第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Thuvia",免费读到尾

  \"They,too,wereunreal?\"

  Themannodded。

  \"Buttheirarrowsslewthegreenwarriors,\"insistedThuvia。

  \"LetusgobeforeTario,\"repliedtheLotharian。

  \"Hewilltellyouthatwhichhedeemsitbestyouknow。

  Imighttellyoutoomuch。\"

  \"WhoisTario?\"askedCarthoris。

  \"JeddakofLothar,\"repliedtheguide,leadingthemupthebroadavenuedownwhichtheyhadbutamomentsinceseenthephantomarmymarching。

  Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalonglovelyavenuesbetweenthemostgorgeousbuildingsthatthetwohadeverseen。

  Fewpeoplewereinevidence。Carthoriscouldnotbutnotethedesertedappearanceofthemightycity。

  Atlasttheycametotheroyalpalace。Carthorissawitfromadistance,andguessingthenatureofthemagnificentpilewonderedthatevenherethereshouldbesolittlesignofactivityandlife。

  Notevenasingleguardwasvisiblebeforethegreatentrancegate,norinthegardensbeyond,intowhichhecouldsee,wastheresignofthemyriadlifethatpulseswithintheprecinctsoftheroyalestatesoftheredjeddaks。

  \"Here,\"saidtheirguide,\"isthepalaceofTario。\"

  AshespokeCarthorisagainlethisgazerestuponthewondrouspalace。Withastartledexclamationherubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。No!Hecouldnotbemistaken。

  Beforethemassivegatestoodascoreofsentries。Within,theavenueleadingtothemainbuildingwaslinedoneithersidebyranksofbowmen。Thegardensweredottedwithofficersandsoldiersmovingquicklytoandfro,asthoughbentuponthedutiesoftheminute。

  Whatmannerofpeoplewerethesewhocouldconjureanarmyoutofthinair?HeglancedtowardThuvia。

  She,too,evidentlyhadwitnessedthetransformation。

  Withalittleshuddershepressedmorecloselytowardhim。

  \"Whatdoyoumakeofit?\"shewhispered。\"Itismostuncanny。\"

  \"Icannotaccountforit,\"repliedCarthoris,\"unlesswehavegonemad。\"

  CarthoristurnedquicklytowardtheLotharian。Thefellowwassmilingbroadly。

  \"IthoughtthatyoujustsaidthattherewerenosoldiersinLothar,\"saidtheHeliumite,withagesturetowardtheguardsmen。\"Whatarethese?\"

  \"AskTario,\"repliedtheother。\"Weshallsoonbebeforehim。\"

  Norwasitlongbeforetheyenteredaloftychamberatoneendofwhichamanreclineduponarichcouchthatstooduponahighdais。

  Asthetrioapproached,themanturneddreamyeyessleepilyuponthem。Twentyfeetfromthedaistheirconductorhalted,and,whisperingtoThuviaandCarthoristofollowhisexample,threwhimselfheadlongtothefloor。

  Thenrisingtohandsandknees,hecommencedcrawlingtowardthefootofthethrone,swinginghisheadtoandfroandwigglinghisbodyasyouhaveseenahounddowhenapproachingitsmaster。

  ThuviaglancedquicklytowardCarthoris。Hewasstandingerect,withhigh—heldheadandarmsfoldedacrosshisbroadchest。Ahaughtysmilecurvedhislips。

  Themanuponthedaiswaseyeinghimintently,andCarthorisofHeliumwaslookingstraightintheother’sface。

  \"Whobethese,Jav?\"askedthemanofhimwhocrawleduponhisbellyalongthefloor。

  \"OTario,mostgloriousJeddak,\"repliedJav,\"thesebestrangerswhocamewiththehordesofTorquastoourgates,sayingthattheywereprisonersofthegreenmen。

  TheytellstrangetalesofcitiesfarbeyondLothar。\"

  \"Arise,Jav,\"commandedTario,\"andaskthesetwowhytheyshownottoTariotherespectthatishisdue。\"

  Javaroseandfacedthestrangers。Atsightoftheirerectpositionshisfacewentlivid。Heleapedtowardthem。

  \"Creatures!\"hescreamed。\"Down!DownuponyourbelliesbeforethelastofthejeddaksofBarsoom!\"

  CHAPTERVII

  THEPHANTOMBOWMEN

  AsJavleapedtowardhimCarthorislaidhishanduponthehiltofhislong—sword。TheLotharianhalted。Thegreatapartmentwasemptysaveforthefouratthedais,yetasJavsteppedbackfromthemenaceoftheHeliumite’sthreateningattitudethelatterfoundhimselfsurroundedbyascoreofbowmen。

  Fromwhencehadtheysprung?BothCarthorisandThuvialookedtheirastonishment。

  Nowtheformer’sswordleapedfromitsscabbard,andatthesameinstantthebowmendrewbacktheirslimshafts。

  Tariohadhalfraisedhimselfupononeelbow。ForthefirsttimehesawthefullfigureofThuvia,whohadbeenconcealedbehindthepersonofCarthoris。

  \"Enough!\"criedthejeddak,raisingaprotestinghand,butatthatveryinstanttheswordoftheHeliumitecutviciouslyatitsnearestantagonist。

  AsthekeenedgereacheditsgoalCarthorisletthepointfalltothefloor,aswithwideeyeshesteppedbackwardinconsternation,throwingthebackofhislefthandacrosshisbrow。Hissteelhadcutbutemptyair——hisantagonisthadvanished——therewerenobowmenintheroom!

  \"Itisevidentthatthesearestrangers,\"saidTariotoJav。

  \"Letusfirstdeterminethattheyknowinglyaffrontedusbeforewetakemeasuresforpunishment。\"

  ThenheturnedtoCarthoris,buteverhisgazewanderedtotheperfectlinesofThuvia’sgloriousfigure,whichtheharnessofaBarsoomianprincessaccentuatedratherthanconcealed。

  \"Whoareyou,\"heasked,\"whoknowsnottheetiquetteofthecourtofthelastofjeddaks?\"

  \"IamCarthoris,PrinceofHelium,\"repliedtheHeliumite。

  \"AndthisisThuvia,PrincessofPtarth。Inthecourtsofourfathersmendonotprostratethemselvesbeforeroyalty。NotsincetheFirstBorntoretheirimmortalgoddesslimbfromlimbhavemencrawledupontheirbelliestoanythroneuponBarsoom。Nowthinkyouthatthedaughterofonemightyjeddakandthesonofanotherwouldsohumiliatethemselves?\"

  TariolookedatCarthorisforalongtime。Atlasthespoke。

  \"ThereisnootherjeddakuponBarsoomthanTario,\"hesaid。

  \"ThereisnootherracethanthatofLothar,unlessthehordesofTorquasmaybedignifiedbysuchanappellation。

  Lothariansarewhite;yourskinsarered。TherearenowomenleftuponBarsoom。Yourcompanionisawoman。\"

  Hehalfrosefromthecouch,leaningfarforwardandpointinganaccusingfingeratCarthoris。

  \"Youarealie!\"heshrieked。\"Youarebothlies,andyoudaretocomebeforeTario,lastandmightiestofthejeddaksofBarsoom,andassertyourreality。Someoneshallpaywellforthis,Jav,andunlessImistakeitisyourselfwhohasdaredthusflippantlytotriflewiththegoodnatureofyourjeddak。

  \"Removetheman。Leavethewoman。Weshallseeifbothbelies。

  Andlater,Jav,youshallsufferforyourtemerity。Therebefewofusleft,but——Komalmustbefed。Go!\"

  CarthoriscouldseethatJavtrembledasheprostratedhimselfoncemorebeforehisruler,andthen,rising,turnedtowardthePrinceofHelium。

  \"Come!\"hesaid。

  \"AndleavethePrincessofPtarthherealone?\"criedCarthoris。

  Javbrushedcloselypasthim,whispering:

  \"Followme——hecannotharmher,excepttokill;andthathecandowhetheryouremainornot。Wehadbestgonow——trustme。\"

  Carthorisdidnotunderstand,butsomethingintheurgencyoftheother’stoneassuredhim,andsoheturnedaway,butnotwithoutaglancetowardThuviainwhichheattemptedtomakeherunderstandthatitwasinherowninterestthathelefther。

  Foranswersheturnedherbackfulluponhim,butnotwithoutfirstthrowinghimsuchalookofcontemptthatbroughtthescarlettohischeek。

  Thenhehesitated,butJavseizedhimbythewrist。

  \"Come!\"hewhispered。\"Orhewillhavethebowmenuponyou,andthistimetherewillbenoescape。Didyounotseehowfutileisyoursteelagainstthinair!\"

  Carthoristurnedunwillinglytofollow。Asthetwolefttheroomheturnedtohiscompanion。

  \"IfImaynotkillthinair,\"heasked,\"how,then,shallIfearthatthinairmaykillme?\"

  \"YousawtheTorquasiansfallbeforethebowmen?\"askedJav。

  Carthorisnodded。

  \"Sowouldyoufallbeforethem,andwithoutonesinglechanceforself—defenceorrevenge。\"

  AstheytalkedJavledCarthoristoasmallroominoneofthenumeroustowersofthepalace。Herewerecouches,andJavbidtheHeliumitebeseated。

  ForseveralminutestheLotharianeyedhisprisoner,forsuchCarthorisnowrealizedhimselftobe。

  \"Iamhalfconvincedthatyouarereal,\"hesaidatlast。

  Carthorislaughed。

  \"OfcourseIamreal,\"hesaid。\"Whatcausedyoutodoubtit?Canyounotseeme,feelme?\"

  \"SomayIseeandfeelthebowmen,\"repliedJav,\"andyetweallknowthatthey,atleast,arenotreal。\"

  Carthorisshowedbytheexpressionofhisfacehispuzzlementateachnewreferencetothemysteriousbowmen——thevanishingsoldieryofLothar。

  \"What,then,maytheybe?\"heasked。

  \"Youreallydonotknow?\"askedJav。

  Carthorisshookhisheadnegatively。

  \"IcanalmostbelievethatyouhavetoldusthetruthandthatyouarereallyfromanotherpartofBarsoom,orfromanotherworld。Buttellme,inyourowncountryhaveyounobowmentostriketerrortotheheartsofthegreenhordesmenastheyslayincompanywiththefiercebanthsofwar?\"

  \"Wehavesoldiers,\"repliedCarthoris。\"Weoftheredraceareallsoldiers,butwehavenobowmentodefendus,suchasyours。Wedefendourselves。\"

  \"Yougooutandgetkilledbyyourenemies!\"criedJavincredulously。

  \"Certainly,\"repliedCarthoris。\"HowdotheLotharians?\"

  \"Youhaveseen,\"repliedtheother。\"Wesendoutourdeathlessarchers——deathlessbecausetheyarelifeless,existingonlyintheimaginationsofourenemies。Itisreallyourgiantmindsthatdefendus,sendingoutlegionsofimaginarywarriorstomaterializebeforethemind’seyeofthefoe。

  \"Theyseethem——theyseetheirbowsdrawnback——theyseetheirslenderarrowsspeedwithunerringprecisiontowardtheirhearts。Andtheydie——killedbythepowerofsuggestion。\"

  \"Butthearchersthatareslain?\"exclaimedCarthoris。

  \"Youcallthemdeathless,andyetIsawtheirdeadbodiespiledhighuponthebattlefield。Howmaythatbe?\"

  \"Itisbuttolendrealitytothescene,\"repliedJav。

  \"WepicturemanyofourowndefenderskilledthattheTorquasiansmaynotguessthattherearereallynofleshandbloodcreaturesopposingthem。

  \"Oncethattruthbecameimplantedintheirminds,itisthetheoryofmanyofus,nolongerwouldtheyfallpreytothesuggestionofthedeadlyarrows,forgreaterwouldbethesuggestionofthetruth,andthemorepowerfulsuggestionwouldprevail——itislaw。\"

  \"Andthebanths?\"questionedCarthoris。\"They,too,werebutcreaturesofsuggestion?\"

  \"Someofthemwerereal,\"repliedJav。\"ThosethataccompaniedthearchersinpursuitoftheTorquasianswereunreal。Likethearchers,theyneverreturned,but,havingservedtheirpurpose,vanishedwiththebowmenwhentheroutoftheenemywasassured。

  \"Thosethatremainedaboutthefieldwerereal。ThoseweloosedasscavengerstodevourthebodiesofthedeadofTorquas。

  Thisthingisdemandedbytherealistsamongus。Iamarealist。

  Tarioisanetherealist。

  \"Theetherealistsmaintainthatthereisnosuchthingasmatter——thatallismind。Theysaythatnoneofusexists,exceptintheimaginationofhisfellows,otherthanasanintangible,invisiblementality。

  \"AccordingtoTario,itisbutnecessarythatwealluniteinimaginingthattherearenodeadTorquasiansbeneathourwalls,andtherewillbenone,noranyneedofscavengingbanths。\"

  \"You,then,donotholdTario’sbeliefs?\"askedCarthoris。

  \"Inpartonly,\"repliedtheLotharian。\"Ibelieve,infactIknow,thattherearesometrulyetherealcreatures。

  Tarioisone,Iamconvinced。Hehasnoexistenceexceptintheimaginationsofhispeople。

  \"Ofcourse,itisthecontentionofallusrealiststhatalletherealistsarebutfigmentsoftheimagination。

  Theycontendthatnofoodisnecessary,nordotheyeat;

  butanyoneofthemostrudimentaryintelligencemustrealizethatfoodisanecessitytocreatureshavingactualexistence。\"

  \"Yes,\"agreedCarthoris,\"nothavingeatento—dayIcanreadilyagreewithyou。\"

  \"Ah,pardonme,\"exclaimedJav。\"Praybeseatedandsatisfyyourhunger,\"andwithawaveofhishandheindicatedabountifullyladentablethathadnotbeenthereaninstantbeforehespoke。OfthatCarthoriswaspositive,forhehadsearchedtheroomdiligentlywithhiseyesseveraltimes。

  \"Itiswell,\"continuedJav,\"thatyoudidnotfallintothehandsofanetherealist。Then,indeed,wouldyouhavegonehungry。\"

  \"But,\"exclaimedCarthoris,\"thisisnotrealfood——itwasnothereaninstantsince,andrealfooddoesnotmaterializeoutofthinair。\"

  Javlookedhurt。

  \"ThereisnorealfoodorwaterinLothar,\"hesaid;

  \"norhastherebeenforcountlessages。Uponsuchasyounowseebeforeyouhaveweexistedsincethedawnofhistory。Uponsuch,then,mayyouexist。\"

  \"ButIthoughtyouwerearealist,\"exclaimedCarthoris。

  \"Indeed,\"criedJav,\"whatmorerealisticthanthisbounteousfeast?Itisjustherethatwediffermostfromtheetherealists。Theyclaimthatitisunnecessarytoimaginefood;butwehavefoundthatforthemaintenanceoflifewemustthricedailysitdowntoheartymeals。

  \"Thefoodthatoneeatsissupposedtoundergocertainchemicalchangesduringtheprocessofdigestionandassimilation,theresult,ofcourse,beingtherebuildingofwastedtissue。

  \"Nowweallknowthatmindisall,thoughwemaydifferintheinterpretationofitsvariousmanifestations。

  Tariomaintainsthatthereisnosuchthingassubstance,allbeingcreatedfromthesubstancelessmatterofthebrain。

  \"Werealists,however,knowbetter。Weknowthatmindhasthepowertomaintainsubstanceeventhoughitmaynotbeabletocreatesubstance——thelatterisstillanopenquestion。Andsoweknowthatinordertomaintainourphysicalbodieswemustcauseallourorgansproperlytofunction。

  \"Thisweaccomplishbymaterializingfood—thoughts,andbypartakingofthefoodthuscreated。Wechew,weswallow,wedigest。Allourorgansfunctionpreciselyasifwehadpartakenofmaterialfood。Andwhatistheresult?

  Whatmustbetheresult?Thechemicalchangestakeplacethroughbothdirectandindirectsuggestion,andweliveandthrive。\"

  Carthoriseyedthefoodbeforehim。Itseemedrealenough。

  Heliftedamorseltohislips。Therewassubstanceindeed。

  Andflavouraswell。Yes,evenhispalatewasdeceived。

  Javwatchedhim,smiling,asheate。

  \"Isitnotentirelysatisfying?\"heasked。

  \"Imustadmitthatitis,\"repliedCarthoris。\"Buttellme,howdoesTariolive,andtheotheretherealistswhomaintainthatfoodisunnecessary?\"

  Javscratchedhishead。

  \"Thatisaquestionweoftendiscuss,\"hereplied。

  \"Itisthestrongestevidencewehaveofthenon—existenceoftheetherealists;butwhomayknowotherthanKomal?\"

  \"WhoisKomal?\"askedCarthoris。\"Iheardyourjeddakspeakofhim。\"

  JavbentlowtowardtheearoftheHeliumite,lookingfearfullyaboutbeforehespoke。

  \"Komalistheessence,\"hewhispered。\"Eventheetherealistsadmitthatminditselfmusthavesubstanceinordertotransmittoimaginingstheappearanceofsubstance。Foriftherereallywasnosuchthingassubstanceitcouldnotbesuggested——whatneverhasbeencannotbeimagined。Doyoufollowme?\"

  \"Iamgroping,\"repliedCarthorisdryly。

  \"Sotheessencemustbesubstance,\"continuedJav。

  \"KomalistheessenceoftheAll,asitwere。Heismaintainedbysubstance。Heeats。Heeatsthereal。

  Tobeexplicit,heeatstherealists。ThatisTario’swork。

  \"Hesaysthatinasmuchaswemaintainthatwealonearerealweshould,tobeconsistent,admitthatwealoneareproperfoodforKomal。Sometimes,asto—day,wefindotherfoodforhim。HeisveryfondofTorquasians。\"

  \"AndKomalisaman?\"askedCarthoris。

  \"HeisAll,Itoldyou,\"repliedJav。\"Iknownothowtoexplainhiminwordsthatyouwillunderstand。Heisthebeginningandtheend。AlllifeemanatesfromKomal,sincethesubstancewhichfeedsthebrainwithimaginingsradiatesfromthebodyofKomal。

  \"ShouldKomalceasetoeat,alllifeuponBarsoomwouldceasetobe。Hecannotdie,buthemightceasetoeat,and,thus,toradiate。\"

  \"Andhefeedsuponthemenandwomenofyourbelief?\"criedCarthoris。

  \"Women!\"exclaimedJav。\"TherearenowomeninLothar。

  ThelastoftheLotharianfemalesperishedagessince,uponthatcruelandterriblejourneyacrossthemuddyplainsthatfringedthehalf—driedseas,whenthegreenhordesscourgedusacrosstheworldtothisourlasthiding—place——ourimpregnablefortressofLothar。

  \"ScarcetwentythousandmenofallthecountlessmillionsofourracelivedtoreachLothar。Amonguswerenowomenandnochildren。Allthesehadperishedbytheway。

  \"Astimewenton,we,too,weredyingandtheracefastapproachingextinction,whentheGreatTruthwasrevealedtous,thatmindisall。Manymorediedbeforeweperfectedourpowers,butatlastwewereabletodefydeathwhenwefullyunderstoodthatdeathwasmerelyastateofmind。

  \"Thencamethecreationofmind—people,orratherthematerializationofimaginings。WefirstputthesetopracticalusewhentheTorquasiansdiscoveredourretreat,andfortunateforusitwasthatitrequiredagesofsearchupontheirpartbeforetheyfoundthesingletinyentrancetothevalleyofLothar。

  \"Thatdaywethrewourfirstbowmenagainstthem。

  Theintentionwaspurelytofrightenthemawaybythevastnumbersofbowmenwhichwecouldmusteruponourwalls。AllLotharbristledwiththebowsandarrowsofouretherealhost。

  \"ButtheTorquasiansdidnotfrighten。Theyarelowerthanthebeasts——theyknownofear。Theyrusheduponourwalls,andstandingupontheshouldersofotherstheybuilthumanapproachestothewalltops,andwereontheverypointofsurginginuponusandoverwhelmingus。

  \"Notanarrowhadbeendischargedbyourbowmen——wedidbutcausethemtoruntoandfroalongthewalltop,screamingtauntsandthreatsattheenemy。

  \"PresentlyIthoughttoattemptthething——THEGREAT

  THING。Icentredallmymightyintellectuponthebowmenofmyowncreation——eachofusproducesanddirectsasmanybowmenashismentalityandimaginationiscapableof。

  \"Icausedthemtofitarrowstotheirbowsforthefirsttime。

  Imadethemtakeaimattheheartsofthegreenmen。

  Imadethegreenmenseeallthis,andthenImadethemseethearrowsfly,andImadethemthinkthatthepointspiercedtheirhearts。

  \"Itwasallthatwasnecessary。Byhundredstheytoppledfromourwalls,andwhenmyfellowssawwhatIhaddonetheywerequicktofollowmyexample,sothatpresentlythehordesofTorquashadretreatedbeyondtherangeofourarrows。

  \"Wemighthavekilledthematanydistance,butoneruleofwarwehavemaintainedfromthefirst——theruleofrealism。

  Wedonothing,orratherwecauseourbowmentodonothingwithinsightoftheenemythatisbeyondtheunderstandingofthefoe。Otherwisetheymightguessthetruth,andthatwouldbetheendofus。

  \"ButaftertheTorquasianshadretreatedbeyondbowshot,theyturneduponuswiththeirterriblerifles,andbyconstantpoppingatusmadelifemiserablewithinourwalls。

  \"SothenIbethoughttheschemetohurlourbowmenthroughthegatesuponthem。Youhaveseenthisdayhowwellitworks。Foragestheyhavecomedownuponusatintervals,butalwayswiththesameresults。\"

  \"Andallthisisduetoyourintellect,Jav?\"askedCarthoris。\"Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbehighinthecouncilsofyourpeople。\"

  \"Iam,\"repliedJav,proudly。\"IamnexttoTario。\"

  \"Butwhy,then,yourcringingmannerofapproachingthethrone?\"

  \"Tariodemandsit。Heisjealousofme。HeonlyawaitstheslightestexcusetofeedmetoKomal。HefearsthatI

  maysomedayusurphispower。\"

  Carthorissuddenlysprangfromthetable。

  \"Jav!\"heexclaimed。\"Iamabeast!HereIhavebeeneatingmyfill,whilethePrincessofPtarthmayperchancebestillwithoutfood。Letusreturnandfindsomemeansoffurnishingherwithnourishment。\"

  TheLotharianshookhishead。

  \"Tariowouldnotpermitit,\"hesaid。\"Hewill,doubtless,makeanetherealistofher。\"

  \"ButImustgotoher,\"insistedCarthoris。\"YousaythattherearenowomeninLothar。Thenshemustbeamongmen,andifthisbesoIintendtobenearwhereImaydefendheriftheneedarises。\"

  \"Tariowillhavehisway,\"insistedJav。\"Hesentyouawayandyoumaynotreturnuntilhesendsforyou。\"

  \"ThenIshallgowithoutwaitingtobesentfor。\"

  \"Donotforgetthebowmen,\"cautionedJav。

  \"Idonotforgetthem,\"repliedCarthoris,buthedidnottellJavthatherememberedsomethingelsethattheLotharianhadletdrop——somethingthatwasbutaconjecture,possibly,andyetonewellworthpinningaforlornhopeto,shouldnecessityarise。

  Carthorisstartedtoleavetheroom。Javsteppedbeforehim,barringhisway。

  \"Ihavelearnedtolikeyou,redman,\"hesaid;

  \"butdonotforgetthatTarioisstillmyjeddak,andthatTariohascommandedthatyouremainhere。\"

  Carthoriswasabouttoreply,whentherecamefaintlytotheearsofbothawoman’scryforhelp。

  WithasweepofhisarmthePrinceofHeliumbrushedtheLotharianaside,andwithdrawnswordsprangintothecorridorwithout。

  CHAPTERVIII

  THEHALLOFDOOM

  AsThuviaofPtarthsawCarthorisdepartfromthepresenceofTario,leavingheralonewiththeman,asuddenqualmofterrorseizedher。

  Therewasanairofmysterypervadingthestatelychamber。

  Itsfurnishingsandappointmentsbespokewealthandculture,andcarriedthesuggestionthattheroomwasoftenthesceneofroyalfunctionswhichfilledittoitscapacity。

  Andyetnowhereabouther,inantechamberorcorridor,wastheresignofanyotherbeingthanherselfandtherecumbentfigureofTario,thejeddak,whowatchedherthroughhalf—closedeyesfromthegorgeoustrappingsofhisregalcouch。

  ForatimeafterthedepartureofJavandCarthoristhemaneyedherintently。Thenhespoke。

  \"Comenearer,\"hesaid,and,assheapproached:

  \"Whosecreatureareyou?Whohasdaredmaterializehisimaginingsofwoman?ItiscontrarytothecustomsandtheroyaledictsofLothar。Tellme,woman,fromwhosebrainhaveyousprung?Jav’s?No,donotdenyit。

  Iknowthatitcouldbenootherthanthatenviousrealist。

  Heseekstotemptme。Hewouldseemefallbeneaththespellofyourcharms,andthenhe,yourmaster,woulddirectmydestinyand——myend。Iseeitall!

  Iseeitall!\"

  ThebloodofindignationandangerhadbeenrisingtoThuvia’sface。Herchinwasup,ahaughtycurveuponherperfectlips。

  \"Iknownaught,\"shecried,\"ofwhatyouareprating!

  IamThuvia,PrincessofPtarth。Iamnoman’s`creature。’Neverbeforeto—daydidIlayeyesuponhimyoucallJav,noruponyourridiculouscity,ofwhicheventhegreatestnationsofBarsoomhaveneverdreamed。

  \"Mycharmsarenotforyou,norsuchasyou。Theyarenotforsaleorbarter,eventhoughthepricewerearealthrone。Andasforusingthemtowinyourworsethanfutilepower——\"Sheendedhersentencewithashrugofhershapelyshoulders,andalittlescornfullaugh。

  WhenshehadfinishedTariowassittingupontheedgeofhiscouch,hisfeetuponthefloor。Hewasleaningforwardwitheyesnolongerhalfclosed,butwidewithastartledexpressioninthem。

  HedidnotseemtonotetheLESEMAJESTEofherwordsandmanner。Therewasevidentlysomethingmorestartlingandcompellingaboutherspeechthanthat。

  Slowlyhecametohisfeet。

  \"BythefangsofKomal!\"hemuttered。\"ButyouareREAL!

  AREALwoman!Nodream!Novainandfoolishfigmentofthemind!\"

  Hetookasteptowardher,withhandsoutstretched。

  \"Come!\"hewhispered。\"Come,woman!ForcountlessageshaveIdreamedthatsomedayyouwouldcome。

  AndnowthatyouarehereIcanscarcebelievethetestimonyofmyeyes。Evennow,knowingthatyouarereal,Istillhalfdreadthatyoumaybealie。\"

  Thuviashrankback。Shethoughtthemanmad。

  Herhandstoletothejewelledhiltofherdagger。

  Themansawthemove,andstopped。Acunningexpressionenteredhiseyes。Thentheybecameatoncedreamyandpenetratingastheyfairlyboredintothegirl’sbrain。

  Thuviasuddenlyfeltachangecomingoverher。Whatthecauseofitshedidnotguess;butsomehowthemanbeforeherbegantoassumeanewrelationshipwithinherheart。

  Nolongerwasheastrangeandmysteriousenemy,butanoldandtrustedfriend。Herhandslippedfromthedagger’shilt。Tariocamecloser。Hespokegentle,friendlywords,andsheansweredhiminavoicethatseemedhersandyetanother’s。

  Hewasbesidehernow。Hishandwasuphershoulder。

  Hiseyesweredown—benttowardhers。Shelookedupintohisface。Hisgazeseemedtoborestraightthroughhertosomehiddenspringofsentimentwithinher。

  Herlipspartedinsuddenaweandwonderatthestrangerevealmentofherinnerselfthatwasbeinglaidbarebeforeherconsciousness。ShehadknownTarioforever。

  Hewasmorethanfriendtoher。Shemovedalittleclosertohim。Inoneswiftfloodoflightsheknewthetruth。ShelovedTario,JeddakofLothar!

  Shehadalwayslovedhim。

  Theman,seeingthesuccessofhisstrategy,couldnotrestrainafaintsmileofsatisfaction。Whethertherewassomethingintheexpressionofhisface,orwhetherfromCarthorisofHeliuminafarchamberofthepalacecameamorepowerfulsuggestion,whomaysay?Butsomethingtherewasthatsuddenlydispelledthestrange,hypnoticinfluenceoftheman。

  Asthoughamaskhadbeentornfromhereyes,ThuviasuddenlysawTarioasshehadformerlyseenhim,and,accustomedasshewastothestrangemanifestationsofhighlydevelopedmentalitywhicharecommonuponBarsoom,shequicklyguessedenoughofthetruthtoknowthatshewasingravedanger。

  Quicklyshetookastepbackward,tearingherselffromhisgrasp。ButthemomentarycontacthadarousedwithinTarioallthelong—buriedpassionsofhislovelessexistence。

  Withamuffledcryhespranguponher,throwinghisarmsaboutherandattemptingtodragherlipstohis。

  \"Woman!\"hecried。\"Lovelywoman!TariowouldmakeyouqueenofLothar。Listentome!ListentotheloveofthelastjeddaksofBarsoom。\"

  Thuviastruggledtofreeherselffromhisembrace。

  \"Stop,creature!\"shecried。\"Stop!Idonotloveyou。

  Stop,orIshallscreamforhelp!\"

  Tariolaughedinherface。

  \"`Screamforhelp,’\"hemimicked。\"AndwhowithinthehallsofLotharistherewhomightcomeinanswertoyourcall?

  WhowoulddareenterthepresenceofTario,unsummoned?\"

  \"Thereisone,\"shereplied,\"whowouldcome,and,coming,daretocutyoudownuponyourownthrone,ifhethoughtthatyouhadofferedaffronttoThuviaofPtarth!\"

  \"Who,Jav?\"askedTario。

  \"NotJav,noranyothersoft—skinnedLotharian,\"shereplied;

  \"butarealman,arealwarrior——CarthorisofHelium!\"

  Againthemanlaughedather。

  \"Youforgetthebowmen,\"heremindedher。\"Whatcouldyourredwarrioraccomplishagainstmyfearlesslegions?\"

  Againhecaughtherroughlytohim,dragginghertowardshiscouch。

  \"Ifyouwillnotbemyqueen,\"hesaid,\"youshallbemyslave。\"

  \"Neither!\"criedthegirl。

  Asshespokethesinglewordtherewasaquickmoveofherrighthand;Tario,releasingher,staggeredback,bothhandspressedtohisside。Atthesameinstanttheroomfilledwithbowmen,andthenthejeddakofLotharsanksenselesstothemarblefloor。

  AttheinstantthathelostconsciousnessthebowmenwereabouttoreleasetheirarrowsintoThuvia’sheart。

  Involuntarilyshegaveasinglecryforhelp,thoughsheknewthatnotevenCarthorisofHeliumcouldsavehernow。

  Thensheclosedhereyesandwaitedfortheend。Noslendershaftspiercedhertenderside。Sheraisedherlidstoseewhatstayedthehandofherexecutioners。

  TheroomwasemptysaveforherselfandthestillformofthejeddakofLotharlyingatherfeet,alittlepoolofcrimsonstainingthewhitemarbleofthefloorbesidehim。Tariowasunconscious。

  Thuviawasamazed。Wherewerethebowmen?Whyhadtheynotloosedtheirshafts?Whatcoulditallmean?

  Aninstantbeforetheroomhadbeenmysteriouslyfilledwitharmedmen,evidentlycalledtoprotecttheirjeddak;

  yetnow,withtheevidenceofherdeedplainbeforethem,theyhadvanishedasmysteriouslyastheyhadcome,leavingheralonewiththebodyoftheirruler,intowhosesideshehadslippedherlong,keenblade。

  Thegirlglancedapprehensivelyabout,firstforsignsofthereturnofthebowmen,andthenforsomemeansofescape。

  Thewallbehindthedaiswaspiercedbytwosmalldoorways,hiddenbyheavyhangings。Thuviawasrunningquicklytowardsoneofthesewhensheheardtheclankofawarrior’smetalattheendoftheapartmentbehindher。

  Ah,ifshehadbutaninstantmoreoftimeshecouldhavereachedthatscreeningarrasand,perchance,havefoundsomeavenueofescapebehindit;butnowitwastoolate——shehadbeendiscovered!

  Withafeelingthatwasakintoapathysheturnedtomeetherfate,andthere,beforeher,runningswiftlyacrossthebroadchambertoherside,wasCarthoris,hisnakedlong—swordgleaminginhishand。

  FordaysshehaddoubtedhisintentionsoftheHeliumite。

  Shehadthoughthimapartytoherabduction。SinceFatehadthrownthemtogethershehadscarcefavouredhimwithmorethanthemostperfunctoryrepliestohisremarks,unlessatsuchtimesastheweirdanduncannyhappeningsatLotharhadsurprisedheroutofherreserve。

  SheknewthatCarthorisofHeliumwouldfightforher;

  butwhethertosaveherforhimselforanother,shewasindoubt。

  HeknewthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith,JeddakofKaol,butifhehadbeeninstrumentalinherabduction,hismotivescouldnotbepromptedbyloyaltytohisfriend,orregardforherhonour。

  Andyet,asshesawhimcomingacrossthemarbleflooroftheaudiencechamberofTarioofLothar,hisfineeyesfilledwithapprehensionforhersafety,hissplendidfigurepersonifyingallthatisfinestinthefightingmenofmartialMars,shecouldnotbelievethatanyfaintesttraceofperfidylurkedbeneathsogloriousanexterior。

  Never,shethought,inallherlifehadthesightofanymanbeensowelcometoher。Itwaswithdifficultythatsherefrainedfromrushingforwardtomeethim。

  Sheknewthathelovedher;but,intime,sherecalledthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith。NotevenmightshetrustherselftoshowtoogreatgratitudetotheHeliumite,lesthemisunderstand。

  Carthoriswasbyhersidenow。Hisquickglancehadtakeninthescenewithintheroom——thestillfigureofthejeddaksprawleduponthefloor——thegirlhasteningtowardashroudedexit。

  \"Didheharmyou,Thuvia?\"heasked。

  Shehelduphercrimsonedbladethathemightseeit。

  \"No,\"shesaid,\"hedidnotharmme。\"

  AgrimsmilelightedCarthoris’face。

  \"Praisedbeourfirstancestor!\"hemurmured。

  \"AndnowletusseeifwemaynotmakegoodourescapefromthisaccursedcitybeforetheLothariansdiscoverthattheirjeddakisnomore。\"

  WiththefirmauthoritythatsatsowelluponhiminwhoseveinsflowedthebloodofJohnCarterofVirginiaandDejahThorisofHelium,hegraspedherhandand,turningbackacrossthehall,strodetowardthegreatdoorwaythroughwhichJavhadbroughtthemintothepresenceofthejeddakearlierintheday。

  Theyhadalmostreachedthethresholdwhenafiguresprangintotheapartmentthroughanotherentrance。ItwasJav。

  He,too,tookinthescenewithinataglance。

  Carthoristurnedtofacehim,hisswordreadyinhishand,andhisgreatbodyshieldingtheslenderfigureofthegirl。

  \"Come,JavofLothar!\"hecried。\"Letusfacetheissueatonce,foronlyoneofusmayleavethischamberalivewithThuviaofPtarth。\"Then,seeingthatthemanworenosword,heexclaimed:\"Bringonyourbowmen,then,orcomewithusasmyprisoneruntilwehavesafelypassedtheouterportalsofthyghostlycity。\"

  \"YouhavekilledTario!\"exclaimedJav,ignoringtheother’schallenge。\"YouhavekilledTario!Iseehisblooduponthefloor——realblood——realdeath。Tariowas,afterall,asrealasI。Yethewasanetherealist。Hewouldnotmaterializehissustenance。Canitbethattheyareright?Well,we,too,areright。Andalltheseageswehavebeenquarrelling——eachsayingthattheotherwaswrong!

  \"However,heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar!\"

  Ashefinished,Tarioopenedhiseyesandthenquicklysatup。

  \"Traitor!Assassin!\"hescreamed,andthen:\"Kadar!

  Kadar!\"whichistheBarsoomianforguard。

  Javwentsicklywhite。Hefelluponhisbelly,wrigglingtowardTario。

  \"Oh,myJeddak,myJeddak!\"hewhimpered。\"Javhadnohandinthis。Jav,yourfaithfulJav,butjustthisinstantenteredtheapartmenttofindyoulyingproneuponthefloorandthesetwostrangersabouttoleave。HowithappenedIknownot。Believeme,mostgloriousJeddak!\"

  \"Cease,knave!\"criedTario。\"Iheardyourwords:

  `However,heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar。’

  \"Atlast,traitor,Ihavefoundyouout。Yourownwordshavecondemnedyouassurelyastheactsoftheseredcreatureshavesealedtheirfates——unless——\"

  Hepaused。\"Unlessthewoman——\"

  Buthegotnofurther。Carthorisguessedwhathewouldhavesaid,andbeforethewordscouldbeutteredhehadsprungforwardandstruckthemanacrossthemouthwithhisopenpalm。

  Tariofrothedinrageandmortification。

  \"AndshouldyouagainaffrontthePrincessofPtarth,\"

  warnedtheHeliumite,\"Ishallforgetthatyouwearnosword——notforevermayIcontrolmyitchingswordhand。\"

  Tarioshrankbacktowardthelittledoorwaysbehindthedais。Hewastryingtospeak,butsohideouslywerethemusclesofhisfaceworkingthathecouldutternowordforseveralminutes。Atlasthemanagedtoarticulateintelligibly。

  \"Die!\"heshrieked。\"Die!\"andthenheturnedtowardtheexitathisback。

  Javleapedforward,screaminginterror。

  \"Havepity,Tario!Havepity!RememberthelongagesthatIhaveservedyoufaithfully。RememberallthatI

  havedoneforLothar。Donotcondemnmenowtothedeathhideous。Saveme!Saveme!\"

  ButTarioonlylaughedamockinglaughandcontinuedtobacktowardthehangingsthathidthelittledoorway。

  JavturnedtowardCarthoris。

  \"Stophim!\"hescreamed。\"Stophim!Ifyoulovelife,lethimnotleavethisroom,\"andashespokeheleapedinpursuitofhisjeddak。

  CarthorisfollowedJav’sexample,butthe\"lastofthejeddaksofBarsoom\"wastooquickforthem。

  Bythetimetheyreachedthearrasbehindwhichhehaddisappeared,theyfoundaheavystonedoorblockingtheirfurtherprogress。

  Javsanktothefloorinaspasmofterror。

  \"Come,man!\"criedCarthoris。\"Wearenotdeadyet。

  Letushastentotheavenuesandmakeanattempttoleavethecity。Wearestillalive,andwhilewelivewemayyetendeavourtodirectourowndestinies。Ofwhatavail,tosinkspinelesstothefloor?Come,beaman!\"

  Javbutshookhishead。

  \"Didyounothearhimcalltheguards?\"hemoaned。

  \"Ah,ifwecouldhavebutinterceptedhim!Thentheremighthavebeenhope;but,alas,hewastooquickforus。\"

  \"Well,well,\"exclaimedCarthorisimpatiently。\"Whatifhedidcalltheguards?Therewillbetimeenoughtoworryaboutthataftertheycome——atpresentIseenoindicationthattheyhaveanyideaofover—exertingthemselvestoobeytheirjeddak’ssummons。\"

  Javshookhisheadmournfully。

  \"Youdonotunderstand,\"hesaid。\"Theguardshavealreadycome——andgone。Theyhavedonetheirworkandwearelost。Looktothevariousexits。\"

  CarthorisandThuviaturnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseveraldoorwayswhichpiercedthewallsofthegreatchamber。Eachwastightlyclosedbyhugestonedoors。

  \"Well?\"askedCarthoris。

  \"Wearetodiethedeath,\"whisperedJavfaintly。

  Furtherthanthathewouldnotsay。Hejustsatupontheedgeofthejeddak’scouchandwaited。

  CarthorismovedtoThuvia’sside,and,standingtherewithnakedsword,helethisbraveeyesroamceaselesslyaboutthegreatchamber,thatnofoemightspringuponthemunseen。

  Forwhatseemedhoursnosoundbrokethesilenceoftheirlivingtomb。Nosigngavetheirexecutionersofthetimeormanneroftheirdeath。Thesuspensewasterrible。EvenCarthorisofHeliumbegantofeeltheterriblestrainuponhisnerves。Ifhecouldbutknowhowandwhencethehandofdeathwastostrike,hecouldmeetitunafraid,buttosufferlongerthehideoustensionofthisblightingignoranceoftheplansoftheirassassinswastellinguponhimgrievously。

  ThuviaofPtarthdrewquiteclosetohim。Shefeltsaferwiththefeelofhisarmagainsthers,andwiththecontactofherthemantookanewgripuponhimself。

  Withhisold—timesmileheturnedtowardher。

  \"Itwouldseemthattheyaretryingtofrightenustodeath,\"

  hesaid,laughing;\"and,shamebeuponmethatIshouldconfessit,Ithinktheywereclosetoaccomplishingtheirdesignsuponme。\"

  ShewasabouttomakesomereplywhenafearfulshriekbrokefromthelipsoftheLotharian。

  \"Theendiscoming!\"hecried。\"Theendiscoming!

  Thefloor!Thefloor!Oh,Komal,bemerciful!\"

  ThuviaandCarthorisdidnotneedtolookatthefloortobeawareofthestrangemovementthatwastakingplace。

  Slowlythemarbleflaggingwassinkinginalldirectionstowardthecentre。Atfirstthemovement,beinggradual,wasscarcenoticeable;butpresentlytheangleofthefloorbecamesuchthatonemightstandeasilyonlybybendingonekneeconsiderably。

  Javwasshriekingstill,andclawingattheroyalcouchthathadalreadycommencedtoslidetowardthecentreoftheroom,wherebothThuviaandCarthorissuddenlynotedasmallorificewhichgrewindiameterasthefloorassumedmorecloselyafunnel—likecontour。

  Nowitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttoclingtothedizzyinclinationofthesmoothandpolishedmarble。

  CarthoristriedtosupportThuvia,buthimselfcommencedtoslideandsliptowardtheever—enlargingaperture。

  Bettertoclingtothesmoothstonehekickedoffhissandalsofzitidarhideandwithhisbarefeetbracedhimselfagainstthesickeningtilt,atthesametimethrowinghisarmssupportinglyaboutthegirl。

  Inherterrorherownhandsclaspedabouttheman’sneck。

  Hercheekwasclosetohis。Death,unseenandofunknownform,seemedcloseuponthem,andbecauseunseenandunknowableinfinitelymoreterrifying。

  \"Courage,myprincess,\"hewhispered。

  Shelookedupintohisfacetoseesmilinglipsabovehersandbraveeyes,untouchedbyterror,drinkingdeeplyofherown。

  Thenthefloorsaggedandtiltedmoreswiftly。Therewasasuddenslippingrushastheywereprecipitatedtowardtheaperture。

  Jav’sscreamsroseweirdandhorribleintheirears,andthenthethreefoundthemselvespiledupontheroyalcouchofTario,whichhadstuckwithintheapertureatthebaseofthemarblefunnel。

  Foramomenttheybreathedmorefreely,butpresentlytheydiscoveredthattheaperturewascontinuingtoenlarge。Thecouchslippeddownward。Javshriekedagain。Therewasasickeningsensationastheyfeltallletgobeneaththem,astheyfellthroughdarknesstoanunknowndeath。

  CHAPTERIX

  THEBATTLEINTHEPLAIN

  Thedistancefromthebottomofthefunneltothefloorofthechamberbeneathitcouldnothavebeengreat,forallthreeofthevictimsofTario’swrathalightedunscathed。

  Carthoris,stillclaspingThuviatightlytohisbreast,cametothegroundcatlike,uponhisfeet,breakingtheshockforthegirl。Scarcehadhisfeettouchedtheroughstoneflaggingofthisnewchamberthanhisswordflashedoutreadyforinstantuse。Butthoughtheroomwaslighted,therewasnosignofenemyabout。

  CarthorislookedtowardJav。Themanwaspastywhitewithfear。

  \"Whatistobeourfate?\"askedtheHeliumite。\"Tellme,man!Shakeoffyourterrorlongenoughtotellme,soImaybepreparedtosellmylifeandthatofthePrincessofPtarthasdearlyaspossible。\"

  \"Komal!\"whisperedJav。\"WearetobedevouredbyKomal!\"

  \"Yourdeity?\"askedCarthoris。

  TheLothariannoddedhishead。Thenhepointedtowardalowdoorwayatoneendofthechamber。

  \"Fromthencewillhecomeuponus。Layasideyourpunysword,fool。Itwillbutenragehimthemoreandmakeoursufferingstheworse。\"

  Carthorissmiled,grippinghislong—swordthemorefirmly。

  PresentlyJavgaveahorrifiedmoan,atthesametimepointingtowardthedoor。

  \"Hehascome,\"hewhimpered。

  CarthorisandThuvialookedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated,expectingtoseesomestrangeandfearfulcreatureinhumanform;buttotheirastonishmenttheysawthebroadheadandgreat—manedshouldersofahugebanth,thelargestthateithereverhadseen。

  Slowlyandwithdignitythemightybeastadvancedintotheroom。Javhadfallentothefloor,andwaswrigglinghisbodyinthesameservilemannerthathehadadoptedtowardTario。Hespoketothefiercebeastashewouldhavespokentoahumanbeing,pleadingwithitformercy。

  CarthorissteppedbetweenThuviaandthebanth,hisswordreadytocontestthebeast’svictoryoverthem。

  ThuviaturnedtowardJav。

  \"IsthisKomal,yourgod?\"sheasked。

  Javnoddedaffirmatively。Thegirlsmiled,andthen,brushingpastCarthoris,shesteppedswiftlytowardthegrowlingcarnivore。

  Inlow,firmtonesshespoketoitasshehadspokentothebanthsoftheGoldenCliffsandthescavengersbeforethewallsofLothar。

  Thebeastceaseditsgrowling。Withloweredheadandcatlikepurr,itcameslinkingtothegirl’sfeet。

  ThuviaturnedtowardCarthoris。

  \"Itisbutabanth,\"shesaid。\"Wehavenothingtofearfromit。\"

  Carthorissmiled。

  \"Ididnotfearit,\"hereplied,\"forI,too,believedittobeonlyabanth,andIhavemylong—sword。\"

  Javsatupandgazedatthespectaclebeforehim——theslendergirlweavingherfingersinthetawnymaneofthehugecreaturethathehadthoughtdivine,whileKomalrubbedhishideoussnoutagainstherside。

  \"Sothisisyourgod!\"laughedThuvia。

  Javlookedbewildered。HescarceknewwhetherhedarechanceoffendingKomalornot,forsostrongisthepowerofsuperstitionthateventhoughweknowthatwehavebeenreverencingasham,yetstillwehesitatetoadmitthevalidityofournew—foundconvictions。

  \"Yes,\"hesaid,\"thisisKomal。ForagestheenemiesofTariohavebeenhurledtothispittofillhismaw,forKomalmustbefed。\"

  \"Isthereanywayoutofthischambertotheavenuesofthecity?\"askedCarthoris。

  Javshrugged。

  \"Idonotknow,\"hereplied。\"NeverhaveIbeenherebefore,noreverhaveIcaredtodoso。\"

  \"Come,\"suggestedThuvia,\"letusexplore。

  Theremustbeawayout。\"

  TogetherthethreeapproachedthedoorwaythroughwhichKomalhadenteredtheapartmentthatwastohavewitnessedtheirdeaths。Beyondwasalow—roofedlair,withasmalldooratthefarend。

  This,totheirdelight,openedtotheliftingofanordinarylatch,lettingthemintoacirculararena,surroundedbytiersofseats。

  \"HereiswhereKomalisfedinpublic,\"explainedJav。\"HadTariodareditwouldhavebeenherethatourfateshadbeensealed;buthefearedtoomuchthykeenblade,redman,andsohehurledusalldownwardtothepit。Ididnotknowhowcloselyconnectedwerethetwochambers。Nowwemayeasilyreachtheavenuesandthecitygates。Onlythebowmenmaydisputetherightofway,and,knowingtheirsecret,Idoubtthattheyhavepowertoharmus。\"

  Anotherdoorledtoaflightofstepsthatrosefromthearenalevelupwardthroughtheseatstoanexitatthebackofthehall。Beyondthiswasastraight,broadcorridor,runningdirectlythroughthepalacetothegardensattheside。

  Nooneappearedtoquestionthemastheyadvanced,mightyKomalpacingbythegirl’sside。

  \"Wherearethepeopleofthepalace——thejeddak’sretinue?\"

  askedCarthoris。\"EveninthecitystreetsaswecamethroughIscarcesawsignofahumanbeing,yetallaboutareevidencesofamightypopulation。\"

  Javsighed。

  \"PoorLothar,\"hesaid。\"Itisindeedacityofghosts。

  Therearescarceathousandofusleft,whooncewerenumberedinthemillions。Ourgreatcityispeopledbythecreaturesofourownimaginings。Forourownneedswedonottakethetroubletomaterializethesepeoplesofourbrain,yettheyareapparenttous。

  \"EvennowIseegreatthrongsliningtheavenue,hasteningtoandfrointheroundoftheirduties。

  Iseewomenandchildrenlaughingonthebalconies——theseweareforbiddentomaterialize;butyetIseethem——theyarehere……Butwhynot?\"hemused。\"NolongerneedI

  fearTario——hehasdonehisworst,andfailed。Whynotindeed?

  \"Stay,friends,\"hecontinued。\"WouldyouseeLotharinallherglory?\"

  CarthorisandThuvianoddedtheirassent,moreoutofcourtesythanbecausetheyfullygraspedtheimportofhismutterings。

  Javgazedatthempenetratinglyforaninstant,then,withawaveofhishand,cried:\"Look!\"

  Thesightthatmetthemwasawe—inspiring。Wherebeforetherehadbeennaughtbutdesertedpavementsandscarletswards,yawningwindowsandtenantlessdoors,nowswarmedacountlessmultitudeofhappy,laughingpeople。

  \"Itisthepast,\"saidJavinalowvoice。\"Theydonotseeus——theybutlivetheolddeadpastofancientLothar——thedeadandcrumbledLotharofantiquity,whichstoodupontheshoreofThroxus,mightiestofthefiveoceans。

  \"Seethosefine,upstandingmenswingingalongthebroadavenue?Seetheyounggirlsandthewomensmileuponthem?Seethemengreetthemwithloveandrespect?

  Thosebeseafarerscomingupfromtheirshipswhichlieatthequaysatthecity’sedge。

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