TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Ten - Jane's Warning

The morning sun arose to flood a peaceful scene after the terrors which the ascent of the escarpment had brought. Tarzan had made good his promise. Tantor and his herd had carried the safari to the safety of the ape leader's home.

It was Jane's home, too, and she was wholeheartedly joyous to be back again. Perched in a sheltered place in a tree, her eyes wandered contentedly over the canyon which dropped away to a mountain river far below. On the other side of the canyon was cave, comfortable with skins, and decorated with ivory pieces.

Jane sighed in happiness. A tiny bird fluttered out of its nest. Jane whistled and the bird came to her, lighting on her outstretched finger.

Unobserved, Tarzan watched her, smilingly.

"Good morning, Mr. Bird," Jane told the songster, "And how are all the little birds this morning? Did you miss me while I was away?"

The bird chirped understandingly. Jane raised the bird to her mouth. With a chirp, he pecked at her lips in caress.

Tarzan's heart overflowed with love and appreciation. He emerged from his place of hiding.

"Jane — beautiful," he said suddenly, startling her.

"Oh, — Tarzan!" Jane released the loving bird and moved to give Tarzan a place beside her.

"Jane— beautiful," Tarzan said again. "No one — same — as Jane."

"No one same as Tarzan," Jane smiled back. "It's good to be back home."

"Good," Tarzan agreed.

Tarzan sat quietly happy a moment, then his thoughts became troubled and the smile left his face for a look of worried foreboding.

"Jane — call this— home?" he asked slowly.

"Why— of course," she heartily agreed. "Always, Tarzan."

He sighed in deep contentment. Jane was deep in thought a moment, then she spoke suddenly.

"It's strange, how I've changed. I didn't realize it — till they came."

Her gaze wandered to the cave where Rita lay, comfortably relaxed after Tarzan's ministrations; where Major Fry and Eric were working at a rifle lock.

"Jane — not changed," Tarzan stoutly contradicted.

"Not to you, Tarzan. But, this morning, when I'd gathered the fruit, I swung across the vine over the canyon— and— Eric seemed astounded. He said, 'You never did anything like that in London.'"

"Jane— go— London?"

"No. Jane stay." She reached for his hand. "I have all the fortune I want — right here, Tarzan."

In the cave entrance Eric watched Major Fry as he worked on the lock of his rifle.

"Wish I'd hung on to mine," Eric said gloomily.

"Without a rifle, a man in the jungle is — " Major Fry paused. "Well, he just hasn't a chance."

"Tarzan seems to do all right," Eric volunteered.

"Tarzan?" Major Fry paused. "But I said man," he finished ominously.

Eric looked at him queerly.

"I mean — of course, the average man," he added.

Now Jane drew near and asked cheerfully, "How is the patient this morning?"

Going into the cave without awaiting an answer she found Rita.

"You'll be fit as a fiddle by noon, Rita. Tarzan doctored you last night with a medicine he makes from plants."

Major Fry and Eric came into the cave.

"I want to warn you of something." Jane looked directly at the hunter. "You captured some of our animals.

Animals are Tarzan's friends — he would kill to protect them. Be careful, won't you?"

"Of course," Major Fry bowed with elaborate courtesy.

At that moment there came Tarzan's call.

"We planned to swim," Jane said eagerly. "Tarzan's waiting for me."

"I'd like to swim, too," Eric put in. "Where do we go?"

Mischievously Jane pointed over the ledge.

 A tremendous splash claimed their attention. Tarzan had dived into the pool and was now swimming powerfully to its center where a fawn was at the point of drowning.

"See?" Jane pointed for the hunter's attention. "One of his animal friends is in danger." She looked levelly at the man. "Tarzan protects his friends."

"So you said before, Miss Parker." Major Fry spoke with cool courtesy. "I shall remember."

"Look!" Eric pointed down into the pool. "He has the little chap now. I say, that fellow can swim!"

Tarzan's little friend was safe. Carefully he lifted the trembling animal to the safety of the shore. Then, leaping back into the water, he called Jane to follow.

"In you go, lazy bones!" Jane cried, and suddenly gave Eric a shove. Losing his balance, he fell into the pool and Jane dived after him. Then began a merry game of chase in the water, the three laughed and splashed like children.

Major Fry supported Rita, and together they looked down on the swimmers.

"You really shouldn't be up, you know," the hunter said chidingly.

"Oh, the sun will do me good," Rita watched Tarzan intently. "He has a magnificent physique, hasn't he?"

"I heard somewhere," the Major said gently, "the body of a giant goes with the mind of a child. I was wondering if it applied in this case."

"So was I," said Rita, and a smile of understanding passed between them.

Unmindful of the conspirators, Tarzan, Jane and Eric now emerged, Eric going to the cave for a change of clothing. But Tarzan and Jane, up in their favored spot, let the sun dry them out.

At their feet the monkey tribe chattered and cavorted playfully. Countless birds fluttered about, their melodious twitterings filling the air with happiness. At one end of the pool, the elephants wallowed and spouted water from their trunks.

Tarzan looked down at Jane with deep contentment. She smiled back at him.

"Tarzan, no fortune could ever buy happiness like this."