\"Bravemen,they——ah,butthegloryofLotharhasfaded!
Seetheirweapons。Theyaloneborearms,fortheycrossedthefiveseastostrangeplaceswheredangerswere。
WiththeirpassingpassedthemartialspiritoftheLotharians,leaving,astheagesrolledby,araceofspinelesscowards。
\"Wehatedwar,andsowetrainednotouryouthinwarlikeways。Thusfollowedourundoing,forwhentheseasdriedandthegreenhordesencroacheduponuswecoulddonaughtbutflee。Butwerememberedtheseafaringbowmenofthedaysofourglory——itisthememoryofthesewhichwehurluponourenemies。\"
AsJavceasedspeaking,thepicturefaded,andoncemore,thethreetookuptheirwaytowardthedistantgates,alongdesertedavenues。
TwicetheysightedLothariansoffleshandblood。AtsightofthemandthehugebanthwhichtheymusthaverecognizedasKomal,thecitizensturnedandfled。
\"TheywillcarrywordofourflighttoTario,\"criedJav,\"andsoonhewillsendhisbowmenafterus。Letushopethatourtheoryiscorrect,andthattheirshaftsarepowerlessagainstmindscognizantoftheirunreality。
Otherwisewearedoomed。
\"Explain,redman,tothewomanthetruthsthatI
haveexplainedtoyou,thatshemaymeetthearrowswithastrongercounter—suggestionofimmunity。\"
CarthorisdidasJavbidhim;buttheycametothegreatgateswithoutsignofpursuitdeveloping。HereJavsetinmotionthemechanismthatrolledthehuge,wheel—likegateaside,andamomentlaterthethree,accompaniedbythebanth,steppedoutintotheplainbeforeLothar。
Scarcehadtheycoveredahundredyardswhenthesoundofmanymenshoutingarosebehindthem。Astheyturnedtheysawacompanyofbowmendebouchingupontheplainfromthegatethroughwhichtheyhadbutjustpassed。
UponthewallabovethegatewereanumberofLotharians,amongwhomJavrecognizedTario。Thejeddakstoodglaringatthem,evidentlyconcentratingalltheforcesofhistrainedminduponthem。Thathewasmakingasupremeefforttorenderhisimaginarycreaturesdeadlywasapparent。
Javturnedwhite,andcommencedtotremble。Atthecrucialmomentheappearedtolosethecourageofhisconviction。Thegreatbanthturnedbacktowardtheadvancingbowmenandgrowled。CarthorisplacedhimselfbetweenThuviaandtheenemyand,facingthem,awaitedtheoutcomeoftheircharge。
SuddenlyaninspirationcametoCarthoris。
\"HurlyourownbowmenagainstTario’s!\"hecriedtoJav。
\"Letusseeamaterializedbattlebetweentwomentalities。\"
ThesuggestionseemedtoheartentheLotharian,andinanothermomentthethreestoodbehindsolidranksofhugebowmenwhohurledtauntsandmenacesattheadvancingcompanyemergingfromthewalledcity。
JavwasanewmanthemomenthisbattalionsstoodbetweenhimandTario。Onecouldalmosthaveswornthemanbelievedthesecreaturesofhisstrangehypnoticpowertoberealfleshandblood。
WithhoarsebattlecriestheychargedthebowmenofTario。
Barbedshaftsflewthickandfast。Menfell,andthegroundwasredwithgore。
CarthorisandThuviahaddifficultyinreconcilingtherealityofitallwiththeirknowledgeofthetruth。
TheysawutanafterutanmarchfromthegateinperfectsteptoreinforcetheoutnumberedcompanywhichTariohadfirstsentforthtoarrestthem。
TheysawJav’sforcesgrowcorrespondinglyuntilallaboutthemrolledaseaoffighting,cursingwarriors,andthedeadlayinheapsaboutthefield。
JavandTarioseemedtohaveforgottenallelsebesidethestrugglingbowmenthatsurgedtoandfro,fillingthebroadfieldbetweentheforestandthecity。
ThewoodloomedclosebehindThuviaandCarthoris。
ThelattercastaglancetowardJav。
\"Come!\"hewhisperedtothegirl。\"Letthemfightouttheiremptybattle——neither,evidently,haspowertoharmtheother。Theyareliketwocontroversialistshurlingwordsatoneanother。Whiletheyareengagedwemayaswellbedevotingourenergiestoanattempttofindthepassagethroughthecliffstotheplainbeyond。\"
Ashespoke,Jav,turningfromthebattleforaninstant,caughthiswords。HesawthegirlmovetoaccompanytheHeliumite。AcunninglookleapedtotheLotharian’seyes。
ThethingthatlaybeyondthatlookhadbeendeepinhisheartsincefirsthehadlaideyesuponThuviaofPtarth。Hehadnotrecognizedit,however,untilnowthatsheseemedabouttopassoutofhisexistence。
HecentredhismindupontheHeliumiteandthegirlforaninstant。
CarthorissawThuviaofPtarthstepforwardwithoutstretchedhand。Hewassurprisedatthissuddensofteningtowardhim,anditwaswithafullheartthathelethisfingerscloseuponhers,astogethertheyturnedawayfromforgottenLothar,intothewoods,andbenttheirstepstowardthedistantmountains。
AstheLotharianhadturnedtowardthem,ThuviahadbeensurprisedtohearCarthorissuddenlyvoiceanewplan。
\"RemainherewithJav,\"shehadheardhimsay,\"whileIgotosearchforthepassagethroughthecliffs。\"
Shehaddroppedbackinsurpriseanddisappointment,forsheknewthattherewasnoreasonwhysheshouldnothaveaccompaniedhim。CertainlysheshouldhavebeensaferwithhimthanleftherealonewiththeLotharian。
AndJavwatchedthetwoandsmiledhiscunningsmile。
WhenCarthorishaddisappearedwithinthewood,Thuviaseatedherselfapatheticallyuponthescarletswardtowatchtheseeminglyinterminablestrugglesofthebowmen。
Thelongafternoondraggeditswearywaytowarddarkness,andstilltheimaginarylegionschargedandretreated。
ThesunwasabouttosetwhenTariocommencedtowithdrawhistroopsslowlytowardthecity。
HisplanforcessationofhostilitiesthroughthenightevidentlymetwithJav’sentireapproval,forhecausedhisforcestoformthemselvesinorderlyutansandmarchjustwithintheedgeofthewood,wheretheyweresoonbusilyengagedinpreparingtheireveningmeal,andspreadingdowntheirsleepingsilksandfursforthenight。
ThuviacouldscarcerepressasmileasshenotedthescrupulouscarewithwhichJav’simaginarymenattendedtoeachtinydetailofdeportmentastrulyasiftheyhadbeenrealfleshandblood。
Sentrieswerepostedbetweenthecampandthecity。
Officersclankedhitherandthitherissuingcommandsandseeingtoitthattheywereproperlycarriedout。
ThuviaturnedtowardJav。
\"Whyisit,\"sheasked,\"thatyouobservesuchcarefulnicetyintheregulationofyourcreatureswhenTarioknowsquiteaswellasyouthattheyarebutfigmentsofyourbrain?Whynotpermitthemsimplytodissolveintothinairuntilyouagainrequiretheirfutileservice?\"
\"Youdonotunderstandthem,\"repliedJav。\"Whiletheyexisttheyarereal。Idobutcallthemintobeingnow,andinawaydirecttheirgeneralactions。Butthereafter,untilIdissolvethem,theyareasactualasyouorI。
Theirofficerscommandthem,undermyguidance。Iamthegeneral——thatisall。AndthepsychologicaleffectupontheenemyisfargreaterthanwereItotreatthemmerelyassubstancelessvagaries。
\"Then,too,\"continuedtheLotharian,\"thereisalwaysthehope,whichwithusislittleshortofbelief,thatsomedaythesematerializationswillmergeintothereal——thattheywillremain,someofthem,afterwehavedissolvedtheirfellows,andthatthusweshallhavediscoveredameansforperpetuatingourdyingrace。
\"Sometherearewhoclaimalreadytohaveaccomplishedthething。Itisgenerallysupposedthattheetherealistshavequiteafewamongtheirnumberwhoarepermanentmaterializations。ItisevensaidthatsuchisTario,butthatcannotbe,forheexistedbeforewehaddiscoveredthefullpossibilitiesofsuggestion。
\"Thereareothersamonguswhoinsistthatnoneofusisreal。
Thatwecouldnothaveexistedalltheseageswithoutmaterialfoodandwaterhadweourselvesbeenmaterial。AlthoughIamarealist,Iratherinclinetowardthisbeliefmyself。
\"Itseemswellandsensiblybaseduponthebeliefthatourancientforbearsdevelopedbeforetheirextinctionsuchwondrousmentalitiesthatsomeofthestrongermindsamongthemlivedafterthedeathoftheirbodies——thatwearebutthedeathlessmindsofindividualslongdead。
\"Itwouldappearpossible,andyetinsofarasIamconcernedIhavealltheattributesofcorporealexistence。
Ieat,Isleep\"——hepaused,castingameaninglookuponthegirl——\"Ilove!\"
Thuviacouldnotmistakethepalpablemeaningofhiswordsandexpression。SheturnedawaywithalittleshrugofdisgustthatwasnotlostupontheLotharian。
Hecameclosetoherandseizedherarm。
\"WhynotJav?\"hecried。\"Whomorehonourablethanthesecondoftheworld’smostancientrace?
YourHeliumite?Hehasgone。Hehasdesertedyoutoyourfatetosavehimself。Come,beJav’s!\"
ThuviaofPtarthrosetoherfullheight,herliftedshoulderturnedtowardtheman,herhaughtychinupraised,ascornfultwisttoherlips。
\"Youlie!\"shesaidquietly,\"theHeliumiteknowslessofdisloyaltythanheknowsoffear,andoffearheisasignorantastheunhatchedyoung。\"
\"Thenwhereishe?\"tauntedtheLotharian。\"Itellyouhehasfledthevalley。Hehasleftyoutoyourfate。
ButJavwillseethatitisapleasantone。To—morrowweshallreturnintoLotharattheheadofmyvictoriousarmy,andIshallbejeddakandyoushallbemyconsort。Come!\"
Andheattemptedtocrushhertohisbreast。
Thegirlstruggledtofreeherself,strikingatthemanwithhermetalarmlets。Yetstillhedrewhertowardhim,untilbothweresuddenlystartledbyahideousgrowlthatrumbledfromthedarkwoodclosebehindthem。
CHAPTERX
KARKOMAK,THEBOWMAN
AsCarthorismovedthroughtheforesttowardthedistantcliffswithThuvia’shandstilltightpressedinhis,hewonderedalittleatthegirl’scontinuedsilence,yetthecontactofhercoolpalmagainsthiswassopleasantthathefearedtobreakthespellofhernew—foundrelianceinhimbyspeaking。
OnwardthroughthedimwoodtheypasseduntiltheshadowsofthequickcomingMartiannightcommencedtoclosedownuponthem。ThenitwasthatCarthoristurnedtospeaktothegirlathisside。
Theymustplantogetherforthefuture。Itwashisideatopassthroughthecliffsatonceiftheycouldlocatethepassage,andhewasquitepositivethattheywerenowclosetoit;buthewantedherassenttotheproposition。
Ashiseyesresteduponher,hewasstruckbyherstrangelyetherealappearance。Sheseemedsuddenlytohavedissolvedintothetenuoussubstanceofadream,andashecontinuedtogazeuponher,shefadedslowlyfromhissight。
Foraninstanthewasdumbfounded,andthenthewholetruthflashedsuddenlyuponhim。JavhadcausedhimtobelievethatThuviawasaccompanyinghimthroughthewoodwhile,asamatteroffact,hehaddetainedthegirlforhimself!
Carthoriswashorrified。Hecursedhimselfforhisstupidity,andyetheknewthatthefiendishpowerwhichtheLotharianhadinvokedtoconfusehimmighthavedeceivedany。
ScarcehadherealizedthetruththanhehadstartedtoretracehisstepstowardLothar,butnowhemovedatatrot,theEarthlythewsthathehadinheritedfromhisfathercarryinghimswiftlyoverthesoftcarpetoffallenleavesandrankgrass。
Thuria’sbrilliantlightfloodedtheplainbeforethewalledcityofLotharasCarthorisbrokefromthewoodoppositethegreatgatethathadgiventhefugitivesegressfromthecityearlierintheday。
Atfirsthesawnoindicationthattherewasanotherthanhimselfanywhereabout。Theplainwasdeserted。
Nomyriadbowmencampednowbeneaththeoverhangingverdureofthegianttrees。Nogoryheapsoftortureddeaddefacedthebeautyofthescarletsward。
Allwassilence。Allwaspeace。
TheHeliumite,scarcepausingattheforest’sverge,pushedonacrosstheplaintowardthecity,whenpresentlyhedescriedahuddledforminthegrassathisfeet。
Itwasthebodyofaman,lyingprone。Carthoristurnedthefigureoveruponitsback。ItwasJav,buttornandmangledalmostbeyondrecognition。
Theprincebentlowtonoteifanysparkofliferemained,andashedidsothelidsraisedanddull,sufferingeyeslookedupintohis。
\"ThePrincessofPtarth!\"criedCarthoris。\"Whereisshe?
Answerme,man,orIcompletetheworkthatanotherhassowellbegun。\"
\"Komal,\"mutteredJav。\"Hespranguponme……andwouldhavedevouredmebutforthegirl。Thentheywentawaytogetherintothewood——thegirlandthegreatbanth……herfingerstwinedinhistawnymane。\"
\"Whichwaywentthey?\"askedCarthoris。
\"There,\"repliedJavfaintly,\"towardthepassagethroughthecliffs。\"
ThePrinceofHeliumwaitedtohearnomore,butspringingtohisfeet,racedbackagainintotheforest。
Itwasdawnwhenhereachedthemouthofthedarktunnelthatwouldleadhimtotheotherworldbeyondthisvalleyofghostlymemoriesandstrangehypnoticinfluencesandmenaces。
Withinthelong,darkpassageshemetwithnoaccidentorobstacle,comingatlastintothelightofdaybeyondthemountains,andnogreatdistancefromthesouthernvergeofthedomainsoftheTorquasians,notmorethanonehundredandfiftyhaadatthemost。
FromtheboundaryofTorquastothecityofAaanthorisadistanceofsometwohundredhaads,sothattheHeliumitehadbeforehimajourneyofmorethanonehundredandfiftyEarthmilesbetweenhimandAaanthor。
HecouldatbestbuthazardachanceguessthattowardAaanthorThuviawouldtakeherflight。Therelaythenearestwater,andtheremightbeexpectedsomedayarescuingpartyfromherfather’sempire;forCarthorisknewThuvanDihnwellenoughtoknowthathewouldleavenostoneunturneduntilhehadtrackeddownthetruthastohisdaughter’sabduction,andlearnedallthattheremightbetolearnofherwhereabouts。
Herealized,ofcourse,thatthetrickwhichhadlaidsuspicionuponhimwouldgreatlydelaythediscoveryofthetruth,butlittledidheguesstowhatvastproportionshadtheresultsofthevillainyofAstokofDusaralreadygrown。
EvenasheemergedfromthemouthofthepassagetolookacrossthefoothillsinthedirectionofAaanthor,aPtarthbattlefleetwaswingingitsmajesticwayslowlytowardthetwincitiesofHelium,whilefromfardistantKaolracedanothermightyarmadatojoinforceswithitsally。
HedidnotknowthatinthefaceofthecircumstantialevidenceagainsthimevenhisownpeoplehadcommencedtoentertainsuspicionsthathemighthavestolenthePtarthianprincess。
HedidnotknowofthelengthstowhichtheDusarianshadgonetodisruptthefriendshipandalliancewhichexistedbetweenthethreegreatpowersoftheeasternhemisphere——Helium,PtarthandKaol。
HowDusarianemissarieshadfoundemploymentinimportantpostsintheforeignofficesofthethreegreatnations,andhow,throughthesemen,messagesfromonejeddaktoanotherwerealteredandgarbleduntilthepatienceandprideofthethreerulersandformerfriendscouldnolongerendurethehumiliationsandinsultscontainedinthesefalsifiedpapers——notanyofthisheknew。
NordidheknowhoweventothelastJohnCarter,WarlordofMars,hadrefusedtopermitthejeddakofHeliumtodeclarewaragainsteitherPtarthorKaol,becauseofhisimplicitbeliefinhisson,andthateventuallyallwouldbesatisfactorilyexplained。
AndnowtwogreatfleetsweremovinguponHelium,whiletheDusarianspiesatthecourtofTardosMorssawtoitthatthetwincitiesremainedinignoranceoftheirdanger。
WarhadbeendeclaredbyThuvanDihn,butthemessengerwhohadbeendispatchedwiththeproclamationhadbeenaDusarianwhohadseentoitthatnowordofwarningreachedthetwincitiesoftheapproachofahostilefleet。
ForseveraldaysdiplomaticrelationshadbeenseveredbetweenHeliumandhertwomostpowerfulneighbors,andwiththedepartureoftheministershadcomeatotalcessationofwirelesscommunicationbetweenthedisputants,asisusualuponBarsoom。
ButofallthisCarthoriswasignorant。AllthatinterestedhimatpresentwasthefindingofThuviaofPtarth。Hertrailbesidethatofthehugebanthhadbeenwellmarkedtothetunnel,andwasoncemorevisibleleadingsouthwardintothefoothills。
Ashefollowedrapidlydownwardtowardthedeadsea—
bottom,whereheknewhemustlosethespoorintheresilientochrevegetation,hewassuddenlysurprisedtoseeanakedmanapproachinghimfromthenorth—east。
Asthefellowdrewcloser,Carthorishaltedtoawaithiscoming。
Heknewthatthemanwasunarmed,andthathewasapparentlyaLotharian,forhisskinwaswhiteandhishairauburn。
HeapproachedtheHeliumitewithoutsignoffear,andwhenquiteclosecalledoutthecheeryBarsoomian\"kaor\"ofgreeting。
\"Whoareyou?\"askedCarthoris。
\"IamKarKomak,odwarofthebowmen,\"repliedtheother。
\"Astrangethinghashappenedtome。ForagesTariohasbeenbringingmeintoexistenceasheneededtheservicesofthearmyofhismind。OfallthebowmenithasbeenKarKomakwhohasbeenoftenestmaterialized。
\"ForalongtimeTariohasbeenconcentratinghisminduponmypermanentmaterialization。IthasbeenanobsessionwithhimthatsomedaythisthingcouldbeaccomplishedandthefutureofLotharassured。
Heassertedthatmatterwasnonexistentexceptintheimaginationofman——thatallwasmental,andsohebelievedthatbypersistinginhissuggestionhecouldeventuallymakeofmeapermanentsuggestioninthemindsofallcreatures。
\"Yesterdayhesucceeded,butatsuchatime!Itmusthavecomeallunknowntohim,asitcametomewithoutmyknowledge,as,withmyhordeofyellingbowmen,I
pursuedthefleeingTorquasiansbacktotheirochreplains。
\"Asdarknesssettledandthetimecameforustofadeoncemoreintothinair,Isuddenlyfoundmyselfaloneupontheedgeofthegreatplainwhichliesyonderatthefootofthelowhills。
\"Mymenweregonebacktothenothingnessfromwhichtheyhadsprung,butIremained——nakedandunarmed。
\"AtfirstIcouldnotunderstand,butatlastcamearealizationofwhathadoccurred。Tario’slongsuggestionshadatlastprevailed,andKarKomakhadbecomearealityintheworldofmen;butmyharnessandmyweaponshadfadedawaywithmyfellows,leavingmenakedandunarmedinahostilecountryfarfromLothar。\"
\"YouwishtoreturntoLothar?\"askedCarthoris。
\"No!\"repliedKarKomakquickly。\"IhavenoloveforTario。
Beingacreatureofhismind,Iknowhimtoowell。
Heiscruelandtyrannical——amasterIhavenodesiretoserve。
Nowthathehassucceededinaccomplishingmypermanentmaterialization,hewillbeunbearable,andhewillgoonuntilhehasfilledLotharwithhiscreatures。
IwonderifhehassucceededaswellwiththemaidofLothar。\"
\"Ithoughttherewerenowomenthere,\"saidCarthoris。
\"InahiddenapartmentinthepalaceofTario,\"repliedKarKomak,\"thejeddakhasmaintainedthesuggestionofabeautifulgirl,hopingthatsomedayshewouldbecomepermanent。Ihaveseenherthere。Sheiswonderful!
ButforhersakeIhopethatTariosucceedsnotsowellwithherashehaswithme。
\"Now,redman,Ihavetoldyouofmyself——whatofyou?\"
Carthorislikedthefaceandmannerofthebowman。
Therehadbeennosignofdoubtorfearinhisexpressionashehadapproachedtheheavily—armedHeliumite,andhehadspokendirectlyandtothepoint。
SothePrinceofHeliumtoldthebowmanofLotharwhohewasandwhatadventurehadbroughthimtothisfarcountry。
\"Good!\"exclaimedtheother,whenhehaddone。\"KarKomakwillaccompanyyou。TogetherweshallfindthePrincessofPtarthandwithyouKarKomakwillreturntotheworldofmen——suchaworldasheknewinthelong—gonepastwhentheshipsofmightyLotharploughedangryThroxus,andtheroaringsurfbeatagainstthebarrieroftheseparchedanddrearyhills。\"
\"Whatmeanyou?\"askedCarthoris。\"Hadyoureallyaformeractualexistence?\"
\"Mostassuredly,\"repliedKarKomak。\"InmydayI
commandedthefleetsofLothar——mightiestofallthefleetsthatsailedthefivesaltseas。
\"WherevermenliveduponBarsoomtherewasthenameofKarKomakknownandrespected。Peacefulwerethelandracesinthosedistantdays——onlytheseafarerswerewarriors;butnowhasthegloryofthepastfaded,nordidIthinkuntilImetyouthatthereremaineduponBarsoomasinglepersonofourownmouldwholivedandlovedandfoughtasdidtheancientseafarersofmytime。
\"Ah,butitwillseemgoodtoseemenonceagain——realmen!
NeverhadImuchrespectforthelandsmenofmyday。
Theyremainedintheirwalledcitieswastingtheirtimeinplay,dependingfortheirprotectionentirelyuponthesearace。Andthepoorcreatureswhoremain,theTariosandJavsofLothar,areevenworsethantheirancientforbears。\"
Carthoriswasatriflescepticalastothewisdomofpermittingthestrangertoattachhimselftohim。
TherewasalwaysthechancethathewasbuttheessenceofsomehypnotictreacherywhichTarioorJavwasattemptingtoexertupontheHeliumite;andyet,sosincerehadbeenthemannerandthewordsofthebowman,somuchthefightingmandidheseem,butCarthoriscouldnotfinditinhishearttodoubthim。
Theoutcomeofthematterwasthathegavethenakedodwarleavetoaccompanyhim,andtogethertheysetoutuponthespoorofThuviaandKomal。
Downtotheochresea—bottomthetrailled。Thereitdisappeared,asCarthorishadknownthatitwould;butwhereitenteredtheplainitsdirectionhadbeentowardAaanthorandsotowardAaanthorthetwoturnedtheirfaces。
Itwasalongandtediousjourney,fraughtwithmanydangers。
ThebowmancouldnottravelatthepacesetbyCarthoris,whosemusclescarriedhimwithgreatrapidityoverthefaceofthesmallplanet,theforceofgravityofwhichexertssomuchlessretardingpowerthanthatoftheEarth。
FiftymilesadayisafairaverageforaBarsoomian,butthesonofJohnCartermighteasilyhavecoveredahundredormoremileshadhecaredtodeserthisnew—foundcomrade。
AllthewaytheywereinconstantdangerofdiscoverybyrovingbandsofTorquasians,andespeciallywasthistruebeforetheyreachedtheboundaryofTorquas。
Goodfortunewaswiththem,however,andalthoughtheysightedtwodetachmentsofthesavagegreenmen,theywerenotthemselvesseen。
Andsotheycame,uponthemorningofthethirdday,withinsightoftheglisteningdomesofdistantAaanthor。
ThroughoutthejourneyCarthorishadeverstrainedhiseyesaheadinsearchofThuviaandthegreatbanth;butnottillnowhadheseenaughttogivehimhope。
Thismorning,farahead,half—waybetweenthemselvesandAaanthor,themensawtwotinyfiguresmovingtowardthecity。Foramomenttheywatchedthemintently。
ThenCarthoris,convinced,leapedforwardatarapidrun,KarKomakfollowingasswiftlyashecould。
TheHeliumiteshoutedtoattractthegirl’sattention,andpresentlyhewasrewardedbyseeingherturnandstandlookingtowardhim。Athersidethegreatbanthstoodwithup—prickedears,watchingtheapproachingman。
NotyetcouldThuviaofPtarthhaverecognizedCarthoris,thoughthatitwasheshemusthavebeenconvinced,forshewaitedthereforhimwithoutsignoffear。
Presentlyhesawherpointtowardthenorthwest,beyondhim。
Withoutslackeninghispace,heturnedhiseyesinthedirectionsheindicated。
Racingsilentlyoverthethickvegetation,nothalfamilebehind,cameascoreoffiercegreenwarriors,charginghimupontheirmightythoats。
TotheirrightwasKarKomak,nakedandunarmed,yetrunningvaliantlytowardCarthorisandshoutingwarningasthoughhe,too,hadbutjustdiscoveredthesilent,menacingcompanythatmovedsoswiftlyforwardwithcouchedspearsandreadylong—swords。
CarthorisshoutedtotheLotharian,warninghimback,forheknewthathecouldbutuselesslysacrificehislifebyplacinghimself,allunarmed,inthepathofthecruelandrelentlesssavages。
ButKarKomakneverhesitated。Withshoutsofencouragementtohisnewfriend,hehurriedonwardtowardthePrinceofHelium。Theredman’sheartleapedinresponsetothisexhibitionofcourageandself—sacrifice。
HeregrettednowthathehadnotthoughttogiveKarKomakoneofhisswords;butitwastoolatetoattemptit,forshouldhewaitfortheLothariantoovertakehimorreturntomeethim,theTorquasianswouldreachThuviaofPtarthbeforehecoulddoso。
Evenasitwas,itwouldbenipandtuckastowhocamefirsttoherside。
Againheturnedhisfaceinherdirection,andnow,fromAaanthorway,hesawanewforcehasteningtowardthem——twomedium—sizedwarcraft——andevenatthedistancetheystillwerefromhimhediscernedthedeviceofDusarupontheirbows。
Now,indeed,seemedlittlehopeforThuviaofPtarth。
WithsavagewarriorsofthehordesofTorquaschargingtowardherfromonedirection,andnolessimplacableenemies,intheformofthecreaturesofAstok,PrinceofDusar,bearingdownuponherfromanother,whileonlyabanth,aredwarrior,andanunarmedbowmanwereneartodefendher,herplightwasquitehopelessandhercausealreadylostereeveritwascontested。
AsThuviasawCarthorisapproaching,shefeltagainthatunaccountablesensationofentirerelieffromresponsibilityandfearthatshehadexperienceduponaformeroccasion。NorcouldsheaccountforitwhilehermindstilltriedtoconvinceherheartthatthePrinceofHeliumhadbeeninstrumentalinherabductionfromherfather’scourt。
Sheonlyknewthatshewasgladwhenhewasbyherside,andthatwithhimthereallthingsseemedpossible——evensuchimpossiblethingsasescapefromherpresentpredicament。
Nowhadhestopped,panting,beforeher。Abravesmileofencouragementlithisface。
\"Courage,myprincess,\"hewhispered。
Tothegirl’smemoryflashedtheoccasionuponwhichhehadusedthosesamewords——inthethrone—roomofTarioofLotharastheyhadcommencedtoslipdownthesinkingmarblefloortowardanunknownfate。
Thenshehadnotchiddenhimfortheuseofthatfamiliarsalutation,nordidshechidehimnow,thoughshewaspromisedtoanother。Shewonderedatherself——flushingatherownturpitude;foruponBarsoomitisashamefulthingforawomantolistentothosetwowordsfromanotherthanherhusbandorherbetrothed。
Carthorissawherflushofmortification,andinaninstantregrettedhiswords。Therewasbutamomentbeforethegreenwarriorswouldbeuponthem。
\"Forgiveme!\"saidthemaninalowvoice。\"Letmygreatlovebemyexcuse——that,andthebeliefthatIhavebutamomentmoreoflife,\"andwiththewordsheturnedtomeettheforemostofthegreenwarriors。
Thefellowwaschargingwithcouchedspear,butCarthorisleapedtooneside,andasthegreatthoatanditsriderhurtledharmlesslypasthimheswunghislong—swordinamightycutthatclovethegreencarcassintwain。
AtthesamemomentKarKomakleapedwithbarehandsclawingatthelegofanotherofthehugeriders;thebalanceofthehorderacedintoclosequarters,dismountingthebettertowieldtheirfavouritelong—swords;theDusarianflierstouchedthesoftcarpetoftheochre—cladsea—bottom,disgorgingfiftyfightingmenfromtheirbowels;
andintotheswirlingseaofcutting,slashingswordssprangKomal,thegreatbanth。
CHAPTERXI
GREENMENANDWHITEAPES
ATorquasianswordsmoteaglancingblowacrosstheforeheadofCarthoris。Hehadafleetingvisionofsoftarmsabouthisneck,andwarmlipsclosetohisbeforehelostconsciousness。
Howlonghelaytheresenselesshecouldnotguess;
butwhenheopenedhiseyesagainhewasalone,exceptforthebodiesofthedeadgreenmenandDusarians,andthecarcassofagreatbanththatlayhalfacrosshisown。
Thuviawasgone,norwasthebodyofKarKomakamongthedead。
Weakfromlossofblood,CarthorismadehiswayslowlytowardAaanthor,reachingitsoutskirtsatdark。
Hewantedwatermorethananyotherthing,andsohekeptonupabroadavenuetowardthegreatcentralplaza,whereheknewthepreciousfluidwastobefoundinahalf—ruinedbuildingoppositethegreatpalaceoftheancientjeddak,whooncehadruledthismightycity。
Disheartenedanddiscouragedbythestrangesequenceofeventsthatseemedfore—ordainedtothwarthiseveryattempttoservethePrincessofPtarth,hepaidlittleornoattentiontohissurroundings,movingthroughthedesertedcityasthoughnogreatwhiteapeslurkedintheblackshadowsofthemystery—hauntedpilesthatflankedthebroadavenuesandthegreatplaza。
ButifCarthoriswascarelessofhissurroundings,notsoothereyesthatwatchedhisentranceintotheplaza,andfollowedhisslowfootstepstowardthemarblepilethathousedthetiny,half—chokedspringwhosewateronemightgainonlybyscratchingadeepholeintheredsandthatcoveredit。
AndastheHeliumiteenteredthesmallbuildingadozenmighty,grotesquefiguresemergedfromthedoorwayofthepalacetospeednoiselesslyacrosstheplazatowardhim。
ForhalfanhourCarthorisremainedinthebuilding,diggingforwaterandgainingthefewmuch—neededdropswhichwerethefruitsofhislabour。Thenheroseandslowlyleftthestructure。ScarcehadhesteppedbeyondthethresholdthantwelveTorquasianwarriorsleapeduponhim。
Notimethentodrawlong—sword;butswiftfromhisharnessflewhislong,slimdagger,andashewentdownbeneaththemmorethanasinglegreenheartceasedbeatingatthebiteofthatkeenpoint。
Thentheyoverpoweredhimandtookhisweaponsaway;
butonlynineofthetwelvewarriorswhohadcrossedtheplazareturnedwiththeirprize。
Theydraggedtheirprisonerroughlytothepalacepits,whereinutterdarknesstheychainedhimwithrustylinkstothesolidmasonryofthewall。
\"To—morrowTharBanwillspeakwithyou,\"theysaid。
\"Nowhesleeps。Butgreatwillbehispleasurewhenhelearnswhohaswanderedamongstus——andgreatwillbethepleasureofHortanGurwhenTharBandragsbeforehimthemadfoolwhodaredprickthegreatjeddakwithhissword。\"
Thentheylefthimtothesilenceandthedarkness。
ForwhatseemedhoursCarthorissquatteduponthestonefloorofhisprison,hisbackagainstthewallinwhichwassunktheheavyeye—boltthatsecuredthechainwhichheldhim。
Then,fromoutofthemysteriousblacknessbeforehim,therecametohisearsthesoundofnakedfeetmovingstealthilyuponstone——approachingnearerandnearertowherehelay,unarmedanddefenceless。
Minutespassed——minutesthatseemedhours——duringwhichtimeperiodsofsepulchralsilencewouldbefollowedbyarepetitionoftheuncannyscrapingofnakedfeetslinkingwarilyuponhim。
Atlastheheardasuddenrushofunshodsolesacrosstheemptyblackness,andatalittledistanceascufflingsound,heavybreathing,andoncewhathethoughtthemutteredimprecationofamanbattlingagainstgreatodds。Thentheclangingofachain,andanoiseasofthesnappingbackagainststoneofabrokenlink。
Againcamesilence。Butforamomentonly。
Nowheheardoncemorethesoftfeetapproachinghim。
Hethoughtthathediscernedwickedeyesgleamingfearfullyathimthroughthedarkness。Heknewthathecouldheartheheavybreathingofpowerfullungs。
Thencametherushofmanyfeettowardhim,andtheTHINGSwereuponhim。
Handsterminatinginmanlikefingersclutchedathisthroatandarmsandlegs。HairybodiesstrainedandstruggledagainsthisownsmoothhideashebattledingrimsilenceagainstthesehorridfoemeninthedarknessofthepitsofancientAaanthor。
ThewedlikesomegiantgodwasCarthorisofHelium,yetintheclutchesoftheseunseencreaturesofthepit’sStygiannighthewashelplessasafrailwoman。
Yethebattledon,strikingfutileblowsagainstgreat,hispidbreastshecouldnotsee;feelingthick,squatthroatsbeneathhisfingers;thedroolofsalivauponhischeek,andhot,foulbreathinhisnostrils。
Fangs,too,mightyfangs,heknewwereclose,andwhytheydidnotsinkintohisfleshhecouldnotguess。
Atlasthebecameawareofthemightysurgingofanumberofhisantagonistsbackandforthuponthegreatchainthatheldhim,andpresentlycamethesamesoundthathehadheardatalittledistancefromhimashorttimebeforehehadbeenattacked——hischainhadpartedandthebrokenendsnappedbackagainstthestonewall。
Nowhewasseizeduponeithersideanddraggedatarapidpacethroughthedarkcorridors——towardwhatfatehecouldnotevenguess。
AtfirsthehadthoughthisfoesmightbeofthetribeofTorquas,buttheirhairybodiesbeliedthatbelief。
Nowhewasatlastquitesureoftheiridentity,thoughwhytheyhadnotkilledanddevouredhimatoncehecouldnotimagine。
AfterhalfanhourormoreofrapidracingthroughtheundergroundpassagesthatareadistinguishingfeatureofallBarsoomiancities,modernaswellasancient,hiscaptorssuddenlyemergedintothemoonlightofacourtyard,farfromthecentralplaza。
ImmediatelyCarthorissawthathewasinthepowerofatribeofthegreatwhiteapesofBarsoom。
Allthathadcausedhimdoubtbeforeastotheidentityofhisattackerswasthehairinessoftheirbreasts,forthewhiteapesareentirelyhairlessexceptforagreatshockbristlingfromtheirheads。
Nowhesawthecauseofthatwhichhaddeceivedhim——
acrossthechestofeachofthemwerestripsofhairyhide,usuallyofbanth,inimitationoftheharnessofthegreenwarriorswhosooftencampedattheirdesertedcity。
Carthorishadreadoftheexistenceoftribesofapesthatseemedtobeprogressingslowlytowardhigherstandardsofintelligence。Intothehandsofsuch,herealized,hehadfallen;but——whatweretheirintentionstowardhim?
Asheglancedaboutthecourtyard,hesawfullyfiftyofthehideousbeasts,squattingontheirhaunches,andatalittledistancefromhimanotherhumanbeing,closelyguarded。
Ashiseyesmetthoseofhisfellow—captiveasmilelittheother’sface,and:\"Kaor,redman!\"burstfromhislips。ItwasKarKomak,thebowman。
\"Kaor!\"criedCarthoris,inresponse。\"Howcameyouhere,andwhatbefelltheprincess?\"
\"Redmenlikeyourselfdescendedinmightyshipsthatsailedtheair,evenasthegreatshipsofmydistantdaysailedthefiveseas,\"repliedKarKomak。\"TheyfoughtwiththegreenmenofTorquas。TheyslewKomal,godofLothar。Ithoughttheywereyourfriends,andIwasgladwhenfinallythoseofthemwhosurvivedthebattlecarriedtheredgirltooneoftheshipsandsailedawaywithherintothesafetyofthehighair。
\"Thenthegreenmenseizedme,andcarriedmetoagreat,emptycity,wheretheychainedmetoawallinablackpit。
Afterwardcametheseanddraggedmehither。
Andwhatofyou,redman?\"
Carthorisrelatedallthathadbefallenhim,andasthetwomentalkedthegreatapessquattedaboutthemwatchingthemintently。
\"Whatarewetodonow?\"askedthebowman。
\"Ourcaselooksratherhopeless,\"repliedCarthorisruefully。
\"Thesecreaturesarebornman—eaters。WhytheyhavenotalreadydevouredusIcannotimagine——there!\"
hewhispered。\"See?Theendiscoming。\"
KarKomaklookedinthedirectionCarthorisindicatedtoseeahugeapeadvancingwithamightybludgeon。
\"Itisthustheylikebesttokilltheirprey,\"saidCarthoris。
\"Mustwediewithoutastruggle?\"askedKarKomak。
\"NotI,\"repliedCarthoris,\"thoughIknowhowfutileourbestdefencemustbeagainstthesemightybrutes!
Oh,foralong—sword!\"
\"Oragoodbow,\"addedKarKomak,\"andautanofbowmen。\"
AtthewordsCarthorishalfsprangtohisfeet,onlytobedraggedroughlydownbyhisguard。
\"KarKomak!\"hecried。\"WhycannotyoudowhatTarioandJavdid?Theyhadnobowmenotherthanthoseoftheirowncreation。Youmustknowthesecretoftheirpower。
Callforthyourownutan,KarKomak!\"
TheLotharianlookedatCarthorisinwide—eyedastonishmentasthefullpurportofthesuggestionboreinuponhisunderstanding。
\"Whynot?\"hemurmured。
ThesavageapebearingthemightybludgeonwasslinkingtowardCarthoris。TheHeliumite’sfingerswereworkingashekepthiseyesuponhisexecutioner。KarKomakbenthisgazepenetratinglyupontheapes。Theeffortofhismindwasevidencedinthesweatuponhiscontractedbrows。
Thecreaturethatwastoslaytheredmanwasalmostwithinarm’sreachofhispreywhenCarthorisheardahoarseshoutfromtheoppositesideofthecourtyard。
Incommonwiththesquattingapesandthedemonwiththeclubheturnedinthedirectionofthesound,toseeacompanyofsturdybowmenrushingfromthedoorwayofanear—bybuilding。
Withscreamsofragetheapesleapedtotheirfeettomeetthecharge。Avolleyofarrowsmetthemhalf—way,sendingadozenrollinglifelesstotheground。Thentheapesclosedwiththeiradversaries。Alltheirattentionwasoccupiedbytheattackers——eventheguardhaddesertedtheprisonerstojoininthebattle。
\"Come!\"whisperedKarKomak。\"Nowmayweescapewhiletheirattentionisdivertedfromusbymybowmen。\"
\"Andleavethosebravefellowsleaderless?\"criedCarthoris,whoseloyalnaturerevoltedatthemerestsuggestionofsuchathing。
KarKomaklaughed。
\"Youforget,\"hesaid,\"thattheyarebutthinair——
figmentsofmybrain。Theywillvanish,unscathed,whenwehavenofurtherneedforthem。Praisedbeyourfirstancestor,redman,thatyouthoughtofthischanceintime!ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtometoimaginethatImightwieldthesamepowerthatbroughtmeintoexistence。\"
\"Youareright,\"saidCarthoris。\"Still,Ihatetoleavethem,thoughthereisnaughtelsetodo,\"andsothetwoturnedfromthecourtyard,andmakingtheirwayintooneofthebroadavenues,creptstealthilyintheshadowsofthebuildingtowardthegreatcentralplazauponwhichwerethebuildingsoccupiedbythegreenwarriorswhentheyvisitedthedesertedcity。
Whentheyhadcometotheplaza’sedgeCarthorishalted。
\"Waithere,\"hewhispered。\"Igotofetchthoats,sinceonfootwemayneverhopetoescapetheclutchesofthesegreenfiends。\"
ToreachthecourtyardwherethethoatswerekeptitwasnecessaryforCarthoristopassthroughoneofthebuildingswhichsurroundedthesquare。Whichwereoccupiedandwhichnothecouldnotevenguess,sohewascompelledtotakeconsiderablechancestogaintheenclosureinwhichhecouldheartherestlessbeastssquealingandquarrellingamongthemselves。
Chancecarriedhimthroughadarkdoorwayintoalargechamberinwhichlayascoreormoregreenwarriorswrappedintheirsleepingsilksandfurs。ScarcehadCarthorispassedthroughtheshorthallwaythatconnectedthedoorofthebuildingandthegreatroombeyonditthanhebecameawareofthepresenceofsomethingorsomeoneinthehallwaythroughwhichhehadbutjustpassed。
Heheardamanyawn,andthen,behindhim,hesawthefigureofasentryrisefromwherethefellowhadbeendozing,andstretchinghimselfresumehiswakefulwatchfulness。
Carthorisrealizedthathemusthavepassedwithinafootofthewarrior,doubtlessrousinghimfromhisslumber。Toretreatnowwouldbeimpossible。Yettocrossthroughthatroomfulofsleepingwarriorsseemedalmostequallybeyondthepaleofpossibility。
Carthorisshruggedhisbroadshouldersandchosethelesserevil。Warilyheenteredtheroom。Athisright,againstthewall,leanedseveralswordsandriflesandspears——extraweaponswhichthewarriorshadstackedherereadytotheirhandsshouldtherebeanightalarmcallingthemsuddenlyfromslumber。Besideeachsleeperlayhisweapon——thesewereneverfarfromtheirownersfromchildhoodtodeath。
Thesightoftheswordsmadetheyoungman’spalmitch。
Hesteppedquicklytothem,selectingtwoshort—swords——
oneforKarKomak,theotherforhimself;alsosometrappingsforhisnakedcomrade。
ThenhestarteddirectlyacrossthecentreoftheapartmentamongthesleepingTorquasians。
NotamanofthemmoveduntilCarthorishadcompletedmorethanhalfoftheshortthoughdangerousjourney。
Thenafellowdirectlyinhispathturnedrestlesslyuponhissleepingsilksandfurs。
TheHeliumitepausedabovehim,oneoftheshort—swordsinreadinessshouldthewarriorawaken。Forwhatseemedaneternitytotheyoungprincethegreenmancontinuedtomoveuneasilyuponhiscouch,then,asthoughactuatedbysprings,heleapedtohisfeetandfacedtheredman。
InstantlyCarthorisstruck,butnotbeforeasavagegruntescapedtheother’slips。Inaninstanttheroomwasinturmoil。Warriorsleapedtotheirfeet,graspingtheirweaponsastheyrose,andshoutingtooneanotherforanexplanationofthedisturbance。
ToCarthorisallwithintheroomwasplainlyvisibleinthedimlightreflectedfromwithout,forthefurthermoonstooddirectlyatzenith;buttotheeyesofthenewly—awakenedgreenmenobjectsasyethadnottakenonfamiliarforms——theybutsawvaguelythefiguresofwarriorsmovingabouttheirapartment。
NowonestumbledagainstthecorpseofhimwhomCarthorishadslain。Thefellowstoopedandhishandcameincontactwiththecleftskull。Hesawabouthimthegiantfiguresofothergreenmen,andsohejumpedtotheonlyconclusionthatwasopentohim。
\"TheThurds!\"hecried。\"TheThurdsareuponus!
Rise,warriorsofTorquas,anddrivehomeyourswordswithintheheartsofTorquas’ancientenemies!\"
Instantlythegreenmenbegantofallupononeanotherwithnakedswords。Theirsavagelustofbattlewasaroused。Tofight,tokill,todiewithcoldsteelburiedintheirvitals!Ah,thattothemwasNirvana。
Carthoriswasquicktoguesstheirerrorandtakeadvantageofit。Heknewthatinthepleasureofkillingtheymightfightonlongaftertheyhaddiscoveredtheirmistake,unlesstheirattentionwasdistractedbysightoftherealcauseofthealtercation,andsohelostnotimeincontinuingacrosstheroomtothedoorwayupontheoppositeside,whichopenedintotheinnercourt,wherethesavagethoatsweresquealingandfightingamongthemselves。
Onceherehehadnoeasytaskbeforehim。Tocatchandmountoneofthesehabituallyragefulandintractablebeastswasnochild’splayunderthebestofconditions;
butnow,whensilenceandtimeweresuchimportantconsiderations,itmightwellhaveseemedquitehopelesstoalessresourcefulandoptimisticmanthanthesonofthegreatwarlord。
Fromhisfatherhehadlearnedmuchconcerningthetraitsofthesemightybeasts,andfromTarsTarkas,also,whenhehadvisitedthatgreatgreenjeddakamonghishordeatThark。Sonowhecentredupontheworkinhandallthathehadeverlearnedaboutthemfromothersandfromhisownexperience,forhe,too,hadriddenandhandledthemmanytimes。
ThetemperofthethoatsofTorquasappearedevenshorterthantheirviciouscousinsamongtheTharksandWarhoons,andforatimeitseemedunlikelythatheshouldescapeasavagechargeonthepartofacoupleofoldbullsthatcircled,squealing,abouthim;butatlasthemanagedtogetcloseenoughtooneofthemtotouchthebeast。Withthefeelofhishanduponthesleekhidethecreaturequieted,andinanswertothetelepathiccommandoftheredmansanktoitsknees。
InamomentCarthoriswasuponitsback,guidingittowardthegreatgatethatleadsfromthecourtyardthroughalargebuildingatoneendintoanavenuebeyond。
Theotherbull,stillsquealingandenraged,followedafterhisfellow。Therewasnobridleuponeither,forthesestrangecreaturesarecontrolledentirelybysuggestion——whentheyarecontrolledatall。
Eveninthehandsofthegiantgreenmenbridlereinswouldbehopelesslyfutileagainstthemadsavageryandmastodonicstrengthofthethoat,andsotheyareguidedbythatstrangetelepathicpowerwithwhichthemenofMarshavelearnedtocommunicateinacrudewaywiththelowerordersoftheirplanet。
WithdifficultyCarthorisurgedthetwobeaststothegate,where,leaningdown,heraisedthelatch。Thenthethoatthathewasridingplacedhisgreatshouldertotheskeel—woodplanking,pushedthrough,andamomentlaterthemanandthetwobeastswereswingingsilentlydowntheavenuetotheedgeoftheplaza,whereKarKomakhid。
HereCarthorisfoundconsiderabledifficultyinsubduingthesecondthoat,andasKarKomakhadneverbeforeriddenoneofthebeasts,itseemedamosthopelessjob;
butatlastthebowmanmanagedtoscrambletothesleekback,andagainthetwobeastsfledsoftlydownthemoss—grownavenuestowardtheopensea—
bottombeyondthecity。
Allthatnightandthefollowingdayandthesecondnighttheyrodetowardthenorth—east。Noindicationofpursuitdeveloped,andatdawnoftheseconddayCarthorissawinthedistancethewavingribbonofgreattreesthatmarkedoneofthelongBarsoomianwater—ways。
Immediatelytheyabandonedtheirthoatsandapproachedthecultivateddistrictonfoot。Carthorisalsodiscardedthemetalfromhisharness,orsuchofitasmightservetoidentifyhimasaHeliumite,orofroyalblood,forhedidnotknowtowhatnationbelongedthiswaterway,anduponMarsitisalwayswelltoassumeeverymanandnationyourenemyuntilyouhavelearnedthecontrary。
Itwasmid—forenoonwhenthetwoatlastenteredoneoftheroadsthatcutthroughthecultivateddistrictsatregularintervals,joiningthearidwastesoneithersidewiththegreat,white,centralhighwaythatfollowsthroughthecentrefromendtoendofthefar—reaching,threadlikefarmlands。
Thehighwallsurroundingthefieldsservedasaprotectionagainstsurprisebyraidinggreenhordes,aswellaskeepingthesavagebanthsandothercarnivorafromthedomesticanimalsandthehumanbeingsuponthefarms。
Carthorisstoppedbeforethefirstgatehecameto,poundingforadmission。Theyoungmanwhoansweredhissummonsgreetedthetwohospitably,thoughhelookedwithconsiderablewonderuponthewhiteskinandauburnhairofthebowman。
AfterhehadlistenedforamomenttoapartialnarrationoftheirescapefromtheTorquasians,heinvitedthemwithin,tookthemtohishouseandbadetheservantstherepreparefoodforthem。
Astheywaitedinthelow—ceiled,pleasantlivingroomofthefarmhouseuntilthemealshouldbeready,Carthorisdrewhishostintoconversationthathemightlearnhisnationality,andthusthenationunderwhosedominionlaythewaterwaywherecircumstancehadplacedhim。
\"IamHalVas,\"saidtheyoungman,\"sonofVasKor,ofDusar,anobleintheretinueofAstok,PrinceofDusar。
AtpresentIamDwaroftheRoadforthisdistrict。\"
Carthoriswasverygladthathehadnotdisclosedhisidentity,forthoughhehadnoideaofanythingthathadtranspiredsincehehadleftHelium,orthatAstokwasatthebottomofallhismisfortunes,hewellknewthattheDusarianhadnoloveforhim,andthathecouldhopefornoassistancewithinthedominionsofDusar。
\"Andwhoareyou?\"askedHalVas。\"ByyourappearanceItakeyouforafightingman,butIseenoinsigniauponyourharness。Canitbethatyouareapanthan?\"
Now,thesewanderingsoldiersoffortunearecommonuponBarsoom,wheremostmenlovetofight。Theyselltheirserviceswhereverwarexists,andintheoccasionalbriefintervalswhenthereisnoorganizedwarfarebetweentherednations,theyjoinoneofthenumerousexpeditionsthatareconstantlybeingdispatchedagainstthegreenmeninprotectionofthewaterwaysthattraversethewilderportionsoftheglobe。
Whentheirserviceisovertheydiscardthemetalofthenationtheyhavebeenservinguntiltheyshallhavefoundanewmaster。Intheintervalstheywearnoinsignia,theirwar—wornharnessandgrimweaponsbeingsufficienttoattesttheircalling。
Thesuggestionwasahappyone,andCarthorisembracedthechanceitaffordedtoaccountsatisfactorilyforhimself。
Therewas,however,asingledrawback。Intimesofwarsuchpanthansashappenedtobewithinthedomainofabelligerentnationwerecompelledtodontheinsigniaofthatnationandfightwithherwarriors。
AsfarasCarthorisknewDusarwasnotatwarwithanyothernation,buttherewasneveranytellingwhenonerednationwouldbeflyingatthethroatofaneighbour,eventhoughthegreatandpowerfulallianceattheheadofwhichwashisfather,JohnCarter,hadmanagedtomaintainalongpeaceuponthegreaterportionofBarsoom。
ApleasantsmilelightedHalVas’faceasCarthorisadmittedhisvocation。
\"Itiswell,\"exclaimedtheyoungman,\"thatyouchancedtocomehither,forhereyouwillfindthemeansofobtainingserviceinshortorder。Myfather,VasKor,isevennowwithme,havingcomehithertorecruitaforceforthenewwaragainstHelium。\"
CHAPTERXII
TOSAVEDUSAR
ThuviaofPtarth,battlingformorethanlifeagainstthelustofJav,castaquickglanceoverhershouldertowardtheforestfromwhichhadrumbledthefiercegrowl。
Javlooked,too。
Whattheysawfilledeachwithapprehension。ItwasKomal,thebanth—god,rushingwide—jaweduponthem!
Whichhadhechosenforhisprey?Orwasittobeboth?
Theyhadnotlongtowait,forthoughtheLotharianattemptedtoholdthegirlbetweenhimselfandtheterriblefangs,thegreatbeastfoundhimatlast。
Then,shrieking,heattemptedtoflytowardLothar,afterpushingThuviabodilyintothefaceoftheman—eater。
Buthisflightwasofshortduration。InamomentKomalwasuponhim,rendinghisthroatandchestwithdemoniacalfury。
Thegirlreachedtheirsideamomentlater,butitwaswithdifficultythatshetorethemadbeastfromitsprey。
StillgrowlingandcastinghungryglancesbackuponJav,thebanthatlastpermitteditselftobeledawayintothewood。
WithhergiantprotectorbyhersideThuviasetforthtofindthepassagethroughthecliffs,thatshemightattempttheseeminglyimpossiblefeatofreachingfar—
distantPtarthacrossthemorethanseventeenthousandhaadsofsavageBarsoom。
ShecouldnotbelievethatCarthorishaddeliberatelydesertedher,andsoshekeptaconstantwatchforhim;
butassheboretoofartothenorthinhersearchforthetunnelshepassedtheHeliumiteashewasreturningtoLotharinsearchofher。
ThuviaofPtarthwashavingdifficultyindeterminingtheexactstatusofthePrinceofHeliuminherheart。
Shecouldnotadmiteventoherselfthatshelovedhim,andyetshehadpermittedhimtoapplytoherthattermofendearmentandpossessiontowhichaBarsoomianmaidshouldturndeafearswhenvoicedbyotherlipsthanthoseofherhusbandorfiance——\"myprincess。\"
KulanTith,JeddakofKaol,towhomshewasaffianced,commandedherrespectandadmiration。
Haditbeenthatshehadsurrenderedtoherfather’swishesbecauseofpiquethatthehandsomeHeliumitehadnottakenadvantageofhisvisitstoherfather’scourttopushthesuitforherhandthatshehadbeenquitesurehehadcontemplatedsincethatdistantdaythetwohadsattogetheruponthecarvedseatwithinthegorgeousGardenoftheJeddaksthatgracedtheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofSalensusOllatKadabra?
DidsheloveKulanTith?Bravelyshetriedtobelievethatshedid;butallthewhilehereyeswanderedthroughthecomingdarknessforthefigureofaclean—
limbedfightingman——black—hairedandgrey—eyed。BlackwasthehairofKulanTith;buthiseyeswerebrown。
Itwasalmostdarkwhenshefoundtheentrancetothetunnel。
Safelyshepassedthroughtothehillsbeyond,andhere,underthebrightlightofMars’twomoons,shehaltedtoplanherfutureaction。
ShouldshewaithereinthehopethatCarthoriswouldreturninsearchofher?Orshouldshecontinueherwaynorth—easttowardPtarth?Where,first,wouldCarthorishavegoneafterleavingthevalleyofLothar?
Herparchedthroatanddrytonguegavehertheanswer——
towardAaanthorandwater。Well,she,too,wouldgofirsttoAaanthor,whereshemightfindmorethanthewatersheneeded。
WithKomalbyhersideshefeltlittlefear,forhewouldprotectherfromallothersavagebeasts。
Eventhegreatwhiteapeswouldfleethemightybanthinterror。Menonlyneedshefear,butshemusttakethisandmanyotherchancesbeforeshecouldhopetoreachherfather’scourtagain。
WhenatlastCarthorisfoundher,onlytobestruckdownbythelong—swordofagreenman,Thuviaprayedthatthesamefatemightovertakeher。
Thesightoftheredwarriorsleapingfromtheirfliershad,foramoment,filledherwithrenewedhope——hopethatCarthorisofHeliummightbeonlystunnedandthattheywouldrescuehim;
butwhenshesawtheDusarianmetalupontheirharness,andthattheysoughtonlytoescapewithheralonefromthechargingTorquasians,shegaveup。
Komal,too,wasdead——deadacrossthebodyoftheHeliumite。
Shewas,indeed,alonenow。Therewasnonetoprotecther。
TheDusarianwarriorsdraggedhertothedeckofthenearestflier。Allaboutthemthegreenwarriorssurgedinanattempttowrestherfromthered。
Atlastthosewhohadnotdiedintheconflictgainedthedecksofthetwocraft。Theenginesthrobbedandpurred——thepropellerswhirred。Quicklytheswiftboatsshotheavenward。
ThuviaofPtarthglancedabouther。Amanstoodnear,smilingdownintoherface。Withagaspofrecognitionshelookedfullintohiseyes,andthenwithalittlemoanofterrorandunderstandingsheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsanktothepolishedskeel—wooddeck。ItwasAstok,PrinceofDusar,whobentaboveher。
SwiftwerethefliersofAstokofDusar,andgreattheneedforreachinghisfather’scourtasquicklyaspossible,forthefleetsofwarofHeliumandPtarthandKaolwerescatteredfarandwideaboveBarsoom。NorwoulditgowellwithAstokorDusarshouldanyoneofthemdiscoverThuviaofPtarthaprisoneruponhisownvessel。
Aaanthorliesinfiftysouthlatitude,andfortyeastofHorz,thedesertedseatofancientBarsoomiancultureandlearning,whileDusarliesfifteendegreesnorthoftheequatorandtwentydegreeseastfromHorz。
Greatthoughthedistanceis,theflierscovereditwithoutastop。LongbeforetheyhadreachedtheirdestinationThuviaofPtarthhadlearnedseveralthingsthatclearedupthedoubtsthathadassailedhermindformanydays。ScarcehadtheyrisenaboveAaanthorthansherecognizedoneofthecrewasamemberofthecrewofthatotherflierthathadborneherfromherfather’sgardenstoAaanthor。ThepresenceofAstokuponthecraftsettledthewholequestion。ShehadbeenstolenbyemissariesoftheDusarianprince——CarthorisofHeliumhadhadnothingtodowithit。
NordidAstokdenythechargewhensheaccusedhim。
Heonlysmiledandpleadedhisloveforher。
\"Iwouldsoonermatewithawhiteape!\"shecried,whenhewouldhaveurgedhissuit。
Astokgloweredsullenlyuponher。
\"Youshallmatewithme,ThuviaofPtarth,\"hegrowled,\"or,byyourfirstancestor,youshallhaveyourpreference——andmatewithawhiteape。\"
Thegirlmadenoreply,norcouldhedrawherintoconversationduringthebalanceofthejourney。
AsamatteroffactAstokwasatrifleawedbytheproportionsoftheconflictwhichhisabductionofthePtarthianprincesshadinduced,norwasheovercomfortablewiththeweightofresponsibilitywhichthepossessionofsuchaprisonerentailed。
HisonethoughtwastogethertoDusar,andtherelethisfatherassumetheresponsibility。Inthemeantimehewouldbeascarefulaspossibletodonothingtoaffronther,lesttheyallmightbecapturedandhehavetoaccountforhistreatmentofthegirltooneofthegreatjeddakswhoseinterestcentredinher。
AndsoatlasttheycametoDusar,whereAstokhidhisprisonerinasecretroomhighintheeasttowerofhisownpalace。Hehadswornhismentosilenceinthematteroftheidentityofthegirl,foruntilhehadseenhisfather,Nutus,JeddakofDusar,hedarednotletanyoneknowwhomhehadbroughtwithhimfromthesouth。
Butwhenheappearedinthegreataudiencechamberbeforethecruel—lippedmanwhowashissire,hefoundhiscourageoozing,andhedarednotspeakoftheprincesshidwithinhispalace。Itoccurredtohimtotesthisfather’ssentimentsuponthesubject,andsohetoldataleofcapturingonewhoclaimedtoknowthewhereaboutsofThuviaofPtarth。
\"Andifyoucommandit,Sire,\"hesaid,\"Iwillgoandcaptureher——fetchingherheretoDusar。\"
Nutusfrownedandshookhishead。
\"YouhavedoneenoughalreadytosetPtarthandKaolandHeliumallthreeuponusatonceshouldtheylearnyourpartinthetheftofthePtarthprincess。
ThatyousucceededinshiftingtheguiltuponthePrinceofHeliumwasfortunate,andamasterlymoveofstrategy;
butwerethegirltoknowthetruthandeverreturntoherfather’scourt,allDusarwouldhavetopaythepenalty,andtohaveherhereaprisoneramongstuswouldbeanadmissionofguiltfromtheconsequencesofwhichnaughtcouldsaveus。Itwouldcostmemythrone,Astok,andthatIhavenomindtolose。
\"Ifwehadherhere——\"theeldermansuddenlycommencedtomuse,repeatingthephraseagainandagain。
\"Ifwehadherhere,Astok,\"heexclaimedfiercely。
\"Ah,ifwebuthadherhereandnoneknewthatshewashere!
Canyounotguess,man?TheguiltofDusarmightbeforeverburiedwithherbones,\"heconcludedinalow,savagewhisper。
Astok,PrinceofDusar,shuddered。
Weakhewas;yes,andwicked,too;butthesuggestionthathisfather’swordsimpliedturnedhimcoldwithhorror。
CrueltotheirenemiesarethemenofMars;buttheword\"enemies\"iscommonlyinterpretedtomeanmenonly。
AssassinationrunsriotinthegreatBarsoomiancities;
yettomurderawomanisacrimesounthinkablethateventhemosthardenedofthepaidassassinswouldshrinkfromyouinhorrorshouldyousuggestsuchathingtohim。
Nutuswasapparentlyoblivioustohisson’sall—too—patentterrorathissuggestion。Presentlyhecontinued:
\"Yousaythatyouknowwherethegirllieshid,sinceshewasstolenfromyourpeopleatAaanthor。
Shouldshebefoundbyanyoneofthethreepowers,herunsupportedstorywouldbesufficienttoturnthemallagainstus。
\"Thereisbutoneway,Astok,\"criedtheolderman。
\"Youmustreturnatoncetoherhiding—placeandfetchherhitherinallsecrecy。And,lookyouhere!
ReturnnottoDusarwithouther,uponpainofdeath!\"
Astok,PrinceofDusar,wellknewhisroyalfather’stemper。
Heknewthatinthetyrant’shearttherepulsednosinglethrobofloveforanycreature。
Astok’smotherhadbeenaslavewoman。Nutushadneverlovedher。Hehadneverlovedanother。Inyouthhehadtriedtofindabrideatthecourtsofseveralofhispowerfulneighbours,buttheirwomenwouldhavenoneofhim。
Afteradozendaughtersofhisownnobilityhadsoughtself—destructionratherthanwedhimhehadgivenup。
AndthenithadbeenthathehadlegallywedoneofhisslavesthathemighthaveasontostandamongthejedswhenNutusdiedandanewjeddakwaschosen。
SlowlyAstokwithdrewfromthepresenceofhisfather。
Withwhitefaceandshakinglimbshemadehiswaytohisownpalace。Ashecrossedthecourtyardhisglancechancedtowandertothegreateasttowerloominghighagainsttheazureofthesky。
Atsightofitbeadsofsweatbrokeoutuponhisbrow。
Issus!Nootherhandthanhiscouldbetrustedtodothehorridthing。Withhisownfingershemustcrushthelifefromthatperfectthroat,orplungethesilentbladeintothered,redheart。
Herheart!Theheartthathehadhopedwouldbrimwithloveforhim!
Buthaditdoneso?Herecalledthehaughtycontemptwithwhichhisprotestationsoflovehadbeenreceived。
Hewentcoldandthenhottothememoryofit。Hiscompunctionscooledastheself—satisfactionofanearrevengecrowdedoutthefinerinstinctsthathadforamomentassertedthemselves——thegoodthathehadinheritedfromtheslavewomanwasonceagainsubmergedinthebadbloodthathadcomedowntohimfromhisroyalsire;as,intheend,italwayswas。
Acoldsmilesupplantedtheterrorthathaddilatedhiseyes。Heturnedhisstepstowardthetower。HewouldseeherbeforehesetoutuponthejourneythatwastoblindhisfathertothefactthatthegirlwasalreadyinDusar。
Quietlyhepassedinthroughthesecretway,ascendingaspiralrunwaytotheapartmentinwhichthePrincessofPtarthwasimmured。
Asheenteredtheroomhesawthegirlleaninguponthesilloftheeastcasement,gazingoutacrosstherooftopsofDusartowarddistantPtarth。HehatedPtarth。
Thethoughtofitfilledhimwithrage。Whynotfinishhernowandhaveitdonewith?
Atthesoundofhisstepsheturnedquicklytowardhim。