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