Eachcarriedastrangebannerswungfromstemtosternabovetheupperworks，andupontheprowofeachwaspaintedsomeodddevicethatgleamedinthesunlightandshowedplainlyevenatthedistanceatwhichwewerefromthevessels。Icouldseefigurescrowdingtheforwarddecksandupperworksoftheaircraft。WhethertheyhaddiscoveredusorsimplywerelookingatthedesertedcityIcouldnotsay，butinanyeventtheyreceivedarudereception，forsuddenlyandwithoutwarningthegreenMartianwarriorsfiredaterrificvolleyfromthewindowsofthebuildingsfacingthelittlevalleyacrosswhichthegreatshipsweresopeacefullyadvancing。
Instantlythescenechangedasbymagic；theforemostvesselswungbroadsidetowardus，andbringinghergunsintoplayreturnedourfire，atthesametimemovingparalleltoourfrontforashortdistanceandthenturningbackwiththeevidentintentionofcompletingagreatcirclewhichwouldbringheruptopositiononcemoreoppositeourfiringline；
theothervesselsfollowedinherwake，eachoneopeninguponusassheswungintoposition。Ourownfireneverdiminished，andIdoubtiftwenty-fivepercentofourshotswentwild。Ithadneverbeengivenmetoseesuchdeadlyaccuracyofaim，anditseemedasthoughalittlefigureononeofthecraftdroppedattheexplosionofeachbullet，whilethebannersandupperworksdissolvedinspurtsofflameastheirresistibleprojectilesofourwarriorsmowedthroughthem。
Thefirefromthevesselswasmostineffectual，owing，asI
afterwardlearned，totheunexpectedsuddennessofthefirstvolley，whichcaughttheship'screwsentirelyunpreparedandthesightingapparatusofthegunsunprotectedfromthedeadlyaimofourwarriors。
Itseemsthateachgreenwarriorhascertainobjectivepointsforhisfireunderrelativelyidenticalcircumstancesofwarfare。
Forexample，aproportionofthem，alwaysthebestmarksmen，directtheirfireentirelyuponthewirelessfindingandsightingapparatusofthebiggunsofanattackingnavalforce；anotherdetailattendstothesmallergunsinthesameway；otherspickoffthegunners；stillotherstheofficers；
whilecertainotherquotasconcentratetheirattentionupontheothermembersofthecrew，upontheupperworks，anduponthesteeringgearandpropellers。
Twentyminutesafterthefirstvolleythegreatfleetswungtrailingoffinthedirectionfromwhichithadfirstappeared。
Severalofthecraftwerelimpingperceptibly，andseemedbutbarelyunderthecontroloftheirdepletedcrews。Theirfirehadceasedentirelyandalltheirenergiesseemedfocuseduponescape。Ourwarriorsthenrusheduptotheroofsofthebuildingswhichweoccupiedandfollowedtheretreatingarmadawithacontinuousfusilladeofdeadlyfire。
Onebyone，however，theshipsmanagedtodipbelowthecrestsoftheoutlyinghillsuntilonlyonebarelymovingcraftwasinsight。Thishadreceivedthebruntofourfireandseemedtobeentirelyunmanned，asnotamovingfigurewasvisibleuponherdecks。Slowlysheswungfromhercourse，circlingbacktowardusinanerraticandpitifulmanner。
Instantlythewarriorsceasedfiring，foritwasquiteapparentthatthevesselwasentirelyhelpless，and，farfrombeinginapositiontoinflictharmuponus，shecouldnotevencontrolherselfsufficientlytoescape。
Asshenearedthecitythewarriorsrushedoutupontheplaintomeether，butitwasevidentthatshestillwastoohighforthemtohopetoreachherdecks。FrommyvantagepointinthewindowIcouldseethebodiesofhercrewstrewnabout，althoughIcouldnotmakeoutwhatmannerofcreaturestheymightbe。Notasignoflifewasmanifestuponherasshedriftedslowlywiththelightbreezeinasoutheasterlydirection。
Shewasdriftingsomefiftyfeetabovetheground，followedbyallbutsomehundredofthewarriorswhohadbeenorderedbacktotheroofstocoverthepossibilityofareturnofthefleet，orofreinforcements。Itsoonbecameevidentthatshewouldstrikethefaceofthebuildingsaboutamilesouthofourposition，andasIwatchedtheprogressofthechaseI
sawanumberofwarriorsgallopahead，dismountandenterthebuildingsheseemeddestinedtotouch。
Asthecraftnearedthebuilding，andjustbeforeshestruck，theMartianwarriorsswarmeduponherfromthewindows，andwiththeirgreatspearseasedtheshockofthecollision，andinafewmomentstheyhadthrownoutgrapplinghooksandthebigboatwasbeinghauledtogroundbytheirfellowsbelow。
Aftermakingherfast，theyswarmedthesidesandsearchedthevesselfromstemtostern。Icouldseethemexaminingthedeadsailors，evidentlyforsignsoflife，andpresentlyapartyofthemappearedfrombelowdraggingalittlefigureamongthem。ThecreaturewasconsiderablylessthanhalfastallasthegreenMartianwarriors，andfrommybalconyIcouldseethatitwalkederectupontwolegsandsurmisedthatitwassomenewandstrangeMartianmonstrositywithwhichIhadnotasyetbecomeacquainted。
Theyremovedtheirprisonertothegroundandthencommencedasystematicriflingofthevessel。Thisoperationrequiredseveralhours，duringwhichtimeanumberofthechariotswererequisitionedtotransporttheloot，whichconsistedinarms，ammunition，silks，furs，jewels，strangelycarvedstonevessels，andaquantityofsolidfoodsandliquids，includingmanycasksofwater，thefirstIhadseensincemyadventuponMars。
Afterthelastloadhadbeenremovedthewarriorsmadelinesfasttothecraftandtowedherfaroutintothevalleyinasouthwesterlydirection。Afewofthemthenboardedherandwerebusilyengagedinwhatappeared，frommydistantposition，astheemptyingofthecontentsofvariouscarboysuponthedeadbodiesofthesailorsandoverthedecksandworksofthevessel。
Thisoperationconcluded，theyhastilyclamberedoverhersides，slidingdowntheguyropestotheground。Thelastwarriortoleavethedeckturnedandthrewsomethingbackuponthevessel，waitinganinstanttonotetheoutcomeofhisact。Asafaintspurtofflamerosefromthepointwherethemissilestruckheswungoverthesideandwasquicklyupontheground。Scarcelyhadhealightedthantheguyropesweresimultaneousreleased，andthegreatwarship，lightenedbytheremovaloftheloot，soaredmajesticallyintotheair，herdecksandupperworksamassofroaringflames。
Slowlyshedriftedtothesoutheast，risinghigherandhigherastheflamesateawayherwoodenpartsanddiminishedtheweightuponher。AscendingtotheroofofthebuildingI
watchedherforhours，untilfinallyshewaslostinthedimvistasofthedistance。Thesightwasawe-inspiringintheextremeasonecontemplatedthismightyfloatingfuneralpyre，driftingunguidedandunmannedthroughthelonelywastesoftheMartianheavens；aderelictofdeathanddestruction，typifyingthelifestoryofthesestrangeandferociouscreaturesintowhoseunfriendlyhandsfatehadcarriedit。
Muchdepressed，and，tome，unaccountablyso，Islowlydescendedtothestreet。ThesceneIhadwitnessedseemedtomarkthedefeatandannihilationoftheforcesofakindredpeople，ratherthantheroutingbyourgreenwarriorsofahordeofsimilar，thoughunfriendly，creatures。Icouldnotfathomtheseeminghallucination，norcouldIfreemyselffromit；butsomewhereintheinnermostrecessesofmysoulIfeltastrangeyearningtowardtheseunknownfoemen，andamightyhopesurgedthroughmethatthefleetwouldreturnanddemandareckoningfromthegreenwarriorswhohadsoruthlesslyandwantonlyattackedit。
Closeatmyheel，inhisnowaccustomedplace，followedWoola，thehound，andasIemergeduponthestreetSolarusheduptomeasthoughIhadbeentheobjectofsomesearchonherpart。Thecavalcadewasreturningtotheplaza，thehomewardmarchhavingbeengivenupforthatday；nor，infact，wasitrecommencedformorethanaweek，owingtothefearofareturnattackbytheaircraft。
LorquasPtomelwastooastuteanoldwarriortobecaughtupontheopenplainswithacaravanofchariotsandchildren，andsoweremainedatthedesertedcityuntilthedangerseemedpassed。
AsSolaandIenteredtheplazaasightmetmyeyeswhichfilledmywholebeingwithagreatsurgeofmingledhope，fear，exultation，anddepression，andyetmostdominantwasasubtlesenseofreliefandhappiness；forjustaswenearedthethrongofMartiansIcaughtaglimpseoftheprisonerfromthebattlecraftwhowasbeingroughlydraggedintoanearbybuildingbyacoupleofgreenMartianfemales。
Andthesightwhichmetmyeyeswasthatofaslender，girlishfigure，similarineverydetailtotheearthlywomenofmypastlife。Shedidnotseemeatfirst，butjustasshewasdisappearingthroughtheportalofthebuildingwhichwastobeherprisonsheturned，andhereyesmetmine。
Herfacewasovalandbeautifulintheextreme，hereveryfeaturewasfinelychiseledandexquisite，hereyeslargeandlustrousandherheadsurmountedbyamassofcoalblack，wavinghair，caughtlooselyintoastrangeyetbecomingcoiffure。
Herskinwasofalightreddishcoppercolor，againstwhichthecrimsonglowofhercheeksandtherubyofherbeautifullymoldedlipsshonewithastrangelyenhancingeffect。
ShewasasdestituteofclothesasthegreenMartianswhoaccompaniedher；indeed，saveforherhighlywroughtornamentsshewasentirelynaked，norcouldanyapparelhaveenhancedthebeautyofherperfectandsymmetricalfigure。
Ashergazerestedonmehereyesopenedwideinastonishment，andshemadealittlesignwithherfreehand；
asignwhichIdidnot，ofcourse，understand。Justamomentwegazeduponeachother，andthenthelookofhopeandrenewedcouragewhichhadglorifiedherfaceasshediscoveredme，fadedintooneofutterdejection，mingledwithloathingandcontempt。IrealizedIhadnotansweredhersignal，andignorantasIwasofMartiancustoms，Iintuitivelyfeltthatshehadmadeanappealforsuccorandprotectionwhichmyunfortunateignorancehadpreventedmefromanswering。
Andthenshewasdraggedoutofmysightintothedepthsofthedesertededifice。
CHAPTERIX
ILEARNTHELANGUAGE
AsIcamebacktomyselfIglancedatSola，whohadwitnessedthisencounterandIwassurprisedtonoteastrangeexpressionuponherusuallyexpressionlesscountenance。WhatherthoughtswereIdidnotknow，forasyetIhadlearnedbutlittleoftheMartiantongue；
enoughonlytosufficeformydailyneeds。
AsIreachedthedoorwayofourbuildingastrangesurpriseawaitedme。Awarriorapproachedbearingthearms，ornaments，andfullaccoutermentsofhiskind。Thesehepresentedtomewithafewunintelligiblewords，andabearingatoncerespectfulandmenacing。
Later，Sola，withtheaidofseveraloftheotherwomen，remodeledthetrappingstofitmylesserproportions，andaftertheycompletedtheworkIwentaboutgarbedinallthepanoplyofwar。
FromthenonSolainstructedmeinthemysteriesofthevariousweapons，andwiththeMartianyoungIspentseveralhourseachdaypracticingupontheplaza。Iwasnotyetproficientwithalltheweapons，butmygreatfamiliaritywithsimilarearthlyweaponsmademeanunusuallyaptpupil，andIprogressedinaverysatisfactorymanner。
ThetrainingofmyselfandtheyoungMartianswasconductedsolelybythewomen，whonotonlyattendtotheeducationoftheyoungintheartsofindividualdefenseandoffense，butarealsotheartisanswhoproduceeverymanufacturedarticlewroughtbythegreenMartians。Theymakethepowder，thecartridges，thefirearms；infacteverythingofvalueisproducedbythefemales。Intimeofactualwarfaretheyformapartofthereserves，andwhenthenecessityarisesfightwithevengreaterintelligenceandferocitythanthemen。
Themenaretrainedinthehigherbranchesoftheartofwar；
instrategyandthemaneuveringoflargebodiesoftroops。
Theymakethelawsastheyareneeded；anewlawforeachemergency。Theyareunfetteredbyprecedentintheadministrationofjustice。Customshavebeenhandeddownbyagesofrepetition，butthepunishmentforignoringacustomisamatterforindividualtreatmentbyajuryoftheculprit'speers，andImaysaythatjusticeseldommissesfire，butseemsrathertoruleininverseratiototheascendencyoflaw。InonerespectatleasttheMartiansareahappypeople；theyhavenolawyers。
Ididnotseetheprisoneragainforseveraldayssubsequenttoourfirstencounter，andthenonlytocatchafleetingglimpseofherasshewasbeingconductedtothegreataudiencechamberwhereIhadhadmyfirstmeetingwithLorquasPtomel。Icouldnotbutnotetheunnecessaryharshnessandbrutalitywithwhichherguardstreatedher；
sodifferentfromthealmostmaternalkindlinesswhichSolamanifestedtowardme，andtherespectfulattitudeofthefewgreenMartianswhotookthetroubletonoticemeatall。
IhadobservedonthetwooccasionswhenIhadseenherthattheprisonerexchangedwordswithherguards，andthisconvincedmethattheyspoke，oratleastcouldmakethemselvesunderstoodbyacommonlanguage。WiththisaddedincentiveInearlydroveSoladistractedbymyimportunitiestohastenonmyeducationandwithinafewmoredaysIhadmasteredtheMartiantonguesufficientlywelltoenablemetocarryonapassableconversationandtofullyunderstandpracticallyallthatIheard。
Atthistimeoursleepingquarterswereoccupiedbythreeorfourfemalesandacoupleoftherecentlyhatchedyoung，besideSolaandheryouthfulward，myself，andWoolathehound。Aftertheyhadretiredforthenightitwascustomaryfortheadultstocarryonadesultoryconversationforashorttimebeforelapsingintosleep，andnowthatIcouldunderstandtheirlanguageIwasalwaysakeenlistener，althoughIneverprofferedanyremarksmyself。
Onthenightfollowingtheprisoner'svisittotheaudiencechambertheconversationfinallyfelluponthissubject，andIwasallearsontheinstant。IhadfearedtoquestionSolarelativetothebeautifulcaptive，asIcouldnotbutrecallthestrangeexpressionIhadnoteduponherfaceaftermyfirstencounterwiththeprisoner。ThatitdenotedjealousyIcouldnotsay，andyet，judgingallthingsbymundanestandardsasIstilldid，IfeltitsafertoaffectindifferenceinthematteruntilIlearnedmoresurelySola'sattitudetowardtheobjectofmysolicitude。
Sarkoja，oneoftheolderwomenwhosharedourdomicile，hadbeenpresentattheaudienceasoneofthecaptive'sguards，anditwastowardherthequestionturned。
"When，"askedoneofthewomen，"willweenjoythedeaththroesoftheredone？ordoesLorquasPtomel，Jed，intendholdingherforransom？"
"TheyhavedecidedtocarryherwithusbacktoThark，andexhibitherlastagoniesatthegreatgamesbeforeTalHajus，"repliedSarkoja。
"Whatwillbethemannerofhergoingout？"inquiredSola。"Sheisverysmallandverybeautiful；Ihadhopedthattheywouldholdherforransom。”
SarkojaandtheotherwomengruntedangrilyatthisevidenceofweaknessonthepartofSola。
"Itissad，Sola，thatyouwerenotbornamillionyearsago，"snappedSarkoja，"whenallthehollowsofthelandwerefilledwithwater，andthepeopleswereassoftasthestufftheysailedupon。Inourdaywehaveprogressedtoapointwheresuchsentimentsmarkweaknessandatavism。ItwillnotbewellforyoutopermitTarsTarkastolearnthatyouholdsuchdegeneratesentiments，asIdoubtthathewouldcaretoentrustsuchasyouwiththegraveresponsibilitiesofmaternity。”
"Iseenothingwrongwithmyexpressionofinterestinthisredwoman，"retortedSola。"Shehasneverharmedus，norwouldsheshouldwehavefallenintoherhands。Itisonlythemenofherkindwhowaruponus，andIhaveeverthoughtthattheirattitudetowardusisbutthereflectionofourstowardthem。Theyliveatpeacewithalltheirfellows，exceptwhendutycallsuponthemtomakewar，whileweareatpeacewithnone；foreverwarringamongourownkindaswellasupontheredmen，andeveninourowncommunitiestheindividualsfightamongstthemselves。
Oh，itisonecontinual，awfulperiodofbloodshedfromthetimewebreaktheshelluntilwegladlyembracethebosomoftheriverofmystery，thedarkandancientIsswhichcarriesustoanunknown，butatleastnomorefrightfulandterribleexistence!Fortunateindeedishewhomeetshisendinanearlydeath。SaywhatyoupleasetoTarsTarkas，hecanmeteoutnoworsefatetomethanacontinuationofthehorribleexistenceweareforcedtoleadinthislife。”
ThiswildoutbreakonthepartofSolasogreatlysurprisedandshockedtheotherwomen，that，afterafewwordsofgeneralreprimand，theyalllapsedintosilenceandweresoonasleep。OnethingtheepisodehadaccomplishedwastoassuremeofSola'sfriendlinesstowardthepoorgirl，andalsotoconvincemethatIhadbeenextremelyfortunateinfallingintoherhandsratherthanthoseofsomeoftheotherfemales。Iknewthatshewasfondofme，andnowthatI
haddiscoveredthatshehatedcrueltyandbarbarityIwasconfidentthatIcoulddependuponhertoaidmeandthegirlcaptivetoescape，providedofcoursethatsuchathingwaswithintherangeofpossibilities。
Ididnotevenknowthattherewereanybetterconditionstoescapeto，butIwasmorethanwillingtotakemychancesamongpeoplefashionedaftermyownmoldratherthantoremainlongeramongthehideousandbloodthirstygreenmenofMars。Butwheretogo，andhow，wasasmuchofapuzzletomeastheage-oldsearchforthespringofeternallifehasbeentoearthlymensincethebeginningoftime。
IdecidedthatatthefirstopportunityIwouldtakeSolaintomyconfidenceandopenlyaskhertoaidme，andwiththisresolutionstronguponmeIturnedamongmysilksandfursandsleptthedreamlessandrefreshingsleepofMars。
CHAPTERX
CHAMPIONANDCHIEF
EarlythenextmorningIwasastir。Considerablefreedomwasallowedme，asSolahadinformedmethatsolongasIdidnotattempttoleavethecityIwasfreetogoandcomeasIpleased。Shehadwarnedme，however，againstventuringforthunarmed，asthiscity，likeallotherdesertedmetropolisesofanancientMartiancivilization，waspeopledbythegreatwhiteapesofmysecondday'sadventure。
InadvisingmethatImustnotleavetheboundariesofthecitySolahadexplainedthatWoolawouldpreventthisanywayshouldIattemptit，andshewarnedmemosturgentlynottoarousehisfiercenaturebyignoringhiswarningsshouldIventuretooclosetotheforbiddenterritory。Hisnaturewassuch，shesaid，thathewouldbringmebackintothecitydeadoraliveshouldIpersistinopposinghim；
"preferablydead，"sheadded。
OnthismorningIhadchosenanewstreettoexplorewhensuddenlyIfoundmyselfatthelimitsofthecity。Beforemewerelowhillspiercedbynarrowandinvitingravines。
Ilongedtoexplorethecountrybeforeme，and，likethepioneerstockfromwhichIsprang，toviewwhatthelandscapebeyondtheencirclinghillsmightdisclosefromthesummitswhichshutoutmyview。
ItalsooccurredtomethatthiswouldproveanexcellentopportunitytotestthequalitiesofWoola。Iwasconvincedthatthebrutelovedme；IhadseenmoreevidencesofaffectioninhimthaninanyotherMartiananimal，manorbeast，andIwassurethatgratitudefortheactsthathadtwicesavedhislifewouldmorethanoutweighhisloyaltytothedutyimposeduponhimbycruelandlovelessmasters。
AsIapproachedtheboundarylineWoolarananxiouslybeforeme，andthrusthisbodyagainstmylegs。Hisexpressionwaspleadingratherthanferocious，nordidhebarehisgreattusksorutterhisfearfulgutturalwarnings。Deniedthefriendshipandcompanionshipofmykind，IhaddevelopedconsiderableaffectionforWoolaandSola，forthenormalearthlymanmusthavesomeoutletforhisnaturalaffections，andsoIdecideduponanappealtoalikeinstinctinthisgreatbrute，surethatIwouldnotbedisappointed。
Ihadneverpettednorfondledhim，butnowIsatuponthegroundandputtingmyarmsaroundhisheavyneckI
strokedandcoaxedhim，talkinginmynewlyacquiredMartiantongueasIwouldhavetomyhoundathome，asI
wouldhavetalkedtoanyotherfriendamongtheloweranimals。Hisresponsetomymanifestationofaffectionwasremarkabletoadegree；hestretchedhisgreatmouthtoitsfullwidth，baringtheentireexpanseofhisupperrowsoftusksandwrinklinghissnoutuntilhisgreateyeswerealmosthiddenbythefoldsofflesh。IfyouhaveeverseenacolliesmileyoumayhavesomeideaofWoola'sfacialdistortion。
Hethrewhimselfuponhisbackandfairlywallowedatmyfeet；jumpedupandspranguponme，rollingmeuponthegroundbyhisgreatweight；thenwrigglingandsquirmingaroundmelikeaplayfulpuppypresentingitsbackforthepettingitcraves。Icouldnotresisttheludicrousnessofthespectacle，andholdingmysidesIrockedbackandforthinthefirstlaughterwhichhadpassedmylipsinmanydays；
thefirst，infact，sincethemorningPowellhadleftcampwhenhishorse，longunused，hadprecipitatelyandunexpectedlybuckedhimoffheadforemostintoapotoffrijoles。
MylaughterfrightenedWoola，hisanticsceasedandhecrawledpitifullytowardme，pokinghisuglyheadfarintomylap；andthenIrememberedwhatlaughtersignifiedonMars——torture，suffering，death。Quietingmyself，Irubbedthepooroldfellow'sheadandback，talkedtohimforafewminutes，andtheninanauthoritativetonecommandedhimtofollowme，andarisingstartedforthehills。
Therewasnofurtherquestionofauthoritybetweenus；
Woolawasmydevotedslavefromthatmomenthence，andIhisonlyandundisputedmaster。Mywalktothehillsoccupiedbutafewminutes，andIfoundnothingofparticularinteresttorewardme。NumerousbrilliantlycoloredandstrangelyformedwildflowersdottedtheravinesandfromthesummitofthefirsthillIsawstillotherhillsstretchingofftowardthenorth，andrising，onerangeaboveanother，untillostinmountainsofquiterespectabledimensions；thoughI
afterwardfoundthatonlyafewpeaksonallMarsexceedfourthousandfeetinheight；thesuggestionofmagnitudewasmerelyrelative。
Mymorning'swalkhadbeenlargewithimportancetomeforithadresultedinaperfectunderstandingwithWoola，uponwhomTarsTarkasreliedformysafekeeping。InowknewthatwhiletheoreticallyaprisonerIwasvirtuallyfree，andIhastenedtoregainthecitylimitsbeforethedefectionofWoolacouldbediscoveredbyhiserstwhilemasters。TheadventuredecidedmeneveragaintoleavethelimitsofmyprescribedstampinggroundsuntilIwasreadytoventureforthforgoodandall，asitwouldcertainlyresultinacurtailmentofmyliberties，aswellastheprobabledeathofWoola，werewetobediscovered。
OnregainingtheplazaIhadmythirdglimpseofthecaptivegirl。Shewasstandingwithherguardsbeforetheentrancetotheaudiencechamber，andasIapproachedshegavemeonehaughtyglanceandturnedherbackfulluponme。Theactwassowomanly，soearthlywomanly，thatthoughitstungmyprideitalsowarmedmyheartwithafeelingofcompanionship；itwasgoodtoknowthatsomeoneelseonMarsbesidemyselfhadhumaninstinctsofacivilizedorder，eventhoughthemanifestationofthemwassopainfulandmortifying。
HadagreenMartianwomandesiredtoshowdislikeorcontemptshewould，inalllikelihood，havedoneitwithaswordthrustoramovementofhertriggerfinger；butastheirsentimentsaremostlyatrophieditwouldhaverequiredaseriousinjurytohavearousedsuchpassionsinthem。Sola，letmeadd，wasanexception；Ineversawherperformacrueloruncouthact，orfailinuniformkindlinessandgoodnature。Shewasindeed，asherfellowMartianhadsaidofher，anatavism；adearandpreciousreversiontoaformertypeoflovedandlovingancestor。
SeeingthattheprisonerseemedthecenterofattractionI
haltedtoviewtheproceedings。IhadnotlongtowaitforpresentlyLorquasPtomelandhisretinueofchieftainsapproachedthebuildingand，signingtheguardstofollowwiththeprisonerenteredtheaudiencechamber。RealizingthatI
wasasomewhatfavoredcharacter，andalsoconvincedthatthewarriorsdidnotknowofmyproficiencyintheirlanguage，asIhadpleadedwithSolatokeepthisasecretonthegroundsthatIdidnotwishtobeforcedtotalkwiththemenuntilIhadperfectlymasteredtheMartiantongue，I
chancedanattempttoentertheaudiencechamberandlistentotheproceedings。
Thecouncilsquatteduponthestepsoftherostrum，whilebelowthemstoodtheprisonerandhertwoguards。IsawthatoneofthewomenwasSarkoja，andthusunderstoodhowshehadbeenpresentatthehearingoftheprecedingday，theresultsofwhichshehadreportedtotheoccupantsofourdormitorylastnight。Herattitudetowardthecaptivewasmostharshandbrutal。Whensheheldher，shesunkherrudimentarynailsintothepoorgirl'sflesh，ortwistedherarminamostpainfulmanner。Whenitwasnecessarytomovefromonespottoanothersheeitherjerkedherroughly，orpushedherheadlongbeforeher。Sheseemedtobeventinguponthispoordefenselesscreatureallthehatred，cruelty，ferocity，andspiteofherninehundredyears，backedbyunguessableagesoffierceandbrutalancestors。
Theotherwomanwaslesscruelbecauseshewasentirelyindifferent；iftheprisonerhadbeenlefttoheralone，andfortunatelyshewasatnight，shewouldhavereceivednoharshtreatment，nor，bythesametokenwouldshehavereceivedanyattentionatall。
AsLorquasPtomelraisedhiseyestoaddresstheprisonertheyfellonmeandheturnedtoTarsTarkaswithaword，andgestureofimpatience。TarsTarkasmadesomereplywhichIcouldnotcatch，butwhichcausedLorquasPtomeltosmile；afterwhichtheypaidnofurtherattentiontome。
"Whatisyourname？"askedLorquasPtomel，addressingtheprisoner。
"DejahThoris，daughterofMorsKajakofHelium。”
"Andthenatureofyourexpedition？"hecontinued。
"Itwasapurelyscientificresearchpartysentoutbymyfather'sfather，theJeddakofHelium，torecharttheaircurrents，andtotakeatmosphericdensitytests，"repliedthefairprisoner，inalow，well-modulatedvoice。
"Wewereunpreparedforbattle，"shecontinued，"aswewereonapeacefulmission，asourbannersandthecolorsofourcraftdenoted。Theworkweweredoingwasasmuchinyourinterestsasinours，foryouknowfullwellthatwereitnotforourlaborsandthefruitsofourscientificoperationstherewouldnotbeenoughairorwateronMarstosupportasinglehumanlife。Forageswehavemaintainedtheairandwatersupplyatpracticallythesamepointwithoutanappreciableloss，andwehavedonethisinthefaceofthebrutalandignorantinterferenceofyourgreenmen。
"Why，oh，whywillyounotlearntoliveinamitywithyourfellows，mustyouevergoondowntheagestoyourfinalextinctionbutlittleabovetheplaneofthedumbbrutesthatserveyou!Apeoplewithoutwrittenlanguage，withoutart，withouthomes，withoutlove；thevictimofeonsofthehorriblecommunityidea。Owningeverythingincommon，eventoyourwomenandchildren，hasresultedinyourowningnothingincommon。Youhateeachotherasyouhateallelseexceptyourselves。Comebacktothewaysofourcommonancestors，comebacktothelightofkindlinessandfellowship。Thewayisopentoyou，youwillfindthehandsoftheredmenstretchedouttoaidyou。Togetherwemaydostillmoretoregenerateourdyingplanet。Thegrand-
daughterofthegreatestandmightiestoftheredjeddakshasaskedyou。Willyoucome？"
LorquasPtomelandthewarriorssatlookingsilentlyandintentlyattheyoungwomanforseveralmomentsaftershehadceasedspeaking。Whatwaspassingintheirmindsnomanmayknow，butthattheyweremovedItrulybelieve，andifonemanhighamongthemhadbeenstrongenoughtoriseabovecustom，thatmomentwouldhavemarkedanewandmightyeraforMars。
IsawTarsTarkasrisetospeak，andonhisfacewassuchanexpressionasIhadneverseenuponthecountenanceofagreenMartianwarrior。Itbespokeaninwardandmightybattlewithself，withheredity，withage-oldcustom，andasheopenedhismouthtospeak，alookalmostofbenignity，ofkindliness，momentarilylighteduphisfierceandterriblecountenance。
Whatwordsofmomentweretohavefallenfromhislipswereneverspoken，asjustthenayoungwarrior，evidentlysensingthetrendofthoughtamongtheoldermen，leapeddownfromthestepsoftherostrum，andstrikingthefrailcaptiveapowerfulblowacrosstheface，whichfelledhertothefloor，placedhisfootuponherprostrateformandturningtowardtheassembledcouncilbrokeintopealsofhorrid，mirthlesslaughter。
ForaninstantIthoughtTarsTarkaswouldstrikehimdead，nordidtheaspectofLorquasPtomelauguranytoofavorablyforthebrute，butthemoodpassed，theiroldselvesreassertedtheirascendency，andtheysmiled。Itwasportentoushoweverthattheydidnotlaughaloud，forthebrute'sactconstitutedaside-splittingwitticismaccordingtotheethicswhichrulegreenMartianhumor。
ThatIhavetakenmomentstowritedownapartofwhatoccurredasthatblowfelldoesnotsignifythatIremainedinactiveforanysuchlengthoftime。IthinkImusthavesensedsomethingofwhatwascoming，forIrealizenowthatIwascrouchedasforaspringasIsawtheblowaimedatherbeautiful，upturned，pleadingface，anderethehanddescendedIwashalfwayacrossthehall。
Scarcelyhadhishideouslaughrangoutbutonce，whenIwasuponhim。Thebrutewastwelvefeetinheightandarmedtotheteeth，butIbelievethatIcouldhaveaccountedforthewholeroomfulintheterrificintensityofmyrage。
Springingupward，Istruckhimfullinthefaceasheturnedatmywarningcryandthenashedrewhisshort-swordI
drewmineandsprangupagainuponhisbreast，hookingonelegoverthebuttofhispistolandgraspingoneofhishugetuskswithmylefthandwhileIdeliveredblowafterblowuponhisenormouschest。
Hecouldnotusehisshort-swordtoadvantagebecauseI
wastooclosetohim，norcouldhedrawhispistol，whichheattemptedtodoindirectoppositiontoMartiancustomwhichsaysthatyoumaynotfightafellowwarriorinprivatecombatwithanyotherthantheweaponwithwhichyouareattacked。Infacthecoulddonothingbutmakeawildandfutileattempttodislodgeme。WithallhisimmensebulkhewaslittleifanystrongerthanI，anditwasbutthematterofamomentortwobeforehesank，bleedingandlifeless，tothefloor。
DejahThorishadraisedherselfupononeelbowandwaswatchingthebattlewithwide，staringeyes。WhenIhadregainedmyfeetIraisedherinmyarmsandborehertooneofthebenchesatthesideoftheroom。
AgainnoMartianinterferedwithme，andtearingapieceofsilkfrommycapeIendeavoredtostaunchtheflowofbloodfromhernostrils。Iwassoonsuccessfulasherinjuriesamountedtolittlemorethananordinarynosebleed，andwhenshecouldspeaksheplacedherhanduponmyarmandlookingupintomyeyes，said:
"Whydidyoudoit？Youwhorefusedmeevenfriendlyrecognitioninthefirsthourofmyperil!Andnowyouriskyourlifeandkilloneofyourcompanionsformysake。Icannotunderstand。
Whatstrangemannerofmanareyou，thatyouconsortwiththegreenmen，thoughyourformisthatofmyrace，whileyourcolorislittledarkerthanthatofthewhiteape？Tellme，areyouhuman，orareyoumorethanhuman？"
"Itisastrangetale，"Ireplied，"toolongtoattempttotellyounow，andonewhichIsomuchdoubtthecredibilityofmyselfthatIfeartohopethatotherswillbelieveit。Sufficeit，forthepresent，thatIamyourfriend，and，sofarasourcaptorswillpermit，yourprotectorandyourservant。”
"Thenyoutooareaprisoner？Butwhy，then，thosearmsandtheregaliaofaTharkianchieftain？Whatisyourname？
Whereyourcountry？"
"Yes，DejahThoris，Itooamaprisoner；mynameisJohnCarter，andIclaimVirginia，oneoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，Earth，asmyhome；butwhyIampermittedtoweararmsIdonotknow，norwasIawarethatmyregaliawasthatofachieftain。”
Wewereinterruptedatthisjuncturebytheapproachofoneofthewarriors，bearingarms，accoutermentsandornaments，andinaflashoneofherquestionswasansweredandapuzzleclearedupforme。Isawthatthebodyofmydeadantagonisthadbeenstripped，andIreadinthemenacingyetrespectfulattitudeofthewarriorwhohadbroughtmethesetrophiesofthekillthesamedemeanorasthatevincedbytheotherwhohadbroughtmemyoriginalequipment，andnowforthefirsttimeIrealizedthatmyblow，ontheoccasionofmyfirstbattleintheaudiencechamberhadresultedinthedeathofmyadversary。
Thereasonforthewholeattitudedisplayedtowardmewasnowapparent；Ihadwonmyspurs，sotospeak，andinthecrudejustice，whichalwaysmarksMartiandealings，andwhich，amongotherthings，hascausedmetocallhertheplanetofparadoxes，Iwasaccordedthehonorsdueaconqueror；
thetrappingsandthepositionofthemanIkilled。
Intruth，IwasaMartianchieftain，andthisIlearnedlaterwasthecauseofmygreatfreedomandmytolerationintheaudiencechamber。
AsIhadturnedtoreceivethedeadwarrior'schattelsI
hadnoticedthatTarsTarkasandseveralothershadpushedforwardtowardus，andtheeyesoftheformerresteduponmeinamostquizzicalmanner。Finallyheaddressedme:
"YouspeakthetongueofBarsoomquitereadilyforonewhowasdeafanddumbtousafewshortdaysago。Wheredidyoulearnit，JohnCarter？"
"You，yourself，areresponsible，TarsTarkas，"Ireplied，"inthatyoufurnishedmewithaninstructressofremarkableability；IhavetothankSolaformylearning。”
"Shehasdonewell，"heanswered，"butyoureducationinotherrespectsneedsconsiderablepolish。Doyouknowwhatyourunprecedentedtemeritywouldhavecostyouhadyoufailedtokilleitherofthetwochieftainswhosemetalyounowwear？"
"IpresumethatthatonewhomIhadfailedtokill，wouldhavekilledme，"Ianswered，smiling。
"No，youarewrong。Onlyinthelastextremityofself-defensewouldaMartianwarriorkillaprisoner；weliketosavethemforotherpurposes，"andhisfacebespokepossibilitiesthatwerenotpleasanttodwellupon。
"Butonethingcansaveyounow，"hecontinued。"Shouldyou，inrecognitionofyourremarkablevalor，ferocity，andprowess，beconsideredbyTalHajusasworthyofhisserviceyoumaybetakenintothecommunityandbecomeafull-fledgedTharkian。UntilwereachtheheadquartersofTalHajusitisthewillofLorquasPtomelthatyoubeaccordedtherespectyouractshaveearnedyou。YouwillbetreatedbyusasaTharkianchieftain，butyoumustnotforgetthateverychiefwhoranksyouisresponsibleforyoursafedeliverytoourmightyandmostferociousruler。Iamdone。”
"Ihearyou，TarsTarkas，"Ianswered。"AsyouknowI
amnotofBarsoom；yourwaysarenotmyways，andIcanonlyactinthefutureasIhaveinthepast，inaccordancewiththedictatesofmyconscienceandguidedbythestandardsofmineownpeople。IfyouwillleavemealoneIwillgoinpeace，butifnot，lettheindividualBarsoomianswithwhomImustdealeitherrespectmyrightsasastrangeramongyou，ortakewhateverconsequencesmaybefall。Ofonethingletusbesure，whatevermaybeyourultimateintentionstowardthisunfortunateyoungwoman，whoeverwouldofferherinjuryorinsultinthefuturemustfigureonmakingafullaccountingtome。Iunderstandthatyoubelittleallsentimentsofgenerosityandkindliness，butIdonot，andIcanconvinceyourmostdoughtywarriorthatthesecharacteristicsarenotincompatiblewithanabilitytofight。”
OrdinarilyIamnotgiventolongspeeches，noreverbeforehadIdescendedtobombast，butIhadguessedatthekeynotewhichwouldstrikeanansweringchordinthebreastsofthegreenMartians，norwasIwrong，formyharangueevidentlydeeplyimpressedthem，andtheirattitudetowardmethereafterwasstillfurtherrespectful。
TarsTarkashimselfseemedpleasedwithmyreply，buthisonlycommentwasmoreorlessenigmatical——"AndIthinkI
knowTalHajus，JeddakofThark。”
InowturnedmyattentiontoDejahThoris，andassistinghertoherfeetIturnedwithhertowardtheexit，ignoringherhoveringguardianharpiesaswellastheinquiringglancesofthechieftains。WasInotnowachieftainalso!
Well，then，Iwouldassumetheresponsibilitiesofone。
Theydidnotmolestus，andsoDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，andJohnCarter，gentlemanofVirginia，followedbythefaithfulWoola，passedthroughuttersilencefromtheaudiencechamberofLorquasPtomel，JedamongtheTharksofBarsoom。
CHAPTERXI
WITHDEJAHTHORIS
AswereachedtheopenthetwofemaleguardswhohadbeendetailedtowatchoverDejahThorishurriedupandmadeasthoughtoassumecustodyofheroncemore。ThepoorchildshrankagainstmeandIfelthertwolittlehandsfoldtightlyovermyarm。Wavingthewomenaway，IinformedthemthatSolawouldattendthecaptivehereafter，andI
furtherwarnedSarkojathatanymoreofhercruelattentionsbestoweduponDejahThoriswouldresultinSarkoja'ssuddenandpainfuldemise。
MythreatwasunfortunateandresultedinmoreharmthangoodtoDejahThoris，for，asIlearnedlater，mendonotkillwomenuponMars，norwomen，men。SoSarkojamerelygaveusanuglylookanddepartedtohatchupdeviltriesagainstus。
IsoonfoundSolaandexplainedtoherthatIwishedhertoguardDejahThorisasshehadguardedme；thatIwishedhertofindotherquarterswheretheywouldnotbemolestedbySarkoja，andIfinallyinformedherthatImyselfwouldtakeupmyquartersamongthemen。
Solaglancedattheaccoutermentswhichwerecarriedinmyhandandslungacrossmyshoulder。
"Youareagreatchieftainnow，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"andImustdoyourbidding，thoughindeedIamgladtodoitunderanycircumstances。Themanwhosemetalyoucarrywasyoung，buthewasagreatwarrior，andhadbyhispromotionsandkillswonhiswayclosetotherankofTarsTarkas，who，asyouknow，issecondtoLorquasPtomelonly。
Youareeleventh，therearebuttenchieftainsinthiscommunitywhorankyouinprowess。”
"AndifIshouldkillLorquasPtomel？"Iasked。
"Youwouldbefirst，JohnCarter；butyoumayonlywinthathonorbythewilloftheentirecouncilthatLorquasPtomelmeetyouincombat，orshouldheattackyou，youmaykillhiminself-defense，andthuswinfirstplace。”
Ilaughed，andchangedthesubject。IhadnoparticulardesiretokillLorquasPtomel，andlesstobeajedamongtheTharks。
IaccompaniedSolaandDejahThorisinasearchfornewquarters，whichwefoundinabuildingnearertheaudiencechamberandoffarmorepretentiousarchitecturethanourformerhabitation。Wealsofoundinthisbuildingrealsleepingapartmentswithancientbedsofhighlywroughtmetalswingingfromenormousgoldchainsdependingfromthemarbleceilings。Thedecorationofthewallswasmostelaborate，and，unlikethefrescoesintheotherbuildingsIhadexamined，portrayedmanyhumanfiguresinthecompositions。
Thesewereofpeoplelikemyself，andofamuchlightercolorthanDejahThoris。Theywerecladingraceful，flowingrobes，highlyornamentedwithmetalandjewels，andtheirluxurianthairwasofabeautifulgoldenandreddishbronze。Themenwerebeardlessandonlyafewworearms。
Thescenesdepictedforthemostpart，afair-skinned，fair-hairedpeopleatplay。
DejahThorisclaspedherhandswithanexclamationofraptureasshegazeduponthesemagnificentworksofart，wroughtbyapeoplelongextinct；whileSola，ontheotherhand，apparentlydidnotseethem。
Wedecidedtousethisroom，onthesecondfloorandoverlookingtheplaza，forDejahThorisandSola，andanotherroomadjoiningandintherearforthecookingandsupplies。IthendispatchedSolatobringthebeddingandsuchfoodandutensilsasshemightneed，tellingherthatIwouldguardDejahThorisuntilherreturn。
AsSoladepartedDejahThoristurnedtomewithafaintsmile。
"Andwhereto，then，wouldyourprisonerescapeshouldyouleaveher，unlessitwastofollowyouandcraveyourprotection，andaskyourpardonforthecruelthoughtsshehasharboredagainstyouthesepastfewdays？"
"Youareright，"Ianswered，"thereisnoescapeforeitherofusunlesswegotogether。”