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all our prowess we could not hope to withstand the unequal odds
which would thus divide our attention and our small numbers。
〃To the upper chambers！〃 cried Tardos Mors； and a moment later
we fell back toward the runway that led to the floors above。
Here another bloody battle was waged with the force of yellow
men who charged into the armory as we fell back from the doorway。
Here we lost our first man； a noble fellow whom we could ill spare；
but at length all had backed into the runway except myself； who
remained to hold back the Okarians until the others were safe above。
In the mouth of the narrow spiral but a single warrior could
attack me at a time； so that I had little difficulty in holding
them all back for the brief moment that was necessary。 Then；
backing slowly before them； I commenced the ascent of the spiral。
All the long way to the tower's top the guardsmen pressed me closely。
When one went down before my sword another scrambled over the dead man to
take his place； and thus； taking an awful toll with each few feet gained；
I came to the spacious glass…walled watchtower of Kadabra。
Here my companions clustered ready to take my place； and for a
moment's respite I stepped to one side while they held the enemy off。
From the lofty perch a view could be had for miles in every direction。
Toward the south stretched the rugged； ice…clad waste to the edge of
the mighty barrier。 Toward the east and west； and dimly toward the
north I descried other Okarian cities； while in the immediate foreground；
just beyond the walls of Kadabra； the grim guardian shaft reared its
somber head。
Then I cast my eyes down into the streets of Kadabra； from which
a sudden tumult had arisen； and there I saw a battle raging；
and beyond the city's walls I saw armed men marching in great
columns toward a near…by gate。
Eagerly I pressed forward against the glass wall of the observatory；
scarce daring to credit the testimony of my own eyes。 But at last
I could doubt no longer； and with a shout of joy that rose strangely
in the midst of the cursing and groaning of the battling men at the
entrance to the chamber； I called to Tardos Mors。
As he joined me I pointed down into the streets of Kadabra and
to the advancing columns beyond； above which floated bravely in
the arctic air the flags and banners of Helium。
An instant later every red man in the lofty chamber had seen
the inspiring sight； and such a shout of thanksgiving arose as I
warrant never before echoed through that age…old pile of stone。
But still we must fight on； for though our troops had entered Kadabra；
the city was yet far from capitulation； nor had the palace been
even assaulted。 Turn and turn about we held the top of the runway
while the others feasted their eyes upon the sight of our valiant
countrymen battling far beneath us。
Now they have rushed the palace gate！ Great battering…rams
are dashed against its formidable surface。 Now they are repulsed
by a deadly shower of javelins from the wall's top！
Once again they charge； but a sortie by a large force of Okarians
from an intersecting avenue crumples the head of the column；
and the men of Helium go down； fighting； beneath an overwhelming force。
The palace gate flies open and a force of the jeddak's own guard；
picked men from the flower of the Okarian army； sallies forth
to shatter the broken regiments。 For a moment it looks as
though nothing could avert defeat； and then I see a noble figure
upon a mighty thoatnot the tiny thoat of the red man； but one of
his huge cousins of the dead sea bottoms。
The warrior hews his way to the front； and behind him rally the
disorganized soldiers of Helium。 As he raises his head aloft
to fling a challenge at the men upon the palace walls I see
his face； and my heart swells in pride and happiness as the
red warriors leap to the side of their leader and win back
the ground that they had but just lostthe face of him upon
the mighty thoat is the face of my sonCarthoris of Helium。
At his side fights a huge Martian war…hound； nor did I need a
second look to know that it was Woolamy faithful Woola who had
thus well performed his arduous task and brought the succoring
legions in the nick of time。
〃In the nick of time？〃
Who yet might say that they were not too late to save； but surely
they could avenge！ And such retribution as that unconquered army
would deal out to the hateful Okarians！ I sighed to think that I
might not be alive to witness it。
Again I turned to the windows。 The red men had not yet forced
the outer palace wall； but they were fighting nobly against the
best that Okar affordedvaliant warriors who contested every inch
of the way。
Now my attention was caught by a new element without the city wall
a great body of mounted warriors looming large above the red men。
They were the huge green allies of Heliumthe savage hordes from
the dead sea bottoms of the far south。
In grim and terrible silence they sped on toward the gate；
the padded hoofs of their frightful mounts giving forth no sound。
Into the doomed city they charged； and as they wheeled across the
wide plaza before the palace of the Jeddak of Jeddaks I saw； riding at
their head； the mighty figure of their mighty leaderTars Tarkas；
Jeddak of Thark。
My wish； then； was to be gratified； for I was to see my old friend
battling once again； and though not shoulder to shoulder with him；
I； too； would be fighting in the same cause here in the high tower of Okar。
Nor did it seem that our foes would ever cease their stubborn attacks；
for still they came； though the way to our chamber was often clogged
with the bodies of their dead。 At times they would pause long enough
to drag back the impeding corpses； and then fresh warriors would forge
upward to taste the cup of death。
I had been taking my turn with the others in defending the
approach to our lofty retreat when Mors Kajak； who had been
watching the battle in the street below； called aloud in
sudden excitement。 There was a note of apprehension in his voice
that brought me to his side the instant that I could turn my place
over to another； and as I reached him he pointed far out across the
waste of snow and ice toward the southern horizon。
〃Alas！〃 he cried； 〃that I should be forced to witness cruel fate
betray them without power to warn or aid； but they be past either now。〃
As I looked in the direction he indicated I saw the cause of
his perturbation。 A mighty fleet of fliers was approaching
majestically toward Kadabra from the direction of the ice…barrier。
On and on they came with ever increasing velocity。
〃The grim shaft that they call the Guardian of the North is
beckoning to them；〃 said Mors Kajak sadly； 〃just as it beckoned to
Tardos Mors and his great fleet； see where they lie； crumpled and
broken； a grim and terrible monument to the