Tarzan and the Ant Men

Edgar Rice Burroughs

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

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Copyright

Fonte original — domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de Tarzan and the Ant Men, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1924.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1924.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 2020.

Brasil

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: Tarzan and the Ant Men

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1924

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

Cada livro desta coleção é apresentado em um nível de leitura simplificada, de acordo com o CEFR — Quadro Europeu Comum de Referência para Línguas.

A2 — Básico: indicado para leitores que já compreendem frases simples, vocabulário frequente e textos curtos sobre situações do cotidiano.

B1 — Intermediário: indicado para leitores que conseguem compreender as ideias principais de textos claros e acompanhar uma narrativa com vocabulário e estruturas de dificuldade moderada.

B2 — Intermediário avançado: indicado para leitores que já conseguem compreender textos mais complexos, acompanhar descrições detalhadas e reconhecer uma variedade maior de vocabulário e estruturas gramaticais.

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

Assim, você pode começar a lê-lo mesmo sem dominar completamente o inglês. O texto foi simplificado para facilitar a compreensão, preservando a história, os personagens e os acontecimentos principais da obra original.

Como usar as notas

No texto de leitura simplificada, cada parágrafo possui um link Pt/En. Esse link abre uma nota com a tradução em português do texto simplificado e o trecho correspondente no texto original em inglês.

No texto original em inglês, o link PT leva diretamente ao parágrafo correspondente na versão em português. Na tradução portuguesa, o link En retorna ao parágrafo correspondente no texto original.

A tradução para o português é feita a partir do texto em inglês simplificado, e não diretamente do texto original. O objetivo é ajudar você a compreender com precisão a frase simplificada que está estudando naquele momento.

O texto original em inglês é apresentado separadamente para a etapa seguinte do aprendizado, quando você já estiver preparado para ler e comparar a obra em sua forma original.

Cada nota contém links que permitem retornar exatamente ao parágrafo que você estava lendo.

Como usar o glossário

Na última parte do livro, o Glossary: New Words reúne, em ordem alfabética, palavras mais complexas ou menos frequentes presentes no texto simplificado de nível B1. Essas palavras aparecem em itálico no texto.

Cada entrada apresenta pronúncia, tradução em português, explicação simples em inglês, frase de exemplo e até cinco frases reais do livro.

O link Back to B1 retorna exatamente à frase correspondente na versão simplificada.

Depois do texto simplificado, o livro apresenta também o texto original completo em inglês e a versão completa em português.

Sobre este livro

Em Tarzan e os Homens-Formigas, décimo romance da série de Edgar Rice Burroughs, o homem-macaco encontra uma civilização oculta de humanos minúsculos na selva africana. Após ser capturado pelas Alali, uma tribo de mulheres gigantes, Tarzan escapa e descobre a terra dos Homens-Formigas, um povo diminuto dividido em duas facções em guerra: os Trohanadalmakus e os Veltopismakus. Os Trohanadalmakus são uma sociedade pacífica e agrária, enquanto os Veltopismakus são militaristas e escravagistas. Tarzan, reduzido ao tamanho deles por uma droga misteriosa, envolve-se no conflito, usando sua força e inteligência para ajudar os Trohanadalmakus. A história explora temas de civilização versus selvageria, enquanto Tarzan navega por um mundo onde é tanto um gigante quanto uma figura divina. O tom é aventureiro e imaginativo, misturando a ação característica de Burroughs com elementos especulativos. Personagens principais incluem Tarzan, a rainha Alali e os líderes dos Homens-Formigas. O cenário muda da selva familiar para o reino minúsculo, destacando a criatividade de Burroughs. A trama progride com a captura de Tarzan, sua redução de tamanho e seu envolvimento na guerra, culminando em uma batalha climática. O romance mantém um ritmo acelerado, com descrições vívidas da civilização diminuta e seus costumes.

Nota editorial

A tradução para o português e a versão Reading Comprehension B1 foram geradas com apoio de inteligência artificial e submetidas a revisão editorial.

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

MicMac from Las Vegas LLC
Contato: admin@micmacfromlasvegas.com

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção A Selva de Burroughs

Tarzan of the Apes

The Return Of Tarzan

The Beasts Of Tarzan

The Son Of Tarzan

Tarzan and the Jewels Of Opar

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan

Tarzan The Untamed

Tarzan The Terrible

Tarzan and the Golden Lion

Tarzan and the Ant Men

Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan — ESL Easy Read

Tarzan and the City of Gold

Tarzan and the Lion Man

Tarzan and the Lost Empire

Tarzan at the Earth's Core

Tarzan the Invincible

Tarzan Triumphant

The Tarzan Twins

V21 Popup Test

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www.micmacfromlasvegas.com

Reading Comprehension B1

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

3 - Chapter Three

4 - Chapter Four

Chapter One

Pt/En Esteban Miranda was in a dark, dirty hut in Obebe's village by the Ugogo river. He was eating some fish. He wore an iron slave collar with a chain that was attached to a post near the hut's entrance.

Pt/En Esteban had been chained like a dog for a year. He sometimes went outside to sit in the sun. He had two main thoughts. One was that he was Tarzan of the Apes. He had acted like Tarzan for so long that he felt he was Tarzan. Obebe also thought he was Tarzan, but the village witch doctor said he was a river devil.

Pt/En The chief, Obebe, wanted to eat Esteban because he thought he was the ape-man. But the witch doctor told the villagers that Esteban was a river devil in disguise. He warned them that bad things would happen if they harmed him. This disagreement saved Esteban's life. If he died naturally, Obebe would be right. If he lived or disappeared, the witch doctor would be believed.

Pt/En After learning the local language, Esteban understood how lucky he was to be alive. He stopped saying he was Tarzan. Instead, he hinted that he was the river devil. The witch doctor liked this, and everyone believed him. Only Obebe and the witch doctor knew that river devils were not real, but the witch doctor used the idea to control the villagers.

Pt/En Besides thinking he was Tarzan, Esteban also looked at a bag of diamonds. A Russian man named Kraski had stolen them from Tarzan. Esteban had killed Kraski and taken the diamonds. He had received the bag from Tarzan earlier in a place called the Valley of the Palace of Diamonds.

Pt/En Esteban Miranda spent hours in his dirty room looking at his shiny jewels. He thought about how much money they were worth and the good things he could buy. Even though he lived in a dirty place and ate bad food, he imagined he was very rich and lived in a palace. When he heard people coming, he quickly hid his jewels in his simple cloth and pretended to be a prisoner.

Pt/En After being alone for a year, Esteban had a new visitor. Her name was Uhha, and she was the daughter of the witch doctor Khamis. Uhha was fourteen years old, pretty, and curious. She had watched Esteban from far away for a year. Finally, she was not afraid and came to him when he was outside his hut. Esteban smiled at her. He wanted a friend because it would make his life easier and help him escape. Uhha was young and did not know much, but Esteban knew how to talk to women.

Pt/En Esteban told Uhha that he had been in the village of Chief Obebe for a year. He said that he had never seen anyone as beautiful as her before. He asked for her name.

Pt/En Uhha was happy. She smiled and told him her name was Uhha. She also said her father was Khamis, the witch doctor.

Pt/En Now Esteban was happy. He felt that good luck, which had not been with him for a long time, was finally helping him. He thought Uhha could become a great help to him if he taught her.

Pt/En Esteban asked why she had not visited him before.

Pt/En Uhha simply replied that she was afraid.

Pt/En He asked why she was afraid.

Pt/En She started to explain that she was afraid, but stopped.

Pt/En The Spaniard smiled and asked if she was afraid he was the river devil and would harm her.

Pt/En She said yes.

Pt/En Esteban whispered for them to listen but not tell anyone. He said he was the river devil but would not hurt them.

Pt/En Uhha asked why he was chained to a stake if he was the river devil. Uhha wanted to know why he did not change into something else and go back to the river.

Pt/En Miranda asked if they wondered about that. He wanted to think of a good answer.

Pt/En The girl said that Uhha was not the only one who wondered. Many people had asked the same question. Obebe asked it first and no one could explain. Obebe said he was Tarzan, the enemy of Obebe and his people. But her father Khamis said he was the river devil and could change into a snake to escape the collar. The people wondered why he did not do this, and many started to think he was not the river devil.

Pt/En Miranda whispered to Uhha, asking her to come nearer so she could tell her something privately.

Pt/En The girl moved a little closer and leaned towards the man who was sitting on the ground.

Pt/En Esteban told Uhha that he was the river devil and that he moved around freely, often in the Ugogo river at night. He said he was waiting to see who in the village of Obebe would be his friend. He explained that if someone freed him, that person would be very lucky and he would help them. However, he warned that if no friend appeared, he would return to his parents, the Ugogo, and destroy the village. He asked Uhha not to tell anyone what he had said.

Pt/En The girl moved away, very scared. It was clear that she was strongly affected by what he said.

Pt/En He told her not to be afraid and that he would not hurt her.

Pt/En She asked what would happen if all the people were destroyed.

Pt/En He explained that he could not help if everyone was destroyed. He hoped someone would free him, which would show he had a good friend. He then told Uhha to leave and not tell anyone his secret.

Pt/En She walked away a little, but then she came back.

Pt/En She asked when he planned to destroy the village.

Pt/En He answered that it would be in a few days.

Pt/En Uhha was very scared and ran quickly to the hut of her father, Khamis, who was a witch doctor. Esteban Miranda smiled, feeling pleased, and returned to his hole to play with his diamonds.

Pt/En Khamis the witch doctor was not home when his daughter Uhha, feeling weak from fear, entered his dark hut. His wives and children were in the fields, where Uhha should have been. This gave the girl time to think. She remembered that the river devil had told her not to tell anyone what he had said.

Pt/En She had almost told her father everything!

Pt/En She thought about what terrible thing might have happened to her. She was afraid even to imagine such a bad fate. She had been very close to danger! But she did not know what to do.

Pt/En She lay on a grass mat, trying hard to find a solution to the big problem she faced. This was the first real problem in her life, other than avoiding her chores in the fields. Suddenly, she sat up straight, remembering something the river devil had said. He had told her that if he was freed, he would know he had a friend in the village of Obebe. He also said that whoever freed him would live a long life and get whatever they wished for. But after thinking for a few minutes, Uhha felt sad again. She wondered how she, a small girl, could free the river devil by herself.

Pt/En The girl asked her father how the river devil hurt people who were bad to him.

Pt/En Khamis answered that the river devil had many ways to cause harm, like the fish in the river. He could stop fish and game from coming, make crops die so people would starve, or bring fire from the sky to kill everyone in Obebe.

Pt/En She then asked her father if he thought the river devil might do these things to them.

Pt/En The witch doctor replied that the river devil would not harm Khamis because Khamis had saved him from death by the people of Obebe.

Pt/En Uhha remembered that the river devil had complained about not getting good food or beer from Khamis. She knew her father was not as well-liked by the river devil as he thought. So, she changed the subject.

Pt/En A woman asked how someone could escape with a collar around his neck and who would remove it for him.

Pt/En Khamis replied that only Obebe could remove the collar using a piece of brass from his pouch. He added that the river devil did not need help because he could turn into a snake and escape the collar himself when he wanted to be free. Khamis then asked Uhha where she was going.

Pt/En Uhha called back over her shoulder that she was going to visit Obebe's daughter.

Pt/En The chief's daughter was grinding maize, which Uhha should also have been doing. She looked up and smiled when Obebe's daughter arrived.

Pt/En Obebe's daughter warned Uhha to be quiet because her father was sleeping inside the hut. Uhha sat down, and the two girls talked quietly. They discussed their jewelry, hairstyles, and the young men in the village, often giggling. Their conversation was like that of any two young girls. While they talked, Uhha frequently looked towards Obebe's hut, and her expression showed she was thinking deeply.

Pt/En A woman suddenly asked where the copper wire bracelet was. She said her uncle had given it to her at the start of the last moon.

Pt/En Obebe's daughter replied that the man had taken the bracelet back. She said he gave it to the sister of his youngest wife.

Pt/En Uhha looked sad. She wondered if her friend wanted the copper bracelet. She looked closely at her friend and thought hard. Then, her face became happy.

Pt/En Uhha exclaimed about a necklace with many beads. She asked if her friend had lost it. She said her father had taken it from a warrior captured for the last feast.

Pt/En Her friend replied that she had not lost the necklace. She said it was in her father's house. She had put it away because it was in the way when she ground maize.

Pt/En Uhha asked if she could see it and said she would fetch it.

Pt/En The chief's daughter told Uhha no. She explained that Uhha would wake Obebe, and he would be very angry.

Pt/En Uhha replied that she would not wake him. Then she began to crawl towards the hut's entrance.

Pt/En Her friend tried to stop her, saying she would fetch it after Obebe woke up. But Uhha did not listen. She carefully crawled inside the hut. She waited until her eyes could see in the dim light. Obebe was sleeping and snoring loudly on a mat. Uhha moved towards him very quietly, like a leopard. She was afraid her heart beating or her breathing would wake the old chief, but Obebe kept snoring.

Pt/En Uhha got close to Obebe. She saw the chief's pouch next to him, partly under his body. She carefully reached out a shaking hand and took hold of it. She tried to pull it out from under Obebe. The sleeping man moved, and Uhha pulled her hand back, scared. Obebe moved again, and Uhha thought he had woken up. She was too scared to move. Luckily for her, she could not move, and Obebe started snoring again. Uhha lost her courage and only wanted to leave the hut without being seen. She looked at the chief one last time to check he was still asleep. She saw that Obebe had moved away from the pouch, and it was now easy for her to reach.

Pt/En She tried to take something but quickly pulled her hand back. She turned away, feeling very scared. She felt dizzy and thought about the dangerous river spirit and the terrible ways it could kill someone. She reached for a small bag again and this time she took it. She opened it quickly and looked inside. The brass key was there. She knew it was the key because it was the only item she did not understand. The collar, chain, and key had been taken from a captured Arab slave trader. Some older men in Obebe's village had worn similar things before, so it was easy to use it for its purpose when needed.

Pt/En Uhha quickly closed the bag and put it back next to Obebe. Then, holding the key tightly in her sweaty hand, she hurried towards the door.

Pt/En That night, the cooking fires became small and were covered with dirt. The people of Obebe went into their houses. Esteban Miranda heard a quiet noise near his dog's house. He listened carefully. Someone or something was moving quietly inside.

Pt/En The Spaniard asked who was there. He tried to make his voice sound steady, but he was afraid.

Pt/En The person answered in a quiet voice, telling him to be quiet. It was Uhha, the daughter of Khamis, the witch doctor. She said she had come to let him go. She wanted him to know that she was a good friend in Obebe's village and that he should not harm them.

Pt/En Miranda smiled because his plan had worked faster than he hoped. The girl had done what he asked and stayed quiet. He knew he had made a mistake in his thinking, but it was not important because his main goal was freedom. He had told the girl to be silent, thinking this was the best way to spread a message in the village. He was sure that someone in the village would hear the message and help him escape, especially now that there was a reason for him to be freed.

Pt/En Miranda asked Uhha how she was going to free him.

Pt/En Uhha showed Miranda the key to the collar around his neck.

Pt/En The Spaniard said "Good" and asked where the key was.

Pt/En Uhha moved closer to Miranda and gave him the key. Then she wanted to leave quickly.

Pt/En The prisoner asked them to wait. He said that if they freed him, they must take him into the jungle. He explained that this was necessary to get the river god's approval.

Pt/En Uhha was scared, but she could not refuse. Miranda took several minutes to open the old lock with the key the girl had brought. Then he locked the padlock again and went towards the exit.

Pt/En He asked the girl to get him weapons. Uhha left through the dark village streets. Miranda knew she was afraid, but she was sure her fear would help her bring back the weapons. She returned quickly with a bow, arrows, and a knife.

Pt/En Esteban told her to lead him to the gate.

Pt/En Uhha led the man away from the main street, towards the village gates. She was surprised that he did not know how to open them, as she thought river devils were very clever. She showed him how to move the large bar and helped him open the gates. Outside was a clearing leading to the river, with tall jungle trees on both sides. It was very dark, and Esteban Miranda suddenly felt afraid of his new freedom. Going alone into the dark, unknown jungle at night filled him with a deep fear.

Pt/En Uhha moved away from the gates. She felt she had helped save the village. She wanted to close the gates and go back to her father's hut. She was nervous and scared about the morning, when the village would learn that the river devil had escaped.

Pt/En Esteban took her arm and asked her to come with him to get her reward.

Pt/En Uhha pulled away from him. She said she wanted to be let go because she was afraid.

Pt/En Esteban was also scared. He thought it was better to have the girl with him than to be alone in the dark jungle. He decided he might let her go back to her people in the morning, but he did not want to be by himself in the jungle that night.

Pt/En Uhha tried to get free from Esteban. She fought like a small lion. She almost screamed for help, but Miranda quickly put his hand over her mouth. He picked her up and ran quickly across the open space, disappearing into the jungle.

Pt/En The warriors of Obebe the cannibal were sleeping and did not know about the sad event that had happened to little Uhha. Far away in the jungle, a lion roared loudly.

Chapter Two

Pt/En Three people, two men and a woman, walked from Lord Greystoke's house in Africa towards the gate. They walked on a path with roses. The older man was smiling and listening to the younger man. He was carrying a pilot's helmet and goggles.

Pt/En The younger man told the older man that he would not be flying now if his mother was there, because she would not allow it.

Pt/En Tarzan replied to his son that he was right, but he would only fly this one time. He promised not to fly again until his mother returned. Tarzan said that his son had said he was a good student, so he should trust him to fly alone.

Pt/En The woman, Meriem, shook her head. She told Tarzan that, like her mother, she was always worried about him. She said he took too many risks and should be more careful.

Pt/En The younger man put his arm around his wife. He told her that Meriem was right and advised his father to be more careful.

Pt/En Tarzan shrugged. He explained that if his parents had their way, his body would not be strong. He said he needed to use his body and intended to do so carefully, as he would be old and not useful soon enough.

Pt/En A child suddenly ran out of a house, with a hot and tired governess following. The child ran to Meriem.

Pt/En The child called out to someone named Muwer, asking if Dackie was there.

Pt/En Tarzan suggested that the child should be allowed to come along.

Pt/En The boy bravely told the governess to dare him. He then spoke in a language she did not understand.

Pt/En On a flat area near the bungalow, a biplane was parked. Two Waziri warriors, trained by Korak (Tarzan's son) as mechanics and pilots, rested in its shade. Tarzan, as chief of the Waziri, wanted to be as skilled as his warriors, so he learned to fly the plane. He put on his helmet and goggles and got into the pilot's seat.

Pt/En Korak suggested that Tarzan take him along.

Pt/En Tarzan smiled kindly and shook his head.

Pt/En Korak then said that Tarzan should take one of the mechanics. He explained that if Tarzan had trouble and had to land, he would need a mechanic to fix the plane.

Pt/En The ape-man told them to walk. He also told a man named Andua to turn something over.

Pt/En Soon, the ship moved over the land. It then flew up smoothly and circled. After that, it flew away quickly. The six people on the ground watched until the ship was too small to see.

Pt/En Meriem asked where they thought he was going.

Pt/En Korak replied that the person was not supposed to be going anywhere specific. He explained it was just a first practice flight alone. However, Korak added that he would not be surprised if the person decided to fly to London to see their mother.

Pt/En Meriem exclaimed that it was impossible for him to do that.

Pt/En Someone said that a person could not do something with so little experience. However, they also said that his father was not an ordinary man.

Pt/En Tarzan flew for an hour and a half. He was very happy controlling the ship and felt as free as the birds. He did not notice the time passing or how far he had traveled.

Pt/En Ahead, Tarzan saw a large area of land with hills. He recognized a river nearby but the land with the basins was new to him. He realized he was over 100 miles from home and decided to return. However, the mystery of the basins made him want to see them closer. He wondered why he had never found this place before. He flew lower to look at the basins, which seemed like old volcano craters. He saw forests and lakes he had never imagined. Then he understood: it was the Great Thorn Forest. He knew it was a thick, dangerous forest that few animals could enter. Now he saw it was just a border around a nice, livable area, and its thorns had kept the secret safe.

Pt/En Tarzan decided to fly around the hidden land before going home. He flew lower to see better. He saw a forest and then open land leading to rocky hills. He realized he had flown too low. Before he could move the controls, the ship hit a tree. It turned and crashed down through the branches. There was a loud noise of breaking wood, and then silence.

Pt/En A large, man-like creature walked on a forest path carrying a club. It had long, messy hair and some hair on its chest and arms. It wore a strip of hide around its waist with a skirt made of rawhide strands holding round stones and feathers. The skirt reached its knees. Its feet were bare, and its skin was tanned brown. The creature looked very strong, especially its shoulders and muscles. It was about six feet tall. It had a large face with a wide nose and mouth. Its eyes were under heavy eyebrows and a low forehead. It flapped its large ears and moved its skin to get rid of flies, like a horse.

Pt/En The creature moved quietly. Its dark eyes watched carefully. Its ears flapped, but sometimes it stopped them to listen for prey or danger.

Pt/En She stopped and listened, smelling the air. Something she sensed, which people cannot, had caught her attention. She moved carefully along the path. Around a bend, she saw a person lying face down. It was Tarzan of the Apes. He was unconscious. Above him, pieces of his broken plane were stuck in the branches of a large tree that had made it fall.

Pt/En The woman held her club tighter and walked closer. She was confused by this strange person but not afraid. She went to Tarzan and raised her club to hit him, but she stopped. She knelt and looked at his clothes. She turned him over and put her ear on his chest to listen to his heart. Then, she tore his shirt open. She listened again, this time on his bare skin. She stood up and looked around, smelling and listening. She then lifted Tarzan and put him on her shoulder. She continued on the path. The path went through the forest and then into an open area near hills. She crossed this area and entered a narrow valley. The valley had strange rock shapes, and she carried Tarzan into it.

Pt/En About half a mile from the valley entrance, the path led into a round, open space with high walls. Many caves were in the walls. Near the caves, other people like the woman were sitting. They were similar to the one carrying Tarzan into this wild place.

Pt/En When she entered the open space, everyone looked at her. Their good hearing had warned them she was coming. They saw her and Tarzan. Some of them came to meet her. These were all women, looking like the one who found Tarzan, but they were different in size and face. They did not speak. The woman also did not speak as she walked towards a cave. She held her club tightly and moved it back and forth. She watched everyone carefully.

Pt/En A woman was taking Tarzan to her cave. Suddenly, one of the people following her grabbed Tarzan. The woman quickly dropped what she was carrying, turned, and hit the person hard with a stick, knocking them down. She stood over Tarzan, and the others moved back. She then picked Tarzan up again and took him to her cave. Inside, she put him on the ground and began to examine him. She was curious about his clothes or perhaps disliked them. She started to tear his clothes off because she did not know how to use buttons or buckles. His heavy boots were also difficult, but she eventually tore them apart.

Pt/En She left only the gold chain around his neck. On the chain was a golden locket with diamonds, which had belonged to his mother.

Pt/En After looking at Tarzan for a moment, the woman picked him up again and carried him to the middle of a large open area. This area was surrounded by low buildings made of large stone blocks. Some stones stood up to make walls, and others lay flat to form roofs. These buildings were joined together and formed a large courtyard.

Pt/En The entrances to the buildings were closed by two stone slabs. One slab stood upright to block the opening. The other slab leaned against it from the outside, holding the first slab firmly in place.

Pt/En The woman carried Tarzan to one of these entrances. She put him on the ground, moved the stone slabs, and pulled him inside the dark building. She placed him on the floor and clapped her hands three times. Soon, seven children, from one year old to seventeen, came into the room. The youngest child could walk well. The girls had sticks, but the boys had no weapons. The woman pointed at Tarzan, hit her head, and then pointed to herself, showing that Tarzan was her discovery. She used hand signals that were easy to understand. Then, she left the building, put the stones back in place, and returned to her cave. She passed the woman she had hit earlier, who was starting to wake up.

Pt/En A woman sat near her cave. Her victim woke up, rubbed her head, and looked around. She stood up slowly and walked towards her cave. As she walked, she heard footsteps. She stopped and listened. Then, she saw another woman from her community appear at the entrance of the open area. This new woman was very big, even bigger than the one who had captured the ape-man. She carried a dead antelope on one shoulder and the body of a strange creature on the other. This creature was partly like a human and partly like a beast.

Pt/En The antelope was dead. The other creature was still alive but very weak. It moved a little, but it was not strong enough to fight. It hung across the shoulder of the woman carrying it, with its arms and legs hanging down. It seemed to be partly asleep or too scared to move much.

Pt/En The woman who had brought Tarzan to the area stood up. We will call her The First Woman because she had no name, and neither did the others. The creature she had hit with her club will be called The Second Woman. The woman who just arrived with the dead animals will be called The Third Woman. The First Woman watched The Third Woman closely. The Second Woman and all the other women who could see also stood up and watched The Third Woman. The Third Woman was very large. For a moment, the others just watched her. Then, The First Woman took a step forward and looked at The Second Woman. She pointed to herself, then to The Second Woman, and then to The Third Woman. The Third Woman understood that The First Woman was a threat. She started to walk faster towards her cave. The Second Woman also understood and began to walk with The First Woman. None of them spoke. Their mouths never smiled or laughed.

Pt/En When The First Woman and The Second Woman came closer, The Third Woman put down her burdens. She held her club tightly, ready to fight. The other two women, holding their own weapons, attacked her. The rest of the women watched but did not join the fight. It seemed like an old rule said that only a certain number of women could fight for the prizes. When The First Woman was attacked by The Second Woman earlier, the others stayed back because The Second Woman had started the fight. Now, The Third Woman had two prizes, and The First Woman and The Second Woman had stepped forward to fight her, so the other women waited.

Pt/En As the three women fought, it looked like The Third Woman would lose to the clubs of The First and Second Women. However, she blocked their blows skillfully. She quickly moved into an opening and hit The First Woman very hard on the head. The First Woman fell to the ground, motionless. A pool of blood showed how strong The Third Woman's blow was. The First Woman died there, without anyone mourning her.

Pt/En The Third Woman fought The Second Woman. When The Second Woman saw what happened to her friend, she ran away to the cave. A man, who The Third Woman had captured, also tried to escape in a different direction. The Third Woman quickly finished her fight and chased the man. The Second Woman then turned back to get the antelope carcass, while the man ran away towards the valley.

Pt/En The escaping creature was a man, shorter and lighter than the women. He was about five feet tall and had some hair on his face. His legs were longer than the women's, making him faster. The Third Woman could not catch him by running. So, she took a thong with a pebble from her belt. She swung it quickly and threw the pebble like a missile. It hit the man on the head, and he fell down unconscious. Then, The Third Woman turned to face The Second Woman, who had taken the antelope. The Second Woman tried to fight back with her club, but The Third Woman was very strong. She broke The Second Woman's weapon and defeated her. The Second Woman tried to defend herself with pebbles, but The Third Woman hit her hard with her club, knocking her down.

Pt/En The Third Woman looked around to see if anyone else wanted to challenge her. No one came forward. She then pulled the man to his feet and shook him. He was still weak and could not stand. She put him over her shoulder, picked up the dead antelope, and carried both back to her cave. At the cave entrance, she made a fire and ate strips of the antelope meat. The man woke up and saw the meat. The woman gave him a stone knife and showed him the meat. He cooked a piece of meat over the fire and ate it. The woman watched him. The man wore bracelets, anklets, and a necklace of teeth and pebbles. He also had long wooden skewers in his hair.

Pt/En After the man ate enough, the woman grabbed him by the hair and dragged him into the cave. He tried to fight and escape, but he was not strong enough to get away from her.

Pt/En The bodies of The First Woman and The Second Woman lay on the ground outside the caves. Birds of prey, like Ska the vulture, were already eating them.

Chapter Three

Pt/En Tarzan woke up in a dark, rocky room. Some young Alali people looked at him closely. One took a golden necklace from him. Then, they all left him alone. Tarzan had fallen through tree branches, which saved him from serious injury, but he had a headache. He slowly woke up more and more. He saw the room was made of large rocks. There was a way out to another room, and then a door to the outside. He saw the young Alali in a sunny courtyard. Tarzan was confused. He didn't know where he was, who these people were, or how he arrived.

Pt/En Tarzan touched his hair, thinking hard. He remembered falling through the trees, but nothing after that. He watched the Alali, who did not notice him. Then, he walked out into the courtyard to face them.

Pt/En The Alali saw Tarzan and came closer. He tried speaking to them in different languages, but they did not answer. He then used the language of apes, but they still did not speak. However, they used hand and body movements, which Tarzan realized was a type of sign language. They soon lost interest in him again. Tarzan walked around the courtyard, looking for a way to escape. He thought he could jump to the top of the walls, but decided to wait until dark. As night came, the Alali started moving back and forth, going into the rooms and then back to the courtyard. They began stamping their feet together in a regular rhythm.

Pt/En This stamping did not seem to achieve anything. Then, one of the girls became angry and hit a stone wall hard with her club. The other girls copied her, while the boys kept stamping their feet.

Pt/En Tarzan was confused by their actions. He guessed they were hungry and trying to get the attention of their captors. He also thought that, like before, they might not be able to speak at all.

Pt/En A girl stopped hitting the wall and pointed at Tarzan. She showed them with actions that the bludgeon could fall on Tarzan's head, and then her group could eat him. The others looked at Tarzan with hunger. They had not been given food by The First Woman, who was dead. They were not cannibals, but they did not think of Tarzan as one of them. They thought it was okay to eat him because he was different, like other animals they ate. The girl had the idea because there was no other food, and she knew Tarzan was brought to be a mate for The First Woman, not for food.

Pt/En Males sometimes escaped, but they were usually let go because it was easier to find a new one each year than to feed one. These people did not have love in their families. Children did not know their fathers and did not feel affection for each other or anything else. They were tied to their mothers for a short time to be fed, until they were old enough to find food themselves in the forests.

Pt/En Young males were sent into the forest between fifteen and seventeen years old. Their mothers no longer recognized them as their own. At a similar age, females went to live with their mothers to hunt. After they found a mate, they lived in their own caves. The connection to their parents was completely broken. Later, they might even fight each other for a mate or for food.

Pt/En The women built stone shelters and pens for the children and males. This was the only group work they did. They had to do it alone because if the males were free, they would escape. The children would also escape when they were strong enough to help. The strong women could do this hard work by themselves.

Pt/En Nature gave them strong bodies. They cut large stones from a hill near the valley. They moved the stones to the valley floor and used their great strength to put them in place.

Pt/En It was usually not necessary to build more shelters because many female animals died. This left empty spaces for young females. Reasons for death included jealousy, greed, hunting accidents, and fighting between groups. Sometimes, even a male animal trying to escape would kill the one who captured him.

Pt/En The Alalus people lived a difficult life because the roles of males and females were wrong. Normally, the male starts love and makes the female respect and admire him. Love comes after these feelings. But the female Alalus became too strong. They did not make the males respected or admired, so love never happened.

Pt/En Because the Alalus woman did not love her partner and was stronger, she treated males badly. Males stopped wanting to start love because they feared and hated the women. They could not respect or admire the women, who were not like females anymore. So, the males ran away to the forests. The strong females hunted them there to stop their race from disappearing.

Pt/En Tarzan faced the children of these wild and strange people. He knew they wanted to eat him. The males did not attack him right away. Instead, they gathered dry grass and wood. The three females, one very young, came near Tarzan with clubs. They were getting ready to cook and eat him, as their mother had brought him to them.

Pt/En One of the young males, about sixteen years old, held back. He made signs with his hands and body, trying to stop the girls. He asked the other boys for help, but they ignored him and continued preparing the fire. Finally, as the girls got closer to Tarzan, he stood in their way. The girls attacked him with their clubs. The boy dodged and threw stones from his belt. Two girls fell down hurt. The third stone hit another boy, killing him. This boy had stolen Tarzan's locket and kept it hidden because he was afraid of Tarzan.

Pt/En The older girl was very angry and attacked. The boy threw another stone at her and then ran to Tarzan. He might have felt a connection to Tarzan, or Tarzan's own strong loyalty to his kind had made him feel this way. The girl came closer, but more slowly, because she saw her brother was now standing with Tarzan.

Pt/En The girl made signs, threatening the boy if he stopped her from getting food. But the boy signed back bravely and stayed near Tarzan. Tarzan patted the boy's back and smiled. The boy showed his teeth but seemed to try to smile back. The girl was very close now. Tarzan did not want to fight her, especially because she was a girl. He knew he might have to hurt her to protect himself, but he hoped he could find another way.

Pt/En The Third Woman heard noise from The First Woman's area. She understood that The First Woman's children were in trouble. She did not care about them personally, but she knew the tribe needed them. So, she decided to open their prison. She would let them go to find food themselves, and they would live or die based on their ability to survive.

Pt/En The Third Woman took her new mate to her own area and put him in a cage. Then she went to The First Woman's area. She opened the door and entered just as the oldest girl was walking towards Tarzan. She hit her club against the wall to get everyone's attention. All the children looked at her. They were scared because she was the first adult female they had seen besides their mother. The boy hid behind Tarzan. Tarzan understood their fear because the Third Woman was an adult Alalus, and he had been unconscious when he was with The First Woman.

Pt/En The girl who had been threatening Tarzan seemed to forget him. She turned with an angry face towards the new woman. Of all the children, she seemed the least afraid.

Pt/En Tarzan watched a large, strong woman. She was at the far end of the pen and looked at him with fierce eyes. She had not seen him before because she was hunting when another woman brought him there. She did not know this other woman had a male prisoner besides her own children. She thought he was a prize and decided to take him to her own pen. She moved slowly towards him, planning to catch him if he did not escape past her to the entrance.

Pt/En Tarzan did not understand her plan. He thought she was going to attack him because he was a stranger in her home. He saw her large body, strong muscles, and the big club in her hand. He compared himself, naked and without weapons, to her.

Pt/En For Tarzan, who grew up in the jungle, running away from a fight he could not win was not shameful. He had also taken off his clothes, which removed the last part of his civilized behavior. So, he was like a wild animal facing the woman, a smart and strong animal that knew when to fight and when to run away.

Pt/En Tarzan looked behind him. A young boy was there, shaking with fear. Behind the boy was the back wall of the pen, where a large stone slab was slightly tilted. Tarzan was very fast. He moved before the woman understood he was thinking about escaping. He ran away with the boy.

Pt/En In one quick movement, Tarzan put the boy on his shoulder. He ran to the back wall and climbed up the tilted stone slab like a cat. He pulled himself over the top and dropped the boy to the ground on the other side, jumping down right after him. Then he looked around. He saw the open area and caves, with women sitting near them. The sun was going down, and it would soon be dark. Tarzan saw only one way to escape: an opening at the end of the area that led to the valley and the forest. He ran towards it, with the boy following him.

Pt/En A woman sitting by her cave saw him. She quickly took her stick and started to chase him. Other women heard the noise and joined her. Soon, five or six women were running after him on the path.

Pt/En The boy ran ahead of Tarzan, showing the way. Tarzan was fast, but the boy was faster. The women chasing them were not as fast, but they had another plan. They threw stones, which they were very good at. It was getting dark, and the path was difficult. This made it hard to hit the fast-moving Tarzan and the boy with stones. They usually aimed to stun their targets, not kill them, but often they killed them by mistake. The women felt they should not kill the boys, but they could treat them badly. Tarzan ran faster when the stones started flying near his head.

Pt/En Tarzan reached the forest and disappeared quickly, like magic. His pursuers were surprised. This was Tarzan's home. While the women looked for him on the ground, he climbed and swung through the trees. He watched the Alalus boy run along the path below him.

Pt/En The women stopped chasing Tarzan when he escaped into the forest. They did not want the boy. They knew he would live alone in the forest for a few years. If he survived dangerous animals and the people from the ant villages, he would grow up. Then, during the mating season, he would be suitable prey for the female apes. For now, he would be safe and happy.

Pt/En Tarzan's chances of surviving were much lower because he escaped into the forest so early. If The First Woman had lived, she would have kept him safe in her enclosure for at least another year. Then he would have been more ready to face the dangers of the forest and jungle.

Pt/En The boy heard that the women had stopped chasing him. He stopped and looked back for the stranger who had helped him escape. But he could not see far in the dark forest. The stranger was not there. The boy listened carefully. He heard no human footsteps, only the sounds of the women going away. He heard other strange forest sounds from the bushes and trees. These sounds and smells made him feel afraid.

Pt/En It became very dark, and the boy felt scared. He felt like the darkness was heavy and dangerous. He could not see anything, like he had no eyes. He could not call out to scare away enemies or to find the stranger who had been kind to him. This stranger made him feel a new, good feeling, but he did not know what it was. He wished he could make a sound to bring the stranger back. He felt lonely and very scared.

Pt/En A noise in the bushes nearby made the boy more afraid. Something big was coming in the dark. He stood with his back to a large tree and did not move. He could not smell what it was because the air moved away from him towards the approaching thing. But he felt that the creature knew he was there and was coming closer to attack him.

Pt/En The boy did not know about lions. But even though he had never been outside his home area and his mother had never told him about the outside world, he knew it was a lion when he heard its roar. This knowledge came from instinct.

Chapter Four

Pt/En Esteban Miranda held Uhha's wrist tightly. They were in a forest twenty miles away. He was afraid because he heard the loud sound of a lion nearby.

Pt/En The girl felt the big man next to her shaking. She looked at him with dislike.

Pt/En She shouted that he was not the river devil and said he was afraid. She told him he was not Tarzan because her father, Khamis, had said Tarzan was not afraid of anything. She asked him to let her go so she could climb a tree, saying only a coward would stay and wait for the lion to eat him. She tried to pull her wrist away from his hand.

Pt/En He told her to be quiet, asking if she wanted to attract the lion. Her words and struggles made him move. He bent down, picked her up, and lifted her so she could reach the low branches of a tree. As she climbed to safety, he easily swung up beside her.

Pt/En Later, they found a safer and more comfortable place higher in the branches. They stayed there to wait for morning. Below them, the lion, Numa, walked around for a while, making sounds and roaring loudly, which made the jungle shake.

Pt/En When daylight finally came, they were tired from the night. They climbed down to the ground. The girl wanted to wait, hoping the warriors of Obebe would find them. However, the man was afraid of this happening and wanted to hurry away as fast as possible to get far from the cannibal chief.

Pt/En He was completely lost and did not know where to find a good path to the coast. His main goal was to get away from Obebe. So, he decided to go north, but he also looked for signs of a clear path to the west. He hoped to find a village of friendly people who could help him reach the coast. He and his companion moved as fast as they could north, walking along the eastern side of the Great Thorn Forest.

Pt/En The sun was hot on the empty enclosure of The First Woman. Only the body of a young man lay there from the night before. A bird appeared in the sky and grew larger as it came closer. It circled above the enclosure and then landed inside. Ska, the vulture, had arrived. Soon, many large birds covered the young man's body. They ate for two days, leaving only clean bones. One of the birds had a golden chain around its neck with a locket covered in diamonds. The bird struggled with the locket because it bothered him when he flew or walked. It was wrapped twice around his neck, and he could not remove it. So, he flew away across the Great Thorn Forest, the shiny gems sparkling in the sun.

Pt/En Tarzan of the Apes escaped the women and the Alalus youth who chased him into the forest. He stopped in a tree above the frightened Alalus youth, who had stopped below. When a lion named Numa attacked, Tarzan quickly reached down, grabbed the youth by his hair, and pulled him to safety. The lion's claws missed and hit only air.

Pt/En The next day, Tarzan focused on finding food, weapons, and clothes. He was naked and had no weapons, but he was Tarzan of the Apes, so he was skilled. The Alalus youth also benefited from Tarzan's help. Tarzan found fruits, nuts, and bird eggs. He wanted to hunt for meat because he needed the flesh, skin, gut, and tendons to make the things he required for safety and comfort in his simple life.

Pt/En While looking for animal tracks, Tarzan also searched for the right kind of wood to make a spear and a bow with arrows. He found them easily in the familiar forest. However, the day was almost over before a gentle wind brought him the scent of Bara the deer.

Pt/En Tarzan swung into a tree and told the Alalus to follow. But the Alalus was very clumsy, so Tarzan had to pull him to a branch. There, Tarzan used hand signals to show the Alalus that he should stay and watch the materials Tarzan had gathered for weapons. Tarzan wanted to continue hunting alone.

Pt/En Tarzan was not sure if the Alalus understood him. The Alalus did not follow when Tarzan swung away silently through the trees. Tarzan was following the scent of an animal. Tarzan called this animal Bara the deer, but it was actually an antelope. Tarzan learned to call antelopes 'deer' from a book his father had when he was a child. He thought antelopes looked like the deer in the book.

Original English Text

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

3 - Chapter Three

4 - Chapter Four

Chapter One

PT In the filth of a dark hut, in the village of Obebe the cannibal, upon the banks of the Ugogo, Esteban Miranda squatted upon his haunches and gnawed upon the remnants of a half-cooked fish. About his neck was an iron slave collar from which a few feet of rusty chain ran to a stout post set deep in the ground near the low entranceway that let upon the village street not far from the hut of Obebe himself.

PT For a year Esteban Miranda had been chained thus, like a dog, and like a dog he sometimes crawled through the low doorway of his kennel and basked in the sun outside. Two diversions had he; and only two. One was the persistent idea that he was Tarzan of the Apes, whom he had impersonated for so long and with such growing success that, like the good actor he was, he had come not only to act the part, but to live it--to be it. He way, as far as he was concerned, Tarzan of the Apes--there was no other--and he was Tarzan of the Apes to Obebe, too; but the village witch doctor still insisted that he was the river devil and as such, one to propitiate rather than to anger.

PT It had been this difference of opinion between the chief and the witch doctor that had kept Esteban Miranda from the fleshpots of the village, for Obebe had wanted to eat him, thinking him his old enemy the ape-man; but the witch doctor had aroused the superstitious fears of the villagers by half convincing them that their prisoner was the river devil masquerading as Tarzan, and, as such, dire disaster would descend upon the village were he harmed. The result of this difference between Obebe and the witch doctor had been to preserve the life of the Spaniard until the truth of one claim or the other was proved--if Esteban died a natural death he was Tarzan, the mortal, and Obebe the chief was vindicated; if he lived on forever, or mysteriously disappeared, the claim of the witch doctor would be accepted as gospel.

PT After he had learned their language and thus come to a realization of the accident of fate that had guided his destiny by so narrow a margin from the cooking pots of the cannibals he was less eager to proclaim himself Tarzan of the Apes. Instead he let drop mysterious suggestions that he was, indeed, none other than the river devil. The witch doctor was delighted, and everyone was fooled except Obebe, who was old and wise and did not believe in river devils, and the witch doctor who was old and wise and did not believe in them either, but realized that they were excellent things for his parishioners to believe in.

PT Esteban Miranda's other diversion, aside from secretly believing himself Tarzan, consisted in gloating over the bag of diamonds that Kraski the Russian had stolen from the ape-man, and that had fallen into the Spaniard's hands after he had murdered Kraski--the same bag of diamonds that the man had handed to Tarzan in the vaults beneath the Tower of Diamonds, in the Valley of the Palace of Diamonds, when he had rescued the Gomangani of the valley from the tyrannical oppression of the Bolgani.

PT For hours at a time Esteban Miranda sat in the dim light of his dirty kennel counting and fondling the brilliant stones. A thousand times had he weighed each one in an appraising palm, computing its value and translating it into such pleasures of the flesh as great wealth might buy for him in the capitals of the world. Mired in his own filth, feeding upon rotted scraps tossed to him by unclean hands, he yet possessed the wealth of a Croesus, and it was as Croesus he lived in his imaginings, his dismal hut changed into the pomp and circumstance of a palace by the scintillant gleams of the precious stones. At the sound of each approaching footstep he would hastily hide his fabulous fortune in the wretched loin cloth that was his only garment, and once again become a prisoner in a cannibal hut.

PT And now, after a year of solitary confinement, came a third diversion, in the form of Uhha, the daughter of Khamis the witch doctor. Uhha was fourteen, comely and curious. For a year now she had watched the mysterious prisoner from a distance until, at last, familiarity had overcome her fears and one day she approached him as he lay in the sun outside his hut. Esteban, who had been watching her half-timorous advance, smiled encouragingly. He had not a friend among the villagers. If he could make but one his lot would be much the easier and freedom a step nearer. At last Uhha came to a halt a few steps from him. She was a child, ignorant and a savage; but she was a woman-child and Esteban Miranda knew women.

PT "I have been in the village of the chief Obebe for a year,"he said haltingly, in the laboriously acquired language of his captors,"but never before did I guess that its walls held one so beautiful as you. What is your name?"

PT Uhha was pleased. She smiled broadly."I am Uhha,"she told him."My father is Khamis the witch doctor."

PT It was Esteban who was pleased now. Fate, after rebuffing him for long, was at last kind. She had sent him one who, with cultivation, might prove a flower of hope indeed.

PT "Why have you never come to see me before?"asked Esteban.

PT "I was afraid,"replied Uhha simply.

PT "Why?"

PT "I was afraid--"she hesitated.

PT "Afraid that I was the river devil and would harm you?"demanded the Spaniard, smiling.

PT "Yes,"she said.

PT "Listen!"whispered Esteban;"but tell no one. I am the river devil, but I shall not harm you."

PT "If you are the river devil why then do you remain chained to a stake?"inquired Uhha."Why do you not change yourself to something else and return to the river?"

PT "You wonder about that, do you?"asked Miranda, sparring for time that he might concoct a plausible answer.

PT "It is not only Uhha who wonders,"said the girl."Many others have asked the same question of late. Obebe asked it first and there was none to explain. Obebe says that you are Tarzan, the enemy of Obebe and his people; but my father Khamis says that you are the river devil, and that if you wanted to get away you would change yourself into a snake and crawl through the iron collar that is about your neck. And the people wonder why you do not, and many of them are commencing to believe that you are not the river devil at all."

PT "Come closer, beautiful Uhha,"whispered Miranda,"that no other ears than yours may hear what I am about to tell you."

PT The girl came a little closer and leaned toward him where he squatted upon the ground.

PT "I am indeed the river devil,"said Esteban,"and I come and go as I wish. At night, when the village sleeps, I am wandering through the waters of the Ugogo, but always I come back again. I am waiting, Uhha, to try the people of the village of Obebe that I may know which are my friends and which my enemies. Already have I learned that Obebe is no friend of mine, and I am not sure of Khamis. Had Khamis been a good friend he would have brought me fine food and beer to drink. I could go when I pleased, but I wait to see if there be one in the village of Obebe who will set me free, thus may I learn which is my best friend. Should there be such a one, Uhha, fortune would smile upon him always, his every wish would be granted and he would live to a great age, for he would have nothing to fear from the river devil, who would help him in all his undertakings. But listen, Uhha, tell no one what I have told you! I shall wait a little longer and then if there be no such friend in the village of Obebe I shall return to my father and mother, the Ugogo, and destroy the people of Obebe. Not one shall remain alive."

PT The girl drew away, terrified. It was evident that she was much impressed.

PT "Do not be afraid,"he reassured her."I shall not harm you."

PT "But if you destroy all the people?"she demanded.

PT "Then, of course,"he said,"I cannot help you; but let us hope that someone comes and sets me free so that I shall know that I have at least one good friend here. Now run along, Uhha, and remember that you must tell no one what I have told you."

PT She moved off a short distance and then returned.

PT "When will you destroy the village?"she asked.

PT "In a few days,"he said.

PT Uhha, trembling with terror, ran quickly away in the direction of the hut of her father, Khamis, the witch doctor. Esteban Miranda smiled a satisfied smile and crawled back into his hole to play with his diamonds.

PT Khamis the witch doctor was not in his hut when Uhha his daughter, faint from fright, crawled into the dim interior. Nor were his wives. With their children, the latter were in the fields beyond the palisade, where Uhha should have been. And so it was that the girl had time for thought before she saw any of them again, with the result that she recalled distinctly, what she had almost forgotten in the first frenzy of fear, that the river devil had impressed upon her that she must reveal to no one the thing that he had told her.

PT And she had been upon the point of telling her father all!

PT What dire calamity then would have befallen her? She trembled at the very suggestion of a fate so awful that she could not even imagine it. How close a call she had had! But what was she to do?

PT She lay huddled upon a mat of woven grasses, racking her poor, savage little brain for a solution of the immense problem that confronted her--the first problem that had ever entered her young life other than the constantly recurring one of how most easily to evade her share of the drudgery of the fields. Presently she sat suddenly erect, galvanized into statuesque rigidity by a thought engendered by the recollection of one of the river devil's remarks. Why had it not occurred to her before? Very plainly he had said, and he had repeated it, that if he were released he would know that he had at least one friend in the village of Obebe, and that whoever released him would live to a great age and have every thing he wished for; but after a few minutes of thought Uhha drooped again. How was she, a little girl, to compass the liberation of the river devil alone?

PT "How, baba,"she asked her father, when he had returned to the hut, later in the day,"does the river devil destroy those who harm him?"

PT "As the fish in the river, so are the ways of the river devil--without number,"replied Khamis."He might send the fish from the river and the game from the jungle and cause our crops to die. Then we should starve. He might bring the fire out of the sky at night and strike dead all the people of Obebe."

PT "And you think he may do these things to us, baba?"

PT "He will not harm Khamis, who saved him from the death that Obebe would have inflicted,"replied the witch doctor.

PT Uhha recalled that the river devil had complained that Khamis had not brought him good food nor beer, but she said nothing about that, although she realized that her father was far from being so high in the good graces of the river devil as he seemed to think he was. Instead, she took another tack.

PT "How can he escape,"she asked"while the collar is about his neck--who will remove it for him?"

PT "No one can remove it but Obebe, who carries in his pouch the bit of brass that makes the collar open,"replied Khamis;"but the river devil needs no help, for when the time comes that he wishes to be free he has but to become a snake and crawl forth from the iron band about his neck. Where are you going, Uhha?"

PT "I am going to visit the daughter of Obebe,"she called back over her shoulder.

PT The chief's daughter was grinding maize, as Uhha should have been doing. She looked up and smiled as the daughter of the witch doctor approached.

PT "Make no noise, Uhha,"she cautioned,"for Obebe, my father, sleeps within."She nodded toward the hut. The visitor sat down and the two girls chatted in low tones. They spoke of their ornaments, their coiffures, of the young men of the village, and often, when they spoke of these, they giggled. Their conversation was not unlike that which might pass between two young girls of any race or clime. As they talked, Uhha's eyes often wandered toward the entrance to Obebe's hut and many times her brows were contracted in much deeper thought than their idle passages warranted.

PT "Where,"she demanded suddenly,"is the armlet of copper wire that your father's brother gave you at the beginning of the last moon?"

PT Obebe's daughter shrugged."He took it back from me,"she replied,"and gave it to the sister of his youngest wife."

PT Uhha appeared crestfallen. Could it be that she had coveted the copper bracelet? Her eyes closely scrutinized the person of her friend. Her brows almost met, so deeply was she thinking. Suddenly her face brightened.

PT "The necklace of many beads that your father took from the body of the warrior captured for the last feast!"she exclaimed."You have not lost it?"

PT "No,"replied her friend."It is in the house of my father. When I grind maize it gets in my way and so I laid it aside."

PT "May I see it?"asked Uhha."I will fetch it."

PT "No, you will awaken Obebe and he will be very angry,"said the chief�s daughter.

PT "I will not awaken him,"replied Uhha, and started to crawl toward the hut's entrance.

PT Her friend tried to dissuade her."I will fetch it as soon as baba has awakened,"she told Uhha, but Uhha paid no attention to her and presently was crawling cautiously into the interior of the hut. Once within she waited silently until her eyes became accustomed to the dim light. Against the opposite wall of the hut Obebe lay sprawled upon a sleeping mat. He snored lustily. Uhha crept toward him. Her stealth was the stealth of Sheeta the leopard. Her heart was beating like the tom-tom when the dance is at its height. She feared that its noise and her rapid breathing would awaken the old chief, of whom she was as terrified as of the river devil; but Obebe snored on.

PT Uhha came close to him. Her eyes were accustomed now to the half-light of the hut's interior. At Obebe's side and half beneath his body she saw the chief�s pouch. Cautiously she reached forth a trembling hand and laid hold upon it. She tried to draw it from beneath Obebe's weight. The sleeper stirred uneasily and Uhha drew back, terrified. Obebe changed his position and Uhha thought that he had awakened. Had she not been frozen with horror she would have rushed into headlong flight, but fortunately for her she could not move, and presently she heard Obebe resume his interrupted snoring; but her nerve was gone and she thought now only of escaping from the hut without being detected. She cast a last frightened glance at the chief to reassure herself that he still slept. Her eyes fell upon the pouch. Obebe had turned away from it and it now lay within her reach, free from the weight of his body.

PT She reached for it only to withdraw her hand suddenly. She turned away. Her heart was in her mouth. She swayed dizzily and then she thought of the river devil and of the possibilities for horrid death that lay within his power. Once more she reached for the pouch and this time she picked it up. Hurriedly opening it she examined the contents. The brass key was there. She recognized it because it was the only thing the purpose of which she was not familiar with. The collar, chain and key had been taken from an Arab slave raider that Obebe had killed and eaten and as some of the old men of Obebe's village had worn similar bonds in the past, there was no difficulty in adapting it to its intended purpose when occasion demanded.

PT Uhha hastily closed the pouch and replaced it at Obebe's side. Then, clutching the key in a clammy palm, she crawled hurriedly toward the doorway.

PT That night, after the cooking fires had died to embers and been covered with earth and the people of Obebe had withdrawn into their huts, Esteban Miranda heard a stealthy movement at the entrance to his kennel. He listened intently. Someone was creeping into the interior--someone or something.

PT "Who is it?"demanded the Spaniard in a voice that he tried hard to keep from trembling.

PT "Hush!"responded the intruder in soft tones."It is I, Uhha, the daughter of Khamis the witch doctor. I have come to set you free that you may know that you have a good friend in the village of Obebe and will, therefore, not destroy us."

PT Miranda smiled. His suggestion had borne fruit more quickly than he had dared to hope, and evidently the girl had obeyed his injunction to keep silent. In that matter he had reasoned wrongly, but of what moment that, since his sole aim in life--freedom--was to be accomplished. He had cautioned the girl to silence believing this the surest way to disseminate the word he had wished spread through the village, where, he was positive, it would have come to the ears of some one of the superstitious savages with the means to free him now that the incentive was furnished.

PT "And how are you going to free me?"demanded Miranda.

PT "See!"exclaimed Uhha."I have brought the key to the collar about your neck."

PT "Good,"cried the Spaniard."Where is it?"

PT Uhha crawled closer to the man and handed him the key. Then she would have fled.

PT "Wait!"demanded the prisoner."When I am free you must lead me forth into the jungle. Whoever sets me free must do this if he would win the favor of the river god."

PT Uhha was afraid, but she did not dare refuse. Miranda fumbled with the ancient lock for several minutes before it at last gave to the worn key the girl had brought Then he snapped the padlock again and carrying the key with him crawled toward the entrance.

PT "Get me weapons,"he whispered to the girl and Uhha departed through the shadows of the village street. Miranda knew that she was terrified but was confident that this very terror would prove the means of bringing her back to him with the weapons. Nor was he wrong, for scarce five minutes had elapsed before Uhha had returned with a quiver of arrows, a bow and a stout knife.

PT "Now lead me to the gate,"commanded Esteban.

PT Keeping out of the main street and as much in rear of the huts as possible Uhha led the fugitive toward the village gates. It surprised her a little that he, a river devil, should not know how to unlock and open them, for she had thought that river devils were all-wise; but she did as he bid and showed him how the great bar could be withdrawn, and helped him push the gates open enough to permit him to pass through. Beyond was the clearing that led to the river, on either hand rose the giants of the jungle. It was very dark out there and Esteban Miranda suddenly discovered that his new-found liberty had its drawbacks. To go forth alone at night into the dark, mysterious jungle filled him with a nameless dread.

PT Uhha drew back from the gates. She had done her part and saved the village from destruction. Now she wished to close the gates again and hasten back to the hut of her father, there to lie trembling in nervous excitement and terror against the morning that would reveal to the village the escape of the river devil.

PT Esteban reached forth and took her by the arm."Come,"he said,"and receive your reward."

PT Uhha shrank away from him."Let me go!"she cried."I am afraid."

PT But Esteban was afraid, too, and he had decided that the company of this little negro girl would be better than no company at all in the depths of the lonely jungle. Possibly when daylight came he would let her go back to her people, but tonight he shuddered at the thought of entering the jungle without human companionship.

PT Uhha tried to tear herself free from his grasp. She struggled like a little lion cub, and at last would have raised her voice in a wild scream for help had not Miranda suddenly clapped his palm across her mouth, lifted her bodily from the ground and, running swiftly across the clearing, disappeared into the jungle.

PT Behind them the warriors of Obebe the cannibal slept in peaceful ignorance of the sudden tragedy that had entered the life of little Uhha and before them, far out in the jungle, a lion roared thunderously.

Chapter Two

PT Three persons stepped from the veranda of Lord Greystoke's African bungalow and walked slowly toward the gate along a rose-embowered path that swung in a graceful curve through the well-ordered, though unpretentious, grounds surrounding the ape-man's rambling, one-story home. There were two men and a woman, all in khaki, the older man carrying a flier's helmet and a pair of goggles in one hand. He was smiling quietly as he listened to the younger man.

PT "You wouldn't be doing this now if mother were here,"said the latter."She would never permit it."

PT "I'm afraid you are right, my son,"replied Tarzan;"but only this one flight alone and then I'll promise not to go up again until she returns. You have said yourself that I am an apt pupil and if you are any sort of an instructor you should have perfect confidence in me after having said that I was perfectly competent to pilot a ship alone. Eh, Meriem, isn't that true?"he demanded of the young woman.

PT She shook her head."Like My Dear, I am always afraid for you, mon pere,"she replied."You take such risks that one would think you considered yourself immortal. You should be more careful."

PT The younger man threw his arm about his wife's shoulders."Meriem is right,"he said;"you should be more careful, Father."

PT Tarzan shrugged."If you and mother had your way my nerves and muscles would have atrophied long since. They were given me to use and I intend using them--with discretion. Doubtless I shall be old and useless soon enough, and long enough, as it is."

PT A child burst suddenly from the bungalow, pursued by a perspiring governess, and raced to Meriem's side.

PT "Muwer,"he cried,"Dackie doe? Dackie doe?"

PT "Let him come along,"urged Tarzan.

PT "Dare!"exclaimed the boy, turning triumphantly upon the governess;"Dackie do doe yalk!"

PT Out on the level plain, that stretched away from the bungalow to the distant jungle the verdant masses and deep shadows of which were vaguely discernible to the northwest, lay a biplane, in the shade of which lolled two Waziri warriors who had been trained by Korak, the son of Tarzan, in the duties of mechanicians, and, later, to pilot the ship themselves; a fact that had not been without weight in determining Tarzan of the Apes to perfect himself in the art of flying, since, as chief of the Waziri, it was not meet that the lesser warriors of his tribe should excel him in any particular. Adjusting his helmet and goggles Tarzan climbed into the cockpit.

PT "Better take me along,"advised Korak.

PT Tarzan shook his head, smiling good-naturedly.

PT "Then one of the boys, here,"urged his son."You might develop some trouble that would force you to make a landing and if you have no mechanician along to make repairs what are you going to do?"

PT "Walk,"replied the ape-man."Turn her over, Andua!"he directed one of the blacks.

PT A moment later the ship was bumping over the veldt, from which, directly, it rose in smooth and graceful flight, circled, climbing to a greater altitude, and then sped away in an air line, while on the ground below the six strained their eyes until the wavering speck that it had dwindled to disappeared entirely from their view.

PT "Where do you suppose he is going?"asked Meriem.

PT Korak shook his head."He isn't supposed to be going anywhere in particular,"he replied;"just making his first practice flight alone; but, knowing him as I do, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he had taken it into his head to fly to London and see mother."

PT "But he could never do it!"cried Meriem.

PT "No ordinary man could, with no more experience than he has had; but then, you will have to admit, father is no ordinary man."

PT For an hour and a half Tarzan flew without altering his course and without realizing the flight of time or the great distance he had covered, so delighted was he with the ease with which he controlled the ship, and so thrilled by this new power that gave him the freedom and mobility of the birds, the only denizens of his beloved jungle that he ever had had cause to envy.

PT Presently, ahead, he discerned a great basin, or what might better be described as a series of basins, surrounded by wooded hills, and immediately he recognized to the left of it the winding Ugogo; but the country of the basins was new to him and he was puzzled. He recognized, simultaneously, another fact; that he was over a hundred miles from home, and he determined to put back at once; but the mystery of the basins lured him on--he could not bring himself to return home without a closer view of them. Why was it that he had never come upon this country in his many wanderings? Why had he never even heard of it from the natives living within easy access to it. He dropped to a lower level the better to inspect the basins, which now appeared to him as a series of shallow craters of long extinct volcanoes. He saw forests, lakes and rivers, the very existence of which he had never dreamed, and then quite suddenly he discovered a solution of the seeming mystery that there should exist in a country with which he was familiar so large an area of which he had been in total ignorance, in common with the natives of the country surrounding it. He recognized it now--the so-called Great Thorn Forest. For years he had been familiar with that impenetrable thicket that was supposed to cover a vast area of territory into which only the smallest of animals might venture, and now he saw it was but a relatively narrow fringe encircling a pleasant, habitable country, but a fringe so cruelly barbed as to have forever protected the secret that it held from the eyes of man.

PT Tarzan determined to circle the long-hidden land of mystery before setting the nose of his ship toward home, and, to obtain a closer view, he accordingly dropped nearer the earth. Beneath him was a great forest and beyond that an open veldt that ended at the foot of precipitous, rocky hills. He saw that absorbed as he had been in the strange, new country he had permitted the plane to drop too low. Coincident with the realization and before he could move the control within his hand, the ship touched the leafy crown of some old monarch of the jungle, veered, swung completely around and crashed downward through the foliage amidst the snapping and rending of broken branches and the splintering of its own woodwork. Just for a second this noise, and then silence.

PT Along a forest trail slouched a mighty creature, manlike in its physical attributes, yet vaguely inhuman; a great brute that walked erect upon two feet and carried a club in one horny, calloused hand. Its long hair fell, unkempt, about its shoulders, and there was hair upon its chest and a little upon its arms and legs, though no more than is found upon many males of civilized races. A strip of hide about its waist supported the ends of a narrow G-string as well as numerous rawhide strands to the lower ends of which were fastened round stones from one to two inches in diameter. Close to each stone were attached several small feathers, for the most part of brilliant hues. The strands supporting the stones being fastened to the belt at intervals of one to two inches and the strands themselves being about eighteen inches long the whole formed a skeleton skirt, fringed with round stones and feathers, that fell almost to the creature's knees. Its large feet were bare and its white skin tanned to a light brown by exposure to the elements. The illusion of great size was suggested more by the massiveness of the shoulders and the development of the muscles of the back and arms than by height, though the creature measured close to six feet. Its face was massive, with a broad nose, and a wide, full-lipped mouth; the eyes, of normal size, were set beneath heavy, beetling brows, topped by a wide, low forehead. As it walked it flapped its large, flat ears and occasionally moved rapidly portions of its skin on various parts of its head and body to dislodge flies, as you have seen a horse do with the muscles along its sides and flanks.

PT It moved silently, its dark eyes constantly on the alert, while the flapping ears were often momentarily stilled as the woman listened for sounds of quarry or foe.

PT She stopped now, her ears bent forward, her nostrils, expanded, sniffing the air. Some scent or sound that our dead sensatory organs could not have perceived had attracted her attention. Warily she crept forward along the trail until, at a turning, she saw before her a figure lying face downward in the path. It was Tarzan of the Apes. Unconscious he lay while above him the splintered wreckage of his plane was wedged among the branches of the great tree that had caused its downfall.

PT The woman gripped her club more firmly and approached. Her expression reflected the puzzlement the discovery of this strange creature had engendered in her elementary mind, but she evinced no fear. She walked directly to the side of the prostrate man, her club raised to strike; but something stayed her hand. She knelt beside him and fell to examining his clothing. She turned him over on his back and placed one of her ears above his heart. Then, she fumbled with the front of his shirt for a moment and suddenly taking it in her two mighty hands tore it apart. Again she listened, her ear this time against his naked flesh. She arose and looked about, sniffing and listening, then she stooped and lifting the body of the ape-man she swung it lightly across one of her broad shoulders and continued along the trail in the direction she had been going. The trail, winding through the forest, broke presently from the leafy shade into an open, park-like strip of rolling land that stretched at the foot of rocky hills, and, crossing this, disappeared within the entrance of a narrow gorge, eroded by the elements from the native sandstone fancifully as the capricious architecture of a dream, among whose grotesque domes and miniature rocks the woman bore her burden.

PT A half mile from the entrance to the gorge, the trail entered a roughly circular amphitheater, the precipitous walls of which were pierced by numerous cave-mouths before several of which squatted creatures similar to that which bore Tarzan into this strange, savage environment.

PT As she entered the amphitheater all eyes were upon her, for their large, sensitive ears had warned them of her approach long before she had arrived within scope of their vision. Immediately they beheld her and her burden, several of them arose and came to meet her. All females, these, similar in physique and scant garb to the captor of the ape-man, though differing in proportions and physiognomy as do the individuals of all races differ from their fellows. They spoke no words nor uttered any sounds, nor did she whom they approached, as she moved straight along her way which was evidently directed toward one of the cave-mouths, but she gripped her bludgeon firmly and swung it to and fro, while her eyes, beneath their scowling brows, kept sullen surveillance upon the every move of her fellows.

PT She had approached close to the cave, which was quite evidently her destination, when one of those who followed her darted suddenly forward and clutched at Tarzan. With the quickness of a cat the woman dropped her burden, turned upon the temerarious one, and swinging her bludgeon with lightning-like celerity felled her with a heavy blow to the head, and then, standing astride the prostrate Tarzan, she glared about her like a lioness at bay, questioning dumbly who would be next to attempt to wrest her prize from her; but the others slunk back to their caves, leaving the vanquished one lying, unconscious, in the hot sand and the victor to shoulder her burden, undisputed, and continue her way to her cave, where she dumped the ape-man unceremoniously upon the ground just within the shadow of the entranceway, and, squatting beside him, facing outward that she might not be taken unaware by any of her fellows, she proceeded to examine her find minutely. Tarzan's clothing either piqued her curiosity or aroused her disgust, for she began almost immediately to divest him of it, and having had no former experience of buttons and buckles, she tore it away by main force. The heavy, cordovan boots troubled her for a moment, but finally their seams gave way to her powerful muscles.

PT Only the diamond-studded, golden locket that had been his mother's she left untouched upon its golden chain about his neck.

PT For a moment she sat contemplating him and then she arose and tossing him once more to her shoulder she walked toward the center of the amphitheater, the greater portion of which was covered by low buildings constructed of enormous slabs of stone, some set on edge to form the walls while others, lying across these, constituted the roofs. Joined end to end, with occasional wings at irregular intervals running out into the amphitheater, they enclosed a rough oval of open ground that formed a large courtyard.

PT The several outer entrances to the buildings were closed with two slabs of stone, one of which, standing on edge, covered the aperture, while the other, leaning against the first upon the outside, held it securely in place against any efforts that might be made to dislodge it from the interior of the building.

PT To one of these entrances the woman carried her unconscious captive, laid him on the ground, removed the slabs that closed the aperture and dragged him into the dim and gloomy interior, where she deposited him upon the floor and clapped her palms together sharply three times with the result that there presently slouched into the room six or seven children of both sexes, who ranged in age from one year to sixteen or seventeen. The very youngest of them walked easily and seemed as fit to care for itself as the young of most lower orders at a similar age. The girls, even the youngest, were armed with clubs, but the boys carried no weapons either of offense or defense. At sight of them the woman pointed to Tarzan, struck her head with her clenched fist and then gestured toward herself, touching her breast several times with a calloused thumb. She made several other motions with her hands, so eloquent of meaning that one entirely unfamiliar with her sign language could almost guess their purport, then she turned and left the building, replaced the stones before the entrance, and slouched back to her cave, passing, apparently without notice, the woman she had recently struck down and who was now rapidly regaining consciousness.

PT As she took her seat before her cave-mouth, her victim suddenly sat erect, rubbed her head for a moment and then, after looking about dully, rose unsteadily to her feet. For just an instant she swayed and staggered, but presently she mastered herself, and with only a glance at the author of her hurt moved off in the direction of her own cave. Before she had reached it her attention, together with that of all the others of this strange community, or at least of all those who were in the open, was attracted by the sound of approaching footsteps. She halted in her tracks, her great ears up-pricked, listening, her eyes directed toward the trail leading up from the valley. The others were similarly watching and listening and a moment later their vigil was rewarded by sight of another of their kind as she appeared in the entrance of the amphitheater. A huge creature this, even larger than she who captured the ape-man, broader and heavier, though little, if any, taller--carrying upon one shoulder the carcass of an antelope and upon the other the body of a creature that might have been half-human and half-beast, yet, assuredly, not entirely either the one or the other.

PT The antelope was dead, but not so the other creature. It wriggled weakly--its futile movements could not have been termed struggles--as it hung, its middle across the bare brown shoulder of its captor, its arms and legs dangling limply before and behind, either in partial unconsciousness or in the paralysis of fear.

PT The woman who had brought Tarzan to the amphitheater rose and stood before the entrance of her cave. We shall have to call her The First Woman, for she had no name; in the muddy convolutions of her sluggish brain she never had sensed even the need for a distinctive specific appellation and among her fellows she was equally nameless, as were they, and so, that we may differentiate her from the others, we shall call her The First Woman, and, similarly, we shall know the creature that she felled with her bludgeon as The Second Woman, and she who now entered the amphitheater with a burden upon each shoulder, as The Third Woman. So The First Woman rose, her eyes fixed upon the newcomer, her ears up-pricked. And The Second Woman rose, and all the others that were in sight, and all stood glaring at The Third Woman who moved steadily along with her burden, her watchful eyes ever upon the menacing figures of her fellows. She was very large, this Third Woman, so for a while the others only stood and glared at her, but presently The First Woman took a step forward and turning, cast a long look at The Second Woman, and then she took another step forward and stopped and looked again at The Second Woman, and this time she pointed at herself, at The Second Woman and then at The Third Woman who now quickened her pace in the direction of her cave, for she understood the menace in the attitude of The First Woman. The Second Woman understood, too, and moved forward now with The First Woman. No word was spoken, no sound issued from those savage lips; lips that never had parted to a smile; lips that never had known laughter, nor ever would.

PT As the two approached her The Third Woman dropped her spoils in a heap at her feet, gripped her cudgel more firmly and prepared to defend her rights. The others, brandishing their own weapons, charged her. The remaining women were now but onlookers, their hands stayed, perhaps, by some ancient tribal custom that gauged the number of attackers by the quantity of spoil, awarding the right of contest to whoever initiated it. When The First Woman had been attacked by The Second Woman the others had all held aloof, for it had been The Second Woman that had advanced first to try conclusively for the possession of Tarzan. And now The Third Woman had come with two prizes, and since The First Woman and The Second Woman had stepped out to meet her the others had held back.

PT As the three women came together it seemed inevitable that The Third Woman would go down beneath the bludgeons of the others, but she warded both blows with the skill and celerity of a trained fencer and stepping quickly into the opening she had dealt The First Woman a terrific blow upon the head that stretched her motionless upon the ground, where a little pool of blood and brains attested the terrible strength of the wielder of the bludgeon the while it marked the savage, unmourned passing of The First Woman.

PT And now The Third Woman could devote her undivided attention to The Second Woman; but The Second Woman, seeing the fate of her companion, did not wait to discuss the matter further, and instead of remaining to continue the fight she broke and ran for the cave, while the creature that The Third Woman had been carrying along with the carcass of the antelope apparently believing that it saw a chance for escape while its captor was engaged with her assailants was crawling stealthily away in the opposite direction. Its attempt might have proved successful had the fight lasted longer; but the skill and ferocity of The Third Woman had terminated the whole thing in a matter of seconds, and now, turning about, she espied a portion of her prey seeking to escape and sprang quickly after it. As she did so The Second Woman wheeled and darted back to seize the carcass of the antelope, while the crawling fugitive leaped to its feet and raced swiftly down the trail that led through the mouth of the amphitheater toward the valley.

PT As the thing rose to its feet it became apparent that it was a man, or at least a male, and evidently of the same species as the women of this peculiar race, though much shorter and of proportionately lighter build. It stood about five feet in height, had a few hairs on its upper lip and chin, a much lower forehead than the women, and its eyes were set closer together. Its legs were much longer and more slender than those of the women, who seemed to have been designed for strength rather than speed, and the result was that it was apparent from the start that The Third Woman could have no hope of overhauling her escaping quarry, and then it was that the utility of the strange skirt of thongs and pebbles and feathers became apparent Seizing one of the thongs she disengaged it easily and quickly from the girdle that supported them about her hips, and grasping the end of the thong between a thumb and forefinger she whirled it rapidly in a vertical plane until the feathered pebble at its end was moving with great rapidity--then she let go the thong. Like an arrow the missile sped toward the racing fugitive, the pebble, a fairly good-sized one as large as an English walnut, struck the man upon the back of his head dropping him, unconscious, to the ground. Then the Third Woman turned upon The Second Woman who, by this time, had seized the antelope, and, brandishing her bludgeon, bore down upon her. The Second Woman, possessing more courage than good sense, prepared to defend her stolen flesh and took her stand, her bludgeon ready. As The Third Woman bore down upon her, a veritable mountain of muscle, The Second Woman met her with threatening cudgel, but so terrific was the blow dealt by her mighty adversary that her weapon, splintered, was swept from her hands and she found herself at the mercy of the creature she would have robbed. Evidently she knew how much of mercy she might expect. She did not fall upon her knees in an attitude of supplication--not she. Instead she tore a handful of the pebble-missiles from her girdle in a vain attempt to defend herself. Futilest of futilities! The huge, destroying bludgeon had not even paused, but swinging in a great circle fell crushingly upon the skull of The Second Woman.

PT The Third Woman paused and looked about questioningly as if to ask:"Is there another who wishes to take from me my antelope or my man? If so, let her step forward."But no one accepted the gage and presently the woman turned and walked back to the prostrate man. Roughly she jerked him to his feet and shook him. Consciousness was returning slowly and he tried to stand. His efforts, however, were a failure and so she threw him across her shoulder again and walked back to the dead antelope, which she flung to the opposite shoulder and, continuing her interrupted way to her cave, dumped the two unceremoniously to the ground. Here, in the cave-mouth, she kindled a fire, twirling a fire stick dexterously amidst dry tinder in a bit of hollowed wood, and cutting generous strips from the carcass of the antelope ate ravenously. While she was thus occupied the man regained consciousness and sitting up looked about, dazed. Presently his nostrils caught the aroma of the cooking meat and he pointed at it. The woman handed him the rude stone knife that she had tossed back to the floor of the cave and motioned toward the meat The man seized the implement and was soon broiling a generous cut above the fire. Half-burned and half-raw as it was he ate it with seeming relish, and as he ate the woman sat and watched him. He was not much to look at, yet she may have thought him handsome. Unlike the women, who wore no ornaments, the man had bracelets and anklets as well as a necklace of teeth and pebbles, while in his hair, which was wound into a small knot above his forehead, were thrust several wooden skewers ten or twelve inches long, which protruded in various directions in a horizontal plane.

PT When the man had eaten his fill the woman rose and seizing him by the hair dragged him into the cave. He scratched and bit at her, trying to escape, but he was no match for his captor.

PT Upon the floor of the amphitheater, before the entrances to the caves, lay the bodies of The First Woman and The Second Woman and black upon them swarmed the circling scavengers of the sky. Ska, the vulture, was first always to the feast.

Chapter Three

PT WITHIN the dim interior of the strange rocky chamber where he had been so ruthlessly deposited, Tarzan immediately became the center of interest to the several Alali young that crowded about him. They examined him carefully, turned him over, pawed him, pinched him, and at last one of the young males, attracted by the golden locket removed it from the ape-man's neck and placed it about his own. Lowest, perhaps, in the order of human evolution nothing held their interest overlong, with the result that they soon tired of Tarzan and trooped out into the sunlit courtyard, leaving the ape-man to regain consciousness as best he could, or not at all. It was immaterial to them which he did. Fortunately for the Lord of the Jungle the fall through the roof of the forest had been broken by the fortuitous occurrence of supple branches directly in the path of his descent, with the happy result that he suffered only from a slight concussion of the brain. Already he was slowly regaining consciousness, and not long after the Alali young had left him his eyes opened, rolled dully inspecting the dim interior of his prison, and closed again. His breathing was normal and when again he opened his eyes it was as though he had emerged from a deep and natural slumber, the only reminder of his accident being a dull aching of the head. Sitting up, he looked about him, his eyes gradually accustoming themselves to the dim light of the chamber. He found himself in a rude shelter constructed of great slabs of rock. A single opening led into what appeared to be another similar chamber the interior of which, however, was much lighter than that in which he lay. Slowly he rose to his feet and crossed to the opening. Across the second chamber he beheld another doorway leading into the fresh air and the sunshine. Except for filthy heaps of dead grasses on the floor both the rooms were unfurnished and devoid of any suggestion that they were utilized as places of human habitation. From the second doorway, to which he crossed, he looked out upon a narrow courtyard walled by great slabs of stone, the lower ends of which, embedded in the ground, caused them to remain erect. Here he saw the young Alali squatting about, some in the sun, others in the shadow. Tarzan looked at them in evident puzzlement. What were they? What was this place in which he was, all too evidently, incarcerated? Were these his keepers or were they his fellow prisoners? How had he come hither?

PT Running his fingers through his shock of black hair in a characteristic gesture of perplexity, he shook his head. He recalled the unfortunate termination of the flight; he even remembered falling through the foliage of the great tree; but beyond that all was blank. He stood for a moment examining the Alali, who were all unconscious of his near presence or his gaze upon them, and then he stepped boldly out into the courtyard before them, as a lion, fearless, ignores the presence of jackals.

PT Immediately they saw him, they rose and clustered about him, the girls pushing the boys aside and coming boldly close, and Tarzan spoke to them, first in one native dialect and then in another, but they seemed not to understand, for they made no reply, and then, as a last resort, he addressed them in the primitive language of the great apes, the language of Maim the monkey, the first language that Tarzan had learned when, as a babe, he suckled at the hairy breast of Kala, the she-ape, and listened to the gutturals of the savage members of the tribe of Kerchak; but again his auditors made no response--at least no audible response, though they moved their hands and shoulders and bodies, and jerked their heads in what the ape-man soon recognized as a species of sign language, nor did they utter any vocal sounds that might indicate that they were communicating with one another through the medium of a spoken language. Presently they again lost interest in the newcomer and resumed their indolent lounging about the walls of the courtyard while Tarzan paced to and fro its length, his keen eye searching for whatever avenue of escape chance might provide, and he saw it in the height of the walls, to the top of which a long, running jump would take his outstretched fingers, he was sure; but not yet--he must wait for darkness to shield his attempt from those within the enclosure and those without. And as darkness approached the actions of the other occupants of the courtyard became noticeably altered; they walked back and forth, constantly passing and re-passing the entrance to the shelter at the end of the courtyard, and occasionally entering the first room and often passing to the second room where they listened for a moment before the great slab that closed the outer aperture, then back into the courtyard again and back and forth in restless movement. Finally one stamped a foot upon the ground and this was taken up by the others until, in regular cadence the thud, thud, thud of their naked feet must have been audible for some distance beyond the confines of their narrow prison yard.

PT Whatever this procedure might have been intended to accomplish, nothing, apparently, resulted, and presently one of the girls, her sullen face snarling in anger, seized her bludgeon more firmly in her two hands and stepping close to one of the walls began pounding violently upon one of its huge stone slabs. Instantly the other girls followed her example, while the young males continued beating time with their heels.

PT For a while Tarzan was puzzled for an explanation of their behavior, but it was his own stomach that at last suggested an answer--the creatures were hungry and were attempting to attract the attention of their jailers; and their method of doing so suggested something else, as well, something of which his past brief experience with them had already partially convinced him--the creatures were without speech, even totally unvocal, perhaps.

PT The girl who had started the pounding upon the wall suddenly stopped and pointed at Tarzan. The others looked at him and then back at her, whereupon she pointed at her bludgeon and then at Tarzan again, after which she acted out a little pantomime, very quicky, very briefly, but none the less realistically. The pantomime depicted the bludgeon falling upon Tarzan's head, following which the pantomimist, assisted by her fellows, devoured the ape-man. The bludgeons ceased to fall upon the wall; the heels no longer smote the earth; the assemblage was interested in the new suggestion. They eyed Tarzan hungrily. The mother who should have brought them food, The First Woman, was dead. They did not know this; all they knew was that they were hungry and that The First Woman had brought them no food since the day before. They were not cannibals. Only in the last stages of hunger, would they have devoured one another, even as shipwrecked sailors of civilized races have been known to do; but they did not look upon the stranger as one of their own kind. He was as unlike them as some of the other creatures that The First Woman had brought them to feed upon. It was no more wrong to devour him than it would have been to devour an antelope. The thought, however, would not have occurred to most of them; the older girl it was who had suggested it to them, nor would it have occurred to her had there been other food, for she knew that he had not been brought here for that purpose--he had been brought as the mate of The First Woman, who in common with the other women of this primitive race hunted a new mate each season among the forests and the jungles where the timid males lived their solitary lives except for the brief weeks that they were held captive in the stone corrals of the dominant sex, and where they were treated with great brutality and contempt even by the children of their temporary spouses.

PT Sometimes they managed to escape, though rarely, but eventually they were turned loose, since it was easier to hunt a new one the following season than to feed one in captivity for a whole year. There was nothing approximating love in the family relations of these savage half-brutes. The young, conceived without love, knowing not their own fathers, possessed not even an elemental affection for one another, nor for any other living thing. A certain tie bound them to their savage mothers, at whose breasts they suckled for a few short months and to whom they looked for food until they were sufficiently developed to go forth into the forests and make their own kills or secure whatever other food bountiful Nature provided for them.

PT Somewhere between the ages of fifteen and seventeen the young males were liberated and chased into the forest, after which their mothers knew them not from any other male and at a similar age the females were taken to the maternal cave, where they lived, accompanying their mothers on the daily hunt, until they had succeeded in capturing a first mate. After that they took up their abodes in separate caves and the tie between parent and child was cut as cleanly as though it never had existed, and they might, the following season, even become rivals for the same man, or at any time quarrel to the death over the spoils of the chase.

PT The building of the stone shelters and corrals in which the children and the males were kept was the only community activity in which the women engaged and this work they were compelled to do alone, since the men would have escaped into the forest at the first opportunity had they been released from the corrals to take part in the work of construction, while the children as soon as they had become strong enough to be of any assistance would doubtless have done likewise; but the great shes were able to accomplish their titanic labors alone.

PT Equipped by nature with mighty frames and thews of steel they quarried the great slabs from a side hill overlooking the amphitheater, slid them to the floor of the little valley and pulled and pushed them into position by main strength and awkwardness, as the homely saying of our forefathers has it.

PT Fortunately for them it was seldom necessary to add to the shelters and corrals already built since the high rate of mortality among the females ordinarily left plenty of vacant enclosures for maturing girls. Jealousy, greed, the hazards of the hunt, the contingencies of intertribal wars all took heavy toll among the adult shes. Even the despised male, fighting for his freedom, sometimes slew his captor.

PT The hideous life of the Alalus was the natural result of the unnatural reversal of sex dominance. It is the province of the male to initiate love and by his masterfulness to inspire first respect, then admiration in the breast of the female he seeks to attract. Love itself developed after these other emotions. The gradually increasing ascendency of the female Alalus over the male eventually prevented the emotions of respect and admiration for the male from being aroused, with the result that love never followed.

PT Having no love for her mate and having become a more powerful brute, the savage Alalus woman soon came to treat the members of the opposite sex with contempt and brutality with the result that the power, or at least the desire, to initiate love ceased to exist in the heart of the male--he could not love a creature he feared and hated, he could not respect or admire the unsexed creatures that the Alali women had become, and so he fled into the forests and the jungles and there the dominant females hunted him lest their race perish from the earth.

PT It was the offspring of such savage and perverted creatures that Tarzan faced, fully aware of their cannibalistic intentions. The males did not attack him at once, but busily engaged themselves in fetching dry grass and small pieces of wood from one of the covered chambers, and while the three girls, one of them scarce seven years of age, approached the ape-man warily with ready bludgeons, they prepared a fire over which they expected soon to be broiling juicy cuts from the strange creature that their hairy dam had brought them.

PT One of the males, a lad of sixteen, held back, making excited signs with hands, head and body. He appeared to be trying to dissuade or prevent the girls from the carrying-out of their plan, he even appealed to the other boys for backing, but they merely glanced at the girls and continued their culinary preparations. At last however, as the girls were deliberately approaching the ape-man he placed himself directly in their path and attempted to stop them. Instantly the three little demons swung their bludgeons and sprang forward to destroy him. The boy dodged, plucked several of the feathered stones from his girdle and flung them at his assailants. So swift and so accurate did the missiles speed that two girls dropped, howling, to the ground. The third missed, striking one of the other boys on the temple, killing him instantly. He was the youth who had stolen Tarzan's locket, which, being like all his fellow males a timid creature, he had kept continually covered by a palm since the ape-man's return to consciousness had brought him out into the courtyard among them.

PT The older girl, nothing daunted, leaped forward, her face hideous in a snarl of rage. The boy cast another stone at her and then turned and ran toward the ape-man. What reception he expected he himself probably did not know. Perhaps it was the recrudescence of a long dead emotion of fellowship that prompted him to place himself at Tarzan's side--possibly Tarzan himself in whom loyalty to kind was strong had inspired this reawakening of an atrophied soul-sense. However that may be the fact remains that the boy came and stood at Tarzan's side while the girl, evidently sensing danger to herself in this strange, new temerity of her brother, advanced more cautiously.

PT In signs she seemed to be telling him what she would do to him if he did not cease to interpose his weak will between her and her gastronomic desires; but he signed back at her defiantly and stood his ground. Tarzan reached over and patted him on the back, smiling. The boy bared his teeth horribly, but it seemed evident that he was trying to return the ape-man's smile. And now the girl was almost upon them. Tarzan was quite at a loss as to how to proceed against her. His natural chivalry restrained him from attacking her and made it seem most repellant to injure her even in self-preservation; but he knew that before he was done with her he might even possibly have to kill her and so, while looking for an alternative, he steeled himself for the deed he loathed; but yet he hoped to escape without that.

PT The Third Woman, conducting her new mate from the cave to the corral where she would keep him imprisoned for a week or two, had heard the cadenced beating of naked heels and heavy bludgeons arising from the corral of The First Woman and immediately guessed their import. The welfare of the offspring of The First Woman concerned her not as an individual. Community instinct, however, prompted her to release them that they might search for food and their services not be lost to the tribe through starvation. She would not feed them, of course, as they did not belong to her, but she would open their prison gate and turn them loose to fend for themselves, to find food or not to find it, to survive or to perish according to the inexorable law of the survival of the fittest.

PT But the Third Woman took her time. Her powerful fingers entangled in the hair of her snarling spouse she dragged the protesting creature to her corral, removed the great slab from before the entrance, pushed the man roughly within, accelerating his speed with a final kick, replaced the slab and turned leisurely toward the nearby corral of The First Woman. Removing the stone door she passed through the two chambers and entered the corral at the moment that the oldest girl was advancing upon Tarzan. Pausing by the entranceway she struck her bludgeon against the stone wall of the shelter, evidently to attract the attention of those within the corral. Instantly all looked in her direction. She was the first adult female, other than their own dam, that the children of The First Woman had seen. They shrunk from her in evident terror. The youth at Tarzan's side slunk behind the ape-man, nor did Tarzan wonder at their fear. The Third Woman was the first adult Alalus he had seen, since all of the time that he had been in the hands of The First Woman he had been unconscious.

PT The girl who had been threatening him with her great club seemed now to have forgotten him, and instead stood with snarling face and narrowed eyes confronting the newcomer. Of all the children she seemed the least terrified.

PT The ape-man scrutinized the huge, brutish female standing at the far end of the corral with her savage eyes upon him. She had not seen him before as she had been in the forest hunting at the time that The First Woman had brought her prize back to the amphitheater. She had not known that The First Woman had any male in her corral other than her own spawn. Here, indeed, was a prize. She would remove him to her own corral. With this idea in mind, and knowing that, unless he succeeded in dodging past her and reaching the entranceway ahead of her, he could not escape her, she moved very slowly toward him, ignoring now the other occupants of the corral.

PT Tarzan, not guessing her real purpose, thought that she was about to attack him as a dangerous alien in the sacred precincts of her home. He viewed her great bulk, her enormous muscular development and the huge bludgeon swinging in her ham-like hand and compared them with his own defenseless nakedness.

PT To the jungle-born flight from useless and uneven combat carries with it no stigma of cowardice, and not only was Tarzan of the Apes jungle-born and jungle-raised, but the stripping of his clothes from him had now, as always before, stripped also away the thin and unnatural veneer of his civilization. It was, then, a savage beast that faced the oncoming Alalus woman--a cunning beast as well as a powerful one--a beast that knew when to fight and when to flee.

PT Tarzan cast a quick glance behind him. There crouched the Alalus lad, trembling in fear. Beyond was the rear wall of the corral, one of the great stone slabs of which tilted slightly outward. Slow is the mind of man, slower his eye by comparison with the eye and the mind of the trapped beast seeking escape. So quick was the ape-man that he was gone before The Third Woman had guessed that he was contemplating flight, and with him had gone the eldest Alalus boy.

PT Wheeling, all in a single motion Tarzan had swung the young male to his shoulder, leaped swiftly the few paces that had separated him from the rear wall of the corral, and, catlike, run up the smooth surface of the slightly tilted slab until his fingers closed upon the top, drawn himself over without a single backward glance, dropped the youth to the ground upon the opposite side, following him so quickly that they alighted almost together. Then he glanced about for the first time he saw the natural amphitheater and the caves before several of which women still squatted. It would soon be dark. The sun was dropping behind the crest of the western hills. Tarzan saw but a single avenue of escape--the opening at the lower end of the amphitheater through which the trail led down into the valley and the forest below. Toward this he ran, followed by the youth.

PT Presently a woman, sitting before the entrance of her cave, saw him. Seizing her cudgel she leaped to her feet and gave immediate chase. Attracted by her another and another took up the pursuit, until five or six of them thundered along the trail.

PT The youth, pointing the way, raced swiftly ahead of the ape-man, but swift as he was, he could not outdistance the lithe muscles that had so often in the past carried their master safely from the swift rush of a maddened Numa, or won him a meal against the fleetness of Bara the deer. The heavy, lumbering women behind them had no chance of overhauling this swift pair if they were to depend entirely upon speed, but that they had no intention of doing. They had their stone missiles with which, almost from birth, they had practiced until approximate perfection was attained by each in casting them at either stationary or moving targets. But it was growing dark, the trail twisted and turned and the speed of the quarry made them elusive marks at which to cast an accurate missile that would be so timed as to stun rather than to kill. Of course more often than not a missile intended to stun did actually kill, but the quarry must take that chance. Instinct warned the women against killing the males, though it did not warn them against treating them with the utmost brutality. Had Tarzan realized why the women were pursuing him he would have run even faster than he did, and when the missiles began to fly past his head perhaps he did accelerate his speed a trifle.

PT Soon the ape-man reached the forest and as though he had dissolved into thin air disappeared from the astonished view of his pursuers, for now, indeed, was he in his own element. While they looked for him upon the ground he swung swiftly through the lower terraces, keeping in view the Alalus boy racing along the trail beneath him.

PT But with the man escaped, the women stopped and turned back toward the caves. The youth they did not want. For two or three years he would roam the forests unmolested by his own kind, and if he escaped the savage beasts and the spears and arrows of the ant people he would come to man's estate and be fair prey for any of the great shes during the mating season. For the time being, at least, he would lead a comparatively safe and happy existence.

PT His chances of survival had been materially lessened by his early escape into the forest. Had The First Woman lived she would have kept him safely within the walls of her corral for another year at least, when he would have been better fitted to cope with the dangers and emergencies of the savage life of the forest and the jungle.

PT The boy, his keen ears telling him that the women had given up the pursuit, halted and looked back for the strange creature that had freed him from the hated corral, but he could see only a short distance through the darkness of the growing forest night The stranger was not in sight. The youth pricked up his great ears and listened intently. There was no sound of human footsteps other than the rapidly diminishing ones of the retreating women. There were other sounds, however, unfamiliar forest sounds that filled his muddy brain with vague terrors--sounds that came from the surrounding underbrush; sounds that came from the branches above his head, and, too, there were terrifying odors.

PT Darkness, complete and impenetrable, had closed in upon him with a suddenness that left him trembling. He could almost feel it weighing down upon him, crushing him and at the same time leaving him exposed to nameless terrors. He looked about him and could see naught, so that it seemed to him that he was without eyes, and being without a voice he could not call out either to frighten his enemies or attract the attention of the strange creature that had befriended him, and whose presence had so strangely aroused in his own breast an inexplicable emotion--a pleasurable emotion. He could not explain it; he had no word for it who had no word for anything, but he felt it and it still warmed his bosom and he wished in his muddy way that he could make a noise that would attract that strange creature to him again. He was lonely and much afraid.

PT A crackling of the bushes nearby aroused him to new and more intimate terror. Something large was approaching through the black night. The youth stood with his back against a great tree. He dared not move. He sniffed but what movement of the air there was took course from him in the direction of the thing that was creeping upon him out of the terrible forest, and so he could not identify it; but his instinct told him that the creature had identified him and was doubtless creeping closer to leap upon him and devour him.

PT He knew naught of lions, unless instinct carries with it a picture of the various creatures of which the denizens of the wild are instinctively afraid. In all his life he had never been outside the corral of The First Woman and as his people are without speech his dam could have told him nothing of the outside world, yet when the lion roared he knew that it was a lion.

Chapter Four

PT ESTEBAN MIRANDA, clinging tightly to the wrist of little Uhha, crouched in the darkness of another forest twenty miles away and trembled as the thunderous notes of another lion reverberated through the jungle.

PT The girl felt the trembling of the body of the big man at her side and turned contemptuously upon him.

PT "You are not the river devil!"she cried."You are afraid. You are not even Tarzan, for Khamis, my father, has told me that Tarzan is afraid of nothing. Let me go that I may climb a tree--only a coward or a fool would stand here dead with terror waiting for the lion to come and devour him. Let me go, I say!"and she attempted to wrench her wrist free from his grasp.

PT "Shut up!"he hissed."Do you want to attract the lion to us?"But her words and struggles had aroused him from his paralysis and stooping he seized her and lifted her until she could grasp the lower branches of the tree beneath which they stood. Then, as she clambered to safety, he swung himself easily to her side.

PT Presently, higher up among the branches, he found a safer and more comfortable resting place, and there the two settled down to await the coming of the dawn, while below them Numa the lion prowled for a while, coughing and grunting, and occasionally voicing a deep roar that shook the jungle.

PT When daylight came at last the two, exhausted by a sleepless night, slipped to the ground. The girl would have delayed, hoping that the warriors of Obebe might overtake them; but the man harbored a fear rather than a hope of the same contingency and was, therefore, for hastening on as rapidly as possible that he might put the greatest possible distance between himself and the black cannibal chief.

PT He was completely lost, having not the remotest idea of where he should search for a reasonably good trail to the coast, nor, at present, did he care; his one wish being to escape recapture by Obebe, and so he elected to move northward, keeping always an eye open for any indication of a well-marked trail toward the west. Eventually, he hoped, he might discover a village of friendly natives who would aid him upon his journey toward the coast, and so the two moved as rapidly as they could in a northerly direction, their way skirting the Great Thorn Forest along the eastern edge of which they traveled.

PT The sun beating down upon the hot corral of The First Woman found it deserted of life. Only the corpse of a youth lay sprawled where it had fallen the previous evening. A speck appeared in the distant blue. It grew larger as it approached until it took upon itself the form of a bird gliding easily upon motionless wings. Nearer and nearer it came, now and again winging great, slow circles, until at last it swung above the corral of The First Woman. Once again it circled and then dropped to earth within the enclosure--Ska, the vulture, had come. Within the hour the body of the youth was hidden by a mantle of the great birds. It was a two-days feast, and when they left, only the clean picked bones remained, and entangled about the neck of one of the birds was a golden chain from which depended a diamond-encrusted locket. Ska fought the bauble that swung annoyingly beneath him when he flew and impeded his progress when he walked upon the ground, but it was looped twice about his neck and he was unable to dislodge it, and so he winged away across the Great Thorn Forest, the bright gems gleaming and scintillating in the sun.

PT Tarzan of the Apes, after eluding the women that had chased him and the Alalus youth into the forest, halted in the tree beneath which the frightened son of The First Woman had come to a terrified pause. He was there, close above him, when Numa charged, and reaching quickly down had seized the youth by the hair and dragged him to safety as the lion's raking talons embraced thin air beneath the feet of the Alalus.

PT The following day the ape-man concerned himself seriously in the hunt for food, weapons and apparel. Naked and unarmed as he was it might have gone hard with him had he been other than Tarzan of the Apes, and it might have gone hard with the Alalus had it not been for the ape-man. Fruits and nuts Tarzan found, and birds' eggs, but he craved meat and for meat he hunted assiduously, not alone because of the flesh of the kill, but for the skin and the gut and the tendons, that he could use in the fabrication of the things he required for the safety and comfort of his primitive existence.

PT As he searched for the spoor of his prey he searched also for the proper woods for a spear and for bow and arrows, nor were they difficult to find in this forest of familiar trees, but the day was almost done before the gentle wind, up which he had been hunting, carried to his sensitive nostrils the scent spoor of Bara the deer.

PT Swinging into a tree he motioned the Alalus to follow him, but so inept and awkward was the creature that Tarzan was compelled to drag him to a place among the branches, where, by signs, he attempted to impart to him the fact that he wished him to remain where he was, watching the materials that the ape-man had collected for his weapons, while the latter continued the hunt alone.

PT That the youth understood him he was not at all sure, but at least he did not follow when Tarzan swung off silently through the branches of the forest along the elusive trail of the ruminant, the scent of which was always translated to the foster son of Kala the she-ape as Bara the deer, though in fact, as practically always, the animal was an antelope. But strong are the impressions of childhood and since that long-gone day upon which be had pored over the colored alphabet primer in the far-off cabin of his dead father beside the landlocked harbor on the West Coast, and learned that"D stands for Deer,"and had admired the picture of the pretty animal, the thing that most closely resembled it, with which he was familiar in his daily life, the antelope, became for him then, and always remained, Bara the deer.

Versão em Português

1 - Capítulo Um

2 - Capítulo Dois

3 - Capítulo Três

4 - Capítulo Quatro

Capítulo Um

En Em uma cabana escura e imunda na aldeia canibal de Obebe, às margens do Rio Ugogo, Esteban Miranda agachava-se enquanto roía um peixe meio cozido. Em seu pescoço havia uma coleira de escravo de ferro, e alguns metros de corrente enferrujada a conectavam a um poste grosso perto da entrada baixa. A cabana ficava próxima à própria moradia de Obebe.

En Esteban estava acorrentado como um cão há um ano. Às vezes ele rastejava pela porta baixa para tomar sol. Ele tinha dois entretenimentos. Um era sua firme crença de que era Tarzan dos Macacos, um papel que representara por tanto tempo e tão bem que se tornara isso em sua própria mente. Para Obebe, ele também era Tarzan. Mas o feiticeiro da aldeia insistia que ele era um demônio do rio, alguém a ser apaziguado em vez de irritado.

En Esse desentendimento entre o chefe Obebe e o feiticeiro salvou a vida de Esteban. Obebe queria comê-lo, acreditando que ele era o homem-macaco. Mas o feiticeiro despertou medos supersticiosos, convencendo parcialmente os aldeões de que o prisioneiro era o demônio do rio disfarçado. Ele alertou que ferir o demônio traria desastre. Assim, a vida de Esteban foi preservada até que a verdade pudesse ser determinada: se ele morresse naturalmente, era Tarzan mortal; se vivesse para sempre ou desaparecesse, a alegação do feiticeiro seria aceita.

En Depois de aprender o idioma local e perceber o quão perto estivera de ser comido, Esteban parou de se autodenominar Tarzan. Em vez disso, insinuou misteriosamente que era de fato o demônio do rio. O feiticeiro ficou encantado, e todos foram enganados — exceto Obebe, que era sábio e não acreditava em demônios do rio, e o próprio feiticeiro, que sabia que não existiam tais demônios, mas achava a crença útil para controlar os aldeões.

En O outro entretenimento de Esteban era se regozijar com um saco de diamantes. O russo Kraski os havia roubado de Tarzan e, após assassinar Kraski, Esteban passou a possuí-los. Esses mesmos diamantes haviam sido entregues a Tarzan nos cofres subterrâneos da Torre dos Diamantes, no Vale do Palácio dos Diamantes, quando Tarzan resgatou os Gomangani da tirania dos Bolgani.

En Esteban Miranda passava horas em sua cabana mal iluminada, contando e admirando as pedras preciosas. Ele havia pesado cada uma muitas vezes, calculando seu valor e sonhando com os prazeres que tal riqueza poderia comprar nas grandes cidades. Cercado de sujeira e comendo restos, ele ainda possuía uma fortuna como a de Creso. Em sua imaginação, a cabana se transformava em um palácio iluminado pelo brilho das gemas. Ao ouvir qualquer som, ele escondia rapidamente as pedras em sua tanga e fingia ser apenas um prisioneiro.

En Após um ano de confinamento solitário, Esteban ganhou uma nova distração: Uhha, filha do feiticeiro Khamis. Ela tinha catorze anos, era bonita e curiosa. Tendo observado o misterioso prisioneiro à distância por um ano, seus medos eventualmente desapareceram, e um dia ela se aproximou dele enquanto ele estava deitado ao sol. Esteban sorriu encorajadoramente. Ele não tinha amigos na aldeia, e conquistar um amigo poderia tornar sua vida mais fácil e aproximá-lo da liberdade. Uhha parou a alguns passos de distância. Ela era uma criança, ignorante e selvagem, mas também uma jovem mulher, e Esteban Miranda sabia como lidar com mulheres.

En No idioma que havia aprendido com dificuldade, ele disse a ela que estava na aldeia do chefe Obebe há um ano, mas nunca imaginara que ela abrigava alguém tão bonita. Ele perguntou seu nome.

En Ela ficou satisfeita e sorriu amplamente, dizendo-lhe que seu nome era Uhha e que seu pai era Khamis, o feiticeiro.

En Agora era Esteban quem se sentia satisfeito. O destino, após longa negligência, finalmente mostrava bondade. Enviara-lhe alguém que, com o cultivo adequado, poderia se tornar uma flor de esperança.

En Esteban perguntou por que ela nunca o visitara antes.

En Uhha respondeu simplesmente que o medo a mantivera afastada.

En Ele perguntou o motivo do medo dela.

En Ela começou a dizer que estivera com medo, mas então se conteve.

En Com um sorriso, o espanhol perguntou se ela temia que ele fosse o demônio do rio que pretendia machucá-la.

En Ela confirmou com um sim.

En Esteban sussurrou, exortando-os a ouvir e permanecer em silêncio, alegando ser o demônio do rio, mas que não queria lhes fazer mal.

En Uhha perguntou por que, se ele fosse realmente o demônio do rio, permanecia acorrentado a uma estaca e por que não se transformava em outra forma e voltava para o rio.

En Miranda perguntou se eles estavam curiosos sobre aquilo, ganhando tempo para inventar uma explicação convincente.

En A garota disse que Uhha não estava sozinho em sua curiosidade; muitos outros haviam feito a mesma pergunta recentemente. Obebe foi o primeiro a perguntar, mas ninguém conseguiu dar uma resposta. Obebe afirmou que ele era Tarzan, um inimigo de seu povo, enquanto seu pai Khamis sustentava que ele era o demônio do rio, que poderia escapar facilmente transformando-se em uma cobra e deslizando através do colar de ferro. As pessoas se perguntavam por que ele não fazia isso, e muitos estavam começando a duvidar que ele fosse realmente o demônio do rio.

En Miranda sussurrou para Uhha, instando-a a se aproximar para que apenas ela ouvisse o que Miranda pretendia dizer.

En A garota se aproximou um pouco mais e se inclinou em direção a ele enquanto ele se agachava no chão.

En Esteban afirmou ser o demônio do rio, livre para vagar pelo Ugogo à noite. Ele disse que estava testando os moradores de Obebe para encontrar amigos e inimigos. Já havia descoberto que Obebe era um inimigo, e estava incerto sobre Khamis, que não lhe trouxera comida nem bebida. Declarou que se alguém o libertasse, essa pessoa seria abençoada com boa sorte, vida longa e a ajuda do demônio do rio. Avisou Uhha para manter suas palavras em segredo e ameaçou destruir todos se nenhum amigo aparecesse.

En A garota recuou com medo, claramente profundamente afetada por suas palavras.

En Ele a tranquilizou, dizendo-lhe para não ter medo e que ele não a machucaria.

En Ela exigiu saber o que aconteceria se ele destruísse todas as pessoas.

En Ele respondeu que, nesse caso, não poderia ajudá-la, mas esperava que alguém o libertasse para que soubesse que tinha pelo menos um verdadeiro amigo. Depois, disse a Uhha para ir embora e manter suas palavras em segredo.

En Ela afastou-se uma curta distância e depois voltou.

En Ela perguntou quando ele planejava destruir a vila.

En Ele respondeu que seria dentro de alguns dias.

En Aterrorizada, Uhha fugiu para a cabana de seu pai Khamis, o curandeiro. Esteban Miranda, satisfeito, rastejou de volta ao seu esconderijo para brincar com seus diamantes.

En Khamis não estava em sua cabana quando sua filha Uhha, desfalecida de medo, entrou no interior escuro. Suas esposas e filhos estavam nos campos onde Uhha deveria estar. Essa solidão lhe deu tempo para pensar, e ela lembrou claramente do aviso do demônio do rio de que não deveria contar a ninguém o que ele lhe dissera.

En Ela quase contou tudo ao seu pai.

En Que terrível calamidade poderia ter caído sobre ela? Ela tremeu ao pensar em um destino terrível demais para imaginar. Por pouco ela escapou! No entanto, ela não sabia o que fazer.

En Ela ficou encurvada sobre uma esteira de capim, lutando para resolver o imenso problema diante dela — o primeiro problema real em sua jovem vida, além de evitar o trabalho no campo. De repente, ela se sentou, tocada por um pensamento das palavras do demônio do rio. Ele dissera, e repetira, que se fosse libertado saberia que tinha um amigo em Obebe, e que quem o libertasse viveria muito e teria tudo o que desejasse. Mas depois de alguns minutos, Uhha desanimou novamente. Como poderia uma menina sozinha libertar o demônio do rio?

En Ela perguntou ao pai como o demônio do rio destruía aqueles que o prejudicavam, depois que ele voltou para a cabana mais tarde naquele dia.

En Khamis respondeu que os modos do demônio do rio eram tão incontáveis quanto os peixes no rio; ele poderia afastar os peixes e a caça, arruinar suas plantações, causando fome, ou trazer fogo do céu noturno para matar todo o povo de Obebe.

En Ela então perguntou ao pai se ele acreditava que o demônio do rio poderia fazer tais coisas a eles.

En O feiticeiro respondeu que o demônio do rio não prejudicaria Khamis, porque Khamis o salvara da morte que Obebe teria infligido.

En Uhha lembrou-se da queixa do demônio do rio de que Khamis não tinha fornecido boa comida ou cerveja, mas ela permaneceu em silêncio, ciente de que seu pai não estava tão nas graças do demônio do rio quanto acreditava. Portanto, ela escolheu uma abordagem diferente.

En Ela perguntou como ele poderia escapar com a coleira em volta do pescoço e quem a removeria por ele.

En Khamis respondeu que apenas Obebe poderia remover a coleira usando um pedaço de latão de sua bolsa, e acrescentou que o demônio do rio não precisava de ajuda porque podia se transformar em uma cobra e rastejar para fora da faixa de ferro. Então ele perguntou a Uhha para onde ela estava indo.

En Uhha gritou por cima do ombro que ia visitar a filha de Obebe.

En A filha do chefe estava moendo milho, que também era a tarefa de Uhha. Ela ergueu os olhos e sorriu quando a filha do feiticeiro se aproximou.

En A filha de Obebe alertou Uhha para ficar quieta porque seu pai estava dormindo dentro da cabana. Uhha sentou-se, e as duas garotas conversaram em voz baixa sobre seus ornamentos, penteados e os jovens da aldeia, muitas vezes rindo. A conversa delas não era diferente da de garotas jovens em qualquer lugar. Enquanto conversavam, Uhha frequentemente olhava para a entrada da cabana, com a testa franzida como se estivesse pensando mais profundamente do que sua conversa fiada justificava.

En Ela exigiu subitamente saber o paradeiro do bracelete de fio de cobre que seu tio lhe dera no início da última lua.

En Ela respondeu que ele o havia tomado de volta e dado à irmã de sua esposa mais jovem.

En Uhha pareceu decepcionada, perguntando-se se ela havia cobiçado o bracelete. Ela estudou sua amiga atentamente, pensando profundamente. Então seu rosto subitamente se iluminou.

En Ela exclamou sobre o colar de contas que o pai de sua amiga havia tirado de um guerreiro capturado na última festa. Ela perguntou se sua amiga não o havia perdido.

En Sua amiga respondeu que não o havia perdido; ele estava na casa de seu pai. Ela o tinha deixado de lado porque atrapalhava quando moía milho.

En Uhha perguntou se poderia vê-lo e se ofereceu para buscá-lo.

En A filha do chefe recusou, avisando que Uhha acordaria Obebe e ele ficaria muito irritado.

En Uhha insistiu que não o acordaria e então começou a rastejar em direção à entrada da cabana.

En Sua amiga tentou dissuadi-la, prometendo buscar o item depois que Obebe acordasse, mas Uhha a ignorou e entrou furtivamente na cabana. Ela esperou seus olhos se adaptarem à luz fraca. Obebe estava estirado em uma esteira do outro lado da sala, roncando alto. Uhha se aproximou dele com a discrição de uma pantera, seu coração batendo como um tambor. Ela temia que o barulho do seu batimento cardíaco e da respiração acordasse o chefe, a quem ela temia tanto quanto o demônio do rio, mas Obebe continuou roncando.

En Uhha se aproximou, seus olhos já acostumados ao interior escuro. Ela avistou a bolsa do chefe ao lado de Obebe, parcialmente debaixo dele. Sua mão trêmula se estendeu e a agarrou, mas quando tentou puxá-la, Obebe se mexeu. Aterrorizada, ela recuou. Obebe mudou de posição, e Uhha pensou que ele tivesse acordado, mas ele apenas retomou o ronco. Sua coragem se foi; agora ela queria apenas escapar sem ser notada. No entanto, ao lançar um último olhar temeroso, viu que Obebe havia se virado, deixando a bolsa ao alcance, livre do seu peso.

En Ela estendeu a mão para a bolsa, mas a puxou de volta. Ela se virou, com o coração batendo forte. Sentindo tontura, pensou no demônio do rio e nas mortes horríveis que ele poderia infligir. Ela estendeu a mão para a bolsa novamente, desta vez pegando-a. Ela a abriu rapidamente e olhou para dentro. A chave de latão estava lá. Ela a reconheceu porque era o único item cujo propósito ela não entendia. O colar, a corrente e a chave haviam sido tirados de um traficante de escravos árabe que Obebe matou e comeu. Como alguns homens mais velhos da vila de Obebe usaram correntes semelhantes no passado, eles não tiveram problemas em adaptá-la para seu uso pretendido quando necessário.

En Uhha fechou a bolsa rapidamente e a colocou de volta ao lado de Obebe. Então, segurando a chave na palma da mão úmida, ela rastejou apressadamente em direção à porta.

En Naquela noite, depois que os fogos de cozinha se transformaram em brasas e foram cobertos com terra, e as pessoas de Obebe se retiraram para suas cabanas, Esteban Miranda ouviu um movimento furtivo na entrada de seu canil. Ele ouviu atentamente. Alguém — ou algo — estava se arrastando para dentro.

En O espanhol exigiu saber quem era, esforçando-se para manter a voz firme.

En A intrusa sussurrou para que ele ficasse quieto e se identificou como Uhha, filha do curandeiro Khamis. Ela disse que veio libertá-lo para que ele soubesse que tinha uma boa amiga na vila de Obebe e, portanto, não os destruiria.

En Miranda sorriu porque seu plano tinha funcionado mais rápido do que ele esperava. A garota havia seguido sua instrução de permanecer em silêncio. Nisso ele estava errado, mas isso não importava mais, já que seu único objetivo — a liberdade — estava prestes a ser alcançado. Ele havia dito à garota para ficar quieta porque acreditava que essa era a melhor maneira de espalhar uma mensagem pela vila. Ele tinha certeza de que a mensagem chegaria a algum selvagem supersticioso que pudesse libertá-lo, agora que a motivação havia sido fornecida.

En Miranda perguntou a ela como ela pretendia libertá-lo.

En Uhha exclamou que havia trazido a chave do colar em volta do pescoço dele.

En O espanhol exclamou em aprovação e perguntou onde estava a chave.

En Uhha se aproximou devagar do homem e entregou a chave a ele. Ela então tentou fugir.

En O prisioneiro exigiu que esperassem. Ele insistiu que, após sua libertação, eles deveriam levá-lo para a selva, pois quem o libertasse precisava fazer isso para ganhar o favor do deus do rio.

En Embora aterrorizada, Uhha não ousou recusar. Miranda lutou com a fechadura antiga por vários minutos até que a chave gasta finalmente girou. Ele então fechou o cadeado e, com a chave na mão, rastejou em direção à entrada.

En Ele sussurrou para a garota buscar-lhe armas. Uhha deslizou para as sombras da aldeia. Miranda sabia que ela estava aterrorizada, mas confiava que seu medo a faria voltar rapidamente. Ele não se enganou; em cinco minutos ela voltou com uma aljava de flechas, um arco e uma faca resistente.

En Esteban ordenou que ela o levasse até o portão.

En Uhha manteve-se atrás das cabanas, evitando a rua principal, enquanto conduzia o fugitivo aos portões da aldeia. Surpreendeu-a que ele, um demônio do rio, não soubesse abri-los, pois ela acreditava que demônios do rio eram oniscientes. No entanto, ela seguiu suas ordens, mostrando-lhe como remover a barra pesada, e juntos empurraram os portões o suficiente para que ele passasse. Além deles havia a clareira que levava ao rio, ladeada por gigantes da selva. A escuridão era profunda, e Esteban Miranda de repente percebeu o custo de sua liberdade recém-descoberta. A ideia de aventurar-se sozinho na selva escura e misteriosa encheu-o de um medo inexplicável.

En Uhha recuou dos portões, sentindo que havia cumprido seu dever e salvado a vila da destruição. Ela agora queria fechar os portões rapidamente e retornar à cabana de seu pai, onde planejava deitar-se tremendo de uma mistura de excitação nervosa e medo, temendo a manhã em que a vila descobriria a fuga do demônio do rio.

En Esteban estendeu a mão e agarrou seu braço, dizendo-lhe para vir com ele receber sua recompensa.

En Uhha recuou dele, gritando que queria ser solta porque estava com medo.

En Esteban também estava com medo e decidiu que a companhia daquela pequena menina negra era melhor do que estar sozinho na selva profunda e solitária. Talvez durante o dia ele a deixasse voltar para seu povo, mas naquela noite ele temia a ideia de entrar na selva sem nenhum companheiro humano.

En Uhha tentou se libertar do aperto dele, lutando como um pequeno filhote de leão. Ela estava prestes a soltar um grito selvagem por socorro quando Miranda abruptamente colocou a mão sobre sua boca, ergueu-a do chão e correu rapidamente pela clareira antes de desaparecer na selva.

En Os guerreiros de Obebe, o canibal, dormiam pacificamente atrás deles, inconscientes da repentina tragédia que havia atingido a pequena Uhha. À frente, longe na selva, um leão rugia alto.

Capítulo Dois

En Três pessoas, dois homens e uma mulher, desceram da varanda do bangalô africano de Lord Greystoke. Caminharam lentamente em direção ao portão por um caminho ladeado de rosas que se curvava graciosamente pelos terrenos modestos, mas arrumados, ao redor da casa térrea e espaçosa do homem-macaco. Todos estavam vestidos de cáqui; o homem mais velho carregava um capacete de piloto e óculos de proteção em uma das mãos. Ele sorria calmamente enquanto ouvia o homem mais jovem.

En O homem mais jovem disse a Tarzan que não estaria voando naquele momento se sua mãe estivesse lá, porque ela nunca permitiria.

En Tarzan concordou que seu filho estava certo, mas disse que aquele seria seu único voo solo; ele prometeu não voar novamente até que sua esposa voltasse. Ele observou que seu filho o chamara de aprendiz rápido, então, como instrutor, ele deveria ter confiança nele depois de admitir que ele era capaz de voar sozinho. Então ele perguntou à jovem, Meriem, se isso não era verdade.

En Meriem balançou a cabeça e disse que, como sua mãe, ela sempre tinha medo por ele. Ela disse que ele corria tantos riscos que se poderia pensar que ele se considerava imortal. Ela disse a ele que ele deveria ser mais cuidadoso.

En O homem mais novo colocou o braço em volta dos ombros de sua esposa e comentou que Meriem estava correta, aconselhando seu pai a ter mais cautela.

En Tarzan deu de ombros e respondeu que, se seus pais fizessem a vontade deles, seus nervos e músculos já teriam enfraquecido há muito tempo. Ele argumentou que eles lhe foram dados para usar, e ele pretendia usá-los, embora com discrição. Ele acrescentou que, sem dúvida, ele se tornaria velho e inútil em breve, e por muito tempo.

En De repente, uma criança saiu correndo do bangalô, seguida por uma governanta suada, e correu para o lado de Meriem.

En A criança chamou pela mãe, usando uma pronúncia infantil, e perguntou repetidamente sobre o paradeiro de Dackie.

En Tarzan insistiu que a criança fosse autorizada a acompanhá-los.

En O menino virou-se triunfantemente para a governanta e a desafiou, então disse algo em um idioma que ela não conseguia entender.

En Na planície aberta perto do bangalô, um biplano descansava, à sombra do qual dois guerreiros Waziri relaxavam. Eles haviam sido treinados por Korak, filho de Tarzan, como mecânicos e pilotos. Tarzan, como chefe, sentia que seus guerreiros não deveriam superá-lo em nenhuma habilidade, então ele aprendeu a voar. Ele ajustou seu capacete e óculos e subiu no cockpit.

En Korak aconselhou Tarzan a levá-lo junto.

En Tarzan balançou a cabeça e sorriu de bom humor.

En Então seu filho insistiu que ele levasse um dos mecânicos, argumentando que se ele tivesse problemas e precisasse pousar, precisaria de alguém para fazer reparos.

En O homem-macaco ordenou que eles andassem e instruiu um homem chamado Andua a virar o navio.

En O navio saltou pela planície, depois subiu em um voo suave e gracioso. Ele circulou, subiu mais alto e voou em linha reta. Os seis no chão apertaram os olhos até que ele desapareceu de vista.

En Meriem perguntou para onde eles imaginavam que ele estava indo.

En Korak balançou a cabeça e disse que não deveria estar indo a lugar algum em particular — apenas fazendo seu primeiro voo de prática solo. Mas conhecendo-o, Korak não se surpreenderia se ele decidisse voar para Londres para ver sua mãe.

En Meriem exclamou que ele nunca conseguiria realizar tal façanha.

En Foi argumentado que apenas um homem extraordinário poderia ter feito o que ele fez com tão pouca experiência, e seu pai certamente não era uma pessoa comum.

En Tarzan voou por uma hora e meia sem mudar de curso, perdido na alegria de controlar a aeronave e na emocionante liberdade que ela lhe proporcionava, assim como os pássaros que ele sempre invejara. Ele não percebeu o tempo nem a distância.

En À frente, Tarzan viu uma série de bacias cercadas por colinas arborizadas. Ele reconheceu o Rio Ugogo à esquerda, mas o país das bacias era novo e intrigante. Percebendo que estava a mais de cem milhas de casa, decidiu voltar, mas a curiosidade sobre as bacias o atraiu. Ele se perguntou por que nunca havia encontrado aquela terra antes, nem mesmo através dos nativos locais. Descendo para uma visão mais próxima, viu florestas e lagos que jamais imaginara. Então percebeu a verdade: aquela era a Grande Floresta de Espinhos, conhecida como um bosque impenetrável, mas agora via que era na verdade um anel estreito ao redor de uma região agradável e habitável, mantida em segredo por eras por seus espinhos cruéis.

En Tarzan decidiu circular a terra escondida antes de voltar para casa. Ele desceu para ver mais claramente, voando sobre uma floresta e depois um veld aberto que terminava em colinas rochosas. De repente, percebeu que havia voado muito baixo. Antes que pudesse ajustar, o avião raspou o topo de uma grande árvore, saiu de controle e caiu através dos galhos com um grande barulho, depois silêncio.

En Por uma trilha na floresta caminhava uma criatura poderosa, semelhante a um homem. Media quase um metro e oitenta, com ombros massivos e músculos potentes. Seu cabelo longo e desgrenhado caía sobre os ombros, e sua pele era bronzeada. Usava uma pele em volta da cintura, com uma saia de tiras de couro cru adornadas com pedras redondas e penas coloridas. A criatura carregava um porrete. Seu rosto era grande, com nariz largo e lábios cheios, olhos sob sobrancelhas pesadas e uma testa baixa. Enquanto caminhava, abanava suas orelhas grandes e contraía a pele para afastar moscas, muito parecido com um cavalo.

En A criatura se moveu sem fazer barulho, seus olhos escuros sempre atentos. Suas orelhas batiam, mas frequentemente paravam enquanto a mulher ouvia por presas ou inimigos.

En Ela parou, orelhas para frente, narinas abertas, farejando o ar. Algo, que os sentidos humanos não podiam detectar, chamou sua atenção. Ela se arrastou cautelosamente ao longo da trilha até que, em uma curva, viu uma figura caída de bruços. Era Tarzan, o Homem Macaco. Ele jazia inconsciente, com os destroços de seu avião presos nos galhos acima dele.

En A mulher apertou seu porrete e se aproximou. Ela ficou intrigada com aquela criatura estranha, mas não demonstrou medo. Ela foi até o lado dele e ergueu o porrete para golpear, mas algo a deteve. Ajoelhou-se e examinou suas roupas. Virou-o de costas e colocou o ouvido em seu peito. Então rasgou sua camisa e ouviu novamente sobre a pele nua. Ela se levantou, olhou ao redor, farejou e ouviu. Depois ergueu Tarzan sobre o ombro e continuou pela trilha. A trilha deixou a floresta e entrou em uma área aberta semelhante a um parque ao pé de colinas rochosas. Atravessando-a, ela entrou em um desfiladeiro estreito com rochas de formas estranhas, carregando o homem-macaco.

En Cerca de meio quilômetro adentro do desfiladeiro, a trilha levava a um anfiteatro aproximadamente circular. Paredes íngremes o cercavam, pontilhadas com muitas entradas de cavernas. Em frente a algumas cavernas, agachavam-se criaturas semelhantes à mulher que carregava Tarzan.

En Ao entrar no anfiteatro, todos a olharam. Seus grandes ouvidos sensíveis os haviam alertado sobre sua aproximação antes de vê-la. Várias se levantaram e vieram ao seu encontro. Todas eram fêmeas, semelhantes em corpo e vestimenta à mulher que carregava Tarzan, mas cada uma diferia em tamanho e rosto. Elas não emitiram sons. A mulher também não falou. Ela caminhou em direção a uma das cavernas, segurando seu porrete firmemente e balançando-o. Seus olhos carrancudos observavam cada movimento das outras.

En Enquanto a mulher se aproximava da caverna que era claramente seu destino, um de seus perseguidores de repente avançou e agarrou Tarzan. Com velocidade felina, ela largou sua carga, virou-se para o agressor e o derrubou com um golpe rápido na cabeça. Então ela ficou sobre Tarzan, olhando desafiadoramente para os outros, que se encolheram de volta para suas cavernas. Ela ergueu Tarzan sobre o ombro e o carregou até sua caverna, onde o jogou no chão perto da entrada. Ela se agachou ao lado dele, virada para fora para se proteger de surpresas, e começou a examinar sua descoberta. Suas roupas a intrigavam ou a repugnavam, pois logo começou a arrancá-las, não tendo experiência com botões ou fivelas. As botas pesadas lhe deram trabalho, mas ela as destruiu com sua força.

En O único item que ela deixou intacto foi um medalhão dourado cravejado de diamantes que pendia de uma corrente dourada em volta do pescoço dele, que pertencera à sua mãe.

En Depois de contemplá-lo por um momento, ela se levantou, jogou-o sobre o ombro e caminhou em direção ao centro do anfiteatro. A maior parte dessa área era coberta por construções baixas feitas de enormes lajes de pedra, algumas colocadas na vertical para formar paredes e outras colocadas sobre elas como telhados. Unidas de ponta a ponta, com alas ocasionais se estendendo irregularmente pelo anfiteatro, elas cercavam um oval irregular de terreno aberto que formava um grande pátio.

En As entradas externas dos edifícios eram fechadas por duas lajes de pedra: uma ficava em pé para bloquear a abertura, e a outra se apoiava contra ela do lado de fora, mantendo-a firmemente no lugar contra qualquer tentativa de desalojá-la de dentro.

En Ela carregou seu prisioneiro inconsciente até uma dessas entradas, deitou-o no chão, removeu as lajes e o arrastou para o interior escuro. Depositou-o no chão e bateu palmas três vezes de forma aguda. Logo, seis ou sete crianças de ambos os sexos, com idades entre um e dezesseis ou dezessete anos, entraram desleixadamente na sala. Até a mais nova andava facilmente e parecia tão autossuficiente quanto os filhotes de animais inferiores. As meninas carregavam porretes; os meninos não tinham armas. A mulher apontou para Tarzan, bateu na própria cabeça com o punho e gesticulou em direção a si mesma, tocando o peito com o polegar. Fez outros sinais com as mãos tão claros que seu significado era quase óbvio. Então ela saiu, recolocou as pedras na entrada e voltou desleixadamente para sua caverna, passando sem notar a mulher que havia derrubado, que agora estava recuperando a consciência.

En Enquanto ela se sentava em frente à sua caverna, sua vítima de repente se sentou, esfregou a cabeça, olhou ao redor de forma vaga e então se levantou cambaleante. Ela balançou por um momento, mas logo se recuperou e, com apenas um olhar para sua agressora, caminhou em direção à sua própria caverna. Antes de chegar, o som de passos se aproximando chamou sua atenção, junto com a dos outros que estavam do lado de fora. Ela parou, suas grandes orelhas eretas enquanto ouvia, seus olhos fixos na trilha que vinha do vale. Os outros também observaram e ouviram, e logo viram outra mulher aparecer na entrada do anfiteatro. Essa recém-chegada era enorme, ainda maior do que a mulher que havia capturado o homem-macaco, mais larga e pesada, embora não muito mais alta. Ela carregava um antílope morto em um ombro e o corpo de uma criatura que parecia metade humana e metade besta, mas certamente não completamente nenhum dos dois.

En O antílope estava morto, mas a outra criatura não. Ela se contorcia fracamente, seus movimentos muito débeis para serem chamados de lutas, enquanto pendia sobre o ombro nu e moreno de sua captora. Seus braços e pernas balançavam frouxamente para frente e para trás, seja por inconsciência parcial ou pela paralisia do medo.

En A mulher que havia trazido Tarzan ao anfiteatro levantou-se diante da entrada de sua caverna. Para clareza, vamos chamá-la de Primeira Mulher, pois ela não tinha nome; o mesmo se aplicava a todos os seus semelhantes. A criatura que ela derrubou com seu porrete será chamada de Segunda Mulher, e a que acabou de entrar carregando dois fardos, Terceira Mulher. A Primeira Mulher levantou-se, seus olhos fixos na recém-chegada, suas orelhas eretas. A Segunda Mulher e todas as outras que estavam à vista também se levantaram e encararam a Terceira Mulher, que se movia firmemente, seus olhos atentos nas figuras ameaçadoras de suas companheiras. Ela era muito grande, então por um tempo as outras apenas a encararam. Então a Primeira Mulher deu um passo à frente, olhou para a Segunda Mulher, apontou para si mesma, para a Segunda Mulher e depois para a Terceira Mulher. A Terceira Mulher acelerou o passo em direção à sua caverna, entendendo a ameaça. A Segunda Mulher também entendeu e avançou com a Primeira Mulher. Nenhuma palavra foi dita; nenhum som saiu daqueles lábios selvagens que nunca haviam sorrido ou conhecido o riso.

En Enquanto as duas se aproximavam, a Terceira Mulher deixou cair seus espólios em uma pilha a seus pés, segurou seu porrete com mais firmeza e se preparou para defender seus direitos. As outras brandiram suas armas e a atacaram. As mulheres restantes apenas observaram, talvez contidas por um antigo costume tribal que determinava o número de atacantes com base na quantidade de espólio, concedendo o direito de disputa a quem a iniciasse. Quando a Primeira Mulher foi atacada pela Segunda Mulher, as outras se contiveram porque a Segunda Mulher havia avançado primeiro para reivindicar Tarzan. Agora a Terceira Mulher havia chegado com dois prêmios, e como a Primeira Mulher e a Segunda Mulher haviam avançado para enfrentá-la, as outras se mantiveram afastadas.

En Quando as três mulheres se encontraram, parecia inevitável que a Terceira Mulher fosse derrubada pelos porretes das outras. No entanto, ela bloqueou ambos os golpes com a habilidade e rapidez de uma esgrimista treinada, então entrou em uma abertura e desferiu um golpe tremendo na cabeça da Primeira Mulher, deixando-a imóvel no chão. Uma poça de sangue e cérebro marcou a terrível força do porrete e a morte selvagem e não lamentada da Primeira Mulher.

En A Terceira Mulher voltou toda sua atenção para a Segunda Mulher, mas a Segunda Mulher, tendo testemunhado o destino de sua companheira, fugiu para a caverna em vez de lutar. Enquanto isso, a criatura que a Terceira Mulher estava carregando junto com a carcaça do antílope viu uma oportunidade de escapar e se arrastou para longe. No entanto, a luta terminou rapidamente, e a Terceira Mulher avistou sua presa escapando e correu atrás dela. A Segunda Mulher então se virou para pegar o antílope, enquanto o fugitivo corria rapidamente pela trilha.

En A criatura que escapava era um homem, mais baixo e mais leve que as mulheres, com cerca de um metro e meio de altura, cabelo facial esparso e testa baixa. Suas pernas mais longas e esguias o tornavam mais rápido, e ficou claro que a Terceira Mulher não conseguiria pegá-lo a pé. Então ela usou sua saia de tiras, pedrinhas e penas: ela soltou uma tira, girou-a rapidamente e a liberou. O projétil atingiu o homem na parte de trás da cabeça, derrubando-o inconsciente. Então a Terceira Mulher se voltou contra a Segunda Mulher, que havia pego o antílope. Apesar de sua coragem, a clava da Segunda Mulher foi destruída pelo golpe poderoso da Terceira Mulher, deixando-a indefesa. Ela tentou usar projéteis de pedrinhas, mas foi esmagada por um golpe fatal no crânio.

En A Terceira Mulher olhou ao redor como se desafiasse alguém a enfrentá-la, mas ninguém o fez. Ela voltou ao homem inconsciente, puxou-o para cima e o sacudiu. Como ele não conseguia ficar em pé, ela o jogou sobre o ombro junto com o antílope morto e os carregou até sua caverna. Lá, ela fez uma fogueira e comeu tiras de carne. Quando o homem recuperou a consciência, sentiu o cheiro da carne cozinhando e apontou. Ela lhe deu uma faca de pedra, e ele cozinhou e comeu um pedaço. A mulher o observou. Ele usava braceletes, tornozeleiras e um colar de dentes e pedrinhas, e tinha espetos de madeira no cabelo.

En Depois que o homem terminou de comer, a mulher o agarrou pelos cabelos e o arrastou para dentro da caverna. Ele lutou, arranhando e mordendo, mas não foi páreo para sua captora.

En Os corpos da Primeira Mulher e da Segunda Mulher jaziam no chão do anfiteatro diante das cavernas, com abutres e outros carniceiros já se reunindo para se alimentar.

Capítulo Três

En Dentro de uma câmara rochosa escura, Tarzan tornou-se o centro das atenções de vários jovens Alali que se aglomeraram ao seu redor. Eles o examinaram, viraram-no e um deles tirou o medalhão de ouro de seu pescoço. Tendo curtos períodos de atenção, logo perderam o interesse e o deixaram sozinho. Tarzan havia caído através de galhos de árvores, que amorteceram sua queda e causaram apenas uma leve concussão. Ele lentamente recuperou a consciência, abriu os olhos e então os fechou novamente. Quando acordou completamente, sentou-se e olhou ao redor. Ele estava em um abrigo simples feito de grandes lajes de pedra. Uma porta levava a uma câmara mais clara, e além dela ele viu outra porta para o exterior. Os cômodos estavam vazios, exceto por montes de grama seca. Ele atravessou para a segunda porta e viu um pátio estreito cercado por altas lajes de pedra. Lá ele viu os jovens Alali sentados. Tarzan ficou intrigado, perguntando-se o que eram, onde estava e como havia chegado.

En Tarzan passou os dedos pelos cabelos negros, um gesto de confusão. Ele recordou o fim infeliz de seu voo e lembrou-se de cair através da folhagem, mas nada além disso. Ficou observando os Alali, que não percebiam sua presença, e então pisou corajosamente no pátio, destemido como um leão ignorando chacais.

En Quando os Alali viram Tarzan, levantaram-se e se reuniram ao seu redor, as meninas empurrando os meninos para o lado. Tarzan falou com eles em vários dialetos nativos, mas eles não responderam. Ele tentou a linguagem dos grandes primatas, que aprendera quando bebê, mas novamente eles não emitiram som. Em vez disso, moviam as mãos, ombros e corpos, e sacudiam a cabeça no que ele reconheceu como uma forma de linguagem de sinais. Logo perderam o interesse e se encostaram nas paredes. Tarzan andou pelo pátio, procurando uma fuga. Ele estava confiante de que poderia pular até o topo das paredes, mas decidiu esperar pela escuridão. À medida que a noite se aproximava, os Alali ficaram inquietos. Eles andavam de um lado para o outro, passando pela entrada do abrigo, entrando no primeiro cômodo e ouvindo na laje que fechava a abertura externa. Então um bateu o pé, e os outros se juntaram, seus pés descalços batendo em um ritmo regular.

En As batidas de pés pareciam não conseguir nada. Então uma das meninas, com o rosto contraído de raiva, agarrou sua clava e golpeou violentamente uma parede de pedra. As outras meninas seguiram seu exemplo, enquanto os jovens do sexo masculino continuavam a marcar o ritmo com os calcanhares.

En Tarzan ficou intrigado com o comportamento deles, mas sua própria fome sugeriu uma explicação: as criaturas estavam com fome e tentando atrair a atenção de seus carcereiros. Suas ações também confirmaram o que ele já suspeitava: eles não tinham fala e eram possivelmente completamente mudos.

En A garota que estava batendo na parede de repente parou e apontou para Tarzan. Os outros olharam para ele, depois para ela, e ela realizou uma pantomima rápida, mas clara, mostrando seu porrete atingindo a cabeça de Tarzan e então devorando-o, com a ajuda dos outros. As batidas e pisadas cessaram enquanto o grupo se interessou pela sugestão dela. Eles encaravam Tarzan com fome. A Primeira Mulher, que geralmente lhes trazia comida, estava morta, embora eles não soubessem. Eles só sabiam que estavam com fome e que não recebiam comida dela desde o dia anterior. Eles não eram canibais e só comeriam uns aos outros em extrema fome, como náufragos. Mas eles não viam o estranho como um dos seus. Ele era tão diferente quanto outras criaturas que a Primeira Mulher havia trazido para eles comerem. Comê-lo parecia tão errado quanto comer um antílope. A maioria deles não teria pensado nisso, mas a garota mais velha sugeriu porque não havia outra comida. Ela sabia que ele não havia sido trazido para comida, mas como companheiro para a Primeira Mulher, que, como as outras mulheres de sua raça primitiva, caçava um novo companheiro a cada temporada pelas florestas e selvas. Lá, os machos tímidos viviam vidas solitárias, exceto pelas breves semanas em que eram mantidos cativos em currais de pedra pelo sexo dominante, onde eram tratados com grande brutalidade e desprezo, até mesmo pelos filhos de seus cônjuges temporários.

En Os machos às vezes conseguiam escapar, embora raramente, mas geralmente eram libertados porque era mais fácil caçar um novo na temporada seguinte do que alimentar um cativo por um ano inteiro. Não havia amor nas relações familiares desses semi-brutos selvagens. Os jovens eram concebidos sem amor e não conheciam seus próprios pais. Eles não tinham afeição uns pelos outros nem por qualquer ser vivo. Um certo vínculo os ligava às suas mães selvagens, em cujos seios mamavam por alguns meses e de quem esperavam comida até estarem desenvolvidos o suficiente para ir para as florestas e fazer suas próprias presas ou encontrar qualquer outra comida que a Natureza generosa provia.

En Entre as idades de quinze e dezessete anos, os machos jovens eram libertados e perseguidos para a floresta; depois disso, suas mães não os reconheciam como diferentes de qualquer outro macho. Em idade semelhante, as fêmeas eram levadas para a caverna de sua mãe, onde viviam e a acompanhavam nas caças diárias até capturarem um primeiro companheiro. Então se mudavam para cavernas separadas, e o vínculo entre pais e filhos era cortado completamente, como se nunca tivesse existido. Na temporada seguinte, poderiam se tornar rivais pelo mesmo homem ou até mesmo lutar até a morte por despojos de caça.

En A única atividade comunitária em que as mulheres se engajavam era construir os abrigos de pedra e currais que mantinham as crianças e os machos. Elas tinham que fazer esse trabalho sozinhas porque os homens escapariam para a floresta na primeira oportunidade se fossem soltos, e as crianças, assim que ficassem fortes o suficiente para ajudar, provavelmente fariam o mesmo. Mas as grandes fêmeas eram capazes de realizar seus trabalhos titânicos sozinhas.

En A natureza havia equipado essas mulheres com corpos poderosos e músculos de aço. Elas extraíam enormes lajes de rocha de uma encosta com vista para o anfiteatro, deslizavam-nas até o fundo do vale e então as puxavam e empurravam para a posição usando apenas sua grande força e desajeitamento, como diz o velho ditado.

En Novos abrigos raramente eram necessários porque a taxa de mortalidade entre as fêmeas era alta, deixando recintos vazios para as meninas em maturação. Ciúmes, ganância, perigos da caça e guerras intertribais cobravam um alto preço das fêmeas adultas. Até mesmo os machos desprezados, lutando por sua liberdade, às vezes matavam seus captores.

En A vida terrível dos Alalus era resultado da inversão dos papéis sexuais. Normalmente, o macho inicia o amor e inspira respeito e admiração na fêmea. O amor se desenvolve após essas emoções. Mas como a fêmea Alalus se tornou dominante, o macho nunca se sentiu respeitado ou admirado, então o amor nunca surgiu.

En A mulher Alalus, sem amor por seu companheiro e sendo mais poderosa, tratava os machos com desprezo e brutalidade. Consequentemente, o macho perdeu o desejo de iniciar o amor — ele não podia amar uma criatura que temia e odiava, nem respeitar as fêmeas dessexualizadas. Então ele fugiu para as florestas, e as fêmeas dominantes o caçavam para evitar que a raça morresse.

En Tarzan enfrentou os descendentes desses seres selvagens, sabendo que eles pretendiam comê-lo. Os machos não atacaram imediatamente; em vez disso, recolheram grama seca e madeira de uma câmara coberta. Enquanto isso, três meninas, uma com apenas cerca de sete anos, aproximaram-se de Tarzan cautelosamente com clavas, enquanto os meninos preparavam uma fogueira para cozinhá-lo.

En Um macho, com cerca de dezesseis anos, recuou e fez sinais agitados, tentando dissuadir as meninas. Ele apelou para os outros meninos, mas eles continuaram seus preparativos. Finalmente, quando as meninas se aproximaram de Tarzan, ele ficou no caminho delas. As meninas o atacaram, mas ele se esquivou e atirou pedras com penas, acertando duas meninas que caíram uivando. A terceira pedra atingiu outro menino na têmpora, matando-o instantaneamente. Aquele menino havia roubado o medalhão de Tarzan, que ele mantinha escondido desde que Tarzan recuperou a consciência.

En A menina mais velha estava imperturbável, saltando para a frente com um rosnado furioso. O menino jogou outra pedra nela e então correu para ficar ao lado de Tarzan. Talvez ele estivesse movido por um senso revivido de camaradagem, ou a própria lealdade de Tarzan à sua espécie despertou um sentimento adormecido nele. De qualquer forma, o menino ficou ao lado de Tarzan, enquanto a menina, sentindo perigo na ousadia incomum do irmão, avançou mais cautelosamente.

En A menina parecia estar gesticulando ameaças ao menino se ele continuasse a interferir em seu desejo por comida, mas ele gesticulou de volta desafiadoramente e manteve sua posição. Tarzan alcançou, deu um tapinha em suas costas e sorriu. O menino mostrou os dentes numa careta que era evidentemente uma tentativa de retribuir o sorriso. A menina estava quase sobre eles. Tarzan estava incerto sobre como lidar com ela; sua cavalheirismo natural o tornava relutante em atacá-la, mesmo em legítima defesa. Ele sabia que poderia ter que matá-la, mas esperava evitar isso.

En A Terceira Mulher, levando seu novo companheiro ao curral onde o prenderia, ouviu o batido rítmico de pés e porretes vindos do curral da Primeira Mulher e entendeu seu significado. Ela não se importava pessoalmente com a prole da Primeira Mulher, mas o instinto comunitário a levou a soltá-los para que pudessem encontrar comida e permanecer úteis para a tribo. Ela mesma não os alimentaria, mas abriria o portão da prisão e os deixaria se virar sozinhos, para sobreviver ou perecer pela lei da sobrevivência do mais apto.

En A Terceira Mulher não teve pressa. Ela arrastou seu companheiro protestante para o curral, removeu a laje de pedra, empurrou-o para dentro, chutou-o, recolocou a laje e então foi tranquilamente ao curral da Primeira Mulher. Ela removeu a porta de pedra, atravessou as duas câmaras e entrou bem no momento em que a menina mais velha avançava sobre Tarzan. Ela bateu o porrete contra a parede para atrair a atenção. Todos olharam para ela. Ela era a primeira fêmea adulta, além da mãe, que as crianças viam; elas recuaram aterrorizadas, e o menino se escondeu atrás de Tarzan. Tarzan entendeu o medo delas — a Terceira Mulher era a primeira Alalus adulta que ele via desde que recuperou a consciência.

En A menina que vinha ameaçando Tarzan agora parecia tê-lo esquecido. Ela ficou com o rosto rosando e os olhos semicerrados, encarando a recém-chegada. De todas as crianças, ela parecia a menos amedrontada.

En O homem-macaco examinou a mulher grande e brutal no fundo do curral, que o encarava com olhos selvagens. Ela não o tinha visto antes, pois estava caçando quando A Primeira Mulher trouxe seu prêmio. Sem saber que A Primeira Mulher já tinha um macho, ela o considerou um prêmio e planejou movê-lo para seu próprio curral. Movendo-se devagar, ela visava bloquear sua fuga para a entrada.

En Tarzan, não entendendo sua verdadeira intenção, acreditou que ela estava prestes a atacá-lo como um estranho perigoso em sua casa. Ele observou seu corpo massivo, seus músculos tremendos e o grande porrete em sua mão, e os comparou com seu próprio estado indefeso e nu.

En Para alguém criado na selva, fugir de uma luta inútil e injusta não trazia vergonha. Tarzan, nascido e criado na selva, sentiu que tirar suas roupas também retirava a fina camada de civilização. Assim, ele enfrentou a mulher Alalus que se aproximava como uma fera selvagem — astuta e poderosa, sabendo quando lutar e quando fugir.

En Tarzan olhou para trás. Lá estava o jovem Alalus, tremendo. Além estava a parede traseira do curral, onde uma das grandes lajes de pedra estava levemente inclinada para fora. O homem-macaco, com a rapidez de um animal encurralado, desapareceu antes que a mulher percebesse que ele pretendia fugir, levando consigo o filho mais velho dos Alalus.

En Num movimento rápido, Tarzan colocou o jovem no ombro, saltou os poucos passos até a parede dos fundos e, como um gato, escalou a laje inclinada. Ele se puxou para cima, deixou o rapaz cair no chão e seguiu tão de perto que aterrissaram quase juntos. Então ele olhou ao redor e viu o anfiteatro natural e as cavernas, com mulheres ainda agachadas diante de algumas. O sol se punha atrás das colinas ocidentais, e a escuridão logo cairia. Tarzan viu apenas uma rota de fuga: a abertura na extremidade inferior do anfiteatro, por onde uma trilha descia até o vale e a floresta. Ele correu em direção a ela, seguido pelo jovem.

En Uma mulher sentada na entrada de sua caverna o notou. Ela pegou seu bastão, pulou e começou a persegui-lo imediatamente. Seus gritos atraíram outras, e logo cinco ou seis mulheres corriam pesadamente ao longo do caminho.

En O jovem apontou o caminho e correu na frente, mas Tarzan, com seus músculos flexíveis aprimorados escapando de leões e capturando veados, acompanhou facilmente. As mulheres pesadas não conseguiam pegá-los apenas pela velocidade, mas tinham projéteis de pedra que lançavam com habilidade. No entanto, a escuridão e a trilha sinuosa tornavam os arremessos precisos difíceis; frequentemente suas pedras matavam quando a intenção era apenas atordoar. O instinto as alertava contra matar machos, mas não contra a brutalidade. Tarzan, percebendo a intenção delas, correu ainda mais rápido enquanto os projéteis zuniam ao lado.

En Assim que Tarzan alcançou a floresta, ele pareceu desaparecer no ar, deixando suas perseguidoras atônitas. Agora em seu elemento, enquanto elas procuravam no chão, ele balançava rapidamente pelos galhos baixos, mantendo o menino Alalus à vista enquanto corria pela trilha.

En Com Tarzan fora, as mulheres pararam e voltaram para as cavernas. Elas não tinham interesse no jovem; pelos próximos anos ele vagaria pelas florestas sem ser molestado. Se sobrevivesse às feras e às armas do povo-formiga, ele cresceria até a idade adulta e se tornaria presa fácil para as grandes fêmeas durante a época de acasalamento. Por enquanto, ele viveria uma existência relativamente segura e feliz.

En Sua fuga precoce para a floresta havia reduzido muito suas chances de sobrevivência. Se a Primeira Mulher tivesse vivido, ela o teria mantido em segurança dentro de seu curral por mais um ano, época em que ele estaria melhor preparado para os perigos da floresta e da selva.

En O menino, percebendo pelos sons que as mulheres haviam parado de persegui-lo, fez uma pausa e olhou para trás em busca do estranho que o libertara. Mal conseguia enxergar na floresta escura; o estranho havia sumido. Esforçando seus ouvidos aguçados, não ouviu passos humanos, apenas os sons que se afastavam das mulheres que recuavam. No entanto, a vegetação rasteira ao redor e os galhos acima produziam ruídos e odores desconhecidos que enchiam sua mente de medos vagos.

En A escuridão total o envolveu de repente, deixando-o trêmulo. Ele sentiu o peso da noite o esmagando enquanto o expunha a terrores desconhecidos. Incapaz de ver ou gritar, não podia assustar os inimigos nem atrair o estranho que o havia ajudado. Aquele estranho havia despertado nele um prazer estranho e inexplicável — um sentimento para o qual não tinha palavras. Ele desejava poder fazer um som para trazer o estranho de volta, pois se sentia solitário e amedrontado.

En O estalo dos arbustos próximos trouxe um terror mais imediato. Algo grande se aproximava na noite escura. O menino pressionou as costas contra uma árvore, sem ousar se mover. Ele farejou, mas o ar se movia para longe dele em direção à criatura que se aproximava, então não pôde identificá-la pelo cheiro. No entanto, seu instinto dizia que a criatura já o havia identificado e se aproximava para saltar e devorá-lo.

En Ele não tinha conhecimento sobre leões; apenas o instinto trazia o reconhecimento de criaturas perigosas. Como nunca havia saído do curral da Primeira Mulher e não possuía fala, sua mãe não poderia tê-lo ensinado sobre o mundo exterior. No entanto, quando o leão rugiu, ele de alguma forma sabia que era um leão.

Capítulo Quatro

En Esteban Miranda, segurando firmemente o pulso da pequena Uhha, agachou-se na escuridão de outra floresta a vinte milhas de distância. Ele tremeu enquanto o rugido trovejante de outro leão ecoava pela selva.

En A garota sentiu o grande homem ao seu lado tremendo e se virou para olhá-lo com desdém.

En Ela o acusou de não ser o demônio do rio e de estar com medo. Disse que ele não poderia ser Tarzan, porque seu pai Khamis lhe dissera que Tarzan não temia nada. Exigiu ser solta para poder subir em uma árvore, insistindo que apenas um covarde ou um tolo ficaria paralisado de terror esperando o leão devorá-los. Então tentou libertar o pulso de seu aperto.

En Ele sibilou para ela ficar quieta, perguntando se ela queria atrair o leão. Sua própria paralisia foi quebrada pelas palavras e lutas dela. Ele se inclinou, agarrou-a e levantou-a até que ela pudesse agarrar os galhos mais baixos da árvore sob a qual estavam. Ela subiu em segurança, e ele se balançou facilmente para juntar-se a ela.

En Mais alto entre os galhos, encontraram um lugar mais seguro e confortável para se acomodar. Lá esperaram o amanhecer, enquanto abaixo deles o leão, Numa, rondava, tossindo, grunhindo e ocasionalmente sacudindo a selva com um rugido profundo.

En Quando finalmente amanheceu, os dois deslizaram para o chão, exaustos por uma noite sem dormir. A garota queria atrasar, esperando que os guerreiros de Obebe pudessem alcançá-los. Mas o homem temia exatamente essa possibilidade e estava ansioso para prosseguir o mais rápido possível, para colocar a maior distância entre si e o chefe canibal.

En Ele estava completamente perdido, sem ideia de onde encontrar uma trilha decente para a costa e, no momento, realmente não se importava. Seu único desejo era evitar ser capturado novamente por Obebe, então decidiu seguir para o norte, enquanto também ficava atento a qualquer sinal de um caminho bem marcado para o oeste. Ele esperava que, eventualmente, pudesse encontrar uma aldeia de nativos amigáveis que o ajudassem em sua jornada até a costa. Portanto, ele e seu companheiro se moveram o mais rápido que puderam para o norte, viajando ao longo da borda leste da Grande Floresta de Espinhos.

En O sol batia no curral vazio da Primeira Mulher. Apenas o cadáver de um jovem jazia onde havia caído na noite anterior. Um pequeno ponto apareceu no céu distante e cresceu à medida que se aproximava, revelando-se como um pássaro planando facilmente com asas imóveis. Aproximou-se cada vez mais, ocasionalmente fazendo grandes círculos lentos, até que finalmente pairou sobre o curral. Mais uma vez circulou e então caiu no chão dentro do recinto: Ska, o abutre, havia chegado. Em uma hora, o corpo do jovem foi coberto por um manto dessas grandes aves. Elas se banquetearam por dois dias e, quando partiram, apenas ossos limpos permaneceram. Enroscado no pescoço de uma das aves estava uma corrente de ouro com um medalhão cravejado de diamantes. Ska tentou lutar contra o enfeite, que balançava irritantemente sob ele quando voava e atrapalhava seus movimentos no chão, mas estava enrolado duas vezes em seu pescoço e ele não conseguia removê-lo. Então ele voou para longe através da Grande Floresta de Espinhos, as pedras brilhantes reluzindo e cintilando ao sol.

En Após escapar das mulheres que o perseguiram junto com o jovem Alalus para a floresta, Tarzan dos Macacos parou em uma árvore logo acima do local onde o filho assustado da Primeira Mulher havia parado, aterrorizado. Ele estava ali, bem próximo, quando Numa atacou. Alcançando rapidamente para baixo, ele agarrou o jovem pelos cabelos e o arrastou para um local seguro, enquanto as garras rasgadoras do leão cortavam o ar vazio sob os pés do Alalus.

En No dia seguinte, o homem-macaco se dedicou seriamente à caça de comida, armas e roupas. Estando nu e desarmado, poderia ter ido mal para ele se ele fosse alguém diferente de Tarzan dos Macacos; da mesma forma, poderia ter ido mal para os Alalus sem a ajuda do homem-macaco. Tarzan encontrou frutas, nozes e ovos de pássaros, mas ele desejava carne. Ele caçava carne diligentemente, não apenas pela carne em si, mas também pela pele, intestinos e tendões, que ele poderia usar para fazer as coisas de que precisava para segurança e conforto em sua existência primitiva.

En Enquanto procurava vestígios de sua presa, ele também buscava tipos adequados de madeira para uma lança e para um arco e flechas. Estes não eram difíceis de encontrar nesta floresta de árvores conhecidas. No entanto, o dia estava quase no fim antes que o vento suave, contra o qual ele havia caçado, levasse o cheiro de Bara, o veado, às suas sensíveis narinas.

En Tarzan balançou para uma árvore e fez gestos para que o Alalus o seguisse, mas a criatura era tão desajeitada que Tarzan teve que arrastá-lo até um galho. Através de sinais, Tarzan tentou comunicar que o Alalus deveria ficar ali e guardar os materiais que Tarzan havia reunido para fazer armas, enquanto Tarzan continuava a caça sozinho.

En Tarzan não tinha certeza de que o jovem o entendia. No entanto, o homem não o seguiu quando Tarzan se moveu silenciosamente pelas árvores, seguindo o cheiro de um ruminante. Para Tarzan, o animal era sempre Bara, o cervo, um nome que ele aprendera quando criança em um livro de alfabeto colorido na cabana de seu pai. Na realidade, era um antílope, mas as fortes impressões da infância haviam fixado esse nome em sua mente.

Chapter One

Português

Em uma cabana escura e imunda na aldeia canibal de Obebe, às margens do Rio Ugogo, Esteban Miranda agachava-se enquanto roía um peixe meio cozido. Em seu pescoço havia uma coleira de escravo de ferro, e alguns metros de corrente enferrujada a conectavam a um poste grosso perto da entrada baixa. A cabana ficava próxima à própria moradia de Obebe.

Original English

In the filth of a dark hut, in the village of Obebe the cannibal, upon the banks of the Ugogo, Esteban Miranda squatted upon his haunches and gnawed upon the remnants of a half-cooked fish. About his neck was an iron slave collar from which a few feet of rusty chain ran to a stout post set deep in the ground near the low entranceway that let upon the village street not far from the hut of Obebe himself.

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Português

Esteban estava acorrentado como um cão há um ano. Às vezes ele rastejava pela porta baixa para tomar sol. Ele tinha dois entretenimentos. Um era sua firme crença de que era Tarzan dos Macacos, um papel que representara por tanto tempo e tão bem que se tornara isso em sua própria mente. Para Obebe, ele também era Tarzan. Mas o feiticeiro da aldeia insistia que ele era um demônio do rio, alguém a ser apaziguado em vez de irritado.

Original English

For a year Esteban Miranda had been chained thus, like a dog, and like a dog he sometimes crawled through the low doorway of his kennel and basked in the sun outside. Two diversions had he; and only two. One was the persistent idea that he was Tarzan of the Apes, whom he had impersonated for so long and with such growing success that, like the good actor he was, he had come not only to act the part, but to live it--to be it. He way, as far as he was concerned, Tarzan of the Apes--there was no other--and he was Tarzan of the Apes to Obebe, too; but the village witch doctor still insisted that he was the river devil and as such, one to propitiate rather than to anger.

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Português

Esse desentendimento entre o chefe Obebe e o feiticeiro salvou a vida de Esteban. Obebe queria comê-lo, acreditando que ele era o homem-macaco. Mas o feiticeiro despertou medos supersticiosos, convencendo parcialmente os aldeões de que o prisioneiro era o demônio do rio disfarçado. Ele alertou que ferir o demônio traria desastre. Assim, a vida de Esteban foi preservada até que a verdade pudesse ser determinada: se ele morresse naturalmente, era Tarzan mortal; se vivesse para sempre ou desaparecesse, a alegação do feiticeiro seria aceita.

Original English

It had been this difference of opinion between the chief and the witch doctor that had kept Esteban Miranda from the fleshpots of the village, for Obebe had wanted to eat him, thinking him his old enemy the ape-man; but the witch doctor had aroused the superstitious fears of the villagers by half convincing them that their prisoner was the river devil masquerading as Tarzan, and, as such, dire disaster would descend upon the village were he harmed. The result of this difference between Obebe and the witch doctor had been to preserve the life of the Spaniard until the truth of one claim or the other was proved--if Esteban died a natural death he was Tarzan, the mortal, and Obebe the chief was vindicated; if he lived on forever, or mysteriously disappeared, the claim of the witch doctor would be accepted as gospel.

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Português

Depois de aprender o idioma local e perceber o quão perto estivera de ser comido, Esteban parou de se autodenominar Tarzan. Em vez disso, insinuou misteriosamente que era de fato o demônio do rio. O feiticeiro ficou encantado, e todos foram enganados — exceto Obebe, que era sábio e não acreditava em demônios do rio, e o próprio feiticeiro, que sabia que não existiam tais demônios, mas achava a crença útil para controlar os aldeões.

Original English

After he had learned their language and thus come to a realization of the accident of fate that had guided his destiny by so narrow a margin from the cooking pots of the cannibals he was less eager to proclaim himself Tarzan of the Apes. Instead he let drop mysterious suggestions that he was, indeed, none other than the river devil. The witch doctor was delighted, and everyone was fooled except Obebe, who was old and wise and did not believe in river devils, and the witch doctor who was old and wise and did not believe in them either, but realized that they were excellent things for his parishioners to believe in.

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Português

O outro entretenimento de Esteban era se regozijar com um saco de diamantes. O russo Kraski os havia roubado de Tarzan e, após assassinar Kraski, Esteban passou a possuí-los. Esses mesmos diamantes haviam sido entregues a Tarzan nos cofres subterrâneos da Torre dos Diamantes, no Vale do Palácio dos Diamantes, quando Tarzan resgatou os Gomangani da tirania dos Bolgani.

Original English

Esteban Miranda's other diversion, aside from secretly believing himself Tarzan, consisted in gloating over the bag of diamonds that Kraski the Russian had stolen from the ape-man, and that had fallen into the Spaniard's hands after he had murdered Kraski--the same bag of diamonds that the man had handed to Tarzan in the vaults beneath the Tower of Diamonds, in the Valley of the Palace of Diamonds, when he had rescued the Gomangani of the valley from the tyrannical oppression of the Bolgani.

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Português

Esteban Miranda passava horas em sua cabana mal iluminada, contando e admirando as pedras preciosas. Ele havia pesado cada uma muitas vezes, calculando seu valor e sonhando com os prazeres que tal riqueza poderia comprar nas grandes cidades. Cercado de sujeira e comendo restos, ele ainda possuía uma fortuna como a de Creso. Em sua imaginação, a cabana se transformava em um palácio iluminado pelo brilho das gemas. Ao ouvir qualquer som, ele escondia rapidamente as pedras em sua tanga e fingia ser apenas um prisioneiro.

Original English

For hours at a time Esteban Miranda sat in the dim light of his dirty kennel counting and fondling the brilliant stones. A thousand times had he weighed each one in an appraising palm, computing its value and translating it into such pleasures of the flesh as great wealth might buy for him in the capitals of the world. Mired in his own filth, feeding upon rotted scraps tossed to him by unclean hands, he yet possessed the wealth of a Croesus, and it was as Croesus he lived in his imaginings, his dismal hut changed into the pomp and circumstance of a palace by the scintillant gleams of the precious stones. At the sound of each approaching footstep he would hastily hide his fabulous fortune in the wretched loin cloth that was his only garment, and once again become a prisoner in a cannibal hut.

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Português

Após um ano de confinamento solitário, Esteban ganhou uma nova distração: Uhha, filha do feiticeiro Khamis. Ela tinha catorze anos, era bonita e curiosa. Tendo observado o misterioso prisioneiro à distância por um ano, seus medos eventualmente desapareceram, e um dia ela se aproximou dele enquanto ele estava deitado ao sol. Esteban sorriu encorajadoramente. Ele não tinha amigos na aldeia, e conquistar um amigo poderia tornar sua vida mais fácil e aproximá-lo da liberdade. Uhha parou a alguns passos de distância. Ela era uma criança, ignorante e selvagem, mas também uma jovem mulher, e Esteban Miranda sabia como lidar com mulheres.

Original English

And now, after a year of solitary confinement, came a third diversion, in the form of Uhha, the daughter of Khamis the witch doctor. Uhha was fourteen, comely and curious. For a year now she had watched the mysterious prisoner from a distance until, at last, familiarity had overcome her fears and one day she approached him as he lay in the sun outside his hut. Esteban, who had been watching her half-timorous advance, smiled encouragingly. He had not a friend among the villagers. If he could make but one his lot would be much the easier and freedom a step nearer. At last Uhha came to a halt a few steps from him. She was a child, ignorant and a savage; but she was a woman-child and Esteban Miranda knew women.

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Português

No idioma que havia aprendido com dificuldade, ele disse a ela que estava na aldeia do chefe Obebe há um ano, mas nunca imaginara que ela abrigava alguém tão bonita. Ele perguntou seu nome.

Original English

"I have been in the village of the chief Obebe for a year,"he said haltingly, in the laboriously acquired language of his captors,"but never before did I guess that its walls held one so beautiful as you. What is your name?"

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Português

Ela ficou satisfeita e sorriu amplamente, dizendo-lhe que seu nome era Uhha e que seu pai era Khamis, o feiticeiro.

Original English

Uhha was pleased. She smiled broadly."I am Uhha,"she told him."My father is Khamis the witch doctor."

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Português

Agora era Esteban quem se sentia satisfeito. O destino, após longa negligência, finalmente mostrava bondade. Enviara-lhe alguém que, com o cultivo adequado, poderia se tornar uma flor de esperança.

Original English

It was Esteban who was pleased now. Fate, after rebuffing him for long, was at last kind. She had sent him one who, with cultivation, might prove a flower of hope indeed.

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Português

Esteban perguntou por que ela nunca o visitara antes.

Original English

"Why have you never come to see me before?"asked Esteban.

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Português

Uhha respondeu simplesmente que o medo a mantivera afastada.

Original English

"I was afraid,"replied Uhha simply.

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Português

Ele perguntou o motivo do medo dela.

Original English

"Why?"

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Português

Ela começou a dizer que estivera com medo, mas então se conteve.

Original English

"I was afraid--"she hesitated.

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Português

Com um sorriso, o espanhol perguntou se ela temia que ele fosse o demônio do rio que pretendia machucá-la.

Original English

"Afraid that I was the river devil and would harm you?"demanded the Spaniard, smiling.

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Português

Ela confirmou com um sim.

Original English

"Yes,"she said.

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Português

Esteban sussurrou, exortando-os a ouvir e permanecer em silêncio, alegando ser o demônio do rio, mas que não queria lhes fazer mal.

Original English

"Listen!"whispered Esteban;"but tell no one. I am the river devil, but I shall not harm you."

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Português

Uhha perguntou por que, se ele fosse realmente o demônio do rio, permanecia acorrentado a uma estaca e por que não se transformava em outra forma e voltava para o rio.

Original English

"If you are the river devil why then do you remain chained to a stake?"inquired Uhha."Why do you not change yourself to something else and return to the river?"

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Português

Miranda perguntou se eles estavam curiosos sobre aquilo, ganhando tempo para inventar uma explicação convincente.

Original English

"You wonder about that, do you?"asked Miranda, sparring for time that he might concoct a plausible answer.

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Português

A garota disse que Uhha não estava sozinho em sua curiosidade; muitos outros haviam feito a mesma pergunta recentemente. Obebe foi o primeiro a perguntar, mas ninguém conseguiu dar uma resposta. Obebe afirmou que ele era Tarzan, um inimigo de seu povo, enquanto seu pai Khamis sustentava que ele era o demônio do rio, que poderia escapar facilmente transformando-se em uma cobra e deslizando através do colar de ferro. As pessoas se perguntavam por que ele não fazia isso, e muitos estavam começando a duvidar que ele fosse realmente o demônio do rio.

Original English

"It is not only Uhha who wonders,"said the girl."Many others have asked the same question of late. Obebe asked it first and there was none to explain. Obebe says that you are Tarzan, the enemy of Obebe and his people; but my father Khamis says that you are the river devil, and that if you wanted to get away you would change yourself into a snake and crawl through the iron collar that is about your neck. And the people wonder why you do not, and many of them are commencing to believe that you are not the river devil at all."

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Português

Miranda sussurrou para Uhha, instando-a a se aproximar para que apenas ela ouvisse o que Miranda pretendia dizer.

Original English

"Come closer, beautiful Uhha,"whispered Miranda,"that no other ears than yours may hear what I am about to tell you."

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Português

A garota se aproximou um pouco mais e se inclinou em direção a ele enquanto ele se agachava no chão.

Original English

The girl came a little closer and leaned toward him where he squatted upon the ground.

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Português

Esteban afirmou ser o demônio do rio, livre para vagar pelo Ugogo à noite. Ele disse que estava testando os moradores de Obebe para encontrar amigos e inimigos. Já havia descoberto que Obebe era um inimigo, e estava incerto sobre Khamis, que não lhe trouxera comida nem bebida. Declarou que se alguém o libertasse, essa pessoa seria abençoada com boa sorte, vida longa e a ajuda do demônio do rio. Avisou Uhha para manter suas palavras em segredo e ameaçou destruir todos se nenhum amigo aparecesse.

Original English

"I am indeed the river devil,"said Esteban,"and I come and go as I wish. At night, when the village sleeps, I am wandering through the waters of the Ugogo, but always I come back again. I am waiting, Uhha, to try the people of the village of Obebe that I may know which are my friends and which my enemies. Already have I learned that Obebe is no friend of mine, and I am not sure of Khamis. Had Khamis been a good friend he would have brought me fine food and beer to drink. I could go when I pleased, but I wait to see if there be one in the village of Obebe who will set me free, thus may I learn which is my best friend. Should there be such a one, Uhha, fortune would smile upon him always, his every wish would be granted and he would live to a great age, for he would have nothing to fear from the river devil, who would help him in all his undertakings. But listen, Uhha, tell no one what I have told you! I shall wait a little longer and then if there be no such friend in the village of Obebe I shall return to my father and mother, the Ugogo, and destroy the people of Obebe. Not one shall remain alive."

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Português

A garota recuou com medo, claramente profundamente afetada por suas palavras.

Original English

The girl drew away, terrified. It was evident that she was much impressed.

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Português

Ele a tranquilizou, dizendo-lhe para não ter medo e que ele não a machucaria.

Original English

"Do not be afraid,"he reassured her."I shall not harm you."

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Português

Ela exigiu saber o que aconteceria se ele destruísse todas as pessoas.

Original English

"But if you destroy all the people?"she demanded.

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Português

Ele respondeu que, nesse caso, não poderia ajudá-la, mas esperava que alguém o libertasse para que soubesse que tinha pelo menos um verdadeiro amigo. Depois, disse a Uhha para ir embora e manter suas palavras em segredo.

Original English

"Then, of course,"he said,"I cannot help you; but let us hope that someone comes and sets me free so that I shall know that I have at least one good friend here. Now run along, Uhha, and remember that you must tell no one what I have told you."

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Português

Ela afastou-se uma curta distância e depois voltou.

Original English

She moved off a short distance and then returned.

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Português

Ela perguntou quando ele planejava destruir a vila.

Original English

"When will you destroy the village?"she asked.

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Português

Ele respondeu que seria dentro de alguns dias.

Original English

"In a few days,"he said.

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Português

Aterrorizada, Uhha fugiu para a cabana de seu pai Khamis, o curandeiro. Esteban Miranda, satisfeito, rastejou de volta ao seu esconderijo para brincar com seus diamantes.

Original English

Uhha, trembling with terror, ran quickly away in the direction of the hut of her father, Khamis, the witch doctor. Esteban Miranda smiled a satisfied smile and crawled back into his hole to play with his diamonds.

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Português

Khamis não estava em sua cabana quando sua filha Uhha, desfalecida de medo, entrou no interior escuro. Suas esposas e filhos estavam nos campos onde Uhha deveria estar. Essa solidão lhe deu tempo para pensar, e ela lembrou claramente do aviso do demônio do rio de que não deveria contar a ninguém o que ele lhe dissera.

Original English

Khamis the witch doctor was not in his hut when Uhha his daughter, faint from fright, crawled into the dim interior. Nor were his wives. With their children, the latter were in the fields beyond the palisade, where Uhha should have been. And so it was that the girl had time for thought before she saw any of them again, with the result that she recalled distinctly, what she had almost forgotten in the first frenzy of fear, that the river devil had impressed upon her that she must reveal to no one the thing that he had told her.

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Português

Ela quase contou tudo ao seu pai.

Original English

And she had been upon the point of telling her father all!

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Português

Que terrível calamidade poderia ter caído sobre ela? Ela tremeu ao pensar em um destino terrível demais para imaginar. Por pouco ela escapou! No entanto, ela não sabia o que fazer.

Original English

What dire calamity then would have befallen her? She trembled at the very suggestion of a fate so awful that she could not even imagine it. How close a call she had had! But what was she to do?

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Português

Ela ficou encurvada sobre uma esteira de capim, lutando para resolver o imenso problema diante dela — o primeiro problema real em sua jovem vida, além de evitar o trabalho no campo. De repente, ela se sentou, tocada por um pensamento das palavras do demônio do rio. Ele dissera, e repetira, que se fosse libertado saberia que tinha um amigo em Obebe, e que quem o libertasse viveria muito e teria tudo o que desejasse. Mas depois de alguns minutos, Uhha desanimou novamente. Como poderia uma menina sozinha libertar o demônio do rio?

Original English

She lay huddled upon a mat of woven grasses, racking her poor, savage little brain for a solution of the immense problem that confronted her--the first problem that had ever entered her young life other than the constantly recurring one of how most easily to evade her share of the drudgery of the fields. Presently she sat suddenly erect, galvanized into statuesque rigidity by a thought engendered by the recollection of one of the river devil's remarks. Why had it not occurred to her before? Very plainly he had said, and he had repeated it, that if he were released he would know that he had at least one friend in the village of Obebe, and that whoever released him would live to a great age and have every thing he wished for; but after a few minutes of thought Uhha drooped again. How was she, a little girl, to compass the liberation of the river devil alone?

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Português

Ela perguntou ao pai como o demônio do rio destruía aqueles que o prejudicavam, depois que ele voltou para a cabana mais tarde naquele dia.

Original English

"How, baba,"she asked her father, when he had returned to the hut, later in the day,"does the river devil destroy those who harm him?"

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Português

Khamis respondeu que os modos do demônio do rio eram tão incontáveis quanto os peixes no rio; ele poderia afastar os peixes e a caça, arruinar suas plantações, causando fome, ou trazer fogo do céu noturno para matar todo o povo de Obebe.

Original English

"As the fish in the river, so are the ways of the river devil--without number,"replied Khamis."He might send the fish from the river and the game from the jungle and cause our crops to die. Then we should starve. He might bring the fire out of the sky at night and strike dead all the people of Obebe."

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Português

Ela então perguntou ao pai se ele acreditava que o demônio do rio poderia fazer tais coisas a eles.

Original English

"And you think he may do these things to us, baba?"

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Português

O feiticeiro respondeu que o demônio do rio não prejudicaria Khamis, porque Khamis o salvara da morte que Obebe teria infligido.

Original English

"He will not harm Khamis, who saved him from the death that Obebe would have inflicted,"replied the witch doctor.

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Português

Uhha lembrou-se da queixa do demônio do rio de que Khamis não tinha fornecido boa comida ou cerveja, mas ela permaneceu em silêncio, ciente de que seu pai não estava tão nas graças do demônio do rio quanto acreditava. Portanto, ela escolheu uma abordagem diferente.

Original English

Uhha recalled that the river devil had complained that Khamis had not brought him good food nor beer, but she said nothing about that, although she realized that her father was far from being so high in the good graces of the river devil as he seemed to think he was. Instead, she took another tack.

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Português

Ela perguntou como ele poderia escapar com a coleira em volta do pescoço e quem a removeria por ele.

Original English

"How can he escape,"she asked"while the collar is about his neck--who will remove it for him?"

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Português

Khamis respondeu que apenas Obebe poderia remover a coleira usando um pedaço de latão de sua bolsa, e acrescentou que o demônio do rio não precisava de ajuda porque podia se transformar em uma cobra e rastejar para fora da faixa de ferro. Então ele perguntou a Uhha para onde ela estava indo.

Original English

"No one can remove it but Obebe, who carries in his pouch the bit of brass that makes the collar open,"replied Khamis;"but the river devil needs no help, for when the time comes that he wishes to be free he has but to become a snake and crawl forth from the iron band about his neck. Where are you going, Uhha?"

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Português

Uhha gritou por cima do ombro que ia visitar a filha de Obebe.

Original English

"I am going to visit the daughter of Obebe,"she called back over her shoulder.

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Português

A filha do chefe estava moendo milho, que também era a tarefa de Uhha. Ela ergueu os olhos e sorriu quando a filha do feiticeiro se aproximou.

Original English

The chief's daughter was grinding maize, as Uhha should have been doing. She looked up and smiled as the daughter of the witch doctor approached.

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Português

A filha de Obebe alertou Uhha para ficar quieta porque seu pai estava dormindo dentro da cabana. Uhha sentou-se, e as duas garotas conversaram em voz baixa sobre seus ornamentos, penteados e os jovens da aldeia, muitas vezes rindo. A conversa delas não era diferente da de garotas jovens em qualquer lugar. Enquanto conversavam, Uhha frequentemente olhava para a entrada da cabana, com a testa franzida como se estivesse pensando mais profundamente do que sua conversa fiada justificava.

Original English

"Make no noise, Uhha,"she cautioned,"for Obebe, my father, sleeps within."She nodded toward the hut. The visitor sat down and the two girls chatted in low tones. They spoke of their ornaments, their coiffures, of the young men of the village, and often, when they spoke of these, they giggled. Their conversation was not unlike that which might pass between two young girls of any race or clime. As they talked, Uhha's eyes often wandered toward the entrance to Obebe's hut and many times her brows were contracted in much deeper thought than their idle passages warranted.

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Português

Ela exigiu subitamente saber o paradeiro do bracelete de fio de cobre que seu tio lhe dera no início da última lua.

Original English

"Where,"she demanded suddenly,"is the armlet of copper wire that your father's brother gave you at the beginning of the last moon?"

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Português

Ela respondeu que ele o havia tomado de volta e dado à irmã de sua esposa mais jovem.

Original English

Obebe's daughter shrugged."He took it back from me,"she replied,"and gave it to the sister of his youngest wife."

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Português

Uhha pareceu decepcionada, perguntando-se se ela havia cobiçado o bracelete. Ela estudou sua amiga atentamente, pensando profundamente. Então seu rosto subitamente se iluminou.

Original English

Uhha appeared crestfallen. Could it be that she had coveted the copper bracelet? Her eyes closely scrutinized the person of her friend. Her brows almost met, so deeply was she thinking. Suddenly her face brightened.

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Português

Ela exclamou sobre o colar de contas que o pai de sua amiga havia tirado de um guerreiro capturado na última festa. Ela perguntou se sua amiga não o havia perdido.

Original English

"The necklace of many beads that your father took from the body of the warrior captured for the last feast!"she exclaimed."You have not lost it?"

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Português

Sua amiga respondeu que não o havia perdido; ele estava na casa de seu pai. Ela o tinha deixado de lado porque atrapalhava quando moía milho.

Original English

"No,"replied her friend."It is in the house of my father. When I grind maize it gets in my way and so I laid it aside."

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Português

Uhha perguntou se poderia vê-lo e se ofereceu para buscá-lo.

Original English

"May I see it?"asked Uhha."I will fetch it."

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Português

A filha do chefe recusou, avisando que Uhha acordaria Obebe e ele ficaria muito irritado.

Original English

"No, you will awaken Obebe and he will be very angry,"said the chief�s daughter.

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Português

Uhha insistiu que não o acordaria e então começou a rastejar em direção à entrada da cabana.

Original English

"I will not awaken him,"replied Uhha, and started to crawl toward the hut's entrance.

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Português

Sua amiga tentou dissuadi-la, prometendo buscar o item depois que Obebe acordasse, mas Uhha a ignorou e entrou furtivamente na cabana. Ela esperou seus olhos se adaptarem à luz fraca. Obebe estava estirado em uma esteira do outro lado da sala, roncando alto. Uhha se aproximou dele com a discrição de uma pantera, seu coração batendo como um tambor. Ela temia que o barulho do seu batimento cardíaco e da respiração acordasse o chefe, a quem ela temia tanto quanto o demônio do rio, mas Obebe continuou roncando.

Original English

Her friend tried to dissuade her."I will fetch it as soon as baba has awakened,"she told Uhha, but Uhha paid no attention to her and presently was crawling cautiously into the interior of the hut. Once within she waited silently until her eyes became accustomed to the dim light. Against the opposite wall of the hut Obebe lay sprawled upon a sleeping mat. He snored lustily. Uhha crept toward him. Her stealth was the stealth of Sheeta the leopard. Her heart was beating like the tom-tom when the dance is at its height. She feared that its noise and her rapid breathing would awaken the old chief, of whom she was as terrified as of the river devil; but Obebe snored on.

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Português

Uhha se aproximou, seus olhos já acostumados ao interior escuro. Ela avistou a bolsa do chefe ao lado de Obebe, parcialmente debaixo dele. Sua mão trêmula se estendeu e a agarrou, mas quando tentou puxá-la, Obebe se mexeu. Aterrorizada, ela recuou. Obebe mudou de posição, e Uhha pensou que ele tivesse acordado, mas ele apenas retomou o ronco. Sua coragem se foi; agora ela queria apenas escapar sem ser notada. No entanto, ao lançar um último olhar temeroso, viu que Obebe havia se virado, deixando a bolsa ao alcance, livre do seu peso.

Original English

Uhha came close to him. Her eyes were accustomed now to the half-light of the hut's interior. At Obebe's side and half beneath his body she saw the chief�s pouch. Cautiously she reached forth a trembling hand and laid hold upon it. She tried to draw it from beneath Obebe's weight. The sleeper stirred uneasily and Uhha drew back, terrified. Obebe changed his position and Uhha thought that he had awakened. Had she not been frozen with horror she would have rushed into headlong flight, but fortunately for her she could not move, and presently she heard Obebe resume his interrupted snoring; but her nerve was gone and she thought now only of escaping from the hut without being detected. She cast a last frightened glance at the chief to reassure herself that he still slept. Her eyes fell upon the pouch. Obebe had turned away from it and it now lay within her reach, free from the weight of his body.

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Português

Ela estendeu a mão para a bolsa, mas a puxou de volta. Ela se virou, com o coração batendo forte. Sentindo tontura, pensou no demônio do rio e nas mortes horríveis que ele poderia infligir. Ela estendeu a mão para a bolsa novamente, desta vez pegando-a. Ela a abriu rapidamente e olhou para dentro. A chave de latão estava lá. Ela a reconheceu porque era o único item cujo propósito ela não entendia. O colar, a corrente e a chave haviam sido tirados de um traficante de escravos árabe que Obebe matou e comeu. Como alguns homens mais velhos da vila de Obebe usaram correntes semelhantes no passado, eles não tiveram problemas em adaptá-la para seu uso pretendido quando necessário.

Original English

She reached for it only to withdraw her hand suddenly. She turned away. Her heart was in her mouth. She swayed dizzily and then she thought of the river devil and of the possibilities for horrid death that lay within his power. Once more she reached for the pouch and this time she picked it up. Hurriedly opening it she examined the contents. The brass key was there. She recognized it because it was the only thing the purpose of which she was not familiar with. The collar, chain and key had been taken from an Arab slave raider that Obebe had killed and eaten and as some of the old men of Obebe's village had worn similar bonds in the past, there was no difficulty in adapting it to its intended purpose when occasion demanded.

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Português

Uhha fechou a bolsa rapidamente e a colocou de volta ao lado de Obebe. Então, segurando a chave na palma da mão úmida, ela rastejou apressadamente em direção à porta.

Original English

Uhha hastily closed the pouch and replaced it at Obebe's side. Then, clutching the key in a clammy palm, she crawled hurriedly toward the doorway.

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Português

Naquela noite, depois que os fogos de cozinha se transformaram em brasas e foram cobertos com terra, e as pessoas de Obebe se retiraram para suas cabanas, Esteban Miranda ouviu um movimento furtivo na entrada de seu canil. Ele ouviu atentamente. Alguém — ou algo — estava se arrastando para dentro.

Original English

That night, after the cooking fires had died to embers and been covered with earth and the people of Obebe had withdrawn into their huts, Esteban Miranda heard a stealthy movement at the entrance to his kennel. He listened intently. Someone was creeping into the interior--someone or something.

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Português

O espanhol exigiu saber quem era, esforçando-se para manter a voz firme.

Original English

"Who is it?"demanded the Spaniard in a voice that he tried hard to keep from trembling.

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Português

A intrusa sussurrou para que ele ficasse quieto e se identificou como Uhha, filha do curandeiro Khamis. Ela disse que veio libertá-lo para que ele soubesse que tinha uma boa amiga na vila de Obebe e, portanto, não os destruiria.

Original English

"Hush!"responded the intruder in soft tones."It is I, Uhha, the daughter of Khamis the witch doctor. I have come to set you free that you may know that you have a good friend in the village of Obebe and will, therefore, not destroy us."

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Português

Miranda sorriu porque seu plano tinha funcionado mais rápido do que ele esperava. A garota havia seguido sua instrução de permanecer em silêncio. Nisso ele estava errado, mas isso não importava mais, já que seu único objetivo — a liberdade — estava prestes a ser alcançado. Ele havia dito à garota para ficar quieta porque acreditava que essa era a melhor maneira de espalhar uma mensagem pela vila. Ele tinha certeza de que a mensagem chegaria a algum selvagem supersticioso que pudesse libertá-lo, agora que a motivação havia sido fornecida.

Original English

Miranda smiled. His suggestion had borne fruit more quickly than he had dared to hope, and evidently the girl had obeyed his injunction to keep silent. In that matter he had reasoned wrongly, but of what moment that, since his sole aim in life--freedom--was to be accomplished. He had cautioned the girl to silence believing this the surest way to disseminate the word he had wished spread through the village, where, he was positive, it would have come to the ears of some one of the superstitious savages with the means to free him now that the incentive was furnished.

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Português

Miranda perguntou a ela como ela pretendia libertá-lo.

Original English

"And how are you going to free me?"demanded Miranda.

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Português

Uhha exclamou que havia trazido a chave do colar em volta do pescoço dele.

Original English

"See!"exclaimed Uhha."I have brought the key to the collar about your neck."

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Português

O espanhol exclamou em aprovação e perguntou onde estava a chave.

Original English

"Good,"cried the Spaniard."Where is it?"

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Português

Uhha se aproximou devagar do homem e entregou a chave a ele. Ela então tentou fugir.

Original English

Uhha crawled closer to the man and handed him the key. Then she would have fled.

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Português

O prisioneiro exigiu que esperassem. Ele insistiu que, após sua libertação, eles deveriam levá-lo para a selva, pois quem o libertasse precisava fazer isso para ganhar o favor do deus do rio.

Original English

"Wait!"demanded the prisoner."When I am free you must lead me forth into the jungle. Whoever sets me free must do this if he would win the favor of the river god."

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Português

Embora aterrorizada, Uhha não ousou recusar. Miranda lutou com a fechadura antiga por vários minutos até que a chave gasta finalmente girou. Ele então fechou o cadeado e, com a chave na mão, rastejou em direção à entrada.

Original English

Uhha was afraid, but she did not dare refuse. Miranda fumbled with the ancient lock for several minutes before it at last gave to the worn key the girl had brought Then he snapped the padlock again and carrying the key with him crawled toward the entrance.

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Português

Ele sussurrou para a garota buscar-lhe armas. Uhha deslizou para as sombras da aldeia. Miranda sabia que ela estava aterrorizada, mas confiava que seu medo a faria voltar rapidamente. Ele não se enganou; em cinco minutos ela voltou com uma aljava de flechas, um arco e uma faca resistente.

Original English

"Get me weapons,"he whispered to the girl and Uhha departed through the shadows of the village street. Miranda knew that she was terrified but was confident that this very terror would prove the means of bringing her back to him with the weapons. Nor was he wrong, for scarce five minutes had elapsed before Uhha had returned with a quiver of arrows, a bow and a stout knife.

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Português

Esteban ordenou que ela o levasse até o portão.

Original English

"Now lead me to the gate,"commanded Esteban.

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Português

Uhha manteve-se atrás das cabanas, evitando a rua principal, enquanto conduzia o fugitivo aos portões da aldeia. Surpreendeu-a que ele, um demônio do rio, não soubesse abri-los, pois ela acreditava que demônios do rio eram oniscientes. No entanto, ela seguiu suas ordens, mostrando-lhe como remover a barra pesada, e juntos empurraram os portões o suficiente para que ele passasse. Além deles havia a clareira que levava ao rio, ladeada por gigantes da selva. A escuridão era profunda, e Esteban Miranda de repente percebeu o custo de sua liberdade recém-descoberta. A ideia de aventurar-se sozinho na selva escura e misteriosa encheu-o de um medo inexplicável.

Original English

Keeping out of the main street and as much in rear of the huts as possible Uhha led the fugitive toward the village gates. It surprised her a little that he, a river devil, should not know how to unlock and open them, for she had thought that river devils were all-wise; but she did as he bid and showed him how the great bar could be withdrawn, and helped him push the gates open enough to permit him to pass through. Beyond was the clearing that led to the river, on either hand rose the giants of the jungle. It was very dark out there and Esteban Miranda suddenly discovered that his new-found liberty had its drawbacks. To go forth alone at night into the dark, mysterious jungle filled him with a nameless dread.

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Português

Uhha recuou dos portões, sentindo que havia cumprido seu dever e salvado a vila da destruição. Ela agora queria fechar os portões rapidamente e retornar à cabana de seu pai, onde planejava deitar-se tremendo de uma mistura de excitação nervosa e medo, temendo a manhã em que a vila descobriria a fuga do demônio do rio.

Original English

Uhha drew back from the gates. She had done her part and saved the village from destruction. Now she wished to close the gates again and hasten back to the hut of her father, there to lie trembling in nervous excitement and terror against the morning that would reveal to the village the escape of the river devil.

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Português

Esteban estendeu a mão e agarrou seu braço, dizendo-lhe para vir com ele receber sua recompensa.

Original English

Esteban reached forth and took her by the arm."Come,"he said,"and receive your reward."

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Português

Uhha recuou dele, gritando que queria ser solta porque estava com medo.

Original English

Uhha shrank away from him."Let me go!"she cried."I am afraid."

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Português

Esteban também estava com medo e decidiu que a companhia daquela pequena menina negra era melhor do que estar sozinho na selva profunda e solitária. Talvez durante o dia ele a deixasse voltar para seu povo, mas naquela noite ele temia a ideia de entrar na selva sem nenhum companheiro humano.

Original English

But Esteban was afraid, too, and he had decided that the company of this little negro girl would be better than no company at all in the depths of the lonely jungle. Possibly when daylight came he would let her go back to her people, but tonight he shuddered at the thought of entering the jungle without human companionship.

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Português

Uhha tentou se libertar do aperto dele, lutando como um pequeno filhote de leão. Ela estava prestes a soltar um grito selvagem por socorro quando Miranda abruptamente colocou a mão sobre sua boca, ergueu-a do chão e correu rapidamente pela clareira antes de desaparecer na selva.

Original English

Uhha tried to tear herself free from his grasp. She struggled like a little lion cub, and at last would have raised her voice in a wild scream for help had not Miranda suddenly clapped his palm across her mouth, lifted her bodily from the ground and, running swiftly across the clearing, disappeared into the jungle.

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Português

Os guerreiros de Obebe, o canibal, dormiam pacificamente atrás deles, inconscientes da repentina tragédia que havia atingido a pequena Uhha. À frente, longe na selva, um leão rugia alto.

Original English

Behind them the warriors of Obebe the cannibal slept in peaceful ignorance of the sudden tragedy that had entered the life of little Uhha and before them, far out in the jungle, a lion roared thunderously.

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Chapter Two

Português

Três pessoas, dois homens e uma mulher, desceram da varanda do bangalô africano de Lord Greystoke. Caminharam lentamente em direção ao portão por um caminho ladeado de rosas que se curvava graciosamente pelos terrenos modestos, mas arrumados, ao redor da casa térrea e espaçosa do homem-macaco. Todos estavam vestidos de cáqui; o homem mais velho carregava um capacete de piloto e óculos de proteção em uma das mãos. Ele sorria calmamente enquanto ouvia o homem mais jovem.

Original English

Three persons stepped from the veranda of Lord Greystoke's African bungalow and walked slowly toward the gate along a rose-embowered path that swung in a graceful curve through the well-ordered, though unpretentious, grounds surrounding the ape-man's rambling, one-story home. There were two men and a woman, all in khaki, the older man carrying a flier's helmet and a pair of goggles in one hand. He was smiling quietly as he listened to the younger man.

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Português

O homem mais jovem disse a Tarzan que não estaria voando naquele momento se sua mãe estivesse lá, porque ela nunca permitiria.

Original English

"You wouldn't be doing this now if mother were here,"said the latter."She would never permit it."

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Português

Tarzan concordou que seu filho estava certo, mas disse que aquele seria seu único voo solo; ele prometeu não voar novamente até que sua esposa voltasse. Ele observou que seu filho o chamara de aprendiz rápido, então, como instrutor, ele deveria ter confiança nele depois de admitir que ele era capaz de voar sozinho. Então ele perguntou à jovem, Meriem, se isso não era verdade.

Original English

"I'm afraid you are right, my son,"replied Tarzan;"but only this one flight alone and then I'll promise not to go up again until she returns. You have said yourself that I am an apt pupil and if you are any sort of an instructor you should have perfect confidence in me after having said that I was perfectly competent to pilot a ship alone. Eh, Meriem, isn't that true?"he demanded of the young woman.

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Português

Meriem balançou a cabeça e disse que, como sua mãe, ela sempre tinha medo por ele. Ela disse que ele corria tantos riscos que se poderia pensar que ele se considerava imortal. Ela disse a ele que ele deveria ser mais cuidadoso.

Original English

She shook her head."Like My Dear, I am always afraid for you, mon pere,"she replied."You take such risks that one would think you considered yourself immortal. You should be more careful."

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Português

O homem mais novo colocou o braço em volta dos ombros de sua esposa e comentou que Meriem estava correta, aconselhando seu pai a ter mais cautela.

Original English

The younger man threw his arm about his wife's shoulders."Meriem is right,"he said;"you should be more careful, Father."

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Português

Tarzan deu de ombros e respondeu que, se seus pais fizessem a vontade deles, seus nervos e músculos já teriam enfraquecido há muito tempo. Ele argumentou que eles lhe foram dados para usar, e ele pretendia usá-los, embora com discrição. Ele acrescentou que, sem dúvida, ele se tornaria velho e inútil em breve, e por muito tempo.

Original English

Tarzan shrugged."If you and mother had your way my nerves and muscles would have atrophied long since. They were given me to use and I intend using them--with discretion. Doubtless I shall be old and useless soon enough, and long enough, as it is."

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Português

De repente, uma criança saiu correndo do bangalô, seguida por uma governanta suada, e correu para o lado de Meriem.

Original English

A child burst suddenly from the bungalow, pursued by a perspiring governess, and raced to Meriem's side.

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Português

A criança chamou pela mãe, usando uma pronúncia infantil, e perguntou repetidamente sobre o paradeiro de Dackie.

Original English

"Muwer,"he cried,"Dackie doe? Dackie doe?"

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Português

Tarzan insistiu que a criança fosse autorizada a acompanhá-los.

Original English

"Let him come along,"urged Tarzan.

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Português

O menino virou-se triunfantemente para a governanta e a desafiou, então disse algo em um idioma que ela não conseguia entender.

Original English

"Dare!"exclaimed the boy, turning triumphantly upon the governess;"Dackie do doe yalk!"

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Português

Na planície aberta perto do bangalô, um biplano descansava, à sombra do qual dois guerreiros Waziri relaxavam. Eles haviam sido treinados por Korak, filho de Tarzan, como mecânicos e pilotos. Tarzan, como chefe, sentia que seus guerreiros não deveriam superá-lo em nenhuma habilidade, então ele aprendeu a voar. Ele ajustou seu capacete e óculos e subiu no cockpit.

Original English

Out on the level plain, that stretched away from the bungalow to the distant jungle the verdant masses and deep shadows of which were vaguely discernible to the northwest, lay a biplane, in the shade of which lolled two Waziri warriors who had been trained by Korak, the son of Tarzan, in the duties of mechanicians, and, later, to pilot the ship themselves; a fact that had not been without weight in determining Tarzan of the Apes to perfect himself in the art of flying, since, as chief of the Waziri, it was not meet that the lesser warriors of his tribe should excel him in any particular. Adjusting his helmet and goggles Tarzan climbed into the cockpit.

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Português

Korak aconselhou Tarzan a levá-lo junto.

Original English

"Better take me along,"advised Korak.

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Português

Tarzan balançou a cabeça e sorriu de bom humor.

Original English

Tarzan shook his head, smiling good-naturedly.

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Português

Então seu filho insistiu que ele levasse um dos mecânicos, argumentando que se ele tivesse problemas e precisasse pousar, precisaria de alguém para fazer reparos.

Original English

"Then one of the boys, here,"urged his son."You might develop some trouble that would force you to make a landing and if you have no mechanician along to make repairs what are you going to do?"

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Português

O homem-macaco ordenou que eles andassem e instruiu um homem chamado Andua a virar o navio.

Original English

"Walk,"replied the ape-man."Turn her over, Andua!"he directed one of the blacks.

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Português

O navio saltou pela planície, depois subiu em um voo suave e gracioso. Ele circulou, subiu mais alto e voou em linha reta. Os seis no chão apertaram os olhos até que ele desapareceu de vista.

Original English

A moment later the ship was bumping over the veldt, from which, directly, it rose in smooth and graceful flight, circled, climbing to a greater altitude, and then sped away in an air line, while on the ground below the six strained their eyes until the wavering speck that it had dwindled to disappeared entirely from their view.

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Português

Meriem perguntou para onde eles imaginavam que ele estava indo.

Original English

"Where do you suppose he is going?"asked Meriem.

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Português

Korak balançou a cabeça e disse que não deveria estar indo a lugar algum em particular — apenas fazendo seu primeiro voo de prática solo. Mas conhecendo-o, Korak não se surpreenderia se ele decidisse voar para Londres para ver sua mãe.

Original English

Korak shook his head."He isn't supposed to be going anywhere in particular,"he replied;"just making his first practice flight alone; but, knowing him as I do, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he had taken it into his head to fly to London and see mother."

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Português

Meriem exclamou que ele nunca conseguiria realizar tal façanha.

Original English

"But he could never do it!"cried Meriem.

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Português

Foi argumentado que apenas um homem extraordinário poderia ter feito o que ele fez com tão pouca experiência, e seu pai certamente não era uma pessoa comum.

Original English

"No ordinary man could, with no more experience than he has had; but then, you will have to admit, father is no ordinary man."

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Português

Tarzan voou por uma hora e meia sem mudar de curso, perdido na alegria de controlar a aeronave e na emocionante liberdade que ela lhe proporcionava, assim como os pássaros que ele sempre invejara. Ele não percebeu o tempo nem a distância.

Original English

For an hour and a half Tarzan flew without altering his course and without realizing the flight of time or the great distance he had covered, so delighted was he with the ease with which he controlled the ship, and so thrilled by this new power that gave him the freedom and mobility of the birds, the only denizens of his beloved jungle that he ever had had cause to envy.

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Português

À frente, Tarzan viu uma série de bacias cercadas por colinas arborizadas. Ele reconheceu o Rio Ugogo à esquerda, mas o país das bacias era novo e intrigante. Percebendo que estava a mais de cem milhas de casa, decidiu voltar, mas a curiosidade sobre as bacias o atraiu. Ele se perguntou por que nunca havia encontrado aquela terra antes, nem mesmo através dos nativos locais. Descendo para uma visão mais próxima, viu florestas e lagos que jamais imaginara. Então percebeu a verdade: aquela era a Grande Floresta de Espinhos, conhecida como um bosque impenetrável, mas agora via que era na verdade um anel estreito ao redor de uma região agradável e habitável, mantida em segredo por eras por seus espinhos cruéis.

Original English

Presently, ahead, he discerned a great basin, or what might better be described as a series of basins, surrounded by wooded hills, and immediately he recognized to the left of it the winding Ugogo; but the country of the basins was new to him and he was puzzled. He recognized, simultaneously, another fact; that he was over a hundred miles from home, and he determined to put back at once; but the mystery of the basins lured him on--he could not bring himself to return home without a closer view of them. Why was it that he had never come upon this country in his many wanderings? Why had he never even heard of it from the natives living within easy access to it. He dropped to a lower level the better to inspect the basins, which now appeared to him as a series of shallow craters of long extinct volcanoes. He saw forests, lakes and rivers, the very existence of which he had never dreamed, and then quite suddenly he discovered a solution of the seeming mystery that there should exist in a country with which he was familiar so large an area of which he had been in total ignorance, in common with the natives of the country surrounding it. He recognized it now--the so-called Great Thorn Forest. For years he had been familiar with that impenetrable thicket that was supposed to cover a vast area of territory into which only the smallest of animals might venture, and now he saw it was but a relatively narrow fringe encircling a pleasant, habitable country, but a fringe so cruelly barbed as to have forever protected the secret that it held from the eyes of man.

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Português

Tarzan decidiu circular a terra escondida antes de voltar para casa. Ele desceu para ver mais claramente, voando sobre uma floresta e depois um veld aberto que terminava em colinas rochosas. De repente, percebeu que havia voado muito baixo. Antes que pudesse ajustar, o avião raspou o topo de uma grande árvore, saiu de controle e caiu através dos galhos com um grande barulho, depois silêncio.

Original English

Tarzan determined to circle the long-hidden land of mystery before setting the nose of his ship toward home, and, to obtain a closer view, he accordingly dropped nearer the earth. Beneath him was a great forest and beyond that an open veldt that ended at the foot of precipitous, rocky hills. He saw that absorbed as he had been in the strange, new country he had permitted the plane to drop too low. Coincident with the realization and before he could move the control within his hand, the ship touched the leafy crown of some old monarch of the jungle, veered, swung completely around and crashed downward through the foliage amidst the snapping and rending of broken branches and the splintering of its own woodwork. Just for a second this noise, and then silence.

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Português

Por uma trilha na floresta caminhava uma criatura poderosa, semelhante a um homem. Media quase um metro e oitenta, com ombros massivos e músculos potentes. Seu cabelo longo e desgrenhado caía sobre os ombros, e sua pele era bronzeada. Usava uma pele em volta da cintura, com uma saia de tiras de couro cru adornadas com pedras redondas e penas coloridas. A criatura carregava um porrete. Seu rosto era grande, com nariz largo e lábios cheios, olhos sob sobrancelhas pesadas e uma testa baixa. Enquanto caminhava, abanava suas orelhas grandes e contraía a pele para afastar moscas, muito parecido com um cavalo.

Original English

Along a forest trail slouched a mighty creature, manlike in its physical attributes, yet vaguely inhuman; a great brute that walked erect upon two feet and carried a club in one horny, calloused hand. Its long hair fell, unkempt, about its shoulders, and there was hair upon its chest and a little upon its arms and legs, though no more than is found upon many males of civilized races. A strip of hide about its waist supported the ends of a narrow G-string as well as numerous rawhide strands to the lower ends of which were fastened round stones from one to two inches in diameter. Close to each stone were attached several small feathers, for the most part of brilliant hues. The strands supporting the stones being fastened to the belt at intervals of one to two inches and the strands themselves being about eighteen inches long the whole formed a skeleton skirt, fringed with round stones and feathers, that fell almost to the creature's knees. Its large feet were bare and its white skin tanned to a light brown by exposure to the elements. The illusion of great size was suggested more by the massiveness of the shoulders and the development of the muscles of the back and arms than by height, though the creature measured close to six feet. Its face was massive, with a broad nose, and a wide, full-lipped mouth; the eyes, of normal size, were set beneath heavy, beetling brows, topped by a wide, low forehead. As it walked it flapped its large, flat ears and occasionally moved rapidly portions of its skin on various parts of its head and body to dislodge flies, as you have seen a horse do with the muscles along its sides and flanks.

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Português

A criatura se moveu sem fazer barulho, seus olhos escuros sempre atentos. Suas orelhas batiam, mas frequentemente paravam enquanto a mulher ouvia por presas ou inimigos.

Original English

It moved silently, its dark eyes constantly on the alert, while the flapping ears were often momentarily stilled as the woman listened for sounds of quarry or foe.

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Português

Ela parou, orelhas para frente, narinas abertas, farejando o ar. Algo, que os sentidos humanos não podiam detectar, chamou sua atenção. Ela se arrastou cautelosamente ao longo da trilha até que, em uma curva, viu uma figura caída de bruços. Era Tarzan, o Homem Macaco. Ele jazia inconsciente, com os destroços de seu avião presos nos galhos acima dele.

Original English

She stopped now, her ears bent forward, her nostrils, expanded, sniffing the air. Some scent or sound that our dead sensatory organs could not have perceived had attracted her attention. Warily she crept forward along the trail until, at a turning, she saw before her a figure lying face downward in the path. It was Tarzan of the Apes. Unconscious he lay while above him the splintered wreckage of his plane was wedged among the branches of the great tree that had caused its downfall.

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Português

A mulher apertou seu porrete e se aproximou. Ela ficou intrigada com aquela criatura estranha, mas não demonstrou medo. Ela foi até o lado dele e ergueu o porrete para golpear, mas algo a deteve. Ajoelhou-se e examinou suas roupas. Virou-o de costas e colocou o ouvido em seu peito. Então rasgou sua camisa e ouviu novamente sobre a pele nua. Ela se levantou, olhou ao redor, farejou e ouviu. Depois ergueu Tarzan sobre o ombro e continuou pela trilha. A trilha deixou a floresta e entrou em uma área aberta semelhante a um parque ao pé de colinas rochosas. Atravessando-a, ela entrou em um desfiladeiro estreito com rochas de formas estranhas, carregando o homem-macaco.

Original English

The woman gripped her club more firmly and approached. Her expression reflected the puzzlement the discovery of this strange creature had engendered in her elementary mind, but she evinced no fear. She walked directly to the side of the prostrate man, her club raised to strike; but something stayed her hand. She knelt beside him and fell to examining his clothing. She turned him over on his back and placed one of her ears above his heart. Then, she fumbled with the front of his shirt for a moment and suddenly taking it in her two mighty hands tore it apart. Again she listened, her ear this time against his naked flesh. She arose and looked about, sniffing and listening, then she stooped and lifting the body of the ape-man she swung it lightly across one of her broad shoulders and continued along the trail in the direction she had been going. The trail, winding through the forest, broke presently from the leafy shade into an open, park-like strip of rolling land that stretched at the foot of rocky hills, and, crossing this, disappeared within the entrance of a narrow gorge, eroded by the elements from the native sandstone fancifully as the capricious architecture of a dream, among whose grotesque domes and miniature rocks the woman bore her burden.

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Português

Cerca de meio quilômetro adentro do desfiladeiro, a trilha levava a um anfiteatro aproximadamente circular. Paredes íngremes o cercavam, pontilhadas com muitas entradas de cavernas. Em frente a algumas cavernas, agachavam-se criaturas semelhantes à mulher que carregava Tarzan.

Original English

A half mile from the entrance to the gorge, the trail entered a roughly circular amphitheater, the precipitous walls of which were pierced by numerous cave-mouths before several of which squatted creatures similar to that which bore Tarzan into this strange, savage environment.

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Português

Ao entrar no anfiteatro, todos a olharam. Seus grandes ouvidos sensíveis os haviam alertado sobre sua aproximação antes de vê-la. Várias se levantaram e vieram ao seu encontro. Todas eram fêmeas, semelhantes em corpo e vestimenta à mulher que carregava Tarzan, mas cada uma diferia em tamanho e rosto. Elas não emitiram sons. A mulher também não falou. Ela caminhou em direção a uma das cavernas, segurando seu porrete firmemente e balançando-o. Seus olhos carrancudos observavam cada movimento das outras.

Original English

As she entered the amphitheater all eyes were upon her, for their large, sensitive ears had warned them of her approach long before she had arrived within scope of their vision. Immediately they beheld her and her burden, several of them arose and came to meet her. All females, these, similar in physique and scant garb to the captor of the ape-man, though differing in proportions and physiognomy as do the individuals of all races differ from their fellows. They spoke no words nor uttered any sounds, nor did she whom they approached, as she moved straight along her way which was evidently directed toward one of the cave-mouths, but she gripped her bludgeon firmly and swung it to and fro, while her eyes, beneath their scowling brows, kept sullen surveillance upon the every move of her fellows.

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Português

Enquanto a mulher se aproximava da caverna que era claramente seu destino, um de seus perseguidores de repente avançou e agarrou Tarzan. Com velocidade felina, ela largou sua carga, virou-se para o agressor e o derrubou com um golpe rápido na cabeça. Então ela ficou sobre Tarzan, olhando desafiadoramente para os outros, que se encolheram de volta para suas cavernas. Ela ergueu Tarzan sobre o ombro e o carregou até sua caverna, onde o jogou no chão perto da entrada. Ela se agachou ao lado dele, virada para fora para se proteger de surpresas, e começou a examinar sua descoberta. Suas roupas a intrigavam ou a repugnavam, pois logo começou a arrancá-las, não tendo experiência com botões ou fivelas. As botas pesadas lhe deram trabalho, mas ela as destruiu com sua força.

Original English

She had approached close to the cave, which was quite evidently her destination, when one of those who followed her darted suddenly forward and clutched at Tarzan. With the quickness of a cat the woman dropped her burden, turned upon the temerarious one, and swinging her bludgeon with lightning-like celerity felled her with a heavy blow to the head, and then, standing astride the prostrate Tarzan, she glared about her like a lioness at bay, questioning dumbly who would be next to attempt to wrest her prize from her; but the others slunk back to their caves, leaving the vanquished one lying, unconscious, in the hot sand and the victor to shoulder her burden, undisputed, and continue her way to her cave, where she dumped the ape-man unceremoniously upon the ground just within the shadow of the entranceway, and, squatting beside him, facing outward that she might not be taken unaware by any of her fellows, she proceeded to examine her find minutely. Tarzan's clothing either piqued her curiosity or aroused her disgust, for she began almost immediately to divest him of it, and having had no former experience of buttons and buckles, she tore it away by main force. The heavy, cordovan boots troubled her for a moment, but finally their seams gave way to her powerful muscles.

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Português

O único item que ela deixou intacto foi um medalhão dourado cravejado de diamantes que pendia de uma corrente dourada em volta do pescoço dele, que pertencera à sua mãe.

Original English

Only the diamond-studded, golden locket that had been his mother's she left untouched upon its golden chain about his neck.

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Português

Depois de contemplá-lo por um momento, ela se levantou, jogou-o sobre o ombro e caminhou em direção ao centro do anfiteatro. A maior parte dessa área era coberta por construções baixas feitas de enormes lajes de pedra, algumas colocadas na vertical para formar paredes e outras colocadas sobre elas como telhados. Unidas de ponta a ponta, com alas ocasionais se estendendo irregularmente pelo anfiteatro, elas cercavam um oval irregular de terreno aberto que formava um grande pátio.

Original English

For a moment she sat contemplating him and then she arose and tossing him once more to her shoulder she walked toward the center of the amphitheater, the greater portion of which was covered by low buildings constructed of enormous slabs of stone, some set on edge to form the walls while others, lying across these, constituted the roofs. Joined end to end, with occasional wings at irregular intervals running out into the amphitheater, they enclosed a rough oval of open ground that formed a large courtyard.

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Português

As entradas externas dos edifícios eram fechadas por duas lajes de pedra: uma ficava em pé para bloquear a abertura, e a outra se apoiava contra ela do lado de fora, mantendo-a firmemente no lugar contra qualquer tentativa de desalojá-la de dentro.

Original English

The several outer entrances to the buildings were closed with two slabs of stone, one of which, standing on edge, covered the aperture, while the other, leaning against the first upon the outside, held it securely in place against any efforts that might be made to dislodge it from the interior of the building.

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Português

Ela carregou seu prisioneiro inconsciente até uma dessas entradas, deitou-o no chão, removeu as lajes e o arrastou para o interior escuro. Depositou-o no chão e bateu palmas três vezes de forma aguda. Logo, seis ou sete crianças de ambos os sexos, com idades entre um e dezesseis ou dezessete anos, entraram desleixadamente na sala. Até a mais nova andava facilmente e parecia tão autossuficiente quanto os filhotes de animais inferiores. As meninas carregavam porretes; os meninos não tinham armas. A mulher apontou para Tarzan, bateu na própria cabeça com o punho e gesticulou em direção a si mesma, tocando o peito com o polegar. Fez outros sinais com as mãos tão claros que seu significado era quase óbvio. Então ela saiu, recolocou as pedras na entrada e voltou desleixadamente para sua caverna, passando sem notar a mulher que havia derrubado, que agora estava recuperando a consciência.

Original English

To one of these entrances the woman carried her unconscious captive, laid him on the ground, removed the slabs that closed the aperture and dragged him into the dim and gloomy interior, where she deposited him upon the floor and clapped her palms together sharply three times with the result that there presently slouched into the room six or seven children of both sexes, who ranged in age from one year to sixteen or seventeen. The very youngest of them walked easily and seemed as fit to care for itself as the young of most lower orders at a similar age. The girls, even the youngest, were armed with clubs, but the boys carried no weapons either of offense or defense. At sight of them the woman pointed to Tarzan, struck her head with her clenched fist and then gestured toward herself, touching her breast several times with a calloused thumb. She made several other motions with her hands, so eloquent of meaning that one entirely unfamiliar with her sign language could almost guess their purport, then she turned and left the building, replaced the stones before the entrance, and slouched back to her cave, passing, apparently without notice, the woman she had recently struck down and who was now rapidly regaining consciousness.

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Português

Enquanto ela se sentava em frente à sua caverna, sua vítima de repente se sentou, esfregou a cabeça, olhou ao redor de forma vaga e então se levantou cambaleante. Ela balançou por um momento, mas logo se recuperou e, com apenas um olhar para sua agressora, caminhou em direção à sua própria caverna. Antes de chegar, o som de passos se aproximando chamou sua atenção, junto com a dos outros que estavam do lado de fora. Ela parou, suas grandes orelhas eretas enquanto ouvia, seus olhos fixos na trilha que vinha do vale. Os outros também observaram e ouviram, e logo viram outra mulher aparecer na entrada do anfiteatro. Essa recém-chegada era enorme, ainda maior do que a mulher que havia capturado o homem-macaco, mais larga e pesada, embora não muito mais alta. Ela carregava um antílope morto em um ombro e o corpo de uma criatura que parecia metade humana e metade besta, mas certamente não completamente nenhum dos dois.

Original English

As she took her seat before her cave-mouth, her victim suddenly sat erect, rubbed her head for a moment and then, after looking about dully, rose unsteadily to her feet. For just an instant she swayed and staggered, but presently she mastered herself, and with only a glance at the author of her hurt moved off in the direction of her own cave. Before she had reached it her attention, together with that of all the others of this strange community, or at least of all those who were in the open, was attracted by the sound of approaching footsteps. She halted in her tracks, her great ears up-pricked, listening, her eyes directed toward the trail leading up from the valley. The others were similarly watching and listening and a moment later their vigil was rewarded by sight of another of their kind as she appeared in the entrance of the amphitheater. A huge creature this, even larger than she who captured the ape-man, broader and heavier, though little, if any, taller--carrying upon one shoulder the carcass of an antelope and upon the other the body of a creature that might have been half-human and half-beast, yet, assuredly, not entirely either the one or the other.

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Português

O antílope estava morto, mas a outra criatura não. Ela se contorcia fracamente, seus movimentos muito débeis para serem chamados de lutas, enquanto pendia sobre o ombro nu e moreno de sua captora. Seus braços e pernas balançavam frouxamente para frente e para trás, seja por inconsciência parcial ou pela paralisia do medo.

Original English

The antelope was dead, but not so the other creature. It wriggled weakly--its futile movements could not have been termed struggles--as it hung, its middle across the bare brown shoulder of its captor, its arms and legs dangling limply before and behind, either in partial unconsciousness or in the paralysis of fear.

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Português

A mulher que havia trazido Tarzan ao anfiteatro levantou-se diante da entrada de sua caverna. Para clareza, vamos chamá-la de Primeira Mulher, pois ela não tinha nome; o mesmo se aplicava a todos os seus semelhantes. A criatura que ela derrubou com seu porrete será chamada de Segunda Mulher, e a que acabou de entrar carregando dois fardos, Terceira Mulher. A Primeira Mulher levantou-se, seus olhos fixos na recém-chegada, suas orelhas eretas. A Segunda Mulher e todas as outras que estavam à vista também se levantaram e encararam a Terceira Mulher, que se movia firmemente, seus olhos atentos nas figuras ameaçadoras de suas companheiras. Ela era muito grande, então por um tempo as outras apenas a encararam. Então a Primeira Mulher deu um passo à frente, olhou para a Segunda Mulher, apontou para si mesma, para a Segunda Mulher e depois para a Terceira Mulher. A Terceira Mulher acelerou o passo em direção à sua caverna, entendendo a ameaça. A Segunda Mulher também entendeu e avançou com a Primeira Mulher. Nenhuma palavra foi dita; nenhum som saiu daqueles lábios selvagens que nunca haviam sorrido ou conhecido o riso.

Original English

The woman who had brought Tarzan to the amphitheater rose and stood before the entrance of her cave. We shall have to call her The First Woman, for she had no name; in the muddy convolutions of her sluggish brain she never had sensed even the need for a distinctive specific appellation and among her fellows she was equally nameless, as were they, and so, that we may differentiate her from the others, we shall call her The First Woman, and, similarly, we shall know the creature that she felled with her bludgeon as The Second Woman, and she who now entered the amphitheater with a burden upon each shoulder, as The Third Woman. So The First Woman rose, her eyes fixed upon the newcomer, her ears up-pricked. And The Second Woman rose, and all the others that were in sight, and all stood glaring at The Third Woman who moved steadily along with her burden, her watchful eyes ever upon the menacing figures of her fellows. She was very large, this Third Woman, so for a while the others only stood and glared at her, but presently The First Woman took a step forward and turning, cast a long look at The Second Woman, and then she took another step forward and stopped and looked again at The Second Woman, and this time she pointed at herself, at The Second Woman and then at The Third Woman who now quickened her pace in the direction of her cave, for she understood the menace in the attitude of The First Woman. The Second Woman understood, too, and moved forward now with The First Woman. No word was spoken, no sound issued from those savage lips; lips that never had parted to a smile; lips that never had known laughter, nor ever would.

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Português

Enquanto as duas se aproximavam, a Terceira Mulher deixou cair seus espólios em uma pilha a seus pés, segurou seu porrete com mais firmeza e se preparou para defender seus direitos. As outras brandiram suas armas e a atacaram. As mulheres restantes apenas observaram, talvez contidas por um antigo costume tribal que determinava o número de atacantes com base na quantidade de espólio, concedendo o direito de disputa a quem a iniciasse. Quando a Primeira Mulher foi atacada pela Segunda Mulher, as outras se contiveram porque a Segunda Mulher havia avançado primeiro para reivindicar Tarzan. Agora a Terceira Mulher havia chegado com dois prêmios, e como a Primeira Mulher e a Segunda Mulher haviam avançado para enfrentá-la, as outras se mantiveram afastadas.

Original English

As the two approached her The Third Woman dropped her spoils in a heap at her feet, gripped her cudgel more firmly and prepared to defend her rights. The others, brandishing their own weapons, charged her. The remaining women were now but onlookers, their hands stayed, perhaps, by some ancient tribal custom that gauged the number of attackers by the quantity of spoil, awarding the right of contest to whoever initiated it. When The First Woman had been attacked by The Second Woman the others had all held aloof, for it had been The Second Woman that had advanced first to try conclusively for the possession of Tarzan. And now The Third Woman had come with two prizes, and since The First Woman and The Second Woman had stepped out to meet her the others had held back.

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Português

Quando as três mulheres se encontraram, parecia inevitável que a Terceira Mulher fosse derrubada pelos porretes das outras. No entanto, ela bloqueou ambos os golpes com a habilidade e rapidez de uma esgrimista treinada, então entrou em uma abertura e desferiu um golpe tremendo na cabeça da Primeira Mulher, deixando-a imóvel no chão. Uma poça de sangue e cérebro marcou a terrível força do porrete e a morte selvagem e não lamentada da Primeira Mulher.

Original English

As the three women came together it seemed inevitable that The Third Woman would go down beneath the bludgeons of the others, but she warded both blows with the skill and celerity of a trained fencer and stepping quickly into the opening she had dealt The First Woman a terrific blow upon the head that stretched her motionless upon the ground, where a little pool of blood and brains attested the terrible strength of the wielder of the bludgeon the while it marked the savage, unmourned passing of The First Woman.

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Português

A Terceira Mulher voltou toda sua atenção para a Segunda Mulher, mas a Segunda Mulher, tendo testemunhado o destino de sua companheira, fugiu para a caverna em vez de lutar. Enquanto isso, a criatura que a Terceira Mulher estava carregando junto com a carcaça do antílope viu uma oportunidade de escapar e se arrastou para longe. No entanto, a luta terminou rapidamente, e a Terceira Mulher avistou sua presa escapando e correu atrás dela. A Segunda Mulher então se virou para pegar o antílope, enquanto o fugitivo corria rapidamente pela trilha.

Original English

And now The Third Woman could devote her undivided attention to The Second Woman; but The Second Woman, seeing the fate of her companion, did not wait to discuss the matter further, and instead of remaining to continue the fight she broke and ran for the cave, while the creature that The Third Woman had been carrying along with the carcass of the antelope apparently believing that it saw a chance for escape while its captor was engaged with her assailants was crawling stealthily away in the opposite direction. Its attempt might have proved successful had the fight lasted longer; but the skill and ferocity of The Third Woman had terminated the whole thing in a matter of seconds, and now, turning about, she espied a portion of her prey seeking to escape and sprang quickly after it. As she did so The Second Woman wheeled and darted back to seize the carcass of the antelope, while the crawling fugitive leaped to its feet and raced swiftly down the trail that led through the mouth of the amphitheater toward the valley.

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Português

A criatura que escapava era um homem, mais baixo e mais leve que as mulheres, com cerca de um metro e meio de altura, cabelo facial esparso e testa baixa. Suas pernas mais longas e esguias o tornavam mais rápido, e ficou claro que a Terceira Mulher não conseguiria pegá-lo a pé. Então ela usou sua saia de tiras, pedrinhas e penas: ela soltou uma tira, girou-a rapidamente e a liberou. O projétil atingiu o homem na parte de trás da cabeça, derrubando-o inconsciente. Então a Terceira Mulher se voltou contra a Segunda Mulher, que havia pego o antílope. Apesar de sua coragem, a clava da Segunda Mulher foi destruída pelo golpe poderoso da Terceira Mulher, deixando-a indefesa. Ela tentou usar projéteis de pedrinhas, mas foi esmagada por um golpe fatal no crânio.

Original English

As the thing rose to its feet it became apparent that it was a man, or at least a male, and evidently of the same species as the women of this peculiar race, though much shorter and of proportionately lighter build. It stood about five feet in height, had a few hairs on its upper lip and chin, a much lower forehead than the women, and its eyes were set closer together. Its legs were much longer and more slender than those of the women, who seemed to have been designed for strength rather than speed, and the result was that it was apparent from the start that The Third Woman could have no hope of overhauling her escaping quarry, and then it was that the utility of the strange skirt of thongs and pebbles and feathers became apparent Seizing one of the thongs she disengaged it easily and quickly from the girdle that supported them about her hips, and grasping the end of the thong between a thumb and forefinger she whirled it rapidly in a vertical plane until the feathered pebble at its end was moving with great rapidity--then she let go the thong. Like an arrow the missile sped toward the racing fugitive, the pebble, a fairly good-sized one as large as an English walnut, struck the man upon the back of his head dropping him, unconscious, to the ground. Then the Third Woman turned upon The Second Woman who, by this time, had seized the antelope, and, brandishing her bludgeon, bore down upon her. The Second Woman, possessing more courage than good sense, prepared to defend her stolen flesh and took her stand, her bludgeon ready. As The Third Woman bore down upon her, a veritable mountain of muscle, The Second Woman met her with threatening cudgel, but so terrific was the blow dealt by her mighty adversary that her weapon, splintered, was swept from her hands and she found herself at the mercy of the creature she would have robbed. Evidently she knew how much of mercy she might expect. She did not fall upon her knees in an attitude of supplication--not she. Instead she tore a handful of the pebble-missiles from her girdle in a vain attempt to defend herself. Futilest of futilities! The huge, destroying bludgeon had not even paused, but swinging in a great circle fell crushingly upon the skull of The Second Woman.

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Português

A Terceira Mulher olhou ao redor como se desafiasse alguém a enfrentá-la, mas ninguém o fez. Ela voltou ao homem inconsciente, puxou-o para cima e o sacudiu. Como ele não conseguia ficar em pé, ela o jogou sobre o ombro junto com o antílope morto e os carregou até sua caverna. Lá, ela fez uma fogueira e comeu tiras de carne. Quando o homem recuperou a consciência, sentiu o cheiro da carne cozinhando e apontou. Ela lhe deu uma faca de pedra, e ele cozinhou e comeu um pedaço. A mulher o observou. Ele usava braceletes, tornozeleiras e um colar de dentes e pedrinhas, e tinha espetos de madeira no cabelo.

Original English

The Third Woman paused and looked about questioningly as if to ask:"Is there another who wishes to take from me my antelope or my man? If so, let her step forward."But no one accepted the gage and presently the woman turned and walked back to the prostrate man. Roughly she jerked him to his feet and shook him. Consciousness was returning slowly and he tried to stand. His efforts, however, were a failure and so she threw him across her shoulder again and walked back to the dead antelope, which she flung to the opposite shoulder and, continuing her interrupted way to her cave, dumped the two unceremoniously to the ground. Here, in the cave-mouth, she kindled a fire, twirling a fire stick dexterously amidst dry tinder in a bit of hollowed wood, and cutting generous strips from the carcass of the antelope ate ravenously. While she was thus occupied the man regained consciousness and sitting up looked about, dazed. Presently his nostrils caught the aroma of the cooking meat and he pointed at it. The woman handed him the rude stone knife that she had tossed back to the floor of the cave and motioned toward the meat The man seized the implement and was soon broiling a generous cut above the fire. Half-burned and half-raw as it was he ate it with seeming relish, and as he ate the woman sat and watched him. He was not much to look at, yet she may have thought him handsome. Unlike the women, who wore no ornaments, the man had bracelets and anklets as well as a necklace of teeth and pebbles, while in his hair, which was wound into a small knot above his forehead, were thrust several wooden skewers ten or twelve inches long, which protruded in various directions in a horizontal plane.

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Português

Depois que o homem terminou de comer, a mulher o agarrou pelos cabelos e o arrastou para dentro da caverna. Ele lutou, arranhando e mordendo, mas não foi páreo para sua captora.

Original English

When the man had eaten his fill the woman rose and seizing him by the hair dragged him into the cave. He scratched and bit at her, trying to escape, but he was no match for his captor.

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Português

Os corpos da Primeira Mulher e da Segunda Mulher jaziam no chão do anfiteatro diante das cavernas, com abutres e outros carniceiros já se reunindo para se alimentar.

Original English

Upon the floor of the amphitheater, before the entrances to the caves, lay the bodies of The First Woman and The Second Woman and black upon them swarmed the circling scavengers of the sky. Ska, the vulture, was first always to the feast.

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Chapter Three

Português

Dentro de uma câmara rochosa escura, Tarzan tornou-se o centro das atenções de vários jovens Alali que se aglomeraram ao seu redor. Eles o examinaram, viraram-no e um deles tirou o medalhão de ouro de seu pescoço. Tendo curtos períodos de atenção, logo perderam o interesse e o deixaram sozinho. Tarzan havia caído através de galhos de árvores, que amorteceram sua queda e causaram apenas uma leve concussão. Ele lentamente recuperou a consciência, abriu os olhos e então os fechou novamente. Quando acordou completamente, sentou-se e olhou ao redor. Ele estava em um abrigo simples feito de grandes lajes de pedra. Uma porta levava a uma câmara mais clara, e além dela ele viu outra porta para o exterior. Os cômodos estavam vazios, exceto por montes de grama seca. Ele atravessou para a segunda porta e viu um pátio estreito cercado por altas lajes de pedra. Lá ele viu os jovens Alali sentados. Tarzan ficou intrigado, perguntando-se o que eram, onde estava e como havia chegado.

Original English

WITHIN the dim interior of the strange rocky chamber where he had been so ruthlessly deposited, Tarzan immediately became the center of interest to the several Alali young that crowded about him. They examined him carefully, turned him over, pawed him, pinched him, and at last one of the young males, attracted by the golden locket removed it from the ape-man's neck and placed it about his own. Lowest, perhaps, in the order of human evolution nothing held their interest overlong, with the result that they soon tired of Tarzan and trooped out into the sunlit courtyard, leaving the ape-man to regain consciousness as best he could, or not at all. It was immaterial to them which he did. Fortunately for the Lord of the Jungle the fall through the roof of the forest had been broken by the fortuitous occurrence of supple branches directly in the path of his descent, with the happy result that he suffered only from a slight concussion of the brain. Already he was slowly regaining consciousness, and not long after the Alali young had left him his eyes opened, rolled dully inspecting the dim interior of his prison, and closed again. His breathing was normal and when again he opened his eyes it was as though he had emerged from a deep and natural slumber, the only reminder of his accident being a dull aching of the head. Sitting up, he looked about him, his eyes gradually accustoming themselves to the dim light of the chamber. He found himself in a rude shelter constructed of great slabs of rock. A single opening led into what appeared to be another similar chamber the interior of which, however, was much lighter than that in which he lay. Slowly he rose to his feet and crossed to the opening. Across the second chamber he beheld another doorway leading into the fresh air and the sunshine. Except for filthy heaps of dead grasses on the floor both the rooms were unfurnished and devoid of any suggestion that they were utilized as places of human habitation. From the second doorway, to which he crossed, he looked out upon a narrow courtyard walled by great slabs of stone, the lower ends of which, embedded in the ground, caused them to remain erect. Here he saw the young Alali squatting about, some in the sun, others in the shadow. Tarzan looked at them in evident puzzlement. What were they? What was this place in which he was, all too evidently, incarcerated? Were these his keepers or were they his fellow prisoners? How had he come hither?

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Português

Tarzan passou os dedos pelos cabelos negros, um gesto de confusão. Ele recordou o fim infeliz de seu voo e lembrou-se de cair através da folhagem, mas nada além disso. Ficou observando os Alali, que não percebiam sua presença, e então pisou corajosamente no pátio, destemido como um leão ignorando chacais.

Original English

Running his fingers through his shock of black hair in a characteristic gesture of perplexity, he shook his head. He recalled the unfortunate termination of the flight; he even remembered falling through the foliage of the great tree; but beyond that all was blank. He stood for a moment examining the Alali, who were all unconscious of his near presence or his gaze upon them, and then he stepped boldly out into the courtyard before them, as a lion, fearless, ignores the presence of jackals.

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Português

Quando os Alali viram Tarzan, levantaram-se e se reuniram ao seu redor, as meninas empurrando os meninos para o lado. Tarzan falou com eles em vários dialetos nativos, mas eles não responderam. Ele tentou a linguagem dos grandes primatas, que aprendera quando bebê, mas novamente eles não emitiram som. Em vez disso, moviam as mãos, ombros e corpos, e sacudiam a cabeça no que ele reconheceu como uma forma de linguagem de sinais. Logo perderam o interesse e se encostaram nas paredes. Tarzan andou pelo pátio, procurando uma fuga. Ele estava confiante de que poderia pular até o topo das paredes, mas decidiu esperar pela escuridão. À medida que a noite se aproximava, os Alali ficaram inquietos. Eles andavam de um lado para o outro, passando pela entrada do abrigo, entrando no primeiro cômodo e ouvindo na laje que fechava a abertura externa. Então um bateu o pé, e os outros se juntaram, seus pés descalços batendo em um ritmo regular.

Original English

Immediately they saw him, they rose and clustered about him, the girls pushing the boys aside and coming boldly close, and Tarzan spoke to them, first in one native dialect and then in another, but they seemed not to understand, for they made no reply, and then, as a last resort, he addressed them in the primitive language of the great apes, the language of Maim the monkey, the first language that Tarzan had learned when, as a babe, he suckled at the hairy breast of Kala, the she-ape, and listened to the gutturals of the savage members of the tribe of Kerchak; but again his auditors made no response--at least no audible response, though they moved their hands and shoulders and bodies, and jerked their heads in what the ape-man soon recognized as a species of sign language, nor did they utter any vocal sounds that might indicate that they were communicating with one another through the medium of a spoken language. Presently they again lost interest in the newcomer and resumed their indolent lounging about the walls of the courtyard while Tarzan paced to and fro its length, his keen eye searching for whatever avenue of escape chance might provide, and he saw it in the height of the walls, to the top of which a long, running jump would take his outstretched fingers, he was sure; but not yet--he must wait for darkness to shield his attempt from those within the enclosure and those without. And as darkness approached the actions of the other occupants of the courtyard became noticeably altered; they walked back and forth, constantly passing and re-passing the entrance to the shelter at the end of the courtyard, and occasionally entering the first room and often passing to the second room where they listened for a moment before the great slab that closed the outer aperture, then back into the courtyard again and back and forth in restless movement. Finally one stamped a foot upon the ground and this was taken up by the others until, in regular cadence the thud, thud, thud of their naked feet must have been audible for some distance beyond the confines of their narrow prison yard.

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Português

As batidas de pés pareciam não conseguir nada. Então uma das meninas, com o rosto contraído de raiva, agarrou sua clava e golpeou violentamente uma parede de pedra. As outras meninas seguiram seu exemplo, enquanto os jovens do sexo masculino continuavam a marcar o ritmo com os calcanhares.

Original English

Whatever this procedure might have been intended to accomplish, nothing, apparently, resulted, and presently one of the girls, her sullen face snarling in anger, seized her bludgeon more firmly in her two hands and stepping close to one of the walls began pounding violently upon one of its huge stone slabs. Instantly the other girls followed her example, while the young males continued beating time with their heels.

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Português

Tarzan ficou intrigado com o comportamento deles, mas sua própria fome sugeriu uma explicação: as criaturas estavam com fome e tentando atrair a atenção de seus carcereiros. Suas ações também confirmaram o que ele já suspeitava: eles não tinham fala e eram possivelmente completamente mudos.

Original English

For a while Tarzan was puzzled for an explanation of their behavior, but it was his own stomach that at last suggested an answer--the creatures were hungry and were attempting to attract the attention of their jailers; and their method of doing so suggested something else, as well, something of which his past brief experience with them had already partially convinced him--the creatures were without speech, even totally unvocal, perhaps.

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Português

A garota que estava batendo na parede de repente parou e apontou para Tarzan. Os outros olharam para ele, depois para ela, e ela realizou uma pantomima rápida, mas clara, mostrando seu porrete atingindo a cabeça de Tarzan e então devorando-o, com a ajuda dos outros. As batidas e pisadas cessaram enquanto o grupo se interessou pela sugestão dela. Eles encaravam Tarzan com fome. A Primeira Mulher, que geralmente lhes trazia comida, estava morta, embora eles não soubessem. Eles só sabiam que estavam com fome e que não recebiam comida dela desde o dia anterior. Eles não eram canibais e só comeriam uns aos outros em extrema fome, como náufragos. Mas eles não viam o estranho como um dos seus. Ele era tão diferente quanto outras criaturas que a Primeira Mulher havia trazido para eles comerem. Comê-lo parecia tão errado quanto comer um antílope. A maioria deles não teria pensado nisso, mas a garota mais velha sugeriu porque não havia outra comida. Ela sabia que ele não havia sido trazido para comida, mas como companheiro para a Primeira Mulher, que, como as outras mulheres de sua raça primitiva, caçava um novo companheiro a cada temporada pelas florestas e selvas. Lá, os machos tímidos viviam vidas solitárias, exceto pelas breves semanas em que eram mantidos cativos em currais de pedra pelo sexo dominante, onde eram tratados com grande brutalidade e desprezo, até mesmo pelos filhos de seus cônjuges temporários.

Original English

The girl who had started the pounding upon the wall suddenly stopped and pointed at Tarzan. The others looked at him and then back at her, whereupon she pointed at her bludgeon and then at Tarzan again, after which she acted out a little pantomime, very quicky, very briefly, but none the less realistically. The pantomime depicted the bludgeon falling upon Tarzan's head, following which the pantomimist, assisted by her fellows, devoured the ape-man. The bludgeons ceased to fall upon the wall; the heels no longer smote the earth; the assemblage was interested in the new suggestion. They eyed Tarzan hungrily. The mother who should have brought them food, The First Woman, was dead. They did not know this; all they knew was that they were hungry and that The First Woman had brought them no food since the day before. They were not cannibals. Only in the last stages of hunger, would they have devoured one another, even as shipwrecked sailors of civilized races have been known to do; but they did not look upon the stranger as one of their own kind. He was as unlike them as some of the other creatures that The First Woman had brought them to feed upon. It was no more wrong to devour him than it would have been to devour an antelope. The thought, however, would not have occurred to most of them; the older girl it was who had suggested it to them, nor would it have occurred to her had there been other food, for she knew that he had not been brought here for that purpose--he had been brought as the mate of The First Woman, who in common with the other women of this primitive race hunted a new mate each season among the forests and the jungles where the timid males lived their solitary lives except for the brief weeks that they were held captive in the stone corrals of the dominant sex, and where they were treated with great brutality and contempt even by the children of their temporary spouses.

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Português

Os machos às vezes conseguiam escapar, embora raramente, mas geralmente eram libertados porque era mais fácil caçar um novo na temporada seguinte do que alimentar um cativo por um ano inteiro. Não havia amor nas relações familiares desses semi-brutos selvagens. Os jovens eram concebidos sem amor e não conheciam seus próprios pais. Eles não tinham afeição uns pelos outros nem por qualquer ser vivo. Um certo vínculo os ligava às suas mães selvagens, em cujos seios mamavam por alguns meses e de quem esperavam comida até estarem desenvolvidos o suficiente para ir para as florestas e fazer suas próprias presas ou encontrar qualquer outra comida que a Natureza generosa provia.

Original English

Sometimes they managed to escape, though rarely, but eventually they were turned loose, since it was easier to hunt a new one the following season than to feed one in captivity for a whole year. There was nothing approximating love in the family relations of these savage half-brutes. The young, conceived without love, knowing not their own fathers, possessed not even an elemental affection for one another, nor for any other living thing. A certain tie bound them to their savage mothers, at whose breasts they suckled for a few short months and to whom they looked for food until they were sufficiently developed to go forth into the forests and make their own kills or secure whatever other food bountiful Nature provided for them.

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Português

Entre as idades de quinze e dezessete anos, os machos jovens eram libertados e perseguidos para a floresta; depois disso, suas mães não os reconheciam como diferentes de qualquer outro macho. Em idade semelhante, as fêmeas eram levadas para a caverna de sua mãe, onde viviam e a acompanhavam nas caças diárias até capturarem um primeiro companheiro. Então se mudavam para cavernas separadas, e o vínculo entre pais e filhos era cortado completamente, como se nunca tivesse existido. Na temporada seguinte, poderiam se tornar rivais pelo mesmo homem ou até mesmo lutar até a morte por despojos de caça.

Original English

Somewhere between the ages of fifteen and seventeen the young males were liberated and chased into the forest, after which their mothers knew them not from any other male and at a similar age the females were taken to the maternal cave, where they lived, accompanying their mothers on the daily hunt, until they had succeeded in capturing a first mate. After that they took up their abodes in separate caves and the tie between parent and child was cut as cleanly as though it never had existed, and they might, the following season, even become rivals for the same man, or at any time quarrel to the death over the spoils of the chase.

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Português

A única atividade comunitária em que as mulheres se engajavam era construir os abrigos de pedra e currais que mantinham as crianças e os machos. Elas tinham que fazer esse trabalho sozinhas porque os homens escapariam para a floresta na primeira oportunidade se fossem soltos, e as crianças, assim que ficassem fortes o suficiente para ajudar, provavelmente fariam o mesmo. Mas as grandes fêmeas eram capazes de realizar seus trabalhos titânicos sozinhas.

Original English

The building of the stone shelters and corrals in which the children and the males were kept was the only community activity in which the women engaged and this work they were compelled to do alone, since the men would have escaped into the forest at the first opportunity had they been released from the corrals to take part in the work of construction, while the children as soon as they had become strong enough to be of any assistance would doubtless have done likewise; but the great shes were able to accomplish their titanic labors alone.

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Português

A natureza havia equipado essas mulheres com corpos poderosos e músculos de aço. Elas extraíam enormes lajes de rocha de uma encosta com vista para o anfiteatro, deslizavam-nas até o fundo do vale e então as puxavam e empurravam para a posição usando apenas sua grande força e desajeitamento, como diz o velho ditado.

Original English

Equipped by nature with mighty frames and thews of steel they quarried the great slabs from a side hill overlooking the amphitheater, slid them to the floor of the little valley and pulled and pushed them into position by main strength and awkwardness, as the homely saying of our forefathers has it.

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Português

Novos abrigos raramente eram necessários porque a taxa de mortalidade entre as fêmeas era alta, deixando recintos vazios para as meninas em maturação. Ciúmes, ganância, perigos da caça e guerras intertribais cobravam um alto preço das fêmeas adultas. Até mesmo os machos desprezados, lutando por sua liberdade, às vezes matavam seus captores.

Original English

Fortunately for them it was seldom necessary to add to the shelters and corrals already built since the high rate of mortality among the females ordinarily left plenty of vacant enclosures for maturing girls. Jealousy, greed, the hazards of the hunt, the contingencies of intertribal wars all took heavy toll among the adult shes. Even the despised male, fighting for his freedom, sometimes slew his captor.

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Português

A vida terrível dos Alalus era resultado da inversão dos papéis sexuais. Normalmente, o macho inicia o amor e inspira respeito e admiração na fêmea. O amor se desenvolve após essas emoções. Mas como a fêmea Alalus se tornou dominante, o macho nunca se sentiu respeitado ou admirado, então o amor nunca surgiu.

Original English

The hideous life of the Alalus was the natural result of the unnatural reversal of sex dominance. It is the province of the male to initiate love and by his masterfulness to inspire first respect, then admiration in the breast of the female he seeks to attract. Love itself developed after these other emotions. The gradually increasing ascendency of the female Alalus over the male eventually prevented the emotions of respect and admiration for the male from being aroused, with the result that love never followed.

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Português

A mulher Alalus, sem amor por seu companheiro e sendo mais poderosa, tratava os machos com desprezo e brutalidade. Consequentemente, o macho perdeu o desejo de iniciar o amor — ele não podia amar uma criatura que temia e odiava, nem respeitar as fêmeas dessexualizadas. Então ele fugiu para as florestas, e as fêmeas dominantes o caçavam para evitar que a raça morresse.

Original English

Having no love for her mate and having become a more powerful brute, the savage Alalus woman soon came to treat the members of the opposite sex with contempt and brutality with the result that the power, or at least the desire, to initiate love ceased to exist in the heart of the male--he could not love a creature he feared and hated, he could not respect or admire the unsexed creatures that the Alali women had become, and so he fled into the forests and the jungles and there the dominant females hunted him lest their race perish from the earth.

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Português

Tarzan enfrentou os descendentes desses seres selvagens, sabendo que eles pretendiam comê-lo. Os machos não atacaram imediatamente; em vez disso, recolheram grama seca e madeira de uma câmara coberta. Enquanto isso, três meninas, uma com apenas cerca de sete anos, aproximaram-se de Tarzan cautelosamente com clavas, enquanto os meninos preparavam uma fogueira para cozinhá-lo.

Original English

It was the offspring of such savage and perverted creatures that Tarzan faced, fully aware of their cannibalistic intentions. The males did not attack him at once, but busily engaged themselves in fetching dry grass and small pieces of wood from one of the covered chambers, and while the three girls, one of them scarce seven years of age, approached the ape-man warily with ready bludgeons, they prepared a fire over which they expected soon to be broiling juicy cuts from the strange creature that their hairy dam had brought them.

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Português

Um macho, com cerca de dezesseis anos, recuou e fez sinais agitados, tentando dissuadir as meninas. Ele apelou para os outros meninos, mas eles continuaram seus preparativos. Finalmente, quando as meninas se aproximaram de Tarzan, ele ficou no caminho delas. As meninas o atacaram, mas ele se esquivou e atirou pedras com penas, acertando duas meninas que caíram uivando. A terceira pedra atingiu outro menino na têmpora, matando-o instantaneamente. Aquele menino havia roubado o medalhão de Tarzan, que ele mantinha escondido desde que Tarzan recuperou a consciência.

Original English

One of the males, a lad of sixteen, held back, making excited signs with hands, head and body. He appeared to be trying to dissuade or prevent the girls from the carrying-out of their plan, he even appealed to the other boys for backing, but they merely glanced at the girls and continued their culinary preparations. At last however, as the girls were deliberately approaching the ape-man he placed himself directly in their path and attempted to stop them. Instantly the three little demons swung their bludgeons and sprang forward to destroy him. The boy dodged, plucked several of the feathered stones from his girdle and flung them at his assailants. So swift and so accurate did the missiles speed that two girls dropped, howling, to the ground. The third missed, striking one of the other boys on the temple, killing him instantly. He was the youth who had stolen Tarzan's locket, which, being like all his fellow males a timid creature, he had kept continually covered by a palm since the ape-man's return to consciousness had brought him out into the courtyard among them.

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Português

A menina mais velha estava imperturbável, saltando para a frente com um rosnado furioso. O menino jogou outra pedra nela e então correu para ficar ao lado de Tarzan. Talvez ele estivesse movido por um senso revivido de camaradagem, ou a própria lealdade de Tarzan à sua espécie despertou um sentimento adormecido nele. De qualquer forma, o menino ficou ao lado de Tarzan, enquanto a menina, sentindo perigo na ousadia incomum do irmão, avançou mais cautelosamente.

Original English

The older girl, nothing daunted, leaped forward, her face hideous in a snarl of rage. The boy cast another stone at her and then turned and ran toward the ape-man. What reception he expected he himself probably did not know. Perhaps it was the recrudescence of a long dead emotion of fellowship that prompted him to place himself at Tarzan's side--possibly Tarzan himself in whom loyalty to kind was strong had inspired this reawakening of an atrophied soul-sense. However that may be the fact remains that the boy came and stood at Tarzan's side while the girl, evidently sensing danger to herself in this strange, new temerity of her brother, advanced more cautiously.

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Português

A menina parecia estar gesticulando ameaças ao menino se ele continuasse a interferir em seu desejo por comida, mas ele gesticulou de volta desafiadoramente e manteve sua posição. Tarzan alcançou, deu um tapinha em suas costas e sorriu. O menino mostrou os dentes numa careta que era evidentemente uma tentativa de retribuir o sorriso. A menina estava quase sobre eles. Tarzan estava incerto sobre como lidar com ela; sua cavalheirismo natural o tornava relutante em atacá-la, mesmo em legítima defesa. Ele sabia que poderia ter que matá-la, mas esperava evitar isso.

Original English

In signs she seemed to be telling him what she would do to him if he did not cease to interpose his weak will between her and her gastronomic desires; but he signed back at her defiantly and stood his ground. Tarzan reached over and patted him on the back, smiling. The boy bared his teeth horribly, but it seemed evident that he was trying to return the ape-man's smile. And now the girl was almost upon them. Tarzan was quite at a loss as to how to proceed against her. His natural chivalry restrained him from attacking her and made it seem most repellant to injure her even in self-preservation; but he knew that before he was done with her he might even possibly have to kill her and so, while looking for an alternative, he steeled himself for the deed he loathed; but yet he hoped to escape without that.

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Português

A Terceira Mulher, levando seu novo companheiro ao curral onde o prenderia, ouviu o batido rítmico de pés e porretes vindos do curral da Primeira Mulher e entendeu seu significado. Ela não se importava pessoalmente com a prole da Primeira Mulher, mas o instinto comunitário a levou a soltá-los para que pudessem encontrar comida e permanecer úteis para a tribo. Ela mesma não os alimentaria, mas abriria o portão da prisão e os deixaria se virar sozinhos, para sobreviver ou perecer pela lei da sobrevivência do mais apto.

Original English

The Third Woman, conducting her new mate from the cave to the corral where she would keep him imprisoned for a week or two, had heard the cadenced beating of naked heels and heavy bludgeons arising from the corral of The First Woman and immediately guessed their import. The welfare of the offspring of The First Woman concerned her not as an individual. Community instinct, however, prompted her to release them that they might search for food and their services not be lost to the tribe through starvation. She would not feed them, of course, as they did not belong to her, but she would open their prison gate and turn them loose to fend for themselves, to find food or not to find it, to survive or to perish according to the inexorable law of the survival of the fittest.

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Português

A Terceira Mulher não teve pressa. Ela arrastou seu companheiro protestante para o curral, removeu a laje de pedra, empurrou-o para dentro, chutou-o, recolocou a laje e então foi tranquilamente ao curral da Primeira Mulher. Ela removeu a porta de pedra, atravessou as duas câmaras e entrou bem no momento em que a menina mais velha avançava sobre Tarzan. Ela bateu o porrete contra a parede para atrair a atenção. Todos olharam para ela. Ela era a primeira fêmea adulta, além da mãe, que as crianças viam; elas recuaram aterrorizadas, e o menino se escondeu atrás de Tarzan. Tarzan entendeu o medo delas — a Terceira Mulher era a primeira Alalus adulta que ele via desde que recuperou a consciência.

Original English

But the Third Woman took her time. Her powerful fingers entangled in the hair of her snarling spouse she dragged the protesting creature to her corral, removed the great slab from before the entrance, pushed the man roughly within, accelerating his speed with a final kick, replaced the slab and turned leisurely toward the nearby corral of The First Woman. Removing the stone door she passed through the two chambers and entered the corral at the moment that the oldest girl was advancing upon Tarzan. Pausing by the entranceway she struck her bludgeon against the stone wall of the shelter, evidently to attract the attention of those within the corral. Instantly all looked in her direction. She was the first adult female, other than their own dam, that the children of The First Woman had seen. They shrunk from her in evident terror. The youth at Tarzan's side slunk behind the ape-man, nor did Tarzan wonder at their fear. The Third Woman was the first adult Alalus he had seen, since all of the time that he had been in the hands of The First Woman he had been unconscious.

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Português

A menina que vinha ameaçando Tarzan agora parecia tê-lo esquecido. Ela ficou com o rosto rosando e os olhos semicerrados, encarando a recém-chegada. De todas as crianças, ela parecia a menos amedrontada.

Original English

The girl who had been threatening him with her great club seemed now to have forgotten him, and instead stood with snarling face and narrowed eyes confronting the newcomer. Of all the children she seemed the least terrified.

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Português

O homem-macaco examinou a mulher grande e brutal no fundo do curral, que o encarava com olhos selvagens. Ela não o tinha visto antes, pois estava caçando quando A Primeira Mulher trouxe seu prêmio. Sem saber que A Primeira Mulher já tinha um macho, ela o considerou um prêmio e planejou movê-lo para seu próprio curral. Movendo-se devagar, ela visava bloquear sua fuga para a entrada.

Original English

The ape-man scrutinized the huge, brutish female standing at the far end of the corral with her savage eyes upon him. She had not seen him before as she had been in the forest hunting at the time that The First Woman had brought her prize back to the amphitheater. She had not known that The First Woman had any male in her corral other than her own spawn. Here, indeed, was a prize. She would remove him to her own corral. With this idea in mind, and knowing that, unless he succeeded in dodging past her and reaching the entranceway ahead of her, he could not escape her, she moved very slowly toward him, ignoring now the other occupants of the corral.

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Português

Tarzan, não entendendo sua verdadeira intenção, acreditou que ela estava prestes a atacá-lo como um estranho perigoso em sua casa. Ele observou seu corpo massivo, seus músculos tremendos e o grande porrete em sua mão, e os comparou com seu próprio estado indefeso e nu.

Original English

Tarzan, not guessing her real purpose, thought that she was about to attack him as a dangerous alien in the sacred precincts of her home. He viewed her great bulk, her enormous muscular development and the huge bludgeon swinging in her ham-like hand and compared them with his own defenseless nakedness.

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Português

Para alguém criado na selva, fugir de uma luta inútil e injusta não trazia vergonha. Tarzan, nascido e criado na selva, sentiu que tirar suas roupas também retirava a fina camada de civilização. Assim, ele enfrentou a mulher Alalus que se aproximava como uma fera selvagem — astuta e poderosa, sabendo quando lutar e quando fugir.

Original English

To the jungle-born flight from useless and uneven combat carries with it no stigma of cowardice, and not only was Tarzan of the Apes jungle-born and jungle-raised, but the stripping of his clothes from him had now, as always before, stripped also away the thin and unnatural veneer of his civilization. It was, then, a savage beast that faced the oncoming Alalus woman--a cunning beast as well as a powerful one--a beast that knew when to fight and when to flee.

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Português

Tarzan olhou para trás. Lá estava o jovem Alalus, tremendo. Além estava a parede traseira do curral, onde uma das grandes lajes de pedra estava levemente inclinada para fora. O homem-macaco, com a rapidez de um animal encurralado, desapareceu antes que a mulher percebesse que ele pretendia fugir, levando consigo o filho mais velho dos Alalus.

Original English

Tarzan cast a quick glance behind him. There crouched the Alalus lad, trembling in fear. Beyond was the rear wall of the corral, one of the great stone slabs of which tilted slightly outward. Slow is the mind of man, slower his eye by comparison with the eye and the mind of the trapped beast seeking escape. So quick was the ape-man that he was gone before The Third Woman had guessed that he was contemplating flight, and with him had gone the eldest Alalus boy.

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Português

Num movimento rápido, Tarzan colocou o jovem no ombro, saltou os poucos passos até a parede dos fundos e, como um gato, escalou a laje inclinada. Ele se puxou para cima, deixou o rapaz cair no chão e seguiu tão de perto que aterrissaram quase juntos. Então ele olhou ao redor e viu o anfiteatro natural e as cavernas, com mulheres ainda agachadas diante de algumas. O sol se punha atrás das colinas ocidentais, e a escuridão logo cairia. Tarzan viu apenas uma rota de fuga: a abertura na extremidade inferior do anfiteatro, por onde uma trilha descia até o vale e a floresta. Ele correu em direção a ela, seguido pelo jovem.

Original English

Wheeling, all in a single motion Tarzan had swung the young male to his shoulder, leaped swiftly the few paces that had separated him from the rear wall of the corral, and, catlike, run up the smooth surface of the slightly tilted slab until his fingers closed upon the top, drawn himself over without a single backward glance, dropped the youth to the ground upon the opposite side, following him so quickly that they alighted almost together. Then he glanced about for the first time he saw the natural amphitheater and the caves before several of which women still squatted. It would soon be dark. The sun was dropping behind the crest of the western hills. Tarzan saw but a single avenue of escape--the opening at the lower end of the amphitheater through which the trail led down into the valley and the forest below. Toward this he ran, followed by the youth.

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Português

Uma mulher sentada na entrada de sua caverna o notou. Ela pegou seu bastão, pulou e começou a persegui-lo imediatamente. Seus gritos atraíram outras, e logo cinco ou seis mulheres corriam pesadamente ao longo do caminho.

Original English

Presently a woman, sitting before the entrance of her cave, saw him. Seizing her cudgel she leaped to her feet and gave immediate chase. Attracted by her another and another took up the pursuit, until five or six of them thundered along the trail.

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Português

O jovem apontou o caminho e correu na frente, mas Tarzan, com seus músculos flexíveis aprimorados escapando de leões e capturando veados, acompanhou facilmente. As mulheres pesadas não conseguiam pegá-los apenas pela velocidade, mas tinham projéteis de pedra que lançavam com habilidade. No entanto, a escuridão e a trilha sinuosa tornavam os arremessos precisos difíceis; frequentemente suas pedras matavam quando a intenção era apenas atordoar. O instinto as alertava contra matar machos, mas não contra a brutalidade. Tarzan, percebendo a intenção delas, correu ainda mais rápido enquanto os projéteis zuniam ao lado.

Original English

The youth, pointing the way, raced swiftly ahead of the ape-man, but swift as he was, he could not outdistance the lithe muscles that had so often in the past carried their master safely from the swift rush of a maddened Numa, or won him a meal against the fleetness of Bara the deer. The heavy, lumbering women behind them had no chance of overhauling this swift pair if they were to depend entirely upon speed, but that they had no intention of doing. They had their stone missiles with which, almost from birth, they had practiced until approximate perfection was attained by each in casting them at either stationary or moving targets. But it was growing dark, the trail twisted and turned and the speed of the quarry made them elusive marks at which to cast an accurate missile that would be so timed as to stun rather than to kill. Of course more often than not a missile intended to stun did actually kill, but the quarry must take that chance. Instinct warned the women against killing the males, though it did not warn them against treating them with the utmost brutality. Had Tarzan realized why the women were pursuing him he would have run even faster than he did, and when the missiles began to fly past his head perhaps he did accelerate his speed a trifle.

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Português

Assim que Tarzan alcançou a floresta, ele pareceu desaparecer no ar, deixando suas perseguidoras atônitas. Agora em seu elemento, enquanto elas procuravam no chão, ele balançava rapidamente pelos galhos baixos, mantendo o menino Alalus à vista enquanto corria pela trilha.

Original English

Soon the ape-man reached the forest and as though he had dissolved into thin air disappeared from the astonished view of his pursuers, for now, indeed, was he in his own element. While they looked for him upon the ground he swung swiftly through the lower terraces, keeping in view the Alalus boy racing along the trail beneath him.

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Português

Com Tarzan fora, as mulheres pararam e voltaram para as cavernas. Elas não tinham interesse no jovem; pelos próximos anos ele vagaria pelas florestas sem ser molestado. Se sobrevivesse às feras e às armas do povo-formiga, ele cresceria até a idade adulta e se tornaria presa fácil para as grandes fêmeas durante a época de acasalamento. Por enquanto, ele viveria uma existência relativamente segura e feliz.

Original English

But with the man escaped, the women stopped and turned back toward the caves. The youth they did not want. For two or three years he would roam the forests unmolested by his own kind, and if he escaped the savage beasts and the spears and arrows of the ant people he would come to man's estate and be fair prey for any of the great shes during the mating season. For the time being, at least, he would lead a comparatively safe and happy existence.

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Português

Sua fuga precoce para a floresta havia reduzido muito suas chances de sobrevivência. Se a Primeira Mulher tivesse vivido, ela o teria mantido em segurança dentro de seu curral por mais um ano, época em que ele estaria melhor preparado para os perigos da floresta e da selva.

Original English

His chances of survival had been materially lessened by his early escape into the forest. Had The First Woman lived she would have kept him safely within the walls of her corral for another year at least, when he would have been better fitted to cope with the dangers and emergencies of the savage life of the forest and the jungle.

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Português

O menino, percebendo pelos sons que as mulheres haviam parado de persegui-lo, fez uma pausa e olhou para trás em busca do estranho que o libertara. Mal conseguia enxergar na floresta escura; o estranho havia sumido. Esforçando seus ouvidos aguçados, não ouviu passos humanos, apenas os sons que se afastavam das mulheres que recuavam. No entanto, a vegetação rasteira ao redor e os galhos acima produziam ruídos e odores desconhecidos que enchiam sua mente de medos vagos.

Original English

The boy, his keen ears telling him that the women had given up the pursuit, halted and looked back for the strange creature that had freed him from the hated corral, but he could see only a short distance through the darkness of the growing forest night The stranger was not in sight. The youth pricked up his great ears and listened intently. There was no sound of human footsteps other than the rapidly diminishing ones of the retreating women. There were other sounds, however, unfamiliar forest sounds that filled his muddy brain with vague terrors--sounds that came from the surrounding underbrush; sounds that came from the branches above his head, and, too, there were terrifying odors.

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Português

A escuridão total o envolveu de repente, deixando-o trêmulo. Ele sentiu o peso da noite o esmagando enquanto o expunha a terrores desconhecidos. Incapaz de ver ou gritar, não podia assustar os inimigos nem atrair o estranho que o havia ajudado. Aquele estranho havia despertado nele um prazer estranho e inexplicável — um sentimento para o qual não tinha palavras. Ele desejava poder fazer um som para trazer o estranho de volta, pois se sentia solitário e amedrontado.

Original English

Darkness, complete and impenetrable, had closed in upon him with a suddenness that left him trembling. He could almost feel it weighing down upon him, crushing him and at the same time leaving him exposed to nameless terrors. He looked about him and could see naught, so that it seemed to him that he was without eyes, and being without a voice he could not call out either to frighten his enemies or attract the attention of the strange creature that had befriended him, and whose presence had so strangely aroused in his own breast an inexplicable emotion--a pleasurable emotion. He could not explain it; he had no word for it who had no word for anything, but he felt it and it still warmed his bosom and he wished in his muddy way that he could make a noise that would attract that strange creature to him again. He was lonely and much afraid.

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Português

O estalo dos arbustos próximos trouxe um terror mais imediato. Algo grande se aproximava na noite escura. O menino pressionou as costas contra uma árvore, sem ousar se mover. Ele farejou, mas o ar se movia para longe dele em direção à criatura que se aproximava, então não pôde identificá-la pelo cheiro. No entanto, seu instinto dizia que a criatura já o havia identificado e se aproximava para saltar e devorá-lo.

Original English

A crackling of the bushes nearby aroused him to new and more intimate terror. Something large was approaching through the black night. The youth stood with his back against a great tree. He dared not move. He sniffed but what movement of the air there was took course from him in the direction of the thing that was creeping upon him out of the terrible forest, and so he could not identify it; but his instinct told him that the creature had identified him and was doubtless creeping closer to leap upon him and devour him.

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Português

Ele não tinha conhecimento sobre leões; apenas o instinto trazia o reconhecimento de criaturas perigosas. Como nunca havia saído do curral da Primeira Mulher e não possuía fala, sua mãe não poderia tê-lo ensinado sobre o mundo exterior. No entanto, quando o leão rugiu, ele de alguma forma sabia que era um leão.

Original English

He knew naught of lions, unless instinct carries with it a picture of the various creatures of which the denizens of the wild are instinctively afraid. In all his life he had never been outside the corral of The First Woman and as his people are without speech his dam could have told him nothing of the outside world, yet when the lion roared he knew that it was a lion.

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Chapter Four

Português

Esteban Miranda, segurando firmemente o pulso da pequena Uhha, agachou-se na escuridão de outra floresta a vinte milhas de distância. Ele tremeu enquanto o rugido trovejante de outro leão ecoava pela selva.

Original English

ESTEBAN MIRANDA, clinging tightly to the wrist of little Uhha, crouched in the darkness of another forest twenty miles away and trembled as the thunderous notes of another lion reverberated through the jungle.

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Português

A garota sentiu o grande homem ao seu lado tremendo e se virou para olhá-lo com desdém.

Original English

The girl felt the trembling of the body of the big man at her side and turned contemptuously upon him.

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Português

Ela o acusou de não ser o demônio do rio e de estar com medo. Disse que ele não poderia ser Tarzan, porque seu pai Khamis lhe dissera que Tarzan não temia nada. Exigiu ser solta para poder subir em uma árvore, insistindo que apenas um covarde ou um tolo ficaria paralisado de terror esperando o leão devorá-los. Então tentou libertar o pulso de seu aperto.

Original English

"You are not the river devil!"she cried."You are afraid. You are not even Tarzan, for Khamis, my father, has told me that Tarzan is afraid of nothing. Let me go that I may climb a tree--only a coward or a fool would stand here dead with terror waiting for the lion to come and devour him. Let me go, I say!"and she attempted to wrench her wrist free from his grasp.

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Português

Ele sibilou para ela ficar quieta, perguntando se ela queria atrair o leão. Sua própria paralisia foi quebrada pelas palavras e lutas dela. Ele se inclinou, agarrou-a e levantou-a até que ela pudesse agarrar os galhos mais baixos da árvore sob a qual estavam. Ela subiu em segurança, e ele se balançou facilmente para juntar-se a ela.

Original English

"Shut up!"he hissed."Do you want to attract the lion to us?"But her words and struggles had aroused him from his paralysis and stooping he seized her and lifted her until she could grasp the lower branches of the tree beneath which they stood. Then, as she clambered to safety, he swung himself easily to her side.

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Português

Mais alto entre os galhos, encontraram um lugar mais seguro e confortável para se acomodar. Lá esperaram o amanhecer, enquanto abaixo deles o leão, Numa, rondava, tossindo, grunhindo e ocasionalmente sacudindo a selva com um rugido profundo.

Original English

Presently, higher up among the branches, he found a safer and more comfortable resting place, and there the two settled down to await the coming of the dawn, while below them Numa the lion prowled for a while, coughing and grunting, and occasionally voicing a deep roar that shook the jungle.

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Português

Quando finalmente amanheceu, os dois deslizaram para o chão, exaustos por uma noite sem dormir. A garota queria atrasar, esperando que os guerreiros de Obebe pudessem alcançá-los. Mas o homem temia exatamente essa possibilidade e estava ansioso para prosseguir o mais rápido possível, para colocar a maior distância entre si e o chefe canibal.

Original English

When daylight came at last the two, exhausted by a sleepless night, slipped to the ground. The girl would have delayed, hoping that the warriors of Obebe might overtake them; but the man harbored a fear rather than a hope of the same contingency and was, therefore, for hastening on as rapidly as possible that he might put the greatest possible distance between himself and the black cannibal chief.

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Português

Ele estava completamente perdido, sem ideia de onde encontrar uma trilha decente para a costa e, no momento, realmente não se importava. Seu único desejo era evitar ser capturado novamente por Obebe, então decidiu seguir para o norte, enquanto também ficava atento a qualquer sinal de um caminho bem marcado para o oeste. Ele esperava que, eventualmente, pudesse encontrar uma aldeia de nativos amigáveis que o ajudassem em sua jornada até a costa. Portanto, ele e seu companheiro se moveram o mais rápido que puderam para o norte, viajando ao longo da borda leste da Grande Floresta de Espinhos.

Original English

He was completely lost, having not the remotest idea of where he should search for a reasonably good trail to the coast, nor, at present, did he care; his one wish being to escape recapture by Obebe, and so he elected to move northward, keeping always an eye open for any indication of a well-marked trail toward the west. Eventually, he hoped, he might discover a village of friendly natives who would aid him upon his journey toward the coast, and so the two moved as rapidly as they could in a northerly direction, their way skirting the Great Thorn Forest along the eastern edge of which they traveled.

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Português

O sol batia no curral vazio da Primeira Mulher. Apenas o cadáver de um jovem jazia onde havia caído na noite anterior. Um pequeno ponto apareceu no céu distante e cresceu à medida que se aproximava, revelando-se como um pássaro planando facilmente com asas imóveis. Aproximou-se cada vez mais, ocasionalmente fazendo grandes círculos lentos, até que finalmente pairou sobre o curral. Mais uma vez circulou e então caiu no chão dentro do recinto: Ska, o abutre, havia chegado. Em uma hora, o corpo do jovem foi coberto por um manto dessas grandes aves. Elas se banquetearam por dois dias e, quando partiram, apenas ossos limpos permaneceram. Enroscado no pescoço de uma das aves estava uma corrente de ouro com um medalhão cravejado de diamantes. Ska tentou lutar contra o enfeite, que balançava irritantemente sob ele quando voava e atrapalhava seus movimentos no chão, mas estava enrolado duas vezes em seu pescoço e ele não conseguia removê-lo. Então ele voou para longe através da Grande Floresta de Espinhos, as pedras brilhantes reluzindo e cintilando ao sol.

Original English

The sun beating down upon the hot corral of The First Woman found it deserted of life. Only the corpse of a youth lay sprawled where it had fallen the previous evening. A speck appeared in the distant blue. It grew larger as it approached until it took upon itself the form of a bird gliding easily upon motionless wings. Nearer and nearer it came, now and again winging great, slow circles, until at last it swung above the corral of The First Woman. Once again it circled and then dropped to earth within the enclosure--Ska, the vulture, had come. Within the hour the body of the youth was hidden by a mantle of the great birds. It was a two-days feast, and when they left, only the clean picked bones remained, and entangled about the neck of one of the birds was a golden chain from which depended a diamond-encrusted locket. Ska fought the bauble that swung annoyingly beneath him when he flew and impeded his progress when he walked upon the ground, but it was looped twice about his neck and he was unable to dislodge it, and so he winged away across the Great Thorn Forest, the bright gems gleaming and scintillating in the sun.

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Português

Após escapar das mulheres que o perseguiram junto com o jovem Alalus para a floresta, Tarzan dos Macacos parou em uma árvore logo acima do local onde o filho assustado da Primeira Mulher havia parado, aterrorizado. Ele estava ali, bem próximo, quando Numa atacou. Alcançando rapidamente para baixo, ele agarrou o jovem pelos cabelos e o arrastou para um local seguro, enquanto as garras rasgadoras do leão cortavam o ar vazio sob os pés do Alalus.

Original English

Tarzan of the Apes, after eluding the women that had chased him and the Alalus youth into the forest, halted in the tree beneath which the frightened son of The First Woman had come to a terrified pause. He was there, close above him, when Numa charged, and reaching quickly down had seized the youth by the hair and dragged him to safety as the lion's raking talons embraced thin air beneath the feet of the Alalus.

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Português

No dia seguinte, o homem-macaco se dedicou seriamente à caça de comida, armas e roupas. Estando nu e desarmado, poderia ter ido mal para ele se ele fosse alguém diferente de Tarzan dos Macacos; da mesma forma, poderia ter ido mal para os Alalus sem a ajuda do homem-macaco. Tarzan encontrou frutas, nozes e ovos de pássaros, mas ele desejava carne. Ele caçava carne diligentemente, não apenas pela carne em si, mas também pela pele, intestinos e tendões, que ele poderia usar para fazer as coisas de que precisava para segurança e conforto em sua existência primitiva.

Original English

The following day the ape-man concerned himself seriously in the hunt for food, weapons and apparel. Naked and unarmed as he was it might have gone hard with him had he been other than Tarzan of the Apes, and it might have gone hard with the Alalus had it not been for the ape-man. Fruits and nuts Tarzan found, and birds' eggs, but he craved meat and for meat he hunted assiduously, not alone because of the flesh of the kill, but for the skin and the gut and the tendons, that he could use in the fabrication of the things he required for the safety and comfort of his primitive existence.

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Português

Enquanto procurava vestígios de sua presa, ele também buscava tipos adequados de madeira para uma lança e para um arco e flechas. Estes não eram difíceis de encontrar nesta floresta de árvores conhecidas. No entanto, o dia estava quase no fim antes que o vento suave, contra o qual ele havia caçado, levasse o cheiro de Bara, o veado, às suas sensíveis narinas.

Original English

As he searched for the spoor of his prey he searched also for the proper woods for a spear and for bow and arrows, nor were they difficult to find in this forest of familiar trees, but the day was almost done before the gentle wind, up which he had been hunting, carried to his sensitive nostrils the scent spoor of Bara the deer.

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Português

Tarzan balançou para uma árvore e fez gestos para que o Alalus o seguisse, mas a criatura era tão desajeitada que Tarzan teve que arrastá-lo até um galho. Através de sinais, Tarzan tentou comunicar que o Alalus deveria ficar ali e guardar os materiais que Tarzan havia reunido para fazer armas, enquanto Tarzan continuava a caça sozinho.

Original English

Swinging into a tree he motioned the Alalus to follow him, but so inept and awkward was the creature that Tarzan was compelled to drag him to a place among the branches, where, by signs, he attempted to impart to him the fact that he wished him to remain where he was, watching the materials that the ape-man had collected for his weapons, while the latter continued the hunt alone.

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Português

Tarzan não tinha certeza de que o jovem o entendia. No entanto, o homem não o seguiu quando Tarzan se moveu silenciosamente pelas árvores, seguindo o cheiro de um ruminante. Para Tarzan, o animal era sempre Bara, o cervo, um nome que ele aprendera quando criança em um livro de alfabeto colorido na cabana de seu pai. Na realidade, era um antílope, mas as fortes impressões da infância haviam fixado esse nome em sua mente.

Original English

That the youth understood him he was not at all sure, but at least he did not follow when Tarzan swung off silently through the branches of the forest along the elusive trail of the ruminant, the scent of which was always translated to the foster son of Kala the she-ape as Bara the deer, though in fact, as practically always, the animal was an antelope. But strong are the impressions of childhood and since that long-gone day upon which be had pored over the colored alphabet primer in the far-off cabin of his dead father beside the landlocked harbor on the West Coast, and learned that"D stands for Deer,"and had admired the picture of the pretty animal, the thing that most closely resembled it, with which he was familiar in his daily life, the antelope, became for him then, and always remained, Bara the deer.

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Glossary: New Words

Words introduced by the simplified reading. Each entry shows up to five real sentences from this book; every Back to B1 link opens the exact sentence in the simplified version.

anymore ˌɛniˈmɔːr (8)

Português: mais

Simple English: No longer; not now.

Example: I don't live there anymore.

Uses in this book:

1. They could not respect or admire the women, who were not like females anymore. Back to B1

2. He was not scared anymore and did not hide in the forest.

3. Elkomoelhago told Zoanthrohago that they did not need Tarzan anymore and asked for him to be sent away.

4. He added that he was not surprised by anything anymore because they had achieved more than he thought possible.

5. He explained that if she became his woman, she would not be a slave anymore, and he could not sell her.

bend /bɛnd/ (1)

Português: dobrar; dobre; curva

Simple English: To make something curved or no longer straight shaped.

Example: You need to bend the wire to fit the frame correctly.

Uses in this book:

1. Around a bend, she saw a person lying face down. Back to B1

benefited ˈbɛn.ɪ.fɪtɪd (1)

Português: se beneficiou

Simple English: to get help or an advantage from something

Example: The Alalus youth benefited from Tarzan's help.

Uses in this book:

1. The Alalus youth also benefited from Tarzan's help. Back to B1

block /blɒk/ (1)

Português: bloco; bloquear; quarteirão

Simple English: To stop movement or flow through a place completely.

Example: The fallen tree will block the road for several hours today.

Uses in this book:

1. One slab stood upright to block the opening. Back to B1

Border /ˈbɔːrdər/ (1)

Português: fronteira; beira; borda

Simple English: Line separating two countries, states, or provinces.

Example: They crossed the border into Canada without any problems at the checkpoint.

Uses in this book:

1. Now he saw it was just a border around a nice, livable area, and its thorns had kept the secret safe. Back to B1

bothered ˈbɒðərd (1)

Português: incomodado

Simple English: to feel worried or upset

Example: He was not bothered by the noise outside.

Uses in this book:

1. The bird struggled with the locket because it bothered him when he flew or walked. Back to B1

challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ (2)

Português: desafio; desafiar; contestar

Simple English: To object to the legality or acceptability of something.

Example: They will challenge the new law in the Supreme Court next month.

Uses in this book:

1. The Third Woman looked around to see if anyone else wanted to challenge her. Back to B1

2. He realized that these small people, who were much smaller than him, were like his greatest challenge, like Wellington was to Napoleon.

check tʃɛk (2)

Português: verificar

Simple English: to look at something to be sure

Example: He checked the time on his watch.

Uses in this book:

1. She looked at the chief one last time to check he was still asleep. Back to B1

2. They wondered if the searchers would check the loft, but there was no need to worry.

chores tʃɔːrz (1)

Português: tarefas

Simple English: Small jobs, usually at home or fields.

Example: She wanted to avoid her chores in the fields.

Uses in this book:

1. This was the first real problem in her life, other than avoiding her chores in the fields. Back to B1

connection /kəˈnɛkʃən/ (3)

Português: conexão; ligação; relação

Simple English: Transport taken after another to continue a journey smoothly.

Example: We have a connection in Paris before reaching Rome.

Uses in this book:

1. The connection to their parents was completely broken. Back to B1

2. He might have felt a connection to Tarzan, or Tarzan's own strong loyalty to his kind had made him feel this way. Back to B1

3. On top of the box, besides the seven connection posts, was a round instrument with a dial.

copied ˈkɒpɪd (3)

Português: copiou

Simple English: Did the same as someone else.

Example: He copied his friend’s drawing.

Uses in this book:

1. The other girls copied her, while the boys kept stamping their feet. Back to B1

2. The others copied her expressions and actions.

3. Komodoflorensal laughed as he copied his friend.

didn't ˈdɪdənt (2)

Português: não

Simple English: did not do something

Example: He didn't go to school yesterday.

Uses in this book:

1. He didn't know where he was, who these people were, or how he arrived. Back to B1

2. He believed there were many ideas, but he didn't think the correct one had been explained yet.

disagreement ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt (1)

Português: discordância

Simple English: a situation where people have different opinions

Example: He showed his disagreement by not obeying.

Uses in this book:

1. This disagreement saved Esteban's life. Back to B1

Dislike /dɪsˈlaɪk/ (2)

Português: antipatia; desagrado; desagrada

Simple English: The feeling of not liking someone or something.

Example: I have a strong dislike for cold weather and prefer sunny days.

Uses in this book:

1. She looked at him with dislike. Back to B1

2. But when she saw it was the slave behind her, she stood up fast and moved back, her face showing dislike.

disliked dɪsˈlaɪkt (2)

Português: desgostavam

Simple English: felt not good or happy about someone

Example: The crew disliked the officers.

Uses in this book:

1. She was curious about his clothes or perhaps disliked them. Back to B1

2. He had never knelt to him, and he would not show more respect to Elkomoelhago, whom even his own servants disliked, than he had shown to the great king of Veltopismakus.

earlier ˈɜrliər (3)

Português: mais cedo

Simple English: before now or before another time

Example: I arrived earlier than expected.

Uses in this book:

1. He had received the bag from Tarzan earlier in a place called the Valley of the Palace of Diamonds. Back to B1

2. She passed the woman she had hit earlier, who was starting to wake up. Back to B1

3. When The First Woman was attacked by The Second Woman earlier, the others stayed back because The Second Woman had started the fight. Back to B1

eyebrows ˈaɪˌbraʊzɪz (3)

Português: sobrancelhas

Simple English: The lines of hair above your eyes.

Example: His eyes shone from under thick eyebrows.

Uses in this book:

1. Its eyes were under heavy eyebrows and a low forehead. Back to B1

2. He saw her eyebrows knit together in a frown.

3. The other person raised his eyebrows and said he understood.

fierce fɪərs (1)

Português: feroz

Simple English: Showing strong emotion or anger.

Example: The cat gave a fierce look.

Uses in this book:

1. She was at the far end of the pen and looked at him with fierce eyes. Back to B1

fix fɪks (2)

Português: consertar

Simple English: To repair something that is broken.

Example: He will fix the car tomorrow.

Uses in this book:

1. He explained that if Tarzan had trouble and had to land, he would need a mechanic to fix the plane. Back to B1

2. Tarzan said he hoped Zoanthrohago could fix what he had done and make him normal size again.

flown floʊn (1)

Português: voado

Simple English: Moved in the air using wings.

Example: The bird has flown away from the tree.

Uses in this book:

1. He realized he had flown too low. Back to B1

focused ˈfoʊkəst (3)

Português: concentrados

Simple English: giving full attention to something

Example: She was focused on her homework.

Uses in this book:

1. The next day, Tarzan focused on finding food, weapons, and clothes. Back to B1

2. Other families focused on farming or raising diadets.

3. He stopped trying to understand it and focused on learning about his captors and his prison, waiting for a chance to escape.

giggling ˈɡɪɡəlɪŋ (1)

Português: risadinhas

Simple English: Laughing in a quiet, silly way.

Example: The children were giggling while playing together.

Uses in this book:

1. They discussed their jewelry, hairstyles, and the young men in the village, often giggling. Back to B1

goal ɡoʊl (2)

Português: objetivo

Simple English: A result you want to achieve.

Example: Her goal is to learn English this year.

Uses in this book:

1. He knew he had made a mistake in his thinking, but it was not important because his main goal was freedom. Back to B1

2. His main goal was to get away from Obebe. Back to B1

grabbed ˈɡræbd (18)

Português: agarrou

Simple English: took hold of something quickly

Example: He grabbed the book from the table.

Uses in this book:

1. Suddenly, one of the people following her grabbed Tarzan. Back to B1

2. After the man ate enough, the woman grabbed him by the hair and dragged him into the cave. Back to B1

3. When a lion named Numa attacked, Tarzan quickly reached down, grabbed the youth by his hair, and pulled him to safety. Back to B1

4. A brown body jumped from the leaves, grabbed the antelope's throat, and bit its neck.

5. As she fell forward, Tarzan quickly grabbed the small person she was holding, saving him from being crushed.

hairstyles ˈhɛərstaɪlz (1)

Português: penteados

Simple English: Different ways of arranging hair.

Example: They talked about their favorite hairstyles.

Uses in this book:

1. They discussed their jewelry, hairstyles, and the young men in the village, often giggling. Back to B1

headache ˈhɛdˌeɪk (1)

Português: dor de cabeça

Simple English: pain inside the head

Example: He had a headache after falling through branches.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan had fallen through tree branches, which saved him from serious injury, but he had a headache. Back to B1

ignored ɪɡˈnɔːrd (1)

Português: ignorado

Simple English: did not pay attention to someone or something

Example: The boys ignored him and kept preparing the fire.

Uses in this book:

1. He asked the other boys for help, but they ignored him and continued preparing the fire. Back to B1

injury ˈɪndʒəri (2)

Português: ferimento

Simple English: Physical harm or damage to the body.

Example: He had an injury on his arm.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan had fallen through tree branches, which saved him from serious injury, but he had a headache. Back to B1

2. He found that a recent head injury was causing pressure on the brain.

item ˈaɪtəm (1)

Português: item

Simple English: a thing or object

Example: The key was the only item she did not understand.

Uses in this book:

1. She knew it was the key because it was the only item she did not understand. Back to B1

jewelry ˈdʒuːəlri (1)

Português: joias

Simple English: Decorative items like rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Example: He wore jewelry around his neck.

Uses in this book:

1. They discussed their jewelry, hairstyles, and the young men in the village, often giggling. Back to B1

livable ˈlɪvəbəl (1)

Português: habitável

Simple English: Good enough to live in.

Example: This city is livable and safe.

Uses in this book:

1. Now he saw it was just a border around a nice, livable area, and its thorns had kept the secret safe. Back to B1

local ˈloʊkəl (1)

Português: local

Simple English: from the nearby place

Example: The local people live in this village.

Uses in this book:

1. After learning the local language, Esteban understood how lucky he was to be alive. Back to B1

luck lʌk (2)

Português: sorte

Simple English: good things that happen by chance

Example: She had luck in finding a job.

Uses in this book:

1. He felt that good luck, which had not been with him for a long time, was finally helping him. Back to B1

2. He was sure they would easily find Palastokar's rooms and wished them good luck with their candles.

Luckily ˈlʌkɪli (1)

Português: felizmente

Simple English: fortunately, by good chance

Example: Luckily, no one was hurt.

Uses in this book:

1. Luckily for her, she could not move, and Obebe started snoring again. Back to B1

mechanic məˈkænɪk (1)

Português: mecânico

Simple English: A person who fixes machines or engines.

Example: He would need a mechanic to fix the plane.

Uses in this book:

1. He explained that if Tarzan had trouble and had to land, he would need a mechanic to fix the plane. Back to B1

mechanics məˈkænɪks (2)

Português: mecânicos

Simple English: People who repair machines or vehicles.

Example: The warriors were trained as mechanics and pilots.

Uses in this book:

1. Two Waziri warriors, trained by Korak (Tarzan's son) as mechanics and pilots, rested in its shade. Back to B1

2. Korak then said that Tarzan should take one of the mechanics. Back to B1

messy ˈmes.i (1)

Português: bagunçado

Simple English: Not clean or tidy.

Example: Her desk is always messy.

Uses in this book:

1. It had long, messy hair and some hair on its chest and arms. Back to B1

Mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ (3)

Português: erro; engano; equívoco

Simple English: An action or judgment that is incorrect or wrong.

Example: Learning from a mistake is often more important than getting everything right.

Uses in this book:

1. He knew he had made a mistake in his thinking, but it was not important because his main goal was freedom. Back to B1

2. They usually aimed to stun their targets, not kill them, but often they killed them by mistake. Back to B1

3. This was a mistake.

mourning ˈmɔːrnɪŋ (1)

Português: luto

Simple English: Showing sadness after someone dies.

Example: No one was mourning the First Woman.

Uses in this book:

1. The First Woman died there, without anyone mourning her. Back to B1

nice naɪs (5)

Português: bom

Simple English: Pleasant or attractive.

Example: The room looks very nice and clean.

Uses in this book:

1. Now he saw it was just a border around a nice, livable area, and its thorns had kept the secret safe. Back to B1

2. He thought she had perfect features, nice hair with a jeweled hat, and soft skin.

3. But he thought it was only a nice dream because Kalfastoban wanted him, and his master would probably sell him.

4. Another man was carving nice patterns on leather.

5. He gave Tarzan jewels and gifts, and a nice place to live that matched his new position.

okay oʊˈkeɪ (1)

Português: tudo bem

Simple English: Everything is all right.

Example: Is everything okay with the car?

Uses in this book:

1. They thought it was okay to eat him because he was different, like other animals they ate. Back to B1

partner ˈpɑːrtnər (1)

Português: companheiro

Simple English: a person you work or live with

Example: She is a good partner in their business.

Uses in this book:

1. Because the Alalus woman did not love her partner and was stronger, she treated males badly. Back to B1

pen pɛn (3)

Português: curral

Simple English: A small area where animals are kept.

Example: She was at the far end of the pen looking at him.

Uses in this book:

1. She was at the far end of the pen and looked at him with fierce eyes. Back to B1

2. She thought he was a prize and decided to take him to her own pen. Back to B1

3. Behind the boy was the back wall of the pen, where a large stone slab was slightly tilted. Back to B1

pens pɛnz (1)

Português: curral

Simple English: an enclosed area for animals or people

Example: The women built stone shelters and pens for the children and males.

Uses in this book:

1. The women built stone shelters and pens for the children and males. Back to B1

privately ˈpraɪvətli (1)

Português: privadamente

Simple English: in a way that only a few people hear or know

Example: Miranda told Uhha something privately.

Uses in this book:

1. Miranda whispered to Uhha, asking her to come nearer so she could tell her something privately. Back to B1

pull pʊl (5)

Português: puxar

Simple English: to use force to move something towards you

Example: She tried to pull it out from under Obebe.

Uses in this book:

1. She tried to pull it out from under Obebe. Back to B1

2. She tried to pull her wrist away from his hand. Back to B1

3. But the Alalus was very clumsy, so Tarzan had to pull him to a branch. Back to B1

4. They saw him put an arrow on his bow, pull it back, and shoot very fast.

5. He also saw slaves working in the fields, using small antelopes called diadets to pull tiny plows.

rid rɪd (6)

Português: livrar-se

Simple English: To remove or get free of something unwanted

Example: They got rid of the dead people.

Uses in this book:

1. It flapped its large ears and moved its skin to get rid of flies, like a horse. Back to B1

2. They sometimes moved the skin on their bodies to get rid of insects.

3. He had stopped trying to get rid of it.

4. He wanted to get rid of Zoanthrohago, but he could not.

5. Komodoflorensal explained that this was how they got rid of the bodies of slaves.

scare skɛər (2)

Português: assustar

Simple English: To make someone feel afraid.

Example: Because Kerchak was their leader, they could scare other tribes away from their jungle area.

Uses in this book:

1. He could not call out to scare away enemies or to find the stranger who had been kind to him. Back to B1

2. The soldiers with him stopped because they saw the game Tarzan was hunting and did not want to scare it away.

scared skɛərd (31)

Português: com medo

Simple English: Feeling afraid or frightened.

Example: The man felt scared and helpless when he thought about their serious situation.

Uses in this book:

1. The girl moved away, very scared. Back to B1

2. Uhha was very scared and ran quickly to the hut of her father, Khamis, who was a witch doctor. Back to B1

3. The sleeping man moved, and Uhha pulled her hand back, scared. Back to B1

4. She was too scared to move. Back to B1

5. She turned away, feeling very scared. Back to B1

shake /ʃeɪk/ (1)

Português: agitar; apertar; sacudir

Simple English: To move quickly back and forth.

Example: The house began to shake.

Uses in this book:

1. Below them, the lion, Numa, walked around for a while, making sounds and roaring loudly, which made the jungle shake. Back to B1

shameful ˈʃeɪmfəl (1)

Português: vergonhoso

Simple English: something that should cause feeling bad or embarrassed

Example: Running away from a fight was not shameful for Tarzan.

Uses in this book:

1. For Tarzan, who grew up in the jungle, running away from a fight he could not win was not shameful. Back to B1

shiny /ˈʃaɪni/ (7)

Português: brilhante; reluzente

Simple English: Bright and smooth, reflecting light effectively visually.

Example: Her shiny hair reflects the sunlight beautifully during the summer.

Uses in this book:

1. Esteban Miranda spent hours in his dirty room looking at his shiny jewels. Back to B1

2. So, he flew away across the Great Thorn Forest, the shiny gems sparkling in the sun. Back to B1

3. A shiny locket he wore did not bother him when flying, but it was difficult when he walked.

4. Adendrohahkis wore a shiny golden jacket decorated with small gold circles.

5. The man, Esteban Miranda, was looking at some shiny stones he had taken from a small bag.

skillfully ˈskɪlfəli (2)

Português: habilmente

Simple English: in a clever or expert way

Example: She skillfully cooked a delicious meal.

Uses in this book:

1. However, she blocked their blows skillfully. Back to B1

2. The warriors moved very quickly and skillfully.

smart smɑːrt (5)

Português: inteligente

Simple English: clever and able to solve problems

Example: The smart boy quickly answered the question.

Uses in this book:

1. So, he was like a wild animal facing the woman, a smart and strong animal that knew when to fight and when to run away. Back to B1

2. The two men thought this was very foolish and that he must not have been smart.

3. Gofoloso exclaimed that they were very lucky to have such a smart and wise king as Elkomoelhago.

4. He said that everyone knew the king was not smart and needed others to think for him and fight for him.

5. She was not very smart, but she understood that these new events were dangerous.

stamping ˈstæmpɪŋ (4)

Português: batendo

Simple English: hitting the ground with feet

Example: They were stamping their feet to the music.

Uses in this book:

1. They began stamping their feet together in a regular rhythm. Back to B1

2. This stamping did not seem to achieve anything. Back to B1

3. The other girls copied her, while the boys kept stamping their feet. Back to B1

4. There were also people making pots, weaving cloth, stamping metal, painting, and making candles.

stuck stʌk (3)

Português: preso

Simple English: unable to move

Example: The paper was stuck to the floor.

Uses in this book:

1. Above him, pieces of his broken plane were stuck in the branches of a large tree that had made it fall. Back to B1

2. Ska could not chase her because he was stuck.

3. From each part, a brush or pad stuck out slightly to touch the spinning disc.

student ˈstudənt (1)

Português: estudante

Simple English: a person who learns at school or university

Example: She is a good student in the class.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan said that his son had said he was a good student, so he should trust him to fly alone. Back to B1

sunny ˈsʌni (1)

Português: ensolarado

Simple English: full of sunlight

Example: It was a warm, sunny day at the park.

Uses in this book:

1. He saw the young Alali in a sunny courtyard. Back to B1

sweaty ˈswɛti (1)

Português: suado

Simple English: covered with sweat

Example: She held the key tightly in her sweaty hand.

Uses in this book:

1. Then, holding the key tightly in her sweaty hand, she hurried towards the door. Back to B1

type /taɪp/ (3)

Português: tipo; digite; digitar

Simple English: A kind or category of something.

Example: What type of music do you like?

Uses in this book:

1. However, they used hand and body movements, which Tarzan realized was a type of sign language. Back to B1

2. He guessed he was a strange type of Zertalacolol from a hidden mountain area, but no matter what, he would never...

3. They first thought he was a new type of Zertalalcolol, but then found he could talk to another slave.

uncle ˈʌŋkəl (1)

Português: tio

Simple English: the brother of your mother or father

Example: My uncle gave me a gift last week.

Uses in this book:

1. She said her uncle had given it to her at the start of the last moon. Back to B1

upright ʌpˈraɪt (3)

Português: vertical

Simple English: standing straight up

Example: The book stood upright on the shelf.

Uses in this book:

1. One slab stood upright to block the opening. Back to B1

2. The disc was fixed upright and could be spun quickly using a hand crank.

3. Now they could walk upright.

volcano vɒlˈkeɪnoʊ (1)

Português: vulcão

Simple English: a mountain that can erupt with lava

Example: The volcano erupted last year.

Uses in this book:

1. He flew lower to look at the basins, which seemed like old volcano craters. Back to B1

wake weɪk (8)

Português: acordar

Simple English: to stop sleeping

Example: She explained that Uhha would wake Obebe.

Uses in this book:

1. She explained that Uhha would wake Obebe, and he would be very angry. Back to B1

2. Uhha replied that she would not wake him. Back to B1

3. She was afraid her heart beating or her breathing would wake the old chief, but Obebe kept snoring. Back to B1

4. She passed the woman she had hit earlier, who was starting to wake up. Back to B1

5. Even a small sound like this was important enough to wake him up.

woke woʊk (16)

Português: acordaram

Simple English: to stop sleeping

Example: They woke early in the morning.

Uses in this book:

1. Her friend tried to stop her, saying she would fetch it after Obebe woke up. Back to B1

2. Her victim woke up, rubbed her head, and looked around. Back to B1

3. The man woke up and saw the meat. Back to B1

4. Tarzan woke up in a dark, rocky room. Back to B1

5. He slowly woke up more and more. Back to B1

woken ˈwoʊkən (2)

Português: acordados

Simple English: past participle of wake; to be caused to stop sleeping

Example: She was woken by the loud noise.

Uses in this book:

1. Obebe moved again, and Uhha thought he had woken up. Back to B1

2. One of the warriors shouted that the giant had woken up.