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they had approached within a hundred yards their thoats
again became unmanageable and absolutely refused to advance
further toward the air craft which had frightened them。
The warriors finally dismounted and hobbling their animals
advanced toward us on foot with drawn long…swords。
I advanced to meet the larger； telling the Zodangan to do
the best he could with the other。 Finishing my man with
almost no effort； as had now from much practice become
habitual with me； I hastened to return to my new acquaintance
whom I found indeed in desperate straits。
He was wounded and down with the huge foot of his
antagonist upon his throat and the great long…sword raised
to deal the final thrust。 With a bound I cleared the fifty
feet intervening between us； and with outstretched point
drove my sword completely through the body of the green
warrior。 His sword fell； harmless； to the ground and he sank
limply upon the prostrate form of the Zodangan。
A cursory examination of the latter revealed no mortal
injuries and after a brief rest he asserted that he felt fit to
attempt the return voyage。 He would have to pilot his
own craft； however； as these frail vessels are not intended
to convey but a single person。
Quickly completing the repairs we rose together into the
still； cloudless Martian sky； and at great speed and without
further mishap returned to Zodanga。
As we neared the city we discovered a mighty concourse
of civilians and troops assembled upon the plain before the
city。 The sky was black with naval vessels and private and
public pleasure craft； flying long streamers of gay…colored
silks； and banners and flags of odd and picturesque design。
My companion signaled that I slow down； and running
his machine close beside mine suggested that we approach
and watch the ceremony； which； he said； was for the purpose
of conferring honors on individual officers and men for
bravery and other distinguished service。 He then unfurled
a little ensign which denoted that his craft bore a member
of the royal family of Zodanga； and together we made our
way through the maze of low…lying air vessels until we hung
directly over the jeddak of Zodanga and his staff。 All were
mounted upon the small domestic bull thoats of the red
Martians； and their trappings and ornamentation bore such
a quantity of gorgeously colored feathers that I could not but
be struck with the startling resemblance the concourse bore
to a band of the red Indians of my own Earth。
One of the staff called the attention of Than Kosis to the
presence of my companion above them and the ruler motioned
for him to descend。 As they waited for the troops
to move into position facing the jeddak the two talked
earnestly together； the jeddak and his staff occasionally
glancing up at me。 I could not hear their conversation and
presently it ceased and all dismounted； as the last body of
troops had wheeled into position before their emperor。 A
member of the staff advanced toward the troops； and calling
the name of a soldier commanded him to advance。 The
officer then recited the nature of the heroic act which had
won the approval of the jeddak； and the latter advanced
and placed a metal ornament upon the left arm of the
lucky man。
Ten men had been so decorated when the aide called out；
〃John Carter； air scout！〃
Never in my life had I been so surprised； but the habit
of military discipline is strong within me； and I dropped
my little machine lightly to the ground and advanced on
foot as I had seen the others do。 As I halted before the
officer； he addressed me in a voice audible to the entire
assemblage of troops and spectators。
〃In recognition； John Carter；〃 he said； 〃of your remarkable
courage and skill in defending the person of the cousin
of the jeddak Than Kosis and； singlehanded； vanquishing
three green warriors； it is the pleasure of our jeddak to
confer on you the mark of his esteem。〃
Than Kosis then advanced toward me and placing an
ornament upon me； said：
〃My cousin has narrated the details of your wonderful
achievement； which seems little short of miraculous； and if
you can so well defend a cousin of the jeddak how much
better could you defend the person of the jeddak himself。
You are therefore appointed a padwar of The Guards and
will be quartered in my palace hereafter。〃
I thanked him； and at his direction joined the members
of his staff。 After the ceremony I returned my machine to
its quarters on the roof of the barracks of the air…scout
squadron； and with an orderly from the palace to guide me
I reported to the officer in charge of the palace。
CHAPTER XXII
I FIND DEJAH
The major…domo to whom I reported had been given instructions
to station me near the person of the jeddak； who； in time
of war； is always in great danger of assassination； as the
rule that all is fair in war seems to constitute the entire
ethics of Martian conflict。
He therefore escorted me immediately to the apartment
in which Than Kosis then was。 The ruler was engaged in
conversation with his son； Sab Than； and several courtiers
of his household； and did not perceive my entrance。
The walls of the apartment were completely hung with
splendid tapestries which hid any windows or doors which
may have pierced them。 The room was lighted by imprisoned
rays of sunshine held between the ceiling proper and what
appeared to be a ground…glass false ceiling a few inches
below。
My guide drew aside one of the tapestries； disclosing a
passage which encircled the room； between the hangings and
the walls of the chamber。 Within this passage I was to
remain； he said； so long as Than Kosis was in the apartment。
When he left I was to follow。 My only duty was to guard
the ruler and keep out of sight as much as possible。 I
would be relieved after a period of four hours。 The major…
domo then left me。
The tapestries were of a strange weaving which gave the
appearance of heavy solidity from one side； but from my hiding
place I could perceive all that took place within the room as
readily as though there had been no curtain intervening。
Scarcely had I gained my post than the tapestry at the
opposite end of the chamber separated and four soldiers of
The Guard entered； surrounding a female figure。 As they
approached Than Kosis the soldiers fell to either side and
there standing before the jeddak and not ten feet from me；
her beautiful face radiant with smiles； was Dejah Thoris。
Sab Than； Prince of Zodanga； advanced to meet her； and
hand in hand they approached close to the jeddak。 Than
Kosis looked up in surprise； and； rising； saluted her。
〃To what strange freak do I owe this visit from the Princess
of Helium； who； two days ago； with rare consideration
for my pride； assured me that she would prefer Tal Hajus；
the green Thark； to my son？〃
Dejah Thoris only smiled the more and with the roguish dimples
playing at the corners of her mouth she made answer：
〃From the beginning of time upon Barsoom it has been
the prerogative of woman to change her mind as she listed
and to dissemble in matters concerning her heart。 That you
will forgive； Than Kosis； as has your son。 Two days ago I
was not sure of his love for me； but now I am； and I have
come to beg of you to forget my rash words and to accept
the assurance of the Princess of Helium that when the time
comes she will wed Sab Than； Prince of Zodanga。〃
〃I am glad that you have so decided；〃 replied Than Kosis。
〃It is far from my desire to push war further against the
people of Helium； and； your promise shall be recorded and
a proclamation to my people issued forthwith。〃
〃It were better； Than Kosis；〃 interrupted Dejah Thoris；
〃that the proclamation wait the ending of this war。 It would
look strange indeed to my people and to yours were the
Princess of Helium to give herself to her country's enemy
in the midst of hostilities。〃
〃Cannot the war be ended at once？〃 spoke Sab Than。
〃It requires but the word of Than Kosis to bring peace。
Say it； my father； say the word that will hasten my
happiness； and end this unpopular strife。〃
〃We shall see；〃 replied Than Kosis； 〃how the people of
Helium take to peace。 I shall at least offer it to them。〃
Dejah Thoris； after a few words； turned and left the
apartment； still followed by her guards。
Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of happiness
dashed； broken； to the ground of reality。 The woman for
whom I had offered my life； and from whose lips I had so
recently heard a declaration of love for me； had lightly
forgotten my very existence and smilingly given herself to
the son of her people's most hated enemy。
Although I had heard it with my own ears I could not
believe it。 I must search out her apartments and force her
to repeat the cruel