" And with that I commenced
to bend him back across my knee and tighten my grip upon his throat.
"Seize him!" cried Zat Arras, 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 Arras 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 Arras 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 thanked him and passed on. In silence we embarked, and shortly
after stepped once more upon the deck of the Xavarian. Fifteen
minutes later we received orders from the flagship to proceed toward
Helium.
Our journey thither was uneventful. Carthoris and I were wrapped
in the gloomiest of thoughts. Kantos Kan was sombre in contemplation
of the further calamity that might fall upon Helium should Zat Arras
attempt to follow the age-old precedent that allotted a terrible
death to fugitives from the Valley Dor.
Pages:
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240