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fragments of their own prey which they cannot devour。 It is a
horrid avenue to our goal； but it is the only one。〃
〃You are sure； then； that we have found the way to the land
of the yellow men？〃 I cried。
〃As sure as may be；〃 he replied； 〃having only ancient legend
to support my belief。 But see how closely； so far； each detail
tallies with the world…old story of the hegira of the yellow race。
Yes； I am sure that we have discovered the way to their ancient
hiding place。〃
〃If it be true； and let us pray that such may be the case；〃 I said；
〃then here may we solve the mystery of the disappearance of
Tardos Mors； Jeddak of Helium； and Mors Kajak； his son； for no
other spot upon Barsoom has remained unexplored by the many
expeditions and the countless spies that have been searching for
them for nearly two years。 The last word that came from them was
that they sought Carthoris； my own brave son； beyond the ice…barrier。〃
As we talked we had been approaching the entrance to the cave；
and as we crossed the threshold I ceased to wonder that the
ancient green enemies of the yellow men had been halted by the
horrors of that awful way。
The bones of dead men lay man high upon the broad floor of the
first cave； and over all was a putrid mush of decaying flesh；
through which the apts had beaten a hideous trail toward the
entrance to the second cave beyond。
The roof of this first apartment was low； like all that we
traversed subsequently； so that the foul odors were confined
and condensed to such an extent that they seemed to possess
tangible substance。 One was almost tempted to draw his
short…sword and hew his way through in search of pure air beyond。
〃Can man breathe this polluted air and live？〃
asked Thuvan Dihn； choking。
〃Not for long； I imagine；〃 I replied； 〃so let us make haste。
I will go first； and you bring up the rear； with Woola between。
Come；〃 and with the words I dashed forward； across the fetid
mass of putrefaction。
It was not until we had passed through seven caves of different
sizes and varying but little in the power and quality of their
stenches that we met with any physical opposition。 Then； within
the eighth cave； we came upon a lair of apts。
A full score of the mighty beasts were disposed about the chamber。
Some were sleeping； while others tore at the fresh…killed carcasses
of new…brought prey； or fought among themselves in their love…making。
Here in the dim light of their subterranean home the value of
their great eyes was apparent； for these inner caves are shrouded
in perpetual gloom that is but little less than utter darkness。
To attempt to pass through the midst of that fierce herd
seemed； even to me； the height of folly； and so I proposed to
Thuvan Dihn that he return to the outer world with Woola； that the
two might find their way to civilization and come again with a
sufficient force to overcome not only the apts； but any further
obstacles that might lie between us and our goal。
〃In the meantime；〃 I continued； 〃I may discover some means of
winning my way alone to the land of the yellow men； but if I am
unsuccessful one life only will have been sacrificed。 Should we
all go on and perish； there will be none to guide a succoring party
to Dejah Thoris and your daughter。〃
〃I shall not return and leave you here alone； John Carter；〃
replied Thuvan Dihn。 〃Whether you go on to victory or death；
the Jeddak of Ptarth remains at your side。 I have spoken。〃
I knew from his tone that it were useless to attempt to argue
the question； and so I compromised by sending Woola back with a
hastily penned note enclosed in a small metal case and fastened
about his neck。 I commanded the faithful creature to seek
Carthoris at Helium； and though half a world and countless
dangers lay between I knew that if the thing could be done Woola
would do it。
Equipped as he was by nature with marvelous speed and endurance；
and with frightful ferocity that made him a match for any single
enemy of the way； his keen intelligence and wondrous instinct
should easily furnish all else that was needed for the successful
accomplishment of his mission。
It was with evident reluctance that the great beast turned to leave
me in compliance with my command； and ere he had gone I could not
resist the inclination to throw my arms about his great neck in
a parting hug。 He rubbed his cheek against mine in a final caress；
and a moment later was speeding through the Carrion Caves toward
the outer world。
In my note to Carthoris I had given explicit directions for locating
the Carrion Caves； impressing upon him the necessity for making
entrance to the country beyond through this avenue； and not to attempt
under any circumstances to cross the ice…barrier with a fleet。
I told him that what lay beyond the eighth cave I could not
even guess； but I was sure that somewhere upon the other side of the
ice…barrier his mother lay in the power of Matai Shang； and that
possibly his grandfather and great…grandfather as well； if they lived。
Further； I advised him to call upon Kulan Tith and the son of
Thuvan Dihn for warriors and ships that the expedition might be
sufficiently strong to insure success at the first blow。
〃And；〃 I concluded； 〃if there be time bring Tars Tarkas with you；
for if I live until you reach me I can think of few greater pleasures
than to fight once more； shoulder to shoulder； with my old friend。〃
When Woola had left us Thuvan Dihn and I； hiding in the seventh cave；
discussed and discarded many plans for crossing the eighth chamber。
From where we stood we saw that the fighting among the apts was
growing less； and that many that had been feeding had ceased and
lain down to sleep。
Presently it became apparent that in a short time all the ferocious
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 o