Nextamadzitidarwasloosedamongtheremainingdogs，andsoitwentthroughoutthelong，hot，horribleday。
DuringthedayIwaspittedagainstfirstmenandthenbeasts，butasIwasarmedwithalong-swordandalwaysoutclassedmyadversaryinagilityandgenerallyinstrengthaswell，itprovedbutchild'splaytome。TimeandtimeagainIwontheapplauseofthebloodthirstymultitude，andtowardtheendtherewerecriesthatIbetakenfromthearenaandbemadeamemberofthehordesofWarhoon。
Finallytherewerebutthreeofusleft，agreatgreenwarriorofsomefarnorthernhorde，KantosKan，andmyself。
TheothertwoweretobattleandthenItofighttheconquerorforthelibertywhichwasaccordedthefinalwinner。
KantosKanhadfoughtseveraltimesduringthedayandlikemyselfhadalwaysprovenvictorious，butoccasionallybythesmallestofmargins，especiallywhenpittedagainstthegreenwarriors。Ihadlittlehopethathecouldbesthisgiantadversarywhohadmoweddownallbeforehimduringtheday。Thefellowtowerednearlysixteenfeetinheight，whileKantosKanwassomeinchesundersixfeet。AstheyadvancedtomeetoneanotherIsawforthefirsttimeatrickofMartianswordsmanshipwhichcenteredKantosKan'severyhopeofvictoryandlifeononecastofthedice，for，ashecametowithinabouttwentyfeetofthehugefellowhethrewhisswordarmfarbehindhimoverhisshoulderandwithamightysweephurledhisweaponpointforemostatthegreenwarrior。Itflewtrueasanarrowandpiercingthepoordevil'sheartlaidhimdeaduponthearena。
KantosKanandIwerenowpittedagainsteachotherbutasweapproachedtotheencounterIwhisperedtohimtoprolongthebattleuntilnearlydarkinthehopethatwemightfindsomemeansofescape。Thehordeevidentlyguessedthatwehadnoheartstofighteachotherandsotheyhowledinrageasneitherofusplacedafatalthrust。
JustasIsawthesuddencomingofdarkIwhisperedtoKantosKantothrusthisswordbetweenmyleftarmandmybody。AshedidsoIstaggeredbackclaspingtheswordtightlywithmyarmandthusfelltothegroundwithhisweaponapparentlyprotrudingfrommychest。KantosKanperceivedmycoupandsteppingquicklytomysideheplacedhisfootuponmyneckandwithdrawinghisswordfrommybodygavemethefinaldeathblowthroughtheneckwhichissupposedtoseverthejugularvein，butinthisinstancethecoldbladeslippedharmlesslyintothesandofthearena。Inthedarknesswhichhadnowfallennonecouldtellbutthathehadreallyfinishedme。Iwhisperedtohimtogoandclaimhisfreedomandthenlookformeinthehillseastofthecity，andsoheleftme。
WhentheamphitheaterhadclearedIcreptstealthilytothetopandasthegreatexcavationlayfarfromtheplazaandinanuntenantedportionofthegreatdeadcityIhadlittletroubleinreachingthehillsbeyond。
CHAPTERXX
INTHEATMOSPHEREFACTORY
FortwodaysIwaitedthereforKantosKan，butashedidnotcomeIstartedoffonfootinanorthwesterlydirectiontowardapointwherehehadtoldmelaythenearestwaterway。
Myonlyfoodconsistedofvegetablemilkfromtheplantswhichgavesobounteouslyofthispricelessfluid。
ThroughtwolongweeksIwandered，stumblingthroughthenightsguidedonlybythestarsandhidingduringthedaysbehindsomeprotrudingrockoramongtheoccasionalhillsItraversed。SeveraltimesIwasattackedbywildbeasts；
strange，uncouthmonstrositiesthatleapeduponmeinthedark，sothatIhadevertograspmylong-swordinmyhandthatImightbereadyforthem。Usuallymystrange，newlyacquiredtelepathicpowerwarnedmeinampletime，butonceIwasdownwithviciousfangsatmyjugularandahairyfacepressedclosetominebeforeIknewthatIwaseventhreatened。
WhatmannerofthingwasuponmeIdidnotknow，butthatitwaslargeandheavyandmany-leggedIcouldfeel。
Myhandswereatitsthroatbeforethefangshadachancetoburythemselvesinmyneck，andslowlyIforcedthehairyfacefrommeandclosedmyfingers，vise-like，uponitswindpipe。
Withoutsoundwelaythere，thebeastexertingeveryefforttoreachmewiththoseawfulfangs，andIstrainingtomaintainmygripandchokethelifefromitasIkeptitfrommythroat。Slowlymyarmsgavetotheunequalstruggle，andinchbyinchtheburningeyesandgleamingtusksofmyantagonistcrepttowardme，until，asthehairyfacetouchedmineagain，Irealizedthatallwasover。Andthenalivingmassofdestructionsprangfromthesurroundingdarknessfulluponthecreaturethatheldmepinionedtotheground。
Thetworolledgrowlinguponthemoss，tearingandrendingoneanotherinafrightfulmanner，butitwassoonoverandmypreserverstoodwithloweredheadabovethethroatofthedeadthingwhichwouldhavekilledme。
Thenearermoon，hurtlingsuddenlyabovethehorizonandlightinguptheBarsoomianscene，showedmethatmypreserverwasWoola，butfromwhencehehadcome，orhowfoundme，Iwasatalosstoknow。ThatIwasgladofhiscompanionshipitisneedlesstosay，butmypleasureatseeinghimwastemperedbyanxietyastothereasonofhisleavingDejahThoris。OnlyherdeathIfeltsure，couldaccountforhisabsencefromher，sofaithfulIknewhimtobetomycommands。
BythelightofthenowbrilliantmoonsIsawthathewasbutashadowofhisformerself，andasheturnedfrommycaressandcommencedgreedilytodevourthedeadcarcassatmyfeetIrealizedthatthepoorfellowwasmorethanhalfstarved。I，myself，wasinbutlittlebetterplightbutIcouldnotbringmyselftoeattheuncookedfleshandIhadnomeansofmakingafire。WhenWoolahadfinishedhismealIagaintookupmywearyandseeminglyendlesswanderinginquestoftheelusivewaterway。
AtdaybreakofthefifteenthdayofmysearchIwasoverjoyedtoseethehightreesthatdenotedtheobjectofmysearch。
AboutnoonIdraggedmyselfwearilytotheportalsofahugebuildingwhichcoveredperhapsfoursquaremilesandtoweredtwohundredfeetintheair。ItshowednoapertureinthemightywallsotherthanthetinydooratwhichIsankexhausted，norwasthereanysignoflifeaboutit。
Icouldfindnobellorothermethodofmakingmypresenceknowntotheinmatesoftheplace，unlessasmallroundroleinthewallnearthedoorwasforthatpurpose。ItwasofaboutthebignessofaleadpencilandthinkingthatitmightbeinthenatureofaspeakingtubeIputmymouthtoitandwasabouttocallintoitwhenavoiceissuedfromitaskingmewhomImightbe，wherefrom，andthenatureofmyerrand。
IexplainedthatIhadescapedfromtheWarhoonsandwasdyingofstarvationandexhaustion。
"Youwearthemetalofagreenwarriorandarefollowedbyacalot，yetyouareofthefigureofaredman。Incoloryouareneithergreennorred。Inthenameoftheninthday，whatmannerofcreatureareyou？"
"IamafriendoftheredmenofBarsoomandIamstarving。
Inthenameofhumanityopentous，"Ireplied。
Presentlythedoorcommencedtorecedebeforemeuntilithadsunkintothewallfiftyfeet，thenitstoppedandslideasilytotheleft，exposingashort，narrowcorridorofconcrete，atthefurtherendofwhichwasanotherdoor，similarineveryrespecttotheoneIhadjustpassed。Noonewasinsight，yetimmediatelywepassedthefirstdooritslidgentlyintoplacebehindusandrecededrapidlytoitsoriginalpositioninthefrontwallofthebuilding。AsthedoorhadslippedasideIhadnoteditsgreatthickness，fullytwentyfeet，andasitreacheditsplaceoncemoreafterclosingbehindus，greatcylindersofsteelhaddroppedfromtheceilingbehinditandfittedtheirlowerendsintoaperturescountersunkinthefloor。
Asecondandthirddoorrecededbeforemeandslippedtoonesideasthefirst，beforeIreachedalargeinnerchamberwhereIfoundfoodanddrinksetoutuponagreatstonetable。
Avoicedirectedmetosatisfymyhungerandtofeedmycalot，andwhileIwasthusengagedmyinvisiblehostputmethroughasevereandsearchingcross-examination。
"Yourstatementsaremostremarkable，"saidthevoice，onconcludingitsquestioning，"butyouareevidentlyspeakingthetruth，anditisequallyevidentthatyouarenotofBarsoom。
Icantellthatbytheconformationofyourbrainandthestrangelocationofyourinternalorgansandtheshapeandsizeofyourheart。”
"Canyouseethroughme？"Iexclaimed。
"Yes，Icanseeallbutyourthoughts，andwereyouaBarsoomianIcouldreadthose。”
Thenadooropenedatthefarsideofthechamberandastrange，driedup，littlemummyofamancametowardme。
Heworebutasinglearticleofclothingoradornment，asmallcollarofgoldfromwhichdependeduponhischestagreatornamentaslargeasadinnerplatesetsolidwithhugediamonds，exceptfortheexactcenterwhichwasoccupiedbyastrangestone，aninchindiameter，thatscintillatedninedifferentanddistinctrays；thesevencolorsofourearthlyprismandtwobeautifulrayswhich，tome，werenewandnameless。Icannotdescribethemanymorethanyoucoulddescriberedtoablindman。Ionlyknowthattheywerebeautifulintheextreme。
Theoldmansatandtalkedwithmeforhours，andthestrangestpartofourintercoursewasthatIcouldreadhiseverythoughtwhilehecouldnotfathomaniotafrommymindunlessIspoke。
Ididnotapprisehimofmyabilitytosensehismentaloperations，andthusIlearnedagreatdealwhichprovedofimmensevaluetomelaterandwhichIwouldneverhaveknownhadhesuspectedmystrangepower，fortheMartianshavesuchperfectcontroloftheirmentalmachinerythattheyareabletodirecttheirthoughtswithabsoluteprecision。
ThebuildinginwhichIfoundmyselfcontainedthemachinerywhichproducesthatartificialatmospherewhichsustainslifeonMars。Thesecretoftheentireprocesshingesontheuseoftheninthray，oneofthebeautifulscintillationswhichIhadnotedemanatingfromthegreatstoneinmyhost'sdiadem。
Thisrayisseparatedfromtheotherraysofthesunbymeansoffinelyadjustedinstrumentsplacedupontheroofofthehugebuilding，three-quartersofwhichisusedforreservoirsinwhichtheninthrayisstored。Thisproductisthentreatedelectrically，orrathercertainproportionsofrefinedelectricvibrationsareincorporatedwithit，andtheresultisthenpumpedtothefiveprincipalaircentersoftheplanetwhere，asitisreleased，contactwiththeetherofspacetransformsitintoatmosphere。
ThereisalwayssufficientreserveoftheninthraystoredinthegreatbuildingtomaintainthepresentMartianatmosphereforathousandyears，andtheonlyfear，asmynewfriendtoldme，wasthatsomeaccidentmightbefallthepumpingapparatus。
HeledmetoaninnerchamberwhereIbeheldabatteryoftwentyradiumpumpsanyoneofwhichwasequaltothetaskoffurnishingallMarswiththeatmospherecompound。
Foreighthundredyears，hetoldme，hehadwatchedthesepumpswhichareusedalternatelyadayeachatastretch，oralittleovertwenty-fourandone-halfEarthhours。Hehasoneassistantwhodividesthewatchwithhim。HalfaMartianyear，aboutthreehundredandforty-fourofourdays，eachofthesemenspendaloneinthishuge，isolatedplant。
EveryredMartianistaughtduringearliestchildhoodtheprinciplesofthemanufactureofatmosphere，butonlytwoatonetimeeverholdthesecretofingresstothegreatbuilding，which，builtasitiswithwallsahundredandfiftyfeetthick，isabsolutelyunassailable，eventheroofbeingguardedfromassaultbyaircraftbyaglasscoveringfivefeetthick。
TheonlyfeartheyentertainofattackisfromthegreenMartiansorsomedementedredman，asallBarsoomiansrealizethattheveryexistenceofeveryformoflifeofMarsisdependentupontheuninterruptedworkingofthisplant。
OnecuriousfactIdiscoveredasIwatchedhisthoughtswasthattheouterdoorsaremanipulatedbytelepathicmeans。Thelocksaresofinelyadjustedthatthedoorsarereleasedbytheactionofacertaincombinationofthoughtwaves。Toexperimentwithmynew-foundtoyIthoughttosurprisehimintorevealingthiscombinationandsoIaskedhiminacasualmannerhowhehadmanagedtounlockthemassivedoorsformefromtheinnerchambersofthebuilding。
AsquickasaflashthereleapedtohismindnineMartiansounds，butasquicklyfadedasheansweredthatthiswasasecrethemustnotdivulge。
Fromthenonhismannertowardmechangedasthoughhefearedthathehadbeensurprisedintodivulginghisgreatsecret，andIreadsuspicionandfearinhislooksandthoughts，thoughhiswordswerestillfair。
BeforeIretiredforthenighthepromisedtogivemealettertoanearbyagriculturalofficerwhowouldhelpmeonmywaytoZodanga，whichhesaid，wasthenearestMartiancity。
"ButbesurethatyoudonotletthemknowyouareboundforHeliumastheyareatwarwiththatcountry。
MyassistantandIareofnocountry，webelongtoallBarsoomandthistalismanwhichwewearprotectsusinalllands，evenamongthegreenmen——thoughwedonottrustourselvestotheirhandsifwecanavoidit，"headded。
"Andsogood-night，myfriend，"hecontinued，"mayyouhavealongandrestfulsleep——yes，alongsleep。”
AndthoughhesmiledpleasantlyIsawinhisthoughtsthewishthathehadneveradmittedme，andthenapictureofhimstandingovermeinthenight，andtheswiftthrustofalongdaggerandthehalfformedwords，"Iamsorry，butitisforthebestgoodofBarsoom。”
Asheclosedthedoorofmychamberbehindhimhisthoughtswerecutofffrommeaswasthesightofhim，whichseemedstrangetomeinmylittleknowledgeofthoughttransference。
WhatwasItodo？HowcouldIescapethroughthesemightywalls？EasilycouldIkillhimnowthatIwaswarned，butoncehewasdeadIcouldnomoreescape，andwiththestoppingofthemachineryofthegreatplantIshoulddiewithalltheotherinhabitantsoftheplanet——all，evenDejahThoriswereshenotalreadydead。FortheothersIdidnotgivethesnapofmyfinger，butthethoughtofDejahThorisdrovefrommymindalldesiretokillmymistakenhost。
CautiouslyIopenedthedoorofmyapartmentand，followedbyWoola，soughttheinnerofthegreatdoors。Awildschemehadcometome；IwouldattempttoforcethegreatlocksbytheninethoughtwavesIhadreadinmyhost'smind。
CreepingstealthilythroughcorridoraftercorridoranddownwindingrunwayswhichturnedhitherandthitherI
finallyreachedthegreathallinwhichIhadbrokenmylongfastthatmorning。NowherehadIseenmyhost，nordidI
knowwherehekepthimselfbynight。
Iwasonthepointofsteppingboldlyoutintotheroomwhenaslightnoisebehindmewarnedmebackintotheshadowsofarecessinthecorridor。DraggingWoolaaftermeIcrouchedlowinthedarkness。
Presentlytheoldmanpassedclosebyme，andasheenteredthedimlylightedchamberwhichIhadbeenabouttopassthroughIsawthatheheldalongthindaggerinhishandandthathewassharpeningituponastone。Inhismindwasthedecisiontoinspecttheradiumpumps，whichwouldtakeaboutthirtyminutes，andthenreturntomybedchamberandfinishme。
Ashepassedthroughthegreathallanddisappeareddowntherunwaywhichledtothepump-room，Istolestealthilyfrommyhidingplaceandcrossedtothegreatdoor，theinnerofthethreewhichstoodbetweenmeandliberty。
ConcentratingmyminduponthemassivelockIhurledtheninethoughtwavesagainstit。InbreathlessexpectancyIwaited，whenfinallythegreatdoormovedsoftlytowardmeandslidquietlytooneside。OneaftertheothertheremainingmightyportalsopenedatmycommandandWoolaandIsteppedforthintothedarkness，free，butlittlebetteroffthanwehadbeenbefore，otherthanthatwehadfullstomachs。
HasteningawayfromtheshadowsoftheformidablepileImadeforthefirstcrossroad，intendingtostrikethecentralturnpikeasquicklyaspossible。ThisIreachedaboutmorningandenteringthefirstenclosureIcametoIsearchedforsomeevidencesofahabitation。
Therewerelowramblingbuildingsofconcretebarredwithheavyimpassabledoors，andnoamountofhammeringandhallooingbroughtanyresponse。WearyandexhaustedfromsleeplessnessIthrewmyselfuponthegroundcommandingWoolatostandguard。
SometimelaterIwasawakenedbyhisfrightfulgrowlingsandopenedmyeyestoseethreeredMartiansstandingashortdistancefromusandcoveringmewiththeirrifles。
"Iamunarmedandnoenemy，"Ihastenedtoexplain。"I
havebeenaprisoneramongthegreenmenandamonmywaytoZodanga。AllIaskisfoodandrestformyselfandmycalotandtheproperdirectionsforreachingmydestination。”
Theyloweredtheirriflesandadvancedpleasantlytowardmeplacingtheirrighthandsuponmyleftshoulder，afterthemanneroftheircustomofsalute，andaskingmemanyquestionsaboutmyselfandmywanderings。Theythentookmetothehouseofoneofthemwhichwasonlyashortdistanceaway。
ThebuildingsIhadbeenhammeringatintheearlymorningwereoccupiedonlybystockandfarmproduce，thehouseproperstandingamongagroveofenormoustrees，and，likeallred-Martianhomes，hadbeenraisedatnightsomefortyorfiftyfeetfromthegroundonalargeroundmetalshaftwhichslidupordownwithinasleevesunkintheground，andwasoperatedbyatinyradiumengineintheentrancehallofthebuilding。Insteadofbotheringwithboltsandbarsfortheirdwellings，theredMartianssimplyrunthemupoutofharm'swayduringthenight。Theyalsohaveprivatemeansforloweringorraisingthemfromthegroundwithoutiftheywishtogoawayandleavethem。
Thesebrothers，withtheirwivesandchildren，occupiedthreesimilarhousesonthisfarm。Theydidnoworkthemselves，beinggovernmentofficersincharge。Thelaborwasperformedbyconvicts，prisonersofwar，delinquentdebtorsandconfirmedbachelorswhoweretoopoortopaythehighcelibatetaxwhichallred-Martiangovernmentsimpose。
TheywerethepersonificationofcordialityandhospitalityandIspentseveraldayswiththem，restingandrecuperatingfrommylongandarduousexperiences。
Whentheyhadheardmystory——IomittedallreferencetoDejahThorisandtheoldmanoftheatmosphereplant——
theyadvisedmetocolormybodytomorenearlyresembletheirownraceandthenattempttofindemploymentinZodanga，eitherinthearmyorthenavy。
"Thechancesaresmallthatyourtalewillbebelieveduntilafteryouhaveprovenyourtrustworthinessandwonfriendsamongthehighernoblesofthecourt。Thisyoucanmosteasilydothroughmilitaryservice，asweareawarlikepeopleonBarsoom，"explainedoneofthem，"andsaveourrichestfavorsforthefightingman。”
WhenIwasreadytodeparttheyfurnishedmewithasmalldomesticbullthoat，suchasisusedforsaddlepurposesbyallredMartians。Theanimalisaboutthesizeofahorseandquitegentle，butincolorandshapeanexactreplicaofhishugeandfiercecousinofthewilds。
ThebrothershadsuppliedmewithareddishoilwithwhichIanointedmyentirebodyandoneofthemcutmyhair，whichhadgrownquitelong，intheprevailingfashionofthetime，squareatthebackandbangedinfront，sothatIcouldhavepassedanywhereuponBarsoomasafull-fledgedredMartian。MymetalandornamentswerealsorenewedinthestyleofaZodangangentleman，attachedtothehouseofPtor，whichwasthefamilynameofmybenefactors。
TheyfilledalittlesackatmysidewithZodanganmoney。
ThemediumofexchangeuponMarsisnotdissimilarfromourownexceptthatthecoinsareoval。Papermoneyisissuedbyindividualsastheyrequireitandredeemedtwiceyearly。Ifamanissuesmorethanhecanredeem，thegovernmentpayshiscreditorsinfullandthedebtorworksouttheamountuponthefarmsorinmines，whichareallownedbythegovernment。ThissuitseverybodyexceptthedebtorasithasbeenadifficultthingtoobtainsufficientvoluntarylabortoworkthegreatisolatedfarmlandsofMars，stretchingastheydolikenarrowribbonsfrompoletopole，throughwildstretchespeopledbywildanimalsandwildermen。
WhenImentionedmyinabilitytorepaythemfortheirkindnesstometheyassuredmethatIwouldhaveampleopportunityifIlivedlonguponBarsoom，andbiddingmefarewelltheywatchedmeuntilIwasoutofsightuponthebroadwhiteturnpike。
CHAPTERXXI
ANAIRSCOUTFORZODANGA
AsIproceededonmyjourneytowardZodangamanystrangeandinterestingsightsarrestedmyattention，andattheseveralfarmhouseswhereIstoppedIlearnedanumberofnewandinstructivethingsconcerningthemethodsandmannersofBarsoom。
ThewaterwhichsuppliesthefarmsofMarsiscollectedinimmenseundergroundreservoirsateitherpolefromthemeltingicecaps，andpumpedthroughlongconduitstothevariouspopulatedcenters。Alongeithersideoftheseconduits，andextendingtheirentirelength，liethecultivateddistricts。
Thesearedividedintotractsofaboutthesamesize，eachtractbeingunderthesupervisionofoneormoregovernmentofficers。
Insteadoffloodingthesurfaceofthefields，andthuswastingimmensequantitiesofwaterbyevaporation，thepreciousliquidiscarriedundergroundthroughavastnetworkofsmallpipesdirectlytotherootsofthevegetation。ThecropsuponMarsarealwaysuniform，fortherearenodroughts，norains，nohighwinds，andnoinsects，ordestroyingbirds。
OnthistripItastedthefirstmeatIhadeatensinceleavingEarth——large，juicysteaksandchopsfromthewell-feddomesticanimalsofthefarms。AlsoIenjoyedlusciousfruitsandvegetables，butnotasinglearticleoffoodwhichwasexactlysimilartoanythingonEarth。Everyplantandflowerandvegetableandanimalhasbeensorefinedbyagesofcareful，scientificcultivationandbreedingthatthelikeofthemonEarthdwindledintopale，gray，characterlessnothingnessbycomparison。
AtasecondstopImetsomehighlycultivatedpeopleofthenobleclassandwhileinconversationwechancedtospeakofHelium。Oneoftheoldermenhadbeenthereonadiplomaticmissionseveralyearsbeforeandspokewithregretoftheconditionswhichseemeddestinedevertokeepthesetwocountriesatwar。
"Helium，"hesaid，"rightlyboaststhemostbeautifulwomenofBarsoom，andofallhertreasuresthewondrousdaughterofMorsKajak，DejahThoris，isthemostexquisiteflower。
"Why，"headded，"thepeoplereallyworshipthegroundshewalksuponandsinceherlossonthatill-starredexpeditionallHeliumhasbeendrapedinmourning。
"ThatourrulershouldhaveattackedthedisabledfleetasitwasreturningtoHeliumwasbutanotherofhisawfulblunderswhichIfearwillsoonerorlatercompelZodangatoelevateawisermantohisplace。”
"Evennow，thoughourvictoriousarmiesaresurroundingHelium，thepeopleofZodangaarevoicingtheirdispleasure，forthewarisnotapopularone，sinceitisnotbasedonrightorjustice。OurforcestookadvantageoftheabsenceoftheprincipalfleetofHeliumontheirsearchfortheprincess，andsowehavebeenableeasilytoreducethecitytoasorryplight。itissaidshewillfallwithinthenextfewpassagesofthefurthermoon。”
"Andwhat，thinkyou，mayhavebeenthefateoftheprincess，DejahThoris？"Iaskedascasuallyaspossible。
"Sheisdead，"heanswered。"Thismuchwaslearnedfromagreenwarriorrecentlycapturedbyourforcesinthesouth。SheescapedfromthehordesofTharkwithastrangecreatureofanotherworld，onlytofallintothehandsoftheWarhoons。Theirthoatswerefoundwanderingupontheseabottomandevidencesofabloodyconflictwerediscoverednearby。”
Whilethisinformationwasinnowayreassuring，neitherwasitatallconclusiveproofofthedeathofDejahThoris，andsoIdeterminedtomakeeveryeffortpossibletoreachHeliumasquicklyasIcouldandcarrytoTardosMorssuchnewsofhisgranddaughter'spossiblewhereaboutsaslayinmypower。
TendaysafterleavingthethreePtorbrothersIarrivedatZodanga。FromthemomentthatIhadcomeincontactwiththeredinhabitantsofMarsIhadnoticedthatWooladrewagreatamountofunwelcomeattentiontome，sincethehugebrutebelongedtoaspecieswhichisneverdomesticatedbytheredmen。WereonetostrolldownBroadwaywithaNumidianlionathisheelstheeffectwouldbesomewhatsimilartothatwhichIshouldhaveproducedhadIenteredZodangawithWoola。
TheverythoughtofpartingwiththefaithfulfellowcausedmesogreatregretandgenuinesorrowthatIputitoffuntiljustbeforewearrivedatthecity'sgates；butthen，finally，itbecameimperativethatweseparate。HadnothingfurtherthanmyownsafetyorpleasurebeenatstakenoargumentcouldhaveprevaileduponmetoturnawaytheonecreatureuponBarsoomthathadneverfailedinademonstrationofaffectionandloyalty；butasIwouldwillinglyhaveofferedmylifeintheserviceofherinsearchofwhomIwasabouttochallengetheunknowndangersofthis，tome，mysteriouscity，IcouldnotpermitevenWoola'slifetothreatenthesuccessofmyventure，muchlesshismomentaryhappiness，forIdoubtednothesoonwouldforgetme。AndsoIbadethepoorbeastanaffectionatefarewell，promisinghim，however，thatifIcamethroughmyadventureinsafetythatinsomewayIshouldfindthemeanstosearchhimout。
Heseemedtounderstandmefully，andwhenIpointedbackinthedirectionofTharkheturnedsorrowfullyaway，norcouldIbeartowatchhimgo；butresolutelysetmyfacetowardZodangaandwithatouchofheartsicknessapproachedherfrowningwalls。
TheletterIborefromthemgainedmeimmediateentrancetothevast，walledcity。Itwasstillveryearlyinthemorningandthestreetswerepracticallydeserted。
Theresidences，raisedhighupontheirmetalcolumns，resembledhugerookeries，whiletheuprightsthemselvespresentedtheappearanceofsteeltreetrunks。Theshopsasarulewerenotraisedfromthegroundnorweretheirdoorsboltedorbarred，sincethieveryispracticallyunknownuponBarsoom。
Assassinationistheever-presentfearofallBarsoomians，andforthisreasonalonetheirhomesareraisedhighabovethegroundatnight，orintimesofdanger。
ThePtorbrothershadgivenmeexplicitdirectionsforreachingthepointofthecitywhereIcouldfindlivingaccommodationsandbeneartheofficesofthegovernmentagentstowhomtheyhadgivenmeletters。Mywayledtothecentralsquareorplaza，whichisacharacteristicofallMartiancities。
TheplazaofZodangacoversasquaremileandisboundedbythepalacesofthejeddak，thejeds，andothermembersoftheroyaltyandnobilityofZodanga，aswellasbytheprincipalpublicbuildings，cafes，andshops。
AsIwascrossingthegreatsquarelostinwonderandadmirationofthemagnificentarchitectureandthegorgeousscarletvegetationwhichcarpetedthebroadlawnsI
discoveredaredMartianwalkingbrisklytowardmefromoneoftheavenues。Hepaidnottheslightestattentiontome，butashecameabreastIrecognizedhim，andturningI
placedmyhanduponhisshoulder，callingout:
"Kaor，KantosKan!"
LikelightninghewheeledandbeforeIcouldsomuchaslowermyhandthepointofhislong-swordwasatmybreast。
"Whoareyou？"hegrowled，andthenasabackwardleapcarriedmefiftyfeetfromhisswordhedroppedthepointtothegroundandexclaimed，laughing，"Idonotneedabetterreply，thereisbutonemanuponallBarsoomwhocanbounceaboutlikearubberball。Bythemotherofthefurthermoon，JohnCarter，howcameyouhere，andhaveyoubecomeaDarseenthatyoucanchangeyourcoloratwill？"
"Yougavemeabadhalfminutemyfriend，"hecontinued，afterIhadbrieflyoutlinedmyadventuressincepartingwithhiminthearenaatWarhoon。"WeremynameandcityknowntotheZodangansIwouldshortlybesittingonthebanksofthelostseaofKoruswithmyreveredanddepartedancestors。IamhereintheinterestofTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，todiscoverthewhereaboutsofDejahThoris，ourprincess。SabThan，princeofZodanga，hasherhiddeninthecityandhasfallenmadlyinlovewithher。Hisfather，ThanKosis，JeddakofZodanga，hasmadehervoluntarymarriagetohissonthepriceofpeacebetweenourcountries，butTardosMorswillnotaccedetothedemandsandhassentwordthatheandhispeoplewouldratherlookuponthedeadfaceoftheirprincessthanseeherwedtoanythanherownchoice，andthatpersonallyhewouldpreferbeingengulfedintheashesofalostandburningHeliumtojoiningthemetalofhishousewiththatofThanKosis。HisreplywasthedeadliestaffronthecouldhaveputuponThanKosisandtheZodangans，buthispeoplelovehimthemoreforitandhisstrengthinHeliumisgreatertodaythanever。
"Ihavebeenherethreedays，"continuedKantosKan，"butIhavenotyetfoundwhereDejahThorisisimprisoned。
TodayIjointheZodangannavyasanairscoutandIhopeinthiswaytowintheconfidenceofSabThan，theprince，whoiscommanderofthisdivisionofthenavy，andthuslearnthewhereaboutsofDejahThoris。Iamgladthatyouarehere，JohnCarter，forIknowyourloyaltytomyprincessandtwoofusworkingtogethershouldbeabletoaccomplishmuch。”
Theplazawasnowcommencingtofillwithpeoplegoingandcominguponthedailyactivitiesoftheirduties。Theshopswereopeningandthecafesfillingwithearlymorningpatrons。KantosKanledmetooneofthesegorgeouseatingplaceswherewewereservedentirelybymechanicalapparatus。
Nohandtouchedthefoodfromthetimeitenteredthebuildinginitsrawstateuntilitemergedhotanddeliciousuponthetablesbeforetheguests，inresponsetothetouchingoftinybuttonstoindicatetheirdesires。
Afterourmeal，KantosKantookmewithhimtotheheadquartersoftheair-scoutsquadronandintroducingmetohissuperioraskedthatIbeenrolledasamemberofthecorps。Inaccordancewithcustomanexaminationwasnecessary，butKantosKanhadtoldmetohavenofearonthisscoreashewouldattendtothatpartofthematter。HeaccomplishedthisbytakingmyorderforexaminationtotheexaminingofficerandrepresentinghimselfasJohnCarter。
"Thisrusewillbediscoveredlater，"hecheerfullyexplained，"whentheycheckupmyweights，measurements，andotherpersonalidentificationdata，butitwillbeseveralmonthsbeforethisisdoneandourmissionshouldbeaccomplishedorhavefailedlongbeforethattime。”
ThenextfewdayswerespentbyKantosKaninteachingmetheintricaciesofflyingandofrepairingthedaintylittlecontrivanceswhichtheMartiansuseforthispurpose。
Thebodyoftheone-manaircraftisaboutsixteenfeetlong，twofeetwideandthreeinchesthick，taperingtoapointateachend。Thedriversitsontopofthisplaneuponaseatconstructedoverthesmall，noiselessradiumenginewhichpropelsit。ThemediumofbuoyancyiscontainedwithinthethinmetalwallsofthebodyandconsistsoftheeighthBarsoomianray，orrayofpropulsion，asitmaybetermedinviewofitsproperties。
Thisray，liketheninthray，isunknownonEarth，buttheMartianshavediscoveredthatitisaninherentpropertyofalllightnomatterfromwhatsourceitemanates。Theyhavelearnedthatitisthesolareighthraywhichpropelsthelightofthesuntothevariousplanets，andthatitistheindividualeighthrayofeachplanetwhich"reflects，"orpropelsthelightthusobtainedoutintospaceoncemore。
ThesolareighthraywouldbeabsorbedbythesurfaceofBarsoom，buttheBarsoomianeighthray，whichtendstopropellightfromMarsintospace，isconstantlystreamingoutfromtheplanetconstitutingaforceofrepulsionofgravitywhichwhenconfinedisabletolifeenormousweightsfromthesurfaceoftheground。
ItisthisraywhichhasenabledthemtosoperfectaviationthatbattleshipsfaroutweighinganythingknownuponEarthsailasgracefullyandlightlythroughthethinairofBarsoomasatoyballoonintheheavyatmosphereofEarth。
DuringtheearlyyearsofthediscoveryofthisraymanystrangeaccidentsoccurredbeforetheMartianslearnedtomeasureandcontrolthewonderfulpowertheyhadfound。
Inoneinstance，someninehundredyearsbefore，thefirstgreatbattleshiptobebuiltwitheighthrayreservoirswasstoredwithtoogreataquantityoftheraysandshehadsailedupfromHeliumwithfivehundredofficersandmen，nevertoreturn。
Herpowerofrepulsionfortheplanetwassogreatthatithadcarriedherfarintospace，whereshecanbeseentoday，bytheaidofpowerfultelescopes，hurtlingthroughtheheavenstenthousandmilesfromMars；atinysatellitethatwillthusencircleBarsoomtotheendoftime。
ThefourthdayaftermyarrivalatZodangaImademyfirstflight，andasaresultofitIwonapromotionwhichincludedquartersinthepalaceofThanKosis。
AsIroseabovethecityIcircledseveraltimes，asIhadseenKantosKando，andthenthrowingmyengineintotopspeedIracedatterrificvelocitytowardthesouth，followingoneofthegreatwaterwayswhichenterZodangafromthatdirection。
IhadtraversedperhapstwohundredmilesinalittlelessthananhourwhenIdescriedfarbelowmeapartyofthreegreenwarriorsracingmadlytowardasmallfigureonfootwhichseemedtobetryingtoreachtheconfinesofoneofthewalledfields。
Droppingmymachinerapidlytowardthem，andcirclingtotherearofthewarriors，IsoonsawthattheobjectoftheirpursuitwasaredMartianwearingthemetalofthescoutsquadrontowhichIwasattached。Ashortdistanceawaylayhistinyflier，surroundedbythetoolswithwhichhehadevidentlybeenoccupiedinrepairingsomedamagewhensurprisedbythegreenwarriors。
Theywerenowalmostuponhim；theirflyingmountschargingdownontherelativelypunyfigureatterrificspeed，whilethewarriorsleanedlowtotheright，withtheirgreatmetal-shodspears。EachseemedstrivingtobethefirsttoimpalethepoorZodanganandinanothermomenthisfatewouldhavebeensealedhaditnotbeenformytimelyarrival。
DrivingmyfleetaircraftathighspeeddirectlybehindthewarriorsIsoonovertookthemandwithoutdiminishingmyspeedIrammedtheprowofmylittleflierbetweentheshouldersofthenearest。Theimpactsufficienttohavetornthroughinchesofsolidsteel，hurledthefellow'sheadlessbodyintotheairovertheheadofhisthoat，whereitfellsprawlinguponthemoss。Themountsoftheothertwowarriorsturnedsquealinginterror，andboltedinoppositedirections。
ReducingmyspeedIcircledandcametothegroundatthefeetoftheastonishedZodangan。Hewaswarminhisthanksformytimelyaidandpromisedthatmyday'sworkwouldbringtherewarditmerited，foritwasnoneotherthanacousinofthejeddakofZodangawhoselifeI
hadsaved。
Wewastednotimeintalkasweknewthatthewarriorswouldsurelyreturnassoonastheyhadgainedcontroloftheirmounts。Hasteningtohisdamagedmachinewewerebendingeveryefforttofinishtheneededrepairsandhadalmostcompletedthemwhenwesawthetwogreenmonstersreturningattopspeedfromoppositesidesofus。Whentheyhadapproachedwithinahundredyardstheirthoatsagainbecameunmanageableandabsolutelyrefusedtoadvancefurthertowardtheaircraftwhichhadfrightenedthem。
Thewarriorsfinallydismountedandhobblingtheiranimalsadvancedtowardusonfootwithdrawnlong-swords。
Iadvancedtomeetthelarger，tellingtheZodangantodothebesthecouldwiththeother。Finishingmymanwithalmostnoeffort，ashadnowfrommuchpracticebecomehabitualwithme，IhastenedtoreturntomynewacquaintancewhomIfoundindeedindesperatestraits。
Hewaswoundedanddownwiththehugefootofhisantagonistuponhisthroatandthegreatlong-swordraisedtodealthefinalthrust。WithaboundIclearedthefiftyfeetinterveningbetweenus，andwithoutstretchedpointdrovemyswordcompletelythroughthebodyofthegreenwarrior。Hisswordfell，harmless，tothegroundandhesanklimplyupontheprostrateformoftheZodangan。
Acursoryexaminationofthelatterrevealednomortalinjuriesandafterabriefrestheassertedthathefeltfittoattemptthereturnvoyage。Hewouldhavetopilothisowncraft，however，asthesefrailvesselsarenotintendedtoconveybutasingleperson。
Quicklycompletingtherepairswerosetogetherintothestill，cloudlessMartiansky，andatgreatspeedandwithoutfurthermishapreturnedtoZodanga。
Aswenearedthecitywediscoveredamightyconcourseofciviliansandtroopsassembledupontheplainbeforethecity。Theskywasblackwithnavalvesselsandprivateandpublicpleasurecraft，flyinglongstreamersofgay-coloredsilks，andbannersandflagsofoddandpicturesquedesign。
MycompanionsignaledthatIslowdown，andrunninghismachineclosebesideminesuggestedthatweapproachandwatchtheceremony，which，hesaid，wasforthepurposeofconferringhonorsonindividualofficersandmenforbraveryandotherdistinguishedservice。HethenunfurledalittleensignwhichdenotedthathiscraftboreamemberoftheroyalfamilyofZodanga，andtogetherwemadeourwaythroughthemazeoflow-lyingairvesselsuntilwehungdirectlyoverthejeddakofZodangaandhisstaff。AllweremounteduponthesmalldomesticbullthoatsoftheredMartians，andtheirtrappingsandornamentationboresuchaquantityofgorgeouslycoloredfeathersthatIcouldnotbutbestruckwiththestartlingresemblancetheconcourseboretoabandoftheredIndiansofmyownEarth。
OneofthestaffcalledtheattentionofThanKosistothepresenceofmycompanionabovethemandtherulermotionedforhimtodescend。Astheywaitedforthetroopstomoveintopositionfacingthejeddakthetwotalkedearnestlytogether，thejeddakandhisstaffoccasionallyglancingupatme。Icouldnotheartheirconversationandpresentlyitceasedandalldismounted，asthelastbodyoftroopshadwheeledintopositionbeforetheiremperor。A
memberofthestaffadvancedtowardthetroops，andcallingthenameofasoldiercommandedhimtoadvance。Theofficerthenrecitedthenatureoftheheroicactwhichhadwontheapprovalofthejeddak，andthelatteradvancedandplacedametalornamentupontheleftarmoftheluckyman。
Tenmenhadbeensodecoratedwhentheaidecalledout，"JohnCarter，airscout!"
NeverinmylifehadIbeensosurprised，butthehabitofmilitarydisciplineisstrongwithinme，andIdroppedmylittlemachinelightlytothegroundandadvancedonfootasIhadseentheothersdo。AsIhaltedbeforetheofficer，headdressedmeinavoiceaudibletotheentireassemblageoftroopsandspectators。
"Inrecognition，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"ofyourremarkablecourageandskillindefendingthepersonofthecousinofthejeddakThanKosisand，singlehanded，vanquishingthreegreenwarriors，itisthepleasureofourjeddaktoconferonyouthemarkofhisesteem。”
ThanKosisthenadvancedtowardmeandplacinganornamentuponme，said:
"Mycousinhasnarratedthedetailsofyourwonderfulachievement，whichseemslittleshortofmiraculous，andifyoucansowelldefendacousinofthejeddakhowmuchbettercouldyoudefendthepersonofthejeddakhimself。
YouarethereforeappointedapadwarofTheGuardsandwillbequarteredinmypalacehereafter。”
Ithankedhim，andathisdirectionjoinedthemembersofhisstaff。AftertheceremonyIreturnedmymachinetoitsquartersontheroofofthebarracksoftheair-scoutsquadron，andwithanorderlyfromthepalacetoguidemeIreportedtotheofficerinchargeofthepalace。
CHAPTERXXII
IFINDDEJAH
Themajor-domotowhomIreportedhadbeengiveninstructionstostationmenearthepersonofthejeddak，who，intimeofwar，isalwaysingreatdangerofassassination，astherulethatallisfairinwarseemstoconstitutetheentireethicsofMartianconflict。
HethereforeescortedmeimmediatelytotheapartmentinwhichThanKosisthenwas。Therulerwasengagedinconversationwithhisson，SabThan，andseveralcourtiersofhishousehold，anddidnotperceivemyentrance。
Thewallsoftheapartmentwerecompletelyhungwithsplendidtapestrieswhichhidanywindowsordoorswhichmayhavepiercedthem。Theroomwaslightedbyimprisonedraysofsunshineheldbetweentheceilingproperandwhatappearedtobeaground-glassfalseceilingafewinchesbelow。
Myguidedrewasideoneofthetapestries，disclosingapassagewhichencircledtheroom，betweenthehangingsandthewallsofthechamber。WithinthispassageIwastoremain，hesaid，solongasThanKosiswasintheapartment。
WhenheleftIwastofollow。Myonlydutywastoguardtherulerandkeepoutofsightasmuchaspossible。I
wouldberelievedafteraperiodoffourhours。Themajor-
domothenleftme。
Thetapestrieswereofastrangeweavingwhichgavetheappearanceofheavysolidityfromoneside，butfrommyhidingplaceIcouldperceiveallthattookplacewithintheroomasreadilyasthoughtherehadbeennocurtainintervening。
ScarcelyhadIgainedmypostthanthetapestryattheoppositeendofthechamberseparatedandfoursoldiersofTheGuardentered，surroundingafemalefigure。AstheyapproachedThanKosisthesoldiersfelltoeithersideandtherestandingbeforethejeddakandnottenfeetfromme，herbeautifulfaceradiantwithsmiles，wasDejahThoris。
SabThan，PrinceofZodanga，advancedtomeether，andhandinhandtheyapproachedclosetothejeddak。ThanKosislookedupinsurprise，and，rising，salutedher。
"TowhatstrangefreakdoIowethisvisitfromthePrincessofHelium，who，twodaysago，withrareconsiderationformypride，assuredmethatshewouldpreferTalHajus，thegreenThark，tomyson？"
DejahThorisonlysmiledthemoreandwiththeroguishdimplesplayingatthecornersofhermouthshemadeanswer:
"FromthebeginningoftimeuponBarsoomithasbeentheprerogativeofwomantochangehermindasshelistedandtodissembleinmattersconcerningherheart。Thatyouwillforgive，ThanKosis，ashasyourson。TwodaysagoI
wasnotsureofhisloveforme，butnowIam，andIhavecometobegofyoutoforgetmyrashwordsandtoaccepttheassuranceofthePrincessofHeliumthatwhenthetimecomesshewillwedSabThan，PrinceofZodanga。”
"Iamgladthatyouhavesodecided，"repliedThanKosis。