Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-01-20

the first hour of my peril And now
you risk your life and kill one of your
companions for my sake cannot I'M
derstand. What strange manner of
man are you, that you consort with
the green men, though your form is
that of my race, while your color is
little darker than that Of the white
ape? Tell me, are you human, or are
you more than human7"
1T is a strange tale" I replied. "too
long to attempt to tell you now. Suf-
fee 1t, for the present, that am your
friend, and, so far as our captors will
permit, your protector and your ser
want"
"rhen you, too, are prisoner2
What is your name? Why your re-
gala as a chieftain?"
Yes Dejah Thoris, too am a pris-
oner; my name is John Carter, and
claim Virginia. one of the United
States of American Earth, as my
home; but why | am permitted to
wear arms I do not know, nor was
aware that my regalia was that of a
chieftan."
We were interrupted at this juncture
by the approach of one of the war
riors, bearing arms, accouterments and
ornaments, and in fash one OF her
questions was answered and a puzzle
cleared M for me. | saw that the
body of my dead antagonist had been
stripped and | read in the menacing
yet respectful attitude Of the warrior
who had brought me these trophies
of the kill the same demeanor as that
eyinced by the other who had brought
me my original equipment, and now
for the first time | realized that my
blow. on the occasion of my first bat
tie In the audience chamber had re-
suited in the death of my adversary.
was accorded the honors due a
conqueror; the trappings and the POI
sition of the man | killed. In truth,
/ was a Marian chieftain, and this
l learned later was the cause of my
great freedom and my federation IN
the audience chamber.
As had turned to receive the dead
warriors chattels had noticed that
Tars Tarkas and several others had
pushed forward toward us. The chief
addressed me:
do you know what your I'M
precedented temerity would have cost
you had you failed to kill either of the
two chieftains whose metal you now
wear" he asked.
81 presume that that one whom |
had failed to kill, would have killed |
me-" answered, smiling.
mo, you are wrong. Only I'm the
last extremity of self-defense would |
Marian warrior kin a prisoner; we
like to save them for other purposes"
and his face bespoke possibilities that
were not pleasant to dwell upon.
But one thing can save you now"
he continued. "Should you, in recogni-
ton of your remarkable valor ferocity
and prowess, be considered by Tai Ha-
jus as worthy of his service you may I
be taken into the community and be-
come full-fedged Tharkian. Until we
reach the headquarters of Tai TIajgs
you VIII be treated by us as a Tharkian
chieftain, but you must not forget that
every chief who ranks you is respon-
sible for your safe delivery to our
mighty and most ferocious ruler.
am done"
81 hear you, Tars Tarkas," ! an
swered. ''If you will leave me alone
will go in peace, but If not, let the in
dividual Barsoomians with whom
must deal either respect my rights as a
stranger among you, or take whatever
may befall. OF one
thing let us be sure, whatever may be
your ultimate intentions toward this
unfortunate young woman, whoever
would offer her injury or insult IN the
future must figure on a fun accounting
to me"
had guessed at the keynote hlch
would strike an answering chord in the
breasts of the green Martians, nor was
wrong, for my harangue evidently
deeply impressed them, and their at
titude toward me thereafter was still
further respectful.
| now turned my attention to Dejah
Thoris. and assisting her to her feet ]
turned with her toward the. exit ig-
noring her lowering guardian harpies
rs well as the inquiring glances of the
chieftains. Was I not now chieftain
also Well, then, / would assume the
of one. They did not
nolest US, and so Dejah Thoris prin-
,ess Of Helium, and John Carter, gen
1eman of Virginia, followed by the
aithful Woola, passed through utter
silence from the audience chamber Of
4orquas Ptomel, Jed among the Thanks
II Barsoom.