\"They,too,wereunreal?\"
Themannodded。
\"Buttheirarrowsslewthegreenwarriors,\"insistedThuvia。
\"LetusgobeforeTario,\"repliedtheLotharian。
\"Hewilltellyouthatwhichhedeemsitbestyouknow。
Imighttellyoutoomuch。\"
\"WhoisTario?\"askedCarthoris。
\"JeddakofLothar,\"repliedtheguide,leadingthemupthebroadavenuedownwhichtheyhadbutamomentsinceseenthephantomarmymarching。
Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalonglovelyavenuesbetweenthemostgorgeousbuildingsthatthetwohadeverseen。
Fewpeoplewereinevidence。Carthoriscouldnotbutnotethedesertedappearanceofthemightycity。
Atlasttheycametotheroyalpalace。Carthorissawitfromadistance,andguessingthenatureofthemagnificentpilewonderedthatevenherethereshouldbesolittlesignofactivityandlife。
Notevenasingleguardwasvisiblebeforethegreatentrancegate,norinthegardensbeyond,intowhichhecouldsee,wastheresignofthemyriadlifethatpulseswithintheprecinctsoftheroyalestatesoftheredjeddaks。
\"Here,\"saidtheirguide,\"isthepalaceofTario。\"
AshespokeCarthorisagainlethisgazerestuponthewondrouspalace。Withastartledexclamationherubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。No!Hecouldnotbemistaken。
Beforethemassivegatestoodascoreofsentries。Within,theavenueleadingtothemainbuildingwaslinedoneithersidebyranksofbowmen。Thegardensweredottedwithofficersandsoldiersmovingquicklytoandfro,asthoughbentuponthedutiesoftheminute。
Whatmannerofpeoplewerethesewhocouldconjureanarmyoutofthinair?HeglancedtowardThuvia。
She,too,evidentlyhadwitnessedthetransformation。
Withalittleshuddershepressedmorecloselytowardhim。
\"Whatdoyoumakeofit?\"shewhispered。\"Itismostuncanny。\"
\"Icannotaccountforit,\"repliedCarthoris,\"unlesswehavegonemad。\"
CarthoristurnedquicklytowardtheLotharian。Thefellowwassmilingbroadly。
\"IthoughtthatyoujustsaidthattherewerenosoldiersinLothar,\"saidtheHeliumite,withagesturetowardtheguardsmen。\"Whatarethese?\"
\"AskTario,\"repliedtheother。\"Weshallsoonbebeforehim。\"
Norwasitlongbeforetheyenteredaloftychamberatoneendofwhichamanreclineduponarichcouchthatstooduponahighdais。
Asthetrioapproached,themanturneddreamyeyessleepilyuponthem。Twentyfeetfromthedaistheirconductorhalted,and,whisperingtoThuviaandCarthoristofollowhisexample,threwhimselfheadlongtothefloor。
Thenrisingtohandsandknees,hecommencedcrawlingtowardthefootofthethrone,swinginghisheadtoandfroandwigglinghisbodyasyouhaveseenahounddowhenapproachingitsmaster。
ThuviaglancedquicklytowardCarthoris。Hewasstandingerect,withhigh—heldheadandarmsfoldedacrosshisbroadchest。Ahaughtysmilecurvedhislips。
Themanuponthedaiswaseyeinghimintently,andCarthorisofHeliumwaslookingstraightintheother’sface。
\"Whobethese,Jav?\"askedthemanofhimwhocrawleduponhisbellyalongthefloor。
\"OTario,mostgloriousJeddak,\"repliedJav,\"thesebestrangerswhocamewiththehordesofTorquastoourgates,sayingthattheywereprisonersofthegreenmen。
TheytellstrangetalesofcitiesfarbeyondLothar。\"
\"Arise,Jav,\"commandedTario,\"andaskthesetwowhytheyshownottoTariotherespectthatishisdue。\"
Javaroseandfacedthestrangers。Atsightoftheirerectpositionshisfacewentlivid。Heleapedtowardthem。
\"Creatures!\"hescreamed。\"Down!DownuponyourbelliesbeforethelastofthejeddaksofBarsoom!\"
CHAPTERVII
THEPHANTOMBOWMEN
AsJavleapedtowardhimCarthorislaidhishanduponthehiltofhislong—sword。TheLotharianhalted。Thegreatapartmentwasemptysaveforthefouratthedais,yetasJavsteppedbackfromthemenaceoftheHeliumite’sthreateningattitudethelatterfoundhimselfsurroundedbyascoreofbowmen。
Fromwhencehadtheysprung?BothCarthorisandThuvialookedtheirastonishment。
Nowtheformer’sswordleapedfromitsscabbard,andatthesameinstantthebowmendrewbacktheirslimshafts。
Tariohadhalfraisedhimselfupononeelbow。ForthefirsttimehesawthefullfigureofThuvia,whohadbeenconcealedbehindthepersonofCarthoris。
\"Enough!\"criedthejeddak,raisingaprotestinghand,butatthatveryinstanttheswordoftheHeliumitecutviciouslyatitsnearestantagonist。
AsthekeenedgereacheditsgoalCarthorisletthepointfalltothefloor,aswithwideeyeshesteppedbackwardinconsternation,throwingthebackofhislefthandacrosshisbrow。Hissteelhadcutbutemptyair——hisantagonisthadvanished——therewerenobowmenintheroom!
\"Itisevidentthatthesearestrangers,\"saidTariotoJav。
\"Letusfirstdeterminethattheyknowinglyaffrontedusbeforewetakemeasuresforpunishment。\"
ThenheturnedtoCarthoris,buteverhisgazewanderedtotheperfectlinesofThuvia’sgloriousfigure,whichtheharnessofaBarsoomianprincessaccentuatedratherthanconcealed。
\"Whoareyou,\"heasked,\"whoknowsnottheetiquetteofthecourtofthelastofjeddaks?\"
\"IamCarthoris,PrinceofHelium,\"repliedtheHeliumite。
\"AndthisisThuvia,PrincessofPtarth。Inthecourtsofourfathersmendonotprostratethemselvesbeforeroyalty。NotsincetheFirstBorntoretheirimmortalgoddesslimbfromlimbhavemencrawledupontheirbelliestoanythroneuponBarsoom。Nowthinkyouthatthedaughterofonemightyjeddakandthesonofanotherwouldsohumiliatethemselves?\"
TariolookedatCarthorisforalongtime。Atlasthespoke。
\"ThereisnootherjeddakuponBarsoomthanTario,\"hesaid。
\"ThereisnootherracethanthatofLothar,unlessthehordesofTorquasmaybedignifiedbysuchanappellation。
Lothariansarewhite;yourskinsarered。TherearenowomenleftuponBarsoom。Yourcompanionisawoman。\"
Hehalfrosefromthecouch,leaningfarforwardandpointinganaccusingfingeratCarthoris。
\"Youarealie!\"heshrieked。\"Youarebothlies,andyoudaretocomebeforeTario,lastandmightiestofthejeddaksofBarsoom,andassertyourreality。Someoneshallpaywellforthis,Jav,andunlessImistakeitisyourselfwhohasdaredthusflippantlytotriflewiththegoodnatureofyourjeddak。
\"Removetheman。Leavethewoman。Weshallseeifbothbelies。
Andlater,Jav,youshallsufferforyourtemerity。Therebefewofusleft,but——Komalmustbefed。Go!\"
CarthoriscouldseethatJavtrembledasheprostratedhimselfoncemorebeforehisruler,andthen,rising,turnedtowardthePrinceofHelium。
\"Come!\"hesaid。
\"AndleavethePrincessofPtarthherealone?\"criedCarthoris。
Javbrushedcloselypasthim,whispering:
\"Followme——hecannotharmher,excepttokill;andthathecandowhetheryouremainornot。Wehadbestgonow——trustme。\"
Carthorisdidnotunderstand,butsomethingintheurgencyoftheother’stoneassuredhim,andsoheturnedaway,butnotwithoutaglancetowardThuviainwhichheattemptedtomakeherunderstandthatitwasinherowninterestthathelefther。
Foranswersheturnedherbackfulluponhim,butnotwithoutfirstthrowinghimsuchalookofcontemptthatbroughtthescarlettohischeek。
Thenhehesitated,butJavseizedhimbythewrist。
\"Come!\"hewhispered。\"Orhewillhavethebowmenuponyou,andthistimetherewillbenoescape。Didyounotseehowfutileisyoursteelagainstthinair!\"
Carthoristurnedunwillinglytofollow。Asthetwolefttheroomheturnedtohiscompanion。
\"IfImaynotkillthinair,\"heasked,\"how,then,shallIfearthatthinairmaykillme?\"
\"YousawtheTorquasiansfallbeforethebowmen?\"askedJav。
Carthorisnodded。
\"Sowouldyoufallbeforethem,andwithoutonesinglechanceforself—defenceorrevenge。\"
AstheytalkedJavledCarthoristoasmallroominoneofthenumeroustowersofthepalace。Herewerecouches,andJavbidtheHeliumitebeseated。
ForseveralminutestheLotharianeyedhisprisoner,forsuchCarthorisnowrealizedhimselftobe。
\"Iamhalfconvincedthatyouarereal,\"hesaidatlast。
Carthorislaughed。
\"OfcourseIamreal,\"hesaid。\"Whatcausedyoutodoubtit?Canyounotseeme,feelme?\"
\"SomayIseeandfeelthebowmen,\"repliedJav,\"andyetweallknowthatthey,atleast,arenotreal。\"
Carthorisshowedbytheexpressionofhisfacehispuzzlementateachnewreferencetothemysteriousbowmen——thevanishingsoldieryofLothar。
\"What,then,maytheybe?\"heasked。
\"Youreallydonotknow?\"askedJav。
Carthorisshookhisheadnegatively。
\"IcanalmostbelievethatyouhavetoldusthetruthandthatyouarereallyfromanotherpartofBarsoom,orfromanotherworld。Buttellme,inyourowncountryhaveyounobowmentostriketerrortotheheartsofthegreenhordesmenastheyslayincompanywiththefiercebanthsofwar?\"
\"Wehavesoldiers,\"repliedCarthoris。\"Weoftheredraceareallsoldiers,butwehavenobowmentodefendus,suchasyours。Wedefendourselves。\"
\"Yougooutandgetkilledbyyourenemies!\"criedJavincredulously。
\"Certainly,\"repliedCarthoris。\"HowdotheLotharians?\"
\"Youhaveseen,\"repliedtheother。\"Wesendoutourdeathlessarchers——deathlessbecausetheyarelifeless,existingonlyintheimaginationsofourenemies。Itisreallyourgiantmindsthatdefendus,sendingoutlegionsofimaginarywarriorstomaterializebeforethemind’seyeofthefoe。
\"Theyseethem——theyseetheirbowsdrawnback——theyseetheirslenderarrowsspeedwithunerringprecisiontowardtheirhearts。Andtheydie——killedbythepowerofsuggestion。\"
\"Butthearchersthatareslain?\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"Youcallthemdeathless,andyetIsawtheirdeadbodiespiledhighuponthebattlefield。Howmaythatbe?\"
\"Itisbuttolendrealitytothescene,\"repliedJav。
\"WepicturemanyofourowndefenderskilledthattheTorquasiansmaynotguessthattherearereallynofleshandbloodcreaturesopposingthem。
\"Oncethattruthbecameimplantedintheirminds,itisthetheoryofmanyofus,nolongerwouldtheyfallpreytothesuggestionofthedeadlyarrows,forgreaterwouldbethesuggestionofthetruth,andthemorepowerfulsuggestionwouldprevail——itislaw。\"
\"Andthebanths?\"questionedCarthoris。\"They,too,werebutcreaturesofsuggestion?\"
\"Someofthemwerereal,\"repliedJav。\"ThosethataccompaniedthearchersinpursuitoftheTorquasianswereunreal。Likethearchers,theyneverreturned,but,havingservedtheirpurpose,vanishedwiththebowmenwhentheroutoftheenemywasassured。
\"Thosethatremainedaboutthefieldwerereal。ThoseweloosedasscavengerstodevourthebodiesofthedeadofTorquas。
Thisthingisdemandedbytherealistsamongus。Iamarealist。
Tarioisanetherealist。
\"Theetherealistsmaintainthatthereisnosuchthingasmatter——thatallismind。Theysaythatnoneofusexists,exceptintheimaginationofhisfellows,otherthanasanintangible,invisiblementality。
\"AccordingtoTario,itisbutnecessarythatwealluniteinimaginingthattherearenodeadTorquasiansbeneathourwalls,andtherewillbenone,noranyneedofscavengingbanths。\"
\"You,then,donotholdTario’sbeliefs?\"askedCarthoris。
\"Inpartonly,\"repliedtheLotharian。\"Ibelieve,infactIknow,thattherearesometrulyetherealcreatures。
Tarioisone,Iamconvinced。Hehasnoexistenceexceptintheimaginationsofhispeople。
\"Ofcourse,itisthecontentionofallusrealiststhatalletherealistsarebutfigmentsoftheimagination。
Theycontendthatnofoodisnecessary,nordotheyeat;
butanyoneofthemostrudimentaryintelligencemustrealizethatfoodisanecessitytocreatureshavingactualexistence。\"
\"Yes,\"agreedCarthoris,\"nothavingeatento—dayIcanreadilyagreewithyou。\"
\"Ah,pardonme,\"exclaimedJav。\"Praybeseatedandsatisfyyourhunger,\"andwithawaveofhishandheindicatedabountifullyladentablethathadnotbeenthereaninstantbeforehespoke。OfthatCarthoriswaspositive,forhehadsearchedtheroomdiligentlywithhiseyesseveraltimes。
\"Itiswell,\"continuedJav,\"thatyoudidnotfallintothehandsofanetherealist。Then,indeed,wouldyouhavegonehungry。\"
\"But,\"exclaimedCarthoris,\"thisisnotrealfood——itwasnothereaninstantsince,andrealfooddoesnotmaterializeoutofthinair。\"
Javlookedhurt。
\"ThereisnorealfoodorwaterinLothar,\"hesaid;
\"norhastherebeenforcountlessages。Uponsuchasyounowseebeforeyouhaveweexistedsincethedawnofhistory。Uponsuch,then,mayyouexist。\"
\"ButIthoughtyouwerearealist,\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"Indeed,\"criedJav,\"whatmorerealisticthanthisbounteousfeast?Itisjustherethatwediffermostfromtheetherealists。Theyclaimthatitisunnecessarytoimaginefood;butwehavefoundthatforthemaintenanceoflifewemustthricedailysitdowntoheartymeals。
\"Thefoodthatoneeatsissupposedtoundergocertainchemicalchangesduringtheprocessofdigestionandassimilation,theresult,ofcourse,beingtherebuildingofwastedtissue。
\"Nowweallknowthatmindisall,thoughwemaydifferintheinterpretationofitsvariousmanifestations。
Tariomaintainsthatthereisnosuchthingassubstance,allbeingcreatedfromthesubstancelessmatterofthebrain。
\"Werealists,however,knowbetter。Weknowthatmindhasthepowertomaintainsubstanceeventhoughitmaynotbeabletocreatesubstance——thelatterisstillanopenquestion。Andsoweknowthatinordertomaintainourphysicalbodieswemustcauseallourorgansproperlytofunction。
\"Thisweaccomplishbymaterializingfood—thoughts,andbypartakingofthefoodthuscreated。Wechew,weswallow,wedigest。Allourorgansfunctionpreciselyasifwehadpartakenofmaterialfood。Andwhatistheresult?
Whatmustbetheresult?Thechemicalchangestakeplacethroughbothdirectandindirectsuggestion,andweliveandthrive。\"
Carthoriseyedthefoodbeforehim。Itseemedrealenough。
Heliftedamorseltohislips。Therewassubstanceindeed。
Andflavouraswell。Yes,evenhispalatewasdeceived。
Javwatchedhim,smiling,asheate。
\"Isitnotentirelysatisfying?\"heasked。
\"Imustadmitthatitis,\"repliedCarthoris。\"Buttellme,howdoesTariolive,andtheotheretherealistswhomaintainthatfoodisunnecessary?\"
Javscratchedhishead。
\"Thatisaquestionweoftendiscuss,\"hereplied。
\"Itisthestrongestevidencewehaveofthenon—existenceoftheetherealists;butwhomayknowotherthanKomal?\"
\"WhoisKomal?\"askedCarthoris。\"Iheardyourjeddakspeakofhim。\"
JavbentlowtowardtheearoftheHeliumite,lookingfearfullyaboutbeforehespoke。
\"Komalistheessence,\"hewhispered。\"Eventheetherealistsadmitthatminditselfmusthavesubstanceinordertotransmittoimaginingstheappearanceofsubstance。Foriftherereallywasnosuchthingassubstanceitcouldnotbesuggested——whatneverhasbeencannotbeimagined。Doyoufollowme?\"
\"Iamgroping,\"repliedCarthorisdryly。
\"Sotheessencemustbesubstance,\"continuedJav。
\"KomalistheessenceoftheAll,asitwere。Heismaintainedbysubstance。Heeats。Heeatsthereal。
Tobeexplicit,heeatstherealists。ThatisTario’swork。
\"Hesaysthatinasmuchaswemaintainthatwealonearerealweshould,tobeconsistent,admitthatwealoneareproperfoodforKomal。Sometimes,asto—day,wefindotherfoodforhim。HeisveryfondofTorquasians。\"
\"AndKomalisaman?\"askedCarthoris。
\"HeisAll,Itoldyou,\"repliedJav。\"Iknownothowtoexplainhiminwordsthatyouwillunderstand。Heisthebeginningandtheend。AlllifeemanatesfromKomal,sincethesubstancewhichfeedsthebrainwithimaginingsradiatesfromthebodyofKomal。
\"ShouldKomalceasetoeat,alllifeuponBarsoomwouldceasetobe。Hecannotdie,buthemightceasetoeat,and,thus,toradiate。\"
\"Andhefeedsuponthemenandwomenofyourbelief?\"criedCarthoris。
\"Women!\"exclaimedJav。\"TherearenowomeninLothar。
ThelastoftheLotharianfemalesperishedagessince,uponthatcruelandterriblejourneyacrossthemuddyplainsthatfringedthehalf—driedseas,whenthegreenhordesscourgedusacrosstheworldtothisourlasthiding—place——ourimpregnablefortressofLothar。
\"ScarcetwentythousandmenofallthecountlessmillionsofourracelivedtoreachLothar。Amonguswerenowomenandnochildren。Allthesehadperishedbytheway。
\"Astimewenton,we,too,weredyingandtheracefastapproachingextinction,whentheGreatTruthwasrevealedtous,thatmindisall。Manymorediedbeforeweperfectedourpowers,butatlastwewereabletodefydeathwhenwefullyunderstoodthatdeathwasmerelyastateofmind。
\"Thencamethecreationofmind—people,orratherthematerializationofimaginings。WefirstputthesetopracticalusewhentheTorquasiansdiscoveredourretreat,andfortunateforusitwasthatitrequiredagesofsearchupontheirpartbeforetheyfoundthesingletinyentrancetothevalleyofLothar。
\"Thatdaywethrewourfirstbowmenagainstthem。
Theintentionwaspurelytofrightenthemawaybythevastnumbersofbowmenwhichwecouldmusteruponourwalls。AllLotharbristledwiththebowsandarrowsofouretherealhost。
\"ButtheTorquasiansdidnotfrighten。Theyarelowerthanthebeasts——theyknownofear。Theyrusheduponourwalls,andstandingupontheshouldersofotherstheybuilthumanapproachestothewalltops,andwereontheverypointofsurginginuponusandoverwhelmingus。
\"Notanarrowhadbeendischargedbyourbowmen——wedidbutcausethemtoruntoandfroalongthewalltop,screamingtauntsandthreatsattheenemy。
\"PresentlyIthoughttoattemptthething——THEGREAT
THING。Icentredallmymightyintellectuponthebowmenofmyowncreation——eachofusproducesanddirectsasmanybowmenashismentalityandimaginationiscapableof。
\"Icausedthemtofitarrowstotheirbowsforthefirsttime。
Imadethemtakeaimattheheartsofthegreenmen。
Imadethegreenmenseeallthis,andthenImadethemseethearrowsfly,andImadethemthinkthatthepointspiercedtheirhearts。
\"Itwasallthatwasnecessary。Byhundredstheytoppledfromourwalls,andwhenmyfellowssawwhatIhaddonetheywerequicktofollowmyexample,sothatpresentlythehordesofTorquashadretreatedbeyondtherangeofourarrows。
\"Wemighthavekilledthematanydistance,butoneruleofwarwehavemaintainedfromthefirst——theruleofrealism。
Wedonothing,orratherwecauseourbowmentodonothingwithinsightoftheenemythatisbeyondtheunderstandingofthefoe。Otherwisetheymightguessthetruth,andthatwouldbetheendofus。
\"ButaftertheTorquasianshadretreatedbeyondbowshot,theyturneduponuswiththeirterriblerifles,andbyconstantpoppingatusmadelifemiserablewithinourwalls。
\"SothenIbethoughttheschemetohurlourbowmenthroughthegatesuponthem。Youhaveseenthisdayhowwellitworks。Foragestheyhavecomedownuponusatintervals,butalwayswiththesameresults。\"
\"Andallthisisduetoyourintellect,Jav?\"askedCarthoris。\"Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbehighinthecouncilsofyourpeople。\"
\"Iam,\"repliedJav,proudly。\"IamnexttoTario。\"
\"Butwhy,then,yourcringingmannerofapproachingthethrone?\"
\"Tariodemandsit。Heisjealousofme。HeonlyawaitstheslightestexcusetofeedmetoKomal。HefearsthatI
maysomedayusurphispower。\"
Carthorissuddenlysprangfromthetable。
\"Jav!\"heexclaimed。\"Iamabeast!HereIhavebeeneatingmyfill,whilethePrincessofPtarthmayperchancebestillwithoutfood。Letusreturnandfindsomemeansoffurnishingherwithnourishment。\"
TheLotharianshookhishead。
\"Tariowouldnotpermitit,\"hesaid。\"Hewill,doubtless,makeanetherealistofher。\"
\"ButImustgotoher,\"insistedCarthoris。\"YousaythattherearenowomeninLothar。Thenshemustbeamongmen,andifthisbesoIintendtobenearwhereImaydefendheriftheneedarises。\"
\"Tariowillhavehisway,\"insistedJav。\"Hesentyouawayandyoumaynotreturnuntilhesendsforyou。\"
\"ThenIshallgowithoutwaitingtobesentfor。\"
\"Donotforgetthebowmen,\"cautionedJav。
\"Idonotforgetthem,\"repliedCarthoris,buthedidnottellJavthatherememberedsomethingelsethattheLotharianhadletdrop——somethingthatwasbutaconjecture,possibly,andyetonewellworthpinningaforlornhopeto,shouldnecessityarise。
Carthorisstartedtoleavetheroom。Javsteppedbeforehim,barringhisway。
\"Ihavelearnedtolikeyou,redman,\"hesaid;
\"butdonotforgetthatTarioisstillmyjeddak,andthatTariohascommandedthatyouremainhere。\"
Carthoriswasabouttoreply,whentherecamefaintlytotheearsofbothawoman’scryforhelp。
WithasweepofhisarmthePrinceofHeliumbrushedtheLotharianaside,andwithdrawnswordsprangintothecorridorwithout。
CHAPTERVIII
THEHALLOFDOOM
AsThuviaofPtarthsawCarthorisdepartfromthepresenceofTario,leavingheralonewiththeman,asuddenqualmofterrorseizedher。
Therewasanairofmysterypervadingthestatelychamber。
Itsfurnishingsandappointmentsbespokewealthandculture,andcarriedthesuggestionthattheroomwasoftenthesceneofroyalfunctionswhichfilledittoitscapacity。
Andyetnowhereabouther,inantechamberorcorridor,wastheresignofanyotherbeingthanherselfandtherecumbentfigureofTario,thejeddak,whowatchedherthroughhalf—closedeyesfromthegorgeoustrappingsofhisregalcouch。
ForatimeafterthedepartureofJavandCarthoristhemaneyedherintently。Thenhespoke。
\"Comenearer,\"hesaid,and,assheapproached:
\"Whosecreatureareyou?Whohasdaredmaterializehisimaginingsofwoman?ItiscontrarytothecustomsandtheroyaledictsofLothar。Tellme,woman,fromwhosebrainhaveyousprung?Jav’s?No,donotdenyit。
Iknowthatitcouldbenootherthanthatenviousrealist。
Heseekstotemptme。Hewouldseemefallbeneaththespellofyourcharms,andthenhe,yourmaster,woulddirectmydestinyand——myend。Iseeitall!
Iseeitall!\"
ThebloodofindignationandangerhadbeenrisingtoThuvia’sface。Herchinwasup,ahaughtycurveuponherperfectlips。
\"Iknownaught,\"shecried,\"ofwhatyouareprating!
IamThuvia,PrincessofPtarth。Iamnoman’s`creature。’Neverbeforeto—daydidIlayeyesuponhimyoucallJav,noruponyourridiculouscity,ofwhicheventhegreatestnationsofBarsoomhaveneverdreamed。
\"Mycharmsarenotforyou,norsuchasyou。Theyarenotforsaleorbarter,eventhoughthepricewerearealthrone。Andasforusingthemtowinyourworsethanfutilepower——\"Sheendedhersentencewithashrugofhershapelyshoulders,andalittlescornfullaugh。
WhenshehadfinishedTariowassittingupontheedgeofhiscouch,hisfeetuponthefloor。Hewasleaningforwardwitheyesnolongerhalfclosed,butwidewithastartledexpressioninthem。
HedidnotseemtonotetheLESEMAJESTEofherwordsandmanner。Therewasevidentlysomethingmorestartlingandcompellingaboutherspeechthanthat。
Slowlyhecametohisfeet。
\"BythefangsofKomal!\"hemuttered。\"ButyouareREAL!
AREALwoman!Nodream!Novainandfoolishfigmentofthemind!\"
Hetookasteptowardher,withhandsoutstretched。
\"Come!\"hewhispered。\"Come,woman!ForcountlessageshaveIdreamedthatsomedayyouwouldcome。
AndnowthatyouarehereIcanscarcebelievethetestimonyofmyeyes。Evennow,knowingthatyouarereal,Istillhalfdreadthatyoumaybealie。\"
Thuviashrankback。Shethoughtthemanmad。
Herhandstoletothejewelledhiltofherdagger。
Themansawthemove,andstopped。Acunningexpressionenteredhiseyes。Thentheybecameatoncedreamyandpenetratingastheyfairlyboredintothegirl’sbrain。
Thuviasuddenlyfeltachangecomingoverher。Whatthecauseofitshedidnotguess;butsomehowthemanbeforeherbegantoassumeanewrelationshipwithinherheart。
Nolongerwasheastrangeandmysteriousenemy,butanoldandtrustedfriend。Herhandslippedfromthedagger’shilt。Tariocamecloser。Hespokegentle,friendlywords,andsheansweredhiminavoicethatseemedhersandyetanother’s。
Hewasbesidehernow。Hishandwasuphershoulder。
Hiseyesweredown—benttowardhers。Shelookedupintohisface。Hisgazeseemedtoborestraightthroughhertosomehiddenspringofsentimentwithinher。
Herlipspartedinsuddenaweandwonderatthestrangerevealmentofherinnerselfthatwasbeinglaidbarebeforeherconsciousness。ShehadknownTarioforever。
Hewasmorethanfriendtoher。Shemovedalittleclosertohim。Inoneswiftfloodoflightsheknewthetruth。ShelovedTario,JeddakofLothar!
Shehadalwayslovedhim。
Theman,seeingthesuccessofhisstrategy,couldnotrestrainafaintsmileofsatisfaction。Whethertherewassomethingintheexpressionofhisface,orwhetherfromCarthorisofHeliuminafarchamberofthepalacecameamorepowerfulsuggestion,whomaysay?Butsomethingtherewasthatsuddenlydispelledthestrange,hypnoticinfluenceoftheman。
Asthoughamaskhadbeentornfromhereyes,ThuviasuddenlysawTarioasshehadformerlyseenhim,and,accustomedasshewastothestrangemanifestationsofhighlydevelopedmentalitywhicharecommonuponBarsoom,shequicklyguessedenoughofthetruthtoknowthatshewasingravedanger。
Quicklyshetookastepbackward,tearingherselffromhisgrasp。ButthemomentarycontacthadarousedwithinTarioallthelong—buriedpassionsofhislovelessexistence。
Withamuffledcryhespranguponher,throwinghisarmsaboutherandattemptingtodragherlipstohis。
\"Woman!\"hecried。\"Lovelywoman!TariowouldmakeyouqueenofLothar。Listentome!ListentotheloveofthelastjeddaksofBarsoom。\"
Thuviastruggledtofreeherselffromhisembrace。
\"Stop,creature!\"shecried。\"Stop!Idonotloveyou。
Stop,orIshallscreamforhelp!\"
Tariolaughedinherface。
\"`Screamforhelp,’\"hemimicked。\"AndwhowithinthehallsofLotharistherewhomightcomeinanswertoyourcall?
WhowoulddareenterthepresenceofTario,unsummoned?\"
\"Thereisone,\"shereplied,\"whowouldcome,and,coming,daretocutyoudownuponyourownthrone,ifhethoughtthatyouhadofferedaffronttoThuviaofPtarth!\"
\"Who,Jav?\"askedTario。
\"NotJav,noranyothersoft—skinnedLotharian,\"shereplied;
\"butarealman,arealwarrior——CarthorisofHelium!\"
Againthemanlaughedather。
\"Youforgetthebowmen,\"heremindedher。\"Whatcouldyourredwarrioraccomplishagainstmyfearlesslegions?\"
Againhecaughtherroughlytohim,dragginghertowardshiscouch。
\"Ifyouwillnotbemyqueen,\"hesaid,\"youshallbemyslave。\"
\"Neither!\"criedthegirl。
Asshespokethesinglewordtherewasaquickmoveofherrighthand;Tario,releasingher,staggeredback,bothhandspressedtohisside。Atthesameinstanttheroomfilledwithbowmen,andthenthejeddakofLotharsanksenselesstothemarblefloor。
AttheinstantthathelostconsciousnessthebowmenwereabouttoreleasetheirarrowsintoThuvia’sheart。
Involuntarilyshegaveasinglecryforhelp,thoughsheknewthatnotevenCarthorisofHeliumcouldsavehernow。
Thensheclosedhereyesandwaitedfortheend。Noslendershaftspiercedhertenderside。Sheraisedherlidstoseewhatstayedthehandofherexecutioners。
TheroomwasemptysaveforherselfandthestillformofthejeddakofLotharlyingatherfeet,alittlepoolofcrimsonstainingthewhitemarbleofthefloorbesidehim。Tariowasunconscious。
Thuviawasamazed。Wherewerethebowmen?Whyhadtheynotloosedtheirshafts?Whatcoulditallmean?
Aninstantbeforetheroomhadbeenmysteriouslyfilledwitharmedmen,evidentlycalledtoprotecttheirjeddak;
yetnow,withtheevidenceofherdeedplainbeforethem,theyhadvanishedasmysteriouslyastheyhadcome,leavingheralonewiththebodyoftheirruler,intowhosesideshehadslippedherlong,keenblade。
Thegirlglancedapprehensivelyabout,firstforsignsofthereturnofthebowmen,andthenforsomemeansofescape。
Thewallbehindthedaiswaspiercedbytwosmalldoorways,hiddenbyheavyhangings。Thuviawasrunningquicklytowardsoneofthesewhensheheardtheclankofawarrior’smetalattheendoftheapartmentbehindher。
Ah,ifshehadbutaninstantmoreoftimeshecouldhavereachedthatscreeningarrasand,perchance,havefoundsomeavenueofescapebehindit;butnowitwastoolate——shehadbeendiscovered!
Withafeelingthatwasakintoapathysheturnedtomeetherfate,andthere,beforeher,runningswiftlyacrossthebroadchambertoherside,wasCarthoris,hisnakedlong—swordgleaminginhishand。
FordaysshehaddoubtedhisintentionsoftheHeliumite。
Shehadthoughthimapartytoherabduction。SinceFatehadthrownthemtogethershehadscarcefavouredhimwithmorethanthemostperfunctoryrepliestohisremarks,unlessatsuchtimesastheweirdanduncannyhappeningsatLotharhadsurprisedheroutofherreserve。
SheknewthatCarthorisofHeliumwouldfightforher;
butwhethertosaveherforhimselforanother,shewasindoubt。
HeknewthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,butifhehadbeeninstrumentalinherabduction,hismotivescouldnotbepromptedbyloyaltytohisfriend,orregardforherhonour。
Andyet,asshesawhimcomingacrossthemarbleflooroftheaudiencechamberofTarioofLothar,hisfineeyesfilledwithapprehensionforhersafety,hissplendidfigurepersonifyingallthatisfinestinthefightingmenofmartialMars,shecouldnotbelievethatanyfaintesttraceofperfidylurkedbeneathsogloriousanexterior。
Never,shethought,inallherlifehadthesightofanymanbeensowelcometoher。Itwaswithdifficultythatsherefrainedfromrushingforwardtomeethim。
Sheknewthathelovedher;but,intime,sherecalledthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith。NotevenmightshetrustherselftoshowtoogreatgratitudetotheHeliumite,lesthemisunderstand。
Carthoriswasbyhersidenow。Hisquickglancehadtakeninthescenewithintheroom——thestillfigureofthejeddaksprawleduponthefloor——thegirlhasteningtowardashroudedexit。
\"Didheharmyou,Thuvia?\"heasked。
Shehelduphercrimsonedbladethathemightseeit。
\"No,\"shesaid,\"hedidnotharmme。\"
AgrimsmilelightedCarthoris’face。
\"Praisedbeourfirstancestor!\"hemurmured。
\"AndnowletusseeifwemaynotmakegoodourescapefromthisaccursedcitybeforetheLothariansdiscoverthattheirjeddakisnomore。\"
WiththefirmauthoritythatsatsowelluponhiminwhoseveinsflowedthebloodofJohnCarterofVirginiaandDejahThorisofHelium,hegraspedherhandand,turningbackacrossthehall,strodetowardthegreatdoorwaythroughwhichJavhadbroughtthemintothepresenceofthejeddakearlierintheday。
Theyhadalmostreachedthethresholdwhenafiguresprangintotheapartmentthroughanotherentrance。ItwasJav。
He,too,tookinthescenewithinataglance。
Carthoristurnedtofacehim,hisswordreadyinhishand,andhisgreatbodyshieldingtheslenderfigureofthegirl。
\"Come,JavofLothar!\"hecried。\"Letusfacetheissueatonce,foronlyoneofusmayleavethischamberalivewithThuviaofPtarth。\"Then,seeingthatthemanworenosword,heexclaimed:\"Bringonyourbowmen,then,orcomewithusasmyprisoneruntilwehavesafelypassedtheouterportalsofthyghostlycity。\"
\"YouhavekilledTario!\"exclaimedJav,ignoringtheother’schallenge。\"YouhavekilledTario!Iseehisblooduponthefloor——realblood——realdeath。Tariowas,afterall,asrealasI。Yethewasanetherealist。Hewouldnotmaterializehissustenance。Canitbethattheyareright?Well,we,too,areright。Andalltheseageswehavebeenquarrelling——eachsayingthattheotherwaswrong!
\"However,heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar!\"
Ashefinished,Tarioopenedhiseyesandthenquicklysatup。
\"Traitor!Assassin!\"hescreamed,andthen:\"Kadar!
Kadar!\"whichistheBarsoomianforguard。
Javwentsicklywhite。Hefelluponhisbelly,wrigglingtowardTario。
\"Oh,myJeddak,myJeddak!\"hewhimpered。\"Javhadnohandinthis。Jav,yourfaithfulJav,butjustthisinstantenteredtheapartmenttofindyoulyingproneuponthefloorandthesetwostrangersabouttoleave。HowithappenedIknownot。Believeme,mostgloriousJeddak!\"
\"Cease,knave!\"criedTario。\"Iheardyourwords:
`However,heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar。’
\"Atlast,traitor,Ihavefoundyouout。Yourownwordshavecondemnedyouassurelyastheactsoftheseredcreatureshavesealedtheirfates——unless——\"
Hepaused。\"Unlessthewoman——\"
Buthegotnofurther。Carthorisguessedwhathewouldhavesaid,andbeforethewordscouldbeutteredhehadsprungforwardandstruckthemanacrossthemouthwithhisopenpalm。
Tariofrothedinrageandmortification。
\"AndshouldyouagainaffrontthePrincessofPtarth,\"
warnedtheHeliumite,\"Ishallforgetthatyouwearnosword——notforevermayIcontrolmyitchingswordhand。\"
Tarioshrankbacktowardthelittledoorwaysbehindthedais。Hewastryingtospeak,butsohideouslywerethemusclesofhisfaceworkingthathecouldutternowordforseveralminutes。Atlasthemanagedtoarticulateintelligibly。
\"Die!\"heshrieked。\"Die!\"andthenheturnedtowardtheexitathisback。
Javleapedforward,screaminginterror。
\"Havepity,Tario!Havepity!RememberthelongagesthatIhaveservedyoufaithfully。RememberallthatI
havedoneforLothar。Donotcondemnmenowtothedeathhideous。Saveme!Saveme!\"
ButTarioonlylaughedamockinglaughandcontinuedtobacktowardthehangingsthathidthelittledoorway。
JavturnedtowardCarthoris。
\"Stophim!\"hescreamed。\"Stophim!Ifyoulovelife,lethimnotleavethisroom,\"andashespokeheleapedinpursuitofhisjeddak。
CarthorisfollowedJav’sexample,butthe\"lastofthejeddaksofBarsoom\"wastooquickforthem。
Bythetimetheyreachedthearrasbehindwhichhehaddisappeared,theyfoundaheavystonedoorblockingtheirfurtherprogress。
Javsanktothefloorinaspasmofterror。
\"Come,man!\"criedCarthoris。\"Wearenotdeadyet。
Letushastentotheavenuesandmakeanattempttoleavethecity。Wearestillalive,andwhilewelivewemayyetendeavourtodirectourowndestinies。Ofwhatavail,tosinkspinelesstothefloor?Come,beaman!\"
Javbutshookhishead。
\"Didyounothearhimcalltheguards?\"hemoaned。
\"Ah,ifwecouldhavebutinterceptedhim!Thentheremighthavebeenhope;but,alas,hewastooquickforus。\"
\"Well,well,\"exclaimedCarthorisimpatiently。\"Whatifhedidcalltheguards?Therewillbetimeenoughtoworryaboutthataftertheycome——atpresentIseenoindicationthattheyhaveanyideaofover—exertingthemselvestoobeytheirjeddak’ssummons。\"
Javshookhisheadmournfully。
\"Youdonotunderstand,\"hesaid。\"Theguardshavealreadycome——andgone。Theyhavedonetheirworkandwearelost。Looktothevariousexits。\"
CarthorisandThuviaturnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseveraldoorwayswhichpiercedthewallsofthegreatchamber。Eachwastightlyclosedbyhugestonedoors。
\"Well?\"askedCarthoris。
\"Wearetodiethedeath,\"whisperedJavfaintly。
Furtherthanthathewouldnotsay。Hejustsatupontheedgeofthejeddak’scouchandwaited。
CarthorismovedtoThuvia’sside,and,standingtherewithnakedsword,helethisbraveeyesroamceaselesslyaboutthegreatchamber,thatnofoemightspringuponthemunseen。
Forwhatseemedhoursnosoundbrokethesilenceoftheirlivingtomb。Nosigngavetheirexecutionersofthetimeormanneroftheirdeath。Thesuspensewasterrible。EvenCarthorisofHeliumbegantofeeltheterriblestrainuponhisnerves。Ifhecouldbutknowhowandwhencethehandofdeathwastostrike,hecouldmeetitunafraid,buttosufferlongerthehideoustensionofthisblightingignoranceoftheplansoftheirassassinswastellinguponhimgrievously。
ThuviaofPtarthdrewquiteclosetohim。Shefeltsaferwiththefeelofhisarmagainsthers,andwiththecontactofherthemantookanewgripuponhimself。
Withhisold—timesmileheturnedtowardher。
\"Itwouldseemthattheyaretryingtofrightenustodeath,\"
hesaid,laughing;\"and,shamebeuponmethatIshouldconfessit,Ithinktheywereclosetoaccomplishingtheirdesignsuponme。\"
ShewasabouttomakesomereplywhenafearfulshriekbrokefromthelipsoftheLotharian。
\"Theendiscoming!\"hecried。\"Theendiscoming!
Thefloor!Thefloor!Oh,Komal,bemerciful!\"
ThuviaandCarthorisdidnotneedtolookatthefloortobeawareofthestrangemovementthatwastakingplace。
Slowlythemarbleflaggingwassinkinginalldirectionstowardthecentre。Atfirstthemovement,beinggradual,wasscarcenoticeable;butpresentlytheangleofthefloorbecamesuchthatonemightstandeasilyonlybybendingonekneeconsiderably。
Javwasshriekingstill,andclawingattheroyalcouchthathadalreadycommencedtoslidetowardthecentreoftheroom,wherebothThuviaandCarthorissuddenlynotedasmallorificewhichgrewindiameterasthefloorassumedmorecloselyafunnel—likecontour。
Nowitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttoclingtothedizzyinclinationofthesmoothandpolishedmarble。
CarthoristriedtosupportThuvia,buthimselfcommencedtoslideandsliptowardtheever—enlargingaperture。
Bettertoclingtothesmoothstonehekickedoffhissandalsofzitidarhideandwithhisbarefeetbracedhimselfagainstthesickeningtilt,atthesametimethrowinghisarmssupportinglyaboutthegirl。
Inherterrorherownhandsclaspedabouttheman’sneck。
Hercheekwasclosetohis。Death,unseenandofunknownform,seemedcloseuponthem,andbecauseunseenandunknowableinfinitelymoreterrifying。
\"Courage,myprincess,\"hewhispered。
Shelookedupintohisfacetoseesmilinglipsabovehersandbraveeyes,untouchedbyterror,drinkingdeeplyofherown。
Thenthefloorsaggedandtiltedmoreswiftly。Therewasasuddenslippingrushastheywereprecipitatedtowardtheaperture。
Jav’sscreamsroseweirdandhorribleintheirears,andthenthethreefoundthemselvespiledupontheroyalcouchofTario,whichhadstuckwithintheapertureatthebaseofthemarblefunnel。
Foramomenttheybreathedmorefreely,butpresentlytheydiscoveredthattheaperturewascontinuingtoenlarge。Thecouchslippeddownward。Javshriekedagain。Therewasasickeningsensationastheyfeltallletgobeneaththem,astheyfellthroughdarknesstoanunknowndeath。
CHAPTERIX
THEBATTLEINTHEPLAIN
Thedistancefromthebottomofthefunneltothefloorofthechamberbeneathitcouldnothavebeengreat,forallthreeofthevictimsofTario’swrathalightedunscathed。
Carthoris,stillclaspingThuviatightlytohisbreast,cametothegroundcatlike,uponhisfeet,breakingtheshockforthegirl。Scarcehadhisfeettouchedtheroughstoneflaggingofthisnewchamberthanhisswordflashedoutreadyforinstantuse。Butthoughtheroomwaslighted,therewasnosignofenemyabout。
CarthorislookedtowardJav。Themanwaspastywhitewithfear。
\"Whatistobeourfate?\"askedtheHeliumite。\"Tellme,man!Shakeoffyourterrorlongenoughtotellme,soImaybepreparedtosellmylifeandthatofthePrincessofPtarthasdearlyaspossible。\"
\"Komal!\"whisperedJav。\"WearetobedevouredbyKomal!\"
\"Yourdeity?\"askedCarthoris。
TheLothariannoddedhishead。Thenhepointedtowardalowdoorwayatoneendofthechamber。
\"Fromthencewillhecomeuponus。Layasideyourpunysword,fool。Itwillbutenragehimthemoreandmakeoursufferingstheworse。\"
Carthorissmiled,grippinghislong—swordthemorefirmly。
PresentlyJavgaveahorrifiedmoan,atthesametimepointingtowardthedoor。
\"Hehascome,\"hewhimpered。
CarthorisandThuvialookedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated,expectingtoseesomestrangeandfearfulcreatureinhumanform;buttotheirastonishmenttheysawthebroadheadandgreat—manedshouldersofahugebanth,thelargestthateithereverhadseen。
Slowlyandwithdignitythemightybeastadvancedintotheroom。Javhadfallentothefloor,andwaswrigglinghisbodyinthesameservilemannerthathehadadoptedtowardTario。Hespoketothefiercebeastashewouldhavespokentoahumanbeing,pleadingwithitformercy。
CarthorissteppedbetweenThuviaandthebanth,hisswordreadytocontestthebeast’svictoryoverthem。
ThuviaturnedtowardJav。
\"IsthisKomal,yourgod?\"sheasked。
Javnoddedaffirmatively。Thegirlsmiled,andthen,brushingpastCarthoris,shesteppedswiftlytowardthegrowlingcarnivore。
Inlow,firmtonesshespoketoitasshehadspokentothebanthsoftheGoldenCliffsandthescavengersbeforethewallsofLothar。
Thebeastceaseditsgrowling。Withloweredheadandcatlikepurr,itcameslinkingtothegirl’sfeet。
ThuviaturnedtowardCarthoris。
\"Itisbutabanth,\"shesaid。\"Wehavenothingtofearfromit。\"
Carthorissmiled。
\"Ididnotfearit,\"hereplied,\"forI,too,believedittobeonlyabanth,andIhavemylong—sword。\"
Javsatupandgazedatthespectaclebeforehim——theslendergirlweavingherfingersinthetawnymaneofthehugecreaturethathehadthoughtdivine,whileKomalrubbedhishideoussnoutagainstherside。
\"Sothisisyourgod!\"laughedThuvia。
Javlookedbewildered。HescarceknewwhetherhedarechanceoffendingKomalornot,forsostrongisthepowerofsuperstitionthateventhoughweknowthatwehavebeenreverencingasham,yetstillwehesitatetoadmitthevalidityofournew—foundconvictions。
\"Yes,\"hesaid,\"thisisKomal。ForagestheenemiesofTariohavebeenhurledtothispittofillhismaw,forKomalmustbefed。\"
\"Isthereanywayoutofthischambertotheavenuesofthecity?\"askedCarthoris。
Javshrugged。
\"Idonotknow,\"hereplied。\"NeverhaveIbeenherebefore,noreverhaveIcaredtodoso。\"
\"Come,\"suggestedThuvia,\"letusexplore。
Theremustbeawayout。\"
TogetherthethreeapproachedthedoorwaythroughwhichKomalhadenteredtheapartmentthatwastohavewitnessedtheirdeaths。Beyondwasalow—roofedlair,withasmalldooratthefarend。
This,totheirdelight,openedtotheliftingofanordinarylatch,lettingthemintoacirculararena,surroundedbytiersofseats。
\"HereiswhereKomalisfedinpublic,\"explainedJav。\"HadTariodareditwouldhavebeenherethatourfateshadbeensealed;buthefearedtoomuchthykeenblade,redman,andsohehurledusalldownwardtothepit。Ididnotknowhowcloselyconnectedwerethetwochambers。Nowwemayeasilyreachtheavenuesandthecitygates。Onlythebowmenmaydisputetherightofway,and,knowingtheirsecret,Idoubtthattheyhavepowertoharmus。\"
Anotherdoorledtoaflightofstepsthatrosefromthearenalevelupwardthroughtheseatstoanexitatthebackofthehall。Beyondthiswasastraight,broadcorridor,runningdirectlythroughthepalacetothegardensattheside。
Nooneappearedtoquestionthemastheyadvanced,mightyKomalpacingbythegirl’sside。
\"Wherearethepeopleofthepalace——thejeddak’sretinue?\"
askedCarthoris。\"EveninthecitystreetsaswecamethroughIscarcesawsignofahumanbeing,yetallaboutareevidencesofamightypopulation。\"
Javsighed。
\"PoorLothar,\"hesaid。\"Itisindeedacityofghosts。
Therearescarceathousandofusleft,whooncewerenumberedinthemillions。Ourgreatcityispeopledbythecreaturesofourownimaginings。Forourownneedswedonottakethetroubletomaterializethesepeoplesofourbrain,yettheyareapparenttous。
\"EvennowIseegreatthrongsliningtheavenue,hasteningtoandfrointheroundoftheirduties。
Iseewomenandchildrenlaughingonthebalconies——theseweareforbiddentomaterialize;butyetIseethem——theyarehere……Butwhynot?\"hemused。\"NolongerneedI
fearTario——hehasdonehisworst,andfailed。Whynotindeed?
\"Stay,friends,\"hecontinued。\"WouldyouseeLotharinallherglory?\"
CarthorisandThuvianoddedtheirassent,moreoutofcourtesythanbecausetheyfullygraspedtheimportofhismutterings。
Javgazedatthempenetratinglyforaninstant,then,withawaveofhishand,cried:\"Look!\"
Thesightthatmetthemwasawe—inspiring。Wherebeforetherehadbeennaughtbutdesertedpavementsandscarletswards,yawningwindowsandtenantlessdoors,nowswarmedacountlessmultitudeofhappy,laughingpeople。
\"Itisthepast,\"saidJavinalowvoice。\"Theydonotseeus——theybutlivetheolddeadpastofancientLothar——thedeadandcrumbledLotharofantiquity,whichstoodupontheshoreofThroxus,mightiestofthefiveoceans。
\"Seethosefine,upstandingmenswingingalongthebroadavenue?Seetheyounggirlsandthewomensmileuponthem?Seethemengreetthemwithloveandrespect?
Thosebeseafarerscomingupfromtheirshipswhichlieatthequaysatthecity’sedge。