第6章

TheymusthaveeitherheardorguessedwhichwayIwent，forIhadproceededbutashortdistancewhenIheardthesoundofpursuit。

IhadnomindtostopandfightthesemenherewhentherewasfightingaplentyelsewhereinthecityofKadabra——fightingthatcouldbeofmuchmoreavailtomeandminethanuselesslife—takingfarbelowthepalace。

Butthefellowswerepressingme;andasIdidnotknowthewayatall，IsoonsawthattheywouldovertakemeunlessIfoundaplacetoconcealmyselfuntiltheyhadpassed，whichwouldthengivemeanopportunitytoreturnthewayIhadcomeandregainthetower，orpossiblyfindawaytoreachthecitystreets。

Thepassagewayhadrisenrapidlysinceleavingtheapartmentoftheswitch，andnowranlevelandwelllightedstraightintothedistanceasfarasIcouldsee。ThemomentthatmypursuersreachedthisstraightstretchIwouldbeinplainsightofthem，withnochancetoescapefromthecorridorundetected。

PresentlyIsawaseriesofdoorsopeningfromeithersideofthecorridor，andastheyalllookedaliketomeItriedthefirstonethatIreached。Itopenedintoasmallchamber，luxuriouslyfurnished，andwasevidentlyanante—chamberoffsomeofficeoraudiencechamberofthepalace。

OnthefarsidewasaheavilycurtaineddoorwaybeyondwhichIheardthehumofvoices。InstantlyIcrossedthesmallchamber，and，partingthecurtains，lookedwithinthelargerapartment。

Beforemewereapartyofperhapsfiftygorgeouslycladnoblesofthecourt，standingbeforeathroneuponwhichsatSalensusOll。

TheJeddakofJeddakswasaddressingthem。

"Theallottedhourhascome，"hewassayingasIenteredtheapartment;

"andthoughtheenemiesofOkarbewithinhergates，naughtmaystaythewillofSalensusOll。ThegreatceremonymustbeomittedthatnosinglemanmaybekeptfromhisplaceinthedefensesotherthanthefiftythatcustomdemandsshallwitnessthecreationofanewqueeninOkar。

"Inamomentthethingshallhavebeendoneandwemayreturntothebattle，whileshewhoisnowthePrincessofHeliumlooksdownfromthequeen’stowerupontheannihilationofherformercountrymenandwitnessesthegreatnesswhichisherhusband’s。"

Then，turningtoacourtier，heissuedsomecommandinalowvoice。

Theaddressedhastenedtoasmalldooratthefarendofthechamberand，swingingitwide，cried："WayforDejahThoris，futureQueenofOkar！"

Immediatelytwoguardsmenappeareddraggingtheunwillingbridetowardthealtar。Herhandswerestillmanacledbehindher，evidentlytopreventsuicide。

Herdisheveledhairandpantingbosombetokenedthat，chainedthoughshewas，stillhadshefoughtagainstthethingthattheywoulddotoher。

AtsightofherSalensusOllroseanddrewhissword，andtheswordofeachofthefiftynobleswasraisedonhightoformanarch，beneathwhichthepoor，beautifulcreaturewasdraggedtowardherdoom。

AgrimsmileforceditselftomylipsasIthoughtoftherudeawakeningthatlayinstorefortherulerofOkar，andmyitchingfingersfondledthehiltofmybloodysword。

AsIwatchedtheprocessionthatmovedslowlytowardthethrone——

aprocessionwhichconsistedofbutahandfulofpriests，whofollowedDejahThorisandthetwoguardsmen——IcaughtafleetingglimpseofablackfacepeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatcoveredthewallbackofthedaisuponwhichstoodSalensusOllawaitinghisbride。

NowtheguardsmenwereforcingthePrincessofHeliumupthefewstepstothesideofthetyrantofOkar，andIhadnoeyesandnothoughtsforaughtelse。Apriestopenedabookand，raisinghishand，commencedtodroneoutasing—songritual。

SalensusOllreachedforthehandofhisbride。

Ihadintendedwaitinguntilsomecircumstanceshouldgivemeareasonablehopeofsuccess;for，eventhoughtheentireceremonyshouldbecompleted，therecouldbenovalidmarriagewhileIlived。

WhatIwasmostconcernedin，ofcourse，wastherescuingofDejahThoris——IwishedtotakeherfromthepalaceofSalensusOll，ifsuchathingwerepossible;butwhetheritwereaccomplishedbeforeorafterthemockmarriagewasamatterofsecondaryimport。

When，however，IsawthevilehandofSalensusOllreachoutforthehandofmybelovedprincessIcouldrestrainmyselfnolonger，andbeforethenoblesofOkarknewthataughthadhappenedIhadleapedthroughtheirthinlineandwasuponthedaisbesideDejahThorisandSalensusOll。

WiththeflatofmyswordIstruckdownhispollutinghand;

andgraspingDejahThorisroundthewaist，Iswungherbehindmeas，withmybackagainstthedraperiesofthedais，Ifacedthetyrantofthenorthandhisroomfulofnoblewarriors。

TheJeddakofJeddakswasagreatmountainofaman——acoarse，brutalbeastofaman——andashetoweredabovemethere，hisfierceblackwhiskersandmustachebristlinginrage，Icanwellimaginethatalessseasonedwarriormighthavetrembledbeforehim。

Withasnarlhesprangtowardmewithnakedsword，butwhetherSalensusOllwasagoodswordsmanorapoorIneverlearned;

forwithDejahThorisatmybackIwasnolongerhuman——Iwasasuperman，andnomancouldhavewithstoodmethen。

Withasingle，low："ForthePrincessofHelium！"IranmybladestraightthroughtherottenheartofOkar’srottenruler，andbeforethewhite，drawnfacesofhisnoblesSalensusOllrolled，grinninginhorribledeath，tothefootofthestepsbelowhismarriagethrone。

Foramomenttensesilencereignedinthenuptial—room。Thenthefiftynoblesrusheduponme。Furiouslywefought，buttheadvantagewasmine，forIstooduponaraisedplatformabovethem，andIfoughtforthemostgloriouswomanofagloriousrace，andIfoughtforagreatloveandforthemotherofmyboy。

Andfrombehindmyshoulder，inthesilverycadenceofthatdearvoice，rosethebravebattleanthemofHeliumwhichthenation’swomensingastheirmenmarchouttovictory。

Thatalonewasenoughtoinspiremetovictoryoverevengreaterodds，andIverilybelievethatIshouldhavebestedtheentireroomfulofyellowwarriorsthatdayinthenuptialchamberofthepalaceatKadabrahadnotinterruptioncometomyaid。

FastandfuriouswasthefightingasthenoblesofSalensusOllsprang，timeandagain，upthestepsbeforethethroneonlytofallbackbeforeaswordhandthatseemedtohavegainedanewwizardryfromitsexperiencewiththecunningSolan。

TwowerepressingmesocloselythatIcouldnotturnwhenIheardamovementbehindme，andnotedthatthesoundofthebattleanthemhadceased。WasDejahThorispreparingtotakeherplacebesideme？

Heroicdaughterofaheroicworld！Itwouldnotbeunlikehertohaveseizedaswordandfoughtatmyside，for，thoughthewomenofMarsarenottrainedintheartsofwar，thespiritistheirs，andtheyhavebeenknowntodothatverythinguponcountlessoccasions。

Butshedidnotcome，andgladIwas，foritwouldhavedoubledmyburdeninprotectingherbeforeIshouldhavebeenabletoforceherbackagainoutofharm’sway。Shemustbecontemplatingsomecunningstrategy，Ithought，andsoIfoughtonsecureinthebeliefthatmydivineprincessstoodclosebehindme。

ForhalfanhouratleastImusthavefoughtthereagainstthenoblesofOkarereeveraoneplacedafootuponthedaiswhereIstood，andthenofasuddenallthatremainedofthemformedbelowmeforalast，mad，desperatecharge;butevenastheyadvancedthedooratthefarendofthechamberswungwideandawild—eyedmessengersprangintotheroom。

"TheJeddakofJeddaks！"hecried。"WhereistheJeddakofJeddaks？

Thecityhasfallenbeforethehordesfrombeyondthebarrier，andbutnowthegreatgateofthepalaceitselfhasbeenforcedandthewarriorsofthesoutharepouringintoitssacredprecincts。

"WhereisSalensusOll？Healonemayrevivetheflaggingcourageofourwarriors。HealonemaysavethedayforOkar。WhereisSalensusOll？"

Thenoblessteppedbackfromaboutthedeadbodyoftheirruler，andoneofthempointedtothegrinningcorpse。

Themessengerstaggeredbackinhorrorasthoughfromablowintheface。

"Thenfly，noblesofOkar！"hecried，"fornaughtcansaveyou。Hark！

Theycome！"

Ashespokeweheardthedeeproarofangrymenfromthecorridorwithout，andtheclankofmetalandtheclangofswords。

Withoutanotherglancetowardme，whohadstoodaspectatorofthetragicscene，thenobleswheeledandfledfromtheapartmentthroughanotherexit。

Almostimmediatelyaforceofyellowwarriorsappearedinthedoorwaythroughwhichthemessengerhadcome。Theywerebackingtowardtheapartment，stubbornlyresistingtheadvanceofahandfulofredmenwhofacedthemandforcedthemslowlybutinevitablyback。

AbovetheheadsofthecontestantsIcouldseefrommyelevatedstationuponthedaisthefaceofmyoldfriendKantosKan。

HewasleadingthelittlepartythathadwonitswayintotheveryheartofthepalaceofSalensusOll。

InaninstantIsawthatbyattackingtheOkariansfromtherearIcouldsoquicklydisorganizethemthattheirfurtherresistancewouldbeshort—lived，andwiththisideainmindI

sprangfromthedais，castingawordofexplanationtoDejahThorisovermyshoulder，thoughIdidnotturntolookather。

Withmyselfeverbetweenherenemiesandherself，andwithKantosKanandhiswarriorswinningtotheapartment，therecouldbenodangertoDejahThorisstandingtherealonebesidethethrone。

IwantedthemenofHeliumtoseemeandtoknowthattheirbelovedprincesswashere，too，forIknewthatthisknowledgewouldinspirethemtoevengreaterdeedsofvalorthantheyhadperformedinthepast，thoughgreatindeedmusthavebeenthosewhichwonforthemawayintothealmostimpregnablepalaceofthetyrantofthenorth。

AsIcrossedthechambertoattacktheKadabransfromtherearasmalldoorwayatmyleftopened，and，tomysurprise，revealedthefiguresofMataiShang，FatherofThernsandPhaidor，hisdaughter，peeringintotheroom。

Aquickglanceabouttheytook。Theireyesrestedforamoment，wideinhorror，uponthedeadbodyofSalensusOll，uponthebloodthatcrimsonedthefloor，uponthecorpsesofthenobleswhohadfallenthickbeforethethrone，uponme，anduponthebattlingwarriorsattheotherdoor。

Theydidnotessaytoentertheapartment，butscanneditseverycornerfromwheretheystood，andthen，whentheireyeshadsoughtitsentirearea，alookoffiercerageoverspreadthefeaturesofMataiShang，andacoldandcunningsmiletouchedthelipsofPhaidor。

Thentheyweregone，butnotbeforeatauntinglaughwasthrowndirectlyinmyfacebythewoman。

IdidnotunderstandthenthemeaningofMataiShang’srageorPhaidor’spleasure，butIknewthatneitherbodedgoodforme。

AmomentlaterIwasuponthebacksoftheyellowmen，andastheredmenofHeliumsawmeabovetheshouldersoftheirantagonistsagreatshoutrangthroughthecorridor，andforamomentdrownedthenoiseofbattle。

"ForthePrinceofHelium！"theycried。"ForthePrinceofHelium！"

and，likehungrylionsupontheirprey，theyfelloncemoreupontheweakeningwarriorsofthenorth。

Theyellowmen，corneredbetweentwoenemies，foughtwiththedesperationthatutterhopelessnessofteninduces。FoughtasI

shouldhavefoughthadIbeenintheirstead，withthedeterminationtotakeasmanyofmyenemieswithmewhenIdiedaslaywithinthepowerofmyswordarm。

Itwasagloriousbattle，buttheendseemedinevitable，whenpresentlyfromdownthecorridorbehindtheredmencameagreatbodyofreenforcingyellowwarriors。

Nowwerethetablesturned，anditwasthemenofHeliumwhoseemeddoomedtobegroundbetweentwomillstones。Allwerecompelledtoturntomeetthisnewassaultbyagreatlysuperiorforce，sothattomewaslefttheremnantsoftheyellowmenwithinthethroneroom。

Theykeptmebusy，too;sobusythatIbegantowonderifindeedIshouldeverbedonewiththem。Slowlytheypressedmebackintotheroom，andwhentheyhadallpassedinafterme，oneofthemclosedandboltedthedoor，effectuallybarringthewayagainstthemenofKantosKan。

Itwasaclevermove，foritputmeatthemercyofadozenmenwithinachamberfromwhichassistancewaslockedout，anditgavetheredmeninthecorridorbeyondnoavenueofescapeshouldtheirnewantagonistspressthemtooclosely。

ButIhavefacedheavieroddsmyselfthanwerepittedagainstmethatday，andIknewthatKantosKanhadbattledhiswayfromahundredmoredangeroustrapsthanthatinwhichhenowwas。

SoitwaswithnofeelingsofdespairthatIturnedmyattentiontothebusinessofthemoment。

ConstantlymythoughtsrevertedtoDejahThoris，andIlongedforthemomentwhen，thefightingdone，Icouldfoldherinmyarms，andhearoncemorethewordsoflovewhichhadbeendeniedmeforsomanyyears。

DuringthefightinginthechamberIhadnotevenasinglechancetosomuchasstealaglanceatherwhereshestoodbehindmebesidethethroneofthedeadruler。IwonderedwhyshenolongerurgedmeonwiththestrainsofthemartialhymnofHelium;

butIdidnotneedmorethantheknowledgethatIwasbattlingforhertobringoutthebestthatisinme。

Itwouldbewearisometonarratethedetailsofthatbloodystruggle;

ofhowwefoughtfromthedoorway，thefulllengthoftheroomtotheveryfootofthethronebeforethelastofmyantagonistsfellwithmybladepiercinghisheart。

Andthen，withagladcry，Iturnedwithoutstretchedarmstoseizemyprincess，andasmylipssmotheredherstoreaptherewardthatwouldbethriceamplepaymentforthebloodyencountersthroughwhichIhadpassedforherdearsakefromthesouthpoletothenorth。

Thegladcrydied，frozenuponmylips;myarmsdroppedlimpandlifelesstomysides;asonewhoreelsbeneaththeburdenofamortalwoundIstaggeredupthestepsbeforethethrone。

DejahThoriswasgone。

REWARDS

WiththerealizationthatDejahThoriswasnolongerwithinthethroneroomcamethebelatedrecollectionofthedarkfacethatI

hadglimpsedpeeringfrombehindthedraperiesthatbackedthethroneofSalensusOllatthemomentthatIhadfirstcomesounexpectedlyuponthestrangescenebeingenactedwithinthechamber。

Whyhadthesightofthatevilcountenancenotwarnedmetogreatercaution？WhyhadIpermittedtherapiddevelopmentofnewsituationstoeffacetherecollectionofthatmenacingdanger？

But，alas，vainregretwouldnoterasethecalamitythathadbefallen。

OnceagainhadDejahThorisfallenintotheclutchesofthatarchfiend，Thurid，theblackdatoroftheFirstBorn。Againwasallmyarduouslaborgonefornaught。NowIrealizedthecauseoftheragethathadbeenwritsolargeuponthefeaturesofMataiShangandthecruelpleasurethatIhadseenuponthefaceofPhaidor。

Theyhadknownorguessedthetruth，andthehekkadoroftheHolyTherns，whohadevidentlycometothechamberinthehopeofthwartingSalensusOllinhiscontemplatedperfidyagainstthehighpriestwhocovetedDejahThorisforhimself，realizedthatThuridhadstolentheprizefrombeneathhisverynose。

Phaidor’spleasurehadbeenduetoherrealizationofwhatthislastcruelblowwouldmeantome，aswellastoapartialsatisfactionofherjealoushatredforthePrincessofHelium。

Myfirstthoughtwastolookbeyondthedraperiesatthebackofthethrone，forthereitwasthatIhadseenThurid。WithasinglejerkItorethepricelessstufffromitsfastenings，andtherebeforemewasrevealedanarrowdoorwaybehindthethrone。

NoquestionenteredmymindbutthatherelaytheopeningoftheavenueofescapewhichThuridhadfollowed，andhadtherebeenitwouldhavebeendissipatedbythesightofatiny，jeweledornamentwhichlayafewstepswithinthecorridorbeyond。

AsIsnatchedupthebaubleIsawthatitborethedeviceofthePrincessofHelium，andthenpressingittomylipsIdashedmadlyalongthewindingwaythatledgentlydownwardtowardthelowergalleriesofthepalace。

IhadfollowedbutashortdistancewhenIcameupontheroominwhichSolanformerlyhadheldsway。HisdeadbodystilllaywhereIhadleftit，norwasthereanysignthatanotherhadpassedthroughtheroomsinceIhadbeenthere;butIknewthattwohaddoneso——Thurid，theblackdator，andDejahThoris。

ForamomentIpauseduncertainastowhichoftheseveralexitsfromtheapartmentwouldleadmeupontherightpath。

ItriedtorecollectthedirectionswhichIhadheardThuridrepeattoSolan，andatlast，slowly，asthoughthroughaheavyfog，thememoryofthewordsoftheFirstBorncametome：

"Followacorridor，passingthreedivergingcorridorsupontheright;

thenintothefourthright—handcorridortowherethreecorridorsmeet;

hereagainfollowtotheright，huggingtheleftwallcloselytoavoidthepit。AttheendofthiscorridorIshallcometoaspiralrunwaywhichImustfollowdowninsteadofup;afterthatthewayisalongbutasinglebranchlesscorridor。"

AndIrecalledtheexitatwhichhehadpointedashespoke。

Itdidnottakemelongtostartuponthatunknownway，nordidIgowithcaution，althoughIknewthattheremightbegravedangersbeforeme。

Partofthewaywasblackassin，butforthemostitwasfairlywelllighted。ThestretchwhereImusthugtheleftwalltoavoidthepitswasdarkestofthemall，andIwasnearlyovertheedgeoftheabyssbeforeIknewthatIwasnearthedangerspot。

Anarrowledge，scarceafootwide，wasallthathadbeenlefttocarrytheinitiatedpastthatfrightfulcavityintowhichtheunknowingmustsurelyhavetoppledatthefirststep。ButatlastIhadwonsafelybeyondit，andthenafeeblelightmadethebalanceofthewayplain，until，attheendofthelastcorridor，Icamesuddenlyoutintotheglareofdayuponafieldofsnowandice。

CladforthewarmatmosphereofthehothousecityofKadabra，thesuddenchangetoarcticfrigiditywasanythingbutpleasant;

buttheworstofitwasthatIknewIcouldnotendurethebittercold，almostnakedasIwas，andthatIwouldperishbeforeeverIcouldovertakeThuridandDejahThoris。

Tobethusblockedbynature，whohadhadalltheartsandwilesofcunningmanpittedagainsthim，seemedacruelfate，andasIstaggeredbackintothewarmthofthetunnel’sendIwasasnearhopelessnessasIeverhavebeen。

Ihadbynomeansgivenupmyintentionofcontinuingthepursuit，forifneedsbeIwouldgoaheadthoughIperishedereeverIreachedmygoal，butiftherewereasaferwayitwerewellworththedelaytoattempttodiscoverit，thatImightcomeagaintothesideofDejahThorisinfitconditiontodobattleforher。

ScarcehadIreturnedtothetunnelthanIstumbledoveraportionofafurgarmentthatseemedfastenedtothefloorofthecorridorclosetothewall。InthedarknessIcouldnotseewhatheldit，butbygropingwithmyhandsIdiscoveredthatitwaswedgedbeneaththebottomofacloseddoor。

Pushingtheportalaside，Ifoundmyselfuponthethresholdofasmallchamber，thewallsofwhichwerelinedwithhooksfromwhichdependedsuitsofthecompleteoutdoorappareloftheyellowmen。

Situatedasitwasatthemouthofatunnelleadingfromthepalace，itwasquiteevidentthatthiswasthedressing—roomusedbythenoblesleavingandenteringthehothousecity，andthatThurid，havingknowledgeofit，hadstoppedheretooutfithimselfandDejahThorisbeforeventuringintothebittercoldofthearcticworldbeyond。

Inhishastehehaddroppedseveralgarmentsuponthefloor，andthetelltalefurthathadfallenpartlywithinthecorridorhadprovedthemeansofguidingmetotheveryspothewouldleasthavewishedmetohaveknowledgeof。

Itrequiredbutthematterofafewsecondstodonthenecessaryorluk—skinclothing，withtheheavy，fur—linedbootsthataresoessentialapartofthegarmentureofonewhowouldsuccessfullycontendwiththefrozentrailsandtheicywindsofthebleaknorthland。

OncemoreIsteppedbeyondthetunnel’smouthtofindthefreshtracksofThuridandDejahThorisinthenew—fallensnow。

Now，atlast，wasmytaskaneasyone，forthoughthegoingwasroughintheextreme，IwasnolongervexedbydoubtsastothedirectionIshouldfollow，orharassedbydarknessorhiddendangers。

Throughasnow—coveredcanyonthewayleduptowardthesummitoflowhills。Beyondtheseitdippedagainintoanothercanon，onlytoriseaquarter—milefartherontowardapasswhichskirtedtheflankofarockyhill。

IcouldseebythesignsofthosewhohadgonebeforethatwhenDejahThorishadwalkedshehadbeencontinuallyholdingback，andthattheblackmanhadbeencompelledtodragher。Forotherstretchesonlyhisfoot—printswerevisible，deepandclosetogetherintheheavysnow，andIknewfromthesesignsthatthenhehadbeenforcedtocarryher，andIcouldwellimaginethatshehadfoughthimfiercelyeverystepoftheway。

AsIcameroundthejuttingpromontoryofthehill’sshoulderI

sawthatwhichquickenedmypulsesandsetmyhearttobeatinghigh，forwithinatinybasinbetweenthecrestofthishillandthenextstoodfourpeoplebeforethemouthofagreatcave，andbesidethemuponthegleamingsnowrestedaflierwhichhadevidentlybutjustbeendraggedfromitshidingplace。

ThefourwereDejahThoris，Phaidor，Thurid，andMataiShang。

Thetwomenwereengagedinaheatedargument——theFatherofThernsthreatening，whiletheblackscoffedathimashewentabouttheworkatwhichhewasengaged。

AsIcrepttowardthemcautiouslythatImightcomeasnearaspossiblebeforebeingdiscovered，Isawthatfinallythemenappearedtohavereachedsomesortofacompromise，forwithPhaidor’sassistancetheybothsetaboutdraggingtheresistingDejahThoristotheflier’sdeck。

Heretheymadeherfast，andthenbothagaindescendedtothegroundtocompletethepreparationsfordeparture。Phaidorenteredthesmallcabinuponthevessel’sdeck。

IhadcometowithinaquarterofamileofthemwhenMataiShangespiedme。IsawhimseizeThuridbytheshoulder，wheelinghimaroundinmydirectionashepointedtowhereIwasnowplainlyvisible，forthemomentthatIknewIhadbeenperceivedIcastasideeveryattemptatstealthandbrokeintoamadracefortheflier。

Thetworedoubledtheireffortsatthepropelleratwhichtheywereworking，andwhichveryevidentlywasbeingreplacedafterhavingbeenremovedforsomepurposeofrepair。

TheyhadthethingcompletedbeforeIhadcoveredhalfthedistancethatlaybetweenmeandthem，andthenbothmadearushfortheboarding—ladder。

Thuridwasthefirsttoreachit，andwiththeagilityofamonkeyclamberedswiftlytotheboat’sdeck，whereatouchofthebuttoncontrollingthebuoyancytankssentthecraftslowlyupward，thoughnotwiththespeedthatmarksthewell—conditionedflier。

IwasstillsomehundredyardsawayasIsawthemrisingfrommygrasp。

BackbythecityofKadabralayagreatfleetofmightyfliers——

theshipsofHeliumandPtarththatIhadsavedfromdestructionearlierintheday;butbeforeeverIcouldreachthemThuridcouldeasilymakegoodhisescape。

AsIranIsawMataiShangclamberinguptheswaying，swingingladdertowardthedeck，whileabovehimleanedtheevilfaceoftheFirstBorn。Atrailingropefromthevessel’ssternputnewhopeinme，forifIcouldbutreachitbeforeitwhippedtoohighabovemyheadtherewasyetachancetogainthedeckbyitsslenderaid。

Thattherewassomethingradicallywrongwiththeflierwasevidentfromitslackofbuoyancy，andthefurtherfactthatthoughThuridhadturnedtwicetothestartinglevertheboatstillhungmotionlessintheair，exceptforaslightdriftingwithalowbreezefromthenorth。

NowMataiShangwasclosetothegunwale。Along，claw—likehandwasreachinguptograspthemetalrail。

Thuridleanedfartherdowntowardhisco—conspirator。

Suddenlyaraiseddaggergleamedintheupflunghandoftheblack。

DownitdrovetowardthewhitefaceoftheFatherofTherns。

WithaloudshriekoffeartheHolyHekkadorgraspedfranticallyatthatmenacingarm。

Iwasalmosttothetrailingropebynow。Thecraftwasstillrisingslowly，thewhileitdriftedfromme。ThenIstumbledontheicyway，strikingmyheaduponarockasIfellsprawlingbutanarm’slengthfromtherope，theendofwhichwasnowjustleavingtheground。

Withtheblowuponmyheadcameunconsciousness。

ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanafewsecondsthatIlaysenselessthereuponthenorthernice，whileallthatwasdearesttomedriftedfartherfrommyreachintheclutchesofthatblackfiend，forwhenIopenedmyeyesThuridandMataiShangyetbattledattheladder’stop，andtheflierdriftedbutahundredyardsfarthertothesouth——buttheendofthetrailingropewasnowagoodthirtyfeetabovetheground。

Goadedtomadnessbythecruelmisfortunethathadtrippedmewhensuccesswasalmostwithinmygrasp，Itorefranticallyacrosstheinterveningspace，andjustbeneaththerope’sdanglingendI

putmyearthlymusclestothesupremetest。

Withamighty，catlikeboundIsprangupwardtowardthatslenderstrand——theonlyavenuewhichyetremainedthatcouldcarrymetomyvanishinglove。

Afootaboveitslowestendmyfingersclosed。TightlyasI

clungIfelttheropeslipping，slippingthroughmygrasp。

Itriedtoraisemyfreehandtotakeasecondholdabovemyfirst，butthechangeofpositionthatresultedcausedmetoslipmorerapidlytowardtheendoftherope。

SlowlyIfeltthetantalizingthingescapingme。InamomentallthatIhadgainedwouldbelost——thenmyfingersreachedaknotattheveryendoftheropeandslippednomore。

WithaprayerofgratitudeuponmylipsIscrambledupwardtowardtheboat’sdeck。IcouldnotseeThuridandMataiShangnow，butIheardthesoundsofconflictandthusknewthattheystillfought——thethernforhislifeandtheblackfortheincreasedbuoyancythatrelieffromtheweightofevenasinglebodywouldgivethecraft。

ShouldMataiShangdiebeforeIreachedthedeckmychancesofeverreachingitwouldbeslenderindeed，fortheblackdatorneedbutcuttheropeabovemetobefreedfrommeforever，forthevesselhaddriftedacrossthebrinkofachasmintowhoseyawningdepthsmybodywoulddroptobecrushedtoashapelesspulpshouldThuridreachtheropenow。

Atlastmyhandclosedupontheship’srailandthatveryinstantahorridshriekrangoutbelowmethatsentmybloodcoldandturnedmyhorrifiedeyesdownwardtoashrieking，hurtling，twistingthingthatshotdownwardintotheawfulchasmbeneathme。

ItwasMataiShang，HolyHekkador，FatherofTherns，gonetohislastaccounting。

ThenmyheadcameabovethedeckandIsawThurid，daggerinhand，leapingtowardme。Hewasoppositetheforwardendofthecabin，whileIwasattemptingtoclamberaboardnearthevessel’sstern。

Butafewpaceslaybetweenus。Nopoweronearthcouldraisemetothatdeckbeforetheinfuriatedblackwouldbeuponme。

Myendhadcome。Iknewit;buthadtherebeenadoubtinmymindthenastyleeroftriumphuponthatwickedfacewouldhaveconvincedme。BeyondThuridIcouldseemyDejahThoris，wide—eyedandhorrified，strugglingatherbonds。Thatsheshouldbeforcedtowitnessmyawfuldeathmademybitterfateseemdoublycruel。

Iceasedmyeffortstoclimbacrossthegunwale。InsteadItookafirmgraspupontherailwithmylefthandanddrewmydagger。

IshouldatleastdieasIhadlived——fighting。

AsThuridcameoppositethecabin’sdoorwayanewelementprojecteditselfintothegrimtragedyoftheairthatwasbeingenacteduponthedeckofMataiShang’sdisabledflier。

ItwasPhaidor。

Withflushedfaceanddisheveledhair，andeyesthatbetrayedtherecentpresenceofmortaltears——abovewhichthisproudgoddesshadalwaysheldherself——sheleapedtothedeckdirectlybeforeme。

Inherhandwasalong，slimdagger。Icastalastlookuponmybelovedprincess，smiling，asmenshouldwhoareabouttodie。

ThenIturnedmyfaceuptowardPhaidor——waitingfortheblow。

NeverhaveIseenthatbeautifulfacemorebeautifulthanitwasatthatmoment。Itseemedincrediblethatonesolovelycouldyetharborwithinherfairbosomaheartsocruelandrelentless，andtodaytherewasanewexpressioninherwondrouseyesthatIneverbeforehadseenthere——anunfamiliarsoftness，andalookofsuffering。

Thuridwasbesidehernow——pushingpasttoreachmefirst，andthenwhathappenedhappenedsoquicklythatitwasalloverbeforeIcouldrealizethetruthofit。

Phaidor’sslimhandshotouttocloseupontheblack’sdaggerwrist。

Herrighthandwenthighwithitsgleamingblade。

"ThatforMataiShang！"shecried，andsheburiedherbladedeepinthedator’sbreast。"ThatforthewrongyouwouldhavedoneDejahThoris！"andagainthesharpsteelsankintothebloodyflesh。

"Andthat，andthat，andthat！"sheshrieked，"forJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium，"andwitheachwordhersharppointpiercedthevileheartofthegreatvillain。Then，withavindictiveshoveshecastthecarcassoftheFirstBornfromthedecktofallinawfulsilenceafterthebodyofhisvictim。

IhadbeensoparalyzedbysurprisethatIhadmadenomovetoreachthedeckduringtheawe—inspiringscenewhichIhadjustwitnessed，andnowIwastobestillfurtheramazedbyhernextact，forPhaidorextendedherhandtomeandassistedmetothedeck，whereIstoodgazingatherinunconcealedandstupefiedwonderment。

Awansmiletouchedherlips——itwasnotthecruelandhaughtysmileofthegoddesswithwhichIwasfamiliar。"Youwonder，JohnCarter，"shesaid，"whatstrangethinghaswroughtthischangeinme？Iwilltellyou。Itislove——loveofyou，"

andwhenIdarkenedmybrowsindisapprovalofherwordssheraisedanappealinghand。

"Wait，"shesaid。"Itisadifferentlovefrommine——itistheloveofyourprincess，DejahThoris，foryouthathastaughtmewhattruelovemaybe——whatitshouldbe，andhowfarfromreallovewasmyselfishandjealouspassionforyou。

"NowIamdifferent。NowcouldIloveasDejahThorisloves，andsomyonlyhappinesscanbetoknowthatyouandsheareoncemoreunited，forinheralonecanyoufindtruehappiness。

"ButIamunhappybecauseofthewickednessthatIhavewrought。

Ihavemanysinstoexpiate，andthoughIbedeathless，lifeisalltooshortfortheatonement。

"Butthereisanotherway，andifPhaidor，daughteroftheHolyHekkadoroftheHolyTherns，hassinnedshehasthisdayalreadymadepartialreparation，andlestyoudoubtthesincerityofherprotestationsandheravowalofanewlovethatembracesDejahThorisalso，shewillprovehersincerityintheonlywaythatliesopen——havingsavedyouforanother，Phaidorleavesyoutoherembraces。"

Withherlastwordsheturnedandleapedfromthevessel’sdeckintotheabyssbelow。

WithacryofhorrorIsprangforwardinavainattempttosavethelifethatfortwoyearsIwouldsogladlyhaveseenextinguished。Iwastoolate。

Withtear—dimmedeyesIturnedawaythatImightnotseetheawfulsightbeneath。

AmomentlaterIhadstruckthebondsfromDejahThoris，andasherdeararmswentaboutmyneckandherperfectlipspressedtomineIforgotthehorrorsthatIhadwitnessedandthesufferingthatIhadenduredintheraptureofmyreward。

THENEWRULER

TheflieruponwhosedeckDejahThorisandIfoundourselvesaftertwelvelongyearsofseparationprovedentirelyuseless。

Herbuoyancytanksleakedbadly。Herenginewouldnotstart。

Wewerehelplessthereinmidairabovethearcticice。

ThecrafthaddriftedacrossthechasmwhichheldthecorpsesofMataiShang，Thurid，andPhaidor，andnowhungabovealowhill。

OpeningthebuoyancyescapevalvesIpermittedhertocomeslowlytotheground，andasshetouched，DejahThorisandIsteppedfromherdeckand，handinhand，turnedbackacrossthefrozenwastetowardthecityofKadabra。

Throughthetunnelthathadledmeinpursuitofthemwepassed，walkingslowly，forwehadmuchtosaytoeachother。

ShetoldmeofthatlastterriblemomentmonthsbeforewhenthedoorofherprisoncellwithintheTempleoftheSunwasslowlyclosingbetweenus。OfhowPhaidorhadsprunguponherwithuplifteddagger，andofThuvia’sshriekasshehadrealizedthefoulintentionofthetherngoddess。

Ithadbeenthatcrythathadrunginmyearsallthelong，wearymonthsthatIhadbeenleftincrueldoubtastomyprincess’fate;forIhadnotknownthatThuviahadwrestedthebladefromthedaughterofMataiShangbeforeithadtouchedeitherDejahThorisorherself。

Shetoldme，too，oftheawfuleternityofherimprisonment。

OfthecruelhatredofPhaidor，andthetenderloveofThuvia，andofhowevenwhendespairwasthedarkestthosetworedgirlshadclungtothesamehopeandbelief——thatJohnCarterwouldfindawaytoreleasethem。

PresentlywecametothechamberofSolan。Ihadbeenproceedingwithoutthoughtofcaution，forIwassurethatthecityandthepalacewerebothinthehandsofmyfriendsbythistime。

AndsoitwasthatIboltedintothechamberfullintothemidstofadozennoblesofthecourtofSalensusOll。

Theywerepassingthroughontheirwaytotheoutsideworldalongthecorridorswehadjusttraversed。

Atsightofustheyhaltedintheirtracks，andthenanuglysmileoverspreadthefeaturesoftheirleader。

"Theauthorofallourmisfortunes！"hecried，pointingatme。

"WeshallhavethesatisfactionofapartialvengeanceatleastwhenweleavebehindusherethedeadandmutilatedcorpsesofthePrinceandPrincessofHelium。

"Whentheyfindthem，"hewenton，jerkinghisthumbupwardtowardthepalaceabove，"theywillrealizethatthevengeanceoftheyellowmancostshisenemiesdear。Preparetodie，JohnCarter，butthatyourendmaybethemorebitter，knowthatImaychangemyintentionastometingamercifuldeathtoyourprincess——

possiblysheshallbepreservedasaplaythingformynobles。"

Istoodclosetotheinstrument—coveredwall——DejahThorisatmyside。

Shelookedupatmewonderinglyasthewarriorsadvanceduponuswithdrawnswords，forminestillhungwithinitsscabbardatmyside，andtherewasasmileuponmylips。

Theyellownobles，too，lookedinsurprise，andthenasImadenomovetodrawtheyhesitated，fearingaruse;buttheirleaderurgedthemon。Whentheyhadcomealmostwithinsword’sreachofmeIraisedmyhandandlaidituponthepolishedsurfaceofagreatlever，andthen，stillsmilinggrimly，Ilookedmyenemiesfullintheface。

Asonetheycametoasuddenstop，castingaffrightedglancesatmeandatoneanother。

"Stop！"shriekedtheirleader。"Youdreamnotwhatyoudo！"

"Rightyouare，"Ireplied。"JohnCarterdoesnotdream。

Heknows——knowsthatshouldoneofyoutakeanothersteptowardDejahThoris，PrincessofHelium，Ipullthisleverwide，andsheandIshalldietogether;butweshallnotdiealone。"

Thenoblesshrankback，whisperingtogetherforafewmoments。

Atlasttheirleaderturnedtome。

"Goyourway，JohnCarter，"hesaid，"andweshallgoours。"

"Prisonersdonotgotheirownway，"Ianswered，"andyouareprisoners——prisonersofthePrinceofHelium。"

Beforetheycouldmakeansweradoorupontheoppositesideoftheapartmentopenedandascoreofyellowmenpouredintotheapartment。Foraninstantthenobleslookedrelieved，andthenastheireyesfellupontheleaderofthenewpartytheirfacesfell，forhewasTalu，rebelPrinceofMarentina，andtheyknewthattheycouldlookforneitheraidnormercyathishands。

"Welldone，JohnCarter，"hecried。"Youturntheirownmightypoweragainstthem。FortunateforOkarisitthatyouwereheretopreventtheirescape，forthesebethegreatestvillainsnorthoftheice—barrier，andthisone"——pointingtotheleaderoftheparty——"wouldhavemadehimselfJeddakofJeddaksintheplaceofthedeadSalensusOll。Thenindeedwouldwehavehadamorevillainousrulerthanthehatedtyrantwhofellbeforeyoursword。"

TheOkariannoblesnowsubmittedtoarrest，sincenothingbutdeathfacedthemshouldtheyresist，and，escortedbythewarriorsofTalu，wemadeourwaytothegreataudiencechamberthathadbeenSalensusOll’s。Herewasavastconcourseofwarriors。

RedmenfromHeliumandPtarth，yellowmenofthenorth，rubbingelbowswiththeblacksoftheFirstBornwhohadcomeundermyfriendXodartohelpinthesearchformeandmyprincess。

Thereweresavage，greenwarriorsfromthedeadseabottomsofthesouth，andahandfulofwhite—skinnedthernswhohadrenouncedtheirreligionandswornallegiancetoXodar。

TherewasTardosMorsandMorsKajak，andtallandmightyinhisgorgeouswarriortrappings，Carthoris，myson。ThesethreefelluponDejahThorisasweenteredtheapartment，andthoughthelivesandtrainingofroyalMartianstendnottowardvulgardemonstration，Ithoughtthattheywouldsuffocateherwiththeirembraces。

AndtherewereTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，andKantosKan，myold—timefriends，andleapingandtearingatmyharnessintheexuberanceofhisgreatlovewasdearoldWoola——

franticmadwithhappiness。

Longandloudwasthecheeringthatburstforthatsightofus;

deafeningwasthedinofringingmetalastheveteranwarriorsofeveryMartianclimeclashedtheirbladestogetheronhighintokenofsuccessandvictory，butasIpassedamongthethrongofsalutingnoblesandwarriors，jedsandjeddaks，myheartstillwasheavy，forthereweretwofacesmissingthatIwouldhavegivenmuchtohaveseenthere——ThuvanDihnandThuviaofPtarthwerenottobefoundinthegreatchamber。

Imadeinquiriesconcerningthemamongmenofeverynation，andatlastfromoneoftheyellowprisonersofwarIlearnedthattheyhadbeenapprehendedbyanofficerofthepalaceastheysoughttoreachthePitofPlentywhileIlayimprisonedthere。

Ididnotneedtoasktoknowwhathadsentthemthither——

thecourageousjeddakandhisloyaldaughter。Myinformersaidthattheylaynowinoneofthemanyburieddungeonsofthepalacewheretheyhadbeenplacedpendingadecisionastotheirfatebythetyrantofthenorth。

Amomentlatersearchingpartieswerescouringtheancientpileinsearchofthem，andmycupofhappinesswasfullwhenIsawthembeingescortedintotheroombyacheeringguardofhonor。

Thuvia’sfirstactwastorushtothesideofDejahThoris，andIneedednobetterproofofthelovethesetwoboreforeachotherthanthesinceritywithwhichtheyembraced。

LookingdownuponthatcrowdedchamberstoodthesilentandemptythroneofOkar。

Ofallthestrangescenesitmusthavewitnessedsincethatlong—deadagethathadfirstseenaJeddakofJeddakstakehisseatuponit，nonemightcomparewiththatuponwhichitnowlookeddown，andasIponderedthepastandfutureofthatlong—buriedraceofblack—beardedyellowmenIthoughtthatIsawabrighterandmoreusefulexistenceforthemamongthegreatfamilyoffriendlynationsthatnowstretchedfromthesouthpolealmosttotheirverydoors。

Twenty—twoyearsbeforeIhadbeencast，nakedandastranger，intothisstrangeandsavageworld。Thehandofeveryraceandnationwasraisedincontinualstrifeandwarringagainstthemenofeveryotherlandandcolor。Today，bythemightofmyswordandtheloyaltyofthefriendsmyswordhadmadeforme，blackmanandwhite，redmanandgreenrubbedshouldersinpeaceandgood—fellowship。

AllthenationsofBarsoomwerenotyetasone，butagreatstrideforwardtowardthatgoalhadbeentaken，andnowifIcouldbutcementthefierceyellowraceintothissolidarityofnationsIshouldfeelthatIhadroundedoutagreatlifework，andrepaidtoMarsatleastaportionoftheimmensedebtofgratitudeIowedherforhavinggivenmemyDejahThoris。

AndasIthought，Isawbutoneway，andasinglemanwhocouldinsurethesuccessofmyhopes。Asiseverthewaywithme，IactedthenasIalwaysact——withoutdeliberationandwithoutconsultation。

Thosewhodonotlikemyplansandmywaysofpromotingthemhavealwaystheirswordsattheirsideswherewithtobackuptheirdisapproval;butnowthereseemedtobenodissentingvoice，as，graspingTalubythearm，IsprangtothethronethathadoncebeenSalensusOll’s。

"WarriorsofBarsoom，"Icried，"Kadabrahasfallen，andwithherthehatefultyrantofthenorth;buttheintegrityofOkarmustbepreserved。Theredmenareruledbyredjeddaks，thegreenwarriorsoftheancientseasacknowledgenonebutagreenruler，theFirstBornofthesouthpoletaketheirlawfromblackXodar;

norwoulditbetotheinterestsofeitheryelloworredmanwerearedjeddaktosituponthethroneofOkar。

"TherebebutonewarriorbestfittedfortheancientandmightytitleofJeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth。MenofOkar，raiseyourswordstoyournewruler——Talu，therebelprinceofMarentina！"

AndthenagreatcryofrejoicingroseamongthefreemenofMarentinaandtheKadabranprisoners，forallhadthoughtthattheredmenwouldretainthatwhichtheyhadtakenbyforceofarms，forsuchhadbeenthewayuponBarsoom，andthattheyshouldberuledhenceforthbyanalienJeddak。

ThevictoriouswarriorswhohadfollowedCarthorisjoinedinthemaddemonstration，andamidstthewildconfusionandthetumultandthecheering，DejahThorisandIpassedoutintothegorgeousgardenofthejeddaksthatgracestheinnercourtyardofthepalaceofKadabra。

AtourheelswalkedWoola，anduponacarvedseatofwondrousbeautybeneathabowerofpurplebloomswesawtwowhohadprecededus——

ThuviaofPtarthandCarthorisofHelium。

Thehandsomeheadofthehandsomeyouthwasbentlowabovethebeautifulfaceofhiscompanion。IlookedatDejahThoris，smiling，andasIdrewherclosetomeIwhispered："Whynot？"

Indeed，whynot？Whatmatteragesinthisworldofperpetualyouth？

WeremainedatKadabra，theguestsofTalu，untilafterhisformalinductionintooffice，andthen，uponthegreatfleetwhichIhadbeensofortunatetopreservefromdestruction，wesailedsouthacrosstheice—barrier;butnotbeforewehadwitnessedthetotaldemolitionofthegrimGuardianoftheNorthunderordersofthenewJeddakofJeddaks。

"Henceforth，"hesaid，astheworkwascompleted，"thefleetsoftheredmenandtheblackarefreetocomeandgoacrosstheice—barrierasovertheirownlands。

"TheCarrionCavesshallbecleansed，thatthegreenmenmayfindaneasywaytothelandoftheyellow，andthehuntingofthesacredaptshallbethesportofmynoblesuntilnosinglespecimenofthathideouscreatureroamsthefrozennorth。"

Webadeouryellowfriendsfarewellwithrealregret，aswesetsailforPtarth。Thereweremained，theguestofThuvanDihn，foramonth;andIcouldseethatCarthoriswouldhaveremainedforeverhadhenotbeenaPrinceofHelium。

AbovethemightyforestsofKaolwehovereduntilwordfromKulanTithbroughtustohissinglelanding—tower，wherealldayandhalfanightthevesselsdisembarkedtheircrews。AtthecityofKaolwevisited，cementingthenewtiesthathadbeenformedbetweenKaolandHelium，andthenonelong—to—be—remembereddaywesightedthetall，thintowersofthetwincitiesofHelium。

Thepeoplehadlongbeenpreparingforourcoming。Theskywasgorgeouswithgailytrimmedfliers。Everyroofwithinbothcitieswasspreadwithcostlysilksandtapestries。

Goldandjewelswerescatteredoverroofandstreetandplaza，sothatthetwocitiesseemedablazewiththefiresoftheheartsofthemagnificentstonesandburnishedmetalthatreflectedthebrilliantsunlight，changingitintocountlessglorioushues。

Atlast，aftertwelveyears，theroyalfamilyofHeliumwasreunitedintheirownmightycity，surroundedbyjoy—madmillionsbeforethepalacegates。WomenandchildrenandmightywarriorsweptingratitudeforthefatethathadrestoredtheirbelovedTardosMorsandthedivineprincesswhomthewholenationidolized。

Nordidanyofuswhohadbeenuponthatexpeditionofindescribabledangerandglorylackforplaudits。

ThatnightamessengercametomeasIsatwithDejahThorisandCarthorisupontheroofofmycitypalace，wherewehadlongsincecausedalovelygardentobemadethatwethreemightfindseclusionandquiethappinessamongourselves，farfromthepompandceremonyofcourt，tosummonustotheTempleofReward——

"whereoneistobejudgedthisnight，"thesummonsconcluded。

IrackedmybraintotryanddeterminewhatimportantcasetheremightbependingwhichcouldcalltheroyalfamilyfromtheirpalacesontheeveoftheirreturntoHeliumafteryearsofabsence;butwhenthejeddaksummonsnomandelays。

Asourfliertouchedthelandingstageatthetemple’stopwesawcountlessothercraftarrivinganddeparting。Inthestreetsbelowagreatmultitudesurgedtowardthegreatgatesofthetemple。

SlowlytherecametometherecollectionofthedeferreddoomthatawaitedmesincethattimeIhadbeentriedhereintheTemplebyZatArrasforthesinofreturningfromtheValleyDorandtheLostSeaofKorus。

CoulditbepossiblethatthestrictsenseofjusticewhichdominatesthemenofMarshadcausedthemtooverlookthegreatgoodthathadcomeoutofmyheresy？Couldtheyignorethefactthattome，andmealone，wasduetherescueofCarthoris，ofDejahThoris，ofMorsKajak，ofTardosMors？

Icouldnotbelieveit，andyetforwhatotherpurposecouldI

havebeensummonedtotheTempleofRewardimmediatelyuponthereturnofTardosMorstohisthrone？

MyfirstsurpriseasIenteredthetempleandapproachedtheThroneofRighteousnesswastonotethemenwhosatthereasjudges。

TherewasKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，whomwehadbutjustleftwithinhisownpalaceafewdayssince;therewasThuvanDihn，JeddakofPtarth——howcamehetoHeliumassoonaswe？

TherewasTarsTarkas，JeddakofThark，andXodar，JeddakoftheFirstBorn;therewasTalu，JeddakofJeddaksoftheNorth，whomIcouldhaveswornwasstillinhisice—boundhothousecitybeyondthenorthernbarrier，andamongthemsatTardosMorsandMorsKajak，withenoughlesserjedsandjeddakstomakeupthethirty—onewhomustsitinjudgmentupontheirfellow—man。

Arightroyaltribunalindeed，andsuchaone，Iwarrant，asneverbeforesattogetherduringallthehistoryofancientMars。

AsIentered，silencefelluponthegreatconcourseofpeoplethatpackedtheauditorium。ThenTardosMorsarose。

"JohnCarter，"hesaidinhisdeep，martialvoice，"takeyourplaceuponthePedestalofTruth，foryouaretobetriedbyafairandimpartialtribunalofyourfellow—men。"

Withleveleyeandhigh—heldheadIdidashebade，andasIglancedaboutthatcircleoffacesthatamomentbeforeIcouldhavesworncontainedthebestfriendsIhaduponBarsoom，Isawnosinglefriendlyglance——onlystern，uncompromisingjudges，theretodotheirduty。

AclerkroseandfromagreatbookreadalonglistofthemorenotabledeedsthatIhadthoughttomycredit，coveringalongperiodoftwenty—twoyearssincefirstIhadsteppedtheocherseabottombesidetheincubatoroftheTharks。WiththeothershereadofallthatIhaddonewithinthecircleoftheOtzMountainswheretheHolyThernsandtheFirstBornhadheldsway。

ItisthewayuponBarsoomtoreciteaman’svirtueswithhissinswhenheiscometotrial，andsoIwasnotsurprisedthatallthatwastomycreditshouldbereadtheretomyjudges——whoknewitallbyheart——evendowntothepresentmoment。WhenthereadinghadceasedTardosMorsarose。

"Mostrighteousjudges，"heexclaimed，"youhaveheardrecitedallthatisknownofJohnCarter，PrinceofHelium——thegoodwiththebad。Whatisyourjudgment？"

ThenTarsTarkascameslowlytohisfeet，unfoldingallhismighty，toweringheightuntilheloomed，agreen—bronzestatue，faraboveusall。

Heturnedabalefuleyeuponme——he，TarsTarkas，withwhomIhadfoughtthroughcountlessbattles;whomIlovedasabrother。

IcouldhavewepthadInotbeensomadwithragethatI

almostwhippedmyswordoutandhadatthemalluponthespot。

"Judges，"hesaid，"therecanbebutoneverdict。NolongermayJohnCarterbePrinceofHelium"——hepaused——"butinsteadlethimbeJeddakofJeddaks，WarlordofBarsoom！"

Asthethirty—onejudgessprangtotheirfeetwithdrawnandupraisedswordsinunanimousconcurrenceintheverdict，thestormbrokethroughoutthelengthandbreadthandheightofthatmightybuildinguntilIthoughttheroofwouldfallfromthethunderofthemadshouting。

Now，atlast，Isawthegrimhumorofthemethodtheyhadadoptedtodomethisgreathonor，butthattherewasanyhoaxintherealityofthetitletheyhadconferreduponmewasreadilydisprovedbythesincerityofthecongratulationsthatwereheapeduponmebythejudgesfirstandthenthenobles。

PresentlyfiftyofthemightiestnoblesofthegreatestcourtsofMarsmarcheddownthebroadAisleofHopebearingasplendidcarupontheirshoulders，andasthepeoplesawwhosatwithin，thecheersthathadrungoutformepaledintoinsignificancebesidethosewhichthunderedthroughthevastedificenow，forshewhomthenoblescarriedwasDejahThoris，belovedPrincessofHelium。

StraighttotheThroneofRighteousnesstheyboreher，andthereTardosMorsassistedherfromthecar，leadingherforwardtomyside。

"Letaworld’smostbeautifulwomansharethehonorofherhusband，"

hesaid。

BeforethemallIdrewmywifeclosetomeandkissedheruponthelips。