tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第57章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and muscular companions； and so the speed of all was limited to that of
the slowest。
176
… Page 177…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
The apes trailed out behind the two white men for a matter of a few
miles； but presently their interest lagged； the foremost of them halted in a
little glade and the others stopped at his side。 There they sat peering
from beneath their shaggy brows at the figures of the two men forging
steadily ahead； until the latter disappeared in the leafy trail beyond the
clearing。 Then an ape sought a comfortable couch beneath a tree； and one
by one the others followed his example； so that Werper and Tarzan
continued their journey alone； nor was the latter either surprised or
concerned。
The two had gone but a short distance beyond the glade where the apes
had deserted them； when the roaring of distant lions fell upon their ears。
The ape…man paid no attention to the familiar sounds until the crack of a
rifle came faintly from the same direction； and when this was followed by
the shrill neighing of horses； and an almost continuous fusillade of shots
intermingled with increased and savage roaring of a large troop of lions；
he became immediately concerned。
〃Someone is having trouble over there；〃 he said； turning toward
Werper。 〃I'll have to go to themthey may be friends。〃
〃Your wife might be among them；〃 suggested the Belgian； for since he
had again come into possession of the pouch he had become fearful and
suspicious of the ape…man； and in his mind had constantly revolved many
plans for eluding this giant Englishman； who was at once his savior and
his captor。
At the suggestion Tarzan started as though struck with a whip。
〃God！〃 he cried； 〃she might be； and the lions are attacking themthey
are in the camp。 I can tell from the screams of the horsesand there！
that was the cry of a man in his death agonies。 Stay here manI will
come back for you。 I must go first to them；〃 and swinging into a tree the
lithe figure swung rapidly off into the night with the speed and silence of a
disembodied spirit。
For a moment Werper stood where the ape…man had left him。 Then a
cunning smile crossed his lips。 〃Stay here？〃 he asked himself。 〃Stay
here and wait until you return to find and take these jewels from me？
Not I； my friend； not I；〃 and turning abruptly eastward Albert Werper
177
… Page 178…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
passed through the foliage of a hanging vine and out of the sight of his
fellow…manforever。
178
… Page 179…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
24
Home
As Tarzan of the Apes hurtled through the trees the discordant sounds
of the battle between the Abyssinians and the lions smote more and more
distinctly upon his sensitive ears； redoubling his assurance that the plight
of the human element of the conflict was critical indeed。
At last the glare of the camp fire shone plainly through the intervening
trees； and a moment later the giant figure of the ape…man paused upon an
overhanging bough to look down upon the bloody scene of carnage below。
His quick eye took in the whole scene with a single comprehending
glance and stopped upon the figure of a woman standing facing a great
lion across the carcass of a horse。
The carnivore was crouching to spring as Tarzan discovered the tragic
tableau。 Numa was almost beneath the branch upon which the ape…man
stood； naked and unarmed。 There was not even an instant's hesitation
upon the part of the latterit was as though he had not even paused in his
swift progress through the trees； so lightning…like his survey and
comprehension of the scene below himso instantaneous his consequent
action。
So hopeless had seemed her situation to her that Jane Clayton but
stood in lethargic apathy awaiting the impact of the huge body that would
hurl her to the groundawaiting the momentary agony that cruel talons
and grisly fangs may inflict before the coming of the merciful oblivion
which would end her sorrow and her suffering。
What use to attempt escape？ As well face the hideous end as to be
dragged down from behind in futile flight。 She did not even close her eyes
to shut out the frightful aspect of that snarling face； and so it was that as
she saw the lion preparing to charge she saw； too； a bronzed and mighty
figure leap from an overhanging tree at the instant that Numa rose in his
spring。
Wide went her eyes in wonder and incredulity； as she beheld this
seeming apparition risen from the dead。 The lion was forgottenher own
perileverything save the wondrous miracle of this strange recrudescence。
179
… Page 180…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
With parted lips； with palms tight pressed against her heaving bosom； the
girl leaned forward； large…eyed； enthralled by the vision of her dead mate。
She saw the sinewy form leap to the shoulder of the lion； hurtling
against the leaping beast like a huge； animate battering ram。 She saw the
carnivore brushed aside as he was almost upon her； and in the instant she
realized that no substanceless wraith could thus turn the charge of a
maddened lion with brute force greater than the brute's。
Tarzan； her Tarzan； lived！ A cry of unspeakable gladness broke from
her lips； only to die in terror as she saw the utter defenselessness of her
mate； and realized that the lion had recovered himself and was turning
upon Tarzan in mad lust for vengeance。
At the ape…man's feet lay the discarded rifle of the dead Abyssinian
whose mutilated corpse sprawled where Numa had abandoned it。 The
quick glance which had swept the ground for some weapon of defense
discovered it； and as the lion reared upon his hind legs to seize the rash
man…thing who had dared interpose its puny strength between Numa and
his prey； the heavy stock whirred through the air and splintered upon the
broad forehead。
Not as an ordinary mortal might strike a blow did Tarzan of the Apes
strike； but with the maddened frenzy of a wild beast backed by the steel
thews which his wild； arboreal boyhood had bequeathed him。 When the
blow ended the splintered stock was driven through the splintered skull
into the savage brain； and the heavy iron barrel was bent into a rude V。
In the instant that the lion sank； lifeless； to the ground； Jane Clayton
threw herself into the eager arms of her husband。 For a brief instant he
strained her dear form to his breast； and then a glance about him awakened
the ape…man to the dangers which still surrounded them。
Upon every hand the lions were still leaping upon new victims。 Fear…
maddened horses still menaced them with their erratic bolting from one
side of the enclosur
