A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs Audio book with subtitle
today we begin a new series from a book
by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs
the book is called a princess of Mars
it is the first book in a series that
mr. Burroughs wrote about a man who
travels to Mars during the last years of
the 1800s there the man meets strange
beings and sees strange sights at first
he is a captive then a warrior and after
many battles a prince of a royal family
Shep O’Neal begins the story of a
princess of Mars I am a very old man how
old I do not know it is possible I am a
hundred maybe more
I cannot tell because I have never aged
as other men do so far as I can remember
I have always been a man of about thirty
I appear today as I did 40 years ago yet
I feel that I cannot go on living
forever someday I will die the real
death from which there is no escape
I do not know why I should fear death I
who have died two times and I’m still
alive I have never told this story I
know the human mind will not believe
what it cannot understand I cannot
explain what happened to me I can only
tell of the ten years my dead body lay
undiscovered in an Arizona cave
[Music]
my name is John Carter I am from the
state of Virginia at the close of the
Civil War I found myself without a home
without money and without work I decided
the best plan was to search for gold in
the great deserts of the American
Southwest I spent almost a year
searching for gold with another former
soldier Captain James Powell also of
Virginia we were extremely lucky in the
winter of 1865 we found rocks that held
gold Powell was trained as a mining
engineer he said we had uncovered over a
million dollars worth of gold in only
three months but the work was slow with
only two men and not much equipment so
we decided Powell should go to the
nearest settlement to seek equipment and
men to help us with the work on March
3rd 1866 Powell said goodbye he rode his
horse down the mountain toward the
valley I followed his progress for
several hours the morning Powell left
was like all mornings in the deserts of
the great southwest clear and beautiful
not much later I looked across the
valley I was surprised to see three
riders in the same place where I had
last seen my friend
after watching for some time I decided
the three riders must be hostile Indians
Powell I knew was well-armed and an
experienced soldier but I knew he would
need my aid I found my weapons placed a
saddle on my horse and started as fast
as possible down the trail and taken in
by power I followed as quickly as I
could until dark about nine o’clock the
moon became very bright I had no
difficulty following Powell’s trail I
soon found the trail left by the three
riders following power
I knew they were Indians I was sure they
wanted to capture power suddenly I heard
shots far ahead of me I hurried ahead as
fast as I could
soon I came to a small camp several
hundred Apache Indians were in the
center of the camp
I could see Powell on the ground I did
not even think about what to do I just
acted I pulled out my guns and began
shooting the Apaches were surprised and
fled I forced my horse into the camp and
toward Powell I reached down and pulled
him up on the horse by his belt I urged
the horse to greater speed the Apaches
by now realized that I was alone and
quickly began to follow we were soon in
very rough country the trail I chose
began to rise sharply
it went up and up I followed the trail
for several hundred meters more until I
came to the mouth of a large cave
it was almost morning now I got off my
horse and laid power on the ground I
tried to give him water but it was no
use
power was dead I laid his body down and
continued to the cave I began to explore
the cave I was looking for a safe place
to defend myself or perhaps for a way
out but I became very sleepy it was a
pleasant feeling my body became
extremely heavy
I had trouble moving soon I had to lay
down against the side of the cave for
some reason I could not move my arms or
legs I lay facing the opening of the
cave
I could see part of the trail that had
led me here and now I could see the
Apaches they had found me but I could do
nothing within a minute one of them came
into the cave he looked at me but he
came no closer his eyes grew wide his
mouth opened he had a look of terror on
his face
he looked behind me for a moment and
then fled suddenly I heard a low noise
behind me
the Apaches they all turn and fled the
sound became louder but still my could
not move I could not turn my head to see
what was behind me
all day I lay like this I tried again to
rise and again but I still could not
move then I heard a sharp sound it was
like a steel wire breaking I quickly
stood up my back was against the cave
wall I looked down there before me lay
my body
for a few moments I stood looking at my
prey I could not bring myself to touch
it I was the sounds of the cave and the
sight of my body forced me away I slowly
backed to the opening of the cave I
turned to look at the Arizona night I
could see a thousand stars as I stood
there I turned my eyes to a large red
star I could not stop looking at it
it was Mars the Red Planet
the red God of War it seemed to pull me
near then for a moment I closed my eyes
there was an instant of extreme cold and
total darkness suddenly I was in deep
dreamless peaceful sleep
I opened my eyes upon a very strange
land I immediately knew then I was on
Mars not once did I question this fact
my mind told me I was on Mars as your
mind tells you that you are upon earth
you do not question the fact nor did i i
found myself lying on a bed of yellow
colored grass that covered the land for
kilometres the time was near the middle
of the day and the Sun was shining full
upon me it was war I decided to do a
little exploring springing to my feet I
received my first Martian surprise the
effort to stand carried me into the
Martian air to the height of about 1
meter I landed softly upon the ground
however without incident
I found that I must learn to walk all
over again
my muscles were used to the gravity of
Earth Mars has less gravity my attempts
to walk resulted in jumps and hops which
took me into the air I once landed on my
face I soon learned that it took much
less effort for me to move on Mars than
it did on earth near me was a small low
wall carefully I made my way to the wall
and looked over it was filled with eggs
some already broken open small green
creatures were in them they looked at me
with huge red eyes as I watched the
fierce-looking creatures I fail to hear
20 full-grown Martians coming from
behind me
they had come without warning as I
turned I saw them one was coming at me
with a huge spear with its sharp tip
pointed at
my heart and now the second program in
our series a princess of Mars the
creature with the spear was huge there
were many other similar creatures they
had ridden behind me on the backs of
large animals each of them carried a
collection of strange-looking weapons
the one with the large spear got down
from the back of his animal and began
walking toward me
he was almost 5 meters tall and a dark
green color huge teeth stuck out of his
face and his expression showed much hate
and violence I immediately knew I was
facing a terrible warrior he began
moving quickly toward me with the spear
I was completely unarmed I could not
fight my only chance was to escape I
used all my strength to jump away from
him I was able to jump almost 30 meters
the green Martian stopped and watched my
effort I would learn later that the look
on his face showed complete surprise
the creatures gathered and talked among
themselves while they talked I thought
about running away however I noticed
several of them carried devices that
looked very much like rifles I could not
run soon all but one of the creatures
moved away the one who had threatened me
stayed he slowly took off a metal band
from his arm and held it out to me he
spoke in a strange language
nikto mock to toss a code ah slowly he
laid down his weapons I thought this
would have been a sign of peace anywhere
on earth
why not Mars - I walked toward him and
in a normal voice announced my name and
said I had come in peace
I knew he did not understand but like me
he took it to mean that I meant no harm
slowly we came together he gave me the
large metal band that had been around
his arm he turned and made signs with
his hands that I should follow him soon
we arrived at the large animal he had
been riding he again made a sign with
his hands that I should ride on the same
animal behind him the group turned and
began riding across the land we moved
quickly toward mountains in the distance
the large animals we rode moved quickly
across the land I could tell from the
surrounding mountains that we were on
the bottom of a long dead sea in time we
came to a huge city at first I thought
the city was empty the buildings were
all empty and in poor repair but soon I
saw hundreds of the green warriors I
also saw green women and children I soon
learned about many cities like this the
cities were built hundreds of years ago
by a people that no longer existed the
green Martians used the cities they
moved from one empty city to another
never stopping for more than a day or
two we got down from our animals and
walked into a large building we entered
a room that was filled with
here’s green warriors it was not
difficult to tell that these were the
leaders of the green Martians one of
them took hold of my arm he shook me and
lifted me off the ground he laughed when
he did so I was to learn that green
Martians only laugh at the pain or
suffering of others this huge warrior
threw me to the ground and then took
hold of my arm again to pick me up I did
the only thing I could do I hit him with
my closed fist as hard as I could the
green warrior fell to the floor and did
not move the others in the room grew
silent I had knocked down one of their
warriors with only my hand I moved away
from him and prepared to defend myself
as best I could
but they did not move the green Martian
that had captured me walked toward me he
said in a clear voice Tars Tarkas Tars
Tarkas as he spoke he pointed to his own
chest he was telling me his name I
pointed to my chest and said my name
John Carter he turned and said the word
Sola immediately a green Martian woman
came close he spoke to her she led me to
another building and into a large room
the room was filled with equipment
carried by the green Martians she
prepared something for me to eat I was
very hungry I pointed to her and said
the word Sola she pointed at me and said
my name it was a beginning Sola was my
guard she also became my teacher in time
she would become a close and valued
friend
as I ate my meal my lessons in the
language of the green Martians continued
two days later Tars Tarkas came to my
room he carried the weapons and the
metal armbands the green warriors where
he put them on the ground near my feet
Sola told him I now understood some of
their language he turned to me and spoke
slowly the warrior you hit is dead his
weapons and the metal of his rank are
yours John Carter he was a leader of one
small group among our people because you
have killed him you now are a leader you
are still a captive and not free to
leave however you will be treated with
the respect you have earned you are now
a warrior among our people Tars Tarkas
turned and spoke softly from beyond the
door a strange creature entered the room
it was bigger than a large dog and very
ugly it had rows of long teeth and ten
very short legs Tars Tarkas spoke to the
creature and pointed at me
he left the creature looked at me
watching closely
then Sola spoke about the creature
his name is Woola the men of our tribe
used them in hunting and war he has been
told to guard and protect you he has
also been told to prevent your escape
there is no faster creature in our world
and in a fight they can
very quickly do not try to escape
JOHN CARTER hula will tear you to small
pieces I continued to watch the creature
named Woola I had already seen how the
green Martians treated other animals
they were very cruel I thought perhaps
this beast can be taught to be my friend
much like a dog on earth
I walked close to the creature and began
speaking in much the same way I would
speak to a dog or another animal on
earth i sat down next to him while I
talked softly at first he seemed
confused
I believe the creature Woola had never
heard a kind word in the next several
days I gained the trust and friendship
of ulla in a few short days Woola was my
friend
and fierce protector he would remain my
loyal friend as long as I was on Mars
several days later Sola came to me with
a look of great concern
JOHN CARTER come with me a great battle
is about to take place an enemy is
coming near this city we must prepare to
fight and we must be ready to flee so
now what enemy is this a race of red men
who travel our world in flying machines
a great number of their machines have
come over the farm mountain take your
weapons with you and hurry I collected
my sword and a spear
I hurried out of the building and joined
a group of warriors moving toward the
end of the city far in the distance
I could see the airships they were
firing large guns at the green warriors
I heard huge explosions the green
warriors were firing back with their
deadly rifles the air was filled with
the sound of violent battle
suddenly a huge airship exploded it came
down crashing nearly red Martians were
falling from the side of the huge ship
and then it exploded again another of
the large airships exploded hi members
of the crew fell to the ground the human
ship lost control and began turning
again and again soon it was close to the
ground the warriors climbed aboard the
ship and began fighting the members of
the crew who were still alive
soon the fighting stopped the warriors
began taking everything from the ship at
last they brought a captive from deep
within the ship two of the warriors had
their captive by each arm I wanted to
see what new and strange form of life
this creature would be as they came near
I saw that it was a woman she looked
like a woman from Earth she was young
her skin was a light red almost a copper
color I saw at once that she was
extremely beautiful she had a fine face
with large dark eyes and long black as
her guards led her away she saw me for a
moment she seemed very surprised her
face looked hopeful but when I made no
attempt to speak to her her face grew
sad and she looked very small and
frightened as I watched her disappear
into a building I realized that so
wasn’t here me JOHN CARTER that woman
will be saved for the great games that
are held by our people the games are
long and cruel and end in death for
those captured in battle her death will
be slow and painful she will die for the
enjoyment of all so love’s face seemed
sad when she said this I could tell by
the way she spoke that she did not like
the games and did not want to see the
young woman die she was very different
from the rest of her people so na do you
not like the games No
JOHN CARTER my mother died in the games
that is a secret you must not tell
anyone the wall where Tars Tarkas found
you held eggs that produce our young all
the children belong to the tribe a
mother never knows which child is hers
when they come out of the egg my mother
hid the egg that carried me it was not
placed within the walled area she kept
her secret until after I was born
but others discovered her secret and she
was condemned to die in the games
she hid me among other children before
she was captured if this secret were
learned I too would die in the games
before she left me my mother told me the
name of my father I alone keep that
secret
it would mean death for him as well as
me
my people are violent and cruel the next
day I entered the great room where the
green Martians held meetings the red
woman prisoner was there too soon the
leader of the Green Martians came into
the room his name was Laura’s Tamara he
began speaking to the prisoner who are
you and what is your name I am the
princess Dejah Thoris daughter of Mors
kajak the ruler of hell iam our airship
was on a scientific flight we were to
study the air and atmosphere without our
work the air on our planet would grow
thin and we would all die why would you
attack us as she talked a warrior ran to
her and hit her in the face knocking her
to the ground he placed a foot on her
small body and again laughing I reached
for the small sword I carried and rushed
to attack the huge warrior he was a
strong opponent but again because of the
low gravity on Mars my strength was far
greater than his in a few short minutes
the green warrior was dead I helped the
young woman to her feet who are you why
did you risk your life to help me you
look almost the same as my people but
you wear the weapons of a green warrior
who or what are you my name is John
Carter I am from the planet Earth how I
got here
is a long story I attacked that warrior
because where I come from men do not
attack women I will offer you my
protection as long as I can however I
must tell you that I am a captive come
John Carter and bring the red woman with
you let us leave this room quickly
before some warrior attempts to stop us
the three of us quickly returned to the
building where I had spends the last
several days Sola then left to prepare
food Woola sat in the corner and looked
at the both of us the young woman was
afraid of poor ugly Allah I told her not
to fear Him who lies not only my guard
he is my friend I have treated him with
kindness that he has never known as each
day passes he trusts me more I now think
he would follow any command I give Sola
has told me that all captives are held
until they can die in the great games
held by the green Martians our only
chance to survive is to escape but we
must have solar cell for our plan to
succeed yes if we stay with the green
warriors we will both die if we are to
escape we will need several of the
animals to ride it will be our only
chance I have several of the animals
they were given to me when I became a
warrior
Soula came back later with food for the
two of us Dejah Thoris and I asked for
her help the three of us talked long
into the night at last Sola gave us her
answer your best chance for escape will
be in the next two days we will leave
this city tomorrow and begin a long trip
to the home of our tribe I will help you
escape but I must come with you I will
be killed if you escape Sola of course
you must come with us
you are not cruel or violent as many of
your people are help us and I can
promise you a much better life you will
be treated with respect as an honored
guest the next morning we rode away from
the city on our animals more than a
thousand animals were carrying the huge
tribe of green Martians also in the
group were one American one princess of
the royal house of helium our guard Sola
and poor ugly Woola late that night we
left the camp one animal carried me
another of Sola and princess Dejah
Thoris Woola followed close behind
we rode quickly through the Martian
night I looked into the sky and saw
earth across the great distance of space
since I had met the princess Dejah
Thoris I had not thought once of Earth
or
home I knew then that I would never
willingly leave her the next morning I
could see that we were being followed by
several hundred of the green warriors
our animals were very tired
I knew we must stop I told Sola and the
princess to take the stronger of the two
animals and ride away I will hold back
the green warriors as long as I can
Woola go with them and guard them with
your life we can’t leave you alone it
would be certain death if you are
captured again you must come with us
Sola took the princess by the arm and
lifted her on top of the animal she had
chosen quickly she began riding away for
a moment Woola looked at me then turned
and ran after them I took out my rifle
from its case I began firing to slope
the green warriors
[Music]
I was able to slow them for more than an
hour but then I had no more ammunition
soon I was surrounded a green warrior
got off his animal and came toward me he
pulled out his long thin sword I reached
for mine as we neared each other I saw
it was Tars Tarkas he stopped and spoke
to me very slowly you will die here
today John Carter it is I who must kill
you
know that I will take no pleasure in
your death
the huge green warrior Tars Tarkas came
slowly toward me with his thin sword I
backed away I did not want to fight him
I did not wish his death he had been as
kind to me as a green Martian can be as
I stood watching him a rifle fired in
the distance then another and another
Tars Tarkas and his Warriors were under
attack from another tribe of green
warrior with him seconds a terrible
battle raged and I watched three of the
attackers fell on Tars Tarkas he killed
one and was fighting with the other two
when he slipped and fell
I ran to his aid swinging my sword he
was on his feet and shoulder to shoulder
we fought against the attackers they
finally withdrew after an hour of fierce
fighting
[Applause]
JOHN CARTER I think I understand the
meaning of the word friend you saved my
life when I was about to take yours from
this day you are no longer a captive
among our people but a leader and great
warrior among us there was a smile on
his face once again he took off a metal
band from his arm and gave it to me I
have a question for you John Carter
I understand why you took the red woman
with you but why did Sola leave her
people and go with you she did not want
to see me or the princess harmed she
does not like the great games held by
your people where captives are led to
die she knows if she is caught she too
will die in the games she told me she
hates the games because her mother died
there what how could she know her mother
she told me her mother was killed in the
games because she had hidden the egg
that produced her her mother hid Sola
among other children before she was
captured Sola said she was a kind woman
not like others of your tribe
tars tarkas grew angry as I was speaking
but I could see past his anger
I could see pain in his eyes I
immediately knew SOLAS great secret I
have a question for you Tars Tarkas did
you know SOLAS mother yes and if I could
have I would have prevented her death I
know this story to be true I have always
known the woman who died in those games
had a child I never knew the child I do
now
so la is also my child
[Music]
for three days we followed the trail
left by the princess Dejah Thoris Sola
and poor ugly Loula at last we could see
them in the distance their animal could
no longer be ridden they were talking
when we came near Woola turned to fight
us I slowly walked to him with my hand
out Sola was standing nearby she was
armed and prepared to fight the princess
was lying next to her feet Sola what is
wrong with the princess she has been
crying much these past few days John
Carter we believed you died so we could
escape the thought of your death was
very heavy on this woman my friend Dejah
Thoris come and tell her you are among
the living perhaps that will stop her
crying I walked to where the princess
Dejah Thoris was lying on the ground she
looked at me with eyes that were red
from crying Princess you are no longer
in danger Tars Tarkas has come with me
as a friend he and his warriors will
help to see you safely home and Sola I
would have you greet your father Tars
Tarkas a great leader among your people
your secret no longer means death to
anyone he already knows you are his
daughter the two of you have nothing to
fear
so la turned and looked that tars tarkas
she held out her hand he took it it was
a new beginning for them I know our
world has never before seen anyone like
you
JOHN CARTER can it be that all earth men
are like you I was alone a stranger
hunted threatened yet you would freely
give your life to save me you come to me
now with a tribe of green warriors who
offer their friendship you are no longer
a captive but wear the medal of great
rank among their people no man has ever
done this princess I have done many
strange things in my life
many things much smarter men would not
have done and now before my courage
fails I would ask you to be mine
in marriage she smiled at me for a
moment and then her dark eyes flashed in
the evening light you have no need of
your courage JOHN CARTER because you
already knew the answer before you asked
the question
[Music]
several days later we reached the city
of helium at first the red men of helium
thought we were an attacking army but
they soon saw their princess we were
greeted with great joy Tars Tarkas and
his green warriors caused the greatest
excitement this huge group of green
warriors entered the city as friends and
allies I soon met tardos mors
the grandfather of Dejah Thoris he tried
several times to thank me for saving the
life of the princess but tears filled
his eyes and he could not speak for nine
years I served in the government and
fought in the armies of helium as a
prince of the royal family it was a
happy time
the princess Dejah Thoris and I were
expecting a child then one day a soldier
returned from a long flight when he
landed he hurried to the great meeting
room tardos mors met with the soldier
and reported that every creature on the
planet had but three days to live he
said the great machines that produced
the atmosphere on the planet had stopped
producing oxygen he said no one knew why
this had happened but there was nothing
that could be done the air grew thin
within a day many people could do
nothing but sleep I watched as my
princess was slowly dying I had to try
something I could still move with great
difficulty I went to our Airport and
chose a fast aircraft I flew as fast as
I could to the building that produced
the atmosphere of the planet workers
were trying to enter I tried to them
with a great effort I opened a hole I
grew very weak I asked one of the
workers if he could start the engines he
said he would try I fell asleep on the
ground it was dark when I opened my eyes
again my clothing felt stiff and strange
i sat up I could see light from an
opening I walked outside the land looked
strange to me I looked up to the sky and
saw the red planet Mars
I was once again on earth in the desert
of Arizona I cried out with deep emotion
did the worker reach the machines to
renew the atmosphere did the air reach
the people of that planet and time to
save them was my princess Dejah Thoris
alive or did she lie cold in death for
10 years now
I have watched the night sky looking for
an answer
I believe she and our child are waiting
there for me something tells me that I
shall soon you have been listening to
the special English Program American
stories Shep O’Neal was the voice of
John Carter
Steve ember was tars tarkas
Barbara Klein was Sola and Gwen Newton
was princes Dejah Thoris this story was
adapted for special English by Paul
Thompson it was produced by Paul
Thompson and Mario Ritter
you