A Fighting Man Of Mars

O Guerreiro de Marte

Edgar Rice Burroughs

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

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Copyright

Fonte original — domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de A Fighting Man Of Mars, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1930.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1930.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 2026.

Brasil

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: A Fighting Man Of Mars

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1930

Primeiro editor: The Blue Book Magazine

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Esta adaptação ESL Easy Read

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

Cada livro desta coleção é apresentado em um nível de leitura simplificada, de acordo com o CEFR — Quadro Europeu Comum de Referência para Línguas.

A2 — Básico: indicado para leitores que já compreendem frases simples, vocabulário frequente e textos curtos sobre situações do cotidiano.

B1 — Intermediário: indicado para leitores que conseguem compreender as ideias principais de textos claros e acompanhar uma narrativa com vocabulário e estruturas de dificuldade moderada.

B2 — Intermediário avançado: indicado para leitores que já conseguem compreender textos mais complexos, acompanhar descrições detalhadas e reconhecer uma variedade maior de vocabulário e estruturas gramaticais.

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

Assim, você pode começar a lê-lo mesmo sem dominar completamente o inglês. O texto foi simplificado para facilitar a compreensão, preservando a história, os personagens e os acontecimentos principais da obra original.

Como usar as notas

No texto de leitura simplificada, cada parágrafo possui um link Pt/En. Esse link abre uma nota com a tradução em português do texto simplificado e o trecho correspondente no texto original em inglês.

No texto original em inglês, o link PT leva diretamente ao parágrafo correspondente na versão em português. Na tradução portuguesa, o link En retorna ao parágrafo correspondente no texto original.

A tradução para o português é feita a partir do texto em inglês simplificado, e não diretamente do texto original. O objetivo é ajudar você a compreender com precisão a frase simplificada que está estudando naquele momento.

O texto original em inglês é apresentado separadamente para a etapa seguinte do aprendizado, quando você já estiver preparado para ler e comparar a obra em sua forma original.

Cada nota contém links que permitem retornar exatamente ao parágrafo que você estava lendo.

Como usar o glossário

Na última parte do livro, o Glossary: New Words reúne, em ordem alfabética, palavras mais complexas ou menos frequentes presentes no texto simplificado de nível B1. Essas palavras aparecem em itálico no texto.

Cada entrada apresenta pronúncia, tradução em português, explicação simples em inglês, frase de exemplo e até cinco frases reais do livro.

O link Back to B1 retorna exatamente à frase correspondente na versão simplificada.

Depois do texto simplificado, o livro apresenta também o texto original completo em inglês e a versão completa em português.

Sobre este livro

No sétimo romance da série Barsoom de Edgar Rice Burroughs, a ação se desloca para a cidade marciana de Hastor, onde um jovem oficial chamado Tan Hadron de Hastor serve como padwar, ou oficial subalterno. Tan está profundamente apaixonado pela bela e arrogante Tora Sanoma, filha do rico nobre Tor Hatan. Apesar de seu nascimento nobre, a baixa patente e a modesta condição de Tan levam Tora a rejeitar seu afeto. Determinado a provar seu valor, Tan embarca em uma jornada perigosa pelo planeta moribundo de Barsoom. Sua busca o leva através de paisagens traiçoeiras, incluindo os ermos congelados do norte e a misteriosa terra dos Primeiros Nascidos de pele negra. Ao longo do caminho, ele encontra uma série de criaturas estranhas e facções rivais, incluindo as temíveis hordas Warhoon e os astutos habitantes da cidade de Manator. As aventuras de Tan são impulsionadas por seu desejo de conquistar glória e talvez a mão de sua amada, mas ele logo se vê envolvido em um conflito maior que envolve o destino de nações inteiras. A narrativa é emoldurada como uma história contada por Ulysses Paxton, o herói do romance anterior, adicionando uma camada de profundidade ao conto. A mistura característica de Burroughs de ação aventureira, anseio romântico e construção de mundo imaginativa está em plena exibição, com a jornada de Tan servindo como veículo para explorar temas de honra, coragem e o verdadeiro significado da nobreza. O romance mantém um tom acelerado e aventureiro, repleto de escapes por pouco, resgates ousados e batalhas épicas, tudo ambientado no rico cenário da civilização decadente de Barsoom.

Nota editorial

A tradução para o português e a versão Reading Comprehension B1 foram geradas com apoio de inteligência artificial e submetidas a revisão editorial.

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

MicMac from Las Vegas LLC
Contato: admin@micmacfromlasvegas.com

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção Marte de Burroughs

A Fighting Man Of Mars

A Princess of Mars

Synthetic Men of Mars

The Chessmen Of Mars

The Gods Of Mars

The Master Mind Of Mars

The Warlord Of Mars

Thuvia, Maid Of Mars

Outras coleções disponíveis

Doctor Dolittle

Anne of Green Gables / L. M. Montgomery

Gothic and Terror Classics

A Selva de Burroughs

Sherlock Holmes

The Land of Oz

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Reading Comprehension B1

19 - FOREWORD

20 - 1. SANOMA TORA

21 - 2. BROUGHT DOWN

22 - 3. CORNERED

FOREWORD

Pt/En Jason Gridley, who invented the Gridley Wave, was the person who successfully set up radio communication between Pellucidar and the outside world.

Pt/En The narrator was lucky to spend time in Gridley's lab during his experiments. Gridley told him his secrets. The narrator knew that Gridley wanted to talk to Pellucidar, but he was also trying to do something even bigger: find a way to communicate with another planet. Gridley admitted that his main goal was to send radio messages to Mars.

Pt/En Gridley built a simple, automatic machine. It could send out signals regularly and record any messages it received when he was not there.

Pt/En For five minutes, the Gridley Wave sent a simple code signal, "J.G.," into space, then there was a ten-minute pause. This happened for hours, days, and weeks. After Jason Gridley left for Pellucidar, the narrator visited his lab. He was interested in Gridley's dream and had promised to check that the machine was working and to look for any signs that the signals had been received and answered.

Pt/En Because the narrator had worked with Gridley a lot, he understood his machines well. He also knew the Morse Code, so he could receive messages with good speed and accuracy.

Pt/En Many months passed. Dust covered everything except the working parts of Gridley's machine. The white ticker tape, which was meant to receive a signal, also stayed clean. Then, the narrator went on a short trip to Arizona.

Pt/En The narrator was away for about ten days. When he returned, he first checked Gridley's laboratory and the equipment he was looking after. He expected to find the room just as unresponsive as before when he turned on the lights.

Pt/En The narrator had not expected much success, and Gridley was not overly optimistic either. It was just an experiment for Gridley. He thought it was worth doing, and the narrator agreed to help him a little.

Pt/En So, the narrator was very surprised, almost shocked, to see the familiar dots and dashes of code on the ticker tape.

Pt/En He thought that perhaps another scientist had discovered the Gridley Wave, or that the message was from Earth. It could also be a message from Jason in Pellucidar. However, after he decoded the message, he had no more doubts. It was from Ulysses Paxton. Paxton had been a captain in the U.S. Infantry and was somehow sent from a battlefield in France to Mars. There, he became a close helper to Ras Thavas, a brilliant scientist on Mars, and later married Valla Dia, the daughter of Kor San, a leader in Duhor.

Pt/En The message explained that for months, strange signals had been received in Helium. They could not understand the signals, but they thought they came from Jasoom. Jasoom is the name for Earth on Mars.

Pt/En John Carter was not in Helium. So, a fast ship was sent to Duhor. It carried an urgent message for Paxton. He was asked to come quickly to the twin cities. He needed to try and find out if the signals really came from Earth, his home planet.

Pt/En When Paxton arrived in Helium, he immediately knew the signals were Morse Code. The scientists on Mars were sure that they had finally made progress in communicating between Jasoom (Earth) and Barsoom (Mars).

Pt/En They tried many times to send signals back to Earth, but it did not work. Then, the smartest people in Helium started to study and try to copy the Gridley Wave.

Pt/En They felt they had finally succeeded. Paxton had sent his message, and they were waiting to hear back from him.

Pt/En The narrator has been in contact with Mars often. However, to be loyal to Jason Gridley, who deserves all the credit, the narrator has not made any official announcements or shared important news. This information will be saved for Jason's return. But, the narrator believes it is acceptable to tell the interesting story of Hadron of Hastor, which Paxton recently told him.

Pt/En The narrator hopes that the readers will enjoy the story as much as he did.

Pt/En Before the story begins, a short description of the main Martian races, their governments, armies, and some traditions might be interesting. The main race on Mars, which is responsible for the planet's progress and life, looks very similar to humans. The main differences are their light red skin, that they hatch from eggs, and that they live for a very long time. A Martian can naturally live for a thousand years. However, because of wars and assassinations, few Martians live their full lives.

Pt/En The way Martians are governed has not changed for a very long time. The basic unit is still the tribe, led by a chief called a jed, similar to a king. The leaders of smaller groups are called lesser jeds. The leader of many tribes together is the jeddak, like an emperor, and his wife is the jeddara.

Pt/En Most red Martians live in cities with walls. Some also live in separate farm houses, which are also well-walled and protected, located along the fertile, irrigated areas known as the Canals of Mars.

Pt/En In the south polar region, there is a group of very handsome and intelligent black people. A small number of white people also live there. The north polar regions are home to yellow people.

Pt/En Between the two poles, in dry lands and old sea beds, live the feared green people of Mars. They sometimes live in old, ruined cities.

Pt/En The green warriors of Barsoom are enemies to all other people on the planet. They are very big. They have two legs and two arms, plus an extra set of limbs that can be used as arms or legs. Their eyes are on the sides of their heads, high up. They can move their eyes forward or backward, and each eye can move separately. This lets them look in any direction without moving their heads.

Pt/En Their ears are just above their eyes and closer together. They look like small, cupped antennae sticking out from their heads. Their noses are only small slits in the middle of their faces, between their mouths and ears.

Pt/En They do not have hair on their bodies. When they are young, their skin is light yellowish-green. As they grow older, it becomes darker olive green. The adult males are darker than the adult females.

Pt/En The eyes of these beings are blood red, like an albino's, with dark pupils. The white part of their eyes is very white. Their teeth are also very white and make them look very fierce. They have lower tusks that curve upwards to sharp points, ending near where human eyes are. Their teeth are not like ivory, but like very white and shiny china. Against their dark skin, their tusks look very striking and formidable.

Pt/En They are a cruel and quiet race, with no love, sympathy, or pity.

Pt/En They are a race that rides horses, and they only walk when moving around their camps.

Pt/En Their animals, called thoats, are large, wild beasts that match their giant masters in size. Thoats have eight legs and wide, flat tails that are thicker at the end. They hold their tails straight out when running. Their mouths are very big, opening from their noses to their long necks. Like their masters, they have no hair. Their skin is dark slate color, very smooth and shiny, except for a white belly. Their legs change from slate color at the shoulders and hips to bright yellow at the feet. Their feet are padded and have no nails.

Pt/En Like the red people, the green hordes are led by jeds and jeddaks. However, their military system is not as perfectly organized as that of the red people.

Pt/En The soldiers of the red Martians are very organized. Their most important force is the navy, which is a huge air force with many kinds of flying ships. The infantry, or foot soldiers, is the next largest group. They also have cavalry, which rides small animals. The cavalry is used to patrol the cities and the areas near the water systems.

Pt/En The main military group, called a 'utan', has one hundred men. A 'dwar' is in charge of a 'utan'. A higher leader, an 'odwar', commands ten thousand men. The 'jedwar' is the rank just below the king.

Pt/En On Mars, science, writing, art, and buildings are more advanced than on Earth. This is surprising because life on Mars is very difficult.

Pt/En The Martians must constantly fight for survival. They battle against nature, as their air is slowly disappearing. They also fight against other Martian nations and large groups of warriors from the dead sea bottom. Inside their cities, there are many professional killers, some of whom are organized into groups.

Pt/En Even with all these hard challenges, the red Martians are happy and social people. They enjoy games, dancing, and music. The social life in the big cities of Mars is as lively and grand as in the rich cities on Earth.

Pt/En John Carter and Ulysses Paxton would not return to Earth if they had the chance. This shows that they are brave, noble, and generous people.

Pt/En Now, I will return to the story that Paxton told me. He told it from a place 43 million miles away in space.

1. SANOMA TORA

Pt/En This is the story of Hadron of Hastor, a Fighting Man of Mars. He told this story to Ulysses Paxton.

Pt/En I am Tan Hadron of Hastor. My father, Had Urtur, is an Odwar (leader) in the army of Hastor. He commands a large warship that carries 10,000 soldiers, 500 smaller fighting ships, and all the war equipment. My mother is a princess from Gathol.

Pt/En My family has honor, but not much money. I value honor more than possessions. So, I chose to be a soldier like my father, instead of a job that pays more. I came to Helium, the capital city, to join the army of Tardos Mors, the ruler of Helium. I wanted to be closer to John Carter, the Warlord of Mars.

Pt/En My life in Helium and my time in the army were like those of many other young men. I finished my training without doing anything special. Later, I became a Padwar in the 91st Umak, working in the 5th Utan of the 11th Dar.

Pt/En Because my father was noble and my mother had royal blood, I could go to the palaces in Helium. I enjoyed the fun life in the city. This is how I met Sanoma Tora, who was the daughter of Tor Hatan, an Odwar of the 91st Umak.

Pt/En Tor Hatan was not from the highest noble family, but he was very rich. He had money from cities he conquered and from farms and mines. In Helium, money was more important than in Hastor, so Tor Hatan was a powerful man. His influence was strong, even with the king.

Pt/En I will never forget the first time I saw Sanoma Tora. It was at a big party in a beautiful palace. Many beautiful women from Barsoom were there. Even though Dejah Thoris, Tara of Helium, and Thuvia of Ptarth were very lovely, Sanoma Tora's beauty caught my eye. I thought she was the most beautiful, but others also noticed her. Her beauty was different from the others, like a cold, snowy place is different from a warm, tropical place.

Pt/En When I asked to meet her, she looked at my armor. She saw I was only a Padwar. She said a short, unfriendly word to me and then talked again to the other man she was with.

Pt/En The narrator was interested in Sanoma Tora. However, the rude way she treated him made him even more determined to win her. He felt that things that were difficult to get were the most desirable.

Pt/En Because of this, the narrator fell in love with Sanoma Tora. She was the daughter of the commander of the ship he was serving on.

Pt/En For a long time, the narrator found it hard to make progress in his relationship. He did not see Sanoma Tora for several months. When she learned he was poor and of low rank, he could not visit her home. He also did not meet her elsewhere for a long time. The more difficult she was to reach, the more he loved her. He spent all his free time thinking of ways to be with her, even considering kidnapping her. Around this time, a fellow officer felt sorry for him and helped him get an invitation to a feast at Tor Hatan's palace.

Pt/En The narrator's host, who was also his commander, had not noticed him before that evening. He was surprised by how warm and friendly the commander was.

Pt/En The commander told him that they should see him more often. He said he had been watching him and predicted that he would be very successful in the military service of the Jeddak.

Pt/En The speaker knew Tor Hatan was not telling the truth about watching him. Tor Hatan was known to be a bad leader, and another officer did his work. The speaker was pleased by Tor Hatan's new interest because it might help him get closer to Sanoma Tora.

Pt/En Sanoma Tora was friendlier than before, but she paid more attention to Sil Vagis than to the speaker.

Pt/En The speaker strongly disliked Sil Vagis, who was a proud man with the title of Teedwar. Sil Vagis did not seem to command soldiers but worked for Tor Hatan, likely because his father was rich.

Pt/En The speaker noted that such people exist in peacetime, but during war, the Warlord leads, and soldiers are more important than their rank or wealth.

Pt/En Even though Sil Vagis ruined the evening, the speaker felt very happy when he left Tor Hatan's palace. Sanoma Tora had given him permission to visit her home again when his work allowed.

Pt/En The narrator returned to his room with his friend, the Dwar. When the narrator said that Tor Hatan had welcomed him warmly, the Dwar laughed.

Pt/En The narrator asked the Dwar why he found it funny.

Pt/En The Dwar explained that Tor Hatan was very rich and powerful. However, he added that Tor Hatan was not often invited to the four most important places in Helium where ambitious men wanted to be seen.

Pt/En The narrator asked if he meant the palaces of the Warlord, the Jeddak, the Jed, and Carthoris.

Pt/En The Dwar agreed and said that Tor Hatan was thought to be from the lower nobility. But the Dwar doubted if Tor Hatan had any noble blood. He thought this because Tor Hatan acted very humbly and flatteringly towards royalty. The Dwar believed Tor Hatan desperately wanted to be seen as a close friend to any of the four important people.

Pt/En The speaker asked what the matter had to do with him.

Pt/En The other person answered that it was very important. He explained that because of this, the speaker had been invited to the palace that night.

Pt/En The speaker said that he did not understand.

Pt/En The other person explained that he had been talking with Tor Hatan on the same morning the speaker got his invitation. During their talk, he mentioned the speaker. Tor Hatan had never heard of him and was not interested in him as a Padwar in the 5th Utan. But when the other person told Tor Hatan that the speaker's mother was a princess of Gathol, Tor Hatan became very interested. He was even more enthusiastic when he learned that the speaker was welcomed as a friend in the palaces of the four demigods of Helium. The other person then asked if the speaker understood now.

Pt/En The speaker replied that he understood perfectly. He thanked the other person. He said that all he wanted was the chance to do something, and since he was ready to do it by any means, even criminal ones if needed, he would not complain about how it was achieved, even if it was not very flattering to him.

Pt/En For many months, I often visited the palace of Tor Hatan. I was a good talker and knew the dances and games of Barsoom well, so people liked having me there. I also often took Sanoma Tora to visit the four big palaces in Helium. I was always welcome because my mother was related to Gahan of Gathol, who was married to Tara of Helium.

Pt/En I felt that Sanoma Tora liked me, but I wanted her to be my wife very quickly. I had never loved anyone before and felt I would die if I could not have her soon. So, one night, I decided to go to her father's palace. I was determined to tell her how I felt and offer her my help. I felt I was not good enough for her and she might reject me, but I wanted to officially become a suitor. This would give me more freedom, even if she did not favor me.

Pt/En It was a beautiful night that made old Barsoom seem magical. The moons, Thuria and Cluros, shone softly on Tor Hatan's garden. Their light made the red grass look purple and gave the colorful flowers strange colors. The paths, covered with small stones, reflected the light like a thousand shining stars. The marble statues looked even more beautiful in the changing colors.

Pt/En In a large room overlooking the garden, a young man and a young woman sat on a large bench made of beautiful sorapus wood. The bench was very well-made and looked like something a king would have.

Pt/En The young man wore a uniform that showed he was a Padwar in the 91st Umak. This young man was me, Hadron of Hastor. I was with Sanoma Tora, the daughter of Tor Hatan. I had planned to bravely ask her to be mine, but then I started to feel I was not good enough. I was only a Padwar, and not a rich one. I knew my family was related to the royal family of Gathol, which would be important to Tor Hatan. But I did not want to boast about it. I had nothing to offer her but my great love. I thought maybe Sanoma Tora loved me too. She had asked to see me several times before. I hoped she wanted to see me for more than just visiting the palace of Tara of Helium.

Pt/En She told Hadron of Hastor that he was uninteresting that night. This was after a long silence, during which he had been trying to think of good and polite words for his proposal.

Pt/En He answered that perhaps it was because he was trying to find the words to express the most interesting thought he had ever had.

Pt/En She politely asked what that thought was, but she did not seem very interested.

Pt/En He suddenly told her that he loved her, Sanoma Tora.

Pt/En She laughed, a sound that was beautiful but cold. She said that it had been clear for a long time that he loved her, and asked why he needed to speak of it.

Pt/En The narrator asked for the reason.

Pt/En Sanoma Tora replied coldly that even if she loved him, she was not for Hadron of Hastor.

Pt/En The narrator asked Sanoma Tora if she could not love him.

Pt/En She replied that she had not said that.

Pt/En The narrator asked if she could love him.

Pt/En She said that she could love him if she allowed herself to feel weak, but she asked what love was.

Pt/En He told her that love was everything.

Pt/En Sanoma Tora laughed. She proudly said that he was wrong if he thought she would marry a poor Padwar, even if she loved him. She explained that she was the daughter of Tor Hatan, who was very rich and powerful. She had many rich suitors, and an emissary from Tul Axtar of Jahar had seen her and promised to return. She said that he would want her to be his wife just for love, even though she might become the leader of Jahar one day, and he was asking her to marry a poor Padwar.

Pt/En He stood up and said that perhaps she was right. He told her that she was so beautiful that it seemed impossible for her to be wrong. However, he felt deep in his heart that happiness was the most important treasure and love was the greatest power. He said that without these, even a leader like her was very poor.

Pt/En She said that she would take her chance.

Pt/En The speaker said, a bit unhappily, that they hoped the Jeddak of Jahar was not as unpleasant as his messenger.

Pt/En Sanoma Tora replied that she did not care what the Jeddak was like, as long as he would make her his Jeddara.

Pt/En The speaker asked if this meant there was no hope for him.

Pt/En Sanoma Tora answered that there was no hope for him because he did not have much to offer yet.

Pt/En After a slave announced Sil Vagis, the speaker left. He felt very sad and hopeless, but he was still determined to win Sanoma Tora. He decided that if she wanted wealth and power, he would get them, even though he did not know how. He believed that young people could achieve anything.

Pt/En I had been awake for some time, lying on my bed made of silks and furs. Suddenly, an officer of the guard entered my room.

Pt/En The officer shouted my name, Hadron, and asked if I was there.

Pt/En I answered that I was.

Pt/En He was happy and said he feared I was not there.

Pt/En I asked why he would think that and what was happening.

Pt/En Someone exclaimed that Tor Hatan, described as a fat old treasure bag, had gone mad.

Pt/En The speaker asked what was meant by Tor Hatan going mad and how it concerned them.

Pt/En The informant explained that Tor Hatan claimed the speaker had abducted his daughter.

Pt/En The speaker immediately stood up and cried out that Sanoma Tora had been abducted, asking for quick details about what happened to her.

Pt/En The informant confirmed that Sanoma Tora was gone and said that the situation was very mysterious.

Pt/En The narrator did not wait to hear more. He quickly put on his harness and ran up a ramp to the hangars on the roof. He did not have permission to take a flying machine, but he did not care because Sanoma Tora was in danger.

Pt/En Guards at the hangar tried to stop and question him. He did not remember what he said, but he knew he must have lied because they let him take a fast, single-person flying machine. He was soon flying through the night toward Tor Hatan's palace.

Pt/En The palace was not far from the barracks, so he arrived in a few minutes. When he landed in the brightly lit garden, he saw many people there, including Tor Hatan and Sil Vagis.

Pt/En As he got out of the flying machine, Tor Hatan angrily walked toward him. Tor Hatan asked who he was and demanded to know where his daughter was.

Pt/En The narrator replied that he had come to ask Tor Hatan the same question.

Pt/En He shouted that the other person was responsible for the situation. He accused them of abducting the woman. He explained that the woman had told Sil Vagis that the person had asked her to marry him that night, but she had refused.

Pt/En The speaker admitted asking for her hand and that she refused him, saying that part was true. He asked them not to blame him for the abduction, stating he was not involved in the bad plan. He wanted to know how it happened and who was with her.

Pt/En Tor Hatan replied that Sil Vagis was with her and they were walking in the garden.

Pt/En The speaker asked Sil Vagis if he saw her being abducted and questioned why he was still alive and unhurt.

Pt/En Sil Vagis started to speak slowly. He said that there were many attackers and they were too strong for him.

Pt/En The narrator asked if the person had seen them.

Pt/En The person answered yes.

Pt/En The narrator strongly asked if he was with the group.

Pt/En The person explained that it was dark, so they could not recognize anyone and suggested they might have been disguised.

Pt/En The narrator asked if they had been overpowered.

Pt/En He agreed.

Pt/En I told him he was lying. I said that if they had caught him, they would have killed him. I accused him of running away and hiding, and not fighting to protect the girl.

Pt/En Sil Vagis replied that this was a lie and that he had fought them but they were too strong for him.

Pt/En I turned to Tor Hatan and said that we were wasting time. I asked if anyone knew who these men were, which way they went, where they came from, and how they left.

Pt/En Sil Vagis told Tor Hatan that I was trying to mislead him. He asked if it could have been a suitor who was unhappy. He then asked Tor Hatan what he would think if he said that the men who stole Sanoma Tora were warriors from Hastor.

Pt/En I replied that the other person was a liar. I asked how they could see the signs on the soldiers' equipment if it was too dark to see their faces.

Pt/En Another officer from the 91st Umak joined them. He said they had found someone who might give them information, but only if the person lived long enough to speak.

Pt/En Men had been searching the area near Tor Hatan's palace. Several men approached carrying another man. They placed him on the ground at the feet of the officers. The man was naked, and his body was badly hurt. He was breathing very weakly and looked very sad.

Pt/En A slave brought medicine into the palace. After some of this medicine was given to the injured man, he started to get a little better.

Pt/En Tor Hatan asked the man who he was.

Pt/En The man weakly replied that he was a warrior from the city guard.

Pt/En An officer excitedly told Tor Hatan that his men had found six more bodies near where they found the first man. He added that they were all naked, broken, and hurt in the same way.

Pt/En Tor Hatan said he thought they might discover the truth about the situation. He then turned back to the injured man on the grass and told him to continue speaking.

Pt/En The man explained that he and his crew were on night patrol when they saw a ship moving without lights. When they got closer and used their searchlight, he saw it briefly. The ship had no markings and looked different from any he had seen before. It had two strange guns on each side of a long, low cabin. He also saw a man aiming one of the guns at them. The commander of their ship ordered them to fire and to call out to the stranger. At that moment, their ship disappeared, and his harness fell off. He remembered falling, and then he died.

Pt/En Tor Hatan gathered his people and said that someone near the palace or on the grounds must have seen what happened. He ordered that anyone with any information about the event must speak, no matter who they were.

Pt/En A slave came forward. Tor Hatan looked at him with great pride and arrogance.

Pt/En The odwar asked the slave what he had to say and told him to speak.

Pt/En The slave said that Tor Hatan had ordered him to speak. He explained that if he told what he saw, he would make a powerful noble his enemy. He quickly looked at Sil Vagis.

Pt/En I quickly told the slave that if he spoke the truth, he would gain the friendship of a padwar whose sword could protect him from even a powerful noble. I also looked at Sil Vagis, thinking that the slave's story might not be good for the man who pretended to be a warrior.

Pt/En Tor Hatan impatiently told the slave to speak and warned him not to lie.

Pt/En The man told Tor Hatan that he had worked for him faithfully for fourteen years. He explained that he was brought to Helium as a prisoner after Kobol was attacked. He added that Sanoma Tora had trusted him and that if he had had a sword that night, she might still be alive.

Pt/En Tor Hatan told the man to get to the point and say what he saw.

Pt/En Sil Vagis said that the man saw nothing and was only trying to get attention.

Pt/En The narrator said to let the man speak.

Pt/En The slave explained that he was going to prepare Tor Hatan's sleeping quarters. He paused to look into the garden and saw Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis walking. He knew he should not watch them, but then he saw a silent flying ship coming towards the garden. It had no lights and made no noise. He thought it was strange and probably dangerous, so he stopped to watch it.

Pt/En A ship landed quietly and quickly behind Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis. They did not notice it until they heard the sound of the warriors getting out. Sil Vagis turned around. For a moment, he seemed frozen. Then, as the strange warriors jumped towards him, he ran into the bushes of the garden to hide.

Pt/En Sil Vagis shouted that it was a lie.

Pt/En I told him to be quiet and called him a coward.

Pt/En Tor Hatan told the person to continue speaking, calling him a slave.

Pt/En The speaker explained that Sanoma Tora did not know the strange warriors were there until they grabbed her from behind. It happened very fast. Before the speaker could understand what was happening, they took her. When the speaker realized his mistress was the target, he ran down the ramp. But before he reached the garden, they had pulled her onto the flying ship. He wished he had a sword so he could have fought for Sanoma Tora. He reached the ship as the last warrior was getting on. He grabbed the warrior's gear and tried to pull him down, shouting for the palace guards. But another warrior on the deck above hit the speaker on the head with a long sword. The blow was not strong enough to kill him, but it stunned him for a moment. He let go of the warrior and fell to the ground. When he woke up, the ship was gone, and the guards were arriving. He stated that he had told the truth.

Pt/En Tor Hatan looked at Sil Vagis with a cold expression. He asked Sil Vagis what he had to say about the situation.

Pt/En Sil Vagis shouted that the man worked for Hadron of Hastor and only told lies. He explained that he had attacked them when they arrived, but they were too many and defeated him. He also said the man was not there.

Pt/En The narrator asked the slave to show his head. The slave knelt, and the narrator saw a large red mark on his head above his ear, like one made by a sword. The narrator showed this mark to Tor Hatan and said it proved the slave's loyalty. He then suggested they look at the wounds of a noble from Helium, who claimed to have fought many enemies alone, and expected him to have at least a small injury.

Pt/En The captain of the palace guard said, with a hint of sarcasm, that the slave must be as skilled a swordsman as John Carter.

Pt/En Sil Vagis cried out that it was all a trick. He asked Tor Hatan if he would believe a slave over a noble from Helium.

Pt/En The odwar said he trusted what he saw and felt. He turned away from Sil Vagis and asked the slave if he recognized any of the people who took Sanoma Tora, or if he noticed their equipment or metal.

Pt/En The slave answered that he could not see the faces of the abductors well. However, he did see the equipment and metal of the person he tried to pull from the flying ship.

Pt/En Tor Hatan asked if the metal belonged to Hastor.

Pt/En The slave strongly replied that it was not the metal of Hastor or any other city in the Empire of Helium. He did not know the design or symbols, but they seemed familiar, like ones he might have seen years ago when fighting invaders with his jed.

Pt/En The speaker asked Tor Hatan if he was now satisfied that the accusations made by Sil Vagis against him were untrue.

Pt/En The odwar replied to Hadron of Hastor.

Pt/En The speaker said he wanted to leave if he had permission.

Pt/En He asked where the speaker was going.

Pt/En The speaker answered that he was going to find Sanoma Tora.

Pt/En He said that if the speaker found her and brought her back safely, she would be his.

Pt/En I thanked him kindly by bowing deeply. I thought Sanoma Tora might not agree with his offer. Also, I wanted a partner who came to me willingly.

Pt/En I quickly got back on the flying ship that brought me. I flew into the night towards the marble palace of the Warlord of Barsoom. Even though it was late, I wanted to see him right away.

2. BROUGHT DOWN

Pt/En As I got close to the warlord's palace, I saw many people moving around, which was unusual for that time of night. Flying ships were arriving and leaving. On the roof, where military ships landed, I saw ships belonging to many important officers of the Warlord's staff.

Pt/En I visited the palace often and the Warlord's guards knew me well. So, it was easy for me to enter the palace. I waited in a hall near a small room where the Warlord usually met people privately. A slave told his master that I was there.

Pt/En I do not know how long I waited. It felt like a very long time because I was worried. I strongly believed the woman I loved was in great danger. I felt, perhaps wrongly, that only I could save her. I thought that every moment I waited made it harder to save her in time.

Pt/En Finally, the narrator was invited inside. He met the great Warlord, who was with important men from the councils of Helium.

Pt/En John Carter went straight to the point. He asked Hadron of Hastor if his visit was about the kidnapping of Tor Hatan's daughter. He wanted to know if Hadron had any information or ideas about it.

Pt/En The narrator replied that he had not come for that reason. He explained that he only wanted permission to leave immediately to try and find the people who had taken Sanoma Tora.

Pt/En The Warlord asked where the narrator planned to search.

Pt/En The narrator answered that he did not know yet, but he promised he would find her.

Pt/En A man smiled and said that the other person's confidence was useful. He knew the reason for this confidence and would give the permission asked for. He explained that taking a daughter from Helium was a very serious matter that needed all efforts to find her and bring her back. He also said that this event could mean great danger for the empire. The man mentioned that the mysterious ship that took the daughter away had a weapon that destroyed all metal parts of the patrol flier that tried to stop it. Even the weapons and metal parts of the crew's equipment disappeared. This was clear from looking at the broken flier and the bodies of the crew. Everything made of wood, leather, or flesh was found on the ground, but no metal was left.

Pt/En The speaker was telling this to the other person because it might help find the location of the new enemies of Helium. He believed this was only the first attack. He thought that any navy with such powerful guns could easily control Helium. He also believed that many cities outside the empire would gladly use such a weapon to attack and destroy the Twin Cities.

Pt/En For some time, they had been worried about many missing navy ships. Most of these ships were exploring air currents and weather in areas far from Helium. Recently, it became clear that most of the ships that did not return were in the southern part of the western hemisphere. This area was difficult to live in, and they did not know much about it because they had no trade with the people who lived there.

Pt/En The speaker told Hadron of Hastor that this was just an idea, a very small clue. He offered it for whatever it was worth. He announced that a thousand small scout fliers would be sent out before noon the next day to search for those who abducted Sanoma Tora. Larger ships would also join the search. Helium needed to find out which city or country had developed such a powerful weapon that was used that night.

Pt/En He believed the weapon was very new. He thought that whoever had it was trying hard to improve it and make many of them to become rulers of the world. He finished speaking and told the other person to go, wishing him good luck.

Pt/En The narrator received permission from John Carter to start his mission. He quickly prepared by choosing his weapons: a long sword, a short sword, a dagger, and a pistol. He also took extra ammunition and special food. He changed his armor for a simpler, stronger one made by a famous craftsman.

Pt/En While getting his equipment ready, the narrator thought about why Sanoma Tora had disappeared. He remembered she had mentioned Jeddak Tul Axtar of Jahar. He recalled that Tul Axtar's representative had recently visited Helium and spoken about his jeddak's power and women. The narrator decided that Jahar might be a good place to look for her. But first, he wanted to visit Tor Hatan's palace again to speak with the slave who last saw Sanoma Tora.

Pt/En Before leaving, the narrator had another idea. He knew the Temple of Knowledge had pictures of armor and weapons from all over Barsoom. He went to the temple and, with help from a clerk, found a drawing of armor and weapons from Jahar. A copy was made quickly. Then, he hurried to Tor Hatan's palace with this copy.

Pt/En The odwar was not there because he was at the Warlord's palace. However, his major-domo called the slave, Kal Tavan. This slave had seen Sanoma Tora being taken and had fought with one of the people who took her.

Pt/En As the man came closer, the narrator looked at him more carefully. He was well-built with handsome features and looked like a soldier.

Pt/En The narrator asked the man if he had said he was from Kobol.

Pt/En The man replied that he was born in Tjanath. He had a wife and daughter there. His wife was killed by an assassin, and his daughter disappeared when she was very young. He never found out what happened to her. The familiar places in Tjanath reminded him of happier times, which made his sadness worse, so he could not stay. He then became a wanderer and looked for work in other cities, which is how he served in Kobol.

Pt/En The narrator asked if he had become familiar with the harness and metal of many cities and countries while he was there.

Pt/En The man answered yes.

Pt/En The narrator demanded to know what harness and metal he was talking about, and gave him the drawing he had brought from the Temple of Knowledge.

Pt/En He looked at it quickly. Then he knew what it was. He said it was the same and exactly the same.

Pt/En The narrator asked what it was the same as.

Pt/En He answered that it was the same as the harness worn by the warrior he fought when Sanoma Tora was stolen.

Pt/En The narrator said that they now knew who had taken Sanoma Tora. He told the major-domo to send a message to the Warlord. He explained that men from Jahar had stolen the daughter of Tor Hatan and that he believed they worked for Tul Axtar, the leader of Jahar. Then he left the palace and went to his flier.

Pt/En As he flew up over the city, he turned his flier west. He flew fast through the air towards the large, unknown area in the southwest of Barsoom. He was sure that Jahar was in that area. He believed Sanoma Tora was being taken there to become Tul Axtar's slave, not his wife, because leaders on Barsoom do not take wives by force.

Pt/En The narrator thought he understood why Sanoma Tora was abducted. It was not a compliment to her. He believed that Tul Axtar's messenger had told his master about Sanoma Tora's beauty. However, she was not from a noble enough family to be his wife. So, he decided to take her by other means. The narrator was very angry about this, but he thought it was probably the right thing to do.

Pt/En In the last ten or twenty years, flying machines (aeronautics) had improved much more than in the previous five hundred years.

Pt/En Many experts believe that the invention of the destination control compass by Carthoris of Helium started a new period of invention. For many years, people felt they had reached the best possible level in science and did not need to improve things.

Pt/En Carthoris of Helium, who had an active and curious mind like his father from Earth, woke people up. The smartest people accepted the challenge, and as a result, airships of all types were quickly improved. This led to big changes in engine building.

Pt/En People thought their light, small, and strong radium engines could not be made better. They also thought that people would never travel safely or cheaply faster than their fast one-person scout planes, which went about 166 miles per hour. Then, a little-known officer in Helium's navy announced he had created a new engine. This new engine would be half the weight of current engines but would go twice as fast.

Pt/En My scout flier had a special motor. It seemed to have no fuel because it got its energy from the planet's very large magnetic field.

Pt/En Only the inventor and the government of Helium knew all the details about this new motor, and they kept these details secret. The propeller shaft went inside the flier and was made of many parts that were separated from each other.

Pt/En These parts were connected to a device called an accumulator. The accumulator directed the planet's magnetic energy to special parts around the propeller shaft.

Pt/En The pilot could control the speed by changing the number of parts connected to the accumulator. This was done with a simple lever. The pilot usually lay on his stomach on the deck and was attached with a safety belt.

Pt/En The inventor said the maximum speed depended on how strong and light the flier's body was. My small scout flier could go very fast, about 2000 haads per zode. It could not handle a more powerful motor, but it would have been possible to make the motor stronger and the flier faster by using a longer propeller shaft with more parts.

Pt/En Last year, engineers tried to test a new motor for a fast scout ship. They wanted to fly at a very high speed, about 500 miles per hour. But the ship broke apart because of its own motor before it reached that speed. Now, engineers are working to make the ships strong but light. They believe they will soon be able to fly much faster, maybe over 1000 miles per hour, because the new motors are so powerful.

Pt/En Carthoris of Helium has a special compass that controls the ship's destination. It is a simple device. You can choose any place on the planet, start the ship, and then rest. The ship will fly you to the exact spot, land nearby, and stop. An alarm will wake you up. It is said that John Carter has written about this device in his papers.

Pt/En The destination control compass was not very useful for my journey because I did not know the exact location of Jahar. However, I set the compass to a general area, about thirty degrees south and thirty-five degrees east. I thought Jahar was somewhere southwest of that point.

Pt/En I was flying very fast and had left the areas near Helium far behind. I was flying over a dry, empty land covered in old moss. This land was once the bottom of a large ocean where many ships sailed. Now, it is only a distant memory from the old stories of Barsoom.

Pt/En I flew over the edges of high lands that were once the shores of a great continent. There, I saw the old, empty cities of Barsoom. Even as ruins, they looked grand and impressive. Further down, near the lowest sea bottoms, other ruins showed where people moved their cities as the ocean waters went away. The last city was finally taken by fierce tribesmen. These tribesmen, who do not know love or happiness, now rule many of these old lands. They spend their lives fighting each other and attacking anyone who comes into their lands.

Pt/En All green men are fierce, but the green men from Torquas were known for being very cruel and violent. This made the red men fear them more than others.

Pt/En The city of Torquas was once very grand and powerful. Now, only wandering green men live there. The narrator wanted to fly over it because it was on his way to find Jahar, and he had never seen it before. Seeing its tall towers made him feel excited, like exploring old cities on Barsoom always did for red men.

Pt/En As the narrator got closer, he flew lower to see the city better. He thought it must have been beautiful when it was full of people. Even now, after many years, its large palaces were still impressive, though time and weather had softened them.

Pt/En Flying low, he saw empty streets with plants growing. Old gardens were silent. Some roofs had fallen, but many buildings were still standing, remembering their past beauty. He imagined rich fabrics and people enjoying themselves. He saw flags and ships in the harbor, and soldiers in the streets. Then, as he flew over a palace courtyard, his dream of the past was broken. He saw many large animals, called thoats, kept in what might have been a royal garden.

Pt/En The presence of these large animals meant that their owners, the green men, were likely nearby.

Pt/En As the narrator flew over a courtyard, a dangerous animal saw him and made a loud noise. This noise alerted other animals and a green warrior. The warrior looked up and saw the narrator before he flew over the building.

Pt/En The narrator knew it was not safe to stay there. He quickly flew higher and faster over the building and the street. He saw about twenty green warriors come out of the building and look up at the sky for him. The guard had told them that he was there.

Pt/En The narrator felt he had been foolish to take such a risk. He flew upwards quickly in a zig-zag path. He heard angry shouts from below and saw rifles pointing at him. Bullets flew past his ship, but none hit it. He hoped to be safe soon, but then he heard a bullet hit the ship and an explosion. After that, he was out of their range.

Pt/En As the narrator flew away to the southwest, he heard angry shouts of disappointment. He was relieved that his ship was not damaged.

Pt/En The narrator had flown about seventy karads from Helium. He knew that Jahar was still far away and decided he would not take any more dangerous chances.

Pt/En The narrator was flying fast and felt lucky. But then, he noticed he couldn't fly as high as before. His flying machine was losing air. He quickly understood that a bullet from the green warriors had hit and damaged one of his air tanks.

Pt/En The narrator felt he was careless, and this mistake could stop him from rescuing Sanoma Tora. He was more worried about the danger Sanoma Tora was in than about his own problems. He had been so focused on saving her that he had not thought about what could go wrong.

Pt/En This problem was a big disappointment, but the narrator did not lose all hope. He believed he would never give up trying as long as he was alive.

Pt/En It was hard to know how much longer his ship would stay in the air. He could not fix the damaged air tank. So, he decided to fly faster to cover as much distance as possible before he had to land. He knew he would soon have to land in the empty, sad land below.

Pt/En He had flown about two thousand haads since being shot at. He flew over a dry land that was once an ocean. He saw hills in the distance. He wanted to fly towards them, hoping to stay in the air long enough to cross them. But the hills came closer too fast, and he knew he would have to land soon. He then saw the ruins of an old, empty city near the hills. This was good news because these old cities often have water wells that the wasteland people keep working.

Pt/En The narrator was flying very low, only a few "ads" (a measure of height) above the ground. He slowed down a lot to land without crashing. Because of this, he landed softly on yellow plants, not far from the edge of the water in a city that was empty.

3. CORNERED

Pt/En The landing was bad because it put the narrator in a place where he could be easily seen from the city. There was no place to hide if the ruins were used by the many tribes of green men. These green men often lived in the empty cities by the old sea.

Pt/En The green men usually lived in the biggest and most beautiful old palaces. These buildings were often a little way back from the water. So, the narrator thought it was possible he could reach one of the buildings for cover before the green men saw him, even if they were in the city.

Pt/En The narrator's flying machine was broken and could not be used. He decided to leave it and walk towards the old water-front. He only took his weapons, bullets, and some food. He was not sure if he reached the buildings without being seen, but he did get there without seeing any living things.

Pt/En Some parts of these old, empty cities were home to large white apes. These apes were very dangerous, perhaps more than the green men. They were very strong, fierce, and ate people. It was said that the green men were afraid of these apes.

Pt/En The narrator had to enter a ruined city because there was no other safe place. If he stayed in the open, enemies like white apes or green Martians would find him. He needed to hide until night to travel safely across the sea bottom. The city was the only place nearby to conceal himself. He felt worried as he entered the city, which was once a busy harbor with shops and ships, but was now empty and ruined.

Pt/En He crossed the street and went into a tall building with a tower. He thought that if he could climb the tower, he could see the city and the land to the southwest, where he planned to look for Jahar. He entered the building unnoticed and found a large room. It was impossible to tell what the room was for because any decorations or furniture were gone. There was a big fireplace, and ramps led up and down from it.

Pt/En He listened carefully and heard no sounds inside or outside the building. Because of this, he felt confident and began to climb the ramp.

Pt/En He kept going up from one floor to the next. Each floor was just one large room. This made him believe the building was a warehouse for storing goods in this old port city.

Pt/En From the top floor, a wooden ladder went up through the middle of the tower. The ladder was made of a very strong material called skeel, which is almost impossible to destroy. Even though he knew the ladder could be hundreds of thousands or even a million years old, he trusted it and climbed up.

Pt/En The inside middle part of the tower, where the ladder went up, was quite dark. There was a door to a room on each level, but many of these doors were closed. So, only a little light came into the central part.

Pt/En I had climbed to the second level of the tower when I thought I heard a strange sound below me.

Pt/En It was only a very small sound, but the empty city had been so quiet that I would notice even the smallest noise.

Pt/En I stopped climbing and looked down, trying to hear more. But the sound I heard was not repeated, so I continued to climb up.

Pt/En I wanted to climb as high as I could in the tower, so I did not stop to look at any of the levels I passed.

Pt/En The narrator climbed up a shaft for a long time. He reached a ceiling made of thick wood. Below him, he saw a small door. He wondered why the ladder went past the door to the ceiling. He felt a trap door above him. He climbed as high as he could, pushed the trap door with his shoulder, and it opened with old wooden hinges. He climbed into the room on the top level of the tower. This tower was very high. He saw the old, broken parts of a beacon light. This light was used long ago, before modern electric lights. It was used to guide ships into a harbor that was once near the tower.

Pt/En From the top of the tower, the narrator could see very far in all directions. To the north, there was a large, open area. To the south, he saw low hills that used to be the edge of a gulf. To the west, he looked over the ruins of a large city. The city had old houses and big public buildings. One large area likely held the palace of a former ruler. Now, only silence was there. It was a sad sight that made him think about the future of Barsoom.

Pt/En The people of the past fought hard against a lack of water, but their problem was not as important as the current problem of keeping life on the planet. For thousands of years, only the bravery and intelligence of the red people of Barsoom have allowed life to continue on their dying world. This is because the red race built and maintain great plants that create air. Without these plants, all air-breathing creatures would have died long ago.

Pt/En While thinking about these sad ideas, the narrator heard a sound from inside the tower below him. He went to the open trap door and looked down. Directly below him, he saw something that would frighten any Barsoomian: the angry face of a large white ape.

Pt/En The ape saw the narrator and made an angry noise. It stopped moving quietly and ran quickly up the ladder. The narrator quickly closed the heavy trap door above the ape's head. He saw that the door had a strong wooden bar. He immediately used the bar to lock the door. This stopped the ape from climbing up to him in the dead-end space where he was.

Pt/En The narrator was in a very difficult situation. He was 200 feet above the city, and his only way to escape was blocked by one of the most feared wild animals of Barsoom.

Pt/En The narrator had hunted these animals before and knew they were clever, resourceful, and fierce. They looked very much like humans and had large brains for animals. They could be captured young and trained to do many things, but their wild nature could never be completely controlled, making them dangerous. This danger, along with their intelligence, made them popular with audiences.

Pt/En The narrator had paid to see one of these animals before, but now he was trapped above one that was trying to break through the trapdoor. He realized that even a strong animal could not break the strong, old door.

Pt/En The narrator checked the outside of the tower for a way to escape. The tower was 200 feet high and covered in carvings. It had windows and small balconies. The windows were placed so there was a large distance between them on the same side, which was important for finding a way down.

Pt/En After checking the tower, the narrator heard the ape below, still trying to get to him. He hoped the animal would give up and leave, but as the day ended, it seemed the ape planned to wait until hunger or desperation forced the narrator out.

Pt/En The narrator looked with longing at the hills outside the city. These hills were on his path to the southwest, towards the place called Jahar.

Pt/En The sun was going down in the west. Soon it would be dark. The narrator wondered what would happen. He thought the creature might leave, perhaps because it was hungry or thirsty. But he did not know for sure. He worried that the creature might go to the bottom of the tower and wait for him to come down.

Pt/En Someone who did not know these savage creatures might ask why the narrator did not open the trap door and fight his jailer. He would have fought if he knew there were no other white apes nearby. But he knew from experience that there were many of them in the ruined city. They usually hunted alone to keep their food. If he attacked one, it would make a loud noise and attract the others. Then, his chance to escape would be very small.

Original English Text

19 - FOREWORD

20 - 1. SANOMA TORA

21 - 2. BROUGHT DOWN

22 - 3. CORNERED

FOREWORD

PT To Jason Gridley of Tarzana, discoverer of the Gridley Wave, belonged the credit of establishing radio communication between Pellucidar and the outer world.

PT It was my good fortune to be much in his laboratory while he was carrying on his experiments and to be, also, the recipient of his confidences, so that I was fully aware that while he hoped to establish communication with Pellucidar he was also reaching out toward an even more stupendous accomplishment -- he was groping through space for contact with another planet; nor did he attempt to deny that the present goal of his ambition was radio communication with Mars.

PT Gridley had constructed a simple, automatic device for broadcasting signals intermittently and for recording whatever might be received during his absence.

PT For a period of five minutes the Gridley Wave carried a simple code signal consisting of two letters, "J.G.," out into the ether, following which there was a pause of ten minutes. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week, these silent, invisible messengers sped out to the uttermost reaches of infinite space, and after Jason Gridley left Tarzana to embark upon his expedition to Pellucidar, I found myself drawn to his laboratory by the lure of the tantalizing possibilities of his dream, as well as by the promise I had made him that I would look in occasionally to see that the device was functioning properly and to examine the recording instruments for any indication that the signals had been received and answered.

PT My considerable association with Gridley had given me a fair working knowledge of his devices and sufficient knowledge of the Morse Code to enable me to receive with moderate accuracy and speed.

PT Months passed; dust accumulated thickly upon everything except the working parts of Gridley's device, and the white ribbon of ticker tape that was to receive an answering signal retained its virgin purity; then I went away for a short trip into Arizona.

PT I was absent for about ten days and upon my return one of the first things with which I concerned myself was an inspection of Gridley's laboratory and the instruments he had left in my care. As I entered the familiar room and switched on the lights it was with the expectation of meeting with the same blank unresponsiveness to which I was by now quite accustomed.

PT As a matter of fact, hope of success had never been raised to any considerable degree in my breast, nor had Gridley been over sanguine -- his was merely an experiment. He considered it well worth while to make it, and I considered it equally worth while to lend him what small assistance I might.

PT It was, therefore, with feelings of astonishment that assumed the magnitude of a distinct shock that I saw upon the ticker tape the familiar tracings which stand for the dots and dashes of code.

PT Of course I realized that some other researcher might have duplicated Jason's discovery of the Gridley Wave and that the message might have originated upon earth, or, again, it might be a message from Jason himself in Pellucidar, but when I had deciphered it, all doubts were quickly put to rest. It was from Ulysses Paxton, one time captain, -- the U.S. Infantry, who, miraculously transported from a battlefield in France to the bosom of the great Red Planet, had become the right hand man of Ras Thavas, the mastermind of Mars, and later the husband of Valla Dia, daughter of Kor San, Jeddak of Duhor.

PT In brief, the message explained that for months mysterious signals had been received at Helium, and while they were unable to interpret them, they felt that they came from Jasoom, the name by which the planet Earth is known upon Mars.

PT John Carter being absent from Helium, a fast flier had been dispatched to Duhor bearing an urgent request to Paxton to come at once to the twin cities and endeavor to determine if in truth the signals they were receiving actually originated upon the planet of his birth.

PT Upon his arrival at Helium, Paxton immediately recognized the Morse Code signals and no doubt was left in the minds of the Martian scientists that at last something tangible had been accomplished toward the solution of inter-communication between Jasoom and Barsoom.

PT Repeated attempts to transmit answering signals to Earth proved fruitless and then the best minds of Helium settled down to the task of analyzing and reproducing the Gridley Wave.

PT They felt that at last they had succeeded. Paxton had sent his message and they were eagerly awaiting an acknowledgment.

PT I have since been in almost constant communication with Mars, but out of loyalty to Jason Gridley, to whom all the credit and honor are due, I have made no official announcement, nor shall I give out any important information, leaving all that for his return to the outer world; but I believe that I am betraying no confidence if I narrate to you the interesting story of Hadron of Hastor, which Paxton told me one evening not long since.

PT I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

PT But before I go on with the story a brief description of the principal races of Mars, their political and military organization and some of their customs may prove of interest to many of my readers. The dominant race in whose hands rest the progress and civilization -- yes, the very life of Mars - differ but little in physical appearance from ourselves. The fact that their skins are a light reddish copper color and that they are oviparous constitute the two most marked divergences from Anglo-Saxon standards. No, there is another -- their longevity. A thousand years is the natural span of life of a Martian, although, because of their war-like activities and the prevalence of assassination among them, few live their allotted span.

PT Their general political organization has changed little in countless ages, the unit still being the tribe, at the head of which is a chief or jed, corresponding in modern times to our king. The princes are known as lesser jeds, while the chief of chiefs, or the head of consolidated tribes, is the jeddak, or emperor, whose consort is a jeddara.

PT The majority of red Martians live in walled cities, though there are many who reside in isolated, though well walled and defended, farm homes along those rich irrigated ribbons of land that we of earth know as the Canals of Mars.

PT In the far south, that is in the south polar region, dwells a race of very handsome and highly intelligent black men. There, also, is the remnant of a white race; while the north polar regions are dominated by a race of yellow men.

PT In between the two poles and scattered over all the and waste lands of the dead sea bottoms, often inhabiting the ruined cities of another age, are the feared green hordes of Mars.

PT The terrible green warriors of Barsoom are the hereditary enemies of all the other races of this martial planet. They are of heroic size and in addition to being equipped with two legs and two arms apiece, they have an intermediary pair of limbs, which may be used at will either as arms or legs. Their eyes are set at the extreme sides of their heads, a trifle above the center, and protrude in such a manner that they may be directed either forward or back and also independently of each other, thus permitting these remarkable creatures to look in any direction, or in two directions at once without the necessity of turning their heads.

PT Their ears, which are slightly above the eyes and closer together are small cupped-shape antennae, protruding several inches from the head, while their noses are but longitudinal slits in the center of their faces, midway between their mouths and ears.

PT They have no hair on their bodies, which are of a very light yellowish-green color in infancy, deepening to an olive green toward maturity, the adult males being darker in color than the females.

PT The iris of the eyes is blood red, as an Albino's, while the pupil is dark. The eyeball itself is very white, as are the teeth and it is these latter which add a most ferocious appearance to an otherwise fearsome and terrible countenance, as the lower tusks curve upward to sharp points which end about where the eyes of earthly human beings are located. The whiteness of the teeth is not that of ivory, but of the snowiest and most gleaming of china. Against the dark background of their olive skins their tusks stand out in a most striking manner, causing these weapons to present a singularly formidable appearance.

PT They are a cruel and taciturn race, entirely devoid of love, sympathy or pity.

PT They are an equestrian race, never walking other than to move about their camps.

PT Their mounts, called thoats, are great savage beasts' whose proportions harmonize with those of their giant masters. They have eight legs and broad flat tails larger at the tips than at the roots. They hold these tails straight out while running. Their mouths are enormous, splitting their heads from their snouts to their long, massive necks. Like their masters, they are entirely devoid of hair, their skins being a dark slate color and exceedingly smooth and glossy, with the exception of the belly, which is white, and the legs, which shade from the slate of the shoulders and hips to a vivid yellow at the feet. The feet are heavily padded and nailless.

PT Like the red men, the green hordes are ruled by jeds and jeddaks, but their military organization is not carried to the same detail of perfection as is that of the red men.

PT The military forces of the red men are highly organized, the principal arm of the service being the navy, an enormous air force of battleships, cruisers and an infinite variety of lesser craft down to one-man scout fliers. Next in size and importance is the infantry branch of the service, while the cavalry, mounted on a breed of small thoats, similar to those used by the green Martian giants, is utilized principally in patrolling the avenues of the cities and the rural districts that border the irrigating systems.

PT The principal basic unit, although not the smallest one of the military organization, is a utan, consisting of one hundred men, which is commanded by a dwar with several padwars or lieutenants junior to him. An odwar commands a umak of ten thousand men, while next above him is a jedwar, who is junior only to the jed or king.

PT Science, literature, art and architecture are in some of their departments further advanced upon Mars than upon Earth, a remarkable thing when one considers the constant battle for survival which is the most marked characteristic of life upon Barsoom.

PT Not only are they waging a continual battle against Nature, which is slowly diminishing their already scant atmosphere, but from birth to death they are constantly faced by the stern necessity of defending themselves against enemy nations of their own race and the great hordes of roving green warriors of the dead sea bottom; while within the walls of their own cities are countless professional assassins, whose calling is so well recognized that in some localities they are organized into guilds.

PT But notwithstanding all the grim realities with which they have to contend, the red Martians are a happy, social people. They have their games, their dances and their songs, and the social life of a great capital of Barsoom is as gay and magnificent as any that may be found in the rich capitals of Earth.

PT That they are a brave, noble and generous people is indicated by the fact that neither John Carter nor Ulysses Paxton would return to Earth if they might.

PT And now to return to the tale that I had from Paxton across forty-three million miles of space.

1. SANOMA TORA

PT This is the story of Hadron of Hastor, Fighting Man of Mars, as narrated by him to Ulysses Paxton:

PT I am Tan Hadron of Hastor, my father is Had Urtur, Odwar of the 1st Umak of the Troops of Hastor. He commands the largest ship of war that Hastor has ever contributed to the navy of Helium, accommodating as it does the entire ten thousand men of the 1st Umak, together with five hundred lesser fighting ships and all the paraphernalia of war. My mother is a princess of Gathol.

PT As a family we are not rich except in honor, and, valuing this above all mundane possessions, I chose the profession of my father rather than a more profitable career. The better to further my ambition I came to the capital of the empire of Helium and took service in the troops of Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium, that I might be nearer the great John Carter, Warlord of Mars.

PT My life in Helium and my career in the army were similar to those of hundreds of other young men. I passed through my training days without notable accomplishment, neither heading nor trailing my fellows, and in due course I was made a Padwar in the 91st Umak, being assigned to the 5th Utan of the 11th Dar.

PT What with being of noble lineage by my father and inheriting royal blood from my mother, the palaces of the twin cities of Helium were always open to me and I entered much into the gay life of the capital. It was thus that I met Sanoma Tora, daughter of Tor Hatan, Odwar of the 91st Umak.

PT Tor Hatan is only of the lower nobility, but he is fabulously rich from the loot of many cities well invested in farm land and mines, and because here in the capital of Helium riches count for more than they do in Hastor, Tor Hatan is a powerful man, whose influence reaches even to the throne of the Jeddak.

PT Never shall I forget the occasion upon which I first laid eyes upon Sanoma Tora. It was upon the occasion of a great feast at the marble palace of The Warlord. There were gathered under one roof the most beautiful women of Barsoom, where, notwithstanding the gorgeous and radiant beauty of Dejah Thoris, Tara of Helium and Thuvia of Ptarth, the pulchritude of Sanoma Tora was such as to arrest attention. I shall not say that it was greater than that of those acknowledged queens of Barsoomian loveliness, for I know that my adoration of Sanoma Tora might easily influence my judgment, but there were others there who remarked her gorgeous beauty which differs from that of Dejah Thoris as the chaste beauty of a polar landscape differs from the beauty of the tropics, as the beauty of a white palace in the moonlight differs from the beauty of its garden at midday.

PT When at my solicitation I was presented to her, she glanced first at the insignia upon my armor, and noting therefrom that I was but a Padwar, she vouchsafed me but a condescending word and turned her attention again to the Dwar with whom she had been conversing.

PT I must admit that I was piqued and yet it was, indeed, the contumelious treatment she accorded me that fixed my determination to win her, for the goal most difficult of attainment has always seemed to me the most desirable.

PT And so it was that I fell in love with Sanoma Tora, the daughter of the commander of the Umak to which I was attached.

PT For a long time I found it difficult to further my suit in the slightest degree; in fact I did not even see Sanoma Tora for several months after our first meeting, since when she found that I was poor as well as low in rank I found it impossible to gain an invitation to her home and it chanced that I did not meet her elsewhere for a long time, but the more inaccessible she became the more I loved her until every waking moment of my time that was not actually occupied by the performance of my military duties was devoted to the devising of new and ever increasingly rash plans to possess her. I even had the madness to consider abducting her, and I believe that I should eventually have gone this far had there been no other way in which I could see her, but about this time a fellow officer of the 91st, in fact the Dwar of the Utan to which I was attached, took pity on me and obtained for me an invitation to a feast in the palace of Tor Hatan.

PT My host, who was also my commanding officer, had never noticed me before this evening and I was surprised to note the warmth and cordiality of his greetings.

PT "We must see more of you here, Hadron of Hastor," he had said. "I have been watching you and I prophesy that you will go far in the military service of the Jeddak."

PT Now I knew he was lying when he said that he had been watching me, for Tor Hatan was notoriously lax in his duties as a commanding officer, all of which were performed by the senior Teedwar of the Umak. While I could not fathom the cause of this sudden interest in me, it was nevertheless very pleasing since through it I might in some degree further my pursuit of the heart and hand of Sanoma Tora.

PT Sanoma Tora herself was slightly more cordial than upon the occasion of our first meeting, though she noticeably paid more attention to Sil Vagis than she did to me.

PT Now if there is any man in Helium whom I particularly detest more than another it is Sil Vagis, a nasty little snob who holds the title of Teedwar, though so far as I was ever able to ascertain he commands no troops, but is merely on the staff of Tor Hatan, principally, I presume, because of the great wealth of his father.

PT Such creatures we have to put up with in times of peace, but when war comes and the great Warlord takes command it is the fighting men who rank and riches do not count.

PT But be that as it may, while Sil Vagis spoiled this evening for me as he would spoil many others in the future, nevertheless I left the palace of Tor Hatan that night with a feeling bordering upon elation, for I had Sanoma Tora's permission to see her again in her father's home when my duties would permit me to pay my respects to her.

PT Returning to my quarters I was accompanied by my friend, the Dwar, and when I commented on the warmth of Tor Hatan's reception of me he laughed.

PT "You find it amusing," I said. "Why?"

PT "Tor Hatan, as you know," he said, "is very rich and powerful, and yet it is seldom, as you may have noticed, that he is invited to any one of the four places of Helium in which ambitious men most crave to be seen."

PT "You mean the palaces of the Warlord, the Jeddak, the Jed and Carthoris?" I asked.

PT "Of course," he replied. "What other four in Helium count for so much as these? Tor Hatan," he continued, "is supposed to come from the lower nobility, but there is a question in my mind as to whether there is a drop of noble blood in his veins, and one of the facts upon which I base my conjecture is his cringing and fawning reverence for anything pertaining to royalty -- he would give his fat soul to be considered an intimate of any one of the four."

PT "But what has that to do with me?" I demanded.

PT "A great deal," he replied; "in fact, because of it you were invited to his palace tonight."

PT "I do not understand," I said.

PT "I chanced to be talking with Tor Hatan the morning of the day you received your invitation and in the course of our conversation I mentioned you. He had never heard of you, and as a Padwar in the 5th Utan you aroused his interest not a particle, but when I told him that your mother was a princess of Gathol, be pricked up his ears, and when he learned that you were received as a friend and equal in the palaces of the four demigods of Helium, he became almost enthusiastic about you. Now do you understand?" he concluded with a short laugh.

PT "Perfectly," I replied, "but none the less, I thank you. All that I wanted was the opportunity and inasmuch as I was prepared to achieve it criminally if necessary, I cannot quibble over any means that were employed to obtain it, however unflattering they may be to me."

PT For months I haunted the palace of Tor Hatan, and being naturally a good conversationalist and well schooled in the stately dances and joyous games of Barsoom, I was by no means an unwelcome visitor. Also I made it a point often to take Sanoma Tora to one or another of the four great palaces of Helium. I was always welcome because of the blood relationship which existed between my mother and Gahan of Gathol, who had married Tara of Helium.

PT Naturally I felt that I was progressing well with my suit, but my progress was not fast enough to keep pace with the racing desires of my passion. Never had I known love before and I felt that I should die if I did not soon possess Sanoma Tora, and so it was that upon a certain night I visited the palace of her father definitely determined to lay my heart and sword at her feet before I left, and, although the natural complexes of a lover convinced me that I was an unworthy worm, that she would be wholly justified in spurning, I was yet determined to declare myself so that I might openly be accounted a suitor, which, after all, gives one greater freedom even though he be not entirely a favored suitor.

PT It was one of those lovely nights that transform old Barsoom into a world of enchantment. Thuria and Cluros were racing through the heavens casting their soft light upon the garden of Tor Hatan, empurpling the vivid, scarlet sward and lending strange hues to the gorgeous blooms of pimalia and sorapus, while the winding walks, graveled with semi-precious stones, shot back a thousand scintillant rays that, clothed in ever-changing colors, danced at the feet of the marble statuary that lent an added artistic charm to the ensemble.

PT In one of the spacious halls that overlooked the garden of the palace, a youth and a maiden sat upon a massive bench of rich sorapus wood, such a bench as might have graced the halls of the great Jeddak himself, so intricate its rich design, so perfect the carving of the master craftsman who produced it.

PT Upon the leathern harness of the youth were the insignia of his rank and service -- a Padwar in the 91st Umak. The youth was I, Hadron of Hastor, and with me was Sanoma Tora, daughter of Tor Hatan. I had come filled with the determination boldly to plead my cause, but suddenly I had become aware of my unworthiness. What had I to offer this beautiful daughter of the rich Tor Hatan? I was only a Padwar, and a poor one at that. Of course, there was the royal blood of Gathol in my veins, and that, I knew, would have weight with Tor Hatan, but I am not given to boasting and I could not have reminded Sanoma Tora of the advantages to be derived because of it even had I known positively that it would influence her. I had, therefore, nothing to offer but my great love, which is, perhaps, after all, the greatest gift that man or woman can bring to another, and I had thought of late that Sanoma Tora might love me. Upon several occasions she had sent for me, and, although in each instance she had suggested going to the palace of Tara of Helium, I had been vain enough to hope that this was not her sole reason for wishing to be with me.

PT "You are uninteresting tonight, Hadron of Hastor," she said after a particularly long silence, during which I had been endeavoring to formulate my proposal in some convincing and graceful phrases.

PT "Perhaps," I replied, "it is because I am trying to find the words in which to clothe the most interesting thought I have ever entertained."

PT "And what is that?" she asked politely, though with no great show of interest.

PT "I love you, Sanoma Tora," I blurted awkwardly.

PT She laughed. It was like the tinkling of silver upon crystal -- beautiful but cold. "That has been apparent for a long while," she said, "but why speak of it?"

PT "And why not?" I asked.

PT "Because even if I returned your love, I am not for you, Hadron of Hastor," she replied coldly.

PT "You cannot love me then, Sanoma Tora?" I asked.

PT "I did not say that," she replied.

PT "You could love me?"

PT "I could love you if I permitted myself the weakness," she said, "but what is love?"

PT "Love is everything," I told her.

PT Sanoma Tora laughed. "If you think that I would link myself for life to a threadbare Padwar even if I loved him, you are mistaken," she said haughtily. "I am the daughter of Tor Hatan, whose wealth and power are but little less than those of the royal families of Helium. I have suitors whose wealth is so great that they could buy you a thousand times over. Within the year an emissary of the Jeddak Tul Axtar of Jahar waited upon my father; he had seen me and he said that he would return, and, merely for love, you would ask me, who may some day be Jeddara of Jahar to become the wife of a poor Padwar."

PT I arose. "Perhaps you are right," I said. "You are so beautiful that it does not seem possible that you could be wrong, but deep in my heart I cannot but feel that happiness is the greatest treasure that one may possess, and love the greatest power. Without these, Sanoma Tora, even a Jeddara is poor indeed."

PT "I shall take my chance," she said.

PT "I hope that the Jeddak of Jahar is not as greasy as his emissary," I remarked rather peevishly, I am afraid.

PT "He may be an animated grease-pot for all I care if he will make me his Jeddara," said Sanoma Tora.

PT "Then there is no hope for me?" I asked.

PT "Not while you have so little to offer, Padwar," she replied.

PT It was then that a slave announced Sil Vagis, and I took my leave. I had never before plumbed such depths of despondency as that which engulfed me as I made my unhappy way back to my quarters, but even though hope seemed dead I had not relinquished my determination to win her. If wealth and power were her price, then I would achieve wealth and power. Just how I was going to accomplish it was not entirely clear, but I was young and to youth all things are possible.

PT I had tossed in wakefulness upon my sleeping silks and furs for some time when an officer of the guard burst suddenly into my quarters.

PT "Hadron!" he shouted, "are you here?"

PT "Yes," I replied.

PT "Praised be the ashes of my ancestors!" he exclaimed. "I feared that you were not."

PT "Why should I not be?" I demanded. "What is this all about?"

PT "Tor Hatan, the fat old treasure bag, is gone mad," he exclaimed.

PT "Tor Hatan gone mad? What do you mean? What has that got to do with me?"

PT "He swears that you have abducted his daughter."

PT In an instant I was upon my feet. "Abducted Sanoma Tora!" I cried. "Has something happened to her? Tell me, quickly."

PT "Yes, she is gone, all right," said my informant, "and there is something mighty mysterious about it."

PT But I did not wait to hear more. Seizing my harness, I adjusted it as I ran up the spiral runway toward the hangars on the roof of the barracks. I had no authority or permit to take out a flier, but what did that mean to me if Sanoma Tora was in danger?

PT The hangar guards sought to detain and question me. I do not recall what I told them; I know that I must have lied to them, for they let me run out a swift one-man flier and an instant later I was racing through the night toward the palace of Tor Hatan.

PT As it stands but little more than two haads from the barracks, I was there in but a few moments, and, as I landed in the garden, which was now brilliantly lighted, I saw a number of people congregated there, among whom were Tor Hatan and Sil Vagis.

PT As I leaped from the deck of the flier, the former came angrily toward me. "So it is you!" he cried. "What have you to say for yourself? Where is my daughter?"

PT "That is what I have come to ask, Tor Hatan," I replied.

PT "You are at the bottom of this," he cried. "You abducted her. She told Sil Vagis that this very night you had demanded her hand in marriage and that she had refused you."

PT "I did ask for her hand," I said, "and she refused me. That part is true; but if she has been abducted, in the name of your first ancestor, do not waste time trying to connect me with the diabolical plot. I had nothing to do with it. How did it happen? Who was with her?"

PT "Sil Vagis was with her. They were walking in the garden," replied Tor Hatan.

PT "You saw her abducted," I asked, turning to Sil Vagis, "and you are here unwounded and alive?"

PT He started to stammer. "There were many of them," he said. "They overpowered me."

PT "You saw them?" I asked.

PT "Yes."

PT "Was I among them?" I demanded.

PT "It was dark. I could not recognize any of them, perhaps they were disguised."

PT "They overpowered you?" I asked him.

PT "Yes," he said.

PT "You lie!" I exclaimed. "Had they laid hands upon you they would have killed you. You ran away and hid, never drawing a weapon to defend the girl."

PT "That is a lie," cried Sil Vagis. "I fought with them, but they overpowered me."

PT I turned to Tor Hatan. "We are wasting time," I said. "Is there no one who can give us a clue as to the identity of these men and the direction they took in their flight? How and whence came they? How and whence did they depart?"

PT "He is trying to throw you off the track, Tor Hatan," said Sil Vagis. "Who else could it have been but a disgruntled suitor? What would you say if I should tell you that the metal of the men who stole Sanoma Tora was the metal of the warriors of Hastor?"

PT "I would say that you are a liar," I replied. "If it was so dark that you could not recognize faces, how could you decipher the insignia upon their harness?"

PT At this juncture another officer of the 91st Umak joined us. "We have found one who may, perhaps, shed some light upon the subject," he said, "if he lives long enough to speak."

PT Men had been searching the grounds of Tor Hatan and that portion of the city adjacent to his palace, and now several approached bearing a man, whom they laid upon the sward at our feet. His broken and mangled body was entirely naked, and as he lay there gasping feebly for breath, he was a pitiful spectacle.

PT A slave dispatched into the palace returned with stimulants, and when some of these had been forced between his lips, the man revived slightly.

PT "Who are you?" asked Tor Hatan.

PT "I am a warrior of the city guard," replied the man feebly.

PT An officer approached Tor Hatan excitedly. "My men have just found six more bodies close to the point at which we discovered this man," he said. "They are all naked and similarly broken and mangled."

PT "Perhaps we shall get to the bottom of this yet," said Tor Hatan, and, turning again to the poor, broken thing upon the scarlet sward, he directed him to proceed.

PT "We were on night patrol over the city when we saw a craft running without lights. As we approached it and turned our searchlight upon it, I caught a single, brief glimpse of it. It bore no colors or insignia to denote its origin and its design was unlike that of any ship I have ever seen. It had a long, low, enclosed cabin upon either side of which were mounted two peculiar looking guns. This was all I had time to note, except that I saw a man directing one of the guns in our direction. The padwar in command of our ship immediately gave orders to fire upon the stranger, and at the same time he hailed him. At that instant our ship dissolved in mid-air; even my harness fell from me. I remember falling, that is all," and with these words he gasped once and died.

PT Tor Hatan called his people around him. "There must have been someone about the palace or the grounds who saw something of this occurrence," he said. "I command that no matter who may be involved, whoever has any knowledge whatsoever of this affair, shall speak."

PT A slave stepped forward, and as he approached Tor Hatan eyed him with haughty arrogance.

PT "Well," demanded the odwar, "what have you to say? Speak!"

PT "You have commanded it, Tor Hatan," said the slave; "otherwise I should not speak, for when I have told what I saw I shall have incurred the enmity of a powerful noble," and he glanced quickly toward Sil Vagis.

PT "And if you speak the truth, man, you will have won the friendship of a padwar whose sword is not so mean but that it may protect you even from a powerful noble," I said quickly, and I, too, glanced at Sil Vagis, for it was in my mind that what the fellow had to tell might be none too flattering to the soft fop who masqueraded beneath the title of a warrior.

PT Speak!" commanded Tor Hatan impatiently. "And see to it that thou dost not lie."

PT "For fourteen years I have served faithfully in your palace, Tor Hatan," replied the man, "ever since I was brought to Helium a prisoner of war after the fall and sack of Kobol, where I served in the body guard of the Jed of Kobol, and in all that time you have had no reason to question my truthfulness. Sanoma Tora trusted me, and had I had a sword this night she might still be with us."

PT "Come! Come! cried Tor Hatan; "get to the point. What saw you?"

PT "The fellow saw nothing," snapped Sil Vagis. "Why waste time upon him? He seeks but to glory in a little brief notoriety.

PT "Let him speak," I exclaimed.

PT "I had just ascended the first ramp to the second level of the palace," explained the slave, "on my way to the sleeping quarters of Tor Hatan to arrange his sleeping silks and furs for the night as is my custom, and, pausing for a moment to look out into the garden, I saw Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis walking in the moonlight. Conscious that I should not thus observe them, I was about to continue on my way about my duties when I saw a flier dropping silently out of the night toward the garden. Its motors were noiseless, it showed no light. It seemed a spectral ship and of such strange design that even if for no other reason it would have arrested my attention, but there were other reasons. Unlighted ships move through the night for no good purpose, and so I paused to watch it.

PT "It landed silently and quickly behind Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis; nor did they seem aware of its presence until their attention was attracted by the slight clanking of the accoutrements of one of the several warriors who sprang from its low cabin as it grounded. Then Sil Vagis wheeled about. For just an instant he stood as though petrified and then as the strange warriors leaped toward him, he turned and fled into the concealing shrubbery of the garden."

PT "It is a lie," cried Sil Vagis.

PT "Silence, coward!" I commanded.

PT "Continue, slave!" directed Tor Hatan.

PT "Sanoma Tora was not aware of the presence of the strange warriors until she was seized roughly from behind. It all happened so quickly that I scarce had time to realize the purpose of the sinister visitation before they laid hands upon her. When I comprehended that my mistress was the object of this night attack, I rushed hurriedly down the ramp, but ere I reached the garden they had dragged her aboard the flier. Even then, however, had I had a sword I might at least have died in the service of Sanoma Tora, for I reached the ship of mystery as the last warrior was clambering aboard. I seized him by the harness and attempted to drag him to the ground, at the same time shouting loudly to attract the palace guard, but ere I did so one of his fellows on the deck above me drew his long sword and struck viciously at my head. The blade caught me but a glancing blow which, however, sufficed to stun me for a moment, so that I relaxed my hold upon the strange warrior and fell to the sward. When I regained consciousness the ship had gone and the tardy palace guard was pouring from the guard room. I have spoken -- and spoken truthfully."

PT Tor Hatan's cold gaze sought out the lowered eyes of Sil Vagis. "What have you to say to this?" he demanded.

PT "The fellow is in the employ of Hadron of Hastor," shouted Sil Vagis. "He speaks nothing but lies. I attacked them when they came, but there were many and they overpowered me. This fellow was not present."

PT "Let me see thy head," I said to the slave, and when he had come and knelt before me I saw a great red welt the length of one side of his head above the ear, just such a welt as a glancing blow from the flat side of a long sword might have made. "Here," I said to Tor Hatan, pointing to the great welt, "is the proof of a slave's loyalty and courage. Let us see the wounds received by a noble of Helium who by his own testimony engaged in single- handed combat against great odds. Surely in such an encounter he must have received at least a single scratch."

PT "Unless he is as marvelous a swordsman as the great John Carter himself," said the dwar of the palace guard with a thinly veiled sneer.

PT 'It is all a plot," cried Sil Vagis. "Do you take the word of a slave, Tor Hatan, against that of a noble of Helium?"

PT "I rely on the testimony of my eyes and my senses," replied the odwar, and he turned his back upon Sil Vagis and again addressed the slave. "Didst thou recognize any of those who abducted Sanoma Tora," he demanded, "or note their harness or their metal?"

PT "I got no good look at the face of any of them, but I did see the harness and the metal of him whom I tried to drag from the flier."

PT "Was it the metal of Hastor?" asked Tor Hatan.

PT "By my first ancestor, it was not," replied the slave emphatically; "nor was it the metal of any other city of the Empire of Helium. The design and the insignia were unknown to me, and yet there was a certain familiarity about them that tantalizes me. I feel that I have seen them before, but when and where I cannot recall. In the service of my jed I fought invaders from many lands and it may be that upon some of these I saw similar metal many years ago."

PT "Are you satisfied, Tor Hatan," I demanded, "that the aspersions cast upon me by Sil Vagis are without foundation?"

PT "Yes, Hadron of Hastor," replied the odwar.

PT "Then with your leave, I shall depart," I said.

PT "Where are you going?" he asked.

PT "To find Sanoma Tora," I replied.

PT "And if you find her," he said, "and return her safely to me, she is yours."

PT I made no other acknowledgment of his generous offer than to bow deeply, for I had it in my mind that Sanoma Tora might have something to say about that, and whether she had or not, I wished no mate who came not to me willingly.

PT Leaping to the deck of the flier that brought me I rose into the night and sped in the direction of the marble palace of the Warlord of Barsoom, for, even though the hour was late, I was determined to see him without an instant's unnecessary loss of time.

2. BROUGHT DOWN

PT As I approached the warlord's palace I saw signs of activity unusual for that hour of the night. Fliers were arriving and departing, and when I alighted upon that portion of the roof reserved for military ships, I saw the fliers of a number of high officers of the Warlord's staff.

PT Being a frequent visitor at the palace and being well known by all the officers of the Warlord's body guard, I had no difficulty in gaining admission to the palace, and presently I was waiting in the hall, just off the small compartment in which the Warlord is accustomed to give small, private audiences, while a slave announced me to his master.

PT I do not know how long I waited. It could not have been a long while, yet it seemed to me a veritable eternity, because my mind was harassed by the conviction that the woman I loved was in dire danger. I was possessed by a conviction, ridiculous perhaps, but none the less real, that I alone could save her and that every instant I was delayed reduced her chances for succor before it was too late.

PT But at last I was invited to enter, and when I stood in the presence of the great Warlord I found him surrounded by men high in the councils of Helium.

PT "I assume," said John Carter, coming directly to the point, "that what brings you here tonight, Hadron of Hastor, pertains to the matter of the abduction of the daughter of Tor Hatan. Have you any knowledge or any theory that might cast any light upon the subject?"

PT "No," I replied. "I have come merely to obtain your authority to depart at once in an attempt to pick up the trail of the abductors of Sanoma Tora."

PT "Where do you intend to search?" he demanded.

PT "I do not yet know, sir," I replied, "but I shall find her."

PT He smiled. "Such assurance is at least an asset," he said, "and knowing as I do what prompts it, I shall grant you the permission you desire. While the abduction of a daughter of Helium is in itself of sufficient gravity to warrant the use of every resource to apprehend her abductors and return her to her home, there is also involved in this occurrence an element that may portend high danger to the empire. As you doubtless know, the mysterious ship that bore her away mounted a gun from which emanated some force that entirely disintegrated all the metal parts of the patrol flier that sought to intercept and question it. Even the weapons and the metal portions of the harness of the crew were dissipated into nothing, a fact that was easily discernible from an examination of the wreck of the patrol flier and the bodies of its crew. Wood, leather, flesh, everything of the animal and vegetable kingdom that was aboard the flier, has been found scattered about the ground where it fell, but no trace of any metallic substance remains.

PT "I am impressing this upon you because it suggests to my mind a possible clue to the general location of the city of these new enemies of Helium. I am convinced that this is but the first blow, since any navy armed with such guns could easily hold Helium at its mercy, and few indeed are the cities of Barsoom outside the empire that would not seize with avidity upon any instrument that would give them the sack of the Twin Cities.

PT "For some time now we have been deeply concerned by the increasing number of missing ships of the navy. In nearly all instances these were ships engaged in charting air currents and recording atmospheric pressures in different parts of Barsoom far from the empire, and recently it has become apparent that the vast majority of these ships which never return were those cruising in the southern part of the western hemisphere, an unhospitable portion of our planet concerning which we have unfortunately but little knowledge owing to the fact that we have developed no trade with the unfriendly people inhabiting this vast domain.

PT "This, Hadron of Hastor, is only a suggestion; only the vaguest of clues, but I offer it to you for what it is worth. A thousand one-man scout fliers will be dispatched between now and noon tomorrow in search of the abductors of Sanoma Tora; nor will these be all. Cruisers and battleships will take the air as well, for Helium must know what city or what nation has developed a weapon of destruction such as that used above Helium this night.

PT "It is my belief that the weapon is of very recent invention and that whatever power possesses it, must be bending every effort to perfect it and produce it in such quantities as to make them masters of the world. I have spoken. Go, and may fortune be with you."

PT You may believe that I lost no time in setting out upon my mission now that I had authority from John Carter. Going to my quarters I hastened my preparation for departure, which consisted principally of making a careful selection of weapons and of exchanging a rather ornate harness I had been wearing for one of simpler design and of heavier and more durable leather. My fighting harness is always the best and plainest that I can procure and is made for me by a famous harness maker of Lesser Helium. My equipment of weapons was standard, consisting of a long sword, a short sword, a dagger and a pistol. I also provided myself with extra ammunition and a supply of the concentrated ration used by all Martian fighting men.

PT As I gathered together these simple necessities which, with a single sleeping fur, would constitute my equipment, my mind was given over to consideration of various explanations for the disappearance of Sanoma Tora. I searched my brain for any slightest memory that might suggest an explanation, or point toward the possible identity of her abductors. It was while thus engaged that I recalled her reference to the jeddak, Tul Axtar of Jahar nor was there within the scope of my recollection any other incident that might point a clue. I distinctly recalled the emissary of Tul Axtar who had visited the court of Helium not long since. I had heard him boast of the riches and power of his jeddak and the beauty of his women. Perhaps, then, it might be as well to search in the direction of Jahar as elsewhere, but before departing I determined once again to visit the palace of Tor Hatan and question the slave who had been the last to see Sanoma Tora.

PT As I was about to set out, another thought occurred to me. I knew that in the Temple of Knowledge might be found either illustrations or replicas of the metal and harness of every nation of Barsoom, concerning which aught was known in Helium. I therefore repaired immediately to the temple and with the assistance of a clerk I presently found a drawing of the harness and metal of a warrior of Jahar. By an ingenious photostatic process a copy of this illustration was made for me in a few seconds, and with this I hastened to the palace of Tor Hatan.

PT The odwar was absent, having gone to the palace of the Warlord, but his major-domo summoned the slave, Kal Tavan, who had witnessed the abduction of Sanoma Tora and grappled with one of her abductors.

PT As the man approached I noticed him more particularly than I had previously. He was well built, with clear cut features and that air which definitely bespeaks the fighting man.

PT "You said, I believe, that you were from Kobol?" I asked.

PT "I was born in Tjanath," he replied. "I had a wife and daughter there. My wife fell before the hand of an assassin and my daughter disappeared when she was very young. I never knew what became of her. The familiar scenes of Tjanath reminded me of happier days and so increased my grief that I could not remain. I turned panthan then and sought service in other cities; thus I served in Kobol."

PT "And there you became familiar with the harness and the metal of many cities and nations?" I asked.

PT "Yes," he replied.

PT "What harness and metal are these?" I demanded, handing him the copy of the illustration I had brought from the Temple of Knowledge.

PT He examined it briefly and then his eyes lighted with recognition. "It is the same," he said. "It is identical."

PT "Identical with what?" I asked.

PT "With the harness worn by the warrior with whom I grappled at the time that Sanoma Tora was stolen," he replied.

PT "The identity of the abductors of Sanoma Tora is established," I said, and then I turned to the major-domo. "Send a messenger at once to the Warlord informing him that the daughter of Tor Hatan was stolen by men from Jahar and that it is my belief that they are the emissaries of Tul Axtar, Jeddak of Jahar," and without more words I turned and left the palace, going directly to my flier.

PT As I arose above the towers and domes and lofty landing stages of Greater Helium, I turned the prow of my flier toward the west and opening wide the throttle sped swiftly through the thin air of dying Barsoom toward that great unknown expanse of her remote southwestern hemisphere, somewhere within the vast reaches of which lay Jahar toward which, I was now convinced, Sanoma Tora was being borne to become not the Jeddara of Tul Axtar, but his slave, for jeddaks take not their jeddaras by force upon Barsoom.

PT I believed that I understood the explanation of Sanoma Tora's abduction, an explanation that would have caused her intensive chagrin since it was far from flattery. I believed that Tul Axtar's emissary had reported to his master the charm and beauty of the daughter of Tor Hatan, but that she was not of sufficiently noble birth to become his jeddara, and so he had adopted the only expedient by which he might possess her. My blood boiled at the suggestion, but my judgment told me that it was doubtless right.

PT During the past few years -- I should say the last ten or twenty -- greater strides have been taken in the advancement of aeronautics than had been previously achieved in the preceding five hundred years.

PT The perfection of the destination control compass by Carthoris of Helium is considered by many authorities to have marked the beginning of a new era of invention. For centuries we seemed to have stagnated in a quiet pond of self sufficiency, as though we had reached the acme of perfection beyond which it was useless to seek for improvement upon what we considered the highest possible achievements of science.

PT Carthoris of Helium, inheriting the restless, inquiring mind of his earth-born sire, awoke us. Our best minds took up the challenge and the result was rapid improvement in design and construction of air ships of all classes, leading to a revolution in motor building.

PT We had thought that our light, compact, powerful radium motors never could be improved upon and that man never would travel, either safely or economically, at a speed greater than that attained by our swift one-man scout fliers -- about eleven hundred haads per zode (Note: Approximately one hundred and sixty-six earth miles per hour), when a virtually unknown padwar in the navy of Helium announced that he had perfected a motor that, with one-half the weight of our present motors, would develop twice the speed.

PT It was this type of motor with which my scout flier was equipped -- a seemingly fuelless motor, since it derived its invisible and imponderable energy from the inexhaustible and illimitable magnetic field of the planet.

PT There are certain basic features of the new motor that only the inventor and the government of Helium are fully conversant with and these are most jealously guarded. The propeller shaft, which extends well within the hull of the flier, is constructed of numerous lateral segments insulated from one another. Around this shaft and supporting it is a series of armature-like bearings, through the center of which it passes.

PT These are connected in series with a device called an accumulator through which the planet's magnetic energy is directed to the peculiar armatures which encircle the propeller shaft.

PT Speed is controlled by increasing or diminishing the number of armature bearings in series with the accumulator -- all of which is simply accomplished by a lever which the pilot moves from his position on deck where he ordinarily lies upon his stomach, his safety belt snapped to heavy rings in the deck.

PT The limit of speed, the inventor claims, is dependent solely upon the ratio of strength to weight in the construction of the hull. My one-man scout flier easily attains a speed of two thousand haads per zode (Note: Approximately three hundred miles per hour), nor could it have withstood the tremendous strain of a more powerful motor, though it would have been easy to have increased both the power of one and the speed of the other by the simple expedient of a longer propeller shaft carrying an additional number of armature bearings.

PT In experimenting with the new motor at Hastor last year, an attempt was made to drive a scout flier at the exceptional speed of thirty-three hundred haads per zode (Note: Approximately five hundred miles per hour; a haad being 1949.0592 earth feet and a zode 2462 earth hours), but before the ship had attained a speed of three thousand haads per zode it was torn to pieces by its own motor. Now we are trying to attain the greatest strength with the minimum of weight and as our engineers succeed we shall see speed increased until, I am sure, we shall easily attain to seven thousand haads per zode (Note: Over one thousand miles per hour), for there seems to be no limit to the power of these marvelous motors.

PT Little less marvelous is the destination control compass of Carthoris of Helium. Set your pointer upon any spot on either hemisphere; open your throttle and then lie down and go to sleep if you will. Your ship will carry you to your destination, drop within a hundred yards or so of the ground and stop, while an alarm awakens you. It is really a very simple device, but I believe that John Carter has fully described it in one of his numerous manuscripts.

PT In the adventure upon which I had embarked the destination control compass was of little value to me, since I did not know the exact location of Jahar. However, I set it roughly at a point about thirty degrees south latitude, thirty-five degrees east longitude, as I believed that Jahar lay somewhere to the southwest of that point.

PT Flying at high speed I had long since left behind the cultivated areas near Helium and was crossing above a desolate and deserted waste of ocher moss that clothed the dead sea bottoms where once rolled a mighty ocean bearing upon its bosom the shipping of a happy and prosperous people, now but a half- forgotten memory in the legends of Barsoom.

PT Upon the edges of plateaus that once had marked the shore line of a noble continent I passed above the lonely monuments of that ancient prosperity, the sad, deserted cities of old Barsoom. Even in their ruins there is a grandeur and magnificence that still has power to awe a modern man. Down toward the lowest sea bottoms other ruins mark the tragic trail that that ancient civilization had followed in pursuit of the receding waters of its ocean to where the last city finally succumbed, bereft of commerce, shorn of power, to fall at last an easy victim to the marauding hordes of fierce, green tribesmen, whose descendants now are the sole rulers of many of these deserted sea bottoms. Hating and hated, ignorant of love, laughter or happiness, they lead their long, fierce lives quarreling among themselves and their neighbors and preying upon any chance adventurers who happen within the confines of their bitter and desolate domain.

PT Fierce and terrible as are all green men, there are few whose cruel natures and bloody exploits have horrified the minds of red men to such an extent as have the green hordes of Torquas.

PT The city of Torquas, from which they derive their name, was one of the most magnificent and powerful of ancient Barsoom. Though it has been deserted for ages by all but roaming tribes of green men, it is still marked upon every map, and as it lay directly in the path of my search for Jahar and as I had never seen it, I had purposely laid my course to pass over it, and when, far ahead, I saw its lofty towers and battlements I felt the thrill of excitement and the lure of adventure which these dead cities of Barsoom proverbially exert upon us red men.

PT As I approached the city I reduced my speed and dropped lower that I might obtain a better view of it. What a beautiful city it must have been in its time! Even today, after all the ages that have passed since its broad avenues surged with the life of happy, prosperous throngs, its great palaces still stand in all their glorious splendor, that time and the elements have softened and mellowed, but not yet destroyed.

PT As I circled low above the city I saw miles of avenues that have not known the foot of man for countless ages. The stone flagging of their pavement was overgrown with ocher moss, with here and there a stunted tree or a grotesque shrub of one of those varieties that somehow find sustenance in the and wasteland. Silent, deserted courtyards looked up at me, gorgeous gardens of another happier day. Here and there the roof of a building had fallen in, but for the most part they remained intact, dreaming, doubtless, of the wealth and beauty that they had known in days of yore, and in imagination I could see the gorgeous sleeping silks and furs spread out in the sunlight, while the women idled beneath gay canopies of silks, their jeweled harnesses scintillating with each move of their bodies. I saw the pennons waving from countless thousands of staffs and the great ships at anchor in the harbor rose and fell to the undulations of the restless sea. There were swaggering sailors upon the avenues, and burly, fighting men before the doors of every palace. Ali, what a picture imagination conjured from the deathlike silence of that deserted city, and then, as a long, swinging circle brought me above the courtyard of a splendid palace that faced upon the city's great central square, my eyes beheld that which shattered my beautiful dream of the past. Directly below me I saw a score of great thoats penned in what once may have been the royal garden of a jeddak.

PT The presence of these huge beasts meant but one thing, and that was that their green masters were to be found nearby.

PT As I passed above the courtyard one of the restless, vicious beasts looked up and saw me and instantly he commenced to squeal angrily. Immediately the other thoats, their short temper aroused by the squealing of their fellow and their attention directed by his upward gaze, discovered me and set up a perfect pandemonium of grunts and squeals, which brought the result that I had immediately foreseen. A green warrior leaped into the courtyard from the interior of the palace and looked up just in time to see me before I passed from his line of vision above the roof of the building.

PT Realizing immediately that this was no place for me to loiter, I opened my throttle and at the same time rose swiftly toward a greater altitude. As I passed over the building and out across the avenue in front of it, I saw some twenty green warriors pour out of the building, their upward gaze searching the skies. The warrior on guard had apprised them of my presence.

PT I cursed myself for a stupid fool in having taken this unnecessary chance merely to satisfy my idle curiosity. Instantly I took a zig-zag, upward course, rising as swiftly as I could, while from below a savage war cry rose plainly to my ears. I saw long, wicked looking rifles aimed at me. I heard the hiss of projectiles hurtling by me, but, though the first volley passed close to us, not a bullet struck the ship. In a moment more I would be out of range and safe and I prayed to a thousand ancestors to protect me for the few brief minutes that would be necessary to place me entirely out of harm's way. I thought that I had made it and was just about to congratulate myself upon my good luck when I heard the thud of a bullet against the metal of my ship and almost simultaneously the explosion of the projectile, and then I was out of range.

PT Angry cries of disappointment came faintly to my ears as I sped swiftly toward the southwest, relieved that I had been so fortunate as to be able to get away without suffering any damage.

PT I had already flown about seventy karads (Note: A karad is equivalent to a degree of longitude) from Helium, but I was aware that Jahar might still be fifty to seventy-five karads distant and I made up my mind that I would take no more chances such as those from which I had just so fortunately escaped.

PT I was now moving at great speed again and I had scarcely finished congratulating myself upon my good fortune when it suddenly became apparent to me that I was having difficulty in maintaining my altitude. My flier was losing buoyancy and almost immediately I guessed, what investigation later revealed, that one of my buoyancy tanks had been punctured by the explosive bullet of the green warriors.

PT To reproach myself for my carelessness seemed a useless waste of mental energy, though I can assure you that I was keenly aware of my fault and of its possible bearing upon the fate of Sanoma Tora, from the active prosecution of whose rescue I might now be entirely eliminated. The results as they affected me did not appall me half so much as did the contemplation of the unquestioned danger in which Sanoma Tora must be, from which my determination to rescue her had so obsessed me that there had not entered into my thoughts any slightest consideration of failure.

PT The mishap was a severe blow to my hopes and yet it did not shatter them entirely, for I am so constituted that I know I shall never give up hope of success in any issue as long as life remains to me.

PT How much longer my ship would remain afloat it was difficult to say, and, having no means of making such repairs as would be necessary to conserve the remaining contents of the punctured buoyancy tank, the best that I could do was to increase my speed so that I might cover as much distance as possible before I was forced down. The construction of my ship was such that at high speed it tended to maintain itself in the air with a minimum of the Eighth Ray in its buoyancy tanks; yet I knew that the time was not far distant when I should have to make a landing in this dreary, desolate wasteland.

PT I had covered something in the neighborhood of two thousand haads since I had been fired upon above Torquas, crossing what had been a large gulf when the waters of the ocean rolled over the vast plains that now lay moss covered and arid beneath me. Far ahead I could see the outlines of low hills that must have marked the southwestern shore line of the gulf. Toward the northwest the dead sea bottom extended as far as the eye could reach, but this was not the direction I wished to take, and so I sped on toward the hills hoping that I might maintain sufficient altitude to cross them, but as they swiftly loomed closer this hope died in my breast and I realized that the end of my flight was now but a matter of moments. At the same time I discerned the ruins of a deserted city nestling at the foot of the hills; nor was this an unwelcome sight since water is almost always to be found in the wells of these ancient cities, which have been kept in repair by the green nomads of the wasteland.

PT By now I was skimming but a few ads above the surface of the ground. (Note: An ad is about 9.75 earth feet.) I had greatly diminished my speed to avoid a serious accident in landing and because of this the end was hastened so that presently I came gently to rest upon the ocher vegetation scarcely a haad from the water-front of the deserted city.

3. CORNERED

PT My landing was most unfortunate in that it left me in plain sight of the city without any place of concealment in the event that the ruins happened to be occupied by one of the numerous tribes of green men who infest the dead sea bottoms of Barsoom, often making their headquarters in one or another of the deserted cities that line the ancient shore.

PT The fact that they usually choose to inhabit the largest and most magnificent of the ancient palaces and that these ordinarily stand back some little distance from the water-front rendered it quite possible that even in the event that there were green men in the city I might reach the concealing safety of one of the nearer buildings before I was discovered by them.

PT My flier being now useless, there was nothing to do but abandon it, and so, with only my weapons, ammunition and a little concentrated rations, I walked quickly in the direction of the age old water-front. Whether or not I reached the buildings unobserved, I was unable to determine, but at any rate I did reach them without seeing any sign of a living creature about.

PT Portions of many of these ancient, deserted cities are inhabited by the great white apes of Barsoom, which are in many respects more to be feared than the green warriors themselves, for not only are these man-like creatures endowed with enormous strength and characterized by intense ferocity, but they are also voracious man-eaters. So terrible are they that it is said that they are the only living creatures that can instill fear within the breasts of the green men of Barsoom.

PT Knowing the possible dangers that might lurk within the precincts of this ruin, it may be wondered that I approached it at all, but as a matter of fact there was no safe alternative. Out upon the dead monotony of the ocher moss of the sea bottom, I should have been discovered by the first white ape or green Martian that approached the city from that direction, or that chanced to come from the interior of the ruins to the water- front. It was, therefore, necessary for me to seek concealment until night had fallen, since only by night might I travel in safety across the sea bottom, and, as the city offered the only concealment nearby, I had no choice but to enter it. I can assure you that it was not without feelings of extreme concern that I clambered to the surface of the broad avenue that once skirted the shore of a busy harbor. Across its wide expanse rose the ruins of what once had been shops and warehouses, but whose eyeless windows now looked down upon a scene of and desolation. Gone were the great ships! Gone the busy, hurrying throngs! Gone the ocean!

PT Crossing the avenue I entered one of the taller buildings, which I noticed was surmounted by a high tower. The entire structure, including the tower, seemed to be in an excellent state of preservation and it occurred to me that if I could ascend into the latter, I should be able to obtain an excellent view of the city and of the country that lay beyond it to the southwest, which was the direction in which I intended to pursue my search for Jahar I reached the building apparently unobserved, and, entering, found myself in a large chamber, the nature and purpose of which it was no longer possible to determine, since such decorations as may possibly have adorned its walls in the past were no longer discernible and whatever furniture it may have contained to give a clue to its identity had long since been removed. There was an enormous fireplace in the far end of the room and at one side of this fireplace a ramp led downward, and upon the other a similar ramp led upward.

PT Listening intently for a moment I heard no sound, either within or without the building, so that it was with considerable confidence that I started to ascend the ramp.

PT Upward I continued from floor to floor, each of which consisted of a single large chamber, a fact which finally convinced me that the building had been a warehouse for the storing of goods passing through this ancient port.

PT From the upper floor a wooden ladder extended upward through the center of the tower above. It was of solid skeel, which is practically indestructible, so that though I knew it might be anywhere from five hundred thousand to a million years old, I did not hesitate to trust myself to it.

PT The circular interior core of the tower, upward through which the ladder extended, was rather dark. At each landing there was an opening into the tower chamber at that point, but as many of these openings were closed only a subdued light penetrated to the central core.

PT I had ascended to the second level of the tower when I thought that I heard a strange noise beneath me.

PT Just the suggestion of a noise it was, but such utter silence had reigned over the deserted city that the faintest sound must have been appreciable to me.

PT Pausing in my ascent, I looked down, listening; but the sound which I had been unable to translate was not repeated, and I continued my way on upward.

PT Having it in my mind to climb as high up in the tower as possible, I did not stop to examine any of the levels that I passed.

PT Continuing upward for a considerable distance my progress was finally blocked by heavy planking that appeared to form the ceiling of the shaft. Some eight or ten feet below me was a small door that probably led to one of the upper levels of the tower and I could not but wonder why the ladder had been continued on upward above this doorway, since it could serve no practical purpose if it merely ended at the ceiling. Feeling above me with my fingers I traced the outlines of what appeared to be a trap door. Obtaining a firm footing upon the ladder as high up as I could climb, I placed a shoulder against the barrier. In this position I was able to exert considerable pressure upward with the result that presently I felt the planking rise above me and a moment later, to the accompaniment of subdued groans, the trap door swung upward upon ancient wooden hinges long unused. Clambering into the apartment above I found myself upon the top level of the tower, which rose to a height of some two hundred feet above the avenue below. Before me were the corroded remains of an ancient and long obsolete beacon-light, such as were used by the ancients long before the discovery of radium and its practical and scientific application to the lighting requirements of modern civilization upon Barsoom. These ancient lamps were operated by expensive machines which generated electricity, and this one was doubtless used as a beacon for the safe guidance of ancient mariners into the harbor, whose waters once rolled almost to the foot of the tower.

PT This upper level of the tower afforded an excellent view in all directions. To the north and northeast stretched a vast expanse. To the south was a range of low hills that curved gently in a northeasterly direction, forming in by-gone days the southern shore line of what is still known as the Gulf of Torquas. Toward the west I looked out over the ruins of a great city, which extended far back into low hills, the flanks of which it had mounted as it expanded from the sea shore. There in the distance I could still discern the ancient villas of the wealthy, while in the nearer foreground were enormous public buildings, the most pretentious of which were built upon the four sides of a large quadrangle that I could easily discern a short distance from the water-front. Here, doubtless, stood the official palace of the jeddak who once ruled the rich country of which this city was the capital and the principal port. There, now, only silence reigns. It was indeed a depressing sight and one fraught with poignant prophecy for us of present day Barsoom.

PT Where they battled valiantly but futilely against the menace of a constantly diminishing water supply, we are faced with a problem that far transcends theirs in the importance of its bearing upon the maintenance of life upon our planet. During the past several thousand years only the courage, resourcefulness and wealth of the red men of Barsoom have made it possible for life to exist upon our dying planet, for were it not for the great atmosphere plants conceived and built and maintained by the red race of Barsoom, all forms of air breathing creatures would have become extinct thousands of years ago.

PT As I gazed out over the city, my mind occupied with these dismal thoughts, I again became aware of a sound coming from the interior of the tower beneath me, and, stepping to the open trap, I looked down into the shaft and there, directly below me, I saw that which might well make the stoutest Barsoomian heart quail -- the hideous, snarling face of a great white ape of Barsoom.

PT As our eyes met the creature voiced an angry growl and, abandoning its former stealthy approach, rushed swiftly up the ladder. Acting almost mechanically I did the one and only thing that might even temporarily stay its rush upon me -- I slammed down the heavy trap door above its head, and as I did so I saw for the first time that the door was equipped with a heavy wooden bar, and you may well believe that I lost no time in securing this, thus effectually barring the creature's ascent by this route into the veritable cul de sac in which I had placed myself.

PT Now, indeed, was I in a pretty predicament -- two hundred feet above the city with my only avenue of escape cut off by one of the most feared of all the savage beasts of Barsoom.

PT I had hunted these creatures in Thark as a guest of the great green Jeddak, Tars Tarkas, and I knew something of their cunning and resourcefulness as well as of their ferocity. Extremely man-like in conformation, they also approach man more closely than any other of the lower orders in the size and development of their brain. Occasionally these creatures are captured when young and trained to perform, and so intelligent are they that they can be taught to do almost anything that man can do that lies within the range of their limited reasoning capacity. Man has, however, never been able to subdue their ferocious nature and they are always the most dangerous of animals to handle, which probably accounts more even than their intelligence for the interest displayed by the large audiences that they unfailingly attract.

PT In Hastor I have paid a good price to see one of these creatures and now I found myself in a position where I should very gladly pay a good deal more not to see one, but from the noise he was making in the shaft beneath me it appeared to me that he was determined that I should have a free show and he a free meal. He was hurling himself as best he could against the trap door, above which I stood with some misgivings which were presently allayed when I realized that not even the vast strength of a white ape could avail against the still staunch and sturdy skeel of the ancient door.

PT Finally convinced that he could not come at me by this avenue, I set about taking stock of my situation. Circling the tower I examined its outward architecture by the simple expedient of leaning far outward above each of the four sides. Three sides terminated at the roof of the building a hundred and fifty feet below me, while the fourth extended to the pavement of the courtyard two hundred feet below. Like much of the architecture of ancient Barsoom, the surface of the tower was elaborately carved from top to bottom and at each level there were window embrasures, some of which were equipped with small stone balconies. As a rule there was but a single window to a level, and as the window for the level directly beneath never opened upon the same side of the tower as the window for the level above, there was always a distance of from thirty to forty feet between windows upon the same side, and, as I was examining the outside of the tower with a view to its offering me an avenue of escape, this point was of great importance to me, since a series of window ledges, one below another, would have proved a most welcome sight to a man in my position.

PT By the time I had completed my survey of the exterior of the tower the ape had evidently come to the conclusion that he could not demolish the barrier that kept him from me and I hoped that he would abandon the idea entirely and depart. But when I lay down on the floor and placed an ear close to the door I could plainly hear him just below as he occasionally changed from one uncomfortable position to another upon the small ladder beneath me. I did not know to what extent these creatures might have developed pertinacity of purpose, but I hoped that he might soon tire of his vigil and his thoughts be diverted into some other channel. However, as the day wore to a close this possibility seemed to grow more and more remote until at last I became almost convinced that the creature had determined to lay siege until hunger or desperation forced me from my retreat.

PT How longingly I gazed at the beckoning hills beyond the city where lay my route toward the southwest -- toward fabled Jahar.

PT The sun was low in the west. Soon would come the sudden transition from daylight to darkness, and then what? Perhaps the creature would abandon its vigil; hunger or thirst might attract it elsewhere, but how was I to know? How easily it might descend to the bottom of the tower and await me there, confident that sooner or later I must come down.

PT One unfamiliar with the traits of these savage creatures might wonder why, armed as I was with sword and pistol, I did not raise the trap door and give battle to my jailer. Had I known positively that he was the only white ape in the vicinity I should not have hesitated to do so, but experience assured me that there was doubtless an entire herd of them quartered in the ruined city. So scarce is the flesh they crave that it is their ordinary custom to hunt alone, so that in the event that they make a kill they may be more certain of retaining the prize for themselves, but if I should attack him he would most certainly raise such a row as to attract his fellows, in which event my chance for escape would have been reduced to the ultimate zero.

Versão em Português

19 - PREFÁCIO

20 - 1. SANOMA TORA

21 - 2. ABATIDO

22 - 3. ACUADO

PREFÁCIO

En Jason Gridley, de Tarzana, que descobriu a Onda Gridley, recebeu o crédito por estabelecer comunicação por rádio entre Pellucidar e o mundo exterior.

En O narrador teve a sorte de passar muito tempo no laboratório de Gridley enquanto ele realizava seus experimentos. Gridley compartilhou seus planos, então o narrador sabia que, além de esperar contatar Pellucidar, Gridley também tentava alcançar algo muito mais incrível: ele estava sondando o espaço para alcançar outro planeta. Ele não tentou esconder que seu principal objetivo era a comunicação por rádio com Marte.

En Gridley construiu uma máquina automática simples que enviava sinais em horários determinados e gravava tudo o que recebia quando ele não estava lá.

En Por cinco minutos, a Onda Gridley enviava um sinal de código simples composto pelas letras J e G para o espaço, depois havia uma pausa de dez minutos. Isso continuou por muitas horas, dias e semanas. Depois que Jason Gridley deixou Tarzana para iniciar sua jornada a Pellucidar, o narrador se viu indo ao laboratório, atraído pelas possibilidades empolgantes do sonho de Gridley e também por sua promessa de verificar a máquina e examinar os instrumentos de gravação em busca de qualquer sinal de que os sinais haviam sido recebidos e respondidos.

En Porque o narrador havia trabalhado próximo a Gridley por muito tempo, ele tinha um bom entendimento de suas máquinas e conhecimento suficiente do Código Morse para receber mensagens com precisão e velocidade razoáveis.

En Muitos meses se passaram. A poeira cobriu tudo, exceto as partes móveis da máquina de Gridley. A fita branca do telégrafo, destinada a captar um sinal de resposta, permaneceu perfeitamente limpa. Então, parti para uma viagem curta ao Arizona.

En Fiquei ausente por cerca de dez dias. Quando voltei, uma das primeiras coisas que fiz foi verificar o laboratório de Gridley e os instrumentos que ele havia deixado comigo. Ao entrar na sala familiar e acender as luzes, esperava ver a mesma falta de resposta vazia à qual já estava acostumado.

En Para ser honesto, nunca esperei realmente o sucesso. O próprio Gridley não estava muito esperançoso — ele simplesmente achava que valia a pena tentar o experimento. Concordei que sim e ofereci a ele toda a pequena ajuda que pude.

En Foi com grande espanto, quase um choque, que vi na fita do telégrafo as marcas familiares que representam os pontos e traços de uma mensagem codificada.

En Claro, percebi que algum outro pesquisador poderia ter redescoberto a Onda Gridley, e que a mensagem poderia ter vindo da Terra, ou até mesmo de Jason em Pellucidar. Mas quando a decodifiquei, todas as dúvidas desapareceram. Era de Ulysses Paxton, outrora capitão da Infantaria dos EUA. Ele havia sido milagrosamente transportado de um campo de batalha na França para o coração de Marte. Lá, tornou-se o braço direito de Ras Thavas, o brilhante cientista marciano, e mais tarde se casou com Valla Dia, filha de Kor San, o Jeddak de Duhor.

En A mensagem declarou brevemente que sinais misteriosos haviam sido recebidos em Hélio por meses. Embora não pudessem entendê-los, eles acreditavam que os sinais se originavam de Jasoom, que é o nome marciano para a Terra.

En Como John Carter não estava em Hélio, uma aeronave rápida foi enviada a Duhor. Ela levava um pedido urgente para Paxton vir imediatamente às cidades gêmeas. Ele foi solicitado a tentar determinar se os sinais que estavam recebendo realmente vinham de seu planeta natal, a Terra.

En Quando Paxton chegou a Hélio, ele imediatamente reconheceu os sinais como Código Morse. Os cientistas marcianos agora não tinham dúvidas de que finalmente haviam alcançado algo real na solução da comunicação entre Jasoom (Terra) e Barsoom (Marte).

En Várias tentativas de enviar sinais de resposta para a Terra falharam. Depois disso, os cientistas mais inteligentes de Hélio começaram a se concentrar em analisar e replicar a Onda Gridley.

En Eles acreditavam que finalmente haviam conseguido. Paxton havia enviado sua mensagem, e eles esperavam ansiosamente por uma resposta.

En Desde então, o narrador manteve contato quase constante com Marte. No entanto, por lealdade a Jason Gridley, que merece todo o crédito e honra, ele se absteve de fazer qualquer anúncio oficial ou revelar informações significativas. Ele pretende deixar todas essas revelações para o retorno de Gridley ao mundo exterior. No entanto, ele acredita que não está quebrando nenhuma confiança ao compartilhar a fascinante história de Hadron de Hastor, que Paxton lhe contou uma noite não muito tempo atrás.

En Ele espera que o leitor obtenha tanto prazer da história quanto ele próprio obteve.

En Antes de prosseguir com a narrativa, uma breve descrição das principais raças marcianas, suas estruturas políticas e militares e alguns de seus costumes pode ser do interesse de muitos leitores. A raça dominante, que detém o destino do progresso, da civilização e da própria existência de Marte, difere pouco na aparência física dos humanos. Sua pele vermelho-acobreada clara e sua reprodução ovípara são as duas diferenças mais significativas em relação às normas anglo-saxônicas. Além disso, sua longevidade é notável: a expectativa de vida natural de um marciano é de mil anos. No entanto, devido à sua natureza belicosa e à frequência de assassinatos, poucos marcianos vivem todo o seu potencial.

En Sua organização política permaneceu praticamente inalterada por inúmeras eras. A unidade básica ainda é a tribo, liderada por um chefe ou jed, que em termos modernos corresponde a um rei. Os príncipes são chamados de jeds menores. O líder supremo sobre as tribos consolidadas é o jeddak, ou imperador, e sua consorte é a jeddara.

En A maioria dos marcianos vermelhos habita cidades muradas, mas muitos também vivem em casas de campo isoladas, bem fortificadas e defendidas. Essas fazendas estão localizadas ao longo das faixas de terra férteis e irrigadas que os terráqueos conhecem como os Canais de Marte.

En Na região polar sul distante vive uma raça de pessoas negras bonitas e altamente inteligentes. Um remanescente de uma raça branca também reside lá, enquanto a região polar norte é dominada por uma raça amarela.

En Entre os dois polos, espalhados pelos ermos estéreis dos fundos de mares mortos e frequentemente habitando as cidades arruinadas de uma era passada, estão as temidas hordas verdes de Marte.

En Os temíveis guerreiros verdes de Barsoom são os inimigos hereditários de todas as outras raças neste planeta guerreiro. Eles são de tamanho heroico, possuindo duas pernas e dois braços, mais um par extra de membros que podem funcionar como braços ou pernas. Seus olhos estão situados nas laterais extremas de suas cabeças, um pouco acima do centro, e se projetam de modo que podem ser direcionados para frente ou para trás independentemente, permitindo-lhes olhar em qualquer direção – ou duas direções ao mesmo tempo – sem virar a cabeça.

En Suas orelhas, localizadas ligeiramente acima dos olhos e mais próximas umas das outras, são pequenas antenas em forma de concha que se projetam vários centímetros da cabeça. Seus narizes são meras fendas longitudinais no centro de seus rostos, a meio caminho entre a boca e as orelhas.

En Eles não têm pelos no corpo. Sua pele é de um verde-amarelado muito claro na infância, escurecendo para um verde-oliva à medida que amadurecem, com os machos adultos mais escuros que as fêmeas.

En Seus olhos têm íris vermelho-sangue e pupilas escuras, com globos oculares muito brancos. Seus dentes, especialmente as presas inferiores que se curvam para cima em pontas afiadas perto de onde estariam os olhos humanos, dão a eles uma aparência feroz. Os dentes não são como marfim, mas como porcelana branca reluzente. Contra a pele oliva, as presas se destacam de forma marcante.

En Eles são um povo cruel e reservado, completamente desprovido de amor, simpatia ou piedade.

En Eles são uma raça de cavaleiros, nunca andando a pé, exceto quando se movem dentro de seus acampamentos.

En Suas montarias, chamadas thoats, são grandes bestas selvagens que correspondem ao tamanho de seus gigantescos mestres. Thoats têm oito pernas e caudas largas e chatas que são mais grossas nas pontas do que na base, que eles mantêm esticadas ao correr. Suas bocas são enormes, dividindo a cabeça do focinho ao pescoço. Como seus mestres, eles não têm pelos, com pele cinza-ardósia escura, lisa e brilhante, exceto pela barriga branca. Suas pernas passam do cinza-ardósia nos ombros e quadris para um amarelo vivo nos pés. Os pés são fortemente acolchoados, sem unhas.

En Como os homens vermelhos, as hordas verdes são governadas por jeds e jeddaks, mas sua organização militar não é tão detalhada ou perfeita quanto a dos homens vermelhos.

En A organização militar dos homens vermelhos é altamente estruturada, com a marinha como sua força principal — uma enorme frota de navios de guerra, cruzadores e inúmeras embarcações menores, até os fliers de reconhecimento para uma única pessoa. A infantaria é o segundo maior ramo, seguida pela cavalaria montada em pequenos thoats, semelhantes aos usados pelos gigantes marcianos verdes; essa cavalaria é usada principalmente para patrulhar avenidas da cidade e áreas rurais próximas aos sistemas de irrigação.

En A unidade básica da organização militar, embora não seja a menor, é o utan, que consiste em cem homens e é comandado por um dwar, auxiliado por vários padwars ou tenentes juniores. Um odwar comanda um umak de dez mil homens, e acima dele está um jedwar, que está logo abaixo do jed ou rei.

En Em algumas áreas, ciência, literatura, arte e arquitetura em Marte são mais avançadas do que na Terra, o que é notável considerando a luta constante pela sobrevivência que define a vida em Barsoom.

En Eles não apenas enfrentam uma batalha contínua contra a natureza, que está lentamente esgotando sua já rarefeita atmosfera, mas do nascimento à morte precisam se defender constantemente contra nações inimigas de sua própria raça e vastas hordas de guerreiros verdes errantes do fundo do mar morto. Dentro de suas próprias cidades, inúmeros assassinos profissionais operam, e seu ofício é tão reconhecido que em alguns lugares eles são organizados em guildas.

En Apesar de todas essas realidades duras, os marcianos vermelhos são um povo feliz e sociável. Eles apreciam jogos, danças e canções, e a vida social em uma grande capital barsoomiana é tão animada e magnífica quanto qualquer uma encontrada nas ricas capitais da Terra.

En É evidente que John Carter e Ulysses Paxton são corajosos, nobres e generosos, porque nenhum deles retornaria à Terra mesmo se tivesse a chance.

En Agora, voltemos à história que Paxton contou de quarenta e três milhões de milhas de distância no espaço.

1. SANOMA TORA

En Esta é a história de Hadron de Hastor, um guerreiro de Marte, como ele a contou a Ulysses Paxton.

En Eu sou Tan Hadron de Hastor. Meu pai, Had Urtur, é um Odwar que comanda o maior navio de guerra que Hastor já deu à marinha de Hélio, transportando dez mil soldados, quinhentas naves de combate menores e todo o equipamento de guerra necessário. Minha mãe é uma princesa de Gathol.

En Nossa família não é rica, mas é rica em honra. Valorizando a honra acima de todos os bens materiais, escolhi a profissão do meu pai em vez de carreiras mais lucrativas. Para promover minha ambição, vim à capital de Hélio e servi nas tropas de Tardos Mors, Jeddak de Hélio, para poder estar mais perto do grande John Carter, Senhor da Guerra de Marte.

En Minha vida em Hélio e minha carreira militar foram muito parecidas com as de muitos outros jovens. Completei meu treinamento sem nenhuma conquista notável, sem liderar nem ficar atrás dos meus companheiros. Com o tempo, fui nomeado Padwar no 91º Umak, designado para o 5º Utan do 11º Dar.

En Porque meu pai era de nascimento nobre e minha mãe tinha sangue real, os palácios das cidades gêmeas de Hélio estavam sempre abertos para mim, e eu participava da animada vida social da capital. Foi assim que conheci Sanoma Tora, filha de Tor Hatan, Odwar do 91º Umak.

En Tor Hatan pertencia apenas à nobreza inferior, mas era imensamente rico devido aos despojos de muitas cidades, que ele havia investido sabiamente em terras agrícolas e minas. Na capital de Hélio, a riqueza importava mais do que em Hastor, tornando Tor Hatan um homem poderoso cuja influência se estendia até o trono do Jeddak.

En Nunca esquecerei a primeira vez que vi Sanoma Tora. Foi em um grande banquete no palácio de mármore do Senhor da Guerra. As mulheres mais bonitas de Barsoom estavam reunidas ali, e mesmo entre a beleza radiante de Dejah Thoris, Tara de Hélio e Thuvia de Ptarth, a graciosidade de Sanoma Tora era impressionante o suficiente para chamar a atenção. Não posso dizer que superava aquelas rainhas reconhecidas, pois minha adoração pode me influenciar, mas outros também comentaram sobre sua beleza deslumbrante, que diferia da de Dejah Thoris como uma paisagem polar difere dos trópicos, ou como um palácio branco ao luar difere de seu jardim ao meio-dia.

En Quando solicitei uma apresentação, ela primeiro olhou para a insígnia na minha armadura, viu que eu era apenas um Padwar, dirigiu-me uma palavra condescendente e depois voltou sua atenção para o Dwar com quem estava falando.

En O narrador admitiu que se sentia irritado, mas foi precisamente a forma insultuosa como ela o tratou que o fez decidido a conquistá-la. Ele acreditava que os objetivos mais difíceis eram os mais desejáveis.

En Assim, o narrador se apaixonou por Sanoma Tora, que era filha do comandante do navio em que servia.

En Por muito tempo, o narrador achou difícil fazer qualquer progresso em seu cortejo. Ele não viu Sanoma Tora por vários meses após o primeiro encontro porque, assim que ela soube que ele era pobre e de baixa patente, ele não conseguiu um convite para a casa dela. Ele não a encontrou em outro lugar por um longo tempo, mas quanto mais inatingível ela se tornava, mais ele a amava. Ele passava todo o seu tempo livre, além dos deveres militares, elaborando planos cada vez mais imprudentes para conquistá-la. Ele até considerou sequestrá-la e acreditava que teria feito isso se não houvesse outra maneira de vê-la. No entanto, por volta dessa época, um colega oficial, o Dwar do Utan ao qual ele estava vinculado, teve pena dele e conseguiu um convite para ele para um banquete no palácio de Tor Hatan.

En O anfitrião, que também era o oficial comandante do narrador, nunca havia prestado atenção nele antes daquela noite. O narrador ficou surpreso com o calor e a simpatia de suas saudações.

En O comandante disse ao narrador que eles deveriam vê-lo com mais frequência. Ele mencionou que o observava e previu que ele iria longe no serviço militar do Jeddak.

En O narrador percebeu que Tor Hatan estava mentindo sobre tê-lo observado, porque Tor Hatan era conhecido por negligenciar seus deveres como oficial comandante, o que significava que outros oficiais realmente os executavam. Embora o narrador não entendesse por que Tor Hatan de repente se interessou por ele, ele ainda ficou satisfeito porque isso poderia ajudá-lo a se aproximar de conquistar a afeição de Sanoma Tora.

En Sanoma Tora foi um pouco mais cordial do que quando se encontraram pela primeira vez, mas claramente deu mais atenção a Sil Vagis do que ao narrador.

En O narrador detestava Sil Vagis mais do que qualquer outra pessoa em Hélio. Sil Vagis era um esnobe desagradável com o título de Teedwar, mas pelo que o narrador podia perceber, ele não comandava tropas e apenas servia na equipe de Tor Hatan, provavelmente porque seu pai era muito rico.

En Em tempos de paz, era preciso tolerar pessoas assim. No entanto, quando a guerra começou e o grande Senhor da Guerra assumiu o comando, os homens de combate eram valorizados, e a patente ou a riqueza já não importavam.

En Embora Sil Vagis tenha arruinado a noite e continuasse a arruinar as futuras, o narrador deixou o palácio de Tor Hatan sentindo-se quase alegre, porque Sanoma Tora lhe dera permissão para visitá-la novamente na casa de seu pai sempre que seus deveres permitissem.

En Ao retornar aos meus aposentos com meu amigo, o Dwar, comentei sobre o quão calorosamente Tor Hatan me recebera, o que o fez rir.

En Perguntei a ele por que achava aquilo engraçado.

En O Dwar explicou que, embora Tor Hatan fosse muito rico e poderoso, ele raramente era convidado para os quatro lugares mais prestigiados de Hélio que homens ambiciosos mais desejavam ser vistos.

En Perguntei se ele se referia aos palácios do Senhor da Guerra, do Jeddak, do Jed e de Carthoris.

En Ele confirmou que eram esses, observando que nenhum outro quatro lugares em Hélio importavam tanto. Ele prosseguiu dizendo que acreditava-se que Tor Hatan era da baixa nobreza, mas o Dwar duvidava que ele tivesse qualquer sangue nobre. O Dwar baseava essa suspeita no comportamento excessivamente humilde e bajulador de Tor Hatan em relação à realeza, sugerindo que Tor Hatan faria quase qualquer coisa para ser considerado um amigo próximo de qualquer um dos quatro.

En Ele exigiu saber o que aquilo tinha a ver com ele.

En Ele respondeu que tinha muito a ver com ele e, de fato, por causa disso, ele havia sido convidado ao palácio naquela noite.

En Ele disse que não entendia.

En Ele explicou que estava conversando com Tor Hatan na manhã em que o convite foi recebido. Ele mencionou o ouvinte, mas Tor Hatan não demonstrou interesse até saber que a mãe do ouvinte era uma princesa de Gathol. Então, ao ouvir que o ouvinte era bem-vindo como amigo nos palácios dos quatro semideuses de Hélio, Tor Hatan ficou entusiasmado. Ele perguntou se o ouvinte agora entendia.

En Ele respondeu que entendia perfeitamente e agradeceu. Disse que tudo o que queria era a oportunidade e, como estava preparado para alcançá-la até por meios criminosos, se necessário, não podia reclamar de como foi obtida, por mais desagradável que pudesse ser para ele.

En Por muitos meses, visitei frequentemente o palácio de Tor Hatan. Sendo naturalmente um bom conversador e bem treinado nas danças formais e nos jogos alegres de Barsoom, nunca fui um hóspede indesejado. Também fazia questão de acompanhar Sanoma Tora a um ou outro dos quatro grandes palácios de Hélio. Eu era sempre bem-vindo por causa da relação de sangue entre minha mãe e Gahan de Gathol, que havia se casado com Tara de Hélio.

En Eu sentia que minha corte estava progredindo bem, mas não rápido o suficiente para acompanhar os desejos urgentes da minha paixão. Nunca havia conhecido o amor antes e acreditava que morreria se não possuísse Sanoma Tora em breve. Então, certa noite, visitei o palácio do pai dela firmemente determinado a depositar meu coração e minha espada a seus pés antes de partir. Embora as dúvidas naturais de um amante me convencessem de que eu era um verme indigno que ela teria razão em rejeitar, eu estava, no entanto, resolvido a me declarar para que pudesse ser abertamente considerado um pretendente. Isso, afinal, me daria maior liberdade, mesmo que eu não fosse totalmente favorecido.

En Era uma daquelas noites encantadoras que transformam o velho Barsoom em um mundo de magia. Thuria e Cluros corriam pelo céu, lançando sua luz suave sobre o jardim de Tor Hatan. A luz transformou a grama escarlate vívida em roxo e deu matizes estranhas às lindas flores de pimália e sorapus. Os caminhos sinuosos, pavimentados com pedras semipreciosas, refletiam mil raios cintilantes que dançavam em cores em constante mudança aos pés das estátuas de mármore, adicionando um charme artístico extra a toda a cena.

En Em um dos salões espaçosos com vista para o jardim do palácio, um jovem e uma jovem estavam sentados em um enorme banco feito de rica madeira de sorapus. O banco era tão intricadamente desenhado e perfeitamente esculpido que poderia ter adornado os salões do próprio grande Jeddak.

En O arreio de couro do jovem trazia as insígnias de sua patente e serviço: um Padwar no 91º Umak. Eu era aquele jovem, Hadron de Hastor, e comigo estava Sanoma Tora, filha de Tor Hatan. Eu viera cheio de determinação para defender minha causa com ousadia, mas de repente me dei conta de minha indignidade. O que poderia oferecer a essa bela filha do rico Tor Hatan? Eu era apenas um Padwar, e um pobre ainda por cima. Sabia que o sangue real de Gathol em minhas veias poderia ter peso com Tor Hatan, mas não era dado a me gabar e não poderia lembrar Sanoma Tora de qualquer vantagem disso, mesmo se soubesse que a influenciaria. Então, não tinha nada a oferecer senão meu grande amor — talvez o maior presente que alguém pode dar a outro. E ultimamente, pensei que Sanoma Tora pudesse me amar. Em várias ocasiões ela mandara me chamar, e embora cada vez sugerisse ir ao palácio de Tara de Hélio, eu fora vaidoso o suficiente para esperar que esse não fosse seu único motivo para querer estar comigo.

En Ela disse a Hadron de Hastor que ele estava desinteressante naquela noite. Ela disse isso após um longo silêncio, durante o qual ele estava tentando encontrar palavras convincentes e elegantes para sua proposta.

En Ele respondeu que talvez fosse porque estava tentando encontrar as palavras para expressar o pensamento mais interessante que já tivera.

En Ela perguntou educadamente qual era esse pensamento, embora não parecesse muito interessada.

En Ele disse abruptamente e de forma desajeitada que a amava.

En Ela riu. O som era como prata no cristal—belo, mas frio. Ela disse que isso era óbvio há muito tempo e perguntou por que ele precisava mencionar.

En Perguntei por que não.

En Ela respondeu friamente que, mesmo que retribuísse o amor dele, ela não era para ele, Hadron de Hastor.

En Perguntei a Sanoma Tora se ela não poderia me amar então.

En Ela respondeu que não tinha dito isso.

En Perguntei se ela poderia me amar.

En Ela admitiu que poderia amá-lo se permitisse a si mesma essa fraqueza, mas questionou o que o amor realmente era.

En Ele disse a ela que o amor era tudo.

En Sanoma Tora riu e disse arrogantemente que ele estava enganado se pensava que ela se ligaria para a vida a um Padwar remendado mesmo que o amasse. Ela explicou que era filha de Tor Hatan, cuja riqueza e poder eram quase tão grandes quanto os das famílias reais de Hélio. Ela tinha muitos pretendentes que poderiam comprá-lo mil vezes, e dentro do ano um emissário do Jeddak Tul Axtar de Jahar visitara seu pai, tendo-a visto e prometido voltar. Ela perguntou como ele poderia esperar que ela, que poderia se tornar Jeddara de Jahar, se tornasse esposa de um pobre Padwar apenas por amor.

En Ele se levantou e disse que talvez ela estivesse certa, já que sua beleza tornava difícil acreditar que ela pudesse estar errada, mas no fundo do coração ele sentia que a felicidade era o maior tesouro e o amor o maior poder. Sem eles, disse-lhe, até mesmo uma Jeddara era verdadeiramente pobre.

En Ela disse que arriscaria.

En O falante comentou, de forma bastante irritada, que esperava que o Jeddak de Jahar não fosse tão gorduroso quanto seu emissário.

En Sanoma Tora declarou que não se importava se ele fosse um pote de gordura animado, contanto que a tornasse sua Jeddara.

En O falante perguntou se aquilo significava que não havia esperança para ele.

En Ela respondeu que não havia esperança para ele enquanto ele tivesse tão pouco a oferecer.

En Naquele momento, um escravo anunciou Sil Vagis, e o falante se despediu. Ele nunca havia sentido um desespero tão profundo enquanto voltava infeliz para seus aposentos, mas mesmo que a esperança parecesse perdida, ele não abandonou sua determinação de conquistá-la. Se o preço dela fosse riqueza e poder, ele os alcançaria. Não tinha total certeza de como, mas era jovem, e para a juventude todas as coisas parecem possíveis.

En Depois de ficar acordado deitado na minha cama de sedas e peles por um tempo, um oficial da guarda irrompeu de repente em meu aposento.

En Ele gritou meu nome, Hadron, e perguntou se eu estava ali.

En Eu confirmei que estava.

En Ele exclamou, louvando as cinzas de seus ancestrais, e disse que temia que eu não estivesse ali.

En Exigi saber por que ele pensaria o contrário e perguntei o que estava acontecendo.

En Ele exclamou que Tor Hatan, o velho sovina gordo, havia enlouquecido.

En Ele perguntou o que se queria dizer com Tor Hatan enlouquecer e como isso lhe dizia respeito.

En O informante disse que Tor Hatan jurou que o ouvinte havia sequestrado sua filha.

En Pulei de pé e gritei que Sanoma Tora havia sido sequestrada, exigindo saber o que havia acontecido com ela e insistindo em uma resposta rápida.

En Meu informante confirmou que ela realmente havia desaparecido e acrescentou que o assunto era profundamente misterioso.

En O narrador não ficou para ouvir mais. Ele pegou seu arreio, vestiu-o e correu pela pista em espiral até os hangares no topo do quartel. Ele não tinha permissão para pegar um aeroplano, mas isso não importava para ele se Sanoma Tora estava em perigo.

En Os guardas do hangar tentaram detê-lo e interrogá-lo. Ele não se lembrava do que lhes disse, mas deve ter mentido, pois o deixaram pegar um aeroplano rápido de um só lugar. Momentos depois, ele estava voando pela noite em direção ao palácio de Tor Hatan.

En O palácio ficava a pouco mais de dois haads do quartel, então ele chegou em poucos minutos. Quando pousou no jardim bem iluminado, viu um grupo de pessoas reunidas ali, incluindo Tor Hatan e Sil Vagis.

En Quando ele saltou do aeroplano, Tor Hatan veio em sua direção com raiva. Tor Hatan exclamou que era ele e exigiu saber o que ele tinha a dizer e onde estava sua filha.

En O narrador respondeu que tinha vindo fazer a mesma pergunta a Tor Hatan.

En Ele exclamou que a outra pessoa era responsável por isso. Acusou-o de sequestrá-la. Disse que ela havia informado Sil Vagis de que o homem havia pedido sua mão naquela mesma noite e ela recusou.

En O falante admitiu que havia pedido a mão dela e ela o recusou, confirmando essa parte. Ele exortou-os a não perder tempo ligando-o ao plano maligno, pois não tinha envolvimento. Perguntou como o sequestro ocorreu e quem estava com ela.

En Tor Hatan respondeu que Sil Vagis estava com ela e que estavam caminhando no jardim.

En O falante perguntou a Sil Vagis se ele havia testemunhado o sequestro e questionou por que ele ainda estava vivo e ileso.

En Ele começou a gaguejar, explicando que havia muitos atacantes e que eles o dominaram.

En Perguntei se ele os tinha visto.

En Ele respondeu que sim.

En Exigi saber se eu estivera entre eles.

En Ele explicou que estava escuro demais para reconhecer alguém e sugeriu que eles poderiam estar disfarçados.

En Perguntei a ele se eles o tinham dominado.

En Ele respondeu afirmativamente.

En Eu o acusei de mentir, afirmando que se eles o tivessem pego, o teriam matado, e que ele havia fugido e se escondido em vez de lutar para defender a garota.

En Sil Vagis negou isso, alegando que havia lutado contra eles, mas foi dominado.

En Dirigi-me a Tor Hatan, dizendo que estávamos perdendo tempo. Perguntei se alguém sabia quem eram esses homens, para que direção haviam fugido, como e de onde vieram, e como e por que meios haviam partido.

En Sil Vagis alertou Tor Hatan de que eu estava tentando enganá-lo. Ele sugeriu que os sequestradores eram provavelmente um pretendente rejeitado e então propôs que, se ele revelasse que o metal dos homens que roubaram Sanoma Tora pertencia aos guerreiros de Hastor, o que Tor Hatan pensaria?

En Eu respondi que ele estava mentindo. Questionei como ele poderia ter lido as insígnias em seus arreios se estava escuro demais para ver os rostos.

En Outro oficial do 91º Umak chegou e anunciou que haviam localizado um homem que poderia esclarecer a situação—se sobrevivesse tempo suficiente para falar.

En Depois de vasculhar os terrenos do palácio de Tor Hatan e o distrito vizinho, vários homens voltaram carregando um homem nu com o corpo quebrado e mutilado. Colocaram-no aos nossos pés, onde ele jazia ofegante e fraco, uma visão lastimável.

En Um escravo foi enviado ao palácio e voltou com estimulantes. Depois que um pouco do remédio foi forçado entre seus lábios, o homem reviveu ligeiramente.

En Tor Hatan perguntou ao homem sua identidade.

En O homem respondeu fracamente que era um guerreiro da guarda da cidade.

En Um oficial informou Tor Hatan animadamente que seus homens haviam descoberto mais seis corpos perto do local onde encontraram o primeiro homem. Eles estavam todos nus e igualmente quebrados e mutilados.

En Tor Hatan expressou esperança de que pudessem descobrir a verdade. Voltando-se novamente para o pobre homem quebrado deitado na grama escarlate, instruiu-o a continuar.

En O homem moribundo narrou que eles estavam em patrulha noturna sobre a cidade quando viram uma nave se movendo sem luzes. Ao se aproximarem e acenderem o holofote, ele teve um breve vislumbre dela. A nave não tinha cores ou insígnias, e seu design era diferente de qualquer nave que ele já tinha visto. Tinha uma cabine longa, baixa e fechada com dois canhões peculiares montados em cada lado. Isso foi tudo que ele teve tempo de notar, exceto que viu um homem direcionando um dos canhões para eles. O padwar comandando sua nave imediatamente ordenou que atirassem e interpelou o estranho. Naquele instante, sua nave se desintegrou no meio do ar; até seu arreio caiu dele. Ele lembrou de cair, só isso. Com essas palavras, ele ofegou uma vez e morreu.

En Tor Hatan reuniu seu povo e declarou que devia haver alguém no palácio ou nos terrenos que tivesse testemunhado algo do ocorrido. Ordenou que qualquer pessoa com conhecimento do assunto, não importando quem estivesse envolvido, devia falar.

En Um escravo deu um passo à frente. Tor Hatan olhou para ele com arrogância orgulhosa.

En O odwar exigiu saber o que o escravo tinha a dizer e ordenou que ele falasse.

En O escravo respondeu que Tor Hatan havia ordenado, caso contrário ele não falaria, porque contar o que viu lhe renderia a inimizade de um nobre poderoso. Ele então olhou rapidamente para Sil Vagis.

En Eu disse rapidamente ao escravo que, se ele dissesse a verdade, ganharia a amizade de um padwar cuja espada era forte o suficiente para protegê-lo até mesmo de um nobre poderoso. Também olhei para Sil Vagis, suspeitando que a história do escravo não seria lisonjeira para o tolo afetado que fingia ser um guerreiro.

En Tor Hatan comandou impacientemente o escravo para falar e o advertiu para não mentir.

En O homem respondeu que havia servido fielmente no palácio de Tor Hatan por catorze anos, desde que foi trazido a Helium como prisioneiro de guerra após a queda de Kobol. Ele afirmou que Sanoma Tora confiava nele e que, se estivesse armado naquela noite, ela ainda poderia estar com eles.

En Tor Hatan o instigou a ir direto ao ponto e dizer o que tinha visto.

En Sil Vagis insistiu que o homem não tinha visto nada e estava apenas buscando fama passageira.

En Eu exclamei que ele deveria ser autorizado a falar.

En O escravo explicou que estava a caminho de preparar os aposentos de Tor Hatan quando parou para olhar o jardim e viu Sanoma Tora e Sil Vagis caminhando. Ele então notou um avião estranho e silencioso descendo sem luzes e suspeitou que algo estava errado, então parou para observar.

En A nave pousou silenciosamente atrás de Sanoma Tora e Sil Vagis. Eles não a notaram até ouvirem o barulho dos guerreiros que saltaram de sua cabine baixa ao tocar o solo. Então Sil Vagis girou. Por um momento ele ficou paralisado, mas quando os guerreiros estranhos correram em sua direção, ele se virou e fugiu para os arbustos grossos do jardim.

En Sil Vagis gritou que era mentira.

En Eu ordenei que ele ficasse em silêncio, chamando-o de covarde.

En Tor Hatan instruiu o homem, chamando-o de escravo, a continuar.

En O orador explicou que Sanoma Tora não estava ciente da presença dos guerreiros estranhos até ser agarrada bruscamente por trás. Aconteceu tão rápido que ele mal compreendeu o propósito da visita sinistra antes de a levarem. Quando entendeu que sua senhora era o alvo do ataque noturno, ele correu pela rampa, mas já a haviam arrastado para dentro do aerobarco antes que ele chegasse ao jardim. Ele lamentou não ter uma espada, pois poderia ter morido a serviço dela. Alcançou a nave quando o último guerreiro estava subindo a bordo; agarrou o arreio do guerreiro e tentou puxá-lo para baixo, gritando pela guarda do palácio. Mas um dos outros guerreiros no convés acima acertou-lhe a cabeça com uma espada longa. O golpe foi de raspão, mas o atordoou, então ele soltou a presa e caiu no chão. Quando recuperou a consciência, a nave havia partido e a guarda do palácio finalmente estava saindo da sala da guarda. Ele declarou que havia dito a verdade.

En Tor Hatan olhou friamente para Sil Vagis, cujos olhos estavam baixos, e exigiu saber o que ele tinha a dizer.

En Sil Vagis gritou que o homem trabalhava para Hadron de Hastor e era um mentiroso. Ele alegou que os atacou quando chegaram, mas foi superado em número e dominado. Ele também afirmou que o homem não estava presente.

En O narrador pediu ao escravo que mostrasse sua cabeça. O escravo se ajoelhou, e o narrador observou uma grande vergão vermelho ao longo de um lado de sua cabeça acima da orelha, consistente com um golpe de raspão do lado chato de uma espada. O narrador apontou isso para Tor Hatan como evidência da lealdade e coragem do escravo. Ele então sugeriu que examinassem os ferimentos de um nobre de Hélio que alegava ter lutado sozinho contra muitos, esperando pelo menos um arranhão.

En O comandante da guarda do palácio comentou com sarcasmo mal disfarçado que o escravo devia ser um espadachim tão habilidoso quanto John Carter.

En Sil Vagis gritou que era uma conspiração e exigiu saber se Tor Hatan acreditaria em um escravo em vez de um nobre de Hélio.

En O odwar respondeu que confiava no que seus olhos e sentidos lhe diziam. Virando as costas para Sil Vagis, perguntou ao escravo se ele havia reconhecido alguém que sequestrou Sanoma Tora, ou se havia notado seus arreios ou metal.

En O escravo disse que não conseguiu ver claramente o rosto de nenhum deles, mas viu os arreios e o metal do homem que tentara puxar do aerobarco.

En Tor Hatan perguntou se era o metal de Hastor.

En O escravo respondeu enfaticamente que não era o metal de Hastor, nem de nenhuma outra cidade do Império de Hélio. O desenho e a insígnia eram desconhecidos, mas estranhamente familiares, tentando-o. Ele sentia que os havia visto antes, mas não conseguia lembrar quando ou onde. A serviço de seu jed, ele havia lutado contra invasores de muitas terras, e talvez tivesse visto metal semelhante muitos anos antes em alguns deles.

En Exigi de Tor Hatan se ele agora estava satisfeito de que as acusações que Sil Vagis havia feito contra mim eram infundadas.

En O odwar respondeu que ele era Hadron de Hastor.

En Eu disse que iria embora se ele permitisse.

En Ele perguntou para onde eu estava indo.

En Eu respondi que estava indo encontrar Sanoma Tora.

En Ele disse que se eu a encontrasse e a trouxesse de volta em segurança, ela seria minha.

En Apenas me curvei profundamente em resposta à sua oferta generosa, porque suspeitei que Sanoma Tora pudesse ter uma opinião sobre o assunto. Independentemente do que ela pensasse, eu queria uma companheira que viesse até mim por sua própria vontade.

En Pulei de volta no aeronave que me trouxera e parti para a noite, indo direto para o palácio de mármore do Senhor da Guerra de Barsoom. Apesar de ser tarde, estava determinado a vê-lo o mais rápido possível.

2. ABATIDO

En Ao me aproximar do palácio do senhor da guerra, notei uma atividade incomum para aquela hora da noite. Aeronaves iam e vinham, e na seção do telhado reservada para naves militares, reconheci as naves de vários oficiais de alta patente.

En Como visitava o palácio com frequência e era conhecido pelos oficiais da guarda pessoal do Senhor da Guerra, não tive dificuldade em entrar. Logo estava esperando em um salão do lado de fora da pequena câmara onde o Senhor da Guerra realiza audiências privadas, enquanto um escravo anunciava minha chegada.

En Não sei quanto tempo esperei; pareceu uma eternidade. Minha mente era atormentada pela crença de que a mulher que eu amava estava em perigo terrível. Fui tomado pela convicção, talvez tola mas muito real, de que só eu poderia salvá-la e que cada momento de atraso reduzia suas chances de resgate.

En Finalmente, fui chamado. Quando encontrei o grande Senhor da Guerra, ele estava com homens importantes dos conselhos de Hélio.

En John Carter foi direto ao ponto. Ele disse que presumia que a visita de Hadron de Hastor era sobre o sequestro da filha de Tor Hatan e perguntou se Hadron tinha alguma informação ou teoria.

En Respondi que não vim com informações, mas apenas para obter permissão para partir imediatamente e tentar seguir o rastro dos sequestradores de Sanoma Tora.

En Ele perguntou onde eu planejava procurar.

En Eu disse a ele que ainda não sabia, mas que a encontraria.

En Ele sorriu e comentou que tal confiança era útil. Reconhecendo que compreendia suas origens, concedeu permissão. Explicou que, embora o sequestro de uma filha de Helium fosse suficientemente grave para mobilizar todos os recursos, havia um elemento mais perigoso em jogo. O navio misterioso disparou uma arma que desintegrou todo o metal no flier de patrulha, incluindo armas e peças de arreios. Apenas restos orgânicos foram encontrados; nenhum metal sobreviveu.

En Ele enfatizou esse ponto porque insinuava a possível localização dos novos inimigos de Helium. Ele acreditava que este era apenas o primeiro ataque; qualquer frota com tais armas poderia subjugar Helium facilmente, e muitas cidades barsoomianas as usariam avidamente para saquear as Cidades Gêmeas.

En Eles estavam preocupados com o número crescente de navios da marinha desaparecidos, a maioria dos quais estava mapeando correntes de ar e registrando pressões longe do império. Recentemente, ficou claro que a maioria das perdas ocorreu no hemisfério sul ocidental, uma área inóspita com pouco conhecimento devido à falta de comércio com seus habitantes hostis.

En Ele chamou isso apenas de uma pista vaga, oferecida pelo que valia. Ele afirmou que mil fliers de reconhecimento de um homem, além de cruzadores e navios de guerra, seriam despachados até o meio-dia de amanhã para procurar os sequestradores de Sanoma Tora. Helium deve descobrir qual cidade ou nação desenvolveu uma arma tão destrutiva.

En Ele acreditava que a arma era muito nova, e seus possuidores estariam trabalhando duro para aperfeiçoá-la e produzir o suficiente para dominar o mundo. Ele terminou de falar e dispensou o ouvinte com um desejo de boa sorte.

En Assim que John Carter deu sua permissão, o narrador se apressou para se preparar para sua missão. Em seus aposentos, ele rapidamente reuniu seu equipamento, o que envolvia principalmente escolher cuidadosamente suas armas e trocar seu arreio ornamentado por um mais simples e resistente, feito de couro pesado. Seu arreio de combate era sempre o melhor e mais simples que ele podia encontrar, fabricado por um renomado arreeiro de Lesser Helium. Ele pegou suas armas padrão: uma espada longa, uma espada curta, um punhal e uma pistola. Também embalou munição extra e um suprimento da ração concentrada usada por todos os guerreiros marcianos.

En Enquanto reunia suas necessidades simples, que junto com uma única pele de dormir constituiriam todo seu equipamento, o narrador pensou em possíveis explicações para o desaparecimento de Sanoma Tora. Ele vasculhou sua memória em busca de alguma pista que pudesse apontar para quem a havia levado. Apenas uma coisa se destacou: a menção dela a Tul Axtar, o jeddak de Jahar. Ele lembrou da recente visita do emissário de Tul Axtar à corte de Helium, e como o homem havia se gabado das riquezas, poder e beleza das mulheres de seu jeddak. Talvez Jahar fosse um bom lugar para procurar. No entanto, antes de partir, o narrador decidiu visitar o palácio de Tor Hatan mais uma vez e interrogar o escravo que tinha visto Sanoma Tora pela última vez.

En Quando estava prestes a sair, o narrador teve outra ideia. Ele sabia que o Templo do Conhecimento continha ilustrações ou réplicas das armaduras e armas de todas as nações conhecidas por Helium. Ele foi até lá imediatamente e, com a ajuda de um funcionário, encontrou um desenho do arreio e do metal de um guerreiro de Jahar. Uma cópia foi feita em segundos usando um engenhoso processo fotostático. Armado com isso, ele se apressou para o palácio de Tor Hatan.

En Tor Hatan não estava em casa; ele tinha ido ao palácio do Warlord. No entanto, seu mordomo convocou o escravo Kal Tavan, que havia testemunhado o sequestro de Sanoma Tora e lutado com um dos captores dela.

En Conforme o homem se aproximava, o narrador o observou mais de perto. Ele era bem constituído, com traços finos, e se portava com a inconfundível postura de um guerreiro.

En Perguntei se ele havia afirmado ser de Kobol.

En Ele explicou que nasceu em Tjanath, onde tinha uma esposa e uma filha. Sua esposa foi morta por um assassino, e sua filha desapareceu quando era muito jovem, nunca sendo encontrada. As visões familiares de Tjanath o lembravam de dias mais felizes e aprofundavam sua tristeza, então ele não pôde ficar. Tornou-se um panthan e buscou serviço em outras cidades, e foi assim que veio a servir em Kobol.

En Perguntei se, durante seu tempo lá, ele havia se familiarizado com os arreios e a metalurgia de muitas cidades e nações.

En Ele confirmou que sim.

En Exigi saber o que eram aqueles arreios e metais, e entreguei a ele a cópia da ilustração que havia trazido do Templo do Conhecimento.

En Após um breve exame, ele o reconheceu e declarou que era o mesmo, de fato idêntico.

En Perguntei ao que era idêntico.

En Ele respondeu que combinava com o arreio do guerreiro com quem havia lutado quando Sanoma Tora foi levada.

En Anunciei que os sequestradores de Sanoma Tora foram identificados. Em seguida, instruí o mordomo a enviar um mensageiro ao Senhor da Guerra, informando-o de que homens de Jahar a haviam roubado e que eu acreditava que eram emissários de Tul Axtar, Jeddak de Jahar. Sem outra palavra, virei-me e saí do palácio, indo diretamente para meu aeroplano.

En Elevando-me acima das torres e plataformas de pouso da Grande Hélio, apontei meu aeroplano para o oeste e abri o acelerador, acelerando pelo ar rarefeito em direção ao remoto hemisfério sudoeste de Barsoom, onde acreditava que Jahar ficava. Estava convencido de que Sanoma Tora estava sendo levada para lá não para se tornar a Jeddara de Tul Axtar, mas sua escrava, já que os jeddaks não tomam suas rainhas à força.

En O narrador acreditava ter entendido o motivo do sequestro de Sanoma Tora, um motivo que a teria envergonhado profundamente, pois estava longe de ser lisonjeiro. Ele pensava que o mensageiro de Tul Axtar havia contado ao seu mestre sobre o charme e a beleza da filha de Tor Hatan, mas ela não era de nascimento nobre o suficiente para se tornar sua jeddara, então ele havia tomado a única maneira de possuí-la. O sangue do narrador ferveu com essa ideia, mas seu julgamento lhe disse que provavelmente estava correto.

En Nos últimos dez ou vinte anos, a aeronáutica havia avançado mais do que nos quinhentos anos anteriores.

En Muitas autoridades acreditam que o aperfeiçoamento da bússola de controle de destino por Carthoris de Hélio marcou o início de uma nova era de invenções. Durante séculos, as pessoas se sentiam estagnadas em um lago de autossuficiência, como se tivessem alcançado as mais altas conquistas possíveis da ciência e não vissem necessidade de melhoria.

En Carthoris de Hélio, que herdou a mente inquieta e curiosa de seu pai nascido na Terra, acordou a todos. As melhores mentes aceitaram o desafio, levando a rápidas melhorias no design e na construção de todas as classes de naves aéreas, o que por sua vez causou uma revolução na construção de motores.

En As pessoas pensavam que seus motores de rádio leves, compactos e potentes nunca poderiam ser melhorados, e que ninguém jamais viajaria com segurança ou economia mais rápido do que os rápidos caças de reconhecimento monopostos, que atingiam cerca de mil e cem haads por zode (aproximadamente cento e sessenta e seis milhas por hora). Então, um padwar quase desconhecido na marinha de Hélio anunciou que havia aperfeiçoado um motor que teria metade do peso, mas proporcionaria o dobro da velocidade.

En Meu avião de reconhecimento estava equipado com esse tipo de motor. Parecia não ter combustível porque obtinha sua energia do vasto e inesgotável campo magnético do planeta.

En Apenas o inventor e o governo de Hélio conheciam completamente as características básicas deste novo motor, e os guardavam com ciúmes. O eixo da hélice, que se estendia bem para dentro do casco, era construído de muitos segmentos laterais isolados uns dos outros.

En Esses segmentos eram conectados em série com um dispositivo chamado acumulador, através do qual a energia magnética do planeta era direcionada para as armaduras especiais ao redor do eixo da hélice.

En O piloto controlava a velocidade movendo uma alavanca que aumentava ou diminuía o número de mancais de armadura em série com o acumulador. De sua posição no convés, onde geralmente deitava de bruços com o cinto de segurança preso a argolas, ele podia operar facilmente essa alavanca.

En De acordo com o inventor, a velocidade máxima dependia exclusivamente da relação resistência-peso na construção do casco. Meu avião de reconhecimento monoplace atingia facilmente uma velocidade de dois mil haads por zode. Ele não teria resistido a um motor mais potente, mas teria sido fácil aumentar tanto a potência quanto a velocidade usando um eixo de hélice mais longo com mais mancais de armadura.

En No ano passado, em Hastor, engenheiros tentaram pilotar uma nave de reconhecimento a uma velocidade excepcional de cerca de 800 km/h. No entanto, a nave foi destruída pelo próprio motor antes de atingir essa velocidade. Atualmente, eles estão tentando maximizar a resistência enquanto minimizam o peso. À medida que os engenheiros tiverem sucesso, as velocidades aumentarão, e eles acreditam que alcançarão facilmente mais de 1600 km/h porque os motores têm poder aparentemente ilimitado.

En A bússola de controle de destino de Carthoris de Hélio é quase igualmente notável. Pode-se colocar o ponteiro em qualquer local de qualquer hemisfério, abrir o acelerador e até dormir. A nave voará até o destino, pousará a cerca de cem jardas e parará, com um alarme para acordar o viajante. É um dispositivo simples, e John Carter supostamente o descreveu em seus manuscritos.

En Nesta aventura, a bússola de controle de destino não foi muito útil porque a localização exata de Jahar era desconhecida. Ainda assim, o narrador a ajustou aproximadamente a 30 graus de latitude sul e 35 graus de longitude leste, acreditando que Jahar estaria em algum lugar a sudoeste desse ponto.

En Voando em alta velocidade, o narrador havia deixado para trás as terras cultivadas perto de Hélio e estava cruzando um deserto desolado coberto de musgo ocre. Este foi outrora o fundo de um grande oceano que transportava os navios de uma civilização feliz e próspera, agora apenas uma memória meio esquecida nas lendas barsoomianas.

En O narrador voou sobre as bordas de planaltos que antes marcavam a costa de um continente nobre, passando pelos monumentos solitários da prosperidade antiga: as tristes cidades desertas do velho Barsoom. Mesmo em ruínas, elas possuem uma grandeza que ainda impressiona um observador moderno. Mais abaixo, outras ruínas traçam o caminho trágico daquela civilização antiga enquanto seguia o oceano em retirada. A última cidade acabou caindo, despojada de comércio e poder, para ferozes tribos verdes cujos descendentes agora governam muitos desses leitos marinhos desertos. Esses tribais odeiam e são odiados, ignorantes de amor, riso ou felicidade. Eles passam suas longas e ferozes vidas discutindo e predando qualquer aventureiro que entre em seu amargo domínio.

En Embora todos os homens verdes sejam ferozes e terríveis, as hordas verdes de Torquas são especialmente notórias. Sua natureza cruel e seus atos sangrentos horrorizaram os homens vermelhos mais do que quase qualquer outro.

En A cidade de Torquas, da qual esses homens verdes tiram seu nome, já foi uma das cidades mais magníficas e poderosas de Barsoom. Foi abandonada por eras, exceto por tribos errantes de homens verdes, mas ainda aparece em todos os mapas. Como ficava diretamente no caminho de sua busca por Jahar e ele nunca a tinha visto, o narrador voou propositalmente sobre ela. Quando viu suas torres altas e ameias ao longe, sentiu a emoção e o fascínio pela aventura que essas cidades mortas de Barsoom tipicamente inspiram nos homens vermelhos.

En Ao se aproximar da cidade, ele reduziu a velocidade e desceu mais para ter uma visão melhor. Que cidade linda ela deve ter sido em seu auge. Ainda hoje, após inúmeras eras desde que suas largas avenidas estavam cheias de multidões felizes, seus grandes palácios ainda permanecem em todo o seu esplendor glorioso. O tempo e os elementos os suavizaram e amadureceram, mas ainda não os destruíram.

En Voando baixo sobre a cidade, ele viu milhas de avenidas que não conheciam o pé do homem há incontáveis eras. O calçamento de pedra estava coberto de musgo ocre, com uma árvore atrofiada ou um arbusto grotesco aqui e ali. Pátios silenciosos e desertos o observavam, junto com jardins deslumbrantes de uma época mais feliz. A maioria dos edifícios permanecia intacta, sonhando com a riqueza e a beleza passadas. Em sua imaginação, ele podia ver sedas e peles luxuosas para dormir, mulheres descansando sob dosséis coloridos, arreios adornados com joias brilhando, flâmulas tremulando, navios no porto e marinheiros e soldados arrogantes. Então, enquanto ele voava em círculo sobre um palácio esplêndido com vista para a praça central, seu belo sonho foi despedaçado. Diretamente abaixo, ele viu uma vintena de grandes thoats encurralados no que poderia ter sido o jardim real de um jeddak.

En A presença dessas feras enormes significava apenas uma coisa: seus mestres verdes provavelmente estavam por perto.

En Enquanto o narrador sobrevoava um pátio, uma das feras violentas olhou para cima e começou a guinchar com raiva. Os outros thoats, agitados pelo barulho, olharam para cima e também guincharam, criando caos. Isso alertou um guerreiro verde que saltou para o pátio e viu o narrador pouco antes de ele desaparecer de vista acima do telhado.

En Entendendo que a área não era segura, o narrador abriu o acelerador e subiu rapidamente. Ao cruzar sobre o prédio e a avenida, ele viu cerca de vinte guerreiros verdes saindo correndo, examinando o céu. O guarda os havia informado de sua presença.

En O narrador se repreendeu por ter corrido um risco tão tolo apenas para satisfazer sua curiosidade. Ele imediatamente subiu em zigue-zague, ouvindo um grito de guerra selvagem e vendo rifles apontados para ele. Projéteis zuniram ao lado, mas nenhum atingiu a nave até que uma bala bateu no metal e explodiu, após o que ele escapou do alcance deles.

En Enquanto ele voava para sudoeste, gritos fracos e raivosos de decepção chegaram aos seus ouvidos, e ele se sentiu aliviado por ter escapado ileso.

En Ele já havia viajado cerca de setenta karads de Helium, mas sabia que Jahar ainda poderia estar a cinquenta a setenta e cinco karads de distância. Ele resolveu não correr mais riscos desnecessários.

En Eu estava viajando rapidamente mais uma vez e mal havia me parabenizado pela minha sorte quando percebi que estava lutando para me manter no ar. Meu aeronave estava perdendo sustentação, e deduzi rapidamente, o que a investigação depois confirmou, que um dos meus tanques de flutuação havia sido atingido por uma bala explosiva dos guerreiros verdes.

En Culpar-me por minha negligência parecia inútil, embora eu estivesse plenamente ciente do meu erro e de como ele poderia afetar minha capacidade de resgatar Sanoma Tora, potencialmente encerrando minha participação ativa em seu resgate. As consequências para mim me preocupavam menos do que o perigo que ela enfrentava; minha determinação em salvá-la não deixava espaço para pensamentos de fracasso.

En O acidente foi um golpe severo para minhas esperanças, mas não as destruiu completamente, porque sou feito de tal forma que nunca abandonarei a esperança de sucesso em qualquer empreendimento enquanto eu viver.

En Era difícil prever por quanto tempo minha nave permaneceria no ar. Como não tinha meios de reparar o tanque danificado, minha melhor opção era aumentar a velocidade e cobrir o máximo de distância possível antes de ser forçado a descer. O design da minha nave ajudava a mantê-la no ar em alta velocidade com o mínimo do Oitavo Raio, mas eu sabia que um pouso forçado naquele deserto desolado estava próximo.

En Eu tinha voado aproximadamente dois mil haads desde que fui alvejado acima de Torquas, cruzando o que antes era um grande golfo quando o oceano cobria as planícies agora cobertas de musgo e secas sob mim. Lá longe, avistei os contornos de colinas baixas que provavelmente marcavam a antiga costa sudoeste. O leito marinho morto se estendia a noroeste até o horizonte, mas essa não era a direção que eu pretendia seguir, então voei em direção às colinas, esperando ficar alto o suficiente para cruzá-las. No entanto, à medida que elas se aproximavam, essa esperança se desvaneceu, e eu soube que meu voo terminaria em breve. Então notei as ruínas de uma cidade deserta ao pé das colinas, uma visão bem-vinda porque geralmente se encontra água nos poços dessas cidades antigas, mantidos pelos nômades verdes do deserto.

En Nesse ponto, eu estava voando a apenas alguns ads—cada um com cerca de 9,75 pés terrestres—acima do chão. Eu havia reduzido minha velocidade consideravelmente para evitar um pouso brusco e, como resultado, parei suavemente sobre a vegetação amarela, a uma curta distância da margem da cidade vazia.

3. ACUADO

En Meu pouso foi azarado porque me deixou totalmente exposto à cidade, sem lugar para me esconder se as ruínas estivessem ocupadas por alguma das muitas tribos de homens verdes que frequentemente assombram os leitos marinhos secos de Barsoom, às vezes usando as cidades desertas ao longo da costa antiga como bases.

En Como os homens verdes geralmente habitam os maiores e mais magníficos palácios, que normalmente ficam a uma curta distância da margem, era possível que, mesmo se eles estivessem na cidade, eu pudesse alcançar a segurança de um prédio mais próximo antes de ser avistado.

En Minha aeronave agora estava inútil, então a abandonei. Levando apenas minhas armas, munição e algumas rações concentradas, caminhei rapidamente em direção à antiga margem. Não pude dizer se alcancei os edifícios sem ser visto, mas pelo menos não vi nenhum sinal de criatura viva.

En Muitas partes dessas antigas cidades desertas são o lar dos grandes macacos brancos de Barsoom. De muitas maneiras, eles são mais perigosos que os guerreiros verdes. Essas criaturas semelhantes a macacos são imensamente fortes, ferozmente agressivas e comem humanos. Diz-se que são as únicas coisas vivas que podem fazer os homens verdes sentirem medo.

En O narrador considerou os perigos potenciais dentro da cidade em ruínas, mas concluiu que não havia alternativa segura. Ao ar livre no musgo do fundo do mar, ele teria sido avistado por macacos brancos ou marcianos verdes. Portanto, ele precisava se esconder até o anoitecer, pois só então poderia viajar com segurança. A cidade oferecia o único esconderijo próximo, então ele entrou relutantemente. Ele subiu em uma ampla avenida que antes margeava um porto movimentado, agora ladeada por lojas e armazéns arruinados. As janelas vazias olhavam para a desolação; os navios, as multidões e o oceano tinham desaparecido.

En Ele cruzou a avenida e entrou em um prédio alto encimado por uma torre. A estrutura parecia bem preservada, e ele pensou que da torre poderia ter uma boa vista da cidade e da terra a sudoeste, onde pretendia procurar por Jahar. Ele chegou ao prédio sem ser visto e entrou em uma grande câmara cujo propósito original era impossível de determinar, pois quaisquer decorações ou móveis tinham desaparecido. No extremo oposto havia uma enorme lareira; ao lado dela, uma rampa descia de um lado e subia do outro.

En Depois de ouvir com atenção por um momento, ele não ouviu nenhum som dentro ou fora do prédio. Consequentemente, sentiu-se confiante e começou a subir a rampa.

En Ele continuou subindo pelos andares, cada um consistindo em uma única câmara grande. Isso o convenceu de que o prédio havia sido um armazém para estocar mercadorias que passavam pelo antigo porto.

En Do último andar, uma escada de madeira se estendia para cima através do centro da torre. Era feita de skeel sólido, um material praticamente indestrutível. Embora soubesse que a escada poderia ter entre quinhentos mil e um milhão de anos, ele não hesitou em confiar seu peso a ela.

En O interior circular da torre, por onde a escada subia, estava bastante escuro. Cada patamar tinha uma entrada para uma câmara, mas a maioria estava fechada, então apenas uma luz fraca chegava ao núcleo central.

En Eu tinha alcançado o segundo nível da torre quando pensei ter ouvido um ruído peculiar vindo de baixo.

En Era apenas um indício de som, mas a cidade abandonada estivera tão perfeitamente silenciosa que mesmo o ruído mais fraco teria chamado minha atenção.

En Interrompi minha subida, olhando para baixo e forçando a audição. Mas o som não identificado não se repetiu, então retomei minha ascensão.

En Decidido a subir o mais alto que a torre permitisse, não parei para inspecionar nenhum dos andares pelos quais passei.

En Subindo por uma longa distância, ele eventualmente encontrou seu caminho bloqueado por tábuas grossas formando o teto do poço. Abaixo dele, cerca de oito ou dez pés, havia uma pequena porta provavelmente levando a um nível superior da torre. Ele se perguntou por que a escada continuava além da porta até o teto, já que parecia sem sentido. Sentindo acima, descobriu um alçapão. Apoiando-se na escada, empurrou para cima com o ombro e, com algum esforço, o alçapão se ergueu, rangendo nas dobradiças antigas. Ele subiu para a sala no topo da torre, que tinha cerca de duzentos pés de altura. Lá dentro, viu os restos corroídos de um antigo farol, usado muito antes da invenção do rádio e da iluminação moderna em Barsoom. Tais lâmpadas eram alimentadas por máquinas caras que geravam eletricidade, e esta havia guiado antigos marinheiros para um porto que outrora alcançava quase a base da torre.

En Do topo da torre, ele tinha uma excelente vista em todas as direções. Ao norte e nordeste estendia-se uma vasta área. Ao sul havia uma cadeia de colinas baixas curvando-se para nordeste, outrora formando a costa sul do Golfo de Torquas. A oeste, ele olhou sobre as ruínas de uma grande cidade que se espalhava pelas colinas baixas, tendo crescido a partir da costa. Ao longe, ele ainda podia ver as antigas casas dos ricos, enquanto mais perto estavam enormes edifícios públicos, o maior dos quais ficava em torno de um grande quadrilátero perto da orla. Lá outrora ficava o palácio do jeddak que governava esta rica capital e principal porto. Agora, apenas o silêncio permanecia. Era uma visão deprimente, cheia de aviso profético para o povo do moderno Barsoom.

En O povo do passado lutou bravamente, mas em vão, contra a diminuição do suprimento de água, ainda assim seu problema era menos crítico do que o que agora enfrenta Barsoom. Por milhares de anos, apenas a coragem, engenhosidade e riqueza dos homens vermelhos de Barsoom permitiram que a vida continuasse em seu planeta moribundo. Sem as grandes plantas de atmosfera que a raça vermelha concebeu, construiu e manteve, todas as criaturas que respiram ar teriam sido extintas há muito tempo.

En Enquanto ele olhava sobre a cidade, perdido em pensamentos sombrios, ouviu um som vindo de dentro da torre abaixo. Ele foi até o alçapão aberto e olhou para baixo. Diretamente abaixo dele estava uma visão que faria até o mais corajoso barsoomiano tremer: o rosto hediondo e rosnante de um grande macaco branco de Barsoom.

En Quando seus olhos se encontraram, a criatura rosnou com raiva e abandonou sua abordagem furtiva. Ela subiu rapidamente pela escada. Agindo quase por instinto, ele fez a única coisa que poderia detê-la: bateu o alçapão pesado sobre a cabeça do macaco. Pela primeira vez ele notou que a porta tinha uma barra de madeira pesada, e rapidamente a segurou, bloqueando o caminho da criatura e deixando-se preso em um beco sem saída.

En O narrador se viu em uma situação terrível, duzentos pés acima da cidade, com sua única rota de fuga bloqueada por uma das feras selvagens mais temidas de Barsoom.

En O narrador havia caçado essas criaturas em Thark e sabia que elas eram astutas e ferozes. Embora fossem humanoides e inteligentes, podiam ser treinadas, mas nunca totalmente domesticadas. Seu perigo e inteligência as tornavam populares entre o público.

En Em Hastor, ele havia pagado para ver uma dessas criaturas, mas agora pagaria muito mais para não ver nenhuma. O macaco estava tentando arrombar o alçapão, mas o narrador percebeu que a porta forte e antiga aguentaria.

En Convencido de que o macaco não poderia alcançá-lo pela porta, ele examinou o exterior da torre. A torre era esculpida e tinha janelas com sacadas, mas as janelas eram espaçadas longe umas das outras em cada lado, o que era importante para encontrar uma rota de fuga.

En O macaco parecia ter desistido de arrombar a porta, mas quando o narrador ouviu, ele pôde ouvir a criatura se movendo na escada abaixo. Ao final do dia, parecia que o macaco pretendia esperá-lo.

En Eu olhei com saudade para as colinas distantes além da cidade. Elas marcavam a rota para o sudoeste, em direção à lendária terra de Jahar.

En O sol estava baixo no oeste. Em breve a escuridão cairia, e eu me perguntava o que a criatura faria. Talvez ela fosse embora, movida por fome ou sede, mas eu não podia ter certeza. Ela poderia descer até o fundo da torre para me esperar, confiante de que eu teria que descer mais cedo ou mais tarde.

En Um estranho a essas criaturas selvagens poderia se perguntar por que eu não levantei a porta do alçapão e lutei contra meu carcereiro, estando armado como estava. Se eu soubesse que ele estava sozinho, não teria hesitado. Mas a experiência me disse que muitos macacos brancos provavelmente viviam na cidade em ruínas. Eles geralmente caçavam sozinhos para guardar suas presas, mas se eu o atacasse, ele certamente daria um alarme que traria seus companheiros. Então, qualquer chance de fuga desapareceria.

FOREWORD

Português

Jason Gridley, de Tarzana, que descobriu a Onda Gridley, recebeu o crédito por estabelecer comunicação por rádio entre Pellucidar e o mundo exterior.

Original English

To Jason Gridley of Tarzana, discoverer of the Gridley Wave, belonged the credit of establishing radio communication between Pellucidar and the outer world.

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Português

O narrador teve a sorte de passar muito tempo no laboratório de Gridley enquanto ele realizava seus experimentos. Gridley compartilhou seus planos, então o narrador sabia que, além de esperar contatar Pellucidar, Gridley também tentava alcançar algo muito mais incrível: ele estava sondando o espaço para alcançar outro planeta. Ele não tentou esconder que seu principal objetivo era a comunicação por rádio com Marte.

Original English

It was my good fortune to be much in his laboratory while he was carrying on his experiments and to be, also, the recipient of his confidences, so that I was fully aware that while he hoped to establish communication with Pellucidar he was also reaching out toward an even more stupendous accomplishment -- he was groping through space for contact with another planet; nor did he attempt to deny that the present goal of his ambition was radio communication with Mars.

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Português

Gridley construiu uma máquina automática simples que enviava sinais em horários determinados e gravava tudo o que recebia quando ele não estava lá.

Original English

Gridley had constructed a simple, automatic device for broadcasting signals intermittently and for recording whatever might be received during his absence.

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Português

Por cinco minutos, a Onda Gridley enviava um sinal de código simples composto pelas letras J e G para o espaço, depois havia uma pausa de dez minutos. Isso continuou por muitas horas, dias e semanas. Depois que Jason Gridley deixou Tarzana para iniciar sua jornada a Pellucidar, o narrador se viu indo ao laboratório, atraído pelas possibilidades empolgantes do sonho de Gridley e também por sua promessa de verificar a máquina e examinar os instrumentos de gravação em busca de qualquer sinal de que os sinais haviam sido recebidos e respondidos.

Original English

For a period of five minutes the Gridley Wave carried a simple code signal consisting of two letters, "J.G.," out into the ether, following which there was a pause of ten minutes. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week, these silent, invisible messengers sped out to the uttermost reaches of infinite space, and after Jason Gridley left Tarzana to embark upon his expedition to Pellucidar, I found myself drawn to his laboratory by the lure of the tantalizing possibilities of his dream, as well as by the promise I had made him that I would look in occasionally to see that the device was functioning properly and to examine the recording instruments for any indication that the signals had been received and answered.

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Português

Porque o narrador havia trabalhado próximo a Gridley por muito tempo, ele tinha um bom entendimento de suas máquinas e conhecimento suficiente do Código Morse para receber mensagens com precisão e velocidade razoáveis.

Original English

My considerable association with Gridley had given me a fair working knowledge of his devices and sufficient knowledge of the Morse Code to enable me to receive with moderate accuracy and speed.

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Português

Muitos meses se passaram. A poeira cobriu tudo, exceto as partes móveis da máquina de Gridley. A fita branca do telégrafo, destinada a captar um sinal de resposta, permaneceu perfeitamente limpa. Então, parti para uma viagem curta ao Arizona.

Original English

Months passed; dust accumulated thickly upon everything except the working parts of Gridley's device, and the white ribbon of ticker tape that was to receive an answering signal retained its virgin purity; then I went away for a short trip into Arizona.

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Português

Fiquei ausente por cerca de dez dias. Quando voltei, uma das primeiras coisas que fiz foi verificar o laboratório de Gridley e os instrumentos que ele havia deixado comigo. Ao entrar na sala familiar e acender as luzes, esperava ver a mesma falta de resposta vazia à qual já estava acostumado.

Original English

I was absent for about ten days and upon my return one of the first things with which I concerned myself was an inspection of Gridley's laboratory and the instruments he had left in my care. As I entered the familiar room and switched on the lights it was with the expectation of meeting with the same blank unresponsiveness to which I was by now quite accustomed.

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Português

Para ser honesto, nunca esperei realmente o sucesso. O próprio Gridley não estava muito esperançoso — ele simplesmente achava que valia a pena tentar o experimento. Concordei que sim e ofereci a ele toda a pequena ajuda que pude.

Original English

As a matter of fact, hope of success had never been raised to any considerable degree in my breast, nor had Gridley been over sanguine -- his was merely an experiment. He considered it well worth while to make it, and I considered it equally worth while to lend him what small assistance I might.

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Português

Foi com grande espanto, quase um choque, que vi na fita do telégrafo as marcas familiares que representam os pontos e traços de uma mensagem codificada.

Original English

It was, therefore, with feelings of astonishment that assumed the magnitude of a distinct shock that I saw upon the ticker tape the familiar tracings which stand for the dots and dashes of code.

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Português

Claro, percebi que algum outro pesquisador poderia ter redescoberto a Onda Gridley, e que a mensagem poderia ter vindo da Terra, ou até mesmo de Jason em Pellucidar. Mas quando a decodifiquei, todas as dúvidas desapareceram. Era de Ulysses Paxton, outrora capitão da Infantaria dos EUA. Ele havia sido milagrosamente transportado de um campo de batalha na França para o coração de Marte. Lá, tornou-se o braço direito de Ras Thavas, o brilhante cientista marciano, e mais tarde se casou com Valla Dia, filha de Kor San, o Jeddak de Duhor.

Original English

Of course I realized that some other researcher might have duplicated Jason's discovery of the Gridley Wave and that the message might have originated upon earth, or, again, it might be a message from Jason himself in Pellucidar, but when I had deciphered it, all doubts were quickly put to rest. It was from Ulysses Paxton, one time captain, -- the U.S. Infantry, who, miraculously transported from a battlefield in France to the bosom of the great Red Planet, had become the right hand man of Ras Thavas, the mastermind of Mars, and later the husband of Valla Dia, daughter of Kor San, Jeddak of Duhor.

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Português

A mensagem declarou brevemente que sinais misteriosos haviam sido recebidos em Hélio por meses. Embora não pudessem entendê-los, eles acreditavam que os sinais se originavam de Jasoom, que é o nome marciano para a Terra.

Original English

In brief, the message explained that for months mysterious signals had been received at Helium, and while they were unable to interpret them, they felt that they came from Jasoom, the name by which the planet Earth is known upon Mars.

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Português

Como John Carter não estava em Hélio, uma aeronave rápida foi enviada a Duhor. Ela levava um pedido urgente para Paxton vir imediatamente às cidades gêmeas. Ele foi solicitado a tentar determinar se os sinais que estavam recebendo realmente vinham de seu planeta natal, a Terra.

Original English

John Carter being absent from Helium, a fast flier had been dispatched to Duhor bearing an urgent request to Paxton to come at once to the twin cities and endeavor to determine if in truth the signals they were receiving actually originated upon the planet of his birth.

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Português

Quando Paxton chegou a Hélio, ele imediatamente reconheceu os sinais como Código Morse. Os cientistas marcianos agora não tinham dúvidas de que finalmente haviam alcançado algo real na solução da comunicação entre Jasoom (Terra) e Barsoom (Marte).

Original English

Upon his arrival at Helium, Paxton immediately recognized the Morse Code signals and no doubt was left in the minds of the Martian scientists that at last something tangible had been accomplished toward the solution of inter-communication between Jasoom and Barsoom.

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Português

Várias tentativas de enviar sinais de resposta para a Terra falharam. Depois disso, os cientistas mais inteligentes de Hélio começaram a se concentrar em analisar e replicar a Onda Gridley.

Original English

Repeated attempts to transmit answering signals to Earth proved fruitless and then the best minds of Helium settled down to the task of analyzing and reproducing the Gridley Wave.

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Português

Eles acreditavam que finalmente haviam conseguido. Paxton havia enviado sua mensagem, e eles esperavam ansiosamente por uma resposta.

Original English

They felt that at last they had succeeded. Paxton had sent his message and they were eagerly awaiting an acknowledgment.

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Português

Desde então, o narrador manteve contato quase constante com Marte. No entanto, por lealdade a Jason Gridley, que merece todo o crédito e honra, ele se absteve de fazer qualquer anúncio oficial ou revelar informações significativas. Ele pretende deixar todas essas revelações para o retorno de Gridley ao mundo exterior. No entanto, ele acredita que não está quebrando nenhuma confiança ao compartilhar a fascinante história de Hadron de Hastor, que Paxton lhe contou uma noite não muito tempo atrás.

Original English

I have since been in almost constant communication with Mars, but out of loyalty to Jason Gridley, to whom all the credit and honor are due, I have made no official announcement, nor shall I give out any important information, leaving all that for his return to the outer world; but I believe that I am betraying no confidence if I narrate to you the interesting story of Hadron of Hastor, which Paxton told me one evening not long since.

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Português

Ele espera que o leitor obtenha tanto prazer da história quanto ele próprio obteve.

Original English

I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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Português

Antes de prosseguir com a narrativa, uma breve descrição das principais raças marcianas, suas estruturas políticas e militares e alguns de seus costumes pode ser do interesse de muitos leitores. A raça dominante, que detém o destino do progresso, da civilização e da própria existência de Marte, difere pouco na aparência física dos humanos. Sua pele vermelho-acobreada clara e sua reprodução ovípara são as duas diferenças mais significativas em relação às normas anglo-saxônicas. Além disso, sua longevidade é notável: a expectativa de vida natural de um marciano é de mil anos. No entanto, devido à sua natureza belicosa e à frequência de assassinatos, poucos marcianos vivem todo o seu potencial.

Original English

But before I go on with the story a brief description of the principal races of Mars, their political and military organization and some of their customs may prove of interest to many of my readers. The dominant race in whose hands rest the progress and civilization -- yes, the very life of Mars - differ but little in physical appearance from ourselves. The fact that their skins are a light reddish copper color and that they are oviparous constitute the two most marked divergences from Anglo-Saxon standards. No, there is another -- their longevity. A thousand years is the natural span of life of a Martian, although, because of their war-like activities and the prevalence of assassination among them, few live their allotted span.

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Português

Sua organização política permaneceu praticamente inalterada por inúmeras eras. A unidade básica ainda é a tribo, liderada por um chefe ou jed, que em termos modernos corresponde a um rei. Os príncipes são chamados de jeds menores. O líder supremo sobre as tribos consolidadas é o jeddak, ou imperador, e sua consorte é a jeddara.

Original English

Their general political organization has changed little in countless ages, the unit still being the tribe, at the head of which is a chief or jed, corresponding in modern times to our king. The princes are known as lesser jeds, while the chief of chiefs, or the head of consolidated tribes, is the jeddak, or emperor, whose consort is a jeddara.

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Português

A maioria dos marcianos vermelhos habita cidades muradas, mas muitos também vivem em casas de campo isoladas, bem fortificadas e defendidas. Essas fazendas estão localizadas ao longo das faixas de terra férteis e irrigadas que os terráqueos conhecem como os Canais de Marte.

Original English

The majority of red Martians live in walled cities, though there are many who reside in isolated, though well walled and defended, farm homes along those rich irrigated ribbons of land that we of earth know as the Canals of Mars.

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Português

Na região polar sul distante vive uma raça de pessoas negras bonitas e altamente inteligentes. Um remanescente de uma raça branca também reside lá, enquanto a região polar norte é dominada por uma raça amarela.

Original English

In the far south, that is in the south polar region, dwells a race of very handsome and highly intelligent black men. There, also, is the remnant of a white race; while the north polar regions are dominated by a race of yellow men.

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Português

Entre os dois polos, espalhados pelos ermos estéreis dos fundos de mares mortos e frequentemente habitando as cidades arruinadas de uma era passada, estão as temidas hordas verdes de Marte.

Original English

In between the two poles and scattered over all the and waste lands of the dead sea bottoms, often inhabiting the ruined cities of another age, are the feared green hordes of Mars.

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Português

Os temíveis guerreiros verdes de Barsoom são os inimigos hereditários de todas as outras raças neste planeta guerreiro. Eles são de tamanho heroico, possuindo duas pernas e dois braços, mais um par extra de membros que podem funcionar como braços ou pernas. Seus olhos estão situados nas laterais extremas de suas cabeças, um pouco acima do centro, e se projetam de modo que podem ser direcionados para frente ou para trás independentemente, permitindo-lhes olhar em qualquer direção – ou duas direções ao mesmo tempo – sem virar a cabeça.

Original English

The terrible green warriors of Barsoom are the hereditary enemies of all the other races of this martial planet. They are of heroic size and in addition to being equipped with two legs and two arms apiece, they have an intermediary pair of limbs, which may be used at will either as arms or legs. Their eyes are set at the extreme sides of their heads, a trifle above the center, and protrude in such a manner that they may be directed either forward or back and also independently of each other, thus permitting these remarkable creatures to look in any direction, or in two directions at once without the necessity of turning their heads.

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Português

Suas orelhas, localizadas ligeiramente acima dos olhos e mais próximas umas das outras, são pequenas antenas em forma de concha que se projetam vários centímetros da cabeça. Seus narizes são meras fendas longitudinais no centro de seus rostos, a meio caminho entre a boca e as orelhas.

Original English

Their ears, which are slightly above the eyes and closer together are small cupped-shape antennae, protruding several inches from the head, while their noses are but longitudinal slits in the center of their faces, midway between their mouths and ears.

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Português

Eles não têm pelos no corpo. Sua pele é de um verde-amarelado muito claro na infância, escurecendo para um verde-oliva à medida que amadurecem, com os machos adultos mais escuros que as fêmeas.

Original English

They have no hair on their bodies, which are of a very light yellowish-green color in infancy, deepening to an olive green toward maturity, the adult males being darker in color than the females.

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Português

Seus olhos têm íris vermelho-sangue e pupilas escuras, com globos oculares muito brancos. Seus dentes, especialmente as presas inferiores que se curvam para cima em pontas afiadas perto de onde estariam os olhos humanos, dão a eles uma aparência feroz. Os dentes não são como marfim, mas como porcelana branca reluzente. Contra a pele oliva, as presas se destacam de forma marcante.

Original English

The iris of the eyes is blood red, as an Albino's, while the pupil is dark. The eyeball itself is very white, as are the teeth and it is these latter which add a most ferocious appearance to an otherwise fearsome and terrible countenance, as the lower tusks curve upward to sharp points which end about where the eyes of earthly human beings are located. The whiteness of the teeth is not that of ivory, but of the snowiest and most gleaming of china. Against the dark background of their olive skins their tusks stand out in a most striking manner, causing these weapons to present a singularly formidable appearance.

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Português

Eles são um povo cruel e reservado, completamente desprovido de amor, simpatia ou piedade.

Original English

They are a cruel and taciturn race, entirely devoid of love, sympathy or pity.

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Português

Eles são uma raça de cavaleiros, nunca andando a pé, exceto quando se movem dentro de seus acampamentos.

Original English

They are an equestrian race, never walking other than to move about their camps.

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Português

Suas montarias, chamadas thoats, são grandes bestas selvagens que correspondem ao tamanho de seus gigantescos mestres. Thoats têm oito pernas e caudas largas e chatas que são mais grossas nas pontas do que na base, que eles mantêm esticadas ao correr. Suas bocas são enormes, dividindo a cabeça do focinho ao pescoço. Como seus mestres, eles não têm pelos, com pele cinza-ardósia escura, lisa e brilhante, exceto pela barriga branca. Suas pernas passam do cinza-ardósia nos ombros e quadris para um amarelo vivo nos pés. Os pés são fortemente acolchoados, sem unhas.

Original English

Their mounts, called thoats, are great savage beasts' whose proportions harmonize with those of their giant masters. They have eight legs and broad flat tails larger at the tips than at the roots. They hold these tails straight out while running. Their mouths are enormous, splitting their heads from their snouts to their long, massive necks. Like their masters, they are entirely devoid of hair, their skins being a dark slate color and exceedingly smooth and glossy, with the exception of the belly, which is white, and the legs, which shade from the slate of the shoulders and hips to a vivid yellow at the feet. The feet are heavily padded and nailless.

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Português

Como os homens vermelhos, as hordas verdes são governadas por jeds e jeddaks, mas sua organização militar não é tão detalhada ou perfeita quanto a dos homens vermelhos.

Original English

Like the red men, the green hordes are ruled by jeds and jeddaks, but their military organization is not carried to the same detail of perfection as is that of the red men.

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Português

A organização militar dos homens vermelhos é altamente estruturada, com a marinha como sua força principal — uma enorme frota de navios de guerra, cruzadores e inúmeras embarcações menores, até os fliers de reconhecimento para uma única pessoa. A infantaria é o segundo maior ramo, seguida pela cavalaria montada em pequenos thoats, semelhantes aos usados pelos gigantes marcianos verdes; essa cavalaria é usada principalmente para patrulhar avenidas da cidade e áreas rurais próximas aos sistemas de irrigação.

Original English

The military forces of the red men are highly organized, the principal arm of the service being the navy, an enormous air force of battleships, cruisers and an infinite variety of lesser craft down to one-man scout fliers. Next in size and importance is the infantry branch of the service, while the cavalry, mounted on a breed of small thoats, similar to those used by the green Martian giants, is utilized principally in patrolling the avenues of the cities and the rural districts that border the irrigating systems.

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Português

A unidade básica da organização militar, embora não seja a menor, é o utan, que consiste em cem homens e é comandado por um dwar, auxiliado por vários padwars ou tenentes juniores. Um odwar comanda um umak de dez mil homens, e acima dele está um jedwar, que está logo abaixo do jed ou rei.

Original English

The principal basic unit, although not the smallest one of the military organization, is a utan, consisting of one hundred men, which is commanded by a dwar with several padwars or lieutenants junior to him. An odwar commands a umak of ten thousand men, while next above him is a jedwar, who is junior only to the jed or king.

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Português

Em algumas áreas, ciência, literatura, arte e arquitetura em Marte são mais avançadas do que na Terra, o que é notável considerando a luta constante pela sobrevivência que define a vida em Barsoom.

Original English

Science, literature, art and architecture are in some of their departments further advanced upon Mars than upon Earth, a remarkable thing when one considers the constant battle for survival which is the most marked characteristic of life upon Barsoom.

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Português

Eles não apenas enfrentam uma batalha contínua contra a natureza, que está lentamente esgotando sua já rarefeita atmosfera, mas do nascimento à morte precisam se defender constantemente contra nações inimigas de sua própria raça e vastas hordas de guerreiros verdes errantes do fundo do mar morto. Dentro de suas próprias cidades, inúmeros assassinos profissionais operam, e seu ofício é tão reconhecido que em alguns lugares eles são organizados em guildas.

Original English

Not only are they waging a continual battle against Nature, which is slowly diminishing their already scant atmosphere, but from birth to death they are constantly faced by the stern necessity of defending themselves against enemy nations of their own race and the great hordes of roving green warriors of the dead sea bottom; while within the walls of their own cities are countless professional assassins, whose calling is so well recognized that in some localities they are organized into guilds.

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Português

Apesar de todas essas realidades duras, os marcianos vermelhos são um povo feliz e sociável. Eles apreciam jogos, danças e canções, e a vida social em uma grande capital barsoomiana é tão animada e magnífica quanto qualquer uma encontrada nas ricas capitais da Terra.

Original English

But notwithstanding all the grim realities with which they have to contend, the red Martians are a happy, social people. They have their games, their dances and their songs, and the social life of a great capital of Barsoom is as gay and magnificent as any that may be found in the rich capitals of Earth.

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Português

É evidente que John Carter e Ulysses Paxton são corajosos, nobres e generosos, porque nenhum deles retornaria à Terra mesmo se tivesse a chance.

Original English

That they are a brave, noble and generous people is indicated by the fact that neither John Carter nor Ulysses Paxton would return to Earth if they might.

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Português

Agora, voltemos à história que Paxton contou de quarenta e três milhões de milhas de distância no espaço.

Original English

And now to return to the tale that I had from Paxton across forty-three million miles of space.

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1. SANOMA TORA

Português

Esta é a história de Hadron de Hastor, um guerreiro de Marte, como ele a contou a Ulysses Paxton.

Original English

This is the story of Hadron of Hastor, Fighting Man of Mars, as narrated by him to Ulysses Paxton:

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Português

Eu sou Tan Hadron de Hastor. Meu pai, Had Urtur, é um Odwar que comanda o maior navio de guerra que Hastor já deu à marinha de Hélio, transportando dez mil soldados, quinhentas naves de combate menores e todo o equipamento de guerra necessário. Minha mãe é uma princesa de Gathol.

Original English

I am Tan Hadron of Hastor, my father is Had Urtur, Odwar of the 1st Umak of the Troops of Hastor. He commands the largest ship of war that Hastor has ever contributed to the navy of Helium, accommodating as it does the entire ten thousand men of the 1st Umak, together with five hundred lesser fighting ships and all the paraphernalia of war. My mother is a princess of Gathol.

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Português

Nossa família não é rica, mas é rica em honra. Valorizando a honra acima de todos os bens materiais, escolhi a profissão do meu pai em vez de carreiras mais lucrativas. Para promover minha ambição, vim à capital de Hélio e servi nas tropas de Tardos Mors, Jeddak de Hélio, para poder estar mais perto do grande John Carter, Senhor da Guerra de Marte.

Original English

As a family we are not rich except in honor, and, valuing this above all mundane possessions, I chose the profession of my father rather than a more profitable career. The better to further my ambition I came to the capital of the empire of Helium and took service in the troops of Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium, that I might be nearer the great John Carter, Warlord of Mars.

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Português

Minha vida em Hélio e minha carreira militar foram muito parecidas com as de muitos outros jovens. Completei meu treinamento sem nenhuma conquista notável, sem liderar nem ficar atrás dos meus companheiros. Com o tempo, fui nomeado Padwar no 91º Umak, designado para o 5º Utan do 11º Dar.

Original English

My life in Helium and my career in the army were similar to those of hundreds of other young men. I passed through my training days without notable accomplishment, neither heading nor trailing my fellows, and in due course I was made a Padwar in the 91st Umak, being assigned to the 5th Utan of the 11th Dar.

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Português

Porque meu pai era de nascimento nobre e minha mãe tinha sangue real, os palácios das cidades gêmeas de Hélio estavam sempre abertos para mim, e eu participava da animada vida social da capital. Foi assim que conheci Sanoma Tora, filha de Tor Hatan, Odwar do 91º Umak.

Original English

What with being of noble lineage by my father and inheriting royal blood from my mother, the palaces of the twin cities of Helium were always open to me and I entered much into the gay life of the capital. It was thus that I met Sanoma Tora, daughter of Tor Hatan, Odwar of the 91st Umak.

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Português

Tor Hatan pertencia apenas à nobreza inferior, mas era imensamente rico devido aos despojos de muitas cidades, que ele havia investido sabiamente em terras agrícolas e minas. Na capital de Hélio, a riqueza importava mais do que em Hastor, tornando Tor Hatan um homem poderoso cuja influência se estendia até o trono do Jeddak.

Original English

Tor Hatan is only of the lower nobility, but he is fabulously rich from the loot of many cities well invested in farm land and mines, and because here in the capital of Helium riches count for more than they do in Hastor, Tor Hatan is a powerful man, whose influence reaches even to the throne of the Jeddak.

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Português

Nunca esquecerei a primeira vez que vi Sanoma Tora. Foi em um grande banquete no palácio de mármore do Senhor da Guerra. As mulheres mais bonitas de Barsoom estavam reunidas ali, e mesmo entre a beleza radiante de Dejah Thoris, Tara de Hélio e Thuvia de Ptarth, a graciosidade de Sanoma Tora era impressionante o suficiente para chamar a atenção. Não posso dizer que superava aquelas rainhas reconhecidas, pois minha adoração pode me influenciar, mas outros também comentaram sobre sua beleza deslumbrante, que diferia da de Dejah Thoris como uma paisagem polar difere dos trópicos, ou como um palácio branco ao luar difere de seu jardim ao meio-dia.

Original English

Never shall I forget the occasion upon which I first laid eyes upon Sanoma Tora. It was upon the occasion of a great feast at the marble palace of The Warlord. There were gathered under one roof the most beautiful women of Barsoom, where, notwithstanding the gorgeous and radiant beauty of Dejah Thoris, Tara of Helium and Thuvia of Ptarth, the pulchritude of Sanoma Tora was such as to arrest attention. I shall not say that it was greater than that of those acknowledged queens of Barsoomian loveliness, for I know that my adoration of Sanoma Tora might easily influence my judgment, but there were others there who remarked her gorgeous beauty which differs from that of Dejah Thoris as the chaste beauty of a polar landscape differs from the beauty of the tropics, as the beauty of a white palace in the moonlight differs from the beauty of its garden at midday.

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Português

Quando solicitei uma apresentação, ela primeiro olhou para a insígnia na minha armadura, viu que eu era apenas um Padwar, dirigiu-me uma palavra condescendente e depois voltou sua atenção para o Dwar com quem estava falando.

Original English

When at my solicitation I was presented to her, she glanced first at the insignia upon my armor, and noting therefrom that I was but a Padwar, she vouchsafed me but a condescending word and turned her attention again to the Dwar with whom she had been conversing.

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Português

O narrador admitiu que se sentia irritado, mas foi precisamente a forma insultuosa como ela o tratou que o fez decidido a conquistá-la. Ele acreditava que os objetivos mais difíceis eram os mais desejáveis.

Original English

I must admit that I was piqued and yet it was, indeed, the contumelious treatment she accorded me that fixed my determination to win her, for the goal most difficult of attainment has always seemed to me the most desirable.

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Português

Assim, o narrador se apaixonou por Sanoma Tora, que era filha do comandante do navio em que servia.

Original English

And so it was that I fell in love with Sanoma Tora, the daughter of the commander of the Umak to which I was attached.

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Português

Por muito tempo, o narrador achou difícil fazer qualquer progresso em seu cortejo. Ele não viu Sanoma Tora por vários meses após o primeiro encontro porque, assim que ela soube que ele era pobre e de baixa patente, ele não conseguiu um convite para a casa dela. Ele não a encontrou em outro lugar por um longo tempo, mas quanto mais inatingível ela se tornava, mais ele a amava. Ele passava todo o seu tempo livre, além dos deveres militares, elaborando planos cada vez mais imprudentes para conquistá-la. Ele até considerou sequestrá-la e acreditava que teria feito isso se não houvesse outra maneira de vê-la. No entanto, por volta dessa época, um colega oficial, o Dwar do Utan ao qual ele estava vinculado, teve pena dele e conseguiu um convite para ele para um banquete no palácio de Tor Hatan.

Original English

For a long time I found it difficult to further my suit in the slightest degree; in fact I did not even see Sanoma Tora for several months after our first meeting, since when she found that I was poor as well as low in rank I found it impossible to gain an invitation to her home and it chanced that I did not meet her elsewhere for a long time, but the more inaccessible she became the more I loved her until every waking moment of my time that was not actually occupied by the performance of my military duties was devoted to the devising of new and ever increasingly rash plans to possess her. I even had the madness to consider abducting her, and I believe that I should eventually have gone this far had there been no other way in which I could see her, but about this time a fellow officer of the 91st, in fact the Dwar of the Utan to which I was attached, took pity on me and obtained for me an invitation to a feast in the palace of Tor Hatan.

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Português

O anfitrião, que também era o oficial comandante do narrador, nunca havia prestado atenção nele antes daquela noite. O narrador ficou surpreso com o calor e a simpatia de suas saudações.

Original English

My host, who was also my commanding officer, had never noticed me before this evening and I was surprised to note the warmth and cordiality of his greetings.

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Português

O comandante disse ao narrador que eles deveriam vê-lo com mais frequência. Ele mencionou que o observava e previu que ele iria longe no serviço militar do Jeddak.

Original English

"We must see more of you here, Hadron of Hastor," he had said. "I have been watching you and I prophesy that you will go far in the military service of the Jeddak."

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Português

O narrador percebeu que Tor Hatan estava mentindo sobre tê-lo observado, porque Tor Hatan era conhecido por negligenciar seus deveres como oficial comandante, o que significava que outros oficiais realmente os executavam. Embora o narrador não entendesse por que Tor Hatan de repente se interessou por ele, ele ainda ficou satisfeito porque isso poderia ajudá-lo a se aproximar de conquistar a afeição de Sanoma Tora.

Original English

Now I knew he was lying when he said that he had been watching me, for Tor Hatan was notoriously lax in his duties as a commanding officer, all of which were performed by the senior Teedwar of the Umak. While I could not fathom the cause of this sudden interest in me, it was nevertheless very pleasing since through it I might in some degree further my pursuit of the heart and hand of Sanoma Tora.

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Português

Sanoma Tora foi um pouco mais cordial do que quando se encontraram pela primeira vez, mas claramente deu mais atenção a Sil Vagis do que ao narrador.

Original English

Sanoma Tora herself was slightly more cordial than upon the occasion of our first meeting, though she noticeably paid more attention to Sil Vagis than she did to me.

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Português

O narrador detestava Sil Vagis mais do que qualquer outra pessoa em Hélio. Sil Vagis era um esnobe desagradável com o título de Teedwar, mas pelo que o narrador podia perceber, ele não comandava tropas e apenas servia na equipe de Tor Hatan, provavelmente porque seu pai era muito rico.

Original English

Now if there is any man in Helium whom I particularly detest more than another it is Sil Vagis, a nasty little snob who holds the title of Teedwar, though so far as I was ever able to ascertain he commands no troops, but is merely on the staff of Tor Hatan, principally, I presume, because of the great wealth of his father.

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Português

Em tempos de paz, era preciso tolerar pessoas assim. No entanto, quando a guerra começou e o grande Senhor da Guerra assumiu o comando, os homens de combate eram valorizados, e a patente ou a riqueza já não importavam.

Original English

Such creatures we have to put up with in times of peace, but when war comes and the great Warlord takes command it is the fighting men who rank and riches do not count.

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Português

Embora Sil Vagis tenha arruinado a noite e continuasse a arruinar as futuras, o narrador deixou o palácio de Tor Hatan sentindo-se quase alegre, porque Sanoma Tora lhe dera permissão para visitá-la novamente na casa de seu pai sempre que seus deveres permitissem.

Original English

But be that as it may, while Sil Vagis spoiled this evening for me as he would spoil many others in the future, nevertheless I left the palace of Tor Hatan that night with a feeling bordering upon elation, for I had Sanoma Tora's permission to see her again in her father's home when my duties would permit me to pay my respects to her.

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Português

Ao retornar aos meus aposentos com meu amigo, o Dwar, comentei sobre o quão calorosamente Tor Hatan me recebera, o que o fez rir.

Original English

Returning to my quarters I was accompanied by my friend, the Dwar, and when I commented on the warmth of Tor Hatan's reception of me he laughed.

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Português

Perguntei a ele por que achava aquilo engraçado.

Original English

"You find it amusing," I said. "Why?"

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Português

O Dwar explicou que, embora Tor Hatan fosse muito rico e poderoso, ele raramente era convidado para os quatro lugares mais prestigiados de Hélio que homens ambiciosos mais desejavam ser vistos.

Original English

"Tor Hatan, as you know," he said, "is very rich and powerful, and yet it is seldom, as you may have noticed, that he is invited to any one of the four places of Helium in which ambitious men most crave to be seen."

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Português

Perguntei se ele se referia aos palácios do Senhor da Guerra, do Jeddak, do Jed e de Carthoris.

Original English

"You mean the palaces of the Warlord, the Jeddak, the Jed and Carthoris?" I asked.

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Português

Ele confirmou que eram esses, observando que nenhum outro quatro lugares em Hélio importavam tanto. Ele prosseguiu dizendo que acreditava-se que Tor Hatan era da baixa nobreza, mas o Dwar duvidava que ele tivesse qualquer sangue nobre. O Dwar baseava essa suspeita no comportamento excessivamente humilde e bajulador de Tor Hatan em relação à realeza, sugerindo que Tor Hatan faria quase qualquer coisa para ser considerado um amigo próximo de qualquer um dos quatro.

Original English

"Of course," he replied. "What other four in Helium count for so much as these? Tor Hatan," he continued, "is supposed to come from the lower nobility, but there is a question in my mind as to whether there is a drop of noble blood in his veins, and one of the facts upon which I base my conjecture is his cringing and fawning reverence for anything pertaining to royalty -- he would give his fat soul to be considered an intimate of any one of the four."

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Português

Ele exigiu saber o que aquilo tinha a ver com ele.

Original English

"But what has that to do with me?" I demanded.

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Português

Ele respondeu que tinha muito a ver com ele e, de fato, por causa disso, ele havia sido convidado ao palácio naquela noite.

Original English

"A great deal," he replied; "in fact, because of it you were invited to his palace tonight."

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Português

Ele disse que não entendia.

Original English

"I do not understand," I said.

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Português

Ele explicou que estava conversando com Tor Hatan na manhã em que o convite foi recebido. Ele mencionou o ouvinte, mas Tor Hatan não demonstrou interesse até saber que a mãe do ouvinte era uma princesa de Gathol. Então, ao ouvir que o ouvinte era bem-vindo como amigo nos palácios dos quatro semideuses de Hélio, Tor Hatan ficou entusiasmado. Ele perguntou se o ouvinte agora entendia.

Original English

"I chanced to be talking with Tor Hatan the morning of the day you received your invitation and in the course of our conversation I mentioned you. He had never heard of you, and as a Padwar in the 5th Utan you aroused his interest not a particle, but when I told him that your mother was a princess of Gathol, be pricked up his ears, and when he learned that you were received as a friend and equal in the palaces of the four demigods of Helium, he became almost enthusiastic about you. Now do you understand?" he concluded with a short laugh.

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Português

Ele respondeu que entendia perfeitamente e agradeceu. Disse que tudo o que queria era a oportunidade e, como estava preparado para alcançá-la até por meios criminosos, se necessário, não podia reclamar de como foi obtida, por mais desagradável que pudesse ser para ele.

Original English

"Perfectly," I replied, "but none the less, I thank you. All that I wanted was the opportunity and inasmuch as I was prepared to achieve it criminally if necessary, I cannot quibble over any means that were employed to obtain it, however unflattering they may be to me."

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Português

Por muitos meses, visitei frequentemente o palácio de Tor Hatan. Sendo naturalmente um bom conversador e bem treinado nas danças formais e nos jogos alegres de Barsoom, nunca fui um hóspede indesejado. Também fazia questão de acompanhar Sanoma Tora a um ou outro dos quatro grandes palácios de Hélio. Eu era sempre bem-vindo por causa da relação de sangue entre minha mãe e Gahan de Gathol, que havia se casado com Tara de Hélio.

Original English

For months I haunted the palace of Tor Hatan, and being naturally a good conversationalist and well schooled in the stately dances and joyous games of Barsoom, I was by no means an unwelcome visitor. Also I made it a point often to take Sanoma Tora to one or another of the four great palaces of Helium. I was always welcome because of the blood relationship which existed between my mother and Gahan of Gathol, who had married Tara of Helium.

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Português

Eu sentia que minha corte estava progredindo bem, mas não rápido o suficiente para acompanhar os desejos urgentes da minha paixão. Nunca havia conhecido o amor antes e acreditava que morreria se não possuísse Sanoma Tora em breve. Então, certa noite, visitei o palácio do pai dela firmemente determinado a depositar meu coração e minha espada a seus pés antes de partir. Embora as dúvidas naturais de um amante me convencessem de que eu era um verme indigno que ela teria razão em rejeitar, eu estava, no entanto, resolvido a me declarar para que pudesse ser abertamente considerado um pretendente. Isso, afinal, me daria maior liberdade, mesmo que eu não fosse totalmente favorecido.

Original English

Naturally I felt that I was progressing well with my suit, but my progress was not fast enough to keep pace with the racing desires of my passion. Never had I known love before and I felt that I should die if I did not soon possess Sanoma Tora, and so it was that upon a certain night I visited the palace of her father definitely determined to lay my heart and sword at her feet before I left, and, although the natural complexes of a lover convinced me that I was an unworthy worm, that she would be wholly justified in spurning, I was yet determined to declare myself so that I might openly be accounted a suitor, which, after all, gives one greater freedom even though he be not entirely a favored suitor.

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Português

Era uma daquelas noites encantadoras que transformam o velho Barsoom em um mundo de magia. Thuria e Cluros corriam pelo céu, lançando sua luz suave sobre o jardim de Tor Hatan. A luz transformou a grama escarlate vívida em roxo e deu matizes estranhas às lindas flores de pimália e sorapus. Os caminhos sinuosos, pavimentados com pedras semipreciosas, refletiam mil raios cintilantes que dançavam em cores em constante mudança aos pés das estátuas de mármore, adicionando um charme artístico extra a toda a cena.

Original English

It was one of those lovely nights that transform old Barsoom into a world of enchantment. Thuria and Cluros were racing through the heavens casting their soft light upon the garden of Tor Hatan, empurpling the vivid, scarlet sward and lending strange hues to the gorgeous blooms of pimalia and sorapus, while the winding walks, graveled with semi-precious stones, shot back a thousand scintillant rays that, clothed in ever-changing colors, danced at the feet of the marble statuary that lent an added artistic charm to the ensemble.

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Português

Em um dos salões espaçosos com vista para o jardim do palácio, um jovem e uma jovem estavam sentados em um enorme banco feito de rica madeira de sorapus. O banco era tão intricadamente desenhado e perfeitamente esculpido que poderia ter adornado os salões do próprio grande Jeddak.

Original English

In one of the spacious halls that overlooked the garden of the palace, a youth and a maiden sat upon a massive bench of rich sorapus wood, such a bench as might have graced the halls of the great Jeddak himself, so intricate its rich design, so perfect the carving of the master craftsman who produced it.

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Português

O arreio de couro do jovem trazia as insígnias de sua patente e serviço: um Padwar no 91º Umak. Eu era aquele jovem, Hadron de Hastor, e comigo estava Sanoma Tora, filha de Tor Hatan. Eu viera cheio de determinação para defender minha causa com ousadia, mas de repente me dei conta de minha indignidade. O que poderia oferecer a essa bela filha do rico Tor Hatan? Eu era apenas um Padwar, e um pobre ainda por cima. Sabia que o sangue real de Gathol em minhas veias poderia ter peso com Tor Hatan, mas não era dado a me gabar e não poderia lembrar Sanoma Tora de qualquer vantagem disso, mesmo se soubesse que a influenciaria. Então, não tinha nada a oferecer senão meu grande amor — talvez o maior presente que alguém pode dar a outro. E ultimamente, pensei que Sanoma Tora pudesse me amar. Em várias ocasiões ela mandara me chamar, e embora cada vez sugerisse ir ao palácio de Tara de Hélio, eu fora vaidoso o suficiente para esperar que esse não fosse seu único motivo para querer estar comigo.

Original English

Upon the leathern harness of the youth were the insignia of his rank and service -- a Padwar in the 91st Umak. The youth was I, Hadron of Hastor, and with me was Sanoma Tora, daughter of Tor Hatan. I had come filled with the determination boldly to plead my cause, but suddenly I had become aware of my unworthiness. What had I to offer this beautiful daughter of the rich Tor Hatan? I was only a Padwar, and a poor one at that. Of course, there was the royal blood of Gathol in my veins, and that, I knew, would have weight with Tor Hatan, but I am not given to boasting and I could not have reminded Sanoma Tora of the advantages to be derived because of it even had I known positively that it would influence her. I had, therefore, nothing to offer but my great love, which is, perhaps, after all, the greatest gift that man or woman can bring to another, and I had thought of late that Sanoma Tora might love me. Upon several occasions she had sent for me, and, although in each instance she had suggested going to the palace of Tara of Helium, I had been vain enough to hope that this was not her sole reason for wishing to be with me.

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Português

Ela disse a Hadron de Hastor que ele estava desinteressante naquela noite. Ela disse isso após um longo silêncio, durante o qual ele estava tentando encontrar palavras convincentes e elegantes para sua proposta.

Original English

"You are uninteresting tonight, Hadron of Hastor," she said after a particularly long silence, during which I had been endeavoring to formulate my proposal in some convincing and graceful phrases.

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Português

Ele respondeu que talvez fosse porque estava tentando encontrar as palavras para expressar o pensamento mais interessante que já tivera.

Original English

"Perhaps," I replied, "it is because I am trying to find the words in which to clothe the most interesting thought I have ever entertained."

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Português

Ela perguntou educadamente qual era esse pensamento, embora não parecesse muito interessada.

Original English

"And what is that?" she asked politely, though with no great show of interest.

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Português

Ele disse abruptamente e de forma desajeitada que a amava.

Original English

"I love you, Sanoma Tora," I blurted awkwardly.

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Português

Ela riu. O som era como prata no cristal—belo, mas frio. Ela disse que isso era óbvio há muito tempo e perguntou por que ele precisava mencionar.

Original English

She laughed. It was like the tinkling of silver upon crystal -- beautiful but cold. "That has been apparent for a long while," she said, "but why speak of it?"

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Português

Perguntei por que não.

Original English

"And why not?" I asked.

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Português

Ela respondeu friamente que, mesmo que retribuísse o amor dele, ela não era para ele, Hadron de Hastor.

Original English

"Because even if I returned your love, I am not for you, Hadron of Hastor," she replied coldly.

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Português

Perguntei a Sanoma Tora se ela não poderia me amar então.

Original English

"You cannot love me then, Sanoma Tora?" I asked.

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Português

Ela respondeu que não tinha dito isso.

Original English

"I did not say that," she replied.

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Português

Perguntei se ela poderia me amar.

Original English

"You could love me?"

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Português

Ela admitiu que poderia amá-lo se permitisse a si mesma essa fraqueza, mas questionou o que o amor realmente era.

Original English

"I could love you if I permitted myself the weakness," she said, "but what is love?"

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Português

Ele disse a ela que o amor era tudo.

Original English

"Love is everything," I told her.

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Português

Sanoma Tora riu e disse arrogantemente que ele estava enganado se pensava que ela se ligaria para a vida a um Padwar remendado mesmo que o amasse. Ela explicou que era filha de Tor Hatan, cuja riqueza e poder eram quase tão grandes quanto os das famílias reais de Hélio. Ela tinha muitos pretendentes que poderiam comprá-lo mil vezes, e dentro do ano um emissário do Jeddak Tul Axtar de Jahar visitara seu pai, tendo-a visto e prometido voltar. Ela perguntou como ele poderia esperar que ela, que poderia se tornar Jeddara de Jahar, se tornasse esposa de um pobre Padwar apenas por amor.

Original English

Sanoma Tora laughed. "If you think that I would link myself for life to a threadbare Padwar even if I loved him, you are mistaken," she said haughtily. "I am the daughter of Tor Hatan, whose wealth and power are but little less than those of the royal families of Helium. I have suitors whose wealth is so great that they could buy you a thousand times over. Within the year an emissary of the Jeddak Tul Axtar of Jahar waited upon my father; he had seen me and he said that he would return, and, merely for love, you would ask me, who may some day be Jeddara of Jahar to become the wife of a poor Padwar."

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Português

Ele se levantou e disse que talvez ela estivesse certa, já que sua beleza tornava difícil acreditar que ela pudesse estar errada, mas no fundo do coração ele sentia que a felicidade era o maior tesouro e o amor o maior poder. Sem eles, disse-lhe, até mesmo uma Jeddara era verdadeiramente pobre.

Original English

I arose. "Perhaps you are right," I said. "You are so beautiful that it does not seem possible that you could be wrong, but deep in my heart I cannot but feel that happiness is the greatest treasure that one may possess, and love the greatest power. Without these, Sanoma Tora, even a Jeddara is poor indeed."

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Português

Ela disse que arriscaria.

Original English

"I shall take my chance," she said.

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Português

O falante comentou, de forma bastante irritada, que esperava que o Jeddak de Jahar não fosse tão gorduroso quanto seu emissário.

Original English

"I hope that the Jeddak of Jahar is not as greasy as his emissary," I remarked rather peevishly, I am afraid.

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Português

Sanoma Tora declarou que não se importava se ele fosse um pote de gordura animado, contanto que a tornasse sua Jeddara.

Original English

"He may be an animated grease-pot for all I care if he will make me his Jeddara," said Sanoma Tora.

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Português

O falante perguntou se aquilo significava que não havia esperança para ele.

Original English

"Then there is no hope for me?" I asked.

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Português

Ela respondeu que não havia esperança para ele enquanto ele tivesse tão pouco a oferecer.

Original English

"Not while you have so little to offer, Padwar," she replied.

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Português

Naquele momento, um escravo anunciou Sil Vagis, e o falante se despediu. Ele nunca havia sentido um desespero tão profundo enquanto voltava infeliz para seus aposentos, mas mesmo que a esperança parecesse perdida, ele não abandonou sua determinação de conquistá-la. Se o preço dela fosse riqueza e poder, ele os alcançaria. Não tinha total certeza de como, mas era jovem, e para a juventude todas as coisas parecem possíveis.

Original English

It was then that a slave announced Sil Vagis, and I took my leave. I had never before plumbed such depths of despondency as that which engulfed me as I made my unhappy way back to my quarters, but even though hope seemed dead I had not relinquished my determination to win her. If wealth and power were her price, then I would achieve wealth and power. Just how I was going to accomplish it was not entirely clear, but I was young and to youth all things are possible.

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Português

Depois de ficar acordado deitado na minha cama de sedas e peles por um tempo, um oficial da guarda irrompeu de repente em meu aposento.

Original English

I had tossed in wakefulness upon my sleeping silks and furs for some time when an officer of the guard burst suddenly into my quarters.

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Português

Ele gritou meu nome, Hadron, e perguntou se eu estava ali.

Original English

"Hadron!" he shouted, "are you here?"

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Português

Eu confirmei que estava.

Original English

"Yes," I replied.

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Português

Ele exclamou, louvando as cinzas de seus ancestrais, e disse que temia que eu não estivesse ali.

Original English

"Praised be the ashes of my ancestors!" he exclaimed. "I feared that you were not."

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Português

Exigi saber por que ele pensaria o contrário e perguntei o que estava acontecendo.

Original English

"Why should I not be?" I demanded. "What is this all about?"

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Português

Ele exclamou que Tor Hatan, o velho sovina gordo, havia enlouquecido.

Original English

"Tor Hatan, the fat old treasure bag, is gone mad," he exclaimed.

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Português

Ele perguntou o que se queria dizer com Tor Hatan enlouquecer e como isso lhe dizia respeito.

Original English

"Tor Hatan gone mad? What do you mean? What has that got to do with me?"

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Português

O informante disse que Tor Hatan jurou que o ouvinte havia sequestrado sua filha.

Original English

"He swears that you have abducted his daughter."

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Português

Pulei de pé e gritei que Sanoma Tora havia sido sequestrada, exigindo saber o que havia acontecido com ela e insistindo em uma resposta rápida.

Original English

In an instant I was upon my feet. "Abducted Sanoma Tora!" I cried. "Has something happened to her? Tell me, quickly."

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Português

Meu informante confirmou que ela realmente havia desaparecido e acrescentou que o assunto era profundamente misterioso.

Original English

"Yes, she is gone, all right," said my informant, "and there is something mighty mysterious about it."

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Português

O narrador não ficou para ouvir mais. Ele pegou seu arreio, vestiu-o e correu pela pista em espiral até os hangares no topo do quartel. Ele não tinha permissão para pegar um aeroplano, mas isso não importava para ele se Sanoma Tora estava em perigo.

Original English

But I did not wait to hear more. Seizing my harness, I adjusted it as I ran up the spiral runway toward the hangars on the roof of the barracks. I had no authority or permit to take out a flier, but what did that mean to me if Sanoma Tora was in danger?

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Português

Os guardas do hangar tentaram detê-lo e interrogá-lo. Ele não se lembrava do que lhes disse, mas deve ter mentido, pois o deixaram pegar um aeroplano rápido de um só lugar. Momentos depois, ele estava voando pela noite em direção ao palácio de Tor Hatan.

Original English

The hangar guards sought to detain and question me. I do not recall what I told them; I know that I must have lied to them, for they let me run out a swift one-man flier and an instant later I was racing through the night toward the palace of Tor Hatan.

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Português

O palácio ficava a pouco mais de dois haads do quartel, então ele chegou em poucos minutos. Quando pousou no jardim bem iluminado, viu um grupo de pessoas reunidas ali, incluindo Tor Hatan e Sil Vagis.

Original English

As it stands but little more than two haads from the barracks, I was there in but a few moments, and, as I landed in the garden, which was now brilliantly lighted, I saw a number of people congregated there, among whom were Tor Hatan and Sil Vagis.

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Português

Quando ele saltou do aeroplano, Tor Hatan veio em sua direção com raiva. Tor Hatan exclamou que era ele e exigiu saber o que ele tinha a dizer e onde estava sua filha.

Original English

As I leaped from the deck of the flier, the former came angrily toward me. "So it is you!" he cried. "What have you to say for yourself? Where is my daughter?"

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Português

O narrador respondeu que tinha vindo fazer a mesma pergunta a Tor Hatan.

Original English

"That is what I have come to ask, Tor Hatan," I replied.

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Português

Ele exclamou que a outra pessoa era responsável por isso. Acusou-o de sequestrá-la. Disse que ela havia informado Sil Vagis de que o homem havia pedido sua mão naquela mesma noite e ela recusou.

Original English

"You are at the bottom of this," he cried. "You abducted her. She told Sil Vagis that this very night you had demanded her hand in marriage and that she had refused you."

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Português

O falante admitiu que havia pedido a mão dela e ela o recusou, confirmando essa parte. Ele exortou-os a não perder tempo ligando-o ao plano maligno, pois não tinha envolvimento. Perguntou como o sequestro ocorreu e quem estava com ela.

Original English

"I did ask for her hand," I said, "and she refused me. That part is true; but if she has been abducted, in the name of your first ancestor, do not waste time trying to connect me with the diabolical plot. I had nothing to do with it. How did it happen? Who was with her?"

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Português

Tor Hatan respondeu que Sil Vagis estava com ela e que estavam caminhando no jardim.

Original English

"Sil Vagis was with her. They were walking in the garden," replied Tor Hatan.

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Português

O falante perguntou a Sil Vagis se ele havia testemunhado o sequestro e questionou por que ele ainda estava vivo e ileso.

Original English

"You saw her abducted," I asked, turning to Sil Vagis, "and you are here unwounded and alive?"

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Português

Ele começou a gaguejar, explicando que havia muitos atacantes e que eles o dominaram.

Original English

He started to stammer. "There were many of them," he said. "They overpowered me."

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Português

Perguntei se ele os tinha visto.

Original English

"You saw them?" I asked.

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Português

Ele respondeu que sim.

Original English

"Yes."

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Português

Exigi saber se eu estivera entre eles.

Original English

"Was I among them?" I demanded.

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Português

Ele explicou que estava escuro demais para reconhecer alguém e sugeriu que eles poderiam estar disfarçados.

Original English

"It was dark. I could not recognize any of them, perhaps they were disguised."

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Português

Perguntei a ele se eles o tinham dominado.

Original English

"They overpowered you?" I asked him.

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Português

Ele respondeu afirmativamente.

Original English

"Yes," he said.

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Português

Eu o acusei de mentir, afirmando que se eles o tivessem pego, o teriam matado, e que ele havia fugido e se escondido em vez de lutar para defender a garota.

Original English

"You lie!" I exclaimed. "Had they laid hands upon you they would have killed you. You ran away and hid, never drawing a weapon to defend the girl."

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Português

Sil Vagis negou isso, alegando que havia lutado contra eles, mas foi dominado.

Original English

"That is a lie," cried Sil Vagis. "I fought with them, but they overpowered me."

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Português

Dirigi-me a Tor Hatan, dizendo que estávamos perdendo tempo. Perguntei se alguém sabia quem eram esses homens, para que direção haviam fugido, como e de onde vieram, e como e por que meios haviam partido.

Original English

I turned to Tor Hatan. "We are wasting time," I said. "Is there no one who can give us a clue as to the identity of these men and the direction they took in their flight? How and whence came they? How and whence did they depart?"

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Português

Sil Vagis alertou Tor Hatan de que eu estava tentando enganá-lo. Ele sugeriu que os sequestradores eram provavelmente um pretendente rejeitado e então propôs que, se ele revelasse que o metal dos homens que roubaram Sanoma Tora pertencia aos guerreiros de Hastor, o que Tor Hatan pensaria?

Original English

"He is trying to throw you off the track, Tor Hatan," said Sil Vagis. "Who else could it have been but a disgruntled suitor? What would you say if I should tell you that the metal of the men who stole Sanoma Tora was the metal of the warriors of Hastor?"

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Português

Eu respondi que ele estava mentindo. Questionei como ele poderia ter lido as insígnias em seus arreios se estava escuro demais para ver os rostos.

Original English

"I would say that you are a liar," I replied. "If it was so dark that you could not recognize faces, how could you decipher the insignia upon their harness?"

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Português

Outro oficial do 91º Umak chegou e anunciou que haviam localizado um homem que poderia esclarecer a situação—se sobrevivesse tempo suficiente para falar.

Original English

At this juncture another officer of the 91st Umak joined us. "We have found one who may, perhaps, shed some light upon the subject," he said, "if he lives long enough to speak."

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Português

Depois de vasculhar os terrenos do palácio de Tor Hatan e o distrito vizinho, vários homens voltaram carregando um homem nu com o corpo quebrado e mutilado. Colocaram-no aos nossos pés, onde ele jazia ofegante e fraco, uma visão lastimável.

Original English

Men had been searching the grounds of Tor Hatan and that portion of the city adjacent to his palace, and now several approached bearing a man, whom they laid upon the sward at our feet. His broken and mangled body was entirely naked, and as he lay there gasping feebly for breath, he was a pitiful spectacle.

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Português

Um escravo foi enviado ao palácio e voltou com estimulantes. Depois que um pouco do remédio foi forçado entre seus lábios, o homem reviveu ligeiramente.

Original English

A slave dispatched into the palace returned with stimulants, and when some of these had been forced between his lips, the man revived slightly.

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Português

Tor Hatan perguntou ao homem sua identidade.

Original English

"Who are you?" asked Tor Hatan.

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Português

O homem respondeu fracamente que era um guerreiro da guarda da cidade.

Original English

"I am a warrior of the city guard," replied the man feebly.

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Português

Um oficial informou Tor Hatan animadamente que seus homens haviam descoberto mais seis corpos perto do local onde encontraram o primeiro homem. Eles estavam todos nus e igualmente quebrados e mutilados.

Original English

An officer approached Tor Hatan excitedly. "My men have just found six more bodies close to the point at which we discovered this man," he said. "They are all naked and similarly broken and mangled."

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Português

Tor Hatan expressou esperança de que pudessem descobrir a verdade. Voltando-se novamente para o pobre homem quebrado deitado na grama escarlate, instruiu-o a continuar.

Original English

"Perhaps we shall get to the bottom of this yet," said Tor Hatan, and, turning again to the poor, broken thing upon the scarlet sward, he directed him to proceed.

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Português

O homem moribundo narrou que eles estavam em patrulha noturna sobre a cidade quando viram uma nave se movendo sem luzes. Ao se aproximarem e acenderem o holofote, ele teve um breve vislumbre dela. A nave não tinha cores ou insígnias, e seu design era diferente de qualquer nave que ele já tinha visto. Tinha uma cabine longa, baixa e fechada com dois canhões peculiares montados em cada lado. Isso foi tudo que ele teve tempo de notar, exceto que viu um homem direcionando um dos canhões para eles. O padwar comandando sua nave imediatamente ordenou que atirassem e interpelou o estranho. Naquele instante, sua nave se desintegrou no meio do ar; até seu arreio caiu dele. Ele lembrou de cair, só isso. Com essas palavras, ele ofegou uma vez e morreu.

Original English

"We were on night patrol over the city when we saw a craft running without lights. As we approached it and turned our searchlight upon it, I caught a single, brief glimpse of it. It bore no colors or insignia to denote its origin and its design was unlike that of any ship I have ever seen. It had a long, low, enclosed cabin upon either side of which were mounted two peculiar looking guns. This was all I had time to note, except that I saw a man directing one of the guns in our direction. The padwar in command of our ship immediately gave orders to fire upon the stranger, and at the same time he hailed him. At that instant our ship dissolved in mid-air; even my harness fell from me. I remember falling, that is all," and with these words he gasped once and died.

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Português

Tor Hatan reuniu seu povo e declarou que devia haver alguém no palácio ou nos terrenos que tivesse testemunhado algo do ocorrido. Ordenou que qualquer pessoa com conhecimento do assunto, não importando quem estivesse envolvido, devia falar.

Original English

Tor Hatan called his people around him. "There must have been someone about the palace or the grounds who saw something of this occurrence," he said. "I command that no matter who may be involved, whoever has any knowledge whatsoever of this affair, shall speak."

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Português

Um escravo deu um passo à frente. Tor Hatan olhou para ele com arrogância orgulhosa.

Original English

A slave stepped forward, and as he approached Tor Hatan eyed him with haughty arrogance.

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Português

O odwar exigiu saber o que o escravo tinha a dizer e ordenou que ele falasse.

Original English

"Well," demanded the odwar, "what have you to say? Speak!"

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Português

O escravo respondeu que Tor Hatan havia ordenado, caso contrário ele não falaria, porque contar o que viu lhe renderia a inimizade de um nobre poderoso. Ele então olhou rapidamente para Sil Vagis.

Original English

"You have commanded it, Tor Hatan," said the slave; "otherwise I should not speak, for when I have told what I saw I shall have incurred the enmity of a powerful noble," and he glanced quickly toward Sil Vagis.

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Português

Eu disse rapidamente ao escravo que, se ele dissesse a verdade, ganharia a amizade de um padwar cuja espada era forte o suficiente para protegê-lo até mesmo de um nobre poderoso. Também olhei para Sil Vagis, suspeitando que a história do escravo não seria lisonjeira para o tolo afetado que fingia ser um guerreiro.

Original English

"And if you speak the truth, man, you will have won the friendship of a padwar whose sword is not so mean but that it may protect you even from a powerful noble," I said quickly, and I, too, glanced at Sil Vagis, for it was in my mind that what the fellow had to tell might be none too flattering to the soft fop who masqueraded beneath the title of a warrior.

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Português

Tor Hatan comandou impacientemente o escravo para falar e o advertiu para não mentir.

Original English

Speak!" commanded Tor Hatan impatiently. "And see to it that thou dost not lie."

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Português

O homem respondeu que havia servido fielmente no palácio de Tor Hatan por catorze anos, desde que foi trazido a Helium como prisioneiro de guerra após a queda de Kobol. Ele afirmou que Sanoma Tora confiava nele e que, se estivesse armado naquela noite, ela ainda poderia estar com eles.

Original English

"For fourteen years I have served faithfully in your palace, Tor Hatan," replied the man, "ever since I was brought to Helium a prisoner of war after the fall and sack of Kobol, where I served in the body guard of the Jed of Kobol, and in all that time you have had no reason to question my truthfulness. Sanoma Tora trusted me, and had I had a sword this night she might still be with us."

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Português

Tor Hatan o instigou a ir direto ao ponto e dizer o que tinha visto.

Original English

"Come! Come! cried Tor Hatan; "get to the point. What saw you?"

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Português

Sil Vagis insistiu que o homem não tinha visto nada e estava apenas buscando fama passageira.

Original English

"The fellow saw nothing," snapped Sil Vagis. "Why waste time upon him? He seeks but to glory in a little brief notoriety.

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Português

Eu exclamei que ele deveria ser autorizado a falar.

Original English

"Let him speak," I exclaimed.

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Português

O escravo explicou que estava a caminho de preparar os aposentos de Tor Hatan quando parou para olhar o jardim e viu Sanoma Tora e Sil Vagis caminhando. Ele então notou um avião estranho e silencioso descendo sem luzes e suspeitou que algo estava errado, então parou para observar.

Original English

"I had just ascended the first ramp to the second level of the palace," explained the slave, "on my way to the sleeping quarters of Tor Hatan to arrange his sleeping silks and furs for the night as is my custom, and, pausing for a moment to look out into the garden, I saw Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis walking in the moonlight. Conscious that I should not thus observe them, I was about to continue on my way about my duties when I saw a flier dropping silently out of the night toward the garden. Its motors were noiseless, it showed no light. It seemed a spectral ship and of such strange design that even if for no other reason it would have arrested my attention, but there were other reasons. Unlighted ships move through the night for no good purpose, and so I paused to watch it.

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Português

A nave pousou silenciosamente atrás de Sanoma Tora e Sil Vagis. Eles não a notaram até ouvirem o barulho dos guerreiros que saltaram de sua cabine baixa ao tocar o solo. Então Sil Vagis girou. Por um momento ele ficou paralisado, mas quando os guerreiros estranhos correram em sua direção, ele se virou e fugiu para os arbustos grossos do jardim.

Original English

"It landed silently and quickly behind Sanoma Tora and Sil Vagis; nor did they seem aware of its presence until their attention was attracted by the slight clanking of the accoutrements of one of the several warriors who sprang from its low cabin as it grounded. Then Sil Vagis wheeled about. For just an instant he stood as though petrified and then as the strange warriors leaped toward him, he turned and fled into the concealing shrubbery of the garden."

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Português

Sil Vagis gritou que era mentira.

Original English

"It is a lie," cried Sil Vagis.

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Português

Eu ordenei que ele ficasse em silêncio, chamando-o de covarde.

Original English

"Silence, coward!" I commanded.

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Português

Tor Hatan instruiu o homem, chamando-o de escravo, a continuar.

Original English

"Continue, slave!" directed Tor Hatan.

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Português

O orador explicou que Sanoma Tora não estava ciente da presença dos guerreiros estranhos até ser agarrada bruscamente por trás. Aconteceu tão rápido que ele mal compreendeu o propósito da visita sinistra antes de a levarem. Quando entendeu que sua senhora era o alvo do ataque noturno, ele correu pela rampa, mas já a haviam arrastado para dentro do aerobarco antes que ele chegasse ao jardim. Ele lamentou não ter uma espada, pois poderia ter morido a serviço dela. Alcançou a nave quando o último guerreiro estava subindo a bordo; agarrou o arreio do guerreiro e tentou puxá-lo para baixo, gritando pela guarda do palácio. Mas um dos outros guerreiros no convés acima acertou-lhe a cabeça com uma espada longa. O golpe foi de raspão, mas o atordoou, então ele soltou a presa e caiu no chão. Quando recuperou a consciência, a nave havia partido e a guarda do palácio finalmente estava saindo da sala da guarda. Ele declarou que havia dito a verdade.

Original English

"Sanoma Tora was not aware of the presence of the strange warriors until she was seized roughly from behind. It all happened so quickly that I scarce had time to realize the purpose of the sinister visitation before they laid hands upon her. When I comprehended that my mistress was the object of this night attack, I rushed hurriedly down the ramp, but ere I reached the garden they had dragged her aboard the flier. Even then, however, had I had a sword I might at least have died in the service of Sanoma Tora, for I reached the ship of mystery as the last warrior was clambering aboard. I seized him by the harness and attempted to drag him to the ground, at the same time shouting loudly to attract the palace guard, but ere I did so one of his fellows on the deck above me drew his long sword and struck viciously at my head. The blade caught me but a glancing blow which, however, sufficed to stun me for a moment, so that I relaxed my hold upon the strange warrior and fell to the sward. When I regained consciousness the ship had gone and the tardy palace guard was pouring from the guard room. I have spoken -- and spoken truthfully."

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Português

Tor Hatan olhou friamente para Sil Vagis, cujos olhos estavam baixos, e exigiu saber o que ele tinha a dizer.

Original English

Tor Hatan's cold gaze sought out the lowered eyes of Sil Vagis. "What have you to say to this?" he demanded.

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Português

Sil Vagis gritou que o homem trabalhava para Hadron de Hastor e era um mentiroso. Ele alegou que os atacou quando chegaram, mas foi superado em número e dominado. Ele também afirmou que o homem não estava presente.

Original English

"The fellow is in the employ of Hadron of Hastor," shouted Sil Vagis. "He speaks nothing but lies. I attacked them when they came, but there were many and they overpowered me. This fellow was not present."

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Português

O narrador pediu ao escravo que mostrasse sua cabeça. O escravo se ajoelhou, e o narrador observou uma grande vergão vermelho ao longo de um lado de sua cabeça acima da orelha, consistente com um golpe de raspão do lado chato de uma espada. O narrador apontou isso para Tor Hatan como evidência da lealdade e coragem do escravo. Ele então sugeriu que examinassem os ferimentos de um nobre de Hélio que alegava ter lutado sozinho contra muitos, esperando pelo menos um arranhão.

Original English

"Let me see thy head," I said to the slave, and when he had come and knelt before me I saw a great red welt the length of one side of his head above the ear, just such a welt as a glancing blow from the flat side of a long sword might have made. "Here," I said to Tor Hatan, pointing to the great welt, "is the proof of a slave's loyalty and courage. Let us see the wounds received by a noble of Helium who by his own testimony engaged in single- handed combat against great odds. Surely in such an encounter he must have received at least a single scratch."

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Português

O comandante da guarda do palácio comentou com sarcasmo mal disfarçado que o escravo devia ser um espadachim tão habilidoso quanto John Carter.

Original English

"Unless he is as marvelous a swordsman as the great John Carter himself," said the dwar of the palace guard with a thinly veiled sneer.

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Português

Sil Vagis gritou que era uma conspiração e exigiu saber se Tor Hatan acreditaria em um escravo em vez de um nobre de Hélio.

Original English

'It is all a plot," cried Sil Vagis. "Do you take the word of a slave, Tor Hatan, against that of a noble of Helium?"

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Português

O odwar respondeu que confiava no que seus olhos e sentidos lhe diziam. Virando as costas para Sil Vagis, perguntou ao escravo se ele havia reconhecido alguém que sequestrou Sanoma Tora, ou se havia notado seus arreios ou metal.

Original English

"I rely on the testimony of my eyes and my senses," replied the odwar, and he turned his back upon Sil Vagis and again addressed the slave. "Didst thou recognize any of those who abducted Sanoma Tora," he demanded, "or note their harness or their metal?"

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Português

O escravo disse que não conseguiu ver claramente o rosto de nenhum deles, mas viu os arreios e o metal do homem que tentara puxar do aerobarco.

Original English

"I got no good look at the face of any of them, but I did see the harness and the metal of him whom I tried to drag from the flier."

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Português

Tor Hatan perguntou se era o metal de Hastor.

Original English

"Was it the metal of Hastor?" asked Tor Hatan.

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Português

O escravo respondeu enfaticamente que não era o metal de Hastor, nem de nenhuma outra cidade do Império de Hélio. O desenho e a insígnia eram desconhecidos, mas estranhamente familiares, tentando-o. Ele sentia que os havia visto antes, mas não conseguia lembrar quando ou onde. A serviço de seu jed, ele havia lutado contra invasores de muitas terras, e talvez tivesse visto metal semelhante muitos anos antes em alguns deles.

Original English

"By my first ancestor, it was not," replied the slave emphatically; "nor was it the metal of any other city of the Empire of Helium. The design and the insignia were unknown to me, and yet there was a certain familiarity about them that tantalizes me. I feel that I have seen them before, but when and where I cannot recall. In the service of my jed I fought invaders from many lands and it may be that upon some of these I saw similar metal many years ago."

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Português

Exigi de Tor Hatan se ele agora estava satisfeito de que as acusações que Sil Vagis havia feito contra mim eram infundadas.

Original English

"Are you satisfied, Tor Hatan," I demanded, "that the aspersions cast upon me by Sil Vagis are without foundation?"

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Português

O odwar respondeu que ele era Hadron de Hastor.

Original English

"Yes, Hadron of Hastor," replied the odwar.

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Português

Eu disse que iria embora se ele permitisse.

Original English

"Then with your leave, I shall depart," I said.

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Português

Ele perguntou para onde eu estava indo.

Original English

"Where are you going?" he asked.

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Português

Eu respondi que estava indo encontrar Sanoma Tora.

Original English

"To find Sanoma Tora," I replied.

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Português

Ele disse que se eu a encontrasse e a trouxesse de volta em segurança, ela seria minha.

Original English

"And if you find her," he said, "and return her safely to me, she is yours."

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Português

Apenas me curvei profundamente em resposta à sua oferta generosa, porque suspeitei que Sanoma Tora pudesse ter uma opinião sobre o assunto. Independentemente do que ela pensasse, eu queria uma companheira que viesse até mim por sua própria vontade.

Original English

I made no other acknowledgment of his generous offer than to bow deeply, for I had it in my mind that Sanoma Tora might have something to say about that, and whether she had or not, I wished no mate who came not to me willingly.

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Português

Pulei de volta no aeronave que me trouxera e parti para a noite, indo direto para o palácio de mármore do Senhor da Guerra de Barsoom. Apesar de ser tarde, estava determinado a vê-lo o mais rápido possível.

Original English

Leaping to the deck of the flier that brought me I rose into the night and sped in the direction of the marble palace of the Warlord of Barsoom, for, even though the hour was late, I was determined to see him without an instant's unnecessary loss of time.

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2. BROUGHT DOWN

Português

Ao me aproximar do palácio do senhor da guerra, notei uma atividade incomum para aquela hora da noite. Aeronaves iam e vinham, e na seção do telhado reservada para naves militares, reconheci as naves de vários oficiais de alta patente.

Original English

As I approached the warlord's palace I saw signs of activity unusual for that hour of the night. Fliers were arriving and departing, and when I alighted upon that portion of the roof reserved for military ships, I saw the fliers of a number of high officers of the Warlord's staff.

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Português

Como visitava o palácio com frequência e era conhecido pelos oficiais da guarda pessoal do Senhor da Guerra, não tive dificuldade em entrar. Logo estava esperando em um salão do lado de fora da pequena câmara onde o Senhor da Guerra realiza audiências privadas, enquanto um escravo anunciava minha chegada.

Original English

Being a frequent visitor at the palace and being well known by all the officers of the Warlord's body guard, I had no difficulty in gaining admission to the palace, and presently I was waiting in the hall, just off the small compartment in which the Warlord is accustomed to give small, private audiences, while a slave announced me to his master.

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Português

Não sei quanto tempo esperei; pareceu uma eternidade. Minha mente era atormentada pela crença de que a mulher que eu amava estava em perigo terrível. Fui tomado pela convicção, talvez tola mas muito real, de que só eu poderia salvá-la e que cada momento de atraso reduzia suas chances de resgate.

Original English

I do not know how long I waited. It could not have been a long while, yet it seemed to me a veritable eternity, because my mind was harassed by the conviction that the woman I loved was in dire danger. I was possessed by a conviction, ridiculous perhaps, but none the less real, that I alone could save her and that every instant I was delayed reduced her chances for succor before it was too late.

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Português

Finalmente, fui chamado. Quando encontrei o grande Senhor da Guerra, ele estava com homens importantes dos conselhos de Hélio.

Original English

But at last I was invited to enter, and when I stood in the presence of the great Warlord I found him surrounded by men high in the councils of Helium.

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Português

John Carter foi direto ao ponto. Ele disse que presumia que a visita de Hadron de Hastor era sobre o sequestro da filha de Tor Hatan e perguntou se Hadron tinha alguma informação ou teoria.

Original English

"I assume," said John Carter, coming directly to the point, "that what brings you here tonight, Hadron of Hastor, pertains to the matter of the abduction of the daughter of Tor Hatan. Have you any knowledge or any theory that might cast any light upon the subject?"

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Português

Respondi que não vim com informações, mas apenas para obter permissão para partir imediatamente e tentar seguir o rastro dos sequestradores de Sanoma Tora.

Original English

"No," I replied. "I have come merely to obtain your authority to depart at once in an attempt to pick up the trail of the abductors of Sanoma Tora."

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Português

Ele perguntou onde eu planejava procurar.

Original English

"Where do you intend to search?" he demanded.

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Português

Eu disse a ele que ainda não sabia, mas que a encontraria.

Original English

"I do not yet know, sir," I replied, "but I shall find her."

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Português

Ele sorriu e comentou que tal confiança era útil. Reconhecendo que compreendia suas origens, concedeu permissão. Explicou que, embora o sequestro de uma filha de Helium fosse suficientemente grave para mobilizar todos os recursos, havia um elemento mais perigoso em jogo. O navio misterioso disparou uma arma que desintegrou todo o metal no flier de patrulha, incluindo armas e peças de arreios. Apenas restos orgânicos foram encontrados; nenhum metal sobreviveu.

Original English

He smiled. "Such assurance is at least an asset," he said, "and knowing as I do what prompts it, I shall grant you the permission you desire. While the abduction of a daughter of Helium is in itself of sufficient gravity to warrant the use of every resource to apprehend her abductors and return her to her home, there is also involved in this occurrence an element that may portend high danger to the empire. As you doubtless know, the mysterious ship that bore her away mounted a gun from which emanated some force that entirely disintegrated all the metal parts of the patrol flier that sought to intercept and question it. Even the weapons and the metal portions of the harness of the crew were dissipated into nothing, a fact that was easily discernible from an examination of the wreck of the patrol flier and the bodies of its crew. Wood, leather, flesh, everything of the animal and vegetable kingdom that was aboard the flier, has been found scattered about the ground where it fell, but no trace of any metallic substance remains.

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Português

Ele enfatizou esse ponto porque insinuava a possível localização dos novos inimigos de Helium. Ele acreditava que este era apenas o primeiro ataque; qualquer frota com tais armas poderia subjugar Helium facilmente, e muitas cidades barsoomianas as usariam avidamente para saquear as Cidades Gêmeas.

Original English

"I am impressing this upon you because it suggests to my mind a possible clue to the general location of the city of these new enemies of Helium. I am convinced that this is but the first blow, since any navy armed with such guns could easily hold Helium at its mercy, and few indeed are the cities of Barsoom outside the empire that would not seize with avidity upon any instrument that would give them the sack of the Twin Cities.

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Português

Eles estavam preocupados com o número crescente de navios da marinha desaparecidos, a maioria dos quais estava mapeando correntes de ar e registrando pressões longe do império. Recentemente, ficou claro que a maioria das perdas ocorreu no hemisfério sul ocidental, uma área inóspita com pouco conhecimento devido à falta de comércio com seus habitantes hostis.

Original English

"For some time now we have been deeply concerned by the increasing number of missing ships of the navy. In nearly all instances these were ships engaged in charting air currents and recording atmospheric pressures in different parts of Barsoom far from the empire, and recently it has become apparent that the vast majority of these ships which never return were those cruising in the southern part of the western hemisphere, an unhospitable portion of our planet concerning which we have unfortunately but little knowledge owing to the fact that we have developed no trade with the unfriendly people inhabiting this vast domain.

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Português

Ele chamou isso apenas de uma pista vaga, oferecida pelo que valia. Ele afirmou que mil fliers de reconhecimento de um homem, além de cruzadores e navios de guerra, seriam despachados até o meio-dia de amanhã para procurar os sequestradores de Sanoma Tora. Helium deve descobrir qual cidade ou nação desenvolveu uma arma tão destrutiva.

Original English

"This, Hadron of Hastor, is only a suggestion; only the vaguest of clues, but I offer it to you for what it is worth. A thousand one-man scout fliers will be dispatched between now and noon tomorrow in search of the abductors of Sanoma Tora; nor will these be all. Cruisers and battleships will take the air as well, for Helium must know what city or what nation has developed a weapon of destruction such as that used above Helium this night.

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Português

Ele acreditava que a arma era muito nova, e seus possuidores estariam trabalhando duro para aperfeiçoá-la e produzir o suficiente para dominar o mundo. Ele terminou de falar e dispensou o ouvinte com um desejo de boa sorte.

Original English

"It is my belief that the weapon is of very recent invention and that whatever power possesses it, must be bending every effort to perfect it and produce it in such quantities as to make them masters of the world. I have spoken. Go, and may fortune be with you."

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Português

Assim que John Carter deu sua permissão, o narrador se apressou para se preparar para sua missão. Em seus aposentos, ele rapidamente reuniu seu equipamento, o que envolvia principalmente escolher cuidadosamente suas armas e trocar seu arreio ornamentado por um mais simples e resistente, feito de couro pesado. Seu arreio de combate era sempre o melhor e mais simples que ele podia encontrar, fabricado por um renomado arreeiro de Lesser Helium. Ele pegou suas armas padrão: uma espada longa, uma espada curta, um punhal e uma pistola. Também embalou munição extra e um suprimento da ração concentrada usada por todos os guerreiros marcianos.

Original English

You may believe that I lost no time in setting out upon my mission now that I had authority from John Carter. Going to my quarters I hastened my preparation for departure, which consisted principally of making a careful selection of weapons and of exchanging a rather ornate harness I had been wearing for one of simpler design and of heavier and more durable leather. My fighting harness is always the best and plainest that I can procure and is made for me by a famous harness maker of Lesser Helium. My equipment of weapons was standard, consisting of a long sword, a short sword, a dagger and a pistol. I also provided myself with extra ammunition and a supply of the concentrated ration used by all Martian fighting men.

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Português

Enquanto reunia suas necessidades simples, que junto com uma única pele de dormir constituiriam todo seu equipamento, o narrador pensou em possíveis explicações para o desaparecimento de Sanoma Tora. Ele vasculhou sua memória em busca de alguma pista que pudesse apontar para quem a havia levado. Apenas uma coisa se destacou: a menção dela a Tul Axtar, o jeddak de Jahar. Ele lembrou da recente visita do emissário de Tul Axtar à corte de Helium, e como o homem havia se gabado das riquezas, poder e beleza das mulheres de seu jeddak. Talvez Jahar fosse um bom lugar para procurar. No entanto, antes de partir, o narrador decidiu visitar o palácio de Tor Hatan mais uma vez e interrogar o escravo que tinha visto Sanoma Tora pela última vez.

Original English

As I gathered together these simple necessities which, with a single sleeping fur, would constitute my equipment, my mind was given over to consideration of various explanations for the disappearance of Sanoma Tora. I searched my brain for any slightest memory that might suggest an explanation, or point toward the possible identity of her abductors. It was while thus engaged that I recalled her reference to the jeddak, Tul Axtar of Jahar nor was there within the scope of my recollection any other incident that might point a clue. I distinctly recalled the emissary of Tul Axtar who had visited the court of Helium not long since. I had heard him boast of the riches and power of his jeddak and the beauty of his women. Perhaps, then, it might be as well to search in the direction of Jahar as elsewhere, but before departing I determined once again to visit the palace of Tor Hatan and question the slave who had been the last to see Sanoma Tora.

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Português

Quando estava prestes a sair, o narrador teve outra ideia. Ele sabia que o Templo do Conhecimento continha ilustrações ou réplicas das armaduras e armas de todas as nações conhecidas por Helium. Ele foi até lá imediatamente e, com a ajuda de um funcionário, encontrou um desenho do arreio e do metal de um guerreiro de Jahar. Uma cópia foi feita em segundos usando um engenhoso processo fotostático. Armado com isso, ele se apressou para o palácio de Tor Hatan.

Original English

As I was about to set out, another thought occurred to me. I knew that in the Temple of Knowledge might be found either illustrations or replicas of the metal and harness of every nation of Barsoom, concerning which aught was known in Helium. I therefore repaired immediately to the temple and with the assistance of a clerk I presently found a drawing of the harness and metal of a warrior of Jahar. By an ingenious photostatic process a copy of this illustration was made for me in a few seconds, and with this I hastened to the palace of Tor Hatan.

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Português

Tor Hatan não estava em casa; ele tinha ido ao palácio do Warlord. No entanto, seu mordomo convocou o escravo Kal Tavan, que havia testemunhado o sequestro de Sanoma Tora e lutado com um dos captores dela.

Original English

The odwar was absent, having gone to the palace of the Warlord, but his major-domo summoned the slave, Kal Tavan, who had witnessed the abduction of Sanoma Tora and grappled with one of her abductors.

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Português

Conforme o homem se aproximava, o narrador o observou mais de perto. Ele era bem constituído, com traços finos, e se portava com a inconfundível postura de um guerreiro.

Original English

As the man approached I noticed him more particularly than I had previously. He was well built, with clear cut features and that air which definitely bespeaks the fighting man.

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Português

Perguntei se ele havia afirmado ser de Kobol.

Original English

"You said, I believe, that you were from Kobol?" I asked.

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Português

Ele explicou que nasceu em Tjanath, onde tinha uma esposa e uma filha. Sua esposa foi morta por um assassino, e sua filha desapareceu quando era muito jovem, nunca sendo encontrada. As visões familiares de Tjanath o lembravam de dias mais felizes e aprofundavam sua tristeza, então ele não pôde ficar. Tornou-se um panthan e buscou serviço em outras cidades, e foi assim que veio a servir em Kobol.

Original English

"I was born in Tjanath," he replied. "I had a wife and daughter there. My wife fell before the hand of an assassin and my daughter disappeared when she was very young. I never knew what became of her. The familiar scenes of Tjanath reminded me of happier days and so increased my grief that I could not remain. I turned panthan then and sought service in other cities; thus I served in Kobol."

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Português

Perguntei se, durante seu tempo lá, ele havia se familiarizado com os arreios e a metalurgia de muitas cidades e nações.

Original English

"And there you became familiar with the harness and the metal of many cities and nations?" I asked.

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Português

Ele confirmou que sim.

Original English

"Yes," he replied.

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Português

Exigi saber o que eram aqueles arreios e metais, e entreguei a ele a cópia da ilustração que havia trazido do Templo do Conhecimento.

Original English

"What harness and metal are these?" I demanded, handing him the copy of the illustration I had brought from the Temple of Knowledge.

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Português

Após um breve exame, ele o reconheceu e declarou que era o mesmo, de fato idêntico.

Original English

He examined it briefly and then his eyes lighted with recognition. "It is the same," he said. "It is identical."

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Português

Perguntei ao que era idêntico.

Original English

"Identical with what?" I asked.

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Português

Ele respondeu que combinava com o arreio do guerreiro com quem havia lutado quando Sanoma Tora foi levada.

Original English

"With the harness worn by the warrior with whom I grappled at the time that Sanoma Tora was stolen," he replied.

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Português

Anunciei que os sequestradores de Sanoma Tora foram identificados. Em seguida, instruí o mordomo a enviar um mensageiro ao Senhor da Guerra, informando-o de que homens de Jahar a haviam roubado e que eu acreditava que eram emissários de Tul Axtar, Jeddak de Jahar. Sem outra palavra, virei-me e saí do palácio, indo diretamente para meu aeroplano.

Original English

"The identity of the abductors of Sanoma Tora is established," I said, and then I turned to the major-domo. "Send a messenger at once to the Warlord informing him that the daughter of Tor Hatan was stolen by men from Jahar and that it is my belief that they are the emissaries of Tul Axtar, Jeddak of Jahar," and without more words I turned and left the palace, going directly to my flier.

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Português

Elevando-me acima das torres e plataformas de pouso da Grande Hélio, apontei meu aeroplano para o oeste e abri o acelerador, acelerando pelo ar rarefeito em direção ao remoto hemisfério sudoeste de Barsoom, onde acreditava que Jahar ficava. Estava convencido de que Sanoma Tora estava sendo levada para lá não para se tornar a Jeddara de Tul Axtar, mas sua escrava, já que os jeddaks não tomam suas rainhas à força.

Original English

As I arose above the towers and domes and lofty landing stages of Greater Helium, I turned the prow of my flier toward the west and opening wide the throttle sped swiftly through the thin air of dying Barsoom toward that great unknown expanse of her remote southwestern hemisphere, somewhere within the vast reaches of which lay Jahar toward which, I was now convinced, Sanoma Tora was being borne to become not the Jeddara of Tul Axtar, but his slave, for jeddaks take not their jeddaras by force upon Barsoom.

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Português

O narrador acreditava ter entendido o motivo do sequestro de Sanoma Tora, um motivo que a teria envergonhado profundamente, pois estava longe de ser lisonjeiro. Ele pensava que o mensageiro de Tul Axtar havia contado ao seu mestre sobre o charme e a beleza da filha de Tor Hatan, mas ela não era de nascimento nobre o suficiente para se tornar sua jeddara, então ele havia tomado a única maneira de possuí-la. O sangue do narrador ferveu com essa ideia, mas seu julgamento lhe disse que provavelmente estava correto.

Original English

I believed that I understood the explanation of Sanoma Tora's abduction, an explanation that would have caused her intensive chagrin since it was far from flattery. I believed that Tul Axtar's emissary had reported to his master the charm and beauty of the daughter of Tor Hatan, but that she was not of sufficiently noble birth to become his jeddara, and so he had adopted the only expedient by which he might possess her. My blood boiled at the suggestion, but my judgment told me that it was doubtless right.

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Português

Nos últimos dez ou vinte anos, a aeronáutica havia avançado mais do que nos quinhentos anos anteriores.

Original English

During the past few years -- I should say the last ten or twenty -- greater strides have been taken in the advancement of aeronautics than had been previously achieved in the preceding five hundred years.

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Português

Muitas autoridades acreditam que o aperfeiçoamento da bússola de controle de destino por Carthoris de Hélio marcou o início de uma nova era de invenções. Durante séculos, as pessoas se sentiam estagnadas em um lago de autossuficiência, como se tivessem alcançado as mais altas conquistas possíveis da ciência e não vissem necessidade de melhoria.

Original English

The perfection of the destination control compass by Carthoris of Helium is considered by many authorities to have marked the beginning of a new era of invention. For centuries we seemed to have stagnated in a quiet pond of self sufficiency, as though we had reached the acme of perfection beyond which it was useless to seek for improvement upon what we considered the highest possible achievements of science.

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Português

Carthoris de Hélio, que herdou a mente inquieta e curiosa de seu pai nascido na Terra, acordou a todos. As melhores mentes aceitaram o desafio, levando a rápidas melhorias no design e na construção de todas as classes de naves aéreas, o que por sua vez causou uma revolução na construção de motores.

Original English

Carthoris of Helium, inheriting the restless, inquiring mind of his earth-born sire, awoke us. Our best minds took up the challenge and the result was rapid improvement in design and construction of air ships of all classes, leading to a revolution in motor building.

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Português

As pessoas pensavam que seus motores de rádio leves, compactos e potentes nunca poderiam ser melhorados, e que ninguém jamais viajaria com segurança ou economia mais rápido do que os rápidos caças de reconhecimento monopostos, que atingiam cerca de mil e cem haads por zode (aproximadamente cento e sessenta e seis milhas por hora). Então, um padwar quase desconhecido na marinha de Hélio anunciou que havia aperfeiçoado um motor que teria metade do peso, mas proporcionaria o dobro da velocidade.

Original English

We had thought that our light, compact, powerful radium motors never could be improved upon and that man never would travel, either safely or economically, at a speed greater than that attained by our swift one-man scout fliers -- about eleven hundred haads per zode (Note: Approximately one hundred and sixty-six earth miles per hour), when a virtually unknown padwar in the navy of Helium announced that he had perfected a motor that, with one-half the weight of our present motors, would develop twice the speed.

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Português

Meu avião de reconhecimento estava equipado com esse tipo de motor. Parecia não ter combustível porque obtinha sua energia do vasto e inesgotável campo magnético do planeta.

Original English

It was this type of motor with which my scout flier was equipped -- a seemingly fuelless motor, since it derived its invisible and imponderable energy from the inexhaustible and illimitable magnetic field of the planet.

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Português

Apenas o inventor e o governo de Hélio conheciam completamente as características básicas deste novo motor, e os guardavam com ciúmes. O eixo da hélice, que se estendia bem para dentro do casco, era construído de muitos segmentos laterais isolados uns dos outros.

Original English

There are certain basic features of the new motor that only the inventor and the government of Helium are fully conversant with and these are most jealously guarded. The propeller shaft, which extends well within the hull of the flier, is constructed of numerous lateral segments insulated from one another. Around this shaft and supporting it is a series of armature-like bearings, through the center of which it passes.

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Português

Esses segmentos eram conectados em série com um dispositivo chamado acumulador, através do qual a energia magnética do planeta era direcionada para as armaduras especiais ao redor do eixo da hélice.

Original English

These are connected in series with a device called an accumulator through which the planet's magnetic energy is directed to the peculiar armatures which encircle the propeller shaft.

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Português

O piloto controlava a velocidade movendo uma alavanca que aumentava ou diminuía o número de mancais de armadura em série com o acumulador. De sua posição no convés, onde geralmente deitava de bruços com o cinto de segurança preso a argolas, ele podia operar facilmente essa alavanca.

Original English

Speed is controlled by increasing or diminishing the number of armature bearings in series with the accumulator -- all of which is simply accomplished by a lever which the pilot moves from his position on deck where he ordinarily lies upon his stomach, his safety belt snapped to heavy rings in the deck.

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Português

De acordo com o inventor, a velocidade máxima dependia exclusivamente da relação resistência-peso na construção do casco. Meu avião de reconhecimento monoplace atingia facilmente uma velocidade de dois mil haads por zode. Ele não teria resistido a um motor mais potente, mas teria sido fácil aumentar tanto a potência quanto a velocidade usando um eixo de hélice mais longo com mais mancais de armadura.

Original English

The limit of speed, the inventor claims, is dependent solely upon the ratio of strength to weight in the construction of the hull. My one-man scout flier easily attains a speed of two thousand haads per zode (Note: Approximately three hundred miles per hour), nor could it have withstood the tremendous strain of a more powerful motor, though it would have been easy to have increased both the power of one and the speed of the other by the simple expedient of a longer propeller shaft carrying an additional number of armature bearings.

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Português

No ano passado, em Hastor, engenheiros tentaram pilotar uma nave de reconhecimento a uma velocidade excepcional de cerca de 800 km/h. No entanto, a nave foi destruída pelo próprio motor antes de atingir essa velocidade. Atualmente, eles estão tentando maximizar a resistência enquanto minimizam o peso. À medida que os engenheiros tiverem sucesso, as velocidades aumentarão, e eles acreditam que alcançarão facilmente mais de 1600 km/h porque os motores têm poder aparentemente ilimitado.

Original English

In experimenting with the new motor at Hastor last year, an attempt was made to drive a scout flier at the exceptional speed of thirty-three hundred haads per zode (Note: Approximately five hundred miles per hour; a haad being 1949.0592 earth feet and a zode 2462 earth hours), but before the ship had attained a speed of three thousand haads per zode it was torn to pieces by its own motor. Now we are trying to attain the greatest strength with the minimum of weight and as our engineers succeed we shall see speed increased until, I am sure, we shall easily attain to seven thousand haads per zode (Note: Over one thousand miles per hour), for there seems to be no limit to the power of these marvelous motors.

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Português

A bússola de controle de destino de Carthoris de Hélio é quase igualmente notável. Pode-se colocar o ponteiro em qualquer local de qualquer hemisfério, abrir o acelerador e até dormir. A nave voará até o destino, pousará a cerca de cem jardas e parará, com um alarme para acordar o viajante. É um dispositivo simples, e John Carter supostamente o descreveu em seus manuscritos.

Original English

Little less marvelous is the destination control compass of Carthoris of Helium. Set your pointer upon any spot on either hemisphere; open your throttle and then lie down and go to sleep if you will. Your ship will carry you to your destination, drop within a hundred yards or so of the ground and stop, while an alarm awakens you. It is really a very simple device, but I believe that John Carter has fully described it in one of his numerous manuscripts.

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Português

Nesta aventura, a bússola de controle de destino não foi muito útil porque a localização exata de Jahar era desconhecida. Ainda assim, o narrador a ajustou aproximadamente a 30 graus de latitude sul e 35 graus de longitude leste, acreditando que Jahar estaria em algum lugar a sudoeste desse ponto.

Original English

In the adventure upon which I had embarked the destination control compass was of little value to me, since I did not know the exact location of Jahar. However, I set it roughly at a point about thirty degrees south latitude, thirty-five degrees east longitude, as I believed that Jahar lay somewhere to the southwest of that point.

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Português

Voando em alta velocidade, o narrador havia deixado para trás as terras cultivadas perto de Hélio e estava cruzando um deserto desolado coberto de musgo ocre. Este foi outrora o fundo de um grande oceano que transportava os navios de uma civilização feliz e próspera, agora apenas uma memória meio esquecida nas lendas barsoomianas.

Original English

Flying at high speed I had long since left behind the cultivated areas near Helium and was crossing above a desolate and deserted waste of ocher moss that clothed the dead sea bottoms where once rolled a mighty ocean bearing upon its bosom the shipping of a happy and prosperous people, now but a half- forgotten memory in the legends of Barsoom.

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Português

O narrador voou sobre as bordas de planaltos que antes marcavam a costa de um continente nobre, passando pelos monumentos solitários da prosperidade antiga: as tristes cidades desertas do velho Barsoom. Mesmo em ruínas, elas possuem uma grandeza que ainda impressiona um observador moderno. Mais abaixo, outras ruínas traçam o caminho trágico daquela civilização antiga enquanto seguia o oceano em retirada. A última cidade acabou caindo, despojada de comércio e poder, para ferozes tribos verdes cujos descendentes agora governam muitos desses leitos marinhos desertos. Esses tribais odeiam e são odiados, ignorantes de amor, riso ou felicidade. Eles passam suas longas e ferozes vidas discutindo e predando qualquer aventureiro que entre em seu amargo domínio.

Original English

Upon the edges of plateaus that once had marked the shore line of a noble continent I passed above the lonely monuments of that ancient prosperity, the sad, deserted cities of old Barsoom. Even in their ruins there is a grandeur and magnificence that still has power to awe a modern man. Down toward the lowest sea bottoms other ruins mark the tragic trail that that ancient civilization had followed in pursuit of the receding waters of its ocean to where the last city finally succumbed, bereft of commerce, shorn of power, to fall at last an easy victim to the marauding hordes of fierce, green tribesmen, whose descendants now are the sole rulers of many of these deserted sea bottoms. Hating and hated, ignorant of love, laughter or happiness, they lead their long, fierce lives quarreling among themselves and their neighbors and preying upon any chance adventurers who happen within the confines of their bitter and desolate domain.

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Português

Embora todos os homens verdes sejam ferozes e terríveis, as hordas verdes de Torquas são especialmente notórias. Sua natureza cruel e seus atos sangrentos horrorizaram os homens vermelhos mais do que quase qualquer outro.

Original English

Fierce and terrible as are all green men, there are few whose cruel natures and bloody exploits have horrified the minds of red men to such an extent as have the green hordes of Torquas.

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Português

A cidade de Torquas, da qual esses homens verdes tiram seu nome, já foi uma das cidades mais magníficas e poderosas de Barsoom. Foi abandonada por eras, exceto por tribos errantes de homens verdes, mas ainda aparece em todos os mapas. Como ficava diretamente no caminho de sua busca por Jahar e ele nunca a tinha visto, o narrador voou propositalmente sobre ela. Quando viu suas torres altas e ameias ao longe, sentiu a emoção e o fascínio pela aventura que essas cidades mortas de Barsoom tipicamente inspiram nos homens vermelhos.

Original English

The city of Torquas, from which they derive their name, was one of the most magnificent and powerful of ancient Barsoom. Though it has been deserted for ages by all but roaming tribes of green men, it is still marked upon every map, and as it lay directly in the path of my search for Jahar and as I had never seen it, I had purposely laid my course to pass over it, and when, far ahead, I saw its lofty towers and battlements I felt the thrill of excitement and the lure of adventure which these dead cities of Barsoom proverbially exert upon us red men.

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Português

Ao se aproximar da cidade, ele reduziu a velocidade e desceu mais para ter uma visão melhor. Que cidade linda ela deve ter sido em seu auge. Ainda hoje, após inúmeras eras desde que suas largas avenidas estavam cheias de multidões felizes, seus grandes palácios ainda permanecem em todo o seu esplendor glorioso. O tempo e os elementos os suavizaram e amadureceram, mas ainda não os destruíram.

Original English

As I approached the city I reduced my speed and dropped lower that I might obtain a better view of it. What a beautiful city it must have been in its time! Even today, after all the ages that have passed since its broad avenues surged with the life of happy, prosperous throngs, its great palaces still stand in all their glorious splendor, that time and the elements have softened and mellowed, but not yet destroyed.

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Português

Voando baixo sobre a cidade, ele viu milhas de avenidas que não conheciam o pé do homem há incontáveis eras. O calçamento de pedra estava coberto de musgo ocre, com uma árvore atrofiada ou um arbusto grotesco aqui e ali. Pátios silenciosos e desertos o observavam, junto com jardins deslumbrantes de uma época mais feliz. A maioria dos edifícios permanecia intacta, sonhando com a riqueza e a beleza passadas. Em sua imaginação, ele podia ver sedas e peles luxuosas para dormir, mulheres descansando sob dosséis coloridos, arreios adornados com joias brilhando, flâmulas tremulando, navios no porto e marinheiros e soldados arrogantes. Então, enquanto ele voava em círculo sobre um palácio esplêndido com vista para a praça central, seu belo sonho foi despedaçado. Diretamente abaixo, ele viu uma vintena de grandes thoats encurralados no que poderia ter sido o jardim real de um jeddak.

Original English

As I circled low above the city I saw miles of avenues that have not known the foot of man for countless ages. The stone flagging of their pavement was overgrown with ocher moss, with here and there a stunted tree or a grotesque shrub of one of those varieties that somehow find sustenance in the and wasteland. Silent, deserted courtyards looked up at me, gorgeous gardens of another happier day. Here and there the roof of a building had fallen in, but for the most part they remained intact, dreaming, doubtless, of the wealth and beauty that they had known in days of yore, and in imagination I could see the gorgeous sleeping silks and furs spread out in the sunlight, while the women idled beneath gay canopies of silks, their jeweled harnesses scintillating with each move of their bodies. I saw the pennons waving from countless thousands of staffs and the great ships at anchor in the harbor rose and fell to the undulations of the restless sea. There were swaggering sailors upon the avenues, and burly, fighting men before the doors of every palace. Ali, what a picture imagination conjured from the deathlike silence of that deserted city, and then, as a long, swinging circle brought me above the courtyard of a splendid palace that faced upon the city's great central square, my eyes beheld that which shattered my beautiful dream of the past. Directly below me I saw a score of great thoats penned in what once may have been the royal garden of a jeddak.

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Português

A presença dessas feras enormes significava apenas uma coisa: seus mestres verdes provavelmente estavam por perto.

Original English

The presence of these huge beasts meant but one thing, and that was that their green masters were to be found nearby.

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Português

Enquanto o narrador sobrevoava um pátio, uma das feras violentas olhou para cima e começou a guinchar com raiva. Os outros thoats, agitados pelo barulho, olharam para cima e também guincharam, criando caos. Isso alertou um guerreiro verde que saltou para o pátio e viu o narrador pouco antes de ele desaparecer de vista acima do telhado.

Original English

As I passed above the courtyard one of the restless, vicious beasts looked up and saw me and instantly he commenced to squeal angrily. Immediately the other thoats, their short temper aroused by the squealing of their fellow and their attention directed by his upward gaze, discovered me and set up a perfect pandemonium of grunts and squeals, which brought the result that I had immediately foreseen. A green warrior leaped into the courtyard from the interior of the palace and looked up just in time to see me before I passed from his line of vision above the roof of the building.

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Português

Entendendo que a área não era segura, o narrador abriu o acelerador e subiu rapidamente. Ao cruzar sobre o prédio e a avenida, ele viu cerca de vinte guerreiros verdes saindo correndo, examinando o céu. O guarda os havia informado de sua presença.

Original English

Realizing immediately that this was no place for me to loiter, I opened my throttle and at the same time rose swiftly toward a greater altitude. As I passed over the building and out across the avenue in front of it, I saw some twenty green warriors pour out of the building, their upward gaze searching the skies. The warrior on guard had apprised them of my presence.

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Português

O narrador se repreendeu por ter corrido um risco tão tolo apenas para satisfazer sua curiosidade. Ele imediatamente subiu em zigue-zague, ouvindo um grito de guerra selvagem e vendo rifles apontados para ele. Projéteis zuniram ao lado, mas nenhum atingiu a nave até que uma bala bateu no metal e explodiu, após o que ele escapou do alcance deles.

Original English

I cursed myself for a stupid fool in having taken this unnecessary chance merely to satisfy my idle curiosity. Instantly I took a zig-zag, upward course, rising as swiftly as I could, while from below a savage war cry rose plainly to my ears. I saw long, wicked looking rifles aimed at me. I heard the hiss of projectiles hurtling by me, but, though the first volley passed close to us, not a bullet struck the ship. In a moment more I would be out of range and safe and I prayed to a thousand ancestors to protect me for the few brief minutes that would be necessary to place me entirely out of harm's way. I thought that I had made it and was just about to congratulate myself upon my good luck when I heard the thud of a bullet against the metal of my ship and almost simultaneously the explosion of the projectile, and then I was out of range.

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Português

Enquanto ele voava para sudoeste, gritos fracos e raivosos de decepção chegaram aos seus ouvidos, e ele se sentiu aliviado por ter escapado ileso.

Original English

Angry cries of disappointment came faintly to my ears as I sped swiftly toward the southwest, relieved that I had been so fortunate as to be able to get away without suffering any damage.

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Português

Ele já havia viajado cerca de setenta karads de Helium, mas sabia que Jahar ainda poderia estar a cinquenta a setenta e cinco karads de distância. Ele resolveu não correr mais riscos desnecessários.

Original English

I had already flown about seventy karads (Note: A karad is equivalent to a degree of longitude) from Helium, but I was aware that Jahar might still be fifty to seventy-five karads distant and I made up my mind that I would take no more chances such as those from which I had just so fortunately escaped.

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Português

Eu estava viajando rapidamente mais uma vez e mal havia me parabenizado pela minha sorte quando percebi que estava lutando para me manter no ar. Meu aeronave estava perdendo sustentação, e deduzi rapidamente, o que a investigação depois confirmou, que um dos meus tanques de flutuação havia sido atingido por uma bala explosiva dos guerreiros verdes.

Original English

I was now moving at great speed again and I had scarcely finished congratulating myself upon my good fortune when it suddenly became apparent to me that I was having difficulty in maintaining my altitude. My flier was losing buoyancy and almost immediately I guessed, what investigation later revealed, that one of my buoyancy tanks had been punctured by the explosive bullet of the green warriors.

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Português

Culpar-me por minha negligência parecia inútil, embora eu estivesse plenamente ciente do meu erro e de como ele poderia afetar minha capacidade de resgatar Sanoma Tora, potencialmente encerrando minha participação ativa em seu resgate. As consequências para mim me preocupavam menos do que o perigo que ela enfrentava; minha determinação em salvá-la não deixava espaço para pensamentos de fracasso.

Original English

To reproach myself for my carelessness seemed a useless waste of mental energy, though I can assure you that I was keenly aware of my fault and of its possible bearing upon the fate of Sanoma Tora, from the active prosecution of whose rescue I might now be entirely eliminated. The results as they affected me did not appall me half so much as did the contemplation of the unquestioned danger in which Sanoma Tora must be, from which my determination to rescue her had so obsessed me that there had not entered into my thoughts any slightest consideration of failure.

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Português

O acidente foi um golpe severo para minhas esperanças, mas não as destruiu completamente, porque sou feito de tal forma que nunca abandonarei a esperança de sucesso em qualquer empreendimento enquanto eu viver.

Original English

The mishap was a severe blow to my hopes and yet it did not shatter them entirely, for I am so constituted that I know I shall never give up hope of success in any issue as long as life remains to me.

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Português

Era difícil prever por quanto tempo minha nave permaneceria no ar. Como não tinha meios de reparar o tanque danificado, minha melhor opção era aumentar a velocidade e cobrir o máximo de distância possível antes de ser forçado a descer. O design da minha nave ajudava a mantê-la no ar em alta velocidade com o mínimo do Oitavo Raio, mas eu sabia que um pouso forçado naquele deserto desolado estava próximo.

Original English

How much longer my ship would remain afloat it was difficult to say, and, having no means of making such repairs as would be necessary to conserve the remaining contents of the punctured buoyancy tank, the best that I could do was to increase my speed so that I might cover as much distance as possible before I was forced down. The construction of my ship was such that at high speed it tended to maintain itself in the air with a minimum of the Eighth Ray in its buoyancy tanks; yet I knew that the time was not far distant when I should have to make a landing in this dreary, desolate wasteland.

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Português

Eu tinha voado aproximadamente dois mil haads desde que fui alvejado acima de Torquas, cruzando o que antes era um grande golfo quando o oceano cobria as planícies agora cobertas de musgo e secas sob mim. Lá longe, avistei os contornos de colinas baixas que provavelmente marcavam a antiga costa sudoeste. O leito marinho morto se estendia a noroeste até o horizonte, mas essa não era a direção que eu pretendia seguir, então voei em direção às colinas, esperando ficar alto o suficiente para cruzá-las. No entanto, à medida que elas se aproximavam, essa esperança se desvaneceu, e eu soube que meu voo terminaria em breve. Então notei as ruínas de uma cidade deserta ao pé das colinas, uma visão bem-vinda porque geralmente se encontra água nos poços dessas cidades antigas, mantidos pelos nômades verdes do deserto.

Original English

I had covered something in the neighborhood of two thousand haads since I had been fired upon above Torquas, crossing what had been a large gulf when the waters of the ocean rolled over the vast plains that now lay moss covered and arid beneath me. Far ahead I could see the outlines of low hills that must have marked the southwestern shore line of the gulf. Toward the northwest the dead sea bottom extended as far as the eye could reach, but this was not the direction I wished to take, and so I sped on toward the hills hoping that I might maintain sufficient altitude to cross them, but as they swiftly loomed closer this hope died in my breast and I realized that the end of my flight was now but a matter of moments. At the same time I discerned the ruins of a deserted city nestling at the foot of the hills; nor was this an unwelcome sight since water is almost always to be found in the wells of these ancient cities, which have been kept in repair by the green nomads of the wasteland.

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Português

Nesse ponto, eu estava voando a apenas alguns ads—cada um com cerca de 9,75 pés terrestres—acima do chão. Eu havia reduzido minha velocidade consideravelmente para evitar um pouso brusco e, como resultado, parei suavemente sobre a vegetação amarela, a uma curta distância da margem da cidade vazia.

Original English

By now I was skimming but a few ads above the surface of the ground. (Note: An ad is about 9.75 earth feet.) I had greatly diminished my speed to avoid a serious accident in landing and because of this the end was hastened so that presently I came gently to rest upon the ocher vegetation scarcely a haad from the water-front of the deserted city.

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3. CORNERED

Português

Meu pouso foi azarado porque me deixou totalmente exposto à cidade, sem lugar para me esconder se as ruínas estivessem ocupadas por alguma das muitas tribos de homens verdes que frequentemente assombram os leitos marinhos secos de Barsoom, às vezes usando as cidades desertas ao longo da costa antiga como bases.

Original English

My landing was most unfortunate in that it left me in plain sight of the city without any place of concealment in the event that the ruins happened to be occupied by one of the numerous tribes of green men who infest the dead sea bottoms of Barsoom, often making their headquarters in one or another of the deserted cities that line the ancient shore.

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Português

Como os homens verdes geralmente habitam os maiores e mais magníficos palácios, que normalmente ficam a uma curta distância da margem, era possível que, mesmo se eles estivessem na cidade, eu pudesse alcançar a segurança de um prédio mais próximo antes de ser avistado.

Original English

The fact that they usually choose to inhabit the largest and most magnificent of the ancient palaces and that these ordinarily stand back some little distance from the water-front rendered it quite possible that even in the event that there were green men in the city I might reach the concealing safety of one of the nearer buildings before I was discovered by them.

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Português

Minha aeronave agora estava inútil, então a abandonei. Levando apenas minhas armas, munição e algumas rações concentradas, caminhei rapidamente em direção à antiga margem. Não pude dizer se alcancei os edifícios sem ser visto, mas pelo menos não vi nenhum sinal de criatura viva.

Original English

My flier being now useless, there was nothing to do but abandon it, and so, with only my weapons, ammunition and a little concentrated rations, I walked quickly in the direction of the age old water-front. Whether or not I reached the buildings unobserved, I was unable to determine, but at any rate I did reach them without seeing any sign of a living creature about.

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Português

Muitas partes dessas antigas cidades desertas são o lar dos grandes macacos brancos de Barsoom. De muitas maneiras, eles são mais perigosos que os guerreiros verdes. Essas criaturas semelhantes a macacos são imensamente fortes, ferozmente agressivas e comem humanos. Diz-se que são as únicas coisas vivas que podem fazer os homens verdes sentirem medo.

Original English

Portions of many of these ancient, deserted cities are inhabited by the great white apes of Barsoom, which are in many respects more to be feared than the green warriors themselves, for not only are these man-like creatures endowed with enormous strength and characterized by intense ferocity, but they are also voracious man-eaters. So terrible are they that it is said that they are the only living creatures that can instill fear within the breasts of the green men of Barsoom.

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Português

O narrador considerou os perigos potenciais dentro da cidade em ruínas, mas concluiu que não havia alternativa segura. Ao ar livre no musgo do fundo do mar, ele teria sido avistado por macacos brancos ou marcianos verdes. Portanto, ele precisava se esconder até o anoitecer, pois só então poderia viajar com segurança. A cidade oferecia o único esconderijo próximo, então ele entrou relutantemente. Ele subiu em uma ampla avenida que antes margeava um porto movimentado, agora ladeada por lojas e armazéns arruinados. As janelas vazias olhavam para a desolação; os navios, as multidões e o oceano tinham desaparecido.

Original English

Knowing the possible dangers that might lurk within the precincts of this ruin, it may be wondered that I approached it at all, but as a matter of fact there was no safe alternative. Out upon the dead monotony of the ocher moss of the sea bottom, I should have been discovered by the first white ape or green Martian that approached the city from that direction, or that chanced to come from the interior of the ruins to the water- front. It was, therefore, necessary for me to seek concealment until night had fallen, since only by night might I travel in safety across the sea bottom, and, as the city offered the only concealment nearby, I had no choice but to enter it. I can assure you that it was not without feelings of extreme concern that I clambered to the surface of the broad avenue that once skirted the shore of a busy harbor. Across its wide expanse rose the ruins of what once had been shops and warehouses, but whose eyeless windows now looked down upon a scene of and desolation. Gone were the great ships! Gone the busy, hurrying throngs! Gone the ocean!

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Português

Ele cruzou a avenida e entrou em um prédio alto encimado por uma torre. A estrutura parecia bem preservada, e ele pensou que da torre poderia ter uma boa vista da cidade e da terra a sudoeste, onde pretendia procurar por Jahar. Ele chegou ao prédio sem ser visto e entrou em uma grande câmara cujo propósito original era impossível de determinar, pois quaisquer decorações ou móveis tinham desaparecido. No extremo oposto havia uma enorme lareira; ao lado dela, uma rampa descia de um lado e subia do outro.

Original English

Crossing the avenue I entered one of the taller buildings, which I noticed was surmounted by a high tower. The entire structure, including the tower, seemed to be in an excellent state of preservation and it occurred to me that if I could ascend into the latter, I should be able to obtain an excellent view of the city and of the country that lay beyond it to the southwest, which was the direction in which I intended to pursue my search for Jahar I reached the building apparently unobserved, and, entering, found myself in a large chamber, the nature and purpose of which it was no longer possible to determine, since such decorations as may possibly have adorned its walls in the past were no longer discernible and whatever furniture it may have contained to give a clue to its identity had long since been removed. There was an enormous fireplace in the far end of the room and at one side of this fireplace a ramp led downward, and upon the other a similar ramp led upward.

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Português

Depois de ouvir com atenção por um momento, ele não ouviu nenhum som dentro ou fora do prédio. Consequentemente, sentiu-se confiante e começou a subir a rampa.

Original English

Listening intently for a moment I heard no sound, either within or without the building, so that it was with considerable confidence that I started to ascend the ramp.

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Português

Ele continuou subindo pelos andares, cada um consistindo em uma única câmara grande. Isso o convenceu de que o prédio havia sido um armazém para estocar mercadorias que passavam pelo antigo porto.

Original English

Upward I continued from floor to floor, each of which consisted of a single large chamber, a fact which finally convinced me that the building had been a warehouse for the storing of goods passing through this ancient port.

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Português

Do último andar, uma escada de madeira se estendia para cima através do centro da torre. Era feita de skeel sólido, um material praticamente indestrutível. Embora soubesse que a escada poderia ter entre quinhentos mil e um milhão de anos, ele não hesitou em confiar seu peso a ela.

Original English

From the upper floor a wooden ladder extended upward through the center of the tower above. It was of solid skeel, which is practically indestructible, so that though I knew it might be anywhere from five hundred thousand to a million years old, I did not hesitate to trust myself to it.

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Português

O interior circular da torre, por onde a escada subia, estava bastante escuro. Cada patamar tinha uma entrada para uma câmara, mas a maioria estava fechada, então apenas uma luz fraca chegava ao núcleo central.

Original English

The circular interior core of the tower, upward through which the ladder extended, was rather dark. At each landing there was an opening into the tower chamber at that point, but as many of these openings were closed only a subdued light penetrated to the central core.

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Português

Eu tinha alcançado o segundo nível da torre quando pensei ter ouvido um ruído peculiar vindo de baixo.

Original English

I had ascended to the second level of the tower when I thought that I heard a strange noise beneath me.

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Português

Era apenas um indício de som, mas a cidade abandonada estivera tão perfeitamente silenciosa que mesmo o ruído mais fraco teria chamado minha atenção.

Original English

Just the suggestion of a noise it was, but such utter silence had reigned over the deserted city that the faintest sound must have been appreciable to me.

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Português

Interrompi minha subida, olhando para baixo e forçando a audição. Mas o som não identificado não se repetiu, então retomei minha ascensão.

Original English

Pausing in my ascent, I looked down, listening; but the sound which I had been unable to translate was not repeated, and I continued my way on upward.

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Português

Decidido a subir o mais alto que a torre permitisse, não parei para inspecionar nenhum dos andares pelos quais passei.

Original English

Having it in my mind to climb as high up in the tower as possible, I did not stop to examine any of the levels that I passed.

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Português

Subindo por uma longa distância, ele eventualmente encontrou seu caminho bloqueado por tábuas grossas formando o teto do poço. Abaixo dele, cerca de oito ou dez pés, havia uma pequena porta provavelmente levando a um nível superior da torre. Ele se perguntou por que a escada continuava além da porta até o teto, já que parecia sem sentido. Sentindo acima, descobriu um alçapão. Apoiando-se na escada, empurrou para cima com o ombro e, com algum esforço, o alçapão se ergueu, rangendo nas dobradiças antigas. Ele subiu para a sala no topo da torre, que tinha cerca de duzentos pés de altura. Lá dentro, viu os restos corroídos de um antigo farol, usado muito antes da invenção do rádio e da iluminação moderna em Barsoom. Tais lâmpadas eram alimentadas por máquinas caras que geravam eletricidade, e esta havia guiado antigos marinheiros para um porto que outrora alcançava quase a base da torre.

Original English

Continuing upward for a considerable distance my progress was finally blocked by heavy planking that appeared to form the ceiling of the shaft. Some eight or ten feet below me was a small door that probably led to one of the upper levels of the tower and I could not but wonder why the ladder had been continued on upward above this doorway, since it could serve no practical purpose if it merely ended at the ceiling. Feeling above me with my fingers I traced the outlines of what appeared to be a trap door. Obtaining a firm footing upon the ladder as high up as I could climb, I placed a shoulder against the barrier. In this position I was able to exert considerable pressure upward with the result that presently I felt the planking rise above me and a moment later, to the accompaniment of subdued groans, the trap door swung upward upon ancient wooden hinges long unused. Clambering into the apartment above I found myself upon the top level of the tower, which rose to a height of some two hundred feet above the avenue below. Before me were the corroded remains of an ancient and long obsolete beacon-light, such as were used by the ancients long before the discovery of radium and its practical and scientific application to the lighting requirements of modern civilization upon Barsoom. These ancient lamps were operated by expensive machines which generated electricity, and this one was doubtless used as a beacon for the safe guidance of ancient mariners into the harbor, whose waters once rolled almost to the foot of the tower.

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Português

Do topo da torre, ele tinha uma excelente vista em todas as direções. Ao norte e nordeste estendia-se uma vasta área. Ao sul havia uma cadeia de colinas baixas curvando-se para nordeste, outrora formando a costa sul do Golfo de Torquas. A oeste, ele olhou sobre as ruínas de uma grande cidade que se espalhava pelas colinas baixas, tendo crescido a partir da costa. Ao longe, ele ainda podia ver as antigas casas dos ricos, enquanto mais perto estavam enormes edifícios públicos, o maior dos quais ficava em torno de um grande quadrilátero perto da orla. Lá outrora ficava o palácio do jeddak que governava esta rica capital e principal porto. Agora, apenas o silêncio permanecia. Era uma visão deprimente, cheia de aviso profético para o povo do moderno Barsoom.

Original English

This upper level of the tower afforded an excellent view in all directions. To the north and northeast stretched a vast expanse. To the south was a range of low hills that curved gently in a northeasterly direction, forming in by-gone days the southern shore line of what is still known as the Gulf of Torquas. Toward the west I looked out over the ruins of a great city, which extended far back into low hills, the flanks of which it had mounted as it expanded from the sea shore. There in the distance I could still discern the ancient villas of the wealthy, while in the nearer foreground were enormous public buildings, the most pretentious of which were built upon the four sides of a large quadrangle that I could easily discern a short distance from the water-front. Here, doubtless, stood the official palace of the jeddak who once ruled the rich country of which this city was the capital and the principal port. There, now, only silence reigns. It was indeed a depressing sight and one fraught with poignant prophecy for us of present day Barsoom.

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Português

O povo do passado lutou bravamente, mas em vão, contra a diminuição do suprimento de água, ainda assim seu problema era menos crítico do que o que agora enfrenta Barsoom. Por milhares de anos, apenas a coragem, engenhosidade e riqueza dos homens vermelhos de Barsoom permitiram que a vida continuasse em seu planeta moribundo. Sem as grandes plantas de atmosfera que a raça vermelha concebeu, construiu e manteve, todas as criaturas que respiram ar teriam sido extintas há muito tempo.

Original English

Where they battled valiantly but futilely against the menace of a constantly diminishing water supply, we are faced with a problem that far transcends theirs in the importance of its bearing upon the maintenance of life upon our planet. During the past several thousand years only the courage, resourcefulness and wealth of the red men of Barsoom have made it possible for life to exist upon our dying planet, for were it not for the great atmosphere plants conceived and built and maintained by the red race of Barsoom, all forms of air breathing creatures would have become extinct thousands of years ago.

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Português

Enquanto ele olhava sobre a cidade, perdido em pensamentos sombrios, ouviu um som vindo de dentro da torre abaixo. Ele foi até o alçapão aberto e olhou para baixo. Diretamente abaixo dele estava uma visão que faria até o mais corajoso barsoomiano tremer: o rosto hediondo e rosnante de um grande macaco branco de Barsoom.

Original English

As I gazed out over the city, my mind occupied with these dismal thoughts, I again became aware of a sound coming from the interior of the tower beneath me, and, stepping to the open trap, I looked down into the shaft and there, directly below me, I saw that which might well make the stoutest Barsoomian heart quail -- the hideous, snarling face of a great white ape of Barsoom.

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Português

Quando seus olhos se encontraram, a criatura rosnou com raiva e abandonou sua abordagem furtiva. Ela subiu rapidamente pela escada. Agindo quase por instinto, ele fez a única coisa que poderia detê-la: bateu o alçapão pesado sobre a cabeça do macaco. Pela primeira vez ele notou que a porta tinha uma barra de madeira pesada, e rapidamente a segurou, bloqueando o caminho da criatura e deixando-se preso em um beco sem saída.

Original English

As our eyes met the creature voiced an angry growl and, abandoning its former stealthy approach, rushed swiftly up the ladder. Acting almost mechanically I did the one and only thing that might even temporarily stay its rush upon me -- I slammed down the heavy trap door above its head, and as I did so I saw for the first time that the door was equipped with a heavy wooden bar, and you may well believe that I lost no time in securing this, thus effectually barring the creature's ascent by this route into the veritable cul de sac in which I had placed myself.

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Português

O narrador se viu em uma situação terrível, duzentos pés acima da cidade, com sua única rota de fuga bloqueada por uma das feras selvagens mais temidas de Barsoom.

Original English

Now, indeed, was I in a pretty predicament -- two hundred feet above the city with my only avenue of escape cut off by one of the most feared of all the savage beasts of Barsoom.

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Português

O narrador havia caçado essas criaturas em Thark e sabia que elas eram astutas e ferozes. Embora fossem humanoides e inteligentes, podiam ser treinadas, mas nunca totalmente domesticadas. Seu perigo e inteligência as tornavam populares entre o público.

Original English

I had hunted these creatures in Thark as a guest of the great green Jeddak, Tars Tarkas, and I knew something of their cunning and resourcefulness as well as of their ferocity. Extremely man-like in conformation, they also approach man more closely than any other of the lower orders in the size and development of their brain. Occasionally these creatures are captured when young and trained to perform, and so intelligent are they that they can be taught to do almost anything that man can do that lies within the range of their limited reasoning capacity. Man has, however, never been able to subdue their ferocious nature and they are always the most dangerous of animals to handle, which probably accounts more even than their intelligence for the interest displayed by the large audiences that they unfailingly attract.

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Português

Em Hastor, ele havia pagado para ver uma dessas criaturas, mas agora pagaria muito mais para não ver nenhuma. O macaco estava tentando arrombar o alçapão, mas o narrador percebeu que a porta forte e antiga aguentaria.

Original English

In Hastor I have paid a good price to see one of these creatures and now I found myself in a position where I should very gladly pay a good deal more not to see one, but from the noise he was making in the shaft beneath me it appeared to me that he was determined that I should have a free show and he a free meal. He was hurling himself as best he could against the trap door, above which I stood with some misgivings which were presently allayed when I realized that not even the vast strength of a white ape could avail against the still staunch and sturdy skeel of the ancient door.

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Português

Convencido de que o macaco não poderia alcançá-lo pela porta, ele examinou o exterior da torre. A torre era esculpida e tinha janelas com sacadas, mas as janelas eram espaçadas longe umas das outras em cada lado, o que era importante para encontrar uma rota de fuga.

Original English

Finally convinced that he could not come at me by this avenue, I set about taking stock of my situation. Circling the tower I examined its outward architecture by the simple expedient of leaning far outward above each of the four sides. Three sides terminated at the roof of the building a hundred and fifty feet below me, while the fourth extended to the pavement of the courtyard two hundred feet below. Like much of the architecture of ancient Barsoom, the surface of the tower was elaborately carved from top to bottom and at each level there were window embrasures, some of which were equipped with small stone balconies. As a rule there was but a single window to a level, and as the window for the level directly beneath never opened upon the same side of the tower as the window for the level above, there was always a distance of from thirty to forty feet between windows upon the same side, and, as I was examining the outside of the tower with a view to its offering me an avenue of escape, this point was of great importance to me, since a series of window ledges, one below another, would have proved a most welcome sight to a man in my position.

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Português

O macaco parecia ter desistido de arrombar a porta, mas quando o narrador ouviu, ele pôde ouvir a criatura se movendo na escada abaixo. Ao final do dia, parecia que o macaco pretendia esperá-lo.

Original English

By the time I had completed my survey of the exterior of the tower the ape had evidently come to the conclusion that he could not demolish the barrier that kept him from me and I hoped that he would abandon the idea entirely and depart. But when I lay down on the floor and placed an ear close to the door I could plainly hear him just below as he occasionally changed from one uncomfortable position to another upon the small ladder beneath me. I did not know to what extent these creatures might have developed pertinacity of purpose, but I hoped that he might soon tire of his vigil and his thoughts be diverted into some other channel. However, as the day wore to a close this possibility seemed to grow more and more remote until at last I became almost convinced that the creature had determined to lay siege until hunger or desperation forced me from my retreat.

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Português

Eu olhei com saudade para as colinas distantes além da cidade. Elas marcavam a rota para o sudoeste, em direção à lendária terra de Jahar.

Original English

How longingly I gazed at the beckoning hills beyond the city where lay my route toward the southwest -- toward fabled Jahar.

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Português

O sol estava baixo no oeste. Em breve a escuridão cairia, e eu me perguntava o que a criatura faria. Talvez ela fosse embora, movida por fome ou sede, mas eu não podia ter certeza. Ela poderia descer até o fundo da torre para me esperar, confiante de que eu teria que descer mais cedo ou mais tarde.

Original English

The sun was low in the west. Soon would come the sudden transition from daylight to darkness, and then what? Perhaps the creature would abandon its vigil; hunger or thirst might attract it elsewhere, but how was I to know? How easily it might descend to the bottom of the tower and await me there, confident that sooner or later I must come down.

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Português

Um estranho a essas criaturas selvagens poderia se perguntar por que eu não levantei a porta do alçapão e lutei contra meu carcereiro, estando armado como estava. Se eu soubesse que ele estava sozinho, não teria hesitado. Mas a experiência me disse que muitos macacos brancos provavelmente viviam na cidade em ruínas. Eles geralmente caçavam sozinhos para guardar suas presas, mas se eu o atacasse, ele certamente daria um alarme que traria seus companheiros. Então, qualquer chance de fuga desapareceria.

Original English

One unfamiliar with the traits of these savage creatures might wonder why, armed as I was with sword and pistol, I did not raise the trap door and give battle to my jailer. Had I known positively that he was the only white ape in the vicinity I should not have hesitated to do so, but experience assured me that there was doubtless an entire herd of them quartered in the ruined city. So scarce is the flesh they crave that it is their ordinary custom to hunt alone, so that in the event that they make a kill they may be more certain of retaining the prize for themselves, but if I should attack him he would most certainly raise such a row as to attract his fellows, in which event my chance for escape would have been reduced to the ultimate zero.

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Glossary: New Words

Words introduced by the simplified reading. Each entry shows up to five real sentences from this book; every Back to B1 link opens the exact sentence in the simplified version.

acceptable /əkˈsɛptəbl/ (1)

Português: aceitável; admissível

Simple English: Agreed upon by most people in a society.

Example: Wearing casual clothes is acceptable in many modern workplaces today.

Uses in this book:

1. But, the narrator believes it is acceptable to tell the interesting story of Hadron of Hastor, which Paxton recently told him. Back to B1

accusations ˌæk.juˈzeɪ.ʃənz (1)

Português: acusações

Simple English: Statements saying someone did something wrong.

Example: He listened to the accusations before making a decision.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker asked Tor Hatan if he was now satisfied that the accusations made by Sil Vagis against him were untrue. Back to B1

attackers əˈtækərz (2)

Português: agressores

Simple English: People who try to hurt others.

Example: Tarzan let the first two attackers pass.

Uses in this book:

1. He said that there were many attackers and they were too strong for him. Back to B1

2. The locks were there to keep the women safe from attackers, not to stop them from leaving.

begins bɪˈɡɪnz (1)

Português: começa

Simple English: Starts.

Example: This is where our story begins.

Uses in this book:

1. Before the story begins, a short description of the main Martian races, their governments, armies, and some traditions might be interesting. Back to B1

bigger ˈbɪɡər (2)

Português: maior

Simple English: larger in size

Example: Other, bigger animals did not bother him.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator knew that Gridley wanted to talk to Pellucidar, but he was also trying to do something even bigger: find a way to communicate with another planet. Back to B1

2. Their small, hidden ship was a bigger threat to them than the entire Helium fleet.

biggest ˈbɪɡɪst (4)

Português: o maior

Simple English: the largest in size or importance

Example: The biggest problem was the lack of water.

Uses in this book:

1. The green men usually lived in the biggest and most beautiful old palaces. Back to B1

2. It was a small, round glass eye, and it gave me one of the biggest thrills of my life.

3. Near the city, I saw the biggest ships I had ever seen.

4. Twenty of their biggest ships had joined the enemy.

bit bɪt (5)

Português: um pouco

Simple English: A small amount.

Example: She was still a bit weak.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker said, a bit unhappily, that they hoped the Jeddak of Jahar was not as unpleasant as his messenger. Back to B1

2. The craft worked well, though a bit slowly.

3. After arriving in Jhama, the narrator and Nur An realized that Phor Tak was a bit crazy because he thought too much about the bad things Tul Axtar had done.

4. We were flying smoothly, a bit higher than usual for battleships.

5. The people chasing them were still a bit far away.

blame /bleɪm/ (2)

Português: culpar; culpa; responsabilizar

Simple English: To say or feel someone is responsible for a problem.

Example: It's easy to blame others when things go wrong, but we should take responsibility too.

Uses in this book:

1. He asked them not to blame him for the abduction, stating he was not involved in the bad plan. Back to B1

2. The narrator asked Tavia not to blame herself, saying that nobody could have predicted such a bad welcome.

bravery ˈbreɪ.və.ri (2)

Português: coragem

Simple English: the quality of being brave or courageous

Example: Tarzan admired the bravery of the warriors.

Uses in this book:

1. For thousands of years, only the bravery and intelligence of the red people of Barsoom have allowed life to continue on their dying world. Back to B1

2. He thought he could fight better alone, but he admired the woman's bravery.

careless ˈkeələs (2)

Português: descuidado

Simple English: not paying enough attention; careless

Example: He was careless and broke the vase.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator felt he was careless, and this mistake could stop him from rescuing Sanoma Tora. Back to B1

2. I realized I must have been wrong and I was angry with myself for being careless.

cheaply ˈtʃiːpli (2)

Português: baratamente

Simple English: For a low price.

Example: She bought the bag cheaply.

Uses in this book:

1. They also thought that people would never travel safely or cheaply faster than their fast one-person scout planes, which went about 166 miles per hour. Back to B1

2. He added that it could be made quickly and cheaply.

colorful ˈkʌlərfəl (3)

Português: colorido

Simple English: having many bright colors

Example: The forest was full of colorful birds.

Uses in this book:

1. Their light made the red grass look purple and gave the colorful flowers strange colors. Back to B1

2. Bright red grass grew near the small waves, and many colorful flowers and bushes bloomed everywhere.

3. On the cloth, there were colorful paintings of strange things.

compliment ˈkɒmplɪmənt (1)

Português: elogio

Simple English: A kind word or praise about someone.

Example: It was not a compliment to her.

Uses in this book:

1. It was not a compliment to her. Back to B1

confirmed kənˈfɜːrmd (9)

Português: confirmado

Simple English: Shown to be true.

Example: This was confirmed when pygmies surrounded them.

Uses in this book:

1. The informant confirmed that Sanoma Tora was gone and said that the situation was very mysterious. Back to B1

2. She confirmed she belonged to Tul Axtar.

3. Nur An confirmed she was asking about the prisoner and asked where she was.

4. The narrator confirmed that they were also looking for Tavia.

5. The narrator confirmed that he had trembled.

couldn't ˈkʊd.nt (1)

Português: não podia

Simple English: used to say someone was not able to do something

Example: I couldn't see the stars because it was cloudy.

Uses in this book:

1. But then, he noticed he couldn't fly as high as before. Back to B1

Criminal /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/ (1)

Português: criminal; criminoso; penal

Simple English: Related to illegal activities or law-breaking actions.

Example: The criminal activities in our city have increased recently.

Uses in this book:

1. He said that all he wanted was the chance to do something, and since he was ready to do it by any means, even criminal ones if needed, he would not complain about how it was achieved, even if it was not very flattering to him. Back to B1

curious ˈkjʊəriəs (4)

Português: curioso

Simple English: wanting to know or learn about something

Example: She was curious about the new student.

Uses in this book:

1. Carthoris of Helium, who had an active and curious mind like his father from Earth, woke people up. Back to B1

2. This was a big relief because he had worried that the great apes, who were curious and liked to break things, might have damaged it.

3. The speaker asked what The Death was, as the words made him curious.

4. Yo Seno then looked up, probably because he was curious.

decoded dɪˈkoʊdɪd (1)

Português: decifrou

Simple English: To find or understand the meaning of a message.

Example: He decoded the secret message.

Uses in this book:

1. However, after he decoded the message, he had no more doubts. Back to B1

deserves dɪˈzɜːrvz (1)

Português: merece

Simple English: To have earned something because of actions

Example: She deserves a reward for her hard work.

Uses in this book:

1. However, to be loyal to Jason Gridley, who deserves all the credit, the narrator has not made any official announcements or shared important news. Back to B1

desperately ˈdespərətli (2)

Português: desesperadamente

Simple English: With great urgency or need.

Example: She desperately wanted to find her lost cat.

Uses in this book:

1. The Dwar believed Tor Hatan desperately wanted to be seen as a close friend to any of the four important people. Back to B1

2. Nur An and I fought desperately for our lives.

disliked dɪsˈlaɪkt (6)

Português: desgostavam

Simple English: felt not good or happy about someone

Example: The crew disliked the officers.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker strongly disliked Sil Vagis, who was a proud man with the title of Teedwar. Back to B1

2. The narrator's guide handed them over to an officer who clearly disliked and distrusted them.

3. He said he really disliked Tul Axtar, calling him a beast that good men hated.

4. The speaker explained that he always disliked Tul Axtar, the ruler of Jahar.

5. Nur An said he did not like hiding, but he had done many things he disliked recently.

electric ɪˈlɛktrɪk (1)

Português: elétrico

Simple English: Using or produced by electricity.

Example: The electric lamp lit the room.

Uses in this book:

1. This light was used long ago, before modern electric lights. Back to B1

engine ˈɛnʤɪn (6)

Português: motor

Simple English: A machine that uses energy to make something move.

Example: The car's engine is very powerful.

Uses in this book:

1. This led to big changes in engine building. Back to B1

2. Then, a little-known officer in Helium's navy announced he had created a new engine. Back to B1

3. This new engine would be half the weight of current engines but would go twice as fast. Back to B1

4. Then, he opened the engine to full power.

5. Soon, the engine noise stopped, and the ship was still.

engines ˈɛnʤɪnz (3)

Português: motores

Simple English: Machines that make vehicles or machines move.

Example: The airplane's engines started with a loud noise.

Uses in this book:

1. People thought their light, small, and strong radium engines could not be made better. Back to B1

2. This new engine would be half the weight of current engines but would go twice as fast. Back to B1

3. I did not know enough about technology to build the new engines, so I used older ones that were not as strong.

experts ˈɛkspɜːrts (1)

Português: especialistas

Simple English: People who have a lot of knowledge about a subject.

Example: Experts say this medicine is effective.

Uses in this book:

1. Many experts believe that the invention of the destination control compass by Carthoris of Helium started a new period of invention. Back to B1

fertile ˈfɜːrtɪl (1)

Português: fértil

Simple English: Good for growing plants.

Example: The soil is very fertile in this valley.

Uses in this book:

1. Some also live in separate farm houses, which are also well-walled and protected, located along the fertile, irrigated areas known as the Canals of Mars. Back to B1

fix fɪks (3)

Português: consertar

Simple English: To repair something that is broken.

Example: He will fix the car tomorrow.

Uses in this book:

1. He could not fix the damaged air tank. Back to B1

2. It was too late to fix it.

3. After that, it was easier to fix part of his harness around the front of the turret.

focused ˈfoʊkəst (5)

Português: concentrados

Simple English: giving full attention to something

Example: She was focused on her homework.

Uses in this book:

1. He had been so focused on saving her that he had not thought about what could go wrong. Back to B1

2. When it was wide enough for a thoat, he focused on the animals inside.

3. However, he was more focused on her story, which gave him an idea for a quick escape.

4. He focused on increasing the population.

5. Yo Seno had used this moment to attack because he was focused on throwing the vase.

friendlier ˈfrɛndljɚ (1)

Português: mais amigáveis

Simple English: more kind and welcoming

Example: The gorillas were friendlier than the people in that place.

Uses in this book:

1. Sanoma Tora was friendlier than before, but she paid more attention to Sil Vagis than to the speaker. Back to B1

frozen /ˈfroʊzən/ (1)

Português: congelado; gelado; congelou

Simple English: Turned solid due to cold temperatures in environment.

Example: The lake is frozen, so we can go ice skating this weekend.

Uses in this book:

1. For a moment, he seemed frozen. Back to B1

Fuel /fjuːəl/ (1)

Português: combustível; carburante; abastecer

Simple English: Substance burned to produce energy or heat.

Example: Cars need fuel to run, usually gasoline or diesel.

Uses in this book:

1. It seemed to have no fuel because it got its energy from the planet's very large magnetic field. Back to B1

fun fʌn (1)

Português: diversão

Simple English: Enjoyment and pleasure.

Example: He sometimes killed for fun.

Uses in this book:

1. I enjoyed the fun life in the city. Back to B1

funny ˈfʌni (1)

Português: engraçado

Simple English: Causing laughter or amusement.

Example: The joke was really funny and made everyone laugh.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator asked the Dwar why he found it funny. Back to B1

gear ɡɪr (1)

Português: equipamento

Simple English: Tools or clothes needed for a particular activity.

Example: He packed his hiking gear for the trip.

Uses in this book:

1. He grabbed the warrior's gear and tried to pull him down, shouting for the palace guards. Back to B1

governed ˈɡʌvərnd (1)

Português: governados

Simple English: Controlled or ruled by a government.

Example: The country is governed by a president.

Uses in this book:

1. The way Martians are governed has not changed for a very long time. Back to B1

grabbed ˈɡræbd (9)

Português: agarrou

Simple English: took hold of something quickly

Example: He grabbed the book from the table.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker explained that Sanoma Tora did not know the strange warriors were there until they grabbed her from behind. Back to B1

2. He grabbed the warrior's gear and tried to pull him down, shouting for the palace guards. Back to B1

3. He grabbed the narrator's arm and pointed forward.

4. The narrator quickly jumped into the room, grabbed the warrior, and threw him to the floor.

5. The narrator grabbed Haj Osis by the throat with one hand and took his dagger with the other.

grand /ɡrænd/ (5)

Português: Grand; miI; grão

Simple English: Impressive in size, style, or appearance; very large.

Example: The grand hotel had beautiful architecture and luxurious accommodations.

Uses in this book:

1. The social life in the big cities of Mars is as lively and grand as in the rich cities on Earth. Back to B1

2. Even as ruins, they looked grand and impressive. Back to B1

3. The city of Torquas was once very grand and powerful. Back to B1

4. It was between lines of grand old buildings, going west.

5. It led to a big room that looked very grand, like a throne room.

grass ɡræs (3)

Português: grama

Simple English: Green plants that grow close to the ground.

Example: The children played on the grass.

Uses in this book:

1. Their light made the red grass look purple and gave the colorful flowers strange colors. Back to B1

2. He then turned back to the injured man on the grass and told him to continue speaking. Back to B1

3. Bright red grass grew near the small waves, and many colorful flowers and bushes bloomed everywhere.

horses ˈhɔːrsɪz (1)

Português: cavalos

Simple English: large animals that people ride or use for work

Example: Some jumped off their horses and knelt.

Uses in this book:

1. They are a race that rides horses, and they only walk when moving around their camps. Back to B1

humbly ˈhʌmbli (1)

Português: humildemente

Simple English: In a way that shows you are not proud or arrogant.

Example: The girl replied humbly that she would keep praying.

Uses in this book:

1. He thought this because Tor Hatan acted very humbly and flatteringly towards royalty. Back to B1

improve ɪmˈpruːv (2)

Português: melhorar

Simple English: To become better.

Example: He thought things would improve.

Uses in this book:

1. He thought that whoever had it was trying hard to improve it and make many of them to become rulers of the world. Back to B1

2. For many years, people felt they had reached the best possible level in science and did not need to improve things. Back to B1

invented ɪnˈvɛntɪd (2)

Português: inventou

Simple English: To create something new that did not exist before.

Example: Tarzan was the only one who invented new things.

Uses in this book:

1. Jason Gridley, who invented the Gridley Wave, was the person who successfully set up radio communication between Pellucidar and the outside world. Back to B1

2. Phor Tak had invented a rifle that shot deadly rays, which had been used against a patrol boat above Helium.

job dʒɒb (6)

Português: trabalho

Simple English: a task or work to do

Example: Tarzan did not understand why they were doing such a big job.

Uses in this book:

1. So, I chose to be a soldier like my father, instead of a job that pays more. Back to B1

2. The girls who had welcomed them sat on either side, and it seemed their job was to entertain them.

3. She then asked if he thought she would be in the way and if someone else could do the job better than her.

4. Because Kal Tavan seemed to be from a noble family, Carter gave him a job on the fleet.

5. He said it did not matter to him; his job was to bring her back.

join dʒɔɪn (3)

Português: participar

Simple English: To become part of a group or activity.

Example: I want to join the basketball team.

Uses in this book:

1. I came to Helium, the capital city, to join the army of Tardos Mors, the ruler of Helium. Back to B1

2. Larger ships would also join the search. Back to B1

3. Ships were coming from the north, south, and west to join the battle.

kidnapping ˈkɪdnæpɪŋ (2)

Português: sequestro

Simple English: Taking someone away by force.

Example: The police arrested the man for kidnapping the child.

Uses in this book:

1. He spent all his free time thinking of ways to be with her, even considering kidnapping her. Back to B1

2. He asked Hadron of Hastor if his visit was about the kidnapping of Tor Hatan's daughter. Back to B1

killers ˈkɪlərz (1)

Português: assassinos

Simple English: People who kill others.

Example: They were not in danger from hidden killers.

Uses in this book:

1. Inside their cities, there are many professional killers, some of whom are organized into groups. Back to B1

lab læb (3)

Português: laboratório

Simple English: a place for scientific experiments or work

Example: She works in a science lab.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator was lucky to spend time in Gridley's lab during his experiments. Back to B1

2. After Jason Gridley left for Pellucidar, the narrator visited his lab. Back to B1

3. Next to Phor Tak's lab was a workshop.

lit lɪt (4)

Português: iluminado

Simple English: made light or made something bright

Example: Fires lit up their bodies during the dances.

Uses in this book:

1. When he landed in the brightly lit garden, he saw many people there, including Tor Hatan and Sil Vagis. Back to B1

2. At the end, I could see an archway lit by the moon.

3. The two moons lit up the land.

4. Below us was the strange landscape of Barsoom at night, lit by two moons.

magical ˈmædʒɪkəl (2)

Português: mágico

Simple English: related to magic or a special power

Example: The story told about magical creatures.

Uses in this book:

1. It was a beautiful night that made old Barsoom seem magical. Back to B1

2. Below me, the valley of Hohr looked like a magical place from old stories.

match mætʃ (2)

Português: igual

Simple English: a person or thing equal in strength or ability

Example: He was no match for the experienced player.

Uses in this book:

1. Their animals, called thoats, are large, wild beasts that match their giant masters in size. Back to B1

2. The narrator pointed out that the companion's hair, clothes, and body shape did not seem to match being a girl.

material /məˈtɪriəl/ (5)

Português: material

Simple English: The substance used to make something.

Example: This material is very strong.

Uses in this book:

1. The ladder was made of a very strong material called skeel, which is almost impossible to destroy. Back to B1

2. Like other parts of the palace, the walls were covered with a thin, silvery material.

3. The walls were covered with the same silver material as in the palace.

4. I thought it was almost done, especially because I could use the rope material to make a rope long enough to go from our window to the bottom of the tower.

5. The material of the bag stretched tightly, almost as if it would break.

maximum /ˈmæksɪməm/ (1)

Português: máximo; máxima; limite máximo

Simple English: The highest degree, amount, or extent possible.

Example: The maximum speed allowed on this road is 60 miles per hour.

Uses in this book:

1. The inventor said the maximum speed depended on how strong and light the flier's body was. Back to B1

maybe ˈmeɪbi (9)

Português: talvez

Simple English: Possibly or perhaps.

Example: Maybe he had a fever because he was alone.

Uses in this book:

1. I thought maybe Sanoma Tora loved me too. Back to B1

2. They believe they will soon be able to fly much faster, maybe over 1000 miles per hour, because the new motors are so powerful. Back to B1

3. I also kept thinking that maybe this woman was the one I loved.

4. Maybe we could reach the roof of the building and then climb the city wall without being seen.

5. He thought maybe the wind had moved it slightly and searched another part of the roof, but it was still not there.

medicine ˈmɛdɪsɪn (3)

Português: remédio

Simple English: A substance used to treat illness or pain.

Example: The patient was waking up from the medicine.

Uses in this book:

1. A slave brought medicine into the palace. Back to B1

2. After some of this medicine was given to the injured man, he started to get a little better. Back to B1

3. They helped to calm the speaker's painful feelings, like a healing medicine.

mislead ˌmɪsˈliːd (2)

Português: enganar

Simple English: to make someone believe something that is not true

Example: The advertisement tried to mislead customers.

Uses in this book:

1. Sil Vagis told Tor Hatan that I was trying to mislead him. Back to B1

2. She explained that the narrator took it to mislead them.

narrator ˈnærətər (640)

Português: narrador

Simple English: The person who tells a story.

Example: The narrator was busy looking for strange things.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator was lucky to spend time in Gridley's lab during his experiments. Back to B1

2. The narrator knew that Gridley wanted to talk to Pellucidar, but he was also trying to do something even bigger: find a way to communicate with another planet. Back to B1

3. After Jason Gridley left for Pellucidar, the narrator visited his lab. Back to B1

4. Because the narrator had worked with Gridley a lot, he understood his machines well. Back to B1

5. Then, the narrator went on a short trip to Arizona. Back to B1

optimistic ˌɑːptɪˈmɪstɪk (1)

Português: otimista

Simple English: Having a positive and hopeful attitude.

Example: She is optimistic about the future.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator had not expected much success, and Gridley was not overly optimistic either. Back to B1

papers ˈpeɪpərz (3)

Português: documentos

Simple English: Sheets of written or printed information.

Example: She found old papers in the drawer.

Uses in this book:

1. It is said that John Carter has written about this device in his papers. Back to B1

2. At the desk where important papers were signed, he began his work.

3. The ship's officer used it to write his log and other important papers.

partner ˈpɑːrtnər (1)

Português: companheiro

Simple English: a person you work or live with

Example: She is a good partner in their business.

Uses in this book:

1. Also, I wanted a partner who came to me willingly. Back to B1

peacetime ˈpiːstaɪm (1)

Português: período de paz

Simple English: a time when there is no war

Example: Many changes happen during peacetime.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker noted that such people exist in peacetime, but during war, the Warlord leads, and soldiers are more important than their rank or wealth. Back to B1

plus /plʌs/ (1)

Português: Além disso; mais

Simple English: In addition to something else.

Example: This meal costs ten dollars plus tax and tip.

Uses in this book:

1. They have two legs and two arms, plus an extra set of limbs that can be used as arms or legs. Back to B1

popular ˈpɑpjələr (1)

Português: popular

Simple English: Liked or admired by many people.

Example: He is popular with his friends.

Uses in this book:

1. This danger, along with their intelligence, made them popular with audiences. Back to B1

predicted prɪˈdɪktɪd (3)

Português: predito

Simple English: said what would happen before it occurs

Example: He predicted that she would not act.

Uses in this book:

1. He said he had been watching him and predicted that he would be very successful in the military service of the Jeddak. Back to B1

2. The narrator asked Tavia not to blame herself, saying that nobody could have predicted such a bad welcome.

3. He told her that they would be in danger because it was war and things could not be predicted.

pull pʊl (3)

Português: puxar

Simple English: to use force to move something towards you

Example: She tried to pull it out from under Obebe.

Uses in this book:

1. He grabbed the warrior's gear and tried to pull him down, shouting for the palace guards. Back to B1

2. However, he did see the equipment and metal of the person he tried to pull from the flying ship. Back to B1

3. As the narrator grabbed a ring to pull himself up, Tavia lay down and helped him.

reject rɪˈdʒɛkt (1)

Português: rejeitar

Simple English: To say no to an offer or idea.

Example: She decided to reject the job offer.

Uses in this book:

1. I felt I was not good enough for her and she might reject me, but I wanted to officially become a suitor. Back to B1

representative /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/ (1)

Português: representante; representativo; mandatário

Simple English: Standing for or symbolizing something else.

Example: The representative showed us various options for our project.

Uses in this book:

1. He recalled that Tul Axtar's representative had recently visited Helium and spoken about his jeddak's power and women. Back to B1

resourceful rɪˈsɔːrsfəl (1)

Português: inventivo

Simple English: Good at finding ways to solve problems

Example: He is a resourceful and confident leader.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator had hunted these animals before and knew they were clever, resourceful, and fierce. Back to B1

responsible /rɪˈspɒnsəbəl/ (2)

Português: responsável; se responsabiliza; encarregado

Simple English: Able to be trusted to perform duties or act appropriately.

Example: He is responsible for managing the team and ensuring tasks are completed.

Uses in this book:

1. The main race on Mars, which is responsible for the planet's progress and life, looks very similar to humans. Back to B1

2. He shouted that the other person was responsible for the situation. Back to B1

rude ruːd (1)

Português: grosseiro

Simple English: Not polite or showing bad manners.

Example: He did not mean to be rude.

Uses in this book:

1. However, the rude way she treated him made him even more determined to win her. Back to B1

sarcasm ˈsɑːrkæzəm (1)

Português: sarcasmo

Simple English: The use of words to mean the opposite, often to be funny or to hurt someone.

Example: He spoke with sarcasm when he said the test was easy.

Uses in this book:

1. The captain of the palace guard said, with a hint of sarcasm, that the slave must be as skilled a swordsman as John Carter. Back to B1

separate /ˈsɛpəreɪt/ (5)

Português: separado; separar; distintas

Simple English: To end a relationship or live apart from a partner.

Example: They had to separate after realizing they wanted different things in life.

Uses in this book:

1. Some also live in separate farm houses, which are also well-walled and protected, located along the fertile, irrigated areas known as the Canals of Mars. Back to B1

2. Even though the official's behavior gave him hope, the narrator felt sad because he and Tavia would soon separate.

3. He asked her to stay close to him so they could not separate them.

4. The part of the building I was on seemed separate from the others.

5. After Tavia and he could separate, Tan Hadron opened the lower door.

separately ˈsɛprətli (1)

Português: separadamente

Simple English: not together; each one alone

Example: He asked if they would stay together or go separately.

Uses in this book:

1. They can move their eyes forward or backward, and each eye can move separately. Back to B1

shiny /ˈʃaɪni/ (4)

Português: brilhante; reluzente

Simple English: Bright and smooth, reflecting light effectively visually.

Example: Her shiny hair reflects the sunlight beautifully during the summer.

Uses in this book:

1. Their teeth are not like ivory, but like very white and shiny china. Back to B1

2. Their skin is dark slate color, very smooth and shiny, except for a white belly. Back to B1

3. They looked at us with their angry, shiny eyes and showed their sharp, dangerous teeth.

4. The room had a shiny wooden floor with a large pool of water in the center.

shouts ʃaʊts (5)

Português: gritos

Simple English: loud calls or cries

Example: The players heard loud shouts from the fans.

Uses in this book:

1. He heard angry shouts from below and saw rifles pointing at him. Back to B1

2. As the narrator flew away to the southwest, he heard angry shouts of disappointment. Back to B1

3. Even before they arrived, they heard screams and angry shouts from inside.

4. The room was noisy with their laughter and shouts.

5. They heard more shouts from different directions.

skin skɪn (6)

Português: pele

Simple English: The outside layer of the body.

Example: He had medicine for skin problems.

Uses in this book:

1. The main differences are their light red skin, that they hatch from eggs, and that they live for a very long time. Back to B1

2. When they are young, their skin is light yellowish-green. Back to B1

3. Against their dark skin, their tusks look very striking and formidable. Back to B1

4. Their skin is dark slate color, very smooth and shiny, except for a white belly. Back to B1

5. He kept the point of Haj Osis's dagger against his skin, near his left shoulder blade.

smartest ˈsmɑːrtɪst (2)

Português: o mais inteligente

Simple English: most clever or intelligent

Example: She said her puppies were the smartest.

Uses in this book:

1. Then, the smartest people in Helium started to study and try to copy the Gridley Wave. Back to B1

2. The smartest people accepted the challenge, and as a result, airships of all types were quickly improved. Back to B1

snowy ˈsnoʊ.i (1)

Português: com neve

Simple English: Covered with snow.

Example: The woman said her horses rode on a snowy beach.

Uses in this book:

1. Her beauty was different from the others, like a cold, snowy place is different from a warm, tropical place. Back to B1

special ˈspɛʃəl (23)

Português: especial

Simple English: different and better than usual

Example: Teeka was beautiful in a special way.

Uses in this book:

1. I finished my training without doing anything special. Back to B1

2. He also took extra ammunition and special food. Back to B1

3. My scout flier had a special motor. Back to B1

4. The accumulator directed the planet's magnetic energy to special parts around the propeller shaft. Back to B1

5. Carthoris of Helium has a special compass that controls the ship's destination. Back to B1

statues ˈstætʃuːz (1)

Português: estátuas

Simple English: figures made of stone or metal

Example: The garden had many statues.

Uses in this book:

1. The marble statues looked even more beautiful in the changing colors. Back to B1

study ˈstʌdi (1)

Português: estudar

Simple English: To learn about a subject carefully.

Example: She wants to study the stars.

Uses in this book:

1. Then, the smartest people in Helium started to study and try to copy the Gridley Wave. Back to B1

symbols ˈsɪmbəlz (2)

Português: símbolos

Simple English: Signs or pictures that mean something.

Example: He recognized the symbols but did not understand them.

Uses in this book:

1. He did not know the design or symbols, but they seemed familiar, like ones he might have seen years ago when fighting invaders with his jed. Back to B1

2. I saw Helium's flags and symbols, and the Warlord's battle sign on its front.

thirsty ˈθɜːrsti (2)

Português: com sede

Simple English: feeling a need to drink water

Example: After running, I was very thirsty.

Uses in this book:

1. He thought the creature might leave, perhaps because it was hungry or thirsty. Back to B1

2. We were not hungry or thirsty because people on Mars have slowly learned to live for long times without food or drink.

traditions trəˈdɪʃənz (1)

Português: tradições

Simple English: Customs and beliefs from the past.

Example: The festival celebrates old traditions.

Uses in this book:

1. Before the story begins, a short description of the main Martian races, their governments, armies, and some traditions might be interesting. Back to B1

trapdoor ˈtræpdɔːr (1)

Português: escotilha

Simple English: A door in the floor or ceiling that opens to another place.

Example: The cat jumped through the trapdoor.

Uses in this book:

1. The narrator had paid to see one of these animals before, but now he was trapped above one that was trying to break through the trapdoor. Back to B1

tropical /ˈtrɒpɪkl/ (1)

Português: tropical

Simple English: Very warm and humid weather often with lots of rain.

Example: The tropical climate in the region makes it perfect for growing bananas.

Uses in this book:

1. Her beauty was different from the others, like a cold, snowy place is different from a warm, tropical place. Back to B1

unhappily ʌnˈhæpɪli (1)

Português: infelizmente

Simple English: in a sad or unhappy way

Example: She replied unhappily to the news.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker said, a bit unhappily, that they hoped the Jeddak of Jahar was not as unpleasant as his messenger. Back to B1

unhurt ʌnˈhɜrt (1)

Português: ileso

Simple English: Not injured or hurt.

Example: She escaped the accident unhurt.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker asked Sil Vagis if he saw her being abducted and questioned why he was still alive and unhurt. Back to B1

uniform ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm (5)

Português: uniforme

Simple English: special clothes worn by people in the same group

Example: The soldiers wore the same uniform.

Uses in this book:

1. The young man wore a uniform that showed he was a Padwar in the 91st Umak. Back to B1

2. That night, she stole a soldier's uniform, cut her hair, and painted her face to look like a man.

3. The warrior refused to fight, saying the narrator wore the uniform of a guard and could not fight the son of Haj Osis.

4. The guard's uniform and weapons were gone, and strange ones were left.

5. The officer said he recognized the dead guard's uniform on the speaker and pointed at him.

unnoticed ʌnˈnəʊtɪst (1)

Português: despercebido

Simple English: Without being seen or noticed.

Example: She entered the room unnoticed.

Uses in this book:

1. He entered the building unnoticed and found a large room. Back to B1

unresponsive ʌnrɪˈspɒnsɪv (1)

Português: não responsivo

Simple English: Not reacting or answering to something.

Example: The machine was unresponsive to the buttons.

Uses in this book:

1. He expected to find the room just as unresponsive as before when he turned on the lights. Back to B1

untrue ʌnˈtruː (1)

Português: falso

Simple English: not true or incorrect

Example: He said untrue things about his friend.

Uses in this book:

1. The speaker asked Tor Hatan if he was now satisfied that the accusations made by Sil Vagis against him were untrue. Back to B1

useful ˈjuːsfəl (12)

Português: útil

Simple English: Helping to do a job or something important

Example: This tool is very useful for fixing bikes.

Uses in this book:

1. A man smiled and said that the other person's confidence was useful. Back to B1

2. The destination control compass was not very useful for my journey because I did not know the exact location of Jahar. Back to B1

3. They walked slowly, watching everything carefully in case it was useful later.

4. She told him that she knew where the keys were and also knew other things that would be useful.

5. I moved to the window and put my head and shoulders out, not expecting to find anything useful.

wanderer ˈwɒndərər (1)

Português: vagabundo

Simple English: A person who moves around without a fixed place.

Example: He was a wanderer traveling from town to town.

Uses in this book:

1. He then became a wanderer and looked for work in other cities, which is how he served in Kobol. Back to B1

weather ˈwɛðər (3)

Português: clima

Simple English: the condition of the air outside, such as rain or sunshine

Example: The weather is sunny today.

Uses in this book:

1. Most of these ships were exploring air currents and weather in areas far from Helium. Back to B1

2. Even now, after many years, its large palaces were still impressive, though time and weather had softened them. Back to B1

3. These trees, which could survive dry weather, were important for the civilization of Barsoom.

woke woʊk (8)

Português: acordaram

Simple English: to stop sleeping

Example: They woke early in the morning.

Uses in this book:

1. When he woke up, the ship was gone, and the guards were arriving. Back to B1

2. Carthoris of Helium, who had an active and curious mind like his father from Earth, woke people up. Back to B1

3. When the narrator woke up, he was on the floor of a room with a strange shape, like a curved section of a circle.

4. While he was thinking about this difficult question, Nur An woke up.

5. He woke up when he was far from Jhama.