DuringtheseexperimentsWoolahadbeenstandingatmysidegazingintentlyatthedoor，andasmyglancefelluponhimitoccurredtometotestthecorrectnessofmyhypothesis，thatthisportalhadbeenthemeansofingresstothetempleusedbyThurid，theblackdator，andMataiShang，FatherofTherns。
　　Turningawayabruptly，Icalledtohimtofollowme。Foramomenthehesitated，andthenleapedafterme，whiningandtuggingatmyharnesstodrawmeback。Iwalkedon，however，somedistancefromthedoorbeforeIlethimhavehisway，thatImightseepreciselywhathewoulddo。ThenIpermittedhimtoleadmewhereverhewould。
　　Straightbacktothatbafflingportalhedraggedme，againtakinguphispositionfacingtheblankstone，gazingstraightatitsshiningsurface。ForanhourIworkedtosolvethemysteryofthecombinationthatwouldopenthewaybeforeme。
　　CarefullyIrecalledeverycircumstanceofmypursuitofThurid，andmyconclusionwasidenticalwithmyoriginalbelief——thatThuridhadcomethiswaywithoutotherassistancethanhisownknowledgeandpassedthroughthedoorthatbarredmyprogress，unaidedfromwithin。Buthowhadheaccomplishedit？
　　IrecalledtheincidentoftheChamberofMysteryintheGoldenCliffsthattimeIhadfreedThuviaofPtarthfromthedungeonofthetherns，andshehadtakenaslender，needle—likekeyfromthekeyringofherdeadjailertoopenthedoorleadingbackintotheChamberofMysterywhereTarsTarkasfoughtforhislifewiththegreatbanths。Suchatinykeyholeasnowdefiedmehadopenedthewaytotheintricatelockinthatotherdoor。
　　HastilyIdumpedthecontentsofmypocket—pouchuponthegroundbeforeme。CouldIbutfindaslenderbitofsteelImightyetfashionakeythatwouldgivemeingresstothetempleprison。
　　AsIexaminedtheheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandendsthatisalwaystobefoundinthepocket—pouchofaMartianwarriormyhandfellupontheemblazonedradiumflashtorchoftheblackdator。
　　AsIwasabouttolaythethingasideasofnovalueinmypresentpredicamentmyeyeschanceduponafewstrangecharactersroughlyandfreshlyscratcheduponthesoftgoldofthecase。
　　Casualcuriositypromptedmetodecipherthem，butwhatIreadcarriednoimmediatemeaningtomymind。Therewerethreesetsofcharacters，onebelowanother：
　　3——50T
　　1——1X
　　9——25T
　　Foronlyaninstantmycuriositywaspiqued，andthenI
　　replacedthetorchinmypocket—pouch，butmyfingershadnotunclaspedfromitwhenthererushedtomymemorytherecollectionoftheconversationbetweenLakorandhiscompanionwhenthelesserthernhadquotedthewordsofThuridandscoffedatthem："Andwhatthinkyouoftheridiculousmatterofthelight？Letthelightshinewiththeintensityofthreeradiumunitsforfiftytals"——ah，therewasthefirstlineofcharactersuponthetorch’smetalcase——
　　3——50T;"andforonexatletitshinewiththeintensityofoneradiumunit"——therewasthesecondline;"andthenfortwenty—fivetalswithnineunits。"
　　Theformulawascomplete;but——whatdiditmean？
　　IthoughtIknew，and，seizingapowerfulmagnifyingglassfromthelitterofmypocket—pouch，Iappliedmyselftoacarefulexaminationofthemarbleimmediatelyaboutthepinholeinthedoor。
　　IcouldhavecriedaloudinexultationwhenmyscrutinydisclosedthealmostinvisibleincrustationofparticlesofcarbonizedelectronswhicharethrownoffbytheseMartiantorches。
　　Itwasevidentthatforcountlessagesradiumtorcheshadbeenappliedtothispinhole，andforwhatpurposetherecouldbebutasingleanswer——themechanismofthelockwasactuatedbylightrays;andI，JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，heldthecombinationinmyhand——scratchedbythehandofmyenemyuponhisowntorchcase。
　　InacylindricalbraceletofgoldaboutmywristwasmyBarsoomianchronometer——adelicateinstrumentthatrecordsthetalsandxatsandzodesofMartiantime，presentingthemtoviewbeneathastrongcrystalmuchafterthemannerofanearthlyodometer。
　　Timingmyoperationscarefully，Iheldthetorchtothesmallapertureinthedoor，regulatingtheintensityofthelightbymeansofthethumb—leveruponthesideofthecase。
　　ForfiftytalsIletthreeunitsoflightshinefullinthepinhole，thenoneunitforonexat，andfortwenty—fivetalsnineunits。Thoselasttwenty—fivetalswerethelongesttwenty—fivesecondsofmylife。Wouldthelockclickattheendofthoseseeminglyinterminableintervalsoftime？
　　Twenty—three！Twenty—four！Twenty—five！
　　Ishutoffthelightwithasnap。ForseventalsIwaited——
　　therehadbeennoappreciableeffectuponthelock’smechanism。
　　Coulditbethatmytheorywasentirelywrong？
　　Hold！Hadthenervousstrainresultedinahallucination，ordidthedoorreallymove？Slowlythesolidstonesanknoiselesslybackintothewall——therewasnohallucinationhere。
　　Backandbackitslidfortenfeetuntilithaddisclosedatitsrightanarrowdoorwayleadingintoadarkandnarrowcorridorthatparalleledtheouterwall。ScarcelywastheentranceuncoveredthanWoolaandIhadleapedthrough——thenthedoorslippedquietlybackintoplace。
　　DownthecorridoratsomedistanceIsawthefaintreflectionofalight，andtowardthiswemadeourway。Atthepointwherethelightshonewasasharpturn，andalittledistancebeyondthisabrilliantlylightedchamber。
　　Herewediscoveredaspiralstairwayleadingupfromthecenterofthecircularroom。
　　ImmediatelyIknewthatwehadreachedthecenterofthebaseoftheTempleoftheSun——thespiralrunwayledupwardpasttheinnerwallsoftheprisoncells。SomewhereabovemewasDejahThoris，unlessThuridandMataiShanghadalreadysucceededinstealingher。
　　WehadscarcelystarteduptherunwaywhenWoolasuddenlydisplayedthewildestexcitement。Heleapedbackandforth，snappingatmylegsandharness，untilIthoughtthathewasmad，andfinallywhenIpushedhimfrommeandstartedoncemoretoascendhegraspedmyswordarmbetweenhisjawsanddraggedmeback。
　　Noamountofscoldingorcuffingwouldsufficetomakehimreleaseme，andIwasentirelyatthemercyofhisbrutestrengthunlessIcaredtousemydaggeruponhimwithmylefthand;but，madorno，Ihadnotthehearttorunthesharpbladeintothatfaithfulbody。
　　Downintothechamberhedraggedme，andacrossittothesideoppositethatatwhichwehadentered。Herewasanotherdoorwayleadingintoacorridorwhichrandirectlydownasteepincline。
　　Withoutamoment’shesitationWoolajerkedmealongthisrockypassage。
　　Presentlyhestoppedandreleasedme，standingbetweenmeandthewaywehadcome，lookingupintomyfaceasthoughtoaskifI
　　wouldnowfollowhimvoluntarilyorifhemuststillresorttoforce。
　　LookingruefullyatthemarksofhisgreatteethuponmybarearmIdecidedtodoasheseemedtowishmetodo。Afterall，hisstrangeinstinctmightbemoredependablethanmyfaultyhumanjudgment。
　　AndwellitwasthatIhadbeenforcedtofollowhim。Butashortdistancefromthecircularchamberwecamesuddenlyintoabrilliantlylightedlabyrinthofcrystalglasspartitionedpassages。
　　AtfirstIthoughtitwasonevast，unbrokenchamber，soclearandtransparentwerethewallsofthewindingcorridors，butafterIhadnearlybrainedmyselfacoupleoftimesbyattemptingtopassthroughsolidvitreouswallsIwentmorecarefully。
　　WehadproceededbutafewyardsalongthecorridorthathadgivenusentrancetothisstrangemazewhenWoolagavemouthtoamostfrightfulroar，atthesametimedashingagainsttheclearpartitionatourleft。
　　TheresoundingechoesofthatfearsomecrywerestillreverberatingthroughthesubterraneanchamberswhenIsawthethingthathadstartleditfromthefaithfulbeast。
　　Farinthedistance，dimlythroughthemanythicknessesofinterveningcrystal，asinahazethatmadethemseemunrealandghostly，Idiscernedthefiguresofeightpeople——threefemalesandfivemen。
　　Atthesameinstant，evidentlystartledbyWoola’sfiercecry，theyhaltedandlookedabout。Then，ofasudden，oneofthem，awoman，heldherarmsouttowardme，andevenatthatgreatdistanceIcouldseethatherlipsmoved——itwasDejahThoris，myeverbeautifulandeveryouthfulPrincessofHelium。
　　WithherwereThuviaofPtarth，Phaidor，daughterofMataiShang，andThurid，andtheFatherofTherns，andthethreelesserthernsthathadaccompaniedthem。
　　Thuridshookhisfistatme，andthentwoofthethernsgraspedDejahThorisandThuviaroughlybytheirarmsandhurriedthemon。
　　Amomentlatertheyhaddisappearedintoastonecorridorbeyondthelabyrinthofglass。
　　Theysaythatloveisblind;butsogreataloveasthatofDejahThoristhatknewmeevenbeneaththetherndisguiseIworeandacrossthemistyvistaofthatcrystalmazemustindeedbefarfromblind。
　　THESECRETTOWER
　　IhavenostomachtonarratethemonotonouseventsofthetediousdaysthatWoolaandIspentferretingourwayacrossthelabyrinthofglass，throughthedarkanddeviouswaysbeyondthatledbeneaththeValleyDorandGoldenCliffstoemergeatlastupontheflankoftheOtzMountainsjustabovetheValleyofLostSouls——
　　thatpitifulpurgatorypeopledbythepoorunfortunateswhodarenotcontinuetheirabandonedpilgrimagetoDor，orreturntothevariouslandsoftheouterworldfromwhencetheycame。
　　HerethetrailofDejahThoris’abductorsledalongthemountains’base，acrosssteepandruggedravines，bythesideofappallingprecipices，andsometimesoutintothevalley，wherewefoundfightingaplentywiththemembersofthevarioustribesthatmakeupthepopulationofthisvaleofhopelessness。
　　Butthroughitallwecameatlasttowherethewayledupanarrowgorgethatgrewsteeperandmoreimpracticableateverystepuntilbeforeusloomedamightyfortressburiedbeneaththesideofanoverhangingcliff。
　　HerewasthesecrethidingplaceofMataiShang，FatherofTherns。
　　Here，surroundedbyahandfulofthefaithful，thehekkadoroftheancientfaith，whohadoncebeenservedbymillionsofvassalsanddependents，dispensedthespiritualwordsamongthehalfdozennationsofBarsoomthatstillclungtenaciouslytotheirfalseanddiscreditedreligion。
　　Darknesswasjustfallingaswecameinsightoftheseeminglyimpregnablewallsofthismountainstronghold，andlestwebeseenIdrewbackwithWoolabehindajuttinggranitepromontory，intoaclumpofthehardy，purplescrubthatthrivesuponthebarrensidesofOtz。
　　Herewelayuntilthequicktransitionfromdaylighttodarknesshadpassed。ThenIcreptouttoapproachthefortresswallsinsearchofawaywithin。
　　Eitherthroughcarelessnessorover—confidenceinthesupposedinaccessibilityoftheirhidingplace，thetriple—barredgatestoodajar。Beyondwereahandfulofguards，laughingandtalkingoveroneoftheirincomprehensibleBarsoomiangames。
　　IsawthatnoneoftheguardsmenhadbeenofthepartythataccompaniedThuridandMataiShang;andso，relyingentirelyuponmydisguise，Iwalkedboldlythroughthegatewayanduptothethernguard。
　　Themenstoppedtheirgameandlookedupatme，buttherewasnosignofsuspicion。SimilarlytheylookedatWoola，growlingatmyheel。
　　"Kaor！"IsaidintrueMartiangreeting，andthewarriorsaroseandsalutedme。"IhavebutjustfoundmywayhitherfromtheGoldenCliffs，"Icontinued，"andseekaudiencewiththehekkador，MataiShang，FatherofTherns。Wheremayhebefound？"
　　"Followme，"saidoneoftheguard，and，turning，ledmeacrosstheoutercourtyardtowardasecondbuttressedwall。
　　WhytheapparenteasewithwhichIseeminglydeceivedthemdidnotrousemysuspicionsIknownot，unlessitwasthatmymindwasstillsofullofthatfleetingglimpseofmybelovedprincessthattherewasroominitfornaughtelse。Bethatasitmay，thefactisthatImarchedbuoyantlybehindmyguidestraightintothejawsofdeath。
　　AfterwardIlearnedthatthernspieshadbeenawareofmycomingforhoursbeforeIreachedthehiddenfortress。
　　Thegatehadbeenpurposelyleftajartotemptmeon。Theguardshadbeenschooledwellintheirpartoftheconspiracy;andI，morelikeaschoolboythanaseasonedwarrior，ranheadlongintothetrap。
　　Atthefarsideoftheoutercourtanarrowdoorletintotheanglemadebyoneofthebuttresseswiththewall。Heremyguideproducedakeyandopenedthewaywithin;then，steppingback，hemotionedmetoenter。
　　"MataiShangisinthetemplecourtbeyond，"hesaid;andasWoolaandIpassedthrough，thefellowclosedthedoorquicklyuponus。
　　Thenastylaughthatcametomyearsthroughtheheavyplankingofthedoorafterthelockclickedwasmyfirstintimationthatallwasnotasitshouldbe。
　　Ifoundmyselfinasmall，circularchamberwithinthebuttress。
　　Beforemeadooropened，presumably，upontheinnercourtbeyond。
　　ForamomentIhesitated，allmysuspicionsnowsuddenly，thoughtardily，aroused;then，withashrugofmyshoulders，Iopenedthedoorandsteppedoutintotheglareoftorchesthatlightedtheinnercourt。
　　Directlyoppositemeamassivetowerrosetoaheightofthreehundredfeet。ItwasofthestrangelybeautifulmodernBarsoomianstyleofarchitecture，itsentiresurfacehandcarvedinboldreliefwithintricateandfancifuldesigns。Thirtyfeetabovethecourtyardandoverlookingitwasabroadbalcony，andthere，indeed，wasMataiShang，andwithhimwereThuridandPhaidor，Thuvia，andDejahThoris——thelasttwoheavilyironed。Ahandfulofthernwarriorsstoodjustbehindthelittleparty。
　　AsIenteredtheenclosuretheeyesofthoseinthebalconywerefulluponme。
　　AnuglysmiledistortedthecruellipsofMataiShang。Thuridhurledatauntatmeandplacedafamiliarhandupontheshoulderofmyprincess。Likeatigresssheturneduponhim，strikingthebeastaheavyblowwiththemanaclesuponherwrist。
　　HewouldhavestruckbackhadnotMataiShanginterfered，andthenIsawthatthetwomenwerenotover—friendly;forthemannerofthethernwasarrogantanddomineeringashemadeitplaintotheFirstBornthatthePrincessofHeliumwasthepersonalpropertyoftheFatherofTherns。AndThurid’sbearingtowardtheancienthekkadorsavorednotatalloflikingorrespect。
　　WhenthealtercationinthebalconyhadsubsidedMataiShangturnedagaintome。
　　"Earthman，"hecried，"youhaveearnedamoreignobledeaththannowlieswithinourweakenedpowertoinflictuponyou;
　　butthatthedeathyoudietonightmaybedoublybitter，knowyouthatwhenyouhavepassed，yourwidowbecomesthewifeofMataiShang，HekkadoroftheHolyTherns，foraMartianyear。
　　"Attheendofthattime，asyouknow，sheshallbediscarded，asisthelawamongus，butnot，asisusual，toleadaquietandhonoredlifeashighpriestessofsomehallowedshrine。Instead，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，shallbecometheplaythingofmylieutenants——perhapsofthymosthatedenemy，Thurid，theblackdator。"
　　Asheceasedspeakingheawaitedinsilenceevidentlyforsomeoutbreakofrageuponmypart——somethingthatwouldhaveaddedtothespiceofhisrevenge。ButIdidnotgivehimthesatisfactionthathecraved。
　　Instead，Ididtheonethingofallothersthatmightrousehisangerandincreasehishatredofme;forIknewthatifIdiedDejahThoris，too，wouldfindawaytodiebeforetheycouldheapfurthertorturesorindignitiesuponher。
　　Ofalltheholyofholieswhichthethernveneratesandworshipsnoneismorereveredthantheyellowwigwhichcovershisbaldpate，andnexttheretocomesthecircletofgoldandthegreatdiadem，whosescintillantraysmarktheattainmentoftheTenthCycle。
　　And，knowingthis，Iremovedthewigandcircletfrommyhead，tossingthemcarelesslyupontheflaggingofthecourt。ThenI
　　wipedmyfeetupontheyellowtresses;andasagroanofragearosefromthebalconyIspatfullupontheholydiadem。
　　MataiShangwentlividwithanger，butuponthelipsofThuridIcouldseeagrimsmileofamusement，fortohimthesethingswerenotholy;so，lestheshouldderivetoomuchamusementfrommyact，Icried："AndthusdidIwiththeholiesofIssus，GoddessofLifeEternal，ereIthrewIssusherselftothemobthatoncehadworshipedher，tobetorntopiecesinherowntemple。"
　　ThatputanendtoThurid’sgrinning，forhehadbeenhighinthefavorofIssus。
　　"Letushaveanendtothisblaspheming！"hecried，turningtotheFatherofTherns。
　　MataiShangroseand，leaningovertheedgeofthebalcony，gavevoicetotheweirdcallthatIhadheardfromthelipsofthepriestsuponthetinybalconyuponthefaceoftheGoldenCliffsoverlookingtheValleyDor，when，intimespast，theycalledthefearsomewhiteapesandthehideousplantmentothefeastofvictimsfloatingdownthebroadbosomofthemysteriousIsstowardthesilian—infestedwatersoftheLostSeaofKorus。
　　"Letloosethedeath！"hecried，andimmediatelyadozendoorsinthebaseofthetowerswungopen，andadozengrimandterriblebanthssprangintothearena。
　　ThiswasnotthefirsttimethatIhadfacedtheferociousBarsoomianlion，butneverhadIbeenpitted，single—handed，againstafulldozenofthem。EvenwiththeassistanceofthefierceWoola，therecouldbebutasingleoutcometosounequalastruggle。
　　Foramomentthebeastshesitatedbeneaththebrilliantglareofthetorches;butpresentlytheireyes，becomingaccustomedtothelight，felluponWoolaandme，andwithbristlingmanesanddeep—throatedroarstheyadvanced，lashingtheirtawnysideswiththeirpowerfultails。
　　InthebriefintervaloflifethatwasleftmeIshotalast，partingglancetowardmyDejahThoris。Herbeautifulfacewassetinanexpressionofhorror;andasmyeyesmetherssheextendedbotharmstowardmeas，strugglingwiththeguardswhonowheldher，sheendeavoredtocastherselffromthebalconyintothepitbeneath，thatshemightsharemydeathwithme。Then，asthebanthswereabouttocloseuponme，sheturnedandburiedherdearfaceinherarms。
　　SuddenlymyattentionwasdrawntowardThuviaofPtarth。
　　Thebeautifulgirlwasleaningfarovertheedgeofthebalcony，hereyesbrightwithexcitement。
　　Inanotherinstantthebanthswouldbeuponme，butIcouldnotforcemygazefromthefeaturesoftheredgirl，forIknewthatherexpressionmeantanythingbuttheenjoymentofthegrimtragedythatwouldsosoonbeenactedbelowher;therewassomedeeper，hiddenmeaningwhichIsoughttosolve。
　　ForaninstantIthoughtofrelyingonmyearthlymusclesandagilitytoescapethebanthsandreachthebalcony，whichIcouldeasilyhavedone，butIcouldnotbringmyselftodesertthefaithfulWoolaandleavehimtodiealonebeneaththecruelfangsofthehungrybanths;thatisnotthewayuponBarsoom，norwasiteverthewayofJohnCarter。
　　ThenthesecretofThuvia’sexcitementbecameapparentasfromherlipsthereissuedthepurringsoundIhadheardoncebefore;
　　thattimethat，withintheGoldenCliffs，shecalledthefiercebanthsaboutherandledthemasashepherdessmightleadherflockofmeekandharmlesssheep。
　　Atthefirstnoteofthatsoothingsoundthebanthshaltedintheirtracks，andeveryfierceheadwenthighasthebeastssoughttheoriginofthefamiliarcall。Presentlytheydiscoveredtheredgirlinthebalconyabovethem，and，turning，roaredouttheirrecognitionandtheirgreeting。
　　GuardssprangtodragThuviaaway，buteretheyhadsucceededshehadhurledavolleyofcommandsatthelisteningbrutes，andasonetheyturnedandmarchedbackintotheirdens。
　　"Youneednotfearthemnow，JohnCarter！"criedThuvia，beforetheycouldsilenceher。"Thosebanthswillneverharmyounow，norWoola，either。"
　　ItwasallIcaredtoknow。Therewasnaughttokeepmefromthatbalconynow，andwithalong，runningleapIsprangfaraloftuntilmyhandsgraspeditslowestsill。
　　Inaninstantallwaswildconfusion。MataiShangshrankback。
　　Thuridsprangforwardwithdrawnswordtocutmedown。
　　AgainDejahThoriswieldedherheavyironsandfoughthimback。
　　ThenMataiShanggraspedheraboutthewaistanddraggedherawaythroughadoorleadingwithinthetower。
　　ForaninstantThuridhesitated，andthen，asthoughfearingthattheFatherofThernswouldescapehimwiththePrincessofHelium，he，too，dashedfromthebalconyintheirwake。
　　Phaidoraloneretainedherpresenceofmind。TwooftheguardssheorderedtobearawayThuviaofPtarth;theothersshecommandedtoremainandpreventmefromfollowing。Thensheturnedtowardme。
　　"JohnCarter，"shecried，"forthelasttimeIofferyoutheloveofPhaidor，daughteroftheHolyHekkador。Acceptandyourprincessshallbereturnedtothecourtofhergrandfather，andyoushallliveinpeaceandhappiness。RefuseandthefatethatmyfatherhasthreatenedshallfalluponDejahThoris。
　　"Youcannotsavehernow，forbythistimetheyhavereachedaplacewhereevenyoumaynotfollow。Refuseandnaughtcansaveyou;
　　for，thoughthewaytothelaststrongholdoftheHolyThernswasmadeeasyforyou，thewayhencehathbeenmadeimpossible。
　　Whatsayyou？"
　　"Youknewmyanswer，Phaidor，"Ireplied，"beforeeveryouspoke。
　　Makeway，"Icriedtotheguards，"forJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，wouldpass！"
　　WiththatIleapedoverthelowbalusterthatsurroundedthebalcony，andwithdrawnlong—swordfacedmyenemies。
　　Therewerethreeofthem;butPhaidormusthaveguessedwhattheoutcomeofthebattlewouldbe，forsheturnedandfledfromthebalconythemomentshesawthatIwouldhavenoneofherproposition。
　　Thethreeguardsmendidnotwaitformyattack。Instead，theyrushedme——thethreeofthemsimultaneously;anditwasthatwhichgavemeanadvantage，fortheyfouledoneanotherinthenarrowprecinctsofthebalcony，sothattheforemostofthemstumbledfulluponmybladeatthefirstonslaught。
　　Theredstainuponmypointrousedtoitsfulltheoldblood—lustofthefightingmanthathaseverbeensostrongwithinmybreast，sothatmybladeflewthroughtheairwithaswiftnessanddeadlyaccuracythatthrewthetworemainingthernsintowilddespair。
　　Whenatlastthesharpsteelfoundtheheartofoneofthemtheotherturnedtoflee，and，guessingthathisstepswouldleadhimalongthewaytakenbythoseIsought，Ilethimkeepeverfarenoughaheadtothinkthathewassafelyescapingmysword。
　　Throughseveralinnerchambersheraceduntilhecametoaspiralrunway。Upthishedashed，Iinclosepursuit。Attheupperendwecameoutintoasmallchamber，thewallsofwhichwereplankexceptforasinglewindowoverlookingtheslopesofOtzandtheValleyofLostSoulsbeyond。
　　Herethefellowtorefranticallyatwhatappearedtobebutapieceoftheblankwalloppositethesinglewindow。InaninstantIguessedthatitwasasecretexitfromtheroom，andsoIpausedthathemighthaveanopportunitytonegotiateit，forIcarednothingtotakethelifeofthispoorservitor——allIcravedwasaclearroadinpursuitofDejahThoris，mylong—lostprincess。
　　But，tryashewould，thepanelwouldyieldneithertocunningnorforce，sothateventuallyhegaveitupandturnedtofaceme。
　　"Gothyway，Thern，"Isaidtohim，pointingtowardtheentrancetotherunwayupwhichwehadbutjustcome。"Ihavenoquarrelwithyou，nordoIcraveyourlife。Go！"
　　Foranswerhespranguponmewithhissword，andsosuddenly，atthat，thatIwasliketohavegonedownbeforehisfirstrush。
　　Sotherewasnothingforitbuttogivehimwhathesought，andthatasquicklyasmightbe，thatImightnotbedelayedtoolonginthischamberwhileMataiShangandThuridmadewaywithDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth。
　　Thefellowwasacleverswordsman——resourcefulandextremelytricky。
　　Infact，heseemednevertohaveheardthatthereexistedsuchathingasacodeofhonor，forherepeatedlyoutragedadozenBarsoomianfightingcustomsthatanhonorablemanwouldratherdiethanignore。
　　Heevenwentsofarastosnatchhisholywigfromhisheadandthrowitinmyface，soastoblindmeforamomentwhilehethrustatmyunprotectedbreast。
　　Whenhethrust，however，Iwasnotthere，forIhadfoughtwiththernsbefore;andwhilenonehadeverresortedtopreciselythatsameexpedient，IknewthemtobetheleasthonorableandmosttreacherousfightersuponMars，andsowaseveronthealertforsomenewanddevilishsubterfugewhenIwasengagedwithoneoftheirrace。
　　Butatlengthheoverdidthething;for，drawinghisshortsword，hehurledit，javelinwise，atmybody，atthesameinstantrushinguponmewithhislong—sword。Asinglesweepingcircleofmyownbladecaughttheflyingweaponandhurleditclatteringagainstthefarwall，andthen，asIsidesteppedmyantagonist’simpetuousrush，Ilethimhavemypointfullinthestomachashehurtledby。
　　Cleartothehiltmyweaponpassedthroughhisbody，andwithafrightfulshriekhesanktothefloor，dead。
　　Haltingonlyforthebriefinstantthatwasrequiredtowrenchmyswordfromthecarcassofmylateantagonist，Isprangacrossthechambertotheblankwallbeyond，throughwhichthethernhadattemptedtopass。HereIsoughtforthesecretofitslock，butalltonoavail。
　　IndespairItriedtoforcethething，butthecold，unyieldingstonemightwellhavelaughedatmyfutile，punyendeavors。
　　Infact，IcouldhaveswornthatIcaughtthefaintsuggestionoftauntinglaughterfrombeyondthebafflingpanel。
　　IndisgustIdesistedfrommyuselesseffortsandsteppedtothechamber’ssinglewindow。
　　TheslopesofOtzandthedistantValleyofLostSoulsheldnothingtocompelmyinterestthen;but，toweringfaraboveme，thetower’scarvedwallrivetedmykeenestattention。
　　SomewherewithinthatmassivepilewasDejahThoris。AbovemeIcouldseewindows。There，possibly，laytheonlywaybywhichIcouldreachher。Theriskwasgreat，butnottoogreatwhenthefateofaworld’smostwondrouswomanwasatstake。
　　Iglancedbelow。Ahundredfeetbeneathlayjaggedgranitebouldersatthebrinkofafrightfulchasmuponwhichthetowerabutted;andifnotupontheboulders，thenatthechasm’sbottom，laydeath，shouldafootslipbutonce，orclutchingfingersloosetheirholdforthefractionofaninstant。
　　Buttherewasnootherwayandwithashrug，whichImustadmitwashalfshudder，Isteppedtothewindow’soutersillandbeganmyperilousascent。
　　TomydismayIfoundthat，unliketheornamentationuponmostHeliumeticstructures，theedgesofthecarvingswerequitegenerallyrounded，sothatatbestmyeveryholdwasmostprecarious。
　　Fiftyfeetabovemecommencedaseriesofprojectingcylindricalstonessomesixinchesindiameter。Theseapparentlycircledthetoweratsix—footintervals，inbandssixfeetapart;
　　andaseachstonecylinderprotrudedsomefourorfiveinchesbeyondthesurfaceoftheotherornamentation，theypresentedacomparativelyeasymodeofascentcouldIbutreachthem。
　　LaboriouslyIclimbedtowardthembywayofsomewindowswhichlaybelowthem，forIhopedthatImightfindingresstothetowerthroughoneofthese，andthenceaneasieravenuealongwhichtoprosecutemysearch。
　　Attimessoslightwasmyholdupontheroundedsurfacesofthecarving’sedgesthatasneeze，acough，orevenaslightgustofwindwouldhavedislodgedmeandsentmehurtlingtothedepthsbelow。
　　ButfinallyIreachedapointwheremyfingerscouldjustclutchthesillofthelowestwindow，andIwasonthepointofbreathingasighofreliefwhenthesoundofvoicescametomefromabovethroughtheopenwindow。
　　"Hecanneversolvethesecretofthatlock。"ThevoicewasMataiShang’s。"Letusproceedtothehangarabovethatwemaybefartothesouthbeforehefindsanotherway——shouldthatbepossible。"
　　"Allthingsseempossibletothatvilecalot，"repliedanothervoice，whichIrecognizedasThurid’s。
　　"Thenletushaste，"saidMataiShang。"Buttobedoublysure，Iwillleavetwowhoshallpatrolthisrunway。Latertheymayfollowusuponanotherflier——overtakingusatKaol。"
　　Myupstretchedfingersneverreachedthewindow’ssill。AtthefirstsoundofthevoicesIdrewbackmyhandandclungtheretomyperilousperch，flattenedagainsttheperpendicularwall，scarcedaringtobreathe。
　　Whatahorribleposition，indeed，inwhichtobediscoveredbyThurid！Hehadbuttoleanfromthewindowtopushmewithhissword’spointintoeternity。
　　Presentlythesoundofthevoicesbecamefainter，andonceagainItookupmyhazardousascent，nowmoredifficult，sincemorecircuitous，forImustclimbsoastoavoidthewindows。
　　MataiShang’sreferencetothehangarandthefliersindicatedthatmydestinationlaynothingshortoftheroofofthetower，andtowardthisseeminglydistantgoalIsetmyface。
　　Themostdifficultanddangerouspartofthejourneywasaccomplishedatlast，anditwaswithreliefthatIfeltmyfingerscloseaboutthelowestofthestonecylinders。
　　Itistruethattheseprojectionsweretoofaraparttomakethebalanceoftheascentanythingofasinecure，butIatleasthadalwayswithinmyreachapointofsafetytowhichImightclingincaseofaccident。
　　Sometenfeetbelowtheroof，thewallinclinedslightlyinwardpossiblyafootinthelasttenfeet，andheretheclimbingwasindeedimmeasurablyeasier，sothatmyfingerssoonclutchedtheeaves。
　　AsIdrewmyeyesabovethelevelofthetower’stopIsawaflierallbutreadytorise。
　　UponherdeckwereMataiShang，Phaidor，DejahThoris，ThuviaofPtarth，andafewthernwarriors，whilenearherwasThuridintheactofclamberingaboard。
　　Hewasnottenpacesfromme，facingintheoppositedirection;
　　andwhatcruelfreakoffateshouldhavecausedhimtoturnaboutjustasmyeyestoppedtheroof’sedgeImaynotevenguess。
　　Butturnhedid;andwhenhiseyesmetminehiswickedfacelightedwithamalignantsmileasheleapedtowardme，whereI
　　washasteningtoscrambletothesecurefootingoftheroof。
　　DejahThorismusthaveseenmeatthesameinstant，forshescreamedauselesswarningjustasThurid’sfoot，swinginginamightykick，landedfullinmyface。
　　Likeafelledox，Ireeledandtumbledbackwardoverthetower’sside。
　　ONTHEKAOLIANROAD
　　Iftherebeafatethatissometimescrueltome，theresurelyisakindandmercifulProvidencewhichwatchesoverme。
　　AsItoppledfromthetowerintothehorridabyssbelowI
　　countedmyselfalreadydead;andThuridmusthavedonelikewise，forheevidentlydidnoteventroublehimselftolookafterme，butmusthaveturnedandmountedthewaitingflieratonce。
　　TenfeetonlyIfell，andthenaloopofmytough，leathernharnesscaughtupononeofthecylindricalstoneprojectionsinthetower’ssurface——andheld。EvenwhenIhadceasedtofallIcouldnotbelievethemiraclethathadpreservedmefrominstantdeath，andforamomentIhungthere，coldsweatexudingfromeveryporeofmybody。
　　ButwhenatlastIhadworkedmyselfbacktoafirmpositionIhesitatedtoascend，sinceIcouldnotknowthatThuridwasnotstillawaitingmeabove。
　　Presently，however，therecametomyearsthewhirringofthepropellersofaflier，andaseachmomentthesoundgrewfainterIrealizedthatthepartyhadproceededtowardthesouthwithoutassuringthemselvesastomyfate。
　　CautiouslyIretracedmywaytotheroof，andImustadmitthatitwaswithnopleasantsensationthatIraisedmyeyesoncemoreaboveitsedge;but，tomyrelief，therewasnooneinsight，andamomentlaterIstoodsafelyuponitsbroadsurface。
　　Toreachthehangaranddragforththeonlyotherflierwhichitcontainedwastheworkofbutaninstant;andjustasthetwothernwarriorswhomMataiShanghadlefttopreventthisverycontingencyemergedupontherooffromthetower’sinterior，Iroseabovethemwithatauntinglaugh。
　　ThenIdivedrapidlytotheinnercourtwhereIhadlastseenWoola，andtomyimmenserelieffoundthefaithfulbeaststillthere。
　　Thetwelvegreatbanthslayinthedoorwaysoftheirlairs，eyeinghimandgrowlingominously，buttheyhadnotdisobeyedThuvia’sinjunction;andIthankedthefatethathadmadehertheirkeeperwithintheGoldenCliffs，andendowedherwiththekindandsympatheticnaturethathadwontheloyaltyandaffectionofthesefiercebeastsforher。
　　Woolaleapedinfranticjoywhenhediscoveredme;andasthefliertouchedthepavementofthecourtforabriefinstantheboundedtothedeckbesideme，andinthebearlikemanifestationofhisexuberanthappinessallbutcausedmetowreckthevesselagainstthecourtyard’srockywall。
　　AmidtheangryshoutingofthernguardsmenwerosehighabovethelastfortressoftheHolyTherns，andthenracedstraighttowardthenortheastandKaol，thedestinationwhichIhadheardfromthelipsofMataiShang。
　　Farahead，atinyspeckinthedistance，Imadeoutanotherflierlateintheafternoon。Itcouldbenoneotherthanthatwhichboremylostloveandmyenemies。
　　Ihadgainedconsiderablyonthecraftbynight;andthen，knowingthattheymusthavesightedmeandwouldshownolightsafterdark，Isetmydestinationcompassuponher——thatwonderfullittleMartianmechanismwhich，onceattunedtotheobjectofdestination，pointsawaytowardit，irrespectiveofeverychangeinitslocation。
　　AllthatnightweracedthroughtheBarsoomianvoid，passingoverlowhillsanddeadseabottoms;abovelong—desertedcitiesandpopulouscentersofredMartianhabitationupontheribbon—likelinesofcultivatedlandwhichbordertheglobe—encirclingwaterways，whichEarthmencallthecanalsofMars。
　　DawnshowedthatIhadgainedappreciablyupontheflieraheadofme。
　　Itwasalargercraftthanmine，andnotsoswift;butevenso，ithadcoveredanimmensedistancesincetheflightbegan。
　　Thechangeinvegetationbelowshowedmethatwewererapidlynearingtheequator。Iwasnownearenoughtomyquarrytohaveusedmybowgun;but，thoughIcouldseethatDejahThoriswasnotondeck，Ifearedtofireuponthecraftwhichboreher。
　　Thuridwasdeterredbynosuchscruples;andthoughitmusthavebeendifficultforhimtobelievethatitwasreallyIwhofollowedthem，hecouldnotverywelldoubtthewitnessofhisowneyes;andsohetrainedtheirsterngunuponmewithhisownhands，andaninstantlateranexplosiveradiumprojectilewhizzedperilouslycloseabovemydeck。
　　Theblack’snextshotwasmoreaccurate，strikingmyflierfullupontheprowandexplodingwiththeinstantofcontact，rippingwideopenthebowbuoyancytanksanddisablingtheengine。
　　SoquicklydidmybowdropaftertheshotthatIscarcehadtimetolashWoolatothedeckandbucklemyownharnesstoagunwaleringbeforethecraftwashangingsternupandmakingherlastlongdroptoground。
　　Hersternbuoyancytankspreventedherdroppingwithgreatrapidity;
　　butThuridwasfiringrapidlynowinanattempttoburstthesealso，thatImightbedashedtodeathintheswiftfallthatwouldinstantlyfollowasuccessfulshot。
　　Shotaftershottorepastorintous，butbyamiracleneitherWoolanorIwashit，norweretheaftertankspunctured。Thisgoodfortunecouldnotlastindefinitely，and，assuredthatThuridwouldnotagainleavemealive，Iawaitedtheburstingofthenextshellthathit;andthen，throwingmyhandsabovemyhead，Iletgomyholdandcrumpled，limpandinert，danglinginmyharnesslikeacorpse。
　　Theruseworked，andThuridfirednomoreatus。PresentlyI
　　heardthediminishingsoundofwhirringpropellersandrealizedthatagainIwassafe。
　　Slowlythestrickenfliersanktotheground，andwhenIhadfreedmyselfandWoolafromtheentanglingwreckageIfoundthatwewereuponthevergeofanaturalforest——sorareathinguponthebosomofdyingMarsthat，outsideoftheforestintheValleyDorbesidetheLostSeaofKorus，Ineverbeforehadseenitslikeupontheplanet。
　　FrombooksandtravelersIhadlearnedsomethingofthelittle—knownlandofKaol，whichliesalongtheequatoralmosthalfwayroundtheplanettotheeastofHelium。
　　Itcomprisesasunkenareaofextremetropicalheat，andisinhabitedbyanationofredmenvaryingbutlittleinmanners，customs，andappearancefromthebalanceoftheredmenofBarsoom。
　　IknewthattheywereamongthoseoftheouterworldwhostillclungtenaciouslytothediscreditedreligionoftheHolyTherns，andthatMataiShangwouldfindareadywelcomeandsaferefugeamongthem;whileJohnCartercouldlookfornothingbetterthananignobledeathattheirhands。
　　TheisolationoftheKaoliansisrenderedalmostcompletebythefactthatnowaterwayconnectstheirlandwiththatofanyothernation，norhavetheyanyneedofawaterwaysincethelow，swampylandwhichcomprisestheentireareaoftheirdomainself—waterstheirabundanttropicalcrops。
　　Forgreatdistancesinalldirectionsruggedhillsandaridstretchesofdeadseabottomdiscourageintercoursewiththem，andsincethereispracticallynosuchthingasforeigncommerceuponwarlikeBarsoom，whereeachnationissufficienttoitself，reallylittlehasbeenknownrelativetothecourtoftheJeddakofKaolandthenumerousstrange，butinteresting，peopleoverwhomherules。
　　Occasionalhuntingpartieshavetraveledtothisout—of—the—waycorneroftheglobe，butthehostilityofthenativeshasusuallybroughtdisasteruponthem，sothateventhesportofhuntingthestrangeandsavagecreatureswhichhauntthejunglefastnessesofKaolhasoflateryearsprovedinsufficientlureeventothemostintrepidwarriors。
　　ItwasuponthevergeofthelandoftheKaolsthatInowknewmyselftobe，butinwhatdirectiontosearchforDejahThoris，orhowfarintotheheartofthegreatforestImighthavetopenetrateIhadnotthefaintestidea。
　　ButnotsoWoola。
　　ScarcelyhadIdisentangledhimthanheraisedhisheadhighinairandcommencedcirclingaboutattheedgeoftheforest。
　　Presentlyhehalted，and，turningtoseeifIwerefollowing，setoffstraightintothemazeoftreesinthedirectionwehadbeengoingbeforeThurid’sshothadputanendtoourflier。
　　AsbestIcould，Istumbledafterhimdownasteepdeclivitybeginningattheforest’sedge。
　　Immensetreesrearedtheirmightyheadsfaraboveus，theirbroadfrondscompletelyshuttingofftheslightestglimpseofthesky。
　　ItwaseasytoseewhytheKaoliansneedednonavy;theircities，hiddeninthemidstofthistoweringforest，mustbeentirelyinvisiblefromabove，norcouldalandingbemadebyanybutthesmallestfliers，andthenonlywiththegreatestriskofaccident。
　　HowThuridandMataiShangweretolandIcouldnotimagine，thoughlaterIwastolearnthattotheleveloftheforesttopthererisesineachcityofKaolaslenderwatchtowerwhichguardstheKaoliansbydayandbynightagainstthesecretapproachofahostilefleet。TooneofthesethehekkadoroftheHolyThernshadnodifficultyinapproaching，andbyitsmeansthepartywassafelyloweredtotheground。
　　AsWoolaandIapproachedthebottomofthedeclivitythegroundbecamesoftandmushy，sothatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatwemadeanyheadwaywhatever。
　　Slenderpurplegrassestoppedwithredandyellowfern—likefrondsgrewranklyallaboutustotheheightofseveralfeetabovemyhead。
　　Myriadcreepershungfestoonedingracefulloopsfromtreetotree，andamongthemwereseveralvarietiesoftheMartian"man—flower，"
　　whosebloomshaveeyesandhandswithwhichtoseeandseizetheinsectswhichformtheirdiet。
　　Therepulsivecalottreewas，too，muchinevidence。Itisacarnivorousplantofaboutthebignessofalargesage—brushsuchasdotsourwesternplains。Eachbranchendsinasetofstrongjaws，whichhavebeenknowntodragdownanddevourlargeandformidablebeastsofprey。
　　BothWoolaandIhadseveralnarrowescapesfromthesegreedy，arboreousmonsters。
　　Occasionalareasoffirmsodgaveusintervalsofrestfromthearduouslaboroftraversingthisgorgeous，twilightswamp，anditwasupononeofthesethatIfinallydecidedtomakecampforthenightwhichmychronometerwarnedmewouldsoonbeuponus。
　　Manyvarietiesoffruitgrewinabundanceaboutus;andasMartiancalotsareomnivorous，WoolahadnodifficultyinmakingasquaremealafterIhadbroughtdowntheviandsforhim。Then，havingeaten，too，Ilaydownwithmybacktothatofmyfaithfulhound，anddroppedintoadeepanddreamlesssleep。
　　TheforestwasshroudedinimpenetrabledarknesswhenalowgrowlfromWoolaawakenedme。AllaboutusIcouldhearthestealthymovementofgreat，paddedfeet，andnowandthenthewickedgleamofgreeneyesuponus。Arising，Idrewmylong—swordandwaited。
　　Suddenlyadeep—toned，horridroarburstfromsomesavagethroatalmostatmyside。WhatafoolIhadbeennottohavefoundsaferlodgingsformyselfandWoolaamongthebranchesofoneofthecountlesstreesthatsurroundedus！
　　BydaylightitwouldhavebeencomparativelyeasytohavehoistedWoolaaloftinonemanneroranother，butnowitwastoolate。
　　Therewasnothingforitbuttostandourgroundandtakeourmedicine，though，fromthehideousracketwhichnowassailedourears，andforwhichthatfirstroarhadseemedtobethesignal，Ijudgedthatwemustbeinthemidstofhundreds，perhapsthousands，ofthefierce，man—eatingdenizensoftheKaolianjungle。
　　Allthebalanceofthenighttheykeptuptheirinfernaldin，butwhytheydidnotattackusIcouldnotguess，noramIsuretothisday，unlessitisthatnoneofthemeverventureuponthepatchesofscarletswardwhichdottheswamp。
　　Whenmorningbroketheywerestillthere，walkingaboutasinacircle，butalwaysjustbeyondtheedgeofthesward。Amoreterrifyingaggregationoffierceandblood—thirstymonstersitwouldbedifficulttoimagine。
　　Singlyandinpairstheycommencedwanderingoffintothejungleshortlyaftersunrise，andwhenthelastofthemhaddepartedWoolaandIresumedourjourney。
　　Occasionallywecaughtglimpsesofhorridbeastsallduringtheday;
　　but，fortunately，wewereneverfarfromaswardisland，andwhentheysawustheirpursuitalwaysendedatthevergeofthesolidsod。
　　Towardnoonwestumbleduponawell—constructedroadrunninginthegeneraldirectionwehadbeenpursuing。Everythingaboutthishighwaymarkeditastheworkofskilledengineers，andIwasconfident，fromtheindicationsofantiquitywhichitbore，aswellasfromtheveryevidentsignsofitsbeingstillineverydayuse，thatitmustleadtooneoftheprincipalcitiesofKaol。
　　Justasweentereditfromonesideahugemonsteremergedfromthejungleupontheother，andatsightofuschargedmadlyinourdirection。
　　Imagine，ifyoucan，abald—facedhornetofyourearthlyexperiencegrowntothesizeofaprizeHerefordbull，andyouwillhavesomefaintconceptionoftheferociousappearanceandawesomeformidabilityofthewingedmonsterthatboredownuponme。
　　Frightfuljawsinfrontandmighty，poisonedstingbehindmademyrelativelypunylong—swordseemapitifulweaponofdefenseindeed。
　　NorcouldIhopetoescapethelightning—likemovementsorhidefromthosemyriadfaceteyeswhichcoveredthree—fourthsofthehideoushead，permittingthecreaturetoseeinalldirectionsatoneandthesametime。
　　EvenmypowerfulandferociousWoolawasashelplessasakittenbeforethatfrightfulthing。Buttofleewereuseless，evenhaditeverbeentomylikingtoturnmybackuponadanger;soIstoodmyground，Woolasnarlingatmyside，myonlyhopetodieasIhadalwayslived——fighting。
　　Thecreaturewasuponusnow，andattheinstantthereseemedtomeasingleslightchanceforvictory。IfIcouldbutremovetheterriblemenaceofcertaindeathhiddeninthepoisonsacsthatfedthestingthestrugglewouldbelessunequal。
　　AtthethoughtIcalledtoWoolatoleapuponthecreature’sheadandhangthere，andashismightyjawscloseduponthatfiendishface，andglisteningfangsburiedthemselvesintheboneandcartilageandlowerpartofoneofthehugeeyes，Idivedbeneaththegreatbodyasthecreaturerose，draggingWoolafromtheground，thatitmightbringitsstingbeneathandpiercethebodyofthethinghangingtoitshead。
　　Toputmyselfinthepathofthatpoison—ladenlancewastocourtinstantdeath，butitwastheonlyway;andasthethingshotlightning—liketowardmeIswungmylong—swordinaterrificcutthatseveredthedeadlymemberclosetothegorgeouslymarkedbody。
　　Then，likeabattering—ram，oneofthepowerfulhindlegscaughtmefullinthechestandhurledme，halfstunnedandwhollywinded，clearacrossthebroadhighwayandintotheunderbrushofthejunglethatfringesit。
　　Fortunately，Ipassedbetweenthebolesoftrees;hadIstruckoneofthemIshouldhavebeenbadlyinjured，ifnotkilled，soswiftlyhadIbeencatapultedbythatenormoushindleg。
　　DazedthoughIwas，IstumbledtomyfeetandstaggeredbacktoWoola’sassistance，tofindhissavageantagonistcirclingtenfeetabovetheground，beatingmadlyattheclingingcalotwithallsixpowerfullegs。
　　EvenduringmysuddenflightthroughtheairIhadnotoncereleasedmygripuponmylong—sword，andnowIranbeneaththetwobattlingmonsters，jabbingthewingedterrorrepeatedlywithitssharppoint。
　　Thethingmighteasilyhaverisenoutofmyreach，butevidentlyitknewaslittleconcerningretreatinthefaceofdangeraseitherWoolaorI，foritdroppedquicklytowardme，andbeforeIcouldescapehadgraspedmyshoulderbetweenitspowerfuljaws。
　　Timeandagainthenowuselessstubofitsgiantstingstruckfutilelyagainstmybody，buttheblowsalonewerealmostaseffectiveasthekickofahorse;sothatwhenIsayfutilely，Ireferonlytothenaturalfunctionofthedisabledmember——
　　eventuallythethingwouldhavehammeredmetoapulp。
　　Norwasitfarfromaccomplishingthiswhenaninterruptionoccurredthatputanendforevertoitshostilities。
　　FromwhereIhungafewfeetabovetheroadIcouldseealongthehighwayafewhundredyardstowhereitturnedtowardtheeast，andjustasIhadaboutgivenupallhopeofescapingtheperilouspositioninwhichInowwasIsawaredwarriorcomeintoviewfromaroundthebend。
　　Hewasmountedonasplendidthoat，oneofthesmallerspeciesusedbyredmen，andinhishandwasawondrouslong，lightlance。
　　HismountwaswalkingsedatelywhenIfirstperceivedthem，buttheinstantthattheredman’seyesfelluponusawordtothethoatbroughttheanimalatfullchargedownuponus。Thelonglanceofthewarriordippedtowardus，andasthoatandriderhurtledbeneath，thepointpassedthroughthebodyofourantagonist。
　　Withaconvulsiveshudderthethingstiffened，thejawsrelaxed，droppingmetotheground，andthen，careeningonceinmidair，thecreatureplungedheadforemosttotheroad，fulluponWoola，whostillclungtenaciouslytoitsgoryhead。
　　BythetimeIhadregainedmyfeettheredmanhadturnedandriddenbacktous。Woola，findinghisenemyinertandlifeless，releasedhisholdatmycommandandwriggledfrombeneaththebodythathadcoveredhim，andtogetherwefacedthewarriorlookingdownuponus。
　　Istartedtothankthestrangerforhistimelyassistance，buthecutmeoffperemptorily。
　　"Whoareyou，"heasked，"whodareenterthelandofKaolandhuntintheroyalforestofthejeddak？"
　　Then，ashenotedmywhiteskinthroughthecoatingofgrimeandbloodthatcoveredme，hiseyeswentwideandinanalteredtonehewhispered："CanitbethatyouareaHolyThern？"
　　Imighthavedeceivedthefellowforatime，asIhaddeceivedothers，butIhadcastawaytheyellowwigandtheholydiademinthepresenceofMataiShang，andIknewthatitwouldnotbelongeremynewacquaintancediscoveredthatIwasnothernatall。
　　"Iamnotathern，"Ireplied，andthen，flingingcautiontothewinds，Isaid："IamJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，whosenamemaynotbeentirelyunknowntoyou。"
　　IfhiseyeshadgonewidewhenhethoughtthatIwasaHolyThern，theyfairlypoppednowthatheknewthatIwasJohnCarter。
　　Igraspedmylong—swordmorefirmlyasIspokethewordswhichI
　　wassurewouldprecipitateanattack，buttomysurprisetheyprecipitatednothingofthekind。
　　"JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，"herepeatedslowly，asthoughhecouldnotquitegraspthetruthofthestatement。"JohnCarter，themightiestwarriorofBarsoom！"
　　AndthenhedismountedandplacedhishanduponmyshoulderafterthemannerofmostfriendlygreetinguponMars。
　　"Itismyduty，anditshouldbemypleasure，tokillyou，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"butalwaysinmyheartofheartshaveI
　　admiredyourprowessandbelievedinyoursinceritythewhileI
　　havequestionedanddisbelievedthethernsandtheirreligion。
　　"ItwouldmeanmyinstantdeathweremyheresytobesuspectedinthecourtofKulanTith，butifImayserveyou，Prince，youhavebuttocommandTorkarBar，DwaroftheKaolianRoad。"
　　Truthandhonestywerewritlargeuponthewarrior’snoblecountenance，sothatIcouldnotbuthavetrustedhim，enemythoughheshouldhavebeen。
　　HistitleofCaptainoftheKaolianRoadexplainedhistimelypresenceintheheartofthesavageforest，foreveryhighwayuponBarsoomispatrolledbydoughtywarriorsofthenobleclass，noristhereanyservicemorehonorablethanthislonelyanddangerousdutyinthelessfrequentedsectionsofthedomainsoftheredmenofBarsoom。
　　"TorkarBarhasalreadyplacedagreatdebtofgratitudeuponmyshoulders，"Ireplied，pointingtothecarcassofthecreaturefromwhosehearthewasdragginghislongspear。
　　Theredmansmiled。
　　"ItwasfortunatethatIcamewhenIdid，"hesaid。"Onlythispoisonedspearprickingtheveryheartofasithcankillitquicklyenoughtosaveitsprey。InthissectionofKaolweareallarmedwithalongsithspear，whosepointissmearedwiththepoisonofthecreatureitisintendedtokill;noothervirusactssoquicklyuponthebeastasitsown。
　　"Look，"hecontinued，drawinghisdaggerandmakinganincisioninthecarcassafootabovetherootofthesting，fromwhichhepresentlydrewforthtwosacs，eachofwhichheldfullyagallonofthedeadlyliquid。
　　"Thuswemaintainoursupply，thoughwereitnotforcertaincommercialusestowhichthevirusisput，itwouldscarcelybenecessarytoaddtoourpresentstore，sincethesithisalmostextinct。
　　"Onlyoccasionallydowenowrunuponone。Ofold，however，Kaolwasoverrunwiththefrightfulmonstersthatoftencameinherdsoftwentyorthirty，dartingdownfromaboveintoourcitiesandcarryingawaywomen，children，andevenwarriors。"
　　AshespokeIhadbeenwonderingjusthowmuchImightsafelytellthismanofthemissionwhichbroughtmetohisland，buthisnextwordsanticipatedthebroachingofthesubjectonmypart，andrenderedmethankfulthatIhadnotspokentoosoon。
　　"Andnowastoyourself，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"Ishallnotaskyourbusinesshere，nordoIwishtohearit。Ihaveeyesandearsandordinaryintelligence，andyesterdaymorningIsawthepartythatcametothecityofKaolfromthenorthinasmallflier。
　　ButonethingIaskofyou，andthatis：thewordofJohnCarterthathecontemplatesnoovertactagainsteitherthenationofKaoloritsjeddak。"
　　"Youmayhavemywordastothat，TorkarBar，"Ireplied。
　　"MywayleadsalongtheKaolianroad，awayfromthecityofKaol，"
　　hecontinued。"Ihaveseennoone——JohnCarterleastofall。
　　NorhaveyouseenTorkarBar，noreverheardofhim。Youunderstand？"
　　"Perfectly，"Ireplied。
　　Helaidhishanduponmyshoulder。
　　"ThisroadleadsdirectlyintothecityofKaol，"hesaid。
　　"Iwishyoufortune，"andvaultingtothebackofhisthoathetrottedawaywithoutevenabackwardglance。