The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1914-03-30

They seemed to consider him one OF
them and yet in some way different
The older males either ignored him en-.
tirely or else hated him so vindictively
that but for his wonderous agility and
speed and the fierce protection OF the
huge Kala he would have been dis
patched at an early age.
Tublat was his most consistent enc
my, but Ii was through Tublat that,
when he was about thirteen. the perse-
cution OF his enemies suddenly ceased.
and he was left severely alone, except
on the occasions when one of them
ran amuck I'm the throcs of one OF
those strange fits of insane rage which
attack the males OF many of the fiercer
animals of the jungle. Then none was
safe
On the day that Tarzan established
his right TO respect the tribe was gath
cred about small natural amphithe-
ter which the jungle had left free
from Its entangling vines and creepers.
Here the tribe often gathered. In
the center of the amphitheater was
one OF those strange earthen drums
which the anthropoids build for the
dumdum, the queer rites the sound Of
which men have heard in the fastness-
es OF the jungle, but which none has
ever witnessed.
/ On the day that Tarzan won his
emancipation from the persecution that
had followed him remorselessly for
/ twelve of his thirteen years of life the
tribe, now a full 100 strong. trooped
, silently through the lower terrace of
the jungle trees and dropped noiseless-
ly upon the floor of the amphitheater.
The rites OF the dumdum marked
important events in the life of the
tribe-a victory. the capture OF a pris-
oner, the killing OF some large, fierce
denizen OF the jungle, the death or ac-
cession of king.
Today it was the killing of a giant
ape, a member of another tribe, and as
the people OF Kerchak entered the
arena two mighty bulls might have
been seen bearing the body OF the van
pushed between them. They laid their
burden before the earthen drum and
then squatted beside it as guards, while
the other members OF the community
curled themselves in grassy hooks to
sleep until the rising moon should give
the signal for the commencement Of
the orgy.
darkness settled upon the jungle
the apes commenced to bestir them
selves, and soon they formed q great
circle about the earthen drum.
The females and young squatted In
thin line at the outer periphery Of
the circle, while just In front OF them
ranged the adult males. Before the
drum sat three old females, each arm
ed with knOtted branch fifteen or
eighteen inches I'm length
Slowly and softly they began tap
ping upon the resOunding surface of
the drum as the first faint rays of the
ascending moon silvered the treetops.
AS the light increased the females
augmented the frequency and force Of
their blows until presently n rhyth-
mical din pervaded the jungle for miles
In every direction. Huge brutes stop
ped in their hunting. with uppIfcked
ears and raised heads. to listen to the
dull booming that betokened the dunn
dunn of the great apes.
AS the din OF the drum rose to al
most deafening volume Kerchak
sprang into the open space between
the squatting males and the drummers
Standing erect, he threw his head
far back, and, looking full into the eye
OF the rising moon. he beat upon his
breast with his great hairy paws and
emitted his fearful roaring Shrek.
Once-twice-thrice that terrifying
cry rang out across the teeming soil
tude of that unspeakably quick. yet
unthinkably dead, world
Then, crouching. Kerchak skunk
noiselessly around the open circle,
veering far away from the dead body
lying before the altar drum. but as he
passed keeping his little. fierce. wicked
red eyes upon the corpse.
Another male then sprang into the
arena and, repeating the horrid cries
of his king, followed stealthily I'm his
wake. Another and another followed
In quick succession until the Jungle
reyerberated with the now almost
ceaseless notes OF their bloodthirsty
screams
1t was the challenge and the hunt
When oil the adult males had Joined
in the thin line OF circling dancers the
attack commenced.
Kerchak, Selling a huge club from
the pile which lay at hand for the Dur.
pose. rushed furiously upon the dead
ape' dealing the corpse terrific blow,
at the same time emitting the growls
and snarls OF combat
The din OF the drum was now in
creased. rs well as the frequency OF
the blows, aud the warriors. as each
approached the victim Of the hunt and
delivered his bludgeon blow. Joined I'm
the mad whirl Of the death dance.
Tarzan was one OF the wild. leaping
horde. Ills brown. sweat streaked.
muscular body glistening in the moon
light, shone supple and graceful among
the uncouth. awkward. hairy brutes
about him
For half an hour the weird dance
went on, until, at a sign from Kerchak.
the noise OF the drums ceased. the re-
male drummers scamperlng hurrIedly
through the line Of dancers toward the
outer rim OF squatting spectators.
Then. as one man, the males rushed
headlong upon the thing which their
terrific blows bad reduced 10 a mass
Of hairy pulp.