Page 138 (1/1)

"I cannot promise you," he explained, "but I may say I have heard that this day which ame we may even win your freedom!"

They leaped to their feet and crowded around him with many questions

"It may not be spoken of aloud," he said; "but Floran and Val Dor know and they assure me that you may all be trusted Listen! What I would tell you places my life in your hands, but youtoday the greatest battle of his life-for the honor and the freedom of Barsoom's most wondrous princess and for his own freedom as well-for the chance to return each to his own country and to the woman aits him there

"First, then, is my secret I ah for the uised as a Manatorian from Manataj My country and my identityupon our gas that you will fight for

"And now for that which I have but just learned U-Thor, the great jed of Manatos, quarreled with O-Tar in the palace the day before yesterday and their warriors set upon one another U-Thor was driven as far as The Gate of Eneht ht that U-Thor has sent to Manatos for reinforce that interests you U-Thor has recently taken to wife the Princess Haja of Gathol, as slave to O-Tar and whose son, A-Kor, ar of The Towers of Jetan Haja's heart is filled with loyalty for Gathol and compassion for her sons who are here enslaved, and this latter sentiment she has to so the Princess Tara of Helium and I believe that I can aid you and her and myself to escape the city Bend close your ears, slaves of O-Tar, that no cruel enemy may hear my words," and Gahan of Gathol whispered in low tones the daring plan he had conceived "And now," he demanded, when he had finished, "let him who does not dare speak now" None replied "Is there none?"

"And it would not betray you should I cast my sword at thy feet, it had been done ere this," said one in low tones pregnant with suppressed feeling

"And I!" "And I!" "And I!" chorused the others in vibrant whispers