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READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

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Tarzan on Mars<br />

His reason for reverting to loin cloth and the silent<br />

weapons of the primitive was also well considered. In the first<br />

place, these primordial creatures of Opar shared with their<br />

cousins, the apes, very short memories for detail. Although<br />

they might recall his name and some of the circumstances of<br />

their past experiences with him it was almost certain that<br />

they would not recognize him in riding breeches and khaki<br />

shirt. Moreover, he could not be certain whether they came<br />

in peace or with predatory intent, for on the two previous<br />

occasions of their emergence from the hidden valley of Opar<br />

their purpose had bee far less than one dedicated to the<br />

promotion of friendship. Therefore, before revealing himself<br />

openly to them he chose to stalk them and investigate their<br />

disposition, which could best be accomplished as Tarzan of<br />

the Apes rather than as John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, who<br />

had just received notice that his services were required in<br />

London.<br />

So it was that when Akmath and his followers entered<br />

the remaining stretch of forest after negotiating the hog-back,<br />

they were followed by a bronzed, smoothly muscled giant<br />

who moved easily and swiftly above them through the middle<br />

terraces, as silently and expertly as Sheeta, himself. He<br />

traveled behind them so that Usha the wind could bring him<br />

the more eloquent message of their scent, and it told him that<br />

they came not in anger— but in fear.<br />

Fear? Of what? Surely their number was sufficient to<br />

safeguard them from Numa. Nor could savages be on their<br />

trail, for no tribes inhabited the mysterious regions from<br />

which they had emerged.<br />

Filled with animal curiosity now, and certain that he<br />

would not be needlessly exposing himself to a concerted attack<br />

on their part, Tarzan waited only until Azmath was on<br />

the point of emerging upon the plain, which lay in open view<br />

of the ridge where his Waziri were watching. The he called to<br />

the Oparians in the language of the apes, for he had never had<br />

19

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