Tarzan and the City of Gold

Tarzan e a Cidade de Ouro

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 City of Gold, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1933.

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 1933.

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 2029.

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 City of Gold

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1933

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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

No décimo sexto romance da série Tarzan de Edgar Rice Burroughs, o homem-macaco embarca em uma jornada perigosa para uma lendária cidade perdida. Enquanto explora o interior africano, Tarzan tropeça na antiga cidade murada de Cathne, também conhecida como a Cidade de Ouro, governada pela bela mas cruel Rainha Nemone. A cidade é um remanescente de uma civilização outrora grandiosa, agora isolada e decadente. Tarzan é capturado e forçado a participar de jogos de gladiadores, onde deve lutar por sua vida contra oponentes humanos e feras selvagens. Ele se envolve nas intrigas políticas da corte, incluindo o ciúme do conselheiro da rainha, o sumo sacerdote, e as afeições da própria Nemone, que deseja Tarzan como seu consorte. Enquanto isso, uma cidade rival, Athne, a Cidade de Marfim, ameaça guerra. A narrativa segue as tentativas de Tarzan de escapar e navegar pelas dinâmicas traiçoeiras desses reinos em guerra. O tom é aventureiro e acelerado, misturando elementos de fantasia de mundo perdido com a ação e romance característicos de Burroughs. A história progride através de uma série de capturas, fugas e confrontos, destacando a desenvoltura e força primal de Tarzan contra um pano de fundo de civilização opulenta mas corrupta.

Sobre o autor

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) foi um escritor norte-americano e um dos grandes nomes da literatura de aventura popular do século XX. Criou Tarzan em 1912, personagem que rapidamente se tornou um fenómeno mundial. Ao longo da carreira escreveu dezenas de romances de aventura, fantasia e ficção científica, incluindo as séries Tarzan, Barsoom (John Carter de Marte), Pellucidar, Venus e Caspak. As suas obras foram traduzidas para numerosos idiomas e inspiraram filmes, séries de televisão, banda desenhada, animações e adaptações radiofónicas durante mais de um século. Mini cronologia: 1875 — nascimento; 1912 — Tarzan of the Apes; 1917 — A Princess of Mars; anos 1920 — Tarzan torna-se fenómeno mundial; 1950 — falecimento. Hoje, Tarzan continua a ser uma das personagens mais reconhecidas da literatura popular mundial.

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 - Savage Quarry

2 - The White Prisoner

3 - Cats By Night

4 - Down The Flood

Savage Quarry

Pt/En From June to September, rains came from regions like Tigre and Amhara to Sudan and Egypt. These rains brought mud, high rivers, and also prosperity. However, they also brought death to Abyssinia.

Pt/En A group of bandits, called shiftas, lived in the mountains of Kaffa. They were interested in the bad parts of the rain's gifts: the muddy paths and the dangerous, high rivers. These men were criminals from the Kaficho and Galla tribes, and they were known for being very cruel.

Pt/En It was the middle of September, so the rainy season was almost over. It was not raining at that moment, but the rivers were still full of water, and the ground was wet from a recent rain.

Pt/En The shiftas rode their horses, looking for people or villages to steal from. Their horses' hooves left clear tracks on the ground. However, the shiftas were not worried about being found because no one was looking for them. People in the area just wanted to avoid them.

Pt/En Ahead of the shiftas, an animal was hunting. The wind was blowing from the animal towards the horsemen, so the animal could not smell them. Also, the ground was soft, and the horses made no noise as they walked, so the animal did not hear them.

Pt/En Tarzan hunted to eat, like a wild animal. He did not look like a typical British lord, but he was one. He was known as Tarzan of the Apes.

Pt/En Hunting was difficult for predators when it rained, and Tarzan was hungry because it had rained for two days. He was crawling through the grass towards a deer by a stream, planning to attack it. He did not know that a group of horsemen were watching him from a nearby hill.

Pt/En The wind carried the smell and sound of enemies away from Tarzan. Even though Tarzan had very good senses, he did not notice the danger. The text says that even very smart people can sometimes make mistakes.

Pt/En All animals are careful because they have enemies. Even strong animals like elephants and lions must be careful of people. Caution is not the same as being afraid. Tarzan was very careful, especially when he was in an unfamiliar place where any creature could be a danger.

Pt/En Tarzan was very hungry, and this might have made him less careful. He was also sometimes reckless because he was proud of his strength. Because of this, Tarzan did not know that a group of dangerous men were nearby, ready to kill him for his weapons or for no reason.

Pt/En The story does not explain why Tarzan went to Kaffa. Tarzan likes to travel in wild places that are not changed by modern life. He does not need a big reason to go. He still wanted adventure, and the large, wild area of Abyssinia seemed exciting to him because it was mysterious and had old secrets.

Pt/En Many people have gone to Abyssinia in the past and never returned. Some people think that Abyssinia might even hide the secret of the lost tribes of Israel. So, many amazing things and adventures could be found in its faraway places.

Pt/En At this time, Tarzan was not thinking about adventures. He did not know that danger was near. He was only thinking about the deer he wanted to catch to eat because he was very hungry. He moved forward quietly, as silently as the leopard Sheeta.

Pt/En From behind, men in white clothes, called shiftas, came down from a small hill where they had been watching Tarzan. They moved towards him with spears and guns. They were confused because they had never seen a white man like him before. They wanted to kill him.

Pt/En The deer looked up sometimes, feeling worried. When it did, Tarzan stopped moving. Suddenly, the deer looked towards something behind Tarzan and ran away. Tarzan immediately looked behind him. He knew it was not him that scared the deer, but something else. He saw about six horsemen coming slowly towards him. He knew they were shiftas, and they wanted to steal from him and kill him. He knew they were more dangerous than lions.

Pt/En When the horsemen saw that Tarzan had found them, they rode towards him quickly. They waved their weapons and shouted. They did not shoot, perhaps because they thought he was not a real threat with his simple weapons. Instead, they seemed to want to run him over with their horses or stab him with their spears. They might have thought he would try to run away, which would make the chase more exciting for them.

Pt/En But Tarzan did not run away. He knew the area well and understood all possible ways to escape from dangers he might face. Animals in the wild must know these things to survive. Tarzan knew that running away from men on horses would not work. However, this did not make him scared. If running had been the best way to save himself, he would have run. Since it was not possible, he decided to stand and fight. He was ready to use any chance that might appear to help him escape.

Pt/En Tarzan was tall and had a very strong, well-built body. He wore only a small piece of lion skin around his waist. He looked more like a god of the forest than a normal man. He carried a quiver of arrows and a short spear on his back. A rope made of grass was on his shoulder. At his side was a hunting knife, which was his father's. This knife had helped him show he was stronger than other jungle animals when he was young and used it to kill a gorilla. In his left hand, he held his bow and four extra arrows.

Pt/En Tarzan was as fast as lightning. The moment he realized there was danger behind him and that the horsemen had seen him, he jumped up and strung his bow. Before the attackers even understood the danger they were in, Tarzan had already aimed his bow and shot an arrow.

Pt/En The ape-man's bow was short but very strong. It was short so he could carry it easily in the forest. It was strong so it could shoot arrows through thick skins to hit the vital parts of his prey. This bow was so powerful that a normal person could not bend it.

Pt/En Tarzan shot his first arrow, hitting the leader in the heart. The man fell from his horse. Tarzan then quickly shot four more arrows, and all of them hit their targets. One more attacker died, and three were injured.

Pt/En Only a few seconds after Tarzan saw the danger, the four remaining horsemen were close to him. The three who were wounded were more focused on the arrows in their bodies than on Tarzan. But the fourth attacker was not hurt and rode towards Tarzan with his spear ready.

Pt/En Tarzan could not move back or to the side because other horsemen were there. He had only one small chance to live. Using his speed and strength, Tarzan put his bowstring around his neck after his last shot. He pushed the attacker's spear upwards and grabbed the man's arm. Then, he swung himself onto the horse's back behind the rider.

Pt/En As Tarzan's strong fingers grabbed the attacker's throat, the man screamed. Then, Tarzan stabbed him with a knife. Tarzan threw the body off the horse. The scared horse ran into the river with loose reins. The other attackers, who were wounded, stopped chasing Tarzan. One of them, still able to shoot, fired his gun at Tarzan as he escaped.

Pt/En The river was narrow but deep. As the horse entered the water, Tarzan saw movement downstream. A long body was moving quickly towards them. It was a crocodile named Gimla. The horse saw it too and became very scared. It turned to swim upstream to escape. Tarzan climbed over the back of the saddle and took out his spear. He hoped to keep the crocodile away until the horse could reach the other side of the river, which he was trying to guide it towards.

Pt/En The crocodile Gimla was very hungry and fast. He was close to the horse's back with his mouth open when a bandit on the river bank shot at Tarzan. Tarzan was lucky because the wounded man shot too quickly. At the same time the gun fired, the crocodile dived. The water moved wildly, showing that the crocodile was badly hurt.

Pt/En A moment later, Tarzan's horse reached the other side of the river and got onto dry land. Tarzan could control his horse again. He turned the horse and shot an arrow back across the river at the angry bandits. The arrow hit the man who had shot at him. This man was already hurt and had accidentally saved Tarzan by shooting the crocodile.

Pt/En Tarzan of the Apes rode his horse towards a nearby forest. He disappeared from the sight of the angry bandits, who fired a few wild shots after him.

The White Prisoner

Pt/En Far to the south, a lion got up from the animal he had eaten. He walked to the river. He did not look at the hyenas and jackals that had waited for him to leave. They had run away when he stood up. They rushed to eat the rest of the kill, but the lion did not seem to notice them.

Pt/En The lion looked like a king. He was very big, with a yellow coat and a large black mane. After drinking, he lifted his head and roared. His loud voice shook the ground, and the jungle became quiet.

Pt/En Tarzan did not go to sleep as expected. Instead, he smelled the air and then searched the ground like a hunting dog. He made a low sound and then walked north. The hyenas and jackals were happy he left, and a vulture named Ska, flying above, also wished they would all go away.

Pt/En Far to the north, three injured men called shiftas looked at their dead friends. They were angry and blamed their bad luck for following the strange white man. They took clothes and weapons from the dead and rode away. They said they would get revenge if they met him again, but secretly hoped they would not. They thought they were finished with him, but they were wrong.

Pt/En Soon after entering the forest, Tarzan let his horse go and swung onto a branch above. The ape-man was angry because the shiftas had scared away his dinner. He was more annoyed that they tried to kill him than that they ruined his hunt. He had to start looking for food again. But after he ate, he would deal with the shiftas. He was sure of this.

Pt/En Tarzan thought about eating the bandit's horse, but decided against it. He had eaten horse meat before and did not like it. He was hungry but not starving, so he wanted to hunt again for better meat. It was not long before he found and ate his kill.

Pt/En After eating, Tarzan rested in a tree for a short time. His active mind was thinking about the shiftas. He felt he needed to investigate them. If the group was just passing through, he would not worry. But if they were staying in the area, it was important to know about them. Tarzan planned to stay there for a while, and it was wise to know the number and location of any enemies. He also felt they should be punished for causing him trouble.

Pt/En Tarzan returned to the river and crossed it. He began to follow the trail of the shiftas. The path led him over some small hills and then down into a narrow valley. A stream ran through the valley, which was covered with trees. The trail went into this forest.

Pt/En It was getting dark, and the sounds of animals that are active at night began. From the dark valley, Tarzan heard the sounds of a hunting lion. He smelled the air and noticed the smell of a camp and people. Tarzan roared loudly, showing that he was also hunting.

Pt/En In the dark, Tarzan stood alone on a hill. Night covered everything, making the land and forest dark. Then, Tarzan quietly walked down towards the forest. He used all his senses because he knew big cats would be hunting. He listened carefully and smelled the air for any sign.

Pt/En As Tarzan moved, the smell of people became stronger, guiding him. The lion's roar sounded closer. However, Tarzan was not worried about the lion because it was upwind and could not smell him. The lion might have heard Tarzan's roar, but it did not know Tarzan was coming closer.

Pt/En Tarzan thought about how far away the lion was and how far he was from the forest. He guessed he would reach the trees before meeting the lion. Tarzan was not hunting the lion for food, as he had already eaten. He was hunting people, who he saw as enemies.

Pt/En Tarzan did not feel like a human. He thought more like a wild animal and was not proud to be human. He thought humans wasted their lives. For Tarzan, being happy and healthy was the most important goal. He saw that many people were not healthy or happy. He saw that people were greedy, selfish, and cruel. He thought these bad qualities made people worse than animals and stopped them from being happy.

Pt/En Tarzan was looking for the place where the humans were. He approached them like a wild animal looking for an enemy, not like a human looking for his own kind. He could smell horses, men, food, and smoke. These smells would be good for a lost person, but Tarzan reacted like a wild animal that sees humans as enemies. His muscles became tense, and he stopped himself from growling.

Pt/En When Tarzan reached the edge of the forest, the lion was close and coming towards him. So, Tarzan climbed into the trees. He moved silently through the trees towards the camp of the people, called shiftas. The lion, Numa, heard him and roared. The men in the camp then added more wood to their fire.

Pt/En Tarzan climbed a tree that was above the camp. He saw about twenty men with their horses and things. They had built a simple fence of branches around the camp to protect themselves from wild animals. However, they seemed to rely more on the fire they kept burning in the middle of the camp.

Pt/En In one quick look, Tarzan saw everything happening below. Then, his eyes stopped on one person. This was a white man who was tied up near the fire. This man was the only one that Tarzan found interesting or curious.

Pt/En Normally, Tarzan did not care about the lives of strangers. He cared more about apes than men. But this time, he was interested in the captured white man for two reasons. First, he wanted to get revenge on the attackers, called shiftas, because they had scared away his intended prey. Second, he was curious because the white man looked different from others he had seen, especially his clothing.

Pt/En The man wore a garment made of ivory discs. He also had ornaments on his ankles, wrists, neck, and head. His arms and legs were bare. His head was on the ground, and Tarzan could not see his face, only that he had thick, black hair.

Pt/En Tarzan watched the camp, thinking how to bother the bandits. He decided that taking something they wanted would be fair revenge, just as they had taken his desired prey. They clearly wanted the prisoner very much, so Tarzan decided to steal him. His curiosity about the prisoner's strange clothes also played a part in his decision.

Pt/En To achieve his plan, Tarzan decided to wait until the camp was asleep. He sat comfortably in a tree and waited patiently like a hunting animal. While watching, he saw some of the shiftas trying to talk to their prisoner, but it was clear that neither side understood the other.

Pt/En Tarzan knew the languages spoken by the Kafichos and Gallas. The questions they asked the prisoner made him even more curious. They asked him in many ways, using different languages and signs, but the captive did not understand or pretended not to. Tarzan thought the man was pretending because the signs were very clear. They were asking for directions to a place with a lot of ivory and gold, but the prisoner gave them no information.

Pt/En One of the shiftas growled that the pig understood them well and was only pretending not to.

Pt/En Another man asked what was the point of keeping and feeding the pig if he would not talk. He suggested they should kill him now.

Pt/En The leader said they would let the pig think about it that night. He added that if the pig still refused to speak in the morning, they would kill him then.

Pt/En They tried to tell the prisoner their decision using words and signs. Then, they sat by the fire and talked about the day and their future plans. They mainly discussed the strange white giant who had killed three of them and escaped with a horse. After talking about this and the survivors boasting about their bravery, they went to their shelters, leaving Tarzan, Numa, and a guard at the camp.

Pt/En The watcher in the shadows waited patiently for the camp to fall asleep. He was planning how to take their prisoner and get revenge. While waiting, he smelled Numa, the lion, and guessed the lion was coming because of the horses. He thought Numa would not enter the camp because the guard was keeping the fire bright, and lions usually avoid fire unless they are very hungry.

Pt/En Tarzan felt it was time to start his plan. Almost everyone was asleep, and the guard was also tired near the fire. Tarzan climbed down from the tree very quietly, staying in the shadows made by the fire.

Pt/En Tarzan listened. He heard Numa, the lion, breathing in the dark outside the firelight. He knew the lion was close and watching. Tarzan looked from behind the tree and saw the guard's back was still turned. He moved into the open quietly, walking silently towards the guard. He saw the gun on the guard's lap, and he knew it was dangerous, like other animals in the jungle know about hunters.

Pt/En Tarzan got very close to the guard. He crouched right behind him. He knew he must not make any noise. Tarzan waited. Outside the firelight, Numa waited too, watching the fire get smaller. Suddenly, Tarzan quickly grabbed the guard's throat. At the same time, he used a knife to stab the guard in the heart from below. The guard died without knowing he was in danger, which was a quick and easy death.

Pt/En Tarzan took the knife out of the dead guard and cleaned it on the guard's robe. Then he walked quietly to the prisoner, who was lying in the open. No one had built a shelter for him. As Tarzan went past two shelters where other men slept, he made no sound. When he got closer to the prisoner, he saw the man's eyes were open. The prisoner looked at Tarzan with a calm but questioning look. Tarzan put a finger to his lips to ask for silence. He knelt by the man and cut the ropes on his wrists and ankles. Then he helped the man stand up because his legs were stiff from the tight ropes.

Pt/En Tarzan waited for the prisoner to test his legs and move them to get feeling back. Then Tarzan motioned for him to follow. Everything would have gone well, but Numa the lion roared loudly. The lion may have been angry at the fire or trying to scare the horses.

Pt/En A lion came very close to the camp. A loud noise woke up all the sleeping people. About twelve men took their guns and ran out of their shelters. They could not see the lion in the dim light of the fire. However, they saw the captive they had freed and Tarzan standing next to him.

Pt/En One of the men who ran out was hurt less seriously by Tarzan earlier that day. He immediately recognized Tarzan. He shouted to the others that it was Tarzan, calling him a white demon who had killed their friends.

Pt/En Another man screamed that they should kill Tarzan.

Pt/En The leader of the group, called shiftas, ordered them to kill both Tarzan and the captive.

Pt/En The shiftas surrounded the two white men and moved closer. But they were afraid to shoot because they might hit their own men. Tarzan also could not use his arrows or spear because he had left them hidden in a tree above the camp. He only had his rope and knife so he could move quietly and freely to free the captive.

Pt/En One bandit, who was braver and perhaps less smart than the others, ran forward with his musket. This was a mistake for him. Tarzan, like an animal, crouched and growled. As the bandit got close, Tarzan attacked. The bandit tried to hit Tarzan with his musket, but Tarzan moved away. Then, Tarzan took the musket from the bandit easily, like it was a toy.

Pt/En Tarzan threw the musket to his friend. He grabbed the brave bandit and used him as a shield against the other attackers. But the other attackers did not stop fighting. They saw two men who were not well-armed. They shouted louder and moved closer.

Pt/En Two attackers went behind Tarzan because they were more afraid of him. But they soon learned that their former prisoner was very strong. Tarzan picked up the musket he had thrown away. He held it near the front and used it like a heavy stick. The end of the musket hit the first bandit hard on the head, and he fell down. When Tarzan swung it again, the second bandit jumped back quickly to avoid being hit.

Pt/En Tarzan quickly looked back and saw his friend was fighting well. However, they could not fight for long against so many enemies. Tarzan thought their only chance was to run together through the attackers. He wanted to tell his friend his plan. Tarzan spoke in English and other languages he knew, but his friend only answered in a language Tarzan had never heard before.

Pt/En What could Tarzan do? They needed to go together, and both must understand the plan. But how could they if they could not talk to each other? Tarzan turned and gently touched his friend's shoulder. Then, he pointed with his thumb in the direction he wanted to go and nodded his head.

Pt/En The man understood and turned around as Tarzan began to attack. Tarzan was still holding the struggling man. The attackers did not want Tarzan and his friend to get away. They could not shoot because they might hit their own man. So, they stood ready with their guns and spears. It looked like a very difficult situation for Tarzan and his friend.

Pt/En Tarzan used the man he held as a weapon to try and push past the others. But there were too many of them. Soon, they managed to pull their friend away from Tarzan. Now, it seemed the two white men were in serious trouble. The bandits could now use their guns easily. The attackers were very angry and wanted to kill Tarzan and his friend. But Tarzan and the other man stayed very close to them, so they could not shoot for a moment. Then, some attackers moved back to get space to use their weapons.

Pt/En One attacker was in a good position to shoot without hurting his friends. He carefully aimed his gun at Tarzan.

Cats By Night

Pt/En As the man lifted his gun to shoot Tarzan, one of his friends shouted a warning. But the shout was lost in the loud roar of Numa, the lion. The lion quickly jumped over the fence and into the middle of the camp.

Pt/En The man who was about to shoot Tarzan looked back quickly when he heard the warning. When he saw the lion, he dropped his rifle in fear. He screamed, and his scream mixed with the lion's roar. He was so scared of the lion that he ran right into Tarzan's arms.

Pt/En The lion was confused by the fire and noise. In a quick moment, Tarzan grabbed the running bandit and threw him at the lion. The lion then attacked the bandit. Tarzan signaled his friend to follow him. They ran past the lion and jumped over the fence. The white captive followed them closely. Before the bandits could understand what happened, Tarzan and the captive had disappeared into the night.

Pt/En Just outside the camp, Tarzan left his companion for a moment. He climbed a tree to get his weapons. Then, he led the way out of the valley and up into the hills. The white man he had saved from the bandits walked beside him.

Pt/En During their short time in the camp, Tarzan saw that the stranger was strong, quick, and brave. Tarzan thought the man was like himself, a quiet and capable fighter. The stranger had a special quality that made him seem trustworthy and loyal. Tarzan, who usually liked to be alone, was happy to have this man with him.

Pt/En The moon, almost full, rose over the dark mountains. Its soft light shone on the hills and valleys. The landscape looked like a different world, not like daytime or a dark night, but a place of soft greys and green colors.

Pt/En The two men walked quietly towards a forest on the hills. They moved like a passing shadow. However, someone hidden in the trees above could smell them coming on the wind. The prince of hunters knew they were approaching.

Pt/En Sheeta, the panther, was hungry because he had not found prey for some days. He smelled the scent of humans getting closer. He liked the smell of man, but he hated the smell of guns, which he feared. Sheeta waited eagerly for the men to arrive.

Pt/En Tarzan looked for a tree to sleep in for the night. He was not hungry. He followed the jungle law: he would not hunt for a strong companion who could find food for himself. If he had killed something, he would have shared it, but he would not hunt for another.

Pt/En Tarzan made a sleeping platform in a tree by adding branches and leaves. He lay down to sleep. Sheeta the panther watched him from another tree. Sheeta also watched the other man on the ground. The big cat was very still. Tarzan felt uneasy, as if something was wrong, but he could not see or smell anything. His companion did not want to sleep in the trees because he was not used to them. Sheeta watched the man on the ground.

Pt/En Tarzan's companion made his bed on the ground with leaves and grass and lay down. Sheeta waited. The panther slowly got ready to jump. He moved on his branch, and some leaves moved and made a very small noise. Normal ears would not hear it, but Tarzan's ears were very good.

Pt/En Tarzan heard the noise. He quickly looked and saw Sheeta. At the same moment, Sheeta jumped towards the man on the ground. Tarzan also jumped at the same time. Everything happened very fast, in only a few seconds.

Pt/En Tarzan shouted loudly. He wanted to warn his friend and stop the panther, Sheeta, from attacking its prey. The man on the ground jumped to the side very quickly. He did this without thinking much. The panther almost hit him as it landed, but it was now more interested in Tarzan because of his loud shout.

Pt/En As the man jumped away, he turned and saw the dangerous animal. At the same time, Tarzan landed on the panther's back. The man heard the sounds of the fight between Tarzan and the panther. He realized that Tarzan's sounds were as wild as the panther's.

Pt/En Tarzan tried to grab the panther's neck. The panther tried to roll over to attack Tarzan with its back legs. But Tarzan expected this. He rolled with the panther and used his legs to hold the panther's body. The panther stood up and tried to shake Tarzan off. All this time, Tarzan was squeezing the panther's neck, making it hard for it to breathe.

Pt/En The panther jumped and moved around wildly. Tarzan's friend watched, unable to help. He had tried to join the fight twice, but the animals had knocked him away. Now, Tarzan took out his knife. The blade flashed, and then he stabbed Sheeta. The panther screamed in pain and anger and tried harder to get Tarzan off. But Tarzan stabbed it again.

Pt/En Sheeta stood shaking, unable to stand well. Tarzan stabbed it deeply in its side again. The panther made a final sound and fell to the ground, dead. Tarzan rolled off the body and stood up.

Pt/En The man whose life Tarzan had saved came forward. He spoke a few words in a low voice, but Tarzan did not understand the language. However, Tarzan guessed that the man was showing his thanks.

Pt/En The man wondered why this strange white man had saved him twice. He felt friendship and loyalty might be natural feelings if he had honor or gratitude. But it was too soon to know the man, who did not even have a name yet. Like Tarzan, they would wait to know him better before judging him.

Pt/En Because a panther had attacked and Numa was nearby, Tarzan used signs to ask the man to climb into the tree. Tarzan helped him build a safe place to sleep, like his own. They slept well for the rest of the night. In the morning, the ape-man woke up.

Pt/En The other man woke up and looked around. He saw Tarzan and smiled. In the daylight, Tarzan could see him clearly. The man wore only a G-string. Tarzan saw he had a strong, well-built body. His face looked intelligent and strong, not just beautiful.

Pt/En Tarzan felt that the stranger could be trusted. He noticed the man's headband, a strange ivory ornament on his forehead, and ivory decorations on his wrists and ankles. He was also putting on a metal shirt. These things made Tarzan very curious.

Pt/En The man wore many ivory decorations. On his headband, there was a curved ivory piece that pointed up and forward. He had ivory bands around his wrists and ankles, made of flat ivory strips held by leather straps. His sandals were heavy leather, possibly from an elephant, and were attached to his ankle bands with leather straps.

Pt/En He also wore ivory discs on his arms, decorated with carvings. Around his neck was a band of smaller, detailed ivory discs. A strap went from the neck band to his armor, which was also held by shoulder straps. Large ivory discs hung from his headband, covering his ears, with smaller discs above them. Heavy, curved ivory pieces were on his shoulders, held by the same straps as his armor.

Pt/En Tarzan did not think these ornaments were just for show. He realized they could protect him from sharp weapons like swords. He wondered about the people who wore them, as he had never seen anyone with such armor and decorations before.

Pt/En Tarzan stopped thinking about the warrior's origin because he was hungry. He remembered the meat he had stored in a tree up the river. He jumped down and signaled the young warrior to follow him. He started walking towards his food, watching carefully for any danger.

Pt/En Tarzan found the meat hidden in the branches. He cut some strips and threw them down to the warrior. Then he took some for himself and ate it raw while sitting in a tree fork. The warrior watched him, surprised. Then, the warrior used steel and flint to make a fire and cooked his own meat.

Pt/En While eating, Tarzan thought about his future plans. He had a reason to come to Abyssinia, but it was not urgent. He was more interested in the warrior with the ivory armor. This warrior was a mystery to him. Tarzan decided to understand this mystery before continuing with his original reason for coming.

Pt/En It was difficult for Tarzan and the warrior to talk using only signs. After they finished eating, Tarzan asked the warrior where he wanted to go. The warrior pointed northeast towards the mountains. He invited Tarzan to go with him to his country. Tarzan accepted the invitation and asked the warrior to lead the way.

Pt/En For many days, the two men traveled deep into a large mountain area. Tarzan was always ready to learn. He used the time and the fact that they were together to learn his companion's language. He learned very quickly, and soon they could understand each other.

Pt/En Tarzan learned that his companion's name was Valthor. Valthor was very interested in Tarzan's weapons. Since Valthor had no weapons, Tarzan made him a spear and a bow with arrows. Then, Valthor taught Tarzan his language. In return, Tarzan taught Valthor how to use the bow and arrows. The spear was already a weapon Valthor knew.

Pt/En Days and weeks passed, but they were still far from Valthor's country. Tarzan found many animals to hunt in the mountains and provided food for both of them. Tarzan was still interested in the beautiful, wild mountain scenery. He hunted and enjoyed nature, not paying much attention to how much time was passing.

Pt/En Valthor was impatient. One day, they reached a dead end with very high cliffs that stopped them. Valthor said they were lost.

Pt/En Tarzan told Valthor that he already knew they were lost, and he could have said it many days before.

Pt/En Valthor was surprised and asked Tarzan how he knew they were lost, since Tarzan did not know the direction to Valthor's country.

Pt/En Tarzan explained that Valthor had led them in all directions during the past week. He said they were only five miles from where they were a week ago, near a stream and a tree he remembered.

Pt/En Valthor thought about it and smiled. He agreed that Tarzan might be right, but he asked what they should do next.

Pt/En Tarzan asked Valthor if he knew the direction of his country from the camp where Tarzan had found him.

Pt/En Valthor answered that Thenar was directly east of that place, and he was sure about it.

Pt/En Tarzan explained that they were now southwest of Thenar because they had travelled south since entering the mountains. He thought that if Thenar was in these mountains, they could find it by going northeast.

Pt/En Valthor said the mountains and canyons were confusing. He had never travelled far from Thenar before and was used to familiar places. He had never needed to use the sun, moon, or stars for direction. He asked Tarzan if he could lead them northeast through the mountains.

Pt/En Tarzan told Valthor he could go northeast, but he could not promise to find his country unless it was on their path.

Pt/En Valthor explained that if they got close to Xarator, about fifty or a hundred miles away, they would see it from a high point. He also said that seeing Xarator would help him find Thenar, because Xarator was almost directly west of Athne.

Pt/En Tarzan asked what Xarator and Athne were.

Pt/En Valthor described Xarator as a large mountain with fire and hot rock inside. He said it was at the north end of the Onthar valley and belonged to the people of Cathne, the city of gold. Athne, the city of ivory, was Valthor's home. The people of Cathne were enemies of Valthor's people.

Pt/En Tarzan said that they would leave the next day to go to the city of Athne in the Thenar valley.

Pt/En While Tarzan and Valthor ate meat they had brought, a lion far to the south stood over a dead buffalo calf. The lion was angry and growled at a bull buffalo that was pawing the ground and making loud noises a short distance away.

Pt/En Gorgo, the buffalo, was very angry. His eyes were red. Few animals would fight him when he was like this. But a big lion was not scared. The lion stayed near its food. Gorgo threatened to charge, but the lion did not move. The loud roars of the lion and the buffalo made the ground shake. The other animals in the jungle became quiet.

Pt/En Gorgo dug the ground with his horns, becoming more and more angry. Behind him, the mother of the dead calf was crying loudly. She might have been telling her husband to fight for their baby. The other buffaloes had run into the jungle. They left Gorgo and the mother to fight the lion, Numa, for the dead calf. They left the fight to the strong horns and the strong neck.

Pt/En The buffalo charged very quickly, which was surprising for such a big animal. It seemed impossible that two large animals could move so fast. It also seemed impossible that any animal could avoid the buffalo's horns. But the lion was ready. Just as the buffalo was very close, the lion jumped to the side. It stood on its back legs and hit the buffalo hard on the side of its head. The buffalo spun around and fell to its knees, hurt and bleeding. Its jaw was broken. Before Gorgo could stand up, Numa jumped on its back. The lion bit into the buffalo's neck and pulled its head back strongly, breaking its neck.

Pt/En The lion immediately stood up and faced the mother buffalo. But she did not attack. Instead, she cried out and ran into the jungle. The lion was left standing with its front paws on its dead prey.

Pt/En That night, Numa ate a lot. But after eating, he did not rest as lions usually do. Instead, he continued walking north. He had been following a mysterious path for many days.

Down The Flood

Pt/En The day began with clouds and looked like bad weather. The rainy season had ended, but a late storm seemed to be forming over the high mountains. Tarzan and Valthor were searching for the hidden valley of Thenar in these mountains. The night was cold, and the sun did not bring any warmth. Both men felt cold when they got up from their simple beds in a tree.

Pt/En Tarzan announced that they would eat later. He said they needed to climb a little first to get warm.

Pt/En Valthor replied that they would eat only if they were lucky enough to find food.

Pt/En The ape-man answered that he was rarely hungry and would not be hungry today. He added that they would eat when he was ready to hunt.

Pt/En They went down into a narrow canyon until Tarzan found a place where they could climb the steep side. They climbed up. The warrior from Athne was afraid he would fall with every step on the steep canyon wall, but he was too proud to show his fear to the agile ape-man who climbed easily above him. However, he did not fall, and finally, they both stood on top of a large ridge that led towards high mountains.

Pt/En Valthor's heart was beating fast and he was breathing hard. But Tarzan did not seem tired at all. Tarzan was going to keep climbing the ridge. However, he looked at Valthor and saw how tired he was. So, Tarzan sat down and told him to rest. Valthor was happy to take a rest.

Pt/En They traveled northeast all day. It rained a little sometimes, and it looked like more rain was coming. A big storm seemed to be starting, but it never rained heavily during the day. Tarzan hunted and caught food before noon, and they ate. Then they started moving again quickly. The cold, wet, and cloudy weather made them want to keep going without stopping.

Pt/En It was late in the afternoon when they climbed out of a deep valley and stood on a high, flat area of land. There were no mountains close by, but far away, tall peaks could be seen through light rain. Suddenly, Valthor shouted happily. He said they had found it and that Xarator was there.

Pt/En Tarzan looked where Valthor pointed. He saw a large, flat-topped mountain in the distance. Low clouds above it reflected a dim red light. Tarzan said that was Xarator and asked if Thenar was directly east of it.

Pt/En Valthor answered yes. He explained that this meant Onthar must be just below the edge of the plateau, almost in front of them. He then told Tarzan to come.

Pt/En They walked fast over flat, grassy land for about one or two miles until they reached the edge of the plateau. Below them, a wide valley stretched out.

Pt/En Valthor told Tarzan they were almost at the southern end of Onthar. He pointed out Cathne, the city of gold, in the bend of the river near a forest. Valthor explained that it was a rich city, but its people were enemies of his people.

Pt/En Through the rain, Tarzan saw a walled city between a forest and a river. Most houses were white, and many domes were a dull yellow. A dull yellow bridge crossed the river. Tarzan saw the river ran the whole length of the valley, about fourteen or fifteen miles. A road also went along the valley. Near the middle, the road split. One part followed a stream into a canyon. Below them, a plain with trees stretched to the north. Across the river was a forest, and beyond that were hills.

Pt/En Tarzan looked back at the city of Cathne. He asked Valthor why it was called the city of gold.

Pt/En Valthor asked Tarzan if he could not see the golden domes and the bridge made of gold.

Pt/En Tarzan asked if they were covered with gold paint.

Pt/En Valthor replied that they were covered with solid gold. He explained that the gold on some of the domes was very thick, and the bridge was made of solid gold blocks.

Pt/En Tarzan was surprised. Looking at the quiet valley, he imagined what it would be like if people from the outside world learned about the city's great wealth. He thought about how factories and machines would fill the valley, and tall chimneys would send black smoke into the sky above the golden buildings.

Pt/En He asked where they found the gold.

Pt/En Valthor answered that their gold mines were in the hills south of the city.

Pt/En The ape-man asked Thenar where his country was.

Pt/En Thenar explained that his country was just beyond the hills east of Onthar. He asked if Tarzan could see where the river and road went through the forest about five miles from the city, and then entered the hills.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that he saw them.

Pt/En Thenar described that the road and river went through the Pass of the Warriors to the valley of Thenar. He said his country was there, a little northeast of the valley's center, where the city of Athne, the city of ivory, was located.

Pt/En Tarzan asked how far they were from Athne.

Pt/En Valthor answered that it was about twenty-five miles away, perhaps a little less.

Pt/En The ape-man suggested they should start their journey now. He explained that marching in the rain would be more comfortable than waiting until morning. He also thought they could find a dry place to sleep in Valthor's city.

Pt/En Valthor agreed but warned that crossing Onthar during the day would be dangerous. He said that sentries from Cathne would see them, and their enemies would likely kill or capture them. He added that it would be bad at night because of lions, but much worse during the day with both people and lions to face.

Pt/En Tarzan asked what lions Valthor was talking about.

Pt/En Valthor explained that the people of Cathne breed lions, and many live freely in the valley. He told Tarzan that the large plain below them, called the Field of the Lions, would be safer to cross after dark.

Pt/En Tarzan agreed with a shrug, saying it made no difference to him if they started immediately or waited until dark.

Pt/En The Athnean said that it was not very comfortable there because the rain was cold.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that he had been uncomfortable before and that rains did not last forever.

Pt/En Valthor sighed and said they would be very comfortable in Athne. He explained that in his father's house there were fireplaces with roaring flames and logs, providing warmth and comfort.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that the sun was shining above the clouds, but they were not there. He said they were in a place without sun or fire, and they were cold. He added with a faint smile that talking about fires or the sun did not warm him.

Pt/En Valthor said he wished he was in Athne. He described it as a wonderful city with a beautiful valley called Thenar. In Thenar, people raise goats, sheep, and elephants. They kill any lions that come from Onthar. Farmers grow vegetables, fruits, and hay. Workers make things from leather. They also make cloth from goat hair and sheep wool. Some people carve ivory and wood.

Pt/En They trade a little with other places, using ivory and gold to pay for what they buy. Valthor explained that they would live happily and peacefully if it were not for the people of Cathne.

Pt/En Tarzan asked Valthor what they bought from outside and from whom they bought it.

Pt/En Valthor explained that they bought salt, which they did not have themselves. They also bought steel for weapons, black slaves, and sometimes a young, pretty white woman. They bought these things from a group of traders called shiftas. Valthor mentioned that their relationship with these traders had lasted for a very long time. He said he was looking for these traders when he got lost and was captured.

Pt/En Tarzan asked if they ever traded with the people of Cathne.

Pt/En Once a year, there is a one-week truce for peaceful trade. They give gold, food, and hay. In return, they get women, salt, and steel that they buy from others. They also trade cloth, leather, and ivory that they make.

Pt/En The Cathneans mine gold, train lions for fighting and fun, and grow food like fruits, vegetables, and grains. They also work with gold and ivory. Their gold and hay are very important to us. We value the hay most because it helps us feed our elephants.

Pt/En Tarzan asked why two peoples who need each other so much would fight.

Pt/En Valthor was not sure why they fought, saying it might be a custom. He explained that while they talk about wanting peace, they would miss the excitement. He said raids are exciting. The Cathneans hunt their animals and people with lions, taking heads as trophies. They also try to capture women, which leads to war if the woman's family is important.

Pt/En Valthor added that when they want excitement, they go to Onthar to find gold, women, or just to kill people or take slaves. He said the best game is to sell a woman for gold and then take her back in a raid. Because of this, he did not think they or the Cathneans would want peace.

Pt/En As Valthor spoke, the sun went down in the west. Dark clouds hid the northern mountains and were low over the valley. Valthor said it was time to start because it would be dark soon.

Pt/En The two men walked down a gully, hidden from the city of Cathne. They moved towards the valley floor. Lightning flashed from the storm clouds, followed by thunder. The storm was very strong over the valley, and heavy rain made it hard to see the hills.

Pt/En When they reached flat ground, the storm was all around them. The gully they came down was now a fast-flowing river. Night had fallen quickly, and it was very dark. Flashes of lightning lit up the darkness, and the thunder was very loud. Heavy rain fell like ocean waves. It was a very strong storm, perhaps the worst they had ever seen.

Pt/En They could not talk to each other. The lightning flashes helped them stay together. The lightning also helped Valthor find the way across the valley floor towards the city of gold. From there, they needed to find the road to the Pass of the Warriors and then to the valley of Thenar.

Pt/En Soon, they saw the lights of the city. They were on the road and walking north into the strong storm. The storm became more intense as they moved towards its center. They fought against the wind, which sometimes stopped them and pushed them back.

Pt/En For a long time, the two men fought against the strong storm. The storm seemed very angry that these two small people were fighting it. Suddenly, the lightning flashed brightly, lighting up the whole valley. The thunder was very loud, and a lot of water fell, pushing the two men down to the ground.

Original English Text

1 - Savage Quarry

2 - The White Prisoner

3 - Cats By Night

4 - Down The Flood

Savage Quarry

PT Down out of Tigre and Amhara upon Gojam and Shoa and Kaffa come the rains from June to September, carrying silt and prosperity from Abyssinia to the eastern Sudan and to Egypt, bringing muddy trails and swollen rivers and death and prosperity to Abyssinia.

PT Of these gifts of the rains, only the muddy trails and the swollen rivers and death interested a little band of shiftas that held out in the remote fastnesses of the mountains of Kaffa. Hard men were these mounted bandits, cruel criminals without even a vestige of culture such as occasionally leavens the activities of rogues, lessening their ruthlessness. Kaficho and Galla they were, the offscourings of their tribes, outlaws, men with prices upon their heads.

PT It was not raining now; and the rainy season was drawing to a close, for it was the middle of September; but there was still much water in the rivers, and the ground was soft after a recent rain.

PT The shiftas rode, seeking loot from wayfarer, caravan, or village; and as they rode, the unshod hoofs of their horses left a plain spoor that one might read upon the run; not that that caused the shiftas any concern, because no one was looking for them. All that anyone in the district wished of the shiftas was to keep out of their way.

PT A short distance ahead of them, in the direction toward which they were riding, a hunting beast stalked its prey. The wind was blowing from it toward the approaching horsemen; and for this reason their scent spoor was not borne to its sensitive nostrils, nor did the soft ground give forth any sound beneath the feet of their walking mounts that the keen ears of the hunter might detect during the period of concentration and mild excitement attendant upon the stalk.

PT Though the stalker did not resemble a beast of prey, such as the term connotes to the mind of man, he was one nevertheless; for in his natural haunts he filled his belly by the chase and by the chase alone; neither did he resemble the mental picture that one might hold of a typical British lord, yet he was that too—he was Tarzan of the Apes.

PT All beasts of prey find hunting poor during a rain, and Tarzan was no exception to the rule. It had rained for two days, and as a result Tarzan was hungry. A small buck was drinking in a stream fringed by bushes and tall reeds, and Tarzan was worming his way upon his belly through short grass to reach a position from which he might either charge or loose an arrow or cast a spear. He was not aware that a group of horsemen had reined in upon a gentle rise a short distance behind him where they sat in silence regarding him intently.

PT Usha, the wind, who carries scent, also carries sound. Today, Usha carried both the scent and the sound of the shiftas away from the keen nostrils and ears of the ape-man. Perhaps, endowed as he was with supersensitive perceptive faculties, Tarzan should have sensed the presence of an enemy; but "Even the worthy Homer sometimes nods."

PT However self-sufficient an animal may be it is endowed with caution, for there is none that has not its enemies. The weaker herbivora must be always on the alert for the lion, the leopard, and man; the elephant, the rhinoceros, and the lion may never relax their vigilance against man; and man must always be on guard against these and others. Yet one may not say that such caution connotes either fear or cowardice; for Tarzan, who was without fear, was the personification of caution, especially when he was far from his own stamping grounds as he was today and every creature a potential enemy.

PT The combination of ravenous hunger with the opportunity to satisfy it may have placed caution in abeyance as, oftentimes, a certain recklessness born of pride in his might did; but, be that as it may, the fact remains that Tarzan was wholly ignorant of the presence of that little knot of villainous bandits who were quite prepared to kill him, or anyone else, for a few poor weapons or for nothing at all.

PT The circumstances that brought Tarzan northward into Kaffa are not a part of this story. Perhaps they were not urgent, for the Lord of the Jungle loves to roam remote fastnesses still unspoiled by the devastating hand of civilization and needs but trifling incentive to do so. Still unsated with adventure, it may be that Abyssinia's three hundred fifty thousand square miles of semi-savagery held an irresistible lure for him in their suggestion of mysterious back country and in the ethnological secrets they have guarded from time immemorial.

PT Wanderer, adventurer, outcast, Greek phalanx, and Roman legion, all have entered Abyssinia within times chronicled in history or legend never to reappear; and it is even believed by some that she holds the secret of the lost tribes of Israel. What wonders, then, what adventures, might not her remote corners reveal!

PT At the moment, however, Tarzan's mind was not occupied by thoughts of adventure; he did not know that it loomed threateningly behind him; his concern and his interest were centered upon the buck which he intended should satisfy the craving of his ravenous hunger. He crept cautiously forward. Than he, not even Sheeta, the leopard, stalks more silently or more stealthily.

PT From behind, the white-robed shiftas moved from the little rise where they had been watching him in silence, moved down toward him with spear and long-barreled matchlock. They were puzzled. Never before had they seen a white man like this one; but if curiosity were in their minds, there was only murder in their hearts.

PT The buck raised his head occasionally to glance about him, wary, suspicious; and when he did so, Tarzan froze into immobility. Suddenly the animal's gaze centered for an instant upon something in the direction of the ape-man; then it wheeled and bounded away. Instantly Tarzan glanced behind him, for he knew that it had not been he who had frightened his quarry but something beyond and behind him that the alert eyes of Wappi had discovered; and that quick glance revealed a half dozen horsemen moving slowly toward him, told him what they were, and explained their purpose; for, knowing that they were shiftas, he knew that they came only to rob and kill—knew that here were enemies more ruthless than Numa.

PT When they saw that he had discovered them, the horsemen broke into a gallop and bore down upon him, waving their weapons and shouting. They did not fire, evidently holding in contempt this primitively armed victim, but seemed to purpose riding him down and trampling him beneath the hoofs of their horses or impaling him upon their spears. Perhaps they thought that he would seek safety in flight, thereby giving them the added thrill of the chase; and what quarry could give the hunter greater thrills than man.

PT But Tarzan did not turn and run. He knew every possible avenue of escape within the radius of his vision for every danger that might reasonably be expected to confront him here, for it is the business of the creatures of the wild to know these things if they are to survive, and so he knew that there was no escape from mounted men by flight. But this knowledge threw him into no panic. Could the requirements of self-preservation have been best achieved by flight, he would have fled; but as they could not, he adopted the alternative quite as a matter of course—he stood to fight, ready to seize upon any fortuitous circumstance that might offer a chance of escape.

PT Tall, magnificently proportioned, muscled more like Apollo than like Hercules, garbed only in a narrow G string of lion skin with a lion's tail depending before and behind, he presented a splendid figure of primitive manhood that suggested more, perhaps, the demigod of the forest than it did man. Across his back hung his quiver of arrows and a light, short spear; the loose coils of his grass rope lay across one bronzed shoulder; at his hip swung the hunting knife of his father, the knife that had given the boy-Tarzan the first suggestion of his coming supremacy over the other beasts of the jungle on that far gone day when his youthful hand drove it into the heart of Bolgani, the gorilla; in his left hand was his bow and between the fingers four extra arrows.

PT As Ara, the lightning, so is Tarzan for swiftness. The instant that he had discovered and recognized the menace creeping upon him from behind and known that he had been seen by the horsemen he had leaped to his feet, and in the same instant strung his bow. Now, perhaps even before the leading shiftas realized the danger that confronted them, the bow was bent, the shaft sped.

PT Short but powerful was the bow of the ape-man; short, that it might be easily carried through the forest and the jungle; powerful, that it might send its shafts through the toughest hide to a vital organ of its prey. Such a bow was this that no ordinary man might bend it.

PT Straight through the heart of the leading shifta drove the first arrow, and as the fellow threw his arms above his head and lunged from his saddle four more arrows sped with lightning-like rapidity from the bow of the ape-man, and every arrow found a target. Another shifta dropped to ride no more, and three were wounded.

PT Only seconds had elapsed since Tarzan had discovered his danger, and already the four remaining horsemen were upon him. The three who were wounded were more interested in the feathered shafts protruding from their bodies than in the quarry they had expected so easily to overcome; but the fourth was whole, and he thundered down upon the ape-man with his spear set for the great bronzed chest.

PT There could be no retreat for Tarzan; there could be no side-stepping to avoid the thrust, for a step to either side would have carried him in front of one of the other horsemen. He had but a single slender hope for survival, and that hope, forlorn though it appeared, he seized upon with the celerity, strength, and agility that make Tarzan Tarzan. Slipping his bowstring about his neck after his final shot, he struck up the point of the menacing weapon of his antagonist, and grasping the man's arm swung himself to the horse's back behind the rider.

PT As steel-thewed fingers closed upon the shifta's throat he voiced a single piercing scream; then a knife drove home beneath his left shoulder blade, and Tarzan hurled the body from the saddle. The terrified horse, running free with flying reins, tore through the bushes and the reeds into the river, while the remaining shiftas, disabled by their wounds, were glad to abandon the chase upon the bank, though one of them, retaining more vitality than his companions, did raise his matchlock and send a parting shot after the escaping quarry.

PT The river was a narrow, sluggish stream but deep in the channel; and as the horse plunged into it, Tarzan saw a commotion in the water a few yards downstream and then the outline of a long, sinuous body moving swiftly toward them. It was Gimla, the crocodile. The horse saw it too and, becoming frantic, turned upstream in an effort to escape. Tarzan climbed over the high cantle of the Abyssinian saddle and unslung his spear in the rather futile hope of holding the reptile at bay until his mount could reach the safety of the opposite bank toward which he was now attempting to guide him.

PT Gimla is as swift as he is voracious. He was already at the horse's rump, with opened jaws, when the shifta at the river's edge fired wildly at the ape-man. It was well for Tarzan that the wounded man had fired hurriedly; for simultaneously with the report of the firearm, the crocodile dove; and the frenzied lashing of the water about him evidenced the fact that he had been mortally wounded.

PT A moment later the horse that Tarzan rode reached the opposite bank and clambered to the safety of dry land. Now he was under control again; and the ape-man wheeled him about and sent a parting arrow across the river toward the angry, cursing bandits upon the opposite side, an arrow that found its mark in the thigh of the already wounded man who had unwittingly rescued Tarzan from a serious situation with the shot that had been intended to kill him.

PT To the accompaniment of a few wild and scattered shots, Tarzan of the Apes galloped toward a nearby forest into which he disappeared from the sight of the angry shiftas.

The White Prisoner

PT Far to the south a lion rose from his kill and walked majestically to the edge of a nearby river. He cast not so much as a single glance at the circle of hyenas and jackals that had ringed him and his kill waiting for him to depart and which had broken and retreated as he rose. Nor, when the hyenas rushed in to tear at what he had left, did he appear even to see them.

PT There were the pride and bearing of royalty in the mien of this mighty beast; and to add to his impressiveness were his great size, his yellow, almost golden, coat, and his great black mane. When he had drunk his fill, he lifted his massive head and voiced a roar, as is the habit of lions when they have fed and drunk; and the earth shook to his thunderous voice, and a hush fell upon the jungle.

PT Now he should have sought his lair and slept, to go forth again at night and kill; but he did not do so. He did not do at all what might have been expected of a lion under similar circumstances. He raised his head and sniffed the air, and then he put his nose to the ground and moved to and fro like a hunting dog searching for a game scent. Finally he halted and voiced a low roar; then, with head raised, he moved off along a trail that led toward the north. The hyenas were glad to see him go; so were the jackals, who wished that the hyenas would go also. Ska, the vulture, circling above, wished that they would all leave.

PT At about the same time, many marches to the north, three angry, wounded shiftas viewed their dead comrades and cursed the fate that had led them upon the trail of the strange white giant; then they stripped the clothing and weapons from their dead fellows and rode away, loudly vowing vengeance should they ever again come upon the author of their discomfiture and secretly hoping that they never would. They hoped that they were done with him, but they were not.

PT Shortly after he had entered the forest, Tarzan swung to an overhanging branch beneath which his mount was passing and let the animal go its way. The ape-man was angry; the shiftas had frightened away his dinner. That they had sought to kill him annoyed him far less than the fact that they had spoiled his hunting. Now he must commence his search for meat all over again, but when he had filled his belly he would look into this matter of shiftas. Of this he was certain.

PT Tarzan had considered the gastronomic potentialities of the bandit's horse, but had discarded the idea. On several occasions in the past he had been forced to eat horse meat, but he had not liked it. Although he was hungry, he was far from famished; and so he preferred to hunt again until he found flesh more palatable, nor was it long before he had made his kill and eaten.

PT Satisfied, he lay up for a while in the crotch of a tree, but not for long. His active mind was considering the matter of the shiftas. Here was something that should be looked into. If the band were on the march, he need not concern himself about them; but if they were permanently located in this district, that was a different matter; for Tarzan expected to be here for some time; and it was well to know the nature, the number, and the location of all enemies. Furthermore, he felt that he could not let them escape without some additional punishment for the inconvenience they had caused him.

PT Returning to the river, Tarzan crossed it and took up the plain trail of the shiftas. It led him up and down across some low hills and then down into the narrow valley of the stream that he had crossed farther up. Here the floor of the valley was forested, the river winding through the wood. Into this wood the trail led.

PT It was almost dark now; the brief equatorial twilight was rapidly fading into night; the nocturnal life of the forest and the hills was awakening; from down among the deepening shadows of the valley came the coughing grunts of a hunting lion. Tarzan sniffed the warm air rising from the valley toward the mountains; it carried with it the odors of a camp and the scent spoor of man. He raised his head, and from his deep chest rumbled a full-throated roar. Tarzan of the Apes was hunting too.

PT In the gathering shadows he stood then erect and silent, a lonely figure standing in solitary grandeur upon that desolate hillside. Swiftly the silent night enveloped him; his figure merged with the darkness that made hill and valley, river and forest one. Not until then did Tarzan move; then he stepped down on silent feet toward the forest. Now was every sense alert, for now the great cats would be hunting. Often his sensitive nostrils quivered as they searched the air; no slightest sound escaped his keen ears.

PT As he advanced, the man scent became stronger, guiding his steps. Nearer and nearer sounded the deep cough of the lion; but of Numa Tarzan had little fear at present, knowing that the great cat, being up wind, could not be aware of his presence. Doubtless Numa had heard the ape-man's roar, but he could not know that its author was approaching him.

PT Tarzan had estimated the lion's distance down the valley and the distance that lay between himself and the forest and had guessed that he would reach the trees before their paths crossed. He was not hunting for Numa, the lion, and with the natural caution of the wild beast, he would avoid an encounter. It was not food either that he hunted, for his belly was full, but man, the archenemy of all created things.

PT It was difficult for Tarzan to think of himself as a man, and his psychology was more often that of the wild beast than the human, nor was he particularly proud of his species. While he appreciated the intellectual superiority of man over other creatures, he harbored contempt for him because he had wasted the greater part of his inheritance. To Tarzan, as to many other created things, contentment is the highest ultimate goal of achievement, and health and culture the principal avenues along which man may approach this goal. With scorn the ape-man viewed the overwhelming majority of mankind which was wanting in either one essential or the other, when not wanting in both. He saw the greed, the selfishness, the cowardice, and the cruelty of man; and, in view of man's vaunted mentality, he knew that these characteristics placed man upon a lower spiritual scale than the beasts, while barring him eternally from the goal of contentment.

PT So now, as he sought the lair of the man-things, it was not in the spirit of one who seeks his own kind but of a beast which reconnoiters the position of an enemy. The mingled odors of a camp grew stronger in his nostrils, the scents of horses and men and food and smoke. To you or to me, alone in a savage wilderness, engulfed in darkness, cognizant of the near approach of a hunting lion, these odors would have been most welcome; but Tarzan's reaction to them was that of the wild beast that knows man only as an enemy—his snarling muscles tensed as he smothered a low growl.

PT As Tarzan reached the edge of the forest the lion was but a short distance to his right and approaching; so the ape-man took to the trees, through which he swung silently toward the camp of the shiftas. Numa heard him then and roared, and the men in the camp threw more wood upon the beast fire.

PT To a tree overlooking the camp, Tarzan made his way. Below him he saw a band of some twenty men with their horses and equipment. A rude boma of branches and brush had been erected about the camp site as a partial protection against wild beasts, but more dependence was evidently placed upon the fire which they kept burning in the center of the camp.

PT In a single quick glance the ape-man took in the details of the scene below him, and then his eyes came to rest upon the only one that aroused either interest or curiosity, a white man who lay securely bound a short distance from the fire.

PT Ordinarily, Tarzan was no more concerned by the fate of a white man than by that of a black man or any other created thing to which he was not bound by ties of friendship; the life of a man meant less to Tarzan of the Apes than the life of an ape. But in this instance there were two factors that made the life of the captive a matter of interest to the lord of the jungle. First, and probably predominant, was his desire to be further avenged upon the shiftas for their wanton attack upon him, which had frightened away his intended kill; the second was curiosity, for the white man that lay bound below him was different from any that he had seen before, at least in so far as his apparel was concerned.

PT His only garment appeared to be a habergeon made up of ivory discs that partially overlay one another, unless certain ankle, wrist, neck, and head ornaments might have been considered to possess such utilitarian properties as to entitle them to a similar classification. Except for these, his arms and legs were naked. His head rested upon the ground with the face turned away from Tarzan so that the ape-man could not see his features but only that his hair was heavy and black.

PT As he watched the camp, seeking for some suggestion as to how he might most annoy or inconvenience the bandits, it occurred to Tarzan that a just reprisal would consist in taking from them something that they wanted, just as they had deprived him of the buck he had desired. Evidently they wished the prisoner very much or they would not have gone to the trouble of securing him so carefully; so this fact decided Tarzan to steal the white man from them. Perhaps curiosity also had a considerable part in inducing this decision, for the strange apparel of the prisoner had aroused within the ape-man a desire to know more concerning him.

PT To accomplish his design, he decided to wait until the camp slept; and settling himself comfortably in a crotch of the tree, he prepared to keep his vigil with the tireless patience of the hunting beast he was. As he watched, he saw several of the shiftas attempting to communicate with their prisoner; but it was evident that neither understood the other.

PT Tarzan was familiar with the language spoken by the Kafichos and Gallas, and the questions that they put to their prisoner aroused his curiosity still further. There was one question that they asked him in many different ways, in several dialects, and in signs which the captive either did not understand or pretended not to. Tarzan was inclined to believe that the latter was true, for the sign language was such that it could scarcely be misunderstood. They were asking him the way to a place where there was much ivory and gold, but they got no information from him.

PT "The pig understands us well enough," growled one of the shiftas; "he is just pretending that he does not."

PT "If he won't tell us, what is the use of carrying him around with us and feeding him?" demanded another. "We might as well kill him now."

PT "We will let him think it over tonight," replied one who was evidently the leader, "and if he still refuses to speak in the morning, we will kill him then."

PT This decision they attempted to transmit to the prisoner both by words and signs, and then they squatted about the fire and discussed the occurrences of the day and their plans for the future. The principal topic of their conversation was the strange white giant who had slain three of their number and escaped upon one of their horses; and after this had been debated thoroughly and in detail for some time, and the three survivors of the encounter had boasted severally of their deeds of valor, they withdrew to the rude shelters they had constructed and left the night to Tarzan, Numa, and a single sentry.

PT The silent watcher among the shadows of the tree waited on in patience until the camp should be sunk in deepest slumber and, waiting, planned the stroke that was to rob the shiftas of their prey and satisfy his own desire for revenge. As he patiently bided his time, there came strongly to his nostrils the scent spoor of Numa, the lion; and he guessed that the carnivore, attracted by the presence of the horses, was coming to investigate the camp. That he would enter it, he doubted, for the sentry was keeping the fire blazing brightly; and Numa seldom dares the fearful mystery of flames unless goaded by extreme hunger.

PT At last the ape-man felt that the time had come when he might translate his plan into action; all but the sentry were wrapped in slumber, and even he was dozing beside the fire. As noiselessly as the shadow of a shadow Tarzan descended from the tree, keeping well in the shadow cast by the beast fire.

PT For a moment he stood in silence, listening. He heard the breathing of Numa in the darkness beyond the circle of firelight, and knew that the king of beasts was near and watching. Then he looked from behind the great bole of the tree and saw that the sentry's back was still turned toward him. Silently he moved into the open; stealthily, on soundless feet, he crept toward the unsuspecting bandit. He saw the matchlock across the fellow's knees; and for it he had respect, as have all jungle animals that have been hunted.

PT Closer and closer he came to his prey. At last he crouched directly behind him. There must be no noise, no outcry. Tarzan waited. Beyond the rim of fire waited Numa, expectant, for he saw that very gradually the flames were diminishing. A bronzed hand shot quickly forward, fingers of steel gripped the brown throat of the sentry almost at the instant that a knife was driven from below his left shoulder blade into his heart. The sentry was dead without knowing that death threatened him, a merciful ending.

PT Tarzan withdrew the knife from the limp body and wiped the blade upon the once white robe of his victim; then he moved softly toward the prisoner who was lying in the open. For him, they had not bothered to build a shelter. As he made his way toward the man, Tarzan passed close to two of the shelters in which lay members of the band; but he made no noise that might awaken them. When he approached the captive more closely, he saw in the diminishing light of the fire that the man's eyes were open and that he was regarding Tarzan with level, though questioning, gaze. The ape-man put a finger to his lips to enjoin silence, and then he came and knelt beside the man and cut the thongs that secured his wrists and ankles; then he helped him to his feet, for the thongs had been drawn tightly, and his legs were numb.

PT For a moment he waited while the stranger tested his feet and moved them rapidly in an effort to restore circulation; then he beckoned him to follow, and all would have been well but for Numa, the lion. At this moment, either to voice his anger against the flames or to terrify the horses into a stampede, he elected to voice a thunderous roar.

PT So close was the lion that the sudden shattering of the deep silence of the night startled every sleeper to wakefulness. A dozen men seized their matchlocks and leaped from their shelters. In the waning light of the fire they saw no lion; but they saw their liberated captive, and they saw Tarzan of the Apes standing beside him.

PT Among those who ran from the shelters was the least seriously wounded of Tarzan's victims of the afternoon. Instantly recognizing the bronzed white giant, he shouted loudly to his companions, "It is he! It is the white demon who killed our friends today."

PT "Kill him!" screamed another.

PT "Kill them both!" cried the leader of the shiftas.

PT Completely surrounding the two white men, the shiftas advanced upon them; but they dared not fire because of fear that they might wound one of their own comrades. Nor could Tarzan loose an arrow nor cast a spear, for he had left all his weapons except his rope and his knife hidden in the tree above the camp that he might move with the utmost freedom and in silence while seeking to liberate the captive.

PT One of the bandits, more courageous, probably because less intelligent, than his fellows, rushed to close quarters with musket clubbed. It was his undoing. The man-beast crouched, growling; and, as the other was almost upon him, charged. The musket butt, hurtling through the air to strike him down, he dodged; and then he seized the weapon and wrenched it from the shifta's grasp as though it had been a toy in a child's hands.

PT Tossing the matchlock at the feet of his companion, Tarzan laid hold upon the rash Galla, spun him around, and held him as a shield against the weapons of his fellows. But despite this reverse the other shiftas gave no indication of giving up the battle. They saw before them two men practically defenseless, and now with redoubled shouts they pushed closer.

PT Two of them rushed in behind the ape-man, for it was he they feared the more; but they were to learn that their former prisoner might not be considered lightly. He had picked up the musket that Tarzan had cast aside and, grasping it close to the muzzle, was using it as a club. The heavy butt struck the foremost bandit heavily upon the side of the head, dropping him like a felled ox; and as it swung again, the second bandit leaped back barely in time to avoid a similar fate.

PT A quick backward glance assured Tarzan that his companion was proving himself a worthy ally, but it was evident that they could not hope to hold out long against the superior numbers pitted against them. Their only hope, he believed, lay in making a sudden, concerted rush through the thin line of foemen surrounding them, and he sought to convey his plan to the man standing back to back with him; but though he spoke to him in English and in the several continental languages with which the ape-man was familiar the only reply he received was in a language that he himself had never before heard.

PT What was he to do? They must go together, and both must understand the purpose animating Tarzan. But how was that possible if they could not communicate with one another? Tarzan turned and touched the other lightly on the shoulder; then he jerked his thumb in the direction he intended going and beckoned with a nod of his head.

PT Instantly the man nodded his understanding and wheeled about as Tarzan started to charge, still bearing the struggling shifta in his grasp; but the shiftas were determined not to let these two escape; and while they could not fire for fear of killing their comrade, they stood their ground with clubbed muskets and with spears; so that the outcome looked dark indeed for the lord of the jungle and his companion.

PT Using the man in his grasp as a flail, Tarzan sought to mow down those standing between him and liberty; but there were many of them, and presently they succeeded in dragging their comrade from the clutches of the ape-man. Now it seemed that the situation of the two whites was hopeless, for there was no longer anything to prevent the bandits using their matchlocks to advantage. The shiftas were in such a transport of rage that nothing less than the extermination of these two foes would satisfy them; but Tarzan and the other pressed on so closely that the muskets were useless against them for the moment; though presently some of the shiftas withdrew a little to one side where they might have free use of their weapons.

PT One fellow in particular was well placed to fire without endangering any of his fellows, and raising his matchlock to his shoulder he took careful aim at Tarzan.

Cats By Night

PT As the man raised his weapon to his shoulder to fire at Tarzan, a scream of warning burst from the lips of one of his comrades, to be drowned by the throaty roar of Numa, the lion, as the swift rush of his charge carried him over the boma into the midst of the camp.

PT The man who would have killed Tarzan cast a quick backward glance as the warning cry apprised him of his danger; and when he saw the lion he cast away his rifle in his excitement and terror, his terrified scream mingled with the voice of Numa, and in his anxiety to escape the fangs of the man-eater he rushed into the arms of the ape-man.

PT The lion, momentarily confused by the firelight and the swift movement and the shouts of the men, paused, crouching, as he looked to right and left. In that brief instant Tarzan seized the fleeing shifta, lifted him high above his head, and hurled him into the face of Numa; then, as the lion seized its prey and its great jaws closed upon the head and shoulder of the hapless bandit, he motioned to his companion to follow him, and, running directly past the lion, leaped the boma at the very point that Numa had leaped it. Close at his heels was the white captive of the shiftas, and before the bandits had recovered from the first shock and surprise of the lion's unexpected charge the two had disappeared in the shadows of the night.

PT Just outside the camp Tarzan left his companion for a moment while he swung into the tree where he had left his weapons and recovered them; then he led the way out of the valley up into the hills. At his elbow trotted the silent white man he had rescued from certain death at the hands of the Kaficho and Galla bandits.

PT During the brief encounter in the camp Tarzan had noted with admiration the strength, agility, and courage of the stranger who had aroused both his interest and his curiosity. Here, seemingly, was a man moulded to the dimensions of Tarzan's own standards, a quiet, resourceful, courageous fighting man. Radiating that intangible aura which we call personality, even in his silences he impressed the ape-man with a conviction that loyalty and dependability were innate characteristics of the man; so Tarzan, who ordinarily preferred to be alone, was not displeased to have the companionship of this stranger.

PT The moon, almost full, had risen above the black mountain mass to the east, shedding her soft light on hill and valley and forest, transforming the scene once more into that of a new world which was different from the world of daylight and from the world of moonless night, a world of strange greys and silvery greens.

PT Up toward a fringe of forest that clothed the upper slopes of the foothills and dipped down into canyon and ravine the two men moved as noiselessly as the passing shadow of a cloud, yet to one hidden in the dark recesses of the wood above, their approach was not unheralded, for on the breath of Usha, the wind, it was borne ahead of them to the cunning nostrils of the prince of hunters.

PT Sheeta, the panther, was hungry. For several days prey had been scarce and elusive. Now, in his nostrils, the scent of the man-things grew stronger as they drew nearer. It was the pure scent of man that came to him unvitiated by the hated odor of the flame-belching thunderstick that he feared and hated. Eagerly, Sheeta, the panther, awaited the coming of the men.

PT Within the forest, Tarzan sought a tree where they might lie up for the night. He had eaten and was not hungry. Whether or not his companion had eaten was his own concern. This was a law of the jungle from which Tarzan might deviate for a weak or wounded companion but not for a strong man able to provide for himself. Had he killed, he would have shared his kill; but he would not go forth and hunt for another.

PT Tarzan found a branch that forked horizontally. With his hunting knife he cut other branches and laid them across the two arms of the Y thus formed. Over this rude platform he spread leaves; and then he lay down to sleep, while from an adjacent tree up wind Sheeta watched him. Sheeta also watched the other man-thing on the ground between the two trees. The great cat did not move; he seemed scarcely to breathe. Even Tarzan was unaware of his presence, yet the ape-man was restless. A sense so delicate that he was not objectively aware of its existence seemed to warn him that all was not well. He listened intently and sniffed the air but detected nothing amiss. Below him, his companion was making his bed upon the ground in preference to risking the high-flung branches of the trees to which he was unaccustomed. It was the man upon the ground that Sheeta watched.

PT At last, his bed of leaves and grasses arranged to suit him, Tarzan's companion lay down. Sheeta waited. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the sinuous muscles were drawing the hind quarters forward beneath the sleek body in preparation for the spring. Sheeta edged forward on the great limb upon which he crouched, but in doing so he caused the branch to move slightly and the leaves at its end to rustle just a little. Your ears or mine would not have been conscious of any noise, but the ears of Tarzan are not as are yours or mine.

PT He heard; and his eyes, turning quickly, sought and found the intruder. At the same instant Sheeta launched himself at the man lying on his rude pallet on the ground below; and as Sheeta sprang so did Tarzan. What happened happened very quickly; it was a matter of seconds only.

PT As the two beasts sprang, Tarzan voiced a roar that was intended both to warn his companion and to distract the attention of Sheeta from his prey. The man upon the ground leaped quickly to one side, prompted more by an instinctive reaction than by reason. The panther's body brushed him as it struck the ground, but the beast's thoughts were now upon the thing that had voiced that menacing roar rather than upon its intended prey.

PT Wheeling as he leaped aside, the man turned and saw the savage carnivore just as Tarzan landed full upon the beast's back. He heard the mingled growls of the two as they closed in battle, and his scalp stiffened as he realized that the sounds coming from the lips of his companion were quite as bestial as those issuing from the throat of the carnivore.

PT Tarzan sought a hold about the neck of the panther, while the great cat instantly attempted to roll over on its back that it might rip the body of its antagonist to shreds with the terrible talons that armed its hind feet. But this strategy the ape-man had anticipated; and rolling beneath Sheeta as Sheeta rolled, he locked his powerful legs beneath the belly of the panther; then the great cat leaped to its feet again and sought to shake the man-thing from its back; and all the while a mighty arm was tightening about its neck, closing off its wind.

PT With frantic leaps and bounds the panther hurled itself about in the moonlight while Tarzan's companion stood unarmed and helpless. Twice he had tried to run in and assist the ape-man, but both times the two bodies had struck him and sent him spinning across the ground. Now he saw a new factor being injected into the battle; Tarzan had succeeded in drawing his knife. Momentarily the blade flashed before his eyes; then it was buried in the body of Sheeta. The cat, screaming from pain and rage, redoubled its efforts to dislodge the creature clinging to it in the embrace of death; but again the knife fell.

PT Now Sheeta stood trembling upon uncertain feet as once again the knife was plunged deeply into his side; then, his great voice forever stilled, he sank lifeless to the ground as the ape-man rolled from beneath him and sprang to his feet.

PT The man whose life Tarzan had saved came forward and laid a hand upon the shoulder of the ape-man, speaking a few words in a low voice but in a tongue that Tarzan did not understand though he guessed that it expressed the gratitude that the manner of the man betokened.

PT What thoughts were in the mind of Tarzan's companion? Twice within an hour this strange white man had saved him from death. For what reasons, the man could not guess. That sentiments of friendship and loyalty were aroused in his breast would seem only natural if he possessed either honor or gratitude, but of this we can have no knowledge until we know him better. As yet he is not even a name to us; and, following the policy of Tarzan, we shall not judge him until we know him better; then we may learn to like him, or we may have reason to despise him.

PT Influenced by the attack of the panther and knowing that Numa was abroad, Tarzan, by signs, persuaded the man to come up into the tree; and here the ape-man helped him construct a nest similar to his own. For the balance of the night they slept in peace, and the sun was an hour old before either stirred the following morning; then the ape-man rose and stretched himself.

PT Nearby, the other man sat up and looked about him. His eyes met Tarzan's, and he smiled and nodded. For the first time the ape-man had an opportunity to examine his new acquaintance by daylight. The man had removed his single garment for the night, covering himself with leaves and branches. Now as he arose, his only garment was a G string, and Tarzan saw six feet of well-muscled, well-proportioned body topped by a head that seemed to bespeak breeding and intelligence. The man's features were strong, clear cut and harmoniously placed; the face was more noticeable for strength and rugged masculinity than for beauty.

PT The wild beast in Tarzan looked into the brown eyes of the stranger and was satisfied that here was one who might be trusted; the man in him noted the headband that confined the black hair, saw the strangely wrought ivory ornament in the center of the forehead, the habergeon that he was now donning, the ivory ornaments on wrists and ankles, and found his curiosity piqued.

PT The ivory ornament in the center of the headband was shaped like a concave, curved trowel, the point of which projected above the top of the man's head and curved forward. His wristlets and anklets were of long flat strips of ivory laid close together and fastened around the limbs by leather thongs that were laced through holes piercing the strips near their tops and bottoms. His sandals were of heavy leather, apparently elephant hide, and were supported by leather thongs fastened to the bottoms of his anklets.

PT On each arm below the shoulder he wore an ivory disc upon which was carved a design; about his neck was a band of smaller ivory discs elaborately carved, and from the lowest of these a strap ran down to his habergeon, which was also supported by shoulder straps. Depending from each side of his headband was another ivory disc of large size, above which was a smaller disc. The larger discs covered his ears. Heavy, curved, wedge-shaped pieces of ivory were held, one upon each shoulder, by the same straps that supported his habergeon.

PT That all these trappings were solely for purposes of ornamentation Tarzan did not believe. He saw that almost without exception they would serve as a protection against a cutting weapon such as a sword or battle-ax; and he could not but wonder where the stalwart warrior who wore them had had his genesis, for nowhere in the world, so far as Tarzan knew, was there a race of men wearing armor and ornaments such as these.

PT But speculation concerning this matter was relegated to the background of his thoughts by hunger and recollection of the remains of yesterday's kill that he had hung high in a tree of the forest farther up the river; so he dropped lightly to the ground, motioning the young warrior to follow him; and set off in the direction of his cache, keeping his keen senses always on the alert for enemies.

PT Cleverly hidden by leafy branches, the meat was intact when Tarzan reached it. He cut several strips and tossed them down to the warrior waiting on the ground below; then he cut some for himself and crouching in a crotch proceeded to eat it raw. His companion watched him for a moment in surprise; then he made fire with a bit of steel and flint and cooked his own portion.

PT As he ate, Tarzan's active mind was considering plans for the future. He had come to Abyssinia for a specific purpose, though the matter was not of such immediate importance that it demanded instant attention. In fact, in the philosophy that a lifetime of primitive environment had inspired, time was not an important consideration. The phenomenon of this ivory-armored warrior aroused questions that intrigued his interest to a far greater extent than did the problems that had brought him thus far from his own stamping grounds, and he decided that the latter should wait the solving of the riddle of this seeming anachronism that his new-made acquaintance presented.

PT Having no other means of communication than signs rendered an exchange of ideas between the two difficult, but when they had finished their meal and Tarzan had descended to the ground he succeeded in asking his companion in what direction he wished to go. The warrior pointed in a northeasterly direction toward the high mountains; and, as plainly as he could through the medium of signs, invited Tarzan to accompany him to his country. This invitation Tarzan accepted and motioned the other to lead the way.

PT For days that stretched to weeks the two men struck deeper and deeper into the heart of a stupendous mountain system. Always mentally alert and eager to learn, Tarzan took advantage of the opportunity provided by time and propinquity to learn the language of his companion, and he proved such an apt pupil that they were soon able to make themselves understood to one another.

PT Among the first things that Tarzan learned was that his companion's name was Valthor, while Valthor took the earliest opportunity to evince an interest in the ape-man's weapons; and as he was unarmed, Tarzan spent a day in making a spear and bow and arrows for him. Thereafter, as Valthor taught the lord of the jungle to speak his language, Tarzan instructed the former in the use of the bow, the spear being already a familiar weapon to the young warrior.

PT Thus the days and the weeks passed and the two seemed no nearer the country of Valthor than when they had started from the vicinity of the camp of the shiftas. Tarzan found game of certain varieties plentiful in the mountains, and it was he who kept their larder supplied. The impressive scenery that was marked by rugged grandeur held the interest of the ape-man undiminished. He hunted, and he enjoyed the beauties of unspoiled nature, practically oblivious of the passage of time.

PT But Valthor was less patient; and at last, late one day when they found themselves at the head of a blind canyon where stupendous cliffs barred further progress, he admitted defeat. "I am lost," he said simply.

PT "That," remarked Tarzan, "I could have told you many days ago."

PT Valthor looked at him in surprise. "How could you know that," he demanded, "when you yourself do not know in what direction my country lies?"

PT "I know," replied the ape-man, "because during the past week you have led the way toward the four points of the compass, and today we are within five miles of where we were a week ago. Across this ridge at our right, not more than five miles away, is the little stream where I killed the ibex and the gnarled old tree in which we slept that night just seven suns ago."

PT Valthor scratched his head in perplexity, and then he smiled. "I cannot dispute you," he admitted. "Perhaps you are right, but what are we going to do?"

PT "Do you know in what direction your country lies from the camp in which I found you?" asked Tarzan.

PT "Thenar is due east of that point," replied Valthor; "of that I am positive."

PT "Then we are directly southwest of it now, for we have travelled a considerable distance toward the south since we entered the higher mountains. If your country lies in these mountains then it should not be difficult to find it if we can keep moving always in a northeasterly direction."

PT "This jumble of mountains with their twisting canyons and gorges confuses me," Valthor admitted. "You see, in all my life before I have never been farther from Thenar than the valley of Onthar, and both these valleys are surrounded by landmarks with which I am so familiar that I need no other guides. It has never been necessary for me to consult the positions of the sun, the moon, nor the stars before; and so they have been of no help to me since we set out in search of Thenar. Do you believe that you could hold a course toward the northeast in this maze of mountains? If you can, then you had better lead the way rather than I."

PT "I can go toward the northeast," Tarzan assured him, "but I cannot find your country unless it lies in my path."

PT "If we reach a point within fifty or a hundred miles of it, from some high eminence we shall see Xarator," explained Valthor; "and then I shall know my way to Thenar, for Xarator is almost due west of Athne."

PT "What are Xarator and Athne?" demanded Tarzan.

PT "Xarator is a great peak the center of which is filled with fire and molten rock. It lies at the north end of the valley of Onthar and belongs to the men of Cathne, the city of gold. Athne, the city of ivory, is the city from which I come. The men of Cathne, in the valley of Onthar, are the enemies of my people."

PT "Tomorrow, then," said Tarzan, "we shall set out for the city of Athne in the valley of Thenar."

PT As Tarzan and Valthor ate meat that they had cut from yesterday's kill and carried with them, many weary miles to the south a black-maned lion lashed his tail angrily and voiced a savage growl as he stood over the body of a buffalo calf he had killed and faced an angry bull pawing the earth and bellowing a few yards away.

PT Rare is the beast that will face Gorgo, the buffalo, when rage inflames his red-rimmed eyes; but the great lion showed no intention of leaving its prey even in the face of the bull's threatened charge. He stood his ground. The roars of the lion and the bull mingled in a savage, thunderous dissonance that shook the ground, stilling the voices of the lesser people of the jungle.

PT Gorgo gored the earth, working himself into a frenzy of rage. Behind him, bellowing, stood the mother of the slain calf. Perhaps she was urging her lord and master to avenge the murder. The other members of the herd had bolted into the thickest of the jungle leaving these two to contest with Numa his right to his kill, leaving vengeance to those powerful horns backed by that massive neck.

PT With a celerity and agility that belied his great weight, the bull charged. That two such huge beasts could move so quickly and so lightly seemed incredible, as it seemed incredible that any creature could either withstand or avoid the menace of those mighty horns; but the lion was ready, and as the bull was almost upon him, he leaped to one side, reared upon his hind feet and with one massive, taloned paw struck the bull a terrific blow on the side of its head that wheeled it half around and sent it stumbling to its knees, half stunned and bleeding, its great jawbone crushed and splintered. And before Gorgo could regain his feet, Numa leaped full upon his back, buried his teeth in the bulging muscles of the great neck, and with one paw reached for the nose of the bellowing bull, jerking the head back with a mighty surge that snapped the vertebrae.

PT Instantly the lion was on his feet again facing the cow, but she did not charge. Instead, bellowing, she crashed away into the jungle leaving the king of beasts standing with his forefeet upon his latest kill.

PT That night Numa fed well; but when he had gorged himself he did not lie up as a lion should, but continued toward the north along the mysterious trail he had been following for many days.

Down The Flood

PT The new day dawned cloudy and threatening. The season of rains was over, but it appeared that a belated storm was gathering above the lofty peaks through which Tarzan and Valthor were searching for the elusive valley of Thenar. The chill of night was dissipated by no kindly warmth of sunlight. The two men shivered as they rose from their rude beds among the branches of a tree.

PT "We shall eat later," announced Tarzan, "after a little climbing has put warmth into our blood."

PT "If we are lucky enough to find anything to eat," rejoined Valthor.

PT "Tarzan seldom goes hungry," replied the ape-man. "He will not go hungry today. When Tarzan is ready to hunt, we shall eat."

PT Down the box canyon they went until Tarzan found a place where they might ascend the precipitous side wall; then they toiled upward, the warrior from Athne confident that each step would be his last as he clung to the steep face of the canyon wall but too proud to reveal his fear to the agile ape-man climbing so easily above him. But he did not fall, and at last the two stood upon the summit of a mighty ridge that led upward toward lofty peaks.

PT Valthor's heart was pounding and he was breathing heavily, but Tarzan showed no sign of exertion. He was about to continue on up the ridge, when he glanced at his companion and saw his condition; then he squatted on the ground with a laconic "Rest now"; and Valthor was glad to rest.

PT All day they moved toward the northeast. Sometimes it rained a little, and always it threatened to rain more. A great storm seemed always to be gathering, yet it never broke during the long day. Tarzan made a kill before noon, and they ate; but immediately afterward they started on again. The cold, damp, sunless air offered them no incentive for tarrying on the way.

PT It was late in the afternoon when they ascended out of a deep gorge and stood upon a lofty plateau. In the near foreground were no mountains, but at a distance lofty peaks were visible dimly through a light drizzle of rain. Suddenly Valthor voiced an exclamation of elation. "We have found it!" he cried. "There is Xarator."

PT Tarzan looked in the direction that the other pointed and saw a mighty, flat-topped peak in the distance, directly above which low clouds were reflecting a dull red light. "So that is Xarator!" he remarked. "And Thenar is directly east of it?"

PT "Yes," replied Valthor; "which means that Onthar must be just below the edge of this plateau, almost directly in front of us. Come!"

PT The two walked quickly over the level, grassy ground for a mile or two to come at length to the edge of the plateau beyond which, and below them, stretched a wide valley.

PT "We are almost at the southern end of Onthar," said Valthor. "There is Cathne, the city of gold. See it—in the bend of the river at this end of that forest? It is a rich city but its people are the enemies of my people."

PT Through the rain, Tarzan saw a walled city between a forest and a river. The houses were nearly all white, and there were many domes of dull yellow. The river, which ran between them and the city, was spanned by a bridge that was also a dull yellow color in the twilight of the late afternoon storm. Tarzan saw that the river extended the full length of the valley, a distance of fourteen or fifteen miles, being fed by smaller streams coming down out of the mountains. Also extending the length of the valley was what appeared to be a well-marked road. Near the center of the valley it branched, one fork following an affluent of the main stream with which it disappeared into the mouth of a canyon on the eastern side of the valley. Directly below them and extending to the northern extremity of Onthar was a level plain dotted with trees; across the river, a forest stretched from the farther bank to the steep hills that bounded Onthar on the east and southeast.

PT Tarzan's eyes wandered back to the city of Cathne. "Why do you call it the city of gold?" he asked.

PT "Do you not see the golden domes and the bridge of gold?" demanded Valthor.

PT "Are they covered with gold paint?" inquired Tarzan.

PT "They are covered with solid gold," replied Valthor. "The gold on some of the domes is an inch thick, and the bridge is built of solid blocks of gold."

PT Tarzan lifted his eyebrows. As he looked down upon this seemingly deserted and peaceful valley he could not but conjure another picture—a picture of what it would be if word of these vast riches were carried to the outside world, bringing the kindly beneficences of modern civilization and civilized men to Onthar. How the valley would hum and roar then with the sweet music of mill and factory! What a gorgeous spectacle would be painted against the African sky by tall chimneys spouting black smoke to hang like a sable curtain above the golden domes of Cathne!

PT "Where do they find their gold?" he asked.

PT "Their mines lie in the hills directly south of the city," replied Valthor.

PT "And where is your country, Thenar?" asked the ape-man.

PT "Just beyond the hills east of Onthar. Do you see where the river and the road cut through the forest about five miles above the city? You can see them entering the hills just beyond the forest."

PT "Yes," replied Tarzan; "I see."

PT "The road and the river run through the Pass of the Warriors into the valley of Thenar; a little northeast of the center of the valley lies Athne, the city of ivory; there, beyond the pass, is my country."

PT "How far are we from Athne?" inquired Tarzan.

PT "About twenty-five miles, possibly a little less," replied Valthor.

PT "We might as well start now, then," suggested the ape-man, "for in this rain it will be more comfortable to be on the march than to lie up until morning; and in your city we can find a dry place to sleep I presume."

PT "Certainly," replied Valthor, "but it will not be safe to attempt to cross Onthar by daylight. We should certainly be seen by the sentries on the gates of Cathne, and as these people are our enemies the chances are that we should never cross the valley without being either killed or taken prisoners. It will be bad enough at night on account of the lions, but by day it will be infinitely worse as we shall have both men and lions to contend with."

PT "What lions?" demanded Tarzan.

PT "The men of Cathne breed lions, and there are many at large in the valley," explained Valthor. "That great plain that you see below us, stretching the full length of the valley on this side of the river, is called the Field of the Lions. We shall be safer if we cross it after dark."

PT "Whatever you wish," agreed Tarzan with a shrug; "it is all the same to me if we start now or wait until dark."

PT "It is not very comfortable here," remarked the Athnean. "The rain is cold."

PT "I have been uncomfortable before," replied Tarzan; "rains do not last forever."

PT "If we were in Athne we should be very comfortable," sighed Valthor. "In my father's house there are fireplaces; even now the flames are roaring about great logs, and all is warmth and comfort."

PT "Above the clouds the sun is shining," replied Tarzan, "but we are not above the clouds; we are here where the sun is not shining and there is no fire, and we are cold." A faint smile touched his lips. "It does not warm me to speak of fires or the sun."

PT "Nevertheless, I wish I were in Athne," insisted Valthor. "It is a splendid city, and Thenar is a lovely valley. In Thenar we raise goats and sheep and elephants. In Thenar there are no lions except those that stray in from Onthar; those we kill. Our farmers raise vegetables and fruits and hay; our artizans manufacture leather goods; they make cloth from the hair of goats and the wool of sheep; our carvers work in ivory and wood.

PT "We trade a little with the outside world, paying for what we buy with ivory and gold. Were it not for the Cathneans we should lead a happy, peaceful life without a care."

PT "What do you buy from the outside world, and of whom do you buy it?" asked Tarzan.

PT "We buy salt, of which we have none of our own," explained Valthor. "We also buy steel for our weapons and black slaves and occasionally a white woman, if she be young and pretty. These things we buy from a band of shiftas. With this same band we have traded since before the memory of man. Shifta chiefs and kings of Athne have come and gone, but our relations with this band have never altered. I was searching for them when I became lost and was captured by another band."

PT "Do you never trade with the people of Cathne?" asked the ape-man.

PT "Once each year there is a week's truce during which we trade with them in peace. They give us gold and foodstuffs and hay in exchange for the women, the salt, and the steel we buy from the shiftas, and the cloth, leather, and ivory that we produce.

PT "Besides mining gold, the Cathneans breed lions for war and sport, raise fruits, vegetables, cereals, and hay and work in gold and, to a lesser extent, in ivory. Their gold and their hay are the products most valuable to us; and of these we value the hay more, for without it we should have to decrease our elephant herds."

PT "Why should two peoples so dependent upon one another fight?" asked Tarzan.

PT Valthor shrugged. "I do not know; perhaps it is just a custom. Yet, though we talk much of wanting peace, we should miss the thrills and excitement that peace does not hold." His eyes brightened. "The raids!" he exclaimed. "There is a sport for men! The Cathneans come with their lions to hunt our goats, our sheep, our elephants, and us. They take heads for trophies, and above all they value the head of man. They try to take our women, and when they succeed then there is war, if the family of the woman seized be of sufficient importance.

PT "When we wish sport we go into Onthar after gold and women or just for the sport of killing men or capturing slaves. The greatest game of all is to sell a woman to a Cathnean for much gold and then take her away from him in a raid. No, I do not think that either we or the Cathneans would care for peace."

PT As Valthor talked, an invisible sun sank lower into the west; heavy clouds, dark and ominous, hid the peaks to the north, settling low over the upper end of the valley. "I think we may start now," he said; "it will soon be dark."

PT Downward through a gully, the sides of which hid them from the city of Cathne, the two men made their way toward the floor of the valley. From the heavy storm clouds burst a flash of lightning followed by the roar of thunder; upon the upper end of the valley the storm god loosed his wrath; water fell in a deluge of masses wiping from their sight the hills beyond the storm.

PT By the time they reached level ground the storm was upon them and the gully they had descended a raging mountain torrent. The swift night had fallen; utter darkness surrounded them, darkness frequently broken by vivid flashes of lightning. The pealing of the constant thunder was deafening. The rain engulfed them in solid sheets like the waves of the ocean. It was, perhaps, the most terrific storm that either of these men had ever seen.

PT They could not converse; only the lightning prevented their becoming separated, as it alone permitted Valthor to keep his course across the grassy floor of the valley in the direction of the city of gold where they would find the road that led to the Pass of the Warriors and on into the valley of Thenar.

PT Presently they came within sight of the lights of the city, a few dim lights framed by the casements of windows; and a moment later they were on the road and were moving northward against the full fury of the storm. And such a storm! As they moved toward its center it grew in intensity; against the wind that accompanied it they waged a grim battle that was sometimes to them and sometimes to the wind, for often it stopped them in their tracks and forced them back.

PT For miles they pitted their muscles against the Herculean strength of the storm god; and the rage of the storm god seemed to rise against them, knowing no bounds, as though he was furious that these two puny mortals should pit their strength against his. Suddenly, as though in a last titanic effort to overcome them, the lightning burst into a mighty blaze that illuminated the entire valley for seconds, the thunder crashed as it had never crashed before, and a mass of water fell that crushed the two men to earth.

Versão em Português

1 - Pedreira Selvagem

2 - O Prisioneiro Branco

3 - Gatos Noturnos

4 - Descendo a Inundação

Pedreira Selvagem

En De junho a setembro, as chuvas vêm de Tigre e Amhara para Gojam, Shoá e Kaffa, carregando lodo e prosperidade da Abissínia para o leste do Sudão e Egito, mas também trazendo trilhas enlameadas, rios cheios e morte para a Abissínia.

En Apenas um pequeno bando de shiftas, criminosos endurecidos das tribos Kaficho e Galla, escondidos nas montanhas remotas de Kaffa, se importavam com as trilhas enlameadas, os rios cheios e a morte trazidos pelas chuvas. Esses foragidos montados eram implacáveis, sem qualquer cultura ou piedade.

En Não estava chovendo naquele momento, e a estação chuvosa, que terminava em setembro, estava quase no fim. No entanto, os rios ainda continham muita água, e o solo permanecia macio após as chuvas recentes.

En Os shiftas cavalgavam, procurando saque de viajantes, caravanas ou vilas. Os cascos sem ferradura de seus cavalos deixavam rastros claros, mas eles não se preocupavam, pois ninguém os perseguia; todos no distrito simplesmente esperavam ficar fora do caminho deles.

En À frente deles, uma fera de caça perseguia sua presa. O vento soprava da fera em direção aos cavaleiros, então ela não podia senti-los, e o solo macio abafava o som dos cavalos andando, mantendo o caçador inconsciente.

En Embora ele não se parecesse com uma fera de rapina como os humanos geralmente imaginam, Tarzan era de fato um caçador. Ele sobrevivia perseguindo e matando sua comida. Da mesma forma, ele não se encaixava na imagem usual de um lorde britânico, mas possuía esse título. Ele era Tarzan dos Macacos.

En A chuva dificultava a caça para todos os predadores, e Tarzan não era diferente. Após dois dias de chuva, ele estava com muita fome. Ele rastejou de bruços pela grama curta em direção a um pequeno veado bebendo em um riacho, planejando atacá-lo com sua lança ou flecha. No entanto, ele não sabia que um grupo de cavaleiros havia parado em uma colina suave atrás dele e o observava silenciosamente.

En O vento, Usha, carrega tanto o cheiro quanto o som. Naquele dia, ele carregou o cheiro e o barulho dos shiftas para longe dos sentidos aguçados de Tarzan. Mesmo com suas habilidades extraordinárias, ele não detectou o inimigo. Como diz o ditado, até o grande Homero às vezes cochila.

En Todo animal, por mais autossuficiente que seja, deve ser cauteloso porque toda criatura tem inimigos. Os herbívoros fracos devem sempre vigiar leões, leopardos e homens; mesmo elefantes, rinocerontes e leões não podem relaxar sua guarda contra os humanos. Os humanos também devem desconfiar desses animais. No entanto, cautela não implica medo ou covardia. Tarzan, que era destemido, era a personificação da cautela, especialmente quando longe de seu território natal, onde toda criatura poderia ser uma ameaça.

En Sua fome intensa e a chance de satisfazê-la podem tê-lo tornado menos cauteloso, assim como às vezes seu orgulho em sua força levava à imprudência. Qualquer que fosse o motivo, Tarzan permaneceu completamente alheio ao pequeno grupo de bandidos vilões por perto. Eles estavam prontos para matá-lo por suas armas insignificantes, ou por nada.

En As razões que levaram Tarzan para o norte, em direção a Kaffa, não fazem parte desta história. Talvez elas não fossem urgentes, pois o Senhor da Selva gosta de viajar por áreas remotas e selvagens, intocadas pela civilização, e precisa apenas de uma pequena desculpa para fazê-lo. Ainda ávido por aventura, pode ser que o vasto território semi-selvagem da Abissínia o tenha atraído com seu interior misterioso e os segredos antigos que guardou por séculos.

En Andarilhos, aventureiros, exilados, soldados gregos e legiões romanas entraram todos na Abissínia ao longo da história e da lenda, nunca mais sendo vistos. Alguns até acreditam que esta terra guarda o segredo das tribos perdidas de Israel. Que maravilhas e aventuras, então, seus cantos remotos poderiam revelar?

En Naquele momento, no entanto, a mente de Tarzan não estava em aventura; ele não percebia que o perigo se aproximava por trás. Seu foco estava inteiramente no veado que pretendia capturar para satisfazer sua fome. Ele se moveu cautelosamente, perseguindo mais silenciosamente do que até mesmo o leopardo Sheeta.

En Por trás, os shiftas de vestes brancas desceram da pequena elevação onde o observavam em silêncio, movendo-se em sua direção com lanças e mosquetes de cano longo. Eles estavam intrigados; nunca tinham visto um homem branco como aquele antes. Mas embora a curiosidade estivesse em suas mentes, apenas o assassinato estava em seus corações.

En O cervo ocasionalmente erguia a cabeça para olhar ao redor, cauteloso e desconfiado; sempre que fazia isso, Tarzan congelava completamente. De repente, o olhar do animal fixou-se em algo atrás do homem-macaco, então ele se virou e fugiu. Tarzan imediatamente olhou para trás, sabendo que não havia assustado o cervo — algo além dele o fizera. Esse olhar rápido revelou meia dúzia de cavaleiros movendo-se lentamente em sua direção. Ele os reconheceu como shiftas e entendeu seu propósito: eles vinham apenas para roubar e matar, inimigos mais impiedosos do que o leão Numa.

En Quando os cavaleiros perceberam que Tarzan os havia visto, esporearam seus cavalos a galope e investiram contra ele, brandindo suas armas e gritando. Eles não atiraram, evidentemente menosprezando este oponente primitivo, e pareciam decididos a atropelá-lo ou empalá-lo em suas lanças. Talvez esperassem que ele fugisse, o que tornaria a caçada mais emocionante, pois que presa poderia oferecer maior excitação do que um homem?

En Mas Tarzan não fugiu. Ele conhecia todas as possíveis rotas de fuga à vista para qualquer perigo que pudesse enfrentar ali, pois é o modo das criaturas selvagens saberem tais coisas se quiserem sobreviver, e assim ele entendeu que não havia escapatória dos homens montados correndo. No entanto, esse conhecimento não o apavorou. Se a fuga tivesse sido a melhor forma de se preservar, ele teria corrido; mas como não era, ele aceitou calmamente a alternativa: ficou para lutar, pronto para aproveitar qualquer chance que pudesse oferecer uma escapatória.

En Alto e magnificamente proporcionado, seus músculos moldados mais como os de Apolo do que os de Hércules, vestido apenas com uma estreita tanga de pele de leão com uma cauda de leão pendurada na frente e atrás, ele apresentava uma figura esplêndida de masculinidade primitiva que sugeria um semideus da floresta mais do que um simples homem. Nas costas pendia sua aljava de flechas e uma lança leve e curta; as voltas soltas de sua corda de capim repousavam sobre um ombro bronzeado; no quadril balançava a faca de caça de seu pai, a própria lâmina que havia primeiro sugerido a iminente supremacia do menino Tarzan sobre as outras feras da selva, muito tempo atrás, quando sua mão jovem a cravou no coração de Bolgani, o gorila. Em sua mão esquerda segurava seu arco, e entre os dedos, quatro flechas extras.

En Tarzan era tão rápido quanto um relâmpago. No instante em que descobriu e reconheceu o perigo se aproximando por trás e soube que os cavaleiros o haviam visto, ele saltou sobre seus pés e armou seu arco. Agora, talvez antes mesmo que os principais shiftas percebessem o perigo que enfrentavam, o arco foi curvado e a flecha disparou.

En O arco do homem-macaco era curto, mas poderoso: curto para que pudesse ser facilmente carregado pela floresta e pela selva, poderoso para que suas flechas pudessem perfurar a pele mais resistente até atingir um órgão vital. Tal era este arco que nenhum homem comum conseguia curvá-lo.

En A primeira flecha atingiu o líder shifta direto no coração. Enquanto ele erguia os braços e caía da sela, Tarzan disparou mais quatro flechas com velocidade relâmpago, cada uma atingindo seu alvo. Mais um shifta foi morto, e três ficaram feridos.

En Apenas segundos haviam passado desde que Tarzan percebeu o perigo, e os quatro cavaleiros restantes já estavam sobre ele. Os três atacantes feridos estavam mais preocupados com as flechas cravadas em seus corpos do que com a presa que esperavam derrotar facilmente. Mas o quarto, ileso, investiu contra Tarzan com sua lança apontada para o peito bronzeado do homem-macaco.

En Tarzan não podia recuar ou desviar sem se expor a outro cavaleiro. Ele tinha apenas uma tênue esperança de sobrevivência. Com a velocidade, força e agilidade que o definiam, ele passou a corda do arco em volta do pescoço após seu último disparo, desviou a ponta da lança, agarrou o braço do homem e pulou para a garupa do cavalo atrás do cavaleiro.

En Com dedos de aço fechando-se em volta da garganta do shifta, o homem gritou. Tarzan enfiou sua faca sob a omoplata esquerda e jogou o corpo para fora da sela. O cavalo assustado, com rédeas soltas, atravessou arbustos e juncos até o rio. Os shiftas restantes, feridos, desistiram da perseguição, embora um deles tenha disparado seu mosquete contra Tarzan em fuga.

En O rio era estreito e lento, mas fundo no canal. Quando o cavalo mergulhou, Tarzan notou movimento alguns metros rio abaixo — o corpo longo e sinuoso de Gimla, o crocodilo, movendo-se rapidamente em direção a eles. O cavalo também o viu e, frenético, virou rio acima. Tarzan subiu sobre a sela, desembainhou sua lança e esperou manter o réptil afastado até que o cavalo pudesse alcançar a margem oposta.

En Gimla era tão rápido quanto estava faminto. Ele já havia alcançado o lombo do cavalo com a boca aberta quando o bandido na margem do rio atirou desesperadamente em Tarzan. Foi sorte para Tarzan que o homem ferido atirou rapidamente, porque no mesmo instante em que o tiro foi disparado, o crocodilo mergulhou. O movimento violento da água mostrou que o crocodilo havia sido mortalmente ferido.

En Pouco depois, o cavalo de Tarzan alcançou a margem oposta e subiu para o chão seco. Recuperando o controle, o homem-macaco girou o cavalo e disparou uma flecha em direção aos bandidos furiosos que ainda gritavam da outra margem. A flecha atingiu o homem já ferido que, sem querer, havia resgatado Tarzan de uma situação perigosa ao disparar o tiro que deveria matá-lo.

En Enquanto alguns tiros selvagens e dispersos ecoavam, Tarzan dos Macacos galopou em direção a uma floresta próxima e desapareceu da vista dos shiftas irritados.

O Prisioneiro Branco

En Ao sul, um leão se levantou de sua presa e caminhou majestosamente até a margem de um rio próximo. Ignorou o círculo de hienas e chacais que esperavam sua partida, os quais se dispersaram quando ele se levantou. Mesmo quando eles se precipitaram para devorar os restos, o leão agiu como se não os visse.

En Esta poderosa besta carregava-se com orgulho e postura reais. Suas características impressionantes incluíam um tamanho grande, uma pelagem amarela quase dourada e uma grande juba negra. Depois de beber o suficiente, ergueu sua cabeça massiva e soltou um rugido, como os leões costumam fazer após comer e beber. A terra tremeu com sua voz trovejante, e o silêncio caiu sobre a selva.

En Em vez de procurar seu covil para dormir e caçar depois, Tarzan fez algo inesperado para um leão. Ele levantou a cabeça e farejou o ar, depois colocou o nariz no chão e moveu-se para frente e para trás como um cão de caça. Finalmente, parou, deu um rugido baixo e, com a cabeça erguida, moveu-se para o norte ao longo de uma trilha. As hienas e os chacais ficaram contentes em vê-lo partir, e Ska, o abutre, que circulava acima, desejou que todos fossem embora.

En Na mesma época, muitas marchas ao norte, três shiftas feridos e furiosos olharam para seus camaradas mortos e amaldiçoaram o destino que os levara à trilha do estranho gigante branco. Eles tiraram as roupas e armas de seus companheiros mortos e foram embora a cavalo, prometendo vingança em voz alta se algum dia encontrassem aquele que os derrotara, mas secretamente esperando que isso nunca acontecesse. Eles pensaram que tinham se livrado dele, mas não estavam.

En Pouco depois de entrar na floresta, Tarzan pulou para um galho saliente e deixou seu cavalo seguir seu caminho. O homem-macaco estava irritado porque os shiftas tinham espantado seu jantar. A tentativa deles de matá-lo o incomodou menos do que o fato de terem arruinado sua caçada. Agora ele tinha que começar a procurar carne novamente, mas assim que enchesse a barriga, investigaria a questão dos shiftas — disso ele tinha certeza.

En Tarzan considerou comer o cavalo do bandido, mas decidiu não fazê-lo. No passado, ele tinha sido forçado a comer carne de cavalo e não gostou. Embora estivesse com fome, estava longe de estar faminto, então preferiu caçar novamente por uma carne mais saborosa. Não demorou muito para ele fazer sua caça e comer.

En Satisfeito, ele descansou por um tempo na forquilha de uma árvore, mas não por muito tempo. Sua mente ativa estava considerando os shiftas. Isso era algo que ele deveria investigar. Se o bando estava em movimento, ele não precisava se preocupar, mas se estivessem permanentemente localizados no distrito, era diferente. Tarzan esperava ficar ali por algum tempo, então era prudente conhecer a natureza, o número e a localização de todos os inimigos. Além disso, ele sentia que não podia deixá-los escapar sem punição adicional pelo inconveniente que lhe haviam causado.

En Depois de retornar ao rio e atravessá-lo, Tarzan começou a seguir a trilha facilmente localizável deixada pelos shiftas. O caminho serpenteava para cima e para baixo sobre colinas baixas antes de descer até um vale estreito, por onde fluía um riacho. O fundo do vale era arborizado, e o rio serpenteava entre as árvores. A trilha levava diretamente para essa floresta.

En A essa altura já estava quase completamente escuro, enquanto o breve crepúsculo equatorial dava lugar à noite. A floresta e as colinas ganhavam vida com criaturas noturnas, e das sombras cada vez mais profundas do vale vinham os grunhidos de um leão caçador. Tarzan farejou o ar quente que subia do vale em direção às montanhas; ele carregava os odores de um acampamento e o cheiro de humanos. Ele ergueu a cabeça e soltou um rugido gutural de seu peito profundo. Tarzan dos Macacos também estava caçando.

En Na escuridão crescente, ele ficou ereto e silencioso, uma figura solitária na encosta deserta. A noite silenciosa rapidamente o envolveu, mesclando sua forma com a escuridão que unia colina, vale, rio e floresta. Só então Tarzan se moveu, descendo silenciosamente em direção à floresta. Agora todos os sentidos estavam alertas, pois os grandes felinos estariam caçando. Suas narinas sensíveis tremiam enquanto vasculhavam o ar, e nenhum som escapava de seus ouvidos aguçados.

En Enquanto avançava, o cheiro humano ficou mais forte, guiando seus passos. A tosse profunda do leão soou mais perto, mas Tarzan tinha pouco medo de Numa naquele momento, sabendo que o grande felino estava a favor do vento e não poderia detectar sua presença. Numa pode ter ouvido o rugido do homem-macaco, mas não podia saber que aquele que o fez estava se aproximando.

En Tarzan calculou a distância do leão pelo vale e a distância até a floresta, e acreditou que alcançaria as árvores antes que seus caminhos se cruzassem. Ele não estava caçando Numa, e com a cautela natural de um animal selvagem, evitaria um encontro. Também não estava caçando por comida, pois sua barriga estava cheia. Em vez disso, ele caçava o homem, o grande inimigo de todas as criaturas.

En Tarzan achava difícil se ver como um homem; sua mentalidade era mais frequentemente a de um animal selvagem do que a de um humano, e ele não sentia orgulho de sua espécie. Embora reconhecesse a superioridade intelectual dos humanos sobre outros animais, ele os desprezava porque eles desperdiçaram a maior parte de suas vantagens naturais. Para Tarzan, a satisfação era a maior conquista, e a saúde e a cultura eram os principais caminhos para alcançá-la. Ele menosprezava a maioria das pessoas que careciam de um ou de ambos esses essenciais. Ele observava a ganância, o egoísmo, a covardia e a crueldade humanas, e acreditava que, dada sua suposta inteligência, essas características colocavam as pessoas em um nível espiritual inferior ao dos animais, impedindo-as para sempre de encontrar a satisfação.

En Tarzan estava procurando o acampamento dos humanos, mas não se aproximou como alguém em busca de sua própria espécie. Em vez disso, aproximou-se como uma fera selvagem explorando a posição de um inimigo. Os cheiros misturados do acampamento ficaram mais fortes em seu nariz: cavalos, homens, comida e fumaça. Para uma pessoa comum perdida na selva à noite, ciente da proximidade de um leão caçador, esses cheiros teriam sido muito bem-vindos. Mas a reação de Tarzan foi a de um animal selvagem que só conhece os humanos como inimigos. Seus músculos se contraíram enquanto ele segurava um rosnado baixo.

En Quando Tarzan chegou à borda da floresta, o leão estava próximo à sua direita e se movendo em sua direção. O homem-macaco, portanto, subiu nas árvores, movendo-se silenciosamente pelos galhos em direção ao acampamento dos shiftas. Numa o ouviu e rugiu, fazendo com que os homens no acampamento jogassem mais lenha na fogueira para afastar a fera.

En Tarzan subiu em uma árvore que dava vista para o acampamento. Lá embaixo, ele observou um grupo de cerca de vinte homens com seus cavalos e suprimentos. Eles haviam construído uma barreira rústica de galhos e arbustos ao redor do acampamento para oferecer alguma proteção contra animais selvagens, mas pareciam confiar mais no fogo que queimava no centro do acampamento.

En Com um único olhar rápido, Tarzan absorveu tudo lá embaixo. Então seus olhos se fixaram na única figura que despertou seu interesse ou curiosidade: um homem branco que estava amarrado com segurança a uma curta distância do fogo.

En Normalmente, Tarzan se importava pouco com o destino de qualquer humano, branco ou preto, a menos que fossem seus amigos. Ele valorizava mais a vida de um macaco do que a de um homem. No entanto, neste caso, duas coisas o fizeram se interessar pelo cativo. Primeiro, e provavelmente o mais importante, ele queria se vingar dos shiftas por tê-lo atacado e afugentado sua presa. Segundo, ele estava curioso porque o homem branco amarrado parecia diferente de qualquer um que ele já tinha visto, especialmente em suas roupas.

En O homem parecia vestir apenas uma peça feita de discos de marfim sobrepostos, a menos que seus ornamentos nos tornozelos, pulsos, pescoço e cabeça fossem considerados roupas. Além disso, seus braços e pernas estavam nus. Sua cabeça estava no chão com o rosto virado, então Tarzan não conseguia ver suas feições, apenas que ele tinha cabelos grossos e pretos.

En Enquanto observava o acampamento e pensava em como irritar os bandidos, Tarzan decidiu que uma vingança justa seria pegar algo que eles queriam, assim como eles tinham pegado o veado que ele queria. Claramente, eles valorizavam muito o prisioneiro, então Tarzan escolheu roubá-lo. A curiosidade sobre as roupas estranhas do homem também influenciou sua decisão, pois ele queria saber mais sobre ele.

En Para realizar seu plano, Tarzan decidiu esperar até que o acampamento dormisse. Ele se acomodou confortavelmente na bifurcação de uma árvore e se preparou para observar com a paciência de uma fera caçadora. Ele observou vários shiftas tentando falar com seu prisioneiro, mas ficou claro que nenhum entendia o outro.

En Tarzan conhecia as línguas dos Kafichos e Gallas. As perguntas que faziam ao prisioneiro o deixaram ainda mais curioso. Eles perguntaram de muitas maneiras diferentes, em vários dialetos e com sinais. O cativo ou não entendia ou fingia não entender. Tarzan suspeitou que ele estava fingindo, porque os sinais eram muito claros. Eles estavam pedindo direções para um lugar com muito marfim e ouro, mas não receberam nenhuma informação dele.

En Um dos shiftas rosnou que o porco claramente entendia suas palavras e estava apenas fingindo ignorância.

En Outro homem perguntou qual era o sentido de carregá-lo por aí e alimentá-lo se ele não falasse. Ele propôs que poderiam muito bem matá-lo agora.

En O líder respondeu que eles o deixariam pensar sobre isso naquela noite. Ele acrescentou que, se ele ainda se recusasse a falar de manhã, eles o matariam então.

En Eles comunicaram sua decisão ao prisioneiro usando tanto palavras quanto gestos. Então se reuniram ao redor do fogo para discutir os acontecimentos do dia e seus planos futuros. O tópico principal era o estranho gigante branco que havia matado três de seus homens e escapado montado em um de seus cavalos. Após um debate minucioso, durante o qual os três sobreviventes cada um se vangloriou de sua bravura, eles se retiraram para os abrigos rústicos que haviam construído. Deixaram Tarzan, Numa e um único guarda para vigiar durante a noite.

En O observador silencioso nas sombras da árvore esperou pacientemente até que o acampamento estivesse profundamente adormecido. Enquanto esperava, ele planejou como roubar o prisioneiro dos shiftas e satisfazer seu próprio desejo de vingança. Enquanto aguardava, o forte cheiro de Numa, o leão, chegou ao seu nariz; ele adivinhou que o leão, atraído pelos cavalos, estava vindo investigar o acampamento. Ele duvidou que o leão entrasse, porque o sentinela mantinha o fogo aceso, e Numa raramente ousa enfrentar o mistério das chamas a menos que seja levado pela fome extrema.

En Finalmente, o homem-macaco decidiu que chegara o momento de colocar seu plano em ação. Todos, exceto o sentinela, estavam dormindo, e até ele começava a cochilar junto ao fogo. Tarzan desceu da árvore tão silenciosamente quanto a sombra de uma sombra, permanecendo na sombra projetada pelo fogo.

En Tarzan ficou parado por um momento, ouvindo atentamente. Da escuridão além da luz da fogueira, ele conseguia ouvir a respiração de Numa, o leão, e entendeu que o rei dos animais estava por perto, observando. Espreitando de trás do grande tronco de árvore, notou que o sentinela ainda estava de costas. Sem fazer barulho, ele saiu para o espaço aberto e rastejou furtivamente em direção ao bandido desprevenido. Viu o mosquete apoiado nos joelhos do homem; como qualquer animal da selva caçado, ele tinha um respeito saudável por ele.

En Tarzan aproximou-se cada vez mais de seu alvo. Por fim, agachou-se diretamente atrás dele, sabendo que não podia fazer nenhum barulho ou grito. Ele esperou. Além do brilho do fogo, Numa também esperava, observando as chamas diminuírem lentamente. De repente, a mão bronzeada de Tarzan disparou para frente, seus dedos de aço agarrando a garganta morena do sentinela no mesmo instante em que uma faca penetrou em seu coração por baixo da omoplata esquerda. O sentinela morreu sem qualquer consciência da ameaça, uma morte misericordiosa.

En Tarzan puxou a faca do corpo sem vida e limpou a lâmina na túnica outrora branca da vítima. Então, moveu-se silenciosamente em direção ao prisioneiro, que estava deitado ao ar livre, já que nenhum abrigo havia sido construído para ele. No caminho, Tarzan passou perto de dois abrigos onde outros membros da gangue dormiam, mas não fez barulho que pudesse acordá-los. Ao se aproximar do cativo, ele viu, na luz bruxuleante do fogo, que os olhos do homem estavam abertos e que ele observava Tarzan com um olhar firme, porém questionador. Tarzan colocou um dedo sobre os lábios para pedir silêncio, então ajoelhou-se ao lado do homem e cortou as tiras que prendiam seus pulsos e tornozelos. Depois, ajudou o homem a se levantar, porque as tiras estavam bem apertadas e suas pernas estavam dormentes.

En Tarzan esperou brevemente enquanto o estranho tentava restaurar a sensibilidade nas pernas movendo-as rapidamente. Em seguida, fez sinal para o homem segui-lo, e tudo teria corrido bem, não fosse por Numa, o leão. Naquele momento, seja para expressar sua raiva contra as chamas ou para assustar os cavalos a ponto de causar pânico, o leão escolheu rugir de forma estrondosa.

En O leão estava tão perto que o súbito estrondo de seu rugido quebrou o profundo silêncio da noite, despertando todos os dorminhocos. Uma dúzia de homens pegou seus mosquetes e correu de seus abrigos. Na luz moribunda do fogo, eles não viram leão algum, mas viram o cativo que haviam libertado e Tarzan ao lado dele.

En Entre aqueles que correram dos abrigos estava o menos gravemente ferido das vítimas de Tarzan da tarde. Ele reconheceu instantaneamente o gigante branco bronzeado e gritou aos seus companheiros que era o demônio branco que havia matado seus amigos.

En Outro homem gritou para matá-lo.

En O líder dos shiftas ordenou que matassem ambos.

En Cercando completamente os dois homens brancos, os shiftas avançaram, mas não ousaram atirar com medo de ferir seus próprios companheiros. Tarzan também não pôde soltar uma flecha ou lançar uma lança, tendo deixado todas as suas armas, exceto sua corda e faca, escondidas em uma árvore acima do acampamento para se mover com total liberdade e silêncio enquanto libertava o cativo.

En Um bandido, mais corajoso mas talvez menos esperto que os outros, avançou com seu mosquete erguido. Isso provou ser sua ruína. Tarzan se agachou e rosnou como um animal, e quando o bandido se aproximou, ele atacou. Esquivou-se da coronha do mosquete que vinha em sua direção, depois agarrou a arma e a arrancou das mãos do shifta como se fosse um brinquedo de criança.

En Tarzan jogou o mosquete aos pés de seu companheiro, agarrou o audacioso Galla, virou-o e o usou como escudo contra as armas de seus camaradas. No entanto, apesar desse revés, os outros bandidos não mostraram sinais de desistir. Eles viram dois homens quase indefesos e, com gritos renovados, aproximaram-se.

En Dois bandidos avançaram atrás de Tarzan, de quem mais temiam. Mas logo descobriram que seu antigo prisioneiro não devia ser subestimado. Ele havia pegado o mosquete que Tarzan havia jogado fora e, segurando-o perto da boca do cano, usou-o como um porrete. A coronha pesada atingiu o primeiro bandido com força no lado da cabeça, derrubando-o como um boi caído. Quando ele balançou novamente, o segundo bandido pulou para trás bem a tempo de evitar o mesmo destino.

En Uma rápida olhada para trás mostrou a Tarzan que seu amigo estava lutando bravamente. Mas estava claro que eles não conseguiriam resistir por muito tempo contra o grupo maior de inimigos. Tarzan acreditava que sua única esperança era fazer um ataque súbito e unido através da fina linha de atacantes ao redor deles. Ele tentou contar seu plano ao homem que estava de costas com ele, falando em inglês e várias línguas europeias, mas o homem respondeu apenas em uma língua que Tarzan nunca tinha ouvido antes.

En Tarzan se perguntou o que deveria fazer. Eles tinham que ir juntos, e ambos precisavam entender o que Tarzan pretendia. Mas como poderiam se comunicar se não tinham como falar? Tarzan se virou e tocou suavemente o ombro do outro, então apontou o polegar na direção que planejava ir e balançou a cabeça como um sinal para segui-lo.

En O homem imediatamente entendeu a situação e se virou enquanto Tarzan começava sua investida, ainda segurando o shifta que se debatia. No entanto, os shiftas estavam determinados a não deixá-los escapar. Incapazes de atirar por medo de acertar seu companheiro, eles mantiveram sua posição com mosquetes empunhados e lanças. A perspectiva era sombria para o senhor da selva e seu companheiro.

En Usando o homem que segurava como um mangual, Tarzan tentou derrubar aqueles que bloqueavam seu caminho para a liberdade. Mas havia muitos, e logo conseguiram puxar seu companheiro das garras do homem-macaco. Agora, os dois brancos pareciam condenados, já que nada impedia os bandidos de usar seus mosquetes com eficácia. Os shiftas, enfurecidos, não queriam nada menos que a destruição total de seus inimigos. No entanto, Tarzan e seu companheiro investiram tão de perto que os mosquetes ficaram momentaneamente inúteis, embora alguns shiftas tenham recuado para conseguir um tiro limpo.

En Um bandido, bem posicionado para atirar sem colocar seus companheiros em perigo, ergueu seu arcabuz ao ombro e mirou cuidadosamente em Tarzan.

Gatos Noturnos

En Assim que o homem ergueu a arma para atirar em Tarzan, um de seus companheiros gritou um alerta, mas o grito foi abafado pelo rugido gutural de Numa, o leão, que saltou sobre a boma e invadiu o acampamento.

En O homem que estava prestes a matar Tarzan olhou para trás ao ouvir o grito de alerta e viu o leão. Em seu terror, ele deixou cair o rifle e gritou, sua voz se misturando ao rugido do leão. Desesperado para escapar do devorador de homens, ele correu diretamente para os braços do homem-macaco.

En O leão hesitou por um momento, confuso com a luz do fogo, o movimento repentino e os gritos dos homens. Aproveitando essa breve pausa, Tarzan agarrou o bandido que fugia, ergueu-o acima da cabeça e o jogou diretamente no caminho do leão. Enquanto a besta agarrava sua presa, Tarzan sinalizou para seu companheiro segui-lo. Eles correram para além do leão, pularam a cerca de boma no mesmo local que Numa havia usado e desapareceram nas sombras da noite antes que os bandidos pudessem se recuperar do choque.

En Logo após o acampamento, Tarzan deixou seu companheiro brevemente para subir em uma árvore e recuperar suas armas. Então ele liderou o caminho para fora do vale e em direção às colinas. O homem branco silencioso que ele havia resgatado dos bandidos Kaficho e Galla seguiu perto ao seu lado.

En Durante o breve encontro no acampamento, Tarzan admirou a força, agilidade e coragem do estranho. Ele parecia a Tarzan um homem da mesma laia: calmo, engenhoso e corajoso. Mesmo em silêncio, irradiava uma personalidade que sugeria lealdade e confiabilidade. Embora Tarzan geralmente preferisse a solidão, ele não se desagradou de ter este homem como companheiro.

En A lua quase cheia nasceu sobre as montanhas escuras do leste, lançando uma luz suave sobre colinas, vales e florestas. Ela transformou a paisagem em um mundo novo e estranho, distinto tanto do dia quanto da noite sem lua — um reino de cinzas suaves e verdes prateados.

En Os dois homens se moveram tão silenciosamente quanto a sombra de uma nuvem passageira em direção à floresta que cobria as encostas superiores e descia até as ravinas. Mas sua aproximação não passou despercebida. Escondido na mata escura acima, o príncipe dos caçadores sentiu o cheiro deles carregado pelo vento.

En Sheeta, a pantera, estava com fome. Por vários dias, as presas tinham sido escassas e difíceis de capturar. Conforme os homens se aproximavam, o cheiro deles ficava mais forte em suas narinas. Era o puro cheiro de homem, não contaminado pelo odor odiado da arma que ele temia e detestava. Sheeta aguardava ansiosamente a chegada deles.

En Tarzan procurou na floresta uma árvore adequada para passar a noite. Já tendo comido, ele não sentia fome. Se seu companheiro havia comido ou não, não era sua preocupação, pois a lei da selva ditava que Tarzan não caçaria para um homem forte e capaz que pudesse se sustentar sozinho. Se tivesse feito uma caça, ele a teria compartilhado, mas não sairia de seu caminho para caçar em benefício de outro.

En Tarzan encontrou um galho bifurcado e construiu uma plataforma rudimentar sobre ele usando galhos cortados e folhas. Ele então se deitou para dormir. Por perto, a pantera Sheeta o observava de uma árvore, e também observava o outro homem que dormia no chão entre as duas árvores. A pantera permaneceu perfeitamente imóvel. Embora Tarzan não soubesse da presença de Sheeta, ele se sentia inquieto, como se algo estivesse errado. Ele ouviu e cheirou o ar, mas não detectou nada. Seu companheiro, não acostumado a dormir em árvores, havia escolhido dormir no chão. Era este homem que Sheeta estava observando.

En O companheiro de Tarzan arrumou uma cama de folhas e gramíneas a seu gosto e deitou-se. Sheeta esperou. Gradualmente, os músculos da pantera se tensionaram, puxando os quartos traseiros para a frente sob seu corpo liso para um salto. Sheeta avançou sobre o galho, fazendo-o se mover e as folhas farfalharem levemente. Um ouvido humano normal não teria percebido nenhum som, mas os ouvidos de Tarzan eram muito mais aguçados.

En Tarzan ouviu o som e rapidamente virou os olhos para localizar o intruso. No mesmo instante, Sheeta saltou em direção ao homem deitado na cama rústica no chão. Assim como Sheeta saltou, Tarzan também saltou. Toda a sequência se desenrolou em questão de segundos, ocorrendo com grande velocidade.

En Enquanto os dois animais saltavam, Tarzan rugiu para alertar seu companheiro e distrair Sheeta de sua presa. O homem no chão pulou para o lado instintivamente. O corpo da pantera roçou nele ao aterrissar, mas agora Sheeta se concentrou no rugido ameaçador de Tarzan.

En Virando enquanto desviava, o homem viu o gato selvagem no exato momento em que Tarzan aterrissou em suas costas. Ele ouviu seus rosnados misturados na batalha e percebeu com um arrepio que os sons de Tarzan eram tão selvagens e bestiais quanto os da pantera.

En Tarzan tentou agarrar o pescoço da pantera enquanto o felino tentava rolar e rasgá-lo com suas garras traseiras. Mas Tarzan antecipou isso; ele rolou por baixo de Sheeta e travou as pernas em volta de sua barriga. A pantera saltou e tentou sacudi-lo, mas o braço de Tarzan apertou seu pescoço, cortando seu ar.

En A pantera saltava descontroladamente sob o luar enquanto o companheiro de Tarzan permanecia indefeso. Ele tentou ajudar duas vezes, mas foi derrubado. Então Tarzan sacou sua faca; a lâmina brilhou, e ele esfaqueou Sheeta. O felino gritou de dor e raiva, lutando com mais força, mas Tarzan golpeou novamente.

En Sheeta tremeu descontroladamente enquanto Tarzan enfiava a faca profundamente em seu lado novamente. Então, com sua grande voz silenciada para sempre, a pantera caiu sem vida. Tarzan rolou de debaixo dela e se levantou.

En O homem cuja vida Tarzan havia salvado avançou e colocou a mão no ombro do homem-macaco. Ele falou algumas palavras em voz baixa, mas em um idioma que Tarzan não entendia. No entanto, Tarzan deduziu pela atitude do homem que ele estava expressando gratidão.

En O que se passava na mente do companheiro de Tarzan? Duas vezes em uma hora, este estranho homem branco havia salvado sua vida. O companheiro não conseguia entender o porquê. Se ele tivesse algum senso de honra ou gratidão, seria natural que sentisse amizade e lealdade. Mas ainda era impossível saber isso, já que ele continuava sendo um estranho, nem mesmo conhecido pelo nome. Seguindo a abordagem de Tarzan, eles não o julgariam até conhecê-lo melhor. Talvez viessem a gostar dele, ou talvez encontrassem motivos para desprezá-lo.

En Porque uma pantera havia atacado e um leão estava por perto, Tarzan convenceu o homem com gestos a subir na árvore. Lá, ele o ajudou a construir uma plataforma de dormir como a sua. Eles passaram o resto da noite sem serem perturbados e não se mexeram até uma hora após o nascer do sol. Então, o homem-macaco se levantou e se espreguiçou.

En O outro homem sentou-se por perto e olhou ao redor. Quando seus olhos encontraram os de Tarzan, ele o cumprimentou com um sorriso e um aceno. Pela primeira vez, o homem-macaco teve a chance de estudar seu novo conhecido à luz do dia. O homem havia removido sua única peça de roupa para a noite e se coberto com folhas e galhos. Agora, ao se levantar, sua única vestimenta era uma tanga. Tarzan observou seu corpo de seis pés, bem musculado e bem proporcionado, encimado por uma cabeça que sugeria boa educação e inteligência. As feições do homem eram fortes, bem definidas e harmoniosamente dispostas; seu rosto era mais notável pela força e masculinidade rústica do que pela beleza.

En O lado instintivo de Tarzan considerou os olhos castanhos do estranho e decidiu que ele era confiável, enquanto seu lado humano observou a faixa na cabeça que prendia o cabelo escuro, o ornamento de marfim incomum na testa, a vestimenta que ele estava colocando e as decorações de marfim em seus pulsos e tornozelos, o que despertou sua curiosidade.

En A peça central da faixa de cabeça era um ornamento de marfim que lembrava uma espátula côncava e curva, cuja ponta se erguia acima da cabeça do homem e se curvava para a frente. Em volta de seus pulsos e tornozelos havia faixas feitas de longas tiras planas de marfim, mantidas no lugar por tiras de couro trançadas através de furos perto do topo e da parte inferior das tiras. Suas sandálias, feitas de couro grosso — provavelmente de elefante — eram presas por tiras de couro fixadas na parte inferior de suas tornozeleiras.

En Em cada braço, abaixo do ombro, ele usava um disco de marfim com um desenho esculpido; ao redor do pescoço havia uma faixa de discos de marfim menores e elaboradamente esculpidos. Uma tira ia do disco mais baixo até seu gibão, que também era sustentado por tiras nos ombros. De cada lado da faixa de cabeça pendia um grande disco de marfim que cobria sua orelha, com um disco menor acima dele. Peças pesadas e curvas em forma de cunha de marfim eram seguras em cada ombro pelas mesmas tiras que sustentavam o gibão.

En Tarzan duvidava que esses adornos serviam apenas para fins decorativos. Ele observou que quase todos eles poderiam oferecer proteção contra armas cortantes, como espadas ou machados de batalha. Ele se viu questionando a origem do guerreiro formidável que os usava, porque, pelo que sabia, nenhuma raça de homens em qualquer lugar do mundo usava tal armadura e ornamentos.

En Tarzan deixou de lado suas especulações sobre a origem do guerreiro, movido pela fome e pela memória da carne da caça do dia anterior que ele havia pendurado no alto de uma árvore rio acima. Ele pulou levemente para o chão, fez sinal para o jovem guerreiro segui-lo e seguiu em direção ao seu esconderijo, permanecendo alerta para qualquer perigo.

En Tarzan descobriu a carne ainda escondida sob os ramos folhosos. Ele cortou várias tiras e as jogou para o guerreiro que esperava embaixo, depois cortou algumas para si e, agachado na forquilha de uma árvore, comeu-a crua. O guerreiro observou-o surpreso por um momento, então usou um pedaço de aço e pederneira para fazer fogo e cozinhou sua própria porção.

En Tarzan comeu enquanto sua mente ativa considerava planos futuros. Ele havia vindo para a Abissínia com um propósito específico, mas não era urgente. Viver em um ambiente primitivo lhe ensinara que o tempo não era importante. O guerreiro com armadura de marfim o intrigava mais do que sua missão original, então ele decidiu resolver o mistério do guerreiro primeiro.

En Sem uma língua em comum, eles usaram sinais. Depois de comer, Tarzan gesticulou para perguntar a direção do guerreiro. O guerreiro apontou para o nordeste, em direção às montanhas, e convidou Tarzan para seu país. Tarzan aceitou e fez sinal para que ele liderasse.

En Por semanas, eles viajaram mais fundo nas grandes montanhas. Tarzan, sempre alerta e ansioso, aprendeu rapidamente a língua de seu companheiro através da prática constante. Logo eles conseguiam se entender.

En Tarzan descobriu que o nome de seu companheiro era Valthor. Valthor mostrou interesse nas armas de Tarzan, então Tarzan fez para ele uma lança, um arco e flechas. Enquanto Valthor ensinava sua língua a Tarzan, Tarzan o ensinava a atirar com arco; Valthor já conhecia a lança.

En Dias e semanas se passaram, mas eles não pareciam mais perto do país de Valthor. Tarzan encontrou caça abundante e os manteve alimentados. A paisagem montanhosa acidentada o cativava, e ele caçava e aproveitava a natureza, mal notando a passagem do tempo.

En Valthor estava ficando impaciente. Finalmente, no final de um dia, eles chegaram ao fim de um desfiladeiro sem saída, onde enormes penhascos bloqueavam o caminho. Ele admitiu que estava perdido.

En Tarzan observou que poderia ter dito isso a Valthor muitos dias antes.

En Valthor olhou para ele com surpresa e exigiu saber como ele poderia saber disso, já que o próprio Tarzan não sabia em que direção ficava o seu país.

En Tarzan explicou que sabia porque, durante a semana passada, Valthor os havia guiado em todas as quatro direções, e agora estavam a menos de cinco milhas de onde estavam há uma semana. Ele apontou que, logo atrás da crista, a não mais de cinco milhas de distância, estava o riacho onde ele havia matado um íbex e a velha árvore na qual eles haviam dormido sete noites atrás.

En Valthor coçou a cabeça confuso, depois sorriu. Ele admitiu que não podia discutir com Tarzan e concedeu que ele poderia estar certo, mas perguntou o que deveriam fazer.

En Tarzan perguntou a Valthor se ele sabia a direção de seu país a partir do acampamento onde Tarzan o havia encontrado.

En Valthor respondeu que Thenar ficava diretamente a leste daquele ponto, e ele tinha certeza disso.

En Tarzan observou que eles estavam agora diretamente a sudoeste de Thenar, tendo viajado uma distância considerável para o sul desde que entraram nas montanhas mais altas. Ele sugeriu que, se o país de Valthor estivesse dentro dessas montanhas, não seria difícil encontrá-lo, desde que continuassem se movendo em direção nordeste.

En Valthor admitiu que o emaranhado de montanhas, com seus desfiladeiros e gargantas sinuosos, o confundia. Ele explicou que nunca havia estado mais longe de Thenar do que o vale de Onthar, e ambos os vales eram cercados por marcos tão familiares que não precisava de outros guias. Ele nunca antes precisara consultar as posições do sol, da lua ou das estrelas, então elas não haviam sido de nenhuma ajuda desde que partiram em busca de Thenar. Ele perguntou a Tarzan se ele conseguiria manter um rumo em direção ao nordeste neste labirinto de montanhas e, se sim, sugeriu que Tarzan liderasse o caminho.

En Tarzan garantiu a ele que poderia ir em direção ao nordeste, mas não conseguiria encontrar o país de Valthor a menos que ele estivesse em seu caminho.

En Valthor explicou que, se chegassem a cinquenta ou cem milhas de Xarator, eles a veriam de um ponto alto, e que a partir dali ele saberia o caminho para Thenar, já que Xarator ficava quase a oeste de Athne.

En Tarzan perguntou sobre as identidades de Xarator e Athne.

En Valthor descreveu Xarator como um grande pico cheio de fogo e rocha derretida no extremo norte do vale de Onthar, pertencente aos homens de Cathne, a cidade de ouro. Ele explicou que Athne, a cidade de marfim, era sua casa, e que os homens de Cathne eram inimigos de seu povo.

En Tarzan declarou que eles partiriam no dia seguinte para a cidade de Athne, no vale de Thenar.

En Enquanto Tarzan e Valthor comiam carne de sua caça anterior, muitos quilômetros ao sul, um leão de juba negra estava sobre o corpo de um bezerro de búfalo que havia matado, balançando o rabo e rosnando ferozmente enquanto enfrentava um touro búfalo irritado que cavava a terra e berrava a alguns metros de distância.

En Poucos animais ousam enfrentar Gorgo, o búfalo, quando sua fúria torna seus olhos vermelhos. No entanto, o grande leão não tinha intenção de abandonar sua presa, mesmo quando o touro ameaçou investir. O leão manteve sua posição. Os rugidos do leão e do búfalo se combinaram em um barulho selvagem e trovejante que sacudiu a terra e silenciou as outras criaturas da selva.

En Gorgo cavou o chão com seus chifres, enfurecendo-se cada vez mais. Atrás dele, a mãe do bezerro morto urrava. Talvez ela estivesse instigando seu parceiro a vingar a morte. O resto do rebanho fugiu para a parte mais densa da selva, deixando esses dois para desafiar Numa por sua presa, confiando no poder daqueles chifres fortes e naquele pescoço massivo.

En Com notável velocidade e agilidade para seu tamanho, o touro investiu. Parecia impossível que dois animais tão grandes pudessem se mover tão rápido, e que qualquer criatura pudesse resistir ou evitar aqueles chifres terríveis. Mas o leão estava pronto. Quando o touro estava quase em cima dele, ele saltou para o lado, ergueu-se sobre as patas traseiras e desferiu um golpe tremendo no lado da cabeça do touro com uma pata cheia de garras. O golpe fez o touro girar e cair de joelhos, atordoado e sangrando, com a mandíbula esmagada. Antes que Gorgo pudesse se levantar, Numa pulou em suas costas, cravou os dentes no pescoço grosso e, com uma pata, agarrou o nariz do touro, puxando a cabeça violentamente para trás até a espinha quebrar.

En O leão imediatamente se levantou e encarou a vaca. Mas ela não investiu. Em vez disso, urrando, ela se afastou para dentro da selva, deixando o rei dos animais em pé com as patas dianteiras sobre sua mais recente presa.

En Naquela noite, Numa se alimentou bem. Mas depois de se empanturrar, ele não descansou como um leão deveria. Em vez disso, continuou para o norte ao longo da trilha misteriosa que vinha seguindo há muitos dias.

Descendo a Inundação

En O novo dia começou com nuvens e uma sensação de ameaça. Embora a estação das chuvas tivesse terminado, uma tempestade tardia parecia se formar sobre os altos picos onde Tarzan e Valthor procuravam o vale oculto de Thenar. O frio da noite não foi aquecido por nenhum raio de sol. Os dois homens tremeram ao se levantar de seus leitos rústicos entre os galhos das árvores.

En Tarzan anunciou que eles comeriam mais tarde, depois que um pouco de escalada tivesse aquecido seu sangue.

En Valthor respondeu que eles só comeriam se tivessem a sorte de encontrar comida.

En O homem-macaco respondeu que raramente passava fome e não passaria fome hoje. Ele afirmou que quando Tarzan estivesse pronto para caçar, eles comeriam.

En Eles prosseguiram pelo desfiladeiro fechado até que Tarzan descobriu um local onde podiam subir a parede íngreme. Eles subiram com esforço, o guerreiro de Athne confiante de que cada passo poderia ser o último, mas orgulhoso demais para mostrar seu medo ao ágil homem-macaco que escalava facilmente acima dele. No entanto, ele não caiu, e eventualmente eles se posicionaram no topo de uma grande crista que subia em direção aos picos altos.

En O coração de Valthor batia forte e sua respiração estava ofegante, enquanto Tarzan parecia completamente imperturbável. Prestes a prosseguir pela crista, ele notou o estado exausto de seu companheiro. Agachou-se e ordenou-lhe brevemente que descansasse, um alívio bem-vindo para Valthor.

En Durante todo o dia, eles avançaram em direção ao nordeste. Chuviscou algumas vezes, e o céu sempre ameaçava mais. Uma grande tempestade parecia estar se formando continuamente, mas nunca se desencadeou durante o longo dia. Tarzan matou um animal antes do meio-dia, e eles comeram; em seguida, continuaram imediatamente. O tempo frio, úmido e sem sol não lhes dava motivo para demorar.

En Era tarde da tarde quando eles saíram de um desfiladeiro profundo e alcançaram um planalto alto e plano. Não havia montanhas perto, mas ao longe, picos altos podiam ser vistos vagamente através de uma chuva leve. De repente, Valthor gritou de empolgação. Ele disse que eles tinham encontrado, e que Xarator estava lá.

En Tarzan olhou para onde o outro apontou e viu uma enorme montanha de topo plano ao longe. Nuvens baixas acima dela refletiam uma luz vermelha opaca. Tarzan comentou que era Xarator e então perguntou se Thenar ficava diretamente a leste dela.

En Valthor concordou, explicando que isso significava que Onthar devia estar logo abaixo da borda do planalto, quase diretamente à frente deles. Ele então incentivou Tarzan a vir.

En Os dois caminharam rapidamente pelo terreno plano e gramado por cerca de uma ou duas milhas até chegarem à borda do planalto. Além e abaixo deles se estendia um amplo vale.

En Valthor disse que estavam quase no extremo sul de Onthar. Ele apontou Cathne, a cidade de ouro, situada na curva do rio no final de uma floresta. Explicou que era uma cidade rica, mas seu povo era inimigo de seu povo.

En Através da chuva, Tarzan avistou uma cidade murada aninhada entre uma floresta e um rio. Quase todas as casas eram brancas, e muitas tinham cúpulas de um amarelo fosco. Uma ponte do mesmo amarelo fosco cruzava o rio que corria entre eles e a cidade. A chuva e o fim da tarde tornavam as cores suaves. Tarzan observou que o rio percorria todo o comprimento do vale, cerca de catorze ou quinze milhas, alimentado por riachos menores que desciam das montanhas. Uma estrada bem demarcada também se estendia por todo o vale. Perto do centro, ela se bifurcava; um dos ramos seguia um afluente até um desfiladeiro no lado leste. Diretamente abaixo deles e se estendendo até o extremo norte de Onthar, havia uma planície nivelada salpicada de árvores. Do outro lado do rio, uma floresta alcançava da margem distante até as colinas íngremes que limitavam Onthar a leste e sudeste.

En Tarzan olhou de volta para a cidade de Cathne. Perguntou a Valthor por que ela era chamada de cidade de ouro.

En Valthor respondeu, perguntando se Tarzan não conseguia ver as cúpulas douradas e a ponte de ouro.

En Tarzan perguntou se eles estavam cobertos com tinta dourada.

En Valthor respondeu que eles estavam cobertos de ouro maciço. Ele acrescentou que o ouro em alguns domos tinha uma polegada de espessura e a ponte era feita de blocos de ouro maciço.

En Tarzan ergueu as sobrancelhas. Olhando para o vale pacífico, ele imaginou o que aconteceria se a notícia do vasto ouro chegasse ao mundo exterior. Ele imaginou fábricas e chaminés vomitando fumaça preta sobre os domos dourados de Cathne.

En Ele perguntou onde eles encontravam seu ouro.

En Valthor respondeu que suas minas estavam nas colinas diretamente ao sul da cidade.

En O homem-macaco perguntou a Thenar onde ficava seu país.

En Thenar respondeu que seu país ficava logo além das colinas a leste de Onthar. Ele indicou onde o rio e a estrada cortavam a floresta cerca de cinco milhas acima da cidade e perguntou se Tarzan podia vê-los entrando nas colinas além da floresta.

En Tarzan respondeu que podia vê-los.

En Thenar explicou que a estrada e o rio passavam pelo Desfiladeiro dos Guerreiros até o vale de Thenar. Um pouco a nordeste do centro do vale ficava Athne, a cidade de marfim, e além do desfiladeiro ficava seu país.

En Tarzan perguntou a que distância estavam de Athne.

En Valthor estimou que a distância era de cerca de vinte e cinco milhas, talvez um pouco menos.

En O homem-macaco sugeriu que começassem a viagem imediatamente, argumentando que caminhar sob a chuva seria mais confortável do que esperar até a manhã. Ele também presumiu que poderiam encontrar abrigo seco na cidade de Valthor.

En Valthor concordou, mas alertou que atravessar Onthar durante o dia seria perigoso. Os sentinelas nos portões de Cathne os veriam e, como inimigos, provavelmente seriam mortos ou capturados. A noite era perigosa por causa dos leões, mas o dia seria ainda pior, com homens e leões para enfrentar.

En Tarzan perguntou a que leões estavam se referindo.

En Valthor explicou que o povo de Cathne criava leões, muitos dos quais vagavam livremente pelo vale. A vasta planície visível abaixo, estendendo-se ao longo do vale do lado deles do rio, era conhecida como o Campo dos Leões. Ele aconselhou atravessá-la após o anoitecer por segurança.

En Tarzan deu de ombros e concordou, dizendo que não fazia diferença se começassem imediatamente ou esperassem até o anoitecer.

En O atneano comentou que o lugar era desconfortável porque a chuva estava fria.

En Tarzan respondeu que já havia suportado desconforto antes e que a chuva não continuaria indefinidamente.

En Valthor suspirou e disse que se estivessem em Athne, estariam confortáveis. Ele descreveu a casa de seu pai com lareiras onde as chamas rugiam ao redor de grandes toras, proporcionando calor e conforto.

En Tarzan respondeu que o sol brilhava acima das nuvens, mas eles não estavam lá. Ele observou que estavam em um lugar sem sol ou fogo, e estavam com frio. Com um sorriso fraco, acrescentou que falar sobre fogo ou sol não o aquecia.

En Valthor insistiu que desejava estar em Athne, descrevendo-a como uma cidade esplêndida localizada no belo vale de Thenar. Em Thenar, eles criavam cabras, ovelhas e elefantes. Matavam qualquer leão que viesse de Onthar. Seus agricultores cultivavam vegetais, frutas e feno; artesãos produziam artigos de couro e tecido de pelo de cabra e lã de ovelha; entalhadores trabalhavam com marfim e madeira.

En Eles realizavam comércio limitado com o mundo exterior, usando marfim e ouro como pagamento. Segundo Valthor, se não fossem os cathneanos, eles desfrutariam de uma existência feliz e pacífica, sem preocupações.

En Tarzan perguntou o que eles compravam do mundo exterior e de quem faziam essas compras.

En Valthor explicou que compravam sal, do qual não tinham localmente, além de aço para armas, escravos negros e ocasionalmente uma mulher branca jovem e atraente. Todos esses bens vinham de um grupo de shiftas com quem negociavam desde tempos imemoriais. Embora os governantes de Athne mudassem, o relacionamento com esse bando permanecia constante. Valthor estava procurando por eles quando se perdeu e foi capturado por outro bando.

En O homem-macaco perguntou se eles alguma vez negociavam com o povo de Cathne.

En Uma vez por ano, uma trégua de uma semana permite o comércio pacífico entre eles. Em troca de ouro, comida e feno, os cathneanos recebem mulheres, sal e aço comprados dos shiftas, além de tecidos, couro e marfim de sua própria produção.

En Os cathneanos mineram ouro, criam leões para guerra e esporte, e cultivam frutas, vegetais, cereais e feno. Eles também trabalham com ouro e, em menor escala, com marfim. Seu ouro e feno são muito valorizados pelo interlocutor, sendo o feno mais importante, pois sustenta os rebanhos de elefantes.

En Tarzan perguntou por que dois povos tão dependentes um do outro escolheriam lutar.

En Valthor deu de ombros, admitindo que não sabia; talvez fosse apenas um costume. Ele observou que, apesar das conversas sobre paz, sentiriam falta das emoções que a paz não oferecia. Seus olhos brilharam ao falar dos ataques, chamando-os de um esporte para homens. Os cathneanos vinham com leões para caçar suas cabras, ovelhas, elefantes e até seu povo, levando cabeças como troféus, valorizando especialmente a cabeça de um homem. Eles também tentavam capturar mulheres e, quando conseguiam, a guerra ocorria se a família da mulher fosse influente.

En Quando desejavam esporte, iam para Onthar atrás de ouro e mulheres, ou simplesmente pela emoção de matar homens ou capturar escravos. O maior jogo era vender uma mulher a um cathneano por uma grande quantia de ouro e depois recuperá-la em um ataque. Ele concluiu que nem seu povo nem os cathneanos se importariam verdadeiramente com a paz.

En Enquanto Valthor falava, o sol invisível se punha mais baixo no oeste, e nuvens pesadas e escuras escondiam os picos do norte, assentando-se baixo sobre o vale superior. Ele disse que poderiam começar agora, pois logo escureceria.

En Os dois homens seguiram por uma ravina que os escondia da cidade de Cathne, em direção ao fundo do vale. Um relâmpago brilhou das nuvens de tempestade, seguido por trovões; a tempestade desencadeou sua fúria sobre a parte superior do vale, e uma enxurrada de chuva obscureceu as colinas além.

En Quando chegaram ao terreno plano, a tempestade já os havia alcançado, e a ravina se transformara em uma torrente furiosa. A noite caiu rapidamente, deixando uma escuridão total apenas quebrada por relâmpagos vívidos. O trovão constante era ensurdecedor, e a chuva caía em cortinas sólidas como ondas do oceano. Foi talvez a tempestade mais terrível que qualquer um dos dois homens já tinha visto.

En Eles não podiam falar; apenas os relâmpagos os impediam de se separar, pois só eles permitiam que Valthor mantivesse seu curso através do vale gramado em direção à cidade de ouro, onde encontrariam a estrada que levava ao Passo dos Guerreiros e, em seguida, ao vale de Thenar.

En Logo eles viram as luzes tênues da cidade através das janelas, e um momento depois estavam na estrada, movendo-se para o norte contra toda a fúria da tempestade. A tempestade aumentou de intensidade conforme se aproximavam do seu centro; eles lutaram contra o vento, que às vezes os parava e os forçava a recuar.

En Por milhas, os dois homens lutaram contra o imenso poder da tempestade. A tempestade parecia ficar mais furiosa, como se estivesse furiosa por esses pequenos humanos ousarem desafiá-la. Então, num que parecia um esforço final e enorme para derrotá-los, um enorme relâmpago iluminou todo o vale, o trovão soou mais forte do que nunca, e uma torrente de água caiu, derrubando os dois homens no chão.

Savage Quarry

Português

De junho a setembro, as chuvas vêm de Tigre e Amhara para Gojam, Shoá e Kaffa, carregando lodo e prosperidade da Abissínia para o leste do Sudão e Egito, mas também trazendo trilhas enlameadas, rios cheios e morte para a Abissínia.

Original English

Down out of Tigre and Amhara upon Gojam and Shoa and Kaffa come the rains from June to September, carrying silt and prosperity from Abyssinia to the eastern Sudan and to Egypt, bringing muddy trails and swollen rivers and death and prosperity to Abyssinia.

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Português

Apenas um pequeno bando de shiftas, criminosos endurecidos das tribos Kaficho e Galla, escondidos nas montanhas remotas de Kaffa, se importavam com as trilhas enlameadas, os rios cheios e a morte trazidos pelas chuvas. Esses foragidos montados eram implacáveis, sem qualquer cultura ou piedade.

Original English

Of these gifts of the rains, only the muddy trails and the swollen rivers and death interested a little band of shiftas that held out in the remote fastnesses of the mountains of Kaffa. Hard men were these mounted bandits, cruel criminals without even a vestige of culture such as occasionally leavens the activities of rogues, lessening their ruthlessness. Kaficho and Galla they were, the offscourings of their tribes, outlaws, men with prices upon their heads.

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Português

Não estava chovendo naquele momento, e a estação chuvosa, que terminava em setembro, estava quase no fim. No entanto, os rios ainda continham muita água, e o solo permanecia macio após as chuvas recentes.

Original English

It was not raining now; and the rainy season was drawing to a close, for it was the middle of September; but there was still much water in the rivers, and the ground was soft after a recent rain.

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Português

Os shiftas cavalgavam, procurando saque de viajantes, caravanas ou vilas. Os cascos sem ferradura de seus cavalos deixavam rastros claros, mas eles não se preocupavam, pois ninguém os perseguia; todos no distrito simplesmente esperavam ficar fora do caminho deles.

Original English

The shiftas rode, seeking loot from wayfarer, caravan, or village; and as they rode, the unshod hoofs of their horses left a plain spoor that one might read upon the run; not that that caused the shiftas any concern, because no one was looking for them. All that anyone in the district wished of the shiftas was to keep out of their way.

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Português

À frente deles, uma fera de caça perseguia sua presa. O vento soprava da fera em direção aos cavaleiros, então ela não podia senti-los, e o solo macio abafava o som dos cavalos andando, mantendo o caçador inconsciente.

Original English

A short distance ahead of them, in the direction toward which they were riding, a hunting beast stalked its prey. The wind was blowing from it toward the approaching horsemen; and for this reason their scent spoor was not borne to its sensitive nostrils, nor did the soft ground give forth any sound beneath the feet of their walking mounts that the keen ears of the hunter might detect during the period of concentration and mild excitement attendant upon the stalk.

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Português

Embora ele não se parecesse com uma fera de rapina como os humanos geralmente imaginam, Tarzan era de fato um caçador. Ele sobrevivia perseguindo e matando sua comida. Da mesma forma, ele não se encaixava na imagem usual de um lorde britânico, mas possuía esse título. Ele era Tarzan dos Macacos.

Original English

Though the stalker did not resemble a beast of prey, such as the term connotes to the mind of man, he was one nevertheless; for in his natural haunts he filled his belly by the chase and by the chase alone; neither did he resemble the mental picture that one might hold of a typical British lord, yet he was that too—he was Tarzan of the Apes.

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Português

A chuva dificultava a caça para todos os predadores, e Tarzan não era diferente. Após dois dias de chuva, ele estava com muita fome. Ele rastejou de bruços pela grama curta em direção a um pequeno veado bebendo em um riacho, planejando atacá-lo com sua lança ou flecha. No entanto, ele não sabia que um grupo de cavaleiros havia parado em uma colina suave atrás dele e o observava silenciosamente.

Original English

All beasts of prey find hunting poor during a rain, and Tarzan was no exception to the rule. It had rained for two days, and as a result Tarzan was hungry. A small buck was drinking in a stream fringed by bushes and tall reeds, and Tarzan was worming his way upon his belly through short grass to reach a position from which he might either charge or loose an arrow or cast a spear. He was not aware that a group of horsemen had reined in upon a gentle rise a short distance behind him where they sat in silence regarding him intently.

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Português

O vento, Usha, carrega tanto o cheiro quanto o som. Naquele dia, ele carregou o cheiro e o barulho dos shiftas para longe dos sentidos aguçados de Tarzan. Mesmo com suas habilidades extraordinárias, ele não detectou o inimigo. Como diz o ditado, até o grande Homero às vezes cochila.

Original English

Usha, the wind, who carries scent, also carries sound. Today, Usha carried both the scent and the sound of the shiftas away from the keen nostrils and ears of the ape-man. Perhaps, endowed as he was with supersensitive perceptive faculties, Tarzan should have sensed the presence of an enemy; but "Even the worthy Homer sometimes nods."

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Português

Todo animal, por mais autossuficiente que seja, deve ser cauteloso porque toda criatura tem inimigos. Os herbívoros fracos devem sempre vigiar leões, leopardos e homens; mesmo elefantes, rinocerontes e leões não podem relaxar sua guarda contra os humanos. Os humanos também devem desconfiar desses animais. No entanto, cautela não implica medo ou covardia. Tarzan, que era destemido, era a personificação da cautela, especialmente quando longe de seu território natal, onde toda criatura poderia ser uma ameaça.

Original English

However self-sufficient an animal may be it is endowed with caution, for there is none that has not its enemies. The weaker herbivora must be always on the alert for the lion, the leopard, and man; the elephant, the rhinoceros, and the lion may never relax their vigilance against man; and man must always be on guard against these and others. Yet one may not say that such caution connotes either fear or cowardice; for Tarzan, who was without fear, was the personification of caution, especially when he was far from his own stamping grounds as he was today and every creature a potential enemy.

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Português

Sua fome intensa e a chance de satisfazê-la podem tê-lo tornado menos cauteloso, assim como às vezes seu orgulho em sua força levava à imprudência. Qualquer que fosse o motivo, Tarzan permaneceu completamente alheio ao pequeno grupo de bandidos vilões por perto. Eles estavam prontos para matá-lo por suas armas insignificantes, ou por nada.

Original English

The combination of ravenous hunger with the opportunity to satisfy it may have placed caution in abeyance as, oftentimes, a certain recklessness born of pride in his might did; but, be that as it may, the fact remains that Tarzan was wholly ignorant of the presence of that little knot of villainous bandits who were quite prepared to kill him, or anyone else, for a few poor weapons or for nothing at all.

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Português

As razões que levaram Tarzan para o norte, em direção a Kaffa, não fazem parte desta história. Talvez elas não fossem urgentes, pois o Senhor da Selva gosta de viajar por áreas remotas e selvagens, intocadas pela civilização, e precisa apenas de uma pequena desculpa para fazê-lo. Ainda ávido por aventura, pode ser que o vasto território semi-selvagem da Abissínia o tenha atraído com seu interior misterioso e os segredos antigos que guardou por séculos.

Original English

The circumstances that brought Tarzan northward into Kaffa are not a part of this story. Perhaps they were not urgent, for the Lord of the Jungle loves to roam remote fastnesses still unspoiled by the devastating hand of civilization and needs but trifling incentive to do so. Still unsated with adventure, it may be that Abyssinia's three hundred fifty thousand square miles of semi-savagery held an irresistible lure for him in their suggestion of mysterious back country and in the ethnological secrets they have guarded from time immemorial.

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Português

Andarilhos, aventureiros, exilados, soldados gregos e legiões romanas entraram todos na Abissínia ao longo da história e da lenda, nunca mais sendo vistos. Alguns até acreditam que esta terra guarda o segredo das tribos perdidas de Israel. Que maravilhas e aventuras, então, seus cantos remotos poderiam revelar?

Original English

Wanderer, adventurer, outcast, Greek phalanx, and Roman legion, all have entered Abyssinia within times chronicled in history or legend never to reappear; and it is even believed by some that she holds the secret of the lost tribes of Israel. What wonders, then, what adventures, might not her remote corners reveal!

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Português

Naquele momento, no entanto, a mente de Tarzan não estava em aventura; ele não percebia que o perigo se aproximava por trás. Seu foco estava inteiramente no veado que pretendia capturar para satisfazer sua fome. Ele se moveu cautelosamente, perseguindo mais silenciosamente do que até mesmo o leopardo Sheeta.

Original English

At the moment, however, Tarzan's mind was not occupied by thoughts of adventure; he did not know that it loomed threateningly behind him; his concern and his interest were centered upon the buck which he intended should satisfy the craving of his ravenous hunger. He crept cautiously forward. Than he, not even Sheeta, the leopard, stalks more silently or more stealthily.

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Português

Por trás, os shiftas de vestes brancas desceram da pequena elevação onde o observavam em silêncio, movendo-se em sua direção com lanças e mosquetes de cano longo. Eles estavam intrigados; nunca tinham visto um homem branco como aquele antes. Mas embora a curiosidade estivesse em suas mentes, apenas o assassinato estava em seus corações.

Original English

From behind, the white-robed shiftas moved from the little rise where they had been watching him in silence, moved down toward him with spear and long-barreled matchlock. They were puzzled. Never before had they seen a white man like this one; but if curiosity were in their minds, there was only murder in their hearts.

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Português

O cervo ocasionalmente erguia a cabeça para olhar ao redor, cauteloso e desconfiado; sempre que fazia isso, Tarzan congelava completamente. De repente, o olhar do animal fixou-se em algo atrás do homem-macaco, então ele se virou e fugiu. Tarzan imediatamente olhou para trás, sabendo que não havia assustado o cervo — algo além dele o fizera. Esse olhar rápido revelou meia dúzia de cavaleiros movendo-se lentamente em sua direção. Ele os reconheceu como shiftas e entendeu seu propósito: eles vinham apenas para roubar e matar, inimigos mais impiedosos do que o leão Numa.

Original English

The buck raised his head occasionally to glance about him, wary, suspicious; and when he did so, Tarzan froze into immobility. Suddenly the animal's gaze centered for an instant upon something in the direction of the ape-man; then it wheeled and bounded away. Instantly Tarzan glanced behind him, for he knew that it had not been he who had frightened his quarry but something beyond and behind him that the alert eyes of Wappi had discovered; and that quick glance revealed a half dozen horsemen moving slowly toward him, told him what they were, and explained their purpose; for, knowing that they were shiftas, he knew that they came only to rob and kill—knew that here were enemies more ruthless than Numa.

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Português

Quando os cavaleiros perceberam que Tarzan os havia visto, esporearam seus cavalos a galope e investiram contra ele, brandindo suas armas e gritando. Eles não atiraram, evidentemente menosprezando este oponente primitivo, e pareciam decididos a atropelá-lo ou empalá-lo em suas lanças. Talvez esperassem que ele fugisse, o que tornaria a caçada mais emocionante, pois que presa poderia oferecer maior excitação do que um homem?

Original English

When they saw that he had discovered them, the horsemen broke into a gallop and bore down upon him, waving their weapons and shouting. They did not fire, evidently holding in contempt this primitively armed victim, but seemed to purpose riding him down and trampling him beneath the hoofs of their horses or impaling him upon their spears. Perhaps they thought that he would seek safety in flight, thereby giving them the added thrill of the chase; and what quarry could give the hunter greater thrills than man.

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Português

Mas Tarzan não fugiu. Ele conhecia todas as possíveis rotas de fuga à vista para qualquer perigo que pudesse enfrentar ali, pois é o modo das criaturas selvagens saberem tais coisas se quiserem sobreviver, e assim ele entendeu que não havia escapatória dos homens montados correndo. No entanto, esse conhecimento não o apavorou. Se a fuga tivesse sido a melhor forma de se preservar, ele teria corrido; mas como não era, ele aceitou calmamente a alternativa: ficou para lutar, pronto para aproveitar qualquer chance que pudesse oferecer uma escapatória.

Original English

But Tarzan did not turn and run. He knew every possible avenue of escape within the radius of his vision for every danger that might reasonably be expected to confront him here, for it is the business of the creatures of the wild to know these things if they are to survive, and so he knew that there was no escape from mounted men by flight. But this knowledge threw him into no panic. Could the requirements of self-preservation have been best achieved by flight, he would have fled; but as they could not, he adopted the alternative quite as a matter of course—he stood to fight, ready to seize upon any fortuitous circumstance that might offer a chance of escape.

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Português

Alto e magnificamente proporcionado, seus músculos moldados mais como os de Apolo do que os de Hércules, vestido apenas com uma estreita tanga de pele de leão com uma cauda de leão pendurada na frente e atrás, ele apresentava uma figura esplêndida de masculinidade primitiva que sugeria um semideus da floresta mais do que um simples homem. Nas costas pendia sua aljava de flechas e uma lança leve e curta; as voltas soltas de sua corda de capim repousavam sobre um ombro bronzeado; no quadril balançava a faca de caça de seu pai, a própria lâmina que havia primeiro sugerido a iminente supremacia do menino Tarzan sobre as outras feras da selva, muito tempo atrás, quando sua mão jovem a cravou no coração de Bolgani, o gorila. Em sua mão esquerda segurava seu arco, e entre os dedos, quatro flechas extras.

Original English

Tall, magnificently proportioned, muscled more like Apollo than like Hercules, garbed only in a narrow G string of lion skin with a lion's tail depending before and behind, he presented a splendid figure of primitive manhood that suggested more, perhaps, the demigod of the forest than it did man. Across his back hung his quiver of arrows and a light, short spear; the loose coils of his grass rope lay across one bronzed shoulder; at his hip swung the hunting knife of his father, the knife that had given the boy-Tarzan the first suggestion of his coming supremacy over the other beasts of the jungle on that far gone day when his youthful hand drove it into the heart of Bolgani, the gorilla; in his left hand was his bow and between the fingers four extra arrows.

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Português

Tarzan era tão rápido quanto um relâmpago. No instante em que descobriu e reconheceu o perigo se aproximando por trás e soube que os cavaleiros o haviam visto, ele saltou sobre seus pés e armou seu arco. Agora, talvez antes mesmo que os principais shiftas percebessem o perigo que enfrentavam, o arco foi curvado e a flecha disparou.

Original English

As Ara, the lightning, so is Tarzan for swiftness. The instant that he had discovered and recognized the menace creeping upon him from behind and known that he had been seen by the horsemen he had leaped to his feet, and in the same instant strung his bow. Now, perhaps even before the leading shiftas realized the danger that confronted them, the bow was bent, the shaft sped.

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Português

O arco do homem-macaco era curto, mas poderoso: curto para que pudesse ser facilmente carregado pela floresta e pela selva, poderoso para que suas flechas pudessem perfurar a pele mais resistente até atingir um órgão vital. Tal era este arco que nenhum homem comum conseguia curvá-lo.

Original English

Short but powerful was the bow of the ape-man; short, that it might be easily carried through the forest and the jungle; powerful, that it might send its shafts through the toughest hide to a vital organ of its prey. Such a bow was this that no ordinary man might bend it.

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Português

A primeira flecha atingiu o líder shifta direto no coração. Enquanto ele erguia os braços e caía da sela, Tarzan disparou mais quatro flechas com velocidade relâmpago, cada uma atingindo seu alvo. Mais um shifta foi morto, e três ficaram feridos.

Original English

Straight through the heart of the leading shifta drove the first arrow, and as the fellow threw his arms above his head and lunged from his saddle four more arrows sped with lightning-like rapidity from the bow of the ape-man, and every arrow found a target. Another shifta dropped to ride no more, and three were wounded.

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Português

Apenas segundos haviam passado desde que Tarzan percebeu o perigo, e os quatro cavaleiros restantes já estavam sobre ele. Os três atacantes feridos estavam mais preocupados com as flechas cravadas em seus corpos do que com a presa que esperavam derrotar facilmente. Mas o quarto, ileso, investiu contra Tarzan com sua lança apontada para o peito bronzeado do homem-macaco.

Original English

Only seconds had elapsed since Tarzan had discovered his danger, and already the four remaining horsemen were upon him. The three who were wounded were more interested in the feathered shafts protruding from their bodies than in the quarry they had expected so easily to overcome; but the fourth was whole, and he thundered down upon the ape-man with his spear set for the great bronzed chest.

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Português

Tarzan não podia recuar ou desviar sem se expor a outro cavaleiro. Ele tinha apenas uma tênue esperança de sobrevivência. Com a velocidade, força e agilidade que o definiam, ele passou a corda do arco em volta do pescoço após seu último disparo, desviou a ponta da lança, agarrou o braço do homem e pulou para a garupa do cavalo atrás do cavaleiro.

Original English

There could be no retreat for Tarzan; there could be no side-stepping to avoid the thrust, for a step to either side would have carried him in front of one of the other horsemen. He had but a single slender hope for survival, and that hope, forlorn though it appeared, he seized upon with the celerity, strength, and agility that make Tarzan Tarzan. Slipping his bowstring about his neck after his final shot, he struck up the point of the menacing weapon of his antagonist, and grasping the man's arm swung himself to the horse's back behind the rider.

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Português

Com dedos de aço fechando-se em volta da garganta do shifta, o homem gritou. Tarzan enfiou sua faca sob a omoplata esquerda e jogou o corpo para fora da sela. O cavalo assustado, com rédeas soltas, atravessou arbustos e juncos até o rio. Os shiftas restantes, feridos, desistiram da perseguição, embora um deles tenha disparado seu mosquete contra Tarzan em fuga.

Original English

As steel-thewed fingers closed upon the shifta's throat he voiced a single piercing scream; then a knife drove home beneath his left shoulder blade, and Tarzan hurled the body from the saddle. The terrified horse, running free with flying reins, tore through the bushes and the reeds into the river, while the remaining shiftas, disabled by their wounds, were glad to abandon the chase upon the bank, though one of them, retaining more vitality than his companions, did raise his matchlock and send a parting shot after the escaping quarry.

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Português

O rio era estreito e lento, mas fundo no canal. Quando o cavalo mergulhou, Tarzan notou movimento alguns metros rio abaixo — o corpo longo e sinuoso de Gimla, o crocodilo, movendo-se rapidamente em direção a eles. O cavalo também o viu e, frenético, virou rio acima. Tarzan subiu sobre a sela, desembainhou sua lança e esperou manter o réptil afastado até que o cavalo pudesse alcançar a margem oposta.

Original English

The river was a narrow, sluggish stream but deep in the channel; and as the horse plunged into it, Tarzan saw a commotion in the water a few yards downstream and then the outline of a long, sinuous body moving swiftly toward them. It was Gimla, the crocodile. The horse saw it too and, becoming frantic, turned upstream in an effort to escape. Tarzan climbed over the high cantle of the Abyssinian saddle and unslung his spear in the rather futile hope of holding the reptile at bay until his mount could reach the safety of the opposite bank toward which he was now attempting to guide him.

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Português

Gimla era tão rápido quanto estava faminto. Ele já havia alcançado o lombo do cavalo com a boca aberta quando o bandido na margem do rio atirou desesperadamente em Tarzan. Foi sorte para Tarzan que o homem ferido atirou rapidamente, porque no mesmo instante em que o tiro foi disparado, o crocodilo mergulhou. O movimento violento da água mostrou que o crocodilo havia sido mortalmente ferido.

Original English

Gimla is as swift as he is voracious. He was already at the horse's rump, with opened jaws, when the shifta at the river's edge fired wildly at the ape-man. It was well for Tarzan that the wounded man had fired hurriedly; for simultaneously with the report of the firearm, the crocodile dove; and the frenzied lashing of the water about him evidenced the fact that he had been mortally wounded.

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Português

Pouco depois, o cavalo de Tarzan alcançou a margem oposta e subiu para o chão seco. Recuperando o controle, o homem-macaco girou o cavalo e disparou uma flecha em direção aos bandidos furiosos que ainda gritavam da outra margem. A flecha atingiu o homem já ferido que, sem querer, havia resgatado Tarzan de uma situação perigosa ao disparar o tiro que deveria matá-lo.

Original English

A moment later the horse that Tarzan rode reached the opposite bank and clambered to the safety of dry land. Now he was under control again; and the ape-man wheeled him about and sent a parting arrow across the river toward the angry, cursing bandits upon the opposite side, an arrow that found its mark in the thigh of the already wounded man who had unwittingly rescued Tarzan from a serious situation with the shot that had been intended to kill him.

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Português

Enquanto alguns tiros selvagens e dispersos ecoavam, Tarzan dos Macacos galopou em direção a uma floresta próxima e desapareceu da vista dos shiftas irritados.

Original English

To the accompaniment of a few wild and scattered shots, Tarzan of the Apes galloped toward a nearby forest into which he disappeared from the sight of the angry shiftas.

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The White Prisoner

Português

Ao sul, um leão se levantou de sua presa e caminhou majestosamente até a margem de um rio próximo. Ignorou o círculo de hienas e chacais que esperavam sua partida, os quais se dispersaram quando ele se levantou. Mesmo quando eles se precipitaram para devorar os restos, o leão agiu como se não os visse.

Original English

Far to the south a lion rose from his kill and walked majestically to the edge of a nearby river. He cast not so much as a single glance at the circle of hyenas and jackals that had ringed him and his kill waiting for him to depart and which had broken and retreated as he rose. Nor, when the hyenas rushed in to tear at what he had left, did he appear even to see them.

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Português

Esta poderosa besta carregava-se com orgulho e postura reais. Suas características impressionantes incluíam um tamanho grande, uma pelagem amarela quase dourada e uma grande juba negra. Depois de beber o suficiente, ergueu sua cabeça massiva e soltou um rugido, como os leões costumam fazer após comer e beber. A terra tremeu com sua voz trovejante, e o silêncio caiu sobre a selva.

Original English

There were the pride and bearing of royalty in the mien of this mighty beast; and to add to his impressiveness were his great size, his yellow, almost golden, coat, and his great black mane. When he had drunk his fill, he lifted his massive head and voiced a roar, as is the habit of lions when they have fed and drunk; and the earth shook to his thunderous voice, and a hush fell upon the jungle.

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Português

Em vez de procurar seu covil para dormir e caçar depois, Tarzan fez algo inesperado para um leão. Ele levantou a cabeça e farejou o ar, depois colocou o nariz no chão e moveu-se para frente e para trás como um cão de caça. Finalmente, parou, deu um rugido baixo e, com a cabeça erguida, moveu-se para o norte ao longo de uma trilha. As hienas e os chacais ficaram contentes em vê-lo partir, e Ska, o abutre, que circulava acima, desejou que todos fossem embora.

Original English

Now he should have sought his lair and slept, to go forth again at night and kill; but he did not do so. He did not do at all what might have been expected of a lion under similar circumstances. He raised his head and sniffed the air, and then he put his nose to the ground and moved to and fro like a hunting dog searching for a game scent. Finally he halted and voiced a low roar; then, with head raised, he moved off along a trail that led toward the north. The hyenas were glad to see him go; so were the jackals, who wished that the hyenas would go also. Ska, the vulture, circling above, wished that they would all leave.

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Português

Na mesma época, muitas marchas ao norte, três shiftas feridos e furiosos olharam para seus camaradas mortos e amaldiçoaram o destino que os levara à trilha do estranho gigante branco. Eles tiraram as roupas e armas de seus companheiros mortos e foram embora a cavalo, prometendo vingança em voz alta se algum dia encontrassem aquele que os derrotara, mas secretamente esperando que isso nunca acontecesse. Eles pensaram que tinham se livrado dele, mas não estavam.

Original English

At about the same time, many marches to the north, three angry, wounded shiftas viewed their dead comrades and cursed the fate that had led them upon the trail of the strange white giant; then they stripped the clothing and weapons from their dead fellows and rode away, loudly vowing vengeance should they ever again come upon the author of their discomfiture and secretly hoping that they never would. They hoped that they were done with him, but they were not.

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Português

Pouco depois de entrar na floresta, Tarzan pulou para um galho saliente e deixou seu cavalo seguir seu caminho. O homem-macaco estava irritado porque os shiftas tinham espantado seu jantar. A tentativa deles de matá-lo o incomodou menos do que o fato de terem arruinado sua caçada. Agora ele tinha que começar a procurar carne novamente, mas assim que enchesse a barriga, investigaria a questão dos shiftas — disso ele tinha certeza.

Original English

Shortly after he had entered the forest, Tarzan swung to an overhanging branch beneath which his mount was passing and let the animal go its way. The ape-man was angry; the shiftas had frightened away his dinner. That they had sought to kill him annoyed him far less than the fact that they had spoiled his hunting. Now he must commence his search for meat all over again, but when he had filled his belly he would look into this matter of shiftas. Of this he was certain.

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Português

Tarzan considerou comer o cavalo do bandido, mas decidiu não fazê-lo. No passado, ele tinha sido forçado a comer carne de cavalo e não gostou. Embora estivesse com fome, estava longe de estar faminto, então preferiu caçar novamente por uma carne mais saborosa. Não demorou muito para ele fazer sua caça e comer.

Original English

Tarzan had considered the gastronomic potentialities of the bandit's horse, but had discarded the idea. On several occasions in the past he had been forced to eat horse meat, but he had not liked it. Although he was hungry, he was far from famished; and so he preferred to hunt again until he found flesh more palatable, nor was it long before he had made his kill and eaten.

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Português

Satisfeito, ele descansou por um tempo na forquilha de uma árvore, mas não por muito tempo. Sua mente ativa estava considerando os shiftas. Isso era algo que ele deveria investigar. Se o bando estava em movimento, ele não precisava se preocupar, mas se estivessem permanentemente localizados no distrito, era diferente. Tarzan esperava ficar ali por algum tempo, então era prudente conhecer a natureza, o número e a localização de todos os inimigos. Além disso, ele sentia que não podia deixá-los escapar sem punição adicional pelo inconveniente que lhe haviam causado.

Original English

Satisfied, he lay up for a while in the crotch of a tree, but not for long. His active mind was considering the matter of the shiftas. Here was something that should be looked into. If the band were on the march, he need not concern himself about them; but if they were permanently located in this district, that was a different matter; for Tarzan expected to be here for some time; and it was well to know the nature, the number, and the location of all enemies. Furthermore, he felt that he could not let them escape without some additional punishment for the inconvenience they had caused him.

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Português

Depois de retornar ao rio e atravessá-lo, Tarzan começou a seguir a trilha facilmente localizável deixada pelos shiftas. O caminho serpenteava para cima e para baixo sobre colinas baixas antes de descer até um vale estreito, por onde fluía um riacho. O fundo do vale era arborizado, e o rio serpenteava entre as árvores. A trilha levava diretamente para essa floresta.

Original English

Returning to the river, Tarzan crossed it and took up the plain trail of the shiftas. It led him up and down across some low hills and then down into the narrow valley of the stream that he had crossed farther up. Here the floor of the valley was forested, the river winding through the wood. Into this wood the trail led.

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Português

A essa altura já estava quase completamente escuro, enquanto o breve crepúsculo equatorial dava lugar à noite. A floresta e as colinas ganhavam vida com criaturas noturnas, e das sombras cada vez mais profundas do vale vinham os grunhidos de um leão caçador. Tarzan farejou o ar quente que subia do vale em direção às montanhas; ele carregava os odores de um acampamento e o cheiro de humanos. Ele ergueu a cabeça e soltou um rugido gutural de seu peito profundo. Tarzan dos Macacos também estava caçando.

Original English

It was almost dark now; the brief equatorial twilight was rapidly fading into night; the nocturnal life of the forest and the hills was awakening; from down among the deepening shadows of the valley came the coughing grunts of a hunting lion. Tarzan sniffed the warm air rising from the valley toward the mountains; it carried with it the odors of a camp and the scent spoor of man. He raised his head, and from his deep chest rumbled a full-throated roar. Tarzan of the Apes was hunting too.

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Português

Na escuridão crescente, ele ficou ereto e silencioso, uma figura solitária na encosta deserta. A noite silenciosa rapidamente o envolveu, mesclando sua forma com a escuridão que unia colina, vale, rio e floresta. Só então Tarzan se moveu, descendo silenciosamente em direção à floresta. Agora todos os sentidos estavam alertas, pois os grandes felinos estariam caçando. Suas narinas sensíveis tremiam enquanto vasculhavam o ar, e nenhum som escapava de seus ouvidos aguçados.

Original English

In the gathering shadows he stood then erect and silent, a lonely figure standing in solitary grandeur upon that desolate hillside. Swiftly the silent night enveloped him; his figure merged with the darkness that made hill and valley, river and forest one. Not until then did Tarzan move; then he stepped down on silent feet toward the forest. Now was every sense alert, for now the great cats would be hunting. Often his sensitive nostrils quivered as they searched the air; no slightest sound escaped his keen ears.

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Português

Enquanto avançava, o cheiro humano ficou mais forte, guiando seus passos. A tosse profunda do leão soou mais perto, mas Tarzan tinha pouco medo de Numa naquele momento, sabendo que o grande felino estava a favor do vento e não poderia detectar sua presença. Numa pode ter ouvido o rugido do homem-macaco, mas não podia saber que aquele que o fez estava se aproximando.

Original English

As he advanced, the man scent became stronger, guiding his steps. Nearer and nearer sounded the deep cough of the lion; but of Numa Tarzan had little fear at present, knowing that the great cat, being up wind, could not be aware of his presence. Doubtless Numa had heard the ape-man's roar, but he could not know that its author was approaching him.

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Português

Tarzan calculou a distância do leão pelo vale e a distância até a floresta, e acreditou que alcançaria as árvores antes que seus caminhos se cruzassem. Ele não estava caçando Numa, e com a cautela natural de um animal selvagem, evitaria um encontro. Também não estava caçando por comida, pois sua barriga estava cheia. Em vez disso, ele caçava o homem, o grande inimigo de todas as criaturas.

Original English

Tarzan had estimated the lion's distance down the valley and the distance that lay between himself and the forest and had guessed that he would reach the trees before their paths crossed. He was not hunting for Numa, the lion, and with the natural caution of the wild beast, he would avoid an encounter. It was not food either that he hunted, for his belly was full, but man, the archenemy of all created things.

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Português

Tarzan achava difícil se ver como um homem; sua mentalidade era mais frequentemente a de um animal selvagem do que a de um humano, e ele não sentia orgulho de sua espécie. Embora reconhecesse a superioridade intelectual dos humanos sobre outros animais, ele os desprezava porque eles desperdiçaram a maior parte de suas vantagens naturais. Para Tarzan, a satisfação era a maior conquista, e a saúde e a cultura eram os principais caminhos para alcançá-la. Ele menosprezava a maioria das pessoas que careciam de um ou de ambos esses essenciais. Ele observava a ganância, o egoísmo, a covardia e a crueldade humanas, e acreditava que, dada sua suposta inteligência, essas características colocavam as pessoas em um nível espiritual inferior ao dos animais, impedindo-as para sempre de encontrar a satisfação.

Original English

It was difficult for Tarzan to think of himself as a man, and his psychology was more often that of the wild beast than the human, nor was he particularly proud of his species. While he appreciated the intellectual superiority of man over other creatures, he harbored contempt for him because he had wasted the greater part of his inheritance. To Tarzan, as to many other created things, contentment is the highest ultimate goal of achievement, and health and culture the principal avenues along which man may approach this goal. With scorn the ape-man viewed the overwhelming majority of mankind which was wanting in either one essential or the other, when not wanting in both. He saw the greed, the selfishness, the cowardice, and the cruelty of man; and, in view of man's vaunted mentality, he knew that these characteristics placed man upon a lower spiritual scale than the beasts, while barring him eternally from the goal of contentment.

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Português

Tarzan estava procurando o acampamento dos humanos, mas não se aproximou como alguém em busca de sua própria espécie. Em vez disso, aproximou-se como uma fera selvagem explorando a posição de um inimigo. Os cheiros misturados do acampamento ficaram mais fortes em seu nariz: cavalos, homens, comida e fumaça. Para uma pessoa comum perdida na selva à noite, ciente da proximidade de um leão caçador, esses cheiros teriam sido muito bem-vindos. Mas a reação de Tarzan foi a de um animal selvagem que só conhece os humanos como inimigos. Seus músculos se contraíram enquanto ele segurava um rosnado baixo.

Original English

So now, as he sought the lair of the man-things, it was not in the spirit of one who seeks his own kind but of a beast which reconnoiters the position of an enemy. The mingled odors of a camp grew stronger in his nostrils, the scents of horses and men and food and smoke. To you or to me, alone in a savage wilderness, engulfed in darkness, cognizant of the near approach of a hunting lion, these odors would have been most welcome; but Tarzan's reaction to them was that of the wild beast that knows man only as an enemy—his snarling muscles tensed as he smothered a low growl.

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Português

Quando Tarzan chegou à borda da floresta, o leão estava próximo à sua direita e se movendo em sua direção. O homem-macaco, portanto, subiu nas árvores, movendo-se silenciosamente pelos galhos em direção ao acampamento dos shiftas. Numa o ouviu e rugiu, fazendo com que os homens no acampamento jogassem mais lenha na fogueira para afastar a fera.

Original English

As Tarzan reached the edge of the forest the lion was but a short distance to his right and approaching; so the ape-man took to the trees, through which he swung silently toward the camp of the shiftas. Numa heard him then and roared, and the men in the camp threw more wood upon the beast fire.

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Português

Tarzan subiu em uma árvore que dava vista para o acampamento. Lá embaixo, ele observou um grupo de cerca de vinte homens com seus cavalos e suprimentos. Eles haviam construído uma barreira rústica de galhos e arbustos ao redor do acampamento para oferecer alguma proteção contra animais selvagens, mas pareciam confiar mais no fogo que queimava no centro do acampamento.

Original English

To a tree overlooking the camp, Tarzan made his way. Below him he saw a band of some twenty men with their horses and equipment. A rude boma of branches and brush had been erected about the camp site as a partial protection against wild beasts, but more dependence was evidently placed upon the fire which they kept burning in the center of the camp.

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Português

Com um único olhar rápido, Tarzan absorveu tudo lá embaixo. Então seus olhos se fixaram na única figura que despertou seu interesse ou curiosidade: um homem branco que estava amarrado com segurança a uma curta distância do fogo.

Original English

In a single quick glance the ape-man took in the details of the scene below him, and then his eyes came to rest upon the only one that aroused either interest or curiosity, a white man who lay securely bound a short distance from the fire.

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Português

Normalmente, Tarzan se importava pouco com o destino de qualquer humano, branco ou preto, a menos que fossem seus amigos. Ele valorizava mais a vida de um macaco do que a de um homem. No entanto, neste caso, duas coisas o fizeram se interessar pelo cativo. Primeiro, e provavelmente o mais importante, ele queria se vingar dos shiftas por tê-lo atacado e afugentado sua presa. Segundo, ele estava curioso porque o homem branco amarrado parecia diferente de qualquer um que ele já tinha visto, especialmente em suas roupas.

Original English

Ordinarily, Tarzan was no more concerned by the fate of a white man than by that of a black man or any other created thing to which he was not bound by ties of friendship; the life of a man meant less to Tarzan of the Apes than the life of an ape. But in this instance there were two factors that made the life of the captive a matter of interest to the lord of the jungle. First, and probably predominant, was his desire to be further avenged upon the shiftas for their wanton attack upon him, which had frightened away his intended kill; the second was curiosity, for the white man that lay bound below him was different from any that he had seen before, at least in so far as his apparel was concerned.

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Português

O homem parecia vestir apenas uma peça feita de discos de marfim sobrepostos, a menos que seus ornamentos nos tornozelos, pulsos, pescoço e cabeça fossem considerados roupas. Além disso, seus braços e pernas estavam nus. Sua cabeça estava no chão com o rosto virado, então Tarzan não conseguia ver suas feições, apenas que ele tinha cabelos grossos e pretos.

Original English

His only garment appeared to be a habergeon made up of ivory discs that partially overlay one another, unless certain ankle, wrist, neck, and head ornaments might have been considered to possess such utilitarian properties as to entitle them to a similar classification. Except for these, his arms and legs were naked. His head rested upon the ground with the face turned away from Tarzan so that the ape-man could not see his features but only that his hair was heavy and black.

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Português

Enquanto observava o acampamento e pensava em como irritar os bandidos, Tarzan decidiu que uma vingança justa seria pegar algo que eles queriam, assim como eles tinham pegado o veado que ele queria. Claramente, eles valorizavam muito o prisioneiro, então Tarzan escolheu roubá-lo. A curiosidade sobre as roupas estranhas do homem também influenciou sua decisão, pois ele queria saber mais sobre ele.

Original English

As he watched the camp, seeking for some suggestion as to how he might most annoy or inconvenience the bandits, it occurred to Tarzan that a just reprisal would consist in taking from them something that they wanted, just as they had deprived him of the buck he had desired. Evidently they wished the prisoner very much or they would not have gone to the trouble of securing him so carefully; so this fact decided Tarzan to steal the white man from them. Perhaps curiosity also had a considerable part in inducing this decision, for the strange apparel of the prisoner had aroused within the ape-man a desire to know more concerning him.

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Português

Para realizar seu plano, Tarzan decidiu esperar até que o acampamento dormisse. Ele se acomodou confortavelmente na bifurcação de uma árvore e se preparou para observar com a paciência de uma fera caçadora. Ele observou vários shiftas tentando falar com seu prisioneiro, mas ficou claro que nenhum entendia o outro.

Original English

To accomplish his design, he decided to wait until the camp slept; and settling himself comfortably in a crotch of the tree, he prepared to keep his vigil with the tireless patience of the hunting beast he was. As he watched, he saw several of the shiftas attempting to communicate with their prisoner; but it was evident that neither understood the other.

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Português

Tarzan conhecia as línguas dos Kafichos e Gallas. As perguntas que faziam ao prisioneiro o deixaram ainda mais curioso. Eles perguntaram de muitas maneiras diferentes, em vários dialetos e com sinais. O cativo ou não entendia ou fingia não entender. Tarzan suspeitou que ele estava fingindo, porque os sinais eram muito claros. Eles estavam pedindo direções para um lugar com muito marfim e ouro, mas não receberam nenhuma informação dele.

Original English

Tarzan was familiar with the language spoken by the Kafichos and Gallas, and the questions that they put to their prisoner aroused his curiosity still further. There was one question that they asked him in many different ways, in several dialects, and in signs which the captive either did not understand or pretended not to. Tarzan was inclined to believe that the latter was true, for the sign language was such that it could scarcely be misunderstood. They were asking him the way to a place where there was much ivory and gold, but they got no information from him.

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Português

Um dos shiftas rosnou que o porco claramente entendia suas palavras e estava apenas fingindo ignorância.

Original English

"The pig understands us well enough," growled one of the shiftas; "he is just pretending that he does not."

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Português

Outro homem perguntou qual era o sentido de carregá-lo por aí e alimentá-lo se ele não falasse. Ele propôs que poderiam muito bem matá-lo agora.

Original English

"If he won't tell us, what is the use of carrying him around with us and feeding him?" demanded another. "We might as well kill him now."

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Português

O líder respondeu que eles o deixariam pensar sobre isso naquela noite. Ele acrescentou que, se ele ainda se recusasse a falar de manhã, eles o matariam então.

Original English

"We will let him think it over tonight," replied one who was evidently the leader, "and if he still refuses to speak in the morning, we will kill him then."

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Português

Eles comunicaram sua decisão ao prisioneiro usando tanto palavras quanto gestos. Então se reuniram ao redor do fogo para discutir os acontecimentos do dia e seus planos futuros. O tópico principal era o estranho gigante branco que havia matado três de seus homens e escapado montado em um de seus cavalos. Após um debate minucioso, durante o qual os três sobreviventes cada um se vangloriou de sua bravura, eles se retiraram para os abrigos rústicos que haviam construído. Deixaram Tarzan, Numa e um único guarda para vigiar durante a noite.

Original English

This decision they attempted to transmit to the prisoner both by words and signs, and then they squatted about the fire and discussed the occurrences of the day and their plans for the future. The principal topic of their conversation was the strange white giant who had slain three of their number and escaped upon one of their horses; and after this had been debated thoroughly and in detail for some time, and the three survivors of the encounter had boasted severally of their deeds of valor, they withdrew to the rude shelters they had constructed and left the night to Tarzan, Numa, and a single sentry.

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Português

O observador silencioso nas sombras da árvore esperou pacientemente até que o acampamento estivesse profundamente adormecido. Enquanto esperava, ele planejou como roubar o prisioneiro dos shiftas e satisfazer seu próprio desejo de vingança. Enquanto aguardava, o forte cheiro de Numa, o leão, chegou ao seu nariz; ele adivinhou que o leão, atraído pelos cavalos, estava vindo investigar o acampamento. Ele duvidou que o leão entrasse, porque o sentinela mantinha o fogo aceso, e Numa raramente ousa enfrentar o mistério das chamas a menos que seja levado pela fome extrema.

Original English

The silent watcher among the shadows of the tree waited on in patience until the camp should be sunk in deepest slumber and, waiting, planned the stroke that was to rob the shiftas of their prey and satisfy his own desire for revenge. As he patiently bided his time, there came strongly to his nostrils the scent spoor of Numa, the lion; and he guessed that the carnivore, attracted by the presence of the horses, was coming to investigate the camp. That he would enter it, he doubted, for the sentry was keeping the fire blazing brightly; and Numa seldom dares the fearful mystery of flames unless goaded by extreme hunger.

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Português

Finalmente, o homem-macaco decidiu que chegara o momento de colocar seu plano em ação. Todos, exceto o sentinela, estavam dormindo, e até ele começava a cochilar junto ao fogo. Tarzan desceu da árvore tão silenciosamente quanto a sombra de uma sombra, permanecendo na sombra projetada pelo fogo.

Original English

At last the ape-man felt that the time had come when he might translate his plan into action; all but the sentry were wrapped in slumber, and even he was dozing beside the fire. As noiselessly as the shadow of a shadow Tarzan descended from the tree, keeping well in the shadow cast by the beast fire.

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Português

Tarzan ficou parado por um momento, ouvindo atentamente. Da escuridão além da luz da fogueira, ele conseguia ouvir a respiração de Numa, o leão, e entendeu que o rei dos animais estava por perto, observando. Espreitando de trás do grande tronco de árvore, notou que o sentinela ainda estava de costas. Sem fazer barulho, ele saiu para o espaço aberto e rastejou furtivamente em direção ao bandido desprevenido. Viu o mosquete apoiado nos joelhos do homem; como qualquer animal da selva caçado, ele tinha um respeito saudável por ele.

Original English

For a moment he stood in silence, listening. He heard the breathing of Numa in the darkness beyond the circle of firelight, and knew that the king of beasts was near and watching. Then he looked from behind the great bole of the tree and saw that the sentry's back was still turned toward him. Silently he moved into the open; stealthily, on soundless feet, he crept toward the unsuspecting bandit. He saw the matchlock across the fellow's knees; and for it he had respect, as have all jungle animals that have been hunted.

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Português

Tarzan aproximou-se cada vez mais de seu alvo. Por fim, agachou-se diretamente atrás dele, sabendo que não podia fazer nenhum barulho ou grito. Ele esperou. Além do brilho do fogo, Numa também esperava, observando as chamas diminuírem lentamente. De repente, a mão bronzeada de Tarzan disparou para frente, seus dedos de aço agarrando a garganta morena do sentinela no mesmo instante em que uma faca penetrou em seu coração por baixo da omoplata esquerda. O sentinela morreu sem qualquer consciência da ameaça, uma morte misericordiosa.

Original English

Closer and closer he came to his prey. At last he crouched directly behind him. There must be no noise, no outcry. Tarzan waited. Beyond the rim of fire waited Numa, expectant, for he saw that very gradually the flames were diminishing. A bronzed hand shot quickly forward, fingers of steel gripped the brown throat of the sentry almost at the instant that a knife was driven from below his left shoulder blade into his heart. The sentry was dead without knowing that death threatened him, a merciful ending.

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Português

Tarzan puxou a faca do corpo sem vida e limpou a lâmina na túnica outrora branca da vítima. Então, moveu-se silenciosamente em direção ao prisioneiro, que estava deitado ao ar livre, já que nenhum abrigo havia sido construído para ele. No caminho, Tarzan passou perto de dois abrigos onde outros membros da gangue dormiam, mas não fez barulho que pudesse acordá-los. Ao se aproximar do cativo, ele viu, na luz bruxuleante do fogo, que os olhos do homem estavam abertos e que ele observava Tarzan com um olhar firme, porém questionador. Tarzan colocou um dedo sobre os lábios para pedir silêncio, então ajoelhou-se ao lado do homem e cortou as tiras que prendiam seus pulsos e tornozelos. Depois, ajudou o homem a se levantar, porque as tiras estavam bem apertadas e suas pernas estavam dormentes.

Original English

Tarzan withdrew the knife from the limp body and wiped the blade upon the once white robe of his victim; then he moved softly toward the prisoner who was lying in the open. For him, they had not bothered to build a shelter. As he made his way toward the man, Tarzan passed close to two of the shelters in which lay members of the band; but he made no noise that might awaken them. When he approached the captive more closely, he saw in the diminishing light of the fire that the man's eyes were open and that he was regarding Tarzan with level, though questioning, gaze. The ape-man put a finger to his lips to enjoin silence, and then he came and knelt beside the man and cut the thongs that secured his wrists and ankles; then he helped him to his feet, for the thongs had been drawn tightly, and his legs were numb.

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Português

Tarzan esperou brevemente enquanto o estranho tentava restaurar a sensibilidade nas pernas movendo-as rapidamente. Em seguida, fez sinal para o homem segui-lo, e tudo teria corrido bem, não fosse por Numa, o leão. Naquele momento, seja para expressar sua raiva contra as chamas ou para assustar os cavalos a ponto de causar pânico, o leão escolheu rugir de forma estrondosa.

Original English

For a moment he waited while the stranger tested his feet and moved them rapidly in an effort to restore circulation; then he beckoned him to follow, and all would have been well but for Numa, the lion. At this moment, either to voice his anger against the flames or to terrify the horses into a stampede, he elected to voice a thunderous roar.

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Português

O leão estava tão perto que o súbito estrondo de seu rugido quebrou o profundo silêncio da noite, despertando todos os dorminhocos. Uma dúzia de homens pegou seus mosquetes e correu de seus abrigos. Na luz moribunda do fogo, eles não viram leão algum, mas viram o cativo que haviam libertado e Tarzan ao lado dele.

Original English

So close was the lion that the sudden shattering of the deep silence of the night startled every sleeper to wakefulness. A dozen men seized their matchlocks and leaped from their shelters. In the waning light of the fire they saw no lion; but they saw their liberated captive, and they saw Tarzan of the Apes standing beside him.

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Português

Entre aqueles que correram dos abrigos estava o menos gravemente ferido das vítimas de Tarzan da tarde. Ele reconheceu instantaneamente o gigante branco bronzeado e gritou aos seus companheiros que era o demônio branco que havia matado seus amigos.

Original English

Among those who ran from the shelters was the least seriously wounded of Tarzan's victims of the afternoon. Instantly recognizing the bronzed white giant, he shouted loudly to his companions, "It is he! It is the white demon who killed our friends today."

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Português

Outro homem gritou para matá-lo.

Original English

"Kill him!" screamed another.

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Português

O líder dos shiftas ordenou que matassem ambos.

Original English

"Kill them both!" cried the leader of the shiftas.

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Português

Cercando completamente os dois homens brancos, os shiftas avançaram, mas não ousaram atirar com medo de ferir seus próprios companheiros. Tarzan também não pôde soltar uma flecha ou lançar uma lança, tendo deixado todas as suas armas, exceto sua corda e faca, escondidas em uma árvore acima do acampamento para se mover com total liberdade e silêncio enquanto libertava o cativo.

Original English

Completely surrounding the two white men, the shiftas advanced upon them; but they dared not fire because of fear that they might wound one of their own comrades. Nor could Tarzan loose an arrow nor cast a spear, for he had left all his weapons except his rope and his knife hidden in the tree above the camp that he might move with the utmost freedom and in silence while seeking to liberate the captive.

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Português

Um bandido, mais corajoso mas talvez menos esperto que os outros, avançou com seu mosquete erguido. Isso provou ser sua ruína. Tarzan se agachou e rosnou como um animal, e quando o bandido se aproximou, ele atacou. Esquivou-se da coronha do mosquete que vinha em sua direção, depois agarrou a arma e a arrancou das mãos do shifta como se fosse um brinquedo de criança.

Original English

One of the bandits, more courageous, probably because less intelligent, than his fellows, rushed to close quarters with musket clubbed. It was his undoing. The man-beast crouched, growling; and, as the other was almost upon him, charged. The musket butt, hurtling through the air to strike him down, he dodged; and then he seized the weapon and wrenched it from the shifta's grasp as though it had been a toy in a child's hands.

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Português

Tarzan jogou o mosquete aos pés de seu companheiro, agarrou o audacioso Galla, virou-o e o usou como escudo contra as armas de seus camaradas. No entanto, apesar desse revés, os outros bandidos não mostraram sinais de desistir. Eles viram dois homens quase indefesos e, com gritos renovados, aproximaram-se.

Original English

Tossing the matchlock at the feet of his companion, Tarzan laid hold upon the rash Galla, spun him around, and held him as a shield against the weapons of his fellows. But despite this reverse the other shiftas gave no indication of giving up the battle. They saw before them two men practically defenseless, and now with redoubled shouts they pushed closer.

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Português

Dois bandidos avançaram atrás de Tarzan, de quem mais temiam. Mas logo descobriram que seu antigo prisioneiro não devia ser subestimado. Ele havia pegado o mosquete que Tarzan havia jogado fora e, segurando-o perto da boca do cano, usou-o como um porrete. A coronha pesada atingiu o primeiro bandido com força no lado da cabeça, derrubando-o como um boi caído. Quando ele balançou novamente, o segundo bandido pulou para trás bem a tempo de evitar o mesmo destino.

Original English

Two of them rushed in behind the ape-man, for it was he they feared the more; but they were to learn that their former prisoner might not be considered lightly. He had picked up the musket that Tarzan had cast aside and, grasping it close to the muzzle, was using it as a club. The heavy butt struck the foremost bandit heavily upon the side of the head, dropping him like a felled ox; and as it swung again, the second bandit leaped back barely in time to avoid a similar fate.

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Português

Uma rápida olhada para trás mostrou a Tarzan que seu amigo estava lutando bravamente. Mas estava claro que eles não conseguiriam resistir por muito tempo contra o grupo maior de inimigos. Tarzan acreditava que sua única esperança era fazer um ataque súbito e unido através da fina linha de atacantes ao redor deles. Ele tentou contar seu plano ao homem que estava de costas com ele, falando em inglês e várias línguas europeias, mas o homem respondeu apenas em uma língua que Tarzan nunca tinha ouvido antes.

Original English

A quick backward glance assured Tarzan that his companion was proving himself a worthy ally, but it was evident that they could not hope to hold out long against the superior numbers pitted against them. Their only hope, he believed, lay in making a sudden, concerted rush through the thin line of foemen surrounding them, and he sought to convey his plan to the man standing back to back with him; but though he spoke to him in English and in the several continental languages with which the ape-man was familiar the only reply he received was in a language that he himself had never before heard.

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Português

Tarzan se perguntou o que deveria fazer. Eles tinham que ir juntos, e ambos precisavam entender o que Tarzan pretendia. Mas como poderiam se comunicar se não tinham como falar? Tarzan se virou e tocou suavemente o ombro do outro, então apontou o polegar na direção que planejava ir e balançou a cabeça como um sinal para segui-lo.

Original English

What was he to do? They must go together, and both must understand the purpose animating Tarzan. But how was that possible if they could not communicate with one another? Tarzan turned and touched the other lightly on the shoulder; then he jerked his thumb in the direction he intended going and beckoned with a nod of his head.

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Português

O homem imediatamente entendeu a situação e se virou enquanto Tarzan começava sua investida, ainda segurando o shifta que se debatia. No entanto, os shiftas estavam determinados a não deixá-los escapar. Incapazes de atirar por medo de acertar seu companheiro, eles mantiveram sua posição com mosquetes empunhados e lanças. A perspectiva era sombria para o senhor da selva e seu companheiro.

Original English

Instantly the man nodded his understanding and wheeled about as Tarzan started to charge, still bearing the struggling shifta in his grasp; but the shiftas were determined not to let these two escape; and while they could not fire for fear of killing their comrade, they stood their ground with clubbed muskets and with spears; so that the outcome looked dark indeed for the lord of the jungle and his companion.

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Português

Usando o homem que segurava como um mangual, Tarzan tentou derrubar aqueles que bloqueavam seu caminho para a liberdade. Mas havia muitos, e logo conseguiram puxar seu companheiro das garras do homem-macaco. Agora, os dois brancos pareciam condenados, já que nada impedia os bandidos de usar seus mosquetes com eficácia. Os shiftas, enfurecidos, não queriam nada menos que a destruição total de seus inimigos. No entanto, Tarzan e seu companheiro investiram tão de perto que os mosquetes ficaram momentaneamente inúteis, embora alguns shiftas tenham recuado para conseguir um tiro limpo.

Original English

Using the man in his grasp as a flail, Tarzan sought to mow down those standing between him and liberty; but there were many of them, and presently they succeeded in dragging their comrade from the clutches of the ape-man. Now it seemed that the situation of the two whites was hopeless, for there was no longer anything to prevent the bandits using their matchlocks to advantage. The shiftas were in such a transport of rage that nothing less than the extermination of these two foes would satisfy them; but Tarzan and the other pressed on so closely that the muskets were useless against them for the moment; though presently some of the shiftas withdrew a little to one side where they might have free use of their weapons.

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Português

Um bandido, bem posicionado para atirar sem colocar seus companheiros em perigo, ergueu seu arcabuz ao ombro e mirou cuidadosamente em Tarzan.

Original English

One fellow in particular was well placed to fire without endangering any of his fellows, and raising his matchlock to his shoulder he took careful aim at Tarzan.

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Cats By Night

Português

Assim que o homem ergueu a arma para atirar em Tarzan, um de seus companheiros gritou um alerta, mas o grito foi abafado pelo rugido gutural de Numa, o leão, que saltou sobre a boma e invadiu o acampamento.

Original English

As the man raised his weapon to his shoulder to fire at Tarzan, a scream of warning burst from the lips of one of his comrades, to be drowned by the throaty roar of Numa, the lion, as the swift rush of his charge carried him over the boma into the midst of the camp.

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Português

O homem que estava prestes a matar Tarzan olhou para trás ao ouvir o grito de alerta e viu o leão. Em seu terror, ele deixou cair o rifle e gritou, sua voz se misturando ao rugido do leão. Desesperado para escapar do devorador de homens, ele correu diretamente para os braços do homem-macaco.

Original English

The man who would have killed Tarzan cast a quick backward glance as the warning cry apprised him of his danger; and when he saw the lion he cast away his rifle in his excitement and terror, his terrified scream mingled with the voice of Numa, and in his anxiety to escape the fangs of the man-eater he rushed into the arms of the ape-man.

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Português

O leão hesitou por um momento, confuso com a luz do fogo, o movimento repentino e os gritos dos homens. Aproveitando essa breve pausa, Tarzan agarrou o bandido que fugia, ergueu-o acima da cabeça e o jogou diretamente no caminho do leão. Enquanto a besta agarrava sua presa, Tarzan sinalizou para seu companheiro segui-lo. Eles correram para além do leão, pularam a cerca de boma no mesmo local que Numa havia usado e desapareceram nas sombras da noite antes que os bandidos pudessem se recuperar do choque.

Original English

The lion, momentarily confused by the firelight and the swift movement and the shouts of the men, paused, crouching, as he looked to right and left. In that brief instant Tarzan seized the fleeing shifta, lifted him high above his head, and hurled him into the face of Numa; then, as the lion seized its prey and its great jaws closed upon the head and shoulder of the hapless bandit, he motioned to his companion to follow him, and, running directly past the lion, leaped the boma at the very point that Numa had leaped it. Close at his heels was the white captive of the shiftas, and before the bandits had recovered from the first shock and surprise of the lion's unexpected charge the two had disappeared in the shadows of the night.

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Português

Logo após o acampamento, Tarzan deixou seu companheiro brevemente para subir em uma árvore e recuperar suas armas. Então ele liderou o caminho para fora do vale e em direção às colinas. O homem branco silencioso que ele havia resgatado dos bandidos Kaficho e Galla seguiu perto ao seu lado.

Original English

Just outside the camp Tarzan left his companion for a moment while he swung into the tree where he had left his weapons and recovered them; then he led the way out of the valley up into the hills. At his elbow trotted the silent white man he had rescued from certain death at the hands of the Kaficho and Galla bandits.

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Português

Durante o breve encontro no acampamento, Tarzan admirou a força, agilidade e coragem do estranho. Ele parecia a Tarzan um homem da mesma laia: calmo, engenhoso e corajoso. Mesmo em silêncio, irradiava uma personalidade que sugeria lealdade e confiabilidade. Embora Tarzan geralmente preferisse a solidão, ele não se desagradou de ter este homem como companheiro.

Original English

During the brief encounter in the camp Tarzan had noted with admiration the strength, agility, and courage of the stranger who had aroused both his interest and his curiosity. Here, seemingly, was a man moulded to the dimensions of Tarzan's own standards, a quiet, resourceful, courageous fighting man. Radiating that intangible aura which we call personality, even in his silences he impressed the ape-man with a conviction that loyalty and dependability were innate characteristics of the man; so Tarzan, who ordinarily preferred to be alone, was not displeased to have the companionship of this stranger.

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Português

A lua quase cheia nasceu sobre as montanhas escuras do leste, lançando uma luz suave sobre colinas, vales e florestas. Ela transformou a paisagem em um mundo novo e estranho, distinto tanto do dia quanto da noite sem lua — um reino de cinzas suaves e verdes prateados.

Original English

The moon, almost full, had risen above the black mountain mass to the east, shedding her soft light on hill and valley and forest, transforming the scene once more into that of a new world which was different from the world of daylight and from the world of moonless night, a world of strange greys and silvery greens.

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Português

Os dois homens se moveram tão silenciosamente quanto a sombra de uma nuvem passageira em direção à floresta que cobria as encostas superiores e descia até as ravinas. Mas sua aproximação não passou despercebida. Escondido na mata escura acima, o príncipe dos caçadores sentiu o cheiro deles carregado pelo vento.

Original English

Up toward a fringe of forest that clothed the upper slopes of the foothills and dipped down into canyon and ravine the two men moved as noiselessly as the passing shadow of a cloud, yet to one hidden in the dark recesses of the wood above, their approach was not unheralded, for on the breath of Usha, the wind, it was borne ahead of them to the cunning nostrils of the prince of hunters.

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Português

Sheeta, a pantera, estava com fome. Por vários dias, as presas tinham sido escassas e difíceis de capturar. Conforme os homens se aproximavam, o cheiro deles ficava mais forte em suas narinas. Era o puro cheiro de homem, não contaminado pelo odor odiado da arma que ele temia e detestava. Sheeta aguardava ansiosamente a chegada deles.

Original English

Sheeta, the panther, was hungry. For several days prey had been scarce and elusive. Now, in his nostrils, the scent of the man-things grew stronger as they drew nearer. It was the pure scent of man that came to him unvitiated by the hated odor of the flame-belching thunderstick that he feared and hated. Eagerly, Sheeta, the panther, awaited the coming of the men.

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Português

Tarzan procurou na floresta uma árvore adequada para passar a noite. Já tendo comido, ele não sentia fome. Se seu companheiro havia comido ou não, não era sua preocupação, pois a lei da selva ditava que Tarzan não caçaria para um homem forte e capaz que pudesse se sustentar sozinho. Se tivesse feito uma caça, ele a teria compartilhado, mas não sairia de seu caminho para caçar em benefício de outro.

Original English

Within the forest, Tarzan sought a tree where they might lie up for the night. He had eaten and was not hungry. Whether or not his companion had eaten was his own concern. This was a law of the jungle from which Tarzan might deviate for a weak or wounded companion but not for a strong man able to provide for himself. Had he killed, he would have shared his kill; but he would not go forth and hunt for another.

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Português

Tarzan encontrou um galho bifurcado e construiu uma plataforma rudimentar sobre ele usando galhos cortados e folhas. Ele então se deitou para dormir. Por perto, a pantera Sheeta o observava de uma árvore, e também observava o outro homem que dormia no chão entre as duas árvores. A pantera permaneceu perfeitamente imóvel. Embora Tarzan não soubesse da presença de Sheeta, ele se sentia inquieto, como se algo estivesse errado. Ele ouviu e cheirou o ar, mas não detectou nada. Seu companheiro, não acostumado a dormir em árvores, havia escolhido dormir no chão. Era este homem que Sheeta estava observando.

Original English

Tarzan found a branch that forked horizontally. With his hunting knife he cut other branches and laid them across the two arms of the Y thus formed. Over this rude platform he spread leaves; and then he lay down to sleep, while from an adjacent tree up wind Sheeta watched him. Sheeta also watched the other man-thing on the ground between the two trees. The great cat did not move; he seemed scarcely to breathe. Even Tarzan was unaware of his presence, yet the ape-man was restless. A sense so delicate that he was not objectively aware of its existence seemed to warn him that all was not well. He listened intently and sniffed the air but detected nothing amiss. Below him, his companion was making his bed upon the ground in preference to risking the high-flung branches of the trees to which he was unaccustomed. It was the man upon the ground that Sheeta watched.

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Português

O companheiro de Tarzan arrumou uma cama de folhas e gramíneas a seu gosto e deitou-se. Sheeta esperou. Gradualmente, os músculos da pantera se tensionaram, puxando os quartos traseiros para a frente sob seu corpo liso para um salto. Sheeta avançou sobre o galho, fazendo-o se mover e as folhas farfalharem levemente. Um ouvido humano normal não teria percebido nenhum som, mas os ouvidos de Tarzan eram muito mais aguçados.

Original English

At last, his bed of leaves and grasses arranged to suit him, Tarzan's companion lay down. Sheeta waited. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the sinuous muscles were drawing the hind quarters forward beneath the sleek body in preparation for the spring. Sheeta edged forward on the great limb upon which he crouched, but in doing so he caused the branch to move slightly and the leaves at its end to rustle just a little. Your ears or mine would not have been conscious of any noise, but the ears of Tarzan are not as are yours or mine.

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Português

Tarzan ouviu o som e rapidamente virou os olhos para localizar o intruso. No mesmo instante, Sheeta saltou em direção ao homem deitado na cama rústica no chão. Assim como Sheeta saltou, Tarzan também saltou. Toda a sequência se desenrolou em questão de segundos, ocorrendo com grande velocidade.

Original English

He heard; and his eyes, turning quickly, sought and found the intruder. At the same instant Sheeta launched himself at the man lying on his rude pallet on the ground below; and as Sheeta sprang so did Tarzan. What happened happened very quickly; it was a matter of seconds only.

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Português

Enquanto os dois animais saltavam, Tarzan rugiu para alertar seu companheiro e distrair Sheeta de sua presa. O homem no chão pulou para o lado instintivamente. O corpo da pantera roçou nele ao aterrissar, mas agora Sheeta se concentrou no rugido ameaçador de Tarzan.

Original English

As the two beasts sprang, Tarzan voiced a roar that was intended both to warn his companion and to distract the attention of Sheeta from his prey. The man upon the ground leaped quickly to one side, prompted more by an instinctive reaction than by reason. The panther's body brushed him as it struck the ground, but the beast's thoughts were now upon the thing that had voiced that menacing roar rather than upon its intended prey.

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Português

Virando enquanto desviava, o homem viu o gato selvagem no exato momento em que Tarzan aterrissou em suas costas. Ele ouviu seus rosnados misturados na batalha e percebeu com um arrepio que os sons de Tarzan eram tão selvagens e bestiais quanto os da pantera.

Original English

Wheeling as he leaped aside, the man turned and saw the savage carnivore just as Tarzan landed full upon the beast's back. He heard the mingled growls of the two as they closed in battle, and his scalp stiffened as he realized that the sounds coming from the lips of his companion were quite as bestial as those issuing from the throat of the carnivore.

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Português

Tarzan tentou agarrar o pescoço da pantera enquanto o felino tentava rolar e rasgá-lo com suas garras traseiras. Mas Tarzan antecipou isso; ele rolou por baixo de Sheeta e travou as pernas em volta de sua barriga. A pantera saltou e tentou sacudi-lo, mas o braço de Tarzan apertou seu pescoço, cortando seu ar.

Original English

Tarzan sought a hold about the neck of the panther, while the great cat instantly attempted to roll over on its back that it might rip the body of its antagonist to shreds with the terrible talons that armed its hind feet. But this strategy the ape-man had anticipated; and rolling beneath Sheeta as Sheeta rolled, he locked his powerful legs beneath the belly of the panther; then the great cat leaped to its feet again and sought to shake the man-thing from its back; and all the while a mighty arm was tightening about its neck, closing off its wind.

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Português

A pantera saltava descontroladamente sob o luar enquanto o companheiro de Tarzan permanecia indefeso. Ele tentou ajudar duas vezes, mas foi derrubado. Então Tarzan sacou sua faca; a lâmina brilhou, e ele esfaqueou Sheeta. O felino gritou de dor e raiva, lutando com mais força, mas Tarzan golpeou novamente.

Original English

With frantic leaps and bounds the panther hurled itself about in the moonlight while Tarzan's companion stood unarmed and helpless. Twice he had tried to run in and assist the ape-man, but both times the two bodies had struck him and sent him spinning across the ground. Now he saw a new factor being injected into the battle; Tarzan had succeeded in drawing his knife. Momentarily the blade flashed before his eyes; then it was buried in the body of Sheeta. The cat, screaming from pain and rage, redoubled its efforts to dislodge the creature clinging to it in the embrace of death; but again the knife fell.

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Português

Sheeta tremeu descontroladamente enquanto Tarzan enfiava a faca profundamente em seu lado novamente. Então, com sua grande voz silenciada para sempre, a pantera caiu sem vida. Tarzan rolou de debaixo dela e se levantou.

Original English

Now Sheeta stood trembling upon uncertain feet as once again the knife was plunged deeply into his side; then, his great voice forever stilled, he sank lifeless to the ground as the ape-man rolled from beneath him and sprang to his feet.

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Português

O homem cuja vida Tarzan havia salvado avançou e colocou a mão no ombro do homem-macaco. Ele falou algumas palavras em voz baixa, mas em um idioma que Tarzan não entendia. No entanto, Tarzan deduziu pela atitude do homem que ele estava expressando gratidão.

Original English

The man whose life Tarzan had saved came forward and laid a hand upon the shoulder of the ape-man, speaking a few words in a low voice but in a tongue that Tarzan did not understand though he guessed that it expressed the gratitude that the manner of the man betokened.

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Português

O que se passava na mente do companheiro de Tarzan? Duas vezes em uma hora, este estranho homem branco havia salvado sua vida. O companheiro não conseguia entender o porquê. Se ele tivesse algum senso de honra ou gratidão, seria natural que sentisse amizade e lealdade. Mas ainda era impossível saber isso, já que ele continuava sendo um estranho, nem mesmo conhecido pelo nome. Seguindo a abordagem de Tarzan, eles não o julgariam até conhecê-lo melhor. Talvez viessem a gostar dele, ou talvez encontrassem motivos para desprezá-lo.

Original English

What thoughts were in the mind of Tarzan's companion? Twice within an hour this strange white man had saved him from death. For what reasons, the man could not guess. That sentiments of friendship and loyalty were aroused in his breast would seem only natural if he possessed either honor or gratitude, but of this we can have no knowledge until we know him better. As yet he is not even a name to us; and, following the policy of Tarzan, we shall not judge him until we know him better; then we may learn to like him, or we may have reason to despise him.

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Português

Porque uma pantera havia atacado e um leão estava por perto, Tarzan convenceu o homem com gestos a subir na árvore. Lá, ele o ajudou a construir uma plataforma de dormir como a sua. Eles passaram o resto da noite sem serem perturbados e não se mexeram até uma hora após o nascer do sol. Então, o homem-macaco se levantou e se espreguiçou.

Original English

Influenced by the attack of the panther and knowing that Numa was abroad, Tarzan, by signs, persuaded the man to come up into the tree; and here the ape-man helped him construct a nest similar to his own. For the balance of the night they slept in peace, and the sun was an hour old before either stirred the following morning; then the ape-man rose and stretched himself.

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Português

O outro homem sentou-se por perto e olhou ao redor. Quando seus olhos encontraram os de Tarzan, ele o cumprimentou com um sorriso e um aceno. Pela primeira vez, o homem-macaco teve a chance de estudar seu novo conhecido à luz do dia. O homem havia removido sua única peça de roupa para a noite e se coberto com folhas e galhos. Agora, ao se levantar, sua única vestimenta era uma tanga. Tarzan observou seu corpo de seis pés, bem musculado e bem proporcionado, encimado por uma cabeça que sugeria boa educação e inteligência. As feições do homem eram fortes, bem definidas e harmoniosamente dispostas; seu rosto era mais notável pela força e masculinidade rústica do que pela beleza.

Original English

Nearby, the other man sat up and looked about him. His eyes met Tarzan's, and he smiled and nodded. For the first time the ape-man had an opportunity to examine his new acquaintance by daylight. The man had removed his single garment for the night, covering himself with leaves and branches. Now as he arose, his only garment was a G string, and Tarzan saw six feet of well-muscled, well-proportioned body topped by a head that seemed to bespeak breeding and intelligence. The man's features were strong, clear cut and harmoniously placed; the face was more noticeable for strength and rugged masculinity than for beauty.

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Português

O lado instintivo de Tarzan considerou os olhos castanhos do estranho e decidiu que ele era confiável, enquanto seu lado humano observou a faixa na cabeça que prendia o cabelo escuro, o ornamento de marfim incomum na testa, a vestimenta que ele estava colocando e as decorações de marfim em seus pulsos e tornozelos, o que despertou sua curiosidade.

Original English

The wild beast in Tarzan looked into the brown eyes of the stranger and was satisfied that here was one who might be trusted; the man in him noted the headband that confined the black hair, saw the strangely wrought ivory ornament in the center of the forehead, the habergeon that he was now donning, the ivory ornaments on wrists and ankles, and found his curiosity piqued.

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Português

A peça central da faixa de cabeça era um ornamento de marfim que lembrava uma espátula côncava e curva, cuja ponta se erguia acima da cabeça do homem e se curvava para a frente. Em volta de seus pulsos e tornozelos havia faixas feitas de longas tiras planas de marfim, mantidas no lugar por tiras de couro trançadas através de furos perto do topo e da parte inferior das tiras. Suas sandálias, feitas de couro grosso — provavelmente de elefante — eram presas por tiras de couro fixadas na parte inferior de suas tornozeleiras.

Original English

The ivory ornament in the center of the headband was shaped like a concave, curved trowel, the point of which projected above the top of the man's head and curved forward. His wristlets and anklets were of long flat strips of ivory laid close together and fastened around the limbs by leather thongs that were laced through holes piercing the strips near their tops and bottoms. His sandals were of heavy leather, apparently elephant hide, and were supported by leather thongs fastened to the bottoms of his anklets.

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Português

Em cada braço, abaixo do ombro, ele usava um disco de marfim com um desenho esculpido; ao redor do pescoço havia uma faixa de discos de marfim menores e elaboradamente esculpidos. Uma tira ia do disco mais baixo até seu gibão, que também era sustentado por tiras nos ombros. De cada lado da faixa de cabeça pendia um grande disco de marfim que cobria sua orelha, com um disco menor acima dele. Peças pesadas e curvas em forma de cunha de marfim eram seguras em cada ombro pelas mesmas tiras que sustentavam o gibão.

Original English

On each arm below the shoulder he wore an ivory disc upon which was carved a design; about his neck was a band of smaller ivory discs elaborately carved, and from the lowest of these a strap ran down to his habergeon, which was also supported by shoulder straps. Depending from each side of his headband was another ivory disc of large size, above which was a smaller disc. The larger discs covered his ears. Heavy, curved, wedge-shaped pieces of ivory were held, one upon each shoulder, by the same straps that supported his habergeon.

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Português

Tarzan duvidava que esses adornos serviam apenas para fins decorativos. Ele observou que quase todos eles poderiam oferecer proteção contra armas cortantes, como espadas ou machados de batalha. Ele se viu questionando a origem do guerreiro formidável que os usava, porque, pelo que sabia, nenhuma raça de homens em qualquer lugar do mundo usava tal armadura e ornamentos.

Original English

That all these trappings were solely for purposes of ornamentation Tarzan did not believe. He saw that almost without exception they would serve as a protection against a cutting weapon such as a sword or battle-ax; and he could not but wonder where the stalwart warrior who wore them had had his genesis, for nowhere in the world, so far as Tarzan knew, was there a race of men wearing armor and ornaments such as these.

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Português

Tarzan deixou de lado suas especulações sobre a origem do guerreiro, movido pela fome e pela memória da carne da caça do dia anterior que ele havia pendurado no alto de uma árvore rio acima. Ele pulou levemente para o chão, fez sinal para o jovem guerreiro segui-lo e seguiu em direção ao seu esconderijo, permanecendo alerta para qualquer perigo.

Original English

But speculation concerning this matter was relegated to the background of his thoughts by hunger and recollection of the remains of yesterday's kill that he had hung high in a tree of the forest farther up the river; so he dropped lightly to the ground, motioning the young warrior to follow him; and set off in the direction of his cache, keeping his keen senses always on the alert for enemies.

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Português

Tarzan descobriu a carne ainda escondida sob os ramos folhosos. Ele cortou várias tiras e as jogou para o guerreiro que esperava embaixo, depois cortou algumas para si e, agachado na forquilha de uma árvore, comeu-a crua. O guerreiro observou-o surpreso por um momento, então usou um pedaço de aço e pederneira para fazer fogo e cozinhou sua própria porção.

Original English

Cleverly hidden by leafy branches, the meat was intact when Tarzan reached it. He cut several strips and tossed them down to the warrior waiting on the ground below; then he cut some for himself and crouching in a crotch proceeded to eat it raw. His companion watched him for a moment in surprise; then he made fire with a bit of steel and flint and cooked his own portion.

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Português

Tarzan comeu enquanto sua mente ativa considerava planos futuros. Ele havia vindo para a Abissínia com um propósito específico, mas não era urgente. Viver em um ambiente primitivo lhe ensinara que o tempo não era importante. O guerreiro com armadura de marfim o intrigava mais do que sua missão original, então ele decidiu resolver o mistério do guerreiro primeiro.

Original English

As he ate, Tarzan's active mind was considering plans for the future. He had come to Abyssinia for a specific purpose, though the matter was not of such immediate importance that it demanded instant attention. In fact, in the philosophy that a lifetime of primitive environment had inspired, time was not an important consideration. The phenomenon of this ivory-armored warrior aroused questions that intrigued his interest to a far greater extent than did the problems that had brought him thus far from his own stamping grounds, and he decided that the latter should wait the solving of the riddle of this seeming anachronism that his new-made acquaintance presented.

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Português

Sem uma língua em comum, eles usaram sinais. Depois de comer, Tarzan gesticulou para perguntar a direção do guerreiro. O guerreiro apontou para o nordeste, em direção às montanhas, e convidou Tarzan para seu país. Tarzan aceitou e fez sinal para que ele liderasse.

Original English

Having no other means of communication than signs rendered an exchange of ideas between the two difficult, but when they had finished their meal and Tarzan had descended to the ground he succeeded in asking his companion in what direction he wished to go. The warrior pointed in a northeasterly direction toward the high mountains; and, as plainly as he could through the medium of signs, invited Tarzan to accompany him to his country. This invitation Tarzan accepted and motioned the other to lead the way.

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Português

Por semanas, eles viajaram mais fundo nas grandes montanhas. Tarzan, sempre alerta e ansioso, aprendeu rapidamente a língua de seu companheiro através da prática constante. Logo eles conseguiam se entender.

Original English

For days that stretched to weeks the two men struck deeper and deeper into the heart of a stupendous mountain system. Always mentally alert and eager to learn, Tarzan took advantage of the opportunity provided by time and propinquity to learn the language of his companion, and he proved such an apt pupil that they were soon able to make themselves understood to one another.

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Português

Tarzan descobriu que o nome de seu companheiro era Valthor. Valthor mostrou interesse nas armas de Tarzan, então Tarzan fez para ele uma lança, um arco e flechas. Enquanto Valthor ensinava sua língua a Tarzan, Tarzan o ensinava a atirar com arco; Valthor já conhecia a lança.

Original English

Among the first things that Tarzan learned was that his companion's name was Valthor, while Valthor took the earliest opportunity to evince an interest in the ape-man's weapons; and as he was unarmed, Tarzan spent a day in making a spear and bow and arrows for him. Thereafter, as Valthor taught the lord of the jungle to speak his language, Tarzan instructed the former in the use of the bow, the spear being already a familiar weapon to the young warrior.

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Português

Dias e semanas se passaram, mas eles não pareciam mais perto do país de Valthor. Tarzan encontrou caça abundante e os manteve alimentados. A paisagem montanhosa acidentada o cativava, e ele caçava e aproveitava a natureza, mal notando a passagem do tempo.

Original English

Thus the days and the weeks passed and the two seemed no nearer the country of Valthor than when they had started from the vicinity of the camp of the shiftas. Tarzan found game of certain varieties plentiful in the mountains, and it was he who kept their larder supplied. The impressive scenery that was marked by rugged grandeur held the interest of the ape-man undiminished. He hunted, and he enjoyed the beauties of unspoiled nature, practically oblivious of the passage of time.

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Português

Valthor estava ficando impaciente. Finalmente, no final de um dia, eles chegaram ao fim de um desfiladeiro sem saída, onde enormes penhascos bloqueavam o caminho. Ele admitiu que estava perdido.

Original English

But Valthor was less patient; and at last, late one day when they found themselves at the head of a blind canyon where stupendous cliffs barred further progress, he admitted defeat. "I am lost," he said simply.

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Português

Tarzan observou que poderia ter dito isso a Valthor muitos dias antes.

Original English

"That," remarked Tarzan, "I could have told you many days ago."

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Português

Valthor olhou para ele com surpresa e exigiu saber como ele poderia saber disso, já que o próprio Tarzan não sabia em que direção ficava o seu país.

Original English

Valthor looked at him in surprise. "How could you know that," he demanded, "when you yourself do not know in what direction my country lies?"

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Português

Tarzan explicou que sabia porque, durante a semana passada, Valthor os havia guiado em todas as quatro direções, e agora estavam a menos de cinco milhas de onde estavam há uma semana. Ele apontou que, logo atrás da crista, a não mais de cinco milhas de distância, estava o riacho onde ele havia matado um íbex e a velha árvore na qual eles haviam dormido sete noites atrás.

Original English

"I know," replied the ape-man, "because during the past week you have led the way toward the four points of the compass, and today we are within five miles of where we were a week ago. Across this ridge at our right, not more than five miles away, is the little stream where I killed the ibex and the gnarled old tree in which we slept that night just seven suns ago."

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Português

Valthor coçou a cabeça confuso, depois sorriu. Ele admitiu que não podia discutir com Tarzan e concedeu que ele poderia estar certo, mas perguntou o que deveriam fazer.

Original English

Valthor scratched his head in perplexity, and then he smiled. "I cannot dispute you," he admitted. "Perhaps you are right, but what are we going to do?"

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Português

Tarzan perguntou a Valthor se ele sabia a direção de seu país a partir do acampamento onde Tarzan o havia encontrado.

Original English

"Do you know in what direction your country lies from the camp in which I found you?" asked Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor respondeu que Thenar ficava diretamente a leste daquele ponto, e ele tinha certeza disso.

Original English

"Thenar is due east of that point," replied Valthor; "of that I am positive."

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Português

Tarzan observou que eles estavam agora diretamente a sudoeste de Thenar, tendo viajado uma distância considerável para o sul desde que entraram nas montanhas mais altas. Ele sugeriu que, se o país de Valthor estivesse dentro dessas montanhas, não seria difícil encontrá-lo, desde que continuassem se movendo em direção nordeste.

Original English

"Then we are directly southwest of it now, for we have travelled a considerable distance toward the south since we entered the higher mountains. If your country lies in these mountains then it should not be difficult to find it if we can keep moving always in a northeasterly direction."

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Português

Valthor admitiu que o emaranhado de montanhas, com seus desfiladeiros e gargantas sinuosos, o confundia. Ele explicou que nunca havia estado mais longe de Thenar do que o vale de Onthar, e ambos os vales eram cercados por marcos tão familiares que não precisava de outros guias. Ele nunca antes precisara consultar as posições do sol, da lua ou das estrelas, então elas não haviam sido de nenhuma ajuda desde que partiram em busca de Thenar. Ele perguntou a Tarzan se ele conseguiria manter um rumo em direção ao nordeste neste labirinto de montanhas e, se sim, sugeriu que Tarzan liderasse o caminho.

Original English

"This jumble of mountains with their twisting canyons and gorges confuses me," Valthor admitted. "You see, in all my life before I have never been farther from Thenar than the valley of Onthar, and both these valleys are surrounded by landmarks with which I am so familiar that I need no other guides. It has never been necessary for me to consult the positions of the sun, the moon, nor the stars before; and so they have been of no help to me since we set out in search of Thenar. Do you believe that you could hold a course toward the northeast in this maze of mountains? If you can, then you had better lead the way rather than I."

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Português

Tarzan garantiu a ele que poderia ir em direção ao nordeste, mas não conseguiria encontrar o país de Valthor a menos que ele estivesse em seu caminho.

Original English

"I can go toward the northeast," Tarzan assured him, "but I cannot find your country unless it lies in my path."

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Português

Valthor explicou que, se chegassem a cinquenta ou cem milhas de Xarator, eles a veriam de um ponto alto, e que a partir dali ele saberia o caminho para Thenar, já que Xarator ficava quase a oeste de Athne.

Original English

"If we reach a point within fifty or a hundred miles of it, from some high eminence we shall see Xarator," explained Valthor; "and then I shall know my way to Thenar, for Xarator is almost due west of Athne."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou sobre as identidades de Xarator e Athne.

Original English

"What are Xarator and Athne?" demanded Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor descreveu Xarator como um grande pico cheio de fogo e rocha derretida no extremo norte do vale de Onthar, pertencente aos homens de Cathne, a cidade de ouro. Ele explicou que Athne, a cidade de marfim, era sua casa, e que os homens de Cathne eram inimigos de seu povo.

Original English

"Xarator is a great peak the center of which is filled with fire and molten rock. It lies at the north end of the valley of Onthar and belongs to the men of Cathne, the city of gold. Athne, the city of ivory, is the city from which I come. The men of Cathne, in the valley of Onthar, are the enemies of my people."

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Português

Tarzan declarou que eles partiriam no dia seguinte para a cidade de Athne, no vale de Thenar.

Original English

"Tomorrow, then," said Tarzan, "we shall set out for the city of Athne in the valley of Thenar."

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Português

Enquanto Tarzan e Valthor comiam carne de sua caça anterior, muitos quilômetros ao sul, um leão de juba negra estava sobre o corpo de um bezerro de búfalo que havia matado, balançando o rabo e rosnando ferozmente enquanto enfrentava um touro búfalo irritado que cavava a terra e berrava a alguns metros de distância.

Original English

As Tarzan and Valthor ate meat that they had cut from yesterday's kill and carried with them, many weary miles to the south a black-maned lion lashed his tail angrily and voiced a savage growl as he stood over the body of a buffalo calf he had killed and faced an angry bull pawing the earth and bellowing a few yards away.

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Português

Poucos animais ousam enfrentar Gorgo, o búfalo, quando sua fúria torna seus olhos vermelhos. No entanto, o grande leão não tinha intenção de abandonar sua presa, mesmo quando o touro ameaçou investir. O leão manteve sua posição. Os rugidos do leão e do búfalo se combinaram em um barulho selvagem e trovejante que sacudiu a terra e silenciou as outras criaturas da selva.

Original English

Rare is the beast that will face Gorgo, the buffalo, when rage inflames his red-rimmed eyes; but the great lion showed no intention of leaving its prey even in the face of the bull's threatened charge. He stood his ground. The roars of the lion and the bull mingled in a savage, thunderous dissonance that shook the ground, stilling the voices of the lesser people of the jungle.

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Português

Gorgo cavou o chão com seus chifres, enfurecendo-se cada vez mais. Atrás dele, a mãe do bezerro morto urrava. Talvez ela estivesse instigando seu parceiro a vingar a morte. O resto do rebanho fugiu para a parte mais densa da selva, deixando esses dois para desafiar Numa por sua presa, confiando no poder daqueles chifres fortes e naquele pescoço massivo.

Original English

Gorgo gored the earth, working himself into a frenzy of rage. Behind him, bellowing, stood the mother of the slain calf. Perhaps she was urging her lord and master to avenge the murder. The other members of the herd had bolted into the thickest of the jungle leaving these two to contest with Numa his right to his kill, leaving vengeance to those powerful horns backed by that massive neck.

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Português

Com notável velocidade e agilidade para seu tamanho, o touro investiu. Parecia impossível que dois animais tão grandes pudessem se mover tão rápido, e que qualquer criatura pudesse resistir ou evitar aqueles chifres terríveis. Mas o leão estava pronto. Quando o touro estava quase em cima dele, ele saltou para o lado, ergueu-se sobre as patas traseiras e desferiu um golpe tremendo no lado da cabeça do touro com uma pata cheia de garras. O golpe fez o touro girar e cair de joelhos, atordoado e sangrando, com a mandíbula esmagada. Antes que Gorgo pudesse se levantar, Numa pulou em suas costas, cravou os dentes no pescoço grosso e, com uma pata, agarrou o nariz do touro, puxando a cabeça violentamente para trás até a espinha quebrar.

Original English

With a celerity and agility that belied his great weight, the bull charged. That two such huge beasts could move so quickly and so lightly seemed incredible, as it seemed incredible that any creature could either withstand or avoid the menace of those mighty horns; but the lion was ready, and as the bull was almost upon him, he leaped to one side, reared upon his hind feet and with one massive, taloned paw struck the bull a terrific blow on the side of its head that wheeled it half around and sent it stumbling to its knees, half stunned and bleeding, its great jawbone crushed and splintered. And before Gorgo could regain his feet, Numa leaped full upon his back, buried his teeth in the bulging muscles of the great neck, and with one paw reached for the nose of the bellowing bull, jerking the head back with a mighty surge that snapped the vertebrae.

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Português

O leão imediatamente se levantou e encarou a vaca. Mas ela não investiu. Em vez disso, urrando, ela se afastou para dentro da selva, deixando o rei dos animais em pé com as patas dianteiras sobre sua mais recente presa.

Original English

Instantly the lion was on his feet again facing the cow, but she did not charge. Instead, bellowing, she crashed away into the jungle leaving the king of beasts standing with his forefeet upon his latest kill.

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Português

Naquela noite, Numa se alimentou bem. Mas depois de se empanturrar, ele não descansou como um leão deveria. Em vez disso, continuou para o norte ao longo da trilha misteriosa que vinha seguindo há muitos dias.

Original English

That night Numa fed well; but when he had gorged himself he did not lie up as a lion should, but continued toward the north along the mysterious trail he had been following for many days.

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Down The Flood

Português

O novo dia começou com nuvens e uma sensação de ameaça. Embora a estação das chuvas tivesse terminado, uma tempestade tardia parecia se formar sobre os altos picos onde Tarzan e Valthor procuravam o vale oculto de Thenar. O frio da noite não foi aquecido por nenhum raio de sol. Os dois homens tremeram ao se levantar de seus leitos rústicos entre os galhos das árvores.

Original English

The new day dawned cloudy and threatening. The season of rains was over, but it appeared that a belated storm was gathering above the lofty peaks through which Tarzan and Valthor were searching for the elusive valley of Thenar. The chill of night was dissipated by no kindly warmth of sunlight. The two men shivered as they rose from their rude beds among the branches of a tree.

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Português

Tarzan anunciou que eles comeriam mais tarde, depois que um pouco de escalada tivesse aquecido seu sangue.

Original English

"We shall eat later," announced Tarzan, "after a little climbing has put warmth into our blood."

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Português

Valthor respondeu que eles só comeriam se tivessem a sorte de encontrar comida.

Original English

"If we are lucky enough to find anything to eat," rejoined Valthor.

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Português

O homem-macaco respondeu que raramente passava fome e não passaria fome hoje. Ele afirmou que quando Tarzan estivesse pronto para caçar, eles comeriam.

Original English

"Tarzan seldom goes hungry," replied the ape-man. "He will not go hungry today. When Tarzan is ready to hunt, we shall eat."

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Português

Eles prosseguiram pelo desfiladeiro fechado até que Tarzan descobriu um local onde podiam subir a parede íngreme. Eles subiram com esforço, o guerreiro de Athne confiante de que cada passo poderia ser o último, mas orgulhoso demais para mostrar seu medo ao ágil homem-macaco que escalava facilmente acima dele. No entanto, ele não caiu, e eventualmente eles se posicionaram no topo de uma grande crista que subia em direção aos picos altos.

Original English

Down the box canyon they went until Tarzan found a place where they might ascend the precipitous side wall; then they toiled upward, the warrior from Athne confident that each step would be his last as he clung to the steep face of the canyon wall but too proud to reveal his fear to the agile ape-man climbing so easily above him. But he did not fall, and at last the two stood upon the summit of a mighty ridge that led upward toward lofty peaks.

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Português

O coração de Valthor batia forte e sua respiração estava ofegante, enquanto Tarzan parecia completamente imperturbável. Prestes a prosseguir pela crista, ele notou o estado exausto de seu companheiro. Agachou-se e ordenou-lhe brevemente que descansasse, um alívio bem-vindo para Valthor.

Original English

Valthor's heart was pounding and he was breathing heavily, but Tarzan showed no sign of exertion. He was about to continue on up the ridge, when he glanced at his companion and saw his condition; then he squatted on the ground with a laconic "Rest now"; and Valthor was glad to rest.

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Português

Durante todo o dia, eles avançaram em direção ao nordeste. Chuviscou algumas vezes, e o céu sempre ameaçava mais. Uma grande tempestade parecia estar se formando continuamente, mas nunca se desencadeou durante o longo dia. Tarzan matou um animal antes do meio-dia, e eles comeram; em seguida, continuaram imediatamente. O tempo frio, úmido e sem sol não lhes dava motivo para demorar.

Original English

All day they moved toward the northeast. Sometimes it rained a little, and always it threatened to rain more. A great storm seemed always to be gathering, yet it never broke during the long day. Tarzan made a kill before noon, and they ate; but immediately afterward they started on again. The cold, damp, sunless air offered them no incentive for tarrying on the way.

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Português

Era tarde da tarde quando eles saíram de um desfiladeiro profundo e alcançaram um planalto alto e plano. Não havia montanhas perto, mas ao longe, picos altos podiam ser vistos vagamente através de uma chuva leve. De repente, Valthor gritou de empolgação. Ele disse que eles tinham encontrado, e que Xarator estava lá.

Original English

It was late in the afternoon when they ascended out of a deep gorge and stood upon a lofty plateau. In the near foreground were no mountains, but at a distance lofty peaks were visible dimly through a light drizzle of rain. Suddenly Valthor voiced an exclamation of elation. "We have found it!" he cried. "There is Xarator."

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Português

Tarzan olhou para onde o outro apontou e viu uma enorme montanha de topo plano ao longe. Nuvens baixas acima dela refletiam uma luz vermelha opaca. Tarzan comentou que era Xarator e então perguntou se Thenar ficava diretamente a leste dela.

Original English

Tarzan looked in the direction that the other pointed and saw a mighty, flat-topped peak in the distance, directly above which low clouds were reflecting a dull red light. "So that is Xarator!" he remarked. "And Thenar is directly east of it?"

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Português

Valthor concordou, explicando que isso significava que Onthar devia estar logo abaixo da borda do planalto, quase diretamente à frente deles. Ele então incentivou Tarzan a vir.

Original English

"Yes," replied Valthor; "which means that Onthar must be just below the edge of this plateau, almost directly in front of us. Come!"

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Português

Os dois caminharam rapidamente pelo terreno plano e gramado por cerca de uma ou duas milhas até chegarem à borda do planalto. Além e abaixo deles se estendia um amplo vale.

Original English

The two walked quickly over the level, grassy ground for a mile or two to come at length to the edge of the plateau beyond which, and below them, stretched a wide valley.

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Português

Valthor disse que estavam quase no extremo sul de Onthar. Ele apontou Cathne, a cidade de ouro, situada na curva do rio no final de uma floresta. Explicou que era uma cidade rica, mas seu povo era inimigo de seu povo.

Original English

"We are almost at the southern end of Onthar," said Valthor. "There is Cathne, the city of gold. See it—in the bend of the river at this end of that forest? It is a rich city but its people are the enemies of my people."

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Português

Através da chuva, Tarzan avistou uma cidade murada aninhada entre uma floresta e um rio. Quase todas as casas eram brancas, e muitas tinham cúpulas de um amarelo fosco. Uma ponte do mesmo amarelo fosco cruzava o rio que corria entre eles e a cidade. A chuva e o fim da tarde tornavam as cores suaves. Tarzan observou que o rio percorria todo o comprimento do vale, cerca de catorze ou quinze milhas, alimentado por riachos menores que desciam das montanhas. Uma estrada bem demarcada também se estendia por todo o vale. Perto do centro, ela se bifurcava; um dos ramos seguia um afluente até um desfiladeiro no lado leste. Diretamente abaixo deles e se estendendo até o extremo norte de Onthar, havia uma planície nivelada salpicada de árvores. Do outro lado do rio, uma floresta alcançava da margem distante até as colinas íngremes que limitavam Onthar a leste e sudeste.

Original English

Through the rain, Tarzan saw a walled city between a forest and a river. The houses were nearly all white, and there were many domes of dull yellow. The river, which ran between them and the city, was spanned by a bridge that was also a dull yellow color in the twilight of the late afternoon storm. Tarzan saw that the river extended the full length of the valley, a distance of fourteen or fifteen miles, being fed by smaller streams coming down out of the mountains. Also extending the length of the valley was what appeared to be a well-marked road. Near the center of the valley it branched, one fork following an affluent of the main stream with which it disappeared into the mouth of a canyon on the eastern side of the valley. Directly below them and extending to the northern extremity of Onthar was a level plain dotted with trees; across the river, a forest stretched from the farther bank to the steep hills that bounded Onthar on the east and southeast.

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Português

Tarzan olhou de volta para a cidade de Cathne. Perguntou a Valthor por que ela era chamada de cidade de ouro.

Original English

Tarzan's eyes wandered back to the city of Cathne. "Why do you call it the city of gold?" he asked.

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Português

Valthor respondeu, perguntando se Tarzan não conseguia ver as cúpulas douradas e a ponte de ouro.

Original English

"Do you not see the golden domes and the bridge of gold?" demanded Valthor.

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Português

Tarzan perguntou se eles estavam cobertos com tinta dourada.

Original English

"Are they covered with gold paint?" inquired Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor respondeu que eles estavam cobertos de ouro maciço. Ele acrescentou que o ouro em alguns domos tinha uma polegada de espessura e a ponte era feita de blocos de ouro maciço.

Original English

"They are covered with solid gold," replied Valthor. "The gold on some of the domes is an inch thick, and the bridge is built of solid blocks of gold."

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Português

Tarzan ergueu as sobrancelhas. Olhando para o vale pacífico, ele imaginou o que aconteceria se a notícia do vasto ouro chegasse ao mundo exterior. Ele imaginou fábricas e chaminés vomitando fumaça preta sobre os domos dourados de Cathne.

Original English

Tarzan lifted his eyebrows. As he looked down upon this seemingly deserted and peaceful valley he could not but conjure another picture—a picture of what it would be if word of these vast riches were carried to the outside world, bringing the kindly beneficences of modern civilization and civilized men to Onthar. How the valley would hum and roar then with the sweet music of mill and factory! What a gorgeous spectacle would be painted against the African sky by tall chimneys spouting black smoke to hang like a sable curtain above the golden domes of Cathne!

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Português

Ele perguntou onde eles encontravam seu ouro.

Original English

"Where do they find their gold?" he asked.

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Português

Valthor respondeu que suas minas estavam nas colinas diretamente ao sul da cidade.

Original English

"Their mines lie in the hills directly south of the city," replied Valthor.

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Português

O homem-macaco perguntou a Thenar onde ficava seu país.

Original English

"And where is your country, Thenar?" asked the ape-man.

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Português

Thenar respondeu que seu país ficava logo além das colinas a leste de Onthar. Ele indicou onde o rio e a estrada cortavam a floresta cerca de cinco milhas acima da cidade e perguntou se Tarzan podia vê-los entrando nas colinas além da floresta.

Original English

"Just beyond the hills east of Onthar. Do you see where the river and the road cut through the forest about five miles above the city? You can see them entering the hills just beyond the forest."

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que podia vê-los.

Original English

"Yes," replied Tarzan; "I see."

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Português

Thenar explicou que a estrada e o rio passavam pelo Desfiladeiro dos Guerreiros até o vale de Thenar. Um pouco a nordeste do centro do vale ficava Athne, a cidade de marfim, e além do desfiladeiro ficava seu país.

Original English

"The road and the river run through the Pass of the Warriors into the valley of Thenar; a little northeast of the center of the valley lies Athne, the city of ivory; there, beyond the pass, is my country."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou a que distância estavam de Athne.

Original English

"How far are we from Athne?" inquired Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor estimou que a distância era de cerca de vinte e cinco milhas, talvez um pouco menos.

Original English

"About twenty-five miles, possibly a little less," replied Valthor.

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Português

O homem-macaco sugeriu que começassem a viagem imediatamente, argumentando que caminhar sob a chuva seria mais confortável do que esperar até a manhã. Ele também presumiu que poderiam encontrar abrigo seco na cidade de Valthor.

Original English

"We might as well start now, then," suggested the ape-man, "for in this rain it will be more comfortable to be on the march than to lie up until morning; and in your city we can find a dry place to sleep I presume."

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Português

Valthor concordou, mas alertou que atravessar Onthar durante o dia seria perigoso. Os sentinelas nos portões de Cathne os veriam e, como inimigos, provavelmente seriam mortos ou capturados. A noite era perigosa por causa dos leões, mas o dia seria ainda pior, com homens e leões para enfrentar.

Original English

"Certainly," replied Valthor, "but it will not be safe to attempt to cross Onthar by daylight. We should certainly be seen by the sentries on the gates of Cathne, and as these people are our enemies the chances are that we should never cross the valley without being either killed or taken prisoners. It will be bad enough at night on account of the lions, but by day it will be infinitely worse as we shall have both men and lions to contend with."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou a que leões estavam se referindo.

Original English

"What lions?" demanded Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor explicou que o povo de Cathne criava leões, muitos dos quais vagavam livremente pelo vale. A vasta planície visível abaixo, estendendo-se ao longo do vale do lado deles do rio, era conhecida como o Campo dos Leões. Ele aconselhou atravessá-la após o anoitecer por segurança.

Original English

"The men of Cathne breed lions, and there are many at large in the valley," explained Valthor. "That great plain that you see below us, stretching the full length of the valley on this side of the river, is called the Field of the Lions. We shall be safer if we cross it after dark."

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Português

Tarzan deu de ombros e concordou, dizendo que não fazia diferença se começassem imediatamente ou esperassem até o anoitecer.

Original English

"Whatever you wish," agreed Tarzan with a shrug; "it is all the same to me if we start now or wait until dark."

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Português

O atneano comentou que o lugar era desconfortável porque a chuva estava fria.

Original English

"It is not very comfortable here," remarked the Athnean. "The rain is cold."

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que já havia suportado desconforto antes e que a chuva não continuaria indefinidamente.

Original English

"I have been uncomfortable before," replied Tarzan; "rains do not last forever."

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Português

Valthor suspirou e disse que se estivessem em Athne, estariam confortáveis. Ele descreveu a casa de seu pai com lareiras onde as chamas rugiam ao redor de grandes toras, proporcionando calor e conforto.

Original English

"If we were in Athne we should be very comfortable," sighed Valthor. "In my father's house there are fireplaces; even now the flames are roaring about great logs, and all is warmth and comfort."

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que o sol brilhava acima das nuvens, mas eles não estavam lá. Ele observou que estavam em um lugar sem sol ou fogo, e estavam com frio. Com um sorriso fraco, acrescentou que falar sobre fogo ou sol não o aquecia.

Original English

"Above the clouds the sun is shining," replied Tarzan, "but we are not above the clouds; we are here where the sun is not shining and there is no fire, and we are cold." A faint smile touched his lips. "It does not warm me to speak of fires or the sun."

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Português

Valthor insistiu que desejava estar em Athne, descrevendo-a como uma cidade esplêndida localizada no belo vale de Thenar. Em Thenar, eles criavam cabras, ovelhas e elefantes. Matavam qualquer leão que viesse de Onthar. Seus agricultores cultivavam vegetais, frutas e feno; artesãos produziam artigos de couro e tecido de pelo de cabra e lã de ovelha; entalhadores trabalhavam com marfim e madeira.

Original English

"Nevertheless, I wish I were in Athne," insisted Valthor. "It is a splendid city, and Thenar is a lovely valley. In Thenar we raise goats and sheep and elephants. In Thenar there are no lions except those that stray in from Onthar; those we kill. Our farmers raise vegetables and fruits and hay; our artizans manufacture leather goods; they make cloth from the hair of goats and the wool of sheep; our carvers work in ivory and wood.

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Português

Eles realizavam comércio limitado com o mundo exterior, usando marfim e ouro como pagamento. Segundo Valthor, se não fossem os cathneanos, eles desfrutariam de uma existência feliz e pacífica, sem preocupações.

Original English

"We trade a little with the outside world, paying for what we buy with ivory and gold. Were it not for the Cathneans we should lead a happy, peaceful life without a care."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou o que eles compravam do mundo exterior e de quem faziam essas compras.

Original English

"What do you buy from the outside world, and of whom do you buy it?" asked Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor explicou que compravam sal, do qual não tinham localmente, além de aço para armas, escravos negros e ocasionalmente uma mulher branca jovem e atraente. Todos esses bens vinham de um grupo de shiftas com quem negociavam desde tempos imemoriais. Embora os governantes de Athne mudassem, o relacionamento com esse bando permanecia constante. Valthor estava procurando por eles quando se perdeu e foi capturado por outro bando.

Original English

"We buy salt, of which we have none of our own," explained Valthor. "We also buy steel for our weapons and black slaves and occasionally a white woman, if she be young and pretty. These things we buy from a band of shiftas. With this same band we have traded since before the memory of man. Shifta chiefs and kings of Athne have come and gone, but our relations with this band have never altered. I was searching for them when I became lost and was captured by another band."

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Português

O homem-macaco perguntou se eles alguma vez negociavam com o povo de Cathne.

Original English

"Do you never trade with the people of Cathne?" asked the ape-man.

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Português

Uma vez por ano, uma trégua de uma semana permite o comércio pacífico entre eles. Em troca de ouro, comida e feno, os cathneanos recebem mulheres, sal e aço comprados dos shiftas, além de tecidos, couro e marfim de sua própria produção.

Original English

"Once each year there is a week's truce during which we trade with them in peace. They give us gold and foodstuffs and hay in exchange for the women, the salt, and the steel we buy from the shiftas, and the cloth, leather, and ivory that we produce.

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Português

Os cathneanos mineram ouro, criam leões para guerra e esporte, e cultivam frutas, vegetais, cereais e feno. Eles também trabalham com ouro e, em menor escala, com marfim. Seu ouro e feno são muito valorizados pelo interlocutor, sendo o feno mais importante, pois sustenta os rebanhos de elefantes.

Original English

"Besides mining gold, the Cathneans breed lions for war and sport, raise fruits, vegetables, cereals, and hay and work in gold and, to a lesser extent, in ivory. Their gold and their hay are the products most valuable to us; and of these we value the hay more, for without it we should have to decrease our elephant herds."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou por que dois povos tão dependentes um do outro escolheriam lutar.

Original English

"Why should two peoples so dependent upon one another fight?" asked Tarzan.

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Português

Valthor deu de ombros, admitindo que não sabia; talvez fosse apenas um costume. Ele observou que, apesar das conversas sobre paz, sentiriam falta das emoções que a paz não oferecia. Seus olhos brilharam ao falar dos ataques, chamando-os de um esporte para homens. Os cathneanos vinham com leões para caçar suas cabras, ovelhas, elefantes e até seu povo, levando cabeças como troféus, valorizando especialmente a cabeça de um homem. Eles também tentavam capturar mulheres e, quando conseguiam, a guerra ocorria se a família da mulher fosse influente.

Original English

Valthor shrugged. "I do not know; perhaps it is just a custom. Yet, though we talk much of wanting peace, we should miss the thrills and excitement that peace does not hold." His eyes brightened. "The raids!" he exclaimed. "There is a sport for men! The Cathneans come with their lions to hunt our goats, our sheep, our elephants, and us. They take heads for trophies, and above all they value the head of man. They try to take our women, and when they succeed then there is war, if the family of the woman seized be of sufficient importance.

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Português

Quando desejavam esporte, iam para Onthar atrás de ouro e mulheres, ou simplesmente pela emoção de matar homens ou capturar escravos. O maior jogo era vender uma mulher a um cathneano por uma grande quantia de ouro e depois recuperá-la em um ataque. Ele concluiu que nem seu povo nem os cathneanos se importariam verdadeiramente com a paz.

Original English

"When we wish sport we go into Onthar after gold and women or just for the sport of killing men or capturing slaves. The greatest game of all is to sell a woman to a Cathnean for much gold and then take her away from him in a raid. No, I do not think that either we or the Cathneans would care for peace."

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Português

Enquanto Valthor falava, o sol invisível se punha mais baixo no oeste, e nuvens pesadas e escuras escondiam os picos do norte, assentando-se baixo sobre o vale superior. Ele disse que poderiam começar agora, pois logo escureceria.

Original English

As Valthor talked, an invisible sun sank lower into the west; heavy clouds, dark and ominous, hid the peaks to the north, settling low over the upper end of the valley. "I think we may start now," he said; "it will soon be dark."

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Português

Os dois homens seguiram por uma ravina que os escondia da cidade de Cathne, em direção ao fundo do vale. Um relâmpago brilhou das nuvens de tempestade, seguido por trovões; a tempestade desencadeou sua fúria sobre a parte superior do vale, e uma enxurrada de chuva obscureceu as colinas além.

Original English

Downward through a gully, the sides of which hid them from the city of Cathne, the two men made their way toward the floor of the valley. From the heavy storm clouds burst a flash of lightning followed by the roar of thunder; upon the upper end of the valley the storm god loosed his wrath; water fell in a deluge of masses wiping from their sight the hills beyond the storm.

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Português

Quando chegaram ao terreno plano, a tempestade já os havia alcançado, e a ravina se transformara em uma torrente furiosa. A noite caiu rapidamente, deixando uma escuridão total apenas quebrada por relâmpagos vívidos. O trovão constante era ensurdecedor, e a chuva caía em cortinas sólidas como ondas do oceano. Foi talvez a tempestade mais terrível que qualquer um dos dois homens já tinha visto.

Original English

By the time they reached level ground the storm was upon them and the gully they had descended a raging mountain torrent. The swift night had fallen; utter darkness surrounded them, darkness frequently broken by vivid flashes of lightning. The pealing of the constant thunder was deafening. The rain engulfed them in solid sheets like the waves of the ocean. It was, perhaps, the most terrific storm that either of these men had ever seen.

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Português

Eles não podiam falar; apenas os relâmpagos os impediam de se separar, pois só eles permitiam que Valthor mantivesse seu curso através do vale gramado em direção à cidade de ouro, onde encontrariam a estrada que levava ao Passo dos Guerreiros e, em seguida, ao vale de Thenar.

Original English

They could not converse; only the lightning prevented their becoming separated, as it alone permitted Valthor to keep his course across the grassy floor of the valley in the direction of the city of gold where they would find the road that led to the Pass of the Warriors and on into the valley of Thenar.

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Português

Logo eles viram as luzes tênues da cidade através das janelas, e um momento depois estavam na estrada, movendo-se para o norte contra toda a fúria da tempestade. A tempestade aumentou de intensidade conforme se aproximavam do seu centro; eles lutaram contra o vento, que às vezes os parava e os forçava a recuar.

Original English

Presently they came within sight of the lights of the city, a few dim lights framed by the casements of windows; and a moment later they were on the road and were moving northward against the full fury of the storm. And such a storm! As they moved toward its center it grew in intensity; against the wind that accompanied it they waged a grim battle that was sometimes to them and sometimes to the wind, for often it stopped them in their tracks and forced them back.

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Português

Por milhas, os dois homens lutaram contra o imenso poder da tempestade. A tempestade parecia ficar mais furiosa, como se estivesse furiosa por esses pequenos humanos ousarem desafiá-la. Então, num que parecia um esforço final e enorme para derrotá-los, um enorme relâmpago iluminou todo o vale, o trovão soou mais forte do que nunca, e uma torrente de água caiu, derrubando os dois homens no chão.

Original English

For miles they pitted their muscles against the Herculean strength of the storm god; and the rage of the storm god seemed to rise against them, knowing no bounds, as though he was furious that these two puny mortals should pit their strength against his. Suddenly, as though in a last titanic effort to overcome them, the lightning burst into a mighty blaze that illuminated the entire valley for seconds, the thunder crashed as it had never crashed before, and a mass of water fell that crushed the two men to earth.

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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.

achieve əˈtʃiːv (1)

Português: alcançar

Simple English: To successfully do or finish something.

Example: She worked hard to achieve her goal.

Uses in this book:

1. To achieve his plan, Tarzan decided to wait until the camp was asleep. Back to B1

amazing əˈmeɪzɪŋ (3)

Português: incrível

Simple English: very surprising or great

Example: It was an amazing fight.

Uses in this book:

1. So, many amazing things and adventures could be found in its faraway places. Back to B1

2. The sight was amazing and made people feel wonder.

3. When Tarzan saved a strange white person in a very wild part of Africa, he learned about two amazing cities hidden there.

area ˈɛəriə (21)

Português: área

Simple English: a space or part of a place

Example: She ran across a small open area.

Uses in this book:

1. People in the area just wanted to avoid them. Back to B1

2. He still wanted adventure, and the large, wild area of Abyssinia seemed exciting to him because it was mysterious and had old secrets. Back to B1

3. He knew the area well and understood all possible ways to escape from dangers he might face. Back to B1

4. But if they were staying in the area, it was important to know about them. Back to B1

5. For many days, the two men traveled deep into a large mountain area. Back to B1

arrive əˈraɪv (3)

Português: chegar

Simple English: to come to a place

Example: People would arrive soon.

Uses in this book:

1. Sheeta waited eagerly for the men to arrive. Back to B1

2. Erot and Xerstle were so focused on their conversation that they did not notice her arrive or leave.

3. Phobeg said he had not expected Tarzan to arrive from the sky.

attackers əˈtækərz (10)

Português: agressores

Simple English: People who try to hurt others.

Example: Tarzan let the first two attackers pass.

Uses in this book:

1. Before the attackers even understood the danger they were in, Tarzan had already aimed his bow and shot an arrow. Back to B1

2. The other attackers, who were wounded, stopped chasing Tarzan. Back to B1

3. First, he wanted to get revenge on the attackers, called shiftas, because they had scared away his intended prey. Back to B1

4. He grabbed the brave bandit and used him as a shield against the other attackers. Back to B1

5. But the other attackers did not stop fighting. Back to B1

blamed bleɪmd (2)

Português: culpou

Simple English: to say someone is responsible for a bad situation

Example: He blamed Zoanthrohago for failures.

Uses in this book:

1. They were angry and blamed their bad luck for following the strange white man. Back to B1

2. He explained that the Queen was very angry about the attempt on Tarzan's life and blamed him for not doing his job properly.

capable /ˈkeɪpəbl/ (2)

Português: capaz; capacidade; susceptíveis

Simple English: Having the ability to do something effectively.

Example: She is capable of handling difficult situations with ease.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan thought the man was like himself, a quiet and capable fighter. Back to B1

2. Nemone also said that he looked like a strong man, capable of doing difficult things.

carve kɑːrv (1)

Português: esculpir

Simple English: to cut shapes into wood or stone

Example: Some people carve ivory and wood.

Uses in this book:

1. Some people carve ivory and wood. Back to B1

carvings ˈkɑːr.vɪŋz (2)

Português: esculturas

Simple English: shapes cut into a material

Example: He wore arms decorated with carvings.

Uses in this book:

1. He also wore ivory discs on his arms, decorated with carvings. Back to B1

2. The doors were beautifully decorated with carvings and shiny materials, some with pictures made of gold, ivory, and colored stones.

causing ˈkɔːzɪŋ (1)

Português: causando

Simple English: making something happen, often bad

Example: The storm was causing damage to the houses.

Uses in this book:

1. He also felt they should be punished for causing him trouble. Back to B1

cleaned kliːnd (3)

Português: limpou

Simple English: made something free from dirt

Example: Lord Greystoke cleaned his dirty hands.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan took the knife out of the dead guard and cleaned it on the guard's robe. Back to B1

2. The other soldiers talked, played games, and cleaned their weapons.

3. Another warrior laughed and said he knew Tibdos, the husband of Erot's mother, who cleaned the lions' cages.

confusing /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/ (2)

Português: confuso; confundindo; desconcertante

Simple English: Difficult to understand or unclear, causing uncertainty.

Example: The confusing directions led us to the wrong location for the meeting.

Uses in this book:

1. Valthor said the mountains and canyons were confusing. Back to B1

2. This helped him understand some confusing things he had wondered about when he first arrived in Cathne.

dangerous ˈdeɪndʒərəs (21)

Português: perigoso

Simple English: likely to cause harm or injury

Example: Climbing the mountain can be dangerous.

Uses in this book:

1. They were interested in the bad parts of the rain's gifts: the muddy paths and the dangerous, high rivers. Back to B1

2. Because of this, Tarzan did not know that a group of dangerous men were nearby, ready to kill him for his weapons or for no reason. Back to B1

3. He knew they were more dangerous than lions. Back to B1

4. He saw the gun on the guard's lap, and he knew it was dangerous, like other animals in the jungle know about hunters. Back to B1

5. As the man jumped away, he turned and saw the dangerous animal. Back to B1

deer dɪər (5)

Português: veado

Simple English: a wild animal with antlers

Example: I saw a deer in the forest.

Uses in this book:

1. He was crawling through the grass towards a deer by a stream, planning to attack it. Back to B1

2. He was only thinking about the deer he wanted to catch to eat because he was very hungry. Back to B1

3. The deer looked up sometimes, feeling worried. Back to B1

4. Suddenly, the deer looked towards something behind Tarzan and ran away. Back to B1

5. He knew it was not him that scared the deer, but something else. Back to B1

described dɪˈskraɪbd (5)

Português: descreveram

Simple English: Told details about something or someone.

Example: They described the strange animal they saw.

Uses in this book:

1. Valthor described Xarator as a large mountain with fire and hot rock inside. Back to B1

2. Thenar described that the road and river went through the Pass of the Warriors to the valley of Thenar. Back to B1

3. He described it as a wonderful city with a beautiful valley called Thenar. Back to B1

4. She was much more beautiful than Phobeg had described her.

5. He slowly said that there were some feelings that could not be described with words.

dived daɪvd (1)

Português: mergulhou

Simple English: Moved quickly down into water or under something.

Example: The swimmer dived into the pool.

Uses in this book:

1. At the same time the gun fired, the crocodile dived. Back to B1

dug dʌɡ (2)

Português: cavou

Simple English: past of dig; to make a hole in the ground

Example: He dug a hole to plant the tree.

Uses in this book:

1. Gorgo dug the ground with his horns, becoming more and more angry. Back to B1

2. There was a large, oval area dug deep into the ground.

faraway ˈfɑːrəˌweɪ (2)

Português: distante

Simple English: A long distance away in space or time.

Example: He lives in a faraway village.

Uses in this book:

1. So, many amazing things and adventures could be found in its faraway places. Back to B1

2. He wondered who this person was, and why fate had brought him to this faraway prison in the city of gold.

feed fiːd (3)

Português: alimentar

Simple English: Give food to a person or animal.

Example: Farmers feed their animals every day.

Uses in this book:

1. We value the hay most because it helps us feed our elephants. Back to B1

2. Tarzan remembered when he found the lion cub and taught its mother, Za, to feed it.

3. They also hunted sheep, goats, and elephants in Thenar to feed the lions.

fence fɛns (3)

Português: cerca

Simple English: A structure that goes around an area to protect or separate it.

Example: He got close to the village fence.

Uses in this book:

1. They had built a simple fence of branches around the camp to protect themselves from wild animals. Back to B1

2. The lion quickly jumped over the fence and into the middle of the camp. Back to B1

3. They ran past the lion and jumped over the fence. 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 three who were wounded were more focused on the arrows in their bodies than on Tarzan. Back to B1

2. He stopped trying to reach the other bank and instead focused on keeping his head above the water.

3. Erot and Xerstle were so focused on their conversation that they did not notice her arrive or leave.

fun fʌn (6)

Português: diversão

Simple English: Enjoyment and pleasure.

Example: He sometimes killed for fun.

Uses in this book:

1. The Cathneans mine gold, train lions for fighting and fun, and grow food like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Back to B1

2. He thought they were foolish for making noise to see two men fight for fun.

3. Nemone told Tarzan they had planned a fun activity for the morning.

4. A group had captured a noble from Athne a day or two before, and Nemone wanted to have some fun with him.

5. He explained that when the person being hunted reached the forest, they would let the lions go, and then the fun would begin.

goat ɡoʊt (2)

Português: cabra

Simple English: A farm animal with horns and a beard.

Example: The goat is eating grass in the field.

Uses in this book:

1. They also make cloth from goat hair and sheep wool. Back to B1

2. Phobeg told Tarzan that he had eaten goat meat from Thenar the previous day.

grab /ɡræb/ (5)

Português: agarrar; pegue; pegar

Simple English: To take someone or something suddenly or violently.

Example: She decided to grab her bag and leave quickly.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan tried to grab the panther's neck. Back to B1

2. He reached up, trying to grab something to stop his fast movement towards the waterfall and danger.

3. He wanted to get close enough to grab Tarzan.

4. The angry animal stood on its back legs above Tarzan, trying to grab him with its claws.

5. Tarzan knew how the lion would attack: Belthar would run, jump up, grab him with his claws, bite him, and then eat him.

grabbed ˈɡræbd (15)

Português: agarrou

Simple English: took hold of something quickly

Example: He grabbed the book from the table.

Uses in this book:

1. He pushed the attacker's spear upwards and grabbed the man's arm. Back to B1

2. As Tarzan's strong fingers grabbed the attacker's throat, the man screamed. Back to B1

3. Suddenly, Tarzan quickly grabbed the guard's throat. Back to B1

4. He grabbed the brave bandit and used him as a shield against the other attackers. Back to B1

5. In a quick moment, Tarzan grabbed the running bandit and threw him at the lion. Back to B1

grains ɡreɪnz (1)

Português: grãos

Simple English: small, hard seeds from plants used as food

Example: The farmers grow grains like rice and wheat.

Uses in this book:

1. The Cathneans mine gold, train lions for fighting and fun, and grow food like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Back to B1

greedy ˈɡriːdi (1)

Português: ganancioso

Simple English: wanting more than you need

Example: He was greedy and only thought about himself.

Uses in this book:

1. He saw that people were greedy, selfish, and cruel. Back to B1

gun ɡʌn (5)

Português: arma de fogo

Simple English: a weapon that shoots bullets

Example: He fired his gun while escaping.

Uses in this book:

1. One of them, still able to shoot, fired his gun at Tarzan as he escaped. Back to B1

2. At the same time the gun fired, the crocodile dived. Back to B1

3. He saw the gun on the guard's lap, and he knew it was dangerous, like other animals in the jungle know about hunters. Back to B1

4. He carefully aimed his gun at Tarzan. Back to B1

5. As the man lifted his gun to shoot Tarzan, one of his friends shouted a warning. Back to B1

guns ɡʌnz (5)

Português: armas de fogo

Simple English: weapons that shoot bullets

Example: They had spears and guns to protect themselves.

Uses in this book:

1. They moved towards him with spears and guns. Back to B1

2. About twelve men took their guns and ran out of their shelters. Back to B1

3. So, they stood ready with their guns and spears. Back to B1

4. The bandits could now use their guns easily. Back to B1

5. He liked the smell of man, but he hated the smell of guns, which he feared. Back to B1

happily ˈhæpɪli (3)

Português: felizmente

Simple English: in a happy way

Example: She smiled happily at the good news.

Uses in this book:

1. Suddenly, Valthor shouted happily. Back to B1

2. Valthor explained that they would live happily and peacefully if it were not for the people of Cathne. Back to B1

3. She sighed happily and leaned her cheek on his chest.

healthy ˈhɛlθi (3)

Português: saudável

Simple English: in good physical condition

Example: The slaves became strong and healthy.

Uses in this book:

1. For Tarzan, being happy and healthy was the most important goal. Back to B1

2. He saw that many people were not healthy or happy. Back to B1

3. He said the man was as strong as an elephant, had no marks, was very healthy, and was easy to control, even for a child.

hit hɪt (17)

Português: atingir

Simple English: to strike or make contact with something

Example: The arrow can hit the vital parts of the prey.

Uses in this book:

1. It was strong so it could shoot arrows through thick skins to hit the vital parts of his prey. Back to B1

2. Tarzan then quickly shot four more arrows, and all of them hit their targets. Back to B1

3. The arrow hit the man who had shot at him. Back to B1

4. But they were afraid to shoot because they might hit their own men. Back to B1

5. The bandit tried to hit Tarzan with his musket, but Tarzan moved away. Back to B1

hitting ˈhɪtɪŋ (3)

Português: batendo

Simple English: Touching something with force.

Example: He was hitting the wall with his fists.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan shot his first arrow, hitting the leader in the heart. Back to B1

2. The spear went deep into the lion's body, under its left shoulder, hitting its heart.

3. As she left, the lion jumped towards her, hitting the bars hard.

hooves huːvz (1)

Português: casco

Simple English: the hard feet of animals like horses

Example: The horses' hooves left clear tracks on the ground.

Uses in this book:

1. Their horses' hooves left clear tracks on the ground. Back to B1

injured /ˈɪndʒərd/ (2)

Português: ferido; lesionado; machucado

Simple English: Physically harmed or wounded by accident or violence.

Example: She was injured in a car accident last week but is recovering well.

Uses in this book:

1. One more attacker died, and three were injured. Back to B1

2. Far to the north, three injured men called shiftas looked at their dead friends. Back to B1

intense /ɪnˈtɛns/ (2)

Português: intenso

Simple English: Extremely great in degree, strength, or emotional or physical impact.

Example: The intense workout left him feeling exhausted but accomplished afterward.

Uses in this book:

1. The storm became more intense as they moved towards its center. Back to B1

2. Tarzan felt weak under her intense gaze.

jump dʒʌmp (3)

Português: pular

Simple English: to move by pushing yourself up

Example: He tried hard to jump away.

Uses in this book:

1. The panther slowly got ready to jump. Back to B1

2. She looked at him and told him that she had been frightened when she saw him jump into the arena with the lion.

3. Tarzan knew how the lion would attack: Belthar would run, jump up, grab him with his claws, bite him, and then eat him.

jumped ʤʌmpt (25)

Português: pulou

Simple English: moved quickly upwards or forwards

Example: He jumped over the wall easily.

Uses in this book:

1. The moment he realized there was danger behind him and that the horsemen had seen him, he jumped up and strung his bow. Back to B1

2. When Tarzan swung it again, the second bandit jumped back quickly to avoid being hit. Back to B1

3. The lion quickly jumped over the fence and into the middle of the camp. Back to B1

4. They ran past the lion and jumped over the fence. Back to B1

5. At the same moment, Sheeta jumped towards the man on the ground. Back to B1

knocked nɒkt (1)

Português: derrubou

Simple English: To hit something and cause it to fall or move.

Example: He knocked over the water pail.

Uses in this book:

1. He had tried to join the fight twice, but the animals had knocked him away. Back to B1

landscape /ˈlændskeɪp/ (1)

Português: paisagem; ajardine; panorama

Simple English: The visible features of an area of land.

Example: The mountain landscape was beautiful.

Uses in this book:

1. The landscape looked like a different world, not like daytime or a dark night, but a place of soft greys and green colors. Back to B1

machines məˈʃinz (1)

Português: máquinas

Simple English: tools or devices that work using power

Example: The factory uses many machines.

Uses in this book:

1. He thought about how factories and machines would fill the valley, and tall chimneys would send black smoke into the sky above the golden buildings. Back to B1

mentioned ˈmɛnʃənd (12)

Português: mencionou

Simple English: said something briefly before

Example: He mentioned the plan in his speech.

Uses in this book:

1. Valthor mentioned that their relationship with these traders had lasted for a very long time. Back to B1

2. He mentioned that nobles were impressed by his strength and bravery when enemies attacked or when he went on raids.

3. He mentioned that Erot was made a noble by Nemone, so he was considered a noble, but not a lion man because he was not born into that status.

4. He also mentioned that many people had lost money betting on Phobeg, but those who bet on Tarzan had won a lot, as the chances against Tarzan were very high.

5. He mentioned that he had offended her royal highness with his first action.

mixed /mɪkst/ (3)

Português: misto; misturado; mixado

Simple English: Consisting of different types combined together.

Example: The salad was a mixed variety, containing both leafy greens and colorful vegetables.

Uses in this book:

1. He screamed, and his scream mixed with the lion's roar. Back to B1

2. His thoughts mixed with his dreams.

3. The loud sounds mixed with the angry roars of a lion.

mud mʌd (1)

Português: lama

Simple English: wet, soft earth

Example: The rain made the ground full of mud.

Uses in this book:

1. These rains brought mud, high rivers, and also prosperity. Back to B1

normal ˈnɔrməl (6)

Português: normal

Simple English: usual or regular

Example: It was a normal day at school.

Uses in this book:

1. He looked more like a god of the forest than a normal man. Back to B1

2. This bow was so powerful that a normal person could not bend it. Back to B1

3. Normal ears would not hear it, but Tarzan's ears were very good. Back to B1

4. Tarzan commented that the man seemed to act as if being sold like an animal was a normal thing for him.

5. Gemnon replied that it was not normal every day, but the man had been sold many times before.

Normally ˈnɔːrməli (3)

Português: normalmente

Simple English: Usually or in normal situations.

Example: Normally, I wake up early.

Uses in this book:

1. Normally, Tarzan did not care about the lives of strangers. Back to B1

2. He told Tarzan that normally the water was only about one foot deep.

3. To keep the peace, Tarzan tolerated more from his cell-mate than he normally would have.

predators ˈprɛdətərz (1)

Português: predadores

Simple English: animals that hunt other animals for food

Example: Tarzan knew that predators hunted them at night.

Uses in this book:

1. Hunting was difficult for predators when it rained, and Tarzan was hungry because it had rained for two days. Back to B1

pull pʊl (6)

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. Soon, they managed to pull their friend away from Tarzan. Back to B1

2. Tarzan instructed him to aim at the lion's head, like he had done, and to pull the bowstring back as far as possible.

3. He tried to pull the string of a bow.

4. He grabbed Tarzan's wrist and tried to pull him close.

5. The lions used for racing were taught to pull carts, and the hunting lions learned to follow commands, track, attack, and bring back prey.

pulled pʊld (21)

Português: puxou

Simple English: used force to move something toward you

Example: He pulled the door open.

Uses in this book:

1. The lion bit into the buffalo's neck and pulled its head back strongly, breaking its neck. Back to B1

2. The river pulled at him, trying to take him to his death, but the vine held him, and so did Tarzan.

3. Tarzan pulled himself out of the water and onto the bank.

4. Slowly, he pulled himself up, put one leg over the top, and looked to see what was on the other side.

5. Very quickly, Tarzan put the arrow on his bow, pulled the string back to his shoulder, and shot it.

push pʊʃ (1)

Português: empurrar

Simple English: to move something by pressing it with force

Example: She tried to push the door open.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan used the man he held as a weapon to try and push past the others. Back to B1

reacted riˈæktɪd (2)

Português: reagiu

Simple English: behaved in response to something

Example: She reacted immediately to the loud noise.

Uses in this book:

1. These smells would be good for a lost person, but Tarzan reacted like a wild animal that sees humans as enemies. Back to B1

2. Gemnon reacted with surprise and asked if the speaker had seen M'duze, guessing that M'duze had not been friendly.

reckless ˈrɛkləs (1)

Português: imprudente

Simple English: not caring about danger or results

Example: He was reckless and took many risks.

Uses in this book:

1. He was also sometimes reckless because he was proud of his strength. Back to B1

regions ˈridʒənz (1)

Português: regiões

Simple English: large areas of land or countries

Example: Rains came from regions like Tigre and Amhara.

Uses in this book:

1. From June to September, rains came from regions like Tigre and Amhara to Sudan and Egypt. Back to B1

relationship rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp (1)

Português: relação

Simple English: The way two or more people or things are connected.

Example: They have a good relationship as friends.

Uses in this book:

1. Valthor mentioned that their relationship with these traders had lasted for a very long time. Back to B1

rely /rɪˈlaɪ/ (1)

Português: confiar; contar; baseiam

Simple English: To depend completely on someone or something for support.

Example: I can always rely on my friends to help me when I'm in trouble.

Uses in this book:

1. However, they seemed to rely more on the fire they kept burning in the middle of the camp. Back to B1

scare skɛər (3)

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. The lion may have been angry at the fire or trying to scare the horses. Back to B1

2. However, he never felt fear because death did not scare him, and he could handle physical pain without mental suffering.

3. Tarzan asked why the man was running ahead, saying he might scare away the animals they wanted to hunt.

scared skɛərd (21)

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. He knew it was not him that scared the deer, but something else. Back to B1

2. However, this did not make him scared. Back to B1

3. The scared horse ran into the river with loose reins. Back to B1

4. The horse saw it too and became very scared. Back to B1

5. The ape-man was angry because the shiftas had scared away his dinner. Back to B1

selfish ˈsɛlfɪʃ (2)

Português: egoísta

Simple English: Caring only about yourself, not others.

Example: He was selfish and did not share his food.

Uses in this book:

1. He saw that people were greedy, selfish, and cruel. Back to B1

2. She admitted she was tired of him, calling him a foolish and selfish person, but said he was better than no one.

shirt ʃɜːrt (1)

Português: camisa

Simple English: a piece of clothing worn on the upper body

Example: He bought a new shirt yesterday.

Uses in this book:

1. He was also putting on a metal shirt. Back to B1

smart smɑːrt (4)

Português: inteligente

Simple English: clever and able to solve problems

Example: The smart boy quickly answered the question.

Uses in this book:

1. The text says that even very smart people can sometimes make mistakes. Back to B1

2. One bandit, who was braver and perhaps less smart than the others, ran forward with his musket. Back to B1

3. He seemed smart and honest, with an open face.

4. He thought Nemone was too practical and smart to bet only on intuition.

space speɪs (4)

Português: espaço

Simple English: an area or distance between things

Example: There is space between the chairs.

Uses in this book:

1. Then, some attackers moved back to get space to use their weapons. Back to B1

2. The other soldiers moved back, making space at one end of the room.

3. Xerstle replied unhappily that it was to make space for Gemnon's friend.

4. The lion made loud, angry noises in the small space, and the man on its back also growled.

split /splɪt/ (5)

Português: dividir; divisão; rachar

Simple English: To divide into parts or separate sections or groups.

Example: We need to split the group into smaller teams for the project.

Uses in this book:

1. Near the middle, the road split. Back to B1

2. After walking a short distance with the lion on its leash, Pindes suggested they split up and search the forest more carefully.

3. When the group split up near Gemnon's father's house, Tarzan went close to Xerstle and quietly told him to send his regards to Erot and wished him better luck next time.

4. They were nearing a place where the road split.

5. Once they were far from the others, Pindes suggested they split up.

squeezing skwiːzɪŋ (1)

Português: apertando

Simple English: to press something tightly

Example: He is squeezing the bottle.

Uses in this book:

1. All this time, Tarzan was squeezing the panther's neck, making it hard for it to breathe. Back to B1

stab stæb (4)

Português: esfaquear

Simple English: to push a sharp object quickly into something

Example: He tried to stab the tree with a knife.

Uses in this book:

1. Instead, they seemed to want to run him over with their horses or stab him with their spears. Back to B1

2. At the same time, he used a knife to stab the guard in the heart from below. Back to B1

3. Erot's sword was ready to stab the lion's heart.

4. Each stab showed Nemone's anger.

starving ˈstɑːrvɪŋ (1)

Português: morrendo de fome

Simple English: very hungry

Example: I am starving and need to eat now.

Uses in this book:

1. He was hungry but not starving, so he wanted to hunt again for better meat. Back to B1

stored stɔrd (1)

Português: armazenado

Simple English: kept for later use

Example: The food was stored in the fridge.

Uses in this book:

1. He remembered the meat he had stored in a tree up the river. Back to B1

swim swɪm (2)

Português: nadar

Simple English: to move in water using your body

Example: The fish swim in the river.

Uses in this book:

1. It turned to swim upstream to escape. Back to B1

2. He thought it was believable because no one could swim the river during the flood, and the bridge was guarded.

test tɛst (3)

Português: teste

Simple English: To check how well something works or feels.

Example: The prisoner tested his legs to get feeling back.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan waited for the prisoner to test his legs and move them to get feeling back. Back to B1

2. The ape-man quietly replied that he was not trying to test her patience.

3. A new plan to test their strength came to her mind.

text tɛkst (3)

Português: texto

Simple English: a written message or piece of writing

Example: The text said someone was more wonderful than the warriors.

Uses in this book:

1. The text says that even very smart people can sometimes make mistakes. Back to B1

2. The text questions if a storm god was angry that Tarzan was not successful where the god had failed, noting that gods are mysterious and act in strange ways.

3. The text asks why the lion was there.

tight taɪt (2)

Português: apertado

Simple English: Very close or firmly fixed.

Example: His legs were stiff from the tight ropes.

Uses in this book:

1. Then he helped the man stand up because his legs were stiff from the tight ropes. Back to B1

2. They were sweating, and their jaws and fists were tight.

traders ˈtreɪdərz (4)

Português: comerciantes

Simple English: People who buy and sell things.

Example: They bought these things from a group of traders.

Uses in this book:

1. They bought these things from a group of traders called shiftas. Back to B1

2. Valthor mentioned that their relationship with these traders had lasted for a very long time. Back to B1

3. He said he was looking for these traders when he got lost and was captured. Back to B1

4. Workers and traders stopped to watch the strong, dark-skinned man who had defeated the strongest man in Cathne.

train treɪn (1)

Português: treinar

Simple English: To teach skills or prepare for an activity.

Example: The Cathneans train lions for fighting.

Uses in this book:

1. The Cathneans mine gold, train lions for fighting and fun, and grow food like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Back to B1

travel ˈtrævl (3)

Português: viajar

Simple English: To go from one place to another.

Example: Tarzan likes to travel in wild places.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan likes to travel in wild places that are not changed by modern life. Back to B1

2. It wonders what made him travel so far, which was unusual for his kind.

3. Valthor was planning to travel to Athne early.

traveled ˈtrævəld (2)

Português: viajou

Simple English: Went to different places.

Example: The two men traveled deep into the mountains.

Uses in this book:

1. For many days, the two men traveled deep into a large mountain area. Back to B1

2. They traveled northeast all day. Back to B1

trustworthy ˈtrʌstwɜːrði (1)

Português: confiável

Simple English: Able to be trusted or depended on.

Example: The stranger seemed trustworthy and loyal.

Uses in this book:

1. The stranger had a special quality that made him seem trustworthy and loyal. Back to B1

upwind ʌpˈwɪnd (1)

Português: contra o vento

Simple English: In the direction from which the wind is blowing

Example: They walked upwind to avoid the bad smell.

Uses in this book:

1. However, Tarzan was not worried about the lion because it was upwind and could not smell him. Back to B1

wealth wɛlθ (2)

Português: riqueza

Simple English: a large amount of money or valuable things

Example: The city had great wealth.

Uses in this book:

1. Looking at the quiet valley, he imagined what it would be like if people from the outside world learned about the city's great wealth. Back to B1

2. The speaker then suggested they forget the bad parts of Cathne and go for a walk to see the city's beauty and wealth.

woke woʊk (10)

Português: acordaram

Simple English: to stop sleeping

Example: They woke early in the morning.

Uses in this book:

1. A loud noise woke up all the sleeping people. Back to B1

2. In the morning, the ape-man woke up. Back to B1

3. The other man woke up and looked around. Back to B1

4. Tarzan woke up and went outside into the sun.

5. Tarzan woke up when he heard footsteps coming to his prison.

wonderful ˈwʌndərfəl (4)

Português: maravilhoso

Simple English: very good or beautiful

Example: It was a wonderful city.

Uses in this book:

1. He described it as a wonderful city with a beautiful valley called Thenar. Back to B1

2. Phobeg said with great feeling that the Queen was wonderful.

3. They then walked slowly towards their rooms, talking about the good Thudos and his wonderful daughter.

4. He felt it would have been a wonderful story.