READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
because you belong to Cadj!" His small eyes were bloodshot,
his heavy brows lowered ominously.
Already the restraining wall of age-old religious code had
broken under the violent pressure of primitive emotions. La's
trained eye and senses forewarned her of what was impending.
They had started to fight among themselves over
her, but in a few moments every last vestige of human
refinement in their reasoning would be blotted out by
murderous, bestial rage. And at least one of them—perhaps
Cadj—would run amuck, killing blindly and indiscriminately.
If she could but deflect the direction of this menacing tide
back among the others, she might—
At that moment, three of the other priests roared out
their defiance of Cadj and charged at him, but in the same
instant he whirled with lightning swiftness and slammed the
heavy door of iron wood and plated gold in their faces,
throwing the great bar in place.
While the muffled shrieks of frustration and rage sounded
beyond that barrier, Cadj now turned slowly to face La. Far
from being subtle, which was beyond the scope of his mentality,
he was now gloatingly obvious concerning his intentions,
but sadistically he was making it clear to her that he had
plenty of time to accomplish the inevitable without interruption.
"Now," he growled, the while he trembled and slavered
in anticipation, "your are Cadj's she!"
As he waddled toward her on his short, hairy legs, he
long arms reaching out to grasp her, La knew that his mind
was fully blocked to any appeal to reason. This was a horribly
clear and simple circumstance which called for self-defense.
She wore between her breasts the slim golden knife of the
sacrifice, but that she might have a chance to use it effectively
on this evilly aroused brute was doubtful. Though Cadj was
stunted in stature, he was half as strong as the great apes and
weighed fully two hundred pounds.
9