第9章

Thencamemoredignitaries，andtheofficersofthepalaceandofthearmy，andfinallytwofiguresentirelymuffledinscarletsilk，sothatnotafeatureofeitherwasdiscernible。

Thesetwostoppedatthefootofthethrone，facingThanKosis。WhenthebalanceoftheprocessionhadenteredandassumedtheirstationsThanKosisaddressedthecouplestandingbeforehim。Icouldnothearhiswords，butpresentlytwoofficersadvancedandremovedthescarletrobefromoneofthefigures，andIsawthatKantosKanhadfailedinhismission，foritwasSabThan，PrinceofZodanga，whostoodrevealedbeforeme。

ThanKosisnowtookasetoftheornamentsfromoneofthesalversandplacedoneofthecollarsofgoldabouthisson"sneck，springingthepadlockfast。AfterafewmorewordsaddressedtoSabThanheturnedtotheotherfigure，fromwhichtheofficersnowremovedtheenshroudingsilks，disclosingtomynowcomprehendingviewDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。

Theobjectoftheceremonywascleartome；inanothermomentDejahThoriswouldbejoinedforevertothePrinceofZodanga。Itwasanimpressiveandbeautifulceremony，Ipresume，buttomeitseemedthemostfiendishsightI

hadeverwitnessed，andastheornamentswereadjusteduponherbeautifulfigureandhercollarofgoldswungopeninthehandsofThanKosisIraisedmylong-swordabovemyhead，and，withtheheavyhilt，Ishatteredtheglassofthegreatwindowandsprangintothemidstoftheastonishedassemblage。WithaboundIwasonthestepsoftheplatformbesideThanKosis，andashestoodrivetedwithsurpriseIbroughtmylong-sworddownuponthegoldenchainthatwouldhaveboundDejahThoristoanother。

Inaninstantallwasconfusion；athousanddrawnswordsmenacedmefromeveryquarter，andSabThanspranguponmewithajeweleddaggerhehaddrawnfromhisnuptialornaments。IcouldhavekilledhimaseasilyasImightafly，buttheage-oldcustomofBarsoomstayedmyhand，andgraspinghiswristasthedaggerflewtowardmyheartIheldhimasthoughinaviseandwithmylong-swordpointedtothefarendofthehall。

"Zodangahasfallen，"Icried。"Look!"

AlleyesturnedinthedirectionIhadindicated，andthere，forgingthroughtheportalsoftheentrancewayrodeTarsTarkasandhisfiftywarriorsontheirgreatthoats。

Acryofalarmandamazementbrokefromtheassemblage，butnowordoffear，andinamomentthesoldiersandnoblesofZodangawerehurlingthemselvesupontheadvancingTharks。

ThrustingSabThanheadlongfromtheplatform，IdrewDejahThoristomyside。BehindthethronewasanarrowdoorwayandinthisThanKosisnowstoodfacingme，withdrawnlong-sword。Inaninstantwewereengaged，andI

foundnomeanantagonist。

AswecircleduponthebroadplatformIsawSabThanrushingupthestepstoaidhisfather，but，asheraisedhishandtostrike，DejahThorissprangbeforehimandthenmyswordfoundthespotthatmadeSabThanjeddakofZodanga。AshisfatherrolleddeaduponthefloorthenewjeddaktorehimselffreefromDejahThoris"grasp，andagainwefacedeachother。Hewassoonjoinedbyaquartetofofficers，and，withmybackagainstagoldenthrone，IfoughtonceagainforDejahThoris。IwashardpressedtodefendmyselfandyetnotstrikedownSabThanand，withhim，mylastchancetowinthewomanIloved。MybladewasswingingwiththerapidityoflightningasIsoughttoparrythethrustsandcutsofmyopponents。TwoIhaddisarmed，andonewasdown，whenseveralmorerushedtotheaidoftheirnewruler，andtoavengethedeathoftheold。

Astheyadvancedtherewerecriesof"Thewoman!

Thewoman!Strikeherdown；itisherplot。Killher!Killher!"

CallingtoDejahThoristogetbehindmeIworkedmywaytowardthelittledoorwaybackofthethrone，buttheofficersrealizedmyintentions，andthreeofthemspranginbehindmeandblockedmychancesforgainingapositionwhereIcouldhavedefendedDejahThorisagainstanyarmyofswordsmen。

TheTharkswerehavingtheirhandsfullinthecenteroftheroom，andIbegantorealizethatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveDejahThorisandmyself，whenIsawTarsTarkassurgingthroughthecrowdofpygmiesthatswarmedabouthim。Withoneswingofhismightylongswordhelaidadozencorpsesathisfeet，andsohehewedapathwaybeforehimuntilinanothermomenthestoodupontheplatformbesideme，dealingdeathanddestructionrightandleft。

ThebraveryoftheZodanganswasawe-inspiring，notoneattemptedtoescape，andwhenthefightingceaseditwasbecauseonlyTharksremainedaliveinthegreathall，otherthanDejahThorisandmyself。

SabThanlaydeadbesidehisfather，andthecorpsesoftheflowerofZodangannobilityandchivalrycoveredthefloorofthebloodyshambles。

MyfirstthoughtwhenthebattlewasoverwasforKantosKan，andleavingDejahThorisinchargeofTarsTarkasItookadozenwarriorsandhastenedtothedungeonsbeneaththepalace。Thejailershadalllefttojointhefightersinthethroneroom，sowesearchedthelabyrinthineprisonwithoutopposition。

IcalledKantosKan"snamealoudineachnewcorridorandcompartment，andfinallyIwasrewardedbyhearingafaintresponse。Guidedbythesound，wesoonfoundhimhelplessinadarkrecess。

Hewasoverjoyedatseeingme，andtoknowthemeaningofthefight，faintechoesofwhichhadreachedhisprisoncell。Hetoldmethattheairpatrolhadcapturedhimbeforehereachedthehightowerofthepalace，sothathehadnotevenseenSabThan。

Wediscoveredthatitwouldbefutiletoattempttocutawaythebarsandchainswhichheldhimprisoner，so，athissuggestionIreturnedtosearchthebodiesontheflooraboveforkeystoopenthepadlocksofhiscellandofhischains。

FortunatelyamongthefirstIexaminedIfoundhisjailer，andsoonwehadKantosKanwithusinthethroneroom。

Thesoundsofheavyfiring，mingledwithshoutsandcries，cametousfromthecity"sstreets，andTarsTarkashastenedawaytodirectthefightingwithout。KantosKanaccompaniedhimtoactasguide，thegreenwarriorscommencingathoroughsearchofthepalaceforotherZodangansandforloot，andDejahThorisandIwereleftalone。

Shehadsunkintooneofthegoldenthrones，andasI

turnedtohershegreetedmewithawansmile。

"Wasthereeversuchaman!"sheexclaimed。"IknowthatBarsoomhasneverbeforeseenyourlike。CanitbethatallEarthmenareasyou？Alone，astranger，hunted，threatened，persecuted，youhavedoneinafewshortmonthswhatinallthepastagesofBarsoomnomanhaseverdone:joinedtogetherthewildhordesoftheseabottomsandbroughtthemtofightasalliesofaredMartianpeople。”

"Theansweriseasy，DejahThoris，"Irepliedsmiling。"ItwasnotIwhodidit，itwaslove，loveforDejahThoris，apowerthatwouldworkgreatermiraclesthanthisyouhaveseen。”

Aprettyflushoverspreadherfaceandsheanswered，"Youmaysaythatnow，JohnCarter，andImaylisten，forIamfree。”

"AndmorestillIhavetosay，ereitisagaintoolate，"

Ireturned。"Ihavedonemanystrangethingsinmylife，manythingsthatwisermenwouldnothavedared，butneverinmywildestfancieshaveIdreamedofwinningaDejahThorisformyself——forneverhadIdreamedthatinalltheuniversedweltsuchawomanasthePrincessofHelium。Thatyouareaprincessdoesnotabashme，butthatyouareyouisenoughtomakemedoubtmysanityasIaskyou，myprincess，tobemine。”

"Hedoesnotneedtobeabashedwhosowellknewtheanswertohispleabeforethepleaweremade，"shereplied，risingandplacingherdearhandsuponmyshoulders，andsoItookherinmyarmsandkissedher。

Andthusinthemidstofacityofwildconflict，filledwiththealarmsofwar；withdeathanddestructionreapingtheirterribleharvestaroundher，didDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，truedaughterofMars，theGodofWar，promiseherselfinmarriagetoJohnCarter，GentlemanofVirginia。

CHAPTERXXVI

THROUGHCARNAGETOJOY

SometimelaterTarsTarkasandKantosKanreturnedtoreportthatZodangahadbeencompletelyreduced。Herforceswereentirelydestroyedorcaptured，andnofurtherresistancewastobeexpectedfromwithin。Severalbattleshipshadescaped，buttherewerethousandsofwarandmerchantvesselsunderguardofTharkwarriors。

Thelesserhordeshadcommencedlootingandquarrelingamongthemselves，soitwasdecidedthatwecollectwhatwarriorswecould，manasmanyvesselsaspossiblewithZodanganprisonersandmakeforHeliumwithoutfurtherlossoftime。

Fivehourslaterwesailedfromtheroofsofthedockbuildingswithafleetoftwohundredandfiftybattleships，carryingnearlyonehundredthousandgreenwarriors，followedbyafleetoftransportswithourthoats。

Behindusweleftthestrickencityinthefierceandbrutalclutchesofsomefortythousandgreenwarriorsofthelesserhordes。Theywerelooting，murdering，andfightingamongstthemselves。Inahundredplacestheyhadappliedthetorch，andcolumnsofdensesmokewererisingabovethecityasthoughtoblotoutfromtheeyeofheaventhehorridsightsbeneath。

InthemiddleoftheafternoonwesightedthescarletandyellowtowersofHelium，andashorttimelateragreatfleetofZodanganbattleshipsrosefromthecampsofthebesiegerswithoutthecity，andadvancedtomeetus。

ThebannersofHeliumhadbeenstrungfromstemtosternofeachofourmightycraft，buttheZodangansdidnotneedthissigntorealizethatwewereenemies，forourgreenMartianwarriorshadopenedfireuponthemalmostastheylefttheground。Withtheiruncannymarksmanshiptheyrakedtheon-comingfleetwithvolleyaftervolley。

ThetwincitiesofHelium，perceivingthatwewerefriends，sentouthundredsofvesselstoaidus，andthenbeganthefirstrealairbattleIhadeverwitnessed。

ThevesselscarryingourgreenwarriorswerekeptcirclingabovethecontendingfleetsofHeliumandZodanga，sincetheirbatterieswereuselessinthehandsoftheTharkswho，havingnonavy，havenoskillinnavalgunnery。Theirsmall-

armfire，however，wasmosteffective，andthefinaloutcomeoftheengagementwasstronglyinfluenced，ifnotwhollydetermined，bytheirpresence。

Atfirstthetwoforcescircledatthesamealtitude，pouringbroadsideafterbroadsideintoeachother。PresentlyagreatholewastorninthehullofoneoftheimmensebattlecraftfromtheZodangancamp；withalurchsheturnedcompletelyover，thelittlefiguresofhercrewplunging，turningandtwistingtowardthegroundathousandfeetbelow；thenwithsickeningvelocityshetoreafterthem，almostcompletelyburyingherselfinthesoftloamoftheancientseabottom。

AwildcryofexultationarosefromtheHeliumitesquadron，andwithredoubledferocitytheyfellupontheZodanganfleet。ByaprettymaneuvertwoofthevesselsofHeliumgainedapositionabovetheiradversaries，fromwhichtheypoureduponthemfromtheirkeelbombbatteriesaperfecttorrentofexplodingbombs。

Then，onebyone，thebattleshipsofHeliumsucceededinrisingabovetheZodangans，andinashorttimeanumberofthebeleagueringbattleshipsweredriftinghopelesswreckstowardthehighscarlettowerofgreaterHelium。Severalothersattemptedtoescape，buttheyweresoonsurroundedbythousandsoftinyindividualfliers，andaboveeachhungamonsterbattleshipofHeliumreadytodropboardingpartiesupontheirdecks。

WithinbutlittlemorethananhourfromthemomentthevictoriousZodangansquadronhadrisentomeetusfromthecampofthebesiegersthebattlewasover，andtheremainingvesselsoftheconqueredZodanganswereheadedtowardthecitiesofHeliumunderprizecrews。

Therewasanextremelypatheticsidetothesurrenderofthesemightyfliers，theresultofanage-oldcustomwhichdemandedthatsurrendershouldbesignalizedbythevoluntaryplungingtoearthofthecommanderofthevanquishedvessel。

Oneafteranotherthebravefellows，holdingtheircolorshighabovetheirheads，leapedfromthetoweringbowsoftheirmightycrafttoanawfuldeath。

Notuntilthecommanderoftheentirefleettookthefearfulplunge，thusindicatingthesurrenderoftheremainingvessels，didthefightingcease，andtheuselesssacrificeofbravemencometoanend。

WenowsignaledtheflagshipofHelium"snavytoapproach，andwhenshewaswithinhailingdistanceIcalledoutthatwehadthePrincessDejahThorisonboard，andthatwewishedtotransferhertotheflagshipthatshemightbetakenimmediatelytothecity。

Asthefullimportofmyannouncementboreinuponthemagreatcryarosefromthedecksoftheflagship，andamomentlaterthecolorsofthePrincessofHeliumbrokefromahundredpointsuponherupperworks。Whentheothervesselsofthesquadroncaughtthemeaningofthesignalsflashedthemtheytookupthewildacclaimandunfurledhercolorsinthegleamingsunlight。

Theflagshipboredownuponus，andassheswunggracefullytoandtouchedoursideadozenofficersspranguponourdecks。Astheirastonishedgazefelluponthehundredsofgreenwarriors，whonowcameforthfromthefightingshelters，theystoppedaghast，butatsightofKantosKan，whoadvancedtomeetthem，theycameforward，crowdingabouthim。

DejahThorisandIthenadvanced，andtheyhadnoeyesforotherthanher。Shereceivedthemgracefully，callingeachbyname，fortheyweremenhighintheesteemandserviceofhergrandfather，andsheknewthemwell。

"LayyourhandsupontheshoulderofJohnCarter，"shesaidtothem，turningtowardme，"themantowhomHeliumowesherprincessaswellashervictorytoday。”

Theywereverycourteoustomeandsaidmanykindandcomplimentarythings，butwhatseemedtoimpressthemmostwasthatIhadwontheaidofthefierceTharksinmycampaignfortheliberationofDejahThoris，andthereliefofHelium。

"Youoweyourthanksmoretoanothermanthantome，"

Isaid，"andhereheis；meetoneofBarsoom"sgreatestsoldiersandstatesmen，TarsTarkas，JeddakofThark。”

WiththesamepolishedcourtesythathadmarkedtheirmannertowardmetheyextendedtheirgreetingstothegreatThark，nor，tomysurprise，washemuchbehindthemineaseofbearingorincourtlyspeech。Thoughnotagarrulousrace，theTharksareextremelyformal，andtheirwayslendthemselvesamazinglywelltodignifiedandcourtlymanners。

DejahThoriswentaboardtheflagship，andwasmuchputoutthatIwouldnotfollow，but，asIexplainedtoher，thebattlewasbutpartlywon；westillhadthelandforcesofthebesiegingZodanganstoaccountfor，andIwouldnotleaveTarsTarkasuntilthathadbeenaccomplished。

ThecommanderofthenavalforcesofHeliumpromisedtoarrangetohavethearmiesofHeliumattackfromthecityinconjunctionwithourlandattack，andsothevesselsseparatedandDejahThoriswasborneintriumphbacktothecourtofhergrandfather，TardosMors，JeddakofHelium。

Inthedistancelayourfleetoftransports，withthethoatsofthegreenwarriors，wheretheyhadremainedduringthebattle。Withoutlandingstagesitwastobeadifficultmattertounloadthesebeastsupontheopenplain，buttherewasnothingelseforit，andsoweputoutforapointabouttenmilesfromthecityandbeganthetask。

Itwasnecessarytolowertheanimalstothegroundinslingsandthisworkoccupiedtheremainderofthedayandhalfthenight。TwicewewereattackedbypartiesofZodangancavalry，butwithlittleloss，however，andafterdarknessshutdowntheywithdrew。

AssoonasthelastthoatwasunloadedTarsTarkasgavethecommandtoadvance，andinthreepartieswecreptupontheZodangancampfromthenorth，thesouthandtheeast。

Aboutamilefromthemaincampweencounteredtheiroutpostsand，ashadbeenprearranged，acceptedthisasthesignaltocharge。Withwild，ferociouscriesandamidstthenastysquealingofbattle-enragedthoatsweboredownupontheZodangans。

Wedidnotcatchthemnapping，butfoundawell-entrenchedbattlelineconfrontingus。Timeaftertimewewererepulseduntil，towardnoon，Ibegantofearfortheresultofthebattle。

TheZodangansnumberednearlyamillionfightingmen，gatheredfrompoletopole，whereverstretchedtheirribbon-

likewaterways，whilepittedagainstthemwerelessthanahundredthousandgreenwarriors。TheforcesfromHeliumhadnotarrived，norcouldwereceiveanywordfromthem。

JustatnoonweheardheavyfiringallalongthelinebetweentheZodangansandthecities，andweknewthenthatourmuch-neededreinforcementshadcome。

AgainTarsTarkasorderedthecharge，andoncemorethemightythoatsboretheirterribleridersagainsttherampartsoftheenemy。AtthesamemomentthebattlelineofHeliumsurgedovertheoppositebreastworksoftheZodangansandinanothermomenttheywerebeingcrushedasbetweentwomillstones。Noblytheyfought，butinvain。

TheplainbeforethecitybecameaveritableshambleserethelastZodangansurrendered，butfinallythecarnageceased，theprisonersweremarchedbacktoHelium，andweenteredthegreatercity"sgates，ahugetriumphalprocessionofconqueringheroes。

Thebroadavenueswerelinedwithwomenandchildren，amongwhichwerethefewmenwhosedutiesnecessitatedthattheyremainwithinthecityduringthebattle。Weweregreetedwithanendlessroundofapplauseandshoweredwithornamentsofgold，platinum，silver，andpreciousjewels。

Thecityhadgonemadwithjoy。

MyfierceTharkscausedthewildestexcitementandenthusiasm。

NeverbeforehadanarmedbodyofgreenwarriorsenteredthegatesofHelium，andthattheycamenowasfriendsandalliesfilledtheredmenwithrejoicing。

ThatmypoorservicestoDejahThorishadbecomeknowntotheHeliumiteswasevidencedbytheloudcryingofmyname，andbytheloadsofornamentsthatwerefasteneduponmeandmyhugethoataswepasseduptheavenuestothepalace，foreveninthefaceoftheferociousappearanceofWoolathepopulacepressedcloseaboutme。

AsweapproachedthismagnificentpileweweremetbyapartyofofficerswhogreeteduswarmlyandrequestedthatTarsTarkasandhisjedswiththejeddaksandjedsofhiswildallies，togetherwithmyself，dismountandaccompanythemtoreceivefromTardosMorsanexpressionofhisgratitudeforourservices。

Atthetopofthegreatstepsleadinguptothemainportalsofthepalacestoodtheroyalparty，andaswereachedthelowerstepsoneoftheirnumberdescendedtomeetus。

Hewasanalmostperfectspecimenofmanhood；tall，straightasanarrow，superblymuscledandwiththecarriageandbearingofarulerofmen。IdidnotneedtobetoldthathewasTardosMors，JeddakofHelium。

ThefirstmemberofourpartyhemetwasTarsTarkasandhisfirstwordssealedforeverthenewfriendshipbetweentheraces。

"ThatTardosMors，"hesaid，earnestly，"maymeetthegreatestlivingwarriorofBarsoomisapricelesshonor，butthathemaylayhishandontheshoulderofafriendandallyisafargreaterboon。”

"JeddakofHelium，"returnedTarsTarkas，"ithasremainedforamanofanotherworldtoteachthegreenwarriorsofBarsoomthemeaningoffriendship；tohimweowethefactthatthehordesofTharkcanunderstandyou；thattheycanappreciateandreciprocatethesentimentssograciouslyexpressed。”

TardosMorsthengreetedeachofthegreenjeddaksandjeds，andtoeachspokewordsoffriendshipandappreciationAsheapproachedmehelaidbothhandsuponmyshoulders。

"Welcome，myson，"hesaid；"thatyouaregranted，gladly，andwithoutonewordofopposition，themostpreciousjewelinallHelium，yes，onallBarsoom，issufficientearnestofmyesteem。”

WewerethenpresentedtoMorsKajak，JedoflesserHelium，andfatherofDejahThoris。HehadfollowedclosebehindTardosMorsandseemedevenmoreaffectedbythemeetingthanhadhisfather。

Hetriedadozentimestoexpresshisgratitudetome，buthisvoicechokedwithemotionandhecouldnotspeak，andyethehad，asIwastolaterlearn，areputationforferocityandfearlessnessasafighterthatwasremarkableevenuponwarlikeBarsoom。IncommonwithallHeliumheworshipedhisdaughter，norcouldhethinkofwhatshehadescapedwithoutdeepemotion。

CHAPTERXXVII

FROMJOYTODEATH

FortendaysthehordesofTharkandtheirwildallieswerefeastedandentertained，and，then，loadedwithcostlypresentsandescortedbytenthousandsoldiersofHeliumcommandedbyMorsKajak，theystartedonthereturnjourneytotheirownlands。ThejedoflesserHeliumwithasmallpartyofnoblesaccompaniedthemallthewaytoTharktocementmorecloselythenewbondsofpeaceandfriendship。

SolaalsoaccompaniedTarsTarkas，herfather，whobeforeallhischieftainshadacknowledgedherashisdaughter。

Threeweekslater，MorsKajakandhisofficers，accompaniedbyTarsTarkasandSola，returneduponabattleshipthathadbeendispatchedtoTharktofetchthemintimefortheceremonywhichmadeDejahThorisandJohnCarterone。

FornineyearsIservedinthecouncilsandfoughtinthearmiesofHeliumasaprinceofthehouseofTardosMors。

Thepeopleseemednevertotireofheapinghonorsuponme，andnodaypassedthatdidnotbringsomenewproofoftheirloveformyprincess，theincomparableDejahThoris。

Inagoldenincubatorupontheroofofourpalacelayasnow-whiteegg。Fornearlyfiveyearstensoldiersofthejeddak"sGuardhadconstantlystoodoverit，andnotadaypassedwhenIwasinthecitythatDejahThorisandIdidnotstandhandinhandbeforeourlittleshrineplanningforthefuture，whenthedelicateshellshouldbreak。

Vividinmymemoryisthepictureofthelastnightaswesattheretalkinginlowtonesofthestrangeromancewhichhadwovenourlivestogetherandofthiswonderwhichwascomingtoaugmentourhappinessandfulfillourhopes。

Inthedistancewesawthebright-whitelightofanapproachingairship，butweattachednospecialsignificancetosocommonasight。LikeaboltoflightningitracedtowardHeliumuntilitsveryspeedbespoketheunusual。

Flashingthesignalswhichproclaimeditadispatchbearerforthejeddak，itcircledimpatientlyawaitingthetardypatrolboatwhichmustconvoyittothepalacedocks。

Tenminutesafterittouchedatthepalaceamessagecalledmetothecouncilchamber，whichIfoundfillingwiththemembersofthatbody。

OntheraisedplatformofthethronewasTardosMors，pacingbackandforthwithtense-drawnface。Whenallwereintheirseatsheturnedtowardus。

"Thismorning，"hesaid，"wordreachedtheseveralgovernmentsofBarsoomthatthekeeperoftheatmosphereplanthadmadenowirelessreportfortwodays，norhadalmostceaselesscallsuponhimfromascoreofcapitalselicitedasignofresponse。

"Theambassadorsoftheothernationsaskedustotakethematterinhandandhastentheassistantkeepertotheplant。Alldayathousandcruisershavebeensearchingforhimuntiljustnowoneofthemreturnsbearinghisdeadbody，whichwasfoundinthepitsbeneathhishousehorriblymutilatedbysomeassassin。

"IdonotneedtotellyouwhatthismeanstoBarsoom。Itwouldtakemonthstopenetratethosemightywalls，infacttheworkhasalreadycommenced，andtherewouldbelittletofearweretheengineofthepumpingplanttorunasitshouldandastheyallhaveforhundredsofyearsnow；buttheworst，wefear，hashappened。TheinstrumentsshowarapidlydecreasingairpressureonallpartsofBarsoom——theenginehasstopped。”

"Mygentlemen，"heconcluded，"wehaveatbestthreedaystolive。”

Therewasabsolutesilenceforseveralminutes，andthenayoungnoblearose，andwithhisdrawnswordheldhighabovehisheadaddressedTardosMors。

"ThemenofHeliumhavepridedthemselvesthattheyhaveevershownBarsoomhowanationofredmenshouldlive，nowisouropportunitytoshowthemhowtheyshoulddie。

Letusgoaboutourdutiesasthoughathousandusefulyearsstilllaybeforeus。”

Thechamberrangwithapplauseandastherewasnothingbettertodothantoallaythefearsofthepeoplebyourexamplewewentourwayswithsmilesuponourfacesandsorrowgnawingatourhearts。

WhenIreturnedtomypalaceIfoundthattherumoralreadyhadreachedDejahThoris，soItoldherallthatIhadheard。

"Wehavebeenveryhappy，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"andIthankwhateverfateovertakesusthatitpermitsustodietogether。”

Thenexttwodaysbroughtnonoticeablechangeinthesupplyofair，butonthemorningofthethirddaybreathingbecamedifficultatthehigheraltitudesoftherooftops。

TheavenuesandplazasofHeliumwerefilledwithpeople。

Allbusinesshadceased。Forthemostpartthepeoplelookedbravelyintothefaceoftheirunalterabledoom。Hereandthere，however，menandwomengavewaytoquietgrief。

TowardthemiddleofthedaymanyoftheweakercommencedtosuccumbandwithinanhourthepeopleofBarsoomweresinkingbythousandsintotheunconsciousnesswhichprecedesdeathbyasphyxiation。

DejahThorisandIwiththeothermembersoftheroyalfamilyhadcollectedinasunkengardenwithinaninnercourtyardofthepalace。Weconversedinlowtones，whenweconversedatall，astheaweofthegrimshadowofdeathcreptoverus。EvenWoolaseemedtofeeltheweightoftheimpendingcalamity，forhepressedclosetoDejahThorisandtome，whiningpitifully。

ThelittleincubatorhadbeenbroughtfromtheroofofourpalaceatrequestofDejahThorisandnowshesatgazinglonginglyupontheunknownlittlelifethatnowshewouldneverknow。

AsitwasbecomingperceptiblydifficulttobreatheTardosMorsarose，saying，"Letusbideachotherfarewell。ThedaysofthegreatnessofBarsoomareover。Tomorrow"ssunwilllookdownuponadeadworldwhichthroughalleternitymustgoswingingthroughtheheavenspeoplednotevenbymemories。Itistheend。”

Hestoopedandkissedthewomenofhisfamily，andlaidhisstronghandupontheshouldersofthemen。

AsIturnedsadlyfromhimmyeyesfelluponDejahThoris。Herheadwasdroopinguponherbreast，toallappearancesshewaslifeless。WithacryIsprangtoherandraisedherinmyarms。

Hereyesopenedandlookedintomine。

"Kissme，JohnCarter，"shemurmured。"Iloveyou!

Iloveyou!Itiscruelthatwemustbetornapartwhowerejuststartinguponalifeofloveandhappiness。”

AsIpressedherdearlipstominetheoldfeelingofunconquerablepowerandauthorityroseinme。ThefightingbloodofVirginiasprangtolifeinmyveins。

"Itshallnotbe，myprincess，"Icried。"Thereis，theremustbesomeway，andJohnCarter，whohasfoughthiswaythroughastrangeworldforloveofyou，willfindit。”

Andwithmywordstherecreptabovethethresholdofmyconsciousmindaseriesofninelongforgottensounds。Likeaflashoflightninginthedarknesstheirfullpurportdawneduponme——thekeytothethreegreatdoorsoftheatmosphereplant!

TurningsuddenlytowardTardosMorsasIstillclaspedmydyinglovetomybreastIcried。

"Aflier，Jeddak!Quick!Orderyourswiftestfliertothepalacetop。IcansaveBarsoomyet。”

Hedidnotwaittoquestion，butinaninstantaguardwasracingtothenearestdockandthoughtheairwasthinandalmostgoneattherooftoptheymanagedtolaunchthefastestone-man，air-scoutmachinethattheskillofBarsoomhadeverproduced。

KissingDejahThorisadozentimesandcommandingWoola，whowouldhavefollowedme，toremainandguardher，Iboundedwithmyoldagilityandstrengthtothehighrampartsofthepalace，andinanothermomentIwasheadedtowardthegoalofthehopesofallBarsoom。

Ihadtoflylowtogetsufficientairtobreathe，butItookastraightcourseacrossanoldseabottomandsohadtoriseonlyafewfeetabovetheground。

Itraveledwithawfulvelocityformyerrandwasaraceagainsttimewithdeath。ThefaceofDejahThorishungalwaysbeforeme。AsIturnedforalastlookasIleftthepalacegardenIhadseenherstaggerandsinkuponthegroundbesidethelittleincubator。Thatshehaddroppedintothelastcomawhichwouldendindeath，iftheairsupplyremainedunreplenished，Iwellknew，andso，throwingcautiontothewinds，Iflungoverboardeverythingbuttheengineandcompass，eventomyornaments，andlyingonmybellyalongthedeckwithonehandonthesteeringwheelandtheotherpushingthespeedlevertoitslastnotchI

splitthethinairofdyingMarswiththespeedofameteor。

Anhourbeforedarkthegreatwallsoftheatmosphereplantloomedsuddenlybeforeme，andwithasickeningthudIplungedtothegroundbeforethesmalldoorwhichwaswithholdingthesparkoflifefromtheinhabitantsofanentireplanet。

Besidethedooragreatcrewofmenhadbeenlaboringtopiercethewall，buttheyhadscarcelyscratchedtheflint-

likesurface，andnowmostofthemlayinthelastsleepfromwhichnotevenairwouldawakenthem。

ConditionsseemedmuchworseherethanatHelium，anditwaswithdifficultythatIbreathedatall。Therewereafewmenstillconscious，andtooneoftheseIspoke。

"IfIcanopenthesedoorsisthereamanwhocanstarttheengines？"Iasked。

"Ican，"hereplied，"ifyouopenquickly。Icanlastbutafewmomentsmore。Butitisuseless，theyarebothdeadandnooneelseuponBarsoomknewthesecretoftheseawfullocks。Forthreedaysmencrazedwithfearhavesurgedaboutthisportalinvainattemptstosolveitsmystery。”

Ihadnotimetotalk，IwasbecomingveryweakanditwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmymindatall。

But，withafinaleffort，asIsankweaklytomykneesI

hurledtheninethoughtwavesatthatawfulthingbeforeme。

TheMartianhadcrawledtomysideandwithstaringeyesfixedonthesinglepanelbeforeuswewaitedinthesilenceofdeath。

Slowlythemightydoorrecededbeforeus。IattemptedtoriseandfollowitbutIwastooweak。

"Afterit，"Icriedtomycompanion，"andifyoureachthepumproomturnlooseallthepumps。ItistheonlychanceBarsoomhastoexisttomorrow!"

FromwhereIlayIopenedtheseconddoor，andthenthethird，andasIsawthehopeofBarsoomcrawlingweaklyonhandsandkneesthroughthelastdoorwayIsankunconsciousupontheground。

CHAPTERXXVIII

ATTHEARIZONACAVE

ItwasdarkwhenIopenedmyeyesagain。Strange，stiffgarmentswereuponmybody；garmentsthatcrackedandpowderedawayfrommeasIrosetoasittingposture。

IfeltmyselfoverfromheadtofootandfromheadtofootIwasclothed，thoughwhenIfellunconsciousatthelittledoorwayIhadbeennaked。Beforemewasasmallpatchofmoonlitskywhichshowedthrougharaggedaperture。

Asmyhandspassedovermybodytheycameincontactwithpocketsandinoneoftheseasmallparcelofmatcheswrappedinoiledpaper。OneofthesematchesIstruck，anditsdimflamelightedupwhatappearedtobeahugecave，towardthebackofwhichIdiscoveredastrange，stillfigurehuddledoveratinybench。AsIapproacheditIsawthatitwasthedeadandmummifiedremainsofalittleoldwomanwithlongblackhair，andthethingitleanedoverwasasmallcharcoalburneruponwhichrestedaroundcoppervesselcontainingasmallquantityofgreenishpowder。

Behindher，dependingfromtheroofuponrawhidethongs，andstretchingentirelyacrossthecave，wasarowofhumanskeletons。Fromthethongwhichheldthemstretchedanothertothedeadhandofthelittleoldwoman；asItouchedthecordtheskeletonsswungtothemotionwithanoiseasoftherustlingofdryleaves。

ItwasamostgrotesqueandhorridtableauandIhastenedoutintothefreshair；gladtoescapefromsogruesomeaplace。

ThesightthatmetmyeyesasIsteppedoutuponasmallledgewhichranbeforetheentranceofthecavefilledmewithconsternation。

Anewheavenandanewlandscapemetmygaze。Thesilveredmountainsinthedistance，thealmoststationarymoonhanginginthesky，thecacti-studdedvalleybelowmewerenotofMars。Icouldscarcelybelievemyeyes，butthetruthslowlyforceditselfuponme——IwaslookinguponArizonafromthesameledgefromwhichtenyearsbeforeIhadgazedwithlonginguponMars。

BuryingmyheadinmyarmsIturned，broken，andsorrowful，downthetrailfromthecave。

AbovemeshonetheredeyeofMarsholdingherawfulsecret，forty-eightmillionmilesaway。

DidtheMartianreachthepumproom？Didthevitalizingairreachthepeopleofthatdistantplanetintimetosavethem？WasmyDejahThorisalive，ordidherbeautifulbodyliecoldindeathbesidethetinygoldenincubatorinthesunkengardenoftheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofTardosMors，thejeddakofHelium？

FortenyearsIhavewaitedandprayedforananswertomyquestions。FortenyearsIhavewaitedandprayedtobetakenbacktotheworldofmylostlove。IwouldratherliedeadbesidehertherethanliveonEarthallthosemillionsofterriblemilesfromher。

Theoldmine，whichIfounduntouched，hasmademefabulouslywealthy；butwhatcareIforwealth!

AsIsitheretonightinmylittlestudyoverlookingtheHudson，justtwentyyearshaveelapsedsinceIfirstopenedmyeyesuponMars。

Icanseehershiningintheskythroughthelittlewindowbymydesk，andtonightsheseemscallingtomeagainasshehasnotcalledbeforesincethatlongdeadnight，andI

thinkIcansee，acrossthatawfulabyssofspace，abeautifulblack-hairedwomanstandinginthegardenofapalace，andathersideisalittleboywhoputshisarmaroundherasshepointsintotheskytowardtheplanetEarth，whileattheirfeetisahugeandhideouscreaturewithaheartofgold。

Ibelievethattheyarewaitingthereforme，andsomethingtellsmethatIshallsoonknow。