Thencamemoredignitaries，andtheofficersofthepalaceandofthearmy，andfinallytwofiguresentirelymuffledinscarletsilk，sothatnotafeatureofeitherwasdiscernible。
Thesetwostoppedatthefootofthethrone，facingThanKosis。WhenthebalanceoftheprocessionhadenteredandassumedtheirstationsThanKosisaddressedthecouplestandingbeforehim。Icouldnothearhiswords，butpresentlytwoofficersadvancedandremovedthescarletrobefromoneofthefigures，andIsawthatKantosKanhadfailedinhismission，foritwasSabThan，PrinceofZodanga，whostoodrevealedbeforeme。
ThanKosisnowtookasetoftheornamentsfromoneofthesalversandplacedoneofthecollarsofgoldabouthisson'sneck，springingthepadlockfast。AfterafewmorewordsaddressedtoSabThanheturnedtotheotherfigure，fromwhichtheofficersnowremovedtheenshroudingsilks，disclosingtomynowcomprehendingviewDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。
Theobjectoftheceremonywascleartome；inanothermomentDejahThoriswouldbejoinedforevertothePrinceofZodanga。Itwasanimpressiveandbeautifulceremony，Ipresume，buttomeitseemedthemostfiendishsightI
hadeverwitnessed，andastheornamentswereadjusteduponherbeautifulfigureandhercollarofgoldswungopeninthehandsofThanKosisIraisedmylong-swordabovemyhead，and，withtheheavyhilt，Ishatteredtheglassofthegreatwindowandsprangintothemidstoftheastonishedassemblage。WithaboundIwasonthestepsoftheplatformbesideThanKosis，andashestoodrivetedwithsurpriseIbroughtmylong-sworddownuponthegoldenchainthatwouldhaveboundDejahThoristoanother。
Inaninstantallwasconfusion；athousanddrawnswordsmenacedmefromeveryquarter，andSabThanspranguponmewithajeweleddaggerhehaddrawnfromhisnuptialornaments。IcouldhavekilledhimaseasilyasImightafly，buttheage-oldcustomofBarsoomstayedmyhand，andgraspinghiswristasthedaggerflewtowardmyheartIheldhimasthoughinaviseandwithmylong-swordpointedtothefarendofthehall。
"Zodangahasfallen，"Icried。"Look!"
AlleyesturnedinthedirectionIhadindicated，andthere，forgingthroughtheportalsoftheentrancewayrodeTarsTarkasandhisfiftywarriorsontheirgreatthoats。
Acryofalarmandamazementbrokefromtheassemblage，butnowordoffear，andinamomentthesoldiersandnoblesofZodangawerehurlingthemselvesupontheadvancingTharks。
ThrustingSabThanheadlongfromtheplatform，IdrewDejahThoristomyside。BehindthethronewasanarrowdoorwayandinthisThanKosisnowstoodfacingme，withdrawnlong-sword。Inaninstantwewereengaged，andI
foundnomeanantagonist。
AswecircleduponthebroadplatformIsawSabThanrushingupthestepstoaidhisfather，but，asheraisedhishandtostrike，DejahThorissprangbeforehimandthenmyswordfoundthespotthatmadeSabThanjeddakofZodanga。AshisfatherrolleddeaduponthefloorthenewjeddaktorehimselffreefromDejahThoris'grasp，andagainwefacedeachother。Hewassoonjoinedbyaquartetofofficers，and，withmybackagainstagoldenthrone，IfoughtonceagainforDejahThoris。IwashardpressedtodefendmyselfandyetnotstrikedownSabThanand，withhim，mylastchancetowinthewomanIloved。MybladewasswingingwiththerapidityoflightningasIsoughttoparrythethrustsandcutsofmyopponents。TwoIhaddisarmed，andonewasdown，whenseveralmorerushedtotheaidoftheirnewruler，andtoavengethedeathoftheold。
Astheyadvancedtherewerecriesof"Thewoman!
Thewoman!Strikeherdown；itisherplot。Killher!Killher!"
CallingtoDejahThoristogetbehindmeIworkedmywaytowardthelittledoorwaybackofthethrone，buttheofficersrealizedmyintentions，andthreeofthemspranginbehindmeandblockedmychancesforgainingapositionwhereIcouldhavedefendedDejahThorisagainstanyarmyofswordsmen。
TheTharkswerehavingtheirhandsfullinthecenteroftheroom，andIbegantorealizethatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveDejahThorisandmyself，whenIsawTarsTarkassurgingthroughthecrowdofpygmiesthatswarmedabouthim。Withoneswingofhismightylongswordhelaidadozencorpsesathisfeet，andsohehewedapathwaybeforehimuntilinanothermomenthestoodupontheplatformbesideme，dealingdeathanddestructionrightandleft。
ThebraveryoftheZodanganswasawe-inspiring，notoneattemptedtoescape，andwhenthefightingceaseditwasbecauseonlyTharksremainedaliveinthegreathall，otherthanDejahThorisandmyself。
SabThanlaydeadbesidehisfather，andthecorpsesoftheflowerofZodangannobilityandchivalrycoveredthefloorofthebloodyshambles。
MyfirstthoughtwhenthebattlewasoverwasforKantosKan，andleavingDejahThorisinchargeofTarsTarkasItookadozenwarriorsandhastenedtothedungeonsbeneaththepalace。Thejailershadalllefttojointhefightersinthethroneroom，sowesearchedthelabyrinthineprisonwithoutopposition。
IcalledKantosKan'snamealoudineachnewcorridorandcompartment，andfinallyIwasrewardedbyhearingafaintresponse。Guidedbythesound，wesoonfoundhimhelplessinadarkrecess。
Hewasoverjoyedatseeingme，andtoknowthemeaningofthefight，faintechoesofwhichhadreachedhisprisoncell。Hetoldmethattheairpatrolhadcapturedhimbeforehereachedthehightowerofthepalace，sothathehadnotevenseenSabThan。
Wediscoveredthatitwouldbefutiletoattempttocutawaythebarsandchainswhichheldhimprisoner，so，athissuggestionIreturnedtosearchthebodiesontheflooraboveforkeystoopenthepadlocksofhiscellandofhischains。
FortunatelyamongthefirstIexaminedIfoundhisjailer，andsoonwehadKantosKanwithusinthethroneroom。
Thesoundsofheavyfiring，mingledwithshoutsandcries，cametousfromthecity'sstreets，andTarsTarkashastenedawaytodirectthefightingwithout。KantosKanaccompaniedhimtoactasguide，thegreenwarriorscommencingathoroughsearchofthepalaceforotherZodangansandforloot，andDejahThorisandIwereleftalone。
Shehadsunkintooneofthegoldenthrones，andasI
turnedtohershegreetedmewithawansmile。
"Wasthereeversuchaman!"sheexclaimed。"IknowthatBarsoomhasneverbeforeseenyourlike。CanitbethatallEarthmenareasyou？Alone，astranger，hunted，threatened，persecuted，youhavedoneinafewshortmonthswhatinallthepastagesofBarsoomnomanhaseverdone:joinedtogetherthewildhordesoftheseabottomsandbroughtthemtofightasalliesofaredMartianpeople。”
"Theansweriseasy，DejahThoris，"Irepliedsmiling。"ItwasnotIwhodidit，itwaslove，loveforDejahThoris，apowerthatwouldworkgreatermiraclesthanthisyouhaveseen。”
Aprettyflushoverspreadherfaceandsheanswered，"Youmaysaythatnow，JohnCarter，andImaylisten，forIamfree。”
"AndmorestillIhavetosay，ereitisagaintoolate，"
Ireturned。"Ihavedonemanystrangethingsinmylife，manythingsthatwisermenwouldnothavedared，butneverinmywildestfancieshaveIdreamedofwinningaDejahThorisformyself——forneverhadIdreamedthatinalltheuniversedweltsuchawomanasthePrincessofHelium。Thatyouareaprincessdoesnotabashme，butthatyouareyouisenoughtomakemedoubtmysanityasIaskyou，myprincess，tobemine。”
"Hedoesnotneedtobeabashedwhosowellknewtheanswertohispleabeforethepleaweremade，"shereplied，risingandplacingherdearhandsuponmyshoulders，andsoItookherinmyarmsandkissedher。
Andthusinthemidstofacityofwildconflict，filledwiththealarmsofwar；withdeathanddestructionreapingtheirterribleharvestaroundher，didDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，truedaughterofMars，theGodofWar，promiseherselfinmarriagetoJohnCarter，GentlemanofVirginia。
CHAPTERXXVI
THROUGHCARNAGETOJOY
SometimelaterTarsTarkasandKantosKanreturnedtoreportthatZodangahadbeencompletelyreduced。Herforceswereentirelydestroyedorcaptured，andnofurtherresistancewastobeexpectedfromwithin。Severalbattleshipshadescaped，buttherewerethousandsofwarandmerchantvesselsunderguardofTharkwarriors。
Thelesserhordeshadcommencedlootingandquarrelingamongthemselves，soitwasdecidedthatwecollectwhatwarriorswecould，manasmanyvesselsaspossiblewithZodanganprisonersandmakeforHeliumwithoutfurtherlossoftime。
Fivehourslaterwesailedfromtheroofsofthedockbuildingswithafleetoftwohundredandfiftybattleships，carryingnearlyonehundredthousandgreenwarriors，followedbyafleetoftransportswithourthoats。
Behindusweleftthestrickencityinthefierceandbrutalclutchesofsomefortythousandgreenwarriorsofthelesserhordes。Theywerelooting，murdering，andfightingamongstthemselves。Inahundredplacestheyhadappliedthetorch，andcolumnsofdensesmokewererisingabovethecityasthoughtoblotoutfromtheeyeofheaventhehorridsightsbeneath。
InthemiddleoftheafternoonwesightedthescarletandyellowtowersofHelium，andashorttimelateragreatfleetofZodanganbattleshipsrosefromthecampsofthebesiegerswithoutthecity，andadvancedtomeetus。
ThebannersofHeliumhadbeenstrungfromstemtosternofeachofourmightycraft，buttheZodangansdidnotneedthissigntorealizethatwewereenemies，forourgreenMartianwarriorshadopenedfireuponthemalmostastheylefttheground。Withtheiruncannymarksmanshiptheyrakedtheon-comingfleetwithvolleyaftervolley。
ThetwincitiesofHelium，perceivingthatwewerefriends，sentouthundredsofvesselstoaidus，andthenbeganthefirstrealairbattleIhadeverwitnessed。
ThevesselscarryingourgreenwarriorswerekeptcirclingabovethecontendingfleetsofHeliumandZodanga，sincetheirbatterieswereuselessinthehandsoftheTharkswho，havingnonavy，havenoskillinnavalgunnery。Theirsmall-
armfire，however，wasmosteffective，andthefinaloutcomeoftheengagementwasstronglyinfluenced，ifnotwhollydetermined，bytheirpresence。
Atfirstthetwoforcescircledatthesamealtitude，pouringbroadsideafterbroadsideintoeachother。PresentlyagreatholewastorninthehullofoneoftheimmensebattlecraftfromtheZodangancamp；withalurchsheturnedcompletelyover，thelittlefiguresofhercrewplunging，turningandtwistingtowardthegroundathousandfeetbelow；thenwithsickeningvelocityshetoreafterthem，almostcompletelyburyingherselfinthesoftloamoftheancientseabottom。
AwildcryofexultationarosefromtheHeliumitesquadron，andwithredoubledferocitytheyfellupontheZodanganfleet。ByaprettymaneuvertwoofthevesselsofHeliumgainedapositionabovetheiradversaries，fromwhichtheypoureduponthemfromtheirkeelbombbatteriesaperfecttorrentofexplodingbombs。
Then，onebyone，thebattleshipsofHeliumsucceededinrisingabovetheZodangans，andinashorttimeanumberofthebeleagueringbattleshipsweredriftinghopelesswreckstowardthehighscarlettowerofgreaterHelium。Severalothersattemptedtoescape，buttheyweresoonsurroundedbythousandsoftinyindividualfliers，andaboveeachhungamonsterbattleshipofHeliumreadytodropboardingpartiesupontheirdecks。
WithinbutlittlemorethananhourfromthemomentthevictoriousZodangansquadronhadrisentomeetusfromthecampofthebesiegersthebattlewasover，andtheremainingvesselsoftheconqueredZodanganswereheadedtowardthecitiesofHeliumunderprizecrews。
Therewasanextremelypatheticsidetothesurrenderofthesemightyfliers，theresultofanage-oldcustomwhichdemandedthatsurrendershouldbesignalizedbythevoluntaryplungingtoearthofthecommanderofthevanquishedvessel。
Oneafteranotherthebravefellows，holdingtheircolorshighabovetheirheads，leapedfromthetoweringbowsoftheirmightycrafttoanawfuldeath。
Notuntilthecommanderoftheentirefleettookthefearfulplunge，thusindicatingthesurrenderoftheremainingvessels，didthefightingcease，andtheuselesssacrificeofbravemencometoanend。
WenowsignaledtheflagshipofHelium'snavytoapproach，andwhenshewaswithinhailingdistanceIcalledoutthatwehadthePrincessDejahThorisonboard，andthatwewishedtotransferhertotheflagshipthatshemightbetakenimmediatelytothecity。
Asthefullimportofmyannouncementboreinuponthemagreatcryarosefromthedecksoftheflagship，andamomentlaterthecolorsofthePrincessofHeliumbrokefromahundredpointsuponherupperworks。Whentheothervesselsofthesquadroncaughtthemeaningofthesignalsflashedthemtheytookupthewildacclaimandunfurledhercolorsinthegleamingsunlight。
Theflagshipboredownuponus，andassheswunggracefullytoandtouchedoursideadozenofficersspranguponourdecks。Astheirastonishedgazefelluponthehundredsofgreenwarriors，whonowcameforthfromthefightingshelters，theystoppedaghast，butatsightofKantosKan，whoadvancedtomeetthem，theycameforward，crowdingabouthim。
DejahThorisandIthenadvanced，andtheyhadnoeyesforotherthanher。Shereceivedthemgracefully，callingeachbyname，fortheyweremenhighintheesteemandserviceofhergrandfather，andsheknewthemwell。
"LayyourhandsupontheshoulderofJohnCarter，"shesaidtothem，turningtowardme，"themantowhomHeliumowesherprincessaswellashervictorytoday。”
Theywereverycourteoustomeandsaidmanykindandcomplimentarythings，butwhatseemedtoimpressthemmostwasthatIhadwontheaidofthefierceTharksinmycampaignfortheliberationofDejahThoris，andthereliefofHelium。
"Youoweyourthanksmoretoanothermanthantome，"
Isaid，"andhereheis；meetoneofBarsoom'sgreatestsoldiersandstatesmen，TarsTarkas，JeddakofThark。”
WiththesamepolishedcourtesythathadmarkedtheirmannertowardmetheyextendedtheirgreetingstothegreatThark，nor，tomysurprise，washemuchbehindthemineaseofbearingorincourtlyspeech。Thoughnotagarrulousrace，theTharksareextremelyformal，andtheirwayslendthemselvesamazinglywelltodignifiedandcourtlymanners。
DejahThoriswentaboardtheflagship，andwasmuchputoutthatIwouldnotfollow，but，asIexplainedtoher，thebattlewasbutpartlywon；westillhadthelandforcesofthebesiegingZodanganstoaccountfor，andIwouldnotleaveTarsTarkasuntilthathadbeenaccomplished。
ThecommanderofthenavalforcesofHeliumpromisedtoarrangetohavethearmiesofHeliumattackfromthecityinconjunctionwithourlandattack，andsothevesselsseparatedandDejahThoriswasborneintriumphbacktothecourtofhergrandfather，TardosMors，JeddakofHelium。
Inthedistancelayourfleetoftransports，withthethoatsofthegreenwarriors，wheretheyhadremainedduringthebattle。Withoutlandingstagesitwastobeadifficultmattertounloadthesebeastsupontheopenplain，buttherewasnothingelseforit，andsoweputoutforapointabouttenmilesfromthecityandbeganthetask。
Itwasnecessarytolowertheanimalstothegroundinslingsandthisworkoccupiedtheremainderofthedayandhalfthenight。TwicewewereattackedbypartiesofZodangancavalry，butwithlittleloss，however，andafterdarknessshutdowntheywithdrew。
AssoonasthelastthoatwasunloadedTarsTarkasgavethecommandtoadvance，andinthreepartieswecreptupontheZodangancampfromthenorth，thesouthandtheeast。
Aboutamilefromthemaincampweencounteredtheiroutpostsand，ashadbeenprearranged，acceptedthisasthesignaltocharge。Withwild，ferociouscriesandamidstthenastysquealingofbattle-enragedthoatsweboredownupontheZodangans。
Wedidnotcatchthemnapping，butfoundawell-entrenchedbattlelineconfrontingus。Timeaftertimewewererepulseduntil，towardnoon，Ibegantofearfortheresultofthebattle。
TheZodangansnumberednearlyamillionfightingmen，gatheredfrompoletopole，whereverstretchedtheirribbon-
likewaterways，whilepittedagainstthemwerelessthanahundredthousandgreenwarriors。TheforcesfromHeliumhadnotarrived，norcouldwereceiveanywordfromthem。
JustatnoonweheardheavyfiringallalongthelinebetweentheZodangansandthecities，andweknewthenthatourmuch-neededreinforcementshadcome。
AgainTarsTarkasorderedthecharge，andoncemorethemightythoatsboretheirterribleridersagainsttherampartsoftheenemy。AtthesamemomentthebattlelineofHeliumsurgedovertheoppositebreastworksoftheZodangansandinanothermomenttheywerebeingcrushedasbetweentwomillstones。Noblytheyfought，butinvain。
TheplainbeforethecitybecameaveritableshambleserethelastZodangansurrendered，butfinallythecarnageceased，theprisonersweremarchedbacktoHelium，andweenteredthegreatercity'sgates，ahugetriumphalprocessionofconqueringheroes。
Thebroadavenueswerelinedwithwomenandchildren，amongwhichwerethefewmenwhosedutiesnecessitatedthattheyremainwithinthecityduringthebattle。Weweregreetedwithanendlessroundofapplauseandshoweredwithornamentsofgold，platinum，silver，andpreciousjewels。
Thecityhadgonemadwithjoy。
MyfierceTharkscausedthewildestexcitementandenthusiasm。
NeverbeforehadanarmedbodyofgreenwarriorsenteredthegatesofHelium，andthattheycamenowasfriendsandalliesfilledtheredmenwithrejoicing。
ThatmypoorservicestoDejahThorishadbecomeknowntotheHeliumiteswasevidencedbytheloudcryingofmyname，andbytheloadsofornamentsthatwerefasteneduponmeandmyhugethoataswepasseduptheavenuestothepalace，foreveninthefaceoftheferociousappearanceofWoolathepopulacepressedcloseaboutme。
AsweapproachedthismagnificentpileweweremetbyapartyofofficerswhogreeteduswarmlyandrequestedthatTarsTarkasandhisjedswiththejeddaksandjedsofhiswildallies，togetherwithmyself，dismountandaccompanythemtoreceivefromTardosMorsanexpressionofhisgratitudeforourservices。
Atthetopofthegreatstepsleadinguptothemainportalsofthepalacestoodtheroyalparty，andaswereachedthelowerstepsoneoftheirnumberdescendedtomeetus。
Hewasanalmostperfectspecimenofmanhood；tall，straightasanarrow，superblymuscledandwiththecarriageandbearingofarulerofmen。IdidnotneedtobetoldthathewasTardosMors，JeddakofHelium。
ThefirstmemberofourpartyhemetwasTarsTarkasandhisfirstwordssealedforeverthenewfriendshipbetweentheraces。
"ThatTardosMors，"hesaid，earnestly，"maymeetthegreatestlivingwarriorofBarsoomisapricelesshonor，butthathemaylayhishandontheshoulderofafriendandallyisafargreaterboon。”
"JeddakofHelium，"returnedTarsTarkas，"ithasremainedforamanofanotherworldtoteachthegreenwarriorsofBarsoomthemeaningoffriendship；tohimweowethefactthatthehordesofTharkcanunderstandyou；thattheycanappreciateandreciprocatethesentimentssograciouslyexpressed。”
TardosMorsthengreetedeachofthegreenjeddaksandjeds，andtoeachspokewordsoffriendshipandappreciationAsheapproachedmehelaidbothhandsuponmyshoulders。
"Welcome，myson，"hesaid；"thatyouaregranted，gladly，andwithoutonewordofopposition，themostpreciousjewelinallHelium，yes，onallBarsoom，issufficientearnestofmyesteem。”
WewerethenpresentedtoMorsKajak，JedoflesserHelium，andfatherofDejahThoris。HehadfollowedclosebehindTardosMorsandseemedevenmoreaffectedbythemeetingthanhadhisfather。
Hetriedadozentimestoexpresshisgratitudetome，buthisvoicechokedwithemotionandhecouldnotspeak，andyethehad，asIwastolaterlearn，areputationforferocityandfearlessnessasafighterthatwasremarkableevenuponwarlikeBarsoom。IncommonwithallHeliumheworshipedhisdaughter，norcouldhethinkofwhatshehadescapedwithoutdeepemotion。
CHAPTERXXVII
FROMJOYTODEATH
FortendaysthehordesofTharkandtheirwildallieswerefeastedandentertained，and，then，loadedwithcostlypresentsandescortedbytenthousandsoldiersofHeliumcommandedbyMorsKajak，theystartedonthereturnjourneytotheirownlands。ThejedoflesserHeliumwithasmallpartyofnoblesaccompaniedthemallthewaytoTharktocementmorecloselythenewbondsofpeaceandfriendship。
SolaalsoaccompaniedTarsTarkas，herfather，whobeforeallhischieftainshadacknowledgedherashisdaughter。
Threeweekslater，MorsKajakandhisofficers，accompaniedbyTarsTarkasandSola，returneduponabattleshipthathadbeendispatchedtoTharktofetchthemintimefortheceremonywhichmadeDejahThorisandJohnCarterone。
FornineyearsIservedinthecouncilsandfoughtinthearmiesofHeliumasaprinceofthehouseofTardosMors。
Thepeopleseemednevertotireofheapinghonorsuponme，andnodaypassedthatdidnotbringsomenewproofoftheirloveformyprincess，theincomparableDejahThoris。
Inagoldenincubatorupontheroofofourpalacelayasnow-whiteegg。Fornearlyfiveyearstensoldiersofthejeddak'sGuardhadconstantlystoodoverit，andnotadaypassedwhenIwasinthecitythatDejahThorisandIdidnotstandhandinhandbeforeourlittleshrineplanningforthefuture，whenthedelicateshellshouldbreak。
Vividinmymemoryisthepictureofthelastnightaswesattheretalkinginlowtonesofthestrangeromancewhichhadwovenourlivestogetherandofthiswonderwhichwascomingtoaugmentourhappinessandfulfillourhopes。
Inthedistancewesawthebright-whitelightofanapproachingairship，butweattachednospecialsignificancetosocommonasight。LikeaboltoflightningitracedtowardHeliumuntilitsveryspeedbespoketheunusual。
Flashingthesignalswhichproclaimeditadispatchbearerforthejeddak，itcircledimpatientlyawaitingthetardypatrolboatwhichmustconvoyittothepalacedocks。
Tenminutesafterittouchedatthepalaceamessagecalledmetothecouncilchamber，whichIfoundfillingwiththemembersofthatbody。
OntheraisedplatformofthethronewasTardosMors，pacingbackandforthwithtense-drawnface。Whenallwereintheirseatsheturnedtowardus。
"Thismorning，"hesaid，"wordreachedtheseveralgovernmentsofBarsoomthatthekeeperoftheatmosphereplanthadmadenowirelessreportfortwodays，norhadalmostceaselesscallsuponhimfromascoreofcapitalselicitedasignofresponse。
"Theambassadorsoftheothernationsaskedustotakethematterinhandandhastentheassistantkeepertotheplant。Alldayathousandcruisershavebeensearchingforhimuntiljustnowoneofthemreturnsbearinghisdeadbody，whichwasfoundinthepitsbeneathhishousehorriblymutilatedbysomeassassin。
"IdonotneedtotellyouwhatthismeanstoBarsoom。Itwouldtakemonthstopenetratethosemightywalls，infacttheworkhasalreadycommenced，andtherewouldbelittletofearweretheengineofthepumpingplanttorunasitshouldandastheyallhaveforhundredsofyearsnow；buttheworst，wefear，hashappened。TheinstrumentsshowarapidlydecreasingairpressureonallpartsofBarsoom——theenginehasstopped。”
"Mygentlemen，"heconcluded，"wehaveatbestthreedaystolive。”
Therewasabsolutesilenceforseveralminutes，andthenayoungnoblearose，andwithhisdrawnswordheldhighabovehisheadaddressedTardosMors。
"ThemenofHeliumhavepridedthemselvesthattheyhaveevershownBarsoomhowanationofredmenshouldlive，nowisouropportunitytoshowthemhowtheyshoulddie。
Letusgoaboutourdutiesasthoughathousandusefulyearsstilllaybeforeus。”
Thechamberrangwithapplauseandastherewasnothingbettertodothantoallaythefearsofthepeoplebyourexamplewewentourwayswithsmilesuponourfacesandsorrowgnawingatourhearts。
WhenIreturnedtomypalaceIfoundthattherumoralreadyhadreachedDejahThoris，soItoldherallthatIhadheard。
"Wehavebeenveryhappy，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"andIthankwhateverfateovertakesusthatitpermitsustodietogether。”
Thenexttwodaysbroughtnonoticeablechangeinthesupplyofair，butonthemorningofthethirddaybreathingbecamedifficultatthehigheraltitudesoftherooftops。
TheavenuesandplazasofHeliumwerefilledwithpeople。
Allbusinesshadceased。Forthemostpartthepeoplelookedbravelyintothefaceoftheirunalterabledoom。Hereandthere，however，menandwomengavewaytoquietgrief。
TowardthemiddleofthedaymanyoftheweakercommencedtosuccumbandwithinanhourthepeopleofBarsoomweresinkingbythousandsintotheunconsciousnesswhichprecedesdeathbyasphyxiation。
DejahThorisandIwiththeothermembersoftheroyalfamilyhadcollectedinasunkengardenwithinaninnercourtyardofthepalace。Weconversedinlowtones，whenweconversedatall，astheaweofthegrimshadowofdeathcreptoverus。EvenWoolaseemedtofeeltheweightoftheimpendingcalamity，forhepressedclosetoDejahThorisandtome，whiningpitifully。
ThelittleincubatorhadbeenbroughtfromtheroofofourpalaceatrequestofDejahThorisandnowshesatgazinglonginglyupontheunknownlittlelifethatnowshewouldneverknow。
AsitwasbecomingperceptiblydifficulttobreatheTardosMorsarose，saying，"Letusbideachotherfarewell。ThedaysofthegreatnessofBarsoomareover。Tomorrow'ssunwilllookdownuponadeadworldwhichthroughalleternitymustgoswingingthroughtheheavenspeoplednotevenbymemories。Itistheend。”
Hestoopedandkissedthewomenofhisfamily，andlaidhisstronghandupontheshouldersofthemen。
AsIturnedsadlyfromhimmyeyesfelluponDejahThoris。Herheadwasdroopinguponherbreast，toallappearancesshewaslifeless。WithacryIsprangtoherandraisedherinmyarms。
Hereyesopenedandlookedintomine。
"Kissme，JohnCarter，"shemurmured。"Iloveyou!
Iloveyou!Itiscruelthatwemustbetornapartwhowerejuststartinguponalifeofloveandhappiness。”
AsIpressedherdearlipstominetheoldfeelingofunconquerablepowerandauthorityroseinme。ThefightingbloodofVirginiasprangtolifeinmyveins。
"Itshallnotbe，myprincess，"Icried。"Thereis，theremustbesomeway，andJohnCarter，whohasfoughthiswaythroughastrangeworldforloveofyou，willfindit。”
Andwithmywordstherecreptabovethethresholdofmyconsciousmindaseriesofninelongforgottensounds。Likeaflashoflightninginthedarknesstheirfullpurportdawneduponme——thekeytothethreegreatdoorsoftheatmosphereplant!
TurningsuddenlytowardTardosMorsasIstillclaspedmydyinglovetomybreastIcried。
"Aflier，Jeddak!Quick!Orderyourswiftestfliertothepalacetop。IcansaveBarsoomyet。”
Hedidnotwaittoquestion，butinaninstantaguardwasracingtothenearestdockandthoughtheairwasthinandalmostgoneattherooftoptheymanagedtolaunchthefastestone-man，air-scoutmachinethattheskillofBarsoomhadeverproduced。
KissingDejahThorisadozentimesandcommandingWoola，whowouldhavefollowedme，toremainandguardher，Iboundedwithmyoldagilityandstrengthtothehighrampartsofthepalace，andinanothermomentIwasheadedtowardthegoalofthehopesofallBarsoom。
Ihadtoflylowtogetsufficientairtobreathe，butItookastraightcourseacrossanoldseabottomandsohadtoriseonlyafewfeetabovetheground。
Itraveledwithawfulvelocityformyerrandwasaraceagainsttimewithdeath。ThefaceofDejahThorishungalwaysbeforeme。AsIturnedforalastlookasIleftthepalacegardenIhadseenherstaggerandsinkuponthegroundbesidethelittleincubator。Thatshehaddroppedintothelastcomawhichwouldendindeath，iftheairsupplyremainedunreplenished，Iwellknew，andso，throwingcautiontothewinds，Iflungoverboardeverythingbuttheengineandcompass，eventomyornaments，andlyingonmybellyalongthedeckwithonehandonthesteeringwheelandtheotherpushingthespeedlevertoitslastnotchI
splitthethinairofdyingMarswiththespeedofameteor。
Anhourbeforedarkthegreatwallsoftheatmosphereplantloomedsuddenlybeforeme，andwithasickeningthudIplungedtothegroundbeforethesmalldoorwhichwaswithholdingthesparkoflifefromtheinhabitantsofanentireplanet。
Besidethedooragreatcrewofmenhadbeenlaboringtopiercethewall，buttheyhadscarcelyscratchedtheflint-
likesurface，andnowmostofthemlayinthelastsleepfromwhichnotevenairwouldawakenthem。
ConditionsseemedmuchworseherethanatHelium，anditwaswithdifficultythatIbreathedatall。Therewereafewmenstillconscious，andtooneoftheseIspoke。
"IfIcanopenthesedoorsisthereamanwhocanstarttheengines？"Iasked。
"Ican，"hereplied，"ifyouopenquickly。Icanlastbutafewmomentsmore。Butitisuseless，theyarebothdeadandnooneelseuponBarsoomknewthesecretoftheseawfullocks。Forthreedaysmencrazedwithfearhavesurgedaboutthisportalinvainattemptstosolveitsmystery。”
Ihadnotimetotalk，IwasbecomingveryweakanditwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmymindatall。
But，withafinaleffort，asIsankweaklytomykneesI
hurledtheninethoughtwavesatthatawfulthingbeforeme。
TheMartianhadcrawledtomysideandwithstaringeyesfixedonthesinglepanelbeforeuswewaitedinthesilenceofdeath。
Slowlythemightydoorrecededbeforeus。IattemptedtoriseandfollowitbutIwastooweak。
"Afterit，"Icriedtomycompanion，"andifyoureachthepumproomturnlooseallthepumps。ItistheonlychanceBarsoomhastoexisttomorrow!"
FromwhereIlayIopenedtheseconddoor，andthenthethird，andasIsawthehopeofBarsoomcrawlingweaklyonhandsandkneesthroughthelastdoorwayIsankunconsciousupontheground。
CHAPTERXXVIII
ATTHEARIZONACAVE
ItwasdarkwhenIopenedmyeyesagain。Strange，stiffgarmentswereuponmybody；garmentsthatcrackedandpowderedawayfrommeasIrosetoasittingposture。
IfeltmyselfoverfromheadtofootandfromheadtofootIwasclothed，thoughwhenIfellunconsciousatthelittledoorwayIhadbeennaked。Beforemewasasmallpatchofmoonlitskywhichshowedthrougharaggedaperture。
Asmyhandspassedovermybodytheycameincontactwithpocketsandinoneoftheseasmallparcelofmatcheswrappedinoiledpaper。OneofthesematchesIstruck，anditsdimflamelightedupwhatappearedtobeahugecave，towardthebackofwhichIdiscoveredastrange，stillfigurehuddledoveratinybench。AsIapproacheditIsawthatitwasthedeadandmummifiedremainsofalittleoldwomanwithlongblackhair，andthethingitleanedoverwasasmallcharcoalburneruponwhichrestedaroundcoppervesselcontainingasmallquantityofgreenishpowder。
Behindher，dependingfromtheroofuponrawhidethongs，andstretchingentirelyacrossthecave，wasarowofhumanskeletons。Fromthethongwhichheldthemstretchedanothertothedeadhandofthelittleoldwoman；asItouchedthecordtheskeletonsswungtothemotionwithanoiseasoftherustlingofdryleaves。
ItwasamostgrotesqueandhorridtableauandIhastenedoutintothefreshair；gladtoescapefromsogruesomeaplace。
ThesightthatmetmyeyesasIsteppedoutuponasmallledgewhichranbeforetheentranceofthecavefilledmewithconsternation。
Anewheavenandanewlandscapemetmygaze。Thesilveredmountainsinthedistance，thealmoststationarymoonhanginginthesky，thecacti-studdedvalleybelowmewerenotofMars。Icouldscarcelybelievemyeyes，butthetruthslowlyforceditselfuponme——IwaslookinguponArizonafromthesameledgefromwhichtenyearsbeforeIhadgazedwithlonginguponMars。
BuryingmyheadinmyarmsIturned，broken，andsorrowful，downthetrailfromthecave。
AbovemeshonetheredeyeofMarsholdingherawfulsecret，forty-eightmillionmilesaway。
DidtheMartianreachthepumproom？Didthevitalizingairreachthepeopleofthatdistantplanetintimetosavethem？WasmyDejahThorisalive，ordidherbeautifulbodyliecoldindeathbesidethetinygoldenincubatorinthesunkengardenoftheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofTardosMors，thejeddakofHelium？
FortenyearsIhavewaitedandprayedforananswertomyquestions。FortenyearsIhavewaitedandprayedtobetakenbacktotheworldofmylostlove。IwouldratherliedeadbesidehertherethanliveonEarthallthosemillionsofterriblemilesfromher。
Theoldmine，whichIfounduntouched，hasmademefabulouslywealthy；butwhatcareIforwealth!
AsIsitheretonightinmylittlestudyoverlookingtheHudson，justtwentyyearshaveelapsedsinceIfirstopenedmyeyesuponMars。
Icanseehershiningintheskythroughthelittlewindowbymydesk，andtonightsheseemscallingtomeagainasshehasnotcalledbeforesincethatlongdeadnight，andI
thinkIcansee，acrossthatawfulabyssofspace，abeautifulblack-hairedwomanstandinginthegardenofapalace，andathersideisalittleboywhoputshisarmaroundherasshepointsintotheskytowardtheplanetEarth，whileattheirfeetisahugeandhideouscreaturewithaheartofgold。
Ibelievethattheyarewaitingthereforme，andsomethingtellsmethatIshallsoonknow。