The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-06-04

Ptomel, ..shall the jeddak, Tai Ha5us,
prove his fitness to rule over Tars lar
kas?"
There were twenty chieftains about
the rostrum, and twenty SWORDS
flashed high in assent.
There was no alternative. That de-
cree was final, and SO Tai Hajus drew
his longsword and advanced to meet
Tars Tarkas.
The combat was soon over, and, with
his foot upon the neck OF the oead
monster. Tars Tarkas became Jeddak
among, the Thanks.
His first act was to make me Iuii-
fiedged chieftain with the rank mao
won by my combats the first few weeks
of my captivity among them.
Seeing the favorable disposition OF
the warriors toward Tars TarKas, as
well as toward me, I grasped the OPP
portunity to enlist them in my cause
against Zodanga. I told Tars Tarkas
the story Of my adventures, ana In
few words. had explained to him the
thought had in mind.
"John Carter has made proposal,
he said. addressing the council, (which
meets with my sanction. shall put 1t
to you briefly. Dejah Thoris, the
princess Of Helium, who was our pris-
oner is now held by the jeddak OF 70
danga, whose son she must wed 10
save her country from devastation at
the hands of the Zodangan forces.
"John Carter suggests that we res
cue her and return her to Helium. me
loot of Zodanga would be magnificent,
and l have often thought that had we
an alliance with the people Of Helium
we could obtain sufficient assurance OF
sustenance to permit us to increase
the size and frequency OF our hatch
ings. and thus become unquestionabiy
supreme among the green men OF all
Barsoom. What say your
It was a chance to fight, an oppor-
tunity to loot, and they rose to the
bait as a speckled trout to fly.
In three days we were on the march
toward Zodanga, one hundred thou
sand strong. as Tars Tarkas had been
able to enlist the services of three
smaller hordes on the promise of the
great loot of Zodanga.
We travelled entirely by night, timing
our marches so that we camped dur
ing the day at deserted cities where.
even to the beasts, we were all kept
indoors during the daylight hours. On
the march Tars Tarkas, through his
remarkable ability and craftsmanship,
enlisted fifty thousand more warriors
from various hordes, so that, ten days
after we set out we halted at midnight
outside the great walled city Of 70
danga, one hundred and fifty thousand
strong.
The task Of obtaining entry to the
city devolved upon me. took twenty
dismounted warriors and approached
one Of the small gates that pierced
the walls at short intervals.
Placing three of my warriors with
their faces to the wall and arms
locked, commanded two more to
mount to their shoulders, and sixth
| I ordered to climb upon the shoulders
of the upper two. The head OF the top
| most warrior lowered over forty feet
from the ground.
In this way, with ten warriors,
built series Of three steps from the
ground to the shoulders of the tOpfnost
man. Then starting from short dis
lance behind them / ran swiftly uI
| from one tier to the next, and with 9
final bound from the broad shoulders
of the highest clutched the top of the
| great wall and quietly drew myself tt
| its broad expanse. After me dragged
| six lengths Of leather from an equa
number OF my warriors. These lengths
we had previously fastened together
/ and passing one end to the topmos
\ warrior I lowered the other end eau
tiously over the opposite side Of thu
wall toward the avenue below. No ona
| was In sight, SO, lowering myself t.
the end Of my leather strap. / droppet
the remaining thirty feet to the pave
ment below.
| had learned from Kantos Kan TIN
i secret OF opening these gates, and IL
another moment my twenty great fight
ing men stood within the doomed cit.
of Zodanga.
! I found to my delight that had en-
4 tered 1t the lower boundary OF tn
enormous palace grounds. Dispatchinl
one Of my men to Tars Tarkas for
detail Of fifty Thanks, with word OF M
intentions. ordered ten warriors Z
capture and open one Of the grea
gates while with the nine remaining
took the other. We were to do our wor
nuietly. no shots were to be fired an
no general advance made until ! ha
reached the palace with my MT
Thanks. Our plans worked to perfet
tion. The two sentries we met wer
dispatched to their fathers upon tn
banks OF the,lost sea Of Korus, and tn
guards at both gates followed them
silence.
CHAPTER XVI. =