A Princess of Mars

Again Tars Tarkas ordered the charge, and once more the mighty thoats

bore their terrible riders against the ramparts of the enemy. At the

same moment the battle line of Helium surged over the opposite

breastworks of the Zodangans and in another moment they were being

crushed as between two millstones. Nobly they fought, but in vain.

The plain before the city became a veritable shambles ere the last

Zodangan surrendered, but finally the carnage ceased, the prisoners

were marched back to Helium, and we entered the greater city's gates, a

huge triumphal procession of conquering heroes.

The broad avenues were lined with women and children, among which were

the few men whose duties necessitated that they remain within the city

during the battle. We were greeted with an endless round of applause

and showered with ornaments of gold, platinum, silver, and precious

jewels. The city had gone mad with joy.

My fierce Tharks caused the wildest excitement and enthusiasm. Never

before had an armed body of green warriors entered the gates of Helium,

and that they came now as friends and allies filled the red men with

rejoicing.

That my poor services to Dejah Thoris had become known to the

Heliumites was evidenced by the loud crying of my name, and by the

loads of ornaments that were fastened upon me and my huge thoat as we

passed up the avenues to the palace, for even in the face of the

ferocious appearance of Woola the populace pressed close about me.

As we approached this magnificent pile we were met by a party of

officers who greeted us warmly and requested that Tars Tarkas and his

jeds with the jeddaks and jeds of his wild allies, together with

myself, dismount and accompany them to receive from Tardos Mors an

expression of his gratitude for our services.

At the top of the great steps leading up to the main portals of the

palace stood the royal party, and as we reached the lower steps one of

their number descended to meet us.

He was an almost perfect specimen of manhood; tall, straight as an

arrow, superbly muscled and with the carriage and bearing of a ruler of

men. I did not need to be told that he was Tardos Mors, Jeddak of

Helium.

The first member of our party he met was Tars Tarkas and his first

words sealed forever the new friendship between the races.

"That Tardos Mors," he said, earnestly, "may meet the greatest living

warrior of Barsoom is a priceless honor, but that he may lay his hand

on the shoulder of a friend and ally is a far greater boon."

"Jeddak of Helium," returned Tars Tarkas, "it has remained for a man of

another world to teach the green warriors of Barsoom the meaning of

friendship; to him we owe the fact that the hordes of Thark can

understand you; that they can appreciate and reciprocate the sentiments

so graciously expressed."