WellitwasforthenoblesofthecourtofOkarthatJohnCarterhadbeendisarmed。Asitwas，adozenofthemfelttheweightofmyclenchedfists，andIhadfoughtmywayhalfupthestepsbeforethethronetowhichSalensusOllhadcarriedDejahThorisereevertheycouldstopme。
ThenIwentdown，fighting，beneathahalf—hundredwarriors;butbeforetheyhadbatteredmeintounconsciousnessIheardthatfromthelipsofDejahThoristhatmadeallmysufferingwellworthwhile。
Standingtherebesidethegreattyrant，whoclutchedherbythearm，shepointedtowhereIfoughtaloneagainstsuchawfulodds。
\"Thinkyou，SalensusOll，thatthewifeofsuchasheis，\"shecried，\"wouldeverdishonorhismemory，wereheathousandtimesdead，bymatingwithalessermortal？LivesthereuponanyworldsuchanotherasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium？Livesthereanothermanwhocouldfighthiswaybackandforthacrossawarlikeplanet，facingsavagebeastsandhordesofsavagemen，fortheloveofawoman？
\"I，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，amhis。Hefoughtformeandwonme。
Ifyoubeabravemanyouwillhonorthebraverythatishis，andyouwillnotkillhim。Makehimaslaveifyouwill，SalensusOll;butsparehislife。
IwouldratherbeaslavewithsuchashethanbeQueenofOkar。\"
\"NeitherslavenorqueendictatestoSalensusOll，\"repliedtheJeddakofJeddaks。\"JohnCartershalldieanaturaldeathinthePitofPlenty，andthedayhediesDejahThorisshallbecomemyqueen。\"
Ididnothearherreply，foritwasthenthatablowuponmyheadbroughtunconsciousness，andwhenIrecoveredmysensesonlyahandfulofguardsmenremainedintheaudiencechamberwithme。
AsIopenedmyeyestheygoadedmewiththepointsoftheirswordsandbademerise。
Thentheyledmethroughlongcorridorstoacourtfartowardthecenterofthepalace。
Inthecenterofthecourtwasadeeppit，neartheedgeofwhichstoodhalfadozenotherguardsmen，awaitingme。Oneofthemcarriedalongropeinhishands，whichhecommencedtomakereadyasweapproached。
WehadcometowithinfiftyfeetofthesemenwhenIfeltasuddenstrangeandrapidprickingsensationinoneofmyfingers。
ForamomentIwasnonplusedbytheoddfeeling，andthentherecametomerecollectionofthatwhichinthestressofmyadventureIhadentirelyforgotten——thegiftringofPrinceTaluofMarentina。
InstantlyIlookedtowardthegroupwewerenearing，atthesametimeraisingmylefthandtomyforehead，thattheringmightbevisibletoonewhosoughtit。Simultaneouslyoneofthewaitingwarriorsraisedhislefthand，ostensiblytobrushbackhishair，andupononeofhisfingersIsawtheduplicateofmyownring。
Aquicklookofintelligencepassedbetweenus，afterwhichIkeptmyeyesturnedawayfromthewarrioranddidnotlookathimagain，forfearthatImightarousethesuspicionoftheOkarians。
WhenwereachedtheedgeofthepitIsawthatitwasverydeep，andpresentlyIrealizedIwassoontojudgejusthowfaritextendedbelowthesurfaceofthecourt，forhewhoheldtheropepasseditaboutmybodyinsuchawaythatitcouldbereleasedfromaboveatanytime;andthen，asallthewarriorsgraspedit，hepushedmeforward，andIfellintotheyawningabyss。
AfterthefirstjerkasIreachedtheendoftheropethathadbeenpaidouttoletmefallbelowthepit’sedgetheyloweredmequicklybutsmoothly。Themomentbeforetheplunge，whiletwoorthreeofthemenhadbeenassistinginadjustingtheropeaboutme，oneofthemhadbroughthismouthclosetomycheek，andinthebriefintervalbeforeIwascastintotheforbiddingholehebreathedasinglewordintomyear：
\"Courage！\"
Thepit，whichmyimaginationhadpicturedasbottomless，provedtobenotmorethanahundredfeetindepth;butasitswallsweresmoothlypolisheditmightaswellhavebeenathousandfeet，forIcouldneverhopetoescapewithoutoutsideassistance。
ForadayIwasleftindarkness;andthen，quitesuddenly，abrilliantlightilluminedmystrangecell。Iwasreasonablyhungryandthirstybythistime，nothavingtastedfoodordrinksincethedaypriortomyincarceration。
TomyamazementIfoundthesidesofthepit，thatIhadthoughtsmooth，linedwithshelves，uponwhichwerethemostdeliciousviandsandliquidrefreshmentsthatOkarafforded。
WithanexclamationofdelightIsprangforwardtopartakeofsomeofthewelcomefood，butereeverIreacheditthelightwasextinguished，and，thoughIgropedmywayaboutthechamber，myhandscameincontactwithnothingbesidethesmooth，hardwallthatIhadfeltonmyfirstexaminationofmyprison。
Immediatelythepangsofhungerandthirstbegantoassailme。
WherebeforeIhadhadbutamildcravingforfoodanddrink，Inowactuallysufferedforwantofit，andallbecauseofthetantalizingsightthatIhadhadoffoodalmostwithinmygrasp。
Oncemoredarknessandsilenceenvelopedme，asilencethatwasbrokenonlybyasinglemockinglaugh。
Foranotherdaynothingoccurredtobreakthemonotonyofmyimprisonmentorrelievethesufferingsuperinducedbyhungerandthirst。Slowlythepangsbecamelesskeen，assufferingdeadedtheactivityofcertainnerves;andthenthelightflashedononceagain，andbeforemestoodanarrayofnewandtemptingdishes，withgreatbottlesofclearwaterandflagonsofrefreshingwine，upontheoutsideofwhichthecoldsweatofcondensationstood。
Again，withthehungermadnessofawildbeast，Isprangforwardtoseizethosetemptingdishes;but，asbefore，thelightwentoutandIcametoasuddenstopagainstahardwall。
Thenthemockinglaughrangoutforasecondtime。
ThePitofPlenty！
Ah，whatacruelmindmusthavedevisedthisexquisite，hellishtorture！Dayafterdaywasthethingrepeated，untilIwasonthevergeofmadness;andthen，asIhaddoneinthepitsoftheWarhoons，Itookanew，firmholduponmyreasonandforceditbackintothechannelsofsanity。
Bysheerwill—powerIregainedcontrolovermytotteringmentality，andsosuccessfulwasIthatthenexttimethatthelightcameIsatquitestillandlookedindifferentlyatthefreshandtemptingfoodalmostwithinmyreach。GladIwasthatIhaddoneso，foritgavemeanopportunitytosolvetheseemingmysteryofthosevanishingbanquets。
AsImadenomovetoreachthefood，thetorturersleftthelightturnedoninthehopethatatlastIcouldrefrainnolongerfromgivingthemthedeliciousthrillofenjoymentthatmyformerfutileeffortstoobtainithadcaused。
AndasIsatscrutinizingtheladenshelvesIpresentlysawhowthethingwasaccomplished，andsosimplewasitthatI
wonderedIhadnotguesseditbefore。Thewallofmyprisonwasofclearestglass——behindtheglasswerethetantalizingviands。
Afternearlyanhourthelightwentout，butthistimetherewasnomockinglaughter——atleastnotuponthepartofmytormentors;
butI，tobeatquitswiththem，gavealowlaughthatnonemightmistakeforthecackleofamaniac。
Ninedayspassed，andIwasweakfromhungerandthirst，butnolongersuffering——Iwaspastthat。Then，downthroughthedarknessabove，alittleparcelfelltotheflooratmyside。
IndifferentlyIgropedforit，thinkingitbutsomenewinventionofmyjailerstoaddtomysufferings。
AtlastIfoundit——atinypackagewrappedinpaper，attheendofastrongandslendercord。AsIopeneditafewlozengesfelltothefloor。AsIgatheredthemup，feelingofthemandsmellingofthem，IdiscoveredthattheyweretabletsofconcentratedfoodsuchasarequitecommoninallpartsofBarsoom。
Poison！Ithought。
Well，whatofit？Whynotendmymiserynowratherthandragoutafewmorewretcheddaysinthisdarkpit？SlowlyIraisedoneofthelittlepelletstomylips。
\"Good—bye，myDejahThoris！\"Ibreathed。\"Ihavelivedforyouandfoughtforyou，andnowmynextdearestwishistoberealized，forIshalldieforyou，\"and，takingthemorselinmymouth，Idevouredit。
OnebyoneIatethemall，noreverdidanythingtastebetterthanthosetinybitsofnourishment，withinwhichIknewmustlietheseedsofdeath——possiblyofsomehideous，torturingdeath。
AsIsatquietlyuponthefloorofmyprison，waitingfortheend，myfingersbyaccidentcameincontactwiththebitofpaperinwhichthethingshadbeenwrapped;andasIidlyplayedwithit，mymindroamingfarbackintothepast，thatImightliveagainforafewbriefmomentsbeforeIdiedsomeofthemanyhappymomentsofalongandhappylife，Ibecameawareofstrangeprotuberancesuponthesmoothsurfaceoftheparchment—likesubstanceinmyhands。
Foratimetheycarriednospecialsignificancetomymind——I
merelywasmildlywondrousthattheywerethere;butatlasttheyseemedtotakeform，andthenIrealizedthattherewasbutasinglelineofthem，likewriting。
Now，moreinterestedly，myfingerstracedandretracedthem。
Therewerefourseparateanddistinctcombinationsofraisedlines。
Coulditbethatthesewerefourwords，andthattheywereintendedtocarryamessagetome？
ThemoreIthoughtofitthemoreexcitedIbecame，untilmyfingersracedmadlybackandforthoverthosebewilderinglittlehillsandvalleysuponthatbitofpaper。
ButIcouldmakenothingofthem，andatlastIdecidedthatmyveryhastewaspreventingmefromsolvingthemystery。
ThenItookitmoreslowly。Againandagainmyforefingertracedthefirstofthosefourcombinations。
MartianwritingisratherdifficulttoexplaintoanEarthman——
itissomethingofacrossbetweenshorthandandpicture—writing，andisanentirelydifferentlanguagefromthespokenlanguageofMars。
UponBarsoomthereisbutasingleorallanguage。
Itisspokentodaybyeveryraceandnation，justasitwasatthebeginningofhumanlifeuponBarsoom。Ithasgrownwiththegrowthoftheplanet’slearningandscientificachievements，butsoingeniousathingitisthatnewwordstoexpressnewthoughtsordescribenewconditionsordiscoveriesformthemselves——nootherwordcouldexplainthethingthatanewwordisrequiredforotherthanthewordthatnaturallyfallstoit，andso，nomatterhowfarremovedtwonationsorraces，theirspokenlanguagesareidentical。
Notsotheirwrittenlanguages，however。Notwonationshavethesamewrittenlanguage，andoftencitiesofthesamenationhaveawrittenlanguagethatdiffersgreatlyfromthatofthenationtowhichtheybelong。
Thusitwasthatthesignsuponthepaper，ifinrealitytheywerewords，baffledmeforsometime;butatlastImadeoutthefirstone。
Itwas\"courage，\"anditwaswritteninthelettersofMarentina。
Courage！
ThatwasthewordtheyellowguardsmanhadwhisperedinmyearasIstooduponthevergeofthePitofPlenty。
Themessagemustbefromhim，andheIknewwasafriend。
WithrenewedhopeIbentmyeveryenergytothedecipheringofthebalanceofthemessage，andatlastsuccessrewardedmyendeavor——Ihadreadthefourwords：
\"Courage！Followtherope。\"
\"FOLLOWTHEROPE\"
Whatcoulditmean？
\"Followtherope。\"Whatrope？
PresentlyIrecalledthecordthathadbeenattachedtotheparcelwhenitfellatmyside，andafteralittlegropingmyhandcameincontactwithitagain。Itdependedfromabove，andwhenI
pulleduponitIdiscoveredthatitwasrigidlyfastened，possiblyatthepit’smouth。
UponexaminationIfoundthatthecord，thoughsmall，wasamplyabletosustaintheweightofseveralmen。ThenImadeanotherdiscovery——
therewasasecondmessageknottedintheropeatabouttheheightofmyhead。ThisIdecipheredmoreeasily，nowthatthekeywasmine。
\"Bringtheropewithyou。Beyondtheknotsliesdanger。\"
Thatwasalltherewastothismessage。Itwasevidentlyhastilyformed——anafterthought。
Ididnotpauselongerthantolearnthecontentsofthesecondmessage，and，thoughIwasnonetoosureofthemeaningofthefinaladmonition，\"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger，\"
yetIwassurethatherebeforemelayanavenueofescape，andthatthesoonerItookadvantageofitthemorelikelywasItowintoliberty。
Atleast，IcouldbebutlittleworseoffthanIhadbeeninthePitofPlenty。
Iwastofind，however，ereIwaswelloutofthatdamnableholethatImighthavebeenverymuchworseoffhadIbeencompelledtoremainthereanothertwominutes。
Ithadtakenmeaboutthatlengthoftimetoascendsomefiftyfeetabovethebottomwhenanoiseaboveattractedmyattention。
TomychagrinIsawthatthecoveringofthepitwasbeingremovedfaraboveme，andinthelightofthecourtyardbeyondIsawanumberofyellowwarriors。
CoulditbethatIwaslaboriouslyworkingmywayintosomenewtrap？
Werethemessagesspurious，afterall？Andthen，justasmyhopeandcouragehadebbedtotheirlowest，Isawtwothings。
Onewasthebodyofahuge，struggling，snarlingaptbeingloweredoverthesideofthepittowardme，andtheotherwasanapertureinthesideoftheshaft——anaperturelargerthanaman’sbody，intowhichmyropeled。
JustasIscrambledintothedarkholebeforemetheaptpassedme，reachingoutwithhismightyhandstoclutchme，andsnapping，growling，androaringinamostfrightfulmanner。
PlainlynowIsawtheendforwhichSalensusOllhaddestinedme。
Afterfirsttorturingmewithstarvationhehadcausedthisfiercebeasttobeloweredintomyprisontofinishtheworkthatthejeddak’shellishimaginationhadconceived。
Andthenanothertruthflasheduponme——IhadlivedninedaysoftheallottedtenwhichmustintervenebeforeSalensusOllcouldmakeDejahThorishisqueen。Thepurposeoftheaptwastoinsuremydeathbeforethetenthday。
IalmostlaughedaloudasIthoughthowSalensusOll’smeasureofsafetywastoaidindefeatingtheveryendhesought，forwhentheydiscoveredthattheaptwasaloneinthePitofPlentytheycouldnotknowbutthathehadcompletelydevouredme，andsonosuspicionofmyescapewouldcauseasearchtobemadeforme。
Coilingtheropethathadcarriedmethusfaruponmystrangejourney，Isoughtfortheotherend，butfoundthatasIfolloweditforwarditextendedalwaysbeforeme。Sothiswasthemeaningofthewords：\"Followtherope。\"
ThetunnelthroughwhichIcrawledwaslowanddark。IhadfolloweditforseveralhundredyardswhenIfeltaknotbeneathmyfingers。
\"Beyondtheknotsliesdanger。\"
NowIwentwiththeutmostcaution，andamomentlaterasharpturninthetunnelbroughtmetoanopeningintoalarge，brilliantlylightedchamber。
ThetrendofthetunnelIhadbeentraversinghadbeenslightlyupward，andfromthisIjudgedthatthechamberintowhichInowfoundmyselflookingmustbeeitheronthefirstfloorofthepalaceordirectlybeneaththefirstfloor。
Upontheoppositewallweremanystrangeinstrumentsanddevices，andinthecenteroftheroomstoodalongtable，atwhichtwomenwereseatedinearnestconversation。
Hewhofacedmewasayellowman——alittle，wizened—up，pasty—facedoldfellowwithgreateyesthatshowedthewhiteroundtheentirecircumferenceoftheiris。
Hiscompanionwasablackman，andIdidnotneedtoseehisfacetoknowthatitwasThurid，fortherewasnootheroftheFirstBornnorthoftheice—barrier。
ThuridwasspeakingasIcamewithinhearingofthemen’svoices。
\"Solan，\"hewassaying，\"thereisnoriskandtherewardisgreat。
YouknowthatyouhateSalensusOllandthatnothingwouldpleaseyoumorethantothwarthiminsomecherishedplan。
TherebenothingthathemorecherishestodaythantheideaofweddingthebeautifulPrincessofHelium;butI，too，wanther，andwithyourhelpImaywinher。
\"YouneednotmorethanstepfromthisroomforaninstantwhenIgiveyouthesignal。Iwilldotherest，andthen，whenI
amgone，youmaycomeandthrowthegreatswitchbackintoitsplace，andallwillbeasbefore。Ineedbutanhour’sstarttobesafebeyondthedevilishpowerthatyoucontrolinthishiddenchamberbeneaththepalaceofyourmaster。Seehoweasy，\"andwiththewordstheblackdatorrosefromhisseatand，crossingtheroom，laidhishanduponalarge，burnishedleverthatprotrudedfromtheoppositewall。
\"No！No！\"criedthelittleoldman，springingafterhim，withawildshriek。\"Notthatone！Notthatone！Thatcontrolsthesunraytanks，andshouldyoupullittoofardown，allKadabrawouldbeconsumedbyheatbeforeIcouldreplaceit。Comeaway！
Comeaway！Youknownotwithwhatmightypowersyouplay。
Thisistheleverthatyouseek。Notewellthesymbolinlaidinwhiteuponitsebonsurface。\"
Thuridapproachedandexaminedthehandleofthelever。
\"Ah，amagnet，\"hesaid。\"Iwillremember。ItissettledthenItakeit，\"hecontinued。
Theoldmanhesitated。Alookofcombinedgreedandapprehensionoverspreadhisnonetoobeautifulfeatures。
\"Doublethefigure，\"hesaid。\"Eventhatwerealltoosmallanamountfortheserviceyouask。Why，Iriskmylifebyevenentertainingyouherewithintheforbiddenprecinctsofmystation。
ShouldSalensusOlllearnofithewouldhavemethrowntotheaptsbeforethedaywasdone。\"
\"Hedarenotdothat，andyouknowitfullwell，Solan，\"
contradictedtheblack。\"ToogreatapoweroflifeanddeathyouholdoverthepeopleofKadabraforSalensusOllevertoriskthreateningyouwithdeath。Beforeeverhisminionscouldlaytheirhandsuponyou，youmightseizethisveryleverfromwhichyouhavejustwarnedmeandwipeouttheentirecity。\"
\"Andmyselfintothebargain，\"saidSolan，withashudder。
\"Butifyouweretodie，anyway，youwouldfindthenervetodoit，\"
repliedThurid。
\"Yes，\"mutteredSolan，\"Ihaveoftenthoughtuponthatverything。
Well，FirstBorn，isyourredprincessworththepriceIaskformyservices，orwillyougowithoutherandseeherinthearmsofSalensusOlltomorrownight？\"
\"Takeyourprice，yellowman，\"repliedThurid，withanoath。
\"Halfnowandthebalancewhenyouhavefulfilledyourcontract。\"
Withthatthedatorthrewawell—filledmoney—pouchuponthetable。
Solanopenedthepouchandwithtremblingfingerscounteditscontents。
Hisweirdeyesassumedagreedyexpression，andhisunkemptbeardandmustachetwitchedwiththemusclesofhismouthandchin。
ItwasquiteevidentfromhisverymannerismthatThuridhadkeenlyguessedtheman’sweakness——eventheclawlike，clutchingmovementofthefingersbetokenedtheavariciousnessofthemiser。
Havingsatisfiedhimselfthattheamountwascorrect，Solanreplacedthemoneyinthepouchandrosefromthetable。
\"Now，\"hesaid，\"areyouquitesurethatyouknowthewaytoyourdestination？YoumusttravelquicklytocoverthegroundtothecaveandfromthencebeyondtheGreatPower，allwithinabriefhour，fornomoredareIspareyou。\"
\"Letmerepeatittoyou，\"saidThurid，\"thatyoumayseeifIbeletter—perfect。\"
\"Proceed，\"repliedSolan。
\"Throughyonderdoor，\"hecommenced，pointingtoadooratthefarendoftheapartment，\"Ifollowacorridor，passingthreedivergingcorridorsuponmyright;thenintothefourthright—handcorridorstraighttowherethreecorridorsmeet;hereagainI
followtotheright，huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit。
\"AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunway，whichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor。AmIright？\"
\"Quiteright，Dator，\"answeredSolan;\"andnowbegone。Alreadyhaveyoutemptedfatetoolongwithinthisforbiddenplace。\"
\"Tonight，ortomorrow，then，youmayexpectthesignal，\"saidThurid，risingtogo。
\"Tonight，ortomorrow，\"repeatedSolan，andasthedoorclosedbehindhisguesttheoldmancontinuedtomutterasheturnedbacktothetable，whereheagaindumpedthecontentsofthemoney—pouch，runninghisfingersthroughtheheapofshiningmetal;
pilingthecoinsintolittletowers;counting，recounting，andfondlingthewealththewhilehemutteredonandoninacrooningundertone。
Presentlyhisfingersceasedtheirplay;hiseyespoppedwiderthaneverastheyfasteneduponthedoorthroughwhichThuridhaddisappeared。
Thecroonchangedtoaquerulousmuttering，andfinallytoanuglygrowl。
Thentheoldmanrosefromthetable，shakinghisfistatthecloseddoor。
Nowheraisedhisvoice，andhiswordscamedistinctly。
\"Fool！\"hemuttered。\"ThinkyouthatforyourhappinessSolanwillgiveuphislife？Ifyouescaped，SalensusOllwouldknowthatonlythroughmyconnivancecouldyouhavesucceeded。
Thenwouldhesendforme。Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Reducethecityandmyselftoashes？No，fool，thereisabetterway——abetterwayforSolantokeepthymoneyandberevengeduponSalensusOll。\"
Helaughedinanasty，cacklingnote。
\"Poorfool！YoumaythrowthegreatswitchthatwillgiveyouthefreedomoftheairofOkar，andthen，infatuoussecurity，goonwiththyredprincesstothefreedomof——death。Whenyouhavepassedbeyondthischamberinyourflight，whatcanpreventSolanreplacingtheswitchasitwasbeforeyourvilehandtouchedit？
Nothing;andthentheGuardianoftheNorthwillclaimyouandyourwoman，andSalensusOll，whenheseesyourdeadbodies，willneverdreamthatthehandofSolanhadaughttodowiththething。\"
ThenhisvoicedroppedoncemoreintomutteringsthatIcouldnottranslate，butIhadheardenoughtocausemetoguessagreatdealmore，andIthankedthekindProvidencethathadledmetothischamberatatimesofilledwithimportancetoDejahThorisandmyselfasthis。
Buthowtopasstheoldmannow！Thecord，almostinvisibleuponthefloor，stretchedstraightacrosstheapartmenttoadooruponthefarside。
TherewasnootherwayofwhichIknew，norcouldIaffordtoignoretheadviceto\"followtherope。\"Imustcrossthisroom，buthoweverIshouldaccomplishitundetectedwiththatoldmanintheverycenterofitbaffledme。
OfcourseImighthavesprunginuponhimandwithmybarehandssilencedhimforever，butIhadheardenoughtoconvincemethatwithhimalivetheknowledgethatIhadgainedmightservemeatsomefuturemoment，whileshouldIkillhimandanotherbestationedinhisplaceThuridwouldnotcomehitherwithDejahThoris，aswasquiteevidentlyhisintention。
AsIstoodinthedarkshadowofthetunnel’sendrackingmybrainforafeasibleplanthewhileIwatched，catlike，theoldman’severymove，hetookupthemoney—pouchandcrossedtooneendoftheapartment，where，bendingtohisknees，hefumbledwithapanelinthewall。
InstantlyIguessedthatherewasthehidingplaceinwhichhehoardedhiswealth，andwhilehebentthere，hisbacktowardme，I
enteredthechamberupontiptoe，andwiththeutmoststealthessayedtoreachtheoppositesidebeforeheshouldcompletehistaskandturnagaintowardtheroom’scenter。
Scarcelythirtysteps，alltold，mustItake，andyetitseemedtomyoverwroughtimaginationthatthatfartherwallwasmilesaway;butatlastIreachedit，noroncehadItakenmyeyesfromthebackoftheoldmiser’shead。
Hedidnotturnuntilmyhandwasuponthebuttonthatcontrolledthedoorthroughwhichmywayled，andthenheturnedawayfrommeasIpassedthroughandgentlyclosedthedoor。
ForaninstantIpaused，myearclosetothepanel，tolearnifhehadsuspectedaught，butasnosoundofpursuitcamefromwithinIwheeledandmademywayalongthenewcorridor，followingtherope，whichIcoiledandbroughtwithmeasIadvanced。
ButashortdistancefartheronIcametotherope’sendatapointwherefivecorridorsmet。WhatwasItodo？WhichwayshouldIturn？Iwasnonplused。
Acarefulexaminationoftheendoftheroperevealedthefactthatithadbeencleanlycutwithsomesharpinstrument。ThisfactandthewordsthathadcautionedmethatdangerlaybeyondtheKNOTSconvincedmethattheropehadbeenseveredsincemyfriendhadplaceditasmyguide，forIhadbutpassedasingleknot，whereastherehadevidentlybeentwoormoreintheentirelengthofthecord。
Now，indeed，wasIinaprettyfix，forneitherdidIknowwhichavenuetofollownorwhendangerlaydirectlyinmypath;
buttherewasnothingelsetobedonethanfollowoneofthecorridors，forIcouldgainnothingbyremainingwhereIwas。
SoIchosethecentralopening，andpassedonintoitsgloomydepthswithaprayeruponmylips。
ThefloorofthetunnelroserapidlyasIadvanced，andamomentlaterthewaycametoanabruptendbeforeaheavydoor。
Icouldhearnothingbeyond，and，withmyaccustomedrashness，pushedtheportalwidetostepintoaroomfilledwithyellowwarriors。
Thefirsttoseemeopenedhiseyeswideinastonishment，andatthesameinstantIfeltthetinglingsensationinmyfingerthatdenotedthepresenceofafriendofthering。
Thenotherssawme，andtherewasaconcertedrushtolayhandsuponme，forthesewereallmembersofthepalaceguard——menfamiliarwithmyface。
Thefirsttoreachmewasthewearerofthematetomystrangering，andashecameclosehewhispered：\"Surrendertome！\"theninaloudvoiceshouted：\"Youaremyprisoner，whiteman，\"andmenacedmewithhistwoweapons。
AndsoJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，meeklysurrenderedtoasingleantagonist。Theothersnowswarmedaboutus，askingmanyquestions，butIwouldnottalktothem，andfinallymycaptorannouncedthathewouldleadmebacktomycell。
Anofficerorderedseveralotherwarriorstoaccompanyhim，andamomentlaterwewereretracingthewayIhadjustcome。
Myfriendwalkedclosebesideme，askingmanysillyquestionsaboutthecountryfromwhichIhadcome，untilfinallyhisfellowspaidnofurtherattentiontohimorhisgabbling。
Gradually，ashespoke，heloweredhisvoice，sothatpresentlyhewasabletoconversewithmeinalowtonewithoutattractingattention。
Hisrusewasacleverone，andshowedthatTaluhadnotmisjudgedtheman’sfitnessforthedangerousdutyuponwhichhewasdetailed。
Whenhehadfullyassuredhimselfthattheotherguardsmenwerenotlistening，heaskedmewhyIhadnotfollowedtherope，andwhenItoldhimthatithadendedatthefivecorridorshesaidthatitmusthavebeencutbysomeoneinneedofapieceofrope，forhewassurethat\"thestupidKadabranswouldneverhaveguesseditspurpose。\"
BeforewehadreachedthespotfromwhichthefivecorridorsdivergemyMarentinianfriendhadmanagedtodroptotherearofthelittlecolumnwithme，andwhenwecameinsightofthebranchingwayshewhispered：
\"Runupthefirstupontheright。Itleadstothewatchtoweruponthesouthwall。Iwilldirectthepursuitupthenextcorridor，\"
andwiththathegavemeagreatshoveintothedarkmouthofthetunnel，atthesametimecryingoutinsimulatedpainandalarmashethrewhimselfuponthefloorasthoughIhadfelledhimwithablow。
Frombehindthevoicesoftheexcitedguardsmencamereverberatingalongthecorridor，suddenlygrowingfainterasTalu’sspyledthemupthewrongpassagewayinfanciedpursuit。
AsIranformylifethroughthedarkgalleriesbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllImustindeedhavepresentedaremarkableappearancehadtherebeenanytonoteit，forthoughdeathloomedlargeaboutme，myfacewassplitbyabroadgrinasIthoughtoftheresourcefulnessofthenamelessheroofMarentinatowhomIowedmylife。
OfsuchstuffarethemenofmybelovedHelium，andwhenImeetanotheroftheirkind，ofwhateverraceorcolor，myheartgoesouttohimasitdidnowtomynewfriendwhohadriskedhislifeformesimplybecauseIworethematetotheringhisrulerhadputuponhisfinger。
ThecorridoralongwhichIranledalmoststraightforaconsiderabledistance，terminatingatthefootofaspiralrunway，upwhichIproceededtoemergepresentlyintoacircularchamberuponthefirstfloorofatower。
Inthisapartmentadozenredslaveswereemployedpolishingorrepairingtheweaponsoftheyellowmen。Thewallsoftheroomwerelinedwithracksinwhichwerehundredsofstraightandhookedswords，javelins，anddaggers。Itwasevidentlyanarmory。
Therewerebutthreewarriorsguardingtheworkers。
Myeyestookintheentiresceneataglance。Herewereweaponsinplenty！Hereweresinewyredwarriorstowieldthem！
AndherenowwasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，inneedbothofweaponsandwarriors！
AsIsteppedintotheapartment，guardsandprisonerssawmesimultaneously。
ClosetotheentrancewhereIstoodwasarackofstraightswords，andasmyhandcloseduponthehiltofoneofthemmyeyesfelluponthefacesoftwooftheprisonerswhoworkedsidebyside。
Oneoftheguardsstartedtowardme。\"Whoareyou？\"hedemanded。
\"Whatdoyouhere？\"
\"IcomeforTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，andhisson，MorsKajak，\"
Icried，pointingtothetworedprisoners，whohadnowsprungtotheirfeet，wide—eyedinastonishedrecognition。
\"Rise，redmen！BeforewedieletusleaveamemorialinthepalaceofOkar’styrantthatwillstandforeverintheannalsofKadabratothehonorandgloryofHelium，\"forIhadseenthatalltheprisonersthereweremenofTardosMors’snavy。
Thenthefirstguardsmanwasuponmeandthefightwason，butscarcedidweengageere，tomyhorror，Isawthattheredslaveswereshackledtothefloor。
THEMAGNETSWITCH
Theguardsmenpaidnottheslightestattentiontotheirwards，fortheredmencouldnotmoveovertwofeetfromthegreatringstowhichtheywerepadlocked，thougheachhadseizedaweaponuponwhichhehadbeenengagedwhenIenteredtheroom，andstoodreadytojoinmecouldtheyhavebutdoneso。
Theyellowmendevotedalltheirattentiontome，norweretheylongindiscoveringthatthethreeofthemwerenonetoomanytodefendthearmoryagainstJohnCarter。WouldthatIhadhadmyowngoodlong—swordinmyhandthatday;but，asitwas，Irenderedasatisfactoryaccountofmyselfwiththeunfamiliarweaponoftheyellowman。
AtfirstIhadatimeofitdodgingtheirvillainoushook—swords，butafteraminuteortwoIhadsucceededinwrestingasecondstraightswordfromoneoftheracksalongthewall，andthereafter，usingittoparrythehooksofmyantagonists，Ifeltmoreevenlyequipped。
Thethreeofthemwereonmeatonce，andbutforaluckycircumstancemyendmighthavecomequickly。Theforemostguardsmanmadeaviciouslungeformysidewithhishookafterthethreeofthemhadbackedmeagainstthewall，butasIsidesteppedandraisedmyarmhisweaponbutgrazedmyside，passingintoarackofjavelins，whereitbecameentangled。
BeforehecouldreleaseitIhadrunhimthrough，andthen，fallingbackuponthetacticsthathavesavedmeahundredtimesintightpinches，Irushedthetworemainingwarriors，forcingthembackwithaperfecttorrentofcutsandthrusts，weavingmyswordinandoutabouttheirguardsuntilIhadthefearofdeathuponthem。
Thenoneofthemcommencedcallingforhelp，butitwastoolatetosavethem。
Theywereasputtyinmyhandsnow，andIbackedthemaboutthearmoryasIwoulduntilIhadthemwhereIwantedthem——withinreachoftheswordsoftheshackledslaves。Inaninstantbothlaydeaduponthefloor。Buttheircrieshadnotbeenentirelyfruitless，fornowIheardansweringshoutsandthefootfallsofmanymenrunningandtheclankofaccoutermentsandthecommandsofofficers。
\"Thedoor！Quick，JohnCarter，barthedoor！\"criedTardosMors。
Alreadytheguardwasinsight，chargingacrosstheopencourtthatwasvisiblethroughthedoorway。
Adozensecondswouldbringthemintothetower。Asingleleapcarriedmetotheheavyportal。WitharesoundingbangI
slammeditshut。
\"Thebar！\"shoutedTardosMors。
Itriedtoslipthehugefasteningintoplace，butitdefiedmyeveryattempt。
\"Raiseitalittletoreleasethecatch，\"criedoneoftheredmen。
Icouldheartheyellowwarriorsleapingalongtheflaggingjustbeyondthedoor。Iraisedthebarandshotittotherightjustastheforemostoftheguardsmenthrewhimselfagainsttheoppositesideofthemassivepanels。
Thebarrierheld——Ihadbeenintime，butbythefractionofasecondonly。
NowIturnedmyattentiontotheprisoners。ToTardosMorsI
wentfirst，askingwherethekeysmightbewhichwouldunfastentheirfetters。
\"Theofficeroftheguardhasthem，\"repliedtheJeddakofHelium，\"andheisamongthosewithoutwhoseekentrance。Youwillhavetoforcethem。\"
Mostoftheprisonerswerealreadyhackingattheirbondswiththeswordsintheirhands。Theyellowmenwerebatteringatthedoorwithjavelinsandaxes。
IturnedmyattentiontothechainsthatheldTardosMors。
AgainandagainIcutdeepintothemetalwithmysharpblade，buteverfasterandfasterfellthetorrentofblowsupontheportal。
Atlastalinkpartedbeneathmyefforts，andamomentlaterTardosMorswasfree，thoughafewinchesoftrailingchainstilldangledfromhisankle。
Asplinterofwoodfallinginwardfromthedoorannouncedtheheadwaythatourenemiesweremakingtowardus。
Themightypanelstrembledandbentbeneaththefuriousonslaughtoftheenragedyellowmen。
Whatwiththebatteringuponthedoorandthehackingoftheredmenattheirchainsthedinwithinthearmorywasappalling。
NosoonerwasTardosMorsfreethanheturnedhisattentiontoanotheroftheprisoners，whileIsettoworktoliberateMorsKajak。
Wemustworkfastifwewouldhaveallthosefetterscutbeforethedoorgaveway。Nowapanelcrashedinwarduponthefloor，andMorsKajaksprangtotheopeningtodefendthewayuntilweshouldhavetimetoreleasetheothers。
WithjavelinssnatchedfromthewallhewroughthavocamongtheforemostoftheOkarianswhilewebattledwiththeinsensatemetalthatstoodbetweenourfellowsandfreedom。
Atlengthallbutoneoftheprisonerswerefreed，andthenthedoorfellwithamightycrashbeforeahastilyimprovisedbattering—ram，andtheyellowhordewasuponus。
\"Totheupperchambers！\"shoutedtheredmanwhowasstillfetteredtothefloor。\"Totheupperchambers！ThereyoumaydefendthetoweragainstallKadabra。Donotdelaybecauseofme，whocouldprayfornobetterdeaththanintheserviceofTardosMorsandthePrinceofHelium。\"
ButIwouldhavesacrificedthelifeofeverymanofusratherthandesertasingleredman，muchlessthelion—heartedherowhobeggedustoleavehim。
\"Cuthischains，\"Icriedtotwooftheredmen，\"whilethebalanceofusholdoffthefoe。\"
ThereweretenofusnowtodobattlewiththeOkarianguard，andIwarrantthatthatancientwatchtowerneverlookeddownuponamorehotlycontestedbattlethantookplacethatdaywithinitsowngrimwalls。
ThefirstinrushingwaveofyellowwarriorsrecoiledfromtheslashingbladesoftenofHelium’sveteranfightingmen。AdozenOkariancorpsesblockedthedoorway，butoverthegruesomebarrierascoremoreoftheirfellowsdashed，shoutingtheirhoarseandhideouswar—cry。
Uponthebloodymoundwemetthem，handtohand，stabbingwherethequartersweretooclosetocut，thrustingwhenwecouldpushafoemantoarm’slength;andmingledwiththewildcryoftheOkarianthereroseandfellthegloriouswords：\"ForHelium！
ForHelium！\"thatforcountlessageshavespurredonthebravestofthebravetothosedeedsofvalorthathavesentthefameofHelium’sheroesbroadcastthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofaworld。
Nowwerethefettersstruckfromthelastoftheredmen，andthirteenstrongwemeteachnewchargeofthesoldiersofSalensusOll。Scarceoneofusbutbledfromascoreofwounds，yetnonehadfallen。
Fromwithoutwesawhundredsofguardsmenpouringintothecourtyard，andalongthelowercorridorfromwhichIhadfoundmywaytothearmorywecouldheartheclankofmetalandtheshoutingofmen。
Inamomentweshouldbeattackedfromtwosides，andwithallourprowesswecouldnothopetowithstandtheunequaloddswhichwouldthusdivideourattentionandoursmallnumbers。
\"Totheupperchambers！\"criedTardosMors，andamomentlaterwefellbacktowardtherunwaythatledtothefloorsabove。
Hereanotherbloodybattlewaswagedwiththeforceofyellowmenwhochargedintothearmoryaswefellbackfromthedoorway。
Herewelostourfirstman，anoblefellowwhomwecouldillspare;
butatlengthallhadbackedintotherunwayexceptmyself，whoremainedtoholdbacktheOkariansuntiltheothersweresafeabove。
Inthemouthofthenarrowspiralbutasinglewarriorcouldattackmeatatime，sothatIhadlittledifficultyinholdingthemallbackforthebriefmomentthatwasnecessary。Then，backingslowlybeforethem，Icommencedtheascentofthespiral。
Allthelongwaytothetower’stoptheguardsmenpressedmeclosely。
Whenonewentdownbeforemyswordanotherscrambledoverthedeadmantotakehisplace;andthus，takinganawfultollwitheachfewfeetgained，Icametothespaciousglass—walledwatchtowerofKadabra。
Heremycompanionsclusteredreadytotakemyplace，andforamoment’srespiteIsteppedtoonesidewhiletheyheldtheenemyoff。
Fromtheloftyperchaviewcouldbehadformilesineverydirection。
Towardthesouthstretchedtherugged，ice—cladwastetotheedgeofthemightybarrier。Towardtheeastandwest，anddimlytowardthenorthIdescriedotherOkariancities，whileintheimmediateforeground，justbeyondthewallsofKadabra，thegrimguardianshaftreareditssomberhead。
ThenIcastmyeyesdownintothestreetsofKadabra，fromwhichasuddentumulthadarisen，andthereIsawabattleraging，andbeyondthecity’swallsIsawarmedmenmarchingingreatcolumnstowardanear—bygate。
EagerlyIpressedforwardagainsttheglasswalloftheobservatory，scarcedaringtocreditthetestimonyofmyowneyes。ButatlastIcoulddoubtnolonger，andwithashoutofjoythatrosestrangelyinthemidstofthecursingandgroaningofthebattlingmenattheentrancetothechamber，IcalledtoTardosMors。
AshejoinedmeIpointeddownintothestreetsofKadabraandtotheadvancingcolumnsbeyond，abovewhichfloatedbravelyinthearcticairtheflagsandbannersofHelium。
Aninstantlatereveryredmanintheloftychamberhadseentheinspiringsight，andsuchashoutofthanksgivingaroseasI
warrantneverbeforeechoedthroughthatage—oldpileofstone。
Butstillwemustfighton，forthoughourtroopshadenteredKadabra，thecitywasyetfarfromcapitulation，norhadthepalacebeenevenassaulted。Turnandturnaboutweheldthetopoftherunwaywhiletheothersfeastedtheireyesuponthesightofourvaliantcountrymenbattlingfarbeneathus。
Nowtheyhaverushedthepalacegate！Greatbattering—ramsaredashedagainstitsformidablesurface。Nowtheyarerepulsedbyadeadlyshowerofjavelinsfromthewall’stop！
Onceagaintheycharge，butasortiebyalargeforceofOkariansfromanintersectingavenuecrumplestheheadofthecolumn，andthemenofHeliumgodown，fighting，beneathanoverwhelmingforce。
Thepalacegatefliesopenandaforceofthejeddak’sownguard，pickedmenfromthefloweroftheOkarianarmy，salliesforthtoshatterthebrokenregiments。Foramomentitlooksasthoughnothingcouldavertdefeat，andthenIseeanoblefigureuponamightythoat——notthetinythoatoftheredman，butoneofhishugecousinsofthedeadseabottoms。
Thewarriorhewshiswaytothefront，andbehindhimrallythedisorganizedsoldiersofHelium。AsheraiseshisheadalofttoflingachallengeatthemenuponthepalacewallsIseehisface，andmyheartswellsinprideandhappinessastheredwarriorsleaptothesideoftheirleaderandwinbackthegroundthattheyhadbutjustlost——thefaceofhimuponthemightythoatisthefaceofmyson——CarthorisofHelium。
AthissidefightsahugeMartianwar—hound，nordidIneedasecondlooktoknowthatitwasWoola——myfaithfulWoolawhohadthuswellperformedhisarduoustaskandbroughtthesuccoringlegionsinthenickoftime。
\"Inthenickoftime？\"
Whoyetmightsaythattheywerenottoolatetosave，butsurelytheycouldavenge！AndsuchretributionasthatunconqueredarmywoulddealouttothehatefulOkarians！IsighedtothinkthatI
mightnotbealivetowitnessit。
AgainIturnedtothewindows。Theredmenhadnotyetforcedtheouterpalacewall，buttheywerefightingnoblyagainstthebestthatOkarafforded——valiantwarriorswhocontestedeveryinchoftheway。
Nowmyattentionwascaughtbyanewelementwithoutthecitywall——
agreatbodyofmountedwarriorsloominglargeabovetheredmen。
TheywerethehugegreenalliesofHelium——thesavagehordesfromthedeadseabottomsofthefarsouth。
Ingrimandterriblesilencetheyspedontowardthegate，thepaddedhoofsoftheirfrightfulmountsgivingforthnosound。
Intothedoomedcitytheycharged，andastheywheeledacrossthewideplazabeforethepalaceoftheJeddakofJeddaksIsaw，ridingattheirhead，themightyfigureoftheirmightyleader——TarsTarkas，JeddakofThark。
Mywish，then，wastobegratified，forIwastoseemyoldfriendbattlingonceagain，andthoughnotshouldertoshoulderwithhim，I，too，wouldbefightinginthesamecausehereinthehightowerofOkar。
Nordiditseemthatourfoeswouldeverceasetheirstubbornattacks，forstilltheycame，thoughthewaytoourchamberwasoftencloggedwiththebodiesoftheirdead。Attimestheywouldpauselongenoughtodragbacktheimpedingcorpses，andthenfreshwarriorswouldforgeupwardtotastethecupofdeath。
IhadbeentakingmyturnwiththeothersindefendingtheapproachtoourloftyretreatwhenMorsKajak，whohadbeenwatchingthebattleinthestreetbelow，calledaloudinsuddenexcitement。TherewasanoteofapprehensioninhisvoicethatbroughtmetohissidetheinstantthatIcouldturnmyplaceovertoanother，andasIreachedhimhepointedfaroutacrossthewasteofsnowandicetowardthesouthernhorizon。
\"Alas！\"hecried，\"thatIshouldbeforcedtowitnesscruelfatebetraythemwithoutpowertowarnoraid;buttheybepasteithernow。\"
AsIlookedinthedirectionheindicatedIsawthecauseofhisperturbation。AmightyfleetofflierswasapproachingmajesticallytowardKadabrafromthedirectionoftheice—barrier。
Onandontheycamewitheverincreasingvelocity。
\"ThegrimshaftthattheycalltheGuardianoftheNorthisbeckoningtothem，\"saidMorsKajaksadly，\"justasitbeckonedtoTardosMorsandhisgreatfleet;seewheretheylie，crumpledandbroken，agrimandterriblemonumenttothemightyforceofdestructionwhichnaughtcanresist。\"
I，too，saw;butsomethingelseIsawthatMorsKajakdidnot;
inmymind’seyeIsawaburiedchamberwhosewallswerelinedwithstrangeinstrumentsanddevices。
Inthecenterofthechamberwasalongtable，andbeforeitsatalittle，pop—eyedoldmancountinghismoney;but，plainestofall，Isawuponthewallagreatswitchwithasmallmagnetinlaidwithinthesurfaceofitsblackhandle。
ThenIglancedoutatthefast—approachingfleet。Infiveminutesthatmightyarmadaoftheskieswouldbebentandworthlessscrap，lyingatthebaseoftheshaftbeyondthecity’swall，andyellowhordeswouldbeloosedfromanothergatetorushoutuponthefewsurvivorsstumblingblindlydownthroughthemassofwreckage;
thentheaptswouldcome。Ishudderedatthethought，forIcouldvividlypicturethewholehorriblescene。
QuickhaveIalwaysbeentodecideandact。Theimpulsethatmovesmeandthedoingofthethingseemsimultaneous;
forifmymindgoesthroughthetediousformalityofreasoning，itmustbeasubconsciousactofwhichIamnotobjectivelyaware。
Psychologiststellmethat，asthesubconsciousdoesnotreason，toocloseascrutinyofmymentalactivitiesmightproveanythingbutflattering;butbethatasitmay，Ihaveoftenwonsuccesswhilethethinkerwouldhavebeenstillattheendlesstaskofcomparingvariousjudgments。
AndnowcelerityofactionwastheprimeessentialtothesuccessofthethingthatIhaddecidedupon。
Graspingmyswordmorefirmlyinmyhand，Icalledtotheredmanattheopeningtotherunwaytostandaside。
\"WayforthePrinceofHelium！\"Ishouted;andbeforetheastonishedyellowmanwhosemisfortuneitwastobeatthefightingendofthelineatthatparticularmomentcouldgatherhiswitstogethermyswordhaddecapitatedhim，andIwasrushinglikeamadbulldownuponthosebehindhim。
\"WayforthePrinceofHelium！\"IshoutedasIcutapaththroughtheastonishedguardsmenofSalensusOll。
Hewingtorightandleft，Ibeatmywaydownthatwarrior—chokedspiraluntil，nearthebottom，thosebelow，thinkingthatanarmywasdescendinguponthem，turnedandfled。
ThearmoryatthefirstfloorwasvacantwhenIenteredit，thelastoftheOkarianshavingfledintothecourtyard，sononesawmecontinuedownthespiraltowardthecorridorbeneath。
HereIranasrapidlyasmylegswouldcarrymetowardthefivecorners，andthereplungedintothepassagewaythatledtothestationoftheoldmiser。
Withouttheformalityofaknock，Iburstintotheroom。
Theresattheoldmanathistable;butashesawmehesprangtohisfeet，drawinghissword。
WithscarcemorethanaglancetowardhimIleapedforthegreatswitch;
but，quickasIwas，thatwiryoldfellowwastherebeforeme。
HowhediditIshallneverknow，nordoesitseemcrediblethatanyMartian—borncreaturecouldapproximatethemarvelousspeedofmyearthlymuscles。
Likeatigerheturneduponme，andIwasquicktoseewhySolanhadbeenchosenforthisimportantduty。
NeverinallmylifehaveIseensuchwondrousswordsmanshipandsuchuncannyagilityasthatancientbagofbonesdisplayed。
Hewasinfortyplacesatthesametime，andbeforeIhadhalfachancetoawakentomydangerhewasliketohavemadeamonkeyofme，andadeadmonkeyatthat。
Itisstrangehownewandunexpectedconditionsbringoutunguessedabilitytomeetthem。
ThatdayintheburiedchamberbeneaththepalaceofSalensusOllIlearnedwhatswordsmanshipmeant，andtowhatheightsofswordmasteryIcouldachievewhenpittedagainstsuchawizardofthebladeasSolan。
Foratimehelikedtohavebestedme;butpresentlythelatentpossibilitiesthatmusthavebeenlyingdormantwithinmeforalifetimecametothefore，andIfoughtasIhadneverdreamedahumanbeingcouldfight。
Thatthatduel—royalshouldhavetakenplaceinthedarkrecessesofacellar，withoutasingleappreciativeeyetowitnessithasalwaysseemedtomealmostaworldcalamity——atleastfromtheviewpointBarsoomian，wherebloodystrifeisthefirstandgreatestconsiderationofindividuals，nations，andraces。
Iwasfightingtoreachtheswitch，Solantopreventme;
and，thoughwestoodnotthreefeetfromit，Icouldnotwinaninchtowardit，forheforcedmebackaninchforthefirstfiveminutesofourbattle。
IknewthatifIweretothrowitintimetosavetheoncomingfleetitmustbedoneinthenextfewseconds，andsoItriedmyoldrushingtactics;butImightaswellhaverushedabrickwallforallthatSolangaveway。
Infact，Icameneartoimpalingmyselfuponhispointformypains;
butrightwasonmyside，andIthinkthatthatmustgiveamangreaterconfidencethanthoughheknewhimselftobebattlinginawickedcause。
Atleast，Ididnotwantinconfidence;andwhenInextrushedSolanitwastoonesidewithimplicitconfidencethathemustturntomeetmynewlineofattack，andturnhedid，sothatnowwefoughtwithoursidestowardsthecovetedgoal——thegreatswitchstoodwithinmyreachuponmyrighthand。
Touncovermybreastforaninstantwouldhavebeentocourtsuddendeath，butIsawnootherwaythantochanceit，ifbysodoingImightrescuethatoncoming，succoringfleet;andso，inthefaceofawickedsword—thrust，Ireachedoutmypointandcaughtthegreatswitchasuddenblowthatreleaseditfromitsseating。
SosurprisedandhorrifiedwasSolanthatheforgottofinishhisthrust;instead，hewheeledtowardtheswitchwithaloudshriek——
ashriekwhichwashislast，forbeforehishandcouldtouchtheleveritsought，mysword’spointhadpassedthroughhisheart。
THETIDEOFBATTLE
Butsolan’slastloudcryhadnotbeenwithouteffect，foramomentlateradozenguardsmenburstintothechamber，thoughnotbeforeIhadsobentanddemolishedthegreatswitchthatitcouldnotbeagainusedtoturnthepowerfulcurrentintothemightymagnetofdestructionitcontrolled。
TheresultofthesuddencomingoftheguardsmenhadbeentocompelmetoseekseclusioninthefirstpassagewaythatIcouldfind，andthattomydisappointmentprovedtobenottheonewithwhichIwasfamiliar，butanotheruponitsleft。