"They，too，wereunreal？"
Themannodded。
"Buttheirarrowsslewthegreenwarriors，"insistedThuvia。
"LetusgobeforeTario，"repliedtheLotharian。
"Hewilltellyouthatwhichhedeemsitbestyouknow。
Imighttellyoutoomuch。"
"WhoisTario？"askedCarthoris。
"JeddakofLothar，"repliedtheguide，leadingthemupthebroadavenuedownwhichtheyhadbutamomentsinceseenthephantomarmymarching。
Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalonglovelyavenuesbetweenthemostgorgeousbuildingsthatthetwohadeverseen。
Fewpeoplewereinevidence。Carthoriscouldnotbutnotethedesertedappearanceofthemightycity。
Atlasttheycametotheroyalpalace。Carthorissawitfromadistance，andguessingthenatureofthemagnificentpilewonderedthatevenherethereshouldbesolittlesignofactivityandlife。
Notevenasingleguardwasvisiblebeforethegreatentrancegate，norinthegardensbeyond，intowhichhecouldsee，wastheresignofthemyriadlifethatpulseswithintheprecinctsoftheroyalestatesoftheredjeddaks。
"Here，"saidtheirguide，"isthepalaceofTario。"
AshespokeCarthorisagainlethisgazerestuponthewondrouspalace。Withastartledexclamationherubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。No！Hecouldnotbemistaken。
Beforethemassivegatestoodascoreofsentries。Within，theavenueleadingtothemainbuildingwaslinedoneithersidebyranksofbowmen。Thegardensweredottedwithofficersandsoldiersmovingquicklytoandfro，asthoughbentuponthedutiesoftheminute。
Whatmannerofpeoplewerethesewhocouldconjureanarmyoutofthinair？HeglancedtowardThuvia。
She，too，evidentlyhadwitnessedthetransformation。
Withalittleshuddershepressedmorecloselytowardhim。
"Whatdoyoumakeofit？"shewhispered。"Itismostuncanny。"
"Icannotaccountforit，"repliedCarthoris，"unlesswehavegonemad。"
CarthoristurnedquicklytowardtheLotharian。Thefellowwassmilingbroadly。
"IthoughtthatyoujustsaidthattherewerenosoldiersinLothar，"saidtheHeliumite，withagesturetowardtheguardsmen。"Whatarethese？"
"AskTario，"repliedtheother。"Weshallsoonbebeforehim。"
Norwasitlongbeforetheyenteredaloftychamberatoneendofwhichamanreclineduponarichcouchthatstooduponahighdais。
Asthetrioapproached，themanturneddreamyeyessleepilyuponthem。Twentyfeetfromthedaistheirconductorhalted，and，whisperingtoThuviaandCarthoristofollowhisexample，threwhimselfheadlongtothefloor。
Thenrisingtohandsandknees，hecommencedcrawlingtowardthefootofthethrone，swinginghisheadtoandfroandwigglinghisbodyasyouhaveseenahounddowhenapproachingitsmaster。
ThuviaglancedquicklytowardCarthoris。Hewasstandingerect，withhigh—heldheadandarmsfoldedacrosshisbroadchest。Ahaughtysmilecurvedhislips。
Themanuponthedaiswaseyeinghimintently，andCarthorisofHeliumwaslookingstraightintheother’sface。
"Whobethese，Jav？"askedthemanofhimwhocrawleduponhisbellyalongthefloor。
"OTario，mostgloriousJeddak，"repliedJav，"thesebestrangerswhocamewiththehordesofTorquastoourgates，sayingthattheywereprisonersofthegreenmen。
TheytellstrangetalesofcitiesfarbeyondLothar。"
"Arise，Jav，"commandedTario，"andaskthesetwowhytheyshownottoTariotherespectthatishisdue。"
Javaroseandfacedthestrangers。Atsightoftheirerectpositionshisfacewentlivid。Heleapedtowardthem。
"Creatures！"hescreamed。"Down！DownuponyourbelliesbeforethelastofthejeddaksofBarsoom！"
CHAPTERVII
THEPHANTOMBOWMEN
AsJavleapedtowardhimCarthorislaidhishanduponthehiltofhislong—sword。TheLotharianhalted。Thegreatapartmentwasemptysaveforthefouratthedais，yetasJavsteppedbackfromthemenaceoftheHeliumite’sthreateningattitudethelatterfoundhimselfsurroundedbyascoreofbowmen。
Fromwhencehadtheysprung？BothCarthorisandThuvialookedtheirastonishment。
Nowtheformer’sswordleapedfromitsscabbard，andatthesameinstantthebowmendrewbacktheirslimshafts。
Tariohadhalfraisedhimselfupononeelbow。ForthefirsttimehesawthefullfigureofThuvia，whohadbeenconcealedbehindthepersonofCarthoris。
"Enough！"criedthejeddak，raisingaprotestinghand，butatthatveryinstanttheswordoftheHeliumitecutviciouslyatitsnearestantagonist。
AsthekeenedgereacheditsgoalCarthorisletthepointfalltothefloor，aswithwideeyeshesteppedbackwardinconsternation，throwingthebackofhislefthandacrosshisbrow。Hissteelhadcutbutemptyair——hisantagonisthadvanished——therewerenobowmenintheroom！
"Itisevidentthatthesearestrangers，"saidTariotoJav。
"Letusfirstdeterminethattheyknowinglyaffrontedusbeforewetakemeasuresforpunishment。"
ThenheturnedtoCarthoris，buteverhisgazewanderedtotheperfectlinesofThuvia’sgloriousfigure，whichtheharnessofaBarsoomianprincessaccentuatedratherthanconcealed。
"Whoareyou，"heasked，"whoknowsnottheetiquetteofthecourtofthelastofjeddaks？"
"IamCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，"repliedtheHeliumite。
"AndthisisThuvia，PrincessofPtarth。Inthecourtsofourfathersmendonotprostratethemselvesbeforeroyalty。NotsincetheFirstBorntoretheirimmortalgoddesslimbfromlimbhavemencrawledupontheirbelliestoanythroneuponBarsoom。Nowthinkyouthatthedaughterofonemightyjeddakandthesonofanotherwouldsohumiliatethemselves？"
TariolookedatCarthorisforalongtime。Atlasthespoke。
"ThereisnootherjeddakuponBarsoomthanTario，"hesaid。
"ThereisnootherracethanthatofLothar，unlessthehordesofTorquasmaybedignifiedbysuchanappellation。
Lothariansarewhite;yourskinsarered。TherearenowomenleftuponBarsoom。Yourcompanionisawoman。"
Hehalfrosefromthecouch，leaningfarforwardandpointinganaccusingfingeratCarthoris。
"Youarealie！"heshrieked。"Youarebothlies，andyoudaretocomebeforeTario，lastandmightiestofthejeddaksofBarsoom，andassertyourreality。Someoneshallpaywellforthis，Jav，andunlessImistakeitisyourselfwhohasdaredthusflippantlytotriflewiththegoodnatureofyourjeddak。
"Removetheman。Leavethewoman。Weshallseeifbothbelies。
Andlater，Jav，youshallsufferforyourtemerity。Therebefewofusleft，but——Komalmustbefed。Go！"
CarthoriscouldseethatJavtrembledasheprostratedhimselfoncemorebeforehisruler，andthen，rising，turnedtowardthePrinceofHelium。
"Come！"hesaid。
"AndleavethePrincessofPtarthherealone？"criedCarthoris。
Javbrushedcloselypasthim，whispering：
"Followme——hecannotharmher，excepttokill;andthathecandowhetheryouremainornot。Wehadbestgonow——trustme。"
Carthorisdidnotunderstand，butsomethingintheurgencyoftheother’stoneassuredhim，andsoheturnedaway，butnotwithoutaglancetowardThuviainwhichheattemptedtomakeherunderstandthatitwasinherowninterestthathelefther。
Foranswersheturnedherbackfulluponhim，butnotwithoutfirstthrowinghimsuchalookofcontemptthatbroughtthescarlettohischeek。
Thenhehesitated，butJavseizedhimbythewrist。
"Come！"hewhispered。"Orhewillhavethebowmenuponyou，andthistimetherewillbenoescape。Didyounotseehowfutileisyoursteelagainstthinair！"
Carthoristurnedunwillinglytofollow。Asthetwolefttheroomheturnedtohiscompanion。
"IfImaynotkillthinair，"heasked，"how，then，shallIfearthatthinairmaykillme？"
"YousawtheTorquasiansfallbeforethebowmen？"askedJav。
Carthorisnodded。
"Sowouldyoufallbeforethem，andwithoutonesinglechanceforself—defenceorrevenge。"
AstheytalkedJavledCarthoristoasmallroominoneofthenumeroustowersofthepalace。Herewerecouches，andJavbidtheHeliumitebeseated。
ForseveralminutestheLotharianeyedhisprisoner，forsuchCarthorisnowrealizedhimselftobe。
"Iamhalfconvincedthatyouarereal，"hesaidatlast。
Carthorislaughed。
"OfcourseIamreal，"hesaid。"Whatcausedyoutodoubtit？Canyounotseeme，feelme？"
"SomayIseeandfeelthebowmen，"repliedJav，"andyetweallknowthatthey，atleast，arenotreal。"
Carthorisshowedbytheexpressionofhisfacehispuzzlementateachnewreferencetothemysteriousbowmen——thevanishingsoldieryofLothar。
"What，then，maytheybe？"heasked。
"Youreallydonotknow？"askedJav。
Carthorisshookhisheadnegatively。
"IcanalmostbelievethatyouhavetoldusthetruthandthatyouarereallyfromanotherpartofBarsoom，orfromanotherworld。Buttellme，inyourowncountryhaveyounobowmentostriketerrortotheheartsofthegreenhordesmenastheyslayincompanywiththefiercebanthsofwar？"
"Wehavesoldiers，"repliedCarthoris。"Weoftheredraceareallsoldiers，butwehavenobowmentodefendus，suchasyours。Wedefendourselves。"
"Yougooutandgetkilledbyyourenemies！"criedJavincredulously。
"Certainly，"repliedCarthoris。"HowdotheLotharians？"
"Youhaveseen，"repliedtheother。"Wesendoutourdeathlessarchers——deathlessbecausetheyarelifeless，existingonlyintheimaginationsofourenemies。Itisreallyourgiantmindsthatdefendus，sendingoutlegionsofimaginarywarriorstomaterializebeforethemind’seyeofthefoe。
"Theyseethem——theyseetheirbowsdrawnback——theyseetheirslenderarrowsspeedwithunerringprecisiontowardtheirhearts。Andtheydie——killedbythepowerofsuggestion。"
"Butthearchersthatareslain？"exclaimedCarthoris。
"Youcallthemdeathless，andyetIsawtheirdeadbodiespiledhighuponthebattlefield。Howmaythatbe？"
"Itisbuttolendrealitytothescene，"repliedJav。
"WepicturemanyofourowndefenderskilledthattheTorquasiansmaynotguessthattherearereallynofleshandbloodcreaturesopposingthem。
"Oncethattruthbecameimplantedintheirminds，itisthetheoryofmanyofus，nolongerwouldtheyfallpreytothesuggestionofthedeadlyarrows，forgreaterwouldbethesuggestionofthetruth，andthemorepowerfulsuggestionwouldprevail——itislaw。"
"Andthebanths？"questionedCarthoris。"They，too，werebutcreaturesofsuggestion？"
"Someofthemwerereal，"repliedJav。"ThosethataccompaniedthearchersinpursuitoftheTorquasianswereunreal。Likethearchers，theyneverreturned，but，havingservedtheirpurpose，vanishedwiththebowmenwhentheroutoftheenemywasassured。
"Thosethatremainedaboutthefieldwerereal。ThoseweloosedasscavengerstodevourthebodiesofthedeadofTorquas。
Thisthingisdemandedbytherealistsamongus。Iamarealist。
Tarioisanetherealist。
"Theetherealistsmaintainthatthereisnosuchthingasmatter——thatallismind。Theysaythatnoneofusexists，exceptintheimaginationofhisfellows，otherthanasanintangible，invisiblementality。
"AccordingtoTario，itisbutnecessarythatwealluniteinimaginingthattherearenodeadTorquasiansbeneathourwalls，andtherewillbenone，noranyneedofscavengingbanths。"
"You，then，donotholdTario’sbeliefs？"askedCarthoris。
"Inpartonly，"repliedtheLotharian。"Ibelieve，infactIknow，thattherearesometrulyetherealcreatures。
Tarioisone，Iamconvinced。Hehasnoexistenceexceptintheimaginationsofhispeople。
"Ofcourse，itisthecontentionofallusrealiststhatalletherealistsarebutfigmentsoftheimagination。
Theycontendthatnofoodisnecessary，nordotheyeat;
butanyoneofthemostrudimentaryintelligencemustrealizethatfoodisanecessitytocreatureshavingactualexistence。"
"Yes，"agreedCarthoris，"nothavingeatento—dayIcanreadilyagreewithyou。"
"Ah，pardonme，"exclaimedJav。"Praybeseatedandsatisfyyourhunger，"andwithawaveofhishandheindicatedabountifullyladentablethathadnotbeenthereaninstantbeforehespoke。OfthatCarthoriswaspositive，forhehadsearchedtheroomdiligentlywithhiseyesseveraltimes。
"Itiswell，"continuedJav，"thatyoudidnotfallintothehandsofanetherealist。Then，indeed，wouldyouhavegonehungry。"
"But，"exclaimedCarthoris，"thisisnotrealfood——itwasnothereaninstantsince，andrealfooddoesnotmaterializeoutofthinair。"
Javlookedhurt。
"ThereisnorealfoodorwaterinLothar，"hesaid;
"norhastherebeenforcountlessages。Uponsuchasyounowseebeforeyouhaveweexistedsincethedawnofhistory。Uponsuch，then，mayyouexist。"
"ButIthoughtyouwerearealist，"exclaimedCarthoris。
"Indeed，"criedJav，"whatmorerealisticthanthisbounteousfeast？Itisjustherethatwediffermostfromtheetherealists。Theyclaimthatitisunnecessarytoimaginefood;butwehavefoundthatforthemaintenanceoflifewemustthricedailysitdowntoheartymeals。
"Thefoodthatoneeatsissupposedtoundergocertainchemicalchangesduringtheprocessofdigestionandassimilation，theresult，ofcourse，beingtherebuildingofwastedtissue。
"Nowweallknowthatmindisall，thoughwemaydifferintheinterpretationofitsvariousmanifestations。
Tariomaintainsthatthereisnosuchthingassubstance，allbeingcreatedfromthesubstancelessmatterofthebrain。
"Werealists，however，knowbetter。Weknowthatmindhasthepowertomaintainsubstanceeventhoughitmaynotbeabletocreatesubstance——thelatterisstillanopenquestion。Andsoweknowthatinordertomaintainourphysicalbodieswemustcauseallourorgansproperlytofunction。
"Thisweaccomplishbymaterializingfood—thoughts，andbypartakingofthefoodthuscreated。Wechew，weswallow，wedigest。Allourorgansfunctionpreciselyasifwehadpartakenofmaterialfood。Andwhatistheresult？
Whatmustbetheresult？Thechemicalchangestakeplacethroughbothdirectandindirectsuggestion，andweliveandthrive。"
Carthoriseyedthefoodbeforehim。Itseemedrealenough。
Heliftedamorseltohislips。Therewassubstanceindeed。
Andflavouraswell。Yes，evenhispalatewasdeceived。
Javwatchedhim，smiling，asheate。
"Isitnotentirelysatisfying？"heasked。
"Imustadmitthatitis，"repliedCarthoris。"Buttellme，howdoesTariolive，andtheotheretherealistswhomaintainthatfoodisunnecessary？"
Javscratchedhishead。
"Thatisaquestionweoftendiscuss，"hereplied。
"Itisthestrongestevidencewehaveofthenon—existenceoftheetherealists;butwhomayknowotherthanKomal？"
"WhoisKomal？"askedCarthoris。"Iheardyourjeddakspeakofhim。"
JavbentlowtowardtheearoftheHeliumite，lookingfearfullyaboutbeforehespoke。
"Komalistheessence，"hewhispered。"Eventheetherealistsadmitthatminditselfmusthavesubstanceinordertotransmittoimaginingstheappearanceofsubstance。Foriftherereallywasnosuchthingassubstanceitcouldnotbesuggested——whatneverhasbeencannotbeimagined。Doyoufollowme？"
"Iamgroping，"repliedCarthorisdryly。
"Sotheessencemustbesubstance，"continuedJav。
"KomalistheessenceoftheAll，asitwere。Heismaintainedbysubstance。Heeats。Heeatsthereal。
Tobeexplicit，heeatstherealists。ThatisTario’swork。
"Hesaysthatinasmuchaswemaintainthatwealonearerealweshould，tobeconsistent，admitthatwealoneareproperfoodforKomal。Sometimes，asto—day，wefindotherfoodforhim。HeisveryfondofTorquasians。"
"AndKomalisaman？"askedCarthoris。
"HeisAll，Itoldyou，"repliedJav。"Iknownothowtoexplainhiminwordsthatyouwillunderstand。Heisthebeginningandtheend。AlllifeemanatesfromKomal，sincethesubstancewhichfeedsthebrainwithimaginingsradiatesfromthebodyofKomal。
"ShouldKomalceasetoeat，alllifeuponBarsoomwouldceasetobe。Hecannotdie，buthemightceasetoeat，and，thus，toradiate。"
"Andhefeedsuponthemenandwomenofyourbelief？"criedCarthoris。
"Women！"exclaimedJav。"TherearenowomeninLothar。
ThelastoftheLotharianfemalesperishedagessince，uponthatcruelandterriblejourneyacrossthemuddyplainsthatfringedthehalf—driedseas，whenthegreenhordesscourgedusacrosstheworldtothisourlasthiding—place——ourimpregnablefortressofLothar。
"ScarcetwentythousandmenofallthecountlessmillionsofourracelivedtoreachLothar。Amonguswerenowomenandnochildren。Allthesehadperishedbytheway。
"Astimewenton，we，too，weredyingandtheracefastapproachingextinction，whentheGreatTruthwasrevealedtous，thatmindisall。Manymorediedbeforeweperfectedourpowers，butatlastwewereabletodefydeathwhenwefullyunderstoodthatdeathwasmerelyastateofmind。
"Thencamethecreationofmind—people，orratherthematerializationofimaginings。WefirstputthesetopracticalusewhentheTorquasiansdiscoveredourretreat，andfortunateforusitwasthatitrequiredagesofsearchupontheirpartbeforetheyfoundthesingletinyentrancetothevalleyofLothar。
"Thatdaywethrewourfirstbowmenagainstthem。
Theintentionwaspurelytofrightenthemawaybythevastnumbersofbowmenwhichwecouldmusteruponourwalls。AllLotharbristledwiththebowsandarrowsofouretherealhost。
"ButtheTorquasiansdidnotfrighten。Theyarelowerthanthebeasts——theyknownofear。Theyrusheduponourwalls，andstandingupontheshouldersofotherstheybuilthumanapproachestothewalltops，andwereontheverypointofsurginginuponusandoverwhelmingus。
"Notanarrowhadbeendischargedbyourbowmen——wedidbutcausethemtoruntoandfroalongthewalltop，screamingtauntsandthreatsattheenemy。
"PresentlyIthoughttoattemptthething——THEGREAT
THING。Icentredallmymightyintellectuponthebowmenofmyowncreation——eachofusproducesanddirectsasmanybowmenashismentalityandimaginationiscapableof。
"Icausedthemtofitarrowstotheirbowsforthefirsttime。
Imadethemtakeaimattheheartsofthegreenmen。
Imadethegreenmenseeallthis，andthenImadethemseethearrowsfly，andImadethemthinkthatthepointspiercedtheirhearts。
"Itwasallthatwasnecessary。Byhundredstheytoppledfromourwalls，andwhenmyfellowssawwhatIhaddonetheywerequicktofollowmyexample，sothatpresentlythehordesofTorquashadretreatedbeyondtherangeofourarrows。
"Wemighthavekilledthematanydistance，butoneruleofwarwehavemaintainedfromthefirst——theruleofrealism。
Wedonothing，orratherwecauseourbowmentodonothingwithinsightoftheenemythatisbeyondtheunderstandingofthefoe。Otherwisetheymightguessthetruth，andthatwouldbetheendofus。
"ButaftertheTorquasianshadretreatedbeyondbowshot，theyturneduponuswiththeirterriblerifles，andbyconstantpoppingatusmadelifemiserablewithinourwalls。
"SothenIbethoughttheschemetohurlourbowmenthroughthegatesuponthem。Youhaveseenthisdayhowwellitworks。Foragestheyhavecomedownuponusatintervals，butalwayswiththesameresults。"
"Andallthisisduetoyourintellect，Jav？"askedCarthoris。"Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbehighinthecouncilsofyourpeople。"
"Iam，"repliedJav，proudly。"IamnexttoTario。"
"Butwhy，then，yourcringingmannerofapproachingthethrone？"
"Tariodemandsit。Heisjealousofme。HeonlyawaitstheslightestexcusetofeedmetoKomal。HefearsthatI
maysomedayusurphispower。"
Carthorissuddenlysprangfromthetable。
"Jav！"heexclaimed。"Iamabeast！HereIhavebeeneatingmyfill，whilethePrincessofPtarthmayperchancebestillwithoutfood。Letusreturnandfindsomemeansoffurnishingherwithnourishment。"
TheLotharianshookhishead。
"Tariowouldnotpermitit，"hesaid。"Hewill，doubtless，makeanetherealistofher。"
"ButImustgotoher，"insistedCarthoris。"YousaythattherearenowomeninLothar。Thenshemustbeamongmen，andifthisbesoIintendtobenearwhereImaydefendheriftheneedarises。"
"Tariowillhavehisway，"insistedJav。"Hesentyouawayandyoumaynotreturnuntilhesendsforyou。"
"ThenIshallgowithoutwaitingtobesentfor。"
"Donotforgetthebowmen，"cautionedJav。
"Idonotforgetthem，"repliedCarthoris，buthedidnottellJavthatherememberedsomethingelsethattheLotharianhadletdrop——somethingthatwasbutaconjecture，possibly，andyetonewellworthpinningaforlornhopeto，shouldnecessityarise。
Carthorisstartedtoleavetheroom。Javsteppedbeforehim，barringhisway。
"Ihavelearnedtolikeyou，redman，"hesaid;
"butdonotforgetthatTarioisstillmyjeddak，andthatTariohascommandedthatyouremainhere。"
Carthoriswasabouttoreply，whentherecamefaintlytotheearsofbothawoman’scryforhelp。
WithasweepofhisarmthePrinceofHeliumbrushedtheLotharianaside，andwithdrawnswordsprangintothecorridorwithout。
CHAPTERVIII
THEHALLOFDOOM
AsThuviaofPtarthsawCarthorisdepartfromthepresenceofTario，leavingheralonewiththeman，asuddenqualmofterrorseizedher。
Therewasanairofmysterypervadingthestatelychamber。
Itsfurnishingsandappointmentsbespokewealthandculture，andcarriedthesuggestionthattheroomwasoftenthesceneofroyalfunctionswhichfilledittoitscapacity。
Andyetnowhereabouther，inantechamberorcorridor，wastheresignofanyotherbeingthanherselfandtherecumbentfigureofTario，thejeddak，whowatchedherthroughhalf—closedeyesfromthegorgeoustrappingsofhisregalcouch。
ForatimeafterthedepartureofJavandCarthoristhemaneyedherintently。Thenhespoke。
"Comenearer，"hesaid，and，assheapproached：
"Whosecreatureareyou？Whohasdaredmaterializehisimaginingsofwoman？ItiscontrarytothecustomsandtheroyaledictsofLothar。Tellme，woman，fromwhosebrainhaveyousprung？Jav’s？No，donotdenyit。
Iknowthatitcouldbenootherthanthatenviousrealist。
Heseekstotemptme。Hewouldseemefallbeneaththespellofyourcharms，andthenhe，yourmaster，woulddirectmydestinyand——myend。Iseeitall！
Iseeitall！"
ThebloodofindignationandangerhadbeenrisingtoThuvia’sface。Herchinwasup，ahaughtycurveuponherperfectlips。
"Iknownaught，"shecried，"ofwhatyouareprating！
IamThuvia，PrincessofPtarth。Iamnoman’s`creature。’Neverbeforeto—daydidIlayeyesuponhimyoucallJav，noruponyourridiculouscity，ofwhicheventhegreatestnationsofBarsoomhaveneverdreamed。
"Mycharmsarenotforyou，norsuchasyou。Theyarenotforsaleorbarter，eventhoughthepricewerearealthrone。Andasforusingthemtowinyourworsethanfutilepower——"Sheendedhersentencewithashrugofhershapelyshoulders，andalittlescornfullaugh。
WhenshehadfinishedTariowassittingupontheedgeofhiscouch，hisfeetuponthefloor。Hewasleaningforwardwitheyesnolongerhalfclosed，butwidewithastartledexpressioninthem。
HedidnotseemtonotetheLESEMAJESTEofherwordsandmanner。Therewasevidentlysomethingmorestartlingandcompellingaboutherspeechthanthat。
Slowlyhecametohisfeet。
"BythefangsofKomal！"hemuttered。"ButyouareREAL！
AREALwoman！Nodream！Novainandfoolishfigmentofthemind！"
Hetookasteptowardher，withhandsoutstretched。
"Come！"hewhispered。"Come，woman！ForcountlessageshaveIdreamedthatsomedayyouwouldcome。
AndnowthatyouarehereIcanscarcebelievethetestimonyofmyeyes。Evennow，knowingthatyouarereal，Istillhalfdreadthatyoumaybealie。"
Thuviashrankback。Shethoughtthemanmad。
Herhandstoletothejewelledhiltofherdagger。
Themansawthemove，andstopped。Acunningexpressionenteredhiseyes。Thentheybecameatoncedreamyandpenetratingastheyfairlyboredintothegirl’sbrain。
Thuviasuddenlyfeltachangecomingoverher。Whatthecauseofitshedidnotguess;butsomehowthemanbeforeherbegantoassumeanewrelationshipwithinherheart。
Nolongerwasheastrangeandmysteriousenemy，butanoldandtrustedfriend。Herhandslippedfromthedagger’shilt。Tariocamecloser。Hespokegentle，friendlywords，andsheansweredhiminavoicethatseemedhersandyetanother’s。
Hewasbesidehernow。Hishandwasuphershoulder。
Hiseyesweredown—benttowardhers。Shelookedupintohisface。Hisgazeseemedtoborestraightthroughhertosomehiddenspringofsentimentwithinher。
Herlipspartedinsuddenaweandwonderatthestrangerevealmentofherinnerselfthatwasbeinglaidbarebeforeherconsciousness。ShehadknownTarioforever。
Hewasmorethanfriendtoher。Shemovedalittleclosertohim。Inoneswiftfloodoflightsheknewthetruth。ShelovedTario，JeddakofLothar！
Shehadalwayslovedhim。
Theman，seeingthesuccessofhisstrategy，couldnotrestrainafaintsmileofsatisfaction。Whethertherewassomethingintheexpressionofhisface，orwhetherfromCarthorisofHeliuminafarchamberofthepalacecameamorepowerfulsuggestion，whomaysay？Butsomethingtherewasthatsuddenlydispelledthestrange，hypnoticinfluenceoftheman。
Asthoughamaskhadbeentornfromhereyes，ThuviasuddenlysawTarioasshehadformerlyseenhim，and，accustomedasshewastothestrangemanifestationsofhighlydevelopedmentalitywhicharecommonuponBarsoom，shequicklyguessedenoughofthetruthtoknowthatshewasingravedanger。
Quicklyshetookastepbackward，tearingherselffromhisgrasp。ButthemomentarycontacthadarousedwithinTarioallthelong—buriedpassionsofhislovelessexistence。
Withamuffledcryhespranguponher，throwinghisarmsaboutherandattemptingtodragherlipstohis。
"Woman！"hecried。"Lovelywoman！TariowouldmakeyouqueenofLothar。Listentome！ListentotheloveofthelastjeddaksofBarsoom。"
Thuviastruggledtofreeherselffromhisembrace。
"Stop，creature！"shecried。"Stop！Idonotloveyou。
Stop，orIshallscreamforhelp！"
Tariolaughedinherface。
"`Screamforhelp，’"hemimicked。"AndwhowithinthehallsofLotharistherewhomightcomeinanswertoyourcall？
WhowoulddareenterthepresenceofTario，unsummoned？"
"Thereisone，"shereplied，"whowouldcome，and，coming，daretocutyoudownuponyourownthrone，ifhethoughtthatyouhadofferedaffronttoThuviaofPtarth！"
"Who，Jav？"askedTario。
"NotJav，noranyothersoft—skinnedLotharian，"shereplied;
"butarealman，arealwarrior——CarthorisofHelium！"
Againthemanlaughedather。
"Youforgetthebowmen，"heremindedher。"Whatcouldyourredwarrioraccomplishagainstmyfearlesslegions？"
Againhecaughtherroughlytohim，dragginghertowardshiscouch。
"Ifyouwillnotbemyqueen，"hesaid，"youshallbemyslave。"
"Neither！"criedthegirl。
Asshespokethesinglewordtherewasaquickmoveofherrighthand;Tario，releasingher，staggeredback，bothhandspressedtohisside。Atthesameinstanttheroomfilledwithbowmen，andthenthejeddakofLotharsanksenselesstothemarblefloor。
AttheinstantthathelostconsciousnessthebowmenwereabouttoreleasetheirarrowsintoThuvia’sheart。
Involuntarilyshegaveasinglecryforhelp，thoughsheknewthatnotevenCarthorisofHeliumcouldsavehernow。
Thensheclosedhereyesandwaitedfortheend。Noslendershaftspiercedhertenderside。Sheraisedherlidstoseewhatstayedthehandofherexecutioners。
TheroomwasemptysaveforherselfandthestillformofthejeddakofLotharlyingatherfeet，alittlepoolofcrimsonstainingthewhitemarbleofthefloorbesidehim。Tariowasunconscious。
Thuviawasamazed。Wherewerethebowmen？Whyhadtheynotloosedtheirshafts？Whatcoulditallmean？
Aninstantbeforetheroomhadbeenmysteriouslyfilledwitharmedmen，evidentlycalledtoprotecttheirjeddak;
yetnow，withtheevidenceofherdeedplainbeforethem，theyhadvanishedasmysteriouslyastheyhadcome，leavingheralonewiththebodyoftheirruler，intowhosesideshehadslippedherlong，keenblade。
Thegirlglancedapprehensivelyabout，firstforsignsofthereturnofthebowmen，andthenforsomemeansofescape。
Thewallbehindthedaiswaspiercedbytwosmalldoorways，hiddenbyheavyhangings。Thuviawasrunningquicklytowardsoneofthesewhensheheardtheclankofawarrior’smetalattheendoftheapartmentbehindher。
Ah，ifshehadbutaninstantmoreoftimeshecouldhavereachedthatscreeningarrasand，perchance，havefoundsomeavenueofescapebehindit;butnowitwastoolate——shehadbeendiscovered！
Withafeelingthatwasakintoapathysheturnedtomeetherfate，andthere，beforeher，runningswiftlyacrossthebroadchambertoherside，wasCarthoris，hisnakedlong—swordgleaminginhishand。
FordaysshehaddoubtedhisintentionsoftheHeliumite。
Shehadthoughthimapartytoherabduction。SinceFatehadthrownthemtogethershehadscarcefavouredhimwithmorethanthemostperfunctoryrepliestohisremarks，unlessatsuchtimesastheweirdanduncannyhappeningsatLotharhadsurprisedheroutofherreserve。
SheknewthatCarthorisofHeliumwouldfightforher;
butwhethertosaveherforhimselforanother，shewasindoubt。
HeknewthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，butifhehadbeeninstrumentalinherabduction，hismotivescouldnotbepromptedbyloyaltytohisfriend，orregardforherhonour。
Andyet，asshesawhimcomingacrossthemarbleflooroftheaudiencechamberofTarioofLothar，hisfineeyesfilledwithapprehensionforhersafety，hissplendidfigurepersonifyingallthatisfinestinthefightingmenofmartialMars，shecouldnotbelievethatanyfaintesttraceofperfidylurkedbeneathsogloriousanexterior。
Never，shethought，inallherlifehadthesightofanymanbeensowelcometoher。Itwaswithdifficultythatsherefrainedfromrushingforwardtomeethim。
Sheknewthathelovedher;but，intime，sherecalledthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith。NotevenmightshetrustherselftoshowtoogreatgratitudetotheHeliumite，lesthemisunderstand。
Carthoriswasbyhersidenow。Hisquickglancehadtakeninthescenewithintheroom——thestillfigureofthejeddaksprawleduponthefloor——thegirlhasteningtowardashroudedexit。
"Didheharmyou，Thuvia？"heasked。
Shehelduphercrimsonedbladethathemightseeit。
"No，"shesaid，"hedidnotharmme。"
AgrimsmilelightedCarthoris’face。
"Praisedbeourfirstancestor！"hemurmured。
"AndnowletusseeifwemaynotmakegoodourescapefromthisaccursedcitybeforetheLothariansdiscoverthattheirjeddakisnomore。"
WiththefirmauthoritythatsatsowelluponhiminwhoseveinsflowedthebloodofJohnCarterofVirginiaandDejahThorisofHelium，hegraspedherhandand，turningbackacrossthehall，strodetowardthegreatdoorwaythroughwhichJavhadbroughtthemintothepresenceofthejeddakearlierintheday。
Theyhadalmostreachedthethresholdwhenafiguresprangintotheapartmentthroughanotherentrance。ItwasJav。
He，too，tookinthescenewithinataglance。
Carthoristurnedtofacehim，hisswordreadyinhishand，andhisgreatbodyshieldingtheslenderfigureofthegirl。
"Come，JavofLothar！"hecried。"Letusfacetheissueatonce，foronlyoneofusmayleavethischamberalivewithThuviaofPtarth。"Then，seeingthatthemanworenosword，heexclaimed："Bringonyourbowmen，then，orcomewithusasmyprisoneruntilwehavesafelypassedtheouterportalsofthyghostlycity。"
"YouhavekilledTario！"exclaimedJav，ignoringtheother’schallenge。"YouhavekilledTario！Iseehisblooduponthefloor——realblood——realdeath。Tariowas，afterall，asrealasI。Yethewasanetherealist。Hewouldnotmaterializehissustenance。Canitbethattheyareright？Well，we，too，areright。Andalltheseageswehavebeenquarrelling——eachsayingthattheotherwaswrong！
"However，heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar！"
Ashefinished，Tarioopenedhiseyesandthenquicklysatup。
"Traitor！Assassin！"hescreamed，andthen："Kadar！
Kadar！"whichistheBarsoomianforguard。
Javwentsicklywhite。Hefelluponhisbelly，wrigglingtowardTario。
"Oh，myJeddak，myJeddak！"hewhimpered。"Javhadnohandinthis。Jav，yourfaithfulJav，butjustthisinstantenteredtheapartmenttofindyoulyingproneuponthefloorandthesetwostrangersabouttoleave。HowithappenedIknownot。Believeme，mostgloriousJeddak！"
"Cease，knave！"criedTario。"Iheardyourwords：
`However，heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar。’
"Atlast，traitor，Ihavefoundyouout。Yourownwordshavecondemnedyouassurelyastheactsoftheseredcreatureshavesealedtheirfates——unless——"
Hepaused。"Unlessthewoman——"
Buthegotnofurther。Carthorisguessedwhathewouldhavesaid，andbeforethewordscouldbeutteredhehadsprungforwardandstruckthemanacrossthemouthwithhisopenpalm。
Tariofrothedinrageandmortification。
"AndshouldyouagainaffrontthePrincessofPtarth，"
warnedtheHeliumite，"Ishallforgetthatyouwearnosword——notforevermayIcontrolmyitchingswordhand。"
Tarioshrankbacktowardthelittledoorwaysbehindthedais。Hewastryingtospeak，butsohideouslywerethemusclesofhisfaceworkingthathecouldutternowordforseveralminutes。Atlasthemanagedtoarticulateintelligibly。
"Die！"heshrieked。"Die！"andthenheturnedtowardtheexitathisback。
Javleapedforward，screaminginterror。
"Havepity，Tario！Havepity！RememberthelongagesthatIhaveservedyoufaithfully。RememberallthatI
havedoneforLothar。Donotcondemnmenowtothedeathhideous。Saveme！Saveme！"
ButTarioonlylaughedamockinglaughandcontinuedtobacktowardthehangingsthathidthelittledoorway。
JavturnedtowardCarthoris。
"Stophim！"hescreamed。"Stophim！Ifyoulovelife，lethimnotleavethisroom，"andashespokeheleapedinpursuitofhisjeddak。
CarthorisfollowedJav’sexample，butthe"lastofthejeddaksofBarsoom"wastooquickforthem。
Bythetimetheyreachedthearrasbehindwhichhehaddisappeared，theyfoundaheavystonedoorblockingtheirfurtherprogress。
Javsanktothefloorinaspasmofterror。
"Come，man！"criedCarthoris。"Wearenotdeadyet。
Letushastentotheavenuesandmakeanattempttoleavethecity。Wearestillalive，andwhilewelivewemayyetendeavourtodirectourowndestinies。Ofwhatavail，tosinkspinelesstothefloor？Come，beaman！"
Javbutshookhishead。
"Didyounothearhimcalltheguards？"hemoaned。
"Ah，ifwecouldhavebutinterceptedhim！Thentheremighthavebeenhope;but，alas，hewastooquickforus。"
"Well，well，"exclaimedCarthorisimpatiently。"Whatifhedidcalltheguards？Therewillbetimeenoughtoworryaboutthataftertheycome——atpresentIseenoindicationthattheyhaveanyideaofover—exertingthemselvestoobeytheirjeddak’ssummons。"
Javshookhisheadmournfully。
"Youdonotunderstand，"hesaid。"Theguardshavealreadycome——andgone。Theyhavedonetheirworkandwearelost。Looktothevariousexits。"
CarthorisandThuviaturnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseveraldoorwayswhichpiercedthewallsofthegreatchamber。Eachwastightlyclosedbyhugestonedoors。
"Well？"askedCarthoris。
"Wearetodiethedeath，"whisperedJavfaintly。
Furtherthanthathewouldnotsay。Hejustsatupontheedgeofthejeddak’scouchandwaited。
CarthorismovedtoThuvia’sside，and，standingtherewithnakedsword，helethisbraveeyesroamceaselesslyaboutthegreatchamber，thatnofoemightspringuponthemunseen。
Forwhatseemedhoursnosoundbrokethesilenceoftheirlivingtomb。Nosigngavetheirexecutionersofthetimeormanneroftheirdeath。Thesuspensewasterrible。EvenCarthorisofHeliumbegantofeeltheterriblestrainuponhisnerves。Ifhecouldbutknowhowandwhencethehandofdeathwastostrike，hecouldmeetitunafraid，buttosufferlongerthehideoustensionofthisblightingignoranceoftheplansoftheirassassinswastellinguponhimgrievously。
ThuviaofPtarthdrewquiteclosetohim。Shefeltsaferwiththefeelofhisarmagainsthers，andwiththecontactofherthemantookanewgripuponhimself。
Withhisold—timesmileheturnedtowardher。
"Itwouldseemthattheyaretryingtofrightenustodeath，"
hesaid，laughing;"and，shamebeuponmethatIshouldconfessit，Ithinktheywereclosetoaccomplishingtheirdesignsuponme。"
ShewasabouttomakesomereplywhenafearfulshriekbrokefromthelipsoftheLotharian。
"Theendiscoming！"hecried。"Theendiscoming！
Thefloor！Thefloor！Oh，Komal，bemerciful！"
ThuviaandCarthorisdidnotneedtolookatthefloortobeawareofthestrangemovementthatwastakingplace。
Slowlythemarbleflaggingwassinkinginalldirectionstowardthecentre。Atfirstthemovement，beinggradual，wasscarcenoticeable;butpresentlytheangleofthefloorbecamesuchthatonemightstandeasilyonlybybendingonekneeconsiderably。
Javwasshriekingstill，andclawingattheroyalcouchthathadalreadycommencedtoslidetowardthecentreoftheroom，wherebothThuviaandCarthorissuddenlynotedasmallorificewhichgrewindiameterasthefloorassumedmorecloselyafunnel—likecontour。
Nowitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttoclingtothedizzyinclinationofthesmoothandpolishedmarble。
CarthoristriedtosupportThuvia，buthimselfcommencedtoslideandsliptowardtheever—enlargingaperture。
Bettertoclingtothesmoothstonehekickedoffhissandalsofzitidarhideandwithhisbarefeetbracedhimselfagainstthesickeningtilt，atthesametimethrowinghisarmssupportinglyaboutthegirl。
Inherterrorherownhandsclaspedabouttheman’sneck。
Hercheekwasclosetohis。Death，unseenandofunknownform，seemedcloseuponthem，andbecauseunseenandunknowableinfinitelymoreterrifying。
"Courage，myprincess，"hewhispered。
Shelookedupintohisfacetoseesmilinglipsabovehersandbraveeyes，untouchedbyterror，drinkingdeeplyofherown。
Thenthefloorsaggedandtiltedmoreswiftly。Therewasasuddenslippingrushastheywereprecipitatedtowardtheaperture。
Jav’sscreamsroseweirdandhorribleintheirears，andthenthethreefoundthemselvespiledupontheroyalcouchofTario，whichhadstuckwithintheapertureatthebaseofthemarblefunnel。
Foramomenttheybreathedmorefreely，butpresentlytheydiscoveredthattheaperturewascontinuingtoenlarge。Thecouchslippeddownward。Javshriekedagain。Therewasasickeningsensationastheyfeltallletgobeneaththem，astheyfellthroughdarknesstoanunknowndeath。
CHAPTERIX
THEBATTLEINTHEPLAIN
Thedistancefromthebottomofthefunneltothefloorofthechamberbeneathitcouldnothavebeengreat，forallthreeofthevictimsofTario’swrathalightedunscathed。
Carthoris，stillclaspingThuviatightlytohisbreast，cametothegroundcatlike，uponhisfeet，breakingtheshockforthegirl。Scarcehadhisfeettouchedtheroughstoneflaggingofthisnewchamberthanhisswordflashedoutreadyforinstantuse。Butthoughtheroomwaslighted，therewasnosignofenemyabout。
CarthorislookedtowardJav。Themanwaspastywhitewithfear。
"Whatistobeourfate？"askedtheHeliumite。"Tellme，man！Shakeoffyourterrorlongenoughtotellme，soImaybepreparedtosellmylifeandthatofthePrincessofPtarthasdearlyaspossible。"
"Komal！"whisperedJav。"WearetobedevouredbyKomal！"
"Yourdeity？"askedCarthoris。
TheLothariannoddedhishead。Thenhepointedtowardalowdoorwayatoneendofthechamber。
"Fromthencewillhecomeuponus。Layasideyourpunysword，fool。Itwillbutenragehimthemoreandmakeoursufferingstheworse。"
Carthorissmiled，grippinghislong—swordthemorefirmly。
PresentlyJavgaveahorrifiedmoan，atthesametimepointingtowardthedoor。
"Hehascome，"hewhimpered。
CarthorisandThuvialookedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated，expectingtoseesomestrangeandfearfulcreatureinhumanform;buttotheirastonishmenttheysawthebroadheadandgreat—manedshouldersofahugebanth，thelargestthateithereverhadseen。
Slowlyandwithdignitythemightybeastadvancedintotheroom。Javhadfallentothefloor，andwaswrigglinghisbodyinthesameservilemannerthathehadadoptedtowardTario。Hespoketothefiercebeastashewouldhavespokentoahumanbeing，pleadingwithitformercy。
CarthorissteppedbetweenThuviaandthebanth，hisswordreadytocontestthebeast’svictoryoverthem。
ThuviaturnedtowardJav。
"IsthisKomal，yourgod？"sheasked。
Javnoddedaffirmatively。Thegirlsmiled，andthen，brushingpastCarthoris，shesteppedswiftlytowardthegrowlingcarnivore。
Inlow，firmtonesshespoketoitasshehadspokentothebanthsoftheGoldenCliffsandthescavengersbeforethewallsofLothar。
Thebeastceaseditsgrowling。Withloweredheadandcatlikepurr，itcameslinkingtothegirl’sfeet。
ThuviaturnedtowardCarthoris。
"Itisbutabanth，"shesaid。"Wehavenothingtofearfromit。"
Carthorissmiled。
"Ididnotfearit，"hereplied，"forI，too，believedittobeonlyabanth，andIhavemylong—sword。"
Javsatupandgazedatthespectaclebeforehim——theslendergirlweavingherfingersinthetawnymaneofthehugecreaturethathehadthoughtdivine，whileKomalrubbedhishideoussnoutagainstherside。
"Sothisisyourgod！"laughedThuvia。
Javlookedbewildered。HescarceknewwhetherhedarechanceoffendingKomalornot，forsostrongisthepowerofsuperstitionthateventhoughweknowthatwehavebeenreverencingasham，yetstillwehesitatetoadmitthevalidityofournew—foundconvictions。
"Yes，"hesaid，"thisisKomal。ForagestheenemiesofTariohavebeenhurledtothispittofillhismaw，forKomalmustbefed。"
"Isthereanywayoutofthischambertotheavenuesofthecity？"askedCarthoris。
Javshrugged。
"Idonotknow，"hereplied。"NeverhaveIbeenherebefore，noreverhaveIcaredtodoso。"
"Come，"suggestedThuvia，"letusexplore。
Theremustbeawayout。"
TogetherthethreeapproachedthedoorwaythroughwhichKomalhadenteredtheapartmentthatwastohavewitnessedtheirdeaths。Beyondwasalow—roofedlair，withasmalldooratthefarend。
This，totheirdelight，openedtotheliftingofanordinarylatch，lettingthemintoacirculararena，surroundedbytiersofseats。
"HereiswhereKomalisfedinpublic，"explainedJav。"HadTariodareditwouldhavebeenherethatourfateshadbeensealed;buthefearedtoomuchthykeenblade，redman，andsohehurledusalldownwardtothepit。Ididnotknowhowcloselyconnectedwerethetwochambers。Nowwemayeasilyreachtheavenuesandthecitygates。Onlythebowmenmaydisputetherightofway，and，knowingtheirsecret，Idoubtthattheyhavepowertoharmus。"
Anotherdoorledtoaflightofstepsthatrosefromthearenalevelupwardthroughtheseatstoanexitatthebackofthehall。Beyondthiswasastraight，broadcorridor，runningdirectlythroughthepalacetothegardensattheside。
Nooneappearedtoquestionthemastheyadvanced，mightyKomalpacingbythegirl’sside。
"Wherearethepeopleofthepalace——thejeddak’sretinue？"
askedCarthoris。"EveninthecitystreetsaswecamethroughIscarcesawsignofahumanbeing，yetallaboutareevidencesofamightypopulation。"
Javsighed。
"PoorLothar，"hesaid。"Itisindeedacityofghosts。
Therearescarceathousandofusleft，whooncewerenumberedinthemillions。Ourgreatcityispeopledbythecreaturesofourownimaginings。Forourownneedswedonottakethetroubletomaterializethesepeoplesofourbrain，yettheyareapparenttous。
"EvennowIseegreatthrongsliningtheavenue，hasteningtoandfrointheroundoftheirduties。
Iseewomenandchildrenlaughingonthebalconies——theseweareforbiddentomaterialize;butyetIseethem——theyarehere……Butwhynot？"hemused。"NolongerneedI
fearTario——hehasdonehisworst，andfailed。Whynotindeed？
"Stay，friends，"hecontinued。"WouldyouseeLotharinallherglory？"
CarthorisandThuvianoddedtheirassent，moreoutofcourtesythanbecausetheyfullygraspedtheimportofhismutterings。
Javgazedatthempenetratinglyforaninstant，then，withawaveofhishand，cried："Look！"
Thesightthatmetthemwasawe—inspiring。Wherebeforetherehadbeennaughtbutdesertedpavementsandscarletswards，yawningwindowsandtenantlessdoors，nowswarmedacountlessmultitudeofhappy，laughingpeople。
"Itisthepast，"saidJavinalowvoice。"Theydonotseeus——theybutlivetheolddeadpastofancientLothar——thedeadandcrumbledLotharofantiquity，whichstoodupontheshoreofThroxus，mightiestofthefiveoceans。
"Seethosefine，upstandingmenswingingalongthebroadavenue？Seetheyounggirlsandthewomensmileuponthem？Seethemengreetthemwithloveandrespect？
Thosebeseafarerscomingupfromtheirshipswhichlieatthequaysatthecity’sedge。
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