Ah,howbeautifulshewas!Hissuddendeterminationfadedbeneaththegloriouslightofherwondrousbeauty。
Hewouldwaituntilhehadreturnedfromhislittlejourneyofdeception——maybetheremightbesomeotherwaythen。Someotherhandtostriketheblow——withthatface,withthoseeyesbeforehim,hecouldneverdoit。
Ofthathewaspositive。Hehadalwaysgloriedinthecrueltyofhisnature,but,Issus!hewasnotthatcruel。
No,anothermustbefound——onewhomhecouldtrust。
Hewasstilllookingatherasshestoodtherebeforehimmeetinghisgazesteadilyandunafraid。Hefeltthehotpassionofhislovemountinghigherandhigher。
Whynotsueoncemore?Ifshewouldrelent,allmightyetbewell。Evenifhisfathercouldnotbepersuaded,theycouldflytoPtarth,layingalltheblameoftheknaveryandintriguethathadthrownfourgreatnationsintowar,upontheshouldersofNutus。Andwhowastherethatwoulddoubtthejusticeofthecharge?
\"Thuvia,\"hesaid,\"Icomeonceagain,forthelasttime,tolaymyheartatyourfeet。PtarthandKaolandDusararebattlingwithHeliumbecauseofyou。
Wedme,Thuvia,andallmayyetbeasitshouldbe。\"
Thegirlshookherhead。
\"Wait!\"hecommanded,beforeshecouldspeak。
\"Knowthetruthbeforeyouspeakwordsthatmayseal,notonlyyourownfate,butthatofthethousandsofwarriorswhobattlebecauseofyou。
\"Refusetowedmewillingly,andDusarwouldbelaidwasteshouldeverthetruthbeknowntoPtarthandKaolandHelium。Theywouldrazeourcities,leavingnotonestoneuponanother。TheywouldscatterourpeoplesacrossthefaceofBarsoomfromthefrozennorthtothefrozensouth,huntingthemdownandslayingthem,untilthisgreatnationremainedonlyasahatedmemoryinthemindsofmen。
\"ButwhiletheyareexterminatingtheDusarians,countlessthousandsoftheirownwarriorsmustperish——
andallbecauseofthestubbornnessofasinglewomanwhowouldnotwedtheprincewholovesher。
\"Refuse,ThuviaofPtarth,andthereremainsbutasinglealternative——nomanmusteverknowyourfate。
OnlyahandfulofloyalservitorsbesidesmyroyalfatherandmyselfknowthatyouwerestolenfromthegardensofThuvanDihnbyAstok,PrinceofDusar,orthatto—dayyoubeimprisonedinmypalace。
\"Refuse,ThuviaofPtarth,andyoumustdietosaveDusar——
thereisnootherway。Nutus,thejeddak,hassodecreed。
Ihavespoken。\"
ForalongmomentthegirlletherlevelgazerestfulluponthefaceofAstokofDusar。Thenshespoke,andthoughthewordswerefew,theunimpassionedtonecarriedunfathomabledepthsofcoldcontempt。
\"Betterallthatyouhavethreatened,\"shesaid,\"thanyou。\"
Thensheturnedherbackuponhimandwenttostandoncemorebeforetheeastwindow,gazingwithsadeyestowarddistantPtarth。
Astokwheeledandlefttheroom,returningafterashortintervaloftimewithfoodanddrink。
\"Here,\"hesaid,\"issustenanceuntilIreturnagain。
Thenexttoenterthisapartmentwillbeyourexecutioner。
Commendyourselftoyourancestors,ThuviaofPtarth,forwithinafewdaysyoushallbewiththem。\"
Thenhewasgone。
HalfanhourlaterhewasinterviewinganofficerhighinthenavyofDusar。
\"WhitherwentVasKor?\"heasked。\"Heisnotathispalace。\"
\"South,tothegreatwaterwaythatskirtsTorquas,\"
repliedtheother。\"Hisson,HalVas,isDwaroftheRoadthere,andthitherhasVasKorgonetoenlistrecruitsamongtheworkersonthefarms。\"
\"Good,\"saidAstok,andahalf—hourmorefoundhimrisingaboveDusarinhisswiftestflier。
CHAPTERXIII
TURJUN,THEPANTHAN
ThefaceofcarthorisofHeliumgavenotokenoftheemotionsthatconvulsedhiminwardlyasheheardfromthelipsofHalVasthatHeliumwasatwarwithDusar,andthatfatehadthrownhimintotheserviceoftheenemy。
ThathemightutilizethisopportunitytothegoodofHeliumscarcesufficedtooutweighthechagrinhefeltthathewasnotfightingintheopenattheheadofhisownloyaltroops。
ToescapetheDusariansmightproveaneasymatter;
andthenagainitmightnot。Shouldtheysuspecthisloyalty(andtheloyaltyofanimpressedpanthanwasalwaysopentosuspicion),hemightnotfindanopportunitytoeludetheirvigilanceuntilaftertheterminationofthewar,whichmightoccurwithindays,or,again,onlyafterlongandwearyyearsofbloodshed。
Herecalledthathistoryrecordedwarsinwhichactualmilitaryoperationshadbeencarriedonwithoutcessationforfiveorsixhundredyears,andevennowtherewerenationsuponBarsoomwithwhichHeliumhadmadenopeacewithinthehistoryofman。
Theoutlookwasnotcheering。HecouldnotguessthatwithinafewhourshewouldbeblessingthefatethathadthrownhimintotheserviceofDusar。
\"Ah!\"exclaimedHalVas。\"Hereismyfathernow。
Kaor!VasKor。Hereisoneyouwillbegladtomeet——
adoughtypanthan——\"Hehesitated。
\"Turjun,\"interjectedCarthoris,seizinguponthefirstappellationthatoccurredtohim。
Ashespokehiseyescrossedquicklytothetallwarriorwhowasenteringtheroom。Wherebeforehadheseenthatgiantfigure,thattaciturncountenance,andthelividsword—cutfromtempletomouth?
\"VasKor,\"repeatedCarthorismentally。\"VasKor!\"
Wherehadheseenthemanbefore?
Andthenthenoblespoke,andlikeaflashitallcamebacktoCarthoris——theforwardservantuponthelanding—
stageatPtarththattimethathehadbeenexplainingtheintricaciesofhisnewcompasstoThuvanDihn;theloneslavethathadguardedhisownhangarthatnighthehadleftuponhisill—fatedjourneyforPtarth——thejourneythathadbroughthimsomysteriouslytofarAaanthor。
\"VasKor,\"herepeatedaloud,\"blessedbeyourancestorsforthismeeting,\"nordidtheDusarianguessthewealthofmeaningthatlaybeneaththathackneyedphrasewithwhichaBarsoomianacknowledgesanintroduction。
\"Andblessedbeyours,Turjun,\"repliedVasKor。
NowcametheintroductionofKarKomaktoVasKor,andasCarthoriswentthroughthelittleceremonytherecametohimtheonlyexplanationhemightmaketoaccountforthewhiteskinandauburnhairofthebowman;
forhefearedthatthetruthmightnotbebelievedandthussuspicionbecastuponthembothfromthebeginning。
\"KarKomak,\"heexplained,\"is,asyoucansee,athern。
Hehaswanderedfarfromhisiceboundsoutherntemplesinsearchofadventure。IcameuponhiminthepitsofAaanthor;butthoughIhaveknownhimsoshortatime,Icanvouchforhisbraveryandloyalty。\"
SincethedestructionofthefabricoftheirfalsereligionbyJohnCarter,themajorityofthethernshadgladlyacceptedtheneworderofthings,sothatitwasnownolongeruncommontoseethemminglingwiththemultitudesofredmeninanyofthegreatcitiesoftheouterworld,soVasKorneitherfeltnorexpressedanygreatastonishment。
AllduringtheinterviewCarthoriswatched,catlike,forsomeindicationthatVasKorrecognizedinthebatteredpanthantheerstwhilegorgeousPrinceofHelium;
butthesleeplessnights,thelongdaysofmarchingandfighting,thewoundsandthedriedbloodhadevidentlysufficedtoobliteratethelastremnantofhislikenesstohisformerself;andthenVasKorhadseenhimbuttwiceinallhislife。Littlewonderthathedidnotknowhim。
DuringtheeveningVasKorannouncedthatonthemorrowtheyshoulddepartnorthtowardDusar,pickinguprecruitsatvariousstationsalongtheway。
Inagreatfieldbehindthehouseaflierlay——afair—
sizedcruiser—transportthatwouldaccommodatemanymen,yetswiftandwellarmedalso。HereCarthorisslept,andKarKomak,too,withtheotherrecruits,underguardoftheregularDusarianwarriorsthatmannedthecraft。
TowardmidnightVasKorreturnedtothevesselfromhisson’shouse,repairingatoncetohiscabin。Carthoris,withoneoftheDusarians,wasonwatch。ItwaswithdifficultythattheHeliumiterepressedacoldsmileasthenoblepassedwithinafootofhim——withinafootofthelong,slim,Heliumiticbladethatswunginhisharness。
Howeasyitwouldhavebeen!Howeasytoavengethecowardlytrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim——toavengeHeliumandPtarthandThuvia!
Buthishandmovednottowardthedagger’shilt,forfirstVasKormustserveabetterpurpose——
hemightknowwhereThuviaofPtarthlayhiddennow,ifithadtrulybeenDusariansthathadspiritedherawayduringthefightbeforeAaanthor。
Andthen,too,therewastheinstigatoroftheentirefoulplot。HEmustpaythepenalty;andwhobetterthanVasKorcouldleadthePrinceofHeliumtoAstokofDusar?
FaintlyoutofthenighttherecametoCarthoris’searsthepurringofadistantmotor。Hescannedtheheavens。
Yes,thereitwasfarinthenorth,dimlyoutlinedagainstthedarkvoidofspacethatstretchedillimitablybeyondit,thefaintsuggestionofaflierpassing,unlighted,throughtheBarsoomiannight。
Carthoris,knowingnotwhetherthecraftmightbefriendorfoeofDusar,gavenosignthathehadseen,butturnedhiseyesinanotherdirection,leavingthemattertotheDusarianwhostoodwatchwithhim。
Presentlythefellowdiscoveredtheoncomingcraft,andsoundedthelowalarmwhichbroughtthebalanceofthewatchandanofficerfromtheirsleepingsilksandfursuponthedecknearby。
Thecruiser—transportlaywithoutlights,and,restingasshewasupontheground,musthavebeenentirelyinvisibletotheoncomingflier,whichallpresentlyrecognizedasasmallcraft。
Itsoonbecameevidentthatthestrangerintendedmakingalanding,forshewasnowspiralingslowlyabovethem,droppinglowerandlowerineachgracefulcurve。
\"ItistheThuria,\"whisperedoneoftheDusarianwarriors。
\"Iwouldknowherintheblacknessofthepitsamongtenthousandothercraft。\"
\"Rightyouare!\"exclaimedVasKor,whohadcomeondeck。Andthenhehailed:
\"Kaor,Thuria!\"
\"Kaor!\"camepresentlyfromaboveafterabriefsilence。
Then:\"Whatship?\"
\"Cruiser—transportKalksus,VasKorofDusar。\"
\"Good!\"camefromabove。\"Istheresafelandingalongside?\"
\"Yes,closeintostarboard。Wait,wewillshowourlights,\"andamomentlaterthesmallercraftsettledclosebesidetheKalksus,andthelightsofthelatterwereimmediatelyextinguishedoncemore。
SeveralfigurescouldbeseenslippingoverthesideoftheThuriaandadvancingtowardtheKalksus。Eversuspicious,theDusariansstoodreadytoreceivethevisitorsasfriendsorfoesascloserinspectionmightprovethem。
Carthorisstoodquiteneartherail,readytotakesideswiththenew—comersshouldchancehaveitthattheywereHeliumitesplayingaboldstrokeofstrategyuponthisloneDusarianship。Hehadledlikepartieshimself,andknewthatsuchacontingencywasquitepossible。
Butthefaceofthefirstmantocrosstherailundeceivedhimwithashockthatwasnotatallunpleasurable——itwasthefaceofAstok,PrinceofDusar。
ScarcenoticingtheothersuponthedeckoftheKalksus,AstokstrodeforwardtoacceptVasKor’sgreeting,thenhesummonedthenoblebelow。Thewarriorsandofficersreturnedtotheirsleepingsilksandfurs,andoncemorethedeckwasdesertedexceptfortheDusarianwarriorandTurjun,thepanthan,whostoodguard。
Thelatterwalkedquietlytoandfro。Theformerleanedacrosstherail,wishingforthehourthatwouldbringhimrelief。HedidnotseehiscompanionapproachthelightsofthecabinofVasKor。Hedidnotseehimstoopwithearclosepressedtoatinyventilator。
\"Maythewhiteapestakeusall,\"criedAstokruefully,\"ifwearenotinasuglyasnarlasyouhaveeverseen!
NutusthinksthatwehaveherinhidingfarawayfromDusar。
Hehasbiddenmebringherhere。\"
Hepaused。Nomanshouldhaveheardfromhislipsthethinghewastryingtotell。ItshouldhavebeenforeverthesecretofNutusandAstok,foruponitrestedthesafetyofathrone。WiththatknowledgeanymancouldwrestfromtheJeddakofDusarwhateverhelisted。
ButAstokwasafraid,andhewantedfromthisoldermanthesuggestionofanalternative。Hewenton。
\"Iamtokillher,\"hewhispered,lookingfearfullyaround。
\"Nutusmerelywishestoseethebodythathemayknowhiscommandshavebeenexecuted。IamnowsupposedtobegonetothespotwherewehaveherhiddenthatImayfetchherinsecrecytoDusar。NoneistoknowthatshehaseverbeeninthekeepingofaDusarian。
IdonotneedtotellyouwhatwouldbefallDusarshouldPtarthandHeliumandKaoleverlearnthetruth。\"
Thejawsofthelistenerattheventilatorclickedtogetherwithavicioussnap。Beforehehadbutguessedattheidentityofthesubjectofthisconversation。Nowheknew。Andtheyweretokillher!Hismuscularfingersclencheduntilthenailsbitintothepalms。
\"AndyouwishmetogowithyouwhileyoufetchhertoDusar,\"VasKorwassaying。\"Whereisshe?\"
Astokbentcloseandwhisperedintotheother’sear。
ThesuggestionofasmilecrossedthecruelfeaturesofVasKor。Herealizedthepowerthatlaywithinhisgrasp。
Heshouldbeajedatleast。
\"AndhowmayIhelpyou,myPrince?\"askedtheoldermansuavely。
\"Icannotkillher,\"saidAstok。\"Issus!Icannotdoit!
Whensheturnsthoseeyesuponmemyheartbecomeswater。\"
VasKor’seyesnarrowed。
\"Andyouwish——\"Hepaused,theinterrogationunfinished,yetcomplete。
Astoknodded。
\"YOUdonotloveher,\"hesaid。
\"ButIlovemylife——thoughIamonlyalessernoble,\"
heconcludedmeaningly。
\"Youshallbeagreaternoble——anobleofthefirstrank!\"
exclaimedAstok。
\"Iwouldbeajed,\"saidVasKorbluntly。
Astokhesitated。
\"Ajedmustdiebeforetherecanbeanotherjed,\"hepleaded。
\"Jedshavediedbefore,\"snappedVasKor。\"Itwoulddoubtlessbenotdifficultforyoutofindajedyoudonotlove,Astok——therearemanywhodonotloveyou。\"
AlreadyVasKorwascommencingtopresumeuponhispowerovertheyoungprince。Astokwasquicktonoteandappreciatethesubtlechangeinhislieutenant。
Acunningschemeenteredhisweakandwickedbrain。
\"Asyousay,VasKor!\"heexclaimed。\"Youshallbeajedwhenthethingisdone,\"andthen,tohimself:\"NorwillitthenbedifficultformetofindajedIdonotlove。\"
\"WhenshallwereturntoDusar?\"askedthenoble。
\"Atonce,\"repliedAstok。\"Letusgetunderwaynow——
thereisnaughttokeepyouhere?\"
\"Ihadintendedsailingonthemorrow,pickingupsuchrecruitsasthevariousDwarsoftheRoadsmighthavecollectedforme,aswereturnedtoDusar。\"
\"Lettherecruitswait,\"saidAstok。\"Or,betterstill,comeyoutoDusarupontheThuria,leavingtheKalksustofollowandpickuptherecruits。\"
\"Yes,\"acquiescedVasKor;\"thatisthebetterplan。
Come;Iamready,\"andherosetoaccompanyAstoktothelatter’sflier。
Thelistenerattheventilatorcametohisfeetslowly,likeanoldman。Hisfacewasdrawnandpinchedandverywhitebeneaththelightcopperofhisskin。
Shewastodie!Andhehelplesstoavertthetragedy。
Hedidnotevenknowwhereshewasimprisoned。
Thetwomenwereascendingfromthecabintothedeck。
Turjun,thepanthan,creptclosetothecompanionway,hissinuousfingersclosingtightlyuponthehiltofhisdagger。Couldhedespatchthembothbeforehewasoverpowered?Hesmiled。Hecouldslayanentireutanofherenemiesinhispresentstateofmind。
Theywerealmostabreastofhimnow。Astokwasspeaking。
\"Bringacoupleofyourmenalong,VasKor,\"hesaid。
\"Weareshort—handedupontheThuria,soquicklydidwedepart。\"
Thepanthan’sfingersdroppedfromthedagger’shilt。
HisquickmindhadgraspedhereachanceforsuccouringThuviaofPtarth。Hemightbechosenasonetoaccompanytheassassins,andoncehehadlearnedwherethecaptivelayhecoulddispatchAstokandVasKoraswellasnow。
TokillthembeforeheknewwhereThuviawashidwassimplytoleavehertodeathatthehandsofothers;
forsoonerorlaterNutuswouldlearnherwhereabouts,andNutus,JeddakofDusar,couldnotaffordtoletherlive。
TurjunputhimselfinthepathofVasKorthathemightnotbeoverlooked。Thenoblearousedthemensleepinguponthedeck,butalwaysbeforehimthestrangepanthanwhomhehadrecruitedthatsamedayfoundmeansforkeepinghimselftothefore。
VasKorturnedtohislieutenant,givinginstructionforthebringingoftheKalksustoDusar,andthegatheringupoftherecruits;thenhesignedtotwowarriorswhostoodclosebehindthepadwar。
\"YoutwoaccompanyustotheThuria,\"hesaid,\"andputyourselvesatthedisposalofherdwar。\"
ItwasdarkuponthedeckoftheKalksus,soVasKorhadnotagoodlookatthefacesofthetwohechose;
butthatwasofnomoment,fortheywerebutcommonwarriorstoassistwiththeordinarydutiesuponaflier,andtofightifneedbe。
OneofthetwowasKarKomak,thebowman。TheotherwasnotCarthoris。
TheHeliumitewasmadwithdisappointment。Hesnatchedhisdaggerfromhisharness;butalreadyAstokhadleftthedeckoftheKalksus,andheknewthatbeforehecouldovertakehim,shouldhedispatchVasKor,hewouldbekilledbytheDusarianwarriors,whonowwerethickuponthedeck。
WitheitheroneofthetwoaliveThuviawasinasgreatdangerasthoughbothlived——itmustbeboth!
AsVasKordescendedtothegroundCarthorisboldlyfollowedhim,nordidanyattempttohalthim,thinking,doubtless,thathewasoneoftheparty。
AfterhimcameKarKomakandtheDusarianwarriorwhohadbeendetailedtodutyupontheThuria。Carthoriswalkedclosetotheleftsideofthelatter。NowtheycametothedenseshadowunderthesideoftheThuria。Itwasverydarkthere,sothattheyhadtogropefortheladder。
KarKomakprecededtheDusarian。Thelatterreachedupwardfortheswingingrounds,andashedidsosteelfingerscloseduponhiswindpipeandasteelbladepiercedtheverycentreofhisheart。
Turjun,thepanthan,wasthelasttoclamberovertherailoftheThuria,drawingtheropeladderinafterhim。
Amomentlatertheflierwasrisingrapidly,headedforthenorth。
AttherailKarKomakturnedtospeaktothewarriorwhohadbeendetailedtoaccompanyhim。HiseyeswentwideastheyresteduponthefaceoftheyoungmanwhomhehadmetbesidethegranitecliffsthatguardmysteriousLothar。HowhadhecomeinplaceoftheDusarian?
Aquicksign,andKarKomakturnedoncemoretofindtheThuria’sdwarthathemightreporthimselfforduty。
Behindhimfollowedthepanthan。
CarthorisblessedthechancethathadcausedVasKortochoosethebowmanofallothers,forhaditbeenanotherDusariantherewouldhavebeenquestionstoanswerastothewhereaboutsofthewarriorwholaysoquietlyinthefieldbeyondtheresidenceofHalVas,DwaroftheSouthernRoad;andCarthorishadnoanswertothatquestionotherthanhisswordpoint,whichalonewasscarceadequatetoconvincetheentirecrewoftheThuria。
ThejourneytoDusarseemedinterminabletotheimpatientCarthoris,thoughasamatteroffactitwasquicklyaccomplished。SometimebeforetheyreachedtheirdestinationtheymetandspokewithanotherDusarianwarflier。Fromittheylearnedthatagreatbattlewassoontobefoughtsouth—eastofDusar。
ThecombinednaviesofDusar,PtarthandKaolhadbeeninterceptedintheiradvancetowardHeliumbythemightyHeliumiticnavy——themostformidableuponBarsoom,notaloneinnumbersandarmament,butinthetrainingandcourageofitsofficersandwarriors,andthezitidaricproportionsofmanyofitsmonsterbattleships。
Notformanyadayhadtherebeenthepromiseofsuchabattle。Fourjeddakswereindirectcommandoftheirownfleets——KulanTithofKaol,ThuvanDihnofPtarth,andNutusofDusarupononeside;whileupontheotherwasTardosMors,JeddakofHelium。WiththelatterwasJohnCarter,WarlordofMars。
Fromthefarnorthanotherforcewasmovingsouthacrossthebarriercliffs——thenewnavyofTalu,JeddakofOkar,cominginresponsetothecallfromthewarlord。
Uponthedecksofthesullenshipsofwarblack—beardedyellowmenlookedovereagerlytowardthesouth。Gorgeousweretheyintheirsplendidcloaksoforlukandapt。
Fierce,formidablefightersfromthehothousecitiesofthefrozennorth。
Andfromthedistantsouth,fromtheseaofOmeanandthecliffsofgold,fromthetemplesofthethernsandthegardenofIssus,otherthousandssailedintothenorthatthecallofthegreatmantheyallhadlearnedtorespect,and,respecting,love。Pacingtheflagshipofthismightyfleet,secondonlytothenavyofHelium,wastheebongodar,JeddakoftheFirstBorn,hisheartbeatingstronginanticipationofthecomingmomentwhenheshouldhurlhissavagecrewsandtheweightofhismightyshipsupontheenemiesofthewarlord。
ButwouldthesealliesreachthetheatreofwarintimetobeofavailtoHelium?Or,wouldHeliumneedthem?
Carthoris,withtheothermembersofthecrewoftheThuria,heardthegossipandtherumours。Noneknewofthetwofleets,theonefromthesouthandtheotherfromthenorth,thatwerecomingtosupporttheshipsofHelium,andallofDusarwereconvincedthatnothingnowcouldsavetheancientpowerofHeliumfrombeingwipedforeverfromtheupperairofBarsoom。
Carthoris,too,loyalsonofHeliumthathewas,feltthatevenhisbelovednavymightnotbeabletocopesuccessfullywiththecombinedforcesofthreegreatpowers。
NowtheThuriatouchedthelanding—stageabovethepalaceofAstok。HurriedlytheprinceandVasKordisembarkedandenteredthedropthatwouldcarrythemtothelowerlevelsofthepalace。
Closebesideitwasanotherdropthatwasutilizedbycommonwarriors。CarthoristouchedKarKomakuponthearm。
\"Come!\"hewhispered。\"Youaremyonlyfriendamonganationofenemies。Willyoustandbyme?\"
\"Tothedeath,\"repliedKarKomak。
Thetwoapproachedthedrop。Aslaveoperatedit。
\"Whereareyourpasses?\"heasked。
Carthorisfumbledinhispocketpouchasthoughinsearchofthem,atthesametimeenteringthecage。
KarKomakfollowedhim,closingthedoor。Theslavedidnotstartthecagedownward。Everysecondcounted。
TheymustreachthelowerlevelassoonaspossibleafterAstokandVasKoriftheywouldknowwhitherthetwowent。
Carthoristurnedsuddenlyupontheslave,hurlinghimtotheoppositesideofthecage。
\"Bindandgaghim,KarKomak!\"hecried。
Thenhegraspedthecontrollever,andasthecageshotdownwardatsickeningspeed,thebowmangrappledwiththeslave。Carthoriscouldnotleavethecontroltoassisthiscompanion,forshouldtheytouchthelowestlevelatthespeedatwhichtheyweregoing,allwouldbedashedtoinstantdeath。
BelowhimhecouldnowseethetopofAstok’scageintheparallelshaft,andhereducedthespeedofhistothatoftheother。Theslavecommencedtoscream。
\"Silencehim!\"criedCarthoris。
Amomentlateralimpformcrumpledtothefloorofthecage。
\"Heissilenced,\"saidKarKomak。
Carthorisbroughtthecagetoasuddenstopatoneofthehigherlevelsofthepalace。Openingthedoor,hegraspedthestillformoftheslaveandpusheditoutuponthefloor。Thenhebangedthegateandresumedthedownwarddrop。
OncemorehesightedthetopofthecagethatheldAstokandVasKor。Aninstantlaterithadstopped,andashebroughthiscartoahalt,hesawthetwomendisappearthroughoneoftheexitsofthecorridorbeyond。
CHAPTERXIV
KULANTITH’SSACRIFICE
ThemorningoftheseconddayofherincarcerationintheeasttowerofthepalaceofAstok,PrinceofDusar,foundThuviaofPtarthwaitingindullapathythecomingoftheassassin。
Shehadexhaustedeverypossibilityofescape,goingoverandoveragainthedoorandthewindows,thefloorandthewalls。
Thesolidersiteslabsshecouldnotevenscratch;
thetoughBarsoomianglassofthewindowswouldhaveshatteredtonothinglessthanaheavysledgeinthehandsofastrongman。Thedoorandthelockwereimpregnable。
Therewasnoescape。Andtheyhadstrippedherofherweaponssothatshecouldnotevenanticipatethehourofherdoom,thusrobbingthemofthesatisfactionofwitnessingherlastmoments。
Whenwouldtheycome?WouldAstokdothedeedwithhisownhands?Shedoubtedthathehadthecourageforit。Athearthewasacoward——shehadknownitsincefirstshehadheardhimbragas,avisitoratthecourtofherfather,hehadsoughttoimpressherwithhisvalour。
Shecouldnothelpbutcomparehimwithanother。
Andwithwhomwouldanaffiancedbridecompareanunsuccessfulsuitor?Withherbetrothed?AnddidThuviaofPtarthnowmeasureAstokofDusarbythestandardsofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol?
Shewasabouttodie;herthoughtswereherowntodowithasshepleased;yetfurthestfromthemwasKulanTith。
InsteadthefigureofthetallandcomelyHeliumitefilledhermind,crowdingtherefromallotherimages。
Shedreamedofhisnobleface,thequietdignityofhisbearing,thesmilethatlithiseyesasheconversedwithhisfriends,andthesmilethattouchedhislipsashefoughtwithhisenemies——
thefightingsmileofhisVirginiansire。
AndThuviaofPtarth,truedaughterofBarsoom,foundherbreathquickeningandheartleapingtothememoryofthisothersmile——thesmilethatshewouldneverseeagain。
Withalittlehalf—sobthegirlsanktothepileofsilksandfursthatweretumbledinconfusionbeneaththeeastwindows,buryingherfaceinherarms。
Inthecorridoroutsideherprison—roomtwomenhadpausedinheatedargument。
\"Itellyouagain,Astok,\"onewassaying,\"thatIshallnotdothisthingunlessyoubepresentintheroom。\"
Therewaslittleoftherespectdueroyaltyinthetoneofthespeaker’svoice。Theother,notingit,flushed。
\"Donotimposetoofaruponmyfriendshipforyou,VasKor,\"hesnapped。\"Thereisalimittomypatience。\"
\"Thereisnoquestionofroyalprerogativehere,\"
returnedVasKor。\"Youaskmetobecomeanassassininyourstead,andagainstyourjeddak’sstrictinjunctions。
Youareinnoposition,Astok,todictatetome;butrathershouldyoubegladtoaccedetomyreasonablerequestthatyoubepresent,thussharingtheguiltwithme。WhyshouldIbearitall?\"
Theyoungermanscowled,butheadvancedtowardthelockeddoor,andasitswunginuponitshinges,heenteredtheroombeyondatthesideofVasKor。
Acrossthechamberthegirl,hearingthementer,rosetoherfeetandfacedthem。Underthesoftcopperofherskinsheblanchedjustatrifle;buthereyeswerebraveandlevel,andthehaughtytiltofherfirmlittlechinwaseloquentofloathingandcontempt。
\"Youstillpreferdeath?\"askedAstok。
\"ToYOU,yes,\"repliedthegirlcoldly。
ThePrinceofDusarturnedtoVasKorandnodded。
Thenobledrewhisshort—swordandcrossedtheroomtowardThuvia。
\"Kneel!\"hecommanded。
\"Iprefertodiestanding,\"shereplied。
\"Asyouwill,\"saidVasKor,feelingthepointofhisbladewithhisleftthumb。\"InthenameofNutus,JeddakofDusar!\"hecried,andranquicklytowardher。
\"InthenameofCarthoris,PrinceofHelium!\"
cameinlowtonesfromthedoorway。
VasKorturnedtoseethepanthanhehadrecruitedathisson’shouseleapingacrossthefloortowardhim。ThefellowbrushedpastAstokwithan:\"Afterhim,you——calot!\"
VasKorwheeledtomeetthechargingman。
\"Whatmeansthistreason?\"hecried。
Astok,withbaredsword,leapedtoVasKor’sassistance。
Thepanthan’sswordclashedagainstthatofthenoble,andinthefirstencounterVasKorknewthathefacedamasterswordsman。
Beforehehalfrealizedthestranger’spurposehefoundthemanbetweenhimselfandThuviaofPtarth,atbayfacingthetwoswordsoftheDusarians。Buthefoughtnotlikeamanatbay。Everwashetheaggressor,andthoughalwayshekepthisflashingbladebetweenthegirlandherenemies,yethemanagedtoforcethemhitherandthitherabouttheroom,callingtothegirltofollowclosebehindhim。
UntilitwastoolateneitherVasKornorAstokdreamedofthatwhichlayinthepanthan’smind;butatlastasthefellowstoodwithhisbacktowardthedoor,bothunderstood——theywerepennedintheirownprison,andnowtheintrudercouldslaythemathiswill,forThuviaofPtarthwasboltingthedoorattheman’sdirection,firsttakingthekeyfromtheoppositeside,whereAstokhadleftitwhentheyhadentered。
Astok,aswashisway,findingthattheenemydidnotfallimmediatelybeforetheirswords,wasleavingthebruntofthefightingtoVasKor,andnowashiseyesappraisedthepanthancarefullytheypresentlywentwiderandwider,forslowlyhehadcometorecognizethefeaturesofthePrinceofHelium。
TheHeliumitewaspressingcloseuponVasKor。Thenoblewasbleedingfromadozenwounds。Astoksawthathecouldnotforlongwithstandthecunningcraftofthatterribleswordhand。
\"Courage,VasKor!\"hewhisperedintheother’sear。
\"Ihaveaplan。Holdhimbutamomentlongerandallwillbewell,\"butthebalanceofthesentence,\"withAstok,PrinceofDusar,\"hedidnotvoicealoud。
VasKor,dreamingnotreachery,noddedhishead,andforamomentsucceededinholdingCarthorisatbay。
ThentheHeliumiteandthegirlsawtheDusarianprincerunswiftlytotheoppositesideofthechamber,touchsomethinginthewallthatsentagreatpanelswinginginward,anddisappearintotheblackvaultbeyond。
Itwasdonesoquicklythatbynopossibilitycouldtheyhaveinterceptedhim。Carthoris,fearfullestVasKormightsimilarlyeludehim,orAstokreturnimmediatelywithreinforcements,sprangviciouslyinuponhisantagonist,andamomentlatertheheadlessbodyoftheDusariannoblerolledupontheersitefloor。
\"Come!\"criedCarthoris。\"Thereisnotimetobelost。
Astokwillbebackinamomentwithenoughwarriorstooverpowerme。\"
ButAstokhadnosuchplaninmind,forsuchamovewouldhavemeantthespreadingofthefactamongthepalacegossipsthatthePtarthianprincesswasaprisonerintheeasttower。Quicklywouldthewordhavecometohisfather,andnoamountoffalsifyingcouldhaveexplainedawaythefactsthatthejeddak’sinvestigationwouldhavebroughttolight。
InsteadAstokwasracingmadlythroughalongcorridortoreachthedoorofthetower—roombeforeCarthorisandThuvialefttheapartment。Hehadseenthegirlremovethekeyandplaceitinherpocket—pouch,andheknewthatadaggerpointdrivenintothekeyholefromtheoppositesidewouldimprisontheminthesecretchambertilleightdeadworldscircledacold,deadsun。
AsfastashecouldrunAstokenteredthemaincorridorthatledtothetowerchamber。Wouldhereachthedoorintime?WhatiftheHeliumiteshouldhavealreadyemergedandheshouldrunuponhiminthepassageway?
Astokfeltacoldchillrunuphisspine。Hehadnostomachtofacethatuncannyblade。
Hewasalmostatthedoor。Aroundthenextturnofthecorridoritstood。No,theyhadnotlefttheapartment。
EvidentlyVasKorwasstillholdingtheHeliumite!
Astokcouldscarcerepressagrinattheclevermannerinwhichhehadoutwittedthenobleanddisposedofhimatthesametime。Andthenheroundedtheturnandcamefacetofacewithanauburn—haired,whitegiant。
Thefellowdidnotwaittoaskthereasonforhiscoming;
insteadheleapeduponhimwithalong—sword,sothatAstokhadtoparryadozenviciouscutsbeforehecoulddisengagehimselfandfleebackdowntherunway。
AmomentlaterCarthorisandThuviaenteredthecorridorfromthesecretchamber。
\"Well,KarKomak?\"askedtheHeliumite。
\"Itisfortunatethatyouleftmehere,redman,\"
saidthebowman。\"Ibutjustnowinterceptedonewhoseemedover—anxioustoreachthisdoor——itwashewhomtheycallAstok,PrinceofDusar。\"
Carthorissmiled。
\"Whereishenow?\"heasked。
\"Heescapedmyblade,andrandownthiscorridor,\"
repliedKarKomak。
\"Wemustlosenotime,then!\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"Hewillhavetheguarduponusyet!\"
TogetherthethreehastenedalongthewindingpassagesthroughwhichCarthorisandKarKomakhadtrackedtheDusariansbythemarksofthelatter’ssandalsinthethindustthatoverspreadthefloorsoftheseseldom—
usedpassage—ways。
Theyhadcometothechamberattheentrancestotheliftsbeforetheymetwithopposition。Heretheyfoundahandfulofguardsmen,andanofficer,who,seeingthattheywerestrangers,questionedtheirpresenceinthepalaceofAstok。
OncemoreCarthorisandKarKomakhadrecoursetotheirblades,andbeforetheyhadwontheirwaytooneoftheliftsthenoiseoftheconflictmusthavearousedtheentirepalace,fortheyheardmenshouting,andastheypassedthemanylevelsontheirquickpassagetothelanding—stagetheysawarmedmenrunninghitherandthitherinsearchofthecauseofthecommotion。
BesidethestagelaytheThuria,withthreewarriorsonguard。
AgaintheHeliumiteandtheLotharianfoughtshouldertoshoulder,butthebattlewassoonover,forthePrinceofHeliumalonewouldhavebeenamatchforanythreethatDusarcouldproduce。
ScarcehadtheThuriarisenfromthewaysereahundredormorefightingmenleapedtoviewuponthelanding—stage。
AttheirheadwasAstokofDusar,andashesawthetwohehadthoughtsosafelyinhispowerslippingfromhisgrasp,hedancedwithrageandchagrin,shakinghisfistsandhurlingabuseandvileinsultsatthem。
Withherbowinclinedupwardatadizzyangle,theThuriashotmeteor—likeintothesky。Fromadozenpointsswiftpatrolboatsdartedafterher,forthesceneuponthelanding—stageabovethepalaceofthePrinceofDusarhadnotgoneunnoticed。
AdozentimesshotsgrazedtheThuria’sside,andasCarthoriscouldnotleavethecontrollevers,ThuviaofPtarthturnedthemuzzlesofthecraft’srapid—firegunsupontheenemyassheclungtothesteepandslipperysurfaceofthedeck。
Itwasanobleraceandanoblefight。Oneagainstascorenow,forotherDusariancrafthadjoinedinthepursuit;butAstok,PrinceofDusar,hadbuiltwellwhenhebuilttheThuria。
Noneinthenavyofhissirepossessedaswifterflier;
noothercraftsowellarmouredorsowellarmed。
Onebyonethepursuersweredistanced,andasthelastofthemfelloutofrangebehind,CarthorisdroppedtheThuria’snosetoahorizontalplane,aswithleverdrawntothelastnotch,shetorethroughthethinairofdyingMarstowardtheeastandPtarth。
ThirteenandahalfthousandhaadsawaylayPtarth——astiffthirty—hourjourneyfortheswiftestoffliers,andbetweenDusarandPtarthmightliehalfthenavyofDusar,forinthisdirectionwasthereportedseatofthegreatnavalbattlethatevennowmightbeinprogress。
CouldCarthorishaveknownpreciselywherethegreatfleetsofthecontendingnationslay,hewouldhavehastenedtothemwithoutdelay,forinthereturnofThuviatohersirelaythegreatesthopeofpeace。
Halfthedistancetheycoveredwithoutsightingasinglewarship,andthenKarKomakcalledCarthoris’sattentiontoadistantcraftthatrestedupontheochrevegetationofthegreatdeadsea—bottom,abovewhichtheThuriawasspeeding。
Aboutthevesselmanyfigurescouldbeseenswarming。
Withtheaidofpowerfulglasses,theHeliumitesawthattheyweregreenwarriors,andthattheywererepeatedlychargingdownuponthecrewofthestrandedairship。
Thenationalityofthelatterhecouldnotmakeoutatsogreatadistance。
ItwasnotnecessarytochangethecourseoftheThuriatopermitofpassingdirectlyabovethesceneofbattle,butCarthorisdroppedhiscraftafewhundredfeetthathemighthaveabetterandcloserview。
Iftheshipwasofafriendlypower,hecoulddonolessthanstopanddirecthisgunsuponherenemies,thoughwiththepreciousfreighthecarriedhescarcelyfeltjustifiedinlanding,forhecouldofferbuttwoswordsinreinforcement——scarceenoughtowarrantjeopardizingthesafetyofthePrincessofPtarth。
Astheycamecloseabovethestrickenship,theycouldseethatitwouldbebutaquestionofminutesbeforethegreenhordewouldswarmacrossthearmouredbulwarkstogluttheferocityoftheirbloodlustuponthedefenders。
\"Itwouldbefutiletodescend,\"saidCarthoristoThuvia。
\"ThecraftmayevenbeofDusar——sheshowsnoinsignia。
Allthatwemaydoisfireuponthehordesmen\";
andashespokehesteppedtooneofthegunsanddeflecteditsmuzzletowardthegreenwarriorsattheship’sside。
AtthefirstshotfromtheThuriathoseuponthevesselbelowevidentlydiscoveredherforthefirsttime。
Immediatelyadeviceflutteredfromthebowofthewarshipontheground。ThuviaofPtarthcaughtherbreathquickly,glancingatCarthoris。
ThedevicewasthatofKulanTith,JeddakofKaol——
themantowhomthePrincessofPtarthwasbetrothed!
HoweasyfortheHeliumitetopasson,leavinghisrivaltothefatethatcouldnotforlongbeaverted!Nomancouldaccusehimofcowardiceortreachery,forKulanTithwasinarmsagainstHelium,and,further,upontheThuriawerenotenoughswordstodelayeventemporarilytheoutcomethatalreadywasaforegoneconclusioninthemindsofthewatchers。
WhatwouldCarthoris,PrinceofHelium,do?
ScarcehadthedevicebrokentothefaintbreezeerethebowoftheThuriadroppedatasharpangletowardtheground。
\"Canyounavigateher?\"askedCarthorisofThuvia。
Thegirlnodded。
\"Iamgoingtotrytotakethesurvivorsaboard,\"hecontinued。
\"ItwillneedbothKarKomakandmyselftomanthegunswhiletheKaolianstaketotheboardingtackle。Keepherbowdepressedagainsttheriflefire。Shecanbearitbetterinherforwardarmour,andatthesametimethepropellerswillbeprotected。\"
HehurriedtothecabinasThuviatookthecontrol。
AmomentlatertheboardingtackledroppedfromthekeeloftheThuria,andfromadozenpointsalongeithersidestout,knottedleathernlinestraileddownward。
Atthesametimeasignalbrokefromherbow:
\"Preparetoboardus。\"
AshoutarosefromthedeckoftheKaolianwarship。
Carthoris,whobythistimehadreturnedfromthecabin,smiledsadly。Hewasabouttosnatchfromthejawsofdeaththemanwhostoodbetweenhimselfandthewomanheloved。
\"Taketheportbowgun,KarKomak,\"hecalledtothebowman,andhimselfsteppedtothegunuponthestarboardbow。
*TheycouldnowfeelthesharpshockoftheexplosionsofthegreenwarriorsvomitedtheirhailofdeathanddestructionatthesidesofthestaunchThuria。*
[Thisparagraphneedstobeverifiedfromearlyeditions]
Itwasaforlornhopeatbest。Atanymomenttherepulsiveraytanksmightbepierced。ThemenupontheKaolianshipwerebattlingwithrenewedhope。InthebowstoodKulanTith,abravefigurefightingbesidehisbravewarriors,beatingbacktheferociousgreenmen。
TheThuriacamelowabovetheothercraft。TheKaolianswereformingundertheirofficersinreadinesstoboard,andthenasuddenfiercefusilladefromtheriflesofthegreenwarriorsvomitedtheirhailofdeathanddestructionintothesideofthebraveflier。
LikeawoundedbirdshedivedsuddenlyMarswardcareeningdrunkenly。Thuviaturnedthebowupwardinanefforttoaverttheimminenttragedy,butshesucceededonlyinlesseningtheshockoftheflier’simpactasshestruckthegroundbesidetheKaolianship。
WhenthegreenmensawonlytwowarriorsandawomanuponthedeckoftheThuria,asavageshoutoftriumpharosefromtheirranks,whileanansweringgroanbrokefromthelipsoftheKaolians。
Theformernowturnedtheirattentionuponthenewarrival,fortheysawherdefenderscouldsoonbeovercomeandthatfromherdecktheycouldcommandthedeckofthebetter—mannedship。
AstheychargedashoutofwarningcamefromKulanTith,uponthebridgeofhisownship,andwithitanappreciationofthevalouroftheactthathadputthesmallervesselinthesesorestraits。
\"Whoisit,\"hecried,\"thatoffershislifeintheserviceofKulanTith?Neverwaswroughtanoblerdeedofself—
sacrificeuponBarsoom!\"
ThegreenhordewasscramblingovertheThuria’ssideastherebrokefromthebowthedeviceofCarthoris,PrinceofHelium,inreplytothequeryofthejeddakofKaol。NoneuponthesmallerflierhadopportunitytonotetheeffectofthisannouncementupontheKaolians,fortheirattentionwasclaimedslowlynowbythatwhichwastranspiringupontheirowndeck。
KarKomakstoodbehindthegunhehadbeenoperating,staringwithwideeyesattheonrushinghideousgreenwarriors。
Carthoris,seeinghimthus,feltapangofregretthat,afterall,thismanthathehadthoughtsovalorousshouldprove,inthehourofneed,asspinelessasJavorTario。
\"KarKomak——theman!\"heshouted。\"Gripyourself!
RememberthedaysofthegloryoftheseafarersofLothar。Fight!Fight,man!Fightasnevermanfoughtbefore。Allthatremainstousistodiefighting。\"
KarKomakturnedtowardtheHeliumite,agrimsmileuponhislips。
\"Whyshouldwefight,\"heasked。\"Againstsuchfearfulodds?
Thereisanotherway——abetterway。Look!\"Hepointedtowardthecompanion—waythatledbelowdeck。
Thegreenmen,ahandfulofthem,hadalreadyreachedtheThuria’sdeck,asCarthorisglancedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated。Thesightthatmethiseyessethishearttothumpinginjoyandrelief——ThuviaofPtarthmightyetbesaved?Forfrombelowtherepouredastreamofgiantbowmen,grimandterrible。
NotthebowmenofTarioorJav,butthebowmenofanodwarofbowmen——savagefightingmen,eagerforthefray。
Thegreenwarriorspausedinmomentarysurpriseandconsternation,butonlyforamoment。Thenwithhorridwar—criestheyleapedforwardtomeetthesestrange,newfoemen。
Avolleyofarrowsstoppedthemintheirtracks。
InamomenttheonlygreenwarriorsuponthedeckoftheThuriaweredeadwarriors,andthebowmenofKarKomakwereleapingoverthevessel’ssidestochargethehordesmenupontheground。
UtanafterutantumbledfromthebowelsoftheThuriatolaunchthemselvesupontheunfortunategreenmen。
KulanTithandhisKaoliansstoodwide—eyedandspeechlesswithamazementastheysawthousandsofthesestrange,fiercewarriorsemergefromthecompanion—wayofthesmallcraftthatcouldnotcomfortablyhaveaccomodatedmorethanfifty。
Atlastthegreenmencouldwithstandtheonslaughtofoverwhelmingnumbersnolonger。Slowly,atfirst,theyfellbackacrosstheochreplain。Thebowmenpursuedthem。KarKomak,standinguponthedeckoftheThuria,trembledwithexcitement。
Atthetopofhislungshevoicedthesavagewar—cryofhisforgottenday。Heroaredencouragementandcommandsathisbattlingutans,andthen,astheychargedfurtherandfurtherfromtheThuria,hecouldnolongerwithstandthelureofbattle。
Leapingovertheship’ssidetotheground,hejoinedthelastofhisbowmenastheyracedoffoverthedeadsea—bottominpursuitofthefleeinggreenhorde。
Beyondalowpromontoryofwhatoncehadbeenanislandthegreenmenweredisappearingtowardthewest。
Closeupontheirheelsracedthefleetbowmenofabygoneday,andforgingsteadilyaheadamongthemCarthorisandThuviacouldseethemightyfigureofKarKomak,brandishingalofttheTorquasianshort—swordwithwhichhewasarmed,asheurgedhiscreaturesaftertheretreatingenemy。
Asthelastofthemdisappearedbehindthepromontory,CarthoristurnedtowardThuviaofPtarth。
\"Theyhavetaughtmealesson,thesevanishingbowmenofLothar,\"hesaid。\"Whentheyhaveservedtheirpurposetheyremainnottoembarrasstheirmastersbytheirpresence。KulanTithandhiswarriorsareheretoprotectyou。Myactshaveconstitutedtheproofofmyhonestyofpurpose。Good—bye,\"andhekneltatherfeet,raisingabitofherharnesstohislips。
Thegirlreachedoutahandandlaidituponthethickblackhairoftheheadbentbeforeher。Softlysheasked:
\"Whereareyougoing,Carthoris?\"
\"WithKarKomak,thebowman,\"hereplied。
\"Therewillbefightingandforgetfulness。\"
Thegirlputherhandsbeforehereyes,asthoughtoshutoutsomemightytemptationfromhersight。
\"Maymyancestorshavemercyuponme,\"shecried,\"ifIsaythethingIhavenorighttosay;butIcannotseeyoucastyourlifeaway,Carthoris,PrinceofHelium!
Stay,mychieftain。Stay——Iloveyou!\"
Acoughbehindthembroughtbothabout,andtheretheysawstanding,nottwopacesfromthemKulanTith,JeddakofKaol。
Foralongmomentnonespoke。ThenKulanTithclearedhisthroat。
\"Icouldnothelphearingallthatpassed,\"hesaid。
\"Iamnofool,tobeblindtothelovethatliesbetweenyou。
NoramIblindtotheloftyhonourthathascausedyou,Carthoris,toriskyourlifeandherstosavemine,thoughyouthoughtthatthatveryactwouldrobyouofthechancetokeepherforyourown。
\"NorcanIfailtoappreciatethevirtuethathaskeptyourlipssealedagainstwordsofloveforthisHeliumite,Thuvia,forIknowthatIhavebutjustheardthefirstdeclarationofyourpassionforhim。Idonotcondemnyou。
RathershouldIhavecondemnedyouhadyouenteredalovelessmarriagewithme。
\"Takebackyourliberty,ThuviaofPtarth,\"hecried,\"andbestowitwhereyourheartalreadyliesenchained,andwhenthegoldencollarsareclaspedaboutyournecksyouwillseethatKulanTith’sisthefirstswordtoberaisedindeclarationofeternalfriendshipforthenewPrincessofHeliumandherroyalmate!\"
AGLOSSARYOFNAMESANDTERMSUSED
INTHEMARTIANBOOKS
Aaanthor。AdeadcityofancientMars。
AisleofHope。Anaisleleadingtothecourt—roominHelium。
Apt。AnArcticmonster。Ahuge,white—furredcreaturewithsixlimbs,fourofwhich,shortandheavy,carryitoverthesnowandice;theothertwo,whichgrowforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong,powerfulneck,terminateinwhite,hairlesshandswithwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey。Itsheadandmoutharesimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamus,exceptthatfromthesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront。
Itstwohugeeyesextendintwovastovalpatchesfromthecentreofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns,sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes,whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach。Eachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid,andtheaptcan,atwill,closeasmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses。(SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。)
Astok。PrinceofDusar。
AvenueofAncestors。AstreetinHelium。
Banth。Barsoomianlion。AfiercebeastofpreythatroamsthelowhillssurroundingthedeadseasofancientMars。
Itisalmosthairless,havingonlyagreat,bristlymaneaboutitsthickneck。Itslong,lithebodyissupportedbytenpowerfullegs,itsenormousjawsareequippedwithseveralrowsoflongneedle—likefangs,anditsmouthreachestoapointfarbackofitstinyears。Ithasenormousprotrudingeyesofgreen。(SeeTHEGODS
OFMARS。)
BarComas。JeddakofWarhoon。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Barsoom。MARS
BlackpiratesofBarsoom。Mensixfeetandoverinheight。
Haveclear—cutandhandsomefeatures;theireyesarewellsetandlarge,thoughaslightnarrownesslendsthemacraftyappearance。Theirisisextremelyblackwhiletheeyeballitselfisquitewhiteandclear。Theirskinhastheappearanceofpolishedebony。(SeeTHE
GODSOFMARS。)
Calot。Adog。AboutthesizeofaShetlandponyandhastenshortlegs。Theheadbearsaslightresemblancetothatofafrog,exceptthatthejawsareequippedwiththreerowsoflong,sharptusks。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Carter,John。WarlordofMars。
CarthorisofHelium。SonofJohnCarterandDejahThoris。
DakKova。JedamongtheWarhoons(laterjeddak)。
Darseen。Chameleon—likereptile。
Dator。ChieforprinceamongtheFirstBorn。
DejahThoris。PrincessofHelium。
DjorKantos。SonofKantosKan;padwaroftheFifthUtan。
Dor。ValleyofHeaven。
DotarSojat。JohnCarter’sMartianname,fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwowarriorchieftainshekilled。
Dusar。AMartiankingdom。
Dwar。Captain。
Ersite。Akindofstone。
FatherofTherns。HighPriestofreligiouscult。
FirstBorn。Blackrace;blackpirates。
KarKomak。OdwarofLotharianbowmen。
GateofJeddaks。AgateinHelium。
Gozava。TarsTarkas’deadwife。
GurTus。DwaroftheTenthUtan。
Haad。Martianmile。
HalVas。SonofVasKortheDusariannoble。
Hastor。AcityofHelium。
Hekkador。TitleofFatherofTherns。
Helium。TheempireofthegrandfatherofDejahThoris。
HolyTherns。AMartianreligiouscult。
HortanGur。JeddakofTorquas。
HorVastus。PadwarinthenavyofHelium。
Horz。Desertedcity;BarsoomianGreenwich。
Illall。AcityofOkar。
Iss。RiverofDeath。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Issus。GoddessofDeath,whoseabodeisuponthebanksoftheLostSeaofKorus。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
Jav。ALotharian。
Jed。King。
Jeddak。Emperor。
KabKadja。JeddakoftheWarhoonsofthesouth。
Kadabra。CapitalofOkar。
Kadar。Guard。
Kalksus。Cruiser;transportunderVasKor。
KantosKan。PadwarintheHeliumnavy。
Kaol。AMartiankingdomintheeasternhemisphere。
Kaor。Greeting。
Karad。Martiandegree。
Komal。TheLothariangod;ahugebanth。
Korad。AdeadcityofancientMars。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Korus。TheLostSeaofDor。
KulanTith。JeddakofKaol。(SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。)
Lakor。Athern。
Larok。ADusarianwarrior;artificer。
LorquasPtomel。JedamongtheTharks。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Lothar。Theforgottencity。
Marentina。AprincipalityofOkar。
MataiShang。FatherofTherns。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
MorsKajak。AjedoflesserHelium。
Notan。RoyalPsychologistofZodanga。
Nutus。JeddakofDusar。
Od。Martianfoot。
Odwar。Acommander,orgeneral。
Okar。Landoftheyellowmen。
OldBen(orUncleBen)。Thewriter’sbody—servant(coloured)。
Omad。Manwithonename。
Omean。Theburiedsea。
Orluk。AblackandyellowstripedArcticmonster。
OtzMountains。SurroundingtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus。
Padwar。Lieutenant。
Panthan。Asoldieroffortune。
Parthak。TheZodanganwhobroughtfoodtoJohnCarterinthepitsofZatArras。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
PedestalofTruth。WithinthecourtroomofHelium。
Phaidor。DaughterofMataiShang。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
Pimalia。Gorgeousfloweringplant。
PlantmenofBarsoom。AraceinhabitingtheValleyDor。
Theyaretenortwelvefeetinheightwhenstandingerect;theirarmsareveryshortandfashionedafterthemannerofanelephant’strunk,beingsinuous;thebodyishairlessandghoulishblueexceptforabroadbandofwhitewhichencirclestheprotruding,singleeye,thepupil,irisandballofwhicharedeadwhite。Thenoseisaragged,inflamed,circularholeinthecentreoftheblankface,resemblingafreshbulletwoundwhichhasnotyetcommencedtobleed。Thereisnomouthinthehead。Withtheexceptionoftheface,theheadiscoveredbyatangledmassofjet—blackhairsomeeightorteninchesinlength。Eachhairisaboutthethicknessofalargeangleworm。Thebody,legsandfeetareofhumanshapebutofmonstrousproportions,thefeetbeingfullythreefeetlongandveryflatandbroad。
Themethodoffeedingconsistsinrunningtheiroddhandsoverthesurfaceoftheturf,croppingoffthetendervegetationwithrazor—liketalonsandsuckingitupfromtwomouths,whichlieoneinthepalmofeachhand。Theyareequippedwithamassivetailaboutsixfeetlong,quiteroundwhereitjoinsthebody,buttaperingtoaflat,thinbladetowardtheend,whichtrailsatrightanglestotheground。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
PrinceSoran。OverlordofthenavyofPtarth。
Ptarth。AMartiankingdom。
Ptor。FamilynameofthreeZodanganbrothers。
SabThan。PrinceofZodanga。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Safad。AMartianinch。
Sak。Jump。
SalensusOll。JeddakofOkar。(SeeTHEWARLORDOFMARS。)
SaranTal。Carthoris’major—domo。
Sarkoja。AgreenMartianwoman。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
SatorThrog。AHolyThernoftheTenthCycle。
Shador。IslandinOmeanusedasaprison。
Silian。SlimyreptilesinhabitingtheSeaofKorus。
Sith。Hornet—likemonster。Bald—facedandaboutthesizeofaHerefordbull。Hasfrightfuljawsinfrontandmightypoisonedstingbehind。Theeyes,ofmyriadfacets,coverthree—fourthsofthehead,permittingthecreaturetoseeinalldirectionsatoneandthesametime。(SeeTHE
WARLORDOFMARS。)
Skeel。AMartianhardwood。
Sola。AyounggreenMartianwoman。
Solan。Anofficialofthepalace。
Sompus。Akindoftree。
Sorak。AlittlepetanimalamongtheredMartianwomen,aboutthesizeofacat。
Sorapus。AMartianhardwood。
Sorav。AnofficerofSalensusOll。
Tal。AMartiansecond。
TalHajus。JeddakofThark。
Talu。RebelPrinceofMarentina。
TanGama。Warhoonwarrior。
TardosMors。GrandfatherofDejahThorisandJeddakofHelium。
Tario。JeddakofLothar。
TarsTarkas。Agreenman,chieftainoftheTharks。
TempleofReward。InHelium。
TenthCycle。Asphere,orplaneofeminence,amongtheHolyTherns。
Thabis。Issus’chief。
ThanKosis。JeddakofZodanga。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
Thark。CityandnameofagreenMartianhorde。
Thoat。AgreenMartianhorse。Tenfeethighattheshoulder,withfourlegsoneitherside;abroad,flattail,largeratthetipthanattherootwhichitholdsstraightoutbehindwhilerunning;amouthsplittingitsheadfromsnouttothelong,massiveneck。Itisentirelydevoidofhairandisofadarkslatecolourandexceedinglysmoothandglossy。Ithasawhitebellyandthelegsareshadedfromslateattheshouldersandhipstoavividyellowatthefeet。Thefeetareheavilypaddedandnailless。(SeeAPRINCESSOFMARS。)
ThorBan。JedamongthegreenmenofTorquas。
Thorian。ChiefofthelesserTherns。
ThroneofRighteousness。Inthecourt—roomofHelium。
Throxus。Mightiestofthefiveoceans。
Thurds。AgreenhordeinimicaltoTorquas。
Thuria。Thenearermoon。
Thurid。Ablackdator。
ThuvanDihn。JeddakofPtarth。
Thuvia。PrincessofPtarth。
Torith。Officeroftheguardsatsubmarinepool。
TorkarBar。Kaoliannoble;dwaroftheKaolianRoad。
Torquas。Agreenhorde。
Turjun。Carthoris’alias。
Utan。Acompanyofonehundredmen(military)。
VasKor。ADusariannoble。
Warhoon。Acommunityofgreenmen;enemyofThark。
Woola。ABarsoomiancalot。
Xat。AMartianminute。
Xavarian。AHeliumwarship。
Xodar。DatoramongtheFirstBorn。
Yersted。Commanderofthesubmarine。
Zad。Tharkianwarrior。
ZatArras。JedofZodanga。
Zithad。DatoroftheguardsofIssus。(SeeTHEGODSOFMARS。)
Zitidars。Mastodoniandraughtanimals。
Zodanga。MartiancityofredmenatwarwithHelium。
Zode。AMartianhour。