A Princess of Mars

The Ptor brothers had given me explicit directions for reaching the

point of the city where I 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 a characteristic of

all Martian cities.

The plaza of Zodanga covers a square mile and is bounded by the palaces

of the jeddak, the jeds, and other members of the royalty and nobility

of Zodanga, as well as by the principal public buildings, cafes, and

shops.

As I was crossing the great square lost in wonder and admiration of the

magnificent architecture and the gorgeous scarlet vegetation which

carpeted the broad lawns I 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 I recognized him, and turning I placed my

hand upon his shoulder, calling out: "Kaor, Kantos Kan!"

Like lightning he wheeled and before I could so much as lower my hand

the point of his long-sword was at my breast.

"Who are you?" 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, "I do not need a 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 a Darseen

that you can change your color at will?"

"You gave me a bad half minute my friend," he continued, after I had

briefly outlined my adventures since parting with him in the arena at

Warhoon. "Were my name and city known to the Zodangans I would shortly

be sitting on the banks of the lost sea of Korus with my revered and

departed ancestors. I am here in the interest of Tardos Mors, Jeddak

of Helium, to discover the whereabouts of Dejah Thoris, our princess.

Sab Than, prince of Zodanga, has her hidden in the city and has fallen

madly in love with her. His father, Than Kosis, Jeddak of Zodanga, has

made her voluntary marriage to his son the price of peace between our

countries, but Tardos Mors will not accede to the demands and has sent

word that he and his people would rather look upon the dead face of

their princess than see her wed to any than her own choice, and that

personally he would prefer being engulfed in the ashes of a lost and

burning Helium to joining the metal of his house with that of Than

Kosis. His reply was the deadliest affront he could have put upon Than

Kosis and the Zodangans, but his people love him the more for it and

his strength in Helium is greater today than ever.