第3章

\"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。