第3章

Eachcarriedastrangebannerswungfromstemtosternabovetheupperworks，andupontheprowofeachwaspaintedsomeodddevicethatgleamedinthesunlightandshowedplainlyevenatthedistanceatwhichwewerefromthevessels。Icouldseefigurescrowdingtheforwarddecksandupperworksoftheaircraft。WhethertheyhaddiscoveredusorsimplywerelookingatthedesertedcityIcouldnotsay，butinanyeventtheyreceivedarudereception，forsuddenlyandwithoutwarningthegreenMartianwarriorsfiredaterrificvolleyfromthewindowsofthebuildingsfacingthelittlevalleyacrosswhichthegreatshipsweresopeacefullyadvancing。

Instantlythescenechangedasbymagic；theforemostvesselswungbroadsidetowardus，andbringinghergunsintoplayreturnedourfire，atthesametimemovingparalleltoourfrontforashortdistanceandthenturningbackwiththeevidentintentionofcompletingagreatcirclewhichwouldbringheruptopositiononcemoreoppositeourfiringline；

theothervesselsfollowedinherwake，eachoneopeninguponusassheswungintoposition。Ourownfireneverdiminished，andIdoubtiftwenty-fivepercentofourshotswentwild。Ithadneverbeengivenmetoseesuchdeadlyaccuracyofaim，anditseemedasthoughalittlefigureononeofthecraftdroppedattheexplosionofeachbullet，whilethebannersandupperworksdissolvedinspurtsofflameastheirresistibleprojectilesofourwarriorsmowedthroughthem。

Thefirefromthevesselswasmostineffectual，owing，asI

afterwardlearned，totheunexpectedsuddennessofthefirstvolley，whichcaughttheship"screwsentirelyunpreparedandthesightingapparatusofthegunsunprotectedfromthedeadlyaimofourwarriors。

Itseemsthateachgreenwarriorhascertainobjectivepointsforhisfireunderrelativelyidenticalcircumstancesofwarfare。

Forexample，aproportionofthem，alwaysthebestmarksmen，directtheirfireentirelyuponthewirelessfindingandsightingapparatusofthebiggunsofanattackingnavalforce；anotherdetailattendstothesmallergunsinthesameway；otherspickoffthegunners；stillotherstheofficers；

whilecertainotherquotasconcentratetheirattentionupontheothermembersofthecrew，upontheupperworks，anduponthesteeringgearandpropellers。

Twentyminutesafterthefirstvolleythegreatfleetswungtrailingoffinthedirectionfromwhichithadfirstappeared。

Severalofthecraftwerelimpingperceptibly，andseemedbutbarelyunderthecontroloftheirdepletedcrews。Theirfirehadceasedentirelyandalltheirenergiesseemedfocuseduponescape。Ourwarriorsthenrusheduptotheroofsofthebuildingswhichweoccupiedandfollowedtheretreatingarmadawithacontinuousfusilladeofdeadlyfire。

Onebyone，however，theshipsmanagedtodipbelowthecrestsoftheoutlyinghillsuntilonlyonebarelymovingcraftwasinsight。Thishadreceivedthebruntofourfireandseemedtobeentirelyunmanned，asnotamovingfigurewasvisibleuponherdecks。Slowlysheswungfromhercourse，circlingbacktowardusinanerraticandpitifulmanner。

Instantlythewarriorsceasedfiring，foritwasquiteapparentthatthevesselwasentirelyhelpless，and，farfrombeinginapositiontoinflictharmuponus，shecouldnotevencontrolherselfsufficientlytoescape。

Asshenearedthecitythewarriorsrushedoutupontheplaintomeether，butitwasevidentthatshestillwastoohighforthemtohopetoreachherdecks。FrommyvantagepointinthewindowIcouldseethebodiesofhercrewstrewnabout，althoughIcouldnotmakeoutwhatmannerofcreaturestheymightbe。Notasignoflifewasmanifestuponherasshedriftedslowlywiththelightbreezeinasoutheasterlydirection。

Shewasdriftingsomefiftyfeetabovetheground，followedbyallbutsomehundredofthewarriorswhohadbeenorderedbacktotheroofstocoverthepossibilityofareturnofthefleet，orofreinforcements。Itsoonbecameevidentthatshewouldstrikethefaceofthebuildingsaboutamilesouthofourposition，andasIwatchedtheprogressofthechaseI

sawanumberofwarriorsgallopahead，dismountandenterthebuildingsheseemeddestinedtotouch。

Asthecraftnearedthebuilding，andjustbeforeshestruck，theMartianwarriorsswarmeduponherfromthewindows，andwiththeirgreatspearseasedtheshockofthecollision，andinafewmomentstheyhadthrownoutgrapplinghooksandthebigboatwasbeinghauledtogroundbytheirfellowsbelow。

Aftermakingherfast，theyswarmedthesidesandsearchedthevesselfromstemtostern。Icouldseethemexaminingthedeadsailors，evidentlyforsignsoflife，andpresentlyapartyofthemappearedfrombelowdraggingalittlefigureamongthem。ThecreaturewasconsiderablylessthanhalfastallasthegreenMartianwarriors，andfrommybalconyIcouldseethatitwalkederectupontwolegsandsurmisedthatitwassomenewandstrangeMartianmonstrositywithwhichIhadnotasyetbecomeacquainted。

Theyremovedtheirprisonertothegroundandthencommencedasystematicriflingofthevessel。Thisoperationrequiredseveralhours，duringwhichtimeanumberofthechariotswererequisitionedtotransporttheloot，whichconsistedinarms，ammunition，silks，furs，jewels，strangelycarvedstonevessels，andaquantityofsolidfoodsandliquids，includingmanycasksofwater，thefirstIhadseensincemyadventuponMars。

Afterthelastloadhadbeenremovedthewarriorsmadelinesfasttothecraftandtowedherfaroutintothevalleyinasouthwesterlydirection。Afewofthemthenboardedherandwerebusilyengagedinwhatappeared，frommydistantposition，astheemptyingofthecontentsofvariouscarboysuponthedeadbodiesofthesailorsandoverthedecksandworksofthevessel。

Thisoperationconcluded，theyhastilyclamberedoverhersides，slidingdowntheguyropestotheground。Thelastwarriortoleavethedeckturnedandthrewsomethingbackuponthevessel，waitinganinstanttonotetheoutcomeofhisact。Asafaintspurtofflamerosefromthepointwherethemissilestruckheswungoverthesideandwasquicklyupontheground。Scarcelyhadhealightedthantheguyropesweresimultaneousreleased，andthegreatwarship，lightenedbytheremovaloftheloot，soaredmajesticallyintotheair，herdecksandupperworksamassofroaringflames。

Slowlyshedriftedtothesoutheast，risinghigherandhigherastheflamesateawayherwoodenpartsanddiminishedtheweightuponher。AscendingtotheroofofthebuildingI

watchedherforhours，untilfinallyshewaslostinthedimvistasofthedistance。Thesightwasawe-inspiringintheextremeasonecontemplatedthismightyfloatingfuneralpyre，driftingunguidedandunmannedthroughthelonelywastesoftheMartianheavens；aderelictofdeathanddestruction，typifyingthelifestoryofthesestrangeandferociouscreaturesintowhoseunfriendlyhandsfatehadcarriedit。

Muchdepressed，and，tome，unaccountablyso，Islowlydescendedtothestreet。ThesceneIhadwitnessedseemedtomarkthedefeatandannihilationoftheforcesofakindredpeople，ratherthantheroutingbyourgreenwarriorsofahordeofsimilar，thoughunfriendly，creatures。Icouldnotfathomtheseeminghallucination，norcouldIfreemyselffromit；butsomewhereintheinnermostrecessesofmysoulIfeltastrangeyearningtowardtheseunknownfoemen，andamightyhopesurgedthroughmethatthefleetwouldreturnanddemandareckoningfromthegreenwarriorswhohadsoruthlesslyandwantonlyattackedit。

Closeatmyheel，inhisnowaccustomedplace，followedWoola，thehound，andasIemergeduponthestreetSolarusheduptomeasthoughIhadbeentheobjectofsomesearchonherpart。Thecavalcadewasreturningtotheplaza，thehomewardmarchhavingbeengivenupforthatday；nor，infact，wasitrecommencedformorethanaweek，owingtothefearofareturnattackbytheaircraft。

LorquasPtomelwastooastuteanoldwarriortobecaughtupontheopenplainswithacaravanofchariotsandchildren，andsoweremainedatthedesertedcityuntilthedangerseemedpassed。

AsSolaandIenteredtheplazaasightmetmyeyeswhichfilledmywholebeingwithagreatsurgeofmingledhope，fear，exultation，anddepression，andyetmostdominantwasasubtlesenseofreliefandhappiness；forjustaswenearedthethrongofMartiansIcaughtaglimpseoftheprisonerfromthebattlecraftwhowasbeingroughlydraggedintoanearbybuildingbyacoupleofgreenMartianfemales。

Andthesightwhichmetmyeyeswasthatofaslender，girlishfigure，similarineverydetailtotheearthlywomenofmypastlife。Shedidnotseemeatfirst，butjustasshewasdisappearingthroughtheportalofthebuildingwhichwastobeherprisonsheturned，andhereyesmetmine。

Herfacewasovalandbeautifulintheextreme，hereveryfeaturewasfinelychiseledandexquisite，hereyeslargeandlustrousandherheadsurmountedbyamassofcoalblack，wavinghair，caughtlooselyintoastrangeyetbecomingcoiffure。

Herskinwasofalightreddishcoppercolor，againstwhichthecrimsonglowofhercheeksandtherubyofherbeautifullymoldedlipsshonewithastrangelyenhancingeffect。

ShewasasdestituteofclothesasthegreenMartianswhoaccompaniedher；indeed，saveforherhighlywroughtornamentsshewasentirelynaked，norcouldanyapparelhaveenhancedthebeautyofherperfectandsymmetricalfigure。

Ashergazerestedonmehereyesopenedwideinastonishment，andshemadealittlesignwithherfreehand；

asignwhichIdidnot，ofcourse，understand。Justamomentwegazeduponeachother，andthenthelookofhopeandrenewedcouragewhichhadglorifiedherfaceasshediscoveredme，fadedintooneofutterdejection，mingledwithloathingandcontempt。IrealizedIhadnotansweredhersignal，andignorantasIwasofMartiancustoms，Iintuitivelyfeltthatshehadmadeanappealforsuccorandprotectionwhichmyunfortunateignorancehadpreventedmefromanswering。

Andthenshewasdraggedoutofmysightintothedepthsofthedesertededifice。

CHAPTERIX

ILEARNTHELANGUAGE

AsIcamebacktomyselfIglancedatSola，whohadwitnessedthisencounterandIwassurprisedtonoteastrangeexpressionuponherusuallyexpressionlesscountenance。WhatherthoughtswereIdidnotknow，forasyetIhadlearnedbutlittleoftheMartiantongue；

enoughonlytosufficeformydailyneeds。

AsIreachedthedoorwayofourbuildingastrangesurpriseawaitedme。Awarriorapproachedbearingthearms，ornaments，andfullaccoutermentsofhiskind。Thesehepresentedtomewithafewunintelligiblewords，andabearingatoncerespectfulandmenacing。

Later，Sola，withtheaidofseveraloftheotherwomen，remodeledthetrappingstofitmylesserproportions，andaftertheycompletedtheworkIwentaboutgarbedinallthepanoplyofwar。

FromthenonSolainstructedmeinthemysteriesofthevariousweapons，andwiththeMartianyoungIspentseveralhourseachdaypracticingupontheplaza。Iwasnotyetproficientwithalltheweapons，butmygreatfamiliaritywithsimilarearthlyweaponsmademeanunusuallyaptpupil，andIprogressedinaverysatisfactorymanner。

ThetrainingofmyselfandtheyoungMartianswasconductedsolelybythewomen，whonotonlyattendtotheeducationoftheyoungintheartsofindividualdefenseandoffense，butarealsotheartisanswhoproduceeverymanufacturedarticlewroughtbythegreenMartians。Theymakethepowder，thecartridges，thefirearms；infacteverythingofvalueisproducedbythefemales。Intimeofactualwarfaretheyformapartofthereserves，andwhenthenecessityarisesfightwithevengreaterintelligenceandferocitythanthemen。

Themenaretrainedinthehigherbranchesoftheartofwar；

instrategyandthemaneuveringoflargebodiesoftroops。

Theymakethelawsastheyareneeded；anewlawforeachemergency。Theyareunfetteredbyprecedentintheadministrationofjustice。Customshavebeenhandeddownbyagesofrepetition，butthepunishmentforignoringacustomisamatterforindividualtreatmentbyajuryoftheculprit"speers，andImaysaythatjusticeseldommissesfire，butseemsrathertoruleininverseratiototheascendencyoflaw。InonerespectatleasttheMartiansareahappypeople；theyhavenolawyers。

Ididnotseetheprisoneragainforseveraldayssubsequenttoourfirstencounter，andthenonlytocatchafleetingglimpseofherasshewasbeingconductedtothegreataudiencechamberwhereIhadhadmyfirstmeetingwithLorquasPtomel。Icouldnotbutnotetheunnecessaryharshnessandbrutalitywithwhichherguardstreatedher；

sodifferentfromthealmostmaternalkindlinesswhichSolamanifestedtowardme，andtherespectfulattitudeofthefewgreenMartianswhotookthetroubletonoticemeatall。

IhadobservedonthetwooccasionswhenIhadseenherthattheprisonerexchangedwordswithherguards，andthisconvincedmethattheyspoke，oratleastcouldmakethemselvesunderstoodbyacommonlanguage。WiththisaddedincentiveInearlydroveSoladistractedbymyimportunitiestohastenonmyeducationandwithinafewmoredaysIhadmasteredtheMartiantonguesufficientlywelltoenablemetocarryonapassableconversationandtofullyunderstandpracticallyallthatIheard。

Atthistimeoursleepingquarterswereoccupiedbythreeorfourfemalesandacoupleoftherecentlyhatchedyoung，besideSolaandheryouthfulward，myself，andWoolathehound。Aftertheyhadretiredforthenightitwascustomaryfortheadultstocarryonadesultoryconversationforashorttimebeforelapsingintosleep，andnowthatIcouldunderstandtheirlanguageIwasalwaysakeenlistener，althoughIneverprofferedanyremarksmyself。

Onthenightfollowingtheprisoner"svisittotheaudiencechambertheconversationfinallyfelluponthissubject，andIwasallearsontheinstant。IhadfearedtoquestionSolarelativetothebeautifulcaptive，asIcouldnotbutrecallthestrangeexpressionIhadnoteduponherfaceaftermyfirstencounterwiththeprisoner。ThatitdenotedjealousyIcouldnotsay，andyet，judgingallthingsbymundanestandardsasIstilldid，IfeltitsafertoaffectindifferenceinthematteruntilIlearnedmoresurelySola"sattitudetowardtheobjectofmysolicitude。

Sarkoja，oneoftheolderwomenwhosharedourdomicile，hadbeenpresentattheaudienceasoneofthecaptive"sguards，anditwastowardherthequestionturned。

"When，"askedoneofthewomen，"willweenjoythedeaththroesoftheredone？ordoesLorquasPtomel，Jed，intendholdingherforransom？"

"TheyhavedecidedtocarryherwithusbacktoThark，andexhibitherlastagoniesatthegreatgamesbeforeTalHajus，"repliedSarkoja。

"Whatwillbethemannerofhergoingout？"inquiredSola。"Sheisverysmallandverybeautiful；Ihadhopedthattheywouldholdherforransom。”

SarkojaandtheotherwomengruntedangrilyatthisevidenceofweaknessonthepartofSola。

"Itissad，Sola，thatyouwerenotbornamillionyearsago，"snappedSarkoja，"whenallthehollowsofthelandwerefilledwithwater，andthepeopleswereassoftasthestufftheysailedupon。Inourdaywehaveprogressedtoapointwheresuchsentimentsmarkweaknessandatavism。ItwillnotbewellforyoutopermitTarsTarkastolearnthatyouholdsuchdegeneratesentiments，asIdoubtthathewouldcaretoentrustsuchasyouwiththegraveresponsibilitiesofmaternity。”

"Iseenothingwrongwithmyexpressionofinterestinthisredwoman，"retortedSola。"Shehasneverharmedus，norwouldsheshouldwehavefallenintoherhands。Itisonlythemenofherkindwhowaruponus，andIhaveeverthoughtthattheirattitudetowardusisbutthereflectionofourstowardthem。Theyliveatpeacewithalltheirfellows，exceptwhendutycallsuponthemtomakewar，whileweareatpeacewithnone；foreverwarringamongourownkindaswellasupontheredmen，andeveninourowncommunitiestheindividualsfightamongstthemselves。

Oh，itisonecontinual，awfulperiodofbloodshedfromthetimewebreaktheshelluntilwegladlyembracethebosomoftheriverofmystery，thedarkandancientIsswhichcarriesustoanunknown，butatleastnomorefrightfulandterribleexistence!Fortunateindeedishewhomeetshisendinanearlydeath。SaywhatyoupleasetoTarsTarkas，hecanmeteoutnoworsefatetomethanacontinuationofthehorribleexistenceweareforcedtoleadinthislife。”

ThiswildoutbreakonthepartofSolasogreatlysurprisedandshockedtheotherwomen，that，afterafewwordsofgeneralreprimand，theyalllapsedintosilenceandweresoonasleep。OnethingtheepisodehadaccomplishedwastoassuremeofSola"sfriendlinesstowardthepoorgirl，andalsotoconvincemethatIhadbeenextremelyfortunateinfallingintoherhandsratherthanthoseofsomeoftheotherfemales。Iknewthatshewasfondofme，andnowthatI

haddiscoveredthatshehatedcrueltyandbarbarityIwasconfidentthatIcoulddependuponhertoaidmeandthegirlcaptivetoescape，providedofcoursethatsuchathingwaswithintherangeofpossibilities。

Ididnotevenknowthattherewereanybetterconditionstoescapeto，butIwasmorethanwillingtotakemychancesamongpeoplefashionedaftermyownmoldratherthantoremainlongeramongthehideousandbloodthirstygreenmenofMars。Butwheretogo，andhow，wasasmuchofapuzzletomeastheage-oldsearchforthespringofeternallifehasbeentoearthlymensincethebeginningoftime。

IdecidedthatatthefirstopportunityIwouldtakeSolaintomyconfidenceandopenlyaskhertoaidme，andwiththisresolutionstronguponmeIturnedamongmysilksandfursandsleptthedreamlessandrefreshingsleepofMars。

CHAPTERX

CHAMPIONANDCHIEF

EarlythenextmorningIwasastir。Considerablefreedomwasallowedme，asSolahadinformedmethatsolongasIdidnotattempttoleavethecityIwasfreetogoandcomeasIpleased。Shehadwarnedme，however，againstventuringforthunarmed，asthiscity，likeallotherdesertedmetropolisesofanancientMartiancivilization，waspeopledbythegreatwhiteapesofmysecondday"sadventure。

InadvisingmethatImustnotleavetheboundariesofthecitySolahadexplainedthatWoolawouldpreventthisanywayshouldIattemptit，andshewarnedmemosturgentlynottoarousehisfiercenaturebyignoringhiswarningsshouldIventuretooclosetotheforbiddenterritory。Hisnaturewassuch，shesaid，thathewouldbringmebackintothecitydeadoraliveshouldIpersistinopposinghim；

"preferablydead，"sheadded。

OnthismorningIhadchosenanewstreettoexplorewhensuddenlyIfoundmyselfatthelimitsofthecity。Beforemewerelowhillspiercedbynarrowandinvitingravines。

Ilongedtoexplorethecountrybeforeme，and，likethepioneerstockfromwhichIsprang，toviewwhatthelandscapebeyondtheencirclinghillsmightdisclosefromthesummitswhichshutoutmyview。

ItalsooccurredtomethatthiswouldproveanexcellentopportunitytotestthequalitiesofWoola。Iwasconvincedthatthebrutelovedme；IhadseenmoreevidencesofaffectioninhimthaninanyotherMartiananimal，manorbeast，andIwassurethatgratitudefortheactsthathadtwicesavedhislifewouldmorethanoutweighhisloyaltytothedutyimposeduponhimbycruelandlovelessmasters。

AsIapproachedtheboundarylineWoolarananxiouslybeforeme，andthrusthisbodyagainstmylegs。Hisexpressionwaspleadingratherthanferocious，nordidhebarehisgreattusksorutterhisfearfulgutturalwarnings。Deniedthefriendshipandcompanionshipofmykind，IhaddevelopedconsiderableaffectionforWoolaandSola，forthenormalearthlymanmusthavesomeoutletforhisnaturalaffections，andsoIdecideduponanappealtoalikeinstinctinthisgreatbrute，surethatIwouldnotbedisappointed。

Ihadneverpettednorfondledhim，butnowIsatuponthegroundandputtingmyarmsaroundhisheavyneckI

strokedandcoaxedhim，talkinginmynewlyacquiredMartiantongueasIwouldhavetomyhoundathome，asI

wouldhavetalkedtoanyotherfriendamongtheloweranimals。Hisresponsetomymanifestationofaffectionwasremarkabletoadegree；hestretchedhisgreatmouthtoitsfullwidth，baringtheentireexpanseofhisupperrowsoftusksandwrinklinghissnoutuntilhisgreateyeswerealmosthiddenbythefoldsofflesh。IfyouhaveeverseenacolliesmileyoumayhavesomeideaofWoola"sfacialdistortion。

Hethrewhimselfuponhisbackandfairlywallowedatmyfeet；jumpedupandspranguponme，rollingmeuponthegroundbyhisgreatweight；thenwrigglingandsquirmingaroundmelikeaplayfulpuppypresentingitsbackforthepettingitcraves。Icouldnotresisttheludicrousnessofthespectacle，andholdingmysidesIrockedbackandforthinthefirstlaughterwhichhadpassedmylipsinmanydays；

thefirst，infact，sincethemorningPowellhadleftcampwhenhishorse，longunused，hadprecipitatelyandunexpectedlybuckedhimoffheadforemostintoapotoffrijoles。

MylaughterfrightenedWoola，hisanticsceasedandhecrawledpitifullytowardme，pokinghisuglyheadfarintomylap；andthenIrememberedwhatlaughtersignifiedonMars——torture，suffering，death。Quietingmyself，Irubbedthepooroldfellow"sheadandback，talkedtohimforafewminutes，andtheninanauthoritativetonecommandedhimtofollowme，andarisingstartedforthehills。

Therewasnofurtherquestionofauthoritybetweenus；

Woolawasmydevotedslavefromthatmomenthence，andIhisonlyandundisputedmaster。Mywalktothehillsoccupiedbutafewminutes，andIfoundnothingofparticularinteresttorewardme。NumerousbrilliantlycoloredandstrangelyformedwildflowersdottedtheravinesandfromthesummitofthefirsthillIsawstillotherhillsstretchingofftowardthenorth，andrising，onerangeaboveanother，untillostinmountainsofquiterespectabledimensions；thoughI

afterwardfoundthatonlyafewpeaksonallMarsexceedfourthousandfeetinheight；thesuggestionofmagnitudewasmerelyrelative。

Mymorning"swalkhadbeenlargewithimportancetomeforithadresultedinaperfectunderstandingwithWoola，uponwhomTarsTarkasreliedformysafekeeping。InowknewthatwhiletheoreticallyaprisonerIwasvirtuallyfree，andIhastenedtoregainthecitylimitsbeforethedefectionofWoolacouldbediscoveredbyhiserstwhilemasters。TheadventuredecidedmeneveragaintoleavethelimitsofmyprescribedstampinggroundsuntilIwasreadytoventureforthforgoodandall，asitwouldcertainlyresultinacurtailmentofmyliberties，aswellastheprobabledeathofWoola，werewetobediscovered。

OnregainingtheplazaIhadmythirdglimpseofthecaptivegirl。Shewasstandingwithherguardsbeforetheentrancetotheaudiencechamber，andasIapproachedshegavemeonehaughtyglanceandturnedherbackfulluponme。Theactwassowomanly，soearthlywomanly，thatthoughitstungmyprideitalsowarmedmyheartwithafeelingofcompanionship；itwasgoodtoknowthatsomeoneelseonMarsbesidemyselfhadhumaninstinctsofacivilizedorder，eventhoughthemanifestationofthemwassopainfulandmortifying。

HadagreenMartianwomandesiredtoshowdislikeorcontemptshewould，inalllikelihood，havedoneitwithaswordthrustoramovementofhertriggerfinger；butastheirsentimentsaremostlyatrophieditwouldhaverequiredaseriousinjurytohavearousedsuchpassionsinthem。Sola，letmeadd，wasanexception；Ineversawherperformacrueloruncouthact，orfailinuniformkindlinessandgoodnature。Shewasindeed，asherfellowMartianhadsaidofher，anatavism；adearandpreciousreversiontoaformertypeoflovedandlovingancestor。

SeeingthattheprisonerseemedthecenterofattractionI

haltedtoviewtheproceedings。IhadnotlongtowaitforpresentlyLorquasPtomelandhisretinueofchieftainsapproachedthebuildingand，signingtheguardstofollowwiththeprisonerenteredtheaudiencechamber。RealizingthatI

wasasomewhatfavoredcharacter，andalsoconvincedthatthewarriorsdidnotknowofmyproficiencyintheirlanguage，asIhadpleadedwithSolatokeepthisasecretonthegroundsthatIdidnotwishtobeforcedtotalkwiththemenuntilIhadperfectlymasteredtheMartiantongue，I

chancedanattempttoentertheaudiencechamberandlistentotheproceedings。

Thecouncilsquatteduponthestepsoftherostrum，whilebelowthemstoodtheprisonerandhertwoguards。IsawthatoneofthewomenwasSarkoja，andthusunderstoodhowshehadbeenpresentatthehearingoftheprecedingday，theresultsofwhichshehadreportedtotheoccupantsofourdormitorylastnight。Herattitudetowardthecaptivewasmostharshandbrutal。Whensheheldher，shesunkherrudimentarynailsintothepoorgirl"sflesh，ortwistedherarminamostpainfulmanner。Whenitwasnecessarytomovefromonespottoanothersheeitherjerkedherroughly，orpushedherheadlongbeforeher。Sheseemedtobeventinguponthispoordefenselesscreatureallthehatred，cruelty，ferocity，andspiteofherninehundredyears，backedbyunguessableagesoffierceandbrutalancestors。

Theotherwomanwaslesscruelbecauseshewasentirelyindifferent；iftheprisonerhadbeenlefttoheralone，andfortunatelyshewasatnight，shewouldhavereceivednoharshtreatment，nor，bythesametokenwouldshehavereceivedanyattentionatall。

AsLorquasPtomelraisedhiseyestoaddresstheprisonertheyfellonmeandheturnedtoTarsTarkaswithaword，andgestureofimpatience。TarsTarkasmadesomereplywhichIcouldnotcatch，butwhichcausedLorquasPtomeltosmile；afterwhichtheypaidnofurtherattentiontome。

"Whatisyourname？"askedLorquasPtomel，addressingtheprisoner。

"DejahThoris，daughterofMorsKajakofHelium。”

"Andthenatureofyourexpedition？"hecontinued。

"Itwasapurelyscientificresearchpartysentoutbymyfather"sfather，theJeddakofHelium，torecharttheaircurrents，andtotakeatmosphericdensitytests，"repliedthefairprisoner，inalow，well-modulatedvoice。

"Wewereunpreparedforbattle，"shecontinued，"aswewereonapeacefulmission，asourbannersandthecolorsofourcraftdenoted。Theworkweweredoingwasasmuchinyourinterestsasinours，foryouknowfullwellthatwereitnotforourlaborsandthefruitsofourscientificoperationstherewouldnotbeenoughairorwateronMarstosupportasinglehumanlife。Forageswehavemaintainedtheairandwatersupplyatpracticallythesamepointwithoutanappreciableloss，andwehavedonethisinthefaceofthebrutalandignorantinterferenceofyourgreenmen。

"Why，oh，whywillyounotlearntoliveinamitywithyourfellows，mustyouevergoondowntheagestoyourfinalextinctionbutlittleabovetheplaneofthedumbbrutesthatserveyou!Apeoplewithoutwrittenlanguage，withoutart，withouthomes，withoutlove；thevictimofeonsofthehorriblecommunityidea。Owningeverythingincommon，eventoyourwomenandchildren，hasresultedinyourowningnothingincommon。Youhateeachotherasyouhateallelseexceptyourselves。Comebacktothewaysofourcommonancestors，comebacktothelightofkindlinessandfellowship。Thewayisopentoyou，youwillfindthehandsoftheredmenstretchedouttoaidyou。Togetherwemaydostillmoretoregenerateourdyingplanet。Thegrand-

daughterofthegreatestandmightiestoftheredjeddakshasaskedyou。Willyoucome？"

LorquasPtomelandthewarriorssatlookingsilentlyandintentlyattheyoungwomanforseveralmomentsaftershehadceasedspeaking。Whatwaspassingintheirmindsnomanmayknow，butthattheyweremovedItrulybelieve，andifonemanhighamongthemhadbeenstrongenoughtoriseabovecustom，thatmomentwouldhavemarkedanewandmightyeraforMars。

IsawTarsTarkasrisetospeak，andonhisfacewassuchanexpressionasIhadneverseenuponthecountenanceofagreenMartianwarrior。Itbespokeaninwardandmightybattlewithself，withheredity，withage-oldcustom，andasheopenedhismouthtospeak，alookalmostofbenignity，ofkindliness，momentarilylighteduphisfierceandterriblecountenance。

Whatwordsofmomentweretohavefallenfromhislipswereneverspoken，asjustthenayoungwarrior，evidentlysensingthetrendofthoughtamongtheoldermen，leapeddownfromthestepsoftherostrum，andstrikingthefrailcaptiveapowerfulblowacrosstheface，whichfelledhertothefloor，placedhisfootuponherprostrateformandturningtowardtheassembledcouncilbrokeintopealsofhorrid，mirthlesslaughter。

ForaninstantIthoughtTarsTarkaswouldstrikehimdead，nordidtheaspectofLorquasPtomelauguranytoofavorablyforthebrute，butthemoodpassed，theiroldselvesreassertedtheirascendency，andtheysmiled。Itwasportentoushoweverthattheydidnotlaughaloud，forthebrute"sactconstitutedaside-splittingwitticismaccordingtotheethicswhichrulegreenMartianhumor。

ThatIhavetakenmomentstowritedownapartofwhatoccurredasthatblowfelldoesnotsignifythatIremainedinactiveforanysuchlengthoftime。IthinkImusthavesensedsomethingofwhatwascoming，forIrealizenowthatIwascrouchedasforaspringasIsawtheblowaimedatherbeautiful，upturned，pleadingface，anderethehanddescendedIwashalfwayacrossthehall。

Scarcelyhadhishideouslaughrangoutbutonce，whenIwasuponhim。Thebrutewastwelvefeetinheightandarmedtotheteeth，butIbelievethatIcouldhaveaccountedforthewholeroomfulintheterrificintensityofmyrage。

Springingupward，Istruckhimfullinthefaceasheturnedatmywarningcryandthenashedrewhisshort-swordI

drewmineandsprangupagainuponhisbreast，hookingonelegoverthebuttofhispistolandgraspingoneofhishugetuskswithmylefthandwhileIdeliveredblowafterblowuponhisenormouschest。

Hecouldnotusehisshort-swordtoadvantagebecauseI

wastooclosetohim，norcouldhedrawhispistol，whichheattemptedtodoindirectoppositiontoMartiancustomwhichsaysthatyoumaynotfightafellowwarriorinprivatecombatwithanyotherthantheweaponwithwhichyouareattacked。Infacthecoulddonothingbutmakeawildandfutileattempttodislodgeme。WithallhisimmensebulkhewaslittleifanystrongerthanI，anditwasbutthematterofamomentortwobeforehesank，bleedingandlifeless，tothefloor。

DejahThorishadraisedherselfupononeelbowandwaswatchingthebattlewithwide，staringeyes。WhenIhadregainedmyfeetIraisedherinmyarmsandborehertooneofthebenchesatthesideoftheroom。

AgainnoMartianinterferedwithme，andtearingapieceofsilkfrommycapeIendeavoredtostaunchtheflowofbloodfromhernostrils。Iwassoonsuccessfulasherinjuriesamountedtolittlemorethananordinarynosebleed，andwhenshecouldspeaksheplacedherhanduponmyarmandlookingupintomyeyes，said:

"Whydidyoudoit？Youwhorefusedmeevenfriendlyrecognitioninthefirsthourofmyperil!Andnowyouriskyourlifeandkilloneofyourcompanionsformysake。Icannotunderstand。

Whatstrangemannerofmanareyou，thatyouconsortwiththegreenmen，thoughyourformisthatofmyrace，whileyourcolorislittledarkerthanthatofthewhiteape？Tellme，areyouhuman，orareyoumorethanhuman？"

"Itisastrangetale，"Ireplied，"toolongtoattempttotellyounow，andonewhichIsomuchdoubtthecredibilityofmyselfthatIfeartohopethatotherswillbelieveit。Sufficeit，forthepresent，thatIamyourfriend，and，sofarasourcaptorswillpermit，yourprotectorandyourservant。”

"Thenyoutooareaprisoner？Butwhy，then，thosearmsandtheregaliaofaTharkianchieftain？Whatisyourname？

Whereyourcountry？"

"Yes，DejahThoris，Itooamaprisoner；mynameisJohnCarter，andIclaimVirginia，oneoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，Earth，asmyhome；butwhyIampermittedtoweararmsIdonotknow，norwasIawarethatmyregaliawasthatofachieftain。”

Wewereinterruptedatthisjuncturebytheapproachofoneofthewarriors，bearingarms，accoutermentsandornaments，andinaflashoneofherquestionswasansweredandapuzzleclearedupforme。Isawthatthebodyofmydeadantagonisthadbeenstripped，andIreadinthemenacingyetrespectfulattitudeofthewarriorwhohadbroughtmethesetrophiesofthekillthesamedemeanorasthatevincedbytheotherwhohadbroughtmemyoriginalequipment，andnowforthefirsttimeIrealizedthatmyblow，ontheoccasionofmyfirstbattleintheaudiencechamberhadresultedinthedeathofmyadversary。

Thereasonforthewholeattitudedisplayedtowardmewasnowapparent；Ihadwonmyspurs，sotospeak，andinthecrudejustice，whichalwaysmarksMartiandealings，andwhich，amongotherthings，hascausedmetocallhertheplanetofparadoxes，Iwasaccordedthehonorsdueaconqueror；

thetrappingsandthepositionofthemanIkilled。

Intruth，IwasaMartianchieftain，andthisIlearnedlaterwasthecauseofmygreatfreedomandmytolerationintheaudiencechamber。

AsIhadturnedtoreceivethedeadwarrior"schattelsI

hadnoticedthatTarsTarkasandseveralothershadpushedforwardtowardus，andtheeyesoftheformerresteduponmeinamostquizzicalmanner。Finallyheaddressedme:

"YouspeakthetongueofBarsoomquitereadilyforonewhowasdeafanddumbtousafewshortdaysago。Wheredidyoulearnit，JohnCarter？"

"You，yourself，areresponsible，TarsTarkas，"Ireplied，"inthatyoufurnishedmewithaninstructressofremarkableability；IhavetothankSolaformylearning。”

"Shehasdonewell，"heanswered，"butyoureducationinotherrespectsneedsconsiderablepolish。Doyouknowwhatyourunprecedentedtemeritywouldhavecostyouhadyoufailedtokilleitherofthetwochieftainswhosemetalyounowwear？"

"IpresumethatthatonewhomIhadfailedtokill，wouldhavekilledme，"Ianswered，smiling。

"No，youarewrong。Onlyinthelastextremityofself-defensewouldaMartianwarriorkillaprisoner；weliketosavethemforotherpurposes，"andhisfacebespokepossibilitiesthatwerenotpleasanttodwellupon。

"Butonethingcansaveyounow，"hecontinued。"Shouldyou，inrecognitionofyourremarkablevalor，ferocity，andprowess，beconsideredbyTalHajusasworthyofhisserviceyoumaybetakenintothecommunityandbecomeafull-fledgedTharkian。UntilwereachtheheadquartersofTalHajusitisthewillofLorquasPtomelthatyoubeaccordedtherespectyouractshaveearnedyou。YouwillbetreatedbyusasaTharkianchieftain，butyoumustnotforgetthateverychiefwhoranksyouisresponsibleforyoursafedeliverytoourmightyandmostferociousruler。Iamdone。”

"Ihearyou，TarsTarkas，"Ianswered。"AsyouknowI

amnotofBarsoom；yourwaysarenotmyways，andIcanonlyactinthefutureasIhaveinthepast，inaccordancewiththedictatesofmyconscienceandguidedbythestandardsofmineownpeople。IfyouwillleavemealoneIwillgoinpeace，butifnot，lettheindividualBarsoomianswithwhomImustdealeitherrespectmyrightsasastrangeramongyou，ortakewhateverconsequencesmaybefall。Ofonethingletusbesure，whatevermaybeyourultimateintentionstowardthisunfortunateyoungwoman，whoeverwouldofferherinjuryorinsultinthefuturemustfigureonmakingafullaccountingtome。Iunderstandthatyoubelittleallsentimentsofgenerosityandkindliness，butIdonot，andIcanconvinceyourmostdoughtywarriorthatthesecharacteristicsarenotincompatiblewithanabilitytofight。”

OrdinarilyIamnotgiventolongspeeches，noreverbeforehadIdescendedtobombast，butIhadguessedatthekeynotewhichwouldstrikeanansweringchordinthebreastsofthegreenMartians，norwasIwrong，formyharangueevidentlydeeplyimpressedthem，andtheirattitudetowardmethereafterwasstillfurtherrespectful。

TarsTarkashimselfseemedpleasedwithmyreply，buthisonlycommentwasmoreorlessenigmatical——"AndIthinkI

knowTalHajus，JeddakofThark。”

InowturnedmyattentiontoDejahThoris，andassistinghertoherfeetIturnedwithhertowardtheexit，ignoringherhoveringguardianharpiesaswellastheinquiringglancesofthechieftains。WasInotnowachieftainalso!

Well，then，Iwouldassumetheresponsibilitiesofone。

Theydidnotmolestus，andsoDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，andJohnCarter，gentlemanofVirginia，followedbythefaithfulWoola，passedthroughuttersilencefromtheaudiencechamberofLorquasPtomel，JedamongtheTharksofBarsoom。

CHAPTERXI

WITHDEJAHTHORIS

AswereachedtheopenthetwofemaleguardswhohadbeendetailedtowatchoverDejahThorishurriedupandmadeasthoughtoassumecustodyofheroncemore。ThepoorchildshrankagainstmeandIfelthertwolittlehandsfoldtightlyovermyarm。Wavingthewomenaway，IinformedthemthatSolawouldattendthecaptivehereafter，andI

furtherwarnedSarkojathatanymoreofhercruelattentionsbestoweduponDejahThoriswouldresultinSarkoja"ssuddenandpainfuldemise。

MythreatwasunfortunateandresultedinmoreharmthangoodtoDejahThoris，for，asIlearnedlater，mendonotkillwomenuponMars，norwomen，men。SoSarkojamerelygaveusanuglylookanddepartedtohatchupdeviltriesagainstus。

IsoonfoundSolaandexplainedtoherthatIwishedhertoguardDejahThorisasshehadguardedme；thatIwishedhertofindotherquarterswheretheywouldnotbemolestedbySarkoja，andIfinallyinformedherthatImyselfwouldtakeupmyquartersamongthemen。

Solaglancedattheaccoutermentswhichwerecarriedinmyhandandslungacrossmyshoulder。

"Youareagreatchieftainnow，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"andImustdoyourbidding，thoughindeedIamgladtodoitunderanycircumstances。Themanwhosemetalyoucarrywasyoung，buthewasagreatwarrior，andhadbyhispromotionsandkillswonhiswayclosetotherankofTarsTarkas，who，asyouknow，issecondtoLorquasPtomelonly。

Youareeleventh，therearebuttenchieftainsinthiscommunitywhorankyouinprowess。”

"AndifIshouldkillLorquasPtomel？"Iasked。

"Youwouldbefirst，JohnCarter；butyoumayonlywinthathonorbythewilloftheentirecouncilthatLorquasPtomelmeetyouincombat，orshouldheattackyou，youmaykillhiminself-defense，andthuswinfirstplace。”

Ilaughed，andchangedthesubject。IhadnoparticulardesiretokillLorquasPtomel，andlesstobeajedamongtheTharks。

IaccompaniedSolaandDejahThorisinasearchfornewquarters，whichwefoundinabuildingnearertheaudiencechamberandoffarmorepretentiousarchitecturethanourformerhabitation。Wealsofoundinthisbuildingrealsleepingapartmentswithancientbedsofhighlywroughtmetalswingingfromenormousgoldchainsdependingfromthemarbleceilings。Thedecorationofthewallswasmostelaborate，and，unlikethefrescoesintheotherbuildingsIhadexamined，portrayedmanyhumanfiguresinthecompositions。

Thesewereofpeoplelikemyself，andofamuchlightercolorthanDejahThoris。Theywerecladingraceful，flowingrobes，highlyornamentedwithmetalandjewels，andtheirluxurianthairwasofabeautifulgoldenandreddishbronze。Themenwerebeardlessandonlyafewworearms。

Thescenesdepictedforthemostpart，afair-skinned，fair-hairedpeopleatplay。

DejahThorisclaspedherhandswithanexclamationofraptureasshegazeduponthesemagnificentworksofart，wroughtbyapeoplelongextinct；whileSola，ontheotherhand，apparentlydidnotseethem。

Wedecidedtousethisroom，onthesecondfloorandoverlookingtheplaza，forDejahThorisandSola，andanotherroomadjoiningandintherearforthecookingandsupplies。IthendispatchedSolatobringthebeddingandsuchfoodandutensilsasshemightneed，tellingherthatIwouldguardDejahThorisuntilherreturn。

AsSoladepartedDejahThoristurnedtomewithafaintsmile。

"Andwhereto，then，wouldyourprisonerescapeshouldyouleaveher，unlessitwastofollowyouandcraveyourprotection，andaskyourpardonforthecruelthoughtsshehasharboredagainstyouthesepastfewdays？"

"Youareright，"Ianswered，"thereisnoescapeforeitherofusunlesswegotogether。”