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yourself, belie your own words. When the time seems proper Tara of Helium shall
wed with Djor Kantos, and until then let us give the matter no further thought."
"No," said the girl, "the subject irks me, and I shall not marry Djor Kantos, or
another--I do not intend to wed."
Her father and mother looked at her and smiled. "When Gahan of Gathol returns
he may carry you off," said the former.
"
"
"
"
He has gone?" asked the girl.
His flier departs for Gathol in the morning," John Carter replied.
I have seen the last of him then," remarked Tara of Helium with a sigh of relief.
He says not," returned John Carter.
The girl dismissed the subject with a shrug and the conversation passed to other
topics. A letter had arrived from Thuvia of Ptarth, who was visiting at her father's
court while Carthoris, her mate, hunted in Okar. Word had been received that the
Tharks and Warhoons were again at war, or rather that there had been an
engagement, for war was their habitual state. In the memory of man there had
been no peace between these two savage green hordes--only a single temporary
truce. Two new battleships had been launched at Hastor. A little band of holy
therns was attempting to revive the ancient and discredited religion of Issus, who
they claimed still lived in spirit and had communicated with them. There were
rumors of war from Dusar. A scientist claimed to have discovered human life on
the further moon. A madman had attempted to destroy the atmosphere plant.
Seven people had been assassinated in Greater Helium during the last ten zodes,
(the equivalent of an Earth day).
Following the meal Dejah Thoris and The Warlord played at jetan, the
Barsoomian game of chess, which is played upon a board of a hundred alternate
black and orange squares. One player has twenty black pieces, the other, twenty
orange pieces. A brief description of the game may interest those Earth readers
who care for chess, and will not be lost upon those who pursue this narrative to
its conclusion, since before they are done they will find that a knowledge of jetan
will add to the interest and the thrills that are in store for them.
The men are placed upon the board as in chess upon the first two rows next the
players. In order from left to right on the line of squares nearest the players, the
jetan pieces are Warrior, Padwar, Dwar, Flier, Chief, Princess, Flier, Dwar,
Padwar, Warrior. In the next line all are Panthans except the end pieces, which
are called Thoats, and represent mounted warriors.
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