The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-04-29
CHAPTER XVI.


The LootlDs u zodsnpa.
As the great gate where stood
swung open my afty Thanks. headed
by Tars Tarkas himself. rode in upon
their mighty thoats. led them TO
the palace walls. which negotiated
easily without assistance. Once III
side, however. the gate gave me- con-
siderable trouble. but finally vas re.
warded by seeing II swing UPON rs
huge hinges. and soos my fierce cs-
cort was riding across the gardens Of
the jeddak OF Zodanga.
As we approached the palace cOuld
see through the great windows OF the
first floor into the brilliantly inuminat-
ed audience chamber OF Than Kosls,
The immense hall waB crowded with
mobiles and their women, us Though some
important function WAS In progress. Al
one end Of the chamber, upon massive
golden thrones encrusted with dia.
monds. sat Than Kosls and his con-
sort, surrounded by oficers and digni.
tarles Of state. Before them stretched
a broad aisle lined on either aide with
soldiery, and as looked there entered
this aisle at the far end Of the hall, the
head OF procession which advanced
TO the foot Of the throne.
First there marched four Officers Of
the jeddak's guard bearing a huge sal
var on which repOsed, upon q cushion
OF scarlet SILK, great golden chain
with a collar and paddock at each end.
Then came more dignitnries, ano The
onicers Of the palace and OF the army,
and finally two figures entirely muf-
fled In scarlet silk, so that not fea-
ture Of either was discernible. These
two stopped az the foot Of the throne,
facing Than Kosls. When the balance
OF the procession had entered and az
sumed their stations Than Kosls adj
dressed The couple standing before
him. could not hear his words. but
presently two officers advanced aud
removed the scarlet robe from one OF
the figures. saw that Knwtos Kan
had failed in his mission, for IL was
Sab Than, prince OF ZodanPa who
stood revealed before me.
Than kosIs now took set 81 tho
ORNAMENTS from one II the salYers aud
placed one OF the collars OF gold about
his sons neck, springing the pndlocr
fast. After few more words ac-
dressed 10 San Than he turned to the
other hgure. from which the officers
now removed the enshroudiDg silks
disclosing 20 my now cOmprehcnding
view Deiah ThOris. princes" Of Rel
um.
As Tie ornaments were adjusted up
on her beautiful figure and her collar
OF gold swung open in the hands Of
Than Eosls l raised my lOngsword
above my head and with the heavy
hlt, J shattered the glass Of the great
window and sprang into the midst of
the astonlshed assembiage. with q
bound J was on The steps " he plat
form beside Than Eosis, and ns be-
stood riyeted with surprise, ] brought
my longsrord down upon the golden
chain that would have bound psjah
ThorlS 20 another.
In gu instant Oh wss confusion Z.
thousand drawn swords monaeed m"
from every quarter. and Sab Than
sprang upon me with q ieweled dagger
he had drawn from mis- nupugl orna
meuts could have killed him as cas-
lily nc ! might a ~, bat the ase-oll
custom %. Barsoom stayed my hand.
and. araspinc his wrist as the dagge-
few toward my heart, / held BIN as
though iu 3 v.sc and with 10y hong
sword pointed g the fur END ~ ihe
hall
"Zudau-a has fallen cried.
Look 90
All eyes urrcd Be- mo direction 8
had Indicated ard there forgi g