The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-06-21
CHAPTER XVII.
Tarxan Returns.
And KOrak2

| JulRIC, ~ paused unlll no SOunu
from the distant village reached his
keen ears. Then he laid his burden
gently down. Kornk struggled to free
himself from his bonds. but wen his
great strength was unable to COPE With
the many strands Of hard knotted cord
that bound him.
And while he struggled through the
night with his bonds Baynes and Meri-
en- were riding rapidly northward
along the river. The girl had assured
Eaynes that Korak was. safe In the
Jungle with Tantor. 1t had not oc-
Cured to her that the ape man might
not be able to burst his bonds. Baynes
had been wounded by q shot from the
ride OF one of the Are BIS. and the girl
wanted to get him back to Bwana's
home, where he could bo properly
cared for.
''Then." she said. II shall get Bwana
to come with me and search for Ko-
rak. He must come and live with u.s."
All night they rode, and the day was
still young when they came suddenly
upon q purity hurrying southwark. 1t
was Bwana himself and his sleek,
black warriors.
At sight Of Baynes the big English
mnn's brows contracted In a scowl,
but he waited to hear Aeriem's story
before giving vent to the long pent
anger In his breast. When she had
finished he seemed to have forgotten
Baynes. His thoughts were occupied
with another subject.
You say that you found Korak7" he
asked. "You really saw him?'
YES" replied Meriem; "as plainly
rs / see you, aud I want you to come
With me, Bwana. and help me find him
again.
did you e him7" He turned to.
ward the Hon. Morrison.
Yes, SIR" replied Baynes; "very
plainly"
what sort Of appearing man II her.
continued Bwana. about how old
would you say1"
II should say hs ri m DnglIshman
about my own age" replied Baynes,
Bwana turned to his head man.
"Take Miss Meriem and Mr.. Baynea
home," he said. II am going into the
Jungle"
Then he motioned to his head man
to take his horse and commence the
return journey to the farm. Meriem
slowly mounted the tired horse that
had brought her from the village Of
the sheik. A litter was rugged for the
now feverish Baynes, and the little
cavalcade was soon slowly winding Oh
along the river trail.
Bwnna stood watching them until
they out Of sight.
Slowly he turned toward q nearby
tree. Leaping upward. he caught .
lower branch and drew himself ur
among the branches. His movements
were catllke and agile. High into the
tree he made his way and there com
menced to dlvest himself Of his cloth
ing.
After Bwana had left his party
sending them back toward the farm
Meriem had ridden for q short dis
lance with bowed head. What thoughts
passed through that active brain who
may say7 Presently she seemed tt
come to q decision. She called the
head man to her side.
u am going back with Bwana." she
announced.
The black shook his head. mo 7" he
announced, "Bwana says ! take yor
home. So I take yOu home"
Presently her horse passed beneath
o low hanging branch. and the blach
head man found himself gazing at the
girls empty saddle. He ran forwart
to the tree into which she had disap
| peared. He could see nothing Of her
He called, but there was no responst
unless Il might have been . low, taunt.
ing laugh far to the right. He cent his
| men Into the jungle to search Tor her.
but they came back empty handed
After awhile he resumed his march
toward the farm. Tor Baynes b. thia
time wal delirious with fsver.
Neriem. shedding the awkward Arab
robe they had given her In the shelkae
douar. raced IN riding brooches and
barefoot straight hack toward the
point shs imagined Tantor would make
for, ! point whefs she knew the ele-
plants oftsn gathered deep In the for
ct due east Of the sheikss village. She
moved silently and swiftly. From her
mind she had expunged al thoughts
other than that she must reach Korak
and bring him hack with her.
Now there came to her sensitive no.
trils the scent Of Tantor. ana shs knew
that she was on the right trail and
close to him she sought. She did NOT
call out, because she wished q sur.
prise him, and presently shs did. break.
ing into sight d them - tho great
elephant sliumed ahead. balancin6 tn
man and the heavy stake uDea his
bead, holding them thsrs With ~ ~
curlsd trunk.
~Korakl" cried Nsr1em from the
foliage above him.
instantly the bull swung about. low
efod his burden to the ground and,