READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
hands upon Tarzan's shoulders, with a warm smile of friendship.
Tarzan duplicated the gesture with a sincere feeling of
admiration for his companion. "It would be well to exhibit a
certain measure of meekness to our captors," he admonished,
"so that they will underestimate us. I know not what your
code is upon Barsoom, but, in my world a wise and experienced
fighter will permit the enemy to display the full
measure of his strength and prowess first, insofar as such a
maneuver may be possible. The fighting man's full use of his
strength and ability at the precise moment of crisis then
becomes practical rather than mere display."
"Upon Barsoom," returned Kar Komak, "this subterfuge
is tolerable within the limitations of pride and honor—but in
our case there is much more at stake than personal considerations.
I agree, Tharos Pthan. We are helpless as our
grandmothers’ soraks."
"I am Tarzan," corrected the apeman.
"Do not forget your identity here," insisted Kar Komak.
"If you would interest Tario to look upon you, you must claim
to be Tharos Pthan!"
Unknown to Kar Komak and Tarzan, there was one who
had been sent along with the regular naval forces of the Holy
Alliance whose strength and brutality were intended to
humble this white stranger whom they sought, whose
prowess and strength had been advertised far and wide ever
since his slaying of the Zitidar at Lothar.
It was this monstrous creature who first came upon the
two in the courtyard, and whom Kar Komak recognized with
an exclamation of alarm.
"Thum!" he exclaimed, as he saw his former jailer of
Tarnath looming upon them.
It was indeed Thum, very much in his glory at the
prospect of subduing one who reportedly challenged his title
to the role of the strongest man in the world. He did not
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