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READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

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Tarzan on Mars<br />

With an irrepressible cry of anger, Kar Komak leapt from<br />

his couch and donned his harness and weapons. He had<br />

accomplished his mission for the Warlord, he reasoned, now<br />

tht he had given Carthoris the location of Tarnath and<br />

forewarned him of the secret weapon of the First Born. Now<br />

he would take care of his personal affairs. He must find his<br />

secret and wondrous love, she of the blue eyes and the raven<br />

hair, even though she might lie in the deepest pits beneath a<br />

fully occupied city of green men!<br />

Outside his cabin, he discovered Carthoris sleeplessly<br />

pacing the wind-swept deck.<br />

"What, Kar Komak? Has the imminence of the final battle<br />

robbed you also of sleep?" asked the son of John Carter. "But<br />

stay!—you must have seen the ghosts of your ancestors!<br />

What ails you, man!"<br />

He told the Prince of Helium merely of the woman,<br />

herself, but not of her origin as he understood it.<br />

"Then I take it that you have at last fount your princess,"<br />

said Carthoris, warmly sympathetic. "My friend, on Barsoom<br />

there are two things alone for which a true warrior must live<br />

or die—his country, or his woman."<br />

"Then you understand? You will forgive me, my Prince,<br />

if I leave you in this hour of battle?"<br />

"How can I deny you that which no man would deter<br />

myself from doing were I in your place? I shall give you a fast<br />

scout ship, Kar Komak. If you succeed, return with her as<br />

soon as you can to Helium. I am curious to see this beautiful<br />

princess of yours."<br />

So it was, that as the darkened battle fleet continued<br />

silently on its urgent flight toward distant Helium, Kar<br />

Komak sped swiftly away in an opposite direction. His heart<br />

sang for his love and his blood seethed with rage against the<br />

enemies who had stolen her from him.<br />

For this woman was his own, whom no man or demon or<br />

embattled world would deny him!<br />

242

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