第5章
WellitwasforthenoblesofthecourtofOkarthatJohnCarterhadbeendisarmed。Asitwas，adozenofthemfelttheweightofmyclenchedfists，andIhadfoughtmywayhalfupthestepsbeforethethronetowhichSalensusOllhadcarriedDejahThorisereevertheycouldstopme。
ThenIwentdown，fighting，beneathahalf—hundredwarriors;butbeforetheyhadbatteredmeintounconsciousnessIheardthatfromthelipsofDejahThoristhatmadeallmysufferingwellworthwhile。
Standingtherebesidethegreattyrant，whoclutchedherbythearm，shepointedtowhereIfoughtaloneagainstsuchawfulodds。
"Thinkyou，SalensusOll，thatthewifeofsuchasheis，"shecried，"wouldeverdishonorhismemory，wereheathousandtimesdead，bymatingwithalessermortal？LivesthereuponanyworldsuchanotherasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium？Livesthereanothermanwhocouldfighthiswaybackandforthacrossawarlikeplanet，facingsavagebeastsandhordesofsavagemen，fortheloveofawoman？
"I，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，amhis。Hefoughtformeandwonme。
Ifyoubeabravemanyouwillhonorthebraverythatishis，andyouwillnotkillhim。Makehimaslaveifyouwill，SalensusOll;butsparehislife。
IwouldratherbeaslavewithsuchashethanbeQueenofOkar。"
"NeitherslavenorqueendictatestoSalensusOll，"repliedtheJeddakofJeddaks。"JohnCartershalldieanaturaldeathinthePitofPlenty，andthedayhediesDejahThorisshallbecomemyqueen。"
Ididnothearherreply，foritwasthenthatablowuponmyheadbroughtunconsciousness，andwhenIrecoveredmysensesonlyahandfulofguardsmenremainedintheaudiencechamberwithme。
AsIopenedmyeyestheygoadedmewiththepointsoftheirswordsandbademerise。
Thentheyledmethroughlongcorridorstoacourtfartowardthecenterofthepalace。
Inthecenterofthecourtwasadeeppit，neartheedgeofwhichstoodhalfadozenotherguardsmen，awaitingme。Oneofthemcarriedalongropeinhishands，whichhecommencedtomakereadyasweapproached。
WehadcometowithinfiftyfeetofthesemenwhenIfeltasuddenstrangeandrapidprickingsensationinoneofmyfingers。
ForamomentIwasnonplusedbytheoddfeeling，andthentherecametomerecollectionofthatwhichinthestressofmyadventureIhadentirelyforgotten——thegiftringofPrinceTaluofMarentina。
InstantlyIlookedtowardthegroupwewerenearing，atthesametimeraisingmylefthandtomyforehead，thattheringmightbevisibletoonewhosoughtit。Simultaneouslyoneofthewaitingwarriorsraisedhislefthand，ostensiblytobrushbackhishair，andupononeofhisfingersIsawtheduplicateofmyownring。
Aquicklookofintelligencepassedbetweenus，afterwhichIkeptmyeyesturnedawayfromthewarrioranddidnotlookathimagain，forfearthatImightarousethesuspicionoftheOkarians。
WhenwereachedtheedgeofthepitIsawthatitwasverydeep，andpresentlyIrealizedIwassoontojudgejusthowfaritextendedbelowthesurfaceofthecourt，forhewhoheldtheropepasseditaboutmybodyinsuchawaythatitcouldbereleasedfromaboveatanytime;andthen，asallthewarriorsgraspedit，hepushedmeforward，andIfellintotheyawningabyss。
AfterthefirstjerkasIreachedtheendoftheropethathadbeenpaidouttoletmefallbelowthepit’sedgetheyloweredmequicklybutsmoothly。Themomentbeforetheplunge，whiletwoorthreeofthemenhadbeenassistinginadjustingtheropeaboutme，oneofthemhadbroughthismouthclosetomycheek，andinthebriefintervalbeforeIwascastintotheforbiddingholehebreathedasinglewordintomyear：
"Courage！"
Thepit，whichmyimaginationhadpicturedasbottomless，provedtobenotmorethanahundredfeetindepth;butasitswallsweresmoothlypolisheditmightaswellhavebeenathousandfeet，forIcouldneverhopetoescapewithoutoutsideassistance。
ForadayIwasleftindarkness;andthen，quitesuddenly，abrilliantlightilluminedmystrangecell。Iwasreasonablyhungryandthirstybythistime，nothavingtastedfoodordrinksincethedaypriortomyincarceration。
TomyamazementIfoundthesidesofthepit，thatIhadthoughtsmooth，linedwithshelves，uponwhichwerethemostdeliciousviandsandliquidrefreshmentsthatOkarafforded。
WithanexclamationofdelightIsprangforwardtopartakeofsomeofthewelcomefood，butereeverIreacheditthelightwasextinguished，and，thoughIgropedmywayaboutthechamber，myhandscameincontactwithnothingbesidethesmooth，hardwallthatIhadfeltonmyfirstexaminationofmyprison。
Immediatelythepangsofhungerandthirstbegantoassailme。
WherebeforeIhadhadbutamildcravingforfoodanddrink，Inowactuallysufferedforwantofit，andallbecauseofthetantalizingsightthatIhadhadoffoodalmostwithinmygrasp。
Oncemoredarknessandsilenceenvelopedme，asilencethatwasbrokenonlybyasinglemockinglaugh。
Foranotherdaynothingoccurredtobreakthemonotonyofmyimprisonmentorrelievethesufferingsuperinducedbyhungerandthirst。Slowlythepangsbecamelesskeen，assufferingdeadedtheactivityofcertainnerves;andthenthelightflashedononceagain，andbeforemestoodanarrayofnewandtemptingdishes，withgreatbottlesofclearwaterandflagonsofrefreshingwine，upontheoutsideofwhichthecoldsweatofcondensationstood。
Again，withthehungermadnessofawildbeast，Isprangforwardtoseizethosetemptingdishes;but，asbefore，thelightwentoutandIcametoasuddenstopagainstahardwall。
Thenthemockinglaughrangoutforasecondtime。
ThePitofPlenty！
Ah，whatacruelmindmusthavedevisedthisexquisite，hellishtorture！Dayafterdaywasthethingrepeated，untilIwasonthevergeofmadness;andthen，asIhaddoneinthepitsoftheWarhoons，Itookanew，firmholduponmyreasonandforceditbackintothechannelsofsanity。
Bysheerwill—powerIregainedcontrolovermytotteringmentality，andsosuccessfulwasIthatthenexttimethatthelightcameIsatquitestillandlookedindifferentlyatthefreshandtemptingfoodalmostwithinmyreach。GladIwasthatIhaddoneso，foritgavemeanopportunitytosolvetheseemingmysteryofthosevanishingbanquets。
AsImadenomovetoreachthefood，thetorturersleftthelightturnedoninthehopethatatlastIcouldrefrainnolongerfromgivingthemthedeliciousthrillofenjoymentthatmyformerfutileeffortstoobtainithadcaused。
AndasIsatscrutinizingtheladenshelvesIpresentlysawhowthethingwasaccomplished，andsosimplewasitthatI
wonderedIhadnotguesseditbefore。Thewallofmyprisonwasofclearestglass——behindtheglasswerethetantalizingviands。
Afternearlyanhourthelightwentout，butthistimetherewasnomockinglaughter——atleastnotuponthepartofmytormentors;
butI，tobeatquitswiththem，gavealowlaughthatnonemightmistakeforthecackleofamaniac。
Ninedayspassed，andIwasweakfromhungerandthirst，butnolongersuffering——Iwaspastthat。Then，downthroughthedarknessabove，alittleparcelfelltotheflooratmyside。
IndifferentlyIgropedforit，thinkingitbutsomenewinventionofmyjailerstoaddtomysufferings。
AtlastIfoundit——atinypackagewrappedinpaper，attheendofastrongandslendercord。AsIopeneditafewlozengesfelltothefloor。AsIgatheredthemup，feelingofthemandsmellingofthem，IdiscoveredthattheyweretabletsofconcentratedfoodsuchasarequitecommoninallpartsofBarsoom。
Poison！Ithought。
Well，whatofit？Whynotendmymiserynowratherthandragoutafewmorewretcheddaysinthisdarkpit？SlowlyIraisedoneofthelittlepelletstomylips。
"Good—bye，myDejahThoris！"Ibreathed。"Ihavelivedforyouandfoughtforyou，andnowmynextdearestwishistoberealized，forIshalldieforyou，"and，takingthemorselinmymouth，Idevouredit。
OnebyoneIatethemall，noreverdidanythingtastebetterthanthosetinybitsofnourishment，withinwhichIknewmustlietheseedsofdeath——possiblyofsomehideous，torturingdeath。
AsIsatquietlyuponthefloorofmyprison，waitingfortheend，myfingersbyaccidentcameincontactwiththebitofpaperinwhichthethingshadbeenwrapped;andasIidlyplayedwithit，mymindroamingfarbackintothepast，thatImightliveagainforafewbriefmomentsbeforeIdiedsomeofthemanyhappymomentsofalongandhappylife，Ibecameawareofstrangeprotuberancesuponthesmoothsurfaceoftheparchment—likesubstanceinmyhands。
Foratimetheycarriednospecialsignificancetomymind——I
merelywasmildlywondrousthattheywerethere;butatlasttheyseemedtotakeform，andthenIrealizedthattherewasbutasinglelineofthem，likewriting。
Now，moreinterestedly，myfingerstracedandretracedthem。
Therewerefourseparateanddistinctcombinationsofraisedlines。
Coulditbethatthesewerefourwords，andthattheywereintendedtocarryamessagetome？
ThemoreIthoughtofitthemoreexcitedIbecame，untilmyfingersracedmadlybackandforthoverthosebewilderinglittlehillsandvalleysuponthatbitofpaper。
ButIcouldmakenothingofthem，andatlastIdecidedthatmyveryhastewaspreventingmefromsolvingthemystery。
ThenItookitmoreslowly。Againandagainmyforefingertracedthefirstofthosefourcombinations。
MartianwritingisratherdifficulttoexplaintoanEarthman——
itissomethingofacrossbetweenshorthandandpicture—writing，andisanentirelydifferentlanguagefromthespokenlanguageofMars。
UponBarsoomthereisbutasingleorallanguage。
Itisspokentodaybyeveryraceandnation，justasitwasatthebeginningofhumanlifeuponBarsoom。Ithasgrownwiththegrowthoftheplanet’slearningandscientificachievements，butsoingeniousathingitisthatnewwordstoexpressnewthoughtsordescribenewconditionsordiscoveriesformthemselves——nootherwordcouldexplainthethingthatanewwordisrequiredforotherthanthewordthatnaturallyfallstoit，andso，nomatterhowfarremovedtwonationsorraces，theirspokenlanguagesareidentical。
Notsotheirwrittenlanguages，however。Notwonationshavethesamewrittenlanguage，andoftencitiesofthesamenationhaveawrittenlanguagethatdiffersgreatlyfromthatofthenationtowhichtheybelong。
Thusitwasthatthesignsuponthepaper，ifinrealitytheywerewords，baffledmeforsometime;butatlastImadeoutthefirstone。
Itwas"courage，"anditwaswritteninthelettersofMarentina。
Courage！
ThatwasthewordtheyellowguardsmanhadwhisperedinmyearasIstooduponthevergeofthePitofPlenty。
Themessagemustbefromhim，andheIknewwasafriend。
WithrenewedhopeIbentmyeveryenergytothedecipheringofthebalanceofthemessage，andatlastsuccessrewardedmyendeavor——Ihadreadthefourwords：
"Courage！Followtherope。"
"FOLLOWTHEROPE"
Whatcoulditmean？
"Followtherope。"Whatrope？
PresentlyIrecalledthecordthathadbeenattachedtotheparcelwhenitfellatmyside，andafteralittlegropingmyhandcameincontactwithitagain。Itdependedfromabove，andwhenI
pulleduponitIdiscoveredthatitwasrigidlyfastened，possiblyatthepit’smouth。
UponexaminationIfoundthatthecord，thoughsmall，wasamplyabletosustaintheweightofseveralmen。ThenImadeanotherdiscovery——
therewasasecondmessageknottedintheropeatabouttheheightofmyhead。ThisIdecipheredmoreeasily，nowthatthekeywasmine。
"Bringtheropewithyou。Beyondtheknotsliesdanger。"
Thatwasalltherewastothismessage。Itwasevidentlyhastilyformed——anafterthought。
Ididnotpauselongerthantolearnthecontentsofthesecondmessage，and，thoughIwasnonetoosureofthemeaningofthefinaladmonition，"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger，"
yetIwassurethatherebeforemelayanavenueofescape，andthatthesoonerItookadvantageofitthemorelikelywasItowintoliberty。
Atleast，IcouldbebutlittleworseoffthanIhadbeeninthePitofPlenty。
Iwastofind，however，ereIwaswelloutofthatdamnableholethatImighthavebeenverymuchworseoffhadIbeencompelledtoremainthereanothertwominutes。
Ithadtakenmeaboutthatlengthoftimetoascendsomefiftyfeetabovethebottomwhenanoiseaboveattractedmyattention。
TomychagrinIsawthatthecoveringofthepitwasbeingremovedfaraboveme，andinthelightofthecourtyardbeyondIsawanumberofyellowwarriors。
CoulditbethatIwaslaboriouslyworkingmywayintosomenewtrap？
Werethemessagesspurious，afterall？Andthen，justasmyhopeandcouragehadebbedtotheirlowest，Isawtwothings。
Onewasthebodyofahuge，struggling，snarlingaptbeingloweredoverthesideofthepittowardme，andtheotherwasanapertureinthesideoftheshaft——anaperturelargerthanaman’sbody，intowhichmyropeled。
JustasIscrambledintothedarkholebeforemetheaptpassedme，reachingoutwithhismightyhandstoclutchme，andsnapping，growling，androaringinamostfrightfulmanner。
PlainlynowIsawtheendforwhichSalensusOllhaddestinedme。
Afterfirsttorturingmewithstarvationhehadcausedthisfiercebeasttobeloweredintomyprisontofinishtheworkthatthejeddak’shellishimaginationhadconceived。
Andthenanothertruthflasheduponme——IhadlivedninedaysoftheallottedtenwhichmustintervenebeforeSalensusOllcouldmakeDejahThorishisqueen。Thepurposeoftheaptwastoinsuremydeathbeforethetenthday。
IalmostlaughedaloudasIthoughthowSalensusOll’smeasureofsafetywastoaidindefeatingtheveryendhesought，forwhentheydiscoveredthattheaptwasaloneinthePitofPlentytheycouldnotknowbutthathehadcompletelydevouredme，andsonosuspicionofmyescapewouldcauseasearchtobemadeforme。
Coilingtheropethathadcarriedmethusfaruponmystrangejourney，Isoughtfortheotherend，butfoundthatasIfolloweditforwarditextendedalwaysbeforeme。Sothiswasthemeaningofthewords："Followtherope。"
ThetunnelthroughwhichIcrawledwaslowanddark。IhadfolloweditforseveralhundredyardswhenIfeltaknotbeneathmyfingers。
"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger。"
NowIwentwiththeutmostcaution，andamomentlaterasharpturninthetunnelbroughtmetoanopeningintoalarge，brilliantlylightedchamber。
ThetrendofthetunnelIhadbeentraversinghadbeenslightlyupward，andfromthisIjudgedthatthechamberintowhichInowfoundmyselflookingmustbeeitheronthefirstfloorofthepalaceordirectlybeneaththefirstfloor。
Upontheoppositewallweremanystrangeinstrumentsanddevices，andinthecenteroftheroomstoodalongtable，atwhichtwomenwereseatedinearnestconversation。
Hewhofacedmewasayellowman——alittle，wizened—up，pasty—facedoldfellowwithgreateyesthatshowedthewhiteroundtheentirecircumferenceoftheiris。
Hiscompanionwasablackman，andIdidnotneedtoseehisfacetoknowthatitwasThurid，fortherewasnootheroftheFirstBornnorthoftheice—barrier。
ThuridwasspeakingasIcamewithinhearingofthemen’svoices。
"Solan，"hewassaying，"thereisnoriskandtherewardisgreat。
YouknowthatyouhateSalensusOllandthatnothingwouldpleaseyoumorethantothwarthiminsomecherishedplan。
TherebenothingthathemorecherishestodaythantheideaofweddingthebeautifulPrincessofHelium;butI，too，wanther，andwithyourhelpImaywinher。
"YouneednotmorethanstepfromthisroomforaninstantwhenIgiveyouthesignal。Iwilldotherest，andthen，whenI
amgone，youmaycomeandthrowthegreatswitchbackintoitsplace，andallwillbeasbefore。Ineedbutanhour’sstarttobesafebeyondthedevilishpowerthatyoucontrolinthishiddenchamberbeneaththepalaceofyourmaster。Seehoweasy，"andwiththewordstheblackdatorrosefromhisseatand，crossingtheroom，laidhishanduponalarge，burnishedleverthatprotrudedfromtheoppositewall。
"No！No！"criedthelittleoldman，springingafterhim，withawildshriek。"Notthatone！Notthatone！Thatcontrolsthesunraytanks，andshouldyoupullittoofardown，allKadabrawouldbeconsumedbyheatbeforeIcouldreplaceit。Comeaway！
Comeaway！Youknownotwithwhatmightypowersyouplay。
Thisistheleverthatyouseek。Notewellthesymbolinlaidinwhiteuponitsebonsurface。"
Thuridapproachedandexaminedthehandleofthelever。
"Ah，amagnet，"hesaid。"Iwillremember。ItissettledthenItakeit，"hecontinued。
Theoldmanhesitated。Alookofcombinedgreedandapprehensionoverspreadhisnonetoobeautifulfeatures。
"Doublethefigure，"hesaid。"Eventhatwerealltoosmallanamountfortheserviceyouask。Why，Iriskmylifebyevenentertainingyouherewithintheforbiddenprecinctsofmystation。
ShouldSalensusOlllearnofithewouldhavemethrowntotheaptsbeforethedaywasdone。"
"Hedarenotdothat，andyouknowitfullwell，Solan，"
contradictedtheblack。"ToogreatapoweroflifeanddeathyouholdoverthepeopleofKadabraforSalensusOllevertoriskthreateningyouwithdeath。Beforeeverhisminionscouldlaytheirhandsuponyou，youmightseizethisveryleverfromwhichyouhavejustwarnedmeandwipeouttheentirecity。"
"Andmyselfintothebargain，"saidSolan，withashudder。
"Butifyouweretodie，anyway，youwouldfindthenervetodoit，"
repliedThurid。
"Yes，"mutteredSolan，"Ihaveoftenthoughtuponthatverything。
Well，FirstBorn，isyourredprincessworththepriceIaskformyservices，orwillyougowithoutherandseeherinthearmsofSalensusOlltomorrownight？"
"Takeyourprice，yellowman，"repliedThurid，withanoath。
"Halfnowandthebalancewhenyouhavefulfilledyourcontract。"
Withthatthedatorthrewawell—filledmoney—pouchuponthetable。
Solanopenedthepouchandwithtremblingfingerscounteditscontents。
Hisweirdeyesassumedagreedyexpression，andhisunkemptbeardandmustachetwitchedwiththemusclesofhismouthandchin。
ItwasquiteevidentfromhisverymannerismthatThuridhadkeenlyguessedtheman’sweakness——eventheclawlike，clutchingmovementofthefingersbetokenedtheavariciousnessofthemiser。
Havingsatisfiedhimselfthattheamountwascorrect，Solanreplacedthemoneyinthepouchandrosefromthetable。
"Now，"hesaid，"areyouquitesurethatyouknowthewaytoyourdestination？YoumusttravelquicklytocoverthegroundtothecaveandfromthencebeyondtheGreatPower，allwithinabriefhour，fornomoredareIspareyou。"
"Letmerepeatittoyou，"saidThurid，"thatyoumayseeifIbeletter—perfect。"
"Proceed，"repliedSolan。
"Throughyonderdoor，"hecommenced，pointingtoadooratthefarendoftheapartment，"Ifollowacorridor，passingthreedivergingcorridorsuponmyright;thenintothefourthright—handcorridorstraighttowherethreecorridorsmeet;hereagainI
followtotheright，huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit。
"AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunway，whichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor。AmIright？"
"Quiteright，Dator，"answeredSolan;"andnowbegone。Alreadyhaveyoutemptedfatetoolongwithinthisforbiddenplace。"
"Tonight，ortomorrow，then，youmayexpectthesignal，"saidThurid，risingtogo。
"Tonight，ortomorrow，"repeatedSolan，andasthedoorclosedbehindhisguesttheoldmancontinuedtomutterasheturnedbacktothetable，whereheagaindumpedthecontentsofthemoney—pouch，runninghisfingersthroughtheheapofshiningmetal;
pilingthecoinsintolittletowers;counting，recounting，andfondlingthewealththewhilehemutteredonandoninacrooningundertone。
Presentlyhisfingersceasedtheirplay;hiseyespoppedwiderthaneverastheyfasteneduponthedoorthroughwhichThuridhaddisappeared。
Thecroonchangedtoaquerulousmuttering，andfinallytoanuglygrowl。
Thentheoldmanrosefromthetable，shakinghisfistatthecloseddoor。
Nowheraisedhisvoice，andhiswordscamedistinctly。
"Fool！"hemuttered。"ThinkyouthatforyourhappinessSolanwillgiveuphislife？Ifyouescaped，SalensusOllwouldknowthatonlythroughmyconnivancecouldyouhavesucceeded。
Thenwouldhesendforme。Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Reducethecityandmyselftoashes？No，fool，thereisabetterway——abetterwayforSolantokeepthymoneyandberevengeduponSalensusOll。"
Helaughedinanasty，cacklingnote。
"Poorfool！YoumaythrowthegreatswitchthatwillgiveyouthefreedomoftheairofOkar，andthen，infatuoussecurity，goonwiththyredprincesstothefreedomof——death。Whenyouhavepassedbeyondthischamberinyourflight，whatcanpreventSolanreplacingtheswitchasitwasbeforeyourvilehandtouchedit？
Nothing;andthentheGuardianoftheNorthwillclaimyouandyourwoman，andSalensusOll，whenheseesyourdeadbodies，willneverdreamthatthehandofSolanhadaughttodowiththething。"
ThenhisvoicedroppedoncemoreintomutteringsthatIcouldnottranslate，butIhadheardenoughtocausemetoguessagreatdealmore，andIthankedthekindProvidencethathadledmetothischamberatatimesofilledwithimportancetoDejahThorisandmyselfasthis。
Buthowtopasstheoldmannow！Thecord，almostinvisibleuponthefloor，stretchedstraightacrosstheapartmenttoadooruponthefarside。
TherewasnootherwayofwhichIknew，norcouldIaffordtoignoretheadviceto"followtherope。"Imustcrossthisroom，buthoweverIshouldaccomplishitundetectedwiththatoldmanintheverycenterofitbaffledme。
OfcourseImighthavesprunginuponhimandwithmybarehandssilencedhimforever，butIhadheardenoughtoconvincemethatwithhimalivetheknowledgethatIhadgainedmightservemeatsomefuturemoment，whileshouldIkillhimandanotherbestationedinhisplaceThuridwouldnotcomehitherwithDejahThoris，aswasquiteevidentlyhisintention。
AsIstoodinthedarkshadowofthetunnel’sendrackingmybrainforafeasibleplanthewhileIwatched，catlike，theoldman’severymove，hetookupthemoney—pouchandcrossedtooneendoftheapartment，where，bendingtohisknees，hefumbledwithapanelinthewall。
InstantlyIguessedthatherewasthehidingplaceinwhichhehoardedhiswealth，andwhilehebentthere，hisbacktowardme，I
enteredthechamberupontiptoe，andwiththeutmoststealthessayedtoreachtheoppositesidebeforeheshouldcompletehistaskandturnagaintowardtheroom’scenter。
Scarcelythirtysteps，alltold，mustItake，andyetitseemedtomyoverwroughtimaginationthatthatfartherwallwasmilesaway;butatlastIreachedit，noroncehadItakenmyeyesfromthebackoftheoldmiser’shead。
Hedidnotturnuntilmyhandwasuponthebuttonthatcontrolledthedoorthroughwhichmywayled，andthenheturnedawayfrommeasIpassedthroughandgentlyclosedthedoor。
ForaninstantIpaused，myearclosetothepanel，tolearnifhehadsuspectedaught，butasnosoundofpursuitcamefromwithinIwheeledandmademywayalongthenewcorridor，followingtherope，whichIcoiledandbroughtwithmeasIadvanced。
ButashortdistancefartheronIcametotherope’sendatapointwherefivecorridorsmet。WhatwasItodo？WhichwayshouldIturn？Iwasnonplused。
Acarefulexaminationoftheendoftheroperevealedthefactthatithadbeencleanlycutwithsomesharpinstrument。ThisfactandthewordsthathadcautionedmethatdangerlaybeyondtheKNOTSconvincedmethattheropehadbeenseveredsincemyfriendhadplaceditasmyguide，forIhadbutpassedasingleknot，whereastherehadevidentlybeentwoormoreintheentirelengthofthecord。
Now，indeed，wasIinaprettyfix，forneitherdidIknowwhichavenuetofollownorwhendangerlaydirectlyinmypath;
buttherewasnothingelsetobedonethanfollowoneofthecorridors，forIcouldgainnothingbyremainingwhereIwas。
SoIchosethecentralopening，andpassedonintoitsgloomydepthswithaprayeruponmylips。
ThefloorofthetunnelroserapidlyasIadvanced，andamomentlaterthewaycametoanabruptendbeforeaheavydoor。
Icouldhearnothingbeyond，and，withmyaccustomedrashness，pushedtheportalwidetostepintoaroomfilledwithyellowwarriors。
Thefirsttoseemeopenedhiseyeswideinastonishment，andatthesameinstantIfeltthetinglingsensationinmyfingerthatdenotedthepresenceofafriendofthering。
Thenotherssawme，andtherewasaconcertedrushtolayhandsuponme，forthesewereallmembersofthepalaceguard——menfamiliarwithmyface。
Thefirsttoreachmewasthewearerofthematetomystrangering，andashecameclosehewhispered："Surrendertome！"theninaloudvoiceshouted："Youaremyprisoner，whiteman，"andmenacedmewithhistwoweapons。
AndsoJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，meeklysurrenderedtoasingleantagonist。Theothersnowswarmedaboutus，askingmanyquestions，butIwouldnottalktothem，andfinallymycaptorannouncedthathewouldleadmebacktomycell。
Anofficerorderedseveralotherwarriorstoaccompanyhim，andamomentlaterwewereretracingthewayIhadjustcome。
Myfriendwalkedclosebesideme，askingmanysillyquestionsaboutthecountryfromwhichIhadcome，untilfinallyhisfellowspaidnofurtherattentiontohimorhisgabbling。
Gradually，ashespoke，heloweredhisvoice，sothatpresentlyhewasabletoconversewithmeinalowtonewithoutattractingattention。
Hisrusewasacleverone，andshowedthatTaluhadnotmisjudgedtheman’sfitnessforthedangerousdutyuponwhichhewasdetailed。
Whenhehadfullyassuredhimselfthattheotherguardsmenwerenotlistening，heaskedmewhyIhadnotfollowedtherope，andwhenItoldhimthatithadendedatthefivecorridorshesaidthatitmusthavebeencutbysomeoneinneedofapieceofrope，forhewassurethat"thestupidKadabranswouldneverhaveguesseditspurpose。"
BeforewehadreachedthespotfromwhichthefivecorridorsdivergemyMarentinianfriendhadmanagedtodroptotherearofthelittlecolumnwithme，andwhenwecameinsightofthebranchingwayshewhispered：
"Runupthefirstupontheright。Itleadstothewatchtoweruponthesouthwall。Iwilldirectthepursuitupthenextcorridor，"
andwiththathegavemeagreatshoveintothedarkmouthofthetunnel，atthesametimecryingoutinsimulatedpainandalarmashethrewhimselfuponthefloorasthoughIhadfelledhimwithablow。
Frombehindthevoicesoftheexcitedguardsmencamereverberatingalongthecorridor，suddenlygrowingfainterasTalu’sspyledthemupthewrongpassagewayinfanciedpursuit。
AsIranformylifethroughthedarkgalleriesbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllImustindeedhavepresentedaremarkableappearancehadtherebeenanytonoteit，forthoughdeathloomedlargeaboutme，myfacewassplitbyabroadgrinasIthoughtoftheresourcefulnessofthenamelessheroofMarentinatowhomIowedmylife。
OfsuchstuffarethemenofmybelovedHelium，andwhenImeetanotheroftheirkind，ofwhateverraceorcolor，myheartgoesouttohimasitdidnowtomynewfriendwhohadriskedhislifeformesimplybecauseIworethematetotheringhisrulerhadputuponhisfinger。
ThecorridoralongwhichIranledalmoststraightforaconsiderabledistance，terminatingatthefootofaspiralrunway，upwhichIproceededtoemergepresentlyintoacircularchamberuponthefirstfloorofatower。
Inthisapartmentadozenredslaveswereemployedpolishingorrepairingtheweaponsoftheyellowmen。Thewallsoftheroomwerelinedwithracksinwhichwerehundredsofstraightandhookedswords，javelins，anddaggers。Itwasevidentlyanarmory。
Therewerebutthreewarriorsguardingtheworkers。
Myeyestookintheentiresceneataglance。Herewereweaponsinplenty！Hereweresinewyredwarriorstowieldthem！
AndherenowwasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，inneedbothofweaponsandwarriors！
AsIsteppedintotheapartment，guardsandprisonerssawmesimultaneously。
ClosetotheentrancewhereIstoodwasarackofstraightswords，andasmyhandcloseduponthehiltofoneofthemmyeyesfelluponthefacesoftwooftheprisonerswhoworkedsidebyside。
Oneoftheguardsstartedtowardme。"Whoareyou？"hedemanded。
"Whatdoyouhere？"
"IcomeforTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，andhisson，MorsKajak，"
Icried，pointingtothetworedprisoners，whohadnowsprungtotheirfeet，wide—eyedinastonishedrecognition。
"Rise，redmen！BeforewedieletusleaveamemorialinthepalaceofOkar’styrantthatwillstandforeverintheannalsofKadabratothehonorandgloryofHelium，"forIhadseenthatalltheprisonersthereweremenofTardosMors’snavy。
Thenthefirstguardsmanwasuponmeandthefightwason，butscarcedidweengageere，tomyhorror，Isawthattheredslaveswereshackledtothefloor。
THEMAGNETSWITCH
Theguardsmenpaidnottheslightestattentiontotheirwards，fortheredmencouldnotmoveovertwofeetfromthegreatringstowhichtheywerepadlocked，thougheachhadseizedaweaponuponwhichhehadbeenengagedwhenIenteredtheroom，andstoodreadytojoinmecouldtheyhavebutdoneso。
Theyellowmendevotedalltheirattentiontome，norweretheylongindiscoveringthatthethreeofthemwerenonetoomanytodefendthearmoryagainstJohnCarter。WouldthatIhadhadmyowngoodlong—swordinmyhandthatday;but，asitwas，Irenderedasatisfactoryaccountofmyselfwiththeunfamiliarweaponoftheyellowman。
AtfirstIhadatimeofitdodgingtheirvillainoushook—swords，butafteraminuteortwoIhadsucceededinwrestingasecondstraightswordfromoneoftheracksalongthewall，andthereafter，usingittoparrythehooksofmyantagonists，Ifeltmoreevenlyequipped。
Thethreeofthemwereonmeatonce，andbutforaluckycircumstancemyendmighthavecomequickly。Theforemostguardsmanmadeaviciouslungeformysidewithhishookafterthethreeofthemhadbackedmeagainstthewall，butasIsidesteppedandraisedmyarmhisweaponbutgrazedmyside，passingintoarackofjavelins，whereitbecameentangled。
BeforehecouldreleaseitIhadrunhimthrough，andthen，fallingbackuponthetacticsthathavesavedmeahundredtimesintightpinches，Irushedthetworemainingwarriors，forcingthembackwithaperfecttorrentofcutsandthrusts，weavingmyswordinandoutabouttheirguardsuntilIhadthefearofdeathuponthem。
Thenoneofthemcommencedcallingforhelp，butitwastoolatetosavethem。
Theywereasputtyinmyhandsnow，andIbackedthemaboutthearmoryasIwoulduntilIhadthemwhereIwantedthem——withinreachoftheswordsoftheshackledslaves。Inaninstantbothlaydeaduponthefloor。Buttheircrieshadnotbeenentirelyfruitless，fornowIheardansweringshoutsandthefootfallsofmanymenrunningandtheclankofaccoutermentsandthecommandsofofficers。
"Thedoor！Quick，JohnCarter，barthedoor！"criedTardosMors。
Alreadytheguardwasinsight，chargingacrosstheopencourtthatwasvisiblethroughthedoorway。
Adozensecondswouldbringthemintothetower。Asingleleapcarriedmetotheheavyportal。WitharesoundingbangI
slammeditshut。
"Thebar！"shoutedTardosMors。
Itriedtoslipthehugefasteningintoplace，butitdefiedmyeveryattempt。
"Raiseitalittletoreleasethecatch，"criedoneoftheredmen。
Icouldheartheyellowwarriorsleapingalongtheflaggingjustbeyondthedoor。Iraisedthebarandshotittotherightjustastheforemostoftheguardsmenthrewhimselfagainsttheoppositesideofthemassivepanels。
Thebarrierheld——Ihadbeenintime，butbythefractionofasecondonly。
NowIturnedmyattentiontotheprisoners。ToTardosMorsI
wentfirst，askingwherethekeysmightbewhichwouldunfastentheirfetters。
"Theofficeroftheguardhasthem，"repliedtheJeddakofHelium，"andheisamongthosewithoutwhoseekentrance。Youwillhavetoforcethem。"
Mostoftheprisonerswerealreadyhackingattheirbondswiththeswordsintheirhands。Theyellowmenwerebatteringatthedoorwithjavelinsandaxes。
IturnedmyattentiontothechainsthatheldTardosMors。
AgainandagainIcutdeepintothemetalwithmysharpblade，buteverfasterandfasterfellthetorrentofblowsupontheportal。
Atlastalinkpartedbeneathmyefforts，andamomentlaterTardosMorswasfree，thoughafewinchesoftrailingchainstilldangledfromhisankle。
Asplinterofwoodfallinginwardfromthedoorannouncedtheheadwaythatourenemiesweremakingtowardus。
Themightypanelstrembledandbentbeneaththefuriousonslaughtoftheenragedyellowmen。
Whatwiththebatteringuponthedoorandthehackingoftheredmenattheirchainsthedinwithinthearmorywasappalling。
NosoonerwasTardosMorsfreethanheturnedhisattentiontoanotheroftheprisoners，whileIsettoworktoliberateMorsKajak。
Wemustworkfastifwewouldhaveallthosefetterscutbeforethedoorgaveway。Nowapanelcrashedinwarduponthefloor，andMorsKajaksprangtotheopeningtodefendthewayuntilweshouldhavetimetoreleasetheothers。
WithjavelinssnatchedfromthewallhewroughthavocamongtheforemostoftheOkarianswhilewebattledwiththeinsensatemetalthatstoodbetweenourfellowsandfreedom。
Atlengthallbutoneoftheprisonerswerefreed，andthenthedoorfellwithamightycrashbeforeahastilyimprovisedbattering—ram，andtheyellowhordewasuponus。
"Totheupperchambers！"shoutedtheredmanwhowasstillfetteredtothefloor。"Totheupperchambers！ThereyoumaydefendthetoweragainstallKadabra。Donotdelaybecauseofme，whocouldprayfornobetterdeaththanintheserviceofTardosMorsandthePrinceofHelium。"
ButIwouldhavesacrificedthelifeofeverymanofusratherthandesertasingleredman，muchlessthelion—heartedherowhobeggedustoleavehim。
"Cuthischains，"Icriedtotwooftheredmen，"whilethebalanceofusholdoffthefoe。"
ThereweretenofusnowtodobattlewiththeOkarianguard，andIwarrantthatthatancientwatchtowerneverlookeddownuponamorehotlycontestedbattlethantookplacethatdaywithinitsowngrimwalls。
ThefirstinrushingwaveofyellowwarriorsrecoiledfromtheslashingbladesoftenofHelium’sveteranfightingmen。AdozenOkariancorpsesblockedthedoorway，butoverthegruesomebarrierascoremoreoftheirfellowsdashed，shoutingtheirhoarseandhideouswar—cry。
Uponthebloodymoundwemetthem，handtohand，stabbingwherethequartersweretooclosetocut，thrustingwhenwecouldpushafoemantoarm’slength;andmingledwiththewildcryoftheOkarianthereroseandfellthegloriouswords："ForHelium！
ForHelium！"thatforcountlessageshavespurredonthebravestofthebravetothosedeedsofvalorthathavesentthefameofHelium’sheroesbroadcastthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofaworld。
Nowwerethefettersstruckfromthelastoftheredmen，andthirteenstrongwemeteachnewchargeofthesoldiersofSalensusOll。Scarceoneofusbutbledfromascoreofwounds，yetnonehadfallen。
Fromwithoutwesawhundredsofguardsmenpouringintothecourtyard，andalongthelowercorridorfromwhichIhadfoundmywaytothearmorywecouldheartheclankofmetalandtheshoutingofmen。
Inamomentweshouldbeattackedfromtwosides，andwithallourprowesswecouldnothopetowithstandtheunequaloddswhichwouldthusdivideourattentionandoursmallnumbers。
"Totheupperchambers！"criedTardosMors，andamomentlaterwefellbacktowardtherunwaythatledtothefloorsabove。
Hereanotherbloodybattlewaswagedwiththeforceofyellowmenwhochargedintothearmoryaswefellbackfromthedoorway。
Herewelostourfirstman，anoblefellowwhomwecouldillspare;
butatlengthallhadbackedintotherunwayexceptmyself，whoremainedtoholdbacktheOkariansuntiltheothersweresafeabove。
Inthemouthofthenarrowspiralbutasinglewarriorcouldattackmeatatime，sothatIhadlittledifficultyinholdingthemallbackforthebriefmomentthatwasnecessary。Then，backingslowlybeforethem，Icommencedtheascentofthespiral。
Allthelongwaytothetower’stoptheguardsmenpressedmeclosely。
Whenonewentdownbeforemyswordanotherscrambledoverthedeadmantotakehisplace;andthus，takinganawfultollwitheachfewfeetgained，Icametothespaciousglass—walledwatchtowerofKadabra。
Heremycompanionsclusteredreadytotakemyplace，andforamoment’srespiteIsteppedtoonesidewhiletheyheldtheenemyoff。
Fromtheloftyperchaviewcouldbehadformilesineverydirection。
Towardthesouthstretchedtherugged，ice—cladwastetotheedgeofthemightybarrier。Towardtheeastandwest，anddimlytowardthenorthIdescriedotherOkariancities，whileintheimmediateforeground，justbeyondthewallsofKadabra，thegrimguardianshaftreareditssomberhead。
ThenIcastmyeyesdownintothestreetsofKadabra，fromwhichasuddentumulthadarisen，andthereIsawabattleraging，andbeyondthecity’swallsIsawarmedmenmarchingingreatcolumnstowardanear—bygate。
EagerlyIpressedforwardagainsttheglasswalloftheobservatory，scarcedaringtocreditthetestimonyofmyowneyes。ButatlastIcoulddoubtnolonger，andwithashoutofjoythatrosestrangelyinthemidstofthecursingandgroaningofthebattlingmenattheentrancetothechamber，IcalledtoTardosMors。
AshejoinedmeIpointeddownintothestreetsofKadabraandtotheadvancingcolumnsbeyond，abovewhichfloatedbravelyinthearcticairtheflagsandbannersofHelium。
Aninstantlatereveryredmanintheloftychamberhadseentheinspiringsight，andsuchashoutofthanksgivingaroseasI
warrantneverbeforeechoedthroughthatage—oldpileofstone。
Butstillwemustfighton，forthoughourtroopshadenteredKadabra，thecitywasyetfarfromcapitulation，norhadthepalacebeenevenassaulted。Turnandturnaboutweheldthetopoftherunwaywhiletheothersfeastedtheireyesuponthesightofourvaliantcountrymenbattlingfarbeneathus。
Nowtheyhaverushedthepalacegate！Greatbattering—ramsaredashedagainstitsformidablesurface。Nowtheyarerepulsedbyadeadlyshowerofjavelinsfromthewall’stop！
Onceagaintheycharge，butasortiebyalargeforceofOkariansfromanintersectingavenuecrumplestheheadofthecolumn，andthemenofHeliumgodown，fighting，beneathanoverwhelmingforce。
Thepalacegatefliesopenandaforceofthejeddak’sownguard，pickedmenfromthefloweroftheOkarianarmy，salliesforthtoshatterthebrokenregiments。Foramomentitlooksasthoughnothingcouldavertdefeat，andthenIseeanoblefigureuponamightythoat——notthetinythoatoftheredman，butoneofhishugecousinsofthedeadseabottoms。
Thewarriorhewshiswaytothefront，andbehindhimrallythedisorganizedsoldiersofHelium。AsheraiseshisheadalofttoflingachallengeatthemenuponthepalacewallsIseehisface，andmyheartswellsinprideandhappinessastheredwarriorsleaptothesideoftheirleaderandwinbackthegroundthattheyhadbutjustlost——thefaceofhimuponthemightythoatisthefaceofmyson——CarthorisofHelium。
AthissidefightsahugeMartianwar—hound，nordidIneedasecondlooktoknowthatitwasWoola——myfaithfulWoolawhohadthuswellperformedhisarduoustaskandbroughtthesuccoringlegionsinthenickoftime。
"Inthenickoftime？"
Whoyetmightsaythattheywerenottoolatetosave，butsurelytheycouldavenge！AndsuchretributionasthatunconqueredarmywoulddealouttothehatefulOkarians！IsighedtothinkthatI
mightnotbealivetowitnessit。
AgainIturnedtothewindows。Theredmenhadnotyetforcedtheouterpalacewall，buttheywerefightingnoblyagainstthebestthatOkarafforded——valiantwarriorswhocontestedeveryinchoftheway。
Nowmyattentionwascaughtbyanewelementwithoutthecitywall——
agreatbodyofmountedwarriorsloominglargeabovetheredmen。
TheywerethehugegreenalliesofHelium——thesavagehordesfromthedeadseabottomsofthefarsouth。
Ingrimandterriblesilencetheyspedontowardthegate，thepaddedhoofsoftheirfrightfulmountsgivingforthnosound。
Intothedoomedcitytheycharged，andastheywheeledacrossthewideplazabeforethepalaceoftheJeddakofJeddaksIsaw，ridingattheirhead，themightyfigureoftheirmightyleader——TarsTarkas，JeddakofThark。
Mywish，then，wastobegratified，forIwastoseemyoldfriendbattlingonceagain，andthoughnotshouldertoshoulderwithhim，I，too，wouldbefightinginthesamecausehereinthehightowerofOkar。
Nordiditseemthatourfoeswouldeverceasetheirstubbornattacks，forstilltheycame，thoughthewaytoourchamberwasoftencloggedwiththebodiesoftheirdead。Attimestheywouldpauselongenoughtodragbacktheimpedingcorpses，andthenfreshwarriorswouldforgeupwardtotastethecupofdeath。
IhadbeentakingmyturnwiththeothersindefendingtheapproachtoourloftyretreatwhenMorsKajak，whohadbeenwatchingthebattleinthestreetbelow，calledaloudinsuddenexcitement。TherewasanoteofapprehensioninhisvoicethatbroughtmetohissidetheinstantthatIcouldturnmyplaceovertoanother，andasIreachedhimhepointedfaroutacrossthewasteofsnowandicetowardthesouthernhorizon。
"Alas！"hecried，"thatIshouldbeforcedtowitnesscruelfatebetraythemwithoutpowertowarnoraid;buttheybepasteithernow。"
AsIlookedinthedirectionheindicatedIsawthecauseofhisperturbation。AmightyfleetofflierswasapproachingmajesticallytowardKadabrafromthedirectionoftheice—barrier。
Onandontheycamewitheverincreasingvelocity。
"ThegrimshaftthattheycalltheGuardianoftheNorthisbeckoningtothem，"saidMorsKajaksadly，"justasitbeckonedtoTardosMorsandhisgreatfleet;seewheretheylie，crumpledandbroken，agrimandterriblemonumenttothemightyforceofdestructionwhichnaughtcanresist。"
I，too，saw;butsomethingelseIsawthatMorsKajakdidnot;
inmymind’seyeIsawaburiedchamberwhosewallswerelinedwithstrangeinstrumentsanddevices。
Inthecenterofthechamberwasalongtable，andbeforeitsatalittle，pop—eyedoldmancountinghismoney;but，plainestofall，Isawuponthewallagreatswitchwithasmallmagnetinlaidwithinthesurfaceofitsblackhandle。
ThenIglancedoutatthefast—approachingfleet。Infiveminutesthatmightyarmadaoftheskieswouldbebentandworthlessscrap，lyingatthebaseoftheshaftbeyondthecity’swall，andyellowhordeswouldbeloosedfromanothergatetorushoutuponthefewsurvivorsstumblingblindlydownthroughthemassofwreckage;
thentheaptswouldcome。Ishudderedatthethought，forIcouldvividlypicturethewholehorriblescene。
QuickhaveIalwaysbeentodecideandact。Theimpulsethatmovesmeandthedoingofthethingseemsimultaneous;
forifmymindgoesthroughthetediousformalityofreasoning，itmustbeasubconsciousactofwhichIamnotobjectivelyaware。
Psychologiststellmethat，asthesubconsciousdoesnotreason，toocloseascrutinyofmymentalactivitiesmightproveanythingbutflattering;butbethatasitmay，Ihaveoftenwonsuccesswhilethethinkerwouldhavebeenstillattheendlesstaskofcomparingvariousjudgments。
AndnowcelerityofactionwastheprimeessentialtothesuccessofthethingthatIhaddecidedupon。
Graspingmyswordmorefirmlyinmyhand，Icalledtotheredmanattheopeningtotherunwaytostandaside。
"WayforthePrinceofHelium！"Ishouted;andbeforetheastonishedyellowmanwhosemisfortuneitwastobeatthefightingendofthelineatthatparticularmomentcouldgatherhiswitstogethermyswordhaddecapitatedhim，andIwasrushinglikeamadbulldownuponthosebehindhim。
"WayforthePrinceofHelium！"IshoutedasIcutapaththroughtheastonishedguardsmenofSalensusOll。
Hewingtorightandleft，Ibeatmywaydownthatwarrior—chokedspiraluntil，nearthebottom，thosebelow，thinkingthatanarmywasdescendinguponthem，turnedandfled。
ThearmoryatthefirstfloorwasvacantwhenIenteredit，thelastoftheOkarianshavingfledintothecourtyard，sononesawmecontinuedownthespiraltowardthecorridorbeneath。
HereIranasrapidlyasmylegswouldcarrymetowardthefivecorners，andthereplungedintothepassagewaythatledtothestationoftheoldmiser。
Withouttheformalityofaknock，Iburstintotheroom。
Theresattheoldmanathistable;butashesawmehesprangtohisfeet，drawinghissword。
WithscarcemorethanaglancetowardhimIleapedforthegreatswitch;
but，quickasIwas，thatwiryoldfellowwastherebeforeme。
HowhediditIshallneverknow，nordoesitseemcrediblethatanyMartian—borncreaturecouldapproximatethemarvelousspeedofmyearthlymuscles。
Likeatigerheturneduponme，andIwasquicktoseewhySolanhadbeenchosenforthisimportantduty。
NeverinallmylifehaveIseensuchwondrousswordsmanshipandsuchuncannyagilityasthatancientbagofbonesdisplayed。
Hewasinfortyplacesatthesametime，andbeforeIhadhalfachancetoawakentomydangerhewasliketohavemadeamonkeyofme，andadeadmonkeyatthat。
Itisstrangehownewandunexpectedconditionsbringoutunguessedabilitytomeetthem。
ThatdayintheburiedchamberbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllIlearnedwhatswordsmanshipmeant，andtowhatheightsofswordmasteryIcouldachievewhenpittedagainstsuchawizardofthebladeasSolan。
Foratimehelikedtohavebestedme;butpresentlythelatentpossibilitiesthatmusthavebeenlyingdormantwithinmeforalifetimecametothefore，andIfoughtasIhadneverdreamedahumanbeingcouldfight。
Thatthatduel—royalshouldhavetakenplaceinthedarkrecessesofacellar，withoutasingleappreciativeeyetowitnessithasalwaysseemedtomealmostaworldcalamity——atleastfromtheviewpointBarsoomian，wherebloodystrifeisthefirstandgreatestconsiderationofindividuals，nations，andraces。
Iwasfightingtoreachtheswitch，Solantopreventme;
and，thoughwestoodnotthreefeetfromit，Icouldnotwinaninchtowardit，forheforcedmebackaninchforthefirstfiveminutesofourbattle。
IknewthatifIweretothrowitintimetosavetheoncomingfleetitmustbedoneinthenextfewseconds，andsoItriedmyoldrushingtactics;butImightaswellhaverushedabrickwallforallthatSolangaveway。
Infact，Icameneartoimpalingmyselfuponhispointformypains;
butrightwasonmyside，andIthinkthatthatmustgiveamangreaterconfidencethanthoughheknewhimselftobebattlinginawickedcause。
Atleast，Ididnotwantinconfidence;andwhenInextrushedSolanitwastoonesidewithimplicitconfidencethathemustturntomeetmynewlineofattack，andturnhedid，sothatnowwefoughtwithoursidestowardsthecovetedgoal——thegreatswitchstoodwithinmyreachuponmyrighthand。
Touncovermybreastforaninstantwouldhavebeentocourtsuddendeath，butIsawnootherwaythantochanceit，ifbysodoingImightrescuethatoncoming，succoringfleet;andso，inthefaceofawickedsword—thrust，Ireachedoutmypointandcaughtthegreatswitchasuddenblowthatreleaseditfromitsseating。
SosurprisedandhorrifiedwasSolanthatheforgottofinishhisthrust;instead，hewheeledtowardtheswitchwithaloudshriek——
ashriekwhichwashislast，forbeforehishandcouldtouchtheleveritsought，mysword’spointhadpassedthroughhisheart。
THETIDEOFBATTLE
Butsolan’slastloudcryhadnotbeenwithouteffect，foramomentlateradozenguardsmenburstintothechamber，thoughnotbeforeIhadsobentanddemolishedthegreatswitchthatitcouldnotbeagainusedtoturnthepowerfulcurrentintothemightymagnetofdestructionitcontrolled。
TheresultofthesuddencomingoftheguardsmenhadbeentocompelmetoseekseclusioninthefirstpassagewaythatIcouldfind，andthattomydisappointmentprovedtobenottheonewithwhichIwasfamiliar，butanotheruponitsleft。