The Snowflake herald., 1921-04-15

vate wiser man to his place.
"Even now. though our victorious
armies are surrounding Helium. the
people Of Zodanga are voicing their
diSpleaSure for the war is not popu-
lar one, since It Is not based on right
or Justice Our forces took advantage
of the absence Of the principal fleet Of
Helium on their search for the prin.
cess. and we have been able easily to
reduce the city TO sorry plight"
"And what, think you. may have
been the fate of the princess, Dejah
Thoris?" ! asked as casually as pos
sible.
"She is dead" he answered. "This
much was learned from a green war
rior recently captured by our forces In
the south She escaped from the
hordes Of Thark with strange crea.
ture of another world only to fall
into the hands Of the Warhoons. Their
thoats were found wandering upon the
sea bottom and evidences Of a bloody
conflict were discovered nearby"
White this information was in no
way reaSsuring, neither was it at all
conclusive proof of the death of Dejah
Thoris, and so deregmlned to make
every effort possible to reach Heium
as quickly as 4 could and carry to
Tardos MorS such news of his grand
daughters possible whereabouts as
lay in my power.
Ten days after leaving the three
Ptor brothers | arrived ut ZOdanga.
From the moment that had come in
contact with the red inhabitants of
Mars l had noticed that Woola drew
great amount of unwelcome attention
to me. since the huge brute belonged
to a species which is never domesti-
Gated by the red men. Were one to
stroll down Broadway with Numi-
dian lion at his heels the effect would
be somewhat similar to that which
should have produced had entered
Zodanga with Woola
As would willingly have offered
my life in the service of her in search
OF whom | was about to challenge the
unknown dangers OF this, to me, mys-
teriouS city, could not permit even
Woola's life to threaten the success
of my venture, much less his momen-
tary happiness. for l doubted not he
soon would forget me- And so | bade
the poor beast an affectionate fare
we'll. promising him. however. that If
| came through my adventure in safe
ty that in some way should find the
means 10 search him out.
He seemed to understand me fully.
and when ] pointed back in the d.
rection of Thark he turned sorrow
fully away nor could bear to watch
him go; bul resolutely set my face
toward Zodanga and with a touch of
heartsickness approached her frown-
ing walls.
The letter bore gained me imme-
diate entrance TO the vast, walled city.
The PtOr brothers had given me ex-
plicit directions for reaching the point
of the city where | could find living
accommodations and be near the offices
of the government agents to whom
they had given me letters. My way
led to the central square or plaza.
which Is characteristic of all Mar
tian cities.
AS was crossing the great square
lost In wonder and admiration of the
magnificent architecture and the gor-
geOus scarlet vegetation which carpet
ed the broad lawns / discovered a red
Martian walking briskly toward me
from one of the avenues. He paid
not the slightest attention to me. but
as he came abreast / recognized him,
and turning | placed my hand upon
his shoulder. calling out
'Kaor Kantos Kan!"
Like lightning he wheeled and be-
fore could so much as lower my
band the point of his Iongsword was
at my breast.
who are your" he growled. and
then as a backward leap carried me
fifty feet from his sword he dropped
the point to the ground and exclaimed,
laughing, II do not need better
reply. There is but one man upon all
BarsOom who can bounce about like
a rubber ball. By the mother of the
further moon, John Carter, how came
you here, and have you become Dar-
seen that you can change your coll
or at will?
"You gave me a bad half minute,
my friend" he continued, after had
briefly outlined my adventures since
parting with him In the arena at
Warhoon. Were my name and city
known to the Zodangans | would short
" be sitting on the banks of the lost
sea of Korus with my revered and
departed ancestors l am here in the
interests of the Tardos Mors, Jeddak
of Helium, to discover the where
abouts of Dejah Thoris, our princess.
Sab Than, prince of Zodanga, has her
hidden in the city and has fallen
madly In love with her.
Il have been here three days, but
have not yet found where Dejah
Thoris is imprisoned. Today | join