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READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

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Tarzan on Mars<br />

recognized her from the memory of Tars Tarkas as Dejah<br />

Thoris, wife of John Carter and beloved of an entire nation of<br />

red men.<br />

Indeed was this a world worthy of taking!<br />

After the banquet, out of consideration for Tars Tarkas'<br />

expressed fatigue, John Carter excused himself and withdrew<br />

with the imposter into his private conference room. This was<br />

a broad, handsome room, semi-circular, opening out upon a<br />

great balcony which overlooked the now darkened city.<br />

Tario saw the slender towers of Greater and Lesser<br />

Helium silhouetted starkly against the rising disc of Thuria,<br />

like two mighty swords raised in warning against the sky.<br />

"Sit down, Tars Tarkas."<br />

There was a new tone in the Warlord's voice. Tario<br />

looked at him. The two were alone now, face to face. It<br />

appeared to be the intimacy of comradeship which reached<br />

out to him, and also he noted a sign of concern.<br />

John Carter pointed out a great chair of polished ersite<br />

which had been placed near one end of the conference table.<br />

It had been designed, long ago, to fit the mighty shape of the<br />

Jeddak of Thark.<br />

"Something is troubling you quite gravely," continued the<br />

Warlord, seating himself with a clanking of his great sword<br />

and harness. "Your message intimated trouble with the<br />

Warhoons and the Thurds—maybe also the Torquasians. I<br />

hope we shall not be forces to subdue those bloodthirsty<br />

devils again!" Yet one wondered if this was what the Warlord<br />

really hoped, for a warning light of ready challenge lit his grey<br />

eyes briefly.<br />

Then Tario recalled from the memory of Tars Tarkas the<br />

former scenes of battle in which this Earthman had appeared.<br />

He saw him fighting shoulder to shoulder with the great<br />

Thark, against the white apes and the horrifying plant men,<br />

on the shore of the Lost Sea of Korus, there behind the<br />

golden Mountains of Otz where the River Iss and the de-<br />

69

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