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