CHAPTER VIII

THBOUGH THE CAKEION CAVES
STRAIGHT toward the north, day and night, our destination compass led us after the fleeing flier upon which it had remained set since I first attuned it after leaving the them fortress.
Early in the second night we noticed the air becoming perceptibly colder, and from the dis- tance we had come from the equator were as- sured that we were rapidly approaching the north arctic region.
My knowledge of the efforts that had been made by countless expeditions to ,explore that unknown land bade me to caution, for never had flier returned who had passed to any consider- able distance beyond the mighty ice-barrier that fringes the southern hem of the frigid zone.
What became of them none knew — only that they passed forever out of the sight of man into that grim and mysterious country of the pole. [139]
The Warlord of Mars
The distance from tlie barrier to tlie pole was no more than a swift flier should cover in a few hours, and so it was assumed that some fright- ful catastrophe awaited those who reached the "forbidden land," as it had come to be called by the Martians of the outer world.
Thus it was that I went more slowly as we approached the barrier, for it was my intention to move cautiously by day over the ice-pack that I might discover, before I had run into a trap, if there really lay an inhabited country at the north pole, for there only could I imag- ine a spot where Matai Shang might feel secure; from John Carter, Prince of Helium.
We were flying at a snail's pace but a few feet above the ground — literally feeling our way along through the darkness, for both moons had set, and the night was black with the clouds that are to be found only at Mars 's two extremities.
Suddenly a towering wall of white rose di- rectly in our path, and though I threw the helm hard over, and reversed our engine, I was too late to avoid collision.
With a sickening crash we struck the high looming obstacle three-quarters on. [140]
Through the Carrion Caves
The flier reeled half over ; the engine stopped ; as one, the patched buoyancy tanks burst, and we plunged, headforemost, to the ground twenty feet beneath.
Fortunately none of us was injured, and when we had disentangled ourselves from the wreck- age, and the lesser moon had burst again from below the horizon, we found that we were at the foot of a mighty ice-barrier, from which outcropped great patches of the granite hills which hold it from encroaching farther toward the south.
What fate! With the journey all but com- pleted to be thus wrecked upon the wrong side of that precipitous and unscalable wall of rock and ice!
I looked at Thuvan Dihn. He but shook his head dejectedly.
The balance of the night we spent shivering m our inadequate sleeping silks and furs upon the snow that lies at the foot of the ice-barrier.
With daylight my battered spirits regained something of their accustomed hopefulness, though I must admit that there was little enough for them to feed upon.
"What shall we do?" asked Thuvan Dihn.
[ 141 ]
The Warlord of Mars
" How may we pass that wMcli is impassable? "
" First we must disprove its impassability," I replied. "Nor shall I admit that it is im- passable before I have followed its entire circle and stand again upon this spot, defeated. The sooner we start, the better, for I see no other way, and it will take us more than a month to travel the weary, frigid miles that lie before us."
For five days of cold and suffering and pri- vation we traversed the rough and frozen way which lies at the foot of the ice-barrier. Fierce, fur-bearing creatures attacked us by daylight and by dark. Never for a moment were we safe from the sudden charge of some huge demon of the north.
The apt was our most consistent and danger- ous foe.
It is a huge, white-furred creature with six limbs, four of which, short and hea^^y, carry it swiftly over the snow and ice ; while the other two, growing forward from its shoulders on either side of its long, powerful neck, termi- nate in white, hairless hands, with which it seizes and holds its prey.
Its head and mouth are more similar in ap- [142]
Through the Carri on Caves
pearance to those of a hippopotamus than to any other earthly animal, except that from the sides of the lower jawbone two mighty horns curve slightly downward toward the front.
Its two huge eyes inspired my greatest cu- riosity. They extend in two. vast, oval patches from the center of the top of the cranium down either side of the head to below the roots of the horns, so that these weapons really grow out from the lower part of the eyes, which are composed of several thousand ocelli each.
This eye structure seemed remarkable in a beast whose haunts were upon a glaring field of ice ^nd snow, and though I found upon mi- nute examination of several that we killed that each ocellus is furnished with its own lid, and that the animal can at will close as many of the facets of his huge eyes as he chooses, yet I was positive that nature had thus equipped him be- cause much of his life was to be spent in dark, subterranean recesses.
Shortly after this we came upon the hugest apt that we had seen. The creature stood fully eight feet at the shoulder, and was so sleek and clean and glossy that I oould have sworn that he had but recently been groomed. [143]
The Warlord of Mars
He stood head-on eying ns as we approached him, for we had found it a waste of time to at- tempt to escape the perpetual bestial rage which seems to possess these demon creatures, who rove the dismal north attacking every living thing that comes within the scope of their far- seeing eyes.
Even when their bellies are full and they can eat no more, they kill purely for the pleasure which they derive from taking life, and so when this particular apt failed to charge us, and in- stead wheeled and trotted away as we neared him, I should have been greatly surprised had I not chanced to glimpse the sheen of a golden collar about its neck.
Thuvan Dihn saw it, too, and it carried the same message of hope to us both. Only man could have placed that collar there, and as no race of Martians of which we knew aught ever had attempted to domesticate the ferocious apt, he must belong to a people of the north of whose very existence we were ignorant — pos- sibly to the fabled yellow men of Barsoom ; that once powerful race which was supposed to be extinct, though sometimes, by theorists, thought still to exist in the frozen north. [144]
Through the Carrion Caves
Simultaneously we started upon the trail of the great beast. "Woola was quickly made to understand our desires, so that it was unneces- sary to attempt to keep in sight of the animal whose swift flight over the rough ground soon put him beyond our vision.
For the better part of two hours the trail paralleled the barrier, arid then suddenly turned toward it through the roughest and seemingly most impassable country I ever had beheld.
Enormous granite boulders blocked the way on every hand ; deep :.'if ts in the ice threatened to engulf us at the least misstep ; and from the north a slight breeze wafted to our nostrils an unspeakable stench that almost choked us.
For another two hours we were occupied in traversing a few hundred yards to the foot of the barrier.
Then, turning about the comer of a wall-like outcropping of granite, we came upon a smooth area of two or three acres before the base of the towering pile of ice and rock that had baf- fled us for days, and before us beheld the dark and cavernous mouth of a cave.
From this repelling portal the horrid stench [ 145 ]
The Warlord of Mars
was emanating, and as Thuvan Dihn espied the place he halted with an exclamation of pro- found astonishment.
"By all my ancestors!" he ejaculated. ' ' That I should have lived to witness the reality of the fabled Carrion Caves ! If these indeed be they we have found a way beyond the ice- barrier.
" The ancient chronicles of the first histo- rians of Barsoom — so ancient that we have for ages considered them mythology — record the passing of the yellow men from the ravages of the green hordes that overran Barsoom as the drying up of the great oceans drove the domi- nant races from their strongholds.
' ' They tell of the wanderings of the rem- nants of this once powerful race, harassed at every step, until at last they found a way through the ice-barrier of the north to a fertile valley at the pole.
"At the opening to the subterranean passage thiat led to their haven of refuge a mighty bat- tle was fought in which the yellow men were victorious, and within the caves that gave in- gress to their new home they piled the bodies of the dead, both yellow and green, that the [146]
Through the Carrion Caves
stench might warn away their enemies from further pursuit.
"And ever since that long-gone day have the dead of this fabled land been carried to the Carrion Caves, that in death and decay they might serve their country and warn away in- vading enemies. Here, too, is brought, so the fable runs, all the waste stuff of the nation — everything that is subject to rot, and that can add to the foul stench that assails our nostrils.
"And death lurks at every step among rot- ting dead, for here the fierce apts lair, adding to the putrid accumulation with the fragments of their own prey which they cannot devour. It is a horrid avenue to our goal, but it is the only one."
' ' You are sure, then, that we have found the way to the land of the yellow men? " I cried.
"As sure as may be," he replied; "having only ancient legend to support my belief. But see how closely, so far, each detail tallies with the world-old story of the hegira of the yellow race. Yes, I am sure that we have discovered the way to their ancient hiding place."
" If it be true, and let us pray that such may be the case," I said, " then here may we solve [147]
The Warlord of Mars
the mystery of the disappearance of Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium, and Mors Kajak, his son, for no other spot upon Barsoom has re- mained unexplored by the many expeditions and the countless spies that have been search- ing for them for nearly two years. The last word that came from them was that they sought Carthoris, my own brave son, beyond the ice- barrier."
As we talked we had been approaching the entrance to the cave, and as we crossed the threshold I ceased to wonder that the ancient green enemies of the yellow men had been halted by the horrors of that awful way.
The bones of dead men lay man high upon the broad floor of the first cave, and over all was a putrid mush of decaying flesh, through which the apts had beaten a hideous trail to- ward the entrance to the second cave beyond.
The roof of this first apartment was low, like all that we traversed subsequently, so that the foul odors were confined and condensed to such an extent that they seemed to possess tangible substance. One was almost tempted to draw his short-sword and hew his way through in search of pure air beyond. [ 148 ]
Through the Carrion Caves
" Can man breathe this polluted air and live? " asked Thuvan Dihn, choking.
" Not for long, I imagine," I replied; " so let us make haste. I will go first, and you bring up the rear, with Woola between. Come," and with the words I dashed forward, across the fetid mass of putrefaction.
It was not until we had passed through seven caves of different sizes and varying but little in the power and quality of their stenches that we met with any physical opposition. Then, within the eighth cave, we came upon a lair of apts.
A full score of the mighty beasts were dis- posed about the chamber. Some were sleep- ing, while others tore at the fresh-killed car- casses of new-brought prey, or fought among themselves in their love-making.
Here in the dim light of their subterranean home the value of their great eyes was appar- ent, for these inner caves are shrouded in per- petual gloom that is but little less than utter darkness.
To attempt to pass through the midst of that fierce herd seemed, even to me, the height of folly, and so I proposed to Thuvan Dihn that [149]
The Warlord of Mars
he return to the outer world with Woola, that the two might find their way to civilization and come again with a sufficient force to overcome not only the apts, but any further obstacles that might lie between us and our goal.
"In the meantime," I continued, "I may discover some means of winning my way alone to the land oi-the yellow men, but if I am unsuc- cessful one life only will have "been sacrificed. Should we all go on and perish, there will be none to guide a succoring party to Dejah Thoris and your daughter."
' ' I shall not return and leave you here alone, John Carter, ' ' replied Thuvan Dihn. * ' Whether you go on to victory or death, the Jeddak of Ptarth remains at your side. I have spoken."
I knew from his tone that it were useless to attempt to argue the question, and so I com- promised by sending Woola back with a hastily penned note enclosed in a small metal case and fastened about his neck. I commanded the faithful creature to seek Carthoris at Helium, and though half a world and countless dangers lay between I knew that if the thing could be done Woola would do it.
Equipped as he was by nature with marvel- [150]
Through the Carrion Caves
ous speed and endurance, and with frightful ferocity that made hinl a match for any single enemy of the way, his keen intelligence and wondrous instinct should easily furnish all else that was needed for the successful accomplish- ment of his mission.
It was with evident reluctance that the great beast turned to leave me in compliance with my command, and ere he had gone I could not resist the inclination to throw my arms about his great neck in a parting hug. He rubbed his cheek against mine in a final caress, and a moment later was speeding through the Car- rion Caves toward the outer world.
In my note to Carthoris I had given explicit directions for locating the Carrion Caves, im- pressing upon him the necessity for making entrance to the country beyond through this avenue, and not to attempt under any circum- stances to cross the ice-barrier with a fleet. I told him that what lay beyond the eighth cave I could not even guess; but I was sure that somewhere upon the other side of the ice-bar- rier his mother lay in the power of Matai Shang, and that. possibly his grandfather and great-grandfather as well, if they lived. [151]
The Warlord of Mars
Further, I advised him to call upon Kulan Tith. and the son of Thuvan Dihn for warriors and ships that the expedition might be suffi- ciently strong to insure success at the first blow.
"And," I concluded, ** if there be time bring Tars Tarkas yith you, for if I live until you reach me I can think of few greater pleasures than to fight once more, shoulder to shoulder, with my old friend."
When Woola had left us Thuvan Dihn and I, hiding in the seventh cave, discussed and dis- carded many plans for crossing the eighth chamber. From where we stood we saw that the fighting among the apts was growing less, and that many that had been feeding had ceased and lain down to sleep.
Presently it became apparent that in a short time all the ferocious monsters might be peace- fully slumbering, and thus a hazardous oppor- tunity be presented to us to cross through their lair.
One by one the remaining brutes stretched themselves upon the bubbling decomposition that covered the mass of bones upon the floor of their den, until but a single apt remained awake. This huge fellow roamed restlessly [152]
Through the Carrion Caves
about, nosing among his companions and the abhorrent litter of the cave.
Occasionally he would stop to peer intently toward first one of the exits from the chamber and then the other. His whole demeanor was as of one who acts as sentry.
We were at last forced to the belief that he would not sleep while the other occupants of the lair slept, and so cast about in our minds for some scheme whereby we might trick him. Finally I suggested a plan to Thuvan Dihn, and as it seemed as good as any that we had dis- cussed we decided to put it to the test.
To this end Thuvan Dihn placed himself close against the cave's wall, beside the entrance to the eighth chamber, while I deliberately showed myself to the guardian apt as he looked toward our retreat. Then I sprang to the opposite side of the entrance, flattening my body close to the wall.
Without a sound the great beast moved rap- idly toward the seventh cave to see what man- ner of intruder had thus rashly penetrated so far within the precincts of his habitation.
As he poked his head through the narrow aperture that connects the two caves a heavy [153]
The Warlord of Mars
long-sword was awaiting him upon either hand, and before he had an opportunity to emit even a single growl his severed head rolled at our feet.
Quickly we glanced into the eighth chamber — not an apt had moved. Crawling over the carcass of the huge beast that blocked the door- way Thuvan Dihn and I cautiously entered the forbidding and dangerous den.
Like snails we wound our silent and careful way among the huge, recumbent forms. The only sound above our breathing was the suck- ing noise of our feet as we lifted them from the ooze of decaying flesh through which we crept.'
Halfway across the chamber and one of the mighty beasts directly before me moved rest- lessly at the very instant that my foot was poised above his head, over which I must step.
Breathlessly I waited, balancing upon one foot, for I did not dare move a muscle. In my right hand was my keen short-sword, the point hovering an inch above the thick fur beneath which beat the savage heart.
Finally the apt relaxed, sighing, as with the passing of a bad dream, and resumed the reg- ular respiration of deep slumber. I planted [154]
Through the Carrion Caves
my raised foot beyond the fierce head and an instant later had stepped over the beast.
Thuvan Dihn followed directly after me, and another moment found us at the further door, undetected.
The Carrion Gaves consist of a series of twenty-seven connecting chambers, and present the appearance of having been eroded by run- ning water in some far-gone age when a mighty river found its way to the south through this single breach in the barrier of rock and ice that hems the country of the pole.
Thuvan Dihn and I traversed the remaining nineteen caverns without adventure or mishap.
We were afterward to learn that but once a month is it possible to find all the apts of the Carrion Caves in a single chamber.
At other times they roam singly or in pairs in and out of the caves, so that it would have been practically impossible for two men to have passed through the entire twenty-seven cham- bers without encountering an apt in nearly every one of them. Once a month they sleep for a full day, and it was our good fortune to stumble by accident upon one of these occasions.
Beyond the last cave we emerged into a deso- [155]
The Warlord of Mars
late country of snow and ice, but found a well- marked trail leading north. The way was boulder-strewn, as had been that south of the barrier, so that we could see but a short dis- tance ahead of us at any time.
After a couple of hours we passed round a huge boulder to come to a steep declivity lead- ing down into a vaUey.
Directly before us we saw a half dozen men — fierce, black-bearded fellows, with skins the color of a ripe lemon.
" The yellow men of Barsoom! " ejaculated Thuvan Dihn, as though even now that he saw them he found it scarce possible to believe that the very race we expected to find hidden in this remote and inaccessible land did really exist.
We withdrew behind an adjacent boulder to watch the actions of the little party, which stood huddled at the foot of another huge rock, their backs toward us.
One of them was peering round the edge of the granite mass as though watching one who approached from the opposite side.
Presently the object of his scrutiny came within the range of my vision and I saw that it was another yellow man. All were clothed in [156]
Through the Carrion Caves
magnificent furs — the six in the black and yel- low striped hide of the orluk, while he who ap- proached alone was resplendent in the pure white skin of an apt.
The yellow men were armed with two swords, and a short javelin was slung across the back of each, while from their left arms hung cuplike shields no larger than a dinner plate, the con- cave sides of which turned outward toward an antagonist.
They seemed puny and futile implements of safety against an even ordinary swordsman, but I was later to see the purpose of them and with what wondrous dexterity the yellow men manipulate them.
One of the swords which each of the warriors carried caught my immediate attention. I call it a sword, but really it was a sharp-edged blade with a complete hook at the far end.
The other sword was of about the same length as the hooked instrument, and some- where between that of my long-sword and my short-sword. It was straight and two-edged. In addition to the weapons I have innumerated each man carried a dagger in his harness.
As the white-furred one approached, the six [157]
The Warlord of Mars
grasped their swords more firmly — ^^the hooked instrument in the left hand, the straight sword in the right, while above the left wrist the small shield was held rigid upon a metal bracelet.
As the lone warrior came opposite them the six rushed out upon him with fiendish yells that resembled nothing more closely than the savage war cry of the Apaches of the South- west.
Instantly the attacked drew both his swords, and as the six fell upon him I witnessed as pretty fighting as one might care to see.
With their sharp hooks the combatants at- tempted to take hold of an adversary, but like lightning the cupshaped shield would spring be- fore the darting weapon and into its hollow the hook would plunge.
Once the lone warrior caught an antagonist in the side with his hook, and drawing him close ran his sword through him.
But the odds were too unequal, and, though he who fought alone was by far the best and bravest of them all, I saw that it was but a question of time before the remaining five would find an opening through his marvelous guard and bring him down. [158]
Through the Carrion Ca/ves
Now my sympathies have ever been with the weaker side of an argument, and though I knew nothing of the cause of the trouble I could not stand idly by and see a brave man butchered by superior numbers.
As a matter of fact I presume I gave little attention to seeking an excuse, for I love a good fight too well to need any other reason for joining in when one is afoot.
So it was that before Thuvan Dihn knew what I was about he saw me standing by the side of the white-clad yellow man, battling like mad with his five adversaries.
[159]
CHAPTEE IX
WITH THE YELLOW MEN
THTJVAN DIHN was not long in joining me; and, though we found the hooked weapon a strange and savage thing with which to deal, the three of us soon despatched the five black-bearded warriors who opposed us.
When the battle was over our new acquaint- ance turned to me, and removing the shield from his wrist, held it out. I did not know the significance of his act, but judged that it was but a form of expressing his gratitude to me.
I afterward learned that it symbolized the offering of a man's life in return for some great favor done him ; and my act of refusing, which I had immediately done, was what was expected of me.
' ' Then accept from Talu, Prince of Maren-
tina," said the yellow man, " this token of my
gratitude," and reaching beneath one of his
wide sleeves he withdrew a bracelet and placed
[160]
With the Yellow Men
it upon my arm. He then went through the same ceremony with Thuvan DUm.
Next he asked our names, and from what land we hailed. He seemed quite familiar with the geography of the outer world, and when I said I was from Helium he raised his brows.
"Ah," he said, " you seek your ruler and his company? "
" Know you of them? " I asked.
* * But little more than that they were cap- tured by my uncle, Salensus Oil, Jeddak of Jed- daks, Euler of Okar, land of the yellow men of Barsoom. As to their fate I know nothing, for I am at war with my uncle, who would crush' my power in the principality of Marentina.
" These from whom you have just saved me are warriors he has sent out to find and slay me, for they know that often I come alone to hunt and kill the sacred apt which Salensus Oil so much reveres. It is partly because I hate his religion that Salensus Oil hates me; but mostly does he fear my growing power and the great faction which has arisen throughout Okar that would be glad to see me ruler of Ok^r and Jeddak of Jeddaks in his place.
" He is a cruel and tyrannous master whom [161]
The Warlord of Mars
all hate, and were it not for the great fear they have of him I could raise an army overnight that would wipe out the few that might remain loyal to him. My own people are faithful to me, and the little valley of Marentina has paid no tribute to the court of Salensus Oil for a year.
' ' Nor can he force us, for a dozen men may hold the narrow way to Marentina against a million. But now, as to thine own affairs. How may I aid you? My palace is at your disposal, if you wish to honor me by coming to Maren- tina."
" When our work is done we shall be glad to accept your invitation," I replied. " But now you can assist us most by directing us to the court of Salensus Oil, and suggesting some means by which we may gain admission to the city and the palace, or whatever other place we find our friends to be confined."
Talu gazed ruefully at our smooth faces and at Thuvan Dihn's red skin and my white one.
"First you must come to Marentina," he
said, *' for a great change must be wrought in
your appearance before you can hope to enter
any city in Okar. You must have yellow faces
[162]
With the Yellow Men
and black beards, and your apparel and trap- pings must be those least likely to arouse sus- picion. In my palace is one who can make you appear as truly yellow men as does Salensus Oil himself."
His counsel seemed wise; and as there was apparently no other way to insure a successful entry to Kadabra, the capital city of Okar, we set out with Talu, Prince of Marentina, for his little, rock-bound country.
The way was over some of the worst travel- ing I have ever seen, and I do not wonder that in this land where there are neither thoats nor fliers that Marentina is in little fear of inva- sion; but at last we reached our destination, the first view of which I had from a slight ele- vation a half-mile from the city.
Nestled in a deep valley lay a city of Martian concrete, whose every street and plaza and open space was roofed with glass. All about lay snow and ice, but there was none upon the rounded, domelike, crystal covering that envel- oped the whole city.
Then I saw how these people combatted the rigors of t^e arctic, and lived in luxury and comfort in the midst of a land of perpetual ice. [163]
The Warlord of Mars
Their cities were veritable hothouses, and when I had come within this one my respect and ad- miration for the scientific and engineering skill of this buried nation was unbounded.
The moment we entered the city Talu threw off his outer garments of fur, as did we, and I saw that his apparel differed but little from that of the red races of Barsoom. Except for his leathern harness, covered thick with jewels and metal, he was naked, nor could one have comfortably worn apparel in that warm and humid atmosphere.
For three days we remained the guests of Prince Talu, and during that time he showered upon us every attention and courtesy within his power. He showed us all that was of in- terest in his great city.
The Marentina atmosphere plant will main- tain life indefinitely in the cities of the north pole after all life upon the balance of dying Mars is extinct through the failure of the air pupply, should the great central plant again cease functioning as it did upon that memorable occasion that gave me the opportunity of re- storing life and happiness to the strange world that I had already learned to love so well. [164]
With the Yellow Men
He showed us the heating system that stores the sun's rays in great reservoirs beneath the city, and how little is necessary to maintain the perpetual summer heat of the glorious gar- den spot within this arctic paradise.
Broad avenues of sod sewn with the seed of the ocher vegetation of the dead sea bottoms carried the noiseless traffic of light and airy ground fliers that are the only form of artificial transportation used north of the gigantic ice- barrier.
The broad tires of these unique fliers are but rubber-like gas bags filled with the eighth Bar- soomian ray, or ray of propulsion — that re- markable discovery of the Martians that has made possible the great fleets of mighty air- ships that render the red man of the outer world supreme. It is this ray which propels the inherent or reflected light of the planet off into space, and when confined gives to the Mar- tian craft their airy buoyancy.
The ground fliers of Marentina contain just sufficient buoyancy in their automobile-like wheels to give the cars traction for steering purposes; and though the hind wheels are geared to the engine, and aid in driving the mar [165]
The Warlord of Mars
chine, the bulk of this work is carried by a small propeller at the stern.
I know of no more delightful sensation than that of riding in one of these luxuriously ap- pointed cars which skim, light and airy as feath- ers, along the soft, mossy avenues of Maren- tina. They move with absolute noiselessness between borders of crimson sward and beneath arching trees gorgeous with the wondrou^ blooms that mark so many of the highly culti- vated varieties of Barsoomian vegetation.
By the end of the third day the court barber — I can think of no other ea,rthly appellation by which to describe him — had wrought so re- markable a transformation in both Thuvan Dihn and myself that our own wives would never have known us. Our skins were of the same lemon color as his own, and great, black beards and mustaches had been deftly affixed to our smooth faces. The trappings of war- riors of Okar aided in the deception; and for wear beyond the hothouse cities we each had suits of the black- and yellow-striped orluk.
Talu gave us careful directions for the jour- ney to Kadabra, the capital city of the Okar na^ tion, which is the racial name of the yellow [166]
With the Yellow Men
men. This good friend even accompanied us part way, and then, promising to aid us in any way that he found possible, bade us adieu.
On parting he slipped upon my finger a cu- riously wrought ring set with a dead-black, lus- terless stone, which appeared more like a bit of bituminous coal than the priceless Barsoomian gem which in reality it is.
" There have been but three others cut from the mother stone," he said, "which is in my possession. These three are worn by nobles high in my confidence, all of whom have been sent on secret missions to the court of Salensus Oil.
" Should you come within fifty feet of any of these three you will feel a rapid, pricking sen- sation in the finger upon which you wear this ring. He who wears one of its mates will ex- perience the same feeling; it is caused by an electrical action that takes place the moment two of these gems cut from the same mother stone come within the radius of each other's power. By it you will know that a friend is at hand upon whom you may depend for assist- ance in time of need.
" Should another wearer of one of these gems [167]
The Warlord of Mars
call upon you for aid do not deny him, and should death threaten you swallow the ring rather than let it fall into the hands of enemies. Guard it with your life, John Carter, for some day it may mean more than life to you. ' '
With this parting admonition our good friend turned back toward Marentina, and we set our faces in the direction of the city of Kadahra and the court of Salensus Oil, Jeddak of Jed- daks.
That very evening we came within sight of the walled and glass-roofed city of Kadahra. It lies in a low depression near the pole, sur- rounded by rocky, snow-clad hills. From the pass through which we entered the valley we had a splendid view of this great city of the north. Its, crystal domes sparkled in the bril- liant sunlight gleaming above the frost-covered outer wall that circles the entire one hundred miles of its circumference.
At regular intervals great gates give en- trance to the city; but even at the distance from which we looked upon the massive pile we could see that all were closed, and, in accordance with Tain's suggestion, we deferred attempting to enter the city until the following morning. [168]
With the Yellotv Men
As he had said, we found numerous caves in the hillsides about us, and into one of these we crept for the night. Our warm orluk skins kept us perfectly comfortable, and it was only after a most refreshing sleep that we awoke shortly after daylight on the following morn- ing.
Already the city was astir, and from several of the gates we saw parties of yellow men emerging. Following closely each detail of the instructions given us by our good friend of Ma- rentina, we remained concealed for several hours until one party of some half dozen war- riors had passed along the trail below our hid- ing place and entered the hills by way of the pass along which we had come the previous evening.
After giving them time to get well out of sight of our cave, Thuvan Dihn and I crept out and followed them, overtaking them when they were well into the hills.
When we had come almost to them I called aloud to their leader, when the whole party halted and turned toward us. The crucial test had come. Could we but deceive these men the rest would be comparatively easy. [169]
The Warlord of Mars
' ' Kaor ! " I cried as I came closer to them.
" Kaor! " responded the officer in charge of the party.
" We be from lUall," I continued, giving the name of the most remote city of Okar, which has little or no intercourse with Kadabra. ' ' Only yesterday we arrived, and this morning the captain of the gate told us that you were setting out to hunt orluks, which is a sport we do not find in our own neighborhood. We have hastened after you to pray that you allow us to accompany you."
The officer was entirely deceived, and gra- ciously permitted us to go with them for the day. The chance guess that they were bound upon an orluk hunt proved correct, and Talu had said that the chances were ten to one that such would be the mission of any party leaving Kadabra by the pass through which we entered the valley, since that way leads directly to the vast plains frequented by this elephantine beast of prey.
In so far as the hunt was concerned, the day
was a failure, for we did not see a single orluk ;
but this proved more than fortunate for us,
since the yellow men were so chagrined by their
[170]
With the Yellow Men
misfortune that they would not enter the city by the same gate by which they had left it in the morning, as it seemed that they had made great boasts to the captain of that gate about their skill at this dangerous sport.
We, therefore, approached Kadabra at a point several miles from that at which the party had quitted it in the morning, and so were re- lieved of the danger of embarrassing questions and explanations on the part of the gate cap- tain, whom we had said had directed us to this particular hunting party.
We had come quite close to the city when my attention was attracted toward a tall, black shaft that reared its head several hundred feet into the air from what appeared to be a tangled mass of junk or wreckage, now partially snow- covered.
I did not dare venture an inquiry for fear of arousing suspicion by evident ignorance of something which as a yellow man I should have known; but before we reached the city gate I was to learn the purpose of that grim shaft and the meaning of the mighty accumulation be- neath it.
We had come almost to the gate when one [171]
The Warlord of Mars
of the party called to his fellows, at the same time pointing toward the distant southern hori- zon. Following the direction he indicated, my eyes descried the hull of a large flier approach- ing rapidly from above the crest of the encir- cling hills.
" Still other fools who would solve the mys- teries of the forbidden north," said the officer, half to himself. " Will they never cease their fatal curiosity? "
" Let us hope not," answered one of the war- riors, " for then what should we do for slaves and sport? "
"True; but what stupid beasts they are to continue to come to a region from whence none of them ever has returned."
"Let us tarry and wateh the end of this one," suggested one of the men.
The officer looked toward the city.
"The watch has seen him," he said; "we may remain, for we may be needed."
I looked toward the city and saw several hundred warriors issuing from the nearest gate. They moved leisurely, as though there was no need for haste — nor was there, as I was pres- ently to learn.
[172]
With the Yellow Men
Then I turned my eyes once more toward the flier. She was moving rapidly toward the city, and when she had come close enough I was sur- prised to see that her propellers were idle.
Straight for that grim shaft she bore. At the last minute I saw the great blades move to reverse her, yet on she came as though drawn by some mighty, irresistible power.
Intense excitement prevailed upon her deck, where men were running hither and thither, manning the guns and preparing to launch the small, one-man fliers, a fleet of which is part of the equipment of every Martian war vessel. Closer and closer to the black shaft the ship sped. In another instant she must strike, and then I saw the familiar signal flown that sends the lesser boats in a great flock from the deck of the mother ship.
Instantly a hundred tiny fliers rose from her deck, like a swarm of huge dragon flies; but scarcely were they clear of the battleship than the nose of each turned toward the shaft, and they, too, rushed on at frightful speed toward the same now seemingly inevitable end that menaced the larger vessel.
A moment later the collision came. Men [173]
The Warlord of Mars
were hurled in every direction from the ship's deck, while she, bent and crumpled, took the last, long plunge to the scrap-heap at the shaft's base.
With her fell a shower of her own tiny fliers, for each of them had come in violent collision with the solid shaft.
I noticed that the wrecked fliers scraped down the shaft's side, and that their fall was not as rapid as might have been expected; and then suddenly the secret of the shaft burst upon me, and with it an explanation of the cause that prevented a flier that passed too far across the ice-barrier ever returning.
The shaft was a mighty magnet, and when once a vessel came within the radius of its pow- erful attraction for the aluminum steel that en- ters so largely into the construction of all Bar- soomian craft, no power on earth could prevent such an end as we had just witnessed.
I afterward learned that the shaft rests di- rectly over the magnetic pole of Mars, but whether this adds in any way to its incalculable power of attraction I do not know. I am a fighting man, not a scientist.
Here, at last, was an explanation of the long [174]
With the Yellow Men
absence of Tardos Mors and Mors Kajak. These valiant and intrepid warriors had dared the mysteries and dangers of the frozen north to search for Carthoris, whose long absence had bowed in grief the head of his beautiful mother, Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium.
The moment that the last of the fliers came to rest at the base of the shaft the black- bearded, yellow warriors swarmed over the mass of wreckage upon which they lay, making prisoners of those who were uninjured and oc- casionally despatching with a sword-thrust one of the wounded who seemed prone to resent their taunts and insults.
A few of the uninjured red men battled bravely against their cruel foes, but for the most part they seemed too overwhelmed by the horror of the catastrophe that had befallen them to do more than submit supinely to the golden chains with which they were manacled.
When the last of the prisoners had been con- fined, the party returned to the city, at the gate of which we met a pack of fierce, gold-collared apts, each of which marched between two war- riors, who held them with strong chains of the same metal as their collars. [175]
The Warlord of Mars
Just beyond the gate the attendants loosened the whole terrible herd, and as they bounded otf toward the grim, black shaft I did not need to ask to know their mission. Had there not been those within the cruel city of Kadabra who needed succor far worse than the poor un- fortunate dead and dying out there in the cold upon the bent and broken carcasses of a thou- sand fliers I could not have restrained my de- sire to hasten back and do battle with those horrid creatures that had been despatched to rend and devour them.
As it was I could but follow the yellow war- riors, with bowed head, and give thanks for the chance that had given Thuvan Dihn and me such easy ingress to the capital of Salensus Oil.
Once within the gates, we had no difficulty in eluding our friends of the morning, and pres- ently found ourselves in a Martian hostelry.
[170]
CHAPTEE X
IN DUKANCE
THE public houses of Barsoom, I have found, vary but little. There is no pri- vacy for other than married couples.
Men without their wives are escorted to a large chamber, the floor of which is usually of white marble or heavy glass, kept scrupulously clean. Here are many small, raised platforms for the guest's sleeping silks and furs, and if he have none of his own clean, fresh ones are furnished at a nominal charge.
Once a man's belongings have been deposited upon one of these platforms he is a guest of the house, and that platform his own until he leaves. No one will disturb or molest his belongings, as there are no thieves upon Mars.
As assassination is the one thing to be feared,
the proprietors of the hostelries furnish armed
guards, who pace back and forth through the
sleeping-rooms day and night. The number of
[177]
The Warlord of Mars
guards and gorgeousness of their trappings quite usually denote the status of the hotel.
No meals are served in these houses, but gen- erally a public eating place adjoins them. Baths are connected with the sleeping chambers, and each guest is required to bathe daily or depart from the hotel.
Usually on a Second or third floor there is a large sleeping-room for single women guests, but its appointments do not vary materially from the chamber occupied by men. The guards who watch the women remain in the corridor outside the sleeping chamber, while female slaves pace back and forth among the sleepers within, ready to notify the warriors should their presence be required.
I was surprised to note that all the guards with the hotel at which we stopped were red men, and on inquiring of one of them I learned that they were slaves purchased by the pro- prietors of the hotels from the government. The man whose post was past my sleeping plat- form had been commander of the navy of a great Martian nation ; but fate had carried his flagship across the ice-barrier within the radius of power of the magnetic shaft, and now for [178]
In Durance
many tedious years he had been a slave of the yellow men.
He told me that princes, jeds, and even jed- daks of the outer world, were among the menials who served the yellow race ; but when I asked him if he had heard of the fate of Mors Kajak or Tardos Mors he shook his head, saying that he never had heard of their being prisoners here, though he was very familiar with the repu- tations and fame they bore in the outer world.
Neither had he heard any rumor of the com- ing of the Father of Therns and the black dator of the First Born, but he hastened to explain that he knew little of what took place within the palace. I could see that he wondered not a little that a yellow man should be so inquisitive about certain red prisoners from beyond the ice- barrier, and that I should be so ignorant of customs and conditions among my own race.
In fact, I had forgotten my disguise upon dis- covering a red man pacing before my sleeping platform; but his growing expression of sur- prise warned me in time, for I had no mind to reveal my identity to any unless some good could come of it, and I did not see how this poor fellow could serve me yet, though I had it in [179]
The Warlord of Mars
my mind that later I might be the means of serv- ing him. and all the other thousands of prisoners who do the bidding of their stern masters in Kadabra.
Thuvan Dihn and I discussed' our plans as we sat together among our sleeping silks and furs that night in the midst of the hundreds of yel- low men who occupied the apartment with us. We spoke in low whispers, but, as that is only what courtesy demands in a public sleeping place, we roused no suspicion.
At last, determining that all must be but idle speculation until after we had had a chance to explore the city and attempt to put into execu- tion the plan Talu had suggested, we bade each other good night and turned to sleep.
After breakfasting the foUowmg morning we set out to see Kadabra, and as, through the gen- erosity of the prince of Marentina, we were well supplied with the funds current in Okar we purchased a handsome ground flier. Hay- ing learned to drive them while in Marentina, we spent a delightful and profitable day ex- ploring the city, and late in the afternoon at the hour Talu told us we would find government oflScials in their offices we stopped before a mag- [180]
In Durance
nificent building on the plaza opposite the royal grounds and the palace.
Here we walked boldly in past the armed guard at the door, to be met by a red slave within who asked our wishes.
" Tell Sorav, your master, that two warriors from Illall wish to take service in the palace guard," I said.
Sorav, Talu had told us, was the commander of the forces of the palace, and as men from the further cities of Okar — and especially Illall — were less likely to be tainted with the germ of intrigue which had for years infected the house- hold of Salensus Oil, he was sure that we would be welcomed and few questions asked us.
He had primed us with such general informa- tion as he thought would be necessary for us to pass muster before Sorav, after which we would have to undergo a further examination before Salensus Oil that he might determine our physi- cal fitness and our ability as warriors.
The little experience we had had with the strange hooked sword of the yellow man and his cuplike shield made it seem rather unlikely that either of us could pass this final test, but there was the chance that we might be quartered in [181]
The Warlord of Mars
the palace of Salensus Oil for several days after being accepted by Sorav before the Jeddak of Jeddaks would find time to put us to the final test.
After a wait of several minutes in an ante- chamber we were summoned into the private office of Sorav, where we were courteously greeted by this ferocious-appearing, black- bearded officer. He asked us our names and stations in our own city, and having received replies that were evidently satisfactory to him, he put certain questions to us that Talu had foreseen and prepared us for.
The interview could not have lasted over ten minutes when Sorav summoned an aid whom he instructed to record us properly, and then escort us to the quarters in the palace which are set aside for aspirants to membership in the palace guard.
The aid took us to his own office first, where he measured and weighed and photographed us simultaneously with a machine ingeniously de- vised for that purpose, five copies being in- stantly reproduced in five different offices of the government, two of which are located in other cities miles distant. Then he led us through [182]
In Durance
the palace grounds to the main guardroom of the palace, there turning u^ over to the ofificer in charge.
This individual again questioned us briefly, and finally despatched a soldier to guide us to our quarters. These we found located upon the second floor of the palace in a semidetached tower at the rear of the edifice.
When we asked our guide why we were quar- tered so far from the guardroom he replied that the custom of the older members of the guard of picking quarrels with aspirants to try their metal had resulted in so many deaths that it was found difficult to maintain the guard at its full strength while this custom prevailed. Salensus Oil had, therefore, set apart these quarters for aspirants, and here they were se- curely locked against the danger of attack by members of the guard.
This unwelcome information put a sudden check to all our well-laid plans, for it meant that we should virtually be prisoners in the palace of Salensus Oil until the time that he should see fit to give us the final examination for efficiency.
As it was this interval upon which we had banked to accomplish so much in our search for [183]
The Warlord of Mars
Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth, our cha- grin was unbounded when we heard the great lock click behind our guide as he had quitted us after ushering us into the chambers we were to occupy.
With a wry face I turned to Thuvan Dihn. My companion but shook his head disconso- lately and walked to one of the windows upon the far side of the apartment.
Scarcely had he gazed beyond them than he called to me in a tone of suppressed excite- ment and surprise. In an instant I was by his side.
"Look!" said Thuvan Dihn, pointing to- ward the courtyard below.
As my eyes followed the direction indicated I saw two women pacing back and forth in an enclosed garden.
At the same moment I recognized them — they were Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth!
There were they whom I had trailed from one pole to another, the length of a world. Only ten feet of space and a few metal bars separated me from them.
With a cry I attracted their attention, and as Dejah Thoris looked up full into my eyes I [184]
In Durance
made the sign of love that the men of Barsoom make to their women.
To my astonishment and horror her head went high, and as a look of utter contempt touched her finely chiseled features she turned her back full upon me. My body is covered with the scars of a thousand conflicts, but never in all my long life have I suffered such anguish from a wound, for this time the steel of a woman's look had entered my heart.
With a groan I turned away and buried my face in my arms. I heard Thuvan Dihn call aloud to Thuvia, but an instant later his ex- clamation of surprise betokened that he, too, had been repulsed by his own daughter.
" They will not even listen," he cried to me. " They have put their hands over their ears and walked to the further end of the garden. Ever heard you of such mad work, John Carter? The two must be bewitched."
Presently I mustered the courage to return to the window, for even though she spurned me I loved her, and could not keep my eyes from feasting upon her divine face and figure, but when she saw me looking she again turned away.
[185]
The Warlord of Mars
I was at my wit's end to account for her strange actions, and that Thuvia, too, had turned against her father seemed incredible. Could it be that my incomparable princess still clung to the hideous faith from which I had res- cued her world? Could it be that she looked upon me with loathing and contempt because I had returned from the Valley Dor, or because I had desecrated the temples and persons of the Holy Therns?
To naught else could I ascribe her strange deportment, yet it seemed far from possible that such could be the case, for the love of Dejah Thoris for John Carter had been a great and wondrous love — ^far above racial distinc- tions, creed, or religion.
As I gazed ruefully at the back of her haughty, royal head a gate at the opposite end of the garden opened and a man entered. As he did so he turned and slipped something into the hand of the yellow guardsman beyond the gate, nor was the distance too gre?it that I might not see that money had passed between them.
Instantly I knew that this newcomer had bribed his way within the garden. Then he [186]
In Durance
turned in the direction of tlie two women, and I saw that he was none other than Thurid, the black dator of the First Born.
He approached quite close to them before he spoke, and as they turned at the sound of his voice I saw Dejah Thoris shrink from him.
There was a nasty leer upon his face as he stepped close to her and spoke again. I could not hear his words, but her answer came clearly.
' ' The granddaughter of Tardos Mors can al- ways die," she said, " but she could never live at the price you name."
Then I saw the black scoundrel go upon his knees beside her, fairly groveling in the dirt, pleading with her. Only part of what he said came to me, for though he was evidently labor- ing under the stress of passion and excite- ment, it was equally apparent that he did not dare raise his voice for fear of detection.
"I would save you from Matai Shang," I heard him say. " You know the fate that awaits you at his hands. Would you not choose me rather than the other? "
"I would choose neither," replied Dejah Thoris, " even were I free to choose, as you know well I am not."
[187]
The Warlord of Mars
" You are free! " he cried. " John Carter, Prince of Helium, is dead."
' ' I know better than that ; but even were he dead, and I must needs choose another mate, it should be a plant man or a great white ape in preference to either Matai Shang or you, black calot," she answered with a sneer of contempt.
Of a sudden the vicious beast lost all control of himself, as with a vile oath he leaped at the slender woman, gripping her tender throat in his brute clutch. Thuvia screamed and sprang to aid her fellow-prisoner, and at the same in- stant I, too, went mad, and tearing at the bars that spanned my window I ripped them from their sockets as they had been but copper wire.
Hurling myself through the aperture I reached the garden, but a hundred feet from where the black was choking the life from my Dejah Thoris, and with a single great bound I was upon him. I spoke no word as I tore his defiling fingers from that beautiful throat, nor did I utter a sound as I hurled him twenty feet from me.
Foaming with rage, Thurid regained his feet and charged me like a mad bull.
" Yellow man," he shrieked, *' you knew not [188]
In Durance
upon whom you had laid your vile hands, but ere I am done with you, you will know well what it means to offend the person of a First Born."
Then he was upon me, reaching for my throat, and precisely as I had done that day in the courtyard of the Temple of Issus I did here in the garden of the palace of Salensus Oil. I ducked beneath his outstretched arms, and as he lunged past me I planted a terrific right upon the side of his jaw.
Just as he had done upon that other occar sion he did now. Like a top he spun round, his knees gave beneath him, and he crumpled to the ground at my feet. Then I heard a voice behind me.
It was the deep voice of authority that marks the ruler of men, and when I turned to face the resplendent figure of a giant yellow man I did not need to ask to know that it was Salensus Oil. At his right stood Matai Shang, and be- hind them a score of guardsmen.
" Who are you," he cried, " and what means this intrusion within the precincts of the women's garden? I do not recall your face. How came you here ? ' '
But for his last words I should have for- [189]
The Warlord of Mars
gotten my disguise entirely and told him out- right that I was John Carter, Prince of Helium ; but his question recalled me to myself. I pointed to the dislodged bars of the window above.
" I am an aspirant to membership in the palace guard," I said, " and from yonder win- dow in the tower where I was confined await- ing the final test for fitness I saw this brute attack the — this woman. I could not stand idly by, Jeddak, and see this thing done within the very palace grounds, and yet feel that I was fit to serve and guard your royal person."
I had evidently made an impression upon the ruler of Okar by my fair words, and when he had turned to Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth, and both had corroborated my state- ments it began to look pretty dark for Thurid.
I saw the ugly gleam in Matai Shang's evil eyes as Dejah Thoris narrated all that had passed between Thurid and herself, and when she came to that part which dealt with my inter- ference with the dator of the First Born her gratitude was quite apparent, though I could see by her eyes that something puzzled her strangely.
[190]
In Durance
I did not wonder at her attitude toward me while others were present ; but that she should have denied me while she and Thuvia were the only occupants of the garden still cut me sorely.
As the examination proceeded I cast a glance at Thurid and startled him looking wide-eyed and wonderingly at me, and then of a sudden he laughed full in my face.
A moment later Salensus Oil turned toward the black.
""What have you to say in explanation of these charges? " he asked in a deep and terrible voice. ' ' Dare you aspire to one whom the Father of Thems has chosen — one who might even be a fit mate for the Jeddak of Jeddaks himself? "
And then the black-bearded tyrant turned and cast a sudden greedy look upon Dejah Thoris, as though with the words a new thought and a new desire had sprung up within his mind and breast.
Thurid had been about to reply and, with a malicious grin upon his face, was pointing an accusing finger at me, when Salensus Oil's words and the expression of his face cut him short.
[191]
The Warlord of Mars
A cunning look crept into Ms eyes, and I knew from the expression of Ms face that his next words were not the ones he had intended to speak.
" Mightiest of Jeddaks," he said, " the man and the women do not speak the truth. The fellow had come into the garden to assist them to escape. I was beyond and overheard their conversation, and when I entered, the woman screamed and the man sprang upon me and would have killed me.
"What know you of this man? He is a stranger to you, and I dare say that you will find him an enemy and a spy. Let him be put on trial, Salensus Oil, rather than your friend and guest, Thurid, Dator of the First Born."
Salensus Oil looked puzzled. He turned again and looked upon Dejah Thoris, and then Thurid stepped quite close to him and whispered some- thing in his ear — what, I know not.
Presently the yellow ruler turned to one of his officers.
" See that this man be securely confined until we have time to go deeper into this affair," he commanded, " and as bars alone seem inade- quate to restrain him, let chains be added." [192]
In Durance
Then lie turned and left the garden, taking Dejah Thoris with him — his hand upon her shoulder. Thurid and Matai Shang went also, and as they reached the gateway the black turned and laughed again aloud in my face.
What could be the meaning of his sudden change toward me? Could he suspect my true identity? It must be that, and the thing that had betrayed me was the trick and blow that had laid him low for the second time.
As the guards dragged me away my heart was very sad and bitter indeed, for now to the two relentless enemies that had hounded her for so long another and a more powerful one had been added, for I would have been but a fool had I not recognized the sudden love for Dejah Thoris that had just been bom in the terrible breast of Salensus Oil, Jeddak of Jed- daks, ruler of Okar.
[193]