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hundred feet。 It was of the strangely beautiful modern Barsoomian
style of architecture； its entire surface hand carved in bold
relief with intricate and fanciful designs。 Thirty feet above the
courtyard and overlooking it was a broad balcony； and there；
indeed； was Matai Shang； and with him were Thurid and Phaidor；
Thuvia； and Dejah Thoristhe last two heavily ironed。 A handful
of thern warriors stood just behind the little party。
As I entered the enclosure the eyes of those in the balcony
were full upon me。
An ugly smile distorted the cruel lips of Matai Shang。 Thurid
hurled a taunt at me and placed a familiar hand upon the shoulder
of my princess。 Like a tigress she turned upon him； striking the
beast a heavy blow with the manacles upon her wrist。
He would have struck back had not Matai Shang interfered； and then
I saw that the two men were not over…friendly； for the manner
of the thern was arrogant and domineering as he made it plain to
the First Born that the Princess of Helium was the personal
property of the Father of Therns。 And Thurid's bearing toward
the ancient hekkador savored not at all of liking or respect。
When the altercation in the balcony had subsided Matai Shang
turned again to me。
〃Earth man；〃 he cried； 〃you have earned a more ignoble death
than now lies within our weakened power to inflict upon you；
but that the death you die tonight may be doubly bitter； know
you that when you have passed； your widow becomes the wife of
Matai Shang； Hekkador of the Holy Therns； for a Martian year。
〃At the end of that time； as you know； she shall be discarded；
as is the law among us； but not； as is usual； to lead a quiet and
honored life as high priestess of some hallowed shrine。 Instead；
Dejah Thoris； Princess of Helium； shall become the plaything of my
lieutenantsperhaps of thy most hated enemy； Thurid； the black dator。〃
As he ceased speaking he awaited in silence evidently for some
outbreak of rage upon my partsomething that would have
added to the spice of his revenge。 But I did not give him the
satisfaction that he craved。
Instead； I did the one thing of all others that might rouse his
anger and increase his hatred of me； for I knew that if I died
Dejah Thoris； too； would find a way to die before they could
heap further tortures or indignities upon her。
Of all the holy of holies which the thern venerates and worships none
is more revered than the yellow wig which covers his bald pate；
and next thereto comes the circlet of gold and the great diadem；
whose scintillant rays mark the attainment of the Tenth Cycle。
And； knowing this； I removed the wig and circlet from my head；
tossing them carelessly upon the flagging of the court。 Then I
wiped my feet upon the yellow tresses； and as a groan of rage arose
from the balcony I spat full upon the holy diadem。
Matai Shang went livid with anger； but upon the lips of Thurid
I could see a grim smile of amusement； for to him these things were
not holy； so； lest he should derive too much amusement from my act；
I cried： 〃And thus did I with the holies of Issus； Goddess of Life
Eternal； ere I threw Issus herself to the mob that once had
worshiped her； to be torn to pieces in her own temple。〃
That put an end to Thurid's grinning； for he had been high in
the favor of Issus。
〃Let us have an end to this blaspheming！〃 he cried； turning to
the Father of Therns。
Matai Shang rose and； leaning over the edge of the balcony；
gave voice to the weird call that I had heard from the lips of the
priests upon the tiny balcony upon the face of the Golden Cliffs
overlooking the Valley Dor； when； in times past； they called the
fearsome white apes and the hideous plant men to the feast of
victims floating down the broad bosom of the mysterious Iss toward
the silian…infested waters of the Lost Sea of Korus。
〃Let loose the death！〃 he cried； and immediately a dozen
doors in the base of the tower swung open； and a dozen grim
and terrible banths sprang into the arena。
This was not the first time that I had faced the ferocious
Barsoomian lion； but never had I been pitted； single…handed；
against a full dozen of them。 Even with the assistance of
the fierce Woola； there could be but a single outcome to so
unequal a struggle。
For a moment the beasts hesitated beneath the brilliant glare
of the torches； but presently their eyes； becoming accustomed to
the light； fell upon Woola and me； and with bristling manes and
deep…throated roars they advanced； lashing their tawny sides with
their powerful tails。
In the brief interval of life that was left me I shot a last；
parting glance toward my Dejah Thoris。 Her beautiful face was set
in an expression of horror； and as my eyes met hers she extended
both arms toward me as； struggling with the guards who now held her；
she endeavored to cast herself from the balcony into the pit beneath；
that she might share my death with me。 Then； as the banths were about
to close upon me； she turned and buried her dear face in her arms。
Suddenly my attention was drawn toward Thuvia of Ptarth。
The beautiful girl was leaning far over the edge of the balcony；
her eyes bright with excitement。
In another instant the banths would be upon me； but I could
not force my gaze from the features of the red girl； for I knew
that her expression meant anything but the enjoyment of the grim
tragedy that would so soon be enacted below her； there was some
deeper； hidden meaning which I sought to solve。
For an instant I thought of relying on my earthly muscles and
agility to escape the banths and reach the balcony； which I could
easily have done； but I could not bring myself to desert the
faithful Woola and leave him to die alone beneath the cruel fangs
of the hungry banths； that is not the way upon Barsoom； nor was it
ever the way of John Carter。
Then the secret of Thuvia's excitement became apparent as from
her lips there issued the purring sound I had heard once before；
that time that； within the Golden Cliffs； she called the fierce
banths about her and led them as a shepherdess might lead her flock
of meek and harmless sheep。
At the first note of that soothing sound the banths halted in
their tracks； and every fierce head went high as the beasts sought
the origin of the familiar call。 Presently they discovered the red
girl in the balcony above them； and； turning； roared out their
recognition and their greeting。
Guards sprang to drag Thuvia away； but ere they had succeeded
she had hurled a volley of commands at the listening brutes；
and as one they turned and marched back into their dens。
〃You need not fear them now； John Carter！〃 cried Thuvia；
before they could silence her。 〃Those banths will never harm
you now； nor Woola； either。〃
It was all I cared to know。 There was naught to keep me from
that balcony now； and with a long； running