TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Eight - The Poisoned Arrow

Jane sped to the rocks where Eric now held the unconscious form of Rita.

"How is she?" Jane asked huskily.

Eric shook his head. Slowly he handed Jane the arrow which had struck his cousin in the shoulder.

"Horrible looking, isn't it?" Eric spoke with an effort. "Why couldn't the thing have hit me?"

"Poisoned arrow," Jane held it carefully in her fingers. "But we have medicine for it up in the escarpment if we can reach it in time."

Tarzan had come near, listening to her last words. Now Jane turned to him pleadingly, and gave him the arrow.

"Poison," Tarzan agreed.

"We will hurry, won't we, Tarzan?" Jane asked a question but it was more of a piteous request.

Major Fry had been walking about making a survey of the damage that had been done to his men, and, in general, getting the lay of the land.

Again there sounded the beating of the drums. Major Fry looked into the distance, and then to the unconscious Rita.

"If I know anything about these Gabonis, they'll attack us again soon," he spoke as though hope were unbelievable.

But Jane knew better. Mutely beseeching, she looked at Tarzan, begging wordlessly that he give refuge to the safari party. Tarzan understood perfectly her silent request, but he was reluctant to take these intruders into his domain. He looked at Major Fry in distaste, but then his gaze fell upon Rita, and, suddenly he made up his mind.

"We go — hurry," he commanded.

Jane knew what this decision cost. She stood before Tarzan and spoke directly to Major Fry.

"Tarzan will lead you up the escarpment," she said slowly. "No intruder has been there before. You will all follow. You will all do as Tarzan commands."

"I say," Eric looked admiringly grateful, "that's mighty fine of you."

Tarzan nodded and smiled.

The great apes had been awaiting word from their leader and now Tarzan shouted a command to them.

Then, gently, he lifted Rita in his arms. Carrying her over his shoulder, he took Jane's hand and strode off.

"Follow us!" Jane called.

And they all followed, Major Fry and Eric, then Bomba. The more fortunate natives supported their wounded fellows. It was a weird procession, flanked on all sides by the giant apes.

As they moved on toward the escarpment, the drums began a louder beating. The Gabonis were not far off, and evidently massing again.

"Look!" Eric pointed into the foliage.

"Coming back to begin where they left off," Major Fry spoke dryly.

"They won't if Tarzan can help it," said Jane decidedly.

There came a shower of spears. Like a flash Tarzan shouted a command to the apes. Screaming and chattering they tore into the foliage, and forced the savages into a second retreat.

"Why— " Eric spoke in awe, "I never knew such a thing could be! The way they obey him!"

Despite the danger of the situation, Jane looked at her cousin with a twinkle in her eye, which said plainly, "Do you blame me?"

Major Fry looked upon Tarzan with a new respect. But it was not the admiration one man bestows upon the courage of another. Rather, the man who brought-them-back-alive looked upon a prized specimen for his expedition.

Tarzan, with his human burden, led the way, climbing up the side he escarpment. In the distance the drums beat softly, and the sound spurred them on and on up the rugged incline.