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monsters might be peacefully slumbering； and thus a hazardous
opportunity be presented to us to cross through their lair。
One by one the remaining brutes stretched themselves upon the
bubbling decomposition that covered the mass of bones upon
the floor of their den； until but a single apt remained awake。
This huge fellow roamed restlessly about； nosing among his
companion and the abhorrent litter of the cave。
Occasionally he would stop to peer intently toward first
one of the exits from the chamber and then the other。
His whole demeanor was as of one who acts as sentry。
We were at last forced to the belief that he would not sleep
while the other occupants of the lair slept； and so cast about in
our minds for some scheme whereby we might trick him。 Finally I
suggested a plan to Thuvan Dihn； and as it seemed as good as any
that we had discussed we decided to put it to the test。
To this end Thuvan Dihn placed himself close against the
cave's wall； beside the entrance to the eighth chamber； while I
deliberately showed myself to the guardian apt as he looked toward
our retreat。 Then I sprang to the opposite side of the entrance；
flattening my body close to the wall。
Without a sound the great beast moved rapidly toward the
seventh cave to see what manner of intruder had thus rashly
penetrated so far within the precincts of his habitation。
As he poked his head through the narrow aperture that connects
the two caves a heavy long…sword was awaiting him upon either hand；
and before he had an opportunity to emit even a single growl his
severed head rolled at our feet。
Quickly we glanced into the eighth chambernot an apt had moved。
Crawling over the carcass of the huge beast that blocked the
doorway Thuvan Dihn and I cautiously entered the forbidding
and dangerous den。
Like snails we wound our silent and careful way among the
huge； recumbent forms。 The only sound above our breathing was
the sucking noise of our feet as we lifted them from the ooze of
decaying flesh through which we crept。
Halfway across the chamber and one of the mighty beasts
directly before me moved restlessly at the very instant that my
foot was poised above his head； over which I must step。
Breathlessly I waited； balancing upon one foot； for I did not
dare move a muscle。 In my right hand was my keen short…sword；
the point hovering an inch above the thick fur beneath which
beat the savage heart。
Finally the apt relaxed； sighing； as with the passing of a bad
dream； and resumed the regular respiration of deep slumber。
I planted my raised foot beyond the fierce head and an instant
later had stepped over the beast。
Thuvan Dihn followed directly after me； and another moment
found us at the further door； undetected。
The Carrion Caves consist of a series of twenty…seven
connecting chambers； and present the appearance of having been
eroded by running water in some far…gone age when a mighty river
found its way to the south through this single breach in the
barrier of rock and ice that hems the country of the pole。
Thuvan Dihn and I traversed the remaining nineteen caverns
without adventure or mishap。
We were afterward to learn that but once a month is it possible
to find all the apts of the Carrion Caves in a single chamber。
At other times they roam singly or in pairs in and out of the caves；
so that it would have been practically impossible for two men to
have passed through the entire twenty…seven chambers without
encountering an apt in nearly every one of them。 Once a month
they sleep for a full day； and it was our good fortune to stumble
by accident upon one of these occasions。
Beyond the last cave we emerged into a desolate country of
snow and ice； but found a well…marked trail leading north。
The way was boulder…strewn； as had been that south of the barrier；
so that we could see but a short distance ahead of us at any time。
After a couple of hours we passed round a huge boulder to come
to a steep declivity leading down into a valley。
Directly before us we saw a half dozen menfierce； black…bearded
fellows； with skins the color of a ripe lemon。
〃The yellow men of Barsoom！〃 ejaculated Thuvan Dihn； as though
even now that he saw them he found it scarce possible to believe
that the very race we expected to find hidden in this remote and
inaccessible land did really exist。
We withdrew behind an adjacent boulder to watch the actions of the
little party； which stood huddled at the foot of another huge rock；
their backs toward us。
One of them was peering round the edge of the granite mass as
though watching one who approached from the opposite side。
Presently the object of his scrutiny came within the range
of my vision and I saw that it was another yellow man。 All
were clothed in magnificent fursthe six in the black and yellow
striped hide of the orluk； while he who approached alone was
resplendent in the pure white skin of an apt。
The yellow men were armed with two swords； and a short javelin
was slung across the back of each； while from their left arms hung
cuplike shields no larger than a dinner plate； the concave sides of
which turned outward toward an antagonist。
They seemed puny and futile implements of safety against an
even ordinary swordsman； but I was later to see the purpose of them
and with what wondrous dexterity the yellow men manipulate them。
One of the swords which each of the warriors carried caught my
immediate attention。 I call it a sword； but really it was a sharp…
edged blade with a complete hook at the far end。
The other sword was of about the same length as the hooked
instrument； and somewhere between that of my long…sword and my
short…sword。 It was straight and two…edged。 In addition to the
weapons I have ennumerated each man carried a dagger in his harness。
As the white…furred one approached； the six grasped their
swords more firmlythe hooked instrument in the left hand； the
straight sword in the right； while above the left wrist the small
shield was held rigid upon a metal bracelet。
As the lone warrior came opposite them the six rushed out upon
him with fiendish yells that resembled nothing more closely than
the savage war cry of the Apaches of the South…west。
Instantly the attacked drew both his swords； and as the six fell
upon him I witnessed as pretty fighting as one might care to see。
With their sharp hooks the combatants attempted to take hold of an
adversary； but like lightning the cupshaped shield would spring
before the darting weapon and into its hollow the hook would plunge。
Once the lone warrior caught an antagonist in the side with
his hook； and drawing him close ran his sword through him。
But the odds were too unequal； and； though he who fought alone
was by far the best and bravest of them all； I saw that it was
but a question of time