Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-29
CHApTER XXvI-Continued

the result OF an age-old custom which
demanded that surrender should be sig
nallzed by the voluntary plunging to the
earth Of the commander Of the vanquished
vessel One after another the brave fell
lows, holding their colors high above their
heads, leaped from the towering bows Of
their mighty craft to awful death.
Not until the commander of the entire
feet took the fearful plunge thus indicat-
ing the surrender of the remaining YES
sells. did the fighting cease and the useless
sacrifice of brave men,
We now signaled the flagship OF
~Helum's navy to approach and when she
was within hailing distance l called out
that we had the Princess Dejah Thbris 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 n great cry rose from
the decks of the flagship. and a moment
later the colors of the Princess of Helium
broke from n 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 acclaim and
unfurled her colors in the cleaning sun
light.
The flagship bore down upon us. and as
she swung gracefully to and touched our
side a dozen officers sprang upon our
decks. AS their astonshed gaze fell upon
the hundreds of green warriors, who now
came forth 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 l then advanced, and
they had no eyes for other than she.
She received them gracefully, calling
each by name. for they were men high
in the esteem and service of her grand
father, and she knew them we'll.
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 we'll as her victory
today"
They were very courteous to me. and
said many kind and complimentary things,
but what seemed to impress them most
was that 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 me-" said, land here he is.
Meet one of Barsoom's greatest soldiers
and statesmen, Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of
Fhark."
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 garrulous
race, the Tharks are extremely formal
and their ways lend themselves amazingly
to dignified and courtly manners.
Dejah Thoris went aboard the flagship,
and was much put out that / would not
follow; but, as l explained to her. the bat.
tie was put partly won, we still had the
land forces to account for, and l would |
not leave Tars Tarkas until that had been
accomplished.
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 |
he a1 and Dpinh ThOrig |
was borne in triumph back to the court |
of her grandfather, Tardos Mors, Jeddak !
of Helium.
In the distance lay our fleet of trans !
ports, with the thoats of the green war
riors, where they had remained during the |
battle. Without landing stages 1t was |
to be difficult matter to unload these |
beasts upon tt open pain; but there wis
nothing else fr it, and so we put out for |
a point about ten miles from the city. and I
began the, task.
\ 1t was necessary to lower the animals
to the ground in slngs, and this work |
occupied the remainder of the day and |
half the night Twice we were at |
tackled by parties of Zodangan cavalry, |
but with little loss. however, and after |
darkness shut down they withdrew
AS soon as the last boat 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 mile from the main camp we
encountered their outposts and. as had |
been prearranged. accepted this as the sig.
nal to charge With wild, ferocious cries
and amid the nasty squealing of battle
enraged thoats we bore down upon the
Zodangans.
We did not catch them mapping, but
found well-ntrenched bate line con-
fronting us. Time after time we were re-
rH I hePan n fear |
for the result OF the battle
The Zodangans numbered nearly mil
lion fighting men gathered from ~Ole 10
pole wherever stretched their rib mike
Waterways, while pitted against them were
fewer than a hundred thousand green war
riors. The forces from Helium had not
arrived, nor could we receive any word
from them.
Just at noon we heard heavy firing
J Iall along the line between the Zodan-
gans 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 OPP
posite breastworks of the Zodangans, and
in another moment they were being crush
ed as between two mlllstones Nobly they
fought, but in vain.
The plain before the city became
shambIes ere the last Zodangan surren-
dered; but finally the carnage ceased, !
the prisoners were marched back TO
Hellum, and we entered the greater city's
gates, a triumphal procession of conquer
ing heroes.
The broad avenues were lined with !
women and children, among which were
the few men whose duties necessitated
that they remain within the city during
,the battle. We were greeted with an end
less round of applause and showered with
ornaments of gold, platinum, silver and
precious jewels. The city had gone mad
with Joy
My fierce Tharks caused the widest ex-
citement 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 illed the
red men with rejoicing.
That my poor services to Dejah ThOris
mad become known to the Heliumtes 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.
As we approached this magnificent pile
Vs were met by party OF officers. who