READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
to the olden faith, if someone would show them the way."
The tide of excitement now raced free and full within the
breast of Sardon Dhur. "You draw nearer to probability,
Tario!" he exclaimed. "Now, show me one more source of
support. Do you think that the First Born—?"
"Yes, the First Born. Once were their fleets mighty and
feared upon Barsoom. This I have rad in your own mid as well
as in the minds of others. Moreover, I am remembering
things out of antiquity of which none of you is now aware—
and all things are in our favor. I believe that the black-skinned
race can muster yet another million men to arms if not
more—and if they cannot build us a fleet of warships, they
can pirate them, as they have in the past."
Sardon Dhur sprang up, his eyes ablaze with a flood of
released fanaticism. "By my sacred ancestors!" he cried. "It is
a worthy plan!"
Tario remained calm and cool. "A plan which will require
patience, secrecy, cleverness, logic, and leadership. As your
leader, I now propose our next step." He watched Sardon
Dhur's face carefully.
The latter guarded his mind and his expression. He said
nothing but tried to look pleased.
"The next step," said Tario, "is for both of us to visit the
First Born."
Instinctive revulsion assailed Sardon Dhur. "You
mean—in Omean?" he asked.
Tario nodded. "In the depths of Omean!"
* * *
So it was that on that long gone day, on Earth, when
Tarzan of the Apes walked with tailed men into the primordial
shadows of Pal-ul-don, a much greater destiny was shaping
for him through the medium of a small Martian airship which
shot swiftly and silently across the lonely, forbidden regions
of the Otz Mountains—toward the souther pole of Mars,
itself. It carried two men, white-skinned like himself, but
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