"IheardyourchallengetothecreatureyoucallTarsTarkas，andIthinkIunderstandyourpositionamongthesepeople，butwhatIcannotfathomisyourstatementthatyouarenotofBarsoom。”
"Inthenameofmyfirstancestor，then，"shecontinued，"wheremayyoubefrom？Youarelikeuntomypeople，andyetsounlike。Youspeakmylanguage，andyetIheardyoutellTarsTarkasthatyouhadbutlearneditrecently。
AllBarsoomiansspeakthesametonguefromtheice-cladsouthtotheice-cladnorth，thoughtheirwrittenlanguagesdiffer。OnlyinthevalleyDor，wheretheriverIssemptiesintothelostseaofKorus，istheresupposedtobeadifferentlanguagespoken，and，exceptinthelegendsofourancestors，thereisnorecordofaBarsoomianreturninguptheriverIss，fromtheshoresofKorusinthevalleyofDor。Donottellmethatyouhavethusreturned!TheywouldkillyouhorriblyanywhereuponthesurfaceofBarsoomifthatweretrue；tellmeitisnot!"
Hereyeswerefilledwithastrange，weirdlight；hervoicewaspleading，andherlittlehands，reachedupuponmybreast，werepressedagainstmeasthoughtowringadenialfrommyveryheart。
"Idonotknowyourcustoms，DejahThoris，butinmyownVirginiaagentlemandoesnotlietosavehimself；IamnotofDor；IhaveneverseenthemysteriousIss；thelostseaofKorusisstilllost，sofarasIamconcerned。Doyoubelieveme？"
AndthenitstruckmesuddenlythatIwasveryanxiousthatsheshouldbelieveme。ItwasnotthatIfearedtheresultswhichwouldfollowageneralbeliefthatIhadreturnedfromtheBarsoomianheavenorhell，orwhateveritwas。
Whywasit，then!WhyshouldIcarewhatshethought？
Ilookeddownather；herbeautifulfaceupturned，andherwonderfuleyesopeninguptheverydepthofhersoul；andasmyeyesmethersIknewwhy，and——Ishuddered。
Asimilarwaveoffeelingseemedtostirher；shedrewawayfrommewithasigh，andwithherearnest，beautifulfaceturneduptomine，shewhispered:"Ibelieveyou，JohnCarter；Idonotknowwhata'gentleman'is，norhaveIeverhedoesnotwishtospeakthetruthheissilent。WhereisthisVirginia，yourcountry，JohnCarter？"sheasked，anditseemedthatthisfairnameofmyfairlandhadneversoundedmorebeautifulthanasitfellfromthoseperfectlipsonthatfar-goneday。
"Iamofanotherworld，"Ianswered，"thegreatplanetEarth，whichrevolvesaboutourcommonsunandnextwithintheorbitofyourBarsoom，whichweknowasMars。HowI
camehereIcannottellyou，forIdonotknow；buthereI
am，andsincemypresencehaspermittedmetoserveDejahThorisIamgladthatIamhere。”
Shegazedatmewithtroubledeyes，longandquestioningly。
ThatitwasdifficulttobelievemystatementIwellknew，norcouldIhopethatshewoulddosohowevermuchIcravedherconfidenceandrespect。Iwouldmuchrathernothavetoldheranythingofmyantecedents，butnomancouldlookintothedepthofthoseeyesandrefuseherslightestbehest。
Finallyshesmiled，and，rising，said:"IshallhavetobelieveeventhoughIcannotunderstand。IcanreadilyperceivethatyouarenotoftheBarsoomoftoday；youarelikeus，yetdifferent——butwhyshouldItroublemypoorheadwithsuchaproblem，whenmyhearttellsmethatIbelievebecauseIwishtobelieve!"
Itwasgoodlogic，good，earthly，femininelogic，andifitsatisfiedherIcertainlycouldpicknoflawsinit。Asamatteroffactitwasabouttheonlykindoflogicthatcouldbebroughttobearuponmyproblem。Wefellintoageneralconversationthen，askingandansweringmanyquestionsoneachside。ShewascurioustolearnofthecustomsofmypeopleanddisplayedaremarkableknowledgeofeventsonEarth。
WhenIquestionedhercloselyonthisseemingfamiliaritywithearthlythingsshelaughed，andcriedout:
"Why，everyschoolboyonBarsoomknowsthegeography，andmuchconcerningthefaunaandflora，aswellasthehistoryofyourplanetfullyaswellasofhisown。CanwenotseeeverythingwhichtakesplaceuponEarth，asyoucallit；isitnothangingthereintheheavensinplainsight？"
Thisbaffledme，Imustconfess，fullyasmuchasmystatementshadconfoundedher；andItoldherso。Shethenexplainedingeneraltheinstrumentsherpeoplehadusedandbeenperfectingforages，whichpermitthemtothrowuponascreenaperfectimageofwhatistranspiringuponanyplanetanduponmanyofthestars。Thesepicturesaresoperfectindetailthat，whenphotographedandenlarged，objectsnogreaterthanabladeofgrassmaybedistinctlyrecognized。Iafterward，inHelium，sawmanyofthesepictures，aswellastheinstrumentswhichproducedthem。
"If，then，youaresofamiliarwithearthlythings，"Iasked，"whyisitthatyoudonotrecognizemeasidenticalwiththeinhabitantsofthatplanet？"
Shesmiledagainasonemightinboredindulgenceofaquestioningchild。
"Because，JohnCarter，"shereplied，"nearlyeveryplanetandstarhavingatmosphericconditionsatallapproachingthoseofBarsoom，showsformsofanimallifealmostidenticalwithyouandme；and，further，Earthmen，almostwithoutexception，covertheirbodieswithstrange，unsightlypiecesofcloth，andtheirheadswithhideouscontraptionsthepurposeofwhichwehavebeenunabletoconceive；whileyou，whenfoundbytheTharkianwarriors，wereentirelyundisfiguredandunadorned。
"Thefactthatyouworenoornamentsisastrongproofofyourun-Barsoomianorigin，whiletheabsenceofgrotesquecoveringsmightcauseadoubtastoyourearthliness。”
IthennarratedthedetailsofmydeparturefromtheEarth，explainingthatmybodytherelayfullyclothedinallthe，toher，strangegarmentsofmundanedwellers。AtthispointSolareturnedwithourmeagerbelongingsandheryoungMartianprotege，who，ofcourse，wouldhavetosharethequarterswiththem。
Solaaskedusifwehadhadavisitorduringherabsence，andseemedmuchsurprisedwhenweansweredinthenegative。
Itseemedthatasshehadmountedtheapproachtotheupperfloorswhereourquarterswerelocated，shehadmetSarkojadescending。Wedecidedthatshemusthavebeeneavesdropping，butaswecouldrecallnothingofimportancethathadpassedbetweenuswedismissedthematterasoflittleconsequence，merelypromisingourselvestobewarnedtotheutmostcautioninthefuture。
DejahThorisandIthenfelltoexaminingthearchitectureanddecorationsofthebeautifulchambersofthebuildingwewereoccupying。Shetoldmethatthesepeoplehadpresumablyflourishedoverahundredthousandyearsbefore。
Theyweretheearlyprogenitorsofherrace，buthadmixedwiththeothergreatraceofearlyMartians，whowereverydark，almostblack，andalsowiththereddishyellowracewhichhadflourishedatthesametime。
ThesethreegreatdivisionsofthehigherMartianshadbeenforcedintoamightyallianceasthedryingupoftheMartianseashadcompelledthemtoseekthecomparativelyfewandalwaysdiminishingfertileareas，andtodefendthemselves，undernewconditionsoflife，againstthewildhordesofgreenmen。
Agesofcloserelationshipandintermarryinghadresultedintheraceofredmen，ofwhichDejahThoriswasafairandbeautifuldaughter。Duringtheagesofhardshipsandincessantwarringbetweentheirownvariousraces，aswellaswiththegreenmen，andbeforetheyhadfittedthemselvestothechangedconditions，muchofthehighcivilizationandmanyoftheartsofthefair-hairedMartianshadbecomelost；buttheredraceoftodayhasreachedapointwhereitfeelsthatithasmadeupinnewdiscoveriesandinamorepracticalcivilizationforallthatliesirretrievablyburiedwiththeancientBarsoomians，beneaththecountlessinterveningages。
TheseancientMartianshadbeenahighlycultivatedandliteraryrace，butduringthevicissitudesofthosetryingcenturiesofreadjustmenttonewconditions，notonlydidtheiradvancementandproductionceaseentirely，butpracticallyalltheirarchives，records，andliteraturewerelost。
DejahThorisrelatedmanyinterestingfactsandlegendsconcerningthislostraceofnobleandkindlypeople。ShesaidthatthecityinwhichwewerecampingwassupposedtohavebeenacenterofcommerceandcultureknownasKorad。Ithadbeenbuiltuponabeautiful，naturalharbor，landlockedbymagnificenthills。Thelittlevalleyonthewestfrontofthecity，sheexplained，wasallthatremainedoftheharbor，whilethepassthroughthehillstotheoldseabottomhadbeenthechannelthroughwhichtheshippingpasseduptothecity'sgates。
Theshoresoftheancientseasweredottedwithjustsuchcities，andlesserones，indiminishingnumbers，weretobefoundconvergingtowardthecenteroftheoceans，asthepeoplehadfounditnecessarytofollowtherecedingwatersuntilnecessityhadforceduponthemtheirultimatesalvation，theso-calledMartiancanals。
Wehadbeensoengrossedinexplorationofthebuildingandinourconversationthatitwaslateintheafternoonbeforewerealizedit。WewerebroughtbacktoarealizationofourpresentconditionsbyamessengerbearingasummonsfromLorquasPtomeldirectingmetoappearbeforehimforthwith。BiddingDejahThorisandSolafarewell，andcommandingWoolatoremainonguard，Ihastenedtotheaudiencechamber，whereIfoundLorquasPtomelandTarsTarkasseatedupontherostrum。
CHAPTERXII
APRISONERWITHPOWER
AsIenteredandsaluted，LorquasPtomelsignaledmetoadvance，and，fixinghisgreat，hideouseyesuponme，addressedmethus:
"Youhavebeenwithusafewdays，yetduringthattimeyouhavebyyourprowesswonahighpositionamongus。
Bethatasitmay，youarenotoneofus；youoweusnoallegiance。
"Yourpositionisapeculiarone，"hecontinued；"youareaprisonerandyetyougivecommandswhichmustbeobeyed；
youareanalienandyetyouareaTharkianchieftain；youareamidgetandyetyoucankillamightywarriorwithoneblowofyourfist。Andnowyouarereportedtohavebeenplottingtoescapewithanotherprisonerofanotherrace；aprisonerwho，fromherownadmission，halfbelievesyouarereturnedfromthevalleyofDor。Eitheroneoftheseaccusations，ifproved，wouldbesufficientgroundsforyourexecution，butweareajustpeopleandyoushallhaveatrialonourreturntoThark，ifTalHajussocommands。
"But，"hecontinued，inhisfiercegutturaltones，"ifyourunoffwiththeredgirlitisIwhoshallhavetoaccounttoTalHajus；itisIwhoshallhavetofaceTarsTarkas，andeitherdemonstratemyrighttocommand，orthemetalfrommydeadcarcasswillgotoabetterman，forsuchisthecustomoftheTharks。
"IhavenoquarrelwithTarsTarkas；togetherwerulesupremethegreatestofthelessercommunitiesamongthegreenmen；wedonotwishtofightbetweenourselves；andsoifyouweredead，JohnCarter，Ishouldbeglad。Undertwoconditionsonly，however，mayyoubekilledbyuswithoutordersfromTalHajus；inpersonalcombatinself-defense，shouldyouattackoneofus，orwereyouapprehendedinanattempttoescape。
"AsamatterofjusticeImustwarnyouthatweonlyawaitoneofthesetwoexcusesforriddingourselvesofsogreataresponsibility。ThesafedeliveryoftheredgirltoTalHajusisofthegreatestimportance。NotinathousandyearshavetheTharksmadesuchacapture；sheisthegranddaughterofthegreatestoftheredjeddaks，whoisalsoourbitterestenemy。Ihavespoken。Theredgirltoldusthatwewerewithoutthesoftersentimentsofhumanity，butweareajustandtruthfulrace。Youmaygo。”
Turning，Ilefttheaudiencechamber。SothiswasthebeginningofSarkoja'spersecution!IknewthatnoneothercouldberesponsibleforthisreportwhichhadreachedtheearsofLorquasPtomelsoquickly，andnowIrecalledthoseportionsofourconversationwhichhadtoucheduponescapeanduponmyorigin。
SarkojawasatthistimeTarsTarkas'oldestandmosttrustedfemale。Assuchshewasamightypowerbehindthethrone，fornowarriorhadtheconfidenceofLorquasPtomeltosuchanextentasdidhisablestlieutenant，TarsTarkas。
However，insteadofputtingthoughtsofpossibleescapefrommymind，myaudiencewithLorquasPtomelonlyservedtocentermyeveryfacultyonthissubject。Now，morethanbefore，theabsolutenecessityforescape，insofarasDejahThoriswasconcerned，wasimpresseduponme，forIwasconvincedthatsomehorriblefateawaitedherattheheadquartersofTalHajus。
AsdescribedbySola，thismonsterwastheexaggeratedpersonificationofalltheagesofcruelty，ferocity，andbrutalityfromwhichhehaddescended。Cold，cunning，calculating；hewas，also，inmarkedcontrasttomostofhisfellows，aslavetothatbrutepassionwhichthewaningdemandsforprocreationupontheirdyingplanethasalmoststilledintheMartianbreast。
ThethoughtthatthedivineDejahThorismightfallintotheclutchesofsuchanabysmalatavismstartedthecoldsweatuponme。Farbetterthatwesavefriendlybulletsforourselvesatthelastmoment，asdidthosebravefrontierwomenofmylostland，whotooktheirownlivesratherthanfallintothehandsoftheIndianbraves。
AsIwanderedabouttheplazalostinmygloomyforebodingsTarsTarkasapproachedmeonhiswayfromtheaudiencechamber。Hisdemeanortowardmewasunchanged，andhegreetedmeasthoughwehadnotjustpartedafewmomentsbefore。
"Whereareyourquarters，JohnCarter？"heasked。
"Ihaveselectednone，"Ireplied。"ItseemedbestthatI
quarteredeitherbymyselforamongtheotherwarriors，andIwasawaitinganopportunitytoaskyouradvice。Asyouknow，"andIsmiled，"IamnotyetfamiliarwithallthecustomsoftheTharks。”
"Comewithme，"hedirected，andtogetherwemovedoffacrosstheplazatoabuildingwhichIwasgladtoseeadjoinedthatoccupiedbySolaandhercharges。
"Myquartersareonthefirstfloorofthisbuilding，"hesaid，"andthesecondflooralsoisfullyoccupiedbywarriors，butthethirdfloorandthefloorsabovearevacant；youmaytakeyourchoiceofthese。
"Iunderstand，"hecontinued，"thatyouhavegivenupyourwomantotheredprisoner。Well，asyouhavesaid，yourwaysarenotourways，butyoucanfightwellenoughtodoaboutasyouplease，andso，ifyouwishtogiveyourwomantoacaptive，itisyourownaffair；butasachieftainyoushouldhavethosetoserveyou，andinaccordancewithourcustomsyoumayselectanyorallthefemalesfromtheretinuesofthechieftainswhosemetalyounowwear。”
Ithankedhim，butassuredhimthatIcouldgetalongverynicelywithoutassistanceexceptinthematterofpreparingfood，andsohepromisedtosendwomentomeforthispurposeandalsoforthecareofmyarmsandthemanufactureofmyammunition，whichhesaidwouldbenecessary。Isuggestedthattheymightalsobringsomeofthesleepingsilksandfurswhichbelongedtomeasspoilsofcombat，forthenightswerecoldandIhadnoneofmyown。
Hepromisedtodoso，anddeparted。Leftalone，Iascendedthewindingcorridortotheupperfloorsinsearchofsuitablequarters。Thebeautiesoftheotherbuildingswererepeatedinthis，and，asusual，Iwassoonlostinatourofinvestigationanddiscovery。
Ifinallychoseafrontroomonthethirdfloor，becausethisbroughtmenearertoDejahThoris，whoseapartmentwasonthesecondflooroftheadjoiningbuilding，anditflasheduponmethatIcouldrigupsomemeansofcommunicationwherebyshemightsignalmeincasesheneededeithermyservicesormyprotection。
Adjoiningmysleepingapartmentwerebaths，dressingrooms，andothersleepingandlivingapartments，inallsometenroomsonthisfloor。Thewindowsofthebackroomsoverlookedanenormouscourt，whichformedthecenterofthesquaremadebythebuildingswhichfacedthefourcontiguousstreets，andwhichwasnowgivenovertothequarteringofthevariousanimalsbelongingtothewarriorsoccupyingtheadjoiningbuildings。
Whilethecourtwasentirelyovergrownwiththeyellow，moss-likevegetationwhichblanketspracticallytheentiresurfaceofMars，yetnumerousfountains，statuary，benches，andpergola-likecontraptionsborewitnesstothebeautywhichthecourtmusthavepresentedinbygonetimes，whengracedbythefair-haired，laughingpeoplewhomsternandunalterablecosmiclawshaddrivennotonlyfromtheirhomes，butfromallexceptthevaguelegendsoftheirdescendants。
OnecouldeasilypicturethegorgeousfoliageoftheluxuriantMartianvegetationwhichoncefilledthisscenewithlifeandcolor；thegracefulfiguresofthebeautifulwomen，thestraightandhandsomemen；thehappyfrolickingchildren——
allsunlight，happinessandpeace。Itwasdifficulttorealizethattheyhadgone；downthroughagesofdarkness，cruelty，andignorance，untiltheirhereditaryinstinctsofcultureandhumanitarianismhadrisenascendantoncemoreinthefinalcompositeracewhichnowisdominantuponMars。
Mythoughtswerecutshortbytheadventofseveralyoungfemalesbearingloadsofweapons，silks，furs，jewels，cookingutensils，andcasksoffoodanddrink，includingconsiderablelootfromtheaircraft。Allthis，itseemed，hadbeenthepropertyofthetwochieftainsIhadslain，andnow，bythecustomsoftheTharks，ithadbecomemine。Atmydirectiontheyplacedthestuffinoneofthebackrooms，andthendeparted，onlytoreturnwithasecondload，whichtheyadvisedmeconstitutedthebalanceofmygoods。Onthesecondtriptheywereaccompaniedbytenorfifteenotherwomenandyouths，who，itseemed，formedtheretinuesofthetwochieftains。
Theywerenottheirfamilies，northeirwives，northeirservants；therelationshipwaspeculiar，andsounlikeanythingknowntousthatitismostdifficulttodescribe。
AllpropertyamongthegreenMartiansisownedincommonbythecommunity，exceptthepersonalweapons，ornamentsandsleepingsilksandfursoftheindividuals。Thesealonecanoneclaimundisputedrightto，normayheaccumulatemoreofthesethanarerequiredforhisactualneeds。Thesurplusheholdsmerelyascustodian，anditispassedontotheyoungermembersofthecommunityasnecessitydemands。
Thewomenandchildrenofaman'sretinuemaybelikenedtoamilitaryunitforwhichheisresponsibleinvariousways，asinmattersofinstruction，discipline，sustenance，andtheexigenciesoftheircontinualroamingsandtheirunendingstrifewithothercommunitiesandwiththeredMartians。
Hiswomenareinnosensewives。ThegreenMartiansusenowordcorrespondinginmeaningwiththisearthlyword。Theirmatingisamatterofcommunityinterestsolely，andisdirectedwithoutreferencetonaturalselection。ThecouncilofchieftainsofeachcommunitycontrolthematterassurelyastheownerofaKentuckyracingstuddirectsthescientificbreedingofhisstockfortheimprovementofthewhole。
Intheoryitmaysoundwell，asisoftenthecasewiththeories，buttheresultsofagesofthisunnaturalpractice，coupledwiththecommunityinterestintheoffspringbeingheldparamounttothatofthemother，isshowninthecold，cruelcreatures，andtheirgloomy，loveless，mirthlessexistence。
ItistruethatthegreenMartiansareabsolutelyvirtuous，bothmenandwomen，withtheexceptionofsuchdegeneratesasTalHajus；butbetterfarafinerbalanceofhumancharacteristicsevenattheexpenseofaslightandoccasionallossofchastity。
FindingthatImustassumeresponsibilityforthesecreatures，whetherIwouldornot，Imadethebestofitanddirectedthemtofindquartersontheupperfloors，leavingthethirdfloortome。OneofthegirlsIchargedwiththedutiesofmysimplecuisine，anddirectedtheotherstotakeupthevariousactivitieswhichhadformerlyconstitutedtheirvocations。ThereafterIsawlittleofthem，nordidIcareto。
CHAPTERXIII
LOVE-MAKINGONMARS
Followingthebattlewiththeairships，thecommunityremainedwithinthecityforseveraldays，abandoningthehomewardmarchuntiltheycouldfeelreasonablyassuredthattheshipswouldnotreturn；fortobecaughtontheopenplainswithacavalcadeofchariotsandchildrenwasfarfromthedesireofevensowarlikeapeopleasthegreenMartians。
Duringourperiodofinactivity，TarsTarkashadinstructedmeinmanyofthecustomsandartsofwarfamiliartotheTharks，includinglessonsinridingandguidingthegreatbeastswhichborethewarriors。Thesecreatures，whichareknownasthoats，areasdangerousandviciousastheirmasters，butwhenoncesubduedaresufficientlytractableforthepurposesofthegreenMartians。
TwooftheseanimalshadfallentomefromthewarriorswhosemetalIwore，andinashorttimeIcouldhandlethemquiteaswellasthenativewarriors。Themethodwasnotatallcomplicated。Ifthethoatsdidnotrespondwithsufficientceleritytothetelepathicinstructionsoftheirriderstheyweredealtaterrificblowbetweentheearswiththebuttofapistol，andiftheyshowedfightthistreatmentwascontinueduntilthebruteseitherweresubdued，orhadunseatedtheirriders。
Inthelattercaseitbecamealifeanddeathstrugglebetweenthemanandthebeast。Iftheformerwerequickenoughwithhispistolhemightlivetorideagain，thoughuponsomeotherbeast；ifnot，histornandmangledbodywasgatheredupbyhiswomenandburnedinaccordancewithTharkiancustom。
MyexperiencewithWooladeterminedmetoattempttheexperimentofkindnessinmytreatmentofmythoats。FirstI
taughtthemthattheycouldnotunseatme，andevenrappedthemsharplybetweentheearstoimpressuponthemmyauthorityandmastery。Then，bydegrees，IwontheirconfidenceinmuchthesamemannerasIhadadoptedcountlesstimeswithmymanymundanemounts。Iwaseveragoodhandwithanimals，andbyinclination，aswellasbecauseitbroughtmorelastingandsatisfactoryresults，Iwasalwayskindandhumaneinmydealingswiththelowerorders。
Icouldtakeahumanlife，ifnecessary，withfarlesscompunctionthanthatofapoor，unreasoning，irresponsiblebrute。
Inthecourseofafewdaysmythoatswerethewonderoftheentirecommunity。Theywouldfollowmelikedogs，rubbingtheirgreatsnoutsagainstmybodyinawkwardevidenceofaffection，andrespondtomyeverycommandwithanalacrityanddocilitywhichcausedtheMartianwarriorstoascribetomethepossessionofsomeearthlypowerunknownonMars。
"Howhaveyoubewitchedthem？"askedTarsTarkasoneafternoon，whenhehadseenmerunmyarmfarbetweenthegreatjawsofoneofmythoatswhichhadwedgedapieceofstonebetweentwoofhisteethwhilefeedinguponthemoss-likevegetationwithinourcourtyard。
"Bykindness，"Ireplied。"Yousee，TarsTarkas，thesoftersentimentshavetheirvalue，eventoawarrior。IntheheightofbattleaswellasuponthemarchIknowthatmythoatswillobeymyeverycommand，andthereforemyfightingefficiencyisenhanced，andIamabetterwarriorforthereasonthatIamakindmaster。Yourotherwarriorswouldfindittotheadvantageofthemselvesaswellasofthecommunitytoadoptmymethodsinthisrespect。Onlyafewdayssinceyou，yourself，toldmethatthesegreatbrutes，bytheuncertaintyoftheirtempers，oftenwerethemeansofturningvictoryintodefeat，since，atacrucialmoment，theymightelecttounseatandrendtheirriders。”
"Showmehowyouaccomplishtheseresults，"wasTarsTarkas'
onlyrejoinder。
AndsoIexplainedascarefullyasIcouldtheentiremethodoftrainingIhadadoptedwithmybeasts，andlaterhehadmerepeatitbeforeLorquasPtomelandtheassembledwarriors。Thatmomentmarkedthebeginningofanewexistenceforthepoorthoats，andbeforeIleftthecommunityofLorquasPtomelIhadthesatisfactionofobservingaregimentofastractableanddocilemountsasonemightcaretosee。TheeffectontheprecisionandcelerityofthemilitarymovementswassoremarkablethatLorquasPtomelpresentedmewithamassiveankletofgoldfromhisownleg，asasignofhisappreciationofmyservicetothehorde。
OntheseventhdayfollowingthebattlewiththeaircraftweagaintookupthemarchtowardThark，allprobabilityofanotherattackbeingdeemedremotebyLorquasPtomel。
DuringthedaysjustprecedingourdepartureIhadseenbutlittleofDejahThoris，asIhadbeenkeptverybusybyTarsTarkaswithmylessonsintheartofMartianwarfare，aswellasinthetrainingofmythoats。ThefewtimesIhadvisitedherquartersshehadbeenabsent，walkinguponthestreetswithSola，orinvestigatingthebuildingsinthenearvicinityoftheplaza。Ihadwarnedthemagainstventuringfarfromtheplazaforfearofthegreatwhiteapes，whoseferocityIwasonlytoowellacquaintedwith。However，sinceWoolaaccompaniedthemonalltheirexcursions，andasSolawaswellarmed，therewascomparativelylittlecauseforfear。
OntheeveningbeforeourdepartureIsawthemapproachingalongoneofthegreatavenueswhichleadintotheplazafromtheeast。Iadvancedtomeetthem，andtellingSolathatIwouldtaketheresponsibilityforDejahThoris'
safekeeping，Idirectedhertoreturntoherquartersonsometrivialerrand。IlikedandtrustedSola，butforsomereasonI
desiredtobealonewithDejahThoris，whorepresentedtomeallthatIhadleftbehinduponEarthinagreeableandcongenialcompanionship。Thereseemedbondsofmutualinterestbetweenusaspowerfulasthoughwehadbeenbornunderthesameroofratherthanupondifferentplanets，hurtlingthroughspacesomeforty-eightmillionmilesapart。
ThatshesharedmysentimentsinthisrespectIwaspositive，foronmyapproachthelookofpitifulhopelessnesslefthersweetcountenancetobereplacedbyasmileofjoyfulwelcome，assheplacedherlittlerighthanduponmyleftshoulderintrueredMartiansalute。
"SarkojatoldSolathatyouhadbecomeatrueThark，"shesaid，"andthatIwouldnowseenomoreofyouthanofanyoftheotherwarriors。”
"Sarkojaisaliarofthefirstmagnitude，"Ireplied，"notwithstandingtheproudclaimoftheTharkstoabsoluteverity。”
DejahThorislaughed。
"Iknewthateventhoughyoubecameamemberofthecommunityyouwouldnotceasetobemyfriend；'Awarriormaychangehismetal，butnothisheart，'asthesayingisuponBarsoom。”
"Ithinktheyhavebeentryingtokeepusapart，"shecontinued，"forwheneveryouhavebeenoffdutyoneoftheolderwomenofTarsTarkas'retinuehasalwaysarrangedtotrumpupsomeexcusetogetSolaandmeoutofsight。
Theyhavehadmedowninthepitsbelowthebuildingshelpingthemmixtheirawfulradiumpowder，andmaketheirterribleprojectiles。Youknowthatthesehavetobemanufacturedbyartificiallight，asexposuretosunlightalwaysresultsinanexplosion。Youhavenoticedthattheirbulletsexplodewhentheystrikeanobject？Well，theopaque，outercoatingisbrokenbytheimpact，exposingaglasscylinder，almostsolid，intheforwardendofwhichisaminuteparticleofradiumpowder。Themomentthesunlight，eventhoughdiffused，strikesthispowderitexplodeswithaviolencewhichnothingcanwithstand。Ifyoueverwitnessanightbattleyouwillnotetheabsenceoftheseexplosions，whilethemorningfollowingthebattlewillbefilledatsunrisewiththesharpdetonationsofexplodingmissilesfiredtheprecedingnight。Asarule，however，non-explodingprojectilesareusedatnight。”1
WhileIwasmuchinterestedinDejahThoris'explanationofthiswonderfuladjuncttoMartianwarfare，Iwasmoreconcernedbytheimmediateproblemoftheirtreatmentofher。Thattheywerekeepingherawayfrommewasnotamatterforsurprise，butthattheyshouldsubjecthertodangerousandarduouslaborfilledmewithrage。
"Havetheyeversubjectedyoutocrueltyandignominy，DejahThoris？"Iasked，feelingthehotbloodofmyfightingancestorsleapinmyveinsasIawaitedherreply。
"Onlyinlittleways，JohnCarter，"sheanswered。"Nothingthatcanharmmeoutsidemypride。TheyknowthatIamthedaughteroftenthousandjeddaks，thatItracemyancestrystraightbackwithoutabreaktothebuilderofthefirstgreatwaterway，andthey，whodonotevenknowtheirownmothers，arejealousofme。Athearttheyhatetheirhorridfates，andsowreaktheirpoorspiteonmewhostandforeverythingtheyhavenot，andforalltheymostcraveandnevercanattain。Letuspitythem，mychieftain，foreventhoughwedieattheirhandswecanaffordthempity，sincewearegreaterthantheyandtheyknowit。”
HadIknownthesignificanceofthosewords"mychieftain，"
asappliedbyaredMartianwomantoaman，Ishouldhavehadthesurpriseofmylife，butIdidnotknowatthattime，norformanymonthsthereafter。Yes，IstillhadmuchtolearnuponBarsoom。
"Ipresumeitisthebetterpartofwisdomthatwebowtoourfatewithasgoodgraceaspossible，DejahThoris；butI
hope，nevertheless，thatImaybepresentthenexttimethatanyMartian，green，red，pink，orviolet，hasthetemeritytoevensomuchasfrownonyou，myprincess。”
DejahThoriscaughtherbreathatmylastwords，andIhaveusedthewordradiumindescribingthispowderbecauseinthelightofrecentdiscoveriesonEarthIbelieveittobeamixtureofwhichradiumisthebase。InCaptainCarter'smanuscriptitismentionedalwaysbythenameusedinthewrittenlanguageofHeliumandisspelledinhieroglyphicswhichitwouldbedifficultanduselesstoreproduce。
gazeduponmewithdilatedeyesandquickeningbreath，andthen，withanoddlittlelaugh，whichbroughtroguishdimplestothecornersofhermouth，sheshookherheadandcried:
"Whatachild!Agreatwarriorandyetastumblinglittlechild。”
"WhathaveIdonenow？"Iasked，insoreperplexity。
"Somedayyoushallknow，JohnCarter，ifwelive；butImaynottellyou。AndI，thedaughterofMorsKajak，sonofTardosMors，havelistenedwithoutanger，"shesoliloquizedinconclusion。
Thenshebrokeoutagainintooneofhergay，happy，laughingmoods；
jokingwithmeonmyprowessasaTharkwarriorascontrastedwithmysoftheartandnaturalkindliness。
"Ipresumethatshouldyouaccidentallywoundanenemyyouwouldtakehimhomeandnursehimbacktohealth，"
shelaughed。
"ThatispreciselywhatwedoonEarth，"Ianswered。
"Atleastamongcivilizedmen。”
Thismadeherlaughagain。Shecouldnotunderstandit，for，withallhertendernessandwomanlysweetness，shewasstillaMartian，andtoaMartiantheonlygoodenemyisadeadenemy；foreverydeadfoemanmeanssomuchmoretodividebetweenthosewholive。
IwasverycurioustoknowwhatIhadsaidordonetocausehersomuchperturbationamomentbeforeandsoI
continuedtoimportunehertoenlightenme。
"No，"sheexclaimed，"itisenoughthatyouhavesaiditandthatIhavelistened。Andwhenyoulearn，JohnCarter，andifIbedead，aslikelyIshallbeerethefurthermoonhascircledBarsoomanothertwelvetimes，rememberthatIlistenedandthatI——smiled。”
ItwasallGreektome，butthemoreIbeggedhertoexplainthemorepositivebecameherdenialsofmyrequest，and，so，inveryhopelessness，Idesisted。
DayhadnowgivenawaytonightandaswewanderedalongthegreatavenuelightedbythetwomoonsofBarsoom，andwithEarthlookingdownuponusoutofherluminousgreeneye，itseemedthatwewerealoneintheuniverse，andI，atleast，wascontentthatitshouldbeso。
ThechilloftheMartiannightwasuponus，andremovingmysilksIthrewthemacrosstheshouldersofDejahThoris。AsmyarmrestedforaninstantuponherIfeltathrillpassthrougheveryfiberofmybeingsuchascontactwithnoothermortalhadevenproduced；anditseemedtomethatshehadleanedslightlytowardme，butofthatI
wasnotsure。OnlyIknewthatasmyarmrestedthereacrosshershoulderslongerthantheactofadjustingthesilkrequiredshedidnotdrawaway，nordidshespeak。
Andso，insilence，wewalkedthesurfaceofadyingworld，butinthebreastofoneofusatleasthadbeenbornthatwhichiseveroldest，yetevernew。
IlovedDejahThoris。ThetouchofmyarmuponhernakedshoulderhadspokentomeinwordsIwouldnotmistake，andIknewthatIhadlovedhersincethefirstmomentthatmyeyeshadmethersthatfirsttimeintheplazaofthedeadcityofKorad。
CHAPTERXIV
ADUELTOTHEDEATH
Myfirstimpulsewastotellherofmylove，andthenI
thoughtofthehelplessnessofherpositionwhereinIalonecouldlightentheburdensofhercaptivity，andprotectherinmypoorwayagainstthethousandsofhereditaryenemiesshemustfaceuponourarrivalatThark。Icouldnotchancecausingheradditionalpainorsorrowbydeclaringalovewhich，inallprobabilityshedidnotreturn。ShouldIbesoindiscreet，herpositionwouldbeevenmoreunbearablethannow，andthethoughtthatshemightfeelthatIwastakingadvantageofherhelplessness，toinfluenceherdecisionwasthefinalargumentwhichsealedmylips。
"Whyareyousoquiet，DejahThoris？"Iasked。"PossiblyyouwouldratherreturntoSolaandyourquarters。”
"No，"shemurmured，"Iamhappyhere。IdonotknowwhyitisthatIshouldalwaysbehappyandcontentedwhenyou，JohnCarter，astranger，arewithme；yetatsuchtimesitseemsthatIamsafeandthat，withyou，Ishallsoonreturntomyfather'scourtandfeelhisstrongarmsaboutmeandmymother'stearsandkissesonmycheek。”
"Dopeoplekiss，then，uponBarsoom？"Iasked，whenshehadexplainedthewordsheused，inanswertomyinquiryastoitsmeaning。
"Parents，brothers，andsisters，yes；and，"sheaddedinalow，thoughtfultone，"lovers。”
"Andyou，DejahThoris，haveparentsandbrothersandsisters？"
"Yes。”
"Anda——lover？"
Shewassilent，norcouldIventuretorepeatthequestion。
"ThemanofBarsoom，"shefinallyventured，"doesnotaskpersonalquestionsofwomen，excepthismother，andthewomanhehasfoughtforandwon。”
"ButIhavefought——"Istarted，andthenIwishedmytonguehadbeencutfrommymouth；forsheturnedevenasIcaughtmyselfandceased，anddrawingmysilksfromhershouldersheheldthemouttome，andwithoutaword，andwithheadheldhigh，shemovedwiththecarriageofthequeenshewastowardtheplazaandthedoorwayofherquarters。
Ididnotattempttofollowher，otherthantoseethatshereachedthebuildinginsafety，but，directingWoolatoaccompanyher，Iturneddisconsolatelyandenteredmyownhouse。
Isatforhourscross-legged，andcross-tempered，uponmysilksmeditatinguponthequeerfreakschanceplaysuponuspoordevilsofmortals。
Sothiswaslove!IhadescapeditforalltheyearsIhadroamedthefivecontinentsandtheirencirclingseas；inspiteofbeautifulwomenandurgingopportunity；inspiteofahalf-
desireforloveandaconstantsearchformyideal，ithadremainedformetofallfuriouslyandhopelesslyinlovewithacreaturefromanotherworld，ofaspeciessimilarpossibly，yetnotidenticalwithmine。Awomanwhowashatchedfromanegg，andwhosespanoflifemightcoverathousandyears；
whosepeoplehadstrangecustomsandideas；awomanwhosehopes，whosepleasures，whosestandardsofvirtueandofrightandwrongmightvaryasgreatlyfrommineasdidthoseofthegreenMartians。
Yes，Iwasafool，butIwasinlove，andthoughIwassufferingthegreatestmiseryIhadeverknownIwouldnothavehaditotherwiseforalltherichesofBarsoom。Suchislove，andsuchareloverswhereverloveisknown。