READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
this time it was in large numbers of heavily armed guards. All
of the prisoners were released from the rings which tied
them to the walls and, still in chains, they were forced to
march along the dim corridors at the heels of the official who
was in caharge of the special guard detail. Again, red men and
green men alike gazed at him curiously as the guards cut
loose the bonds restricting his legs so that he could work.
And well they should have been amazed at this tall,
herculean white giant of a man who walked in their midst so
heavily chained, yet apparently contemptuous of the entire
situation. Almost a head taller than the red Martians, the Lord
of the Jungle bore himself with such quiet dignity that all who
saw him assumed that he must be not only a mighty warrior,
but a personage of royal lineage, as well. There was something
in the depths of his cool, grey eyes and the impassive
set of his patrician features which demonstrated hidden
strength and reliable leadership.
But who was he? Whence had he come? And why had the
Torquasians bound him with such a fantastic regard for his
strength? Surely not even a great white ape could break loose
from double chains and heavy thongs of zitidar hide!
Inasmuch as Tarzan's adventures had placed him in
situations analagous to this before, he was not surprised to
discover the destination of the captives. Readily did he
recognize the outer pits which bordered upon the arena. And
thus did he he perceive the cruel intentions of his captors.
Evidently, the lot of them were to furnish entertainment to
the victors in the form of a death struggle against overpowering
beasts or numbers of men.
The large, long cages into which the prisoners were
thrown were on a level with the sands of the arena. Through
the outer bars one could see the cages completely encircling
the area directly underneath the overhanging ring of stone
balconies, except for a large gate at one end. This great,
somber looking gateway was cast into deep shadow by an
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