Warlord of Mars | Page 7

to flow directly toward the center of the river, so that it was
difficult to hold my craft in its position. I edged farther into the shadow
that I might find a hold upon the bank; but, though I proceeded several
yards, I touched nothing; and then, finding that I would soon reach a
point from where I could no longer see the black man, I was compelled
to remain where I was, holding my position as best I could by paddling
strongly against the current which flowed from beneath the rocky mass
behind me.
I could not imagine what might cause this strong lateral flow, for the
main channel of the river was plainly visible to me from where I sat,

and I could see the rippling junction of it and the mysterious current
which had aroused my curiosity.
While I was still speculating upon the phenomenon, my attention was
suddenly riveted upon Thurid, who had raised both palms forward
above his head in the universal salute of Martians, and a moment later
his "Kaor!" the Barsoomian word of greeting, came in low but distinct
tones.
I turned my eyes up the river in the direction that his were bent, and
presently there came within my limited range of vision a long boat, in
which were six men. Five were at the paddles, while the sixth sat in the
seat of honor.
The white skins, the flowing yellow wigs which covered their bald
pates, and the gorgeous diadems set in circlets of gold about their heads
marked them as Holy Therns.
As they drew up beside the ledge upon which Thurid awaited them, he
in the bow of the boat arose to step ashore, and then I saw that it was
none other than Matai Shang, Father of Therns.
The evident cordiality with which the two men exchanged greetings
filled me with wonder, for the black and white men of Barsoom were
hereditary enemies--nor ever before had I known of two meeting other
than in battle.
Evidently the reverses that had recently overtaken both peoples had
resulted in an alliance between these two individuals--at least against
the common enemy--and now I saw why Thurid had come so often out
into the Valley Dor by night, and that the nature of his conspiring might
be such as to strike very close to me or to my friends.
I wished that I might have found a point closer to the two men from
which to have heard their conversation; but it was out of the question
now to attempt to cross the river, and so I lay quietly watching them,
who would have given so much to have known how close I lay to them,
and how easily they might have overcome and killed me with their

superior force.
Several times Thurid pointed across the river in my direction, but that
his gestures had any reference to me I did not for a moment believe.
Presently he and Matai Shang entered the latter's boat, which turned out
into the river and, swinging round, forged steadily across in my
direction.
As they advanced I moved my boat farther and farther in beneath the
overhanging wall, but at last it became evident that their craft was
holding the same course. The five paddlers sent the larger boat ahead at
a speed that taxed my energies to equal.
Every instant I expected to feel my prow crash against solid rock. The
light from the river was no longer visible, but ahead I saw the faint
tinge of a distant radiance, and still the water before me was open.
At last the truth dawned upon me--I was following a subterranean river
which emptied into the Iss at the very point where I had hidden.
The rowers were now quite close to me. The noise of their own paddles
drowned the sound of mine, but in another instant the growing light
ahead would reveal me to them.
There was no time to be lost. Whatever action I was to take must be
taken at once. Swinging the prow of my boat toward the right, I sought
the river's rocky side, and there I lay while Matai Shang and Thurid
approached up the center of the stream, which was much narrower than
the Iss.
As they came nearer I heard the voices of Thurid and the Father of
Therns raised in argument.
"I tell you, Thern," the black dator was saying, "that I wish only
vengeance upon John Carter, Prince of Helium. I am leading you into
no trap. What could I gain by betraying you to those who have ruined
my nation and my house?"

"Let us stop here a moment that I may hear your plans," replied the
hekkador, "and then we may proceed with a better understanding