Part 4
The rising sun found them still separated. A great wonderment rose in Jane's heart. Though she had been in such terrible danger, yet she was unharmed. She moved to the entrance and Tarzan's lithe form dropped lightly from a near-by tree, his face lighted with a smile.
[Illustration]
Jane's heart beat faster. She could not understand it. They finished breakfast. The magnificent diamond locket hanging about Tarzan's neck was a source of much wonderment to Jane. She pointed to it and Tarzan removed and handed it to her. Opening it, she beheld the likeness of Lord and Lady Greystoke.
[Illustration]
She concluded this wild creature had simply found the locket in the cabin. But she could not account for the strange likeness between Lord Greystoke and this forest-god. Tarzan placed the locket about her neck. Protesting, she would have removed it, but he held her hands tightly.
[Illustration]
Motioning her to follow him, Tarzan walked toward the trees. Taking her in one strong arm, he swung to the branches above. The ardor of his first fierce passion had cooled. He knew _why_ the ape had not killed Jane. But _he_ must not be guided by the laws of beasts.
[Illustration]
It was nearly sunset when they came to the clearing. Tarzan parted the tall jungle grass. There stood the cabin. He turned to leave her. Then she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him, unashamed. "I love you," she murmured. "I shall wait for you--always." He was gone.
[Illustration]
The little expedition searching for Jane pushed their way slowly through the tangled jungle. Lieutenant d'Arnot was in the lead, a hundred yards in advance. Suddenly six black warriors arose about him. He gave a warning shout, but before he could draw his revolver he was dragged into the jungle.
[Illustration]
Alarmed, the sailors came running to the scene. A volley of arrows fell among them. They answered with their rifles, shooting toward their concealed enemies. After a terrific hand-to-hand fight, leaving many dead on both sides, the natives fled, taking Lieutenant d'Arnot with them to their village.
[Illustration]
Arriving there at dusk, a great throng rushed out to meet them. Then began for the French officer the most terrifying experience that man can encounter--the reception of a white prisoner into a village of African cannibals. They fell upon him, beating him with merciless blows, tearing his clothes away.
[Illustration]
D'Arnot was bound securely to a great post. The women fetched pots and water; others built a row of fires. He watched them, half-fainting with pain, but not once did he cry out. The dance of death commenced to circle around the doomed officer, moving nearer and nearer.
[Illustration]
He saw the bestial faces, daubed with color, the shining, naked bodies, the cruel spears. Another spear, then another, touched him. He felt the hot trickling blood.... He set his teeth ... he would show these beasts how an officer and a gentleman died.... Suddenly they halted ... as though turned to stone.
[Illustration]
Tarzan of the Apes needed no interpreter to translate the story of those distant shots. With incredible rapidity he was swinging through the trees straight toward the savages' village. White men, men of his own race, might even now be suffering the agonies of torture. On he sped.
[Illustration]
Presently he caught the reflection of a distant blaze. Ah--he was not quite too late! The death blow had not been struck. From the nearest tree Tarzan coiled his rope. Then there arose suddenly above the fiendish cries of the dancing demons, the awful challenge of the ape-man.
[Illustration]
The rope sped with singing whir above the blacks' heads. A huge fellow lunged backward; struggling and shrieking, his body moved toward the trees. Then straight into the air, disappearing into the foliage. The blacks, screaming with fright, raced madly for the village gate. D'Arnot was left alone!
[Illustration]
Now from the trees came a crash and the black came sprawling to earth again, to lie quietly where he had fallen. Immediately after came a white body, alighting erect. D'Arnot saw a clean-limbed young giant emerge and come quickly to him.... Some new creature of torture, doubtless.
[Illustration]
Without a word Tarzan of the Apes cut the bonds that held the Frenchman. Weak from suffering and loss of blood, he would have fallen but for the strong arm that caught him. He felt himself lifted from the ground. There was a sensation as of flying. Then he lost consciousness.
[Illustration]
When d'Arnot regained consciousness, he found himself lying in a little shelter of boughs. Soon he recalled the whole hideous scene at the stake; the strange white figure carrying him away. What fate lay in store for him now?... Outside the hut he saw the squatting figure of a man.
[Illustration]
He called faintly. The man crawled in. D'Arnot spoke to him in French, then English, but he shook his handsome head. After examining d'Arnot's wounds he disappeared, coming back with fruit, water, pieces of smooth bark, and a pencil. Squatting beside d'Arnot, he wrote, handing the message to the Frenchman.
[Illustration]
D'Arnot read with astonishment: I am Tarzan of the Apes. Who are you? So d'Arnot wrote in English, about himself. Thus conversing, he learned the story of the fight and found Jane was safe. Then for three days he was in a delirium. Tarzan feared to leave him long.
[Illustration]
Days after, d'Arnot very weak, but recovering, sat conversing with Tarzan by means of the smooth bark. He wrote: What can I do to repay you? Tarzan replied: Teach me to speak the language of men. Slowly he taught him to speak in French. Tarzan was a very eager student.
[Illustration]
Soon Tarzan asked d'Arnot if he felt strong enough to be carried back to the cabin. Both were anxious to go, longing to see Jane again. D'Arnot wrote: You cannot carry me all that distance. "That's easy," Tarzan laughed. So they set out. Mid-afternoon, they arrived. _The cabin was deserted._
[Illustration]
The men turned and looked at one another. D'Arnot knew that his people thought him dead, but Tarzan thought only of the woman who had kissed him in love, then fled. A great bitterness rose in his heart. He would go far into the jungle and rejoin his tribe.
[Illustration]
As Tarzan stood on the threshold brooding, d'Arnot entered the cabin. He found many comforts left behind. There were two notes addressed to Tarzan of the Apes. One, in a woman's hand, was sealed. Turning toward the door, he found Tarzan gone. He called aloud, but there was no response.
[Illustration]
To be left alone in the jungle, a prey to solitude and hopelessness! Brave man that he was, d'Arnot was frightened. He closed the cabin door.... Far to the east Tarzan was speeding back to his tribe.... But he couldn't escape his thought. He should not have deserted one of his own people.
[Illustration]
D'Arnot read the unsealed letter to Tarzan. It told how the rescuing party had been forced to give up in despair. Also of the gifts they were leaving for him, of their eternal gratitude for his protection and service and ended: "We sail in an hour--never to return."
[Illustration]
D'Arnot threw himself face downward on the cot.... An hour later he started up, listening. Someone at the door... trying to enter.... Dusk was falling. His hair rose on his scalp.... He reached for the loaded rifle.... Gently the door opened.... Something stood just without.... And then d'Arnot pulled the trigger.
[Illustration]
With the gun's report, d'Arnot saw a man pitch headlong into the cabin. In an instant he realized he had shot his friend and protector, Tarzan of the Apes. With a cry of anguish, d'Arnot sprang to the ape-man's side, lifted his head, calling Tarzan's name aloud. There was no response.
[Illustration]
Placing his ear above the man's heart, he heard to his joy its steady beating. D'Arnot, relieved, set about bathing Tarzan's face. He saw there was an ugly flesh wound. Soon the cool water revived him, and d'Arnot explained the terrible mistake. Laughing, Tarzan said: "It is nothing. Forget it."
[Illustration]
For a week they did little but rest. Now they could converse quite easily in French. Tarzan, heart-broken, read Jane's farewell letter. Where was this America to which she had sailed? It took a long time for him to understand, even imperfectly, d'Arnot's explanations. He resolved to follow and find her.
[Illustration]
So on the following morning they started north along the shore, carrying rifles, ammunition, and food. For a month they traveled, with no signs of natives, nor were they molested by wild beasts. One morning they came to a clearing. In the distance were several buildings surrounded by a strong stockade.
[Illustration]
Tarzan, followed by d'Arnot, struck across the field, his head held high, the tropical sun beating on his smooth brown skin. It proved to be a French mission. They were welcomed, remaining until black women made them clothes to continue their journey. Thus came Tarzan of the Apes to the first outpost of civilization.
[Illustration]
During the long trek up the coast, Tarzan had spoken freely of himself to d'Arnot, and asked many questions of the world toward which they were heading. D'Arnot taught him many of civilization's refinements. Tarzan told about the great chest he had seen the sailors bury; how he had hidden it.
[Illustration]
Once d'Arnot questioned him about his parents, and Tarzan told him of Kala, his mother, the great fine ape. D'Arnot looked long and earnestly at him. "Tarzan, it is impossible that Kala the ape was your mother. You are pure man. Have you no clue to your past?"
[Illustration]
Tarzan replied: "I have read everything that was in the cabin with the exception of one book. Possibly you can read it." He fished the little black book from the bottom of his quiver. And d'Arnot read aloud the diary of the unfortunate Lord Greystoke, written in French.
[Illustration]
It ended just as Lord Greystoke was struck down by Kerchak, the king ape.... "_To-day our little son is six months old. He is sitting beside me. Now he has grabbed my pen, and with his ink-begrimed fingers placed the seal of his tiny finger-prints upon this page...._"
[Illustration]
And there in the margin were the partially blurred imprints of four wee fingers.... Finishing the diary, d'Arnot sat in silence. In his mind had sprung the determination to prove a theory. He believed he had discovered the key that alone could unlock the mystery of Tarzan of the Apes.
[Illustration]
Another month and they reached a little river port. Here d'Arnot cabled his government for a three months' leave and his banker for funds. During their wait the handsome "Monsieur Tarzan" became the wonder of both blacks and whites.... A huge native had run amuck and terrorized the town.
[Illustration]
On the hotel veranda the black spied Tarzan. With a roar he charged the ape-man. Tarzan met the rush; his steel muscles gripped the black wrist of the uplifted knife hand, a single wrench left the hand dangling below a broken bone. Crying with agony, the fellow ran away. Tarzan resumed reading.
[Illustration]
Again, Tarzan accepted a challenge. He was to kill a lion single-handed. Naked he went into the jungle armed only with knife and rope. With his wild-days methods, at last he got the beast. Shouting the awesome victory cry, he shouldered the carcass, returned to the amazed group, and claimed the reward.
[Illustration]
Often Tarzan longed for the freedom of the jungle. But loyalty to d'Arnot, the vision of a beautiful face, and the memory of warm kisses lured him onward. At length d'Arnot succeeded in chartering a small boat, and they set sail down the coast, to dig for the buried treasure.
[Illustration]
Arriving, Tarzan, garbed once more in his jungle regalia, set out alone for the ape's haunts where lay the treasure. Next day he returned bearing the great chest. Three weeks later they boarded a French steamer. D'Arnot was taking Tarzan to Paris, nor would he divulge the reason for their journey.
[Illustration]
One of the first things d'Arnot did upon their arrival in Paris was to arrange to visit a high official of the police department, an old friend. He took Tarzan with him. Here was explained to them the fascinating science of identifying criminals by finger-prints. Tarzan was intensely interested.
[Illustration]
Tarzan requested that his own finger-prints be taken. This done, d'Arnot drew forth a little book, turning to a page where were several tiny smudges. Surprised, Tarzan watched, recalling how he had given the diary to his friend. Now he realized the meaning of their visit to the police bureau!
[Illustration]
The answer to his life's riddle lay in those tiny marks! With tense nerves Tarzan leaned forward. Was he a pure-blooded white man, the son of Lord Greystoke? Or only a half-savage ape-man?... Much depended upon the absolute correctness of the comparisons. Several days' delay was necessary.
[Illustration]
And now Tarzan was able at last to see the treasure. When the great oak, iron-bound chest was forced open, it was found to contain gold coin--"doubloons" and "pieces of eight" from pirates' raids along the Spanish Main. Tarzan desired to take it intact to America with him.
[Illustration]
What crime, suffering, and sorrow the thing had caused in its bloody history! So d'Arnot advised disposing of it forever. When the gold was appraised, it brought more than two hundred thousand dollars. And now Tarzan was doubly anxious to start upon his way to find Jane in America.
[Illustration]
D'Arnot, the only son of an aristocratic French family of wealth, was unable to express his gratitude to Tarzan sufficiently. Never could he forget those terrible times among the cannibals when Tarzan had saved him from being eaten alive. Now he was heart-broken at the thought of parting.
[Illustration]
Tarzan wished to work his way across the Atlantic. D'Arnot would not consent. He had deposited money to Tarzan's credit and had given him a fine French motor car. Making him promise to return to Paris, d'Arnot reluctantly bid him adieu and wished him "Bon voyage" as Tarzan boarded the great liner.
[Illustration]
The handsome "Monsieur Tarzan" was a great favorite during the voyage. One morning as he watched the dancing spray, he heard a cry "Man overboard," and saw a youth slip to the dark waters below. Quick as a flash, Tarzan dived after, clasping him almost before the waters closed over them.
[Illustration]
Tarzan became the idol of the ship. It happened that the rescued boy's grateful parents knew Jane's father. And so Tarzan easily found his way. The day after docking, a big black car stopped at the modest home and an black-haired giant leaped happily up the porch.
[Illustration]
Our old friend Esmeralda opened the door. "If 'tain't the ape-man," she cried, and as usual was about to faint, but excitement prevented her. He learned that "Miss Jane had gone up north to be married." It needed no further incentive to speed Tarzan over the miles toward Clayton's camp.
[Illustration]
The lovely Jane had never forgotten her strange experience in the African jungle. Nor her handsome forest-god. But many troubles beset her. Their depleted fortunes, her father's health, the ardent wooing of young Clayton, now an avowed suitor, all worried her. Still loving Tarzan, Jane never expected to see him again.
[Illustration]
For her father's sake she had accepted Clayton's invitation to visit his hunting-camp. She admired this rich, titled Englishman--but Love was another matter. She must decide.... To-day she had wandered far into the woods, absorbed in her thoughts. Suddenly to the east she was aware of approaching smoke.
[Illustration]
For a week a forest fire had raged near them, but no danger threatened. Now she perceived the rushing flames were swiftly forcing their way between herself and the cottage. She gave herself up for lost.... Suddenly she heard a shout ... her name called in a strong, clear voice ... a strange one.
[Illustration]
She answered ... saw a figure swing through the smoke. Suddenly she felt a great arm about her ... felt herself lifted and borne aloft. Jane thought she was living over in a dream the experiences of the far African jungle. Would it _were_ he of that other day again saving her! But that was impossible.
[Illustration]
Yet who else in all the world was there with the strength and agility to do what this man was now doing? She stole a sudden glance at the face close to hers and then she gave a little frightened gasp. It was he ... her man.... TARZAN OF THE APES.
[Illustration]
"My Man." Jane must have spoken aloud. The eyes above her lightened with a smile. "Yes, 'tis I, Tarzan, come out of the jungle to claim you--the woman who run away from me," he added fiercely. They had come to a point beyond the fire. The wind had changed.
[Illustration]
The fire was burning back upon itself.... He led her to his car.... Swiftly, silently, they drove campward. Suddenly she exclaimed: "Tarzan--oh _why_ did you come back?" "Because I love you," he replied happily. "You are mine."... Jane buried her face in her hands and sobbed, bitterly.
[Illustration]
Tarzan was eagerly welcomed when they all assembled at the camp. Overwhelming him with gratitude, they voiced their surprise and pleasure at seeing their jungle friend again. Long into the night they talked, asking questions of Tarzan and reliving those days beside the African wild, and what there befell them.
[Illustration]
Then the conversation turned to the ill-fated pirates' chest. Tarzan, turning to Jane's father, said: "Your treasure has been found, sir!" Then he related its history since they had seen it last. Great was their amazement, and greater when Tarzan produced the letter of credit and gave it to Jane.
[Illustration]
Tarzan, saying good night, asked the Professor to recall the burial from the African cabin. "Were all _three_ human skeletons?" Jane's father eyed him narrowly. "No," he replied. "The smallest one--that found in the crib--was the skeleton of an anthropoid ape!" "Thank you," said Tarzan quietly. _Dawn was breaking._
[Illustration]
All the following day Jane thought fast and furiously. She had felt the purpose for which Tarzan had asked a few words with her. She knew she must be prepared to give him her answer. What was it to be? _Did_ she love him?... She did not know _now_.
[Illustration]
She realized the spell that had been upon her in the depths of the far-off jungle. Here there was no spell of enchantment. Nor did this immaculate young Frenchman appeal to the primal woman in her as had the stalwart forest-god. Why, he had not even a name!
[Illustration]
She thought of Clayton. Here was a man of social position, culture, and wealth. She knew his was the sort of love a civilized woman should crave. Clayton sought her in the garden. "Won't you say Yes, Jane?" he pleaded. "I will devote my life to making you happy." What could she say?
[Illustration]
That evening Tarzan caught Jane alone. For the first time she realized the depths of his love. "You do not love me then?" Tarzan asked quietly. She was miserably silent.... "You will be happier without me," came her faint reply. "Civilization will bore you. Soon you will long for freedom."
[Illustration]
"I'd rather see you happy than be happy myself. I know now you couldn't be happy with--an Ape." Bitterness tinged his voice. "Don't say that!" she cried. "You don't understand.... Forgive me, for I may never see you again."... Tarzan heard his name called. Unmindful, he felt something pressed into his hand.
[Illustration]
Tarzan held in his hand a cablegram from Paris. He tore it open, almost dreading to know its contents. The message was from his friend, d'Arnot. It read: "Finger-prints prove you Lord Greystoke. Congratulations." At last he knew the truth. The mystery was solved. His great chest heaved with emotion.
[Illustration]
Tarzan turned toward the window. But he saw nothing without. Instead in his mind's eye he beheld a patch of greensward in the African jungle matted with tropical plants and flowers. Above, the waving foliage of mighty trees and over all the blue of an equatorial sky! It was HOME.
[Illustration]
A lovely girl sat upon a mound of earth. Beside her was a young giant. They ate pleasant fruit and looked into each other's eyes and smiled. They were very happy--and they were all alone. He heard her voice.... "I hope your message bears no bad news?" Jane asked gently.
[Illustration]
Tarzan came to with a start. He looked toward Clayton, the man who had Tarzan's title and estates. He was going to marry the woman Tarzan loved. One word from Tarzan would take them all from him ... AND JANE! Tarzan made his decision, made his noble act of self-renunciation.
[Illustration]
Then he answered Jane. "It means I must return to Africa." He heard her half-choked sob.... "We owe you our lives," said Clayton humbly.... "How'd you get into that bally jungle, anyway?"... "I was born there," said Tarzan quietly.... "My mother was an ape.... I never _knew who my father was_!"
* * * * *
EDGAR RICE BURROUGH'S NOVELS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list
THE OUTLAW OF TORN TARZAN AND THE GOLDEN LION THE MAD KING THE MOON MAID THE ETERNAL LOVER THE BANDIT OF HELL'S BEND THE CAVE GIRL THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT TARZAN OF THE APES TARZAN AND THE JEWELS OF OPAR TARZAN AND THE ANT MEN TARZAN THE TERRIBLE TARZAN THE UNTAMED THE BEASTS OF TARZAN THE RETURN OF TARZAN THE SON OF TARZAN JUNGLE TALES OF TARZAN AT THE EARTH'S CORE PELLUCIDAR THE MUCKER A PRINCESS OF MARS THE GODS OF MARS THE WARLORD OF MARS THUVIA, MAID OF MARS THE CHESSMEN OF MARS
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK