The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-05-06
Observation-Disclosures IIIIIIlIIIIIu
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selves, so IL was decided that we col
lect what warriors we could, man as
many vessels as possible with Zodan-
gan prisoners and make for HclIum
without further loss OF time
Five hours later we sailed from the
roofs Of the dock buildings with fleet
OF two hundred and fifty battleshlps,
carrying nearly one hundred thousand
green warriors, followed by fleet OF
transports with our thoats.
In the middle Of the afternoon We
sighted the scarlet and yellow towers
of Helium. and a short time later a
great fleet OF Zodangan battleships
rose from the camps OF the besIegers
without the city and advanced to meet
us.
The banners OF Hellum had been
strung from stem TO stern OF each OF
our mighty craft. but the Zodangans
did not need this sign TO realize that
we we're enemies, for our green Mar
tan warriors had opened fire upon
them almost as they left the ground.
With their uncanny craftsmanship
they raked the oncoming feet with vol
ley after volley.
The twin cities OF Hellum, percelv-
ing that we were friends. sent out hun
dreds OF vessels TO aid US, and then
began the frst real air battle | had
ever witnessed.
At first the two forces c!rcled at the
same altitude. pouring broadslde after
brOadslde into each other. Presently
q great hole was torn In the hull Of
enc OF the immense battle craft from
the Zodangan camp; with a lurch she
turned completely over, the little hg'
ures OF her crew plunging, turning and
twisting toward the ground thousand
feet below; then with sickenlng We
lac.ty she tore after them, almost
completely burying herself in the soft
loan OF the ancieat sea bottom.
A wild cry OF exuliation arose from
the Heliumite squadron. and with re-
doubled ferocity they fell upon the 70
dangan feet BY pretty manenver
two OF the vessels OF Helium gained
position above their adversaries, from
which they poured upon them from
their keel bomb batteries q perfect
torrent Of exploding bombs.
, Within but little more than an hour
from the moment the victorious Zodan-
gan squadron had risen to meet US
from the camp OF the beslegers the
battle was over. and the remaining
vessels Of the conquered Zodangans
were headed toward the cities OF He'll
dm uLder prize crews
We now signaled the flagship of
Helium's navy to approach, and when
ahe was within hailing distance |
called out that we had the Princess
Dejah Thoris on board. and hat we
wished TO transfer her 10 the flagship
tina. she might be taken Immediately
TO the city.
As the full Import OF my announce
ment bore in upon them great cry
arose from the decks OF the flagship
and A moment later the colors OF the
princess OF Hellum broke from huir
dred points upon her upper works.
When the other vessels OF the squad
ron caught the meaning Of the signals
flashed them they took up the wild ac-
claim and unfurled her colors In the
cleaning sunlight
The flagship bore down upon us and
AZ she swung gracefully to and
touched our side dozen officers
sprang upon our decks. As th>7 as-
tonished gaze fell upon the hundreds
Of green warriors, who now came forth
from the fighting shelters. they stopped
aghast. but at sight OF Kantos Kan
who advanced TO meet them, they
came forward. crowdlng about him.
pciah Thoris and then advanced
and they had NO eyes for other than
her. She received them gracefully
calling each 10y name, for they were
men high in ihe esteem and service ~
her grandfather. and she knew them
well.
lay your hands upon the shoulder
OF John Carter" She said to them
turnlur toward mc. The man to whom
~ n owes hcr princess as well a.
-. iiciory today"
The, were very courteous To- ".c and
SUI many kind nud compnmcnlary
things. hut what s,enied TO impress
tlirm rosi was that had won the a'd
of the fierce TlnrSS In my campaign
for the liberation Of Dciah Thoris, and
the relief Of IIcllun.
pelah Thoris Went aboard the Tag
ail,. aud was much rut out that J
would not follow hui. ~ | explained
TO her. the battle was but partly won
We stllI had the land forces OF the be-
sieglnG Zodansans To account for, and
I would not leave Tars Tarkas until
that had been accomplished.
The commander Of the naval forces
NJ Uellum promised 20 arrange To have
the arurlcs 81 llcllum attack from the
civ IN vUniunci'Cn with our land at
-. ant e.. ~ ,'s separated and
t,ri-l, V-s,ri. w. nfne IN triumph