"Sarkoja," said Tars Tarkas, "forty years ago you were instrumental in bringing about the torture and death of a woman named Gozava. I have just discovered that the warrior who loved that woman has learned of your part in the transaction. He may not kill you, Sarkoja, it is not our custom, but there is nothing to prevent him tying one end of a strap about your neck and the other end to a wild thoat, merely to test your fitness to survive and help perpetuate our race. Having heard that he would do this on the morrow, I thought it only right to warn you, for I am a just man. The river Iss is but a short pilgrimage, Sarkoja. Come, John Carter."
The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor was she ever seen after (на следующее утро Саркоджа исчезла, и после этого ее больше не видели).
In silence we hastened to the jeddak's palace (в молчании мы поспешили ко дворцу джеддака), where we were immediately admitted to his presence (где мы были немедленно допущены к его особе); in fact, he could scarcely wait to see me (на самом деле, он с нетерпением ожидал меня) and was standing erect upon his platform (и стоял, выпрямившись, на своем возвышении;
"Strap him to that pillar," he shrieked (привяжите его к этому столбу, — завопил он). "We shall see who it is dares strike the mighty Tal Hajus (посмотрим, кто он такой, что осмелился ударить могучего Тала Хаджуса). Heat the irons (раскалите железо); with my own hands I shall burn the eyes from his head (своими собственными руками я выжгу ему глаза «из головы») that he may not pollute my person with his vile gaze (чтобы он не смел осквернять мою персону своим гнусным взглядом;
silence ['saIlqns], glower [glouq], pollute [pq'lu: t]
The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor was she ever seen after.
In silence we hastened to the jeddak's palace, where we were immediately admitted to his presence; in fact, he could scarcely wait to see me and was standing erect upon his platform glowering at the entrance as I came in.
"Strap him to that pillar," he shrieked. "We shall see who it is dares strike the mighty Tal Hajus. Heat the irons; with my own hands I shall burn the eyes from his head that he may not pollute my person with his vile gaze."
Chieftains of Thark," I cried, turning to the assembled council and ignoring Tal Hajus (вожди Тарка, — воскликнул я, повернувшись к собравшемуся совету и не обращая внимания на Тала Хаджуса), "I have been a chief among you (я был вождем среди вас), and today I have fought for Thark shoulder to shoulder with her greatest warrior (и сегодня я сражался за Тарк плечом к плечу с его величайшим воином). You owe me, at least, a hearing (вы обязаны, по крайней мере, выслушать меня;
"Silence," roared Tal Hajus (молчать, — взревел Тал Хаджус). "Gag the creature and bind him as I command (заткните рот этому созданию и свяжите его, как я приказываю)."