"Whatdotheysay？"inquiredDejahThoris。
"Thatyouwillbethrowntothewildcalots[dogs]inthegreatarenaassoonasthehordeshaveassembledfortheyearlygames。”
"Sola，"Isaid，"youareaThark，butyouhateandloathethecustomsofyourpeopleasmuchaswedo。Willyounotaccompanyusinonesupremeefforttoescape？IamsurethatDejahThoriscanofferyouahomeandprotectionamongherpeople，andyourfatecanbenoworseamongthemthanitmusteverbehere。”
"Yes，"criedDejahThoris，"comewithus，Sola，youwillbebetteroffamongtheredmenofHeliumthanyouarehere，andIcanpromiseyounotonlyahomewithus，buttheloveandaffectionyournaturecravesandwhichmustalwaysbedeniedyoubythecustomsofyourownrace。
Comewithus，Sola；wemightgowithoutyou，butyourfatewouldbeterribleiftheythoughtyouhadconnivedtoaidus。Iknowthateventhatfearwouldnottemptyoutointerfereinourescape，butwewantyouwithus，wewantyoutocometoalandofsunshineandhappiness，amongstapeoplewhoknowthemeaningoflove，ofsympathy，andofgratitude。Saythatyouwill，Sola；tellmethatyouwill。”
"ThegreatwaterwaywhichleadstoHeliumisbutfiftymilestothesouth，"murmuredSola，halftoherself；"aswiftthoatmightmakeitinthreehours；andthentoHeliumitisfivehundredmiles，mostofthewaythroughthinlysettleddistricts。Theywouldknowandtheywouldfollowus。Wemighthideamongthegreattreesforatime，butthechancesaresmallindeedforescape。TheywouldfollowustotheverygatesofHelium，andtheywouldtaketolloflifeateverystep；youdonotknowthem。”
"IstherenootherwaywemightreachHelium？"Iasked。
"Canyounotdrawmearoughmapofthecountrywemusttraverse，DejahThoris？"
"Yes，"shereplied，andtakingagreatdiamondfromherhairshedrewuponthemarblefloorthefirstmapofBarsoomianterritoryIhadeverseen。Itwascrisscrossedineverydirectionwithlongstraightlines，sometimesrunningparallelandsometimesconvergingtowardsomegreatcircle。
Thelines，shesaid，werewaterways；thecircles，cities；andonefartothenorthwestofusshepointedoutasHelium。
Therewereothercitiescloser，butshesaidshefearedtoentermanyofthem，astheywerenotallfriendlytowardHelium。
Finally，afterstudyingthemapcarefullyinthemoonlightwhichnowfloodedtheroom，IpointedoutawaterwayfartothenorthofuswhichalsoseemedtoleadtoHelium。
"Doesnotthispierceyourgrandfather'sterritory？"I
asked。
"Yes，"sheanswered，"butitistwohundredmilesnorthofus；itisoneofthewaterwayswecrossedonthetriptoThark。”
"Theywouldneversuspectthatwewouldtryforthatdistantwaterway，"Ianswered，"andthatiswhyIthinkthatitisthebestrouteforourescape。”
Solaagreedwithme，anditwasdecidedthatweshouldleaveTharkthissamenight；justasquickly，infact，asI
couldfindandsaddlemythoats。SolawastorideoneandDejahThorisandItheother；eachofuscarryingsufficientfoodanddrinktolastusfortwodays，sincetheanimalscouldnotbeurgedtoorapidlyforsolongadistance。
IdirectedSolatoproceedwithDejahThorisalongoneofthelessfrequentedavenuestothesouthernboundaryofthecity，whereIwouldovertakethemwiththethoatsasquicklyaspossible；then，leavingthemtogatherwhatfood，silks，andfursweweretoneed，Islippedquietlytotherearofthefirstfloor，andenteredthecourtyard，whereouranimalsweremovingrestlesslyabout，aswastheirhabit，beforesettlingdownforthenight。
IntheshadowsofthebuildingsandoutbeneaththeradianceoftheMartianmoonsmovedthegreatherdofthoatsandzitidars，thelattergruntingtheirlowgutturalsandtheformeroccasionallyemittingthesharpsquealwhichdenotesthealmosthabitualstateofrageinwhichthesecreaturespassedtheirexistence。Theywerequieternow，owingtotheabsenceofman，butastheyscentedmetheybecamemorerestlessandtheirhideousnoiseincreased。Itwasriskybusiness，thisenteringapaddockofthoatsaloneandatnight；
first，becausetheirincreasingnoisinessmightwarnthenearbywarriorsthatsomethingwasamiss，andalsobecausefortheslightestcause，orfornocauseatallsomegreatbullthoatmighttakeituponhimselftoleadachargeuponme。
Havingnodesiretoawakentheirnastytempersuponsuchanightasthis，wheresomuchdependeduponsecrecyanddispatch，Ihuggedtheshadowsofthebuildings，readyataninstant'swarningtoleapintothesafetyofanearbydoororwindow。ThusImovedsilentlytothegreatgateswhichopeneduponthestreetatthebackofthecourt，andasInearedtheexitIcalledsoftlytomytwoanimals。HowIthankedthekindprovidencewhichhadgivenmetheforesighttowintheloveandconfidenceofthesewilddumbbrutes，forpresentlyfromthefarsideofthecourtIsawtwohugebulksforcingtheirwaytowardmethroughthesurgingmountainsofflesh。
Theycamequiteclosetome，rubbingtheirmuzzlesagainstmybodyandnosingforthebitsoffooditwasalwaysmypracticetorewardthemwith。OpeningthegatesIorderedthetwogreatbeaststopassout，andthenslippingquietlyafterthemIclosedtheportalsbehindme。
Ididnotsaddleormounttheanimalsthere，butinsteadwalkedquietlyintheshadowsofthebuildingstowardanunfrequentedavenuewhichledtowardthepointIhadarrangedtomeetDejahThorisandSola。Withthenoiselessnessofdisembodiedspiritswemovedstealthilyalongthedesertedstreets，butnotuntilwewerewithinsightoftheplainbeyondthecitydidIcommencetobreathefreely。
IwassurethatSolaandDejahThoriswouldfindnodifficultyinreachingourrendezvousundetected，butwithmygreatthoatsIwasnotsosureformyself，asitwasquiteunusualforwarriorstoleavethecityafterdark；infacttherewasnoplaceforthemtogowithinanybutalongride。
Ireachedtheappointedmeetingplacesafely，butasDejahThorisandSolawerenotthereIledmyanimalsintotheentrancehallofoneofthelargebuildings。PresumingthatoneoftheotherwomenofthesamehouseholdmayhavecomeintospeaktoSola，andsodelayedtheirdeparture，Ididnotfeelanyundueapprehensionuntilnearlyanhourhadpassedwithoutasignofthem，andbythetimeanotherhalfhourhadcrawledawayIwasbecomingfilledwithgraveanxiety。Thentherebrokeuponthestillnessofthenightthesoundofanapproachingparty，which，fromthenoise，I
knewcouldbenofugitivescreepingstealthilytowardliberty。
Soonthepartywasnearme，andfromtheblackshadowsofmyentrancewayIperceivedascoreofmountedwarriors，who，inpassing，droppedadozenwordsthatfetchedmyheartcleanintothetopofmyhead。
"Hewouldlikelyhavearrangedtomeetthemjustwithoutthecity，andso——"Iheardnomore，theyhadpassedon；
butitwasenough。Ourplanhadbeendiscovered，andthechancesforescapefromnowontothefearfulendwouldbesmallindeed。MyonehopenowwastoreturnundetectedtothequartersofDejahThorisandlearnwhatfatehadovertakenher，buthowtodoitwiththesegreatmonstrousthoatsuponmyhands，nowthatthecityprobablywasarousedbytheknowledgeofmyescapewasaproblemofnomeanproportions。
Suddenlyanideaoccurredtome，andactingonmyknowledgeoftheconstructionofthebuildingsoftheseancientMartiancitieswithahollowcourtwithinthecenterofeachsquare，Igropedmywayblindlythroughthedarkchambers，callingthegreatthoatsafterme。Theyhaddifficultyinnegotiatingsomeofthedoorways，butasthebuildingsfrontingthecity'sprincipalexposureswerealldesigneduponamagnificentscale，theywereabletowrigglethroughwithoutstickingfast；andthuswefinallymadetheinnercourtwhereIfound，asIhadexpected，theusualcarpetofmoss-likevegetationwhichwouldprovetheirfoodanddrinkuntilI
couldreturnthemtotheirownenclosure。ThattheywouldbeasquietandcontentedhereaselsewhereIwasconfident，norwastherebuttheremotestpossibilitythattheywouldbediscovered，asthegreenmenhadnogreatdesiretoentertheseoutlyingbuildings，whichwerefrequentedbytheonlything，Ibelieve，whichcausedthemthesensationoffear——thegreatwhiteapesofBarsoom。
Removingthesaddletrappings，Ihidthemjustwithinthereardoorwayofthebuildingthroughwhichwehadenteredthecourt，and，turningthebeastsloose，quicklymademywayacrossthecourttotherearofthebuildingsuponthefurtherside，andthencetotheavenuebeyond。
WaitinginthedoorwayofthebuildinguntilIwasassuredthatnoonewasapproaching，Ihurriedacrosstotheoppositesideandthroughthefirstdoorwaytothecourtbeyond；
thus，crossingthroughcourtaftercourtwithonlytheslightchanceofdetectionwhichthenecessarycrossingoftheavenuesentailed，ImademywayinsafetytothecourtyardintherearofDejahThoris'quarters。
Here，ofcourse，Ifoundthebeastsofthewarriorswhoquarteredintheadjacentbuildings，andthewarriorsthemselvesImightexpecttomeetwithinifIentered；but，fortunatelyforme，IhadanotherandsafermethodofreachingtheupperstorywhereDejahThorisshouldbefound，and，afterfirstdeterminingasnearlyaspossiblewhichofthebuildingssheoccupied，forIhadneverobservedthembeforefromthecourtside，ItookadvantageofmyrelativelygreatstrengthandagilityandsprangupwarduntilIgraspedthesillofasecond-storywindowwhichIthoughttobeintherearofherapartment。DrawingmyselfinsidetheroomI
movedstealthilytowardthefrontofthebuilding，andnotuntilIhadquitereachedthedoorwayofherroomwasI
madeawarebyvoicesthatitwasoccupied。
Ididnotrushheadlongin，butlistenedwithouttoassuremyselfthatitwasDejahThorisandthatitwassafetoventurewithin。ItwaswellindeedthatItookthisprecaution，fortheconversationIheardwasinthelowgutturalsofmen，andthewordswhichfinallycametomeprovedamosttimelywarning。
Thespeakerwasachieftainandhewasgivingorderstofourofhiswarriors。
"Andwhenhereturnstothischamber，"hewassaying，"ashesurelywillwhenhefindsshedoesnotmeethimatthecity'sedge，youfouraretospringuponhimanddisarmhim。ItwillrequirethecombinedstrengthofallofyoutodoitifthereportstheybringbackfromKoradarecorrect。Whenyouhavehimfastboundbearhimtothevaultsbeneaththejeddak'squartersandchainhimsecurelywherehemaybefoundwhenTalHajuswisheshim。
Allowhimtospeakwithnone，norpermitanyothertoenterthisapartmentbeforehecomes。Therewillbenodangerofthegirlreturning，forbythistimesheissafeinthearmsofTalHajus，andmayallherancestorshavepityuponher，forTalHajuswillhavenone；thegreatSarkojahasdoneanoblenight'swork。Igo，andifyoufailtocapturehimwhenhecomes，IcommendyourcarcassestothecoldbosomofIss。”
CHAPTERXVII
ACOSTLYRECAPTURE
AsthespeakerceasedheturnedtoleavetheapartmentbythedoorwhereIwasstanding，butIneededtowaitnolonger；Ihadheardenoughtofillmysoulwithdread，andstealingquietlyawayIreturnedtothecourtyardbythewayIhadcome。Myplanofactionwasformedupontheinstant，andcrossingthesquareandtheborderingavenueupontheoppositesideIsoonstoodwithinthecourtyardofTalHajus。
Thebrilliantlylightedapartmentsofthefirstfloortoldmewherefirsttoseek，andadvancingtothewindowsI
peeredwithin。IsoondiscoveredthatmyapproachwasnottobetheeasythingIhadhoped，fortherearroomsborderingthecourtwerefilledwithwarriorsandwomen。Ithenglancedupatthestoriesabove，discoveringthatthethirdwasapparentlyunlighted，andsodecidedtomakemyentrancetothebuildingfromthatpoint。Itwastheworkofbutamomentformetoreachthewindowsabove，andsoonIhaddrawnmyselfwithintheshelteringshadowsoftheunlightedthirdfloor。
FortunatelytheroomIhadselectedwasuntenanted，andcreepingnoiselesslytothecorridorbeyondIdiscoveredalightintheapartmentsaheadofme。ReachingwhatappearedtobeadoorwayIdiscoveredthatitwasbutanopeninguponanimmenseinnerchamberwhichtoweredfromthefirstfloor，twostoriesbelowme，tothedome-likeroofofthebuilding，highabovemyhead。Thefloorofthisgreatcircularhallwasthrongedwithchieftains，warriorsandwomen，andatoneendwasagreatraisedplatformuponwhichsquattedthemosthideousbeastIhadeverputmyeyesupon。Hehadallthecold，hard，cruel，terriblefeaturesofthegreenwarriors，butaccentuatedanddebasedbytheanimalpassionstowhichhehadgivenhimselfoverformanyyears。Therewasnotamarkofdignityorprideuponhisbestialcountenance，whilehisenormousbulkspreaditselfoutupontheplatformwherehesquattedlikesomehugedevilfish，hissixlimbsaccentuatingthesimilarityinahorribleandstartlingmanner。
ButthesightthatfrozemewithapprehensionwasthatofDejahThorisandSolastandingtherebeforehim，andthefiendishleerofhimashelethisgreatprotrudingeyesgloatuponthelinesofherbeautifulfigure。Shewasspeaking，butIcouldnothearwhatshesaid，norcouldImakeoutthelowgrumblingofhisreply。Shestoodthereerectbeforehim，herheadhighheld，andevenatthedistanceI
wasfromthemIcouldreadthescornanddisgustuponherfaceassheletherhaughtyglancerestwithoutsignoffearuponhim。Shewasindeedtheprouddaughterofathousandjeddaks，everyinchofherdear，preciouslittlebody；
sosmall，sofrailbesidethetoweringwarriorsaroundher，butinhermajestydwarfingthemintoinsignificance；shewasthemightiestfigureamongthemandIverilybelievethattheyfeltit。
PresentlyTalHajusmadeasignthatthechamberbecleared，andthattheprisonersbeleftalonebeforehim。
Slowlythechieftains，thewarriorsandthewomenmeltedawayintotheshadowsofthesurroundingchambers，andDejahThorisandSolastoodalonebeforethejeddakoftheTharks。
Onechieftainalonehadhesitatedbeforedeparting；I
sawhimstandingintheshadowsofamightycolumn，hisfingersnervouslytoyingwiththehiltofhisgreat-swordandhiscrueleyesbentinimplacablehatreduponTalHajus。
ItwasTarsTarkas，andIcouldreadhisthoughtsastheywereanopenbookfortheundisguisedloathinguponhisface。Hewasthinkingofthatotherwomanwho，fortyyearsago，hadstoodbeforethisbeast，andcouldIhavespokenawordintohisearatthatmomentthereignofTalHajuswouldhavebeenover；butfinallyhealsostrodefromtheroom，notknowingthathelefthisowndaughteratthemercyofthecreaturehemostloathed。
TalHajusarose，andI，halffearing，halfanticipatinghisintentions，hurriedtothewindingrunwaywhichledtothefloorsbelow。Noonewasneartointerceptme，andIreachedthemainfloorofthechamberunobserved，takingmystationintheshadowofthesamecolumnthatTarsTarkashadbutjustdeserted。AsIreachedthefloorTalHajuswasspeaking。
"PrincessofHelium，ImightwringamightyransomfromyourpeoplewouldIbutreturnyoutothemunharmed，butathousandtimesratherwouldIwatchthatbeautifulfacewritheintheagonyoftorture；itshallbelongdrawnout，thatIpromiseyou；tendaysofpleasurewerealltooshorttoshowtheloveIharborforyourrace。Theterrorsofyourdeathshallhaunttheslumbersoftheredmenthroughalltheagestocome；theywillshudderintheshadowsofthenightastheirfatherstellthemoftheawfulvengeanceofthegreenmen；ofthepowerandmightandhateandcrueltyofTalHajus。Butbeforethetortureyoushallbemineforoneshorthour，andwordofthattooshallgoforthtoTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，yourgrandfather，thathemaygroveluponthegroundintheagonyofhissorrow。
Tomorrowthetorturewillcommence；tonightthouartTalHajus'；come!"
Hesprangdownfromtheplatformandgraspedherroughlybythearm，butscarcelyhadhetouchedherthanIleapedbetweenthem。Myshort-sword，sharpandgleamingwasinmyrighthand；IcouldhaveplungeditintohisputridheartbeforeherealizedthatIwasuponhim；butasIraisedmyarmtostrikeIthoughtofTarsTarkas，and，withallmyrage，withallmyhatred，Icouldnotrobhimofthatsweetmomentforwhichhehadlivedandhopedalltheselong，wearyyears，andso，instead，Iswungmygoodrightfistfulluponthepointofhisjaw。Withoutasoundheslippedtothefloorasonedead。
InthesamedeathlysilenceIgraspedDejahThorisbythehand，andmotioningSolatofollowwespednoiselesslyfromthechamberandtothefloorabove。UnseenwereachedarearwindowandwiththestrapsandleatherofmytrappingsIlowered，firstSolaandthenDejahThoristothegroundbelow。
DroppinglightlyafterthemIdrewthemrapidlyaroundthecourtintheshadowsofthebuildings，andthuswereturnedoverthesamecourseIhadsorecentlyfollowedfromthedistantboundaryofthecity。
WefinallycameuponmythoatsinthecourtyardwhereIhadleftthem，andplacingthetrappingsuponthemwehastenedthroughthebuildingtotheavenuebeyond。
Mounting，Solaupononebeast，andDejahThorisbehindmeupontheother，werodefromthecityofTharkthroughthehillstothesouth。
Insteadofcirclingbackaroundthecitytothenorthwestandtowardthenearestwaterwaywhichlaysoshortadistancefromus，weturnedtothenortheastandstruckoutuponthemossywasteacrosswhich，fortwohundreddangerousandwearymiles，layanothermainarteryleadingtoHelium。
Nowordwasspokenuntilwehadleftthecityfarbehind，butIcouldhearthequietsobbingofDejahThorisassheclungtomewithherdearheadrestingagainstmyshoulder。
"Ifwemakeit，mychieftain，thedebtofHeliumwillbeamightyone；greaterthanshecaneverpayyou；andshouldwenotmakeit，"shecontinued，"thedebtisnoless，thoughHeliumwillneverknow，foryouhavesavedthelastofourlinefromworsethandeath。”
Ididnotanswer，butinsteadreachedtomysideandpressedthelittlefingersofherIlovedwheretheyclungtomeforsupport，andthen，inunbrokensilence，wespedovertheyellow，moonlitmoss；eachofusoccupiedwithhisownthoughts。FormypartIcouldnotbeotherthanjoyfulhadI
tried，withDejahThoris'warmbodypressedclosetomine，andwithallourunpasseddangermyheartwassingingasgailyasthoughwewerealreadyenteringthegatesofHelium。
Ourearlierplanshadbeensosadlyupsetthatwenowfoundourselveswithoutfoodordrink，andIalonewasarmed。Wethereforeurgedourbeaststoaspeedthatmusttellonthemsorelybeforewecouldhopetosighttheendingofthefirststageofourjourney。
Werodeallnightandallthefollowingdaywithonlyafewshortrests。Onthesecondnightbothweandouranimalswerecompletelyfagged，andsowelaydownuponthemossandsleptforsomefiveorsixhours，takingupthejourneyoncemorebeforedaylight。Allthefollowingdaywerode，andwhen，lateintheafternoonwehadsightednodistanttrees，themarkofthegreatwaterwaysthroughoutallBarsoom，theterribletruthflasheduponus——wewerelost。
Evidentlywehadcircled，butwhichwayitwasdifficulttosay，nordiditseempossiblewiththesuntoguideusbydayandthemoonsandstarsbynight。Atanyratenowaterwaywasinsight，andtheentirepartywasalmostreadytodropfromhunger，thirstandfatigue。Faraheadofusandatrifletotherightwecoulddistinguishtheoutlinesoflowmountains。Thesewedecidedtoattempttoreachinthehopethatfromsomeridgewemightdiscernthemissingwaterway。
Nightfelluponusbeforewereachedourgoal，and，almostfaintingfromwearinessandweakness，welaydownandslept。
Iwasawakenedearlyinthemorningbysomehugebodypressingclosetomine，andopeningmyeyeswithastartI
beheldmyblessedoldWoolasnugglingclosetome；thefaithfulbrutehadfollowedusacrossthattracklesswastetoshareourfate，whateveritmightbe。PuttingmyarmsabouthisneckIpressedmycheekclosetohis，noramIashamedthatIdidit，norofthetearsthatcametomyeyesasI
thoughtofhisloveforme。ShortlyafterthisDejahThorisandSolaawakened，anditwasdecidedthatwepushonatonceinanefforttogainthehills。
WehadgonescarcelyamilewhenInoticedthatmythoatwascommencingtostumbleandstaggerinamostpitifulmanner，althoughwehadnotattemptedtoforcethemoutofawalksinceaboutnoonoftheprecedingday。
Suddenlyhelurchedwildlytoonesideandpitchedviolentlytotheground。DejahThorisandIwerethrownclearofhimandfelluponthesoftmosswithscarcelyajar；butthepoorbeastwasinapitiablecondition，notevenbeingabletorise，althoughrelievedofourweight。Solatoldmethatthecoolnessofthenight，whenitfell，togetherwiththerestwoulddoubtlessrevivehim，andsoIdecidednottokillhim，aswasmyfirstintention，asIhadthoughtitcrueltoleavehimalonetheretodieofhungerandthirst。Relievinghimofhistrappings，whichIflungdownbesidehim，weleftthepoorfellowtohisfate，andpushedonwiththeonethoatasbestwecould。SolaandIwalked，makingDejahThorisride，muchagainstherwill。InthiswaywehadprogressedtowithinaboutamileofthehillswewereendeavoringtoreachwhenDejahThoris，fromherpointofvantageuponthethoat，criedoutthatshesawagreatpartyofmountedmenfilingdownfromapassinthehillsseveralmilesaway。SolaandI
bothlookedinthedirectionsheindicated，andthere，plainlydiscernible，wereseveralhundredmountedwarriors。Theyseemedtobeheadedinasouthwesterlydirection，whichwouldtakethemawayfromus。
TheydoubtlesswereTharkwarriorswhohadbeensentouttocaptureus，andwebreathedagreatsighofreliefthattheyweretravelingintheoppositedirection。QuicklyliftingDejahThorisfromthethoat，Icommandedtheanimaltoliedownandwethreedidthesame，presentingassmallanobjectaspossibleforfearofattractingtheattentionofthewarriorstowardus。
Wecouldseethemastheyfiledoutofthepass，justforaninstant，beforetheywerelosttoviewbehindafriendlyridge；tousamostprovidentialridge；since，hadtheybeeninviewforanygreatlengthoftime，theyscarcelycouldhavefailedtodiscoverus。Aswhatprovedtobethelastwarriorcameintoviewfromthepass，hehaltedand，toourconsternation，threwhissmallbutpowerfulfieldglasstohiseyeandscannedtheseabottominalldirections。Evidentlyhewasachieftain，forincertainmarchingformationsamongthegreenmenachieftainbringsuptheextremerearofthecolumn。
Ashisglassswungtowardusourheartsstoppedinourbreasts，andIcouldfeelthecoldsweatstartfromeveryporeinmybody。
Presentlyitswungfulluponusand——stopped。Thetensiononournerveswasnearthebreakingpoint，andIdoubtifanyofusbreathedforthefewmomentshehelduscoveredbyhisglass；andthenhelowereditandwecouldseehimshoutacommandtothewarriorswhohadpassedfromoursightbehindtheridge。Hedidnotwaitforthemtojoinhim，however，insteadhewheeledhisthoatandcametearingmadlyinourdirection。
Therewasbutoneslightchanceandthatwemusttakequickly。RaisingmystrangeMartianrifletomyshoulderI
sightedandtouchedthebuttonwhichcontrolledthetrigger；
therewasasharpexplosionasthemissilereacheditsgoal，andthechargingchieftainpitchedbackwardfromhisflyingmount。
SpringingtomyfeetIurgedthethoattorise，anddirectedSolatotakeDejahThoriswithheruponhimandmakeamightyefforttoreachthehillsbeforethegreenwarriorswereuponus。Iknewthatintheravinesandgulliestheymightfindatemporaryhidingplace，andeventhoughtheydiedthereofhungerandthirstitwouldbebettersothanthattheyfellintothehandsoftheTharks。Forcingmytworevolversuponthemasaslightmeansofprotection，and，asalastresort，asanescapeforthemselvesfromthehorriddeathwhichrecapturewouldsurelymean，IliftedDejahThorisinmyarmsandplacedheruponthethoatbehindSola，whohadalreadymountedatmycommand。
"Good-bye，myprincess，"Iwhispered，"wemaymeetinHeliumyet。Ihaveescapedfromworseplightsthanthis，"
andItriedtosmileasIlied。
"What，"shecried，"areyounotcomingwithus？"
"HowmayI，DejahThoris？Someonemustholdthesefellowsoffforawhile，andIcanbetterescapethemalonethancouldthethreeofustogether。”
Shesprangquicklyfromthethoatand，throwingherdeararmsaboutmyneck，turnedtoSola，sayingwithquietdignity:
"Fly，Sola!DejahThorisremainstodiewiththemansheloves。”
Thosewordsareengraveduponmyheart。Ah，gladlywouldIgiveupmylifeathousandtimescouldIonlyhearthemonceagain；butIcouldnotthengiveevenasecondtotheraptureofhersweetembrace，andpressingmylipstohersforthefirsttime，IpickedherupbodilyandtossedhertoherseatbehindSolaagain，commandingthelatterinperemptorytonestoholdhertherebyforce，andthen，slappingthethoatupontheflank，Isawthemborneaway；
DejahThorisstrugglingtothelasttofreeherselffromSola'sgrasp。
Turning，Ibeheldthegreenwarriorsmountingtheridgeandlookingfortheirchieftain。Inamomenttheysawhim，andthenme；butscarcelyhadtheydiscoveredmethanI
commencedfiring，lyingflatuponmybellyinthemoss。Ihadanevenhundredroundsinthemagazineofmyrifle，andanotherhundredinthebeltatmyback，andIkeptupacontinuousstreamoffireuntilIsawallofthewarriorswhohadbeenfirsttoreturnfrombehindtheridgeeitherdeadorscurryingtocover。
Myrespitewasshort-livedhowever，forsoontheentireparty，numberingsomethousandmen，camechargingintoview，racingmadlytowardme。Ifireduntilmyriflewasemptyandtheywerealmostuponme，andthenaglanceshowingmethatDejahThorisandSolahaddisappearedamongthehills，Isprangup，throwingdownmyuselessgun，andstartedawayinthedirectionoppositetothattakenbySolaandhercharge。
IfeverMartianshadanexhibitionofjumping，itwasgrantedthoseastonishedwarriorsonthatdaylongyearsago，butwhileitledthemawayfromDejahThorisitdidnotdistracttheirattentionfromendeavoringtocaptureme。
Theyracedwildlyaftermeuntil，finally，myfootstruckaprojectingpieceofquartz，anddownIwentsprawlinguponthemoss。AsIlookeduptheywereuponme，andalthoughIdrewmylong-swordinanattempttosellmylifeasdearlyaspossible，itwassoonover。Ireeledbeneaththeirblowswhichfelluponmeinperfecttorrents；myheadswam；
allwasblack，andIwentdownbeneaththemtooblivion。
CHAPTERXVIII
CHAINEDINWARHOON
ItmusthavebeenseveralhoursbeforeIregainedconsciousnessandIwellrememberthefeelingofsurprisewhichsweptovermeasIrealizedthatIwasnotdead。
Iwaslyingamongapileofsleepingsilksandfursinthecornerofasmallroominwhichwereseveralgreenwarriors，andbendingovermewasanancientanduglyfemale。
AsIopenedmyeyessheturnedtooneofthewarriors，saying，"Hewilllive，OJed。”
"'Tiswell，"repliedtheonesoaddressed，risingandapproachingmycouch，"heshouldrenderraresportforthegreatgames。”
Andnowasmyeyesfelluponhim，IsawthathewasnoThark，forhisornamentsandmetalwerenotofthathorde。
Hewasahugefellow，terriblyscarredaboutthefaceandchest，andwithonebrokentuskandamissingear。Strappedoneitherbreastwerehumanskullsanddependingfromtheseanumberofdriedhumanhands。
HisreferencetothegreatgamesofwhichIhadheardsomuchwhileamongtheTharksconvincedmethatIhadbutjumpedfrompurgatoryintogehenna。
Afterafewmorewordswiththefemale，duringwhichsheassuredhimthatIwasnowfullyfittotravel，thejedorderedthatwemountandrideafterthemaincolumn。
IwasstrappedsecurelytoaswildandunmanageableathoatasIhadeverseen，and，withamountedwarrioroneithersidetopreventthebeastfrombolting，werodeforthatafuriouspaceinpursuitofthecolumn。Mywoundsgavemebutlittlepain，sowonderfullyandrapidlyhadtheapplicationsandinjectionsofthefemaleexercisedtheirtherapeuticpowers，andsodeftlyhadsheboundandplasteredtheinjuries。
Justbeforedarkwereachedthemainbodyoftroopsshortlyaftertheyhadmadecampforthenight。Iwasimmediatelytakenbeforetheleader，whoprovedtobethejeddakofthehordesofWarhoon。
Likethejedwhohadbroughtme，hewasfrightfullyscarred，andalsodecoratedwiththebreastplateofhumanskullsanddrieddeadhandswhichseemedtomarkallthegreaterwarriorsamongtheWarhoons，aswellastoindicatetheirawfulferocity，whichgreatlytranscendseventhatoftheTharks。
Thejeddak，BarComas，whowascomparativelyyoung，wastheobjectofthefierceandjealoushatredofhisoldlieutenant，DakKova，thejedwhohadcapturedme，andI
couldnotbutnotethealmoststudiedeffortswhichthelattermadetoaffronthissuperior。
Heentirelyomittedtheusualformalsalutationasweenteredthepresenceofthejeddak，andashepushedmeroughlybeforetherulerheexclaimedinaloudandmenacingvoice。
"IhavebroughtastrangecreaturewearingthemetalofaTharkwhomitismypleasuretohavebattlewithawildthoatatthegreatgames。”
"HewilldieasBarComas，yourjeddak，seesfit，ifatall，"
repliedtheyoungruler，withemphasisanddignity。
"Ifatall？"roaredDakKova。"Bythedeadhandsatmythroatbutheshalldie，BarComas。Nomaudlinweaknessonyourpartshallsavehim。O，wouldthatWarhoonwereruledbyarealjeddakratherthanbyawater-heartedweaklingfromwhomevenoldDakKovacouldtearthemetalwithhisbarehands!"
BarComaseyedthedefiantandinsubordinatechieftainforaninstant，hisexpressiononeofhaughty，fearlesscontemptandhate，andthenwithoutdrawingaweaponandwithoututteringawordhehurledhimselfatthethroatofhisdefamer。
IneverbeforehadseentwogreenMartianwarriorsbattlewithnature'sweaponsandtheexhibitionofanimalferocitywhichensuedwasasfearfulathingasthemostdisorderedimaginationcouldpicture。Theytoreateachothers'eyesandearswiththeirhandsandwiththeirgleamingtusksrepeatedlyslashedandgoreduntilbothwerecutfairlytoribbonsfromheadtofoot。
BarComashadmuchthebetterofthebattleashewasstronger，quickerandmoreintelligent。ItsoonseemedthattheencounterwasdonesavingonlythefinaldeaththrustwhenBarComasslippedinbreakingawayfromaclinch。ItwastheonelittleopeningthatDakKovaneeded，andhurlinghimselfatthebodyofhisadversaryheburiedhissinglemightytuskinBarComas'groinandwithalastpowerfuleffortrippedtheyoungjeddakwideopenthefulllengthofhisbody，thegreattuskfinallywedginginthebonesofBarComas'jaw。Victorandvanquishedrolledlimpandlifelessuponthemoss，ahugemassoftornandbloodyflesh。
BarComaswasstonedead，andonlythemostherculeaneffortsonthepartofDakKova'sfemalessavedhimfromthefatehedeserved。
ThreedayslaterhewalkedwithoutassistancetothebodyofBarComaswhich，bycustom，hadnotbeenmovedfromwhereitfell，andplacinghisfootupontheneckofhiserstwhilerulerheassumedthetitleofJeddakofWarhoon。
Thedeadjeddak'shandsandheadwereremovedtobeaddedtotheornamentsofhisconqueror，andthenhiswomencrematedwhatremained，amidwildandterriblelaughter。
TheinjuriestoDakKovahaddelayedthemarchsogreatlythatitwasdecidedtogiveuptheexpedition，whichwasaraiduponasmallTharkcommunityinretaliationforthedestructionoftheincubator，untilafterthegreatgames，andtheentirebodyofwarriors，tenthousandinnumber，turnedbacktowardWarhoon。
MyintroductiontothesecruelandbloodthirstypeoplewasbutanindextothescenesIwitnessedalmostdailywhilewiththem。TheyareasmallerhordethantheTharksbutmuchmoreferocious。NotadaypassedbutthatsomemembersofthevariousWarhooncommunitiesmetindeadlycombat。Ihaveseenashighaseightmortalduelswithinasingleday。
WereachedthecityofWarhoonaftersomethreedaysmarchandIwasimmediatelycastintoadungeonandheavilychainedtothefloorandwalls。FoodwasbroughtmeatintervalsbutowingtotheutterdarknessoftheplaceIdonotknowwhetherIlaytheredays，orweeks，ormonths。Itwasthemosthorribleexperienceofallmylifeandthatmyminddidnotgivewaytotheterrorsofthatinkyblacknesshasbeenawondertomeeversince。Theplacewasfilledwithcreeping，crawlingthings；cold，sinuousbodiespassedovermewhenIlaydown，andinthedarknessIoccasionallycaughtglimpsesofgleaming，fieryeyes，fixedinhorribleintentnessuponme。Nosoundreachedmefromtheworldaboveandnowordwouldmyjailervouchsafewhenmyfoodwasbroughttome，althoughIatfirstbombardedhimwithquestions。
FinallyallthehatredandmaniacalloathingfortheseawfulcreatureswhohadplacedmeinthishorribleplacewascenteredbymytotteringreasonuponthissingleemissarywhorepresentedtometheentirehordeofWarhoons。
Ihadnoticedthathealwaysadvancedwithhisdimtorchtowherehecouldplacethefoodwithinmyreachandashestoopedtoplaceituponthefloorhisheadwasaboutonalevelwithmybreast。So，withthecunningofamadman，IbackedintothefarcornerofmycellwhennextIheardhimapproachingandgatheringalittleslackofthegreatchainwhichheldmeinmyhandIwaitedhiscoming，crouchinglikesomebeastofprey。AshestoopedtoplacemyfooduponthegroundIswungthechainabovemyheadandcrashedthelinkswithallmystrengthuponhisskull。
Withoutasoundheslippedtothefloor，stonedead。
LaughingandchatteringliketheidiotIwasfastbecomingIfelluponhisprostrateformmyfingersfeelingforhisdeadthroat。Presentlytheycameincontactwithasmallchainattheendofwhichdangledanumberofkeys。Thetouchofmyfingersonthesekeysbroughtbackmyreasonwiththesuddennessofthought。NolongerwasIajibberingidiot，butasane，reasoningmanwiththemeansofescapewithinmyveryhands。
AsIwasgropingtoremovethechainfromaboutmyvictim'sneckIglancedupintothedarknesstoseesixpairsofgleamingeyesfixed，unwinking，uponme。SlowlytheyapproachedandslowlyIshrankbackfromtheawfulhorrorofthem。BackintomycornerIcrouchedholdingmyhandspalmsout，beforeme，andstealthilyoncametheawfuleyesuntiltheyreachedthedeadbodyatmyfeet。
Thenslowlytheyretreatedbutthistimewithastrangegratingsoundandfinallytheydisappearedinsomeblackanddistantrecessofmydungeon。
CHAPTERXIX
BATTLINGINTHEARENA
SlowlyIregainedmycomposureandfinallyessayedagaintoattempttoremovethekeysfromthedeadbodyofmyformerjailer。ButasIreachedoutintothedarknesstolocateitIfoundtomyhorrorthatitwasgone。Thenthetruthflashedonme；theownersofthosegleamingeyeshaddraggedmyprizeawayfrommetobedevouredintheirneighboringlair；
astheyhadbeenwaitingfordays，forweeks，formonths，throughallthisawfuleternityofmyimprisonmenttodragmydeadcarcasstotheirfeast。
Fortwodaysnofoodwasbroughtme，butthenanewmessengerappearedandmyincarcerationwentonasbefore，butnotagaindidIallowmyreasontobesubmergedbythehorrorofmyposition。
Shortlyafterthisepisodeanotherprisonerwasbroughtinandchainednearme。BythedimtorchlightIsawthathewasaredMartianandIcouldscarcelyawaitthedepartureofhisguardstoaddresshim。Astheirretreatingfootstepsdiedawayinthedistance，IcalledoutsoftlytheMartianwordofgreeting，kaor。
"Whoareyouwhospeaksoutofthedarkness？"heanswered"JohnCarter，afriendoftheredmenofHelium。”
"IamofHelium，"hesaid，"butIdonotrecallyourname。”
AndthenItoldhimmystoryasIhavewrittenithere，omittingonlyanyreferencetomyloveforDejahThoris。
HewasmuchexcitedbythenewsofHelium'sprincessandseemedquitepositivethatsheandSolacouldeasilyhavereachedapointofsafetyfromwheretheyleftme。HesaidthatheknewtheplacewellbecausethedefilethroughwhichtheWarhoonwarriorshadpassedwhentheydiscovereduswastheonlyoneeverusedbythemwhenmarchingtothesouth。
"DejahThorisandSolaenteredthehillsnotfivemilesfromagreatwaterwayandarenowprobablyquitesafe，"
heassuredme。
MyfellowprisonerwasKantosKan，apadwarlieutenant
inthenavyofHelium。Hehadbeenamemberoftheill-
fatedexpeditionwhichhadfallenintothehandsoftheTharksatthetimeofDejahThoris'capture，andhebrieflyrelatedtheeventswhichfollowedthedefeatofthebattleships。
BadlyinjuredandonlypartiallymannedtheyhadlimpedslowlytowardHelium，butwhilepassingnearthecityofZodanga，thecapitalofHelium'shereditaryenemiesamongtheredmenofBarsoom，theyhadbeenattackedbyagreatbodyofwarvesselsandallbutthecrafttowhichKantosKanbelongedwereeitherdestroyedorcaptured。HisvesselwaschasedfordaysbythreeoftheZodanganwarshipsbutfinallyescapedduringthedarknessofamoonlessnight。
ThirtydaysafterthecaptureofDejahThoris，oraboutthetimeofourcomingtoThark，hisvesselhadreachedHeliumwithabouttensurvivorsoftheoriginalcrewofsevenhundredofficersandmen。Immediatelysevengreatfleets，eachofonehundredmightywarships，hadbeendispatchedtosearchforDejahThoris，andfromthesevesselstwothousandsmallercrafthadbeenkeptoutcontinuouslyinfutilesearchforthemissingprincess。
TwogreenMartiancommunitieshadbeenwipedoffthefaceofBarsoombytheavengingfleets，butnotraceofDejahThorishadbeenfound。Theyhadbeensearchingamongthenorthernhordes，andonlywithinthepastfewdayshadtheyextendedtheirquesttothesouth。
KantosKanhadbeendetailedtooneofthesmallone-manfliersandhadhadthemisfortunetobediscoveredbytheWarhoonswhileexploringtheircity。Thebraveryanddaringofthemanwonmygreatestrespectandadmiration。Alonehehadlandedatthecity'sboundaryandonfoothadpenetratedtothebuildingssurroundingtheplaza。FortwodaysandnightshehadexploredtheirquartersandtheirdungeonsinsearchofhisbelovedprincessonlytofallintothehandsofapartyofWarhoonsashewasabouttoleave，afterassuringhimselfthatDejahThoriswasnotacaptivethere。
DuringtheperiodofourincarcerationKantosKanandI
becamewellacquainted，andformedawarmpersonalfriendship。
Afewdaysonlyelapsed，however，beforeweweredraggedforthfromourdungeonforthegreatgames。Wewereconductedearlyonemorningtoanenormousamphitheater，whichinsteadofhavingbeenbuiltuponthesurfaceofthegroundwasexcavatedbelowthesurface。ithadpartiallyfilledwithdebrissothathowlargeithadoriginallybeenwasdifficulttosay。InitspresentconditionitheldtheentiretwentythousandWarhoonsoftheassembledhordes。
Thearenawasimmensebutextremelyunevenandunkempt。
AroundittheWarhoonshadpiledbuildingstonefromsomeoftheruinededificesoftheancientcitytopreventtheanimalsandthecaptivesfromescapingintotheaudience，andateachendhadbeenconstructedcagestoholdthemuntiltheirturnscametomeetsomehorribledeathuponthearena。
KantosKanandIwereconfinedtogetherinoneofthecages。
Intheotherswerewildcalots，thoats，madzitidars，greenwarriors，andwomenofotherhordes，andmanystrangeandferociouswildbeastsofBarsoomwhichIhadneverbeforeseen。Thedinoftheirroaring，growlingandsquealingwasdeafeningandtheformidableappearanceofanyoneofthemwasenoughtomakethestoutestheartfeelgraveforebodings。
KantosKanexplainedtomethatattheendofthedayoneoftheseprisonerswouldgainfreedomandtheotherswouldliedeadaboutthearena。Thewinnersinthevariouscontestsofthedaywouldbepittedagainsteachotheruntilonlytworemainedalive；thevictorinthelastencounterbeingsetfree，whetheranimalorman。Thefollowingmorningthecageswouldbefilledwithanewconsignmentofvictims，andsoonthroughoutthetendaysofthegames。
Shortlyafterwehadbeencagedtheamphitheaterbegantofillandwithinanhoureveryavailablepartoftheseatingspacewasoccupied。DakKova，withhisjedsandchieftains，satatthecenterofonesideofthearenauponalargeraisedplatform。
AtasignalfromDakKovathedoorsoftwocageswerethrownopenandadozengreenMartianfemalesweredriventothecenterofthearena。Eachwasgivenadaggerandthen，atthefarend，apackoftwelvecalots，orwilddogswerelooseduponthem。
Asthebrutes，growlingandfoaming，rusheduponthealmostdefenselesswomenIturnedmyheadthatImightnotseethehorridsight。TheyellsandlaughterofthegreenhordeborewitnesstotheexcellentqualityofthesportandwhenIturnedbacktothearena，asKantosKantoldmeitwasover，Isawthreevictoriouscalots，snarlingandgrowlingoverthebodiesoftheirprey。Thewomenhadgivenagoodaccountofthemselves。