第7章

Nextamadzitidarwasloosedamongtheremainingdogs，andsoitwentthroughoutthelong，hot，horribleday。

DuringthedayIwaspittedagainstfirstmenandthenbeasts，butasIwasarmedwithalong-swordandalwaysoutclassedmyadversaryinagilityandgenerallyinstrengthaswell，itprovedbutchild"splaytome。TimeandtimeagainIwontheapplauseofthebloodthirstymultitude，andtowardtheendtherewerecriesthatIbetakenfromthearenaandbemadeamemberofthehordesofWarhoon。

Finallytherewerebutthreeofusleft，agreatgreenwarriorofsomefarnorthernhorde，KantosKan，andmyself。

TheothertwoweretobattleandthenItofighttheconquerorforthelibertywhichwasaccordedthefinalwinner。

KantosKanhadfoughtseveraltimesduringthedayandlikemyselfhadalwaysprovenvictorious，butoccasionallybythesmallestofmargins，especiallywhenpittedagainstthegreenwarriors。Ihadlittlehopethathecouldbesthisgiantadversarywhohadmoweddownallbeforehimduringtheday。Thefellowtowerednearlysixteenfeetinheight，whileKantosKanwassomeinchesundersixfeet。AstheyadvancedtomeetoneanotherIsawforthefirsttimeatrickofMartianswordsmanshipwhichcenteredKantosKan"severyhopeofvictoryandlifeononecastofthedice，for，ashecametowithinabouttwentyfeetofthehugefellowhethrewhisswordarmfarbehindhimoverhisshoulderandwithamightysweephurledhisweaponpointforemostatthegreenwarrior。Itflewtrueasanarrowandpiercingthepoordevil"sheartlaidhimdeaduponthearena。

KantosKanandIwerenowpittedagainsteachotherbutasweapproachedtotheencounterIwhisperedtohimtoprolongthebattleuntilnearlydarkinthehopethatwemightfindsomemeansofescape。Thehordeevidentlyguessedthatwehadnoheartstofighteachotherandsotheyhowledinrageasneitherofusplacedafatalthrust。

JustasIsawthesuddencomingofdarkIwhisperedtoKantosKantothrusthisswordbetweenmyleftarmandmybody。AshedidsoIstaggeredbackclaspingtheswordtightlywithmyarmandthusfelltothegroundwithhisweaponapparentlyprotrudingfrommychest。KantosKanperceivedmycoupandsteppingquicklytomysideheplacedhisfootuponmyneckandwithdrawinghisswordfrommybodygavemethefinaldeathblowthroughtheneckwhichissupposedtoseverthejugularvein，butinthisinstancethecoldbladeslippedharmlesslyintothesandofthearena。Inthedarknesswhichhadnowfallennonecouldtellbutthathehadreallyfinishedme。Iwhisperedtohimtogoandclaimhisfreedomandthenlookformeinthehillseastofthecity，andsoheleftme。

WhentheamphitheaterhadclearedIcreptstealthilytothetopandasthegreatexcavationlayfarfromtheplazaandinanuntenantedportionofthegreatdeadcityIhadlittletroubleinreachingthehillsbeyond。

CHAPTERXX

INTHEATMOSPHEREFACTORY

FortwodaysIwaitedthereforKantosKan，butashedidnotcomeIstartedoffonfootinanorthwesterlydirectiontowardapointwherehehadtoldmelaythenearestwaterway。

Myonlyfoodconsistedofvegetablemilkfromtheplantswhichgavesobounteouslyofthispricelessfluid。

ThroughtwolongweeksIwandered，stumblingthroughthenightsguidedonlybythestarsandhidingduringthedaysbehindsomeprotrudingrockoramongtheoccasionalhillsItraversed。SeveraltimesIwasattackedbywildbeasts；

strange，uncouthmonstrositiesthatleapeduponmeinthedark，sothatIhadevertograspmylong-swordinmyhandthatImightbereadyforthem。Usuallymystrange，newlyacquiredtelepathicpowerwarnedmeinampletime，butonceIwasdownwithviciousfangsatmyjugularandahairyfacepressedclosetominebeforeIknewthatIwaseventhreatened。

WhatmannerofthingwasuponmeIdidnotknow，butthatitwaslargeandheavyandmany-leggedIcouldfeel。

Myhandswereatitsthroatbeforethefangshadachancetoburythemselvesinmyneck，andslowlyIforcedthehairyfacefrommeandclosedmyfingers，vise-like，uponitswindpipe。

Withoutsoundwelaythere，thebeastexertingeveryefforttoreachmewiththoseawfulfangs，andIstrainingtomaintainmygripandchokethelifefromitasIkeptitfrommythroat。Slowlymyarmsgavetotheunequalstruggle，andinchbyinchtheburningeyesandgleamingtusksofmyantagonistcrepttowardme，until，asthehairyfacetouchedmineagain，Irealizedthatallwasover。Andthenalivingmassofdestructionsprangfromthesurroundingdarknessfulluponthecreaturethatheldmepinionedtotheground。

Thetworolledgrowlinguponthemoss，tearingandrendingoneanotherinafrightfulmanner，butitwassoonoverandmypreserverstoodwithloweredheadabovethethroatofthedeadthingwhichwouldhavekilledme。

Thenearermoon，hurtlingsuddenlyabovethehorizonandlightinguptheBarsoomianscene，showedmethatmypreserverwasWoola，butfromwhencehehadcome，orhowfoundme，Iwasatalosstoknow。ThatIwasgladofhiscompanionshipitisneedlesstosay，butmypleasureatseeinghimwastemperedbyanxietyastothereasonofhisleavingDejahThoris。OnlyherdeathIfeltsure，couldaccountforhisabsencefromher，sofaithfulIknewhimtobetomycommands。

BythelightofthenowbrilliantmoonsIsawthathewasbutashadowofhisformerself，andasheturnedfrommycaressandcommencedgreedilytodevourthedeadcarcassatmyfeetIrealizedthatthepoorfellowwasmorethanhalfstarved。I，myself，wasinbutlittlebetterplightbutIcouldnotbringmyselftoeattheuncookedfleshandIhadnomeansofmakingafire。WhenWoolahadfinishedhismealIagaintookupmywearyandseeminglyendlesswanderinginquestoftheelusivewaterway。

AtdaybreakofthefifteenthdayofmysearchIwasoverjoyedtoseethehightreesthatdenotedtheobjectofmysearch。

AboutnoonIdraggedmyselfwearilytotheportalsofahugebuildingwhichcoveredperhapsfoursquaremilesandtoweredtwohundredfeetintheair。ItshowednoapertureinthemightywallsotherthanthetinydooratwhichIsankexhausted，norwasthereanysignoflifeaboutit。

Icouldfindnobellorothermethodofmakingmypresenceknowntotheinmatesoftheplace，unlessasmallroundroleinthewallnearthedoorwasforthatpurpose。ItwasofaboutthebignessofaleadpencilandthinkingthatitmightbeinthenatureofaspeakingtubeIputmymouthtoitandwasabouttocallintoitwhenavoiceissuedfromitaskingmewhomImightbe，wherefrom，andthenatureofmyerrand。

IexplainedthatIhadescapedfromtheWarhoonsandwasdyingofstarvationandexhaustion。

"Youwearthemetalofagreenwarriorandarefollowedbyacalot，yetyouareofthefigureofaredman。Incoloryouareneithergreennorred。Inthenameoftheninthday，whatmannerofcreatureareyou？"

"IamafriendoftheredmenofBarsoomandIamstarving。

Inthenameofhumanityopentous，"Ireplied。

Presentlythedoorcommencedtorecedebeforemeuntilithadsunkintothewallfiftyfeet，thenitstoppedandslideasilytotheleft，exposingashort，narrowcorridorofconcrete，atthefurtherendofwhichwasanotherdoor，similarineveryrespecttotheoneIhadjustpassed。Noonewasinsight，yetimmediatelywepassedthefirstdooritslidgentlyintoplacebehindusandrecededrapidlytoitsoriginalpositioninthefrontwallofthebuilding。AsthedoorhadslippedasideIhadnoteditsgreatthickness，fullytwentyfeet，andasitreacheditsplaceoncemoreafterclosingbehindus，greatcylindersofsteelhaddroppedfromtheceilingbehinditandfittedtheirlowerendsintoaperturescountersunkinthefloor。

Asecondandthirddoorrecededbeforemeandslippedtoonesideasthefirst，beforeIreachedalargeinnerchamberwhereIfoundfoodanddrinksetoutuponagreatstonetable。

Avoicedirectedmetosatisfymyhungerandtofeedmycalot，andwhileIwasthusengagedmyinvisiblehostputmethroughasevereandsearchingcross-examination。

"Yourstatementsaremostremarkable，"saidthevoice，onconcludingitsquestioning，"butyouareevidentlyspeakingthetruth，anditisequallyevidentthatyouarenotofBarsoom。

Icantellthatbytheconformationofyourbrainandthestrangelocationofyourinternalorgansandtheshapeandsizeofyourheart。”

"Canyouseethroughme？"Iexclaimed。

"Yes，Icanseeallbutyourthoughts，andwereyouaBarsoomianIcouldreadthose。”

Thenadooropenedatthefarsideofthechamberandastrange，driedup，littlemummyofamancametowardme。

Heworebutasinglearticleofclothingoradornment，asmallcollarofgoldfromwhichdependeduponhischestagreatornamentaslargeasadinnerplatesetsolidwithhugediamonds，exceptfortheexactcenterwhichwasoccupiedbyastrangestone，aninchindiameter，thatscintillatedninedifferentanddistinctrays；thesevencolorsofourearthlyprismandtwobeautifulrayswhich，tome，werenewandnameless。Icannotdescribethemanymorethanyoucoulddescriberedtoablindman。Ionlyknowthattheywerebeautifulintheextreme。

Theoldmansatandtalkedwithmeforhours，andthestrangestpartofourintercoursewasthatIcouldreadhiseverythoughtwhilehecouldnotfathomaniotafrommymindunlessIspoke。

Ididnotapprisehimofmyabilitytosensehismentaloperations，andthusIlearnedagreatdealwhichprovedofimmensevaluetomelaterandwhichIwouldneverhaveknownhadhesuspectedmystrangepower，fortheMartianshavesuchperfectcontroloftheirmentalmachinerythattheyareabletodirecttheirthoughtswithabsoluteprecision。

ThebuildinginwhichIfoundmyselfcontainedthemachinerywhichproducesthatartificialatmospherewhichsustainslifeonMars。Thesecretoftheentireprocesshingesontheuseoftheninthray，oneofthebeautifulscintillationswhichIhadnotedemanatingfromthegreatstoneinmyhost"sdiadem。

Thisrayisseparatedfromtheotherraysofthesunbymeansoffinelyadjustedinstrumentsplacedupontheroofofthehugebuilding，three-quartersofwhichisusedforreservoirsinwhichtheninthrayisstored。Thisproductisthentreatedelectrically，orrathercertainproportionsofrefinedelectricvibrationsareincorporatedwithit，andtheresultisthenpumpedtothefiveprincipalaircentersoftheplanetwhere，asitisreleased，contactwiththeetherofspacetransformsitintoatmosphere。

ThereisalwayssufficientreserveoftheninthraystoredinthegreatbuildingtomaintainthepresentMartianatmosphereforathousandyears，andtheonlyfear，asmynewfriendtoldme，wasthatsomeaccidentmightbefallthepumpingapparatus。

HeledmetoaninnerchamberwhereIbeheldabatteryoftwentyradiumpumpsanyoneofwhichwasequaltothetaskoffurnishingallMarswiththeatmospherecompound。

Foreighthundredyears，hetoldme，hehadwatchedthesepumpswhichareusedalternatelyadayeachatastretch，oralittleovertwenty-fourandone-halfEarthhours。Hehasoneassistantwhodividesthewatchwithhim。HalfaMartianyear，aboutthreehundredandforty-fourofourdays，eachofthesemenspendaloneinthishuge，isolatedplant。

EveryredMartianistaughtduringearliestchildhoodtheprinciplesofthemanufactureofatmosphere，butonlytwoatonetimeeverholdthesecretofingresstothegreatbuilding，which，builtasitiswithwallsahundredandfiftyfeetthick，isabsolutelyunassailable，eventheroofbeingguardedfromassaultbyaircraftbyaglasscoveringfivefeetthick。

TheonlyfeartheyentertainofattackisfromthegreenMartiansorsomedementedredman，asallBarsoomiansrealizethattheveryexistenceofeveryformoflifeofMarsisdependentupontheuninterruptedworkingofthisplant。

OnecuriousfactIdiscoveredasIwatchedhisthoughtswasthattheouterdoorsaremanipulatedbytelepathicmeans。Thelocksaresofinelyadjustedthatthedoorsarereleasedbytheactionofacertaincombinationofthoughtwaves。Toexperimentwithmynew-foundtoyIthoughttosurprisehimintorevealingthiscombinationandsoIaskedhiminacasualmannerhowhehadmanagedtounlockthemassivedoorsformefromtheinnerchambersofthebuilding。

AsquickasaflashthereleapedtohismindnineMartiansounds，butasquicklyfadedasheansweredthatthiswasasecrethemustnotdivulge。

Fromthenonhismannertowardmechangedasthoughhefearedthathehadbeensurprisedintodivulginghisgreatsecret，andIreadsuspicionandfearinhislooksandthoughts，thoughhiswordswerestillfair。

BeforeIretiredforthenighthepromisedtogivemealettertoanearbyagriculturalofficerwhowouldhelpmeonmywaytoZodanga，whichhesaid，wasthenearestMartiancity。

"ButbesurethatyoudonotletthemknowyouareboundforHeliumastheyareatwarwiththatcountry。

MyassistantandIareofnocountry，webelongtoallBarsoomandthistalismanwhichwewearprotectsusinalllands，evenamongthegreenmen——thoughwedonottrustourselvestotheirhandsifwecanavoidit，"headded。

"Andsogood-night，myfriend，"hecontinued，"mayyouhavealongandrestfulsleep——yes，alongsleep。”

AndthoughhesmiledpleasantlyIsawinhisthoughtsthewishthathehadneveradmittedme，andthenapictureofhimstandingovermeinthenight，andtheswiftthrustofalongdaggerandthehalfformedwords，"Iamsorry，butitisforthebestgoodofBarsoom。”

Asheclosedthedoorofmychamberbehindhimhisthoughtswerecutofffrommeaswasthesightofhim，whichseemedstrangetomeinmylittleknowledgeofthoughttransference。

WhatwasItodo？HowcouldIescapethroughthesemightywalls？EasilycouldIkillhimnowthatIwaswarned，butoncehewasdeadIcouldnomoreescape，andwiththestoppingofthemachineryofthegreatplantIshoulddiewithalltheotherinhabitantsoftheplanet——all，evenDejahThoriswereshenotalreadydead。FortheothersIdidnotgivethesnapofmyfinger，butthethoughtofDejahThorisdrovefrommymindalldesiretokillmymistakenhost。

CautiouslyIopenedthedoorofmyapartmentand，followedbyWoola，soughttheinnerofthegreatdoors。Awildschemehadcometome；IwouldattempttoforcethegreatlocksbytheninethoughtwavesIhadreadinmyhost"smind。

CreepingstealthilythroughcorridoraftercorridoranddownwindingrunwayswhichturnedhitherandthitherI

finallyreachedthegreathallinwhichIhadbrokenmylongfastthatmorning。NowherehadIseenmyhost，nordidI

knowwherehekepthimselfbynight。

Iwasonthepointofsteppingboldlyoutintotheroomwhenaslightnoisebehindmewarnedmebackintotheshadowsofarecessinthecorridor。DraggingWoolaaftermeIcrouchedlowinthedarkness。

Presentlytheoldmanpassedclosebyme，andasheenteredthedimlylightedchamberwhichIhadbeenabouttopassthroughIsawthatheheldalongthindaggerinhishandandthathewassharpeningituponastone。Inhismindwasthedecisiontoinspecttheradiumpumps，whichwouldtakeaboutthirtyminutes，andthenreturntomybedchamberandfinishme。

Ashepassedthroughthegreathallanddisappeareddowntherunwaywhichledtothepump-room，Istolestealthilyfrommyhidingplaceandcrossedtothegreatdoor，theinnerofthethreewhichstoodbetweenmeandliberty。

ConcentratingmyminduponthemassivelockIhurledtheninethoughtwavesagainstit。InbreathlessexpectancyIwaited，whenfinallythegreatdoormovedsoftlytowardmeandslidquietlytooneside。OneaftertheothertheremainingmightyportalsopenedatmycommandandWoolaandIsteppedforthintothedarkness，free，butlittlebetteroffthanwehadbeenbefore，otherthanthatwehadfullstomachs。

HasteningawayfromtheshadowsoftheformidablepileImadeforthefirstcrossroad，intendingtostrikethecentralturnpikeasquicklyaspossible。ThisIreachedaboutmorningandenteringthefirstenclosureIcametoIsearchedforsomeevidencesofahabitation。

Therewerelowramblingbuildingsofconcretebarredwithheavyimpassabledoors，andnoamountofhammeringandhallooingbroughtanyresponse。WearyandexhaustedfromsleeplessnessIthrewmyselfuponthegroundcommandingWoolatostandguard。

SometimelaterIwasawakenedbyhisfrightfulgrowlingsandopenedmyeyestoseethreeredMartiansstandingashortdistancefromusandcoveringmewiththeirrifles。

"Iamunarmedandnoenemy，"Ihastenedtoexplain。"I

havebeenaprisoneramongthegreenmenandamonmywaytoZodanga。AllIaskisfoodandrestformyselfandmycalotandtheproperdirectionsforreachingmydestination。”

Theyloweredtheirriflesandadvancedpleasantlytowardmeplacingtheirrighthandsuponmyleftshoulder，afterthemanneroftheircustomofsalute，andaskingmemanyquestionsaboutmyselfandmywanderings。Theythentookmetothehouseofoneofthemwhichwasonlyashortdistanceaway。

ThebuildingsIhadbeenhammeringatintheearlymorningwereoccupiedonlybystockandfarmproduce，thehouseproperstandingamongagroveofenormoustrees，and，likeallred-Martianhomes，hadbeenraisedatnightsomefortyorfiftyfeetfromthegroundonalargeroundmetalshaftwhichslidupordownwithinasleevesunkintheground，andwasoperatedbyatinyradiumengineintheentrancehallofthebuilding。Insteadofbotheringwithboltsandbarsfortheirdwellings，theredMartianssimplyrunthemupoutofharm"swayduringthenight。Theyalsohaveprivatemeansforloweringorraisingthemfromthegroundwithoutiftheywishtogoawayandleavethem。

Thesebrothers，withtheirwivesandchildren，occupiedthreesimilarhousesonthisfarm。Theydidnoworkthemselves，beinggovernmentofficersincharge。Thelaborwasperformedbyconvicts，prisonersofwar，delinquentdebtorsandconfirmedbachelorswhoweretoopoortopaythehighcelibatetaxwhichallred-Martiangovernmentsimpose。

TheywerethepersonificationofcordialityandhospitalityandIspentseveraldayswiththem，restingandrecuperatingfrommylongandarduousexperiences。

Whentheyhadheardmystory——IomittedallreferencetoDejahThorisandtheoldmanoftheatmosphereplant——

theyadvisedmetocolormybodytomorenearlyresembletheirownraceandthenattempttofindemploymentinZodanga，eitherinthearmyorthenavy。

"Thechancesaresmallthatyourtalewillbebelieveduntilafteryouhaveprovenyourtrustworthinessandwonfriendsamongthehighernoblesofthecourt。Thisyoucanmosteasilydothroughmilitaryservice，asweareawarlikepeopleonBarsoom，"explainedoneofthem，"andsaveourrichestfavorsforthefightingman。”

WhenIwasreadytodeparttheyfurnishedmewithasmalldomesticbullthoat，suchasisusedforsaddlepurposesbyallredMartians。Theanimalisaboutthesizeofahorseandquitegentle，butincolorandshapeanexactreplicaofhishugeandfiercecousinofthewilds。

ThebrothershadsuppliedmewithareddishoilwithwhichIanointedmyentirebodyandoneofthemcutmyhair，whichhadgrownquitelong，intheprevailingfashionofthetime，squareatthebackandbangedinfront，sothatIcouldhavepassedanywhereuponBarsoomasafull-fledgedredMartian。MymetalandornamentswerealsorenewedinthestyleofaZodangangentleman，attachedtothehouseofPtor，whichwasthefamilynameofmybenefactors。

TheyfilledalittlesackatmysidewithZodanganmoney。

ThemediumofexchangeuponMarsisnotdissimilarfromourownexceptthatthecoinsareoval。Papermoneyisissuedbyindividualsastheyrequireitandredeemedtwiceyearly。Ifamanissuesmorethanhecanredeem，thegovernmentpayshiscreditorsinfullandthedebtorworksouttheamountuponthefarmsorinmines，whichareallownedbythegovernment。ThissuitseverybodyexceptthedebtorasithasbeenadifficultthingtoobtainsufficientvoluntarylabortoworkthegreatisolatedfarmlandsofMars，stretchingastheydolikenarrowribbonsfrompoletopole，throughwildstretchespeopledbywildanimalsandwildermen。

WhenImentionedmyinabilitytorepaythemfortheirkindnesstometheyassuredmethatIwouldhaveampleopportunityifIlivedlonguponBarsoom，andbiddingmefarewelltheywatchedmeuntilIwasoutofsightuponthebroadwhiteturnpike。

CHAPTERXXI

ANAIRSCOUTFORZODANGA

AsIproceededonmyjourneytowardZodangamanystrangeandinterestingsightsarrestedmyattention，andattheseveralfarmhouseswhereIstoppedIlearnedanumberofnewandinstructivethingsconcerningthemethodsandmannersofBarsoom。

ThewaterwhichsuppliesthefarmsofMarsiscollectedinimmenseundergroundreservoirsateitherpolefromthemeltingicecaps，andpumpedthroughlongconduitstothevariouspopulatedcenters。Alongeithersideoftheseconduits，andextendingtheirentirelength，liethecultivateddistricts。

Thesearedividedintotractsofaboutthesamesize，eachtractbeingunderthesupervisionofoneormoregovernmentofficers。

Insteadoffloodingthesurfaceofthefields，andthuswastingimmensequantitiesofwaterbyevaporation，thepreciousliquidiscarriedundergroundthroughavastnetworkofsmallpipesdirectlytotherootsofthevegetation。ThecropsuponMarsarealwaysuniform，fortherearenodroughts，norains，nohighwinds，andnoinsects，ordestroyingbirds。

OnthistripItastedthefirstmeatIhadeatensinceleavingEarth——large，juicysteaksandchopsfromthewell-feddomesticanimalsofthefarms。AlsoIenjoyedlusciousfruitsandvegetables，butnotasinglearticleoffoodwhichwasexactlysimilartoanythingonEarth。Everyplantandflowerandvegetableandanimalhasbeensorefinedbyagesofcareful，scientificcultivationandbreedingthatthelikeofthemonEarthdwindledintopale，gray，characterlessnothingnessbycomparison。

AtasecondstopImetsomehighlycultivatedpeopleofthenobleclassandwhileinconversationwechancedtospeakofHelium。Oneoftheoldermenhadbeenthereonadiplomaticmissionseveralyearsbeforeandspokewithregretoftheconditionswhichseemeddestinedevertokeepthesetwocountriesatwar。

"Helium，"hesaid，"rightlyboaststhemostbeautifulwomenofBarsoom，andofallhertreasuresthewondrousdaughterofMorsKajak，DejahThoris，isthemostexquisiteflower。

"Why，"headded，"thepeoplereallyworshipthegroundshewalksuponandsinceherlossonthatill-starredexpeditionallHeliumhasbeendrapedinmourning。

"ThatourrulershouldhaveattackedthedisabledfleetasitwasreturningtoHeliumwasbutanotherofhisawfulblunderswhichIfearwillsoonerorlatercompelZodangatoelevateawisermantohisplace。”

"Evennow，thoughourvictoriousarmiesaresurroundingHelium，thepeopleofZodangaarevoicingtheirdispleasure，forthewarisnotapopularone，sinceitisnotbasedonrightorjustice。OurforcestookadvantageoftheabsenceoftheprincipalfleetofHeliumontheirsearchfortheprincess，andsowehavebeenableeasilytoreducethecitytoasorryplight。itissaidshewillfallwithinthenextfewpassagesofthefurthermoon。”

"Andwhat，thinkyou，mayhavebeenthefateoftheprincess，DejahThoris？"Iaskedascasuallyaspossible。

"Sheisdead，"heanswered。"Thismuchwaslearnedfromagreenwarriorrecentlycapturedbyourforcesinthesouth。SheescapedfromthehordesofTharkwithastrangecreatureofanotherworld，onlytofallintothehandsoftheWarhoons。Theirthoatswerefoundwanderingupontheseabottomandevidencesofabloodyconflictwerediscoverednearby。”

Whilethisinformationwasinnowayreassuring，neitherwasitatallconclusiveproofofthedeathofDejahThoris，andsoIdeterminedtomakeeveryeffortpossibletoreachHeliumasquicklyasIcouldandcarrytoTardosMorssuchnewsofhisgranddaughter"spossiblewhereaboutsaslayinmypower。

TendaysafterleavingthethreePtorbrothersIarrivedatZodanga。FromthemomentthatIhadcomeincontactwiththeredinhabitantsofMarsIhadnoticedthatWooladrewagreatamountofunwelcomeattentiontome，sincethehugebrutebelongedtoaspecieswhichisneverdomesticatedbytheredmen。WereonetostrolldownBroadwaywithaNumidianlionathisheelstheeffectwouldbesomewhatsimilartothatwhichIshouldhaveproducedhadIenteredZodangawithWoola。

TheverythoughtofpartingwiththefaithfulfellowcausedmesogreatregretandgenuinesorrowthatIputitoffuntiljustbeforewearrivedatthecity"sgates；butthen，finally，itbecameimperativethatweseparate。HadnothingfurtherthanmyownsafetyorpleasurebeenatstakenoargumentcouldhaveprevaileduponmetoturnawaytheonecreatureuponBarsoomthathadneverfailedinademonstrationofaffectionandloyalty；butasIwouldwillinglyhaveofferedmylifeintheserviceofherinsearchofwhomIwasabouttochallengetheunknowndangersofthis，tome，mysteriouscity，IcouldnotpermitevenWoola"slifetothreatenthesuccessofmyventure，muchlesshismomentaryhappiness，forIdoubtednothesoonwouldforgetme。AndsoIbadethepoorbeastanaffectionatefarewell，promisinghim，however，thatifIcamethroughmyadventureinsafetythatinsomewayIshouldfindthemeanstosearchhimout。

Heseemedtounderstandmefully，andwhenIpointedbackinthedirectionofTharkheturnedsorrowfullyaway，norcouldIbeartowatchhimgo；butresolutelysetmyfacetowardZodangaandwithatouchofheartsicknessapproachedherfrowningwalls。

TheletterIborefromthemgainedmeimmediateentrancetothevast，walledcity。Itwasstillveryearlyinthemorningandthestreetswerepracticallydeserted。

Theresidences，raisedhighupontheirmetalcolumns，resembledhugerookeries，whiletheuprightsthemselvespresentedtheappearanceofsteeltreetrunks。Theshopsasarulewerenotraisedfromthegroundnorweretheirdoorsboltedorbarred，sincethieveryispracticallyunknownuponBarsoom。

Assassinationistheever-presentfearofallBarsoomians，andforthisreasonalonetheirhomesareraisedhighabovethegroundatnight，orintimesofdanger。

ThePtorbrothershadgivenmeexplicitdirectionsforreachingthepointofthecitywhereIcouldfindlivingaccommodationsandbeneartheofficesofthegovernmentagentstowhomtheyhadgivenmeletters。Mywayledtothecentralsquareorplaza，whichisacharacteristicofallMartiancities。

TheplazaofZodangacoversasquaremileandisboundedbythepalacesofthejeddak，thejeds，andothermembersoftheroyaltyandnobilityofZodanga，aswellasbytheprincipalpublicbuildings，cafes，andshops。

AsIwascrossingthegreatsquarelostinwonderandadmirationofthemagnificentarchitectureandthegorgeousscarletvegetationwhichcarpetedthebroadlawnsI

discoveredaredMartianwalkingbrisklytowardmefromoneoftheavenues。Hepaidnottheslightestattentiontome，butashecameabreastIrecognizedhim，andturningI

placedmyhanduponhisshoulder，callingout:

"Kaor，KantosKan!"

LikelightninghewheeledandbeforeIcouldsomuchaslowermyhandthepointofhislong-swordwasatmybreast。

"Whoareyou？"hegrowled，andthenasabackwardleapcarriedmefiftyfeetfromhisswordhedroppedthepointtothegroundandexclaimed，laughing，"Idonotneedabetterreply，thereisbutonemanuponallBarsoomwhocanbounceaboutlikearubberball。Bythemotherofthefurthermoon，JohnCarter，howcameyouhere，andhaveyoubecomeaDarseenthatyoucanchangeyourcoloratwill？"

"Yougavemeabadhalfminutemyfriend，"hecontinued，afterIhadbrieflyoutlinedmyadventuressincepartingwithhiminthearenaatWarhoon。"WeremynameandcityknowntotheZodangansIwouldshortlybesittingonthebanksofthelostseaofKoruswithmyreveredanddepartedancestors。IamhereintheinterestofTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，todiscoverthewhereaboutsofDejahThoris，ourprincess。SabThan，princeofZodanga，hasherhiddeninthecityandhasfallenmadlyinlovewithher。Hisfather，ThanKosis，JeddakofZodanga，hasmadehervoluntarymarriagetohissonthepriceofpeacebetweenourcountries，butTardosMorswillnotaccedetothedemandsandhassentwordthatheandhispeoplewouldratherlookuponthedeadfaceoftheirprincessthanseeherwedtoanythanherownchoice，andthatpersonallyhewouldpreferbeingengulfedintheashesofalostandburningHeliumtojoiningthemetalofhishousewiththatofThanKosis。HisreplywasthedeadliestaffronthecouldhaveputuponThanKosisandtheZodangans，buthispeoplelovehimthemoreforitandhisstrengthinHeliumisgreatertodaythanever。

"Ihavebeenherethreedays，"continuedKantosKan，"butIhavenotyetfoundwhereDejahThorisisimprisoned。

TodayIjointheZodangannavyasanairscoutandIhopeinthiswaytowintheconfidenceofSabThan，theprince，whoiscommanderofthisdivisionofthenavy，andthuslearnthewhereaboutsofDejahThoris。Iamgladthatyouarehere，JohnCarter，forIknowyourloyaltytomyprincessandtwoofusworkingtogethershouldbeabletoaccomplishmuch。”

Theplazawasnowcommencingtofillwithpeoplegoingandcominguponthedailyactivitiesoftheirduties。Theshopswereopeningandthecafesfillingwithearlymorningpatrons。KantosKanledmetooneofthesegorgeouseatingplaceswherewewereservedentirelybymechanicalapparatus。

Nohandtouchedthefoodfromthetimeitenteredthebuildinginitsrawstateuntilitemergedhotanddeliciousuponthetablesbeforetheguests，inresponsetothetouchingoftinybuttonstoindicatetheirdesires。

Afterourmeal，KantosKantookmewithhimtotheheadquartersoftheair-scoutsquadronandintroducingmetohissuperioraskedthatIbeenrolledasamemberofthecorps。Inaccordancewithcustomanexaminationwasnecessary，butKantosKanhadtoldmetohavenofearonthisscoreashewouldattendtothatpartofthematter。HeaccomplishedthisbytakingmyorderforexaminationtotheexaminingofficerandrepresentinghimselfasJohnCarter。

"Thisrusewillbediscoveredlater，"hecheerfullyexplained，"whentheycheckupmyweights，measurements，andotherpersonalidentificationdata，butitwillbeseveralmonthsbeforethisisdoneandourmissionshouldbeaccomplishedorhavefailedlongbeforethattime。”

ThenextfewdayswerespentbyKantosKaninteachingmetheintricaciesofflyingandofrepairingthedaintylittlecontrivanceswhichtheMartiansuseforthispurpose。

Thebodyoftheone-manaircraftisaboutsixteenfeetlong，twofeetwideandthreeinchesthick，taperingtoapointateachend。Thedriversitsontopofthisplaneuponaseatconstructedoverthesmall，noiselessradiumenginewhichpropelsit。ThemediumofbuoyancyiscontainedwithinthethinmetalwallsofthebodyandconsistsoftheeighthBarsoomianray，orrayofpropulsion，asitmaybetermedinviewofitsproperties。

Thisray，liketheninthray，isunknownonEarth，buttheMartianshavediscoveredthatitisaninherentpropertyofalllightnomatterfromwhatsourceitemanates。Theyhavelearnedthatitisthesolareighthraywhichpropelsthelightofthesuntothevariousplanets，andthatitistheindividualeighthrayofeachplanetwhich"reflects，"orpropelsthelightthusobtainedoutintospaceoncemore。

ThesolareighthraywouldbeabsorbedbythesurfaceofBarsoom，buttheBarsoomianeighthray，whichtendstopropellightfromMarsintospace，isconstantlystreamingoutfromtheplanetconstitutingaforceofrepulsionofgravitywhichwhenconfinedisabletolifeenormousweightsfromthesurfaceoftheground。

ItisthisraywhichhasenabledthemtosoperfectaviationthatbattleshipsfaroutweighinganythingknownuponEarthsailasgracefullyandlightlythroughthethinairofBarsoomasatoyballoonintheheavyatmosphereofEarth。

DuringtheearlyyearsofthediscoveryofthisraymanystrangeaccidentsoccurredbeforetheMartianslearnedtomeasureandcontrolthewonderfulpowertheyhadfound。

Inoneinstance，someninehundredyearsbefore，thefirstgreatbattleshiptobebuiltwitheighthrayreservoirswasstoredwithtoogreataquantityoftheraysandshehadsailedupfromHeliumwithfivehundredofficersandmen，nevertoreturn。

Herpowerofrepulsionfortheplanetwassogreatthatithadcarriedherfarintospace，whereshecanbeseentoday，bytheaidofpowerfultelescopes，hurtlingthroughtheheavenstenthousandmilesfromMars；atinysatellitethatwillthusencircleBarsoomtotheendoftime。

ThefourthdayaftermyarrivalatZodangaImademyfirstflight，andasaresultofitIwonapromotionwhichincludedquartersinthepalaceofThanKosis。

AsIroseabovethecityIcircledseveraltimes，asIhadseenKantosKando，andthenthrowingmyengineintotopspeedIracedatterrificvelocitytowardthesouth，followingoneofthegreatwaterwayswhichenterZodangafromthatdirection。

IhadtraversedperhapstwohundredmilesinalittlelessthananhourwhenIdescriedfarbelowmeapartyofthreegreenwarriorsracingmadlytowardasmallfigureonfootwhichseemedtobetryingtoreachtheconfinesofoneofthewalledfields。

Droppingmymachinerapidlytowardthem，andcirclingtotherearofthewarriors，IsoonsawthattheobjectoftheirpursuitwasaredMartianwearingthemetalofthescoutsquadrontowhichIwasattached。Ashortdistanceawaylayhistinyflier，surroundedbythetoolswithwhichhehadevidentlybeenoccupiedinrepairingsomedamagewhensurprisedbythegreenwarriors。

Theywerenowalmostuponhim；theirflyingmountschargingdownontherelativelypunyfigureatterrificspeed，whilethewarriorsleanedlowtotheright，withtheirgreatmetal-shodspears。EachseemedstrivingtobethefirsttoimpalethepoorZodanganandinanothermomenthisfatewouldhavebeensealedhaditnotbeenformytimelyarrival。

DrivingmyfleetaircraftathighspeeddirectlybehindthewarriorsIsoonovertookthemandwithoutdiminishingmyspeedIrammedtheprowofmylittleflierbetweentheshouldersofthenearest。Theimpactsufficienttohavetornthroughinchesofsolidsteel，hurledthefellow"sheadlessbodyintotheairovertheheadofhisthoat，whereitfellsprawlinguponthemoss。Themountsoftheothertwowarriorsturnedsquealinginterror，andboltedinoppositedirections。

ReducingmyspeedIcircledandcametothegroundatthefeetoftheastonishedZodangan。Hewaswarminhisthanksformytimelyaidandpromisedthatmyday"sworkwouldbringtherewarditmerited，foritwasnoneotherthanacousinofthejeddakofZodangawhoselifeI

hadsaved。

Wewastednotimeintalkasweknewthatthewarriorswouldsurelyreturnassoonastheyhadgainedcontroloftheirmounts。Hasteningtohisdamagedmachinewewerebendingeveryefforttofinishtheneededrepairsandhadalmostcompletedthemwhenwesawthetwogreenmonstersreturningattopspeedfromoppositesidesofus。Whentheyhadapproachedwithinahundredyardstheirthoatsagainbecameunmanageableandabsolutelyrefusedtoadvancefurthertowardtheaircraftwhichhadfrightenedthem。

Thewarriorsfinallydismountedandhobblingtheiranimalsadvancedtowardusonfootwithdrawnlong-swords。

Iadvancedtomeetthelarger，tellingtheZodangantodothebesthecouldwiththeother。Finishingmymanwithalmostnoeffort，ashadnowfrommuchpracticebecomehabitualwithme，IhastenedtoreturntomynewacquaintancewhomIfoundindeedindesperatestraits。

Hewaswoundedanddownwiththehugefootofhisantagonistuponhisthroatandthegreatlong-swordraisedtodealthefinalthrust。WithaboundIclearedthefiftyfeetinterveningbetweenus，andwithoutstretchedpointdrovemyswordcompletelythroughthebodyofthegreenwarrior。Hisswordfell，harmless，tothegroundandhesanklimplyupontheprostrateformoftheZodangan。

Acursoryexaminationofthelatterrevealednomortalinjuriesandafterabriefrestheassertedthathefeltfittoattemptthereturnvoyage。Hewouldhavetopilothisowncraft，however，asthesefrailvesselsarenotintendedtoconveybutasingleperson。

Quicklycompletingtherepairswerosetogetherintothestill，cloudlessMartiansky，andatgreatspeedandwithoutfurthermishapreturnedtoZodanga。

Aswenearedthecitywediscoveredamightyconcourseofciviliansandtroopsassembledupontheplainbeforethecity。Theskywasblackwithnavalvesselsandprivateandpublicpleasurecraft，flyinglongstreamersofgay-coloredsilks，andbannersandflagsofoddandpicturesquedesign。

MycompanionsignaledthatIslowdown，andrunninghismachineclosebesideminesuggestedthatweapproachandwatchtheceremony，which，hesaid，wasforthepurposeofconferringhonorsonindividualofficersandmenforbraveryandotherdistinguishedservice。HethenunfurledalittleensignwhichdenotedthathiscraftboreamemberoftheroyalfamilyofZodanga，andtogetherwemadeourwaythroughthemazeoflow-lyingairvesselsuntilwehungdirectlyoverthejeddakofZodangaandhisstaff。AllweremounteduponthesmalldomesticbullthoatsoftheredMartians，andtheirtrappingsandornamentationboresuchaquantityofgorgeouslycoloredfeathersthatIcouldnotbutbestruckwiththestartlingresemblancetheconcourseboretoabandoftheredIndiansofmyownEarth。

OneofthestaffcalledtheattentionofThanKosistothepresenceofmycompanionabovethemandtherulermotionedforhimtodescend。Astheywaitedforthetroopstomoveintopositionfacingthejeddakthetwotalkedearnestlytogether，thejeddakandhisstaffoccasionallyglancingupatme。Icouldnotheartheirconversationandpresentlyitceasedandalldismounted，asthelastbodyoftroopshadwheeledintopositionbeforetheiremperor。A

memberofthestaffadvancedtowardthetroops，andcallingthenameofasoldiercommandedhimtoadvance。Theofficerthenrecitedthenatureoftheheroicactwhichhadwontheapprovalofthejeddak，andthelatteradvancedandplacedametalornamentupontheleftarmoftheluckyman。

Tenmenhadbeensodecoratedwhentheaidecalledout，"JohnCarter，airscout!"

NeverinmylifehadIbeensosurprised，butthehabitofmilitarydisciplineisstrongwithinme，andIdroppedmylittlemachinelightlytothegroundandadvancedonfootasIhadseentheothersdo。AsIhaltedbeforetheofficer，headdressedmeinavoiceaudibletotheentireassemblageoftroopsandspectators。

"Inrecognition，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"ofyourremarkablecourageandskillindefendingthepersonofthecousinofthejeddakThanKosisand，singlehanded，vanquishingthreegreenwarriors，itisthepleasureofourjeddaktoconferonyouthemarkofhisesteem。”

ThanKosisthenadvancedtowardmeandplacinganornamentuponme，said:

"Mycousinhasnarratedthedetailsofyourwonderfulachievement，whichseemslittleshortofmiraculous，andifyoucansowelldefendacousinofthejeddakhowmuchbettercouldyoudefendthepersonofthejeddakhimself。

YouarethereforeappointedapadwarofTheGuardsandwillbequarteredinmypalacehereafter。”

Ithankedhim，andathisdirectionjoinedthemembersofhisstaff。AftertheceremonyIreturnedmymachinetoitsquartersontheroofofthebarracksoftheair-scoutsquadron，andwithanorderlyfromthepalacetoguidemeIreportedtotheofficerinchargeofthepalace。

CHAPTERXXII

IFINDDEJAH

Themajor-domotowhomIreportedhadbeengiveninstructionstostationmenearthepersonofthejeddak，who，intimeofwar，isalwaysingreatdangerofassassination，astherulethatallisfairinwarseemstoconstitutetheentireethicsofMartianconflict。

HethereforeescortedmeimmediatelytotheapartmentinwhichThanKosisthenwas。Therulerwasengagedinconversationwithhisson，SabThan，andseveralcourtiersofhishousehold，anddidnotperceivemyentrance。

Thewallsoftheapartmentwerecompletelyhungwithsplendidtapestrieswhichhidanywindowsordoorswhichmayhavepiercedthem。Theroomwaslightedbyimprisonedraysofsunshineheldbetweentheceilingproperandwhatappearedtobeaground-glassfalseceilingafewinchesbelow。

Myguidedrewasideoneofthetapestries，disclosingapassagewhichencircledtheroom，betweenthehangingsandthewallsofthechamber。WithinthispassageIwastoremain，hesaid，solongasThanKosiswasintheapartment。

WhenheleftIwastofollow。Myonlydutywastoguardtherulerandkeepoutofsightasmuchaspossible。I

wouldberelievedafteraperiodoffourhours。Themajor-

domothenleftme。

Thetapestrieswereofastrangeweavingwhichgavetheappearanceofheavysolidityfromoneside，butfrommyhidingplaceIcouldperceiveallthattookplacewithintheroomasreadilyasthoughtherehadbeennocurtainintervening。

ScarcelyhadIgainedmypostthanthetapestryattheoppositeendofthechamberseparatedandfoursoldiersofTheGuardentered，surroundingafemalefigure。AstheyapproachedThanKosisthesoldiersfelltoeithersideandtherestandingbeforethejeddakandnottenfeetfromme，herbeautifulfaceradiantwithsmiles，wasDejahThoris。

SabThan，PrinceofZodanga，advancedtomeether，andhandinhandtheyapproachedclosetothejeddak。ThanKosislookedupinsurprise，and，rising，salutedher。

"TowhatstrangefreakdoIowethisvisitfromthePrincessofHelium，who，twodaysago，withrareconsiderationformypride，assuredmethatshewouldpreferTalHajus，thegreenThark，tomyson？"

DejahThorisonlysmiledthemoreandwiththeroguishdimplesplayingatthecornersofhermouthshemadeanswer:

"FromthebeginningoftimeuponBarsoomithasbeentheprerogativeofwomantochangehermindasshelistedandtodissembleinmattersconcerningherheart。Thatyouwillforgive，ThanKosis，ashasyourson。TwodaysagoI

wasnotsureofhisloveforme，butnowIam，andIhavecometobegofyoutoforgetmyrashwordsandtoaccepttheassuranceofthePrincessofHeliumthatwhenthetimecomesshewillwedSabThan，PrinceofZodanga。”

"Iamgladthatyouhavesodecided，"repliedThanKosis。