Itwaswithevidentreluctancethatthegreatbeastturnedtoleavemeincompliancewithmycommand，anderehehadgoneIcouldnotresisttheinclinationtothrowmyarmsabouthisgreatneckinapartinghug。Herubbedhischeekagainstmineinafinalcaress，andamomentlaterwasspeedingthroughtheCarrionCavestowardtheouterworld。
　　InmynotetoCarthorisIhadgivenexplicitdirectionsforlocatingtheCarrionCaves，impressinguponhimthenecessityformakingentrancetothecountrybeyondthroughthisavenue，andnottoattemptunderanycircumstancestocrosstheice—barrierwithafleet。
　　ItoldhimthatwhatlaybeyondtheeighthcaveIcouldnotevenguess;butIwassurethatsomewhereupontheothersideoftheice—barrierhismotherlayinthepowerofMataiShang，andthatpossiblyhisgrandfatherandgreat—grandfatheraswell，iftheylived。
　　Further，IadvisedhimtocalluponKulanTithandthesonofThuvanDihnforwarriorsandshipsthattheexpeditionmightbesufficientlystrongtoinsuresuccessatthefirstblow。
　　"And，"Iconcluded，"iftherebetimebringTarsTarkaswithyou，forifIliveuntilyoureachmeIcanthinkoffewgreaterpleasuresthantofightoncemore，shouldertoshoulder，withmyoldfriend。"
　　WhenWoolahadleftusThuvanDihnandI，hidingintheseventhcave，discussedanddiscardedmanyplansforcrossingtheeighthchamber。
　　Fromwherewestoodwesawthatthefightingamongtheaptswasgrowingless，andthatmanythathadbeenfeedinghadceasedandlaindowntosleep。
　　Presentlyitbecameapparentthatinashorttimealltheferociousmonstersmightbepeacefullyslumbering，andthusahazardousopportunitybepresentedtoustocrossthroughtheirlair。
　　Onebyonetheremainingbrutesstretchedthemselvesuponthebubblingdecompositionthatcoveredthemassofbonesupontheflooroftheirden，untilbutasingleaptremainedawake。
　　Thishugefellowroamedrestlesslyabout，nosingamonghiscompanionandtheabhorrentlitterofthecave。
　　Occasionallyhewouldstoptopeerintentlytowardfirstoneoftheexitsfromthechamberandthentheother。
　　Hiswholedemeanorwasasofonewhoactsassentry。
　　Wewereatlastforcedtothebeliefthathewouldnotsleepwhiletheotheroccupantsofthelairslept，andsocastaboutinourmindsforsomeschemewherebywemighttrickhim。FinallyI
　　suggestedaplantoThuvanDihn，andasitseemedasgoodasanythatwehaddiscussedwedecidedtoputittothetest。
　　TothisendThuvanDihnplacedhimselfcloseagainstthecave’swall，besidetheentrancetotheeighthchamber，whileI
　　deliberatelyshowedmyselftotheguardianaptashelookedtowardourretreat。ThenIsprangtotheoppositesideoftheentrance，flatteningmybodyclosetothewall。
　　Withoutasoundthegreatbeastmovedrapidlytowardtheseventhcavetoseewhatmannerofintruderhadthusrashlypenetratedsofarwithintheprecinctsofhishabitation。
　　Ashepokedhisheadthroughthenarrowaperturethatconnectsthetwocavesaheavylong—swordwasawaitinghimuponeitherhand，andbeforehehadanopportunitytoemitevenasinglegrowlhisseveredheadrolledatourfeet。
　　Quicklyweglancedintotheeighthchamber——notanapthadmoved。
　　CrawlingoverthecarcassofthehugebeastthatblockedthedoorwayThuvanDihnandIcautiouslyenteredtheforbiddinganddangerousden。
　　Likesnailswewoundoursilentandcarefulwayamongthehuge，recumbentforms。Theonlysoundaboveourbreathingwasthesuckingnoiseofourfeetasweliftedthemfromtheoozeofdecayingfleshthroughwhichwecrept。
　　Halfwayacrossthechamberandoneofthemightybeastsdirectlybeforememovedrestlesslyattheveryinstantthatmyfootwaspoisedabovehishead，overwhichImuststep。
　　BreathlesslyIwaited，balancingupononefoot，forIdidnotdaremoveamuscle。Inmyrighthandwasmykeenshort—sword，thepointhoveringaninchabovethethickfurbeneathwhichbeatthesavageheart。
　　Finallytheaptrelaxed，sighing，aswiththepassingofabaddream，andresumedtheregularrespirationofdeepslumber。
　　Iplantedmyraisedfootbeyondthefierceheadandaninstantlaterhadsteppedoverthebeast。
　　ThuvanDihnfolloweddirectlyafterme，andanothermomentfoundusatthefurtherdoor，undetected。
　　TheCarrionCavesconsistofaseriesoftwenty—sevenconnectingchambers，andpresenttheappearanceofhavingbeenerodedbyrunningwaterinsomefar—goneagewhenamightyriverfounditswaytothesouththroughthissinglebreachinthebarrierofrockandicethathemsthecountryofthepole。
　　ThuvanDihnandItraversedtheremainingnineteencavernswithoutadventureormishap。
　　WewereafterwardtolearnthatbutonceamonthisitpossibletofindalltheaptsoftheCarrionCavesinasinglechamber。
　　Atothertimestheyroamsinglyorinpairsinandoutofthecaves，sothatitwouldhavebeenpracticallyimpossiblefortwomentohavepassedthroughtheentiretwenty—sevenchamberswithoutencounteringanaptinnearlyeveryoneofthem。Onceamonththeysleepforafullday，anditwasourgoodfortunetostumblebyaccidentupononeoftheseoccasions。
　　Beyondthelastcaveweemergedintoadesolatecountryofsnowandice，butfoundawell—markedtrailleadingnorth。
　　Thewaywasboulder—strewn，ashadbeenthatsouthofthebarrier，sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceaheadofusatanytime。
　　Afteracoupleofhourswepassedroundahugebouldertocometoasteepdeclivityleadingdownintoavalley。
　　Directlybeforeuswesawahalfdozenmen——fierce，black—beardedfellows，withskinsthecolorofaripelemon。
　　"TheyellowmenofBarsoom！"ejaculatedThuvanDihn，asthoughevennowthathesawthemhefounditscarcepossibletobelievethattheveryraceweexpectedtofindhiddeninthisremoteandinaccessiblelanddidreallyexist。
　　Wewithdrewbehindanadjacentbouldertowatchtheactionsofthelittleparty，whichstoodhuddledatthefootofanotherhugerock，theirbackstowardus。
　　Oneofthemwaspeeringroundtheedgeofthegranitemassasthoughwatchingonewhoapproachedfromtheoppositeside。
　　PresentlytheobjectofhisscrutinycamewithintherangeofmyvisionandIsawthatitwasanotheryellowman。Allwereclothedinmagnificentfurs——thesixintheblackandyellowstripedhideoftheorluk，whilehewhoapproachedalonewasresplendentinthepurewhiteskinofanapt。
　　Theyellowmenwerearmedwithtwoswords，andashortjavelinwasslungacrossthebackofeach，whilefromtheirleftarmshungcuplikeshieldsnolargerthanadinnerplate，theconcavesidesofwhichturnedoutwardtowardanantagonist。
　　Theyseemedpunyandfutileimplementsofsafetyagainstanevenordinaryswordsman，butIwaslatertoseethepurposeofthemandwithwhatwondrousdexteritytheyellowmenmanipulatethem。
　　Oneoftheswordswhicheachofthewarriorscarriedcaughtmyimmediateattention。Icallitasword，butreallyitwasasharp—
　　edgedbladewithacompletehookatthefarend。
　　Theotherswordwasofaboutthesamelengthasthehookedinstrument，andsomewherebetweenthatofmylong—swordandmyshort—sword。Itwasstraightandtwo—edged。InadditiontotheweaponsIhaveennumeratedeachmancarriedadaggerinhisharness。
　　Asthewhite—furredoneapproached，thesixgraspedtheirswordsmorefirmly——thehookedinstrumentinthelefthand，thestraightswordintheright，whileabovetheleftwristthesmallshieldwasheldrigiduponametalbracelet。
　　AsthelonewarriorcameoppositethemthesixrushedoutuponhimwithfiendishyellsthatresemblednothingmorecloselythanthesavagewarcryoftheApachesoftheSouth—west。
　　Instantlytheattackeddrewbothhisswords，andasthesixfelluponhimIwitnessedasprettyfightingasonemightcaretosee。
　　Withtheirsharphooksthecombatantsattemptedtotakeholdofanadversary，butlikelightningthecupshapedshieldwouldspringbeforethedartingweaponandintoitshollowthehookwouldplunge。
　　Oncethelonewarriorcaughtanantagonistinthesidewithhishook，anddrawinghimcloseranhisswordthroughhim。
　　Buttheoddsweretoounequal，and，thoughhewhofoughtalonewasbyfarthebestandbravestofthemall，Isawthatitwasbutaquestionoftimebeforetheremainingfivewouldfindanopeningthroughhismarvelousguardandbringhimdown。
　　Nowmysympathieshaveeverbeenwiththeweakersideofanargument，andthoughIknewnothingofthecauseofthetroubleIcouldnotstandidlybyandseeabravemanbutcheredbysuperiornumbers。
　　AsamatteroffactIpresumeIgavelittleattentiontoseekinganexcuse，forIloveagoodfighttoowelltoneedanyotherreasonforjoininginwhenoneisafoot。
　　SoitwasthatbeforeThuvanDihnknewwhatIwasabouthesawmestandingbythesideofthewhite—cladyellowman，battlinglikemadwithhisfiveadversaries。
　　WITHTHEYELLOWMEN
　　ThuvanDihnwasnotlonginjoiningme;and，thoughwefoundthehookedweaponastrangeandsavagethingwithwhichtodeal，thethreeofussoondespatchedthefiveblack—beardedwarriorswhoopposedus。
　　Whenthebattlewasoverournewacquaintanceturnedtome，andremovingtheshieldfromhiswrist，helditout。Ididnotknowthesignificanceofhisact，butjudgedthatitwasbutaformofexpressinghisgratitudetome。
　　Iafterwardlearnedthatitsymbolizedtheofferingofaman’slifeinreturnforsomegreatfavordonehim;andmyactofrefusing，whichIhadimmediatelydone，waswhatwasexpectedofme。
　　"ThenacceptfromTalu，PrinceofMarentina，"saidtheyellowman，"thistokenofmygratitude，"andreachingbeneathoneofhiswidesleeveshewithdrewabraceletandplacedituponmyarm。
　　HethenwentthroughthesameceremonywithThuvanDihn。
　　Nextheaskedournames，andfromwhatlandwehailed。
　　Heseemedquitefamiliarwiththegeographyoftheouterworld，andwhenIsaidIwasfromHeliumheraisedhisbrows。
　　"Ah，"hesaid，"youseekyourrulerandhiscompany？"
　　"Knowyouofthem？"Iasked。
　　"Butlittlemorethanthattheywerecapturedbymyuncle，SalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，RulerofOkar，landoftheyellowmenofBarsoom。
　　AstotheirfateIknownothing，forIamatwarwithmyuncle，whowouldcrushmypowerintheprincipalityofMarentina。
　　"Thesefromwhomyouhavejustsavedmearewarriorshehassentouttofindandslayme，fortheyknowthatoftenIcomealonetohuntandkillthesacredaptwhichSalensusOllsomuchreveres。
　　ItispartlybecauseIhatehisreligionthatSalensusOllhatesme;
　　butmostlydoeshefearmygrowingpowerandthegreatfactionwhichhasarisenthroughoutOkarthatwouldbegladtoseemerulerofOkarandJeddakofJeddaksinhisplace。
　　"Heisacruelandtyrannousmasterwhomallhate，andwereitnotforthegreatfeartheyhaveofhimIcouldraiseanarmyovernightthatwouldwipeoutthefewthatmightremainloyaltohim。Myownpeoplearefaithfultome，andthelittlevalleyofMarentinahaspaidnotributetothecourtofSalensusOllforayear。
　　"Norcanheforceus，foradozenmenmayholdthenarrowwaytoMarentinaagainstamillion。Butnow，astothineownaffairs。
　　HowmayIaidyou？Mypalaceisatyourdisposal，ifyouwishtohonormebycomingtoMarentina。"
　　"Whenourworkisdoneweshallbegladtoacceptyourinvitation，"
　　Ireplied。"ButnowyoucanassistusmostbydirectingustothecourtofSalensusOll，andsuggestingsomemeansbywhichwemaygainadmissiontothecityandthepalace，orwhateverotherplacewefindourfriendstobeconfined。"
　　TalugazedruefullyatoursmoothfacesandatThuvanDihn’sredskinandmywhiteone。
　　"FirstyoumustcometoMarentina，"hesaid，"foragreatchangemustbewroughtinyourappearancebeforeyoucanhopetoenteranycityinOkar。Youmusthaveyellowfacesandblackbeards，andyourapparelandtrappingsmustbethoseleastlikelytoarousesuspicion。InmypalaceisonewhocanmakeyouappearastrulyyellowmenasdoesSalensusOllhimself。"
　　Hiscounselseemedwise;andastherewasapparentlynootherwaytoinsureasuccessfulentrytoKadabra，thecapitalcityofOkar，wesetoutwithTalu，PrinceofMarentina，forhislittle，rock—boundcountry。
　　ThewaywasoversomeoftheworsttravelingIhaveeverseen，andIdonotwonderthatinthislandwherethereareneitherthoatsnorfliersthatMarentinaisinlittlefearofinvasion;butatlastwereachedourdestination，thefirstviewofwhichIhadfromaslightelevationahalf—milefromthecity。
　　NestledinadeepvalleylayacityofMartianconcrete，whoseeverystreetandplazaandopenspacewasroofedwithglass。
　　Allaboutlaysnowandice，buttherewasnoneupontherounded，domelike，crystalcoveringthatenvelopedthewholecity。
　　ThenIsawhowthesepeoplecombattedtherigorsofthearctic，andlivedinluxuryandcomfortinthemidstofalandofperpetualice。Theircitieswereveritablehothouses，andwhenI
　　hadcomewithinthisonemyrespectandadmirationforthescientificandengineeringskillofthisburiednationwasunbounded。
　　ThemomentweenteredthecityTaluthrewoffhisoutergarmentsoffur，asdidwe，andIsawthathisappareldifferedbutlittlefromthatoftheredracesofBarsoom。Exceptforhisleathernharness，coveredthickwithjewelsandmetal，hewasnaked，norcouldonehavecomfortablywornapparelinthatwarmandhumidatmosphere。
　　ForthreedaysweremainedtheguestsofPrinceTalu，andduringthattimeheshowereduponuseveryattentionandcourtesywithinhispower。Heshowedusallthatwasofinterestinhisgreatcity。
　　TheMarentinaatmosphereplantwillmaintainlifeindefinitelyinthecitiesofthenorthpoleafteralllifeuponthebalanceofdyingMarsisextinctthroughthefailureoftheairsupply，shouldthegreatcentralplantagainceasefunctioningasitdiduponthatmemorableoccasionthatgavemetheopportunityofrestoringlifeandhappinesstothestrangeworldthatIhadalreadylearnedtolovesowell。
　　Heshowedustheheatingsystemthatstoresthesun’sraysingreatreservoirsbeneaththecity，andhowlittleisnecessarytomaintaintheperpetualsummerheatofthegloriousgardenspotwithinthisarcticparadise。
　　Broadavenuesofsodsewnwiththeseedoftheochervegetationofthedeadseabottomscarriedthenoiselesstrafficoflightandairygroundfliersthataretheonlyformofartificialtransportationusednorthofthegiganticice—barrier。
　　Thebroadtiresoftheseuniquefliersarebutrubber—likegasbagsfilledwiththeeighthBarsoomianray，orrayofpropulsion——
　　thatremarkablediscoveryoftheMartiansthathasmadepossiblethegreatfleetsofmightyairshipsthatrendertheredmanoftheouterworldsupreme。Itisthisraywhichpropelstheinherentorreflectedlightoftheplanetoffintospace，andwhenconfinedgivestotheMartiancrafttheirairybuoyancy。
　　ThegroundfliersofMarentinacontainjustsufficientbuoyancyintheirautomobile—likewheelstogivethecarstractionforsteeringpurposes;andthoughthehindwheelsaregearedtotheengine，andaidindrivingthemachine，thebulkofthisworkiscarriedbyasmallpropelleratthestern。
　　Iknowofnomoredelightfulsensationthanthatofridinginoneoftheseluxuriouslyappointedcarswhichskim，lightandairyasfeathers，alongthesoft，mossyavenuesofMarentina。TheymovewithabsolutenoiselessnessbetweenbordersofcrimsonswardandbeneatharchingtreesgorgeouswiththewondrousbloomsthatmarksomanyofthehighlycultivatedvarietiesofBarsoomianvegetation。
　　Bytheendofthethirddaythecourtbarber——Icanthinkofnootherearthlyappellationbywhichtodescribehim——hadwroughtsoremarkableatransformationinbothThuvanDihnandmyselfthatourownwiveswouldneverhaveknownus。Ourskinswereofthesamelemoncolorashisown，andgreat，blackbeardsandmustacheshadbeendeftlyaffixedtooursmoothfaces。ThetrappingsofwarriorsofOkaraidedinthedeception;andforwearbeyondthehothousecitiesweeachhadsuitsoftheblack—andyellow—stripedorluk。
　　TalugaveuscarefuldirectionsforthejourneytoKadabra，thecapitalcityoftheOkarnation，whichistheracialnameoftheyellowmen。Thisgoodfriendevenaccompanieduspartway，andthen，promisingtoaidusinanywaythathefoundpossible，badeusadieu。
　　Onpartingheslippeduponmyfingeracuriouslywroughtringsetwithadead—black，lusterlessstone，whichappearedmorelikeabitofbituminouscoalthanthepricelessBarsoomiangemwhichinrealityitis。
　　"Therehadbeenbutthreeotherscutfromthemotherstone，"
　　hesaid，"whichisinmypossession。Thesethreearewornbynobleshighinmyconfidence，allofwhomhavebeensentonsecretmissionstothecourtofSalensusOll。
　　"Shouldyoucomewithinfiftyfeetofanyofthesethreeyouwillfeelarapid，prickingsensationinthefingeruponwhichyouwearthisring。Hewhowearsoneofitsmateswillexperiencethesamefeeling;itiscausedbyanelectricalactionthattakesplacethemomenttwoofthesegemscutfromthesamemotherstonecomewithintheradiusofeachother’spower。Byityouwillknowthatafriendisathanduponwhomyoumaydependforassistanceintimeofneed。
　　"Shouldanotherwearerofoneofthesegemscalluponyouforaiddonotdenyhim，andshoulddeaththreatenyouswallowtheringratherthanletitfallintothehandsofenemies。Guarditwithyourlife，JohnCarter，forsomedayitmaymeanmorethanlifetoyou。"
　　WiththispartingadmonitionourgoodfriendturnedbacktowardMarentina，andwesetourfacesinthedirectionofthecityofKadabraandthecourtofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks。
　　Thatveryeveningwecamewithinsightofthewalledandglass—roofedcityofKadabra。Itliesinalowdepressionnearthepole，surroundedbyrocky，snow—cladhills。Fromthepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalleywehadasplendidviewofthisgreatcityofthenorth。
　　Itscrystaldomessparkledinthebrilliantsunlightgleamingabovethefrost—coveredouterwallthatcirclestheentireonehundredmilesofitscircumference。
　　Atregularintervalsgreatgatesgiveentrancetothecity;
　　butevenatthedistancefromwhichwelookeduponthemassivepilewecouldseethatallwereclosed，and，inaccordancewithTalu’ssuggestion，wedeferredattemptingtoenterthecityuntilthefollowingmorning。
　　Ashehadsaid，wefoundnumerouscavesinthehillsidesaboutus，andintooneofthesewecreptforthenight。Ourwarmorlukskinskeptusperfectlycomfortable，anditwasonlyafteramostrefreshingsleepthatweawokeshortlyafterdaylightonthefollowingmorning。
　　Alreadythecitywasastir，andfromseveralofthegateswesawpartiesofyellowmenemerging。FollowingcloselyeachdetailoftheinstructionsgivenusbyourgoodfriendofMarentina，weremainedconcealedforseveralhoursuntilonepartyofsomehalfdozenwarriorshadpassedalongthetrailbelowourhidingplaceandenteredthehillsbywayofthepassalongwhichwehadcomethepreviousevening。
　　Aftergivingthemtimetogetwelloutofsightofourcave，ThuvanDihnandIcreptoutandfollowedthem，overtakingthemwhentheywerewellintothehills。
　　WhenwehadcomealmosttothemIcalledaloudtotheirleader，whenthewholepartyhaltedandturnedtowardus。
　　Thecrucialtesthadcome。Couldwebutdeceivethesementherestwouldbecomparativelyeasy。
　　"Kaor！"IcriedasIcameclosertothem。
　　"Kaor！"respondedtheofficerinchargeoftheparty。
　　"WebefromIllall，"Icontinued，givingthenameofthemostremotecityofOkar，whichhaslittleornointercoursewithKadabra。
　　"Onlyyesterdaywearrived，andthismorningthecaptainofthegatetoldusthatyouweresettingouttohuntorluks，whichisasportwedonotfindinourownneighborhood。Wehavehastenedafteryoutopraythatyouallowustoaccompanyyou。"
　　Theofficerwasentirelydeceived，andgraciouslypermittedustogowiththemfortheday。Thechanceguessthattheywerebounduponanorlukhuntprovedcorrect，andTaluhadsaidthatthechancesweretentoonethatsuchwouldbethemissionofanypartyleavingKadabrabythepassthroughwhichweenteredthevalley，sincethatwayleadsdirectlytothevastplainsfrequentedbythiselephantinebeastofprey。
　　Insofarasthehuntwasconcerned，thedaywasafailure，forwedidnotseeasingleorluk;butthisprovedmorethanfortunateforus，sincetheyellowmenweresochagrinedbytheirmisfortunethattheywouldnotenterthecitybythesamegatebywhichtheyhadleftitinthemorning，asitseemedthattheyhadmadegreatboaststothecaptainofthatgateabouttheirskillatthisdangeroussport。
　　We，therefore，approachedKadabraatapointseveralmilesfromthatatwhichthepartyhadquitteditinthemorning，andsowererelievedofthedangerofembarrassingquestionsandexplanationsonthepartofthegatecaptain，whomwehadsaidhaddirectedustothisparticularhuntingparty。
　　Wehadcomequiteclosetothecitywhenmyattentionwasattractedtowardatall，blackshaftthatreareditsheadseveralhundredfeetintotheairfromwhatappearedtobeatangledmassofjunkorwreckage，nowpartiallysnow—covered。
　　IdidnotdareventureaninquiryforfearofarousingsuspicionbyevidentignoranceofsomethingwhichasayellowmanIshouldhaveknown;butbeforewereachedthecitygateIwastolearnthepurposeofthatgrimshaftandthemeaningofthemightyaccumulationbeneathit。
　　Wehadcomealmosttothegatewhenoneofthepartycalledtohisfellows，atthesametimepointingtowardthedistantsouthernhorizon。Followingthedirectionheindicated，myeyesdescriedthehullofalargeflierapproachingrapidlyfromabovethecrestoftheencirclinghills。
　　"Stillotherfoolswhowouldsolvethemysteriesoftheforbiddennorth，"saidtheofficer，halftohimself。
　　"Willtheyneverceasetheirfatalcuriosity？"
　　"Letushopenot，"answeredoneofthewarriors，"forthenwhatshouldwedoforslavesandsport？"
　　"True;butwhatstupidbeaststheyaretocontinuetocometoaregionfromwhencenoneofthemeverhasreturned。"
　　"Letustarryandwatchtheendofthisone，"suggestedoneofthemen。
　　Theofficerlookedtowardthecity。
　　"Thewatchhasseenhim，"hesaid;"wemayremain，forwemaybeneeded。"
　　Ilookedtowardthecityandsawseveralhundredwarriorsissuingfromthenearestgate。Theymovedleisurely，asthoughtherewerenoneedforhaste——norwasthere，asIwaspresentlytolearn。
　　ThenIturnedmyeyesoncemoretowardtheflier。Shewasmovingrapidlytowardthecity，andwhenshehadcomecloseenoughIwassurprisedtoseethatherpropellerswereidle。
　　Straightforthatgrimshaftshebore。AtthelastminuteI
　　sawthegreatbladesmovetoreverseher，yetonshecameasthoughdrawnbysomemighty，irresistiblepower。
　　Intenseexcitementprevaileduponherdeck，wheremenwererunninghitherandthither，manningthegunsandpreparingtolaunchthesmall，one—manfliers，afleetofwhichispartoftheequipmentofeveryMartianwarvessel。Closerandclosertotheblackshafttheshipsped。Inanotherinstantshemuststrike，andthenIsawthefamiliarsignalflownthatsendsthelesserboatsinagreatflockfromthedeckofthemothership。
　　Instantlyahundredtinyfliersrosefromherdeck，likeaswarmofhugedragonflies;butscarcelyweretheyclearofthebattleshipthanthenoseofeachturnedtowardtheshaft，andthey，too，rushedonatfrightfulspeedtowardthesamenowseeminglyinevitableendthatmenacedthelargervessel。
　　Amomentlaterthecollisioncame。Menwerehurledineverydirectionfromtheship’sdeck，whileshe，bentandcrumpled，tookthelast，longplungetothescrap—heapattheshaft’sbase。
　　Withherfellashowerofherowntinyfliers，foreachofthemhadcomeinviolentcollisionwiththesolidshaft。
　　Inoticedthatthewreckedfliersscrapeddowntheshaft’sside，andthattheirfallwasnotasrapidasmighthavebeenexpected;
　　andthensuddenlythesecretoftheshaftburstuponme，andwithitanexplanationofthecausethatpreventedaflierthatpassedtoofaracrosstheice—barriereverreturning。
　　Theshaftwasamightymagnet，andwhenonceavesselcamewithintheradiusofitspowerfulattractionforthealuminumsteelthatenterssolargelyintotheconstructionofallBarsoomiancraft，nopoweronearthcouldpreventsuchanendaswehadjustwitnessed。
　　IafterwardlearnedthattheshaftrestsdirectlyoverthemagneticpoleofMars，butwhetherthisaddsinanywaytoitsincalculablepowerofattractionIdonotknow。Iamafightingman，notascientist。
　　Here，atlast，wasanexplanationofthelongabsenceofTardosMorsandMorsKajak。ThesevaliantandintrepidwarriorshaddaredthemysteriesanddangersofthefrozennorthtosearchforCarthoris，whoselongabsencehadbowedingrieftheheadofhisbeautifulmother，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium。
　　Themomentthatthelastoftheflierscametorestatthebaseoftheshafttheblack—bearded，yellowwarriorsswarmedoverthemassofwreckageuponwhichtheylay，makingprisonersofthosewhowereuninjuredandoccasionallydespatchingwithasword—thrustoneofthewoundedwhoseemedpronetoresenttheirtauntsandinsults。
　　Afewoftheuninjuredredmenbattledbravelyagainsttheircruelfoes，butforthemostparttheyseemedtoooverwhelmedbythehorrorofthecatastrophethathadbefallenthemtodomorethansubmitsupinelytothegoldenchainswithwhichtheyweremanacled。
　　Whenthelastoftheprisonershadbeenconfined，thepartyreturnedtothecity，atthegateofwhichwemetapackoffierce，gold—collaredapts，eachofwhichmarchedbetweentwowarriors，whoheldthemwithstrongchainsofthesamemetalastheircollars。
　　Justbeyondthegatetheattendantsloosenedthewholeterribleherd，andastheyboundedofftowardthegrim，blackshaftIdidnotneedtoasktoknowtheirmission。HadtherenotbeenthosewithinthecruelcityofKadabrawhoneededsuccorfarworsethanthepoorunfortunatedeadanddyingoutthereinthecolduponthebentandbrokencarcassesofathousandfliersIcouldnothaverestrainedmydesiretohastenbackanddobattlewiththosehorridcreaturesthathadbeendespatchedtorendanddevourthem。
　　AsitwasIcouldbutfollowtheyellowwarriors，withbowedhead，andgivethanksforthechancethathadgivenThuvanDihnandmesucheasyingresstothecapitalofSalensusOll。
　　Oncewithinthegates，wehadnodifficultyineludingourfriendsofthemorning，andpresentlyfoundourselvesinaMartianhostelry。
　　INDURANCE
　　ThepublichousesofBarsoom，Ihavefound，varybutlittle。
　　Thereisnoprivacyforotherthanmarriedcouples。
　　Menwithouttheirwivesareescortedtoalargechamber，thefloorofwhichisusuallyofwhitemarbleorheavyglass，keptscrupulouslyclean。Herearemanysmall，raisedplatformsfortheguest’ssleepingsilksandfurs，andifhehavenoneofhisownclean，freshonesarefurnishedatanominalcharge。
　　Onceaman’sbelongingshavebeendepositedupononeoftheseplatformsheisaguestofthehouse，andthatplatformhisownuntilheleaves。Noonewilldisturbormolesthisbelongings，astherearenothievesuponMars。
　　Asassassinationistheonethingtobefeared，theproprietorsofthehostelriesfurnisharmedguards，whopacebackandforththroughthesleeping—roomsdayandnight。Thenumberofguardsandgorgeousnessoftheirtrappingsquiteusuallydenotethestatusofthehotel。
　　Nomealsareservedinthesehouses，butgenerallyapubliceatingplaceadjoinsthem。Bathsareconnectedwiththesleepingchambers，andeachguestisrequiredtobathedailyordepartfromthehotel。
　　Usuallyonasecondorthirdfloorthereisalargesleeping—
　　roomforsinglewomenguests，butitsappointmentsdonotvarymateriallyfromthechamberoccupiedbymen。Theguardswhowatchthewomenremaininthecorridoroutsidethesleepingchamber，whilefemaleslavespacebackandforthamongthesleeperswithin，readytonotifythewarriorsshouldtheirpresenceberequired。
　　Iwassurprisedtonotethatalltheguardswiththehotelatwhichwestoppedwereredmen，andoninquiringofoneofthemI
　　learnedthattheywereslavespurchasedbytheproprietorsofthehotelsfromthegovernment。ThemanwhosepostwaspastmysleepingplatformhadbeencommanderofthenavyofagreatMartiannation;
　　butfatehadcarriedhisflagshipacrosstheice—barrierwithintheradiusofpowerofthemagneticshaft，andnowformanytediousyearshehadbeenaslaveoftheyellowmen。
　　Hetoldmethatprinces，jeds，andevenjeddaksoftheouterworld，wereamongthemenialswhoservedtheyellowrace;butwhenI
　　askedhimifhehadheardofthefateofMorsKajakorTardosMorsheshookhishead，sayingthatheneverhadheardoftheirbeingprisonershere，thoughhewasveryfamiliarwiththereputationsandfametheyboreintheouterworld。
　　NeitherhadheheardanyrumorofthecomingoftheFatherofThernsandtheblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，buthehastenedtoexplainthatheknewlittleofwhattookplacewithinthepalace。
　　Icouldseethathewonderednotalittlethatayellowmanshouldbesoinquisitiveaboutcertainredprisonersfrombeyondtheice—
　　barrier，andthatIshouldbesoignorantofcustomsandconditionsamongmyownrace。
　　Infact，Ihadforgottenmydisguiseupondiscoveringaredmanpacingbeforemysleepingplatform;buthisgrowingexpressionofsurprisewarnedmeintime，forIhadnomindtorevealmyidentitytoanyunlesssomegoodcouldcomeofit，andIdidnotseehowthispoorfellowcouldservemeyet，thoughIhaditinmymindthatlaterImightbethemeansofservinghimandalltheotherthousandsofprisonerswhodothebiddingoftheirsternmastersinKadabra。
　　ThuvanDihnandIdiscussedourplansaswesattogetheramongoursleepingsilksandfursthatnightinthemidstofthehundredsofyellowmenwhooccupiedtheapartmentwithus。Wespokeinlowwhispers，but，asthatisonlywhatcourtesydemandsinapublicsleepingplace，werousednosuspicion。
　　Atlast，determiningthatallmustbebutidlespeculationuntilafterwehadhadachancetoexplorethecityandattempttoputintoexecutiontheplanTaluhadsuggested，webadeeachothergoodnightandturnedtosleep。
　　AfterbreakfastingthefollowingmorningwesetouttoseeKadabra，andas，throughthegenerosityoftheprinceofMarentina，wewerewellsuppliedwiththefundscurrentinOkarwepurchasedahandsomegroundflier。HavinglearnedtodrivethemwhileinMarentina，wespentadelightfulandprofitabledayexploringthecity，andlateintheafternoonatthehourTalutolduswewouldfindgovernmentofficialsintheiroffices，westoppedbeforeamagnificentbuildingontheplazaoppositetheroyalgroundsandthepalace。
　　Herewewalkedboldlyinpastthearmedguardatthedoor，tobemetbyaredslavewithinwhoaskedourwishes。
　　"TellSorav，yourmaster，thattwowarriorsfromIllallwishtotakeserviceinthepalaceguard，"Isaid。
　　Sorav，Taluhadtoldus，wasthecommanderoftheforcesofthepalace，andasmenfromthefurthercitiesofOkar——andespeciallyIllall——werelesslikelytobetaintedwiththegermofintriguewhichhadforyearsinfectedthehouseholdofSalensusOll，hewassurethatwewouldbewelcomedandfewquestionsaskedus。
　　HehadprimeduswithsuchgeneralinformationashethoughtwouldbenecessaryforustopassmusterbeforeSorav，afterwhichwewouldhavetoundergoafurtherexaminationbeforeSalensusOllthathemightdetermineourphysicalfitnessandourabilityaswarriors。
　　Thelittleexperiencewehadhadwiththestrangehookedswordoftheyellowmanandhiscuplikeshieldmadeitseemratherunlikelythateitherofuscouldpassthisfinaltest，buttherewasthechancethatwemightbequarteredinthepalaceofSalensusOllforseveraldaysafterbeingacceptedbySoravbeforetheJeddakofJeddakswouldfindtimetoputustothefinaltest。
　　Afterawaitofseveralminutesinanante—chamberweweresummonedintotheprivateofficeofSorav，wherewewerecourteouslygreetedbythisferocious—appearing，black—beardedofficer。Heaskedusournamesandstationsinourowncity，andhavingreceivedrepliesthatwereevidentlysatisfactorytohim，heputcertainquestionstousthatTaluhadforeseenandpreparedusfor。
　　TheinterviewcouldnothavelastedovertenminuteswhenSoravsummonedanaidwhomheinstructedtorecordusproperly，andthenescortustothequartersinthepalacewhicharesetasideforaspirantstomembershipinthepalaceguard。
　　Theaidtookustohisownofficefirst，wherehemeasuredandweighedandphotographedussimultaneouslywithamachineingeniouslydevisedforthatpurpose，fivecopiesbeinginstantlyreproducedinfivedifferentofficesofthegovernment，twoofwhicharelocatedinothercitiesmilesdistant。
　　Thenheledusthroughthepalacegroundstothemainguardroomofthepalace，thereturningusovertotheofficerincharge。
　　Thisindividualagainquestionedusbriefly，andfinallydespatchedasoldiertoguideustoourquarters。Thesewefoundlocateduponthesecondfloorofthepalaceinasemi—detachedtowerattherearoftheedifice。
　　Whenweaskedourguidewhywewerequarteredsofarfromtheguardroomherepliedthatthecustomoftheoldermembersoftheguardofpickingquarrelswithaspirantstotrytheirmetalhadresultedinsomanydeathsthatitwasfounddifficulttomaintaintheguardatitsfullstrengthwhilethiscustomprevailed。
　　SalensusOllhad，therefore，setapartthesequartersforaspirants，andheretheyweresecurelylockedagainstthedangerofattackbymembersoftheguard。
　　Thisunwelcomeinformationputasuddenchecktoallourwell—
　　laidplans，foritmeantthatweshouldvirtuallybeprisonersinthepalaceofSalensusOlluntilthetimethatheshouldseefittogiveusthefinalexaminationforefficiency。
　　AsitwasthisintervaluponwhichwehadbankedtoaccomplishsomuchinoursearchforDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，ourchagrinwasunboundedwhenweheardthegreatlockclickbehindourguideashehadquittedusafterusheringusintothechambersweweretooccupy。
　　WithawryfaceIturnedtoThuvanDihn。Mycompanionbutshookhisheaddisconsolatelyandwalkedtooneofthewindowsuponthefarsideoftheapartment。
　　Scarcelyhadhegazedbeyondthemthanhecalledtomeinatoneofsuppressedexcitementandsurprise。InaninstantI
　　wasbyhisside。
　　"Look！"saidThuvanDihn，pointingtowardthecourtyardbelow。
　　AsmyeyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedIsawtwowomenpacingbackandforthinanenclosedgarden。
　　AtthesamemomentIrecognizedthem——theywereDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth！
　　ThereweretheywhomIhadtrailedfromonepoletoanother，thelengthofaworld。Onlytenfeetofspaceandafewmetalbarsseparatedmefromthem。
　　WithacryIattractedtheirattention，andasDejahThorislookedupfullintomyeyesImadethesignoflovethatthemenofBarsoommaketotheirwomen。
　　Tomyastonishmentandhorrorherheadwenthigh，andasalookofuttercontempttouchedherfinelychiseledfeaturessheturnedherbackfulluponme。Mybodyiscoveredwiththescarsofathousandconflicts，butneverinallmylonglifehaveIsufferedsuchanguishfromawound，forthistimethesteelofawoman’slookhadenteredmyheart。
　　WithagroanIturnedawayandburiedmyfaceinmyarms。I
　　heardThuvanDihncallaloudtoThuvia，butaninstantlaterhisexclamationofsurprisebetokenedthathe，too，hadbeenrepulsedbyhisowndaughter。
　　"Theywillnotevenlisten，"hecriedtome。"Theyhaveputtheirhandsovertheirearsandwalkedtothefartherendofthegarden。Everheardyouofsuchmadwork，JohnCarter？Thetwomustbebewitched。"
　　PresentlyImusteredthecouragetoreturntothewindow，foreventhoughshespurnedmeIlovedher，andcouldnotkeepmyeyesfromfeastinguponherdivinefaceandfigure，butwhenshesawmelookingsheagainturnedaway。
　　Iwasatmywit’sendtoaccountforherstrangeactions，andthatThuvia，too，hadturnedagainstherfatherseemedincredible。
　　CoulditbethatmyincomparableprincessstillclungtothehideousfaithfromwhichIhadrescuedherworld？CoulditbethatshelookeduponmewithloathingandcontemptbecauseIhadreturnedfromtheValleyDor，orbecauseIhaddesecratedthetemplesandpersonsoftheHolyTherns？
　　TonaughtelsecouldIascribeherstrangedeportment，yetitseemedfarfrompossiblethatsuchcouldbethecase，fortheloveofDejahThorisforJohnCarterhadbeenagreatandwondrouslove——
　　faraboveracialdistinctions，creed，orreligion。
　　AsIgazedruefullyatthebackofherhaughty，royalheadagateattheoppositeendofthegardenopenedandamanentered。
　　Ashedidsoheturnedandslippedsomethingintothehandoftheyellowguardsmanbeyondthegate，norwasthedistancetoogreatthatImightnotseethatmoneyhadpassedbetweenthem。
　　InstantlyIknewthatthisnewcomerhadbribedhiswaywithinthegarden。Thenheturnedinthedirectionofthetwowomen，andIsawthathewasnoneotherthanThurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn。
　　Heapproachedquiteclosetothembeforehespoke，andastheyturnedatthesoundofhisvoiceIsawDejahThorisshrinkfromhim。
　　Therewasanastyleeruponhisfaceashesteppedclosetoherandspokeagain。Icouldnothearhiswords，butheranswercameclearly。
　　"ThegranddaughterofTardosMorscanalwaysdie，"shesaid，"butshecouldneverliveatthepriceyouname。"
　　ThenIsawtheblackscoundrelgouponhiskneesbesideher，fairlygrovelinginthedirt，pleadingwithher。Onlypartofwhathesaidcametome，forthoughhewasevidentlylaboringunderthestressofpassionandexcitement，itwasequallyapparentthathedidnotdareraisehisvoiceforfearofdetection。
　　"IwouldsaveyoufromMataiShang，"Iheardhimsay。"Youknowthefatethatawaitsyouathishands。Wouldyounotchoosemeratherthantheother？"
　　"Iwouldchooseneither，"repliedDejahThoris，"evenwereI
　　freetochoose，asyouknowwellIamnot。"
　　"YouAREfree！"hecried。"JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，isdead。"
　　"Iknowbetterthanthat;butevenwerehedead，andImustneedschooseanothermate，itshouldbeaplantmanoragreatwhiteapeinpreferencetoeitherMataiShangoryou，blackcalot，"
　　sheansweredwithasneerofcontempt。
　　Ofasuddentheviciousbeastlostallcontrolofhimself，aswithavileoathheleapedattheslenderwoman，grippinghertenderthroatinhisbruteclutch。Thuviascreamedandsprangtoaidherfellow—prisoner，andatthesameinstantI，too，wentmad，andtearingatthebarsthatspannedmywindowIrippedthemfromtheirsocketsastheyhadbeenbutcopperwire。
　　HurlingmyselfthroughtheapertureIreachedthegarden，butahundredfeetfromwheretheblackwaschokingthelifefrommyDejahThoris，andwithasinglegreatboundIwasuponhim。
　　IspokenowordasItorehisdefilingfingersfromthatbeautifulthroat，nordidIutterasoundasIhurledhimtwentyfeetfromme。
　　Foamingwithrage，Thuridregainedhisfeetandchargedmelikeamadbull。
　　"Yellowman，"heshrieked，"youknewnotuponwhomyouhadlaidyourvilehands，butereIamdonewithyou，youwillknowwellwhatitmeanstooffendthepersonofaFirstBorn。"
　　Thenhewasuponme，reachingformythroat，andpreciselyasIhaddonethatdayinthecourtyardoftheTempleofIssusIdidhereinthegardenofthepalaceofSalensusOll。Iduckedbeneathhisoutstretchedarms，andashelungedpastmeIplantedaterrificrightuponthesideofhisjaw。
　　Justashehaddoneuponthatotheroccasionhedidnow。Likeatophespunround，hiskneesgavebeneathhim，andhecrumpledtothegroundatmyfeet。ThenIheardavoicebehindme。
　　Itwasthedeepvoiceofauthoritythatmarkstherulerofmen，andwhenIturnedtofacetheresplendentfigureofagiantyellowmanIdidnotneedtoasktoknowthatitwasSalensusOll。
　　AthisrightstoodMataiShang，andbehindthemascoreofguardsmen。
　　"Whoareyou，"hecried，"andwhatmeansthisintrusionwithintheprecinctsofthewomen’sgarden？Idonotrecallyourface。
　　Howcameyouhere？"
　　ButforhislastwordsIshouldhaveforgottenmydisguiseentirelyandtoldhimoutrightthatIwasJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium;buthisquestionrecalledmetomyself。
　　Ipointedtothedislodgedbarsofthewindowabove。
　　"Iamanaspiranttomembershipinthepalaceguard，"Isaid，"andfromyonderwindowinthetowerwhereIwasconfinedawaitingthefinaltestforfitnessIsawthisbruteattackthethiswoman。
　　Icouldnotstandidlyby，OJeddak，andseethisthingdonewithintheverypalacegrounds，andyetfeelthatIwasfittoserveandguardyourroyalperson。"
　　IhadevidentlymadeanimpressionupontherulerofOkarbymyfairwords，andwhenhehadturnedtoDejahThorisandThuviaofPtarth，andbothhadcorroboratedmystatementsitbegantolookprettydarkforThurid。
　　IsawtheuglygleaminMataiShang’sevileyesasDejahThorisnarratedallthathadpassedbetweenThuridandherself，andwhenshecametothatpartwhichdealtwithmyinterferencewiththedatoroftheFirstBornhergratitudewasquiteapparent，thoughIcouldseebyhereyesthatsomethingpuzzledherstrangely。
　　Ididnotwonderatherattitudetowardmewhileotherswerepresent;
　　butthatsheshouldhavedeniedmewhilesheandThuviaweretheonlyoccupantsofthegardenstillcutmesorely。
　　AstheexaminationproceededIcastaglanceatThuridandstartledhimlookingwide—eyedandwonderinglyatme，andthenofasuddenhelaughedfullinmyface。
　　AmomentlaterSalensusOllturnedtowardtheblack。
　　"Whathaveyoutosayinexplanationofthesecharges？"heaskedinadeepandterriblevoice。"DareyouaspiretoonewhomtheFatherofThernshaschosen——onewhomightevenbeafitmatefortheJeddakofJeddakshimself？"
　　Andthentheblack—beardedtyrantturnedandcastasuddengreedylookuponDejahThoris，asthoughwiththewordsanewthoughtandanewdesirehadsprungupwithinhismindandbreast。
　　Thuridhadbeenabouttoreplyand，withamaliciousgrinuponhisface，waspointinganaccusingfingeratme，whenSalensusOll’swordsandtheexpressionofhisfacecuthimshort。
　　Acunninglookcreptintohiseyes，andIknewfromtheexpressionofhisfacethathisnextwordswerenottheoneshehadintendedtospeak。
　　"OMightiestofJeddaks，"hesaid，"themanandthewomendonotspeakthetruth。Thefellowhadcomeintothegardentoassistthemtoescape。Iwasbeyondandoverheardtheirconversation，andwhenIentered，thewomanscreamedandthemanspranguponmeandwouldhavekilledme。
　　"Whatknowyouofthisman？Heisastrangertoyou，andI
　　daresaythatyouwillfindhimanenemyandaspy。Lethimbeputontrial，SalensusOll，ratherthanyourfriendandguest，Thurid，DatoroftheFirstBorn。"
　　SalensusOlllookedpuzzled。HeturnedagainandlookeduponDejahThoris，andthenThuridsteppedquiteclosetohimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear——what，Iknownot。
　　Presentlytheyellowrulerturnedtooneofhisofficers。
　　"Seethatthismanbesecurelyconfineduntilwehavetimetogodeeperintothisaffair，"hecommanded，"andasbarsaloneseeminadequatetorestrainhim，letchainsbeadded。"
　　Thenheturnedandleftthegarden，takingDejahThoriswithhim——hishanduponhershoulder。ThuridandMataiShangwentalso，andastheyreachedthegatewaytheblackturnedandlaughedagainaloudinmyface。
　　Whatcouldbethemeaningofhissuddenchangetowardme？
　　Couldhesuspectmytrueidentity？Itmustbethat，andthethingthathadbetrayedmewasthetrickandblowthathadlaidhimlowforthesecondtime。
　　Astheguardsdraggedmeawaymyheartwasverysadandbitterindeed，fornowtothetworelentlessenemiesthathadhoundedherforsolonganotherandamorepowerfulonehadbeenadded，forIwouldhavebeenbutafoolhadInotrecognizedthesuddenloveforDejahThoristhathadjustbeenbornintheterriblebreastofSalensusOll，JeddakofJeddaks，rulerofOkar。
　　THEPITOFPLENTY
　　IdidnotlanguishlongwithintheprisonofSalensusOll。
　　DuringtheshorttimethatIlaythere，fetteredwithchainsofgold，IoftenwonderedastothefateofThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth。
　　MybravecompanionhadfollowedmeintothegardenasIattackedThurid，andwhenSalensusOllhadleftwithDejahThorisandtheothers，leavingThuviaofPtarthbehind，he，too，hadremainedinthegardenwithhisdaughter，apparentlyunnoticed，forhewasappareledsimilarlytotheguards。
　　ThelastIhadseenofhimhestoodwaitingforthewarriorswhoescortedmetoclosethegatebehindthem，thathemightbealonewithThuvia。Coulditbepossiblethattheyhadescaped？
　　Idoubtedit，andyetwithallmyheartIhopedthatitmightbetrue。
　　Thethirddayofmyincarcerationbroughtadozenwarriorstoescortmetotheaudiencechamber，whereSalensusOllhimselfwastotryme。Agreatnumberofnoblescrowdedtheroom，andamongthemIsawThurid，butMataiShangwasnotthere。
　　DejahThoris，asradiantlybeautifulasever，satuponasmallthronebesideSalensusOll。Theexpressionofsadhopelessnessuponherdearfacecutdeepintomyheart。
　　HerpositionbesidetheJeddakofJeddaksbodedillforherandme，andontheinstantthatIsawherthere，theresprangtomymindthefirmintentionnevertoleavethatchamberaliveifImustleaveherintheclutchesofthispowerfultyrant。
　　IhadkilledbettermenthanSalensusOll，andkilledthemwithmybarehands，andnowIsworetomyselfthatIshouldkillhimifIfoundthattheonlywaytosavethePrincessofHelium。
　　ThatitwouldmeanalmostinstantdeathformeIcarednot，exceptthatitwouldremovemefromfurthereffortsinbehalfofDejahThoris，andforthisreasonaloneIwouldhavechosenanotherway，foreventhoughIshouldkillSalensusOllthatactwouldnotrestoremybelovedwifetoherownpeople。Ideterminedtowaitthefinaloutcomeofthetrial，thatImightlearnallthatI
　　couldoftheOkarianruler’sintentions，andthenactaccordingly。
　　ScarcelyhadIcomebeforehimthanSalensusOllsummonedThuridalso。
　　"DatorThurid，"hesaid，"youhavemadeastrangerequestofme;
　　but，inaccordancewithyourwishesandyourpromisethatitwillresultonlytomyinterests，Ihavedecidedtoaccede。
　　"Youtellmethatacertainannouncementwillbethemeansofconvictingthisprisonerand，atthesametime，openthewaytothegratificationofmydearestwish。"
　　Thuridnodded。
　　"ThenshallImaketheannouncementherebeforeallmynobles，"
　　continuedSalensusOll。"Forayearnoqueenhassatuponthethronebesideme，andnowitsuitsmetotaketowifeonewhoisreputedthemostbeautifulwomanuponBarsoom。Astatementwhichnonemaytruthfullydeny。
　　"NoblesofOkar，unsheatheyourswordsanddohomagetoDejahThoris，PrincessofHeliumandfutureQueenofOkar，forattheendoftheallottedtendayssheshallbecomethewifeofSalensusOll。"
　　Asthenoblesdrewtheirbladesandliftedthemonhigh，inaccordancewiththeancientcustomofOkarwhenajeddakannounceshisintentiontowed，DejahThorissprangtoherfeetand，raisingherhandaloft，criedinaloudvoicethattheydesist。
　　"ImaynotbethewifeofSalensusOll，"shepleaded，"foralreadyIbeawifeandmother。JohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，stilllives。Iknowittobetrue，forIoverheardMataiShangtellhisdaughterPhaidorthathehadseenhiminKaor，atthecourtofKulanTith，Jeddak。Ajeddakdoesnotwedamarriedwoman，norwillSalensusOllthusviolatethebondsofmatrimony。"
　　SalensusOllturneduponThuridwithanuglylook。
　　"Isthisthesurpriseyouheldinstoreforme？"hecried。
　　"Youassuredmethatnoobstaclewhichmightnotbeeasilyovercomestoodbetweenmeandthiswoman，andnowIfindthattheoneinsuperableobstacleintervenes。Whatmeanyou，man？
　　Whathaveyoutosay？"
　　"AndshouldIdeliverJohnCarterintoyourhands，SalensusOll，wouldyounotfeelthatIhadmorethansatisfiedthepromisethatImadeyou？"answeredThurid。
　　"Talknotlikeafool，"criedtheenragedjeddak。"Iamnochildtobethusplayedwith。"
　　"Iamtalkingonlyasamanwhoknows，"repliedThurid。
　　"Knowsthathecandoallthatheclaims。"
　　"ThenturnJohnCarterovertomewithintendaysoryourselfsuffertheendthatIshouldmeteouttohimwereheinmypower！"
　　snappedtheJeddakofJeddaks，withanuglyscowl。
　　"Youneednotwaittendays，SalensusOll，"repliedThurid;
　　andthen，turningsuddenlyuponmeasheextendedapointingfinger，hecried："TherestandsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium！"
　　"Fool！"shriekedSalensusOll。"Fool！JohnCarterisawhiteman。
　　Thisfellowbeasyellowasmyself。JohnCarter’sfaceissmooth——MataiShanghasdescribedhimtome。ThisprisonerhasabeardandmustacheaslargeandblackasanyinOkar。Quick，guardsmen，tothepitswiththeblackmaniacwhowishestothrowhislifeawayforapoorjokeuponyourruler！"
　　"Hold！"criedThurid，andspringingforwardbeforeIcouldguesshisintention，hehadgraspedmybeardandrippedthewholefalsefabricfrommyfaceandhead，revealingmysmooth，tannedskinbeneathandmyclose—croppedblackhair。
　　InstantlypandemoniumreignedintheaudiencechamberofSalensusOll。
　　Warriorspressedforwardwithdrawnblades，thinkingthatImightbecontemplatingtheassassinationoftheJeddakofJeddaks;whileothers，outofcuriositytoseeonewhosenamewasfamiliarfrompoletopole，crowdedbehindtheirfellows。
　　AsmyidentitywasrevealedIsawDejahThorisspringtoherfeet——
　　amazementwritlargeuponherface——andthenthroughthatjamofarmedmensheforcedherwaybeforeanycouldprevent。Amomentonlyandshewasbeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandeyesfilledwiththelightofhergreatlove。
　　"JohnCarter！JohnCarter！"shecriedasIfoldedhertomybreast，andthenofasuddenIknewwhyshehaddeniedmeinthegardenbeneaththetower。
　　WhatafoolIhadbeen！ExpectingthatshewouldpenetratethemarvelousdisguisethathadbeenwroughtformebythebarberofMarentina！
　　Shehadnotknownme，thatwasall;andwhenshesawthesignoflovefromastrangershewasoffendedandrighteouslyindignant。Indeed，butIhadbeenafool。
　　"Anditwasyou，"shecried，"whospoketomefromthetower！
　　HowcouldIdreamthatmybelovedVirginianlaybehindthatfiercebeardandthatyellowskin？"
　　ShehadbeenwonttocallmeherVirginianasatermofendearment，forsheknewthatIlovedthesoundofthatbeautifulname，madeathousandtimesmorebeautifulandhallowedbyherdearlips，andasIhearditagainafterallthoselongyearsmyeyesbecamedimmedwithtearsandmyvoicechokedwithemotion。
　　ButaninstantdidIcrushthatdearformtomeereSalensusOll，tremblingwithrageandjealousy，shoulderedhiswaytous。
　　"Seizetheman，"hecriedtohiswarriors，andahundredruthlesshandstoreusapart。