Sucharetheprince’sorders。\"
Thenheturnedandretracedhisstepstowardthepalace，leavingheraloneinthemidstoftheunseenterrorsofthehauntedcity，forintruththeseplacesarehauntedinthebeliefofmanyMartianswhostillclingtoanancientsuperstitionwhichteachesthatthespiritsofHolyThernswhodiebeforetheirallottedonethousandyears，pass，onoccasions，intothebodiesofthegreatwhiteapes。
ToThuvia，however，therealdangerofattackbyoneoftheseferocious，manlikebeastswasquitesufficient。
ShenolongerbelievedintheweirdsoultransmigrationthatthethernshadtaughtherbeforeshewasrescuedfromtheirclutchesbyJohnCarter;butshewellknewthehorridfatethatawaitedhershouldoneoftheterriblebeastschancetospyherduringitsnocturnalprowlings。
Whatwasthat？
Surelyshecouldnotbemistaken。Somethinghadmoved，stealthily，intheshadowofoneofthegreatmonolithsthatlinetheavenuewhereitenteredtheplazaoppositeher！
TharBan，jedamongthehordesofTorquas，rodeswiftlyacrosstheochrevegetationofthedeadsea—
bottomtowardtheruinsofancientAaanthor。
Hehadriddenfarthatnight，andfast，forhehadbutcomefromthedespoilingoftheincubatorofaneighbouringgreenhordewithwhichthehordesofTorquaswereperpetuallywarring。
Hisgiantthoatwasfarfromjaded，yetitwouldbewell，thoughtTharBan，topermithimtograzeupontheochremosswhichgrowstogreaterheightwithintheprotectedcourtyardsofdesertedcities，wherethesoilisricherthanonthesea—bottoms，andtheplantspartlyshadedfromthesunduringthecloudlessMartianday。
Withinthetinystemsofthisdry—seemingplantissufficientmoisturefortheneedsofthehugebodiesofthemightythoats，whichcanexistformonthswithoutwater，andfordayswithouteventheslightmoisturewhichtheochremosscontains。
AsTharBanrodenoiselesslyupthebroadavenuewhichleadsfromthequaysofAaanthortothegreatcentralplaza，heandhismountmighthavebeenmistakenforspectresfromaworldofdreams，sogrotesquethemanandbeast，sosoundlessthegreatthoat’spadded，naillessfeetuponthemoss—grownflaggingoftheancientpavement。
Themanwasasplendidspecimenofhisrace。Fullyfifteenfeettoweredhisgreatheightfromsoletopate。
Themoonlightglistenedagainsthisglossygreenhide，sparklingthejewelsofhisheavyharnessandtheornamentsthatweightedhisfourmusculararms，whiletheupcurvingtusksthatprotrudedfromhislowerjawgleamedwhiteandterrible。
Atthesideofhisthoatwereslunghislongradiumrifleandhisgreat，forty—foot，metal—shodspear，whilefromhisownharnessdependedhislong—swordandhisshort—sword，aswellashislesserweapons。
Hisprotrudingeyesandantennae—likeearswereturningconstantlyhitherandthither，forTharBanwasyetinthecountryoftheenemy，and，too，therewasalwaysthemenaceofthegreatwhiteapes，which，JohnCarterwaswonttosay，aretheonlycreaturesthatcanarouseinthebreastsofthesefiercedenizensofthedeadsea—bottomseventheremotestsemblanceoffear。
Astheridernearedtheplaza，hereinedsuddenlyin。
Hisslender，tubularearspointedrigidlyforward。
Anunwontedsoundhadreachedthem。Voices！Andwheretherewerevoices，outsideofTorquas，there，too，wereenemies。AlltheworldofwideBarsoomcontainednaughtbutenemiesforthefierceTorquasians。
TharBandismounted。KeepingintheshadowsofthegreatmonolithsthatlinetheAvenueofQuaysofsleepingAaanthor，heapproachedtheplaza。Directlybehindhim，asahoundatheel，cametheslate—greythoat，hiswhitebellyshadowedbyhisbarrel，hisvividyellowfeetmergingintotheyellowofthemossbeneaththem。
InthecentreoftheplazaTharBansawthefigureofaredwoman。Aredwarriorwasconversingwithher。Nowthemanturnedandretracedhisstepstowardthepalaceattheoppositesideoftheplaza。
TharBanwatcheduntilhehaddisappearedwithintheyawningportal。Herewasacaptiveworthhaving！
Seldomdidafemaleoftheirhereditaryenemiesfalltothelotofagreenman。TharBanlickedhisthinlips。
ThuviaofPtarthwatchedtheshadowbehindthemonolithattheopeningtotheavenueoppositeher。Shehopedthatitmightbebutthefigmentofanoverwroughtimagination。
Butno！Now，clearlyanddistinctly，shesawitmove。
Itcamefrombehindthescreeningshelteroftheersiteshaft。
Thesuddenlightoftherisingsunfelluponit。
Thegirltrembled。TheTHINGwasahugegreenwarrior！
Swiftlyitsprangtowardher。Shescreamedandtriedtoflee;butshehadscarceturnedtowardthepalacewhenagianthandfelluponherarm，shewaswhirledabout，andhalfdragged，halfcarriedtowardahugethoatthatwasslowlygrazingoutoftheavenue’smouthontotheochremossoftheplaza。
Atthesameinstantsheturnedherfaceupwardtowardthewhirringsoundofsomethingaboveher，andthereshesawaswiftflierdroppingtowardher，theheadandshouldersofamanleaningfarovertheside;
buttheman’sfeaturesweredeeplyshadowed，sothatshedidnotrecognizethem。
Nowfrombehindhercametheshoutsofherredabductors。
Theywereracingmadlyafterhimwhodaredtostealwhattheyalreadyhadstolen。
AsTharBanreachedthesideofhismounthesnatchedhislongradiumriflefromitsboot，and，wheeling，pouredthreeshotsintotheoncomingredmen。
SuchistheuncannymarksmanshipoftheseMartiansavagesthatthreeredwarriorsdroppedintheirtracksasthreeprojectilesexplodedintheirvitals。
Theothershalted，nordidtheydarereturnthefireforfearofwoundingthegirl。
ThenTharBanvaultedtothebackofhisthoat，ThuviaofPtarthstillinhisarms，andwithasavagecryoftriumphdisappeareddowntheblackcanyonoftheAvenueofQuaysbetweenthesullenpalacesofforgottenAaanthor。
Carthoris’flierhadnottouchedthegroundbeforehehadsprungfromitsdecktoraceaftertheswiftthoat，whoseeightlonglegsweresendingitdowntheavenueattherateofanexpresstrain;butthemenofDusarwhostillremainedalivehadnomindtopermitsovaluableacapturetoescapethem。
Theyhadlostthegirl。ThatwouldbeadifficultthingtoexplaintoAstok;butsomeleniencymightbeexpectedcouldtheycarrythePrinceofHeliumtotheirmasterinstead。
SothethreewhoremainedsetuponCarthoriswiththeirlong—swords，cryingtohimtosurrender;buttheymightassuccessfullyhavecriedaloudtoThuriatoceasehermadhurtlingthroughtheBarsoomiansky，forCarthorisofHeliumwasatruesonoftheWarlordofMarsandhisincomparableDejahThoris。
Carthoris’long—swordhadbeenalreadyinhishandasheleapedfromthedeckoftheflier，sotheinstantthatherealizedthemenaceofthethreeredwarriors，hewheeledtofacethem，meetingtheironslaughtasonlyJohnCarterhimselfmighthavedone。
Soswifthissword，somightyandagilehishalf—earthlymuscles，thatoneofhisopponentswasdown，crimsoningtheochremosswithhislife—blood，whenhehadscarcemadeasinglepassatCarthoris。
NowthetworemainingDusariansrushedsimultaneouslyupontheHeliumite。Threelong—swordsclashedandsparkledinthemoonlight，untilthegreatwhiteapes，rousedfromtheirslumbers，crepttotheloweringwindowsofthedeadcitytoviewthebloodyscenebeneaththem。
ThricewasCarthoristouched，sothattheredbloodrandownhisface，blindinghimanddyeinghisbroadchest。Withhisfreehandhewipedthegorefromhiseyes，andwiththefightingsmileofhisfathertouchinghislips，leapeduponhisantagonistswithrenewedfury。
Asinglecutofhisheavyswordseveredtheheadofoneofthem，andthentheother，backingawayclearofthatpointofdeath，turnedandfledtowardthepalaceathisback。
Carthorismadenosteptopursue。Hehadotherconcernthanthemetingofevenwell—deservedpunishmenttostrangemenwhomasqueradedinthemetalofhisownhouse，forhehadseenthatthesemenweretrickedoutintheinsigniathatmarkedhispersonalfollowers。
Turningquicklytowardhisflier，hewassoonrisingfromtheplazainpursuitofTharBan。
Theredwarriorwhomhehadputtoflightturnedintheentrancetothepalace，and，seeingCarthoris’intent，snatchedariflefromthosethatheandhisfellowshadleftleaningagainstthewallastheyhadrushedoutwithdrawnswordstopreventthetheftoftheirprisoner。
Fewredmenaregoodshots，fortheswordistheirchosenweapon;sonowastheDusariandrewbeadupontherisingflier，andtouchedthebuttonuponhisrifle’sstock，itwasmoretochancethanproficiencythatheowedthepartialsuccessofhisaim。
Theprojectilegrazedtheflier’sside，theopaquecoatingbreakingsufficientlytopermitdaylighttostrikeinuponthepowderphialwithinthebullet’snose。
Therewasasharpexplosion。Carthorisfelthiscraftreeldrunkenlybeneathhim，andtheenginestopped。
Themomentumtheairboathadgainedcarriedheronoverthecitytowardthesea—bottombeyond。
Theredwarriorintheplazafiredseveralmoreshots，noneofwhichscored。Thenaloftyminaretshutthedriftingquarryfromhisview。
InthedistancebeforehimCarthoriscouldseethegreenwarriorbearingThuviaofPtarthawayuponhismightythoat。Thedirectionofhisflightwastowardthenorth—westofAaanthor，wherelayamountainouscountrylittleknowntoredmen。
TheHeliumitenowgavehisattentiontohisinjuredcraft。
Acloseexaminationrevealedthefacethatoneofthebuoyancytankshadbeenpunctured，buttheengineitselfwasuninjured。
Asplinterfromtheprojectilehaddamagedoneofthecontrolleversbeyondthepossibilityofrepairoutsideamachineshop;butafterconsiderabletinkering，Carthoriswasabletopropelhiswoundedflieratlowspeed，aratewhichcouldnotapproachtherapidgaitofthethoat，whoseeightlong，powerfullegscarrieditovertheochrevegetationofthedeadsea—bottomatterrificspeed。
ThePrinceofHeliumchafedandfrettedattheslownessofhispursuit，yethewasthankfulthatthedamagewasnoworse，fornowhecouldatleastmovemorerapidlythanonfoot。
Buteventhismeagresatisfactionwassoontobedeniedhim，forpresentlythefliercommencedtosagtowardtheportandbythebow。Thedamagetothebuoyancytankshadevidentlybeenmoregrievousthanhehadatfirstbelieved。
AllthebalanceofthatlongdayCarthoriscrawlederraticallythroughthestillair，thebowofthefliersinkinglowerandlower，andthelisttoportbecomingmoreandmorealarming，untilatlast，neardark，hewasfloatingalmostbowdown，hisharnessbuckledtoaheavydeckringtokeephimfrombeingprecipitatedtothegroundbelow。
Hisforwardmovementwasnowconfinedtoaslowdriftingwiththegentlebreezethatblewoutofthesouth—east，andwhenthisdieddownwiththesettingofthesun，heletthefliersinkgentlytothemossycarpetbeneath。
Farbeforehimloomedthemountainstowardwhichthegreenmanhadbeenfleeingwhenlasthehadseenhim，andwithdoggedresolutionthesonofJohnCarter，endowedwiththeindomitablewillofhismightysire，tookupthepursuitonfoot。
Allthatnightheforgedaheaduntil，withthedawningofanewday，heenteredthelowfoothillsthatguardtheapproachtothefastnessofthemountainsofTorquas。
Rugged，graniticwallstoweredbeforehim。Nowherecouldhediscernanopeningthroughtheformidablebarrier;yetsomewhereintothisinhospitableworldofstonethegreenwarriorhadbornethewomanoftheredman’sheart’sdesire。
Acrosstheyieldingmossofthesea—bottomtherehadbeennospoortofollow，forthesoftpadsofthethoatbutpresseddowninhisswiftpassagetheresilientvegetationwhichsprangupagainbehindhisfleetingfeet，leavingnosign。
Buthereinthehills，wherelooserockoccasionallystrewedtheway;whereblackloamandwildflowerspartiallyreplacedthesombremonotonyofthewasteplacesofthelowlands，Carthorishopedtofindsomesignthatwouldleadhimintherightdirection。
Yet，searchashewould，thebafflingmysteryofthetrailseemedlikelytoremainforeverunsolved。
Itwasdrawingtowardtheday’scloseoncemorewhenthekeeneyesoftheHeliumitediscernedthetawnyyellowofasleekhidemovingamongthebouldersseveralhundredyardstohisleft。
Crouchingquicklybehindalargerock，Carthoriswatchedthethingbeforehim。Itwasahugebanth，oneofthosesavageBarsoomianlionsthatroamthedesolatehillsofthedyingplanet。
Thecreature’snosewasclosetotheground。Itwasevidentthathewasfollowingthespoorofmeatbyscent。
AsCarthoriswatchedhim，agreathopeleapedintotheman’sheart。Here，possibly，mightliethesolutiontothemysteryhehadbeenendeavouringtosolve。Thishungrycarnivore，keenalwaysforthefleshofman，mightevennowbetrailingthetwowhomCarthorissought。
Cautiouslytheyouthcreptoutuponthetrailoftheman—eater。Alongthefootoftheperpendicularcliffthecreaturemoved，sniffingattheinvisiblespoor，andnowandthenemittingthelowmoanofthehuntingbanth。
Carthorishadfollowedthecreatureforbutafewminuteswhenitdisappearedassuddenlyandmysteriouslyasthoughdissolvedintothinair。
Themanleapedtohisfeet。Notagainwashetobecheatedasthemanhadcheatedhim。Hesprangforwardatarecklesspacetothespotatwhichhelasthadseenthegreat，skulkingbrute。
Beforehimloomedthesheercliff，itsfaceunbrokenbyanyapertureintowhichthehugebanthmighthavewormeditsgreatcarcass。Besidehimwasasmall，flatboulder，notlargerthanthedeckofaten—manflier，norstandingtoagreaterheightthantwicehisownstature。
Perhapsthebanthwasinhidingbehindthis？Thebrutemighthavediscoveredthemanuponhistrail，andevennowbelyinginwaitforhiseasyprey。
Cautiously，withdrawnlong—sword，Carthoriscreptaroundthecorneroftherock。Therewasnobanththere，butsomethingwhichsurprisedhiminfinitelymorethanwouldthepresenceoftwentybanths。
Beforehimyawnedthemouthofadarkcaveleadingdownwardintotheground。Throughthisthebanthmusthavedisappeared。Wasithislair？Withinitsdarkandforbiddinginteriormighttherenotlurknotonebutmanyofthefearsomecreatures？
Carthorisdidnotknow，nor，withthethoughtthathadbeenspurringhimonwarduponthetrailofthecreatureuppermostinhismind，didhemuchcare;forintothisgloomycavernhewassurethebanthhadtrailedthegreenmanandhiscaptive，andintoithe，too，wouldfollow，contenttogivehislifeintheserviceofthewomanheloved。
Notaninstantdidhehesitate，noryetdidheadvancerashly;butwithreadyswordandcautioussteps，forthewaywasdark，hestoleon。Asheadvanced，theobscuritybecameimpenetrableblackness。
CHAPTERV
THEFAIRRACE
Downwardalongasmooth，broadfloorledthestrangetunnel，forsuchCarthoriswasnowconvincedwasthenatureoftheshaftheatfirsthadthoughtbutacave。
Beforehimhecouldheartheoccasionallowmoansofthebanth，andpresentlyfrombehindcameasimilaruncannynote。
AnotherbanthhadenteredthepassagewayonHIStrail！
Hispositionwasanythingbutpleasant。Hiseyescouldnotpenetratethedarknesseventothedistinguishingofhishandbeforehisface，whilethebanths，heknew，couldseequitewell，thoughabsenceoflightwereutter。
Noothersoundscametohisearsthanthedismal，bloodthirstymoaningsofthebeastaheadandthebeastbehind。
Thetunnelhadledstraight，fromwherehehadentereditbeneaththesideoftherockfurthestfromtheunscaleablecliffs，towardthemightybarrierthathadbaffledhimsolong。
Nowitwasrunningalmostlevel，andpresentlyhenotedagradualascent。
Thebeastbehindhimwasgaininguponhim，crowdinghimperilouslycloseupontheheelsofthebeastinfront。
Presentlyheshouldhavetodobattlewithone，orboth。
Morefirmlyhegrippedhisweapon。
Nowhecouldhearthebreathingofthebanthathisheels。
Notformuchlongercouldhedelaytheencounter。
Longsincehehadbecomeassuredthatthetunnelledbeneaththecliffstotheoppositesideofthebarrier，andhehadhopedthathemightreachthemoonlitopenbeforebeingcompelledtograpplewitheitherofthemonsters。
Thesunhadbeensettingasheenteredthetunnel，andthewayhadbeensufficientlylongtoassurehimthatdarknessnowreignedupontheworldwithout。
Heglancedbehindhim。Blazingoutofthedarkness，seeminglynottenpacesbehind，glaredtwoflamingpointsoffire。Asthesavageeyesmethis，thebeastemittedafrightfulroarandthenhecharged。
Tofacethatsavagemountainofonrushingferocity，tostandunshakenbeforethehideousfangsthatheknewwerebaredinslaveringblood—thirstiness，thoughhecouldnotseethem，requirednervesofsteel;butofsuchwerethenervesofCarthorisofHelium。
Hehadthebrute’seyestoguidehispoint，and，astrueastheswordhandofhismightysire，hisguidedthekeenpointtooneofthoseblazingorbs，evenasheleapedlightlytooneside。
Withahideousscreamofpainandrage，thewoundedbanthhurtled，clawing，pasthim。Thenitturnedtochargeoncemore;butthistimeCarthorissawbutasinglegleamingpointoffieryhatedirecteduponhim。
Againtheneedlepointmetitsflashingtarget。Againthehorridcryofthestrickenbeastreverberatedthroughtherockytunnel，shockinginitstorture—ladenshrillness，deafeninginitsterrificvolume。
Butnow，asitturnedtochargeagain，themanhadnoguidewherebytodirecthispoint。
Heheardthescrapingofthepaddedfeetupontherockyfloor。
Heknewthethingwaschargingdownuponhimonceagain，buthecouldseenothing。
Yet，ifhecouldnotseehisantagonist，neithercouldhisantagonistnowseehim。
Leaping，ashethought，totheexactcentreofthetunnel，heheldhisswordpointreadyonalinewiththebeast’schest。Itwasallthathecoulddo，hopingthatchancemightsendthepointintothesavageheartashewentdownbeneaththegreatbody。
SoquicklywasthethingoverthatCarthoriscouldscarcebelievehissensesasthemightybodyrushedmadlypasthim。Eitherhehadnotplacedhimselfinthecentreofthetunnel，orelsetheblindedbanthhaderredinitscalculations。
However，thehugebodymissedhimbyafoot，andthecreaturecontinuedondownthetunnelasthoughinpursuitofthepreythathadeludedhim。
Carthoris，too，followedthesamedirection，norwasitlongbeforehisheartwasgladdenedbythesightofthemoonlitexitfromthelong，darkpassage。
Beforehimlayadeephollow，entirelysurroundedbygiganticcliffs。Thesurfaceofthevalleywasdottedwithenormoustrees，astrangesightsofarfromaMartianwaterway。
Thegrounditselfwasclothedinbrilliantscarletsward，pickedoutwithinnumerablepatchesofgorgeouswildflowers。
Beneaththegloriouseffulgenceofthetwomoonsthescenewasoneofindescribableloveliness，tingedwiththeweirdnessofstrangeenchantment。
Foronlyaninstant，however，didhisgazerestuponthenaturalbeautiesoutspreadbeforehim。Almostimmediatelytheywereriveteduponthefigureofagreatbanthstandingacrossthecarcassofanew—killedthoat。
Thehugebeast，histawnymanebristlingaroundhishideoushead，kepthiseyesfixeduponanotherbanththatchargederraticallyhitherandthither，withshrillscreamsofpain，andhorridroarsofhateandrage。
Carthorisquicklyguessedthatthesecondbrutewastheonehehadblindedduringthefightinthetunnel，butitwasthedeadthoatthatcentredhisinterestmorethaneitherofthesavagecarnivores。
TheharnesswasstilluponthebodyofthehugeMartianmount，andCarthoriscouldnotdoubtbutthatthiswastheveryanimaluponwhichthegreenwarriorhadborneawayThuviaofPtarth。
Butwhereweretheriderandhisprisoner？ThePrinceofHeliumshudderedashethoughtupontheprobabilityofthefatethathadovertakenthem。
HumanfleshisthefoodmostcravedbythefierceBarsoomianlion，whosegreatcarcassandgiantthewsrequireenormousquantitiesofmeattosustainthem。
Twohumanbodieswouldhavebutwhettedthecreature’sappetite，andthathehadkilledandeatenthegreenmanandtheredgirlseemedonlytoolikelytoCarthoris。Hehadleftthecarcassofthemightythoattobedevouredafterhavingconsumedthemoretooth—someportionofhisbanquet。
Nowthesightlessbanth，initssavage，aimlesschargingandcounter—charging，hadpassedbeyondthekillofitsfellow，andtherethelightbreezethatwasblowingwaftedthescentofnewbloodtoitsnostrils。
Nolongerwereitsmovementserratic。Withoutstretchedtailandfoamingjawsitchargedstraightasanarrow，forthebodyofthethoatandthemightycreatureofdestructionthatstoodwithforepawsupontheslate—greyside，waitingtodefenditsmeat。
Whenthechargingbanthwastwentypacesfromthedeadthoatthekillergaveventtoitshideouschallenge，andwithamightyspringleapedforwardtomeetit。
ThebattlethatensuedawedeventhewarlikeBarsoomian。
Themadrending，thehideousanddeafeningroaring，theimplacablesavageryoftheblood—stainedbeastsheldhimintheparalysisoffascination，andwhenitwasoverandthetwocreatures，theirheadsandshoulderstorntoribbons，laywiththeirdeadjawsstillburiedineachother’sbodies，Carthoristorehimselffromthespellonlybyaneffortofthewill。
Hurryingtothesideofthedeadthoat，hesearchedfortracesofthegirlhefearedhadsharedthethoat’sfate，butnowherecouldhediscoveranythingtoconfirmhisfears。
Withslightlylightenedhearthestartedouttoexplorethevalley，butscarceadozenstepshadhetakenwhentheglisteningofajewelledbaublelyingontheswardcaughthiseye。
Ashepickedituphisfirstglanceshowedhimthatitwasawoman’shairornament，andemblazoneduponitwastheinsigniaoftheroyalhouseofPtarth。
But，sinisterdiscovery，blood，stillwet，splotchedthemagnificentjewelsofthesetting。
Carthorishalfchokedasthedirepossibilitieswhichthethingsuggestedpresentedthemselvestohisimagination。
Yethecouldnot，wouldnotbelieveit。
Itwasimpossiblethatthatradiantcreaturecouldhavemetsohideousanend。ItwasincrediblethatthegloriousThuviashouldeverceasetobe。
Uponhisalreadyjewel—encrustedharness，tothestrapthatcrossedhisgreatchestbeneathwhichbeathisloyalheart，Carthoris，PrinceofHelium，fastenedthegleamingthingthatThuviaofPtarthhadworn，andwearing，hadmadeholytotheHeliumite。
Thenheproceededuponhiswayintotheheartoftheunknownvalley。
Forthemostpartthegianttreesshutoffhisviewtoanybutthemostlimiteddistances。Occasionallyhecaughtglimpsesofthetoweringhillsthatboundedthevalleyuponeveryside，andthoughtheystoodoutclearbeneaththelightofthetwomoons，heknewthattheywerefaroff，andthattheextentofthevalleywasimmense。
Forhalfthenighthecontinuedhissearch，untilpresentlyhewasbroughttoasuddenhaltbythedistantsoundofsquealingthoats。
Guidedbythenoiseofthesehabituallyangrybeasts，hestoleforwardthroughthetreesuntilatlasthecameuponalevel，treelessplain，inthecentreofwhichamightycityreareditsburnisheddomesandvividlycolouredtowers。
Aboutthewalledcitytheredmansawahugeencampmentofthegreenwarriorsofthedeadsea—bottoms，andashelethiseyesrovecarefullyoverthecityherealizedthatherewasnodesertedmetropolisofadeadpast。
Butwhatcitycoulditbe？Hisstudieshadtaughthimthatinthislittle—exploredportionofBarsoomthefiercetribeofTorquasiangreenmenruledsupreme，andthatasyetnoredmanhadsucceededinpiercingtotheheartoftheirdomaintoreturnagaintotheworldofcivilization。
ThemenofTorquashadperfectedhugegunswithwhichtheiruncannymarksmanshiphadpermittedthemtorepulsethefewdeterminedeffortsthatnear—byrednationshadmadetoexploretheircountrybymeansofbattlefleetsofairships。
ThathewaswithintheboundaryofTorquas，Carthoriswassure，butthatthereexistedtheresuchawondrouscityheneverhaddreamed，norhadthechroniclesofthepastevenhintedatsuchapossibility，fortheTorquasianswereknowntolive，asdidtheothergreenmenofMars，withinthedesertedcitiesthatdottedthedyingplanet，noreverhadanygreenhordebuiltsomuchasasingleedifice，otherthanthelow—walledincubatorswheretheiryoungarehatchedbythesun’sheat。
Theencirclingcampofgreenwarriorslayaboutfivehundredyardsfromthecity’swalls。Betweenitandthecitywasnosemblanceofbreastworkorotherprotectionagainstrifleorcannonfire;yetdistinctlynowinthelightoftherisingsunCarthoriscouldseemanyfiguresmovingalongthesummitofthehighwall，andupontherooftopsbeyond。
Thattheywerebeingslikehimselfhewassure，thoughtheywereattoogreatdistancefromhimforhimtobepositivethattheywereredmen。
Almostimmediatelyaftersunrisethegreenwarriorscommencedfiringuponthelittlefiguresuponthewall。
ToCarthoris’surprisethefirewasnotreturned，butpresentlythelastofthecity’sinhabitantshadsoughtshelterfromtheweirdmarksmanshipofthegreenmen，andnofurthersignoflifewasvisiblebeyondthewall。
ThenCarthoris，keepingwithintheshelterofthetreesthatfringedtheplain，begancirclingtherearofthebesiegers’line，hopingagainsthopethatsomewherehewouldobtainsightofThuviaofPtarth，forevennowhecouldnotbelievethatshewasdead。
Thathewasnotdiscoveredwasamiracle，formountedwarriorswereconstantlyridingbackandforthfromthecampintotheforest;
butthelongdayworeonandstillhecontinuedhisseeminglyfruitlessquest，until，nearsunset，hecameoppositeamightygateinthecity’swesternwall。
Hereseemedtobetheprincipalforceoftheattackinghorde。
HereagreatplatformhadbeenerectedwhereonCarthoriscouldseesquattingahugegreenwarrior，surroundedbyothersofhiskind。
This，then，mustbethenotoriousHortanGur，JeddakofTorquas，thefierceoldogreofthesouth—westernhemisphere，asonlyforajeddakareplatformsraisedintemporarycampsoruponthemarchbythegreenhordesofBarsoom。
AstheHeliumitewatchedhesawanothergreenwarriorpushhiswayforwardtowardtherostrum。Besidehimhedraggedacaptive，andasthesurroundingwarriorspartedtoletthetwopass，Carthoriscaughtafleetingglimpseoftheprisoner。
Hisheartleapedinrejoicing。ThuviaofPtarthstilllived！
ItwaswithdifficultythatCarthorisrestrainedtheimpulsetorushforwardtothesideofthePtarthianprincess;butintheendhisbetterjudgmentprevailed，forinthefaceofsuchoddsheknewthatheshouldhavebeenbutthrowingaway，uselessly，anyfutureopportunityhemighthavetosuccourher。
Hesawherdraggedtothefootoftherostrum。
HesawHortanGuraddressher。Hecouldnothearthecreature’swords，norThuvia’sreply;butitmusthaveangeredthegreenmonster，forCarthorissawhimleaptowardtheprisoner，strikingheracruelblowacrossthefacewithhismetal—bandedarm。
ThenthesonofJohnCarter，JeddakofJeddaks，WarlordofBarsoom，wentmad。Theold，blood—redhazethroughwhichhissirehadglaredatcountlessfoes，floatedbeforehiseyes。
Hishalf—Earthlymuscles，respondingquicklytohiswill，senthiminenormousleapsandboundstowardthegreenmonsterthathadstruckthewomanheloved。
TheTorquasianswerenotlookinginthedirectionoftheforest。Alleyeshadbeenuponthefiguresofthegirlandtheirjeddak，andloudwasthehideouslaughterthatrangoutinappreciationofthewitofthegreenemperor’sreplytohisprisoner’sappealforliberty。
Carthorishadcoveredabouthalfthedistancebetweentheforestandthegreenwarriors，whenanewfactorsucceededinstillfurtherdirectingtheattentionofthelatterfromhim。
Uponahightowerwithinthebeleagueredcityamanappeared。
Fromhisupturnedmouththereissuedaseriesoffrightfulshrieks;
uncannyshrieksthatswept，shrillandterrifying，acrossthecity’swalls，overtheheadsofthebesiegers，andoutacrosstheforesttotheuttermostconfinesofthevalley。
Once，twice，thricethefearsomesoundsmoteupontheearsofthelisteninggreenmenandthenfar，faroffacrossthebroadwoodscamesharpandclearfromthedistanceanansweringshriek。
Itwasbutthefirst。Fromeverypointrosesimilarsavagecries，untiltheworldseemedtotrembletotheirreverberations。
Thegreenwarriorslookednervouslythiswayandthat。
Theyknewnotfear，asEarthmenmayknowit;butinthefaceoftheunusualtheirwontedself—assurancedesertedthem。
AndthenthegreatgateinthecitywalloppositetheplatformofHortanGurswungsuddenlywide。FromitissuedasstrangeasightasCarthoriseverhadwitnessed，thoughatthemomenthehadtimetocastbutasinglefleetingglanceatthetallbowmenemergingthroughtheportalbehindtheirlong，ovalshields;tonotetheirflowingauburnhair;andtorealizethatthegrowlingthingsattheirsidewerefierceBarsoomianlions。
ThenhewasinthemidstoftheastonishedTorquasians。
Withdrawnlong—swordhewasamongthem，andtoThuviaofPtarth，whosestartledeyeswerethefirsttofalluponhim，itseemedthatshewaslookinguponJohnCarterhimself，sostrangelysimilartothefightingofthefatherwasthatoftheson。
EventothefamousfightingsmileoftheVirginianwastheresemblancetrue。Andtheswordarm！
Ah，thesubtlenessofit，andthespeed！
Allaboutwasturmoilandconfusion。Greenwarriorswereleapingtothebacksoftheirrestive，squealingthoats。
Calotsweregrowlingouttheirsavagegutturals，whiningtobeatthethroatsoftheoncomingfoemen。
TharBanandanotherbythesideoftherostrumhadbeenthefirsttonotethecomingofCarthoris，anditwaswiththemhebattledforpossessionoftheredgirl，whiletheothershastenedtomeetthehostadvancingfromthebeleagueredcity。
CarthorissoughtbothtodefendThuviaofPtarthandreachthesideofthehideousHortanGurthathemightavengetheblowthecreaturehadstruckthegirl。
Hesucceededinreachingtherostrum，overthedeadbodiesoftwowarriorswhohadturnedtojoinTharBanandhiscompanioninrepulsingthisadventurousredman，justasHortanGurwasabouttoleapfromittothebackofhisthoat。
Theattentionofthegreenwarriorsturnedprincipallyuponthebowmenadvancinguponthemfromthecity，anduponthesavagebanthsthatpacedbesidethem——
cruelbeastsofwar，infinitelymoreterriblethantheirownsavagecalots。
AsCarthorisleapedtotherostrumhedrewThuviaupbesidehim，andthenheturneduponthedepartingjeddakwithanangrychallengeandaswordthrust。
AstheHeliumite’spointprickedhisgreenhide，HortanGurturneduponhisadversarywithasnarl，butatthesameinstanttwoofhischieftainscalledtohimtohasten，forthechargeofthefair—skinnedinhabitantsofthecitywasdevelopingintoamoreseriousmatterthantheTorquasianshadanticipated。
Insteadofremainingtobattlewiththeredman，HortanGurpromisedhimhisattentionafterhehaddisposedofthepresumptuouscitizensofthewalledcity，and，leapingastridehisthoat，gallopedofftomeettherapidlyadvancingbowmen。
Theotherwarriorsquicklyfollowedtheirjeddak，leavingThuviaandCarthorisaloneupontheplatform。
Betweenthemandthecityragedaterrificbattle。Thefair—skinnedwarriors，armedonlywiththeirlongbowsandakindofshort—handledwar—axe，werealmosthelplessbeneaththesavagemountedgreenmenatclosequarters;
butatadistancetheirsharparrowsdidfullyasmuchexecutionastheradiumprojectilesofthegreenmen。
Butifthewarriorsthemselveswereoutclassed，notsotheirsavagecompanions，thefiercebanths。ScarcehadthetwolinescometogetherwhenhundredsoftheseappallingcreatureshadleapedamongtheTorquasians，draggingwarriorsfromtheirthoats——draggingdownthehugethoatsthemselves，andbringingconsternationtoallbeforethem。
Thenumbersofthecitizenry，too，wastotheiradvantage，foritseemedthatscarceawarriorfellbuthisplacewastakenbyascoremore，insuchaconstantstreamdidtheypourfromthecity’sgreatgate。
Andsoitcame，whatwiththeferocityofthebanthsandthenumbersofthebowmen，thatatlasttheTorquasiansfellback，untilpresentlytheplatformuponwhichstoodCarthorisandThuvialaydirectlyinthecentreofthefight。
Thatneitherwasstruckbyabulletoranarrowseemedamiracletoboth;butatlastthetidehadrolledcompletelypastthem，sothattheywerealonebetweenthefightersandthecity，exceptforthedyingandthedead，andascoreorsoofgrowlingbanths，lesswelltrainedthantheirfellows，whoprowledamongthecorpsesseekingmeat。
ToCarthoristhestrangestpartofthebattlehadbeentheterrifictolltakenbythebowmenwiththeirrelativelypunyweapons。Nowherethathecouldseewasthereasinglewoundedgreenman，butthecorpsesoftheirdeadlaythickuponthefieldofbattle。
Deathseemedtofollowinstantlytheslightestpinprickofabowman’sarrow，norapparentlydidoneevermissitsgoal。Therecouldbebutoneexplanation：themissileswerepoison—tipped。
Presentlythesoundsofconflictdiedinthedistantforest。
Quietreigned，brokenonlybythegrowlingofthedevouringbanths。
CarthoristurnedtowardThuviaofPtarth。Asyetneitherhadspoken。
\"Wherearewe，Thuvia？\"heasked。
Thegirllookedathimquestioningly。Hisverypresencehadseemedtoproclaimaguiltyknowledgeofherabduction。
Howelsemighthehaveknownthedestinationoftheflierthatbroughther！
\"WhoshouldknowbetterthanthePrinceofHelium？\"
sheaskedinreturn。\"Didhenotcomehitherofhisownfreewill？\"
\"FromAaanthorIcamevoluntarilyuponthetrailofthegreenmanwhohadstolenyou，Thuvia，\"hereplied;
\"butfromthetimeIleftHeliumuntilIawokeaboveAaanthorIthoughtmyselfboundforPtarth。
\"IthadbeenintimatedthatIhadguiltyknowledgeofyourabduction，\"heexplainedsimply，\"andIwashasteningtothejeddak，yourfather，toconvincehimofthefalsityofthecharge，andtogivemyservicetoyourrecovery。
BeforeIleftHeliumsomeonetamperedwithmycompass，sothatitboremetoAaanthorinsteadoftoPtarth。
Thatisall。Youbelieveme？\"
\"Butthewarriorswhostolemefromthegarden！\"sheexclaimed。\"AfterwearrivedatAaanthortheyworethemetalofthePrinceofHelium。WhentheytookmetheyweretrappedinDusarianharness。Thereseemedbutasingleexplanation。Whoeverdaredtheoutragewishedtoputtheonusuponanother，shouldhebedetectedintheact;butoncesafelyawayfromPtarthhefeltsafeinhavinghisminionsreturntotheirownharness。\"
\"YoubelievethatIdidthisthing，Thuvia？\"heasked。
\"Ah，Carthoris，\"sherepliedsadly，\"Ididnotwishtobelieveit;butwheneverythingpointedtoyou——eventhenIwouldnotbelieveit。\"
\"Ididnotdoit，Thuvia，\"hesaid。\"Butletmebeentirelyhonestwithyou。AsmuchasIloveyourfather，asmuchasIrespectKulanTith，towhomyouarebetrothed，aswellasIknowthefrightfulconsequencesthatmusthavefollowedsuchanactofmine，hurlingintowar，asitwould，threeofthegreatestnationsofBarsoom——yet，notwithstandingallthis，Ishouldnothavehesitatedtotakeyouthus，ThuviaofPtarth，hadyouevenhintedthatitwouldnothavedispleasedYOU。
\"Butyoudidnothingofthekind，andsoIamhere，notinmyownservice，butinyours，andintheserviceofthemantowhomyouarepromised，tosaveyouforhim，ifitlieswithinthepowerofmantodoso，\"heconcluded，almostbitterly。
ThuviaofPtarthlookedintohisfaceforseveralmoments。
Herbreastwasrisingandfallingasthoughtosomeresistlessemotion。Shehalftookasteptowardhim。
Herlipspartedasthoughtospeak——swiftlyandimpetuously。
Andthensheconqueredwhateverhadmovedher。
\"ThefutureactsofthePrinceofHelium，\"shesaidcoldly，\"mustconstitutetheproofofhispasthonestyofpurpose。\"
Carthoriswashurtbythegirl’stone，asmuchasbythedoubtastohisintegritywhichherwordsimplied。
Hehadhalfhopedthatshemighthintthathislovewouldbeacceptable——certainlytherewasduehimatleastalittlegratitudeforhisrecentactsinherbehalf;
butthebesthereceivedwascoldscepticism。
ThePrinceofHeliumshruggedhisbroadshoulders。
Thegirlnotedit，andthelittlesmilethattouchedhislips，sothatitbecameherturntobehurt。
Ofcourseshehadnotmeanttohurthim。Hemighthaveknownthatafterwhathehadsaidshecouldnotdoanythingtoencouragehim！Butheneednothavemadehisindifferencequitesopalpable。ThemenofHeliumwerenotedfortheirgallantry——notforboorishness。
PossiblyitwastheEarthbloodthatflowedinhisveins。
HowcouldsheknowthattheshrugwasbutCarthoris’
wayofattempting，byphysicaleffort，tocastblightingsorrowfromhisheart，orthatthesmileuponhislipswasthefightingsmileofhisfatherwithwhichthesongaveoutwardevidenceofthedeterminationhehadreachedtosubmergehisowngreatloveinhiseffortstosaveThuviaofPtarthforanother，becausehebelievedthatshelovedthisother！
Herevertedtohisoriginalquestion。
\"Wherearewe？\"heasked。\"Idonotknow。\"
\"NorI，\"repliedthegirl。\"ThosewhostolemefromPtarthspokeamongthemselvesofAaanthor，sothatI
thoughtitpossiblethattheancientcitytowhichtheytookmewasthatfamousruin;butwherewemaybenowIhavenoidea。\"
\"Whenthebowmenreturnweshalldoubtlesslearnallthatthereistoknow，\"saidCarthoris。\"Letushopethattheyprovefriendly。Whatracemaytheybe？Onlyinthemostancientofourlegendsandinthemuralpaintingsofthedesertedcitiesofthedeadsea—bottomsaredepictedsucharaceofauburn—haired，fair—skinnedpeople。CanitbethatwehavestumbleduponasurvivingcityofthepastwhichallBarsoombelievesburiedbeneaththeages？\"
Thuviawaslookingtowardtheforestintowhichthegreenmenandthepursuingbowmenhaddisappeared。
Fromagreatdistancecamethehideouscriesofbanths，andanoccasionalshot。
\"Itisstrangethattheydonotreturn，\"saidthegirl。
\"Onewouldexpecttoseethewoundedlimpingorbeingcarriedbacktothecity，\"repliedCarthoris，withapuzzledfrown。
\"Buthowaboutthewoundednearerthecity？
Havetheycarriedthemwithin？\"
Bothturnedtheireyestowardthefieldbetweenthemandthewalledcity，wherethefightinghadbeenmostfurious。
Therewerethebanths，stillgrowlingabouttheirhideousfeast。
CarthorislookedatThuviainastonishment。Thenhepointedtowardthefield。
\"Wherearethey？\"hewhispered。\"WHATHASBECOME
OFTHEIRDEADANDWOUNDED？\"
CHAPTERVI
THEJEDDAKOFLOTHAR
Thegirllookedherincredulity。
\"Theylayinpiles，\"shemurmured。\"Therewerethousandsofthembutaminuteago。\"
\"Andnow，\"continuedCarthoris，\"thereremainbutthebanthsandthecarcassesofthegreenmen。\"
\"Theymusthavesentforthandcarriedthedeadbowmenawaywhileweweretalking，\"saidthegirl。
\"Itisimpossible！\"repliedCarthoris。\"Thousandsofdeadlaythereuponthefieldbutamomentsince。Itwouldhaverequiredmanyhourstohaveremovedthem。Thethingisuncanny。\"
\"Ihadhoped，\"saidThuvia，\"thatwemightfindanasylumwiththesefair—skinnedpeople。Notwithstandingtheirvalouruponthefieldofbattle，theydidnotstrikemeasaferociousorwarlikepeople。Ihadbeenabouttosuggestthatweseekentrancetothecity，butnowI
scarceknowifIcaretoventureamongpeoplewhosedeadvanishintothinair。\"
\"Letuschanceit，\"repliedCarthoris。\"Wecanbenoworseoffwithintheirwallsthanwithout。HerewemayfallpreytothebanthsorthenolessfierceTorquasians。
There，atleast，weshallfindbeingsmouldedafterourownimages。
\"Allthatcausesmetohesitate，\"headded，\"isthedangeroftakingyoupastsomanybanths。Asingleswordwouldscarceprevailwereevenacoupleofthemtochargesimultaneously。\"
\"Donotfearonthatscore，\"repliedthegirl，smiling。
\"Thebanthswillnotharmus。\"
Asshespokeshedescendedfromtheplatform，andwithCarthorisathersidesteppedfearlesslyoutuponthebloodyfieldinthedirectionofthewalledcityofmystery。
Theyhadadvancedbutashortdistancewhenabanth，lookingupfromitsgoryfeast，descriedthem。Withanangryroarthebeastwalkedquicklyintheirdirection，andatthesoundofitsvoiceascoreofothersfolloweditsexample。
Carthorisdrewhislong—sword。Thegirlstoleaquickglanceathisface。Shesawthesmileuponhislips，anditwasaswinetosicknerves;forevenuponwarlikeBarsoomwhereallmenarebrave，womanreactsquicklytoquietindifferencetodanger——todare—deviltrythatiswithoutbombast。
\"Youmayreturnyoursword，\"shesaid。\"Itoldyouthatthebanthswouldnotharmus。Look！\"andasshespokeshesteppedquicklytowardthenearestanimal。
Carthoriswouldhaveleapedafterhertoprotecther，butwithagestureshemotionedhimback。Heheardhercallingtothebanthsinalow，singsongvoicethatwashalfpurr。
Instantlythegreatheadswentupandallthewickedeyeswereriveteduponthefigureofthegirl。
Then，stealthily，theycommencedmovingtowardher。
Shehadstoppednowandwasstandingwaitingthem。
One，closertoherthantheothers，hesitated。Shespoketohimimperiously，asamastermightspeaktoarefractoryhound。
Thegreatcarnivoreletitsheaddroop，andwithtailbetweenitslegscameslinkingtothegirl’sfeet，andafteritcametheothersuntilshewasentirelysurroundedbythesavagemaneaters。
TurningsheledthemtowhereCarthorisstood。
Theygrowledalittleastheynearedtheman，butafewsharpwordsofcommandputthemintheirplaces。
\"Howdoyoudoit？\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"YourfatheronceaskedmethatsamequestioninthegalleriesoftheGoldenCliffswithintheOtzMountains，beneaththetemplesofthetherns。Icouldnotanswerhim，norcanIansweryou。Idonotknowwhencecomesmypoweroverthem，buteversincethedaythatSatorThrogthrewmeamongtheminthebanthpitoftheHolyTherns，andthegreatcreaturesfawneduponinsteadofdevouringme，Ieverhavehadthesamestrangepoweroverthem。
Theycomeatmycallanddomybidding，evenasthefaithfulWooladoesthebiddingofyourmightysire。\"
Withawordthegirldispersedthefiercepack。Roaring，theyreturnedtotheirinterruptedfeast，whileCarthorisandThuviapassedamongthemtowardthewalledcity。
Astheyadvancedthemanlookedwithwonderuponthedeadbodiesofthoseofthegreenmenthathadnotbeendevouredormauledbythebanths。
Hecalledthegirl’sattentiontothem。Noarrowsprotrudedfromthegreatcarcasses。Nowhereuponanyofthemwasthesignofmortalwound，norevenslightestscratchorabrasion。
Beforethebowmen’sdeadhaddisappearedthecorpsesoftheTorquasianshadbristledwiththedeadlyarrowsoftheirfoes。Wherehadtheslendermessengersofdeathdeparted？Whatunseenhandhadpluckedthemfromthebodiesoftheslain？
DespitehimselfCarthoriscouldscarcerepressashudderofapprehensionasheglancedtowardthesilentcitybeforethem。Nolongerwassignoflifevisibleuponwallorrooftop。Allwasquiet——brooding，ominousquiet。
Yethewassurethateyeswatchedthemfromsomewherebehindthatblankwall。
HeglancedatThuvia。Shewasadvancingwithwideeyesfixeduponthecitygate。Helookedinthedirectionofhergaze，butsawnothing。
Hisgazeuponherseemedtoarouseherasfromalethargy。
Sheglancedupathim，aquick，bravesmiletouchingherlips，andthen，asthoughtheactwasinvoluntary，shecameclosetohissideandplacedoneofherhandsinhis。
Heguessedthatsomethingwithinherthatwasbeyondherconsciouscontrolwasappealingtohimforprotection。
Hethrewanarmabouther，andthustheycrossedthefield。
Shedidnotdrawawayfromhim。Itisdoubtfulthatsherealizedthathisarmwasthere，soengrossedwassheinthemysteryofthestrangecitybeforethem。
Theystoppedbeforethegate。Itwasamightything。
FromitsconstructionCarthoriscouldbutdimlyspeculateuponitsunthinkableantiquity。
Itwascircular，closingacircularaperture，andtheHeliumiteknewfromhisstudyofancientBarsoomianarchitecturethatitrolledtooneside，likeahugewheel，intoanapertureinthewall。
Evensuchworld—oldcitiesasancientAaanthorwereasyetundreamedofwhentheraceslivedthatbuiltsuchgatesasthese。
Ashestoodspeculatingupontheidentityofthisforgottencity，avoicespoketothemfromabove。
Bothlookedup。There，leaningovertheedgeofthehighwall，wasaman。
Hishairwasauburn，hisskinfair——fairereventhanthatofJohnCarter，theVirginian。Hisforeheadwashigh，hiseyeslargeandintelligent。
Thelanguagethatheusedwasintelligibletothetwobelow，yettherewasamarkeddifferencebetweenitandtheirBarsoomiantongue。
\"Whoareyou？\"heasked。\"AndwhatdoyouherebeforethegateofLothar？\"
\"Wearefriends，\"repliedCarthoris。\"Thisbetheprincess，ThuviaofPtarth，whowascapturedbytheTorquasianhorde。IamCarthorisofHelium，PrinceofthehouseofTardosMors，JeddakofHelium，andsonofJohnCarter，WarlordofMars，andofhiswife，DejahThoris。\"
\"`Ptarth’？\"repeatedtheman。\"`Helium’？\"Heshookhishead。\"Ineverhaveheardoftheseplaces，nordidIknowthattheredweltuponBarsoomaraceofthystrangecolour。Wheremaythesecitieslie，ofwhichyouspeak？FromourloftiesttowerwehaveneverseenanothercitythanLothar。\"
Carthorispointedtowardthenorth—east。
\"InthatdirectionlieHeliumandPtarth，\"hesaid。
\"HeliumisovereightthousandhaadsfromLothar，whilePtarthliesninethousandfivehundredhaadsnorth—eastofHelium。\"