# Under the Mountains explained — The Warlord of Mars

> Chapter companion for The Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

John Carter navigates a subterranean river beneath the mountains, following clues from a sorapus nutshell to track Thurid. He encounters two therns, Lakor and his companion, who guard a passage. After a tense parley, Carter reveals his identity as John Carter, Prince of Helium, and is allowed to pass through a left-hand corridor chosen by his loyal calot, Woola, despite Lakor's deceptive intentions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage in the Face of Death

John Carter presses forward through treacherous rapids and hostile therns, risking his life to save Dejah Thoris.

### Deception and Disguise

Lakor's smooth words mask a sinister intent to let Thurid kill Carter, then ambush him on return.

### Love and Loyalty

Woola's instinctive loyalty guides Carter to the correct path, and Carter's love for Dejah Thoris drives him beyond physical needs.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Protagonist navigating the underground river and confronting therns; determined to rescue Dejah Thoris.

### Woola

Loyal calot who guides John Carter through the correct passage, sensing deception.

### Thurid

Black dator being pursued by John Carter; mentioned as the target of the quest.

### Lakor

Therm guard who parleys with John Carter and allows him to pass with hidden sinister intent.

### Matai Shang

Mentioned as the Father of Therns; his commands are obeyed by Lakor.

## Key lines

> I could scarce restrain a shout of elation as this silent, insensate messenger floated past me, on toward the Iss and Korus, for it told me that journeying Martians were above me on that very stream.

Carter nearly cried out with joy when he saw the sorapus nutshell floating down the river, realizing it meant the party he was tracking was ahead of him.

_The nutshell serves as a crucial clue confirming the path._

> I am John Carter, Prince of Helium.

Carter reveals his identity to the therns, hoping his reputation will deter them from attacking.

_This declaration underscores his legendary status and the risk of revealing himself._

> The brute is seldom wrong, and while I do not doubt your superior knowledge, Thern, I think that I shall do well to listen to the voice of instinct that is backed by love and loyalty.

Carter trusts Woola's instincts over Lakor's directions, choosing the left-hand passage based on the calot's loyalty.

_Highlights the bond between Carter and Woola, and Carter's wariness of the thern's deceit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters/ii-under-the-mountains
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters