The Warlord Of Mars

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 The Warlord Of Mars, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1913.

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 1913.

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 2009.

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: The Warlord Of Mars

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1913

Primeiro editor: All-Story Magazine

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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.

Sobre este livro

Em O Warlord of Mars, terceiro romance da série Barsoom de Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter, o guerreiro terrestre que se tornou senhor da guerra de Marte, continua suas aventuras no planeta moribundo. A história começa com a busca desesperada de Carter por sua amada esposa, Dejah Thoris, a Princesa de Helium, que foi capturada pelos traiçoeiros Therns Sagrados. Ao lado de seu leal amigo, o marciano verde Tars Tarkas, Carter viaja para o norte congelado de Barsoom, onde encontra os misteriosos Homens Amarelos da região polar. Esse povo isolado possui tecnologia avançada e um rígido sistema de castas. Carter precisa navegar por sua complexa sociedade, formar alianças e confrontar os sinistros Therns Sagrados e seu líder, o Sumo Sacerdote de Issus, que manipulam as religiões de Barsoom. O conflito central gira em torno da missão de Carter de resgatar Dejah Thoris e frustrar os planos dos Therns de dominar o planeta. A narrativa é acelerada, repleta de duelos de espadas, batalhas aéreas e fugas ousadas, mantendo o tom aventureiro e romântico típico da ficção pulp de Burroughs. Personagens-chave incluem o nobre Tars Tarkas, os astutos Therns Sagrados e o enigmático Jeddak Amarelo, Salensus Oll. O cenário expande o mundo de Barsoom, revelando novas culturas e paisagens. A progressão segue a perseguição implacável de Carter por terrenos traiçoeiros, culminando em um confronto que testa sua coragem e engenhosidade. O romance mescla fantasia científica com romance heroico, enfatizando temas de lealdade, honra e amor.

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

1 - ON THE RIVER ISS

2 - UNDER THE MOUNTAINS

3 - THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN

ON THE RIVER ISS

Pt/En I was walking quietly in the dark forest near a red plain and a sea. The moons of Mars were moving fast above the planet. I was following a dark shape. This shape stayed in the shadows, showing it had a secret and possibly bad reason for being there.

Pt/En For six months, I had stayed near the Temple of the Sun. My princess was trapped deep underground inside the temple. I did not know if she was alive or dead. I wondered if Phaidor had hurt her. Only time would tell.

Pt/En I had to wait 687 days on Mars. This was the time until the door of the cell would open again at the end of the tunnel. This was the last place I saw my beautiful Dejah Thoris.

Pt/En Half of this time had passed. I clearly remembered the last time I saw her. It was the moment before smoke blocked my eyes and the small opening to her cell closed. I could not see the Princess of Helium for a whole Martian year.

Pt/En I could still see Phaidor's face as if it were yesterday. She was the daughter of Matai Shang. She looked very angry and full of hate. She moved quickly with a dagger towards the woman I loved.

Pt/En I saw the woman Thuvia jump to stop the terrible action.

Pt/En Smoke from the burning temple hid the sad event. I heard one scream as the knife fell, then silence. When the smoke cleared, a turning temple blocked all view and sound from the room where three women were kept.

Pt/En Many things happened after that bad moment, but I always remembered it. I spent all my free time near the deep shaft where the mother of my son, Carthoris, was kept. This was after our ships defeated the First Born and I helped rebuild their government.

Pt/En The black people, who had worshipped Issus as a god for a long time, were left confused. I had shown them that Issus was just a bad old woman. In their anger, they killed her.

Pt/En The First Born, who thought they were very important, were made to feel very small. Their goddess was gone, and their religion was false. Their navy lost to the better ships and fighters of the red people from Helium.

Pt/En Fierce green warriors from Mars rode their animals across the temple gardens. Tars Tarkas, the leader of the Tharks, took the throne and ruled the First Born people. This happened while other groups decided the future of the conquered land.

Pt/En Many people asked me to become the king of the black people, and the First Born agreed. But I refused. I could not support the people who had treated my princess and my son badly.

Pt/En I suggested that Xodar become the leader of the First Born. He was a prince before Issus demoted him, so he was a good choice for the important job.

Pt/En With peace in the Valley Dor, the green warriors went back to their homes. We from Helium returned to our country. Here, another throne was offered to me. This was because there was no news from the missing Jeddak of Helium, Tardos Mors, or his son, Mors Kajak, who was also a leader in Helium.

Pt/En More than a year had passed since they left to search for Carthoris in the northern part of Mars. Their people were sad and had started to believe the uncertain news that they had died in the cold northern region.

Pt/En I refused to become king again. I did not think that the strong Tardos Mors, or his important son, were dead.

Pt/En I told the nobles of Helium that someone from their own family should rule them until the others came back. I spoke from a special place in the Temple of Reward, the same place where I had been sentenced to death a year before.

Pt/En While I was speaking, I moved forward and put my hand on Carthoris's shoulder. He was standing with the other nobles around me.

Pt/En All the nobles and people shouted together to show they agreed. Ten thousand swords were raised. The brave soldiers of Helium declared Carthoris as their new leader.

Pt/En Carthoris would be leader for his whole life, or until his great-grandfather or grandfather returned. After I had finished this important task for Helium, I left the next day for the Valley Dor. I wanted to stay near the Temple of the Sun until the day my lost love could be freed from prison.

Pt/En The narrator left his lieutenants, Hor Vastus and Kantos Kan, with Carthoris in Helium. They were there to help Carthoris with his hard work because they were wise, brave, and loyal. Only the narrator's Martian dog, Woola, went with him.

Pt/En Woola, the narrator's dog, followed him closely. Woola was as big as a Shetland pony and looked frightening with its ugly head and sharp teeth. It walked on ten short, strong legs. However, to the narrator, Woola was a symbol of love and loyalty.

Pt/En The narrator saw Thurid, a leader from the First Born people. The narrator had made Thurid his enemy when he defeated him in the Temple of Issus courtyard. He had tied Thurid up with his own equipment in front of people who had been praising Thurid's strength.

Pt/En Thurid seemed to accept the new ruler, Xodar, and had promised to be loyal. But the narrator knew Thurid hated him and also secretly envied and hated Xodar. Because of this, the narrator had been watching Thurid and suspected he was planning something secret.

Pt/En The narrator had seen Thurid leave the First Born city several times after dark. Thurid would go into the dangerous and terrible Valley Dor, a place where no good person would go for honest reasons.

Pt/En Tonight he moved fast along the edge of the forest until he was far from the city. Then he walked across the red grass towards the shore of the Lost Sea of Korus.

Pt/En The light from the moon shone on his armor, which was covered in jewels. His dark skin also shone. He looked back at the forest twice, like someone on a secret mission, even though he felt safe from being followed.

Pt/En I did not want to follow him under the moonlight. It was better for my plans if he did not know I was watching. I wanted him to reach his destination without suspecting anything, so I could find out where it was and what he was doing there.

Pt/En So I stayed hidden until Thurid had gone over the steep bank near the sea, which was a quarter of a mile away. Then, with Woola following me, I ran across the open land after the black dator.

Pt/En The valley of death was very quiet, like a tomb. It was deep in a warm area at the south pole of the planet. In the distance, the Golden Cliffs rose high into the sky. The precious metals and jewels in the cliffs sparkled brightly in the light of Mars's two moons.

Pt/En Behind me was the forest, which the strange plant people had shaped like a park by eating its plants.

Pt/En In front of me was the Lost Sea of Korus. Further away, I saw the shining River Iss, the River of Mystery. It came from under the Golden Cliffs and flowed into Korus. For a very long time, unhappy Martians from outside had come to this fake paradise on a journey.

Pt/En The plant people, with their hands that sucked blood, and the large white apes that made Dor ugly during the day, were now hidden in their homes for the night.

Pt/En There was no longer a Holy Thern on the balcony in the Golden Cliffs above the Iss. This Thern would usually make a strange sound to call the victims floating down the river to them.

Pt/En The armies of Helium and the First Born had captured the forts and temples. This happened because the Therns refused to surrender and accept the new way of life that had removed their false religion from Mars.

Pt/En Some groups still had their old power. But Matai Shang, who was a leader called hekkador and Father of Therns, had to leave his temple. They tried very hard to catch him. However, he escaped with a few loyal people. He was hiding, but they did not know his location.

Pt/En As I carefully went to the edge of a low cliff above the Lost Sea of Korus, I saw Thurid getting into a small boat on the water. These boats were old and strangely made. The Holy Therns, who had priests and other members, often left these boats by the River Iss. They used them to help their victims on long journeys.

Pt/En Below me on the beach were about twenty similar boats. Each boat had a long pole with a sharp point at one end and a paddle at the other. Thurid stayed close to the land. When he went around a nearby point, I put one of the boats into the water. I called Woola to join me, and we pushed off from the shore.

Pt/En Chasing Thurid took me along the edge of the sea towards the River Iss. The moon that was farther away was low in the sky. It made a dark shadow below the cliffs by the water. The other moon, Thuria, had already set. It would not rise for about four hours. This meant I would have darkness to hide me for at least that long.

Pt/En The dark warrior continued on. He was now opposite the place where the River Iss met the sea. Without waiting, he turned into the river. He paddled hard against the strong water current.

Pt/En Woola and I followed the man. We were closer because he was focused on moving his boat up the river and didn't look behind him. He stayed near the edge of the river where the water moved more slowly.

Pt/En Soon, the man reached a large, dark opening in the Golden Cliffs. The river flowed into this opening. He steered his boat into the deep darkness inside.

Pt/En It was very difficult to follow him because it was too dark to see. I almost decided to stop following and go back to the river's entrance to wait for him. But then, a turn in the river showed a faint light ahead.

Pt/En I could see my target clearly again. The light was getting brighter from glowing rocks in the roof of the cave. It was easy to follow him in the increasing light.

Pt/En This was my first time traveling on the Iss river. The things I saw during this trip will always be remembered by me.

Pt/En The situation was very bad before Tars Tarkas, Xodar, and the narrator showed people the truth. They stopped many people from going on a journey to a place they thought was peaceful and happy.

Pt/En Even now, small islands in the wide river were full of dead bodies. These were people who stopped their journey because they were scared or understood the truth too late.

Pt/En On these islands, there was a terrible smell. Mad people screamed and fought over the dead bodies for food. Others grabbed bodies floating in the water.

Pt/En Thurid did not pay attention to the screaming people. He was used to the terrible sights. He continued up the river for about a mile. Then he moved his boat to the left bank and pulled it onto a small area of land near the water.

Pt/En I was afraid to follow him across the river because he would have seen me. Instead, I stopped near the opposite bank, under a large rock that made a dark shadow. From there, I could watch Thurid without him knowing I was there.

Pt/En A dark-skinned man was standing on a ledge near his boat. He was looking up the river, as if he was waiting for someone he expected from that way.

Pt/En Lying under the dark rocks, I saw that a strong current was pulling towards the middle of the river. This made it hard to keep my boat in place. I moved closer to the shadow to try and hold onto the bank. But even after moving several yards, I could not touch anything. I realized I would soon not be able to see the dark-skinned man. So, I had to stay where I was. I paddled hard against the current coming from behind the rocks to keep my position.

Pt/En I could not understand why this strong side current was happening. I could clearly see the main part of the river from where I was sitting. I also saw where the mysterious current, which made me curious, joined the main river.

Pt/En While I was thinking about this strange event, I suddenly noticed Thurid. He had raised both his hands above his head, which is how Martians greet each other. A moment later, he said "Kaor!", the Barsoomian word for hello, in a quiet but clear voice.

Pt/En I looked up the river in the same direction Thurid was looking. Soon, I could see a long boat with six men in it. Five men were using paddles, and one man sat in the most important seat.

Pt/En These people had white skin and wore long yellow wigs on their bald heads. They also wore beautiful gold crowns. These things showed they were Holy Therns.

Pt/En When the boat came near the edge where Thurid was waiting, a man stood up to get out. The narrator saw it was Matai Shang, who was called the Father of Therns.

Pt/En The narrator was surprised by how friendly the two men were when they greeted each other. This was because the black and white people of Barsoom were always enemies, and the narrator had never known them to meet except in fighting.

Pt/En It seemed that recent problems for both groups had caused these two men to form an alliance, at least against a common enemy. The narrator now understood why Thurid had often visited the Valley Dor at night, and realized that their secret plans might affect him or his friends.

Pt/En The narrator wished he could have been closer to hear their talk. However, it was too late to cross the river. So, he stayed hidden and watched them. He knew they would have been surprised to see how close he was and how easily they could have captured or killed him with their greater strength.

Pt/En Thurid pointed across the river several times. The narrator did not think Thurid was pointing at him. Then, Thurid and Matai Shang got into Matai Shang's boat. The boat went into the river and turned towards the narrator.

Pt/En As the other boat came closer, the narrator moved his boat further under a wall. But he saw that the other boat was following him. The five people paddling made their large boat go very fast, and the narrator had to paddle hard to keep up.

Pt/En The narrator thought his boat would hit rocks at any moment. He could not see the light from the river anymore. But ahead, he saw a faint light and the water in front of him was still open.

Pt/En Finally, the narrator understood. He was going down a river under the ground that flowed into the Iss river exactly where he had hidden.

Pt/En The people in the other boat were very close now. The sound of their paddles was louder than his. Soon, the light ahead would show them where he was.

Pt/En I had to act quickly. I turned my boat to the right and went to the rocky side of the river. I hid there while Matai Shang and Thurid came up the middle of the stream. This part of the river was narrower than the Iss.

Pt/En As they got closer, I heard Thurid and Matai Shang arguing.

Pt/En The black leader, Thurid, told Matai Shang that he only wanted revenge on John Carter, Prince of Helium. Thurid said he was not leading them into a trap and asked what he would gain by betraying them to those who had destroyed his country and family.

Pt/En The hekkador, Matai Shang, replied that they should stop for a moment so he could hear Thurid's plans. He said that after that, they would understand their jobs and duties better.

Pt/En Matai Shang then told the rowers to bring their boat closer to the bank. They stopped about ten paces from where I was hiding.

Pt/En The speaker was hidden. If the others had landed closer, they would have seen him because of the light ahead. But they landed far away, so he was safe and could not be seen.

Pt/En The speaker had heard a few words that made him very curious. He wanted to know what revenge Thurid was planning against him. He listened carefully and did not have to wait long.

Pt/En The First Born told the Father of Therns that Thurid, a leader from Issus, had no price for his actions. He asked that after the job was done, he should be welcomed at a court loyal to their old religion. He said he could not return to the Valley Dor or anywhere the Prince of Helium had power. However, he said this was not a demand and the Father of Therns could decide.

Pt/En Matai Shang replied that he would do as the Dator wished. He also promised power and riches if the Dator would return his daughter, Phaidor, and give him control of Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Helium.

Pt/En Matai Shang added with anger that the man from Earth would suffer for disrespecting their holy things. He said they should inflict any terrible punishment on his princess. He wished he could make the Earth man watch the humiliation and suffering of the red woman.

Pt/En Thurid told Matai Shang that he would get what he wanted with the woman before the next day, if he just agreed.

Pt/En Matai Shang replied to Thurid that he knew about the Temple of the Sun, but he had never heard of prisoners being let out before their full year was finished. He asked how Thurid could do something impossible.

Pt/En Thurid explained that it was possible to go into any cell of the temple at any time. He said only Issus knew this and she did not share many secrets. After Issus died, he found an old map of the temple with very detailed instructions on how to reach the cells whenever needed.

Pt/En Thurid also learned that many people had gone to the temple for Issus in the past, usually to hurt or kill prisoners. However, those who discovered the secret way to the cells often died mysteriously soon after returning and telling cruel Issus what they had found.

Pt/En Finally, Matai Shang said they should go. He told Thurid that he had to trust him, but Thurid also had to trust him because their group had six people while Thurid's group had only one.

Pt/En Thurid replied that he was not afraid, and the other person did not need to be afraid either. He said their hatred for their common enemy was a strong reason for them to be loyal to each other. He also mentioned that after they had harmed the Princess of Helium, they would have an even better reason to stay loyal, unless her husband acted against them.

Pt/En Matai Shang spoke to the people paddling the boat. The boat then continued up the smaller river.

Pt/En The narrator found it hard not to attack the two men who were plotting. However, he quickly realized that doing so would be foolish. Such an action would prevent the only person who could help him find Dejah Thoris's prison from leading the way before the Martian year ended.

Pt/En If Matai Shang was led to that important place, John Carter, the Prince of Helium, would also be led there.

Pt/En Silently, the narrator paddled his boat to move slowly behind the larger boat.

UNDER THE MOUNTAINS

Pt/En We traveled up a river that flowed from the Mountains of Otz, under the Golden Cliffs. This river joined the dark and mysterious Iss river. A faint light we saw earlier slowly became a bright, all-around glow.

Pt/En The river became wider, like a big lake. The roof of this place glowed with light from rocks. Bright colors from diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and many other jewels shone from the gold in the cliffs.

Pt/En Past the bright lake area, there was darkness. I could not imagine what was behind it.

Pt/En If I had followed the other boat across the bright water, they would have seen me immediately. So, I had to hide in the shadows. I did not want Thurid to go out of my sight, but I had to wait until his boat disappeared at the end of the lake.

Pt/En Then, I rowed my boat onto the shiny water, going in the direction they had gone.

Pt/En After a very long time, I reached the dark part of the lake. I saw the river came out of a low opening. To go under it, Woola had to lie flat in the boat, and I had to bend over low so my head would not hit the roof.

Pt/En The roof went up again on the other side. The way was not bright anymore. Only a weak light came from small, scattered pieces of glowing rock on the walls and roof.

Pt/En In front of me, the river flowed into this smaller room through three openings shaped like arches.

Pt/En Thurid and the therns were gone. I did not know which dark hole they had entered. I chose the middle opening because it seemed as good as any other to lead me in the right direction.

Pt/En The path ahead was completely dark. The stream was narrow. In the dark, I kept hitting the rock walls on either side as the river turned this way and that on its stony bed.

Pt/En As I moved forward, I heard a loud, deep sound ahead. It became louder as I came closer. Then, when I turned a sharp corner into a dark, watery place, the sound was very strong and wild.

Pt/En Right in front of me, the river fell down from high above as a huge waterfall. It filled the narrow valley from one side to the other. It was very tall, hundreds of feet high, and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Pt/En The sound of the water falling in the rocky cave was terrible and very loud. If the waterfall had not completely stopped my way and shown me I was going the wrong way, I think I would have run away from the loud noise.

Pt/En Thurid and the therns could not have come this way. I had taken a wrong path and lost their trail. They were now so far ahead that I might not be able to find them in time, or maybe not at all.

Pt/En It took me many hours to move upstream to the waterfall against the strong water current. It would take more hours to go back down, but that would be much faster.

Pt/En I sighed and turned my boat downstream. I rowed very fast through the dark, winding river channel. Soon, I arrived back at the room where the three parts of the river met.

Pt/En There were two new channels I had not explored. I did not know which one would lead me to the people I was looking for.

Pt/En I had never felt so unsure about a decision before. A lot depended on choosing the right path, and I needed to be fast.

Pt/En The time I had already lost could mean that Dejah Thoris, if she was still alive, would die. Wasting more time on a wrong path would surely be fatal.

Pt/En I tried the entrance on the right several times, but I turned back each time, feeling like something warned me it was not the correct way. Finally, I chose the left archway, but I still looked back with doubt at the dark, unwelcoming water coming from the right arch.

Pt/En As I watched, a shell from a large, juicy fruit of the sorapus tree floated on the water from the dark inside.

Pt/En I was very happy when this silent shell floated past me. It showed me that Martians were traveling on the stream above me.

Pt/En They had eaten the fruit inside the hard shell of the sorapus nut and thrown the empty shell away. I knew it must have come from the people I was looking for.

Pt/En I quickly stopped thinking about the left path and turned into the right one. The stream became wider, and glowing rocks lit my way.

Pt/En I traveled fast but felt I was almost a day behind the people I was following. Neither Woola nor I had eaten since the day before. However, Woola could go a long time without food, like most animals on Mars.

Pt/En I did not have any problems. The river water was nice and cold because it was clean. I also did not need food because I was happy thinking about reaching my princess.

Pt/En As I moved forward, the river became smaller and the water flowed faster and more roughly. It was so fast that it was hard to move my boat forward. I was going very slowly when I reached a part of the river with strong rapids, where the water was moving very fast and looked like boiling.

Pt/En I felt very sad. The sorapus nutshell had been wrong, and my first idea was correct. I should have taken the left path.

Pt/En If I were a woman, I would have cried. On my right side, there was a large, slow-moving area of water near the cliff. To rest my tired body before going back, I let my boat float into this calm water.

Pt/En I was very disappointed. I would lose half a day to go back and try the only path I had not yet explored. I wondered why I had chosen the two wrong paths out of three possible ones.

Pt/En The slow water current moved my boat in a circle. My boat touched the rocky side of the river under the cliff two times. The third time it touched, it made a new sound: wood scraping on wood.

Pt/En I became alert immediately. I knew that any wood in this underground river must have been placed there by people. As soon as I heard the noise, I reached out my hand and felt the edge of another boat.

Pt/En I sat very still, like a stone. I looked hard into the complete darkness, trying to see if anyone was in the other boat.

Pt/En It was possible that the people in the other boat did not know I was there. Their boat was gently touching the rocks on one side, so my boat touching it on the other side might not have been noticed.

Pt/En I could not see anything in the dark. I listened carefully for breathing sounds nearby. I could only hear the rapids, the boats scraping, and the water. I thought quickly, as I usually did.

Pt/En The narrator found a rope in his boat. He picked it up quietly and tied one end to a ring at the front of the boat. Then, he carefully stepped into another boat that was next to his. He held the rope in one hand and his sword in the other.

Pt/En After getting into the strange boat, the narrator stood still for about a minute. The boat moved a little when he got in. He thought the noise of the boats touching each other was the most likely thing to scare anyone inside, if there was anyone.

Pt/En But there was no sound from the boat. A moment later, the narrator checked the whole boat and found it was empty.

Pt/En The narrator felt along the rocks where the boat was tied. He found a narrow path. He was sure this was the way others had gone. He believed they were Thurid and his group because the boat was large and well-built.

Pt/En The narrator told Woola to follow him and stepped onto the path. The big, strong creature followed him, moving as quickly as a cat.

Pt/En The creature growled as it passed the boat where Thurid and the therns had been. When the narrator touched its neck, the creature's fur stood up because it was angry. The narrator thought the creature sensed an enemy using its mind. This was because the narrator had not yet told the creature about their mission or the people they were following.

Pt/En The narrator quickly decided to explain. Like other green Martians with their animals, the narrator used a special mind-reading ability and also spoke to tell the creature that they were following the people who had recently been in the boat.

Pt/En The creature, Woola, made a soft purring sound, like a big cat, showing it understood. The narrator then told Woola to follow and turned right along the ledge. But almost immediately, Woola pulled hard on the narrator's harness with its teeth.

Pt/En The narrator turned to see why Woola was pulling. But Woola kept pulling in the opposite direction. Woola would not stop until the narrator turned around and agreed to follow Woola.

Pt/En The narrator trusted Woola completely because it was always good at tracking. So, the narrator felt safe following Woola carefully. Woola moved along the narrow path next to the fast-moving water in the complete darkness.

Pt/En As we moved on, the path went from under the high rocks into a weak light. Then I saw that the path was made from the rock itself. It went up next to the river, past the fast-flowing water.

Pt/En For many hours, we followed the dark river deeper into Mars. I knew we were far under the Valley Dor and maybe under the Sea of Omean. I thought we would soon reach the Temple of the Sun.

Pt/En Just as I thought this, Woola stopped suddenly. He stopped in front of a small, arched door in the cliff wall next to the path. He quickly moved back from the entrance and looked at me.

Pt/En Woola's actions clearly showed me that there was danger nearby. So, I quietly walked to his side. I looked past him into the opening on our right.

Pt/En In front of me was a good-sized room. From its furniture, I knew it was once a guardroom. It had places for weapons and raised areas for warriors to sleep on. But now, only two of the therns who were with Thurid and Matai Shang were there.

Pt/En The men were talking seriously. They did not know that anyone was listening to them.

Pt/En One man said he did not trust the "black one". He thought it was not necessary for them to stay and guard the path. He asked what they should guard on such an old, deep path. He believed it was a trick to separate them.

Pt/En He worried that the "black one" would make Matai Shang send other people away. Then, he feared, the "black one" and his friends would attack and kill them all.

Pt/En The other man agreed with Lakor. He said there would always be hate between their people and the First Born. He also found the instructions about light strange. He repeated that the "black one" had said to use light with different strengths for different times, and he could not believe wise Matai Shang listened to such strange ideas.

Pt/En Lakor replied that it was indeed silly. He thought it would only lead to their deaths. He believed the "black one" had quickly made up an answer about what to do at the Temple of the Sun because Matai Shang had asked him directly. Lakor was sure the "black one" could not remember his own answer now.

Pt/En Another thern spoke to Lakor. He said they should not stay there any longer. He suggested they should hurry after the others. This way, they might be able to save Matai Shang and get revenge on the black dator. He asked Lakor for his opinion.

Pt/En Lakor replied that in his long life, he had never disobeyed the Father of Therns. He said he would stay there until he died if the Father of Therns did not tell him to go somewhere else.

Pt/En Lakor's friend shook his head.

Pt/En He told Lakor that he was in charge and he could not do anything that Lakor did not agree with. However, he still thought it was not a good idea for them to stay.

Pt/En The narrator also thought it was not wise for them to stay. He saw from Woola's actions that the path went through the room where the two therns were guarding. He did not like these demons, but he would have gone past them without fighting if he could.

Pt/En The narrator thought it was worth trying. A fight could delay them a lot or stop his search completely. He knew that strong Thern warriors had defeated many brave people before.

Pt/En The narrator signaled his pet, Woola, to stay close. He then quickly entered the room where two men were. When they saw him, they took out their swords, but he held up his hand to stop them.

Pt/En He told the men that he was looking for Thurid, the black dator. He explained that his problem was with Thurid, not with them. He asked them to let him pass peacefully, saying that Thurid was probably their enemy too, so they should not protect him.

Pt/En The two men lowered their swords, and one named Lakor spoke.

Pt/En Lakor said he did not know who the narrator was, noting his white skin like a Thern but black hair like a red man. He added that if only Thurid's safety was the issue, they would let the narrator pass without any problem.

Pt/En The people asked the visitor to tell them who he was and why he had come to this strange world under the Valley Dor. They said they might let him go if their orders allowed them to help him with his task.

Pt/En The narrator was surprised that the two people did not recognize him. He thought everyone on Barsoom knew him, either from meeting him or by reputation. He was the only white man on Mars with black hair and gray eyes, except for his son, Carthoris.

Pt/En He thought that revealing his identity could cause an attack because everyone on Barsoom knew he had ended their long-held power. However, he also thought his reputation as a fighter might be enough to let him pass if the guards were not eager for a fight to the death.

Pt/En He knew this thought was not true. He understood that on the warlike planet of Mars, most men enjoyed fighting. So, he held his sword tighter and answered Lakor.

Pt/En He told them he believed they would be wise to let him pass without trouble. He explained that dying uselessly in the rocky caves of Barsoom would not help them, especially to protect an enemy like Thurid, the leader of the First Born.

Pt/En John Carter told the two men that they would die if they fought him. He explained that many great warriors from Barsoom had already been killed by his sword. He then identified himself as John Carter, Prince of Helium.

Pt/En For a short time, the name John Carter seemed to stop the two men. But then, the younger man, saying a bad word, ran towards John Carter with his sword ready.

Pt/En The younger man had been standing behind Lakor, the older man, during their talk. Now, before the younger man could attack, Lakor grabbed his armor and pulled him back.

Pt/En Lakor told them to wait. He said they would have time to fight later if it was a good idea. He explained that many people on Barsoom wanted to kill John Carter because he was disrespectful. But, he advised them to be smart and not just angry. He pointed out that the Prince of Helium was going on a mission that they themselves had wanted to do.

Pt/En Lakor suggested they should let John Carter go and kill the black creature. He said they could still stop him from returning to the outside world later. This way, they would get rid of two enemies and not upset the Father of Therns.

Pt/En John Carter noticed a clever look in Lakor's eyes. He understood what Lakor said, but he felt that Lakor's words hid a bad plan. Another thern was surprised, but after Lakor whispered to him, he agreed with Lakor.

Pt/En Lakor told John Carter to go. He warned him that if Thurid did not defeat him, others would be waiting to stop him from returning to the upper world.

Pt/En While they talked, Woola stayed close to John Carter, making unhappy sounds. Woola looked at John Carter as if asking permission to attack the enemies. Woola also felt that the enemies were not honest.

Pt/En Behind the therns, there were several doors leading from the guardroom. Lakor pointed to the door on the far right.

Pt/En Lakor said that this door led to Thurid.

Pt/En But when I wanted Woola to follow me, the animal whined and did not want to go. Instead, he quickly ran to the first opening on the left. There, he made a barking sound, as if he was telling me to follow him on the correct path.

Pt/En I looked at Lakor with a questioning expression.

Pt/En I told Lakor that the animal was usually right. I said that even though I respected Thern's greater knowledge, I felt it was better to trust my own feelings, which were supported by Woola's love and loyalty.

Pt/En As I said this, I gave a small, hard smile so that Thern would understand without words that I did not trust him.

Pt/En The other man replied with a shrug, saying that I could do as I wished, and that in the end, it would not make a difference.

Pt/En I turned and followed Woola into a passage on the left. I was worried about enemies behind me, but I listened carefully and heard nothing. The passage was not very bright; it had lights from radium bulbs, which were used everywhere on Barsoom.

Pt/En These lamps had probably been working in these underground rooms for a very long time. They did not need any care and were made in a way that they used only a tiny bit of their material to make light for many years.

Pt/En We walked a short distance, and we started to pass openings to other corridors. Woola did not stop or hesitate. Then, at the opening of a corridor on my right, I heard a sound. It was the sound of metal, like a warrior's armor. It came from a little way up that corridor.

Pt/En Woola heard the sound too. He quickly turned and faced the danger. His fur stood up, and he showed all his sharp teeth. I made a sign for him to be quiet. Together, we moved into another corridor a few steps away.

Pt/En We waited there. Soon, we saw the shadows of two men on the floor of the main corridor, across the entrance to our hiding place. They were moving very slowly now. The accidental noise of metal was not heard again.

Pt/En Soon, two men arrived near our location. I was not surprised to see that they were Lakor and his friend from the guardroom.

Pt/En They walked quietly. Each man held a sharp sword in his right hand. They stopped near the entrance of our hiding place and spoke to each other in low voices.

Pt/En Lakor asked if they had already gotten away from the people they were following.

Pt/En The other man replied that either they had lost them, or the beast had sent the man on the wrong path. He explained that the way they had taken was much shorter for someone who knew it, and that John Carter would have been in great danger if he had followed his suggestion.

Pt/En Lakor agreed, saying that no fighting skill would have saved John Carter from the moving flagstone. He believed Carter would have stepped on it and fallen into the pit below. Lakor was angry that Carter had been warned away from the safer path by his helmet.

Pt/En Lakor's companion told him that there were more dangers ahead that the person might not escape easily, even if he got past their swords. He asked him to think about what chance he would have entering a certain chamber.

Pt/En The narrator wished he could have heard the rest of the conversation to learn about future dangers. However, at a very bad moment, he sneezed.

THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN

Pt/En The narrator had to fight. He ran into the corridor with his sword, but his sneeze had warned the two therns. They were ready for him, so he had no advantage.

Pt/En There was no need for words. The two men's presence showed their betrayal. It was clear they were following to attack him by surprise, and they knew he understood their plan.

Pt/En The narrator immediately fought both men. He disliked therns, but he had to admit they were strong fighters. These two were very skilled and brave, even more than most therns.

Pt/En The fight was exciting. The narrator was very agile, and his body moved well in Mars's lower gravity and air pressure. This helped him avoid being killed by swords two times.

Pt/En However, the narrator almost died that day in a dark hallway near the south pole of Mars. Lakor used a trick that the narrator had never seen before in all his fights on Earth or Mars.

Pt/En At that moment, another warrior was fighting the narrator. The narrator was pushing him back and hurting him with his sword, but the other warrior's defense was very good. The narrator could not find a way to hit him in a weak spot to win quickly.

Pt/En Then, Lakor quickly took a belt from his equipment. As the narrator moved back to block a dangerous sword attack, Lakor wrapped one end of the belt around his left ankle. Lakor then pulled the other end hard, and the narrator fell heavily onto his back.

Pt/En The enemies jumped on him like cats. But they did not expect Woola. Before any sword could touch the narrator, a loud, monster-like creature jumped over him. His loyal Martian dog, Woola, attacked the enemies.

Pt/En Woola was a very large animal. It looked like a grizzly bear but had ten legs with sharp claws. Its mouth was like a frog's and opened very wide, showing three lines of long, white teeth. It was as fast and fierce as a hungry tiger and as strong as two bulls. This gives an idea of how Woola fought.

Pt/En Before the narrator could stop him, Woola killed Lakor with one hit from his paw. He also badly injured the other man. But when the narrator spoke to Woola in a firm voice, Woola acted like a shy dog, as if he had done something wrong and deserved to be punished.

Pt/En The narrator had never punished Woola since the first day on Mars when the Tharks put Woola to guard him. Woola had become loyal and loved the narrator, not like his cruel former owners. Even so, Woola would have accepted any punishment because he loved the narrator so much.

Original English Text

1 - ON THE RIVER ISS

2 - UNDER THE MOUNTAINS

3 - THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN

ON THE RIVER ISS

PT In the shadows of the forest that flanks the crimson plain by the side of the Lost Sea of Korus in the Valley Dor, beneath the hurtling moons of Mars, speeding their meteoric way close above the bosom of the dying planet, I crept stealthily along the trail of a shadowy form that hugged the darker places with a persistency that proclaimed the sinister nature of its errand.

PT For six long Martian months I had haunted the vicinity of the hateful Temple of the Sun, within whose slow-revolving shaft, far beneath the surface of Mars, my princess lay entombed -- but whether alive or dead I knew not. Had Phaidor's slim blade found that beloved heart? Time only would reveal the truth.

PT Six hundred and eighty-seven Martian days must come and go before the cell's door would again come opposite the tunnel's end where last I had seen my ever-beautiful Dejah Thoris.

PT Half of them had passed, or would on the morrow, yet vivid in my memory, obliterating every event that had come before or after, there remained the last scene before the gust of smoke blinded my eyes and the narrow slit that had given me sight of the interior of her cell closed between me and the Princess of Helium for a long Martian year.

PT As if it were yesterday, I still saw the beautiful face of Phaidor, daughter of Matai Shang, distorted with jealous rage and hatred as she sprang forward with raised dagger upon the woman I loved.

PT I saw the red girl, Thuvia of Ptarth, leap forward to prevent the hideous deed.

PT The smoke from the burning temple had come then to blot out the tragedy, but in my ears rang the single shriek as the knife fell. Then silence, and when the smoke had cleared, the revolving temple had shut off all sight or sound from the chamber in which the three beautiful women were imprisoned.

PT Much there had been to occupy my attention since that terrible moment; but never for an instant had the memory of the thing faded, and all the time that I could spare from the numerous duties that had devolved upon me in the reconstruction of the government of the First Born since our victorious fleet and land forces had overwhelmed them, had been spent close to the grim shaft that held the mother of my boy, Carthoris of Helium.

PT The race of blacks that for ages had worshiped Issus, the false deity of Mars, had been left in a state of chaos by my revealment of her as naught more than a wicked old woman. In their rage they had torn her to pieces.

PT From the high pinnacle of their egotism the First Born had been plunged to the depths of humiliation. Their deity was gone, and with her the whole false fabric of their religion. Their vaunted navy had fallen in defeat before the superior ships and fighting men of the red men of Helium.

PT Fierce green warriors from the ocher sea bottoms of outer Mars had ridden their wild thoats across the sacred gardens of the Temple of Issus, and Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark, fiercest of them all, had sat upon the throne of Issus and ruled the First Born while the allies were deciding the conquered nation's fate.

PT Almost unanimous was the request that I ascend the ancient throne of the black men, even the First Born themselves concurring in it; but I would have none of it. My heart could never be with the race that had heaped indignities upon my princess and my son.

PT At my suggestion Xodar became Jeddak of the First Born. He had been a dator, or prince, until Issus had degraded him, so that his fitness for the high office bestowed was unquestioned.

PT The peace of the Valley Dor thus assured, the green warriors dispersed to their desolate sea bottoms, while we of Helium returned to our own country. Here again was a throne offered me, since no word had been received from the missing Jeddak of Helium, Tardos Mors, grandfather of Dejah Thoris, or his son, Mors Kajak, Jed of Helium, her father.

PT Over a year had elapsed since they had set out to explore the northern hemisphere in search of Carthoris, and at last their disheartened people had accepted as truth the vague rumors of their death that had filtered in from the frozen region of the pole.

PT Once again I refused a throne, for I would not believe that the mighty Tardos Mors, or his no less redoubtable son, was dead.

PT "Let one of their own blood rule you until they return," I said to the assembled nobles of Helium, as I addressed them from the Pedestal of Truth beside the Throne of Righteousness in the Temple of Reward, from the very spot where I had stood a year before when Zat Arras pronounced the sentence of death upon me.

PT As I spoke I stepped forward and laid my hand upon the shoulder of Carthoris where he stood in the front rank of the circle of nobles about me.

PT As one, the nobles and the people lifted their voices in a long cheer of approbation. Ten thousand swords sprang on high from as many scabbards, and the glorious fighting men of ancient Helium hailed Carthoris Jeddak of Helium.

PT His tenure of office was to be for life or until his great-grandfather, or grandfather, should return. Having thus satisfactorily arranged this important duty for Helium, I started the following day for the Valley Dor that I might remain close to the Temple of the Sun until the fateful day that should see the opening of the prison cell where my lost love lay buried.

PT Hor Vastus and Kantos Kan, with my other noble lieutenants, I left with Carthoris at Helium, that he might have the benefit of their wisdom, bravery, and loyalty in the performance of the arduous duties which had devolved upon him. Only Woola, my Martian hound, accompanied me.

PT At my heels tonight the faithful beast moved softly in my tracks. As large as a Shetland pony, with hideous head and frightful fangs, he was indeed an awesome spectacle, as he crept after me on his ten short, muscular legs; but to me he was the embodiment of love and loyalty.

PT The figure ahead was that of the black dator of the First Born, Thurid, whose undying enmity I had earned that time I laid him low with my bare hands in the courtyard of the Temple of Issus, and bound him with his own harness before the noble men and women who had but a moment before been extolling his prowess.

PT Like many of his fellows, he had apparently accepted the new order of things with good grace, and had sworn fealty to Xodar, his new ruler; but I knew that he hated me, and I was sure that in his heart he envied and hated Xodar, so I had kept a watch upon his comings and goings, to the end that of late I had become convinced that he was occupied with some manner of intrigue.

PT Several times I had observed him leaving the walled city of the First Born after dark, taking his way out into the cruel and horrible Valley Dor, where no honest business could lead any man.

PT Tonight he moved quickly along the edge of the forest until well beyond sight or sound of the city, then he turned across the crimson sward toward the shore of the Lost Sea of Korus.

PT The rays of the nearer moon, swinging low across the valley, touched his jewel-incrusted harness with a thousand changing lights and glanced from the glossy ebony of his smooth hide. Twice he turned his head back toward the forest, after the manner of one who is upon an evil errand, though he must have felt quite safe from pursuit.

PT I did not dare follow him there beneath the moonlight, since it best suited my plans not to interrupt his -- I wished him to reach his destination unsuspecting, that I might learn just where that destination lay and the business that awaited the night prowler there.

PT So it was that I remained hidden until after Thurid had disappeared over the edge of the steep bank beside the sea a quarter of a mile away. Then, with Woola following, I hastened across the open after the black dator.

PT The quiet of the tomb lay upon the mysterious valley of death, crouching deep in its warm nest within the sunken area at the south pole of the dying planet. In the far distance the Golden Cliffs raised their mighty barrier faces far into the starlit heavens, the precious metals and scintillating jewels that composed them sparkling in the brilliant light of Mars's two gorgeous moons.

PT At my back was the forest, pruned and trimmed like the sward to parklike symmetry by the browsing of the ghoulish plant men.

PT Before me lay the Lost Sea of Korus, while farther on I caught the shimmering ribbon of Iss, the River of Mystery, where it wound out from beneath the Golden Cliffs to empty into Korus, to which for countless ages had been borne the deluded and unhappy Martians of the outer world upon the voluntary pilgrimage to this false heaven.

PT The plant men, with their blood-sucking hands, and the monstrous white apes that make Dor hideous by day, were hidden in their lairs for the night.

PT There was no longer a Holy Thern upon the balcony in the Golden Cliffs above the Iss to summon them with weird cry to the victims floating down to their maws upon the cold, broad bosom of ancient Iss.

PT The navies of Helium and the First Born had cleared the fortresses and the temples of the therns when they had refused to surrender and accept the new order of things that had swept their false religion from long-suffering Mars.

PT In a few isolated countries they still retained their age-old power; but Matai Shang, their hekkador, Father of Therns, had been driven from his temple. Strenuous had been our endeavors to capture him; but with a few of the faithful he had escaped, and was in hiding -- where we knew not.

PT As I came cautiously to the edge of the low cliff overlooking the Lost Sea of Korus I saw Thurid pushing out upon the bosom of the shimmering water in a small skiff -- one of those strangely wrought craft of unthinkable age which the Holy Therns, with their organization of priests and lesser therns, were wont to distribute along the banks of the Iss, that the long journey of their victims might be facilitated.

PT Drawn up on the beach below me were a score of similar boats, each with its long pole, at one end of which was a pike, at the other a paddle. Thurid was hugging the shore, and as he passed out of sight round a near-by promontory I shoved one of the boats into the water and, calling Woola into it, pushed out from shore.

PT The pursuit of Thurid carried me along the edge of the sea toward the mouth of the Iss. The farther moon lay close to the horizon, casting a dense shadow beneath the cliffs that fringed the water. Thuria, the nearer moon, had set, nor would it rise again for near four hours, so that I was ensured concealing darkness for that length of time at least.

PT On and on went the black warrior. Now he was opposite the mouth of the Iss. Without an instant's hesitation he turned up the grim river, paddling hard against the strong current.

PT After him came Woola and I, closer now, for the man was too intent upon forcing his craft up the river to have any eyes for what might be transpiring behind him. He hugged the shore where the current was less strong.

PT Presently he came to the dark cavernous portal in the face of the Golden Cliffs, through which the river poured. On into the Stygian darkness beyond he urged his craft.

PT It seemed hopeless to attempt to follow him here where I could not see my hand before my face, and I was almost on the point of giving up the pursuit and drifting back to the mouth of the river, there to await his return, when a sudden bend showed a faint luminosity ahead.

PT My quarry was plainly visible again, and in the increasing light from the phosphorescent rock that lay embedded in great patches in the roughly arched roof of the cavern I had no difficulty in following him.

PT It was my first trip upon the bosom of Iss, and the things I saw there will live forever in my memory.

PT Terrible as they were, they could not have commenced to approximate the horrible conditions which must have obtained before Tars Tarkas, the great green warrior, Xodar, the black dator, and I brought the light of truth to the outer world and stopped the mad rush of millions upon the voluntary pilgrimage to what they believed would end in a beautiful valley of peace and happiness and love.

PT Even now the low islands which dotted the broad stream were choked with the skeletons and half devoured carcasses of those who, through fear or a sudden awakening to the truth, had halted almost at the completion of their journey.

PT In the awful stench of these frightful charnel isles haggard maniacs screamed and gibbered and fought among the torn remnants of their grisly feasts; while on those which contained but clean-picked bones they battled with one another, the weaker furnishing sustenance for the stronger; or with clawlike hands clutched at the bloated bodies that drifted down with the current.

PT Thurid paid not the slightest attention to the screaming things that either menaced or pleaded with him as the mood directed them -- evidently he was familiar with the horrid sights that surrounded him. He continued up the river for perhaps a mile; and then, crossing over to the left bank, drew his craft up on a low ledge that lay almost on a level with the water.

PT I dared not follow across the stream, for he most surely would have seen me. Instead I stopped close to the opposite wall beneath an overhanging mass of rock that cast a dense shadow beneath it. Here I could watch Thurid without danger of discovery.

PT The black was standing upon the ledge beside his boat, looking up the river, as though he were awaiting one whom he expected from that direction.

PT As I lay there beneath the dark rocks I noticed that a strong current seemed to flow directly toward the center of the river, so that it was difficult to hold my craft in its position. I edged farther into the shadow that I might find a hold upon the bank; but, though I proceeded several yards, I touched nothing; and then, finding that I would soon reach a point from where I could no longer see the black man, I was compelled to remain where I was, holding my position as best I could by paddling strongly against the current which flowed from beneath the rocky mass behind me.

PT I could not imagine what might cause this strong lateral flow, for the main channel of the river was plainly visible to me from where I sat, and I could see the rippling junction of it and the mysterious current which had aroused my curiosity.

PT While I was still speculating upon the phenomenon, my attention was suddenly riveted upon Thurid, who had raised both palms forward above his head in the universal salute of Martians, and a moment later his "Kaor!" the Barsoomian word of greeting, came in low but distinct tones.

PT I turned my eyes up the river in the direction that his were bent, and presently there came within my limited range of vision a long boat, in which were six men. Five were at the paddles, while the sixth sat in the seat of honor.

PT The white skins, the flowing yellow wigs which covered their bald pates, and the gorgeous diadems set in circlets of gold about their heads marked them as Holy Therns.

PT As they drew up beside the ledge upon which Thurid awaited them, he in the bow of the boat arose to step ashore, and then I saw that it was none other than Matai Shang, Father of Therns.

PT The evident cordiality with which the two men exchanged greetings filled me with wonder, for the black and white men of Barsoom were hereditary enemies -- nor ever before had I known of two meeting other than in battle.

PT Evidently the reverses that had recently overtaken both peoples had resulted in an alliance between these two individuals -- at least against the common enemy -- and now I saw why Thurid had come so often out into the Valley Dor by night, and that the nature of his conspiring might be such as to strike very close to me or to my friends.

PT I wished that I might have found a point closer to the two men from which to have heard their conversation; but it was out of the question now to attempt to cross the river, and so I lay quietly watching them, who would have given so much to have known how close I lay to them, and how easily they might have overcome and killed me with their superior force.

PT Several times Thurid pointed across the river in my direction, but that his gestures had any reference to me I did not for a moment believe. Presently he and Matai Shang entered the latter's boat, which turned out into the river and, swinging round, forged steadily across in my direction.

PT As they advanced I moved my boat farther and farther in beneath the overhanging wall, but at last it became evident that their craft was holding the same course. The five paddlers sent the larger boat ahead at a speed that taxed my energies to equal.

PT Every instant I expected to feel my prow crash against solid rock. The light from the river was no longer visible, but ahead I saw the faint tinge of a distant radiance, and still the water before me was open.

PT At last the truth dawned upon me -- I was following a subterranean river which emptied into the Iss at the very point where I had hidden.

PT The rowers were now quite close to me. The noise of their own paddles drowned the sound of mine, but in another instant the growing light ahead would reveal me to them.

PT There was no time to be lost. Whatever action I was to take must be taken at once. Swinging the prow of my boat toward the right, I sought the river's rocky side, and there I lay while Matai Shang and Thurid approached up the center of the stream, which was much narrower than the Iss.

PT As they came nearer I heard the voices of Thurid and the Father of Therns raised in argument.

PT "I tell you, Thern," the black dator was saying, "that I wish only vengeance upon John Carter, Prince of Helium. I am leading you into no trap. What could I gain by betraying you to those who have ruined my nation and my house?"

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

PT To the rowers he issued the command that brought their boat in toward the bank not a dozen paces beyond the spot where I lay.

PT Had they pulled in below me they must surely have seen me against the faint glow of light ahead, but from where they finally came to rest I was as secure from detection as though miles separated us.

PT The few words I had already overheard whetted my curiosity, and I was anxious to learn what manner of vengeance Thurid was planning against me. Nor had I long to wait. I listened intently.

PT "There are no obligations, Father of Therns," continued the First Born. "Thurid, Dator of Issus, has no price. When the thing has been accomplished I shall be glad if you will see to it that I am well received, as is befitting my ancient lineage and noble rank, at some court that is yet loyal to thy ancient faith, for I cannot return to the Valley Dor or elsewhere within the power of the Prince of Helium; but even that I do not demand -- it shall be as your own desire in the matter directs."

PT "It shall be as you wish, Dator," replied Matai Shang; "nor is that all -- power and riches shall be yours if you restore my daughter, Phaidor, to me, and place within my power Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium.

PT "Ah," he continued with a malicious snarl, "but the Earth man shall suffer for the indignities he has put upon the holy of holies, nor shall any vileness be too vile to inflict upon his princess. Would that it were in my power to force him to witness the humiliation and degradation of the red woman."

PT "You shall have your way with her before another day has passed, Matai Shang," said Thurid, "if you but say the word."

PT "I have heard of the Temple of the Sun, Dator," replied Matai Shang, "but never have I heard that its prisoners could be released before the allotted year of their incarceration had elapsed. How, then, may you accomplish the impossible?"

PT "Access may be had to any cell of the temple at any time," replied Thurid. "Only Issus knew this; nor was it ever Issus' way to divulge more of her secrets than were necessary. By chance, after her death, I came upon an ancient plan of the temple, and there I found, plainly writ, the most minute directions for reaching the cells at any time.

PT "And more I learned -- that many men had gone thither for Issus in the past, always on errands of death and torture to the prisoners; but those who thus learned the secret way were wont to die mysteriously immediately they had returned and made their reports to cruel Issus."

PT "Let us proceed, then," said Matai Shang at last. "I must trust you, yet at the same time you must trust me, for we are six to your one."

PT "I do not fear," replied Thurid, "nor need you. Our hatred of the common enemy is sufficient bond to insure our loyalty to each other, and after we have defiled the Princess of Helium there will be still greater reason for the maintenance of our allegiance -- unless I greatly mistake the temper of her lord."

PT Matai Shang spoke to the paddlers. The boat moved on up the tributary.

PT It was with difficulty that I restrained myself from rushing upon them and slaying the two vile plotters; but quickly I saw the mad rashness of such an act, which would cut down the only man who could lead the way to Dejah Thoris' prison before the long Martian year had swung its interminable circle.

PT If he should lead Matai Shang to that hallowed spot, then, too, should he lead John Carter, Prince of Helium.

PT With silent paddle I swung slowly into the wake of the larger craft.

UNDER THE MOUNTAINS

PT As we advanced up the river which winds beneath the Golden Cliffs out of the bowels of the Mountains of Otz to mingle its dark waters with the grim and mysterious Iss the faint glow which had appeared before us grew gradually into an all-enveloping radiance.

PT The river widened until it presented the aspect of a large lake whose vaulted dome, lighted by glowing phosphorescent rock, was splashed with the vivid rays of the diamond, the sapphire, the ruby, and the countless, nameless jewels of Barsoom which lay incrusted in the virgin gold which forms the major portion of these magnificent cliffs.

PT Beyond the lighted chamber of the lake was darkness -- what lay behind the darkness I could not even guess.

PT To have followed the thern boat across the gleaming water would have been to invite instant detection, and so, though I was loath to permit Thurid to pass even for an instant beyond my sight, I was forced to wait in the shadows until the other boat had passed from my sight at the far extremity of the lake.

PT Then I paddled out upon the brilliant surface in the direction they had taken.

PT When, after what seemed an eternity, I reached the shadows at the upper end of the lake I found that the river issued from a low aperture, to pass beneath which it was necessary that I compel Woola to lie flat in the boat, and I, myself, must need bend double before the low roof cleared my head.

PT Immediately the roof rose again upon the other side, but no longer was the way brilliantly lighted. Instead only a feeble glow emanated from small and scattered patches of phosphorescent rock in wall and roof.

PT Directly before me the river ran into this smaller chamber through three separate arched openings.

PT Thurid and the therns were nowhere to be seen -- into which of the dark holes had they disappeared? There was no means by which I might know, and so I chose the center opening as being as likely to lead me in the right direction as another.

PT Here the way was through utter darkness. The stream was narrow -- so narrow that in the blackness I was constantly bumping first one rock wall and then another as the river wound hither and thither along its flinty bed.

PT Far ahead I presently heard a deep and sullen roar which increased in volume as I advanced, and then broke upon my ears with all the intensity of its mad fury as I swung round a sharp curve into a dimly lighted stretch of water.

PT Directly before me the river thundered down from above in a mighty waterfall that filled the narrow gorge from side to side, rising far above me several hundred feet -- as magnificent a spectacle as I ever had seen.

PT But the roar -- the awful, deafening roar of those tumbling waters penned in the rocky, subterranean vault! Had the fall not entirely blocked my further passage and shown me that I had followed the wrong course I believe that I should have fled anyway before the maddening tumult.

PT Thurid and the therns could not have come this way. By stumbling upon the wrong course I had lost the trail, and they had gained so much ahead of me that now I might not be able to find them before it was too late, if, in fact, I could find them at all.

PT It had taken several hours to force my way up to the falls against the strong current, and other hours would be required for the descent, although the pace would be much swifter.

PT With a sigh I turned the prow of my craft down stream, and with mighty strokes hastened with reckless speed through the dark and tortuous channel until once again I came to the chamber into which flowed the three branches of the river.

PT Two unexplored channels still remained from which to choose; nor was there any means by which I could judge which was the more likely to lead me to the plotters.

PT Never in my life, that I can recall, have I suffered such an agony of indecision. So much depended upon a correct choice; so much depended upon haste.

PT The hours that I had already lost might seal the fate of the incomparable Dejah Thoris were she not already dead -- to sacrifice other hours, and maybe days in a fruitless exploration of another blind lead would unquestionably prove fatal.

PT Several times I essayed the right-hand entrance only to turn back as though warned by some strange intuitive sense that this was not the way. At last, convinced by the oft-recurring phenomenon, I cast my all upon the left-hand archway; yet it was with a lingering doubt that I turned a parting look at the sullen waters which rolled, dark and forbidding, from beneath the grim, low archway on the right.

PT And as I looked there came bobbing out upon the current from the Stygian darkness of the interior the shell of one of the great, succulent fruits of the sorapus tree.

PT I could scarce restrain a shout of elation as this silent, insensate messenger floated past me, on toward the Iss and Korus, for it told me that journeying Martians were above me on that very stream.

PT They had eaten of this marvelous fruit which nature concentrates within the hard shell of the sorapus nut, and having eaten had cast the husk overboard. It could have come from no others than the party I sought.

PT Quickly I abandoned all thought of the left-hand passage, and a moment later had turned into the right. The stream soon widened, and recurring areas of phosphorescent rock lighted my way.

PT I made good time, but was convinced that I was nearly a day behind those I was tracking. Neither Woola nor I had eaten since the previous day, but in so far as he was concerned it mattered but little, since practically all the animals of the dead sea bottoms of Mars are able to go for incredible periods without nourishment.

PT Nor did I suffer. The water of the river was sweet and cold, for it was unpolluted by decaying bodies -- like the Iss -- and as for food, why the mere thought that I was nearing my beloved princess raised me above every material want.

PT As I proceeded, the river became narrower and the current swift and turbulent -- so swift in fact that it was with difficulty that I forced my craft upward at all. I could not have been making to exceed a hundred yards an hour when, at a bend, I was confronted by a series of rapids through which the river foamed and boiled at a terrific rate.

PT My heart sank within me. The sorapus nutshell had proved a false prophet, and, after all, my intuition had been correct -- it was the left-hand channel that I should have followed.

PT Had I been a woman I should have wept. At my right was a great, slow-moving eddy that circled far beneath the cliff's overhanging side, and to rest my tired muscles before turning back I let my boat drift into its embrace.

PT I was almost prostrated by disappointment. It would mean another half-day's loss of time to retrace my way and take the only passage that yet remained unexplored. What hellish fate had led me to select from three possible avenues the two that were wrong?

PT As the lazy current of the eddy carried me slowly about the periphery of the watery circle my boat twice touched the rocky side of the river in the dark recess beneath the cliff. A third time it struck, gently as it had before, but the contact resulted in a different sound -- the sound of wood scraping upon wood.

PT In an instant I was on the alert, for there could be no wood within that buried river that had not been man brought. Almost coincidentally with my first apprehension of the noise, my hand shot out across the boat's side, and a second later I felt my fingers gripping the gunwale of another craft.

PT As though turned to stone I sat in tense and rigid silence, straining my eyes into the utter darkness before me in an effort to discover if the boat were occupied.

PT It was entirely possible that there might be men on board it who were still ignorant of my presence, for the boat was scraping gently against the rocks upon one side, so that the gentle touch of my boat upon the other easily could have gone unnoticed.

PT Peer as I would I could not penetrate the darkness, and then I listened intently for the sound of breathing near me; but except for the noise of the rapids, the soft scraping of the boats, and the lapping of the water at their sides I could distinguish no sound. As usual, I thought rapidly.

PT A rope lay coiled in the bottom of my own craft. Very softly I gathered it up, and making one end fast to the bronze ring in the prow I stepped gingerly into the boat beside me. In one hand I grasped the rope, in the other my keen long-sword.

PT For a full minute, perhaps, I stood motionless after entering the strange craft. It had rocked a trifle beneath my weight, but it had been the scraping of its side against the side of my own boat that had seemed most likely to alarm its occupants, if there were any.

PT But there was no answering sound, and a moment later I had felt from stem to stern and found the boat deserted.

PT Groping with my hands along the face of the rocks to which the craft was moored, I discovered a narrow ledge which I knew must be the avenue taken by those who had come before me. That they could be none other than Thurid and his party I was convinced by the size and build of the boat I had found.

PT Calling to Woola to follow me I stepped out upon the ledge. The great, savage brute, agile as a cat, crept after me.

PT As he passed through the boat that had been occupied by Thurid and the therns he emitted a single low growl, and when he came beside me upon the ledge and my hand rested upon his neck I felt his short mane bristling with anger. I think he sensed telepathically the recent presence of an enemy, for I had made no effort to impart to him the nature of our quest or the status of those we tracked.

PT This omission I now made haste to correct, and, after the manner of green Martians with their beasts, I let him know partially by the weird and uncanny telepathy of Barsoom and partly by word of mouth that we were upon the trail of those who had recently occupied the boat through which we had just passed.

PT A soft purr, like that of a great cat, indicated that Woola understood, and then, with a word to him to follow, I turned to the right along the ledge, but scarcely had I done so than I felt his mighty fangs tugging at my leathern harness.

PT As I turned to discover the cause of his act he continued to pull me steadily in the opposite direction, nor would he desist until I had turned about and indicated that I would follow him voluntarily.

PT Never had I known him to be in error in a matter of tracking, so it was with a feeling of entire security that I moved cautiously in the huge beast's wake. Through Cimmerian darkness he moved along the narrow ledge beside the boiling rapids.

PT As we advanced, the way led from beneath the overhanging cliffs out into a dim light, and then it was that I saw that the trail had been cut from the living rock, and that it ran up along the river's side beyond the rapids.

PT For hours we followed the dark and gloomy river farther and farther into the bowels of Mars. From the direction and distance I knew that we must be well beneath the Valley Dor, and possibly beneath the Sea of Omean as well -- it could not be much farther now to the Temple of the Sun.

PT Even as my mind framed the thought, Woola halted suddenly before a narrow, arched doorway in the cliff by the trail's side. Quickly he crouched back away from the entrance, at the same time turning his eyes toward me.

PT Words could not have more plainly told me that danger of some sort lay near by, and so I pressed quietly forward to his side, and passing him looked into the aperture at our right.

PT Before me was a fair-sized chamber that, from its appointments, I knew must have at one time been a guardroom. There were racks for weapons, and slightly raised platforms for the sleeping silks and furs of the warriors, but now its only occupants were two of the therns who had been of the party with Thurid and Matai Shang.

PT The men were in earnest conversation, and from their tones it was apparent that they were entirely unaware that they had listeners.

PT "I tell you," one of them was saying, "I do not trust the black one. There was no necessity for leaving us here to guard the way. Against what, pray, should we guard this long-forgotten, abysmal path? It was but a ruse to divide our numbers.

PT "He will have Matai Shang leave others elsewhere on some pretext or other, and then at last he will fall upon us with his confederates and slay us all."

PT "I believe you, Lakor," replied the other, "there can never be aught else than deadly hatred between thern and First Born. And what think you of the ridiculous matter of the light? 'Let the light shine with the intensity of three radium units for fifty tals, and for one xat let it shine with the intensity of one radium unit, and then for twenty-five tals with nine units.' Those were his very words, and to think that wise old Matai Shang should listen to such foolishness."

PT "Indeed, it is silly," replied Lakor. "It will open nothing other than the way to a quick death for us all. He had to make some answer when Matai Shang asked him flatly what he should do when he came to the Temple of the Sun, and so he made his answer quickly from his imagination -- I would wager a hekkador's diadem that he could not now repeat it himself."

PT "Let us not remain here longer, Lakor," spoke the other thern. "Perchance if we hasten after them we may come in time to rescue Matai Shang, and wreak our own vengeance upon the black dator. What say you?"

PT "Never in a long life," answered Lakor, "have I disobeyed a single command of the Father of Therns. I shall stay here until I rot if he does not return to bid me elsewhere."

PT Lakor's companion shook his head.

PT "You are my superior," he said; "I cannot do other than you sanction, though I still believe that we are foolish to remain."

PT I, too, thought that they were foolish to remain, for I saw from Woola's actions that the trail led through the room where the two therns held guard. I had no reason to harbor any considerable love for this race of self-deified demons, yet I would have passed them by were it possible without molesting them.

PT It was worth trying anyway, for a fight might delay us considerably, or even put an end entirely to my search -- better men than I have gone down before fighters of meaner ability than that possessed by the fierce thern warriors.

PT Signaling Woola to heel I stepped suddenly into the room before the two men. At sight of me their long-swords flashed from the harness at their sides, but I raised my hand in a gesture of restraint.

PT "I seek Thurid, the black dator," I said. "My quarrel is with him, not with you. Let me pass then in peace, for if I mistake not he is as much your enemy as mine, and you can have no cause to protect him."

PT They lowered their swords and Lakor spoke.

PT "I know not whom you may be, with the white skin of a thern and the black hair of a red man; but were it only Thurid whose safety were at stake you might pass, and welcome, in so far as we be concerned.

PT "Tell us who you be, and what mission calls you to this unknown world beneath the Valley Dor, then maybe we can see our way to let you pass upon the errand which we should like to undertake would our orders permit."

PT I was surprised that neither of them had recognized me, for I thought that I was quite sufficiently well known either by personal experience or reputation to every thern upon Barsoom as to make my identity immediately apparent in any part of the planet. In fact, I was the only white man upon Mars whose hair was black and whose eyes were gray, with the exception of my son, Carthoris.

PT To reveal my identity might be to precipitate an attack, for every thern upon Barsoom knew that to me they owed the fall of their age-old spiritual supremacy. On the other hand my reputation as a fighting man might be sufficient to pass me by these two were their livers not of the right complexion to welcome a battle to the death.

PT To be quite candid I did not attempt to delude myself with any such sophistry, since I knew well that upon war-like Mars there are few cowards, and that every man, whether prince, priest, or peasant, glories in deadly strife. And so I gripped my long-sword the tighter as I replied to Lakor.

PT "I believe that you will see the wisdom of permitting me to pass unmolested," I said, "for it would avail you nothing to die uselessly in the rocky bowels of Barsoom merely to protect a hereditary enemy, such as Thurid, Dator of the First Born.

PT "That you shall die should you elect to oppose me is evidenced by the moldering corpses of all the many great Barsoomian warriors who have gone down beneath this blade -- I am John Carter, Prince of Helium."

PT For a moment that name seemed to paralyze the two men; but only for a moment, and then the younger of them, with a vile name upon his lips, rushed toward me with ready sword.

PT He had been standing a little behind his companion, Lakor, during our parley, and now, ere he could engage me, the older man grasped his harness and drew him back.

PT "Hold!" commanded Lakor. "There will be plenty of time to fight if we find it wise to fight at all. There be good reasons why every thern upon Barsoom should yearn to spill the blood of the blasphemer, the sacrilegist; but let us mix wisdom with our righteous hate. The Prince of Helium is bound upon an errand which we ourselves, but a moment since, were wishing that we might undertake.

PT "Let him go then and slay the black. When he returns we shall still be here to bar his way to the outer world, and thus we shall have rid ourselves of two enemies, nor have incurred the displeasure of the Father of Therns."

PT As he spoke I could not but note the crafty glint in his evil eyes, and while I saw the apparent logic of his reasoning I felt, subconsciously perhaps, that his words did but veil some sinister intent. The other thern turned toward him in evident surprise, but when Lakor had whispered a few brief words into his ear he, too, drew back and nodded acquiescence to his superior's suggestion.

PT "Proceed, John Carter," said Lakor; "but know that if Thurid does not lay you low there will be those awaiting your return who will see that you never pass again into the sunlight of the upper world. Go!"

PT During our conversation Woola had been growling and bristling close to my side. Occasionally he would look up into my face with a low, pleading whine, as though begging for the word that would send him headlong at the bare throats before him. He, too, sensed the villainy behind the smooth words.

PT Beyond the therns several doorways opened off the guardroom, and toward the one upon the extreme right Lakor motioned.

PT "That way leads to Thurid," he said.

PT But when I would have called Woola to follow me there the beast whined and held back, and at last ran quickly to the first opening at the left, where he stood emitting his coughing bark, as though urging me to follow him upon the right way.

PT I turned a questioning look upon Lakor.

PT "The brute is seldom wrong," I said, "and while I do not doubt your superior knowledge, Thern, I think that I shall do well to listen to the voice of instinct that is backed by love and loyalty."

PT As I spoke I smiled grimly that he might know without words that I distrusted him.

PT "As you will," the fellow replied with a shrug. "In the end it shall be all the same."

PT I turned and followed Woola into the left-hand passage, and though my back was toward my enemies, my ears were on the alert; yet I heard no sound of pursuit. The passageway was dimly lighted by occasional radium bulbs, the universal lighting medium of Barsoom.

PT These same lamps may have been doing continuous duty in these subterranean chambers for ages, since they require no attention and are so compounded that they give off but the minutest of their substance in the generation of years of luminosity.

PT We had proceeded for but a short distance when we commenced to pass the mouths of diverging corridors, but not once did Woola hesitate. It was at the opening to one of these corridors upon my right that I presently heard a sound that spoke more plainly to John Carter, fighting man, than could the words of my mother tongue -- it was the clank of metal -- the metal of a warrior's harness -- and it came from a little distance up the corridor upon my right.

PT Woola heard it, too, and like a flash he had wheeled and stood facing the threatened danger, his mane all abristle and all his rows of glistening fangs bared by snarling, backdrawn lips. With a gesture I silenced him, and together we drew aside into another corridor a few paces farther on.

PT Here we waited; nor did we have long to wait, for presently we saw the shadows of two men fall upon the floor of the main corridor athwart the doorway of our hiding place. Very cautiously they were moving now -- the accidental clank that had alarmed me was not repeated.

PT Presently they came opposite our station; nor was I surprised to see that the two were Lakor and his companion of the guardroom.

PT They walked very softly, and in the right hand of each gleamed a keen long-sword. They halted quite close to the entrance of our retreat, whispering to each other.

PT "Can it be that we have distanced them already?" said Lakor.

PT "Either that or the beast has led the man upon a wrong trail," replied the other, "for the way which we took is by far the shorter to this point -- for him who knows it. John Carter would have found it a short road to death had he taken it as you suggested to him."

PT "Yes," said Lakor, "no amount of fighting ability would have saved him from the pivoted flagstone. He surely would have stepped upon it, and by now, if the pit beneath it has a bottom, which Thurid denies, he should have been rapidly approaching it. Curses on that calot of his that warned him toward the safer avenue!"

PT "There be other dangers ahead of him, though," spoke Lakor's fellow, "which he may not so easily escape -- should he succeed in escaping our two good swords. Consider, for example, what chance he will have, coming unexpectedly into the chamber of--"

PT I would have given much to have heard the balance of that conversation that I might have been warned of the perils that lay ahead, but fate intervened, and just at the very instant of all other instants that I would not have elected to do it, I sneezed.

THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN

PT There was nothing for it now other than to fight; nor did I have any advantage as I sprang, sword in hand, into the corridor before the two therns, for my untimely sneeze had warned them of my presence and they were ready for me.

PT There were no words, for they would have been a waste of breath. The very presence of the two proclaimed their treachery. That they were following to fall upon me unawares was all too plain, and they, of course, must have known that I understood their plan.

PT In an instant I was engaged with both, and though I loathe the very name of thern, I must in all fairness admit that they are mighty swordsmen; and these two were no exception, unless it were that they were even more skilled and fearless than the average among their race.

PT While it lasted it was indeed as joyous a conflict as I ever had experienced. Twice at least I saved my breast from the mortal thrust of piercing steel only by the wondrous agility with which my earthly muscles endow me under the conditions of lesser gravity and air pressure upon Mars.

PT Yet even so I came near to tasting death that day in the gloomy corridor beneath Mars's southern pole, for Lakor played a trick upon me that in all my experience of fighting upon two planets I never before had witnessed the like of.

PT The other thern was engaging me at the time, and I was forcing him back -- touching him here and there with my point until he was bleeding from a dozen wounds, yet not being able to penetrate his marvelous guard to reach a vulnerable spot for the brief instant that would have been sufficient to send him to his ancestors.

PT It was then that Lakor quickly unslung a belt from his harness, and as I stepped back to parry a wicked thrust he lashed one end of it about my left ankle so that it wound there for an instant, while he jerked suddenly upon the other end, throwing me heavily upon my back.

PT Then, like leaping panthers, they were upon me; but they had reckoned without Woola, and before ever a blade touched me, a roaring embodiment of a thousand demons hurtled above my prostrate form and my loyal Martian calot was upon them.

PT Imagine, if you can, a huge grizzly with ten legs armed with mighty talons and an enormous froglike mouth splitting his head from ear to ear, exposing three rows of long, white tusks. Then endow this creature of your imagination with the agility and ferocity of a half-starved Bengal tiger and the strength of a span of bulls, and you will have some faint conception of Woola in action.

PT Before I could call him off he had crushed Lakor into a jelly with a single blow of one mighty paw, and had literally torn the other thern to ribbons; yet when I spoke to him sharply he cowed sheepishly as though he had done a thing to deserve censure and chastisement.

PT Never had I had the heart to punish Woola during the long years that had passed since that first day upon Mars when the green jed of the Tharks had placed him on guard over me, and I had won his love and loyalty from the cruel and loveless masters of his former life, yet I believe he would have submitted to any cruelty that I might have inflicted upon him, so wondrous was his affection for me.

Versão em Português

1 - NO RIO ISS

2 - SOB AS MONTANHAS

3 - O TEMPLO DO SOL

NO RIO ISS

En Eu me movi silenciosamente pela floresta escura que margeia a planície carmesim ao lado do Mar Perdido de Korus, no Vale Dor. Acima de mim, as luas velozes de Marte passavam rente ao planeta moribundo. Eu seguia uma figura sombria que permanecia nas sombras mais profundas, o que sugeria que sua missão era sinistra.

En Durante seis longos meses marcianos, eu havia rondado a área ao redor do odiado Templo do Sol. Nas profundezas da superfície, dentro de seu eixo de rotação lenta, minha princesa jazia aprisionada. Eu não sabia se ela estava viva ou morta. Será que a lâmina de Phaidor havia atingido seu coração? Apenas o tempo revelaria a verdade.

En Seiscentos e oitenta e sete dias marcianos teriam que passar antes que a porta da cela se alinhasse novamente com o final do túnel, onde eu vira pela última vez minha sempre bela Dejah Thoris.

En Metade desses dias já havia passado, ou passariam até o dia seguinte. No entanto, a memória daquela última cena permanecia vívida, apagando tudo antes e depois. Eu me lembrava da fumaça cegando meus olhos e da fenda estreita se fechando, cortando-me da Princesa de Hélio por um longo ano marciano.

En Como se fosse ontem, eu ainda via o belo rosto de Phaidor, contorcido de raiva e ódio ciumentos. Ela era filha de Matai Shang. Ela avançou com uma adaga erguida em direção à mulher que eu amava.

En Eu testemunhei a garota vermelha, Thuvia de Ptarth, avançar para impedir o ato terrível.

En A fumaça do templo em chamas então obscureceu a tragédia, mas ouvi um único grito quando a faca caiu. Seguiu-se o silêncio. Quando a fumaça se dissipou, o templo giratório bloqueou toda visão e som da sala onde as três lindas mulheres estavam aprisionadas.

En Desde aquele momento terrível, muitas coisas ocuparam minha atenção, mas nunca o esqueci. Cada momento que pude poupar dos meus deveres de reconstruir o governo dos Primogênitos após nossa vitória foi passado perto do poço sombrio que segurava a mãe do meu filho, Carthoris de Hélio.

En A raça negra, que por séculos havia adorado Issus, a falsa deusa de Marte, foi lançada no caos quando eu a revelei como nada mais que uma velha malvada. Em sua fúria, eles a despedaçaram.

En Os Primogênitos foram derrubados de seu alto orgulho para profunda humilhação. Sua deusa havia partido, e com ela toda a falsa estrutura de sua religião. Sua outrora orgulhosa marinha foi derrotada pelos navios e guerreiros superiores dos homens vermelhos de Hélio.

En Guerreiros verdes ferozes dos leitos oceânicos externos de Marte montaram seus thoats selvagens pelos jardins sagrados do Templo de Issus. Tars Tarkas, o mais feroz Jeddak de Thark, sentou-se no trono de Issus e governou os Primeiros Nascidos enquanto os aliados decidiam o destino da nação conquistada.

En Quase todos pediram que eu assumisse o antigo trono dos homens negros, e até os Primeiros Nascidos concordaram. Mas eu recusei. Eu nunca poderia apoiar uma raça que tinha tratado minha princesa e meu filho tão mal.

En Por minha sugestão, Xodar tornou-se Jeddak dos Primeiros Nascidos. Ele havia sido um príncipe até Issus o degradar, então sua aptidão para o alto cargo era inquestionável.

En Com a paz no Vale Dor assegurada, os guerreiros verdes partiram para seus desertos leitos oceânicos. Nós de Hélio retornamos ao nosso próprio país. Lá, um trono me foi oferecido novamente, porque nenhuma notícia havia chegado do desaparecido Jeddak de Hélio, Tardos Mors, ou de seu filho Mors Kajak, que era o pai de Dejah Thoris.

En Mais de um ano havia se passado desde que eles partiram para explorar o hemisfério norte em busca de Carthoris. Por fim, seu povo desencorajado havia aceitado os vagos rumores de sua morte que haviam chegado da região polar congelada.

En Recusei um trono mais uma vez porque não podia aceitar que o poderoso Tardos Mors ou seu filho igualmente formidável tivesse morrido.

En Disse aos nobres de Hélio que um membro de seu próprio sangue deveria governar até que os outros retornassem. Falei do Pedestal da Verdade ao lado do Trono da Retidão no Templo da Recompensa, exatamente no local onde Zat Arras me havia sentenciado à morte um ano antes.

En Enquanto falava, avancei e coloquei minha mão no ombro de Carthoris; ele estava na primeira fila do círculo de nobres ao meu redor.

En Juntos, os nobres e o povo ergueram uma longa aclamação de aprovação. Dez mil espadas saltaram de suas bainhas, e os gloriosos guerreiros da antiga Hélio saudaram Carthoris como Jeddak de Hélio.

En Seu reinado duraria pela vida ou até que seu bisavô ou avô retornasse. Tendo resolvido esse assunto importante para Hélio, parti no dia seguinte para o Vale Dor, com a intenção de ficar perto do Templo do Sol até o dia fatídico em que a cela da prisão contendo meu amor perdido se abrisse.

En Deixei Hor Vastus e Kantos Kan, junto com meus outros nobres tenentes, com Carthoris em Helium para que ele pudesse se beneficiar de sua sabedoria, bravura e lealdade nas difíceis tarefas que tinha que realizar. Apenas Woola, meu cão marciano, me acompanhou.

En A fera fiel se movia suavemente atrás de mim esta noite. Grande como um pônei Shetland, com uma cabeça horrível e presas assustadoras, ele era uma visão impressionante enquanto se arrastava atrás de mim sobre suas dez pernas curtas e musculosas. Mas para mim, ele personificava amor e lealdade.

En A figura adiante era Thurid, o dator negro dos Primogênitos, cujo ódio duradouro eu havia conquistado quando o derrotei com minhas próprias mãos no pátio do Templo de Issus e o amarrei com seu próprio arreio diante dos nobres homens e mulheres que estavam elogiando sua proeza.

En Como muitos de sua espécie, ele aparentemente havia aceitado a nova ordem de bom grado e jurado lealdade a Xodar, seu novo governante. Mas eu sabia que ele me odiava, e acreditava que ele invejava e odiava Xodar em seu coração, então eu observava seus movimentos e ultimamente me convenci de que ele estava envolvido em algum tipo de complô.

En Várias vezes eu o vi deixar a cidade murada dos Primogênitos após o anoitecer, seguindo para o cruel e terrível Vale Dor, onde nenhum negócio honesto poderia levar qualquer homem.

En Naquela noite, ele viajou rapidamente pela borda da floresta até ficar longe da vista e dos sons da cidade. Então ele atravessou a pradaria vermelha e seguiu em direção à costa do Mar Perdido de Korus.

En A luz da lua mais próxima, pairando baixa sobre o vale, refletia em sua armadura coberta de joias em inúmeras cores cambiantes, e também brilhava em sua pele negra e lisa. Duas vezes ele olhou para trás, em direção à floresta, à maneira de alguém em uma missão sinistra, embora provavelmente se sentisse confiante de que não estava sendo seguido.

En Não ousei segui-lo sob o luar, porque convinha aos meus planos não interferir nos dele. Eu queria que ele chegasse ao seu destino sem saber, para poder descobrir exatamente onde ficava aquele lugar e que negócio aguardava o andarilho noturno ali.

En Portanto, fiquei oculto até que Thurid desaparecesse sobre a borda do barranco íngreme junto ao mar, a cerca de um quarto de milha de distância. Então, com Woola nos meus calcanhares, apressei-me pelo terreno aberto em perseguição ao dator negro.

En Um silêncio sepulcral envolvia o misterioso vale da morte, que jazia aninhado profundamente na depressão quente no polo sul do planeta moribundo. Ao longe, os Penhascos Dourados erguiam suas faces maciças alto no céu estrelado, seus metais preciosos e joias cintilantes brilhando na luz brilhante das duas belas luas de Marte.

En Atrás de mim, a floresta havia sido cuidadosamente podada pela alimentação dos homens-planta, dando-lhe uma aparência simétrica, como a de um parque.

En Diante de mim estendia-se o Mar Perdido de Korus, e além dele eu vislumbrei a fita brilhante do Rio Iss, que fluía de sob os Penhascos Dourados para Korus. Por inúmeras eras, marcianos iludidos do mundo exterior haviam feito uma peregrinação voluntária a este falso paraíso.

En Os homens-planta, com suas mãos sugadoras de sangue, e os monstrosos macacos brancos que tornavam Dor hediondo durante o dia, haviam se retirado para suas tocas durante a noite.

En Nenhum Thern Sagrado estava na varanda dos Penhascos Dourados acima do Iss para convocar com um grito estranho as vítimas que flutuavam rio abaixo em direção às suas bocas esperando na superfície fria e larga do antigo Iss.

En As frotas de Hélio e do Primogênito haviam limpado as fortalezas e templos dos therns depois que os therns se recusaram a se render e aceitar a nova ordem que havia varrido sua falsa religião da sofrida Marte.

En Em alguns países remotos, os Therns Sagrados ainda detinham seu antigo poder. No entanto, seu líder Matai Shang, conhecido como o hekkador e Pai dos Therns, havia sido expulso de seu templo. Eles tentaram muito capturá-lo, mas ele conseguiu escapar com um pequeno grupo de seguidores leais e agora estava escondido, embora seu paradeiro permanecesse desconhecido.

En Ao me aproximar cuidadosamente da borda do penhasco baixo acima do Mar Perdido de Korus, avistei Thurid lançando um pequeno barco nas águas cintilantes. Era uma daquelas embarcações estranhamente construídas de grande idade que os Therns Sagrados, junto com seus sacerdotes e therns menores, costumavam colocar ao longo das margens do Iss. Eles faziam isso para facilitar a longa jornada de suas vítimas.

En Na praia abaixo de mim, cerca de vinte barcos semelhantes estavam puxados para fora, cada um equipado com uma longa vara que tinha uma lança em uma extremidade e um remo na outra. Thurid manteve-se perto da costa, e quando ele desapareceu ao redor de um ponto próximo, empurrei um dos barcos para a água, chamei Woola para se juntar a mim e parti da costa.

En Minha perseguição a Thurid me levou ao longo da borda do mar em direção à foz do Iss. A lua mais distante estava baixa no horizonte, criando sombras profundas sob os penhascos ao lado da água. Thuria, a lua mais próxima, já havia se posto e não nasceria novamente por quase quatro horas. Isso me garantiu escuridão para me esconder por pelo menos esse tempo.

En O guerreiro escuro continuou adiante. Quando ele alcançou o ponto oposto à foz do Iss, ele entrou no sombrio rio sem hesitação, remando vigorosamente contra a forte correnteza.

En Woola e eu o seguíamos, aproximando-nos porque o homem estava muito concentrado em forçar seu barco rio acima para perceber o que acontecia atrás dele. Ele se mantinha perto da margem, onde a corrente era mais fraca.

En Logo ele alcançou uma grande abertura escura nos Penhascos Dourados, por onde o rio fluía. Ele conduziu seu barco adiante para a escuridão profunda além.

En Segui-lo ali parecia impossível, pois eu não conseguia ver minha própria mão diante do rosto. Eu estava prestes a abandonar a perseguição e voltar à foz do rio para esperar seu retorno, quando uma curva repentina revelou um leve brilho adiante.

En Eu podia ver meu alvo claramente novamente. A luz ficou mais forte vinda da rocha fosforescente incrustada em grandes manchas no teto arqueado e irregular da caverna, e não tive dificuldade em continuar a segui-lo.

En Esta foi minha primeira viagem no rio Iss, e as visões que testemunhei lá permaneceriam gravadas em minha memória para sempre.

En As terríveis condições que existiam antes de Tars Tarkas, o grande guerreiro verde, Xodar, o dator negro, e eu revelarmos a verdade ao mundo exterior eram muito piores do que o que víamos agora. Nós havíamos interrompido a corrida frenética de milhões em direção ao que acreditavam ser um belo vale de paz e felicidade.

En Ainda agora, as ilhas baixas espalhadas pelo vasto rio estavam lotadas de esqueletos e corpos parcialmente devorados daqueles que, por medo ou pela súbita percepção da verdade, haviam parado quase no final de sua jornada.

En No fedor terrível dessas ilhas horripilantes, loucos abatidos gritavam, balbuciavam e lutavam entre os restos dilacerados de suas refeições macabras; nas ilhas com apenas ossos limpos, eles lutavam uns contra os outros, os mais fracos alimentando os mais fortes, ou agarravam corpos inchados que flutuavam rio abaixo.

En Thurid não prestou atenção às criaturas que gritavam, que o ameaçavam ou imploravam. Ele estava claramente acostumado a visões tão horríveis. Continuou subindo o rio por cerca de uma milha, depois cruzou para a margem esquerda e puxou seu barco para uma saliência baixa quase no nível da água.

En Não ousei segui-lo através do rio, pois certamente ele me veria. Em vez disso, parei perto da parede oposta sob uma rocha saliente que projetava uma sombra profunda, onde eu podia observar Thurid sem risco de ser descoberto.

En O homem de pele escura estava sobre o parapeito ao lado de seu barco, olhando rio acima, como se esperasse alguém que vinha daquela direção.

En Enquanto eu estava deitado sob as rochas escuras, notei uma forte correnteza fluindo em direção ao centro do rio, dificultando manter minha embarcação firme. Avancei mais para dentro da sombra para encontrar apoio na margem, mas depois de vários metros não toquei em nada. Logo perderia de vista o homem escuro, então fiquei onde estava, remando com força contra a correnteza que vinha de trás da massa rochosa.

En Não conseguia entender o que causava essa forte correnteza transversal. Do lugar onde eu estava sentado, o canal principal do rio era claramente visível, e eu podia ver o ponto ondulado onde ele se encontrava com a misteriosa corrente que havia despertado minha curiosidade.

En Enquanto ainda especulava sobre o fenômeno, minha atenção foi subitamente fixada em Thurid. Ele havia erguido as duas palmas para frente acima da cabeça na saudação marciana universal, e um momento depois sua saudação baixa mas distinta, a palavra barsoomiana Kaor, chegou até mim.

En Desviei meu olhar rio acima na direção em que ele estava olhando, e logo um longo barco entrou em minha visão limitada. Havia seis homens a bordo: cinco nos remos e o sexto sentado no lugar de honra.

En Sua pele branca, perucas amarelas esvoaçantes cobrindo cabeças calvas e lindos círculos de ouro com diademas os marcavam como Therns Sagrados.

En Quando o barco parou no parapeito onde Thurid esperava, um homem se levantou da proa para desembarcar. O narrador então viu que era Matai Shang, o Pai dos Therns.

En O narrador ficou maravilhado com as saudações cordiais entre os dois homens, já que as raças negra e branca de Barsoom eram inimigas hereditárias. Ele nunca as vira se encontrar exceto em batalha.

En Parecia que os recentes reveses para ambos os povos levaram a uma aliança entre esses dois, pelo menos contra um inimigo comum. O narrador agora entendia por que Thurid frequentemente se aventurava no Vale Dor à noite e percebeu que a conspiração deles poderia envolvê-lo diretamente ou a seus amigos.

En O narrador desejou ter estado mais perto para ouvir a conversa deles, mas atravessar o rio agora era impossível. Então ele ficou quieto observando-os, sabendo que eles dariam muito para saber o quão perto ele estava, e com que facilidade poderiam tê-lo dominado e matado com seus números superiores.

En Thurid apontou várias vezes através do rio, embora o narrador não suspeitasse que os gestos fossem dirigidos a ele. Logo, Thurid embarcou no barco de Matai Shang, que então virou e seguiu firmemente em direção à posição do narrador.

En À medida que o outro barco avançava, o narrador guiou sua embarcação mais para baixo de uma parede saliente. Ficou claro que eles estavam seguindo o mesmo curso. Os cinco remadores impulsionaram o barco maior com velocidade, forçando o narrador a remar vigorosamente para acompanhar.

En A cada momento, o narrador esperava colidir com uma rocha sólida. A luz do rio havia desaparecido atrás dele, mas à frente ele vislumbrou um fraco brilho, e a água permanecia aberta diante dele.

En O narrador finalmente entendeu: ele estava seguindo um rio subterrâneo que desaguava no Iss exatamente onde ele havia se escondido.

En Os remadores estavam agora muito próximos; o barulho de seus próprios remos abafou o dele. Ele sabia que em mais um momento a luz que se aproximava o revelaria.

En Tive que agir imediatamente. Virei meu barco em direção à margem direita e me escondi entre as rochas. Então esperei enquanto Matai Shang e Thurid se aproximavam pelo meio do rio, que era muito mais estreito aqui do que o Iss.

En À medida que se aproximavam, eu podia ouvir Thurid e o Pai dos Therns discutindo alto.

En O dator negro insistiu que só queria vingança contra John Carter, Príncipe de Hélio. Ele negou estar os levando para uma armadilha, perguntando o que ganharia ao traí-los para aqueles que haviam destruído sua nação e sua casa.

En O hekkador respondeu que deveriam parar para que ele pudesse ouvir os planos de Thurid, e então poderiam prosseguir com um melhor entendimento de seus deveres e obrigações.

En Ele ordenou aos remadores que trouxessem o barco em direção à margem, parando a apenas dez passos de onde eu estava escondido.

En Se eles tivessem pousado mais perto dele, o leve brilho da luz à frente teria revelado sua posição. No entanto, eles pararam suficientemente longe para que ele permanecesse escondido, tão seguro de ser descoberto como se estivessem a quilômetros de distância.

En As poucas palavras que ele ouvira o deixaram intensamente curioso, e ele estava ansioso para descobrir que vingança Thurid estava planejando contra ele. Ele não precisou esperar muito; ele ouviu atentamente.

En O Primogênito disse ao Pai dos Therns que Thurid, um Dator de Issus, não tinha preço e não devia obrigações. Após a tarefa ser concluída, ele apenas pediu para ser bem recebido em uma corte ainda leal à fé antiga, já que não poderia retornar ao Vale Dor ou a qualquer lugar sob o poder do Príncipe de Hélio. No entanto, ele deixou claro que isso não era uma exigência e que o Pai dos Therns poderia decidir como quisesse.

En Matai Shang respondeu que atenderia ao desejo do Dator e prometeu-lhe poder e riquezas adicionais, desde que ele restaurasse sua filha, Phaidor, e entregasse Dejah Thoris, a Princesa de Hélio, em suas mãos.

En Ele continuou com um tom malicioso, afirmando que o homem da Terra sofreria pelos insultos que havia infligido às suas coisas mais sagradas, e que nenhuma crueldade seria grande demais para infligir à sua princesa. Ele desejava poder forçar o homem da Terra a testemunhar a humilhação e degradação da mulher vermelha.

En Thurid assegurou a Matai Shang que ele teria o que queria com a mulher antes do dia seguinte, se desse a ordem.

En Matai Shang respondeu que conhecia o Templo do Sol, mas nunca ouvira falar de prisioneiros sendo libertados antes do fim do seu período completo. Ele perguntou como Thurid poderia realizar tal impossibilidade.

En Thurid explicou que qualquer cela no templo podia ser acessada a qualquer momento. Apenas Issus sabia disso, e ela raramente compartilhava seus segredos. Após a morte dela, ele encontrara um plano antigo do templo com instruções detalhadas para alcançar as celas.

En Ele também aprendera que muitos homens tinham ido ao templo para Issus, sempre em missões de morte e tortura. No entanto, aqueles que aprendiam o caminho secreto frequentemente morriam misteriosamente logo após relatarem a ela.

En Finalmente, Matai Shang concordou em prosseguir, declarando que precisava confiar em Thurid, mas que Thurid também precisava confiar nele, já que eram seis contra um.

En Thurid disse que não estava com medo, e que a outra pessoa também não precisava ficar. Ele acreditava que o ódio compartilhado pelo inimigo comum era suficiente para garantir a lealdade entre eles. Ele acrescentou que, depois que tivessem desonrado a Princesa de Hélio, haveria uma razão ainda mais forte para permanecerem fiéis, a menos que ele estivesse muito enganado sobre o caráter do marido dela.

En Matai Shang deu instruções aos remadores. O barco continuou sua jornada rio acima, pelo rio menor.

En O narrador achou muito difícil se conter para não atacar os dois vilões. No entanto, ele logo percebeu o quão tola tal ação seria. Isso mataria a única pessoa que poderia guiá-lo até a prisão de Dejah Thoris, antes que o longo ano marciano completasse seu ciclo interminável.

En Se Thurid levasse Matai Shang àquele lugar sagrado, ele também levaria John Carter, o Príncipe de Hélio, até lá.

En Usando um remo silencioso, o narrador moveu lentamente seu barco para seguir atrás da embarcação maior.

SOB AS MONTANHAS

En O rio serpenteava sob os Penhascos Dourados, emergindo das Montanhas de Otz para se juntar ao sombrio e misterioso Iss. Conforme avançávamos, um leve brilho à frente gradualmente se intensificava até envolver tudo ao nosso redor.

En O rio se alargou em um vasto lago sob uma cúpula iluminada por rocha fosforescente. A cúpula brilhava com a luz de diamantes, safiras, rubis e inúmeras outras joias barsoomianas incrustadas no ouro puro que formava a maior parte dos penhascos.

En Além da câmara iluminada do lago, havia apenas escuridão, e eu não conseguia adivinhar o que estava escondido ali.

En Seguir o barco de Thurid através da água reluzente teria significado descoberta imediata. Embora eu odiasse deixá-lo fora de minha vista, fui forçado a esperar nas sombras até que seu barco desaparecesse no extremo oposto do lago.

En Então remei para a superfície brilhante, seguindo na direção que eles haviam tomado.

En Após o que parecia uma espera interminável, finalmente alcancei a extremidade superior escura do lago. Lá, descobri que o rio fluía através de uma abertura baixa. Para passar por baixo dela, tive que fazer Woola deitar-se no barco, e eu mesmo tive que me curvar para evitar bater a cabeça no teto baixo.

En Do outro lado, o teto subiu novamente, mas a passagem não estava mais intensamente iluminada. Em vez disso, apenas um brilho fraco vinha de pequenos e dispersos trechos de rocha fosforescente nas paredes e no teto.

En Bem na minha frente, o rio fluía para esta câmara menor através de três aberturas arqueadas separadas.

En Thurid e os therns não estavam à vista. Não havia como saber em qual buraco escuro eles haviam entrado, então escolhi a abertura do meio, esperando que ela me levasse na direção certa.

En O caminho à frente estava completamente escuro. O riacho era tão estreito que, na escuridão, eu continuava esbarrando nas paredes rochosas de ambos os lados enquanto o rio serpenteava em seu leito pedregoso.

En De muito longe, um rugido profundo e ameaçador ficou mais alto à medida que avançava. Quando contornei uma curva fechada em um trecho de água mal iluminado, o som se chocou contra meus ouvidos com força total e selvagem.

En Diretamente à frente, o rio descia de cima em uma poderosa cachoeira que preenchia completamente o desfiladeiro estreito, elevando-se centenas de metros acima de mim. Foi uma das visões mais magníficas que já testemunhei.

En O rugido das águas caindo, preso dentro da caverna rochosa subterrânea, era avassalador e ensurdecedor. Mesmo que a cachoeira não tivesse bloqueado completamente meu caminho e revelado meu erro, acho que teria fugido daquele barulho enlouquecedor de qualquer forma.

En Thurid e os therns não poderiam ter seguido esta rota. Ao escolher acidentalmente o caminho errado, perdi o rastro deles. Eles estavam agora tão adiantados que eu poderia não alcançá-los a tempo — se é que conseguiria encontrá-los novamente.

En Levei várias horas para subir o rio até a cachoeira contra a forte correnteza. Voltar rio abaixo também levaria horas, embora o ritmo fosse muito mais rápido.

En Suspirei e virei meu barco rio abaixo. Com remadas poderosas e imprudentes, atravessei rapidamente o canal escuro e sinuoso até voltar à câmara onde os três braços do rio se encontravam.

En Dois canais inexplorados restavam diante de mim, e eu não tinha como julgar qual era mais provável de levar aos conspiradores.

En Nunca havia sofrido tamanha agonia de indecisão. Tanto dependia de uma escolha correta, e tanto dependia da pressa.

En As horas que já havia perdido poderiam selar o destino da incomparável Dejah Thoris, se ela já não estivesse morta. Sacrificar mais horas, talvez dias, em uma exploração infrutífera de outra pista falsa certamente seria fatal.

En Várias vezes tentei a entrada da direita, apenas para voltar como se avisado por alguma intuição estranha de que não era o caminho. Por fim, convencido por esse sentimento repetido, comprometi-me com o arco da esquerda. No entanto, lancei um olhar de despedida cheio de dúvida persistente para as águas sombrias e escuras que rolavam por baixo do arco baixo e sinistro à direita.

En Enquanto eu observava, a casca de uma grande e suculenta fruta sorapus emergiu do interior escuro como breu e flutuou na corrente.

En Eu mal conseguiria conter um grito de alegria quando este mensageiro silencioso e sem vida flutuou passando por mim em direção ao Iss e Korus, pois indicava que marcianos viajantes estavam no rio acima de mim.

En Eles haviam comido a fruta notável que a natureza concentra dentro da casca dura da noz de sorapus e depois jogado a casca ao mar. Isso só poderia ter vindo do grupo que eu estava perseguindo.

En Rapidamente desisti da ideia da passagem esquerda e entrei na direita. O riacho logo se alargou e manchas de rocha fosforescente iluminaram meu caminho.

En Eu progredi bem, mas acreditava que estava quase um dia atrás daqueles que eu seguia. Nem Woola nem eu tínhamos comido desde o dia anterior, mas isso importava pouco para ele, já que quase todos os animais dos leitos mortos de Marte podem passar por períodos surpreendentemente longos sem comida.

En Eu não sofri. A água do rio era fresca e fria, não poluída por corpos em decomposição, ao contrário do Iss. Quanto à comida, o pensamento de me aproximar da minha amada princesa me elevava acima de todas as necessidades físicas.

En À medida que avançava, o rio se estreitava e a correnteza se tornava rápida e agitada. Era tão forte que mal conseguia empurrar meu barco rio acima. Eu me movia a talvez cem jardas por hora quando cheguei a uma curva e vi corredeiras onde a água espumava e fervecia violentamente.

En Meu coração se afundou. A casca de noz sorapus havia se mostrado não confiável; meu instinto original estava certo. Eu deveria ter pegado o canal esquerdo.

En Se eu fosse mulher, teria chorado. À minha direita, um grande redemoinho lento circulava sob a falésia saliente. Deixei meu barco derivar para ele para descansar meus músculos cansados antes de voltar.

En Fui esmagado pela decepção. Voltar me custaria mais meio dia para tentar a única passagem inexplorada. Perguntei-me que terrível destino me fez escolher as duas erradas entre três rotas possíveis.

En A corrente lenta do redemoinho me carregou lentamente em volta do círculo de água. Meu barco tocou o lado rochoso do rio debaixo do penhasco duas vezes. Na terceira vez que tocou, fez um som diferente: o som de madeira raspando contra madeira.

En Eu imediatamente fiquei alerta, porque qualquer madeira naquele rio enterrado devia ter sido trazida por pessoas. Quase no mesmo momento em que ouvi o barulho, estendi a mão e senti meus dedos segurando a borda de outro barco.

En Sentei imóvel como uma pedra, tenso e silencioso, forçando os olhos na escuridão total para ver se o barco estava ocupado.

En Era possível que houvesse pessoas a bordo que ainda não sabiam que eu estava lá, porque o barco delas estava raspando suavemente contra as rochas de um lado, então o toque suave do meu barco do outro lado poderia facilmente ter passado despercebido.

En Por mais que eu olhasse, não conseguia enxergar na escuridão. Então escutei atentamente o som de respiração perto de mim, mas não ouvi nada além do barulho das corredeiras, o raspado suave dos barcos e o bater da água. Como de costume, pensei rapidamente.

En Notei uma corda enrolada no fundo do meu barco. Silenciosamente, peguei-a e prendi uma das pontas ao anel de bronze na proa. Então, cautelosamente, entrei na embarcação adjacente, segurando a corda em uma mão e minha espada longa na outra.

En Fiquei imóvel por talvez um minuto inteiro após entrar na estranha embarcação. Ela balançou um pouco sob meu peso, mas o raspão de sua lateral contra meu próprio barco era o que eu temia que pudesse alertar qualquer ocupante, se houvesse algum.

En Não houve som em resposta e, em poucos instantes, vasculhei toda a embarcação e a encontrei deserta.

En Senti ao longo das rochas onde o barco estava amarrado e descobri uma saliência estreita, que presumi ser o caminho tomado por aqueles que vieram antes. O tamanho e a construção do barco me convenceram de que só poderiam ser Thurid e seu grupo.

En Chamei Woola para seguir e pisei na saliência. A grande e feroz besta, ágil como um gato, rastejou atrás de mim.

En Ao passar pelo barco onde Thurid e os therns haviam estado, a criatura emitiu um leve rosnado. Quando chegou ao lado do narrador e este tocou seu pescoço, sua crina se eriçou de raiva. O narrador suspeitou que a criatura havia sentido a presença recente de um inimigo por telepatia, já que ele ainda não havia explicado sua missão ou a situação daqueles que perseguiam.

En O narrador rapidamente corrigiu essa omissão. À maneira dos marcianos verdes com suas feras, o narrador se comunicou em parte pela estranha telepatia de Barsoom e em parte por palavras faladas, informando a criatura de que estavam seguindo o rastro daqueles que haviam ocupado recentemente o barco pelo qual acabavam de passar.

En Woola fez um som suave de ronronar, como um grande gato, indicando que entendia. O narrador então disse a Woola para segui-lo e virou à direita ao longo da saliência. Mas quase imediatamente, o narrador sentiu as presas poderosas de Woola puxando seu arreio de couro.

En Quando o narrador se virou para ver por que Woola agia daquela forma, Woola continuou a puxar firmemente na direção oposta e não parou até que o narrador tivesse se virado e indicado disposição para seguir Woola voluntariamente.

En O narrador nunca soubera que Woola errasse em rastreamento, então se moveu cautelosamente com total confiança na fera. Através da escuridão total, Woola o conduziu ao longo da saliência estreita ao lado das corredeiras ferventes.

En À medida que avançávamos, o caminho emergia de sob os penhascos salientes em uma luz fraca. Então percebi que a trilha havia sido esculpida na rocha viva, subindo ao lado do rio além das corredeiras.

En Por horas seguimos o rio escuro e sombrio mais fundo em Marte. A julgar pela direção e distância, sabia que devíamos estar muito abaixo do Vale Dor, possivelmente até sob o Mar de Omean, e o Templo do Sol não poderia estar muito mais longe.

En Assim que esse pensamento passou pela minha mente, Woola parou abruptamente diante de uma porta estreita e arqueada na falésia ao lado da trilha. Ele rapidamente se agachou para trás da entrada, voltando os olhos para mim.

En Suas ações não poderiam ter indicado mais claramente que o perigo estava próximo. Eu me arrastei silenciosamente para seu lado e, olhando além dele, espiei a abertura à nossa direita.

En Diante de mim havia uma câmara de tamanho razoável que, por seus móveis, reconheci como tendo sido uma sala de guarda. Havia estantes de armas e plataformas elevadas para as sedas e peles de dormir dos guerreiros, mas seus únicos ocupantes atuais eram dois therns que faziam parte do grupo de Thurid e Matai Shang.

En Os homens estavam profundamente envolvidos na conversa, e seus tons revelavam que não faziam ideia de que mais alguém estava ouvindo.

En Um deles declarou que não confiava no negro. Argumentou que não havia razão para deixá-los guardando o caminho; a trilha estava há muito esquecida e era profunda. Ele acreditava que era apenas um truque para dividir suas forças.

En Ele previu que o negro faria com que Matai Shang mandasse os outros embora sob alguma desculpa, e então ele e seus aliados atacariam e matariam todos.

En O outro homem concordou com Lakor, dizendo que só poderia haver ódio mortal entre os thern e os Primeiros Nascidos. Então criticou as instruções ridículas sobre a luz: o negro havia ordenado intensidades específicas em momentos diferentes. Ele não podia acreditar que o sábio Matai Shang ouvisse tais bobagens.

En Lakor respondeu que era realmente tolo; só abriria caminho para uma morte rápida para todos eles. Ele argumentou que o negro teve que inventar uma resposta quando Matai Shang perguntou diretamente o que fazer no Templo do Sol, e ele inventou na hora. Lakor apostaria um diadema de hekkador que o negro nem mesmo conseguiria repetir a resposta.

En O outro thern instou Lakor a não ficar mais tempo, sugerindo que se apressassem atrás dos outros para possivelmente resgatar Matai Shang e se vingar do dator negro. Ele pediu a opinião de Lakor.

En Lakor afirmou que em toda a sua longa vida nunca havia desobedecido ao Pai dos Therns, e que permaneceria ali até apodrecer, a menos que recebesse ordens contrárias.

En O companheiro de Lakor balançou a cabeça em desacordo.

En Ele reconheceu Lakor como seu superior e disse que não poderia agir contra os desejos de Lakor, mas ainda assim acreditava que ficar era tolice.

En O narrador concordou que eles eram tolos em ficar, observando pelo comportamento de Woola que o caminho passava pela sala guardada pelos dois therns. Ele tinha pouca afeição por esses demônios autossuficientes, mas os teria evitado se possível.

En Ele decidiu que valia a pena tentar, mesmo que uma luta pudesse atrasá-los significativamente ou encerrar sua busca de uma vez. Ele reconheceu que muitos homens corajosos haviam caído para guerreiros não mais habilidosos do que os ferozes guardas Thern.

En Ele fez sinal para Woola segui-lo de perto e entrou abruptamente na sala onde os dois homens estavam. Ao vê-lo, eles sacaram suas espadas longas dos arreios, mas ele ergueu a mão em um gesto de contenção.

En Ele anunciou que estava procurando por Thurid, o dator negro, e que sua briga era com Thurid, não com eles. Ele pediu para passar em paz, sugerindo que Thurid era tanto inimigo deles quanto dele e que eles não tinham motivo para protegê-lo.

En Eles abaixaram suas espadas, e Lakor começou a falar.

En Lakor admitiu que não conhecia o estranho, com sua pele branca de Thern e cabelo preto de homem vermelho, mas disse que se apenas Thurid estivesse em jogo, eles o deixariam passar livremente.

En Os estranhos exigiram que o recém-chegado se identificasse e declarasse seu propósito neste mundo desconhecido abaixo do Vale Dor, sugerindo que, se ele obedecesse, eles poderiam permitir que ele continuasse sua missão, a qual eles próprios teriam gostado de realizar se suas ordens permitissem.

En O narrador expressou surpresa por nenhum dos dois o ter reconhecido, pois ele acreditava que sua aparência — sendo o único homem branco em Marte com cabelos pretos e olhos cinzentos, além de seu filho Carthoris — e sua reputação o tornariam instantaneamente identificável para qualquer thern no planeta.

En Ele percebeu que revelar sua identidade poderia provocar um ataque, já que todos os therns sabiam que ele era responsável por acabar com sua antiga supremacia espiritual. Por outro lado, sua temível reputação como guerreiro poderia ser suficiente para dissuadir esses dois se eles não estivessem ansiosos por um combate mortal.

En Ele admitiu para si mesmo que não podia se enganar com tal raciocínio, porque em Marte, planeto guerreiro, poucos eram covardes; todo homem, independentemente de sua posição, se orgulhava de combates mortais. Portanto, ele apertou o punho de sua espada longa enquanto respondia a Lakor.

En Ele sugeriu que eles seriam sábios em deixá-lo passar sem impedimentos, já que morrer inutilmente nas profundezas rochosas de Barsoom para proteger um inimigo hereditário como Thurid, o Dator dos Primeiros Nascidos, não serviria para nada.

En John Carter, que se identificou como o Príncipe de Hélio, advertiu os dois homens de que, se escolhessem se opor a ele, morreriam. Ele apontou para os corpos em decomposição de muitos grandes guerreiros barsoomianos que haviam caído sob sua lâmina como evidência de sua ameaça.

En Por um momento, o nome pareceu deixar os dois homens atordoados e imóveis. No entanto, o mais jovem logo se recuperou, gritou um insulto e avançou contra mim com a espada desembainhada.

En Durante nossa conversa, o homem mais jovem estava um pouco atrás de seu companheiro, Lakor. Agora, bem quando ele estava prestes a me atacar, o mais velho agarrou seu arnês e o puxou para trás.

En Lakor ordenou que ele parasse, dizendo que haveria bastante tempo para lutar se isso se mostrasse sábio. Ele reconheceu que todo thern em Barsoom queria matar o blasfemador, mas instou que misturassem sabedoria com sua ira justa. Ele observou que o Príncipe de Hélio estava em uma missão que eles mesmos haviam desejado realizar.

En Lakor propôs deixar John Carter ir para matar a criatura negra. Quando ele retornasse, eles ainda estariam lá para bloquear seu caminho para o mundo exterior. Dessa forma, eliminariam dois inimigos sem incorrer no desagrado do Pai dos Therns.

En John Carter observou o brilho astuto nos olhos de Lakor. Embora a lógica parecesse sólida, ele suspeitava que as palavras de Lakor escondiam um plano oculto. O outro thern pareceu surpreso a princípio, mas após um breve sussurro de Lakor, ele também recuou e concordou com seu superior.

En Lakor ordenou que John Carter fosse, avisando-o que mesmo que Thurid não o derrotasse, haveria outros esperando para garantir que ele nunca mais visse a luz do sol do mundo superior.

En Durante toda a conversa, Woola permaneceu perto de John Carter, rosnando e com os pelos eriçados. Ele ocasionalmente olhava para cima com um gemido suplicante, como se pedisse permissão para atacar as gargantas expostas dos inimigos. Woola também percebeu a desonestidade por trás das palavras suaves de Lakor.

En Além dos therns, várias portas davam para fora da sala da guarda, e Lakor apontou para a que estava mais à direita.

En Lakor indicou que a porta levava a Thurid.

En Quando tentei chamar Woola para me seguir, ele gemeu e hesitou. Eventualmente, ele correu para a primeira abertura à esquerda e ficou lá latindo, como se me incentivasse a tomar o caminho correto.

En Olhei para Lakor com uma expressão interrogativa.

En Disse a Lakor que o animal raramente estava errado. Afirmei que, embora não duvidasse do conhecimento superior de Thern, acreditava que seria sensato seguir meus instintos, que eram apoiados pelo amor e lealdade.

En Enquanto falava, sorri de forma sinistra para que ele entendesse sem palavras que eu desconfiava dele.

En O sujeito deu de ombros e respondeu que eu poderia fazer como quisesse, e que no final não faria diferença.

En Virei e segui Woola pelo corredor à esquerda. Minhas costas estavam para os inimigos, mas fiquei alerta e não ouvi sinais de perseguição. O túnel era fracamente iluminado por lâmpadas de rádio, a iluminação padrão em Barsoom.

En Essas mesmas lâmpadas provavelmente estavam acesas há eras nessas câmaras subterrâneas. Não precisavam de manutenção e eram compostas de tal forma que consumiam apenas uma quantidade mínima de seu material mesmo após anos de luz.

En Caminhamos uma curta distância, passando por vários corredores que se ramificavam, mas Woola nunca hesitou. Na entrada de um corredor à minha direita, ouvi um som que falava claramente a mim como um guerreiro: o tinido de armadura de metal. Vindo de um pouco mais adiante naquele corredor.

En Woola também ouviu. Ele girou instantaneamente, enfrentando a ameaça. Sua juba eriçou e seus lábios se retraíram, expondo todos os seus dentes brilhantes. Eu o silenciei com um gesto, e juntos deslizamos para outro corredor a poucos passos de distância.

En Esperamos ali. Logo vimos as sombras de dois homens caírem sobre o chão do corredor principal, logo além da entrada do nosso esconderijo. Eles estavam se movendo muito cautelosamente agora; o tinido acidental que me alertara não soou novamente.

En Logo, dois homens apareceram em frente à nossa posição. Não fiquei surpreso ao reconhecê-los como Lakor e seu companheiro da sala de guarda.

En Eles se moveram silenciosamente, cada um segurando uma longa espada afiada na mão direita. Pararam bem perto da entrada do nosso esconderijo e cochicharam entre si.

En Lakor se perguntou se já os haviam ultrapassado.

En O outro respondeu que ou isso era verdade ou a fera havia levado o homem por uma trilha errada, porque o caminho que eles haviam tomado era muito mais curto para quem o conhecia. Ele acrescentou que John Carter teria encontrado um caminho rápido para a morte se tivesse seguido a sugestão de Lakor.

En Lakor concordou, dizendo que nenhuma habilidade de luta teria salvo Carter da laje giratória. Ele certamente teria pisado nela, e agora, se o poço abaixo tiver um fundo — o que Thurid nega — ele estaria caindo rapidamente. Lakor amaldiçoou o calot de Carter por tê-lo avisado sobre o caminho mais seguro.

En O companheiro de Lakor apontou que havia mais perigos adiante, dos quais o homem não conseguiria escapar facilmente, mesmo que conseguisse passar por suas duas espadas. Ele sugeriu considerar que chance o homem teria se entrasse inesperadamente em uma câmara específica, cujo nome não foi mencionado.

En O narrador desejou ter ouvido o resto daquela conversa para ser avisado dos perigos adiante, mas o destino interveio. No pior momento possível, ele espirrou.

O TEMPLO DO SOL

En Não havia opção a não ser lutar. Ele saltou para o corredor com sua espada, mas seu espirro inoportuno havia alertado os dois therns, e eles estavam prontos para ele, então ele não tinha vantagem.

En Palavras eram desnecessárias; a própria presença dos dois homens proclamava sua traição. Estava claro que eles o seguiam para atacá-lo de surpresa, e eles deviam saber que ele entendia seu plano.

En Em um instante, ele se envolveu com ambos. Embora odiasse os therns, teve que admitir que eram espadachins poderosos. Esses dois não eram exceção; eram talvez ainda mais habilidosos e destemidos que a média de sua raça.

En A luta foi tão alegre quanto qualquer outra que o narrador já tivesse conhecido. Pelo menos duas vezes, ele evitou ser esfaqueado no peito usando a notável agilidade que seus músculos terrenos lhe davam na menor gravidade e pressão atmosférica de Marte.

En Mesmo assim, o narrador quase morreu naquele dia no corredor escuro sob o polo sul de Marte. Lakor usou um truque que o narrador nunca tinha visto em toda a sua experiência de luta em dois planetas.

En Naquele momento, o outro thern estava lutando com o narrador. O narrador o estava empurrando para trás e ferindo-o em muitos lugares. No entanto, a defesa do thern era tão habilidosa que o narrador não conseguia encontrar uma abertura para desferir um golpe fatal.

En Então Lakor rapidamente pegou um cinto de seu arnês. Enquanto o narrador recuava para bloquear um ataque perigoso, Lakor enrolou uma ponta do cinto em torno do tornozelo esquerdo do narrador. Ele puxou a outra ponta com força, fazendo o narrador cair pesadamente de costas.

En Os inimigos saltaram sobre ele como panteras, mas não haviam considerado Woola. Antes que qualquer lâmina tocasse o narrador, uma criatura que rugia, semelhante a um demônio, saltou sobre seu corpo caído — seu leal calot marciano os atacou.

En O narrador pediu ao leitor que imaginasse um grande urso pardo com dez pernas, garras afiadas e uma boca de sapo que se estendia de orelha a orelha, revelando três fileiras de longas presas brancas. Em seguida, deveriam dar a essa criatura a agilidade e a ferocidade de um tigre de Bengala muito faminto, junto com a força de dois touros. Isso daria apenas uma vaga ideia de Woola em ação.

En Antes que o narrador pudesse detê-lo, Woola matou Lakor com um único golpe de sua pata e despedaçou o outro homem. No entanto, quando o narrador falou severamente com ele, Woola se encolheu como uma ovelha, como se tivesse feito algo que merecesse culpa e punição.

En O narrador nunca teve coragem de punir Woola nos muitos anos desde que o jed verde dos Tharks o colocara para guardar o narrador. O narrador havia conquistado o amor e a lealdade de Woola, afastando-o dos senhores cruéis de sua vida passada. Mesmo assim, o narrador acreditava que Woola teria aceitado qualquer crueldade, tão grande era seu afeto.

ON THE RIVER ISS

Português

Eu me movi silenciosamente pela floresta escura que margeia a planície carmesim ao lado do Mar Perdido de Korus, no Vale Dor. Acima de mim, as luas velozes de Marte passavam rente ao planeta moribundo. Eu seguia uma figura sombria que permanecia nas sombras mais profundas, o que sugeria que sua missão era sinistra.

Original English

In the shadows of the forest that flanks the crimson plain by the side of the Lost Sea of Korus in the Valley Dor, beneath the hurtling moons of Mars, speeding their meteoric way close above the bosom of the dying planet, I crept stealthily along the trail of a shadowy form that hugged the darker places with a persistency that proclaimed the sinister nature of its errand.

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Português

Durante seis longos meses marcianos, eu havia rondado a área ao redor do odiado Templo do Sol. Nas profundezas da superfície, dentro de seu eixo de rotação lenta, minha princesa jazia aprisionada. Eu não sabia se ela estava viva ou morta. Será que a lâmina de Phaidor havia atingido seu coração? Apenas o tempo revelaria a verdade.

Original English

For six long Martian months I had haunted the vicinity of the hateful Temple of the Sun, within whose slow-revolving shaft, far beneath the surface of Mars, my princess lay entombed -- but whether alive or dead I knew not. Had Phaidor's slim blade found that beloved heart? Time only would reveal the truth.

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Português

Seiscentos e oitenta e sete dias marcianos teriam que passar antes que a porta da cela se alinhasse novamente com o final do túnel, onde eu vira pela última vez minha sempre bela Dejah Thoris.

Original English

Six hundred and eighty-seven Martian days must come and go before the cell's door would again come opposite the tunnel's end where last I had seen my ever-beautiful Dejah Thoris.

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Português

Metade desses dias já havia passado, ou passariam até o dia seguinte. No entanto, a memória daquela última cena permanecia vívida, apagando tudo antes e depois. Eu me lembrava da fumaça cegando meus olhos e da fenda estreita se fechando, cortando-me da Princesa de Hélio por um longo ano marciano.

Original English

Half of them had passed, or would on the morrow, yet vivid in my memory, obliterating every event that had come before or after, there remained the last scene before the gust of smoke blinded my eyes and the narrow slit that had given me sight of the interior of her cell closed between me and the Princess of Helium for a long Martian year.

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Português

Como se fosse ontem, eu ainda via o belo rosto de Phaidor, contorcido de raiva e ódio ciumentos. Ela era filha de Matai Shang. Ela avançou com uma adaga erguida em direção à mulher que eu amava.

Original English

As if it were yesterday, I still saw the beautiful face of Phaidor, daughter of Matai Shang, distorted with jealous rage and hatred as she sprang forward with raised dagger upon the woman I loved.

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Português

Eu testemunhei a garota vermelha, Thuvia de Ptarth, avançar para impedir o ato terrível.

Original English

I saw the red girl, Thuvia of Ptarth, leap forward to prevent the hideous deed.

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Português

A fumaça do templo em chamas então obscureceu a tragédia, mas ouvi um único grito quando a faca caiu. Seguiu-se o silêncio. Quando a fumaça se dissipou, o templo giratório bloqueou toda visão e som da sala onde as três lindas mulheres estavam aprisionadas.

Original English

The smoke from the burning temple had come then to blot out the tragedy, but in my ears rang the single shriek as the knife fell. Then silence, and when the smoke had cleared, the revolving temple had shut off all sight or sound from the chamber in which the three beautiful women were imprisoned.

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Português

Desde aquele momento terrível, muitas coisas ocuparam minha atenção, mas nunca o esqueci. Cada momento que pude poupar dos meus deveres de reconstruir o governo dos Primogênitos após nossa vitória foi passado perto do poço sombrio que segurava a mãe do meu filho, Carthoris de Hélio.

Original English

Much there had been to occupy my attention since that terrible moment; but never for an instant had the memory of the thing faded, and all the time that I could spare from the numerous duties that had devolved upon me in the reconstruction of the government of the First Born since our victorious fleet and land forces had overwhelmed them, had been spent close to the grim shaft that held the mother of my boy, Carthoris of Helium.

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Português

A raça negra, que por séculos havia adorado Issus, a falsa deusa de Marte, foi lançada no caos quando eu a revelei como nada mais que uma velha malvada. Em sua fúria, eles a despedaçaram.

Original English

The race of blacks that for ages had worshiped Issus, the false deity of Mars, had been left in a state of chaos by my revealment of her as naught more than a wicked old woman. In their rage they had torn her to pieces.

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Português

Os Primogênitos foram derrubados de seu alto orgulho para profunda humilhação. Sua deusa havia partido, e com ela toda a falsa estrutura de sua religião. Sua outrora orgulhosa marinha foi derrotada pelos navios e guerreiros superiores dos homens vermelhos de Hélio.

Original English

From the high pinnacle of their egotism the First Born had been plunged to the depths of humiliation. Their deity was gone, and with her the whole false fabric of their religion. Their vaunted navy had fallen in defeat before the superior ships and fighting men of the red men of Helium.

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Português

Guerreiros verdes ferozes dos leitos oceânicos externos de Marte montaram seus thoats selvagens pelos jardins sagrados do Templo de Issus. Tars Tarkas, o mais feroz Jeddak de Thark, sentou-se no trono de Issus e governou os Primeiros Nascidos enquanto os aliados decidiam o destino da nação conquistada.

Original English

Fierce green warriors from the ocher sea bottoms of outer Mars had ridden their wild thoats across the sacred gardens of the Temple of Issus, and Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark, fiercest of them all, had sat upon the throne of Issus and ruled the First Born while the allies were deciding the conquered nation's fate.

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Português

Quase todos pediram que eu assumisse o antigo trono dos homens negros, e até os Primeiros Nascidos concordaram. Mas eu recusei. Eu nunca poderia apoiar uma raça que tinha tratado minha princesa e meu filho tão mal.

Original English

Almost unanimous was the request that I ascend the ancient throne of the black men, even the First Born themselves concurring in it; but I would have none of it. My heart could never be with the race that had heaped indignities upon my princess and my son.

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Português

Por minha sugestão, Xodar tornou-se Jeddak dos Primeiros Nascidos. Ele havia sido um príncipe até Issus o degradar, então sua aptidão para o alto cargo era inquestionável.

Original English

At my suggestion Xodar became Jeddak of the First Born. He had been a dator, or prince, until Issus had degraded him, so that his fitness for the high office bestowed was unquestioned.

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Português

Com a paz no Vale Dor assegurada, os guerreiros verdes partiram para seus desertos leitos oceânicos. Nós de Hélio retornamos ao nosso próprio país. Lá, um trono me foi oferecido novamente, porque nenhuma notícia havia chegado do desaparecido Jeddak de Hélio, Tardos Mors, ou de seu filho Mors Kajak, que era o pai de Dejah Thoris.

Original English

The peace of the Valley Dor thus assured, the green warriors dispersed to their desolate sea bottoms, while we of Helium returned to our own country. Here again was a throne offered me, since no word had been received from the missing Jeddak of Helium, Tardos Mors, grandfather of Dejah Thoris, or his son, Mors Kajak, Jed of Helium, her father.

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Português

Mais de um ano havia se passado desde que eles partiram para explorar o hemisfério norte em busca de Carthoris. Por fim, seu povo desencorajado havia aceitado os vagos rumores de sua morte que haviam chegado da região polar congelada.

Original English

Over a year had elapsed since they had set out to explore the northern hemisphere in search of Carthoris, and at last their disheartened people had accepted as truth the vague rumors of their death that had filtered in from the frozen region of the pole.

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Português

Recusei um trono mais uma vez porque não podia aceitar que o poderoso Tardos Mors ou seu filho igualmente formidável tivesse morrido.

Original English

Once again I refused a throne, for I would not believe that the mighty Tardos Mors, or his no less redoubtable son, was dead.

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Português

Disse aos nobres de Hélio que um membro de seu próprio sangue deveria governar até que os outros retornassem. Falei do Pedestal da Verdade ao lado do Trono da Retidão no Templo da Recompensa, exatamente no local onde Zat Arras me havia sentenciado à morte um ano antes.

Original English

"Let one of their own blood rule you until they return," I said to the assembled nobles of Helium, as I addressed them from the Pedestal of Truth beside the Throne of Righteousness in the Temple of Reward, from the very spot where I had stood a year before when Zat Arras pronounced the sentence of death upon me.

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Português

Enquanto falava, avancei e coloquei minha mão no ombro de Carthoris; ele estava na primeira fila do círculo de nobres ao meu redor.

Original English

As I spoke I stepped forward and laid my hand upon the shoulder of Carthoris where he stood in the front rank of the circle of nobles about me.

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Português

Juntos, os nobres e o povo ergueram uma longa aclamação de aprovação. Dez mil espadas saltaram de suas bainhas, e os gloriosos guerreiros da antiga Hélio saudaram Carthoris como Jeddak de Hélio.

Original English

As one, the nobles and the people lifted their voices in a long cheer of approbation. Ten thousand swords sprang on high from as many scabbards, and the glorious fighting men of ancient Helium hailed Carthoris Jeddak of Helium.

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Português

Seu reinado duraria pela vida ou até que seu bisavô ou avô retornasse. Tendo resolvido esse assunto importante para Hélio, parti no dia seguinte para o Vale Dor, com a intenção de ficar perto do Templo do Sol até o dia fatídico em que a cela da prisão contendo meu amor perdido se abrisse.

Original English

His tenure of office was to be for life or until his great-grandfather, or grandfather, should return. Having thus satisfactorily arranged this important duty for Helium, I started the following day for the Valley Dor that I might remain close to the Temple of the Sun until the fateful day that should see the opening of the prison cell where my lost love lay buried.

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Português

Deixei Hor Vastus e Kantos Kan, junto com meus outros nobres tenentes, com Carthoris em Helium para que ele pudesse se beneficiar de sua sabedoria, bravura e lealdade nas difíceis tarefas que tinha que realizar. Apenas Woola, meu cão marciano, me acompanhou.

Original English

Hor Vastus and Kantos Kan, with my other noble lieutenants, I left with Carthoris at Helium, that he might have the benefit of their wisdom, bravery, and loyalty in the performance of the arduous duties which had devolved upon him. Only Woola, my Martian hound, accompanied me.

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Português

A fera fiel se movia suavemente atrás de mim esta noite. Grande como um pônei Shetland, com uma cabeça horrível e presas assustadoras, ele era uma visão impressionante enquanto se arrastava atrás de mim sobre suas dez pernas curtas e musculosas. Mas para mim, ele personificava amor e lealdade.

Original English

At my heels tonight the faithful beast moved softly in my tracks. As large as a Shetland pony, with hideous head and frightful fangs, he was indeed an awesome spectacle, as he crept after me on his ten short, muscular legs; but to me he was the embodiment of love and loyalty.

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Português

A figura adiante era Thurid, o dator negro dos Primogênitos, cujo ódio duradouro eu havia conquistado quando o derrotei com minhas próprias mãos no pátio do Templo de Issus e o amarrei com seu próprio arreio diante dos nobres homens e mulheres que estavam elogiando sua proeza.

Original English

The figure ahead was that of the black dator of the First Born, Thurid, whose undying enmity I had earned that time I laid him low with my bare hands in the courtyard of the Temple of Issus, and bound him with his own harness before the noble men and women who had but a moment before been extolling his prowess.

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Português

Como muitos de sua espécie, ele aparentemente havia aceitado a nova ordem de bom grado e jurado lealdade a Xodar, seu novo governante. Mas eu sabia que ele me odiava, e acreditava que ele invejava e odiava Xodar em seu coração, então eu observava seus movimentos e ultimamente me convenci de que ele estava envolvido em algum tipo de complô.

Original English

Like many of his fellows, he had apparently accepted the new order of things with good grace, and had sworn fealty to Xodar, his new ruler; but I knew that he hated me, and I was sure that in his heart he envied and hated Xodar, so I had kept a watch upon his comings and goings, to the end that of late I had become convinced that he was occupied with some manner of intrigue.

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Português

Várias vezes eu o vi deixar a cidade murada dos Primogênitos após o anoitecer, seguindo para o cruel e terrível Vale Dor, onde nenhum negócio honesto poderia levar qualquer homem.

Original English

Several times I had observed him leaving the walled city of the First Born after dark, taking his way out into the cruel and horrible Valley Dor, where no honest business could lead any man.

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Português

Naquela noite, ele viajou rapidamente pela borda da floresta até ficar longe da vista e dos sons da cidade. Então ele atravessou a pradaria vermelha e seguiu em direção à costa do Mar Perdido de Korus.

Original English

Tonight he moved quickly along the edge of the forest until well beyond sight or sound of the city, then he turned across the crimson sward toward the shore of the Lost Sea of Korus.

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Português

A luz da lua mais próxima, pairando baixa sobre o vale, refletia em sua armadura coberta de joias em inúmeras cores cambiantes, e também brilhava em sua pele negra e lisa. Duas vezes ele olhou para trás, em direção à floresta, à maneira de alguém em uma missão sinistra, embora provavelmente se sentisse confiante de que não estava sendo seguido.

Original English

The rays of the nearer moon, swinging low across the valley, touched his jewel-incrusted harness with a thousand changing lights and glanced from the glossy ebony of his smooth hide. Twice he turned his head back toward the forest, after the manner of one who is upon an evil errand, though he must have felt quite safe from pursuit.

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Português

Não ousei segui-lo sob o luar, porque convinha aos meus planos não interferir nos dele. Eu queria que ele chegasse ao seu destino sem saber, para poder descobrir exatamente onde ficava aquele lugar e que negócio aguardava o andarilho noturno ali.

Original English

I did not dare follow him there beneath the moonlight, since it best suited my plans not to interrupt his -- I wished him to reach his destination unsuspecting, that I might learn just where that destination lay and the business that awaited the night prowler there.

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Português

Portanto, fiquei oculto até que Thurid desaparecesse sobre a borda do barranco íngreme junto ao mar, a cerca de um quarto de milha de distância. Então, com Woola nos meus calcanhares, apressei-me pelo terreno aberto em perseguição ao dator negro.

Original English

So it was that I remained hidden until after Thurid had disappeared over the edge of the steep bank beside the sea a quarter of a mile away. Then, with Woola following, I hastened across the open after the black dator.

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Português

Um silêncio sepulcral envolvia o misterioso vale da morte, que jazia aninhado profundamente na depressão quente no polo sul do planeta moribundo. Ao longe, os Penhascos Dourados erguiam suas faces maciças alto no céu estrelado, seus metais preciosos e joias cintilantes brilhando na luz brilhante das duas belas luas de Marte.

Original English

The quiet of the tomb lay upon the mysterious valley of death, crouching deep in its warm nest within the sunken area at the south pole of the dying planet. In the far distance the Golden Cliffs raised their mighty barrier faces far into the starlit heavens, the precious metals and scintillating jewels that composed them sparkling in the brilliant light of Mars's two gorgeous moons.

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Português

Atrás de mim, a floresta havia sido cuidadosamente podada pela alimentação dos homens-planta, dando-lhe uma aparência simétrica, como a de um parque.

Original English

At my back was the forest, pruned and trimmed like the sward to parklike symmetry by the browsing of the ghoulish plant men.

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Português

Diante de mim estendia-se o Mar Perdido de Korus, e além dele eu vislumbrei a fita brilhante do Rio Iss, que fluía de sob os Penhascos Dourados para Korus. Por inúmeras eras, marcianos iludidos do mundo exterior haviam feito uma peregrinação voluntária a este falso paraíso.

Original English

Before me lay the Lost Sea of Korus, while farther on I caught the shimmering ribbon of Iss, the River of Mystery, where it wound out from beneath the Golden Cliffs to empty into Korus, to which for countless ages had been borne the deluded and unhappy Martians of the outer world upon the voluntary pilgrimage to this false heaven.

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Português

Os homens-planta, com suas mãos sugadoras de sangue, e os monstrosos macacos brancos que tornavam Dor hediondo durante o dia, haviam se retirado para suas tocas durante a noite.

Original English

The plant men, with their blood-sucking hands, and the monstrous white apes that make Dor hideous by day, were hidden in their lairs for the night.

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Português

Nenhum Thern Sagrado estava na varanda dos Penhascos Dourados acima do Iss para convocar com um grito estranho as vítimas que flutuavam rio abaixo em direção às suas bocas esperando na superfície fria e larga do antigo Iss.

Original English

There was no longer a Holy Thern upon the balcony in the Golden Cliffs above the Iss to summon them with weird cry to the victims floating down to their maws upon the cold, broad bosom of ancient Iss.

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Português

As frotas de Hélio e do Primogênito haviam limpado as fortalezas e templos dos therns depois que os therns se recusaram a se render e aceitar a nova ordem que havia varrido sua falsa religião da sofrida Marte.

Original English

The navies of Helium and the First Born had cleared the fortresses and the temples of the therns when they had refused to surrender and accept the new order of things that had swept their false religion from long-suffering Mars.

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Português

Em alguns países remotos, os Therns Sagrados ainda detinham seu antigo poder. No entanto, seu líder Matai Shang, conhecido como o hekkador e Pai dos Therns, havia sido expulso de seu templo. Eles tentaram muito capturá-lo, mas ele conseguiu escapar com um pequeno grupo de seguidores leais e agora estava escondido, embora seu paradeiro permanecesse desconhecido.

Original English

In a few isolated countries they still retained their age-old power; but Matai Shang, their hekkador, Father of Therns, had been driven from his temple. Strenuous had been our endeavors to capture him; but with a few of the faithful he had escaped, and was in hiding -- where we knew not.

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Português

Ao me aproximar cuidadosamente da borda do penhasco baixo acima do Mar Perdido de Korus, avistei Thurid lançando um pequeno barco nas águas cintilantes. Era uma daquelas embarcações estranhamente construídas de grande idade que os Therns Sagrados, junto com seus sacerdotes e therns menores, costumavam colocar ao longo das margens do Iss. Eles faziam isso para facilitar a longa jornada de suas vítimas.

Original English

As I came cautiously to the edge of the low cliff overlooking the Lost Sea of Korus I saw Thurid pushing out upon the bosom of the shimmering water in a small skiff -- one of those strangely wrought craft of unthinkable age which the Holy Therns, with their organization of priests and lesser therns, were wont to distribute along the banks of the Iss, that the long journey of their victims might be facilitated.

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Português

Na praia abaixo de mim, cerca de vinte barcos semelhantes estavam puxados para fora, cada um equipado com uma longa vara que tinha uma lança em uma extremidade e um remo na outra. Thurid manteve-se perto da costa, e quando ele desapareceu ao redor de um ponto próximo, empurrei um dos barcos para a água, chamei Woola para se juntar a mim e parti da costa.

Original English

Drawn up on the beach below me were a score of similar boats, each with its long pole, at one end of which was a pike, at the other a paddle. Thurid was hugging the shore, and as he passed out of sight round a near-by promontory I shoved one of the boats into the water and, calling Woola into it, pushed out from shore.

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Português

Minha perseguição a Thurid me levou ao longo da borda do mar em direção à foz do Iss. A lua mais distante estava baixa no horizonte, criando sombras profundas sob os penhascos ao lado da água. Thuria, a lua mais próxima, já havia se posto e não nasceria novamente por quase quatro horas. Isso me garantiu escuridão para me esconder por pelo menos esse tempo.

Original English

The pursuit of Thurid carried me along the edge of the sea toward the mouth of the Iss. The farther moon lay close to the horizon, casting a dense shadow beneath the cliffs that fringed the water. Thuria, the nearer moon, had set, nor would it rise again for near four hours, so that I was ensured concealing darkness for that length of time at least.

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Português

O guerreiro escuro continuou adiante. Quando ele alcançou o ponto oposto à foz do Iss, ele entrou no sombrio rio sem hesitação, remando vigorosamente contra a forte correnteza.

Original English

On and on went the black warrior. Now he was opposite the mouth of the Iss. Without an instant's hesitation he turned up the grim river, paddling hard against the strong current.

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Português

Woola e eu o seguíamos, aproximando-nos porque o homem estava muito concentrado em forçar seu barco rio acima para perceber o que acontecia atrás dele. Ele se mantinha perto da margem, onde a corrente era mais fraca.

Original English

After him came Woola and I, closer now, for the man was too intent upon forcing his craft up the river to have any eyes for what might be transpiring behind him. He hugged the shore where the current was less strong.

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Português

Logo ele alcançou uma grande abertura escura nos Penhascos Dourados, por onde o rio fluía. Ele conduziu seu barco adiante para a escuridão profunda além.

Original English

Presently he came to the dark cavernous portal in the face of the Golden Cliffs, through which the river poured. On into the Stygian darkness beyond he urged his craft.

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Português

Segui-lo ali parecia impossível, pois eu não conseguia ver minha própria mão diante do rosto. Eu estava prestes a abandonar a perseguição e voltar à foz do rio para esperar seu retorno, quando uma curva repentina revelou um leve brilho adiante.

Original English

It seemed hopeless to attempt to follow him here where I could not see my hand before my face, and I was almost on the point of giving up the pursuit and drifting back to the mouth of the river, there to await his return, when a sudden bend showed a faint luminosity ahead.

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Português

Eu podia ver meu alvo claramente novamente. A luz ficou mais forte vinda da rocha fosforescente incrustada em grandes manchas no teto arqueado e irregular da caverna, e não tive dificuldade em continuar a segui-lo.

Original English

My quarry was plainly visible again, and in the increasing light from the phosphorescent rock that lay embedded in great patches in the roughly arched roof of the cavern I had no difficulty in following him.

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Português

Esta foi minha primeira viagem no rio Iss, e as visões que testemunhei lá permaneceriam gravadas em minha memória para sempre.

Original English

It was my first trip upon the bosom of Iss, and the things I saw there will live forever in my memory.

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Português

As terríveis condições que existiam antes de Tars Tarkas, o grande guerreiro verde, Xodar, o dator negro, e eu revelarmos a verdade ao mundo exterior eram muito piores do que o que víamos agora. Nós havíamos interrompido a corrida frenética de milhões em direção ao que acreditavam ser um belo vale de paz e felicidade.

Original English

Terrible as they were, they could not have commenced to approximate the horrible conditions which must have obtained before Tars Tarkas, the great green warrior, Xodar, the black dator, and I brought the light of truth to the outer world and stopped the mad rush of millions upon the voluntary pilgrimage to what they believed would end in a beautiful valley of peace and happiness and love.

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Português

Ainda agora, as ilhas baixas espalhadas pelo vasto rio estavam lotadas de esqueletos e corpos parcialmente devorados daqueles que, por medo ou pela súbita percepção da verdade, haviam parado quase no final de sua jornada.

Original English

Even now the low islands which dotted the broad stream were choked with the skeletons and half devoured carcasses of those who, through fear or a sudden awakening to the truth, had halted almost at the completion of their journey.

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Português

No fedor terrível dessas ilhas horripilantes, loucos abatidos gritavam, balbuciavam e lutavam entre os restos dilacerados de suas refeições macabras; nas ilhas com apenas ossos limpos, eles lutavam uns contra os outros, os mais fracos alimentando os mais fortes, ou agarravam corpos inchados que flutuavam rio abaixo.

Original English

In the awful stench of these frightful charnel isles haggard maniacs screamed and gibbered and fought among the torn remnants of their grisly feasts; while on those which contained but clean-picked bones they battled with one another, the weaker furnishing sustenance for the stronger; or with clawlike hands clutched at the bloated bodies that drifted down with the current.

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Português

Thurid não prestou atenção às criaturas que gritavam, que o ameaçavam ou imploravam. Ele estava claramente acostumado a visões tão horríveis. Continuou subindo o rio por cerca de uma milha, depois cruzou para a margem esquerda e puxou seu barco para uma saliência baixa quase no nível da água.

Original English

Thurid paid not the slightest attention to the screaming things that either menaced or pleaded with him as the mood directed them -- evidently he was familiar with the horrid sights that surrounded him. He continued up the river for perhaps a mile; and then, crossing over to the left bank, drew his craft up on a low ledge that lay almost on a level with the water.

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Português

Não ousei segui-lo através do rio, pois certamente ele me veria. Em vez disso, parei perto da parede oposta sob uma rocha saliente que projetava uma sombra profunda, onde eu podia observar Thurid sem risco de ser descoberto.

Original English

I dared not follow across the stream, for he most surely would have seen me. Instead I stopped close to the opposite wall beneath an overhanging mass of rock that cast a dense shadow beneath it. Here I could watch Thurid without danger of discovery.

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Português

O homem de pele escura estava sobre o parapeito ao lado de seu barco, olhando rio acima, como se esperasse alguém que vinha daquela direção.

Original English

The black was standing upon the ledge beside his boat, looking up the river, as though he were awaiting one whom he expected from that direction.

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Português

Enquanto eu estava deitado sob as rochas escuras, notei uma forte correnteza fluindo em direção ao centro do rio, dificultando manter minha embarcação firme. Avancei mais para dentro da sombra para encontrar apoio na margem, mas depois de vários metros não toquei em nada. Logo perderia de vista o homem escuro, então fiquei onde estava, remando com força contra a correnteza que vinha de trás da massa rochosa.

Original English

As I lay there beneath the dark rocks I noticed that a strong current seemed to flow directly toward the center of the river, so that it was difficult to hold my craft in its position. I edged farther into the shadow that I might find a hold upon the bank; but, though I proceeded several yards, I touched nothing; and then, finding that I would soon reach a point from where I could no longer see the black man, I was compelled to remain where I was, holding my position as best I could by paddling strongly against the current which flowed from beneath the rocky mass behind me.

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Português

Não conseguia entender o que causava essa forte correnteza transversal. Do lugar onde eu estava sentado, o canal principal do rio era claramente visível, e eu podia ver o ponto ondulado onde ele se encontrava com a misteriosa corrente que havia despertado minha curiosidade.

Original English

I could not imagine what might cause this strong lateral flow, for the main channel of the river was plainly visible to me from where I sat, and I could see the rippling junction of it and the mysterious current which had aroused my curiosity.

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Português

Enquanto ainda especulava sobre o fenômeno, minha atenção foi subitamente fixada em Thurid. Ele havia erguido as duas palmas para frente acima da cabeça na saudação marciana universal, e um momento depois sua saudação baixa mas distinta, a palavra barsoomiana Kaor, chegou até mim.

Original English

While I was still speculating upon the phenomenon, my attention was suddenly riveted upon Thurid, who had raised both palms forward above his head in the universal salute of Martians, and a moment later his "Kaor!" the Barsoomian word of greeting, came in low but distinct tones.

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Português

Desviei meu olhar rio acima na direção em que ele estava olhando, e logo um longo barco entrou em minha visão limitada. Havia seis homens a bordo: cinco nos remos e o sexto sentado no lugar de honra.

Original English

I turned my eyes up the river in the direction that his were bent, and presently there came within my limited range of vision a long boat, in which were six men. Five were at the paddles, while the sixth sat in the seat of honor.

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Português

Sua pele branca, perucas amarelas esvoaçantes cobrindo cabeças calvas e lindos círculos de ouro com diademas os marcavam como Therns Sagrados.

Original English

The white skins, the flowing yellow wigs which covered their bald pates, and the gorgeous diadems set in circlets of gold about their heads marked them as Holy Therns.

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Português

Quando o barco parou no parapeito onde Thurid esperava, um homem se levantou da proa para desembarcar. O narrador então viu que era Matai Shang, o Pai dos Therns.

Original English

As they drew up beside the ledge upon which Thurid awaited them, he in the bow of the boat arose to step ashore, and then I saw that it was none other than Matai Shang, Father of Therns.

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Português

O narrador ficou maravilhado com as saudações cordiais entre os dois homens, já que as raças negra e branca de Barsoom eram inimigas hereditárias. Ele nunca as vira se encontrar exceto em batalha.

Original English

The evident cordiality with which the two men exchanged greetings filled me with wonder, for the black and white men of Barsoom were hereditary enemies -- nor ever before had I known of two meeting other than in battle.

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Português

Parecia que os recentes reveses para ambos os povos levaram a uma aliança entre esses dois, pelo menos contra um inimigo comum. O narrador agora entendia por que Thurid frequentemente se aventurava no Vale Dor à noite e percebeu que a conspiração deles poderia envolvê-lo diretamente ou a seus amigos.

Original English

Evidently the reverses that had recently overtaken both peoples had resulted in an alliance between these two individuals -- at least against the common enemy -- and now I saw why Thurid had come so often out into the Valley Dor by night, and that the nature of his conspiring might be such as to strike very close to me or to my friends.

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Português

O narrador desejou ter estado mais perto para ouvir a conversa deles, mas atravessar o rio agora era impossível. Então ele ficou quieto observando-os, sabendo que eles dariam muito para saber o quão perto ele estava, e com que facilidade poderiam tê-lo dominado e matado com seus números superiores.

Original English

I wished that I might have found a point closer to the two men from which to have heard their conversation; but it was out of the question now to attempt to cross the river, and so I lay quietly watching them, who would have given so much to have known how close I lay to them, and how easily they might have overcome and killed me with their superior force.

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Português

Thurid apontou várias vezes através do rio, embora o narrador não suspeitasse que os gestos fossem dirigidos a ele. Logo, Thurid embarcou no barco de Matai Shang, que então virou e seguiu firmemente em direção à posição do narrador.

Original English

Several times Thurid pointed across the river in my direction, but that his gestures had any reference to me I did not for a moment believe. Presently he and Matai Shang entered the latter's boat, which turned out into the river and, swinging round, forged steadily across in my direction.

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Português

À medida que o outro barco avançava, o narrador guiou sua embarcação mais para baixo de uma parede saliente. Ficou claro que eles estavam seguindo o mesmo curso. Os cinco remadores impulsionaram o barco maior com velocidade, forçando o narrador a remar vigorosamente para acompanhar.

Original English

As they advanced I moved my boat farther and farther in beneath the overhanging wall, but at last it became evident that their craft was holding the same course. The five paddlers sent the larger boat ahead at a speed that taxed my energies to equal.

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Português

A cada momento, o narrador esperava colidir com uma rocha sólida. A luz do rio havia desaparecido atrás dele, mas à frente ele vislumbrou um fraco brilho, e a água permanecia aberta diante dele.

Original English

Every instant I expected to feel my prow crash against solid rock. The light from the river was no longer visible, but ahead I saw the faint tinge of a distant radiance, and still the water before me was open.

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Português

O narrador finalmente entendeu: ele estava seguindo um rio subterrâneo que desaguava no Iss exatamente onde ele havia se escondido.

Original English

At last the truth dawned upon me -- I was following a subterranean river which emptied into the Iss at the very point where I had hidden.

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Português

Os remadores estavam agora muito próximos; o barulho de seus próprios remos abafou o dele. Ele sabia que em mais um momento a luz que se aproximava o revelaria.

Original English

The rowers were now quite close to me. The noise of their own paddles drowned the sound of mine, but in another instant the growing light ahead would reveal me to them.

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Português

Tive que agir imediatamente. Virei meu barco em direção à margem direita e me escondi entre as rochas. Então esperei enquanto Matai Shang e Thurid se aproximavam pelo meio do rio, que era muito mais estreito aqui do que o Iss.

Original English

There was no time to be lost. Whatever action I was to take must be taken at once. Swinging the prow of my boat toward the right, I sought the river's rocky side, and there I lay while Matai Shang and Thurid approached up the center of the stream, which was much narrower than the Iss.

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Português

À medida que se aproximavam, eu podia ouvir Thurid e o Pai dos Therns discutindo alto.

Original English

As they came nearer I heard the voices of Thurid and the Father of Therns raised in argument.

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Português

O dator negro insistiu que só queria vingança contra John Carter, Príncipe de Hélio. Ele negou estar os levando para uma armadilha, perguntando o que ganharia ao traí-los para aqueles que haviam destruído sua nação e sua casa.

Original English

"I tell you, Thern," the black dator was saying, "that I wish only vengeance upon John Carter, Prince of Helium. I am leading you into no trap. What could I gain by betraying you to those who have ruined my nation and my house?"

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Português

O hekkador respondeu que deveriam parar para que ele pudesse ouvir os planos de Thurid, e então poderiam prosseguir com um melhor entendimento de seus deveres e obrigações.

Original English

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

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Português

Ele ordenou aos remadores que trouxessem o barco em direção à margem, parando a apenas dez passos de onde eu estava escondido.

Original English

To the rowers he issued the command that brought their boat in toward the bank not a dozen paces beyond the spot where I lay.

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Português

Se eles tivessem pousado mais perto dele, o leve brilho da luz à frente teria revelado sua posição. No entanto, eles pararam suficientemente longe para que ele permanecesse escondido, tão seguro de ser descoberto como se estivessem a quilômetros de distância.

Original English

Had they pulled in below me they must surely have seen me against the faint glow of light ahead, but from where they finally came to rest I was as secure from detection as though miles separated us.

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Português

As poucas palavras que ele ouvira o deixaram intensamente curioso, e ele estava ansioso para descobrir que vingança Thurid estava planejando contra ele. Ele não precisou esperar muito; ele ouviu atentamente.

Original English

The few words I had already overheard whetted my curiosity, and I was anxious to learn what manner of vengeance Thurid was planning against me. Nor had I long to wait. I listened intently.

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Português

O Primogênito disse ao Pai dos Therns que Thurid, um Dator de Issus, não tinha preço e não devia obrigações. Após a tarefa ser concluída, ele apenas pediu para ser bem recebido em uma corte ainda leal à fé antiga, já que não poderia retornar ao Vale Dor ou a qualquer lugar sob o poder do Príncipe de Hélio. No entanto, ele deixou claro que isso não era uma exigência e que o Pai dos Therns poderia decidir como quisesse.

Original English

"There are no obligations, Father of Therns," continued the First Born. "Thurid, Dator of Issus, has no price. When the thing has been accomplished I shall be glad if you will see to it that I am well received, as is befitting my ancient lineage and noble rank, at some court that is yet loyal to thy ancient faith, for I cannot return to the Valley Dor or elsewhere within the power of the Prince of Helium; but even that I do not demand -- it shall be as your own desire in the matter directs."

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Português

Matai Shang respondeu que atenderia ao desejo do Dator e prometeu-lhe poder e riquezas adicionais, desde que ele restaurasse sua filha, Phaidor, e entregasse Dejah Thoris, a Princesa de Hélio, em suas mãos.

Original English

"It shall be as you wish, Dator," replied Matai Shang; "nor is that all -- power and riches shall be yours if you restore my daughter, Phaidor, to me, and place within my power Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium.

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Português

Ele continuou com um tom malicioso, afirmando que o homem da Terra sofreria pelos insultos que havia infligido às suas coisas mais sagradas, e que nenhuma crueldade seria grande demais para infligir à sua princesa. Ele desejava poder forçar o homem da Terra a testemunhar a humilhação e degradação da mulher vermelha.

Original English

"Ah," he continued with a malicious snarl, "but the Earth man shall suffer for the indignities he has put upon the holy of holies, nor shall any vileness be too vile to inflict upon his princess. Would that it were in my power to force him to witness the humiliation and degradation of the red woman."

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Português

Thurid assegurou a Matai Shang que ele teria o que queria com a mulher antes do dia seguinte, se desse a ordem.

Original English

"You shall have your way with her before another day has passed, Matai Shang," said Thurid, "if you but say the word."

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Português

Matai Shang respondeu que conhecia o Templo do Sol, mas nunca ouvira falar de prisioneiros sendo libertados antes do fim do seu período completo. Ele perguntou como Thurid poderia realizar tal impossibilidade.

Original English

"I have heard of the Temple of the Sun, Dator," replied Matai Shang, "but never have I heard that its prisoners could be released before the allotted year of their incarceration had elapsed. How, then, may you accomplish the impossible?"

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Português

Thurid explicou que qualquer cela no templo podia ser acessada a qualquer momento. Apenas Issus sabia disso, e ela raramente compartilhava seus segredos. Após a morte dela, ele encontrara um plano antigo do templo com instruções detalhadas para alcançar as celas.

Original English

"Access may be had to any cell of the temple at any time," replied Thurid. "Only Issus knew this; nor was it ever Issus' way to divulge more of her secrets than were necessary. By chance, after her death, I came upon an ancient plan of the temple, and there I found, plainly writ, the most minute directions for reaching the cells at any time.

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Português

Ele também aprendera que muitos homens tinham ido ao templo para Issus, sempre em missões de morte e tortura. No entanto, aqueles que aprendiam o caminho secreto frequentemente morriam misteriosamente logo após relatarem a ela.

Original English

"And more I learned -- that many men had gone thither for Issus in the past, always on errands of death and torture to the prisoners; but those who thus learned the secret way were wont to die mysteriously immediately they had returned and made their reports to cruel Issus."

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Português

Finalmente, Matai Shang concordou em prosseguir, declarando que precisava confiar em Thurid, mas que Thurid também precisava confiar nele, já que eram seis contra um.

Original English

"Let us proceed, then," said Matai Shang at last. "I must trust you, yet at the same time you must trust me, for we are six to your one."

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Português

Thurid disse que não estava com medo, e que a outra pessoa também não precisava ficar. Ele acreditava que o ódio compartilhado pelo inimigo comum era suficiente para garantir a lealdade entre eles. Ele acrescentou que, depois que tivessem desonrado a Princesa de Hélio, haveria uma razão ainda mais forte para permanecerem fiéis, a menos que ele estivesse muito enganado sobre o caráter do marido dela.

Original English

"I do not fear," replied Thurid, "nor need you. Our hatred of the common enemy is sufficient bond to insure our loyalty to each other, and after we have defiled the Princess of Helium there will be still greater reason for the maintenance of our allegiance -- unless I greatly mistake the temper of her lord."

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Português

Matai Shang deu instruções aos remadores. O barco continuou sua jornada rio acima, pelo rio menor.

Original English

Matai Shang spoke to the paddlers. The boat moved on up the tributary.

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Português

O narrador achou muito difícil se conter para não atacar os dois vilões. No entanto, ele logo percebeu o quão tola tal ação seria. Isso mataria a única pessoa que poderia guiá-lo até a prisão de Dejah Thoris, antes que o longo ano marciano completasse seu ciclo interminável.

Original English

It was with difficulty that I restrained myself from rushing upon them and slaying the two vile plotters; but quickly I saw the mad rashness of such an act, which would cut down the only man who could lead the way to Dejah Thoris' prison before the long Martian year had swung its interminable circle.

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Português

Se Thurid levasse Matai Shang àquele lugar sagrado, ele também levaria John Carter, o Príncipe de Hélio, até lá.

Original English

If he should lead Matai Shang to that hallowed spot, then, too, should he lead John Carter, Prince of Helium.

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Português

Usando um remo silencioso, o narrador moveu lentamente seu barco para seguir atrás da embarcação maior.

Original English

With silent paddle I swung slowly into the wake of the larger craft.

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UNDER THE MOUNTAINS

Português

O rio serpenteava sob os Penhascos Dourados, emergindo das Montanhas de Otz para se juntar ao sombrio e misterioso Iss. Conforme avançávamos, um leve brilho à frente gradualmente se intensificava até envolver tudo ao nosso redor.

Original English

As we advanced up the river which winds beneath the Golden Cliffs out of the bowels of the Mountains of Otz to mingle its dark waters with the grim and mysterious Iss the faint glow which had appeared before us grew gradually into an all-enveloping radiance.

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Português

O rio se alargou em um vasto lago sob uma cúpula iluminada por rocha fosforescente. A cúpula brilhava com a luz de diamantes, safiras, rubis e inúmeras outras joias barsoomianas incrustadas no ouro puro que formava a maior parte dos penhascos.

Original English

The river widened until it presented the aspect of a large lake whose vaulted dome, lighted by glowing phosphorescent rock, was splashed with the vivid rays of the diamond, the sapphire, the ruby, and the countless, nameless jewels of Barsoom which lay incrusted in the virgin gold which forms the major portion of these magnificent cliffs.

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Português

Além da câmara iluminada do lago, havia apenas escuridão, e eu não conseguia adivinhar o que estava escondido ali.

Original English

Beyond the lighted chamber of the lake was darkness -- what lay behind the darkness I could not even guess.

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Português

Seguir o barco de Thurid através da água reluzente teria significado descoberta imediata. Embora eu odiasse deixá-lo fora de minha vista, fui forçado a esperar nas sombras até que seu barco desaparecesse no extremo oposto do lago.

Original English

To have followed the thern boat across the gleaming water would have been to invite instant detection, and so, though I was loath to permit Thurid to pass even for an instant beyond my sight, I was forced to wait in the shadows until the other boat had passed from my sight at the far extremity of the lake.

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Português

Então remei para a superfície brilhante, seguindo na direção que eles haviam tomado.

Original English

Then I paddled out upon the brilliant surface in the direction they had taken.

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Português

Após o que parecia uma espera interminável, finalmente alcancei a extremidade superior escura do lago. Lá, descobri que o rio fluía através de uma abertura baixa. Para passar por baixo dela, tive que fazer Woola deitar-se no barco, e eu mesmo tive que me curvar para evitar bater a cabeça no teto baixo.

Original English

When, after what seemed an eternity, I reached the shadows at the upper end of the lake I found that the river issued from a low aperture, to pass beneath which it was necessary that I compel Woola to lie flat in the boat, and I, myself, must need bend double before the low roof cleared my head.

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Português

Do outro lado, o teto subiu novamente, mas a passagem não estava mais intensamente iluminada. Em vez disso, apenas um brilho fraco vinha de pequenos e dispersos trechos de rocha fosforescente nas paredes e no teto.

Original English

Immediately the roof rose again upon the other side, but no longer was the way brilliantly lighted. Instead only a feeble glow emanated from small and scattered patches of phosphorescent rock in wall and roof.

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Português

Bem na minha frente, o rio fluía para esta câmara menor através de três aberturas arqueadas separadas.

Original English

Directly before me the river ran into this smaller chamber through three separate arched openings.

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Português

Thurid e os therns não estavam à vista. Não havia como saber em qual buraco escuro eles haviam entrado, então escolhi a abertura do meio, esperando que ela me levasse na direção certa.

Original English

Thurid and the therns were nowhere to be seen -- into which of the dark holes had they disappeared? There was no means by which I might know, and so I chose the center opening as being as likely to lead me in the right direction as another.

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Português

O caminho à frente estava completamente escuro. O riacho era tão estreito que, na escuridão, eu continuava esbarrando nas paredes rochosas de ambos os lados enquanto o rio serpenteava em seu leito pedregoso.

Original English

Here the way was through utter darkness. The stream was narrow -- so narrow that in the blackness I was constantly bumping first one rock wall and then another as the river wound hither and thither along its flinty bed.

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Português

De muito longe, um rugido profundo e ameaçador ficou mais alto à medida que avançava. Quando contornei uma curva fechada em um trecho de água mal iluminado, o som se chocou contra meus ouvidos com força total e selvagem.

Original English

Far ahead I presently heard a deep and sullen roar which increased in volume as I advanced, and then broke upon my ears with all the intensity of its mad fury as I swung round a sharp curve into a dimly lighted stretch of water.

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Português

Diretamente à frente, o rio descia de cima em uma poderosa cachoeira que preenchia completamente o desfiladeiro estreito, elevando-se centenas de metros acima de mim. Foi uma das visões mais magníficas que já testemunhei.

Original English

Directly before me the river thundered down from above in a mighty waterfall that filled the narrow gorge from side to side, rising far above me several hundred feet -- as magnificent a spectacle as I ever had seen.

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Português

O rugido das águas caindo, preso dentro da caverna rochosa subterrânea, era avassalador e ensurdecedor. Mesmo que a cachoeira não tivesse bloqueado completamente meu caminho e revelado meu erro, acho que teria fugido daquele barulho enlouquecedor de qualquer forma.

Original English

But the roar -- the awful, deafening roar of those tumbling waters penned in the rocky, subterranean vault! Had the fall not entirely blocked my further passage and shown me that I had followed the wrong course I believe that I should have fled anyway before the maddening tumult.

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Português

Thurid e os therns não poderiam ter seguido esta rota. Ao escolher acidentalmente o caminho errado, perdi o rastro deles. Eles estavam agora tão adiantados que eu poderia não alcançá-los a tempo — se é que conseguiria encontrá-los novamente.

Original English

Thurid and the therns could not have come this way. By stumbling upon the wrong course I had lost the trail, and they had gained so much ahead of me that now I might not be able to find them before it was too late, if, in fact, I could find them at all.

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Português

Levei várias horas para subir o rio até a cachoeira contra a forte correnteza. Voltar rio abaixo também levaria horas, embora o ritmo fosse muito mais rápido.

Original English

It had taken several hours to force my way up to the falls against the strong current, and other hours would be required for the descent, although the pace would be much swifter.

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Português

Suspirei e virei meu barco rio abaixo. Com remadas poderosas e imprudentes, atravessei rapidamente o canal escuro e sinuoso até voltar à câmara onde os três braços do rio se encontravam.

Original English

With a sigh I turned the prow of my craft down stream, and with mighty strokes hastened with reckless speed through the dark and tortuous channel until once again I came to the chamber into which flowed the three branches of the river.

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Português

Dois canais inexplorados restavam diante de mim, e eu não tinha como julgar qual era mais provável de levar aos conspiradores.

Original English

Two unexplored channels still remained from which to choose; nor was there any means by which I could judge which was the more likely to lead me to the plotters.

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Português

Nunca havia sofrido tamanha agonia de indecisão. Tanto dependia de uma escolha correta, e tanto dependia da pressa.

Original English

Never in my life, that I can recall, have I suffered such an agony of indecision. So much depended upon a correct choice; so much depended upon haste.

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Português

As horas que já havia perdido poderiam selar o destino da incomparável Dejah Thoris, se ela já não estivesse morta. Sacrificar mais horas, talvez dias, em uma exploração infrutífera de outra pista falsa certamente seria fatal.

Original English

The hours that I had already lost might seal the fate of the incomparable Dejah Thoris were she not already dead -- to sacrifice other hours, and maybe days in a fruitless exploration of another blind lead would unquestionably prove fatal.

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Português

Várias vezes tentei a entrada da direita, apenas para voltar como se avisado por alguma intuição estranha de que não era o caminho. Por fim, convencido por esse sentimento repetido, comprometi-me com o arco da esquerda. No entanto, lancei um olhar de despedida cheio de dúvida persistente para as águas sombrias e escuras que rolavam por baixo do arco baixo e sinistro à direita.

Original English

Several times I essayed the right-hand entrance only to turn back as though warned by some strange intuitive sense that this was not the way. At last, convinced by the oft-recurring phenomenon, I cast my all upon the left-hand archway; yet it was with a lingering doubt that I turned a parting look at the sullen waters which rolled, dark and forbidding, from beneath the grim, low archway on the right.

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Português

Enquanto eu observava, a casca de uma grande e suculenta fruta sorapus emergiu do interior escuro como breu e flutuou na corrente.

Original English

And as I looked there came bobbing out upon the current from the Stygian darkness of the interior the shell of one of the great, succulent fruits of the sorapus tree.

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Português

Eu mal conseguiria conter um grito de alegria quando este mensageiro silencioso e sem vida flutuou passando por mim em direção ao Iss e Korus, pois indicava que marcianos viajantes estavam no rio acima de mim.

Original English

I could scarce restrain a shout of elation as this silent, insensate messenger floated past me, on toward the Iss and Korus, for it told me that journeying Martians were above me on that very stream.

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Português

Eles haviam comido a fruta notável que a natureza concentra dentro da casca dura da noz de sorapus e depois jogado a casca ao mar. Isso só poderia ter vindo do grupo que eu estava perseguindo.

Original English

They had eaten of this marvelous fruit which nature concentrates within the hard shell of the sorapus nut, and having eaten had cast the husk overboard. It could have come from no others than the party I sought.

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Português

Rapidamente desisti da ideia da passagem esquerda e entrei na direita. O riacho logo se alargou e manchas de rocha fosforescente iluminaram meu caminho.

Original English

Quickly I abandoned all thought of the left-hand passage, and a moment later had turned into the right. The stream soon widened, and recurring areas of phosphorescent rock lighted my way.

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Português

Eu progredi bem, mas acreditava que estava quase um dia atrás daqueles que eu seguia. Nem Woola nem eu tínhamos comido desde o dia anterior, mas isso importava pouco para ele, já que quase todos os animais dos leitos mortos de Marte podem passar por períodos surpreendentemente longos sem comida.

Original English

I made good time, but was convinced that I was nearly a day behind those I was tracking. Neither Woola nor I had eaten since the previous day, but in so far as he was concerned it mattered but little, since practically all the animals of the dead sea bottoms of Mars are able to go for incredible periods without nourishment.

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Português

Eu não sofri. A água do rio era fresca e fria, não poluída por corpos em decomposição, ao contrário do Iss. Quanto à comida, o pensamento de me aproximar da minha amada princesa me elevava acima de todas as necessidades físicas.

Original English

Nor did I suffer. The water of the river was sweet and cold, for it was unpolluted by decaying bodies -- like the Iss -- and as for food, why the mere thought that I was nearing my beloved princess raised me above every material want.

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Português

À medida que avançava, o rio se estreitava e a correnteza se tornava rápida e agitada. Era tão forte que mal conseguia empurrar meu barco rio acima. Eu me movia a talvez cem jardas por hora quando cheguei a uma curva e vi corredeiras onde a água espumava e fervecia violentamente.

Original English

As I proceeded, the river became narrower and the current swift and turbulent -- so swift in fact that it was with difficulty that I forced my craft upward at all. I could not have been making to exceed a hundred yards an hour when, at a bend, I was confronted by a series of rapids through which the river foamed and boiled at a terrific rate.

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Português

Meu coração se afundou. A casca de noz sorapus havia se mostrado não confiável; meu instinto original estava certo. Eu deveria ter pegado o canal esquerdo.

Original English

My heart sank within me. The sorapus nutshell had proved a false prophet, and, after all, my intuition had been correct -- it was the left-hand channel that I should have followed.

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Português

Se eu fosse mulher, teria chorado. À minha direita, um grande redemoinho lento circulava sob a falésia saliente. Deixei meu barco derivar para ele para descansar meus músculos cansados antes de voltar.

Original English

Had I been a woman I should have wept. At my right was a great, slow-moving eddy that circled far beneath the cliff's overhanging side, and to rest my tired muscles before turning back I let my boat drift into its embrace.

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Português

Fui esmagado pela decepção. Voltar me custaria mais meio dia para tentar a única passagem inexplorada. Perguntei-me que terrível destino me fez escolher as duas erradas entre três rotas possíveis.

Original English

I was almost prostrated by disappointment. It would mean another half-day's loss of time to retrace my way and take the only passage that yet remained unexplored. What hellish fate had led me to select from three possible avenues the two that were wrong?

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Português

A corrente lenta do redemoinho me carregou lentamente em volta do círculo de água. Meu barco tocou o lado rochoso do rio debaixo do penhasco duas vezes. Na terceira vez que tocou, fez um som diferente: o som de madeira raspando contra madeira.

Original English

As the lazy current of the eddy carried me slowly about the periphery of the watery circle my boat twice touched the rocky side of the river in the dark recess beneath the cliff. A third time it struck, gently as it had before, but the contact resulted in a different sound -- the sound of wood scraping upon wood.

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Português

Eu imediatamente fiquei alerta, porque qualquer madeira naquele rio enterrado devia ter sido trazida por pessoas. Quase no mesmo momento em que ouvi o barulho, estendi a mão e senti meus dedos segurando a borda de outro barco.

Original English

In an instant I was on the alert, for there could be no wood within that buried river that had not been man brought. Almost coincidentally with my first apprehension of the noise, my hand shot out across the boat's side, and a second later I felt my fingers gripping the gunwale of another craft.

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Português

Sentei imóvel como uma pedra, tenso e silencioso, forçando os olhos na escuridão total para ver se o barco estava ocupado.

Original English

As though turned to stone I sat in tense and rigid silence, straining my eyes into the utter darkness before me in an effort to discover if the boat were occupied.

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Português

Era possível que houvesse pessoas a bordo que ainda não sabiam que eu estava lá, porque o barco delas estava raspando suavemente contra as rochas de um lado, então o toque suave do meu barco do outro lado poderia facilmente ter passado despercebido.

Original English

It was entirely possible that there might be men on board it who were still ignorant of my presence, for the boat was scraping gently against the rocks upon one side, so that the gentle touch of my boat upon the other easily could have gone unnoticed.

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Português

Por mais que eu olhasse, não conseguia enxergar na escuridão. Então escutei atentamente o som de respiração perto de mim, mas não ouvi nada além do barulho das corredeiras, o raspado suave dos barcos e o bater da água. Como de costume, pensei rapidamente.

Original English

Peer as I would I could not penetrate the darkness, and then I listened intently for the sound of breathing near me; but except for the noise of the rapids, the soft scraping of the boats, and the lapping of the water at their sides I could distinguish no sound. As usual, I thought rapidly.

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Português

Notei uma corda enrolada no fundo do meu barco. Silenciosamente, peguei-a e prendi uma das pontas ao anel de bronze na proa. Então, cautelosamente, entrei na embarcação adjacente, segurando a corda em uma mão e minha espada longa na outra.

Original English

A rope lay coiled in the bottom of my own craft. Very softly I gathered it up, and making one end fast to the bronze ring in the prow I stepped gingerly into the boat beside me. In one hand I grasped the rope, in the other my keen long-sword.

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Português

Fiquei imóvel por talvez um minuto inteiro após entrar na estranha embarcação. Ela balançou um pouco sob meu peso, mas o raspão de sua lateral contra meu próprio barco era o que eu temia que pudesse alertar qualquer ocupante, se houvesse algum.

Original English

For a full minute, perhaps, I stood motionless after entering the strange craft. It had rocked a trifle beneath my weight, but it had been the scraping of its side against the side of my own boat that had seemed most likely to alarm its occupants, if there were any.

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Português

Não houve som em resposta e, em poucos instantes, vasculhei toda a embarcação e a encontrei deserta.

Original English

But there was no answering sound, and a moment later I had felt from stem to stern and found the boat deserted.

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Português

Senti ao longo das rochas onde o barco estava amarrado e descobri uma saliência estreita, que presumi ser o caminho tomado por aqueles que vieram antes. O tamanho e a construção do barco me convenceram de que só poderiam ser Thurid e seu grupo.

Original English

Groping with my hands along the face of the rocks to which the craft was moored, I discovered a narrow ledge which I knew must be the avenue taken by those who had come before me. That they could be none other than Thurid and his party I was convinced by the size and build of the boat I had found.

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Português

Chamei Woola para seguir e pisei na saliência. A grande e feroz besta, ágil como um gato, rastejou atrás de mim.

Original English

Calling to Woola to follow me I stepped out upon the ledge. The great, savage brute, agile as a cat, crept after me.

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Português

Ao passar pelo barco onde Thurid e os therns haviam estado, a criatura emitiu um leve rosnado. Quando chegou ao lado do narrador e este tocou seu pescoço, sua crina se eriçou de raiva. O narrador suspeitou que a criatura havia sentido a presença recente de um inimigo por telepatia, já que ele ainda não havia explicado sua missão ou a situação daqueles que perseguiam.

Original English

As he passed through the boat that had been occupied by Thurid and the therns he emitted a single low growl, and when he came beside me upon the ledge and my hand rested upon his neck I felt his short mane bristling with anger. I think he sensed telepathically the recent presence of an enemy, for I had made no effort to impart to him the nature of our quest or the status of those we tracked.

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Português

O narrador rapidamente corrigiu essa omissão. À maneira dos marcianos verdes com suas feras, o narrador se comunicou em parte pela estranha telepatia de Barsoom e em parte por palavras faladas, informando a criatura de que estavam seguindo o rastro daqueles que haviam ocupado recentemente o barco pelo qual acabavam de passar.

Original English

This omission I now made haste to correct, and, after the manner of green Martians with their beasts, I let him know partially by the weird and uncanny telepathy of Barsoom and partly by word of mouth that we were upon the trail of those who had recently occupied the boat through which we had just passed.

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Português

Woola fez um som suave de ronronar, como um grande gato, indicando que entendia. O narrador então disse a Woola para segui-lo e virou à direita ao longo da saliência. Mas quase imediatamente, o narrador sentiu as presas poderosas de Woola puxando seu arreio de couro.

Original English

A soft purr, like that of a great cat, indicated that Woola understood, and then, with a word to him to follow, I turned to the right along the ledge, but scarcely had I done so than I felt his mighty fangs tugging at my leathern harness.

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Português

Quando o narrador se virou para ver por que Woola agia daquela forma, Woola continuou a puxar firmemente na direção oposta e não parou até que o narrador tivesse se virado e indicado disposição para seguir Woola voluntariamente.

Original English

As I turned to discover the cause of his act he continued to pull me steadily in the opposite direction, nor would he desist until I had turned about and indicated that I would follow him voluntarily.

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Português

O narrador nunca soubera que Woola errasse em rastreamento, então se moveu cautelosamente com total confiança na fera. Através da escuridão total, Woola o conduziu ao longo da saliência estreita ao lado das corredeiras ferventes.

Original English

Never had I known him to be in error in a matter of tracking, so it was with a feeling of entire security that I moved cautiously in the huge beast's wake. Through Cimmerian darkness he moved along the narrow ledge beside the boiling rapids.

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Português

À medida que avançávamos, o caminho emergia de sob os penhascos salientes em uma luz fraca. Então percebi que a trilha havia sido esculpida na rocha viva, subindo ao lado do rio além das corredeiras.

Original English

As we advanced, the way led from beneath the overhanging cliffs out into a dim light, and then it was that I saw that the trail had been cut from the living rock, and that it ran up along the river's side beyond the rapids.

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Português

Por horas seguimos o rio escuro e sombrio mais fundo em Marte. A julgar pela direção e distância, sabia que devíamos estar muito abaixo do Vale Dor, possivelmente até sob o Mar de Omean, e o Templo do Sol não poderia estar muito mais longe.

Original English

For hours we followed the dark and gloomy river farther and farther into the bowels of Mars. From the direction and distance I knew that we must be well beneath the Valley Dor, and possibly beneath the Sea of Omean as well -- it could not be much farther now to the Temple of the Sun.

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Português

Assim que esse pensamento passou pela minha mente, Woola parou abruptamente diante de uma porta estreita e arqueada na falésia ao lado da trilha. Ele rapidamente se agachou para trás da entrada, voltando os olhos para mim.

Original English

Even as my mind framed the thought, Woola halted suddenly before a narrow, arched doorway in the cliff by the trail's side. Quickly he crouched back away from the entrance, at the same time turning his eyes toward me.

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Português

Suas ações não poderiam ter indicado mais claramente que o perigo estava próximo. Eu me arrastei silenciosamente para seu lado e, olhando além dele, espiei a abertura à nossa direita.

Original English

Words could not have more plainly told me that danger of some sort lay near by, and so I pressed quietly forward to his side, and passing him looked into the aperture at our right.

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Português

Diante de mim havia uma câmara de tamanho razoável que, por seus móveis, reconheci como tendo sido uma sala de guarda. Havia estantes de armas e plataformas elevadas para as sedas e peles de dormir dos guerreiros, mas seus únicos ocupantes atuais eram dois therns que faziam parte do grupo de Thurid e Matai Shang.

Original English

Before me was a fair-sized chamber that, from its appointments, I knew must have at one time been a guardroom. There were racks for weapons, and slightly raised platforms for the sleeping silks and furs of the warriors, but now its only occupants were two of the therns who had been of the party with Thurid and Matai Shang.

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Português

Os homens estavam profundamente envolvidos na conversa, e seus tons revelavam que não faziam ideia de que mais alguém estava ouvindo.

Original English

The men were in earnest conversation, and from their tones it was apparent that they were entirely unaware that they had listeners.

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Português

Um deles declarou que não confiava no negro. Argumentou que não havia razão para deixá-los guardando o caminho; a trilha estava há muito esquecida e era profunda. Ele acreditava que era apenas um truque para dividir suas forças.

Original English

"I tell you," one of them was saying, "I do not trust the black one. There was no necessity for leaving us here to guard the way. Against what, pray, should we guard this long-forgotten, abysmal path? It was but a ruse to divide our numbers.

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Português

Ele previu que o negro faria com que Matai Shang mandasse os outros embora sob alguma desculpa, e então ele e seus aliados atacariam e matariam todos.

Original English

"He will have Matai Shang leave others elsewhere on some pretext or other, and then at last he will fall upon us with his confederates and slay us all."

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Português

O outro homem concordou com Lakor, dizendo que só poderia haver ódio mortal entre os thern e os Primeiros Nascidos. Então criticou as instruções ridículas sobre a luz: o negro havia ordenado intensidades específicas em momentos diferentes. Ele não podia acreditar que o sábio Matai Shang ouvisse tais bobagens.

Original English

"I believe you, Lakor," replied the other, "there can never be aught else than deadly hatred between thern and First Born. And what think you of the ridiculous matter of the light? 'Let the light shine with the intensity of three radium units for fifty tals, and for one xat let it shine with the intensity of one radium unit, and then for twenty-five tals with nine units.' Those were his very words, and to think that wise old Matai Shang should listen to such foolishness."

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Português

Lakor respondeu que era realmente tolo; só abriria caminho para uma morte rápida para todos eles. Ele argumentou que o negro teve que inventar uma resposta quando Matai Shang perguntou diretamente o que fazer no Templo do Sol, e ele inventou na hora. Lakor apostaria um diadema de hekkador que o negro nem mesmo conseguiria repetir a resposta.

Original English

"Indeed, it is silly," replied Lakor. "It will open nothing other than the way to a quick death for us all. He had to make some answer when Matai Shang asked him flatly what he should do when he came to the Temple of the Sun, and so he made his answer quickly from his imagination -- I would wager a hekkador's diadem that he could not now repeat it himself."

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Português

O outro thern instou Lakor a não ficar mais tempo, sugerindo que se apressassem atrás dos outros para possivelmente resgatar Matai Shang e se vingar do dator negro. Ele pediu a opinião de Lakor.

Original English

"Let us not remain here longer, Lakor," spoke the other thern. "Perchance if we hasten after them we may come in time to rescue Matai Shang, and wreak our own vengeance upon the black dator. What say you?"

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Português

Lakor afirmou que em toda a sua longa vida nunca havia desobedecido ao Pai dos Therns, e que permaneceria ali até apodrecer, a menos que recebesse ordens contrárias.

Original English

"Never in a long life," answered Lakor, "have I disobeyed a single command of the Father of Therns. I shall stay here until I rot if he does not return to bid me elsewhere."

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Português

O companheiro de Lakor balançou a cabeça em desacordo.

Original English

Lakor's companion shook his head.

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Português

Ele reconheceu Lakor como seu superior e disse que não poderia agir contra os desejos de Lakor, mas ainda assim acreditava que ficar era tolice.

Original English

"You are my superior," he said; "I cannot do other than you sanction, though I still believe that we are foolish to remain."

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Português

O narrador concordou que eles eram tolos em ficar, observando pelo comportamento de Woola que o caminho passava pela sala guardada pelos dois therns. Ele tinha pouca afeição por esses demônios autossuficientes, mas os teria evitado se possível.

Original English

I, too, thought that they were foolish to remain, for I saw from Woola's actions that the trail led through the room where the two therns held guard. I had no reason to harbor any considerable love for this race of self-deified demons, yet I would have passed them by were it possible without molesting them.

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Português

Ele decidiu que valia a pena tentar, mesmo que uma luta pudesse atrasá-los significativamente ou encerrar sua busca de uma vez. Ele reconheceu que muitos homens corajosos haviam caído para guerreiros não mais habilidosos do que os ferozes guardas Thern.

Original English

It was worth trying anyway, for a fight might delay us considerably, or even put an end entirely to my search -- better men than I have gone down before fighters of meaner ability than that possessed by the fierce thern warriors.

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Português

Ele fez sinal para Woola segui-lo de perto e entrou abruptamente na sala onde os dois homens estavam. Ao vê-lo, eles sacaram suas espadas longas dos arreios, mas ele ergueu a mão em um gesto de contenção.

Original English

Signaling Woola to heel I stepped suddenly into the room before the two men. At sight of me their long-swords flashed from the harness at their sides, but I raised my hand in a gesture of restraint.

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Português

Ele anunciou que estava procurando por Thurid, o dator negro, e que sua briga era com Thurid, não com eles. Ele pediu para passar em paz, sugerindo que Thurid era tanto inimigo deles quanto dele e que eles não tinham motivo para protegê-lo.

Original English

"I seek Thurid, the black dator," I said. "My quarrel is with him, not with you. Let me pass then in peace, for if I mistake not he is as much your enemy as mine, and you can have no cause to protect him."

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Português

Eles abaixaram suas espadas, e Lakor começou a falar.

Original English

They lowered their swords and Lakor spoke.

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Português

Lakor admitiu que não conhecia o estranho, com sua pele branca de Thern e cabelo preto de homem vermelho, mas disse que se apenas Thurid estivesse em jogo, eles o deixariam passar livremente.

Original English

"I know not whom you may be, with the white skin of a thern and the black hair of a red man; but were it only Thurid whose safety were at stake you might pass, and welcome, in so far as we be concerned.

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Português

Os estranhos exigiram que o recém-chegado se identificasse e declarasse seu propósito neste mundo desconhecido abaixo do Vale Dor, sugerindo que, se ele obedecesse, eles poderiam permitir que ele continuasse sua missão, a qual eles próprios teriam gostado de realizar se suas ordens permitissem.

Original English

"Tell us who you be, and what mission calls you to this unknown world beneath the Valley Dor, then maybe we can see our way to let you pass upon the errand which we should like to undertake would our orders permit."

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Português

O narrador expressou surpresa por nenhum dos dois o ter reconhecido, pois ele acreditava que sua aparência — sendo o único homem branco em Marte com cabelos pretos e olhos cinzentos, além de seu filho Carthoris — e sua reputação o tornariam instantaneamente identificável para qualquer thern no planeta.

Original English

I was surprised that neither of them had recognized me, for I thought that I was quite sufficiently well known either by personal experience or reputation to every thern upon Barsoom as to make my identity immediately apparent in any part of the planet. In fact, I was the only white man upon Mars whose hair was black and whose eyes were gray, with the exception of my son, Carthoris.

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Português

Ele percebeu que revelar sua identidade poderia provocar um ataque, já que todos os therns sabiam que ele era responsável por acabar com sua antiga supremacia espiritual. Por outro lado, sua temível reputação como guerreiro poderia ser suficiente para dissuadir esses dois se eles não estivessem ansiosos por um combate mortal.

Original English

To reveal my identity might be to precipitate an attack, for every thern upon Barsoom knew that to me they owed the fall of their age-old spiritual supremacy. On the other hand my reputation as a fighting man might be sufficient to pass me by these two were their livers not of the right complexion to welcome a battle to the death.

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Português

Ele admitiu para si mesmo que não podia se enganar com tal raciocínio, porque em Marte, planeto guerreiro, poucos eram covardes; todo homem, independentemente de sua posição, se orgulhava de combates mortais. Portanto, ele apertou o punho de sua espada longa enquanto respondia a Lakor.

Original English

To be quite candid I did not attempt to delude myself with any such sophistry, since I knew well that upon war-like Mars there are few cowards, and that every man, whether prince, priest, or peasant, glories in deadly strife. And so I gripped my long-sword the tighter as I replied to Lakor.

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Português

Ele sugeriu que eles seriam sábios em deixá-lo passar sem impedimentos, já que morrer inutilmente nas profundezas rochosas de Barsoom para proteger um inimigo hereditário como Thurid, o Dator dos Primeiros Nascidos, não serviria para nada.

Original English

"I believe that you will see the wisdom of permitting me to pass unmolested," I said, "for it would avail you nothing to die uselessly in the rocky bowels of Barsoom merely to protect a hereditary enemy, such as Thurid, Dator of the First Born.

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Português

John Carter, que se identificou como o Príncipe de Hélio, advertiu os dois homens de que, se escolhessem se opor a ele, morreriam. Ele apontou para os corpos em decomposição de muitos grandes guerreiros barsoomianos que haviam caído sob sua lâmina como evidência de sua ameaça.

Original English

"That you shall die should you elect to oppose me is evidenced by the moldering corpses of all the many great Barsoomian warriors who have gone down beneath this blade -- I am John Carter, Prince of Helium."

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Português

Por um momento, o nome pareceu deixar os dois homens atordoados e imóveis. No entanto, o mais jovem logo se recuperou, gritou um insulto e avançou contra mim com a espada desembainhada.

Original English

For a moment that name seemed to paralyze the two men; but only for a moment, and then the younger of them, with a vile name upon his lips, rushed toward me with ready sword.

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Português

Durante nossa conversa, o homem mais jovem estava um pouco atrás de seu companheiro, Lakor. Agora, bem quando ele estava prestes a me atacar, o mais velho agarrou seu arnês e o puxou para trás.

Original English

He had been standing a little behind his companion, Lakor, during our parley, and now, ere he could engage me, the older man grasped his harness and drew him back.

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Português

Lakor ordenou que ele parasse, dizendo que haveria bastante tempo para lutar se isso se mostrasse sábio. Ele reconheceu que todo thern em Barsoom queria matar o blasfemador, mas instou que misturassem sabedoria com sua ira justa. Ele observou que o Príncipe de Hélio estava em uma missão que eles mesmos haviam desejado realizar.

Original English

"Hold!" commanded Lakor. "There will be plenty of time to fight if we find it wise to fight at all. There be good reasons why every thern upon Barsoom should yearn to spill the blood of the blasphemer, the sacrilegist; but let us mix wisdom with our righteous hate. The Prince of Helium is bound upon an errand which we ourselves, but a moment since, were wishing that we might undertake.

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Português

Lakor propôs deixar John Carter ir para matar a criatura negra. Quando ele retornasse, eles ainda estariam lá para bloquear seu caminho para o mundo exterior. Dessa forma, eliminariam dois inimigos sem incorrer no desagrado do Pai dos Therns.

Original English

"Let him go then and slay the black. When he returns we shall still be here to bar his way to the outer world, and thus we shall have rid ourselves of two enemies, nor have incurred the displeasure of the Father of Therns."

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Português

John Carter observou o brilho astuto nos olhos de Lakor. Embora a lógica parecesse sólida, ele suspeitava que as palavras de Lakor escondiam um plano oculto. O outro thern pareceu surpreso a princípio, mas após um breve sussurro de Lakor, ele também recuou e concordou com seu superior.

Original English

As he spoke I could not but note the crafty glint in his evil eyes, and while I saw the apparent logic of his reasoning I felt, subconsciously perhaps, that his words did but veil some sinister intent. The other thern turned toward him in evident surprise, but when Lakor had whispered a few brief words into his ear he, too, drew back and nodded acquiescence to his superior's suggestion.

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Português

Lakor ordenou que John Carter fosse, avisando-o que mesmo que Thurid não o derrotasse, haveria outros esperando para garantir que ele nunca mais visse a luz do sol do mundo superior.

Original English

"Proceed, John Carter," said Lakor; "but know that if Thurid does not lay you low there will be those awaiting your return who will see that you never pass again into the sunlight of the upper world. Go!"

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Português

Durante toda a conversa, Woola permaneceu perto de John Carter, rosnando e com os pelos eriçados. Ele ocasionalmente olhava para cima com um gemido suplicante, como se pedisse permissão para atacar as gargantas expostas dos inimigos. Woola também percebeu a desonestidade por trás das palavras suaves de Lakor.

Original English

During our conversation Woola had been growling and bristling close to my side. Occasionally he would look up into my face with a low, pleading whine, as though begging for the word that would send him headlong at the bare throats before him. He, too, sensed the villainy behind the smooth words.

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Português

Além dos therns, várias portas davam para fora da sala da guarda, e Lakor apontou para a que estava mais à direita.

Original English

Beyond the therns several doorways opened off the guardroom, and toward the one upon the extreme right Lakor motioned.

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Português

Lakor indicou que a porta levava a Thurid.

Original English

"That way leads to Thurid," he said.

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Português

Quando tentei chamar Woola para me seguir, ele gemeu e hesitou. Eventualmente, ele correu para a primeira abertura à esquerda e ficou lá latindo, como se me incentivasse a tomar o caminho correto.

Original English

But when I would have called Woola to follow me there the beast whined and held back, and at last ran quickly to the first opening at the left, where he stood emitting his coughing bark, as though urging me to follow him upon the right way.

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Português

Olhei para Lakor com uma expressão interrogativa.

Original English

I turned a questioning look upon Lakor.

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Português

Disse a Lakor que o animal raramente estava errado. Afirmei que, embora não duvidasse do conhecimento superior de Thern, acreditava que seria sensato seguir meus instintos, que eram apoiados pelo amor e lealdade.

Original English

"The brute is seldom wrong," I said, "and while I do not doubt your superior knowledge, Thern, I think that I shall do well to listen to the voice of instinct that is backed by love and loyalty."

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Português

Enquanto falava, sorri de forma sinistra para que ele entendesse sem palavras que eu desconfiava dele.

Original English

As I spoke I smiled grimly that he might know without words that I distrusted him.

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Português

O sujeito deu de ombros e respondeu que eu poderia fazer como quisesse, e que no final não faria diferença.

Original English

"As you will," the fellow replied with a shrug. "In the end it shall be all the same."

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Português

Virei e segui Woola pelo corredor à esquerda. Minhas costas estavam para os inimigos, mas fiquei alerta e não ouvi sinais de perseguição. O túnel era fracamente iluminado por lâmpadas de rádio, a iluminação padrão em Barsoom.

Original English

I turned and followed Woola into the left-hand passage, and though my back was toward my enemies, my ears were on the alert; yet I heard no sound of pursuit. The passageway was dimly lighted by occasional radium bulbs, the universal lighting medium of Barsoom.

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Português

Essas mesmas lâmpadas provavelmente estavam acesas há eras nessas câmaras subterrâneas. Não precisavam de manutenção e eram compostas de tal forma que consumiam apenas uma quantidade mínima de seu material mesmo após anos de luz.

Original English

These same lamps may have been doing continuous duty in these subterranean chambers for ages, since they require no attention and are so compounded that they give off but the minutest of their substance in the generation of years of luminosity.

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Português

Caminhamos uma curta distância, passando por vários corredores que se ramificavam, mas Woola nunca hesitou. Na entrada de um corredor à minha direita, ouvi um som que falava claramente a mim como um guerreiro: o tinido de armadura de metal. Vindo de um pouco mais adiante naquele corredor.

Original English

We had proceeded for but a short distance when we commenced to pass the mouths of diverging corridors, but not once did Woola hesitate. It was at the opening to one of these corridors upon my right that I presently heard a sound that spoke more plainly to John Carter, fighting man, than could the words of my mother tongue -- it was the clank of metal -- the metal of a warrior's harness -- and it came from a little distance up the corridor upon my right.

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Português

Woola também ouviu. Ele girou instantaneamente, enfrentando a ameaça. Sua juba eriçou e seus lábios se retraíram, expondo todos os seus dentes brilhantes. Eu o silenciei com um gesto, e juntos deslizamos para outro corredor a poucos passos de distância.

Original English

Woola heard it, too, and like a flash he had wheeled and stood facing the threatened danger, his mane all abristle and all his rows of glistening fangs bared by snarling, backdrawn lips. With a gesture I silenced him, and together we drew aside into another corridor a few paces farther on.

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Português

Esperamos ali. Logo vimos as sombras de dois homens caírem sobre o chão do corredor principal, logo além da entrada do nosso esconderijo. Eles estavam se movendo muito cautelosamente agora; o tinido acidental que me alertara não soou novamente.

Original English

Here we waited; nor did we have long to wait, for presently we saw the shadows of two men fall upon the floor of the main corridor athwart the doorway of our hiding place. Very cautiously they were moving now -- the accidental clank that had alarmed me was not repeated.

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Português

Logo, dois homens apareceram em frente à nossa posição. Não fiquei surpreso ao reconhecê-los como Lakor e seu companheiro da sala de guarda.

Original English

Presently they came opposite our station; nor was I surprised to see that the two were Lakor and his companion of the guardroom.

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Português

Eles se moveram silenciosamente, cada um segurando uma longa espada afiada na mão direita. Pararam bem perto da entrada do nosso esconderijo e cochicharam entre si.

Original English

They walked very softly, and in the right hand of each gleamed a keen long-sword. They halted quite close to the entrance of our retreat, whispering to each other.

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Português

Lakor se perguntou se já os haviam ultrapassado.

Original English

"Can it be that we have distanced them already?" said Lakor.

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Português

O outro respondeu que ou isso era verdade ou a fera havia levado o homem por uma trilha errada, porque o caminho que eles haviam tomado era muito mais curto para quem o conhecia. Ele acrescentou que John Carter teria encontrado um caminho rápido para a morte se tivesse seguido a sugestão de Lakor.

Original English

"Either that or the beast has led the man upon a wrong trail," replied the other, "for the way which we took is by far the shorter to this point -- for him who knows it. John Carter would have found it a short road to death had he taken it as you suggested to him."

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Português

Lakor concordou, dizendo que nenhuma habilidade de luta teria salvo Carter da laje giratória. Ele certamente teria pisado nela, e agora, se o poço abaixo tiver um fundo — o que Thurid nega — ele estaria caindo rapidamente. Lakor amaldiçoou o calot de Carter por tê-lo avisado sobre o caminho mais seguro.

Original English

"Yes," said Lakor, "no amount of fighting ability would have saved him from the pivoted flagstone. He surely would have stepped upon it, and by now, if the pit beneath it has a bottom, which Thurid denies, he should have been rapidly approaching it. Curses on that calot of his that warned him toward the safer avenue!"

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Português

O companheiro de Lakor apontou que havia mais perigos adiante, dos quais o homem não conseguiria escapar facilmente, mesmo que conseguisse passar por suas duas espadas. Ele sugeriu considerar que chance o homem teria se entrasse inesperadamente em uma câmara específica, cujo nome não foi mencionado.

Original English

"There be other dangers ahead of him, though," spoke Lakor's fellow, "which he may not so easily escape -- should he succeed in escaping our two good swords. Consider, for example, what chance he will have, coming unexpectedly into the chamber of--"

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Português

O narrador desejou ter ouvido o resto daquela conversa para ser avisado dos perigos adiante, mas o destino interveio. No pior momento possível, ele espirrou.

Original English

I would have given much to have heard the balance of that conversation that I might have been warned of the perils that lay ahead, but fate intervened, and just at the very instant of all other instants that I would not have elected to do it, I sneezed.

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THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN

Português

Não havia opção a não ser lutar. Ele saltou para o corredor com sua espada, mas seu espirro inoportuno havia alertado os dois therns, e eles estavam prontos para ele, então ele não tinha vantagem.

Original English

There was nothing for it now other than to fight; nor did I have any advantage as I sprang, sword in hand, into the corridor before the two therns, for my untimely sneeze had warned them of my presence and they were ready for me.

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Português

Palavras eram desnecessárias; a própria presença dos dois homens proclamava sua traição. Estava claro que eles o seguiam para atacá-lo de surpresa, e eles deviam saber que ele entendia seu plano.

Original English

There were no words, for they would have been a waste of breath. The very presence of the two proclaimed their treachery. That they were following to fall upon me unawares was all too plain, and they, of course, must have known that I understood their plan.

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Português

Em um instante, ele se envolveu com ambos. Embora odiasse os therns, teve que admitir que eram espadachins poderosos. Esses dois não eram exceção; eram talvez ainda mais habilidosos e destemidos que a média de sua raça.

Original English

In an instant I was engaged with both, and though I loathe the very name of thern, I must in all fairness admit that they are mighty swordsmen; and these two were no exception, unless it were that they were even more skilled and fearless than the average among their race.

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Português

A luta foi tão alegre quanto qualquer outra que o narrador já tivesse conhecido. Pelo menos duas vezes, ele evitou ser esfaqueado no peito usando a notável agilidade que seus músculos terrenos lhe davam na menor gravidade e pressão atmosférica de Marte.

Original English

While it lasted it was indeed as joyous a conflict as I ever had experienced. Twice at least I saved my breast from the mortal thrust of piercing steel only by the wondrous agility with which my earthly muscles endow me under the conditions of lesser gravity and air pressure upon Mars.

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Português

Mesmo assim, o narrador quase morreu naquele dia no corredor escuro sob o polo sul de Marte. Lakor usou um truque que o narrador nunca tinha visto em toda a sua experiência de luta em dois planetas.

Original English

Yet even so I came near to tasting death that day in the gloomy corridor beneath Mars's southern pole, for Lakor played a trick upon me that in all my experience of fighting upon two planets I never before had witnessed the like of.

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Português

Naquele momento, o outro thern estava lutando com o narrador. O narrador o estava empurrando para trás e ferindo-o em muitos lugares. No entanto, a defesa do thern era tão habilidosa que o narrador não conseguia encontrar uma abertura para desferir um golpe fatal.

Original English

The other thern was engaging me at the time, and I was forcing him back -- touching him here and there with my point until he was bleeding from a dozen wounds, yet not being able to penetrate his marvelous guard to reach a vulnerable spot for the brief instant that would have been sufficient to send him to his ancestors.

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Português

Então Lakor rapidamente pegou um cinto de seu arnês. Enquanto o narrador recuava para bloquear um ataque perigoso, Lakor enrolou uma ponta do cinto em torno do tornozelo esquerdo do narrador. Ele puxou a outra ponta com força, fazendo o narrador cair pesadamente de costas.

Original English

It was then that Lakor quickly unslung a belt from his harness, and as I stepped back to parry a wicked thrust he lashed one end of it about my left ankle so that it wound there for an instant, while he jerked suddenly upon the other end, throwing me heavily upon my back.

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Português

Os inimigos saltaram sobre ele como panteras, mas não haviam considerado Woola. Antes que qualquer lâmina tocasse o narrador, uma criatura que rugia, semelhante a um demônio, saltou sobre seu corpo caído — seu leal calot marciano os atacou.

Original English

Then, like leaping panthers, they were upon me; but they had reckoned without Woola, and before ever a blade touched me, a roaring embodiment of a thousand demons hurtled above my prostrate form and my loyal Martian calot was upon them.

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Português

O narrador pediu ao leitor que imaginasse um grande urso pardo com dez pernas, garras afiadas e uma boca de sapo que se estendia de orelha a orelha, revelando três fileiras de longas presas brancas. Em seguida, deveriam dar a essa criatura a agilidade e a ferocidade de um tigre de Bengala muito faminto, junto com a força de dois touros. Isso daria apenas uma vaga ideia de Woola em ação.

Original English

Imagine, if you can, a huge grizzly with ten legs armed with mighty talons and an enormous froglike mouth splitting his head from ear to ear, exposing three rows of long, white tusks. Then endow this creature of your imagination with the agility and ferocity of a half-starved Bengal tiger and the strength of a span of bulls, and you will have some faint conception of Woola in action.

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Português

Antes que o narrador pudesse detê-lo, Woola matou Lakor com um único golpe de sua pata e despedaçou o outro homem. No entanto, quando o narrador falou severamente com ele, Woola se encolheu como uma ovelha, como se tivesse feito algo que merecesse culpa e punição.

Original English

Before I could call him off he had crushed Lakor into a jelly with a single blow of one mighty paw, and had literally torn the other thern to ribbons; yet when I spoke to him sharply he cowed sheepishly as though he had done a thing to deserve censure and chastisement.

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Português

O narrador nunca teve coragem de punir Woola nos muitos anos desde que o jed verde dos Tharks o colocara para guardar o narrador. O narrador havia conquistado o amor e a lealdade de Woola, afastando-o dos senhores cruéis de sua vida passada. Mesmo assim, o narrador acreditava que Woola teria aceitado qualquer crueldade, tão grande era seu afeto.

Original English

Never had I had the heart to punish Woola during the long years that had passed since that first day upon Mars when the green jed of the Tharks had placed him on guard over me, and I had won his love and loyalty from the cruel and loveless masters of his former life, yet I believe he would have submitted to any cruelty that I might have inflicted upon him, so wondrous was his affection for me.

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