The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-11-15

But if the trainer had looked for a
laughable scene of fright he was mis-
taken. A broad smile lighted the boys
features as he laid his hand upon the
shaggy arm of his visitor. The ape,
grasping the boy by either shoulder,
peered long and earnestly into his face,
while the latter stroked his head and
talked to him in a low voice.
Never had Ajax devoted so long a
time to an examination of another as
he did in this instance. He seemed
troubled and not little excited, jab-
bering and mumbling to the boy and
now caressing him as the trainer had
never seen him caress a human being
before. Presently he clambered over
into the box with him and Struggled
down close to the boys side.
The audience was delighted, but they
were still more delighted when the
trainer, the period Of his act having
elapsed, attempted to persuade Ajax
to leave the box. The ape would not
bulge.
The manager. becoming excited at
the delay, urged the trainer to greater
haste, but when the latter entered the
box to drag away the reluctant Ajax
he was met by barred fangs and men
acing growls.
The audience was delirious with joy.
They cheered the ape. They cheered
the boy, and they hooted and jeered at
the trainer and the manager, which
luckless individual had inadvertently
shown himself and attempted to assist
the trainer.
Finally, reduced to desperation and
realizing that this show of mutiny
upon the part of his valuable posses
sion might render the animal worthless
for exhibition purposes in the future If
not Immediately subdued, the trainer
hastened to his dressing room and pro-
cured heavy whip.
With this he now returned to the box,
but when he had threatened Ajax with
it but once he found himself facing
two infurlated enemies instead Of one,
for the boy leaped to his feet and, seiz-
ing q chair, stood ready at the apes
side to defend his newfound friend.
There was no longer smile upon his
handsome face. In his gray eyes was
an expression which gave the trainer
pause, and beside him stood the giant
anthropoid growing and ready.
What might have happened but for
n timely interruption may only be sur
missed, but that the trainer would have
received severe mauling If nothing
more was clearly indicated by the atti-
tudes of the two who faced him.
1t was pale-faced houseman who
rushed into the Greystoke library to
announce that he had found Jack S
door locked and had been able to OBJ
tain no response to his repeated knock
ing other than n strange tapping and
the sound Of what might have been a
body moving upon the floor.
-Four steps at time John Clayton
took the stairs that led to the floor
above. His wife and the servant hur.
ried after him.
Once he called his sons name In O
loud voice; but, receiving no reply, he
launched his great weight, backed by
all the undiminished power Of his
giant muscles, against the heavy door
With swapping Of iron hinges and G
splinterins of wood the obstacle burs
inward.
At its foot lay the body of the un
conscious Mr.. Moore, across whom Il
fell with resounding thud. Through
the opening leaped Tarzan, and mo
ment later the room was flooded will
light from half-dozen electric bulbs
1t was several minutes before thu
tutor was discovered, so completed.
had the door covered him, but finally h
was dragged forth, his gag and bond
cut away and liberal application o
cold water hastened his recovery.
"Where Is Jack?" was John Clay