ItwasafterdarkwhenWoolaandIspiedthroughthemightyforestthegreatwallwhichsurroundsthecityofKaol。
Wehadtraversedtheentirewaywithoutmishaporadventure，andthoughthefewwehadmethadeyedthegreatcalotwonderingly，nonehadpiercedtheredpigmentwithwhichIhadsmoothlysmearedeverysquareinchofmybody。
Buttotraversethesurroundingcountry，andtoentertheguardedcityofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，weretwoverydifferentthings。
NomanentersaMartiancitywithoutgivingaverydetailedandsatisfactoryaccountofhimself，nordidIdeludemyselfwiththebeliefthatIcouldforamomentimposeupontheacumenoftheofficersoftheguardtowhomIshouldbetakenthemomentIappliedatanyoneofthegates。
Myonlyhopeseemedtolieinenteringthecitysurreptitiouslyundercoverofthedarkness，andoncein，trusttomyownwitstohidemyselfinsomecrowdedquarterwheredetectionwouldbelessliabletooccur。
WiththisideainviewIcircledthegreatwall，keepingwithinthefringeoftheforest，whichiscutawayforashortdistancefromthewallallaboutthecity，thatnoenemymayutilizethetreesasameansofingress。
SeveraltimesIattemptedtoscalethebarrieratdifferentpoints，butnotevenmyearthlymusclescouldovercomethatcleverlyconstructedrampart。Toaheightofthirtyfeetthefaceofthewallslantedoutward，andthenforalmostanequaldistanceitwasperpendicular，abovewhichitslantedinagainforsomefifteenfeettothecrest。
Andsmooth！Polishedglasscouldnotbemoreso。FinallyI
hadtoadmitthatatlastIhaddiscoveredaBarsoomianfortificationwhichIcouldnotnegotiate。
Discouraged，Iwithdrewintotheforestbesideabroadhighwaywhichenteredthecityfromtheeast，andwithWoolabesidemelaydowntosleep。
AHEROINKAOL
ItwasdaylightwhenIwasawakenedbythesoundofstealthymovementnearby。
AsIopenedmyeyesWoola，too，movedand，cominguptohishaunches，staredthroughtheinterveningbrushtowardtheroad，eachhairuponhisneckstifflyerect。
AtfirstIcouldseenothing，butpresentlyIcaughtaglimpseofabitofsmoothandglossygreenmovingamongthescarletandpurpleandyellowofthevegetation。
MotioningWoolatoremainquietlywherehewas，Icreptforwardtoinvestigate，andfrombehindtheboleofagreattreeI
sawalonglineofthehideousgreenwarriorsofthedeadseabottomshidinginthedensejunglebesidetheroad。
AsfarasIcouldsee，thesilentlineofdestructionanddeathstretchedawayfromthecityofKaol。Therecouldbebutoneexplanation。Thegreenmenwereexpectinganexodusofabodyofredtroopsfromthenearestcitygate，andtheywerelyingthereinambushtoleapuponthem。
IowednofealtytotheJeddakofKaol，buthewasofthesameraceofnobleredmenasmyownprincess，andIwouldnotstandsupinelybyandseehiswarriorsbutcheredbythecruelandheartlessdemonsofthewasteplacesofBarsoom。
CautiouslyIretracedmystepstowhereIhadleftWoola，andwarninghimtosilence，signaledhimtofollowme。
Makingaconsiderabledetourtoavoidthechanceoffallingintothehandsofthegreenmen，Icameatlasttothegreatwall。
Ahundredyardstomyrightwasthegatefromwhichthetroopswereevidentlyexpectedtoissue，buttoreachitImustpasstheflankofthegreenwarriorswithineasysightofthem，and，fearingthatmyplantowarntheKaoliansmightthusbethwarted，Idecideduponhasteningtowardtheleft，whereanothergateamileawaywouldgivemeingresstothecity。
IknewthatthewordIbroughtwouldproveasplendidpassporttoKaol，andImustadmitthatmycautionwasduemoretomyardentdesiretomakemywayintothecitythantoavoidabrushwiththegreenmen。AsmuchasIenjoyafight，Icannotalwaysindulgemyself，andjustnowIhadmoreweightymatterstooccupymytimethanspillingthebloodofstrangewarriors。
CouldIbutwinbeyondthecity’swall，theremightbeopportunityintheconfusionandexcitementwhichweresuretofollowmyannouncementofaninvadingforceofgreenwarriorstofindmywaywithinthepalaceofthejeddak，whereIwassureMataiShangandhispartywouldbequartered。
ButscarcelyhadItakenahundredstepsinthedirectionofthefarthergatewhenthesoundofmarchingtroops，theclankofmetal，andthesquealingofthoatsjustwithinthecityapprisedmeofthefactthattheKaolianswerealreadymovingtowardtheothergate。
Therewasnotimetobelost。Inanothermomentthegatewouldbeopenedandtheheadofthecolumnpassoutuponthedeath—borderedhighway。
Turningbacktowardthefatefulgate，Iranrapidlyalongtheedgeoftheclearing，takingthegroundinthemightyleapsthathadfirstmademefamousuponBarsoom。Thirty，fifty，ahundredfeetataboundarenothingforthemusclesofanathleticEarthmanuponMars。
AsIpassedtheflankofthewaitinggreenmentheysawmyeyesturneduponthem，andinaninstant，knowingthatallsecrecywasatanend，thosenearestmesprangtotheirfeetinanefforttocutmeoffbeforeIcouldreachthegate。
AtthesameinstantthemightyportalswungwideandtheheadoftheKaoliancolumnemerged。Adozengreenwarriorshadsucceededinreachingapointbetweenmeandthegate，buttheyhadbutlittleideawhoitwastheyhadelectedtodetain。
IdidnotslackenmyspeedaniotaasIdashedamongthem，andastheyfellbeforemybladeIcouldnotbutrecallthehappymemoryofthoseotherbattleswhenTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，mightiestofMartiangreenmen，hadstoodshouldertoshoulderwithmethroughlong，hotMartiandays，astogetherweheweddownourenemiesuntilthepileofcorpsesaboutusrosehigherthanatallman’shead。
Whenseveralpressedmetooclosely，therebeforethecarvedgatewayofKaol，Ileapedabovetheirheads，andfashioningmytacticsafterthoseofthehideousplantmenofDor，struckdownuponmyenemies’headsasIpassedabovethem。
Fromthecitytheredwarriorswererushingtowardus，andfromthejunglethesavagehordeofgreenmenwerecomingtomeetthem。
InamomentIwasintheverycenterofasfierceandbloodyabattleasIhadeverpassedthrough。
TheseKaoliansaremostnoblefighters，norarethegreenmenoftheequatoronewhitlesswarlikethantheircold，cruelcousinsofthetemperatezone。Thereweremanytimeswheneithersidemighthavewithdrawnwithoutdishonorandthusendedhostilities，butfromthemadabandonwithwhicheachinvariablyrenewedhostilitiesIsooncametobelievethatwhatneednothavebeenmorethanatriflingskirmishwouldendonlywiththecompleteexterminationofoneforceortheother。
Withthejoyofbattleoncerousedwithinme，Itookkeendelightinthefray，andthatmyfightingwasnotedbytheKaolianswasoftenevidencedbytheshoutsofapplausedirectedatme。
IfIsometimesseemtotaketoogreatprideinmyfightingability，itmustberememberedthatfightingismyvocation。
Ifyourvocationbeshoeinghorses，orpaintingpictures，andyoucandooneortheotherbetterthanyourfellows，thenyouareafoolifyouarenotproudofyourability。AndsoIamveryproudthatupontwoplanetsnogreaterfighterhaseverlivedthanJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
AndIoutdidmyselfthatdaytoimpressthefactuponthenativesofKaol，forIwishedtowinawayintotheirhearts——andtheircity。
NorwasItobedisappointedinmydesire。
Alldaywefought，untiltheroadwasredwithbloodandcloggedwithcorpses。Backandforthalongtheslipperyhighwaythetideofbattlesurged，butneveroncewasthegatewaytoKaolreallyindanger。
TherewerebreathingspellswhenIhadachancetoconversewiththeredmenbesidewhomIfought，andoncethejeddak，KulanTithhimself，laidhishanduponmyshoulderandaskedmyname。
"IamDotarSojat，"Ireplied，recallinganamegivenmebytheTharksmanyyearsbefore，fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwooftheirwarriorsIhadkilled，whichisthecustomamongthem。
"Youareamightywarrior，DotarSojat，"hereplied，"andwhenthisdayisdoneIshallspeakwithyouagaininthegreataudiencechamber。"
Andthenthefightsurgeduponusoncemoreandwewereseparated，butmyheart’sdesirewasattained，anditwaswithrenewedvigorandajoyoussoulthatIlaidaboutmewithmylong—sworduntilthelastofthegreenmenhadhadenoughandhadwithdrawntowardtheirdistantseabottom。
NotuntilthebattlewasoverdidIlearnwhytheredtroopshadsalliedforththatday。ItseemedthatKulanTithwasexpectingavisitfromamightyjeddakofthenorth——apowerfulandtheonlyallyoftheKaolians，andithadbeenhiswishtomeethisguestafullday’sjourneyfromKaol。
Butnowthemarchofthewelcominghostwasdelayeduntilthefollowingmorning，whenthetroopsagainsetoutfromKaol。
IhadnotbeenbiddentothepresenceofKulanTithafterthebattle，buthehadsentanofficertofindmeandescortmetocomfortablequartersinthatpartofthepalacesetasidefortheofficersoftheroyalguard。
There，withWoola，Ihadspentacomfortablenight，androsemuchrefreshedafterthearduouslaborsofthepastfewdays。
Woolahadfoughtwithmethroughthebattleofthepreviousday，truetotheinstinctsandtrainingofaMartianwardog，greatnumbersofwhichareoftentobefoundwiththesavagegreenhordesofthedeadseabottoms。
Neitherofushadcomethroughtheconflictunscathed，butthemarvelous，healingsalvesofBarsoomhadsufficed，overnight，tomakeusasgoodasnew。
IbreakfastedwithanumberoftheKaolianofficers，whomIfoundascourteousanddelightfulhostsaseventhenoblesofHelium，whoarerenownedfortheireaseofmannersandexcellenceofbreeding。ThemealwasscarcelyconcludedwhenamessengerarrivedfromKulanTithsummoningmebeforehim。
AsIenteredtheroyalpresencethejeddakrose，andsteppingfromthedaiswhichsupportedhismagnificentthrone，cameforwardtomeetme——amarkofdistinctionthatisseldomaccordedtootherthanavisitingruler。
"Kaor，DotarSojat！"hegreetedme。"IhavesummonedyoutoreceivethegratefulthanksofthepeopleofKaol，forhaditnotbeenforyourheroicbraveryindaringfatetowarnusoftheambuscadewemustsurelyhavefallenintothewell—laidtrap。
Tellmemoreofyourself——fromwhatcountryyoucome，andwhaterrandbringsyoutothecourtofKulanTith。"
"IamfromHastor，"Isaid，forintruthIhadasmallpalaceinthatsoutherncitywhichlieswithinthefar—flungdominionsoftheHeliumeticnation。
"MypresenceinthelandofKaolispartlyduetoaccident，myflierbeingwreckeduponthesouthernfringeofyourgreatforest。
ItwaswhileseekingentrancetothecityofKaolthatIdiscoveredthegreenhordelyinginwaitforyourtroops。"
IfKulanTithwonderedwhatbusinessbroughtmeinafliertotheveryedgeofhisdomainhewasgoodenoughnottopressmefurtherforanexplanation，whichIshouldindeedhavehaddifficultyinrendering。
Duringmyaudiencewiththejeddakanotherpartyenteredthechamberfrombehindme，sothatIdidnotseetheirfacesuntilKulanTithsteppedpastmetogreetthem，commandingmetofollowandbepresented。
AsIturnedtowardthemitwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmyfeatures，forthere，listeningtoKulanTith’seulogisticwordsconcerningme，stoodmyarch—enemies，MataiShangandThurid。
"HolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns，"thejeddakwassaying，"showerthyblessingsuponDotarSojat，thevalorousstrangerfromdistantHastor，whosewondrousheroismandmarvelousferocitysavedthedayforKaolyesterday。"
MataiShangsteppedforwardandlaidhishanduponmyshoulder。
Noslightestindicationthatherecognizedmeshoweduponhiscountenance——mydisguisewasevidentlycomplete。
HespokekindlytomeandthenpresentedmetoThurid。Theblack，too，wasevidentlyentirelydeceived。ThenKulanTithregaledthem，muchtomyamusement，withdetailsofmyachievementsuponthefieldofbattle。
Thethingthatseemedtohaveimpressedhimmostwasmyremarkableagility，andtimeandagainhedescribedthewondrouswayinwhichIhadleapedcompletelyoveranantagonist，cleavinghisskullwideopenwithmylong—swordasIpassedabovehim。
IthoughtthatIsawThurid’seyeswidenabitduringthenarrative，andseveraltimesIsurprisedhimgazingintentlyintomyfacethroughnarrowedlids。Washecommencingtosuspect？
AndthenKulanTithtoldofthesavagecalotthatfoughtbesideme，andafterthatIsawsuspicionintheeyesofMataiShang——
ordidIbutimagineit？
AtthecloseoftheaudienceKulanTithannouncedthathewouldhavemeaccompanyhimuponthewaytomeethisroyalguest，andasIdepartedwithanofficerwhowastoprocurepropertrappingsandasuitablemountforme，bothMataiShangandThuridseemedmostsincereinprofessingtheirpleasureathavinghadanopportunitytoknowme。ItwaswithasighofreliefthatI
quittedthechamber，convincedthatnothingmorethanaguiltyconsciencehadpromptedmybeliefthateitherofmyenemiessuspectedmytrueidentity。
Ahalf—hourlaterIrodeoutofthecitygatewiththecolumnthataccompaniedKulanTithuponthewaytomeethisfriendandally。
Thoughmyeyesandearshadbeenwideopenduringmyaudiencewiththejeddakandmyvariouspassagesthroughthepalace，IhadseenorheardnothingofDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarth。
ThattheymustbesomewherewithinthegreatramblingedificeIwaspositive，andIshouldhavegivenmuchtohavefoundawaytoremainbehindduringKulanTith’sabsence，thatImightsearchforthem。
Towardnoonwecameintouchwiththeheadofthecolumnwehadsetouttomeet。
Itwasagorgeoustrainthataccompaniedthevisitingjeddak，andformilesitstretchedalongthewide，whiteroadtoKaol。
Mountedtroops，theirtrappingsofjewelandmetal—incrustedleatherglisteninginthesunlight，formedthevanguardofthebody，andthencameathousandgorgeouschariotsdrawnbyhugezitidars。
Theselow，commodiouswagonsmovedtwoabreast，andoneithersideofthemmarchedsolidranksofmountedwarriors，forinthechariotswerethewomenandchildrenoftheroyalcourt。
UponthebackofeachmonsterzitidarrodeaMartianyouth，andthewholescenecarriedmebacktomyfirstdaysuponBarsoom，nowtwenty—twoyearsinthepast，whenIhadfirstbeheldthegorgeousspectacleofacaravanofthegreenhordeofTharks。
NeverbeforetodayhadIseenzitidarsintheserviceofredmen。
Thesebrutesarehugemastodoniananimalsthattowertoanimmenseheightevenbesidethegiantgreenmenandtheirgiantthoats;
butwhencomparedtotherelativelysmallredmanandhisbreedofthoatstheyassumeBrobdingnagianproportionsthataretrulyappalling。
Thebeastswerehungwithjeweledtrappingsandsaddlepadsofgaysilk，embroideredinfancifuldesignswithstringsofdiamonds，pearls，rubies，emeralds，andthecountlessunnamedjewelsofMars，whilefromeachchariotroseadozenstandardsfromwhichstreamers，flags，andpennonsflutteredinthebreeze。
Justinfrontofthechariotsthevisitingjeddakrodealoneuponapurewhitethoat——anotherunusualsightuponBarsoom——andafterthemcameinterminableranksofmountedspearmen，riflemen，andswordsmen。Itwasindeedamostimposingsight。
Exceptfortheclankingofaccoutermentsandtheoccasionalsquealofanangrythoatorthelowgutturalofazitidar，thepassageofthecavalcadewasalmostnoiseless，forneitherthoatnorzitidarisahoofedanimal，andthebroadtiresofthechariotsareofanelasticcomposition，whichgivesforthnosound。
Nowandthenthegaylaughterofawomanorthechatterofchildrencouldbeheard，fortheredMartiansareasocial，pleasure—lovingpeople——indirectantithesistothecoldandmorbidraceofgreenmen。
Theformsandceremonialsconnectedwiththemeetingofthetwojeddaksconsumedanhour，andthenweturnedandretracedourwaytowardthecityofKaol，whichtheheadofthecolumnreachedjustbeforedark，thoughitmusthavebeennearlymorningbeforetherearguardpassedthroughthegateway。
Fortunately，Iwaswelluptowardtheheadofthecolumn，andafterthegreatbanquet，whichIattendedwiththeofficersoftheroyalguard，Iwasfreetoseekrepose。Therewassomuchactivityandbustleaboutthepalaceallduringthenightwiththeconstantarrivalofthenobleofficersofthevisitingjeddak’sretinuethatIdarednotattempttoprosecuteasearchforDejahThoris，andso，assoonasitwasseemlyformetodoso，Ireturnedtomyquarters。
AsIpassedalongthecorridorsbetweenthebanquethallandtheapartmentsthathadbeenallottedme，IhadasuddenfeelingthatIwasundersurveillance，and，turningquicklyinmytracks，caughtaglimpseofafigurewhichdartedintoanopendoorwaytheinstantIwheeledabout。
ThoughIranquicklybacktothespotwheretheshadowerhaddisappearedIcouldfindnotraceofhim，yetinthebriefglimpsethatIhadcaughtIcouldhaveswornthatIhadseenawhitefacesurmountedbyamassofyellowhair。
Theincidentgavemeconsiderablefoodforspeculation，sinceifIwererightintheconclusioninducedbythecursoryglimpseIhadhadofthespy，thenMataiShangandThuridmustsuspectmyidentity，andifthatweretruenoteventheserviceIhadrenderedKulanTithcouldsavemefromhisreligiousfanaticism。
Butneverdidvagueconjectureorfruitlessfearsforthefutureliewithsufficientweightuponmymindtokeepmefrommyrest，andsotonightIthrewmyselfuponmysleepingsilksandfursandpassedatonceintodreamlessslumber。
Calotsarenotpermittedwithinthewallsofthepalaceproper，andsoIhadhadtorelegatepoorWoolatoquartersinthestableswheretheroyalthoatsarekept。Hehadcomfortable，evenluxuriousapartments，butIwouldhavegivenmuchtohavehadhimwithme;
andifhehadbeen，thethingwhichhappenedthatnightwouldnothavecometopass。
IcouldnothavesleptoveraquarterofanhourwhenIwassuddenlyawakenedbythepassingofsomecoldandclammythingacrossmyforehead。InstantlyIsprangtomyfeet，clutchinginthedirectionIthoughtthepresencelay。Foraninstantmyhandtouchedagainsthumanflesh，andthen，asIlungedheadforemostthroughthedarknesstoseizemynocturnalvisitor，myfootbecameentangledinmysleepingsilksandIfellsprawlingtothefloor。
BythetimeIhadresumedmyfeetandfoundthebuttonwhichcontrolledthelightmycallerhaddisappeared。Carefulsearchoftheroomrevealednothingtoexplaineithertheidentityorbusinessofthepersonwhohadthussecretlysoughtmeinthedeadofnight。
ThatthepurposemightbetheftIcouldnotbelieve，sincethievesarepracticallyunknownuponBarsoom。Assassination，however，isrampant，buteventhiscouldnothavebeenthemotiveofmystealthyfriend，forhemighteasilyhavekilledmehadhedesired。
IhadaboutgivenupfruitlessconjectureandwasonthepointofreturningtosleepwhenadozenKaolianguardsmenenteredmyapartment。Theofficerinchargewasoneofmygenialhostsofthemorning，butnowuponhisfacewasnosignoffriendship。
"KulanTithcommandsyourpresencebeforehim，"hesaid。"Come！"
NEWALLIES
SurroundedbyguardsmenImarchedbackalongthecorridorsofthepalaceofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，tothegreataudiencechamberinthecenterofthemassivestructure。
AsIenteredthebrilliantlylightedapartment，filledwiththenoblesofKaolandtheofficersofthevisitingjeddak，alleyeswereturneduponme。Uponthegreatdaisattheendofthechamberstoodthreethrones，uponwhichsatKulanTithandhistwoguests，MataiShang，andthevisitingjeddak。
Upthebroadcenteraislewemarchedbeneathdeadlysilence，andatthefootofthethroneswehalted。
"Preferthycharge，"saidKulanTith，turningtoonewhostoodamongthenoblesathisright;andthenThurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，steppedforwardandfacedme。
"MostnobleJeddak，"hesaid，addressingKulanTith，"fromthefirstIsuspectedthisstrangerwithinthypalace。
Yourdescriptionofhisfiendishprowesstalliedwiththatofthearch—enemyoftruthuponBarsoom。
"ButthattheremightbenomistakeIdespatchedapriestofyourownholyculttomakethetestthatshouldpiercehisdisguiseandrevealthetruth。Beholdtheresult！"andThuridpointedarigidfingeratmyforehead。
Alleyesfollowedthedirectionofthataccusingdigit——Ialoneseemedatalosstoguesswhatfatalsignresteduponmybrow。
Theofficerbesidemeguessedmyperplexity;andasthebrowsofKulanTithdarkenedinamenacingscowlashiseyesresteduponme，thenobledrewasmallmirrorfromhispocket—pouchandhelditbeforemyface。
Oneglanceatthereflectionitgavebacktomewassufficient。
Frommyforeheadthehandofthesneakingthernhadreachedoutthroughtheconcealingdarknessofmybed—chamberandwipedawayapatchofthedisguisingredpigmentasbroadasmypalm。
Beneathshowedthetannedtextureofmyownwhiteskin。
ForamomentThuridceasedspeaking，toenhance，Isuspect，thedramaticeffectofhisdisclosure。Thenheresumed。
"Here，OKulanTith，"hecried，"ishewhohasdesecratedthetemplesoftheGodsofMars，whohasviolatedthepersonsoftheHolyThernsthemselvesandturnedaworldagainstitsage—oldreligion。Beforeyou，inyourpower，JeddakofKaol，DefenderoftheHolies，standsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium！"
KulanTithlookedtowardMataiShangasthoughforcorroborationofthesecharges。TheHolyThernnoddedhishead。
"Itisindeedthearch—blasphemer，"hesaid。"Evennowhehasfollowedmetotheveryheartofthypalace，KulanTith，forthesolepurposeofassassinatingme。He——"
"Helies！"Icried。"KulanTith，listenthatyoumayknowthetruth。
ListenwhileItellyouwhyJohnCarterhasfollowedMataiShangtotheheartofthypalace。Listentomeaswellastothem，andthenjudgeifmyactsbenotmoreinaccordwithtrueBarsoomianchivalryandhonorthanthoseoftheserevengefuldevoteesofthespuriouscreedsfromwhosecruelbondsIhavefreedyourplanet。"
"Silence！"roaredthejeddak，leapingtohisfeetandlayinghishanduponthehiltofhissword。"Silence，blasphemer！KulanTithneednotpermittheairofhisaudiencechambertobedefiledbytheheresiesthatissuefromyourpollutedthroattojudgeyou。
"Youstandalreadyself—condemned。Itbutremainstodeterminethemannerofyourdeath。EventheservicethatyourenderedthearmsofKaolshallavailyounaught;itwasbutabasesubterfugewherebyyoumightwinyourwayintomyfavorandreachthesideofthisholymanwhoselifeyoucraved。Tothepitswithhim！"heconcluded，addressingtheofficerofmyguard。
Herewasaprettypass，indeed！WhatchancehadIagainstawholenation？WhathopeformeofmercyatthehandsofthefanaticalKulanTithwithsuchadvisersasMataiShangandThurid。
Theblackgrinnedmalevolentlyinmyface。
"Youshallnotescapethistime，Earthman，"hetaunted。
Theguardsclosedtowardme。Aredhazeblurredmyvision。
ThefightingbloodofmyVirginiansirescoursedhotthroughmyveins。Thelustofbattleinallitsmadfurywasuponme。
WithaleapIwasbesideThurid，anderethedevilishsmirkhadfadedfromhishandsomefaceIhadcaughthimfulluponthemouthwithmyclenchedfist;andasthegood，oldAmericanblowlanded，theblackdatorshotbackadozenfeet，tocrumpleinaheapatthefootofKulanTith’sthrone，spittingbloodandteethfromhishurtmouth。
ThenIdrewmyswordandswunground，onguard，tofaceanation。
Inaninstanttheguardsmenwereuponme，butbeforeablowhadbeenstruckamightyvoiceroseabovethedinofshoutingwarriors，andagiantfigureleapedfromthedaisbesideKulanTithand，withdrawnlong—sword，threwhimselfbetweenmeandmyadversaries。
Itwasthevisitingjeddak。
"Hold！"hecried。"Ifyouvaluemyfriendship，KulanTith，andtheage—oldpeacethathasexistedbetweenourpeoples，calloffyourswordsmen;forwhereveroragainstwhomsoeverfightsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，therebesidehimandtothedeathfightsThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth。"
TheshoutingceasedandthemenacingpointswereloweredasathousandeyesturnedfirsttowardThuvanDihninsurpriseandthentowardKulanTithinquestion。AtfirsttheJeddakofKaolwentwhiteinrage，butbeforehespokehehadmasteredhimself，sothathistonewascalmandevenasbefittedintercoursebetweentwogreatjeddaks。
"ThuvanDihn，"hesaidslowly，"musthavegreatprovocationthustodesecratetheancientcustomswhichinspirethedeportmentofaguestwithinthepalaceofhishost。LestI，too，shouldforgetmyselfashasmyroyalfriend，IshouldprefertoremainsilentuntiltheJeddakofPtarthhaswonfrommeapplauseforhisactionbyrelatingthecauseswhichprovokedit。"
IcouldseethattheJeddakofPtarthwasofhalfamindtothrowhismetalinKulanTith’sface，buthecontrolledhimselfevenaswellashadhishost。
"NoneknowsbetterthanThuvanDihn，"hesaid，"thelawswhichgoverntheactsofmeninthedomainsoftheirneighbors;butThuvanDihnowesallegiancetoahigherlawthanthese——thelawofgratitude。NortoanymanuponBarsoomdoesheoweagreaterdebtofgratitudethantoJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
"Yearsago，KulanTith，"hecontinued，"upontheoccasionofyourlastvisittome，youweregreatlytakenwiththecharmsandgracesofmyonlydaughter，Thuvia。YousawhowIadoredher，andlateryoulearnedthat，inspiredbysomeunfathomablewhim，shehadtakenthelast，long，voluntarypilgrimageuponthecoldbosomofthemysteriousIss，leavingmedesolate。
"SomemonthsagoIfirstheardoftheexpeditionwhichJohnCarterhadledagainstIssusandtheHolyTherns。FaintrumorsoftheatrocitiesreportedtohavebeencommittedbythethernsuponthosewhoforcountlessageshavefloateddownthemightyIsscametomyears。
"Iheardthatthousandsofprisonershadbeenreleased，fewofwhomdaredtoreturntotheirowncountriesowingtothemandateofterribledeathwhichrestsagainstallwhoreturnfromtheValleyDor。
"ForatimeIcouldnotbelievetheheresieswhichIheard，andIprayedthatmydaughterThuviamighthavediedbeforesheevercommittedthesacrilegeofreturningtotheouterworld。
Butthenmyfather’sloveasserteditself，andIvowedthatI
wouldprefereternaldamnationtofurtherseparationfromherifshecouldbefound。
"SoIsentemissariestoHelium，andtothecourtofXodar，JeddakoftheFirstBorn，andtohimwhonowrulesthoseofthethernnationthathaverenouncedtheirreligion;andfromeachandallIheardthesamestoryofunspeakablecrueltiesandatrocitiesperpetrateduponthepoordefenselessvictimsoftheirreligionbytheHolyTherns。
"Manytherewerewhohadseenorknownmydaughter，andfromthernswhohadbeenclosetoMataiShangIlearnedoftheindignitiesthathepersonallyheapeduponher;andIwasgladwhenIcameheretofindthatMataiShangwasalsoyourguest，forIshouldhavesoughthimouthadittakenalifetime。
"More，too，Iheard，andthatofthechivalrouskindnessthatJohnCarterhadaccordedmydaughter。Theytoldmehowhefoughtforherandrescuedher，andhowhespurnedescapefromthesavageWarhoonsofthesouth，sendinghertosafetyuponhisownthoatandremaininguponfoottomeetthegreenwarriors。
"Canyouwonder，KulanTith，thatIamwillingtojeopardizemylife，thepeaceofmynation，orevenyourfriendship，whichI
prizemorethanaughtelse，tochampionthePrinceofHelium？"
ForamomentKulanTithwassilent。Icouldseebytheexpressionofhisfacethathewassoreperplexed。Thenhespoke。
"ThuvanDihn，"hesaid，andhistonewasfriendlythoughsad，"whoamItojudgemyfellow—man？InmyeyestheFatherofThernsisstillholy，andthereligionwhichheteachestheonlytruereligion，butwereIfacedbythesameproblemthathasvexedyouIdoubtnotthatIshouldfeelandactpreciselyasyouhave。
"InsofarasthePrinceofHeliumisconcernedImayact，butbetweenyouandMataiShangmyonlyofficecanbeoneofconciliation。
ThePrinceofHeliumshallbeescortedinsafetytotheboundaryofmydomainerethesunhassetagain，whereheshallbefreetogowhitherhewill;butuponpainofdeathmustheneveragainenterthelandofKaol。
"IftherebeaquarrelbetweenyouandtheFatherofTherns，Ineednotaskthatthesettlementofitbedeferreduntilbothhavepassedbeyondthelimitsofmypower。Areyousatisfied，ThuvanDihn？"
TheJeddakofPtarthnoddedhisassent，buttheuglyscowlthathebentuponMataiShangharboredillforthatpasty—facedgodling。
"ThePrinceofHeliumisfarfromsatisfied，"Icried，breakingrudelyinuponthebeginningsofpeace，forI
hadnostomachforpeaceatthepricethathadbeennamed。
"IhaveescapeddeathinadozenformstofollowMataiShangandovertakehim，andIdonotintendtobeled，likeadecrepitthoattotheslaughter，fromthegoalthatIhavewonbytheprowessofmyswordarmandthemightofmymuscles。
"NorwillThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth，besatisfiedwhenhehasheardmethrough。DoyouknowwhyIhavefollowedMataiShangandThurid，theblackdator，fromtheforestsoftheValleyDoracrosshalfaworldthroughalmostinsurmountabledifficulties？
"ThinkyouthatJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，wouldstooptoassassination？CanKulanTithbesuchafoolastobelievethatlie，whisperedinhisearbytheHolyThernorDatorThurid？
"IdonotfollowMataiShangtokillhim，thoughtheGodofmineownplanetknowsthatmyhandsitchtobeathisthroat。
Ifollowhim，ThuvanDihn，becausewithhimaretwoprisoners——
mywife，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，andyourdaughter，ThuviaofPtarth。
"NowthinkyouthatIshallpermitmyselftobeledbeyondthewallsofKaolunlessthemotherofmysonaccompaniesme，andthydaughterberestored？"
ThuvanDihnturneduponKulanTith。Rageflamedinhiskeeneyes;
butbythemasterfulnessofhisself—controlhekepthistoneslevelashespoke。
"Knewyouthisthing，KulanTith？"heasked。"Knewyouthatmydaughterlayaprisonerinyourpalace？"
"Hecouldnotknowit，"interruptedMataiShang，whitewithwhatIamsurewasmorefearthanrage。"Hecouldnotknowit，foritisalie。"
Iwouldhavehadhislifeforthatuponthespot，butevenasIsprangtowardhimThuvanDihnlaidaheavyhanduponmyshoulder。
"Wait，"hesaidtome，andthentoKulanTith。"Itisnotalie。
ThismuchhaveIlearnedofthePrinceofHelium——hedoesnotlie。
Answerme，KulanTith——Ihaveaskedyouaquestion。"
"ThreewomencamewiththeFatherofTherns，"repliedKulanTith。
"Phaidor，hisdaughter，andtwowhowerereportedtobeherslaves。
IfthesebeThuviaofPtarthandDejahThorisofHeliumIdidnotknowit——Ihaveseenneither。Butiftheybe，thenshalltheybereturnedtoyouonthemorrow。"
AshespokehelookedstraightatMataiShang，notasadevoteeshouldlookatahighpriest，butasarulerofmenlooksatonetowhomheissuesacommand。
ItmusthavebeenplaintotheFatherofTherns，asitwastome，thattherecentdisclosuresofhistruecharacterhaddonemuchalreadytoweakenthefaithofKulanTith，andthatitwouldrequirebutlittlemoretoturnthepowerfuljeddakintoanavowedenemy;
butsostrongaretheseedsofsuperstitionthateventhegreatKaolianstillhesitatedtocutthefinalstrandthatboundhimtohisancientreligion。
MataiShangwaswiseenoughtoseemtoacceptthemandateofhisfollower，andpromisedtobringthetwoslavewomentotheaudiencechamberonthemorrow。
"Itisalmostmorningnow，"hesaid，"andIshoulddisliketobreakinupontheslumberofmydaughter，orIwouldhavethemfetchedatoncethatyoumightseethatthePrinceofHeliumismistaken，"
andheemphasizedthelastwordinanefforttoaffrontmesosubtilelythatIcouldnottakeopenoffense。
Iwasabouttoobjecttoanydelay，anddemandthatthePrincessofHeliumbebroughttomeforthwith，whenThuvanDihnmadesuchinsistenceseemunnecessary。
"Ishouldliketoseemydaughteratonce，"hesaid，"butifKulanTithwillgivemehisassurancethatnonewillbepermittedtoleavethepalacethisnight，andthatnoharmshallbefalleitherDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarthbetweennowandthemomenttheyarebroughtintoourpresenceinthischamberatdaylightI
shallnotinsist。"
"Noneshallleavethepalacetonight，"repliedtheJeddakofKaol，"andMataiShangwillgiveusassurancethatnoharmwillcometothetwowomen？"
Thethernassentedwithanod。AfewmomentslaterKulanTithindicatedthattheaudiencewasatanend，andatThuvanDihn’sinvitationIaccompaniedtheJeddakofPtarthtohisownapartments，wherewesatuntildaylight，whilehelistenedtotheaccountofmyexperiencesuponhisplanetandtoallthathadbefallenhisdaughterduringthetimethatwehadbeentogether。
IfoundthefatherofThuviaamanaftermyownheart，andthatnightsawthebeginningofafriendshipwhichhasgrownuntilitissecondonlytothatwhichobtainsbetweenTarsTarkas，thegreenJeddakofThark，andmyself。
ThefirstburstofMars’ssuddendawnbroughtmessengersfromKulanTith，summoningustotheaudiencechamberwhereThuvanDihnwastoreceivehisdaughterafteryearsofseparation，andIwastobereunitedwiththegloriousdaughterofHeliumafteranalmostunbrokenseparationoftwelveyears。
MyheartpoundedwithinmybosomuntilIlookedaboutmeinembarrassment，sosurewasIthatallwithintheroommusthear。
Myarmsachedtoenfoldoncemorethedivineformofherwhoseeternalyouthandundyingbeautywerebutoutwardmanifestationsofaperfectsoul。
AtlastthemessengerdespatchedtofetchMataiShangreturned。
Icranedmynecktocatchthefirstglimpseofthosewhoshouldbefollowing，butthemessengerwasalone。
Haltingbeforethethroneheaddressedhisjeddakinavoicethatwasplainlyaudibletoallwithinthechamber。
"OKulanTith，MightiestofJeddaks，"hecried，afterthefashionofthecourt，"yourmessengerreturnsalone，forwhenhereachedtheapartmentsoftheFatherofThernshefoundthemempty，aswerethoseoccupiedbyhissuite。"
KulanTithwentwhite。
AlowgroanburstfromthelipsofThuvanDihnwhostoodnextme，nothavingascendedthethronewhichawaitedhimbesidehishost。
ForamomentthesilenceofdeathreignedinthegreataudiencechamberofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol。Itwashewhobrokethespell。
RisingfromhisthronehesteppeddownfromthedaistothesideofThuvanDihn。Tearsdimmedhiseyesasheplacedbothhishandsupontheshouldersofhisfriend。
"OThuvanDihn，"hecried，"thatthisshouldhavehappenedinthepalaceofthybestfriend！WithmyownhandswouldIhavewrungtheneckofMataiShanghadIguessedwhatwasinhisfoulheart。
Lastnightmylife—longfaithwasweakened——thismorningithasbeenshattered;buttoolate，toolate。
"Towrestyourdaughterandthewifeofthisroyalwarriorfromtheclutchesofthesearchfiendsyouhavebuttocommandtheresourcesofamightynation，forallKaolisatyourdisposal。
Whatmaybedone？Saytheword！"
"First，"Isuggested，"letusfindthoseofyourpeoplewhoberesponsiblefortheescapeofMataiShangandhisfollowers。
Withoutassistanceonthepartofthepalaceguardthisthingcouldnothavecometopass。Seektheguilty，andfromthemforceanexplanationofthemanneroftheirgoingandthedirectiontheyhavetaken。"
BeforeKulanTithcouldissuethecommandsthatwouldinitiatetheinvestigationahandsomeyoungofficersteppedforwardandaddressedhisjeddak。
"OKulanTith，MightiestofJeddaks，"hesaid，"Ialoneberesponsibleforthisgrievouserror。LastnightitwasI
whocommandedthepalaceguard。Iwasondutyinotherpartsofthepalaceduringtheaudienceoftheearlymorning，andknewnothingofwhattranspiredthen，sothatwhentheFatherofThernssummonedmeandexplainedthatitwasyourwishthathispartybehastenedfromthecitybecauseofthepresencehereofadeadlyenemywhosoughttheHolyHekkador’slifeIdidonlywhatalifetimeoftraininghastaughtmewastheproperthingtodo——
IobeyedhimwhomIbelievedtobetherulerofusall，mightiereventhanthou，mightiestofjeddaks。
"Lettheconsequencesandthepunishmentfallonmealone，forIaloneamguilty。Thoseothersofthepalaceguardwhoassistedintheflightdidsoundermyinstructions。"
KulanTithlookedfirstatmeandthenatThuvanDihn，asthoughtoaskourjudgmentupontheman，buttheerrorwassoevidentlyexcusablethatneitherofushadanymindtoseetheyoungofficersufferforamistakethatanymightreadilyhavemade。
"Howleftthey，"askedThuvanDihn，"andwhatdirectiondidtheytake？"
"Theyleftastheycame，"repliedtheofficer，"upontheirownflier。
ForsometimeaftertheyhaddepartedIwatchedthevessel’slights，whichvanishedfinallyduenorth。"
"WherenorthcouldMataiShangfindanasylum？"askedThuvanDihnofKulanTith。
ForsomemomentstheJeddakofKaolstoodwithbowedhead，apparentlydeepinthought。Thenasuddenlightbrightenedhiscountenance。
"Ihaveit！"hecried。"OnlyyesterdayMataiShangletdropahintofhisdestination，tellingmeofaraceofpeopleunlikeourselveswhodwellfartothenorth。They，hesaid，hadalwaysbeenknowntotheHolyThernsandweredevoutandfaithfulfollowersoftheancientcult。Amongthemwouldhefindaperpetualhavenofrefuge，whereno`lyingheretics’mightseekhimout。ItistherethatMataiShanghasgone。"
"AndinallKaoltherebenoflierwhereintofollow，"Icried。
"NornearerthanPtarth，"repliedThuvanDihn。
"Wait！"Iexclaimed，"beyondthesouthernfringeofthisgreatforestliesthewreckofthethernflierwhichbroughtmethatfaruponmyway。Ifyouwillloanmementofetchit，andartificerstoassistme，Icanrepairitintwodays，KulanTith。"
IhadbeenmorethanhalfsuspiciousoftheseemingsincerityoftheKaolianjeddak’ssuddenapostasy，butthealacritywithwhichheembracedmysuggestion，andthedespatchwithwhichaforceofofficersandmenwereplacedatmydisposalentirelyremovedthelastvestigeofmydoubts。
Twodayslatertheflierresteduponthetopofthewatchtower，readytodepart。ThuvanDihnandKulanTithhadofferedmetheentireresourcesoftwonations——millionsoffightingmenwereatmydisposal;butmyfliercouldholdbutoneotherthanmyselfandWoola。
AsIsteppedaboardher，ThuvanDihntookhisplacebesideme。
Icastalookofquestioningsurpriseuponhim。HeturnedtothehighestofhisownofficerswhohadaccompaniedhimtoKaol。
"ToyouIentrustthereturnofmyretinuetoPtarth，"hesaid。
"Theremysonrulesablyinmyabsence。ThePrinceofHeliumshallnotgoaloneintothelandofhisenemies。Ihavespoken。
Farewell！"
THROUGHTHECARRIONCAVES
Straighttowardthenorth，dayandnight，ourdestinationcompassledusafterthefleeingflieruponwhichithadremainedsetsinceIfirstattuneditafterleavingthethernfortress。
Earlyinthesecondnightwenoticedtheairbecomingperceptiblycolder，andfromthedistancewehadcomefromtheequatorwereassuredthatwewererapidlyapproachingthenortharcticregion。
Myknowledgeoftheeffortsthathadbeenmadebycountlessexpeditionstoexplorethatunknownlandbademetocaution，forneverhadflierreturnedwhohadpassedtoanyconsiderabledistancebeyondthemightyice—barrierthatfringesthesouthernhemofthefrigidzone。
Whatbecameofthemnoneknew——onlythattheypassedforeveroutofthesightofmanintothatgrimandmysteriouscountryofthepole。
Thedistancefromthebarriertothepolewasnomorethanaswiftfliershouldcoverinafewhours，andsoitwasassumedthatsomefrightfulcatastropheawaitedthosewhoreachedthe"forbiddenland，"
asithadcometobecalledbytheMartiansoftheouterworld。
ThusitwasthatIwentmoreslowlyasweapproachedthebarrier，foritwasmyintentiontomovecautiouslybydayovertheice—packthatImightdiscover，beforeIhadrunintoatrap，iftherereallylayaninhabitedcountryatthenorthpole，forthereonlycouldI
imagineaspotwhereMataiShangmightfeelsecurefromJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
Wewereflyingatasnail’spacebutafewfeetabovetheground——literallyfeelingourwayalongthroughthedarkness，forbothmoonshadset，andthenightwasblackwiththecloudsthataretobefoundonlyatMars’stwoextremities。
Suddenlyatoweringwallofwhiterosedirectlyinourpath，andthoughIthrewthehelmhardover，andreversedourengine，Iwastoolatetoavoidcollision。Withasickeningcrashwestruckthehighloomingobstaclethree—quarterson。
Theflierreeledhalfover;theenginestopped;asone，thepatchedbuoyancytanksburst，andweplunged，headforemost，tothegroundtwentyfeetbeneath。
Fortunatelynoneofuswasinjured，andwhenwehaddisentangledourselvesfromthewreckage，andthelessermoonhadburstagainfrombelowthehorizon，wefoundthatwewereatthefootofamightyice—barrier，fromwhichoutcroppedgreatpatchesofthegranitehillswhichholditfromencroachingfarthertowardthesouth。
Whatfate！Withthejourneyallbutcompletedtobethuswreckeduponthewrongsideofthatprecipitousandunscalablewallofrockandice！
IlookedatThuvanDihn。Hebutshookhisheaddejectedly。
Thebalanceofthenightwespentshiveringinourinadequatesleepingsilksandfursuponthesnowthatliesatthefootoftheice—barrier。
Withdaylightmybatteredspiritsregainedsomethingoftheiraccustomedhopefulness，thoughImustadmitthattherewaslittleenoughforthemtofeedupon。
"Whatshallwedo？"askedThuvanDihn。"Howmaywepassthatwhichisimpassable？"
"Firstwemustdisproveitsimpassability，"Ireplied。
"NorshallIadmitthatitisimpassablebeforeIhavefolloweditsentirecircleandstandagainuponthisspot，defeated。Thesoonerwestart，thebetter，forIseenootherway，anditwilltakeusmorethanamonthtotraveltheweary，frigidmilesthatliebeforeus。"
Forfivedaysofcoldandsufferingandprivationwetraversedtheroughandfrozenwaywhichliesatthefootoftheice—barrier。
Fierce，fur—bearingcreaturesattackedusbydaylightandbydark。
Neverforamomentwerewesafefromthesuddenchargeofsomehugedemonofthenorth。
Theaptwasourmostconsistentanddangerousfoe。
Itisahuge，white—furredcreaturewithsixlimbs，fourofwhich，shortandheavy，carryitswiftlyoverthesnowandice;
whiletheothertwo，growingforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong，powerfulneck，terminateinwhite，hairlesshands，withwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey。
Itsheadandmoutharemoresimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamusthantoanyotherearthlyanimal，exceptthatfrom"
thesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront。
Itstwohugeeyesinspiredmygreatestcuriosity。Theyextendintwovast，ovalpatchesfromthecenterofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns，sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes，whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach。
Thiseyestructureseemedremarkableinabeastwhosehauntswereuponaglaringfieldoficeandsnow，andthoughIfounduponminuteexaminationofseveralthatwekilledthateachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid，andthattheanimalcanatwillcloseasmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses，yetIwaspositivethatnaturehadthusequippedhimbecausemuchofhislifewastobespentindark，subterraneanrecesses。
Shortlyafterthiswecameuponthehugestaptthatwehadseen。
Thecreaturestoodfullyeightfeetattheshoulder，andwassosleekandcleanandglossythatIcouldhaveswornthathehadbutrecentlybeengroomed。
Hestoodhead—oneyeingusasweapproachedhim，forwehadfounditawasteoftimetoattempttoescapetheperpetualbestialragewhichseemstopossessthesedemoncreatures，whorovethedismalnorthattackingeverylivingthingthatcomeswithinthescopeoftheirfar—seeingeyes。
Evenwhentheirbelliesarefullandtheycaneatnomore，theykillpurelyforthepleasurewhichtheyderivefromtakinglife，andsowhenthisparticularaptfailedtochargeus，andinsteadwheeledandtrottedawayaswenearedhim，IshouldhavebeengreatlysurprisedhadInotchancedtoglimpsethesheenofagoldencollaraboutitsneck。
ThuvanDihnsawit，too，anditcarriedthesamemessageofhopetousboth。Onlymancouldhaveplacedthatcollarthere，andasnoraceofMartiansofwhichweknewaughteverhadattemptedtodomesticatetheferociousapt，hemustbelongtoapeopleofthenorthofwhoseveryexistencewewereignorant——possiblytothefabledyellowmenofBarsoom;thatoncepowerfulracewhichwassupposedtobeextinct，thoughsometimes，bytheorists，thoughtstilltoexistinthefrozennorth。
Simultaneouslywestarteduponthetrailofthegreatbeast。
Woolawasquicklymadetounderstandourdesires，sothatitwasunnecessarytoattempttokeepinsightoftheanimalwhoseswiftflightovertheroughgroundsoonputhimbeyondourvision。
Forthebetterpartoftwohoursthetrailparalleledthebarrier，andthensuddenlyturnedtowarditthroughtheroughestandseeminglymostimpassablecountryIeverhadbeheld。
Enormousgranitebouldersblockedthewayoneveryhand;deepriftsintheicethreatenedtoengulfusattheleastmisstep;
andfromthenorthaslightbreezewaftedtoournostrilsanunspeakablestenchthatalmostchokedus。
Foranothertwohourswewereoccupiedintraversingafewhundredyardstothefootofthebarrier。
Then，turningaboutthecornerofawall—likeoutcroppingofgranite，wecameuponasmoothareaoftwoorthreeacresbeforethebaseofthetoweringpileoficeandrockthathadbaffledusfordays，andbeforeusbeheldthedarkandcavernousmouthofacave。
Fromthisrepellingportalthehorridstenchwasemanating，andasThuvanDihnespiedtheplacehehaltedwithanexclamationofprofoundastonishment。
"Byallmyancestors！"heejaculated。"ThatIshouldhavelivedtowitnesstherealityofthefabledCarrionCaves！
Iftheseindeedbethey，wehavefoundawaybeyondtheice—barrier。
"TheancientchroniclesofthefirsthistoriansofBarsoom——soancientthatwehaveforagesconsideredthemmythology——recordthepassingoftheyellowmenfromtheravagesofthegreenhordesthatoverranBarsoomasthedryingupofthegreatoceansdrovethedominantracesfromtheirstrongholds。
"Theytellofthewanderingsoftheremnantsofthisoncepowerfulrace，harassedateverystep，untilatlasttheyfoundawaythroughtheice—barrierofthenorthtoafertilevalleyatthepole。
"Attheopeningtothesubterraneanpassagethatledtotheirhavenofrefugeamightybattlewasfoughtinwhichtheyellowmenwerevictorious，andwithinthecavesthatgaveingresstotheirnewhometheypiledthebodiesofthedead，bothyellowandgreen，thatthestenchmightwarnawaytheirenemiesfromfurtherpursuit。
"Andeversincethatlong—gonedayhavethedeadofthisfabledlandbeencarriedtotheCarrionCaves，thatindeathanddecaytheymightservetheircountryandwarnawayinvadingenemies。
Here，too，isbrought，sothefableruns，allthewastestuffofthenation——everythingthatissubjecttorot，andthatcanaddtothefoulstenchthatassailsournostrils。
"Anddeathlurksateverystepamongrottingdead，forherethefierceaptslair，addingtotheputridaccumulationwiththefragmentsoftheirownpreywhichtheycannotdevour。Itisahorridavenuetoourgoal，butitistheonlyone。"
"Youaresure，then，thatwehavefoundthewaytothelandoftheyellowmen？"Icried。
"Assureasmaybe，"hereplied;"havingonlyancientlegendtosupportmybelief。Butseehowclosely，sofar，eachdetailtallieswiththeworld—oldstoryofthehegiraoftheyellowrace。
Yes，Iamsurethatwehavediscoveredthewaytotheirancienthidingplace。"
"Ifitbetrue，andletuspraythatsuchmaybethecase，"Isaid，"thenheremaywesolvethemysteryofthedisappearanceofTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，andMorsKajak，hisson，fornootherspotuponBarsoomhasremainedunexploredbythemanyexpeditionsandthecountlessspiesthathavebeensearchingforthemfornearlytwoyears。ThelastwordthatcamefromthemwasthattheysoughtCarthoris，myownbraveson，beyondtheice—barrier。"
Aswetalkedwehadbeenapproachingtheentrancetothecave，andaswecrossedthethresholdIceasedtowonderthattheancientgreenenemiesoftheyellowmenhadbeenhaltedbythehorrorsofthatawfulway。
Thebonesofdeadmenlaymanhighuponthebroadfloorofthefirstcave，andoverallwasaputridmushofdecayingflesh，throughwhichtheaptshadbeatenahideoustrailtowardtheentrancetothesecondcavebeyond。
Theroofofthisfirstapartmentwaslow，likeallthatwetraversedsubsequently，sothatthefoulodorswereconfinedandcondensedtosuchanextentthattheyseemedtopossesstangiblesubstance。Onewasalmosttemptedtodrawhisshort—swordandhewhiswaythroughinsearchofpureairbeyond。
"Canmanbreathethispollutedairandlive？"
askedThuvanDihn，choking。
"Notforlong，Iimagine，"Ireplied;"soletusmakehaste。
Iwillgofirst，andyoubringuptherear，withWoolabetween。
Come，"andwiththewordsIdashedforward，acrossthefetidmassofputrefaction。
Itwasnotuntilwehadpassedthroughsevencavesofdifferentsizesandvaryingbutlittleinthepowerandqualityoftheirstenchesthatwemetwithanyphysicalopposition。Then，withintheeighthcave，wecameuponalairofapts。
Afullscoreofthemightybeastsweredisposedaboutthechamber。
Someweresleeping，whileotherstoreatthefresh—killedcarcassesofnew—broughtprey，orfoughtamongthemselvesintheirlove—making。
Hereinthedimlightoftheirsubterraneanhomethevalueoftheirgreateyeswasapparent，fortheseinnercavesareshroudedinperpetualgloomthatisbutlittlelessthanutterdarkness。
Toattempttopassthroughthemidstofthatfierceherdseemed，eventome，theheightoffolly，andsoIproposedtoThuvanDihnthathereturntotheouterworldwithWoola，thatthetwomightfindtheirwaytocivilizationandcomeagainwithasufficientforcetoovercomenotonlytheapts，butanyfurtherobstaclesthatmightliebetweenusandourgoal。
"Inthemeantime，"Icontinued，"Imaydiscoversomemeansofwinningmywayalonetothelandoftheyellowmen，butifIamunsuccessfulonelifeonlywillhavebeensacrificed。Shouldweallgoonandperish，therewillbenonetoguideasuccoringpartytoDejahThorisandyourdaughter。"
"Ishallnotreturnandleaveyouherealone，JohnCarter，"
repliedThuvanDihn。"Whetheryougoontovictoryordeath，theJeddakofPtarthremainsatyourside。Ihavespoken。"
Iknewfromhistonethatitwereuselesstoattempttoarguethequestion，andsoIcompromisedbysendingWoolabackwithahastilypennednoteenclosedinasmallmetalcaseandfastenedabouthisneck。IcommandedthefaithfulcreaturetoseekCarthorisatHelium，andthoughhalfaworldandcountlessdangerslaybetweenIknewthatifthethingcouldbedoneWoolawoulddoit。
Equippedashewasbynaturewithmarvelousspeedandendurance，andwithfrightfulferocitythatmadehimamatchforanysingleenemyoftheway，hiskeenintelligenceandwondrousinstinctshouldeasilyfurnishallelsethatwasneededforthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofhismission。