READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
his mind had come a plan which might aid them as well as
himself. These men were fighters. Out on the arena's floor,
where many a duel had been fought between red and green
men, swords, lances and bludgeons lay scattered about in
profusion. Many of the prisoners had been relieved of their
abonds dn had been armed in preparation for combat, anyway.
If he could, somehow, effect the release of all of them
simultaneously, they might be able to give the gloating
audience a surprise, and some might yet make good their
escape. He, in particular, had certain definite intentions
concerning that tusky jeddak who sat leering down upon his
victims from the great balcony—and who wore on his chest
the Great Star of Issus.
Having decided, Tarzan acted. Of a sudden, he swelled
his chest and arms against his chains. There was a dull report
as they parted, and with them the thongs of zitidar hide were
rent asunder.
The four remaining captives in his own cage looked upon
him with open-mouthed amazement, but he lost no time basking
in their admiration. Instead, he stepped to the side of one
of the red men and examined the small chains which bound his
wrists behind him. Gripping the slack of the chain between the
man's arms, Tarzan jerked mightily and broke it apart; whereupon
he unwound the rest of the chain and freed the man.
Others in adjacent cells began to murmur in surprise as
they observed this increulous demonstration of strength, but
Tarzan placed a finger to his lips, cautioning all of them to
silence. In a matter of a few moments he had freed the remaining
captives in his cage.
He was about to enter upon the second part of his plan
when he was distracted by a sudden shout of anticipation from
the audience outside. He joined his companions for a moment
at the front bars of the cage, which he noticed were not as
earthly prison bars, being smaller and of softer metal. Then,
he looked out into the arena.
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