The Chessmen of Mars · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Read with companions Book page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

Chapter 1
Prelude
John Carter visits Earth, appearing in his Martian attire, and recounts his ability to transport objects between worlds. He mentions his daughter Tara of Helium and the Martian game of Jetan, setting the stage for her story.
Chapter 2
The Chessmen of Mars
Tara of Helium, flying her flier, is caught in a violent storm and carried far from Helium. She crashes in a strange and desolate region, where she is captured by the Kaldanes, a race of beings who have evolved into disembodied heads with powerful intellects, and their servant Rykors, who are headless bodies. Tara is taken to their underground city of Bantoom, where she meets Ghek, a Kaldane who becomes fascinated by her. Meanwhile, Gahan of Gathol, disguised as the panthan Turan, sets out to rescue her, following her trail into the unknown.
Chapter 3
Tara in a Tantrum
Tara of Helium prepares for a midday function at her father's palace, bathes, and dresses. She joins the guests in the garden, where she is introduced to Gahan, Jed of Gathol. She observes Djor Kantos in deep conversation with Olvia Marthis, which stirs feelings of surprise and jealousy, though she tries to rationalize them as mere curiosity.
Chapter 4
At the Gale's Mercy
Tara of Helium, angered and humiliated by Gahan of Gathol's presumption and Djor Kantos's failure to seek her, defies her father's wishes and flies alone into a violent storm. The tempest carries her far from Helium, past the ancient city of Torquas, leaving her lost and helpless. Meanwhile, Gahan learns of her disappearance and expresses his determination to win her, while John Carter and Dejah Thoris discuss her future.
Chapter 5
The Headless Humans
Tara of Helium is caught in a devastating storm that wreaks havoc on Lesser Helium. Her flier, the Vanator, is blown far off course, and after the storm abates, she finds herself in a strange valley with dome-capped towers. She lands, hides her flier, and cautiously explores the valley, encountering dangerous banths and struggling to find food and water. She manages to gather fruit and drink from a stream, but realizes the peril of her situation and the difficulty of returning to her flier.

Prelude

The Chessmen of Mars

Tara in a Tantrum

At the Gale's Mercy

The Headless Humans