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a low ledge that lay almost on a level with the water。
I dared not follow across the stream； for he most surely would
have seen me。 Instead I stopped close to the opposite wall beneath
an overhanging mass of rock that cast a dense shadow beneath it。
Here I could watch Thurid without danger of discovery。
The black was standing upon the ledge beside his boat； looking
up the river； as though he were awaiting one whom he expected
from that direction。
As I lay there beneath the dark rocks I noticed that a strong
current seemed to flow directly toward the center of the river；
so that it was difficult to hold my craft in its position。 I edged
farther into the shadow that I might find a hold upon the bank；
but； though I proceeded several yards； I touched nothing； and then；
finding that I would soon reach a point from where I could no
longer see the black man； I was compelled to remain where I was；
holding my position as best I could by paddling strongly against
the current which flowed from beneath the rocky mass behind me。
I could not imagine what might cause this strong lateral flow；
for the main channel of the river was plainly visible to me from
where I sat； and I could see the rippling junction of it and the
mysterious current which had aroused my curiosity。
While I was still speculating upon the phenomenon； my
attention was suddenly riveted upon Thurid； who had raised both
palms forward above his head in the universal salute of Martians；
and a moment later his 〃Kaor！〃 the Barsoomian word of greeting；
came in low but distinct tones。
I turned my eyes up the river in the direction that his were bent；
and presently there came within my limited range of vision a
long boat； in which were six men。 Five were at the paddles；
while the sixth sat in the seat of honor。
The white skins； the flowing yellow wigs which covered their
bald pates； and the gorgeous diadems set in circlets of gold
about their heads marked them as Holy Therns。
As they drew up beside the ledge upon which Thurid awaited
them； he in the bow of the boat arose to step ashore； and then I
saw that it was none other than Matai Shang； Father of Therns。
The evident cordiality with which the two men exchanged
greetings filled me with wonder； for the black and white men of
Barsoom were hereditary enemiesnor ever before had I known of
two meeting other than in battle。
Evidently the reverses that had recently overtaken both peoples
had resulted in an alliance between these two individualsat
least against the common enemyand now I saw why Thurid had
come so often out into the Valley Dor by night； and that the
nature of his conspiring might be such as to strike very close
to me or to my friends。
I wished that I might have found a point closer to the two men
from which to have heard their conversation； but it was out of the
question now to attempt to cross the river； and so I lay quietly
watching them； who would have given so much to have known how close
I lay to them； and how easily they might have overcome and killed
me with their superior force。
Several times Thurid pointed across the river in my direction；
but that his gestures had any reference to me I did not for a
moment believe。 Presently he and Matai Shang entered the latter's
boat； which turned out into the river and； swinging round； forged
steadily across in my direction。
As they advanced I moved my boat farther and farther in
beneath the overhanging wall； but at last it became evident that
their craft was holding the same course。 The five paddlers sent
the larger boat ahead at a speed that taxed my energies to equal。
Every instant I expected to feel my prow crash against solid rock。
The light from the river was no longer visible； but ahead I
saw the faint tinge of a distant radiance； and still the water
before me was open。
At last the truth dawned upon meI was following a subterranean
river which emptied into the Iss at the very point where I had hidden。
The rowers were now quite close to me。 The noise of their own
paddles drowned the sound of mine； but in another instant the
growing light ahead would reveal me to them。
There was no time to be lost。 Whatever action I was to take must
be taken at once。 Swinging the prow of my boat toward the right；
I sought the river's rocky side； and there I lay while Matai Shang
and Thurid approached up the center of the stream； which was much
narrower than the Iss。
As they came nearer I heard the voices of Thurid and the
Father of Therns raised in argument。
〃I tell you； Thern；〃 the black dator was saying； 〃that I wish
only vengeance upon John Carter； Prince of Helium。 I am leading
you into no trap。 What could I gain by betraying you to those who
have ruined my nation and my house？〃
〃Let us stop here a moment that I may hear your plans；〃
replied the hekkador； 〃and then we may proceed with a better
understanding of our duties and obligations。〃
To the rowers he issued the command that brought their boat in
toward the bank not a dozen paces beyond the spot where I lay。
Had they pulled in below me they must surely have seen me
against the faint glow of light ahead； but from where they finally
came to rest I was as secure from detection as though miles
separated us。
The few words I had already overheard whetted my curiosity；
and I was anxious to learn what manner of vengeance Thurid was
planning against me。 Nor had I long to wait。 I listened intently。
〃There are no obligations； Father of Therns；〃 continued the
First Born。 〃Thurid； Dator of Issus； has no price。 When the thing
has been accomplished I shall be glad if you will see to it that I
am well received； as is befitting my ancient lineage and noble
rank； at some court that is yet loyal to thy ancient faith； for I
cannot return to the Valley Dor or elsewhere within the power of
the Prince of Helium； but even that I do not demandit shall be as
your own desire in the matter directs。〃
〃It shall be as you wish； Dator；〃 replied Matai Shang； 〃nor is
that allpower and riches shall be yours if you restore my
daughter； Phaidor； to me； and place within my power Dejah Thoris；
Princess of Helium。
〃Ah；〃 he continued with a malicious snarl； 〃but the Earth man
shall suffer for the indignities he has put upon the holy of
holies； nor shall any vileness be too vile to inflict upon his
princess。 Would that it were in my power to force him to witness
the humiliation and degradation of the red woman。〃
〃You shall have your way with her before another day has
passed； Matai Shang；〃 said Thurid； 〃if you but say the word。〃
〃I have heard of the Temple of the Sun； Dator；〃 replied Matai Shang；
〃but never have I heard that its prisoners could be released
before the allotted year of their incarceration had elapsed。
How； then； may you accomplish the impossible？〃
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