ItwasafterdarkwhenWoolaandIspiedthroughthemightyforestthegreatwallwhichsurroundsthecityofKaol。
Wehadtraversedtheentirewaywithoutmishaporadventure，andthoughthefewwehadmethadeyedthegreatcalotwonderingly，nonehadpiercedtheredpigmentwithwhichIhadsmoothlysmearedeverysquareinchofmybody。
Buttotraversethesurroundingcountry，andtoentertheguardedcityofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，weretwoverydifferentthings。
NomanentersaMartiancitywithoutgivingaverydetailedandsatisfactoryaccountofhimself，nordidIdeludemyselfwiththebeliefthatIcouldforamomentimposeupontheacumenoftheofficersoftheguardtowhomIshouldbetakenthemomentIappliedatanyoneofthegates。
Myonlyhopeseemedtolieinenteringthecitysurreptitiouslyundercoverofthedarkness，andoncein，trusttomyownwitstohidemyselfinsomecrowdedquarterwheredetectionwouldbelessliabletooccur。
WiththisideainviewIcircledthegreatwall，keepingwithinthefringeoftheforest，whichiscutawayforashortdistancefromthewallallaboutthecity，thatnoenemymayutilizethetreesasameansofingress。
SeveraltimesIattemptedtoscalethebarrieratdifferentpoints，butnotevenmyearthlymusclescouldovercomethatcleverlyconstructedrampart。Toaheightofthirtyfeetthefaceofthewallslantedoutward，andthenforalmostanequaldistanceitwasperpendicular，abovewhichitslantedinagainforsomefifteenfeettothecrest。
Andsmooth！Polishedglasscouldnotbemoreso。FinallyI
hadtoadmitthatatlastIhaddiscoveredaBarsoomianfortificationwhichIcouldnotnegotiate。
Discouraged，Iwithdrewintotheforestbesideabroadhighwaywhichenteredthecityfromtheeast，andwithWoolabesidemelaydowntosleep。
AHEROINKAOL
ItwasdaylightwhenIwasawakenedbythesoundofstealthymovementnearby。
AsIopenedmyeyesWoola，too，movedand，cominguptohishaunches，staredthroughtheinterveningbrushtowardtheroad，eachhairuponhisneckstifflyerect。
AtfirstIcouldseenothing，butpresentlyIcaughtaglimpseofabitofsmoothandglossygreenmovingamongthescarletandpurpleandyellowofthevegetation。
MotioningWoolatoremainquietlywherehewas，Icreptforwardtoinvestigate，andfrombehindtheboleofagreattreeI
sawalonglineofthehideousgreenwarriorsofthedeadseabottomshidinginthedensejunglebesidetheroad。
AsfarasIcouldsee，thesilentlineofdestructionanddeathstretchedawayfromthecityofKaol。Therecouldbebutoneexplanation。Thegreenmenwereexpectinganexodusofabodyofredtroopsfromthenearestcitygate，andtheywerelyingthereinambushtoleapuponthem。
IowednofealtytotheJeddakofKaol，buthewasofthesameraceofnobleredmenasmyownprincess，andIwouldnotstandsupinelybyandseehiswarriorsbutcheredbythecruelandheartlessdemonsofthewasteplacesofBarsoom。
CautiouslyIretracedmystepstowhereIhadleftWoola，andwarninghimtosilence，signaledhimtofollowme。
Makingaconsiderabledetourtoavoidthechanceoffallingintothehandsofthegreenmen，Icameatlasttothegreatwall。
Ahundredyardstomyrightwasthegatefromwhichthetroopswereevidentlyexpectedtoissue，buttoreachitImustpasstheflankofthegreenwarriorswithineasysightofthem，and，fearingthatmyplantowarntheKaoliansmightthusbethwarted，Idecideduponhasteningtowardtheleft，whereanothergateamileawaywouldgivemeingresstothecity。
IknewthatthewordIbroughtwouldproveasplendidpassporttoKaol，andImustadmitthatmycautionwasduemoretomyardentdesiretomakemywayintothecitythantoavoidabrushwiththegreenmen。AsmuchasIenjoyafight，Icannotalwaysindulgemyself，andjustnowIhadmoreweightymatterstooccupymytimethanspillingthebloodofstrangewarriors。
CouldIbutwinbeyondthecity’swall，theremightbeopportunityintheconfusionandexcitementwhichweresuretofollowmyannouncementofaninvadingforceofgreenwarriorstofindmywaywithinthepalaceofthejeddak，whereIwassureMataiShangandhispartywouldbequartered。
ButscarcelyhadItakenahundredstepsinthedirectionofthefarthergatewhenthesoundofmarchingtroops，theclankofmetal，andthesquealingofthoatsjustwithinthecityapprisedmeofthefactthattheKaolianswerealreadymovingtowardtheothergate。
Therewasnotimetobelost。Inanothermomentthegatewouldbeopenedandtheheadofthecolumnpassoutuponthedeath—borderedhighway。
Turningbacktowardthefatefulgate，Iranrapidlyalongtheedgeoftheclearing，takingthegroundinthemightyleapsthathadfirstmademefamousuponBarsoom。Thirty，fifty，ahundredfeetataboundarenothingforthemusclesofanathleticEarthmanuponMars。
AsIpassedtheflankofthewaitinggreenmentheysawmyeyesturneduponthem，andinaninstant，knowingthatallsecrecywasatanend，thosenearestmesprangtotheirfeetinanefforttocutmeoffbeforeIcouldreachthegate。
AtthesameinstantthemightyportalswungwideandtheheadoftheKaoliancolumnemerged。Adozengreenwarriorshadsucceededinreachingapointbetweenmeandthegate，buttheyhadbutlittleideawhoitwastheyhadelectedtodetain。
IdidnotslackenmyspeedaniotaasIdashedamongthem，andastheyfellbeforemybladeIcouldnotbutrecallthehappymemoryofthoseotherbattleswhenTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，mightiestofMartiangreenmen，hadstoodshouldertoshoulderwithmethroughlong，hotMartiandays，astogetherweheweddownourenemiesuntilthepileofcorpsesaboutusrosehigherthanatallman’shead。
Whenseveralpressedmetooclosely，therebeforethecarvedgatewayofKaol，Ileapedabovetheirheads，andfashioningmytacticsafterthoseofthehideousplantmenofDor，struckdownuponmyenemies’headsasIpassedabovethem。
Fromthecitytheredwarriorswererushingtowardus，andfromthejunglethesavagehordeofgreenmenwerecomingtomeetthem。
InamomentIwasintheverycenterofasfierceandbloodyabattleasIhadeverpassedthrough。
TheseKaoliansaremostnoblefighters，norarethegreenmenoftheequatoronewhitlesswarlikethantheircold，cruelcousinsofthetemperatezone。Thereweremanytimeswheneithersidemighthavewithdrawnwithoutdishonorandthusendedhostilities，butfromthemadabandonwithwhicheachinvariablyrenewedhostilitiesIsooncametobelievethatwhatneednothavebeenmorethanatriflingskirmishwouldendonlywiththecompleteexterminationofoneforceortheother。
Withthejoyofbattleoncerousedwithinme，Itookkeendelightinthefray，andthatmyfightingwasnotedbytheKaolianswasoftenevidencedbytheshoutsofapplausedirectedatme。
IfIsometimesseemtotaketoogreatprideinmyfightingability，itmustberememberedthatfightingismyvocation。
Ifyourvocationbeshoeinghorses，orpaintingpictures，andyoucandooneortheotherbetterthanyourfellows，thenyouareafoolifyouarenotproudofyourability。AndsoIamveryproudthatupontwoplanetsnogreaterfighterhaseverlivedthanJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
AndIoutdidmyselfthatdaytoimpressthefactuponthenativesofKaol，forIwishedtowinawayintotheirhearts——andtheircity。
NorwasItobedisappointedinmydesire。
Alldaywefought，untiltheroadwasredwithbloodandcloggedwithcorpses。Backandforthalongtheslipperyhighwaythetideofbattlesurged，butneveroncewasthegatewaytoKaolreallyindanger。
TherewerebreathingspellswhenIhadachancetoconversewiththeredmenbesidewhomIfought，andoncethejeddak，KulanTithhimself，laidhishanduponmyshoulderandaskedmyname。
\"IamDotarSojat，\"Ireplied，recallinganamegivenmebytheTharksmanyyearsbefore，fromthesurnamesofthefirsttwooftheirwarriorsIhadkilled，whichisthecustomamongthem。
\"Youareamightywarrior，DotarSojat，\"hereplied，\"andwhenthisdayisdoneIshallspeakwithyouagaininthegreataudiencechamber。\"
Andthenthefightsurgeduponusoncemoreandwewereseparated，butmyheart’sdesirewasattained，anditwaswithrenewedvigorandajoyoussoulthatIlaidaboutmewithmylong—sworduntilthelastofthegreenmenhadhadenoughandhadwithdrawntowardtheirdistantseabottom。
NotuntilthebattlewasoverdidIlearnwhytheredtroopshadsalliedforththatday。ItseemedthatKulanTithwasexpectingavisitfromamightyjeddakofthenorth——apowerfulandtheonlyallyoftheKaolians，andithadbeenhiswishtomeethisguestafullday’sjourneyfromKaol。
Butnowthemarchofthewelcominghostwasdelayeduntilthefollowingmorning，whenthetroopsagainsetoutfromKaol。
IhadnotbeenbiddentothepresenceofKulanTithafterthebattle，buthehadsentanofficertofindmeandescortmetocomfortablequartersinthatpartofthepalacesetasidefortheofficersoftheroyalguard。
There，withWoola，Ihadspentacomfortablenight，androsemuchrefreshedafterthearduouslaborsofthepastfewdays。
Woolahadfoughtwithmethroughthebattleofthepreviousday，truetotheinstinctsandtrainingofaMartianwardog，greatnumbersofwhichareoftentobefoundwiththesavagegreenhordesofthedeadseabottoms。
Neitherofushadcomethroughtheconflictunscathed，butthemarvelous，healingsalvesofBarsoomhadsufficed，overnight，tomakeusasgoodasnew。
IbreakfastedwithanumberoftheKaolianofficers，whomIfoundascourteousanddelightfulhostsaseventhenoblesofHelium，whoarerenownedfortheireaseofmannersandexcellenceofbreeding。ThemealwasscarcelyconcludedwhenamessengerarrivedfromKulanTithsummoningmebeforehim。
AsIenteredtheroyalpresencethejeddakrose，andsteppingfromthedaiswhichsupportedhismagnificentthrone，cameforwardtomeetme——amarkofdistinctionthatisseldomaccordedtootherthanavisitingruler。
\"Kaor，DotarSojat！\"hegreetedme。\"IhavesummonedyoutoreceivethegratefulthanksofthepeopleofKaol，forhaditnotbeenforyourheroicbraveryindaringfatetowarnusoftheambuscadewemustsurelyhavefallenintothewell—laidtrap。
Tellmemoreofyourself——fromwhatcountryyoucome，andwhaterrandbringsyoutothecourtofKulanTith。\"
\"IamfromHastor，\"Isaid，forintruthIhadasmallpalaceinthatsoutherncitywhichlieswithinthefar—flungdominionsoftheHeliumeticnation。
\"MypresenceinthelandofKaolispartlyduetoaccident，myflierbeingwreckeduponthesouthernfringeofyourgreatforest。
ItwaswhileseekingentrancetothecityofKaolthatIdiscoveredthegreenhordelyinginwaitforyourtroops。\"
IfKulanTithwonderedwhatbusinessbroughtmeinafliertotheveryedgeofhisdomainhewasgoodenoughnottopressmefurtherforanexplanation，whichIshouldindeedhavehaddifficultyinrendering。
Duringmyaudiencewiththejeddakanotherpartyenteredthechamberfrombehindme，sothatIdidnotseetheirfacesuntilKulanTithsteppedpastmetogreetthem，commandingmetofollowandbepresented。
AsIturnedtowardthemitwaswithdifficultythatIcontrolledmyfeatures，forthere，listeningtoKulanTith’seulogisticwordsconcerningme，stoodmyarch—enemies，MataiShangandThurid。
\"HolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns，\"thejeddakwassaying，\"showerthyblessingsuponDotarSojat，thevalorousstrangerfromdistantHastor，whosewondrousheroismandmarvelousferocitysavedthedayforKaolyesterday。\"
MataiShangsteppedforwardandlaidhishanduponmyshoulder。
Noslightestindicationthatherecognizedmeshoweduponhiscountenance——mydisguisewasevidentlycomplete。
HespokekindlytomeandthenpresentedmetoThurid。Theblack，too，wasevidentlyentirelydeceived。ThenKulanTithregaledthem，muchtomyamusement，withdetailsofmyachievementsuponthefieldofbattle。
Thethingthatseemedtohaveimpressedhimmostwasmyremarkableagility，andtimeandagainhedescribedthewondrouswayinwhichIhadleapedcompletelyoveranantagonist，cleavinghisskullwideopenwithmylong—swordasIpassedabovehim。
IthoughtthatIsawThurid’seyeswidenabitduringthenarrative，andseveraltimesIsurprisedhimgazingintentlyintomyfacethroughnarrowedlids。Washecommencingtosuspect？
AndthenKulanTithtoldofthesavagecalotthatfoughtbesideme，andafterthatIsawsuspicionintheeyesofMataiShang——
ordidIbutimagineit？
AtthecloseoftheaudienceKulanTithannouncedthathewouldhavemeaccompanyhimuponthewaytomeethisroyalguest，andasIdepartedwithanofficerwhowastoprocurepropertrappingsandasuitablemountforme，bothMataiShangandThuridseemedmostsincereinprofessingtheirpleasureathavinghadanopportunitytoknowme。ItwaswithasighofreliefthatI
quittedthechamber，convincedthatnothingmorethanaguiltyconsciencehadpromptedmybeliefthateitherofmyenemiessuspectedmytrueidentity。
Ahalf—hourlaterIrodeoutofthecitygatewiththecolumnthataccompaniedKulanTithuponthewaytomeethisfriendandally。
Thoughmyeyesandearshadbeenwideopenduringmyaudiencewiththejeddakandmyvariouspassagesthroughthepalace，IhadseenorheardnothingofDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarth。
ThattheymustbesomewherewithinthegreatramblingedificeIwaspositive，andIshouldhavegivenmuchtohavefoundawaytoremainbehindduringKulanTith’sabsence，thatImightsearchforthem。
Towardnoonwecameintouchwiththeheadofthecolumnwehadsetouttomeet。
Itwasagorgeoustrainthataccompaniedthevisitingjeddak，andformilesitstretchedalongthewide，whiteroadtoKaol。
Mountedtroops，theirtrappingsofjewelandmetal—incrustedleatherglisteninginthesunlight，formedthevanguardofthebody，andthencameathousandgorgeouschariotsdrawnbyhugezitidars。
Theselow，commodiouswagonsmovedtwoabreast，andoneithersideofthemmarchedsolidranksofmountedwarriors，forinthechariotswerethewomenandchildrenoftheroyalcourt。
UponthebackofeachmonsterzitidarrodeaMartianyouth，andthewholescenecarriedmebacktomyfirstdaysuponBarsoom，nowtwenty—twoyearsinthepast，whenIhadfirstbeheldthegorgeousspectacleofacaravanofthegreenhordeofTharks。
NeverbeforetodayhadIseenzitidarsintheserviceofredmen。
Thesebrutesarehugemastodoniananimalsthattowertoanimmenseheightevenbesidethegiantgreenmenandtheirgiantthoats;
butwhencomparedtotherelativelysmallredmanandhisbreedofthoatstheyassumeBrobdingnagianproportionsthataretrulyappalling。
Thebeastswerehungwithjeweledtrappingsandsaddlepadsofgaysilk，embroideredinfancifuldesignswithstringsofdiamonds，pearls，rubies，emeralds，andthecountlessunnamedjewelsofMars，whilefromeachchariotroseadozenstandardsfromwhichstreamers，flags，andpennonsflutteredinthebreeze。
Justinfrontofthechariotsthevisitingjeddakrodealoneuponapurewhitethoat——anotherunusualsightuponBarsoom——andafterthemcameinterminableranksofmountedspearmen，riflemen，andswordsmen。Itwasindeedamostimposingsight。
Exceptfortheclankingofaccoutermentsandtheoccasionalsquealofanangrythoatorthelowgutturalofazitidar，thepassageofthecavalcadewasalmostnoiseless，forneitherthoatnorzitidarisahoofedanimal，andthebroadtiresofthechariotsareofanelasticcomposition，whichgivesforthnosound。
Nowandthenthegaylaughterofawomanorthechatterofchildrencouldbeheard，fortheredMartiansareasocial，pleasure—lovingpeople——indirectantithesistothecoldandmorbidraceofgreenmen。
Theformsandceremonialsconnectedwiththemeetingofthetwojeddaksconsumedanhour，andthenweturnedandretracedourwaytowardthecityofKaol，whichtheheadofthecolumnreachedjustbeforedark，thoughitmusthavebeennearlymorningbeforetherearguardpassedthroughthegateway。
Fortunately，Iwaswelluptowardtheheadofthecolumn，andafterthegreatbanquet，whichIattendedwiththeofficersoftheroyalguard，Iwasfreetoseekrepose。Therewassomuchactivityandbustleaboutthepalaceallduringthenightwiththeconstantarrivalofthenobleofficersofthevisitingjeddak’sretinuethatIdarednotattempttoprosecuteasearchforDejahThoris，andso，assoonasitwasseemlyformetodoso，Ireturnedtomyquarters。
AsIpassedalongthecorridorsbetweenthebanquethallandtheapartmentsthathadbeenallottedme，IhadasuddenfeelingthatIwasundersurveillance，and，turningquicklyinmytracks，caughtaglimpseofafigurewhichdartedintoanopendoorwaytheinstantIwheeledabout。
ThoughIranquicklybacktothespotwheretheshadowerhaddisappearedIcouldfindnotraceofhim，yetinthebriefglimpsethatIhadcaughtIcouldhaveswornthatIhadseenawhitefacesurmountedbyamassofyellowhair。
Theincidentgavemeconsiderablefoodforspeculation，sinceifIwererightintheconclusioninducedbythecursoryglimpseIhadhadofthespy，thenMataiShangandThuridmustsuspectmyidentity，andifthatweretruenoteventheserviceIhadrenderedKulanTithcouldsavemefromhisreligiousfanaticism。
Butneverdidvagueconjectureorfruitlessfearsforthefutureliewithsufficientweightuponmymindtokeepmefrommyrest，andsotonightIthrewmyselfuponmysleepingsilksandfursandpassedatonceintodreamlessslumber。
Calotsarenotpermittedwithinthewallsofthepalaceproper，andsoIhadhadtorelegatepoorWoolatoquartersinthestableswheretheroyalthoatsarekept。Hehadcomfortable，evenluxuriousapartments，butIwouldhavegivenmuchtohavehadhimwithme;
andifhehadbeen，thethingwhichhappenedthatnightwouldnothavecometopass。
IcouldnothavesleptoveraquarterofanhourwhenIwassuddenlyawakenedbythepassingofsomecoldandclammythingacrossmyforehead。InstantlyIsprangtomyfeet，clutchinginthedirectionIthoughtthepresencelay。Foraninstantmyhandtouchedagainsthumanflesh，andthen，asIlungedheadforemostthroughthedarknesstoseizemynocturnalvisitor，myfootbecameentangledinmysleepingsilksandIfellsprawlingtothefloor。
BythetimeIhadresumedmyfeetandfoundthebuttonwhichcontrolledthelightmycallerhaddisappeared。Carefulsearchoftheroomrevealednothingtoexplaineithertheidentityorbusinessofthepersonwhohadthussecretlysoughtmeinthedeadofnight。
ThatthepurposemightbetheftIcouldnotbelieve，sincethievesarepracticallyunknownuponBarsoom。Assassination，however，isrampant，buteventhiscouldnothavebeenthemotiveofmystealthyfriend，forhemighteasilyhavekilledmehadhedesired。
IhadaboutgivenupfruitlessconjectureandwasonthepointofreturningtosleepwhenadozenKaolianguardsmenenteredmyapartment。Theofficerinchargewasoneofmygenialhostsofthemorning，butnowuponhisfacewasnosignoffriendship。
\"KulanTithcommandsyourpresencebeforehim，\"hesaid。\"Come！\"
NEWALLIES
SurroundedbyguardsmenImarchedbackalongthecorridorsofthepalaceofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，tothegreataudiencechamberinthecenterofthemassivestructure。
AsIenteredthebrilliantlylightedapartment，filledwiththenoblesofKaolandtheofficersofthevisitingjeddak，alleyeswereturneduponme。Uponthegreatdaisattheendofthechamberstoodthreethrones，uponwhichsatKulanTithandhistwoguests，MataiShang，andthevisitingjeddak。
Upthebroadcenteraislewemarchedbeneathdeadlysilence，andatthefootofthethroneswehalted。
\"Preferthycharge，\"saidKulanTith，turningtoonewhostoodamongthenoblesathisright;andthenThurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn，steppedforwardandfacedme。
\"MostnobleJeddak，\"hesaid，addressingKulanTith，\"fromthefirstIsuspectedthisstrangerwithinthypalace。
Yourdescriptionofhisfiendishprowesstalliedwiththatofthearch—enemyoftruthuponBarsoom。
\"ButthattheremightbenomistakeIdespatchedapriestofyourownholyculttomakethetestthatshouldpiercehisdisguiseandrevealthetruth。Beholdtheresult！\"andThuridpointedarigidfingeratmyforehead。
Alleyesfollowedthedirectionofthataccusingdigit——Ialoneseemedatalosstoguesswhatfatalsignresteduponmybrow。
Theofficerbesidemeguessedmyperplexity;andasthebrowsofKulanTithdarkenedinamenacingscowlashiseyesresteduponme，thenobledrewasmallmirrorfromhispocket—pouchandhelditbeforemyface。
Oneglanceatthereflectionitgavebacktomewassufficient。
Frommyforeheadthehandofthesneakingthernhadreachedoutthroughtheconcealingdarknessofmybed—chamberandwipedawayapatchofthedisguisingredpigmentasbroadasmypalm。
Beneathshowedthetannedtextureofmyownwhiteskin。
ForamomentThuridceasedspeaking，toenhance，Isuspect，thedramaticeffectofhisdisclosure。Thenheresumed。
\"Here，OKulanTith，\"hecried，\"ishewhohasdesecratedthetemplesoftheGodsofMars，whohasviolatedthepersonsoftheHolyThernsthemselvesandturnedaworldagainstitsage—oldreligion。Beforeyou，inyourpower，JeddakofKaol，DefenderoftheHolies，standsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium！\"
KulanTithlookedtowardMataiShangasthoughforcorroborationofthesecharges。TheHolyThernnoddedhishead。
\"Itisindeedthearch—blasphemer，\"hesaid。\"Evennowhehasfollowedmetotheveryheartofthypalace，KulanTith，forthesolepurposeofassassinatingme。He——\"
\"Helies！\"Icried。\"KulanTith，listenthatyoumayknowthetruth。
ListenwhileItellyouwhyJohnCarterhasfollowedMataiShangtotheheartofthypalace。Listentomeaswellastothem，andthenjudgeifmyactsbenotmoreinaccordwithtrueBarsoomianchivalryandhonorthanthoseoftheserevengefuldevoteesofthespuriouscreedsfromwhosecruelbondsIhavefreedyourplanet。\"
\"Silence！\"roaredthejeddak，leapingtohisfeetandlayinghishanduponthehiltofhissword。\"Silence，blasphemer！KulanTithneednotpermittheairofhisaudiencechambertobedefiledbytheheresiesthatissuefromyourpollutedthroattojudgeyou。
\"Youstandalreadyself—condemned。Itbutremainstodeterminethemannerofyourdeath。EventheservicethatyourenderedthearmsofKaolshallavailyounaught;itwasbutabasesubterfugewherebyyoumightwinyourwayintomyfavorandreachthesideofthisholymanwhoselifeyoucraved。Tothepitswithhim！\"heconcluded，addressingtheofficerofmyguard。
Herewasaprettypass，indeed！WhatchancehadIagainstawholenation？WhathopeformeofmercyatthehandsofthefanaticalKulanTithwithsuchadvisersasMataiShangandThurid。
Theblackgrinnedmalevolentlyinmyface。
\"Youshallnotescapethistime，Earthman，\"hetaunted。
Theguardsclosedtowardme。Aredhazeblurredmyvision。
ThefightingbloodofmyVirginiansirescoursedhotthroughmyveins。Thelustofbattleinallitsmadfurywasuponme。
WithaleapIwasbesideThurid，anderethedevilishsmirkhadfadedfromhishandsomefaceIhadcaughthimfulluponthemouthwithmyclenchedfist;andasthegood，oldAmericanblowlanded，theblackdatorshotbackadozenfeet，tocrumpleinaheapatthefootofKulanTith’sthrone，spittingbloodandteethfromhishurtmouth。
ThenIdrewmyswordandswunground，onguard，tofaceanation。
Inaninstanttheguardsmenwereuponme，butbeforeablowhadbeenstruckamightyvoiceroseabovethedinofshoutingwarriors，andagiantfigureleapedfromthedaisbesideKulanTithand，withdrawnlong—sword，threwhimselfbetweenmeandmyadversaries。
Itwasthevisitingjeddak。
\"Hold！\"hecried。\"Ifyouvaluemyfriendship，KulanTith，andtheage—oldpeacethathasexistedbetweenourpeoples，calloffyourswordsmen;forwhereveroragainstwhomsoeverfightsJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，therebesidehimandtothedeathfightsThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth。\"
TheshoutingceasedandthemenacingpointswereloweredasathousandeyesturnedfirsttowardThuvanDihninsurpriseandthentowardKulanTithinquestion。AtfirsttheJeddakofKaolwentwhiteinrage，butbeforehespokehehadmasteredhimself，sothathistonewascalmandevenasbefittedintercoursebetweentwogreatjeddaks。
\"ThuvanDihn，\"hesaidslowly，\"musthavegreatprovocationthustodesecratetheancientcustomswhichinspirethedeportmentofaguestwithinthepalaceofhishost。LestI，too，shouldforgetmyselfashasmyroyalfriend，IshouldprefertoremainsilentuntiltheJeddakofPtarthhaswonfrommeapplauseforhisactionbyrelatingthecauseswhichprovokedit。\"
IcouldseethattheJeddakofPtarthwasofhalfamindtothrowhismetalinKulanTith’sface，buthecontrolledhimselfevenaswellashadhishost。
\"NoneknowsbetterthanThuvanDihn，\"hesaid，\"thelawswhichgoverntheactsofmeninthedomainsoftheirneighbors;butThuvanDihnowesallegiancetoahigherlawthanthese——thelawofgratitude。NortoanymanuponBarsoomdoesheoweagreaterdebtofgratitudethantoJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
\"Yearsago，KulanTith，\"hecontinued，\"upontheoccasionofyourlastvisittome，youweregreatlytakenwiththecharmsandgracesofmyonlydaughter，Thuvia。YousawhowIadoredher，andlateryoulearnedthat，inspiredbysomeunfathomablewhim，shehadtakenthelast，long，voluntarypilgrimageuponthecoldbosomofthemysteriousIss，leavingmedesolate。
\"SomemonthsagoIfirstheardoftheexpeditionwhichJohnCarterhadledagainstIssusandtheHolyTherns。FaintrumorsoftheatrocitiesreportedtohavebeencommittedbythethernsuponthosewhoforcountlessageshavefloateddownthemightyIsscametomyears。
\"Iheardthatthousandsofprisonershadbeenreleased，fewofwhomdaredtoreturntotheirowncountriesowingtothemandateofterribledeathwhichrestsagainstallwhoreturnfromtheValleyDor。
\"ForatimeIcouldnotbelievetheheresieswhichIheard，andIprayedthatmydaughterThuviamighthavediedbeforesheevercommittedthesacrilegeofreturningtotheouterworld。
Butthenmyfather’sloveasserteditself，andIvowedthatI
wouldprefereternaldamnationtofurtherseparationfromherifshecouldbefound。
\"SoIsentemissariestoHelium，andtothecourtofXodar，JeddakoftheFirstBorn，andtohimwhonowrulesthoseofthethernnationthathaverenouncedtheirreligion;andfromeachandallIheardthesamestoryofunspeakablecrueltiesandatrocitiesperpetrateduponthepoordefenselessvictimsoftheirreligionbytheHolyTherns。
\"Manytherewerewhohadseenorknownmydaughter，andfromthernswhohadbeenclosetoMataiShangIlearnedoftheindignitiesthathepersonallyheapeduponher;andIwasgladwhenIcameheretofindthatMataiShangwasalsoyourguest，forIshouldhavesoughthimouthadittakenalifetime。
\"More，too，Iheard，andthatofthechivalrouskindnessthatJohnCarterhadaccordedmydaughter。Theytoldmehowhefoughtforherandrescuedher，andhowhespurnedescapefromthesavageWarhoonsofthesouth，sendinghertosafetyuponhisownthoatandremaininguponfoottomeetthegreenwarriors。
\"Canyouwonder，KulanTith，thatIamwillingtojeopardizemylife，thepeaceofmynation，orevenyourfriendship，whichI
prizemorethanaughtelse，tochampionthePrinceofHelium？\"
ForamomentKulanTithwassilent。Icouldseebytheexpressionofhisfacethathewassoreperplexed。Thenhespoke。
\"ThuvanDihn，\"hesaid，andhistonewasfriendlythoughsad，\"whoamItojudgemyfellow—man？InmyeyestheFatherofThernsisstillholy，andthereligionwhichheteachestheonlytruereligion，butwereIfacedbythesameproblemthathasvexedyouIdoubtnotthatIshouldfeelandactpreciselyasyouhave。
\"InsofarasthePrinceofHeliumisconcernedImayact，butbetweenyouandMataiShangmyonlyofficecanbeoneofconciliation。
ThePrinceofHeliumshallbeescortedinsafetytotheboundaryofmydomainerethesunhassetagain，whereheshallbefreetogowhitherhewill;butuponpainofdeathmustheneveragainenterthelandofKaol。
\"IftherebeaquarrelbetweenyouandtheFatherofTherns，Ineednotaskthatthesettlementofitbedeferreduntilbothhavepassedbeyondthelimitsofmypower。Areyousatisfied，ThuvanDihn？\"
TheJeddakofPtarthnoddedhisassent，buttheuglyscowlthathebentuponMataiShangharboredillforthatpasty—facedgodling。
\"ThePrinceofHeliumisfarfromsatisfied，\"Icried，breakingrudelyinuponthebeginningsofpeace，forI
hadnostomachforpeaceatthepricethathadbeennamed。
\"IhaveescapeddeathinadozenformstofollowMataiShangandovertakehim，andIdonotintendtobeled，likeadecrepitthoattotheslaughter，fromthegoalthatIhavewonbytheprowessofmyswordarmandthemightofmymuscles。
\"NorwillThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth，besatisfiedwhenhehasheardmethrough。DoyouknowwhyIhavefollowedMataiShangandThurid，theblackdator，fromtheforestsoftheValleyDoracrosshalfaworldthroughalmostinsurmountabledifficulties？
\"ThinkyouthatJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，wouldstooptoassassination？CanKulanTithbesuchafoolastobelievethatlie，whisperedinhisearbytheHolyThernorDatorThurid？
\"IdonotfollowMataiShangtokillhim，thoughtheGodofmineownplanetknowsthatmyhandsitchtobeathisthroat。
Ifollowhim，ThuvanDihn，becausewithhimaretwoprisoners——
mywife，DejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，andyourdaughter，ThuviaofPtarth。
\"NowthinkyouthatIshallpermitmyselftobeledbeyondthewallsofKaolunlessthemotherofmysonaccompaniesme，andthydaughterberestored？\"
ThuvanDihnturneduponKulanTith。Rageflamedinhiskeeneyes;
butbythemasterfulnessofhisself—controlhekepthistoneslevelashespoke。
\"Knewyouthisthing，KulanTith？\"heasked。\"Knewyouthatmydaughterlayaprisonerinyourpalace？\"
\"Hecouldnotknowit，\"interruptedMataiShang，whitewithwhatIamsurewasmorefearthanrage。\"Hecouldnotknowit，foritisalie。\"
Iwouldhavehadhislifeforthatuponthespot，butevenasIsprangtowardhimThuvanDihnlaidaheavyhanduponmyshoulder。
\"Wait，\"hesaidtome，andthentoKulanTith。\"Itisnotalie。
ThismuchhaveIlearnedofthePrinceofHelium——hedoesnotlie。
Answerme，KulanTith——Ihaveaskedyouaquestion。\"
\"ThreewomencamewiththeFatherofTherns，\"repliedKulanTith。
\"Phaidor，hisdaughter，andtwowhowerereportedtobeherslaves。
IfthesebeThuviaofPtarthandDejahThorisofHeliumIdidnotknowit——Ihaveseenneither。Butiftheybe，thenshalltheybereturnedtoyouonthemorrow。\"
AshespokehelookedstraightatMataiShang，notasadevoteeshouldlookatahighpriest，butasarulerofmenlooksatonetowhomheissuesacommand。
ItmusthavebeenplaintotheFatherofTherns，asitwastome，thattherecentdisclosuresofhistruecharacterhaddonemuchalreadytoweakenthefaithofKulanTith，andthatitwouldrequirebutlittlemoretoturnthepowerfuljeddakintoanavowedenemy;
butsostrongaretheseedsofsuperstitionthateventhegreatKaolianstillhesitatedtocutthefinalstrandthatboundhimtohisancientreligion。
MataiShangwaswiseenoughtoseemtoacceptthemandateofhisfollower，andpromisedtobringthetwoslavewomentotheaudiencechamberonthemorrow。
\"Itisalmostmorningnow，\"hesaid，\"andIshoulddisliketobreakinupontheslumberofmydaughter，orIwouldhavethemfetchedatoncethatyoumightseethatthePrinceofHeliumismistaken，\"
andheemphasizedthelastwordinanefforttoaffrontmesosubtilelythatIcouldnottakeopenoffense。
Iwasabouttoobjecttoanydelay，anddemandthatthePrincessofHeliumbebroughttomeforthwith，whenThuvanDihnmadesuchinsistenceseemunnecessary。
\"Ishouldliketoseemydaughteratonce，\"hesaid，\"butifKulanTithwillgivemehisassurancethatnonewillbepermittedtoleavethepalacethisnight，andthatnoharmshallbefalleitherDejahThorisorThuviaofPtarthbetweennowandthemomenttheyarebroughtintoourpresenceinthischamberatdaylightI
shallnotinsist。\"
\"Noneshallleavethepalacetonight，\"repliedtheJeddakofKaol，\"andMataiShangwillgiveusassurancethatnoharmwillcometothetwowomen？\"
Thethernassentedwithanod。AfewmomentslaterKulanTithindicatedthattheaudiencewasatanend，andatThuvanDihn’sinvitationIaccompaniedtheJeddakofPtarthtohisownapartments，wherewesatuntildaylight，whilehelistenedtotheaccountofmyexperiencesuponhisplanetandtoallthathadbefallenhisdaughterduringthetimethatwehadbeentogether。
IfoundthefatherofThuviaamanaftermyownheart，andthatnightsawthebeginningofafriendshipwhichhasgrownuntilitissecondonlytothatwhichobtainsbetweenTarsTarkas，thegreenJeddakofThark，andmyself。
ThefirstburstofMars’ssuddendawnbroughtmessengersfromKulanTith，summoningustotheaudiencechamberwhereThuvanDihnwastoreceivehisdaughterafteryearsofseparation，andIwastobereunitedwiththegloriousdaughterofHeliumafteranalmostunbrokenseparationoftwelveyears。
MyheartpoundedwithinmybosomuntilIlookedaboutmeinembarrassment，sosurewasIthatallwithintheroommusthear。
Myarmsachedtoenfoldoncemorethedivineformofherwhoseeternalyouthandundyingbeautywerebutoutwardmanifestationsofaperfectsoul。
AtlastthemessengerdespatchedtofetchMataiShangreturned。
Icranedmynecktocatchthefirstglimpseofthosewhoshouldbefollowing，butthemessengerwasalone。
Haltingbeforethethroneheaddressedhisjeddakinavoicethatwasplainlyaudibletoallwithinthechamber。
\"OKulanTith，MightiestofJeddaks，\"hecried，afterthefashionofthecourt，\"yourmessengerreturnsalone，forwhenhereachedtheapartmentsoftheFatherofThernshefoundthemempty，aswerethoseoccupiedbyhissuite。\"
KulanTithwentwhite。
AlowgroanburstfromthelipsofThuvanDihnwhostoodnextme，nothavingascendedthethronewhichawaitedhimbesidehishost。
ForamomentthesilenceofdeathreignedinthegreataudiencechamberofKulanTith，JeddakofKaol。Itwashewhobrokethespell。
RisingfromhisthronehesteppeddownfromthedaistothesideofThuvanDihn。Tearsdimmedhiseyesasheplacedbothhishandsupontheshouldersofhisfriend。
\"OThuvanDihn，\"hecried，\"thatthisshouldhavehappenedinthepalaceofthybestfriend！WithmyownhandswouldIhavewrungtheneckofMataiShanghadIguessedwhatwasinhisfoulheart。
Lastnightmylife—longfaithwasweakened——thismorningithasbeenshattered;buttoolate，toolate。
\"Towrestyourdaughterandthewifeofthisroyalwarriorfromtheclutchesofthesearchfiendsyouhavebuttocommandtheresourcesofamightynation，forallKaolisatyourdisposal。
Whatmaybedone？Saytheword！\"
\"First，\"Isuggested，\"letusfindthoseofyourpeoplewhoberesponsiblefortheescapeofMataiShangandhisfollowers。
Withoutassistanceonthepartofthepalaceguardthisthingcouldnothavecometopass。Seektheguilty，andfromthemforceanexplanationofthemanneroftheirgoingandthedirectiontheyhavetaken。\"
BeforeKulanTithcouldissuethecommandsthatwouldinitiatetheinvestigationahandsomeyoungofficersteppedforwardandaddressedhisjeddak。
\"OKulanTith，MightiestofJeddaks，\"hesaid，\"Ialoneberesponsibleforthisgrievouserror。LastnightitwasI
whocommandedthepalaceguard。Iwasondutyinotherpartsofthepalaceduringtheaudienceoftheearlymorning，andknewnothingofwhattranspiredthen，sothatwhentheFatherofThernssummonedmeandexplainedthatitwasyourwishthathispartybehastenedfromthecitybecauseofthepresencehereofadeadlyenemywhosoughttheHolyHekkador’slifeIdidonlywhatalifetimeoftraininghastaughtmewastheproperthingtodo——
IobeyedhimwhomIbelievedtobetherulerofusall，mightiereventhanthou，mightiestofjeddaks。
\"Lettheconsequencesandthepunishmentfallonmealone，forIaloneamguilty。Thoseothersofthepalaceguardwhoassistedintheflightdidsoundermyinstructions。\"
KulanTithlookedfirstatmeandthenatThuvanDihn，asthoughtoaskourjudgmentupontheman，buttheerrorwassoevidentlyexcusablethatneitherofushadanymindtoseetheyoungofficersufferforamistakethatanymightreadilyhavemade。
\"Howleftthey，\"askedThuvanDihn，\"andwhatdirectiondidtheytake？\"
\"Theyleftastheycame，\"repliedtheofficer，\"upontheirownflier。
ForsometimeaftertheyhaddepartedIwatchedthevessel’slights，whichvanishedfinallyduenorth。\"
\"WherenorthcouldMataiShangfindanasylum？\"askedThuvanDihnofKulanTith。
ForsomemomentstheJeddakofKaolstoodwithbowedhead，apparentlydeepinthought。Thenasuddenlightbrightenedhiscountenance。
\"Ihaveit！\"hecried。\"OnlyyesterdayMataiShangletdropahintofhisdestination，tellingmeofaraceofpeopleunlikeourselveswhodwellfartothenorth。They，hesaid，hadalwaysbeenknowntotheHolyThernsandweredevoutandfaithfulfollowersoftheancientcult。Amongthemwouldhefindaperpetualhavenofrefuge，whereno`lyingheretics’mightseekhimout。ItistherethatMataiShanghasgone。\"
\"AndinallKaoltherebenoflierwhereintofollow，\"Icried。
\"NornearerthanPtarth，\"repliedThuvanDihn。
\"Wait！\"Iexclaimed，\"beyondthesouthernfringeofthisgreatforestliesthewreckofthethernflierwhichbroughtmethatfaruponmyway。Ifyouwillloanmementofetchit，andartificerstoassistme，Icanrepairitintwodays，KulanTith。\"
IhadbeenmorethanhalfsuspiciousoftheseemingsincerityoftheKaolianjeddak’ssuddenapostasy，butthealacritywithwhichheembracedmysuggestion，andthedespatchwithwhichaforceofofficersandmenwereplacedatmydisposalentirelyremovedthelastvestigeofmydoubts。
Twodayslatertheflierresteduponthetopofthewatchtower，readytodepart。ThuvanDihnandKulanTithhadofferedmetheentireresourcesoftwonations——millionsoffightingmenwereatmydisposal;butmyfliercouldholdbutoneotherthanmyselfandWoola。
AsIsteppedaboardher，ThuvanDihntookhisplacebesideme。
Icastalookofquestioningsurpriseuponhim。HeturnedtothehighestofhisownofficerswhohadaccompaniedhimtoKaol。
\"ToyouIentrustthereturnofmyretinuetoPtarth，\"hesaid。
\"Theremysonrulesablyinmyabsence。ThePrinceofHeliumshallnotgoaloneintothelandofhisenemies。Ihavespoken。
Farewell！\"
THROUGHTHECARRIONCAVES
Straighttowardthenorth，dayandnight，ourdestinationcompassledusafterthefleeingflieruponwhichithadremainedsetsinceIfirstattuneditafterleavingthethernfortress。
Earlyinthesecondnightwenoticedtheairbecomingperceptiblycolder，andfromthedistancewehadcomefromtheequatorwereassuredthatwewererapidlyapproachingthenortharcticregion。
Myknowledgeoftheeffortsthathadbeenmadebycountlessexpeditionstoexplorethatunknownlandbademetocaution，forneverhadflierreturnedwhohadpassedtoanyconsiderabledistancebeyondthemightyice—barrierthatfringesthesouthernhemofthefrigidzone。
Whatbecameofthemnoneknew——onlythattheypassedforeveroutofthesightofmanintothatgrimandmysteriouscountryofthepole。
Thedistancefromthebarriertothepolewasnomorethanaswiftfliershouldcoverinafewhours，andsoitwasassumedthatsomefrightfulcatastropheawaitedthosewhoreachedthe\"forbiddenland，\"
asithadcometobecalledbytheMartiansoftheouterworld。
ThusitwasthatIwentmoreslowlyasweapproachedthebarrier，foritwasmyintentiontomovecautiouslybydayovertheice—packthatImightdiscover，beforeIhadrunintoatrap，iftherereallylayaninhabitedcountryatthenorthpole，forthereonlycouldI
imagineaspotwhereMataiShangmightfeelsecurefromJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium。
Wewereflyingatasnail’spacebutafewfeetabovetheground——literallyfeelingourwayalongthroughthedarkness，forbothmoonshadset，andthenightwasblackwiththecloudsthataretobefoundonlyatMars’stwoextremities。
Suddenlyatoweringwallofwhiterosedirectlyinourpath，andthoughIthrewthehelmhardover，andreversedourengine，Iwastoolatetoavoidcollision。Withasickeningcrashwestruckthehighloomingobstaclethree—quarterson。
Theflierreeledhalfover;theenginestopped;asone，thepatchedbuoyancytanksburst，andweplunged，headforemost，tothegroundtwentyfeetbeneath。
Fortunatelynoneofuswasinjured，andwhenwehaddisentangledourselvesfromthewreckage，andthelessermoonhadburstagainfrombelowthehorizon，wefoundthatwewereatthefootofamightyice—barrier，fromwhichoutcroppedgreatpatchesofthegranitehillswhichholditfromencroachingfarthertowardthesouth。
Whatfate！Withthejourneyallbutcompletedtobethuswreckeduponthewrongsideofthatprecipitousandunscalablewallofrockandice！
IlookedatThuvanDihn。Hebutshookhisheaddejectedly。
Thebalanceofthenightwespentshiveringinourinadequatesleepingsilksandfursuponthesnowthatliesatthefootoftheice—barrier。
Withdaylightmybatteredspiritsregainedsomethingoftheiraccustomedhopefulness，thoughImustadmitthattherewaslittleenoughforthemtofeedupon。
\"Whatshallwedo？\"askedThuvanDihn。\"Howmaywepassthatwhichisimpassable？\"
\"Firstwemustdisproveitsimpassability，\"Ireplied。
\"NorshallIadmitthatitisimpassablebeforeIhavefolloweditsentirecircleandstandagainuponthisspot，defeated。Thesoonerwestart，thebetter，forIseenootherway，anditwilltakeusmorethanamonthtotraveltheweary，frigidmilesthatliebeforeus。\"
Forfivedaysofcoldandsufferingandprivationwetraversedtheroughandfrozenwaywhichliesatthefootoftheice—barrier。
Fierce，fur—bearingcreaturesattackedusbydaylightandbydark。
Neverforamomentwerewesafefromthesuddenchargeofsomehugedemonofthenorth。
Theaptwasourmostconsistentanddangerousfoe。
Itisahuge，white—furredcreaturewithsixlimbs，fourofwhich，shortandheavy，carryitswiftlyoverthesnowandice;
whiletheothertwo，growingforwardfromitsshouldersoneithersideofitslong，powerfulneck，terminateinwhite，hairlesshands，withwhichitseizesandholdsitsprey。
Itsheadandmoutharemoresimilarinappearancetothoseofahippopotamusthantoanyotherearthlyanimal，exceptthatfrom\"
thesidesofthelowerjawbonetwomightyhornscurveslightlydownwardtowardthefront。
Itstwohugeeyesinspiredmygreatestcuriosity。Theyextendintwovast，ovalpatchesfromthecenterofthetopofthecraniumdowneithersideoftheheadtobelowtherootsofthehorns，sothattheseweaponsreallygrowoutfromthelowerpartoftheeyes，whicharecomposedofseveralthousandocellieach。
Thiseyestructureseemedremarkableinabeastwhosehauntswereuponaglaringfieldoficeandsnow，andthoughIfounduponminuteexaminationofseveralthatwekilledthateachocellusisfurnishedwithitsownlid，andthattheanimalcanatwillcloseasmanyofthefacetsofhishugeeyesashechooses，yetIwaspositivethatnaturehadthusequippedhimbecausemuchofhislifewastobespentindark，subterraneanrecesses。
Shortlyafterthiswecameuponthehugestaptthatwehadseen。
Thecreaturestoodfullyeightfeetattheshoulder，andwassosleekandcleanandglossythatIcouldhaveswornthathehadbutrecentlybeengroomed。
Hestoodhead—oneyeingusasweapproachedhim，forwehadfounditawasteoftimetoattempttoescapetheperpetualbestialragewhichseemstopossessthesedemoncreatures，whorovethedismalnorthattackingeverylivingthingthatcomeswithinthescopeoftheirfar—seeingeyes。
Evenwhentheirbelliesarefullandtheycaneatnomore，theykillpurelyforthepleasurewhichtheyderivefromtakinglife，andsowhenthisparticularaptfailedtochargeus，andinsteadwheeledandtrottedawayaswenearedhim，IshouldhavebeengreatlysurprisedhadInotchancedtoglimpsethesheenofagoldencollaraboutitsneck。
ThuvanDihnsawit，too，anditcarriedthesamemessageofhopetousboth。Onlymancouldhaveplacedthatcollarthere，andasnoraceofMartiansofwhichweknewaughteverhadattemptedtodomesticatetheferociousapt，hemustbelongtoapeopleofthenorthofwhoseveryexistencewewereignorant——possiblytothefabledyellowmenofBarsoom;thatoncepowerfulracewhichwassupposedtobeextinct，thoughsometimes，bytheorists，thoughtstilltoexistinthefrozennorth。
Simultaneouslywestarteduponthetrailofthegreatbeast。
Woolawasquicklymadetounderstandourdesires，sothatitwasunnecessarytoattempttokeepinsightoftheanimalwhoseswiftflightovertheroughgroundsoonputhimbeyondourvision。
Forthebetterpartoftwohoursthetrailparalleledthebarrier，andthensuddenlyturnedtowarditthroughtheroughestandseeminglymostimpassablecountryIeverhadbeheld。
Enormousgranitebouldersblockedthewayoneveryhand;deepriftsintheicethreatenedtoengulfusattheleastmisstep;
andfromthenorthaslightbreezewaftedtoournostrilsanunspeakablestenchthatalmostchokedus。
Foranothertwohourswewereoccupiedintraversingafewhundredyardstothefootofthebarrier。
Then，turningaboutthecornerofawall—likeoutcroppingofgranite，wecameuponasmoothareaoftwoorthreeacresbeforethebaseofthetoweringpileoficeandrockthathadbaffledusfordays，andbeforeusbeheldthedarkandcavernousmouthofacave。
Fromthisrepellingportalthehorridstenchwasemanating，andasThuvanDihnespiedtheplacehehaltedwithanexclamationofprofoundastonishment。
\"Byallmyancestors！\"heejaculated。\"ThatIshouldhavelivedtowitnesstherealityofthefabledCarrionCaves！
Iftheseindeedbethey，wehavefoundawaybeyondtheice—barrier。
\"TheancientchroniclesofthefirsthistoriansofBarsoom——soancientthatwehaveforagesconsideredthemmythology——recordthepassingoftheyellowmenfromtheravagesofthegreenhordesthatoverranBarsoomasthedryingupofthegreatoceansdrovethedominantracesfromtheirstrongholds。
\"Theytellofthewanderingsoftheremnantsofthisoncepowerfulrace，harassedateverystep，untilatlasttheyfoundawaythroughtheice—barrierofthenorthtoafertilevalleyatthepole。
\"Attheopeningtothesubterraneanpassagethatledtotheirhavenofrefugeamightybattlewasfoughtinwhichtheyellowmenwerevictorious，andwithinthecavesthatgaveingresstotheirnewhometheypiledthebodiesofthedead，bothyellowandgreen，thatthestenchmightwarnawaytheirenemiesfromfurtherpursuit。
\"Andeversincethatlong—gonedayhavethedeadofthisfabledlandbeencarriedtotheCarrionCaves，thatindeathanddecaytheymightservetheircountryandwarnawayinvadingenemies。
Here，too，isbrought，sothefableruns，allthewastestuffofthenation——everythingthatissubjecttorot，andthatcanaddtothefoulstenchthatassailsournostrils。
\"Anddeathlurksateverystepamongrottingdead，forherethefierceaptslair，addingtotheputridaccumulationwiththefragmentsoftheirownpreywhichtheycannotdevour。Itisahorridavenuetoourgoal，butitistheonlyone。\"
\"Youaresure，then，thatwehavefoundthewaytothelandoftheyellowmen？\"Icried。
\"Assureasmaybe，\"hereplied;\"havingonlyancientlegendtosupportmybelief。Butseehowclosely，sofar，eachdetailtallieswiththeworld—oldstoryofthehegiraoftheyellowrace。
Yes，Iamsurethatwehavediscoveredthewaytotheirancienthidingplace。\"
\"Ifitbetrue，andletuspraythatsuchmaybethecase，\"Isaid，\"thenheremaywesolvethemysteryofthedisappearanceofTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，andMorsKajak，hisson，fornootherspotuponBarsoomhasremainedunexploredbythemanyexpeditionsandthecountlessspiesthathavebeensearchingforthemfornearlytwoyears。ThelastwordthatcamefromthemwasthattheysoughtCarthoris，myownbraveson，beyondtheice—barrier。\"
Aswetalkedwehadbeenapproachingtheentrancetothecave，andaswecrossedthethresholdIceasedtowonderthattheancientgreenenemiesoftheyellowmenhadbeenhaltedbythehorrorsofthatawfulway。
Thebonesofdeadmenlaymanhighuponthebroadfloorofthefirstcave，andoverallwasaputridmushofdecayingflesh，throughwhichtheaptshadbeatenahideoustrailtowardtheentrancetothesecondcavebeyond。
Theroofofthisfirstapartmentwaslow，likeallthatwetraversedsubsequently，sothatthefoulodorswereconfinedandcondensedtosuchanextentthattheyseemedtopossesstangiblesubstance。Onewasalmosttemptedtodrawhisshort—swordandhewhiswaythroughinsearchofpureairbeyond。
\"Canmanbreathethispollutedairandlive？\"
askedThuvanDihn，choking。
\"Notforlong，Iimagine，\"Ireplied;\"soletusmakehaste。
Iwillgofirst，andyoubringuptherear，withWoolabetween。
Come，\"andwiththewordsIdashedforward，acrossthefetidmassofputrefaction。
Itwasnotuntilwehadpassedthroughsevencavesofdifferentsizesandvaryingbutlittleinthepowerandqualityoftheirstenchesthatwemetwithanyphysicalopposition。Then，withintheeighthcave，wecameuponalairofapts。
Afullscoreofthemightybeastsweredisposedaboutthechamber。
Someweresleeping，whileotherstoreatthefresh—killedcarcassesofnew—broughtprey，orfoughtamongthemselvesintheirlove—making。
Hereinthedimlightoftheirsubterraneanhomethevalueoftheirgreateyeswasapparent，fortheseinnercavesareshroudedinperpetualgloomthatisbutlittlelessthanutterdarkness。
Toattempttopassthroughthemidstofthatfierceherdseemed，eventome，theheightoffolly，andsoIproposedtoThuvanDihnthathereturntotheouterworldwithWoola，thatthetwomightfindtheirwaytocivilizationandcomeagainwithasufficientforcetoovercomenotonlytheapts，butanyfurtherobstaclesthatmightliebetweenusandourgoal。
\"Inthemeantime，\"Icontinued，\"Imaydiscoversomemeansofwinningmywayalonetothelandoftheyellowmen，butifIamunsuccessfulonelifeonlywillhavebeensacrificed。Shouldweallgoonandperish，therewillbenonetoguideasuccoringpartytoDejahThorisandyourdaughter。\"
\"Ishallnotreturnandleaveyouherealone，JohnCarter，\"
repliedThuvanDihn。\"Whetheryougoontovictoryordeath，theJeddakofPtarthremainsatyourside。Ihavespoken。\"
Iknewfromhistonethatitwereuselesstoattempttoarguethequestion，andsoIcompromisedbysendingWoolabackwithahastilypennednoteenclosedinasmallmetalcaseandfastenedabouthisneck。IcommandedthefaithfulcreaturetoseekCarthorisatHelium，andthoughhalfaworldandcountlessdangerslaybetweenIknewthatifthethingcouldbedoneWoolawoulddoit。
Equippedashewasbynaturewithmarvelousspeedandendurance，andwithfrightfulferocitythatmadehimamatchforanysingleenemyoftheway，hiskeenintelligenceandwondrousinstinctshouldeasilyfurnishallelsethatwasneededforthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofhismission。