Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-13
TIE RETURN OF TARZAN
By EDGAR RICE RROUGHS
AUTHOR OF TARTAN OF THE APES"
cagrrlrh.. lgls. By 4. G. MecIars ! O.
CHAPTER xxI1I-tContinued).


CHAPTER xxIu-CContinued)
THE last two days OF the journey found
i her In such utter exhaustion that nc
amount OF kicking and abuse could force
her 10 her poor, bleeding feet. Outraged
nature had reached the limit of endur-
ance, and the girl was physically power
less to raise herself even to her knees
As the beasts surrounded her, chattoring
threatenlngly the while they goaded her
with their cudgels and beat and kicked
her with their fists, she lay with closed
eyes, praying for the merciful death that
she knew alone could give her surcease
from suffering; but II did not come, and
presently the fifty frightful mon realized
that their victim was no longer able to
walk. and so they picked her up and
carried her the balance of the journey.
Late one afternoon she saw the ruined
walls OF n mighty city looming before
them, but 81 weak and sick was she thar
It inspired not the faintest shadow OF
interest. Wherever they were bearing
her. there could be but one end to her
captivity among these fierce half brutes
At last they passed through two great
walls and came to the ruined city within.
Into a crumbling pile they bore her. and
here she was surrounded by hundreds
more of the same creatures that had
brought her; but among them were fe-
OF them the first faint hope that she had
entertained came TO mitigate her misery
But It was short-lved, for the women
offered her no sympathy, though. on the
other hand. neither did they abuse her.
After she had been inspected to the en-
tire satisfaction of the inmates OF the
building she was borne to a dark chamber
IA the vaults beneath, and here upon the
bare floor she was left. with metal
bowl OF water and another of food.
For a week she saw only some of the
women whose duty II was TO bring her
food and water. Slowly her strength
was returning-soon she would be In III
condition to offer as sacrifice TO Ihe
Flaming God. Fortunate indeed It was
that she could not know the fate for
which she was destined.
As Tarzan OF the Apes moved slowly
through the jungle after casting the spear
that saved Clayton and Jane Porter from
the fangs OF Numa. his mind was filled
with all tho sorrow that belongs to
freshly opened heart wound.
He was glad that he had stayed mis-
hand In time to prevent the coDsumation
OF the thing that in the first mad wave
Of Jealous wrath he had contemplated.
Only the fraction of a second had stood
between Clayton and death at the hands
OF the ape-man. In the short moment
that had elapsed after he had recognized
relaxing OF the taut muscles that held |
The poisoned shaft directed at the Eng |
liBhman's heart, Tarzan had been swayed /
BY the swift and savage impulse OF
brute life.
he had seen the woman he craved-hls
mate-in the arms OF another.
There had been but one course open TO
aim, according 20 the fierce jungle code
hat guided him in this other existence;
put Just before it had become too late
he softer sentiments OF his inherent
.llvalry had risen above the flaming fires
II his passion and saved him. A thousand
lines he gave thanks that they had tri-
implied before his fingers had released
hat polished arrow.
As he contemplated his return to the
Vaziri the idea became Tepugnant. He
I'D not wish to see a human being again.
II least he would range alone through
he Jungle for a time until the sharp edge
Z his sorrow had become blunted. Like
Is fellow beasts. he preferred 10 suffer In
Hence and alone.
That night he slept again in the amphl-
aeatTe OF the apes, and for several days
e hunted from there, returning at night.
n the afternoon OF the third day he re-
armed early. He had lain stretched upon
b soft grass Of the circular clearing for
ut a few moments when he heard far
J the south A familiar sound. 1t was
le passing through the jungle OF a band
great apes-he could not mistake that.
" several minutes he lay listening. They
ere coming in the direction OF the ann
aitheatFs.
Tarzan arose lazily and stretched him
.iE Ills keen ears followed every move
out Of the advancing tribe. They were
Duind. and presently he caught their
ent. though he had not needed this
ided evidence 70 assure him that he
rs right
AZ they came closer 70 the amphithea-
e Iarzan OF the Apes melted into the
ranches upon the other side OF the arena ]
here be waited TO inspect the new
liners Nor had he long 10 wait. /
Presently a fierce. hairy face appeared I
nong the lower branches opposite him. I
he cruel little eyes took IN the clearing /
q gianee then there was a chartered
port returned 20 those behind. rarzan ,
Iuld hear the words. The scouts was !
ilInE the other members OF the tribe
~ TIRE rnast yFas ciear ana that they
Ight eater the amphitheafre in safety. (
First the leader dropped lightly upon
- soft earpet Of The grassy floor. ana
eD one by one. nearly 100 anthropoids
iioWed him. There were the huge Adults
u several Euuue. a few nursing babes
ing close ~ the shaggy necks ~ their
Yase mafhers.
fartan recognized many member AZ
e trIpe. = Was the same into which be ,
d colas 40 a tiny babe Many Of the q
e.ts haa been little apes during his
|glQpd lie had ffoiickad ana piavsd 9
'oll lhia very jungle with them durInr :
4Ir brief childhoud. He wondered h 3
ef would remember him-ihe memory I
acme apes IS not oyerlona, ara tws
as may b. an eternity q them. (
ram tie taik which he a4erhesra hs
sfafl fHzt fhey aad come 10 choose 4 !
81 Eire-lhfIr late chief had fallen ioo !
s. beneath hfekea limb to a. Hn- Q
1eIT eHd. L
afffn eaikef e the end 81 an aser-
s.rz Il7ab in plain view q them. The Q
W eaeH u female caught siRaE 81 d
AHl barking suliural sac a
az attention 81 the elhefs. several