tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第16章
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world was a city that might compare with his beloved Brussels。
It was upon the third day of their progress from Opar that the keen ears
of Tarzan caught the sound of men behind them。 Werper heard nothing
above the humming of the jungle insects； and the chattering life of the
lesser monkeys and the birds。
For a time Tarzan stood in statuesque silence； listening； his sensitive
nostrils dilating as he assayed each passing breeze。 Then he withdrew
Werper into the concealment of thick brush； and waited。 Presently； along
the game trail that Werper and Tarzan had been following； there came in
sight a sleek； black warrior； alert and watchful。
In single file behind him； there followed； one after another； near fifty
others； each burdened with two dull…yellow ingots lashed upon his back。
Werper recognized the party immediately as that which had accompanied
Tarzan on his journey to Opar。 He glanced at the ape…man； but in the
savage； watchful eyes he saw no recognition of Basuli and those other
loyal Waziri。
When all had passed； Tarzan rose and emerged from concealment。
He looked down the trail in the direction the party had gone。 Then he
turned to Werper。
〃We will follow and slay them；〃 he said。
〃Why？〃 asked the Belgian。
〃They are black；〃 explained Tarzan。 〃It was a black who killed Kala。
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
They are the enemies of the Manganis。〃
Werper did not relish the idea of engaging in a battle with Basuli and
his fierce fighting men。 And； again； he had welcomed the sight of them
returning toward the Greystoke bungalow； for he had begun to have doubts
as to his ability to retrace his steps to the Waziri country。 Tarzan； he
knew； had not the remotest idea of whither they were going。 By keeping
at a safe distance behind the laden warriors； they would have no difficulty
in following them home。 Once at the bungalow； Werper knew the way to
the camp of Achmet Zek。 There was still another reason why he did not
wish to interfere with the Wazirithey were bearing the great burden of
treasure in the direction he wished it borne。 The farther they took it； the
less the distance that he and Achmet Zek would have to transport it。
He argued with the ape…man therefore； against the latter's desire to
exterminate the blacks； and at last he prevailed upon Tarzan to follow
them in peace； saying that he was sure they would lead them out of the
forest into a rich country； teeming with game。
It was many marches from Opar to the Waziri country； but at last came
the hour when Tarzan and the Belgian； following the trail of the warriors；
topped the last rise； and saw before them the broad Waziri plain； the
winding river； and the distant forests to the north and west。
A mile or more ahead of them； the line of warriors was creeping like a
giant caterpillar through the tall grasses of the plain。 Beyond； grazing
herds of zebra； hartebeest； and topi dotted the level landscape； while closer
to the river a bull buffalo； his head and shoulders protruding from the
reeds watched the advancing blacks for a moment； only to turn at last and
disappear into the safety of his dank and gloomy retreat。
Tarzan looked out across the familiar vista with no faintest gleam of
recognition in his eyes。 He saw the game animals； and his mouth
watered； but he did not look in the direction of his bungalow。 Werper；
however； did。 A puzzled expression entered the Belgian's eyes。 He
shaded them with his palms and gazed long and earnestly toward the spot
where the bungalow had stood。 He could not credit the testimony of his
eyesthere was no bungalowno barnsno out… houses。 The corrals； the
hay stacksall were gone。 What could it mean？
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
And then； slowly there filtered into Werper's consciousness an
explanation of the havoc that had been wrought in that peaceful valley
since last his eyes had rested upon itAchmet Zek had been there！
Basuli and his warriors had noted the devastation the moment they had
come in sight of the farm。 Now they hastened on toward it talking
excitedly among themselves in animated speculation upon the cause and
meaning of the catastrophe。
When； at last they crossed the trampled garden and stood before the
charred ruins of their master's bungalow； their greatest fears became
convictions in the light of the evidence about them。
Remnants of human dead； half devoured by prowling hyenas and
others of the carnivora which infested the region； lay rotting upon the
ground； and among the corpses remained sufficient remnants of their
clothing and ornaments to make clear to Basuli the frightful story of the
disaster that had befallen his master's house。
〃The Arabs；〃 he said； as his men clustered about him。
The Waziri gazed about in mute rage for several minutes。
Everywhere they encountered only further evidence of the ruthlessness of
the cruel enemy that had come during the Great Bwana's absence and laid
waste his property。
〃What did they with 'Lady'？〃 asked one of the blacks。
They had always called Lady Greystoke thus。
〃The women they would have taken with them；〃 said Basuli。 〃Our
women and his。〃
A giant black raised his spear above his head； and gave voice to a
savage cry of rage and hate。 The others followed his example。 Basuli
silenced them with a gesture。
〃This is no time for useless noises of the mouth；〃 he said。 〃The Great
Bwana has taught us that it is acts by which things are done； not words。
Let us save our breathwe shall need it all to follow up the Arabs and slay
them。 If 'Lady' and our women live the greater the need of haste； and
warriors cannot travel fast upon empty lungs。〃
From the shelter of the reeds along the river； Werper and Tarzan
watched the blacks。 They saw them dig a trench with their knives and
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fingers。 They saw them lay their yellow burdens in it and scoop the
overturned earth back over the tops of the ingots。
Tarzan seemed little interested； after Werper had assured him that that
which they buried was not good to eat； but Werper was intensely
interested。 He would have given much had he had his own followers
with him； that he might take away the treasure as soon as the blacks left；
for he was sure that they would leave this scene of desolation and death as
soon as possible。
The treasure buried； the blacks removed themselves a short distance up
wind from the fetid corpses； where they made camp； that they might rest
before setting out in pursuit of the Arabs。 It was already dusk。 Werper
and Tarzan sat devouring some pieces of meat th
