READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
Zithad leaned far back to look above at the soaring cliff.
"From base to top it must be all of six or seven haads 2 in
height," he said.
"You have asked me to provide a hidden base of operations,"
said Tario, "since even the depths of Omean are
periodically policed by the forces of the Warlord and the size
of your fleet is prescribed by the terms of your previous
surrender. Here," he said, triumphantly, sweeping his arms
wide to include the entire valley, "is the great hidden Valley
of Tarnath, the existence of which our alien enemy, John
Carter, is totally unaware! And before you rises a fortress
such as no world has ever seen!"
Zithad and Sardon Dhur whirled upon him. "Fortress!!"
they both exclaimed.
Tario nodded. "That cliff is a giant meteor composed of
material which no weapon of Barsoom may ever penetrate.
yet is honeycombed with chambers and it bristles with
armaments."
Zithad grasped the hilt of his sword, tensing. "Is this
betrayal, Tario? Have you led us into a trap of your own
devising?"
Sardon Dhur now appraised the frowning escarpment
with obvious apprehension. "Do you mean to say that mountainous
pile is inhabited?" he gasped.
"No trap, gentlemen," said Tario. "But it is inhabited."
"By—what?" asked Zithad.
"By red men. I believe."
"Red men!" ejaculated Zithad. "Then they would be allies
of the Heliumite Empire!"
"I doubt is they have heard aught of Helium in their lives.
Moreover, they are merely the servants of the Masters of
2 A Martian haad is equivalent to slightly more than two
thirds of an Earth mile, or approximately 2,339 feet. It is one
hundredth of a Martian degree at the equator.
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