tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第39章
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the pathway down which the deer had fled。
Nor was it long before the cause of Bara's fright became evident to
Tarzan； for presently came the unmistakable sounds of approaching
horsemen。 Dragging his kill after him the ape…man ascended to the
middle terrace； and settling himself comfortably in the crotch of a tree
where he could still view the trail beneath； cut a juicy steak from the deer's
loin； and burying his strong； white teeth in the hot flesh proceeded to
enjoy the fruits of his prowess and his cunning。
Nor did he neglect the trail beneath while he satisfied his hunger。 His
sharp eyes saw the muzzle of the leading horse as it came into view
around a bend in the tortuous trail； and one by one they scrutinized the
riders as they passed beneath him in single file。
Among them came one whom Tarzan recognized； but so schooled was
the ape…man in the control of his emotions that no slightest change of
expression； much less any hysterical demonstration that might have
revealed his presence； betrayed the fact of his inward excitement。
Beneath him； as unconscious of his presence as were the Abyssinians
before and behind him； rode Albert Werper； while the ape…man scrutinized
the Belgian for some sign of the pouch which he had stolen。
As the Abyssinians rode toward the south； a giant figure hovered ever
upon their traila huge； almost naked white man； who carried the bloody
carcass of a deer upon his shoulders； for Tarzan knew that he might not
have another opportunity to hunt for some time if he were to follow the
Belgian。
To endeavor to snatch him from the midst of the armed horsemen； not
even Tarzan would attempt other than in the last extremity； for the way of
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the wild is the way of caution and cunning； unless they be aroused to
rashness by pain or anger。
So the Abyssinians and the Belgian marched southward and Tarzan of
the Apes swung silently after them through the swaying branches of the
middle terrace。
A two days' march brought them to a level plain beyond which lay
mountainsa plain which Tarzan remembered and which aroused within
him vague half memories and strange longings。 Out upon the plain the
horsemen rode； and at a safe distance behind them crept the ape…man；
taking advantage of such cover as the ground afforded。
Beside a charred pile of timbers the Abyssinians halted； and Tarzan；
sneaking close and concealing himself in nearby shrubbery； watched them
in wonderment。 He saw them digging up the earth； and he wondered if
they had hidden meat there in the past and now had come for it。 Then he
recalled how he had buried his pretty pebbles； and the suggestion that had
caused him to do it。 They were digging for the things the blacks had
buried here！
Presently he saw them uncover a dirty； yellow object； and he witnessed
the joy of Werper and of Abdul Mourak as the grimy object was exposed
to view。 One by one they unearthed many similar pieces； all of the same
uniform； dirty yellow； until a pile of them lay upon the ground； a pile
which Abdul Mourak fondled and petted in an ecstasy of greed。
Something stirred in the ape…man's mind as he looked long upon the
golden ingots。 Where had he seen such before？ What were they？
Why did these Tarmangani covet them so greatly？ To whom did they
belong？
He recalled the black men who had buried them。 The things must be
theirs。 Werper was stealing them as he had stolen Tarzan's pouch of
pebbles。 The ape…man's eyes blazed in anger。 He would like to find the
black men and lead them against these thieves。 He wondered where their
village might be。
As all these things ran through the active mind； a party of men moved
out of the forest at the edge of the plain and advanced toward the ruins of
the burned bungalow。
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Abdul Mourak； always watchful； was the first to see them； but already
they were halfway across the open。 He called to his men to mount and
hold themselves in readiness； for in the heart of Africa who may know
whether a strange host be friend or foe？
Werper； swinging into his saddle； fastened his eyes upon the
newcomers； then； white and trembling he turned toward Abdul Mourak。
〃It is Achmet Zek and his raiders；〃 he whispered。 〃They are come for
the gold。〃
It must have been at about the same instant that Achmet Zek
discovered the pile of yellow ingots and realized the actuality of what he
had already feared since first his eyes had alighted upon the party beside
the ruins of the Englishman's bungalow。 Someone had forestalled him
another had come for the treasure ahead of him。
The Arab was crazed by rage。 Recently everything had gone against
him。 He had lost the jewels； the Belgian； and for the second time he had
lost the Englishwoman。 Now some one had come to rob him of this
treasure which he had thought as safe from disturbance here as though it
never had been mined。
He cared not whom the thieves might be。 They would not give up the
gold without a battle； of that he was certain； and with a wild whoop and a
command to his followers； Achmet Zek put spurs to his horse and dashed
down upon the Abyssinians； and after him； waving their long guns above
their heads； yelling and cursing； came his motley horde of cut…throat
followers。
The men of Abdul Mourak met them with a volley which emptied a
few saddles； and then the raiders were among them； and sword； pistol and
musket； each was doing its most hideous and bloody work。
Achmet Zek； spying Werper at the first charge； bore down upon the
Belgian； and the latter； terrified by contemplation of the fate he deserved；
turned his horse's head and dashed madly away in an effort to escape。
Shouting to a lieutenant to take command； and urging him upon pain of
death to dispatch the Abyssinians and bring the gold back to his camp；
Achmet Zek set off across the plain in pursuit of the Belgian； his wicked
nature unable to forego the pleasures of revenge； even at the risk of
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sacrificing the treasure。
As the pursued and the pursuer raced madly toward the distant forest
the battle behind them raged with bloody savageness。 No quarter was
asked or given by either the ferocious Abyssinians or the murderous cut…
throats of Achmet Zek。
From the concealment of the shrubbery Tarzan watched the sanguinary
conflict which so effectually surrounded him that he found no loop…hole
through which he might escape to follow Werper and the Arab chief。
The Abyssinians were formed in a circle which included Tarzan's
position； and around and into them galloped
