Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-09
CHAPTER Xv-(Continued)

60 COMPLETELY did the blacks sur
~ round the two hat they dared not
fire for fear OF hitting one Of their
own number, and Tarzan vas already
through them and upon the point of
lodging into the concealing mazes of
the jungle when one who had sneaked
upon him from behind struck him a
heavy blow upon the head with a rifle.
In an instant the ape-man was down
and a dozen black soldiers were upon
his back. When he regained con-
seriousness he found himself securely
bound, as was Werper also. The Bel.
gian officer, success having crowned
his efforts. was in good humor, n
inclined to chaff his prisoners about
the ease with which they had been
captured; but from Tarzan OF tho
Apes he ELECTED no response.
Werper, however, was voluble in his
protests. He explained that Tarzan
was an English lord; but the officer
only laughed at the assertion, and adj
vised his prisoner to save his breath
for his defense in court.
As soon as T'arzan regained his
senses, and it was found that he was
not seriously injured, the prisoners
we're FASTENED into line and the return
march toward the Congo Free state
boundary commenced.
Toward evening the column halted
beside a stream, made camp, and pre-
pared tho evening meal. From the
thick foliage Of tho nearby jungle a
pair of fierce eyes watched the activi-
ties Of the uniformed blacks with ST.
lent intensity and curiosity. From be-
meath beetling brows the creature saw
the bona constructed, the fires built
and the supper prepared.
Tarzan and Werpcr had been lying
bound behind II small pile of KNAPP.
sacks from the time that tho com.
pany had halted. but with the prep.
aration Of the meal completed, their
guard ordered them to rise and come
forward to one of the fires, where
their hands would be unfettcred that
they might eat.
AS the giant ape-man rose, a star
tied expression of recognition entered
the eyes of the watcher in the jungle.
and IA low cultural broke from the
savage lips. Instantly Tarzan was
alert, but the answering growl die
upon his lips, suppressed by the fear
that 1t might rouse the suspicious of
the soldiers.
Suddenly an inspiration came to
him. lie turned toward Werper:
81 am going to speak to you in n
loud voice and in a tongue which you
do not understand. Appear to listen
intently TO what l say, and occasion.
ally humble something as though re
plying in the same language-our es-
cape may hinge upon the success Of
your efforts"
Werper nodded in assent and un-
.derstanding. and immediately there
broke from the lips Of his companion
a strange jargon which might have
with equal propriety 10 the
barking and growing of q dog and
the cllattering Of monkeys.
The nearer soldiers looked in sur.
prise at the ape-nlan. ON of them
laughed, while others drew away in
evident superstitious fear. The officer
the prisoners while Tar
was still jabbering. and halted De-
hind them, listening in perpleNed ill.,
When Wcrper muImDled Sone
ridiculous jargon in reply his curious.
ity broke bounds, and he stepped for
ward, demanding 10 know what Ian
guago il was that they spoke.
Ttrzan had gauged the measure OF
the mans culture from the nature and
quality Of his conversation during the
march, and he rested the success Of
his reply upon the estimate lie had
made.
Greek" he explained.
ooh, I thought it VAS Greek" re.
piled the officer but it has been so
many years since I studied il that ]
va not sure. lii future, however, I
will thank You to speak in a language
which | am more familiar with
Werper turned his head TO hide II
grin, whispering to Tarzau: 1T was
Crack tp him all riplt--np1 TO me