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第25章

a princess of mars-第25章

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〃As we neared the city's southern extremity a sound came

to us from across the mossy flat; from the direction of the

only pass through the hills which led to the gates; the pass

by which caravans from either north or south or east or

west would enter the city。  The sounds we heard were the

squealing of thoats and the grumbling of zitidars; with the

occasional clank of arms which announced the approach of

a body of warriors。  The thought uppermost in her mind was

that it was my father returned from his expedition; but the

cunning of the Thark held her from headlong and precipitate

flight to greet him。



〃Retreating into the shadows of a doorway she awaited the

coming of the cavalcade which shortly entered the avenue;

breaking its formation and thronging the thoroughfare

from wall to wall。  As the head of the procession passed us

the lesser moon swung clear of the overhanging roofs and lit

up the scene with all the brilliancy of her wondrous light。

My mother shrank further back into the friendly shadows;

and from her hiding place saw that the expedition was not

that of my father; but the returning caravan bearing the

young Tharks。  Instantly her plan was formed; and as a great

chariot swung close to our hiding place she slipped stealthily

in upon the trailing tailboard; crouching low in the shadow

of the high side; straining me to her bosom in a frenzy of

love。



〃She knew; what I did not; that never again after that

night would she hold me to her breast; nor was it likely we

would ever look upon each other's face again。  In the

confusion of the plaza she mixed me with the other children;

whose guardians during the journey were now free to relinquish

their responsibility。  We were herded together into a great room;

fed by women who had not accompanied the expedition; and the next

day we were parceled out among the retinues of the chieftains。



〃I never saw my mother after that night。  She was imprisoned

by Tal Hajus; and every effort; including the most horrible

and shameful torture; was brought to bear upon her to wring

from her lips the name of my father; but she remained

steadfast and loyal; dying at last amidst the laughter of

Tal Hajus and his chieftains during some awful torture

she was undergoing。



〃I learned afterwards that she told them that she had

killed me to save me from a like fate at their hands; and

that she had thrown my body to the white apes。  Sarkoja

alone disbelieved her; and I feel to this day that she suspects

my true origin; but does not dare expose me; at the present;

at all events; because she also guesses; I am sure; the identity

of my father。



〃When he returned from his expedition and learned the story

of my mother's fate I was present as Tal Hajus told him;

but never by the quiver of a muscle did he betray the slightest

emotion; only he did not laugh as Tal Hajus gleefully

described her death struggles。  From that moment on he was

the cruelest of the cruel; and I am awaiting the day when

he shall win the goal of his ambition; and feel the carcass of

Tal Hajus beneath his foot; for I am as sure that he but

waits the opportunity to wreak a terrible vengeance; and that

his great love is as strong in his breast as when it first

transfigured him nearly forty years ago; as I am that we sit

here upon the edge of a world…old ocean while sensible people

sleep; John Carter。〃



〃And your father; Sola; is he with us now?〃 I asked。



〃Yes;〃 she replied; 〃but he does not know me for what I

am; nor does he know who betrayed my mother to Tal Hajus。

I alone know my father's name; and only I and Tal Hajus

and Sarkoja know that it was she who carried the tale that

brought death and torture upon her he loved。〃



We sat silent for a few moments; she wrapped in the

gloomy thoughts of her terrible past; and I in pity for the

poor creatures whom the heartless; senseless customs of their

race had doomed to loveless lives of cruelty and of hate。

Presently she spoke。



〃John Carter; if ever a real man walked the cold; dead

bosom of Barsoom you are one。  I know that I can trust you;

and because the knowledge may someday help you or him

or Dejah Thoris or myself; I am going to tell you the name

of my father; nor place any restrictions or conditions upon

your tongue。  When the time comes; speak the truth if it

seems best to you。  I trust you because I know that you are

not cursed with the terrible trait of absolute and unswerving

truthfulness; that you could lie like one of your own Virginia

gentlemen if a lie would save others from sorrow or suffering。

My father's name is Tars Tarkas。〃









CHAPTER XVI





WE PLAN ESCAPE





The remainder of our journey to Thark was uneventful。

We were twenty days upon the road; crossing two sea bottoms

and passing through or around a number of ruined cities;

mostly smaller than Korad。  Twice we crossed the famous

Martian waterways; or canals; so…called by our earthly

astronomers。  When we approached these points a warrior

would be sent far ahead with a powerful field glass; and if

no great body of red Martian troops was in sight we would

advance as close as possible without chance of being seen and

then camp until dark; when we would slowly approach the

cultivated tract; and; locating one of the numerous; broad

highways which cross these areas at regular intervals; creep

silently and stealthily across to the arid lands upon the other

side。  It required five hours to make one of these crossings

without a single halt; and the other consumed the entire night;

so that we were just leaving the confines of the high…walled

fields when the sun broke out upon us。



Crossing in the darkness; as we did; I was unable to see

but little; except as the nearer moon; in her wild and

ceaseless hurtling through the Barsoomian heavens; lit up

little patches of the landscape from time to time; disclosing

walled fields and low; rambling buildings; presenting much

the appearance of earthly farms。  There were many trees;

methodically arranged; and some of them were of enormous height;

there were animals in some of the enclosures; and they announced

their presence by terrified squealings and snortings as they

scented our queer; wild beasts and wilder human beings。



Only once did I perceive a human being; and that was

at the intersection of our crossroad with the wide; white

turnpike which cuts each cultivated district longitudinally

at its exact center。  The fellow must have been sleeping

beside the road; for; as I came abreast of him; he raised upon

one elbow and after a single glance at the approaching caravan

leaped shrieking to his feet and fled madly down the road;

scaling a nearby wall with the agility of a scared cat。

The Tharks paid him not the slightest attention; they were

not out upon the warpath; and the only sign that I had

that they had seen him was a quickening of the pace of the

caravan as we hastened toward the bordering desert which

marked our entrance into the realm of Tal Hajus。



Not once did I have speech with Dejah Thoris; as she

sent no word to me that I would be welcome at her chariot;

and my foolish pride kept me from making any advances。

I verily believe that a man's way with women is in inverse

ratio to his prowess among men。  The weakling and the saphead

have often great ability to charm the fair sex; while the

fighting man who can face a thousand real dangers unafraid;

sits hiding in the shadows like some frightened child。



Just thirty days after my advent upon Barsoom we entered

the ancient city of Thark; from whose long…forgotten

people this horde of green men have stolen even their name。

The hordes of Thark number some thirty thousand souls;

and are divided into twenty…five communities。  Each community

has its own jed and lesser chieftains; but all are under

the rule of Tal Hajus; Jeddak of Thark。  Five communities

make their headq

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