"11 - John Carter of Mars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Burroughs Edgar Rice)

"But the giant?" asked John Carter. "Whence came he?"
Pew Mogel was silent for a minute; then he spoke.
"Joog I have built, piece by piece, during several years, from the bones,
tissues and organs of a thousand red men and white apes who came voluntarily to
me or whom I captured.
"Even his brain is the synthesis of the brains of ten thousand red men and white
apes. Into Joog's veins I have pumped a serum that makes all tissues
self-repairing.
"My giant is practically indestructible. No bullet or cannon-shot made can stop
him!"
Pew Mogel smiled and stroked his hairless chin.
"Think how powerful my ape soldiers will be," he purred, "each one armed with
the great strength of an ape. With their four arms they can hold twice as many
weapons as ordinary men, and inside their skulls will function the cunning
brains of human beings.
"With Joog and my army of white apes, I can go forth and become master of all
Barsoom." Pew Mogel paused and then added, "Цprovided I acquire more iron for
even greater weapons than I already have."
Now Pew Mogel had risen from his throne in his great excitement.
"I preferred to conquer peacefully by first acquiring the Helium iron works as
payment for Dejah Thoris's safe return. But the Jeddak and John Carter force me
into other alternativesЦ
"However, I'll give you one more chance to settle peacefully," he said.
Pew Mogel's hand moved toward the right arm of his throne, as he pulled a
duplicate lever. A beautiful woman swung into view.
It was Dejah Thoris!
At the sight of his princess chained to the other pillar before him, John Carter
grew very pale. He sprang forward to free her.
His earthly muscles could have easily covered the distance in one leap; but
halfway there in his spring, Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas saw the earthman
sprawl in mid-air as though he had struck full force against some invisible
barrier. Half-stunned, he crumpled to the floor.
Dejah Thoris gave a little cry. Tars Tarkas strained at his bonds. Slowly, the
earthman rose to his feet, shaking his body like some majestic animal. With his
sword he reached down and felt the barrier that stood between him and the
throne.
Pew Mogel laughed harshly.
"You are trapped, John Carter. The invisible glass partition that you struck is
another invention of the great Ras Thavas that I acquired. It is invulnerable.
"From there, you may watch the torture of your princess, unless she sees fit to
sign a note to her father demanding the surrender of Helium to me."
The earthman looked at his princess not ten feet from him. Dejah Thoris held her
head proudly high, which was answer enough to Pew Mogel's demands that she
betray her people.
Pew Mogel saw, and angrily issued a command to the ape. The white brute rose and
ambled over to Dejah Thoris. Grabbing her hair with one paw, he forced her head
back until he could see her face. His hideous, grinning face was not two inches
from hers.
"Demand Helium's surrender," hissed Pew Mogel, "and you shall have your
freedom!"