TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Fifteen - Tarzan Is Captured — Escapes

With bowed head, Tarzan stood gazing into the whirlpool where Jane and Eric had disappeared. The natives, under Major Fry's order, had lined up, ready to proceed. Now he came to where Tarzan was seated, gazing dejectedly into the waterfall.

"Tarzan," he said crisply. "I'm sorry. But there's nothing we can do by staying here so we go do you understand? Go."

"You go." Tarzan said determinedly. "Tarzan stay here."

"You don't want to stay here alone, Tarzan," ita said winningly. "You come with us.

The village is only half a day's march from here."

"Tarzan no like village. Tarzan stay here find Jane."

"But it's useless, " Rita began a trifle testily. Then her eyes caught Major Fry's. He motioned for her to desist her pleading.

Tarzan, filled with grief over his loss, shouted again and again.

"Jane! Jane!"

There was no answer.

"This is the chance we've been waiting for," he said cunningly persuasive. If he won't go with us we'll have to take him."

"You won't hurt him?" Rita asked anxiously.

Major Fry is the man who brings them back alive!" the hunter spoke pointedly. Then he returned to Tarzan.

"Tarzan we go now!" he said, command in his voice.

"Tarzan stay no go!" the response came angrily defiant.

Major Fry nodded an order to Bomba. The giant native stepped up obediently, balancing his club in his hand Tarzan studied the waterfalls, Bomba advanced, raised the club, and brought it down sharply.

Rita turned her head quickly as a groan escaped the ape leader. Now Bomba secured the unconscious Tarzan to the litter with fibre rope, and thus, the safari brought him to Major Fry's encampment.

Near the base of the waterfall, where a swift current whirled around the rocks, Eric fought to keep to the surface, holding Jane, who was half conscious.

Presently the current brought them up on the weather side of a large rock, which formed a sanctuary against the rushing water. Eric dragged himself up and pulled Jane after him.

"All right?" he looked at her anxiously.

"All right." She attempted a brave and hopeful smile.

"How are we going to get out of here?" Eric demanded, looking about at the steep walls which surrounded them.

"Tarzan will come," Jane said confidently. "He can climb anything."

"Look!" Eric pointed suddenly.

A dozen large alligators regarded them with evil eyes on the shelving rock of the cavern. One slid into the water and started swimming toward them.

"We'll make a raft of those logs," Jane said more in command than suggestion.

As Eric fought off the alligator, she picked up a tangled mass of vines, twisting these about several logs which were lodged at the base of the rock.

The current carried the rude raft along, Jane and Eric guiding it with poles. For a time they followed the river. Then, when the way appeared safe, they left the raft, and clambered up a slow and torturous path in the rocks.

As Jane and Eric made their way to safety, Major Fry was making preparations to board the steamer. Rita watched as the rows of cages, each again filled with captive animals, were being carried to the boat.

The hunter lifted a tarpaulin-covered cage and peered in. Bound securely, gagged, and apparently unconscious, Tarzan opened his eyes to the light and writhed convulsively at his captor. Major Fry hastily ordered Bomba to stow Tarzan on board.

"He's all right?" Rita said uneasily. "After all he is human. I can't help but feel— "

"He's an animal," snapped Major Fry . "Until he's tamed he shall be treated as such."

It seemed a horrible nightmare to Tarzan. He was forced into the steamer, chained to a pole. The boat chugged on on. His heart ached for Jane, for the jungle. Half conscious, he dreamed. It seemed to him she was at his side, freeing him. Eric, too, was there.

"Tarzan!" the voice seemed to be Jane's. It came to him from a great distance.

But now one of his arms was free. This was no dream. He looked at his other hand it, too, was free. And Eric's face looked into his!

He was free!

The door opened. Major Fry, rifle in hand, came in, with Rita.

"Fry!" Eric shot the word, not quite believing the hunter had done this thing.

"Stand where you are!" commanded the Major, lifting his gun.

Jane raised her voice in the call of distress. With a roar, Timbee crashed in upon the hunter. There was a flash and a crack of his rifle.

Instantly terror took possession of the steamer as the great apes leaped everywhere, screaming their anger and rage.

The helmsman abandoned the wheel and rushed away, terror stricken, at the onslaught. The steamer, with nobody at the wheel, swerved into the bank. Natives ran screaming around the decks, jumping hastily ashore. The animals, raged, tearing at their cages. An overturned kerosene lamp sent up a blaze, which leaped into a mighty, enveloping flame.

Through the flames ran Tarzan, followed by Jane and Eric. Now the complete master, he roared orders to his ape men, as he leaped from cage to cage, freeing his animal friends.

Rita had jumped to the shore, one of the great apes in pursuit. In great haste she raised her rifle. It went off as the ape pounced upon her.

Major Fry took the only avenue of escape the river.

A huge crocodile slid from the ooze. With a scream of hideous terror, the hunter was dragged under water.

Higher and higher mounted the flames, until, at last, the steamer was enveloped entirely in the blast. The last of the animals surged ashore to safety.

Perched in a tree sat Tarzan and Jane. Neither spoke for a time. Then Tarzan said, "We go home."