Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-07-11
The Son Of Tarzan
BY EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS


lad pinioned his wrists. Neither ut.
tered a sound.
Where was the grandmother Con-
Ions eyes swept the room in single,
all inclusive glance. His eyes bulged
In horror at the realization Of the
truth which that glance revealed. In
the power of what creatures of hideous
mystery had he placed HIMSELF
Frantically he fought to beat off the
boy so he could turn upon the fear
some thing at his back. Freeing one
hand, he struck a savage blow ut the
lads face.
His act seemed to unloose a thou
sand devil in the hairy creature,
clinging to his throat. Conlon heard
low and savage snarl. 1t was the last
thing that the American ever heard in
this life. Then he was dragged back
ward upon the floor, heavy body fell
upon him, powerful teeth fastened
themselves In his jugular, his head
whirled III the sudden blackness which
rims eternity.
A moment later the ape rose from
not know he was quite dead.
The lad, Mortified, sprnng from the
bed to lean low over the body of the
man. He know Akut had killed him
| In his defense, as he had killed Paul
witch. But here in savage Africa, far
| from home and friends, what would
| they do to him and his faithful ape2
| The lad knew that the penalty Of
murder was death. He even knew that
an accomplice might suffer the death
penalty with the principal. Who was
there here who would plead for them7
All would be against them. 1t was
little more than a half civilized COM
munity, and the chances were that,
they would drag Akut and him forth
In the morning and hang them both to
the nearest tree. He had read Of such
things being done In America, and
Africa was worse even and wilder
than the great west of his mothers
native land.
Yes, they would both be hanged in
the morning.
Last evening he had been determined
to start for home at the first OppOr-
tunity to beg the forgiveness Of his
parents for this mad adventure. Now
he knew that he might never return
to them. The blood Of fellow man
was upon his hands. In his morbid re-
Election he had long since ceased to at
, tribute the death of COnlon to the ape.
, The hysteria of panic had fastened the
, guilt upon himself.
Now he turned toward Akut.
Come! !" he said In the language Of
the great apes. Forgetful of the act
he led the way to the open window.
Thrustlng his head out, he listened at
tentively. A single tree grew q few
feet from the window.
Nimbly the lad sprang to Its bole,
clinging catlike for an instant before
| he clambered Qnietly to the ground be-
low. Close behind him came the great
, ape Two hundred yards away a spur
of the jungle ran close to the stray
= Cling town. Toward this the lad led
the way.
No one saw them, and moment
, later the jungle swallowed them, and
John Clayton, future Lord Greystoke,
passed from the eyes and the knowl-
edge of men.
1t was late. the following morning
that "a native house man knocked upon
+ the door of the room that had been as
) signed to Mrs. Billings and her grand
son. Receiving no response, he insert
ed his pass key in the lock, only to dis
[ cover that another key was already
; there, but from the inside.
He reported the fact to Herr Skopf.
the proprietor, who at once made his
way to the second floor, where he, too.
pounded vigorously upon the door.
I Receiving no reply, he bent to the key
hole in an attempt to look through
I into the room beyond. In so doing
e being portly, he lost his balance, which
S necessitated putting palm to the floor
TO maintain his equilibrium.
AS he did so he felt something soft
I and thick and wet beneath his fingers
!, He raised his open palm before his
S eyes in the dim light Of the corridor
$ and peered at it. Then he shuddered
e for even In the semidarAness he saw q
dark red stain upon his hand.