The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-01-14
CHAPTER xvI,.-centInued.

-16-
"He is worse than q crook" said a
quiet voice behind them.
Tnrzan turned in astonishment to
see a tall man in uniform standing
In the trail few PAGES from him.
Back OF the man were a number of
black soldiers In t',e uniform of the
Congo Free State.
"He Is murderer, monsieur" con-
tinued the officer. II have followed
him for long time to take him back
to stand trial for the killing of his
superior officer"
Werper was upon his feet now.
gazing, white and trembling. at the
fate which had overtaken him even in
the fastness of the labyrinthine jungle.
Instinctively he turned to flee; but
Tarzan of the Apes reached out
strong hand and grasped him by the
shoulder.
Wait !" said the ape-man to his
captive. "This gentleman wishes you
and SO do I. When ain through with
you he may have you. Tell me what
has become of my wife,"
The Belgian officer eyed the almost
naked white giant with curiosity. He
could not quite determine the social
status of this strange creature; but he
knew that he did not relish the easy
assurance with which the fellow pre-
sumed to dictate when he might take
possession of the prisoner.
Pardon me-" he said. stepping for
ward and placing his hand on Wer-
per's other shoulder; "but this gentle
man is my prisoner. He must come
with me-"
"When I am through with him." re-
piled Tarzan. quietly.
Both the law and the power to en-
force 1t are upon my side," announced
the officer. Let us have no trouble"
your legal rights are not above sus-
picion. my friend" replied Tarzan.
-.and your power to enforce your COM
mands are only apparent-not real.
You have presumed to enter British
territory with an armed force. Where
is your authority for this Invasion?
Where are the extradition papers
which warrant the arrest of this man?
And what assurance have you that
cannot bring an armed force about you
that Will prevent your return to the
Congo Free Slater"
The Belgian lost his temper. ~
have no disposition to argue with a
naked savage" he cried. "Unless you
wish to be hurt you will not interfere
with me. Take the prisoner. SER
geant."
werper raised his lips close to Tar
zan's ear. Keep me from them. and
/ can show you the very spot where
l saw your wife last night; he whls-
pered. "She cannot be far From here
at this very minute
The soldiers. following the signal
from their sergeant. closed In to seize
Werper. Tarzan grabbed the Belgian
about the waist. and bearing him be-
meath his arm as he might have borne
a sack of flour, leaped forward In an
attempt to break through the Gordon.
His right fist caught the nearest SOL
der upon the jaw and sent him hurt
ling backward upon his fellows.
Clubbed rifles were torn from the
hands of those who barred his way.
and right and left the black soldiers
stumbled aside in the face of the ape
mans savage break for liberty.
So completely did the blacks sur
round the two that they dared not fire
for fear of hitting one of their own
number, and Tarzan was 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 dozen black soldiers were upon
his back. When he regained con-
sclousness he found himself securely
bound, as was Werper also. Werper
was yoluble in his protests. He ex-
planned that Tarzan was an English
lord; but the officer only laughed at
the assertion. and advised his prisoner
to save his breath for his defense In
court.
Toward evening the column halted
beside a stream, made camp and pre-
pared the evening meal. From the
thick foliage of the nearby jungle
pair of fierce eyes watched the activi-
ties of the uniformed blacks with ST.
lent intensity and curiosity
Tarzan and Werper had been lying
bound behind small pile of KNAPP
sacks from the time that the company
had halted; but with the preparation
Of the meal completed, their guard
ordered them to rise and come for
ward to one of the fires where their
hands would be unfettered that they
might eat.
AS the giant ape-man rose, startled
expression of recognition entered the
eyes of the watcher In the jungle, and
low cultural broke from the savage
lips. Instantly Tarzan was alert, but
the answering growl died upon his
lips, suppressed by the fear that 1t