第5章
Ah，howbeautifulshewas！Hissuddendeterminationfadedbeneaththegloriouslightofherwondrousbeauty。
Hewouldwaituntilhehadreturnedfromhislittlejourneyofdeception——maybetheremightbesomeotherwaythen。Someotherhandtostriketheblow——withthatface，withthoseeyesbeforehim，hecouldneverdoit。
Ofthathewaspositive。Hehadalwaysgloriedinthecrueltyofhisnature，but，Issus！hewasnotthatcruel。
No，anothermustbefound——onewhomhecouldtrust。
Hewasstilllookingatherasshestoodtherebeforehimmeetinghisgazesteadilyandunafraid。Hefeltthehotpassionofhislovemountinghigherandhigher。
Whynotsueoncemore？Ifshewouldrelent，allmightyetbewell。Evenifhisfathercouldnotbepersuaded，theycouldflytoPtarth，layingalltheblameoftheknaveryandintriguethathadthrownfourgreatnationsintowar，upontheshouldersofNutus。Andwhowastherethatwoulddoubtthejusticeofthecharge？
"Thuvia，"hesaid，"Icomeonceagain，forthelasttime，tolaymyheartatyourfeet。PtarthandKaolandDusararebattlingwithHeliumbecauseofyou。
Wedme，Thuvia，andallmayyetbeasitshouldbe。"
Thegirlshookherhead。
"Wait！"hecommanded，beforeshecouldspeak。
"Knowthetruthbeforeyouspeakwordsthatmayseal，notonlyyourownfate，butthatofthethousandsofwarriorswhobattlebecauseofyou。
"Refusetowedmewillingly，andDusarwouldbelaidwasteshouldeverthetruthbeknowntoPtarthandKaolandHelium。Theywouldrazeourcities，leavingnotonestoneuponanother。TheywouldscatterourpeoplesacrossthefaceofBarsoomfromthefrozennorthtothefrozensouth，huntingthemdownandslayingthem，untilthisgreatnationremainedonlyasahatedmemoryinthemindsofmen。
"ButwhiletheyareexterminatingtheDusarians，countlessthousandsoftheirownwarriorsmustperish——
andallbecauseofthestubbornnessofasinglewomanwhowouldnotwedtheprincewholovesher。
"Refuse，ThuviaofPtarth，andthereremainsbutasinglealternative——nomanmusteverknowyourfate。
OnlyahandfulofloyalservitorsbesidesmyroyalfatherandmyselfknowthatyouwerestolenfromthegardensofThuvanDihnbyAstok，PrinceofDusar，orthatto—dayyoubeimprisonedinmypalace。
"Refuse，ThuviaofPtarth，andyoumustdietosaveDusar——
thereisnootherway。Nutus，thejeddak，hassodecreed。
Ihavespoken。"
ForalongmomentthegirlletherlevelgazerestfulluponthefaceofAstokofDusar。Thenshespoke，andthoughthewordswerefew，theunimpassionedtonecarriedunfathomabledepthsofcoldcontempt。
"Betterallthatyouhavethreatened，"shesaid，"thanyou。"
Thensheturnedherbackuponhimandwenttostandoncemorebeforetheeastwindow，gazingwithsadeyestowarddistantPtarth。
Astokwheeledandlefttheroom，returningafterashortintervaloftimewithfoodanddrink。
"Here，"hesaid，"issustenanceuntilIreturnagain。
Thenexttoenterthisapartmentwillbeyourexecutioner。
Commendyourselftoyourancestors，ThuviaofPtarth，forwithinafewdaysyoushallbewiththem。"
Thenhewasgone。
HalfanhourlaterhewasinterviewinganofficerhighinthenavyofDusar。
"WhitherwentVasKor？"heasked。"Heisnotathispalace。"
"South，tothegreatwaterwaythatskirtsTorquas，"
repliedtheother。"Hisson，HalVas，isDwaroftheRoadthere，andthitherhasVasKorgonetoenlistrecruitsamongtheworkersonthefarms。"
"Good，"saidAstok，andahalf—hourmorefoundhimrisingaboveDusarinhisswiftestflier。
CHAPTERXIII
TURJUN，THEPANTHAN
ThefaceofcarthorisofHeliumgavenotokenoftheemotionsthatconvulsedhiminwardlyasheheardfromthelipsofHalVasthatHeliumwasatwarwithDusar，andthatfatehadthrownhimintotheserviceoftheenemy。
ThathemightutilizethisopportunitytothegoodofHeliumscarcesufficedtooutweighthechagrinhefeltthathewasnotfightingintheopenattheheadofhisownloyaltroops。
ToescapetheDusariansmightproveaneasymatter;
andthenagainitmightnot。Shouldtheysuspecthisloyalty（andtheloyaltyofanimpressedpanthanwasalwaysopentosuspicion），hemightnotfindanopportunitytoeludetheirvigilanceuntilaftertheterminationofthewar，whichmightoccurwithindays，or，again，onlyafterlongandwearyyearsofbloodshed。
Herecalledthathistoryrecordedwarsinwhichactualmilitaryoperationshadbeencarriedonwithoutcessationforfiveorsixhundredyears，andevennowtherewerenationsuponBarsoomwithwhichHeliumhadmadenopeacewithinthehistoryofman。
Theoutlookwasnotcheering。HecouldnotguessthatwithinafewhourshewouldbeblessingthefatethathadthrownhimintotheserviceofDusar。
"Ah！"exclaimedHalVas。"Hereismyfathernow。
Kaor！VasKor。Hereisoneyouwillbegladtomeet——
adoughtypanthan——"Hehesitated。
"Turjun，"interjectedCarthoris，seizinguponthefirstappellationthatoccurredtohim。
Ashespokehiseyescrossedquicklytothetallwarriorwhowasenteringtheroom。Wherebeforehadheseenthatgiantfigure，thattaciturncountenance，andthelividsword—cutfromtempletomouth？
"VasKor，"repeatedCarthorismentally。"VasKor！"
Wherehadheseenthemanbefore？
Andthenthenoblespoke，andlikeaflashitallcamebacktoCarthoris——theforwardservantuponthelanding—
stageatPtarththattimethathehadbeenexplainingtheintricaciesofhisnewcompasstoThuvanDihn;theloneslavethathadguardedhisownhangarthatnighthehadleftuponhisill—fatedjourneyforPtarth——thejourneythathadbroughthimsomysteriouslytofarAaanthor。
"VasKor，"herepeatedaloud，"blessedbeyourancestorsforthismeeting，"nordidtheDusarianguessthewealthofmeaningthatlaybeneaththathackneyedphrasewithwhichaBarsoomianacknowledgesanintroduction。
"Andblessedbeyours，Turjun，"repliedVasKor。
NowcametheintroductionofKarKomaktoVasKor，andasCarthoriswentthroughthelittleceremonytherecametohimtheonlyexplanationhemightmaketoaccountforthewhiteskinandauburnhairofthebowman;
forhefearedthatthetruthmightnotbebelievedandthussuspicionbecastuponthembothfromthebeginning。
"KarKomak，"heexplained，"is，asyoucansee，athern。
Hehaswanderedfarfromhisiceboundsoutherntemplesinsearchofadventure。IcameuponhiminthepitsofAaanthor;butthoughIhaveknownhimsoshortatime，Icanvouchforhisbraveryandloyalty。"
SincethedestructionofthefabricoftheirfalsereligionbyJohnCarter，themajorityofthethernshadgladlyacceptedtheneworderofthings，sothatitwasnownolongeruncommontoseethemminglingwiththemultitudesofredmeninanyofthegreatcitiesoftheouterworld，soVasKorneitherfeltnorexpressedanygreatastonishment。
AllduringtheinterviewCarthoriswatched，catlike，forsomeindicationthatVasKorrecognizedinthebatteredpanthantheerstwhilegorgeousPrinceofHelium;
butthesleeplessnights，thelongdaysofmarchingandfighting，thewoundsandthedriedbloodhadevidentlysufficedtoobliteratethelastremnantofhislikenesstohisformerself;andthenVasKorhadseenhimbuttwiceinallhislife。Littlewonderthathedidnotknowhim。
DuringtheeveningVasKorannouncedthatonthemorrowtheyshoulddepartnorthtowardDusar，pickinguprecruitsatvariousstationsalongtheway。
Inagreatfieldbehindthehouseaflierlay——afair—
sizedcruiser—transportthatwouldaccommodatemanymen，yetswiftandwellarmedalso。HereCarthorisslept，andKarKomak，too，withtheotherrecruits，underguardoftheregularDusarianwarriorsthatmannedthecraft。
TowardmidnightVasKorreturnedtothevesselfromhisson’shouse，repairingatoncetohiscabin。Carthoris，withoneoftheDusarians，wasonwatch。ItwaswithdifficultythattheHeliumiterepressedacoldsmileasthenoblepassedwithinafootofhim——withinafootofthelong，slim，Heliumiticbladethatswunginhisharness。
Howeasyitwouldhavebeen！Howeasytoavengethecowardlytrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim——toavengeHeliumandPtarthandThuvia！
Buthishandmovednottowardthedagger’shilt，forfirstVasKormustserveabetterpurpose——
hemightknowwhereThuviaofPtarthlayhiddennow，ifithadtrulybeenDusariansthathadspiritedherawayduringthefightbeforeAaanthor。
Andthen，too，therewastheinstigatoroftheentirefoulplot。HEmustpaythepenalty;andwhobetterthanVasKorcouldleadthePrinceofHeliumtoAstokofDusar？
FaintlyoutofthenighttherecametoCarthoris’searsthepurringofadistantmotor。Hescannedtheheavens。
Yes，thereitwasfarinthenorth，dimlyoutlinedagainstthedarkvoidofspacethatstretchedillimitablybeyondit，thefaintsuggestionofaflierpassing，unlighted，throughtheBarsoomiannight。
Carthoris，knowingnotwhetherthecraftmightbefriendorfoeofDusar，gavenosignthathehadseen，butturnedhiseyesinanotherdirection，leavingthemattertotheDusarianwhostoodwatchwithhim。
Presentlythefellowdiscoveredtheoncomingcraft，andsoundedthelowalarmwhichbroughtthebalanceofthewatchandanofficerfromtheirsleepingsilksandfursuponthedecknearby。
Thecruiser—transportlaywithoutlights，and，restingasshewasupontheground，musthavebeenentirelyinvisibletotheoncomingflier，whichallpresentlyrecognizedasasmallcraft。
Itsoonbecameevidentthatthestrangerintendedmakingalanding，forshewasnowspiralingslowlyabovethem，droppinglowerandlowerineachgracefulcurve。
"ItistheThuria，"whisperedoneoftheDusarianwarriors。
"Iwouldknowherintheblacknessofthepitsamongtenthousandothercraft。"
"Rightyouare！"exclaimedVasKor，whohadcomeondeck。Andthenhehailed：
"Kaor，Thuria！"
"Kaor！"camepresentlyfromaboveafterabriefsilence。
Then："Whatship？"
"Cruiser—transportKalksus，VasKorofDusar。"
"Good！"camefromabove。"Istheresafelandingalongside？"
"Yes，closeintostarboard。Wait，wewillshowourlights，"andamomentlaterthesmallercraftsettledclosebesidetheKalksus，andthelightsofthelatterwereimmediatelyextinguishedoncemore。
SeveralfigurescouldbeseenslippingoverthesideoftheThuriaandadvancingtowardtheKalksus。Eversuspicious，theDusariansstoodreadytoreceivethevisitorsasfriendsorfoesascloserinspectionmightprovethem。
Carthorisstoodquiteneartherail，readytotakesideswiththenew—comersshouldchancehaveitthattheywereHeliumitesplayingaboldstrokeofstrategyuponthisloneDusarianship。Hehadledlikepartieshimself，andknewthatsuchacontingencywasquitepossible。
Butthefaceofthefirstmantocrosstherailundeceivedhimwithashockthatwasnotatallunpleasurable——itwasthefaceofAstok，PrinceofDusar。
ScarcenoticingtheothersuponthedeckoftheKalksus，AstokstrodeforwardtoacceptVasKor’sgreeting，thenhesummonedthenoblebelow。Thewarriorsandofficersreturnedtotheirsleepingsilksandfurs，andoncemorethedeckwasdesertedexceptfortheDusarianwarriorandTurjun，thepanthan，whostoodguard。
Thelatterwalkedquietlytoandfro。Theformerleanedacrosstherail，wishingforthehourthatwouldbringhimrelief。HedidnotseehiscompanionapproachthelightsofthecabinofVasKor。Hedidnotseehimstoopwithearclosepressedtoatinyventilator。
"Maythewhiteapestakeusall，"criedAstokruefully，"ifwearenotinasuglyasnarlasyouhaveeverseen！
NutusthinksthatwehaveherinhidingfarawayfromDusar。
Hehasbiddenmebringherhere。"
Hepaused。Nomanshouldhaveheardfromhislipsthethinghewastryingtotell。ItshouldhavebeenforeverthesecretofNutusandAstok，foruponitrestedthesafetyofathrone。WiththatknowledgeanymancouldwrestfromtheJeddakofDusarwhateverhelisted。
ButAstokwasafraid，andhewantedfromthisoldermanthesuggestionofanalternative。Hewenton。
"Iamtokillher，"hewhispered，lookingfearfullyaround。
"Nutusmerelywishestoseethebodythathemayknowhiscommandshavebeenexecuted。IamnowsupposedtobegonetothespotwherewehaveherhiddenthatImayfetchherinsecrecytoDusar。NoneistoknowthatshehaseverbeeninthekeepingofaDusarian。
IdonotneedtotellyouwhatwouldbefallDusarshouldPtarthandHeliumandKaoleverlearnthetruth。"
Thejawsofthelistenerattheventilatorclickedtogetherwithavicioussnap。Beforehehadbutguessedattheidentityofthesubjectofthisconversation。Nowheknew。Andtheyweretokillher！Hismuscularfingersclencheduntilthenailsbitintothepalms。
"AndyouwishmetogowithyouwhileyoufetchhertoDusar，"VasKorwassaying。"Whereisshe？"
Astokbentcloseandwhisperedintotheother’sear。
ThesuggestionofasmilecrossedthecruelfeaturesofVasKor。Herealizedthepowerthatlaywithinhisgrasp。
Heshouldbeajedatleast。
"AndhowmayIhelpyou，myPrince？"askedtheoldermansuavely。
"Icannotkillher，"saidAstok。"Issus！Icannotdoit！
Whensheturnsthoseeyesuponmemyheartbecomeswater。"
VasKor’seyesnarrowed。
"Andyouwish——"Hepaused，theinterrogationunfinished，yetcomplete。
Astoknodded。
"YOUdonotloveher，"hesaid。
"ButIlovemylife——thoughIamonlyalessernoble，"
heconcludedmeaningly。
"Youshallbeagreaternoble——anobleofthefirstrank！"
exclaimedAstok。
"Iwouldbeajed，"saidVasKorbluntly。
Astokhesitated。
"Ajedmustdiebeforetherecanbeanotherjed，"hepleaded。
"Jedshavediedbefore，"snappedVasKor。"Itwoulddoubtlessbenotdifficultforyoutofindajedyoudonotlove，Astok——therearemanywhodonotloveyou。"
AlreadyVasKorwascommencingtopresumeuponhispowerovertheyoungprince。Astokwasquicktonoteandappreciatethesubtlechangeinhislieutenant。
Acunningschemeenteredhisweakandwickedbrain。
"Asyousay，VasKor！"heexclaimed。"Youshallbeajedwhenthethingisdone，"andthen，tohimself："NorwillitthenbedifficultformetofindajedIdonotlove。"
"WhenshallwereturntoDusar？"askedthenoble。
"Atonce，"repliedAstok。"Letusgetunderwaynow——
thereisnaughttokeepyouhere？"
"Ihadintendedsailingonthemorrow，pickingupsuchrecruitsasthevariousDwarsoftheRoadsmighthavecollectedforme，aswereturnedtoDusar。"
"Lettherecruitswait，"saidAstok。"Or，betterstill，comeyoutoDusarupontheThuria，leavingtheKalksustofollowandpickuptherecruits。"
"Yes，"acquiescedVasKor;"thatisthebetterplan。
Come;Iamready，"andherosetoaccompanyAstoktothelatter’sflier。
Thelistenerattheventilatorcametohisfeetslowly，likeanoldman。Hisfacewasdrawnandpinchedandverywhitebeneaththelightcopperofhisskin。
Shewastodie！Andhehelplesstoavertthetragedy。
Hedidnotevenknowwhereshewasimprisoned。
Thetwomenwereascendingfromthecabintothedeck。
Turjun，thepanthan，creptclosetothecompanionway，hissinuousfingersclosingtightlyuponthehiltofhisdagger。Couldhedespatchthembothbeforehewasoverpowered？Hesmiled。Hecouldslayanentireutanofherenemiesinhispresentstateofmind。
Theywerealmostabreastofhimnow。Astokwasspeaking。
"Bringacoupleofyourmenalong，VasKor，"hesaid。
"Weareshort—handedupontheThuria，soquicklydidwedepart。"
Thepanthan’sfingersdroppedfromthedagger’shilt。
HisquickmindhadgraspedhereachanceforsuccouringThuviaofPtarth。Hemightbechosenasonetoaccompanytheassassins，andoncehehadlearnedwherethecaptivelayhecoulddispatchAstokandVasKoraswellasnow。
TokillthembeforeheknewwhereThuviawashidwassimplytoleavehertodeathatthehandsofothers;
forsoonerorlaterNutuswouldlearnherwhereabouts，andNutus，JeddakofDusar，couldnotaffordtoletherlive。
TurjunputhimselfinthepathofVasKorthathemightnotbeoverlooked。Thenoblearousedthemensleepinguponthedeck，butalwaysbeforehimthestrangepanthanwhomhehadrecruitedthatsamedayfoundmeansforkeepinghimselftothefore。
VasKorturnedtohislieutenant，givinginstructionforthebringingoftheKalksustoDusar，andthegatheringupoftherecruits;thenhesignedtotwowarriorswhostoodclosebehindthepadwar。
"YoutwoaccompanyustotheThuria，"hesaid，"andputyourselvesatthedisposalofherdwar。"
ItwasdarkuponthedeckoftheKalksus，soVasKorhadnotagoodlookatthefacesofthetwohechose;
butthatwasofnomoment，fortheywerebutcommonwarriorstoassistwiththeordinarydutiesuponaflier，andtofightifneedbe。
OneofthetwowasKarKomak，thebowman。TheotherwasnotCarthoris。
TheHeliumitewasmadwithdisappointment。Hesnatchedhisdaggerfromhisharness;butalreadyAstokhadleftthedeckoftheKalksus，andheknewthatbeforehecouldovertakehim，shouldhedispatchVasKor，hewouldbekilledbytheDusarianwarriors，whonowwerethickuponthedeck。
WitheitheroneofthetwoaliveThuviawasinasgreatdangerasthoughbothlived——itmustbeboth！
AsVasKordescendedtothegroundCarthorisboldlyfollowedhim，nordidanyattempttohalthim，thinking，doubtless，thathewasoneoftheparty。
AfterhimcameKarKomakandtheDusarianwarriorwhohadbeendetailedtodutyupontheThuria。Carthoriswalkedclosetotheleftsideofthelatter。NowtheycametothedenseshadowunderthesideoftheThuria。Itwasverydarkthere，sothattheyhadtogropefortheladder。
KarKomakprecededtheDusarian。Thelatterreachedupwardfortheswingingrounds，andashedidsosteelfingerscloseduponhiswindpipeandasteelbladepiercedtheverycentreofhisheart。
Turjun，thepanthan，wasthelasttoclamberovertherailoftheThuria，drawingtheropeladderinafterhim。
Amomentlatertheflierwasrisingrapidly，headedforthenorth。
AttherailKarKomakturnedtospeaktothewarriorwhohadbeendetailedtoaccompanyhim。HiseyeswentwideastheyresteduponthefaceoftheyoungmanwhomhehadmetbesidethegranitecliffsthatguardmysteriousLothar。HowhadhecomeinplaceoftheDusarian？
Aquicksign，andKarKomakturnedoncemoretofindtheThuria’sdwarthathemightreporthimselfforduty。
Behindhimfollowedthepanthan。
CarthorisblessedthechancethathadcausedVasKortochoosethebowmanofallothers，forhaditbeenanotherDusariantherewouldhavebeenquestionstoanswerastothewhereaboutsofthewarriorwholaysoquietlyinthefieldbeyondtheresidenceofHalVas，DwaroftheSouthernRoad;andCarthorishadnoanswertothatquestionotherthanhisswordpoint，whichalonewasscarceadequatetoconvincetheentirecrewoftheThuria。
ThejourneytoDusarseemedinterminabletotheimpatientCarthoris，thoughasamatteroffactitwasquicklyaccomplished。SometimebeforetheyreachedtheirdestinationtheymetandspokewithanotherDusarianwarflier。Fromittheylearnedthatagreatbattlewassoontobefoughtsouth—eastofDusar。
ThecombinednaviesofDusar，PtarthandKaolhadbeeninterceptedintheiradvancetowardHeliumbythemightyHeliumiticnavy——themostformidableuponBarsoom，notaloneinnumbersandarmament，butinthetrainingandcourageofitsofficersandwarriors，andthezitidaricproportionsofmanyofitsmonsterbattleships。
Notformanyadayhadtherebeenthepromiseofsuchabattle。Fourjeddakswereindirectcommandoftheirownfleets——KulanTithofKaol，ThuvanDihnofPtarth，andNutusofDusarupononeside;whileupontheotherwasTardosMors，JeddakofHelium。WiththelatterwasJohnCarter，WarlordofMars。
Fromthefarnorthanotherforcewasmovingsouthacrossthebarriercliffs——thenewnavyofTalu，JeddakofOkar，cominginresponsetothecallfromthewarlord。
Uponthedecksofthesullenshipsofwarblack—beardedyellowmenlookedovereagerlytowardthesouth。Gorgeousweretheyintheirsplendidcloaksoforlukandapt。
Fierce，formidablefightersfromthehothousecitiesofthefrozennorth。
Andfromthedistantsouth，fromtheseaofOmeanandthecliffsofgold，fromthetemplesofthethernsandthegardenofIssus，otherthousandssailedintothenorthatthecallofthegreatmantheyallhadlearnedtorespect，and，respecting，love。Pacingtheflagshipofthismightyfleet，secondonlytothenavyofHelium，wastheebongodar，JeddakoftheFirstBorn，hisheartbeatingstronginanticipationofthecomingmomentwhenheshouldhurlhissavagecrewsandtheweightofhismightyshipsupontheenemiesofthewarlord。
ButwouldthesealliesreachthetheatreofwarintimetobeofavailtoHelium？Or，wouldHeliumneedthem？
Carthoris，withtheothermembersofthecrewoftheThuria，heardthegossipandtherumours。Noneknewofthetwofleets，theonefromthesouthandtheotherfromthenorth，thatwerecomingtosupporttheshipsofHelium，andallofDusarwereconvincedthatnothingnowcouldsavetheancientpowerofHeliumfrombeingwipedforeverfromtheupperairofBarsoom。
Carthoris，too，loyalsonofHeliumthathewas，feltthatevenhisbelovednavymightnotbeabletocopesuccessfullywiththecombinedforcesofthreegreatpowers。
NowtheThuriatouchedthelanding—stageabovethepalaceofAstok。HurriedlytheprinceandVasKordisembarkedandenteredthedropthatwouldcarrythemtothelowerlevelsofthepalace。
Closebesideitwasanotherdropthatwasutilizedbycommonwarriors。CarthoristouchedKarKomakuponthearm。
"Come！"hewhispered。"Youaremyonlyfriendamonganationofenemies。Willyoustandbyme？"
"Tothedeath，"repliedKarKomak。
Thetwoapproachedthedrop。Aslaveoperatedit。
"Whereareyourpasses？"heasked。
Carthorisfumbledinhispocketpouchasthoughinsearchofthem，atthesametimeenteringthecage。
KarKomakfollowedhim，closingthedoor。Theslavedidnotstartthecagedownward。Everysecondcounted。
TheymustreachthelowerlevelassoonaspossibleafterAstokandVasKoriftheywouldknowwhitherthetwowent。
Carthoristurnedsuddenlyupontheslave，hurlinghimtotheoppositesideofthecage。
"Bindandgaghim，KarKomak！"hecried。
Thenhegraspedthecontrollever，andasthecageshotdownwardatsickeningspeed，thebowmangrappledwiththeslave。Carthoriscouldnotleavethecontroltoassisthiscompanion，forshouldtheytouchthelowestlevelatthespeedatwhichtheyweregoing，allwouldbedashedtoinstantdeath。
BelowhimhecouldnowseethetopofAstok’scageintheparallelshaft，andhereducedthespeedofhistothatoftheother。Theslavecommencedtoscream。
"Silencehim！"criedCarthoris。
Amomentlateralimpformcrumpledtothefloorofthecage。
"Heissilenced，"saidKarKomak。
Carthorisbroughtthecagetoasuddenstopatoneofthehigherlevelsofthepalace。Openingthedoor，hegraspedthestillformoftheslaveandpusheditoutuponthefloor。Thenhebangedthegateandresumedthedownwarddrop。
OncemorehesightedthetopofthecagethatheldAstokandVasKor。Aninstantlaterithadstopped，andashebroughthiscartoahalt，hesawthetwomendisappearthroughoneoftheexitsofthecorridorbeyond。
CHAPTERXIV
KULANTITH’SSACRIFICE
ThemorningoftheseconddayofherincarcerationintheeasttowerofthepalaceofAstok，PrinceofDusar，foundThuviaofPtarthwaitingindullapathythecomingoftheassassin。
Shehadexhaustedeverypossibilityofescape，goingoverandoveragainthedoorandthewindows，thefloorandthewalls。
Thesolidersiteslabsshecouldnotevenscratch;
thetoughBarsoomianglassofthewindowswouldhaveshatteredtonothinglessthanaheavysledgeinthehandsofastrongman。Thedoorandthelockwereimpregnable。
Therewasnoescape。Andtheyhadstrippedherofherweaponssothatshecouldnotevenanticipatethehourofherdoom，thusrobbingthemofthesatisfactionofwitnessingherlastmoments。
Whenwouldtheycome？WouldAstokdothedeedwithhisownhands？Shedoubtedthathehadthecourageforit。Athearthewasacoward——shehadknownitsincefirstshehadheardhimbragas，avisitoratthecourtofherfather，hehadsoughttoimpressherwithhisvalour。
Shecouldnothelpbutcomparehimwithanother。
Andwithwhomwouldanaffiancedbridecompareanunsuccessfulsuitor？Withherbetrothed？AnddidThuviaofPtarthnowmeasureAstokofDusarbythestandardsofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol？
Shewasabouttodie;herthoughtswereherowntodowithasshepleased;yetfurthestfromthemwasKulanTith。
InsteadthefigureofthetallandcomelyHeliumitefilledhermind，crowdingtherefromallotherimages。
Shedreamedofhisnobleface，thequietdignityofhisbearing，thesmilethatlithiseyesasheconversedwithhisfriends，andthesmilethattouchedhislipsashefoughtwithhisenemies——
thefightingsmileofhisVirginiansire。
AndThuviaofPtarth，truedaughterofBarsoom，foundherbreathquickeningandheartleapingtothememoryofthisothersmile——thesmilethatshewouldneverseeagain。
Withalittlehalf—sobthegirlsanktothepileofsilksandfursthatweretumbledinconfusionbeneaththeeastwindows，buryingherfaceinherarms。
Inthecorridoroutsideherprison—roomtwomenhadpausedinheatedargument。
"Itellyouagain，Astok，"onewassaying，"thatIshallnotdothisthingunlessyoubepresentintheroom。"
Therewaslittleoftherespectdueroyaltyinthetoneofthespeaker’svoice。Theother，notingit，flushed。
"Donotimposetoofaruponmyfriendshipforyou，VasKor，"hesnapped。"Thereisalimittomypatience。"
"Thereisnoquestionofroyalprerogativehere，"
returnedVasKor。"Youaskmetobecomeanassassininyourstead，andagainstyourjeddak’sstrictinjunctions。
Youareinnoposition，Astok，todictatetome;butrathershouldyoubegladtoaccedetomyreasonablerequestthatyoubepresent，thussharingtheguiltwithme。WhyshouldIbearitall？"
Theyoungermanscowled，butheadvancedtowardthelockeddoor，andasitswunginuponitshinges，heenteredtheroombeyondatthesideofVasKor。
Acrossthechamberthegirl，hearingthementer，rosetoherfeetandfacedthem。Underthesoftcopperofherskinsheblanchedjustatrifle;buthereyeswerebraveandlevel，andthehaughtytiltofherfirmlittlechinwaseloquentofloathingandcontempt。
"Youstillpreferdeath？"askedAstok。
"ToYOU，yes，"repliedthegirlcoldly。
ThePrinceofDusarturnedtoVasKorandnodded。
Thenobledrewhisshort—swordandcrossedtheroomtowardThuvia。
"Kneel！"hecommanded。
"Iprefertodiestanding，"shereplied。
"Asyouwill，"saidVasKor，feelingthepointofhisbladewithhisleftthumb。"InthenameofNutus，JeddakofDusar！"hecried，andranquicklytowardher。
"InthenameofCarthoris，PrinceofHelium！"
cameinlowtonesfromthedoorway。
VasKorturnedtoseethepanthanhehadrecruitedathisson’shouseleapingacrossthefloortowardhim。ThefellowbrushedpastAstokwithan："Afterhim，you——calot！"
VasKorwheeledtomeetthechargingman。
"Whatmeansthistreason？"hecried。
Astok，withbaredsword，leapedtoVasKor’sassistance。
Thepanthan’sswordclashedagainstthatofthenoble，andinthefirstencounterVasKorknewthathefacedamasterswordsman。
Beforehehalfrealizedthestranger’spurposehefoundthemanbetweenhimselfandThuviaofPtarth，atbayfacingthetwoswordsoftheDusarians。Buthefoughtnotlikeamanatbay。Everwashetheaggressor，andthoughalwayshekepthisflashingbladebetweenthegirlandherenemies，yethemanagedtoforcethemhitherandthitherabouttheroom，callingtothegirltofollowclosebehindhim。
UntilitwastoolateneitherVasKornorAstokdreamedofthatwhichlayinthepanthan’smind;butatlastasthefellowstoodwithhisbacktowardthedoor，bothunderstood——theywerepennedintheirownprison，andnowtheintrudercouldslaythemathiswill，forThuviaofPtarthwasboltingthedoorattheman’sdirection，firsttakingthekeyfromtheoppositeside，whereAstokhadleftitwhentheyhadentered。
Astok，aswashisway，findingthattheenemydidnotfallimmediatelybeforetheirswords，wasleavingthebruntofthefightingtoVasKor，andnowashiseyesappraisedthepanthancarefullytheypresentlywentwiderandwider，forslowlyhehadcometorecognizethefeaturesofthePrinceofHelium。
TheHeliumitewaspressingcloseuponVasKor。Thenoblewasbleedingfromadozenwounds。Astoksawthathecouldnotforlongwithstandthecunningcraftofthatterribleswordhand。
"Courage，VasKor！"hewhisperedintheother’sear。
"Ihaveaplan。Holdhimbutamomentlongerandallwillbewell，"butthebalanceofthesentence，"withAstok，PrinceofDusar，"hedidnotvoicealoud。
VasKor，dreamingnotreachery，noddedhishead，andforamomentsucceededinholdingCarthorisatbay。
ThentheHeliumiteandthegirlsawtheDusarianprincerunswiftlytotheoppositesideofthechamber，touchsomethinginthewallthatsentagreatpanelswinginginward，anddisappearintotheblackvaultbeyond。
Itwasdonesoquicklythatbynopossibilitycouldtheyhaveinterceptedhim。Carthoris，fearfullestVasKormightsimilarlyeludehim，orAstokreturnimmediatelywithreinforcements，sprangviciouslyinuponhisantagonist，andamomentlatertheheadlessbodyoftheDusariannoblerolledupontheersitefloor。
"Come！"criedCarthoris。"Thereisnotimetobelost。
Astokwillbebackinamomentwithenoughwarriorstooverpowerme。"
ButAstokhadnosuchplaninmind，forsuchamovewouldhavemeantthespreadingofthefactamongthepalacegossipsthatthePtarthianprincesswasaprisonerintheeasttower。Quicklywouldthewordhavecometohisfather，andnoamountoffalsifyingcouldhaveexplainedawaythefactsthatthejeddak’sinvestigationwouldhavebroughttolight。
InsteadAstokwasracingmadlythroughalongcorridortoreachthedoorofthetower—roombeforeCarthorisandThuvialefttheapartment。Hehadseenthegirlremovethekeyandplaceitinherpocket—pouch，andheknewthatadaggerpointdrivenintothekeyholefromtheoppositesidewouldimprisontheminthesecretchambertilleightdeadworldscircledacold，deadsun。
AsfastashecouldrunAstokenteredthemaincorridorthatledtothetowerchamber。Wouldhereachthedoorintime？WhatiftheHeliumiteshouldhavealreadyemergedandheshouldrunuponhiminthepassageway？
Astokfeltacoldchillrunuphisspine。Hehadnostomachtofacethatuncannyblade。
Hewasalmostatthedoor。Aroundthenextturnofthecorridoritstood。No，theyhadnotlefttheapartment。
EvidentlyVasKorwasstillholdingtheHeliumite！
Astokcouldscarcerepressagrinattheclevermannerinwhichhehadoutwittedthenobleanddisposedofhimatthesametime。Andthenheroundedtheturnandcamefacetofacewithanauburn—haired，whitegiant。
Thefellowdidnotwaittoaskthereasonforhiscoming;
insteadheleapeduponhimwithalong—sword，sothatAstokhadtoparryadozenviciouscutsbeforehecoulddisengagehimselfandfleebackdowntherunway。
AmomentlaterCarthorisandThuviaenteredthecorridorfromthesecretchamber。
"Well，KarKomak？"askedtheHeliumite。
"Itisfortunatethatyouleftmehere，redman，"
saidthebowman。"Ibutjustnowinterceptedonewhoseemedover—anxioustoreachthisdoor——itwashewhomtheycallAstok，PrinceofDusar。"
Carthorissmiled。
"Whereishenow？"heasked。
"Heescapedmyblade，andrandownthiscorridor，"
repliedKarKomak。
"Wemustlosenotime，then！"exclaimedCarthoris。
"Hewillhavetheguarduponusyet！"
TogetherthethreehastenedalongthewindingpassagesthroughwhichCarthorisandKarKomakhadtrackedtheDusariansbythemarksofthelatter’ssandalsinthethindustthatoverspreadthefloorsoftheseseldom—
usedpassage—ways。
Theyhadcometothechamberattheentrancestotheliftsbeforetheymetwithopposition。Heretheyfoundahandfulofguardsmen，andanofficer，who，seeingthattheywerestrangers，questionedtheirpresenceinthepalaceofAstok。
OncemoreCarthorisandKarKomakhadrecoursetotheirblades，andbeforetheyhadwontheirwaytooneoftheliftsthenoiseoftheconflictmusthavearousedtheentirepalace，fortheyheardmenshouting，andastheypassedthemanylevelsontheirquickpassagetothelanding—stagetheysawarmedmenrunninghitherandthitherinsearchofthecauseofthecommotion。
BesidethestagelaytheThuria，withthreewarriorsonguard。
AgaintheHeliumiteandtheLotharianfoughtshouldertoshoulder，butthebattlewassoonover，forthePrinceofHeliumalonewouldhavebeenamatchforanythreethatDusarcouldproduce。
ScarcehadtheThuriarisenfromthewaysereahundredormorefightingmenleapedtoviewuponthelanding—stage。
AttheirheadwasAstokofDusar，andashesawthetwohehadthoughtsosafelyinhispowerslippingfromhisgrasp，hedancedwithrageandchagrin，shakinghisfistsandhurlingabuseandvileinsultsatthem。
Withherbowinclinedupwardatadizzyangle，theThuriashotmeteor—likeintothesky。Fromadozenpointsswiftpatrolboatsdartedafterher，forthesceneuponthelanding—stageabovethepalaceofthePrinceofDusarhadnotgoneunnoticed。
AdozentimesshotsgrazedtheThuria’sside，andasCarthoriscouldnotleavethecontrollevers，ThuviaofPtarthturnedthemuzzlesofthecraft’srapid—firegunsupontheenemyassheclungtothesteepandslipperysurfaceofthedeck。
Itwasanobleraceandanoblefight。Oneagainstascorenow，forotherDusariancrafthadjoinedinthepursuit;butAstok，PrinceofDusar，hadbuiltwellwhenhebuilttheThuria。
Noneinthenavyofhissirepossessedaswifterflier;
noothercraftsowellarmouredorsowellarmed。
Onebyonethepursuersweredistanced，andasthelastofthemfelloutofrangebehind，CarthorisdroppedtheThuria’snosetoahorizontalplane，aswithleverdrawntothelastnotch，shetorethroughthethinairofdyingMarstowardtheeastandPtarth。
ThirteenandahalfthousandhaadsawaylayPtarth——astiffthirty—hourjourneyfortheswiftestoffliers，andbetweenDusarandPtarthmightliehalfthenavyofDusar，forinthisdirectionwasthereportedseatofthegreatnavalbattlethatevennowmightbeinprogress。
CouldCarthorishaveknownpreciselywherethegreatfleetsofthecontendingnationslay，hewouldhavehastenedtothemwithoutdelay，forinthereturnofThuviatohersirelaythegreatesthopeofpeace。
Halfthedistancetheycoveredwithoutsightingasinglewarship，andthenKarKomakcalledCarthoris’sattentiontoadistantcraftthatrestedupontheochrevegetationofthegreatdeadsea—bottom，abovewhichtheThuriawasspeeding。
Aboutthevesselmanyfigurescouldbeseenswarming。
Withtheaidofpowerfulglasses，theHeliumitesawthattheyweregreenwarriors，andthattheywererepeatedlychargingdownuponthecrewofthestrandedairship。
Thenationalityofthelatterhecouldnotmakeoutatsogreatadistance。
ItwasnotnecessarytochangethecourseoftheThuriatopermitofpassingdirectlyabovethesceneofbattle，butCarthorisdroppedhiscraftafewhundredfeetthathemighthaveabetterandcloserview。
Iftheshipwasofafriendlypower，hecoulddonolessthanstopanddirecthisgunsuponherenemies，thoughwiththepreciousfreighthecarriedhescarcelyfeltjustifiedinlanding，forhecouldofferbuttwoswordsinreinforcement——scarceenoughtowarrantjeopardizingthesafetyofthePrincessofPtarth。
Astheycamecloseabovethestrickenship，theycouldseethatitwouldbebutaquestionofminutesbeforethegreenhordewouldswarmacrossthearmouredbulwarkstogluttheferocityoftheirbloodlustuponthedefenders。
"Itwouldbefutiletodescend，"saidCarthoristoThuvia。
"ThecraftmayevenbeofDusar——sheshowsnoinsignia。
Allthatwemaydoisfireuponthehordesmen";
andashespokehesteppedtooneofthegunsanddeflecteditsmuzzletowardthegreenwarriorsattheship’sside。
AtthefirstshotfromtheThuriathoseuponthevesselbelowevidentlydiscoveredherforthefirsttime。
Immediatelyadeviceflutteredfromthebowofthewarshipontheground。ThuviaofPtarthcaughtherbreathquickly，glancingatCarthoris。
ThedevicewasthatofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol——
themantowhomthePrincessofPtarthwasbetrothed！
HoweasyfortheHeliumitetopasson，leavinghisrivaltothefatethatcouldnotforlongbeaverted！Nomancouldaccusehimofcowardiceortreachery，forKulanTithwasinarmsagainstHelium，and，further，upontheThuriawerenotenoughswordstodelayeventemporarilytheoutcomethatalreadywasaforegoneconclusioninthemindsofthewatchers。
WhatwouldCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，do？
ScarcehadthedevicebrokentothefaintbreezeerethebowoftheThuriadroppedatasharpangletowardtheground。
"Canyounavigateher？"askedCarthorisofThuvia。
Thegirlnodded。
"Iamgoingtotrytotakethesurvivorsaboard，"hecontinued。
"ItwillneedbothKarKomakandmyselftomanthegunswhiletheKaolianstaketotheboardingtackle。Keepherbowdepressedagainsttheriflefire。Shecanbearitbetterinherforwardarmour，andatthesametimethepropellerswillbeprotected。"
HehurriedtothecabinasThuviatookthecontrol。
AmomentlatertheboardingtackledroppedfromthekeeloftheThuria，andfromadozenpointsalongeithersidestout，knottedleathernlinestraileddownward。
Atthesametimeasignalbrokefromherbow：
"Preparetoboardus。"
AshoutarosefromthedeckoftheKaolianwarship。
Carthoris，whobythistimehadreturnedfromthecabin，smiledsadly。Hewasabouttosnatchfromthejawsofdeaththemanwhostoodbetweenhimselfandthewomanheloved。
"Taketheportbowgun，KarKomak，"hecalledtothebowman，andhimselfsteppedtothegunuponthestarboardbow。
*TheycouldnowfeelthesharpshockoftheexplosionsofthegreenwarriorsvomitedtheirhailofdeathanddestructionatthesidesofthestaunchThuria。*
[Thisparagraphneedstobeverifiedfromearlyeditions]
Itwasaforlornhopeatbest。Atanymomenttherepulsiveraytanksmightbepierced。ThemenupontheKaolianshipwerebattlingwithrenewedhope。InthebowstoodKulanTith，abravefigurefightingbesidehisbravewarriors，beatingbacktheferociousgreenmen。
TheThuriacamelowabovetheothercraft。TheKaolianswereformingundertheirofficersinreadinesstoboard，andthenasuddenfiercefusilladefromtheriflesofthegreenwarriorsvomitedtheirhailofdeathanddestructionintothesideofthebraveflier。
LikeawoundedbirdshedivedsuddenlyMarswardcareeningdrunkenly。Thuviaturnedthebowupwardinanefforttoaverttheimminenttragedy，butshesucceededonlyinlesseningtheshockoftheflier’simpactasshestruckthegroundbesidetheKaolianship。
WhenthegreenmensawonlytwowarriorsandawomanuponthedeckoftheThuria，asavageshoutoftriumpharosefromtheirranks，whileanansweringgroanbrokefromthelipsoftheKaolians。
Theformernowturnedtheirattentionuponthenewarrival，fortheysawherdefenderscouldsoonbeovercomeandthatfromherdecktheycouldcommandthedeckofthebetter—mannedship。
AstheychargedashoutofwarningcamefromKulanTith，uponthebridgeofhisownship，andwithitanappreciationofthevalouroftheactthathadputthesmallervesselinthesesorestraits。
"Whoisit，"hecried，"thatoffershislifeintheserviceofKulanTith？Neverwaswroughtanoblerdeedofself—
sacrificeuponBarsoom！"
ThegreenhordewasscramblingovertheThuria’ssideastherebrokefromthebowthedeviceofCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，inreplytothequeryofthejeddakofKaol。NoneuponthesmallerflierhadopportunitytonotetheeffectofthisannouncementupontheKaolians，fortheirattentionwasclaimedslowlynowbythatwhichwastranspiringupontheirowndeck。
KarKomakstoodbehindthegunhehadbeenoperating，staringwithwideeyesattheonrushinghideousgreenwarriors。
Carthoris，seeinghimthus，feltapangofregretthat，afterall，thismanthathehadthoughtsovalorousshouldprove，inthehourofneed，asspinelessasJavorTario。
"KarKomak——theman！"heshouted。"Gripyourself！
RememberthedaysofthegloryoftheseafarersofLothar。Fight！Fight，man！Fightasnevermanfoughtbefore。Allthatremainstousistodiefighting。"
KarKomakturnedtowardtheHeliumite，agrimsmileuponhislips。
"Whyshouldwefight，"heasked。"Againstsuchfearfulodds？
Thereisanotherway——abetterway。Look！"Hepointedtowardthecompanion—waythatledbelowdeck。
Thegreenmen，ahandfulofthem，hadalreadyreachedtheThuria’sdeck，asCarthorisglancedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated。Thesightthatmethiseyessethishearttothumpinginjoyandrelief——ThuviaofPtarthmightyetbesaved？Forfrombelowtherepouredastreamofgiantbowmen，grimandterrible。
NotthebowmenofTarioorJav，butthebowmenofanodwarofbowmen——savagefightingmen，eagerforthefray。
Thegreenwarriorspausedinmomentarysurpriseandconsternation，butonlyforamoment。Thenwithhorridwar—criestheyleapedforwardtomeetthesestrange，newfoemen。
Avolleyofarrowsstoppedthemintheirtracks。
InamomenttheonlygreenwarriorsuponthedeckoftheThuriaweredeadwarriors，andthebowmenofKarKomakwereleapingoverthevessel’ssidestochargethehordesmenupontheground。
UtanafterutantumbledfromthebowelsoftheThuriatolaunchthemselvesupontheunfortunategreenmen。
KulanTithandhisKaoliansstoodwide—eyedandspeechlesswithamazementastheysawthousandsofthesestrange，fiercewarriorsemergefromthecompanion—wayofthesmallcraftthatcouldnotcomfortablyhaveaccomodatedmorethanfifty。
Atlastthegreenmencouldwithstandtheonslaughtofoverwhelmingnumbersnolonger。Slowly，atfirst，theyfellbackacrosstheochreplain。Thebowmenpursuedthem。KarKomak，standinguponthedeckoftheThuria，trembledwithexcitement。
Atthetopofhislungshevoicedthesavagewar—cryofhisforgottenday。Heroaredencouragementandcommandsathisbattlingutans，andthen，astheychargedfurtherandfurtherfromtheThuria，hecouldnolongerwithstandthelureofbattle。
Leapingovertheship’ssidetotheground，hejoinedthelastofhisbowmenastheyracedoffoverthedeadsea—bottominpursuitofthefleeinggreenhorde。
Beyondalowpromontoryofwhatoncehadbeenanislandthegreenmenweredisappearingtowardthewest。
Closeupontheirheelsracedthefleetbowmenofabygoneday，andforgingsteadilyaheadamongthemCarthorisandThuviacouldseethemightyfigureofKarKomak，brandishingalofttheTorquasianshort—swordwithwhichhewasarmed，asheurgedhiscreaturesaftertheretreatingenemy。
Asthelastofthemdisappearedbehindthepromontory，CarthoristurnedtowardThuviaofPtarth。
"Theyhavetaughtmealesson，thesevanishingbowmenofLothar，"hesaid。"Whentheyhaveservedtheirpurposetheyremainnottoembarrasstheirmastersbytheirpresence。KulanTithandhiswarriorsareheretoprotectyou。Myactshaveconstitutedtheproofofmyhonestyofpurpose。Good—bye，"andhekneltatherfeet，raisingabitofherharnesstohislips。
Thegirlreachedoutahandandlaidituponthethickblackhairoftheheadbentbeforeher。Softlysheasked：
"Whereareyougoing，Carthoris？"
"WithKarKomak，thebowman，"hereplied。
"Therewillbefightingandforgetfulness。"
Thegirlputherhandsbeforehereyes，asthoughtoshutoutsomemightytemptationfromhersight。
"Maymyancestorshavemercyuponme，"shecried，"ifIsaythethingIhavenorighttosay;butIcannotseeyoucastyourlifeaway，Carthoris，PrinceofHelium！
Stay，mychieftain。Stay——Iloveyou！"
Acoughbehindthembroughtbothabout，andtheretheysawstanding，nottwopacesfromthemKulanTith，JeddakofKaol。
Foralongmomentnonespoke。ThenKulanTithclearedhisthroat。
"Icouldnothelphearingallthatpassed，"hesaid。
"Iamnofool，tobeblindtothelovethatliesbetweenyou。
NoramIblindtotheloftyhonourthathascausedyou，Carthoris，toriskyourlifeandherstosavemine，thoughyouthoughtthatthatveryactwouldrobyouofthechancetokeepherforyourown。
"NorcanIfailtoappreciatethevirtuethathaskeptyourlipssealedagainstwordsofloveforthisHeliumite，Thuvia，forIknowthatIhavebutjustheardthefirstdeclarationofyourpassionforhim。Idonotcondemnyou。
RathershouldIhavecondemnedyouhadyouenteredalovelessmarriagewithme。
"Takebackyourliberty，ThuviaofPtarth，"hecried，"andbestowitwhereyourheartalreadyliesenchained，andwhenthegoldencollarsareclaspedaboutyournecksyouwillseethatKulanTith’sisthefirstswordtoberaisedindeclarationofeternalfriendshipforthenewPrincessofHeliumandherroyalmate！"
AGLOSSARYOFNAMESANDTERMSUSED
INTHEMARTIANBOOKS
Aaanthor。AdeadcityofancientMars。
AisleofHope。Anaisleleadingtothecourt—roominHelium。
Apt。AnArcticmonster。Ahuge，white—furredcreaturewithsixlimbs，fourofwhich，shortandheavy，carryitoverthesnowandice;theothertwo，whichgrowforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong，powerfulneck，terminateinwhite，hairlesshandswithwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey。Itsheadandmoutharesimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamus，exceptthatfromthesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront。
Itstwohugeeyesextendintwovastovalpatchesfromthecentreofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns，sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes，whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach。Eachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid，andtheaptcan，atwill，closeasmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses。（SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。）
Astok。PrinceofDusar。
AvenueofAncestors。AstreetinHelium。
Banth。Barsoomianlion。AfiercebeastofpreythatroamsthelowhillssurroundingthedeadseasofancientMars。
Itisalmosthairless，havingonlyagreat，bristlymaneaboutitsthickneck。Itslong，lithebodyissupportedbytenpowerfullegs，itsenormousjawsareequippedwithseveralrowsoflongneedle—likefangs，anditsmouthreachestoapointfarbackofitstinyears。Ithasenormousprotrudingeyesofgreen。（SeeTHEGODS
OFMARS。）
BarComas。JeddakofWarhoon。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Barsoom。MARS
BlackpiratesofBarsoom。Mensixfeetandoverinheight。
Haveclear—cutandhandsomefeatures;theireyesarewellsetandlarge，thoughaslightnarrownesslendsthemacraftyappearance。Theirisisextremelyblackwhiletheeyeballitselfisquitewhiteandclear。Theirskinhastheappearanceofpolishedebony。（SeeTHE
GODSOFMARS。）
Calot。Adog。AboutthesizeofaShetlandponyandhastenshortlegs。Theheadbearsaslightresemblancetothatofafrog，exceptthatthejawsareequippedwiththreerowsoflong，sharptusks。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Carter，John。WarlordofMars。
CarthorisofHelium。SonofJohnCarterandDejahThoris。
DakKova。JedamongtheWarhoons（laterjeddak）。
Darseen。Chameleon—likereptile。
Dator。ChieforprinceamongtheFirstBorn。
DejahThoris。PrincessofHelium。
DjorKantos。SonofKantosKan;padwaroftheFifthUtan。
Dor。ValleyofHeaven。
DotarSojat。JohnCarter’sMartianname，fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwowarriorchieftainshekilled。
Dusar。AMartiankingdom。
Dwar。Captain。
Ersite。Akindofstone。
FatherofTherns。HighPriestofreligiouscult。
FirstBorn。Blackrace;blackpirates。
KarKomak。OdwarofLotharianbowmen。
GateofJeddaks。AgateinHelium。
Gozava。TarsTarkas’deadwife。
GurTus。DwaroftheTenthUtan。
Haad。Martianmile。
HalVas。SonofVasKortheDusariannoble。
Hastor。AcityofHelium。
Hekkador。TitleofFatherofTherns。
Helium。TheempireofthegrandfatherofDejahThoris。
HolyTherns。AMartianreligiouscult。
HortanGur。JeddakofTorquas。
HorVastus。PadwarinthenavyofHelium。
Horz。Desertedcity;BarsoomianGreenwich。
Illall。AcityofOkar。
Iss。RiverofDeath。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Issus。GoddessofDeath，whoseabodeisuponthebanksoftheLostSeaofKorus。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
Jav。ALotharian。
Jed。King。
Jeddak。Emperor。
KabKadja。JeddakoftheWarhoonsofthesouth。
Kadabra。CapitalofOkar。
Kadar。Guard。
Kalksus。Cruiser;transportunderVasKor。
KantosKan。PadwarintheHeliumnavy。
Kaol。AMartiankingdomintheeasternhemisphere。
Kaor。Greeting。
Karad。Martiandegree。
Komal。TheLothariangod;ahugebanth。
Korad。AdeadcityofancientMars。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Korus。TheLostSeaofDor。
KulanTith。JeddakofKaol。（SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。）
Lakor。Athern。
Larok。ADusarianwarrior;artificer。
LorquasPtomel。JedamongtheTharks。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Lothar。Theforgottencity。
Marentina。AprincipalityofOkar。
MataiShang。FatherofTherns。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
MorsKajak。AjedoflesserHelium。
Notan。RoyalPsychologistofZodanga。
Nutus。JeddakofDusar。
Od。Martianfoot。
Odwar。Acommander，orgeneral。
Okar。Landoftheyellowmen。
OldBen（orUncleBen）。Thewriter’sbody—servant（coloured）。
Omad。Manwithonename。
Omean。Theburiedsea。
Orluk。AblackandyellowstripedArcticmonster。
OtzMountains。SurroundingtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus。
Padwar。Lieutenant。
Panthan。Asoldieroffortune。
Parthak。TheZodanganwhobroughtfoodtoJohnCarterinthepitsofZatArras。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
PedestalofTruth。WithinthecourtroomofHelium。
Phaidor。DaughterofMataiShang。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
Pimalia。Gorgeousfloweringplant。
PlantmenofBarsoom。AraceinhabitingtheValleyDor。
Theyaretenortwelvefeetinheightwhenstandingerect;theirarmsareveryshortandfashionedafterthemannerofanelephant’strunk，beingsinuous;thebodyishairlessandghoulishblueexceptforabroadbandofwhitewhichencirclestheprotruding，singleeye，thepupil，irisandballofwhicharedeadwhite。Thenoseisaragged，inflamed，circularholeinthecentreoftheblankface，resemblingafreshbulletwoundwhichhasnotyetcommencedtobleed。Thereisnomouthinthehead。Withtheexceptionoftheface，theheadiscoveredbyatangledmassofjet—blackhairsomeeightorteninchesinlength。Eachhairisaboutthethicknessofalargeangleworm。Thebody，legsandfeetareofhumanshapebutofmonstrousproportions，thefeetbeingfullythreefeetlongandveryflatandbroad。
Themethodoffeedingconsistsinrunningtheiroddhandsoverthesurfaceoftheturf，croppingoffthetendervegetationwithrazor—liketalonsandsuckingitupfromtwomouths，whichlieoneinthepalmofeachhand。Theyareequippedwithamassivetailaboutsixfeetlong，quiteroundwhereitjoinsthebody，buttaperingtoaflat，thinbladetowardtheend，whichtrailsatrightanglestotheground。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
PrinceSoran。OverlordofthenavyofPtarth。
Ptarth。AMartiankingdom。
Ptor。FamilynameofthreeZodanganbrothers。
SabThan。PrinceofZodanga。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Safad。AMartianinch。
Sak。Jump。
SalensusOll。JeddakofOkar。（SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。）
SaranTal。Carthoris’major—domo。
Sarkoja。AgreenMartianwoman。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
SatorThrog。AHolyThernoftheTenthCycle。
Shador。IslandinOmeanusedasaprison。
Silian。SlimyreptilesinhabitingtheSeaofKorus。
Sith。Hornet—likemonster。Bald—facedandaboutthesizeofaHerefordbull。Hasfrightfuljawsinfrontandmightypoisonedstingbehind。Theeyes，ofmyriadfacets，coverthree—fourthsofthehead，permittingthecreaturetoseeinalldirectionsatoneandthesametime。（SeeTHE
WARLORDOFMARS。）
Skeel。AMartianhardwood。
Sola。AyounggreenMartianwoman。
Solan。Anofficialofthepalace。
Sompus。Akindoftree。
Sorak。AlittlepetanimalamongtheredMartianwomen，aboutthesizeofacat。
Sorapus。AMartianhardwood。
Sorav。AnofficerofSalensusOll。
Tal。AMartiansecond。
TalHajus。JeddakofThark。
Talu。RebelPrinceofMarentina。
TanGama。Warhoonwarrior。
TardosMors。GrandfatherofDejahThorisandJeddakofHelium。
Tario。JeddakofLothar。
TarsTarkas。Agreenman，chieftainoftheTharks。
TempleofReward。InHelium。
TenthCycle。Asphere，orplaneofeminence，amongtheHolyTherns。
Thabis。Issus’chief。
ThanKosis。JeddakofZodanga。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
Thark。CityandnameofagreenMartianhorde。
Thoat。AgreenMartianhorse。Tenfeethighattheshoulder，withfourlegsoneitherside;abroad，flattail，largeratthetipthanattherootwhichitholdsstraightoutbehindwhilerunning;amouthsplittingitsheadfromsnouttothelong，massiveneck。Itisentirelydevoidofhairandisofadarkslatecolourandexceedinglysmoothandglossy。Ithasawhitebellyandthelegsareshadedfromslateattheshouldersandhipstoavividyellowatthefeet。Thefeetareheavilypaddedandnailless。（SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。）
ThorBan。JedamongthegreenmenofTorquas。
Thorian。ChiefofthelesserTherns。
ThroneofRighteousness。Inthecourt—roomofHelium。
Throxus。Mightiestofthefiveoceans。
Thurds。AgreenhordeinimicaltoTorquas。
Thuria。Thenearermoon。
Thurid。Ablackdator。
ThuvanDihn。JeddakofPtarth。
Thuvia。PrincessofPtarth。
Torith。Officeroftheguardsatsubmarinepool。
TorkarBar。Kaoliannoble;dwaroftheKaolianRoad。
Torquas。Agreenhorde。
Turjun。Carthoris’alias。
Utan。Acompanyofonehundredmen（military）。
VasKor。ADusariannoble。
Warhoon。Acommunityofgreenmen;enemyofThark。
Woola。ABarsoomiancalot。
Xat。AMartianminute。
Xavarian。AHeliumwarship。
Xodar。DatoramongtheFirstBorn。
Yersted。Commanderofthesubmarine。
Zad。Tharkianwarrior。
ZatArras。JedofZodanga。
Zithad。DatoroftheguardsofIssus。（SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。）
Zitidars。Mastodoniandraughtanimals。
Zodanga。MartiancityofredmenatwarwithHelium。
Zode。AMartianhour。