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campaign for the liberation of Dejah Thoris； and the relief
of Helium。
〃You owe your thanks more to another man than to me；〃
I said； 〃and here he is； meet one of Barsoom's greatest
soldiers and statesmen； Tars Tarkas； Jeddak of Thark。〃
With the same polished courtesy that had marked their
manner toward me they extended their greetings to the great
Thark； nor； to my surprise； was he much behind them in
ease of bearing or in courtly speech。 Though not a garrulous
race； the Tharks are extremely formal； and their ways lend
themselves amazingly well to dignified and courtly manners。
Dejah Thoris went aboard the flagship； and was much put
out that I would not follow； but； as I explained to her； the
battle was but partly won； we still had the land forces of
the besieging Zodangans to account for； and I would not leave
Tars Tarkas until that had been accomplished。
The commander of the naval forces of Helium promised
to arrange to have the armies of Helium attack from the
city in conjunction with our land attack； and so the vessels
separated and Dejah Thoris was borne in triumph back to
the court of her grandfather； Tardos Mors； Jeddak of Helium。
In the distance lay our fleet of transports； with the thoats
of the green warriors； where they had remained during the
battle。 Without landing stages it was to be a difficult matter
to unload these beasts upon the open plain； but there was
nothing else for it； and so we put out for a point about ten
miles from the city and began the task。
It was necessary to lower the animals to the ground in
slings and this work occupied the remainder of the day and
half the night。 Twice we were attacked by parties of Zodangan
cavalry； but with little loss； however； and after darkness shut
down they withdrew。
As soon as the last thoat was unloaded Tars Tarkas gave
the command to advance； and in three parties we crept upon
the Zodangan camp from the north； the south and the east。
About a mile from the main camp we encountered their
outposts and； as had been prearranged； accepted this as the
signal to charge。 With wild； ferocious cries and amidst the
nasty squealing of battle…enraged thoats we bore down upon
the Zodangans。
We did not catch them napping； but found a well…entrenched
battle line confronting us。 Time after time we were repulsed until；
toward noon； I began to fear for the result of the battle。
The Zodangans numbered nearly a million fighting men；
gathered from pole to pole； wherever stretched their ribbon…
like waterways； while pitted against them were less than a
hundred thousand green warriors。 The forces from Helium
had not arrived； nor could we receive any word from them。
Just at noon we heard heavy firing all along the line between
the Zodangans and the cities； and we knew then that
our much…needed reinforcements had come。
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。〃
Tardos Mors then greeted each of the green jeddaks and jeds；
and to each spoke words of friendship and appreciation
As he approached me he laid both hands upon my shoulders。
〃Welcome； my son；〃 he said； 〃that you are granted； gladly；
and without one word of opposition； the most precious
jewel in all Helium； yes； on all Barsoom； is sufficient
earnest of my esteem。〃
We were then presented to Mors Kajak； Jed of lesser Helium；
and father of Dejah Thoris。 He had followed close behind
Tardos Mors and seemed even more affected by the meeting
than had his father。
He tried a dozen times to express his gratitude to me； but
his voice choked with emotion and he could not speak； and
yet he had； as I was to later learn； a reputation for ferocity
and fearlessness as a fighter that was remarkable even upon
warlike Barsoom。 In common with all Helium he worshiped
his daughter； nor could he think of what she had escaped
without deep emotion。
CHAPTER XXVII
FROM JOY TO DEATH
For ten days the hordes of Thark and their wild allies were
feasted and entertained； and； then； loaded with costly
presents and escorted by ten thousand soldiers of Helium