CONTENTS
OntheRiverIssUndertheMountainsTheTempleoftheSunTheSecretTowerOntheKaolianRoadAHeroinKaolNewAlliesThroughtheCarrionCavesWiththeYellowMenInDuranceThePityofPlenty\"FollowtheRope！\"
TheMagnetSwitchTheTideofBattleRewardsTheNewRulerTHEWARLORDOFMARS
ONTHERIVERISS
IntheshadowsoftheforestthatflanksthecrimsonplainbythesideoftheLostSeaofKorusintheValleyDor，beneaththehurtlingmoonsofMars，speedingtheirmeteoricwaycloseabovethebosomofthedyingplanet，Icreptstealthilyalongthetrailofashadowyformthathuggedthedarkerplaceswithapersistencythatproclaimedthesinisternatureofitserrand。
ForsixlongMartianmonthsIhadhauntedthevicinityofthehatefulTempleoftheSun，withinwhoseslow—revolvingshaft，farbeneaththesurfaceofMars，myprincesslayentombed——
butwhetheraliveordeadIknewnot。HadPhaidor’sslimbladefoundthatbelovedheart？Timeonlywouldrevealthetruth。
Sixhundredandeighty—sevenMartiandaysmustcomeandgobeforethecell’sdoorwouldagaincomeoppositethetunnel’sendwherelastIhadseenmyever—beautifulDejahThoris。
Halfofthemhadpassed，orwouldonthemorrow，yetvividinmymemory，obliteratingeveryeventthathadcomebeforeorafter，thereremainedthelastscenebeforethegustofsmokeblindedmyeyesandthenarrowslitthathadgivenmesightoftheinteriorofhercellclosedbetweenmeandthePrincessofHeliumforalongMartianyear。
Asifitwereyesterday，IstillsawthebeautifulfaceofPhaidor，daughterofMataiShang，distortedwithjealousrageandhatredasshesprangforwardwithraiseddaggeruponthewomanIloved。
Isawtheredgirl，ThuviaofPtarth，leapforwardtopreventthehideousdeed。
Thesmokefromtheburningtemplehadcomethentoblotoutthetragedy，butinmyearsrangthesingleshriekastheknifefell。Thensilence，andwhenthesmokehadcleared，therevolvingtemplehadshutoffallsightorsoundfromthechamberinwhichthethreebeautifulwomenwereimprisoned。
Muchtherehadbeentooccupymyattentionsincethatterriblemoment;
butneverforaninstanthadthememoryofthethingfaded，andallthetimethatIcouldsparefromthenumerousdutiesthathaddevolveduponmeinthereconstructionofthegovernmentoftheFirstBornsinceourvictoriousfleetandlandforceshadoverwhelmedthem，hadbeenspentclosetothegrimshaftthatheldthemotherofmyboy，CarthorisofHelium。
TheraceofblacksthatforageshadworshipedIssus，thefalsedeityofMars，hadbeenleftinastateofchaosbymyrevealmentofherasnaughtmorethanawickedoldwoman。
Intheirragetheyhadtornhertopieces。
FromthehighpinnacleoftheiregotismtheFirstBornhadbeenplungedtothedepthsofhumiliation。Theirdeitywasgone，andwithherthewholefalsefabricoftheirreligion。TheirvauntednavyhadfallenindefeatbeforethesuperiorshipsandfightingmenoftheredmenofHelium。
FiercegreenwarriorsfromtheocherseabottomsofouterMarshadriddentheirwildthoatsacrossthesacredgardensoftheTempleofIssus，andTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，fiercestofthemall，hadsatuponthethroneofIssusandruledtheFirstBornwhilethealliesweredecidingtheconquerednation’sfate。
AlmostunanimouswastherequestthatIascendtheancientthroneoftheblackmen，eventheFirstBornthemselvesconcurringinit;
butIwouldhavenoneofit。Myheartcouldneverbewiththeracethathadheapedindignitiesuponmyprincessandmyson。
AtmysuggestionXodarbecameJeddakoftheFirstBorn。
Hehadbeenadator，orprince，untilIssushaddegradedhim，sothathisfitnessforthehighofficebestowedwasunquestioned。
ThepeaceoftheValleyDorthusassured，thegreenwarriorsdispersedtotheirdesolateseabottoms，whileweofHeliumreturnedtoourowncountry。Hereagainwasathroneofferedme，sincenowordhadbeenreceivedfromthemissingJeddakofHelium，TardosMors，grandfatherofDejahThoris，orhisson，MorsKajak，JedofHelium，herfather。
OverayearhadelapsedsincetheyhadsetouttoexplorethenorthernhemisphereinsearchofCarthoris，andatlasttheirdisheartenedpeoplehadacceptedastruththevaguerumorsoftheirdeaththathadfilteredinfromthefrozenregionofthepole。
OnceagainIrefusedathrone，forIwouldnotbelievethatthemightyTardosMors，orhisnolessredoubtableson，wasdead。
\"Letoneoftheirownbloodruleyouuntiltheyreturn，\"
IsaidtotheassemblednoblesofHelium，asIaddressedthemfromthePedestalofTruthbesidetheThroneofRighteousnessintheTempleofReward，fromtheveryspotwhereIhadstoodayearbeforewhenZatArraspronouncedthesentenceofdeathuponme。
AsIspokeIsteppedforwardandlaidmyhandupontheshoulderofCarthoriswherehestoodinthefrontrankofthecircleofnoblesaboutme。
Asone，thenoblesandthepeopleliftedtheirvoicesinalongcheerofapprobation。Tenthousandswordssprangonhighfromasmanyscabbards，andthegloriousfightingmenofancientHeliumhailedCarthorisJeddakofHelium。
Histenureofofficewastobeforlifeoruntilhisgreat—
grandfather，orgrandfather，shouldreturn。HavingthussatisfactorilyarrangedthisimportantdutyforHelium，IstartedthefollowingdayfortheValleyDorthatImightremainclosetotheTempleoftheSununtilthefatefuldaythatshouldseetheopeningoftheprisoncellwheremylostlovelayburied。
HorVastusandKantosKan，withmyothernoblelieutenants，IleftwithCarthorisatHelium，thathemighthavethebenefitoftheirwisdom，bravery，andloyaltyintheperformanceofthearduousdutieswhichhaddevolveduponhim。OnlyWoola，myMartianhound，accompaniedme。
Atmyheelstonightthefaithfulbeastmovedsoftlyinmytracks。AslargeasaShetlandpony，withhideousheadandfrightfulfangs，hewasindeedanawesomespectacle，ashecreptaftermeonhistenshort，muscularlegs;buttomehewastheembodimentofloveandloyalty。
ThefigureaheadwasthatoftheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，Thurid，whoseundyingenmityIhadearnedthattimeIlaidhimlowwithmybarehandsinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssus，andboundhimwithhisownharnessbeforethenoblemenandwomenwhohadbutamomentbeforebeenextollinghisprowess。
Likemanyofhisfellows，hehadapparentlyacceptedtheneworderofthingswithgoodgrace，andhadswornfealtytoXodar，hisnewruler;
butIknewthathehatedme，andIwassurethatinhisheartheenviedandhatedXodar，soIhadkeptawatchuponhiscomingsandgoings，totheendthatoflateIhadbecomeconvincedthathewasoccupiedwithsomemannerofintrigue。
SeveraltimesIhadobservedhimleavingthewalledcityoftheFirstBornafterdark，takinghiswayoutintothecruelandhorribleValleyDor，wherenohonestbusinesscouldleadanyman。
Tonighthemovedquicklyalongtheedgeoftheforestuntilwellbeyondsightorsoundofthecity，thenheturnedacrossthecrimsonswardtowardtheshoreoftheLostSeaofKorus。
Theraysofthenearermoon，swinginglowacrossthevalley，touchedhisjewel—incrustedharnesswithathousandchanginglightsandglancedfromtheglossyebonyofhissmoothhide。Twiceheturnedhisheadbacktowardtheforest，afterthemannerofonewhoisuponanevilerrand，thoughhemusthavefeltquitesafefrompursuit。
Ididnotdarefollowhimtherebeneaththemoonlight，sinceitbestsuitedmyplansnottointerrupthis——Iwishedhimtoreachhisdestinationunsuspecting，thatImightlearnjustwherethatdestinationlayandthebusinessthatawaitedthenightprowlerthere。
SoitwasthatIremainedhiddenuntilafterThuridhaddisappearedovertheedgeofthesteepbankbesidetheseaaquarterofamileaway。Then，withWoolafollowing，Ihastenedacrosstheopenaftertheblackdator。
Thequietofthetomblayuponthemysteriousvalleyofdeath，crouchingdeepinitswarmnestwithinthesunkenareaatthesouthpoleofthedyingplanet。InthefardistancetheGoldenCliffsraisedtheirmightybarrierfacesfarintothestarlitheavens，thepreciousmetalsandscintillatingjewelsthatcomposedthemsparklinginthebrilliantlightofMars’stwogorgeousmoons。
Atmybackwastheforest，prunedandtrimmedliketheswardtoparklikesymmetrybythebrowsingoftheghoulishplantmen。
BeforemelaytheLostSeaofKorus，whilefartheronIcaughttheshimmeringribbonofIss，theRiverofMystery，whereitwoundoutfrombeneaththeGoldenCliffstoemptyintoKorus，towhichforcountlessageshadbeenbornethedeludedandunhappyMartiansoftheouterworlduponthevoluntarypilgrimagetothisfalseheaven。
Theplantmen，withtheirblood—suckinghands，andthemonstrouswhiteapesthatmakeDorhideousbyday，werehiddenintheirlairsforthenight。
TherewasnolongeraHolyThernuponthebalconyintheGoldenCliffsabovetheIsstosummonthemwithweirdcrytothevictimsfloatingdowntotheirmawsuponthecold，broadbosomofancientIss。
ThenaviesofHeliumandtheFirstBornhadclearedthefortressesandthetemplesofthethernswhentheyhadrefusedtosurrenderandaccepttheneworderofthingsthathadswepttheirfalsereligionfromlong—sufferingMars。
Inafewisolatedcountriestheystillretainedtheirage—oldpower;butMataiShang，theirhekkador，FatherofTherns，hadbeendrivenfromhistemple。Strenuoushadbeenourendeavorstocapturehim;butwithafewofthefaithfulhehadescaped，andwasinhiding——whereweknewnot。
AsIcamecautiouslytotheedgeofthelowcliffoverlookingtheLostSeaofKorusIsawThuridpushingoutuponthebosomoftheshimmeringwaterinasmallskiff——oneofthosestrangelywroughtcraftofunthinkableagewhichtheHolyTherns，withtheirorganizationofpriestsandlessertherns，werewonttodistributealongthebanksoftheIss，thatthelongjourneyoftheirvictimsmightbefacilitated。
Drawnuponthebeachbelowmewereascoreofsimilarboats，eachwithitslongpole，atoneendofwhichwasapike，attheotherapaddle。Thuridwashuggingtheshore，andashepassedoutofsightroundanear—bypromontoryIshovedoneoftheboatsintothewaterand，callingWoolaintoit，pushedoutfromshore。
ThepursuitofThuridcarriedmealongtheedgeoftheseatowardthemouthoftheIss。Thefarthermoonlayclosetothehorizon，castingadenseshadowbeneaththecliffsthatfringedthewater。Thuria，thenearermoon，hadset，norwoulditriseagainfornearfourhours，sothatIwasensuredconcealingdarknessforthatlengthoftimeatleast。
Onandonwenttheblackwarrior。NowhewasoppositethemouthoftheIss。Withoutaninstant’shesitationheturnedupthegrimriver，paddlinghardagainstthestrongcurrent。
AfterhimcameWoolaandI，closernow，forthemanwastoointentuponforcinghiscraftuptherivertohaveanyeyesforwhatmightbetranspiringbehindhim。Hehuggedtheshorewherethecurrentwaslessstrong。
PresentlyhecametothedarkcavernousportalinthefaceoftheGoldenCliffs，throughwhichtheriverpoured。OnintotheStygiandarknessbeyondheurgedhiscraft。
ItseemedhopelesstoattempttofollowhimherewhereIcouldnotseemyhandbeforemyface，andIwasalmostonthepointofgivingupthepursuitanddriftingbacktothemouthoftheriver，theretoawaithisreturn，whenasuddenbendshowedafaintluminosityahead。
Myquarrywasplainlyvisibleagain，andintheincreasinglightfromthephosphorescentrockthatlayembeddedingreatpatchesintheroughlyarchedroofofthecavernIhadnodifficultyinfollowinghim。
ItwasmyfirsttripuponthebosomofIss，andthethingsIsawtherewillliveforeverinmymemory。
Terribleastheywere，theycouldnothavecommencedtoapproximatethehorribleconditionswhichmusthaveobtainedbeforeTarsTarkas，thegreatgreenwarrior，Xodar，theblackdator，andIbroughtthelightoftruthtotheouterworldandstoppedthemadrushofmillionsuponthevoluntarypilgrimagetowhattheybelievedwouldendinabeautifulvalleyofpeaceandhappinessandlove。
Evennowthelowislandswhichdottedthebroadstreamwerechokedwiththeskeletonsandhalfdevouredcarcassesofthosewho，throughfearorasuddenawakeningtothetruth，hadhaltedalmostatthecompletionoftheirjourney。
Intheawfulstenchofthesefrightfulcharnelisleshaggardmaniacsscreamedandgibberedandfoughtamongthetornremnantsoftheirgrislyfeasts;whileonthosewhichcontainedbutclean—
pickedbonestheybattledwithoneanother，theweakerfurnishingsustenanceforthestronger;orwithclawlikehandsclutchedatthebloatedbodiesthatdrifteddownwiththecurrent。
Thuridpaidnottheslightestattentiontothescreamingthingsthateithermenacedorpleadedwithhimasthemooddirectedthem——evidentlyhewasfamiliarwiththehorridsightsthatsurroundedhim。Hecontinueduptheriverforperhapsamile;
andthen，crossingovertotheleftbank，drewhiscraftuponalowledgethatlayalmostonalevelwiththewater。
Idarednotfollowacrossthestream，forhemostsurelywouldhaveseenme。InsteadIstoppedclosetotheoppositewallbeneathanoverhangingmassofrockthatcastadenseshadowbeneathit。
HereIcouldwatchThuridwithoutdangerofdiscovery。
Theblackwasstandingupontheledgebesidehisboat，lookinguptheriver，asthoughhewereawaitingonewhomheexpectedfromthatdirection。
AsIlaytherebeneaththedarkrocksInoticedthatastrongcurrentseemedtoflowdirectlytowardthecenteroftheriver，sothatitwasdifficulttoholdmycraftinitsposition。IedgedfartherintotheshadowthatImightfindaholduponthebank;
but，thoughIproceededseveralyards，Itouchednothing;andthen，findingthatIwouldsoonreachapointfromwhereIcouldnolongerseetheblackman，IwascompelledtoremainwhereIwas，holdingmypositionasbestIcouldbypaddlingstronglyagainstthecurrentwhichflowedfrombeneaththerockymassbehindme。
Icouldnotimaginewhatmightcausethisstronglateralflow，forthemainchanneloftheriverwasplainlyvisibletomefromwhereIsat，andIcouldseetheripplingjunctionofitandthemysteriouscurrentwhichhadarousedmycuriosity。
WhileIwasstillspeculatinguponthephenomenon，myattentionwassuddenlyriveteduponThurid，whohadraisedbothpalmsforwardabovehisheadintheuniversalsaluteofMartians，andamomentlaterhis\"Kaor！\"theBarsoomianwordofgreeting，cameinlowbutdistincttones。
Iturnedmyeyesuptheriverinthedirectionthathiswerebent，andpresentlytherecamewithinmylimitedrangeofvisionalongboat，inwhichweresixmen。Fivewereatthepaddles，whilethesixthsatintheseatofhonor。
Thewhiteskins，theflowingyellowwigswhichcoveredtheirbaldpates，andthegorgeousdiademssetincircletsofgoldabouttheirheadsmarkedthemasHolyTherns。
AstheydrewupbesidetheledgeuponwhichThuridawaitedthem，heinthebowoftheboatarosetostepashore，andthenI
sawthatitwasnoneotherthanMataiShang，FatherofTherns。
Theevidentcordialitywithwhichthetwomenexchangedgreetingsfilledmewithwonder，fortheblackandwhitemenofBarsoomwerehereditaryenemies——noreverbeforehadIknownoftwomeetingotherthaninbattle。
Evidentlythereversesthathadrecentlyovertakenbothpeopleshadresultedinanalliancebetweenthesetwoindividuals——atleastagainstthecommonenemy——andnowIsawwhyThuridhadcomesooftenoutintotheValleyDorbynight，andthatthenatureofhisconspiringmightbesuchastostrikeveryclosetomeortomyfriends。
IwishedthatImighthavefoundapointclosertothetwomenfromwhichtohaveheardtheirconversation;butitwasoutofthequestionnowtoattempttocrosstheriver，andsoIlayquietlywatchingthem，whowouldhavegivensomuchtohaveknownhowcloseIlaytothem，andhoweasilytheymighthaveovercomeandkilledmewiththeirsuperiorforce。
SeveraltimesThuridpointedacrosstheriverinmydirection，butthathisgestureshadanyreferencetomeIdidnotforamomentbelieve。PresentlyheandMataiShangenteredthelatter’sboat，whichturnedoutintotheriverand，swinginground，forgedsteadilyacrossinmydirection。
AstheyadvancedImovedmyboatfartherandfartherinbeneaththeoverhangingwall，butatlastitbecameevidentthattheircraftwasholdingthesamecourse。Thefivepaddlerssentthelargerboataheadataspeedthattaxedmyenergiestoequal。
EveryinstantIexpectedtofeelmyprowcrashagainstsolidrock。
Thelightfromtheriverwasnolongervisible，butaheadI
sawthefainttingeofadistantradiance，andstillthewaterbeforemewasopen。
Atlastthetruthdawneduponme——IwasfollowingasubterraneanriverwhichemptiedintotheIssattheverypointwhereIhadhidden。
Therowerswerenowquiteclosetome。Thenoiseoftheirownpaddlesdrownedthesoundofmine，butinanotherinstantthegrowinglightaheadwouldrevealmetothem。
Therewasnotimetobelost。WhateveractionIwastotakemustbetakenatonce。Swingingtheprowofmyboattowardtheright，Isoughttheriver’srockyside，andthereIlaywhileMataiShangandThuridapproachedupthecenterofthestream，whichwasmuchnarrowerthantheIss。
AstheycamenearerIheardthevoicesofThuridandtheFatherofThernsraisedinargument。
\"Itellyou，Thern，\"theblackdatorwassaying，\"thatIwishonlyvengeanceuponJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。Iamleadingyouintonotrap。WhatcouldIgainbybetrayingyoutothosewhohaveruinedmynationandmyhouse？\"
\"LetusstophereamomentthatImayhearyourplans，\"
repliedthehekkador，\"andthenwemayproceedwithabetterunderstandingofourdutiesandobligations。\"
TotherowersheissuedthecommandthatbroughttheirboatintowardthebanknotadozenpacesbeyondthespotwhereIlay。
Hadtheypulledinbelowmetheymustsurelyhaveseenmeagainstthefaintglowoflightahead，butfromwheretheyfinallycametorestIwasassecurefromdetectionasthoughmilesseparatedus。
ThefewwordsIhadalreadyoverheardwhettedmycuriosity，andIwasanxioustolearnwhatmannerofvengeanceThuridwasplanningagainstme。NorhadIlongtowait。Ilistenedintently。
\"Therearenoobligations，FatherofTherns，\"continuedtheFirstBorn。\"Thurid，DatorofIssus，hasnoprice。WhenthethinghasbeenaccomplishedIshallbegladifyouwillseetoitthatI
amwellreceived，asisbefittingmyancientlineageandnoblerank，atsomecourtthatisyetloyaltothyancientfaith，forI
cannotreturntotheValleyDororelsewherewithinthepowerofthePrinceofHelium;buteventhatIdonotdemand——itshallbeasyourowndesireinthematterdirects。\"
\"Itshallbeasyouwish，Dator，\"repliedMataiShang;\"noristhatall——powerandrichesshallbeyoursifyourestoremydaughter，Phaidor，tome，andplacewithinmypowerDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。
\"Ah，\"hecontinuedwithamalicioussnarl，\"buttheEarthmanshallsufferfortheindignitieshehasputupontheholyofholies，norshallanyvilenessbetooviletoinflictuponhisprincess。Wouldthatitwereinmypowertoforcehimtowitnessthehumiliationanddegradationoftheredwoman。\"
\"Youshallhaveyourwaywithherbeforeanotherdayhaspassed，MataiShang，\"saidThurid，\"ifyoubutsaytheword。\"
\"IhaveheardoftheTempleoftheSun，Dator，\"repliedMataiShang，\"butneverhaveIheardthatitsprisonerscouldbereleasedbeforetheallottedyearoftheirincarcerationhadelapsed。
How，then，mayyouaccomplishtheimpossible？\"
\"Accessmaybehadtoanycellofthetempleatanytime，\"
repliedThurid。\"OnlyIssusknewthis;norwasiteverIssus’waytodivulgemoreofhersecretsthanwerenecessary。Bychance，afterherdeath，Icameuponanancientplanofthetemple，andthereIfound，plainlywrit，themostminutedirectionsforreachingthecellsatanytime。
\"AndmoreIlearned——thatmanymenhadgonethitherforIssusinthepast，alwaysonerrandsofdeathandtorturetotheprisoners;
butthosewhothuslearnedthesecretwaywerewonttodiemysteriouslyimmediatelytheyhadreturnedandmadetheirreportstocruelIssus。\"
\"Letusproceed，then，\"saidMataiShangatlast。\"Imusttrustyou，yetatthesametimeyoumusttrustme，forwearesixtoyourone。\"
\"Idonotfear，\"repliedThurid，\"norneedyou。Ourhatredofthecommonenemyissufficientbondtoinsureourloyaltytoeachother，andafterwehavedefiledthePrincessofHeliumtherewillbestillgreaterreasonforthemaintenanceofourallegiance——
unlessIgreatlymistakethetemperofherlord。\"
MataiShangspoketothepaddlers。Theboatmovedonupthetributary。
ItwaswithdifficultythatIrestrainedmyselffromrushinguponthemandslayingthetwovileplotters;butquicklyIsawthemadrashnessofsuchanact，whichwouldcutdowntheonlymanwhocouldleadthewaytoDejahThoris’prisonbeforethelongMartianyearhadswungitsinterminablecircle。
IfheshouldleadMataiShangtothathollowedspot，then，too，shouldheleadJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
WithsilentpaddleIswungslowlyintothewakeofthelargercraft。
UNDERTHEMOUNTAINS
AsweadvanceduptheriverwhichwindsbeneaththeGoldenCliffsoutofthebowelsoftheMountainsofOtztomingleitsdarkwaterswiththegrimandmysteriousIssthefaintglowwhichhadappearedbeforeusgrewgraduallyintoanall—envelopingradiance。
Theriverwideneduntilitpresentedtheaspectofalargelakewhosevaulteddome，lightedbyglowingphosphorescentrock，wassplashedwiththevividraysofthediamond，thesapphire，theruby，andthecountless，namelessjewelsofBarsoomwhichlayincrustedinthevirgingoldwhichformsthemajorportionofthesemagnificentcliffs。
Beyondthelightedchamberofthelakewasdarkness——whatlaybehindthedarknessIcouldnotevenguess。
Tohavefollowedthethernboatacrossthegleamingwaterwouldhavebeentoinviteinstantdetection，andso，thoughIwasloathtopermitThuridtopassevenforaninstantbeyondmysight，Iwasforcedtowaitintheshadowsuntiltheotherboathadpassedfrommysightatthefarextremityofthelake。
ThenIpaddledoutuponthebrilliantsurfaceinthedirectiontheyhadtaken。
When，afterwhatseemedaneternity，IreachedtheshadowsattheupperendofthelakeIfoundthattheriverissuedfromalowaperture，topassbeneathwhichitwasnecessarythatIcompelWoolatolieflatintheboat，andI，myself，mustneedbenddoublebeforethelowroofclearedmyhead。
Immediatelytheroofroseagainupontheotherside，butnolongerwasthewaybrilliantlylighted。Insteadonlyafeebleglowemanatedfromsmallandscatteredpatchesofphosphorescentrockinwallandroof。
Directlybeforemetheriverranintothissmallerchamberthroughthreeseparatearchedopenings。
Thuridandthethernswerenowheretobeseen——intowhichofthedarkholeshadtheydisappeared？TherewasnomeansbywhichImightknow，andsoIchosethecenteropeningasbeingaslikelytoleadmeintherightdirectionasanother。
Herethewaywasthroughutterdarkness。Thestreamwasnarrow——
sonarrowthatintheblacknessIwasconstantlybumpingfirstonerockwallandthenanotherastheriverwoundhitherandthitheralongitsflintybed。
FaraheadIpresentlyheardadeepandsullenroarwhichincreasedinvolumeasIadvanced，andthenbrokeuponmyearswithalltheintensityofitsmadfuryasIswungroundasharpcurveintoadimlylightedstretchofwater。
Directlybeforemetheriverthundereddownfromaboveinamightywaterfallthatfilledthenarrowgorgefromsidetoside，risingfarabovemeseveralhundredfeet——asmagnificentaspectacleasIeverhadseen。
Buttheroar——theawful，deafeningroarofthosetumblingwaterspennedintherocky，subterraneanvault！HadthefallnotentirelyblockedmyfurtherpassageandshownmethatIhadfollowedthewrongcourseIbelievethatIshouldhavefledanywaybeforethemaddeningtumult。
Thuridandthethernscouldnothavecomethisway。BystumblinguponthewrongcourseIhadlostthetrail，andtheyhadgainedsomuchaheadofmethatnowImightnotbeabletofindthembeforeitwastoolate，if，infact，Icouldfindthematall。
Ithadtakenseveralhourstoforcemywayuptothefallsagainstthestrongcurrent，andotherhourswouldberequiredforthedescent，althoughthepacewouldbemuchswifter。
WithasighIturnedtheprowofmycraftdownstream，andwithmightystrokeshastenedwithrecklessspeedthroughthedarkandtortuouschanneluntilonceagainIcametothechamberintowhichflowedthethreebranchesoftheriver。
Twounexploredchannelsstillremainedfromwhichtochoose;
norwasthereanymeansbywhichIcouldjudgewhichwasthemorelikelytoleadmetotheplotters。
Neverinmylife，thatIcanrecall，haveIsufferedsuchanagonyofindecision。Somuchdependeduponacorrectchoice;
somuchdependeduponhaste。
ThehoursthatIhadalreadylostmightsealthefateoftheincomparableDejahThoriswereshenotalreadydead——tosacrificeotherhours，andmaybedaysinafruitlessexplorationofanotherblindleadwouldunquestionablyprovefatal。
SeveraltimesIessayedtheright—handentranceonlytoturnbackasthoughwarnedbysomestrangeintuitivesensethatthiswasnottheway。Atlast，convincedbytheoft—recurringphenomenon，Icastmyallupontheleft—handarchway;yetitwaswithalingeringdoubtthatIturnedapartinglookatthesullenwaterswhichrolled，darkandforbidding，frombeneaththegrim，lowarchwayontheright。
AndasIlookedtherecamebobbingoutuponthecurrentfromtheStygiandarknessoftheinteriortheshellofoneofthegreat，succulentfruitsofthesorapustree。
Icouldscarcerestrainashoutofelationasthissilent，insensatemessengerfloatedpastme，ontowardtheIssandKorus，forittoldmethatjourneyingMartianswereabovemeonthatverystream。
Theyhadeatenofthismarvelousfruitwhichnatureconcentrateswithinthehardshellofthesorapusnut，andhavingeatenhadcastthehuskoverboard。ItcouldhavecomefromnoothersthanthepartyIsought。
QuicklyIabandonedallthoughtoftheleft—handpassage，andamomentlaterhadturnedintotheright。Thestreamsoonwidened，andrecurringareasofphosphorescentrocklightedmyway。
Imadegoodtime，butwasconvincedthatIwasnearlyadaybehindthoseIwastracking。NeitherWoolanorIhadeatensincethepreviousday，butinsofarashewasconcerneditmatteredbutlittle，sincepracticallyalltheanimalsofthedeadseabottomsofMarsareabletogoforincredibleperiodswithoutnourishment。
NordidIsuffer。Thewateroftheriverwassweetandcold，foritwasunpollutedbydecayingbodies——liketheIss——andasforfood，whythemerethoughtthatIwasnearingmybelovedprincessraisedmeaboveeverymaterialwant。
AsIproceeded，theriverbecamenarrowerandthecurrentswiftandturbulent——soswiftinfactthatitwaswithdifficultythatIforcedmycraftupwardatall。Icouldnothavebeenmakingtoexceedahundredyardsanhourwhen，atabend，Iwasconfrontedbyaseriesofrapidsthroughwhichtheriverfoamedandboiledataterrificrate。
Myheartsankwithinme。Thesorapusnutshellhadprovedafalseprophet，and，afterall，myintuitionhadbeencorrect——itwastheleft—handchannelthatIshouldhavefollowed。
HadIbeenawomanIshouldhavewept。Atmyrightwasagreat，slow—movingeddythatcircledfarbeneaththecliff’soverhangingside，andtorestmytiredmusclesbeforeturningbackIletmyboatdriftintoitsembrace。
Iwasalmostprostratedbydisappointment。Itwouldmeananotherhalf—day’slossoftimetoretracemywayandtaketheonlypassagethatyetremainedunexplored。Whathellishfatehadledmetoselectfromthreepossibleavenuesthetwothatwerewrong？
Asthelazycurrentoftheeddycarriedmeslowlyabouttheperipheryofthewaterycirclemyboattwicetouchedtherockysideoftheriverinthedarkrecessbeneaththecliff。Athirdtimeitstruck，gentlyasithadbefore，butthecontactresultedinadifferentsound——thesoundofwoodscrapinguponwood。
InaninstantIwasonthealert，fortherecouldbenowoodwithinthatburiedriverthathadnotbeenmanbrought。Almostcoincidentallywithmyfirstapprehensionofthenoise，myhandshotoutacrosstheboat’sside，andasecondlaterIfeltmyfingersgrippingthegunwaleofanothercraft。
AsthoughturnedtostoneIsatintenseandrigidsilence，strainingmyeyesintotheutterdarknessbeforemeinanefforttodiscoveriftheboatwereoccupied。
Itwasentirelypossiblethattheremightbemenonboarditwhowerestillignorantofmypresence，fortheboatwasscrapinggentlyagainsttherocksupononeside，sothatthegentletouchofmyboatupontheothereasilycouldhavegoneunnoticed。
PeerasIwouldIcouldnotpenetratethedarkness，andthenIlistenedintentlyforthesoundofbreathingnearme;butexceptforthenoiseoftherapids，thesoftscrapingoftheboats，andthelappingofthewaterattheirsidesIcoulddistinguishnosound。Asusual，Ithoughtrapidly。
Aropelaycoiledinthebottomofmyowncraft。VerysoftlyIgathereditup，andmakingoneendfasttothebronzeringintheprowIsteppedgingerlyintotheboatbesideme。InonehandI
graspedtherope，intheothermykeenlong—sword。
Forafullminute，perhaps，Istoodmotionlessafterenteringthestrangecraft。Ithadrockedatriflebeneathmyweight，butithadbeenthescrapingofitssideagainstthesideofmyownboatthathadseemedmostlikelytoalarmitsoccupants，iftherewereany。
Buttherewasnoansweringsound，andamomentlaterIhadfeltfromstemtosternandfoundtheboatdeserted。
Gropingwithmyhandsalongthefaceoftherockstowhichthecraftwasmoored，IdiscoveredanarrowledgewhichIknewmustbetheavenuetakenbythosewhohadcomebeforeme。ThattheycouldbenoneotherthanThuridandhispartyIwasconvincedbythesizeandbuildoftheboatIhadfound。
CallingtoWoolatofollowmeIsteppedoutupontheledge。
Thegreat，savagebrute，agileasacat，creptafterme。
AshepassedthroughtheboatthathadbeenoccupiedbyThuridandthethernsheemittedasinglelowgrowl，andwhenhecamebesidemeupontheledgeandmyhandresteduponhisneckIfelthisshortmanebristlingwithanger。Ithinkhesensedtelepathicallytherecentpresenceofanenemy，forIhadmadenoefforttoimparttohimthenatureofourquestorthestatusofthosewetracked。
ThisomissionInowmadehastetocorrect，and，afterthemannerofgreenMartianswiththeirbeasts，IlethimknowpartiallybytheweirdanduncannytelepathyofBarsoomandpartlybywordofmouththatwewereuponthetrailofthosewhohadrecentlyoccupiedtheboatthroughwhichwehadjustpassed。
Asoftpurr，likethatofagreatcat，indicatedthatWoolaunderstood，andthen，withawordtohimtofollow，Iturnedtotherightalongtheledge，butscarcelyhadIdonesothanIfelthismightyfangstuggingatmyleathernharness。
AsIturnedtodiscoverthecauseofhisacthecontinuedtopullmesteadilyintheoppositedirection，norwouldhedesistuntilI
hadturnedaboutandindicatedthatIwouldfollowhimvoluntarily。
NeverhadIknownhimtobeinerrorinamatteroftracking，soitwaswithafeelingofentiresecuritythatImovedcautiouslyinthehugebeast’swake。ThroughCimmeriandarknesshemovedalongthenarrowledgebesidetheboilingrapids。
Asweadvanced，thewayledfrombeneaththeoverhangingcliffsoutintoadimlight，andthenitwasthatIsawthatthetrailhadbeencutfromthelivingrock，andthatitranupalongtheriver’ssidebeyondtherapids。
ForhourswefollowedthedarkandgloomyriverfartherandfartherintothebowelsofMars。FromthedirectionanddistanceIknewthatwemustbewellbeneaththeValleyDor，andpossiblybeneaththeSeaofOmeanaswell——itcouldnotbemuchfarthernowtotheTempleoftheSun。
Evenasmymindframedthethought，Woolahaltedsuddenlybeforeanarrow，archeddoorwayinthecliffbythetrail’sside。
Quicklyhecrouchedbackawayfromtheentrance，atthesametimeturninghiseyestowardme。
Wordscouldnothavemoreplainlytoldmethatdangerofsomesortlaynearby，andsoIpressedquietlyforwardtohisside，andpassinghimlookedintotheapertureatourright。
Beforemewasafair—sizedchamberthat，fromitsappointments，Iknewmusthaveatonetimebeenaguardroom。Therewereracksforweapons，andslightlyraisedplatformsforthesleepingsilksandfursofthewarriors，butnowitsonlyoccupantsweretwoofthethernswhohadbeenofthepartywithThuridandMataiShang。
Themenwereinearnestconversation，andfromtheirtonesitwasapparentthattheywereentirelyunawarethattheyhadlisteners。
\"Itellyou，\"oneofthemwassaying，\"Idonottrusttheblackone。
Therewasnonecessityforleavingusheretoguardtheway。
Againstwhat，pray，shouldweguardthislong—forgotten，abysmalpath？Itwasbutarusetodivideournumbers。
\"HewillhaveMataiShangleaveotherselsewhereonsomepretextorother，andthenatlasthewillfalluponuswithhisconfederatesandslayusall。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，Lakor，\"repliedtheother，\"therecanneverbeaughtelsethandeadlyhatredbetweenthernandFirstBorn。Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight？`Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals，andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit，andthenfortwenty—fivetalswithnineunits。’Thosewerehisverywords，andtothinkthatwiseoldMataiShangshouldlistentosuchfoolishness。\"
\"Indeed，itissilly，\"repliedLakor。\"Itwillopennothingotherthanthewaytoaquickdeathforusall。HehadtomakesomeanswerwhenMataiShangaskedhimflatlywhatheshoulddowhenhecametotheTempleoftheSun，andsohemadehisanswerquicklyfromhisimagination——Iwouldwagerahekkador’sdiademthathecouldnotnowrepeatithimself。\"
\"Letusnotremainherelonger，Lakor，\"spoketheotherthern。
\"PerchanceifwehastenafterthemwemaycomeintimetorescueMataiShang，andwreakourownvengeanceupontheblackdator。
Whatsayyou？\"
\"Neverinalonglife，\"answeredLakor，\"haveIdisobeyedasinglecommandoftheFatherofTherns。IshallstayhereuntilIrotifhedoesnotreturntobidmeelsewhere。\"
Lakor’scompanionshookhishead。
\"Youaremysuperior，\"hesaid;\"Icannotdootherthanyousanction，thoughIstillbelievethatwearefoolishtoremain。\"
I，too，thoughtthattheywerefoolishtoremain，forIsawfromWoola’sactionsthatthetrailledthroughtheroomwherethetwothernsheldguard。Ihadnoreasontoharboranyconsiderableloveforthisraceofself—deifieddemons，yetIwouldhavepassedthembywereitpossiblewithoutmolestingthem。
Itwasworthtryinganyway，forafightmightdelayusconsiderably，orevenputanendentirelytomysearch——bettermenthanIhavegonedownbeforefightersofmeanerabilitythanthatpossessedbythefiercethernwarriors。
SignalingWoolatoheelIsteppedsuddenlyintotheroombeforethetwomen。Atsightofmetheirlong—swordsflashedfromtheharnessattheirsides，butIraisedmyhandinagestureofrestraint。
\"IseekThurid，theblackdator，\"Isaid。\"Myquarreliswithhim，notwithyou。Letmepasstheninpeace，forifImistakenotheisasmuchyourenemyasmine，andyoucanhavenocausetoprotecthim。\"
TheyloweredtheirswordsandLakorspoke。
\"Iknownotwhomyoumaybe，withthewhiteskinofathernandtheblackhairofaredman;butwereitonlyThuridwhosesafetywereatstakeyoumightpass，andwelcome，insofaraswebeconcerned。
\"Telluswhoyoube，andwhatmissioncallsyoutothisunknownworldbeneaththeValleyDor，thenmaybewecanseeourwaytoletyoupassupontheerrandwhichweshouldliketoundertakewouldourorderspermit。\"
Iwassurprisedthatneitherofthemhadrecognizedme，forI
thoughtthatIwasquitesufficientlywellknowneitherbypersonalexperienceorreputationtoeverythernuponBarsoomastomakemyidentityimmediatelyapparentinanypartoftheplanet。
Infact，IwastheonlywhitemanuponMarswhosehairwasblackandwhoseeyesweregray，withtheexceptionofmyson，Carthoris。
Torevealmyidentitymightbetoprecipitateanattack，foreverythernuponBarsoomknewthattometheyowedthefalloftheirage—oldspiritualsupremacy。Ontheotherhandmyreputationasafightingmanmightbesufficienttopassmebythesetwoweretheirliversnotoftherightcomplexiontowelcomeabattletothedeath。
TobequitecandidIdidnotattempttodeludemyselfwithanysuchsophistry，sinceIknewwellthatuponwar—likeMarstherearefewcowards，andthateveryman，whetherprince，priest，orpeasant，gloriesindeadlystrife。AndsoIgrippedmylong—swordthetighterasIrepliedtoLakor。
\"Ibelievethatyouwillseethewisdomofpermittingmetopassunmolested，\"Isaid，\"foritwouldavailyounothingtodieuselesslyintherockybowelsofBarsoommerelytoprotectahereditaryenemy，suchasThurid，DatoroftheFirstBorn。
\"ThatyoushalldieshouldyouelecttoopposemeisevidencedbythemolderingcorpsesofallthemanygreatBarsoomianwarriorswhohavegonedownbeneaththisblade——IamJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。\"
Foramomentthatnameseemedtoparalyzethetwomen;butonlyforamoment，andthentheyoungerofthem，withavilenameuponhislips，rushedtowardmewithreadysword。
Hehadbeenstandingalittlebehindhiscompanion，Lakor，duringourparley，andnow，erehecouldengageme，theoldermangraspedhisharnessanddrewhimback。
\"Hold！\"commandedLakor。\"Therewillbeplentyoftimetofightifwefinditwisetofightatall。TherebegoodreasonswhyeverythernuponBarsoomshouldyearntospillthebloodoftheblasphemer，thesacrilegist;butletusmixwisdomwithourrighteoushate。ThePrinceofHeliumisbounduponanerrandwhichweourselves，butamomentsince，werewishingthatwemightundertake。
\"Lethimgothenandslaytheblack。Whenhereturnsweshallstillbeheretobarhiswaytotheouterworld，andthusweshallhaveridourselvesoftwoenemies，norhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheFatherofTherns。\"
AshespokeIcouldnotbutnotethecraftyglintinhisevileyes，andwhileIsawtheapparentlogicofhisreasoningIfelt，subconsciouslyperhaps，thathiswordsdidbutveilsomesinisterintent。Theotherthernturnedtowardhiminevidentsurprise，butwhenLakorhadwhisperedafewbriefwordsintohisearhe，too，drewbackandnoddedacquiescencetohissuperior’ssuggestion。
\"Proceed，JohnCarter，\"saidLakor;\"butknowthatifThuriddoesnotlayyoulowtherewillbethoseawaitingyourreturnwhowillseethatyouneverpassagainintothesunlightoftheupperworld。Go！\"
DuringourconversationWoolahadbeengrowlingandbristlingclosetomyside。Occasionallyhewouldlookupintomyfacewithalow，pleadingwhine，asthoughbeggingforthewordthatwouldsendhimheadlongatthebarethroatsbeforehim。He，too，sensedthevillainybehindthesmoothwords。
Beyondthethernsseveraldoorwaysopenedofftheguardroom，andtowardtheoneupontheextremerightLakormotioned。
\"ThatwayleadstoThurid，\"hesaid。
ButwhenIwouldhavecalledWoolatofollowmetherethebeastwhinedandheldback，andatlastranquicklytothefirstopeningattheleft，wherehestoodemittinghiscoughingbark，asthoughurgingmetofollowhimupontherightway。
IturnedaquestioninglookuponLakor。
\"Thebruteisseldomwrong，\"Isaid，\"andwhileIdonotdoubtyoursuperiorknowledge，Thern，IthinkthatIshalldowelltolistentothevoiceofinstinctthatisbackedbyloveandloyalty。\"
AsIspokeIsmiledgrimlythathemightknowwithoutwordsthatIdistrustedhim。
\"Asyouwill，\"thefellowrepliedwithashrug。\"Intheenditshallbeallthesame。\"
IturnedandfollowedWoolaintotheleft—handpassage，andthoughmybackwastowardmyenemies，myearswereonthealert;
yetIheardnosoundofpursuit。Thepassagewaywasdimlylightedbyoccasionalradiumbulbs，theuniversallightingmediumofBarsoom。
Thesesamelampsmayhavebeendoingcontinuousdutyinthesesubterraneanchambersforages，sincetheyrequirenoattentionandaresocompoundedthattheygiveoffbuttheminutestoftheirsubstanceinthegenerationofyearsofluminosity。
Wehadproceededforbutashortdistancewhenwecommencedtopassthemouthsofdivergingcorridors，butnotoncedidWoolahesitate。
ItwasattheopeningtooneofthesecorridorsuponmyrightthatIpresentlyheardasoundthatspokemoreplainlytoJohnCarter，fightingman，thancouldthewordsofmymothertongue——itwastheclankofmetal——themetalofawarrior’sharness——anditcamefromalittledistanceupthecorridoruponmyright。
Woolaheardit，too，andlikeaflashhehadwheeledandstoodfacingthethreateneddanger，hismaneallabristleandallhisrowsofglisteningfangsbaredbysnarling，backdrawnlips。
WithagestureIsilencedhim，andtogetherwedrewasideintoanothercorridorafewpacesfartheron。
Herewewaited;nordidwehavelongtowait，forpresentlywesawtheshadowsoftwomenfalluponthefloorofthemaincorridorathwartthedoorwayofourhidingplace。Verycautiouslytheyweremovingnow——theaccidentalclankthathadalarmedmewasnotrepeated。
Presentlytheycameoppositeourstation;norwasIsurprisedtoseethatthetwowereLakorandhiscompanionoftheguardroom。
Theywalkedverysoftly，andintherighthandofeachgleamedakeenlong—sword。Theyhaltedquiteclosetotheentranceofourretreat，whisperingtoeachother。
\"Canitbethatwehavedistancedthemalready？\"saidLakor。
\"Eitherthatorthebeasthasledthemanuponawrongtrail，\"
repliedtheother，\"forthewaywhichwetookisbyfartheshortertothispoint——forhimwhoknowsit。JohnCarterwouldhavefounditashortroadtodeathhadhetakenitasyousuggestedtohim。\"
\"Yes，\"saidLakor，\"noamountoffightingabilitywouldhavesavedhimfromthepivotedflagstone。Hesurelywouldhavesteppeduponit，andbynow，ifthepitbeneathithasabottom，whichThuriddenies，heshouldhavebeenrapidlyapproachingit。
Cursesonthatcalotofhisthatwarnedhimtowardthesaferavenue！\"
\"Therebeotherdangersaheadofhim，though，\"spokeLakor’sfellow，\"whichhemaynotsoeasilyescape——shouldhesucceedinescapingourtwogoodswords。Consider，forexample，whatchancehewillhave，comingunexpectedlyintothechamberof————\"
IwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveheardthebalanceofthatconversationthatImighthavebeenwarnedoftheperilsthatlayahead，butfateintervened，andjustattheveryinstantofallotherinstantsthatIwouldnothaveelectedtodoit，Isneezed。
THETEMPLEOFTHESUN
Therewasnothingforitnowotherthantofight;nordidI
haveanyadvantageasIsprang，swordinhand，intothecorridorbeforethetwotherns，formyuntimelysneezehadwarnedthemofmypresenceandtheywerereadyforme。
Therewerenowords，fortheywouldhavebeenawasteofbreath。
Theverypresenceofthetwoproclaimedtheirtreachery。Thattheywerefollowingtofalluponmeunawareswasalltooplain，andthey，ofcourse，musthaveknownthatIunderstoodtheirplan。
InaninstantIwasengagedwithboth，andthoughIloathetheverynameofthern，Imustinallfairnessadmitthattheyaremightyswordsmen;andthesetwowerenoexception，unlessitwerethattheywereevenmoreskilledandfearlessthantheaverageamongtheirrace。
WhileitlasteditwasindeedasjoyousaconflictasIeverhadexperienced。TwiceatleastIsavedmybreastfromthemortalthrustofpiercingsteelonlybythewondrousagilitywithwhichmyearthlymusclesendowmeundertheconditionsoflessergravityandairpressureuponMars。
YetevensoIcameneartotastingdeaththatdayinthegloomycorridorbeneathMars’ssouthernpole，forLakorplayedatrickuponmethatinallmyexperienceoffightingupontwoplanetsIneverbeforehadwitnessedthelikeof。
Theotherthernwasengagingmeatthetime，andIwasforcinghimback——touchinghimhereandtherewithmypointuntilhewasbleedingfromadozenwounds，yetnotbeingabletopenetratehismarvelousguardtoreachavulnerablespotforthebriefinstantthatwouldhavebeensufficienttosendhimtohisancestors。
ItwasthenthatLakorquicklyunslungabeltfromhisharness，andasIsteppedbacktoparryawickedthrusthelashedoneendofitaboutmyleftanklesothatitwoundthereforaninstant，whilehejerkedsuddenlyupontheotherend，throwingmeheavilyuponmyback。
Then，likeleapingpanthers，theywereuponme;buttheyhadreckonedwithoutWoola，andbeforeeverabladetouchedme，aroaringembodimentofathousanddemonshurtledabovemyprostrateformandmyloyalMartiancalotwasuponthem。
Imagine，ifyoucan，ahugegrizzlywithtenlegsarmedwithmightytalonsandanenormousfroglikemouthsplittinghisheadfromeartoear，exposingthreerowsoflong，whitetusks。Thenendowthiscreatureofyourimaginationwiththeagilityandferocityofahalf—starvedBengaltigerandthestrengthofaspanofbulls，andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionofWoolainaction。
BeforeIcouldcallhimoffhehadcrushedLakorintoajellywithasingleblowofonemightypaw，andhadliterallytorntheothertherntoribbons;yetwhenIspoketohimsharplyhecowedsheepishlyasthoughhehaddoneathingtodeservecensureandchastisement。
NeverhadIhadthehearttopunishWooladuringthelongyearsthathadpassedsincethatfirstdayuponMarswhenthegreenjedoftheTharkshadplacedhimonguardoverme，andIhadwonhisloveandloyaltyfromthecruelandlovelessmastersofhisformerlife，yetIbelievehewouldhavesubmittedtoanycrueltythatImighthaveinflicteduponhim，sowondrouswashisaffectionforme。
ThediademinthecenterofthecircletofgolduponthebrowofLakorproclaimedhimaHolyThern，whilehiscompanion，notthusadorned，wasalesserthern，thoughfromhisharnessIgleanedthathehadreachedtheNinthCycle，whichisbutonebelowthatoftheHolyTherns。
AsIstoodforamomentlookingatthegruesomehavocWoolahadwrought，thererecurredtomethememoryofthatotheroccasionuponwhichIhadmasqueradedinthewig，diadem，andharnessofSatorThrog，theHolyThernwhomThuviaofPtarthhadslain，andnowitoccurredtomethatitmightproveofworthtoutilizeLakor’strappingsforthesamepurpose。
AmomentlaterIhadtornhisyellowwigfromhisbaldpateandtransferreditandthecirclet，aswellasallhisharness，tomyownperson。
Wooladidnotapproveofthemetamorphosis。Hesniffedatmeandgrowledominously，butwhenIspoketohimandpattedhishugeheadheatlengthbecamereconciledtothechange，andatmycommandtrottedoffalongthecorridorinthedirectionwehadbeengoingwhenourprogresshadbeeninterruptedbythetherns。
Wemovedcautiouslynow，warnedbythefragmentofconversationIhadoverheard。IkeptabreastofWoolathatwemighthavethebenefitofalloureyesforwhatmightappearsuddenlyaheadtomenaceus，andwellitwasthatwewereforewarned。
Atthebottomofaflightofnarrowstepsthecorridorturnedsharplybackuponitself，immediatelymakinganotherturnintheoriginaldirection，sothatatthatpointitformedaperfectletterS，thetoplegofwhichdebouchedsuddenlyintoalargechamber，illylighted，andthefloorofwhichwascompletelycoveredbyvenomoussnakesandloathsomereptiles。
Tohaveattemptedtocrossthatfloorwouldhavebeentocourtinstantdeath，andforamomentIwasalmostcompletelydiscouraged。
ThenitoccurredtomethatThuridandMataiShangwiththeirpartymusthavecrossedit，andsotherewasaway。
HaditnotbeenforthefortunateaccidentbywhichIoverheardevensosmallaportionofthetherns’conversationweshouldhaveblunderedatleastasteportwointothatwrigglingmassofdestruction，andasinglestepwouldhavebeenall—
sufficienttohavesealedourdoom。
TheseweretheonlyreptilesIhadeverseenuponBarsoom，butIknewfromtheirsimilaritytothefossilizedremainsofsupposedlyextinctspeciesIhadseeninthemuseumsofHeliumthattheycomprisedmanyoftheknownprehistoricreptiliangenera，aswellasothersundiscovered。
Amorehideousaggregationofmonstershadneverbeforeassailedmyvision。ItwouldbefutiletoattempttodescribethemtoEarthmen，sincesubstanceistheonlythingwhichtheypossessincommonwithanycreatureofthepastorpresentwithwhichyouarefamiliar——eventheirvenomisofanunearthlyvirulencethat，bycomparison，wouldmakethecobradecapelloseemquiteasharmlessasanangleworm。
Astheyspiedmetherewasaconcertedrushbythosenearesttheentrancewherewestood，butalineofradiumbulbsinsetalongthethresholdoftheirchamberbroughtthemtoasuddenhalt——
evidentlytheydarednotcrossthatlineoflight。
IhadbeenquitesurethattheywouldnotventurebeyondtheroominwhichIhaddiscoveredthem，thoughIhadnotguessedatwhatdeterredthem。Thesimplefactthatwehadfoundnoreptilesinthecorridorthroughwhichwehadjustcomewassufficientassurancethattheydidnotventurethere。
IdrewWoolaoutofharm’sway，andthenbeganacarefulsurveyofasmuchoftheChamberofReptilesasIcouldseefromwhereIstood。AsmyeyesbecameaccustomedtothedimlightofitsinteriorIgraduallymadeoutalowgalleryatthefarendoftheapartmentfromwhichopenedseveralexits。
ComingasclosetothethresholdasIdared，Ifollowedthisgallerywithmyeyes，discoveringthatitcircledtheroomasfarasIcouldsee。ThenIglancedabovemealongtheupperedgeoftheentrancetowhichwehadcome，andthere，tomydelight，Isawanendofthegallerynotafootabovemyhead。InaninstantI
hadleapedtoitandcalledWoolaafterme。
Heretherewerenoreptiles——thewaywascleartotheoppositesideofthehideouschamber——andamomentlaterWoolaandIdroppeddowntosafetyinthecorridorbeyond。
Nottenminuteslaterwecameintoavastcircularapartmentofwhitemarble，thewallsofwhichwereinlaidwithgoldinthestrangehieroglyphicsoftheFirstBorn。
Fromthehighdomeofthismightyapartmentahugecircularcolumnextendedtothefloor，andasIwatchedIsawthatitslowlyrevolved。
IhadreachedthebaseoftheTempleoftheSun！
SomewhereabovemelayDejahThoris，andwithherwerePhaidor，daughterofMataiShang，andThuviaofPtarth。Buthowtoreachthem，nowthatIhadfoundtheonlyvulnerablespotintheirmightyprison，wasstillabafflingriddle。
SlowlyIcircledthegreatshaft，lookingforameansofingress。
PartwayaroundIfoundatinyradiumflashtorch，andasIexamineditinmildcuriosityastoitspresencethereinthisalmostinaccessibleandunknownspot，IcamesuddenlyupontheinsigniaofthehouseofThuridjewel—insetinitsmetalcase。
Iamupontherighttrail，Ithought，asIslippedthebaubleintothepocket—pouchwhichhungfrommyharness。ThenIcontinuedmysearchfortheentrance，whichIknewmustbesomewhereabout;
norhadIlongtosearch，foralmostimmediatelythereafterIcameuponasmalldoorsocunninglyinlaidintheshaft’sbasethatitmighthavepassedunnoticedbyalesskeenorcarefulobserver。
Therewasthedoorthatwouldleadmewithintheprison，butwherewasthemeanstoopenit？Nobuttonorlockwerevisible。
AgainandagainIwentcarefullyovereverysquareinchofitssurface，butthemostthatIcouldfindwasatinypinholealittleaboveandtotherightofthedoor’scenter——apinholethatseemedonlyanaccidentofmanufactureoranimperfectionofmaterial。
IntothisminuteapertureIattemptedtopeer，butwhetheritwasbutafractionofaninchdeeporpassedcompletelythroughthedoorIcouldnottell——atleastnolightshowedbeyondit。
Iputmyeartoitnextandlistened，butagainmyeffortsbroughtnegligibleresults。
