# III: Pan-at-lee explained — Tarzan the Terrible

> Chapter companion for Tarzan the Terrible by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters/iii-pan-at-lee
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters