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"A-Kor, jeddak of Manator!" cried a voice, and the cry was taken up by a hundred
hoarse-throated warriors.
"
There can be but one jeddak in Manator," said the chief who held the dagger; his
eyes still fixed upon the hapless O-Tar he crossed to where the latter stood and
holding the dagger upon an outstretched palm proffered it to the discredited
ruler. "There can be but one jeddak in Manator," he repeated meaningly.
O-Tar took the proffered blade and drawing himself to his full height plunged it to
the guard into his breast, in that single act redeeming himself in the esteem of his
people and winning an eternal place in The Hall of Chiefs.
As he fell all was silence in the great room, to be broken presently by the voice of
U-Thor. "O-Tar is dead!" he cried. "Let A-Kor rule until the chiefs of all Manator
may be summoned to choose a new jeddak. What is your answer?"
"Let A-Kor rule! A-Kor, Jeddak of Manator!" The cries filled the room and there
was no dissenting voice.
A-Kor raised his sword for silence. "It is the will of A-Kor," he said, "and that of
the Great Jed of Manatos, and the commander of the fleet from Gathol, and of the
illustrious John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom, that peace lie upon the city of
Manator and so I decree that the men of Manator go forth and welcome the
fighting men of these our allies as guests and friends and show them the wonders
of our ancient city and the hospitality of Manator. I have spoken." And U-Thor
and John Carter dismissed their warriors and bade them accept the hospitality of
Manator. As the room emptied Djor Kantos reached the side of Tara of Helium.
The girl's happiness at rescue had been blighted by sight of this man whom her
virtuous heart told her she had wronged. She dreaded the ordeal that lay before
her and the dishonor that she must admit before she could hope to be freed from
the understanding that had for long existed between them. And now Djor Kantos
approached and kneeling raised her fingers to his lips.
"Beautiful daughter of Helium," he said, "how may I tell you the thing that I must
tell you--of the dishonor that I have all unwittingly done you? I can but throw
myself upon your generosity for forgiveness; but if you demand it I can receive the
dagger as honorably as did O-Tar."
"
What do you mean?" asked Tara of Helium. "What are you talking about--why
speak thus in riddles to one whose heart is already breaking?"
Her heart already breaking! The outlook was anything but promising, and the
young padwar wished that he had died before ever he had had to speak the words
he now must speak.
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