TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Three - Tarzan Returns

Tarzan swung through the trees, Cheetah clinging to him in happiness and affection. The great white leader of the apes paused for a moment, and raised his voice in a triumphant call.

Immediately, in the distance, there came an answer.

This was Jane who awaited his safe return; Jane, the mate of Tarzan.

It was a clear night. The beauty of the sheltered place where Jane stood waiting and listening was plainly visible in the soft moonlight. Here the hills merged with the jungle near the Mutia Escarpment. Giant, carelessly strewn boulders, sparsely covered with vegetation, rose up from the tangled trees.

Again there came to her the exultant cry, this time nearer.

And again Jane raised her voice to answer. Happiness lending speed to her nimble feet, she clambered to the top of a large boulder.

"Timbee!" she called.

In answer there came a rumbling sound from the brush as a great ape made his way to her side.

"Timbee," Jane's arm went about the rough neck in affection. "He is coming."

The ape did not need to be told. His eyes had searched the jungle. Chattering and jabbering in joyful excitement, he awaited the return of Tarzan.

With Cheetah on his shoulder, swinging in breath-taking fashion through the trees, Tarzan approached.

In a rapid, graceful arc he swung out of the trees at the end of a long vine and landed at the foot of the boulder.

"Tarzan! Tarzan!" Jane cried in happy excitement.

With a leap Jane was off the boulder and in his arms.

"Oh, Tarzan!" she said, "I was worried. You were away so long — "

Now Cheetah began to chatter for Jane's appreciation.

"Cheetah all right too," Tarzan said, calling attention to the second member of the little returning party.

"Ah, Cheetah!" Jane caressed her. "I mustn't neglect you."

Tarzan pointed a place among the trees, one of their favorite resting spots.

"We — go there," he suggested.

Safe and comfortable in the tree, Jane smilingly scolded Cheetah.

"Bad girl, running away, and causing us to worry."

Cheetah was in no mood to be reproved, however lightly. She leaped among the branches of the tree and then to the ground.

"Cheetah no hide no run away," Tarzan explained. "People take Cheetah — bad people."

Jane looked in astonishment. "People?" she repeated the words.

Little Cheetah seemed to tremble. In contrition Jane clambered down to the ground and again caressed her. Tarzan came to her side. Jane turned to him suddenly.

"People?" she said again. "Bad people, Tarzan?"

"Bad people," he repeated. Then a serious look came into his face, and he added, "with guns."

Jane looked searchingly into his face.

"Guns!" Jane said the word in deep realization. "Guns! Oh! Tarzan you might have been..."

She finished by holding his hand tenderly, fearfully.

Tarzan gathered her into his arms.