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