第4章
"Bravemen，they——ah，butthegloryofLotharhasfaded！
Seetheirweapons。Theyaloneborearms，fortheycrossedthefiveseastostrangeplaceswheredangerswere。
WiththeirpassingpassedthemartialspiritoftheLotharians，leaving，astheagesrolledby，araceofspinelesscowards。
"Wehatedwar，andsowetrainednotouryouthinwarlikeways。Thusfollowedourundoing，forwhentheseasdriedandthegreenhordesencroacheduponuswecoulddonaughtbutflee。Butwerememberedtheseafaringbowmenofthedaysofourglory——itisthememoryofthesewhichwehurluponourenemies。"
AsJavceasedspeaking，thepicturefaded，andoncemore，thethreetookuptheirwaytowardthedistantgates，alongdesertedavenues。
TwicetheysightedLothariansoffleshandblood。AtsightofthemandthehugebanthwhichtheymusthaverecognizedasKomal，thecitizensturnedandfled。
"TheywillcarrywordofourflighttoTario，"criedJav，"andsoonhewillsendhisbowmenafterus。Letushopethatourtheoryiscorrect，andthattheirshaftsarepowerlessagainstmindscognizantoftheirunreality。
Otherwisewearedoomed。
"Explain，redman，tothewomanthetruthsthatI
haveexplainedtoyou，thatshemaymeetthearrowswithastrongercounter—suggestionofimmunity。"
CarthorisdidasJavbidhim;buttheycametothegreatgateswithoutsignofpursuitdeveloping。HereJavsetinmotionthemechanismthatrolledthehuge，wheel—likegateaside，andamomentlaterthethree，accompaniedbythebanth，steppedoutintotheplainbeforeLothar。
Scarcehadtheycoveredahundredyardswhenthesoundofmanymenshoutingarosebehindthem。Astheyturnedtheysawacompanyofbowmendebouchingupontheplainfromthegatethroughwhichtheyhadbutjustpassed。
UponthewallabovethegatewereanumberofLotharians，amongwhomJavrecognizedTario。Thejeddakstoodglaringatthem，evidentlyconcentratingalltheforcesofhistrainedminduponthem。Thathewasmakingasupremeefforttorenderhisimaginarycreaturesdeadlywasapparent。
Javturnedwhite，andcommencedtotremble。Atthecrucialmomentheappearedtolosethecourageofhisconviction。Thegreatbanthturnedbacktowardtheadvancingbowmenandgrowled。CarthorisplacedhimselfbetweenThuviaandtheenemyand，facingthem，awaitedtheoutcomeoftheircharge。
SuddenlyaninspirationcametoCarthoris。
"HurlyourownbowmenagainstTario’s！"hecriedtoJav。
"Letusseeamaterializedbattlebetweentwomentalities。"
ThesuggestionseemedtoheartentheLotharian，andinanothermomentthethreestoodbehindsolidranksofhugebowmenwhohurledtauntsandmenacesattheadvancingcompanyemergingfromthewalledcity。
JavwasanewmanthemomenthisbattalionsstoodbetweenhimandTario。Onecouldalmosthaveswornthemanbelievedthesecreaturesofhisstrangehypnoticpowertoberealfleshandblood。
WithhoarsebattlecriestheychargedthebowmenofTario。
Barbedshaftsflewthickandfast。Menfell，andthegroundwasredwithgore。
CarthorisandThuviahaddifficultyinreconcilingtherealityofitallwiththeirknowledgeofthetruth。
TheysawutanafterutanmarchfromthegateinperfectsteptoreinforcetheoutnumberedcompanywhichTariohadfirstsentforthtoarrestthem。
TheysawJav’sforcesgrowcorrespondinglyuntilallaboutthemrolledaseaoffighting，cursingwarriors，andthedeadlayinheapsaboutthefield。
JavandTarioseemedtohaveforgottenallelsebesidethestrugglingbowmenthatsurgedtoandfro，fillingthebroadfieldbetweentheforestandthecity。
ThewoodloomedclosebehindThuviaandCarthoris。
ThelattercastaglancetowardJav。
"Come！"hewhisperedtothegirl。"Letthemfightouttheiremptybattle——neither，evidently，haspowertoharmtheother。Theyareliketwocontroversialistshurlingwordsatoneanother。Whiletheyareengagedwemayaswellbedevotingourenergiestoanattempttofindthepassagethroughthecliffstotheplainbeyond。"
Ashespoke，Jav，turningfromthebattleforaninstant，caughthiswords。HesawthegirlmovetoaccompanytheHeliumite。AcunninglookleapedtotheLotharian’seyes。
ThethingthatlaybeyondthatlookhadbeendeepinhisheartsincefirsthehadlaideyesuponThuviaofPtarth。Hehadnotrecognizedit，however，untilnowthatsheseemedabouttopassoutofhisexistence。
HecentredhismindupontheHeliumiteandthegirlforaninstant。
CarthorissawThuviaofPtarthstepforwardwithoutstretchedhand。Hewassurprisedatthissuddensofteningtowardhim，anditwaswithafullheartthathelethisfingerscloseuponhers，astogethertheyturnedawayfromforgottenLothar，intothewoods，andbenttheirstepstowardthedistantmountains。
AstheLotharianhadturnedtowardthem，ThuviahadbeensurprisedtohearCarthorissuddenlyvoiceanewplan。
"RemainherewithJav，"shehadheardhimsay，"whileIgotosearchforthepassagethroughthecliffs。"
Shehaddroppedbackinsurpriseanddisappointment，forsheknewthattherewasnoreasonwhysheshouldnothaveaccompaniedhim。CertainlysheshouldhavebeensaferwithhimthanleftherealonewiththeLotharian。
AndJavwatchedthetwoandsmiledhiscunningsmile。
WhenCarthorishaddisappearedwithinthewood，Thuviaseatedherselfapatheticallyuponthescarletswardtowatchtheseeminglyinterminablestrugglesofthebowmen。
Thelongafternoondraggeditswearywaytowarddarkness，andstilltheimaginarylegionschargedandretreated。
ThesunwasabouttosetwhenTariocommencedtowithdrawhistroopsslowlytowardthecity。
HisplanforcessationofhostilitiesthroughthenightevidentlymetwithJav’sentireapproval，forhecausedhisforcestoformthemselvesinorderlyutansandmarchjustwithintheedgeofthewood，wheretheyweresoonbusilyengagedinpreparingtheireveningmeal，andspreadingdowntheirsleepingsilksandfursforthenight。
ThuviacouldscarcerepressasmileasshenotedthescrupulouscarewithwhichJav’simaginarymenattendedtoeachtinydetailofdeportmentastrulyasiftheyhadbeenrealfleshandblood。
Sentrieswerepostedbetweenthecampandthecity。
Officersclankedhitherandthitherissuingcommandsandseeingtoitthattheywereproperlycarriedout。
ThuviaturnedtowardJav。
"Whyisit，"sheasked，"thatyouobservesuchcarefulnicetyintheregulationofyourcreatureswhenTarioknowsquiteaswellasyouthattheyarebutfigmentsofyourbrain？Whynotpermitthemsimplytodissolveintothinairuntilyouagainrequiretheirfutileservice？"
"Youdonotunderstandthem，"repliedJav。"Whiletheyexisttheyarereal。Idobutcallthemintobeingnow，andinawaydirecttheirgeneralactions。Butthereafter，untilIdissolvethem，theyareasactualasyouorI。
Theirofficerscommandthem，undermyguidance。Iamthegeneral——thatisall。AndthepsychologicaleffectupontheenemyisfargreaterthanwereItotreatthemmerelyassubstancelessvagaries。
"Then，too，"continuedtheLotharian，"thereisalwaysthehope，whichwithusislittleshortofbelief，thatsomedaythesematerializationswillmergeintothereal——thattheywillremain，someofthem，afterwehavedissolvedtheirfellows，andthatthusweshallhavediscoveredameansforperpetuatingourdyingrace。
"Sometherearewhoclaimalreadytohaveaccomplishedthething。Itisgenerallysupposedthattheetherealistshavequiteafewamongtheirnumberwhoarepermanentmaterializations。ItisevensaidthatsuchisTario，butthatcannotbe，forheexistedbeforewehaddiscoveredthefullpossibilitiesofsuggestion。
"Thereareothersamonguswhoinsistthatnoneofusisreal。
Thatwecouldnothaveexistedalltheseageswithoutmaterialfoodandwaterhadweourselvesbeenmaterial。AlthoughIamarealist，Iratherinclinetowardthisbeliefmyself。
"Itseemswellandsensiblybaseduponthebeliefthatourancientforbearsdevelopedbeforetheirextinctionsuchwondrousmentalitiesthatsomeofthestrongermindsamongthemlivedafterthedeathoftheirbodies——thatwearebutthedeathlessmindsofindividualslongdead。
"Itwouldappearpossible，andyetinsofarasIamconcernedIhavealltheattributesofcorporealexistence。
Ieat，Isleep"——hepaused，castingameaninglookuponthegirl——"Ilove！"
Thuviacouldnotmistakethepalpablemeaningofhiswordsandexpression。SheturnedawaywithalittleshrugofdisgustthatwasnotlostupontheLotharian。
Hecameclosetoherandseizedherarm。
"WhynotJav？"hecried。"Whomorehonourablethanthesecondoftheworld’smostancientrace？
YourHeliumite？Hehasgone。Hehasdesertedyoutoyourfatetosavehimself。Come，beJav’s！"
ThuviaofPtarthrosetoherfullheight，herliftedshoulderturnedtowardtheman，herhaughtychinupraised，ascornfultwisttoherlips。
"Youlie！"shesaidquietly，"theHeliumiteknowslessofdisloyaltythanheknowsoffear，andoffearheisasignorantastheunhatchedyoung。"
"Thenwhereishe？"tauntedtheLotharian。"Itellyouhehasfledthevalley。Hehasleftyoutoyourfate。
ButJavwillseethatitisapleasantone。To—morrowweshallreturnintoLotharattheheadofmyvictoriousarmy，andIshallbejeddakandyoushallbemyconsort。Come！"
Andheattemptedtocrushhertohisbreast。
Thegirlstruggledtofreeherself，strikingatthemanwithhermetalarmlets。Yetstillhedrewhertowardhim，untilbothweresuddenlystartledbyahideousgrowlthatrumbledfromthedarkwoodclosebehindthem。
CHAPTERX
KARKOMAK，THEBOWMAN
AsCarthorismovedthroughtheforesttowardthedistantcliffswithThuvia’shandstilltightpressedinhis，hewonderedalittleatthegirl’scontinuedsilence，yetthecontactofhercoolpalmagainsthiswassopleasantthathefearedtobreakthespellofhernew—foundrelianceinhimbyspeaking。
OnwardthroughthedimwoodtheypasseduntiltheshadowsofthequickcomingMartiannightcommencedtoclosedownuponthem。ThenitwasthatCarthoristurnedtospeaktothegirlathisside。
Theymustplantogetherforthefuture。Itwashisideatopassthroughthecliffsatonceiftheycouldlocatethepassage，andhewasquitepositivethattheywerenowclosetoit;buthewantedherassenttotheproposition。
Ashiseyesresteduponher，hewasstruckbyherstrangelyetherealappearance。Sheseemedsuddenlytohavedissolvedintothetenuoussubstanceofadream，andashecontinuedtogazeuponher，shefadedslowlyfromhissight。
Foraninstanthewasdumbfounded，andthenthewholetruthflashedsuddenlyuponhim。JavhadcausedhimtobelievethatThuviawasaccompanyinghimthroughthewoodwhile，asamatteroffact，hehaddetainedthegirlforhimself！
Carthoriswashorrified。Hecursedhimselfforhisstupidity，andyetheknewthatthefiendishpowerwhichtheLotharianhadinvokedtoconfusehimmighthavedeceivedany。
ScarcehadherealizedthetruththanhehadstartedtoretracehisstepstowardLothar，butnowhemovedatatrot，theEarthlythewsthathehadinheritedfromhisfathercarryinghimswiftlyoverthesoftcarpetoffallenleavesandrankgrass。
Thuria’sbrilliantlightfloodedtheplainbeforethewalledcityofLotharasCarthorisbrokefromthewoodoppositethegreatgatethathadgiventhefugitivesegressfromthecityearlierintheday。
Atfirsthesawnoindicationthattherewasanotherthanhimselfanywhereabout。Theplainwasdeserted。
Nomyriadbowmencampednowbeneaththeoverhangingverdureofthegianttrees。Nogoryheapsoftortureddeaddefacedthebeautyofthescarletsward。
Allwassilence。Allwaspeace。
TheHeliumite，scarcepausingattheforest’sverge，pushedonacrosstheplaintowardthecity，whenpresentlyhedescriedahuddledforminthegrassathisfeet。
Itwasthebodyofaman，lyingprone。Carthoristurnedthefigureoveruponitsback。ItwasJav，buttornandmangledalmostbeyondrecognition。
Theprincebentlowtonoteifanysparkofliferemained，andashedidsothelidsraisedanddull，sufferingeyeslookedupintohis。
"ThePrincessofPtarth！"criedCarthoris。"Whereisshe？
Answerme，man，orIcompletetheworkthatanotherhassowellbegun。"
"Komal，"mutteredJav。"Hespranguponme……andwouldhavedevouredmebutforthegirl。Thentheywentawaytogetherintothewood——thegirlandthegreatbanth……herfingerstwinedinhistawnymane。"
"Whichwaywentthey？"askedCarthoris。
"There，"repliedJavfaintly，"towardthepassagethroughthecliffs。"
ThePrinceofHeliumwaitedtohearnomore，butspringingtohisfeet，racedbackagainintotheforest。
Itwasdawnwhenhereachedthemouthofthedarktunnelthatwouldleadhimtotheotherworldbeyondthisvalleyofghostlymemoriesandstrangehypnoticinfluencesandmenaces。
Withinthelong，darkpassageshemetwithnoaccidentorobstacle，comingatlastintothelightofdaybeyondthemountains，andnogreatdistancefromthesouthernvergeofthedomainsoftheTorquasians，notmorethanonehundredandfiftyhaadatthemost。
FromtheboundaryofTorquastothecityofAaanthorisadistanceofsometwohundredhaads，sothattheHeliumitehadbeforehimajourneyofmorethanonehundredandfiftyEarthmilesbetweenhimandAaanthor。
HecouldatbestbuthazardachanceguessthattowardAaanthorThuviawouldtakeherflight。Therelaythenearestwater，andtheremightbeexpectedsomedayarescuingpartyfromherfather’sempire;forCarthorisknewThuvanDihnwellenoughtoknowthathewouldleavenostoneunturneduntilhehadtrackeddownthetruthastohisdaughter’sabduction，andlearnedallthattheremightbetolearnofherwhereabouts。
Herealized，ofcourse，thatthetrickwhichhadlaidsuspicionuponhimwouldgreatlydelaythediscoveryofthetruth，butlittledidheguesstowhatvastproportionshadtheresultsofthevillainyofAstokofDusaralreadygrown。
EvenasheemergedfromthemouthofthepassagetolookacrossthefoothillsinthedirectionofAaanthor，aPtarthbattlefleetwaswingingitsmajesticwayslowlytowardthetwincitiesofHelium，whilefromfardistantKaolracedanothermightyarmadatojoinforceswithitsally。
HedidnotknowthatinthefaceofthecircumstantialevidenceagainsthimevenhisownpeoplehadcommencedtoentertainsuspicionsthathemighthavestolenthePtarthianprincess。
HedidnotknowofthelengthstowhichtheDusarianshadgonetodisruptthefriendshipandalliancewhichexistedbetweenthethreegreatpowersoftheeasternhemisphere——Helium，PtarthandKaol。
HowDusarianemissarieshadfoundemploymentinimportantpostsintheforeignofficesofthethreegreatnations，andhow，throughthesemen，messagesfromonejeddaktoanotherwerealteredandgarbleduntilthepatienceandprideofthethreerulersandformerfriendscouldnolongerendurethehumiliationsandinsultscontainedinthesefalsifiedpapers——notanyofthisheknew。
NordidheknowhoweventothelastJohnCarter，WarlordofMars，hadrefusedtopermitthejeddakofHeliumtodeclarewaragainsteitherPtarthorKaol，becauseofhisimplicitbeliefinhisson，andthateventuallyallwouldbesatisfactorilyexplained。
AndnowtwogreatfleetsweremovinguponHelium，whiletheDusarianspiesatthecourtofTardosMorssawtoitthatthetwincitiesremainedinignoranceoftheirdanger。
WarhadbeendeclaredbyThuvanDihn，butthemessengerwhohadbeendispatchedwiththeproclamationhadbeenaDusarianwhohadseentoitthatnowordofwarningreachedthetwincitiesoftheapproachofahostilefleet。
ForseveraldaysdiplomaticrelationshadbeenseveredbetweenHeliumandhertwomostpowerfulneighbors，andwiththedepartureoftheministershadcomeatotalcessationofwirelesscommunicationbetweenthedisputants，asisusualuponBarsoom。
ButofallthisCarthoriswasignorant。AllthatinterestedhimatpresentwasthefindingofThuviaofPtarth。Hertrailbesidethatofthehugebanthhadbeenwellmarkedtothetunnel，andwasoncemorevisibleleadingsouthwardintothefoothills。
Ashefollowedrapidlydownwardtowardthedeadsea—
bottom，whereheknewhemustlosethespoorintheresilientochrevegetation，hewassuddenlysurprisedtoseeanakedmanapproachinghimfromthenorth—east。
Asthefellowdrewcloser，Carthorishaltedtoawaithiscoming。
Heknewthatthemanwasunarmed，andthathewasapparentlyaLotharian，forhisskinwaswhiteandhishairauburn。
HeapproachedtheHeliumitewithoutsignoffear，andwhenquiteclosecalledoutthecheeryBarsoomian"kaor"ofgreeting。
"Whoareyou？"askedCarthoris。
"IamKarKomak，odwarofthebowmen，"repliedtheother。
"Astrangethinghashappenedtome。ForagesTariohasbeenbringingmeintoexistenceasheneededtheservicesofthearmyofhismind。OfallthebowmenithasbeenKarKomakwhohasbeenoftenestmaterialized。
"ForalongtimeTariohasbeenconcentratinghisminduponmypermanentmaterialization。IthasbeenanobsessionwithhimthatsomedaythisthingcouldbeaccomplishedandthefutureofLotharassured。
Heassertedthatmatterwasnonexistentexceptintheimaginationofman——thatallwasmental，andsohebelievedthatbypersistinginhissuggestionhecouldeventuallymakeofmeapermanentsuggestioninthemindsofallcreatures。
"Yesterdayhesucceeded，butatsuchatime！Itmusthavecomeallunknowntohim，asitcametomewithoutmyknowledge，as，withmyhordeofyellingbowmen，I
pursuedthefleeingTorquasiansbacktotheirochreplains。
"Asdarknesssettledandthetimecameforustofadeoncemoreintothinair，Isuddenlyfoundmyselfaloneupontheedgeofthegreatplainwhichliesyonderatthefootofthelowhills。
"Mymenweregonebacktothenothingnessfromwhichtheyhadsprung，butIremained——nakedandunarmed。
"AtfirstIcouldnotunderstand，butatlastcamearealizationofwhathadoccurred。Tario’slongsuggestionshadatlastprevailed，andKarKomakhadbecomearealityintheworldofmen;butmyharnessandmyweaponshadfadedawaywithmyfellows，leavingmenakedandunarmedinahostilecountryfarfromLothar。"
"YouwishtoreturntoLothar？"askedCarthoris。
"No！"repliedKarKomakquickly。"IhavenoloveforTario。
Beingacreatureofhismind，Iknowhimtoowell。
Heiscruelandtyrannical——amasterIhavenodesiretoserve。
Nowthathehassucceededinaccomplishingmypermanentmaterialization，hewillbeunbearable，andhewillgoonuntilhehasfilledLotharwithhiscreatures。
IwonderifhehassucceededaswellwiththemaidofLothar。"
"Ithoughttherewerenowomenthere，"saidCarthoris。
"InahiddenapartmentinthepalaceofTario，"repliedKarKomak，"thejeddakhasmaintainedthesuggestionofabeautifulgirl，hopingthatsomedayshewouldbecomepermanent。Ihaveseenherthere。Sheiswonderful！
ButforhersakeIhopethatTariosucceedsnotsowellwithherashehaswithme。
"Now，redman，Ihavetoldyouofmyself——whatofyou？"
Carthorislikedthefaceandmannerofthebowman。
Therehadbeennosignofdoubtorfearinhisexpressionashehadapproachedtheheavily—armedHeliumite，andhehadspokendirectlyandtothepoint。
SothePrinceofHeliumtoldthebowmanofLotharwhohewasandwhatadventurehadbroughthimtothisfarcountry。
"Good！"exclaimedtheother，whenhehaddone。"KarKomakwillaccompanyyou。TogetherweshallfindthePrincessofPtarthandwithyouKarKomakwillreturntotheworldofmen——suchaworldasheknewinthelong—gonepastwhentheshipsofmightyLotharploughedangryThroxus，andtheroaringsurfbeatagainstthebarrieroftheseparchedanddrearyhills。"
"Whatmeanyou？"askedCarthoris。"Hadyoureallyaformeractualexistence？"
"Mostassuredly，"repliedKarKomak。"InmydayI
commandedthefleetsofLothar——mightiestofallthefleetsthatsailedthefivesaltseas。
"WherevermenliveduponBarsoomtherewasthenameofKarKomakknownandrespected。Peacefulwerethelandracesinthosedistantdays——onlytheseafarerswerewarriors;butnowhasthegloryofthepastfaded，nordidIthinkuntilImetyouthatthereremaineduponBarsoomasinglepersonofourownmouldwholivedandlovedandfoughtasdidtheancientseafarersofmytime。
"Ah，butitwillseemgoodtoseemenonceagain——realmen！
NeverhadImuchrespectforthelandsmenofmyday。
Theyremainedintheirwalledcitieswastingtheirtimeinplay，dependingfortheirprotectionentirelyuponthesearace。Andthepoorcreatureswhoremain，theTariosandJavsofLothar，areevenworsethantheirancientforbears。"
Carthoriswasatriflescepticalastothewisdomofpermittingthestrangertoattachhimselftohim。
TherewasalwaysthechancethathewasbuttheessenceofsomehypnotictreacherywhichTarioorJavwasattemptingtoexertupontheHeliumite;andyet，sosincerehadbeenthemannerandthewordsofthebowman，somuchthefightingmandidheseem，butCarthoriscouldnotfinditinhishearttodoubthim。
Theoutcomeofthematterwasthathegavethenakedodwarleavetoaccompanyhim，andtogethertheysetoutuponthespoorofThuviaandKomal。
Downtotheochresea—bottomthetrailled。Thereitdisappeared，asCarthorishadknownthatitwould;butwhereitenteredtheplainitsdirectionhadbeentowardAaanthorandsotowardAaanthorthetwoturnedtheirfaces。
Itwasalongandtediousjourney，fraughtwithmanydangers。
ThebowmancouldnottravelatthepacesetbyCarthoris，whosemusclescarriedhimwithgreatrapidityoverthefaceofthesmallplanet，theforceofgravityofwhichexertssomuchlessretardingpowerthanthatoftheEarth。
FiftymilesadayisafairaverageforaBarsoomian，butthesonofJohnCartermighteasilyhavecoveredahundredormoremileshadhecaredtodeserthisnew—foundcomrade。
AllthewaytheywereinconstantdangerofdiscoverybyrovingbandsofTorquasians，andespeciallywasthistruebeforetheyreachedtheboundaryofTorquas。
Goodfortunewaswiththem，however，andalthoughtheysightedtwodetachmentsofthesavagegreenmen，theywerenotthemselvesseen。
Andsotheycame，uponthemorningofthethirdday，withinsightoftheglisteningdomesofdistantAaanthor。
ThroughoutthejourneyCarthorishadeverstrainedhiseyesaheadinsearchofThuviaandthegreatbanth;butnottillnowhadheseenaughttogivehimhope。
Thismorning，farahead，half—waybetweenthemselvesandAaanthor，themensawtwotinyfiguresmovingtowardthecity。Foramomenttheywatchedthemintently。
ThenCarthoris，convinced，leapedforwardatarapidrun，KarKomakfollowingasswiftlyashecould。
TheHeliumiteshoutedtoattractthegirl’sattention，andpresentlyhewasrewardedbyseeingherturnandstandlookingtowardhim。Athersidethegreatbanthstoodwithup—prickedears，watchingtheapproachingman。
NotyetcouldThuviaofPtarthhaverecognizedCarthoris，thoughthatitwasheshemusthavebeenconvinced，forshewaitedthereforhimwithoutsignoffear。
Presentlyhesawherpointtowardthenorthwest，beyondhim。
Withoutslackeninghispace，heturnedhiseyesinthedirectionsheindicated。
Racingsilentlyoverthethickvegetation，nothalfamilebehind，cameascoreoffiercegreenwarriors，charginghimupontheirmightythoats。
TotheirrightwasKarKomak，nakedandunarmed，yetrunningvaliantlytowardCarthorisandshoutingwarningasthoughhe，too，hadbutjustdiscoveredthesilent，menacingcompanythatmovedsoswiftlyforwardwithcouchedspearsandreadylong—swords。
CarthorisshoutedtotheLotharian，warninghimback，forheknewthathecouldbutuselesslysacrificehislifebyplacinghimself，allunarmed，inthepathofthecruelandrelentlesssavages。
ButKarKomakneverhesitated。Withshoutsofencouragementtohisnewfriend，hehurriedonwardtowardthePrinceofHelium。Theredman’sheartleapedinresponsetothisexhibitionofcourageandself—sacrifice。
HeregrettednowthathehadnotthoughttogiveKarKomakoneofhisswords;butitwastoolatetoattemptit，forshouldhewaitfortheLothariantoovertakehimorreturntomeethim，theTorquasianswouldreachThuviaofPtarthbeforehecoulddoso。
Evenasitwas，itwouldbenipandtuckastowhocamefirsttoherside。
Againheturnedhisfaceinherdirection，andnow，fromAaanthorway，hesawanewforcehasteningtowardthem——twomedium—sizedwarcraft——andevenatthedistancetheystillwerefromhimhediscernedthedeviceofDusarupontheirbows。
Now，indeed，seemedlittlehopeforThuviaofPtarth。
WithsavagewarriorsofthehordesofTorquaschargingtowardherfromonedirection，andnolessimplacableenemies，intheformofthecreaturesofAstok，PrinceofDusar，bearingdownuponherfromanother，whileonlyabanth，aredwarrior，andanunarmedbowmanwereneartodefendher，herplightwasquitehopelessandhercausealreadylostereeveritwascontested。
AsThuviasawCarthorisapproaching，shefeltagainthatunaccountablesensationofentirerelieffromresponsibilityandfearthatshehadexperienceduponaformeroccasion。NorcouldsheaccountforitwhilehermindstilltriedtoconvinceherheartthatthePrinceofHeliumhadbeeninstrumentalinherabductionfromherfather’scourt。
Sheonlyknewthatshewasgladwhenhewasbyherside，andthatwithhimthereallthingsseemedpossible——evensuchimpossiblethingsasescapefromherpresentpredicament。
Nowhadhestopped，panting，beforeher。Abravesmileofencouragementlithisface。
"Courage，myprincess，"hewhispered。
Tothegirl’smemoryflashedtheoccasionuponwhichhehadusedthosesamewords——inthethrone—roomofTarioofLotharastheyhadcommencedtoslipdownthesinkingmarblefloortowardanunknownfate。
Thenshehadnotchiddenhimfortheuseofthatfamiliarsalutation，nordidshechidehimnow，thoughshewaspromisedtoanother。Shewonderedatherself——flushingatherownturpitude;foruponBarsoomitisashamefulthingforawomantolistentothosetwowordsfromanotherthanherhusbandorherbetrothed。
Carthorissawherflushofmortification，andinaninstantregrettedhiswords。Therewasbutamomentbeforethegreenwarriorswouldbeuponthem。
"Forgiveme！"saidthemaninalowvoice。"Letmygreatlovebemyexcuse——that，andthebeliefthatIhavebutamomentmoreoflife，"andwiththewordsheturnedtomeettheforemostofthegreenwarriors。
Thefellowwaschargingwithcouchedspear，butCarthorisleapedtooneside，andasthegreatthoatanditsriderhurtledharmlesslypasthimheswunghislong—swordinamightycutthatclovethegreencarcassintwain。
AtthesamemomentKarKomakleapedwithbarehandsclawingatthelegofanotherofthehugeriders;thebalanceofthehorderacedintoclosequarters，dismountingthebettertowieldtheirfavouritelong—swords;theDusarianflierstouchedthesoftcarpetoftheochre—cladsea—bottom，disgorgingfiftyfightingmenfromtheirbowels;
andintotheswirlingseaofcutting，slashingswordssprangKomal，thegreatbanth。
CHAPTERXI
GREENMENANDWHITEAPES
ATorquasianswordsmoteaglancingblowacrosstheforeheadofCarthoris。Hehadafleetingvisionofsoftarmsabouthisneck，andwarmlipsclosetohisbeforehelostconsciousness。
Howlonghelaytheresenselesshecouldnotguess;
butwhenheopenedhiseyesagainhewasalone，exceptforthebodiesofthedeadgreenmenandDusarians，andthecarcassofagreatbanththatlayhalfacrosshisown。
Thuviawasgone，norwasthebodyofKarKomakamongthedead。
Weakfromlossofblood，CarthorismadehiswayslowlytowardAaanthor，reachingitsoutskirtsatdark。
Hewantedwatermorethananyotherthing，andsohekeptonupabroadavenuetowardthegreatcentralplaza，whereheknewthepreciousfluidwastobefoundinahalf—ruinedbuildingoppositethegreatpalaceoftheancientjeddak，whooncehadruledthismightycity。
Disheartenedanddiscouragedbythestrangesequenceofeventsthatseemedfore—ordainedtothwarthiseveryattempttoservethePrincessofPtarth，hepaidlittleornoattentiontohissurroundings，movingthroughthedesertedcityasthoughnogreatwhiteapeslurkedintheblackshadowsofthemystery—hauntedpilesthatflankedthebroadavenuesandthegreatplaza。
ButifCarthoriswascarelessofhissurroundings，notsoothereyesthatwatchedhisentranceintotheplaza，andfollowedhisslowfootstepstowardthemarblepilethathousedthetiny，half—chokedspringwhosewateronemightgainonlybyscratchingadeepholeintheredsandthatcoveredit。
AndastheHeliumiteenteredthesmallbuildingadozenmighty，grotesquefiguresemergedfromthedoorwayofthepalacetospeednoiselesslyacrosstheplazatowardhim。
ForhalfanhourCarthorisremainedinthebuilding，diggingforwaterandgainingthefewmuch—neededdropswhichwerethefruitsofhislabour。Thenheroseandslowlyleftthestructure。ScarcehadhesteppedbeyondthethresholdthantwelveTorquasianwarriorsleapeduponhim。
Notimethentodrawlong—sword;butswiftfromhisharnessflewhislong，slimdagger，andashewentdownbeneaththemmorethanasinglegreenheartceasedbeatingatthebiteofthatkeenpoint。
Thentheyoverpoweredhimandtookhisweaponsaway;
butonlynineofthetwelvewarriorswhohadcrossedtheplazareturnedwiththeirprize。
Theydraggedtheirprisonerroughlytothepalacepits，whereinutterdarknesstheychainedhimwithrustylinkstothesolidmasonryofthewall。
"To—morrowTharBanwillspeakwithyou，"theysaid。
"Nowhesleeps。Butgreatwillbehispleasurewhenhelearnswhohaswanderedamongstus——andgreatwillbethepleasureofHortanGurwhenTharBandragsbeforehimthemadfoolwhodaredprickthegreatjeddakwithhissword。"
Thentheylefthimtothesilenceandthedarkness。
ForwhatseemedhoursCarthorissquatteduponthestonefloorofhisprison，hisbackagainstthewallinwhichwassunktheheavyeye—boltthatsecuredthechainwhichheldhim。
Then，fromoutofthemysteriousblacknessbeforehim，therecametohisearsthesoundofnakedfeetmovingstealthilyuponstone——approachingnearerandnearertowherehelay，unarmedanddefenceless。
Minutespassed——minutesthatseemedhours——duringwhichtimeperiodsofsepulchralsilencewouldbefollowedbyarepetitionoftheuncannyscrapingofnakedfeetslinkingwarilyuponhim。
Atlastheheardasuddenrushofunshodsolesacrosstheemptyblackness，andatalittledistanceascufflingsound，heavybreathing，andoncewhathethoughtthemutteredimprecationofamanbattlingagainstgreatodds。Thentheclangingofachain，andanoiseasofthesnappingbackagainststoneofabrokenlink。
Againcamesilence。Butforamomentonly。
Nowheheardoncemorethesoftfeetapproachinghim。
Hethoughtthathediscernedwickedeyesgleamingfearfullyathimthroughthedarkness。Heknewthathecouldheartheheavybreathingofpowerfullungs。
Thencametherushofmanyfeettowardhim，andtheTHINGSwereuponhim。
Handsterminatinginmanlikefingersclutchedathisthroatandarmsandlegs。HairybodiesstrainedandstruggledagainsthisownsmoothhideashebattledingrimsilenceagainstthesehorridfoemeninthedarknessofthepitsofancientAaanthor。
ThewedlikesomegiantgodwasCarthorisofHelium，yetintheclutchesoftheseunseencreaturesofthepit’sStygiannighthewashelplessasafrailwoman。
Yethebattledon，strikingfutileblowsagainstgreat，hispidbreastshecouldnotsee;feelingthick，squatthroatsbeneathhisfingers;thedroolofsalivauponhischeek，andhot，foulbreathinhisnostrils。
Fangs，too，mightyfangs，heknewwereclose，andwhytheydidnotsinkintohisfleshhecouldnotguess。
Atlasthebecameawareofthemightysurgingofanumberofhisantagonistsbackandforthuponthegreatchainthatheldhim，andpresentlycamethesamesoundthathehadheardatalittledistancefromhimashorttimebeforehehadbeenattacked——hischainhadpartedandthebrokenendsnappedbackagainstthestonewall。
Nowhewasseizeduponeithersideanddraggedatarapidpacethroughthedarkcorridors——towardwhatfatehecouldnotevenguess。
AtfirsthehadthoughthisfoesmightbeofthetribeofTorquas，buttheirhairybodiesbeliedthatbelief。
Nowhewasatlastquitesureoftheiridentity，thoughwhytheyhadnotkilledanddevouredhimatoncehecouldnotimagine。
AfterhalfanhourormoreofrapidracingthroughtheundergroundpassagesthatareadistinguishingfeatureofallBarsoomiancities，modernaswellasancient，hiscaptorssuddenlyemergedintothemoonlightofacourtyard，farfromthecentralplaza。
ImmediatelyCarthorissawthathewasinthepowerofatribeofthegreatwhiteapesofBarsoom。
Allthathadcausedhimdoubtbeforeastotheidentityofhisattackerswasthehairinessoftheirbreasts，forthewhiteapesareentirelyhairlessexceptforagreatshockbristlingfromtheirheads。
Nowhesawthecauseofthatwhichhaddeceivedhim——
acrossthechestofeachofthemwerestripsofhairyhide，usuallyofbanth，inimitationoftheharnessofthegreenwarriorswhosooftencampedattheirdesertedcity。
Carthorishadreadoftheexistenceoftribesofapesthatseemedtobeprogressingslowlytowardhigherstandardsofintelligence。Intothehandsofsuch，herealized，hehadfallen;but——whatweretheirintentionstowardhim？
Asheglancedaboutthecourtyard，hesawfullyfiftyofthehideousbeasts，squattingontheirhaunches，andatalittledistancefromhimanotherhumanbeing，closelyguarded。
Ashiseyesmetthoseofhisfellow—captiveasmilelittheother’sface，and："Kaor，redman！"burstfromhislips。ItwasKarKomak，thebowman。
"Kaor！"criedCarthoris，inresponse。"Howcameyouhere，andwhatbefelltheprincess？"
"Redmenlikeyourselfdescendedinmightyshipsthatsailedtheair，evenasthegreatshipsofmydistantdaysailedthefiveseas，"repliedKarKomak。"TheyfoughtwiththegreenmenofTorquas。TheyslewKomal，godofLothar。Ithoughttheywereyourfriends，andIwasgladwhenfinallythoseofthemwhosurvivedthebattlecarriedtheredgirltooneoftheshipsandsailedawaywithherintothesafetyofthehighair。
"Thenthegreenmenseizedme，andcarriedmetoagreat，emptycity，wheretheychainedmetoawallinablackpit。
Afterwardcametheseanddraggedmehither。
Andwhatofyou，redman？"
Carthorisrelatedallthathadbefallenhim，andasthetwomentalkedthegreatapessquattedaboutthemwatchingthemintently。
"Whatarewetodonow？"askedthebowman。
"Ourcaselooksratherhopeless，"repliedCarthorisruefully。
"Thesecreaturesarebornman—eaters。WhytheyhavenotalreadydevouredusIcannotimagine——there！"
hewhispered。"See？Theendiscoming。"
KarKomaklookedinthedirectionCarthorisindicatedtoseeahugeapeadvancingwithamightybludgeon。
"Itisthustheylikebesttokilltheirprey，"saidCarthoris。
"Mustwediewithoutastruggle？"askedKarKomak。
"NotI，"repliedCarthoris，"thoughIknowhowfutileourbestdefencemustbeagainstthesemightybrutes！
Oh，foralong—sword！"
"Oragoodbow，"addedKarKomak，"andautanofbowmen。"
AtthewordsCarthorishalfsprangtohisfeet，onlytobedraggedroughlydownbyhisguard。
"KarKomak！"hecried。"WhycannotyoudowhatTarioandJavdid？Theyhadnobowmenotherthanthoseoftheirowncreation。Youmustknowthesecretoftheirpower。
Callforthyourownutan，KarKomak！"
TheLotharianlookedatCarthorisinwide—eyedastonishmentasthefullpurportofthesuggestionboreinuponhisunderstanding。
"Whynot？"hemurmured。
ThesavageapebearingthemightybludgeonwasslinkingtowardCarthoris。TheHeliumite’sfingerswereworkingashekepthiseyesuponhisexecutioner。KarKomakbenthisgazepenetratinglyupontheapes。Theeffortofhismindwasevidencedinthesweatuponhiscontractedbrows。
Thecreaturethatwastoslaytheredmanwasalmostwithinarm’sreachofhispreywhenCarthorisheardahoarseshoutfromtheoppositesideofthecourtyard。
Incommonwiththesquattingapesandthedemonwiththeclubheturnedinthedirectionofthesound，toseeacompanyofsturdybowmenrushingfromthedoorwayofanear—bybuilding。
Withscreamsofragetheapesleapedtotheirfeettomeetthecharge。Avolleyofarrowsmetthemhalf—way，sendingadozenrollinglifelesstotheground。Thentheapesclosedwiththeiradversaries。Alltheirattentionwasoccupiedbytheattackers——eventheguardhaddesertedtheprisonerstojoininthebattle。
"Come！"whisperedKarKomak。"Nowmayweescapewhiletheirattentionisdivertedfromusbymybowmen。"
"Andleavethosebravefellowsleaderless？"criedCarthoris，whoseloyalnaturerevoltedatthemerestsuggestionofsuchathing。
KarKomaklaughed。
"Youforget，"hesaid，"thattheyarebutthinair——
figmentsofmybrain。Theywillvanish，unscathed，whenwehavenofurtherneedforthem。Praisedbeyourfirstancestor，redman，thatyouthoughtofthischanceintime！ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtometoimaginethatImightwieldthesamepowerthatbroughtmeintoexistence。"
"Youareright，"saidCarthoris。"Still，Ihatetoleavethem，thoughthereisnaughtelsetodo，"andsothetwoturnedfromthecourtyard，andmakingtheirwayintooneofthebroadavenues，creptstealthilyintheshadowsofthebuildingtowardthegreatcentralplazauponwhichwerethebuildingsoccupiedbythegreenwarriorswhentheyvisitedthedesertedcity。
Whentheyhadcometotheplaza’sedgeCarthorishalted。
"Waithere，"hewhispered。"Igotofetchthoats，sinceonfootwemayneverhopetoescapetheclutchesofthesegreenfiends。"
ToreachthecourtyardwherethethoatswerekeptitwasnecessaryforCarthoristopassthroughoneofthebuildingswhichsurroundedthesquare。Whichwereoccupiedandwhichnothecouldnotevenguess，sohewascompelledtotakeconsiderablechancestogaintheenclosureinwhichhecouldheartherestlessbeastssquealingandquarrellingamongthemselves。
Chancecarriedhimthroughadarkdoorwayintoalargechamberinwhichlayascoreormoregreenwarriorswrappedintheirsleepingsilksandfurs。ScarcehadCarthorispassedthroughtheshorthallwaythatconnectedthedoorofthebuildingandthegreatroombeyonditthanhebecameawareofthepresenceofsomethingorsomeoneinthehallwaythroughwhichhehadbutjustpassed。
Heheardamanyawn，andthen，behindhim，hesawthefigureofasentryrisefromwherethefellowhadbeendozing，andstretchinghimselfresumehiswakefulwatchfulness。
Carthorisrealizedthathemusthavepassedwithinafootofthewarrior，doubtlessrousinghimfromhisslumber。Toretreatnowwouldbeimpossible。Yettocrossthroughthatroomfulofsleepingwarriorsseemedalmostequallybeyondthepaleofpossibility。
Carthorisshruggedhisbroadshouldersandchosethelesserevil。Warilyheenteredtheroom。Athisright，againstthewall，leanedseveralswordsandriflesandspears——extraweaponswhichthewarriorshadstackedherereadytotheirhandsshouldtherebeanightalarmcallingthemsuddenlyfromslumber。Besideeachsleeperlayhisweapon——thesewereneverfarfromtheirownersfromchildhoodtodeath。
Thesightoftheswordsmadetheyoungman’spalmitch。
Hesteppedquicklytothem，selectingtwoshort—swords——
oneforKarKomak，theotherforhimself;alsosometrappingsforhisnakedcomrade。
ThenhestarteddirectlyacrossthecentreoftheapartmentamongthesleepingTorquasians。
NotamanofthemmoveduntilCarthorishadcompletedmorethanhalfoftheshortthoughdangerousjourney。
Thenafellowdirectlyinhispathturnedrestlesslyuponhissleepingsilksandfurs。
TheHeliumitepausedabovehim，oneoftheshort—swordsinreadinessshouldthewarriorawaken。Forwhatseemedaneternitytotheyoungprincethegreenmancontinuedtomoveuneasilyuponhiscouch，then，asthoughactuatedbysprings，heleapedtohisfeetandfacedtheredman。
InstantlyCarthorisstruck，butnotbeforeasavagegruntescapedtheother’slips。Inaninstanttheroomwasinturmoil。Warriorsleapedtotheirfeet，graspingtheirweaponsastheyrose，andshoutingtooneanotherforanexplanationofthedisturbance。
ToCarthorisallwithintheroomwasplainlyvisibleinthedimlightreflectedfromwithout，forthefurthermoonstooddirectlyatzenith;buttotheeyesofthenewly—awakenedgreenmenobjectsasyethadnottakenonfamiliarforms——theybutsawvaguelythefiguresofwarriorsmovingabouttheirapartment。
NowonestumbledagainstthecorpseofhimwhomCarthorishadslain。Thefellowstoopedandhishandcameincontactwiththecleftskull。Hesawabouthimthegiantfiguresofothergreenmen，andsohejumpedtotheonlyconclusionthatwasopentohim。
"TheThurds！"hecried。"TheThurdsareuponus！
Rise，warriorsofTorquas，anddrivehomeyourswordswithintheheartsofTorquas’ancientenemies！"
Instantlythegreenmenbegantofallupononeanotherwithnakedswords。Theirsavagelustofbattlewasaroused。Tofight，tokill，todiewithcoldsteelburiedintheirvitals！Ah，thattothemwasNirvana。
Carthoriswasquicktoguesstheirerrorandtakeadvantageofit。Heknewthatinthepleasureofkillingtheymightfightonlongaftertheyhaddiscoveredtheirmistake，unlesstheirattentionwasdistractedbysightoftherealcauseofthealtercation，andsohelostnotimeincontinuingacrosstheroomtothedoorwayupontheoppositeside，whichopenedintotheinnercourt，wherethesavagethoatsweresquealingandfightingamongthemselves。
Onceherehehadnoeasytaskbeforehim。Tocatchandmountoneofthesehabituallyragefulandintractablebeastswasnochild’splayunderthebestofconditions;
butnow，whensilenceandtimeweresuchimportantconsiderations，itmightwellhaveseemedquitehopelesstoalessresourcefulandoptimisticmanthanthesonofthegreatwarlord。
Fromhisfatherhehadlearnedmuchconcerningthetraitsofthesemightybeasts，andfromTarsTarkas，also，whenhehadvisitedthatgreatgreenjeddakamonghishordeatThark。Sonowhecentredupontheworkinhandallthathehadeverlearnedaboutthemfromothersandfromhisownexperience，forhe，too，hadriddenandhandledthemmanytimes。
ThetemperofthethoatsofTorquasappearedevenshorterthantheirviciouscousinsamongtheTharksandWarhoons，andforatimeitseemedunlikelythatheshouldescapeasavagechargeonthepartofacoupleofoldbullsthatcircled，squealing，abouthim;butatlasthemanagedtogetcloseenoughtooneofthemtotouchthebeast。Withthefeelofhishanduponthesleekhidethecreaturequieted，andinanswertothetelepathiccommandoftheredmansanktoitsknees。
InamomentCarthoriswasuponitsback，guidingittowardthegreatgatethatleadsfromthecourtyardthroughalargebuildingatoneendintoanavenuebeyond。
Theotherbull，stillsquealingandenraged，followedafterhisfellow。Therewasnobridleuponeither，forthesestrangecreaturesarecontrolledentirelybysuggestion——whentheyarecontrolledatall。
Eveninthehandsofthegiantgreenmenbridlereinswouldbehopelesslyfutileagainstthemadsavageryandmastodonicstrengthofthethoat，andsotheyareguidedbythatstrangetelepathicpowerwithwhichthemenofMarshavelearnedtocommunicateinacrudewaywiththelowerordersoftheirplanet。
WithdifficultyCarthorisurgedthetwobeaststothegate，where，leaningdown，heraisedthelatch。Thenthethoatthathewasridingplacedhisgreatshouldertotheskeel—woodplanking，pushedthrough，andamomentlaterthemanandthetwobeastswereswingingsilentlydowntheavenuetotheedgeoftheplaza，whereKarKomakhid。
HereCarthorisfoundconsiderabledifficultyinsubduingthesecondthoat，andasKarKomakhadneverbeforeriddenoneofthebeasts，itseemedamosthopelessjob;
butatlastthebowmanmanagedtoscrambletothesleekback，andagainthetwobeastsfledsoftlydownthemoss—grownavenuestowardtheopensea—
bottombeyondthecity。
Allthatnightandthefollowingdayandthesecondnighttheyrodetowardthenorth—east。Noindicationofpursuitdeveloped，andatdawnoftheseconddayCarthorissawinthedistancethewavingribbonofgreattreesthatmarkedoneofthelongBarsoomianwater—ways。
Immediatelytheyabandonedtheirthoatsandapproachedthecultivateddistrictonfoot。Carthorisalsodiscardedthemetalfromhisharness，orsuchofitasmightservetoidentifyhimasaHeliumite，orofroyalblood，forhedidnotknowtowhatnationbelongedthiswaterway，anduponMarsitisalwayswelltoassumeeverymanandnationyourenemyuntilyouhavelearnedthecontrary。
Itwasmid—forenoonwhenthetwoatlastenteredoneoftheroadsthatcutthroughthecultivateddistrictsatregularintervals，joiningthearidwastesoneithersidewiththegreat，white，centralhighwaythatfollowsthroughthecentrefromendtoendofthefar—reaching，threadlikefarmlands。
Thehighwallsurroundingthefieldsservedasaprotectionagainstsurprisebyraidinggreenhordes，aswellaskeepingthesavagebanthsandothercarnivorafromthedomesticanimalsandthehumanbeingsuponthefarms。
Carthorisstoppedbeforethefirstgatehecameto，poundingforadmission。Theyoungmanwhoansweredhissummonsgreetedthetwohospitably，thoughhelookedwithconsiderablewonderuponthewhiteskinandauburnhairofthebowman。
AfterhehadlistenedforamomenttoapartialnarrationoftheirescapefromtheTorquasians，heinvitedthemwithin，tookthemtohishouseandbadetheservantstherepreparefoodforthem。
Astheywaitedinthelow—ceiled，pleasantlivingroomofthefarmhouseuntilthemealshouldbeready，Carthorisdrewhishostintoconversationthathemightlearnhisnationality，andthusthenationunderwhosedominionlaythewaterwaywherecircumstancehadplacedhim。
"IamHalVas，"saidtheyoungman，"sonofVasKor，ofDusar，anobleintheretinueofAstok，PrinceofDusar。
AtpresentIamDwaroftheRoadforthisdistrict。"
Carthoriswasverygladthathehadnotdisclosedhisidentity，forthoughhehadnoideaofanythingthathadtranspiredsincehehadleftHelium，orthatAstokwasatthebottomofallhismisfortunes，hewellknewthattheDusarianhadnoloveforhim，andthathecouldhopefornoassistancewithinthedominionsofDusar。
"Andwhoareyou？"askedHalVas。"ByyourappearanceItakeyouforafightingman，butIseenoinsigniauponyourharness。Canitbethatyouareapanthan？"
Now，thesewanderingsoldiersoffortunearecommonuponBarsoom，wheremostmenlovetofight。Theyselltheirserviceswhereverwarexists，andintheoccasionalbriefintervalswhenthereisnoorganizedwarfarebetweentherednations，theyjoinoneofthenumerousexpeditionsthatareconstantlybeingdispatchedagainstthegreenmeninprotectionofthewaterwaysthattraversethewilderportionsoftheglobe。
Whentheirserviceisovertheydiscardthemetalofthenationtheyhavebeenservinguntiltheyshallhavefoundanewmaster。Intheintervalstheywearnoinsignia，theirwar—wornharnessandgrimweaponsbeingsufficienttoattesttheircalling。
Thesuggestionwasahappyone，andCarthorisembracedthechanceitaffordedtoaccountsatisfactorilyforhimself。
Therewas，however，asingledrawback。Intimesofwarsuchpanthansashappenedtobewithinthedomainofabelligerentnationwerecompelledtodontheinsigniaofthatnationandfightwithherwarriors。
AsfarasCarthorisknewDusarwasnotatwarwithanyothernation，buttherewasneveranytellingwhenonerednationwouldbeflyingatthethroatofaneighbour，eventhoughthegreatandpowerfulallianceattheheadofwhichwashisfather，JohnCarter，hadmanagedtomaintainalongpeaceuponthegreaterportionofBarsoom。
ApleasantsmilelightedHalVas’faceasCarthorisadmittedhisvocation。
"Itiswell，"exclaimedtheyoungman，"thatyouchancedtocomehither，forhereyouwillfindthemeansofobtainingserviceinshortorder。Myfather，VasKor，isevennowwithme，havingcomehithertorecruitaforceforthenewwaragainstHelium。"
CHAPTERXII
TOSAVEDUSAR
ThuviaofPtarth，battlingformorethanlifeagainstthelustofJav，castaquickglanceoverhershouldertowardtheforestfromwhichhadrumbledthefiercegrowl。
Javlooked，too。
Whattheysawfilledeachwithapprehension。ItwasKomal，thebanth—god，rushingwide—jaweduponthem！
Whichhadhechosenforhisprey？Orwasittobeboth？
Theyhadnotlongtowait，forthoughtheLotharianattemptedtoholdthegirlbetweenhimselfandtheterriblefangs，thegreatbeastfoundhimatlast。
Then，shrieking，heattemptedtoflytowardLothar，afterpushingThuviabodilyintothefaceoftheman—eater。
Buthisflightwasofshortduration。InamomentKomalwasuponhim，rendinghisthroatandchestwithdemoniacalfury。
Thegirlreachedtheirsideamomentlater，butitwaswithdifficultythatshetorethemadbeastfromitsprey。
StillgrowlingandcastinghungryglancesbackuponJav，thebanthatlastpermitteditselftobeledawayintothewood。
WithhergiantprotectorbyhersideThuviasetforthtofindthepassagethroughthecliffs，thatshemightattempttheseeminglyimpossiblefeatofreachingfar—
distantPtarthacrossthemorethanseventeenthousandhaadsofsavageBarsoom。
ShecouldnotbelievethatCarthorishaddeliberatelydesertedher，andsoshekeptaconstantwatchforhim;
butassheboretoofartothenorthinhersearchforthetunnelshepassedtheHeliumiteashewasreturningtoLotharinsearchofher。
ThuviaofPtarthwashavingdifficultyindeterminingtheexactstatusofthePrinceofHeliuminherheart。
Shecouldnotadmiteventoherselfthatshelovedhim，andyetshehadpermittedhimtoapplytoherthattermofendearmentandpossessiontowhichaBarsoomianmaidshouldturndeafearswhenvoicedbyotherlipsthanthoseofherhusbandorfiance——"myprincess。"
KulanTith，JeddakofKaol，towhomshewasaffianced，commandedherrespectandadmiration。
Haditbeenthatshehadsurrenderedtoherfather’swishesbecauseofpiquethatthehandsomeHeliumitehadnottakenadvantageofhisvisitstoherfather’scourttopushthesuitforherhandthatshehadbeenquitesurehehadcontemplatedsincethatdistantdaythetwohadsattogetheruponthecarvedseatwithinthegorgeousGardenoftheJeddaksthatgracedtheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofSalensusOllatKadabra？
DidsheloveKulanTith？Bravelyshetriedtobelievethatshedid;butallthewhilehereyeswanderedthroughthecomingdarknessforthefigureofaclean—
limbedfightingman——black—hairedandgrey—eyed。BlackwasthehairofKulanTith;buthiseyeswerebrown。
Itwasalmostdarkwhenshefoundtheentrancetothetunnel。
Safelyshepassedthroughtothehillsbeyond，andhere，underthebrightlightofMars’twomoons，shehaltedtoplanherfutureaction。
ShouldshewaithereinthehopethatCarthoriswouldreturninsearchofher？Orshouldshecontinueherwaynorth—easttowardPtarth？Where，first，wouldCarthorishavegoneafterleavingthevalleyofLothar？
Herparchedthroatanddrytonguegavehertheanswer——
towardAaanthorandwater。Well，she，too，wouldgofirsttoAaanthor，whereshemightfindmorethanthewatersheneeded。
WithKomalbyhersideshefeltlittlefear，forhewouldprotectherfromallothersavagebeasts。
Eventhegreatwhiteapeswouldfleethemightybanthinterror。Menonlyneedshefear，butshemusttakethisandmanyotherchancesbeforeshecouldhopetoreachherfather’scourtagain。
WhenatlastCarthorisfoundher，onlytobestruckdownbythelong—swordofagreenman，Thuviaprayedthatthesamefatemightovertakeher。
Thesightoftheredwarriorsleapingfromtheirfliershad，foramoment，filledherwithrenewedhope——hopethatCarthorisofHeliummightbeonlystunnedandthattheywouldrescuehim;
butwhenshesawtheDusarianmetalupontheirharness，andthattheysoughtonlytoescapewithheralonefromthechargingTorquasians，shegaveup。
Komal，too，wasdead——deadacrossthebodyoftheHeliumite。
Shewas，indeed，alonenow。Therewasnonetoprotecther。
TheDusarianwarriorsdraggedhertothedeckofthenearestflier。Allaboutthemthegreenwarriorssurgedinanattempttowrestherfromthered。
Atlastthosewhohadnotdiedintheconflictgainedthedecksofthetwocraft。Theenginesthrobbedandpurred——thepropellerswhirred。Quicklytheswiftboatsshotheavenward。
ThuviaofPtarthglancedabouther。Amanstoodnear，smilingdownintoherface。Withagaspofrecognitionshelookedfullintohiseyes，andthenwithalittlemoanofterrorandunderstandingsheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsanktothepolishedskeel—wooddeck。ItwasAstok，PrinceofDusar，whobentaboveher。
SwiftwerethefliersofAstokofDusar，andgreattheneedforreachinghisfather’scourtasquicklyaspossible，forthefleetsofwarofHeliumandPtarthandKaolwerescatteredfarandwideaboveBarsoom。NorwoulditgowellwithAstokorDusarshouldanyoneofthemdiscoverThuviaofPtarthaprisoneruponhisownvessel。
Aaanthorliesinfiftysouthlatitude，andfortyeastofHorz，thedesertedseatofancientBarsoomiancultureandlearning，whileDusarliesfifteendegreesnorthoftheequatorandtwentydegreeseastfromHorz。
Greatthoughthedistanceis，theflierscovereditwithoutastop。LongbeforetheyhadreachedtheirdestinationThuviaofPtarthhadlearnedseveralthingsthatclearedupthedoubtsthathadassailedhermindformanydays。ScarcehadtheyrisenaboveAaanthorthansherecognizedoneofthecrewasamemberofthecrewofthatotherflierthathadborneherfromherfather’sgardenstoAaanthor。ThepresenceofAstokuponthecraftsettledthewholequestion。ShehadbeenstolenbyemissariesoftheDusarianprince——CarthorisofHeliumhadhadnothingtodowithit。
NordidAstokdenythechargewhensheaccusedhim。
Heonlysmiledandpleadedhisloveforher。
"Iwouldsoonermatewithawhiteape！"shecried，whenhewouldhaveurgedhissuit。
Astokgloweredsullenlyuponher。
"Youshallmatewithme，ThuviaofPtarth，"hegrowled，"or，byyourfirstancestor，youshallhaveyourpreference——andmatewithawhiteape。"
Thegirlmadenoreply，norcouldhedrawherintoconversationduringthebalanceofthejourney。
AsamatteroffactAstokwasatrifleawedbytheproportionsoftheconflictwhichhisabductionofthePtarthianprincesshadinduced，norwasheovercomfortablewiththeweightofresponsibilitywhichthepossessionofsuchaprisonerentailed。
HisonethoughtwastogethertoDusar，andtherelethisfatherassumetheresponsibility。Inthemeantimehewouldbeascarefulaspossibletodonothingtoaffronther，lesttheyallmightbecapturedandhehavetoaccountforhistreatmentofthegirltooneofthegreatjeddakswhoseinterestcentredinher。
AndsoatlasttheycametoDusar，whereAstokhidhisprisonerinasecretroomhighintheeasttowerofhisownpalace。Hehadswornhismentosilenceinthematteroftheidentityofthegirl，foruntilhehadseenhisfather，Nutus，JeddakofDusar，hedarednotletanyoneknowwhomhehadbroughtwithhimfromthesouth。
Butwhenheappearedinthegreataudiencechamberbeforethecruel—lippedmanwhowashissire，hefoundhiscourageoozing，andhedarednotspeakoftheprincesshidwithinhispalace。Itoccurredtohimtotesthisfather’ssentimentsuponthesubject，andsohetoldataleofcapturingonewhoclaimedtoknowthewhereaboutsofThuviaofPtarth。
"Andifyoucommandit，Sire，"hesaid，"Iwillgoandcaptureher——fetchingherheretoDusar。"
Nutusfrownedandshookhishead。
"YouhavedoneenoughalreadytosetPtarthandKaolandHeliumallthreeuponusatonceshouldtheylearnyourpartinthetheftofthePtarthprincess。
ThatyousucceededinshiftingtheguiltuponthePrinceofHeliumwasfortunate，andamasterlymoveofstrategy;
butwerethegirltoknowthetruthandeverreturntoherfather’scourt，allDusarwouldhavetopaythepenalty，andtohaveherhereaprisoneramongstuswouldbeanadmissionofguiltfromtheconsequencesofwhichnaughtcouldsaveus。Itwouldcostmemythrone，Astok，andthatIhavenomindtolose。
"Ifwehadherhere——"theeldermansuddenlycommencedtomuse，repeatingthephraseagainandagain。
"Ifwehadherhere，Astok，"heexclaimedfiercely。
"Ah，ifwebuthadherhereandnoneknewthatshewashere！
Canyounotguess，man？TheguiltofDusarmightbeforeverburiedwithherbones，"heconcludedinalow，savagewhisper。
Astok，PrinceofDusar，shuddered。
Weakhewas;yes，andwicked，too;butthesuggestionthathisfather’swordsimpliedturnedhimcoldwithhorror。
CrueltotheirenemiesarethemenofMars;buttheword"enemies"iscommonlyinterpretedtomeanmenonly。
AssassinationrunsriotinthegreatBarsoomiancities;
yettomurderawomanisacrimesounthinkablethateventhemosthardenedofthepaidassassinswouldshrinkfromyouinhorrorshouldyousuggestsuchathingtohim。
Nutuswasapparentlyoblivioustohisson’sall—too—patentterrorathissuggestion。Presentlyhecontinued：
"Yousaythatyouknowwherethegirllieshid，sinceshewasstolenfromyourpeopleatAaanthor。
Shouldshebefoundbyanyoneofthethreepowers，herunsupportedstorywouldbesufficienttoturnthemallagainstus。
"Thereisbutoneway，Astok，"criedtheolderman。
"Youmustreturnatoncetoherhiding—placeandfetchherhitherinallsecrecy。And，lookyouhere！
ReturnnottoDusarwithouther，uponpainofdeath！"
Astok，PrinceofDusar，wellknewhisroyalfather’stemper。
Heknewthatinthetyrant’shearttherepulsednosinglethrobofloveforanycreature。
Astok’smotherhadbeenaslavewoman。Nutushadneverlovedher。Hehadneverlovedanother。Inyouthhehadtriedtofindabrideatthecourtsofseveralofhispowerfulneighbours，buttheirwomenwouldhavenoneofhim。
Afteradozendaughtersofhisownnobilityhadsoughtself—destructionratherthanwedhimhehadgivenup。
AndthenithadbeenthathehadlegallywedoneofhisslavesthathemighthaveasontostandamongthejedswhenNutusdiedandanewjeddakwaschosen。
SlowlyAstokwithdrewfromthepresenceofhisfather。
Withwhitefaceandshakinglimbshemadehiswaytohisownpalace。Ashecrossedthecourtyardhisglancechancedtowandertothegreateasttowerloominghighagainsttheazureofthesky。
Atsightofitbeadsofsweatbrokeoutuponhisbrow。
Issus！Nootherhandthanhiscouldbetrustedtodothehorridthing。Withhisownfingershemustcrushthelifefromthatperfectthroat，orplungethesilentbladeintothered，redheart。
Herheart！Theheartthathehadhopedwouldbrimwithloveforhim！
Buthaditdoneso？Herecalledthehaughtycontemptwithwhichhisprotestationsoflovehadbeenreceived。
Hewentcoldandthenhottothememoryofit。Hiscompunctionscooledastheself—satisfactionofanearrevengecrowdedoutthefinerinstinctsthathadforamomentassertedthemselves——thegoodthathehadinheritedfromtheslavewomanwasonceagainsubmergedinthebadbloodthathadcomedowntohimfromhisroyalsire;as，intheend，italwayswas。
Acoldsmilesupplantedtheterrorthathaddilatedhiseyes。Heturnedhisstepstowardthetower。HewouldseeherbeforehesetoutuponthejourneythatwastoblindhisfathertothefactthatthegirlwasalreadyinDusar。
Quietlyhepassedinthroughthesecretway，ascendingaspiralrunwaytotheapartmentinwhichthePrincessofPtarthwasimmured。
Asheenteredtheroomhesawthegirlleaninguponthesilloftheeastcasement，gazingoutacrosstherooftopsofDusartowarddistantPtarth。HehatedPtarth。
Thethoughtofitfilledhimwithrage。Whynotfinishhernowandhaveitdonewith？
Atthesoundofhisstepsheturnedquicklytowardhim。