第4章

Itwaswithevidentreluctancethatthegreatbeastturnedtoleavemeincompliancewithmycommand，anderehehadgoneIcouldnotresisttheinclinationtothrowmyarmsabouthisgreatneckinapartinghug。Herubbedhischeekagainstmineinafinalcaress，andamomentlaterwasspeedingthroughtheCarrionCavestowardtheouterworld。

InmynotetoCarthorisIhadgivenexplicitdirectionsforlocatingtheCarrionCaves，impressinguponhimthenecessityformakingentrancetothecountrybeyondthroughthisavenue，andnottoattemptunderanycircumstancestocrosstheice—barrierwithafleet。

ItoldhimthatwhatlaybeyondtheeighthcaveIcouldnotevenguess;butIwassurethatsomewhereupontheothersideoftheice—barrierhismotherlayinthepowerofMataiShang，andthatpossiblyhisgrandfatherandgreat—grandfatheraswell，iftheylived。

Further，IadvisedhimtocalluponKulanTithandthesonofThuvanDihnforwarriorsandshipsthattheexpeditionmightbesufficientlystrongtoinsuresuccessatthefirstblow。

"And，"Iconcluded，"iftherebetimebringTarsTarkaswithyou，forifIliveuntilyoureachmeIcanthinkoffewgreaterpleasuresthantofightoncemore，shouldertoshoulder，withmyoldfriend。"

WhenWoolahadleftusThuvanDihnandI，hidingintheseventhcave，discussedanddiscardedmanyplansforcrossingtheeighthchamber。

Fromwherewestoodwesawthatthefightingamongtheaptswasgrowingless，andthatmanythathadbeenfeedinghadceasedandlaindowntosleep。

Presentlyitbecameapparentthatinashorttimealltheferociousmonstersmightbepeacefullyslumbering，andthusahazardousopportunitybepresentedtoustocrossthroughtheirlair。

Onebyonetheremainingbrutesstretchedthemselvesuponthebubblingdecompositionthatcoveredthemassofbonesupontheflooroftheirden，untilbutasingleaptremainedawake。

Thishugefellowroamedrestlesslyabout，nosingamonghiscompanionandtheabhorrentlitterofthecave。

Occasionallyhewouldstoptopeerintentlytowardfirstoneoftheexitsfromthechamberandthentheother。

Hiswholedemeanorwasasofonewhoactsassentry。

Wewereatlastforcedtothebeliefthathewouldnotsleepwhiletheotheroccupantsofthelairslept，andsocastaboutinourmindsforsomeschemewherebywemighttrickhim。FinallyI

suggestedaplantoThuvanDihn，andasitseemedasgoodasanythatwehaddiscussedwedecidedtoputittothetest。

TothisendThuvanDihnplacedhimselfcloseagainstthecave’swall，besidetheentrancetotheeighthchamber，whileI

deliberatelyshowedmyselftotheguardianaptashelookedtowardourretreat。ThenIsprangtotheoppositesideoftheentrance，flatteningmybodyclosetothewall。

Withoutasoundthegreatbeastmovedrapidlytowardtheseventhcavetoseewhatmannerofintruderhadthusrashlypenetratedsofarwithintheprecinctsofhishabitation。

Ashepokedhisheadthroughthenarrowaperturethatconnectsthetwocavesaheavylong—swordwasawaitinghimuponeitherhand，andbeforehehadanopportunitytoemitevenasinglegrowlhisseveredheadrolledatourfeet。

Quicklyweglancedintotheeighthchamber——notanapthadmoved。

CrawlingoverthecarcassofthehugebeastthatblockedthedoorwayThuvanDihnandIcautiouslyenteredtheforbiddinganddangerousden。

Likesnailswewoundoursilentandcarefulwayamongthehuge，recumbentforms。Theonlysoundaboveourbreathingwasthesuckingnoiseofourfeetasweliftedthemfromtheoozeofdecayingfleshthroughwhichwecrept。

Halfwayacrossthechamberandoneofthemightybeastsdirectlybeforememovedrestlesslyattheveryinstantthatmyfootwaspoisedabovehishead，overwhichImuststep。

BreathlesslyIwaited，balancingupononefoot，forIdidnotdaremoveamuscle。Inmyrighthandwasmykeenshort—sword，thepointhoveringaninchabovethethickfurbeneathwhichbeatthesavageheart。

Finallytheaptrelaxed，sighing，aswiththepassingofabaddream，andresumedtheregularrespirationofdeepslumber。

Iplantedmyraisedfootbeyondthefierceheadandaninstantlaterhadsteppedoverthebeast。

ThuvanDihnfolloweddirectlyafterme，andanothermomentfoundusatthefurtherdoor，undetected。

TheCarrionCavesconsistofaseriesoftwenty—sevenconnectingchambers，andpresenttheappearanceofhavingbeenerodedbyrunningwaterinsomefar—goneagewhenamightyriverfounditswaytothesouththroughthissinglebreachinthebarrierofrockandicethathemsthecountryofthepole。

ThuvanDihnandItraversedtheremainingnineteencavernswithoutadventureormishap。

WewereafterwardtolearnthatbutonceamonthisitpossibletofindalltheaptsoftheCarrionCavesinasinglechamber。

Atothertimestheyroamsinglyorinpairsinandoutofthecaves，sothatitwouldhavebeenpracticallyimpossiblefortwomentohavepassedthroughtheentiretwenty—sevenchamberswithoutencounteringanaptinnearlyeveryoneofthem。Onceamonththeysleepforafullday，anditwasourgoodfortunetostumblebyaccidentupononeoftheseoccasions。

Beyondthelastcaveweemergedintoadesolatecountryofsnowandice，butfoundawell—markedtrailleadingnorth。

Thewaywasboulder—strewn，ashadbeenthatsouthofthebarrier，sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceaheadofusatanytime。

Afteracoupleofhourswepassedroundahugebouldertocometoasteepdeclivityleadingdownintoavalley。

Directlybeforeuswesawahalfdozenmen——fierce，black—beardedfellows，withskinsthecolorofaripelemon。

"TheyellowmenofBarsoom！"ejaculatedThuvanDihn，asthoughevennowthathesawthemhefounditscarcepossibletobelievethattheveryraceweexpectedtofindhiddeninthisremoteandinaccessiblelanddidreallyexist。

Wewithdrewbehindanadjacentbouldertowatchtheactionsofthelittleparty，whichstoodhuddledatthefootofanotherhugerock，theirbackstowardus。

Oneofthemwaspeeringroundtheedgeofthegranitemassasthoughwatchingonewhoapproachedfromtheoppositeside。

PresentlytheobjectofhisscrutinycamewithintherangeofmyvisionandIsawthatitwasanotheryellowman。Allwereclothedinmagnificentfurs——thesixintheblackandyellowstripedhideoftheorluk，whilehewhoapproachedalonewasresplendentinthepurewhiteskinofanapt。

Theyellowmenwerearmedwithtwoswords，andashortjavelinwasslungacrossthebackofeach，whilefromtheirleftarmshungcuplikeshieldsnolargerthanadinnerplate，theconcavesidesofwhichturnedoutwardtowardanantagonist。

Theyseemedpunyandfutileimplementsofsafetyagainstanevenordinaryswordsman，butIwaslatertoseethepurposeofthemandwithwhatwondrousdexteritytheyellowmenmanipulatethem。

Oneoftheswordswhicheachofthewarriorscarriedcaughtmyimmediateattention。Icallitasword，butreallyitwasasharp—

edgedbladewithacompletehookatthefarend。

Theotherswordwasofaboutthesamelengthasthehookedinstrument，andsomewherebetweenthatofmylong—swordandmyshort—sword。Itwasstraightandtwo—edged。InadditiontotheweaponsIhaveennumeratedeachmancarriedadaggerinhisharness。

Asthewhite—furredoneapproached，thesixgraspedtheirswordsmorefirmly——thehookedinstrumentinthelefthand，thestraightswordintheright，whileabovetheleftwristthesmallshieldwasheldrigiduponametalbracelet。

AsthelonewarriorcameoppositethemthesixrushedoutuponhimwithfiendishyellsthatresemblednothingmorecloselythanthesavagewarcryoftheApachesoftheSouth—west。

Instantlytheattackeddrewbothhisswords，andasthesixfelluponhimIwitnessedasprettyfightingasonemightcaretosee。

Withtheirsharphooksthecombatantsattemptedtotakeholdofanadversary，butlikelightningthecupshapedshieldwouldspringbeforethedartingweaponandintoitshollowthehookwouldplunge。

Oncethelonewarriorcaughtanantagonistinthesidewithhishook，anddrawinghimcloseranhisswordthroughhim。

Buttheoddsweretoounequal，and，thoughhewhofoughtalonewasbyfarthebestandbravestofthemall，Isawthatitwasbutaquestionoftimebeforetheremainingfivewouldfindanopeningthroughhismarvelousguardandbringhimdown。

Nowmysympathieshaveeverbeenwiththeweakersideofanargument，andthoughIknewnothingofthecauseofthetroubleIcouldnotstandidlybyandseeabravemanbutcheredbysuperiornumbers。

AsamatteroffactIpresumeIgavelittleattentiontoseekinganexcuse，forIloveagoodfighttoowelltoneedanyotherreasonforjoininginwhenoneisafoot。

SoitwasthatbeforeThuvanDihnknewwhatIwasabouthesawmestandingbythesideofthewhite—cladyellowman，battlinglikemadwithhisfiveadversaries。

WITHTHEYELLOWMEN

ThuvanDihnwasnotlonginjoiningme;and，thoughwefoundthehookedweaponastrangeandsavagethingwithwhichtodeal，thethreeofussoondespatchedthefiveblack—beardedwarriorswhoopposedus。

Whenthebattlewasoverournewacquaintanceturnedtome，andremovingtheshieldfromhiswrist，helditout。Ididnotknowthesignificanceofhisact，butjudgedthatitwasbutaformofexpressinghisgratitudetome。

Iafterwardlearnedthatitsymbolizedtheofferingofaman’slifeinreturnforsomegreatfavordonehim;andmyactofrefusing，whichIhadimmediatelydone，waswhatwasexpectedofme。

"ThenacceptfromTalu，PrinceofMarentina，"saidtheyellowman，"thistokenofmygratitude，"andreachingbeneathoneofhiswidesleeveshewithdrewabraceletandplacedituponmyarm。

HethenwentthroughthesameceremonywithThuvanDihn。

Nextheaskedournames，andfromwhatlandwehailed。

Heseemedquitefamiliarwiththegeographyoftheouterworld，andwhenIsaidIwasfromHeliumheraisedhisbrows。

"Ah，"hesaid，"youseekyourrulerandhiscompany？"

"Knowyouofthem？"Iasked。

"Butlittlemorethanthattheywerecapturedbymyuncle，SalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，RulerofOkar，landoftheyellowmenofBarsoom。

AstotheirfateIknownothing，forIamatwarwithmyuncle，whowouldcrushmypowerintheprincipalityofMarentina。

"Thesefromwhomyouhavejustsavedmearewarriorshehassentouttofindandslayme，fortheyknowthatoftenIcomealonetohuntandkillthesacredaptwhichSalensusOllsomuchreveres。

ItispartlybecauseIhatehisreligionthatSalensusOllhatesme;

butmostlydoeshefearmygrowingpowerandthegreatfactionwhichhasarisenthroughoutOkarthatwouldbegladtoseemerulerofOkarandJeddakofJeddaksinhisplace。

"Heisacruelandtyrannousmasterwhomallhate，andwereitnotforthegreatfeartheyhaveofhimIcouldraiseanarmyovernightthatwouldwipeoutthefewthatmightremainloyaltohim。Myownpeoplearefaithfultome，andthelittlevalleyofMarentinahaspaidnotributetothecourtofSalensusOllforayear。

"Norcanheforceus，foradozenmenmayholdthenarrowwaytoMarentinaagainstamillion。Butnow，astothineownaffairs。

HowmayIaidyou？Mypalaceisatyourdisposal，ifyouwishtohonormebycomingtoMarentina。"

"Whenourworkisdoneweshallbegladtoacceptyourinvitation，"

Ireplied。"ButnowyoucanassistusmostbydirectingustothecourtofSalensusOll，andsuggestingsomemeansbywhichwemaygainadmissiontothecityandthepalace，orwhateverotherplacewefindourfriendstobeconfined。"

TalugazedruefullyatoursmoothfacesandatThuvanDihn’sredskinandmywhiteone。

"FirstyoumustcometoMarentina，"hesaid，"foragreatchangemustbewroughtinyourappearancebeforeyoucanhopetoenteranycityinOkar。Youmusthaveyellowfacesandblackbeards，andyourapparelandtrappingsmustbethoseleastlikelytoarousesuspicion。InmypalaceisonewhocanmakeyouappearastrulyyellowmenasdoesSalensusOllhimself。"

Hiscounselseemedwise;andastherewasapparentlynootherwaytoinsureasuccessfulentrytoKadabra，thecapitalcityofOkar，wesetoutwithTalu，PrinceofMarentina，forhislittle，rock—boundcountry。

ThewaywasoversomeoftheworsttravelingIhaveeverseen，andIdonotwonderthatinthislandwherethereareneitherthoatsnorfliersthatMarentinaisinlittlefearofinvasion;butatlastwereachedourdestination，thefirstviewofwhichIhadfromaslightelevationahalf—milefromthecity。

NestledinadeepvalleylayacityofMartianconcrete，whoseeverystreetandplazaandopenspacewasroofedwithglass。

Allaboutlaysnowandice，buttherewasnoneupontherounded，domelike，crystalcoveringthatenvelopedthewholecity。

ThenIsawhowthesepeoplecombattedtherigorsofthearctic，andlivedinluxuryandcomfortinthemidstofalandofperpetualice。Theircitieswereveritablehothouses，andwhenI

hadcomewithinthisonemyrespectandadmirationforthescientificandengineeringskillofthisburiednationwasunbounded。

ThemomentweenteredthecityTaluthrewoffhisoutergarmentsoffur，asdidwe，andIsawthathisappareldifferedbutlittlefromthatoftheredracesofBarsoom。Exceptforhisleathernharness，coveredthickwithjewelsandmetal，hewasnaked，norcouldonehavecomfortablywornapparelinthatwarmandhumidatmosphere。

ForthreedaysweremainedtheguestsofPrinceTalu，andduringthattimeheshowereduponuseveryattentionandcourtesywithinhispower。Heshowedusallthatwasofinterestinhisgreatcity。

TheMarentinaatmosphereplantwillmaintainlifeindefinitelyinthecitiesofthenorthpoleafteralllifeuponthebalanceofdyingMarsisextinctthroughthefailureoftheairsupply，shouldthegreatcentralplantagainceasefunctioningasitdiduponthatmemorableoccasionthatgavemetheopportunityofrestoringlifeandhappinesstothestrangeworldthatIhadalreadylearnedtolovesowell。

Heshowedustheheatingsystemthatstoresthesun’sraysingreatreservoirsbeneaththecity，andhowlittleisnecessarytomaintaintheperpetualsummerheatofthegloriousgardenspotwithinthisarcticparadise。

Broadavenuesofsodsewnwiththeseedoftheochervegetationofthedeadseabottomscarriedthenoiselesstrafficoflightandairygroundfliersthataretheonlyformofartificialtransportationusednorthofthegiganticice—barrier。

Thebroadtiresoftheseuniquefliersarebutrubber—likegasbagsfilledwiththeeighthBarsoomianray，orrayofpropulsion——

thatremarkablediscoveryoftheMartiansthathasmadepossiblethegreatfleetsofmightyairshipsthatrendertheredmanoftheouterworldsupreme。Itisthisraywhichpropelstheinherentorreflectedlightoftheplanetoffintospace，andwhenconfinedgivestotheMartiancrafttheirairybuoyancy。

ThegroundfliersofMarentinacontainjustsufficientbuoyancyintheirautomobile—likewheelstogivethecarstractionforsteeringpurposes;andthoughthehindwheelsaregearedtotheengine，andaidindrivingthemachine，thebulkofthisworkiscarriedbyasmallpropelleratthestern。

Iknowofnomoredelightfulsensationthanthatofridinginoneoftheseluxuriouslyappointedcarswhichskim，lightandairyasfeathers，alongthesoft，mossyavenuesofMarentina。TheymovewithabsolutenoiselessnessbetweenbordersofcrimsonswardandbeneatharchingtreesgorgeouswiththewondrousbloomsthatmarksomanyofthehighlycultivatedvarietiesofBarsoomianvegetation。

Bytheendofthethirddaythecourtbarber——Icanthinkofnootherearthlyappellationbywhichtodescribehim——hadwroughtsoremarkableatransformationinbothThuvanDihnandmyselfthatourownwiveswouldneverhaveknownus。Ourskinswereofthesamelemoncolorashisown，andgreat，blackbeardsandmustacheshadbeendeftlyaffixedtooursmoothfaces。ThetrappingsofwarriorsofOkaraidedinthedeception;andforwearbeyondthehothousecitiesweeachhadsuitsoftheblack—andyellow—stripedorluk。

TalugaveuscarefuldirectionsforthejourneytoKadabra，thecapitalcityoftheOkarnation，whichistheracialnameoftheyellowmen。Thisgoodfriendevenaccompanieduspartway，andthen，promisingtoaidusinanywaythathefoundpossible，badeusadieu。

Onpartingheslippeduponmyfingeracuriouslywroughtringsetwithadead—black，lusterlessstone，whichappearedmorelikeabitofbituminouscoalthanthepricelessBarsoomiangemwhichinrealityitis。

"Therehadbeenbutthreeotherscutfromthemotherstone，"

hesaid，"whichisinmypossession。Thesethreearewornbynobleshighinmyconfidence，allofwhomhavebeensentonsecretmissionstothecourtofSalensusOll。

"Shouldyoucomewithinfiftyfeetofanyofthesethreeyouwillfeelarapid，prickingsensationinthefingeruponwhichyouwearthisring。Hewhowearsoneofitsmateswillexperiencethesamefeeling;itiscausedbyanelectricalactionthattakesplacethemomenttwoofthesegemscutfromthesamemotherstonecomewithintheradiusofeachother’spower。Byityouwillknowthatafriendisathanduponwhomyoumaydependforassistanceintimeofneed。

"Shouldanotherwearerofoneofthesegemscalluponyouforaiddonotdenyhim，andshoulddeaththreatenyouswallowtheringratherthanletitfallintothehandsofenemies。Guarditwithyourlife，JohnCarter，forsomedayitmaymeanmorethanlifetoyou。"

WiththispartingadmonitionourgoodfriendturnedbacktowardMarentina，andwesetourfacesinthedirectionofthecityofKadabraandthecourtofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks。

Thatveryeveningwecamewithinsightofthewalledandglass—roofedcityofKadabra。Itliesinalowdepressionnearthepole，surroundedbyrocky，snow—cladhills。Fromthepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalleywehadasplendidviewofthisgreatcityofthenorth。

Itscrystaldomessparkledinthebrilliantsunlightgleamingabovethefrost—coveredouterwallthatcirclestheentireonehundredmilesofitscircumference。

Atregularintervalsgreatgatesgiveentrancetothecity;

butevenatthedistancefromwhichwelookeduponthemassivepilewecouldseethatallwereclosed，and，inaccordancewithTalu’ssuggestion，wedeferredattemptingtoenterthecityuntilthefollowingmorning。

Ashehadsaid，wefoundnumerouscavesinthehillsidesaboutus，andintooneofthesewecreptforthenight。Ourwarmorlukskinskeptusperfectlycomfortable，anditwasonlyafteramostrefreshingsleepthatweawokeshortlyafterdaylightonthefollowingmorning。

Alreadythecitywasastir，andfromseveralofthegateswesawpartiesofyellowmenemerging。FollowingcloselyeachdetailoftheinstructionsgivenusbyourgoodfriendofMarentina，weremainedconcealedforseveralhoursuntilonepartyofsomehalfdozenwarriorshadpassedalongthetrailbelowourhidingplaceandenteredthehillsbywayofthepassalongwhichwehadcomethepreviousevening。

Aftergivingthemtimetogetwelloutofsightofourcave，ThuvanDihnandIcreptoutandfollowedthem，overtakingthemwhentheywerewellintothehills。

WhenwehadcomealmosttothemIcalledaloudtotheirleader，whenthewholepartyhaltedandturnedtowardus。

Thecrucialtesthadcome。Couldwebutdeceivethesementherestwouldbecomparativelyeasy。

"Kaor！"IcriedasIcameclosertothem。

"Kaor！"respondedtheofficerinchargeoftheparty。

"WebefromIllall，"Icontinued，givingthenameofthemostremotecityofOkar，whichhaslittleornointercoursewithKadabra。

"Onlyyesterdaywearrived，andthismorningthecaptainofthegatetoldusthatyouweresettingouttohuntorluks，whichisasportwedonotfindinourownneighborhood。Wehavehastenedafteryoutopraythatyouallowustoaccompanyyou。"

Theofficerwasentirelydeceived，andgraciouslypermittedustogowiththemfortheday。Thechanceguessthattheywerebounduponanorlukhuntprovedcorrect，andTaluhadsaidthatthechancesweretentoonethatsuchwouldbethemissionofanypartyleavingKadabrabythepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalley，sincethatwayleadsdirectlytothevastplainsfrequentedbythiselephantinebeastofprey。

Insofarasthehuntwasconcerned，thedaywasafailure，forwedidnotseeasingleorluk;butthisprovedmorethanfortunateforus，sincetheyellowmenweresochagrinedbytheirmisfortunethattheywouldnotenterthecitybythesamegatebywhichtheyhadleftitinthemorning，asitseemedthattheyhadmadegreatboaststothecaptainofthatgateabouttheirskillatthisdangeroussport。

We，therefore，approachedKadabraatapointseveralmilesfromthatatwhichthepartyhadquitteditinthemorning，andsowererelievedofthedangerofembarrassingquestionsandexplanationsonthepartofthegatecaptain，whomwehadsaidhaddirectedustothisparticularhuntingparty。

Wehadcomequiteclosetothecitywhenmyattentionwasattractedtowardatall，blackshaftthatreareditsheadseveralhundredfeetintotheairfromwhatappearedtobeatangledmassofjunkorwreckage，nowpartiallysnow—covered。

IdidnotdareventureaninquiryforfearofarousingsuspicionbyevidentignoranceofsomethingwhichasayellowmanIshouldhaveknown;butbeforewereachedthecitygateIwastolearnthepurposeofthatgrimshaftandthemeaningofthemightyaccumulationbeneathit。

Wehadcomealmosttothegatewhenoneofthepartycalledtohisfellows，atthesametimepointingtowardthedistantsouthernhorizon。Followingthedirectionheindicated，myeyesdescriedthehullofalargeflierapproachingrapidlyfromabovethecrestoftheencirclinghills。

"Stillotherfoolswhowouldsolvethemysteriesoftheforbiddennorth，"saidtheofficer，halftohimself。

"Willtheyneverceasetheirfatalcuriosity？"

"Letushopenot，"answeredoneofthewarriors，"forthenwhatshouldwedoforslavesandsport？"

"True;butwhatstupidbeaststheyaretocontinuetocometoaregionfromwhencenoneofthemeverhasreturned。"

"Letustarryandwatchtheendofthisone，"suggestedoneofthemen。

Theofficerlookedtowardthecity。

"Thewatchhasseenhim，"hesaid;"wemayremain，forwemaybeneeded。"

Ilookedtowardthecityandsawseveralhundredwarriorsissuingfromthenearestgate。Theymovedleisurely，asthoughtherewerenoneedforhaste——norwasthere，asIwaspresentlytolearn。

ThenIturnedmyeyesoncemoretowardtheflier。Shewasmovingrapidlytowardthecity，andwhenshehadcomecloseenoughIwassurprisedtoseethatherpropellerswereidle。

Straightforthatgrimshaftshebore。AtthelastminuteI

sawthegreatbladesmovetoreverseher，yetonshecameasthoughdrawnbysomemighty，irresistiblepower。

Intenseexcitementprevaileduponherdeck，wheremenwererunninghitherandthither，manningthegunsandpreparingtolaunchthesmall，one—manfliers，afleetofwhichispartoftheequipmentofeveryMartianwarvessel。Closerandclosertotheblackshafttheshipsped。Inanotherinstantshemuststrike，andthenIsawthefamiliarsignalflownthatsendsthelesserboatsinagreatflockfromthedeckofthemothership。

Instantlyahundredtinyfliersrosefromherdeck，likeaswarmofhugedragonflies;butscarcelyweretheyclearofthebattleshipthanthenoseofeachturnedtowardtheshaft，andthey，too，rushedonatfrightfulspeedtowardthesamenowseeminglyinevitableendthatmenacedthelargervessel。

Amomentlaterthecollisioncame。Menwerehurledineverydirectionfromtheship’sdeck，whileshe，bentandcrumpled，tookthelast，longplungetothescrap—heapattheshaft’sbase。

Withherfellashowerofherowntinyfliers，foreachofthemhadcomeinviolentcollisionwiththesolidshaft。

Inoticedthatthewreckedfliersscrapeddowntheshaft’sside，andthattheirfallwasnotasrapidasmighthavebeenexpected;

andthensuddenlythesecretoftheshaftburstuponme，andwithitanexplanationofthecausethatpreventedaflierthatpassedtoofaracrosstheice—barriereverreturning。

Theshaftwasamightymagnet，andwhenonceavesselcamewithintheradiusofitspowerfulattractionforthealuminumsteelthatenterssolargelyintotheconstructionofallBarsoomiancraft，nopoweronearthcouldpreventsuchanendaswehadjustwitnessed。

IafterwardlearnedthattheshaftrestsdirectlyoverthemagneticpoleofMars，butwhetherthisaddsinanywaytoitsincalculablepowerofattractionIdonotknow。Iamafightingman，notascientist。

Here，atlast，wasanexplanationofthelongabsenceofTardosMorsandMorsKajak。ThesevaliantandintrepidwarriorshaddaredthemysteriesanddangersofthefrozennorthtosearchforCarthoris，whoselongabsencehadbowedingrieftheheadofhisbeautifulmother，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。

Themomentthatthelastoftheflierscametorestatthebaseoftheshafttheblack—bearded，yellowwarriorsswarmedoverthemassofwreckageuponwhichtheylay，makingprisonersofthosewhowereuninjuredandoccasionallydespatchingwithasword—thrustoneofthewoundedwhoseemedpronetoresenttheirtauntsandinsults。

Afewoftheuninjuredredmenbattledbravelyagainsttheircruelfoes，butforthemostparttheyseemedtoooverwhelmedbythehorrorofthecatastrophethathadbefallenthemtodomorethansubmitsupinelytothegoldenchainswithwhichtheyweremanacled。

Whenthelastoftheprisonershadbeenconfined，thepartyreturnedtothecity，atthegateofwhichwemetapackoffierce，gold—collaredapts，eachofwhichmarchedbetweentwowarriors，whoheldthemwithstrongchainsofthesamemetalastheircollars。

Justbeyondthegatetheattendantsloosenedthewholeterribleherd，andastheyboundedofftowardthegrim，blackshaftIdidnotneedtoasktoknowtheirmission。HadtherenotbeenthosewithinthecruelcityofKadabrawhoneededsuccorfarworsethanthepoorunfortunatedeadanddyingoutthereinthecolduponthebentandbrokencarcassesofathousandfliersIcouldnothaverestrainedmydesiretohastenbackanddobattlewiththosehorridcreaturesthathadbeendespatchedtorendanddevourthem。

AsitwasIcouldbutfollowtheyellowwarriors，withbowedhead，andgivethanksforthechancethathadgivenThuvanDihnandmesucheasyingresstothecapitalofSalensusOll。

Oncewithinthegates，wehadnodifficultyineludingourfriendsofthemorning，andpresentlyfoundourselvesinaMartianhostelry。

INDURANCE

ThepublichousesofBarsoom，Ihavefound，varybutlittle。

Thereisnoprivacyforotherthanmarriedcouples。

Menwithouttheirwivesareescortedtoalargechamber，thefloorofwhichisusuallyofwhitemarbleorheavyglass，keptscrupulouslyclean。Herearemanysmall，raisedplatformsfortheguest’ssleepingsilksandfurs，andifhehavenoneofhisownclean，freshonesarefurnishedatanominalcharge。

Onceaman’sbelongingshavebeendepositedupononeoftheseplatformsheisaguestofthehouse，andthatplatformhisownuntilheleaves。Noonewilldisturbormolesthisbelongings，astherearenothievesuponMars。

Asassassinationistheonethingtobefeared，theproprietorsofthehostelriesfurnisharmedguards，whopacebackandforththroughthesleeping—roomsdayandnight。Thenumberofguardsandgorgeousnessoftheirtrappingsquiteusuallydenotethestatusofthehotel。

Nomealsareservedinthesehouses，butgenerallyapubliceatingplaceadjoinsthem。Bathsareconnectedwiththesleepingchambers，andeachguestisrequiredtobathedailyordepartfromthehotel。

Usuallyonasecondorthirdfloorthereisalargesleeping—

roomforsinglewomenguests，butitsappointmentsdonotvarymateriallyfromthechamberoccupiedbymen。Theguardswhowatchthewomenremaininthecorridoroutsidethesleepingchamber，whilefemaleslavespacebackandforthamongthesleeperswithin，readytonotifythewarriorsshouldtheirpresenceberequired。

Iwassurprisedtonotethatalltheguardswiththehotelatwhichwestoppedwereredmen，andoninquiringofoneofthemI

learnedthattheywereslavespurchasedbytheproprietorsofthehotelsfromthegovernment。ThemanwhosepostwaspastmysleepingplatformhadbeencommanderofthenavyofagreatMartiannation;

butfatehadcarriedhisflagshipacrosstheice—barrierwithintheradiusofpowerofthemagneticshaft，andnowformanytediousyearshehadbeenaslaveoftheyellowmen。

Hetoldmethatprinces，jeds，andevenjeddaksoftheouterworld，wereamongthemenialswhoservedtheyellowrace;butwhenI

askedhimifhehadheardofthefateofMorsKajakorTardosMorsheshookhishead，sayingthatheneverhadheardoftheirbeingprisonershere，thoughhewasveryfamiliarwiththereputationsandfametheyboreintheouterworld。

NeitherhadheheardanyrumorofthecomingoftheFatherofThernsandtheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，buthehastenedtoexplainthatheknewlittleofwhattookplacewithinthepalace。

Icouldseethathewonderednotalittlethatayellowmanshouldbesoinquisitiveaboutcertainredprisonersfrombeyondtheice—

barrier，andthatIshouldbesoignorantofcustomsandconditionsamongmyownrace。

Infact，Ihadforgottenmydisguiseupondiscoveringaredmanpacingbeforemysleepingplatform;buthisgrowingexpressionofsurprisewarnedmeintime，forIhadnomindtorevealmyidentitytoanyunlesssomegoodcouldcomeofit，andIdidnotseehowthispoorfellowcouldservemeyet，thoughIhaditinmymindthatlaterImightbethemeansofservinghimandalltheotherthousandsofprisonerswhodothebiddingoftheirsternmastersinKadabra。

ThuvanDihnandIdiscussedourplansaswesattogetheramongoursleepingsilksandfursthatnightinthemidstofthehundredsofyellowmenwhooccupiedtheapartmentwithus。Wespokeinlowwhispers，but，asthatisonlywhatcourtesydemandsinapublicsleepingplace，werousednosuspicion。

Atlast，determiningthatallmustbebutidlespeculationuntilafterwehadhadachancetoexplorethecityandattempttoputintoexecutiontheplanTaluhadsuggested，webadeeachothergoodnightandturnedtosleep。

AfterbreakfastingthefollowingmorningwesetouttoseeKadabra，andas，throughthegenerosityoftheprinceofMarentina，wewerewellsuppliedwiththefundscurrentinOkarwepurchasedahandsomegroundflier。HavinglearnedtodrivethemwhileinMarentina，wespentadelightfulandprofitabledayexploringthecity，andlateintheafternoonatthehourTalutolduswewouldfindgovernmentofficialsintheiroffices，westoppedbeforeamagnificentbuildingontheplazaoppositetheroyalgroundsandthepalace。

Herewewalkedboldlyinpastthearmedguardatthedoor，tobemetbyaredslavewithinwhoaskedourwishes。

"TellSorav，yourmaster，thattwowarriorsfromIllallwishtotakeserviceinthepalaceguard，"Isaid。

Sorav，Taluhadtoldus，wasthecommanderoftheforcesofthepalace，andasmenfromthefurthercitiesofOkar——andespeciallyIllall——werelesslikelytobetaintedwiththegermofintriguewhichhadforyearsinfectedthehouseholdofSalensusOll，hewassurethatwewouldbewelcomedandfewquestionsaskedus。

HehadprimeduswithsuchgeneralinformationashethoughtwouldbenecessaryforustopassmusterbeforeSorav，afterwhichwewouldhavetoundergoafurtherexaminationbeforeSalensusOllthathemightdetermineourphysicalfitnessandourabilityaswarriors。

Thelittleexperiencewehadhadwiththestrangehookedswordoftheyellowmanandhiscuplikeshieldmadeitseemratherunlikelythateitherofuscouldpassthisfinaltest，buttherewasthechancethatwemightbequarteredinthepalaceofSalensusOllforseveraldaysafterbeingacceptedbySoravbeforetheJeddakofJeddakswouldfindtimetoputustothefinaltest。

Afterawaitofseveralminutesinanante—chamberweweresummonedintotheprivateofficeofSorav，wherewewerecourteouslygreetedbythisferocious—appearing，black—beardedofficer。Heaskedusournamesandstationsinourowncity，andhavingreceivedrepliesthatwereevidentlysatisfactorytohim，heputcertainquestionstousthatTaluhadforeseenandpreparedusfor。

TheinterviewcouldnothavelastedovertenminuteswhenSoravsummonedanaidwhomheinstructedtorecordusproperly，andthenescortustothequartersinthepalacewhicharesetasideforaspirantstomembershipinthepalaceguard。

Theaidtookustohisownofficefirst，wherehemeasuredandweighedandphotographedussimultaneouslywithamachineingeniouslydevisedforthatpurpose，fivecopiesbeinginstantlyreproducedinfivedifferentofficesofthegovernment，twoofwhicharelocatedinothercitiesmilesdistant。

Thenheledusthroughthepalacegroundstothemainguardroomofthepalace，thereturningusovertotheofficerincharge。

Thisindividualagainquestionedusbriefly，andfinallydespatchedasoldiertoguideustoourquarters。Thesewefoundlocateduponthesecondfloorofthepalaceinasemi—detachedtowerattherearoftheedifice。

Whenweaskedourguidewhywewerequarteredsofarfromtheguardroomherepliedthatthecustomoftheoldermembersoftheguardofpickingquarrelswithaspirantstotrytheirmetalhadresultedinsomanydeathsthatitwasfounddifficulttomaintaintheguardatitsfullstrengthwhilethiscustomprevailed。

SalensusOllhad，therefore，setapartthesequartersforaspirants，andheretheyweresecurelylockedagainstthedangerofattackbymembersoftheguard。

Thisunwelcomeinformationputasuddenchecktoallourwell—

laidplans，foritmeantthatweshouldvirtuallybeprisonersinthepalaceofSalensusOlluntilthetimethatheshouldseefittogiveusthefinalexaminationforefficiency。

AsitwasthisintervaluponwhichwehadbankedtoaccomplishsomuchinoursearchforDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，ourchagrinwasunboundedwhenweheardthegreatlockclickbehindourguideashehadquittedusafterusheringusintothechambersweweretooccupy。

WithawryfaceIturnedtoThuvanDihn。Mycompanionbutshookhisheaddisconsolatelyandwalkedtooneofthewindowsuponthefarsideoftheapartment。

Scarcelyhadhegazedbeyondthemthanhecalledtomeinatoneofsuppressedexcitementandsurprise。InaninstantI

wasbyhisside。

"Look！"saidThuvanDihn，pointingtowardthecourtyardbelow。

AsmyeyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedIsawtwowomenpacingbackandforthinanenclosedgarden。

AtthesamemomentIrecognizedthem——theywereDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth！

ThereweretheywhomIhadtrailedfromonepoletoanother，thelengthofaworld。Onlytenfeetofspaceandafewmetalbarsseparatedmefromthem。

WithacryIattractedtheirattention，andasDejahThorislookedupfullintomyeyesImadethesignoflovethatthemenofBarsoommaketotheirwomen。

Tomyastonishmentandhorrorherheadwenthigh，andasalookofuttercontempttouchedherfinelychiseledfeaturessheturnedherbackfulluponme。Mybodyiscoveredwiththescarsofathousandconflicts，butneverinallmylonglifehaveIsufferedsuchanguishfromawound，forthistimethesteelofawoman’slookhadenteredmyheart。

WithagroanIturnedawayandburiedmyfaceinmyarms。I

heardThuvanDihncallaloudtoThuvia，butaninstantlaterhisexclamationofsurprisebetokenedthathe，too，hadbeenrepulsedbyhisowndaughter。

"Theywillnotevenlisten，"hecriedtome。"Theyhaveputtheirhandsovertheirearsandwalkedtothefartherendofthegarden。Everheardyouofsuchmadwork，JohnCarter？Thetwomustbebewitched。"

PresentlyImusteredthecouragetoreturntothewindow，foreventhoughshespurnedmeIlovedher，andcouldnotkeepmyeyesfromfeastinguponherdivinefaceandfigure，butwhenshesawmelookingsheagainturnedaway。

Iwasatmywit’sendtoaccountforherstrangeactions，andthatThuvia，too，hadturnedagainstherfatherseemedincredible。

CoulditbethatmyincomparableprincessstillclungtothehideousfaithfromwhichIhadrescuedherworld？CoulditbethatshelookeduponmewithloathingandcontemptbecauseIhadreturnedfromtheValleyDor，orbecauseIhaddesecratedthetemplesandpersonsoftheHolyTherns？

TonaughtelsecouldIascribeherstrangedeportment，yetitseemedfarfrompossiblethatsuchcouldbethecase，fortheloveofDejahThorisforJohnCarterhadbeenagreatandwondrouslove——

faraboveracialdistinctions，creed，orreligion。

AsIgazedruefullyatthebackofherhaughty，royalheadagateattheoppositeendofthegardenopenedandamanentered。

Ashedidsoheturnedandslippedsomethingintothehandoftheyellowguardsmanbeyondthegate，norwasthedistancetoogreatthatImightnotseethatmoneyhadpassedbetweenthem。

InstantlyIknewthatthisnewcomerhadbribedhiswaywithinthegarden。Thenheturnedinthedirectionofthetwowomen，andIsawthathewasnoneotherthanThurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn。

Heapproachedquiteclosetothembeforehespoke，andastheyturnedatthesoundofhisvoiceIsawDejahThorisshrinkfromhim。

Therewasanastyleeruponhisfaceashesteppedclosetoherandspokeagain。Icouldnothearhiswords，butheranswercameclearly。

"ThegranddaughterofTardosMorscanalwaysdie，"shesaid，"butshecouldneverliveatthepriceyouname。"

ThenIsawtheblackscoundrelgouponhiskneesbesideher，fairlygrovelinginthedirt，pleadingwithher。Onlypartofwhathesaidcametome，forthoughhewasevidentlylaboringunderthestressofpassionandexcitement，itwasequallyapparentthathedidnotdareraisehisvoiceforfearofdetection。

"IwouldsaveyoufromMataiShang，"Iheardhimsay。"Youknowthefatethatawaitsyouathishands。Wouldyounotchoosemeratherthantheother？"

"Iwouldchooseneither，"repliedDejahThoris，"evenwereI

freetochoose，asyouknowwellIamnot。"

"YouAREfree！"hecried。"JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，isdead。"

"Iknowbetterthanthat;butevenwerehedead，andImustneedschooseanothermate，itshouldbeaplantmanoragreatwhiteapeinpreferencetoeitherMataiShangoryou，blackcalot，"

sheansweredwithasneerofcontempt。

Ofasuddentheviciousbeastlostallcontrolofhimself，aswithavileoathheleapedattheslenderwoman，grippinghertenderthroatinhisbruteclutch。Thuviascreamedandsprangtoaidherfellow—prisoner，andatthesameinstantI，too，wentmad，andtearingatthebarsthatspannedmywindowIrippedthemfromtheirsocketsastheyhadbeenbutcopperwire。

HurlingmyselfthroughtheapertureIreachedthegarden，butahundredfeetfromwheretheblackwaschokingthelifefrommyDejahThoris，andwithasinglegreatboundIwasuponhim。

IspokenowordasItorehisdefilingfingersfromthatbeautifulthroat，nordidIutterasoundasIhurledhimtwentyfeetfromme。

Foamingwithrage，Thuridregainedhisfeetandchargedmelikeamadbull。

"Yellowman，"heshrieked，"youknewnotuponwhomyouhadlaidyourvilehands，butereIamdonewithyou，youwillknowwellwhatitmeanstooffendthepersonofaFirstBorn。"

Thenhewasuponme，reachingformythroat，andpreciselyasIhaddonethatdayinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssusIdidhereinthegardenofthepalaceofSalensusOll。Iduckedbeneathhisoutstretchedarms，andashelungedpastmeIplantedaterrificrightuponthesideofhisjaw。

Justashehaddoneuponthatotheroccasionhedidnow。Likeatophespunround，hiskneesgavebeneathhim，andhecrumpledtothegroundatmyfeet。ThenIheardavoicebehindme。

Itwasthedeepvoiceofauthoritythatmarkstherulerofmen，andwhenIturnedtofacetheresplendentfigureofagiantyellowmanIdidnotneedtoasktoknowthatitwasSalensusOll。

AthisrightstoodMataiShang，andbehindthemascoreofguardsmen。

"Whoareyou，"hecried，"andwhatmeansthisintrusionwithintheprecinctsofthewomen’sgarden？Idonotrecallyourface。

Howcameyouhere？"

ButforhislastwordsIshouldhaveforgottenmydisguiseentirelyandtoldhimoutrightthatIwasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium;buthisquestionrecalledmetomyself。

Ipointedtothedislodgedbarsofthewindowabove。

"Iamanaspiranttomembershipinthepalaceguard，"Isaid，"andfromyonderwindowinthetowerwhereIwasconfinedawaitingthefinaltestforfitnessIsawthisbruteattackthethiswoman。

Icouldnotstandidlyby，OJeddak，andseethisthingdonewithintheverypalacegrounds，andyetfeelthatIwasfittoserveandguardyourroyalperson。"

IhadevidentlymadeanimpressionupontherulerofOkarbymyfairwords，andwhenhehadturnedtoDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，andbothhadcorroboratedmystatementsitbegantolookprettydarkforThurid。

IsawtheuglygleaminMataiShang’sevileyesasDejahThorisnarratedallthathadpassedbetweenThuridandherself，andwhenshecametothatpartwhichdealtwithmyinterferencewiththedatoroftheFirstBornhergratitudewasquiteapparent，thoughIcouldseebyhereyesthatsomethingpuzzledherstrangely。

Ididnotwonderatherattitudetowardmewhileotherswerepresent;

butthatsheshouldhavedeniedmewhilesheandThuviaweretheonlyoccupantsofthegardenstillcutmesorely。

AstheexaminationproceededIcastaglanceatThuridandstartledhimlookingwide—eyedandwonderinglyatme，andthenofasuddenhelaughedfullinmyface。

AmomentlaterSalensusOllturnedtowardtheblack。

"Whathaveyoutosayinexplanationofthesecharges？"heaskedinadeepandterriblevoice。"DareyouaspiretoonewhomtheFatherofThernshaschosen——onewhomightevenbeafitmatefortheJeddakofJeddakshimself？"

Andthentheblack—beardedtyrantturnedandcastasuddengreedylookuponDejahThoris，asthoughwiththewordsanewthoughtandanewdesirehadsprungupwithinhismindandbreast。

Thuridhadbeenabouttoreplyand，withamaliciousgrinuponhisface，waspointinganaccusingfingeratme，whenSalensusOll’swordsandtheexpressionofhisfacecuthimshort。

Acunninglookcreptintohiseyes，andIknewfromtheexpressionofhisfacethathisnextwordswerenottheoneshehadintendedtospeak。

"OMightiestofJeddaks，"hesaid，"themanandthewomendonotspeakthetruth。Thefellowhadcomeintothegardentoassistthemtoescape。Iwasbeyondandoverheardtheirconversation，andwhenIentered，thewomanscreamedandthemanspranguponmeandwouldhavekilledme。

"Whatknowyouofthisman？Heisastrangertoyou，andI

daresaythatyouwillfindhimanenemyandaspy。Lethimbeputontrial，SalensusOll，ratherthanyourfriendandguest，Thurid，DatoroftheFirstBorn。"

SalensusOlllookedpuzzled。HeturnedagainandlookeduponDejahThoris，andthenThuridsteppedquiteclosetohimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear——what，Iknownot。

Presentlytheyellowrulerturnedtooneofhisofficers。

"Seethatthismanbesecurelyconfineduntilwehavetimetogodeeperintothisaffair，"hecommanded，"andasbarsaloneseeminadequatetorestrainhim，letchainsbeadded。"

Thenheturnedandleftthegarden，takingDejahThoriswithhim——hishanduponhershoulder。ThuridandMataiShangwentalso，andastheyreachedthegatewaytheblackturnedandlaughedagainaloudinmyface。

Whatcouldbethemeaningofhissuddenchangetowardme？

Couldhesuspectmytrueidentity？Itmustbethat，andthethingthathadbetrayedmewasthetrickandblowthathadlaidhimlowforthesecondtime。

Astheguardsdraggedmeawaymyheartwasverysadandbitterindeed，fornowtothetworelentlessenemiesthathadhoundedherforsolonganotherandamorepowerfulonehadbeenadded，forIwouldhavebeenbutafoolhadInotrecognizedthesuddenloveforDejahThoristhathadjustbeenbornintheterriblebreastofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，rulerofOkar。

THEPITOFPLENTY

IdidnotlanguishlongwithintheprisonofSalensusOll。

DuringtheshorttimethatIlaythere，fetteredwithchainsofgold，IoftenwonderedastothefateofThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth。

MybravecompanionhadfollowedmeintothegardenasIattackedThurid，andwhenSalensusOllhadleftwithDejahThorisandtheothers，leavingThuviaofPtarthbehind，he，too，hadremainedinthegardenwithhisdaughter，apparentlyunnoticed，forhewasappareledsimilarlytotheguards。

ThelastIhadseenofhimhestoodwaitingforthewarriorswhoescortedmetoclosethegatebehindthem，thathemightbealonewithThuvia。Coulditbepossiblethattheyhadescaped？

Idoubtedit，andyetwithallmyheartIhopedthatitmightbetrue。

Thethirddayofmyincarcerationbroughtadozenwarriorstoescortmetotheaudiencechamber，whereSalensusOllhimselfwastotryme。Agreatnumberofnoblescrowdedtheroom，andamongthemIsawThurid，butMataiShangwasnotthere。

DejahThoris，asradiantlybeautifulasever，satuponasmallthronebesideSalensusOll。Theexpressionofsadhopelessnessuponherdearfacecutdeepintomyheart。

HerpositionbesidetheJeddakofJeddaksbodedillforherandme，andontheinstantthatIsawherthere，theresprangtomymindthefirmintentionnevertoleavethatchamberaliveifImustleaveherintheclutchesofthispowerfultyrant。

IhadkilledbettermenthanSalensusOll，andkilledthemwithmybarehands，andnowIsworetomyselfthatIshouldkillhimifIfoundthattheonlywaytosavethePrincessofHelium。

ThatitwouldmeanalmostinstantdeathformeIcarednot，exceptthatitwouldremovemefromfurthereffortsinbehalfofDejahThoris，andforthisreasonaloneIwouldhavechosenanotherway，foreventhoughIshouldkillSalensusOllthatactwouldnotrestoremybelovedwifetoherownpeople。Ideterminedtowaitthefinaloutcomeofthetrial，thatImightlearnallthatI

couldoftheOkarianruler’sintentions，andthenactaccordingly。

ScarcelyhadIcomebeforehimthanSalensusOllsummonedThuridalso。

"DatorThurid，"hesaid，"youhavemadeastrangerequestofme;

but，inaccordancewithyourwishesandyourpromisethatitwillresultonlytomyinterests，Ihavedecidedtoaccede。

"Youtellmethatacertainannouncementwillbethemeansofconvictingthisprisonerand，atthesametime，openthewaytothegratificationofmydearestwish。"

Thuridnodded。

"ThenshallImaketheannouncementherebeforeallmynobles，"

continuedSalensusOll。"Forayearnoqueenhassatuponthethronebesideme，andnowitsuitsmetotaketowifeonewhoisreputedthemostbeautifulwomanuponBarsoom。Astatementwhichnonemaytruthfullydeny。

"NoblesofOkar，unsheatheyourswordsanddohomagetoDejahThoris，PrincessofHeliumandfutureQueenofOkar，forattheendoftheallottedtendayssheshallbecomethewifeofSalensusOll。"

Asthenoblesdrewtheirbladesandliftedthemonhigh，inaccordancewiththeancientcustomofOkarwhenajeddakannounceshisintentiontowed，DejahThorissprangtoherfeetand，raisingherhandaloft，criedinaloudvoicethattheydesist。

"ImaynotbethewifeofSalensusOll，"shepleaded，"foralreadyIbeawifeandmother。JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，stilllives。Iknowittobetrue，forIoverheardMataiShangtellhisdaughterPhaidorthathehadseenhiminKaor，atthecourtofKulanTith，Jeddak。Ajeddakdoesnotwedamarriedwoman，norwillSalensusOllthusviolatethebondsofmatrimony。"

SalensusOllturneduponThuridwithanuglylook。

"Isthisthesurpriseyouheldinstoreforme？"hecried。

"Youassuredmethatnoobstaclewhichmightnotbeeasilyovercomestoodbetweenmeandthiswoman，andnowIfindthattheoneinsuperableobstacleintervenes。Whatmeanyou，man？

Whathaveyoutosay？"

"AndshouldIdeliverJohnCarterintoyourhands，SalensusOll，wouldyounotfeelthatIhadmorethansatisfiedthepromisethatImadeyou？"answeredThurid。

"Talknotlikeafool，"criedtheenragedjeddak。"Iamnochildtobethusplayedwith。"

"Iamtalkingonlyasamanwhoknows，"repliedThurid。

"Knowsthathecandoallthatheclaims。"

"ThenturnJohnCarterovertomewithintendaysoryourselfsuffertheendthatIshouldmeteouttohimwereheinmypower！"

snappedtheJeddakofJeddaks，withanuglyscowl。

"Youneednotwaittendays，SalensusOll，"repliedThurid;

andthen，turningsuddenlyuponmeasheextendedapointingfinger，hecried："TherestandsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium！"

"Fool！"shriekedSalensusOll。"Fool！JohnCarterisawhiteman。

Thisfellowbeasyellowasmyself。JohnCarter’sfaceissmooth——MataiShanghasdescribedhimtome。ThisprisonerhasabeardandmustacheaslargeandblackasanyinOkar。Quick，guardsmen，tothepitswiththeblackmaniacwhowishestothrowhislifeawayforapoorjokeuponyourruler！"

"Hold！"criedThurid，andspringingforwardbeforeIcouldguesshisintention，hehadgraspedmybeardandrippedthewholefalsefabricfrommyfaceandhead，revealingmysmooth，tannedskinbeneathandmyclose—croppedblackhair。

InstantlypandemoniumreignedintheaudiencechamberofSalensusOll。

Warriorspressedforwardwithdrawnblades，thinkingthatImightbecontemplatingtheassassinationoftheJeddakofJeddaks;whileothers，outofcuriositytoseeonewhosenamewasfamiliarfrompoletopole，crowdedbehindtheirfellows。

AsmyidentitywasrevealedIsawDejahThorisspringtoherfeet——

amazementwritlargeuponherface——andthenthroughthatjamofarmedmensheforcedherwaybeforeanycouldprevent。Amomentonlyandshewasbeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandeyesfilledwiththelightofhergreatlove。

"JohnCarter！JohnCarter！"shecriedasIfoldedhertomybreast，andthenofasuddenIknewwhyshehaddeniedmeinthegardenbeneaththetower。

WhatafoolIhadbeen！ExpectingthatshewouldpenetratethemarvelousdisguisethathadbeenwroughtformebythebarberofMarentina！

Shehadnotknownme，thatwasall;andwhenshesawthesignoflovefromastrangershewasoffendedandrighteouslyindignant。Indeed，butIhadbeenafool。

"Anditwasyou，"shecried，"whospoketomefromthetower！

HowcouldIdreamthatmybelovedVirginianlaybehindthatfiercebeardandthatyellowskin？"

ShehadbeenwonttocallmeherVirginianasatermofendearment，forsheknewthatIlovedthesoundofthatbeautifulname，madeathousandtimesmorebeautifulandhallowedbyherdearlips，andasIhearditagainafterallthoselongyearsmyeyesbecamedimmedwithtearsandmyvoicechokedwithemotion。

ButaninstantdidIcrushthatdearformtomeereSalensusOll，tremblingwithrageandjealousy，shoulderedhiswaytous。

"Seizetheman，"hecriedtohiswarriors，andahundredruthlesshandstoreusapart。