Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-01
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FOREST GOD

CHAPTER XIV.
THE FOREST GOD
When Clayton heard the report OF the
firearm he fell into an agony Of fear and
apprehension. He knew that one OF the
sailors might be the author OF II; but the
fact that he had left the revolver with
Jane Porter, together with the over
wrought condition OF his nerves, made
MIN morbidly positive that she was
threatened with some great danger; per-
maps even now attempting to defend her
self against some savage man or beast
What were the thoughts OF his strange
captor or guide Clayton could only
vaguely conjecture; but that he had heard
the shot and was in some manner effected
by 1t was quite evident. for he uuickened
his pace so appreciably that CLAYTON
stumbling blindly in his wake, was down
a dozen times in as many minutes in a
vain effort to keep pace with him, and
soon was left hopelessly behind.
rearing that he would again be ir-
retrieVably lost, he called aloud to the
wild man ahead OF him, and in a moment
had the satisfaction Of seeing him drop
lightly to his side from the branches
above.
For a moment Tarzan looked at the
SOuii5 man CLOSELY, as though undecided
as to just what was hest to do; then,
STOPPING down before Clayton, he
motioned him to grasp him about the
neck, and, with the white man upon his
back, Tarzan took to the trees
The next few minutes were such as the
young Englishman never forgot High
Into bending and swaying branches he
was borne with what seemed to him in
credtbule swiftness. while Tarzan chafed
at the slowness of his progress
From one lofty branch the agile creature
swung with Clayton through a dizzy are
TO neighboring tree; then for hun
dred yards maybe the sure feet threaded
maze of interviewer limbs balancing
like a tightrope walker high above the
black depths of verdure beneath
From the first sensation of chilling fear
Clayton passed to one of keen admiration
and envy Of those giant muscles and that
wondrous instinct or knowledge which
guided this forest god through the inky
blackness of the night as easily and
safely as Clayton could have strolled a
London street at high noon.
Occasionally they would enter a spot
where the foliage above was less dense,
and the bright rays OF the moon lit up
before Clayton's wondering eyes the
strange path they were traversing
At such times the man fairly caught
his breath at sight of the horrld depths
below them, for Tarzan took the easiest
way, which often led over a hundred feet
above the earth.
And yet, with all his seeming speed,
Tarzan was in reality feeling his way
with comparative slowness. searching con-
stantly for limbs OF adequate strength
for the maintenance OF this double weight
Presently they came to the clearing be-
fore the beach. Tarzan's quick ears had
heard the strange sounds OF Sabor's ef-
forts to force her way through the lat
tice, and II seemed to Clayton that they
dropped a straight hundred feet to earth.
80 quickly did Tarzan descend Yet when
they struck the ground It was with scarce
jar; and as Clayton released his hold
on the ape-man he saw him dart like a
squirrel for the opposite side OF the cabin
The Englishman sprang quickly after
him Just In time to see the hind quarters
OF some huge animal about to disappear
through the window OF the cabin.
AS Jane Porter opened her eyes to a
realization OF the again imminent peril
which threatened her, her brave young
heart gave up at last its final vestigs OF
hope, and she turned to srope for the
fallen weapon that she might msts TO
herself a merciful death ere the cruel
fRngs tore into her fair fiesh.
opening before Jane found the weapon,
and she raised It quickly 20 her temple
to shut out forever the hidsous Jaws
gaping for their prey.
An instant she heHitAted, 10 breathe a
short and silent prayer TO her Maker, and
as she did so her eyes fell upon her
poor Esmeralda lying inert. but alive.
beside the cupboard.
How could she leave the poor, faith
ful thing TO those merciless. yellow fanEs7
No, she must use one cartridge on tho
senseless woman ere she turned the cold
muzzle toward herself again
How she shrank from the ordesli But Il
had been cruelty a thousand times less
justihable 10 have left the loving black
woman who had reared her from infancy
with an a mothers care and solieitude.
to regain consciousness beneath the rend-
ing claws OF the great cat.
Quickly Jane Porter sprang 70 her feet
ana ran 10 the side OF the black, She
pressed the muzzls OF the revolver tight |
against that devoted heart closed her
eyes, and
sabor emitted a frlghtful shrisk
The girl. startled. pulled the trigger |
and turned 10 face the beast, and with /
the same movement raised the weapon |
against her own temple
She did not IRE second time, for to |
her surprise she saw the huge animal !
beine slowly drawn hack through the |
vyindov. and In the moonlight beyond che |
cav he heads and shoulders OF two men. /
AS clayton rounded the corner Of the
cabin to behold the animal disappearing /
within. Il was also 70 see the ape-man |
selzs the long tail Ia both hands. and. |
hraeine himself with his feet against the /
eids o1 the cabin, throw al bis mighty /
strength into the eftort 70 draw the beast I
out 81 the interior
cizgson vas quick % lend e aaRa. hat i