Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-09-22
cHAerxa xv-centlnusd.

CHATTER xv-centlnusd.
So
Helium lies q thousand miles south
wssk ef Zodanga, and with my COM
DaO intact I should have made tho
k1R barring accidents, In between
1ouf and flve hours. Az It turned ont,
Aswsvef. morning found me speeding
svsf Q vast sxpanss Of dead sea bot.
ten after nearly stx hours Of cootinu-
S0s flight at high psed.
About noon I passed low over .
great dead city Of ancient Mara and
~ skimmed out across the plain
came full upon several thousand green
warriors engaged IN terrific battie
Scarcely had seen them than vol.
~ sf shots was directed at me. and
With the almost unfailing accuracy Of
their aim my little craft was instantly
q ruined wreck, sinking ssTadeally b
tAe ground.
I fell almost directly In the esntsr
se the fierce combat among warriors
WHO had not seen my approach. %
busily were they engaged In life and
death struggles. As my machine sank
among them I realized that It was fight
o. die. with good chances Of dying In
any event, and 30 struck the ground
with drawn longsword ready to de-
fend myself a. I could
fell beside q huge monster who was
engagcd with three antagonists. and as
I glanced at his fierce face, filled with
the light Of battle, I recognized TaEs
Tarkas the Thark. He did not see me,
a. I was a trifle behind him. and Just
then the three warriors opposing him.
and whom recognized as Warhoons,
charged simultaneously. The mighty
fellow made quick work Of one Of
them, but In stepping back for an
other thrust he fell over dead body
behind him and was down and at the
mercy Of his foes in an instant Quick
a. lightning they were upon him. and
Tars Tarkas would have been gathered
10 his fathers In short order had I not
sprung before his PROSTATE form and
engaged his adversaries. had ac-
counted for one Of them when the
mighty Thark regained his feet and
quickly settled the other.
He gave me one look, and slight
smile touched his grim lips a., touch
ing my shoulder. he said:
VI would scarcely recognize you.
John Carter, but there II no other
upon Barsoom who would have done
what you have for me. I think have
learned that there is such q thing as
friendship. my friend"
He said no more. nor was there op-
portunity, for the warhoons were clos
ing In about US, and together we
6ought, shoulder to shoulder. during all
dat long, hot afternoon, until the tide
ef battle turned and the remnant Of
the fierce Warhoon horde fell back
upon their tfoats, and ned into the
Gatherius darkness.
On our return to the city after the
battle we had gone directly to Tars
Tarkas' quarters, where was left
alone while the chieftain attended the
customary council which Immediately
follows an engagement.
As 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. It was Woola-faithful. low
ing Woola. He had found his way
hack to Thark and. as Tars Tarlras
later told me, had gone Immediately to
my former quarters where he had
taken up his pathetic and seemingly
h0peless watch for my return.
'.ral Hajus knows that you are here,
John Carter" said Tars Tarkas. on his
return from the jeddak's quarters:
sSarkoja saw and recognized you as
we were returning. Tai Hajus has or
dered me to bring you before him to-
hight. ! have ten thoats, John Car
ter: you may take your choice from
among them, and will accompany you
to the nearest waterway that leads to
Helium. Come, we must start"
"And when you return. Tars Tar
kasr' asked.
q "The wild calots, possibly, or
worse" he replied. "Unless should
chapcs-to have the opportunity have
% ioas waited Of battling with Tai
Hajus."
we will stay Tars Tarfas. and see
Tai Hiatus tonight. You shall not sac
tiflce yourself, and It may be that to-
kight you can havc the, choice you
wait"
: While We were eating repeated to
FaFs Tarkas the story which Sola had
told Nc that night upon the sea bottom
uuring the march to Thark.
He said but little, but the great
muscles Of his face worked IN passion
and in agony at recollection Of the
horrors which had been heaped upon
the only thing he had ever loved In all