 Following their escape from a band of half-human yellow-skinned savages, Tarzan and his friends take to an underground river in a dugout canoe which carries them beyond a chain of mountains. Because of a waterfall, the party is forced to land and abandon their dugout. While seeking a means of reaching the river below the falls, they are ambushed and captured by a second party of yellow giants. Mounted on elephants, the entire company is transported to a distant walled city in the depths of the jungle. Upon their arrival, the eight man and his friends are left in a strongly guarded building while Mungo, leader of the yellow men, goes to report to Artea, queen of the giant savages. During his absence, the captives are discussing the possibility of escape when the door opens and the giant Mungo re-enters with instructions to conduct the captives before the queen. We are ready, Mungo. Lead the way. You come. What the devil? This ain't the door we came in. Careful of pitfalls, Tarzan. It looks already enough for us. Nearly a stone stairway. Probably need to be rolled. To the top of the wall. This house is built against the outer wall. At least we'll have a good view of this very interesting city, my friends. Couldn't we tackle Mungo, Tarzan, and make a try at getting away? It's dark enough to try scaling the outside of the wall once in the jungle. We would be retaken almost immediately, Mr. O'Rourke, and probably killed out of hand. Yes, probably. Handling Mungo would not be so difficult, O'Rourke, where he alone. Look over there beside that watchtower. A dozen or more guards are waiting for us. Yes, and besides, Terry, by the top of this wall must be all of thirty feet from the ground. Oh, well, it was just a thought anyway. If we leave things to Tarzan, Mr. O'Rourke, our chances for escape will be far better. It is unfortunate that we could not have dined before this audience with her savage Majesty. One dies so much better on a full stomach. Oh, Dr. Wong, how can you joke at a time like this? Dreadful one will probably have us all murdered, sent before entertainment. With the inner man well-satisfied my child, that should not be difficult to meet. However, it was a mere figure of speech. I should not worry too much about his queen. Mme. Mme. Moiselle, pod 2. I have been in much worse situation with Tarzan, and we have always won through. As you Americans say, let us not cross the bridge arm till we reach it, n'est-ce pas? Speaking of bridges, we seem to be crossing a sort of causeway, a stone bridge leading to that central building. We didn't see this from the edge of the valley, or even when we came into the city. It's on the opposite side from which we came in, behind that high-round tower. What sort of building do you suppose that is, the tower and the center? Couldn't have been built by these people. No, by any others, Jeanette. It is an excellent example of nature's own work. What it represents to these savages would be difficult to surmise. Well, we'll probably find out very soon. We seem to be going there, or at least to the building surrounding it. The Palace of the Queen, I suppose? I think so. I don't know what else it could be unless there are dungeons for us. Imagine. All this in the very heart of what we call darkest Africa. If it weren't for all those half-clothed, gigantic yellow-skinned people, one might very easily imagine oneself in one of the older European cities. There are more things in heaven and Africa than are dreamed of in white man's philosophy, my friend. That is very true, Monsieur Doctor. Very true. But this queen, Atea, we are about to intervene. As rural or such a place as this, she cannot be entirely as survived. Exactly my thought, Lieutenant. I believe we are to be very greatly surprised. I wonder what sort of woman we'll find. Probably be some huge yellow-skinned Amazon, like the rest of these women. I'm thinking, of course, that your question will be answered immediately. We're coming to the Palace. Or whatever this pile of rock represents. Oh, Pucquamungo! La-me-ge-tuc-tu, Atea! Joe Wong, look at those gates on chains. The place is almost impregnable. That way, sir, that is true. Against anything but modern siege guns. Not far now to Atea. You go in. Darno, does this place remind you of another place you've seen not so long ago? These wide corridors, these high ceilings. You mean the temple of Achea? Yeah. There isn't much difference between that and this. Where those corridors were gloomy and dark, these are well-lighted. And there are guards all over this place. And you see the pictures painted on the walls. Hunting scenes. Battle scenes. Just like those in Achea. Yet, there is a difference, mon ami. The Hésiharians were descended from the Egyptians. These people are... well-bendure-lone-no-what. As the rock says, Darno, we'll find that out soon enough. Those doors we're coming to at the end of the corridor. The guards have opened them. Arriving at the open doorway, the guards surrounding the captives halt. Led only by Mungo, Tarsan and his friends enter a large, brightly-lighted chamber. Crossing it, they approach a low platform. Seated in a sort of throne on the platform is the glamorous, veiled figure of a woman. The right and left of the dais stand several giants dressed in short, leopard-skin tunics. At the waist of each hangs a long, double-edged sword. In silence, Mungo and his captives approach the foot of the dais where they halt. The seated woman rises slowly, lifts the long veil covering her entire form and drops it at her feet. A little gasp of stunned surprise from each member of the white group as they stand and stare in amazement at the regally magnificent figure before them. The heavy veil, as it falls to the ground, discloses a form covered with a clinging gauze like robe of white, cut to reveal arms, shoulder, throat and breast of soft, ivory-tinted skin. A rope of diamonds encircles a slim weight. On small feet are sandals fastened with studs of gold. The woman's eyes are large and deep-set, dark and shadowy. A broad and noble brow, on which hair, blue-black as a raven's wing, grows low. The face is delicate with straight features. Surpassingly beautiful as Artea is, her face has stamped upon it a look of unutterable experience of deep grief, of evil passions. For a long, silent moment she stands, gazing thoughtfully, first at one, then the other of the white group. Presently, in a voice soft and alluringly husky, she addresses them. How come you strangers to the place of the yellow men? And what do you want here? How is it that you hold your lives so worthless as to place them in the hands of Artea, queen of Thor? You want to know how we came? By Jove, did you hear that one? She said, Thor, is it possible that we've been brought to... To the city we were seeking? Not only is it possible, Major, but very, very probable. You say I ought to know how you came? Why? Because we were brought here by Mungo. Ask him. I do not know. I ask the question of you, stranger. And I repeat, I do not know. Who are you? I am Tarzan of the apes. Tarzan of the apes. I do not understand. You are seemingly a man, since when have men become apes? I am king of the tribe of Kerchak. I have never heard of such a tribe. So, so you are a king, a king who wears only a leopard skin for covering. And who are these others? Friends under my protection. Under your protection, yourself. You believe yourself able to protect them, as well as yourself from Athea? Why not? I shall answer that question later. Perhaps. The woman there, is she your mate Tarzan? No. Why do you lie to Athea? I do not lie. There is no reason for it. Speak, woman. Who are you? I am Jeanette Burton. You are Tarzan's mate. Speak the truth, lest you regret it. Tarzan answered that question, Athea. However, no, I am not. You are not without some beauty or face and form, and this Tarzan is a man. But no matter. You there with the narrow expression, Athea, who are you? I, gracious queen, am called Wang Tai. I am a doctor of science. Of what country are you? You do not resemble these others? I come from a country called China, Oatoya. I have heard of you. It is a great distance from Thor. What are you seeking here? My colleagues and I, pardon, Major Burton Ashley, Taran Thorok and Jeanette Burton, we were searching for the same city, Thor, when we became lost in the jungle. We were found by Tarzan and the Tarandano, but we were under the impression that Thor was a city of ancient ruins. Anciently there is Wang Tai, ruins? Thor has stood, as you see it now, people by a strong race of men for many generations. My house has governed here for a thousand years. I am the last of my line. When I die, if without an heir, the next ruler will be one of these yellow men. And how is it, old queen, that you speak English? The rulers of Thor have always spoken English. Many of my subjects speak it, as does Mungo, chief of my warriors, but enough for the present. Mungo! Wait a minute, Artea. What are you going to do with it? You will be quartered here in the palace until I have decided what I should do with you. Decide now. You are anxious to leave Thor. Who comes? One chief. Come in, Thongo. He comes from Keyes to Thokatea. Let him enter. Thongo, Thongo, Thongo. Harry Tarzan. One of the clawfoot devils. Yes, listen. Thuk-tu-wa-kambu-erok. Kambu-nuk-wa-tongo. Mumbu-tuk-wa-abonga-ana-luk. Look, Uncle Tim. Look, he's pointing at Tarzan and you and Terry. Just tell him, my dear. And this man, Thongo, chief of my outer guard, says that you, Tarzan of the 8th, and these others, kill many of his men. Is it true? Yes. According to the laws of Thor, a chief has the right to avenge the death of any of his men. In personal combat with him who has slain them. I cannot change the law, Tarzan. Thongo claims that right of you. When is it to be and where? Here, Tarzan, and now. I had hoped to keep you here with me. But Thongo will kill you. He is a mighty warrior. I am not worried about him. Let him take care of himself. Thongo, don't. Don't. Step back with Jeanette. The rest of you, back to the wall. You have a weapon, Tarzan of the 8th? Yes. Then defend yourself. And may the gods of Thongo protect you. Aruk, Thongo! With a howl of rage, the yellow giant grasps his heavy cudgel and both hands swing at high above