TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Five - The Killing of Nimba

True to his promise, Tarzan led Jane among the tree tops until they were directly over the trail of the approaching safari. Rita traveled at the side of Major Fry, followed closely by Eric. Bomba and his fellow hunters drove the sweating native carriers into keeping up a jog-walk. The white people were hot in pursuit of Tarzan.

And Tarzan watched their coming from the tree tops. At his side, Jane strained her eyes to discover the identity of the newcomers.

"Long way," Tarzan pointed. "Jane — rest."

"I don't need to rest," she protested. " I want to watch."

"Jane rest," Tarzan insisted. "Nothing — watch — now."

Reluctantly Jane seated herself in the tree while Tarzan kept the look-out.

"Are they coming this way?" Jane asked eagerly.

"This — way," Tarzan pointed.

On and on the relentless whips of Bomba and his hunters drove the natives who staggered under their heavy loads.

Gradually they came to the end of the jungle and began the ascent of the Mutia Escarpment.

Overhead Tarzan and Jane watched the safari. Ahead of them the three white people looked up at a huge plateau-capped mountain. On each face was an expression of awe and wonder.

"The Mutia Escarpment," Major Fry put a world of meaning into the words.

"We heard it didn't exist " Eric began but Rita interrupted him with a shudder.

"It looks as though it were haunted," she shivered.

"It is." Major Fry smiled faintly as they turned to him in surprise. "At least so the natives say. They also say that is where the giant apes live. We'll find out." He plunged his long stick into the ground and called, "Bomba!"

"Yes, Bwana."

"We make camp here." Then he turned to Rita and Eric. "This is where we'll set our trap."

Gratefully the carriers let their packs fall to the earth. Bomba shouted commands for the preparation of the camp. From the surrounding jungle, wood was procured for tent pole rests and for the fires.

"I'm going to kook about," Rita announced and walked away toward a nearby stream.

In the tree, Jane came closer to Tarzan and whispered.

"Can't we go closer? I can't see well from this distance."

"Go — close — soon." Tarzan restrained her. "Wait."

A faint cat-like meowing in the dense foliage attracted Rita's attention. She walked in the direction of the sound and discovered a small lion cub. She lifted the protesting animal, but a sound above her head distracted her fondling of the cub.

Nimba, Tarzan's ape friend, was perched on the branch over her head. He reached down a friendly paw to pat Rita's shoulder.

"Help!" she cried out. "Eric! Major Fry! Help!"

There was a sudden rifle shot and Nimba dropped lifeless, to the ground, an example of Major Fry's excellent marksmanship.

Tarzan and Jane swept through the trees. Now it was Jane who pleaded restraint.

"No, Tarzan, no" she begged, holding the vine to delay his descent.

Now Tarzan and Jane were directly over the spot where Nimba lay, huddled in death posture. At that moment Major Fry and Eric arrived on the scene, guns in hand, to examine the dead beast.

Tarzan's face was terrible to behold. Jane read the fury blazing in his eyes and screamed as his hand flew to his knife.

"No, Tarzan, no!" she screamed.

But her cry was of no use. With a snarl, more animal than human, he suddenly swung swiftly down the vine.

Eric was examining the corpse of Nimba.

Looks like it might be a ferocious beast," he said to Major Fry. "We are doubly grateful. You saved Rita's life that time."

His speech was rudely interrupted as a mighty form hurtled out of the trees onto his shoulders, knocking him to the ground.

Major Fry and Rita were too astounded for speech or movement. Jane, still in the tree, found her voice and screamed again, " Tarzan! No!."

Tarzan straddled the struggling Eric and reached back for his knife. At the same time Major Fry raised his gun to shoot the Ape Leader.

Both the knife and the gun were held from their intent as Jane, with a great cry, swung herself down the vine, much after the manner of Tarzan himself.

Flinging herself upon Major Fry's shoulders, his gun clattered out of his hand. A dozen natives, seeing their leader attacked, rushed at Tarzan. With a roar he arose, ready for battle, but Jane leaped to her feet and flung her arms about him.

"No, Tarzan! No! No! No!" she cried, restraining him with effort.

Eric stared in amazement. "Jane!" he gasped.

Tarzan, fighting mad, his eyes glaring, was prepared to meet the entire safari. He scarcely took notice of Jane's presence. But Jane tried with all her will to penetrate and soothe his anger.

"NO!" she remonstrated. "No, Tarzan! No! No!"

At last it seemed as though Jane had won. The wild, bloodlusting light had subdued itself in Tarzan's eyes. He looked at Jane as though he were seeing her for the first time.

"Jane " he spoke her name numbly.

Jane was quick to take advantage of her opportunity.

"Tarzan," she shook his arm to make him understand. "Friends. These people are my people. Our people."

But the Ape Leader's glance had strayed to the body of Nimba, and again the wild light gleamed in his face.

Major Fry made a movement with his gun. His action did not escape Jane. She pointed to the lifeless Nimba.

"No need for your gun," she said scornfully. "He just misunderstands. You see — Jane's voice choked. She, too, called the ape her friend. "You see," she repeated, "you've killed a friend of his — a friend of ours!"