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

for millenia in a trance-like state, Awakened, they find their world gone, their
city dead. It is a touching and melancholy scene, and marks a high point in a
generally excellent book.
Finally, of course, the present volume, JOHN CARTER OF MARS, containing one
unconnected tale and another which was intended as the opener of a new cycle of
adventures, adventures fated never to be written.
A final note now concerning John Carter and the Giant of Mars. In the magazine
version of two decades ago there were a number of footnotes, signed "Ed." It is
not known today whether this "Ed." was Raymond A. Palmer, editor of AMAZING
STORIES, or Edgar Rice Burroughs, who sometimes described himself as merely the
"editor" of John Carter's true adventures, rather than as an author. These
footnotes are retained in the present edition, the reader is free to form his
own opinion regarding their authenticity.
To the reader who regards science fiction as a sugarcoated course in chemistry
and physics equally as to the one who seeks only serious sociological
extrapolation, Burroughs' Martian novels will prove unsatisfactory.
But to the reader who seeks magnificent adventure in an endlessly imaginative,
exotic setting, these books without question represent an all-time high in the
field.
RICHARD A. LUPOFF
New York City
Jasoom
June, 1964
One
ABDUCTION
THE MOONS OF MARS looked down upon a giant Martian thoat as it raced silently
over the soft mossy ground. Eight powerful legs carried the creature forward in
great, leaping strides.
The path of the mighty beast was guided telepathically by the two people who sat
in a huge saddle that was cinched to the thoat's broad back.
It was the custom of Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, to ride forth weekly to
inspect part of her grandfather's vast farming and industrial kingdom.
Her journey to the farm lands wound through the lonely Helium Forest where grow
the huge trees that furnish much of the lumber supply to the civilized nations
of Mars.
Dawn was just breaking in the eastern Martian sky, and the jungle was dark and
still damp with the evening dew. The gloom of the forest made Dejah Thoris
thankful for the presence of her companion, who rode in the saddle in front of
her. Her hands rested on his broad, bronze shoulders, and the feel of those
smooth, supple muscles gave her a little thrill of confidence. One of his hands
rested on the jewel-encrusted hilt of his great long sword; and he sat his
saddle very straight, for he was the mightiest warrior on Mars.
John Carter turned to gaze at the lovely face of his princess.
"Frightened, Dejah Thoris?" he asked.
"Never, when I am with my chieftain," Dejah Thoris smiled.
"But what of the forest monsters, the arboks?"
"Grandfather has had them all removed. On the last trip, my guard killed the
only tree reptile I've ever seen."
Suddenly Dejah Thoris gasped, clutched vainly at John Carter to regain her
balance. The mighty thoat lurched heavily to the mossy ground. The riders