Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-15

1
Ia -den, who had been hunting for
some Of the smaller mammals, the meat
Of which is especially relished by the
Ho don, forgot his intended sport In
the greater interest Of his new discov-
cry. He would take the stranger to
ON at and possibly together the two
would find some way Of discovering the
true intentions of the newcomer. And
80. again through signs he apprised the
other that he would accompany him and
together they descended toward the
cliffs Of ON ats people.
As they approached these they came
upon the women and children working
under guard of the old men and the
herbs which constitute part Of their
diet, as well as tending the small acres
of growing crops which they cultivate.
The fields lay In small level patches
that had been cleared of trees and
brush. Their farm implements consisted
OF metal-shod poles which bore closer
resemblance to spears than to tools of
peaceful agriculture. Supplementing
these were others with hattcned blades
that were neither hoes nor spades, but
instead possessed the appearance Of an
unhappy attempt to combine the two
implements in one.
At first sight OF these people the
stranger halted and unslung his bow,
for these creatures were black as night,
their bodies entirely covered with hair.
But Ia den. interpreting the doubt In
the Others mind. reassured him with a
gesture and a smile. The Was-do
however, gathered around, excitedly lab.
bcring questions in language which the
stranger discovered his guide understood
though 1t was entirely unintelligibfe to
the former. They made no attempt to
molest him and he was now sure that
ne had fallen among peaceful and
friendly people.
1t was but short distance now to
the caves, and when they reached these
Ia den led the way aloft upon the
wooden pegs, assured that this creature
whom he had discovered would have no
more difficulty In following him than
had Tarzan the Terrible. Nor was he
mistaken, for the other mounted with
ease until presently the two stood within
the recess before the cave of Om -at, the
chief.
The latter was not there and Il was
midafternoon before he returned, but in
the meantime many warriors came to
look upon the visitor and In each in
stance the latter was more thoroughly
WIN INC lflenuly ana peuCe-
able spirit of his hosts, little guessing
that he was being entertained by a fero-
cious and warlike tribe who never before
the coming of Ta-den and Tarzan had
sunered stranger among them.
AT last Om-at returned and the guest
sensed intuitively that he was in the
presence OF great man among these
people. possibly a chief or king, Tor not
only did the attitude of the other black
warriors indicate this, but it was writ
ten also in the mien and bearing of the
splendid creature who stood looking at
MIN while Ia Eden explained the cir
cumstances OF their meeting. And I
believe, ON at" concluded the Ho don.
that he seeks Tarzan the Terrible.
AT the sound of that name. the first
lntelligible word that had fallen upon
the ears Of the stranger since he had
come e.m among them, his face lightencd.
''Tarzan!" !" he cried, "Tarzan of the
Apes! and by signs he tried to tell
them that it was he whom he sought.
They understood, and also they
guessed from the expression of his face
that he sought Tarzan from motives of
affection rather than the reverse, but of
TINS om- at wished to make sure.
lie pointed to the strangers knife,
and repeating Tarzan's name, seized
Ia den and pretended to stab him, i'm
mediately turning questioningly toward
the stranger.
The latter shook his head vehemently
ana then first placing a hand above his
heart he raised his palm In the symbol
of peace.
He is a friend of Tarzan- jad guru,"
exclaimed Ia den.
Either friend or great liar," re.
piled Om- at
'Tarzan," continued the stranger,
you know him? lie lives? o God, IL |
And again reverting to sign language
he sought to ascertain where Tarzan
was. He would pronounce the name
and point in different directions, in the
cave, down into the gorge, bnck toward
The mountains, or out upon the valley
below, and each time he would raise
his brows questioningly and voice the
universal "ch?' Of interrogation which
they could not fail to understand. But
always Om- at shook his head and
spread his palms In a gesture which
indicated that while ne understood the
question he was ignorant as to the
of the ape man, and then
the black chief attempted as best he
might to explain to the stranger what
,e knew of the whereabouts Of Tarzan.
lie called the newcomer Jar don,
which in the language of Pal -ul don
means STRANGER and he pointed to
he sun and said as. This he repeated
several times and then he held up one
hand with the fingers outspread and
them one by one, including
he thumb, repeated the word adenen
until the stranger understood that he
meant five; Again he pointed to the
sun and describing an arc with his
orefnger starting at the eastern hori-
.on and terminating at the western, he
'epeated again the words as adenen.
L was plain to the stranger that the
words meant that the sun had crossed
he heavens five times. In other words,
I've days had passed. ON at then
pointed to the cave where they stood,
Tarzan's name and imi-
ating walking man with the first and
econd fingers of his right hand upon
he floor of the recess, sought to show
hat Tar2an had walked out Of the cave
lays before, but this was as far as the
ign language would permit him to go.
This far the stranger followed him
md, indicating that he understood. he
'ointed to himself and then indicating
he pegs leading above announced that
lc would follow TarEan.
"Let us 20 with him." said ON at,
for as yet we have not punished the
ior- -ul-l -lul for killing our friend and
lily"
"Persuade him to wait until morn
n.y." said Tia den, that you may take
With you many warriors and make u
reat raid upon the Kor -lul, and this
ime, Om-at do not kill your prisoners.
Take as many as you can alive
md from some Of them we may learn
he fate of Tarzan- jad- -guru."