Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-03-11

mails below Inc. RiSing again, /
scanned the heavens for my pursuers,
and finally making out their lights far
behind me, saw that they were land
ing, evidently in search of me.
Not until their lights were no longer
discernible did venture to flash my
little lamp upon my compass, and then
l found to my CONSERVATION that a
fragment of the projectile had utterly
destroyed my only guide, as well as
my speedometer. 1t was true l could
follow the stars in the general direc-
ton Of Helium, but without knowing
the exact location Of the city or the
speed at which l was travelling my
chances for finding it were slim.
Helium lies a thousand miles south
west of Zodanga, and with my com
pass intact l should have made the
trip, barring accidents, in between
four and five hours. AS 1t turned out,
however, morning found me speeding
over a vast eXpanse of dead sea bot
tom after nearly six hours of continu-
Gus flight at high speed.
About noon l passed low over a
great dead city of ancient Mars, and
as l skinned out across the plain /
came full upon several thousand green
warriors engaged in a terrific battle,
Scarcely had seen them than vol
ley of shots was directed at me, and
with the almost unfailing accuracy of
their aim my little craft was instantly
a ruined wreck, sinking erratically to
the ground.
fell almost directly In the center
of the fierce combat, among warriors
who had not seen my approach, So
busily were they engaged in life and
death struggles. AS my machine sank
among them realized that it was fight
or die, with good chances of dying in
any event, and so I struck the ground
with drawn longswOrd ready to de-
fend myself as l could.
fell beside a huge monster who was
engaged with three antagonists and as
I glanced at his fierce face, filled with
the light of battle, | recognized Tars
Tarkas the Thark. He did not see me,
as | was trif1e behind him, and just
then the three warriors opposing him.
and whom l recognized as Warhoons
charged simultaneously. The mighty
fellow made quick work of one Of
them, but in stepping back for an
Io FnIl
behind him and was down and at the
mercy of his foes in an instant. Quick
as lightning they were upon him, and
Tars Tarkas would have been gathered
to his fathers in short order had l not
sprung before his PROSTATE form and
engaged his adversaries. l had ac-
counted for one of them when the
mighty Thank regained his feet and
quickly settled the other.
He gave me one look, and slight
smile touched his grim lips as, touch
ing my shoulder, he said:
81 would scarcely recognize you,
John Carter, but there is no other
upon BarsOOm who would have done
what you have for me. think have
learned that there is such a thing as
friendship, my friend.s
He said no more, nor was there Op-
portunitH, for the Warhoons were clos
ing in about US, and together We
fought shoulder to shoulder, during all
that long, hot afternoon, until the tide
Of battle turned and the remnant Of
the fierce WarhoOn horde fell back
upon their thoats, and fled into the
gathering darkness.
On our return to the city after the
battle we had gone directly to Tars
Tarkas' quarters, where I was left
alone while the chieftain attended the
customary council which Immediately
follows an engagement.
AS l was awaiting the return Of the
green warrior heard something move
in an adjoining apartment, and as
glanced up there rushed suddenly upon
me huge and hideous creature which
bore me backward upon the pile of
silks and furs upon which had been
reclining. 1t was Woola-faithful 10y
ing Woola. He had found his way