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shoulders of the nearest。 The impact sufficient to have torn
through inches of solid steel； hurled the fellow's headless body
into the air over the head of his thoat； where it fell sprawling
upon the moss。 The mounts of the other two warriors
turned squealing in terror； and bolted in opposite directions。
Reducing my speed I circled and came to the ground
at the feet of the astonished Zodangan。 He was warm in
his thanks for my timely aid and promised that my day's
work would bring the reward it merited； for it was none
other than a cousin of the jeddak of Zodanga whose life I
had saved。
We wasted no time in talk as we knew that the warriors
would surely return as soon as they had gained control of
their mounts。 Hastening to his damaged machine we were
bending every effort to finish the needed repairs and had
almost completed them when we saw the two green monsters
returning at top speed from opposite sides of us。 When
they had approached within a hundred yards their thoats
again became unmanageable and absolutely refused to advance
further toward the air craft which had frightened them。
The warriors finally dismounted and hobbling their animals
advanced toward us on foot with drawn long…swords。
I advanced to meet the larger； telling the Zodangan to do
the best he could with the other。 Finishing my man with
almost no effort； as had now from much practice become
habitual with me； I hastened to return to my new acquaintance
whom I found indeed in desperate straits。
He was wounded and down with the huge foot of his
antagonist upon his throat and the great long…sword raised
to deal the final thrust。 With a bound I cleared the fifty
feet intervening between us； and with outstretched point
drove my sword completely through the body of the green
warrior。 His sword fell； harmless； to the ground and he sank
limply upon the prostrate form of the Zodangan。
A cursory examination of the latter revealed no mortal
injuries and after a brief rest he asserted that he felt fit to
attempt the return voyage。 He would have to pilot his
own craft； however； as these frail vessels are not intended
to convey but a single person。
Quickly completing the repairs we rose together into the
still； cloudless Martian sky； and at great speed and without
further mishap returned to Zodanga。
As we neared the city we discovered a mighty concourse
of civilians and troops assembled upon the plain before the
city。 The sky was black with naval vessels and private and
public pleasure craft； flying long streamers of gay…colored
silks； and banners and flags of odd and picturesque design。
My companion signaled that I slow down； and running
his machine close beside mine suggested that we approach
and watch the ceremony； which； he said； was for the purpose
of conferring honors on individual officers and men for
bravery and other distinguished service。 He then unfurled
a little ensign which denoted that his craft bore a member
of the royal family of Zodanga； and together we made our
way through the maze of low…lying air vessels until we hung
directly over the jeddak of Zodanga and his staff。 All were
mounted upon the small domestic bull thoats of the red
Martians； and their trappings and ornamentation bore such
a quantity of gorgeously colored feathers that I could not but
be struck with the startling resemblance the concourse bore
to a band of the red Indians of my own Earth。
One of the staff called the attention of Than Kosis to the
presence of my companion above them and the ruler motioned
for him to descend。 As they waited for the troops
to move into position facing the jeddak the two talked
earnestly together； the jeddak and his staff occasionally
glancing up at me。 I could not hear their conversation and
presently it ceased and all dismounted； as the last body of
troops had wheeled into position before their emperor。 A
member of the staff advanced toward the troops； and calling
the name of a soldier commanded him to advance。 The
officer then recited the nature of the heroic act which had
won the approval of the jeddak； and the latter advanced
and placed a metal ornament upon the left arm of the
lucky man。
Ten men had been so decorated when the aide called out；
〃John Carter； air scout！〃
Never in my life had I been so surprised； but the habit
of military discipline is strong within me； and I dropped
my little machine lightly to the ground and advanced on
foot as I had seen the others do。 As I halted before the
officer； he addressed me in a voice audible to the entire
assemblage of troops and spectators。
〃In recognition； John Carter；〃 he said； 〃of your remarkable
courage and skill in defending the person of the cousin
of the jeddak Than Kosis and； singlehanded； vanquishing
three green warriors； it is the pleasure of our jeddak to
confer on you the mark of his esteem。〃
Than Kosis then advanced toward me and placing an
ornament upon me； said：
〃My cousin has narrated the details of your wonderful
achievement； which seems little short of miraculous； and if
you can so well defend a cousin of the jeddak how much
better could you defend the person of the jeddak himself。
You are therefore appointed a padwar of The Guards and
will be quartered in my palace hereafter。〃
I thanked him； and at his direction joined the members
of his staff。 After the ceremony I returned my machine to
its quarters on the roof of the barracks of the air…scout
squadron； and with an orderly from the palace to guide me
I reported to the officer in charge of the palace。
CHAPTER XXII
I FIND DEJAH
The major…domo to whom I reported had been given instructions
to station me near the person of the jeddak； who； in time
of war； is always in great danger of assassination； as the
rule that all is fair in war seems to constitute the entire
ethics of Martian conflict。
He therefore escorted me immediately to the apartment
in which Than Kosis then was。 The ruler was engaged in
conversation with his son； Sab Than； and several courtiers
of his household； and did not perceive my entrance。
The walls of the apartment were completely hung with
splendid tapestries which hid any windows or doors which
may have pierced them。 The room was lighted by imprisoned
rays of sunshine held between the ceiling proper and what
appeared to be a ground…glass false ceiling a few inches
below。
My guide drew aside one of the tapestries； disclosing a
passage which encircled the room； between the hangings and
the walls of the chamber。 Within this passage I was to
remain； he said； so long as Than Kosis was in the apartment。
When he left I was to follow。 My only duty was to guard
the ruler and keep out of sight as much as possible。 I
would be relieved after a period of four hours。 The major…
domo then left me。
The tapestries were of a strang