Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-26

II Oh TIE IOllOW-
N ing morning a strong guard of
Eat Arras' officers appeared at
our quarters to conduct us to the great
hall of the temple.
In twos we entered the chamber and
marched down the broad aisle of hope.
as 1t is called, to the platform in the
center of the hall. Before and behind
us marched armed guards, while three
solid ranks OF Zodangan soldiery lined
either side of the aisle from the en-.
trance to the rostrum.
AS we reached thu raised inclosure !
saw our judges. As IS the custom upon
Barsoom, there We're thirty-one, sup
posedly selected by lot from men of the
noble class, for mobiles were on trial.
But to my amazemenc saw no single
friendly face among them. Practically
all We're Zodangans. and it was l TO
whom Zodanga owed her defeat at
the hands OF the green hordes and her
subsequent vassalage to Helium.
There could be little justice here for
John Carter or his son or for the great
Thark who had commanded the savage
tribesmen who overran Zodanga's broad
avenues, looting. burning and murder
ing.
About us the vast circular coliseum
was packed to its fullest capacity. All
classes were represented-all ages and
both sexes. AS we entered the hall the
hum of subdued conversation ceased
until as we halted upon the platform or
throne of righteousness the silence of
death enveloped the spectators.
The judges were seated in a great
circle about the periphery of the circu-
lar platform. We were assigned seats
with our backs toward a small platform
in the exact center of the larger one.
This placed us facing the judges and
the audience. Upon the smaller plat
form each would take his place while
his case was being heard.
Eat Arras himself sat in the golden
chair Of the presiding magistrate. AS
we were seated and our guards retir-
ed TO the foot of the stairway leading
to the platform he arose and called
my name.
John Carter" he cried, take your
place upon the pedestal Of truth to be
judged impartially according to your
acts and here to know the reward you
have earned thereby"
Then, turning to and fro toward the
audience, he narrated the acts upon
the value of which my reward was to
be Determined.
"Know you. o judges and people
of Helium," he said, that John Car
ter. one tLs1e Prince of Helium, has
returned, by his own statement, from
the valley Dor and even from the tenn
pie of Issus itself.
THAT, in the presence of many men
of Helium, he has blasphemed against
the sacred Iss. and against the valley
Dor, and the lost sea Of Korus, and
the holy therns themselves, and even
against Issus. goddess of death and
life eternal
And know you further by witness
of thine own eyes that see him here
now upon the pedestal of truth that
be has indeed returned from these
sacred precincts in the face of our
ancient customs and in violation of the
sanctity of our ancient religion.
HE who be once dead may not live
again, He who attempts it must be
made dead forever. Judges, your duty
lies plain before you-there can be no
testimony I'm contravention of truth.
What reward shall be meted to John
Carter In accordance with the acts he
has committed?"
Death shouted one of the judges.
And then man sprang to his feet in
the audience and. raising his hand on
high, cried, Justice, justice, Justice
1t was Kantos Kan. and as all eyes
turned toward him he leaped past the
Zodangan soldAry and sprang upon
the platform.
what manner of justice is this? ?" he
cried to Eat Arras. THE defendant
has not been heard, nor has be had an
opportunity to call others in his be.
half. In the name of the people of
Helium, | demand fair and impartial
treatment for the Prince of Helium."
A great cry rose from the audience
then. Justice. justice. justicey' And
Eat Arras dared not deny them.
Speak, then." he snarled, turning to
me. "But blaspheme not against the
things that are sacred upon Rarsoom"