TheymusthaveeitherheardorguessedwhichwayIwent，forIhadproceededbutashortdistancewhenIheardthesoundofpursuit。
IhadnomindtostopandfightthesemenherewhentherewasfightingaplentyelsewhereinthecityofKadabra——fightingthatcouldbeofmuchmoreavailtomeandminethanuselesslife—takingfarbelowthepalace。
Butthefellowswerepressingme;andasIdidnotknowthewayatall，IsoonsawthattheywouldovertakemeunlessIfoundaplacetoconcealmyselfuntiltheyhadpassed，whichwouldthengivemeanopportunitytoreturnthewayIhadcomeandregainthetower，orpossiblyfindawaytoreachthecitystreets。
Thepassagewayhadrisenrapidlysinceleavingtheapartmentoftheswitch，andnowranlevelandwelllightedstraightintothedistanceasfarasIcouldsee。ThemomentthatmypursuersreachedthisstraightstretchIwouldbeinplainsightofthem，withnochancetoescapefromthecorridorundetected。
PresentlyIsawaseriesofdoorsopeningfromeithersideofthecorridor，andastheyalllookedaliketomeItriedthefirstonethatIreached。Itopenedintoasmallchamber，luxuriouslyfurnished，andwasevidentlyanante—chamberoffsomeofficeoraudiencechamberofthepalace。
OnthefarsidewasaheavilycurtaineddoorwaybeyondwhichIheardthehumofvoices。InstantlyIcrossedthesmallchamber，and，partingthecurtains，lookedwithinthelargerapartment。
Beforemewereapartyofperhapsfiftygorgeouslycladnoblesofthecourt，standingbeforeathroneuponwhichsatSalensusOll。
TheJeddakofJeddakswasaddressingthem。
"Theallottedhourhascome，"hewassayingasIenteredtheapartment;
"andthoughtheenemiesofOkarbewithinhergates，naughtmaystaythewillofSalensusOll。ThegreatceremonymustbeomittedthatnosinglemanmaybekeptfromhisplaceinthedefensesotherthanthefiftythatcustomdemandsshallwitnessthecreationofanewqueeninOkar。
"Inamomentthethingshallhavebeendoneandwemayreturntothebattle，whileshewhoisnowthePrincessofHeliumlooksdownfromthequeen’stowerupontheannihilationofherformercountrymenandwitnessesthegreatnesswhichisherhusband’s。"
Then，turningtoacourtier，heissuedsomecommandinalowvoice。
Theaddressedhastenedtoasmalldooratthefarendofthechamberand，swingingitwide，cried："WayforDejahThoris，futureQueenofOkar！"
Immediatelytwoguardsmenappeareddraggingtheunwillingbridetowardthealtar。Herhandswerestillmanacledbehindher，evidentlytopreventsuicide。
Herdisheveledhairandpantingbosombetokenedthat，chainedthoughshewas，stillhadshefoughtagainstthethingthattheywoulddotoher。
AtsightofherSalensusOllroseanddrewhissword，andtheswordofeachofthefiftynobleswasraisedonhightoformanarch，beneathwhichthepoor，beautifulcreaturewasdraggedtowardherdoom。
AgrimsmileforceditselftomylipsasIthoughtoftherudeawakeningthatlayinstorefortherulerofOkar，andmyitchingfingersfondledthehiltofmybloodysword。
AsIwatchedtheprocessionthatmovedslowlytowardthethrone——
aprocessionwhichconsistedofbutahandfulofpriests，whofollowedDejahThorisandthetwoguardsmen——IcaughtafleetingglimpseofablackfacepeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatcoveredthewallbackofthedaisuponwhichstoodSalensusOllawaitinghisbride。
NowtheguardsmenwereforcingthePrincessofHeliumupthefewstepstothesideofthetyrantofOkar，andIhadnoeyesandnothoughtsforaughtelse。Apriestopenedabookand，raisinghishand，commencedtodroneoutasing—songritual。
SalensusOllreachedforthehandofhisbride。
Ihadintendedwaitinguntilsomecircumstanceshouldgivemeareasonablehopeofsuccess;for，eventhoughtheentireceremonyshouldbecompleted，therecouldbenovalidmarriagewhileIlived。
WhatIwasmostconcernedin，ofcourse，wastherescuingofDejahThoris——IwishedtotakeherfromthepalaceofSalensusOll，ifsuchathingwerepossible;butwhetheritwereaccomplishedbeforeorafterthemockmarriagewasamatterofsecondaryimport。
When，however，IsawthevilehandofSalensusOllreachoutforthehandofmybelovedprincessIcouldrestrainmyselfnolonger，andbeforethenoblesofOkarknewthataughthadhappenedIhadleapedthroughtheirthinlineandwasuponthedaisbesideDejahThorisandSalensusOll。
WiththeflatofmyswordIstruckdownhispollutinghand;
andgraspingDejahThorisroundthewaist，Iswungherbehindmeas，withmybackagainstthedraperiesofthedais，Ifacedthetyrantofthenorthandhisroomfulofnoblewarriors。
TheJeddakofJeddakswasagreatmountainofaman——acoarse，brutalbeastofaman——andashetoweredabovemethere，hisfierceblackwhiskersandmustachebristlinginrage，Icanwellimaginethatalessseasonedwarriormighthavetrembledbeforehim。
Withasnarlhesprangtowardmewithnakedsword，butwhetherSalensusOllwasagoodswordsmanorapoorIneverlearned;
forwithDejahThorisatmybackIwasnolongerhuman——Iwasasuperman，andnomancouldhavewithstoodmethen。
Withasingle，low："ForthePrincessofHelium！"IranmybladestraightthroughtherottenheartofOkar’srottenruler，andbeforethewhite，drawnfacesofhisnoblesSalensusOllrolled，grinninginhorribledeath，tothefootofthestepsbelowhismarriagethrone。
Foramomenttensesilencereignedinthenuptial—room。Thenthefiftynoblesrusheduponme。Furiouslywefought，buttheadvantagewasmine，forIstooduponaraisedplatformabovethem，andIfoughtforthemostgloriouswomanofagloriousrace，andIfoughtforagreatloveandforthemotherofmyboy。
Andfrombehindmyshoulder，inthesilverycadenceofthatdearvoice，rosethebravebattleanthemofHeliumwhichthenation’swomensingastheirmenmarchouttovictory。
Thatalonewasenoughtoinspiremetovictoryoverevengreaterodds，andIverilybelievethatIshouldhavebestedtheentireroomfulofyellowwarriorsthatdayinthenuptialchamberofthepalaceatKadabrahadnotinterruptioncometomyaid。
FastandfuriouswasthefightingasthenoblesofSalensusOllsprang，timeandagain，upthestepsbeforethethroneonlytofallbackbeforeaswordhandthatseemedtohavegainedanewwizardryfromitsexperiencewiththecunningSolan。
TwowerepressingmesocloselythatIcouldnotturnwhenIheardamovementbehindme，andnotedthatthesoundofthebattleanthemhadceased。WasDejahThorispreparingtotakeherplacebesideme？
Heroicdaughterofaheroicworld！Itwouldnotbeunlikehertohaveseizedaswordandfoughtatmyside，for，thoughthewomenofMarsarenottrainedintheartsofwar，thespiritistheirs，andtheyhavebeenknowntodothatverythinguponcountlessoccasions。
Butshedidnotcome，andgladIwas，foritwouldhavedoubledmyburdeninprotectingherbeforeIshouldhavebeenabletoforceherbackagainoutofharm’sway。Shemustbecontemplatingsomecunningstrategy，Ithought，andsoIfoughtonsecureinthebeliefthatmydivineprincessstoodclosebehindme。
ForhalfanhouratleastImusthavefoughtthereagainstthenoblesofOkarereeveraoneplacedafootuponthedaiswhereIstood，andthenofasuddenallthatremainedofthemformedbelowmeforalast，mad，desperatecharge;butevenastheyadvancedthedooratthefarendofthechamberswungwideandawild—eyedmessengersprangintotheroom。
"TheJeddakofJeddaks！"hecried。"WhereistheJeddakofJeddaks？
Thecityhasfallenbeforethehordesfrombeyondthebarrier，andbutnowthegreatgateofthepalaceitselfhasbeenforcedandthewarriorsofthesoutharepouringintoitssacredprecincts。
"WhereisSalensusOll？Healonemayrevivetheflaggingcourageofourwarriors。HealonemaysavethedayforOkar。WhereisSalensusOll？"
Thenoblessteppedbackfromaboutthedeadbodyoftheirruler，andoneofthempointedtothegrinningcorpse。
Themessengerstaggeredbackinhorrorasthoughfromablowintheface。
"Thenfly，noblesofOkar！"hecried，"fornaughtcansaveyou。Hark！
Theycome！"
Ashespokeweheardthedeeproarofangrymenfromthecorridorwithout，andtheclankofmetalandtheclangofswords。
Withoutanotherglancetowardme，whohadstoodaspectatorofthetragicscene，thenobleswheeledandfledfromtheapartmentthroughanotherexit。
Almostimmediatelyaforceofyellowwarriorsappearedinthedoorwaythroughwhichthemessengerhadcome。Theywerebackingtowardtheapartment，stubbornlyresistingtheadvanceofahandfulofredmenwhofacedthemandforcedthemslowlybutinevitablyback。
AbovetheheadsofthecontestantsIcouldseefrommyelevatedstationuponthedaisthefaceofmyoldfriendKantosKan。
HewasleadingthelittlepartythathadwonitswayintotheveryheartofthepalaceofSalensusOll。
InaninstantIsawthatbyattackingtheOkariansfromtherearIcouldsoquicklydisorganizethemthattheirfurtherresistancewouldbeshort—lived，andwiththisideainmindI
sprangfromthedais，castingawordofexplanationtoDejahThorisovermyshoulder，thoughIdidnotturntolookather。
Withmyselfeverbetweenherenemiesandherself，andwithKantosKanandhiswarriorswinningtotheapartment，therecouldbenodangertoDejahThorisstandingtherealonebesidethethrone。
IwantedthemenofHeliumtoseemeandtoknowthattheirbelovedprincesswashere，too，forIknewthatthisknowledgewouldinspirethemtoevengreaterdeedsofvalorthantheyhadperformedinthepast，thoughgreatindeedmusthavebeenthosewhichwonforthemawayintothealmostimpregnablepalaceofthetyrantofthenorth。
AsIcrossedthechambertoattacktheKadabransfromtherearasmalldoorwayatmyleftopened，and，tomysurprise，revealedthefiguresofMataiShang，FatherofThernsandPhaidor，hisdaughter，peeringintotheroom。
Aquickglanceabouttheytook。Theireyesrestedforamoment，wideinhorror，uponthedeadbodyofSalensusOll，uponthebloodthatcrimsonedthefloor，uponthecorpsesofthenobleswhohadfallenthickbeforethethrone，uponme，anduponthebattlingwarriorsattheotherdoor。
Theydidnotessaytoentertheapartment，butscanneditseverycornerfromwheretheystood，andthen，whentheireyeshadsoughtitsentirearea，alookoffiercerageoverspreadthefeaturesofMataiShang，andacoldandcunningsmiletouchedthelipsofPhaidor。
Thentheyweregone，butnotbeforeatauntinglaughwasthrowndirectlyinmyfacebythewoman。
IdidnotunderstandthenthemeaningofMataiShang’srageorPhaidor’spleasure，butIknewthatneitherbodedgoodforme。
AmomentlaterIwasuponthebacksoftheyellowmen，andastheredmenofHeliumsawmeabovetheshouldersoftheirantagonistsagreatshoutrangthroughthecorridor，andforamomentdrownedthenoiseofbattle。
"ForthePrinceofHelium！"theycried。"ForthePrinceofHelium！"
and，likehungrylionsupontheirprey，theyfelloncemoreupontheweakeningwarriorsofthenorth。
Theyellowmen，corneredbetweentwoenemies，foughtwiththedesperationthatutterhopelessnessofteninduces。FoughtasI
shouldhavefoughthadIbeenintheirstead，withthedeterminationtotakeasmanyofmyenemieswithmewhenIdiedaslaywithinthepowerofmyswordarm。
Itwasagloriousbattle，buttheendseemedinevitable，whenpresentlyfromdownthecorridorbehindtheredmencameagreatbodyofreenforcingyellowwarriors。
Nowwerethetablesturned，anditwasthemenofHeliumwhoseemeddoomedtobegroundbetweentwomillstones。Allwerecompelledtoturntomeetthisnewassaultbyagreatlysuperiorforce，sothattomewaslefttheremnantsoftheyellowmenwithinthethroneroom。
Theykeptmebusy，too;sobusythatIbegantowonderifindeedIshouldeverbedonewiththem。Slowlytheypressedmebackintotheroom，andwhentheyhadallpassedinafterme，oneofthemclosedandboltedthedoor，effectuallybarringthewayagainstthemenofKantosKan。
Itwasaclevermove，foritputmeatthemercyofadozenmenwithinachamberfromwhichassistancewaslockedout，anditgavetheredmeninthecorridorbeyondnoavenueofescapeshouldtheirnewantagonistspressthemtooclosely。
ButIhavefacedheavieroddsmyselfthanwerepittedagainstmethatday，andIknewthatKantosKanhadbattledhiswayfromahundredmoredangeroustrapsthanthatinwhichhenowwas。
SoitwaswithnofeelingsofdespairthatIturnedmyattentiontothebusinessofthemoment。
ConstantlymythoughtsrevertedtoDejahThoris，andIlongedforthemomentwhen，thefightingdone，Icouldfoldherinmyarms，andhearoncemorethewordsoflovewhichhadbeendeniedmeforsomanyyears。
DuringthefightinginthechamberIhadnotevenasinglechancetosomuchasstealaglanceatherwhereshestoodbehindmebesidethethroneofthedeadruler。IwonderedwhyshenolongerurgedmeonwiththestrainsofthemartialhymnofHelium;
butIdidnotneedmorethantheknowledgethatIwasbattlingforhertobringoutthebestthatisinme。
Itwouldbewearisometonarratethedetailsofthatbloodystruggle;
ofhowwefoughtfromthedoorway，thefulllengthoftheroomtotheveryfootofthethronebeforethelastofmyantagonistsfellwithmybladepiercinghisheart。
Andthen，withagladcry，Iturnedwithoutstretchedarmstoseizemyprincess，andasmylipssmotheredherstoreaptherewardthatwouldbethriceamplepaymentforthebloodyencountersthroughwhichIhadpassedforherdearsakefromthesouthpoletothenorth。
Thegladcrydied，frozenuponmylips;myarmsdroppedlimpandlifelesstomysides;asonewhoreelsbeneaththeburdenofamortalwoundIstaggeredupthestepsbeforethethrone。
DejahThoriswasgone。
REWARDS
WiththerealizationthatDejahThoriswasnolongerwithinthethroneroomcamethebelatedrecollectionofthedarkfacethatI
hadglimpsedpeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatbackedthethroneofSalensusOllatthemomentthatIhadfirstcomesounexpectedlyuponthestrangescenebeingenactedwithinthechamber。
Whyhadthesightofthatevilcountenancenotwarnedmetogreatercaution？WhyhadIpermittedtherapiddevelopmentofnewsituationstoeffacetherecollectionofthatmenacingdanger？
But，alas，vainregretwouldnoterasethecalamitythathadbefallen。
OnceagainhadDejahThorisfallenintotheclutchesofthatarchfiend，Thurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn。Againwasallmyarduouslaborgonefornaught。NowIrealizedthecauseoftheragethathadbeenwritsolargeuponthefeaturesofMataiShangandthecruelpleasurethatIhadseenuponthefaceofPhaidor。
Theyhadknownorguessedthetruth，andthehekkadoroftheHolyTherns，whohadevidentlycometothechamberinthehopeofthwartingSalensusOllinhiscontemplatedperfidyagainstthehighpriestwhocovetedDejahThorisforhimself，realizedthatThuridhadstolentheprizefrombeneathhisverynose。
Phaidor’spleasurehadbeenduetoherrealizationofwhatthislastcruelblowwouldmeantome，aswellastoapartialsatisfactionofherjealoushatredforthePrincessofHelium。
Myfirstthoughtwastolookbeyondthedraperiesatthebackofthethrone，forthereitwasthatIhadseenThurid。WithasinglejerkItorethepricelessstufffromitsfastenings，andtherebeforemewasrevealedanarrowdoorwaybehindthethrone。
NoquestionenteredmymindbutthatherelaytheopeningoftheavenueofescapewhichThuridhadfollowed，andhadtherebeenitwouldhavebeendissipatedbythesightofatiny，jeweledornamentwhichlayafewstepswithinthecorridorbeyond。
AsIsnatchedupthebaubleIsawthatitborethedeviceofthePrincessofHelium，andthenpressingittomylipsIdashedmadlyalongthewindingwaythatledgentlydownwardtowardthelowergalleriesofthepalace。
IhadfollowedbutashortdistancewhenIcameupontheroominwhichSolanformerlyhadheldsway。HisdeadbodystilllaywhereIhadleftit，norwasthereanysignthatanotherhadpassedthroughtheroomsinceIhadbeenthere;butIknewthattwohaddoneso——Thurid，theblackdator，andDejahThoris。
ForamomentIpauseduncertainastowhichoftheseveralexitsfromtheapartmentwouldleadmeupontherightpath。
ItriedtorecollectthedirectionswhichIhadheardThuridrepeattoSolan，andatlast，slowly，asthoughthroughaheavyfog，thememoryofthewordsoftheFirstBorncametome：
"Followacorridor，passingthreedivergingcorridorsupontheright;
thenintothefourthright—handcorridortowherethreecorridorsmeet;
hereagainfollowtotheright，huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit。AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunwaywhichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor。"
AndIrecalledtheexitatwhichhehadpointedashespoke。
Itdidnottakemelongtostartuponthatunknownway，nordidIgowithcaution，althoughIknewthattheremightbegravedangersbeforeme。
Partofthewaywasblackassin，butforthemostitwasfairlywelllighted。ThestretchwhereImusthugtheleftwalltoavoidthepitswasdarkestofthemall，andIwasnearlyovertheedgeoftheabyssbeforeIknewthatIwasnearthedangerspot。
Anarrowledge，scarceafootwide，wasallthathadbeenlefttocarrytheinitiatedpastthatfrightfulcavityintowhichtheunknowingmustsurelyhavetoppledatthefirststep。ButatlastIhadwonsafelybeyondit，andthenafeeblelightmadethebalanceofthewayplain，until，attheendofthelastcorridor，Icamesuddenlyoutintotheglareofdayuponafieldofsnowandice。
CladforthewarmatmosphereofthehothousecityofKadabra，thesuddenchangetoarcticfrigiditywasanythingbutpleasant;
buttheworstofitwasthatIknewIcouldnotendurethebittercold，almostnakedasIwas，andthatIwouldperishbeforeeverIcouldovertakeThuridandDejahThoris。
Tobethusblockedbynature，whohadhadalltheartsandwilesofcunningmanpittedagainsthim，seemedacruelfate，andasIstaggeredbackintothewarmthofthetunnel’sendIwasasnearhopelessnessasIeverhavebeen。
Ihadbynomeansgivenupmyintentionofcontinuingthepursuit，forifneedsbeIwouldgoaheadthoughIperishedereeverIreachedmygoal，butiftherewereasaferwayitwerewellworththedelaytoattempttodiscoverit，thatImightcomeagaintothesideofDejahThorisinfitconditiontodobattleforher。
ScarcehadIreturnedtothetunnelthanIstumbledoveraportionofafurgarmentthatseemedfastenedtothefloorofthecorridorclosetothewall。InthedarknessIcouldnotseewhatheldit，butbygropingwithmyhandsIdiscoveredthatitwaswedgedbeneaththebottomofacloseddoor。
Pushingtheportalaside，Ifoundmyselfuponthethresholdofasmallchamber，thewallsofwhichwerelinedwithhooksfromwhichdependedsuitsofthecompleteoutdoorappareloftheyellowmen。
Situatedasitwasatthemouthofatunnelleadingfromthepalace，itwasquiteevidentthatthiswasthedressing—roomusedbythenoblesleavingandenteringthehothousecity，andthatThurid，havingknowledgeofit，hadstoppedheretooutfithimselfandDejahThorisbeforeventuringintothebittercoldofthearcticworldbeyond。
Inhishastehehaddroppedseveralgarmentsuponthefloor，andthetelltalefurthathadfallenpartlywithinthecorridorhadprovedthemeansofguidingmetotheveryspothewouldleasthavewishedmetohaveknowledgeof。
Itrequiredbutthematterofafewsecondstodonthenecessaryorluk—skinclothing，withtheheavy，fur—linedbootsthataresoessentialapartofthegarmentureofonewhowouldsuccessfullycontendwiththefrozentrailsandtheicywindsofthebleaknorthland。
OncemoreIsteppedbeyondthetunnel’smouthtofindthefreshtracksofThuridandDejahThorisinthenew—fallensnow。
Now，atlast，wasmytaskaneasyone，forthoughthegoingwasroughintheextreme，IwasnolongervexedbydoubtsastothedirectionIshouldfollow，orharassedbydarknessorhiddendangers。
Throughasnow—coveredcanyonthewayleduptowardthesummitoflowhills。Beyondtheseitdippedagainintoanothercanon，onlytoriseaquarter—milefartherontowardapasswhichskirtedtheflankofarockyhill。
IcouldseebythesignsofthosewhohadgonebeforethatwhenDejahThorishadwalkedshehadbeencontinuallyholdingback，andthattheblackmanhadbeencompelledtodragher。Forotherstretchesonlyhisfoot—printswerevisible，deepandclosetogetherintheheavysnow，andIknewfromthesesignsthatthenhehadbeenforcedtocarryher，andIcouldwellimaginethatshehadfoughthimfiercelyeverystepoftheway。
AsIcameroundthejuttingpromontoryofthehill’sshoulderI
sawthatwhichquickenedmypulsesandsetmyhearttobeatinghigh，forwithinatinybasinbetweenthecrestofthishillandthenextstoodfourpeoplebeforethemouthofagreatcave，andbesidethemuponthegleamingsnowrestedaflierwhichhadevidentlybutjustbeendraggedfromitshidingplace。
ThefourwereDejahThoris，Phaidor，Thurid，andMataiShang。
Thetwomenwereengagedinaheatedargument——theFatherofThernsthreatening，whiletheblackscoffedathimashewentabouttheworkatwhichhewasengaged。
AsIcrepttowardthemcautiouslythatImightcomeasnearaspossiblebeforebeingdiscovered，Isawthatfinallythemenappearedtohavereachedsomesortofacompromise，forwithPhaidor’sassistancetheybothsetaboutdraggingtheresistingDejahThoristotheflier’sdeck。
Heretheymadeherfast，andthenbothagaindescendedtothegroundtocompletethepreparationsfordeparture。Phaidorenteredthesmallcabinuponthevessel’sdeck。
IhadcometowithinaquarterofamileofthemwhenMataiShangespiedme。IsawhimseizeThuridbytheshoulder，wheelinghimaroundinmydirectionashepointedtowhereIwasnowplainlyvisible，forthemomentthatIknewIhadbeenperceivedIcastasideeveryattemptatstealthandbrokeintoamadracefortheflier。
Thetworedoubledtheireffortsatthepropelleratwhichtheywereworking，andwhichveryevidentlywasbeingreplacedafterhavingbeenremovedforsomepurposeofrepair。
TheyhadthethingcompletedbeforeIhadcoveredhalfthedistancethatlaybetweenmeandthem，andthenbothmadearushfortheboarding—ladder。
Thuridwasthefirsttoreachit，andwiththeagilityofamonkeyclamberedswiftlytotheboat’sdeck，whereatouchofthebuttoncontrollingthebuoyancytankssentthecraftslowlyupward，thoughnotwiththespeedthatmarksthewell—conditionedflier。
IwasstillsomehundredyardsawayasIsawthemrisingfrommygrasp。
BackbythecityofKadabralayagreatfleetofmightyfliers——
theshipsofHeliumandPtarththatIhadsavedfromdestructionearlierintheday;butbeforeeverIcouldreachthemThuridcouldeasilymakegoodhisescape。
AsIranIsawMataiShangclamberinguptheswaying，swingingladdertowardthedeck，whileabovehimleanedtheevilfaceoftheFirstBorn。Atrailingropefromthevessel’ssternputnewhopeinme，forifIcouldbutreachitbeforeitwhippedtoohighabovemyheadtherewasyetachancetogainthedeckbyitsslenderaid。
Thattherewassomethingradicallywrongwiththeflierwasevidentfromitslackofbuoyancy，andthefurtherfactthatthoughThuridhadturnedtwicetothestartinglevertheboatstillhungmotionlessintheair，exceptforaslightdriftingwithalowbreezefromthenorth。
NowMataiShangwasclosetothegunwale。Along，claw—likehandwasreachinguptograspthemetalrail。
Thuridleanedfartherdowntowardhisco—conspirator。
Suddenlyaraiseddaggergleamedintheupflunghandoftheblack。
DownitdrovetowardthewhitefaceoftheFatherofTherns。
WithaloudshriekoffeartheHolyHekkadorgraspedfranticallyatthatmenacingarm。
Iwasalmosttothetrailingropebynow。Thecraftwasstillrisingslowly，thewhileitdriftedfromme。ThenIstumbledontheicyway，strikingmyheaduponarockasIfellsprawlingbutanarm’slengthfromtherope，theendofwhichwasnowjustleavingtheground。
Withtheblowuponmyheadcameunconsciousness。
ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanafewsecondsthatIlaysenselessthereuponthenorthernice，whileallthatwasdearesttomedriftedfartherfrommyreachintheclutchesofthatblackfiend，forwhenIopenedmyeyesThuridandMataiShangyetbattledattheladder’stop，andtheflierdriftedbutahundredyardsfarthertothesouth——buttheendofthetrailingropewasnowagoodthirtyfeetabovetheground。
Goadedtomadnessbythecruelmisfortunethathadtrippedmewhensuccesswasalmostwithinmygrasp，Itorefranticallyacrosstheinterveningspace，andjustbeneaththerope’sdanglingendI
putmyearthlymusclestothesupremetest。
Withamighty，catlikeboundIsprangupwardtowardthatslenderstrand——theonlyavenuewhichyetremainedthatcouldcarrymetomyvanishinglove。
Afootaboveitslowestendmyfingersclosed。TightlyasI
clungIfelttheropeslipping，slippingthroughmygrasp。
Itriedtoraisemyfreehandtotakeasecondholdabovemyfirst，butthechangeofpositionthatresultedcausedmetoslipmorerapidlytowardtheendoftherope。
SlowlyIfeltthetantalizingthingescapingme。InamomentallthatIhadgainedwouldbelost——thenmyfingersreachedaknotattheveryendoftheropeandslippednomore。
WithaprayerofgratitudeuponmylipsIscrambledupwardtowardtheboat’sdeck。IcouldnotseeThuridandMataiShangnow，butIheardthesoundsofconflictandthusknewthattheystillfought——thethernforhislifeandtheblackfortheincreasedbuoyancythatrelieffromtheweightofevenasinglebodywouldgivethecraft。
ShouldMataiShangdiebeforeIreachedthedeckmychancesofeverreachingitwouldbeslenderindeed，fortheblackdatorneedbutcuttheropeabovemetobefreedfrommeforever，forthevesselhaddriftedacrossthebrinkofachasmintowhoseyawningdepthsmybodywoulddroptobecrushedtoashapelesspulpshouldThuridreachtheropenow。
Atlastmyhandclosedupontheship’srailandthatveryinstantahorridshriekrangoutbelowmethatsentmybloodcoldandturnedmyhorrifiedeyesdownwardtoashrieking，hurtling，twistingthingthatshotdownwardintotheawfulchasmbeneathme。
ItwasMataiShang，HolyHekkador，FatherofTherns，gonetohislastaccounting。
ThenmyheadcameabovethedeckandIsawThurid，daggerinhand，leapingtowardme。Hewasoppositetheforwardendofthecabin，whileIwasattemptingtoclamberaboardnearthevessel’sstern。
Butafewpaceslaybetweenus。Nopoweronearthcouldraisemetothatdeckbeforetheinfuriatedblackwouldbeuponme。
Myendhadcome。Iknewit;buthadtherebeenadoubtinmymindthenastyleeroftriumphuponthatwickedfacewouldhaveconvincedme。BeyondThuridIcouldseemyDejahThoris，wide—eyedandhorrified，strugglingatherbonds。Thatsheshouldbeforcedtowitnessmyawfuldeathmademybitterfateseemdoublycruel。
Iceasedmyeffortstoclimbacrossthegunwale。InsteadItookafirmgraspupontherailwithmylefthandanddrewmydagger。
IshouldatleastdieasIhadlived——fighting。
AsThuridcameoppositethecabin’sdoorwayanewelementprojecteditselfintothegrimtragedyoftheairthatwasbeingenacteduponthedeckofMataiShang’sdisabledflier。
ItwasPhaidor。
Withflushedfaceanddisheveledhair，andeyesthatbetrayedtherecentpresenceofmortaltears——abovewhichthisproudgoddesshadalwaysheldherself——sheleapedtothedeckdirectlybeforeme。
Inherhandwasalong，slimdagger。Icastalastlookuponmybelovedprincess，smiling，asmenshouldwhoareabouttodie。
ThenIturnedmyfaceuptowardPhaidor——waitingfortheblow。
NeverhaveIseenthatbeautifulfacemorebeautifulthanitwasatthatmoment。Itseemedincrediblethatonesolovelycouldyetharborwithinherfairbosomaheartsocruelandrelentless，andtodaytherewasanewexpressioninherwondrouseyesthatIneverbeforehadseenthere——anunfamiliarsoftness，andalookofsuffering。
Thuridwasbesidehernow——pushingpasttoreachmefirst，andthenwhathappenedhappenedsoquicklythatitwasalloverbeforeIcouldrealizethetruthofit。
Phaidor’sslimhandshotouttocloseupontheblack’sdaggerwrist。
Herrighthandwenthighwithitsgleamingblade。
"ThatforMataiShang！"shecried，andsheburiedherbladedeepinthedator’sbreast。"ThatforthewrongyouwouldhavedoneDejahThoris！"andagainthesharpsteelsankintothebloodyflesh。
"Andthat，andthat，andthat！"sheshrieked，"forJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，"andwitheachwordhersharppointpiercedthevileheartofthegreatvillain。Then，withavindictiveshoveshecastthecarcassoftheFirstBornfromthedecktofallinawfulsilenceafterthebodyofhisvictim。
IhadbeensoparalyzedbysurprisethatIhadmadenomovetoreachthedeckduringtheawe—inspiringscenewhichIhadjustwitnessed，andnowIwastobestillfurtheramazedbyhernextact，forPhaidorextendedherhandtomeandassistedmetothedeck，whereIstoodgazingatherinunconcealedandstupefiedwonderment。
Awansmiletouchedherlips——itwasnotthecruelandhaughtysmileofthegoddesswithwhichIwasfamiliar。"Youwonder，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"whatstrangethinghaswroughtthischangeinme？Iwilltellyou。Itislove——loveofyou，"
andwhenIdarkenedmybrowsindisapprovalofherwordssheraisedanappealinghand。
"Wait，"shesaid。"Itisadifferentlovefrommine——itistheloveofyourprincess，DejahThoris，foryouthathastaughtmewhattruelovemaybe——whatitshouldbe，andhowfarfromreallovewasmyselfishandjealouspassionforyou。
"NowIamdifferent。NowcouldIloveasDejahThorisloves，andsomyonlyhappinesscanbetoknowthatyouandsheareoncemoreunited，forinheralonecanyoufindtruehappiness。
"ButIamunhappybecauseofthewickednessthatIhavewrought。
Ihavemanysinstoexpiate，andthoughIbedeathless，lifeisalltooshortfortheatonement。
"Butthereisanotherway，andifPhaidor，daughteroftheHolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns，hassinnedshehasthisdayalreadymadepartialreparation，andlestyoudoubtthesincerityofherprotestationsandheravowalofanewlovethatembracesDejahThorisalso，shewillprovehersincerityintheonlywaythatliesopen——havingsavedyouforanother，Phaidorleavesyoutoherembraces。"
Withherlastwordsheturnedandleapedfromthevessel’sdeckintotheabyssbelow。
WithacryofhorrorIsprangforwardinavainattempttosavethelifethatfortwoyearsIwouldsogladlyhaveseenextinguished。Iwastoolate。
Withtear—dimmedeyesIturnedawaythatImightnotseetheawfulsightbeneath。
AmomentlaterIhadstruckthebondsfromDejahThoris，andasherdeararmswentaboutmyneckandherperfectlipspressedtomineIforgotthehorrorsthatIhadwitnessedandthesufferingthatIhadenduredintheraptureofmyreward。
THENEWRULER
TheflieruponwhosedeckDejahThorisandIfoundourselvesaftertwelvelongyearsofseparationprovedentirelyuseless。
Herbuoyancytanksleakedbadly。Herenginewouldnotstart。
Wewerehelplessthereinmidairabovethearcticice。
ThecrafthaddriftedacrossthechasmwhichheldthecorpsesofMataiShang，Thurid，andPhaidor，andnowhungabovealowhill。
OpeningthebuoyancyescapevalvesIpermittedhertocomeslowlytotheground，andasshetouched，DejahThorisandIsteppedfromherdeckand，handinhand，turnedbackacrossthefrozenwastetowardthecityofKadabra。
Throughthetunnelthathadledmeinpursuitofthemwepassed，walkingslowly，forwehadmuchtosaytoeachother。
ShetoldmeofthatlastterriblemomentmonthsbeforewhenthedoorofherprisoncellwithintheTempleoftheSunwasslowlyclosingbetweenus。OfhowPhaidorhadsprunguponherwithuplifteddagger，andofThuvia’sshriekasshehadrealizedthefoulintentionofthetherngoddess。
Ithadbeenthatcrythathadrunginmyearsallthelong，wearymonthsthatIhadbeenleftincrueldoubtastomyprincess’fate;forIhadnotknownthatThuviahadwrestedthebladefromthedaughterofMataiShangbeforeithadtouchedeitherDejahThorisorherself。
Shetoldme，too，oftheawfuleternityofherimprisonment。
OfthecruelhatredofPhaidor，andthetenderloveofThuvia，andofhowevenwhendespairwasthedarkestthosetworedgirlshadclungtothesamehopeandbelief——thatJohnCarterwouldfindawaytoreleasethem。
PresentlywecametothechamberofSolan。Ihadbeenproceedingwithoutthoughtofcaution，forIwassurethatthecityandthepalacewerebothinthehandsofmyfriendsbythistime。
AndsoitwasthatIboltedintothechamberfullintothemidstofadozennoblesofthecourtofSalensusOll。
Theywerepassingthroughontheirwaytotheoutsideworldalongthecorridorswehadjusttraversed。
Atsightofustheyhaltedintheirtracks，andthenanuglysmileoverspreadthefeaturesoftheirleader。
"Theauthorofallourmisfortunes！"hecried，pointingatme。
"WeshallhavethesatisfactionofapartialvengeanceatleastwhenweleavebehindusherethedeadandmutilatedcorpsesofthePrinceandPrincessofHelium。
"Whentheyfindthem，"hewenton，jerkinghisthumbupwardtowardthepalaceabove，"theywillrealizethatthevengeanceoftheyellowmancostshisenemiesdear。Preparetodie，JohnCarter，butthatyourendmaybethemorebitter，knowthatImaychangemyintentionastometingamercifuldeathtoyourprincess——
possiblysheshallbepreservedasaplaythingformynobles。"
Istoodclosetotheinstrument—coveredwall——DejahThorisatmyside。
Shelookedupatmewonderinglyasthewarriorsadvanceduponuswithdrawnswords，forminestillhungwithinitsscabbardatmyside，andtherewasasmileuponmylips。
Theyellownobles，too，lookedinsurprise，andthenasImadenomovetodrawtheyhesitated，fearingaruse;buttheirleaderurgedthemon。Whentheyhadcomealmostwithinsword’sreachofmeIraisedmyhandandlaidituponthepolishedsurfaceofagreatlever，andthen，stillsmilinggrimly，Ilookedmyenemiesfullintheface。
Asonetheycametoasuddenstop，castingaffrightedglancesatmeandatoneanother。
"Stop！"shriekedtheirleader。"Youdreamnotwhatyoudo！"
"Rightyouare，"Ireplied。"JohnCarterdoesnotdream。
Heknows——knowsthatshouldoneofyoutakeanothersteptowardDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，Ipullthisleverwide，andsheandIshalldietogether;butweshallnotdiealone。"
Thenoblesshrankback，whisperingtogetherforafewmoments。
Atlasttheirleaderturnedtome。
"Goyourway，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"andweshallgoours。"
"Prisonersdonotgotheirownway，"Ianswered，"andyouareprisoners——prisonersofthePrinceofHelium。"
Beforetheycouldmakeansweradoorupontheoppositesideoftheapartmentopenedandascoreofyellowmenpouredintotheapartment。Foraninstantthenobleslookedrelieved，andthenastheireyesfellupontheleaderofthenewpartytheirfacesfell，forhewasTalu，rebelPrinceofMarentina，andtheyknewthattheycouldlookforneitheraidnormercyathishands。
"Welldone，JohnCarter，"hecried。"Youturntheirownmightypoweragainstthem。FortunateforOkarisitthatyouwereheretopreventtheirescape，forthesebethegreatestvillainsnorthoftheice—barrier，andthisone"——pointingtotheleaderoftheparty——"wouldhavemadehimselfJeddakofJeddaksintheplaceofthedeadSalensusOll。Thenindeedwouldwehavehadamorevillainousrulerthanthehatedtyrantwhofellbeforeyoursword。"
TheOkariannoblesnowsubmittedtoarrest，sincenothingbutdeathfacedthemshouldtheyresist，and，escortedbythewarriorsofTalu，wemadeourwaytothegreataudiencechamberthathadbeenSalensusOll’s。Herewasavastconcourseofwarriors。
RedmenfromHeliumandPtarth，yellowmenofthenorth，rubbingelbowswiththeblacksoftheFirstBornwhohadcomeundermyfriendXodartohelpinthesearchformeandmyprincess。
Thereweresavage，greenwarriorsfromthedeadseabottomsofthesouth，andahandfulofwhite—skinnedthernswhohadrenouncedtheirreligionandswornallegiancetoXodar。
TherewasTardosMorsandMorsKajak，andtallandmightyinhisgorgeouswarriortrappings，Carthoris，myson。ThesethreefelluponDejahThorisasweenteredtheapartment，andthoughthelivesandtrainingofroyalMartianstendnottowardvulgardemonstration，Ithoughtthattheywouldsuffocateherwiththeirembraces。
AndtherewereTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，andKantosKan，myold—timefriends，andleapingandtearingatmyharnessintheexuberanceofhisgreatlovewasdearoldWoola——
franticmadwithhappiness。
Longandloudwasthecheeringthatburstforthatsightofus;
deafeningwasthedinofringingmetalastheveteranwarriorsofeveryMartianclimeclashedtheirbladestogetheronhighintokenofsuccessandvictory，butasIpassedamongthethrongofsalutingnoblesandwarriors，jedsandjeddaks，myheartstillwasheavy，forthereweretwofacesmissingthatIwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveseenthere——ThuvanDihnandThuviaofPtarthwerenottobefoundinthegreatchamber。
Imadeinquiriesconcerningthemamongmenofeverynation，andatlastfromoneoftheyellowprisonersofwarIlearnedthattheyhadbeenapprehendedbyanofficerofthepalaceastheysoughttoreachthePitofPlentywhileIlayimprisonedthere。
Ididnotneedtoasktoknowwhathadsentthemthither——
thecourageousjeddakandhisloyaldaughter。Myinformersaidthattheylaynowinoneofthemanyburieddungeonsofthepalacewheretheyhadbeenplacedpendingadecisionastotheirfatebythetyrantofthenorth。
Amomentlatersearchingpartieswerescouringtheancientpileinsearchofthem，andmycupofhappinesswasfullwhenIsawthembeingescortedintotheroombyacheeringguardofhonor。
Thuvia’sfirstactwastorushtothesideofDejahThoris，andIneedednobetterproofofthelovethesetwoboreforeachotherthanthesinceritywithwhichtheyembraced。
LookingdownuponthatcrowdedchamberstoodthesilentandemptythroneofOkar。
Ofallthestrangescenesitmusthavewitnessedsincethatlong—deadagethathadfirstseenaJeddakofJeddakstakehisseatuponit，nonemightcomparewiththatuponwhichitnowlookeddown，andasIponderedthepastandfutureofthatlong—buriedraceofblack—beardedyellowmenIthoughtthatIsawabrighterandmoreusefulexistenceforthemamongthegreatfamilyoffriendlynationsthatnowstretchedfromthesouthpolealmosttotheirverydoors。
Twenty—twoyearsbeforeIhadbeencast，nakedandastranger，intothisstrangeandsavageworld。Thehandofeveryraceandnationwasraisedincontinualstrifeandwarringagainstthemenofeveryotherlandandcolor。Today，bythemightofmyswordandtheloyaltyofthefriendsmyswordhadmadeforme，blackmanandwhite，redmanandgreenrubbedshouldersinpeaceandgood—fellowship。
AllthenationsofBarsoomwerenotyetasone，butagreatstrideforwardtowardthatgoalhadbeentaken，andnowifIcouldbutcementthefierceyellowraceintothissolidarityofnationsIshouldfeelthatIhadroundedoutagreatlifework，andrepaidtoMarsatleastaportionoftheimmensedebtofgratitudeIowedherforhavinggivenmemyDejahThoris。
AndasIthought，Isawbutoneway，andasinglemanwhocouldinsurethesuccessofmyhopes。Asiseverthewaywithme，IactedthenasIalwaysact——withoutdeliberationandwithoutconsultation。
Thosewhodonotlikemyplansandmywaysofpromotingthemhavealwaystheirswordsattheirsideswherewithtobackuptheirdisapproval;butnowthereseemedtobenodissentingvoice，as，graspingTalubythearm，IsprangtothethronethathadoncebeenSalensusOll’s。
"WarriorsofBarsoom，"Icried，"Kadabrahasfallen，andwithherthehatefultyrantofthenorth;buttheintegrityofOkarmustbepreserved。Theredmenareruledbyredjeddaks，thegreenwarriorsoftheancientseasacknowledgenonebutagreenruler，theFirstBornofthesouthpoletaketheirlawfromblackXodar;
norwoulditbetotheinterestsofeitheryelloworredmanwerearedjeddaktosituponthethroneofOkar。
"TherebebutonewarriorbestfittedfortheancientandmightytitleofJeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth。MenofOkar，raiseyourswordstoyournewruler——Talu，therebelprinceofMarentina！"
AndthenagreatcryofrejoicingroseamongthefreemenofMarentinaandtheKadabranprisoners，forallhadthoughtthattheredmenwouldretainthatwhichtheyhadtakenbyforceofarms，forsuchhadbeenthewayuponBarsoom，andthattheyshouldberuledhenceforthbyanalienJeddak。
ThevictoriouswarriorswhohadfollowedCarthorisjoinedinthemaddemonstration，andamidstthewildconfusionandthetumultandthecheering，DejahThorisandIpassedoutintothegorgeousgardenofthejeddaksthatgracestheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofKadabra。
AtourheelswalkedWoola，anduponacarvedseatofwondrousbeautybeneathabowerofpurplebloomswesawtwowhohadprecededus——
ThuviaofPtarthandCarthorisofHelium。
Thehandsomeheadofthehandsomeyouthwasbentlowabovethebeautifulfaceofhiscompanion。IlookedatDejahThoris，smiling，andasIdrewherclosetomeIwhispered："Whynot？"
Indeed，whynot？Whatmatteragesinthisworldofperpetualyouth？
WeremainedatKadabra，theguestsofTalu，untilafterhisformalinductionintooffice，andthen，uponthegreatfleetwhichIhadbeensofortunatetopreservefromdestruction，wesailedsouthacrosstheice—barrier;butnotbeforewehadwitnessedthetotaldemolitionofthegrimGuardianoftheNorthunderordersofthenewJeddakofJeddaks。
"Henceforth，"hesaid，astheworkwascompleted，"thefleetsoftheredmenandtheblackarefreetocomeandgoacrosstheice—barrierasovertheirownlands。
"TheCarrionCavesshallbecleansed，thatthegreenmenmayfindaneasywaytothelandoftheyellow，andthehuntingofthesacredaptshallbethesportofmynoblesuntilnosinglespecimenofthathideouscreatureroamsthefrozennorth。"
Webadeouryellowfriendsfarewellwithrealregret，aswesetsailforPtarth。Thereweremained，theguestofThuvanDihn，foramonth;andIcouldseethatCarthoriswouldhaveremainedforeverhadhenotbeenaPrinceofHelium。
AbovethemightyforestsofKaolwehovereduntilwordfromKulanTithbroughtustohissinglelanding—tower，wherealldayandhalfanightthevesselsdisembarkedtheircrews。AtthecityofKaolwevisited，cementingthenewtiesthathadbeenformedbetweenKaolandHelium，andthenonelong—to—be—remembereddaywesightedthetall，thintowersofthetwincitiesofHelium。
Thepeoplehadlongbeenpreparingforourcoming。Theskywasgorgeouswithgailytrimmedfliers。Everyroofwithinbothcitieswasspreadwithcostlysilksandtapestries。
Goldandjewelswerescatteredoverroofandstreetandplaza，sothatthetwocitiesseemedablazewiththefiresoftheheartsofthemagnificentstonesandburnishedmetalthatreflectedthebrilliantsunlight，changingitintocountlessglorioushues。
Atlast，aftertwelveyears，theroyalfamilyofHeliumwasreunitedintheirownmightycity，surroundedbyjoy—madmillionsbeforethepalacegates。WomenandchildrenandmightywarriorsweptingratitudeforthefatethathadrestoredtheirbelovedTardosMorsandthedivineprincesswhomthewholenationidolized。
Nordidanyofuswhohadbeenuponthatexpeditionofindescribabledangerandglorylackforplaudits。
ThatnightamessengercametomeasIsatwithDejahThorisandCarthorisupontheroofofmycitypalace，wherewehadlongsincecausedalovelygardentobemadethatwethreemightfindseclusionandquiethappinessamongourselves，farfromthepompandceremonyofcourt，tosummonustotheTempleofReward——
"whereoneistobejudgedthisnight，"thesummonsconcluded。
IrackedmybraintotryanddeterminewhatimportantcasetheremightbependingwhichcouldcalltheroyalfamilyfromtheirpalacesontheeveoftheirreturntoHeliumafteryearsofabsence;butwhenthejeddaksummonsnomandelays。
Asourfliertouchedthelandingstageatthetemple’stopwesawcountlessothercraftarrivinganddeparting。Inthestreetsbelowagreatmultitudesurgedtowardthegreatgatesofthetemple。
SlowlytherecametometherecollectionofthedeferreddoomthatawaitedmesincethattimeIhadbeentriedhereintheTemplebyZatArrasforthesinofreturningfromtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus。
CoulditbepossiblethatthestrictsenseofjusticewhichdominatesthemenofMarshadcausedthemtooverlookthegreatgoodthathadcomeoutofmyheresy？Couldtheyignorethefactthattome，andmealone，wasduetherescueofCarthoris，ofDejahThoris，ofMorsKajak，ofTardosMors？
Icouldnotbelieveit，andyetforwhatotherpurposecouldI
havebeensummonedtotheTempleofRewardimmediatelyuponthereturnofTardosMorstohisthrone？
MyfirstsurpriseasIenteredthetempleandapproachedtheThroneofRighteousnesswastonotethemenwhosatthereasjudges。
TherewasKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，whomwehadbutjustleftwithinhisownpalaceafewdayssince;therewasThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth——howcamehetoHeliumassoonaswe？
TherewasTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，andXodar，JeddakoftheFirstBorn;therewasTalu，JeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth，whomIcouldhaveswornwasstillinhisice—boundhothousecitybeyondthenorthernbarrier，andamongthemsatTardosMorsandMorsKajak，withenoughlesserjedsandjeddakstomakeupthethirty—onewhomustsitinjudgmentupontheirfellow—man。
Arightroyaltribunalindeed，andsuchaone，Iwarrant，asneverbeforesattogetherduringallthehistoryofancientMars。
AsIentered，silencefelluponthegreatconcourseofpeoplethatpackedtheauditorium。ThenTardosMorsarose。
"JohnCarter，"hesaidinhisdeep，martialvoice，"takeyourplaceuponthePedestalofTruth，foryouaretobetriedbyafairandimpartialtribunalofyourfellow—men。"
Withleveleyeandhigh—heldheadIdidashebade，andasIglancedaboutthatcircleoffacesthatamomentbeforeIcouldhavesworncontainedthebestfriendsIhaduponBarsoom，Isawnosinglefriendlyglance——onlystern，uncompromisingjudges，theretodotheirduty。
AclerkroseandfromagreatbookreadalonglistofthemorenotabledeedsthatIhadthoughttomycredit，coveringalongperiodoftwenty—twoyearssincefirstIhadsteppedtheocherseabottombesidetheincubatoroftheTharks。WiththeothershereadofallthatIhaddonewithinthecircleoftheOtzMountainswheretheHolyThernsandtheFirstBornhadheldsway。
ItisthewayuponBarsoomtoreciteaman’svirtueswithhissinswhenheiscometotrial，andsoIwasnotsurprisedthatallthatwastomycreditshouldbereadtheretomyjudges——whoknewitallbyheart——evendowntothepresentmoment。WhenthereadinghadceasedTardosMorsarose。
"Mostrighteousjudges，"heexclaimed，"youhaveheardrecitedallthatisknownofJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium——thegoodwiththebad。Whatisyourjudgment？"
ThenTarsTarkascameslowlytohisfeet，unfoldingallhismighty，toweringheightuntilheloomed，agreen—bronzestatue，faraboveusall。
Heturnedabalefuleyeuponme——he，TarsTarkas，withwhomIhadfoughtthroughcountlessbattles;whomIlovedasabrother。
IcouldhavewepthadInotbeensomadwithragethatI
almostwhippedmyswordoutandhadatthemalluponthespot。
"Judges，"hesaid，"therecanbebutoneverdict。NolongermayJohnCarterbePrinceofHelium"——hepaused——"butinsteadlethimbeJeddakofJeddaks，WarlordofBarsoom！"
Asthethirty—onejudgessprangtotheirfeetwithdrawnandupraisedswordsinunanimousconcurrenceintheverdict，thestormbrokethroughoutthelengthandbreadthandheightofthatmightybuildinguntilIthoughttheroofwouldfallfromthethunderofthemadshouting。
Now，atlast，Isawthegrimhumorofthemethodtheyhadadoptedtodomethisgreathonor，butthattherewasanyhoaxintherealityofthetitletheyhadconferreduponmewasreadilydisprovedbythesincerityofthecongratulationsthatwereheapeduponmebythejudgesfirstandthenthenobles。
PresentlyfiftyofthemightiestnoblesofthegreatestcourtsofMarsmarcheddownthebroadAisleofHopebearingasplendidcarupontheirshoulders，andasthepeoplesawwhosatwithin，thecheersthathadrungoutformepaledintoinsignificancebesidethosewhichthunderedthroughthevastedificenow，forshewhomthenoblescarriedwasDejahThoris，belovedPrincessofHelium。
StraighttotheThroneofRighteousnesstheyboreher，andthereTardosMorsassistedherfromthecar，leadingherforwardtomyside。
"Letaworld’smostbeautifulwomansharethehonorofherhusband，"
hesaid。
BeforethemallIdrewmywifeclosetomeandkissedheruponthelips。