thuvia, maid of mars(火星姑娘)-第12章
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construction Carthoris could but dimly speculate upon its unthinkable
antiquity。
52
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THUVIA； MAID OF MARS
It was circular； closing a circular aperture； and the Heliumite knew
from his study of ancient Barsoomian architecture that it rolled to one side；
like a huge wheel； into an aperture in the wall。
Even such world…old cities as ancient Aaanthor were as yet undreamed
of when the races lived that built such gates as these。
As he stood speculating upon the identity of this forgotten city； a voice
spoke to them from above。 Both looked up。 There； leaning over the edge
of the high wall； was a man。
His hair was auburn； his skin fairfairer even than that of John Carter；
the Virginian。 His forehead was high； his eyes large and intelligent。
The language that he used was intelligible to the two below； yet there
was a marked difference between it and their Barsoomian tongue。
〃Who are you？〃 he asked。 〃And what do you here before the gate of
Lothar？〃
〃We are friends；〃 replied Carthoris。 〃This be the princess； Thuvia of
Ptarth； who was captured by the Torquasian horde。 I am Carthoris of
Helium； Prince of the house of Tardos Mors； Jeddak of Helium； and son of
John Carter； Warlord of Mars； and of his wife； Dejah Thoris。〃
〃‘Ptarth'？〃 repeated the man。 〃‘Helium'？〃 He shook his head。 〃I
never have heard of these places； nor did I know that there dwelt upon
Barsoom a race of thy strange colour。 Where may these cities lie； of
which you speak？ From our loftiest tower we have never seen another
city than Lothar。〃
Carthoris pointed toward the north…east。
〃In that direction lie Helium and Ptarth；〃 he said。 〃Helium is over eight
thousand haads from Lothar； while Ptarth lies nine thousand five hundred
haads north…east of Helium。〃
