\"They，too，wereunreal？\"
Themannodded。
\"Buttheirarrowsslewthegreenwarriors，\"insistedThuvia。
\"LetusgobeforeTario，\"repliedtheLotharian。
\"Hewilltellyouthatwhichhedeemsitbestyouknow。
Imighttellyoutoomuch。\"
\"WhoisTario？\"askedCarthoris。
\"JeddakofLothar，\"repliedtheguide，leadingthemupthebroadavenuedownwhichtheyhadbutamomentsinceseenthephantomarmymarching。
Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalonglovelyavenuesbetweenthemostgorgeousbuildingsthatthetwohadeverseen。
Fewpeoplewereinevidence。Carthoriscouldnotbutnotethedesertedappearanceofthemightycity。
Atlasttheycametotheroyalpalace。Carthorissawitfromadistance，andguessingthenatureofthemagnificentpilewonderedthatevenherethereshouldbesolittlesignofactivityandlife。
Notevenasingleguardwasvisiblebeforethegreatentrancegate，norinthegardensbeyond，intowhichhecouldsee，wastheresignofthemyriadlifethatpulseswithintheprecinctsoftheroyalestatesoftheredjeddaks。
\"Here，\"saidtheirguide，\"isthepalaceofTario。\"
AshespokeCarthorisagainlethisgazerestuponthewondrouspalace。Withastartledexclamationherubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。No！Hecouldnotbemistaken。
Beforethemassivegatestoodascoreofsentries。Within，theavenueleadingtothemainbuildingwaslinedoneithersidebyranksofbowmen。Thegardensweredottedwithofficersandsoldiersmovingquicklytoandfro，asthoughbentuponthedutiesoftheminute。
Whatmannerofpeoplewerethesewhocouldconjureanarmyoutofthinair？HeglancedtowardThuvia。
She，too，evidentlyhadwitnessedthetransformation。
Withalittleshuddershepressedmorecloselytowardhim。
\"Whatdoyoumakeofit？\"shewhispered。\"Itismostuncanny。\"
\"Icannotaccountforit，\"repliedCarthoris，\"unlesswehavegonemad。\"
CarthoristurnedquicklytowardtheLotharian。Thefellowwassmilingbroadly。
\"IthoughtthatyoujustsaidthattherewerenosoldiersinLothar，\"saidtheHeliumite，withagesturetowardtheguardsmen。\"Whatarethese？\"
\"AskTario，\"repliedtheother。\"Weshallsoonbebeforehim。\"
Norwasitlongbeforetheyenteredaloftychamberatoneendofwhichamanreclineduponarichcouchthatstooduponahighdais。
Asthetrioapproached，themanturneddreamyeyessleepilyuponthem。Twentyfeetfromthedaistheirconductorhalted，and，whisperingtoThuviaandCarthoristofollowhisexample，threwhimselfheadlongtothefloor。
Thenrisingtohandsandknees，hecommencedcrawlingtowardthefootofthethrone，swinginghisheadtoandfroandwigglinghisbodyasyouhaveseenahounddowhenapproachingitsmaster。
ThuviaglancedquicklytowardCarthoris。Hewasstandingerect，withhigh—heldheadandarmsfoldedacrosshisbroadchest。Ahaughtysmilecurvedhislips。
Themanuponthedaiswaseyeinghimintently，andCarthorisofHeliumwaslookingstraightintheother’sface。
\"Whobethese，Jav？\"askedthemanofhimwhocrawleduponhisbellyalongthefloor。
\"OTario，mostgloriousJeddak，\"repliedJav，\"thesebestrangerswhocamewiththehordesofTorquastoourgates，sayingthattheywereprisonersofthegreenmen。
TheytellstrangetalesofcitiesfarbeyondLothar。\"
\"Arise，Jav，\"commandedTario，\"andaskthesetwowhytheyshownottoTariotherespectthatishisdue。\"
Javaroseandfacedthestrangers。Atsightoftheirerectpositionshisfacewentlivid。Heleapedtowardthem。
\"Creatures！\"hescreamed。\"Down！DownuponyourbelliesbeforethelastofthejeddaksofBarsoom！\"
CHAPTERVII
THEPHANTOMBOWMEN
AsJavleapedtowardhimCarthorislaidhishanduponthehiltofhislong—sword。TheLotharianhalted。Thegreatapartmentwasemptysaveforthefouratthedais，yetasJavsteppedbackfromthemenaceoftheHeliumite’sthreateningattitudethelatterfoundhimselfsurroundedbyascoreofbowmen。
Fromwhencehadtheysprung？BothCarthorisandThuvialookedtheirastonishment。
Nowtheformer’sswordleapedfromitsscabbard，andatthesameinstantthebowmendrewbacktheirslimshafts。
Tariohadhalfraisedhimselfupononeelbow。ForthefirsttimehesawthefullfigureofThuvia，whohadbeenconcealedbehindthepersonofCarthoris。
\"Enough！\"criedthejeddak，raisingaprotestinghand，butatthatveryinstanttheswordoftheHeliumitecutviciouslyatitsnearestantagonist。
AsthekeenedgereacheditsgoalCarthorisletthepointfalltothefloor，aswithwideeyeshesteppedbackwardinconsternation，throwingthebackofhislefthandacrosshisbrow。Hissteelhadcutbutemptyair——hisantagonisthadvanished——therewerenobowmenintheroom！
\"Itisevidentthatthesearestrangers，\"saidTariotoJav。
\"Letusfirstdeterminethattheyknowinglyaffrontedusbeforewetakemeasuresforpunishment。\"
ThenheturnedtoCarthoris，buteverhisgazewanderedtotheperfectlinesofThuvia’sgloriousfigure，whichtheharnessofaBarsoomianprincessaccentuatedratherthanconcealed。
\"Whoareyou，\"heasked，\"whoknowsnottheetiquetteofthecourtofthelastofjeddaks？\"
\"IamCarthoris，PrinceofHelium，\"repliedtheHeliumite。
\"AndthisisThuvia，PrincessofPtarth。Inthecourtsofourfathersmendonotprostratethemselvesbeforeroyalty。NotsincetheFirstBorntoretheirimmortalgoddesslimbfromlimbhavemencrawledupontheirbelliestoanythroneuponBarsoom。Nowthinkyouthatthedaughterofonemightyjeddakandthesonofanotherwouldsohumiliatethemselves？\"
TariolookedatCarthorisforalongtime。Atlasthespoke。
\"ThereisnootherjeddakuponBarsoomthanTario，\"hesaid。
\"ThereisnootherracethanthatofLothar，unlessthehordesofTorquasmaybedignifiedbysuchanappellation。
Lothariansarewhite;yourskinsarered。TherearenowomenleftuponBarsoom。Yourcompanionisawoman。\"
Hehalfrosefromthecouch，leaningfarforwardandpointinganaccusingfingeratCarthoris。
\"Youarealie！\"heshrieked。\"Youarebothlies，andyoudaretocomebeforeTario，lastandmightiestofthejeddaksofBarsoom，andassertyourreality。Someoneshallpaywellforthis，Jav，andunlessImistakeitisyourselfwhohasdaredthusflippantlytotriflewiththegoodnatureofyourjeddak。
\"Removetheman。Leavethewoman。Weshallseeifbothbelies。
Andlater，Jav，youshallsufferforyourtemerity。Therebefewofusleft，but——Komalmustbefed。Go！\"
CarthoriscouldseethatJavtrembledasheprostratedhimselfoncemorebeforehisruler，andthen，rising，turnedtowardthePrinceofHelium。
\"Come！\"hesaid。
\"AndleavethePrincessofPtarthherealone？\"criedCarthoris。
Javbrushedcloselypasthim，whispering：
\"Followme——hecannotharmher，excepttokill;andthathecandowhetheryouremainornot。Wehadbestgonow——trustme。\"
Carthorisdidnotunderstand，butsomethingintheurgencyoftheother’stoneassuredhim，andsoheturnedaway，butnotwithoutaglancetowardThuviainwhichheattemptedtomakeherunderstandthatitwasinherowninterestthathelefther。
Foranswersheturnedherbackfulluponhim，butnotwithoutfirstthrowinghimsuchalookofcontemptthatbroughtthescarlettohischeek。
Thenhehesitated，butJavseizedhimbythewrist。
\"Come！\"hewhispered。\"Orhewillhavethebowmenuponyou，andthistimetherewillbenoescape。Didyounotseehowfutileisyoursteelagainstthinair！\"
Carthoristurnedunwillinglytofollow。Asthetwolefttheroomheturnedtohiscompanion。
\"IfImaynotkillthinair，\"heasked，\"how，then，shallIfearthatthinairmaykillme？\"
\"YousawtheTorquasiansfallbeforethebowmen？\"askedJav。
Carthorisnodded。
\"Sowouldyoufallbeforethem，andwithoutonesinglechanceforself—defenceorrevenge。\"
AstheytalkedJavledCarthoristoasmallroominoneofthenumeroustowersofthepalace。Herewerecouches，andJavbidtheHeliumitebeseated。
ForseveralminutestheLotharianeyedhisprisoner，forsuchCarthorisnowrealizedhimselftobe。
\"Iamhalfconvincedthatyouarereal，\"hesaidatlast。
Carthorislaughed。
\"OfcourseIamreal，\"hesaid。\"Whatcausedyoutodoubtit？Canyounotseeme，feelme？\"
\"SomayIseeandfeelthebowmen，\"repliedJav，\"andyetweallknowthatthey，atleast，arenotreal。\"
Carthorisshowedbytheexpressionofhisfacehispuzzlementateachnewreferencetothemysteriousbowmen——thevanishingsoldieryofLothar。
\"What，then，maytheybe？\"heasked。
\"Youreallydonotknow？\"askedJav。
Carthorisshookhisheadnegatively。
\"IcanalmostbelievethatyouhavetoldusthetruthandthatyouarereallyfromanotherpartofBarsoom，orfromanotherworld。Buttellme，inyourowncountryhaveyounobowmentostriketerrortotheheartsofthegreenhordesmenastheyslayincompanywiththefiercebanthsofwar？\"
\"Wehavesoldiers，\"repliedCarthoris。\"Weoftheredraceareallsoldiers，butwehavenobowmentodefendus，suchasyours。Wedefendourselves。\"
\"Yougooutandgetkilledbyyourenemies！\"criedJavincredulously。
\"Certainly，\"repliedCarthoris。\"HowdotheLotharians？\"
\"Youhaveseen，\"repliedtheother。\"Wesendoutourdeathlessarchers——deathlessbecausetheyarelifeless，existingonlyintheimaginationsofourenemies。Itisreallyourgiantmindsthatdefendus，sendingoutlegionsofimaginarywarriorstomaterializebeforethemind’seyeofthefoe。
\"Theyseethem——theyseetheirbowsdrawnback——theyseetheirslenderarrowsspeedwithunerringprecisiontowardtheirhearts。Andtheydie——killedbythepowerofsuggestion。\"
\"Butthearchersthatareslain？\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"Youcallthemdeathless，andyetIsawtheirdeadbodiespiledhighuponthebattlefield。Howmaythatbe？\"
\"Itisbuttolendrealitytothescene，\"repliedJav。
\"WepicturemanyofourowndefenderskilledthattheTorquasiansmaynotguessthattherearereallynofleshandbloodcreaturesopposingthem。
\"Oncethattruthbecameimplantedintheirminds，itisthetheoryofmanyofus，nolongerwouldtheyfallpreytothesuggestionofthedeadlyarrows，forgreaterwouldbethesuggestionofthetruth，andthemorepowerfulsuggestionwouldprevail——itislaw。\"
\"Andthebanths？\"questionedCarthoris。\"They，too，werebutcreaturesofsuggestion？\"
\"Someofthemwerereal，\"repliedJav。\"ThosethataccompaniedthearchersinpursuitoftheTorquasianswereunreal。Likethearchers，theyneverreturned，but，havingservedtheirpurpose，vanishedwiththebowmenwhentheroutoftheenemywasassured。
\"Thosethatremainedaboutthefieldwerereal。ThoseweloosedasscavengerstodevourthebodiesofthedeadofTorquas。
Thisthingisdemandedbytherealistsamongus。Iamarealist。
Tarioisanetherealist。
\"Theetherealistsmaintainthatthereisnosuchthingasmatter——thatallismind。Theysaythatnoneofusexists，exceptintheimaginationofhisfellows，otherthanasanintangible，invisiblementality。
\"AccordingtoTario，itisbutnecessarythatwealluniteinimaginingthattherearenodeadTorquasiansbeneathourwalls，andtherewillbenone，noranyneedofscavengingbanths。\"
\"You，then，donotholdTario’sbeliefs？\"askedCarthoris。
\"Inpartonly，\"repliedtheLotharian。\"Ibelieve，infactIknow，thattherearesometrulyetherealcreatures。
Tarioisone，Iamconvinced。Hehasnoexistenceexceptintheimaginationsofhispeople。
\"Ofcourse，itisthecontentionofallusrealiststhatalletherealistsarebutfigmentsoftheimagination。
Theycontendthatnofoodisnecessary，nordotheyeat;
butanyoneofthemostrudimentaryintelligencemustrealizethatfoodisanecessitytocreatureshavingactualexistence。\"
\"Yes，\"agreedCarthoris，\"nothavingeatento—dayIcanreadilyagreewithyou。\"
\"Ah，pardonme，\"exclaimedJav。\"Praybeseatedandsatisfyyourhunger，\"andwithawaveofhishandheindicatedabountifullyladentablethathadnotbeenthereaninstantbeforehespoke。OfthatCarthoriswaspositive，forhehadsearchedtheroomdiligentlywithhiseyesseveraltimes。
\"Itiswell，\"continuedJav，\"thatyoudidnotfallintothehandsofanetherealist。Then，indeed，wouldyouhavegonehungry。\"
\"But，\"exclaimedCarthoris，\"thisisnotrealfood——itwasnothereaninstantsince，andrealfooddoesnotmaterializeoutofthinair。\"
Javlookedhurt。
\"ThereisnorealfoodorwaterinLothar，\"hesaid;
\"norhastherebeenforcountlessages。Uponsuchasyounowseebeforeyouhaveweexistedsincethedawnofhistory。Uponsuch，then，mayyouexist。\"
\"ButIthoughtyouwerearealist，\"exclaimedCarthoris。
\"Indeed，\"criedJav，\"whatmorerealisticthanthisbounteousfeast？Itisjustherethatwediffermostfromtheetherealists。Theyclaimthatitisunnecessarytoimaginefood;butwehavefoundthatforthemaintenanceoflifewemustthricedailysitdowntoheartymeals。
\"Thefoodthatoneeatsissupposedtoundergocertainchemicalchangesduringtheprocessofdigestionandassimilation，theresult，ofcourse，beingtherebuildingofwastedtissue。
\"Nowweallknowthatmindisall，thoughwemaydifferintheinterpretationofitsvariousmanifestations。
Tariomaintainsthatthereisnosuchthingassubstance，allbeingcreatedfromthesubstancelessmatterofthebrain。
\"Werealists，however，knowbetter。Weknowthatmindhasthepowertomaintainsubstanceeventhoughitmaynotbeabletocreatesubstance——thelatterisstillanopenquestion。Andsoweknowthatinordertomaintainourphysicalbodieswemustcauseallourorgansproperlytofunction。
\"Thisweaccomplishbymaterializingfood—thoughts，andbypartakingofthefoodthuscreated。Wechew，weswallow，wedigest。Allourorgansfunctionpreciselyasifwehadpartakenofmaterialfood。Andwhatistheresult？
Whatmustbetheresult？Thechemicalchangestakeplacethroughbothdirectandindirectsuggestion，andweliveandthrive。\"
Carthoriseyedthefoodbeforehim。Itseemedrealenough。
Heliftedamorseltohislips。Therewassubstanceindeed。
Andflavouraswell。Yes，evenhispalatewasdeceived。
Javwatchedhim，smiling，asheate。
\"Isitnotentirelysatisfying？\"heasked。
\"Imustadmitthatitis，\"repliedCarthoris。\"Buttellme，howdoesTariolive，andtheotheretherealistswhomaintainthatfoodisunnecessary？\"
Javscratchedhishead。
\"Thatisaquestionweoftendiscuss，\"hereplied。
\"Itisthestrongestevidencewehaveofthenon—existenceoftheetherealists;butwhomayknowotherthanKomal？\"
\"WhoisKomal？\"askedCarthoris。\"Iheardyourjeddakspeakofhim。\"
JavbentlowtowardtheearoftheHeliumite，lookingfearfullyaboutbeforehespoke。
\"Komalistheessence，\"hewhispered。\"Eventheetherealistsadmitthatminditselfmusthavesubstanceinordertotransmittoimaginingstheappearanceofsubstance。Foriftherereallywasnosuchthingassubstanceitcouldnotbesuggested——whatneverhasbeencannotbeimagined。Doyoufollowme？\"
\"Iamgroping，\"repliedCarthorisdryly。
\"Sotheessencemustbesubstance，\"continuedJav。
\"KomalistheessenceoftheAll，asitwere。Heismaintainedbysubstance。Heeats。Heeatsthereal。
Tobeexplicit，heeatstherealists。ThatisTario’swork。
\"Hesaysthatinasmuchaswemaintainthatwealonearerealweshould，tobeconsistent，admitthatwealoneareproperfoodforKomal。Sometimes，asto—day，wefindotherfoodforhim。HeisveryfondofTorquasians。\"
\"AndKomalisaman？\"askedCarthoris。
\"HeisAll，Itoldyou，\"repliedJav。\"Iknownothowtoexplainhiminwordsthatyouwillunderstand。Heisthebeginningandtheend。AlllifeemanatesfromKomal，sincethesubstancewhichfeedsthebrainwithimaginingsradiatesfromthebodyofKomal。
\"ShouldKomalceasetoeat，alllifeuponBarsoomwouldceasetobe。Hecannotdie，buthemightceasetoeat，and，thus，toradiate。\"
\"Andhefeedsuponthemenandwomenofyourbelief？\"criedCarthoris。
\"Women！\"exclaimedJav。\"TherearenowomeninLothar。
ThelastoftheLotharianfemalesperishedagessince，uponthatcruelandterriblejourneyacrossthemuddyplainsthatfringedthehalf—driedseas，whenthegreenhordesscourgedusacrosstheworldtothisourlasthiding—place——ourimpregnablefortressofLothar。
\"ScarcetwentythousandmenofallthecountlessmillionsofourracelivedtoreachLothar。Amonguswerenowomenandnochildren。Allthesehadperishedbytheway。
\"Astimewenton，we，too，weredyingandtheracefastapproachingextinction，whentheGreatTruthwasrevealedtous，thatmindisall。Manymorediedbeforeweperfectedourpowers，butatlastwewereabletodefydeathwhenwefullyunderstoodthatdeathwasmerelyastateofmind。
\"Thencamethecreationofmind—people，orratherthematerializationofimaginings。WefirstputthesetopracticalusewhentheTorquasiansdiscoveredourretreat，andfortunateforusitwasthatitrequiredagesofsearchupontheirpartbeforetheyfoundthesingletinyentrancetothevalleyofLothar。
\"Thatdaywethrewourfirstbowmenagainstthem。
Theintentionwaspurelytofrightenthemawaybythevastnumbersofbowmenwhichwecouldmusteruponourwalls。AllLotharbristledwiththebowsandarrowsofouretherealhost。
\"ButtheTorquasiansdidnotfrighten。Theyarelowerthanthebeasts——theyknownofear。Theyrusheduponourwalls，andstandingupontheshouldersofotherstheybuilthumanapproachestothewalltops，andwereontheverypointofsurginginuponusandoverwhelmingus。
\"Notanarrowhadbeendischargedbyourbowmen——wedidbutcausethemtoruntoandfroalongthewalltop，screamingtauntsandthreatsattheenemy。
\"PresentlyIthoughttoattemptthething——THEGREAT
THING。Icentredallmymightyintellectuponthebowmenofmyowncreation——eachofusproducesanddirectsasmanybowmenashismentalityandimaginationiscapableof。
\"Icausedthemtofitarrowstotheirbowsforthefirsttime。
Imadethemtakeaimattheheartsofthegreenmen。
Imadethegreenmenseeallthis，andthenImadethemseethearrowsfly，andImadethemthinkthatthepointspiercedtheirhearts。
\"Itwasallthatwasnecessary。Byhundredstheytoppledfromourwalls，andwhenmyfellowssawwhatIhaddonetheywerequicktofollowmyexample，sothatpresentlythehordesofTorquashadretreatedbeyondtherangeofourarrows。
\"Wemighthavekilledthematanydistance，butoneruleofwarwehavemaintainedfromthefirst——theruleofrealism。
Wedonothing，orratherwecauseourbowmentodonothingwithinsightoftheenemythatisbeyondtheunderstandingofthefoe。Otherwisetheymightguessthetruth，andthatwouldbetheendofus。
\"ButaftertheTorquasianshadretreatedbeyondbowshot，theyturneduponuswiththeirterriblerifles，andbyconstantpoppingatusmadelifemiserablewithinourwalls。
\"SothenIbethoughttheschemetohurlourbowmenthroughthegatesuponthem。Youhaveseenthisdayhowwellitworks。Foragestheyhavecomedownuponusatintervals，butalwayswiththesameresults。\"
\"Andallthisisduetoyourintellect，Jav？\"askedCarthoris。\"Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbehighinthecouncilsofyourpeople。\"
\"Iam，\"repliedJav，proudly。\"IamnexttoTario。\"
\"Butwhy，then，yourcringingmannerofapproachingthethrone？\"
\"Tariodemandsit。Heisjealousofme。HeonlyawaitstheslightestexcusetofeedmetoKomal。HefearsthatI
maysomedayusurphispower。\"
Carthorissuddenlysprangfromthetable。
\"Jav！\"heexclaimed。\"Iamabeast！HereIhavebeeneatingmyfill，whilethePrincessofPtarthmayperchancebestillwithoutfood。Letusreturnandfindsomemeansoffurnishingherwithnourishment。\"
TheLotharianshookhishead。
\"Tariowouldnotpermitit，\"hesaid。\"Hewill，doubtless，makeanetherealistofher。\"
\"ButImustgotoher，\"insistedCarthoris。\"YousaythattherearenowomeninLothar。Thenshemustbeamongmen，andifthisbesoIintendtobenearwhereImaydefendheriftheneedarises。\"
\"Tariowillhavehisway，\"insistedJav。\"Hesentyouawayandyoumaynotreturnuntilhesendsforyou。\"
\"ThenIshallgowithoutwaitingtobesentfor。\"
\"Donotforgetthebowmen，\"cautionedJav。
\"Idonotforgetthem，\"repliedCarthoris，buthedidnottellJavthatherememberedsomethingelsethattheLotharianhadletdrop——somethingthatwasbutaconjecture，possibly，andyetonewellworthpinningaforlornhopeto，shouldnecessityarise。
Carthorisstartedtoleavetheroom。Javsteppedbeforehim，barringhisway。
\"Ihavelearnedtolikeyou，redman，\"hesaid;
\"butdonotforgetthatTarioisstillmyjeddak，andthatTariohascommandedthatyouremainhere。\"
Carthoriswasabouttoreply，whentherecamefaintlytotheearsofbothawoman’scryforhelp。
WithasweepofhisarmthePrinceofHeliumbrushedtheLotharianaside，andwithdrawnswordsprangintothecorridorwithout。
CHAPTERVIII
THEHALLOFDOOM
AsThuviaofPtarthsawCarthorisdepartfromthepresenceofTario，leavingheralonewiththeman，asuddenqualmofterrorseizedher。
Therewasanairofmysterypervadingthestatelychamber。
Itsfurnishingsandappointmentsbespokewealthandculture，andcarriedthesuggestionthattheroomwasoftenthesceneofroyalfunctionswhichfilledittoitscapacity。
Andyetnowhereabouther，inantechamberorcorridor，wastheresignofanyotherbeingthanherselfandtherecumbentfigureofTario，thejeddak，whowatchedherthroughhalf—closedeyesfromthegorgeoustrappingsofhisregalcouch。
ForatimeafterthedepartureofJavandCarthoristhemaneyedherintently。Thenhespoke。
\"Comenearer，\"hesaid，and，assheapproached：
\"Whosecreatureareyou？Whohasdaredmaterializehisimaginingsofwoman？ItiscontrarytothecustomsandtheroyaledictsofLothar。Tellme，woman，fromwhosebrainhaveyousprung？Jav’s？No，donotdenyit。
Iknowthatitcouldbenootherthanthatenviousrealist。
Heseekstotemptme。Hewouldseemefallbeneaththespellofyourcharms，andthenhe，yourmaster，woulddirectmydestinyand——myend。Iseeitall！
Iseeitall！\"
ThebloodofindignationandangerhadbeenrisingtoThuvia’sface。Herchinwasup，ahaughtycurveuponherperfectlips。
\"Iknownaught，\"shecried，\"ofwhatyouareprating！
IamThuvia，PrincessofPtarth。Iamnoman’s`creature。’Neverbeforeto—daydidIlayeyesuponhimyoucallJav，noruponyourridiculouscity，ofwhicheventhegreatestnationsofBarsoomhaveneverdreamed。
\"Mycharmsarenotforyou，norsuchasyou。Theyarenotforsaleorbarter，eventhoughthepricewerearealthrone。Andasforusingthemtowinyourworsethanfutilepower——\"Sheendedhersentencewithashrugofhershapelyshoulders，andalittlescornfullaugh。
WhenshehadfinishedTariowassittingupontheedgeofhiscouch，hisfeetuponthefloor。Hewasleaningforwardwitheyesnolongerhalfclosed，butwidewithastartledexpressioninthem。
HedidnotseemtonotetheLESEMAJESTEofherwordsandmanner。Therewasevidentlysomethingmorestartlingandcompellingaboutherspeechthanthat。
Slowlyhecametohisfeet。
\"BythefangsofKomal！\"hemuttered。\"ButyouareREAL！
AREALwoman！Nodream！Novainandfoolishfigmentofthemind！\"
Hetookasteptowardher，withhandsoutstretched。
\"Come！\"hewhispered。\"Come，woman！ForcountlessageshaveIdreamedthatsomedayyouwouldcome。
AndnowthatyouarehereIcanscarcebelievethetestimonyofmyeyes。Evennow，knowingthatyouarereal，Istillhalfdreadthatyoumaybealie。\"
Thuviashrankback。Shethoughtthemanmad。
Herhandstoletothejewelledhiltofherdagger。
Themansawthemove，andstopped。Acunningexpressionenteredhiseyes。Thentheybecameatoncedreamyandpenetratingastheyfairlyboredintothegirl’sbrain。
Thuviasuddenlyfeltachangecomingoverher。Whatthecauseofitshedidnotguess;butsomehowthemanbeforeherbegantoassumeanewrelationshipwithinherheart。
Nolongerwasheastrangeandmysteriousenemy，butanoldandtrustedfriend。Herhandslippedfromthedagger’shilt。Tariocamecloser。Hespokegentle，friendlywords，andsheansweredhiminavoicethatseemedhersandyetanother’s。
Hewasbesidehernow。Hishandwasuphershoulder。
Hiseyesweredown—benttowardhers。Shelookedupintohisface。Hisgazeseemedtoborestraightthroughhertosomehiddenspringofsentimentwithinher。
Herlipspartedinsuddenaweandwonderatthestrangerevealmentofherinnerselfthatwasbeinglaidbarebeforeherconsciousness。ShehadknownTarioforever。
Hewasmorethanfriendtoher。Shemovedalittleclosertohim。Inoneswiftfloodoflightsheknewthetruth。ShelovedTario，JeddakofLothar！
Shehadalwayslovedhim。
Theman，seeingthesuccessofhisstrategy，couldnotrestrainafaintsmileofsatisfaction。Whethertherewassomethingintheexpressionofhisface，orwhetherfromCarthorisofHeliuminafarchamberofthepalacecameamorepowerfulsuggestion，whomaysay？Butsomethingtherewasthatsuddenlydispelledthestrange，hypnoticinfluenceoftheman。
Asthoughamaskhadbeentornfromhereyes，ThuviasuddenlysawTarioasshehadformerlyseenhim，and，accustomedasshewastothestrangemanifestationsofhighlydevelopedmentalitywhicharecommonuponBarsoom，shequicklyguessedenoughofthetruthtoknowthatshewasingravedanger。
Quicklyshetookastepbackward，tearingherselffromhisgrasp。ButthemomentarycontacthadarousedwithinTarioallthelong—buriedpassionsofhislovelessexistence。
Withamuffledcryhespranguponher，throwinghisarmsaboutherandattemptingtodragherlipstohis。
\"Woman！\"hecried。\"Lovelywoman！TariowouldmakeyouqueenofLothar。Listentome！ListentotheloveofthelastjeddaksofBarsoom。\"
Thuviastruggledtofreeherselffromhisembrace。
\"Stop，creature！\"shecried。\"Stop！Idonotloveyou。
Stop，orIshallscreamforhelp！\"
Tariolaughedinherface。
\"`Screamforhelp，’\"hemimicked。\"AndwhowithinthehallsofLotharistherewhomightcomeinanswertoyourcall？
WhowoulddareenterthepresenceofTario，unsummoned？\"
\"Thereisone，\"shereplied，\"whowouldcome，and，coming，daretocutyoudownuponyourownthrone，ifhethoughtthatyouhadofferedaffronttoThuviaofPtarth！\"
\"Who，Jav？\"askedTario。
\"NotJav，noranyothersoft—skinnedLotharian，\"shereplied;
\"butarealman，arealwarrior——CarthorisofHelium！\"
Againthemanlaughedather。
\"Youforgetthebowmen，\"heremindedher。\"Whatcouldyourredwarrioraccomplishagainstmyfearlesslegions？\"
Againhecaughtherroughlytohim，dragginghertowardshiscouch。
\"Ifyouwillnotbemyqueen，\"hesaid，\"youshallbemyslave。\"
\"Neither！\"criedthegirl。
Asshespokethesinglewordtherewasaquickmoveofherrighthand;Tario，releasingher，staggeredback，bothhandspressedtohisside。Atthesameinstanttheroomfilledwithbowmen，andthenthejeddakofLotharsanksenselesstothemarblefloor。
AttheinstantthathelostconsciousnessthebowmenwereabouttoreleasetheirarrowsintoThuvia’sheart。
Involuntarilyshegaveasinglecryforhelp，thoughsheknewthatnotevenCarthorisofHeliumcouldsavehernow。
Thensheclosedhereyesandwaitedfortheend。Noslendershaftspiercedhertenderside。Sheraisedherlidstoseewhatstayedthehandofherexecutioners。
TheroomwasemptysaveforherselfandthestillformofthejeddakofLotharlyingatherfeet，alittlepoolofcrimsonstainingthewhitemarbleofthefloorbesidehim。Tariowasunconscious。
Thuviawasamazed。Wherewerethebowmen？Whyhadtheynotloosedtheirshafts？Whatcoulditallmean？
Aninstantbeforetheroomhadbeenmysteriouslyfilledwitharmedmen，evidentlycalledtoprotecttheirjeddak;
yetnow，withtheevidenceofherdeedplainbeforethem，theyhadvanishedasmysteriouslyastheyhadcome，leavingheralonewiththebodyoftheirruler，intowhosesideshehadslippedherlong，keenblade。
Thegirlglancedapprehensivelyabout，firstforsignsofthereturnofthebowmen，andthenforsomemeansofescape。
Thewallbehindthedaiswaspiercedbytwosmalldoorways，hiddenbyheavyhangings。Thuviawasrunningquicklytowardsoneofthesewhensheheardtheclankofawarrior’smetalattheendoftheapartmentbehindher。
Ah，ifshehadbutaninstantmoreoftimeshecouldhavereachedthatscreeningarrasand，perchance，havefoundsomeavenueofescapebehindit;butnowitwastoolate——shehadbeendiscovered！
Withafeelingthatwasakintoapathysheturnedtomeetherfate，andthere，beforeher，runningswiftlyacrossthebroadchambertoherside，wasCarthoris，hisnakedlong—swordgleaminginhishand。
FordaysshehaddoubtedhisintentionsoftheHeliumite。
Shehadthoughthimapartytoherabduction。SinceFatehadthrownthemtogethershehadscarcefavouredhimwithmorethanthemostperfunctoryrepliestohisremarks，unlessatsuchtimesastheweirdanduncannyhappeningsatLotharhadsurprisedheroutofherreserve。
SheknewthatCarthorisofHeliumwouldfightforher;
butwhethertosaveherforhimselforanother，shewasindoubt。
HeknewthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith，JeddakofKaol，butifhehadbeeninstrumentalinherabduction，hismotivescouldnotbepromptedbyloyaltytohisfriend，orregardforherhonour。
Andyet，asshesawhimcomingacrossthemarbleflooroftheaudiencechamberofTarioofLothar，hisfineeyesfilledwithapprehensionforhersafety，hissplendidfigurepersonifyingallthatisfinestinthefightingmenofmartialMars，shecouldnotbelievethatanyfaintesttraceofperfidylurkedbeneathsogloriousanexterior。
Never，shethought，inallherlifehadthesightofanymanbeensowelcometoher。Itwaswithdifficultythatsherefrainedfromrushingforwardtomeethim。
Sheknewthathelovedher;but，intime，sherecalledthatshewaspromisedtoKulanTith。NotevenmightshetrustherselftoshowtoogreatgratitudetotheHeliumite，lesthemisunderstand。
Carthoriswasbyhersidenow。Hisquickglancehadtakeninthescenewithintheroom——thestillfigureofthejeddaksprawleduponthefloor——thegirlhasteningtowardashroudedexit。
\"Didheharmyou，Thuvia？\"heasked。
Shehelduphercrimsonedbladethathemightseeit。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"hedidnotharmme。\"
AgrimsmilelightedCarthoris’face。
\"Praisedbeourfirstancestor！\"hemurmured。
\"AndnowletusseeifwemaynotmakegoodourescapefromthisaccursedcitybeforetheLothariansdiscoverthattheirjeddakisnomore。\"
WiththefirmauthoritythatsatsowelluponhiminwhoseveinsflowedthebloodofJohnCarterofVirginiaandDejahThorisofHelium，hegraspedherhandand，turningbackacrossthehall，strodetowardthegreatdoorwaythroughwhichJavhadbroughtthemintothepresenceofthejeddakearlierintheday。
Theyhadalmostreachedthethresholdwhenafiguresprangintotheapartmentthroughanotherentrance。ItwasJav。
He，too，tookinthescenewithinataglance。
Carthoristurnedtofacehim，hisswordreadyinhishand，andhisgreatbodyshieldingtheslenderfigureofthegirl。
\"Come，JavofLothar！\"hecried。\"Letusfacetheissueatonce，foronlyoneofusmayleavethischamberalivewithThuviaofPtarth。\"Then，seeingthatthemanworenosword，heexclaimed：\"Bringonyourbowmen，then，orcomewithusasmyprisoneruntilwehavesafelypassedtheouterportalsofthyghostlycity。\"
\"YouhavekilledTario！\"exclaimedJav，ignoringtheother’schallenge。\"YouhavekilledTario！Iseehisblooduponthefloor——realblood——realdeath。Tariowas，afterall，asrealasI。Yethewasanetherealist。Hewouldnotmaterializehissustenance。Canitbethattheyareright？Well，we，too，areright。Andalltheseageswehavebeenquarrelling——eachsayingthattheotherwaswrong！
\"However，heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar！\"
Ashefinished，Tarioopenedhiseyesandthenquicklysatup。
\"Traitor！Assassin！\"hescreamed，andthen：\"Kadar！
Kadar！\"whichistheBarsoomianforguard。
Javwentsicklywhite。Hefelluponhisbelly，wrigglingtowardTario。
\"Oh，myJeddak，myJeddak！\"hewhimpered。\"Javhadnohandinthis。Jav，yourfaithfulJav，butjustthisinstantenteredtheapartmenttofindyoulyingproneuponthefloorandthesetwostrangersabouttoleave。HowithappenedIknownot。Believeme，mostgloriousJeddak！\"
\"Cease，knave！\"criedTario。\"Iheardyourwords：
`However，heisdeadnow。OfthatIamglad。NowshallJavcomeintohisown。NowshallJavbeJeddakofLothar。’
\"Atlast，traitor，Ihavefoundyouout。Yourownwordshavecondemnedyouassurelyastheactsoftheseredcreatureshavesealedtheirfates——unless——\"
Hepaused。\"Unlessthewoman——\"
Buthegotnofurther。Carthorisguessedwhathewouldhavesaid，andbeforethewordscouldbeutteredhehadsprungforwardandstruckthemanacrossthemouthwithhisopenpalm。
Tariofrothedinrageandmortification。
\"AndshouldyouagainaffrontthePrincessofPtarth，\"
warnedtheHeliumite，\"Ishallforgetthatyouwearnosword——notforevermayIcontrolmyitchingswordhand。\"
Tarioshrankbacktowardthelittledoorwaysbehindthedais。Hewastryingtospeak，butsohideouslywerethemusclesofhisfaceworkingthathecouldutternowordforseveralminutes。Atlasthemanagedtoarticulateintelligibly。
\"Die！\"heshrieked。\"Die！\"andthenheturnedtowardtheexitathisback。
Javleapedforward，screaminginterror。
\"Havepity，Tario！Havepity！RememberthelongagesthatIhaveservedyoufaithfully。RememberallthatI
havedoneforLothar。Donotcondemnmenowtothedeathhideous。Saveme！Saveme！\"
ButTarioonlylaughedamockinglaughandcontinuedtobacktowardthehangingsthathidthelittledoorway。
JavturnedtowardCarthoris。
\"Stophim！\"hescreamed。\"Stophim！Ifyoulovelife，lethimnotleavethisroom，\"andashespokeheleapedinpursuitofhisjeddak。
CarthorisfollowedJav’sexample，butthe\"lastofthejeddaksofBarsoom\"wastooquickforthem。
Bythetimetheyreachedthearrasbehindwhichhehaddisappeared，theyfoundaheavystonedoorblockingtheirfurtherprogress。
Javsanktothefloorinaspasmofterror。
\"Come，man！\"criedCarthoris。\"Wearenotdeadyet。
Letushastentotheavenuesandmakeanattempttoleavethecity。Wearestillalive，andwhilewelivewemayyetendeavourtodirectourowndestinies。Ofwhatavail，tosinkspinelesstothefloor？Come，beaman！\"
Javbutshookhishead。
\"Didyounothearhimcalltheguards？\"hemoaned。
\"Ah，ifwecouldhavebutinterceptedhim！Thentheremighthavebeenhope;but，alas，hewastooquickforus。\"
\"Well，well，\"exclaimedCarthorisimpatiently。\"Whatifhedidcalltheguards？Therewillbetimeenoughtoworryaboutthataftertheycome——atpresentIseenoindicationthattheyhaveanyideaofover—exertingthemselvestoobeytheirjeddak’ssummons。\"
Javshookhisheadmournfully。
\"Youdonotunderstand，\"hesaid。\"Theguardshavealreadycome——andgone。Theyhavedonetheirworkandwearelost。Looktothevariousexits。\"
CarthorisandThuviaturnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseveraldoorwayswhichpiercedthewallsofthegreatchamber。Eachwastightlyclosedbyhugestonedoors。
\"Well？\"askedCarthoris。
\"Wearetodiethedeath，\"whisperedJavfaintly。
Furtherthanthathewouldnotsay。Hejustsatupontheedgeofthejeddak’scouchandwaited。
CarthorismovedtoThuvia’sside，and，standingtherewithnakedsword，helethisbraveeyesroamceaselesslyaboutthegreatchamber，thatnofoemightspringuponthemunseen。
Forwhatseemedhoursnosoundbrokethesilenceoftheirlivingtomb。Nosigngavetheirexecutionersofthetimeormanneroftheirdeath。Thesuspensewasterrible。EvenCarthorisofHeliumbegantofeeltheterriblestrainuponhisnerves。Ifhecouldbutknowhowandwhencethehandofdeathwastostrike，hecouldmeetitunafraid，buttosufferlongerthehideoustensionofthisblightingignoranceoftheplansoftheirassassinswastellinguponhimgrievously。
ThuviaofPtarthdrewquiteclosetohim。Shefeltsaferwiththefeelofhisarmagainsthers，andwiththecontactofherthemantookanewgripuponhimself。
Withhisold—timesmileheturnedtowardher。
\"Itwouldseemthattheyaretryingtofrightenustodeath，\"
hesaid，laughing;\"and，shamebeuponmethatIshouldconfessit，Ithinktheywereclosetoaccomplishingtheirdesignsuponme。\"
ShewasabouttomakesomereplywhenafearfulshriekbrokefromthelipsoftheLotharian。
\"Theendiscoming！\"hecried。\"Theendiscoming！
Thefloor！Thefloor！Oh，Komal，bemerciful！\"
ThuviaandCarthorisdidnotneedtolookatthefloortobeawareofthestrangemovementthatwastakingplace。
Slowlythemarbleflaggingwassinkinginalldirectionstowardthecentre。Atfirstthemovement，beinggradual，wasscarcenoticeable;butpresentlytheangleofthefloorbecamesuchthatonemightstandeasilyonlybybendingonekneeconsiderably。
Javwasshriekingstill，andclawingattheroyalcouchthathadalreadycommencedtoslidetowardthecentreoftheroom，wherebothThuviaandCarthorissuddenlynotedasmallorificewhichgrewindiameterasthefloorassumedmorecloselyafunnel—likecontour。
Nowitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttoclingtothedizzyinclinationofthesmoothandpolishedmarble。
CarthoristriedtosupportThuvia，buthimselfcommencedtoslideandsliptowardtheever—enlargingaperture。
Bettertoclingtothesmoothstonehekickedoffhissandalsofzitidarhideandwithhisbarefeetbracedhimselfagainstthesickeningtilt，atthesametimethrowinghisarmssupportinglyaboutthegirl。
Inherterrorherownhandsclaspedabouttheman’sneck。
Hercheekwasclosetohis。Death，unseenandofunknownform，seemedcloseuponthem，andbecauseunseenandunknowableinfinitelymoreterrifying。
\"Courage，myprincess，\"hewhispered。
Shelookedupintohisfacetoseesmilinglipsabovehersandbraveeyes，untouchedbyterror，drinkingdeeplyofherown。
Thenthefloorsaggedandtiltedmoreswiftly。Therewasasuddenslippingrushastheywereprecipitatedtowardtheaperture。
Jav’sscreamsroseweirdandhorribleintheirears，andthenthethreefoundthemselvespiledupontheroyalcouchofTario，whichhadstuckwithintheapertureatthebaseofthemarblefunnel。
Foramomenttheybreathedmorefreely，butpresentlytheydiscoveredthattheaperturewascontinuingtoenlarge。Thecouchslippeddownward。Javshriekedagain。Therewasasickeningsensationastheyfeltallletgobeneaththem，astheyfellthroughdarknesstoanunknowndeath。
CHAPTERIX
THEBATTLEINTHEPLAIN
Thedistancefromthebottomofthefunneltothefloorofthechamberbeneathitcouldnothavebeengreat，forallthreeofthevictimsofTario’swrathalightedunscathed。
Carthoris，stillclaspingThuviatightlytohisbreast，cametothegroundcatlike，uponhisfeet，breakingtheshockforthegirl。Scarcehadhisfeettouchedtheroughstoneflaggingofthisnewchamberthanhisswordflashedoutreadyforinstantuse。Butthoughtheroomwaslighted，therewasnosignofenemyabout。
CarthorislookedtowardJav。Themanwaspastywhitewithfear。
\"Whatistobeourfate？\"askedtheHeliumite。\"Tellme，man！Shakeoffyourterrorlongenoughtotellme，soImaybepreparedtosellmylifeandthatofthePrincessofPtarthasdearlyaspossible。\"
\"Komal！\"whisperedJav。\"WearetobedevouredbyKomal！\"
\"Yourdeity？\"askedCarthoris。
TheLothariannoddedhishead。Thenhepointedtowardalowdoorwayatoneendofthechamber。
\"Fromthencewillhecomeuponus。Layasideyourpunysword，fool。Itwillbutenragehimthemoreandmakeoursufferingstheworse。\"
Carthorissmiled，grippinghislong—swordthemorefirmly。
PresentlyJavgaveahorrifiedmoan，atthesametimepointingtowardthedoor。
\"Hehascome，\"hewhimpered。
CarthorisandThuvialookedinthedirectiontheLotharianhadindicated，expectingtoseesomestrangeandfearfulcreatureinhumanform;buttotheirastonishmenttheysawthebroadheadandgreat—manedshouldersofahugebanth，thelargestthateithereverhadseen。
Slowlyandwithdignitythemightybeastadvancedintotheroom。Javhadfallentothefloor，andwaswrigglinghisbodyinthesameservilemannerthathehadadoptedtowardTario。Hespoketothefiercebeastashewouldhavespokentoahumanbeing，pleadingwithitformercy。
CarthorissteppedbetweenThuviaandthebanth，hisswordreadytocontestthebeast’svictoryoverthem。
ThuviaturnedtowardJav。
\"IsthisKomal，yourgod？\"sheasked。
Javnoddedaffirmatively。Thegirlsmiled，andthen，brushingpastCarthoris，shesteppedswiftlytowardthegrowlingcarnivore。
Inlow，firmtonesshespoketoitasshehadspokentothebanthsoftheGoldenCliffsandthescavengersbeforethewallsofLothar。
Thebeastceaseditsgrowling。Withloweredheadandcatlikepurr，itcameslinkingtothegirl’sfeet。
ThuviaturnedtowardCarthoris。
\"Itisbutabanth，\"shesaid。\"Wehavenothingtofearfromit。\"
Carthorissmiled。
\"Ididnotfearit，\"hereplied，\"forI，too，believedittobeonlyabanth，andIhavemylong—sword。\"
Javsatupandgazedatthespectaclebeforehim——theslendergirlweavingherfingersinthetawnymaneofthehugecreaturethathehadthoughtdivine，whileKomalrubbedhishideoussnoutagainstherside。
\"Sothisisyourgod！\"laughedThuvia。
Javlookedbewildered。HescarceknewwhetherhedarechanceoffendingKomalornot，forsostrongisthepowerofsuperstitionthateventhoughweknowthatwehavebeenreverencingasham，yetstillwehesitatetoadmitthevalidityofournew—foundconvictions。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"thisisKomal。ForagestheenemiesofTariohavebeenhurledtothispittofillhismaw，forKomalmustbefed。\"
\"Isthereanywayoutofthischambertotheavenuesofthecity？\"askedCarthoris。
Javshrugged。
\"Idonotknow，\"hereplied。\"NeverhaveIbeenherebefore，noreverhaveIcaredtodoso。\"
\"Come，\"suggestedThuvia，\"letusexplore。
Theremustbeawayout。\"
TogetherthethreeapproachedthedoorwaythroughwhichKomalhadenteredtheapartmentthatwastohavewitnessedtheirdeaths。Beyondwasalow—roofedlair，withasmalldooratthefarend。
This，totheirdelight，openedtotheliftingofanordinarylatch，lettingthemintoacirculararena，surroundedbytiersofseats。
\"HereiswhereKomalisfedinpublic，\"explainedJav。\"HadTariodareditwouldhavebeenherethatourfateshadbeensealed;buthefearedtoomuchthykeenblade，redman，andsohehurledusalldownwardtothepit。Ididnotknowhowcloselyconnectedwerethetwochambers。Nowwemayeasilyreachtheavenuesandthecitygates。Onlythebowmenmaydisputetherightofway，and，knowingtheirsecret，Idoubtthattheyhavepowertoharmus。\"
Anotherdoorledtoaflightofstepsthatrosefromthearenalevelupwardthroughtheseatstoanexitatthebackofthehall。Beyondthiswasastraight，broadcorridor，runningdirectlythroughthepalacetothegardensattheside。
Nooneappearedtoquestionthemastheyadvanced，mightyKomalpacingbythegirl’sside。
\"Wherearethepeopleofthepalace——thejeddak’sretinue？\"
askedCarthoris。\"EveninthecitystreetsaswecamethroughIscarcesawsignofahumanbeing，yetallaboutareevidencesofamightypopulation。\"
Javsighed。
\"PoorLothar，\"hesaid。\"Itisindeedacityofghosts。
Therearescarceathousandofusleft，whooncewerenumberedinthemillions。Ourgreatcityispeopledbythecreaturesofourownimaginings。Forourownneedswedonottakethetroubletomaterializethesepeoplesofourbrain，yettheyareapparenttous。
\"EvennowIseegreatthrongsliningtheavenue，hasteningtoandfrointheroundoftheirduties。
Iseewomenandchildrenlaughingonthebalconies——theseweareforbiddentomaterialize;butyetIseethem——theyarehere……Butwhynot？\"hemused。\"NolongerneedI
fearTario——hehasdonehisworst，andfailed。Whynotindeed？
\"Stay，friends，\"hecontinued。\"WouldyouseeLotharinallherglory？\"
CarthorisandThuvianoddedtheirassent，moreoutofcourtesythanbecausetheyfullygraspedtheimportofhismutterings。
Javgazedatthempenetratinglyforaninstant，then，withawaveofhishand，cried：\"Look！\"
Thesightthatmetthemwasawe—inspiring。Wherebeforetherehadbeennaughtbutdesertedpavementsandscarletswards，yawningwindowsandtenantlessdoors，nowswarmedacountlessmultitudeofhappy，laughingpeople。
\"Itisthepast，\"saidJavinalowvoice。\"Theydonotseeus——theybutlivetheolddeadpastofancientLothar——thedeadandcrumbledLotharofantiquity，whichstoodupontheshoreofThroxus，mightiestofthefiveoceans。
\"Seethosefine，upstandingmenswingingalongthebroadavenue？Seetheyounggirlsandthewomensmileuponthem？Seethemengreetthemwithloveandrespect？
Thosebeseafarerscomingupfromtheirshipswhichlieatthequaysatthecity’sedge。
