As the dirigible moved slowly above the waters of the Korsar Az,
Zuppner dropped occasionally to within speaking distance of Ja of
Anoroc, and when the distant coast of Korsar was sighted a sling was
lowered and Ja was taken aboard the O-220, where plans for the rescue
of David were discussed, and when they were perfected Ja was returned
to his ship, and Lajo and the two other Korsars were taken aboard the
dirigible.
The three prisoners were filled with awe and consternation as Jason
and Tarzan personally conducted them throughout the giant craft. They
were shown the armament, which was carefully explained to them, special
stress being laid upon the destructive power of the bombs which the
O-220 carried.
"One of these," said Jason to Lajo, "would blow The Cid's palace a
thousand feet into the air and, as you see, we have many of them. We
could destroy all of Korsar and all the Korsar ships."
While Ja's fleet was still a considerable distance off the coast, the
O-220 raced ahead at full speed toward Korsar, for the plan which they
had evolved was such that, if successful, David's release would be
effected without the shedding of blood--a plan which was especially
desirable since if it was necessary to attack Korsar either from the
sea or the air, the Emperor's life would be placed in jeopardy from the
bombs and cannons of his friends, as well as from a possible spirit of
vengeance which might animate The Cid.
As the dirigible glided almost silently over the city of Korsar, the
streets and courtyards filled with people staring upward in awe-struck
wonder.
Three thousand feet above the city the ship stopped and Tarzan sent for
the three Korsar prisoners.
"As you know," he said to them, "we are in a position to destroy
Korsar. You have seen the great fleet coming to the rescue of the
Emperor of Pellucidar. You know that every warrior manning those ships
is armed with a weapon far more effective than your best; even with
their knives and spears and their bows and arrows they might take
Korsar without their rifles, but they have the rifles and they have
better ammunition than yours and in each ship of the fleet cannons are
mounted. Alone the fleet could reduce Korsar, but in addition to the
fleet there is this airship. Your shots could never reach it as it
sailed back and forth above Korsar, dropping bombs upon the city. Do
you think, Lajo, that we can take Korsar?"
"I know it," replied the Korsar.
"Very well," said Tarzan. "I am going to send you with a message to The
Cid. Will you tell him the truth?"
"I will," replied Lajo.
"The message is simple," continued Tarzan. "You may tell him that we
have come to effect the release of the Emperor of Pellucidar. You may
explain to him that the means that we have to enforce our demands, and
then you may say to him that if he will place the Emperor upon a ship
and take him out to our fleet and deliver him unharmed to Ja of Anoroc,
we will return to Sari without firing a shot. Do you understand?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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