Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-03
BY EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
Author of the Tarzan Stories
CHAPTER xI-tcon,lnued,.

LNoR my part, was fighting as I had
IL fought a thousand times before-now
sidestepping quickly in to let my swords
point drink deep in foeman's heart before
It buried itself in the throat of his COM
panlon.
We were having merry time Of II, we
two, when a great body of Issus' own
CARDS were ordered into the arena. On they
came with fierce cries, while from every
side the armed prisoners swarmed upon
them.
For half an hour II was as though the in.
ferno had broken loose. In the walled con-
fines of the arena we fought in an inex.
tricable mass-howllng, curslng, blood.
streaked demons, and ever the sword Of the
young red man flashed beside me.
Slowly and by repeated commands had
succeeded In drawing the prisoners into n
rough formation about u.s. that at last
we fought formed into rude circle, In the
centre of which were the doomed maids.
Many had gone down on both sides, but
by far the greater havoc had been wrought
in the guards of 1ssus. / could see mes.
sengers running swiftly through the audi.
ence. and, as they passed, the mobiles there
unsheRthed their swords and sprang into
the arena They were going to annlhilate
us by force of numbers-that was quite
evidently their plan.
caught a glimpse of Issus leaning far
forward upon her throne, her hldeous
countenance distorted in a horrid grimace
of hate and rage, in which l thought 1
could distinguish an expression of fear. II
was that face that inspired me to the thing
that followed.
Quickly / ordered SO of the prisoners TO
drop back behind us and form a new circle
about the maldens
Remain and protect them until re-
turn" I commanded.
Then turning to those who formed the
outer line, cried Down with 1ssus.
Follow me TO the throne! We will wreak
vengeance where vengeance is deserved"
The youth at my side the first to
take UP the cry of Down with Issus! !" and
then at my back and from all sides rose a
hoarse shout ITO the thronel To the
thronel"
As one man we moved, an irresistible
fighting mass, over the bodies OF dead and
dying foes toward the gorgeous throne or
the Martian deity.
Hordes of the doughttsst fighting men Of
the First Born poured from the audience
to check our progress. We moved them
down before us as IL they had been paper
men.
TO the seats some of you" cried,
as we approached the arenas barrier wall.
''Ten of us can take the throne" for had
seen that 1ssus' guards had for the most
part entered the fray within the arena.
On both sides of me the prisoners broke
TO left and right for the seats, vaulting the
low wall with dripping swords lusting for
the crowded victims who awaited them.
In another moment the entire amphithe-
atre was filled with the shrieks of the
dying and the wounded, mingled with the
clash of arms and the triumphant shouts
of the victors.
Side by side, the young red man and
I, with perhaps a dozen others, fought
our way to the foot of the throne.
The remaining guards, reinforced by the
high dignitaries and mobiles of the First
Born, closed in etween us and Issus, who
sat leaning far forward upon her carved
sorapus bench, now screaming high-pitched
commands to her following. now hurling
blighting curses upon those who sought to
desecrate her godhood
The frightened slaves about her trembled