# XVIII explained — Tarzan and the Ant Men

> Chapter companion for Tarzan and the Ant Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Adaptation

Tarzan and his companions use secret passages and agility to evade capture, adapting to the dangers of the Veltopismakusian domes.

### Deception and Manipulation

The warriors misunderstand each other's demands at the doors, allowing Tarzan's group to escape unnoticed.

## Character check-ins

### Tarzan

Leads the escape through the tunnel and loft, uses agility to jump through a trap door.

### Komodoflorensal

Provides historical context about ants and the tunnel, assists in lifting Talaskar, and kills Kalfastoban.

### Talaskar

Rescued by Tarzan from the cell, expresses gratitude and concern for their escape.

### Kalfastoban

Found dead with a sword through the heart, killed by Komodoflorensal for his brutality.

### Caraftap

Found dead with head severed, betrayed his fellows and was killed.

## Key lines

> “But they tell us something, possibly,” ventured Komodoflorensal. “What do they say?” asked the ape-man. “That this corridor connected with the quarters of a very powerful Veltopismakusian,” replied the prince. “So powerful was he that he might dispose of his enemies thus, without question; and it also tells us that all this happened long years ago.”

Komodoflorensal suggests the corridor once led to a powerful noble's quarters, where enemies were disposed of without question, indicating the passage of ages.

_Historical insight into the tunnel's origin and the power dynamics of ancient Veltopismakus._

> “We must go by the gallery,” whispered Komodoflorensal, stepping quickly to the door leading thereto. As he reached it someone laid a hand upon the latch from the opposite side and attempted to open the door, which was locked.

Komodoflorensal decides they must escape through the gallery, but a warrior on the other side tries to open the locked door.

_Tension mounts as escape routes are blocked by approaching enemies._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_ant_men_se/chapters