Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-09-15
CHAPTER xv-contlnusd.


Heiium lies q thousand miles south
west Of Zodanga. and with my COM
pass intact ! should have made the
trfn barring accidents, In between
four and i've hourA As It turned out
however. morning found me speeding
over . vast sxpanse Of dead sea bot
ton after nearly six hours Of continu-
ous flight at high speed.
About noon passed low over q
great dead city Of ancient Mari, and
a I skimmed out across the plain I
came full upon several thousand green
warriors engaged In Q terrific battle.
Scarcely had seen them than q vol
loy Of shots was directed at me. and
with the almost unfailing accuracy Of
their aim my little craft WAS instantly
q ruined wreck, sinking erfaticaIly 10
the ground.
I fell almost directly in the center
sf the fierce combat, among warriors
who hsd not seen my approach, %
busily were they engaged In life and
death struggles. An my machine sank
among them realised that It was 6ght
or die. with good chances Of dying in
any event, and 30 struck the ground
with drawn longsword ready to de-
fend myself AZ I could
fell beside q huge monster who was
engaged with three antagonists, and a.
I glanced at his fierce face, filled with
the light of battle, I recognized Tars
Tarkas the Thark. He did not see me,
a. was a trifie 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
other thrust he fell over dead body
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 not
sprung before his prostrate form and
engaged his adversaries. I 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 a slight
smile touched his grim lips as, touch
ing my shoulder. he said:
~ 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 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
fought, shoulder to shoulder. during all
tnat long. hot afternoon. until the tide
Of battle turned and the remnant Of
the fierce Warhoon horde fell back
upon their thoats. and ned into the
gathering darkness.
On our return to the city after the
battle We had gone directly to Tars
Tarkas' auarterA where was left
alone while the chieftain attended the
customary council which Immediately
follows an engagement.
As I was awaiting the return Of the
greeh warrior I heard something move
In an adjoining apartment. and as
glanced up there rushed suddenly upon
me a huge and hideous creature which
bore me backward upon the pile Of
silks and furs upon which I had been
reclining. II was woola-faithful. low
ing Woola. He had found his way
hack to Thark and. as Tars Tarkas
later told me. had gone Immediately to
my former quarters where he had
taken up his pathetic and seemingly
hopeless watch for my return.
'TaI Hiatus knows that you are here,
John Carter" said Tars Tarkas. on his
return from the jeddak's quarters;
-Saekoja saw and recognized you as
we were returning. Tai Hajus has or
dered me TO bring you before him to-
night. ! have ten thoats, John Car
ter; Jon 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
tas7' asked.
The wild calots. possibly. or
worse" he replied. "Unless I should
chance to have the opportunity have
% long waited Of battling with Tai
Hajus"
"we will stay. Tars Tarkas, and see
TAl HaJus tonight. You shall not sac
siiice yourself. and It may be that to-
hight you can have the choice you
wait"
While we were eating repeated to
Tars Tarkas the story which Sofa had
told ne that night upon the sea bottom
auring 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
Asrrors which had been heaped upon
.he only thing he had ever loved In all
his cold. cruel. terrible existence.
He no longer demurred when suE-
eested that we go before. Tai Hiatus,
soly saying that he would like 10 speak
y Sareoja flrst. At nis request I ac-
esoranied him 70 her QuaftsrA
.sarhoia.. saiA 1ars TafAaA .nR0