Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-06-30


and strewn with jagged rock.
The lay slid to the ground as he
spoke. but the ape first looked care
fully about, smiling the morning air.
Then, satisfied that no danger iurked
near. he descended slowly to the
ground beside the boy.
"Numa and SAILOR, his mate, feast
upon those who descend first and look
afterward, while those who look first
and descend afterward live TO feast
themselves" Thus the old ape impart-
ed TO the son OF Tarzan the boys first
lesson in jungle lore.
Side by side they set Off across the
rough plain, for the boy wished first
TO be warm. The ape showed him the
best places TO dig for rodents and
worms. but the lad only gagged Mt the
thought of devouring the repulsive
things. Some eggs they found, and
these he sucked raw, as also he ate
roots and tubers which Akut un-
earthed.
That night the son of Tarzan was
colder than he ever had been in all his
life. The patama trousers were not
very heavy, but they were much
heavier than nothing. And the next
day he roasted In the hot sun, for
again their way led much across wide
and treeless plains.
1t was still in the boys mind to
travel to the south and circle back TO
the coast in search of another outpost
of civilization. He had said nothing
of this plan 10 Akut, for he knew that
the ola ape would look with displeas-
ure upon any suggestion that savored
of separation.
For month the two wandered on,
the boy learning rapidly the laws of
the Jungle: his muscles adapting them
selves to the new mode OF life that
had been thrust upon them. The thews
of the sire had been transmitted to
the son-it needed only the hardening
of use TO develop them.
one day rs they were moving slowly
along beside river they came unex-
pectedly upon native village. Some
children were playing beside the water
The boys heart leaped within his
breast at sight of them. For more
than q month he had seen no human
being. What If these were naked saw
ages? What If their skins were black?
Were they not creatures fashioned in
the mold of their Maker as was he?
They were his brothers and sisters !
He started toward them.
With low warning Akut laid a
hand upon his arm to hold him back.
The boy shook himself free and, with
a shout of greeting, ran forward to-
ward the ebon players.
The sound Of his voice brought ev-
cry head erect. Wide eyes viewed him
for an instant, and then, with screams
Of terror, the children turned and fled
toward the village. At their heels ran
their mothers, and from the village
gate, in response TO the alarm, came
score Of warriors, hastily snatched
spears and shields ready in their
hands.
At sight Of the CONSERVATION he had
wrought the boy halted. The glad
smile faded from his face as with wild
shouts and menacing gestures the war
rlors ran toward him. Akut was call
ing to him from behind to turn and
fee; that the blacks would kill him.
With low snarl quite similar to
that OF bailled beast, he turned and
ran into the Jungle There was Akut
awaiting him In n tree. The ape urged
him TO hasten IN flight. for the wise
old anthropoid knew that they two,
naked and unarmed, were no match
for the sinewy black warriors who
would doubtless make some sort Of
search for them through the jungle.
But new power moved the son of
Tarzan. lie had come with a boys
glad and open heart TO offer his friend
ship to these people who were human
beings like himself. He had been met
with suspicion and spears. They had
not even listened to him. Rage and
hatred consumed him.
They made detour about the hos
tile village and resumed their Journey
toward the coast.
All the while Jacks training went
on under the guidance of Akut. Yet,
though the boy loved the jungle, he
had not let his selfish desires out
weigh the sense of duty that had
brought him to d realization of the
moral wrong which lay beneath the
adventurous escapade that had brought
him TO Africa. His love Of father and
mother was strong within him, too
strong 10 permit unalloyed happiness
which was undoubtedly causing them
days of sorrow.
And so he held tight to his deter
mination to find port upon the coast
where he might communicate with
them and receive funds for his return
TO London. There he felt sure that he
could now persuade his parents TO let
him spend at least n portion of his
time upon those African estates which
from little careless remarks dropped
at home he knew his father possessed.
That would be something-better at
least than a lifetime of the cramped
and cloying restrictions of civilization.
And so he was rather contented
than otherwise as he made his way I'm
. ,. n nf ha g.