Tarzan the Terrible · Chapter
III: Pan-at-lee explained
Om-at leads Tarzan and Ta-den to the caves of Kor-ul-ja to find Pan-at-lee.
What happens
Om-at leads Tarzan and Ta-den to the caves of Kor-ul-ja to find Pan-at-lee. After a perilous ascent, they witness a chief-battle (gund-bar) between Om-at and Es-sat. Es-sat cheats by drawing a knife, but Tarzan intervenes, and Es-sat is thrown to his death. Om-at becomes the new chief.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the dramatic climax occurs because Tarzan’s relentless search brings him within literal sight…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Survival and Adaptation
Tarzan adapts to the vertical cliff environment using pegs and his rope, while Om-at and Es-sat fight for survival and leadership.
- Power and Corruption
Es-sat's cowardly attempt to use a knife in a chief-battle shows the corruption of power, while Om-at's victory restores honor.
- Civilization vs. Primitivism
The chief-battle (gund-bar) and the use of natural weapons contrast with Tarzan's more 'civilized' rope technique, highlighting different codes of combat.
Characters to notice
- Om-at
Leads Tarzan and Ta-den to the caves of Kor-ul-ja; fights and kills Es-sat in a chief-battle to become the new chief.
- Tarzan
Climbs the cliff using pegs, uses his rope to save Ta-den, and intervenes when Es-sat cheats in the chief-battle.
- Ta-den
Accompanies Tarzan and Om-at; explains the chief-battle custom and helps keep other warriors at bay.
- Es-sat
The chief of Kor-ul-ja who fights Om-at; cheats by drawing a knife but is thrown to his death.
- Pan-at-lee
Mentioned as the one who disarmed Es-sat before the battle; her cave is the destination of Om-at's search.
Key passages
“First, whispered Om-at, I will go to the cave of Pan-at-lee. Then will I seek the cave of my ancestors to have speech with my own blood.”
Om-at plans to first visit Pan-at-lee's cave, then his own family's cave to talk with his relatives.
Om-at outlines his priorities upon reaching the cliff dwellings.
“It is a gund-bar, explained Ta-den, a chief-battle. This fellow must be Es-sat, the chief. If Om-at kills him without assistance Om-at may become chief.”
Ta-den explains that this is a formal duel for chieftainship; if Om-at defeats Es-sat alone, he will become the new chief.
Ta-den clarifies the tribal custom of the chief-battle to Tarzan.
“Back! he said. This fight is mine, alone.”
Om-at orders Tarzan to stay out of the fight, insisting it is his personal battle.
Om-at asserts his right to fight Es-sat without interference.
