TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Seven - The Savage Gabonis

From all sides appeared the savage Gabonis, their shields forming a strange wall before them.

"We are trapped like animals!" Rita cried, clinging to Eric.

And indeed they seemed to be entirely surrounded, an ironical twist of fate, trapped in the place where they had intended to trap!

The native carriers, crouched about the white people, frightened beyond description. Bomba, no longer the strong whip-handler, rolled his eyes in fear.

"It is hopeless, Bwana?" he made his words a plea for some deliverance.

But even Major Fry, despite his usual mastery of any situation, was nonplussed now.

It was Jane who took command. She pointed to the rocks, about fifty feet away.

"The only hope is behind those rocks," she cried. "Let's make a run for them."

She was about to lead the dash for the rocks, but Tarzan interceded. Reaching up into a branch, he held out his hand, signifying they would take refuge in the trees.

"We go, Jane," Tarzan said commandingly. "Lead Gabonis — away."

A Gaboni witch doctor, horrible to behold, emerged from the ranks of his warriors and raised his voice in a menacing sing-song.

"Tarzan is right," Jane cried to the others. "We will go into the trees and try to draw the Gabonis away from you. Quick, run for the rocks!"

Major Fry led the dash towards the sheltering rock. A shower of spears flooded the party. Now the Gabonis used the dreaded blowpipe which sent poisoned darts into the victim.

"Go up, Jane!" Tarzan commanded. And Jane swung up into a tree, watching fearfully as Tarzan sought to distract the savages from behind the rocks.

Three natives fell down, screaming in their death agony. Major Fry, Eric and Bomba guarded the flanks of the safari party, pumping lead as they huddled behind the partial cover.

Disregarding the spears and the poisoned darts, Tarzan advanced toward the witch doctor, making his famous cry. Astonished, the savages looked upon this great white man and then directed all their frenzy at him.

Tarzan leaped into a tree, the Gabonis in hot pursuit. The Gabonis used all their methods of horrible attack. They hurled spears, arrows and darts, screaming hideously.

"Tarzan!" Jane screamed a warning.

Tarzan paid no attention. Rashly imprudent, he jabbered abusively at the savages, miraculously avoiding death.

Jane jumped upon the branch at his side.

"Tarzan!" she clutched at him. "Come up in the tree. You'll be killed. The others are safe now "

Tarzan looked at Jane and seemed to sense his danger for the first time.

Now the Gabonis divided their attention, returning to menace the group huddled behind the rocks. Fresh hordes of savages were approaching to add new terror. The odds seemed hopelessly against them.

Then Tarzan raised his head and gave the call.

A swarm of giant apes swung through the trees. Timbee, in the lead, leaped down at Tarzan's side.

The giant apes came swinging and jumping through the trees, screaming their anger with guttural ferocity.

Directly below Tarzan stood the witch doctor. When he beheld the great, powerful

Timbee take his stand beside Tarzan and Jane, he stood shaking in superstitious fear. Seizing his opportunity, Tarzan jumped lower and using the heavy vine, grappled the savage about the neck with a fierce sudden thrust. With a howl, he toppled over, dead.

The death of the witch doctor, and the swarm of giant apes who leaped upon them flinging them aside like toys, frightened the Gabonis into flight.

Tarzan followed to the river banks and threw his spear at the retreating horde.

"Tarzan," Jane hurried to his side. "Come away. They may return to attack us again."

But for the moment the savages were in retreat. Swimming away, they made for their boats, and disappeared.

Tarzan and Jane returned to the depleted safari. Strewn about lay the bodies of the natives who had fallen in the attack. Eric and Major Fry supported the lifeless figure of Rita.

Far off the drums began to beat again.

"Oh, Tarzan!" Jane cried. "They will return. We must hurry and get Rita away from here!" The battle, but not the danger, was over.