第5章

Tome，DejahThoriswasallthatwasperfect；allthatwasvirtuousandbeautifulandnobleandgood。Ibelievedthatfromthebottomofmyheart，fromthedepthofmysoulonthatnightinKoradasIsatcross-leggeduponmysilkswhilethenearermoonofBarsoomracedthroughthewesternskytowardthehorizon，andlightedupthegoldandmarble，andjeweledmosaicsofmyworld-oldchamber，andIbelieveittodayasIsitatmydeskinthelittlestudyoverlookingtheHudson。Twentyyearshaveintervened；fortenofthemI

livedandfoughtforDejahThorisandherpeople，andfortenIhaveliveduponhermemory。

ThemorningofourdepartureforTharkdawnedclearandhot，asdoallMartianmorningsexceptforthesixweekswhenthesnowmeltsatthepoles。

IsoughtoutDejahThorisinthethrongofdepartingchariots，butsheturnedhershouldertome，andIcouldseetheredbloodmounttohercheek。WiththefoolishinconsistencyofloveIheldmypeacewhenImighthavepleadignoranceofthenatureofmyoffense，oratleastthegravityofit，andsohaveeffected，atworst，ahalfconciliation。

MydutydictatedthatImustseethatshewascomfortable，andsoIglancedintoherchariotandrearrangedhersilksandfurs。IndoingsoInotedwithhorrorthatshewasheavilychainedbyoneankletothesideofthevehicle。

"Whatdoesthismean？"Icried，turningtoSola。

"Sarkojathoughtitbest，"sheanswered，herfacebetokeningherdisapprovaloftheprocedure。

ExaminingthemanaclesIsawthattheyfastenedwithamassivespringlock。

"Whereisthekey，Sola？Letmehaveit。”

"Sarkojawearsit，JohnCarter，"sheanswered。

IturnedwithoutfurtherwordandsoughtoutTarsTarkas，towhomIvehementlyobjectedtotheunnecessaryhumiliationsandcruelties，astheyseemedtomylover"seyes，thatwerebeingheapeduponDejahThoris。

"JohnCarter，"heanswered，"ifeveryouandDejahThorisescapetheTharksitwillbeuponthisjourney。Weknowthatyouwillnotgowithouther。Youhaveshownyourselfamightyfighter，andwedonotwishtomanacleyou，soweholdyoubothintheeasiestwaythatwillyetensuresecurity。

Ihavespoken。”

Isawthestrengthofhisreasoningataflash，andknewthatitwerefutiletoappealfromhisdecision，butIaskedthatthekeybetakenfromSarkojaandthatshebedirectedtoleavetheprisoneraloneinfuture。

"Thismuch，TarsTarkas，youmaydoformeinreturnforthefriendshipthat，Imustconfess，Ifeelforyou。”

"Friendship？"hereplied。"Thereisnosuchthing，JohnCarter；buthaveyourwill。IshalldirectthatSarkojaceasetoannoythegirl，andImyselfwilltakethecustodyofthekey。”

"Unlessyouwishmetoassumetheresponsibility，"Isaid，smiling。

Helookedatmelongandearnestlybeforehespoke。

"WereyoutogivemeyourwordthatneitheryounorDejahThoriswouldattempttoescapeuntilafterwehavesafelyreachedthecourtofTalHajusyoumighthavethekeyandthrowthechainsintotheriverIss。”

"Itwerebetterthatyouheldthekey，TarsTarkas，"IrepliedHesmiled，andsaidnomore，butthatnightasweweremakingcampIsawhimunfastenDejahThoris"fettershimself。

WithallhiscruelferocityandcoldnesstherewasanundercurrentofsomethinginTarsTarkaswhichheseemedeverbattlingtosubdue。Coulditbeavestigeofsomehumaninstinctcomebackfromanancientforbeartohaunthimwiththehorrorofhispeople"sways!

AsIwasapproachingDejahThoris"chariotIpassedSarkoja，andtheblack，venomouslooksheaccordedmewasthesweetestbalmIhadfeltformanyhours。Lord，howshehatedme!

Itbristledfromhersopalpablythatonemightalmosthavecutitwithasword。

AfewmomentslaterIsawherdeepinconversationwithawarriornamedZad；abig，hulking，powerfulbrute，butonewhohadnevermadeakillamonghisownchieftains，andasecondnameonlywiththemetalofsomechieftain。ItwasthiscustomwhichentitledmetothenamesofeitherofthechieftainsIhadkilled；infact，someofthewarriorsaddressedmeasDotarSojat，acombinationofthesurnamesofthetwowarriorchieftainswhosemetalIhadtaken，or，inotherwords，whomIhadslaininfairfight。

AsSarkojatalkedwithZadhecastoccasionalglancesinmydirection，whilesheseemedtobeurginghimverystronglytosomeaction。Ipaidlittleattentiontoitatthetime，butthenextdayIhadgoodreasontorecallthecircumstances，andatthesametimegainaslightinsightintothedepthsofSarkoja"shatredandthelengthstowhichshewascapableofgoingtowreakherhorridvengeanceonme。

DejahThoriswouldhavenoneofmeagainonthisevening，andthoughIspokehernamesheneitherreplied，norconcededbysomuchastheflutterofaneyelidthatsherealizedmyexistence。InmyextremityIdidwhatmostotherloverswouldhavedone；Isoughtwordfromherthroughanintimate。

InthisinstanceitwasSolawhomIinterceptedinanotherpartofcamp。

"WhatisthematterwithDejahThoris？"Iblurtedoutather。

"Whywillshenotspeaktome？"

Solaseemedpuzzledherself，asthoughsuchstrangeactionsonthepartoftwohumanswerequitebeyondher，asindeedtheywere，poorchild。

"Shesaysyouhaveangeredher，andthatisallshewillsay，exceptthatsheisthedaughterofajedandthegrand-

daughterofajeddakandshehasbeenhumiliatedbyacreaturewhocouldnotpolishtheteethofhergrandmother"ssorak。”

Iponderedoverthisreportforsometime，finallyasking，"Whatmightasorakbe，Sola？"

"Alittleanimalaboutasbigasmyhand，whichtheredMartianwomenkeeptoplaywith，"explainedSola。

Notfittopolishtheteethofhergrandmother"scat!ImustrankprettylowintheconsiderationofDejahThoris，I

thought；butIcouldnothelplaughingatthestrangefigureofspeech，sohomelyandinthisrespectsoearthly。Itmademehomesick，foritsoundedverymuchlike"notfittopolishhershoes。”Andthencommencedatrainofthoughtquitenewtome。Ibegantowonderwhatmypeopleathomeweredoing。

Ihadnotseenthemforyears。TherewasafamilyofCartersinVirginiawhoclaimedcloserelationshipwithme；

Iwassupposedtobeagreatuncle，orsomethingofthekindequallyfoolish。Icouldpassanywherefortwenty-fivetothirtyyearsofage，andtobeagreatunclealwaysseemedtheheightofincongruity，formythoughtsandfeelingswerethoseofaboy。TherewastwolittlekiddiesintheCarterfamilywhomIhadlovedandwhohadthoughttherewasnooneonEarthlikeUncleJack；Icouldseethemjustasplainly，asIstoodthereunderthemoonlitskiesofBarsoom，andIlongedforthemasIhadneverlongedforanymortalsbefore。Bynatureawanderer，Ihadneverknownthetruemeaningofthewordhome，butthegreathalloftheCartershadalwaysstoodforallthattheworddidmeantome，andnowmyheartturnedtowarditfromthecoldandunfriendlypeoplesIhadbeenthrownamongst。FordidnotevenDejahThorisdespiseme!Iwasalowcreature，solowinfactthatIwasnotevenfittopolishtheteethofhergrandmother"scat；andthenmysavingsenseofhumorcametomyrescue，andlaughingIturnedintomysilksandfursandsleptuponthemoon-hauntedgroundthesleepofatiredandhealthyfightingman。

Webrokecampthenextdayatanearlyhourandmarchedwithonlyasinglehaltuntiljustbeforedark。Twoincidentsbrokethetediousnessofthemarch。Aboutnoonweespiedfartoourrightwhatwasevidentlyanincubator，andLorquasPtomeldirectedTarsTarkastoinvestigateit。Thelattertookadozenwarriors，includingmyself，andweracedacrossthevelvetycarpetingofmosstothelittleenclosure。

Itwasindeedanincubator，buttheeggswereverysmallincomparisonwiththoseIhadseenhatchinginoursatthetimeofmyarrivalonMars。

TarsTarkasdismountedandexaminedtheenclosureminutely，finallyannouncingthatitbelongedtothegreenmenofWarhoonandthatthecementwasscarcelydrywhereithadbeenwalledup。

"Theycannotbeaday"smarchaheadofus，"heexclaimed，thelightofbattleleapingtohisfierceface。

Theworkattheincubatorwasshortindeed。Thewarriorstoreopentheentranceandacoupleofthem，crawlingin，soondemolishedalltheeggswiththeirshort-swords。

Thenremountingwedashedbacktojointhecavalcade。

DuringtherideItookoccasiontoaskTarsTarkasiftheseWarhoonswhoseeggswehaddestroyedwereasmallerpeoplethanhisTharks。

"InoticedthattheireggsweresomuchsmallerthanthoseIsawhatchinginyourincubator，"Iadded。

Heexplainedthattheeggshadjustbeenplacedthere；but，likeallgreenMartianeggs，theywouldgrowduringthefive-yearperiodofincubationuntiltheyobtainedthesizeofthoseIhadseenhatchingonthedayofmyarrivalonBarsoom。

Thiswasindeedaninterestingpieceofinformation，forithadalwaysseemedremarkabletomethatthegreenMartianwomen，largeastheywere，couldbringforthsuchenormouseggsasIhadseenthefour-footinfantsemergingfrom。Asamatteroffact，thenew-laideggisbutlittlelargerthananordinarygooseegg，andasitdoesnotcommencetogrowuntilsubjectedtothelightofthesunthechieftainshavelittledifficultyintransportingseveralhundredsofthematonetimefromthestoragevaultstotheincubators。

ShortlyaftertheincidentoftheWarhooneggswehaltedtoresttheanimals，anditwasduringthishaltthatthesecondoftheday"sinterestingepisodesoccurred。Iwasengagedinchangingmyridingclothsfromoneofmythoatstotheother，forIdividedtheday"sworkbetweenthem，whenZadapproachedme，andwithoutawordstruckmyanimalaterrificblowwithhislong-sword。

IdidnotneedamanualofgreenMartianetiquettetoknowwhatreplytomake，for，infact，IwassowildwithangerthatIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromdrawingmypistolandshootinghimdownforthebrutehewas；buthestoodwaitingwithdrawnlong-sword，andmyonlychoicewastodrawmyownandmeethiminfairfightwithhischoiceofweaponsoralesserone。

Thislatteralternativeisalwayspermissible，thereforeI

couldhaveusedmyshort-sword，mydagger，myhatchet，ormyfistshadIwished，andbeenentirelywithinmyrights，butIcouldnotusefirearmsoraspearwhileheheldonlyhislong-sword。

IchosethesameweaponhehaddrawnbecauseIknewhepridedhimselfuponhisabilitywithit，andIwished，ifI

worstedhimatall，todoitwithhisownweapon。Thefightthatfollowedwasalongoneanddelayedtheresumptionofthemarchforanhour。Theentirecommunitysurroundedus，leavingaclearspaceaboutonehundredfeetindiameterforourbattle。

Zadfirstattemptedtorushmedownasabullmightawolf，butIwasmuchtooquickforhim，andeachtimeI

side-steppedhisrusheshewouldgolungingpastme，onlytoreceiveanickfrommysworduponhisarmorback。Hewassoonstreamingbloodfromahalfdozenminorwounds，butIcouldnotobtainanopeningtodeliveraneffectivethrust。Thenhechangedhistactics，andfightingwarilyandwithextremedexterity，hetriedtodobysciencewhathewasunabletodobybrutestrength。Imustadmitthathewasamagnificentswordsman，andhaditnotbeenformygreaterenduranceandtheremarkableagilitythelessergravitationofMarslentmeImightnothavebeenabletoputupthecreditablefightIdidagainsthim。

Wecircledforsometimewithoutdoingmuchdamageoneitherside；thelong，straight，needle-likeswordsflashinginthesunlight，andringingoutuponthestillnessastheycrashedtogetherwitheacheffectiveparry。FinallyZad，realizingthathewastiringmorethanI，evidentlydecidedtocloseinandendthebattleinafinalblazeofgloryforhimself；

justasherushedmeablindingflashoflightstruckfullinmyeyes，sothatIcouldnotseehisapproachandcouldonlyleapblindlytoonesideinanefforttoescapethemightybladethatitseemedIcouldalreadyfeelinmyvitals。

Iwasonlypartiallysuccessful，asasharppaininmyleftshoulderattested，butinthesweepofmyglanceasIsoughttoagainlocatemyadversary，asightmetmyastonishedgazewhichpaidmewellforthewoundthetemporaryblindnesshadcausedme。There，uponDejahThoris"chariotstoodthreefigures，forthepurposeevidentlyofwitnessingtheencounterabovetheheadsoftheinterveningTharks。

TherewereDejahThoris，Sola，andSarkoja，andasmyfleetingglancesweptoverthemalittletableauwaspresentedwhichwillstandgraveninmymemorytothedayofmydeath。

AsIlooked，DejahThoristurneduponSarkojawiththefuryofayoungtigressandstrucksomethingfromherupraisedhand；somethingwhichflashedinthesunlightasitspuntotheground。ThenIknewwhathadblindedmeatthatcrucialmomentofthefight，andhowSarkojahadfoundawaytokillmewithoutherselfdeliveringthefinalthrust。

AnotherthingIsaw，too，whichalmostlostmylifeformethenandthere，forittookmymindforthefractionofaninstantentirelyfrommyantagonist；for，asDejahThorisstruckthetinymirrorfromherhand，Sarkoja，herfacelividwithhatredandbaffledrage，whippedoutherdaggerandaimedaterrificblowatDejahThoris；andthenSola，ourdearandfaithfulSola，sprangbetweenthem；thelastIsawwasthegreatknifedescendinguponhershieldingbreast。

Myenemyhadrecoveredfromhisthrustandwasmakingitextremelyinterestingforme，soIreluctantlygavemyattentiontotheworkinhand，butmymindwasnotuponthebattle。

Werushedeachotherfuriouslytimeaftertime，"tilsuddenly，feelingthesharppointofhisswordatmybreastinathrustIcouldneitherparrynorescape，Ithrewmyselfuponhimwithoutstretchedswordandwithalltheweightofmybody，determinedthatIwouldnotdiealoneifIcouldpreventit。Ifeltthesteeltearintomychest，allwentblackbeforeme，myheadwhirledindizziness，andIfeltmykneesgivingbeneathme。

CHAPTERXV

SOLATELLSMEHERSTORY

Whenconsciousnessreturned，and，asIsoonlearned，Iwasdownbutamoment，Isprangquicklytomyfeetsearchingformysword，andthereIfoundit，buriedtothehiltinthegreenbreastofZad，wholaystonedeadupontheochremossoftheancientseabottom。AsIregainedmyfullsensesIfoundhisweaponpiercingmyleftbreast，butonlythroughthefleshandmuscleswhichcovermyribs，enteringnearthecenterofmychestandcomingoutbelowtheshoulder。

AsIhadlungedIhadturnedsothathisswordmerelypassedbeneaththemuscles，inflictingapainfulbutnotdangerouswound。

RemovingthebladefrommybodyIalsoregainedmyown，andturningmybackuponhisuglycarcass，Imoved，sick，sore，anddisgusted，towardthechariotswhichboremyretinueandmybelongings。AmurmurofMartianapplausegreetedme，butIcarednotforit。

BleedingandweakIreachedmywomen，who，accustomedtosuchhappenings，dressedmywounds，applyingthewonderfulhealingandremedialagentswhichmakeonlythemostinstantaneousofdeathblowsfatal。GiveaMartianwomanachanceanddeathmusttakeabackseat。Theysoonhadmepatchedupsothat，exceptforweaknessfromlossofbloodandalittlesorenessaroundthewound，Isufferednogreatdistressfromthisthrustwhich，underearthlytreatment，undoubtedlywouldhaveputmeflatonmybackfordays。

AssoonastheywerethroughwithmeIhastenedtothechariotofDejahThoris，whereIfoundmypoorSolawithherchestswathedinbandages，butapparentlylittletheworseforherencounterwithSarkoja，whosedaggeritseemedhadstrucktheedgeofoneofSola"smetalbreastornamentsand，thusdeflected，hadinflictedbutaslightfleshwound。

AsIapproachedIfoundDejahThorislyingproneuponhersilksandfurs，herlitheformwrackedwithsobs。Shedidnotnoticemypresence，nordidshehearmespeakingwithSola，whowasstandingashortdistancefromthevehicle。

"Issheinjured？"IaskedofSola，indicatingDejahThorisbyaninclinationofmyhead。

"No，"sheanswered，"shethinksthatyouaredead。”

"Andthathergrandmother"scatmaynowhavenoonetopolishitsteeth？"Iqueried，smiling。

"Ithinkyouwrongher，JohnCarter，"saidSola。"Idonotunderstandeitherherwaysoryours，butIamsurethegranddaughteroftenthousandjeddakswouldnevergrievelikethisoveranywhoheldbutthehighestclaimuponheraffections。Theyareaproudrace，buttheyarejust，asareallBarsoomians，andyoumusthavehurtorwrongedhergrievouslythatshewillnotadmityourexistenceliving，thoughshemournsyoudead。

"TearsareastrangesightuponBarsoom，"shecontinued，"andsoitisdifficultformetointerpretthem。Ihaveseenbuttwopeopleweepinallmylife，otherthanDejahThoris；

oneweptfromsorrow，theotherfrombaffledrage。Thefirstwasmymother，yearsagobeforetheykilledher；theotherwasSarkoja，whentheydraggedherfrommetoday。”

"Yourmother!"Iexclaimed，"but，Sola，youcouldnothaveknownyourmother，child。”

"ButIdid。Andmyfatheralso，"sheadded。"Ifyouwouldliketohearthestrangeandun-Barsoomianstorycometothechariottonight，JohnCarter，andIwilltellyouthatofwhichIhaveneverspokeninallmylifebefore。Andnowthesignalhasbeengiventoresumethemarch，youmustgo。”

"Iwillcometonight，Sola，"Ipromised。"BesuretotellDejahThorisIamaliveandwell。Ishallnotforcemyselfuponher，andbesurethatyoudonotletherknowIsawhertears。

IfshewouldspeakwithmeIbutawaithercommand。

Solamountedthechariot，whichwasswingingintoitsplaceinline，andIhastenedtomywaitingthoatandgallopedtomystationbesideTarsTarkasattherearofthecolumn。

Wemadeamostimposingandawe-inspiringspectacleaswestrungoutacrosstheyellowlandscape；thetwohundredandfiftyornateandbrightlycoloredchariots，precededbyanadvanceguardofsometwohundredmountedwarriorsandchieftainsridingfiveabreastandonehundredyardsapart，andfollowedbyalikenumberinthesameformation，withascoreormoreofflankersoneitherside；thefiftyextramastodons，orheavydraughtanimals，knownaszitidars，andthefiveorsixhundredextrathoatsofthewarriorsrunningloosewithinthehollowsquareformedbythesurroundingwarriors。Thegleamingmetalandjewelsofthegorgeousornamentsofthemenandwomen，duplicatedinthetrappingsofthezitidarsandthoats，andinterspersedwiththeflashingcolorsofmagnificentsilksandfursandfeathers，lentabarbaricsplendortothecaravanwhichwouldhaveturnedanEastIndianpotentategreenwithenvy。

Theenormousbroadtiresofthechariotsandthepaddedfeetoftheanimalsbroughtforthnosoundfromthemoss-

coveredseabottom；andsowemovedinuttersilence，likesomehugephantasmagoria，exceptwhenthestillnesswasbrokenbythegutturalgrowlingofagoadedzitidar，orthesquealingoffightingthoats。ThegreenMartiansconversebutlittle，andthenusuallyinmonosyllables，lowandlikethefaintrumblingofdistantthunder。

Wetraversedatracklesswasteofmosswhich，bendingtothepressureofbroadtireorpaddedfoot，roseupagainbehindus，leavingnosignthatwehadpassed。Wemightindeedhavebeenthewraithsofthedeparteddeaduponthedeadseaofthatdyingplanetforallthesoundorsignwemadeinpassing。ItwasthefirstmarchofalargebodyofmenandanimalsIhadeverwitnessedwhichraisednodustandleftnospoor；forthereisnodustuponMarsexceptinthecultivateddistrictsduringthewintermonths，andeventhentheabsenceofhighwindsrendersitalmostunnoticeable。

Wecampedthatnightatthefootofthehillswehadbeenapproachingfortwodaysandwhichmarkedthesouthernboundaryofthisparticularsea。Ouranimalshadbeentwodayswithoutdrink，norhadtheyhadwaterfornearlytwomonths，notsinceshortlyafterleavingThark；but，asTarsTarkasexplainedtome，theyrequirebutlittleandcanlivealmostindefinitelyuponthemosswhichcoversBarsoom，andwhich，hetoldme，holdsinitstinystemssufficientmoisturetomeetthelimiteddemandsoftheanimals。

Afterpartakingofmyeveningmealofcheese-likefoodandvegetablemilkIsoughtoutSola，whomIfoundworkingbythelightofatorchuponsomeofTarsTarkas"trappings。

Shelookedupatmyapproach，herfacelightingwithpleasureandwithwelcome。

"Iamgladyoucame，"shesaid；"DejahThorissleepsandIamlonely。Mineownpeopledonotcareforme，JohnCarter；

Iamtoounlikethem。Itisasadfate，sinceImustlivemylifeamongstthem，andIoftenwishthatIwereatruegreenMartianwoman，withoutloveandwithouthope；butI

haveknownloveandsoIamlost。

"Ipromisedtotellyoumystory，orratherthestoryofmyparents。FromwhatIhavelearnedofyouandthewaysofyourpeopleIamsurethatthetalewillnotseemstrangetoyou，butamonggreenMartiansithasnoparallelwithinthememoryoftheoldestlivingThark，nordoourlegendsholdmanysimilartales。

"Mymotherwasrathersmall，infacttoosmalltobeallowedtheresponsibilitiesofmaternity，asourchieftainsbreedprincipallyforsize。ShewasalsolesscoldandcruelthanmostgreenMartianwomen，andcaringlittlefortheirsociety，sheoftenroamedthedesertedavenuesofTharkalone，orwentandsatamongthewildflowersthatdeckthenearbyhills，thinkingthoughtsandwishingwisheswhichIbelieveIaloneamongTharkianwomentodaymayunderstand，foramInotthechildofmymother？

"Andthereamongthehillsshemetayoungwarrior，whosedutyitwastoguardthefeedingzitidarsandthoatsandseethattheyroamednotbeyondthehills。TheyspokeatfirstonlyofsuchthingsasinterestacommunityofTharks，butgradually，astheycametomeetmoreoften，and，aswasnowquiteevidenttoboth，nolongerbychance，theytalkedaboutthemselves，theirlikes，theirambitionsandtheirhopes。

Shetrustedhimandtoldhimoftheawfulrepugnanceshefeltforthecrueltiesoftheirkind，forthehideous，lovelesslivestheymusteverlead，andthenshewaitedforthestormofdenunciationtobreakfromhiscold，hardlips；butinsteadhetookherinhisarmsandkissedher。

"Theykepttheirloveasecretforsixlongyears。She，mymother，wasoftheretinueofthegreatTalHajus，whileherloverwasasimplewarrior，wearingonlyhisownmetal。

HadtheirdefectionfromthetraditionsoftheTharksbeendiscoveredbothwouldhavepaidthepenaltyinthegreatarenabeforeTalHajusandtheassembledhordes。

"TheeggfromwhichIcamewashiddenbeneathagreatglassvesseluponthehighestandmostinaccessibleofthepartiallyruinedtowersofancientThark。Onceeachyearmymothervisiteditforthefivelongyearsitlaythereintheprocessofincubation。Shedarednotcomeoftener，forinthemightyguiltofherconscienceshefearedthathereverymovewaswatched。Duringthisperiodmyfathergainedgreatdistinctionasawarriorandhadtakenthemetalfromseveralchieftains。Hisloveformymotherhadneverdiminished，andhisownambitioninlifewastoreachapointwherehemightwrestthemetalfromTalHajushimself，andthus，asruleroftheTharks，befreetoclaimherashisown，aswellas，bythemightofhispower，protectthechildwhichotherwisewouldbequicklydispatchedshouldthetruthbecomeknown。

"Itwasawilddream，thatofwrestingthemetalfromTalHajusinfiveshortyears，buthisadvancewasrapid，andhesoonstoodhighinthecouncilsofThark。Butonedaythechancewaslostforever，insofarasitcouldcomeintimetosavehislovedones，forhewasorderedawayuponalongexpeditiontotheice-cladsouth，tomakewaruponthenativesthereanddespoilthemoftheirfurs，forsuchisthemannerofthegreenBarsoomian；hedoesnotlaborforwhathecanwrestinbattlefromothers。

"Hewasgoneforfouryears，andwhenhereturnedallhadbeenoverforthree；foraboutayearafterhisdeparture，andshortlybeforethetimeforthereturnofanexpeditionwhichhadgoneforthtofetchthefruitsofacommunityincubator，theegghadhatched。Thereaftermymothercontinuedtokeepmeintheoldtower，visitingmenightlyandlavishinguponmethelovethecommunitylifewouldhaverobbedusbothof。Shehoped，uponthereturnoftheexpeditionfromtheincubator，tomixmewiththeotheryoungassignedtothequartersofTalHajus，andthusescapethefatewhichwouldsurelyfollowdiscoveryofhersinagainsttheancienttraditionsofthegreenmen。

"Shetaughtmerapidlythelanguageandcustomsofmykind，andonenightshetoldmethestoryIhavetoldtoyouuptothispoint，impressinguponmethenecessityforabsolutesecrecyandthegreatcautionImustexerciseaftershehadplacedmewiththeotheryoungTharkstopermitnoonetoguessthatIwasfurtheradvancedineducationthanthey，norbyanysigntodivulgeinthepresenceofothersmyaffectionforher，ormyknowledgeofmyparentage；andthendrawingmeclosetohershewhisperedinmyearthenameofmyfather。

"Andthenalightflashedoutuponthedarknessofthetowerchamber，andtherestoodSarkoja，hergleaming，balefuleyesfixedinafrenzyofloathingandcontemptuponmymother。Thetorrentofhatredandabuseshepouredoutuponherturnedmyyoungheartcoldinterror。

Thatshehadheardtheentirestorywasapparent，andthatshehadsuspectedsomethingwrongfrommymother"slongnightlyabsencesfromherquartersaccountedforherpresencethereonthatfatefulnight。

"Onethingshehadnotheard，nordidsheknow，thewhisperednameofmyfather。Thiswasapparentfromherrepeateddemandsuponmymothertodisclosethenameofherpartnerinsin，butnoamountofabuseorthreatscouldwringthisfromher，andtosavemefromneedlesstortureshelied，forshetoldSarkojathatshealoneknewnorwouldsheeventellherchild。

"Withfinalimprecations，SarkojahastenedawaytoTalHajustoreportherdiscovery，andwhileshewasgonemymother，wrappingmeinthesilksandfursofhernightcoverings，sothatIwasscarcelynoticeable，descendedtothestreetsandranwildlyawaytowardtheoutskirtsofthecity，inthedirectionwhichledtothefarsouth，outtowardthemanwhoseprotectionshemightnotclaim，butonwhosefaceshewishedtolookoncemorebeforeshedied。

"Aswenearedthecity"ssouthernextremityasoundcametousfromacrossthemossyflat，fromthedirectionoftheonlypassthroughthehillswhichledtothegates，thepassbywhichcaravansfromeithernorthorsouthoreastorwestwouldenterthecity。Thesoundsweheardwerethesquealingofthoatsandthegrumblingofzitidars，withtheoccasionalclankofarmswhichannouncedtheapproachofabodyofwarriors。Thethoughtuppermostinhermindwasthatitwasmyfatherreturnedfromhisexpedition，butthecunningoftheTharkheldherfromheadlongandprecipitateflighttogreethim。

"Retreatingintotheshadowsofadoorwaysheawaitedthecomingofthecavalcadewhichshortlyenteredtheavenue，breakingitsformationandthrongingthethoroughfarefromwalltowall。Astheheadoftheprocessionpassedusthelessermoonswungclearoftheoverhangingroofsandlitupthescenewithallthebrilliancyofherwondrouslight。

Mymothershrankfurtherbackintothefriendlyshadows，andfromherhidingplacesawthattheexpeditionwasnotthatofmyfather，butthereturningcaravanbearingtheyoungTharks。Instantlyherplanwasformed，andasagreatchariotswungclosetoourhidingplacesheslippedstealthilyinuponthetrailingtailboard，crouchinglowintheshadowofthehighside，strainingmetoherbosominafrenzyoflove。

"Sheknew，whatIdidnot，thatneveragainafterthatnightwouldsheholdmetoherbreast，norwasitlikelywewouldeverlookuponeachother"sfaceagain。Intheconfusionoftheplazashemixedmewiththeotherchildren，whoseguardiansduringthejourneywerenowfreetorelinquishtheirresponsibility。Wewereherdedtogetherintoagreatroom，fedbywomenwhohadnotaccompaniedtheexpedition，andthenextdaywewereparceledoutamongtheretinuesofthechieftains。

"Ineversawmymotherafterthatnight。ShewasimprisonedbyTalHajus，andeveryeffort，includingthemosthorribleandshamefultorture，wasbroughttobearuponhertowringfromherlipsthenameofmyfather；butsheremainedsteadfastandloyal，dyingatlastamidstthelaughterofTalHajusandhischieftainsduringsomeawfultortureshewasundergoing。

"Ilearnedafterwardsthatshetoldthemthatshehadkilledmetosavemefromalikefateattheirhands，andthatshehadthrownmybodytothewhiteapes。Sarkojaalonedisbelievedher，andIfeeltothisdaythatshesuspectsmytrueorigin，butdoesnotdareexposeme，atthepresent，atallevents，becauseshealsoguesses，Iamsure，theidentityofmyfather。

"Whenhereturnedfromhisexpeditionandlearnedthestoryofmymother"sfateIwaspresentasTalHajustoldhim；

butneverbythequiverofamuscledidhebetraytheslightestemotion；onlyhedidnotlaughasTalHajusgleefullydescribedherdeathstruggles。Fromthatmomentonhewasthecruelestofthecruel，andIamawaitingthedaywhenheshallwinthegoalofhisambition，andfeelthecarcassofTalHajusbeneathhisfoot，forIamassurethathebutwaitstheopportunitytowreakaterriblevengeance，andthathisgreatloveisasstronginhisbreastaswhenitfirsttransfiguredhimnearlyfortyyearsago，asIamthatwesithereupontheedgeofaworld-oldoceanwhilesensiblepeoplesleep，JohnCarter。”

"Andyourfather，Sola，ishewithusnow？"Iasked。

"Yes，"shereplied，"buthedoesnotknowmeforwhatI

am，nordoesheknowwhobetrayedmymothertoTalHajus。

Ialoneknowmyfather"sname，andonlyIandTalHajusandSarkojaknowthatitwasshewhocarriedthetalethatbroughtdeathandtortureuponherheloved。”

Wesatsilentforafewmoments，shewrappedinthegloomythoughtsofherterriblepast，andIinpityforthepoorcreatureswhomtheheartless，senselesscustomsoftheirracehaddoomedtolovelesslivesofcrueltyandofhate。

Presentlyshespoke。

"JohnCarter，ifeverarealmanwalkedthecold，deadbosomofBarsoomyouareone。IknowthatIcantrustyou，andbecausetheknowledgemaysomedayhelpyouorhimorDejahThorisormyself，Iamgoingtotellyouthenameofmyfather，norplaceanyrestrictionsorconditionsuponyourtongue。Whenthetimecomes，speakthetruthifitseemsbesttoyou。ItrustyoubecauseIknowthatyouarenotcursedwiththeterribletraitofabsoluteandunswervingtruthfulness，thatyoucouldlielikeoneofyourownVirginiagentlemenifaliewouldsaveothersfromsorroworsuffering。

Myfather"snameisTarsTarkas。”

CHAPTERXVI

WEPLANESCAPE

TheremainderofourjourneytoTharkwasuneventful。

Weweretwentydaysupontheroad，crossingtwoseabottomsandpassingthroughoraroundanumberofruinedcities，mostlysmallerthanKorad。TwicewecrossedthefamousMartianwaterways，orcanals，so-calledbyourearthlyastronomers。Whenweapproachedthesepointsawarriorwouldbesentfaraheadwithapowerfulfieldglass，andifnogreatbodyofredMartiantroopswasinsightwewouldadvanceascloseaspossiblewithoutchanceofbeingseenandthencampuntildark，whenwewouldslowlyapproachthecultivatedtract，and，locatingoneofthenumerous，broadhighwayswhichcrosstheseareasatregularintervals，creepsilentlyandstealthilyacrosstothearidlandsupontheotherside。Itrequiredfivehourstomakeoneofthesecrossingswithoutasinglehalt，andtheotherconsumedtheentirenight，sothatwewerejustleavingtheconfinesofthehigh-walledfieldswhenthesunbrokeoutuponus。

Crossinginthedarkness，aswedid，Iwasunabletoseebutlittle，exceptasthenearermoon，inherwildandceaselesshurtlingthroughtheBarsoomianheavens，lituplittlepatchesofthelandscapefromtimetotime，disclosingwalledfieldsandlow，ramblingbuildings，presentingmuchtheappearanceofearthlyfarms。Thereweremanytrees，methodicallyarranged，andsomeofthemwereofenormousheight；

therewereanimalsinsomeoftheenclosures，andtheyannouncedtheirpresencebyterrifiedsquealingsandsnortingsastheyscentedourqueer，wildbeastsandwilderhumanbeings。

OnlyoncedidIperceiveahumanbeing，andthatwasattheintersectionofourcrossroadwiththewide，whiteturnpikewhichcutseachcultivateddistrictlongitudinallyatitsexactcenter。Thefellowmusthavebeensleepingbesidetheroad，for，asIcameabreastofhim，heraisedupononeelbowandafterasingleglanceattheapproachingcaravanleapedshriekingtohisfeetandfledmadlydowntheroad，scalinganearbywallwiththeagilityofascaredcat。

TheTharkspaidhimnottheslightestattention；theywerenotoutuponthewarpath，andtheonlysignthatIhadthattheyhadseenhimwasaquickeningofthepaceofthecaravanaswehastenedtowardtheborderingdesertwhichmarkedourentranceintotherealmofTalHajus。

NotoncedidIhavespeechwithDejahThoris，asshesentnowordtomethatIwouldbewelcomeatherchariot，andmyfoolishpridekeptmefrommakinganyadvances。

Iverilybelievethataman"swaywithwomenisininverseratiotohisprowessamongmen。Theweaklingandthesapheadhaveoftengreatabilitytocharmthefairsex，whilethefightingmanwhocanfaceathousandrealdangersunafraid，sitshidingintheshadowslikesomefrightenedchild。

JustthirtydaysaftermyadventuponBarsoomweenteredtheancientcityofThark，fromwhoselong-forgottenpeoplethishordeofgreenmenhavestoleneventheirname。

ThehordesofTharknumbersomethirtythousandsouls，andaredividedintotwenty-fivecommunities。Eachcommunityhasitsownjedandlesserchieftains，butallareundertheruleofTalHajus，JeddakofThark。FivecommunitiesmaketheirheadquartersatthecityofThark，andthebalancearescatteredamongotherdesertedcitiesofancientMarsthroughoutthedistrictclaimedbyTalHajus。

Wemadeourentryintothegreatcentralplazaearlyintheafternoon。Therewerenoenthusiasticfriendlygreetingsforthereturnedexpedition。Thosewhochancedtobeinsightspokethenamesofwarriorsorwomenwithwhomtheycameindirectcontact，intheformalgreetingoftheirkind，butwhenitwasdiscoveredthattheybroughttwocaptivesagreaterinterestwasaroused，andDejahThorisandIwerethecentersofinquiringgroups。

Weweresoonassignedtonewquarters，andthebalanceofthedaywasdevotedtosettlingourselvestothechangedconditions。Myhomenowwasuponanavenueleadingintotheplazafromthesouth，themainarterydownwhichwehadmarchedfromthegatesofthecity。Iwasatthefarendofthesquareandhadanentirebuildingtomyself。ThesamegrandeurofarchitecturewhichwassonoticeableacharacteristicofKoradwasinevidencehere，only，ifthatwerepossible，onalargerandricherscale。Myquarterswouldhavebeensuitableforhousingthegreatestofearthlyemperors，buttothesequeercreaturesnothingaboutabuildingappealedtothembutitssizeandtheenormityofitschambers；

thelargerthebuilding，themoredesirable；andsoTalHajusoccupiedwhatmusthavebeenanenormouspublicbuilding，thelargestinthecity，butentirelyunfittedforresidencepurposes；

thenextlargestwasreservedforLorquasPtomel，thenextforthejedofalesserrank，andsoontothebottomofthelistoffivejeds。

Thewarriorsoccupiedthebuildingswiththechieftainstowhoseretinuestheybelonged；or，iftheypreferred，soughtshelteramonganyofthethousandsofuntenantedbuildingsintheirownquarteroftown；eachcommunitybeingassignedacertainsectionofthecity。Theselectionofbuildinghadtobemadeinaccordancewiththesedivisions，exceptinsofarasthejedswereconcerned，theyalloccupyingedificeswhichfrontedupontheplaza。

WhenIhadfinallyputmyhouseinorder，orratherseenthatithadbeendone，itwasnearingsunset，andIhastenedoutwiththeintentionoflocatingSolaandhercharges，asIhaddetermineduponhavingspeechwithDejahThorisandtryingtoimpressonherthenecessityofouratleastpatchingupatruceuntilIcouldfindsomewayofaidinghertoescape。IsearchedinvainuntiltheupperrimofthegreatredsunwasjustdisappearingbehindthehorizonandthenIspiedtheuglyheadofWoolapeeringfromasecond-

storywindowontheoppositesideoftheverystreetwhereIwasquartered，butnearertheplaza。

WithoutwaitingforafurtherinvitationIboltedupthewindingrunwaywhichledtothesecondfloor，andenteringagreatchamberatthefrontofthebuildingwasgreetedbythefrenziedWoola，whothrewhisgreatcarcassuponme，nearlyhurlingmetothefloor；thepooroldfellowwassogladtoseemethatIthoughthewoulddevourme，hisheadsplitfromeartoear，showinghisthreerowsoftusksinhishobgoblinsmile。

Quietinghimwithawordofcommandandacaress，I

lookedhurriedlythroughtheapproachinggloomforasignofDejahThoris，andthen，notseeingher，Icalledhername。

Therewasanansweringmurmurfromthefarcorneroftheapartment，andwithacoupleofquickstridesIwasstandingbesideherwhereshecrouchedamongthefursandsilksuponanancientcarvedwoodenseat。AsIwaitedsherosetoherfullheightandlookingmestraightintheeyesaid:

"WhatwouldDotarSojat，Thark，ofDejahThorishiscaptive？"

"DejahThoris，IdonotknowhowIhaveangeredyou。

Itwasfurtherestfrommydesiretohurtoroffendyou，whomIhadhopedtoprotectandcomfort。Havenoneofmeifitisyourwill，butthatyoumustaidmeineffectingyourescape，ifsuchathingbepossible，isnotmyrequest，butmycommand。Whenyouaresafeoncemoreatyourfather"scourtyoumaydowithmeasyouplease，butfromnowonuntilthatdayIamyourmaster，andyoumustobeyandaidme。”

ShelookedatmelongandearnestlyandIthoughtthatshewassofteningtowardme。

"Iunderstandyourwords，DotarSojat，"shereplied，"butyouIdonotunderstand。Youareaqueermixtureofchildandman，ofbruteandnoble。IonlywishthatImightreadyourheart。”

"Lookdownatyourfeet，DejahThoris；itliestherenowwhereithaslainsincethatothernightatKorad，andwhereitwilleverliebeatingaloneforyouuntildeathstillsitforever。”

Shetookalittlesteptowardme，herbeautifulhandsoutstretchedinastrange，gropinggesture。

"Whatdoyoumean，JohnCarter？"shewhispered。

"Whatareyousayingtome？"

"IamsayingwhatIhadpromisedmyselfthatIwouldnotsaytoyou，atleastuntilyouwerenolongeracaptiveamongthegreenmen；whatfromyourattitudetowardmeforthepasttwentydaysIhadthoughtnevertosaytoyou；

Iamsaying，DejahThoris，thatIamyours，bodyandsoul，toserveyou，tofightforyou，andtodieforyou。OnlyonethingIaskofyouinreturn，andthatisthatyoumakenosign，eitherofcondemnationorofapprobationofmywordsuntilyouaresafeamongyourownpeople，andthatwhateversentimentsyouharbortowardmetheybenotinfluencedorcoloredbygratitude；whateverImaydotoserveyouwillbepromptedsolelyfromselfishmotives，sinceitgivesmemorepleasuretoserveyouthannot。”

"Iwillrespectyourwishes，JohnCarter，becauseI

understandthemotiveswhichpromptthem，andIacceptyourservicenomorewillinglythanIbowtoyourauthority；

yourwordshallbemylaw。IhavetwicewrongedyouinmythoughtsandagainIaskyourforgiveness。”

FurtherconversationofapersonalnaturewaspreventedbytheentranceofSola，whowasmuchagitatedandwhollyunlikeherusualcalmandpossessedself。

"ThathorribleSarkojahasbeenbeforeTalHajus，"shecried，"andfromwhatIheardupontheplazathereislittlehopeforeitherofyou。”