\"ItisfarfrommydesiretopushwarfurtheragainstthepeopleofHelium，and，yourpromiseshallberecordedandaproclamationtomypeopleissuedforthwith。”
\"Itwerebetter，ThanKosis，\"interruptedDejahThoris，\"thattheproclamationwaittheendingofthiswar。ItwouldlookstrangeindeedtomypeopleandtoyourswerethePrincessofHeliumtogiveherselftohercountry\'senemyinthemidstofhostilities。”
\"Cannotthewarbeendedatonce？\"spokeSabThan。
\"ItrequiresbutthewordofThanKosistobringpeace。
Sayit，myfather，saythewordthatwillhastenmyhappiness，andendthisunpopularstrife。”
\"Weshallsee，\"repliedThanKosis，\"howthepeopleofHeliumtaketopeace。Ishallatleastofferittothem。”
DejahThoris，afterafewwords，turnedandlefttheapartment，stillfollowedbyherguards。
Thuswastheedificeofmybriefdreamofhappinessdashed，broken，tothegroundofreality。ThewomanforwhomIhadofferedmylife，andfromwhoselipsIhadsorecentlyheardadeclarationofloveforme，hadlightlyforgottenmyveryexistenceandsmilinglygivenherselftothesonofherpeople\'smosthatedenemy。
AlthoughIhadhearditwithmyownearsIcouldnotbelieveit。ImustsearchoutherapartmentsandforcehertorepeatthecrueltruthtomealonebeforeIwouldbeconvinced，andsoIdesertedmypostandhastenedthroughthepassagebehindthetapestriestowardthedoorbywhichshehadleftthechamber。SlippingquietlythroughthisopeningIdiscoveredamazeofwindingcorridors，branchingandturningineverydirection。
RunningrapidlydownfirstoneandthenanotherofthemIsoonbecamehopelesslylostandwasstandingpantingagainstasidewallwhenIheardvoicesnearme。ApparentlytheywerecomingfromtheoppositesideofthepartitionagainstwhichIleanedandpresentlyImadeoutthetonesofDejahThoris。IcouldnothearthewordsbutIknewthatIcouldnotpossiblybemistakeninthevoice。
MovingonafewstepsIdiscoveredanotherpassagewayattheendofwhichlayadoor。WalkingboldlyforwardI
pushedintotheroomonlytofindmyselfinasmallante-
chamberinwhichwerethefourguardswhohadaccompaniedher。Oneoftheminstantlyaroseandaccostedme，askingthenatureofmybusiness。
\"IamfromThanKosis，\"Ireplied，\"andwishtospeakprivatelywithDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。”
\"Andyourorder？\"askedthefellow。
Ididnotknowwhathemeant，butrepliedthatIwasamemberofTheGuard，andwithoutwaitingforareplyfromhimIstrodetowardtheoppositedooroftheante-
chamber，behindwhichIcouldhearDejahThorisconversing。
Butmyentrancewasnottobesoeasilyaccomplished。
Theguardsmansteppedbeforeme，saying，\"NoonecomesfromThanKosiswithoutcarryinganorderorthepassword。Youmustgivemeoneortheotherbeforeyoumaypass。”
\"TheonlyorderIrequire，myfriend，toenterwhereI
will，hangsatmyside，\"Ianswered，tappingmylong-sword；
\"willyouletmepassinpeaceorno？\"
Forreplyhewhippedouthisownsword，callingtotheotherstojoinhim，andthusthefourstood，withdrawnweapons，barringmyfurtherprogress。
\"YouarenotherebytheorderofThanKosis，\"criedtheonewhohadfirstaddressedme，\"andnotonlyshallyounotentertheapartmentsofthePrincessofHeliumbutyoushallgobacktoThanKosisunderguardtoexplainthisunwarrantedtemerity。Throwdownyoursword；youcannothopetoovercomefourofus，\"headdedwithagrimsmile。
MyreplywasaquickthrustwhichleftmebutthreeantagonistsandIcanassureyouthattheywereworthyofmymetal。Theyhadmebackedagainstthewallinnotime，fightingformylife。SlowlyIworkedmywaytoacorneroftheroomwhereIcouldforcethemtocomeatmeonlyoneatatime，andthuswefoughtupwardoftwentyminutes；
theclangingofsteelonsteelproducingaveritablebedlaminthelittleroom。
ThenoisehadbroughtDejahThoristothedoorofherapartment，andthereshestoodthroughouttheconflictwithSolaatherbackpeeringoverhershoulder。HerfacewassetandemotionlessandIknewthatshedidnotrecognizeme，nordidSola。
Finallyaluckycutbroughtdownasecondguardsmanandthen，withonlytwoopposingme，Ichangedmytacticsandrushedthemdownafterthefashionofmyfightingthathadwonmemanyavictory。Thethirdfellwithintensecondsafterthesecond，andthelastlaydeaduponthebloodyfloorafewmomentslater。Theywerebravemenandnoblefighters，anditgrievedmethatIhadbeenforcedtokillthem，butIwouldhavewillinglydepopulatedallBarsoomcouldIhavereachedthesideofmyDejahThorisinnootherway。
SheathingmybloodybladeIadvancedtowardmyMartianPrincess，whostillstoodmutelygazingatmewithoutsignofrecognition。
\"Whoareyou，Zodangan？\"shewhispered。\"Anotherenemytoharassmeinmymisery？\"
\"Iamafriend，\"Ianswered，\"aoncecherishedfriend。”
\"NofriendofHelium\'sprincesswearsthatmetal，\"shereplied，\"andyetthevoice!Ihavehearditbefore；itisnot——itcannotbe——no，forheisdead。”
\"Itis，though，myPrincess，noneotherthanJohnCarter，\"
Isaid。\"Doyounotrecognize，eventhroughpaintandstrangemetal，theheartofyourchieftain？\"
AsIcameclosetohersheswayedtowardmewithoutstretchedhands，butasIreachedtotakeherinmyarmsshedrewbackwithashudderandalittlemoanofmisery。
\"Toolate，toolate，\"shegrieved。\"Omychieftainthatwas，andwhomIthoughtdead，hadyoubutreturnedonelittlehourbefore——butnowitistoolate，toolate。”
\"Whatdoyoumean，DejahThoris？\"Icried。\"ThatyouwouldnothavepromisedyourselftotheZodanganprincehadyouknownthatIlived？\"
\"Thinkyou，JohnCarter，thatIwouldgivemyhearttoyouyesterdayandtodaytoanother？IthoughtthatitlayburiedwithyourashesinthepitsofWarhoon，andsotodayIhavepromisedmybodytoanothertosavemypeoplefromthecurseofavictoriousZodanganarmy。”
\"ButIamnotdead，myprincess。Ihavecometoclaimyou，andallZodangacannotpreventit。”
\"Itistoolate，JohnCarter，mypromiseisgiven，andonBarsoomthatisfinal。Theceremonieswhichfollowlaterarebutmeaninglessformalities。Theymakethefactofmarriagenomorecertainthandoesthefuneralcortegeofajeddakagainplacethesealofdeathuponhim。Iamasgoodasmarried，JohnCarter。Nolongermayyoucallmeyourprincess。Nolongerareyoumychieftain。”
\"IknowbutlittleofyourcustomshereuponBarsoom，DejahThoris，butIdoknowthatIloveyou，andifyoumeantthelastwordsyouspoketomethatdayasthehordesofWarhoonwerechargingdownuponus，noothermanshalleverclaimyouashisbride。Youmeantthemthen，myprincess，andyoumeanthemstill!Saythatitistrue。”
\"Imeantthem，JohnCarter，\"shewhispered。\"IcannotrepeatthemnowforIhavegivenmyselftoanother。Ah，ifyouhadonlyknownourways，myfriend，\"shecontinued，halftoherself，\"thepromisewouldhavebeenyourslongmonthsago，andyoucouldhaveclaimedmebeforeallothers。
ItmighthavemeantthefallofHelium，butIwouldhavegivenmyempireformyTharkianchief。”
Thenaloudshesaid:\"Doyourememberthenightwhenyouoffendedme？Youcalledmeyourprincesswithouthavingaskedmyhandofme，andthenyouboastedthatyouhadfoughtforme。Youdidnotknow，andIshouldnothavebeenoffended；Iseethatnow。ButtherewasnoonetotellyouwhatIcouldnot，thatuponBarsoomtherearetwokindsofwomeninthecitiesoftheredmen。Theonetheyfightforthattheymayasktheminmarriage；theotherkindtheyfightforalso，butneverasktheirhands。Whenamanhaswonawomanhemayaddressherashisprincess，orinanyoftheseveraltermswhichsignifypossession。Youhadfoughtforme，buthadneveraskedmeinmarriage，andsowhenyoucalledmeyourprincess，yousee，\"shefaltered，\"Iwashurt，buteventhen，JohnCarter，Ididnotrepulseyou，asIshouldhavedone，untilyoumadeitdoublyworsebytauntingmewithhavingwonmethroughcombat。”
\"Idonotneedaskyourforgivenessnow，DejahThoris，\"
Icried。\"YoumustknowthatmyfaultwasofignoranceofyourBarsoomiancustoms。WhatIfailedtodo，throughimplicitbeliefthatmypetitionwouldbepresumptuousandunwelcome，Idonow，DejahThoris；Iaskyoutobemywife，andbyalltheVirginianfightingbloodthatflowsinmyveinsyoushallbe。”
\"No，JohnCarter，itisuseless，\"shecried，hopelessly，\"ImayneverbeyourswhileSabThanlives。”
\"Youhavesealedhisdeathwarrant，myprincess——SabThandies。”
\"Northateither，\"shehastenedtoexplain。\"Imaynotwedthemanwhoslaysmyhusband，eveninself-defense。
Itiscustom。WeareruledbycustomuponBarsoom。Itisuseless，myfriend。Youmustbearthesorrowwithme。Thatatleastwemayshareincommon。That，andthememoryofthebriefdaysamongtheTharks。Youmustgonow，noreverseemeagain。Good-bye，mychieftainthatwas。”
Disheartenedanddejected，Iwithdrewfromtheroom，butIwasnotentirelydiscouraged，norwouldIadmitthatDejahThoriswaslosttomeuntiltheceremonyhadactuallybeenperformed。
AsIwanderedalongthecorridors，IwasasabsolutelylostinthemazesofwindingpassagewaysasIhadbeenbeforeIdiscoveredDejahThoris\'apartments。
IknewthatmyonlyhopelayinescapefromthecityofZodanga，forthematterofthefourdeadguardsmenwouldhavetobeexplained，andasIcouldneverreachmyoriginalpostwithoutaguide，suspicionwouldsurelyrestonmesosoonasIwasdiscoveredwanderingaimlesslythroughthepalace。
PresentlyIcameuponaspiralrunwayleadingtoalowerfloor，andthisIfolloweddownwardforseveralstoriesuntilIreachedthedoorwayofalargeapartmentinwhichwereanumberofguardsmen。ThewallsofthisroomwerehungwithtransparenttapestriesbehindwhichIsecretedmyselfwithoutbeingapprehended。
Theconversationoftheguardsmenwasgeneral，andawakenednointerestinmeuntilanofficerenteredtheroomandorderedfourofthementorelievethedetailwhowereguardingthePrincessofHelium。Now，Iknew，mytroubleswouldcommenceinearnestandindeedtheywereuponmealltoosoon，foritseemedthatthesquadhadscarcelylefttheguardroombeforeoneoftheirnumberburstinagainbreathlessly，cryingthattheyhadfoundtheirfourcomradesbutcheredintheantechamber。
Inamomenttheentirepalacewasalivewithpeople。
Guardsmen，officers，courtiers，servants，andslavesranhelter-skelterthroughthecorridorsandapartmentscarryingmessagesandorders，andsearchingforsignsoftheassassin。
ThiswasmyopportunityandslimasitappearedIgraspedit，forasanumberofsoldierscamehurryingpastmyhidingplaceIfellinbehindthemandfollowedthroughthemazesofthepalaceuntil，inpassingthroughagreathall，Isawtheblessedlightofdaycominginthroughaseriesoflargerwindows。
HereIleftmyguides，and，slippingtothenearestwindow，soughtforanavenueofescape。ThewindowsopeneduponagreatbalconywhichoverlookedoneofthebroadavenuesofZodanga。Thegroundwasaboutthirtyfeetbelow，andatalikedistancefromthebuildingwasawallfullytwentyfeethigh，constructedofpolishedglassaboutafootinthickness。ToaredMartianescapebythispathwouldhaveappearedimpossible，buttome，withmyearthlystrengthandagility，itseemedalreadyaccomplished。Myonlyfearwasinbeingdetectedbeforedarknessfell，forIcouldnotmaketheleapinbroaddaylightwhilethecourtbelowandtheavenuebeyondwerecrowdedwithZodangans。
AccordinglyIsearchedforahidingplaceandfinallyfoundonebyaccident，insideahugehangingornamentwhichswungfromtheceilingofthehall，andabouttenfeetfromthefloor。Intothecapaciousbowl-likevaseIsprangwithease，andscarcelyhadIsettleddownwithinitthanIheardanumberofpeopleentertheapartment。ThegroupstoppedbeneathmyhidingplaceandIcouldplainlyoverheartheireveryword。
\"ItistheworkofHeliumites，\"saidoneofthemen。
\"Yes，OJeddak，buthowhadtheyaccesstothepalace？I
couldbelievethatevenwiththediligentcareofyourguardsmenasingleenemymightreachtheinnerchambers，buthowaforceofsixoreightfightingmencouldhavedonesounobservedisbeyondme。Weshallsoonknow，however，forherecomestheroyalpsychologist。”
Anothermannowjoinedthegroup，and，aftermakinghisformalgreetingstohisruler，said:
\"OmightyJeddak，itisastrangetaleIreadinthedeadmindsofyourfaithfulguardsmen。Theywerefellednotbyanumberoffightingmen，butbyasingleopponent。”
Hepausedtoletthefullweightofthisannouncementimpresshishearers，andthathisstatementwasscarcelycreditedwasevidencedbytheimpatientexclamationofincredulitywhichescapedthelipsofThanKosis。
\"Whatmannerofweirdtaleareyoubringingme，Notan？\"hecried。
\"Itisthetruth，myJeddak，\"repliedthepsychologist。
\"Infacttheimpressionswerestronglymarkedonthebrainofeachofthefourguardsmen。Theirantagonistwasaverytallman，wearingthemetalofoneofyourownguardsmen，andhisfightingabilitywaslittleshortofmarvelousforhefoughtfairagainsttheentirefourandvanquishedthembyhissurpassingskillandsuperhumanstrengthandendurance。
ThoughheworethemetalofZodanga，myJeddak，suchamanwasneverseenbeforeinthisoranyothercountryuponBarsoom。
\"ThemindofthePrincessofHeliumwhomIhaveexaminedandquestionedwasablanktome，shehasperfectcontrol，andIcouldnotreadoneiotaofit。Shesaidthatshewitnessedaportionoftheencounter，andthatwhenshelookedtherewasbutonemanengagedwiththeguardsmen；
amanwhomshedidnotrecognizeaseverhavingseen。”
\"Whereismyerstwhilesavior？\"spokeanotheroftheparty，andIrecognizedthevoiceofthecousinofThanKosis，whomIhadrescuedfromthegreenwarriors。\"Bythemetalofmyfirstancestor，\"hewenton，\"butthedescriptionfitshimtoperfection，especiallyastohisfightingability。”
\"Whereisthisman？\"criedThanKosis。\"Havehimbroughttomeatonce。Whatknowyouofhim，cousin？ItseemedstrangetomenowthatIthinkuponitthatthereshouldhavebeensuchafightingmaninZodanga，ofwhosename，even，wewereignorantbeforetoday。Andhisnametoo，JohnCarter，whoeverheardofsuchanameuponBarsoom!\"
WordwassoonbroughtthatIwasnowheretobefound，eitherinthepalaceoratmyformerquartersinthebarracksoftheair-scoutsquadron。KantosKan，theyhadfoundandquestioned，butheknewnothingofmywhereabouts，andastomypast，hehadtoldthemheknewaslittle，sincehehadbutrecentlymetmeduringourcaptivityamongtheWarhoons。
\"Keepyoureyesonthisotherone，\"commandedThanKosis。
\"HealsoisastrangerandlikelyasnottheybothhailfromHelium，andwhereoneisweshallsoonerorlaterfindtheother。Quadrupletheairpatrol，andleteverymanwholeavesthecitybyairorgroundbesubjectedtotheclosestscrutiny。”
AnothermessengernowenteredwithwordthatIwasstillwithinthepalacewalls。
\"Thelikenessofeverypersonwhohasenteredorleftthepalacegroundstodayhasbeencarefullyexamined，\"concludedthefellow，\"andnotoneapproachesthelikenessofthisnewpadwaroftheguards，otherthanthatwhichwasrecordedofhimatthetimeheentered。”
\"Thenwewillhavehimshortly，\"commentedThanKosiscontentedly，\"andinthemeanwhilewewillrepairtotheapartmentsofthePrincessofHeliumandquestionherinregardtotheaffair。Shemayknowmorethanshecaredtodivulgetoyou，Notan。Come。”
Theyleftthehall，and，asdarknesshadfallenwithout，I
slippedlightlyfrommyhidingplaceandhastenedtothebalcony。Fewwereinsight，andchoosingamomentwhennoneseemednearIsprangquicklytothetopoftheglasswallandfromtheretotheavenuebeyondthepalacegrounds。
CHAPTERXXIII
LOSTINTHESKY
WithouteffortatconcealmentIhastenedtothevicinityofourquarters，whereIfeltsureIshouldfindKantosKan。AsInearedthebuildingIbecamemorecareful，asIjudged，andrightly，thattheplacewouldbeguarded。Severalmenincivilianmetalloiterednearthefrontentranceandintherearwereothers。Myonlymeansofreaching，unseen，theupperstorywhereourapartmentsweresituatedwasthroughanadjoiningbuilding，andafterconsiderablemaneuveringI
managedtoattaintheroofofashopseveraldoorsaway。
Leapingfromrooftoroof，IsoonreachedanopenwindowinthebuildingwhereIhopedtofindtheHeliumite，andinanothermomentIstoodintheroombeforehim。Hewasaloneandshowednosurpriseatmycoming，sayinghehadexpectedmemuchearlier，asmytourofdutymusthaveendedsometimesince。
Isawthatheknewnothingoftheeventsofthedayatthepalace，andwhenIhadenlightenedhimhewasallexcitement。ThenewsthatDejahThorishadpromisedherhandtoSabThanfilledhimwithdismay。
\"Itcannotbe，\"heexclaimed。\"Itisimpossible!WhynomaninallHeliumbutwouldpreferdeathtothesellingofourlovedprincesstotherulinghouseofZodanga。Shemusthavelosthermindtohaveassentedtosuchanatrociousbargain。You，whodonotknowhowweofHeliumlovethemembersofourrulinghouse，cannotappreciatethehorrorwithwhichIcontemplatesuchanunholyalliance。”
\"Whatcanbedone，JohnCarter？\"hecontinued。\"Youarearesourcefulman。CanyounotthinkofsomewaytosaveHeliumfromthisdisgrace？\"
\"IfIcancomewithinsword\'sreachofSabThan，\"Ianswered，\"IcansolvethedifficultyinsofarasHeliumisconcerned，butforpersonalreasonsIwouldpreferthatanotherstrucktheblowthatfreesDejahThoris。”
KantosKaneyedmenarrowlybeforehespoke。
\"Youloveher!\"hesaid。\"Doessheknowit？\"
\"Sheknowsit，KantosKan，andrepulsesmeonlybecausesheispromisedtoSabThan。”
Thesplendidfellowsprangtohisfeet，andgraspingmebytheshoulderraisedhisswordonhigh，exclaiming:
\"AndhadthechoicebeenlefttomeIcouldnothavechosenamorefittingmateforthefirstprincessofBarsoom。
Hereismyhanduponyourshoulder，JohnCarter，andmywordthatSabThanshallgooutatthepointofmyswordforthesakeofmyloveforHelium，forDejahThoris，andforyou。ThisverynightIshalltrytoreachhisquartersinthepalace。”
\"How？\"Iasked。\"Youarestronglyguardedandaquadrupleforcepatrolsthesky。”
Hebenthisheadinthoughtamoment，thenraiseditwithanairofconfidence。
\"IonlyneedtopasstheseguardsandIcandoit，\"hesaidatlast。\"Iknowasecretentrancetothepalacethroughthepinnacleofthehighesttower。IfelluponitbychanceonedayasIwaspassingabovethepalaceonpatrolduty。
Inthisworkitisrequiredthatweinvestigateanyunusualoccurrencewemaywitness，andafacepeeringfromthepinnacleofthehightowerofthepalacewas，tome，mostunusual。
IthereforedrewnearanddiscoveredthatthepossessorofthepeeringfacewasnoneotherthanSabThan。Hewasslightlyputoutatbeingdetectedandcommandedmetokeepthemattertomyself，explainingthatthepassagefromthetowerleddirectlytohisapartments，andwasknownonlytohim。
IfIcanreachtheroofofthebarracksandgetmymachineIcanbeinSabThan\'squartersinfiveminutes；buthowamItoescapefromthisbuilding，guardedasyousayitis？\"
\"Howwellarethemachineshedsatthebarracksguarded？\"Iasked。
\"Thereisusuallybutonemanondutythereatnightupontheroof。”
\"Gototheroofofthisbuilding，KantosKan，andwaitmethere。”
WithoutstoppingtoexplainmyplansIretracedmywaytothestreetandhastenedtothebarracks。Ididnotdaretoenterthebuilding，filledasitwaswithmembersoftheair-scoutsquadron，who，incommonwithallZodanga，wereonthelookoutforme。
Thebuildingwasanenormousone，rearingitsloftyheadfullyathousandfeetintotheair。ButfewbuildingsinZodangawerehigherthanthesebarracks，thoughseveraltoppeditbyafewhundredfeet；thedocksofthegreatbattleshipsofthelinestandingsomefifteenhundredfeetfromtheground，whilethefreightandpassengerstationsofthemerchantsquadronsrosenearlyashigh。
Itwasalongclimbupthefaceofthebuilding，andonefraughtwithmuchdanger，buttherewasnootherway，andsoIessayedthetask。ThefactthatBarsoomianarchitectureisextremelyornatemadethefeatmuchsimplerthanIhadanticipated，sinceIfoundornamentalledgesandprojectionswhichfairlyformedaperfectladderformeallthewaytotheeavesofthebuilding。HereImetmyfirstrealobstacle。TheeavesprojectednearlytwentyfeetfromthewalltowhichI
clung，andthoughIencircledthegreatbuildingIcouldfindnoopeningthroughthem。
Thetopfloorwasalight，andfilledwithsoldiersengagedinthepastimesoftheirkind；Icouldnot，therefore，reachtheroofthroughthebuilding。
Therewasoneslight，desperatechance，andthatIdecidedImusttake——itwasforDejahThoris，andnomanhaslivedwhowouldnotriskathousanddeathsforsuchasshe。
Clingingtothewallwithmyfeetandonehand，Iunloosenedoneofthelongleatherstrapsofmytrappingsattheendofwhichdangledagreathookbywhichairsailorsarehungtothesidesandbottomsoftheircraftforvariouspurposesofrepair，andbymeansofwhichlandingpartiesareloweredtothegroundfromthebattleships。
Iswungthishookcautiouslytotheroofseveraltimesbeforeitfinallyfoundlodgment；gentlyIpulledonittostrengthenitshold，butwhetheritwouldbeartheweightofmybodyIdidnotknow。Itmightbebarelycaughtupontheveryoutervergeoftheroof，sothatasmybodyswungoutattheendofthestrapitwouldslipoffandlaunchmetothepavementathousandfeetbelow。
AninstantIhesitated，andthen，releasingmygraspuponthesupportingornament，Iswungoutintospaceattheendofthestrap。Farbelowmelaythebrilliantlylightedstreets，thehardpavements，anddeath。Therewasalittlejerkatthetopofthesupportingeaves，andanastyslipping，gratingsoundwhichturnedmecoldwithapprehension；thenthehookcaughtandIwassafe。
ClamberingquicklyaloftIgraspedtheedgeoftheeavesanddrewmyselftothesurfaceoftheroofabove。AsIgainedmyfeetIwasconfrontedbythesentryonduty，intothemuzzleofwhoserevolverIfoundmyselflooking。
\"Whoareyouandwhencecameyou？\"hecried。
\"Iamanairscout，friend，andverynearadeadone，forjustbythemerestchanceIescapedfallingtotheavenuebelow，\"Ireplied。
\"Buthowcameyouupontheroof，man？Noonehaslandedorcomeupfromthebuildingforthepasthour。
Quick，explainyourself，orIcalltheguard。”
\"Lookyouhere，sentry，andyoushallseehowIcameandhowcloseashaveIhadtonotcomingatall，\"Ianswered，turningtowardtheedgeoftheroof，where，twentyfeetbelow，attheendofmystrap，hungallmyweapons。
Thefellow，actingonimpulseofcuriosity，steppedtomysideandtohisundoing，forasheleanedtopeerovertheeavesIgraspedhimbyhisthroatandhispistolarmandthrewhimheavilytotheroof。Theweapondroppedfromhisgrasp，andmyfingerschokedoffhisattemptedcryforassistance。IgaggedandboundhimandthenhunghimovertheedgeoftheroofasImyselfhadhungafewmomentsbefore。Iknewitwouldbemorningbeforehewouldbediscovered，andIneededallthetimethatIcouldgain。
DonningmytrappingsandweaponsIhastenedtothesheds，andsoonhadoutbothmymachineandKantosKan\'s。
MakinghisfastbehindmineIstartedmyengine，andskimmingovertheedgeoftheroofIdovedownintothestreetsofthecityfarbelowtheplaneusuallyoccupiedbytheairpatrol。InlessthanaminuteIwassettlingsafelyupontheroofofourapartmentbesidetheastonishedKantosKan。
Ilostnotimeinexplanation，butplungedimmediatelyintoadiscussionofourplansfortheimmediatefuture。
ItwasdecidedthatIwastotrytomakeHeliumwhileKantosKanwastoenterthepalaceanddispatchSabThan。Ifsuccessfulhewasthentofollowme。Hesetmycompassforme，acleverlittledevicewhichwillremainsteadfastlyfixeduponanygivenpointonthesurfaceofBarsoom，andbiddingeachotherfarewellwerosetogetherandspedinthedirectionofthepalacewhichlayintheroutewhichImusttaketoreachHelium。
Aswenearedthehightowerapatrolshotdownfromabove，throwingitspiercingsearchlightfulluponmycraft，andavoiceroaredoutacommandtohalt，followingwithashotasIpaidnoattentiontohishail。KantosKandroppedquicklyintothedarkness，whileIrosesteadilyandatterrificspeedracedthroughtheMartianskyfollowedbyadozenoftheair-scoutcraftwhichhadjoinedthepursuit，andlaterbyaswiftcruisercarryingahundredmenandabatteryofrapid-fireguns。Bytwistingandturningmylittlemachine，nowrisingandnowfalling，Imanagedtoeludetheirsearch-
lightsmostofthetime，butIwasalsolosinggroundbythesetactics，andsoIdecidedtohazardeverythingonastraight-
awaycourseandleavetheresulttofateandthespeedofmymachine。
KantosKanhadshownmeatrickofgearing，whichisknownonlytothenavyofHelium，thatgreatlyincreasedthespeedofourmachines，sothatIfeltsureIcoulddistancemypursuersifIcoulddodgetheirprojectilesforafewmoments。
AsIspedthroughtheairthescreechingofthebulletsaroundmeconvincedmethatonlybyamiraclecouldIescape，butthediewascast，andthrowingonfullspeedIracedastraightcoursetowardHelium。GraduallyIleftmypursuersfurtherandfurtherbehind，andIwasjustcongratulatingmyselfonmyluckyescape，whenawell-directedshotfromthecruiserexplodedattheprowofmylittlecraft。
Theconcussionnearlycapsizedher，andwithasickeningplungeshehurtleddownwardthroughthedarknight。
HowfarIfellbeforeIregainedcontroloftheplaneIdonotknow，butImusthavebeenveryclosetothegroundwhenIstartedtoriseagain，asIplainlyheardthesquealingofanimalsbelowme。RisingagainIscannedtheheavensformypursuers，andfinallymakingouttheirlightsfarbehindme，sawthattheywerelanding，evidentlyinsearchofme。
NotuntiltheirlightswerenolongerdiscernibledidI
venturetoflashmylittlelampuponmycompass，andthenIfoundtomyconsternationthatafragmentoftheprojectilehadutterlydestroyedmyonlyguide，aswellasmyspeedometer。ItwastrueIcouldfollowthestarsinthegeneraldirectionofHelium，butwithoutknowingtheexactlocationofthecityorthespeedatwhichIwastravelingmychancesforfindingitwereslim。
HeliumliesathousandmilessouthwestofZodanga，andwithmycompassintactIshouldhavemadethetrip，barringaccidents，inbetweenfourandfivehours。Asitturnedout，however，morningfoundmespeedingoveravastexpanseofdeadseabottomafternearlysixhoursofcontinuousflightathighspeed。Presentlyagreatcityshowedbelowme，butitwasnotHelium，asthataloneofallBarsoomianmetropolisesconsistsintwoimmensecircularwalledcitiesaboutseventy-fivemilesapartandwouldhavebeeneasilydistinguishablefromthealtitudeatwhichIwasflying。
BelievingthatIhadcometoofartothenorthandwest，Iturnedbackinasoutheasterlydirection，passingduringtheforenoonseveralotherlargecities，butnoneresemblingthedescriptionwhichKantosKanhadgivenmeofHelium。
Inadditiontothetwin-cityformationofHelium，anotherdistinguishingfeatureisthetwoimmensetowers，oneofvividscarletrisingnearlyamileintotheairfromthecenterofoneofthecities，whiletheother，ofbrightyellowandofthesameheight，markshersister。
CHAPTERXXIV
TARSTARKASFINDSAFRIEND
AboutnoonIpassedlowoveragreatdeadcityofancientMars，andasIskimmedoutacrosstheplainbeyondI
camefulluponseveralthousandgreenwarriorsengagedinaterrificbattle。ScarcelyhadIseenthemthanavolleyofshotswasdirectedatme，andwiththealmostunfailingaccuracyoftheiraimmylittlecraftwasinstantlyaruinedwreck，sinkingerraticallytotheground。
Ifellalmostdirectlyinthecenterofthefiercecombat，amongwarriorswhohadnotseenmyapproachsobusilyweretheyengagedinlifeanddeathstruggles。Themenwerefightingonfootwithlong-swords，whileanoccasionalshotfromasharpshooterontheoutskirtsoftheconflictwouldbringdownawarriorwhomightforaninstantseparatehimselffromtheentangledmass。
AsmymachinesankamongthemIrealizedthatitwasfightordie，withgoodchancesofdyinginanyevent，andsoI
struckthegroundwithdrawnlong-swordreadytodefendmyselfasIcould。
Ifellbesideahugemonsterwhowasengagedwiththreeantagonists，andasIglancedathisfierceface，filledwiththelightofbattle，IrecognizedTarsTarkastheThark。Hedidnotseeme，asIwasatriflebehindhim，andjustthenthethreewarriorsopposinghim，andwhomIrecognizedasWarhoons，chargedsimultaneously。Themightyfellowmadequickworkofoneofthem，butinsteppingbackforanotherthrusthefelloveradeadbodybehindhimandwasdownandatthemercyofhisfoesinaninstant。Quickaslightningtheywereuponhim，andTarsTarkaswouldhavebeengatheredtohisfathersinshortorderhadInotsprungbeforehisprostrateformandengagedhisadversaries。
IhadaccountedforoneofthemwhenthemightyTharkregainedhisfeetandquicklysettledtheother。
Hegavemeonelook，andaslightsmiletouchedhisgrimlipas，touchingmyshoulder，hesaid，\"Iwouldscarcelyrecognizeyou，JohnCarter，butthereisnoothermortaluponBarsoomwhowouldhavedonewhatyouhaveforme。IthinkIhavelearnedthatthereissuchathingasfriendship，myfriend。”
Hesaidnomore，norwasthereopportunity，fortheWarhoonswereclosinginaboutus，andtogetherwefought，shouldertoshoulder，duringallthatlong，hotafternoon，untilthetideofbattleturnedandtheremnantofthefierceWarhoonhordefellbackupontheirthoats，andfledintothegatheringdarkness。
Tenthousandmenhadbeenengagedinthattitanicstruggle，anduponthefieldofbattlelaythreethousanddead。
Neithersideaskedorgavequarter，nordidtheyattempttotakeprisoners。
OnourreturntothecityafterthebattlewehadgonedirectlytoTarsTarkas\'quarters，whereIwasleftalonewhilethechieftainattendedthecustomarycouncilwhichimmediatelyfollowsanengagement。
AsIsatawaitingthereturnofthegreenwarriorIheardsomethingmoveinanadjoiningapartment，andasIglancedupthererushedsuddenlyuponmeahugeandhideouscreaturewhichboremebackwarduponthepileofsilksandfursuponwhichIhadbeenreclining。ItwasWoola——faithful，lovingWoola。HehadfoundhiswaybacktoTharkand，asTarsTarkaslatertoldme，hadgoneimmediatelytomyformerquarterswherehehadtakenuphispatheticandseeminglyhopelesswatchformyreturn。
\"TalHajusknowsthatyouarehere，JohnCarter，\"saidTarsTarkas，onhisreturnfromthejeddak\'squarters；
\"Sarkojasawandrecognizedyouaswewerereturning。TalHajushasorderedmetobringyoubeforehimtonight。I
havetenthoats，JohnCarter；youmaytakeyourchoicefromamongthem，andIwillaccompanyyoutothenearestwaterwaythatleadstoHelium。TarsTarkasmaybeacruelgreenwarrior，buthecanbeafriendaswell。Come，wemuststart。”
\"Andwhenyoureturn，TarsTarkas？\"Iasked。
\"Thewildcalots，possibly，orworse，\"hereplied。\"UnlessIshouldchancetohavetheopportunityIhavesolongwaitedofbattlingwithTalHajus。”
\"Wewillstay，TarsTarkas，andseeTalHajustonight。
Youshallnotsacrificeyourself，anditmaybethattonightyoucanhavethechanceyouwait。”
Heobjectedstrenuously，sayingthatTalHajusoftenflewintowildfitsofpassionatthemerethoughtoftheblowI
haddealthim，andthatifeverhelaidhishandsuponmeIwouldbesubjectedtothemosthorribletortures。
WhilewewereeatingIrepeatedtoTarsTarkasthestorywhichSolahadtoldmethatnightupontheseabottomduringthemarchtoThark。
Hesaidbutlittle，butthegreatmusclesofhisfaceworkedinpassionandinagonyatrecollectionofthehorrorswhichhadbeenheapedupontheonlythinghehadeverlovedinallhiscold，cruel，terribleexistence。
HenolongerdemurredwhenIsuggestedthatwegobeforeTalHajus，onlysayingthathewouldliketospeaktoSarkojafirst。AthisrequestIaccompaniedhimtoherquarters，andthelookofvenomoushatredshecastuponmewasalmostadequaterecompenseforanyfuturemisfortunesthisaccidentalreturntoTharkmightbringme。
\"Sarkoja，\"saidTarsTarkas，\"fortyyearsagoyouwereinstrumentalinbringingaboutthetortureanddeathofawomannamedGozava。Ihavejustdiscoveredthatthewarriorwholovedthatwomanhaslearnedofyourpartinthetransaction。
Hemaynotkillyou，Sarkoja，itisnotourcustom，butthereisnothingtopreventhimtyingoneendofastrapaboutyourneckandtheotherendtoawildthoat，merelytotestyourfitnesstosurviveandhelpperpetuateourrace。Havingheardthathewoulddothisonthemorrow，Ithoughtitonlyrighttowarnyou，forIamajustman。TheriverIssisbutashortpilgrimage，Sarkoja。Come，JohnCarter。”
ThenextmorningSarkojawasgone，norwassheeverseenafter。
Insilencewehastenedtothejeddak\'spalace，wherewewereimmediatelyadmittedtohispresence；infact，hecouldscarcelywaittoseemeandwasstandingerectuponhisplatformgloweringattheentranceasIcamein。
\"Straphimtothatpillar，\"heshrieked。\"WeshallseewhoitisdaresstrikethemightyTalHajus。Heattheirons；withmyownhandsIshallburntheeyesfromhisheadthathemaynotpollutemypersonwithhisvilegaze。”
\"ChieftainsofThark，\"Icried，turningtotheassembledcouncilandignoringTalHajus，\"Ihavebeenachiefamongyou，andtodayIhavefoughtforTharkshouldertoshoulderwithhergreatestwarrior。Youoweme，atleast，ahearing。
Ihavewonthatmuchtoday。Youclaimtobejustpeople——\"
\"Silence，\"roaredTalHajus。\"GagthecreatureandbindhimasIcommand。”
\"Justice，TalHajus，\"exclaimedLorquasPtomel。\"WhoareyoutosetasidethecustomsofagesamongtheTharks。”
\"Yes，justice!\"echoedadozenvoices，andso，whileTalHajusfumedandfrothed，Icontinued。
\"Youareabravepeopleandyoulovebravery，butwherewasyourmightyjeddakduringthefightingtoday？Ididnotseehiminthethickofbattle；hewasnotthere。Herendsdefenselesswomenandlittlechildreninhislair，buthowrecentlyhasoneofyouseenhimfightwithmen？Why，evenI，amidgetbesidehim，felledhimwithasingleblowofmyfist。IsitofsuchthattheTharksfashiontheirjeddaks？
TherestandsbesidemenowagreatThark，amightywarriorandanobleman。Chieftains，howsounds，TarsTarkas，JeddakofThark？\"
Aroarofdeep-tonedapplausegreetedthissuggestion。
\"Itbutremainsforthiscounciltocommand，andTalHajusmustprovehisfitnesstorule。WereheabravemanhewouldinviteTarsTarkastocombat，forhedoesnotlovehim，butTalHajusisafraid；TalHajus，yourjeddak，isacoward。
WithmybarehandsIcouldkillhim，andheknowsit。”
AfterIceasedtherewastensesilence，asalleyeswereriveteduponTalHajus。Hedidnotspeakormove，buttheblotchygreenofhiscountenanceturnedlivid，andthefrothfrozeuponhislips。
\"TalHajus，\"saidLorquasPtomelinacold，hardvoice，\"neverinmylonglifehaveIseenajeddakoftheTharkssohumiliated。Therecouldbebutoneanswertothisarraignment。
Wewaitit。”AndstillTalHajusstoodasthoughelectrified。
\"Chieftains，\"continuedLorquasPtomel，\"shallthejeddak，TalHajus，provehisfitnesstoruleoverTarsTarkas？\"
Thereweretwentychieftainsabouttherostrum，andtwentyswordsflashedhighinassent。
Therewasnoalternative。Thatdecreewasfinal，andsoTalHajusdrewhislong-swordandadvancedtomeetTarsTarkas。
Thecombatwassoonover，and，withhisfootupontheneckofthedeadmonster，TarsTarkasbecamejeddakamongtheTharks。
Hisfirstactwastomakemeafull-fledgedchieftainwiththerankIhadwonbymycombatsthefirstfewweeksofmycaptivityamongthem。
SeeingthefavorabledispositionofthewarriorstowardTarsTarkas，aswellastowardme，IgraspedtheopportunitytoenlisttheminmycauseagainstZodanga。ItoldTarsTarkasthestoryofmyadventures，andinafewwordshadexplainedtohimthethoughtIhadinmind。
\"JohnCarterhasmadeaproposal，\"hesaid，addressingthecouncil，\"whichmeetswithmysanction。Ishallputittoyoubriefly。DejahThoris，thePrincessofHelium，whowasourprisoner，isnowheldbythejeddakofZodanga，whosesonshemustwedtosavehercountryfromdevastationatthehandsoftheZodanganforces。
\"JohnCartersuggeststhatwerescueherandreturnhertoHelium。ThelootofZodangawouldbemagnificent，andIhaveoftenthoughtthathadweanalliancewiththepeopleofHeliumwecouldobtainsufficientassuranceofsustenancetopermitustoincreasethesizeandfrequencyofourhatchings，andthusbecomeunquestionablysupremeamongthegreenmenofallBarsoom。Whatsayyou？\"
Itwasachancetofight，anopportunitytoloot，andtheyrosetothebaitasaspeckledtrouttoafly。
ForTharkstheywerewildlyenthusiastic，andbeforeanotherhalfhourhadpassedtwentymountedmessengerswerespeedingacrossdeadseabottomstocallthehordestogetherfortheexpedition。
InthreedayswewereonthemarchtowardZodanga，onehundredthousandstrong，asTarsTarkashadbeenabletoenlisttheservicesofthreesmallerhordesonthepromiseofthegreatlootofZodanga。
AttheheadofthecolumnIrodebesidethegreatTharkwhileattheheelsofmymounttrottedmybelovedWoola。
Wetraveledentirelybynight，timingourmarchessothatwecampedduringthedayatdesertedcitieswhere，eventothebeasts，wewereallkeptindoorsduringthedaylighthours。OnthemarchTarsTarkas，throughhisremarkableabilityandstatesmanship，enlistedfiftythousandmorewarriorsfromvarioushordes，sothat，tendaysafterwesetoutwehaltedatmidnightoutsidethegreatwalledcityofZodanga，onehundredandfiftythousandstrong。
Thefightingstrengthandefficiencyofthishordeofferociousgreenmonsterswasequivalenttotentimestheirnumberofredmen。NeverinthehistoryofBarsoom，TarsTarkastoldme，hadsuchaforceofgreenwarriorsmarchedtobattletogether。Itwasamonstroustasktokeepevenasemblanceofharmonyamongthem，anditwasamarveltomethathegotthemtothecitywithoutamightybattleamongthemselves。
ButaswenearedZodangatheirpersonalquarrelsweresubmergedbytheirgreaterhatredfortheredmen，andespeciallyfortheZodangans，whohadforyearswagedaruthlesscampaignofexterminationagainstthegreenmen，directingspecialattentiontowarddespoilingtheirincubators。
NowthatwewerebeforeZodangathetaskofobtainingentrytothecitydevolveduponme，anddirectingTarsTarkastoholdhisforcesintwodivisionsoutofearshotofthecity，witheachdivisionoppositealargegateway，I
tooktwentydismountedwarriorsandapproachedoneofthesmallgatesthatpiercedthewallsatshortintervals。
Thesegateshavenoregularguard，butarecoveredbysentries，whopatroltheavenuethatencirclesthecityjustwithinthewallsasourmetropolitanpolicepatroltheirbeats。
ThewallsofZodangaareseventy-fivefeetinheightandfiftyfeetthick。Theyarebuiltofenormousblocksofcarborundum，andthetaskofenteringthecityseemed，tomyescortofgreenwarriors，animpossibility。
Thefellowswhohadbeendetailedtoaccompanymewereofoneofthesmallerhordes，andthereforedidnotknowme。
Placingthreeofthemwiththeirfacestothewallandarmslocked，Icommandedtwomoretomounttotheirshoulders，andasixthI
orderedtoclimbupontheshouldersoftheuppertwo。Theheadofthetopmostwarriortoweredoverfortyfeetfromtheground。
Inthisway，withtenwarriors，Ibuiltaseriesofthreestepsfromthegroundtotheshouldersofthetopmostman。
ThenstartingfromashortdistancebehindthemIranswiftlyupfromonetiertothenext，andwithafinalboundfromthebroadshouldersofthehighestIclutchedthetopofthegreatwallandquietlydrewmyselftoitsbroadexpanse。
AftermeIdraggedsixlengthsofleatherfromanequalnumberofmywarriors。Theselengthswehadpreviouslyfastenedtogether，andpassingoneendtothetopmostwarriorIloweredtheotherendcautiouslyovertheoppositesideofthewalltowardtheavenuebelow。
Noonewasinsight，so，loweringmyselftotheendofmyleatherstrap，Idroppedtheremainingthirtyfeettothepavementbelow。
IhadlearnedfromKantosKanthesecretofopeningthesegates，andinanothermomentmytwentygreatfightingmenstoodwithinthedoomedcityofZodanga。
IfoundtomydelightthatIhadenteredatthelowerboundaryoftheenormouspalacegrounds。Thebuildingitselfshowedinthedistanceablazeofgloriouslight，andontheinstantIdeterminedtoleadadetachmentofwarriorsdirectlywithinthepalaceitself，whilethebalanceofthegreathordewasattackingthebarracksofthesoldiery。
DispatchingoneofmymentoTarsTarkasforadetailoffiftyTharks，withwordofmyintentions，IorderedtenwarriorstocaptureandopenoneofthegreatgateswhilewiththenineremainingItooktheother。Weweretodoourworkquietly，noshotsweretobefiredandnogeneraladvancemadeuntilIhadreachedthepalacewithmyfiftyTharks。Ourplansworkedtoperfection。ThetwosentrieswemetweredispatchedtotheirfathersuponthebanksofthelostseaofKorus，andtheguardsatbothgatesfollowedtheminsilence。
CHAPTERXXV
THELOOTINGOFZODANGA
AsthegreatgatewhereIstoodswungopenmyfiftyTharks，headedbyTarsTarkashimself，rodeinupontheirmightythoats。Iledthemtothepalacewalls，whichInegotiatedeasilywithoutassistance。Onceinside，however，thegategavemeconsiderabletrouble，butIfinallywasrewardedbyseeingitswinguponitshugehinges，andsoonmyfierceescortwasridingacrossthegardensofthejeddakofZodanga。
AsweapproachedthepalaceIcouldseethroughthegreatwindowsofthefirstfloorintothebrilliantlyilluminatedaudiencechamberofThanKosis。Theimmensehallwascrowdedwithnoblesandtheirwomen，asthoughsomeimportantfunctionwasinprogress。Therewasnotaguardinsightwithoutthepalace，due，Ipresume，tothefactthatthecityandpalacewallswereconsideredimpregnable，andsoIcamecloseandpeeredwithin。
Atoneendofthechamber，uponmassivegoldenthronesencrustedwithdiamonds，satThanKosisandhisconsort，surroundedbyofficersanddignitariesofstate。Beforethemstretchedabroadaislelinedoneithersidewithsoldiery，andasIlookedthereenteredthisaisleatthefarendofthehall，theheadofaprocessionwhichadvancedtothefootofthethrone。
Firsttheremarchedfourofficersofthejeddak\'sGuardbearingahugesalveronwhichreposed，uponacushionofscarletsilk，agreatgoldenchainwithacollarandpadlockateachend。DirectlybehindtheseofficerscamefourotherscarryingasimilarsalverwhichsupportedthemagnificentornamentsofaprinceandprincessofthereigninghouseofZodanga。
Atthefootofthethronethesetwopartiesseparatedandhalted，facingeachotheratoppositesidesoftheaisle。
