Itwaswithevidentreluctancethatthegreatbeastturnedtoleavemeincompliancewithmycommand，anderehehadgoneIcouldnotresisttheinclinationtothrowmyarmsabouthisgreatneckinapartinghug。Herubbedhischeekagainstmineinafinalcaress，andamomentlaterwasspeedingthroughtheCarrionCavestowardtheouterworld。
InmynotetoCarthorisIhadgivenexplicitdirectionsforlocatingtheCarrionCaves，impressinguponhimthenecessityformakingentrancetothecountrybeyondthroughthisavenue，andnottoattemptunderanycircumstancestocrosstheice—barrierwithafleet。
ItoldhimthatwhatlaybeyondtheeighthcaveIcouldnotevenguess;butIwassurethatsomewhereupontheothersideoftheice—barrierhismotherlayinthepowerofMataiShang，andthatpossiblyhisgrandfatherandgreat—grandfatheraswell，iftheylived。
Further，IadvisedhimtocalluponKulanTithandthesonofThuvanDihnforwarriorsandshipsthattheexpeditionmightbesufficientlystrongtoinsuresuccessatthefirstblow。
"And，"Iconcluded，"iftherebetimebringTarsTarkaswithyou，forifIliveuntilyoureachmeIcanthinkoffewgreaterpleasuresthantofightoncemore，shouldertoshoulder，withmyoldfriend。"
WhenWoolahadleftusThuvanDihnandI，hidingintheseventhcave，discussedanddiscardedmanyplansforcrossingtheeighthchamber。
Fromwherewestoodwesawthatthefightingamongtheaptswasgrowingless，andthatmanythathadbeenfeedinghadceasedandlaindowntosleep。
Presentlyitbecameapparentthatinashorttimealltheferociousmonstersmightbepeacefullyslumbering，andthusahazardousopportunitybepresentedtoustocrossthroughtheirlair。
Onebyonetheremainingbrutesstretchedthemselvesuponthebubblingdecompositionthatcoveredthemassofbonesupontheflooroftheirden，untilbutasingleaptremainedawake。
Thishugefellowroamedrestlesslyabout，nosingamonghiscompanionandtheabhorrentlitterofthecave。
Occasionallyhewouldstoptopeerintentlytowardfirstoneoftheexitsfromthechamberandthentheother。
Hiswholedemeanorwasasofonewhoactsassentry。
Wewereatlastforcedtothebeliefthathewouldnotsleepwhiletheotheroccupantsofthelairslept，andsocastaboutinourmindsforsomeschemewherebywemighttrickhim。FinallyI
suggestedaplantoThuvanDihn，andasitseemedasgoodasanythatwehaddiscussedwedecidedtoputittothetest。
TothisendThuvanDihnplacedhimselfcloseagainstthecave’swall，besidetheentrancetotheeighthchamber，whileI
deliberatelyshowedmyselftotheguardianaptashelookedtowardourretreat。ThenIsprangtotheoppositesideoftheentrance，flatteningmybodyclosetothewall。
Withoutasoundthegreatbeastmovedrapidlytowardtheseventhcavetoseewhatmannerofintruderhadthusrashlypenetratedsofarwithintheprecinctsofhishabitation。
Ashepokedhisheadthroughthenarrowaperturethatconnectsthetwocavesaheavylong—swordwasawaitinghimuponeitherhand，andbeforehehadanopportunitytoemitevenasinglegrowlhisseveredheadrolledatourfeet。
Quicklyweglancedintotheeighthchamber——notanapthadmoved。
CrawlingoverthecarcassofthehugebeastthatblockedthedoorwayThuvanDihnandIcautiouslyenteredtheforbiddinganddangerousden。
Likesnailswewoundoursilentandcarefulwayamongthehuge，recumbentforms。Theonlysoundaboveourbreathingwasthesuckingnoiseofourfeetasweliftedthemfromtheoozeofdecayingfleshthroughwhichwecrept。
Halfwayacrossthechamberandoneofthemightybeastsdirectlybeforememovedrestlesslyattheveryinstantthatmyfootwaspoisedabovehishead，overwhichImuststep。
BreathlesslyIwaited，balancingupononefoot，forIdidnotdaremoveamuscle。Inmyrighthandwasmykeenshort—sword，thepointhoveringaninchabovethethickfurbeneathwhichbeatthesavageheart。
Finallytheaptrelaxed，sighing，aswiththepassingofabaddream，andresumedtheregularrespirationofdeepslumber。
Iplantedmyraisedfootbeyondthefierceheadandaninstantlaterhadsteppedoverthebeast。
ThuvanDihnfolloweddirectlyafterme，andanothermomentfoundusatthefurtherdoor，undetected。
TheCarrionCavesconsistofaseriesoftwenty—sevenconnectingchambers，andpresenttheappearanceofhavingbeenerodedbyrunningwaterinsomefar—goneagewhenamightyriverfounditswaytothesouththroughthissinglebreachinthebarrierofrockandicethathemsthecountryofthepole。
ThuvanDihnandItraversedtheremainingnineteencavernswithoutadventureormishap。
WewereafterwardtolearnthatbutonceamonthisitpossibletofindalltheaptsoftheCarrionCavesinasinglechamber。
Atothertimestheyroamsinglyorinpairsinandoutofthecaves，sothatitwouldhavebeenpracticallyimpossiblefortwomentohavepassedthroughtheentiretwenty—sevenchamberswithoutencounteringanaptinnearlyeveryoneofthem。Onceamonththeysleepforafullday，anditwasourgoodfortunetostumblebyaccidentupononeoftheseoccasions。
Beyondthelastcaveweemergedintoadesolatecountryofsnowandice，butfoundawell—markedtrailleadingnorth。
Thewaywasboulder—strewn，ashadbeenthatsouthofthebarrier，sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceaheadofusatanytime。
Afteracoupleofhourswepassedroundahugebouldertocometoasteepdeclivityleadingdownintoavalley。
Directlybeforeuswesawahalfdozenmen——fierce，black—beardedfellows，withskinsthecolorofaripelemon。
"TheyellowmenofBarsoom！"ejaculatedThuvanDihn，asthoughevennowthathesawthemhefounditscarcepossibletobelievethattheveryraceweexpectedtofindhiddeninthisremoteandinaccessiblelanddidreallyexist。
Wewithdrewbehindanadjacentbouldertowatchtheactionsofthelittleparty，whichstoodhuddledatthefootofanotherhugerock，theirbackstowardus。
Oneofthemwaspeeringroundtheedgeofthegranitemassasthoughwatchingonewhoapproachedfromtheoppositeside。
PresentlytheobjectofhisscrutinycamewithintherangeofmyvisionandIsawthatitwasanotheryellowman。Allwereclothedinmagnificentfurs——thesixintheblackandyellowstripedhideoftheorluk，whilehewhoapproachedalonewasresplendentinthepurewhiteskinofanapt。
Theyellowmenwerearmedwithtwoswords，andashortjavelinwasslungacrossthebackofeach，whilefromtheirleftarmshungcuplikeshieldsnolargerthanadinnerplate，theconcavesidesofwhichturnedoutwardtowardanantagonist。
Theyseemedpunyandfutileimplementsofsafetyagainstanevenordinaryswordsman，butIwaslatertoseethepurposeofthemandwithwhatwondrousdexteritytheyellowmenmanipulatethem。
Oneoftheswordswhicheachofthewarriorscarriedcaughtmyimmediateattention。Icallitasword，butreallyitwasasharp—
edgedbladewithacompletehookatthefarend。
Theotherswordwasofaboutthesamelengthasthehookedinstrument，andsomewherebetweenthatofmylong—swordandmyshort—sword。Itwasstraightandtwo—edged。InadditiontotheweaponsIhaveennumeratedeachmancarriedadaggerinhisharness。
Asthewhite—furredoneapproached，thesixgraspedtheirswordsmorefirmly——thehookedinstrumentinthelefthand，thestraightswordintheright，whileabovetheleftwristthesmallshieldwasheldrigiduponametalbracelet。
AsthelonewarriorcameoppositethemthesixrushedoutuponhimwithfiendishyellsthatresemblednothingmorecloselythanthesavagewarcryoftheApachesoftheSouth—west。
Instantlytheattackeddrewbothhisswords，andasthesixfelluponhimIwitnessedasprettyfightingasonemightcaretosee。
Withtheirsharphooksthecombatantsattemptedtotakeholdofanadversary，butlikelightningthecupshapedshieldwouldspringbeforethedartingweaponandintoitshollowthehookwouldplunge。
Oncethelonewarriorcaughtanantagonistinthesidewithhishook，anddrawinghimcloseranhisswordthroughhim。
Buttheoddsweretoounequal，and，thoughhewhofoughtalonewasbyfarthebestandbravestofthemall，Isawthatitwasbutaquestionoftimebeforetheremainingfivewouldfindanopeningthroughhismarvelousguardandbringhimdown。
Nowmysympathieshaveeverbeenwiththeweakersideofanargument，andthoughIknewnothingofthecauseofthetroubleIcouldnotstandidlybyandseeabravemanbutcheredbysuperiornumbers。
AsamatteroffactIpresumeIgavelittleattentiontoseekinganexcuse，forIloveagoodfighttoowelltoneedanyotherreasonforjoininginwhenoneisafoot。
SoitwasthatbeforeThuvanDihnknewwhatIwasabouthesawmestandingbythesideofthewhite—cladyellowman，battlinglikemadwithhisfiveadversaries。
WITHTHEYELLOWMEN
ThuvanDihnwasnotlonginjoiningme;and，thoughwefoundthehookedweaponastrangeandsavagethingwithwhichtodeal，thethreeofussoondespatchedthefiveblack—beardedwarriorswhoopposedus。
Whenthebattlewasoverournewacquaintanceturnedtome，andremovingtheshieldfromhiswrist，helditout。Ididnotknowthesignificanceofhisact，butjudgedthatitwasbutaformofexpressinghisgratitudetome。
Iafterwardlearnedthatitsymbolizedtheofferingofaman’slifeinreturnforsomegreatfavordonehim;andmyactofrefusing，whichIhadimmediatelydone，waswhatwasexpectedofme。
"ThenacceptfromTalu，PrinceofMarentina，"saidtheyellowman，"thistokenofmygratitude，"andreachingbeneathoneofhiswidesleeveshewithdrewabraceletandplacedituponmyarm。
HethenwentthroughthesameceremonywithThuvanDihn。
Nextheaskedournames，andfromwhatlandwehailed。
Heseemedquitefamiliarwiththegeographyoftheouterworld，andwhenIsaidIwasfromHeliumheraisedhisbrows。
"Ah，"hesaid，"youseekyourrulerandhiscompany？"
"Knowyouofthem？"Iasked。
"Butlittlemorethanthattheywerecapturedbymyuncle，SalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，RulerofOkar，landoftheyellowmenofBarsoom。
AstotheirfateIknownothing，forIamatwarwithmyuncle，whowouldcrushmypowerintheprincipalityofMarentina。
"Thesefromwhomyouhavejustsavedmearewarriorshehassentouttofindandslayme，fortheyknowthatoftenIcomealonetohuntandkillthesacredaptwhichSalensusOllsomuchreveres。
ItispartlybecauseIhatehisreligionthatSalensusOllhatesme;
butmostlydoeshefearmygrowingpowerandthegreatfactionwhichhasarisenthroughoutOkarthatwouldbegladtoseemerulerofOkarandJeddakofJeddaksinhisplace。
"Heisacruelandtyrannousmasterwhomallhate，andwereitnotforthegreatfeartheyhaveofhimIcouldraiseanarmyovernightthatwouldwipeoutthefewthatmightremainloyaltohim。Myownpeoplearefaithfultome，andthelittlevalleyofMarentinahaspaidnotributetothecourtofSalensusOllforayear。
"Norcanheforceus，foradozenmenmayholdthenarrowwaytoMarentinaagainstamillion。Butnow，astothineownaffairs。
HowmayIaidyou？Mypalaceisatyourdisposal，ifyouwishtohonormebycomingtoMarentina。"
"Whenourworkisdoneweshallbegladtoacceptyourinvitation，"
Ireplied。"ButnowyoucanassistusmostbydirectingustothecourtofSalensusOll，andsuggestingsomemeansbywhichwemaygainadmissiontothecityandthepalace，orwhateverotherplacewefindourfriendstobeconfined。"
TalugazedruefullyatoursmoothfacesandatThuvanDihn’sredskinandmywhiteone。
"FirstyoumustcometoMarentina，"hesaid，"foragreatchangemustbewroughtinyourappearancebeforeyoucanhopetoenteranycityinOkar。Youmusthaveyellowfacesandblackbeards，andyourapparelandtrappingsmustbethoseleastlikelytoarousesuspicion。InmypalaceisonewhocanmakeyouappearastrulyyellowmenasdoesSalensusOllhimself。"
Hiscounselseemedwise;andastherewasapparentlynootherwaytoinsureasuccessfulentrytoKadabra，thecapitalcityofOkar，wesetoutwithTalu，PrinceofMarentina，forhislittle，rock—boundcountry。
ThewaywasoversomeoftheworsttravelingIhaveeverseen，andIdonotwonderthatinthislandwherethereareneitherthoatsnorfliersthatMarentinaisinlittlefearofinvasion;butatlastwereachedourdestination，thefirstviewofwhichIhadfromaslightelevationahalf—milefromthecity。
NestledinadeepvalleylayacityofMartianconcrete，whoseeverystreetandplazaandopenspacewasroofedwithglass。
Allaboutlaysnowandice，buttherewasnoneupontherounded，domelike，crystalcoveringthatenvelopedthewholecity。
ThenIsawhowthesepeoplecombattedtherigorsofthearctic，andlivedinluxuryandcomfortinthemidstofalandofperpetualice。Theircitieswereveritablehothouses，andwhenI
hadcomewithinthisonemyrespectandadmirationforthescientificandengineeringskillofthisburiednationwasunbounded。
ThemomentweenteredthecityTaluthrewoffhisoutergarmentsoffur，asdidwe，andIsawthathisappareldifferedbutlittlefromthatoftheredracesofBarsoom。Exceptforhisleathernharness，coveredthickwithjewelsandmetal，hewasnaked，norcouldonehavecomfortablywornapparelinthatwarmandhumidatmosphere。
ForthreedaysweremainedtheguestsofPrinceTalu，andduringthattimeheshowereduponuseveryattentionandcourtesywithinhispower。Heshowedusallthatwasofinterestinhisgreatcity。
TheMarentinaatmosphereplantwillmaintainlifeindefinitelyinthecitiesofthenorthpoleafteralllifeuponthebalanceofdyingMarsisextinctthroughthefailureoftheairsupply，shouldthegreatcentralplantagainceasefunctioningasitdiduponthatmemorableoccasionthatgavemetheopportunityofrestoringlifeandhappinesstothestrangeworldthatIhadalreadylearnedtolovesowell。
Heshowedustheheatingsystemthatstoresthesun’sraysingreatreservoirsbeneaththecity，andhowlittleisnecessarytomaintaintheperpetualsummerheatofthegloriousgardenspotwithinthisarcticparadise。
Broadavenuesofsodsewnwiththeseedoftheochervegetationofthedeadseabottomscarriedthenoiselesstrafficoflightandairygroundfliersthataretheonlyformofartificialtransportationusednorthofthegiganticice—barrier。
Thebroadtiresoftheseuniquefliersarebutrubber—likegasbagsfilledwiththeeighthBarsoomianray，orrayofpropulsion——
thatremarkablediscoveryoftheMartiansthathasmadepossiblethegreatfleetsofmightyairshipsthatrendertheredmanoftheouterworldsupreme。Itisthisraywhichpropelstheinherentorreflectedlightoftheplanetoffintospace，andwhenconfinedgivestotheMartiancrafttheirairybuoyancy。
ThegroundfliersofMarentinacontainjustsufficientbuoyancyintheirautomobile—likewheelstogivethecarstractionforsteeringpurposes;andthoughthehindwheelsaregearedtotheengine，andaidindrivingthemachine，thebulkofthisworkiscarriedbyasmallpropelleratthestern。
Iknowofnomoredelightfulsensationthanthatofridinginoneoftheseluxuriouslyappointedcarswhichskim，lightandairyasfeathers，alongthesoft，mossyavenuesofMarentina。TheymovewithabsolutenoiselessnessbetweenbordersofcrimsonswardandbeneatharchingtreesgorgeouswiththewondrousbloomsthatmarksomanyofthehighlycultivatedvarietiesofBarsoomianvegetation。
Bytheendofthethirddaythecourtbarber——Icanthinkofnootherearthlyappellationbywhichtodescribehim——hadwroughtsoremarkableatransformationinbothThuvanDihnandmyselfthatourownwiveswouldneverhaveknownus。Ourskinswereofthesamelemoncolorashisown，andgreat，blackbeardsandmustacheshadbeendeftlyaffixedtooursmoothfaces。ThetrappingsofwarriorsofOkaraidedinthedeception;andforwearbeyondthehothousecitiesweeachhadsuitsoftheblack—andyellow—stripedorluk。
TalugaveuscarefuldirectionsforthejourneytoKadabra，thecapitalcityoftheOkarnation，whichistheracialnameoftheyellowmen。Thisgoodfriendevenaccompanieduspartway，andthen，promisingtoaidusinanywaythathefoundpossible，badeusadieu。
Onpartingheslippeduponmyfingeracuriouslywroughtringsetwithadead—black，lusterlessstone，whichappearedmorelikeabitofbituminouscoalthanthepricelessBarsoomiangemwhichinrealityitis。
"Therehadbeenbutthreeotherscutfromthemotherstone，"
hesaid，"whichisinmypossession。Thesethreearewornbynobleshighinmyconfidence，allofwhomhavebeensentonsecretmissionstothecourtofSalensusOll。
"Shouldyoucomewithinfiftyfeetofanyofthesethreeyouwillfeelarapid，prickingsensationinthefingeruponwhichyouwearthisring。Hewhowearsoneofitsmateswillexperiencethesamefeeling;itiscausedbyanelectricalactionthattakesplacethemomenttwoofthesegemscutfromthesamemotherstonecomewithintheradiusofeachother’spower。Byityouwillknowthatafriendisathanduponwhomyoumaydependforassistanceintimeofneed。
"Shouldanotherwearerofoneofthesegemscalluponyouforaiddonotdenyhim，andshoulddeaththreatenyouswallowtheringratherthanletitfallintothehandsofenemies。Guarditwithyourlife，JohnCarter，forsomedayitmaymeanmorethanlifetoyou。"
WiththispartingadmonitionourgoodfriendturnedbacktowardMarentina，andwesetourfacesinthedirectionofthecityofKadabraandthecourtofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks。
Thatveryeveningwecamewithinsightofthewalledandglass—roofedcityofKadabra。Itliesinalowdepressionnearthepole，surroundedbyrocky，snow—cladhills。Fromthepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalleywehadasplendidviewofthisgreatcityofthenorth。
Itscrystaldomessparkledinthebrilliantsunlightgleamingabovethefrost—coveredouterwallthatcirclestheentireonehundredmilesofitscircumference。
Atregularintervalsgreatgatesgiveentrancetothecity;
butevenatthedistancefromwhichwelookeduponthemassivepilewecouldseethatallwereclosed，and，inaccordancewithTalu’ssuggestion，wedeferredattemptingtoenterthecityuntilthefollowingmorning。
Ashehadsaid，wefoundnumerouscavesinthehillsidesaboutus，andintooneofthesewecreptforthenight。Ourwarmorlukskinskeptusperfectlycomfortable，anditwasonlyafteramostrefreshingsleepthatweawokeshortlyafterdaylightonthefollowingmorning。
Alreadythecitywasastir，andfromseveralofthegateswesawpartiesofyellowmenemerging。FollowingcloselyeachdetailoftheinstructionsgivenusbyourgoodfriendofMarentina，weremainedconcealedforseveralhoursuntilonepartyofsomehalfdozenwarriorshadpassedalongthetrailbelowourhidingplaceandenteredthehillsbywayofthepassalongwhichwehadcomethepreviousevening。
Aftergivingthemtimetogetwelloutofsightofourcave，ThuvanDihnandIcreptoutandfollowedthem，overtakingthemwhentheywerewellintothehills。
WhenwehadcomealmosttothemIcalledaloudtotheirleader，whenthewholepartyhaltedandturnedtowardus。
Thecrucialtesthadcome。Couldwebutdeceivethesementherestwouldbecomparativelyeasy。
"Kaor！"IcriedasIcameclosertothem。
"Kaor！"respondedtheofficerinchargeoftheparty。
"WebefromIllall，"Icontinued，givingthenameofthemostremotecityofOkar，whichhaslittleornointercoursewithKadabra。
"Onlyyesterdaywearrived，andthismorningthecaptainofthegatetoldusthatyouweresettingouttohuntorluks，whichisasportwedonotfindinourownneighborhood。Wehavehastenedafteryoutopraythatyouallowustoaccompanyyou。"
Theofficerwasentirelydeceived，andgraciouslypermittedustogowiththemfortheday。Thechanceguessthattheywerebounduponanorlukhuntprovedcorrect，andTaluhadsaidthatthechancesweretentoonethatsuchwouldbethemissionofanypartyleavingKadabrabythepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalley，sincethatwayleadsdirectlytothevastplainsfrequentedbythiselephantinebeastofprey。
Insofarasthehuntwasconcerned，thedaywasafailure，forwedidnotseeasingleorluk;butthisprovedmorethanfortunateforus，sincetheyellowmenweresochagrinedbytheirmisfortunethattheywouldnotenterthecitybythesamegatebywhichtheyhadleftitinthemorning，asitseemedthattheyhadmadegreatboaststothecaptainofthatgateabouttheirskillatthisdangeroussport。
We，therefore，approachedKadabraatapointseveralmilesfromthatatwhichthepartyhadquitteditinthemorning，andsowererelievedofthedangerofembarrassingquestionsandexplanationsonthepartofthegatecaptain，whomwehadsaidhaddirectedustothisparticularhuntingparty。
Wehadcomequiteclosetothecitywhenmyattentionwasattractedtowardatall，blackshaftthatreareditsheadseveralhundredfeetintotheairfromwhatappearedtobeatangledmassofjunkorwreckage，nowpartiallysnow—covered。
IdidnotdareventureaninquiryforfearofarousingsuspicionbyevidentignoranceofsomethingwhichasayellowmanIshouldhaveknown;butbeforewereachedthecitygateIwastolearnthepurposeofthatgrimshaftandthemeaningofthemightyaccumulationbeneathit。
Wehadcomealmosttothegatewhenoneofthepartycalledtohisfellows，atthesametimepointingtowardthedistantsouthernhorizon。Followingthedirectionheindicated，myeyesdescriedthehullofalargeflierapproachingrapidlyfromabovethecrestoftheencirclinghills。
"Stillotherfoolswhowouldsolvethemysteriesoftheforbiddennorth，"saidtheofficer，halftohimself。
"Willtheyneverceasetheirfatalcuriosity？"
"Letushopenot，"answeredoneofthewarriors，"forthenwhatshouldwedoforslavesandsport？"
"True;butwhatstupidbeaststheyaretocontinuetocometoaregionfromwhencenoneofthemeverhasreturned。"
"Letustarryandwatchtheendofthisone，"suggestedoneofthemen。
Theofficerlookedtowardthecity。
"Thewatchhasseenhim，"hesaid;"wemayremain，forwemaybeneeded。"
Ilookedtowardthecityandsawseveralhundredwarriorsissuingfromthenearestgate。Theymovedleisurely，asthoughtherewerenoneedforhaste——norwasthere，asIwaspresentlytolearn。
ThenIturnedmyeyesoncemoretowardtheflier。Shewasmovingrapidlytowardthecity，andwhenshehadcomecloseenoughIwassurprisedtoseethatherpropellerswereidle。
Straightforthatgrimshaftshebore。AtthelastminuteI
sawthegreatbladesmovetoreverseher，yetonshecameasthoughdrawnbysomemighty，irresistiblepower。
Intenseexcitementprevaileduponherdeck，wheremenwererunninghitherandthither，manningthegunsandpreparingtolaunchthesmall，one—manfliers，afleetofwhichispartoftheequipmentofeveryMartianwarvessel。Closerandclosertotheblackshafttheshipsped。Inanotherinstantshemuststrike，andthenIsawthefamiliarsignalflownthatsendsthelesserboatsinagreatflockfromthedeckofthemothership。
Instantlyahundredtinyfliersrosefromherdeck，likeaswarmofhugedragonflies;butscarcelyweretheyclearofthebattleshipthanthenoseofeachturnedtowardtheshaft，andthey，too，rushedonatfrightfulspeedtowardthesamenowseeminglyinevitableendthatmenacedthelargervessel。
Amomentlaterthecollisioncame。Menwerehurledineverydirectionfromtheship’sdeck，whileshe，bentandcrumpled，tookthelast，longplungetothescrap—heapattheshaft’sbase。
Withherfellashowerofherowntinyfliers，foreachofthemhadcomeinviolentcollisionwiththesolidshaft。
Inoticedthatthewreckedfliersscrapeddowntheshaft’sside，andthattheirfallwasnotasrapidasmighthavebeenexpected;
andthensuddenlythesecretoftheshaftburstuponme，andwithitanexplanationofthecausethatpreventedaflierthatpassedtoofaracrosstheice—barriereverreturning。
Theshaftwasamightymagnet，andwhenonceavesselcamewithintheradiusofitspowerfulattractionforthealuminumsteelthatenterssolargelyintotheconstructionofallBarsoomiancraft，nopoweronearthcouldpreventsuchanendaswehadjustwitnessed。
IafterwardlearnedthattheshaftrestsdirectlyoverthemagneticpoleofMars，butwhetherthisaddsinanywaytoitsincalculablepowerofattractionIdonotknow。Iamafightingman，notascientist。
Here，atlast，wasanexplanationofthelongabsenceofTardosMorsandMorsKajak。ThesevaliantandintrepidwarriorshaddaredthemysteriesanddangersofthefrozennorthtosearchforCarthoris，whoselongabsencehadbowedingrieftheheadofhisbeautifulmother，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。
Themomentthatthelastoftheflierscametorestatthebaseoftheshafttheblack—bearded，yellowwarriorsswarmedoverthemassofwreckageuponwhichtheylay，makingprisonersofthosewhowereuninjuredandoccasionallydespatchingwithasword—thrustoneofthewoundedwhoseemedpronetoresenttheirtauntsandinsults。
Afewoftheuninjuredredmenbattledbravelyagainsttheircruelfoes，butforthemostparttheyseemedtoooverwhelmedbythehorrorofthecatastrophethathadbefallenthemtodomorethansubmitsupinelytothegoldenchainswithwhichtheyweremanacled。
Whenthelastoftheprisonershadbeenconfined，thepartyreturnedtothecity，atthegateofwhichwemetapackoffierce，gold—collaredapts，eachofwhichmarchedbetweentwowarriors，whoheldthemwithstrongchainsofthesamemetalastheircollars。
Justbeyondthegatetheattendantsloosenedthewholeterribleherd，andastheyboundedofftowardthegrim，blackshaftIdidnotneedtoasktoknowtheirmission。HadtherenotbeenthosewithinthecruelcityofKadabrawhoneededsuccorfarworsethanthepoorunfortunatedeadanddyingoutthereinthecolduponthebentandbrokencarcassesofathousandfliersIcouldnothaverestrainedmydesiretohastenbackanddobattlewiththosehorridcreaturesthathadbeendespatchedtorendanddevourthem。
AsitwasIcouldbutfollowtheyellowwarriors，withbowedhead，andgivethanksforthechancethathadgivenThuvanDihnandmesucheasyingresstothecapitalofSalensusOll。
Oncewithinthegates，wehadnodifficultyineludingourfriendsofthemorning，andpresentlyfoundourselvesinaMartianhostelry。
INDURANCE
ThepublichousesofBarsoom，Ihavefound，varybutlittle。
Thereisnoprivacyforotherthanmarriedcouples。
Menwithouttheirwivesareescortedtoalargechamber，thefloorofwhichisusuallyofwhitemarbleorheavyglass，keptscrupulouslyclean。Herearemanysmall，raisedplatformsfortheguest’ssleepingsilksandfurs，andifhehavenoneofhisownclean，freshonesarefurnishedatanominalcharge。
Onceaman’sbelongingshavebeendepositedupononeoftheseplatformsheisaguestofthehouse，andthatplatformhisownuntilheleaves。Noonewilldisturbormolesthisbelongings，astherearenothievesuponMars。
Asassassinationistheonethingtobefeared，theproprietorsofthehostelriesfurnisharmedguards，whopacebackandforththroughthesleeping—roomsdayandnight。Thenumberofguardsandgorgeousnessoftheirtrappingsquiteusuallydenotethestatusofthehotel。
Nomealsareservedinthesehouses，butgenerallyapubliceatingplaceadjoinsthem。Bathsareconnectedwiththesleepingchambers，andeachguestisrequiredtobathedailyordepartfromthehotel。
Usuallyonasecondorthirdfloorthereisalargesleeping—
roomforsinglewomenguests，butitsappointmentsdonotvarymateriallyfromthechamberoccupiedbymen。Theguardswhowatchthewomenremaininthecorridoroutsidethesleepingchamber，whilefemaleslavespacebackandforthamongthesleeperswithin，readytonotifythewarriorsshouldtheirpresenceberequired。
Iwassurprisedtonotethatalltheguardswiththehotelatwhichwestoppedwereredmen，andoninquiringofoneofthemI
learnedthattheywereslavespurchasedbytheproprietorsofthehotelsfromthegovernment。ThemanwhosepostwaspastmysleepingplatformhadbeencommanderofthenavyofagreatMartiannation;
butfatehadcarriedhisflagshipacrosstheice—barrierwithintheradiusofpowerofthemagneticshaft，andnowformanytediousyearshehadbeenaslaveoftheyellowmen。
Hetoldmethatprinces，jeds，andevenjeddaksoftheouterworld，wereamongthemenialswhoservedtheyellowrace;butwhenI
askedhimifhehadheardofthefateofMorsKajakorTardosMorsheshookhishead，sayingthatheneverhadheardoftheirbeingprisonershere，thoughhewasveryfamiliarwiththereputationsandfametheyboreintheouterworld。
NeitherhadheheardanyrumorofthecomingoftheFatherofThernsandtheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，buthehastenedtoexplainthatheknewlittleofwhattookplacewithinthepalace。
Icouldseethathewonderednotalittlethatayellowmanshouldbesoinquisitiveaboutcertainredprisonersfrombeyondtheice—
barrier，andthatIshouldbesoignorantofcustomsandconditionsamongmyownrace。
Infact，Ihadforgottenmydisguiseupondiscoveringaredmanpacingbeforemysleepingplatform;buthisgrowingexpressionofsurprisewarnedmeintime，forIhadnomindtorevealmyidentitytoanyunlesssomegoodcouldcomeofit，andIdidnotseehowthispoorfellowcouldservemeyet，thoughIhaditinmymindthatlaterImightbethemeansofservinghimandalltheotherthousandsofprisonerswhodothebiddingoftheirsternmastersinKadabra。
ThuvanDihnandIdiscussedourplansaswesattogetheramongoursleepingsilksandfursthatnightinthemidstofthehundredsofyellowmenwhooccupiedtheapartmentwithus。Wespokeinlowwhispers，but，asthatisonlywhatcourtesydemandsinapublicsleepingplace，werousednosuspicion。
Atlast，determiningthatallmustbebutidlespeculationuntilafterwehadhadachancetoexplorethecityandattempttoputintoexecutiontheplanTaluhadsuggested，webadeeachothergoodnightandturnedtosleep。
AfterbreakfastingthefollowingmorningwesetouttoseeKadabra，andas，throughthegenerosityoftheprinceofMarentina，wewerewellsuppliedwiththefundscurrentinOkarwepurchasedahandsomegroundflier。HavinglearnedtodrivethemwhileinMarentina，wespentadelightfulandprofitabledayexploringthecity，andlateintheafternoonatthehourTalutolduswewouldfindgovernmentofficialsintheiroffices，westoppedbeforeamagnificentbuildingontheplazaoppositetheroyalgroundsandthepalace。
Herewewalkedboldlyinpastthearmedguardatthedoor，tobemetbyaredslavewithinwhoaskedourwishes。
"TellSorav，yourmaster，thattwowarriorsfromIllallwishtotakeserviceinthepalaceguard，"Isaid。
Sorav，Taluhadtoldus，wasthecommanderoftheforcesofthepalace，andasmenfromthefurthercitiesofOkar——andespeciallyIllall——werelesslikelytobetaintedwiththegermofintriguewhichhadforyearsinfectedthehouseholdofSalensusOll，hewassurethatwewouldbewelcomedandfewquestionsaskedus。
HehadprimeduswithsuchgeneralinformationashethoughtwouldbenecessaryforustopassmusterbeforeSorav，afterwhichwewouldhavetoundergoafurtherexaminationbeforeSalensusOllthathemightdetermineourphysicalfitnessandourabilityaswarriors。
Thelittleexperiencewehadhadwiththestrangehookedswordoftheyellowmanandhiscuplikeshieldmadeitseemratherunlikelythateitherofuscouldpassthisfinaltest，buttherewasthechancethatwemightbequarteredinthepalaceofSalensusOllforseveraldaysafterbeingacceptedbySoravbeforetheJeddakofJeddakswouldfindtimetoputustothefinaltest。
Afterawaitofseveralminutesinanante—chamberweweresummonedintotheprivateofficeofSorav，wherewewerecourteouslygreetedbythisferocious—appearing，black—beardedofficer。Heaskedusournamesandstationsinourowncity，andhavingreceivedrepliesthatwereevidentlysatisfactorytohim，heputcertainquestionstousthatTaluhadforeseenandpreparedusfor。
TheinterviewcouldnothavelastedovertenminuteswhenSoravsummonedanaidwhomheinstructedtorecordusproperly，andthenescortustothequartersinthepalacewhicharesetasideforaspirantstomembershipinthepalaceguard。
Theaidtookustohisownofficefirst，wherehemeasuredandweighedandphotographedussimultaneouslywithamachineingeniouslydevisedforthatpurpose，fivecopiesbeinginstantlyreproducedinfivedifferentofficesofthegovernment，twoofwhicharelocatedinothercitiesmilesdistant。
Thenheledusthroughthepalacegroundstothemainguardroomofthepalace，thereturningusovertotheofficerincharge。
Thisindividualagainquestionedusbriefly，andfinallydespatchedasoldiertoguideustoourquarters。Thesewefoundlocateduponthesecondfloorofthepalaceinasemi—detachedtowerattherearoftheedifice。
Whenweaskedourguidewhywewerequarteredsofarfromtheguardroomherepliedthatthecustomoftheoldermembersoftheguardofpickingquarrelswithaspirantstotrytheirmetalhadresultedinsomanydeathsthatitwasfounddifficulttomaintaintheguardatitsfullstrengthwhilethiscustomprevailed。
SalensusOllhad，therefore，setapartthesequartersforaspirants，andheretheyweresecurelylockedagainstthedangerofattackbymembersoftheguard。
Thisunwelcomeinformationputasuddenchecktoallourwell—
laidplans，foritmeantthatweshouldvirtuallybeprisonersinthepalaceofSalensusOlluntilthetimethatheshouldseefittogiveusthefinalexaminationforefficiency。
AsitwasthisintervaluponwhichwehadbankedtoaccomplishsomuchinoursearchforDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，ourchagrinwasunboundedwhenweheardthegreatlockclickbehindourguideashehadquittedusafterusheringusintothechambersweweretooccupy。
WithawryfaceIturnedtoThuvanDihn。Mycompanionbutshookhisheaddisconsolatelyandwalkedtooneofthewindowsuponthefarsideoftheapartment。
Scarcelyhadhegazedbeyondthemthanhecalledtomeinatoneofsuppressedexcitementandsurprise。InaninstantI
wasbyhisside。
"Look！"saidThuvanDihn，pointingtowardthecourtyardbelow。
AsmyeyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedIsawtwowomenpacingbackandforthinanenclosedgarden。
AtthesamemomentIrecognizedthem——theywereDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth！
ThereweretheywhomIhadtrailedfromonepoletoanother，thelengthofaworld。Onlytenfeetofspaceandafewmetalbarsseparatedmefromthem。
WithacryIattractedtheirattention，andasDejahThorislookedupfullintomyeyesImadethesignoflovethatthemenofBarsoommaketotheirwomen。
Tomyastonishmentandhorrorherheadwenthigh，andasalookofuttercontempttouchedherfinelychiseledfeaturessheturnedherbackfulluponme。Mybodyiscoveredwiththescarsofathousandconflicts，butneverinallmylonglifehaveIsufferedsuchanguishfromawound，forthistimethesteelofawoman’slookhadenteredmyheart。
WithagroanIturnedawayandburiedmyfaceinmyarms。I
heardThuvanDihncallaloudtoThuvia，butaninstantlaterhisexclamationofsurprisebetokenedthathe，too，hadbeenrepulsedbyhisowndaughter。
"Theywillnotevenlisten，"hecriedtome。"Theyhaveputtheirhandsovertheirearsandwalkedtothefartherendofthegarden。Everheardyouofsuchmadwork，JohnCarter？Thetwomustbebewitched。"
PresentlyImusteredthecouragetoreturntothewindow，foreventhoughshespurnedmeIlovedher，andcouldnotkeepmyeyesfromfeastinguponherdivinefaceandfigure，butwhenshesawmelookingsheagainturnedaway。
Iwasatmywit’sendtoaccountforherstrangeactions，andthatThuvia，too，hadturnedagainstherfatherseemedincredible。
CoulditbethatmyincomparableprincessstillclungtothehideousfaithfromwhichIhadrescuedherworld？CoulditbethatshelookeduponmewithloathingandcontemptbecauseIhadreturnedfromtheValleyDor，orbecauseIhaddesecratedthetemplesandpersonsoftheHolyTherns？
TonaughtelsecouldIascribeherstrangedeportment，yetitseemedfarfrompossiblethatsuchcouldbethecase，fortheloveofDejahThorisforJohnCarterhadbeenagreatandwondrouslove——
faraboveracialdistinctions，creed，orreligion。
AsIgazedruefullyatthebackofherhaughty，royalheadagateattheoppositeendofthegardenopenedandamanentered。
Ashedidsoheturnedandslippedsomethingintothehandoftheyellowguardsmanbeyondthegate，norwasthedistancetoogreatthatImightnotseethatmoneyhadpassedbetweenthem。
InstantlyIknewthatthisnewcomerhadbribedhiswaywithinthegarden。Thenheturnedinthedirectionofthetwowomen，andIsawthathewasnoneotherthanThurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn。
Heapproachedquiteclosetothembeforehespoke，andastheyturnedatthesoundofhisvoiceIsawDejahThorisshrinkfromhim。
Therewasanastyleeruponhisfaceashesteppedclosetoherandspokeagain。Icouldnothearhiswords，butheranswercameclearly。
"ThegranddaughterofTardosMorscanalwaysdie，"shesaid，"butshecouldneverliveatthepriceyouname。"
ThenIsawtheblackscoundrelgouponhiskneesbesideher，fairlygrovelinginthedirt，pleadingwithher。Onlypartofwhathesaidcametome，forthoughhewasevidentlylaboringunderthestressofpassionandexcitement，itwasequallyapparentthathedidnotdareraisehisvoiceforfearofdetection。
"IwouldsaveyoufromMataiShang，"Iheardhimsay。"Youknowthefatethatawaitsyouathishands。Wouldyounotchoosemeratherthantheother？"
"Iwouldchooseneither，"repliedDejahThoris，"evenwereI
freetochoose，asyouknowwellIamnot。"
"YouAREfree！"hecried。"JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，isdead。"
"Iknowbetterthanthat;butevenwerehedead，andImustneedschooseanothermate，itshouldbeaplantmanoragreatwhiteapeinpreferencetoeitherMataiShangoryou，blackcalot，"
sheansweredwithasneerofcontempt。
Ofasuddentheviciousbeastlostallcontrolofhimself，aswithavileoathheleapedattheslenderwoman，grippinghertenderthroatinhisbruteclutch。Thuviascreamedandsprangtoaidherfellow—prisoner，andatthesameinstantI，too，wentmad，andtearingatthebarsthatspannedmywindowIrippedthemfromtheirsocketsastheyhadbeenbutcopperwire。
HurlingmyselfthroughtheapertureIreachedthegarden，butahundredfeetfromwheretheblackwaschokingthelifefrommyDejahThoris，andwithasinglegreatboundIwasuponhim。
IspokenowordasItorehisdefilingfingersfromthatbeautifulthroat，nordidIutterasoundasIhurledhimtwentyfeetfromme。
Foamingwithrage，Thuridregainedhisfeetandchargedmelikeamadbull。
"Yellowman，"heshrieked，"youknewnotuponwhomyouhadlaidyourvilehands，butereIamdonewithyou，youwillknowwellwhatitmeanstooffendthepersonofaFirstBorn。"
Thenhewasuponme，reachingformythroat，andpreciselyasIhaddonethatdayinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssusIdidhereinthegardenofthepalaceofSalensusOll。Iduckedbeneathhisoutstretchedarms，andashelungedpastmeIplantedaterrificrightuponthesideofhisjaw。
Justashehaddoneuponthatotheroccasionhedidnow。Likeatophespunround，hiskneesgavebeneathhim，andhecrumpledtothegroundatmyfeet。ThenIheardavoicebehindme。
Itwasthedeepvoiceofauthoritythatmarkstherulerofmen，andwhenIturnedtofacetheresplendentfigureofagiantyellowmanIdidnotneedtoasktoknowthatitwasSalensusOll。
AthisrightstoodMataiShang，andbehindthemascoreofguardsmen。
"Whoareyou，"hecried，"andwhatmeansthisintrusionwithintheprecinctsofthewomen’sgarden？Idonotrecallyourface。
Howcameyouhere？"
ButforhislastwordsIshouldhaveforgottenmydisguiseentirelyandtoldhimoutrightthatIwasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium;buthisquestionrecalledmetomyself。
Ipointedtothedislodgedbarsofthewindowabove。
"Iamanaspiranttomembershipinthepalaceguard，"Isaid，"andfromyonderwindowinthetowerwhereIwasconfinedawaitingthefinaltestforfitnessIsawthisbruteattackthethiswoman。
Icouldnotstandidlyby，OJeddak，andseethisthingdonewithintheverypalacegrounds，andyetfeelthatIwasfittoserveandguardyourroyalperson。"
IhadevidentlymadeanimpressionupontherulerofOkarbymyfairwords，andwhenhehadturnedtoDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，andbothhadcorroboratedmystatementsitbegantolookprettydarkforThurid。
IsawtheuglygleaminMataiShang’sevileyesasDejahThorisnarratedallthathadpassedbetweenThuridandherself，andwhenshecametothatpartwhichdealtwithmyinterferencewiththedatoroftheFirstBornhergratitudewasquiteapparent，thoughIcouldseebyhereyesthatsomethingpuzzledherstrangely。
Ididnotwonderatherattitudetowardmewhileotherswerepresent;
butthatsheshouldhavedeniedmewhilesheandThuviaweretheonlyoccupantsofthegardenstillcutmesorely。
AstheexaminationproceededIcastaglanceatThuridandstartledhimlookingwide—eyedandwonderinglyatme，andthenofasuddenhelaughedfullinmyface。
AmomentlaterSalensusOllturnedtowardtheblack。
"Whathaveyoutosayinexplanationofthesecharges？"heaskedinadeepandterriblevoice。"DareyouaspiretoonewhomtheFatherofThernshaschosen——onewhomightevenbeafitmatefortheJeddakofJeddakshimself？"
Andthentheblack—beardedtyrantturnedandcastasuddengreedylookuponDejahThoris，asthoughwiththewordsanewthoughtandanewdesirehadsprungupwithinhismindandbreast。
Thuridhadbeenabouttoreplyand，withamaliciousgrinuponhisface，waspointinganaccusingfingeratme，whenSalensusOll’swordsandtheexpressionofhisfacecuthimshort。
Acunninglookcreptintohiseyes，andIknewfromtheexpressionofhisfacethathisnextwordswerenottheoneshehadintendedtospeak。
"OMightiestofJeddaks，"hesaid，"themanandthewomendonotspeakthetruth。Thefellowhadcomeintothegardentoassistthemtoescape。Iwasbeyondandoverheardtheirconversation，andwhenIentered，thewomanscreamedandthemanspranguponmeandwouldhavekilledme。
"Whatknowyouofthisman？Heisastrangertoyou，andI
daresaythatyouwillfindhimanenemyandaspy。Lethimbeputontrial，SalensusOll，ratherthanyourfriendandguest，Thurid，DatoroftheFirstBorn。"
SalensusOlllookedpuzzled。HeturnedagainandlookeduponDejahThoris，andthenThuridsteppedquiteclosetohimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear——what，Iknownot。
Presentlytheyellowrulerturnedtooneofhisofficers。
"Seethatthismanbesecurelyconfineduntilwehavetimetogodeeperintothisaffair，"hecommanded，"andasbarsaloneseeminadequatetorestrainhim，letchainsbeadded。"
Thenheturnedandleftthegarden，takingDejahThoriswithhim——hishanduponhershoulder。ThuridandMataiShangwentalso，andastheyreachedthegatewaytheblackturnedandlaughedagainaloudinmyface。
Whatcouldbethemeaningofhissuddenchangetowardme？
Couldhesuspectmytrueidentity？Itmustbethat，andthethingthathadbetrayedmewasthetrickandblowthathadlaidhimlowforthesecondtime。
Astheguardsdraggedmeawaymyheartwasverysadandbitterindeed，fornowtothetworelentlessenemiesthathadhoundedherforsolonganotherandamorepowerfulonehadbeenadded，forIwouldhavebeenbutafoolhadInotrecognizedthesuddenloveforDejahThoristhathadjustbeenbornintheterriblebreastofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，rulerofOkar。
THEPITOFPLENTY
IdidnotlanguishlongwithintheprisonofSalensusOll。
DuringtheshorttimethatIlaythere，fetteredwithchainsofgold，IoftenwonderedastothefateofThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth。
MybravecompanionhadfollowedmeintothegardenasIattackedThurid，andwhenSalensusOllhadleftwithDejahThorisandtheothers，leavingThuviaofPtarthbehind，he，too，hadremainedinthegardenwithhisdaughter，apparentlyunnoticed，forhewasappareledsimilarlytotheguards。
ThelastIhadseenofhimhestoodwaitingforthewarriorswhoescortedmetoclosethegatebehindthem，thathemightbealonewithThuvia。Coulditbepossiblethattheyhadescaped？
Idoubtedit，andyetwithallmyheartIhopedthatitmightbetrue。
Thethirddayofmyincarcerationbroughtadozenwarriorstoescortmetotheaudiencechamber，whereSalensusOllhimselfwastotryme。Agreatnumberofnoblescrowdedtheroom，andamongthemIsawThurid，butMataiShangwasnotthere。
DejahThoris，asradiantlybeautifulasever，satuponasmallthronebesideSalensusOll。Theexpressionofsadhopelessnessuponherdearfacecutdeepintomyheart。
HerpositionbesidetheJeddakofJeddaksbodedillforherandme，andontheinstantthatIsawherthere，theresprangtomymindthefirmintentionnevertoleavethatchamberaliveifImustleaveherintheclutchesofthispowerfultyrant。
IhadkilledbettermenthanSalensusOll，andkilledthemwithmybarehands，andnowIsworetomyselfthatIshouldkillhimifIfoundthattheonlywaytosavethePrincessofHelium。
ThatitwouldmeanalmostinstantdeathformeIcarednot，exceptthatitwouldremovemefromfurthereffortsinbehalfofDejahThoris，andforthisreasonaloneIwouldhavechosenanotherway，foreventhoughIshouldkillSalensusOllthatactwouldnotrestoremybelovedwifetoherownpeople。Ideterminedtowaitthefinaloutcomeofthetrial，thatImightlearnallthatI
couldoftheOkarianruler’sintentions，andthenactaccordingly。
ScarcelyhadIcomebeforehimthanSalensusOllsummonedThuridalso。
"DatorThurid，"hesaid，"youhavemadeastrangerequestofme;
but，inaccordancewithyourwishesandyourpromisethatitwillresultonlytomyinterests，Ihavedecidedtoaccede。
"Youtellmethatacertainannouncementwillbethemeansofconvictingthisprisonerand，atthesametime，openthewaytothegratificationofmydearestwish。"
Thuridnodded。
"ThenshallImaketheannouncementherebeforeallmynobles，"
continuedSalensusOll。"Forayearnoqueenhassatuponthethronebesideme，andnowitsuitsmetotaketowifeonewhoisreputedthemostbeautifulwomanuponBarsoom。Astatementwhichnonemaytruthfullydeny。
"NoblesofOkar，unsheatheyourswordsanddohomagetoDejahThoris，PrincessofHeliumandfutureQueenofOkar，forattheendoftheallottedtendayssheshallbecomethewifeofSalensusOll。"
Asthenoblesdrewtheirbladesandliftedthemonhigh，inaccordancewiththeancientcustomofOkarwhenajeddakannounceshisintentiontowed，DejahThorissprangtoherfeetand，raisingherhandaloft，criedinaloudvoicethattheydesist。
"ImaynotbethewifeofSalensusOll，"shepleaded，"foralreadyIbeawifeandmother。JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，stilllives。Iknowittobetrue，forIoverheardMataiShangtellhisdaughterPhaidorthathehadseenhiminKaor，atthecourtofKulanTith，Jeddak。Ajeddakdoesnotwedamarriedwoman，norwillSalensusOllthusviolatethebondsofmatrimony。"
SalensusOllturneduponThuridwithanuglylook。
"Isthisthesurpriseyouheldinstoreforme？"hecried。
"Youassuredmethatnoobstaclewhichmightnotbeeasilyovercomestoodbetweenmeandthiswoman，andnowIfindthattheoneinsuperableobstacleintervenes。Whatmeanyou，man？
Whathaveyoutosay？"
"AndshouldIdeliverJohnCarterintoyourhands，SalensusOll，wouldyounotfeelthatIhadmorethansatisfiedthepromisethatImadeyou？"answeredThurid。
"Talknotlikeafool，"criedtheenragedjeddak。"Iamnochildtobethusplayedwith。"
"Iamtalkingonlyasamanwhoknows，"repliedThurid。
"Knowsthathecandoallthatheclaims。"
"ThenturnJohnCarterovertomewithintendaysoryourselfsuffertheendthatIshouldmeteouttohimwereheinmypower！"
snappedtheJeddakofJeddaks，withanuglyscowl。
"Youneednotwaittendays，SalensusOll，"repliedThurid;
andthen，turningsuddenlyuponmeasheextendedapointingfinger，hecried："TherestandsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium！"
"Fool！"shriekedSalensusOll。"Fool！JohnCarterisawhiteman。
Thisfellowbeasyellowasmyself。JohnCarter’sfaceissmooth——MataiShanghasdescribedhimtome。ThisprisonerhasabeardandmustacheaslargeandblackasanyinOkar。Quick，guardsmen，tothepitswiththeblackmaniacwhowishestothrowhislifeawayforapoorjokeuponyourruler！"
"Hold！"criedThurid，andspringingforwardbeforeIcouldguesshisintention，hehadgraspedmybeardandrippedthewholefalsefabricfrommyfaceandhead，revealingmysmooth，tannedskinbeneathandmyclose—croppedblackhair。
InstantlypandemoniumreignedintheaudiencechamberofSalensusOll。
Warriorspressedforwardwithdrawnblades，thinkingthatImightbecontemplatingtheassassinationoftheJeddakofJeddaks;whileothers，outofcuriositytoseeonewhosenamewasfamiliarfrompoletopole，crowdedbehindtheirfellows。
AsmyidentitywasrevealedIsawDejahThorisspringtoherfeet——
amazementwritlargeuponherface——andthenthroughthatjamofarmedmensheforcedherwaybeforeanycouldprevent。Amomentonlyandshewasbeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandeyesfilledwiththelightofhergreatlove。
"JohnCarter！JohnCarter！"shecriedasIfoldedhertomybreast，andthenofasuddenIknewwhyshehaddeniedmeinthegardenbeneaththetower。
WhatafoolIhadbeen！ExpectingthatshewouldpenetratethemarvelousdisguisethathadbeenwroughtformebythebarberofMarentina！
Shehadnotknownme，thatwasall;andwhenshesawthesignoflovefromastrangershewasoffendedandrighteouslyindignant。Indeed，butIhadbeenafool。
"Anditwasyou，"shecried，"whospoketomefromthetower！
HowcouldIdreamthatmybelovedVirginianlaybehindthatfiercebeardandthatyellowskin？"
ShehadbeenwonttocallmeherVirginianasatermofendearment，forsheknewthatIlovedthesoundofthatbeautifulname，madeathousandtimesmorebeautifulandhallowedbyherdearlips，andasIhearditagainafterallthoselongyearsmyeyesbecamedimmedwithtearsandmyvoicechokedwithemotion。
ButaninstantdidIcrushthatdearformtomeereSalensusOll，tremblingwithrageandjealousy，shoulderedhiswaytous。
"Seizetheman，"hecriedtohiswarriors，andahundredruthlesshandstoreusapart。