Tarzan and the Ant Men · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Tarzan and the Ant Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Chapter 1
I
Esteban Miranda, imprisoned for a year in Obebe's cannibal village, maintains his delusion of being Tarzan and hoards a bag of diamonds. He manipulates Uhha, the witch doctor's daughter, into freeing him by playing on her fear of the river devil. After escaping, he forces Uhha to accompany him into the jungle.
Chapter 2
II
Tarzan takes his first solo flight, ignoring his family's concerns, and flies far from home, discovering a mysterious basin region. Meanwhile, a woman of a primitive race finds Tarzan unconscious after his plane crashes, carries him to her cave, and defends her claim to him against other women, killing one in combat. A male of the same species attempts to escape but is pursued.
Chapter 3
III
Tarzan regains consciousness in a stone chamber surrounded by Alali young, who examine him and take his locket. He explores the courtyard and observes the Alali's primitive, silent sign language. As darkness falls, the Alali become restless, and Tarzan plans his escape. The First Woman's children threaten him, but the eldest Alalus boy defends him. The Third Woman arrives, and Tarzan flees with the boy, escaping the corral and pursued by Alali women throwing stones.
Chapter 4
IV
Esteban Miranda and Uhha flee through the jungle, terrified by a lion, while Tarzan trains an Alalus youth in hunting and weapon-making, transforming him from a fearful creature into a confident hunter. Meanwhile, a vulture carries away a diamond locket from a corpse, and Tarzan hunts for food and materials, encountering antelope and sensing a lion nearby.
Chapter 5
V
Tarzan observes a battle between tiny white pygmies and a giant Alalus woman. He intervenes, killing the woman with an arrow and rescuing a pygmy leader. The pygmies, grateful, escort him across the plain. Tarzan demonstrates his hunting skills by killing an antelope with his bow, impressing the little warriors. They then travel to the pygmies' settlement, which consists of symmetrical stone mounds resembling ant hills, with organized lines of workers and armed guards.
Chapter 6
The Wisdom of Klamataamorosal
Tarzan learns from Komodoflorensal about the history and social structure of Trohanadalmakus, including the revolutionary decree of Klamataamorosal that allowed intermarriage between warriors and slaves to strengthen the race. He observes the caste system, the treatment of slaves, and the preparations for war against Veltopismakus to capture Princess Janzara as a mate for Komodoflorensal. Tarzan also contemplates escape from the thorn forest but remains intrigued by the Minunians.
Chapter 7
VII
Tarzan observes the military preparations of Trohanadalmakus against the Veltopismakusians, reflecting on the pure patriotism of the Minunians. Meanwhile, the Alalus youth, son of The First Woman, hunts with two older males and kills a female who threatens him, gaining their awe and reverence. Tarzan is honored by King Adendrohahkis with friendship and permission to join the front, where he meets Prince Komodoflorensal as the enemy approaches.
Chapter 8
VIII
Tarzan is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the Veltopismakusian cavalry, who swarm over him and render him unconscious. Meanwhile, Uhha plots revenge against Esteban Miranda, steals his bag of pebbles and his knife, and escapes into the jungle at night, heading toward her home village. She is stalked by Numa the lion.
Chapter 9
The Audience with Elkomoelhago
Tarzan is brought before King Elkomoelhago of Veltopismakus, who initially mistakes him for a Zertalacolol due to his silence. The king discusses a wager involving Zoanthrohago and a new vibratory principle. Tarzan is given a green slave tunic and later chained in a chamber, where he overhears news of a recent battle. He is healed and eventually led to the king's presence, marveling at the immense scale of the city's architecture and the giant antelope mounts.
Chapter 10
Chapter X
Esteban Miranda regains consciousness with a head wound and no memory, wandering aimlessly through the jungle as a hollow shell of a man. Meanwhile, in Veltopismakus, Princess Janzara is denied the purchase of Tarzan as a slave by her father King Elkomoelhago, who orders Tarzan sent to the quarries. The king's councilors, including Gefasto and Gofoloso, privately criticize the king's vanity and misrule, discussing the corruption and decay of their society.
Chapter 11
XI
Tarzan is taken to the quarries of Veltopismakus, assigned the number Zuanthrol, and put to work under the harsh Vental Kalfastoban. He observes the vast underground slave system, meets the beautiful slave Talaskar who was born in the quarries and has never seen daylight, and learns to navigate the oppressive environment while planning escape.
Chapter 12
XII
Tarzan, now reduced to Minunian size, is a slave in Veltopismakus. He quarrels with Caraftap, who is jealous of Talaskar's admiration for Tarzan. Kalfastoban intervenes, threatening Tarzan and expressing intent to purchase Talaskar. Komodoflorensal, disguised as Aoponato, reveals to Tarzan that he has been shrunk by the wizard Zoanthrohago. Meanwhile, in the forest, the Alalus men, now armed with spears and bows, successfully drive off a woman who attempted to capture them, marking a shift in the balance of power between the sexes.
Chapter 13
XIII
Komodoflorensal devises a plan to be assigned to the same work crew as Tarzan by pretending to communicate with him in a foreign language. The deception succeeds, and they are both summoned to their master Zoanthrohago. Tarzan, Komodoflorensal, and Talaskar discuss escape, and Tarzan vows to take Talaskar with them. The chapter also describes the Minunian numeral system and the military drill of Veltopismakus, contrasting its parade-ground perfection with Trohanadalmakus's practical warfare training.
Chapter 14
XIV
The Alali women attack the men in the forest, but the son of The First Woman, inspired by Tarzan, leads the men to victory, capturing a female to cook for him. Meanwhile, Tarzan is brought before King Elkomoelhago and Prince Zoanthrohago, who discuss experiments to alter human stature, with Zoanthrohago seeking a seat on the royal council.
Chapter 15
XV
Tarzan and Komodoflorensal escape their prison chamber by descending a makeshift ladder of hooked rods down the interior shaft of the dome. They enter a storage room filled with confiscated wine, then discover a chamber with six dead bodies. Tarzan plans to escape that night before they are sent to the quarries, but finds the roof inaccessible, forcing them to cross through the dome.
Chapter 16
XVI
Tarzan and Komodoflorensal escape their imprisonment by disguising themselves as Veltopismakusian warriors, using the bodies of slain guards to fake their deaths. They navigate the corridors of the dome, encounter a room of drunken nobles, and fight two warriors. After securing weapons and gold, they find a poor eating shop where they learn about the oppressive tax system of Elkomoelhago. They continue their descent through the dome toward the first level, eventually encountering a large crowd blocking their path.
Chapter 17
XVII
Tarzan and Komodoflorensal return to the quarry to rescue Talaskar, but find she has been purchased by Kalfastoban. After a sword fight with a guard who recognizes them, they learn Talaskar's new location and overhear Kalfastoban's plans for her. Caraftap, a slave who recognized Tarzan, is brought before Kalfastoban to reveal their identities.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Tarzan, Komodoflorensal, and Talaskar navigate a secret tunnel and loft to escape the Veltopismakusians, discovering the bodies of Kalfastoban and Caraftap. They evade discovery by warriors and use a trap door to ascend to a dark chamber, continuing their flight.
Chapter 19
XIX
Tarzan rejects Princess Janzara's advances, leading her to trap him in a pit with giant wild cats. Komodoflorensal and Talaskar follow, and a fight ensues. Talaskar and Janzara struggle, both falling into the pit. The men are saved by a prisoner who lets them into an adjoining cell. Meanwhile, Korak and the Waziri search for Tarzan. The trio discovers a hidden passage and a woman's voice.
Chapter 20
XX
Tarzan clarifies his platonic love for Talaskar, while Komodoflorensal struggles with his feelings for her. The group escapes the cat pit with Zoanthrohago's help, and Janzara joins their escape plan. They seek refuge in a ratel's burrow, and Tarzan narrowly avoids a giant lion by diving into the hole.
Chapter 21
XXI
Tarzan and his companions flee across the plain toward Trohanadalmakus, pursued by Veltopismakusian warriors. They reach the forest and eventually return to Trohanadalmakus, where Tarzan is made a prince. Komodoflorensal reveals his love for Talaskar, who is revealed to be a princess. After weeks without regaining his normal size, Tarzan decides to journey home through the thorn forest. He experiences a transformation and falls unconscious.
Chapter 22
XXII
Usula finds Tarzan in a deranged state, eating from a buffalo carcass, and brings him home. A surgeon operates on Tarzan's brain injury. Meanwhile, Khamis the witch doctor tortures the River Devil (actually Tarzan) for information about his daughter Uhha, but Tarzan breaks free, kills Khamis, and escapes. Obebe realizes the prisoner was Tarzan. After the operation, Tarzan regains consciousness but does not recognize his wife.
