t prisoners, Zat Arrras," replied the officer.

"Two of them are of Helium's noblest family. Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of
Thark, is Tardos Mors' best beloved ally. The other is a friend and
companion of the Prince of Helium--that is enough for me to know."

"It is not enough for me, however," retorted Zat Arrras. "More must I
hear from those who have taken the pilgrimage than their names. Where
have you been, John Carter?"

"I have just come from the Valley Dor and the Land of the First Born,
Zat Arrras," I replied.

"Ah!" he exclaimed in evident pleasure, "you do not deny it, then? You
have returned from the bosom of Iss?"

"I have come back from a land of false hope, from a valley of torture
and death; with my companions I have escaped from the hideous clutches
of lying fiends. I have come back to the Barsoom that I saved from a
painless death to again save her, but this time from death in its most
frightful form."

"Cease, blasphemer!" cried Zat Arrras. "Hope not to save thy cowardly
carcass by inventing horrid lies to--" But he got no further. One does
not call John Carter "coward" and "liar" thus lightly, and Zat Arrras
should have known it. Before a hand could be raised to stop me, I was
at his side and one hand grasped his throat.

"Come I from heaven or hell, Zat Arrras, you will find me still the same
John Carter that I have always been; nor did ever man call me such
names and live--without apologizing." And with that I commenced to bend
him back across my knee and tighten my grip upon his throat.

"Seize him!" cried Zat Arrras, and a dozen officers sprang forward to
assist him.

Kantos Kan came close and whispered to me.

"Desist, I beg of you. It will but involve us all, for I cannot see
these men lay hands upon you without aiding you. My officers and men
will join me and we shall have a mutiny then that may lead to the
revolution. For the sake of Tardos Mors and Helium, desist."

At his words I released Zat Arrras and, turning my back upon him, walked
toward the ship's rail.

"Come, Kantos Kan," I said, "the Prince of Helium would return to the
_Xavarian_."

None interfered. Zat Arrras stood white and trembling amidst his
officers. Some there were who looked upon him with scorn and drew
toward me, while one, a man long in the service and confidence of
Tardos Mors, spoke to me in a low tone as I passed him.

"You may count my metal among your fighting-men, John Carter," he said.

I