The Warlord of Mars · Chapter
Through the Carrion Caves explained
John Carter and Thuvan Dihn, stranded at the ice-barrier, discover the Carrion Caves as the only passage to the land of the yellow men.
What happens
John Carter and Thuvan Dihn, stranded at the ice-barrier, discover the Carrion Caves as the only passage to the land of the yellow men. They navigate through seven caves filled with rotting corpses and stench, then face a lair of apts in the eighth cave. After killing the sentry apt, they cross the chamber. Carter sends Woola back to Helium with a note for Carthoris, urging him to gather a force and follow through the caves, while he and Thuvan Dihn press on toward their goal.
Themes in this chapter
Courage in the Face of Death
John Carter and Thuvan Dihn risk their lives to cross the Carrion Caves, facing deadly apts and toxic air, driven by their mission to rescue loved ones.
Adventure and Exploration
The chapter details the perilous journey through the Carrion Caves and the discovery of a hidden passage to the unknown land of the yellow men.
Love and Loyalty
Thuvan Dihn refuses to abandon John Carter, and Carter sends Woola with a message to Carthoris, demonstrating deep bonds of loyalty and love.
Characters to notice
- John Carter
Leads the expedition through the Carrion Caves, devises a plan to kill the sentry apt, and sends Woola back to Helium with a message for Carthoris.
- Thuvan Dihn
Accompanies John Carter through the Carrion Caves, refuses to turn back, and helps kill the sentry apt.
- Woola
Sent by John Carter to carry a message to Carthoris at Helium, departing through the Carrion Caves.
- Carthoris
Recipient of John Carter's message; instructed to gather warriors and ships, and to bring Tars Tarkas if possible.
- Matai Shang
Mentioned as the captor of Dejah Thoris, believed to be hiding in the land of the yellow men beyond the ice-barrier.
- Tardos Mors
Mentioned as having disappeared beyond the ice-barrier while searching for Carthoris.
- Mors Kajak
Mentioned as having disappeared with Tardos Mors beyond the ice-barrier.
- Tars Tarkas
Mentioned in John Carter's note as someone he hopes to fight alongside again.
Key passages
“I shall not return and leave you here alone, John Carter. Whether you go on to victory or death, the Jeddak of Ptarth remains at your side. I have spoken.”
Thuvan Dihn vows to stay with John Carter regardless of the outcome, refusing to abandon him.
Demonstrates Thuvan Dihn's unwavering loyalty and courage.
“I commanded the faithful creature to seek Carthoris at Helium, and though half a world and countless dangers lay between I knew that if the thing could be done Woola would do it.”
John Carter sends Woola to deliver a message to Carthoris, trusting the beast's abilities despite the immense distance and perils.
Highlights the bond between Carter and Woola, and Woola's remarkable loyalty and capability.
“The bones of dead men lay man high upon the broad floor of the first cave, and over all was a putrid mush of decaying flesh, through which the apts had beaten a hideous trail toward the entrance to the second cave beyond.”
The first cave is filled with rotting human remains, creating a foul, hazardous path that the apts have worn through the decay.
Describes the grotesque and dangerous environment of the Carrion Caves.
