READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
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THE SACRED COUNCIL
FOR the second time he was awakened by Thum, the
hormad dwar of the prison guards. But this time, it was in the
light of day, and Thum stood directly over him, staring
horribly at him out of his single eye. There was nothing else
visible on that impossible face other than the Cyclopean eye,
for the giant Thum was without a nose, and his mouth was a
gaping orifice beneath his chin.
The monster poked him brutally with a ponderous fist
and roared at him. "On your feet, panthan!"
As Kar Komak failed to comply instantly, Thum grabbed
his arm and shoulder in one hand and jerked him painfully
into the air, where he hung ludicrously at arm's length.
"My name is Thum!" he bellowed at him. "I am the dwar
of the prison guard! When I give a command—obey!" Wherewith
he hurled Kar Komak bodily out into the corridor.
The Lotharian had been deeply immersed in the ethics
and traditions of the fighting men of Helium, at the side of
Carthoris, son of the famed Warlord, himself. Far from being
a coward, of which there are few upon the surface of Barsoom,
he was an acknowledged warrior who had not yet know
the meaning of fear where mortal combat was concerned.
Unarmed though he was, Kar Komak gathered himself
for a furious charge—enraged at such unwarranted brutality.
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