A Princess of Mars

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 I sat awaiting the return of the green warrior I heard something

move in an adjoining apartment, and as I glanced up there rushed

suddenly upon me a huge and hideous creature which bore me backward

upon the pile of silks and furs upon which I had been reclining. It

was Woola--faithful, loving Woola. He had found his way back to Thark

and, as 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 Carter," said Tars Tarkas, on

his return from the jeddak's quarters; "Sarkoja saw and recognized you

as we were returning. Tal Hajus has ordered me to bring you before him

tonight. I have ten thoats, John Carter; you may take your choice from

among them, and I will accompany you to the nearest waterway that leads

to Helium. Tars Tarkas may be a cruel green warrior, but he can be a

friend as well. Come, we must start."

"And when you return, Tars Tarkas?" I asked.

"The wild calots, possibly, or worse," he replied. "Unless I should

chance to have the opportunity I have so long waited of battling with

Tal Hajus."

"We will stay, Tars Tarkas, and see Tal Hajus tonight. You shall not

sacrifice yourself, and it may be that tonight you can have the chance

you wait."

He objected strenuously, saying that Tal Hajus often flew into wild

fits of passion at the mere thought of the blow I had dealt him, and

that if ever he laid his hands upon me I would be subjected to the most

horrible tortures.

While we were eating I repeated to Tars Tarkas the story which Sola had

told me that night upon the sea bottom during the march to Thark.

He said but little, but the great muscles of his face worked in passion

and in agony at recollection of the horrors which had been heaped upon

the only thing he had ever loved in all his cold, cruel, terrible

existence.

He no longer demurred when I suggested that we go before Tal Hajus,

only saying that he would like to speak to Sarkoja first. At his

request I accompanied him to her quarters, and the look of venomous

hatred she cast upon me was almost adequate recompense for any future

misfortunes this accidental return to Thark might bring me.

"Sarkoja," said Tars Tarkas, "forty years ago you were instrumental in

bringing about the torture and death of a woman named Gozava. I have

just discovered that the warrior who loved that woman has learned of

your part in the transaction. He may not kill you, Sarkoja, it is not

our custom, but there is nothing to prevent him tying one end of a

strap about your neck and the other end to a wild thoat, merely to test

your fitness to survive and help perpetuate our race. Having heard

that he would do this on the morrow, I thought it only right to warn

you, for I am a just man. The river Iss is but a short pilgrimage,

Sarkoja. Come, John Carter."