READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
suddenly his brow furrowed in puzzlement. He seemed to
hesitate, uncertain.
Tarzan, came a powerful thought into his mind, Churg
has been put out of the way temporarily. This mental image of
him is my camouflage. Yes, it is I, Kar Komak. I read your
thoughts. There is no time to explain. You must pretend to
attack me, and you must continue in the role of Tharos Pthan.
You will understand later—but quickly now—attack!
Without further hesitation, then, Tarzan took the initiative.
He sprang forward, and with a display of strength that
elicited a great shout of astonishment from the onlookers he
lifted "Churg" bodily off his feet and hurled him down the
bank of the shore toward the Lake of Darkness. Instantly, he
was after him, and the two closed with each other in silent
combat, rolling ever nearer to the dark and swirling waters.
"What is your plan?" Tarzan asked him in a low voice as
they struggled realistically with one another.
"No time to explain," answered the other swiftly. "Those
other apes are real. Beware, Tarzan! I cannot show my hand
here!"
La, perceiving Churg's difficulty, now ordered half a
dozen more apes to assist their leader. With rumbling growls,
they lumbered down the bank to do her bidding, even as
Churg fell to one side, apparently knocked senseless by a
blow from the apeman.
Where Tarzan had first displayed hesitancy in attacking
Churg, he did not restrain himself now. With crushing blows,
he fought the others, killing two and maiming another before
he was finally pined to the ground.
La then ordered several of the green guards in her
retinue to bind him in heavy chains.
"Truly, this man is superhuman," commented John
Carter. "I do not approve this woman's judgement of him. It
is not fitting for him to be chained."
"He is the mate of Issus—and as such he is to do her
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