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quickly into the darkness； while I rose steadily and at terrific
speed raced through the Martian sky followed by a dozen of
the air…scout craft which had joined the pursuit； and later
by a swift cruiser carrying a hundred men and a battery of
rapid…fire guns。 By twisting and turning my little machine；
now rising and now falling； I managed to elude their search…
lights most of the time； but I was also losing ground by these
tactics； and so I decided to hazard everything on a straight…
away course and leave the result to fate and the speed of my
machine。
Kantos Kan had shown me a trick of gearing； which is known
only to the navy of Helium； that greatly increased the speed
of our machines； so that I felt sure I could distance
my pursuers if I could dodge their projectiles for a few moments。
As I sped through the air the screeching of the bullets
around me convinced me that only by a miracle could I escape；
but the die was cast； and throwing on full speed I raced
a straight course toward Helium。 Gradually I left my
pursuers further and further behind； and I was just
congratulating myself on my lucky escape； when a well…directed
shot from the cruiser exploded at the prow of my little craft。
The concussion nearly capsized her； and with a sickening
plunge she hurtled downward through the dark night。
How far I fell before I regained control of the plane I do
not know； but I must have been very close to the ground
when I started to rise again； as I plainly heard the squealing
of animals below me。 Rising again I scanned the heavens for
my pursuers； and finally making out their lights far behind me；
saw that they were landing； evidently in search of me。
Not until their lights were no longer discernible did I
venture to flash my little lamp upon my compass； and then
I found to my consternation that a fragment of the
projectile had utterly destroyed my only guide； as well as my
speedometer。 It was true I could follow the stars in the
general direction of Helium； but without knowing the exact
location of the city or the speed at which I was traveling
my chances for finding it were slim。
Helium lies a thousand miles southwest of Zodanga； and
with my compass intact I should have made the trip； barring
accidents； in between four and five hours。 As it turned
out； however； morning found me speeding over a vast expanse
of dead sea bottom after nearly six hours of continuous
flight at high speed。 Presently a great city showed
below me； but it was not Helium； as that alone of all
Barsoomian metropolises consists in two immense circular
walled cities about seventy…five miles apart and would
have been easily distinguishable from the altitude at
which I was flying。
Believing that I had come too far to the north and west；
I turned back in a southeasterly direction； passing during
the forenoon several other large cities； but none resembling
the description which Kantos Kan had given me of Helium。
In addition to the twin…city formation of Helium； another
distinguishing feature is the two immense towers； one of
vivid scarlet rising nearly a mile into the air from the
center of one of the cities； while the other； of bright yellow
and of the same height； marks her sister。
CHAPTER XXIV
TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND
About noon I passed low over a great dead city of ancient
Mars； and as I skimmed out across the plain beyond I
came full upon several thousand green warriors engaged in
a terrific battle。 Scarcely had I seen them than a volley of
shots was directed at me； and with the almost unfailing
accuracy of their aim my little craft was instantly a ruined
wreck； sinking erratically to the ground。
I fell almost directly in the center of the fierce combat；
among warriors who had not seen my approach so busily
were they engaged in life and death struggles。 The men
were fighting on foot with long…swords； while an occasional
shot from a sharpshooter on the outskirts of the conflict
would bring down a warrior who might for an instant separate
himself from the entangled mass。
As my machine sank among them I realized that it was fight
or die； with good chances of dying in any event； and so I
struck the ground with drawn long…sword ready to defend
myself as I could。
I fell beside a huge monster who was engaged with three
antagonists； and as I glanced at his fierce face； filled with
the light of battle； I recognized Tars Tarkas the Thark。 He
did not see me； as I was a trifle behind him； and just then
the three warriors opposing him； and whom I recognized
as Warhoons； charged simultaneously。 The mighty fellow
made quick work of one of them； but in stepping back for
another thrust he fell over a dead body behind him and
was down and at the mercy of his foes in an instant。 Quick
as lightning they were upon him； and Tars Tarkas would
have been gathered to his fathers in short order had I not
sprung before his prostrate form and engaged his adversaries。
I had accounted for one of them when the mighty Thark
regained his feet and quickly settled the other。
He gave me one look； and a slight smile touched his grim
lip as； touching my shoulder； he said；
〃I would scarcely recognize you； John Carter； but there
is no other mortal upon Barsoom who would have done
what you have for me。 I think I have learned that there is
such a thing as friendship； my friend。〃
He said no more； nor was there opportunity； for the
Warhoons were closing in about us； and together we fought；
shoulder to shoulder； during all that long； hot afternoon；
until the tide of battle turned and the remnant of the fierce
Warhoon horde fell back upon their thoats； and fled into
the gathering darkness。
Ten thousand men had been engaged in that titanic struggle；
and upon the field of battle lay three thousand dead。
Neither side asked or gave quarter； nor did they attempt
to take prisoners。
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 Woolafaithful；
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