tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第17章
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and Tarzan sat devouring some pieces of meat they had brought from their
last camp。 The Belgian was occupied with his plans for the immediate
future。 He was positive that the Waziri would pursue Achmet Zek； for he
knew enough of savage warfare； and of the characteristics of the Arabs
and their degraded followers to guess that they had carried the Waziri
women off into slavery。 This alone would assure immediate pursuit by
so warlike a people as the Waziri。
Werper felt that he should find the means and the opportunity to push
on ahead； that he might warn Achmet Zek of the coming of Basuli； and
also of the location of the buried treasure。 What the Arab would now do
with Lady Greystoke； in view of the mental affliction of her husband；
Werper neither knew nor cared。 It was enough that the golden treasure
buried upon the site of the burned bungalow was infinitely more valuable
than any ransom that would have occurred even to the avaricious mind of
the Arab； and if Werper could persuade the raider to share even a portion
of it with him he would be well satisfied。
But by far the most important consideration； to Werper； at least； was
the incalculably valuable treasure in the little leathern pouch at Tarzan's
side。 If he could but obtain possession of this！ He must！ He would！
His eyes wandered to the object of his greed。 They measured Tarzan's
giant frame； and rested upon the rounded muscles of his arms。 It was
hopeless。 What could he； Werper； hope to accomplish； other than his own
death； by an attempt to wrest the gems from their savage owner？
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
Disconsolate； Werper threw himself upon his side。 His head was
pillowed on one arm； the other rested across his face in such a way that his
eyes were hidden from the ape…man； though one of them was fastened
upon him from beneath the shadow of the Belgian's forearm。 For a time he
lay thus； glowering at Tarzan； and originating schemes for plundering him
of his treasure schemes that were discarded as futile as rapidly as they
were born。
Tarzan presently let his own eyes rest upon Werper。 The Belgian saw
that he was being watched； and lay very still。 After a few moments he
simulated the regular breathing of deep slumber。
Tarzan had been thinking。 He had seen the Waziri bury their
belongings。 Werper had told him that they were hiding them lest some
one find them and take them away。 This seemed to Tarzan a splendid plan
for safeguarding valuables。 Since Werper had evinced a desire to possess
his glittering pebbles； Tarzan； with the suspicions of a savage； had guarded
the baubles； of whose worth he was entirely ignorant； as zealously as
though they spelled life or death to him。
For a long time the ape…man sat watching his companion。 At last；
convinced that he slept； Tarzan withdrew his hunting knife and
commenced to dig a hole in the ground before him。 With the blade he
loosened up the earth； and with his hands he scooped it out until he had
excavated a little cavity a few inches in diameter； and five or six inches in
depth。 Into this he placed the pouch of jewels。 Werper almost forgot to
breathe after the fashion of a sleeper as he saw what the ape…man was
doinghe scarce repressed an ejaculation of satisfaction。
Tarzan become suddenly rigid as his keen ears noted the cessation of
the regular inspirations and expirations of his companion。 His narrowed
eyes bored straight down upon the Belgian。 Werper felt that he was lost
he must risk all on his ability to carry on the deception。 He sighed； threw
both arms outward； and turned over on his back mumbling as though in
the throes of a bad dream。 A moment later he resumed the regular
breathing。
Now he could not watch Tarzan； but he was sure that the man sat for a
long time looking at him。 Then； faintly； Werper heard the other's hands
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
scraping dirt； and later patting it down。 He knew then that the jewels
were buried。
It was an hour before Werper moved again； then he rolled over facing
Tarzan and opened his eyes。 The ape…man slept。 By reaching out his
hand Werper could touch the spot where the pouch was buried。
For a long time he lay watching and listening。 He moved about；
making more noise than necessary； yet Tarzan did not awaken。 He drew
the sacrificial knife from his belt； and plunged it into the ground。 Tarzan
did not move。 Cautiously the Belgian pushed the blade downward
through the loose earth above the pouch。 He felt the point touch the soft；
tough fabric of the leather。 Then he pried down upon the handle。 Slowly
the little mound of loose earth rose and parted。 An instant later a corner of
the pouch came into view。 Werper pulled it from its hiding place； and
tucked it in his shirt。 Then he refilled the hole and pressed the dirt
carefully down as it had been before。
Greed had prompted him to an act； the discovery of which by his
companion could lead only to the most frightful consequences for Werper。
Already he could almost feel those strong； white fangs burying themselves
in his neck。 He shuddered。 Far out across the plain a leopard screamed；
and in the dense reeds behind him some great beast moved on padded feet。
Werper feared these prowlers of the night； but infinitely more he
feared the just wrath of the human beast sleeping at his side。 With
utmost caution the Belgian arose。 Tarzan did not move。 Werper took a
few steps toward the plain and the distant forest to the northwest； then he
paused and fingered the hilt of the long knife in his belt。 He turned and
looked down upon the sleeper。
〃Why not？〃 he mused。 〃Then I should be safe。〃
He returned and bent above the ape…man。 Clutched tightly in his
hand was the sacrificial knife of the High Priestess of the Flaming God！
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
10
Achmet Zek Sees the Jewels
Mugambi； weak and suffering； had dragged his painful way along the
trail of the retreating raiders。 He could move but slowly； resting often； but
savage hatred and an equally savage desire for vengeance kept him to his
task。 As the days passed his wounds healed and his strength returned；
until at last his giant frame had regained all of its former mighty powers。
Now he went more rapidly； but the mounted Arabs had covered a great
distance while the wounded black had been painfully crawling after them。
They had reached their fortified camp； and there Achmet Zek awaited
the return of his lieutenant； Albert Werper。 During the long； rough
journey； Jane Clayton had suffered more in anticipation of her impending
fate than from the hardsh
