01 - Tarzan of the Apes

8/4/2019 01 - Tarzan of the Apes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/01-tarzan-of-the-apes 1/567



Edgar Rice Borr ougs

Tarzanof the A pes

Tarzan - 01



Contents

Chapter I Out to Sea .........................................

Chapter II The Savage Home...........................2

Chapter III Life and Death...............................4

Chapter IV The Apes.......................................6Chapter V The White Ape ...............................8

Chapter VI Jungle Battles ................................9

Chapter VII The Light of Knowledge ..............1

Chapter VIII The Tree-top Hunter .................13Chapter IX Man and Man ..............................15

Chapter X The Fear-Phantom ........................17

Chapter XI "King of the Apes" ......................18

Chapter XII Man's Reason.............................20Chapter XIII His Own Kind...........................22

Chapter XIV At the Mercy of the Jungle ..........25



Chapter XV The Forest God ..........................27

Chapter XVI "Most Remarkable" ..................28

Chapter XVII Burials.....................................30

Chapter XVIII The Jungle Toll......................33

Chapter XIX The Call of the Primitive.............35

Chapter XX Heredity.....................................37Chapter XXI The Village of Torture ..............40

Chapter XXII The Search Party .....................4

Chapter XXIII Brother Men...........................44

Chapter XXIV Lost Treasure.........................45Chapter XXV The Outpost of the World...........47

Chapter XXVI The Height of Civilization .....49

Chapter XXVII The Giant Again ...................52

Chapter XXVIII Conclusion ..........................54



Chapter I Out to S ea

I had this story from one who had n

business to tell it to me, or to any other. I m

credit the seductive influence of an old vintag

upon the narrator for the beginning of it, and mown skeptical incredulity during the days th

followed for the balance of the strange tale.

When my convivial host discovered that h

had told me so much, and that I was prone

doubtfulness, his foolish pride assumed the tathe old vintage had commenced, and so h

unearthed written evidence in the form of mus

manuscript, and dry official records of the Briti

Colonial Office to support many of the salie



Edgar Rice Borroughs Tarzan of the Ap

Tarzan – 01 6/568

features of his remarkable narrative.

I do not say the story is true, for I did n

witness the happenings which it portrays, but th

fact that in the telling of it to you I have takfictitious names for the principal characters qui

sufficiently evidences the sincerity of my ow

belief that it MAY be true.

The yellow, mildewed pages of the diary ofman long dead, and the records of the Coloni

Office dovetail perfectly with the narrative of m

convivial host, and so I give you the story as

painstakingly pieced it out from these sever

various agencies.If you do not find it credible you will at lea

be as one with me in acknowledging that it

unique, remarkable, and interesting.

From the records of the Colonial Office an

from the dead man's diary we learn that a certa

young English nobleman, whom we shall ca

John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, w

commissioned to make a peculiarly delica




Tarzan – 01 7/568

investigation of conditions in a British We

Coast African Colony from whose simple nativ

inhabitants another European power was know

to be recruiting soldiers for its native armwhich it used solely for the forcible collection

rubber and ivory from the savage tribes along th

Congo and the Aruwimi. The natives of t

British Colony complained that many of theyoung men were enticed away through t

medium of fair and glowing promises, but th

few if any ever returned to their families.

The Englishmen in Africa went even furthe

saying that these poor blacks were held in virtuslavery, since after their terms of enlistme

expired their ignorance was imposed upon b

their white officers, and they were told that th

had yet several years to serve.

And so the Colonial Office appointed Joh

Clayton to a new post in British West Africa, b

his confidential instructions centered on

thorough investigation of the unfair treatment




Tarzan – 01 8/568

black British subjects by the officers of a friend

European power. Why he was sent, is, howeve

of little moment to this story, for he never mad

an investigation, nor, in fact, did he ever reachis destination.

Clayton was the type of Englishman that o

likes best to associate with the noble

monuments of historic achievement upon thousand victorious battlefields-a strong, viri

man-mentally, morally, and physically.

In stature he was above the average height; h

eyes were gray, his features regular and stron

his carriage that of perfect, robust healinfluenced by his years of army training.

Political ambition had caused him to se

transference from the army to the Coloni

Office and so we find him, still young, entrust

with a delicate and important commission in th

service of the Queen.

When he received this appointment he w

both elated and appalled. The preferment seeme




Tarzan – 01 9/568

to him in the nature of a well-merited reward f

painstaking and intelligent service, and as

stepping stone to posts of greater importance an

responsibility; but, on the other hand, he habeen married to the Hon. Alice Rutherford f

scarce a three months, and it was the thought

taking this fair young girl into the dangers an

isolation of tropical Africa that appalled him.For her sake he would have refused th

appointment, but she would not have it s

Instead she insisted that he accept, and, indee

take her with him.

There were mothers and brothers and sisterand aunts and cousins to express vario

opinions on the subject, but as to what th

severally advised history is silent.

We know only that on a bright May mornin

in 1888, John, Lord Greystoke, and Lady Ali

sailed from Dover on their way to Africa.

A month later they arrived at Freetown whe

they chartered a small sailing vessel, the Fuwal




Tarzan – 01 10/56

which was to bear them to their final destination

And here John, Lord Greystoke, and Lad

Alice, his wife, vanished from the eyes and fro

the knowledge of men.Two months after they weighed anchor an

cleared from the port of Freetown a half doze

British war vessels were scouring the sou

Atlantic for trace of them or their little vesseand it was almost immediately that the wreckag

was found upon the shores of St. Helena whic

convinced the world that the Fuwalda had gon

down with all on board, and hence the sear

was stopped ere it had scarce begun; though hoplingered in longing hearts for many years.

The Fuwalda, a barkentine of about o

hundred tons, was a vessel of the type often see

in coastwise trade in the far southern Atlanti

their crews composed of the offscourings of th

sea-unhanged murderers and cutthroats of eve

race and every nation.

The Fuwalda was no exception to the rule. H




Tarzan – 01 11/56

officers were swarthy bullies, hating and hate

by their crew. The captain, while a compete

seaman, was a brute in his treatment of his me

He knew, or at least he used, but two argumenin his dealings with them-a belaying pin and

revolver-nor is it likely that the motl

aggregation he signed would have understoo

aught else.So it was that from the second day out fro

Freetown John Clayton and his young wi

witnessed scenes upon the deck of the Fuwal

such as they had believed were never enacte

outside the covers of printed stories of the sea.It was on the morning of the second day th

the first link was forged in what was destined

form a chain of circumstances ending in a life f

one then unborn such as has never be

paralleled in the history of man.

Two sailors were washing down the decks

the Fuwalda, the first mate was on duty, and t

captain had stopped to speak with John Clayto




Tarzan – 01 12/56

and Lady Alice.

The men were working backwards toward th

little party who were facing away from th

sailors. Closer and closer they came, until one them was directly behind the captain. In anoth

moment he would have passed by and th

strange narrative would never have bee

recorded.But just that instant the officer turned to leav

Lord and Lady Greystoke, and, as he did s

tripped against the sailor and sprawled headlon

upon the deck, overturning the water-pail so th

he was drenched in its dirty contents.For an instant the scene was ludicrous; b

only for an instant. With a volley of awful oath

his face suffused with the scarlet of mortificatio

and rage, the captain regained his feet, and with

terrific blow felled the sailor to the deck.

The man was small and rather old, so that th

brutality of the act was thus accentuated. Th

other seaman, however, was neither old n




Tarzan – 01 13/56

small-a huge bear of a man, with fierce bla

mustachios, and a great bull neck set betwee

massive shoulders.

As he saw his mate go down he crouched, anwith a low snarl, sprang upon the capta

crushing him to his knees with a single migh

blow.

From scarlet the officer's face went white, fthis was mutiny; and mutiny he had met an

subdued before in his brutal career. Witho

waiting to rise he whipped a revolver from h

pocket, firing point blank at the great mounta

of muscle towering before him; but, quick as hwas, John Clayton was almost as quick, so th

the bullet which was intended for the sailo

heart lodged in the sailor's leg instead, for Lo

Greystoke had struck down the captain's arm

he had seen the weapon flash in the sun.

Words passed between Clayton and t

captain, the former making it plain that he w

disgusted with the brutality displayed toward th




Tarzan – 01 14/56

crew, nor would he countenance anything furth

of the kind while he and Lady Greystok

remained passengers.

The captain was on the point of making angry reply, but, thinking better of it, turned o

his heel and black and scowling, strode aft.

He did not care to antagonize an Engli

official, for the Queen's mighty arm wieldedpunitive instrument which he could appreciat

and which he feared-England's far-reaching nav

The two sailors picked themselves up, t

older man assisting his wounded comrade to ris

The big fellow, who was known among hmates as Black Michael, tried his leg gingerl

and, finding that it bore his weight, turned

Clayton with a word of gruff thanks.

Though the fellow's tone was surly, his wor

were evidently well meant. Ere he had scar

finished his little speech he had turned and w

limping off toward the forecastle with the ve

apparent intention of forestalling any furth




Tarzan – 01 15/56

conversation.

They did not see him again for several day

nor did the captain accord them more than th

surliest of grunts when he was forced to speak them.

They took their meals in his cabin, as they ha

before the unfortunate occurrence; but t

captain was careful to see that his duties nevpermitted him to eat at the same time.

The other officers were coarse, illitera

fellows, but little above the villainous crew th

bullied, and were only too glad to avoid soci

intercourse with the polished English noble anhis lady, so that the Claytons were left very mu

to themselves.

This in itself accorded perfectly with the

desires, but it also rather isolated them from th

life of the little ship so that they were unable

keep in touch with the daily happenings whi

were to culminate so soon in bloody tragedy.

There was in the whole atmosphere of the cra




Tarzan – 01 16/56

that undefinable something which presag

disaster. Outwardly, to the knowledge of th

Claytons, all went on as before upon the litt

vessel; but that there was an undertow leadinthem toward some unknown danger both fe

though they did not speak of it to each other.

On the second day after the wounding

Black Michael, Clayton came on deck just time to see the limp body of one of the cre

being carried below by four of his fellows whi

the first mate, a heavy belaying pin in his han

stood glowering at the little party of sulle

sailors.Clayton asked no questions-he did not need t

and the following day, as the great lines of

British battleship grew out of the distant horizo

he half determined to demand that he and Lad

Alice be put aboard her, for his fears we

steadily increasing that nothing but harm cou

result from remaining on the lowering, sulle

Fuwalda.




Tarzan – 01 17/56

Toward noon they were within speakin

distance of the British vessel, but when Clayto

had nearly decided to ask the captain to put the

aboard her, the obvious ridiculousness of suchrequest became suddenly apparent. What reaso

could he give the officer commanding h

majesty's ship for desiring to go back in th

direction from which he had just come!What if he told them that two insubordina

seamen had been roughly handled by the

officers? They would but laugh in their sleev

and attribute his reason for wishing to leave th

ship to but one thing-cowardice.John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, did not ask

be transferred to the British man-of-war. Late

the afternoon he saw her upper works fade belo

the far horizon, but not before he learned th

which confirmed his greatest fears, and caus

him to curse the false pride which had restraine

him from seeking safety for his young wife a fe

short hours before, when safety was with




Tarzan – 01 18/56

reach-a safety which was now gone forever.

It was mid-afternoon that brought the little o

sailor, who had been felled by the captain a fe

days before, to where Clayton and his wife stooby the ship's side watching the ever diminishin

outlines of the great battleship. The old fello

was polishing brasses, and as he came edgin

along until close to Clayton he said, in undertone:

"'Ell's to pay, sir, on this 'ere craft, an' ma

my word for it, sir. 'Ell's to pay."

"What do you mean, my good fellow?" aske

Clayton."Wy, hasn't ye seen wats goin' on? Hasn't

'eard that devil's spawn of a capting an' is mat

knockin' the bloomin' lights outen 'arf the crew?

"Two busted 'eads yeste'day, an' three to-da

Black Michael's as good as new agin an' 'e's n

the bully to stand fer it, not 'e; an' mark my wo

for it, sir."

"You mean, my man, that the cre




Tarzan – 01 19/56

contemplates mutiny?" asked Clayton.

"Mutiny!" exclaimed the old fellow. "Mutin

They means murder, sir, an' mark my word for

sir.""When?"

"Hit's comin', sir; hit's comin' but I'm not

sayin' wen, an' I've said too damned much now

but ye was a good sort t'other day an' I thoughtno more'n right to warn ye. But keep a st

tongue in yer 'ead an' when ye 'ear shootin' g

below an' stay there.

"That's all, only keep a still tongue in yer 'ea

or they'll put a pill between yer ribs, an' mark mword for it, sir," and the old fellow went on wi

his polishing, which carried him away fro

where the Claytons were standing.

"Deuced cheerful outlook, Alice," sa

Clayton.

"You should warn the captain at once, Joh

Possibly the trouble may yet be averted," sh

said.




Tarzan – 01 20/56

"I suppose I should, but yet from purely selfi

motives I am almost prompted to 'keep a st

tongue in my 'ead.' Whatever they do now th

will spare us in recognition of my stand for thfellow Black Michael, but should they find tha

had betrayed them there would be no mer

shown us, Alice."

"You have but one duty, John, and that lies the interest of vested authority. If you do n

warn the captain you are as much a party

whatever follows as though you had helped

plot and carry it out with your own head an

hands.""You do not understand, dear," replie

Clayton. "It is of you I am thinking-there lies m

first duty. The captain has brought this conditio

upon himself, so why then should I ri

subjecting my wife to unthinkable horrors in

probably futile attempt to save him from his ow

brutal folly? You have no conception, dear,

what would follow were this pack of cutthroa




Tarzan – 01 21/56

to gain control of the Fuwalda."

"Duty is duty, John, and no amount

sophistries may change it. I would be a poor wi

for an English lord were I to be responsible fhis shirking a plain duty. I realize the dang

which must follow, but I can face it with you."

"Have it as you will then, Alice," he answere

smiling. "Maybe we are borrowing troublWhile I do not like the looks of things on boa

this ship, they may not be so bad after all, for it

possible that the 'Ancient Mariner' was b

voicing the desires of his wicked old heart rath

than speaking of real facts."Mutiny on the high sea may have bee

common a hundred years ago, but in this goo

year 1888 it is the least likely of happenings.

"But there goes the captain to his cabin now.

I am going to warn him I might as well get t

beastly job over for I have little stomach to ta

with the brute at all."

So saying he strolled carelessly in th




Tarzan – 01 22/56

direction of the companionway through whic

the captain had passed, and a moment later w

knocking at his door.

"Come in," growled the deep tones of thsurly officer.

And when Clayton had entered, and closed th

door behind him:

"Well?""I have come to report the gist of

conversation I heard to-day, because I feel tha

while there may be nothing to it, it is as well th

you be forearmed. In short, the men contempla

mutiny and murder.""It's a lie!" roared the captain. "And if yo

have been interfering again with the discipline

this ship, or meddling in affairs that don

concern you you can take the consequences, an

be damned. I don't care whether you are

English lord or not. I'm captain of this here shi

and from now on you keep your meddling no

out of my business."




Tarzan – 01 23/56

The captain had worked himself up to such

frenzy of rage that he was fairly purple of fac

and he shrieked the last words at the top of h

voice, emphasizing his remarks by a louthumping of the table with one huge fist, an

shaking the other in Clayton's face.

Greystoke never turned a hair, but stood eyin

the excited man with level gaze."Captain Billings," he drawled finally, "if yo

will pardon my candor, I might remark that yo

are something of an ass."

Whereupon he turned and left the captain wi

the same indifferent ease that was habitual wihim, and which was more surely calculated

raise the ire of a man of Billings' class than

torrent of invective.

So, whereas the captain might easily hav

been brought to regret his hasty speech ha

Clayton attempted to conciliate him, his temp

was now irrevocably set in the mold in whic

Clayton had left it, and the last chance of the




Tarzan – 01 24/56

working together for their common good w

gone.

"Well, Alice," said Clayton, as he rejoined h

wife, "I might have saved my breath. The felloproved most ungrateful. Fairly jumped at me lik

a mad dog.

"He and his blasted old ship may hang, f

aught I care; and until we are safely off the thinI shall spend my energies in looking after o

own welfare. And I rather fancy the first step

that end should be to go to our cabin and loo

over my revolvers. I am sorry now that w

packed the larger guns and the ammunition withe stuff below."

They found their quarters in a bad state

disorder. Clothing from their open boxes an

bags strewed the little apartment, and even the

beds had been torn to pieces.

"Evidently someone was more anxious abo

our belongings than we," said Clayton. "Le

have a look around, Alice, and see wha




Tarzan – 01 25/56

missing."

A thorough search revealed the fact th

nothing had been taken but Clayton's tw

revolvers and the small supply of ammunition hhad saved out for them.

"Those are the very things I most wish th

had left us," said Clayton,

"and the fact that they wished for them anthem alone is most sinister."

"What are we to do, John?" asked his wif

"Perhaps you were right in that our best chan

lies in maintaining a neutral position.

"If the officers are able to prevent a mutinwe have nothing to fear, while if the mutinee

are victorious our one slim hope lies in n

having attempted to thwart or antagonize them.

"Right you are, Alice. We'll keep in the midd

of the road."

As they started to straighten up their cabi

Clayton and his wife simultaneously noticed th

corner of a piece of paper protruding fro




Tarzan – 01 26/56

beneath the door of their quarters. As Clayto

stooped to reach for it he was amazed to see

move further into the room, and then he realize

that it was being pushed inward by someonfrom without.

Quickly and silently he stepped toward t

door, but, as he reached for the knob to throw

open, his wife's hand fell upon his wrist."No, John," she whispered. "They do not wi

to be seen, and so we cannot afford to see them

Do not forget that we are keeping to the midd

of the road."

Clayton smiled and dropped his hand to hside. Thus they stood watching the little bit

white paper until it finally remained at rest upo

the floor just inside the door.

Then Clayton stooped and picked it up. It w

a bit of grimy, white paper roughly folded into

ragged square. Opening it they found a crud

message printed almost illegibly, and with man

evidences of an unaccustomed task.




Tarzan – 01 27/56

Translated, it was a warning to the Claytons

refrain from reporting the loss of the revolver

or from repeating what the old sailor had to

them-to refrain on pain of death."I rather imagine we'll be good," said Clayto

with a rueful smile.

"About all we can do is to sit tight and wait f

whatever may come."



Chapter II The S avage H om e

Nor did they have long to wait, for the ne

morning as Clayton was emerging on deck f

his accustomed walk before breakfast, a sh

rang out, and then another, and another.The sight which met his eyes confirmed h

worst fears. Facing the little knot of officers w

the entire motley crew of the Fuwalda, and

their head stood Black Michael.

At the first volley from the officers the meran for shelter, and from points of vanta

behind masts, wheel-house and cabin th

returned the fire of the five men who represent

the hated authority of the ship




Tarzan – 01 29/56

Two of their number had gone down befo

the captain's revolver. They lay where they ha

fallen between the combatants. But then the fir

mate lunged forward upon his face, and at a cof command from Black Michael the mutinee

charged the remaining four. The crew had be

able to muster but six firearms, so most of the

were armed with boat hooks, axes, hatchets ancrowbars.

The captain had emptied his revolver and w

reloading as the charge was made. The secon

mate's gun had jammed, and so there were b

two weapons opposed to the mutineers as thbore down upon the officers, who now started

give back before the infuriated rush of their men

Both sides were cursing and swearing in

frightful manner, which, together with the repor

of the firearms and the screams and groans of t

wounded, turned the deck of the Fuwalda to t

likeness of a madhouse.

Before the officers had taken a doz




Tarzan – 01 30/56

backward steps the men were upon them. An

in the hands of a burly Negro cleft the capta

from forehead to chin, and an instant later th

others were down: dead or wounded from dozeof blows and bullet wounds.

Short and grisly had been the work of th

mutineers of the Fuwalda, and through it all Joh

Clayton had stood leaning carelessly beside thcompanionway puffing meditatively upon h

pipe as though he had been but watching

indifferent cricket match.

As the last officer went down he thought

was time that he returned to his wife lest sommembers of the crew find her alone below.

Though outwardly calm and indifferen

Clayton was inwardly apprehensive and wroug

up, for he feared for his wife's safety at the han

of these ignorant, half-brutes into whose han

fate had so remorselessly thrown them.

As he turned to descend the ladder he w

surprised to see his wife standing on the ste




Tarzan – 01 31/56

almost at his side.

"How long have you been here, Alice?"

"Since the beginning," she replied. "Ho

awful, John. Oh, how awful!What can we hope for at the hands of such

those?"

"Breakfast, I hope," he answered, smilin

bravely in an attempt to allay her fears."At least," he added, "I'm going to ask them

Come with me, Alice. We must not let the

think we expect any but courteous treatment."

The men had by this time surrounded the dea

and wounded officers, and without eithpartiality or compassion proceeded to throw bo

living and dead over the sides of the vessel. Wi

equal heartlessness they disposed of their ow

dead and dying.

Presently one of the crew spied t

approaching Claytons, and with a cry of: "Here

two more for the fishes," rushed toward the

with uplifted ax.




Tarzan – 01 32/56

But Black Michael was even quicker, so th

the fellow went down with a bullet in his bac

before he had taken a half dozen steps.

With a loud roar, Black Michael attracted thattention of the others, and, pointing to Lord an

Lady Greystoke, cried:

"These here are my friends, and they are to b

left alone. D'ye understand?"I'm captain of this ship now, an' what I sa

goes," he added, turning to Clayton. "Just keep

yourselves, and nobody'll harm ye," and h

looked threateningly on his fellows.

The Claytons heeded Black Michaeinstructions so well that they saw but little of t

crew and knew nothing of the plans the m

were making.

Occasionally they heard faint echoes of braw

and quarreling among the mutineers, and on tw

occasions the vicious bark of firearms rang o

on the still air. But Black Michael was a

leader for this band of cutthroats, and, with




Tarzan – 01 33/56

held them in fair subjection to his rule.

On the fifth day following the murder of th

ship's officers, land was sighted by the lookou

Whether island or mainland, Black Michael dnot know, but he announced to Clayton that

investigation showed that the place was habitab

he and Lady Greystoke were to be put asho

with their belongings."You'll be all right there for a few months," h

explained, "and by that time we'll have been ab

to make an inhabited coast somewhere an

scatter a bit. Then I'll see that yer gover'men

notified where you be an' they'll soon send man-o'war to fetch ye off.

"It would be a hard matter to land you

civilization without a lot o' questions being aske

an' none o' us here has any very convinci

answers up our sleeves."

Clayton remonstrated against the inhumani

of landing them upon an unknown shore to b

left to the mercies of savage beasts, and, possib




Tarzan – 01 34/56

still more savage men.

But his words were of no avail, and on

tended to anger Black Michael, so he was force

to desist and make the best he could of a basituation.

About three o'clock in the afternoon they cam

about off a beautiful wooded shore opposite th

mouth of what appeared to be a land-lockeharbor.

Black Michael sent a small boat filled wi

men to sound the entrance in an effort

determine if the Fuwalda could be safely work

through the entrance.In about an hour they returned and report

deep water through the passage as well as f

into the little basin.

Before dark the barkentine lay peacefully

anchor upon the bosom of the still, mirror-lik

surface of the harbor.

The surrounding shores were beautiful wi

semitropical verdure, while in the distance th




Tarzan – 01 35/56

country rose from the ocean in hill and tablelan

almost uniformly clothed by primeval forest.

No signs of habitation were visible, but th

the land might easily support human life wevidenced by the abundant bird and animal li

of which the watchers on the Fuwalda's de

caught occasional glimpses, as well as by th

shimmer of a little river which emptied into tharbor, insuring fresh water in plenitude.

As darkness settled upon the earth, Clayto

and Lady Alice still stood by the ship's rail

silent contemplation of their future abode. Fro

the dark shadows of the mighty forest came thwild calls of savage beasts-the deep roar of t

lion, and, occasionally, the shrill scream of

panther.

The woman shrank closer to the man in terro

stricken anticipation of the horrors lying in wa

for them in the awful blackness of the nights

come, when they should be alone upon that wi

and lonely shore.




Tarzan – 01 36/56

Later in the evening Black Michael joine

them long enough to instruct them to make the

preparations for landing on the morrow. Th

tried to persuade him to take them to some mohospitable coast near enough to civilization

that they might hope to fall into friendly hands.

But no pleas, or threats, or promises of rewa

could move him."I am the only man aboard who would n

rather see ye both safely dead, and, while I kno

that's the sensible way to make sure of our ow

necks, yet Black Michael's not the man to forg

a favor. Ye saved my life once, and in return I'goin' to spare yours, but that's all I can do.

"The men won't stand for any more, and if w

don't get ye landed pretty quick they may eve

change their minds about giving ye that mu

show.

I'll put all yer stuff ashore with ye as well

cookin' utensils an' some old sails for tents, a

enough grub to last ye until ye can find fruit an




Tarzan – 01 37/56

game.

"With yer guns for protection, ye ought to b

able to live here easy enough until help come

When I get safely hid away I'll see to it that tBritish gover'ment learns about where ye be; f

the life of me I couldn't tell 'em exactly wher

for I don't know myself. But they'll find ye a

right."After he had left them they went silent

below, each wrapped in gloomy forebodings.

Clayton did not believe that Black Micha

had the slightest intention of notifying the Briti

government of their whereabouts, nor was he antoo sure but that some treachery w

contemplated for the following day when the

should be on shore with the sailors who wou

have to accompany them with their belongings.

Once out of Black Michael's sight any of th

men might strike them down, and still leav

Black Michael's conscience clear.

And even should they escape that fate was




Tarzan – 01 38/56

not but to be faced with far graver danger

Alone, he might hope to survive for years; for

was a strong, athletic man.

But what of Alice, and that other little life soon to be launched amidst the hardships an

grave dangers of a primeval world?

The man shuddered as he meditated upon th

awful gravity, the fearful helplessness, of thesituation. But it was a merciful Providence whi

prevented him from foreseeing the hideo

reality which awaited them in the grim depths

that gloomy wood.

Early next morning their numerous chests anboxes were hoisted on deck and lowered

waiting small boats for transportation to shore.

There was a great quantity and variety of stu

as the Claytons had expected a possible five

eight years' residence in their new home.

Thus, in addition to the many necessities the

had brought, there were also many luxuries.

Black Michael was determined that nothin




Tarzan – 01 39/56

belonging to the Claytons should be left on boa

Whether out of compassion for them, or

furtherance of his own self-interests, it would

difficult to say.There was no question but that the presence

property of a missing British official upon

suspicious vessel would have been a difficu

thing to explain in any civilized port in the worSo zealous was he in his efforts to carry o

his intentions that he insisted upon the return

Clayton's revolvers to him by the sailors

whose possession they were.

Into the small boats were also loaded sameats and biscuit, with a small supply

potatoes and beans, matches, and cooking vesse

a chest of tools, and the old sails which Bla

Michael had promised them.

As though himself fearing the very thin

which Clayton had suspected, Black Micha

accompanied them to shore, and was the last

leave them when the small boats, having fille




Tarzan – 01 40/56

the ship's casks with fresh water, were pushe

out toward the waiting Fuwalda.

As the boats moved slowly over the smoo

waters of the bay, Clayton and his wife stoosilently watching their departure-in the breasts

both a feeling of impending disaster and utt

hopelessness.

And behind them, over the edge of a low ridgother eyes watched-close set, wicked eye

gleaming beneath shaggy brows.

As the Fuwalda passed through the narro

entrance to the harbor and out of sight behind

projecting point, Lady Alice threw her armabout Clayton's neck and burst into uncontrolle

sobs.

Bravely had she faced the dangers of t

mutiny; with heroic fortitude she had looked in

the terrible future; but now that the horror

absolute solitude was upon them, h

overwrought nerves gave way, and the reactio

came.




Tarzan – 01 41/56

He did not attempt to check her tears. It we

better that nature have her way in relieving the

long-pent emotions, and it was many minut

before the girl-little more than a child she wacould again gain mastery of herself.

"Oh, John," she cried at last, "the horror of

What are we to do?

What are we to do?""There is but one thing to do, Alice," and h

spoke as quietly as though they were sitting

their snug living room at home, "and that is wo

Work must be our salvation. We must not giv

ourselves time to think, for in that direction limadness.

"We must work and wait. I am sure that reli

will come, and come quickly, when once it

apparent that the Fuwalda has been lost, ev

though Black Michael does not keep his word

us."

"But John, if it were only you and I," sh

sobbed, "we could endure it I know; but-"




Tarzan – 01 42/56

"Yes, dear," he answered, gently, "I have be

thinking of that, also; but we must face it, as w

must face whatever comes, bravely and with th

utmost confidence in our ability to cope wicircumstances whatever they may be.

"Hundreds of thousands of years ago o

ancestors of the dim and distant past faced t

same problems which we must face, possibly these same primeval forests. That we are he

today evidences their victory.

"What they did may we not do? And eve

better, for are we not armed with ages of superi

knowledge, and have we not the means protection, defense, and sustenance whi

science has given us, but of which they we

totally ignorant? What they accomplished, Alic

with instruments and weapons of stone and bon

surely that may we accomplish also."

"Ah, John, I wish that I might be a man with

man's philosophy, but I am but a woman, seein

with my heart rather than my head, and all tha




Tarzan – 01 43/56

can see is too horrible, too unthinkable to p

into words.

"I only hope you are right, John. I will do m

best to be a brave primeval woman, a fit mate fthe primeval man."

Clayton's first thought was to arrange

sleeping shelter for the night; something whic

might serve to protect them from prowling beasof prey.

He opened the box containing his rifles an

ammunition, that they might both be arme

against possible attack while at work, and th

together they sought a location for their firnight's sleeping place.

A hundred yards from the beach was a litt

level spot, fairly free of trees; here they decide

eventually to build a permanent house, but f

the time being they both thought it best

construct a little platform in the trees out of reac

of the larger of the savage beasts in whose real

they were.




Tarzan – 01 44/56

To this end Clayton selected four trees whi

formed a rectangle about eight feet square, an

cutting long branches from other trees h

constructed a framework around them, about tfeet from the ground, fastening the ends of th

branches securely to the trees by means of rop

a quantity of which Black Michael had furnishe

him from the hold of the Fuwalda.Across this framework Clayton placed oth

smaller branches quite close together. Th

platform he paved with the huge fronds

elephant's ear which grew in profusion abo

them, and over the fronds he laid a great safolded into several thicknesses.

Seven feet higher he constructed a simila

though lighter platform to serve as roof, an

from the sides of this he suspended the balan

of his sailcloth for walls.

When completed he had a rather snug litt

nest, to which he carried their blankets and som

of the lighter luggage.




Tarzan – 01 45/56

It was now late in the afternoon, and th

balance of the daylight hours were devoted to th

building of a rude ladder by means of whic

Lady Alice could mount to her new home.All during the day the forest about them ha

been filled with excited birds of brillia

plumage, and dancing, chattering monkeys, wh

watched these new arrivals and their wonderfnest building operations with every mark

keenest interest and fascination.

Notwithstanding that both Clayton and h

wife kept a sharp lookout they saw nothing

larger animals, though on two occasions they hseen their little simian neighbors come screamin

and chattering from the near-by ridge, castin

frightened glances back over their little shoulde

and evincing as plainly as though by speech th

they were fleeing some terrible thing which l

concealed there.

Just before dusk Clayton finished his ladde

and, filling a great basin with water from t




Tarzan – 01 46/56

near-by stream, the two mounted to t

comparative safety of their aerial chamber.

As it was quite warm, Clayton had left the sid

curtains thrown back over the roof, and as thesat, like Turks, upon their blankets, Lady Alic

straining her eyes into the darkening shadows

the wood, suddenly reached out and grasp

Clayton's arms."John," she whispered, "look! What is it,

man?"

As Clayton turned his eyes in the direction s

indicated, he saw silhouetted dimly against t

shadows beyond, a great figure standing uprigupon the ridge.

For a moment it stood as though listening an

then turned slowly, and melted into the shadow

of the jungle.

"What is it, John?"

"I do not know, Alice," he answered gravel

"it is too dark to see so far, and it may have be

but a shadow cast by the rising moon."




Tarzan – 01 47/56

"No, John, if it was not a man it was som

huge and grotesque mockery of man. Oh, I a

afraid."

He gathered her in his arms, whispering worof courage and love into her ears.

Soon after, he lowered the curtain walls, tyin

them securely to the trees so that, except for

little opening toward the beach, they weentirely enclosed.

As it was now pitch dark within their tin

aerie they lay down upon their blankets to try

gain, through sleep, a brief respite

forgetfulness.Clayton lay facing the opening at the front,

rifle and a brace of revolvers at his hand.

Scarcely had they closed their eyes than th

terrifying cry of a panther rang out from th

jungle behind them. Closer and closer it cam

until they could hear the great beast direct

beneath them. For an hour or more they heard

sniffing and clawing at the trees which support




Tarzan – 01 48/56

their platform, but at last it roamed away acro

the beach, where Clayton could see it clearly

the brilliant moonlight-a great, handsome bea

the largest he had ever seen.During the long hours of darkness they caug

but fitful snatches of sleep, for the night noises

a great jungle teeming with myriad animal li

kept their overwrought nerves on edge, so thathundred times they were startled to wakefulne

by piercing screams, or the stealthy moving

great bodies beneath them.



Chapter III L ife and D eath

Morning found them but little, if at a

refreshed, though it was with a feeling of inten

relief that they saw the day dawn.

As soon as they had made their meagbreakfast of salt pork, coffee and biscuit, Clayto

commenced work upon their house, for

realized that they could hope for no safety and n

peace of mind at night until four strong wal

effectually barred the jungle life from them.The task was an arduous one and required th

better part of a month, though he built but o

small room. He constructed his cabin of sma

logs about six inches in diameter stopping th




Tarzan – 01 50/56

chinks with clay which he found at the depth of

few feet beneath the surface soil.

At one end he built a fireplace of small ston

from the beach. These also he set in clay anwhen the house had been entirely completed h

applied a coating of the clay to the entire outsid

surface to the thickness of four inches.

In the window opening he set small branchabout an inch in diameter both vertically an

horizontally, and so woven that they formed

substantial grating that could withstand t

strength of a powerful animal. Thus th

obtained air and proper ventilation without feof lessening the safety of their cabin.

The A-shaped roof was thatched with sma

branches laid close together and over these lon

jungle grass and palm fronds, with a final coatin

of clay.

The door he built of pieces of the packin

boxes which had held their belongings, nailin

one piece upon another, the grain of contiguo




Tarzan – 01 51/56

layers running transversely, until he had a sol

body some three inches thick and of such gre

strength that they were both moved to laughter

they gazed upon it.Here the greatest difficulty confronted Clayto

for he had no means whereby to hang h

massive door now that he had built it. After tw

days' work, however, he succeeded in fashionintwo massive hardwood hinges, and with these h

hung the door so that it opened and closed easil

The stuccoing and other final touches we

added after they moved into the house, whic

they had done as soon as the roof was on, pilintheir boxes before the door at night and th

having a comparatively safe and comfortab

habitation.

The building of a bed, chairs, table, an

shelves was a relatively easy matter, so that b

the end of the second month they were we

settled, and, but for the constant dread of atta

by wild beasts and the ever growing lonelines




Tarzan – 01 52/56

they were not uncomfortable or unhappy.

At night great beasts snarled and roared abo

their tiny cabin, but, so accustomed may on

become to oft repeated noises, that soon thpaid little attention to them, sleeping soundly th

whole night through.

Thrice had they caught fleeting glimpses

great man-like figures like that of the first nighbut never at sufficiently close range to kno

positively whether the half-seen forms we

those of man or brute.

The brilliant birds and the little monkeys ha

become accustomed to their new acquaintanceand as they had evidently never seen hum

beings before they presently, after their fir

fright had worn off, approached closer and clos

impelled by that strange curiosity whi

dominates the wild creatures of the forest and th

jungle and the plain, so that within the fir

month several of the birds had gone so far

even to accept morsels of food from the friend




Tarzan – 01 53/56

hands of the Claytons.

One afternoon, while Clayton was workin

upon an addition to their cabin, for

contemplated building several more rooms, number of their grotesque little friends cam

shrieking and scolding through the trees from th

direction of the ridge. Ever as they fled they ca

fearful glances back of them, and finally thstopped near Clayton jabbering excitedly to hi

as though to warn him of approaching danger.

At last he saw it, the thing the little monke

so feared-the man-brute of which the Clayto

had caught occasional fleeting glimpses.It was approaching through the jungle in

semi-erect position, now and then placing th

backs of its closed fists upon the ground-a gre

anthropoid ape, and, as it advanced, it emitt

deep guttural growls and an occasional lo

barking sound.

Clayton was at some distance from the cabi

having come to fell a particularly perfect tree f




Tarzan – 01 54/56

his building operations. Grown careless fro

months of continued safety, during which tim

he had seen no dangerous animals during th

daylight hours, he had left his rifles anrevolvers all within the little cabin, and now th

he saw the great ape crashing through th

underbrush directly toward him, and from

direction which practically cut him off froescape, he felt a vague little shiver play up an

down his spine.

He knew that, armed only with an ax, h

chances with this ferocious monster were sma

indeed-and Alice; O God, he thought, what wbecome of Alice?

There was yet a slight chance of reaching t

cabin. He turned and ran toward it, shouting

alarm to his wife to run in and close the gre

door in case the ape cut off his retreat.

Lady Greystoke had been sitting a little w

from the cabin, and when she heard his cry sh

looked up to see the ape springing with almo




Tarzan – 01 55/56

incredible swiftness, for so large and awkward a

animal, in an effort to head off Clayton.

With a low cry she sprang toward the cabi

and, as she entered, gave a backward glanwhich filled her soul with terror, for the bru

had intercepted her husband, who now stood

bay grasping his ax with both hands ready

swing it upon the infuriated animal when hshould make his final charge.

"Close and bolt the door, Alice," cried Clayto

"I can finish this fellow with my ax."

But he knew he was facing a horrible deat

and so did she.The ape was a great bull, weighing probab

three hundred pounds. His nasty, close-set ey

gleamed hatred from beneath his shaggy brow

while his great canine fangs were bared in

horrid snarl as he paused a moment before h

prey.

Over the brute's shoulder Clayton could s

the doorway of his cabin, not twenty pac




Tarzan – 01 56/56

distant, and a great wave of horror and fear swe

over him as he saw his young wife emerg

armed with one of his rifles.

She had always been afraid of firearms, anwould never touch them, but now she rushe

toward the ape with the fearlessness of a lione

protecting its young.

"Back, Alice," shouted Clayton, "for Godsake, go back."

But she would not heed, and just then the ap

charged, so that Clayton could say no more.

The man swung his ax with all his migh

strength, but the powerful brute seized it in thoterrible hands, and tearing it from Clayton's gra

hurled it far to one side.

With an ugly snarl he closed upon h

defenseless victim, but ere his fangs had reache

the throat they thirsted for, there was a sha

report and a bullet entered the ape's bac

between his shoulders.

Throwing Clayton to the ground the bea




Tarzan – 01 57/56

turned upon his new enemy.

There before him stood the terrified girl vain

trying to fire another bullet into the anima

body; but she did not understand the mechanisof the firearm, and the hammer fell futilely upo

an empty cartridge.

Almost simultaneously Clayton regained h

feet, and without thought of the utthopelessness of it, he rushed forward to drag th

ape from his wife's prostrate form.

With little or no effort he succeeded, and th

great bulk rolled inertly upon the turf before him

the ape was dead. The bullet had done its work.A hasty examination of his wife revealed n

marks upon her, and Clayton decided that th

huge brute had died the instant he had sprun

toward Alice.

Gently he lifted his wife's still unconscio

form, and bore her to the little cabin, but it w

fully two hours before she regaine

consciousness.




Tarzan – 01 58/56

Her first words filled Clayton with vagu

apprehension. For some time after regaining h

senses, Alice gazed wonderingly about t

interior of the little cabin, and then, with satisfied sigh, said:

"O, John, it is so good to be really home!

have had an awful dream, dear. I thought w

were no longer in London, but in some horribplace where great beasts attacked us."

"There, there, Alice," he said, stroking h

forehead, "try to sleep again, and do not wor

your head about bad dreams."

That night a little son was born in the tincabin beside the primeval forest, while a leopa

screamed before the door, and the deep notes of

lion's roar sounded from beyond the ridge.

Lady Greystoke never recovered from th

shock of the great ape's attack, and, though sh

lived for a year after her baby was born, she w

never again outside the cabin, nor did she ev

fully realize that she was not in England.




Tarzan – 01 59/56

Sometimes she would question Clayton as

the strange noises of the nights; the absence

servants and friends, and the strange rudeness

the furnishings within her room, but, though made no effort to deceive her, never could sh

grasp the meaning of it all.

In other ways she was quite rational, and t

joy and happiness she took in the possession her little son and the constant attentions of h

husband made that year a very happy one for he

the happiest of her young life.

That it would have been beset by worries an

apprehension had she been in full command her mental faculties Clayton well knew; so th

while he suffered terribly to see her so, the

were times when he was almost glad, for h

sake, that she could not understand.

Long since had he given up any hope of rescu

except through accident.

With unremitting zeal he had worked

beautify the interior of the cabin.




Tarzan – 01 60/56

Skins of lion and panther covered the floo

Cupboards and bookcases lined the walls. Od

vases made by his own hand from the clay of t

region held beautiful tropical flowers. Curtaiof grass and bamboo covered the windows, an

most arduous task of all, with his meag

assortment of tools he had fashioned lumber

neatly seal the walls and ceiling and lay a smoofloor within the cabin.

That he had been able to turn his hands at a

to such unaccustomed labor was a source of mi

wonder to him. But he loved the work because

was for her and the tiny life that had come cheer them, though adding a hundredfold to h

responsibilities and to the terribleness of the

situation.

During the year that followed, Clayton w

several times attacked by the great apes whic

now seemed to continually infest the vicinity

the cabin; but as he never again ventured outsid

without both rifle and revolvers he had little fe




Tarzan – 01 61/56

of the huge beasts.

He had strengthened the window protectio

and fitted a unique wooden lock to the cab

door, so that when he hunted for game and fruias it was constantly necessary for him to do

insure sustenance, he had no fear that any anim

could break into the little home.

At first he shot much of the game from tcabin windows, but toward the end the anima

learned to fear the strange lair from when

issued the terrifying thunder of his rifle.

In his leisure Clayton read, often aloud to h

wife, from the store of books he had brought ftheir new home. Among these were many f

little children-picture books, primers, readers-f

they had known that their little child would b

old enough for such before they might hope

return to England.

At other times Clayton wrote in his diar

which he had always been accustomed to keep

French, and in which he recorded the details




Tarzan – 01 62/56

their strange life. This book he kept locked in

little metal box.

A year from the day her little son was bo

Lady Alice passed quietly away in the night. Speaceful was her end that it was hours befo

Clayton could awake to a realization that his wi

was dead.

The horror of the situation came to him veslowly, and it is doubtful that he ever ful

realized the enormity of his sorrow and t

fearful responsibility that had devolved upon hi

with the care of that wee thing, his son, still

nursing babe.The last entry in his diary was made th

morning following her death, and there he recit

the sad details in a matter-of-fact way that ad

to the pathos of it; for it breathes a tired apath

born of long sorrow and hopelessness, whi

even this cruel blow could scarcely awake

further suffering:

My little son is crying for nourishment-




Tarzan – 01 63/56

Alice, Alice, what shall I do?

And as John Clayton wrote the last words h

hand was destined ever to pen, he dropped h

head wearily upon his outstretched arms whethey rested upon the table he had built for h

who lay still and cold in the bed beside him.

For a long time no sound broke the deathlik

stillness of the jungle midday save the piteowailing of the tiny man-child.



Chapter IV The A pes

In the forest of the table-land a mile bac

from the ocean old Kerchak the Ape was on

rampage of rage among his people.

The younger and lighter members of his tribscampered to the higher branches of the gre

trees to escape his wrath; risking their lives upo

branches that scarce supported their weig

rather than face old Kerchak in one of his fits

uncontrolled anger.The other males scattered in all directions, b

not before the infuriated brute had felt th

vertebra of one snap between his great, foamin

jaws




Tarzan – 01 65/56

A luckless young female slipped from

insecure hold upon a high branch and cam

crashing to the ground almost at Kerchak's feet.

With a wild scream he was upon her, tearinggreat piece from her side with his mighty teet

and striking her viciously upon her head an

shoulders with a broken tree limb until her sku

was crushed to a jelly.And then he spied Kala, who, returning from

search for food with her young babe, w

ignorant of the state of the mighty male's temp

until suddenly the shrill warnings of her fellow

caused her to scamper madly for safety.But Kerchak was close upon her, so close th

he had almost grasped her ankle had she n

made a furious leap far into space from one tr

to another-a perilous chance which apes seldo

if ever take, unless so closely pursued by dang

that there is no alternative.

She made the leap successfully, but as sh

grasped the limb of the further tree the sudden j




Tarzan – 01 66/56

loosened the hold of the tiny babe where it clun

frantically to her neck, and she saw the litt

thing hurled, turning and twisting, to the groun

thirty feet below.With a low cry of dismay Kala rush

headlong to its side, thoughtless now of th

danger from Kerchak; but when she gathered th

wee, mangled form to her bosom life had left itWith low moans, she sat cuddling the body

her; nor did Kerchak attempt to molest her. Wi

the death of the babe his fit of demoniacal rag

passed as suddenly as it had seized him.

Kerchak was a huge king ape, weighinperhaps three hundred and fifty pounds. H

forehead was extremely low and receding, h

eyes bloodshot, small and close set to his coars

flat nose; his ears large and thin, but smaller th

most of his kind.

His awful temper and his mighty streng

made him supreme among the little tribe in

which he had been born some twenty yea




Tarzan – 01 67/56

before.

Now that he was in his prime, there was n

simian in all the mighty forest through which h

roved that dared contest his right to rule, nor dthe other and larger animals molest him.

Old Tantor, the elephant, alone of all the wi

savage life, feared him not-and he alone d

Kerchak fear. When Tantor trumpeted, the greape scurried with his fellows high among th

trees of the second terrace.

The tribe of anthropoids over which Kercha

ruled with an iron hand and bared fang

numbered some six or eight families, each famiconsisting of an adult male with his females an

their young, numbering in all some sixty

seventy apes.

Kala was the youngest mate of a male call

Tublat, meaning broken nose, and the child s

had seen dashed to death was her first; for s

was but nine or ten years old.

Notwithstanding her youth, she was large an




Tarzan – 01 68/56

powerful-a splendid, clean-limbed animal, with

round, high forehead, which denoted mo

intelligence than most of her kind possessed. S

also, she had a great capacity for mother love anmother sorrow.

But she was still an ape, a huge, fierce, terrib

beast of a species closely allied to the gorilla, y

more intelligent; which, with the strength of thecousin, made her kind the most fearsome

those awe-inspiring progenitors of man.

When the tribe saw that Kerchak's rage h

ceased they came slowly down from the

arboreal retreats and pursued again the variooccupations which he had interrupted.

The young played and frolicked about amon

the trees and bushes. Some of the adults l

prone upon the soft mat of dead and decayin

vegetation which covered the ground, whi

others turned over pieces of fallen branches an

clods of earth in search of the small bugs an

reptiles which formed a part of their food.




Tarzan – 01 69/56

Others, again, searched the surrounding tre

for fruit, nuts, small birds, and eggs.

They had passed an hour or so thus whe

Kerchak called them together, and, with a woof command to them to follow him, set o

toward the sea.

They traveled for the most part upon th

ground, where it was open, following the path the great elephants whose comings and goin

break the only roads through those tangled maz

of bush, vine, creeper, and tree. When th

walked it was with a rolling, awkward motio

placing the knuckles of their closed hands upothe ground and swinging their ungainly bodi

forward.

But when the way was through the lower tre

they moved more swiftly, swinging from branc

to branch with the agility of their smaller cousi

the monkeys. And all the way Kala carried h

little dead baby hugged closely to her breast.

It was shortly after noon when they reached




Tarzan – 01 70/56

ridge overlooking the beach where below the

lay the tiny cottage which was Kerchak's goal.

He had seen many of his kind go to the

deaths before the loud noise made by the littblack stick in the hands of the strange white ap

who lived in that wonderful lair, and Kercha

had made up his brute mind to own that deat

dealing contrivance, and to explore the interior the mysterious den.

He wanted, very, very much, to feel his tee

sink into the neck of the queer animal that he h

learned to hate and fear, and because of this, h

came often with his tribe to reconnoiter, waitinfor a time when the white ape should be off h

guard.

Of late they had quit attacking, or ev

showing themselves; for every time they ha

done so in the past the little stick had roared o

its terrible message of death to some member

the tribe.

Today there was no sign of the man about, an




Tarzan – 01 71/56

from where they watched they could see that th

cabin door was open. Slowly, cautiously, an

noiselessly they crept through the jungle towa

the little cabin.There were no growls, no fierce screams

rage-the little black stick had taught them

come quietly lest they awaken it.

On, on they came until Kerchak himself slunstealthily to the very door and peered withi

Behind him were two males, and then Kal

closely straining the little dead form to her brea

Inside the den they saw the strange white ap

lying half across a table, his head buried in harms; and on the bed lay a figure covered by

sailcloth, while from a tiny rustic cradle came th

plaintive wailing of a babe.

Noiselessly Kerchak entered, crouching for t

charge; and then John Clayton rose with

sudden start and faced them.

The sight that met his eyes must have froze

him with horror, for there, within the door, stoo




Tarzan – 01 72/56

three great bull apes, while behind them crowd

many more; how many he never knew, for h

revolvers were hanging on the far wall beside h

rifle, and Kerchak was charging.When the king ape released the limp for

which had been John Clayton, Lord Greystok

he turned his attention toward the little cradl

but Kala was there before him, and when would have grasped the child she snatched

herself, and before he could intercept her she h

bolted through the door and taken refuge in

high tree.

As she took up the little live baby of AliClayton she dropped the dead body of her ow

into the empty cradle; for the wail of the livin

had answered the call of universal motherhoo

within her wild breast which the dead could n

still.

High up among the branches of a mighty tr

she hugged the shrieking infant to her bosom

and soon the instinct that was as dominant in th




Tarzan – 01 73/56

fierce female as it had been in the breast of h

tender and beautiful mother-the instinct

mother love-reached out to the tiny man-child

half-formed understanding, and he became quieThen hunger closed the gap between them, an

the son of an English lord and an English lad

nursed at the breast of Kala, the great ape.

In the meantime the beasts within the cabwere warily examining the contents of th

strange lair.

Once satisfied that Clayton was dead, Kercha

turned his attention to the thing which lay upo

the bed, covered by a piece of sailcloth.Gingerly he lifted one corner of the shrou

but when he saw the body of the woman benea

he tore the cloth roughly from her form an

seized the still, white throat in his huge, hai

hands.

A moment he let his fingers sink deep into t

cold flesh, and then, realizing that she w

already dead, he turned from her, to examine th




Tarzan – 01 74/56

contents of the room; nor did he again molest th

body of either Lady Alice or Sir John.

The rifle hanging upon the wall caught his fir

attention; it was for this strange, death-dealinthunder-stick that he had yearned for months; b

now that it was within his grasp he scarcely ha

the temerity to seize it.

Cautiously he approached the thing, ready flee precipitately should it speak in its dee

roaring tones, as he had heard it speak before, t

last words to those of his kind who, throug

ignorance or rashness, had attacked th

wonderful white ape that had borne it.Deep in the beast's intelligence was somethin

which assured him that the thunder-stick w

only dangerous when in the hands of one wh

could manipulate it, but yet it was sever

minutes ere he could bring himself to touch it.

Instead, he walked back and forth along th

floor before it, turning his head so that nev

once did his eyes leave the object of his desire.




Tarzan – 01 75/56

Using his long arms as a man uses crutche

and rolling his huge carcass from side to si

with each stride, the great king ape paced to an

fro, uttering deep growls, occasionalpunctuated with the ear-piercing scream, th

which there is no more terrifying noise in all th

jungle.

Presently he halted before the rifle. Slowly hraised a huge hand until it almost touched th

shining barrel, only to withdraw it once more an

continue his hurried pacing.

It was as though the great brute by this sho

of fearlessness, and through the medium of hwild voice, was endeavoring to bolster up h

courage to the point which would permit him

take the rifle in his hand.

Again he stopped, and this time succeeded

forcing his reluctant hand to the cold steel, on

to snatch it away almost immediately and resum

his restless beat.

Time after time this strange ceremony w




Tarzan – 01 76/56

repeated, but on each occasion with increase

confidence, until, finally, the rifle was torn fro

its hook and lay in the grasp of the great brute.

Finding that it harmed him not, Kerchak begato examine it closely.

He felt of it from end to end, peered down th

black depths of the muzzle, fingered the sigh

the breech, the stock, and finally the trigger.During all these operations the apes who ha

entered sat huddled near the door watching the

chief, while those outside strained and crowd

to catch a glimpse of what transpired within.

Suddenly Kerchak's finger closed upon ttrigger. There was a deafening roar in the litt

room and the apes at and beyond the door fe

over one another in their wild anxiety to escape

Kerchak was equally frightened, so frightene

in fact, that he quite forgot to throw aside th

author of that fearful noise, but bolted for th

door with it tightly clutched in one hand.

As he passed through the opening, the fro




Tarzan – 01 77/56

sight of the rifle caught upon the edge of th

inswung door with sufficient force to close

tightly after the fleeing ape.

When Kerchak came to a halt a short distanfrom the cabin and discovered that he still he

the rifle, he dropped it as he might have dropp

a red hot iron, nor did he again attempt

recover it-the noise was too much for his brunerves; but he was now quite convinced that t

terrible stick was quite harmless by itself if le

alone.

It was an hour before the apes could aga

bring themselves to approach the cabin continue their investigations, and when th

finally did so, they found to their chagrin that th

door was closed and so securely fastened th

they could not force it.

The cleverly constructed latch which Clayto

had made for the door had sprung as Kerch

passed out; nor could the apes find means

ingress through the heavily barred windows.




Tarzan – 01 78/56

After roaming about the vicinity for a sho

time, they started back for the deeper forests an

the higher land from whence they had come.

Kala had not once come to earth with her littadopted babe, but now Kerchak called to her

descend with the rest, and as there was no note

anger in his voice she dropped lightly fro

branch to branch and joined the others on thehomeward march.

Those of the apes who attempted to examin

Kala's strange baby were repulsed with bare

fangs and low menacing growls, accompanied b

words of warning from Kala.When they assured her that they meant t

child no harm she permitted them to come clos

but would not allow them to touch her charge.

It was as though she knew that her baby w

frail and delicate and feared lest the rough han

of her fellows might injure the little thing.

Another thing she did, and which mad

traveling an onerous trial for her. Rememberin




Tarzan – 01 79/56

the death of her own little one, she clun

desperately to the new babe, with one han

whenever they were upon the march.

The other young rode upon their mothebacks; their little arms tightly clasping the hai

necks before them, while their legs were locke

beneath their mothers' armpits.

Not so with Kala; she held the small form the little Lord Greystoke tightly to her brea

where the dainty hands clutched the long blac

hair which covered that portion of her body. Sh

had seen one child fall from her back to a terrib

death, and she would take no further chancwith this.



Chapter V The W hite A pe

Tenderly Kala nursed her little wa

wondering silently why it did not gain streng

and agility as did the little apes of other mother

It was nearly a year from the time the littfellow came into her possession before he wou

walk alone, and as for climbing-my, but ho

stupid he was!

Kala sometimes talked with the older femal

about her young hopeful, but none of them couunderstand how a child could be so slow an

backward in learning to care for itself. Why,

could not even find food alone, and more tha

twelve moons had passed since Kala had com




Tarzan – 01 81/56

upon it.

Had they known that the child had se

thirteen moons before it had come into Kala

possession they would have considered its caas absolutely hopeless, for the little apes of the

own tribe were as far advanced in two or thr

moons as was this little stranger after twenty-fiv

Tublat, Kala's husband, was sorely vexed, anbut for the female's careful watching would hav

put the child out of the way.

"He will never be a great ape," he argue

"Always will you have to carry him and prote

him. What good will he be to the tribe? Nononly a burden.

"Let us leave him quietly sleeping among th

tall grasses, that you may bear other and strong

apes to guard us in our old age."

"Never, Broken Nose," replied Kala. "If I mu

carry him forever, so be it."

And then Tublat went to Kerchak to urge hi

to use his authority with Kala, and force her




Tarzan – 01 82/56

give up little Tarzan, which was the name the

had given to the tiny Lord Greystoke, and whic

meant "White-Skin."

But when Kerchak spoke to her about it Kathreatened to run away from the tribe if they d

not leave her in peace with the child; and as th

is one of the inalienable rights of the jungle fol

if they be dissatisfied among their own peopthey bothered her no more, for Kala was a fin

clean-limbed young female, and they did n

wish to lose her.

As Tarzan grew he made more rapid stride

so that by the time he was ten years old he wan excellent climber, and on the ground could d

many wonderful things which were beyond th

powers of his little brothers and sisters.

In many ways did he differ from them, an

they often marveled at his superior cunning, b

in strength and size he was deficient; for at t

the great anthropoids were fully grown, some

them towering over six feet in height, while litt




Tarzan – 01 83/56

Tarzan was still but a half-grown boy.

Yet such a boy!

From early childhood he had used his hands

swing from branch to branch after the manner his giant mother, and as he grew older he spe

hour upon hour daily speeding through the tr

tops with his brothers and sisters.

He could spring twenty feet across space at tdizzy heights of the forest top, and grasp wi

unerring precision, and without apparent jar,

limb waving wildly in the path of an approachin

tornado.

He could drop twenty feet at a stretch frolimb to limb in rapid descent to the ground, or h

could gain the utmost pinnacle of the loftie

tropical giant with the ease and swiftness of

squirrel.

Though but ten years old he was fully

strong as the average man of thirty, and far mo

agile than the most practiced athlete ev

becomes. And day by day his strength w




Tarzan – 01 84/56

increasing.

His life among these fierce apes had be

happy; for his recollection held no other life, n

did he know that there existed within thuniverse aught else than his little forest and th

wild jungle animals with which he was familiar

He was nearly ten before he commenced

realize that a great difference existed betwehimself and his fellows. His little body, burne

brown by exposure, suddenly caused hi

feelings of intense shame, for he realized that

was entirely hairless, like some low snake,

other reptile.He attempted to obviate this by plasterin

himself from head to foot with mud, but th

dried and fell off. Besides it felt

uncomfortable that he quickly decided that

preferred the shame to the discomfort.

In the higher land which his tribe frequente

was a little lake, and it was here that Tarzan fir

saw his face in the clear, still waters of its boso




Tarzan – 01 85/56

It was on a sultry day of the dry season that h

and one of his cousins had gone down to th

bank to drink. As they leaned over, both litt

faces were mirrored on the placid pool; the fierand terrible features of the ape beside those

the aristocratic scion of an old English house.

Tarzan was appalled. It had been bad enoug

to be hairless, but to own such a countenance! Hwondered that the other apes could look at him

all.

That tiny slit of a mouth and those puny whi

teeth! How they looked beside the mighty li

and powerful fangs of his more fortunabrothers!

And the little pinched nose of his; so thin w

it that it looked half starved. He turned red as h

compared it with the beautiful broad nostrils

his companion. Such a generous nose! Why

spread half across his face! It certainly must b

fine to be so handsome, thought poor litt

Tarzan.




Tarzan – 01 86/56

But when he saw his own eyes; ah, that w

the final blow-a brown spot, a gray circle an

then blank whiteness! Frightful! not even th

snakes had such hideous eyes as he.So intent was he upon this person

appraisement of his features that he did not he

the parting of the tall grass behind him as a gre

body pushed itself stealthily through the junglnor did his companion, the ape, hear either, f

he was drinking and the noise of his sucking li

and gurgles of satisfaction drowned the qui

approach of the intruder.

Not thirty paces behind the two she croucheSabor, the huge lioness-lashing her ta

Cautiously she moved a great padded pa

forward, noiselessly placing it before she lifte

the next. Thus she advanced; her belly low

almost touching the surface of the ground-a gre

cat preparing to spring upon its prey.

Now she was within ten feet of the tw

unsuspecting little playfellows-carefully sh




Tarzan – 01 87/56

drew her hind feet well up beneath her body, t

great muscles rolling under the beautiful skin.

So low she was crouching now that sh

seemed flattened to the earth except for thupward bend of the glossy back as it gathered f

the spring.

No longer the tail lashed-quiet and straig

behind her it lay.An instant she paused thus, as though turne

to stone, and then, with an awful scream, sh

sprang.

Sabor, the lioness, was a wise hunter. To o

less wise the wild alarm of her fierce cry as shsprang would have seemed a foolish thing, f

could she not more surely have fallen upon h

victims had she but quietly leaped without th

loud shriek?

But Sabor knew well the wondrous quickne

of the jungle folk and their almost unbelievab

powers of hearing. To them the sudden scrapin

of one blade of grass across another was




Tarzan – 01 88/56

effectual a warning as her loudest cry, and Sab

knew that she could not make that mighty lea

without a little noise.

Her wild scream was not a warning. It wvoiced to freeze her poor victims in a paralysis

terror for the tiny fraction of an instant whi

would suffice for her mighty claws to sink in

their soft flesh and hold them beyond hope escape.

So far as the ape was concerned, Sab

reasoned correctly. The little fellow crouche

trembling just an instant, but that instant w

quite long enough to prove his undoing.Not so, however, with Tarzan, the man-chil

His life amidst the dangers of the jungle ha

taught him to meet emergencies with se

confidence, and his higher intelligence result

in a quickness of mental action far beyond th

powers of the apes.

So the scream of Sabor, the liones

galvanized the brain and muscles of little Tarz




Tarzan – 01 89/56

into instant action.

Before him lay the deep waters of the litt

lake, behind him certain death; a cruel dea

beneath tearing claws and rending fangs.Tarzan had always hated water except as

medium for quenching his thirst. He hated

because he connected it with the chill an

discomfort of the torrential rains, and he fearedfor the thunder and lightning and wind whic

accompanied them.

The deep waters of the lake he had been taug

by his wild mother to avoid, and further, had

not seen little Neeta sink beneath its quiet surfaonly a few short weeks before never to return

the tribe?

But of the two evils his quick mind chose th

lesser ere the first note of Sabor's scream ha

scarce broken the quiet of the jungle, and befo

the great beast had covered half her leap Tarza

felt the chill waters close above his head.

He could not swim, and the water was ve




Tarzan – 01 90/56

deep; but still he lost no particle of that se

confidence and resourcefulness which were th

badges of his superior being.

Rapidly he moved his hands and feet in attempt to scramble upward, and, possibly mo

by chance than design, he fell into the stroke th

a dog uses when swimming, so that within a fe

seconds his nose was above water and he founthat he could keep it there by continuing h

strokes, and also make progress through t

water.

He was much surprised and pleased with th

new acquirement which had been so suddenthrust upon him, but he had no time for thinkin

much upon it.

He was now swimming parallel to the ban

and there he saw the cruel beast that would hav

seized him crouching upon the still form of h

little playmate.

The lioness was intently watching Tarza

evidently expecting him to return to shore, b




Tarzan – 01 91/56

this the boy had no intention of doing.

Instead he raised his voice in the call

distress common to his tribe, adding to it th

warning which would prevent would-be rescuefrom running into the clutches of Sabor.

Almost immediately there came an answ

from the distance, and presently forty or fif

great apes swung rapidly and majesticalthrough the trees toward the scene of tragedy.

In the lead was Kala, for she had recognize

the tones of her best beloved, and with her w

the mother of the little ape who lay dead benea

cruel Sabor.Though more powerful and better equipped f

fighting than the apes, the lioness had no desi

to meet these enraged adults, and with a snarl

hatred she sprang quickly into the brush an

disappeared.

Tarzan now swam to shore and clambere

quickly upon dry land. The feeling of freshne

and exhilaration which the cool waters ha




Tarzan – 01 92/56

imparted to him, filled his little being wi

grateful surprise, and ever after he lost n

opportunity to take a daily plunge in lake

stream or ocean when it was possible to do so.For a long time Kala could not accusto

herself to the sight; for though her people cou

swim when forced to it, they did not like to ent

water, and never did so voluntarily.The adventure with the lioness gave Tarz

food for pleasurable memories, for it was suc

affairs which broke the monotony of his dai

life-otherwise but a dull round of searching f

food, eating, and sleeping.The tribe to which he belonged roamed a tra

extending, roughly, twenty-five miles along th

seacoast and some fifty miles inland. This th

traversed almost continually, occasional

remaining for months in one locality; but as the

moved through the trees with great speed th

often covered the territory in a very few days.

Much depended upon food supply, climat




Tarzan – 01 93/56

conditions, and the prevalence of animals of th

more dangerous species; though Kerchak oft

led them on long marches for no other reaso

than that he had tired of remaining in the samplace.

At night they slept where darkness overtoo

them, lying upon the ground, and sometim

covering their heads, and more seldom thebodies, with the great leaves of the elephant's ea

Two or three might lie cuddled in each othe

arms for additional warmth if the night were ch

and thus Tarzan had slept in Kala's arms night

for all these years.That the huge, fierce brute loved this child

another race is beyond question, and he, to

gave to the great, hairy beast all the affection th

would have belonged to his fair young moth

had she lived.

When he was disobedient she cuffed him, it

true, but she was never cruel to him, and w

more often caressing him than chastising him.




Tarzan – 01 94/56

Tublat, her mate, always hated Tarzan, and o

several occasions had come near ending h

youthful career.

Tarzan on his part never lost an opportunity show that he fully reciprocated his foster fathe

sentiments, and whenever he could safely anno

him or make faces at him or hurl insults upo

him from the safety of his mother's arms, or tslender branches of the higher trees, he did so.

His superior intelligence and cunnin

permitted him to invent a thousand diabolic

tricks to add to the burdens of Tublat's life.

Early in his boyhood he had learned to forropes by twisting and tying long grasses togethe

and with these he was forever tripping Tublat

attempting to hang him from some overhangin

branch.

By constant playing and experimenting wi

these he learned to tie rude knots, and mak

sliding nooses; and with these he and t

younger apes amused themselves. What Tarz




Tarzan – 01 95/56

did they tried to do also, but he alone originat

and became proficient.

One day while playing thus Tarzan had throw

his rope at one of his fleeing companionretaining the other end in his grasp. By accide

the noose fell squarely about the running ape

neck, bringing him to a sudden and surprisin

halt.Ah, here was a new game, a fine gam

thought Tarzan, and immediately he attempted

repeat the trick. And thus, by painstaking an

continued practice, he learned the art of roping.

Now, indeed, was the life of Tublat a livinnightmare. In sleep, upon the march, night or da

he never knew when that quiet noose would sl

about his neck and nearly choke the life out

him.

Kala punished, Tublat swore dire vengeanc

and old Kerchak took notice and warned an

threatened; but all to no avail.

Tarzan defied them all, and the thin, stron




Tarzan – 01 96/56

noose continued to settle about Tublat's nec

whenever he least expected it.

The other apes derived unlimited amuseme

from Tublat's discomfiture, for Broken Nose wa disagreeable old fellow, whom no one like

anyway.

In Tarzan's clever little mind many though

revolved, and back of these was his divine powof reason.

If he could catch his fellow apes with his lon

arm of many grasses, why not Sabor, the liones

It was the germ of a thought, which, howeve

was destined to mull around in his conscious ansubconscious mind until it resulted

magnificent achievement.

But that came in later years.



Chapter VI Jungle B attles

The wanderings of the tribe brought the

often near the closed and silent cabin by the litt

land-locked harbor. To Tarzan this was always

source of never-ending mystery and pleasure.He would peek into the curtained windows, o

climbing upon the roof, peer down the blac

depths of the chimney in vain endeavor to solv

the unknown wonders that lay within tho

strong walls.His child-like imagination pictured wonderf

creatures within, and the very impossibility

forcing entrance added a thousandfold to h

desire to do so




Tarzan – 01 98/56

He could clamber about the roof and window

for hours attempting to discover means of ingre

but to the door he paid little attention, for th

was apparently as solid as the walls.It was in the next visit to the vicinit

following the adventure with old Sabor, that,

he approached the cabin, Tarzan noticed th

from a distance the door appeared to be independent part of the wall in which it was s

and for the first time it occurred to him that th

might prove the means of entrance which had

long eluded him.

He was alone, as was often the case when hvisited the cabin, for the apes had no love for

the story of the thunder-stick having lost nothin

in the telling during these ten years had qui

surrounded the white man's deserted abode wi

an atmosphere of weirdness and terror for t

simians.

The story of his own connection with the cab

had never been told him.




Tarzan – 01 99/56

The language of the apes had so few wor

that they could talk but little of what they ha

seen in the cabin, having no words to accurate

describe either the strange people or thebelongings, and so, long before Tarzan was o

enough to understand, the subject had bee

forgotten by the tribe.

Only in a dim, vague way had Kala explainto him that his father had been a strange whi

ape, but he did not know that Kala was not h

own mother.

On this day, then, he went directly to the do

and spent hours examining it and fussing withe hinges, the knob and the latch.

Finally he stumbled upon the rig

combination, and the door swung creaking

open before his astonished eyes.

For some minutes he did not dare ventu

within, but finally, as his eyes becam

accustomed to the dim light of the interior h

slowly and cautiously entered.




Tarzan – 01 100/56

In the middle of the floor lay a skeleton, eve

vestige of flesh gone from the bones to whi

still clung the mildewed and moldered remnan

of what had once been clothing. Upon the belay a similar gruesome thing, but smaller, whi

in a tiny cradle near-by was a third, a wee mite

a skeleton.

To none of these evidences of a fearful tragedof a long dead day did little Tarzan give b

passing heed. His wild jungle life had inured hi

to the sight of dead and dying animals, and ha

he known that he was looking upon the remai

of his own father and mother he would have beeno more greatly moved.

The furnishings and other contents of the roo

it was which riveted his attention. He examine

many things minutely-strange tools and weapon

books, paper, clothing-what little had withstoo

the ravages of time in the humid atmosphere

the jungle coast.

He opened chests and cupboards, such as d




Tarzan – 01 101/56

not baffle his small experience, and in these h

found the contents much better preserved.

Among other things he found a sharp huntin

knife, on the keen blade of which he immediateproceeded to cut his finger. Undaunted h

continued his experiments, finding that he cou

hack and hew splinters of wood from the tab

and chairs with this new toy.For a long time this amused him, but final

tiring he continued his explorations. In

cupboard filled with books he came across on

with brightly colored pictures-it was a child

illustrated alphabet- A is for Archer Who shoowith a bow.

B is for Boy,

His first name is Joe.

The pictures interested him greatly.

There were many apes with faces similar to h

own, and further over in the book he foun

under "M," some little monkeys such as he sa

daily flitting through the trees of his primev




Tarzan – 01 102/56

forest. But nowhere was pictured any of his ow

people; in all the book was none that resemble

Kerchak, or Tublat, or Kala.

At first he tried to pick the little figures frothe leaves, but he soon saw that they were n

real, though he knew not what they might be, n

had he any words to describe them.

The boats, and trains, and cows and horswere quite meaningless to him, but not quite

baffling as the odd little figures which appeare

beneath and between the colored pictures-som

strange kind of bug he thought they might be, f

many of them had legs though nowhere could hfind one with eyes and a mouth. It was his fir

introduction to the letters of the alphabet, and

was over ten years old.

Of course he had never before seen print,

ever had spoken with any living thing which ha

the remotest idea that such a thing as a writte

language existed, nor ever had he seen anyon

reading.




Tarzan – 01 103/56

So what wonder that the little boy was quite

a loss to guess the meaning of these stran

figures.

Near the middle of the book he found his oenemy, Sabor, the lioness, and further on, coile

Histah, the snake.

Oh, it was most engrossing! Never before

all his ten years had he enjoyed anything much. So absorbed was he that he did not no

the approaching dusk, until it was quite upon hi

and the figures were blurred.

He put the book back in the cupboard an

closed the door, for he did not wish anyone elto find and destroy his treasure, and as he we

out into the gathering darkness he closed th

great door of the cabin behind him as it had bee

before he discovered the secret of its lock, b

before he left he had noticed the hunting kni

lying where he had thrown it upon the floor, a

this he picked up and took with him to show

his fellows.




Tarzan – 01 104/56

He had taken scarce a dozen steps toward th

jungle when a great form rose up before hi

from the shadows of a low bush. At first

thought it was one of his own people but another instant he realized that it was Bolgan

the huge gorilla.

So close was he that there was no chance f

flight and little Tarzan knew that he must stanand fight for his life; for these great beasts we

the deadly enemies of his tribe, and neither on

nor the other ever asked or gave quarter.

Had Tarzan been a full-grown bull ape of t

species of his tribe he would have been mothan a match for the gorilla, but being only

little English boy, though enormously muscul

for such, he stood no chance against his cru

antagonist. In his veins, though, flowed the bloo

of the best of a race of mighty fighters, and bac

of this was the training of his short lifetim

among the fierce brutes of the jungle.

He knew no fear, as we know it; his little hea




Tarzan – 01 105/56

beat the faster but from the excitement an

exhilaration of adventure. Had the opportuni

presented itself he would have escaped, b

solely because his judgment told him he was nmatch for the great thing which confronted him

And since reason showed him that successf

flight was impossible he met the gorilla square

and bravely without a tremor of a single musclor any sign of panic.

In fact he met the brute midway in its charg

striking its huge body with his closed fists and

futilely as he had been a fly attacking an elepha

But in one hand he still clutched the knife he hafound in the cabin of his father, and as the brut

striking and biting, closed upon him the bo

accidentally turned the point toward the hai

breast.

As the knife sank deep into its body the goril

shrieked in pain and rage.

But the boy had learned in that brief second

use for his sharp and shining toy, so that, as t




Tarzan – 01 106/56

tearing, striking beast dragged him to earth

plunged the blade repeatedly and to the hilt in

its breast.

The gorilla, fighting after the manner of kind, struck terrific blows with its open han

and tore the flesh at the boy's throat and che

with its mighty tusks.

For a moment they rolled upon the ground the fierce frenzy of combat. More and mo

weakly the torn and bleeding arm struck hom

with the long sharp blade, then the little figu

stiffened with a spasmodic jerk, and Tarzan, th

young Lord Greystoke, rolled unconscious upothe dead and decaying vegetation which carpet

his jungle home.

A mile back in the forest the tribe had hea

the fierce challenge of the gorilla, and, as was h

custom when any danger threatened, Kerch

called his people together, partly for mutu

protection against a common enemy, since th

gorilla might be but one of a party of several, an




Tarzan – 01 107/56

also to see that all members of the tribe we

accounted for.

It was soon discovered that Tarzan w

missing, and Tublat was strongly opposed sending assistance. Kerchak himself had n

liking for the strange little waif, so he listened

Tublat, and, finally, with a shrug of his shoulde

turned back to the pile of leaves on which he hmade his bed.

But Kala was of a different mind; in fact, s

had not waited but to learn that Tarzan w

absent ere she was fairly flying through th

matted branches toward the point from which thcries of the gorilla were still plainly audible.

Darkness had now fallen, and an early moo

was sending its faint light to cast strang

grotesque shadows among the dense foliage

the forest.

Here and there the brilliant rays penetrated

earth, but for the most part they only served

accentuate the Stygian blackness of the jungle




Tarzan – 01 108/56

depths.

Like some huge phantom, Kala swun

noiselessly from tree to tree; now running nimb

along a great branch, now swinging througspace at the end of another, only to grasp that

a farther tree in her rapid progress toward t

scene of the tragedy her knowledge of jungle li

told her was being enacted a short distanbefore her.

The cries of the gorilla proclaimed that it w

in mortal combat with some other denizen of th

fierce wood. Suddenly these cries ceased, and th

silence of death reigned throughout the jungle.Kala could not understand, for the voice

Bolgani had at last been raised in the agony

suffering and death, but no sound had come

her by which she possibly could determine th

nature of his antagonist.

That her little Tarzan could destroy a gre

bull gorilla she knew to be improbable, and s

as she neared the spot from which the sounds




Tarzan – 01 109/56

the struggle had come, she moved more wari

and at last slowly and with extreme caution sh

traversed the lowest branches, peering eager

into the moon-splashed blackness for a sign the combatants.

Presently she came upon them, lying in a litt

open space full under the brilliant light of th

moon-little Tarzan's torn and bloody form, anbeside it a great bull gorilla, stone dead.

With a low cry Kala rushed to Tarzan's sid

and gathering the poor, blood-covered body

her breast, listened for a sign of life. Faintly s

heard it-the weak beating of the little heart.Tenderly she bore him back through the ink

jungle to where the tribe lay, and for many da

and nights she sat guard beside him, bringin

him food and water, and brushing the flies an

other insects from his cruel wounds.

Of medicine or surgery the poor thing kne

nothing. She could but lick the wounds, and th

she kept them cleansed, that healing nature mig




Tarzan – 01 110/56

the more quickly do her work.

At first Tarzan would eat nothing, but rolle

and tossed in a wild delirium of fever. All h

craved was water, and this she brought him in tonly way she could, bearing it in her own mout

No human mother could have shown mo

unselfish and sacrificing devotion than did th

poor, wild brute for the little orphaned wawhom fate had thrown into her keeping.

At last the fever abated and the bo

commenced to mend. No word of complai

passed his tight set lips, though the pain of h

wounds was excruciating.A portion of his chest was laid bare to the rib

three of which had been broken by the migh

blows of the gorilla. One arm was nearly severe

by the giant fangs, and a great piece had bee

torn from his neck, exposing his jugular vei

which the cruel jaws had missed but by a mirac

With the stoicism of the brutes who had rais

him he endured his suffering quietly, preferrin




Tarzan – 01 111/56

to crawl away from the others and lie huddled

some clump of tall grasses rather than to sho

his misery before their eyes.

Kala, alone, he was glad to have with him, bnow that he was better she was gone longer at

time, in search of food; for the devoted anim

had scarcely eaten enough to support her ow

life while Tarzan had been so low, and was consequence, reduced to a mere shadow of h

former self.



Chapter VII The L ight of K nowledge

After what seemed an eternity to the litt

sufferer he was able to walk once more, and fro

then on his recovery was so rapid that in anoth

month he was as strong and active as ever.During his convalescence he had gone over

his mind many times the battle with the gorill

and his first thought was to recover th

wonderful little weapon which had transforme

him from a hopelessly outclassed weakling to tsuperior of the mighty terror of the jungle.

Also, he was anxious to return to the cabin an

continue his investigations of its wondro

contents




Tarzan – 01 113/56

So, early one morning, he set forth alone upo

his quest. After a little search he located th

clean-picked bones of his late adversary, an

close by, partly buried beneath the fallen leavehe found the knife, now red with rust from

exposure to the dampness of the ground and fro

the dried blood of the gorilla.

He did not like the change in its former brigand gleaming surface; but it was still

formidable weapon, and one which he meant

use to advantage whenever the opportuni

presented itself. He had in mind that no mo

would he run from the wanton attacks of oTublat.

In another moment he was at the cabin, an

after a short time had again thrown the latch an

entered. His first concern was to learn th

mechanism of the lock, and this he did b

examining it closely while the door was open,

that he could learn precisely what caused it

hold the door, and by what means it released




Tarzan – 01 114/56

his touch.

He found that he could close and lock the do

from within, and this he did so that there wou

be no chance of his being molested while at hinvestigation.

He commenced a systematic search of th

cabin; but his attention was soon riveted by th

books which seemed to exert a strange anpowerful influence over him, so that he cou

scarce attend to aught else for the lure of t

wondrous puzzle which their purpose present

to him.

Among the other books were a primer, somchild's readers, numerous picture books, and

great dictionary. All of these he examined, b

the pictures caught his fancy most, though th

strange little bugs which covered the pag

where there were no pictures excited his wond

and deepest thought.

Squatting upon his haunches on the table to

in the cabin his father had built-his smoot




Tarzan – 01 115/56

brown, naked little body bent over the boo

which rested in his strong slender hands, and h

great shock of long, black hair falling about h

well-shaped head and bright, intelligent eyeTarzan of the apes, little primitive ma

presented a picture filled, at once, with path

and with promise-an allegorical figure of th

primordial groping through the black night ignorance toward the light of learning.

His little face was tense in study, for he h

partially grasped, in a hazy, nebulous way, th

rudiments of a thought which was destined

prove the key and the solution to the puzzlinproblem of the strange little bugs.

In his hands was a primer opened at a pictu

of a little ape similar to himself, but covere

except for hands and face, with strange, colore

fur, for such he thought the jacket and trousers

be.

Beneath the picture were three little bugs -

BOY.




Tarzan – 01 116/56

And now he had discovered in the text upo

the page that these three were repeated man

times in the same sequence.

Another fact he learned-that there wecomparatively few individual bugs; but the

were repeated many times, occasionally alon

but more often in company with others.

Slowly he turned the pages, scanning tpictures and the text for a repetition of t

combination B-O-Y. Presently he found

beneath a picture of another little ape and

strange animal which went upon four legs lik

the jackal and resembled him not a little. Beneathis picture the bugs appeared as:

A BOY AND A DOG

There they were, the three little bugs whic

always accompanied the little ape.

And so he progressed very, very slowly, for

was a hard and laborious task which he had s

himself without knowing it-a task which mig

seem to you or me impossible-learning to re




Tarzan – 01 117/56

without having the slightest knowledge of lette

or written language, or the faintest idea that suc

things existed.

He did not accomplish it in a day, or in a weor in a month, or in a year; but slowly, ve

slowly, he learned after he had grasped t

possibilities which lay in those little bugs, so th

by the time he was fifteen he knew the variocombinations of letters which stood for eve

pictured figure in the little primer and in one

two of the picture books.

Of the meaning and use of the articles an

conjunctions, verbs and adverbs and pronouns hhad but the faintest conception.

One day when he was about twelve he found

number of lead pencils in a hitherto undiscovere

drawer beneath the table, and in scratching upo

the table top with one of them he was delight

to discover the black line it left behind it.

He worked so assiduously with this new to

that the table top was soon a mass of scraw




Tarzan – 01 118/56

loops and irregular lines and his pencil-poi

worn down to the wood. Then he took anoth

pencil, but this time he had a definite object

view.He would attempt to reproduce some of th

little bugs that scrambled over the pages of h

books.

It was a difficult task, for he held the pencil one would grasp the hilt of a dagger, which do

not add greatly to ease in writing or to th

legibility of the results.

But he persevered for months, at such times

he was able to come to the cabin, until at last brepeated experimenting he found a position

which to hold the pencil that best permitted hi

to guide and control it, so that at last he cou

roughly reproduce any of the little bugs.

Thus he made a beginning of writing.

Copying the bugs taught him another thin

their number; and though he could not count

we understand it, yet he had an idea of quantit




Tarzan – 01 119/56

the base of his calculations being the number

fingers upon one of his hands.

His search through the various boo

convinced him that he had discovered all thdifferent kinds of bugs most often repeated

combination, and these he arranged in prop

order with great ease because of the frequen

with which he had perused the fascinatinalphabet picture book.

His education progressed; but his greate

finds were in the inexhaustible storehouse of th

huge illustrated dictionary, for he learned mo

through the medium of pictures than text, evafter he had grasped the significance of the bug

When he discovered the arrangement of wor

in alphabetical order he delighted in searchin

for and finding the combinations with which h

was familiar, and the words which followed the

their definitions, led him still further into th

mazes of erudition.

By the time he was seventeen he had learne




Tarzan – 01 120/56

to read the simple, child's primer and had ful

realized the true and wonderful purpose of t

little bugs.

No longer did he feel shame for his hairlebody or his human features, for now his reaso

told him that he was of a different race from h

wild and hairy companions. He was a M-A-N

they were A-P-E-S, and the little apes whicscurried through the forest top were M-O-N-K

E-Y-S. He knew, too, that old Sabor was a L-

O-N-E-S-S, and Histah a S-N-A-K-E, and Tant

an E-L-E-P-H-A-N-T. And so he learned to rea

From then on his progress was rapid. With thelp of the great dictionary and the activ

intelligence of a healthy mind endowed b

inheritance with more than ordinary reasonin

powers he shrewdly guessed at much which h

could not really understand, and more often th

not his guesses were close to the mark of truth.

There were many breaks in his educatio

caused by the migratory habits of his tribe, b




Tarzan – 01 121/56

even when removed from his books his activ

brain continued to search out the mysteries of h

fascinating avocation.

Pieces of bark and flat leaves and even smoostretches of bare earth provided him with cop

books whereon to scratch with the point of h

hunting knife the lessons he was learning.

Nor did he neglect the sterner duties of liwhile following the bent of his inclinatio

toward the solving of the mystery of his library.

He practiced with his rope and played with h

sharp knife, which he had learned to keep ke

by whetting upon flat stones.The tribe had grown larger since Tarzan ha

come among them, for under the leadership

Kerchak they had been able to frighten the oth

tribes from their part of the jungle so that th

had plenty to eat and little or no loss fro

predatory incursions of neighbors.

Hence the younger males as they became adu

found it more comfortable to take mates fro




Tarzan – 01 122/56

their own tribe, or if they captured one of anoth

tribe to bring her back to Kerchak's band and liv

in amity with him rather than attempt to set u

new establishments of their own, or fight withe redoubtable Kerchak for supremacy at home

Occasionally one more ferocious than h

fellows would attempt this latter alternative, b

none had come yet who could wrest the palm victory from the fierce and brutal ape.

Tarzan held a peculiar position in the trib

They seemed to consider him one of them an

yet in some way different. The older males eith

ignored him entirely or else hated him vindictively that but for his wondrous agility an

speed and the fierce protection of the huge Ka

he would have been dispatched at an early age.

Tublat was his most consistent enemy, but

was through Tublat that, when he was abo

thirteen, the persecution of his enemies sudden

ceased and he was left severely alone, except o

the occasions when one of them ran amuck in th




Tarzan – 01 123/56

throes of one of those strange, wild fits of insan

rage which attacks the males of many of th

fiercer animals of the jungle. Then none was sa

On the day that Tarzan established his right respect, the tribe was gathered about a sma

natural amphitheater which the jungle had le

free from its entangling vines and creepers in

hollow among some low hills.The open space was almost circular in shap

Upon every hand rose the mighty giants of t

untouched forest, with the matted undergrow

banked so closely between the huge trunks th

the only opening into the little, level arena wthrough the upper branches of the trees.

Here, safe from interruption, the tribe ofte

gathered. In the center of the amphitheater w

one of those strange earthen drums which t

anthropoids build for the queer rites the soun

of which men have heard in the fastnesses of th

jungle, but which none has ever witnessed.

Many travelers have seen the drums of th




Tarzan – 01 124/56

great apes, and some have heard the sounds

their beating and the noise of the wild, wei

revelry of these first lords of the jungle, b

Tarzan, Lord Greystoke, is, doubtless, the onhuman being who ever joined in the fierce, ma

intoxicating revel of the Dum-Dum.

From this primitive function has arise

unquestionably, all the forms and ceremonials modern church and state, for through all th

countless ages, back beyond the uttermo

ramparts of a dawning humanity our fierce, hai

forebears danced out the rites of the Dum-Du

to the sound of their earthen drums, beneath thbright light of a tropical moon in the depth of

mighty jungle which stands unchanged today

it stood on that long forgotten night in the dim

unthinkable vistas of the long dead past when o

first shaggy ancestor swung from a swayin

bough and dropped lightly upon the soft turf

the first meeting place.

On the day that Tarzan won his emancipatio




Tarzan – 01 125/56

from the persecution that had followed hi

remorselessly for twelve of his thirteen years

life, the tribe, now a full hundred strong, troop

silently through the lower terrace of the jungtrees and dropped noiselessly upon the floor

the amphitheater.

The rites of the Dum-Dum marked importa

events in the life of the tribe-a victory, thcapture of a prisoner, the killing of some larg

fierce denizen of the jungle, the death

accession of a king, and were conducted with s

ceremonialism.

Today it was the killing of a giant ape,member of another tribe, and as the people

Kerchak entered the arena two mighty bulls we

seen bearing the body of the vanquished betwe

them.

They laid their burden before the earthen dru

and then squatted there beside it as guards, whi

the other members of the community curle

themselves in grassy nooks to sleep until th




Tarzan – 01 126/56

rising moon should give the signal for th

commencement of their savage orgy.

For hours absolute quiet reigned in the litt

clearing, except as it was broken by thdiscordant notes of brilliantly feathered parro

or the screeching and twittering of the thousan

jungle birds flitting ceaselessly amongst the viv

orchids and flamboyant blossoms whifestooned the myriad, moss-covered branches

the forest kings.

At length as darkness settled upon the jung

the apes commenced to bestir themselves, an

soon they formed a great circle about the earthedrum. The females and young squatted in a th

line at the outer periphery of the circle, while ju

in front of them ranged the adult males. Befo

the drum sat three old females, each armed wi

a knotted branch fifteen or eighteen inches

length.

Slowly and softly they began tapping upon th

resounding surface of the drum as the first fai




Tarzan – 01 127/56

rays of the ascending moon silvered th

encircling tree tops.

As the light in the amphitheater increased th

females augmented the frequency and force their blows until presently a wild, rhythmic d

pervaded the great jungle for miles in eve

direction. Huge, fierce brutes stopped in the

hunting, with up-pricked ears and raised headto listen to the dull booming that betokened t

Dum-Dum of the apes.

Occasionally one would raise his shrill screa

or thunderous roar in answering challenge to t

savage din of the anthropoids, but none camnear to investigate or attack, for the great ape

assembled in all the power of their number

filled the breasts of their jungle neighbors wi

deep respect.

As the din of the drum rose to almo

deafening volume Kerchak sprang into the op

space between the squatting males and th

drummers.




Tarzan – 01 128/56

Standing erect he threw his head far back an

looking full into the eye of the rising moon h

beat upon his breast with his great hairy paw

and emitted his fearful roaring shriek.One-twice-thrice that terrifying cry rang o

across the teeming solitude of that unspeakab

quick, yet unthinkably dead, world.

Then, crouching, Kerchak slunk noiselessaround the open circle, veering far away from th

dead body lying before the altar-drum, but, as

passed, keeping his little, fierce, wicked, red ey

upon the corpse.

Another male then sprang into the arena, anrepeating the horrid cries of his king, follow

stealthily in his wake. Another and anoth

followed in quick succession until the jung

reverberated with the now almost ceaseless not

of their bloodthirsty screams.

It was the challenge and the hunt.

When all the adult males had joined in the th

line of circling dancers the attack commenced.




Tarzan – 01 129/56

Kerchak, seizing a huge club from the pi

which lay at hand for the purpose, rushe

furiously upon the dead ape, dealing the corpse

terrific blow, at the same time emitting thgrowls and snarls of combat. The din of the dru

was now increased, as well as the frequency

the blows, and the warriors, as each approache

the victim of the hunt and delivered his bludgeoblow, joined in the mad whirl of the Death Dan

Tarzan was one of the wild, leaping horde. H

brown, sweat-streaked, muscular bod

glistening in the moonlight, shone supple an

graceful among the uncouth, awkward, haibrutes about him.

None was more stealthy in the mimic hun

none more ferocious than he in the wild feroci

of the attack, none who leaped so high into th

air in the Dance of Death.

As the noise and rapidity of the drumbea

increased the dancers apparently becam

intoxicated with the wild rhythm and the sava




Tarzan – 01 130/56

yells. Their leaps and bounds increased, the

bared fangs dripped saliva, and their lips an

breasts were flecked with foam.

For half an hour the weird dance went on, unat a sign from Kerchak, the noise of the drum

ceased, the female drummers scamperin

hurriedly through the line of dancers toward t

outer rim of squatting spectators. Then, as onthe males rushed headlong upon the thing whic

their terrific blows had reduced to a mass

hairy pulp.

Flesh seldom came to their jaws in satisfyin

quantities, so a fit finale to their wild revel wastaste of fresh killed meat, and it was to th

purpose of devouring their late enemy that th

now turned their attention.

Great fangs sunk into the carcass tearing aw

huge hunks, the mightiest of the apes obtainin

the choicest morsels, while the weaker circle

the outer edge of the fighting, snarling pac

awaiting their chance to dodge in and snatch




Tarzan – 01 131/56

dropped tidbit or filch a remaining bone befo

all was gone.

Tarzan, more than the apes, craved and neede

flesh. Descended from a race of meat eaternever in his life, he thought, had he on

satisfied his appetite for animal food; and so no

his agile little body wormed its way far into th

mass of struggling, rending apes in an endeavto obtain a share which his strength would ha

been unequal to the task of winning for him.

At his side hung the hunting knife of h

unknown father in a sheath self-fashioned

copy of one he had seen among the pictures his treasure-books.

At last he reached the fast disappearing fea

and with his sharp knife slashed off a mo

generous portion than he had hoped for, an enti

hairy forearm, where it protruded from benea

the feet of the mighty Kerchak, who was

busily engaged in perpetuating the roy

prerogative of gluttony that he failed to note t




Tarzan – 01 132/56

act of LESE-MAJESTE.

So little Tarzan wriggled out from beneath th

struggling mass, clutching his grisly prize clo

to his breast.Among those circling futilely the outskirts

the banqueters was old Tublat. He had bee

among the first at the feast, but had retreat

with a goodly share to eat in quiet, and was noforcing his way back for more.

So it was that he spied Tarzan as the bo

emerged from the clawing, pushing throng wi

that hairy forearm hugged firmly to his body.

Tublat's little, close-set, bloodshot, pig-eyshot wicked gleams of hate as they fell upon t

object of his loathing. In them, too, was greed f

the toothsome dainty the boy carried.

But Tarzan saw his arch enemy as quickl

and divining what the great beast would do h

leaped nimbly away toward the females and th

young, hoping to hide himself among them

Tublat, however, was close upon his heels,




Tarzan – 01 133/56

that he had no opportunity to seek a place

concealment, but saw that he would be put to

to escape at all.

Swiftly he sped toward the surrounding treand with an agile bound gained a lower lim

with one hand, and then, transferring his burd

to his teeth, he climbed rapidly upward, close

followed by Tublat.Up, up he went to the waving pinnacle of

lofty monarch of the forest where his heav

pursuer dared not follow him. There he perche

hurling taunts and insults at the raging, foamin

beast fifty feet below him.And then Tublat went mad.

With horrifying screams and roars he rushe

to the ground, among the females and youn

sinking his great fangs into a dozen tiny nec

and tearing great pieces from the backs an

breasts of the females who fell into his clutches

In the brilliant moonlight Tarzan witnessed th

whole mad carnival of rage. He saw the femal




Tarzan – 01 134/56

and the young scamper to the safety of the tree

Then the great bulls in the center of the arena fe

the mighty fangs of their demented fellow, an

with one accord they melted into the blashadows of the overhanging forest.

There was but one in the amphitheater besid

Tublat, a belated female running swiftly towa

the tree where Tarzan perched, and close behinher came the awful Tublat.

It was Kala, and as quickly as Tarzan saw th

Tublat was gaining on her he dropped with th

rapidity of a falling stone, from branch to branc

toward his foster mother.Now she was beneath the overhanging lim

and close above her crouched Tarzan, waiting th

outcome of the race.

She leaped into the air grasping a low-hangin

branch, but almost over the head of Tublat,

nearly had he distanced her. She should ha

been safe now but there was a rending, tearin

sound, the branch broke and precipitated her fu




Tarzan – 01 135/56

upon the head of Tublat, knocking him to th

ground.

Both were up in an instant, but as quick

they had been Tarzan had been quicker, so ththe infuriated bull found himself facing the ma

child who stood between him and Kala.

Nothing could have suited the fierce bea

better, and with a roar of triumph he leaped upothe little Lord Greystoke. But his fangs nev

closed in that nut brown flesh.

A muscular hand shot out and grasped th

hairy throat, and another plunged a keen huntin

knife a dozen times into the broad breast. Liklightning the blows fell, and only ceased wh

Tarzan felt the limp form crumple beneath him.

As the body rolled to the ground Tarzan of th

Apes placed his foot upon the neck of h

lifelong enemy and, raising his eyes to the fu

moon, threw back his fierce young head an

voiced the wild and terrible cry of his people.

One by one the tribe swung down from the




Tarzan – 01 136/56

arboreal retreats and formed a circle abo

Tarzan and his vanquished foe. When they ha

all come Tarzan turned toward them.

"I am Tarzan," he cried. "I am a great killeLet all respect Tarzan of the Apes and Kala, h

mother. There be none among you as mighty

Tarzan. Let his enemies beware."

Looking full into the wicked, red eyes Kerchak, the young Lord Greystoke beat upo

his mighty breast and screamed out once mo

his shrill cry of defiance.



Chapter VIII The T ree-top H unter

The morning after the Dum-Dum the trib

started slowly back through the forest toward th

coast.

The body of Tublat lay where it had fallen, fthe people of Kerchak do not eat their own dead

The march was but a leisurely search for foo

Cabbage palm and gray plum, pisang an

scitamine they found in abundance, with wi

pineapple, and occasionally small mammabirds, eggs, reptiles, and insects. The nuts th

cracked between their powerful jaws, or, if to

hard, broke by pounding between stones.

Once old Sabor crossing their path sent the




Tarzan – 01 138/56

scurrying to the safety of the higher branches, f

if she respected their number and their sha

fangs, they on their part held her cruel an

mighty ferocity in equal esteem.Upon a low-hanging branch sat Tarz

directly above the majestic, supple body as

forged silently through the thick jungle. H

hurled a pineapple at the ancient enemy of hpeople. The great beast stopped and, turnin

eyed the taunting figure above her.

With an angry lash of her tail she bared h

yellow fangs, curling her great lips in a hideo

snarl that wrinkled her bristling snout in serriridges and closed her wicked eyes to two narro

slits of rage and hatred.

With back-laid ears she looked straight in

the eyes of Tarzan of the Apes and sounded h

fierce, shrill challenge. And from the safety

his overhanging limb the ape-child sent back t

fearsome answer of his kind.

For a moment the two eyed each other




Tarzan – 01 139/56

silence, and then the great cat turned into th

jungle, which swallowed her as the ocean engul

a tossed pebble.

But into the mind of Tarzan a great plasprang. He had killed the fierce Tublat, so was h

not therefore a mighty fighter? Now would h

track down the crafty Sabor and slay her likewi

He would be a mighty hunter, also.At the bottom of his little English heart be

the great desire to cover his nakedness wi

CLOTHES for he had learned from his pictu

books that all MEN were so covered, whi

MONKEYS and APES and every other livinthing went naked.

CLOTHES therefore, must be truly a badge

greatness; the insignia of the superiority of MA

over all other animals, for surely there could b

no other reason for wearing the hideous things.

Many moons ago, when he had been mu

smaller, he had desired the skin of Sabor, t

lioness, or Numa, the lion, or Sheeta, the leopa




Tarzan – 01 140/56

to cover his hairless body that he might no long

resemble hideous Histah, the snake; but now h

was proud of his sleek skin for it betokened h

descent from a mighty race, and the conflictindesires to go naked in prideful proof of h

ancestry, or to conform to the customs of his ow

kind and wear hideous and uncomfortab

apparel found first one and then the other in thascendency.

As the tribe continued their slow way throu

the forest after the passing of Sabor, Tarzan

head was filled with his great scheme for slayin

his enemy, and for many days thereafter hthought of little else.

On this day, however, he presently had oth

and more immediate interests to attract h

attention.

Suddenly it became as midnight; the noises

the jungle ceased; the trees stood motionless

though in paralyzed expectancy of some gre

and imminent disaster. All nature waited-but n




Tarzan – 01 141/56

for long.

Faintly, from a distance, came a low, s

moaning. Nearer and nearer it approache

mounting louder and louder in volume.The great trees bent in unison as thoug

pressed earthward by a mighty hand. Farther an

farther toward the ground they inclined, and st

there was no sound save the deep and awesommoaning of the wind.

Then, suddenly, the jungle giants whippe

back, lashing their mighty tops in angry an

deafening protest. A vivid and blinding lig

flashed from the whirling, inky clouds abovThe deep cannonade of roaring thunder belch

forth its fearsome challenge. The deluge came-a

hell broke loose upon the jungle.

The tribe shivering from the cold rain, huddl

at the bases of great trees. The lightning, dartin

and flashing through the blackness, show

wildly waving branches, whipping streamers an

bending trunks.




Tarzan – 01 142/56

Now and again some ancient patriarch of th

woods, rent by a flashing bolt, would crash in

thousand pieces among the surrounding tree

carrying down numberless branches and mansmaller neighbors to add to the tangled confusio

of the tropical jungle.

Branches, great and small, torn away by t

ferocity of the tornado, hurtled through thwildly waving verdure, carrying death an

destruction to countless unhappy denizens of th

thickly peopled world below.

For hours the fury of the storm continue

without surcease, and still the tribe huddled cloin shivering fear. In constant danger from fallin

trunks and branches and paralyzed by the viv

flashing of lightning and the bellowing

thunder they crouched in pitiful misery until th

storm passed.

The end was as sudden as the beginning. Th

wind ceased, the sun shone forth-nature smile

once more.




Tarzan – 01 143/56

The dripping leaves and branches, and th

moist petals of gorgeous flowers glistened in th

splendor of the returning day. And, so-as Natu

forgot, her children forgot also. Busy life weon as it had been before the darkness and th

fright.

But to Tarzan a dawning light had come

explain the mystery of CLOTHES. How snug hwould have been beneath the heavy coat of Sab

And so was added a further incentive to tadventure.

For several months the tribe hovered near th

beach where stood Tarzan's cabin, and his studitook up the greater portion of his time, b

always when journeying through the forest h

kept his rope in readiness, and many were t

smaller animals that fell into the snare of th

quick thrown noose.

Once it fell about the short neck of Horta, th

boar, and his mad lunge for freedom topple

Tarzan from the overhanging limb where he ha




Tarzan – 01 144/56

lain in wait and from whence he had launche

his sinuous coil.

The mighty tusker turned at the sound of h

falling body, and, seeing only the easy prey ofyoung ape, he lowered his head and charge

madly at the surprised youth.

Tarzan, happily, was uninjured by the fa

alighting catlike upon all fours far outspread take up the shock. He was on his feet in

instant and, leaping with the agility of t

monkey he was, he gained the safety of a lo

limb as Horta, the boar, rushed futilely beneath

Thus it was that Tarzan learned by experienthe limitations as well as the possibilities of h

strange weapon.

He lost a long rope on this occasion, but h

knew that had it been Sabor who had th

dragged him from his perch the outcome mig

have been very different, for he would have lo

his life, doubtless, into the bargain.

It took him many days to braid a new rope, b




Tarzan – 01 145/56

when, finally, it was done he went for

purposely to hunt, and lie in wait among th

dense foliage of a great branch right above th

well-beaten trail that led to water.Several small animals passed unharm

beneath him. He did not want such insignifica

game. It would take a strong animal to test th

efficacy of his new scheme.At last came she whom Tarzan sought, wi

lithe sinews rolling beneath shimmering hide; f

and glossy came Sabor, the lioness.

Her great padded feet fell soft and noiseless o

the narrow trail. Her head was high in ever aleattention; her long tail moved slowly in sinuo

and graceful undulations.

Nearer and nearer she came to where Tarz

of the Apes crouched upon his limb, the coils

his long rope poised ready in his hand.

Like a thing of bronze, motionless as death, s

Tarzan. Sabor passed beneath. One stride beyon

she took-a second, a third, and then the silent co




Tarzan – 01 146/56

shot out above her.

For an instant the spreading noose hung abov

her head like a great snake, and then, as sh

looked upward to detect the origin of thswishing sound of the rope, it settled about h

neck. With a quick jerk Tarzan snapped th

noose tight about the glossy throat, and then h

dropped the rope and clung to his support wiboth hands.

Sabor was trapped.

With a bound the startled beast turned into t

jungle, but Tarzan was not to lose another ro

through the same cause as the first. He hlearned from experience. The lioness had tak

but half her second bound when she felt the ro

tighten about her neck; her body turne

completely over in the air and she fell with

heavy crash upon her back. Tarzan had fastene

the end of the rope securely to the trunk of th

great tree on which he sat.

Thus far his plan had worked to perfection, b




Tarzan – 01 147/56

when he grasped the rope, bracing himse

behind a crotch of two mighty branches,

found that dragging the mighty, strugglin

clawing, biting, screaming mass of iron-musclefury up to the tree and hanging her was a ve

different proposition.

The weight of old Sabor was immense, an

when she braced her huge paws nothing less thTantor, the elephant, himself, could have budge

her.

The lioness was now back in the path whe

she could see the author of the indignity whic

had been placed upon her. Screaming with rashe suddenly charged, leaping high into the a

toward Tarzan, but when her huge body struc

the limb on which Tarzan had been, Tarzan w

no longer there.

Instead he perched lightly upon a small

branch twenty feet above the raging captive. F

a moment Sabor hung half across the branc

while Tarzan mocked, and hurled twigs an




Tarzan – 01 148/56

branches at her unprotected face.

Presently the beast dropped to the earth aga

and Tarzan came quickly to seize the rope, b

Sabor had now found that it was only a slendcord that held her, and grasping it in her hu

jaws severed it before Tarzan could tighten t

strangling noose a second time.

Tarzan was much hurt. His well-laid plan hacome to naught, so he sat there screaming at th

roaring creature beneath him and makin

mocking grimaces at it.

Sabor paced back and forth beneath the tr

for hours; four times she crouched and sprang the dancing sprite above her, but might as we

have clutched at the illusive wind that murmure

through the tree tops.

At last Tarzan tired of the sport, and with

parting roar of challenge and a well-aimed rip

fruit that spread soft and sticky over the snarlin

face of his enemy, he swung rapidly through th

trees, a hundred feet above the ground, and in




Tarzan – 01 149/56

short time was among the members of his tribe.

Here he recounted the details of his adventur

with swelling chest and so considerable swagg

that he quite impressed even his bitterest enemiwhile Kala fairly danced for joy and pride.



Chapter IX M an and M an

Tarzan of the Apes lived on in his wil

jungle existence with little change for seve

years, only that he grew stronger and wiser, an

learned from his books more and more of tstrange worlds which lay somewhere outside h

primeval forest.

To him life was never monotonous or stal

There was always Pisah, the fish, to be caught

the many streams and the little lakes, and Sabowith her ferocious cousins to keep one ever o

the alert and give zest to every instant that on

spent upon the ground.

Often they hunted him and more often h




Tarzan – 01 151/56

hunted them, but though they never quite reach

him with those cruel, sharp claws of theirs, y

there were times when one could scarce hav

passed a thick leaf between their talons and hsmooth hide.

Quick was Sabor, the lioness, and quick we

Numa and Sheeta, but Tarzan of the Apes w

lightning.With Tantor, the elephant, he made friend

How? Ask not. But this is known to the denize

of the jungle, that on many moonlight nigh

Tarzan of the Apes and Tantor, the elephan

walked together, and where the way was cleTarzan rode, perched high upon Tantor's migh

back.

Many days during these years he spent in th

cabin of his father, where still lay, untouched, t

bones of his parents and the skeleton of Kala

baby. At eighteen he read fluently an

understood nearly all he read in the many an

varied volumes on the shelves.




Tarzan – 01 152/56

Also could he write, with printed letter

rapidly and plainly, but script he had n

mastered, for though there were several cop

books among his treasure, there was so littwritten English in the cabin that he saw no u

for bothering with this other form of writin

though he could read it, laboriously.

Thus, at eighteen, we find him, an Englilordling, who could speak no English, and y

who could read and write his native languag

Never had he seen a human being other th

himself, for the little area traversed by his trib

was watered by no greater river to bring dowthe savage natives of the interior.

High hills shut it off on three sides, the oce

on the fourth. It was alive with lions and leopar

and poisonous snakes. Its untouched mazes

matted jungle had as yet invited no hardy pione

from the human beasts beyond its frontier.

But as Tarzan of the Apes sat one day in th

cabin of his father delving into the mysteries of




Tarzan – 01 153/56

new book, the ancient security of his jungle w

broken forever.

At the far eastern confine a strange cavalcad

strung, in single file, over the brow of a low hilIn advance were fifty black warriors arme

with slender wooden spears with ends ha

baked over slow fires, and long bows an

poisoned arrows. On their backs were ovshields, in their noses huge rings, while from th

kinky wool of their heads protruded tufts of g

feathers.

Across their foreheads were tattooed thr

parallel lines of color, and on each breast thrconcentric circles. Their yellow teeth were file

to sharp points, and their great protruding li

added still further to the low and besti

brutishness of their appearance.

Following them were several hundred wome

and children, the former bearing upon their hea

great burdens of cooking pots, household utens

and ivory. In the rear were a hundred warrior




Tarzan – 01 154/56

similar in all respects to the advance guard.

That they more greatly feared an attack fro

the rear than whatever unknown enemies lurke

in their advance was evidenced by the formatioof the column; and such was the fact, for th

were fleeing from the white man's soldiers wh

had so harassed them for rubber and ivory th

they had turned upon their conquerors one dand massacred a white officer and a sma

detachment of his black troops.

For many days they had gorged themselves o

meat, but eventually a stronger body of troo

had come and fallen upon their village by nigto revenge the death of their comrades.

That night the black soldiers of the white m

had had meat a-plenty, and this little remnant

a once powerful tribe had slunk off into th

gloomy jungle toward the unknown, and freedo

But that which meant freedom and the pursu

of happiness to these savage blacks mea

consternation and death to many of the wi




Tarzan – 01 155/56

denizens of their new home.

For three days the little cavalcade marche

slowly through the heart of this unknown an

untracked forest, until finally, early in the fourday, they came upon a little spot near the ban

of a small river, which seemed less thick

overgrown than any ground they had y

encountered.Here they set to work to build a new villag

and in a month a great clearing had been mad

huts and palisades erected, plantains, yams an

maize planted, and they had taken up their o

life in their new home.Here there were no white men, no soldiers, n

any rubber or ivory to be gathered for cruel an

thankless taskmasters.

Several moons passed by ere the blac

ventured far into the territory surrounding the

new village. Several had already fallen prey

old Sabor, and because the jungle was so infest

with these fierce and bloodthirsty cats, and wi




Tarzan – 01 156/56

lions and leopards, the ebony warriors hesitate

to trust themselves far from the safety of the

palisades.

But one day, Kulonga, a son of the old kinMbonga, wandered far into the dense mazes

the west. Warily he stepped, his slender lan

ever ready, his long oval shield firmly grasped

his left hand close to his sleek ebony body.At his back his bow, and in the quiver upo

his shield many slim, straight arrows, we

smeared with the thick, dark, tarry substance th

rendered deadly their tiniest needle prick.

Night found Kulonga far from the palisades his father's village, but still headed westwar

and climbing into the fork of a great tree

fashioned a rude platform and curled himself f

sleep.

Three miles to the west slept the tribe

Kerchak.

Early the next morning the apes were ast

moving through the jungle in search of foo




Tarzan – 01 157/56

Tarzan, as was his custom, prosecuted his searc

in the direction of the cabin so that by leisure

hunting on the way his stomach was filled by th

time he reached the beach.The apes scattered by ones, and twos, an

threes in all directions, but ever within sound of

signal of alarm.

Kala had moved slowly along an elephatrack toward the east, and was busily engaged

turning over rotted limbs and logs in search

succulent bugs and fungi, when the fainte

shadow of a strange noise brought her to startle

attention.For fifty yards before her the trail was straigh

and down this leafy tunnel she saw the stealth

advancing figure of a strange and fearful creatu

It was Kulonga.

Kala did not wait to see more, but, turnin

moved rapidly back along the trail. She did n

run; but, after the manner of her kind when n

aroused, sought rather to avoid than to escape.




Tarzan – 01 158/56

Close after her came Kulonga. Here was me

He could make a killing and feast well this da

On he hurried, his spear poised for the throw.

At a turning of the trail he came in sight of hagain upon another straight stretch. His spe

hand went far back the muscles rolled, lightnin

like, beneath the sleek hide. Out shot the arm

and the spear sped toward Kala.A poor cast. It but grazed her side.

With a cry of rage and pain the she-ape turne

upon her tormentor. In an instant the trees we

crashing beneath the weight of her hurryin

fellows, swinging rapidly toward the scene trouble in answer to Kala's scream.

As she charged, Kulonga unslung his bow an

fitted an arrow with almost unthinkab

quickness. Drawing the shaft far back he dro

the poisoned missile straight into the heart of t

great anthropoid.

With a horrid scream Kala plunged forwa

upon her face before the astonished members




Tarzan – 01 159/56

her tribe.

Roaring and shrieking the apes dashed towa

Kulonga, but that wary savage was fleeing dow

the trail like a frightened antelope.He knew something of the ferocity of the

wild, hairy men, and his one desire was to put

many miles between himself and them as h

possibly could.They followed him, racing through the tree

for a long distance, but finally one by one th

abandoned the chase and returned to the scene

the tragedy.

None of them had ever seen a man beforother than Tarzan, and so they wondered vague

what strange manner of creature it might be th

had invaded their jungle.

On the far beach by the little cabin Tarza

heard the faint echoes of the conflict an

knowing that something was seriously ami

among the tribe he hastened rapidly toward th

direction of the sound.




Tarzan – 01 160/56

When he arrived he found the entire trib

gathered jabbering about the dead body of h

slain mother.

Tarzan's grief and anger were unbounded. Hroared out his hideous challenge time and agai

He beat upon his great chest with his clenche

fists, and then he fell upon the body of Kala an

sobbed out the pitiful sorrowing of his loneheart.

To lose the only creature in all his world wh

ever had manifested love and affection for hi

was the greatest tragedy he had ever known.

What though Kala was a fierce and hideoape! To Tarzan she had been kind, she had be

beautiful.

Upon her he had lavished, unknown to himse

all the reverence and respect and love that

normal English boy feels for his own mother.

He had never known another, and so to Ka

was given, though mutely, all that would hav

belonged to the fair and lovely Lady Alice ha




Tarzan – 01 161/56

she lived.

After the first outburst of grief Tarz

controlled himself, and questioning the membe

of the tribe who had witnessed the killing of Kahe learned all that their meager vocabulary cou

convey.

It was enough, however, for his needs. It to

him of a strange, hairless, black ape with feathegrowing upon its head, who launched death fro

a slender branch, and then ran, with the fleetne

of Bara, the deer, toward the rising sun.

Tarzan waited no longer, but leaping into t

branches of the trees sped rapidly through thforest. He knew the windings of the elephant tra

along which Kala's murderer had flown, and

he cut straight through the jungle to intercept t

black warrior who was evidently following th

tortuous detours of the trail.

At his side was the hunting knife of h

unknown sire, and across his shoulders the coi

of his own long rope. In an hour he struck t




Tarzan – 01 162/56

trail again, and coming to earth examined the so

minutely.

In the soft mud on the bank of a tiny rivulet

found footprints such as he alone in all the junghad ever made, but much larger than his.

His heart beat fast. Could it be that he w

trailing a MAN-one of his own race?

There were two sets of imprints pointing opposite directions. So his quarry had alread

passed on his return along the trail. As h

examined the newer spoor a tiny particle of ear

toppled from the outer edge of one of th

footprints to the bottom of its shallodepression-ah, the trail was very fresh, his pr

must have but scarcely passed.

Tarzan swung himself to the trees once mor

and with swift noiselessness sped along hig

above the trail.

He had covered barely a mile when he cam

upon the black warrior standing in a little ope

space. In his hand was his slender bow to whi




Tarzan – 01 163/56

he had fitted one of his death dealing arrows.

Opposite him across the little clearing stoo

Horta, the boar, with lowered head and foa

flecked tucks, ready to charge.Tarzan looked with wonder upon the stran

creature beneath him-so like him in form and y

so different in face and color. His books h

portrayed the NEGRO, but how different hbeen the dull, dead print to this sleek thing

ebony, pulsing with life.

As the man stood there with taut drawn bo

Tarzan recognized him not so much the NEGR

as the ARCHER of his picture book- A stanfor Archer How wonderful! Tarzan almo

betrayed his presence in the deep excitement

his discovery.

But things were commencing to happen belo

him. The sinewy black arm had drawn the sha

far back; Horta, the boar, was charging, and the

the black released the little poisoned arrow, an

Tarzan saw it fly with the quickness of thoug




Tarzan – 01 164/56

and lodge in the bristling neck of the boar.

Scarcely had the shaft left his bow e

Kulonga had fitted another to it, but Horta, th

boar, was upon him so quickly that he had ntime to discharge it. With a bound the blac

leaped entirely over the rushing beast and turnin

with incredible swiftness planted a second arro

in Horta's back.Then Kulonga sprang into a near-by tree.

Horta wheeled to charge his enemy once mo

a dozen steps he took, then he staggered and fe

upon his side. For a moment his muscl

stiffened and relaxed convulsively, then he lastill.

Kulonga came down from his tree.

With a knife that hung at his side he c

several large pieces from the boar's body, and

the center of the trail he built a fire, cooking an

eating as much as he wanted. The rest he le

where it had fallen.

Tarzan was an interested spectator. His desi




Tarzan – 01 165/56

to kill burned fiercely in his wild breast, but h

desire to learn was even greater. He wou

follow this savage creature for a while and kno

from whence he came.He could kill him at his leisure later, when th

bow and deadly arrows were laid aside.

When Kulonga had finished his repast an

disappeared beyond a near turning of the patTarzan dropped quietly to the ground. With h

knife he severed many strips of meat fro

Horta's carcass, but he did not cook them.

He had seen fire, but only when Ara, th

lightning, had destroyed some great tree. Thany creature of the jungle could produce the re

and-yellow fangs which devoured wood and le

nothing but fine dust surprised Tarzan greatl

and why the black warrior had ruined h

delicious repast by plunging it into the blightin

heat was quite beyond him. Possibly Ara was

friend with whom the Archer was sharing h

food.




Tarzan – 01 166/56

But, be that as it may, Tarzan would not ru

good meat in any such foolish manner, so h

gobbled down a great quantity of the raw fles

burying the balance of the carcass beside the trawhere he could find it upon his return.

And then Lord Greystoke wiped his grea

fingers upon his naked thighs and took up th

trail of Kulonga, the son of Mbonga, the kinwhile in far-off London another Lord Greystok

the younger brother of the real Lord Greystoke

father, sent back his chops to the club's CHE

because they were underdone, and when he ha

finished his repast he dipped his finger-ends ina silver bowl of scented water and dried the

upon a piece of snowy damask.

All day Tarzan followed Kulonga, hoverin

above him in the trees like some malign spir

Twice more he saw him hurl his arrows

destruction-once at Dango, the hyena, and aga

at Manu, the monkey.

In each instance the animal died almo




Tarzan – 01 167/56

instantly, for Kulonga's poison was very fre

and very deadly.

Tarzan thought much on this wondro

method of slaying as he swung slowly along atsafe distance behind his quarry. He knew th

alone the tiny prick of the arrow could not

quickly dispatch these wild things of the jungl

who were often torn and scratched and gored infrightful manner as they fought with their jung

neighbors, yet as often recovered as not.

No, there was something mysterio

connected with these tiny slivers of wood whic

could bring death by a mere scratch. He mulook into the matter.

That night Kulonga slept in the crotch of

mighty tree and far above him crouched Tarza

of the Apes.

When Kulonga awoke he found that his bo

and arrows had disappeared.

The black warrior was furious and frightene

but more frightened than furious. He search




Tarzan – 01 168/56

the ground below the tree, and he searched th

tree above the ground; but there was no sign

either bow or arrows or of the nocturn

marauder.Kulonga was panic-stricken. His spear he ha

hurled at Kala and had not recovered; and, no

that his bow and arrows were gone, he w

defenseless except for a single knife. His onhope lay in reaching the village of Mbonga

quickly as his legs would carry him.

That he was not far from home he was certai

so he took the trail at a rapid trot.

From a great mass of impenetrable foliagefew yards away emerged Tarzan of the Apes

swing quietly in his wake.

Kulonga's bow and arrows were securely tie

high in the top of a giant tree from which a patc

of bark had been removed by a sharp knife ne

to the ground, and a branch half cut through an

left hanging about fifty feet higher up. Th

Tarzan blazed the forest trails and marked h




Tarzan – 01 169/56

caches.

As Kulonga continued his journey Tarz

closed on him until he traveled almost over th

black's head. His rope he now held coiled in hright hand; he was almost ready for the kill.

The moment was delayed only because Tarz

was anxious to ascertain the black warrio

destination, and presently he was rewarded, fthey came suddenly in view of a great clearin

at one end of which lay many strange lairs.

Tarzan was directly over Kulonga, as he ma

the discovery. The forest ended abruptly an

beyond lay two hundred yards of planted fielbetween the jungle and the village.

Tarzan must act quickly or his prey would b

gone; but Tarzan's life training left so little spa

between decision and action when an emergenc

confronted him that there was not even room f

the shadow of a thought between.

So it was that as Kulonga emerged from t

shadow of the jungle a slender coil of rope sp




Tarzan – 01 170/56

sinuously above him from the lowest branch of

mighty tree directly upon the edge of the fiel

of Mbonga, and ere the king's son had taken

half dozen steps into the clearing a quick nootightened about his neck.

So quickly did Tarzan of the Apes drag bac

his prey that Kulonga's cry of alarm was throttl

in his windpipe. Hand over hand Tarzan drew thstruggling black until he had him hanging by h

neck in mid-air; then Tarzan climbed to a larg

branch drawing the still threshing victim well u

into the sheltering verdure of the tree.

Here he fastened the rope securely to a stobranch, and then, descending, plunged h

hunting knife into Kulonga's heart. Kala w

avenged.

Tarzan examined the black minutely, for h

had never seen any other human being. The kni

with its sheath and belt caught his eye; h

appropriated them. A copper anklet also took h

fancy, and this he transferred to his own leg.




Tarzan – 01 171/56

He examined and admired the tattooing on th

forehead and breast. He marveled at the sha

filed teeth. He investigated and appropriated th

feathered headdress, and then he prepared to gdown to business, for Tarzan of the Apes w

hungry, and here was meat; meat of the ki

which jungle ethics permitted him to eat.

How may we judge him, by what standardthis ape-man with the heart and head and body

an English gentleman, and the training of a wi

beast?

Tublat, whom he had hated and who had hat

him, he had killed in a fair fight, and yet nevhad the thought of eating Tublat's flesh entere

his head. It could have been as revolting to hi

as is cannibalism to us.

But who was Kulonga that he might not b

eaten as fairly as Horta, the boar, or Bara, th

deer? Was he not simply another of the countle

wild things of the jungle who preyed upon on

another to satisfy the cravings of hunger?




Tarzan – 01 172/56

Suddenly, a strange doubt stayed his han

Had not his books taught him that he was a ma

And was not The Archer a man, also?

Did men eat men? Alas, he did not know. Whthen, this hesitancy!

Once more he essayed the effort, but a qual

of nausea overwhelmed him.

He did not understand.All he knew was that he could not eat the fle

of this black man, and thus hereditary instinc

ages old, usurped the functions of his untaug

mind and saved him from transgressing

worldwide law of whose very existence he wignorant.

Quickly he lowered Kulonga's body to th

ground, removed the noose, and took to the tre

again.



Chapter X

The F ear-P hantom

From a lofty perch Tarzan viewed the villa

of thatched huts across the intervening plantatio

He saw that at one point the forest touched th

village, and to this spot he made his way, lureby a fever of curiosity to behold animals of h

own kind, and to learn more of their ways an

view the strange lairs in which they lived.

His savage life among the fierce wild brutes

the jungle left no opening for any thought ththese could be aught else than enemies.

Similarity of form led him into no erroneo

conception of the welcome that would

accorded him should he be discovered by thes




Tarzan – 01 174/56

the first of his own kind he had ever seen.

Tarzan of the Apes was no sentimentalist. H

knew nothing of the brotherhood of man. A

things outside his own tribe were his deadenemies, with the few exceptions of whic

Tantor, the elephant, was a marked example.

And he realized all this without malice

hatred. To kill was the law of the wild world hknew. Few were his primitive pleasures, but t

greatest of these was to hunt and kill, and so h

accorded to others the right to cherish the sam

desires as he, even though he himself might b

the object of their hunt.His strange life had left him neither moro

nor bloodthirsty. That he joyed in killing, an

that he killed with a joyous laugh upon h

handsome lips betokened no innate cruelty. H

killed for food most often, but, being a man, h

sometimes killed for pleasure, a thing which n

other animal does; for it has remained for m

alone among all creatures to kill senselessly an




Tarzan – 01 175/56

wantonly for the mere pleasure of inflictin

suffering and death.

And when he killed for revenge, or in sel

defense, he did that also without hysteria, forwas a very businesslike proceeding whi

admitted of no levity.

So it was that now, as he cautious

approached the village of Mbonga, he was quiprepared either to kill or be killed should he

discovered. He proceeded with unwonted stealt

for Kulonga had taught him great respect for t

little sharp splinters of wood which dealt dea

so swiftly and unerringly.At length he came to a great tree, heavy lade

with thick foliage and loaded with pendant loo

of giant creepers. From this almost impenetrab

bower above the village he crouched, lookin

down upon the scene below him, wondering ov

every feature of this new, strange life.

There were naked children running an

playing in the village street.




Tarzan – 01 176/56

There were women grinding dried plantain

crude stone mortars, while others we

fashioning cakes from the powdered flour. Out

the fields he could see still other women hoeinweeding, or gathering.

All wore strange protruding girdles of drie

grass about their hips and many were loaded wi

brass and copper anklets, armlets and bracelets.Around many a dusky neck hung curious

coiled strands of wire, while several were furth

ornamented by huge nose rings.

Tarzan of the Apes looked with growin

wonder at these strange creatures. Dozing in thshade he saw several men, while at the extrem

outskirts of the clearing he occasionally caug

glimpses of armed warriors apparently guardin

the village against surprise from an attackin

enemy.

He noticed that the women alone worke

Nowhere was there evidence of a man tilling t

fields or performing any of the homely duties




Tarzan – 01 177/56

the village.

Finally his eyes rested upon a woman direct

beneath him.

Before her was a small cauldron standing ova low fire and in it bubbled a thick, reddish, tar

mass. On one side of her lay a quantity

wooden arrows the points of which she dippe

into the seething substance, then laying theupon a narrow rack of boughs which stood upo

her other side.

Tarzan of the Apes was fascinated. Here w

the secret of the terrible destructiveness of Th

Archer's tiny missiles. He noted the extreme cawhich the woman took that none of the matt

should touch her hands, and once when a partic

spattered upon one of her fingers he saw h

plunge the member into a vessel of water an

quickly rub the tiny stain away with a handful

leaves.

Tarzan knew nothing of poison, but his shrew

reasoning told him that it was this deadly stu




Tarzan – 01 178/56

that killed, and not the little arrow, which w

merely the messenger that carried it into the bod

of its victim.

How he should like to have more of those littdeath-dealing slivers.

If the woman would only leave her work f

an instant he could drop down, gather up

handful, and be back in the tree again before shdrew three breaths.

As he was trying to think out some plan

distract her attention he heard a wild cry fro

across the clearing. He looked and saw a blac

warrior standing beneath the very tree in whihe had killed the murderer of Kala an ho

before.

The fellow was shouting and waving his spe

above his head. Now and again he would point

something on the ground before him.

The village was in an uproar instantly. Arme

men rushed from the interior of many a hut an

raced madly across the clearing toward t




Tarzan – 01 179/56

excited sentry. After them trooped the old me

and the women and children until, in a momen

the village was deserted.

Tarzan of the Apes knew that they had founthe body of his victim, but that interested him f

less than the fact that no one remained in th

village to prevent his taking a supply of th

arrows which lay below him.Quickly and noiselessly he dropped to t

ground beside the cauldron of poison. For

moment he stood motionless, his quick, brig

eyes scanning the interior of the palisade.

No one was in sight. His eyes rested upon topen doorway of a nearby hut. He would take

look within, thought Tarzan, and so, cautiousl

he approached the low thatched building.

For a moment he stood without, listenin

intently. There was no sound, and he glided in

the semi-darkness of the interior.

Weapons hung against the walls-long spear

strangely shaped knives, a couple of narro




Tarzan – 01 180/56

shields. In the center of the room was a cookin

pot, and at the far end a litter of dry grass

covered by woven mats which evidently serve

the owners as beds and bedding. Several humskulls lay upon the floor.

Tarzan of the Apes felt of each article, hefte

the spears, smelled of them, for he "saw" large

through his sensitive and highly trained nostrilHe determined to own one of these long, point

sticks, but he could not take one on this tr

because of the arrows he meant to carry.

As he took each article from the walls,

placed it in a pile in the center of the room. Otop of all he placed the cooking pot, inverte

and on top of this he laid one of the grinnin

skulls, upon which he fastened the headdress

the dead Kulonga.

Then he stood back, surveyed his work, an

grinned. Tarzan of the Apes enjoyed a joke.

But now he heard, outside, the sounds of man

voices, and long mournful howls, and migh




Tarzan – 01 181/56

wailing. He was startled. Had he remained to

long?

Quickly he reached the doorway and peere

down the village street toward the village gate.The natives were not yet in sight, though h

could plainly hear them approaching across t

plantation. They must be very near.

Like a flash he sprang across the opening the pile of arrows.

Gathering up all he could carry under one arm

he overturned the seething cauldron with a kic

and disappeared into the foliage above just as th

first of the returning natives entered the gate the far end of the village street. Then he turned

watch the proceeding below, poised like som

wild bird ready to take swift wing at the first sig

of danger.

The natives filed up the street, four of the

bearing the dead body of Kulonga. Behind trail

the women, uttering strange cries and wei

lamentation. On they came to the portals




Tarzan – 01 182/56

Kulonga's hut, the very one in which Tarzan h

wrought his depredations.

Scarcely had half a dozen entered the buildin

ere they came rushing out in wild, jabberinconfusion. The others hastened to gather about.

There was much excited gesticulatin

pointing, and chattering; then several of th

warriors approached and peered within.Finally an old fellow with many ornaments

metal about his arms and legs, and a necklace

dried human hands depending upon his che

entered the hut.

It was Mbonga, the king, father of Kulonga.For a few moments all was silent. Th

Mbonga emerged, a look of mingled wrath an

superstitious fear writ upon his hideo

countenance.

He spoke a few words to the assemble

warriors, and in an instant the men were flyin

through the little village searching minute

every hut and corner within the palisades.




Tarzan – 01 183/56

Scarcely had the search commenced than th

overturned cauldron was discovered, and with

the theft of the poisoned arrows. Nothing mo

they found, and it was a thoroughly awed anfrightened group of savages which huddle

around their king a few moments later.

Mbonga could explain nothing of the stran

events that had taken place. The finding of thstill warm body of Kulonga-on the very verge

their fields and within easy earshot of the villag

knifed and stripped at the door of his father

home, was in itself sufficiently mysterious, b

these last awesome discoveries within the villagwithin the dead Kulonga's own hut, filled the

hearts with dismay, and conjured in their po

brains only the most frightful of superstitio

explanations.

They stood in little groups, talking in lo

tones, and ever casting affrighted glances behin

them from their great rolling eyes.

Tarzan of the Apes watched them for a whi




Tarzan – 01 184/56

from his lofty perch in the great tree. There w

much in their demeanor which he could n

understand, for of superstition he was ignoran

and of fear of any kind he had but a vagconception.

The sun was high in the heavens. Tarzan ha

not broken fast this day, and it was many mil

to where lay the toothsome remains of Horta tboar.

So he turned his back upon the village

Mbonga and melted away into the leafy fastne

of the forest.



Chapter XI "K ing of the A pes"

It was not yet dark when he reached the trib

though he stopped to exhume and devour th

remains of the wild boar he had cached th

preceding day, and again to take Kulonga's bo

and arrows from the tree top in which he hahidden them.

It was a well-laden Tarzan who dropped fro

the branches into the midst of the tribe

Kerchak.

With swelling chest he narrated the glories his adventure and exhibited the spoils

conquest.

Kerchak grunted and turned away, for he w

jealous of this strange member of his band In h




Tarzan – 01 186/56

little evil brain he sought for some excuse

wreak his hatred upon Tarzan.

The next day Tarzan was practicing with h

bow and arrows at the first gleam of dawn. Afirst he lost nearly every bolt he shot, but final

he learned to guide the little shafts with fa

accuracy, and ere a month had passed he was n

mean shot; but his proficiency had cost hinearly his entire supply of arrows.

The tribe continued to find the hunting good

the vicinity of the beach, and so Tarzan of th

Apes varied his archery practice with furth

investigation of his father's choice though littstore of books.

It was during this period that the youn

English lord found hidden in the back of one

the cupboards in the cabin a small metal bo

The key was in the lock, and a few moments

investigation and experimentation were reward

with the successful opening of the receptacle.

In it he found a faded photograph of a smoo




Tarzan – 01 187/56

faced young man, a golden locket studded wi

diamonds, linked to a small gold chain, a fe

letters and a small book.

Tarzan examined these all minutely.The photograph he liked most of all, for t

eyes were smiling, and the face was open an

frank. It was his father.

The locket, too, took his fancy, and he placethe chain about his neck in imitation of th

ornamentation he had seen to be so commo

among the black men he had visited. Th

brilliant stones gleamed strangely against h

smooth, brown hide.The letters he could scarcely decipher for h

had learned little or nothing of script, so he p

them back in the box with the photograph an

turned his attention to the book.

This was almost entirely filled with fine scrip

but while the little bugs were all familiar to him

their arrangement and the combinations in whi

they occurred were strange, and entire




Tarzan – 01 188/56

incomprehensible.

Tarzan had long since learned the use of t

dictionary, but much to his sorrow and perplexi

it proved of no avail to him in this emergencNot a word of all that was writ in the book cou

he find, and so he put it back in the metal bo

but with a determination to work out t

mysteries of it later on.Little did he know that this book held betwee

its covers the key to his origin-the answer to th

strange riddle of his strange life. It was the dia

of John Clayton, Lord Greystoke-kept in Frenc

as had always been his custom.Tarzan replaced the box in the cupboard, b

always thereafter he carried the features of th

strong, smiling face of his father in his heart, an

in his head a fixed determination to solve t

mystery of the strange words in the little blac

book.

At present he had more important business

hand, for his supply of arrows was exhauste




Tarzan – 01 189/56

and he must needs journey to the black men

village and renew it.

Early the following morning he set out, an

traveling rapidly, he came before midday to thclearing. Once more he took up his position

the great tree, and, as before, he saw the wom

in the fields and the village street, and th

cauldron of bubbling poison directly beneath hiFor hours he lay awaiting his opportunity

drop down unseen and gather up the arrows f

which he had come; but nothing now occurred

call the villagers away from their homes. Th

day wore on, and still Tarzan of the Apcrouched above the unsuspecting woman at th

cauldron.

Presently the workers in the fields returne

The hunting warriors emerged from the fore

and when all were within the palisade the gat

were closed and barred.

Many cooking pots were now in eviden

about the village. Before each hut a wom




Tarzan – 01 190/56

presided over a boiling stew, while little cakes

plantain, and cassava puddings were to be see

on every hand.

Suddenly there came a hail from the edge the clearing.

Tarzan looked.

It was a party of belated hunters returnin

from the north, and among them they half lehalf carried a struggling animal.

As they approached the village the gates we

thrown open to admit them, and then, as t

people saw the victim of the chase, a savage c

rose to the heavens, for the quarry was a man.As he was dragged, still resisting, into th

village street, the women and children set upo

him with sticks and stones, and Tarzan of th

Apes, young and savage beast of the jungl

wondered at the cruel brutality of his own kind.

Sheeta, the leopard, alone of all the jungle fo

tortured his prey.

The ethics of all the others meted a quick an




Tarzan – 01 191/56

merciful death to their victims.

Tarzan had learned from his books b

scattered fragments of the ways of human being

When he had followed Kulonga through thforest he had expected to come to a city

strange houses on wheels, puffing clouds

black smoke from a huge tree stuck in the roof

one of them-or to a sea covered with mighfloating buildings which he had learned we

called, variously, ships and boats and steame

and craft.

He had been sorely disappointed with the po

little village of the blacks, hidden away in hown jungle, and with not a single house as larg

as his own cabin upon the distant beach.

He saw that these people were more wicke

than his own apes, and as savage and cruel

Sabor, herself. Tarzan began to hold his ow

kind in low esteem.

Now they had tied their poor victim to a gre

post near the center of the village, directly befo




Tarzan – 01 192/56

Mbonga's hut, and here they formed a dancin

yelling circle of warriors about him, alive wi

flashing knives and menacing spears.

In a larger circle squatted the women, yellinand beating upon drums.

It reminded Tarzan of the Dum-Dum, and

he knew what to expect. He wondered if the

would spring upon their meat while it was stalive.

The Apes did not do such things as that.

The circle of warriors about the cringin

captive drew closer and closer to their prey

they danced in wild and savage abandon to thmaddening music of the drums. Presently a spe

reached out and pricked the victim. It was th

signal for fifty others.

Eyes, ears, arms and legs were pierced; eve

inch of the poor writhing body that did not cov

a vital organ became the target of the cru

lancers.

The women and children shrieked their delig




Tarzan – 01 193/56

The warriors licked their hideous lips

anticipation of the feast to come, and vied wi

one another in the savagery and loathsomene

of the cruel indignities with which they torturthe still conscious prisoner.

Then it was that Tarzan of the Apes saw h

chance. All eyes were fixed upon the thrillin

spectacle at the stake. The light of day had giveplace to the darkness of a moonless night, an

only the fires in the immediate vicinity of th

orgy had been kept alight to cast a restless glo

upon the restless scene.

Gently the lithe boy dropped to the soft earat the end of the village street. Quickly h

gathered up the arrows-all of them this time, f

he had brought a number of long fibers to bin

them into a bundle.

Without haste he wrapped them securely, an

then, ere he turned to leave, the devil

capriciousness entered his heart. He looked abo

for some hint of a wild prank to play upon the




Tarzan – 01 194/56

strange, grotesque creatures that they might b

again aware of his presence among them.

Dropping his bundle of arrows at the foot

the tree, Tarzan crept among the shadows at tside of the street until he came to the same hut h

had entered on the occasion of his first visit.

Inside all was darkness, but his groping han

soon found the object for which he sought, anwithout further delay he turned again toward th

door.

He had taken but a step, however, ere h

quick ear caught the sound of approachin

footsteps immediately without. In another instathe figure of a woman darkened the entrance

the hut.

Tarzan drew back silently to the far wall, an

his hand sought the long, keen hunting knife

his father. The woman came quickly to the cent

of the hut. There she paused for an instant feelin

about with her hands for the thing she sough

Evidently it was not in its accustomed place, f




Tarzan – 01 195/56

she explored ever nearer and nearer the wa

where Tarzan stood.

So close was she now that the ape-man felt th

animal warmth of her naked body. Up went thhunting knife, and then the woman turned to on

side and soon a guttural "ah" proclaimed that h

search had at last been successful.

Immediately she turned and left the hut, and she passed through the doorway Tarzan saw th

she carried a cooking pot in her hand.

He followed closely after her, and as h

reconnoitered from the shadows of the doorw

he saw that all the women of the village wehastening to and from the various huts with po

and kettles. These they were filling with wat

and placing over a number of fires near the stak

where the dying victim now hung, an inert an

bloody mass of suffering.

Choosing a moment when none seemed nea

Tarzan hastened to his bundle of arrows benea

the great tree at the end of the village street. A




Tarzan – 01 196/56

on the former occasion he overthrew th

cauldron before leaping, sinuous and catlike, in

the lower branches of the forest giant.

Silently he climbed to a great height until hfound a point where he could look through

leafy opening upon the scene beneath him.

The women were now preparing the prison

for their cooking pots, while the men stood aboresting after the fatigue of their mad revel.

Comparative quiet reigned in the village.

Tarzan raised aloft the thing he had pilfere

from the hut, and, with aim made true by years

fruit and coconut throwing, launched it towathe group of savages.

Squarely among them it fell, striking one

the warriors full upon the head and felling him

the ground. Then it rolled among the women an

stopped beside the half-butchered thing th

were preparing to feast upon.

All gazed in consternation at it for an instan

and then, with one accord, broke and ran for the




Tarzan – 01 197/56

huts.

It was a grinning human skull which looked u

at them from the ground.

The dropping of the thing out of the open skwas a miracle well aimed to work upon the

superstitious fears.

Thus Tarzan of the Apes left them filled wi

terror at this new manifestation of the presenof some unseen and unearthly evil power whic

lurked in the forest about their village.

Later, when they discovered the overturn

cauldron, and that once more their arrows ha

been pilfered, it commenced to dawn upon thethat they had offended some great god by placin

their village in this part of the jungle witho

propitiating him. From then on an offering

food was daily placed below the great tree fro

whence the arrows had disappeared in an effo

to conciliate the mighty one.

But the seed of fear was deep sown, and ha

he but known it, Tarzan of the Apes had laid t




Tarzan – 01 198/56

foundation for much future misery for himse

and his tribe.

That night he slept in the forest not far fro

the village, and early the next morning set oslowly on his homeward march, hunting as h

traveled. Only a few berries and an occasion

grub worm rewarded his search, and he was ha

famished when, looking up from a log he hbeen rooting beneath, he saw Sabor, the liones

standing in the center of the trail not twen

paces from him.

The great yellow eyes were fixed upon hi

with a wicked and baleful gleam, and the rtongue licked the longing lips as Sabor crouche

worming her stealthy way with belly flatten

against the earth.

Tarzan did not attempt to escape. H

welcomed the opportunity for which, in fact,

had been searching for days past, now that h

was armed with something more than a rope

grass.




Tarzan – 01 199/56

Quickly he unslung his bow and fitted a we

daubed arrow, and as Sabor sprang, the tin

missile leaped to meet her in mid-air. At t

same instant Tarzan of the Apes jumped to onside, and as the great cat struck the groun

beyond him another death-tipped arrow sun

deep into Sabor's loin.

With a mighty roar the beast turned ancharged once more, only to be met with a thi

arrow full in one eye; but this time she was to

close to the ape-man for the latter to sidestep t

onrushing body.

Tarzan of the Apes went down beneath tgreat body of his enemy, but with gleaming kni

drawn and striking home. For a moment they l

there, and then Tarzan realized that the ine

mass lying upon him was beyond power ev

again to injure man or ape.

With difficulty he wriggled from beneath th

great weight, and as he stood erect and gaz

down upon the trophy of his skill, a mighty wa




Tarzan – 01 201/56

Deftly he removed the great pelt, for he ha

practiced often on smaller animals. When th

task was finished he carried his trophy to the fo

of a high tree, and there, curling himself securein a crotch, he fell into deep and dreamle

slumber.

What with loss of sleep, arduous exercise, an

a full belly, Tarzan of the Apes slept the suaround, awakening about noon of the followin

day. He straightway repaired to the carcass

Sabor, but was angered to find the bones picke

clean by other hungry denizens of the jungle.

Half an hour's leisurely progress through tforest brought to sight a young deer, and befo

the little creature knew that an enemy was near

tiny arrow had lodged in its neck.

So quickly the virus worked that at the end

a dozen leaps the deer plunged headlong into th

undergrowth, dead. Again did Tarzan feast we

but this time he did not sleep.

Instead, he hastened on toward the point whe




Tarzan – 01 202/56

he had left the tribe, and when he had foun

them proudly exhibited the skin of Sabor, th

lioness.

"Look!" he cried, "Apes of Kerchak. See whTarzan, the mighty killer, has done. Who el

among you has ever killed one of Numa's peop

Tarzan is mightiest amongst you for Tarzan is n

ape. Tarzan is-" But here he stopped, for in thlanguage of the anthropoids there was no wo

for man, and Tarzan could only write the word

English; he could not pronounce it.

The tribe had gathered about to look upon t

proof of his wondrous prowess, and to listen his words.

Only Kerchak hung back, nursing his hatr

and his rage.

Suddenly something snapped in the wicke

little brain of the anthropoid. With a frightf

roar the great beast sprang among th

assemblage.

Biting, and striking with his huge hands, h




Tarzan – 01 206/56

Straining the ape-man close to him, his great jaw

sought Tarzan's throat, but the young lord's sinew

fingers were at Kerchak's own before the cruel fan

could close on the sleek brown skin.Thus they struggled, the one to crush out h

opponent's life with those awful teeth, the other

close forever the windpipe beneath his strong gra

while he held the snarling mouth from him.The greater strength of the ape was slow

prevailing, and the teeth of the straining beast we

scarce an inch from Tarzan's throat when, with

shuddering tremor, the great body stiffened for

instant and then sank limply to the ground.Kerchak was dead.

Withdrawing the knife that had so often render

him master of far mightier muscles than his ow

Tarzan of the Apes placed his foot upon the neck

his vanquished enemy, and once again, loud throu

the forest rang the fierce, wild cry of the conqueror

And thus came the young Lord Greystoke into t

kingship of the Apes.




Tarzan – 01 208/56

were the means of providing for them mo

bountifully than ever before.

Most of them, therefore, were more tha

content with the change in rulers.Tarzan led them by night to the fields of t

black men, and there, warned by their chie

superior wisdom, they ate only what th

required, nor ever did they destroy what thcould not eat, as is the way of Manu, the monk

and of most apes.

So, while the blacks were wroth at t

continued pilfering of their fields, they were n

discouraged in their efforts to cultivate the lanas would have been the case had Tarz

permitted his people to lay waste the plantatio

wantonly.

During this period Tarzan paid many nocturn

visits to the village, where he often renewed h

supply of arrows. He soon noticed the foo

always standing at the foot of the tree which w

his avenue into the palisade, and after a little, h




Tarzan – 01 209/56

commenced to eat whatever the blacks put there

When the awe-struck savages saw that th

food disappeared overnight they were filled wi

consternation and dread, for it was one thing put food out to propitiate a god or a devil, b

quite another thing to have the spirit really com

into the village and eat it. Such a thing w

unheard of, and it clouded their superstitiominds with all manner of vague fears.

Nor was this all. The periodic disappearan

of their arrows, and the strange pran

perpetrated by unseen hands, had wrought the

to such a state that life had become a veritabburden in their new home, and now it was th

Mbonga and his head men began to talk

abandoning the village and seeking a site farth

on in the jungle.

Presently the black warriors began to strik

farther and farther south into the heart of t

forest when they went to hunt, looking for a si

for a new village.




Tarzan – 01 210/56

More often was the tribe of Tarzan disturbe

by these wandering huntsmen. Now was t

quiet, fierce solitude of the primeval fore

broken by new, strange cries. No longer wthere safety for bird or beast. Man had come.

Other animals passed up and down the jung

by day and by night-fierce, cruel beasts-but the

weaker neighbors only fled from their immediavicinity to return again when the danger was pa

With man it is different. When he comes man

of the larger animals instinctively leave th

district entirely, seldom if ever to return; an

thus it has always been with the greanthropoids. They flee man as man flees

pestilence.

For a short time the tribe of Tarzan lingered

the vicinity of the beach because their new chi

hated the thought of leaving the treasur

contents of the little cabin forever. But when on

day a member of the tribe discovered the blac

in great numbers on the banks of a little strea




Tarzan – 01 212/56

solitary hunters with his long, deadly noos

stripping them of weapons and ornaments an

dropping their bodies from a high tree into th

village street during the still watches of the nighThese various escapades again so terrorize

the blacks that, had it not been for the month

respite between Tarzan's visits, in which they h

opportunity to renew hope that each freincursion would prove the last, they soon wou

have abandoned their new village.

The blacks had not as yet come upon Tarzan

cabin on the distant beach, but the ape-man live

in constant dread that, while he was away withe tribe, they would discover and despoil h

treasure. So it came that he spent more and mo

time in the vicinity of his father's last home, an

less and less with the tribe. Presently th

members of his little community began to suff

on account of his neglect, for disputes an

quarrels constantly arose which only the kin

might settle peaceably.




Tarzan – 01 215/56

them of the many new truths, and the great fiel

of thought that his reading had opened up befo

his longing eyes, or make known ambitio

which stirred his soul.Among the tribe he no longer had friends as

old. A little child may find companionship

many strange and simple creatures, but to

grown man there must be some semblance equality in intellect as the basis for agreeab

association.

Had Kala lived, Tarzan would have sacrifice

all else to remain near her, but now that she w

dead, and the playful friends of his childhoogrown into fierce and surly brutes he felt that h

much preferred the peace and solitude of h

cabin to the irksome duties of leadersh

amongst a horde of wild beasts.

The hatred and jealousy of Terkoz, son

Tublat, did much to counteract the effect

Tarzan's desire to renounce his kingship amon

the apes, for, stubborn young Englishman that h




Tarzan – 01 216/56

was, he could not bring himself to retreat in t

face of so malignant an enemy.

That Terkoz would be chosen leader in h

stead he knew full well, for time and again tferocious brute had established his claim

physical supremacy over the few bull apes wh

had dared resent his savage bullying.

Tarzan would have liked to subdue the ugbeast without recourse to knife or arrows. S

much had his great strength and agility increase

in the period following his maturity that he ha

come to believe that he might master t

redoubtable Terkoz in a hand to hand fight weit not for the terrible advantage the anthropoid

huge fighting fangs gave him over the poor

armed Tarzan.

The entire matter was taken out of Tarzan

hands one day by force of circumstances, and h

future left open to him, so that he might go

stay without any stain upon his savag

escutcheon.




Tarzan – 01 219/56

he had lived-an unknown savage beast

equatorial Africa.

But there was that which had raised him f

above his fellows of the jungle-that little spawhich spells the whole vast difference betwe

man and brute-Reason. This it was which save

him from death beneath the iron muscles an

tearing fangs of Terkoz.Scarcely had they fought a dozen seconds e

they were rolling upon the ground, strikin

tearing and rending-two great savage beas

battling to the death.

Terkoz had a dozen knife wounds on head anbreast, and Tarzan was torn and bleeding-h

scalp in one place half torn from his head so th

a great piece hung down over one ey

obstructing his vision.

But so far the young Englishman had bee

able to keep those horrible fangs from his jugul

and now, as they fought less fiercely for

moment, to regain their breath, Tarzan formed




Tarzan – 01 221/56

those swift and everchanging evolutions gav

him a new hold with his right hand, which

realized was absolutely unassailable.

His arm was passed beneath Terkoz's arfrom behind and his hand and forearm encircle

the back of Terkoz's neck. It was the half-Nelso

of modern wrestling which the untaught ape-m

had stumbled upon, but superior reason showhim in an instant the value of the thing he ha

discovered. It was the difference to him betwe

life and death.

And so he struggled to encompass a simil

hold with the left hand, and in a few momenTerkoz's bull neck was creaking beneath a fu

Nelson.

There was no more lunging about now. Th

two lay perfectly still upon the ground, Tarz

upon Terkoz's back. Slowly the bullet head of t

ape was being forced lower and lower upon h

chest.

Tarzan knew what the result would be. In




Tarzan – 01 222/56

instant the neck would break. Then there came

Terkoz's rescue the same thing that had put hi

in these sore straits-a man's reasoning power.

"If I kill him," thought Tarzan, "whadvantage will it be to me?

Will it not rob the tribe of a great fighter? An

if Terkoz be dead, he will know nothing of m

supremacy, while alive he will ever be example to the other apes."

"KA-GODA?" hissed Tarzan in Terkoz's ea

which, in ape tongue, means, freely translate

"Do you surrender?"

For a moment there was no reply, and Tarzadded a few more ounces of pressure, whi

elicited a horrified shriek of pain from the gre

beast.

"KA-GODA?" repeated Tarzan.

"KA-GODA!" cried Terkoz.

"Listen," said Tarzan, easing up a trifle, b

not releasing his hold.

"I am Tarzan, King of the Apes, mighty hunt




Tarzan – 01 229/56

scraped and whittled at his young beard

eradicate this degrading emblem of apehood.

And so he learned to shave-rudely an

painfully, it is true-but, nevertheless, effectivelyWhen he felt quite strong again, after h

bloody battle with Terkoz, Tarzan set off on

morning towards Mbonga's village. He w

moving carelessly along a winding jungle trainstead of making his progress through the tree

when suddenly he came face to face with a bla

warrior.

The look of surprise on the savage face w

almost comical, and before Tarzan could unslinhis bow the fellow had turned and fled down th

path crying out in alarm as though to othe

before him.

Tarzan took to the trees in pursuit, and in

few moments came in view of the me

desperately striving to escape.

There were three of them, and they we

racing madly in single file through the den




Tarzan – 01 236/56

upon the shoulder of a giant who stood next him

and with whom all the others had been arguin

and quarreling.

The little man pointed inland, so that the giawas forced to turn away from the others to loo

in the direction indicated. As he turned, the littl

mean-faced man drew a revolver from his be

and shot the giant in the back.The big fellow threw his hands above his he

his knees bent beneath him, and without a soun

he tumbled forward upon the beach, dead.

The report of the weapon, the first that Tarz

had ever heard, filled him with wonderment, beven this unaccustomed sound could not start

his healthy nerves into even a semblance of pan

The conduct of the white strangers it was th

caused him the greatest perturbation. H

puckered his brows into a frown of deep though

It was well, thought he, that he had not give

way to his first impulse to rush forward and gre

these white men as brothers.




Tarzan – 01 237/56

They were evidently no different from t

black men-no more civilized than the apes-n

less cruel than Sabor.

For a moment the others stood looking at tlittle, mean-faced man and the giant lying dea

upon the beach.

Then one of them laughed and slapped th

little man upon the back.There was much more talk and gesticulatin

but less quarreling.

Presently they launched the boat and a

jumped into it and rowed away toward the gre

ship, where Tarzan could see other figurmoving about upon the deck.

When they had clambered aboard, Tarz

dropped to earth behind a great tree and crept

his cabin, keeping it always between himself an

the ship.

Slipping in at the door he found th

everything had been ransacked.

His books and pencils strewed the floor. H




Tarzan – 01 240/56

The others of the party were of different stam

One was an elderly man, with white hair an

large rimmed spectacles.

His slightly stooped shoulders were draped an ill-fitting, though immaculate, frock coat, an

a shiny silk hat added to the incongruity of h

garb in an African jungle.

The second member of the party to land wastall young man in white ducks, while direct

behind came another elderly man with a ve

high forehead and a fussy, excitable manner.

After these came a huge Negress clothed lik

Solomon as to colors. Her great eyes rolled evident terror, first toward the jungle and the

toward the cursing band of sailors who we

removing the bales and boxes from the boats.

The last member of the party to disembark w

a girl of about nineteen, and it was the youn

man who stood at the boat's prow to lift her hig

and dry upon land. She gave him a brave an

pretty smile of thanks, but no words pass




Tarzan – 01 243/56

KILLER OF BEASTS AND MANY BLACK

MEN. DO NOT HARM THE THING

WHICH

ARE TARZAN'S. TARZAN WATCHES.TARZAN OF THE APES.

"Who the devil is Tarzan?" cried the sail

who had before spoken.

"He evidently speaks English," said the younman.

"But what does 'Tarzan of the Apes' mean

cried the girl.

"I do not know, Miss Porter," replied t

young man, "unless we have discovered runaway simian from the London Zoo who h

brought back a European education to his jung

home. What do you make of it, Profess

Porter?" he added, turning to the old man.

Professor Archimedes Q. Porter adjusted h

spectacles.

"Ah, yes, indeed; yes indeed-most remarkabl

most remarkable!" said the professor; "but I c




Tarzan – 01 246/56

had seen the surprise caused by his notice, an

while he could understand nothing of the spok

language of these strange people their gestur

and facial expressions told him much.The act of the little rat-faced sailor in killin

one of his comrades had aroused a strong dislik

in Tarzan, and now that he saw him quarrelin

with the fine-looking young man his animosiwas still further stirred.

Tarzan had never seen the effects of a firear

before, though his books had taught hi

something of them, but when he saw the ra

faced one fingering the butt of his revolver hthought of the scene he had witnessed so short

time before, and naturally expected to see th

young man murdered as had been the huge sail

earlier in the day.

So Tarzan fitted a poisoned arrow to his bo

and drew a bead upon the rat-faced sailor, but th

foliage was so thick that he soon saw the arro

would be deflected by the leaves or some sma




Tarzan – 01 251/56

revolver from one of them while he searched th

jungle for the professor.

The rat-faced one, finding he was not dea

had regained his composure, and with a volley oaths directed at Clayton refused in the name

his fellows to allow the young man any firearm

This man, Snipes, had assumed the role

chief since he had killed their former leader, anso little time had elapsed that none of h

companions had as yet questioned his authority

Clayton's only response was a shrug of th

shoulders, but as he left them he picked up th

spear which had transfixed Snipes, and thprimitively armed, the son of the then Lo

Greystoke strode into the dense jungle.

Every few moments he called aloud the nam

of the wanderers. The watchers in the cabin b

the beach heard the sound of his voice growin

ever fainter and fainter, until at last it w

swallowed up by the myriad noises of t

primeval wood.



Chapter XIV A t the M ercy of the Jungl

After Clayton had plunged into the jungl

the sailors-mutineers of the Arrow-fell into

discussion of their next step; but on one point a

were agreed-that they should hasten to put off

the anchored Arrow, where they could at least bsafe from the spears of their unseen foe. And s

while Jane Porter and Esmeralda we

barricading themselves within the cabin, th

cowardly crew of cutthroats were pulling rapidfor their ship in the two boats that had brougthem ashore.

So much had Tarzan seen that day that h

head was in a whirl of wonder. But the mo




Tarzan – 01 257/56

wonderful sight of all, to him, was the face of th

beautiful white girl.

Here at last was one of his own kind; of th

he was positive. And the young man and the twold men; they, too, were much as he had pictur

his own people to be.

But doubtless they were as ferocious and cru

as other men he had seen. The fact that thalone of all the party were unarmed mig

account for the fact that they had killed no on

They might be very different if provided wi

weapons.

Tarzan had seen the young man pick up thfallen revolver of the wounded Snipes and hide

away in his breast; and he had also seen him sl

it cautiously to the girl as she entered the cab

door.

He did not understand anything of the motiv

behind all that he had seen; but, somehow

intuitively he liked the young man and the tw

old men, and for the girl he had a strange longin




Tarzan – 01 258/56

which he scarcely understood. As for the b

black woman, she was evidently connected

some way to the girl, and so he liked her, also.

For the sailors, and especially Snipes, he hadeveloped a great hatred. He knew by the

threatening gestures and by the expression upo

their evil faces that they were enemies of t

others of the party, and so he decided to watclosely.

Tarzan wondered why the men had gone in

the jungle, nor did it ever occur to him that on

could become lost in that maze of undergrow

which to him was as simple as is the main streof your own home town to you.

When he saw the sailors row away toward t

ship, and knew that the girl and her companio

were safe in his cabin, Tarzan decided to follo

the young man into the jungle and learn what h

errand might be. He swung off rapidly in t

direction taken by Clayton, and in a short tim

heard faintly in the distance the now on




Tarzan – 01 259/56

occasional calls of the Englishman to his friend

Presently Tarzan came up with the white ma

who, almost fagged, was leaning against a tr

wiping the perspiration from his forehead. Tape-man, hiding safe behind a screen of foliag

sat watching this new specimen of his own ra

intently.

At intervals Clayton called aloud and finallycame to Tarzan that he was searching for the o

man.

Tarzan was on the point of going off to loo

for them himself, when he caught the yello

glint of a sleek hide moving cautiously througthe jungle toward Clayton.

It was Sheeta, the leopard. Now, Tarzan hea

the soft bending of grasses and wondered wh

the young white man was not warned. Could

be he had failed to note the loud warning? Nev

before had Tarzan known Sheeta to be so clum

No, the white man did not hear. Sheeta w

crouching for the spring, and then, shrill an




Tarzan – 01 260/56

horrible, there rose from the stillness of t

jungle the awful cry of the challenging ape, a

Sheeta turned, crashing into the underbrush.

Clayton came to his feet with a start. His blooran cold. Never in all his life had so fearful

sound smote upon his ears. He was no cowar

but if ever man felt the icy fingers of fear upo

his heart, William Cecil Clayton, eldest son Lord Greystoke of England, did that day in th

fastness of the African jungle.

The noise of some great body crashin

through the underbrush so close beside him, an

the sound of that bloodcurdling shriek froabove, tested Clayton's courage to the limit; b

he could not know that it was to that very voi

he owed his life, nor that the creature who hurle

it forth was his own cousin-the real Lo

Greystoke.

The afternoon was drawing to a close, an

Clayton, disheartened and discouraged, was in

terrible quandary as to the proper course




Tarzan – 01 261/56

pursue; whether to keep on in search of Profess

Porter, at the almost certain risk of his own dea

in the jungle by night, or to return to the cab

where he might at least serve to protect Jafrom the perils which confronted her on all side

He did not wish to return to camp without h

father; still more, he shrank from the thought

leaving her alone and unprotected in the hands the mutineers of the Arrow, or to the hundre

unknown dangers of the jungle.

Possibly, too, he thought, the professor an

Philander might have returned to camp. Yes, th

was more than likely. At least he would retuand see, before he continued what seemed to be

most fruitless quest. And so he started, stumblin

back through the thick and matted underbrush

the direction that he thought the cabin lay.

To Tarzan's surprise the young man w

heading further into the jungle in the gener

direction of Mbonga's village, and the shrew

young ape-man was convinced that he was lost.




Tarzan – 01 262/56

To Tarzan this was scarcely incomprehensibl

his judgment told him that no man would ventu

toward the village of the cruel blacks armed on

with a spear which, from the awkward way which he carried it, was evidently

unaccustomed weapon to this white man. N

was he following the trail of the old men. Th

they had crossed and left long since, though had been fresh and plain before Tarzan's eyes.

Tarzan was perplexed. The fierce jung

would make easy prey of this unprotect

stranger in a very short time if he were n

guided quickly to the beach.Yes, there was Numa, the lion, even now

stalking the white man a dozen paces to the righ

Clayton heard the great body paralleling h

course, and now there rose upon the evening a

the beast's thunderous roar. The man stopp

with upraised spear and faced the brush fro

which issued the awful sound.

The shadows were deepening, darkness w




Tarzan – 01 263/56

settling in.

God! To die here alone, beneath the fangs

wild beasts; to be torn and rended; to feel the h

breath of the brute on his face as the great pacrushed down up his breast!

For a moment all was still. Clayton stood rig

with raised spear.

Presently a faint rustling of the bush apprisehim of the stealthy creeping of the thing behin

It was gathering for the spring. At last he saw

not twenty feet away-the long, lithe, muscul

body and tawny head of a huge black-maned lio

The beast was upon its belly, moving forwavery slowly. As its eyes met Clayton's it stoppe

and deliberately, cautiously gathered its hin

quarters behind it.

In agony the man watched, fearful to laun

his spear, powerless to fly.

He heard a noise in the tree above him. Som

new danger, he thought, but he dared not take h

eyes from the yellow green orbs before him.




Tarzan – 01 264/56

There was a sharp twang as of a broken banj

string, and at the same instant an arrow appear

in the yellow hide of the crouching lion.

With a roar of pain and anger the beast spranbut, somehow, Clayton stumbled to one side, an

as he turned again to face the infuriated king

beasts, he was appalled at the sight whi

confronted him.Almost simultaneously with the lion's turnin

to renew the attack a half-naked giant dropp

from the tree above squarely on the brute's back

With lightning speed an arm that was bande

layers of iron muscle encircled the huge necand the great beast was raised from behin

roaring and pawing the air-raised as easily

Clayton would have lifted a pet dog.

The scene he witnessed there in the twilig

depths of the African jungle was burned forev

into the Englishman's brain.

The man before him was the embodiment

physical perfection and giant strength; yet it w




Tarzan – 01 265/56

not upon these he depended in his battle with t

great cat, for mighty as were his muscles, th

were as nothing by comparison with Numa's. T

his agility, to his brain and to his long keen knihe owed his supremacy.

His right arm encircled the lion's neck, whi

the left hand plunged the knife time and aga

into the unprotected side behind the left shouldeThe infuriated beast, pulled up and backwar

until he stood upon his hind legs, struggle

impotently in this unnatural position.

Had the battle been of a few seconds' long

duration the outcome might have been differenbut it was all accomplished so quickly that t

lion had scarce time to recover from t

confusion of its surprise ere it sank lifeless to th

ground.

Then the strange figure which had vanquishe

it stood erect upon the carcass, and throwin

back the wild and handsome head, gave out th

fearsome cry which a few moments earlier h




Tarzan – 01 266/56

so startled Clayton.

Before him he saw the figure of a young ma

naked except for a loin cloth and a few barbar

ornaments about arms and legs; on the breastpriceless diamond locket gleaming against

smooth brown skin.

The hunting knife had been returned to

homely sheath, and the man was gathering up hbow and quiver from where he had tossed the

when he leaped to attack the lion.

Clayton spoke to the stranger in Englis

thanking him for his brave rescue an

complimenting him on the wondrous strengand dexterity he had displayed, but the on

answer was a steady stare and a faint shrug of th

mighty shoulders, which might betoken eith

disparagement of the service rendered,

ignorance of Clayton's language.

When the bow and quiver had been slung

his back the wild man, for such Clayton no

thought him, once more drew his knife and deft




Tarzan – 01 267/56

carved a dozen large strips of meat from th

lion's carcass. Then, squatting upon his haunch

he proceeded to eat, first motioning Clayton

join him.The strong white teeth sank into the raw an

dripping flesh in apparent relish of the meal, b

Clayton could not bring himself to share t

uncooked meat with his strange host; instead watched him, and presently there dawned upo

him the conviction that this was Tarzan of th

Apes, whose notice he had seen posted upon th

cabin door that morning.

If so he must speak English.Again Clayton attempted speech with the ap

man; but the replies, now vocal, were in

strange tongue, which resembled the chatterin

of monkeys mingled with the growling of som

wild beast.

No, this could not be Tarzan of the Apes, for

was very evident that he was an utter stranger

English.




Tarzan – 01 268/56

When Tarzan had completed his repast he ro

and, pointing a very different direction from th

which Clayton had been pursuing, started o

through the jungle toward the point he haindicated.

Clayton, bewildered and confused, hesitated

follow him, for he thought he was but being le

more deeply into the mazes of the forest; but thape-man, seeing him disinclined to follow

returned, and, grasping him by the coat, dragg

him along until he was convinced that Clayto

understood what was required of him. Then h

left him to follow voluntarily.The Englishman, finally concluding that h

was a prisoner, saw no alternative open but

accompany his captor, and thus they travele

slowly through the jungle while the sable mant

of the impenetrable forest night fell about them

and the stealthy footfalls of padded paw

mingled with the breaking of twigs and the wi

calls of the savage life that Clayton felt closin




Tarzan – 01 269/56

in upon him.

Suddenly Clayton heard the faint report of

firearm-a single shot, and then silence.

In the cabin by the beach two thoroughterrified women clung to each other as th

crouched upon the low bench in the gatherin

darkness.

The Negress sobbed hysterically, bemoaninthe evil day that had witnessed her departu

from her dear Maryland, while the white girl, d

eyed and outwardly calm, was torn by inwa

fears and forebodings.

She feared not more for herself than for ththree men whom she knew to be wandering

the abysmal depths of the savage jungle, fro

which she now heard issuing the almo

incessant shrieks and roars, barkings an

growlings of its terrifying and fearsome denize

as they sought their prey.

And now there came the sound of a heav

body brushing against the side of the cabin. Sh




Tarzan – 01 270/56

could hear the great padded paws upon t

ground outside. For an instant, all was silenc

even the bedlam of the forest died to a fai

murmur. Then she distinctly heard the beaoutside sniffing at the door, not two feet fro

where she crouched.

Instinctively the girl shuddered, and shran

closer to the black woman."Hush!" she whispered. "Hush, Esmeralda

for the woman's sobs and groans seemed to hav

attracted the thing that stalked there just beyon

the thin wall.

A gentle scratching sound was heard on thdoor. The brute tried to force an entrance; b

presently this ceased, and again she heard th

great pads creeping stealthily around the cabi

Again they stopped-beneath the window o

which the terrified eyes of the girl now glue

themselves.

"God!" she murmured, for now, silhouett

against the moonlit sky beyond, she saw frame




Tarzan – 01 271/56

in the tiny square of the latticed window the he

of a huge lioness. The gleaming eyes were fixe

upon her in intent ferocity.

"Look, Esmeralda!" she whispered. "For Godsake, what shall we do?

Look! Quick! The window!"

Esmeralda, cowering still closer to h

mistress, took one frightened glance toward thlittle square of moonlight, just as the lione

emitted a low, savage snarl.

The sight that met the poor woman's eyes w

too much for the already overstrung nerves.

"Oh, Gaberelle!" she shrieked, and slid to thfloor an inert and senseless mass.

For what seemed an eternity the great bru

stood with its forepaws upon the sill, glaring in

the little room. Presently it tried the strength

the lattice with its great talons.

The girl had almost ceased to breathe, whe

to her relief, the head disappeared and she hea

the brute's footsteps leaving the window.




Tarzan – 01 272/56

But now they came to the door again, and on

more the scratching commenced; this time wi

increasing force until the great beast was tearin

at the massive panels in a perfect frenzy eagerness to seize its defenseless victims.

Could Jane have known the immense streng

of that door, built piece by piece, she would hav

felt less fear of the lioness reaching her by thavenue.

Little did John Clayton imagine when h

fashioned that crude but mighty portal that o

day, twenty years later, it would shield a fa

American girl, then unborn, from the teeth antalons of a man-eater.

For fully twenty minutes the brute alternate

sniffed and tore at the door, occasionally givin

voice to a wild, savage cry of baffled rage.

At length, however, she gave up the attemp

and Jane heard her returning toward the window

beneath which she paused for an instant, an

then launched her great weight against th




Tarzan – 01 273/56

timeworn lattice.

The girl heard the wooden rods groan benea

the impact; but they held, and the huge bod

dropped back to the ground below.Again and again the lioness repeated the

tactics, until finally the horrified prisoner with

saw a portion of the lattice give way, and in

instant one great paw and the head of the animwere thrust within the room.

Slowly the powerful neck and shoulders spre

the bars apart, and the lithe body protruded farth

and farther into the room.

As in a trance, the girl rose, her hand upon hbreast, wide eyes staring horror-stricken into t

snarling face of the beast scarce ten feet from her. A

her feet lay the prostrate form of the Negress. If s

could but arouse her, their combined efforts mig

possibly avail to beat back the fierce an

bloodthirsty intruder.

Jane stooped to grasp the black woman by t

shoulder. Roughly she shook her.




Tarzan – 01 274/56

"Esmeralda! Esmeralda!" she cried. "Help me,

we are lost."

Esmeralda opened her eyes. The first object th

encountered was the dripping fangs of the hunglioness.

With a horrified scream the poor woman rose

her hands and knees, and in this position scurri

across the room, shrieking: "O Gaberelle! Gaberelle!" at the top of her lungs.

Esmeralda weighed some two hundred and eigh

pounds, and her extreme haste, added to her extrem

corpulency, produced a most amazing result wh

Esmeralda elected to travel on all fours.For a moment the lioness remained quiet wi

intense gaze directed upon the flitting Esmerald

whose goal appeared to be the cupboard, into whi

she attempted to propel her huge bulk; but as t

shelves were but nine or ten inches apart, she on

succeeded in getting her head in; whereupon, with

final screech, which paled the jungle noises in

insignificance, she fainted once again.




Tarzan – 01 276/56

temporary retreat.

In another instant she was back at the lattice, an

with renewed fury was clawing at the aperture, b

with lessened effect, since the wounded membwas almost useless.

She saw her prey-the two women-lying sensele

upon the floor. There was no longer any resistan

to be overcome. Her meat lay before her, and Sabhad only to worm her way through the lattice

claim it.

Slowly she forced her great bulk, inch by inc

through the opening.

Now her head was through, now one greforearm and shoulder.

Carefully she drew up the wounded member

insinuate it gently beyond the tight pressing bars.

A moment more and both shoulders through, t

long, sinuous body and the narrow hips would gli

quickly after.

It was on this sight that Jane Porter again open

her eyes.



Chapter XV The Forest G od

When Clayton heard the report of t

firearm he fell into an agony of fear an

apprehension. He knew that one of the sailo

might be the author of it; but the fact that he haleft the revolver with Jane, together with t

overwrought condition of his nerves, made hi

morbidly positive that she was threatened wi

some great danger.

Perhaps even now she was attempting defend herself against some savage man or beas

What were the thoughts of his strange capt

or guide Clayton could only vaguely conjectur

but that he had heard the shot and was in som




Tarzan – 01 278/56

manner affected by it was quite evident, for

quickened his pace so appreciably that Clayto

stumbling blindly in his wake, was down a doz

times in as many minutes in a vain effort to kepace with him, and soon was left hopeless

behind.

Fearing that he would again be irretrievab

lost, he called aloud to the wild man ahead him, and in a moment had the satisfaction

seeing him drop lightly to his side from th

branches above.

For a moment Tarzan looked at the young ma

closely, as though undecided as to just what wbest to do; then, stooping down before Clayto

he motioned him to grasp him about the nec

and, with the white man upon his back, Tarz

took to the trees.

The next few minutes the young Englishm

never forgot. High into bending and swayin

branches he was borne with what seemed to hi

incredible swiftness, while Tarzan chafed at t




Tarzan – 01 279/56

slowness of his progress.

From one lofty branch the agile creatu

swung with Clayton through a dizzy arc to

neighboring tree; then for a hundred yards maybthe sure feet threaded a maze of interwove

limbs, balancing like a tightrope walker hig

above the black depths of verdure beneath.

From the first sensation of chilling feClayton passed to one of keen admiration an

envy of those giant muscles and that wondro

instinct or knowledge which guided this fore

god through the inky blackness of the night

easily and safely as Clayton would have strolla London street at high noon.

Occasionally they would enter a spot whe

the foliage above was less dense, and the brig

rays of the moon lit up before Clayton

wondering eyes the strange path they we

traversing.

At such times the man fairly caught his brea

at sight of the horrid depths below them, f




Tarzan – 01 280/56

Tarzan took the easiest way, which often le

over a hundred feet above the earth.

And yet with all his seeming speed, Tarz

was in reality feeling his way with comparativslowness, searching constantly for limbs

adequate strength for the maintenance of th

double weight.

Presently they came to the clearing before thbeach. Tarzan's quick ears had heard the stran

sounds of Sabor's efforts to force her w

through the lattice, and it seemed to Clayton th

they dropped a straight hundred feet to earth,

quickly did Tarzan descend. Yet when thstruck the ground it was with scarce a jar; and

Clayton released his hold on the ape-man he sa

him dart like a squirrel for the opposite side

the cabin.

The Englishman sprang quickly after him ju

in time to see the hind quarters of some hug

animal about to disappear through the window

the cabin.




Tarzan – 01 281/56

As Jane opened her eyes to a realization of th

imminent peril which threatened her, her brav

young heart gave up at last its final vestige

hope. But then to her surprise she saw the huganimal being slowly drawn back through th

window, and in the moonlight beyond she sa

the heads and shoulders of two men.

As Clayton rounded the corner of the cabin behold the animal disappearing within, it w

also to see the ape-man seize the long tail in bo

hands, and, bracing himself with his feet again

the side of the cabin, throw all his migh

strength into the effort to draw the beast out the interior.

Clayton was quick to lend a hand, but the ap

man jabbered to him in a commanding an

peremptory tone something which Clayton kne

to be orders, though he could not understan

them.

At last, under their combined efforts, the gre

body was slowly dragged farther and farth




Tarzan – 01 282/56

outside the window, and then there came

Clayton's mind a dawning conception of the ra

bravery of his companion's act.

For a naked man to drag a shrieking, clawinman-eater forth from a window by the tail

save a strange white girl, was indeed the la

word in heroism.

Insofar as Clayton was concerned it was a vedifferent matter, since the girl was not only of h

own kind and race, but was the one woman in a

the world whom he loved.

Though he knew that the lioness would mak

short work of both of them, he pulled with a wto keep it from Jane Porter. And then he recalle

the battle between this man and the great, blac

maned lion which he had witnessed a short tim

before, and he commenced to feel mo

assurance.

Tarzan was still issuing orders which Clayto

could not understand.

He was trying to tell the stupid white man




Tarzan – 01 283/56

plunge his poisoned arrows into Sabor's back an

sides, and to reach the savage heart with the lon

thin hunting knife that hung at Tarzan's hip; b

the man would not understand, and Tarzan dnot dare release his hold to do the things himse

for he knew that the puny white man never cou

hold mighty Sabor alone, for an instant.

Slowly the lioness was emerging from twindow. At last her shoulders were out.

And then Clayton saw an incredible thin

Tarzan, racking his brains for some means

cope single-handed with the infuriated beast, h

suddenly recalled his battle with Terkoz; and the great shoulders came clear of the window,

that the lioness hung upon the sill only by h

forepaws, Tarzan suddenly released his ho

upon the brute.

With the quickness of a striking rattler

launched himself full upon Sabor's back, h

strong young arms seeking and gaining a fu

Nelson upon the beast, as he had learned it th




Tarzan – 01 284/56

other day during his bloody, wrestling victo

over Terkoz.

With a roar the lioness turned completely ov

upon her back, falling full upon her enemy; bthe black-haired giant only closed tighter h

hold.

Pawing and tearing at earth and air, Sab

rolled and threw herself this way and that in effort to dislodge this strange antagonist; b

ever tighter and tighter drew the iron bands th

were forcing her head lower and lower upon h

tawny breast.

Higher crept the steel forearms of the ape-mabout the back of Sabor's neck. Weaker an

weaker became the lioness's efforts.

At last Clayton saw the immense muscles

Tarzan's shoulders and biceps leap into cord

knots beneath the silver moonlight. There was

long sustained and supreme effort on the ap

man's part-and the vertebrae of Sabor's nec

parted with a sharp snap.




Tarzan – 01 285/56

In an instant Tarzan was upon his feet, and f

the second time that day Clayton heard the bu

ape's savage roar of victory. Then he heard Jane

agonized cry:"Cecil-Mr. Clayton! Oh, what is it? What

it?"

Running quickly to the cabin door, Clayto

called out that all was right, and shouted to her open the door. As quickly as she could she raise

the great bar and fairly dragged Clayton within.

"What was that awful noise?" she whispere

shrinking close to him.

"It was the cry of the kill from the throat of tman who has just saved your life, Miss Porte

Wait, I will fetch him so you may thank him."

The frightened girl would not be left alone,

she accompanied Clayton to the side of the cab

where lay the dead body of the lioness.

Tarzan of the Apes was gone.

Clayton called several times, but there was n

reply, and so the two returned to the great




Tarzan – 01 286/56

safety of the interior.

"What a frightful sound!" cried Jane,

shudder at the mere thought of it. Do not tell m

that a human throat voiced that hideous anfearsome shriek."

"But it did, Miss Porter," replied Clayton; "

at least if not a human throat that of a fore

god."And then he told her of his experiences wi

this strange creature-of how twice the wild ma

had saved his life-of the wondrous strength, an

agility, and bravery-of the brown skin and th

handsome face."I cannot make it out at all," he concluded. "A

first I thought he might be Tarzan of the Ape

but he neither speaks nor understands English,

that theory is untenable."

"Well, whatever he may be," cried the gi

"we owe him our lives, and may God bless hi

and keep him in safety in his wild and savag

jungle!"




Tarzan – 01 287/56

"Amen," said Clayton, fervently.

"For the good Lord's sake, ain't I dead?"

The two turned to see Esmeralda sittin

upright upon the floor, her great eyes rollinfrom side to side as though she could not believ

their testimony as to her whereabouts.

And now, for Jane Porter, the reaction cam

and she threw herself upon the bench, sobbinwith hysterical laughter.




Tarzan – 01 289/56

combined intellects must have been concentrat

upon the vital question of the minute-the lif

and-death question to them of retracing the

steps to camp.Samuel T. Philander was speaking.

"But, my dear professor," he was saying,

still maintain that but for the victories

Ferdinand and Isabella over the fifteenth-centuMoors in Spain the world would be today

thousand years in advance of where we now fin

ourselves. The Moors were essentially a toleran

broad-minded, liberal race of agriculturis

artisans and merchants-the very type of peopthat has made possible such civilization as w

find today in America and Europe-while th

Spaniards-"

"Tut, tut, dear Mr. Philander," interrupt

Professor Porter; "their religion positive

precluded the possibilities you sugge

Moslemism was, is, and always will be, a blig

on that scientific progress which has marked-"




Tarzan – 01 290/56

"Bless me! Professor," interjected M

Philander, who had turned his gaze toward th

jungle, "there seems to be som

approaching."Professor Archimedes Q. Porter turned in th

direction indicated by the nearsighted M

Philander.

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander," he chided. "Hooften must I urge you to seek that absolu

concentration of your mental faculties whi

alone may permit you to bring to bear the highe

powers of intellectuality upon the momento

problems which naturally fall to the lot of greminds? And now I find you guilty of a mo

flagrant breach of courtesy in interrupting m

learned discourse to call attention to a me

quadruped of the genus FELIS. As I was sayin

Mr.-"

"Heavens, Professor, a lion?" cried M

Philander, straining his weak eyes toward th

dim figure outlined against the dark tropic




Tarzan – 01 291/56

underbrush.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Philander, if you insist upo

employing slang in your discourse, a 'lion.' B

as I was saying-""Bless me, Professor," again interrupted M

Philander; "permit me to suggest that doubtle

the Moors who were conquered in the fifteen

century will continue in that most regrettabcondition for the time being at least, even thoug

we postpone discussion of that world calami

until we may attain the enchanting view of yo

FELIS CARNIVORA which distan

proverbially is credited with lending."In the meantime the lion had approached wi

quiet dignity to within ten paces of the two me

where he stood curiously watching them.

The moonlight flooded the beach, and th

strange group stood out in bold relief against t

yellow sand.

"Most reprehensible, most reprehensible

exclaimed Professor Porter, with a faint trace




Tarzan – 01 292/56

irritation in his voice. "Never, Mr. Philande

never before in my life have I known one

these animals to be permitted to roam at larg

from its cage. I shall most certainly report thoutrageous breach of ethics to the directors of th

adjacent zoological garden."

"Quite right, Professor," agreed Mr. Philande

"and the sooner it is done the better. Let us stanow."

Seizing the professor by the arm, M

Philander set off in the direction that would p

the greatest distance between themselves and th

lion.They had proceeded but a short distance wh

a backward glance revealed to the horrified ga

of Mr. Philander that the lion was followin

them. He tightened his grip upon the protestin

professor and increased his speed.

"As I was saying, Mr. Philander," repeate

Professor Porter.

Mr. Philander took another hasty glan




Tarzan – 01 293/56

rearward. The lion also had quickened his ga

and was doggedly maintaining an unvaryin

distance behind them.

"He is following us!" gasped Mr. Philandebreaking into a run.

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander," remonstrated t

professor, "this unseemly haste is mo

unbecoming to men of letters. What will ofriends think of us, who may chance to be upo

the street and witness our frivolous antics? Pr

let us proceed with more decorum."

Mr. Philander stole another observation aster

The lion was bounding along in easy leascarce five paces behind.

Mr. Philander dropped the professor's arm, an

broke into a mad orgy of speed that would ha

done credit to any varsity track team.

"As I was saying, Mr. Philander-" screame

Professor Porter, as, metaphorically speaking, h

himself "threw her into high." He, too, h

caught a fleeting backward glimpse of cru




Tarzan – 01 294/56

yellow eyes and half open mouth within startlin

proximity of his person.

With streaming coat tails and shiny silk h

Professor Archimedes Q.Porter fled through the moonlight close upo

the heels of Mr. Samuel T.

Philander.

Before them a point of the jungle ran otoward a narrow promontory, and it was for t

heaven of the trees he saw there that Mr. Samu

T.

Philander directed his prodigious leaps an

bounds; while from the shadows of this samspot peered two keen eyes in interest

appreciation of the race.

It was Tarzan of the Apes who watched, wi

face a-grin, this odd game of follow-the-leader.

He knew the two men were safe enough fro

attack in so far as the lion was concerned. Th

very fact that Numa had foregone such easy pr

at all convinced the wise forest craft of Tarz




Tarzan – 01 295/56

that Numa's belly already was full.

The lion might stalk them until hungry agai

but the chances were that if not angered h

would soon tire of the sport, and slink away his jungle lair.

Really, the one great danger was that one

the men might stumble and fall, and then th

yellow devil would be upon him in a momeand the joy of the kill would be too great

temptation to withstand.

So Tarzan swung quickly to a lower limb

line with the approaching fugitives; and as M

Samuel T. Philander came panting and blowinbeneath him, already too spent to struggle up

the safety of the limb, Tarzan reached down an

grasping him by the collar of his coat, yanke

him to the limb by his side.

Another moment brought the professor with

the sphere of the friendly grip, and he, too, w

drawn upward to safety just as the baffled Num

with a roar, leaped to recover his vanishin




Tarzan – 01 296/56

quarry.

For a moment the two men clung panting

the great branch, while Tarzan squatted with h

back to the stem of the tree, watching them wimingled curiosity and amusement.

It was the professor who first broke the silen

"I am deeply pained, Mr. Philander, that yo

should have evinced such a paucity of mancourage in the presence of one of the low

orders, and by your crass timidity have cause

me to exert myself to such an unaccustom

degree in order that I might resume my discour

As I was saying, Mr. Philander, when yointerrupted me, the Moors-"

"Professor Archimedes Q. Porter," broke

Mr. Philander, in icy tones,

"the time has arrived when patience becomes

crime and mayhem appears garbed in the mant

of virtue. You have accused me of cowardic

You have insinuated that you ran only

overtake me, not to escape the clutches of th




Tarzan – 01 297/56

lion. Have a care, Professor Archimedes Q

Porter! I am a desperate man. Goaded by lon

suffering patience the worm will turn."

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, tut, tut!" cautioneProfessor Porter; "you forget yourself."

"I forget nothing as yet, Professor Archimed

Q. Porter; but, believe me, sir, I am tottering o

the verge of forgetfulness as to your exalteposition in the world of science, and your gr

hairs."

The professor sat in silence for a few minute

and the darkness hid the grim smile th

wreathed his wrinkled countenance. Presently hspoke.

"Look here, Skinny Philander," he said,

belligerent tones, "if you are lookin' for a scra

peel off your coat and come on down on th

ground, and I'll punch your head just as I d

sixty years ago in the alley back of Porky Evan

barn."

"Ark!" gasped the astonished Mr. Philande




Tarzan – 01 298/56

"Lordy, how good that sounds! When you'

human, Ark, I love you; but somehow it seems

though you had forgotten how to be human f

the last twenty years."The professor reached out a thin, trembling o

hand through the darkness until it found his o

friend's shoulder.

"Forgive me, Skinny," he said, softly. "hasn't been quite twenty years, and God alon

knows how hard I have tried to be 'human' f

Jane's sake, and yours, too, since He took m

other Jane away."

Another old hand stole up from MPhilander's side to clasp the one that lay upon h

shoulder, and no other message could better hav

translated the one heart to the other.

They did not speak for some minutes. The lio

below them paced nervously back and forth. Th

third figure in the tree was hidden by the den

shadows near the stem. He, too, was silen

motionless as a graven image.




Tarzan – 01 299/56

"You certainly pulled me up into this tree ju

in time," said the professor at last. "I want

thank you. You saved my life."

"But I didn't pull you up here, Professor," saMr. Philander. "Bless me! The excitement of t

moment quite caused me to forget that I myse

was drawn up here by some outside agency-the

must be someone or something in this tree wius."

"Eh?" ejaculated Professor Porter. "Are yo

quite positive, Mr.

Philander?"

"Most positive, Professor," replied MPhilander, "and," he added, "I think we shou

thank the party. He may be sitting right next

you now, Professor."

"Eh? What's that? Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, tu

tut!" said Professor Porter, edging cautious

nearer to Mr. Philander.

Just then it occurred to Tarzan of the Apes th

Numa had loitered beneath the tree for




Tarzan – 01 300/56

sufficient length of time, so he raised his youn

head toward the heavens, and there rang o

upon the terrified ears of the two old men th

awful warning challenge of the anthropoid.The two friends, huddled trembling in the

precarious position on the limb, saw the gre

lion halt in his restless pacing as the bloo

curdling cry smote his ears, and then slinquickly into the jungle, to be instantly lost

view.

"Even the lion trembles in fear," whispered M

Philander.

"Most remarkable, most remarkablemurmured Professor Porter, clutching frantical

at Mr. Philander to regain the balance which t

sudden fright had so perilously endangere

Unfortunately for them both, Mr. Philande

center of equilibrium was at that very mome

hanging upon the ragged edge of nothing, so th

it needed but the gentle impetus supplied by th

additional weight of Professor Porter's body




Tarzan – 01 301/56

topple the devoted secretary from the limb.

For a moment they swayed uncertainly, an

then, with mingled and most unscholarly shriek

they pitched headlong from the tree, locked frenzied embrace.

It was quite some moments ere either move

for both were positive that any such attem

would reveal so many breaks and fractures as make further progress impossible.

At length Professor Porter made an attempt

move one leg. To his surprise, it responded to h

will as in days gone by. He now drew up its ma

and stretched it forth again."Most remarkable, most remarkable," h

murmured.

"Thank God, Professor," whispered M

Philander, fervently, "you are not dead, then?"

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, tut, tut," cautione

Professor Porter, "I do not know with accura

as yet."

With infinite solicitude Professor Port




Tarzan – 01 302/56

wiggled his right arm-joy!

It was intact. Breathlessly he waved his le

arm above his prostrate body-it waved!

"Most remarkable, most remarkable," he said"To whom are you signaling, Professor

asked Mr. Philander, in an excited tone.

Professor Porter deigned to make no respon

to this puerile inquiry.Instead he raised his head gently from th

ground, nodding it back and forth a half doz

times.

"Most remarkable," he breathed. "It remai

intact."Mr. Philander had not moved from where

had fallen; he had not dared the attempt. Ho

indeed could one move when one's arms and le

and back were broken?

One eye was buried in the soft loam; the othe

rolling sidewise, was fixed in awe upon th

strange gyrations of Professor Porter.

"How sad!" exclaimed Mr. Philander, ha




Tarzan – 01 303/56

aloud. "Concussion of the brain, superinducin

total mental aberration. How very sad indee

and for one still so young!"

Professor Porter rolled over upon his stomacgingerly he bowed his back until he resembled

huge tom cat in proximity to a yelping dog.

Then he sat up and felt of various portions

his anatomy."They are all here," he exclaimed. "Mo

remarkable!"

Whereupon he arose, and, bending a scathin

glance upon the still prostrate form of M

Samuel T. Philander, he said:"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander; this is no time

indulge in slothful ease.

We must be up and doing."

Mr. Philander lifted his other eye out of t

mud and gazed in speechless rage at Profess

Porter. Then he attempted to rise; nor could the

have been any more surprised than he when h

efforts were immediately crowned with marke




Tarzan – 01 304/56

success.

He was still bursting with rage, however,

the cruel injustice of Professor Porte

insinuation, and was on the point of renderingtart rejoinder when his eyes fell upon a stran

figure standing a few paces away, scrutinizin

them intently.

Professor Porter had recovered his shiny sihat, which he had brushed carefully upon th

sleeve of his coat and replaced upon his hea

When he saw Mr. Philander pointing

something behind him he turned to behold

giant, naked but for a loin cloth and a few metornaments, standing motionless before him.

"Good evening, sir!" said the professor, liftin

his hat.

For reply the giant motioned them to follo

him, and set off up the beach in the directio

from which they had recently come.

"I think it the better part of discretion to follo

him," said Mr.




Tarzan – 01 305/56

Philander.

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander," returned t

professor. "A short time since you we

advancing a most logical argument substantiation of your theory that camp la

directly south of us. I was skeptical, but yo

finally convinced me; so now I am positive th

toward the south we must travel to reach ofriends. Therefore I shall continue south."

"But, Professor Porter, this man may kno

better than either of us. He seems to b

indigenous to this part of the world. Let us

least follow him for a short distance.""Tut, tut, Mr. Philander," repeated th

professor. "I am a difficult man to convince, b

when once convinced my decision is unalterabl

I shall continue in the proper direction, if I ha

to circumambulate the continent of Africa

reach my destination."

Further argument was interrupted by Tarza

who, seeing that these strange men were n




Tarzan – 01 306/56

following him, had returned to their side.

Again he beckoned to them; but still the

stood in argument.

Presently the ape-man lost patience with thestupid ignorance. He grasped the frightened M

Philander by the shoulder, and before that worth

gentleman knew whether he was being killed

merely maimed for life, Tarzan had tied one enof his rope securely about Mr.

Philander's neck.

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander," remonstrat

Professor Porter; "it is most unbeseeming in yo

to submit to such indignities."But scarcely were the words out of his mou

ere he, too, had been seized and securely boun

by the neck with the same rope. Then Tarzan s

off toward the north, leading the now thorough

frightened professor and his secretary.

In deathly silence they proceeded for wh

seemed hours to the two tired and hopeless o

men; but presently as they topped a little rise




Tarzan – 01 307/56

ground they were overjoyed to see the cab

lying before them, not a hundred yards distant.

Here Tarzan released them, and, pointin

toward the little building, vanished into thjungle beside them.

"Most remarkable, most remarkable!" gasp

the professor. "But you see, Mr. Philander, tha

was quite right, as usual; and but for yostubborn willfulness we should have escaped

series of most humiliating, not to say dangero

accidents. Pray allow yourself to be guided by

more mature and practical mind hereafter wh

in need of wise counsel."Mr. Samuel T. Philander was too mu

relieved at the happy outcome to their adventu

to take umbrage at the professor's cruel fling.

Instead he grasped his friend's arm an

hastened him forward in the direction of th

cabin.

It was a much-relieved party of castaways th

found itself once more united. Dawn discovere




Tarzan – 01 308/56

them still recounting their various adventures an

speculating upon the identity of the strang

guardian and protector they had found on th

savage shore.Esmeralda was positive that it was none oth

than an angel of the Lord, sent down especial

to watch over them.

"Had you seen him devour the raw meat of thlion, Esmeralda," laughed Clayton, "you wou

have thought him a very material angel."

"There was nothing heavenly about his voice

said Jane Porter, with a little shudder

recollection of the awful roar which hafollowed the killing of the lioness.

"Nor did it precisely comport with m

preconceived ideas of the dignity of divin

messengers," remarked Professor Porter, "wh

the-ah-gentleman tied two highly respectable an

erudite scholars neck to neck and dragged the

through the jungle as though they had be

cows."



Chapter XVII B urials

As it was now quite light, the party, none

whom had eaten or slept since the previo

morning, began to bestir themselves to prepa

food.The mutineers of the Arrow had landed

small supply of dried meats, canned soups an

vegetables, crackers, flour, tea, and coffee for t

five they had marooned, and these were hurried

drawn upon to satisfy the craving of lonfamished appetites.

The next task was to make the cabin habitabl

and to this end it was decided to at once remov

the gruesome relics of the tragedy which ha




Tarzan – 01 310/56

taken place there on some bygone day.

Professor Porter and Mr. Philander we

deeply interested in examining the skeletons. T

two larger, they stated, had belonged to a maand female of one of the higher white races.

The smallest skeleton was given but passin

attention, as its location, in the crib, left no dou

as to its having been the infant offspring of thunhappy couple.

As they were preparing the skeleton of th

man for burial, Clayton discovered a massiv

ring which had evidently encircled the man

finger at the time of his death, for one of thslender bones of the hand still lay within th

golden bauble.

Picking it up to examine it, Clayton gave a c

of astonishment, for the ring bore the crest of t

house of Greystoke.

At the same time, Jane discovered the books

the cupboard, and on opening the fly-leaf of on

of them saw the name, JOHN CLAYTON




Tarzan – 01 311/56

LONDON.

In a second book which she hurried

examined was the single name, GREYSTOKE.

"Why, Mr. Clayton," she cried, "what dothis mean? Here are the names of some of yo

own people in these books."

"And here," he replied gravely, "is the gre

ring of the house of Greystoke which has belost since my uncle, John Clayton, the form

Lord Greystoke, disappeared, presumably lost

sea."

"But how do you account for these thin

being here, in this savage African jungleexclaimed the girl.

"There is but one way to account for it, Mi

Porter," said Clayton.

"The late Lord Greystoke was not drowne

He died here in this cabin and this poor thin

upon the floor is all that is mortal of him."

"Then this must have been Lady Greystoke

said Jane reverently, indicating the poor mass




Tarzan – 01 312/56

bones upon the bed.

"The beautiful Lady Alice," replied Clayto

"of whose many virtues and remarkable person

charms I often have heard my mother and fathspeak. Poor woman," he murmured sadly.

With deep reverence and solemnity the bodi

of the late Lord and Lady Greystoke were burie

beside their little African cabin, and betwethem was placed the tiny skeleton of the baby

Kala, the ape.

As Mr. Philander was placing the frail bon

of the infant in a bit of sail cloth, he examin

the skull minutely. Then he called ProfessPorter to his side, and the two argued in lo

tones for several minutes.

"Most remarkable, most remarkable," sa

Professor Porter.

"Bless me," said Mr. Philander, "we mu

acquaint Mr. Clayton with our discovery

once."

"Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, tut, tut!" remonstrat




Tarzan – 01 313/56

Professor Archimedes Q. Porter. "'Let the de

past bury its dead.'"

And so the white-haired old man repeated th

burial service over this strange grave, while hfour companions stood with bowed an

uncovered heads about him.

From the trees Tarzan of the Apes watched th

solemn ceremony; but most of all he watched thsweet face and graceful figure of Jane Porter.

In his savage, untutored breast new emotio

were stirring. He could not fathom them. H

wondered why he felt so great an interest in the

people-why he had gone to such pains to save ththree men. But he did not wonder why he h

torn Sabor from the tender flesh of the strang

girl.

Surely the men were stupid and ridiculous an

cowardly. Even Manu, the monkey, was mo

intelligent than they. If these were creatures

his own kind he was doubtful if his past pride

blood was warranted.




Tarzan – 01 314/56

But the girl, ah-that was a different matter. H

did not reason here.

He knew that she was created to be protecte

and that he was created to protect her.He wondered why they had dug a great hole

the ground merely to bury dry bones. Sure

there was no sense in that; no one wanted to ste

dry bones.Had there been meat upon them he could hav

understood, for thus alone might one keep h

meat from Dango, the hyena, and the oth

robbers of the jungle.

When the grave had been filled with earth thlittle party turned back toward the cabin, an

Esmeralda, still weeping copiously for the tw

she had never heard of before today, and wh

had been dead twenty years, chanced to glan

toward the harbor. Instantly her tears ceased.

"Look at them low down white trash o

there!" she shrilled, pointing toward the Arrow

"They-all's a desecrating us, right here on th




Tarzan – 01 315/56

here perverted island."

And, sure enough, the Arrow was bein

worked toward the open sea, slowly, through th

harbor's entrance."They promised to leave us firearms an

ammunition," said Clayton.

"The merciless beasts!"

"It is the work of that fellow they call Snipesam sure," said Jane.

"King was a scoundrel, but he had a litt

sense of humanity. If they had not killed him

know that he would have seen that we we

properly provided for before they left us to ofate."

"I regret that they did not visit us befo

sailing," said Professor Porter. "I had propos

requesting them to leave the treasure with us, as

shall be a ruined man if that is lost."

Jane looked at her father sadly.

"Never mind, dear," she said. "It wouldn't hav

done any good, because it is solely for th




Tarzan – 01 316/56

treasure that they killed their officers and lande

us upon this awful shore."

"Tut, tut, child, tut, tut!" replied Profess

Porter. "You are a good child, but inexperiencein practical matters," and Professor Porter turn

and walked slowly away toward the jungle, h

hands clasped beneath his long coat tails and h

eyes bent upon the ground.His daughter watched him with a pathet

smile upon her lips, and then turning to M

Philander, she whispered:

"Please don't let him wander off again as h

did yesterday. We depend upon you, you knowto keep a close watch upon him."

"He becomes more difficult to handle ea

day," replied Mr. Philander, with a sigh and

shake of his head. "I presume he is now off

report to the directors of the Zoo that one of the

lions was at large last night. Oh, Miss Jane, yo

don't know what I have to contend with."

"Yes, I do, Mr. Philander; but while we a




Tarzan – 01 317/56

love him, you alone are best fitted to manage hi

for, regardless of what he may say to you, h

respects your great learning, and, therefore, h

immense confidence in your judgment. The podear cannot differentiate between erudition an

wisdom."

Mr. Philander, with a mildly puzzle

expression on his face, turned to pursuProfessor Porter, and in his mind he w

revolving the question of whether he should fe

complimented or aggrieved at Miss Porte

rather backhanded compliment.

Tarzan had seen the consternation depicteupon the faces of the little group as th

witnessed the departure of the Arrow; so, as th

ship was a wonderful novelty to him in additio

he determined to hasten out to the point of lan

at the north of the harbor's mouth and obtain

nearer view of the boat, as well as to learn,

possible, the direction of its flight.

Swinging through the trees with great spee




Tarzan – 01 318/56

he reached the point only a moment after the sh

had passed out of the harbor, so that he obtaine

an excellent view of the wonders of this strang

floating house.There were some twenty men running hith

and thither about the deck, pulling and haulin

on ropes.

A light land breeze was blowing, and the shhad been worked through the harbor's mou

under scant sail, but now that they had cleare

the point every available shred of canvas w

being spread that she might stand out to sea

handily as possible.Tarzan watched the graceful movements of t

ship in rapt admiration, and longed to be aboa

her. Presently his keen eyes caught the fainte

suspicion of smoke on the far northern horizo

and he wondered over the cause of such a thin

out on the great water.

About the same time the look-out on th

Arrow must have discerned it, for in a fe




Tarzan – 01 319/56

minutes Tarzan saw the sails being shifted an

shortened.

The ship came about, and presently he kne

that she was beating back toward land.A man at the bows was constantly heavin

into the sea a rope to the end of which a sma

object was fastened. Tarzan wondered what th

purpose of this action might be.At last the ship came up directly into the win

the anchor was lowered; down came the sail

There was great scurrying about on deck.

A boat was lowered, and in it a great chest w

placed. Then a dozen sailors bent to the oars anpulled rapidly toward the point where Tarz

crouched in the branches of a tree.

In the stern of the boat, as it drew neare

Tarzan saw the rat-faced man.

It was but a few minutes later that the bo

touched the beach. The men jumped out an

lifted the great chest to the sand. They were o

the north side of the point so that their presen




Tarzan – 01 320/56

was concealed from those at the cabin.

The men argued angrily for a moment. The

the rat-faced one, with several companion

ascended the low bluff on which stood the trthat concealed Tarzan. They looked about f

several minutes.

"Here is a good place," said the rat-faced sail

indicating a spot beneath Tarzan's tree."It is as good as any," replied one of h

companions. "If they catch us with the treasu

aboard it will all be confiscated anyway. W

might as well bury it here on the chance th

some of us will escape the gallows to come bacand enjoy it later."

The rat-faced one now called to the men wh

had remained at the boat, and they came slow

up the bank carrying picks and shovels.

"Hurry, you!" cried Snipes.

"Stow it!" retorted one of the men, in a sur

tone. "You're no admiral, you damned shrimp."

"I'm Cap'n here, though, I'll have you




Tarzan – 01 321/56

understand, you swab," shrieked Snipes, with

volley of frightful oaths.

"Steady, boys," cautioned one of the men wh

had not spoken before."It ain't goin' to get us nothing by fighti

amongst ourselves."

"Right enough," replied the sailor who h

resented Snipes' autocratic tones; "but it ain't goin' to get nobody nothin' to put on airs in th

bloomin' company neither."

"You fellows dig here," said Snipes, indicatin

a spot beneath the tree. "And while you're diggi

Peter kin be a-makin' of a map of the locatioso's we kin find it again. You, Tom, and Bi

take a couple more down and fetch up the chest

"Wot are you a-goin' to do?" asked he of t

previous altercation.

"Just boss?"

"Git busy there," growled Snipes. "You didn

think your Cap'n was a-goin' to dig with a shov

did you?"




Tarzan – 01 322/56

The men all looked up angrily. None of the

liked Snipes, and this disagreeable show

authority since he had murdered King, the re

head and ringleader of the mutineers, had onadded fuel to the flames of their hatred.

"Do you mean to say that you don't intend

take a shovel, and lend a hand with this work

Your shoulder's not hurt so all-fired bad as thasaid Tarrant, the sailor who had before spoken.

"Not by a damned sight," replied Snipe

fingering the butt of his revolver nervously.

"Then, by God," replied Tarrant, "if you won

take a shovel you'll take a pickax."With the words he raised his pick above h

head, and, with a mighty blow, he buried th

point in Snipes' brain.

For a moment the men stood silently lookin

at the result of their fellow's grim humor. Th

one of them spoke.

"Served the skunk jolly well right," he said.

One of the others commenced to ply his pic




Tarzan – 01 323/56

to the ground. The soil was soft and he thre

aside the pick and grasped a shovel; then th

others joined him. There was no further comme

on the killing, but the men worked in a bettframe of mind than they had since Snipes h

assumed command.

When they had a trench of ample size to bu

the chest, Tarrant suggested that they enlarge and inter Snipes' body on top of the chest.

"It might 'elp fool any as 'appened to b

diggin' 'ereabouts," he explained.

The others saw the cunning of the suggestio

and so the trench was lengthened accommodate the corpse, and in the center

deeper hole was excavated for the box, whic

was first wrapped in sailcloth and then lowere

to its place, which brought its top about a fo

below the bottom of the grave. Earth w

shovelled in and tramped down about the che

until the bottom of the grave showed level an

uniform.




Tarzan – 01 324/56

Two of the men rolled the rat-faced corp

unceremoniously into the grave, after fir

stripping it of its weapons and various oth

articles which the several members of the parcoveted for their own.

They then filled the grave with earth an

tramped upon it until it would hold no more.

The balance of the loose earth was thrown fand wide, and a mass of dead undergrow

spread in as natural a manner as possible over th

new-made grave to obliterate all signs of t

ground having been disturbed.

Their work done the sailors returned to tsmall boat, and pulled off rapidly toward th

Arrow.

The breeze had increased considerably, and

the smoke upon the horizon was now plain

discernible in considerable volume, th

mutineers lost no time in getting under full sa

and bearing away toward the southwest.

Tarzan, an interested spectator of all that ha




Tarzan – 01 325/56

taken place, sat speculating on the stran

actions of these peculiar creatures.

Men were indeed more foolish and more cru

than the beasts of the jungle! How fortunate whe who lived in the peace and security of th

great forest!

Tarzan wondered what the chest they ha

buried contained. If they did not want it why dthey not merely throw it into the water? Th

would have been much easier.

Ah, he thought, but they do want it. They hav

hidden it here because they intend returning for

later.Tarzan dropped to the ground and commenc

to examine the earth about the excavation. H

was looking to see if these creatures had dropp

anything which he might like to own. Soon h

discovered a spade hidden by the underbru

which they had laid upon the grave.

He seized it and attempted to use it as he ha

seen the sailors do. It was awkward work an




Tarzan – 01 326/56

hurt his bare feet, but he persevered until he h

partially uncovered the body. This he dragge

from the grave and laid to one side.

Then he continued digging until he hunearthed the chest. This also he dragged to t

side of the corpse. Then he filled in the small

hole below the grave, replaced the body and th

earth around and above it, covered it over wiunderbrush, and returned to the chest.

Four sailors had sweated beneath the burde

of its weight-Tarzan of the Apes picked it up

though it had been an empty packing case, an

with the spade slung to his back by a piece rope, carried it off into the densest part of th

jungle.

He could not well negotiate the trees with h

awkward burden, but he kept to the trails, and

made fairly good time.

For several hours he traveled a little north

east until he came to an impenetrable wall

matted and tangled vegetation. Then he took




Tarzan – 01 327/56

the lower branches, and in another fifte

minutes he emerged into the amphitheater of t

apes, where they met in council, or to celebra

the rites of the Dum-Dum.Near the center of the clearing, and not f

from the drum, or altar, he commenced to di

This was harder work than turning up the fresh

excavated earth at the grave, but Tarzan of thApes was persevering and so he kept at his lab

until he was rewarded by seeing a ho

sufficiently deep to receive the chest an

effectually hide it from view.

Why had he gone to all this labor withoknowing the value of the contents of the chest?

Tarzan of the Apes had a man's figure and

man's brain, but he was an ape by training an

environment. His brain told him that the che

contained something valuable, or the men wou

not have hidden it. His training had taught him

imitate whatever was new and unusual, and no

the natural curiosity, which is as common to m




Tarzan – 01 328/56

as to apes, prompted him to open the chest an

examine its contents.

But the heavy lock and massive iron ban

baffled both his cunning and his immenstrength, so that he was compelled to bury t

chest without having his curiosity satisfied.

By the time Tarzan had hunted his way bac

to the vicinity of the cabin, feeding as he went,was quite dark.

Within the little building a light was burnin

for Clayton had found an unopened tin of o

which had stood intact for twenty years, a part

the supplies left with the Claytons by BlacMichael. The lamps also were still useable, an

thus the interior of the cabin appeared as brig

as day to the astonished Tarzan.

He had often wondered at the exact purpose

the lamps. His reading and the pictures had to

him what they were, but he had no idea of ho

they could be made to produce the wondro

sunlight that some of his pictures had portraye




Tarzan – 01 329/56

them as diffusing upon all surrounding objects.

As he approached the window nearest the do

he saw that the cabin had been divided into tw

rooms by a rough partition of boughs ansailcloth.

In the front room were the three men; the tw

older deep in argument, while the younger, tilte

back against the wall on an improvised stoowas deeply engrossed in reading one of Tarzan

books.

Tarzan was not particularly interested in th

men, however, so he sought the other windo

There was the girl. How beautiful her featureHow delicate her snowy skin!

She was writing at Tarzan's own table benea

the window. Upon a pile of grasses at the far si

of the room lay the Negress asleep.

For an hour Tarzan feasted his eyes upon h

while she wrote. How he longed to speak to he

but he dared not attempt it, for he was convince

that, like the young man, she would n




Tarzan – 01 330/56

understand him, and he feared, too, that he mig

frighten her away.

At length she arose, leaving her manuscri

upon the table. She went to the bed upon whichad been spread several layers of soft grasses.

These she rearranged.

Then she loosened the soft mass of golden ha

which crowned her head.Like a shimmering waterfall turned

burnished metal by a dying sun it fell about h

oval face; in waving lines, below her waist

tumbled.

Tarzan was spellbound. Then she extinguishethe lamp and all within the cabin was wrapped

Cimmerian darkness.

Still Tarzan watched. Creeping close benea

the window he waited, listening, for half an hou

At last he was rewarded by the sounds of th

regular breathing within which denotes sleep.

Cautiously he intruded his hand between th

meshes of the lattice until his whole arm w




Tarzan – 01 331/56

within the cabin. Carefully he felt upon the desk

At last he grasped the manuscript upon whic

Jane Porter had been writing, and as cautious

withdrew his arm and hand, holding the preciotreasure.

Tarzan folded the sheets into a small parc

which he tucked into the quiver with his arrow

Then he melted away into the jungle as softand as noiselessly as a shadow.



Chapter XVIII The Jungle Toll

Early the following morning Tarzan awok

and his first thought of the new day, as the last

yesterday, was of the wonderful writing whi

lay hidden in his quiver.Hurriedly he brought it forth, hoping again

hope that he could read what the beautiful whi

girl had written there the preceding evening.

At the first glance he suffered a bitt

disappointment; never before had he so yearnefor anything as now he did for the ability

interpret a message from that golden-haire

divinity who had come so suddenly and

unexpectedly into his life




Tarzan – 01 333/56

What did it matter if the message were n

intended for him? It was an expression of h

thoughts, and that was sufficient for Tarzan

the Apes.And now to be baffled by strange, uncou

characters the like of which he had never see

before! Why, they even tipped in the opposi

direction from all that he had ever examineeither in printed books or the difficult script

the few letters he had found.

Even the little bugs of the black book we

familiar friends, though their arrangement mea

nothing to him; but these bugs were new anunheard of.

For twenty minutes he pored over them, whe

suddenly they commenced to take famili

though distorted shapes. Ah, they were his o

friends, but badly crippled.

Then he began to make out a word here and

word there. His heart leaped for joy. He cou

read it, and he would.




Tarzan – 01 334/56

In another half hour he was progressin

rapidly, and, but for an exceptional word no

and again, he found it very plain sailing.

Here is what he read:WEST COAST OF AFRICA,

ABOUT 10 DEGREES SOUTH LATITUDE

(So Mr. Clayton says.)

February 3 (?), 1909.DEAREST HAZEL:

It seems foolish to write you a letter that yo

may never see, but I simply must tell somebod

of our awful experiences since we sailed fro

Europe on the ill-fated Arrow.If we never return to civilization, as no

seems only too likely, this will at least prove

brief record of the events which led up to o

final fate, whatever it may be.

As you know, we were supposed to have s

out upon a scientific expedition to the Cong

Papa was presumed to entertain some wondro

theory of an unthinkably ancient civilization, th




Tarzan – 01 335/56

remains of which lay buried somewhere in th

Congo valley. But after we were well under sa

the truth came out.

It seems that an old bookworm who hasbook and curio shop in Baltimore discovere

between the leaves of a very old Spani

manuscript a letter written in 1550 detailing t

adventures of a crew of mutineers of a Spanigalleon bound from Spain to South America wi

a vast treasure of "doubloons" and "pieces

eight," I suppose, for they certainly sound wei

and piraty.

The writer had been one of the crew, and thletter was to his son, who was, at the very tim

the letter was written, master of a Spani

merchantman.

Many years had elapsed since the events th

letter narrated had transpired, and the old ma

had become a respected citizen of an obscu

Spanish town, but the love of gold was still

strong upon him that he risked all to acquaint h




Tarzan – 01 336/56

son with the means of attaining fabulous weal

for them both.

The writer told how when but a week out fro

Spain the crew had mutinied and murdered eveofficer and man who opposed them; but th

defeated their own ends by this very act, for the

was none left competent to navigate a ship at se

They were blown hither and thither for twmonths, until sick and dying of scurvy, starvatio

and thirst, they had been wrecked on a small isl

The galleon was washed high upon the beac

where she went to pieces; but not before t

survivors, who numbered but ten souls, harescued one of the great chests of treasure.

This they buried well up on the island, and f

three years they lived there in constant hope

being rescued.

One by one they sickened and died, until on

one man was left, the writer of the letter.

The men had built a boat from the wreckage

the galleon, but having no idea where the islan




Tarzan – 01 337/56

was located they had not dared to put to sea.

When all were dead except himself, howeve

the awful loneliness so weighed upon the min

of the sole survivor that he could endure it nlonger, and choosing to risk death upon the ope

sea rather than madness on the lonely isle, he s

sail in his little boat after nearly a year

solitude.Fortunately he sailed due north, and within

week was in the track of the Spani

merchantmen plying between the West Indi

and Spain, and was picked up by one of the

vessels homeward bound.The story he told was merely one of shipwrec

in which all but a few had perished, the balanc

except himself, dying after they reached th

island. He did not mention the mutiny or t

chest of buried treasure.

The master of the merchantman assured hi

that from the position at which they had picke

him up, and the prevailing winds for the pa




Tarzan – 01 338/56

week he could have been on no other island th

one of the Cape Verde group, which lie off th

West Coast of Africa in about 16 degrees or

degrees north latitude.His letter described the island minutely,

well as the location of the treasure, and w

accompanied by the crudest, funniest little o

map you ever saw; with trees and rocks amarked by scrawly X's to show the exact sp

where the treasure had been buried.

When papa explained the real nature of th

expedition, my heart sank, for I know so we

how visionary and impractical the poor dear halways been that I feared that he had again bee

duped; especially when he told me he had paid

thousand dollars for the letter and map.

To add to my distress, I learned that he ha

borrowed ten thousand dollars more from Robe

Canler, and had given his notes for the amount.

Mr. Canler had asked for no security, and yo

know, dearie, what that will mean for me if pap




Tarzan – 01 339/56

cannot meet them. Oh, how I detest that man!

We all tried to look on the bright side of thin

but Mr. Philander, and Mr. Clayton-he joined

in London just for the adventure-both felt skeptical as I.

Well, to make a long story short, we found t

island and the treasure-a great iron-bound o

chest, wrapped in many layers of oiled sailclotand as strong and firm as when it had bee

buried nearly two hundred years ago.

It was SIMPLY FILLED with gold coin, an

was so heavy that four men bent underneath i

weight.The horrid thing seems to bring nothing b

murder and misfortune to those who hav

anything to do with it, for three days after w

sailed from the Cape Verde Islands our own cre

mutinied and killed every one of their officers.

Oh, it was the most terrifying experience on

could imagine-I cannot even write of it.

They were going to kill us too, but one




Tarzan – 01 340/56

them, the leader, named King, would not l

them, and so they sailed south along the coast

a lonely spot where they found a good harbo

and here they landed and have left us.They sailed away with the treasure to-day, b

Mr. Clayton says they will meet with a fa

similar to the mutineers of the ancient galleo

because King, the only man aboard who kneaught of navigation, was murdered on the bea

by one of the men the day we landed.

I wish you could know Mr. Clayton; he is th

dearest fellow imaginable, and unless I a

mistaken he has fallen very much in love wime.

He is the only son of Lord Greystoke, an

some day will inherit the title and estates.

addition, he is wealthy in his own right, but th

fact that he is going to be an English Lord mak

me very sad-you know what my sentiments hav

always been relative to American girls wh

married titled foreigners. Oh, if he were only




Tarzan – 01 341/56

plain American gentleman!

But it isn't his fault, poor fellow, and

everything except birth he would do credit to m

country, and that is the greatest complimentknow how to pay any man.

We have had the most weird experiences sin

we were landed here. Papa and Mr. Philand

lost in the jungle, and chased by a real lion.Mr. Clayton lost, and attacked twice by wi

beasts. Esmeralda and I cornered in an old cab

by a perfectly awful man-eating lioness. Oh,

was simply "terrifical," as Esmeralda would say

But the strangest part of it all is the wonderfcreature who rescued us. I have not seen him, b

Mr. Clayton and papa and Mr. Philander hav

and they say that he is a perfectly god-like whi

man tanned to a dusky brown, with the streng

of a wild elephant, the agility of a monkey, an

the bravery of a lion.

He speaks no English and vanishes as quick

and as mysteriously after he has performed som




Tarzan – 01 342/56

valorous deed, as though he were a disembodie

spirit.

Then we have another weird neighbor, wh

printed a beautiful sign in English and tackedon the door of his cabin, which we hav

preempted, warning us to destroy none of h

belongings, and signing himself "Tarzan of th

Apes."We have never seen him, though we think h

is about, for one of the sailors, who was going

shoot Mr. Clayton in the back, received a spe

in his shoulder from some unseen hand in th

jungle.The sailors left us but a meager supply of foo

so, as we have only a single revolver with b

three cartridges left in it, we do not know ho

we can procure meat, though Mr. Philander sa

that we can exist indefinitely on the wild fru

and nuts which abound in the jungle.

I am very tired now, so I shall go to my funn

bed of grasses which Mr.




Tarzan – 01 343/56

Clayton gathered for me, but will add to th

from day to day as things happen.

Lovingly,

JANE PORTER.TO HAZEL STRONG, BALTIMORE, MD.

Tarzan sat in a brown study for a long tim

after he finished reading the letter. It was fillewith so many new and wonderful things that h

brain was in a whirl as he attempted to dige

them all.

So they did not know that he was Tarzan

the Apes. He would tell them.In his tree he had constructed a rude shelter

leaves and boughs, beneath which, protect

from the rain, he had placed the few treasur

brought from the cabin. Among these were som

pencils.

He took one, and beneath Jane Porte

signature he wrote:

I am Tarzan of the Apes He thought th




Tarzan – 01 344/56

would be sufficient. Later he would return th

letter to the cabin.

In the matter of food, thought Tarzan, they h

no need to worry-he would provide, and he did.The next morning Jane found her missin

letter in the exact spot from which it h

disappeared two nights before. She w

mystified; but when she saw the printed worbeneath her signature, she felt a cold, clamm

chill run up her spine. She showed the letter,

rather the last sheet with the signature,

Clayton.

"And to think," she said, "that uncanny thinwas probably watching me all the time that I w

writing-oo! It makes me shudder just to think

it."

"But he must be friendly," reassured Clayto

"for he has returned your letter, nor did he off

to harm you, and unless I am mistaken he left

very substantial memento of his friendsh

outside the cabin door last night, for I just foun




Tarzan – 01 345/56

the carcass of a wild boar there as I came out."

From then on scarcely a day passed that d

not bring its offering of game or other foo

Sometimes it was a young deer, again a quantiof strange, cooked food-cassava cakes pilfere

from the village of Mbonga-or a boar, or leopar

and once a lion.

Tarzan derived the greatest pleasure of his liin hunting meat for these strangers. It seemed

him that no pleasure on earth could compare wi

laboring for the welfare and protection of th

beautiful white girl.

Some day he would venture into the camp daylight and talk with these people through th

medium of the little bugs which were familiar

them and to Tarzan.

But he found it difficult to overcome t

timidity of the wild thing of the forest, and

day followed day without seeing a fulfillment

his good intentions.

The party in the camp, emboldened b




Tarzan – 01 346/56

familiarity, wandered farther and yet farther in

the jungle in search of nuts and fruit.

Scarcely a day passed that did not fin

Professor Porter straying in his preoccupieindifference toward the jaws of death. M

Samuel T.

Philander, never what one might call robu

was worn to the shadow of a shadow through tceaseless worry and mental distraction resulta

from his Herculean efforts to safeguard th

professor.

A month passed. Tarzan had final

determined to visit the camp by daylight.It was early afternoon. Clayton had wandere

to the point at the harbor's mouth to look f

passing vessels. Here he kept a great mass

wood, high piled, ready to be ignited as a sign

should a steamer or a sail top the far horizon.

Professor Porter was wandering along t

beach south of the camp with Mr. Philander

his elbow, urging him to turn his steps bac




Tarzan – 01 347/56

before the two became again the sport of som

savage beast.

The others gone, Jane and Esmeralda ha

wandered into the jungle to gather fruit, and their search were led farther and farther from th

cabin.

Tarzan waited in silence before the door of th

little house until they should return. His thoughwere of the beautiful white girl. They we

always of her now. He wondered if she wou

fear him, and the thought all but caused him

relinquish his plan.

He was rapidly becoming impatient for hreturn, that he might feast his eyes upon her an

be near her, perhaps touch her. The ape-m

knew no god, but he was as near to worshippin

his divinity as mortal man ever comes to worsh

While he waited he passed the time printing

message to her; whether he intended giving it

her he himself could not have told, but he too

infinite pleasure in seeing his thoughts expresse




Tarzan – 01 348/56

in print-in which he was not so uncivilized aft

all. He wrote:

I am Tarzan of the Apes. I want you. I a

yours. You are mine. We live here togethalways in my house. I will bring you the best

fruits, the tenderest deer, the finest meats th

roam the jungle. I will hunt for you. I am t

greatest of the jungle fighters. I will fight for yoI am the mightiest of the jungle fighters. You a

Jane Porter, I saw it in your letter. When you s

this you will know that it is for you and th

Tarzan of the Apes loves you.

As he stood, straight as a young Indian, by thdoor, waiting after he had finished the messag

there came to his keen ears a familiar sound.

It was the passing of a great ape through th

lower branches of the forest.

For an instant he listened intently, and the

from the jungle came the agonized scream of

woman, and Tarzan of the Apes, dropping h

first love letter upon the ground, shot like




Tarzan – 01 349/56

panther into the forest.

Clayton, also, heard the scream, and Profess

Porter and Mr.

Philander, and in a few minutes they campanting to the cabin, calling out to each other

volley of excited questions as they approache

A glance within confirmed their worst fears.

Jane and Esmeralda were not there.Instantly, Clayton, followed by the two o

men, plunged into the jungle, calling the gir

name aloud. For half an hour they stumbled o

until Clayton, by merest chance, came upon th

prostrate form of Esmeralda.He stopped beside her, feeling for her pul

and then listening for her heartbeats. She live

He shook her.

"Esmeralda!" he shrieked in her ea

"Esmeralda! For God's sake, where is Mi

Porter? What has happened? Esmeralda!"

Slowly Esmeralda opened her eyes. She sa

Clayton. She saw the jungle about her.




Tarzan – 01 350/56

"Oh, Gaberelle!" she screamed, and fainte

again.

By this time Professor Porter and M

Philander had come up."What shall we do, Mr. Clayton?" asked t

old professor. "Where shall we look? God cou

not have been so cruel as to take my little g

away from me now.""We must arouse Esmeralda first," replie

Clayton. "She can tell us what has happene

Esmeralda!" he cried again, shaking the blac

woman roughly by the shoulder.

"O Gaberelle, I want to die!" cried the powoman, but with eyes fast closed. "Let me di

dear Lord, don't let me see that awful fa

again."

"Come, come, Esmeralda," cried Clayton.

"The Lord isn't here; it's Mr. Clayton. Op

your eyes."

Esmeralda did as she was bade.

"O Gaberelle! Thank the Lord," she said.




Tarzan – 01 351/56

"Where's Miss Porter? What happened

questioned Clayton.

"Ain't Miss Jane here?" cried Esmerald

sitting up with wonderful celerity for one of hbulk. "Oh, Lord, now I remember! It must hav

took her away," and the Negress commenced

sob, and wail her lamentations.

"What took her away?" cried Professor Porte"A great big giant all covered with hair."

"A gorilla, Esmeralda?" questioned M

Philander, and the three men scarcely breathed

he voiced the horrible thought.

"I thought it was the devil; but I guess it muhave been one of them gorilephants. Oh, my po

baby, my poor little honey," and again Esmeral

broke into uncontrollable sobbing.

Clayton immediately began to look about f

tracks, but he could find nothing save

confusion of trampled grasses in the clo

vicinity, and his woodcraft was too meager f

the translation of what he did see.




Tarzan – 01 352/56

All the balance of the day they sought throug

the jungle; but as night drew on they were force

to give up in despair and hopelessness, for th

did not even know in what direction the thinhad borne Jane.

It was long after dark ere they reached th

cabin, and a sad and grief-stricken party it w

that sat silently within the little structure.Professor Porter finally broke the silence. H

tones were no longer those of the erudite peda

theorizing upon the abstract and the unknowabl

but those of the man of action-determined, b

tinged also by a note of indescribabhopelessness and grief which wrung

answering pang from Clayton's heart.

"I shall lie down now," said the old man, "an

try to sleep. Early to-morrow, as soon as it

light, I shall take what food I can carry an

continue the search until I have found Jane. I w

not return without her."

His companions did not reply at once. Ea




Tarzan – 01 353/56

was immersed in his own sorrowful though

and each knew, as did the old professor, what th

last words meant-Professor Porter would nev

return from the jungle.At length Clayton arose and laid his han

gently upon Professor Porter's bent old shoulde

"I shall go with you, of course," he said.

"I knew that you would offer-that you wouwish to go, Mr. Clayton; but you must not. Jan

is beyond human assistance now. What was on

my dear little girl shall not lie alone an

friendless in the awful jungle.

"The same vines and leaves will cover us, tsame rains beat upon us; and when the spirit

her mother is abroad, it will find us together

death, as it has always found us in life.

"No; it is I alone who may go, for she was m

daughter-all that was left on earth for me

love."

"I shall go with you," said Clayton simply.

The old man looked up, regarding the stron




Tarzan – 01 354/56

handsome face of William Cecil Clayton intent

Perhaps he read there the love that lay in th

heart beneath-the love for his daughter.

He had been too preoccupied with his owscholarly thoughts in the past to consider th

little occurrences, the chance words, whi

would have indicated to a more practical m

that these young people were being drawn moand more closely to one another. Now they cam

back to him, one by one.

"As you wish," he said.

"You may count on me, also," said M

Philander."No, my dear old friend," said Professor Port

"We may not all go.

It would be cruelly wicked to leave po

Esmeralda here alone, and three of us would

no more successful than one.

"There be enough dead things in the cru

forest as it is. Come-let us try to sleep a little."



Chapter XIX The Call of the P rimitiv

From the time Tarzan left the tribe of gre

anthropoids in which he had been raised, it w

torn by continual strife and discord. Terk

proved a cruel and capricious king, so that, oby one, many of the older and weaker apes, upo

whom he was particularly prone to vent h

brutish nature, took their families and sought th

quiet and safety of the far interior.

But at last those who remained were driven desperation by the continued truculence

Terkoz, and it so happened that one of the

recalled the parting admonition of Tarzan:

"If you have a chief who is cruel do not do




Tarzan – 01 356/56

the other apes do, and attempt, any one of you,

pit yourself against him alone. But, instead, l

two or three or four of you attack him togethe

Then, if you will do this, no chief will dare to other than he should be, for four of you can k

any chief who may ever be over you."

And the ape who recalled this wise couns

repeated it to several of his fellows, so that whTerkoz returned to the tribe that day he found

warm reception awaiting him.

There were no formalities. As Terkoz reache

the group, five huge, hairy beasts sprang upo

him.At heart he was an arrant coward, which is th

way with bullies among apes as well as amon

men; so he did not remain to fight and die, b

tore himself away from them as quickly as h

could and fled into the sheltering boughs of t

forest.

Two more attempts he made to rejoin the trib

but on each occasion he was set upon and drive




Tarzan – 01 357/56

away. At last he gave it up, and turned, foamin

with rage and hatred, into the jungle.

For several days he wandered aimlessl

nursing his spite and looking for some wething on which to vent his pent anger.

It was in this state of mind that the horribl

man-like beast, swinging from tree to tree, cam

suddenly upon two women in the jungle.He was right above them when he discovere

them. The first intimation Jane Porter had of h

presence was when the great hairy body droppe

to the earth beside her, and she saw the awf

face and the snarling, hideous mouth thruwithin a foot of her.

One piercing scream escaped her lips as th

brute hand clutched her arm. Then she w

dragged toward those awful fangs which yawn

at her throat. But ere they touched that fair sk

another mood claimed the anthropoid.

The tribe had kept his women. He must fin

others to replace them.




Tarzan – 01 358/56

This hairless white ape would be the first

his new household, and so he threw her rough

across his broad, hairy shoulders and leaped bac

into the trees, bearing Jane away.Esmeralda's scream of terror had mingled on

with that of Jane, and then, as was Esmeralda

manner under stress of emergency whi

required presence of mind, she swooned.But Jane did not once lose consciousness. It

true that that awful face, pressing close to her

and the stench of the foul breath beating upo

her nostrils, paralyzed her with terror; but h

brain was clear, and she comprehended all thtranspired.

With what seemed to her marvelous rapidi

the brute bore her through the forest, but still sh

did not cry out or struggle. The sudden advent

the ape had confused her to such an extent th

she thought now that he was bearing her towa

the beach.

For this reason she conserved her energies an




Tarzan – 01 359/56

her voice until she could see that they ha

approached near enough to the camp to attra

the succor she craved.

She could not have known it, but she wbeing borne farther and farther into th

impenetrable jungle.

The scream that had brought Clayton and t

two older men stumbling through tundergrowth had led Tarzan of the Apes straig

to where Esmeralda lay, but it was not Esmerald

in whom his interest centered, though pausin

over her he saw that she was unhurt.

For a moment he scrutinized the ground beloand the trees above, until the ape that was in hi

by virtue of training and environment, combin

with the intelligence that was his by right of bir

told his wondrous woodcraft the whole story

plainly as though he had seen the thing happ

with his own eyes.

And then he was gone again into the swayin

trees, following the high-flung spoor which n




Tarzan – 01 360/56

other human eye could have detected, much le

translated.

At boughs' ends, where the anthropoid swin

from one tree to another, there is most to mathe trail, but least to point the direction of th

quarry; for there the pressure is downwa

always, toward the small end of the branc

whether the ape be leaving or entering a tree.Nearer the center of the tree, where the sig

of passage are fainter, the direction is plain

marked.

Here, on this branch, a caterpillar has bee

crushed by the fugitive's great foot, and Tarzknows instinctively where that same foot wou

touch in the next stride. Here he looks to find

tiny particle of the demolished larva, ofttimes n

more than a speck of moisture.

Again, a minute bit of bark has been upturn

by the scraping hand, and the direction of th

break indicates the direction of the passage. O

some great limb, or the stem of the tree itself h




Tarzan – 01 361/56

been brushed by the hairy body, and a tiny shre

of hair tells him by the direction from which it

wedged beneath the bark that he is on the rig

trail.Nor does he need to check his speed to cat

these seemingly faint records of the fleeing bea

To Tarzan they stand out boldly against all th

myriad other scars and bruises and signs upothe leafy way. But strongest of all is the scen

for Tarzan is pursuing up the wind, and h

trained nostrils are as sensitive as a hound's.

There are those who believe that the low

orders are specially endowed by nature wibetter olfactory nerves than man, but it is mere

a matter of development.

Man's survival does not hinge so greatly upo

the perfection of his senses. His power to reaso

has relieved them of many of their duties, and

they have, to some extent, atrophied, as have th

muscles which move the ears and scalp, mere

from disuse.




Tarzan – 01 362/56

The muscles are there, about the ears an

beneath the scalp, and so are the nerves whic

transmit sensations to the brain, but they a

under-developed because they are not needed.Not so with Tarzan of the Apes. From ear

infancy his survival had depended upo

acuteness of eyesight, hearing, smell, touch, an

taste far more than upon the more slowdeveloped organ of reason.

The least developed of all in Tarzan was th

sense of taste, for he could eat luscious fruits,

raw flesh, long buried with almost equ

appreciation; but in that he differed but slightfrom more civilized epicures.

Almost silently the ape-man sped on in t

track of Terkoz and his prey, but the sound of h

approach reached the ears of the fleeing bea

and spurred it on to greater speed.

Three miles were covered before Tarz

overtook them, and then Terkoz, seeing th

further flight was futile, dropped to the ground




Tarzan – 01 363/56

a small open glade, that he might turn and fig

for his prize or be free to escape unhampered

he saw that the pursuer was more than a matc

for him.He still grasped Jane in one great arm

Tarzan bounded like a leopard into the aren

which nature had provided for this primeval-lik

battle.When Terkoz saw that it was Tarzan wh

pursued him, he jumped to the conclusion th

this was Tarzan's woman, since they were of th

same kind-white and hairless-and so he rejoice

at this opportunity for double revenge upon hhated enemy.

To Jane the strange apparition of this god-lik

man was as wine to sick nerves.

From the description which Clayton and h

father and Mr. Philander had given her, she kne

that it must be the same wonderful creature wh

had saved them, and she saw in him only

protector and a friend.




Tarzan – 01 364/56

But as Terkoz pushed her roughly aside

meet Tarzan's charge, and she saw the gre

proportions of the ape and the mighty muscl

and the fierce fangs, her heart quailed. Hocould any vanquish such a mighty antagonist?

Like two charging bulls they came togethe

and like two wolves sought each other's throa

Against the long canines of the ape was pittthe thin blade of the man's knife.

Jane-her lithe, young form flattened again

the trunk of a great tree, her hands tight presse

against her rising and falling bosom, and h

eyes wide with mingled horror, fascination, feaand admiration-watched the primordial ape batt

with the primeval man for possession of

woman-for her.

As the great muscles of the man's back an

shoulders knotted beneath the tension of h

efforts, and the huge biceps and forearm held

bay those mighty tusks, the veil of centuries

civilization and culture was swept from th




Tarzan – 01 365/56

blurred vision of the Baltimore girl.

When the long knife drank deep a dozen tim

of Terkoz' heart's blood, and the great carca

rolled lifeless upon the ground, it was a primevwoman who sprang forward with outstretch

arms toward the primeval man who had foug

for her and won her.

And Tarzan?He did what no red-blooded man nee

lessons in doing. He took his woman in his arm

and smothered her upturned, panting lips wi

kisses.

For a moment Jane lay there with half-closeeyes. For a moment-the first in her young lif

she knew the meaning of love.

But as suddenly as the veil had bee

withdrawn it dropped again, and an outrag

conscience suffused her face with its scarl

mantle, and a mortified woman thrust Tarzan

the Apes from her and buried her face in h

hands.




Tarzan – 01 366/56

Tarzan had been surprised when he had foun

the girl he had learned to love after a vague an

abstract manner a willing prisoner in his arms.

Now he was surprised that she repulsed him.He came close to her once more and took ho

of her arm. She turned upon him like a tigres

striking his great breast with her tiny hands.

Tarzan could not understand it.A moment ago and it had been his intention

hasten Jane back to her people, but that litt

moment was lost now in the dim and distant pa

of things which were but can never be again, an

with it the good intentions had gone to join timpossible.

Since then Tarzan of the Apes had felt a warm

lithe form close pressed to his. Hot, sweet brea

against his cheek and mouth had fanned a ne

flame to life within his breast, and perfect li

had clung to his in burning kisses that had seare

a deep brand into his soul-a brand which marke

a new Tarzan.




Tarzan – 01 367/56

Again he laid his hand upon her arm. Aga

she repulsed him. And then Tarzan of the Ap

did just what his first ancestor would have done

He took his woman in his arms and carried hinto the jungle.

Early the following morning the four with

the little cabin by the beach were awakened b

the booming of a cannon. Clayton was the first rush out, and there, beyond the harbor's mout

he saw two vessels lying at anchor.

One was the Arrow and the other a sma

French cruiser. The sides of the latter we

crowded with men gazing shoreward, and it wevident to Clayton, as to the others who had no

joined him, that the gun which they had hea

had been fired to attract their attention if the

still remained at the cabin.

Both vessels lay at a considerable distan

from shore, and it was doubtful if their glass

would locate the waving hats of the little par

far in between the harbor's points.




Tarzan – 01 368/56

Esmeralda had removed her red apron and w

waving it frantically above her head; but Clayto

still fearing that even this might not be see

hurried off toward the northern point where lahis signal pyre ready for the match.

It seemed an age to him, as to those wh

waited breathlessly behind, ere he reached th

great pile of dry branches and underbrush.As he broke from the dense wood and came

sight of the vessels again, he was filled wi

consternation to see that the Arrow was makin

sail and that the cruiser was already under way.

Quickly lighting the pyre in a dozen places, hhurried to the extreme point of the promontor

where he stripped off his shirt, and, tying it to

fallen branch, stood waving it back and for

above him.

But still the vessels continued to stand out; an

he had given up all hope, when the great colum

of smoke, rising above the forest in one den

vertical shaft, attracted the attention of a looko




Tarzan – 01 369/56

aboard the cruiser, and instantly a dozen glass

were leveled on the beach.

Presently Clayton saw the two ships com

about again; and while the Arrow lay driftinquietly on the ocean, the cruiser steamed slow

back toward shore.

At some distance away she stopped, and a bo

was lowered and dispatched toward the beach.As it was drawn up a young officer steppe

out.

"Monsieur Clayton, I presume?" he asked.

"Thank God, you have come!" was Clayton

reply. "And it may be that it is not too late evnow."

"What do you mean, Monsieur?" asked th

officer.

Clayton told of the abduction of Jane Port

and the need of armed men to aid in the sear

for her.

"MON DIEU!" exclaimed the officer, sadl

"Yesterday and it would not have been too lat




Tarzan – 01 370/56

Today and it may be better that the poor lad

were never found. It is horrible, Monsieur. It

too horrible."

Other boats had now put off from the cruiseand Clayton, having pointed out the harbo

entrance to the officer, entered the boat with hi

and its nose was turned toward the litt

landlocked bay, into which the other crafollowed.

Soon the entire party had landed where stoo

Professor Porter, Mr.

Philander and the weeping Esmeralda.

Among the officers in the last boats to put ofrom the cruiser was the commander of t

vessel; and when he had heard the story of Jane

abduction, he generously called for volunteers

accompany Professor Porter and Clayton in the

search.

Not an officer or a man was there of tho

brave and sympathetic Frenchmen who did n

quickly beg leave to be one of the expedition.




Tarzan – 01 371/56

The commander selected twenty men and tw

officers, Lieutenant D'Arnot and Lieutena

Charpentier. A boat was dispatched to the cruis

for provisions, ammunition, and carbines; thmen were already armed with revolvers.

Then, to Clayton's inquiries as to how they h

happened to anchor off shore and fire a sign

gun, the commander, Captain Dufrannexplained that a month before they had sight

the Arrow bearing southwest under considerab

canvas, and that when they had signaled her

come about she had but crowded on more sail.

They had kept her hull-up until sunset, firinseveral shots after her, but the next morning sh

was nowhere to be seen. They had th

continued to cruise up and down the coast f

several weeks, and had about forgotten th

incident of the recent chase, when, early on

morning a few days before the lookout h

described a vessel laboring in the trough of

heavy sea and evidently entirely out of control.




Tarzan – 01 372/56

As they steamed nearer to the derelict th

were surprised to note that it was the same vess

that had run from them a few weeks earlier. H

forestaysail and mizzen spanker were set though an effort had been made to hold her hea

up into the wind, but the sheets had parted, an

the sails were tearing to ribbons in the half ga

of wind.In the high sea that was running it was

difficult and dangerous task to attempt to put

prize crew aboard her; and as no signs of life h

been seen above deck, it was decided to stand b

until the wind and sea abated; but just then figure was seen clinging to the rail and feeb

waving a mute signal of despair toward them.

Immediately a boat's crew was ordered out an

an attempt was successfully made to board th

Arrow.

The sight that met the Frenchmen's eyes

they clambered over the ship's side was appallin

A dozen dead and dying men rolled hither an




Tarzan – 01 373/56

thither upon the pitching deck, the livin

intermingled with the dead. Two of the corps

appeared to have been partially devoured

though by wolves.The prize crew soon had the vessel und

proper sail once more and the living members

the ill-starred company carried below to the

hammocks.The dead were wrapped in tarpaulins an

lashed on deck to be identified by their comrad

before being consigned to the deep.

None of the living was conscious when th

Frenchmen reached the Arrow's deck. Even tpoor devil who had waved the single despairin

signal of distress had lapsed in

unconsciousness before he had learned whether

had availed or not.

It did not take the French officer long to lea

what had caused the terrible condition aboar

for when water and brandy were sought

restore the men, it was found that there was non




Tarzan – 01 374/56

nor even food of any description.

He immediately signalled to the cruiser

send water, medicine, and provisions, an

another boat made the perilous trip to the ArrowWhen restoratives had been applied several

the men regained consciousness, and then th

whole story was told. That part of it we know u

to the sailing of the Arrow after the murder Snipes, and the burial of his body above t

treasure chest.

It seems that the pursuit by the cruiser had

terrorized the mutineers that they had continue

out across the Atlantic for several days aftlosing her; but on discovering the meager supp

of water and provisions aboard, they had turn

back toward the east.

With no one on board who understoo

navigation, discussions soon arose as to the

whereabouts; and as three days' sailing to the ea

did not raise land, they bore off to the nort

fearing that the high north winds that ha




Tarzan – 01 375/56

prevailed had driven them south of the southe

extremity of Africa.

They kept on a north-northeasterly course f

two days, when they were overtaken by a calwhich lasted for nearly a week. Their water w

gone, and in another day they would be witho

food.

Conditions changed rapidly from bad to worOne man went mad and leaped overboard. Soo

another opened his veins and drank his ow

blood.

When he died they threw him overboard als

though there were those among them whwanted to keep the corpse on board. Hunger w

changing them from human beasts to wild beast

Two days before they had been picked up b

the cruiser they had become too weak to hand

the vessel, and that same day three men died. O

the following morning it was seen that one of t

corpses had been partially devoured.

All that day the men lay glaring at each oth




Tarzan – 01 376/56

like beasts of prey, and the following mornin

two of the corpses lay almost entirely stripped

flesh.

The men were but little stronger for theghoulish repast, for the want of water was by f

the greatest agony with which they had

contend. And then the cruiser had come.

When those who could had recovered, tentire story had been told to the Fren

commander; but the men were too ignorant to b

able to tell him at just what point on the coast th

professor and his party had been marooned,

the cruiser had steamed slowly along within sigof land, firing occasional signal guns an

scanning every inch of the beach with glasses.

They had anchored by night so as not

neglect a particle of the shore line, and it ha

happened that the preceding night had broug

them off the very beach where lay the little cam

they sought.

The signal guns of the afternoon before h




Tarzan – 01 377/56

not been heard by those on shore, it w

presumed, because they had doubtless been

the thick of the jungle searching for Jane Porte

where the noise of their own crashing througthe underbrush would have drowned the report

a far distant gun.

By the time the two parties had narrated the

several adventures, the cruiser's boat hreturned with supplies and arms for t

expedition.

Within a few minutes the little body of sailo

and the two French officers, together wi

Professor Porter and Clayton, set off upon thehopeless and ill-fated quest into the untrack

jungle.



Chapter XX H eredity

When Jane realized that she was bein

borne away a captive by the strange fore

creature who had rescued her from the clutch

of the ape she struggled desperately to escapbut the strong arms that held her as easily

though she had been but a day-old babe on

pressed a little more tightly.

So presently she gave up the futile effort an

lay quietly, looking through half-closed lids the faces of the man who strode easily throug

the tangled undergrowth with her.

The face above her was one of extraordina

beauty




Tarzan – 01 379/56

A perfect type of the strongly masculin

unmarred by dissipation, or brutal or degradin

passions. For, though Tarzan of the Apes was

killer of men and of beasts, he killed as thunter kills, dispassionately, except on those ra

occasions when he had killed for hate-though n

the brooding, malevolent hate which marks t

features of its own with hideous lines.When Tarzan killed he more often smiled th

scowled, and smiles are the foundation of beaut

One thing the girl had noticed particular

when she had seen Tarzan rushing upon Terko

the vivid scarlet band upon his forehead, froabove the left eye to the scalp; but now as sh

scanned his features she noticed that it was gon

and only a thin white line marked the spot whe

it had been.

As she lay more quietly in his arms Tarz

slightly relaxed his grip upon her.

Once he looked down into her eyes and smile

and the girl had to close her own to shut out th




Tarzan – 01 380/56

vision of that handsome, winning face.

Presently Tarzan took to the trees, and Jan

wondering that she felt no fear, began to reali

that in many respects she had never felt mosecure in her whole life than now as she lay

the arms of this strong, wild creature, bein

borne, God alone knew where or to what fat

deeper and deeper into the savage fastness of thuntamed forest.

When, with closed eyes, she commenced

speculate upon the future, and terrifying fea

were conjured by a vivid imagination, she ha

but to raise her lids and look upon that noble faso close to hers to dissipate the last remnant

apprehension.

No, he could never harm her; of that she w

convinced when she translated the fine featur

and the frank, brave eyes above her into th

chivalry which they proclaimed.

On and on they went through what seemed

Jane a solid mass of verdure, yet ever the




Tarzan – 01 381/56

appeared to open before this forest god a passa

as by magic, which closed behind them as th

passed.

Scarce a branch scraped against her, yet abovand below, before and behind, the vie

presented naught but a solid mass of inextricab

interwoven branches and creepers.

As Tarzan moved steadily onward his minwas occupied with many strange and ne

thoughts. Here was a problem the like of whic

he had never encountered, and he felt rather th

reasoned that he must meet it as a man and not

an ape.The free movement through the middle terra

which was the route he had followed for the mo

part, had helped to cool the ardor of the fir

fierce passion of his new found love.

Now he discovered himself speculating upo

the fate which would have fallen to the girl ha

he not rescued her from Terkoz.

He knew why the ape had not killed her, an




Tarzan – 01 382/56

he commenced to compare his intentions wi

those of Terkoz.

True, it was the order of the jungle for th

male to take his mate by force; but could Tarzabe guided by the laws of the beasts? Was n

Tarzan a Man? But what did men do? He w

puzzled; for he did not know.

He wished that he might ask the girl, and thit came to him that she had already answered hi

in the futile struggle she had made to escape an

to repulse him.

But now they had come to their destinatio

and Tarzan of the Apes with Jane in his stronarms, swung lightly to the turf of the arena whe

the great apes held their councils and danced th

wild orgy of the Dum-Dum.

Though they had come many miles, it was st

but midafternoon, and the amphitheater w

bathed in the half light which filtered through th

maze of encircling foliage.

The green turf looked soft and cool an




Tarzan – 01 383/56

inviting. The myriad noises of the jungle seeme

far distant and hushed to a mere echo of blurr

sounds, rising and falling like the surf upon

remote shore.A feeling of dreamy peacefulness stole ov

Jane as she sank down upon the grass whe

Tarzan had placed her, and as she looked up

his great figure towering above her, there wadded a strange sense of perfect security.

As she watched him from beneath half-close

lids, Tarzan crossed the little circular clearin

toward the trees upon the further side. She not

the graceful majesty of his carriage, the perfesymmetry of his magnificent figure and the poi

of his well-shaped head upon his broad shoulde

What a perfect creature! There could b

naught of cruelty or baseness beneath th

godlike exterior. Never, she thought had such

man strode the earth since God created the fir

in his own image.

With a bound Tarzan sprang into the trees an




Tarzan – 01 384/56

disappeared. Jane wondered where he had gon

Had he left her there to her fate in the lone

jungle?

She glanced nervously about. Every vine anbush seemed but the lurking-place of some hu

and horrible beast waiting to bury gleamin

fangs into her soft flesh. Every sound sh

magnified into the stealthy creeping of a sinuoand malignant body.

How different now that he had left her!

For a few minutes that seemed hours to t

frightened girl, she sat with tense nerves waitin

for the spring of the crouching thing that was end her misery of apprehension.

She almost prayed for the cruel teeth th

would give her unconsciousness and surcea

from the agony of fear.

She heard a sudden, slight sound behind he

With a cry she sprang to her feet and turned

face her end.

There stood Tarzan, his arms filled with rip




Tarzan – 01 385/56

and luscious fruit.

Jane reeled and would have fallen, had n

Tarzan, dropping his burden, caught her in h

arms. She did not lose consciousness, but shclung tightly to him, shuddering and tremblin

like a frightened deer.

Tarzan of the Apes stroked her soft hair an

tried to comfort and quiet her as Kala had himwhen, as a little ape, he had been frightened b

Sabor, the lioness, or Histah, the snake.

Once he pressed his lips lightly upon h

forehead, and she did not move, but closed h

eyes and sighed.She could not analyze her feelings, nor did sh

wish to attempt it.

She was satisfied to feel the safety of tho

strong arms, and to leave her future to fate; f

the last few hours had taught her to trust th

strange wild creature of the forest as she wou

have trusted but few of the men of h

acquaintance.




Tarzan – 01 386/56

As she thought of the strangeness of it, the

commenced to dawn upon her the realization th

she had, possibly, learned something else whi

she had never really known before-love. Swondered and then she smiled.

And still smiling, she pushed Tarzan gent

away; and looking at him with a half-smilin

half-quizzical expression that made her fawholly entrancing, she pointed to the fruit upo

the ground, and seated herself upon the edge

the earthen drum of the anthropoids, for hung

was asserting itself.

Tarzan quickly gathered up the fruit, anbringing it, laid it at her feet; and then he, too, s

upon the drum beside her, and with his kni

opened and prepared the various fruits for h

meal.

Together and in silence they ate, occasional

stealing sly glances at one another, until final

Jane broke into a merry laugh in which Tarza

joined.




Tarzan – 01 387/56

"I wish you spoke English," said the girl.

Tarzan shook his head, and an expression

wistful and pathetic longing sobered his laughin

eyes.Then Jane tried speaking to him in French, an

then in German; but she had to laugh at her ow

blundering attempt at the latter tongue.

"Anyway," she said to him in English, "younderstand my German as well as they did

Berlin."

Tarzan had long since reached a decision as

what his future procedure should be. He had h

time to recollect all that he had read of the waof men and women in the books at the cabin. H

would act as he imagined the men in the boo

would have acted were they in his place.

Again he rose and went into the trees, but fir

he tried to explain by means of signs that

would return shortly, and he did so well that Jan

understood and was not afraid when he had gon

Only a feeling of loneliness came over her an




Tarzan – 01 388/56

she watched the point where he had disappeare

with longing eyes, awaiting his return. As befor

she was appraised of his presence by a soft soun

behind her, and turned to see him coming acrothe turf with a great armful of branches.

Then he went back again into the jungle and

a few minutes reappeared with a quantity of so

grasses and ferns.Two more trips he made until he had quite

pile of material at hand.

Then he spread the ferns and grasses upon th

ground in a soft flat bed, and above it lean

many branches together so that they met a fefeet over its center. Upon these he spread laye

of huge leaves of the great elephant's ear, an

with more branches and more leaves he close

one end of the little shelter he had built.

Then they sat down together again upon th

edge of the drum and tried to talk by signs.

The magnificent diamond locket which hun

about Tarzan's neck, had been a source of mu




Tarzan – 01 389/56

wonderment to Jane. She pointed to it now, an

Tarzan removed it and handed the pretty baub

to her.

She saw that it was the work of a skillartisan and that the diamonds were of gre

brilliancy and superbly set, but the cutting

them denoted that they were of a former day. S

noticed too that the locket opened, and, pressinthe hidden clasp, she saw the two halves sprin

apart to reveal in either section an ivo

miniature.

One was of a beautiful woman and the oth

might have been a likeness of the man who sbeside her, except for a subtle difference

expression that was scarcely definable.

She looked up at Tarzan to find him leanin

toward her gazing on the miniatures with

expression of astonishment. He reached out h

hand for the locket and took it away from he

examining the likenesses within wi

unmistakable signs of surprise and new intere




Tarzan – 01 390/56

His manner clearly denoted that he had nev

before seen them, nor imagined that the lock

opened.

This fact caused Jane to indulge in furthspeculation, and it taxed her imagination

picture how this beautiful ornament came in

the possession of a wild and savage creature

the unexplored jungles of Africa.Still more wonderful was how it contained th

likeness of one who might be a brother, or, mo

likely, the father of this woodland demi-god wh

was even ignorant of the fact that the lock

opened.Tarzan was still gazing with fixity at the tw

faces. Presently he removed the quiver from h

shoulder, and emptying the arrows upon t

ground reached into the bottom of the bag-lik

receptacle and drew forth a flat object wrapp

in many soft leaves and tied with bits of lon

grass.

Carefully he unwrapped it, removing lay




Tarzan – 01 391/56

after layer of leaves until at length he held

photograph in his hand.

Pointing to the miniature of the man within t

locket he handed the photograph to Jane, holdinthe open locket beside it.

The photograph only served to puzzle the g

still more, for it was evidently another likene

of the same man whose picture rested in thlocket beside that of the beautiful young woman

Tarzan was looking at her with an expressio

of puzzled bewilderment in his eyes as sh

glanced up at him. He seemed to be framing

question with his lips.The girl pointed to the photograph and then

the miniature and then to him, as though

indicate that she thought the likenesses were

him, but he only shook his head, and th

shrugging his great shoulders, he took th

photograph from her and having careful

rewrapped it, placed it again in the bottom of h

quiver.




Tarzan – 01 392/56

For a few moments he sat in silence, his ey

bent upon the ground, while Jane held the litt

locket in her hand, turning it over and over in

endeavor to find some further clue that miglead to the identity of its original owner.

At length a simple explanation occurred to he

The locket had belonged to Lord Greystok

and the likenesses were of himself and LadAlice.

This wild creature had simply found it in th

cabin by the beach. How stupid of her not

have thought of that solution before.

But to account for the strange likenebetween Lord Greystoke and this forest god-th

was quite beyond her, and it is not strange th

she could not imagine that this naked savage w

indeed an English nobleman.

At length Tarzan looked up to watch the g

as she examined the locket. He could not fatho

the meaning of the faces within, but he cou

read the interest and fascination upon the face




Tarzan – 01 393/56

the live young creature by his side.

She noticed that he was watching her an

thinking that he wished his ornament again sh

held it out to him. He took it from her and takinthe chain in his two hands he placed it about h

neck, smiling at her expression of surprise at h

unexpected gift.

Jane shook her head vehemently and wouhave removed the golden links from about h

throat, but Tarzan would not let her. Taking h

hands in his, when she insisted upon it, he he

them tightly to prevent her.

At last she desisted and with a little laugraised the locket to her lips.

Tarzan did not know precisely what she mea

but he guessed correctly that it was her way

acknowledging the gift, and so he rose, an

taking the locket in his hand, stooped grave

like some courtier of old, and pressed his li

upon it where hers had rested.

It was a stately and gallant little complime




Tarzan – 01 394/56

performed with the grace and dignity of utt

unconsciousness of self. It was the hall-mark

his aristocratic birth, the natural outcropping

many generations of fine breeding, an hereditainstinct of graciousness which a lifetime

uncouth and savage training and environme

could not eradicate.

It was growing dark now, and so they aagain of the fruit which was both food and drin

for them; then Tarzan rose, and leading Jane

the little bower he had erected, motioned her

go within.

For the first time in hours a feeling of feswept over her, and Tarzan felt her draw away

though shrinking from him.

Contact with this girl for half a day had left

very diferent Tarzan from the one on whom t

morning's sun had risen.

Now, in every fiber of his being, heredi

spoke louder than training.

He had not in one swift transition become




Tarzan – 01 395/56

polished gentleman from a savage ape-man, b

at last the instincts of the former predominate

and over all was the desire to please the wom

he loved, and to appear well in her eyes.So Tarzan of the Apes did the only thing h

knew to assure Jane of her safety. He remov

his hunting knife from its sheath and handed it

her hilt first, again motioning her into the boweThe girl understood, and taking the long kni

she entered and lay down upon the soft grass

while Tarzan of the Apes stretched himself upo

the ground across the entrance.

And thus the rising sun found them in thmorning.

When Jane awoke, she did not at first rec

the strange events of the preceding day, and

she wondered at her odd surroundings-the litt

leafy bower, the soft grasses of her bed, t

unfamiliar prospect from the opening at her feet

Slowly the circumstances of her position cre

one by one into her mind. And then a gre




Tarzan – 01 396/56

wonderment arose in her heart-a mighty wave

thankfulness and gratitude that though she ha

been in such terrible danger, yet she w

unharmed.She moved to the entrance of the shelter

look for Tarzan. He was gone; but this time n

fear assailed her for she knew that he wou

return.In the grass at the entrance to her bower sh

saw the imprint of his body where he had lain a

night to guard her. She knew that the fact that h

had been there was all that had permitted her

sleep in such peaceful security.With him near, who could entertain fear? Sh

wondered if there was another man on earth wi

whom a girl could feel so safe in the heart of th

savage African jungle. Even the lions an

panthers had no fears for her now.

She looked up to see his lithe form drop soft

from a near-by tree.

As he caught her eyes upon him his fa




Tarzan – 01 397/56

lighted with that frank and radiant smile that h

won her confidence the day before.

As he approached her Jane's heart beat fast

and her eyes brightened as they had never dobefore at the approach of any man.

He had again been gathering fruit and this h

laid at the entrance of her bower. Once more th

sat down together to eat.Jane commenced to wonder what his pla

were. Would he take her back to the beach

would he keep her here? Suddenly she realize

that the matter did not seem to give her muc

concern. Could it be that she did not care!She began to comprehend, also, that she w

entirely contented sitting here by the side of th

smiling giant eating delicious fruit in a sylva

paradise far within the remote depths of a

African jungle-that she was contented and ve

happy.

She could not understand it. Her reason to

her that she should be torn by wild anxietie




Tarzan – 01 398/56

weighted by dread fears, cast down by gloom

forebodings; but instead, her heart was singin

and she was smiling into the answering face

the man beside her.When they had finished their breakfast Tarz

went to her bower and recovered his knife. Th

girl had entirely forgotten it. She realized that

was because she had forgotten the fear thprompted her to accept it.

Motioning her to follow, Tarzan walke

toward the trees at the edge of the arena, an

taking her in one strong arm swung to t

branches above.The girl knew that he was taking her back

her people, and she could not understand th

sudden feeling of loneliness and sorrow whic

crept over her.

For hours they swung slowly along.

Tarzan of the Apes did not hurry. He tried

draw out the sweet pleasure of that journey wi

those dear arms about his neck as long




Tarzan – 01 399/56

possible, and so he went far south of the dire

route to the beach.

Several times they halted for brief rests, whi

Tarzan did not need, and at noon they stoppfor an hour at a little brook, where they quenche

their thirst, and ate.

So it was nearly sunset when they came to th

clearing, and Tarzan, dropping to the grounbeside a great tree, parted the tall jungle gra

and pointed out the little cabin to her.

She took him by the hand to lead him to it, th

she might tell her father that this man had save

her from death and worse than death, that he hawatched over her as carefully as a mother mig

have done.

But again the timidity of the wild thing in th

face of human habitation swept over Tarzan

the Apes. He drew back, shaking his head.

The girl came close to him, looking up wi

pleading eyes. Somehow she could not bear t

thought of his going back into the terrible jung




Tarzan – 01 400/56

alone.

Still he shook his head, and finally he drew h

to him very gently and stooped to kiss her, b

first he looked into her eyes and waited to leaif she were pleased, or if she would repulse him

Just an instant the girl hesitated, and then sh

realized the truth, and throwing her arms abo

his neck she drew his face to hers and kissehim-unashamed.

"I love you-I love you," she murmured.

From far in the distance came the faint soun

of many guns. Tarzan and Jane raised their hea

From the cabin came Mr. Philander anEsmeralda.

From where Tarzan and the girl stood th

could not see the two vessels lying at anchor

the harbor.

Tarzan pointed toward the sounds, touched h

breast and pointed again.

She understood. He was going, and somethin

told her that it was because he thought her peop




Tarzan – 01 401/56

were in danger.

Again he kissed her.

"Come back to me," she whispered. "I sha

wait for you-always."He was gone-and Jane turned to walk acro

the clearing to the cabin.

Mr. Philander was the first to see her. It w

dusk and Mr. Philander was very near sighted."Quickly, Esmeralda!" he cried. "Let us se

safety within; it is a lioness. Bless me!"

Esmeralda did not bother to verify M

Philander's vision. His tone was enough. She w

within the cabin and had slammed and bolted thdoor before he had finished pronouncing h

name. The "Bless me" was startled out of M

Philander by the discovery that Esmeralda, in th

exuberance of her haste, had fastened him upo

the same side of the door as was the clos

approaching lioness.

He beat furiously upon the heavy portal.

"Esmeralda! Esmeralda!" he shrieked. "Let m




Tarzan – 01 402/56

in. I am being devoured by a lion."

Esmeralda thought that the noise upon th

door was made by the lioness in her attempts

pursue her, so, after her custom, she fainted.Mr. Philander cast a frightened glance behin

him.

Horrors! The thing was quite close now. H

tried to scramble up the side of the cabin, ansucceeded in catching a fleeting hold upon th

thatched roof.

For a moment he hung there, clawing with h

feet like a cat on a clothesline, but presently

piece of the thatch came away, and Mr.Philander, preceding it, was precipitated upo

his back.

At the instant he fell a remarkable item

natural history leaped to his mind. If one feig

death lions and lionesses are supposed to igno

one, according to Mr. Philander's faulty memor

So Mr. Philander lay as he had fallen, froze

into the horrid semblance of death. As his arm




Tarzan – 01 403/56

and legs had been extended stiffly upward as h

came to earth upon his back the attitude of dea

was anything but impressive.

Jane had been watching his antics in mileyed surprise. Now she laughed-a little chokin

gurgle of a laugh; but it was enough. Mr.

Philander rolled over upon his side and peer

about. At length he discovered her."Jane!" he cried. "Jane Porter. Bless me!"

He scrambled to his feet and rushed towa

her. He could not believe that it was she, an

alive.

"Bless me!" Where did you come fromWhere in the world have you been? How-"

"Mercy, Mr. Philander," interrupted the girl,

can never remember so many questions."

"Well, well," said Mr. Philander. "Bless me

am so filled with surprise and exuberant delig

at seeing you safe and well again that I scarce

know what I am saying, really. But come, tell m

all that has happened to you."



Chapter XXI The V illage of Torture

As the little expedition of sailors toile

through the dense jungle searching for signs

Jane Porter, the futility of their venture becam

more and more apparent, but the grief of the oman and the hopeless eyes of the youn

Englishman prevented the kind hearted D'Arn

from turning back.

He thought that there might be a ba

possibility of finding her body, or the remains it, for he was positive that she had been devoure

by some beast of prey. He deployed his men in

a skirmish line from the point where Esmerald

had been found and in this extended formatio




Tarzan – 01 405/56

they pushed their way, sweating and pantin

through the tangled vines and creepers. It w

slow work. Noon found them but a few mil

inland. They halted for a brief rest then, and aftpushing on for a short distance further one of th

men discovered a well-marked trail.

It was an old elephant track, and D'Arnot aft

consulting with Professor Porter and Claytodecided to follow it.

The path wound through the jungle in

northeasterly direction, and along it the colum

moved in single file.

Lieutenant D'Arnot was in the lead anmoving at a quick pace, for the trail w

comparatively open. Immediately behind hi

came Professor Porter, but as he could not ke

pace with the younger man D'Arnot was

hundred yards in advance when suddenly a ha

dozen black warriors arose about him.

D'Arnot gave a warning shout to his column

the blacks closed on him, but before he cou




Tarzan – 01 406/56

draw his revolver he had been pinioned an

dragged into the jungle.

His cry had alarmed the sailors and a dozen

them sprang forward past Professor Porterunning up the trail to their officer's aid.

They did not know the cause of his outcr

only that it was a warning of danger ahead. Th

had rushed past the spot where D'Arnot had beeseized when a spear hurled from the jung

transfixed one of the men, and then a volley

arrows fell among them.

Raising their rifles they fired into th

underbrush in the direction from which thmissiles had come.

By this time the balance of the party had com

up, and volley after volley was fired toward t

concealed foe. It was these shots that Tarzan an

Jane Porter had heard.

Lieutenant Charpentier, who had be

bringing up the rear of the column, now cam

running to the scene, and on hearing the detai




Tarzan – 01 407/56

of the ambush ordered the men to follow him

and plunged into the tangled vegetation.

In an instant they were in a hand-to-hand fig

with some fifty black warriors of Mbongavillage. Arrows and bullets flew thick and fast.

Queer African knives and French gun bu

mingled for a moment in savage and blood

duels, but soon the natives fled into the junglleaving the Frenchmen to count their losses.

Four of the twenty were dead, a dozen othe

were wounded, and Lieutenant D'Arnot w

missing. Night was falling rapidly, and the

predicament was rendered doubly worse whthey could not even find the elephant trail whic

they had been following.

There was but one thing to do, make cam

where they were until daylight. Lieutena

Charpentier ordered a clearing made and

circular abatis of underbrush constructed abo

the camp.

This work was not completed until long aft




Tarzan – 01 408/56

dark, the men building a huge fire in the cent

of the clearing to give them light to work by.

When all was safe as possible against attack

wild beasts and savage men, LieutenaCharpentier placed sentries about the little cam

and the tired and hungry men threw themselv

upon the ground to sleep.

The groans of the wounded, mingled with throaring and growling of the great beasts whi

the noise and firelight had attracted, kept slee

except in its most fitful form, from the tired eye

It was a sad and hungry party that lay through t

long night praying for dawn.The blacks who had seized D'Arnot had n

waited to participate in the fight which followe

but instead had dragged their prisoner a little w

through the jungle and then struck the tra

further on beyond the scene of the fighting

which their fellows were engaged.

They hurried him along, the sounds of batt

growing fainter and fainter as they drew aw




Tarzan – 01 409/56

from the contestants until there suddenly brok

upon D'Arnot's vision a good-sized clearing

one end of which stood a thatched and palisade

village.It was now dusk, but the watchers at the ga

saw the approaching trio and distinguished on

as a prisoner ere they reached the portals.

A cry went up within the palisade. A grethrong of women and children rushed out to me

the party.

And then began for the French officer the mo

terrifying experience which man can encount

upon earth-the reception of a white prisoner ina village of African cannibals.

To add to the fiendishness of their cru

savagery was the poignant memory of st

crueler barbarities practiced upon them and thei

by the white officers of that arch hypocrit

Leopold II of Belgium, because of who

atrocities they had fled the Congo Free State

pitiful remnant of what once had been a migh




Tarzan – 01 410/56

tribe.

They fell upon D'Arnot tooth and nail, beatin

him with sticks and stones and tearing at hi

with claw-like hands. Every vestige of clothinwas torn from him, and the merciless blows fe

upon his bare and quivering flesh. But not on

did the Frenchman cry out in pain.

He breathed a silent prayer that he be quickdelivered from his torture.

But the death he prayed for was not to be

easily had. Soon the warriors beat the wom

away from their prisoner. He was to be saved f

nobler sport than this, and the first wave of thepassion having subsided they content

themselves with crying out taunts and insults an

spitting upon him.

Presently they reached the center of the villag

There D'Arnot was bound securely to the gre

post from which no live man had ever bee

released.

A number of the women scattered to the




Tarzan – 01 411/56

several huts to fetch pots and water, while othe

built a row of fires on which portions of the fea

were to be boiled while the balance would b

slowly dried in strips for future use, as theexpected the other warriors to return with man

prisoners. The festivities were delayed awaitin

the return of the warriors who had remained

engage in the skirmish with the white men, that it was quite late when all were in the villag

and the dance of death commenced to circ

around the doomed officer.

Half fainting from pain and exhaustio

D'Arnot watched from beneath half-closed liwhat seemed but the vagary of delirium, or som

horrid nightmare from which he must soo

awake.

The bestial faces, daubed with color-the hug

mouths and flabby hanging lips-the yellow teet

sharp filed-the rolling, demon eyes-the shinin

naked bodies-the cruel spears. Surely no su

creatures really existed upon earth-he mu




Tarzan – 01 412/56

indeed be dreaming.

The savage, whirling bodies circled neare

Now a spear sprang forth and touched his arm

The sharp pain and the feel of hot, tricklinblood assured him of the awful reality of h

hopeless position.

Another spear and then another touched him

He closed his eyes and held his teeth firm set-hwould not cry out.

He was a soldier of France, and he wou

teach these beasts how an officer and

gentleman died.

Tarzan of the Apes needed no interpreter translate the story of those distant shots. Wi

Jane Porter's kisses still warm upon his lips h

was swinging with incredible rapidity throug

the forest trees straight toward the village

Mbonga.

He was not interested in the location of th

encounter, for he judged that that would soon b

over. Those who were killed he could not ai




Tarzan – 01 413/56

those who escaped would not need his assistanc

It was to those who had neither been killed

escaped that he hastened. And he knew that h

would find them by the great post in the center Mbonga village.

Many times had Tarzan seen Mbonga's blac

raiding parties return from the northward wi

prisoners, and always were the same scenenacted about that grim stake, beneath the flarin

light of many fires.

He knew, too, that they seldom lost much tim

before consummating the fiendish purpose

their captures. He doubted that he would arrivin time to do more than avenge.

On he sped. Night had fallen and he travele

high along the upper terrace where the gorgeo

tropic moon lighted the dizzy pathway throug

the gently undulating branches of the tree tops.

Presently he caught the reflection of a dista

blaze. It lay to the right of his path. It must be th

light from the camp fire the two men had bu




Tarzan – 01 414/56

before they were attacked-Tarzan knew nothin

of the presence of the sailors.

So sure was Tarzan of his jungle knowledg

that he did not turn from his course, but passthe glare at a distance of a half mile. It was th

camp fire of the Frenchmen.

In a few minutes more Tarzan swung into t

trees above Mbonga's village. Ah, he was nquite too late! Or, was he? He could not tell. Th

figure at the stake was very still, yet the bla

warriors were but pricking it.

Tarzan knew their customs. The death blo

had not been struck. He could tell almost tominute how far the dance had gone.

In another instant Mbonga's knife would sev

one of the victim's ears-that would mark th

beginning of the end, for very shortly after only

writhing mass of mutilated flesh would remain.

There would still be life in it, but death the

would be the only charity it craved.

The stake stood forty feet from the nearest tr




Tarzan – 01 415/56

Tarzan coiled his rope. Then there rose sudden

above the fiendish cries of the dancing demo

the awful challenge of the ape-man.

The dancers halted as though turned to stone.The rope sped with singing whir high abov

the heads of the blacks. It was quite invisible

the flaring lights of the camp fires.

D'Arnot opened his eyes. A huge blacstanding directly before him, lunged backward

though felled by an invisible hand.

Struggling and shrieking, his body, rollin

from side to side, moved quickly toward th

shadows beneath the trees.The blacks, their eyes protruding in horro

watched spellbound.

Once beneath the trees, the body rose straig

into the air, and as it disappeared into the foliag

above, the terrified negroes, screaming wi

fright, broke into a mad race for the village gate

D'Arnot was left alone.

He was a brave man, but he had felt the sho




Tarzan – 01 416/56

hairs bristle upon the nape of his neck when th

uncanny cry rose upon the air.

As the writhing body of the black soared,

though by unearthly power, into the denfoliage of the forest, D'Arnot felt an icy shiv

run along his spine, as though death had ris

from a dark grave and laid a cold and clamm

finger on his flesh.As D'Arnot watched the spot where the bod

had entered the tree he heard the sounds

movement there.

The branches swayed as though under t

weight of a man's body-there was a crash and thblack came sprawling to earth again,-to lie ve

quietly where he had fallen.

Immediately after him came a white body, b

this one alighted erect.

D'Arnot saw a clean-limbed young gia

emerge from the shadows into the firelight an

come quickly toward him.

What could it mean? Who could it be? Som




Tarzan – 01 417/56

new creature of torture and destruction, doubtle

D'Arnot waited. His eyes never left the face

the advancing man.

Nor did the other's frank, clear eyes wavbeneath D'Arnot's fixed gaze.

D'Arnot was reassured, but still without mu

hope, though he felt that that face could not ma

a cruel heart.Without a word Tarzan of the Apes cut t

bonds which held the Frenchman. Weak fro

suffering and loss of blood, he would have falle

but for the strong arm that caught him.

He felt himself lifted from the ground. Thewas a sensation as of flying, and then he lo

consciousness.



Chapter XXII

The S earch P arty

When dawn broke upon the little camp

Frenchmen in the heart of the jungle it found

sad and disheartened group.

As soon as it was light enough to see thesurroundings Lieutenant Charpentier sent men

groups of three in several directions to locate t

trail, and in ten minutes it was found and th

expedition was hurrying back toward the beach

It was slow work, for they bore the bodies six dead men, two more having succumbe

during the night, and several of those who we

wounded required support to move even ve

slowly




Tarzan – 01 419/56

Charpentier had decided to return to camp f

reinforcements, and then make an attempt

track down the natives and rescue D'Arnot.

It was late in the afternoon when the exhaustmen reached the clearing by the beach, but f

two of them the return brought so great

happiness that all their suffering an

heartbreaking grief was forgotten on the instantAs the little party emerged from the jungle th

first person that Professor Porter and Cec

Clayton saw was Jane, standing by the cab

door.

With a little cry of joy and relief she rforward to greet them, throwing her arms abo

her father's neck and bursting into tears for t

first time since they had been cast upon th

hideous and adventurous shore.

Professor Porter strove manfully to suppre

his own emotions, but the strain upon his nerv

and weakened vitality were too much for him

and at length, burying his old face in the gir




Tarzan – 01 420/56

shoulder, he sobbed quietly like a tired child.

Jane led him toward the cabin, and t

Frenchmen turned toward the beach from whic

several of their fellows were advancing to methem.

Clayton, wishing to leave father and daught

alone, joined the sailors and remained talkin

with the officers until their boat pulled awtoward the cruiser whither Lieutena

Charpentier was bound to report the unhapp

outcome of his adventure.

Then Clayton turned back slowly toward th

cabin. His heart was filled with happiness. Twoman he loved was safe.

He wondered by what manner of miracle sh

had been spared. To see her alive seemed almo

unbelievable.

As he approached the cabin he saw Jan

coming out. When she saw him she hurrie

forward to meet him.

"Jane!" he cried, "God has been good to u




Tarzan – 01 421/56

indeed. Tell me how you escaped-what for

Providence took to save you for-us."

He had never before called her by her giv

name. Forty-eight hours before it would havsuffused Jane with a soft glow of pleasure

have heard that name from Clayton's lips-now

frightened her.

"Mr. Clayton," she said quietly, extending hhand, "first let me thank you for your chivalro

loyalty to my dear father. He has told me ho

noble and self-sacrificing you have been. Ho

can we repay you!"

Clayton noticed that she did not return hfamiliar salutation, but he felt no misgivings o

that score. She had been through so much. Th

was no time to force his love upon her,

quickly realized.

"I am already repaid," he said. "Just to see yo

and Professor Porter both safe, well, and togeth

again. I do not think that I could much long

have endured the pathos of his quiet an




Tarzan – 01 422/56

uncomplaining grief.

"It was the saddest experience of my life, Mi

Porter; and then, added to it, there was my ow

grief-the greatest I have ever known. But his wso hopeless-his was pitiful. It taught me that n

love, not even that of a man for his wife may b

so deep and terrible and self-sacrificing as th

love of a father for his daughter."The girl bowed her head. There was a questio

she wanted to ask, but it seemed almo

sacrilegious in the face of the love of these tw

men and the terrible suffering they had endure

while she sat laughing and happy beside godlike creature of the forest, eating delicio

fruits and looking with eyes of love in

answering eyes.

But love is a strange master, and human natu

is still stranger, so she asked her question.

"Where is the forest man who went to rescu

you? Why did he not return?"

"I do not understand," said Clayton. "Who




Tarzan – 01 423/56

do you mean?"

"He who has saved each of us-who saved m

from the gorilla."

"Oh," cried Clayton, in surprise. "It was who rescued you? You have not told m

anything of your adventure, you know."

"But the wood man," she urged. "Have you n

seen him? When we heard the shots in the junglvery faint and far away, he left me. We had ju

reached the clearing, and he hurried off in th

direction of the fighting. I know he went to a

you."

Her tone was almost pleading-her manntense with suppressed emotion.

Clayton could not but notice it, and h

wondered, vaguely, why she was so deep

moved-so anxious to know the whereabouts

this strange creature.

Yet a feeling of apprehension of som

impending sorrow haunted him, and in his brea

unknown to himself, was implanted the fir




Tarzan – 01 424/56

germ of jealousy and suspicion of the ape-ma

to whom he owed his life.

"We did not see him," he replied quietly. "H

did not join us." And then after a moment thoughtful pause: "Possibly he joined his ow

tribe-the men who attacked us." He did not kno

why he had said it, for he did not believe it.

The girl looked at him wide eyed for moment.

"No!" she exclaimed vehemently, much to

vehemently he thought. "It could not be. Th

were savages."

Clayton looked puzzled."He is a strange, half-savage creature of th

jungle, Miss Porter. We know nothing of hi

He neither speaks nor understands any Europe

tongue-and his ornaments and weapons are tho

of the West Coast savages."

Clayton was speaking rapidly.

"There are no other human beings th

savages within hundreds of miles, Miss Porte




Tarzan – 01 425/56

He must belong to the tribes which attacked u

or to some other equally savage-he may even b

a cannibal."

Jane blanched."I will not believe it," she half whispered.

is not true. You shall see," she said, addressin

Clayton, "that he will come back and that he w

prove that you are wrong. You do not know hias I do. I tell you that he is a gentleman."

Clayton was a generous and chivalrous ma

but something in the girl's breathless defense

the forest man stirred him to unreasonin

jealousy, so that for the instant he forgot all ththey owed to this wild demi-god, and

answered her with a half sneer upon his lip.

"Possibly you are right, Miss Porter," he sai

"but I do not think that any of us need wor

about our carrion-eating acquaintance. Th

chances are that he is some half-dement

castaway who will forget us more quickly, but n

more surely, than we shall forget him. He is on




Tarzan – 01 426/56

a beast of the jungle, Miss Porter."

The girl did not answer, but she felt her hea

shrivel within her.

She knew that Clayton spoke merely what hthought, and for the first time she began

analyze the structure which supported h

newfound love, and to subject its object to

critical examination.Slowly she turned and walked back to th

cabin. She tried to imagine her wood-god by h

side in the saloon of an ocean liner. She saw hi

eating with his hands, tearing his food like

beast of prey, and wiping his greasy fingers upohis thighs. She shuddered.

She saw him as she introduced him to h

friends-uncouth, illiterate-a boor; and the g

winced.

She had reached her room now, and as she s

upon the edge of her bed of ferns and grasse

with one hand resting upon her rising and fallin

bosom, she felt the hard outlines of the man




Tarzan – 01 427/56

locket.

She drew it out, holding it in the palm of h

hand for a moment with tear-blurred eyes be

upon it. Then she raised it to her lips, ancrushing it there buried her face in the soft fern

sobbing.

"Beast?" she murmured. "Then God make m

a beast; for, man or beast, I am yours."She did not see Clayton again that da

Esmeralda brought her supper to her, and sh

sent word to her father that she was sufferin

from the reaction following her adventure.

The next morning Clayton left early with trelief expedition in search of Lieutenant D'Arno

There were two hundred armed men this tim

with ten officers and two surgeons, an

provisions for a week.

They carried bedding and hammocks, th

latter for transporting their sick and wounded.

It was a determined and angry company

punitive expedition as well as one of relief. Th




Tarzan – 01 428/56

reached the sight of the skirmish of the previo

expedition shortly after noon, for they were no

traveling a known trail and no time was lost

exploring.From there on the elephant-track led straig

to Mbonga's village. It was but two o'clock whe

the head of the column halted upon the edge

the clearing.Lieutenant Charpentier, who was in comman

immediately sent a portion of his force throug

the jungle to the opposite side of the village.

Another detachment was dispatched to a poi

before the village gate, while he remained withe balance upon the south side of the clearing.

It was arranged that the party which was

take its position to the north, and which would b

the last to gain its station should commence t

assault, and that their opening volley should b

the signal for a concerted rush from all sides

an attempt to carry the village by storm at th

first charge.




Tarzan – 01 429/56

For half an hour the men with Lieutena

Charpentier crouched in the dense foliage of th

jungle, waiting the signal. To them it seemed lik

hours. They could see natives in the fields, anothers moving in and out of the village gate.

At length the signal came-a sharp rattle

musketry, and like one man, an answering volle

tore from the jungle to the west and to the southThe natives in the field dropped the

implements and broke madly for the palisad

The French bullets mowed them down, and th

French sailors bounded over their prostra

bodies straight for the village gate.So sudden and unexpected the assault ha

been that the whites reached the gates before t

frightened natives could bar them, and in anoth

minute the village street was filled with arme

men fighting hand to hand in an inextricab

tangle.

For a few moments the blacks held the

ground within the entrance to the street, but th




Tarzan – 01 430/56

revolvers, rifles and cutlasses of the Frenchm

crumpled the native spearmen and struck dow

the black archers with their bows halfdrawn.

Soon the battle turned to a wild rout, and theto a grim massacre; for the French sailors ha

seen bits of D'Arnot's uniform upon several

the black warriors who opposed them.

They spared the children and those of thwomen whom they were not forced to kill

self-defense, but when at length they stoppe

parting, blood covered and sweating, it w

because there lived to oppose them no sing

warrior of all the savage village of Mbonga.Carefully they ransacked every hut and corn

of the village, but no sign of D'Arnot could th

find. They questioned the prisoners by signs, an

finally one of the sailors who had served in th

French Congo found that he could make the

understand the bastard tongue that passes f

language between the whites and the mo

degraded tribes of the coast, but even then the




Tarzan – 01 431/56

could learn nothing definite regarding the fate

D'Arnot.

Only excited gestures and expressions of fe

could they obtain in response to their inquiriconcerning their fellow; and at last they becam

convinced that these were but evidences of t

guilt of these demons who had slaughtered an

eaten their comrade two nights before.At length all hope left them, and they prepare

to camp for the night within the village. Th

prisoners were herded into three huts where th

were heavily guarded. Sentries were posted at t

barred gates, and finally the village was wrappein the silence of slumber, except for the wailin

of the native women for their dead.

The next morning they set out upon the retu

march. Their original intention had been to bu

the village, but this idea was abandoned and th

prisoners were left behind, weeping and moanin

but with roofs to cover them and a palisade f

refuge from the beasts of the jungle.




Tarzan – 01 432/56

Slowly the expedition retraced its steps of th

preceding day. Ten loaded hammocks retard

its pace. In eight of them lay the more serious

wounded, while two swung beneath the weigof the dead.

Clayton and Lieutenant Charpentier broug

up the rear of the column; the Englishman sile

in respect for the other's grief, for D'Arnot anCharpentier had been inseparable friends sin

boyhood.

Clayton could not but realize that t

Frenchman felt his grief the more keenly becau

D'Arnot's sacrifice had been so futile, since Janhad been rescued before D'Arnot had fallen in

the hands of the savages, and again because t

service in which he had lost his life had bee

outside his duty and for strangers and aliens; b

when he spoke of it to Lieutenant Charpentie

the latter shook his head.

"No, Monsieur," he said, "D'Arnot would hav

chosen to die thus. I only grieve that I could n




Tarzan – 01 433/56

have died for him, or at least with him.

I wish that you could have known him bette

Monsieur. He was indeed an officer and

gentleman-a title conferred on many, bdeserved by so few.

"He did not die futilely, for his death in t

cause of a strange American girl will make u

his comrades, face our ends the more bravelhowever they may come to us."

Clayton did not reply, but within him rose

new respect for Frenchmen which remaine

undimmed ever after.

It was quite late when they reached the cabby the beach. A single shot before they emerge

from the jungle had announced to those in cam

as well as on the ship that the expedition ha

been too late-for it had been prearranged th

when they came within a mile or two of cam

one shot was to be fired to denote failure,

three for success, while two would hav

indicated that they had found no sign of eith




Tarzan – 01 434/56

D'Arnot or his black captors.

So it was a solemn party that awaited the

coming, and few words were spoken as the de

and wounded men were tenderly placed in boaand rowed silently toward the cruiser.

Clayton, exhausted from his five days

laborious marching through the jungle and fro

the effects of his two battles with the blackturned toward the cabin to seek a mouthful

food and then the comparative ease of his bed

grasses after two nights in the jungle.

By the cabin door stood Jane.

"The poor lieutenant?" she asked. "Did yofind no trace of him?"

"We were too late, Miss Porter," he replie

sadly.

"Tell me. What had happened?" she asked.

"I cannot, Miss Porter, it is too horrible."

"You do not mean that they had tortured him

she whispered.

"We do not know what they did to hi




Tarzan – 01 435/56

BEFORE they killed him," he answered, his fa

drawn with fatigue and the sorrow he felt f

poor D'Arnot and he emphasized the word befo

"BEFORE they killed him! What do you meThey are not-? They are not-?"

She was thinking of what Clayton had said

the forest man's probable relationship to this trib

and she could not frame the awful word."Yes, Miss Porter, they were-cannibals," h

said, almost bitterly, for to him too had sudden

come the thought of the forest man, and t

strange, unaccountable jealousy he had felt tw

days before swept over him once more.And then in sudden brutality that was as unlik

Clayton as courteous consideration is unlike

ape, he blurted out:

"When your forest god left you he w

doubtless hurrying to the feast."

He was sorry ere the words were spok

though he did not know how cruelly they had c

the girl. His regret was for his baseless disloyal




Tarzan – 01 436/56

to one who had saved the lives of every memb

of his party, and offered harm to none.

The girl's head went high.

"There could be but one suitable reply to yoassertion, Mr. Clayton," she said icily, "and

regret that I am not a man, that I might make it

She turned quickly and entered the cabin.

Clayton was an Englishman, so the girl hapassed quite out of sight before he deduced wh

reply a man would have made.

"Upon my word," he said ruefully, "she calle

me a liar. And I fancy I jolly well deserved it

he added thoughtfully. "Clayton, my boy, I knoyou are tired out and unstrung, but that's n

reason why you should make an ass of yourse

You'd better go to bed."

But before he did so he called gently to Ja

upon the opposite side of the sailcloth partitio

for he wished to apologize, but he might as we

have addressed the Sphinx. Then he wrote upo

a piece of paper and shoved it beneath th




Tarzan – 01 437/56

partition.

Jane saw the little note and ignored it, for s

was very angry and hurt and mortified, but-sh

was a woman, and so eventually she picked it uand read it.

MY DEAR MISS PORTER:

I had no reason to insinuate what I did. Monly excuse is that my nerves must be unstrun

which is no excuse at all.

Please try and think that I did not say it. I a

very sorry. I would not have hurt YOU, above

others in the world. Say that you forgive me.WM. CECIL CLAYTON.

"He did think it or he never would have sa

it," reasoned the girl, "but it cannot be true-oh

know it is not true!"

One sentence in the letter frightened her:

would not have hurt YOU above all others in th

world."




Tarzan – 01 438/56

A week ago that sentence would have fille

her with delight, now it depressed her.

She wished she had never met Clayton. S

was sorry that she had ever seen the forest goNo, she was glad. And there was that other no

she had found in the grass before the cabin th

day after her return from the jungle, the love no

signed by Tarzan of the Apes.Who could be this new suitor? If he we

another of the wild denizens of this terrible fore

what might he not do to claim her?

"Esmeralda! Wake up," she cried.

"You make me so irritable, sleeping thepeacefully when you know perfectly well that t

world is filled with sorrow."

"Gaberelle!" screamed Esmeralda, sitting u

"What is it now? A hipponocerous? Where is h

Miss Jane?"

"Nonsense, Esmeralda, there is nothing. G

back to sleep. You are bad enough asleep, b

you are infinitely worse awake."




Tarzan – 01 439/56

"Yes honey, but what's the matter with yo

precious? You acts sort of disgranulated th

evening."

"Oh, Esmeralda, I'm just plain ugly to-nightsaid the girl. "Don't pay any attention to m

that's a dear."

"Yes, honey; now you go right to sleep. Yo

nerves are all on edge.What with all these ripotamuses and m

eating geniuses that Mister Philander been tellin

about-Lord, it ain't no wonder we all get nervo

prosecution."

Jane crossed the little room, laughing, ankissing the faithful woman, bid Esmeralda goo

night.



Chapter XXIII

B rother M en

When D'Arnot regained consciousness, h

found himself lying upon a bed of soft ferns an

grasses beneath a little "A" shaped shelter

boughs.At his feet an opening looked out upon a gre

sward, and at a little distance beyond was th

dense wall of jungle and forest.

He was very lame and sore and weak, and

full consciousness returned he felt the shatorture of many cruel wounds and the dull achin

of every bone and muscle in his body as a resu

of the hideous beating he had received.

Even the turning of his head caused him su




Tarzan – 01 441/56

excruciating agony that he lay still with close

eyes for a long time.

He tried to piece out the details of h

adventure prior to the time he lost consciousneto see if they would explain his prese

whereabouts-he wondered if he were amon

friends or foes.

At length he recollected the whole hideoscene at the stake, and finally recalled the stran

white figure in whose arms he had sunk in

oblivion.

D'Arnot wondered what fate lay in store f

him now. He could neither see nor hear any sigof life about him.

The incessant hum of the jungle-the rustling

millions of leaves-the buzz of insects-the voic

of the birds and monkeys seemed blended into

strangely soothing purr, as though he lay apa

far from the myriad life whose sounds came

him only as a blurred echo.

At length he fell into a quiet slumber, nor d




Tarzan – 01 442/56

he awake again until afternoon.

Once more he experienced the strange sense

utter bewilderment that had marked his earli

awakening, but soon he recalled the recent paand looking through the opening at his feet h

saw the figure of a man squatting on h

haunches.

The broad, muscular back was turned towahim, but, tanned though it was, D'Arnot saw th

it was the back of a white man, and he thanke

God.

The Frenchman called faintly. The man turn

and rising, came toward the shelter. His face wvery handsome-the handsomest, thought D'Arn

that he had ever seen.

Stooping, he crawled into the shelter besid

the wounded officer, and placed a cool han

upon his forehead.

D'Arnot spoke to him in French, but the ma

only shook his head-sadly, it seemed to t

Frenchman.




Tarzan – 01 443/56

Then D'Arnot tried English, but still the ma

shook his head. Italian, Spanish and Germ

brought similar discouragement.

D'Arnot knew a few words of NorwegiaRussian, Greek, and also had a smattering of t

language of one of the West Coast negro tribe

the man denied them all.

After examining D'Arnot's wounds the mleft the shelter and disappeared. In half an ho

he was back with fruit and a hollow gourd-lik

vegetable filled with water.

D'Arnot drank and ate a little. He w

surprised that he had no fever.Again he tried to converse with his strang

nurse, but the attempt was useless.

Suddenly the man hastened from the shelt

only to return a few minutes later with sever

pieces of bark and-wonder of wonders-a le

pencil.

Squatting beside D'Arnot he wrote for

minute on the smooth inner surface of the bar




Tarzan – 01 444/56

then he handed it to the Frenchman.

D'Arnot was astonished to see, in plain prin

like characters, a message in English:

I am Tarzan of the Apes. Who are you? Cyou read this language?

D'Arnot seized the pencil-then he stoppe

This strange man wrote English-evidently he w

an Englishman."Yes," said D'Arnot, "I read English. I speak

also. Now we may talk. First let me thank yo

for all that you have done for me."

The man only shook his head and pointed

the pencil and the bark."MON DIEU!" cried D'Arnot. "If you a

English why is it then that you cannot spea

English?"

And then in a flash it came to him-the m

was a mute, possibly a deaf mute.

So D'Arnot wrote a message on the bark,

English.

I am Paul d'Arnot, Lieutenant in the navy




Tarzan – 01 445/56

France. I thank you for what you have done f

me. You have saved my life, and all that I have

yours. May I ask how it is that one who writ

English does not speak it?Tarzan's reply filled D'Arnot with still great

wonder:

I speak only the language of my tribe-the gre

apes who were Kerchak's; and a little of thlanguages of Tantor, the elephant, and Numa, t

lion, and of the other folks of the jungle

understand.

With a human being I have never spoke

except once with Jane Porter, by signs. This the first time I have spoken with another of m

kind through written words.

D'Arnot was mystified. It seemed incredib

that there lived upon earth a full-grown man wh

had never spoken with a fellow man, and st

more preposterous that such a one could read an

write.

He looked again at Tarzan's message-"exce




Tarzan – 01 446/56

once, with Jane Porter."

That was the American girl who had be

carried into the jungle by a gorilla.

A sudden light commenced to dawn oD'Arnot-this then was the "gorilla." He seized th

pencil and wrote:

Where is Jane Porter?

And Tarzan replied, below:Back with her people in the cabin of Tarzan

the Apes.

She is not dead then? Where was she? Wh

happened to her?

She is not dead. She was taken by Terkoz be his wife; but Tarzan of the Apes took h

away from Terkoz and killed him before h

could harm her.

None in all the jungle may face Tarzan of th

Apes in battle, and live.

I am Tarzan of the Apes-mighty fighter.

D'Arnot wrote:

I am glad she is safe. It pains me to write




Tarzan – 01 447/56

will rest a while.

And then Tarzan:

Yes, rest. When you are well I shall take yo

back to your people.For many days D'Arnot lay upon his bed

soft ferns. The second day a fever had come an

D'Arnot thought that it meant infection and h

knew that he would die.An idea came to him. He wondered why

had not thought of it before.

He called Tarzan and indicated by signs th

he would write, and when Tarzan had fetched th

bark and pencil, D'Arnot wrote:Can you go to my people and lead them her

I will write a message that you may take to them

and they will follow you.

Tarzan shook his head and taking the bar

wrote:

I had thought of that-the first day; but I dar

not. The great apes come often to this spot, and

they found you here, wounded and alone, th




Tarzan – 01 448/56

would kill you.

D'Arnot turned on his side and closed his eye

He did not wish to die; but he felt that he w

going, for the fever was mounting higher anhigher. That night he lost consciousness.

For three days he was in delirium, and Tarz

sat beside him and bathed his head and han

and washed his wounds.On the fourth day the fever broke as sudden

as it had come, but it left D'Arnot a shadow

his former self, and very weak. Tarzan had to l

him that he might drink from the gourd.

The fever had not been the result of infectioas D'Arnot had thought, but one of those th

commonly attack whites in the jungles of Afric

and either kill or leave them as suddenly

D'Arnot's had left him.

Two days later, D'Arnot was tottering abo

the amphitheater, Tarzan's strong arm about hi

to keep him from falling.

They sat beneath the shade of a great tree, an




Tarzan – 01 449/56

Tarzan found some smooth bark that they mig

converse.

D'Arnot wrote the first message:

What can I do to repay you for all that yohave done for me?

And Tarzan, in reply:

Teach me to speak the language of men.

And so D'Arnot commenced at once, pointinout familiar objects and repeating their names

French, for he thought that it would be easier

teach this man his own language, since h

understood it himself best of all.

It meant nothing to Tarzan, of course, for hcould not tell one language from another,

when he pointed to the word man which he ha

printed upon a piece of bark he learned fro

D'Arnot that it was pronounced HOMME, and

the same way he was taught to pronounce ap

SINGE and tree, ARBRE.

He was a most eager student, and in two mo

days had mastered so much French that he cou




Tarzan – 01 450/56

speak little sentences such as: "That is a tree,"

"this is grass," "I am hungry," and the like, b

D'Arnot found that it was difficult to teach hi

the French construction upon a foundation English.

The Frenchman wrote little lessons for him

English and had Tarzan repeat them in Frenc

but as a literal translation was usually very poFrench Tarzan was often confused.

D'Arnot realized now that he had made

mistake, but it seemed too late to go back and d

it all over again and force Tarzan to unlearn a

that he had learned, especially as they werapidly approaching a point where they would b

able to converse.

On the third day after the fever broke Tarz

wrote a message asking D'Arnot if he felt stron

enough to be carried back to the cabin.

Tarzan was as anxious to go as D'Arnot, for h

longed to see Jane again.

It had been hard for him to remain with t




Tarzan – 01 451/56

Frenchman all these days for that very reaso

and that he had unselfishly done so spoke mo

glowingly of his nobility of character than ev

did his rescuing the French officer froMbonga's clutches.

D'Arnot, only too willing to attempt th

journey, wrote:

But you cannot carry me all the distanthrough this tangled forest.

Tarzan laughed.

"MAIS OUI," he said, and D'Arnot laughe

aloud to hear the phrase that he used so ofte

glide from Tarzan's tongue.So they set out, D'Arnot marveling as ha

Clayton and Jane at the wondrous strength an

agility of the apeman.

Mid-afternoon brought them to the clearin

and as Tarzan dropped to earth from the branch

of the last tree his heart leaped and bounde

against his ribs in anticipation of seeing Jane

soon again.




Tarzan – 01 452/56

No one was in sight outside the cabin, an

D'Arnot was perplexed to note that neither th

cruiser nor the Arrow was at anchor in the bay.

An atmosphere of loneliness pervaded the spwhich caught suddenly at both men as th

strode toward the cabin.

Neither spoke, yet both knew before th

opened the closed door what they would finbeyond.

Tarzan lifted the latch and pushed the gre

door in upon its wooden hinges. It was as th

had feared. The cabin was deserted.

The men turned and looked at one anotheD'Arnot knew that his people thought him dea

but Tarzan thought only of the woman who ha

kissed him in love and now had fled from hi

while he was serving one of her people.

A great bitterness rose in his heart. He wou

go away, far into the jungle and join his trib

Never would he see one of his own kind agai

nor could he bear the thought of returning to th




Tarzan – 01 453/56

cabin. He would leave that forever behind hi

with the great hopes he had nursed there

finding his own race and becoming a man amon

men.And the Frenchman? D'Arnot? What of him

He could get along as Tarzan had. Tarzan did n

want to see him more. He wanted to get aw

from everything that might remind him of Jane.As Tarzan stood upon the threshold broodin

D'Arnot had entered the cabin. Many comforts h

saw that had been left behind. He recognize

numerous articles from the cruiser-a camp ove

some kitchen utensils, a rifle and many rounds ammunition, canned foods, blankets, two chai

and a cot-and several books and periodica

mostly American.

"They must intend returning," thought D'Arn

He walked over to the table that John Clayto

had built so many years before to serve as a des

and on it he saw two notes addressed to Tarz

of the Apes.




Tarzan – 01 454/56

One was in a strong masculine hand and w

unsealed. The other, in a woman's hand, w

sealed.

"Here are two messages for you, Tarzan of thApes," cried D'Arnot, turning toward the doo

but his companion was not there.

D'Arnot walked to the door and looked ou

Tarzan was nowhere in sight. He called aloud bthere was no response.

"MON DIEU!" exclaimed D'Arnot, "he h

left me. I feel it. He has gone back into his jung

and left me here alone."

And then he remembered the look on Tarzanface when they had discovered that the cabin w

empty-such a look as the hunter sees in the ey

of the wounded deer he has wantonly broug

down.

The man had been hard hit-D'Arnot realized

now-but why? He could not understand.

The Frenchman looked about him. Th

loneliness and the horror of the pla




Tarzan – 01 455/56

commenced to get on his nerves-alread

weakened by the ordeal of suffering and sickne

he had passed through.

To be left here alone beside this awful junglnever to hear a human voice or see a human fac

in constant dread of savage beasts and mo

terribly savage men-a prey to solitude an

hopelessness. It was awful.And far to the east Tarzan of the Apes w

speeding through the middle terrace back to h

tribe. Never had he traveled with such reckle

speed. He felt that he was running away fro

himself-that by hurtling through the forest likefrightened squirrel he was escaping from his ow

thoughts. But no matter how fast he went h

found them always with him.

He passed above the sinuous body of Sabo

the lioness, going in the opposite directio

toward the cabin, thought Tarzan.

What could D'Arnot do against Sabor-or

Bolgani, the gorilla, should come upon him-




Tarzan – 01 456/56

Numa, the lion, or cruel Sheeta?

Tarzan paused in his flight.

"What are you, Tarzan?" he asked aloud. "A

ape or a man?""If you are an ape you will do as the ap

would do-leave one of your kind to die in th

jungle if it suited your whim to go elsewhere.

"If you are a man, you will return to proteyour kind. You will not run away from one

your own people, because one of them has ru

away from you."

D'Arnot closed the cabin door. He was ve

nervous. Even brave men, and D'Arnot wasbrave man, are sometimes frightened by solitud

He loaded one of the rifles and placed it with

easy reach. Then he went to the desk and took u

the unsealed letter addressed to Tarzan.

Possibly it contained word that his people ha

but left the beach temporarily. He felt that

would be no breach of ethics to read this lette

so he took the enclosure from the envelope an




Tarzan – 01 457/56

read:

TO TARZAN OF THE APES:

We thank you for the use of your cabin, anare sorry that you did not permit us the pleasu

of seeing and thanking you in person.

We have harmed nothing, but have left man

things for you which may add to your comfoand safety here in your lonely home.

If you know the strange white man who save

our lives so many times, and brought us foo

and if you can converse with him, thank him

also, for his kindness.We sail within the hour, never to return; b

we wish you and that other jungle friend to kno

that we shall always thank you for what you d

for strangers on your shore, and that we shou

have done infinitely more to reward you both ha

you given us the opportunity.

Very respectfully,

WM. CECIL CLAYTON.




Tarzan – 01 458/56

"'Never to return,'" muttered D'Arnot, an

threw himself face downward upon the cot.

An hour later he started up listeninSomething was at the door trying to enter.

D'Arnot reached for the loaded rifle an

placed it to his shoulder.

Dusk was falling, and the interior of the cabwas very dark; but the man could see the latc

moving from its place.

He felt his hair rising upon his scalp.

Gently the door opened until a thin crac

showed something standing just beyond.D'Arnot sighted along the blue barrel at th

crack of the door-and then he pulled the trigger.



Chapter XXIV L ost T reasure

When the expedition returned, followin

their fruitless endeavor to succor D'Arno

Captain Dufranne was anxious to steam away

quickly as possible, and all save Jane hacquiesced.

"No," she said, determinedly, "I shall not g

nor should you, for there are two friends in th

jungle who will come out of it some d

expecting to find us awaiting them."Your officer, Captain Dufranne, is one

them, and the forest man who has saved the liv

of every member of my father's party is the othe

"He left me at the edge of the jungle two da




Tarzan – 01 460/56

ago to hasten to the aid of my father and M

Clayton, as he thought, and he has stayed

rescue Lieutenant D'Arnot; of that you may

sure."Had he been too late to be of service to th

lieutenant he would have been back before now

the fact that he is not back is sufficient proof

me that he is delayed because LieutenaD'Arnot is wounded, or he has had to follow h

captors further than the village which yo

sailors attacked."

"But poor D'Arnot's uniform and all h

belongings were found in that village, MiPorter," argued the captain, "and the nativ

showed great excitement when questioned as

the white man's fate."

"Yes, Captain, but they did not admit that

was dead and as for his clothes an

accouterments being in their possession-wh

more civilized peoples than these poor savag

negroes strip their prisoners of every article




Tarzan – 01 461/56

value whether they intend killing them or not.

"Even the soldiers of my own dear Sou

looted not only the living but the dead. It

strong circumstantial evidence, I will admit, bit is not positive proof."

"Possibly your forest man, himself w

captured or killed by the savages," suggest

Captain Dufranne.The girl laughed.

"You do not know him," she replied, a litt

thrill of pride setting her nerves a-tingle at th

thought that she spoke of her own.

"I admit that he would be worth waiting fothis superman of yours," laughed the captain.

most certainly should like to see him."

"Then wait for him, my dear captain," urge

the girl, "for I intend doing so."

The Frenchman would have been a very muc

surprised man could he have interpreted the tr

meaning of the girl's words.

They had been walking from the beach towa




Tarzan – 01 462/56

the cabin as they talked, and now they joined

little group sitting on camp stools in the shade

a great tree beside the cabin.

Professor Porter was there, and Mr. Philandand Clayton, with Lieutenant Charpentier an

two of his brother officers, while Esmerald

hovered in the background, ever and ano

venturing opinions and comments with tfreedom of an old and much-indulged fami

servant.

The officers arose and saluted as their superi

approached, and Clayton surrendered his cam

stool to Jane."We were just discussing poor Paul's fate

said Captain Dufranne.

"Miss Porter insists that we have no absolu

proof of his death-nor have we. And on the oth

hand she maintains that the continued absence

your omnipotent jungle friend indicates th

D'Arnot is still in need of his services, eith

because he is wounded, or still is a prisoner in




Tarzan – 01 463/56

more distant native village."

"It has been suggested," ventured Lieutena

Charpentier, "that the wild man may have been

member of the tribe of blacks who attacked oparty-that he was hastening to aid THEM-h

own people."

Jane shot a quick glance at Clayton.

"It seems vastly more reasonable," saProfessor Porter.

"I do not agree with you," objected M

Philander. "He had ample opportunity to harm

himself, or to lead his people against us.

Instead, during our long residence here, he hbeen uniformly consistent in his role of protect

and provider."

"That is true," interjected Clayton, "yet w

must not overlook the fact that except for himse

the only human beings within hundreds of mil

are savage cannibals. He was armed precisely

are they, which indicates that he has maintaine

relations of some nature with them, and the fa




Tarzan – 01 464/56

that he is but one against possibly thousan

suggests that these relations could scarcely hav

been other than friendly."

"It seems improbable then that he is nconnected with them," remarked the captai

"possibly a member of this tribe."

"Otherwise," added another of the officer

"how could he have lived a sufficient length time among the savage denizens of the jungl

brute and human, to have become proficient

woodcraft, or in the use of African weapons."

"You are judging him according to your ow

standards, gentlemen," said Jane. "An ordinawhite man such as any of you-pardon me, I d

not mean just that-rather, a white man above th

ordinary in physique and intelligence could nev

I grant you, have lived a year alone and naked

this tropical jungle; but this man not on

surpasses the average white man in strength an

agility, but as far transcends our trained athlet

and 'strong men' as they surpass a day-old bab




Tarzan – 01 465/56

and his courage and ferocity in battle are those

the wild beast."

"He has certainly won a loyal champion, Mi

Porter," said Captain Dufranne, laughing. "I asure that there be none of us here but wou

willingly face death a hundred times in its mo

terrifying forms to deserve the tributes of o

even half so loyal-or so beautiful.""You would not wonder that I defend him

said the girl, "could you have seen him as I sa

him, battling in my behalf with that huge hai

brute.

"Could you have seen him charge the monstas a bull might charge a grizzly-absolute

without sign of fear or hesitation-you would ha

believed him more than human.

"Could you have seen those mighty muscl

knotting under the brown skin-could you hav

seen them force back those awful fangs-you to

would have thought him invincible.

"And could you have seen the chivalro




Tarzan – 01 466/56

treatment which he accorded a strange girl of

strange race, you would feel the same absolu

confidence in him that I feel."

"You have won your suit, my fair pleadercried the captain. "This court finds the defenda

not guilty, and the cruiser shall wait a few da

longer that he may have an opportunity to com

and thank the divine Portia.""For the Lord's sake honey," cried Esmerald

"You all don't mean to tell ME that you're goin

to stay right here in this here land of carnivab

animals when you all got the opportunity

escapade on that boat? Don't you tell me THAhoney."

"Why, Esmeralda! You should be ashamed

yourself," cried Jane. "Is this any way to sho

your gratitude to the man who saved your li

twice?"

"Well, Miss Jane, that's all jest as you say; b

that there forest man never did save us to st

here. He done save us so we all could g




Tarzan – 01 467/56

AWAY from here. I expect he be mighty peevi

when he find we ain't got no more sense than

stay right here after he done give us the chance

get away."I hoped I'd never have to sleep in this he

geological garden another night and listen to a

them lonesome noises that come out of th

jumble after dark.""I don't blame you a bit, Esmeralda," sa

Clayton, "and you certainly did hit it off rig

when you called them 'lonesome' noises. I nev

have been able to find the right word for the

but that's it, don't you know, lonesome noises.""You and Esmeralda had better go and live o

the cruiser," said Jane, in fine scorn. "Wh

would you think if you HAD to live all of yo

life in that jungle as our forest man has done?"

"I'm afraid I'd be a blooming bounder as

wild man," laughed Clayton, ruefully. "Tho

noises at night make the hair on my head bristl

I suppose that I should be ashamed to admit




Tarzan – 01 468/56

but it's the truth."

"I don't know about that," said Lieutena

Charpentier. "I never thought much about fe

and that sort of thing-never tried to determinwhether I was a coward or brave man; but th

other night as we lay in the jungle there aft

poor D'Arnot was taken, and those jungle nois

rose and fell around us I began to think that I wa coward indeed. It was not the roaring an

growling of the big beasts that affected me

much as it was the stealthy noises-the ones th

you heard suddenly close by and then listene

vainly for a repetition of-the unaccountabsounds as of a great body moving almo

noiselessly, and the knowledge that you didn

KNOW how close it was, or whether it we

creeping closer after you ceased to hear it? It w

those noises-and the eyes.

"MON DIEU! I shall see them in the da

forever-the eyes that you see, and those that yo

don't see, but feel-ah, they are the worst."




Tarzan – 01 469/56

All were silent for a moment, and then Ja

spoke.

"And he is out there," she said, in an aw

hushed whisper. "Those eyes will be glaring him to-night, and at your comrade Lieutena

D'Arnot. Can you leave them, gentleme

without at least rendering them the passi

succor which remaining here a few days longmight insure them?"

"Tut, tut, child," said Professor Porte

"Captain Dufranne is willing to remain, and f

my part I am perfectly willing, perfectly willin

as I always have been to humor your childiwhims."

"We can utilize the morrow in recovering th

chest, Professor," suggested Mr. Philander.

"Quite so, quite so, Mr. Philander, I ha

almost forgotten the treasure," exclaime

Professor Porter. "Possibly we can borrow som

men from Captain Dufranne to assist us, and on

of the prisoners to point out the location of t




Tarzan – 01 470/56

chest."

"Most assuredly, my dear Professor, we are a

yours to command," said the captain.

And so it was arranged that on the next dLieutenant Charpentier was to take a detail of t

men, and one of the mutineers of the Arrow as

guide, and unearth the treasure; and that th

cruiser would remain for a full week in the littharbor. At the end of that time it was to b

assumed that D'Arnot was truly dead, and th

the forest man would not return while the

remained. Then the two vessels were to lea

with all the party.Professor Porter did not accompany th

treasure-seekers on the following day, but wh

he saw them returning empty-handed towa

noon, he hastened forward to meet them-h

usual preoccupied indifference entirely vanishe

and in its place a nervous and excited manner.

"Where is the treasure?" he cried to Clayto

while yet a hundred feet separated them.




Tarzan – 01 471/56

Clayton shook his head.

"Gone," he said, as he neared the professor.

"Gone! It cannot be. Who could have tak

it?" cried Professor Porter."God only knows, Professor," replied Clayto

"We might have thought the fellow who guide

us was lying about the location, but his surpri

and consternation on finding no chest beneathe body of the murdered Snipes were too real

be feigned. And then our spades showed us th

SOMETHING had been buried beneath t

corpse, for a hole had been there and it had bee

filled with loose earth.""But who could have taken it?" repeat

Professor Porter.

"Suspicion might naturally fall on the men

the cruiser," said Lieutenant Charpentier, "but f

the fact that sub-lieutenant Janviers here assur

me that no men have had shore leave-that non

has been on shore since we anchored here exce

under command of an officer. I do not know th




Tarzan – 01 472/56

you would suspect our men, but I am glad th

there is now no chance for suspicion to fall o

them," he concluded.

"It would never have occurred to me suspect the men to whom we owe so much

replied Professor Porter, graciously. "I would

soon suspect my dear Clayton here, or M

Philander."The Frenchmen smiled, both officers an

sailors. It was plain to see that a burden had bee

lifted from their minds.

"The treasure has been gone for some time

continued Clayton. "In fact the body fell apart we lifted it, which indicates that whoev

removed the treasure did so while the corpse w

still fresh, for it was intact when we fir

uncovered it."

"There must have been several in the party

said Jane, who had joined them. "You rememb

that it took four men to carry it."

"By jove!" cried Clayton. "That's right. It mu




Tarzan – 01 473/56

have been done by a party of blacks. Probab

one of them saw the men bury the chest and the

returned immediately after with a party of h

friends, and carried it off.""Speculation is futile," said Professor Port

sadly. "The chest is gone. We shall never see

again, nor the treasure that was in it."

Only Jane knew what the loss meant to hfather, and none there knew what it meant to he

Six days later Captain Dufranne announce

that they would sail early on the morrow.

Jane would have begged for a further repriev

had it not been that she too had begun to believthat her forest lover would return no more.

In spite of herself she began to enterta

doubts and fears. The reasonableness of th

arguments of these disinterested French office

commenced to convince her against her will.

That he was a cannibal she would not believ

but that he was an adopted member of som

savage tribe at length seemed possible to her.




Tarzan – 01 474/56

She would not admit that he could be dead.

was impossible to believe that that perfect bod

so filled with triumphant life, could ever cease

harbor the vital spark-as soon believe thimmortality were dust.

As Jane permitted herself to harbor the

thoughts, others equally unwelcome forc

themselves upon her.If he belonged to some savage tribe he had

savage wife-a dozen of them perhaps-and wil

half-caste children. The girl shuddered, and wh

they told her that the cruiser would sail on th

morrow she was almost glad.It was she, though, who suggested that arm

ammunition, supplies and comforts be le

behind in the cabin, ostensibly for that intangib

personality who had signed himself Tarzan of th

Apes, and for D'Arnot should he still be livin

but really, she hoped, for her forest god-ev

though his feet should prove of clay.

And at the last minute she left a message f




Tarzan – 01 475/56

him, to be transmitted by Tarzan of the Apes.

She was the last to leave the cabin, returnin

on some trivial pretext after the others h

started for the boat.She kneeled down beside the bed in which sh

had spent so many nights, and offered up

prayer for the safety of her primeval man, an

crushing his locket to her lips she murmured:"I love you, and because I love you I believ

in you. But if I did not believe, still should I lov

Had you come back for me, and had there bee

no other way, I would have gone into the jung

with you-forever."



Chapter XXV The Outpost

of the W orld

With the report of his gun D'Arnot saw th

door fly open and the figure of a man pitc

headlong within onto the cabin floor.The Frenchman in his panic raised his gun

fire again into the prostrate form, but suddenly

the half dusk of the open door he saw that thman was white and in another instant realize

that he had shot his friend and protector, Tarz

of the Apes.

With a cry of anguish D'Arnot sprang to th




Tarzan – 01 477/56

ape-man's side, and kneeling, lifted the latte

head in his arms-calling Tarzan's name aloud.

There was no response, and then D'Arn

placed his ear above the man's heart. To his johe heard its steady beating beneath.

Carefully he lifted Tarzan to the cot, and the

after closing and bolting the door, he lighted on

of the lamps and examined the wound.The bullet had struck a glancing blow upon th

skull. There was an ugly flesh wound, but n

signs of a fracture of the skull.

D'Arnot breathed a sigh of relief, and we

about bathing the blood from Tarzan's face.Soon the cool water revived him, an

presently he opened his eyes to look

questioning surprise at D'Arnot.

The latter had bound the wound with pieces

cloth, and as he saw that Tarzan had regain

consciousness he arose and going to the tab

wrote a message, which he handed to the ap

man, explaining the terrible mistake he had mad




Tarzan – 01 478/56

and how thankful he was that the wound was n

more serious.

Tarzan, after reading the message, sat on t

edge of the couch and laughed."It is nothing," he said in French, and then, h

vocabulary failing him, he wrote:

You should have seen what Bolgani did to m

and Kerchak, and Terkoz, before I killed themthen you would laugh at such a little scratch.

D'Arnot handed Tarzan the two messages th

had been left for him.

Tarzan read the first one through with a loo

of sorrow on his face.The second one he turned over and ove

searching for an opening-he had never seen

sealed envelope before. At length he handed it

D'Arnot.

The Frenchman had been watching him, an

knew that Tarzan was puzzled over the envelop

How strange it seemed that to a full-grown whi

man an envelope was a mystery. D'Arnot open




Tarzan – 01 479/56

it and handed the letter back to Tarzan.

Sitting on a camp stool the ape-man spread th

written sheet before him and read:

TO TARZAN OF THE APES:

Before I leave let me add my thanks to tho

of Mr. Clayton for the kindness you have show

in permitting us the use of your cabin.That you never came to make friends with

has been a great regret to us. We should hav

liked so much to have seen and thanked our hos

There is another I should like to thank als

but he did not come back, though I cannbelieve that he is dead.

I do not know his name. He is the great whi

giant who wore the diamond locket upon h

breast.

If you know him and can speak his languag

carry my thanks to him, and tell him that I wait

seven days for him to return.

Tell him, also, that in my home in America,




Tarzan – 01 480/56

the city of Baltimore, there will always be

welcome for him if he cares to come.

I found a note you wrote me lying among th

leaves beneath a tree near the cabin. I do nknow how you learned to love me, who hav

never spoken to me, and I am very sorry if it

true, for I have already given my heart to anoth

But know that I am always your friend,JANE PORTER.

Tarzan sat with gaze fixed upon the floor f

nearly an hour. It was evident to him from th

notes that they did not know that he and Tarzof the Apes were one and the same.

"I have given my heart to another,"

repeated over and over again to himself.

Then she did not love him! How could sh

have pretended love, and raised him to such

pinnacle of hope only to cast him down to su

utter depths of despair!

Maybe her kisses were only signs




Tarzan – 01 481/56

friendship. How did he know, who knew nothin

of the customs of human beings?

Suddenly he arose, and, bidding D'Arnot goo

night as he had learned to do, threw himself upothe couch of ferns that had been Jane Porter's.

D'Arnot extinguished the lamp, and lay dow

upon the cot.

For a week they did little but rest, D'Arncoaching Tarzan in French.

At the end of that time the two men cou

converse quite easily.

One night, as they were sitting within th

cabin before retiring, Tarzan turned to D'Arnot."Where is America?" he said.

D'Arnot pointed toward the northwest.

"Many thousands of miles across the ocean

he replied. "Why?"

"I am going there."

D'Arnot shook his head.

"It is impossible, my friend," he said.

Tarzan rose, and, going to one of t




Tarzan – 01 482/56

cupboards, returned with a well-thumbe

geography.

Turning to a map of the world, he said:

"I have never quite understood all this; explait to me, please."

When D'Arnot had done so, showing him th

the blue represented all the water on the eart

and the bits of other colors the continents anislands, Tarzan asked him to point out the sp

where they now were.

D'Arnot did so.

"Now point out America," said Tarzan.

And as D'Arnot placed his finger upon NorAmerica, Tarzan smiled and laid his palm upo

the page, spanning the great ocean that l

between the two continents.

"You see it is not so very far," he said; "scar

the width of my hand."

D'Arnot laughed. How could he make the m

understand?

Then he took a pencil and made a tiny poi




Tarzan – 01 483/56

upon the shore of Africa.

"This little mark," he said, "is many tim

larger upon this map than your cabin is upon th

earth. Do you see now how very far it is?"Tarzan thought for a long time.

"Do any white men live in Africa?" he asked

"Yes."

"Where are the nearest?"D'Arnot pointed out a spot on the shore ju

north of them.

"So close?" asked Tarzan, in surprise.

"Yes," said D'Arnot; "but it is not close."

"Have they big boats to cross the ocean?""Yes."

"We shall go there to-morrow," announce

Tarzan.

Again D'Arnot smiled and shook his head.

"It is too far. We should die long before w

reached them."

"Do you wish to stay here then forever

asked Tarzan.




Tarzan – 01 484/56

"No," said D'Arnot.

"Then we shall start to-morrow. I do not like

here longer. I should rather die than rema

here.""Well," answered D'Arnot, with a shrug, "I d

not know, my friend, but that I also would rath

die than remain here. If you go, I shall go wi

you.""It is settled then," said Tarzan. "I shall sta

for America to-morrow."

"How will you get to America witho

money?" asked D'Arnot.

"What is money?" inquired Tarzan.It took a long time to make him understan

even imperfectly.

"How do men get money?" he asked at last.

"They work for it."

"Very well. I will work for it, then."

"No, my friend," returned D'Arnot, "you nee

not worry about money, nor need you work for

I have enough money for two-enough for twent




Tarzan – 01 485/56

Much more than is good for one man and yo

shall have all you need if ever we reac

civilization."

So on the following day they started noralong the shore. Each man carrying a rifle an

ammunition, beside bedding and some food an

cooking utensils.

The latter seemed to Tarzan a most useleencumbrance, so he threw his away.

"But you must learn to eat cooked food, m

friend," remonstrated D'Arnot. "No civilized me

eat raw flesh."

"There will be time enough when I reaccivilization," said Tarzan. "I do not like t

things and they only spoil the taste of goo

meat."

For a month they traveled north. Sometim

finding food in plenty and again going hung

for days.

They saw no signs of natives nor were th

molested by wild beasts.




Tarzan – 01 486/56

Their journey was a miracle of ease.

Tarzan asked questions and learned rapidl

D'Arnot taught him many of the refinements

civilization-even to the use of knife and fork; bsometimes Tarzan would drop them in disgu

and grasp his food in his strong brown hand

tearing it with his molars like a wild beast.

Then D'Arnot would expostulate with himsaying:

"You must not eat like a brute, Tarzan, while

am trying to make a gentleman of you. MO

DIEU! Gentlemen do not thus-it is terrible."

Tarzan would grin sheepishly and pick up hknife and fork again, but at heart he hated them

On the journey he told D'Arnot about the gre

chest he had seen the sailors bury; of how he ha

dug it up and carried it to the gathering place

the apes and buried it there.

"It must be the treasure chest of Profess

Porter," said D'Arnot. "It is too bad, but of cour

you did not know."




Tarzan – 01 487/56

Then Tarzan recalled the letter written by Jan

to her friend-the one he had stolen when th

first came to his cabin, and now he knew wh

was in the chest and what it meant to Jane."To-morrow we shall go back after it,"

announced to D'Arnot.

"Go back?" exclaimed D'Arnot. "But, my de

fellow, we have now been three weeks upon tmarch. It would require three more to return

the treasure, and then, with that enormous weig

which required, you say, four sailors to carry,

would be months before we had again reache

this spot.""It must be done, my friend," insisted Tarza

"You may go on toward civilization, and I w

return for the treasure. I can go very much fast

alone."

"I have a better plan, Tarzan," exclaime

D'Arnot. "We shall go on together to the neare

settlement, and there we will charter a boat an

sail back down the coast for the treasure and




Tarzan – 01 488/56

transport it easily. That will be safer and quick

and also not require us to be separated. What d

you think of that plan?"

"Very well," said Tarzan. "The treasure will there whenever we go for it; and while I cou

fetch it now, and catch up with you in a moon

two, I shall feel safer for you to know that yo

are not alone on the trail. When I see hohelpless you are, D'Arnot, I often wonder ho

the human race has escaped annihilation all the

ages which you tell me about. Why, Sabo

single handed, could exterminate a thousand

you."D'Arnot laughed.

"You will think more highly of your gen

when you have seen its armies and navies,

great cities, and its mighty engineering work

Then you will realize that it is mind, and n

muscle, that makes the human animal great

than the mighty beasts of your jungle.

"Alone and unarmed, a single man is no matc




Tarzan – 01 489/56

for any of the larger beasts; but if ten men we

together, they would combine their wits and the

muscles against their savage enemies, while t

beasts, being unable to reason, would never thinof combining against the men.

Otherwise, Tarzan of the Apes, how lon

would you have lasted in the savage wilderness

"You are right, D'Arnot," replied Tarzan, "fif Kerchak had come to Tublat's aid that night

the Dum-Dum, there would have been an end

me. But Kerchak could never think far enoug

ahead to take advantage of any such opportunit

Even Kala, my mother, could never plan ahead.She simply ate what she needed when sh

needed it, and if the supply was very scarce, eve

though she found plenty for several meals, sh

would never gather any ahead.

"I remember that she used to think it very sil

of me to burden myself with extra food upon th

march, though she was quite glad to eat it wi

me, if the way chanced to be barren




Tarzan – 01 490/56

sustenance."

"Then you knew your mother, Tarzan?" aske

D'Arnot, in surprise.

"Yes. She was a great, fine ape, larger than and weighing twice as much."

"And your father?" asked D'Arnot.

"I did not know him. Kala told me he was

white ape, and hairless like myself. I know nothat he must have been a white man."

D'Arnot looked long and earnestly at h

companion.

"Tarzan," he said at length, "it is impossib

that the ape, Kala, was your mother. If suchthing can be, which I doubt, you would hav

inherited some of the characteristics of the ap

but you have not-you are pure man, and, I shou

say, the offspring of highly bred and intellige

parents. Have you not the slightest clue to yo

past?"

"Not the slightest," replied Tarzan.

"No writings in the cabin that might have to




Tarzan – 01 491/56

something of the lives of its original inmates?"

"I have read everything that was in the cab

with the exception of one book which I kno

now to be written in a language other thEnglish.

Possibly you can read it."

Tarzan fished the little black diary from th

bottom of his quiver, and handed it to hcompanion.

D'Arnot glanced at the title page.

"It is the diary of John Clayton, Lo

Greystoke, an English nobleman, and it is writt

in French," he said.Then he proceeded to read the diary that ha

been written over twenty years before, and whic

recorded the details of the story which w

already know-the story of adventure, hardshi

and sorrow of John Clayton and his wife Alic

from the day they left England until an ho

before he was struck down by Kerchak.

D'Arnot read aloud. At times his voice brok




Tarzan – 01 492/56

and he was forced to stop reading for the pitif

hopelessness that spoke between the lines.

Occasionally he glanced at Tarzan; but t

ape-man sat upon his haunches, like a carvimage, his eyes fixed upon the ground.

Only when the little babe was mentioned d

the tone of the diary alter from the habitual no

of despair which had crept into it by degreafter the first two months upon the shore.

Then the passages were tinged with a subdue

happiness that was even sadder than the rest.

One entry showed an almost hopeful spirit.

To-day our little boy is six months old. He sitting in Alice's lap beside the table where I a

writing-a happy, healthy, perfect child.

Somehow, even against all reason, I seem

see him a grown man, taking his father's place

the world-the second John Clayton-and bringin

added honors to the house of Greystoke.

There-as though to give my prophecy th

weight of his endorsement-he has grabbed m




Tarzan – 01 493/56

pen in his chubby fists and with his inkbegrime

little fingers has placed the seal of his tiny fing

prints upon the page.

And there, on the margin of the page, were tpartially blurred imprints of four wee fingers an

the outer half of the thumb.

When D'Arnot had finished the diary the tw

men sat in silence for some minutes."Well! Tarzan of the Apes, what think you

asked D'Arnot. "Does not this little book clear u

the mystery of your parentage?

"Why man, you are Lord Greystoke."

"The book speaks of but one child," he replie"Its little skeleton lay in the crib, where it die

crying for nourishment, from the first time

entered the cabin until Professor Porter's par

buried it, with its father and mother, beside th

cabin.

"No, that was the babe the book speaks of-an

the mystery of my origin is deeper than befor

for I have thought much of late of the possibili




Tarzan – 01 494/56

of that cabin having been my birthplace. I a

afraid that Kala spoke the truth," he conclude

sadly.

D'Arnot shook his head. He was unconvinceand in his mind had sprung the determination

prove the correctness of his theory, for he h

discovered the key which alone could unlock th

mystery, or consign it forever to the realms of thunfathomable.

A week later the two men came suddenly upo

a clearing in the forest.

In the distance were several buildin

surrounded by a strong palisade.Between them and the enclosure stretched

cultivated field in which a number of negro

were working.

The two halted at the edge of the jungle.

Tarzan fitted his bow with a poisoned arrow

but D'Arnot placed a hand upon his arm.

"What would you do, Tarzan?" he asked.

"They will try to kill us if they see us," repli




Tarzan – 01 495/56

Tarzan. "I prefer to be the killer."

"Maybe they are friends," suggested D'Arnot

"They are black," was Tarzan's only reply.

And again he drew back his shaft."You must not, Tarzan!" cried D'Arno

"White men do not kill wantonly. MON DIEU

but you have much to learn.

"I pity the ruffian who crosses you, my wiman, when I take you to Paris. I will have m

hands full keeping your neck from beneath th

guillotine."

Tarzan lowered his bow and smiled.

"I do not know why I should kill the blacback there in my jungle, yet not kill them her

Suppose Numa, the lion, should spring out upo

us, I should say, then, I presume: Good mornin

Monsieur Numa, how is Madame Numa; eh?"

"Wait until the blacks spring upon you

replied D'Arnot, "then you may kill them. Do n

assume that men are your enemies until th

prove it."




Tarzan – 01 496/56

"Come," said Tarzan, "let us go and prese

ourselves to be killed," and he started straig

across the field, his head high held and th

tropical sun beating upon his smooth, brown skBehind him came D'Arnot, clothed in som

garments which had been discarded at the cab

by Clayton when the officers of the Fren

cruiser had fitted him out in more presentabfashion.

Presently one of the blacks looked up, an

beholding Tarzan, turned, shrieking, toward th

palisade.

In an instant the air was filled with cries terror from the fleeing gardeners, but before an

had reached the palisade a white man emerge

from the enclosure, rifle in hand, to discover th

cause of the commotion.

What he saw brought his rifle to his shoulde

and Tarzan of the Apes would have felt cold lea

once again had not D'Arnot cried loudly to th

man with the leveled gun:




Tarzan – 01 497/56

"Do not fire! We are friends!"

"Halt, then!" was the reply.

"Stop, Tarzan!" cried D'Arnot. "He thinks w

are enemies."Tarzan dropped into a walk, and together h

and D'Arnot advanced toward the white man b

the gate.

The latter eyed them in puzzled bewildermen"What manner of men are you?" he asked,

French.

"White men," replied D'Arnot. "We have be

lost in the jungle for a long time."

The man had lowered his rifle and noadvanced with outstretched hand.

"I am Father Constantine of the Fren

Mission here," he said, "and I am glad

welcome you."

"This is Monsieur Tarzan, Fath

Constantine," replied D'Arnot, indicating th

ape-man; and as the priest extended his hand

Tarzan, D'Arnot added: "and I am Paul D'Arno




Tarzan – 01 498/56

of the French Navy."

Father Constantine took the hand whi

Tarzan extended in imitation of the priest's a

while the latter took in the superb physique anhandsome face in one quick, keen glance.

And thus came Tarzan of the Apes to the fir

outpost of civilization.

For a week they remained there, and the apman, keenly observant, learned much of the wa

of men; meanwhile black women sewed whi

duck garments for himself and D'Arnot so th

they might continue their journey proper

clothed.



Chapter XXVI The H eight of

C ivilization

Another month brought them to a little grou

of buildings at the mouth of a wide river, an

there Tarzan saw many boats, and was filled withe timidity of the wild thing by the sight

many men.

Gradually he became accustomed to thstrange noises and the odd ways of civilizatio

so that presently none might know that two sho

months before, this handsome Frenchman

immaculate white ducks who laughed an




Tarzan – 01 500/56

chatted with the gayest of them, had be

swinging naked through primeval forests

pounce upon some unwary victim, which, raw

was to fill his savage belly.The knife and fork, so contemptuously flun

aside a month before, Tarzan now manipulat

as exquisitely as did the polished D'Arnot.

So apt a pupil had he been that the younFrenchman had labored assiduously to make

Tarzan of the Apes a polished gentleman in

far as nicety of manners and speech we

concerned.

"God made you a gentleman at heart, mfriend," D'Arnot had said; "but we want H

works to show upon the exterior also."

As soon as they had reached the little po

D'Arnot had cabled his government of his safet

and requested a three-months' leave, which h

been granted.

He had also cabled his bankers for funds, an

the enforced wait of a month, under which bo




Tarzan – 01 501/56

chafed, was due to their inability to charter

vessel for the return to Tarzan's jungle after th

treasure.

During their stay at the coast town "MonsieTarzan" became the wonder of both whites an

blacks because of several occurrences which

Tarzan seemed the merest of nothings.

Once a huge black, crazed by drink, had ruamuck and terrorized the town, until his evil st

had led him to where the black-haired Frenc

giant lolled upon the veranda of the hotel.

Mounting the broad steps, with brandishe

knife, the Negro made straight for a party of fomen sitting at a table sipping the inevitab

absinthe.

Shouting in alarm, the four took to their heel

and then the black spied Tarzan.

With a roar he charged the ape-man, whi

half a hundred heads peered from shelterin

windows and doorways to witness the butcherin

of the poor Frenchman by the giant black.




Tarzan – 01 502/56

Tarzan met the rush with the fighting smi

that the joy of battle always brought to his lips.

As the Negro closed upon him, steel muscl

gripped the black wrist of the uplifted knife-hanand a single swift wrench left the hand danglin

below a broken bone.

With the pain and surprise, the madness le

the black man, and as Tarzan dropped back inhis chair the fellow turned, crying with agon

and dashed wildly toward the native village.

On another occasion as Tarzan and D'Arn

sat at dinner with a number of other whites, th

talk fell upon lions and lion hunting.Opinion was divided as to the bravery of th

king of beasts-some maintaining that he was

arrant coward, but all agreeing that it was with

feeling of greater security that they gripped the

express rifles when the monarch of the jung

roared about a camp at night.

D'Arnot and Tarzan had agreed that his past b

kept secret, and so none other than the Fren




Tarzan – 01 503/56

officer knew of the ape-man's familiarity wi

the beasts of the jungle.

"Monsieur Tarzan has not expressed himself

said one of the party. "A man of his prowess whhas spent some time in Africa, as I understan

Monsieur Tarzan has, must have had experienc

with lions-yes?"

"Some," replied Tarzan, dryly. "Enough know that each of you are right in your judgme

of the characteristics of the lions-you have me

But one might as well judge all blacks by th

fellow who ran amuck last week, or decide th

all whites are cowards because one has met cowardly white.

"There is as much individuality among th

lower orders, gentlemen, as there is amon

ourselves. Today we may go out and stumb

upon a lion which is over-timid-he runs aw

from us. To-morrow we may meet his uncle

his twin brother, and our friends wonder why w

do not return from the jungle. For myself,




Tarzan – 01 504/56

always assume that a lion is ferocious, and so

am never caught off my guard."

"There would be little pleasure in hunting

retorted the first speaker, "if one is afraid of ththing he hunts."

D'Arnot smiled. Tarzan afraid!

"I do not exactly understand what you me

by fear," said Tarzan."Like lions, fear is a different thing in differe

men, but to me the only pleasure in the hunt

the knowledge that the hunted thing has power

harm me as much as I have to harm him. If

went out with a couple of rifles and a gun beareand twenty or thirty beaters, to hunt a lion,

should not feel that the lion had much chanc

and so the pleasure of the hunt would be lessene

in proportion to the increased safety which

felt."

"Then I am to take it that Monsieur Tarz

would prefer to go naked into the jungle, arme

only with a jackknife, to kill the king of beasts




Tarzan – 01 505/56

laughed the other, good naturedly, but with th

merest touch of sarcasm in his tone.

"And a piece of rope," added Tarzan.

Just then the deep roar of a lion sounded frothe distant jungle, as though to challeng

whoever dared enter the lists with him.

"There is your opportunity, Monsieur Tarzan

bantered the Frenchman."I am not hungry," said Tarzan simply.

The men laughed, all but D'Arnot. He alon

knew that a savage beast had spoken its simp

reason through the lips of the ape-man.

"But you are afraid, just as any of us would bto go out there naked, armed only with a kni

and a piece of rope," said the banterer. "Is it n

so?"

"No," replied Tarzan. "Only a fool perform

any act without reason."

"Five thousand francs is a reason," said th

other. "I wager you that amount you cannot brin

back a lion from the jungle under the conditio




Tarzan – 01 506/56

we have named-naked and armed only with

knife and a piece of rope."

Tarzan glanced toward D'Arnot and nodde

his head."Make it ten thousand," said D'Arnot.

"Done," replied the other.

Tarzan arose.

"I shall have to leave my clothes at the edge the settlement, so that if I do not return befo

daylight I shall have something to wear throug

the streets."

"You are not going now," exclaimed t

wagerer-"at night?""Why not?" asked Tarzan. "Numa wal

abroad at night-it will be easier to find him."

"No," said the other, "I do not want your bloo

upon my hands. It will be foolhardy enough

you go forth by day."

"I shall go now," replied Tarzan, and went

his room for his knife and rope.

The men accompanied him to the edge of th




Tarzan – 01 507/56

jungle, where he left his clothes in a sm

storehouse.

But when he would have entered the blackne

of the undergrowth they tried to dissuade himand the wagerer was most insistent of all that h

abandon his foolhardy venture.

"I will accede that you have won," he sai

"and the ten thousand francs are yours if you wbut give up this foolish attempt, which can on

end in your death."

Tarzan laughed, and in another moment th

jungle had swallowed him.

The men stood silent for some moments anthen slowly turned and walked back to the hot

veranda.

Tarzan had no sooner entered the jungle th

he took to the trees, and it was with a feeling

exultant freedom that he swung once mo

through the forest branches.

This was life! Ah, how he loved

Civilization held nothing like this in its narro




Tarzan – 01 508/56

and circumscribed sphere, hemmed in b

restrictions and conventionalities. Even cloth

were a hindrance and a nuisance.

At last he was free. He had not realized whatprisoner he had been.

How easy it would be to circle back to th

coast, and then make toward the south and h

own jungle and cabin.Now he caught the scent of Numa, for he w

traveling up wind.

Presently his quick ears detected the famili

sound of padded feet and the brushing of a hug

fur-clad body through the undergrowth.Tarzan came quietly above the unsuspectin

beast and silently stalked him until he came in

a little patch of moonlight.

Then the quick noose settled and tightene

about the tawny throat, and, as he had done it

hundred times in the past, Tarzan made fast th

end to a strong branch and, while the bea

fought and clawed for freedom, dropped to th




Tarzan – 01 509/56

ground behind him, and leaping upon the gre

back, plunged his long thin blade a dozen tim

into the fierce heart.

Then with his foot upon the carcass of Numhe raised his voice in the awesome victory cry

his savage tribe.

For a moment Tarzan stood irresolute, swaye

by conflicting emotions of loyalty to D'Arnot ana mighty lust for the freedom of his own jungle

At last the vision of a beautiful face, and th

memory of warm lips crushed to his dissolve

the fascinating picture he had been drawing

his old life.The ape-man threw the warm carcass of Num

across his shoulders and took to the trees on

more.

The men upon the veranda had sat for an hou

almost in silence.

They had tried ineffectually to converse o

various subjects, and always the thing uppermo

in the mind of each had caused the conversatio




Tarzan – 01 510/56

to lapse.

"MON DIEU," said the wagerer at length,

can endure it no longer. I am going into t

jungle with my express and bring back that mman."

"I will go with you," said one.

"And I"-"And I"-"And I," chorused the other

As though the suggestion had broken the speof some horrid nightmare they hastened to the

various quarters, and presently were heade

toward the jungle-each one heavily armed.

"God! What was that?" suddenly cried one

the party, an Englishman, as Tarzan's savage ccame faintly to their ears.

"I heard the same thing once before," said

Belgian, "when I was in the gorilla country. M

carriers said it was the cry of a great bull ap

who has made a kill."

D'Arnot remembered Clayton's description

the awful roar with which Tarzan had announce

his kills, and he half smiled in spite of the horr




Tarzan – 01 511/56

which filled him to think that the uncanny soun

could have issued from a human throat-from t

lips of his friend.

As the party stood finally near the edge of tjungle, debating as to the best distribution

their forces, they were startled by a low laug

near them, and turning, beheld advancing towa

them a giant figure bearing a dead lion upon ibroad shoulders.

Even D'Arnot was thunderstruck, for it seem

impossible that the man could have so quick

dispatched a lion with the pitiful weapons he h

taken, or that alone he could have borne the hucarcass through the tangled jungle.

The men crowded about Tarzan with man

questions, but his only answer was a laughin

depreciation of his feat.

To Tarzan it was as though one shou

eulogize a butcher for his heroism in killing

cow, for Tarzan had killed so often for food an

for self-preservation that the act seemed anythin




Tarzan – 01 512/56

but remarkable to him. But he was indeed a he

in the eyes of these men-men accustomed

hunting big game.

Incidentally, he had won ten thousand francfor D'Arnot insisted that he keep it all.

This was a very important item to Tarzan, wh

was just commencing to realize the power whic

lay beyond the little pieces of metal and papwhich always changed hands when hum

beings rode, or ate, or slept, or cloth

themselves, or drank, or worked, or played,

sheltered themselves from the rain or cold or su

It had become evident to Tarzan that withomoney one must die.

D'Arnot had told him not to worry, since h

had more than enough for both, but the ape-m

was learning many things and one of them w

that people looked down upon one who accept

money from another without giving something

equal value in exchange.

Shortly after the episode of the lion hun




Tarzan – 01 513/56

D'Arnot succeeded in chartering an ancient tu

for the coastwise trip to Tarzan's land-locke

harbor.

It was a happy morning for them both whthe little vessel weighed anchor and made for th

open sea.

The trip to the beach was uneventful, and th

morning after they dropped anchor before thcabin, Tarzan, garbed once more in his jung

regalia and carrying a spade, set out alone for th

amphitheater of the apes where lay the treasure

Late the next day he returned, bearing th

great chest upon his shoulder, and at sunrise thlittle vessel worked through the harbor's mou

and took up her northward journey.

Three weeks later Tarzan and D'Arnot we

passengers on board a French steamer bound f

Lyons, and after a few days in that city D'Arn

took Tarzan to Paris.

The ape-man was anxious to proceed

America, but D'Arnot insisted that he mu




Tarzan – 01 514/56

accompany him to Paris first, nor would h

divulge the nature of the urgent necessity upo

which he based his demand.

One of the first things which D'Arnaccomplished after their arrival was to arrange

visit a high official of the police department,

old friend; and to take Tarzan with him.

Adroitly D'Arnot led the conversation fropoint to point until the policeman had explaine

to the interested Tarzan many of the methods

vogue for apprehending and identifyin

criminals.

Not the least interesting to Tarzan was the paplayed by finger prints in this fascinating scien

"But of what value are these imprints," aske

Tarzan, "when, after a few years the lines upo

the fingers are entirely changed by the wearin

out of the old tissue and the growth of new?"

"The lines never change," replied the officia

"From infancy to senility the fingerprints of

individual change only in size, except as injuri




Tarzan – 01 515/56

alter the loops and whorls. But if imprints hav

been taken of the thumb and four fingers of bo

hands one must needs lose all entirely to escap

identification.""It is marvelous," exclaimed D'Arnot.

wonder what the lines upon my own fingers m

resemble."

"We can soon see," replied the police officeand ringing a bell he summoned an assistant

whom he issued a few directions.

The man left the room, but presently returne

with a little hardwood box which he placed o

his superior's desk."Now," said the officer, "you shall have yo

fingerprints in a second."

He drew from the little case a square of pla

glass, a little tube of thick ink, a rubber rolle

and a few snowy white cards.

Squeezing a drop of ink onto the glass, h

spread it back and forth with the rubber roll

until the entire surface of the glass was covere




Tarzan – 01 516/56

to his satisfaction with a very thin and unifor

layer of ink.

"Place the four fingers of your right hand upo

the glass, thus," he said to D'Arnot. "Now tthumb. That is right. Now place them in just th

same position upon this card, here, no-a little

the right.

We must leave room for the thumb and thfingers of the left hand.

There, that's it. Now the same with the left."

"Come, Tarzan," cried D'Arnot, "let's see wh

your whorls look like."

Tarzan complied readily, asking manquestions of the officer during the operation.

"Do fingerprints show racial characteristics

he asked. "Could you determine, for exampl

solely from fingerprints whether the subject w

Negro or Caucasian?"

"I think not," replied the officer.

"Could the finger prints of an ape be detect

from those of a man?"




Tarzan – 01 517/56

"Probably, because the ape's would be f

simpler than those of the higher organism."

"But a cross between an ape and a man mig

show the characteristics of either progenitorcontinued Tarzan.

"Yes, I should think likely," responded th

official; "but the science has not progress

sufficiently to render it exact enough in sucmatters. I should hate to trust its findings furth

than to differentiate between individuals. There

is absolute. No two people born into the wor

probably have ever had identical lines upon a

their digits. It is very doubtful if any singfingerprint will ever be exactly duplicated by an

finger other than the one which originally ma

it."

"Does the comparison require much time

labor?" asked D'Arnot.

"Ordinarily but a few moments, if th

impressions are distinct."

D'Arnot drew a little black book from h




Tarzan – 01 518/56

pocket and commenced turning the pages.

Tarzan looked at the book in surprise. Ho

did D'Arnot come to have his book?

Presently D'Arnot stopped at a page on whicwere five tiny little smudges.

He handed the open book to the policeman.

"Are these imprints similar to mine

Monsieur Tarzan's or can you say that they aidentical with either?" The officer drew

powerful glass from his desk and examined a

three specimens carefully, making notatio

meanwhile upon a pad of paper.

Tarzan realized now what was the meaning their visit to the police officer.

The answer to his life's riddle lay in these tin

marks.

With tense nerves he sat leaning forward in h

chair, but suddenly he relaxed and dropped bac

smiling.

D'Arnot looked at him in surprise.

"You forget that for twenty years the dea




Tarzan – 01 519/56

body of the child who made those fingerprin

lay in the cabin of his father, and that all my li

I have seen it lying there," said Tarzan bitterly.

The policeman looked up in astonishment."Go ahead, captain, with your examination

said D'Arnot, "we will tell you the story late

provided Monsieur Tarzan is agreeable."

Tarzan nodded his head."But you are mad, my dear D'Arnot,"

insisted. "Those little fingers are buried on th

west coast of Africa."

"I do not know as to that, Tarzan," replie

D'Arnot. "It is possible, but if you are not the soof John Clayton then how in heaven's name d

you come into that God forsaken jungle where n

white man other than John Clayton had ever s

foot?"

"You forget-Kala," said Tarzan.

"I do not even consider her," replied D'Arnot

The friends had walked to the broad windo

overlooking the boulevard as they talked. F




Tarzan – 01 520/56

some time they stood there gazing out upon t

busy throng beneath, each wrapped in his ow

thoughts.

"It takes some time to compare finger printsthought D'Arnot, turning to look at the poli

officer.

To his astonishment he saw the offici

leaning back in his chair hastily scanning thcontents of the little black diary.

D'Arnot coughed. The policeman looked u

and, catching his eye, raised his finger

admonish silence. D'Arnot turned back to t

window, and presently the police officer spoke."Gentlemen," he said.

Both turned toward him.

"There is evidently a great deal at stake whic

must hinge to a greater or lesser extent upon th

absolute correctness of this comparison.

therefore ask that you leave the entire matter

my hands until Monsieur Desquerc, our expe

returns. It will be but a matter of a few days."




Tarzan – 01 521/56

"I had hoped to know at once," said D'Arno

"Monsieur Tarzan sails for America tomorrow.

"I will promise that you can cable him a repo

within two weeks," replied the officer; "but whit will be I dare not say. There are resemblance

yet-well, we had better leave it for Monsie

Desquerc to solve."



Chapter XXVII The G iant A gain

A taxicab drew up before an oldfashione

residence upon the outskirts of Baltimore.

A man of about forty, well built and wi

strong, regular features, stepped out, and payinthe chauffeur dismissed him.

A moment later the passenger was entering th

library of the old home.

"Ah, Mr. Canler!" exclaimed an old ma

rising to greet him."Good evening, my dear Professor," cried th

man, extending a cordial hand.

"Who admitted you?" asked the professor.

"Esmeralda "




Tarzan – 01 523/56

"Then she will acquaint Jane with the fact th

you are here," said the old man.

"No, Professor," replied Canler, "for I cam

primarily to see you.""Ah, I am honored," said Professor Porter.

"Professor," continued Robert Canler, wi

great deliberation, as though carefully weighin

his words, "I have come this evening to spewith you about Jane."

"You know my aspirations, and you have bee

generous enough to approve my suit."

Professor Archimedes Q. Porter fidgeted in h

armchair. The subject always made hiuncomfortable. He could not understand wh

Canler was a splendid match.

"But Jane," continued Canler, "I cann

understand her. She puts me off first on on

ground and then another. I have always th

feeling that she breathes a sigh of relief eve

time I bid her good-by."

"Tut, tut," said Professor Porter. "Tut, tut, M




Tarzan – 01 524/56

Canler. Jane is a most obedient daughter. Sh

will do precisely as I tell her."

"Then I can still count on your support

asked Canler, a tone of relief marking his voice"Certainly, sir; certainly, sir," exclaime

Professor Porter. "How could you doubt it?"

"There is young Clayton, you know

suggested Canler. "He has been hanging abofor months. I don't know that Jane cares for him

but beside his title they say he has inherited

very considerable estate from his father, and

might not be strange,-if he finally won he

unless-" and Canler paused."Tut-tut, Mr. Canler; unless-what?"

"Unless, you see fit to request that Jane and

be married at once," said Canler, slowly an

distinctly.

"I have already suggested to Jane that it wou

be desirable," said Professor Porter sadly, "f

we can no longer afford to keep up this hous

and live as her associations demand."




Tarzan – 01 525/56

"What was her reply?" asked Canler.

"She said she was not ready to marry anyo

yet," replied Professor Porter, "and that we cou

go and live upon the farm in northern Wisconswhich her mother left her.

"It is a little more than self-supporting. Th

tenants have always made a living from it, an

been able to send Jane a trifle beside, each yeaShe is planning on our going up there the first

the week.

Philander and Mr. Clayton have already gon

to get things in readiness for us."

"Clayton has gone there?" exclaimed Canlevisibly chagrined. "Why was I not told? I wou

gladly have gone and seen that every comfo

was provided."

"Jane feels that we are already too much

your debt, Mr. Canler," said Professor Porter.

Canler was about to reply, when the sound

footsteps came from the hall without, and Jan

entered the room.




Tarzan – 01 526/56

"Oh, I beg your pardon!" she exclaime

pausing on the threshold. "I thought you we

alone, papa."

"It is only I, Jane," said Canler, who had rise"won't you come in and join the family group

We were just speaking of you."

"Thank you," said Jane, entering and takin

the chair Canler placed for her. "I only wanted tell papa that Tobey is coming down from t

college tomorrow to pack his books. I want yo

to be sure, papa, to indicate all that you can d

without until fall. Please don't carry this enti

library to Wisconsin, as you would have carrieit to Africa, if I had not put my foot down."

"Was Tobey here?" asked Professor Porter.

"Yes, I just left him. He and Esmeralda a

exchanging religious experiences on the bac

porch now."

"Tut, tut, I must see him at once!" cried th

professor. "Excuse me just a moment, children

and the old man hastened from the room.




Tarzan – 01 527/56

As soon as he was out of earshot Canler turn

to Jane.

"See here, Jane," he said bluntly. "How long

this thing going on like this? You haven't refusto marry me, but you haven't promised either

want to get the license tomorrow, so that we c

be married quietly before you leave f

Wisconsin. I don't care for any fuss or featherand I'm sure you don't either."

The girl turned cold, but she held her hea

bravely.

"Your father wishes it, you know," add

Canler."Yes, I know."

She spoke scarcely above a whisper.

"Do you realize that you are buying me, M

Canler?" she said finally, and in a cold, lev

voice. "Buying me for a few paltry dollars? O

course you do, Robert Canler, and the hope

just such a contingency was in your mind wh

you loaned papa the money for that hair-braine




Tarzan – 01 528/56

escapade, which but for a most mysterio

circumstance would have been surprising

successful.

"But you, Mr. Canler, would have been thmost surprised. You had no idea that the ventu

would succeed. You are too good a businessm

for that. And you are too good a businessman

loan money for buried treasure seeking, or loan money without security-unless you h

some special object in view.

"You knew that without security you had

greater hold on the honor of the Porters than wi

it. You knew the one best way to force me marry you, without seeming to force me.

"You have never mentioned the loan. In an

other man I should have thought that th

prompting of a magnanimous and nob

character. But you are deep, Mr. Robert Canler

know you better than you think I know you.

"I shall certainly marry you if there is no oth

way, but let us understand each other once an




Tarzan – 01 529/56

for all."

While she spoke Robert Canler had alternate

flushed and paled, and when she ceased speakin

he arose, and with a cynical smile upon hstrong face, said:

"You surprise me, Jane. I thought you ha

more self-control-more pride. Of course you a

right. I am buying you, and I knew that you kneit, but I thought you would prefer to pretend th

it was otherwise. I should have thought your se

respect and your Porter pride would have shrun

from admitting, even to yourself, that you were

bought woman. But have it your own way, degirl," he added lightly. "I am going to have yo

and that is all that interests me."

Without a word the girl turned and left t

room.

Jane was not married before she left with h

father and Esmeralda for her little Wiscons

farm, and as she coldly bid Robert Canl

goodby as her train pulled out, he called to h




Tarzan – 01 530/56

that he would join them in a week or two.

At their destination they were met by Clayto

and Mr. Philander in a huge touring c

belonging to the former, and quickly whirleaway through the dense northern woods towa

the little farm which the girl had not visite

before since childhood.

The farmhouse, which stood on a littelevation some hundred yards from the tena

house, had undergone a complete transformatio

during the three weeks that Clayton and M

Philander had been there.

The former had imported a small army carpenters and plasterers, plumbers and painte

from a distant city, and what had been but

dilapidated shell when they reached it was now

cosy little two-story house filled with eve

modern convenience procurable in so short

time.

"Why, Mr. Clayton, what have you done

cried Jane Porter, her heart sinking within her




Tarzan – 01 531/56

she realized the probable size of the expenditu

that had been made.

"S-sh," cautioned Clayton. "Don't let yo

father guess. If you don't tell him he will nevnotice, and I simply couldn't think of him livin

in the terrible squalor and sordidness which M

Philander and I found. It was so little when

would like to do so much, Jane. For his sakplease, never mention it."

"But you know that we can't repay you," crie

the girl. "Why do you want to put me under suc

terrible obligations?"

"Don't, Jane," said Clayton sadly. "If it hbeen just you, believe me, I wouldn't have do

it, for I knew from the start that it would on

hurt me in your eyes, but I couldn't think of th

dear old man living in the hole we found her

Won't you please believe that I did it just for hi

and give me that little crumb of pleasure

least?"

"I do believe you, Mr. Clayton," said the gi




Tarzan – 01 532/56

"because I know you are big enough an

generous enough to have done it just for him-an

oh Cecil, I wish I might repay you as yo

deserve-as you would wish.""Why can't you, Jane?"

"Because I love another."

"Canler?"

"No.""But you are going to marry him. He told m

as much before I left Baltimore."

The girl winced.

"I do not love him," she said, almost proudly

"Is it because of the money, Jane?"She nodded.

"Then am I so much less desirable than Canl

I have money enough, and far more, for eve

need," he said bitterly.

"I do not love you, Cecil," she said, "but

respect you. If I must disgrace myself by such

bargain with any man, I prefer that it be one

already despise. I should loathe the man to who




Tarzan – 01 533/56

I sold myself without love, whomsoever h

might be. You will be happier," she conclude

"alone-with my respect and friendship, than wi

me and my contempt."He did not press the matter further, but if ev

a man had murder in his heart it was Willia

Cecil Clayton, Lord Greystoke, when, a we

later, Robert Canler drew up before tfarmhouse in his purring six cylinder.

A week passed; a tense, uneventful, b

uncomfortable week for all the inmates of th

little Wisconsin farmhouse.

Canler was insistent that Jane marry him once.

At length she gave in from sheer loathing

the continued and hateful importuning.

It was agreed that on the morrow Canler w

to drive to town and bring back the license and

minister.

Clayton had wanted to leave as soon as th

plan was announced, but the girl's tired, hopele




Tarzan – 01 534/56

look kept him. He could not desert her.

Something might happen yet, he tried

console himself by thinking.

And in his heart, he knew that it would requibut a tiny spark to turn his hatred for Canler in

the blood lust of the killer.

Early the next morning Canler set out for tow

In the east smoke could be seen lying low ovthe forest, for a fire had been raging for a we

not far from them, but the wind still lay in t

west and no danger threatened them.

About noon Jane started off for a walk. S

would not let Clayton accompany her. Shwanted to be alone, she said, and he respect

her wishes.

In the house Professor Porter and M

Philander were immersed in an absorbin

discussion of some weighty scientific problem

Esmeralda dozed in the kitchen, and Clayto

heavy-eyed after a sleepless night, threw himse

down upon the couch in the living room an




Tarzan – 01 535/56

soon dropped into a fitful slumber.

To the east the black smoke clouds rose high

into the heavens, suddenly they eddied, and the

commenced to drift rapidly toward the west.On and on they came. The inmates of th

tenant house were gone, for it was market da

and none was there to see the rapid approach

the fiery demon.Soon the flames had spanned the road to th

south and cut off Canler's return. A litt

fluctuation of the wind now carried the path

the forest fire to the north, then blew back an

the flames nearly stood still as though held leash by some master hand.

Suddenly, out of the northeast, a great blac

car came careening down the road.

With a jolt it stopped before the cottage, and

black-haired giant leaped out to run up onto t

porch. Without a pause he rushed into the hous

On the couch lay Clayton. The man started

surprise, but with a bound was at the side of th




Tarzan – 01 536/56

sleeping man.

Shaking him roughly by the shoulder, he crie

"My God, Clayton, are you all mad her

Don't you know you are nearly surrounded bfire? Where is Miss Porter?"

Clayton sprang to his feet. He did n

recognize the man, but he understood the wor

and was upon the veranda in a bound."Scott!" he cried, and then, dashing back in

the house, "Jane! Jane! where are you?"

In an instant Esmeralda, Professor Porter an

Mr. Philander had joined the two men.

"Where is Miss Jane?" cried Clayton, seizinEsmeralda by the shoulders and shaking h

roughly.

"Oh, Gaberelle, Mister Clayton, she done go

for a walk."

"Hasn't she come back yet?" and, witho

waiting for a reply, Clayton dashed out into th

yard, followed by the others. "Which way d

she go?" cried the black-haired giant




Tarzan – 01 537/56

Esmeralda.

"Down that road," cried the frightened woma

pointing toward the south where a mighty wall

roaring flames shut out the view."Put these people in the other car," shouted t

stranger to Clayton.

"I saw one as I drove up-and get them out

here by the north road."Leave my car here. If I find Miss Porter w

shall need it. If I don't, no one will need it. Do

I say," as Clayton hesitated, and then they sa

the lithe figure bound away cross the clearin

toward the northwest where the forest still stoountouched by flame.

In each rose the unaccountable feeling that

great responsibility had been raised from the

shoulders; a kind of implicit confidence in t

power of the stranger to save Jane if she could b

saved.

"Who was that?" asked Professor Porter.

"I do not know," replied Clayton. "He calle




Tarzan – 01 538/56

me by name and he knew Jane, for he asked f

her. And he called Esmeralda by name."

"There was something most startling

familiar about him," exclaimed Mr. Philande"And yet, bless me, I know I never saw hi

before."

"Tut, tut!" cried Professor Porter. "Mo

remarkable! Who could it have been, and why dI feel that Jane is safe, now that he has set out

search of her?"

"I can't tell you, Professor," said Clayto

soberly, "but I know I have the same uncann

feeling.""But come," he cried, "we must get out of he

ourselves, or we shall be shut off," and the par

hastened toward Clayton's car.

When Jane turned to retrace her ste

homeward, she was alarmed to note how near t

smoke of the forest fire seemed, and as sh

hastened onward her alarm became almost

panic when she perceived that the rushing flam




Tarzan – 01 539/56

were rapidly forcing their way between herse

and the cottage.

At length she was compelled to turn into th

dense thicket and attempt to force her way to thwest in an effort to circle around the flames an

reach the house.

In a short time the futility of her attem

became apparent and then her one hope lay retracing her steps to the road and flying for h

life to the south toward the town.

The twenty minutes that it took her to rega

the road was all that had been needed to cut o

her retreat as effectually as her advance had beecut off before.

A short run down the road brought her to

horrified stand, for there before her was anoth

wall of flame. An arm of the main conflagratio

had shot out a half mile south of its parent

embrace this tiny strip of road in its implacab

clutches.

Jane knew that it was useless again to attem




Tarzan – 01 540/56

to force her way through the undergrowth.

She had tried it once, and failed. Now sh

realized that it would be but a matter of minut

ere the whole space between the north and tsouth would be a seething mass of billowin

flames.

Calmly the girl kneeled down in the dust

the roadway and prayed for strength to meet hfate bravely, and for the delivery of her fath

and her friends from death.

Suddenly she heard her name being calle

aloud through the forest:

"Jane! Jane Porter!" It rang strong and cleabut in a strange voice.

"Here!" she called in reply. "Here! In th

roadway!"

Then through the branches of the trees she sa

a figure swinging with the speed of a squirrel.

A veering of the wind blew a cloud of smok

about them and she could no longer see the m

who was speeding toward her, but suddenly s




Tarzan – 01 541/56

felt a great arm about her. Then she was lifted u

and she felt the rushing of the wind and th

occasional brush of a branch as she was bor

along.She opened her eyes.

Far below her lay the undergrowth and th

hard earth.

About her was the waving foliage of the foreFrom tree to tree swung the giant figure whic

bore her, and it seemed to Jane that she w

living over in a dream the experience that h

been hers in that far African jungle.

Oh, if it were but the same man who had borher so swiftly through the tangled verdure on th

other day! but that was impossible! Yet who el

in all the world was there with the strength an

agility to do what this man was now doing?

She stole a sudden glance at the face close

hers, and then she gave a little frightened gasp.

was he!

"My forest man!" she murmured, "No, I mu




Tarzan – 01 542/56

be delerious!"

"Yes, your man, Jane Porter. Your savag

primeval man come out of the jungle to claim h

mate-the woman who ran away from him," hadded almost fiercely.

"I did not run away," she whispered. "I wou

only consent to leave when they had waited

week for you to return."They had come to a point beyond the fire now

and he had turned back to the clearing.

Side by side they were walking toward t

cottage. The wind had changed once more an

the fire was burning back upon itself-anothhour like that and it would be burned out.

"Why did you not return?" she asked.

"I was nursing D'Arnot. He was bad

wounded."

"Ah, I knew it!" she exclaimed.

"They said you had gone to join the black

that they were your people."

He laughed.




Tarzan – 01 543/56

"But you did not believe them, Jane?"

"No;-what shall I call you?" she asked. "Wh

is your name?"

"I was Tarzan of the Apes when you firknew me," he said.

"Tarzan of the Apes!" she cried-"and that w

your note I answered when I left?"

"Yes, whose did you think it was?""I did not know; only that it could not be you

for Tarzan of the Apes had written in Englis

and you could not understand a word of an

language."

Again he laughed."It is a long story, but it was I who wrote wh

I could not speak-and now D'Arnot has mad

matters worse by teaching me to speak Frenc

instead of English.

"Come," he added, "jump into my car, w

must overtake your father, they are only a litt

way ahead."

As they drove along, he said:




Tarzan – 01 544/56

"Then when you said in your note to Tarzan

the Apes that you loved another-you might hav

meant me?"

"I might have," she answered, simply."But in Baltimore-Oh, how I have searched f

you-they told me you would possibly be marrie

by now. That a man named Canler had come u

here to wed you. Is that true?""Yes."

"Do you love him?"

"No."

"Do you love me?"

She buried her face in her hands."I am promised to another. I cannot answ

you, Tarzan of the Apes," she cried.

"You have answered. Now, tell me why yo

would marry one you do not love."

"My father owes him money."

Suddenly there came back to Tarzan t

memory of the letter he had read-and the nam

Robert Canler and the hinted trouble which h




Tarzan – 01 545/56

had been unable to understand then.

He smiled.

"If your father had not lost the treasure yo

would not feel forced to keep your promise this man Canler?"

"I could ask him to release me."

"And if he refused?"

"I have given my promise."He was silent for a moment. The car w

plunging along the uneven road at a reckle

pace, for the fire showed threateningly at the

right, and another change of the wind mig

sweep it on with raging fury across this oavenue of escape.

Finally they passed the danger point, an

Tarzan reduced their speed.

"Suppose I should ask him?" ventured Tarzan

"He would scarcely accede to the demand of

stranger," said the girl.

"Especially one who wanted me himself."

"Terkoz did," said Tarzan, grimly.




Tarzan – 01 546/56

Jane shuddered and looked fearfully up at t

giant figure beside her, for she knew that

meant the great anthropoid he had killed in h

defense."This is not the African jungle," she sai

"You are no longer a savage beast. You are

gentleman, and gentlemen do not kill in co

blood.""I am still a wild beast at heart," he said, in

low voice, as though to himself.

Again they were silent for a time.

"Jane," said the man, at length, "if you we

free, would you marry me?"She did not reply at once, but he wait

patiently.

The girl was trying to collect her thoughts.

What did she know of this strange creature

her side? What did he know of himself? Wh

was he? Who, his parents?

Why, his very name echoed his mysterio

origin and his savage life.




Tarzan – 01 547/56

He had no name. Could she be happy with th

jungle waif? Could she find anything in comm

with a husband whose life had been spent in th

tree tops of an African wilderness, frolicking anfighting with fierce anthropoids; tearing his foo

from the quivering flank of fresh-killed pre

sinking his strong teeth into raw flesh, an

tearing away his portion while his mates growleand fought about him for their share?

Could he ever rise to her social sphere? Cou

she bear to think of sinking to his? Would eith

be happy in such a horrible misalliance?

"You do not answer," he said. "Do you shrinfrom wounding me?"

"I do not know what answer to make," sa

Jane sadly. "I do not know my own mind."

"You do not love me, then?" he asked, in

level tone.

"Do not ask me. You will be happier witho

me. You were never meant for the form

restrictions and conventionalities of societ




Tarzan – 01 548/56

civilization would become irksome to you, and

a little while you would long for the freedom

your old life-a life to which I am as total

unfitted as you to mine.""I think I understand you," he replied quietl

"I shall not urge you, for I would rather see yo

happy than to be happy myself. I see now th

you could not be happy with-an ape."There was just the faintest tinge of bitterne

in his voice.

"Don't," she remonstrated. "Don't say tha

You do not understand."

But before she could go on a sudden turn the road brought them into the midst of a litt

hamlet.

Before them stood Clayton's car surrounded b

the party he had brought from the cottage.



Chapter XXVIII Conclusion

At the sight of Jane, cries of relief an

delight broke from every lip, and as Tarzan's c

stopped beside the other, Professor Porter caug

his daughter in his arms.For a moment no one noticed Tarzan, sittin

silently in his seat.

Clayton was the first to remember, an

turning, held out his hand.

"How can we ever thank you?" he exclaime"You have saved us all.

You called me by name at the cottage, but I d

not seem to recall yours, though there

something very familiar about you It is




Tarzan – 01 550/56

though I had known you well under ve

different conditions a long time ago."

Tarzan smiled as he took the proffered hand.

"You are quite right, Monsieur Clayton," hsaid, in French. "You will pardon me if I do n

speak to you in English. I am just learning it, an

while I understand it fairly well I speak it ve

poorly.""But who are you?" insisted Clayton, speakin

in French this time himself.

"Tarzan of the Apes."

Clayton started back in surprise.

"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "It is true."And Professor Porter and Mr. Philand

pressed forward to add their thanks to Clayton

and to voice their surprise and pleasure at seein

their jungle friend so far from his savage home.

The party now entered the modest litt

hostelry, where Clayton soon made arrangemen

for their entertainment.

They were sitting in the little, stuffy parl




Tarzan – 01 551/56

when the distant chugging of an approachin

automobile caught their attention.

Mr. Philander, who was sitting near th

window, looked out as the car drew in sighfinally stopping beside the other automobiles.

"Bless me!" said Mr. Philander, a shade

annoyance in his tone. "It is Mr. Canler. I h

hoped, er-I had thought or-er-how very happy wshould be that he was not caught in the fire," h

ended lamely.

"Tut, tut! Mr. Philander," said Professor Port

"Tut, tut! I have often admonished my pupils

count ten before speaking. Were I you, MPhilander, I should count at least a thousand, an

then maintain a discreet silence."

"Bless me, yes!" acquiesced Mr. Philande

"But who is the clerical appearing gentlem

with him?"

Jane blanched.

Clayton moved uneasily in his chair.

Professor Porter removed his spectacl




Tarzan – 01 552/56

nervously, and breathed upon them, but replace

them on his nose without wiping.

The ubiquitous Esmeralda grunted.

Only Tarzan did not comprehend.Presently Robert Canler burst into the room.

"Thank God!" he cried. "I feared the wor

until I saw your car, Clayton. I was cut off on t

south road and had to go away back to town, anthen strike east to this road. I thought we'd nev

reach the cottage."

No one seemed to enthuse much. Tarzan eye

Robert Canler as Sabor eyes her prey.

Jane glanced at him and coughed nervously."Mr. Canler," she said, "this is Monsie

Tarzan, an old friend."

Canler turned and extended his hand. Tarz

rose and bowed as only D'Arnot could hav

taught a gentleman to do it, but he did not see

to see Canler's hand.

Nor did Canler appear to notice the oversight

"This is the Reverend Mr. Tousley, Jane," sa




Tarzan – 01 553/56

Canler, turning to the clerical party behind him

"Mr. Tousley, Miss Porter."

Mr. Tousley bowed and beamed.

Canler introduced him to the others."We can have the ceremony at once, Jane

said Canler. "Then you and I can catch th

midnight train in town."

Tarzan understood the plan instantly. Hglanced out of half-closed eyes at Jane, but

did not move.

The girl hesitated. The room was tense wi

the silence of taut nerves.

All eyes turned toward Jane, awaiting hreply.

"Can't we wait a few days?" she asked. "I a

all unstrung. I have been through so muc

today."

Canler felt the hostility that emanated fro

each member of the party.

It made him angry.

"We have waited as long as I intend to wait




Tarzan – 01 554/56

he said roughly. "You have promised to mar

me. I shall be played with no longer. I have t

license and here is the preacher. Come M

Tousley; come Jane.There are plenty of witnesses-more th

enough," he added with a disagreeable inflectio

and taking Jane Porter by the arm, he started

lead her toward the waiting minister.But scarcely had he taken a single step ere

heavy hand closed upon his arm with a grip

steel.

Another hand shot to his throat and in

moment he was being shaken high above thfloor, as a cat might shake a mouse.

Jane turned in horrified surprise toward Tarz

And, as she looked into his face, she saw th

crimson band upon his forehead that she ha

seen that other day in far distant Africa, whe

Tarzan of the Apes had closed in mortal comb

with the great anthropoid-Terkoz.

She knew that murder lay in that savage hea




Tarzan – 01 555/56

and with a little cry of horror she sprang forwa

to plead with the ape-man.

But her fears were more for Tarzan than f

Canler. She realized the stern retribution whijustice metes to the murderer.

Before she could reach them, howeve

Clayton had jumped to Tarzan's side an

attempted to drag Canler from his grasp.With a single sweep of one mighty arm t

Englishman was hurled across the room, an

then Jane laid a firm white hand upon Tarzan

wrist, and looked up into his eyes.

"For my sake," she said.The grasp upon Canler's throat relaxed.

Tarzan looked down into the beautiful fa

before him.

"Do you wish this to live?" he asked

surprise.

"I do not wish him to die at your hands, m

friend," she replied. "I do not wish you

become a murderer."




Tarzan – 01 556/56

Tarzan removed his hand from Canler's throa

"Do you release her from her promise?"

asked. "It is the price of your life."

Canler, gasping for breath, nodded."Will you go away and never molest h

further?"

Again the man nodded his head, his fa

distorted by fear of the death that had been close.

Tarzan released him, and Canler staggere

toward the door. In another moment he was gon

and the terror-stricken preacher with him.

Tarzan turned toward Jane."May I speak with you for a moment, alone

he asked.

The girl nodded and started toward the do

leading to the narrow veranda of the little hote

She passed out to await Tarzan and so did n

hear the conversation which followed.

"Wait," cried Professor Porter, as Tarzan w

about to follow.




Tarzan – 01 557/56

The professor had been stricken dumb wi

surprise by the rapid developments of the pa

few minutes.

"Before we go further, sir, I should like explanation of the events which have ju

transpired. By what right, sir, did you interfe

between my daughter and Mr. Canler? I h

promised him her hand, sir, and regardless of opersonal likes or dislikes, sir, that promise mu

be kept."

"I interfered, Professor Porter," replied Tarza

"because your daughter does not love M

Canler-she does not wish to marry him. That enough for me to know."

"You do not know what you have done," sa

Professor Porter. "Now he will doubtless refu

to marry her."

"He most certainly will," said Tarza

emphatically.

"And further," added Tarzan, "you need n

fear that your pride will suffer, Professor Porte




Tarzan – 01 558/56

for you will be able to pay the Canler perso

what you owe him the moment you reach home

"Tut, tut, sir!" exclaimed Professor Porte

"What do you mean, sir?""Your treasure has been found," said Tarzan.

"What-what is that you are saying?" cried t

professor. "You are mad, man. It cannot be."

"It is, though. It was I who stole it, nknowing either its value or to whom it belonge

I saw the sailors bury it, and, ape-like, I had

dig it up and bury it again elsewhere. Whe

D'Arnot told me what it was and what it meant

you I returned to the jungle and recovered it.It had caused so much crime and suffering an

sorrow that D'Arnot thought it best not to attem

to bring the treasure itself on here, as had bee

my intention, so I have brought a letter of cred

instead.

"Here it is, Professor Porter," and Tarzan dre

an envelope from his pocket and handed it to t

astonished professor, "two hundred and forty-on




Tarzan – 01 559/56

thousand dollars. The treasure was mo

carefully appraised by experts, but lest the

should be any question in your mind, D'Arn

himself bought it and is holding it for yoshould you prefer the treasure to the credit."

"To the already great burden of the obligatio

we owe you, sir," said Professor Porter, wi

trembling voice, "is now added this greatest all services. You have given me the means

save my honor."

Clayton, who had left the room a moment aft

Canler, now returned.

"Pardon me," he said. "I think we had betttry to reach town before dark and take the fir

train out of this forest. A native just rode by fro

the north, who reports that the fire is movin

slowly in this direction."

This announcement broke up furth

conversation, and the entire party went out to th

waiting automobiles.

Clayton, with Jane, the professor an




Tarzan – 01 560/56

Esmeralda occupied Clayton's car, while Tarz

took Mr. Philander in with him.

"Bless me!" exclaimed Mr. Philander, as t

car moved off after Clayton. "Who would evhave thought it possible! The last time I saw yo

you were a veritable wild man, skipping abo

among the branches of a tropical African fore

and now you are driving me along a Wisconsroad in a French automobile. Bless me! But it

most remarkable."

"Yes," assented Tarzan, and then, after a pau

"Mr. Philander, do you recall any of the deta

of the finding and burying of three skeletofound in my cabin beside that African jungle?"

"Very distinctly, sir, very distinctly," replie

Mr. Philander.

"Was there anything peculiar about any

those skeletons?"

Mr. Philander eyed Tarzan narrowly.

"Why do you ask?"

"It means a great deal to me to know," replie




Tarzan – 01 561/56

Tarzan. "Your answer may clear up a mystery.

can do no worse, at any rate, than to leave it st

a mystery. I have been entertaining a theo

concerning those skeletons for the past twmonths, and I want you to answer my question

the best of your knowledge-were the thr

skeletons you buried all human skeletons?"

"No," said Mr. Philander, "the smallest onthe one found in the crib, was the skeleton of

anthropoid ape."

"Thank you," said Tarzan.

In the car ahead, Jane was thinking fast an

furiously. She had felt the purpose for whiTarzan had asked a few words with her, and s

knew that she must be prepared to give him a

answer in the very near future.

He was not the sort of person one could put o

and somehow that very thought made her wond

if she did not really fear him.

And could she love where she feared?

She realized the spell that had been upon h




Tarzan – 01 562/56

in the depths of that far-off jungle, but there w

no spell of enchantment now in prosa

Wisconsin.

Nor did the immaculate young Frenchmappeal to the primal woman in her, as had t

stalwart forest god.

Did she love him? She did not know-now.

She glanced at Clayton out of the corner of heye. Was not here a man trained in the sam

school of environment in which she had bee

trained-a man with social position and cultu

such as she had been taught to consider as t

prime essentials to congenial association?Did not her best judgment point to this youn

English nobleman, whose love she knew to be

the sort a civilized woman should crave, as th

logical mate for such as herself?

Could she love Clayton? She could see n

reason why she could not.

Jane was not coldly calculating by nature, b

training, environment and heredity had a




Tarzan – 01 563/56

combined to teach her to reason even in matte

of the heart.

That she had been carried off her feet by th

strength of the young giant when his great armwere about her in the distant African forest, an

again today, in the Wisconsin woods, seemed

her only attributable to a temporary ment

reversion to type on her part-to the psychologicappeal of the primeval man to the primev

woman in her nature.

If he should never touch her again, sh

reasoned, she would never feel attracted towa

him. She had not loved him, then. It had beenothing more than a passing hallucination, supe

induced by excitement and by personal contact.

Excitement would not always mark the

future relations, should she marry him, and th

power of personal contact eventually would b

dulled by familiarity.

Again she glanced at Clayton. He was ve

handsome and every inch a gentleman. Sh




Tarzan – 01 564/56

should be very proud of such a husband.

And then he spoke-a minute sooner or

minute later might have made all the differen

in the world to three lives-but chance stepped and pointed out to Clayton the psychologic

moment.

"You are free now, Jane," he said. "Won't yo

say yes-I will devote my life to making you vehappy."

"Yes," she whispered.

That evening in the little waiting room at t

station Tarzan caught Jane alone for a moment.

"You are free now, Jane," he said, "and I hacome across the ages out of the dim and dista

past from the lair of the primeval man to clai

you-for your sake I have become a civilize

man-for your sake I have crossed oceans an

continents-for your sake I will be whatever yo

will me to be. I can make you happy, Jane, in th

life you know and love best. Will you mar

me?"




Tarzan – 01 565/56

For the first time she realized the depths of th

man's love-all that he had accomplished in

short a time solely for love of her. Turning h

head she buried her face in her arms.What had she done? Because she had be

afraid she might succumb to the pleas of th

giant, she had burned her bridges behind her-

her groundless apprehension that she might maka terrible mistake, she had made a worse one.

And then she told him all-told him the tru

word by word, without attempting to shie

herself or condone her error.

"What can we do?" he asked. "You havadmitted that you love me. You know that I lo

you; but I do not know the ethics of society b

which you are governed. I shall leave th

decision to you, for you know best what will b

for your eventual welfare."

"I cannot tell him, Tarzan," she said. "He to

loves me, and he is a good man. I could nev

face you nor any other honest person if




Tarzan – 01 566/56

repudiated my promise to Mr. Clayton. I sha

have to keep it-and you must help me bear th

burden, though we may not see each other aga

after tonight."The others were entering the room now an

Tarzan turned toward the little window.

But he saw nothing outside-within he saw

patch of greensward surrounded by a mattmass of gorgeous tropical plants and flowers, an

above, the waving foliage of mighty trees, an

over all, the blue of an equatorial sky.

In the center of the greensward a youn

woman sat upon a little mound of earth, anbeside her sat a young giant. They ate pleasa

fruit and looked into each other's eyes and smile

They were very happy, and they were all alone.

His thoughts were broken in upon by th

station agent who entered asking if there was

gentleman by the name of Tarzan in the party.

"I am Monsieur Tarzan," said the ape-man.

"Here is a message for you, forwarded fro




Baltimore; it is a cablegram from Paris."

Tarzan took the envelope and tore it open. T

message was from D'Arnot.

It read:

01 - Tarzan of the Apes

Documents

Transcript of 01 - Tarzan of the Apes