastonishedrecognition.
"Rise,redmen!BeforewedieletusleaveamemorialinthepalaceofOkar'styrantthatwillstandforeverintheannalsofKadabratothehonorandgloryofHelium,"forIhadseenthatalltheprisonersthereweremenofTardosMors'snavy.
Thenthefirstguardsmanwasuponmeandthefightwason,butscarcedidweengageere,tomyhorror,Isawthattheredslaveswereshackledtothefloor.
THEMAGNETSWITCH
Theguardsmenpaidnottheslightestattentiontotheirwards,fortheredmencouldnotmoveovertwofeetfromthegreatringstowhichtheywerepadlocked,thougheachhadseizedaweaponuponwhichhehadbeenengagedwhenIenteredtheroom,andstoodreadytojoinmecouldtheyhavebutdoneso.
Theyellowmendevotedalltheirattentiontome,norweretheylongindiscoveringthatthethreeofthemwerenonetoomanytodefendthearmoryagainstJohnCarter.WouldthatIhadhadmyowngoodlong-swordinmyhandthatday;but,asitwas,Irendereda
satisfactoryaccountofmyselfwiththeunfamiliarweaponoftheyellowman.
AtfirstIhadatimeofitdodgingtheirvillainoushook-swords,butafteraminuteortwoIhadsucceededinwrestingasecondstraightswordfromoneoftheracksalongthewall,andthereafter,usingittoparrythehooksofmyantagonists,Ifeltmoreevenlyequipped.
Thethreeofthemwereonmeatonce,andbutforaluckycircumstance
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myendmighthavecomequickly.Theforemostguardsmanmadeaviciouslungeformysidewithhishookafterthethreeofthemhadbackedmeagainstthewall,butasIsidesteppedandraisedmyarmhisweaponbutgrazedmyside,passingintoarackofjavelins,whereitbecameentangled.
BeforehecouldreleaseitIhadrunhimthrough,andthen,fallingbackuponthetacticsthathavesavedmeahundredtimesintightpinches,Irushedthetworemainingwarriors,forcingthembackwithaperfecttorrentofcutsandthrusts,weavingmyswordinandoutabouttheirguardsuntilIhadthefearofdeathuponthem.
Thenoneofthemcommencedcallingforhelp,butitwastoolatetosavethem.
Theywereasputtyinmyhandsnow,andIbackedthemaboutthearmoryasIwoulduntilIhadthemwhereIwantedthem--withinreachoftheswordsoftheshackledslaves.Inaninstantbothlaydeaduponthefloor.Buttheircrieshadnotbeenentirelyfruitless,fornowIheardansweringshoutsandthefootfallsofmanymenrunningandtheclankofaccoutermentsandthecommandsofofficers.
"Thedoor!Quick,JohnCarter,barthedoor!"criedTardosMors.
Alreadytheguardwasinsight,chargingacrosstheopencourtthatwasvisiblethroughthedoorway.
Adozensecondswouldbringthemintothetower.Asingleleapcarriedmetotheheavyportal.WitharesoundingbangIslammeditshut.
"Thebar!"shoutedTardosMors.
Itriedtoslipthehugefasteningintoplace,butitdefiedmyeveryattempt.
"Raiseitalittletoreleasethecatch,"criedoneoftheredmen.
Icouldheartheyellowwarriorsleapingalongtheflaggingjustbeyondthedoor.Iraisedthebarandshotittotherightjustastheforemostoftheguardsmenthrewhimselfagainsttheoppositesideofthemassivepanels.
Thebarrierheld--Ihadbeenintime,butbythefractionofasecondonly.
NowIturnedmyattentiontotheprisoners.ToTardosMorsIwentfirst,askingwherethekeysmightbewhichwouldunfastentheirfetters.
"Theofficeroftheguardhasthem,"repliedtheJeddakofHelium,"andheisamongthosewithoutwhoseekentrance.Youwillhavetoforcethem."
Mostoftheprisonerswerealreadyhackingattheirbondswiththeswordsintheirhands.Theyellowmenwerebatteringatthedoorwithjavelinsandaxes.
IturnedmyattentiontothechainsthatheldTardosMors.AgainandagainIcutdeepintothemetalwithmysharpblade,butever
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fasterandfasterfellthetorrentofblowsupontheportal.
Atlastalinkpartedbeneathmyefforts,andamomentlaterTardosMorswasfree,thoughafewinchesoftrailingchainstilldangledfromhisankle.
Asplinterofwoodfallinginwardfromthedoorannouncedtheheadwaythatourenemiesweremakingtowardus.
Themightypanelstrembledandbentbeneaththefuriousonslaughtoftheenragedyellowmen.
Whatwiththebatteringuponthedoorandthehackingoftheredmenattheirchainsthedinwithinthearmorywasappalling.NosoonerwasTardosMorsfreethanheturnedhisattentiontoanotheroftheprisoners,whileIsettoworktoliberateMorsKajak.
Wemustworkfastifwewouldhaveallthosefetterscutbeforethedoorgaveway.Nowapanelcrashedinwarduponthefloor,andMorsKajaksprangtotheopeningtodefendthewayuntilweshouldhavetimetoreleasetheothers.
WithjavelinssnatchedfromthewallhewroughthavocamongtheforemostoftheOkarianswhilewebattledwiththeinsensatemetal
thatstoodbetweenourfellowsandfreedom.
Atlengthallbutoneoftheprisonerswerefreed,andthenthedoorfellwithamightycrashbeforeahastilyimprovisedbattering-ram,andtheyellowhordewasuponus.
"Totheupperchambers!"shoutedtheredmanwhowasstillfetteredtothefloor."Totheupperchambers!ThereyoumaydefendthetoweragainstallKadabra.Donotdelaybecauseofme,whocouldprayfornobetterdeaththanintheserviceofTardosMorsandthePrinceofHelium."
ButIwouldhavesacrificedthelifeofeverymanofusrather
thandesertasingleredman,muchlessthelion-heartedherowhobeggedustoleavehim.
"Cuthischains,"Icriedtotwooftheredmen,"whilethebalanceofusholdoffthefoe."
ThereweretenofusnowtodobattlewiththeOkarianguard,andIwarrantthatthatancientwatchtowerneverlookeddownuponamorehotlycontestedbattlethantookplacethatdaywithinitsowngrimwalls.
ThefirstinrushingwaveofyellowwarriorsrecoiledfromtheslashingbladesoftenofHelium'sveteranfightingmen.Adozen
Okariancorpsesblockedthedoorway,butoverthegruesomebarrierascoremoreoftheirfellowsdashed,shoutingtheirhoarseandhideouswar-cry.
Uponthebloodymoundwemetthem,handtohand,stabbingwherethequartersweretooclosetocut,thrustingwhenwecouldpushafoemantoarm'slength;andmingledwiththewildcryoftheOkarianthereroseandfellthegloriouswords:"ForHelium!ForHelium!"thatforcountlessageshavespurredonthebravestofthebravetothosedeedsofvalorthathavesentthefameofHelium's
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Aninstantlatereveryredmanintheloftychamberhadseentheinspiringsight,andsuchashoutofthanksgivingaroseasIwarrantneverbeforeechoedthroughthatage-oldpileofstone.
Butstillwemustfighton,forthoughourtroopshadenteredKadabra,thecitywasyetfarfromcapitulation,norhadthepalacebeenevenassaulted.Turnandturnaboutweheldthetopoftherunwaywhiletheothersfeastedtheireyesuponthesightofourvaliantcountrymenbattlingfarbeneathus.
Nowtheyhaverushedthepalacegate!Greatbattering-ramsaredashedagainstitsformidablesurface.Nowtheyarerepulsedbyadeadlyshowerofjavelinsfromthewall'stop!
Onceagaintheycharge,butasortiebyalargeforceofOkariansfromanintersectingavenuecrumplestheheadofthecolumn,andthemenofHeliumgodown,fighting,beneathanoverwhelmingforce.
Thepalacegatefliesopenandaforceofthejeddak'sownguard,pickedmenfromthefloweroftheOkarianarmy,salliesforthtoshatterthebrokenregiments.Foramomentitlooksasthoughnothingcouldavertdefeat,andthenIseeanoblefigureuponamightythoat--notthetinythoatoftheredman,butoneofhis
hugecousinsofthedeadseabottoms.
Thewarriorhewshiswaytothefront,andbehindhimrallythedisorganizedsoldiersofHelium.AsheraiseshisheadalofttoflingachallengeatthemenuponthepalacewallsIseehisface,andmyheartswellsinprideandhappinessastheredwarriorsleaptothesideoftheirleaderandwinbackthegroundthattheyhadbutjustlost--thefaceofhimuponthemightythoatisthefaceofmyson--CarthorisofHelium.
AthissidefightsahugeMartianwar-hound,nordidIneedasecondlooktoknowthatitwasWoola--myfaithfulWoolawhohadthuswellperformedhisarduoustaskandbroughtthesuccoring
legionsinthenickoftime.
"Inthenickoftime?"
Whoyetmightsaythattheywerenottoolatetosave,butsurelytheycouldavenge!AndsuchretributionasthatunconqueredarmywoulddealouttothehatefulOkarians!IsighedtothinkthatImightnotbealivetowitnessit.
AgainIturnedtothewindows.Theredmenhadnotyetforcedtheouterpalacewall,buttheywerefightingnoblyagainstthebestthatOkarafforded--valiantwarriorswhocontestedeveryinchoftheway.
Nowmyattentionwascaughtbyanewelementwithoutthecitywall--agreatbodyofmountedwarriorsloominglargeabovetheredmen.TheywerethehugegreenalliesofHelium--thesavagehordesfromthedeadseabottomsofthefarsouth.
Ingrimandterriblesilencetheyspedontowardthegate,thepaddedhoofsoftheirfrightfulmountsgivingforthnosound.Intothedoomedcitytheycharged,andastheywheeledacrossthewideplazabeforethepalaceoftheJeddakofJeddaksIsaw,ridingat
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theirhead,themightyfigureoftheirmightyleader--TarsTarkas,JeddakofThark.
Mywish,then,wastobegratified,forIwastoseemyoldfriendbattlingonceagain,andthoughnotshouldertoshoulderwithhim,I,too,wouldbefightinginthesamecausehereinthehightowerofOkar.
Nordiditseemthatourfoeswouldeverceasetheirstubbornattacks,forstilltheycame,thoughthewaytoourchamberwasoftencloggedwiththebodiesoftheirdead.Attimestheywouldpauselongenoughtodragbacktheimpedingcorpses,andthenfreshwarriorswouldforgeupwardtotastethecupofdeath.
IhadbeentakingmyturnwiththeothersindefendingtheapproachtoourloftyretreatwhenMorsKajak,whohadbeenwatchingthebattleinthestreetbelow,calledaloudinsuddenexcitement.TherewasanoteofapprehensioninhisvoicethatbroughtmetohissidetheinstantthatIcouldturnmyplaceovertoanother,andasIreachedhimhepointedfaroutacrossthewasteofsnowandicetowardthesouthernhorizon.
"Alas!"hecried,"thatIshouldbeforcedtowitnesscruelfatebetraythemwithoutpowertowarnoraid;buttheybepasteither
now."
AsIlookedinthedirectionheindicatedIsawthecauseofhisperturbation.AmightyfleetofflierswasapproachingmajesticallytowardKadabrafromthedirectionoftheice-barrier.Onandontheycamewitheverincreasingvelocity.
"ThegrimshaftthattheycalltheGuardianoftheNorthisbeckoningtothem,"saidMorsKajaksadly,"justasitbeckonedtoTardosMorsandhisgreatfleet;seewheretheylie,crumpledandbroken,agrimandterriblemonumenttothemightyforceofdestructionwhichnaughtcanresist."
I,too,saw;butsomethingelseIsawthatMorsKajakdidnot;inmymind'seyeIsawaburiedchamberwhosewallswerelinedwithstrangeinstrumentsanddevices.
Inthecenterofthechamberwasalongtable,andbeforeitsatalittle,pop-eyedoldmancountinghismoney;but,plainestofall,Isawuponthewallagreatswitchwithasmallmagnetinlaidwithinthesurfaceofitsblackhandle.
ThenIglancedoutatthefast-approachingfleet.Infiveminutesthatmightyarmadaoftheskieswouldbebentandworthlessscrap,lyingatthebaseoftheshaftbeyondthecity'swall,andyellowhordeswouldbeloosedfromanothergatetorushoutuponthefew
survivorsstumblingblindlydownthroughthemassofwreckage;thentheaptswouldcome.Ishudderedatthethought,forIcouldvividlypicturethewholehorriblescene.
QuickhaveIalwaysbeentodecideandact.Theimpulsethatmovesmeandthedoingofthethingseemsimultaneous;forifmymindgoesthroughthetediousformalityofreasoning,itmustbeasubconsciousactofwhichIamnotobjectivelyaware.Psychologiststellmethat,asthesubconsciousdoesnotreason,toocloseascrutinyofmymentalactivitiesmightproveanythingbutflattering;
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butbethatasitmay,Ihaveoftenwonsuccesswhilethethinkerwouldhavebeenstillattheendlesstaskofcomparingvariousjudgments.
AndnowcelerityofactionwastheprimeessentialtothesuccessofthethingthatIhaddecidedupon.
Graspingmyswordmorefirmlyinmyhand,Icalledtotheredmanattheopeningtotherunwaytostandaside.
"WayforthePrinceofHelium!"Ishouted;andbeforetheastonishedyellowmanwhosemisfortuneitwastobeatthefightingendofthelineatthatparticularmomentcouldgatherhiswitstogethermyswordhaddecapitatedhim,andIwasrushinglikeamadbulldownuponthosebehindhim.
"WayforthePrinceofHelium!"IshoutedasIcutapaththroughtheastonishedguardsmenofSalensusOll.
Hewingtorightandleft,Ibeatmywaydownthatwarrior-chokedspiraluntil,nearthebottom,thosebelow,thinkingthatanarmywasdescendinguponthem,turnedandfled.
ThearmoryatthefirstfloorwasvacantwhenIenteredit,the
lastoftheOkarianshavingfledintothecourtyard,sononesawmecontinuedownthespiraltowardthecorridorbeneath.
HereIranasrapidlyasmylegswouldcarrymetowardthefivecorners,andthereplungedintothepassagewaythatledtothestationoftheoldmiser.
Withouttheformalityofaknock,Iburstintotheroom.Theresattheoldmanathistable;butashesawmehesprangtohisfeet,drawinghissword.
WithscarcemorethanaglancetowardhimIleapedforthegreatswitch;but,quickasIwas,thatwiryoldfellowwastherebefore
me.
HowhediditIshallneverknow,nordoesitseemcrediblethatanyMartian-borncreaturecouldapproximatethemarvelousspeedofmyearthlymuscles.
Likeatigerheturneduponme,andIwasquicktoseewhySolanhadbeenchosenforthisimportantduty.
NeverinallmylifehaveIseensuchwondrousswordsmanshipandsuchuncannyagilityasthatancientbagofbonesdisplayed.Hewasinfortyplacesatthesametime,andbeforeIhadhalfachancetoawakentomydangerhewasliketohavemadeamonkeyofme,
andadeadmonkeyatthat.
Itisstrangehownewandunexpectedconditionsbringoutunguessedabilitytomeetthem.
ThatdayintheburiedchamberbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllIlearnedwhatswordsmanshipmeant,andtowhatheightsofswordmasteryIcouldachievewhenpittedagainstsuchawizardofthebladeasSolan.
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Foratimehelikedtohavebestedme;butpresentlythelatentpossibilitiesthatmusthavebeenlyingdormantwithinmeforalifetimecametothefore,andIfoughtasIhadneverdreamedahumanbeingcouldfight.
Thatthatduel-royalshouldhavetakenplaceinthedarkrecessesofacellar,withoutasingleappreciativeeyetowitnessithasalwaysseemedtomealmostaworldcalamity--atleastfromtheviewpointBarsoomian,wherebloodystrifeisthefirstandgreatestconsiderationofindividuals,nations,andraces.
Iwasfightingtoreachtheswitch,Solantopreventme;and,thoughwestoodnotthreefeetfromit,Icouldnotwinaninchtowardit,forheforcedmebackaninchforthefirstfiveminutesofourbattle.
IknewthatifIweretothrowitintimetosavetheoncomingfleetitmustbedoneinthenextfewseconds,andsoItriedmyoldrushingtactics;butImightaswellhaverushedabrickwallforallthatSolangaveway.
Infact,Icameneartoimpalingmyselfuponhispointformypains;butrightwasonmyside,andIthinkthatthatmustgiveamangreaterconfidencethanthoughheknewhimselftobebattling
inawickedcause.
Atleast,Ididnotwantinconfidence;andwhenInextrushedSolanitwastoonesidewithimplicitconfidencethathemustturntomeetmynewlineofattack,andturnhedid,sothatnowwefoughtwithoursidestowardsthecovetedgoal--thegreatswitchstoodwithinmyreachuponmyrighthand.
Touncovermybreastforaninstantwouldhavebeentocourtsuddendeath,butIsawnootherwaythantochanceit,ifbysodoingImightrescuethatoncoming,succoringfleet;andso,inthefaceofawickedsword-thrust,Ireachedoutmypointandcaughtthegreatswitchasuddenblowthatreleaseditfromitsseating.
SosurprisedandhorrifiedwasSolanthatheforgottofinishhisthrust;instead,hewheeledtowardtheswitchwithaloudshriek--ashriekwhichwashislast,forbeforehishandcouldtouchtheleveritsought,mysword'spointhadpassedthroughhisheart.
THETIDEOFBATTLE
ButSolan'slastloudcryhadnotbeenwithouteffect,foramoment
lateradozenguardsmenburstintothechamber,thoughnotbeforeIhadsobentanddemolishedthegreatswitchthatitcouldnotbeagainusedtoturnthepowerfulcurrentintothemightymagnetofdestructionitcontrolled.
TheresultofthesuddencomingoftheguardsmenhadbeentocompelmetoseekseclusioninthefirstpassagewaythatIcouldfind,andthattomydisappointmentprovedtobenottheonewithwhichIwasfamiliar,butanotheruponitsleft.
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TheymusthaveeitherheardorguessedwhichwayIwent,forIhadproceededbutashortdistancewhenIheardthesoundofpursuit.IhadnomindtostopandfightthesemenherewhentherewasfightingaplentyelsewhereinthecityofKadabra--fightingthatcouldbeofmuchmoreavailtomeandminethanuselesslife-takingfarbelowthepalace.
Butthefellowswerepressingme;andasIdidnotknowthewayatall,IsoonsawthattheywouldovertakemeunlessIfoundaplacetoconcealmyselfuntiltheyhadpassed,whichwouldthengivemeanopportunitytoreturnthewayIhadcomeandregainthetower,orpossiblyfindawaytoreachthecitystreets.
Thepassagewayhadrisenrapidlysinceleavingtheapartmentoftheswitch,andnowranlevelandwelllightedstraightintothedistanceasfarasIcouldsee.ThemomentthatmypursuersreachedthisstraightstretchIwouldbeinplainsightofthem,withnochancetoescapefromthecorridorundetected.
PresentlyIsawaseriesofdoorsopeningfromeithersideofthecorridor,andastheyalllookedaliketomeItriedthefirstonethatIreached.Itopenedintoasmallchamber,luxuriouslyfurnished,andwasevidentlyanante-chamberoffsomeofficeoraudiencechamberofthepalace.
OnthefarsidewasaheavilycurtaineddoorwaybeyondwhichIheardthehumofvoices.InstantlyIcrossedthesmallchamber,and,partingthecurtains,lookedwithinthelargerapartment.
Beforemewereapartyofperhapsfiftygorgeouslycladnoblesofthecourt,standingbeforeathroneuponwhichsatSalensusOll.TheJeddakofJeddakswasaddressingthem.
"Theallottedhourhascome,"hewassayingasIenteredtheapartment;"andthoughtheenemiesofOkarbewithinhergates,naughtmaystaythewillofSalensusOll.Thegreatceremonymustbeomittedthatnosinglemanmaybekeptfromhisplaceinthe
defensesotherthanthefiftythatcustomdemandsshallwitnessthecreationofanewqueeninOkar.
"Inamomentthethingshallhavebeendoneandwemayreturntothebattle,whileshewhoisnowthePrincessofHeliumlooksdownfromthequeen'stowerupontheannihilationofherformercountrymenandwitnessesthegreatnesswhichisherhusband's."
Then,turningtoacourtier,heissuedsomecommandinalowvoice.
Theaddressedhastenedtoasmalldooratthefarendofthechamberand,swingingitwide,cried:"WayforDejahThoris,futureQueenofOkar!"
Immediatelytwoguardsmenappeareddraggingtheunwillingbridetowardthealtar.Herhandswerestillmanacledbehindher,evidentlytopreventsuicide.
Herdisheveledhairandpantingbosombetokenedthat,chainedthoughshewas,stillhadshefoughtagainstthethingthattheywoulddotoher.
AtsightofherSalensusOllroseanddrewhissword,andthesword
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ofeachofthefiftynobleswasraisedonhightoformanarch,beneathwhichthepoor,beautifulcreaturewasdraggedtowardherdoom.
AgrimsmileforceditselftomylipsasIthoughtoftherudeawakeningthatlayinstorefortherulerofOkar,andmyitchingfingersfondledthehiltofmybloodysword.
AsIwatchedtheprocessionthatmovedslowlytowardthethrone--aprocessionwhichconsistedofbutahandfulofpriests,whofollowedDejahThorisandthetwoguardsmen--IcaughtafleetingglimpseofablackfacepeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatcoveredthewallbackofthedaisuponwhichstoodSalensusOllawaitinghisbride.
NowtheguardsmenwereforcingthePrincessofHeliumupthefewstepstothesideofthetyrantofOkar,andIhadnoeyesandnothoughtsforaughtelse.Apriestopenedabookand,raisinghishand,commencedtodroneoutasing-songritual.SalensusOllreachedforthehandofhisbride.
Ihadintendedwaitinguntilsomecircumstanceshouldgivemeareasonablehopeofsuccess;for,eventhoughtheentireceremonyshouldbecompleted,therecouldbenovalidmarriagewhileI
lived.WhatIwasmostconcernedin,ofcourse,wastherescuingofDejahThoris--IwishedtotakeherfromthepalaceofSalensusOll,ifsuchathingwerepossible;butwhetheritwereaccomplishedbeforeorafterthemockmarriagewasamatterofsecondaryimport.
When,however,IsawthevilehandofSalensusOllreachoutforthehandofmybelovedprincessIcouldrestrainmyselfnolonger,andbeforethenoblesofOkarknewthataughthadhappenedIhadleapedthroughtheirthinlineandwasuponthedaisbesideDejahThorisandSalensusOll.
WiththeflatofmyswordIstruckdownhispollutinghand;andgraspingDejahThorisroundthewaist,Iswungherbehindmeas,
withmybackagainstthedraperiesofthedais,Ifacedthetyrantofthenorthandhisroomfulofnoblewarriors.
TheJeddakofJeddakswasagreatmountainofaman--acoarse,brutalbeastofaman--andashetoweredabovemethere,hisfierceblackwhiskersandmustachebristlinginrage,Icanwellimaginethatalessseasonedwarriormighthavetrembledbeforehim.
Withasnarlhesprangtowardmewithnakedsword,butwhetherSalensusOllwasagoodswordsmanorapoorIneverlearned;forwithDejahThorisatmybackIwasnolongerhuman--Iwasasuperman,andnomancouldhavewithstoodmethen.
Withasingle,low:"ForthePrincessofHelium!"IranmybladestraightthroughtherottenheartofOkar'srottenruler,andbeforethewhite,drawnfacesofhisnoblesSalensusOllrolled,grinninginhorribledeath,tothefootofthestepsbelowhismarriagethrone.
Foramomenttensesilencereignedinthenuptial-room.Thenthefiftynoblesrusheduponme.Furiouslywefought,buttheadvantagewasmine,forIstooduponaraisedplatformabovethem,andIfoughtforthemostgloriouswomanofagloriousrace,andIfought
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foragreatloveandforthemotherofmyboy.
Andfrombehindmyshoulder,inthesilverycadenceofthatdearvoice,rosethebravebattleanthemofHeliumwhichthenation'swomensingastheirmenmarchouttovictory.
Thatalonewasenoughtoinspiremetovictoryoverevengreaterodds,andIverilybelievethatIshouldhavebestedtheentireroomfulofyellowwarriorsthatdayinthenuptialchamberofthepalaceatKadabrahadnotinterruptioncometomyaid.
FastandfuriouswasthefightingasthenoblesofSalensusOllsprang,timeandagain,upthestepsbeforethethroneonlytofallbackbeforeaswordhandthatseemedtohavegainedanewwizardryfromitsexperiencewiththecunningSolan.
TwowerepressingmesocloselythatIcouldnotturnwhenIheardamovementbehindme,andnotedthatthesoundofthebattleanthemhadceased.WasDejahThorispreparingtotakeherplacebesideme?
Heroicdaughterofaheroicworld!Itwouldnotbeunlikehertohaveseizedaswordandfoughtatmyside,for,thoughthewomenofMarsarenottrainedintheartsofwar,thespiritistheirs,
andtheyhavebeenknowntodothatverythinguponcountlessoccasions.
Butshedidnotcome,andgladIwas,foritwouldhavedoubledmyburdeninprotectingherbeforeIshouldhavebeenabletoforceherbackagainoutofharm'sway.Shemustbecontemplatingsomecunningstrategy,Ithought,andsoIfoughtonsecureinthebeliefthatmydivineprincessstoodclosebehindme.
ForhalfanhouratleastImusthavefoughtthereagainstthenoblesofOkarereeveraoneplacedafootuponthedaiswhereIstood,andthenofasuddenallthatremainedofthemformedbelowmeforalast,mad,desperatecharge;butevenastheyadvanced
thedooratthefarendofthechamberswungwideandawild-eyedmessengersprangintotheroom.
"TheJeddakofJeddaks!"hecried."WhereistheJeddakofJeddaks?Thecityhasfallenbeforethehordesfrombeyondthebarrier,andbutnowthegreatgateofthepalaceitselfhasbeenforcedandthewarriorsofthesoutharepouringintoitssacredprecincts.
"WhereisSalensusOll?Healonemayrevivetheflaggingcourageofourwarriors.HealonemaysavethedayforOkar.WhereisSalensusOll?"
Thenoblessteppedbackfromaboutthedeadbodyoftheirruler,
andoneofthempointedtothegrinningcorpse.
Themessengerstaggeredbackinhorrorasthoughfromablowintheface.
"Thenfly,noblesofOkar!"hecried,"fornaughtcansaveyou.Hark!Theycome!"
Ashespokeweheardthedeeproarofangrymenfromthecorridorwithout,andtheclankofmetalandtheclangofswords.
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Withoutanotherglancetowardme,whohadstoodaspectatorofthetragicscene,thenobleswheeledandfledfromtheapartmentthroughanotherexit.
Almostimmediatelyaforceofyellowwarriorsappearedinthedoorwaythroughwhichthemessengerhadcome.Theywerebackingtowardtheapartment,stubbornlyresistingtheadvanceofahandfulofredmenwhofacedthemandforcedthemslowlybutinevitablyback.
AbovetheheadsofthecontestantsIcouldseefrommyelevatedstationuponthedaisthefaceofmyoldfriendKantosKan.HewasleadingthelittlepartythathadwonitswayintotheveryheartofthepalaceofSalensusOll.
InaninstantIsawthatbyattackingtheOkariansfromtherearIcouldsoquicklydisorganizethemthattheirfurtherresistancewouldbeshort-lived,andwiththisideainmindIsprangfromthedais,castingawordofexplanationtoDejahThorisovermyshoulder,thoughIdidnotturntolookather.
Withmyselfeverbetweenherenemiesandherself,andwithKantosKanandhiswarriorswinningtotheapartment,therecouldbeno
dangertoDejahThorisstandingtherealonebesidethethrone.
IwantedthemenofHeliumtoseemeandtoknowthattheirbelovedprincesswashere,too,forIknewthatthisknowledgewouldinspirethemtoevengreaterdeedsofvalorthantheyhadperformedinthepast,thoughgreatindeedmusthavebeenthosewhichwonforthemawayintothealmostimpregnablepalaceofthetyrantofthenorth.
AsIcrossedthechambertoattacktheKadabransfromtherearasmalldoorwayatmyleftopened,and,tomysurprise,revealedthefiguresofMataiShang,FatherofThernsandPhaidor,hisdaughter,peeringintotheroom.
Aquickglanceabouttheytook.Theireyesrestedforamoment,wideinhorror,uponthedeadbodyofSalensusOll,uponthebloodthatcrimsonedthefloor,uponthecorpsesofthenobleswhohadfallenthickbeforethethrone,uponme,anduponthebattlingwarriorsattheotherdoor.
Theydidnotessaytoentertheapartment,butscanneditseverycornerfromwheretheystood,andthen,whentheireyeshadsoughtitsentirearea,alookoffiercerageoverspreadthefeaturesofMataiShang,andacoldandcunningsmiletouchedthelipsofPhaidor.
Thentheyweregone,butnotbeforeatauntinglaughwasthrown
directlyinmyfacebythewoman.
IdidnotunderstandthenthemeaningofMataiShang'srageorPhaidor'spleasure,butIknewthatneitherbodedgoodforme.
AmomentlaterIwasuponthebacksoftheyellowmen,andastheredmenofHeliumsawmeabovetheshouldersoftheirantagonistsagreatshoutrangthroughthecorridor,andforamomentdrownedthenoiseofbattle.
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lifelesstomysides;asonewhoreelsbeneaththeburdenofamortalwoundIstaggeredupthestepsbeforethethrone.
DejahThoriswasgone.
REWARDS
WiththerealizationthatDejahThoriswasnolongerwithinthethroneroomcamethebelatedrecollectionofthedarkfacethatIhadglimpsedpeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatbackedthethroneofSalensusOllatthemomentthatIhadfirstcomesounexpectedlyuponthestrangescenebeingenactedwithinthechamber.
Whyhadthesightofthatevilcountenancenotwarnedmetogreatercaution?WhyhadIpermittedtherapiddevelopmentofnewsituationstoeffacetherecollectionofthatmenacingdanger?But,alas,vainregretwouldnoterasethecalamitythathadbefallen.
OnceagainhadDejahThorisfallenintotheclutchesofthatarchfiend,Thurid,theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn.Againwas
allmyarduouslaborgonefornaught.NowIrealizedthecauseoftheragethathadbeenwritsolargeuponthefeaturesofMataiShangandthecruelpleasurethatIhadseenuponthefaceofPhaidor.
Theyhadknownorguessedthetruth,andthehekkadoroftheHolyTherns,whohadevidentlycometothechamberinthehopeofthwartingSalensusOllinhiscontemplatedperfidyagainstthehighpriestwhocovetedDejahThorisforhimself,realizedthatThuridhadstolentheprizefrombeneathhisverynose.
Phaidor'spleasurehadbeenduetoherrealizationofwhatthislastcruelblowwouldmeantome,aswellastoapartialsatisfaction
ofherjealoushatredforthePrincessofHelium.
Myfirstthoughtwastolookbeyondthedraperiesatthebackofthethrone,forthereitwasthatIhadseenThurid.WithasinglejerkItorethepricelessstufffromitsfastenings,andtherebeforemewasrevealedanarrowdoorwaybehindthethrone.
NoquestionenteredmymindbutthatherelaytheopeningoftheavenueofescapewhichThuridhadfollowed,andhadtherebeenitwouldhavebeendissipatedbythesightofatiny,jeweledornamentwhichlayafewstepswithinthecorridorbeyond.
AsIsnatchedupthebaubleIsawthatitborethedeviceofthe
PrincessofHelium,andthenpressingittomylipsIdashedmadlyalongthewindingwaythatledgentlydownwardtowardthelowergalleriesofthepalace.
IhadfollowedbutashortdistancewhenIcameupontheroominwhichSolanformerlyhadheldsway.HisdeadbodystilllaywhereIhadleftit,norwasthereanysignthatanotherhadpassedthroughtheroomsinceIhadbeenthere;butIknewthattwohaddoneso--Thurid,theblackdator,andDejahThoris.
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havingknowledgeofit,hadstoppedheretooutfithimselfandDejahThorisbeforeventuringintothebittercoldofthearcticworldbeyond.
Inhishastehehaddroppedseveralgarmentsuponthefloor,andthetelltalefurthathadfallenpartlywithinthecorridorhadprovedthemeansofguidingmetotheveryspothewouldleasthavewishedmetohaveknowledgeof.
Itrequiredbutthematterofafewsecondstodonthenecessaryorluk-skinclothing,withtheheavy,fur-linedbootsthataresoessentialapartofthegarmentureofonewhowouldsuccessfullycontendwiththefrozentrailsandtheicywindsofthebleaknorthland.
OncemoreIsteppedbeyondthetunnel'smouthtofindthefreshtracksofThuridandDejahThorisinthenew-fallensnow.Now,atlast,wasmytaskaneasyone,forthoughthegoingwasroughintheextreme,IwasnolongervexedbydoubtsastothedirectionIshouldfollow,orharassedbydarknessorhiddendangers.
Throughasnow-coveredcanyonthewayleduptowardthesummitoflowhills.Beyondtheseitdippedagainintoanothercanyon,onlytoriseaquarter-milefartherontowardapasswhichskirtedthe
flankofarockyhill.
IcouldseebythesignsofthosewhohadgonebeforethatwhenDejahThorishadwalkedshehadbeencontinuallyholdingback,andthattheblackmanhadbeencompelledtodragher.Forotherstretchesonlyhisfoot-printswerevisible,deepandclosetogetherintheheavysnow,andIknewfromthesesignsthatthenhehadbeenforcedtocarryher,andIcouldwellimaginethatshehadfoughthimfiercelyeverystepoftheway.
AsIcameroundthejuttingpromontoryofthehill'sshoulderIsawthatwhichquickenedmypulsesandsetmyhearttobeatinghigh,forwithinatinybasinbetweenthecrestofthishillandthenext
stoodfourpeoplebeforethemouthofagreatcave,andbesidethemuponthegleamingsnowrestedaflierwhichhadevidentlybutjustbeendraggedfromitshidingplace.
ThefourwereDejahThoris,Phaidor,Thurid,andMataiShang.Thetwomenwereengagedinaheatedargument--theFatherofThernsthreatening,whiletheblackscoffedathimashewentabouttheworkatwhichhewasengaged.
AsIcrepttowardthemcautiouslythatImightcomeasnearaspossiblebeforebeingdiscovered,Isawthatfinallythemenappearedtohavereachedsomesortofacompromise,forwithPhaidor'sassistancetheybothsetaboutdraggingtheresistingDejahThoris
totheflier'sdeck.
Heretheymadeherfast,andthenbothagaindescendedtothegroundtocompletethepreparationsfordeparture.Phaidorenteredthesmallcabinuponthevessel'sdeck.
IhadcometowithinaquarterofamileofthemwhenMataiShangespiedme.IsawhimseizeThuridbytheshoulder,wheelinghimaroundinmydirectionashepointedtowhereIwasnowplainlyvisible,forthemomentthatIknewIhadbeenperceivedIcast
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asideeveryattemptatstealthandbrokeintoamadracefortheflier.
Thetworedoubledtheireffortsatthepropelleratwhichtheywereworking,andwhichveryevidentlywasbeingreplacedafterhavingbeenremovedforsomepurposeofrepair.
TheyhadthethingcompletedbeforeIhadcoveredhalfthedistancethatlaybetweenmeandthem,andthenbothmadearushfortheboarding-ladder.
Thuridwasthefirsttoreachit,andwiththeagilityofamonkeyclamberedswiftlytotheboat'sdeck,whereatouchofthebuttoncontrollingthebuoyancytankssentthecraftslowlyupward,thoughnotwiththespeedthatmarksthewell-conditionedflier.
IwasstillsomehundredyardsawayasIsawthemrisingfrommygrasp.
BackbythecityofKadabralayagreatfleetofmightyfliers--theshipsofHeliumandPtarththatIhadsavedfromdestructionearlierintheday;butbeforeeverIcouldreachthemThuridcouldeasilymakegoodhisescape.
AsIranIsawMataiShangclamberinguptheswaying,swingingladdertowardthedeck,whileabovehimleanedtheevilfaceoftheFirstBorn.Atrailingropefromthevessel'ssternputnewhopeinme,forifIcouldbutreachitbeforeitwhippedtoohighabovemyheadtherewasyetachancetogainthedeckbyitsslenderaid.
Thattherewassomethingradicallywrongwiththeflierwasevidentfromitslackofbuoyancy,andthefurtherfactthatthoughThuridhadturnedtwicetothestartinglevertheboatstillhungmotionlessintheair,exceptforaslightdriftingwithalowbreezefromthenorth.
NowMataiShangwasclosetothegunwale.Along,claw-likehand
wasreachinguptograspthemetalrail.
Thuridleanedfartherdowntowardhisco-conspirator.
Suddenlyaraiseddaggergleamedintheupflunghandoftheblack.DownitdrovetowardthewhitefaceoftheFatherofTherns.WithaloudshriekoffeartheHolyHekkadorgraspedfranticallyatthatmenacingarm.
Iwasalmosttothetrailingropebynow.Thecraftwasstillrisingslowly,thewhileitdriftedfromme.ThenIstumbledontheicyway,strikingmyheaduponarockasIfellsprawlingbutanarm'slengthfromtherope,theendofwhichwasnowjustleaving
theground.
Withtheblowuponmyheadcameunconsciousness.
ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanafewsecondsthatIlaysenselessthereuponthenorthernice,whileallthatwasdearesttomedriftedfartherfrommyreachintheclutchesofthatblackfiend,forwhenIopenedmyeyesThuridandMataiShangyetbattledattheladder'stop,andtheflierdriftedbutahundredyardsfarthertothesouth--buttheendofthetrailingropewasnowagoodthirty
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feetabovetheground.
Goadedtomadnessbythecruelmisfortunethathadtrippedmewhensuccesswasalmostwithinmygrasp,Itorefranticallyacrosstheinterveningspace,andjustbeneaththerope'sdanglingendIputmyearthlymusclestothesupremetest.
Withamighty,catlikeboundIsprangupwardtowardthatslenderstrand--theonlyavenuewhichyetremainedthatcouldcarrymetomyvanishinglove.
Afootaboveitslowestendmyfingersclosed.TightlyasIclungIfelttheropeslipping,slippingthroughmygrasp.Itriedtoraisemyfreehandtotakeasecondholdabovemyfirst,butthechangeofpositionthatresultedcausedmetoslipmorerapidlytowardtheendoftherope.
SlowlyIfeltthetantalizingthingescapingme.InamomentallthatIhadgainedwouldbelost--thenmyfingersreachedaknotattheveryendoftheropeandslippednomore.
WithaprayerofgratitudeuponmylipsIscrambledupwardtowardtheboat'sdeck.IcouldnotseeThuridandMataiShangnow,butIheardthesoundsofconflictandthusknewthattheystill
fought--thethernforhislifeandtheblackfortheincreasedbuoyancythatrelieffromtheweightofevenasinglebodywouldgivethecraft.
ShouldMataiShangdiebeforeIreachedthedeckmychancesofeverreachingitwouldbeslenderindeed,fortheblackdatorneedbutcuttheropeabovemetobefreedfrommeforever,forthevesselhaddriftedacrossthebrinkofachasmintowhoseyawningdepthsmybodywoulddroptobecrushedtoashapelesspulpshouldThuridreachtheropenow.
Atlastmyhandclosedupontheship'srailandthatveryinstantahorridshriekrangoutbelowmethatsentmybloodcoldandturned
myhorrifiedeyesdownwardtoashrieking,hurtling,twistingthingthatshotdownwardintotheawfulchasmbeneathme.
ItwasMataiShang,HolyHekkador,FatherofTherns,gonetohislastaccounting.
ThenmyheadcameabovethedeckandIsawThurid,daggerinhand,leapingtowardme.Hewasoppositetheforwardendofthecabin,whileIwasattemptingtoclamberaboardnearthevessel'sstern.Butafewpaceslaybetweenus.Nopoweronearthcouldraisemetothatdeckbeforetheinfuriatedblackwouldbeuponme.
Myendhadcome.Iknewit;buthadtherebeenadoubtinmymind
thenastyleeroftriumphuponthatwickedfacewouldhaveconvincedme.BeyondThuridIcouldseemyDejahThoris,wide-eyedandhorrified,strugglingatherbonds.Thatsheshouldbeforcedtowitnessmyawfuldeathmademybitterfateseemdoublycruel.
Iceasedmyeffortstoclimbacrossthegunwale.InsteadItookafirmgraspupontherailwithmylefthandanddrewmydagger.
IshouldatleastdieasIhadlived--fighting.
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AsThuridcameoppositethecabin'sdoorwayanewelementprojecteditselfintothegrimtragedyoftheairthatwasbeingenacteduponthedeckofMataiShang'sdisabledflier.
ItwasPhaidor.
Withflushedfaceanddisheveledhair,andeyesthatbetrayedtherecentpresenceofmortaltears--abovewhichthisproudgoddesshadalwaysheldherself--sheleapedtothedeckdirectlybeforeme.
Inherhandwasalong,slimdagger.Icastalastlookuponmybelovedprincess,smiling,asmenshouldwhoareabouttodie.ThenIturnedmyfaceuptowardPhaidor--waitingfortheblow.
NeverhaveIseenthatbeautifulfacemorebeautifulthanitwasatthatmoment.Itseemedincrediblethatonesolovelycouldyetharborwithinherfairbosomaheartsocruelandrelentless,andtodaytherewasanewexpressioninherwondrouseyesthatIneverbeforehadseenthere--anunfamiliarsoftness,andalookofsuffering.
Thuridwasbesidehernow--pushingpasttoreachmefirst,andthenwhathappenedhappenedsoquicklythatitwasalloverbeforeIcouldrealizethetruthofit.
Phaidor'sslimhandshotouttocloseupontheblack'sdaggerwrist.Herrighthandwenthighwithitsgleamingblade.
"ThatforMataiShang!"shecried,andsheburiedherbladedeepinthedator'sbreast."ThatforthewrongyouwouldhavedoneDejahThoris!"andagainthesharpsteelsankintothebloodyflesh.
"Andthat,andthat,andthat!"sheshrieked,"forJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium,"andwitheachwordhersharppointpiercedthevileheartofthegreatvillain.Then,withavindictiveshoveshecastthecarcassoftheFirstBornfromthedecktofallinawfulsilenceafterthebodyofhisvictim.
IhadbeensoparalyzedbysurprisethatIhadmadenomovetoreachthedeckduringtheawe-inspiringscenewhichIhadjustwitnessed,andnowIwastobestillfurtheramazedbyhernextact,forPhaidorextendedherhandtomeandassistedmetothedeck,whereIstoodgazingatherinunconcealedandstupefiedwonderment.
Awansmiletouchedherlips--itwasnotthecruelandhaughtysmileofthegoddesswithwhichIwasfamiliar."Youwonder,JohnCarter,"shesaid,"whatstrangethinghaswroughtthischangeinme?Iwilltellyou.Itislove--loveofyou,"andwhenIdarkenedmybrowsindisapprovalofherwordssheraisedanappealinghand.
"Wait,"shesaid."Itisadifferentlovefrommine--itistheloveofyourprincess,DejahThoris,foryouthathastaughtmewhattruelovemaybe--whatitshouldbe,andhowfarfromreallovewasmyselfishandjealouspassionforyou.
"NowIamdifferent.NowcouldIloveasDejahThorisloves,andsomyonlyhappinesscanbetoknowthatyouandsheareoncemoreunited,forinheralonecanyoufindtruehappiness.
"ButIamunhappybecauseofthewickednessthatIhavewrought.I
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havemanysinstoexpiate,andthoughIbedeathless,lifeisalltooshortfortheatonement.
"Butthereisanotherway,andifPhaidor,daughteroftheHolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns,hassinnedshehasthisdayalreadymadepartialreparation,andlestyoudoubtthesincerityofherprotestationsandheravowalofanewlovethatembracesDejahThorisalso,shewillprovehersincerityintheonlywaythatliesopen--havingsavedyouforanother,Phaidorleavesyoutoherembraces."
Withherlastwordsheturnedandleapedfromthevessel'sdeckintotheabyssbelow.
WithacryofhorrorIsprangforwardinavainattempttosavethelifethatfortwoyearsIwouldsogladlyhaveseenextinguished.Iwastoolate.
Withtear-dimmedeyesIturnedawaythatImightnotseetheawfulsightbeneath.
AmomentlaterIhadstruckthebondsfromDejahThoris,andasherdeararmswentaboutmyneckandherperfectlipspressedtomineIforgotthehorrorsthatIhadwitnessedandthesufferingthat
Ihadenduredintheraptureofmyreward.
THENEWRULER
TheflieruponwhosedeckDejahThorisandIfoundourselvesaftertwelvelongyearsofseparationprovedentirelyuseless.Herbuoyancytanksleakedbadly.Herenginewouldnotstart.Wewerehelplessthereinmidairabovethearcticice.
ThecrafthaddriftedacrossthechasmwhichheldthecorpsesofMataiShang,Thurid,andPhaidor,andnowhungabovealowhill.OpeningthebuoyancyescapevalvesIpermittedhertocomeslowlytotheground,andasshetouched,DejahThorisandIsteppedfromherdeckand,handinhand,turnedbackacrossthefrozenwastetowardthecityofKadabra.
Throughthetunnelthathadledmeinpursuitofthemwepassed,walkingslowly,forwehadmuchtosaytoeachother.
ShetoldmeofthatlastterriblemomentmonthsbeforewhenthedoorofherprisoncellwithintheTempleoftheSunwasslowlyclosingbetweenus.OfhowPhaidorhadsprunguponherwith
uplifteddagger,andofThuvia'sshriekasshehadrealizedthefoulintentionofthetherngoddess.
Ithadbeenthatcrythathadrunginmyearsallthelong,wearymonthsthatIhadbeenleftincrueldoubtastomyprincess'fate;forIhadnotknownthatThuviahadwrestedthebladefromthedaughterofMataiShangbeforeithadtouchedeitherDejahThorisorherself.
Shetoldme,too,oftheawfuleternityofherimprisonment.Of
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thecruelhatredofPhaidor,andthetenderloveofThuvia,andofhowevenwhendespairwasthedarkestthosetworedgirlshadclungtothesamehopeandbelief--thatJohnCarterwouldfindawaytoreleasethem.
PresentlywecametothechamberofSolan.Ihadbeenproceedingwithoutthoughtofcaution,forIwassurethatthecityandthepalacewerebothinthehandsofmyfriendsbythistime.
AndsoitwasthatIboltedintothechamberfullintothemidstofadozennoblesofthecourtofSalensusOll.Theywerepassingthroughontheirwaytotheoutsideworldalongthecorridorswehadjusttraversed.
Atsightofustheyhaltedintheirtracks,andthenanuglysmileoverspreadthefeaturesoftheirleader.
"Theauthorofallourmisfortunes!"hecried,pointingatme."WeshallhavethesatisfactionofapartialvengeanceatleastwhenweleavebehindusherethedeadandmutilatedcorpsesofthePrinceandPrincessofHelium.
"Whentheyfindthem,"hewenton,jerkinghisthumbupwardtowardthepalaceabove,"theywillrealizethatthevengeanceofthe
yellowmancostshisenemiesdear.Preparetodie,JohnCarter,butthatyourendmaybethemorebitter,knowthatImaychangemyintentionastometingamercifuldeathtoyourprincess--possiblysheshallbepreservedasaplaythingformynobles."
Istoodclosetotheinstrument-coveredwall--DejahThorisatmyside.Shelookedupatmewonderinglyasthewarriorsadvanceduponuswithdrawnswords,forminestillhungwithinitsscabbardatmyside,andtherewasasmileuponmylips.
Theyellownobles,too,lookedinsurprise,andthenasImadenomovetodrawtheyhesitated,fearingaruse;buttheirleaderurgedthemon.Whentheyhadcomealmostwithinsword'sreachofme
Iraisedmyhandandlaidituponthepolishedsurfaceofagreatlever,andthen,stillsmilinggrimly,Ilookedmyenemiesfullintheface.
Asonetheycametoasuddenstop,castingaffrightedglancesatmeandatoneanother.
"Stop!"shriekedtheirleader."Youdreamnotwhatyoudo!"
"Rightyouare,"Ireplied."JohnCarterdoesnotdream.Heknows--knowsthatshouldoneofyoutakeanothersteptowardDejahThoris,PrincessofHelium,Ipullthisleverwide,andsheandIshalldietogether;butweshallnotdiealone."
Thenoblesshrankback,whisperingtogetherforafewmoments.Atlasttheirleaderturnedtome.
"Goyourway,JohnCarter,"hesaid,"andweshallgoours."
"Prisonersdonotgotheirownway,"Ianswered,"andyouareprisoners--prisonersofthePrinceofHelium."
Beforetheycouldmakeansweradoorupontheoppositesideofthe
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apartmentopenedandascoreofyellowmenpouredintotheapartment.Foraninstantthenobleslookedrelieved,andthenastheireyesfellupontheleaderofthenewpartytheirfacesfell,forhewasTalu,rebelPrinceofMarentina,andtheyknewthattheycouldlookforneitheraidnormercyathishands.
"Welldone,JohnCarter,"hecried."Youturntheirownmightypoweragainstthem.FortunateforOkarisitthatyouwereheretopreventtheirescape,forthesebethegreatestvillainsnorthoftheice-barrier,andthisone"--pointingtotheleaderoftheparty--"wouldhavemadehimselfJeddakofJeddaksintheplaceofthedeadSalensusOll.Thenindeedwouldwehavehadamorevillainousrulerthanthehatedtyrantwhofellbeforeyoursword."
TheOkariannoblesnowsubmittedtoarrest,sincenothingbutdeathfacedthemshouldtheyresist,and,escortedbythewarriorsofTalu,wemadeourwaytothegreataudiencechamberthathadbeenSalensusOll's.Herewasavastconcourseofwarriors.
RedmenfromHeliumandPtarth,yellowmenofthenorth,rubbingelbowswiththeblacksoftheFirstBornwhohadcomeundermyfriendXodartohelpinthesearchformeandmyprincess.Thereweresavage,greenwarriorsfromthedeadseabottomsofthesouth,andahandfulofwhite-skinnedthernswhohadrenouncedtheir
religionandswornallegiancetoXodar.
TherewasTardosMorsandMorsKajak,andtallandmightyinhisgorgeouswarriortrappings,Carthoris,myson.ThesethreefelluponDejahThorisasweenteredtheapartment,andthoughthelivesandtrainingofroyalMartianstendnottowardvulgardemonstration,Ithoughtthattheywouldsuffocateherwiththeirembraces.
AndtherewereTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,andKantosKan,myold-timefriends,andleapingandtearingatmyharnessintheexuberanceofhisgreatlovewasdearoldWoola--franticmadwithhappiness.
Longandloudwasthecheeringthatburstforthatsightofus;deafeningwasthedinofringingmetalastheveteranwarriorsofeveryMartianclimeclashedtheirbladestogetheronhighintokenofsuccessandvictory,butasIpassedamongthethrongofsalutingnoblesandwarriors,jedsandjeddaks,myheartstillwasheavy,forthereweretwofacesmissingthatIwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveseenthere--ThuvanDihnandThuviaofPtarthwerenottobefoundinthegreatchamber.
Imadeinquiriesconcerningthemamongmenofeverynation,andatlastfromoneoftheyellowprisonersofwarIlearnedthattheyhadbeenapprehendedbyanofficerofthepalaceastheysoughttoreachthePitofPlentywhileIlayimprisonedthere.
Ididnotneedtoasktoknowwhathadsentthemthither--thecourageousjeddakandhisloyaldaughter.Myinformersaidthattheylaynowinoneofthemanyburieddungeonsofthepalacewheretheyhadbeenplacedpendingadecisionastotheirfatebythetyrantofthenorth.
Amomentlatersearchingpartieswerescouringtheancientpileinsearchofthem,andmycupofhappinesswasfullwhenIsawthembeingescortedintotheroombyacheeringguardofhonor.
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Thuvia'sfirstactwastorushtothesideofDejahThoris,andIneedednobetterproofofthelovethesetwoboreforeachotherthanthesinceritywithwhichtheyembraced.
LookingdownuponthatcrowdedchamberstoodthesilentandemptythroneofOkar.
Ofallthestrangescenesitmusthavewitnessedsincethatlong-deadagethathadfirstseenaJeddakofJeddakstakehisseatuponit,nonemightcomparewiththatuponwhichitnowlookeddown,andasIponderedthepastandfutureofthatlong-buriedraceofblack-beardedyellowmenIthoughtthatIsawabrighterandmoreusefulexistenceforthemamongthegreatfamilyoffriendlynationsthatnowstretchedfromthesouthpolealmosttotheirverydoors.
Twenty-twoyearsbeforeIhadbeencast,nakedandastranger,intothisstrangeandsavageworld.Thehandofeveryraceandnationwasraisedincontinualstrifeandwarringagainstthemenofeveryotherlandandcolor.Today,bythemightofmyswordandtheloyaltyofthefriendsmyswordhadmadeforme,blackmanandwhite,redmanandgreenrubbedshouldersinpeaceandgood-fellowship.AllthenationsofBarsoomwerenotyetasone,butagreatstrideforwardtowardthatgoalhadbeentaken,andnowifIcould
butcementthefierceyellowraceintothissolidarityofnationsIshouldfeelthatIhadroundedoutagreatlifework,andrepaidtoMarsatleastaportionoftheimmensedebtofgratitudeIowedherforhavinggivenmemyDejahThoris.
AndasIthought,Isawbutoneway,andasinglemanwhocouldinsurethesuccessofmyhopes.Asiseverthewaywithme,IactedthenasIalwaysact--withoutdeliberationandwithoutconsultation.
Thosewhodonotlikemyplansandmywaysofpromotingthemhavealwaystheirswordsattheirsideswherewithtobackuptheirdisapproval;butnowthereseemedtobenodissentingvoice,as,graspingTalubythearm,Isprangtothethronethathadoncebeen
SalensusOll's.
"WarriorsofBarsoom,"Icried,"Kadabrahasfallen,andwithherthehatefultyrantofthenorth;buttheintegrityofOkarmustbepreserved.Theredmenareruledbyredjeddaks,thegreenwarriorsoftheancientseasacknowledgenonebutagreenruler,theFirstBornofthesouthpoletaketheirlawfromblackXodar;norwoulditbetotheinterestsofeitheryelloworredmanwerearedjeddaktosituponthethroneofOkar.
"TherebebutonewarriorbestfittedfortheancientandmightytitleofJeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth.MenofOkar,raiseyourswordstoyournewruler--Talu,therebelprinceofMarentina!"
AndthenagreatcryofrejoicingroseamongthefreemenofMarentinaandtheKadabranprisoners,forallhadthoughtthattheredmenwouldretainthatwhichtheyhadtakenbyforceofarms,forsuchhadbeenthewayuponBarsoom,andthattheyshouldberuledhenceforthbyanalienJeddak.
ThevictoriouswarriorswhohadfollowedCarthorisjoinedinthemaddemonstration,andamidstthewildconfusionandthetumultandthecheering,DejahThorisandIpassedoutintothegorgeous
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causedalovelygardentobemadethatwethreemightfindseclusionandquiethappinessamongourselves,farfromthepompandceremonyofcourt,tosummonustotheTempleofReward--"whereoneistobejudgedthisnight,"thesummonsconcluded.
IrackedmybraintotryanddeterminewhatimportantcasetheremightbependingwhichcouldcalltheroyalfamilyfromtheirpalacesontheeveoftheirreturntoHeliumafteryearsofabsence;butwhenthejeddaksummonsnomandelays.
Asourfliertouchedthelandingstageatthetemple'stopwesawcountlessothercraftarrivinganddeparting.Inthestreetsbelowagreatmultitudesurgedtowardthegreatgatesofthetemple.
SlowlytherecametometherecollectionofthedeferreddoomthatawaitedmesincethattimeIhadbeentriedhereintheTemplebyZatArrasforthesinofreturningfromtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus.
CoulditbepossiblethatthestrictsenseofjusticewhichdominatesthemenofMarshadcausedthemtooverlookthegreatgoodthathadcomeoutofmyheresy?Couldtheyignorethefactthattome,andmealone,wasduetherescueofCarthoris,ofDejahThoris,ofMorsKajak,ofTardosMors?
Icouldnotbelieveit,andyetforwhatotherpurposecouldIhavebeensummonedtotheTempleofRewardimmediatelyuponthereturnofTardosMorstohisthrone?
MyfirstsurpriseasIenteredthetempleandapproachedtheThroneofRighteousnesswastonotethemenwhosatthereasjudges.TherewasKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,whomwehadbutjustleftwithinhisownpalaceafewdayssince;therewasThuvanDihn,JeddakofPtarth--howcamehetoHeliumassoonaswe?
TherewasTarsTarkas,JeddakofThark,andXodar,JeddakoftheFirstBorn;therewasTalu,JeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth,whom
Icouldhaveswornwasstillinhisice-boundhothousecitybeyondthenorthernbarrier,andamongthemsatTardosMorsandMorsKajak,withenoughlesserjedsandjeddakstomakeupthethirty-onewhomustsitinjudgmentupontheirfellow-man.
Arightroyaltribunalindeed,andsuchaone,Iwarrant,asneverbeforesattogetherduringallthehistoryofancientMars.
AsIentered,silencefelluponthegreatconcourseofpeoplethatpackedtheauditorium.ThenTardosMorsarose.
"JohnCarter,"hesaidinhisdeep,martialvoice,"takeyourplaceuponthePedestalofTruth,foryouaretobetriedbyafairand
impartialtribunalofyourfellow-men."
Withleveleyeandhigh-heldheadIdidashebade,andasIglancedaboutthatcircleoffacesthatamomentbeforeIcouldhavesworncontainedthebestfriendsIhaduponBarsoom,Isawnosinglefriendlyglance--onlystern,uncompromisingjudges,theretodotheirduty.
AclerkroseandfromagreatbookreadalonglistofthemorenotabledeedsthatIhadthoughttomycredit,coveringalongperiod
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oftwenty-twoyearssincefirstIhadsteppedtheocherseabottombesidetheincubatoroftheTharks.WiththeothershereadofallthatIhaddonewithinthecircleoftheOtzMountainswheretheHolyThernsandtheFirstBornhadheldsway.
ItisthewayuponBarsoomtoreciteaman'svirtueswithhissinswhenheiscometotrial,andsoIwasnotsurprisedthatallthatwastomycreditshouldbereadtheretomyjudges--whoknewitallbyheart--evendowntothepresentmoment.WhenthereadinghadceasedTardosMorsarose.
"Mostrighteousjudges,"heexclaimed,"youhaveheardrecitedallthatisknownofJohnCarter,PrinceofHelium--thegoodwiththebad.Whatisyourjudgment?"
ThenTarsTarkascameslowlytohisfeet,unfoldingallhismighty,toweringheightuntilheloomed,agreen-bronzestatue,faraboveusall.Heturnedabalefuleyeuponme--he,TarsTarkas,withwhomIhadfoughtthroughcountlessbattles;whomIlovedasabrother.
IcouldhavewepthadInotbeensomadwithragethatIalmostwhippedmyswordoutandhadatthemalluponthespot.
"Judges,"hesaid,"therecanbebutoneverdict.Nolongermay
JohnCarterbePrinceofHelium"--hepaused--"butinsteadlethimbeJeddakofJeddaks,WarlordofBarsoom!"
Asthethirty-onejudgessprangtotheirfeetwithdrawnandupraisedswordsinunanimousconcurrenceintheverdict,thestormbrokethroughoutthelengthandbreadthandheightofthatmightybuildinguntilIthoughttheroofwouldfallfromthethunderofthemadshouting.
Now,atlast,Isawthegrimhumorofthemethodtheyhadadoptedtodomethisgreathonor,butthattherewasanyhoaxintherealityofthetitletheyhadconferreduponmewasreadilydisprovedbythesincerityofthecongratulationsthatwereheapeduponmeby
thejudgesfirstandthenthenobles.
PresentlyfiftyofthemightiestnoblesofthegreatestcourtsofMarsmarcheddownthebroadAisleofHopebearingasplendidcarupontheirshoulders,andasthepeoplesawwhosatwithin,thecheersthathadrungoutformepaledintoinsignificancebesidethosewhichthunderedthroughthevastedificenow,forshewhomthenoblescarriedwasDejahThoris,belovedPrincessofHelium.
StraighttotheThroneofRighteousnesstheyboreher,andthereTardosMorsassistedherfromthecar,leadingherforwardtomyside.
"Letaworld'smostbeautifulwomansharethehonorofherhusband,"hesaid.
BeforethemallIdrewmywifeclosetomeandkissedheruponthelips.
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