第4章

"IheardyourchallengetothecreatureyoucallTarsTarkas，andIthinkIunderstandyourpositionamongthesepeople，butwhatIcannotfathomisyourstatementthatyouarenotofBarsoom。”

"Inthenameofmyfirstancestor，then，"shecontinued，"wheremayyoubefrom？Youarelikeuntomypeople，andyetsounlike。Youspeakmylanguage，andyetIheardyoutellTarsTarkasthatyouhadbutlearneditrecently。

AllBarsoomiansspeakthesametonguefromtheice-cladsouthtotheice-cladnorth，thoughtheirwrittenlanguagesdiffer。OnlyinthevalleyDor，wheretheriverIssemptiesintothelostseaofKorus，istheresupposedtobeadifferentlanguagespoken，and，exceptinthelegendsofourancestors，thereisnorecordofaBarsoomianreturninguptheriverIss，fromtheshoresofKorusinthevalleyofDor。Donottellmethatyouhavethusreturned!TheywouldkillyouhorriblyanywhereuponthesurfaceofBarsoomifthatweretrue；tellmeitisnot!"

Hereyeswerefilledwithastrange，weirdlight；hervoicewaspleading，andherlittlehands，reachedupuponmybreast，werepressedagainstmeasthoughtowringadenialfrommyveryheart。

"Idonotknowyourcustoms，DejahThoris，butinmyownVirginiaagentlemandoesnotlietosavehimself；IamnotofDor；IhaveneverseenthemysteriousIss；thelostseaofKorusisstilllost，sofarasIamconcerned。Doyoubelieveme？"

AndthenitstruckmesuddenlythatIwasveryanxiousthatsheshouldbelieveme。ItwasnotthatIfearedtheresultswhichwouldfollowageneralbeliefthatIhadreturnedfromtheBarsoomianheavenorhell，orwhateveritwas。

Whywasit，then!WhyshouldIcarewhatshethought？

Ilookeddownather；herbeautifulfaceupturned，andherwonderfuleyesopeninguptheverydepthofhersoul；andasmyeyesmethersIknewwhy，and——Ishuddered。

Asimilarwaveoffeelingseemedtostirher；shedrewawayfrommewithasigh，andwithherearnest，beautifulfaceturneduptomine，shewhispered:"Ibelieveyou，JohnCarter；Idonotknowwhata"gentleman"is，norhaveIeverhedoesnotwishtospeakthetruthheissilent。WhereisthisVirginia，yourcountry，JohnCarter？"sheasked，anditseemedthatthisfairnameofmyfairlandhadneversoundedmorebeautifulthanasitfellfromthoseperfectlipsonthatfar-goneday。

"Iamofanotherworld，"Ianswered，"thegreatplanetEarth，whichrevolvesaboutourcommonsunandnextwithintheorbitofyourBarsoom，whichweknowasMars。HowI

camehereIcannottellyou，forIdonotknow；buthereI

am，andsincemypresencehaspermittedmetoserveDejahThorisIamgladthatIamhere。”

Shegazedatmewithtroubledeyes，longandquestioningly。

ThatitwasdifficulttobelievemystatementIwellknew，norcouldIhopethatshewoulddosohowevermuchIcravedherconfidenceandrespect。Iwouldmuchrathernothavetoldheranythingofmyantecedents，butnomancouldlookintothedepthofthoseeyesandrefuseherslightestbehest。

Finallyshesmiled，and，rising，said:"IshallhavetobelieveeventhoughIcannotunderstand。IcanreadilyperceivethatyouarenotoftheBarsoomoftoday；youarelikeus，yetdifferent——butwhyshouldItroublemypoorheadwithsuchaproblem，whenmyhearttellsmethatIbelievebecauseIwishtobelieve!"

Itwasgoodlogic，good，earthly，femininelogic，andifitsatisfiedherIcertainlycouldpicknoflawsinit。Asamatteroffactitwasabouttheonlykindoflogicthatcouldbebroughttobearuponmyproblem。Wefellintoageneralconversationthen，askingandansweringmanyquestionsoneachside。ShewascurioustolearnofthecustomsofmypeopleanddisplayedaremarkableknowledgeofeventsonEarth。

WhenIquestionedhercloselyonthisseemingfamiliaritywithearthlythingsshelaughed，andcriedout:

"Why，everyschoolboyonBarsoomknowsthegeography，andmuchconcerningthefaunaandflora，aswellasthehistoryofyourplanetfullyaswellasofhisown。CanwenotseeeverythingwhichtakesplaceuponEarth，asyoucallit；isitnothangingthereintheheavensinplainsight？"

Thisbaffledme，Imustconfess，fullyasmuchasmystatementshadconfoundedher；andItoldherso。Shethenexplainedingeneraltheinstrumentsherpeoplehadusedandbeenperfectingforages，whichpermitthemtothrowuponascreenaperfectimageofwhatistranspiringuponanyplanetanduponmanyofthestars。Thesepicturesaresoperfectindetailthat，whenphotographedandenlarged，objectsnogreaterthanabladeofgrassmaybedistinctlyrecognized。Iafterward，inHelium，sawmanyofthesepictures，aswellastheinstrumentswhichproducedthem。

"If，then，youaresofamiliarwithearthlythings，"Iasked，"whyisitthatyoudonotrecognizemeasidenticalwiththeinhabitantsofthatplanet？"

Shesmiledagainasonemightinboredindulgenceofaquestioningchild。

"Because，JohnCarter，"shereplied，"nearlyeveryplanetandstarhavingatmosphericconditionsatallapproachingthoseofBarsoom，showsformsofanimallifealmostidenticalwithyouandme；and，further，Earthmen，almostwithoutexception，covertheirbodieswithstrange，unsightlypiecesofcloth，andtheirheadswithhideouscontraptionsthepurposeofwhichwehavebeenunabletoconceive；whileyou，whenfoundbytheTharkianwarriors，wereentirelyundisfiguredandunadorned。

"Thefactthatyouworenoornamentsisastrongproofofyourun-Barsoomianorigin，whiletheabsenceofgrotesquecoveringsmightcauseadoubtastoyourearthliness。”

IthennarratedthedetailsofmydeparturefromtheEarth，explainingthatmybodytherelayfullyclothedinallthe，toher，strangegarmentsofmundanedwellers。AtthispointSolareturnedwithourmeagerbelongingsandheryoungMartianprotege，who，ofcourse，wouldhavetosharethequarterswiththem。

Solaaskedusifwehadhadavisitorduringherabsence，andseemedmuchsurprisedwhenweansweredinthenegative。

Itseemedthatasshehadmountedtheapproachtotheupperfloorswhereourquarterswerelocated，shehadmetSarkojadescending。Wedecidedthatshemusthavebeeneavesdropping，butaswecouldrecallnothingofimportancethathadpassedbetweenuswedismissedthematterasoflittleconsequence，merelypromisingourselvestobewarnedtotheutmostcautioninthefuture。

DejahThorisandIthenfelltoexaminingthearchitectureanddecorationsofthebeautifulchambersofthebuildingwewereoccupying。Shetoldmethatthesepeoplehadpresumablyflourishedoverahundredthousandyearsbefore。

Theyweretheearlyprogenitorsofherrace，buthadmixedwiththeothergreatraceofearlyMartians，whowereverydark，almostblack，andalsowiththereddishyellowracewhichhadflourishedatthesametime。

ThesethreegreatdivisionsofthehigherMartianshadbeenforcedintoamightyallianceasthedryingupoftheMartianseashadcompelledthemtoseekthecomparativelyfewandalwaysdiminishingfertileareas，andtodefendthemselves，undernewconditionsoflife，againstthewildhordesofgreenmen。

Agesofcloserelationshipandintermarryinghadresultedintheraceofredmen，ofwhichDejahThoriswasafairandbeautifuldaughter。Duringtheagesofhardshipsandincessantwarringbetweentheirownvariousraces，aswellaswiththegreenmen，andbeforetheyhadfittedthemselvestothechangedconditions，muchofthehighcivilizationandmanyoftheartsofthefair-hairedMartianshadbecomelost；buttheredraceoftodayhasreachedapointwhereitfeelsthatithasmadeupinnewdiscoveriesandinamorepracticalcivilizationforallthatliesirretrievablyburiedwiththeancientBarsoomians，beneaththecountlessinterveningages。

TheseancientMartianshadbeenahighlycultivatedandliteraryrace，butduringthevicissitudesofthosetryingcenturiesofreadjustmenttonewconditions，notonlydidtheiradvancementandproductionceaseentirely，butpracticallyalltheirarchives，records，andliteraturewerelost。

DejahThorisrelatedmanyinterestingfactsandlegendsconcerningthislostraceofnobleandkindlypeople。ShesaidthatthecityinwhichwewerecampingwassupposedtohavebeenacenterofcommerceandcultureknownasKorad。Ithadbeenbuiltuponabeautiful，naturalharbor，landlockedbymagnificenthills。Thelittlevalleyonthewestfrontofthecity，sheexplained，wasallthatremainedoftheharbor，whilethepassthroughthehillstotheoldseabottomhadbeenthechannelthroughwhichtheshippingpasseduptothecity"sgates。

Theshoresoftheancientseasweredottedwithjustsuchcities，andlesserones，indiminishingnumbers，weretobefoundconvergingtowardthecenteroftheoceans，asthepeoplehadfounditnecessarytofollowtherecedingwatersuntilnecessityhadforceduponthemtheirultimatesalvation，theso-calledMartiancanals。

Wehadbeensoengrossedinexplorationofthebuildingandinourconversationthatitwaslateintheafternoonbeforewerealizedit。WewerebroughtbacktoarealizationofourpresentconditionsbyamessengerbearingasummonsfromLorquasPtomeldirectingmetoappearbeforehimforthwith。BiddingDejahThorisandSolafarewell，andcommandingWoolatoremainonguard，Ihastenedtotheaudiencechamber，whereIfoundLorquasPtomelandTarsTarkasseatedupontherostrum。

CHAPTERXII

APRISONERWITHPOWER

AsIenteredandsaluted，LorquasPtomelsignaledmetoadvance，and，fixinghisgreat，hideouseyesuponme，addressedmethus:

"Youhavebeenwithusafewdays，yetduringthattimeyouhavebyyourprowesswonahighpositionamongus。

Bethatasitmay，youarenotoneofus；youoweusnoallegiance。

"Yourpositionisapeculiarone，"hecontinued；"youareaprisonerandyetyougivecommandswhichmustbeobeyed；

youareanalienandyetyouareaTharkianchieftain；youareamidgetandyetyoucankillamightywarriorwithoneblowofyourfist。Andnowyouarereportedtohavebeenplottingtoescapewithanotherprisonerofanotherrace；aprisonerwho，fromherownadmission，halfbelievesyouarereturnedfromthevalleyofDor。Eitheroneoftheseaccusations，ifproved，wouldbesufficientgroundsforyourexecution，butweareajustpeopleandyoushallhaveatrialonourreturntoThark，ifTalHajussocommands。

"But，"hecontinued，inhisfiercegutturaltones，"ifyourunoffwiththeredgirlitisIwhoshallhavetoaccounttoTalHajus；itisIwhoshallhavetofaceTarsTarkas，andeitherdemonstratemyrighttocommand，orthemetalfrommydeadcarcasswillgotoabetterman，forsuchisthecustomoftheTharks。

"IhavenoquarrelwithTarsTarkas；togetherwerulesupremethegreatestofthelessercommunitiesamongthegreenmen；wedonotwishtofightbetweenourselves；andsoifyouweredead，JohnCarter，Ishouldbeglad。Undertwoconditionsonly，however，mayyoubekilledbyuswithoutordersfromTalHajus；inpersonalcombatinself-defense，shouldyouattackoneofus，orwereyouapprehendedinanattempttoescape。

"AsamatterofjusticeImustwarnyouthatweonlyawaitoneofthesetwoexcusesforriddingourselvesofsogreataresponsibility。ThesafedeliveryoftheredgirltoTalHajusisofthegreatestimportance。NotinathousandyearshavetheTharksmadesuchacapture；sheisthegranddaughterofthegreatestoftheredjeddaks，whoisalsoourbitterestenemy。Ihavespoken。Theredgirltoldusthatwewerewithoutthesoftersentimentsofhumanity，butweareajustandtruthfulrace。Youmaygo。”

Turning，Ilefttheaudiencechamber。SothiswasthebeginningofSarkoja"spersecution!IknewthatnoneothercouldberesponsibleforthisreportwhichhadreachedtheearsofLorquasPtomelsoquickly，andnowIrecalledthoseportionsofourconversationwhichhadtoucheduponescapeanduponmyorigin。

SarkojawasatthistimeTarsTarkas"oldestandmosttrustedfemale。Assuchshewasamightypowerbehindthethrone，fornowarriorhadtheconfidenceofLorquasPtomeltosuchanextentasdidhisablestlieutenant，TarsTarkas。

However，insteadofputtingthoughtsofpossibleescapefrommymind，myaudiencewithLorquasPtomelonlyservedtocentermyeveryfacultyonthissubject。Now，morethanbefore，theabsolutenecessityforescape，insofarasDejahThoriswasconcerned，wasimpresseduponme，forIwasconvincedthatsomehorriblefateawaitedherattheheadquartersofTalHajus。

AsdescribedbySola，thismonsterwastheexaggeratedpersonificationofalltheagesofcruelty，ferocity，andbrutalityfromwhichhehaddescended。Cold，cunning，calculating；hewas，also，inmarkedcontrasttomostofhisfellows，aslavetothatbrutepassionwhichthewaningdemandsforprocreationupontheirdyingplanethasalmoststilledintheMartianbreast。

ThethoughtthatthedivineDejahThorismightfallintotheclutchesofsuchanabysmalatavismstartedthecoldsweatuponme。Farbetterthatwesavefriendlybulletsforourselvesatthelastmoment，asdidthosebravefrontierwomenofmylostland，whotooktheirownlivesratherthanfallintothehandsoftheIndianbraves。

AsIwanderedabouttheplazalostinmygloomyforebodingsTarsTarkasapproachedmeonhiswayfromtheaudiencechamber。Hisdemeanortowardmewasunchanged，andhegreetedmeasthoughwehadnotjustpartedafewmomentsbefore。

"Whereareyourquarters，JohnCarter？"heasked。

"Ihaveselectednone，"Ireplied。"ItseemedbestthatI

quarteredeitherbymyselforamongtheotherwarriors，andIwasawaitinganopportunitytoaskyouradvice。Asyouknow，"andIsmiled，"IamnotyetfamiliarwithallthecustomsoftheTharks。”

"Comewithme，"hedirected，andtogetherwemovedoffacrosstheplazatoabuildingwhichIwasgladtoseeadjoinedthatoccupiedbySolaandhercharges。

"Myquartersareonthefirstfloorofthisbuilding，"hesaid，"andthesecondflooralsoisfullyoccupiedbywarriors，butthethirdfloorandthefloorsabovearevacant；youmaytakeyourchoiceofthese。

"Iunderstand，"hecontinued，"thatyouhavegivenupyourwomantotheredprisoner。Well，asyouhavesaid，yourwaysarenotourways，butyoucanfightwellenoughtodoaboutasyouplease，andso，ifyouwishtogiveyourwomantoacaptive，itisyourownaffair；butasachieftainyoushouldhavethosetoserveyou，andinaccordancewithourcustomsyoumayselectanyorallthefemalesfromtheretinuesofthechieftainswhosemetalyounowwear。”

Ithankedhim，butassuredhimthatIcouldgetalongverynicelywithoutassistanceexceptinthematterofpreparingfood，andsohepromisedtosendwomentomeforthispurposeandalsoforthecareofmyarmsandthemanufactureofmyammunition，whichhesaidwouldbenecessary。Isuggestedthattheymightalsobringsomeofthesleepingsilksandfurswhichbelongedtomeasspoilsofcombat，forthenightswerecoldandIhadnoneofmyown。

Hepromisedtodoso，anddeparted。Leftalone，Iascendedthewindingcorridortotheupperfloorsinsearchofsuitablequarters。Thebeautiesoftheotherbuildingswererepeatedinthis，and，asusual，Iwassoonlostinatourofinvestigationanddiscovery。

Ifinallychoseafrontroomonthethirdfloor，becausethisbroughtmenearertoDejahThoris，whoseapartmentwasonthesecondflooroftheadjoiningbuilding，anditflasheduponmethatIcouldrigupsomemeansofcommunicationwherebyshemightsignalmeincasesheneededeithermyservicesormyprotection。

Adjoiningmysleepingapartmentwerebaths，dressingrooms，andothersleepingandlivingapartments，inallsometenroomsonthisfloor。Thewindowsofthebackroomsoverlookedanenormouscourt，whichformedthecenterofthesquaremadebythebuildingswhichfacedthefourcontiguousstreets，andwhichwasnowgivenovertothequarteringofthevariousanimalsbelongingtothewarriorsoccupyingtheadjoiningbuildings。

Whilethecourtwasentirelyovergrownwiththeyellow，moss-likevegetationwhichblanketspracticallytheentiresurfaceofMars，yetnumerousfountains，statuary，benches，andpergola-likecontraptionsborewitnesstothebeautywhichthecourtmusthavepresentedinbygonetimes，whengracedbythefair-haired，laughingpeoplewhomsternandunalterablecosmiclawshaddrivennotonlyfromtheirhomes，butfromallexceptthevaguelegendsoftheirdescendants。

OnecouldeasilypicturethegorgeousfoliageoftheluxuriantMartianvegetationwhichoncefilledthisscenewithlifeandcolor；thegracefulfiguresofthebeautifulwomen，thestraightandhandsomemen；thehappyfrolickingchildren——

allsunlight，happinessandpeace。Itwasdifficulttorealizethattheyhadgone；downthroughagesofdarkness，cruelty，andignorance，untiltheirhereditaryinstinctsofcultureandhumanitarianismhadrisenascendantoncemoreinthefinalcompositeracewhichnowisdominantuponMars。

Mythoughtswerecutshortbytheadventofseveralyoungfemalesbearingloadsofweapons，silks，furs，jewels，cookingutensils，andcasksoffoodanddrink，includingconsiderablelootfromtheaircraft。Allthis，itseemed，hadbeenthepropertyofthetwochieftainsIhadslain，andnow，bythecustomsoftheTharks，ithadbecomemine。Atmydirectiontheyplacedthestuffinoneofthebackrooms，andthendeparted，onlytoreturnwithasecondload，whichtheyadvisedmeconstitutedthebalanceofmygoods。Onthesecondtriptheywereaccompaniedbytenorfifteenotherwomenandyouths，who，itseemed，formedtheretinuesofthetwochieftains。

Theywerenottheirfamilies，northeirwives，northeirservants；therelationshipwaspeculiar，andsounlikeanythingknowntousthatitismostdifficulttodescribe。

AllpropertyamongthegreenMartiansisownedincommonbythecommunity，exceptthepersonalweapons，ornamentsandsleepingsilksandfursoftheindividuals。Thesealonecanoneclaimundisputedrightto，normayheaccumulatemoreofthesethanarerequiredforhisactualneeds。Thesurplusheholdsmerelyascustodian，anditispassedontotheyoungermembersofthecommunityasnecessitydemands。

Thewomenandchildrenofaman"sretinuemaybelikenedtoamilitaryunitforwhichheisresponsibleinvariousways，asinmattersofinstruction，discipline，sustenance，andtheexigenciesoftheircontinualroamingsandtheirunendingstrifewithothercommunitiesandwiththeredMartians。

Hiswomenareinnosensewives。ThegreenMartiansusenowordcorrespondinginmeaningwiththisearthlyword。Theirmatingisamatterofcommunityinterestsolely，andisdirectedwithoutreferencetonaturalselection。ThecouncilofchieftainsofeachcommunitycontrolthematterassurelyastheownerofaKentuckyracingstuddirectsthescientificbreedingofhisstockfortheimprovementofthewhole。

Intheoryitmaysoundwell，asisoftenthecasewiththeories，buttheresultsofagesofthisunnaturalpractice，coupledwiththecommunityinterestintheoffspringbeingheldparamounttothatofthemother，isshowninthecold，cruelcreatures，andtheirgloomy，loveless，mirthlessexistence。

ItistruethatthegreenMartiansareabsolutelyvirtuous，bothmenandwomen，withtheexceptionofsuchdegeneratesasTalHajus；butbetterfarafinerbalanceofhumancharacteristicsevenattheexpenseofaslightandoccasionallossofchastity。

FindingthatImustassumeresponsibilityforthesecreatures，whetherIwouldornot，Imadethebestofitanddirectedthemtofindquartersontheupperfloors，leavingthethirdfloortome。OneofthegirlsIchargedwiththedutiesofmysimplecuisine，anddirectedtheotherstotakeupthevariousactivitieswhichhadformerlyconstitutedtheirvocations。ThereafterIsawlittleofthem，nordidIcareto。

CHAPTERXIII

LOVE-MAKINGONMARS

Followingthebattlewiththeairships，thecommunityremainedwithinthecityforseveraldays，abandoningthehomewardmarchuntiltheycouldfeelreasonablyassuredthattheshipswouldnotreturn；fortobecaughtontheopenplainswithacavalcadeofchariotsandchildrenwasfarfromthedesireofevensowarlikeapeopleasthegreenMartians。

Duringourperiodofinactivity，TarsTarkashadinstructedmeinmanyofthecustomsandartsofwarfamiliartotheTharks，includinglessonsinridingandguidingthegreatbeastswhichborethewarriors。Thesecreatures，whichareknownasthoats，areasdangerousandviciousastheirmasters，butwhenoncesubduedaresufficientlytractableforthepurposesofthegreenMartians。

TwooftheseanimalshadfallentomefromthewarriorswhosemetalIwore，andinashorttimeIcouldhandlethemquiteaswellasthenativewarriors。Themethodwasnotatallcomplicated。Ifthethoatsdidnotrespondwithsufficientceleritytothetelepathicinstructionsoftheirriderstheyweredealtaterrificblowbetweentheearswiththebuttofapistol，andiftheyshowedfightthistreatmentwascontinueduntilthebruteseitherweresubdued，orhadunseatedtheirriders。

Inthelattercaseitbecamealifeanddeathstrugglebetweenthemanandthebeast。Iftheformerwerequickenoughwithhispistolhemightlivetorideagain，thoughuponsomeotherbeast；ifnot，histornandmangledbodywasgatheredupbyhiswomenandburnedinaccordancewithTharkiancustom。

MyexperiencewithWooladeterminedmetoattempttheexperimentofkindnessinmytreatmentofmythoats。FirstI

taughtthemthattheycouldnotunseatme，andevenrappedthemsharplybetweentheearstoimpressuponthemmyauthorityandmastery。Then，bydegrees，IwontheirconfidenceinmuchthesamemannerasIhadadoptedcountlesstimeswithmymanymundanemounts。Iwaseveragoodhandwithanimals，andbyinclination，aswellasbecauseitbroughtmorelastingandsatisfactoryresults，Iwasalwayskindandhumaneinmydealingswiththelowerorders。

Icouldtakeahumanlife，ifnecessary，withfarlesscompunctionthanthatofapoor，unreasoning，irresponsiblebrute。

Inthecourseofafewdaysmythoatswerethewonderoftheentirecommunity。Theywouldfollowmelikedogs，rubbingtheirgreatsnoutsagainstmybodyinawkwardevidenceofaffection，andrespondtomyeverycommandwithanalacrityanddocilitywhichcausedtheMartianwarriorstoascribetomethepossessionofsomeearthlypowerunknownonMars。

"Howhaveyoubewitchedthem？"askedTarsTarkasoneafternoon，whenhehadseenmerunmyarmfarbetweenthegreatjawsofoneofmythoatswhichhadwedgedapieceofstonebetweentwoofhisteethwhilefeedinguponthemoss-likevegetationwithinourcourtyard。

"Bykindness，"Ireplied。"Yousee，TarsTarkas，thesoftersentimentshavetheirvalue，eventoawarrior。IntheheightofbattleaswellasuponthemarchIknowthatmythoatswillobeymyeverycommand，andthereforemyfightingefficiencyisenhanced，andIamabetterwarriorforthereasonthatIamakindmaster。Yourotherwarriorswouldfindittotheadvantageofthemselvesaswellasofthecommunitytoadoptmymethodsinthisrespect。Onlyafewdayssinceyou，yourself，toldmethatthesegreatbrutes，bytheuncertaintyoftheirtempers，oftenwerethemeansofturningvictoryintodefeat，since，atacrucialmoment，theymightelecttounseatandrendtheirriders。”

"Showmehowyouaccomplishtheseresults，"wasTarsTarkas"

onlyrejoinder。

AndsoIexplainedascarefullyasIcouldtheentiremethodoftrainingIhadadoptedwithmybeasts，andlaterhehadmerepeatitbeforeLorquasPtomelandtheassembledwarriors。Thatmomentmarkedthebeginningofanewexistenceforthepoorthoats，andbeforeIleftthecommunityofLorquasPtomelIhadthesatisfactionofobservingaregimentofastractableanddocilemountsasonemightcaretosee。TheeffectontheprecisionandcelerityofthemilitarymovementswassoremarkablethatLorquasPtomelpresentedmewithamassiveankletofgoldfromhisownleg，asasignofhisappreciationofmyservicetothehorde。

OntheseventhdayfollowingthebattlewiththeaircraftweagaintookupthemarchtowardThark，allprobabilityofanotherattackbeingdeemedremotebyLorquasPtomel。

DuringthedaysjustprecedingourdepartureIhadseenbutlittleofDejahThoris，asIhadbeenkeptverybusybyTarsTarkaswithmylessonsintheartofMartianwarfare，aswellasinthetrainingofmythoats。ThefewtimesIhadvisitedherquartersshehadbeenabsent，walkinguponthestreetswithSola，orinvestigatingthebuildingsinthenearvicinityoftheplaza。Ihadwarnedthemagainstventuringfarfromtheplazaforfearofthegreatwhiteapes，whoseferocityIwasonlytoowellacquaintedwith。However，sinceWoolaaccompaniedthemonalltheirexcursions，andasSolawaswellarmed，therewascomparativelylittlecauseforfear。

OntheeveningbeforeourdepartureIsawthemapproachingalongoneofthegreatavenueswhichleadintotheplazafromtheeast。Iadvancedtomeetthem，andtellingSolathatIwouldtaketheresponsibilityforDejahThoris"

safekeeping，Idirectedhertoreturntoherquartersonsometrivialerrand。IlikedandtrustedSola，butforsomereasonI

desiredtobealonewithDejahThoris，whorepresentedtomeallthatIhadleftbehinduponEarthinagreeableandcongenialcompanionship。Thereseemedbondsofmutualinterestbetweenusaspowerfulasthoughwehadbeenbornunderthesameroofratherthanupondifferentplanets，hurtlingthroughspacesomeforty-eightmillionmilesapart。

ThatshesharedmysentimentsinthisrespectIwaspositive，foronmyapproachthelookofpitifulhopelessnesslefthersweetcountenancetobereplacedbyasmileofjoyfulwelcome，assheplacedherlittlerighthanduponmyleftshoulderintrueredMartiansalute。

"SarkojatoldSolathatyouhadbecomeatrueThark，"shesaid，"andthatIwouldnowseenomoreofyouthanofanyoftheotherwarriors。”

"Sarkojaisaliarofthefirstmagnitude，"Ireplied，"notwithstandingtheproudclaimoftheTharkstoabsoluteverity。”

DejahThorislaughed。

"Iknewthateventhoughyoubecameamemberofthecommunityyouwouldnotceasetobemyfriend；"Awarriormaychangehismetal，butnothisheart，"asthesayingisuponBarsoom。”

"Ithinktheyhavebeentryingtokeepusapart，"shecontinued，"forwheneveryouhavebeenoffdutyoneoftheolderwomenofTarsTarkas"retinuehasalwaysarrangedtotrumpupsomeexcusetogetSolaandmeoutofsight。

Theyhavehadmedowninthepitsbelowthebuildingshelpingthemmixtheirawfulradiumpowder，andmaketheirterribleprojectiles。Youknowthatthesehavetobemanufacturedbyartificiallight，asexposuretosunlightalwaysresultsinanexplosion。Youhavenoticedthattheirbulletsexplodewhentheystrikeanobject？Well，theopaque，outercoatingisbrokenbytheimpact，exposingaglasscylinder，almostsolid，intheforwardendofwhichisaminuteparticleofradiumpowder。Themomentthesunlight，eventhoughdiffused，strikesthispowderitexplodeswithaviolencewhichnothingcanwithstand。Ifyoueverwitnessanightbattleyouwillnotetheabsenceoftheseexplosions，whilethemorningfollowingthebattlewillbefilledatsunrisewiththesharpdetonationsofexplodingmissilesfiredtheprecedingnight。Asarule，however，non-explodingprojectilesareusedatnight。”1

WhileIwasmuchinterestedinDejahThoris"explanationofthiswonderfuladjuncttoMartianwarfare，Iwasmoreconcernedbytheimmediateproblemoftheirtreatmentofher。Thattheywerekeepingherawayfrommewasnotamatterforsurprise，butthattheyshouldsubjecthertodangerousandarduouslaborfilledmewithrage。

"Havetheyeversubjectedyoutocrueltyandignominy，DejahThoris？"Iasked，feelingthehotbloodofmyfightingancestorsleapinmyveinsasIawaitedherreply。

"Onlyinlittleways，JohnCarter，"sheanswered。"Nothingthatcanharmmeoutsidemypride。TheyknowthatIamthedaughteroftenthousandjeddaks，thatItracemyancestrystraightbackwithoutabreaktothebuilderofthefirstgreatwaterway，andthey，whodonotevenknowtheirownmothers，arejealousofme。Athearttheyhatetheirhorridfates，andsowreaktheirpoorspiteonmewhostandforeverythingtheyhavenot，andforalltheymostcraveandnevercanattain。Letuspitythem，mychieftain，foreventhoughwedieattheirhandswecanaffordthempity，sincewearegreaterthantheyandtheyknowit。”

HadIknownthesignificanceofthosewords"mychieftain，"

asappliedbyaredMartianwomantoaman，Ishouldhavehadthesurpriseofmylife，butIdidnotknowatthattime，norformanymonthsthereafter。Yes，IstillhadmuchtolearnuponBarsoom。

"Ipresumeitisthebetterpartofwisdomthatwebowtoourfatewithasgoodgraceaspossible，DejahThoris；butI

hope，nevertheless，thatImaybepresentthenexttimethatanyMartian，green，red，pink，orviolet，hasthetemeritytoevensomuchasfrownonyou，myprincess。”

DejahThoriscaughtherbreathatmylastwords，andIhaveusedthewordradiumindescribingthispowderbecauseinthelightofrecentdiscoveriesonEarthIbelieveittobeamixtureofwhichradiumisthebase。InCaptainCarter"smanuscriptitismentionedalwaysbythenameusedinthewrittenlanguageofHeliumandisspelledinhieroglyphicswhichitwouldbedifficultanduselesstoreproduce。

gazeduponmewithdilatedeyesandquickeningbreath，andthen，withanoddlittlelaugh，whichbroughtroguishdimplestothecornersofhermouth，sheshookherheadandcried:

"Whatachild!Agreatwarriorandyetastumblinglittlechild。”

"WhathaveIdonenow？"Iasked，insoreperplexity。

"Somedayyoushallknow，JohnCarter，ifwelive；butImaynottellyou。AndI，thedaughterofMorsKajak，sonofTardosMors，havelistenedwithoutanger，"shesoliloquizedinconclusion。

Thenshebrokeoutagainintooneofhergay，happy，laughingmoods；

jokingwithmeonmyprowessasaTharkwarriorascontrastedwithmysoftheartandnaturalkindliness。

"Ipresumethatshouldyouaccidentallywoundanenemyyouwouldtakehimhomeandnursehimbacktohealth，"

shelaughed。

"ThatispreciselywhatwedoonEarth，"Ianswered。

"Atleastamongcivilizedmen。”

Thismadeherlaughagain。Shecouldnotunderstandit，for，withallhertendernessandwomanlysweetness，shewasstillaMartian，andtoaMartiantheonlygoodenemyisadeadenemy；foreverydeadfoemanmeanssomuchmoretodividebetweenthosewholive。

IwasverycurioustoknowwhatIhadsaidordonetocausehersomuchperturbationamomentbeforeandsoI

continuedtoimportunehertoenlightenme。

"No，"sheexclaimed，"itisenoughthatyouhavesaiditandthatIhavelistened。Andwhenyoulearn，JohnCarter，andifIbedead，aslikelyIshallbeerethefurthermoonhascircledBarsoomanothertwelvetimes，rememberthatIlistenedandthatI——smiled。”

ItwasallGreektome，butthemoreIbeggedhertoexplainthemorepositivebecameherdenialsofmyrequest，and，so，inveryhopelessness，Idesisted。

DayhadnowgivenawaytonightandaswewanderedalongthegreatavenuelightedbythetwomoonsofBarsoom，andwithEarthlookingdownuponusoutofherluminousgreeneye，itseemedthatwewerealoneintheuniverse，andI，atleast，wascontentthatitshouldbeso。

ThechilloftheMartiannightwasuponus，andremovingmysilksIthrewthemacrosstheshouldersofDejahThoris。AsmyarmrestedforaninstantuponherIfeltathrillpassthrougheveryfiberofmybeingsuchascontactwithnoothermortalhadevenproduced；anditseemedtomethatshehadleanedslightlytowardme，butofthatI

wasnotsure。OnlyIknewthatasmyarmrestedthereacrosshershoulderslongerthantheactofadjustingthesilkrequiredshedidnotdrawaway，nordidshespeak。

Andso，insilence，wewalkedthesurfaceofadyingworld，butinthebreastofoneofusatleasthadbeenbornthatwhichiseveroldest，yetevernew。

IlovedDejahThoris。ThetouchofmyarmuponhernakedshoulderhadspokentomeinwordsIwouldnotmistake，andIknewthatIhadlovedhersincethefirstmomentthatmyeyeshadmethersthatfirsttimeintheplazaofthedeadcityofKorad。

CHAPTERXIV

ADUELTOTHEDEATH

Myfirstimpulsewastotellherofmylove，andthenI

thoughtofthehelplessnessofherpositionwhereinIalonecouldlightentheburdensofhercaptivity，andprotectherinmypoorwayagainstthethousandsofhereditaryenemiesshemustfaceuponourarrivalatThark。Icouldnotchancecausingheradditionalpainorsorrowbydeclaringalovewhich，inallprobabilityshedidnotreturn。ShouldIbesoindiscreet，herpositionwouldbeevenmoreunbearablethannow，andthethoughtthatshemightfeelthatIwastakingadvantageofherhelplessness，toinfluenceherdecisionwasthefinalargumentwhichsealedmylips。

"Whyareyousoquiet，DejahThoris？"Iasked。"PossiblyyouwouldratherreturntoSolaandyourquarters。”

"No，"shemurmured，"Iamhappyhere。IdonotknowwhyitisthatIshouldalwaysbehappyandcontentedwhenyou，JohnCarter，astranger，arewithme；yetatsuchtimesitseemsthatIamsafeandthat，withyou，Ishallsoonreturntomyfather"scourtandfeelhisstrongarmsaboutmeandmymother"stearsandkissesonmycheek。”

"Dopeoplekiss，then，uponBarsoom？"Iasked，whenshehadexplainedthewordsheused，inanswertomyinquiryastoitsmeaning。

"Parents，brothers，andsisters，yes；and，"sheaddedinalow，thoughtfultone，"lovers。”

"Andyou，DejahThoris，haveparentsandbrothersandsisters？"

"Yes。”

"Anda——lover？"

Shewassilent，norcouldIventuretorepeatthequestion。

"ThemanofBarsoom，"shefinallyventured，"doesnotaskpersonalquestionsofwomen，excepthismother，andthewomanhehasfoughtforandwon。”

"ButIhavefought——"Istarted，andthenIwishedmytonguehadbeencutfrommymouth；forsheturnedevenasIcaughtmyselfandceased，anddrawingmysilksfromhershouldersheheldthemouttome，andwithoutaword，andwithheadheldhigh，shemovedwiththecarriageofthequeenshewastowardtheplazaandthedoorwayofherquarters。

Ididnotattempttofollowher，otherthantoseethatshereachedthebuildinginsafety，but，directingWoolatoaccompanyher，Iturneddisconsolatelyandenteredmyownhouse。

Isatforhourscross-legged，andcross-tempered，uponmysilksmeditatinguponthequeerfreakschanceplaysuponuspoordevilsofmortals。

Sothiswaslove!IhadescapeditforalltheyearsIhadroamedthefivecontinentsandtheirencirclingseas；inspiteofbeautifulwomenandurgingopportunity；inspiteofahalf-

desireforloveandaconstantsearchformyideal，ithadremainedformetofallfuriouslyandhopelesslyinlovewithacreaturefromanotherworld，ofaspeciessimilarpossibly，yetnotidenticalwithmine。Awomanwhowashatchedfromanegg，andwhosespanoflifemightcoverathousandyears；

whosepeoplehadstrangecustomsandideas；awomanwhosehopes，whosepleasures，whosestandardsofvirtueandofrightandwrongmightvaryasgreatlyfrommineasdidthoseofthegreenMartians。

Yes，Iwasafool，butIwasinlove，andthoughIwassufferingthegreatestmiseryIhadeverknownIwouldnothavehaditotherwiseforalltherichesofBarsoom。Suchislove，andsuchareloverswhereverloveisknown。