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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 before the remaining five would find an
opening through his marvelous guard and bring him down。
Now my sympathies have ever been with the weaker side of an argument；
and though I knew nothing of the cause of the trouble I could not
stand idly by and see a brave man butchered by superior numbers。
As a matter of fact I presume I gave little attention to
seeking an excuse； for I love a good fight too well to need any
other reason for joining in when one is afoot。
So it was that before Thuvan Dihn knew what I was about he saw
me standing by the side of the white…clad yellow man； battling like
mad with his five adversaries。
WITH THE YELLOW MEN
Thuvan Dihn was not long in joining me； and； though we found
the hooked weapon a strange and savage thing with which to deal；
the three of us soon despatched the five black…bearded warriors who
opposed us。
When the battle was over our new acquaintance turned to me；
and removing the shield from his wrist； held it out。 I did not
know the significance of his act； but judged that it was but a
form of expressing his gratitude to me。
I afterward learned that it symbolized the offering of a man's life
in return for some great favor done him； and my act of refusing；
which I had immediately done； was what was expected of me。
〃Then accept from Talu； Prince of Marentina；〃 said the yellow man；
〃this token of my gratitude；〃 and reaching beneath one of his
wide sleeves he withdrew a bracelet and placed it upon my arm。
He then went through the same ceremony with Thuvan Dihn。
Next he asked our names； and from what land we hailed。
He seemed quite familiar with the geography of the outerworld；
and when I said I was from Helium he raised his brows。
〃Ah；〃 he said； 〃you seek your ruler and his company？〃
〃Know you of them？〃 I asked。
〃But little more than that they were captured by my uncle； Salensus Oll；
Jeddak of Jeddaks； Ruler of Okar； land of the yellow men of Barsoom。
As to their fate I know nothing； for I am at war with my uncle；
who would crush my power in the principality of Marentina。
〃These from whom you have just saved me are warriors he has
sent out to find and slay me； for they know that often I come alone
to hunt and kill the sacred apt which Salensus Oll so much reveres。
It is partly because I hate his religion that Salensus Oll hates me；
but mostly does he fear my growing power and the great faction
which has arisen throughout Okar that would be glad to see
me ruler of Okar and Jeddak of Jeddaks in his place。
〃He is a cruel and tyrannous master whom all hate； and were it not
for the great fear they have of him I could raise an army overnight
that would wipe out the few that might remain loyal to him。 My own
people are faithful to me； and the little valley of Marentina has
paid no tribute to the court of Salensus Oll for a year。
〃Nor can he force us； for a dozen men may hold the narrow way
to Marentina against a million。 But now； as to thine own affairs。
How may I aid you？ My palace is at your disposal； if you wish to
honor me by coming to Marentina。〃
〃When our work is done we shall be glad to accept your invitation；〃
I replied。 〃But now you can assist us most by directing us to the
court of Salensus Oll； and suggesting some means by which we may
gain admission to the city and the palace； or whatever other place
we find our friends to be confined。〃
Talu gazed ruefully at our smooth faces and at Thuvan Dihn's
red skin and my white one。
〃First you must come to Marentina；〃 he said； 〃for a great change
must be wrought in your appearance before you can hope to
enter any city in Okar。 You must have yellow faces and black
beards； and your apparel and trappings must be those least likely
to arouse suspicion。 In my palace is one who can make you appear
as truly yellow men as does Salensus Oll himself。〃
His counsel seemed wise； and as there was apparently no other
way to insure a successful entry to Kadabra； the capital city of
Okar； we set out with Talu； Prince of Marentina； for his little；
rock…bound country。
The way was over some of the worst traveling I have ever seen；
and I do not wonder that in this land where there are neither
thoats nor fliers that Marentina is in little fear of invasion； but
at last we reached our destination； the first view of which I had
from a slight elevation a half…mile from the city。
Nestled in a deep valley lay a city of Martian concrete；
whose every street and plaza and open space was roofed with glass。
All about lay snow and ice； but there was none upon the rounded；
domelike； crystal covering that enveloped the whole city。
Then I saw how these people combatted the rigors of the arctic；
and lived in luxury and comfort in the midst of a land of
perpetual ice。 Their cities were veritabl