Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-27

the lsht Of battle. I recognized Tari
Tarkas. the Thark.
He did not see me, as / was a trif,
behind him. and Just then the three war
riors opposing him, and whom I recog
nized as Warhoons, charged simultane
ously.
The mighty fell : made quick work
OF one of them, but in stepping back foi
another thrust. he fell over a dead body
behind him, and was down and at tht
mercy OF his foes in an instant. Quick
as lightning they were upon him. and
Tars Tarkas would have been gathered
q his fathers in short order had I not
sprung before his PROSTATE form and en-
gagged his adversaries.
had accounted for one Of them when
the mighty Thark regained his feet and
quickly settled the other.
He gave me one look, and a slight smile
touched him grim lips as, touching my
shoulder he said:
~ would scarcely have recognized you
John Carter. but there is no other mortal
upon Barsoom, who would have done what
you have for me. ! think have learned
that there is such thing as friendship,
my friend"
He said no more, nor was there oppor-
tunity. for the Warhoons were closing in
I about us and together we fought shoulder
to shoulder during all that long. hot aft.
ernoon. until the tide Of battle turned and
the remnants of the fierce Warhoon horde
fell back upon their thoats and fed into
the gathering darkness.
Ten thousand men had been engaged in
! that titanic struggle, and upon the field
| of battle lay three thousand DEAD. Neither
side asked or gave quarter, nor did they
/ attempt to take prisoners.
| ON our return to the city after the bat
| tie we had gone directly to Tars Tarkas
! quarters where / was left alone while the
chieftain attended the customary council
J which Immediately follows an engage.
ment.
'"ral Hajus knows that you are here.
John Carter" said Tars Tarkas on his re.
turn from the ieddaks quarters "Sar.
koia saw and recognized you as we were
returning. Tai Itajus has ordered me to
bring you before him tonight.
81 have ten thoats, John Carter; you
may take your choice from among them.
and ! Will accompany you to the nearest
waterway that leads to Heium. Tars
Tarkas may cruel, green warrior.
but he can be a friend. as well. 1t is
best that we start at once. Come"
And when you return. Tars Tarkas?"
| asked
He smiled
''The wild calots. possibly or worse"
he replied. Unless I should chance to
have the opportunity I have so long wait
i
I'VE will stay, Tars Tarkas. and see Tai
HaJus tonight. You shall not sacrifice
yourself. and il may be that tonight you
can have the chance you wait
He objected strenuously, saying that
Tai HaJus often flew into wild fits OF
passion at the mere thought of the blow
| had dealt him. and that II ever he laid
his hands upon me ! would be subjected
to the most horrible tortures
While we were eating | reDpated IN To ra
Tarkas the story which Sola had told me
that night upon the sea bottom, during tn.
march to Thark.
He said hui little, but the great muscles
OF his face worked in passion and IN
agony at the recollection of the horrors
which had been heaped upon the ONLY
thing he had ever loved in all his cold,
cruel. terrible existence.
He no longer demurred when / sur.
gested that we go before Tai Hajus. ONLY
saving he would like to speak to Sarlio;a
first his request / accompanied him to
her quarters and the look of venomous
hatred she cast upon me was almost ada.
quate recompense for any future misfor
tunes this accidental return to Thark
might bring me.
"Sarkoja," said Tars Tarkas, forty |
years ago you were instrume tai in bring. |
ing about the torture and death of n
woman named Gozava | have Just dis
covered that the warrior who loved that
woman has learned of your part in the
transaction
He may not kill you, Sarkoja IL is not |
our custom. but there Is nothing to prevent |
him tying one end of a strap about your
neck and the other end to a wild thoat
merely to test your fitness to survive and
help perpetuate our race Having heard
thought II only right to warn YOU, for l
am just man. The River Iss is but a
short pilgrimage. Sarkoja. Come John
Carter"
The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor
was she ever seen after
In silence we hastened TO the ieddak's
palace. where we were Immediately ad.
mitted to his presence; in fact he could
scarcely wait to see me, and was standing
erect upon his platform glowerng at the
entrance as came in.
strap him to that pillar" he shrieked
we snail see who 1t is dares strike the
mighty Tai Hajus Heat the irons: with
my own hands | shall burn the eyes from
mis- head that he may not pollute my per.
son with his vile gaze"
'"Chieftains of Thark." I cried, turning
o the assembled council and ignoring Tai
HaJus, II have been a chief among you,
md today have fought for Thark
shoulder to shoulder with her greatest
warrior. You owe me, at least, a hearing,
have won that much today. You claim TO
'e just people"
Silence roared Tai Hajus. Gag
he creature and bind him as I com.
nand"
Justice, Tai Hajus" exclaimed Lor-
uas Ptomel. Who are you to set aside
he customs of ages among the Tharks?"
Yes, justice" echoed a dozen voices:
nd so. while Tai Hajus fumed and
rothed, l continued: ,
you are brave people and YOU love
ravery, but where was your mighty led
ak during the fighting today? L did not
ee him IN the thick OF battle; he was
ot there. He rends defenseless women ;
nd little children in his lair, but how
ecently has one of you seen him fight
18th men?
why, even I, midget beside him
slled him with single blow OF my fist
) IL OF such that the Tharks fashion q
leir jeddaks? There stands beside ma U
ow great TharI mighty warrior, ard Q
noble man, Chieftains, how sounds =
ars Tarkas, Jeddak Of Thark?" ;
roar OF deep-toned applause greeted 4
lis suggestion.
1T but remains for this council 10 com.
and, and Tai Hajus must prove his Mt
ass to rule. Were he a brave man he
ould invite Tars Tarkas to combat Tor i,
} does not love him, but Tai Hajus is :
raid. Tai Hajus, your jeddak, is y
ward With my bare hands could kill '
m and ha Lnnvya II