The Meeker herald., 1921-12-10
CHATTER xv-contlnusd.

CHAPTER xv-centInusd.
-
Hslium lies Q thousand miles south
west Of Zodanga. and with my CON-
pass intact should have made the
u4p. barring accidents. In between
four and I've hours. Al It turned ont.
however. morning found me speeding
over q vast sxpanss Of dead sea bot.
tom after nearly six hours Of condnu-
Gus flight at high speed.
About noon I passed low over Q
great dead city Of ancient MARI. and
~ I skinned out across the plain
came full upon several thousand green
warriors engaged In a terrific battle
Scarcely had I seen them than q vol
Icy Of shots was directed at me, and
with the almost unfailing accuracy OF
their aim my little craft was instantly
ruined wreck, sinking erratically to
the ground.
I fell almost directly In the center
Of the fierce combat, among warriors
who had not seen my approach. 20
busily were they engaged In life and
death struggles. As my machine sank
among them l realized that It was fight
or die. with good chances Of dying in
any event, and so struck the ground
with drawn longsword ready to de-
fend myself as could
I fell beside huge monster who was
engaged with three antagonists, and as
glanced at his fierce face, filled with
the light Of battle, recognized Tars
Tarkas the Thank. He did not see me,
as was q trife behind him. and Just
then the three warriors opposing him.
and whom I 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 a 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 Tnrkns would have been gathered
to his fathers in short order had I not
sprung before his PROSTATE form and
engaged his adversaries I had ac-
counted for one Of them when tho
mighty Thank regained his feet and
quickly settled the other.
He gave me one look, and q slight
smile touched his grim lips as, touch
ing my shoulder. he said:
IT would scarcely recognise 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 Wnrhoons were clos
ting in about US. and together we
fought, shoulder to shoulder. during all
that 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' quarters, where I was left
alone while the chieftain attended the
customary council which Immediately
follows an engagement.
As was awaiting the return Of the
green warrior heard something move
in an adjoining apartment, and as l
glanced up there rushed suddenly upon
the huge and hideous creature which
bore me backward upon the pile of
silks and furs upon which Ind been
reclining. 1t was Woola-faithful, low
Ing WooIa. He had found his way
back to Thank and. rs 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.
"Tal Hajus knows that you are here
John Cnrter," said Tars Tarkas, on his
return from the jeddak's quarters
sSarkoja saw and recognized you as
we were returning. Tai Hajus has or
dered me to bring you before him to
hight. have ten. thoats, John Car
ter; you may take your choice from
among them. and will accompany yor
10 the nearest waterway that leads Il
= Hellum. Come. we must start"
"And when you return, Tars Tar
kasT' asked.
'.The wild calots. possibly, o.
WORSE" he replied. "Unless SHOULD
chance to have the opportunity have
b long waited Of battling with Ia
Hiatus"
1--WE will stay. Tars Tarkas. and Sex
Ual Hajus tonight. You shall not sac
hf,ce yourself. and 1t may be that to
Aight you can have the choice yot
wait"
While we were eating repeated t
Cars Tarkas the story which Sola hat
told me- that night upon the sea bottom
turing the march to Thank.
He said but little. but the grea
muscles of his face worked In passion
and in agony at recollection Of tn,
horrors which had been heaped upol
the only thing he had ever loved In al
lis cold, cruel, terrible existence.
He no longer demurred when sug
gested that we go before Tai Hiatus
7nly saying that he would like b speal