READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
will," grinned Tars Tarkas. "But enough, my friend!" He
addressed the Warlord. "What you have said is more enlightening
than any of our previous conversations. On these
grounds of compromise, we can agree. What say you as to the
best means of gaining entrance to the fortress?"
As the two discussed military strategy, Tarzan was borne
by the apes to La's feet, where he glared upward at her in his
maddening stoic calm as of old, save for a faint, warning
redness in the scar that crossed his brow, and cold gray eyes
met hers in stern disapprobation for her act. Meanwhile,
Churg recovered and returned to the side of his mistress,
while Var Koros studied the chained prisoner in deep meditation.
Suddenly, a great cry of consternation was heard arising
from the mass of soldiery which still attempted to crowd
upward out of the caverns of Iss. A red man came swiftly
riding to the side of Tars Tarkas.
"The caverns below are flooding!" he exclaimed. "The
rear guard says a gate has been closed which has dammed up
the river!"
John Carter grasped the wrist of the Thark jeddak. "We
must act quickly!" he exclaimed. "The enemy will drown us all
in this natural basin unless we open the gate in that wall!"
Without further explanation, he sprang to the back of a
malagor and in the next moment was borne aloft toward the
top of the frowning battlements. Instantly, one of the commandos
mounted the remaining malagor and followed.
"Cover them!" roared Tars Tarkas to those behind him.
As Tarnathian guards again appeared at the battlements
above, the green and red men alike fired upon them, but not
before the commando had been struck down by a well-placed
explosive bullet. He and the malagor fell lifeless to the
ground at the base of the wall, while John Carter soared
beyond it and lost to their sight.
"He cannot possible survive, single handed!" exclaimed
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