The lesser7 hordes8 had commenced looting and quarreling among themselves, so it was decided9 that we collect what warriors we could, man as many vessels as possible with Zodangan prisoners and make for Helium without further loss of time.
Five hours later we sailed from the roofs of the dock buildings with a fleet of two hundred and fifty battleships, carrying nearly one hundred thousand green warriors, followed by a fleet of transports with our thoats.
Behind us we left the stricken city in the fierce and brutal10 clutches of some forty thousand green warriors of the lesser hordes. They were looting, murdering, and fighting amongst themselves. In a hundred places they had applied11 the torch, and columns of dense12 smoke were rising above the city as though to blot13 out from the eye of heaven the horrid14 sights beneath.
In the middle of the afternoon we sighted the scarlet15 and yellow towers of Helium, and a short time later a great fleet of Zodangan battleships rose from the camps of the besiegers without the city, and advanced to meet us.
The banners of Helium had been strung from stem to stern of each of our mighty16 craft, but the Zodangans did not need this sign to realize that we were enemies, for our green Martian warriors had opened fire upon them almost as they left the ground. With their uncanny marksmanship they raked the on-coming fleet with volley after volley.
The twin cities of Helium, perceiving that we were friends, sent out hundreds of vessels to aid us, and then began the first real air battle I had ever witnessed.
The vessels carrying our green warriors were kept circling above the contending fleets of Helium and Zodanga, since their batteries were useless in the hands of the Tharks who, having no navy, have no skill in naval17 gunnery. Their small-arm fire, however, was most effective, and the final outcome of the engagement was strongly influenced, if not wholly determined18, by their presence.
At first the two forces circled at the same altitude, pouring broadside after broadside into each other. Presently a great hole was torn in the hull19 of one of the immense battle craft from the Zodangan camp; with a lurch20 she turned completely over, the little figures of her crew plunging21, turning and twisting toward the ground a thousand feet below; then with sickening velocity22 she tore after them, almost completely burying herself in the soft loam23 of the ancient sea bottom.
A wild cry of exultation24 arose from the Heliumite squadron, and with redoubled ferocity they fell upon the Zodangan fleet. By a pretty maneuver25 two of the vessels of Helium gained a position above their adversaries26, from which they poured upon them from their keel bomb batteries a perfect torrent27 of exploding bombs.
Then, one by one, the battleships of Helium succeeded in rising above the Zodangans, and in a short time a number of the beleaguering28 battleships were drifting hopeless wrecks29 toward the high scarlet tower of greater Helium. Several others attempted to escape, but they were soon surrounded by thousands of tiny individual fliers, and above each hung a monster battleship of Helium ready to drop boarding parties upon their decks.
Within but little more than an hour from the moment the victorious30 Zodangan squadron had risen to meet us from the camp of the besiegers the battle was over, and the remaining vessels of the conquered Zodangans were headed toward the cities of Helium under prize crews.
There was an extremely pathetic side to the surrender of these mighty fliers, the result of an age-old custom which demanded that surrender should be signalized by the voluntary plunging to earth of the commander of the vanquished31 vessel4. One after another the brave fellows, holding their colors high above their heads, leaped from the towering bows of their mighty craft to an awful death.
Not until the commander of the entire fleet took the fearful plunge32, thus indicating the surrender of the remaining vessels, did the fighting cease, and the useless sacrifice of brave men come to an end.
We now signaled the flagship of Helium's navy to approach, and when she was within hailing distance I called out that we had the Princess Dejah Thoris on board, and that we wished to transfer her to the flagship that she might be taken immediately to the city.
As the full import of my announcement bore in upon them a great cry arose from the decks of the flagship, and a moment later the colors of the Princess of Helium broke from a hundred points upon her upper works. When the other vessels of the squadron caught the meaning of the signals flashed them they took up the wild acclaim33 and unfurled her colors in the gleaming sunlight.
The flagship bore down upon us, and as she swung gracefully34 to and touched our side a dozen officers sprang upon our decks. As their astonished gaze fell upon the hundreds of green warriors, who now came forth35 from the fighting shelters, they stopped aghast, but at sight of Kantos Kan, who advanced to meet them, they came forward, crowding about him.
Dejah Thoris and I then advanced, and they had no eyes for other than her. She received them gracefully, calling each by name, for they were men high in the esteem36 and service of her grandfather, and she knew them well.
"Lay your hands upon the shoulder of John Carter," she said to them, turning toward me, "the man to whom Helium owes her princess as well as her victory today."
They were very courteous37 to me and said many kind and complimentary38 things, but what seemed to impress them most was that I had won the aid of the fierce Tharks in my campaign for the liberation of Dejah Thoris, and the relief of Helium.
"You owe your thanks more to another man than to me," I said, "and here he is; meet one of Barsoom's greatest soldiers and statesmen, Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark."
With the same polished courtesy that had marked their manner toward me they extended their greetings to the great Thark, nor, to my surprise, was he much behind them in ease of bearing or in courtly speech. Though not a garrulous39 race, the Tharks are extremely formal, and their ways lend themselves amazingly to dignified40 and courtly manners.
Dejah Thoris went aboard the flagship, and was much put out that I would not follow, but, as I explained to her, the battle was but partly won; we still had the land forces of the besieging41 Zodangans to account for, and I would not leave Tars Tarkas until that had been accomplished42.
The commander of the naval forces of Helium promised to arrange to have the armies of Helium attack from the city in conjunction with our land attack, and so the vessels separated and Dejah Thoris was borne in triumph back to the court of her grandfather, Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium.
In the distance lay our fleet of transports, with the thoats of the green warriors, where they had remained during the battle. Without landing stages it was to be a difficult matter to unload these beasts upon the open plain, but there was nothing else for it, and so we put out for a point about ten miles from the city and began the task.
It was necessary to lower the animals to the ground in slings43 and this work occupied the remainder of the day and half the night. Twice we were attacked by parties of Zodangan cavalry44, but with little loss, however, and after darkness shut down they withdrew.
As soon as the last thoat was unloaded Tars Tarkas gave the command to advance, and in three parties we crept upon the Zodangan camp from the north, the south and the east.
About a mile from the main camp we encountered their outposts and, as had been prearranged, accepted this as the signal to charge. With wild, ferocious45 cries and amidst the nasty squealing46 of battle-enraged thoats we bore down upon the Zodangans.
We did not catch them napping, but found a well-entrenched battle line confronting us. Time after time we were repulsed47 until, toward noon, I began to fear for the result of the battle.
The Zodangans numbered nearly a million fighting men, gathered from pole to pole, wherever stretched their ribbon-like waterways, while pitted against them were less than a hundred thousand green warriors. The forces from Helium had not arrived, nor could we receive any word from them.
Just at noon we heard heavy firing all along the line between the Zodangans and the cities, and we knew then that our much-needed reinforcements had come.
Again Tars Tarkas ordered the charge, and once more the mighty thoats bore their terrible riders against the ramparts of the enemy. At the same moment the battle line of Helium surged over the opposite breastworks of the Zodangans and in another moment they were being crushed as between two millstones. Nobly they fought, but in vain.
The plain before the city became a veritable shambles48 ere the last Zodangan surrendered, but finally the carnage ceased, the prisoners were marched back to Helium, and we entered the greater city's gates, a huge triumphal procession of conquering heroes.
The broad avenues were lined with women and children, among which were the few men whose duties necessitated49 that they remain within the city during the battle. We were greeted with an endless round of applause and showered with ornaments50 of gold, platinum51, silver, and precious jewels. The city had gone mad with joy.
My fierce Tharks caused the wildest excitement and enthusiasm. Never before had an armed body of green warriors entered the gates of Helium, and that they came now as friends and allies filled the red men with rejoicing.
That my poor services to Dejah Thoris had become known to the Heliumites was evidenced by the loud crying of my name, and by the loads of ornaments that were fastened upon me and my huge thoat as we passed up the avenues to the palace, for even in the face of the ferocious appearance of Woola the populace pressed close about me.
As we approached this magnificent pile we were met by a party of officers who greeted us warmly and requested that Tars Tarkas and his jeds with the jeddaks and jeds of his wild allies, together with myself, dismount and accompany them to receive from Tardos Mors an expression of his gratitude52 for our services.
At the top of the great steps leading up to the main portals of the palace stood the royal party, and as we reached the lower steps one of their number descended53 to meet us.
He was an almost perfect specimen54 of manhood; tall, straight as an arrow, superbly muscled and with the carriage and bearing of a ruler of men. I did not need to be told that he was Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium.
The first member of our party he met was Tars Tarkas and his first words sealed forever the new friendship between the races.
"That Tardos Mors," he said, earnestly, "may meet the greatest living warrior5 of Barsoom is a priceless honor, but that he may lay his hand on the shoulder of a friend and ally is a far greater boon55."
"Jeddak of Helium," returned Tars Tarkas, "it has remained for a man of another world to teach the green warriors of Barsoom the meaning of friendship; to him we owe the fact that the hordes of Thark can understand you; that they can appreciate and reciprocate56 the sentiments so graciously expressed."
Tardos Mors then greeted each of the green jeddaks and jeds, and to each spoke57 words of friendship and appreciation58.
As he approached me he laid both hands upon my shoulders.
"Welcome, my son," he said; "that you are granted, gladly, and without one word of opposition59, the most precious jewel in all Helium, yes, on all Barsoom, is sufficient earnest of my esteem."
We were then presented to Mors Kajak, Jed of lesser Helium, and father of Dejah Thoris. He had followed close behind Tardos Mors and seemed even more affected60 by the meeting than had his father.
He tried a dozen times to express his gratitude to me, but his voice choked with emotion and he could not speak, and yet he had, as I was to later learn, a reputation for ferocity and fearlessness as a fighter that was remarkable61 even upon warlike Barsoom. In common with all Helium he worshiped his daughter, nor could he think of what she had escaped without deep emotion.
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1
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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hordes
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| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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lurch
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| n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行 | |
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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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maneuver
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| n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略 | |
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adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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beleaguering
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| v.围攻( beleaguer的现在分词 )；困扰；骚扰 | |
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29
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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32
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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acclaim
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| v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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slings
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| 抛( sling的第三人称单数 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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44
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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45
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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46
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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47
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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49
necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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51
platinum
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| n.白金 | |
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52
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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56
reciprocate
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| v.往复运动；互换；回报，酬答 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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