The remainder 
of our journey to 
Thark was uneventful. 

We were twenty days
upon the road, 
crossing two sea bottoms and 
passing through or around 
a number of ruined cities, 
mostly smaller
than Korad.

Twice we crossed 
the famous Martian waterways, 
or canals, so-called 
by our earthly astronomers. 

A warrior would be sent ahead 
with a powerful field-glass, 
and if no great body 
of Red Martian troops was seen, 
we would camp and cross over 
one of the great causeways 
after nightfall.

It required five hours 
to make one of these crossings 
without a single halt, 
and the other consumed the entire night. 
The wild, hurtling moon 
lit up walled fields, 
rambling farm buildings and huge trees, 
methodically ordered.

There were animals in enclosures, 
terrified and squealing 
at the scents of our 
queer, wild beasts 
and wilder men. 
Only once did I see 
another human being--

-- the poor fellow was sleeping 
beside the road, 
and with but a single glance 
at the caravan,
leapt shrieking to his feet 
and fled madly, 
scaling a wall like a scared cat. 
The Tharks merely 
hastened their pace a trifle 
toward the bordering desert 
and the realm of Tal Hajus, 
barely giving him any notice.

Not once did I speak 
with Dejah Thoris; 
she sent no word
that I would be welcome 
at her chariot, 
and my foolish pride 
kept me from making any advances. 
I verily believe 
a man's way with women
is inverse to his prowess among men.

Weaklings and sapheads 
can often charm the fair sex, 
but the fighting man, 
able to face 
a thousand dangers unafraid,
sits hiding in the shadows
like some frightened, 
tongue-tied child, 
unable to speak in his own behalf. 

Just thirty days 
after my advent 
upon Barsoom 
we entered 
the ancient city of Thark, 
where five communities 
of the thirty-thousand green men
under the rule of Tal Hajus, 
their cruel Jeddak, 
make their headquarters.

Dejah Thoris and I 
were the centers of 
much curiosity. 

I was assigned 
an entire building 
for myself and my retinue
at the south end of the square, 
on the avenue 
by which we had entered the city, 
and spent some time 
having my women 
put my house in order.

Near sundown 
I hastened out to find Sola, 
hoping to make some sort 
of a truce with Dejah Thoris 
to help her escape. 
Just at dark 
I finally spied Woola's ugly head 
peering out a second-story window 
on the opposite side 
of the very street 
where I was quartered, 
but nearer the plaza. 

Uninvited I bolted up the runway,
to be frenetically greeted by Woola, 
and, quieting him, found Dejah Thoris, 
crouched on a bench in the gloom
of the second-floor apartment. 

She murmured as I called her name, 
then stood and asked coldly: 
"What would Dotar Sojat, 
Thark, of Dejah Thoris his captive?"

"Dejah Thoris, 
I do not know how I have angered you. 
I meant but to protect 
and comfort you, 
and meant no offense. 

When you are safe at your father's court 
you may do with me as you please, 
but until then I am your master, 
and I order you to obey and aid me
in effecting your escape."