READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
path. There was a strange new expression on the Lotharian's
face, but for the moment it seemed to escape definition.
"Desist, Thum!" he commanded. "You know not what
forces you face here. Interfere, and you shall be destroyed!"
Thum was beyond conversation at the moment. His mind
was a seething cauldron of hatred and rage. Like the dumb,
injuured brute that he was, he could think of nothing now but
to destroy. He took a step forward, his grotesque, giant hands
outstretched to seize Kar Komak.
Instantly, a dozen phantom bowmen materialized in the
dungeon, and simultaneously they discharged their arrows at
Thum, amidst the shouts of astonishment on the part of the
prisoners.
"He's a Lotharian!" shouted one of them.
Thum straightened rigidly, tugging at a cluster of
feathered shafts piercing his chest. He groaned hideously,
almost blind with the induced illusion of pain which Kar
Komak's mind was causing him.
"Stand back, Thum," Kar Komak told him, "or my
bowmen will fire again." To Tarzan he said, "Make good your
escape, my friend."
"And you, Kar Komak?" questioned Tarzan.
"I have an urgent errand of my own, Tarzan. Never fear.
I shall escape."
The apeman smiled grimly. "I cannot leave a friend to
face my enemy while I escape, Kar Komak. You must come
with me."
"My mission is in another direction. But pass through the
window, if you can, and as you leave you may witness the
manner of my escape."
"Very well," replied the apeman. Then he turned to the
other prisoners. "You men—if you would help our cause—assist
me."
The four red men who had remained unharmed by
Them's attack crowded about him instantly.
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