CONTENTS
THUVIA，MAIDOFMARS
CHAPTERI
CARTHORISANDTHUVIA
Uponamassivebenchofpolishedersitebeneaththegorgeousbloomsofagiantpimaliaawomansat。
Hershapely，sandalledfoottappedimpatientlyuponthejewel—strewnwalkthatwoundbeneaththestatelysorapustreesacrossthescarletswardoftheroyalgardensofThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth，asadark—haired，red—
skinnedwarriorbentlowtowardher，whisperingheatedwordsclosetoherear。
"Ah，ThuviaofPtarth，"hecried，"youarecoldevenbeforethefieryblastsofmyconsuminglove！
Noharderthanyourheart，norcolderisthehard，coldersiteofthisthricehappybenchwhichsupportsyourdivineandfadelessform！Tellme，OThuviaofPtarth，thatImaystillhope——thatthoughyoudonotlovemenow，yetsomeday，someday，myprincess，I——"
Thegirlsprangtoherfeetwithanexclamationofsurpriseanddispleasure。Herqueenlyheadwaspoisedhaughtilyuponhersmoothredshoulders。Herdarkeyeslookedangrilyintothoseoftheman。
"Youforgetyourself，andthecustomsofBarsoom，Astok，"
shesaid。"IhavegivenyounorightthustoaddressthedaughterofThuvanDihn，norhaveyouwonsucharight。"
Themanreachedsuddenlyforthandgraspedherbythearm。
"Youshallbemyprincess！"hecried。"BythebreastofIssus，thoushalt，norshallanyothercomebetweenAstok，PrinceofDusar，andhisheart’sdesire。Tellmethatthereisanother，andIshallcutouthisfoulheartandflingittothewildcalotsofthedeadsea—bottoms！"
Attouchoftheman’shanduponherfleshthegirlwentpallidbeneathhercopperyskin，forthepersonsoftheroyalwomenofthecourtsofMarsareheldbutlittlelessthansacred。TheactofAstok，PrinceofDusar，wasprofanation。TherewasnoterrorintheeyesofThuviaofPtarth——onlyhorrorforthethingthemanhaddoneandforitspossibleconsequences。
"Releaseme。"Hervoicewaslevel——frigid。
Themanmutteredincoherentlyanddrewherroughlytowardhim。
"Releaseme！"sherepeatedsharply，"orIcalltheguard，andthePrinceofDusarknowswhatthatwillmean。"
Quicklyhethrewhisrightarmabouthershouldersandstrovetodrawherfacetohislips。Withalittlecryshestruckhimfullinthemouthwiththemassivebraceletsthatcircledherfreearm。
"Calot！"sheexclaimed，andthen："Theguard！Theguard！
HasteninprotectionofthePrincessofPtarth！"
Inanswertohercalladozenguardsmencameracingacrossthescarletsward，theirgleaminglong—swordsnakedinthesun，themetaloftheiraccoutrementsclankingagainstthatoftheirleathernharness，andintheirthroatshoarseshoutsofrageatthesightwhichmettheireyes。
ButbeforetheyhadpassedhalfacrosstheroyalgardentowhereAstokofDusarstillheldthestrugglinggirlinhisgrasp，anotherfiguresprangfromaclusterofdensefoliagethathalfhidagoldenfountaincloseathand。Atall，straightyouthhewas，withblackhairandkeengreyeyes;broadofshoulderandnarrowofhip;
aclean—limbedfightingman。HisskinwasbutfaintlytingedwiththecoppercolourthatmarkstheredmenofMarsfromtheotherracesofthedyingplanet——hewaslikethem，andyettherewasasubtledifferencegreatereventhanthatwhichlayinhislighterskinandhisgreyeyes。
Therewasadifference，too，inhismovements。Hecameoningreatleapsthatcarriedhimsoswiftlyoverthegroundthatthespeedoftheguardsmenwasasnothingbycomparison。
AstokstillclutchedThuvia’swristastheyoungwarriorconfrontedhim。Thenew—comerwastednotimeandhespokebutasingleword。
"Calot！"hesnapped，andthenhisclenchedfistlandedbeneaththeother’schin，liftinghimhighintotheairanddepositinghiminacrumpledheapwithinthecentreofthepimaliabushbesidetheersitebench。
Herchampionturnedtowardthegirl。"Kaor，ThuviaofPtarth！"
hecried。"Itseemsthatfatetimedmyvisitwell。"
"Kaor，CarthorisofHelium！"theprincessreturnedtheyoungman’sgreeting，"andwhatlesscouldoneexpectofthesonofsuchasire？"
Hebowedhisacknowledgmentofthecomplimenttohisfather，JohnCarter，WarlordofMars。Andthentheguardsmen，pantingfromtheircharge，cameupjustasthePrinceofDusar，bleedingatthemouth，andwithdrawnsword，crawledfromtheentanglementofthepimalia。
AstokwouldhaveleapedtomortalcombatwiththesonofDejahThoris，buttheguardsmenpressedabouthim，preventing，thoughitwasclearlyevidentthatnaughtwouldhavebetterpleasedCarthorisofHelium。
"Butsaytheword，ThuviaofPtarth，"hebegged，"andnaughtwillgivemegreaterpleasurethanmetingtothisfellowthepunishmenthehasearned。"
"Itcannotbe，Carthoris，"shereplied。"Eventhoughhehasforfeitedallclaimuponmyconsideration，yetishetheguestofthejeddak，myfather，andtohimalonemayheaccountfortheunpardonableacthehascommitted。"
"Asyousay，Thuvia，"repliedtheHeliumite。"ButafterwardheshallaccounttoCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，forthisaffronttothedaughterofmyfather’sfriend。"
Ashespoke，though，thereburnedinhiseyesafirethatproclaimedanearer，dearercauseforhischampionshipofthisgloriousdaughterofBarsoom。
Themaid’scheekdarkenedbeneaththesatinofhertransparentskin，andtheeyesofAstok，PrinceofDusar，darkened，too，ashereadthatwhichpassedunspokenbetweenthetwointheroyalgardensofthejeddak。
"Andthoutome，"hesnappedatCarthoris，answeringtheyoungman’schallenge。
TheguardstillsurroundedAstok。Itwasadifficultpositionfortheyoungofficerwhocommandedit。
Hisprisonerwasthesonofamightyjeddak;hewastheguestofThuvanDihn——untilbutnowanhonouredguestuponwhomeveryroyaldignityhadbeenshowered。
Toarresthimforciblycouldmeannaughtelsethanwar，andyethehaddonethatwhichintheeyesofthePtarthwarriormeriteddeath。
Theyoungmanhesitated。Helookedtowardhisprincess。
She，too，guessedallthathungupontheactionofthecomingmoment。FormanyyearsDusarandPtarthhadbeenatpeacewitheachother。Theirgreatmerchantshipspliedbackandforthbetweenthelargercitiesofthetwonations。Evennow，farabovethegold—shotscarletdomeofthejeddak’spalace，shecouldseethehugebulkofagiantfreightertakingitsmajesticwaythroughthethinBarsoomianairtowardthewestandDusar。
Byawordshemightplungethesetwomightynationsintoabloodyconflictthatwoulddrainthemoftheirbravestbloodandtheirincalculableriches，leavingthemallhelplessagainsttheinroadsoftheirenviousandlesspowerfulneighbors，andatlastapreytothesavagegreenhordesofthedeadsea—bottoms。
Nosenseoffearinfluencedherdecision，forfearisseldomknowntothechildrenofMars。Itwasratherasenseoftheresponsibilitythatshe，thedaughteroftheirjeddak，feltforthewelfareofherfather’speople。
"Icalledyou，Padwar，"shesaidtothelieutenantoftheguard，"toprotectthepersonofyourprincess，andtokeepthepeacethatmustnotbeviolatedwithintheroyalgardensofthejeddak。Thatisall。Youwillescortmetothepalace，andthePrinceofHeliumwillaccompanyme。"
WithoutanotherglanceinthedirectionofAstoksheturned，andtakingCarthoris’profferedhand，movedslowlytowardthemassivemarblepilethathousedtherulerofPtarthandhisglitteringcourt。Oneithersidemarchedafileofguardsmen。ThusThuviaofPtarthfoundawayoutofadilemma，escapingthenecessityofplacingherfather’sroyalguestunderforciblerestraint，andatthesametimeseparatingthetwoprinces，whootherwisewouldhavebeenateachother’sthroatthemomentsheandtheguardhaddeparted。
BesidethepimaliastoodAstok，hisdarkeyesnarrowedtomereslitsofhatebeneathhisloweringbrowsashewatchedtheretreatingformsofthewomanwhohadarousedthefiercestpassionsofhisnatureandthemanwhomhenowbelievedtobetheonewhostoodbetweenhisloveanditsconsummation。
AstheydisappearedwithinthestructureAstokshruggedhisshoulders，andwithamurmuredoathcrossedthegardenstowardanotherwingofthebuildingwhereheandhisretinuewerehoused。
ThatnighthetookformalleaveofThuvanDihn，andthoughnomentionwasmadeofthehappeningwithinthegarden，itwasplaintoseethroughthecoldmaskofthejeddak’scourtesythatonlythecustomsofroyalhospitalityrestrainedhimfromvoicingthecontempthefeltforthePrinceofDusar。
Carthoriswasnotpresentattheleave—taking，norwasThuvia。
Theceremonywasasstiffandformalascourtetiquettecouldmakeit，andwhenthelastoftheDusariansclamberedovertherailofthebattleshipthathadbroughtthemuponthisfatefulvisittothecourtofPtarth，andthemightyengineofdestructionhadrisenslowlyfromthewaysofthelanding—stage，anoteofreliefwasapparentinthevoiceofThuvanDihnasheturnedtooneofhisofficerswithawordofcommentuponasubjectforeigntothatwhichhadbeenuppermostinthemindsofallforhours。
But，afterall，wasitsoforeign？
"InformPrinceSovan，"hedirected，"thatitisourwishthatthefleetwhichdepartedforKaolthismorningberecalledtocruisetothewestofPtarth。"
Asthewarship，bearingAstokbacktothecourtofhisfather，turnedtowardthewest，ThuviaofPtarth，sittinguponthesamebenchwherethePrinceofDusarhadaffrontedher，watchedthetwinklinglightsofthecraftgrowingsmallerinthedistance。Besideher，inthebrilliantlightofthenearermoon，satCarthoris。
Hiseyeswerenotuponthedimbulkofthebattleship，butontheprofileofthegirl’supturnedface。
"Thuvia，"hewhispered。
Thegirlturnedhereyestowardhis。Hishandstoleouttofindhers，butshedrewherowngentlyaway。
"ThuviaofPtarth，Iloveyou！"criedtheyoungwarrior。
"Tellmethatitdoesnotoffend。"
Sheshookherheadsadly。"TheloveofCarthorisofHelium，"shesaidsimply，"couldbenaughtbutanhonourtoanywoman;butyoumustnotspeak，myfriend，ofbestowinguponmethatwhichImaynotreciprocate。"
Theyoungmangotslowlytohisfeet。Hiseyeswerewideinastonishment。ItneverhadoccurredtothePrinceofHeliumthatThuviaofPtarthmightloveanother。
"ButatKadabra！"heexclaimed。"Andlaterhereatyourfather’scourt，whatdidyoudo，ThuviaofPtarth，thatmighthavewarnedmethatyoucouldnotreturnmylove？"
"AndwhatdidIdo，CarthorisofHelium，"shereturned，"thatmightleadyoutobelievethatIDIDreturnit？"
Hepausedinthought，andthenshookhishead。
"Nothing，Thuvia，thatistrue;yetIcouldhaveswornyoulovedme。Indeed，youwellknewhowneartoworshiphasbeenmyloveforyou。"
"AndhowmightIknowit，Carthoris？"sheaskedinnocently。
"Didyouevertellmeasmuch？Everbeforehavewordsofloveformefallenfromyourlips？"
"ButyouMUSThaveknownit！"heexclaimed。"Iamlikemyfather——witlessinmattersoftheheart，andofapoorwaywithwomen;yetthejewelsthatstrewtheseroyalgardenpaths——thetrees，theflowers，thesward——
allmusthavereadthelovethathasfilledmyheartsincefirstmyeyesweremadenewbyimagingyourperfectfaceandform;sohowcouldyoualonehavebeenblindtoit？"
"DothemaidsofHeliumpaycourttotheirmen？"askedThuvia。
"Youareplayingwithme！"exclaimedCarthoris。"Saythatyouarebutplaying，andthatafterallyouloveme，Thuvia！"
"Icannottellyouthat，Carthoris，forIampromisedtoanother。"
Hertonewaslevel，butwastherenotwithinitthehintofaninfinitedepthofsadness？Whomaysay？
"Promisedtoanother？"Carthorisscarcelybreathedthewords。Hisfacewentalmostwhite，andthenhisheadcameupasbefittedhiminwhoseveinsflowedthebloodoftheoverlordofaworld。
"CarthorisofHeliumwishesyoueveryhappinesswiththemanofyourchoice，"hesaid。"With——"andthenhehesitated，waitingforhertofillinthename。
"KulanTith，JeddakofKaol，"shereplied。"Myfather’sfriendandPtarth’smostpuissantally。"
Theyoungmanlookedatherintentlyforamomentbeforehespokeagain。
"Youlovehim，ThuviaofPtarth？"heasked。
"Iampromisedtohim，"sherepliedsimply。
Hedidnotpressher。"HeisofBarsoom’snoblestbloodandmightiestfighters，"musedCarthoris。"Myfather’sfriendandmine——wouldthatitmighthavebeenanother！"
hemutteredalmostsavagely。Whatthegirlthoughtwashiddenbythemaskofherexpression，whichwastingedonlybyalittleshadowofsadnessthatmighthavebeenforCarthoris，herself，orforthemboth。
CarthorisofHeliumdidnotask，thoughhenotedit，forhisloyaltytoKulanTithwastheloyaltyofthebloodofJohnCarterofVirginiaforafriend，greaterthanwhichcouldbenoloyalty。
Heraisedajewel—encrustedbitofthegirl’smagnificenttrappingstohislips。
"TothehonourandhappinessofKulanTithandthepricelessjewelthathasbeenbestoweduponhim，"
hesaid，andthoughhisvoicewashuskytherewasthetrueringofsincerityinit。"ItoldyouthatIlovedyou，Thuvia，beforeIknewthatyouwerepromisedtoanother。
Imaynottellyouitagain，butIamgladthatyouknowit，forthereisnodishonouriniteithertoyouortoKulanTithortomyself。MyloveissuchthatitmayembraceaswellKulanTith——ifyoulovehim。"Therewasalmostaquestioninthestatement。
"Iampromisedtohim，"shereplied。
Carthorisbackedslowlyaway。Helaidonehanduponhisheart，theotheruponthepommelofhislong—sword。
"Theseareyours——always，"hesaid。Amomentlaterhehadenteredthepalace，andwasgonefromthegirl’ssight。
Hadhereturnedatoncehewouldhavefoundherproneupontheersitebench，herfaceburiedinherarms。
Wassheweeping？Therewasnonetosee。
CarthorisofHeliumhadcomeallunannouncedtothecourtofhisfather’sfriendthatday。Hehadcomealoneinasmallflier，sureofthesamewelcomethatalwaysawaitedhimatPtarth。Astherehadbeennoformalityinhiscomingtherewasnoneedofformalityinhisgoing。
ToThuvanDihnheexplainedthathehadbeenbuttestinganinventionofhisownwithwhichhisflierwasequipped——acleverimprovementoftheordinaryMartianaircompass，which，whensetforacertaindestination，willremainconstantlyfixedthereon，makingitonlynecessarytokeepavessel’sprowalwaysinthedirectionofthecompassneedletoreachanygivenpointuponBarsoombytheshortestroute。
Carthoris’improvementuponthisconsistedofanauxiliarydevicewhichsteeredthecraftmechanicallyinthedirectionofthecompass，anduponarrivaldirectlyoverthepointforwhichthecompasswasset，broughtthecrafttoastandstillandloweredit，alsoautomatically，totheground。
"Youreadilydiscerntheadvantagesofthisinvention，"
hewassayingtoThuvanDihn，whohadaccompaniedhimtothelanding—stageuponthepalacerooftoinspectthecompassandbidhisyoungfriendfarewell。
Adozenofficersofthecourtwithseveralbodyservantsweregroupedbehindthejeddakandhisguest，eagerlistenerstotheconversation——soeageronthepartofoneoftheservantsthathewastwicerebukedbyanobleforhisforwardnessinpushinghimselfaheadofhisbetterstoviewtheintricatemechanismofthewonderful"controllingdestinationcompass，"asthethingwascalled。
"Forexample，"continuedCarthoris，"Ihaveanall—
nighttripbeforeme，asto—night。Isetthepointerhereupontheright—handdialwhichrepresentstheeasternhemisphereofBarsoom，sothatthepointrestsupontheexactlatitudeandlongitudeofHelium。ThenI
starttheengine，rollupinmysleepingsilksandfurs，andwithlightsburning，racethroughtheairtowardHelium，confidentthatattheappointedhourIshalldropgentlytowardthelanding—stageuponmyownpalace，whetherIamstillasleeporno。"
"Provided，"suggestedThuvanDihn，"youdonotchancetocollidewithsomeothernightwandererinthemeanwhile。"
Carthorissmiled。"Nodangerofthat，"hereplied。
"Seehere，"andheindicatedadeviceattherightofthedestinationcompass。"Thisismy`obstructionevader，’
asIcallit。Thisvisibledeviceistheswitchwhichthrowsthemechanismonoroff。Theinstrumentitselfisbelowdeck，gearedbothtothesteeringapparatusandthecontrollevers。
"Itisquitesimple，beingnothingmorethanaradiumgeneratordiffusingradio—activityinalldirectionstoadistanceofahundredyardsorsofromtheflier。Shouldthisenvelopingforcebeinterruptedinanydirectionadelicateinstrumentimmediatelyapprehendstheirregularity，atthesametimeimpartinganimpulsetoamagneticdevicewhichinturnactuatesthesteeringmechanism，divertingthebowoftheflierawayfromtheobstacleuntilthecraft’sradio—activitysphereisnolongerincontactwiththeobstruction，thenshefallsoncemoreintohernormalcourse。Shouldthedisturbanceapproachfromtherear，asincaseofafaster—movingcraftoverhaulingme，themechanismactuatesthespeedcontrolaswellasthesteeringgear，andthefliershootsaheadandeitherupordown，astheoncomingvesselisuponalowerorhigherplanethanherself。
"Inaggravatedcases，thatiswhentheobstructionsaremany，orofsuchanatureastodeflectthebowmorethanforty—fivedegreesinanydirection，orwhenthecrafthasreacheditsdestinationanddroppedtowithinahundredyardsoftheground，themechanismbringshertoafullstop，atthesametimesoundingaloudalarmwhichwillinstantlyawakenthepilot。YouseeIhaveanticipatedalmosteverycontingency。"
ThuvanDihnsmiledhisappreciationofthemarvellousdevice。
Theforwardservantpushedalmosttotheflier’sside。
Hiseyeswerenarrowedtoslits。
"Allbutone，"hesaid。
Thenobleslookedathiminastonishment，andoneofthemgraspedthefellownonetoogentlybytheshouldertopushhimbacktohisproperplace。
Carthorisraisedhishand。
"Wait，"heurged。"Letushearwhatthemanhastosay——nocreationofmortalmindisperfect。Perchancehehasdetectedaweaknessthatitwillbewelltoknowatonce。Come，mygoodfellow，andwhatmaybetheonecontingencyIhaveoverlooked？"
AshespokeCarthorisobservedtheservantcloselyforthefirsttime。Hesawamanofgiantstatureandhandsome，asareallthoseoftheraceofMartianredmen;butthefellow’slipswerethinandcruel，andacrossonecheekwasthefaint，whitelineofasword—cutfromtherighttempletothecornerofthemouth。
"Come，"urgedthePrinceofHelium。"Speak！"
Themanhesitated。Itwasevidentthatheregrettedthetemeritythathadmadehimthecentreofinterestedobservation。Butatlast，seeingnoalternative，hespoke。
"Itmightbetamperedwith，"hesaid，"byanenemy。"
Carthorisdrewasmallkeyfromhisleathernpocket—pouch。
"Lookatthis，"hesaid，handingittotheman。"Ifyouknowaughtoflocks，youwillknowthatthemechanismwhichthisunloosesisbeyondthecunningofapickeroflocks。
Itguardsthevitalsoftheinstrumentfromcraftytampering。
Withoutitanenemymusthalfwreckthedevicetoreachitsheart，leavinghishandiworkapparenttothemostcasualobserver。"
Theservanttookthekey，glancedatitshrewdly，andthenashemadetoreturnittoCarthorisdroppedituponthemarbleflagging。Turningtolookforitheplantedthesoleofhissandalfullupontheglitteringobject。Foraninstantheboreallhisweightuponthefootthatcoveredthekey，thenhesteppedbackandwithanexclamationasofpleasurethathehadfoundit，stooped，recoveredit，andreturnedittotheHeliumite。Thenhedroppedbacktohisstationbehindthenoblesandwasforgotten。
AmomentlaterCarthorishadmadehisadieuxtoThuvanDihnandhisnobles，andwithlightstwinklinghadrisenintothestar—shotvoidoftheMartiannight。
CHAPTERII
SLAVERY
AstherulerofPtarth，followedbyhiscourtiers，descendedfromthelanding—stageabovethepalace，theservantsdroppedintotheirplacesintherearoftheirroyalornoblemasters，andbehindtheothersonelingeredtothelast。Thenquicklystoopinghesnatchedthesandalfromhisrightfoot，slippingitintohispocket—pouch。
Whenthepartyhadcometothelowerlevels，andthejeddakhaddispersedthembyasign，nonenoticedthattheforwardfellowwhohaddrawnsomuchattentiontohimselfbeforethePrinceofHeliumdeparted，wasnolongeramongtheotherservants。
Towhoseretinuehehadbeenattachednonehadthoughttoinquire，forthefollowersofaMartiannoblearemany，comingandgoingatthewhimoftheirmaster，sothatanewfaceisscarcelyeverquestioned，asthefactthatamanhaspassedwithinthepalacewallsisconsideredproofpositivethathisloyaltytothejeddakisbeyondquestion，sorigidistheexaminationofeachwhoseeksservicewiththenoblesofthecourt。
Agoodrulethat，andonlyrelaxedbycourtesyinfavouroftheretinueofvisitingroyaltyfromafriendlyforeignpower。
ItwaslateinthemorningofthenextdaythatagiantservingmanintheharnessofthehouseofagreatPtarthnoblepassedoutintothecityfromthepalacegates。
Alongonebroadavenueandthenanotherhestrodebrisklyuntilhehadpassedbeyondthedistrictofthenoblesandhadcometotheplaceofshops。Herehesoughtapretentiousbuildingthatrosespire—liketowardtheheavens，itsouterwallselaboratelywroughtwithdelicatecarvingsandintricatemosaics。
ItwasthePalaceofPeaceinwhichwerehousedtherepresentativesoftheforeignpowers，orratherinwhichwerelocatedtheirembassies;fortheministersthemselvesdweltingorgeouspalaceswithinthedistrictoccupiedbythenobles。
HerethemansoughttheembassyofDusar。Aclerkarosequestioninglyasheentered，andathisrequesttohaveawordwiththeministeraskedhiscredentials。
Thevisitorslippedaplainmetalarmletfromabovehiselbow，andpointingtoaninscriptionuponitsinnersurface，whisperedawordortwototheclerk。
Thelatter’seyeswentwide，andhisattitudeturnedatoncetooneofdeference。Hebowedthestrangertoaseat，andhastenedtoaninnerroomwiththearmletinhishand。
Amomentlaterhereappearedandconductedthecallerintothepresenceoftheminister。
Foralongtimethetwowereclosetedtogether，andwhenatlastthegiantservingmanemergedfromtheinnerofficehisexpressionwascastinasmileofsinistersatisfaction。
FromthePalaceofPeacehehurrieddirectlytothepalaceoftheDusarianminister。
Thatnighttwoswiftfliersleftthesamepalacetop。
OnespeditsrapidcoursetowardHelium;theother——
ThuviaofPtarthstrolledinthegardensofherfather’spalace，aswashernightlycustombeforeretiring。Hersilksandfursweredrawnabouther，fortheairofMarsischillafterthesunhastakenhisquickplungebeneaththeplanet’swesternverge。
Thegirl’sthoughtswanderedfromherimpendingnuptials，thatwouldmakeherempressofKaol，tothepersonofthetrimyoungHeliumitewhohadlaidhisheartatherfeettheprecedingday。
Whetheritwaspityorregretthatsaddenedherexpressionasshegazedtowardthesouthernheavenswhereshehadwatchedthelightsofhisflierdisappearthepreviousnight，itwouldbedifficulttosay。
So，too，isitimpossibletoconjecturejustwhatheremotionsmayhavebeenasshediscernedthelightsofaflierspeedingrapidlyoutofthedistancefromthatverydirection，asthoughimpelledtowardhergardenbytheveryintensityoftheprincess’thoughts。
Shesawitcirclelowerabovethepalaceuntilshewaspositivethatitbuthoveredinpreparationforalanding。
Presentlythepowerfulraysofitssearchlightshotdownwardfromthebow。Theyfelluponthelanding—stageforabriefinstant，revealingthefiguresofthePtarthianguard，pickingintobrilliantpointsoffirethegemsupontheirgorgeousharnesses。
Thentheblazingeyesweptonwardacrosstheburnisheddomesandgracefulminarets，downintocourtandparkandgardentopauseatlastupontheersitebenchandthegirlstandingtherebesideit，herfaceupturnedfulltowardtheflier。
ForbutaninstantthesearchlighthalteduponThuviaofPtarth，thenitwasextinguishedassuddenlyasithadcometolife。Theflierpassedonabovehertodisappearbeyondagroveofloftyskeeltreesthatgrewwithinthepalacegrounds。
Thegirlstoodforsometimeasithadlefther，exceptthatherheadwasbentandhereyesdowncastinthought。
WhobutCarthoriscouldithavebeen？Shetriedtofeelangerthatheshouldhavereturnedthus，spyinguponher;
butshefounditdifficulttobeangrywiththeyoungprinceofHelium。
Whatmadcapricecouldhaveinducedhimsototransgresstheetiquetteofnations？Forlesserthingsgreatpowershadgonetowar。
Theprincessinherwasshockedandangered——butwhatofthegirl！
Andtheguard——whatofthem？Evidentlythey，too，hadbeensomuchsurprisedbytheunprecedentedactionofthestrangerthattheyhadnotevenchallenged;
butthattheyhadnothoughttoletthethinggounnoticedwasquicklyevidencedbytheskirringofmotorsuponthelanding—stageandthequickshootingairwardofalong—linedpatrolboat。
Thuviawatcheditdartswiftlyeastward。So，too，didothereyeswatch。
Withinthedenseshadowsoftheskeelgrove，inawideavenuebeneatho’erspreadingfoliage，aflierhungadozenfeetabovetheground。Fromitsdeckkeeneyeswatchedthefar—fanningsearchlightofthepatrolboat。
Nolightshonefromtheenshadowedcraft。Uponitsdeckwasthesilenceofthetomb。Itscrewofahalf—dozenredwarriorswatchedthelightsofthepatrolboatdiminishinginthedistance。
"Theintellectsofourancestorsarewithusto—night，"
saidoneinalowtone。
"Noplanevercarriedbetter，"returnedanother。"Theydidpreciselyastheprinceforetold。"
Hewhohadfirstspokenturnedtowardthemanwhosquattedbeforethecontrolboard。
"Now！"hewhispered。Therewasnootherordergiven。
Everymanuponthecrafthadevidentlybeenwellschooledineachdetailofthatnight’swork。Silentlythedarkhullcreptbeneaththecathedralarchesofthedarkandsilentgrove。
ThuviaofPtarth，gazingtowardtheeast，sawtheblackerblotagainsttheblacknessofthetreesasthecrafttoppedthebuttressedgardenwall。Shesawthedimbulkinclinegentlydownwardtowardthescarletswardofthegarden。
Sheknewthatmencamenotthuswithhonourableintent。
Yetshedidnotcryaloudtoalarmthenear—byguardsmen，nordidshefleetothesafetyofthepalace。
Why？
Icanseehershrughershapelyshouldersinreplyasshevoicestheage—old，universalanswerofthewoman：Because！
Scarcehadthefliertouchedthegroundwhenfourmenleapedfromitsdeck。Theyranforwardtowardthegirl。
Stillshemadenosignofalarm，standingasthoughhypnotized。
Orcouldithavebeenasonewhoawaitedawelcomevisitor？
Notuntiltheywerequiteclosetoherdidshemove。
Thenthenearermoon，risingabovethesurroundingfoliage，touchedtheirfaces，lightingallwiththebrilliancyofhersilverrays。
ThuviaofPtarthsawonlystrangers——warriorsintheharnessofDusar。Nowshetookfright，buttoolate！
Beforeshecouldvoicebutasinglecry，roughhandsseizedher。Aheavysilkenscarfwaswoundaboutherhead。Shewasliftedinstrongarmsandbornetothedeckoftheflier。Therewasthesuddenwhirlofpropellers，therushingofairagainstherbody，and，fromfarbeneaththeshoutingandthechallengefromtheguard。
RacingtowardthesouthanotherflierspedtowardHelium。
Initscabinatallredmanbentoverthesoftsoleofanupturnedsandal。Withdelicateinstrumentshemeasuredthefaintimprintofasmallobjectwhichappearedthere。
Uponapadbesidehimwastheoutlineofakey，andherehenotedtheresultsofhismeasurements。
Asmileplayeduponhislipsashecompletedhistaskandturnedtoonewhowaitedattheoppositesideofthetable。
"Themanisagenius，"heremarked。
"Onlyageniuscouldhaveevolvedsuchalockasthisisdesignedtospring。Here，takethesketch，Larok，andgiveallthineowngeniusfullandunfetteredfreedominreproducingitinmetal。"
Thewarrior—artificerbowed。"Manbuildsnaught，"
hesaid，"thatmanmaynotdestroy。"Thenheleftthecabinwiththesketch。
AsdawnbrokeupontheloftytowerswhichmarkthetwincitiesofHelium——thescarlettowerofoneandtheyellowtowerofitssister——aflierfloatedlazilyoutofthenorth。
UponitsbowwasemblazonedthesigniaofalessernobleofafarcityoftheempireofHelium。Itsleisurelyapproachandtheevidentconfidencewithwhichitmovedacrossthecityarousednosuspicioninthemindsofthesleepyguard。Theirroundofdutynearlydone，theyhadlittlethoughtbeyondthecomingofthosewhoweretorelievethem。
PeacereignedthroughoutHelium。Stagnant，emasculatingpeace。Heliumhadnoenemies。Therewasnaughttofear。
Withouthastethenearestairpatrolswungsluggishlyaboutandapproachedthestranger。Ateasyspeakingdistancetheofficeruponherdeckhailedtheincomingcraft。
Thecheery"Kaor！"andtheplausibleexplanationthattheownerhadcomefromdistantpartsforafewdaysofpleasureingayHeliumsufficed。Theair—patrolboatsheeredoff，passingagainuponitsway。Thestrangercontinuedtowardapubliclanding—stage，whereshedroppedintothewaysandcametorest。
Ataboutthesametimeawarriorenteredhercabin。
"Itisdone，VasKor，"hesaid，handingasmallmetalkeytothetallnoblewhohadjustrisenfromhissleepingsilksandfurs。
"Good！"exclaimedthelatter。"Youmusthaveworkeduponitallduringthenight，Larok。"
Thewarriornodded。
"NowfetchmetheHeliumeticmetalyouwroughtsomedayssince，"commandedVasKor。
Thisdone，thewarriorassistedhismastertoreplacethehandsomejewelledmetalofhisharnesswiththeplainerornamentsofanordinaryfightingmanofHelium，andwiththeinsigniaofthesamehousethatappeareduponthebowoftheflier。
VasKorbreakfastedonboard。Thenheemergedupontheaerialdock，enteredanelevator，andwasbornequicklytothestreetbelow，wherehewassoonengulfedbytheearlymorningthrongofworkershasteningtotheirdailyduties。
AmongthemhiswarriortrappingswerenomoreremarkablethanisapairoftrousersuponBroadway。AllMartianmenarewarriors，savethosephysicallyunabletobeararms。
Thetradesmanandhisclerkclankwiththeirmartialtrappingsastheypursuetheirvocations。Theschoolboy，comingintotheworld，ashedoes，almostadultfromthesnowyshellthathasencompassedhisdevelopmentforfivelongyears，knowssolittleoflifewithoutaswordathishipthathewouldfeelthesamediscomfitureatgoingabroadunarmedthatanEarthboywouldexperienceinwalkingthestreetsknicker—bockerless。
VasKor’sdestinationlayinGreaterHelium，whichliessomeseventy—fivemilesacrossthelevelplainfromLesserHelium。Hehadlandedatthelattercitybecausetheairpatrolislesssuspiciousandalertthanthatabovethelargermetropoliswhereliesthepalaceofthejeddak。
AshemovedwiththethrongintheparklikecanyonofthethoroughfarethelifeofanawakeningMartiancitywasinevidenceabouthim。Houses，raisedhighupontheirslendermetalcolumnsforthenightweredroppinggentlytowardtheground。Amongtheflowersuponthescarletswardwhichliesaboutthebuildingschildrenwerealreadyplaying，andcomelywomenlaughingandchattingwiththeirneighboursastheyculledgorgeousblossomsforthevaseswithindoors。
Thepleasant"kaor"oftheBarsoomiangreetingfellcontinuallyupontheearsofthestrangerasfriendsandneighbourstookupthedutiesofanewday。
Thedistrictinwhichhehadlandedwasresidential——adistrictofmerchantsofthemoreprosperoussort。
Everywherewereevidencesofluxuryandwealth。
Slavesappeareduponeveryhousetopwithgorgeoussilksandcostlyfurs，layingtheminthesunforairing。
Jewel—encrustedwomenlolledeventhusearlyuponthecarvenbalconiesbeforetheirsleepingapartments。Laterinthedaytheywouldrepairtotheroofswhentheslaveshadarrangedcouchesandpitchedsilkencanopiestoshadethemfromthesun。
Strainsofinspiringmusicbrokepleasantlyfromopenwindows，fortheMartianshavesolvedtheproblemofattuningthenervespleasantlytothesuddentransitionfromsleeptowakingthatprovessodifficultathingformostEarthfolk。
Abovehimracedthelong，lightpassengerfliers，plying，eachinitsproperplane，betweenthenumerouslanding—
stagesforinternalpassengertraffic。Landing—stagesthattowerhighintotheheavensareforthegreatinternationalpassengerliners。Freightershaveotherlanding—stagesatvariouslowerlevels，towithinacoupleofhundredfeetoftheground;nordareanyflierriseordropfromoneplanetoanotherexceptincertainrestricteddistrictswherehorizontaltrafficisforbidden。
Alongtheclose—croppedswardwhichpavestheavenuegroundfliersweremovingincontinuouslinesinoppositedirections。
Forthegreaterparttheyskimmedalongthesurfaceofthesward，soaringgracefullyintotheairattimestopassoveraslower—goingdriverahead，oratintersections，wherethenorthandsouthtraffichastherightofwayandtheeastandwestmustriseaboveit。
Fromprivatehangarsuponmanyarooftopfliersweredartingintothelineoftraffic。Gayfarewellsandpartingadmonitionsmingledwiththewhirringofmotorsandthesubduednoisesofthecity。
Yetwithalltheswiftmovementandthecountlessthousandsrushinghitherandthither，thepredominantsuggestionwasthatofluxuriouseaseandsoftnoiselessness。
Martiansdislikeharsh，discordantclamour。Theonlyloudnoisestheycanabidearethemartialsoundsofwar，theclashofarms，thecollisionoftwomightydreadnoughtsoftheair。Tothemthereisnosweetermusicthanthis。
AttheintersectionoftwobroadavenuesVasKordescendedfromthestreetleveltooneofthegreatpneumaticstationsofthecity。Herehepaidbeforealittlewicketthefaretohisdestinationwithacoupleofthedull，ovalcoinsofHelium。
BeyondthegatekeeperhecametoaslowlymovinglineofwhattoEarthlyeyeswouldhaveappearedtobeconical—nosed，eight—footprojectilesforsomegiantgun。
Inslowprocessionthethingsmovedinsinglefilealongagroovedtrack。Ahalfdozenattendantsassistedpassengerstoenter，ordirectedthesecarrierstotheirproperdestination。
VasKorapproachedonethatwasempty。Uponitsnosewasadialandapointer。HesetthepointerforacertainstationinGreaterHelium，raisedthearchedlidofthething，steppedinandlaydownupontheupholsteredbottom。Anattendantclosedthelid，whichlockedwithalittleclick，andthecarriercontinueditsslowway。
Presentlyitswitcheditselfautomaticallytoanothertrack，toenter，amomentlater，oneoftheseriesofdark—mouthedtubes。
Theinstantthatitsentirelengthwaswithintheblackapertureitsprangforwardwiththespeedofarifleball。
Therewasaninstantofwhizzing——asoft，thoughsudden，stop，andslowlythecarrieremergeduponanotherplatform，anotherattendantraisedthelidandVasKorsteppedoutatthestationbeneaththecentreofGreaterHelium，seventy—fivemilesfromthepointatwhichhehadembarked。
Herehesoughtthestreetlevel，steppingimmediatelyintoawaitinggroundflier。Hespokenowordtotheslavesittinginthedriver’sseat。Itwasevidentthathehadbeenexpected，andthatthefellowhadreceivedhisinstructionsbeforehiscoming。
ScarcelyhadVasKortakenhisseatwhentheflierwentquicklyintothefast—movingprocession，turningpresentlyfromthebroadandcrowdedavenueintoalesscongestedstreet。Presentlyitleftthethrongeddistrictbehindtoenterasectionofsmallshops，whereitstoppedbeforetheentrancetoonewhichborethesignofadealerinforeignsilks。
VasKorenteredthelow—ceilingroom。Amanatthefarendmotionedhimtowardaninnerapartment，givingnofurthersignofrecognitionuntilhehadpassedinafterthecallerandclosedthedoor。
Thenhefacedhisvisitor，salutingdeferentially。
"Mostnoble——"hecommenced，butVasKorsilencedhimwithagesture。
"Noformalities，"hesaid。"WemustforgetthatI
amaughtotherthanyourslave。Ifallhasbeenascarefullycarriedoutasithasbeenplanned，wehavenotimetowaste。Insteadweshouldbeuponourwaytotheslavemarket。Areyouready？"
Themerchantnodded，and，turningtoagreatchest，producedtheunemblazonedtrappingsofaslave。TheseVasKorimmediatelydonned。Thenthetwopassedfromtheshopthroughareardoor，traversedawindingalleytoanavenuebeyond，wheretheyenteredaflierwhichawaitedthem。
Fiveminuteslaterthemerchantwasleadinghisslavetothepublicmarket，whereagreatconcourseofpeoplefilledthegreatopenspaceinthecentreofwhichstoodtheslaveblock。
Thecrowdswereenormousto—day，forCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，wastobetheprincipalbidder。
Onebyonethemastersmountedtherostrumbesidetheslaveblockuponwhichstoodtheirchattels。
Brieflyandclearlyeachrecountedthevirtuesofhisparticularoffering。
Whenallweredone，themajor—domoofthePrinceofHeliumrecalledtotheblocksuchashadfavourablyimpressedhim。
Forsuchhehadmadeafairoffer。
Therewaslittlehagglingastoprice，andnoneatallwhenVasKorwasplacedupontheblock。Hismerchant—
masteracceptedthefirstofferthatwasmadeforhim，andthusaDusariannobleenteredthehouseholdofCarthoris。
CHAPTERIII
TREACHERY
ThedayfollowingthecomingofVasKortothepalaceofthePrinceofHeliumgreatexcitementreignedthroughoutthetwincities，reachingitsclimaxinthepalaceofCarthoris。WordhadcomeoftheabductionofThuviaofPtarthfromherfather’scourt，andwithittheveiledhintthatthePrinceofHeliummightbesuspectedofconsiderableknowledgeoftheactandthewhereaboutsoftheprincess。
InthecouncilchamberofJohnCarter，WarlordofMars，wasTardosMors，JeddakofHelium;MorsKajak，hisson，JedofLesserHelium;Carthoris，andascoreofthegreatnoblesoftheempire。
"TheremustbenowarbetweenPtarthandHelium，myson，"
saidJohnCarter。"Thatyouareinnocentofthechargethathasbeenplacedagainstyoubyinsinuation，wewellknow;
butThuvanDihnmustknowitwell，too。
"Thereisbutonewhomayconvincehim，andthatonebeyou。YoumusthastenatoncetothecourtofPtarth，andbyyourpresencethereaswellasbyyourwordsassurehimthathissuspicionsaregroundless。
BearwithyoutheauthorityoftheWarlordofBarsoom，andoftheJeddakofHeliumtooffereveryresourceofthealliedpowerstoassistThuvanDihntorecoverhisdaughterandpunishherabductors，whomsoevertheymaybe。
"Go！IknowthatIdonotneedtourgeuponyouthenecessityforhaste。"
Carthorisleftthecouncilchamber，andhastenedtohispalace。
Hereslaveswerebusyinamomentsettingthingstorightsforthedepartureoftheirmaster。SeveralworkedabouttheswiftflierthatwouldbearthePrinceofHeliumrapidlytowardPtarth。
Atlastallwasdone。Buttwoarmedslavesremainedonguard。Thesettingsunhunglowabovethehorizon。
Inamomentdarknesswouldenvelopall。
Oneoftheguardsmen，agiantofafellowacrosswhoserightcheekthereranathinscarfromtempletomouth，approachedhiscompanion。Hisgazewasdirectedbeyondandabovehiscomrade。Whenhehadcomequiteclosehespoke。
"Whatstrangecraftisthat？"heasked。
Theotherturnedaboutquicklytogazeheavenward。
Scarcewashisbackturnedtowardthegiantthantheshort—swordofthelatterwasplungedbeneathhisleftshoulderblade，straightthroughhisheart。
Voiceless，thesoldiersankinhistracks——stonedead。
Quicklythemurdererdraggedthecorpseintotheblackshadowswithinthehangar。Thenhereturnedtotheflier。
Drawingacunninglywroughtkeyfromhispocket—pouch，heremovedthecoveroftheright—handdialofthecontrollingdestinationcompass。Foramomenthestudiedtheconstructionofthemechanismbeneath。
Thenhereturnedthedialtoitsplace，setthepointer，andremoveditagaintonotetheresultantchangeinthepositionofthepartsaffectedbytheact。
Asmilecrossedhislips。Withapairofcuttershesnippedofftheprojectionwhichextendedthroughthedialfromtheexternalpointer——nowthelattermightbemovedtoanypointuponthedialwithoutaffectingthemechanismbelow。Inotherwords，theeasternhemispheredialwasuseless。
Nowheturnedhisattentiontothewesterndial。
Thishesetuponacertainpoint。Afterwardheremovedthecoverofthisdialalso，andwithkeentoolcutthesteelfingerfromtheundersideofthepointer。
Asquicklyaspossiblehereplacedtheseconddialcover，andresumedhisplaceonguard。Toallintentsandpurposesthecompasswasasefficientasbefore;but，asamatteroffact，themovingofthepointersuponthedialsresultednowinnocorrespondingshiftofthemechanismbeneath——andthedevicewasset，immovably，uponadestinationoftheslave’sownchoosing。
PresentlycameCarthoris，accompaniedbybutahandfulofhisgentlemen。Hecastbutacasualglanceuponthesingleslavewhostoodguard。Thefellow’sthin，cruellips，andthesword—cutthatranfromtempletomoutharousedthesuggestionofanunpleasantmemorywithinhim。
HewonderedwhereSaranTalhadfoundtheman——thenthematterfadedfromhisthoughts，andinanothermomentthePrinceofHeliumwaslaughingandchattingwithhiscompanions，thoughbelowthesurfacehisheartwascoldwithdread，forwhatcontingenciesconfrontedThuviaofPtarthhecouldnotevenguess。
Firsttohismind，naturally，hadsprungthethoughtthatAstokofDusarhadstolenthefairPtarthian;butalmostsimultaneouslywiththereportoftheabductionhadcomenewsofthegreatfetesatDusarinhonourofthereturnofthejeddak’ssontothecourtofhisfather。
Itcouldnothavebeenhe，thoughtCarthoris，forontheverynightthatThuviawastakenAstokhadbeeninDusar，andyet——
Heenteredtheflier，exchangingcasualremarkswithhiscompanionsasheunlockedthemechanismofthecompassandsetthepointeruponthecapitalcityofPtarth。
Withawordoffarewellhetouchedthebuttonwhichcontrolledtherepulsiverays，andastheflierroselightlyintotheair，theenginepurredinanswertothetouchofhisfingeruponasecondbutton，thepropellerswhirredashishanddrewbackthespeedlever，andCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，wasoffintothegorgeousMartiannightbeneaththehurtlingmoonsandthemillionstars。
Scarcehadtheflierfounditsspeederetheman，wrappinghissleepingsilksandfursabouthim，stretchedatfulllengthuponthenarrowdecktosleep。
Butsleepdidnotcomeatonceathisbidding。
Instead，histhoughtsranriotinhisbrain，drivingsleepaway。
HerecalledthewordsofThuviaofPtarth，wordsthathadhalfassuredhimthatshelovedhim;forwhenhehadaskedherifshelovedKulanTith，shehadansweredonlythatshewaspromisedtohim。
Nowhesawthatherreplywasopentomorethanasingleconstruction。Itmight，ofcourse，meanthatshedidnotloveKulanTith;andso，byinference，betakentomeanthatshelovedanother。
ButwhatassurancewastherethattheotherwasCarthorisofHelium？
Themorehethoughtuponitthemorepositivehebecamethatnotonlywastherenoassuranceinherwordsthatshelovedhim，butnoneeitherinanyactofhers。
No，thefactwas，shedidnotlovehim。Shelovedanother。
Shehadnotbeenabducted——shehadfledwillinglywithherlover。
Withsuchpleasantthoughtsfillinghimalternatelywithdespairandrage，Carthorisatlastdroppedintothesleepofuttermentalexhaustion。
Thebreakingofthesuddendawnfoundhimstillasleep。
Hisflierwasrushingswiftlyaboveabarren，ochreplain——theworld—oldbottomofalong—deadMartiansea。
Inthedistanceroselowhills。Towardthesethecraftwasheaded。Asitapproachedthem，agreatpromontorymighthavebeenseenfromitsdeck，stretchingoutintowhathadoncebeenamightyocean，andcirclingbackoncemoretoenclosetheforgottenharbourofaforgottencity，whichstillstretchedbackfromitsdesertedquays，animposingpileofwondrousarchitectureofalong—deadpast。
Thecountlessdismalwindows，vacantandforlorn，stared，sightless，fromtheirmarblewalls;thewholesadcitytakingonthesemblanceofscatteredmoundsofdeadmen’ssun—bleachedskulls——thecasementshavingtheappearanceofeyelesssockets，theportals，grinningjaws。
Closercametheflier，butnowitsspeedwasdiminishing——yetthiswasnotPtarth。
Abovethecentralplazaitstopped，slowlysettlingMarsward。
Withinahundredyardsofthegrounditcametorest，floatinggentlyinthelightair，andatthesameinstantanalarmsoundedatthesleeper’sear。
Carthorissprangtohisfeet。BelowhimhelookedtoseetheteemingmetropolisofPtarth。Besidehim，already，thereshouldhavebeenanairpatrol。
Hegazedaboutinbewilderedastonishment。Thereindeedwasagreatcity，butitwasnotPtarth。Nomultitudessurgedthroughitsbroadavenues。Nosignsoflifebrokethedeadmonotonyofitsdesertedrooftops。
Nogorgeoussilks，nopricelessfurslentlifeandcolourtothecoldmarbleandthegleamingersite。
Nopatrolboatlayreadywithitsfamiliarchallenge。
Silentandemptylaythegreatcity——emptyandsilentthesurroundingair。
Whathadhappened？
Carthorisexaminedthedialofhiscompass。ThepointerwassetuponPtarth。Couldthecreatureofhisgeniushavethusbetrayedhim？Hewouldnotbelieveit。
Quicklyheunlockedthecover，turningitbackuponitshinge。Asingleglanceshowedhimthetruth，oratleastapartofit——thesteelprojectionthatcommunicatedthemovementofthepointeruponthedialtotheheartofthemechanismbeneathhadbeensevered。
Whocouldhavedonethething——andwhy？
Carthoriscouldnothazardevenafaintguess。Butthethingnowwastolearninwhatportionoftheworldhewas，andthentakeuphisinterruptedjourneyoncemore。
Ifithadbeenthepurposeofsomeenemytodelayhim，hehadsucceededwell，thoughtCarthoris，asheunlockedthecoveroftheseconddialthefirsthavingshownthatitspointerhadnotbeensetatall。
Beneaththeseconddialhefoundthesteelpinseveredasintheother，butthecontrollingmechanismhadfirstbeensetforapointuponthewesternhemisphere。
Hehadjusttimetojudgehislocationroughlyatsomeplacesouth—westofHelium，andataconsiderabledistancefromthetwincities，whenhewasstartledbyawoman’sscreambeneathhim。
Leaningoverthesideoftheflier，hesawwhatappearedtobearedwomanbeingdraggedacrosstheplazabyahugegreenwarrior——oneofthosefierce，crueldenizensofthedeadsea—bottomsanddesertedcitiesofdyingMars。
Carthoriswaitedtoseenomore。Reachingforthecontrolboard，hesenthiscraftracingplummet—liketowardtheground。
Thegreenmanwashurryinghiscaptivetowardahugethoatthatbrowsedupontheochrevegetationoftheoncescarlet—gorgeousplaza。Atthesameinstantadozenredwarriorsleapedfromtheentranceofanearbyersitepalace，pursuingtheabductorwithnakedswordsandshoutsofragefulwarning。
Oncethewomanturnedherfaceupwardtowardthefallingflier，andinthesingleswiftglanceCarthorissawthatitwasThuviaofPtarth！
CHAPTERIV
AGREENMAN’SCAPTIVE
WhenthelightofdaybrokeuponthelittlecrafttowhosedeckthePrincessofPtarthhadbeensnatchedfromherfather’sgarden，Thuviasawthatthenighthadwroughtachangeinherabductors。
NolongerdidtheirtrappingsgleamwiththemetalofDusar，butinsteadtherewasemblazonedtheretheinsigniaofthePrinceofHelium。
Thegirlfeltrenewedhope，forshecouldnotbelievethatintheheartofCarthoriscouldlieintenttoharmher。
Shespoketothewarriorsquattingbeforethecontrolboard。
"LastnightyouworethetrappingsofaDusarian，"
shesaid。"NowyourmetalisthatofHelium。
Whatmeansit？"
Themanlookedatherwithagrin。
"ThePrinceofHeliumisnofool，"hesaid。
Justthenanofficeremergedfromthetinycabin。Hereprimandedthewarriorforconversingwiththeprisoner，norwouldhehimselfreplytoanyofherinquiries。
Noharmwasofferedherduringthejourney，andsotheycameatlasttotheirdestinationwiththegirlnowiserastoherabductorsortheirpurposethanatfirst。
HerethefliersettledslowlyintotheplazaofoneofthosemutemonumentsofMars’deadandforgottenpast——
thedesertedcitiesthatfringethesadochresea—bottomswhereoncerolledthemightyfloodsuponwhosebosomsmovedthemaritimecommerceofthepeoplesthataregoneforever。
ThuviaofPtarthwasnostrangertosuchplaces。
DuringherwanderingsinsearchoftheRiverIss，thattimeshehadsetoutuponwhat，forcountlessages，hadbeenthelast，longpilgrimageofMartians，towardtheValleyDor，whereliestheLostSeaofKorus，shehadencounteredseveralofthesesadremindersofthegreatnessandthegloryofancientBarsoom。
Andagain，duringherflightfromthetemplesoftheHolyThernswithTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，shehadseenthem，withtheirweirdandghostlyinmates，thegreatwhiteapesofBarsoom。
Sheknew，too，thatmanyofthemwereusednowbythenomadictribesofgreenmen，butthatamongthemallwasnocitythattheredmendidnotshun，forwithoutexceptiontheystoodamidstvast，waterlesstracts，unsuitedforthecontinuedsustenanceofthedominantraceofMartians。
Why，then，shouldtheybebringinghertosuchaplace？
Therewasbutasingleanswer。Suchwasthenatureoftheirworkthattheymustneedsseektheseclusionthatadeadcityafforded。Thegirltrembledatthoughtofherplight。
Fortwodayshercaptorskeptherwithinahugepalacethatevenindecayreflectedthesplendouroftheagewhichitsyouthhadknown。
Justbeforedawnonthethirddayshehadbeenarousedbythevoicesoftwoofherabductors。
"Heshouldbeherebydawn，"onewassaying。"Haveherinreadinessupontheplaza——elsehewillneverland。
Themomenthefindsthatheisinastrangecountryhewillturnabout——methinkstheprince’splanisweakinthisonespot。"
"Therewasnootherway，"repliedtheother。"Itiswondrousworktogetthembothhereatall，andevenifwedonotsucceedinluringhimtotheground，weshallhaveaccomplishedmuch。"
JustthenthespeakercaughttheeyesofThuviauponhim，revealedbythequick—movingpatchoflightcastbyThuriainhermadracethroughtheheavens。
Withaquicksigntotheother，heceasedspeaking，andadvancingtowardthegirl，motionedhertorise。
Thenheledheroutintothenighttowardthecentreofthegreatplaza。
"Standhere，"hecommanded，"untilwecomeforyou。
Weshallbewatching，andshouldyouattempttoescapeitwillgoillwithyou——muchworsethandeath。
返回顶部