"Seven days ago, after her audience with Zat Arrras, Dejah Thoris attempted to slip from the palace in the dead of night. Although I had not heard the outcome of her interview with Zat Arrras I knew that something had occurred then to cause her the keenest mental agony, and when I discovered her creeping from the palace I did not need to be told her destination.
"Hastily arousing a dozen of her most faithful guards, I explained my fears to them, and as one they enlisted1 with me to follow our beloved Princess in her wanderings, even to the Sacred Iss and the Valley Dor. We came upon her but a short distance from the palace. With her was faithful Woola the hound, but none other. When we overtook her she feigned2 anger, and ordered us back to the palace, but for once we disobeyed her, and when she found that we would not let her go upon the last long pilgrimage alone, she wept and embraced us, and together we went out into the night toward the south.
"The following day we came upon a herd3 of small thoats, and thereafter we were mounted and made good time. We travelled very fast and very far due south until the morning of the fifth day we sighted a great fleet of battleships sailing north. They saw us before we could seek shelter, and soon we were surrounded by a horde4 of black men. The Princess's guard fought nobly to the end, but they were soon overcome and slain5. Only Dejah Thoris and I were spared.
"When she realized that she was in the clutches of the black pirates, she attempted to take her own life, but one of the blacks tore her dagger6 from her, and then they bound us both so that we could not use our hands.
"The fleet continued north after capturing us. There were about twenty large battleships in all, besides a number of small swift cruisers. That evening one of the smaller cruisers that had been far in advance of the fleet returned with a prisoner—a young red woman whom they had picked up in a range of hills under the very noses, they said, of a fleet of three red Martian battleships.
"From scraps7 of conversation which we overheard it was evident that the black pirates were searching for a party of fugitives8 that had escaped them several days prior. That they considered the capture of the young woman important was evident from the long and earnest interview the commander of the fleet held with her when she was brought to him. Later she was bound and placed in the compartment9 with Dejah Thoris and myself.
"The new captive was a very beautiful girl. She told Dejah Thoris that many years ago she had taken the voluntary pilgrimage from the court of her father, the Jeddak of Ptarth. She was Thuvia, the Princess of Ptarth. And then she asked Dejah Thoris who she might be, and when she heard she fell upon her knees and kissed Dejah Thoris' fettered10 hands, and told her that that very morning she had been with John Carter, Prince of Helium, and Carthoris, her son.
"Dejah Thoris could not believe her at first, but finally when the girl had narrated11 all the strange adventures that had befallen her since she had met John Carter, and told her of the things John Carter, and Carthoris, and Xodar had narrated of their adventures in the Land of the First Born, Dejah Thoris knew that it could be none other than the Prince of Helium; 'For who,' she said, 'upon all Barsoom other than John Carter could have done the deeds you tell of.' And when Thuvia told Dejah Thoris of her love for John Carter, and his loyalty12 and devotion to the Princess of his choice, Dejah Thoris broke down and wept—cursing Zat Arrras and the cruel fate that had driven her from Helium but a few brief days before the return of her beloved lord.
"'I do not blame you for loving him, Thuvia,' she said; 'and that your affection for him is pure and sincere I can well believe from the candour of your avowal13 of it to me.'
"The fleet continued north nearly to Helium, but last night they evidently realized that John Carter had indeed escaped them and so they turned toward the south once more. Shortly thereafter a guard entered our compartment and dragged me to the deck.
"'There is no place in the Land of the First Born for a green one,' he said, and with that he gave me a terrific shove that carried me toppling from the deck of the battleship. Evidently this seemed to him the easiest way of ridding the vessel15 of my presence and killing16 me at the same time.
"But a kind fate intervened, and by a miracle I escaped with but slight bruises17. The ship was moving slowly at the time, and as I lunged overboard into the darkness beneath I shuddered18 at the awful plunge19 I thought awaited me, for all day the fleet had sailed thousands of feet above the ground; but to my utter surprise I struck upon a soft mass of vegetation not twenty feet from the deck of the ship. In fact, the keel of the vessel must have been grazing the surface of the ground at the time.
"I lay all night where I had fallen and the next morning brought an explanation of the fortunate coincidence that had saved me from a terrible death. As the sun rose I saw a vast panorama20 of sea bottom and distant hills lying far below me. I was upon the highest peak of a lofty range. The fleet in the darkness of the preceding night had barely grazed the crest21 of the hills, and in the brief span that they hovered22 close to the surface the black guard had pitched me, as he supposed, to my death.
"A few miles west of me was a great waterway. When I reached it I found to my delight that it belonged to Helium. Here a thoat was procured23 for me—the rest you know."
For many minutes none spoke24. Dejah Thoris in the clutches of the First Born! I shuddered at the thought, but of a sudden the old fire of unconquerable self-confidence surged through me. I sprang to my feet, and with back-thrown shoulders and upraised sword took a solemn vow14 to reach, rescue, and revenge my Princess.
A hundred swords leaped from a hundred scabbards, and a hundred fighting-men sprang to the table-top and pledged me their lives and fortunes to the expedition. Already my plans were formulated25. I thanked each loyal friend, and leaving Carthoris to entertain them, withdrew to my own audience chamber26 with Kantos Kan, Tars27 Tarkas, Xodar, and Hor Vastus.
Here we discussed the details of our expedition until long after dark. Xodar was positive that Issus would choose both Dejah Thoris and Thuvia to serve her for a year.
"For that length of time at least they will be comparatively safe," he said, "and we will at least know where to look for them."
In the matter of equipping a fleet to enter Omean the details were left to Kantos Kan and Xodar. The former agreed to take such vessels28 as we required into dock as rapidly as possible, where Xodar would direct their equipment with water propellers29.
For many years the black had been in charge of the refitting of captured battleships that they might navigate30 Omean, and so was familiar with the construction of the propellers, housings, and the auxiliary31 gearing required.
It was estimated that it would require six months to complete our preparations in view of the fact that the utmost secrecy32 must be maintained to keep the project from the ears of Zat Arrras. Kantos Kan was confident now that the man's ambitions were fully33 aroused and that nothing short of the title of Jeddak of Helium would satisfy him.
"I doubt," he said, "if he would even welcome Dejah Thoris' return, for it would mean another nearer the throne than he. With you and Carthoris out of the way there would be little to prevent him from assuming the title of Jeddak, and you may rest assured that so long as he is supreme34 here there is no safety for either of you."
"What?" I asked.
He smiled.
"I shall whisper it here, but some day I shall stand upon the dome36 of the Temple of Reward and shout it to cheering multitudes below."
"What do you mean?" asked Kantos Kan.
"John Carter, Jeddak of Helium," said Hor Vastus in a low voice.
The eyes of my companions lighted, and grim smiles of pleasure and anticipation37 overspread their faces, as each eye turned toward me questioningly. But I shook my head.
"No, my friends," I said, smiling, "I thank you, but it cannot be. Not yet, at least. When we know that Tardos Mors and Mors Kajak are gone to return no more; if I be here, then I shall join you all to see that the people of Helium are permitted to choose fairly their next Jeddak. Whom they choose may count upon the loyalty of my sword, nor shall I seek the honour for myself. Until then Tardos Mors is Jeddak of Helium, and Zat Arrras is his representative."
"As you will, John Carter," said Hor Vastus, "but—What was that?" he whispered, pointing toward the window overlooking the gardens.
The words were scarce out of his mouth ere he had sprung to the balcony without.
"There he goes!" he cried excitedly. "The guards! Below there! The guards!"
We were close behind him, and all saw the figure of a man run quickly across a little piece of sward and disappear in the shrubbery beyond.
"He was on the balcony when I first saw him," cried Hor Vastus. "Quick! Let us follow him!"
Together we ran to the gardens, but even though we scoured38 the grounds with the entire guard for hours, no trace could we find of the night marauder.
"What do you make of it, Kantos Kan?" asked Tars Tarkas.
"A spy sent by Zat Arrras," he replied. "It was ever his way."
"He will have something interesting to report to his master then," laughed Hor Vastus.
"I hope he heard only our references to a new Jeddak," I said. "If he overheard our plans to rescue Dejah Thoris, it will mean civil war, for he will attempt to thwart us, and in that I will not be thwarted39. There would I turn against Tardos Mors himself, were it necessary. If it throws all Helium into a bloody40 conflict, I shall go on with these plans to save my Princess. Nothing shall stay me now short of death, and should I die, my friends, will you take oath to prosecute41 the search for her and bring her back in safety to her grandfather's court?"
Upon the hilt of his sword each of them swore to do as I had asked.
It was agreed that the battleships that were to be remodelled42 should be ordered to Hastor, another Heliumetic city, far to the south-west. Kantos Kan thought that the docks there, in addition to their regular work, would accommodate at least six battleships at a time. As he was commander-in-chief of the navy, it would be a simple matter for him to order the vessels there as they could be handled, and thereafter keep the remodelled fleet in remote parts of the empire until we should be ready to assemble it for the dash upon Omean.
It was late that night before our conference broke up, but each man there had his particular duties outlined, and the details of the entire plan had been mapped out.
Kantos Kan and Xodar were to attend to the remodelling43 of the ships. Tars Tarkas was to get into communication with Thark and learn the sentiments of his people toward his return from Dor. If favourable44, he was to repair immediately to Thark and devote his time to the assembling of a great horde of green warriors45 whom it was our plan to send in transports directly to the Valley Dor and the Temple of Issus, while the fleet entered Omean and destroyed the vessels of the First Born.
Upon Hor Vastus devolved the delicate mission of organising a secret force of fighting-men sworn to follow John Carter wherever he might lead. As we estimated that it would require over a million men to man the thousand great battleships we intended to use on Omean and the transports for the green men as well as the ships that were to convoy46 the transports, it was no trifling47 job that Hor Vastus had before him.
After they had left I bid Carthoris good-night, for I was very tired, and going to my own apartments, bathed and lay down upon my sleeping silks and furs for the first good night's sleep I had had an opportunity to look forward to since I had returned to Barsoom. But even now I was to be disappointed.
How long I slept I do not know. When I awoke suddenly it was to find a half-dozen powerful men upon me, a gag already in my mouth, and a moment later my arms and legs securely bound. So quickly had they worked and to such good purpose, that I was utterly48 beyond the power to resist them by the time I was fully awake.
Never a word spoke they, and the gag effectually prevented me speaking. Silently they lifted me and bore me toward the door of my chamber. As they passed the window through which the farther moon was casting its brilliant beams, I saw that each of the party had his face swathed in layers of silk—I could not recognize one of them.
When they had come into the corridor with me, they turned toward a secret panel in the wall which led to the passage that terminated in the pits beneath the palace. That any knew of this panel outside my own household, I was doubtful. Yet the leader of the band did not hesitate a moment. He stepped directly to the panel, touched the concealed49 button, and as the door swung open he stood aside while his companions entered with me. Then he closed the panel behind him and followed us.
Down through the passageways to the pits we went. The leader rapped upon it with the hilt of his sword—three quick, sharp blows, a pause, then three more, another pause, and then two. A second later the wall swung in, and I was pushed within a brilliantly lighted chamber in which sat three richly trapped men.
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1
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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5
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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6
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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7
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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8
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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9
compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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10
fettered
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| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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13
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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14
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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15
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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16
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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17
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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18
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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19
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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20
panorama
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| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
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21
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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22
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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23
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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24
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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25
formulated
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| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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26
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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27
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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28
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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29
propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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30
navigate
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| v.航行，飞行；导航，领航 | |
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31
auxiliary
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| adj.辅助的，备用的 | |
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32
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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33
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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34
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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35
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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36
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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37
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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38
scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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39
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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40
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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41
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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42
remodelled
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| v.改变…的结构[形状]( remodel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
remodelling
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| v.改变…的结构[形状]( remodel的现在分词 ) | |
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44
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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45
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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46
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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47
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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48
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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49
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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50
sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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