The Beasts Of Tarzan

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 The Beasts Of Tarzan, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1916.

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 1916.

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 2012.

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: The Beasts Of Tarzan

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1916

Local: Chicago

Primeiro editor: A. C. McClurg

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Esta adaptação ESL Easy Read

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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.

Sobre este livro

Em As Feras de Tarzan, terceiro romance da série de Edgar Rice Burroughs, o homem-macaco enfrenta seu desafio mais pessoal e perigoso. A história começa na Inglaterra, onde Tarzan, agora conhecido como Lorde Greystoke, vive com sua esposa Jane e seu filho pequeno. A felicidade doméstica é destruída quando o vilão Nikolas Rokoff, um criminoso russo com rancor de Tarzan, sequestra a criança e Jane. Rokoff, ajudado por seu cúmplice Paulvitch, os leva para uma ilha remota na África, com a intenção de abandoná-los a um destino selvagem. Tarzan, despojado de seus recursos e abandonado na mesma ilha, precisa confiar em seus instintos primais e na ajuda de feras para sobreviver e resgatar sua família. A ilha é uma selva sem lei, repleta de animais perigosos e nativos hostis. Tarzan faz amizade com uma tribo de grandes macacos, incluindo o poderoso Akut, e uma pantera chamada Sheeta, usando sua habilidade única de se comunicar com eles. O conflito central opõe a astúcia e força de Tarzan à traição de Rokoff e ao ambiente hostil. A narrativa progride através de uma série de fugas e confrontos emocionantes, enquanto Tarzan rastreia seus inimigos pela selva. O tom é aventureiro e cheio de suspense, enfatizando temas de lealdade, sobrevivência e o vínculo entre o homem e a natureza. Burroughs mistura ação com profundidade emocional, enquanto Tarzan luta não apenas por sua vida, mas pelo futuro de sua família.

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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Reading Comprehension B1

1 - Kidnapped

2 - Marooned

3 - Beasts at Bay

Kidnapped

Pt/En D'Arnot said that the whole situation was a mystery. He explained that the police and special agents did not know how it happened. The only thing anyone knew was that Nikolas Rokoff had escaped.

Pt/En John Clayton, who was also known as Tarzan of the Apes, sat quietly in the Paris apartment of his friend, Lieutenant Paul D'Arnot. He looked thoughtfully at his clean boot.

Pt/En He remembered many things. His enemy, Nikolas Rokoff, had escaped from the French military prison. Rokoff had been sentenced to life in prison based on the ape-man's testimony.

Pt/En He thought about how Rokoff had tried to kill him before. Now that Rokoff was free, John Clayton knew that Rokoff would probably plan even worse things.

Pt/En Tarzan had recently brought his wife and baby son to London. They wanted to avoid the bad weather and dangers of their large estate in Uziri. This was the land of the Waziri warriors, whom Tarzan had once led.

Pt/En He had travelled across the Channel to visit his old friend for a short time. However, news about a Russian man escaping made him feel worried. Even though he had just arrived, he was already thinking about going back to London right away.

Pt/En He told Paul that he was not afraid for himself because he had stopped Rokoff's plans against his life many times before. But now, he had to think about his wife and son. He believed Rokoff would hurt him by harming his family. So, he needed to return to them immediately and stay until Rokoff was caught or dead.

Pt/En While these two men were talking in Paris, two other men were speaking together in a small house near London. Both of them looked dark and unfriendly.

Pt/En One of the men had a beard, but the other had only a little black beard that had started to grow recently. This second man looked pale, as if he had been inside for a long time. He was the one who was speaking.

Pt/En He told his friend Alexis that he must shave his beard. He explained that if he kept it, Rokoff would recognize him immediately. They needed to go their separate ways now. He hoped that when they met again on the Kincaid ship, they would have two special guests with them who did not expect the journey they had planned.

Pt/En He explained that he would leave for Dover in two hours with one person. He added that if the other person followed instructions carefully, they should arrive by tomorrow night, assuming they returned to London quickly.

Pt/En He told Alexis that their efforts would bring profit, pleasure, and other good things. He mentioned that the French had been slow to discover his escape, giving him plenty of time to plan their adventure in detail. He said there was little chance of problems and wished Alexis goodbye and good luck.

Pt/En Three hours later, a messenger went up the steps to Lieutenant D'Arnot's apartment.

Pt/En The messenger told the servant that there was a telegram for Lord Greystoke and asked if he was there.

Pt/En The servant confirmed that Lord Greystoke was present. The messenger signed for the telegram and took it inside to Tarzan, who was already getting ready to travel to London.

Pt/En Tarzan opened the envelope quickly. While he was reading, his face became very pale.

Pt/En He asked D'Arnot to read the paper, saying that it had arrived already.

Pt/En The Frenchman took the telegram and read it.

Pt/En The message said that Jack had been stolen from the garden by a new servant and asked them to come at once. It was signed Jane.

Pt/En Tarzan quickly got out of the car that met him at the station. He ran up the steps to his house in London. A woman, who looked upset but did not cry, met him at the door.

Pt/En Jane Porter Clayton quickly told everything she knew about the boy's theft.

Pt/En The baby's nurse was pushing him in his stroller outside the house. A black car stopped at the street corner. The nurse did not pay much attention to the car, only noticing that no one got out, but the engine was running, as if it was waiting for someone from the house.

Pt/En Soon, the new house helper, Carl, ran from the house. He told the nurse that his boss wanted to speak with her for a moment and asked her to leave the baby, little Jack, with him until she came back.

Pt/En The nurse did not suspect anything until she reached the house door. Then, she thought she should tell the helper not to push the stroller so the sun would not shine in the baby's eyes.

Pt/En When she turned to tell him, she was surprised to see him pushing the stroller quickly towards the corner. At the same time, she saw the car door open and a dark face appear for a moment.

Pt/En She suddenly realized the child was in danger. She screamed and ran quickly down the steps towards the taxi. Carl was putting the baby into the taxi with a man who had dark skin.

Pt/En Before she reached the taxi, Carl jumped in next to his friend and closed the door. The driver tried to start the car, but it did not work properly. The gears seemed stuck. He had to move the car back a little before trying to move forward again. This delay allowed the nurse to reach the taxi.

Pt/En She jumped onto the side of the moving taxi and tried to take the baby from the stranger. She screamed and fought to keep the baby even after the taxi started moving. Carl hit her hard in the face, knocking her to the ground. This happened after the taxi had passed the Greystoke house at a fast speed.

Pt/En Her screams brought servants from nearby houses and from the Greystoke home. Lady Greystoke saw the nurse fighting bravely. She also tried to reach the fast taxi but was too late.

Pt/En This was all that people knew. Lady Greystoke did not think about who was behind the plan until her husband told her that Nikolas Rokoff had escaped from prison in France, where they thought he would stay forever.

Pt/En Tarzan and his wife were discussing the best plan. Suddenly, the telephone rang in the library. Tarzan went to answer it himself.

Pt/En A man's voice asked if he was Lord Greystoke.

Pt/En Tarzan confirmed that he was Lord Greystoke.

Pt/En The man said that Tarzan's son had been stolen. He offered to help find the son, explaining that he knew about the plan because he was part of it. However, the others involved were now trying to exclude him. He would help recover the son if Tarzan promised not to punish him for his role in the crime.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that if the man showed him where his son was hidden, he would not be in any danger from him.

Pt/En The other person agreed but said Tarzan must come alone. They explained that they had to trust him and could not let anyone else learn their identity.

Pt/En Tarzan asked where and when he could meet them.

Pt/En The other person told him the name and place of a public-house in Dover, near the water, which sailors often visited.

Pt/En They told Tarzan to come around ten o'clock that night. They said his son would be safe until then. They would then lead him secretly to where his son was hidden. They warned him to be sure to come alone and not to tell Scotland Yard, as they would be watching him.

Pt/En They warned that if anyone else came with him, or if they saw police agents, they would not meet him, and he would lose his last chance to get his son back.

Pt/En The man ended the call without saying any more words.

Pt/En Tarzan told his wife the main points of the talk. She asked to go with him, but he said no. He explained that the other man might refuse to help them if Tarzan did not go alone. So, they said goodbye. Tarzan went quickly to Dover, and his wife said she would wait at home until he told her what happened.

Pt/En Neither Tarzan nor his wife knew what they would both experience before they met again. It was something far away in the future.

Pt/En For ten minutes after Tarzan left, Jane Clayton walked back and forth in the library. She felt sad because her first child was away. She was very worried about hopes and fears.

Pt/En Jane's mind told her that everything would be fine if Tarzan went alone, as the stranger had asked. However, she felt that there were serious dangers for both her husband and her son.

Pt/En She thought more about the situation. She became sure that the telephone call was a trick. The trick might be to stop them from acting until the boy was hidden or taken away from England. Or, it could be a trap to catch Tarzan and give him to the cruel Rokoff.

Pt/En When she had this idea, she stopped, very scared. It quickly became a strong belief. She looked at the big clock in the library.

Pt/En It was too late to catch the first train to Dover that Tarzan planned to take. However, there was another train later. This train would get her to the port in time to go to the address the stranger had given her husband before the meeting time.

Pt/En She called her maid and driver and quickly told them what to do. Ten minutes later, she was driving fast through the busy streets towards the train station.

Pt/En It was nine-forty-five that night when Tarzan went into a dirty pub by the water in Dover. As he walked into the room, which smelled bad, a person in shadow moved past him towards the street.

Pt/En The stranger quietly asked his lord to come.

Pt/En The ape-man turned and followed the man into a dark, narrow street. Outside, the man led him into the dark towards a dock. There were many large boxes and barrels that made dark shadows. The man stopped there.

Pt/En Greystoke asked where the boy was.

Pt/En The other man answered that the boy was on a small boat, which could be seen in the distance with its lights.

Pt/En In the dark, Tarzan tried to see the face of the man with him. He did not know the man. If Tarzan had known it was Alexis Paulvitch, he would have understood that the man was planning to betray him and that his path was dangerous.

Pt/En The Russian explained that the child was not being watched. He said the people who had taken the child felt safe and would not be discovered. He also mentioned that he had given gin to some of the ship's crew, so they were drunk and could not cause trouble. He believed they could go onto the ship, take the child, and leave without any problems.

Pt/En Tarzan agreed by nodding.

Pt/En Tarzan then suggested they should go and do it.

Pt/En His guide took him to a small boat. They both got in, and Paulvitch rowed quickly towards the large ship. Tarzan did not think about the black smoke coming from the ship's chimney. He was only thinking about getting his son back soon.

Pt/En When they reached the ship, a rope ladder was hanging down. The two men climbed up quietly. Once on the deck, they quickly went to the back of the ship, where the Russian pointed to a door in the deck.

Pt/En He told Tarzan that the boy was hidden below. He suggested Tarzan go down to find the boy, saying the boy would be less likely to cry if Tarzan found him instead of a stranger. He added that he would stay to guard the place.

Pt/En Tarzan was very eager to save the child. He did not think about how strange the situation was on the Kincaid ship. The ship was empty, but it had steam ready and smoke coming from its funnel, showing it was about to leave. Tarzan did not notice these things.

Pt/En Tarzan thought he would soon hold the child in his arms. The ape-man then climbed down into the dark space below. As soon as he let go of the hatch's edge, the heavy cover fell down and made a loud noise above him.

Pt/En He immediately understood that he had been tricked and had fallen into his enemies' hands instead of rescuing his son. He tried quickly to reach the hatch and open the cover, but he could not.

Pt/En He lit a match to see his surroundings. He found a small room that had been made separate from the main cargo area. The only way in or out was the hatch above his head. It was clear that this room was prepared to be a prison cell for him.

Pt/En The room was empty. No one else was there. If the child was on the Kincaid ship, he must have been kept in another place.

Pt/En The ape-man had lived in the wild jungle for more than twenty years, from when he was a baby until he was a man. He had no contact with other people. During his young life, he learned to accept happiness and sadness like animals do.

Pt/En So, he did not get angry or upset about his situation. Instead, he waited calmly for what would happen next. He also looked carefully for ways to help himself. He checked his prison room, felt the strong wooden walls, and looked up at the hatch above.

Pt/En While he was doing this, he suddenly felt the ship's engines and heard the propeller turning.

Pt/En The ship was moving! He wondered where it was going and what would happen to him.

Pt/En While he was thinking these things, he heard a sound above the noise of the engines that made him feel very worried.

Pt/En A woman's scream, full of fear, sounded clearly from the deck above him.

Marooned

Pt/En As Tarzan and his guide went into the dark shadows of the wharf, a woman with a thick veil hurried down a small street to the place the two men had just left.

Pt/En She stopped and looked around. She seemed happy to have found the place she was looking for, and she bravely went inside the dirty bar.

Pt/En About twenty sailors, who were half drunk, and other people from the wharf looked up. They were surprised to see a woman in nice clothes among them. She quickly walked to the barmaid, who looked at her with a mix of envy and hate.

Pt/En A woman asked if anyone had seen a tall, well-dressed man who had left with another man just a minute before.

Pt/En The girl confirmed she had seen him but did not know which way they went. A sailor, who had been listening, said that he saw two men leaving the pub and walking towards the wharf a moment earlier.

Pt/En The woman asked the sailor to show her the direction they had gone and gave him a coin.

Pt/En The sailor led her away, and they walked quickly towards the wharf. Across the water, they saw a small boat moving towards a large ship in the shadows.

Pt/En The man whispered that those were the men she was looking for.

Pt/En The woman offered ten pounds to anyone who could find a boat and take her to the steamer.

Pt/En He told her they needed to hurry to catch the Kincaid ship before it left. He explained that the ship had been ready for three hours and was waiting for just one passenger. He mentioned he had spoken to a crew member about half an hour before.

Pt/En He led her to a boat that was tied up. He helped her into the boat and then got in himself. They quickly started rowing across the water.

Pt/En When they reached the steamer, the man asked for his payment. The woman quickly gave him a lot of money. He saw that he was paid very well. He then helped her get onto the ship, keeping his boat close in case she wanted to return later.

Pt/En Soon, the sound of an engine and a cable showed that the Kincaid was raising its anchor. A moment later, the propellers started turning, and the steamer slowly moved away from him into the main water channel.

Pt/En He was turning to row back to the shore when he heard a woman scream from the ship's deck.

Pt/En He said to himself that it was very bad luck. He thought he might as well have taken all the money.

Pt/En When Jane Clayton went onto the deck of the Kincaid, she saw that the ship seemed empty. She could not find the people she was looking for, or anyone else on board. She began to search for her husband and the child she hoped to find there.

Pt/En She quickly went to the cabin, which was partly above and partly below the deck. As she walked down the short stairs into the main cabin, she did not notice that a door closed quickly behind her. She walked past the main room and then went back. She stopped at each door to listen and quietly tried the handle.

Pt/En It was completely silent. She felt that the sound of her own fast heartbeat was like a loud alarm filling the ship.

Pt/En She opened doors one by one, but they were all empty. She did not notice that the ship's engines started. When she opened the last door, a strong man with a dark face grabbed her and pulled her quickly into a room that smelled bad.

Pt/En She screamed loudly because she was suddenly frightened by the attack. Then, the man put his hand roughly over her mouth.

Pt/En The man told her that she could scream later, when they were farther away from land.

Pt/En Lady Greystoke looked at the man's bearded face, which was close to hers. The man moved his hand from her lips. She made a small sound of fear and moved away from him because she recognized him.

Pt/En She exclaimed that the man was Nikolas Rokoff and M. Thuran.

Pt/En The Russian said that he was her devoted admirer and bowed low.

Pt/En She asked the Russian where her little boy was. She wanted to have him and asked how he could be so cruel. She said that even he, Nikolas Rokoff, should have some mercy. She asked him to tell her where the child was and if he was on the ship. She begged him to take her to her baby if he had any feelings.

Pt/En Rokoff told her that if she did what she was told, nothing would happen to her child. He reminded her that it was her own fault she was there because she came on the ship by herself. He thought to himself that he was very lucky.

Pt/En He then went onto the deck and locked the cabin door, keeping her inside. She did not see him for several days. The reason was that Nikolas Rokoff was not a good sailor. The rough seas made him very sick, so he stayed in his room.

Pt/En During this time, her only visitor was the ship's cook, a rough man named Sven Anderssen. He brought her food. He was very proud that his last name was spelled with two 's's.

Pt/En The man was tall and thin, with a long yellow moustache, unhealthy skin, and dirty fingernails. He often put his dirty thumb into the stew he served, which seemed to be his best dish. Just seeing him do this was enough to make the girl lose her appetite.

Pt/En His small blue eyes were set close together and never looked directly at her. He seemed untrustworthy, and even walked like a cat. A long, thin knife was always at his waist, tucked into the cord of his dirty apron. He used it for his work, but the girl felt sure he would use it for something dangerous if he had a reason.

Pt/En He was unfriendly to her, but she always smiled and said thank you when he brought her food. However, she often threw most of the food out of the small cabin window as soon as he left.

Pt/En During the difficult days after Jane Clayton was captured, she thought about two main things: where her husband was and where her son was. She believed her baby was on the ship Kincaid, if he was still alive. But she did not know if Tarzan was allowed to live after being tricked onto the bad ship.

Pt/En She knew the Russian hated the Englishman very much. She thought the only reason he brought Tarzan onto the ship was to kill him safely. This would be revenge because Tarzan had ruined Rokoff's plans and caused him to be sent to a French prison.

Pt/En Tarzan was in his dark cell. He did not know that his wife was a prisoner in a cabin very close above him.

Pt/En The same Swedish man who served Jane brought Tarzan his food. Tarzan tried to talk to him to ask about his son on the ship, but the man only replied that he thought it would blow hard soon. After many tries, Tarzan stopped asking.

Pt/En For many weeks, the two prisoners were on the small ship, going to a place they did not know. The ship stopped once to get more coal, but then it continued its long journey.

Pt/En Rokoff had visited Jane Clayton only one time since he put her in the small cabin. He looked sick because he had been very ill from the sea. He wanted Jane to give him a large personal cheque. In return, he promised to keep her safe and send her back to England.

Pt/En Jane replied that she would pay him double the amount he asked if he took her, her son, and her husband to a safe, civilized place. But she said he would not get any money from her until then.

Pt/En The man replied with an angry sound that she must give him the cheque he asked for. He warned her that if she did not, she, her child, and her husband would never be allowed to enter any port again.

Pt/En She answered that she did not trust him. She asked what proof she could have that he would not take her money and then do whatever he wanted to her and her family, even if he made a promise.

Pt/En He told her he thought she would do as he commanded and turned to leave the room. He reminded her that he had her son. He said that if she heard her baby crying in pain, she should remember it was because she was being stubborn and that it was her baby suffering.

Pt/En The girl cried out that he would not do such a cruel thing. She said he could not be so terribly unkind.

Pt/En He replied that it was not him who was cruel, but her. He said she was letting a small amount of money stop her baby from being safe and free from pain.

Pt/En Jane Clayton gave Nikolas Rokoff a large cheque. He left her room smiling happily.

Pt/En The next day, the cover was taken off Tarzan's cell. When he looked up, he saw Paulvitch's head in the light above.

Pt/En The Russian told Tarzan to come up. He warned Tarzan that he would be shot if he tried to attack him or anyone else on the ship.

Pt/En Tarzan climbed onto the deck. Several sailors with guns stood at a distance around him. Paulvitch was standing in front of him.

Pt/En Tarzan looked for Rokoff, because he was sure Rokoff was on the ship, but he could not see him.

Pt/En The Russian told Lord Greystoke that his constant interference with M. Rokoff's plans had caused this bad situation for him and his family. He said Lord Greystoke was responsible. The Russian explained that M. Rokoff spent a lot of money on this trip, and because Lord Greystoke caused the problem, M. Rokoff expected him to pay for it.

Pt/En The Russian added that if Lord Greystoke met M. Rokoff's fair demands, he could avoid very bad things happening to his wife and child. He also said that Lord Greystoke could keep his own life and get his freedom back.

Pt/En Tarzan asked how much money was needed. He also asked for proof that they would keep their promise. Tarzan said he had little reason to trust two bad men like them and Rokoff.

Pt/En The Russian's face became red.

Pt/En He told Tarzan that he was not in a position to insult them. He explained that Tarzan had only his word as proof that they would keep their agreement. However, he warned that they could quickly deal with Tarzan if he did not write the cheque they wanted.

Pt/En Alexis Paulvitch told Tarzan that they could easily order their men to shoot him, which would please them. However, he explained that they had other plans for punishing Tarzan, and his death would ruin those plans.

Pt/En Tarzan asked Paulvitch if his son was on the ship.

Pt/En Alexis Paulvitch replied that Tarzan's son was safe somewhere else. He said the boy would not be killed unless Tarzan refused their demands. Paulvitch explained that if Tarzan had to be killed, there would be no reason to keep the boy alive, as he would then be a danger. He told Tarzan that the only way to save his son was to save himself by giving them the cheque they wanted.

Pt/En Tarzan agreed, knowing that Paulvitch would keep his threats. He thought there was a small chance he could save his son by giving them what they asked for.

Pt/En Tarzan did not believe they would let him live after he signed the cheque. But he decided to fight them fiercely and possibly kill Paulvitch. He wished it had been Rokoff instead.

Pt/En He took his cheque-book and pen from his pocket.

Pt/En He asked what the amount was.

Pt/En Paulvitch said a very large sum. Tarzan almost smiled.

Pt/En Their greed would cause their downfall. Tarzan pretended to think about the amount, but Paulvitch would not change his mind. Finally, Tarzan wrote a cheque for more money than he had in the bank.

Pt/En As he turned to give the useless paper to the Russian, he looked towards the Kincaid ship. He was surprised to see the ship was very close to land. A thick jungle grew down to the sea, and behind it was higher land covered in trees.

Pt/En Paulvitch saw where the other person was looking.

Pt/En He said that Tarzan would be set free there.

Pt/En Tarzan forgot about getting revenge on the Russian. He thought the land was the mainland of Africa. He knew that if they let him go there, he could easily find his way back to people.

Pt/En Paulvitch took the cheque.

Pt/En He told the ape-man to take off his clothes, saying that he would not need them there.

Pt/En Tarzan disagreed.

Pt/En Paulvitch pointed to the sailors with weapons. Then the Englishman slowly took off his clothes.

Pt/En A boat was lowered, and the ape-man was taken to shore while sailors watched him closely. About thirty minutes later, the sailors went back to the ship, and the steamer began to move slowly.

Pt/En Tarzan stood on the small beach and watched the ship leave. He saw someone on the ship's side call out to get his attention.

Pt/En The ape-man was about to read a note from a sailor when he heard the call from the ship. He looked up from the boat that was taking him to shore.

Pt/En He saw a man with a black beard who laughed at him. The man held a small child high above his head. Tarzan almost ran into the water to reach the moving ship, but he knew it was useless. So, he stopped at the edge of the water.

Pt/En He stood there and watched the ship, the Kincaid, until it went behind a point of land on the coast.

Pt/En From the jungle behind him, some angry eyes looked at him. They were under thick, hairy eyebrows.

Pt/En Small monkeys made noise in the trees. From the forest far away, a leopard screamed.

Pt/En But John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, did not hear or see these things. He felt very sad because he had missed an opportunity. He had believed what the first officer of his enemy had told him, and now he regretted it.

Pt/En He thought that he had one comfort: Jane was safe in London. He was very happy that she had not been captured by the bad men.

Pt/En Behind him, a hairy creature with bad eyes was secretly moving closer. It watched him like a cat watches a mouse.

Pt/En Where were the ape-man's trained senses?

Pt/En Where was his sharp hearing?

Pt/En Where was his strong sense of smell?

Beasts at Bay

Pt/En Tarzan slowly opened and read a note that a sailor gave him. He was very sad, so at first, he did not understand it well. Then, he understood the sailor's terrible plan for revenge.

Pt/En The note explained the writer's exact plans for Tarzan's child and for Tarzan himself.

Pt/En The writer told Tarzan that he was born an ape and lived in the jungle. The writer said that Tarzan's son would be better than his father because he would be raised by humans.

Pt/En The writer said Tarzan's son would be a man, not a jungle animal. He would wear clothes and jewelry. He would be raised by a tribe of savage people who eat other people.

Pt/En The writer explained that he did not kill Tarzan because he wanted to punish him fully. Killing him would have ended the punishment too soon.

Pt/En The speaker told the person that if they were dead, they would not suffer from knowing about their son's bad situation. But if they were alive and could not escape to help their child, they would suffer more than death for many years, thinking about their son's terrible life.

Pt/En The speaker explained that this was part of the punishment for daring to oppose them.

Pt/En N. R.

Pt/En The speaker added that the rest of the punishment was for the wife, and the listener could imagine what would happen to her.

Pt/En When he finished reading, a small noise behind him made him suddenly pay attention to what was happening around him.

Pt/En Tarzan immediately became alert and felt like himself again, Tarzan of the Apes.

Pt/En When he turned around, he saw a cornered animal, full of the need to survive. It was facing a large bull-ape that was already attacking it.

Pt/En In the two years since Tarzan had left the jungle with his mate, his great strength had not decreased. He had spent much time managing his large estates in Uziri, where he used his strong abilities. However, fighting the angry, strong ape with only his body was a difficult challenge for him, even in his wild life.

Pt/En But he had no choice but to fight the angry animal using only the natural abilities he had.

Pt/En Tarzan could see the heads and shoulders of about a dozen more of these strong, early human-like creatures over the bull-ape's shoulder.

Pt/En He knew the apes were unlikely to attack him. Apes do not think about working together to fight an enemy. If they did, they would be the strongest animals because they are very strong and have sharp teeth.

Pt/En The ape growled and jumped at Tarzan. But Tarzan had learned some fighting methods from people, which the jungle animals did not know.

Pt/En Before, he would have fought the ape with strength. Now, he moved to the side as the ape ran past. Then, he hit the ape hard in the stomach.

Pt/En The ape cried out in pain and bent over. He fell to the ground but quickly tried to stand up again.

Pt/En Before the ape could stand, Tarzan, who was white like a man, turned and jumped on him. As he did this, the English lord dropped the last part of his polite, civilized behaviour.

Pt/En He felt like a jungle animal again, fighting a bloody battle with his own kind. He was Tarzan, the son of Kala the she-ape.

Pt/En His strong, white teeth bit into the hairy throat of his enemy, trying to reach the main blood vessel.

Pt/En Strong fingers kept the enemy's large teeth away from his skin. He also hit the enemy's angry, wet face with great force, like a powerful hammer.

Pt/En The other apes watched the fight and seemed to enjoy it. They made low sounds of approval when skin or fur was torn from the fighters. But they were quiet and surprised when the strong white ape climbed onto their king's back. He used his strong muscles to push down hard on the king ape's thick neck. The king ape cried out in pain and could not move on the grass.

Pt/En Tarzan defeated this great ape in the same way he had defeated the huge Terkoz years before. He had accidentally found this wrestling move during that earlier fight. The watching apes heard their king's neck make a cracking sound mixed with his cries and loud roars.

Pt/En Suddenly, there was a loud noise, like a strong branch breaking in the wind. The leader's head fell forward onto his chest. The loud noises stopped.

Pt/En The other apes looked from their fallen leader to the white ape standing up next to him. They wondered why their leader did not get up and kill the stranger.

Pt/En They saw the new ape put his foot on the neck of the quiet figure. Then he threw back his head and made the loud, strange cry of a bull-ape that has killed. At that moment, they knew their king was dead.

Pt/En The loud cry of victory spread through the jungle. The small monkeys in the trees stopped talking. The colorful birds became quiet. From far away, a leopard answered with a cry, and a lion roared.

Pt/En Tarzan looked at the group of apes with questions. He shook his head as if to move heavy hair from his face. This was an old habit from when his thick black hair often fell into his eyes, and he needed to see clearly to survive.

Pt/En The ape-man expected that the strongest male ape would attack him soon. He knew that in ape tribes, a new ape could kill the leader and take his place, including his mates.

Pt/En He thought that if he did not follow the other apes, they might leave and fight among themselves for control. He was sure he could be their king if he wanted, but he was not certain he wanted the difficult job because he saw no real benefit.

Pt/En One of the younger, strong, and muscular apes was moving closer to the ape-man in a threatening way. The ape made a low, angry sound through its teeth.

Pt/En Tarzan stood very still, like a statue, and watched the ape. If Tarzan moved back, the ape would attack immediately. If Tarzan moved forward, the ape might attack or run away, depending on how brave it was.

Pt/En The best action was to wait without moving. Tarzan knew that the ape would then come very close, making loud noises and showing its teeth. The ape would walk around him, as if looking for a fight, just as Tarzan had expected.

Pt/En The ape might be pretending to be angry. However, ape minds can change very quickly. So, the ape could suddenly attack the man without any warning.

Pt/En As the ape walked around him, Tarzan slowly turned to watch its eyes. Tarzan thought this young ape had not felt strong enough to defeat his old leader, but he believed it would try one day. Tarzan saw the ape was very big, over seven feet tall, with short, bent legs.

Pt/En The ape's large, hairy arms almost reached the ground when it stood up. Its fighting teeth, which were very close to Tarzan's face, were long and sharp. This ape was slightly different from the apes Tarzan knew when he was a child.

Pt/En At first, Tarzan felt hopeful when he saw the hairy apes. He thought he might have returned to his own ape tribe by chance. But, after looking more closely, he knew they were a different kind of ape.

Pt/En The angry ape continued to walk around Tarzan in a stiff, jerky way, like dogs do when a new dog enters their group. Tarzan wondered if this ape's language was the same as his own tribe's. So, he spoke to the ape using the language of Kerchak's tribe.

Pt/En He asked who was threatening Tarzan of the Apes.

Pt/En The hairy ape looked surprised.

Pt/En The other ape replied that he was Akut. He spoke in a simple, basic language that Tarzan knew was the same as the language he had learned when he was young.

Pt/En Akut said that Molak was dead and he was now king. He told Tarzan to go away or he would kill him.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that he had easily killed Molak, so he could kill Akut too if he wanted to be king. But Tarzan of the Apes did not want to be king of Akut's tribe. He only wanted to live peacefully. He suggested they be friends and help each other.

Pt/En Another ape told Tarzan that Akut was too great to be killed. He explained that Akut would have killed Molak himself and was ready to become king.

Pt/En In response, Tarzan attacked the large ape, who had become less careful while they were talking.

Pt/En Very quickly, Tarzan grabbed the big ape's wrist. Before the other ape could fight back, Tarzan turned him around and jumped onto his back.

Pt/En They fell to the ground together. However, Tarzan's plan worked perfectly, and before they landed, he had Akut in the same strong hold that had killed Molak.

Pt/En Tarzan slowly squeezed, giving Akut the choice to live peacefully with him, like he had offered Kerchak before. Tarzan saw Akut as a strong and clever potential friend.

Pt/En Tarzan whispered the question "Ka-Goda?" to the ape below him.

Pt/En This was the same question Tarzan had asked Kerchak. In the language of the apes, it meant "Do you surrender?"

Pt/En Akut remembered the sound of creaking just before Molak's neck broke. This made Akut shudder.

Pt/En Akut did not want to lose his position as king, so he tried to get free. But a sudden, painful pressure on his spine made him cry out in pain, "ka-goda!"

Pt/En Tarzan loosened his hold a little.

Pt/En Tarzan told Akut that he could still be the king of the apes. Tarzan explained that he did not want to be king. He promised to help Akut if anyone challenged his position.

Pt/En Tarzan stood up, and Akut slowly got to his feet. Akut shook his head and made an angry sound. He walked towards his tribe, looking at the older apes who might try to take his leadership.

Pt/En None of the apes challenged Akut. Instead, they moved away from him. Soon, the whole group went into the jungle, and Tarzan was left alone on the beach again.

Pt/En Tarzan felt pain from the wounds Molak had given him. However, he was used to physical pain and accepted it calmly, like the wild animals that had taught him to live in the jungle.

Pt/En Tarzan knew he first needed weapons for fighting and protection. He had fought with the apes, and he heard the distant sounds of Numa the lion and Sheeta the panther. This warned him that his life would not be easy or safe.

Pt/En This was like returning to his old life, which was full of fighting and danger. He would hunt, and animals would hunt him. Dangerous animals would follow him, just like before. He always needed to be ready to defend himself with simple tools he could make from things around him, at any time, day or night.

Pt/En On the beach, he found a piece of hard, brittle rock. With a lot of work, he broke off a thin piece about 30 cm long and 0.6 cm thick. One part near the end was sharp. It was the beginning of a knife.

Pt/En He took the rock knife into the jungle. He looked until he found a fallen tree made of a strong wood he knew. From this tree, he cut a small, straight stick and made one end sharp.

Pt/En Then, he made a small, round hole in the fallen tree trunk. He put some very dry, shredded bark into the hole. After that, he put the sharp end of his stick into the hole. He sat on the tree trunk and quickly rubbed the stick between his hands.

Pt/En After some time, a little smoke came from the dry bark. Soon, the bark caught fire. Tarzan added some bigger twigs and sticks to the small fire. He soon had a good fire burning in the hole in the dead tree.

Pt/En He put the blade of his stone knife into something. When it got very hot, he took it out. He touched a spot near the edge with a drop of water. A small piece of the stone broke off where it was wet.

Pt/En In this way, the ape-man slowly began the difficult work of making his simple hunting knife sharp.

Pt/En He did not try to finish it all at once. First, he made a sharp edge about two inches long. With this, he made a long, flexible bow, a handle for his knife, a strong club, and many arrows.

Pt/En He hid these things in a tall tree near a small river. He also built a platform with a roof made of palm leaves there.

Pt/En When he finished these tasks, it was getting dark. Tarzan felt very hungry and wanted to eat.

Pt/En He remembered seeing a place where many animals came to drink. It was not far from his tree, upstream. The mud on the banks showed that many different animals visited it. The ape-man, who was hungry, went there quietly.

Pt/En He moved through the tops of the trees easily, like a monkey. If he had not felt so sad, he would have been happy to return to the free life he had as a boy.

Pt/En Even though he was sad, he still did things from his early life. These habits were more a part of him than the way he had learned to act from living with white people for the last three years. That experience had only slightly changed him, hiding the wildness of the ape-man he used to be.

Pt/En If his friends from the House of Lords could have seen him then, they would have been very shocked.

Pt/En He hid silently in the branches of a large tree over the path. He listened and watched carefully for his dinner to appear from the jungle.

Pt/En He did not have to wait for a long time.

Pt/En He had just sat down comfortably, with his strong legs pulled up like a panther ready to jump, when Bara the deer came to drink.

Pt/En But another animal was coming behind the deer. The deer could not see or smell it, but Tarzan, from his high hiding place, could see its movements.

Pt/En Tarzan did not know exactly what the animal was, but he was sure it was a large predator hunting Bara, just like he was. He thought it might be Numa the lion or Sheeta the panther.

Pt/En Tarzan realized that his meal might escape if Bara did not move faster towards the water.

Pt/En The buck heard a noise behind it. It stopped for a moment, shaking. Then it quickly ran towards the river and Tarzan. The buck wanted to cross the river at the shallow part.

Pt/En Numa was following closely, only about 100 yards away.

Pt/En Tarzan could see Numa clearly now. Numa was about to pass the ape-man. But as Tarzan wondered if Numa could do it, the lion jumped from its place onto the back of the surprised buck.

Pt/En Numa would reach them both very soon. If Tarzan wanted to eat that night, he had to act fast.

Pt/En As soon as the lion touched the deer, making it fall to its knees, it grabbed one horn in each hand. With a strong pull, it twisted the deer's neck completely around until the bones broke.

Pt/En A lion was roaring angrily behind him. Tarzan carried the deer over his shoulder. He held a front leg in his strong teeth and jumped to the nearest low branch above him.

Pt/En He grabbed the branch with both hands. Just as the lion, Numa, jumped, Tarzan pulled himself and the deer up, away from the animal's sharp claws.

Pt/En He heard a sound below as the angry cat fell back to the ground. Tarzan of the Apes pulled his food higher up the tree to a safer branch. He looked down with a happy face at the other wild animal's bright yellow eyes. The animal glared up at him from below. Tarzan made fun of the lion, showing him the meat he had taken away.

Pt/En Using his simple stone knife, he cut a piece of meat from the back of the deer. While the big lion walked back and forth below, making angry sounds, Lord Greystoke ate his food. He had never tasted a better meal, even in the best clubs in London.

Pt/En The warm blood from his kill was on his hands and face. It filled his nose with the smell that wild meat-eating animals like the most.

Pt/En After he finished eating, he left the rest of the animal's body in a high tree branch. Numa, who still wanted revenge, followed him. Tarzan returned to his shelter in the trees and slept until late the next morning.

Original English Text

1 - Kidnapped

2 - Marooned

3 - Beasts at Bay

Kidnapped

PT "The entire affair is shrouded in mystery,"said D'Arnot."I have it on the best of authority that neither the police nor the special agents of the general staff have the faintest conception of how it was accomplished. All they know, all that anyone knows, is that Nikolas Rokoff has escaped."

PT John Clayton, Lord Greystoke -- he who had been"Tarzan of the Apes"-- sat in silence in the apartments of his friend, Lieutenant Paul D'Arnot, in Paris, gazing meditatively at the toe of his immaculate boot.

PT His mind revolved many memories, recalled by the escape of his arch-enemy from the French military prison to which he had been sentenced for life upon the testimony of the ape-man.

PT He thought of the lengths to which Rokoff had once gone to compass his death, and he realized that what the man had already done would doubtless be as nothing by comparison with what he would wish and plot to do now that he was again free.

PT Tarzan had recently brought his wife and infant son to London to escape the discomforts and dangers of the rainy season upon their vast estate in Uziri -- the land of the savage Waziri warriors whose broad African domains the ape-man had once ruled.

PT He had run across the Channel for a brief visit with his old friend, but the news of the Russian's escape had already cast a shadow upon his outing, so that though he had but just arrived he was already contemplating an immediate return to London.

PT "It is not that I fear for myself, Paul,"he said at last."Many times in the past have I thwarted Rokoff's designs upon my life; but now there are others to consider. Unless I misjudge the man, he would more quickly strike at me through my wife or son than directly at me, for he doubtless realizes that in no other way could he inflict greater anguish upon me. I must go back to them at once, and remain with them until Rokoff is recaptured -- or dead."

PT As these two talked in Paris, two other men were talking together in a little cottage upon the outskirts of London. Both were dark, sinister-looking men.

PT One was bearded, but the other, whose face wore the pallor of long confinement within doors, had but a few days' growth of black beard upon his face. It was he who was speaking.

PT "You must needs shave off that beard of yours, Alexis,"he said to his companion."With it he would recognize you on the instant. We must separate here in the hour, and when we meet again upon the deck of the Kincaid, let us hope that we shall have with us two honoured guests who little anticipate the pleasant voyage we have planned for them.

PT "In two hours I should be upon my way to Dover with one of them, and by tomorrow night, if you follow my instructions carefully, you should arrive with the other, provided, of course, that he returns to London as quickly as I presume he will.

PT "There should be both profit and pleasure as well as other good things to reward our efforts, my dear Alexis. Thanks to the stupidity of the French, they have gone to such lengths to conceal the fact of my escape for these many days that I have had ample opportunity to work out every detail of our little adventure so carefully that there is little chance of the slightest hitch occurring to mar our prospects. And now good-bye, and good luck!"

PT Three hours later a messenger mounted the steps to the apartment of Lieutenant D'Arnot.

PT "A telegram for Lord Greystoke,"he said to the servant who answered his summons."Is he here?"

PT The man answered in the affirmative, and, signing for the message, carried it within to Tarzan, who was already preparing to depart for London.

PT Tarzan tore open the envelope, and as he read his face went white.

PT "Read it, Paul,"he said, handing the slip of paper to D'Arnot."It has come already."

PT The Frenchman took the telegram and read:

PT "Jack stolen from the garden through complicity of new servant. Come at once. -- JANE."

PT As Tarzan leaped from the roadster that had met him at the station and ran up the steps to his London town house he was met at the door by a dry-eyed but almost frantic woman.

PT Quickly Jane Porter Clayton narrated all that she had been able to learn of the theft of the boy.

PT The baby's nurse had been wheeling him in the sunshine on the walk before the house when a closed taxicab drew up at the corner of the street. The woman had paid but passing attention to the vehicle, merely noting that it discharged no passenger, but stood at the kerb with the motor running as though waiting for a fare from the residence before which it had stopped.

PT Almost immediately the new houseman, Carl, had come running from the Greystoke house, saying that the girl's mistress wished to speak with her for a moment, and that she was to leave little Jack in his care until she returned.

PT The woman said that she entertained not the slightest suspicion of the man's motives until she had reached the doorway of the house, when it occurred to her to warn him not to turn the carriage so as to permit the sun to shine in the baby's eyes.

PT As she turned about to call this to him she was somewhat surprised to see that he was wheeling the carriage rapidly toward the corner, and at the same time she saw the door of the taxicab open and a swarthy face framed for a moment in the aperture.

PT Intuitively, the danger to the child flashed upon her, and with a shriek she dashed down the steps and up the walk toward the taxicab, into which Carl was now handing the baby to the swarthy one within.

PT Just before she reached the vehicle, Carl leaped in beside his confederate, slamming the door behind him. At the same time the chauffeur attempted to start his machine, but it was evident that something had gone wrong, as though the gears refused to mesh, and the delay caused by this, while he pushed the lever into reverse and backed the car a few inches before again attempting to go ahead, gave the nurse time to reach the side of the taxicab.

PT Leaping to the running-board, she had attempted to snatch the baby from the arms of the stranger, and here, screaming and fighting, she had clung to her position even after the taxicab had got under way; nor was it until the machine had passed the Greystoke residence at good speed that Carl, with a heavy blow to her face, had succeeded in knocking her to the pavement.

PT Her screams had attracted servants and members of the families from residences near by, as well as from the Greystoke home. Lady Greystoke had witnessed the girl's brave battle, and had herself tried to reach the rapidly passing vehicle, but had been too late.

PT That was all that anyone knew, nor did Lady Greystoke dream of the possible identity of the man at the bottom of the plot until her husband told her of the escape of Nikolas Rokoff from the French prison where they had hoped he was permanently confined.

PT As Tarzan and his wife stood planning the wisest course to pursue, the telephone bell rang in the library at their right. Tarzan quickly answered the call in person.

PT "Lord Greystoke?"asked a man's voice at the other end of the line.

PT "Yes."

PT "Your son has been stolen,"continued the voice,"and I alone may help you to recover him. I am conversant with the plot of those who took him. In fact, I was a party to it, and was to share in the reward, but now they are trying to ditch me, and to be quits with them I will aid you to recover him on condition that you will not prosecute me for my part in the crime. What do you say?"

PT "If you lead me to where my son is hidden,"replied the ape-man,"you need fear nothing from me."

PT "Good,"replied the other."But you must come alone to meet me, for it is enough that I must trust you. I cannot take the chance of permitting others to learn my identity."

PT "Where and when may I meet you?"asked Tarzan.

PT The other gave the name and location of a public-house on the water-front at Dover -- a place frequented by sailors.

PT "Come,"he concluded,"about ten o'clock tonight. It would do no good to arrive earlier. Your son will be safe enough in the meantime, and I can then lead you secretly to where he is hidden. But be sure to come alone, and under no circumstances notify Scotland Yard, for I know you well and shall be watching for you.

PT "Should any other accompany you, or should I see suspicious characters who might be agents of the police, I shall not meet you, and your last chance of recovering your son will be gone."

PT Without more words the man rang off.

PT Tarzan repeated the gist of the conversation to his wife. She begged to be allowed to accompany him, but he insisted that it might result in the man's carrying out his threat of refusing to aid them if Tarzan did not come alone, and so they parted, he to hasten to Dover, and she, ostensibly to wait at home until he should notify her of the outcome of his mission.

PT Little did either dream of what both were destined to pass through before they should meet again, or the far-distant -- but why anticipate?

PT For ten minutes after the ape-man had left her Jane Clayton walked restlessly back and forth across the silken rugs of the library. Her mother heart ached, bereft of its first-born. Her mind was in an anguish of hopes and fears.

PT Though her judgment told her that all would be well were her Tarzan to go alone in accordance with the mysterious stranger's summons, her intuition would not permit her to lay aside suspicion of the gravest dangers to both her husband and her son.

PT The more she thought of the matter, the more convinced she became that the recent telephone message might be but a ruse to keep them inactive until the boy was safely hidden away or spirited out of England. Or it might be that it had been simply a bait to lure Tarzan into the hands of the implacable Rokoff.

PT With the lodgment of this thought she stopped in wide-eyed terror. Instantly it became a conviction. She glanced at the great clock ticking the minutes in the corner of the library.

PT It was too late to catch the Dover train that Tarzan was to take. There was another, later, however, that would bring her to the Channel port in time to reach the address the stranger had given her husband before the appointed hour.

PT Summoning her maid and chauffeur, she issued instructions rapidly. Ten minutes later she was being whisked through the crowded streets toward the railway station.

PT It was nine-forty-five that night that Tarzan entered the squalid"pub"on the water-front in Dover. As he passed into the evil-smelling room a muffled figure brushed past him toward the street.

PT "Come, my lord!"whispered the stranger.

PT The ape-man wheeled about and followed the other into the ill-lit alley, which custom had dignified with the title of thoroughfare. Once outside, the fellow led the way into the darkness, nearer a wharf, where high-piled bales, boxes, and casks cast dense shadows. Here he halted.

PT "Where is the boy?"asked Greystoke.

PT "On that small steamer whose lights you can just see yonder,"replied the other.

PT In the gloom Tarzan was trying to peer into the features of his companion, but he did not recognize the man as one whom he had ever before seen. Had he guessed that his guide was Alexis Paulvitch he would have realized that naught but treachery lay in the man's heart, and that danger lurked in the path of every move.

PT "He is unguarded now,"continued the Russian."Those who took him feel perfectly safe from detection, and with the exception of a couple of members of the crew, whom I have furnished with enough gin to silence them effectually for hours, there is none aboard the Kincaid. We can go aboard, get the child, and return without the slightest fear."

PT Tarzan nodded.

PT "Let's be about it, then,"he said.

PT His guide led him to a small boat moored alongside the wharf. The two men entered, and Paulvitch pulled rapidly toward the steamer. The black smoke issuing from her funnel did not at the time make any suggestion to Tarzan's mind. All his thoughts were occupied with the hope that in a few moments he would again have his little son in his arms.

PT At the steamer's side they found a monkey-ladder dangling close above them, and up this the two men crept stealthily. Once on deck they hastened aft to where the Russian pointed to a hatch.

PT "The boy is hidden there,"he said."You had better go down after him, as there is less chance that he will cry in fright than should he find himself in the arms of a stranger. I will stand on guard here."

PT So anxious was Tarzan to rescue the child that he gave not the slightest thought to the strangeness of all the conditions surrounding the Kincaid. That her deck was deserted, though she had steam up, and from the volume of smoke pouring from her funnel was all ready to get under way made no impression upon him.

PT With the thought that in another instant he would fold that precious little bundle of humanity in his arms, the ape-man swung down into the darkness below. Scarcely had he released his hold upon the edge of the hatch than the heavy covering fell clattering above him.

PT Instantly he knew that he was the victim of a plot, and that far from rescuing his son he had himself fallen into the hands of his enemies. Though he immediately endeavoured to reach the hatch and lift the cover, he was unable to do so.

PT Striking a match, he explored his surroundings, finding that a little compartment had been partitioned off from the main hold, with the hatch above his head the only means of ingress or egress. It was evident that the room had been prepared for the very purpose of serving as a cell for himself.

PT There was nothing in the compartment, and no other occupant. If the child was on board the Kincaid he was confined elsewhere.

PT For over twenty years, from infancy to manhood, the ape-man had roamed his savage jungle haunts without human companionship of any nature. He had learned at the most impressionable period of his life to take his pleasures and his sorrows as the beasts take theirs.

PT So it was that he neither raved nor stormed against fate, but instead waited patiently for what might next befall him, though not by any means without an eye to doing the utmost to succour himself. To this end he examined his prison carefully, tested the heavy planking that formed its walls, and measured the distance of the hatch above him.

PT And while he was thus occupied there came suddenly to him the vibration of machinery and the throbbing of the propeller.

PT The ship was moving! Where to and to what fate was it carrying him?

PT And even as these thoughts passed through his mind there came to his ears above the din of the engines that which caused him to go cold with apprehension.

PT Clear and shrill from the deck above him rang the scream of a frightened woman.

Marooned

PT As Tarzan and his guide had disappeared into the shadows upon the dark wharf the figure of a heavily veiled woman had hurried down the narrow alley to the entrance of the drinking-place the two men had just quitted.

PT Here she paused and looked about, and then as though satisfied that she had at last reached the place she sought, she pushed bravely into the interior of the vile den.

PT A score of half-drunken sailors and wharf-rats looked up at the unaccustomed sight of a richly gowned woman in their midst. Rapidly she approached the slovenly barmaid who stared half in envy, half in hate, at her more fortunate sister.

PT "Have you seen a tall, well-dressed man here, but a minute since,"she asked,"who met another and went away with him?"

PT The girl answered in the affirmative, but could not tell which way the two had gone. A sailor who had approached to listen to the conversation vouchsafed the information that a moment before as he had been about to enter the"pub"he had seen two men leaving it who walked toward the wharf.

PT "Show me the direction they went,"cried the woman, slipping a coin into the man's hand.

PT The fellow led her from the place, and together they walked quickly toward the wharf and along it until across the water they saw a small boat just pulling into the shadows of a near-by steamer.

PT "There they be,"whispered the man.

PT "Ten pounds if you will find a boat and row me to that steamer,"cried the woman.

PT "Quick, then,"he replied,"for we gotta go it if we're goin' to catch the Kincaid afore she sails. She's had steam up for three hours an' jest been a-waitin' fer that one passenger. I was a-talkin' to one of her crew 'arf an hour ago."

PT As he spoke he led the way to the end of the wharf where he knew another boat lay moored, and, lowering the woman into it, he jumped in after and pushed off. The two were soon scudding over the water.

PT At the steamer's side the man demanded his pay and, without waiting to count out the exact amount, the woman thrust a handful of bank-notes into his outstretched hand. A single glance at them convinced the fellow that he had been more than well paid. Then he assisted her up the ladder, holding his skiff close to the ship's side against the chance that this profitable passenger might wish to be taken ashore later.

PT But presently the sound of the donkey engine and the rattle of a steel cable on the hoisting-drum proclaimed the fact that the Kincaid's anchor was being raised, and a moment later the waiter heard the propellers revolving, and slowly the little steamer moved away from him out into the channel.

PT As he turned to row back to shore he heard a woman's shriek from the ship's deck.

PT "That's wot I calls rotten luck,"he soliloquized."I might jest as well of 'ad the whole bloomin' wad."

PT When Jane Clayton climbed to the deck of the Kincaid she found the ship apparently deserted. There was no sign of those she sought nor of any other aboard, and so she went about her search for her husband and the child she hoped against hope to find there without interruption.

PT Quickly she hastened to the cabin, which was half above and half below deck. As she hurried down the short companion-ladder into the main cabin, on either side of which were the smaller rooms occupied by the officers, she failed to note the quick closing of one of the doors before her. She passed the full length of the main room, and then retracing her steps stopped before each door to listen, furtively trying each latch.

PT All was silence, utter silence there, in which the throbbing of her own frightened heart seemed to her overwrought imagination to fill the ship with its thunderous alarm.

PT One by one the doors opened before her touch, only to reveal empty interiors. In her absorption she did not note the sudden activity upon the vessel, the purring of the engines, the throbbing of the propeller. She had reached the last door upon the right now, and as she pushed it open she was seized from within by a powerful, dark-visaged man, and drawn hastily into the stuffy, ill-smelling interior.

PT The sudden shock of fright which the unexpected attack had upon her drew a single piercing scream from her throat; then the man clapped a hand roughly over the mouth.

PT "Not until we are farther from land, my dear,"he said."Then you may yell your pretty head off."

PT Lady Greystoke turned to look into the leering, bearded face so close to hers. The man relaxed the pressure of his fingers upon her lips, and with a little moan of terror as she recognized him the girl shrank away from her captor.

PT "Nikolas Rokoff! M. Thuran!"she exclaimed.

PT "Your devoted admirer,"replied the Russian, with a low bow.

PT "My little boy,"she said next, ignoring the terms of endearment--"where is he? Let me have him. How could you be so cruel -- even as you -- Nikolas Rokoff -- cannot be entirely devoid of mercy and compassion? Tell me where he is. Is he aboard this ship? Oh, please, if such a thing as a heart beats within your breast, take me to my baby!"

PT "If you do as you are bid no harm will befall him,"replied Rokoff."But remember that it is your own fault that you are here. You came aboard voluntarily, and you may take the consequences. I little thought,"he added to himself,"that any such good luck as this would come to me."

PT He went on deck then, locking the cabin-door upon his prisoner, and for several days she did not see him. The truth of the matter being that Nikolas Rokoff was so poor a sailor that the heavy seas the Kincaid encountered from the very beginning of her voyage sent the Russian to his berth with a bad attack of sea-sickness.

PT During this time her only visitor was an uncouth Swede, the Kincaid's unsavoury cook, who brought her meals to her. His name was Sven Anderssen, his one pride being that his patronymic was spelt with a double"s."

PT The man was tall and raw-boned, with a long yellow moustache, an unwholesome complexion, and filthy nails. The very sight of him with one grimy thumb buried deep in the lukewarm stew, that seemed, from the frequency of its repetition, to constitute the pride of his culinary art, was sufficient to take away the girl's appetite.

PT His small, blue, close-set eyes never met hers squarely. There was a shiftiness of his whole appearance that even found expression in the cat-like manner of his gait, and to it all a sinister suggestion was added by the long slim knife that always rested at his waist, slipped through the greasy cord that supported his soiled apron. Ostensibly it was but an implement of his calling; but the girl could never free herself of the conviction that it would require less provocation to witness it put to other and less harmless uses.

PT His manner toward her was surly, yet she never failed to meet him with a pleasant smile and a word of thanks when he brought her food to her, though more often than not she hurled the bulk of it through the tiny cabin port the moment that the door closed behind him.

PT During the days of anguish that followed Jane Clayton's imprisonment, but two questions were uppermost in her mind -- the whereabouts of her husband and her son. She fully believed that the baby was aboard the Kincaid, provided that he still lived, but whether Tarzan had been permitted to live after having been lured aboard the evil craft she could not guess.

PT She knew, of course, the deep hatred that the Russian felt for the Englishman, and she could think of but one reason for having him brought aboard the ship -- to dispatch him in comparative safety in revenge for his having thwarted Rokoff's pet schemes, and for having been at last the means of landing him in a French prison.

PT Tarzan, on his part, lay in the darkness of his cell, ignorant of the fact that his wife was a prisoner in the cabin almost above his head.

PT The same Swede that served Jane brought his meals to him, but, though on several occasions Tarzan had tried to draw the man into conversation, he had been unsuccessful. He had hoped to learn through this fellow whether his little son was aboard the Kincaid, but to every question upon this or kindred subjects the fellow returned but one reply,"Ay tank it blow purty soon purty hard."So after several attempts Tarzan gave it up.

PT For weeks that seemed months to the two prisoners the little steamer forged on they knew not where. Once the Kincaid stopped to coal, only immediately to take up the seemingly interminable voyage.

PT Rokoff had visited Jane Clayton but once since he had locked her in the tiny cabin. He had come gaunt and hollow-eyed from a long siege of sea-sickness. The object of his visit was to obtain from her her personal cheque for a large sum in return for a guarantee of her personal safety and return to England.

PT "When you set me down safely in any civilized port, together with my son and my husband,"she replied,"I will pay you in gold twice the amount you ask; but until then you shall not have a cent, nor the promise of a cent under any other conditions."

PT "You will give me the cheque I ask,"he replied with a snarl,"or neither you nor your child nor your husband will ever again set foot within any port, civilized or otherwise."

PT "I would not trust you,"she replied."What guarantee have I that you would not take my money and then do as you pleased with me and mine regardless of your promise?"

PT "I think you will do as I bid,"he said, turning to leave the cabin."Remember that I have your son -- if you chance to hear the agonized wail of a tortured child it may console you to reflect that it is because of your stubbornness that the baby suffers -- and that it is your baby."

PT "You would not do it!"cried the girl."You would not -- could not be so fiendishly cruel!"

PT "It is not I that am cruel, but you,"he returned,"for you permit a paltry sum of money to stand between your baby and immunity from suffering."

PT The end of it was that Jane Clayton wrote out a cheque of large denomination and handed it to Nikolas Rokoff, who left her cabin with a grin of satisfaction upon his lips.

PT The following day the hatch was removed from Tarzan's cell, and as he looked up he saw Paulvitch's head framed in the square of light above him.

PT "Come up,"commanded the Russian."But bear in mind that you will be shot if you make a single move to attack me or any other aboard the ship."

PT The ape-man swung himself lightly to the deck. About him, but at a respectful distance, stood a half-dozen sailors armed with rifles and revolvers. Facing him was Paulvitch.

PT Tarzan looked about for Rokoff, who he felt sure must be aboard, but there was no sign of him.

PT "Lord Greystoke,"commenced the Russian,"by your continued and wanton interference with M. Rokoff and his plans you have at last brought yourself and your family to this unfortunate extremity. You have only yourself to thank. As you may imagine, it has cost M. Rokoff a large amount of money to finance this expedition, and, as you are the sole cause of it, he naturally looks to you for reimbursement.

PT "Further, I may say that only by meeting M. Rokoff's just demands may you avert the most unpleasant consequences to your wife and child, and at the same time retain your own life and regain your liberty."

PT "What is the amount?"asked Tarzan."And what assurance have I that you will live up to your end of the agreement? I have little reason to trust two such scoundrels as you and Rokoff, you know."

PT The Russian flushed.

PT "You are in no position to deliver insults,"he said."You have no assurance that we will live up to our agreement other than my word, but you have before you the assurance that we can make short work of you if you do not write out the cheque we demand.

PT "Unless you are a greater fool than I imagine, you should know that there is nothing that would give us greater pleasure than to order these men to fire. That we do not is because we have other plans for punishing you that would be entirely upset by your death."

PT "Answer one question,"said Tarzan."Is my son on board this ship?"

PT "No,"replied Alexis Paulvitch,"your son is quite safe elsewhere; nor will he be killed until you refuse to accede to our fair demands. If it becomes necessary to kill you, there will be no reason for not killing the child, since with you gone the one whom we wish to punish through the boy will be gone, and he will then be to us only a constant source of danger and embarrassment. You see, therefore, that you may only save the life of your son by saving your own, and you can only save your own by giving us the cheque we ask."

PT "Very well,"replied Tarzan, for he knew that he could trust them to carry out any sinister threat that Paulvitch had made, and there was a bare chance that by conceding their demands he might save the boy.

PT That they would permit him to live after he had appended his name to the cheque never occurred to him as being within the realms of probability. But he was determined to give them such a battle as they would never forget, and possibly to take Paulvitch with him into eternity. He was only sorry that it was not Rokoff.

PT He took his pocket cheque-book and fountain-pen from his pocket.

PT "What is the amount?"he asked.

PT Paulvitch named an enormous sum. Tarzan could scarce restrain a smile.

PT Their very cupidity was to prove the means of their undoing, in the matter of the ransom at least. Purposely he hesitated and haggled over the amount, but Paulvitch was obdurate. Finally the ape-man wrote out his cheque for a larger sum than stood to his credit at the bank.

PT As he turned to hand the worthless slip of paper to the Russian his glance chanced to pass across the starboard bow of the Kincaid. To his surprise he saw that the ship lay within a few hundred yards of land. Almost down to the water's edge ran a dense tropical jungle, and behind was higher land clothed in forest.

PT Paulvitch noted the direction of his gaze.

PT "You are to be set at liberty here,"he said.

PT Tarzan's plan for immediate physical revenge upon the Russian vanished. He thought the land before him the mainland of Africa, and he knew that should they liberate him here he could doubtless find his way to civilization with comparative ease.

PT Paulvitch took the cheque.

PT "Remove your clothing,"he said to the ape-man."Here you will not need it."

PT Tarzan demurred.

PT Paulvitch pointed to the armed sailors. Then the Englishman slowly divested himself of his clothing.

PT A boat was lowered, and, still heavily guarded, the ape-man was rowed ashore. Half an hour later the sailors had returned to the Kincaid, and the steamer was slowly getting under way.

PT As Tarzan stood upon the narrow strip of beach watching the departure of the vessel he saw a figure appear at the rail and call aloud to attract his attention.

PT The ape-man had been about to read a note that one of the sailors had handed him as the small boat that bore him to the shore was on the point of returning to the steamer, but at the hail from the vessel's deck he looked up.

PT He saw a black-bearded man who laughed at him in derision as he held high above his head the figure of a little child. Tarzan half started as though to rush through the surf and strike out for the already moving steamer; but realizing the futility of so rash an act he halted at the water's edge.

PT Thus he stood, his gaze riveted upon the Kincaid until it disappeared beyond a projecting promontory of the coast.

PT From the jungle at his back fierce bloodshot eyes glared from beneath shaggy overhanging brows upon him.

PT Little monkeys in the tree-tops chattered and scolded, and from the distance of the inland forest came the scream of a leopard.

PT But still John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, stood deaf and unseeing, suffering the pangs of keen regret for the opportunity that he had wasted because he had been so gullible as to place credence in a single statement of the first lieutenant of his arch-enemy.

PT "I have at least,"he thought,"one consolation -- the knowledge that Jane is safe in London. Thank Heaven she, too, did not fall into the clutches of those villains."

PT Behind him the hairy thing whose evil eyes had been watching him as a cat watches a mouse was creeping stealthily toward him.

PT Where were the trained senses of the savage ape-man?

PT Where the acute hearing?

PT Where the uncanny sense of scent?

Beasts at Bay

PT Slowly Tarzan unfolded the note the sailor had thrust into his hand, and read it. At first it made little impression on his sorrow-numbed senses, but finally the full purport of the hideous plot of revenge unfolded itself before his imagination.

PT "This will explain to you"[the note read]"the exact nature of my intentions relative to your offspring and to you.

PT "You were born an ape. You lived naked in the jungles -- to your own we have returned you; but your son shall rise a step above his sire. It is the immutable law of evolution.

PT "The father was a beast, but the son shall be a man -- he shall take the next ascending step in the scale of progress. He shall be no naked beast of the jungle, but shall wear a loin-cloth and copper anklets, and, perchance, a ring in his nose, for he is to be reared by men -- a tribe of savage cannibals.

PT "I might have killed you, but that would have curtailed the full measure of the punishment you have earned at my hands.

PT "Dead, you could not have suffered in the knowledge of your son's plight; but living and in a place from which you may not escape to seek or succour your child, you shall suffer worse than death for all the years of your life in contemplation of the horrors of your son's existence.

PT "This, then, is to be a part of your punishment for having dared to pit yourself against

PT N. R.

PT "P.S. -- The balance of your punishment has to do with what shall presently befall your wife -- that I shall leave to your imagination."

PT As he finished reading, a slight sound behind him brought him back with a start to the world of present realities.

PT Instantly his senses awoke, and he was again Tarzan of the Apes.

PT As he wheeled about, it was a beast at bay, vibrant with the instinct of self-preservation, that faced a huge bull-ape that was already charging down upon him.

PT The two years that had elapsed since Tarzan had come out of the savage forest with his rescued mate had witnessed slight diminution of the mighty powers that had made him the invincible lord of the jungle. His great estates in Uziri had claimed much of his time and attention, and there he had found ample field for the practical use and retention of his almost superhuman powers; but naked and unarmed to do battle with the shaggy, bull-necked beast that now confronted him was a test that the ape-man would scarce have welcomed at any period of his wild existence.

PT But there was no alternative other than to meet the rage-maddened creature with the weapons with which nature had endowed him.

PT Over the bull's shoulder Tarzan could see now the heads and shoulders of perhaps a dozen more of these mighty fore-runners of primitive man.

PT He knew, however, that there was little chance that they would attack him, since it is not within the reasoning powers of the anthropoid to be able to weigh or appreciate the value of concentrated action against an enemy -- otherwise they would long since have become the dominant creatures of their haunts, so tremendous a power of destruction lies in their mighty thews and savage fangs.

PT With a low snarl the beast now hurled himself at Tarzan, but the ape-man had found, among other things in the haunts of civilized man, certain methods of scientific warfare that are unknown to the jungle folk.

PT Whereas, a few years since, he would have met the brute rush with brute force, he now sidestepped his antagonist's headlong charge, and as the brute hurtled past him swung a mighty right to the pit of the ape's stomach.

PT With a howl of mingled rage and anguish the great anthropoid bent double and sank to the ground, though almost instantly he was again struggling to his feet.

PT Before he could regain them, however, his white-skinned foe had wheeled and pounced upon him, and in the act there dropped from the shoulders of the English lord the last shred of his superficial mantle of civilization.

PT Once again he was the jungle beast revelling in bloody conflict with his kind. Once again he was Tarzan, son of Kala the she-ape.

PT His strong, white teeth sank into the hairy throat of his enemy as he sought the pulsing jugular.

PT Powerful fingers held the mighty fangs from his own flesh, or clenched and beat with the power of a steam-hammer upon the snarling, foam-flecked face of his adversary.

PT In a circle about them the balance of the tribe of apes stood watching and enjoying the struggle. They muttered low gutturals of approval as bits of white hide or hairy bloodstained skin were torn from one contestant or the other. But they were silent in amazement and expectation when they saw the mighty white ape wriggle upon the back of their king, and, with steel muscles tensed beneath the armpits of his antagonist, bear down mightily with his open palms upon the back of the thick bullneck, so that the king ape could but shriek in agony and flounder helplessly about upon the thick mat of jungle grass.

PT As Tarzan had overcome the huge Terkoz that time years before when he had been about to set out upon his quest for human beings of his own kind and colour, so now he overcame this other great ape with the same wrestling hold upon which he had stumbled by accident during that other combat. The little audience of fierce anthropoids heard the creaking of their king's neck mingling with his agonized shrieks and hideous roaring.

PT Then there came a sudden crack, like the breaking of a stout limb before the fury of the wind. The bullet-head crumpled forward upon its flaccid neck against the great hairy chest -- the roaring and the shrieking ceased.

PT The little pig-eyes of the onlookers wandered from the still form of their leader to that of the white ape that was rising to its feet beside the vanquished, then back to their king as though in wonder that he did not arise and slay this presumptuous stranger.

PT They saw the new-comer place a foot upon the neck of the quiet figure at his feet and, throwing back his head, give vent to the wild, uncanny challenge of the bull-ape that has made a kill. Then they knew that their king was dead.

PT Across the jungle rolled the horrid notes of the victory cry. The little monkeys in the tree-tops ceased their chattering. The harsh-voiced, brilliant-plumed birds were still. From afar came the answering wail of a leopard and the deep roar of a lion.

PT It was the old Tarzan who turned questioning eyes upon the little knot of apes before him. It was the old Tarzan who shook his head as though to toss back a heavy mane that had fallen before his face -- an old habit dating from the days that his great shock of thick, black hair had fallen about his shoulders, and often tumbled before his eyes when it had meant life or death to him to have his vision unobstructed.

PT The ape-man knew that he might expect an immediate attack on the part of that particular surviving bull-ape who felt himself best fitted to contend for the kingship of the tribe. Among his own apes he knew that it was not unusual for an entire stranger to enter a community and, after having dispatched the king, assume the leadership of the tribe himself, together with the fallen monarch's mates.

PT On the other hand, if he made no attempt to follow them, they might move slowly away from him, later to fight among themselves for the supremacy. That he could be king of them, if he so chose, he was confident; but he was not sure he cared to assume the sometimes irksome duties of that position, for he could see no particular advantage to be gained thereby.

PT One of the younger apes, a huge, splendidly muscled brute, was edging threateningly closer to the ape-man. Through his bared fighting fangs there issued a low, sullen growl.

PT Tarzan watched his every move, standing rigid as a statue. To have fallen back a step would have been to precipitate an immediate charge; to have rushed forward to meet the other might have had the same result, or it might have put the bellicose one to flight -- it all depended upon the young bull's stock of courage.

PT To stand perfectly still, waiting, was the middle course. In this event the bull would, according to custom, approach quite close to the object of his attention, growling hideously and baring slavering fangs. Slowly he would circle about the other, as though with a chip upon his shoulder; and this he did, even as Tarzan had foreseen.

PT It might be a bluff royal, or, on the other hand, so unstable is the mind of an ape, a passing impulse might hurl the hairy mass, tearing and rending, upon the man without an instant's warning.

PT As the brute circled him Tarzan turned slowly, keeping his eyes ever upon the eyes of his antagonist. He had appraised the young bull as one who had never quite felt equal to the task of overthrowing his former king, but who one day would have done so. Tarzan saw that the beast was of wondrous proportions, standing over seven feet upon his short, bowed legs.

PT His great, hairy arms reached almost to the ground even when he stood erect, and his fighting fangs, now quite close to Tarzan's face, were exceptionally long and sharp. Like the others of his tribe, he differed in several minor essentials from the apes of Tarzan's boyhood.

PT At first the ape-man had experienced a thrill of hope at sight of the shaggy bodies of the anthropoids -- a hope that by some strange freak of fate he had been again returned to his own tribe; but a closer inspection had convinced him that these were another species.

PT As the threatening bull continued his stiff and jerky circling of the ape-man, much after the manner that you have noted among dogs when a strange canine comes among them, it occurred to Tarzan to discover if the language of his own tribe was identical with that of this other family, and so he addressed the brute in the language of the tribe of Kerchak.

PT "Who are you,"he asked,"who threatens Tarzan of the Apes?"

PT The hairy brute looked his surprise.

PT "I am Akut,"replied the other in the same simple, primal tongue which is so low in the scale of spoken languages that, as Tarzan had surmised, it was identical with that of the tribe in which the first twenty years of his life had been spent.

PT "I am Akut,"said the ape."Molak is dead. I am king. Go away or I shall kill you!"

PT "You saw how easily I killed Molak,"replied Tarzan."So I could kill you if I cared to be king. But Tarzan of the Apes would not be king of the tribe of Akut. All he wishes is to live in peace in this country. Let us be friends. Tarzan of the Apes can help you, and you can help Tarzan of the Apes."

PT "You cannot kill Akut,"replied the other."None is so great as Akut. Had you not killed Molak, Akut would have done so, for Akut was ready to be king."

PT For answer the ape-man hurled himself upon the great brute who during the conversation had slightly relaxed his vigilance.

PT In the twinkling of an eye the man had seized the wrist of the great ape, and before the other could grapple with him had whirled him about and leaped upon his broad back.

PT Down they went together, but so well had Tarzan's plan worked out that before ever they touched the ground he had gained the same hold upon Akut that had broken Molak's neck.

PT Slowly he brought the pressure to bear, and then as in days gone by he had given Kerchak the chance to surrender and live, so now he gave to Akut -- in whom he saw a possible ally of great strength and resource -- the option of living in amity with him or dying as he had just seen his savage and heretofore invincible king die.

PT "Ka-Goda?"whispered Tarzan to the ape beneath him.

PT It was the same question that he had whispered to Kerchak, and in the language of the apes it means, broadly,"Do you surrender?"

PT Akut thought of the creaking sound he had heard just before Molak's thick neck had snapped, and he shuddered.

PT He hated to give up the kingship, though, so again he struggled to free himself; but a sudden torturing pressure upon his vertebra brought an agonized"ka-goda!"from his lips.

PT Tarzan relaxed his grip a trifle.

PT "You may still be king, Akut,"he said."Tarzan told you that he did not wish to be king. If any question your right, Tarzan of the Apes will help you in your battles."

PT The ape-man rose, and Akut came slowly to his feet. Shaking his bullet head and growling angrily, he waddled toward his tribe, looking first at one and then at another of the larger bulls who might be expected to challenge his leadership.

PT But none did so; instead, they drew away as he approached, and presently the whole pack moved off into the jungle, and Tarzan was left alone once more upon the beach.

PT The ape-man was sore from the wounds that Molak had inflicted upon him, but he was inured to physical suffering and endured it with the calm and fortitude of the wild beasts that had taught him to lead the jungle life after the manner of all those that are born to it.

PT His first need, he realized, was for weapons of offence and defence, for his encounter with the apes, and the distant notes of the savage voices of Numa the lion, and Sheeta, the panther, warned him that his was to be no life of indolent ease and security.

PT It was but a return to the old existence of constant bloodshed and danger -- to the hunting and the being hunted. Grim beasts would stalk him, as they had stalked him in the past, and never would there be a moment, by savage day or by cruel night, that he might not have instant need of such crude weapons as he could fashion from the materials at hand.

PT Upon the shore he found an out-cropping of brittle, igneous rock. By dint of much labour he managed to chip off a narrow sliver some twelve inches long by a quarter of an inch thick. One edge was quite thin for a few inches near the tip. It was the rudiment of a knife.

PT With it he went into the jungle, searching until he found a fallen tree of a certain species of hardwood with which he was familiar. From this he cut a small straight branch, which he pointed at one end.

PT Then he scooped a small, round hole in the surface of the prostrate trunk. Into this he crumbled a few bits of dry bark, minutely shredded, after which he inserted the tip of his pointed stick, and, sitting astride the bole of the tree, spun the slender rod rapidly between his palms.

PT After a time a thin smoke rose from the little mass of tinder, and a moment later the whole broke into flame. Heaping some larger twigs and sticks upon the tiny fire, Tarzan soon had quite a respectable blaze roaring in the enlarging cavity of the dead tree.

PT Into this he thrust the blade of his stone knife, and as it became superheated he would withdraw it, touching a spot near the thin edge with a drop of moisture. Beneath the wetted area a little flake of the glassy material would crack and scale away.

PT Thus, very slowly, the ape-man commenced the tedious operation of putting a thin edge upon his primitive hunting-knife.

PT He did not attempt to accomplish the feat all in one sitting. At first he was content to achieve a cutting edge of a couple of inches, with which he cut a long, pliable bow, a handle for his knife, a stout cudgel, and a goodly supply of arrows.

PT These he cached in a tall tree beside a little stream, and here also he constructed a platform with a roof of palm-leaves above it.

PT When all these things had been finished it was growing dusk, and Tarzan felt a strong desire to eat.

PT He had noted during the brief incursion he had made into the forest that a short distance up-stream from his tree there was a much-used watering place, where, from the trampled mud of either bank, it was evident beasts of all sorts and in great numbers came to drink. To this spot the hungry ape-man made his silent way.

PT Through the upper terrace of the tree-tops he swung with the grace and ease of a monkey. But for the heavy burden upon his heart he would have been happy in this return to the old free life of his boyhood.

PT Yet even with that burden he fell into the little habits and manners of his early life that were in reality more a part of him than the thin veneer of civilization that the past three years of his association with the white men of the outer world had spread lightly over him -- a veneer that only hid the crudities of the beast that Tarzan of the Apes had been.

PT Could his fellow-peers of the House of Lords have seen him then they would have held up their noble hands in holy horror.

PT Silently he crouched in the lower branches of a great forest giant that overhung the trail, his keen eyes and sensitive ears strained into the distant jungle, from which he knew his dinner would presently emerge.

PT Nor had he long to wait.

PT Scarce had he settled himself to a comfortable position, his lithe, muscular legs drawn well up beneath him as the panther draws his hindquarters in preparation for the spring, than Bara, the deer, came daintily down to drink.

PT But more than Bara was coming. Behind the graceful buck came another which the deer could neither see nor scent, but whose movements were apparent to Tarzan of the Apes because of the elevated position of the ape-man's ambush.

PT He knew not yet exactly the nature of the thing that moved so stealthily through the jungle a few hundred yards behind the deer; but he was convinced that it was some great beast of prey stalking Bara for the selfsame purpose as that which prompted him to await the fleet animal. Numa, perhaps, or Sheeta, the panther.

PT In any event, Tarzan could see his repast slipping from his grasp unless Bara moved more rapidly toward the ford than at present.

PT Even as these thoughts passed through his mind some noise of the stalker in his rear must have come to the buck, for with a sudden start he paused for an instant, trembling, in his tracks, and then with a swift bound dashed straight for the river and Tarzan. It was his intention to flee through the shallow ford and escape upon the opposite side of the river.

PT Not a hundred yards behind him came Numa.

PT Tarzan could see him quite plainly now. Below the ape-man Bara was about to pass. Could he do it? But even as he asked himself the question the hungry man launched himself from his perch full upon the back of the startled buck.

PT In another instant Numa would be upon them both, so if the ape-man were to dine that night, or ever again, he must act quickly.

PT Scarcely had he touched the sleek hide of the deer with a momentum that sent the animal to its knees than he had grasped a horn in either hand, and with a single quick wrench twisted the animal's neck completely round, until he felt the vertebrae snap beneath his grip.

PT The lion was roaring in rage close behind him as he swung the deer across his shoulder, and, grasping a foreleg between his strong teeth, leaped for the nearest of the lower branches that swung above his head.

PT With both hands he grasped the limb, and, at the instant that Numa sprang, drew himself and his prey out of reach of the animal's cruel talons.

PT There was a thud below him as the baffled cat fell back to earth, and then Tarzan of the Apes, drawing his dinner farther up to the safety of a higher limb, looked down with grinning face into the gleaming yellow eyes of the other wild beast that glared up at him from beneath, and with taunting insults flaunted the tender carcass of his kill in the face of him whom he had cheated of it.

PT With his crude stone knife he cut a juicy steak from the hindquarters, and while the great lion paced, growling, back and forth below him, Lord Greystoke filled his savage belly, nor ever in the choicest of his exclusive London clubs had a meal tasted more palatable.

PT The warm blood of his kill smeared his hands and face and filled his nostrils with the scent that the savage carnivora love best.

PT And when he had finished he left the balance of the carcass in a high fork of the tree where he had dined, and with Numa trailing below him, still keen for revenge, he made his way back to his tree-top shelter, where he slept until the sun was high the following morning.

Versão em Português

1 - Sequestrado

2 - Abandonado

3 - Feras Acuadas

Sequestrado

En D'Arnot afirmou que todo o assunto permanecia um mistério. Ele enfatizou que nem a polícia nem os agentes especiais do estado-maior tinham ideia de como a fuga havia sido realizada. O único fato conhecido era que Nikolas Rokoff havia escapado.

En John Clayton, Lorde Greystoke — anteriormente conhecido como Tarzan dos Macacos — sentou-se em silêncio no apartamento parisiense de seu amigo, o Tenente Paul D'Arnot, com o olhar fixo meditativamente na ponta de sua bota imaculada.

En Seus pensamentos se voltaram para muitas memórias, trazidas de volta pela fuga de seu arqui-inimigo da prisão militar francesa, onde ele havia sido condenado à prisão perpétua com base no testemunho do homem-macaco.

En Ele refletiu sobre as medidas extremas que Rokoff havia tomado para causar sua morte e entendeu que o que o homem havia feito antes provavelmente não seria nada comparado ao que ele agora planejaria e tentaria, agora que estava livre novamente.

En Tarzan havia trazido recentemente sua esposa e filho pequeno para Londres para evitar os desconfortos e perigos da estação chuvosa em sua vasta propriedade em Uziri — a terra dos ferozes guerreiros Waziri, cujos amplos territórios africanos o homem-macaco um dia governou.

En Ele havia cruzado o Canal da Mancha para uma breve visita ao seu velho amigo, mas a notícia da fuga do russo já havia estragado sua viagem. Embora tivesse acabado de chegar, já estava considerando retornar a Londres imediatamente.

En Ele disse a Paul que não tinha medo por si mesmo, pois frequentemente impedira Rokoff de matá-lo. No entanto, agora precisava pensar nos outros. Acreditava que Rokoff tentaria feri-lo através de sua esposa ou filho, sabendo que isso lhe causaria mais dor. Insistiu que devia retornar para eles imediatamente e ficar até que Rokoff fosse capturado ou morto.

En Enquanto aqueles dois conversavam em Paris, outros dois homens falavam em uma pequena casa na periferia de Londres. Ambos tinham uma aparência sombria e ameaçadora.

En Um deles tinha uma barba cheia, mas o outro, pálido por ficar muito tempo em ambientes fechados, tinha apenas alguns dias de crescimento de barba preta. Este segundo homem era o que estava falando.

En Ele disse a seu companheiro Alexis que precisava raspar a barba, porque caso contrário o homem o reconheceria imediatamente. Eles precisavam se separar em breve. Ele esperava que, quando se encontrassem novamente no convés do Kincaid, tivessem dois convidados ilustres que não faziam ideia da agradável viagem planejada para eles.

En Ele disse que em duas horas partiria para Dover com um deles, e que na noite seguinte, se as instruções fossem seguidas cuidadosamente, o outro deveria chegar, assumindo que a pessoa retornasse a Londres tão rápido quanto ele esperava.

En Ele disse a Alexis que seus esforços trariam lucro, prazer e outras recompensas. Como os franceses haviam sido estúpidos o suficiente para esconder sua fuga por muitos dias, ele teve tempo para planejar cada detalhe da aventura, então havia pouca chance de problemas. Depois, ele se despediu e desejou boa sorte a ele.

En Três horas depois, um mensageiro subiu as escadas até o apartamento do Tenente D'Arnot.

En O mensageiro disse ao criado que havia um telegrama para Lord Greystoke e perguntou se ele estava lá.

En O criado confirmou que Lord Greystoke estava presente. O mensageiro assinou pelo telegrama e o levou para Tarzan, que já se preparava para partir para Londres.

En Tarzan rasgou o envelope e, enquanto examinava o conteúdo, seu rosto ficou pálido.

En Ele entregou o pedaço de papel a D'Arnot e pediu que ele lesse, dizendo que já havia chegado.

En O francês aceitou o telegrama e leu seu conteúdo.

En O telegrama informava que Jack havia sido levado do jardim com a ajuda de um novo criado, e solicitava urgentemente o retorno imediato deles. Estava assinado por Jane.

En Quando Tarzan saltou do carro que o havia buscado na estação e subiu correndo os degraus de sua residência em Londres, foi recebido na porta por uma mulher que estava quase histérica, mas sem lágrimas.

En Jane Porter Clayton narrou rapidamente tudo o que havia descoberto sobre o sequestro da criança.

En A enfermeira estava empurrando o bebê no carrinho pelo caminho ensolarado em frente à casa quando um táxi fechado parou na esquina da rua. Ela prestou pouca atenção ao carro, apenas notando que ninguém saiu e o motor ainda estava ligado, como se esperasse alguém da casa diante da qual havia parado.

En Quase imediatamente, o novo empregado, Carl, veio correndo da casa dos Greystoke. Ele disse à enfermeira que sua patroa desejava falar brevemente com ela e que ela deveria deixar o pequeno Jack sob seus cuidados até seu retorno.

En A enfermeira afirmou que não teve nenhuma suspeita das intenções do homem até chegar à porta da casa, momento em que pensou em avisá-lo para não virar o carrinho para que o sol não brilhasse nos olhos do bebê.

En Quando ela se virou para chamá-lo, ficou surpresa ao vê-lo empurrando o carrinho rapidamente em direção à esquina, e no mesmo momento viu a porta do táxi se abrir e um rosto moreno aparecer brevemente na abertura.

En Ela percebeu o perigo para a criança instantaneamente. Com um grito, ela desceu correndo as escadas e seguiu pelo caminho em direção ao táxi, onde Carl estava entregando o bebê a um homem de pele escura dentro do carro.

En Pouco antes de ela alcançar o veículo, Carl pulou para dentro ao lado do seu cúmplice e bateu a porta. O motorista tentou ligar o motor, mas algo parecia errado, como se as engrenagens não engatassem. O atraso, causado por ele colocar a marcha à ré e recuar alguns centímetros antes de tentar novamente, deu tempo para a enfermeira alcançar a lateral do táxi.

En Ela pulou no estribo e tentou arrancar o bebê do estranho. Gritando e lutando, ela se segurou mesmo depois que o táxi começou a se mover. Somente depois que o carro passou pela residência Greystoke em alta velocidade é que Carl a atingiu com força no rosto, finalmente derrubando-a no asfalto.

En Seus gritos atraíram empregados e membros das famílias das casas próximas e da residência Greystoke. Lady Greystoke testemunhara a luta corajosa da garota e tentara alcançar o veículo em movimento rápido ela mesma, mas foi tarde demais.

En Isso era tudo o que se sabia. Lady Greystoke não suspeitava da identidade do homem por trás do plano até que seu marido a informou que Nikolas Rokoff havia escapado da prisão francesa onde esperavam que ele ficasse permanentemente.

En Tarzan e sua esposa estavam considerando a melhor estratégia quando o telefone tocou na biblioteca à sua direita. Tarzan atendeu prontamente a ligação pessoalmente.

En A voz de um homem perguntou se ele era Lord Greystoke.

En Tarzan confirmou que ele era de fato Lord Greystoke.

En O homem continuou, afirmando que o filho de Tarzan havia sido levado. Ele alegou que só ele poderia ajudar a recuperar o menino, pois estava familiarizado com o esquema dos sequestradores. Na verdade, ele tinha sido um participante e receberia uma parte do resgate, mas seus cúmplices estavam agora tentando excluí-lo. Para se vingar deles, ele se ofereceu para ajudar a recuperar o filho, desde que Tarzan concordasse em não apresentar queixa contra ele por sua participação no crime.

En Tarzan respondeu que se o homem o levasse ao esconderijo de seu filho, ele não teria nada a temer dele.

En O outro homem concordou, mas insistiu que Tarzan deveria vir sozinho para encontrá-lo. Ele explicou que já estava correndo um risco ao confiar em Tarzan e não poderia permitir que mais ninguém descobrisse sua identidade.

En Tarzan então perguntou onde e quando eles poderiam se encontrar.

En O homem deu o nome e o endereço de um pub na orla de Dover, um local frequentado por marinheiros.

En Ele disse a Tarzan que viesse por volta das dez horas daquela noite, dizendo que seria inútil chegar mais cedo. Ele garantiu a Tarzan que seu filho permaneceria seguro enquanto isso e que então o levaria secretamente até onde o menino estava escondido. No entanto, ele avisou Tarzan para vir sozinho e em hipótese alguma notificar a Scotland Yard, pois conhecia bem Tarzan e estaria vigiando-o.

En Ele acrescentou que se mais alguém acompanhasse Tarzan, ou se visse pessoas suspeitas que pudessem ser agentes da polícia, ele não apareceria, e Tarzan perderia sua última chance de recuperar o filho.

En O homem encerrou a ligação sem dizer mais nada.

En Tarzan contou à esposa os pontos principais da conversa. Ela implorou para acompanhá-lo, mas ele insistiu que, se não fosse sozinho, o homem poderia cumprir sua ameaça de recusar ajuda. Então eles se separaram, ele apressando-se para Dover, e ela ficando em casa para aguardar notícias de sua missão.

En Nenhum deles imaginou o que ambos iriam suportar antes de se encontrarem novamente, nem quão distante esse reencontro estaria — mas por que antecipar o futuro?

En Por dez minutos depois que Tarzan saiu, Jane Clayton andou inquieta sobre os tapetes da biblioteca. Seu coração de mãe doía com a ausência do primogênito, e sua mente era atormentada pela esperança e pelo medo.

En Embora sua razão lhe dissesse que tudo ficaria bem se Tarzan fosse sozinho como o estranho exigia, sua intuição se recusava a descartar a suspeita de grave perigo tanto para o marido quanto para o filho.

En Ela pensou mais a respeito e ficou certa de que a mensagem telefônica era provavelmente um truque. Seu propósito poderia ter sido impedi-los de agir até que o menino fosse escondido ou retirado da Inglaterra. Alternativamente, poderia ter sido uma armadilha para levar Tarzan ao implacável Rokoff.

En Quando essa ideia se firmou, ela parou, aterrorizada e de olhos arregalados. Naquele momento, tornou-se uma convicção firme. Ela olhou para o grande relógio no canto da biblioteca, marcando os minutos.

En Ela havia perdido o trem para Dover que Tarzan planejava pegar. No entanto, um trem posterior ainda a levaria ao porto do Canal a tempo de chegar ao endereço que o estranho havia dado ao marido antes da reunião marcada.

En Ela chamou sua empregada e motorista e rapidamente deu ordens. Dez minutos depois, ela estava acelerando pelas ruas movimentadas em direção à estação ferroviária.

En Às nove e quarenta e cinco daquela noite, Tarzan entrou em um pub sujo no cais de Dover. Ao entrar na sala malcheirosa, uma figura fortemente envolta passou por ele e saiu para a rua.

En O estranho sussurrou para seu senhor vir.

En O homem-macaco virou-se e seguiu o estranho para um beco mal iluminado que era chamado de rua. Lá fora, o homem os levou para a escuridão perto de um cais, onde pilhas de mercadorias criavam sombras profundas. Ali ele parou.

En Greystoke perguntou onde estava o menino.

En O outro homem respondeu que o menino estava em um pequeno vapor cujas luzes podiam ser vistas ao longe.

En Na escuridão, Tarzan tentou ver o rosto de seu companheiro, mas não o reconheceu. Se soubesse que seu guia era Alexis Paulvitch, teria entendido que o homem pretendia apenas traição e que o perigo o aguardava a cada passo.

En O russo disse que a criança estava desprotegida. Aqueles que a haviam levado se sentiam perfeitamente seguros de serem descobertos, e ele havia dado gim suficiente para alguns membros da tripulação para silenciá-los por horas. Ele afirmou que poderiam embarcar no Kincaid, pegar a criança e voltar sem medo.

En Tarzan concordou com um aceno.

En Ele então sugeriu que começassem imediatamente.

En O guia levou Tarzan a um pequeno barco atracado no cais. Ambos entraram, e Paulvitch remou rapidamente em direção ao vapor. Tarzan não notou a fumaça preta do funil; sua mente estava totalmente ocupada com a esperança de em breve ter seu filho novamente em seus braços.

En Ao lado do vapor, encontraram uma escada de corda pendurada nas proximidades. Os dois homens subiram furtivamente. Uma vez no convés, apressaram-se para a popa, onde o russo apontou para uma escotilha.

En Ele informou Tarzan de que a criança estava escondida lá embaixo. Ele aconselhou Tarzan a descer para buscá-lo, porque o menino teria menos probabilidade de gritar de medo se Tarzan o encontrasse em vez de um estranho. Ele disse que ficaria de guarda.

En Tarzan estava tão desesperado para resgatar a criança que não considerou o quão estranhas eram as condições no Kincaid. O fato de seu convés estar vazio, embora ela tivesse vapor e estivesse claramente pronta para partir, não o afetou.

En Pensando que em breve seguraria a criança preciosa em seus braços, o homem-macaco balançou para baixo na escuridão. Mal tinha soltado a borda da escotilha, a tampa pesada bateu ruidosamente acima dele.

En Imediatamente ele percebeu que havia sido encurralado. Em vez de salvar seu filho, ele havia caído nas mãos de seus inimigos. Ele tentou imediatamente alcançar a escotilha e levantar a tampa, mas não conseguiu.

En Ele acendeu um fósforo para examinar seus arredores. Descobriu um pequeno compartimento que havia sido separado do porão principal, com a escotilha acima como única entrada ou saída. Estava claro que o cômodo era destinado a servir como sua cela de prisão.

En O compartimento estava vazio e não continha nenhuma outra pessoa. Se a criança estava no Kincaid, ela deve ter sido mantida em um local diferente.

En Por mais de vinte anos, da infância à idade adulta, o homem-macaco percorreu seus territórios selvagens da selva sem qualquer companhia humana. Durante seus anos mais formativos, ele aprendeu a aceitar a alegria e a tristeza exatamente como os animais fazem.

En Portanto, ele não se enfureceu nem reclamou de seu destino; em vez disso, esperou calmamente por qualquer coisa que pudesse acontecer, enquanto também fazia tudo o que era possível para se salvar. Ele estudou cuidadosamente sua cela, testou as grossas tábuas de madeira que formavam suas paredes e mediu a distância da escotilha acima dele.

En Enquanto fazia isso, ele de repente sentiu os motores do navio vibrarem e a hélice pulsar.

En O navio estava em movimento. Ele se perguntou para onde o estava levando e que destino o aguardava.

En Mesmo enquanto esses pensamentos ocupavam sua mente, ele ouviu algo acima do barulho dos motores que o fez sentir um calafrio de medo.

En Do convés acima dele, o grito assustado de uma mulher soou, claro e agudo.

Abandonado

En Depois que Tarzan e seu guia desapareceram nas sombras escuras do cais, uma mulher com um véu grosso apressou-se pelo beco estreito em direção à entrada do bar que os dois homens tinham acabado de deixar.

En Ela parou ali, olhando ao redor, e então, aparentemente satisfeita por ter encontrado seu destino, entrou corajosamente no estabelecimento sórdido.

En Um grupo de cerca de vinte marinheiros, meio bêbados, e outros homens rudes do cais levantaram os olhos, surpresos ao ver uma mulher com roupas finas entre eles. Ela rapidamente caminhou em direção à garçonete desarrumada, que a olhou com uma mistura de inveja e ressentimento.

En Ela perguntou se alguém tinha visto um homem alto e bem-vestido que havia encontrado outro homem e saído com ele apenas um minuto antes.

En A garota confirmou que tinha visto o homem, mas não sabia para onde eles tinham ido. Um marinheiro que estava ouvindo então disse que, um momento antes, quando ele estava prestes a entrar no pub, tinha visto dois homens saírem e caminharem em direção ao cais.

En A mulher pediu ao marinheiro que mostrasse para onde eles tinham ido, e ela colocou uma moeda na mão dele.

En O marinheiro a levou embora, e eles caminharam rapidamente até o cais. Do outro lado da água, eles viram um pequeno barco que estava entrando nas sombras de um vapor próximo.

En O homem sussurrou que os homens estavam lá.

En A mulher gritou que daria dez libras a quem conseguisse encontrar um barco e levasse-a até o navio a vapor.

En Ele respondeu rapidamente, dizendo que precisavam se apressar se quisessem pegar o Kincaid antes que partisse. Ele explicou que o navio estava pronto com vapor há três horas e esperava aquele único passageiro. Ele acrescentou que havia falado com um dos tripulantes meia hora antes.

En Enquanto falava, ele levou a mulher até o final do cais, onde outro barco estava amarrado. Ele a ajudou a entrar, depois pulou ele mesmo e empurrou o barco. Logo eles estavam se movendo rapidamente sobre a água.

En Ao lado do navio a vapor, o homem pediu o pagamento. Sem contar, a mulher enfiou um punhado de notas na mão dele. Um olhar mostrou a ele que havia sido pago muito mais do que o valor combinado. Então ele a ajudou a subir a escada, mantendo seu barco próximo ao navio caso ela quisesse voltar para a costa mais tarde.

En Logo, o som do guincho e o barulho de um cabo de aço indicaram que a âncora do Kincaid estava sendo levantada. Um momento depois, o barqueiro ouviu as hélices girarem, e o pequeno navio a vapor se afastou lentamente dele em direção ao canal.

En Ele estava virando seu barco de volta para a costa quando ouviu uma mulher gritar do convés do navio.

En Ele disse a si mesmo que era uma sorte terrível e que poderia muito bem ter levado todo o dinheiro.

En Quando Jane Clayton chegou ao convés do Kincaid, viu que o navio parecia vazio. Não havia sinal daqueles que procurava nem de mais ninguém a bordo, então começou a procurar seu marido e a criança que desesperadamente esperava encontrar lá.

En Ela correu para a cabine, que estava parcialmente acima e parcialmente abaixo do convés. Ao descer rapidamente as escadas curtas para a cabine principal, com pequenas salas de oficiais de cada lado, ela não percebeu que uma porta se fechou silenciosamente à sua frente. Ela percorreu todo o comprimento da sala principal, então voltou, parando em cada porta para ouvir e tentando cuidadosamente a maçaneta.

En Estava completamente silencioso, tão silencioso que a batida de seu coração assustado parecia, em sua mente excitada, encher todo o navio com um alarme retumbante.

En Ela abriu portas uma por uma, mas estavam todas vazias. Absorta em sua busca, não percebeu os motores do navio ligando ou o pulsar da hélice. Quando empurrou a última porta à direita, um homem poderoso e de rosto escuro a agarrou de dentro e a puxou rapidamente para o quarto abafado e malcheiroso.

En O ataque inesperado a chocou, fazendo-a soltar um único grito agudo. O homem rapidamente colocou a mão rudemente sobre a boca dela para silenciá-la.

En O homem disse a ela que ela não poderia gritar até que estivessem mais longe da terra, mas então ela poderia gritar à vontade.

En Lady Greystoke se virou e viu o rosto barbudo e sorridente tão perto do seu. Quando ele afrouxou o aperto em seus lábios, ela o reconheceu com um gemido de terror e recuou diante de seu captor.

En Ela gritou em reconhecimento, chamando-o de Nikolas Rokoff, também conhecido como M. Thuran.

En O russo respondeu que ele era seu admirador devotado, acompanhando suas palavras com uma reverência baixa.

En Ela então perguntou onde seu filhinho estava, exigindo que ele fosse devolvido. Acusou Rokoff de crueldade e implorou que ele mostrasse misericórdia, perguntando se a criança estava a bordo do navio. Suplicou que a levasse até seu bebê se ele tivesse alguma compaixão.

En Rokoff respondeu que a criança estaria segura se ela obedecesse, mas lembrou-a de que ela tinha vindo a bordo voluntariamente e devia aceitar as consequências. Murmurou para si mesmo que nunca esperara tamanha sorte.

En Ele então foi para o convés, trancando a porta da cabine atrás de si, deixando-a prisioneira. Ela não o viu por vários dias porque Rokoff era um mau marinheiro e o mar agitado o deixou doente, confinando-o ao seu beliche.

En Durante aquele período, a única pessoa que a visitava era o cozinheiro do navio, um sueco grosseiro chamado Sven Anderssen, que lhe trazia as refeições. Seu único motivo de orgulho era que seu sobrenome era escrito com 's' duplo.

En O homem era alto e magro, com um bigode amarelo comprido e pele doentia. Suas unhas sujas eram desagradáveis de se ver. Ele frequentemente mergulhava o polegar no ensopado morno, que parecia ser sua especialidade, e a visão era suficiente para fazer a moça perder o apetite.

En Seus olhos azuis pequenos, muito juntos, nunca encontravam os dela; havia uma astúcia nele que se manifestava até no seu andar felino. Uma faca longa e fina estava sempre enfiada no cordão gorduroso do seu avental sujo, ostensivamente para o trabalho, mas a moça nunca conseguia se livrar da sensação de que pouca provocação seria necessária para ele usá-la para algo mais perigoso.

En A atitude dele para com ela era mal-humorada, mas ela sempre o recebia com um sorriso agradável e uma palavra de agradecimento quando ele lhe trazia comida. No entanto, na maioria das vezes, assim que a porta se fechava atrás dele, ela jogava a maior parte dela pela pequena janela da cabine.

En Durante os dias angustiados após o aprisionamento de Jane Clayton, duas perguntas a consumiam: onde estavam seu marido e seu filho? Ela acreditava que o bebê estava a bordo do Kincaid, se ainda vivia, mas não conseguia adivinhar se Tarzan havia sido deixado vivo depois de ser enganado para entrar no navio maligno.

En Ela conhecia bem o ódio profundo que o russo sentia pelo inglês, e só conseguia imaginar uma razão para tê-lo trazido a bordo: matá-lo em segurança, vingança por ter frustrado os planos de Rokoff e por ter sido a causa de sua prisão em uma prisão francesa.

En Tarzan estava deitado em sua cela escura, sem saber que sua esposa estava presa na cabine quase diretamente acima dele.

En O mesmo marinheiro sueco que servia Jane também levava refeições para Tarzan. Embora Tarzan tentasse várias vezes iniciar uma conversa, o homem apenas repetia que achava que o tempo logo se tornaria tempestuoso. Depois de várias tentativas, Tarzan desistiu.

En Por semanas que pareciam meses para os dois prisioneiros, o pequeno vapor avançava rumo a um destino desconhecido. Uma vez parou para carregar carvão, mas imediatamente retomou sua viagem aparentemente interminável.

En Rokoff visitara Jane Clayton apenas uma vez desde que a trancara na pequena cabine. Ele parecia abatido e com olheiras devido a uma longa crise de enjoo marítimo. Exigiu um cheque pessoal de uma grande quantia em troca de uma garantia de sua segurança e retorno à Inglaterra.

En Jane respondeu que pagaria a ele o dobro do valor exigido se ele a entregasse em segurança, junto com seu filho e seu marido, em qualquer porto civilizado. Até lá, não lhe daria um centavo, nem mesmo uma promessa de pagamento sob quaisquer outras condições.

En Ele rosnou que ela deveria dar a ele o cheque que ele exigia; caso contrário, ela, seu filho e seu marido nunca mais seriam autorizados a entrar em qualquer porto, civilizado ou não.

En Ela respondeu que não confiava nele e perguntou que garantia tinha de que ele não pegaria o dinheiro dela e depois faria o que quisesse com ela e sua família, ignorando sua promessa.

En Ele disse que acreditava que ela faria como ele ordenou e se virou para sair do camarote. Ele lembrou a ela que tinha o filho dela, e se ela ouvisse os gritos de uma criança torturada, deveria lembrar que era por causa de sua teimosia que o bebê sofria, e era o próprio bebê dela.

En A garota exclamou que ele não faria tal coisa; ele não poderia ser tão monstruosamente cruel.

En Ele respondeu que não era ele quem era cruel, mas ela, pois ela permitiu que uma pequena quantia de dinheiro se interpusesse entre seu bebê e a liberdade da dor.

En Jane Clayton emitiu um cheque de grande valor e o entregou a Nikolas Rokoff, que saiu da cabine dela com um sorriso satisfeito.

En No dia seguinte, a cobertura foi removida da cela de Tarzan e, quando ele olhou para cima, viu a cabeça de Paulvitch recortada no quadrado de luz acima.

En Paulvitch ordenou que Tarzan subisse, mas o advertiu de que seria baleado se tentasse atacá-lo ou qualquer outra pessoa a bordo do navio.

En Tarzan subiu levemente para o convés. Ao seu redor, a uma distância respeitosa, estavam meia dúzia de marinheiros armados com rifles e revólveres. Paulvitch estava diante dele.

En Tarzan olhou em volta procurando por Rokoff, de quem tinha certeza que estava a bordo, mas não viu sinal dele.

En O russo disse a Lord Greystoke que, ao interferir continuamente nos planos de M. Rokoff, ele havia trazido infortúnio sobre si mesmo e sua família. Ele disse que Lord Greystoke só tinha a si mesmo para culpar. O russo explicou que M. Rokoff havia gastado muito dinheiro para organizar esta expedição e, como Lord Greystoke era a única causa, ele naturalmente esperava compensação.

En O russo acrescentou que, ao cumprir as exigências razoáveis de M. Rokoff, Lord Greystoke poderia evitar os piores resultados para sua esposa e filho, ao mesmo tempo que preservava sua própria vida e garantia sua liberdade.

En Tarzan questionou sobre o valor exigido e perguntou que garantia ele tinha de que eles cumpririam sua parte no acordo. Ele afirmou que tinha pouca razão para confiar em dois canalhas como o russo e Rokoff.

En O rosto do russo ficou vermelho de raiva.

En O russo retrucou que Tarzan não estava em posição de insultá-los. Ele admitiu que Tarzan tinha apenas sua palavra como garantia, mas salientou que Tarzan podia ver que eles tinham o poder de se livrar dele rapidamente se ele não escrevesse o cheque que exigiam.

En Alexis Paulvitch disse a Tarzan que eles poderiam facilmente ordenar que seus homens atirassem nele, o que lhes daria grande prazer. No entanto, eles se abstiveram porque tinham outros planos para punir Tarzan, e sua morte arruinaria esses planos.

En Tarzan perguntou a Paulvitch se seu filho estava no navio.

En Alexis Paulvitch respondeu que o filho de Tarzan estava seguro em outro lugar. Ele disse que o menino não seria morto a menos que Tarzan recusasse suas exigências. Se Tarzan fosse morto, não haveria razão para manter a criança viva, pois ela seria apenas um perigo e um incômodo. Portanto, Tarzan só poderia salvar seu filho salvando a si mesmo, o que significava dar a eles o cheque que exigiam.

En Tarzan concordou, sabendo que Paulvitch cumpriria suas ameaças. Ele pensou que havia uma pequena chance de salvar seu filho cedendo às exigências deles.

En Tarzan não acreditava que eles o deixariam viver depois que ele assinasse o cheque. Ele estava determinado a lutar ferozmente contra eles e possivelmente matar Paulvitch. Ele só desejava que tivesse sido Rokoff em vez disso.

En Ele removeu o talão de cheques e a caneta-tinteiro do bolso.

En Ele perguntou qual era o valor.

En Paulvitch disse uma quantia enorme. Tarzan mal conseguia evitar sorrir.

En A ganância deles levaria à ruína, pelo menos no que diz respeito ao resgate. Ele hesitou e barganhou deliberadamente, mas Paulvitch foi teimoso. Finalmente, o homem-macaco emitiu um cheque por mais dinheiro do que tinha no banco.

En Quando ele se virou para entregar o cheque sem valor ao russo, seus olhos passaram pelo lado estibordo do Kincaid. Para sua surpresa, ele viu que o navio estava a apenas algumas centenas de metros da terra. Uma densa selva tropical chegava quase à beira da água, e além dela se erguia uma terra mais alta coberta de floresta.

En Paulvitch notou para onde Tarzan estava olhando.

En Ele disse a Tarzan que seria libertado ali.

En O desejo de Tarzan por vingança imediata contra o russo diminuiu. Ele acreditava que a terra à sua frente era o continente africano, e estava confiante de que, se o libertassem ali, conseguiria encontrar o caminho para a civilização sem muita dificuldade.

En Paulvitch pegou o cheque.

En Ele instruiu o homem-macaco a remover suas roupas, explicando que não precisaria delas ali.

En Tarzan mostrou relutância.

En Paulvitch indicou os marinheiros armados. Então o inglês se despiu lentamente.

En Um barco foi baixado. Sob forte guarda, o homem-macaco foi remado até a costa. Meia hora depois, os marinheiros retornaram ao Kincaid, e o vapor lentamente partiu.

En Enquanto Tarzan estava na praia estreita observando o navio partir, ele viu uma figura aparecer na amurada e gritar para chamar sua atenção.

En O homem-macaco estava prestes a ler um bilhete que um marinheiro lhe dera quando o pequeno barco estava prestes a retornar ao vapor, mas o grito do convés o fez olhar para cima.

En Ele observou um homem de barba preta, que zombava dele enquanto segurava uma criança pequena no alto. Tarzan quase se lançou nas ondas para nadar atrás do navio que partia, mas entendeu a inutilidade de um movimento tão imprudente e parou na beira da água.

En Ele permaneceu ali, com os olhos fixos no Kincaid até que ele desapareceu atrás de um promontório costeiro.

En Da selva atrás dele, olhos ferozes e injetados de sangue olhavam por baixo de sobrancelhas grossas e caídas.

En Pequenos macacos nos topos das árvores tagarelavam e reclamavam, e do fundo da floresta vinha o grito de um leopardo.

En No entanto, John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, permaneceu alheio, consumido por um amargo arrependimento pela oportunidade perdida. Ele tinha sido tão ingênuo a ponto de confiar em uma única declaração do primeiro oficial de seu inimigo.

En Ele encontrou algum conforto em saber que Jane estava segura em Londres; ele estava grato por ela não ter sido capturada por aqueles homens maus.

En Atrás dele, uma criatura peluda com olhos malévolos se aproximava sorrateiramente, observando-o como um gato observa um rato.

En Onde estava a percepção aguçada e treinada do homem-macaco?

En Onde estava seu aguçado sentido de audição?

En Onde estava seu extraordinário sentido de olfato?

Feras Acuadas

En Tarzan desdobrou lentamente o bilhete que o marinheiro havia colocado em sua mão e começou a ler. A princípio, sua mente entorpecida pela dor mal conseguia compreender seu significado, mas gradualmente todo o horror do plano de vingança se desenrolou diante dele.

En O bilhete afirmava que explicaria as intenções precisas do escritor em relação ao filho de Tarzan e ao próprio Tarzan.

En O escritor declarou que Tarzan nascera um macaco e vivera nu na selva. Agora ele havia sido devolvido a tal vida, mas seu filho subiria um degrau acima do pai, de acordo com a lei imutável da evolução.

En O pai era uma fera, continuava o bilhete, mas o filho seria um homem, dando o próximo passo ascendente. Ele não seria uma fera nua da selva; usaria uma tanga, tornozeleiras de cobre e talvez um anel no nariz, pois seria criado por uma tribo de canibais selvagens.

En O escritor explicou que poderia ter matado Tarzan, mas isso teria abreviado o castigo completo que Tarzan havia merecido em suas mãos.

En Ele disse ao homem que a morte o teria poupado da angústia de saber o destino do filho, mas estando vivo e preso, incapaz de ajudar seu filho, ele sofreria uma dor pior que a morte pelo resto da vida, atormentado por imaginar a existência horrível do filho.

En Isso seria parte do castigo por ter ousado desafiá-los.

En N. R.

En Ele acrescentou que o restante do castigo dizia respeito ao que aconteceria em breve com sua esposa, e que deixaria isso para a imaginação dele.

En Quando ele terminou de ler, um barulho fraco atrás dele o fez voltar com um susto ao momento presente.

En Imediatamente, seus sentidos retornaram, e ele era novamente Tarzan dos Macacos.

En Ao se virar, viu uma fera encurralada, tensa pelo instinto de sobrevivência, confrontando um enorme macaco-boi que já avançava em sua direção.

En Os dois anos desde que Tarzan deixara a selva com sua companheira mal haviam enfraquecido sua força extraordinária. Ele passara muito tempo administrando suas vastas propriedades em Uziri, onde mantinha seus poderes sobre-humanos afiados pelo uso prático. No entanto, agora, nu e desarmado, diante daquela criatura peluda e de pescoço de touro, enfrentava um desafio que teria sido assustador mesmo no auge de sua vida selvagem.

En No entanto, não teve escolha senão enfrentar a fera enlouquecida usando apenas as armas que a natureza lhe dera.

En Por cima do ombro do touro, Tarzan agora podia ver as cabeças e ombros de talvez uma dúzia desses poderosos ancestrais humanos primitivos.

En Ele sabia que provavelmente não atacariam, porque os macacos não conseguem entender o valor de trabalhar juntos contra um inimigo. Se pudessem, teriam se tornado as criaturas dominantes, dada sua força e presas.

En Com um rosnado baixo, a fera atacou Tarzan, mas o homem-macaco havia aprendido métodos de luta científica desconhecidos na selva, durante seu tempo entre pessoas civilizadas.

En Alguns anos antes, ele teria enfrentado a investida com força bruta, mas agora ele se desviou e golpeou o macaco com força no estômago enquanto ele passava.

En O grande macaco uivou de raiva e dor, curvou-se e caiu no chão, mas rapidamente lutou para se levantar novamente.

En Antes que o macaco pudesse se levantar, seu inimigo de pele branca se virou e saltou sobre ele, e nessa ação o lorde inglês deixou cair o último resquício de seu comportamento civilizado.

En Ele se sentiu novamente como um animal selvagem, aproveitando uma luta sangrenta com seus semelhantes. Ele era Tarzan, o filho de Kala, a macaca.

En Ele mordeu a garganta peluda de seu inimigo com seus dentes fortes e brancos, procurando a veia principal.

En Seus dedos fortes mantinham os dentes afiados longe de seu corpo, ou batiam no rosto molhado e irritado de seu inimigo com grande força.

En Os outros macacos formaram um círculo ao redor deles, observando e apreciando a luta. Eles emitiam sons baixos de aprovação quando pedaços de pele ou pelo eram arrancados dos lutadores. Mas eles ficaram em silêncio, surpresos e em expectativa, quando viram o forte macaco branco subir nas costas de seu rei. Com seus músculos tensos sob os braços do rei, ele empurrou com força com as mãos no pescoço grosso, de modo que o rei só podia gritar de dor e se debater inutilmente na grama da selva.

En Tarzan derrotou este outro grande macaco usando o mesmo movimento de luta que ele havia descoberto acidentalmente anos antes, quando derrotou o enorme Terkoz. O pequeno grupo de macacos ferozes ouviu o som de estalo do pescoço de seu rei misturado com seus gritos dolorosos e rugidos terríveis.

En Um estalo repentino cortou o ar, como um galho grosso quebrando em uma tempestade. A cabeça do líder caiu para a frente sobre o peito, e os rugidos e gritos pararam.

En Os pequenos olhos dos espectadores se moveram do corpo imóvel de seu líder para o macaco branco que se levantava ao lado do derrotado, e depois de volta ao seu rei, como se perguntando por que ele não se levantava e matava o estranho ousado.

En Eles observaram o recém-chegado colocar o pé no pescoço da figura imóvel e, jogando a cabeça para trás, soltar o chamado de vitória selvagem e estranho de um macaco-touro que fez uma matança. Então eles entenderam que seu rei estava morto.

En As terríveis notas do grito de vitória ecoaram pela selva. Os pequenos macacos nas copas das árvores pararam de tagarelar. As aves de voz áspera e penas brilhantes silenciaram. Ao longe, um leopardo respondeu com um lamento e um leão com um rugido profundo.

En O velho Tarzan voltou seus olhos questionadores para o pequeno grupo de macacos à sua frente. Ele balançou a cabeça como se para jogar para trás uma juba pesada que havia caído sobre seu rosto — um velho hábito dos dias em que seu cabelo preto e grosso pendia sobre os ombros e frequentemente caía sobre seus olhos, quando uma visão clara poderia significar vida ou morte.

En O homem-macaco entendeu que poderia ser atacado a qualquer momento pelo macho alfa sobrevivente que se considerava o candidato mais forte à liderança da tribo. Entre seus próprios macacos, era comum um macaco desconhecido entrar em uma comunidade, derrotar o rei e assumir a liderança junto com as fêmeas do rei deposto.

En Se ele não os seguisse, os macacos poderiam se afastar lentamente e depois lutar entre si pela dominância. Ele tinha certeza de que poderia se tornar o rei deles se quisesse, mas não tinha certeza se queria as pesadas responsabilidades desse papel, pois não via vantagem clara nisso.

En Um dos macacos mais jovens, uma fera grande e de constituição poderosa, movia-se ameaçadoramente em direção ao homem-macaco. O macaco mostrou suas presas de luta e soltou um rosnado baixo e sombrio.

En Tarzan observava cada movimento do macaco, parado como uma estátua. Um único passo para trás teria causado um ataque imediato; avançar poderia provocar um ataque ou assustar o macaco, dependendo da coragem do jovem macho.

En A escolha mais segura era ficar completamente imóvel e esperar. Como Tarzan previu, o macho se aproximou lentamente, rosnando ferozmente e mostrando suas presas babadas. Então o macaco começou a circular ao redor dele, como se estivesse pronto para uma briga.

En O comportamento do macaco poderia ter sido um blefe magnífico, mas dada a instabilidade da mente de um macaco, um impulso passageiro poderia fazer com que a criatura peluda atacasse o homem ferozmente e sem qualquer aviso.

En Tarzan virou-se lentamente para manter os olhos no bruto enquanto ele o cercava. Ele julgou o jovem macaco como alguém que nunca se sentira capaz de derrotar seu antigo líder, embora um dia tentaria. Tarzan notou que a besta era impressionantemente grande, com mais de dois metros de altura sobre suas pernas curtas e arqueadas.

En Seus braços maciços e peludos quase tocavam o chão mesmo quando ele estava em pé, e suas presas, agora muito próximas do rosto de Tarzan, eram excepcionalmente longas e afiadas. Como os outros de sua tribo, ele diferia em vários aspectos pequenos, mas importantes, dos macacos com os quais Tarzan havia crescido.

En No início, Tarzan sentiu uma onda de esperança ao ver os corpos peludos dos macacos, pensando que por algum capricho do destino ele havia retornado à sua própria tribo. No entanto, um olhar mais atento o convenceu de que estes eram de uma espécie diferente.

En Enquanto o macaco ameaçador continuava seu círculo rígido e trêmulo em torno de Tarzan, semelhante ao comportamento de cães quando um novo cão entra em seu território, Tarzan se perguntou se a língua de sua própria tribo correspondia à deste outro grupo. Ele decidiu descobrir falando com o bruto na língua da tribo de Kerchak.

En Ele exigiu saber quem estava ameaçando Tarzan dos Macacos.

En A criatura peluda parecia surpresa.

En O outro macaco respondeu que seu nome era Akut, falando na mesma língua básica e primitiva que Tarzan reconheceu como idêntica à que aprendera durante seus primeiros vinte anos de vida.

En O macaco declarou que era Akut, que Molak estava morto e ele era agora o rei, e ameaçou matar Tarzan se ele não saísse.

En Tarzan lembrou a Akut que ele havia matado Molak facilmente, então poderia matar Akut também se quisesse ser rei, mas não tinha desejo de governar a tribo de Akut. Ele só queria viver pacificamente na área e sugeriu que se tornassem amigos que pudessem ajudar um ao outro.

En O outro macaco respondeu que Tarzan não poderia matar Akut, pois ninguém era maior que Akut. Ele acrescentou que, se Tarzan não tivesse matado Molak, Akut o teria feito, porque Akut estava pronto para se tornar rei.

En Em resposta, o homem-macaco se lançou sobre o grande bruto, que havia se tornado um pouco menos vigilante durante a conversa.

En Em um instante, Tarzan agarrou o pulso do grande macaco, girou-o e saltou sobre suas costas largas antes que o outro pudesse agarrá-lo.

En Eles caíram juntos, mas o plano de Tarzan funcionou tão bem que ele já havia conseguido o mesmo golpe em Akut que havia quebrado o pescoço de Molak antes de atingirem o chão.

En Ele aplicou pressão lentamente e, então, assim como havia dado a Kerchak a chance de se render e viver, ofereceu a Akut a escolha de viver em amizade com ele ou morrer como o rei selvagem que acabara de matar. Tarzan via Akut como um possível aliado de grande força e recursos.

En Tarzan perguntou ao macaco debaixo dele, na língua dos macacos, se ele se rendia.

En Esta era a mesma pergunta que Tarzan havia feito a Kerchak. Na língua dos macacos, basicamente perguntava se o oponente se renderia.

En Akut lembrou-se do rangido que precedeu a quebra do pescoço de Molak, e ele tremeu.

En Ainda assim, ele odiava abrir mão de sua realeza, então lutou para escapar novamente. No entanto, uma pressão aguda e insuportável em sua coluna o forçou a gritar a palavra para rendição.

En Tarzan afrouxou ligeiramente seu aperto.

En Tarzan garantiu a Akut que ele poderia continuar sendo rei, reiterando que ele próprio não tinha desejo pelo título. Ele prometeu apoiar Akut em qualquer conflito contra aqueles que pudessem contestar seu domínio.

En Tarzan se levantou, e Akut também se ergueu lentamente. Balançando a cabeça e rosnando de irritação, Akut se dirigiu pesadamente para sua tribo, seu olhar percorrendo os machos maiores que poderiam potencialmente se opor à sua autoridade.

En No entanto, nenhum macaco o desafiou; em vez disso, eles recuaram conforme ele avançava, e logo todo o bando desapareceu na selva, deixando Tarzan novamente sozinho na praia.

En Tarzan sentia dores devido aos ferimentos causados por Molak, mas estava acostumado a dores físicas e as suportava com a resiliência estoica das criaturas selvagens que o criaram para prosperar na selva.

En Ele entendeu que sua prioridade imediata era obter armas tanto para ataque quanto para defesa. Sua recente luta com os macacos e os rugidos ecoantes de Numa, o leão, e Sheeta, a pantera, lembraram-no de que sua existência estaria longe de ser confortável ou segura.

En Isso era meramente um retorno à sua vida anterior de violência constante e perigo — caçar e ser caçado. Animais ferozes o perseguiriam, assim como faziam antes, e em nenhum momento, fosse no dia severo ou na noite sombria, ele estaria sem uma necessidade imediata das ferramentas brutas que podia criar a partir do que estivesse por perto.

En Na praia, ele encontrou um afloramento de rocha vulcânica quebradiça. Com grande esforço, conseguiu quebrar um pedaço fino de cerca de trinta centímetros de comprimento e um quarto de polegada de espessura. Uma borda era bem afiada por alguns centímetros perto da ponta. Era o início de uma faca.

En Carregando essa faca bruta, ele entrou na selva e procurou até descobrir uma árvore caída feita de um tipo de madeira dura que ele reconhecia. Dela, cortou um pequeno galho reto e afiou uma das pontas.

En Em seguida, ele esculpiu um pequeno buraco redondo na superfície do tronco caído. Esfarelou alguns pedaços de casca seca, finamente triturados, dentro do buraco. Então colocou a ponta de seu bastão pontiagudo no buraco, sentou-se a cavaleiro do tronco da árvore e girou a haste fina rapidamente entre as palmas das mãos.

En Depois de um tempo, uma fina fumaça subiu do pequeno monte de isca, e logo ele explodiu em chamas. Ele adicionou galhos e gravetos maiores ao pequeno fogo, e em pouco tempo Tarzan tinha uma labareda considerável rugindo no oco da árvore morta.

En Ele enfiou a lâmina de sua faca de pedra no fogo. Quando ficou muito quente, ele a tirou e tocou um ponto perto da borda fina com uma gota d'água. Onde a umidade tocou, um pequeno pedaço do material vítreo rachou e se soltou.

En Dessa forma, o homem-macaco iniciou o lento e cuidadoso processo de afiar sua simples faca de caça.

En Ele não tentou terminar tudo de uma vez. Primeiro, fez um fio cortante com cerca de cinco centímetros de comprimento. Usando isso, ele moldou um arco flexível, um cabo para a faca, um porrete forte e muitas flechas.

En Ele escondeu esses itens em uma árvore alta ao lado de um pequeno riacho. Ali também construiu uma plataforma com um telhado feito de folhas de palmeira.

En Quando terminou todas essas tarefas, a escuridão estava caindo. Tarzan sentiu muita fome.

En Durante sua breve incursão na floresta, ele observou um bebedouro muito usado a uma curta distância rio acima de sua árvore. A lama pisoteada em ambas as margens indicava que muitos animais diferentes vinham beber ali. O homem-macaco faminto seguiu silenciosamente até esse local.

En Ele se movia pelos galhos mais altos das árvores com a graça e facilidade de um macaco. Ele teria ficado feliz em retornar à vida livre de sua infância, não fosse o pesado sofrimento em seu coração.

En Mesmo com esse fardo, ele naturalmente retomou os hábitos de sua vida inicial, que eram mais parte dele do que a fina camada de civilização que ele havia adquirido ao longo dos últimos três anos com homens brancos do mundo exterior. Essa camada apenas escondia a selvageria da besta que Tarzan dos Macacos havia sido um dia.

En Se seus colegas membros da Câmara dos Lordes pudessem tê-lo visto naquele momento, eles teriam ficado profundamente chocados.

En Ele se agachou silenciosamente nos galhos mais baixos de uma grande árvore que se debruçava sobre o caminho. Seus olhos aguçados e ouvidos sensíveis se concentraram na selva distante, de onde ele sabia que seu jantar logo apareceria.

En Ele não teve que esperar muito.

En Ele tinha acabado de se acomodar em uma posição confortável, com suas pernas musculosas dobradas sob ele como uma pantera se preparando para atacar, quando Bara, o veado, veio graciosamente até a água para beber.

En Mas algo mais se aproximava atrás do veado. Bara não conseguia ver nem sentir o cheiro do outro animal, mas Tarzan, de seu esconderijo elevado, podia ver claramente seus movimentos.

En Ele ainda não sabia exatamente o que estava se movendo tão silenciosamente pela selva a algumas centenas de metros atrás do veado, mas tinha certeza de que era um grande predador caçando Bara pelo mesmo motivo pelo qual ele estava esperando — ele pensou que poderia ser Numa, o leão, ou Sheeta, a pantera.

En De qualquer forma, Tarzan percebeu que sua refeição escaparia a menos que Bara se movesse mais rapidamente em direção à travessia.

En Enquanto esses pensamentos ocupavam sua mente, o cervo deve ter ouvido algum barulho do perseguidor atrás dele. De repente, ele parou, tremendo, por um momento, e então rapidamente saltou em direção ao rio e a Tarzan. Sua intenção era atravessar o vau raso e escapar do outro lado.

En Numa estava a apenas cerca de cem jardas atrás dele.

En Tarzan podia ver Numa claramente agora. Abaixo do homem-macaco, o cervo Bara estava prestes a passar. Tarzan se perguntou se Numa conseguiria pegá-lo. Mas mesmo enquanto se perguntava, o faminto homem-macaco saltou de seu poleiro para as costas do cervo assustado.

En Em outro momento, Numa estaria sobre ambos. Se Tarzan quisesse comer naquela noite—ou jamais—ele precisava agir rápido.

En Assim que tocou a pele lisa do cervo—o impacto o jogou de joelhos—ele agarrou um chifre em cada mão. Com um único e rápido movimento, virou o pescoço do animal completamente até sentir as vértebras quebrarem sob seu aperto.

En Um leão rugiu com raiva bem atrás dele. Tarzan balançou o veado sobre o ombro, segurou uma de suas patas dianteiras com os dentes fortes e saltou em direção ao galho mais baixo e pendente acima dele.

En Ele agarrou o galho com as duas mãos. Assim que Numa avançou, Tarzan puxou a si mesmo e sua presa para cima, escapando das garras afiadas do animal.

En Ele ouviu um baque abaixo quando o leão frustrado caiu de volta ao chão. Então Tarzan dos Macacos moveu sua refeição para um galho mais alto e seguro. Sorrindo, ele olhou para baixo nos olhos amarelos brilhantes da fera que o encarava de baixo. Com palavras de zombaria, ele exibiu a carne macia que havia tirado do leão.

En Usando sua faca de pedra áspera, ele cortou um pedaço suculento de carne do lombo do veado. Enquanto o grande leão andava de um lado para o outro e rosnava abaixo dele, Lorde Greystoke satisfez sua fome selvagem. Ele pensou que nenhuma refeição nos melhores clubes de Londres tinha sido tão saborosa.

En O sangue quente de sua presa cobriu suas mãos e rosto, e o cheiro encheu seu nariz — o aroma que os comedores de carne selvagens mais amam.

En Depois de terminar sua refeição, ele deixou a carcaça restante em uma forquilha alta da árvore onde havia comido. Com Numa o seguindo abaixo, ainda ansioso por vingança, ele voltou para seu abrigo no topo da árvore e dormiu até tarde na manhã seguinte.

Kidnapped

Português

D'Arnot afirmou que todo o assunto permanecia um mistério. Ele enfatizou que nem a polícia nem os agentes especiais do estado-maior tinham ideia de como a fuga havia sido realizada. O único fato conhecido era que Nikolas Rokoff havia escapado.

Original English

"The entire affair is shrouded in mystery,"said D'Arnot."I have it on the best of authority that neither the police nor the special agents of the general staff have the faintest conception of how it was accomplished. All they know, all that anyone knows, is that Nikolas Rokoff has escaped."

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Português

John Clayton, Lorde Greystoke — anteriormente conhecido como Tarzan dos Macacos — sentou-se em silêncio no apartamento parisiense de seu amigo, o Tenente Paul D'Arnot, com o olhar fixo meditativamente na ponta de sua bota imaculada.

Original English

John Clayton, Lord Greystoke -- he who had been"Tarzan of the Apes"-- sat in silence in the apartments of his friend, Lieutenant Paul D'Arnot, in Paris, gazing meditatively at the toe of his immaculate boot.

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Português

Seus pensamentos se voltaram para muitas memórias, trazidas de volta pela fuga de seu arqui-inimigo da prisão militar francesa, onde ele havia sido condenado à prisão perpétua com base no testemunho do homem-macaco.

Original English

His mind revolved many memories, recalled by the escape of his arch-enemy from the French military prison to which he had been sentenced for life upon the testimony of the ape-man.

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Português

Ele refletiu sobre as medidas extremas que Rokoff havia tomado para causar sua morte e entendeu que o que o homem havia feito antes provavelmente não seria nada comparado ao que ele agora planejaria e tentaria, agora que estava livre novamente.

Original English

He thought of the lengths to which Rokoff had once gone to compass his death, and he realized that what the man had already done would doubtless be as nothing by comparison with what he would wish and plot to do now that he was again free.

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Português

Tarzan havia trazido recentemente sua esposa e filho pequeno para Londres para evitar os desconfortos e perigos da estação chuvosa em sua vasta propriedade em Uziri — a terra dos ferozes guerreiros Waziri, cujos amplos territórios africanos o homem-macaco um dia governou.

Original English

Tarzan had recently brought his wife and infant son to London to escape the discomforts and dangers of the rainy season upon their vast estate in Uziri -- the land of the savage Waziri warriors whose broad African domains the ape-man had once ruled.

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Português

Ele havia cruzado o Canal da Mancha para uma breve visita ao seu velho amigo, mas a notícia da fuga do russo já havia estragado sua viagem. Embora tivesse acabado de chegar, já estava considerando retornar a Londres imediatamente.

Original English

He had run across the Channel for a brief visit with his old friend, but the news of the Russian's escape had already cast a shadow upon his outing, so that though he had but just arrived he was already contemplating an immediate return to London.

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Português

Ele disse a Paul que não tinha medo por si mesmo, pois frequentemente impedira Rokoff de matá-lo. No entanto, agora precisava pensar nos outros. Acreditava que Rokoff tentaria feri-lo através de sua esposa ou filho, sabendo que isso lhe causaria mais dor. Insistiu que devia retornar para eles imediatamente e ficar até que Rokoff fosse capturado ou morto.

Original English

"It is not that I fear for myself, Paul,"he said at last."Many times in the past have I thwarted Rokoff's designs upon my life; but now there are others to consider. Unless I misjudge the man, he would more quickly strike at me through my wife or son than directly at me, for he doubtless realizes that in no other way could he inflict greater anguish upon me. I must go back to them at once, and remain with them until Rokoff is recaptured -- or dead."

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Português

Enquanto aqueles dois conversavam em Paris, outros dois homens falavam em uma pequena casa na periferia de Londres. Ambos tinham uma aparência sombria e ameaçadora.

Original English

As these two talked in Paris, two other men were talking together in a little cottage upon the outskirts of London. Both were dark, sinister-looking men.

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Português

Um deles tinha uma barba cheia, mas o outro, pálido por ficar muito tempo em ambientes fechados, tinha apenas alguns dias de crescimento de barba preta. Este segundo homem era o que estava falando.

Original English

One was bearded, but the other, whose face wore the pallor of long confinement within doors, had but a few days' growth of black beard upon his face. It was he who was speaking.

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Português

Ele disse a seu companheiro Alexis que precisava raspar a barba, porque caso contrário o homem o reconheceria imediatamente. Eles precisavam se separar em breve. Ele esperava que, quando se encontrassem novamente no convés do Kincaid, tivessem dois convidados ilustres que não faziam ideia da agradável viagem planejada para eles.

Original English

"You must needs shave off that beard of yours, Alexis,"he said to his companion."With it he would recognize you on the instant. We must separate here in the hour, and when we meet again upon the deck of the Kincaid, let us hope that we shall have with us two honoured guests who little anticipate the pleasant voyage we have planned for them.

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Português

Ele disse que em duas horas partiria para Dover com um deles, e que na noite seguinte, se as instruções fossem seguidas cuidadosamente, o outro deveria chegar, assumindo que a pessoa retornasse a Londres tão rápido quanto ele esperava.

Original English

"In two hours I should be upon my way to Dover with one of them, and by tomorrow night, if you follow my instructions carefully, you should arrive with the other, provided, of course, that he returns to London as quickly as I presume he will.

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Português

Ele disse a Alexis que seus esforços trariam lucro, prazer e outras recompensas. Como os franceses haviam sido estúpidos o suficiente para esconder sua fuga por muitos dias, ele teve tempo para planejar cada detalhe da aventura, então havia pouca chance de problemas. Depois, ele se despediu e desejou boa sorte a ele.

Original English

"There should be both profit and pleasure as well as other good things to reward our efforts, my dear Alexis. Thanks to the stupidity of the French, they have gone to such lengths to conceal the fact of my escape for these many days that I have had ample opportunity to work out every detail of our little adventure so carefully that there is little chance of the slightest hitch occurring to mar our prospects. And now good-bye, and good luck!"

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Português

Três horas depois, um mensageiro subiu as escadas até o apartamento do Tenente D'Arnot.

Original English

Three hours later a messenger mounted the steps to the apartment of Lieutenant D'Arnot.

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Português

O mensageiro disse ao criado que havia um telegrama para Lord Greystoke e perguntou se ele estava lá.

Original English

"A telegram for Lord Greystoke,"he said to the servant who answered his summons."Is he here?"

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Português

O criado confirmou que Lord Greystoke estava presente. O mensageiro assinou pelo telegrama e o levou para Tarzan, que já se preparava para partir para Londres.

Original English

The man answered in the affirmative, and, signing for the message, carried it within to Tarzan, who was already preparing to depart for London.

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Português

Tarzan rasgou o envelope e, enquanto examinava o conteúdo, seu rosto ficou pálido.

Original English

Tarzan tore open the envelope, and as he read his face went white.

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Português

Ele entregou o pedaço de papel a D'Arnot e pediu que ele lesse, dizendo que já havia chegado.

Original English

"Read it, Paul,"he said, handing the slip of paper to D'Arnot."It has come already."

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Português

O francês aceitou o telegrama e leu seu conteúdo.

Original English

The Frenchman took the telegram and read:

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Português

O telegrama informava que Jack havia sido levado do jardim com a ajuda de um novo criado, e solicitava urgentemente o retorno imediato deles. Estava assinado por Jane.

Original English

"Jack stolen from the garden through complicity of new servant. Come at once. -- JANE."

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Português

Quando Tarzan saltou do carro que o havia buscado na estação e subiu correndo os degraus de sua residência em Londres, foi recebido na porta por uma mulher que estava quase histérica, mas sem lágrimas.

Original English

As Tarzan leaped from the roadster that had met him at the station and ran up the steps to his London town house he was met at the door by a dry-eyed but almost frantic woman.

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Português

Jane Porter Clayton narrou rapidamente tudo o que havia descoberto sobre o sequestro da criança.

Original English

Quickly Jane Porter Clayton narrated all that she had been able to learn of the theft of the boy.

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Português

A enfermeira estava empurrando o bebê no carrinho pelo caminho ensolarado em frente à casa quando um táxi fechado parou na esquina da rua. Ela prestou pouca atenção ao carro, apenas notando que ninguém saiu e o motor ainda estava ligado, como se esperasse alguém da casa diante da qual havia parado.

Original English

The baby's nurse had been wheeling him in the sunshine on the walk before the house when a closed taxicab drew up at the corner of the street. The woman had paid but passing attention to the vehicle, merely noting that it discharged no passenger, but stood at the kerb with the motor running as though waiting for a fare from the residence before which it had stopped.

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Português

Quase imediatamente, o novo empregado, Carl, veio correndo da casa dos Greystoke. Ele disse à enfermeira que sua patroa desejava falar brevemente com ela e que ela deveria deixar o pequeno Jack sob seus cuidados até seu retorno.

Original English

Almost immediately the new houseman, Carl, had come running from the Greystoke house, saying that the girl's mistress wished to speak with her for a moment, and that she was to leave little Jack in his care until she returned.

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Português

A enfermeira afirmou que não teve nenhuma suspeita das intenções do homem até chegar à porta da casa, momento em que pensou em avisá-lo para não virar o carrinho para que o sol não brilhasse nos olhos do bebê.

Original English

The woman said that she entertained not the slightest suspicion of the man's motives until she had reached the doorway of the house, when it occurred to her to warn him not to turn the carriage so as to permit the sun to shine in the baby's eyes.

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Português

Quando ela se virou para chamá-lo, ficou surpresa ao vê-lo empurrando o carrinho rapidamente em direção à esquina, e no mesmo momento viu a porta do táxi se abrir e um rosto moreno aparecer brevemente na abertura.

Original English

As she turned about to call this to him she was somewhat surprised to see that he was wheeling the carriage rapidly toward the corner, and at the same time she saw the door of the taxicab open and a swarthy face framed for a moment in the aperture.

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Português

Ela percebeu o perigo para a criança instantaneamente. Com um grito, ela desceu correndo as escadas e seguiu pelo caminho em direção ao táxi, onde Carl estava entregando o bebê a um homem de pele escura dentro do carro.

Original English

Intuitively, the danger to the child flashed upon her, and with a shriek she dashed down the steps and up the walk toward the taxicab, into which Carl was now handing the baby to the swarthy one within.

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Português

Pouco antes de ela alcançar o veículo, Carl pulou para dentro ao lado do seu cúmplice e bateu a porta. O motorista tentou ligar o motor, mas algo parecia errado, como se as engrenagens não engatassem. O atraso, causado por ele colocar a marcha à ré e recuar alguns centímetros antes de tentar novamente, deu tempo para a enfermeira alcançar a lateral do táxi.

Original English

Just before she reached the vehicle, Carl leaped in beside his confederate, slamming the door behind him. At the same time the chauffeur attempted to start his machine, but it was evident that something had gone wrong, as though the gears refused to mesh, and the delay caused by this, while he pushed the lever into reverse and backed the car a few inches before again attempting to go ahead, gave the nurse time to reach the side of the taxicab.

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Português

Ela pulou no estribo e tentou arrancar o bebê do estranho. Gritando e lutando, ela se segurou mesmo depois que o táxi começou a se mover. Somente depois que o carro passou pela residência Greystoke em alta velocidade é que Carl a atingiu com força no rosto, finalmente derrubando-a no asfalto.

Original English

Leaping to the running-board, she had attempted to snatch the baby from the arms of the stranger, and here, screaming and fighting, she had clung to her position even after the taxicab had got under way; nor was it until the machine had passed the Greystoke residence at good speed that Carl, with a heavy blow to her face, had succeeded in knocking her to the pavement.

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Português

Seus gritos atraíram empregados e membros das famílias das casas próximas e da residência Greystoke. Lady Greystoke testemunhara a luta corajosa da garota e tentara alcançar o veículo em movimento rápido ela mesma, mas foi tarde demais.

Original English

Her screams had attracted servants and members of the families from residences near by, as well as from the Greystoke home. Lady Greystoke had witnessed the girl's brave battle, and had herself tried to reach the rapidly passing vehicle, but had been too late.

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Português

Isso era tudo o que se sabia. Lady Greystoke não suspeitava da identidade do homem por trás do plano até que seu marido a informou que Nikolas Rokoff havia escapado da prisão francesa onde esperavam que ele ficasse permanentemente.

Original English

That was all that anyone knew, nor did Lady Greystoke dream of the possible identity of the man at the bottom of the plot until her husband told her of the escape of Nikolas Rokoff from the French prison where they had hoped he was permanently confined.

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Português

Tarzan e sua esposa estavam considerando a melhor estratégia quando o telefone tocou na biblioteca à sua direita. Tarzan atendeu prontamente a ligação pessoalmente.

Original English

As Tarzan and his wife stood planning the wisest course to pursue, the telephone bell rang in the library at their right. Tarzan quickly answered the call in person.

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Português

A voz de um homem perguntou se ele era Lord Greystoke.

Original English

"Lord Greystoke?"asked a man's voice at the other end of the line.

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Português

Tarzan confirmou que ele era de fato Lord Greystoke.

Original English

"Yes."

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Português

O homem continuou, afirmando que o filho de Tarzan havia sido levado. Ele alegou que só ele poderia ajudar a recuperar o menino, pois estava familiarizado com o esquema dos sequestradores. Na verdade, ele tinha sido um participante e receberia uma parte do resgate, mas seus cúmplices estavam agora tentando excluí-lo. Para se vingar deles, ele se ofereceu para ajudar a recuperar o filho, desde que Tarzan concordasse em não apresentar queixa contra ele por sua participação no crime.

Original English

"Your son has been stolen,"continued the voice,"and I alone may help you to recover him. I am conversant with the plot of those who took him. In fact, I was a party to it, and was to share in the reward, but now they are trying to ditch me, and to be quits with them I will aid you to recover him on condition that you will not prosecute me for my part in the crime. What do you say?"

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que se o homem o levasse ao esconderijo de seu filho, ele não teria nada a temer dele.

Original English

"If you lead me to where my son is hidden,"replied the ape-man,"you need fear nothing from me."

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Português

O outro homem concordou, mas insistiu que Tarzan deveria vir sozinho para encontrá-lo. Ele explicou que já estava correndo um risco ao confiar em Tarzan e não poderia permitir que mais ninguém descobrisse sua identidade.

Original English

"Good,"replied the other."But you must come alone to meet me, for it is enough that I must trust you. I cannot take the chance of permitting others to learn my identity."

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Português

Tarzan então perguntou onde e quando eles poderiam se encontrar.

Original English

"Where and when may I meet you?"asked Tarzan.

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Português

O homem deu o nome e o endereço de um pub na orla de Dover, um local frequentado por marinheiros.

Original English

The other gave the name and location of a public-house on the water-front at Dover -- a place frequented by sailors.

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Português

Ele disse a Tarzan que viesse por volta das dez horas daquela noite, dizendo que seria inútil chegar mais cedo. Ele garantiu a Tarzan que seu filho permaneceria seguro enquanto isso e que então o levaria secretamente até onde o menino estava escondido. No entanto, ele avisou Tarzan para vir sozinho e em hipótese alguma notificar a Scotland Yard, pois conhecia bem Tarzan e estaria vigiando-o.

Original English

"Come,"he concluded,"about ten o'clock tonight. It would do no good to arrive earlier. Your son will be safe enough in the meantime, and I can then lead you secretly to where he is hidden. But be sure to come alone, and under no circumstances notify Scotland Yard, for I know you well and shall be watching for you.

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Português

Ele acrescentou que se mais alguém acompanhasse Tarzan, ou se visse pessoas suspeitas que pudessem ser agentes da polícia, ele não apareceria, e Tarzan perderia sua última chance de recuperar o filho.

Original English

"Should any other accompany you, or should I see suspicious characters who might be agents of the police, I shall not meet you, and your last chance of recovering your son will be gone."

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Português

O homem encerrou a ligação sem dizer mais nada.

Original English

Without more words the man rang off.

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Português

Tarzan contou à esposa os pontos principais da conversa. Ela implorou para acompanhá-lo, mas ele insistiu que, se não fosse sozinho, o homem poderia cumprir sua ameaça de recusar ajuda. Então eles se separaram, ele apressando-se para Dover, e ela ficando em casa para aguardar notícias de sua missão.

Original English

Tarzan repeated the gist of the conversation to his wife. She begged to be allowed to accompany him, but he insisted that it might result in the man's carrying out his threat of refusing to aid them if Tarzan did not come alone, and so they parted, he to hasten to Dover, and she, ostensibly to wait at home until he should notify her of the outcome of his mission.

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Português

Nenhum deles imaginou o que ambos iriam suportar antes de se encontrarem novamente, nem quão distante esse reencontro estaria — mas por que antecipar o futuro?

Original English

Little did either dream of what both were destined to pass through before they should meet again, or the far-distant -- but why anticipate?

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Português

Por dez minutos depois que Tarzan saiu, Jane Clayton andou inquieta sobre os tapetes da biblioteca. Seu coração de mãe doía com a ausência do primogênito, e sua mente era atormentada pela esperança e pelo medo.

Original English

For ten minutes after the ape-man had left her Jane Clayton walked restlessly back and forth across the silken rugs of the library. Her mother heart ached, bereft of its first-born. Her mind was in an anguish of hopes and fears.

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Português

Embora sua razão lhe dissesse que tudo ficaria bem se Tarzan fosse sozinho como o estranho exigia, sua intuição se recusava a descartar a suspeita de grave perigo tanto para o marido quanto para o filho.

Original English

Though her judgment told her that all would be well were her Tarzan to go alone in accordance with the mysterious stranger's summons, her intuition would not permit her to lay aside suspicion of the gravest dangers to both her husband and her son.

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Português

Ela pensou mais a respeito e ficou certa de que a mensagem telefônica era provavelmente um truque. Seu propósito poderia ter sido impedi-los de agir até que o menino fosse escondido ou retirado da Inglaterra. Alternativamente, poderia ter sido uma armadilha para levar Tarzan ao implacável Rokoff.

Original English

The more she thought of the matter, the more convinced she became that the recent telephone message might be but a ruse to keep them inactive until the boy was safely hidden away or spirited out of England. Or it might be that it had been simply a bait to lure Tarzan into the hands of the implacable Rokoff.

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Português

Quando essa ideia se firmou, ela parou, aterrorizada e de olhos arregalados. Naquele momento, tornou-se uma convicção firme. Ela olhou para o grande relógio no canto da biblioteca, marcando os minutos.

Original English

With the lodgment of this thought she stopped in wide-eyed terror. Instantly it became a conviction. She glanced at the great clock ticking the minutes in the corner of the library.

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Português

Ela havia perdido o trem para Dover que Tarzan planejava pegar. No entanto, um trem posterior ainda a levaria ao porto do Canal a tempo de chegar ao endereço que o estranho havia dado ao marido antes da reunião marcada.

Original English

It was too late to catch the Dover train that Tarzan was to take. There was another, later, however, that would bring her to the Channel port in time to reach the address the stranger had given her husband before the appointed hour.

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Português

Ela chamou sua empregada e motorista e rapidamente deu ordens. Dez minutos depois, ela estava acelerando pelas ruas movimentadas em direção à estação ferroviária.

Original English

Summoning her maid and chauffeur, she issued instructions rapidly. Ten minutes later she was being whisked through the crowded streets toward the railway station.

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Português

Às nove e quarenta e cinco daquela noite, Tarzan entrou em um pub sujo no cais de Dover. Ao entrar na sala malcheirosa, uma figura fortemente envolta passou por ele e saiu para a rua.

Original English

It was nine-forty-five that night that Tarzan entered the squalid"pub"on the water-front in Dover. As he passed into the evil-smelling room a muffled figure brushed past him toward the street.

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Português

O estranho sussurrou para seu senhor vir.

Original English

"Come, my lord!"whispered the stranger.

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Português

O homem-macaco virou-se e seguiu o estranho para um beco mal iluminado que era chamado de rua. Lá fora, o homem os levou para a escuridão perto de um cais, onde pilhas de mercadorias criavam sombras profundas. Ali ele parou.

Original English

The ape-man wheeled about and followed the other into the ill-lit alley, which custom had dignified with the title of thoroughfare. Once outside, the fellow led the way into the darkness, nearer a wharf, where high-piled bales, boxes, and casks cast dense shadows. Here he halted.

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Português

Greystoke perguntou onde estava o menino.

Original English

"Where is the boy?"asked Greystoke.

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Português

O outro homem respondeu que o menino estava em um pequeno vapor cujas luzes podiam ser vistas ao longe.

Original English

"On that small steamer whose lights you can just see yonder,"replied the other.

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Português

Na escuridão, Tarzan tentou ver o rosto de seu companheiro, mas não o reconheceu. Se soubesse que seu guia era Alexis Paulvitch, teria entendido que o homem pretendia apenas traição e que o perigo o aguardava a cada passo.

Original English

In the gloom Tarzan was trying to peer into the features of his companion, but he did not recognize the man as one whom he had ever before seen. Had he guessed that his guide was Alexis Paulvitch he would have realized that naught but treachery lay in the man's heart, and that danger lurked in the path of every move.

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Português

O russo disse que a criança estava desprotegida. Aqueles que a haviam levado se sentiam perfeitamente seguros de serem descobertos, e ele havia dado gim suficiente para alguns membros da tripulação para silenciá-los por horas. Ele afirmou que poderiam embarcar no Kincaid, pegar a criança e voltar sem medo.

Original English

"He is unguarded now,"continued the Russian."Those who took him feel perfectly safe from detection, and with the exception of a couple of members of the crew, whom I have furnished with enough gin to silence them effectually for hours, there is none aboard the Kincaid. We can go aboard, get the child, and return without the slightest fear."

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Português

Tarzan concordou com um aceno.

Original English

Tarzan nodded.

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Português

Ele então sugeriu que começassem imediatamente.

Original English

"Let's be about it, then,"he said.

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Português

O guia levou Tarzan a um pequeno barco atracado no cais. Ambos entraram, e Paulvitch remou rapidamente em direção ao vapor. Tarzan não notou a fumaça preta do funil; sua mente estava totalmente ocupada com a esperança de em breve ter seu filho novamente em seus braços.

Original English

His guide led him to a small boat moored alongside the wharf. The two men entered, and Paulvitch pulled rapidly toward the steamer. The black smoke issuing from her funnel did not at the time make any suggestion to Tarzan's mind. All his thoughts were occupied with the hope that in a few moments he would again have his little son in his arms.

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Português

Ao lado do vapor, encontraram uma escada de corda pendurada nas proximidades. Os dois homens subiram furtivamente. Uma vez no convés, apressaram-se para a popa, onde o russo apontou para uma escotilha.

Original English

At the steamer's side they found a monkey-ladder dangling close above them, and up this the two men crept stealthily. Once on deck they hastened aft to where the Russian pointed to a hatch.

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Português

Ele informou Tarzan de que a criança estava escondida lá embaixo. Ele aconselhou Tarzan a descer para buscá-lo, porque o menino teria menos probabilidade de gritar de medo se Tarzan o encontrasse em vez de um estranho. Ele disse que ficaria de guarda.

Original English

"The boy is hidden there,"he said."You had better go down after him, as there is less chance that he will cry in fright than should he find himself in the arms of a stranger. I will stand on guard here."

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Português

Tarzan estava tão desesperado para resgatar a criança que não considerou o quão estranhas eram as condições no Kincaid. O fato de seu convés estar vazio, embora ela tivesse vapor e estivesse claramente pronta para partir, não o afetou.

Original English

So anxious was Tarzan to rescue the child that he gave not the slightest thought to the strangeness of all the conditions surrounding the Kincaid. That her deck was deserted, though she had steam up, and from the volume of smoke pouring from her funnel was all ready to get under way made no impression upon him.

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Português

Pensando que em breve seguraria a criança preciosa em seus braços, o homem-macaco balançou para baixo na escuridão. Mal tinha soltado a borda da escotilha, a tampa pesada bateu ruidosamente acima dele.

Original English

With the thought that in another instant he would fold that precious little bundle of humanity in his arms, the ape-man swung down into the darkness below. Scarcely had he released his hold upon the edge of the hatch than the heavy covering fell clattering above him.

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Português

Imediatamente ele percebeu que havia sido encurralado. Em vez de salvar seu filho, ele havia caído nas mãos de seus inimigos. Ele tentou imediatamente alcançar a escotilha e levantar a tampa, mas não conseguiu.

Original English

Instantly he knew that he was the victim of a plot, and that far from rescuing his son he had himself fallen into the hands of his enemies. Though he immediately endeavoured to reach the hatch and lift the cover, he was unable to do so.

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Português

Ele acendeu um fósforo para examinar seus arredores. Descobriu um pequeno compartimento que havia sido separado do porão principal, com a escotilha acima como única entrada ou saída. Estava claro que o cômodo era destinado a servir como sua cela de prisão.

Original English

Striking a match, he explored his surroundings, finding that a little compartment had been partitioned off from the main hold, with the hatch above his head the only means of ingress or egress. It was evident that the room had been prepared for the very purpose of serving as a cell for himself.

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Português

O compartimento estava vazio e não continha nenhuma outra pessoa. Se a criança estava no Kincaid, ela deve ter sido mantida em um local diferente.

Original English

There was nothing in the compartment, and no other occupant. If the child was on board the Kincaid he was confined elsewhere.

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Português

Por mais de vinte anos, da infância à idade adulta, o homem-macaco percorreu seus territórios selvagens da selva sem qualquer companhia humana. Durante seus anos mais formativos, ele aprendeu a aceitar a alegria e a tristeza exatamente como os animais fazem.

Original English

For over twenty years, from infancy to manhood, the ape-man had roamed his savage jungle haunts without human companionship of any nature. He had learned at the most impressionable period of his life to take his pleasures and his sorrows as the beasts take theirs.

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Português

Portanto, ele não se enfureceu nem reclamou de seu destino; em vez disso, esperou calmamente por qualquer coisa que pudesse acontecer, enquanto também fazia tudo o que era possível para se salvar. Ele estudou cuidadosamente sua cela, testou as grossas tábuas de madeira que formavam suas paredes e mediu a distância da escotilha acima dele.

Original English

So it was that he neither raved nor stormed against fate, but instead waited patiently for what might next befall him, though not by any means without an eye to doing the utmost to succour himself. To this end he examined his prison carefully, tested the heavy planking that formed its walls, and measured the distance of the hatch above him.

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Português

Enquanto fazia isso, ele de repente sentiu os motores do navio vibrarem e a hélice pulsar.

Original English

And while he was thus occupied there came suddenly to him the vibration of machinery and the throbbing of the propeller.

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Português

O navio estava em movimento. Ele se perguntou para onde o estava levando e que destino o aguardava.

Original English

The ship was moving! Where to and to what fate was it carrying him?

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Português

Mesmo enquanto esses pensamentos ocupavam sua mente, ele ouviu algo acima do barulho dos motores que o fez sentir um calafrio de medo.

Original English

And even as these thoughts passed through his mind there came to his ears above the din of the engines that which caused him to go cold with apprehension.

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Português

Do convés acima dele, o grito assustado de uma mulher soou, claro e agudo.

Original English

Clear and shrill from the deck above him rang the scream of a frightened woman.

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Marooned

Português

Depois que Tarzan e seu guia desapareceram nas sombras escuras do cais, uma mulher com um véu grosso apressou-se pelo beco estreito em direção à entrada do bar que os dois homens tinham acabado de deixar.

Original English

As Tarzan and his guide had disappeared into the shadows upon the dark wharf the figure of a heavily veiled woman had hurried down the narrow alley to the entrance of the drinking-place the two men had just quitted.

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Português

Ela parou ali, olhando ao redor, e então, aparentemente satisfeita por ter encontrado seu destino, entrou corajosamente no estabelecimento sórdido.

Original English

Here she paused and looked about, and then as though satisfied that she had at last reached the place she sought, she pushed bravely into the interior of the vile den.

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Português

Um grupo de cerca de vinte marinheiros, meio bêbados, e outros homens rudes do cais levantaram os olhos, surpresos ao ver uma mulher com roupas finas entre eles. Ela rapidamente caminhou em direção à garçonete desarrumada, que a olhou com uma mistura de inveja e ressentimento.

Original English

A score of half-drunken sailors and wharf-rats looked up at the unaccustomed sight of a richly gowned woman in their midst. Rapidly she approached the slovenly barmaid who stared half in envy, half in hate, at her more fortunate sister.

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Português

Ela perguntou se alguém tinha visto um homem alto e bem-vestido que havia encontrado outro homem e saído com ele apenas um minuto antes.

Original English

"Have you seen a tall, well-dressed man here, but a minute since,"she asked,"who met another and went away with him?"

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Português

A garota confirmou que tinha visto o homem, mas não sabia para onde eles tinham ido. Um marinheiro que estava ouvindo então disse que, um momento antes, quando ele estava prestes a entrar no pub, tinha visto dois homens saírem e caminharem em direção ao cais.

Original English

The girl answered in the affirmative, but could not tell which way the two had gone. A sailor who had approached to listen to the conversation vouchsafed the information that a moment before as he had been about to enter the"pub"he had seen two men leaving it who walked toward the wharf.

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Português

A mulher pediu ao marinheiro que mostrasse para onde eles tinham ido, e ela colocou uma moeda na mão dele.

Original English

"Show me the direction they went,"cried the woman, slipping a coin into the man's hand.

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Português

O marinheiro a levou embora, e eles caminharam rapidamente até o cais. Do outro lado da água, eles viram um pequeno barco que estava entrando nas sombras de um vapor próximo.

Original English

The fellow led her from the place, and together they walked quickly toward the wharf and along it until across the water they saw a small boat just pulling into the shadows of a near-by steamer.

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Português

O homem sussurrou que os homens estavam lá.

Original English

"There they be,"whispered the man.

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Português

A mulher gritou que daria dez libras a quem conseguisse encontrar um barco e levasse-a até o navio a vapor.

Original English

"Ten pounds if you will find a boat and row me to that steamer,"cried the woman.

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Português

Ele respondeu rapidamente, dizendo que precisavam se apressar se quisessem pegar o Kincaid antes que partisse. Ele explicou que o navio estava pronto com vapor há três horas e esperava aquele único passageiro. Ele acrescentou que havia falado com um dos tripulantes meia hora antes.

Original English

"Quick, then,"he replied,"for we gotta go it if we're goin' to catch the Kincaid afore she sails. She's had steam up for three hours an' jest been a-waitin' fer that one passenger. I was a-talkin' to one of her crew 'arf an hour ago."

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Português

Enquanto falava, ele levou a mulher até o final do cais, onde outro barco estava amarrado. Ele a ajudou a entrar, depois pulou ele mesmo e empurrou o barco. Logo eles estavam se movendo rapidamente sobre a água.

Original English

As he spoke he led the way to the end of the wharf where he knew another boat lay moored, and, lowering the woman into it, he jumped in after and pushed off. The two were soon scudding over the water.

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Português

Ao lado do navio a vapor, o homem pediu o pagamento. Sem contar, a mulher enfiou um punhado de notas na mão dele. Um olhar mostrou a ele que havia sido pago muito mais do que o valor combinado. Então ele a ajudou a subir a escada, mantendo seu barco próximo ao navio caso ela quisesse voltar para a costa mais tarde.

Original English

At the steamer's side the man demanded his pay and, without waiting to count out the exact amount, the woman thrust a handful of bank-notes into his outstretched hand. A single glance at them convinced the fellow that he had been more than well paid. Then he assisted her up the ladder, holding his skiff close to the ship's side against the chance that this profitable passenger might wish to be taken ashore later.

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Português

Logo, o som do guincho e o barulho de um cabo de aço indicaram que a âncora do Kincaid estava sendo levantada. Um momento depois, o barqueiro ouviu as hélices girarem, e o pequeno navio a vapor se afastou lentamente dele em direção ao canal.

Original English

But presently the sound of the donkey engine and the rattle of a steel cable on the hoisting-drum proclaimed the fact that the Kincaid's anchor was being raised, and a moment later the waiter heard the propellers revolving, and slowly the little steamer moved away from him out into the channel.

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Português

Ele estava virando seu barco de volta para a costa quando ouviu uma mulher gritar do convés do navio.

Original English

As he turned to row back to shore he heard a woman's shriek from the ship's deck.

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Português

Ele disse a si mesmo que era uma sorte terrível e que poderia muito bem ter levado todo o dinheiro.

Original English

"That's wot I calls rotten luck,"he soliloquized."I might jest as well of 'ad the whole bloomin' wad."

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Português

Quando Jane Clayton chegou ao convés do Kincaid, viu que o navio parecia vazio. Não havia sinal daqueles que procurava nem de mais ninguém a bordo, então começou a procurar seu marido e a criança que desesperadamente esperava encontrar lá.

Original English

When Jane Clayton climbed to the deck of the Kincaid she found the ship apparently deserted. There was no sign of those she sought nor of any other aboard, and so she went about her search for her husband and the child she hoped against hope to find there without interruption.

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Português

Ela correu para a cabine, que estava parcialmente acima e parcialmente abaixo do convés. Ao descer rapidamente as escadas curtas para a cabine principal, com pequenas salas de oficiais de cada lado, ela não percebeu que uma porta se fechou silenciosamente à sua frente. Ela percorreu todo o comprimento da sala principal, então voltou, parando em cada porta para ouvir e tentando cuidadosamente a maçaneta.

Original English

Quickly she hastened to the cabin, which was half above and half below deck. As she hurried down the short companion-ladder into the main cabin, on either side of which were the smaller rooms occupied by the officers, she failed to note the quick closing of one of the doors before her. She passed the full length of the main room, and then retracing her steps stopped before each door to listen, furtively trying each latch.

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Português

Estava completamente silencioso, tão silencioso que a batida de seu coração assustado parecia, em sua mente excitada, encher todo o navio com um alarme retumbante.

Original English

All was silence, utter silence there, in which the throbbing of her own frightened heart seemed to her overwrought imagination to fill the ship with its thunderous alarm.

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Português

Ela abriu portas uma por uma, mas estavam todas vazias. Absorta em sua busca, não percebeu os motores do navio ligando ou o pulsar da hélice. Quando empurrou a última porta à direita, um homem poderoso e de rosto escuro a agarrou de dentro e a puxou rapidamente para o quarto abafado e malcheiroso.

Original English

One by one the doors opened before her touch, only to reveal empty interiors. In her absorption she did not note the sudden activity upon the vessel, the purring of the engines, the throbbing of the propeller. She had reached the last door upon the right now, and as she pushed it open she was seized from within by a powerful, dark-visaged man, and drawn hastily into the stuffy, ill-smelling interior.

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Português

O ataque inesperado a chocou, fazendo-a soltar um único grito agudo. O homem rapidamente colocou a mão rudemente sobre a boca dela para silenciá-la.

Original English

The sudden shock of fright which the unexpected attack had upon her drew a single piercing scream from her throat; then the man clapped a hand roughly over the mouth.

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Português

O homem disse a ela que ela não poderia gritar até que estivessem mais longe da terra, mas então ela poderia gritar à vontade.

Original English

"Not until we are farther from land, my dear,"he said."Then you may yell your pretty head off."

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Português

Lady Greystoke se virou e viu o rosto barbudo e sorridente tão perto do seu. Quando ele afrouxou o aperto em seus lábios, ela o reconheceu com um gemido de terror e recuou diante de seu captor.

Original English

Lady Greystoke turned to look into the leering, bearded face so close to hers. The man relaxed the pressure of his fingers upon her lips, and with a little moan of terror as she recognized him the girl shrank away from her captor.

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Português

Ela gritou em reconhecimento, chamando-o de Nikolas Rokoff, também conhecido como M. Thuran.

Original English

"Nikolas Rokoff! M. Thuran!"she exclaimed.

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Português

O russo respondeu que ele era seu admirador devotado, acompanhando suas palavras com uma reverência baixa.

Original English

"Your devoted admirer,"replied the Russian, with a low bow.

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Português

Ela então perguntou onde seu filhinho estava, exigindo que ele fosse devolvido. Acusou Rokoff de crueldade e implorou que ele mostrasse misericórdia, perguntando se a criança estava a bordo do navio. Suplicou que a levasse até seu bebê se ele tivesse alguma compaixão.

Original English

"My little boy,"she said next, ignoring the terms of endearment--"where is he? Let me have him. How could you be so cruel -- even as you -- Nikolas Rokoff -- cannot be entirely devoid of mercy and compassion? Tell me where he is. Is he aboard this ship? Oh, please, if such a thing as a heart beats within your breast, take me to my baby!"

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Português

Rokoff respondeu que a criança estaria segura se ela obedecesse, mas lembrou-a de que ela tinha vindo a bordo voluntariamente e devia aceitar as consequências. Murmurou para si mesmo que nunca esperara tamanha sorte.

Original English

"If you do as you are bid no harm will befall him,"replied Rokoff."But remember that it is your own fault that you are here. You came aboard voluntarily, and you may take the consequences. I little thought,"he added to himself,"that any such good luck as this would come to me."

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Português

Ele então foi para o convés, trancando a porta da cabine atrás de si, deixando-a prisioneira. Ela não o viu por vários dias porque Rokoff era um mau marinheiro e o mar agitado o deixou doente, confinando-o ao seu beliche.

Original English

He went on deck then, locking the cabin-door upon his prisoner, and for several days she did not see him. The truth of the matter being that Nikolas Rokoff was so poor a sailor that the heavy seas the Kincaid encountered from the very beginning of her voyage sent the Russian to his berth with a bad attack of sea-sickness.

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Português

Durante aquele período, a única pessoa que a visitava era o cozinheiro do navio, um sueco grosseiro chamado Sven Anderssen, que lhe trazia as refeições. Seu único motivo de orgulho era que seu sobrenome era escrito com 's' duplo.

Original English

During this time her only visitor was an uncouth Swede, the Kincaid's unsavoury cook, who brought her meals to her. His name was Sven Anderssen, his one pride being that his patronymic was spelt with a double"s."

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Português

O homem era alto e magro, com um bigode amarelo comprido e pele doentia. Suas unhas sujas eram desagradáveis de se ver. Ele frequentemente mergulhava o polegar no ensopado morno, que parecia ser sua especialidade, e a visão era suficiente para fazer a moça perder o apetite.

Original English

The man was tall and raw-boned, with a long yellow moustache, an unwholesome complexion, and filthy nails. The very sight of him with one grimy thumb buried deep in the lukewarm stew, that seemed, from the frequency of its repetition, to constitute the pride of his culinary art, was sufficient to take away the girl's appetite.

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Português

Seus olhos azuis pequenos, muito juntos, nunca encontravam os dela; havia uma astúcia nele que se manifestava até no seu andar felino. Uma faca longa e fina estava sempre enfiada no cordão gorduroso do seu avental sujo, ostensivamente para o trabalho, mas a moça nunca conseguia se livrar da sensação de que pouca provocação seria necessária para ele usá-la para algo mais perigoso.

Original English

His small, blue, close-set eyes never met hers squarely. There was a shiftiness of his whole appearance that even found expression in the cat-like manner of his gait, and to it all a sinister suggestion was added by the long slim knife that always rested at his waist, slipped through the greasy cord that supported his soiled apron. Ostensibly it was but an implement of his calling; but the girl could never free herself of the conviction that it would require less provocation to witness it put to other and less harmless uses.

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Português

A atitude dele para com ela era mal-humorada, mas ela sempre o recebia com um sorriso agradável e uma palavra de agradecimento quando ele lhe trazia comida. No entanto, na maioria das vezes, assim que a porta se fechava atrás dele, ela jogava a maior parte dela pela pequena janela da cabine.

Original English

His manner toward her was surly, yet she never failed to meet him with a pleasant smile and a word of thanks when he brought her food to her, though more often than not she hurled the bulk of it through the tiny cabin port the moment that the door closed behind him.

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Português

Durante os dias angustiados após o aprisionamento de Jane Clayton, duas perguntas a consumiam: onde estavam seu marido e seu filho? Ela acreditava que o bebê estava a bordo do Kincaid, se ainda vivia, mas não conseguia adivinhar se Tarzan havia sido deixado vivo depois de ser enganado para entrar no navio maligno.

Original English

During the days of anguish that followed Jane Clayton's imprisonment, but two questions were uppermost in her mind -- the whereabouts of her husband and her son. She fully believed that the baby was aboard the Kincaid, provided that he still lived, but whether Tarzan had been permitted to live after having been lured aboard the evil craft she could not guess.

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Português

Ela conhecia bem o ódio profundo que o russo sentia pelo inglês, e só conseguia imaginar uma razão para tê-lo trazido a bordo: matá-lo em segurança, vingança por ter frustrado os planos de Rokoff e por ter sido a causa de sua prisão em uma prisão francesa.

Original English

She knew, of course, the deep hatred that the Russian felt for the Englishman, and she could think of but one reason for having him brought aboard the ship -- to dispatch him in comparative safety in revenge for his having thwarted Rokoff's pet schemes, and for having been at last the means of landing him in a French prison.

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Português

Tarzan estava deitado em sua cela escura, sem saber que sua esposa estava presa na cabine quase diretamente acima dele.

Original English

Tarzan, on his part, lay in the darkness of his cell, ignorant of the fact that his wife was a prisoner in the cabin almost above his head.

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Português

O mesmo marinheiro sueco que servia Jane também levava refeições para Tarzan. Embora Tarzan tentasse várias vezes iniciar uma conversa, o homem apenas repetia que achava que o tempo logo se tornaria tempestuoso. Depois de várias tentativas, Tarzan desistiu.

Original English

The same Swede that served Jane brought his meals to him, but, though on several occasions Tarzan had tried to draw the man into conversation, he had been unsuccessful. He had hoped to learn through this fellow whether his little son was aboard the Kincaid, but to every question upon this or kindred subjects the fellow returned but one reply,"Ay tank it blow purty soon purty hard."So after several attempts Tarzan gave it up.

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Português

Por semanas que pareciam meses para os dois prisioneiros, o pequeno vapor avançava rumo a um destino desconhecido. Uma vez parou para carregar carvão, mas imediatamente retomou sua viagem aparentemente interminável.

Original English

For weeks that seemed months to the two prisoners the little steamer forged on they knew not where. Once the Kincaid stopped to coal, only immediately to take up the seemingly interminable voyage.

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Português

Rokoff visitara Jane Clayton apenas uma vez desde que a trancara na pequena cabine. Ele parecia abatido e com olheiras devido a uma longa crise de enjoo marítimo. Exigiu um cheque pessoal de uma grande quantia em troca de uma garantia de sua segurança e retorno à Inglaterra.

Original English

Rokoff had visited Jane Clayton but once since he had locked her in the tiny cabin. He had come gaunt and hollow-eyed from a long siege of sea-sickness. The object of his visit was to obtain from her her personal cheque for a large sum in return for a guarantee of her personal safety and return to England.

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Português

Jane respondeu que pagaria a ele o dobro do valor exigido se ele a entregasse em segurança, junto com seu filho e seu marido, em qualquer porto civilizado. Até lá, não lhe daria um centavo, nem mesmo uma promessa de pagamento sob quaisquer outras condições.

Original English

"When you set me down safely in any civilized port, together with my son and my husband,"she replied,"I will pay you in gold twice the amount you ask; but until then you shall not have a cent, nor the promise of a cent under any other conditions."

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Português

Ele rosnou que ela deveria dar a ele o cheque que ele exigia; caso contrário, ela, seu filho e seu marido nunca mais seriam autorizados a entrar em qualquer porto, civilizado ou não.

Original English

"You will give me the cheque I ask,"he replied with a snarl,"or neither you nor your child nor your husband will ever again set foot within any port, civilized or otherwise."

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Português

Ela respondeu que não confiava nele e perguntou que garantia tinha de que ele não pegaria o dinheiro dela e depois faria o que quisesse com ela e sua família, ignorando sua promessa.

Original English

"I would not trust you,"she replied."What guarantee have I that you would not take my money and then do as you pleased with me and mine regardless of your promise?"

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Português

Ele disse que acreditava que ela faria como ele ordenou e se virou para sair do camarote. Ele lembrou a ela que tinha o filho dela, e se ela ouvisse os gritos de uma criança torturada, deveria lembrar que era por causa de sua teimosia que o bebê sofria, e era o próprio bebê dela.

Original English

"I think you will do as I bid,"he said, turning to leave the cabin."Remember that I have your son -- if you chance to hear the agonized wail of a tortured child it may console you to reflect that it is because of your stubbornness that the baby suffers -- and that it is your baby."

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Português

A garota exclamou que ele não faria tal coisa; ele não poderia ser tão monstruosamente cruel.

Original English

"You would not do it!"cried the girl."You would not -- could not be so fiendishly cruel!"

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Português

Ele respondeu que não era ele quem era cruel, mas ela, pois ela permitiu que uma pequena quantia de dinheiro se interpusesse entre seu bebê e a liberdade da dor.

Original English

"It is not I that am cruel, but you,"he returned,"for you permit a paltry sum of money to stand between your baby and immunity from suffering."

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Português

Jane Clayton emitiu um cheque de grande valor e o entregou a Nikolas Rokoff, que saiu da cabine dela com um sorriso satisfeito.

Original English

The end of it was that Jane Clayton wrote out a cheque of large denomination and handed it to Nikolas Rokoff, who left her cabin with a grin of satisfaction upon his lips.

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Português

No dia seguinte, a cobertura foi removida da cela de Tarzan e, quando ele olhou para cima, viu a cabeça de Paulvitch recortada no quadrado de luz acima.

Original English

The following day the hatch was removed from Tarzan's cell, and as he looked up he saw Paulvitch's head framed in the square of light above him.

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Português

Paulvitch ordenou que Tarzan subisse, mas o advertiu de que seria baleado se tentasse atacá-lo ou qualquer outra pessoa a bordo do navio.

Original English

"Come up,"commanded the Russian."But bear in mind that you will be shot if you make a single move to attack me or any other aboard the ship."

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Português

Tarzan subiu levemente para o convés. Ao seu redor, a uma distância respeitosa, estavam meia dúzia de marinheiros armados com rifles e revólveres. Paulvitch estava diante dele.

Original English

The ape-man swung himself lightly to the deck. About him, but at a respectful distance, stood a half-dozen sailors armed with rifles and revolvers. Facing him was Paulvitch.

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Português

Tarzan olhou em volta procurando por Rokoff, de quem tinha certeza que estava a bordo, mas não viu sinal dele.

Original English

Tarzan looked about for Rokoff, who he felt sure must be aboard, but there was no sign of him.

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Português

O russo disse a Lord Greystoke que, ao interferir continuamente nos planos de M. Rokoff, ele havia trazido infortúnio sobre si mesmo e sua família. Ele disse que Lord Greystoke só tinha a si mesmo para culpar. O russo explicou que M. Rokoff havia gastado muito dinheiro para organizar esta expedição e, como Lord Greystoke era a única causa, ele naturalmente esperava compensação.

Original English

"Lord Greystoke,"commenced the Russian,"by your continued and wanton interference with M. Rokoff and his plans you have at last brought yourself and your family to this unfortunate extremity. You have only yourself to thank. As you may imagine, it has cost M. Rokoff a large amount of money to finance this expedition, and, as you are the sole cause of it, he naturally looks to you for reimbursement.

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Português

O russo acrescentou que, ao cumprir as exigências razoáveis de M. Rokoff, Lord Greystoke poderia evitar os piores resultados para sua esposa e filho, ao mesmo tempo que preservava sua própria vida e garantia sua liberdade.

Original English

"Further, I may say that only by meeting M. Rokoff's just demands may you avert the most unpleasant consequences to your wife and child, and at the same time retain your own life and regain your liberty."

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Português

Tarzan questionou sobre o valor exigido e perguntou que garantia ele tinha de que eles cumpririam sua parte no acordo. Ele afirmou que tinha pouca razão para confiar em dois canalhas como o russo e Rokoff.

Original English

"What is the amount?"asked Tarzan."And what assurance have I that you will live up to your end of the agreement? I have little reason to trust two such scoundrels as you and Rokoff, you know."

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Português

O rosto do russo ficou vermelho de raiva.

Original English

The Russian flushed.

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Português

O russo retrucou que Tarzan não estava em posição de insultá-los. Ele admitiu que Tarzan tinha apenas sua palavra como garantia, mas salientou que Tarzan podia ver que eles tinham o poder de se livrar dele rapidamente se ele não escrevesse o cheque que exigiam.

Original English

"You are in no position to deliver insults,"he said."You have no assurance that we will live up to our agreement other than my word, but you have before you the assurance that we can make short work of you if you do not write out the cheque we demand.

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Português

Alexis Paulvitch disse a Tarzan que eles poderiam facilmente ordenar que seus homens atirassem nele, o que lhes daria grande prazer. No entanto, eles se abstiveram porque tinham outros planos para punir Tarzan, e sua morte arruinaria esses planos.

Original English

"Unless you are a greater fool than I imagine, you should know that there is nothing that would give us greater pleasure than to order these men to fire. That we do not is because we have other plans for punishing you that would be entirely upset by your death."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou a Paulvitch se seu filho estava no navio.

Original English

"Answer one question,"said Tarzan."Is my son on board this ship?"

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Português

Alexis Paulvitch respondeu que o filho de Tarzan estava seguro em outro lugar. Ele disse que o menino não seria morto a menos que Tarzan recusasse suas exigências. Se Tarzan fosse morto, não haveria razão para manter a criança viva, pois ela seria apenas um perigo e um incômodo. Portanto, Tarzan só poderia salvar seu filho salvando a si mesmo, o que significava dar a eles o cheque que exigiam.

Original English

"No,"replied Alexis Paulvitch,"your son is quite safe elsewhere; nor will he be killed until you refuse to accede to our fair demands. If it becomes necessary to kill you, there will be no reason for not killing the child, since with you gone the one whom we wish to punish through the boy will be gone, and he will then be to us only a constant source of danger and embarrassment. You see, therefore, that you may only save the life of your son by saving your own, and you can only save your own by giving us the cheque we ask."

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Português

Tarzan concordou, sabendo que Paulvitch cumpriria suas ameaças. Ele pensou que havia uma pequena chance de salvar seu filho cedendo às exigências deles.

Original English

"Very well,"replied Tarzan, for he knew that he could trust them to carry out any sinister threat that Paulvitch had made, and there was a bare chance that by conceding their demands he might save the boy.

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Português

Tarzan não acreditava que eles o deixariam viver depois que ele assinasse o cheque. Ele estava determinado a lutar ferozmente contra eles e possivelmente matar Paulvitch. Ele só desejava que tivesse sido Rokoff em vez disso.

Original English

That they would permit him to live after he had appended his name to the cheque never occurred to him as being within the realms of probability. But he was determined to give them such a battle as they would never forget, and possibly to take Paulvitch with him into eternity. He was only sorry that it was not Rokoff.

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Português

Ele removeu o talão de cheques e a caneta-tinteiro do bolso.

Original English

He took his pocket cheque-book and fountain-pen from his pocket.

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Português

Ele perguntou qual era o valor.

Original English

"What is the amount?"he asked.

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Português

Paulvitch disse uma quantia enorme. Tarzan mal conseguia evitar sorrir.

Original English

Paulvitch named an enormous sum. Tarzan could scarce restrain a smile.

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Português

A ganância deles levaria à ruína, pelo menos no que diz respeito ao resgate. Ele hesitou e barganhou deliberadamente, mas Paulvitch foi teimoso. Finalmente, o homem-macaco emitiu um cheque por mais dinheiro do que tinha no banco.

Original English

Their very cupidity was to prove the means of their undoing, in the matter of the ransom at least. Purposely he hesitated and haggled over the amount, but Paulvitch was obdurate. Finally the ape-man wrote out his cheque for a larger sum than stood to his credit at the bank.

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Português

Quando ele se virou para entregar o cheque sem valor ao russo, seus olhos passaram pelo lado estibordo do Kincaid. Para sua surpresa, ele viu que o navio estava a apenas algumas centenas de metros da terra. Uma densa selva tropical chegava quase à beira da água, e além dela se erguia uma terra mais alta coberta de floresta.

Original English

As he turned to hand the worthless slip of paper to the Russian his glance chanced to pass across the starboard bow of the Kincaid. To his surprise he saw that the ship lay within a few hundred yards of land. Almost down to the water's edge ran a dense tropical jungle, and behind was higher land clothed in forest.

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Português

Paulvitch notou para onde Tarzan estava olhando.

Original English

Paulvitch noted the direction of his gaze.

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Português

Ele disse a Tarzan que seria libertado ali.

Original English

"You are to be set at liberty here,"he said.

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Português

O desejo de Tarzan por vingança imediata contra o russo diminuiu. Ele acreditava que a terra à sua frente era o continente africano, e estava confiante de que, se o libertassem ali, conseguiria encontrar o caminho para a civilização sem muita dificuldade.

Original English

Tarzan's plan for immediate physical revenge upon the Russian vanished. He thought the land before him the mainland of Africa, and he knew that should they liberate him here he could doubtless find his way to civilization with comparative ease.

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Português

Paulvitch pegou o cheque.

Original English

Paulvitch took the cheque.

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Português

Ele instruiu o homem-macaco a remover suas roupas, explicando que não precisaria delas ali.

Original English

"Remove your clothing,"he said to the ape-man."Here you will not need it."

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Português

Tarzan mostrou relutância.

Original English

Tarzan demurred.

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Português

Paulvitch indicou os marinheiros armados. Então o inglês se despiu lentamente.

Original English

Paulvitch pointed to the armed sailors. Then the Englishman slowly divested himself of his clothing.

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Português

Um barco foi baixado. Sob forte guarda, o homem-macaco foi remado até a costa. Meia hora depois, os marinheiros retornaram ao Kincaid, e o vapor lentamente partiu.

Original English

A boat was lowered, and, still heavily guarded, the ape-man was rowed ashore. Half an hour later the sailors had returned to the Kincaid, and the steamer was slowly getting under way.

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Português

Enquanto Tarzan estava na praia estreita observando o navio partir, ele viu uma figura aparecer na amurada e gritar para chamar sua atenção.

Original English

As Tarzan stood upon the narrow strip of beach watching the departure of the vessel he saw a figure appear at the rail and call aloud to attract his attention.

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Português

O homem-macaco estava prestes a ler um bilhete que um marinheiro lhe dera quando o pequeno barco estava prestes a retornar ao vapor, mas o grito do convés o fez olhar para cima.

Original English

The ape-man had been about to read a note that one of the sailors had handed him as the small boat that bore him to the shore was on the point of returning to the steamer, but at the hail from the vessel's deck he looked up.

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Português

Ele observou um homem de barba preta, que zombava dele enquanto segurava uma criança pequena no alto. Tarzan quase se lançou nas ondas para nadar atrás do navio que partia, mas entendeu a inutilidade de um movimento tão imprudente e parou na beira da água.

Original English

He saw a black-bearded man who laughed at him in derision as he held high above his head the figure of a little child. Tarzan half started as though to rush through the surf and strike out for the already moving steamer; but realizing the futility of so rash an act he halted at the water's edge.

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Português

Ele permaneceu ali, com os olhos fixos no Kincaid até que ele desapareceu atrás de um promontório costeiro.

Original English

Thus he stood, his gaze riveted upon the Kincaid until it disappeared beyond a projecting promontory of the coast.

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Português

Da selva atrás dele, olhos ferozes e injetados de sangue olhavam por baixo de sobrancelhas grossas e caídas.

Original English

From the jungle at his back fierce bloodshot eyes glared from beneath shaggy overhanging brows upon him.

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Português

Pequenos macacos nos topos das árvores tagarelavam e reclamavam, e do fundo da floresta vinha o grito de um leopardo.

Original English

Little monkeys in the tree-tops chattered and scolded, and from the distance of the inland forest came the scream of a leopard.

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Português

No entanto, John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, permaneceu alheio, consumido por um amargo arrependimento pela oportunidade perdida. Ele tinha sido tão ingênuo a ponto de confiar em uma única declaração do primeiro oficial de seu inimigo.

Original English

But still John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, stood deaf and unseeing, suffering the pangs of keen regret for the opportunity that he had wasted because he had been so gullible as to place credence in a single statement of the first lieutenant of his arch-enemy.

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Português

Ele encontrou algum conforto em saber que Jane estava segura em Londres; ele estava grato por ela não ter sido capturada por aqueles homens maus.

Original English

"I have at least,"he thought,"one consolation -- the knowledge that Jane is safe in London. Thank Heaven she, too, did not fall into the clutches of those villains."

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Português

Atrás dele, uma criatura peluda com olhos malévolos se aproximava sorrateiramente, observando-o como um gato observa um rato.

Original English

Behind him the hairy thing whose evil eyes had been watching him as a cat watches a mouse was creeping stealthily toward him.

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Português

Onde estava a percepção aguçada e treinada do homem-macaco?

Original English

Where were the trained senses of the savage ape-man?

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Português

Onde estava seu aguçado sentido de audição?

Original English

Where the acute hearing?

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Português

Onde estava seu extraordinário sentido de olfato?

Original English

Where the uncanny sense of scent?

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Beasts at Bay

Português

Tarzan desdobrou lentamente o bilhete que o marinheiro havia colocado em sua mão e começou a ler. A princípio, sua mente entorpecida pela dor mal conseguia compreender seu significado, mas gradualmente todo o horror do plano de vingança se desenrolou diante dele.

Original English

Slowly Tarzan unfolded the note the sailor had thrust into his hand, and read it. At first it made little impression on his sorrow-numbed senses, but finally the full purport of the hideous plot of revenge unfolded itself before his imagination.

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Português

O bilhete afirmava que explicaria as intenções precisas do escritor em relação ao filho de Tarzan e ao próprio Tarzan.

Original English

"This will explain to you"[the note read]"the exact nature of my intentions relative to your offspring and to you.

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Português

O escritor declarou que Tarzan nascera um macaco e vivera nu na selva. Agora ele havia sido devolvido a tal vida, mas seu filho subiria um degrau acima do pai, de acordo com a lei imutável da evolução.

Original English

"You were born an ape. You lived naked in the jungles -- to your own we have returned you; but your son shall rise a step above his sire. It is the immutable law of evolution.

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Português

O pai era uma fera, continuava o bilhete, mas o filho seria um homem, dando o próximo passo ascendente. Ele não seria uma fera nua da selva; usaria uma tanga, tornozeleiras de cobre e talvez um anel no nariz, pois seria criado por uma tribo de canibais selvagens.

Original English

"The father was a beast, but the son shall be a man -- he shall take the next ascending step in the scale of progress. He shall be no naked beast of the jungle, but shall wear a loin-cloth and copper anklets, and, perchance, a ring in his nose, for he is to be reared by men -- a tribe of savage cannibals.

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Português

O escritor explicou que poderia ter matado Tarzan, mas isso teria abreviado o castigo completo que Tarzan havia merecido em suas mãos.

Original English

"I might have killed you, but that would have curtailed the full measure of the punishment you have earned at my hands.

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Português

Ele disse ao homem que a morte o teria poupado da angústia de saber o destino do filho, mas estando vivo e preso, incapaz de ajudar seu filho, ele sofreria uma dor pior que a morte pelo resto da vida, atormentado por imaginar a existência horrível do filho.

Original English

"Dead, you could not have suffered in the knowledge of your son's plight; but living and in a place from which you may not escape to seek or succour your child, you shall suffer worse than death for all the years of your life in contemplation of the horrors of your son's existence.

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Português

Isso seria parte do castigo por ter ousado desafiá-los.

Original English

"This, then, is to be a part of your punishment for having dared to pit yourself against

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Português

N. R.

Original English

N. R.

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Português

Ele acrescentou que o restante do castigo dizia respeito ao que aconteceria em breve com sua esposa, e que deixaria isso para a imaginação dele.

Original English

"P.S. -- The balance of your punishment has to do with what shall presently befall your wife -- that I shall leave to your imagination."

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Português

Quando ele terminou de ler, um barulho fraco atrás dele o fez voltar com um susto ao momento presente.

Original English

As he finished reading, a slight sound behind him brought him back with a start to the world of present realities.

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Português

Imediatamente, seus sentidos retornaram, e ele era novamente Tarzan dos Macacos.

Original English

Instantly his senses awoke, and he was again Tarzan of the Apes.

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Português

Ao se virar, viu uma fera encurralada, tensa pelo instinto de sobrevivência, confrontando um enorme macaco-boi que já avançava em sua direção.

Original English

As he wheeled about, it was a beast at bay, vibrant with the instinct of self-preservation, that faced a huge bull-ape that was already charging down upon him.

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Português

Os dois anos desde que Tarzan deixara a selva com sua companheira mal haviam enfraquecido sua força extraordinária. Ele passara muito tempo administrando suas vastas propriedades em Uziri, onde mantinha seus poderes sobre-humanos afiados pelo uso prático. No entanto, agora, nu e desarmado, diante daquela criatura peluda e de pescoço de touro, enfrentava um desafio que teria sido assustador mesmo no auge de sua vida selvagem.

Original English

The two years that had elapsed since Tarzan had come out of the savage forest with his rescued mate had witnessed slight diminution of the mighty powers that had made him the invincible lord of the jungle. His great estates in Uziri had claimed much of his time and attention, and there he had found ample field for the practical use and retention of his almost superhuman powers; but naked and unarmed to do battle with the shaggy, bull-necked beast that now confronted him was a test that the ape-man would scarce have welcomed at any period of his wild existence.

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Português

No entanto, não teve escolha senão enfrentar a fera enlouquecida usando apenas as armas que a natureza lhe dera.

Original English

But there was no alternative other than to meet the rage-maddened creature with the weapons with which nature had endowed him.

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Português

Por cima do ombro do touro, Tarzan agora podia ver as cabeças e ombros de talvez uma dúzia desses poderosos ancestrais humanos primitivos.

Original English

Over the bull's shoulder Tarzan could see now the heads and shoulders of perhaps a dozen more of these mighty fore-runners of primitive man.

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Português

Ele sabia que provavelmente não atacariam, porque os macacos não conseguem entender o valor de trabalhar juntos contra um inimigo. Se pudessem, teriam se tornado as criaturas dominantes, dada sua força e presas.

Original English

He knew, however, that there was little chance that they would attack him, since it is not within the reasoning powers of the anthropoid to be able to weigh or appreciate the value of concentrated action against an enemy -- otherwise they would long since have become the dominant creatures of their haunts, so tremendous a power of destruction lies in their mighty thews and savage fangs.

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Português

Com um rosnado baixo, a fera atacou Tarzan, mas o homem-macaco havia aprendido métodos de luta científica desconhecidos na selva, durante seu tempo entre pessoas civilizadas.

Original English

With a low snarl the beast now hurled himself at Tarzan, but the ape-man had found, among other things in the haunts of civilized man, certain methods of scientific warfare that are unknown to the jungle folk.

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Português

Alguns anos antes, ele teria enfrentado a investida com força bruta, mas agora ele se desviou e golpeou o macaco com força no estômago enquanto ele passava.

Original English

Whereas, a few years since, he would have met the brute rush with brute force, he now sidestepped his antagonist's headlong charge, and as the brute hurtled past him swung a mighty right to the pit of the ape's stomach.

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Português

O grande macaco uivou de raiva e dor, curvou-se e caiu no chão, mas rapidamente lutou para se levantar novamente.

Original English

With a howl of mingled rage and anguish the great anthropoid bent double and sank to the ground, though almost instantly he was again struggling to his feet.

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Português

Antes que o macaco pudesse se levantar, seu inimigo de pele branca se virou e saltou sobre ele, e nessa ação o lorde inglês deixou cair o último resquício de seu comportamento civilizado.

Original English

Before he could regain them, however, his white-skinned foe had wheeled and pounced upon him, and in the act there dropped from the shoulders of the English lord the last shred of his superficial mantle of civilization.

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Português

Ele se sentiu novamente como um animal selvagem, aproveitando uma luta sangrenta com seus semelhantes. Ele era Tarzan, o filho de Kala, a macaca.

Original English

Once again he was the jungle beast revelling in bloody conflict with his kind. Once again he was Tarzan, son of Kala the she-ape.

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Português

Ele mordeu a garganta peluda de seu inimigo com seus dentes fortes e brancos, procurando a veia principal.

Original English

His strong, white teeth sank into the hairy throat of his enemy as he sought the pulsing jugular.

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Português

Seus dedos fortes mantinham os dentes afiados longe de seu corpo, ou batiam no rosto molhado e irritado de seu inimigo com grande força.

Original English

Powerful fingers held the mighty fangs from his own flesh, or clenched and beat with the power of a steam-hammer upon the snarling, foam-flecked face of his adversary.

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Português

Os outros macacos formaram um círculo ao redor deles, observando e apreciando a luta. Eles emitiam sons baixos de aprovação quando pedaços de pele ou pelo eram arrancados dos lutadores. Mas eles ficaram em silêncio, surpresos e em expectativa, quando viram o forte macaco branco subir nas costas de seu rei. Com seus músculos tensos sob os braços do rei, ele empurrou com força com as mãos no pescoço grosso, de modo que o rei só podia gritar de dor e se debater inutilmente na grama da selva.

Original English

In a circle about them the balance of the tribe of apes stood watching and enjoying the struggle. They muttered low gutturals of approval as bits of white hide or hairy bloodstained skin were torn from one contestant or the other. But they were silent in amazement and expectation when they saw the mighty white ape wriggle upon the back of their king, and, with steel muscles tensed beneath the armpits of his antagonist, bear down mightily with his open palms upon the back of the thick bullneck, so that the king ape could but shriek in agony and flounder helplessly about upon the thick mat of jungle grass.

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Português

Tarzan derrotou este outro grande macaco usando o mesmo movimento de luta que ele havia descoberto acidentalmente anos antes, quando derrotou o enorme Terkoz. O pequeno grupo de macacos ferozes ouviu o som de estalo do pescoço de seu rei misturado com seus gritos dolorosos e rugidos terríveis.

Original English

As Tarzan had overcome the huge Terkoz that time years before when he had been about to set out upon his quest for human beings of his own kind and colour, so now he overcame this other great ape with the same wrestling hold upon which he had stumbled by accident during that other combat. The little audience of fierce anthropoids heard the creaking of their king's neck mingling with his agonized shrieks and hideous roaring.

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Português

Um estalo repentino cortou o ar, como um galho grosso quebrando em uma tempestade. A cabeça do líder caiu para a frente sobre o peito, e os rugidos e gritos pararam.

Original English

Then there came a sudden crack, like the breaking of a stout limb before the fury of the wind. The bullet-head crumpled forward upon its flaccid neck against the great hairy chest -- the roaring and the shrieking ceased.

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Português

Os pequenos olhos dos espectadores se moveram do corpo imóvel de seu líder para o macaco branco que se levantava ao lado do derrotado, e depois de volta ao seu rei, como se perguntando por que ele não se levantava e matava o estranho ousado.

Original English

The little pig-eyes of the onlookers wandered from the still form of their leader to that of the white ape that was rising to its feet beside the vanquished, then back to their king as though in wonder that he did not arise and slay this presumptuous stranger.

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Português

Eles observaram o recém-chegado colocar o pé no pescoço da figura imóvel e, jogando a cabeça para trás, soltar o chamado de vitória selvagem e estranho de um macaco-touro que fez uma matança. Então eles entenderam que seu rei estava morto.

Original English

They saw the new-comer place a foot upon the neck of the quiet figure at his feet and, throwing back his head, give vent to the wild, uncanny challenge of the bull-ape that has made a kill. Then they knew that their king was dead.

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Português

As terríveis notas do grito de vitória ecoaram pela selva. Os pequenos macacos nas copas das árvores pararam de tagarelar. As aves de voz áspera e penas brilhantes silenciaram. Ao longe, um leopardo respondeu com um lamento e um leão com um rugido profundo.

Original English

Across the jungle rolled the horrid notes of the victory cry. The little monkeys in the tree-tops ceased their chattering. The harsh-voiced, brilliant-plumed birds were still. From afar came the answering wail of a leopard and the deep roar of a lion.

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Português

O velho Tarzan voltou seus olhos questionadores para o pequeno grupo de macacos à sua frente. Ele balançou a cabeça como se para jogar para trás uma juba pesada que havia caído sobre seu rosto — um velho hábito dos dias em que seu cabelo preto e grosso pendia sobre os ombros e frequentemente caía sobre seus olhos, quando uma visão clara poderia significar vida ou morte.

Original English

It was the old Tarzan who turned questioning eyes upon the little knot of apes before him. It was the old Tarzan who shook his head as though to toss back a heavy mane that had fallen before his face -- an old habit dating from the days that his great shock of thick, black hair had fallen about his shoulders, and often tumbled before his eyes when it had meant life or death to him to have his vision unobstructed.

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Português

O homem-macaco entendeu que poderia ser atacado a qualquer momento pelo macho alfa sobrevivente que se considerava o candidato mais forte à liderança da tribo. Entre seus próprios macacos, era comum um macaco desconhecido entrar em uma comunidade, derrotar o rei e assumir a liderança junto com as fêmeas do rei deposto.

Original English

The ape-man knew that he might expect an immediate attack on the part of that particular surviving bull-ape who felt himself best fitted to contend for the kingship of the tribe. Among his own apes he knew that it was not unusual for an entire stranger to enter a community and, after having dispatched the king, assume the leadership of the tribe himself, together with the fallen monarch's mates.

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Português

Se ele não os seguisse, os macacos poderiam se afastar lentamente e depois lutar entre si pela dominância. Ele tinha certeza de que poderia se tornar o rei deles se quisesse, mas não tinha certeza se queria as pesadas responsabilidades desse papel, pois não via vantagem clara nisso.

Original English

On the other hand, if he made no attempt to follow them, they might move slowly away from him, later to fight among themselves for the supremacy. That he could be king of them, if he so chose, he was confident; but he was not sure he cared to assume the sometimes irksome duties of that position, for he could see no particular advantage to be gained thereby.

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Português

Um dos macacos mais jovens, uma fera grande e de constituição poderosa, movia-se ameaçadoramente em direção ao homem-macaco. O macaco mostrou suas presas de luta e soltou um rosnado baixo e sombrio.

Original English

One of the younger apes, a huge, splendidly muscled brute, was edging threateningly closer to the ape-man. Through his bared fighting fangs there issued a low, sullen growl.

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Português

Tarzan observava cada movimento do macaco, parado como uma estátua. Um único passo para trás teria causado um ataque imediato; avançar poderia provocar um ataque ou assustar o macaco, dependendo da coragem do jovem macho.

Original English

Tarzan watched his every move, standing rigid as a statue. To have fallen back a step would have been to precipitate an immediate charge; to have rushed forward to meet the other might have had the same result, or it might have put the bellicose one to flight -- it all depended upon the young bull's stock of courage.

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Português

A escolha mais segura era ficar completamente imóvel e esperar. Como Tarzan previu, o macho se aproximou lentamente, rosnando ferozmente e mostrando suas presas babadas. Então o macaco começou a circular ao redor dele, como se estivesse pronto para uma briga.

Original English

To stand perfectly still, waiting, was the middle course. In this event the bull would, according to custom, approach quite close to the object of his attention, growling hideously and baring slavering fangs. Slowly he would circle about the other, as though with a chip upon his shoulder; and this he did, even as Tarzan had foreseen.

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Português

O comportamento do macaco poderia ter sido um blefe magnífico, mas dada a instabilidade da mente de um macaco, um impulso passageiro poderia fazer com que a criatura peluda atacasse o homem ferozmente e sem qualquer aviso.

Original English

It might be a bluff royal, or, on the other hand, so unstable is the mind of an ape, a passing impulse might hurl the hairy mass, tearing and rending, upon the man without an instant's warning.

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Português

Tarzan virou-se lentamente para manter os olhos no bruto enquanto ele o cercava. Ele julgou o jovem macaco como alguém que nunca se sentira capaz de derrotar seu antigo líder, embora um dia tentaria. Tarzan notou que a besta era impressionantemente grande, com mais de dois metros de altura sobre suas pernas curtas e arqueadas.

Original English

As the brute circled him Tarzan turned slowly, keeping his eyes ever upon the eyes of his antagonist. He had appraised the young bull as one who had never quite felt equal to the task of overthrowing his former king, but who one day would have done so. Tarzan saw that the beast was of wondrous proportions, standing over seven feet upon his short, bowed legs.

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Português

Seus braços maciços e peludos quase tocavam o chão mesmo quando ele estava em pé, e suas presas, agora muito próximas do rosto de Tarzan, eram excepcionalmente longas e afiadas. Como os outros de sua tribo, ele diferia em vários aspectos pequenos, mas importantes, dos macacos com os quais Tarzan havia crescido.

Original English

His great, hairy arms reached almost to the ground even when he stood erect, and his fighting fangs, now quite close to Tarzan's face, were exceptionally long and sharp. Like the others of his tribe, he differed in several minor essentials from the apes of Tarzan's boyhood.

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Português

No início, Tarzan sentiu uma onda de esperança ao ver os corpos peludos dos macacos, pensando que por algum capricho do destino ele havia retornado à sua própria tribo. No entanto, um olhar mais atento o convenceu de que estes eram de uma espécie diferente.

Original English

At first the ape-man had experienced a thrill of hope at sight of the shaggy bodies of the anthropoids -- a hope that by some strange freak of fate he had been again returned to his own tribe; but a closer inspection had convinced him that these were another species.

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Português

Enquanto o macaco ameaçador continuava seu círculo rígido e trêmulo em torno de Tarzan, semelhante ao comportamento de cães quando um novo cão entra em seu território, Tarzan se perguntou se a língua de sua própria tribo correspondia à deste outro grupo. Ele decidiu descobrir falando com o bruto na língua da tribo de Kerchak.

Original English

As the threatening bull continued his stiff and jerky circling of the ape-man, much after the manner that you have noted among dogs when a strange canine comes among them, it occurred to Tarzan to discover if the language of his own tribe was identical with that of this other family, and so he addressed the brute in the language of the tribe of Kerchak.

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Português

Ele exigiu saber quem estava ameaçando Tarzan dos Macacos.

Original English

"Who are you,"he asked,"who threatens Tarzan of the Apes?"

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Português

A criatura peluda parecia surpresa.

Original English

The hairy brute looked his surprise.

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Português

O outro macaco respondeu que seu nome era Akut, falando na mesma língua básica e primitiva que Tarzan reconheceu como idêntica à que aprendera durante seus primeiros vinte anos de vida.

Original English

"I am Akut,"replied the other in the same simple, primal tongue which is so low in the scale of spoken languages that, as Tarzan had surmised, it was identical with that of the tribe in which the first twenty years of his life had been spent.

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Português

O macaco declarou que era Akut, que Molak estava morto e ele era agora o rei, e ameaçou matar Tarzan se ele não saísse.

Original English

"I am Akut,"said the ape."Molak is dead. I am king. Go away or I shall kill you!"

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Português

Tarzan lembrou a Akut que ele havia matado Molak facilmente, então poderia matar Akut também se quisesse ser rei, mas não tinha desejo de governar a tribo de Akut. Ele só queria viver pacificamente na área e sugeriu que se tornassem amigos que pudessem ajudar um ao outro.

Original English

"You saw how easily I killed Molak,"replied Tarzan."So I could kill you if I cared to be king. But Tarzan of the Apes would not be king of the tribe of Akut. All he wishes is to live in peace in this country. Let us be friends. Tarzan of the Apes can help you, and you can help Tarzan of the Apes."

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Português

O outro macaco respondeu que Tarzan não poderia matar Akut, pois ninguém era maior que Akut. Ele acrescentou que, se Tarzan não tivesse matado Molak, Akut o teria feito, porque Akut estava pronto para se tornar rei.

Original English

"You cannot kill Akut,"replied the other."None is so great as Akut. Had you not killed Molak, Akut would have done so, for Akut was ready to be king."

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Português

Em resposta, o homem-macaco se lançou sobre o grande bruto, que havia se tornado um pouco menos vigilante durante a conversa.

Original English

For answer the ape-man hurled himself upon the great brute who during the conversation had slightly relaxed his vigilance.

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Português

Em um instante, Tarzan agarrou o pulso do grande macaco, girou-o e saltou sobre suas costas largas antes que o outro pudesse agarrá-lo.

Original English

In the twinkling of an eye the man had seized the wrist of the great ape, and before the other could grapple with him had whirled him about and leaped upon his broad back.

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Português

Eles caíram juntos, mas o plano de Tarzan funcionou tão bem que ele já havia conseguido o mesmo golpe em Akut que havia quebrado o pescoço de Molak antes de atingirem o chão.

Original English

Down they went together, but so well had Tarzan's plan worked out that before ever they touched the ground he had gained the same hold upon Akut that had broken Molak's neck.

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Português

Ele aplicou pressão lentamente e, então, assim como havia dado a Kerchak a chance de se render e viver, ofereceu a Akut a escolha de viver em amizade com ele ou morrer como o rei selvagem que acabara de matar. Tarzan via Akut como um possível aliado de grande força e recursos.

Original English

Slowly he brought the pressure to bear, and then as in days gone by he had given Kerchak the chance to surrender and live, so now he gave to Akut -- in whom he saw a possible ally of great strength and resource -- the option of living in amity with him or dying as he had just seen his savage and heretofore invincible king die.

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Português

Tarzan perguntou ao macaco debaixo dele, na língua dos macacos, se ele se rendia.

Original English

"Ka-Goda?"whispered Tarzan to the ape beneath him.

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Português

Esta era a mesma pergunta que Tarzan havia feito a Kerchak. Na língua dos macacos, basicamente perguntava se o oponente se renderia.

Original English

It was the same question that he had whispered to Kerchak, and in the language of the apes it means, broadly,"Do you surrender?"

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Português

Akut lembrou-se do rangido que precedeu a quebra do pescoço de Molak, e ele tremeu.

Original English

Akut thought of the creaking sound he had heard just before Molak's thick neck had snapped, and he shuddered.

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Português

Ainda assim, ele odiava abrir mão de sua realeza, então lutou para escapar novamente. No entanto, uma pressão aguda e insuportável em sua coluna o forçou a gritar a palavra para rendição.

Original English

He hated to give up the kingship, though, so again he struggled to free himself; but a sudden torturing pressure upon his vertebra brought an agonized"ka-goda!"from his lips.

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Português

Tarzan afrouxou ligeiramente seu aperto.

Original English

Tarzan relaxed his grip a trifle.

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Português

Tarzan garantiu a Akut que ele poderia continuar sendo rei, reiterando que ele próprio não tinha desejo pelo título. Ele prometeu apoiar Akut em qualquer conflito contra aqueles que pudessem contestar seu domínio.

Original English

"You may still be king, Akut,"he said."Tarzan told you that he did not wish to be king. If any question your right, Tarzan of the Apes will help you in your battles."

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Português

Tarzan se levantou, e Akut também se ergueu lentamente. Balançando a cabeça e rosnando de irritação, Akut se dirigiu pesadamente para sua tribo, seu olhar percorrendo os machos maiores que poderiam potencialmente se opor à sua autoridade.

Original English

The ape-man rose, and Akut came slowly to his feet. Shaking his bullet head and growling angrily, he waddled toward his tribe, looking first at one and then at another of the larger bulls who might be expected to challenge his leadership.

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Português

No entanto, nenhum macaco o desafiou; em vez disso, eles recuaram conforme ele avançava, e logo todo o bando desapareceu na selva, deixando Tarzan novamente sozinho na praia.

Original English

But none did so; instead, they drew away as he approached, and presently the whole pack moved off into the jungle, and Tarzan was left alone once more upon the beach.

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Português

Tarzan sentia dores devido aos ferimentos causados por Molak, mas estava acostumado a dores físicas e as suportava com a resiliência estoica das criaturas selvagens que o criaram para prosperar na selva.

Original English

The ape-man was sore from the wounds that Molak had inflicted upon him, but he was inured to physical suffering and endured it with the calm and fortitude of the wild beasts that had taught him to lead the jungle life after the manner of all those that are born to it.

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Português

Ele entendeu que sua prioridade imediata era obter armas tanto para ataque quanto para defesa. Sua recente luta com os macacos e os rugidos ecoantes de Numa, o leão, e Sheeta, a pantera, lembraram-no de que sua existência estaria longe de ser confortável ou segura.

Original English

His first need, he realized, was for weapons of offence and defence, for his encounter with the apes, and the distant notes of the savage voices of Numa the lion, and Sheeta, the panther, warned him that his was to be no life of indolent ease and security.

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Português

Isso era meramente um retorno à sua vida anterior de violência constante e perigo — caçar e ser caçado. Animais ferozes o perseguiriam, assim como faziam antes, e em nenhum momento, fosse no dia severo ou na noite sombria, ele estaria sem uma necessidade imediata das ferramentas brutas que podia criar a partir do que estivesse por perto.

Original English

It was but a return to the old existence of constant bloodshed and danger -- to the hunting and the being hunted. Grim beasts would stalk him, as they had stalked him in the past, and never would there be a moment, by savage day or by cruel night, that he might not have instant need of such crude weapons as he could fashion from the materials at hand.

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Português

Na praia, ele encontrou um afloramento de rocha vulcânica quebradiça. Com grande esforço, conseguiu quebrar um pedaço fino de cerca de trinta centímetros de comprimento e um quarto de polegada de espessura. Uma borda era bem afiada por alguns centímetros perto da ponta. Era o início de uma faca.

Original English

Upon the shore he found an out-cropping of brittle, igneous rock. By dint of much labour he managed to chip off a narrow sliver some twelve inches long by a quarter of an inch thick. One edge was quite thin for a few inches near the tip. It was the rudiment of a knife.

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Português

Carregando essa faca bruta, ele entrou na selva e procurou até descobrir uma árvore caída feita de um tipo de madeira dura que ele reconhecia. Dela, cortou um pequeno galho reto e afiou uma das pontas.

Original English

With it he went into the jungle, searching until he found a fallen tree of a certain species of hardwood with which he was familiar. From this he cut a small straight branch, which he pointed at one end.

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Português

Em seguida, ele esculpiu um pequeno buraco redondo na superfície do tronco caído. Esfarelou alguns pedaços de casca seca, finamente triturados, dentro do buraco. Então colocou a ponta de seu bastão pontiagudo no buraco, sentou-se a cavaleiro do tronco da árvore e girou a haste fina rapidamente entre as palmas das mãos.

Original English

Then he scooped a small, round hole in the surface of the prostrate trunk. Into this he crumbled a few bits of dry bark, minutely shredded, after which he inserted the tip of his pointed stick, and, sitting astride the bole of the tree, spun the slender rod rapidly between his palms.

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Português

Depois de um tempo, uma fina fumaça subiu do pequeno monte de isca, e logo ele explodiu em chamas. Ele adicionou galhos e gravetos maiores ao pequeno fogo, e em pouco tempo Tarzan tinha uma labareda considerável rugindo no oco da árvore morta.

Original English

After a time a thin smoke rose from the little mass of tinder, and a moment later the whole broke into flame. Heaping some larger twigs and sticks upon the tiny fire, Tarzan soon had quite a respectable blaze roaring in the enlarging cavity of the dead tree.

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Português

Ele enfiou a lâmina de sua faca de pedra no fogo. Quando ficou muito quente, ele a tirou e tocou um ponto perto da borda fina com uma gota d'água. Onde a umidade tocou, um pequeno pedaço do material vítreo rachou e se soltou.

Original English

Into this he thrust the blade of his stone knife, and as it became superheated he would withdraw it, touching a spot near the thin edge with a drop of moisture. Beneath the wetted area a little flake of the glassy material would crack and scale away.

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Português

Dessa forma, o homem-macaco iniciou o lento e cuidadoso processo de afiar sua simples faca de caça.

Original English

Thus, very slowly, the ape-man commenced the tedious operation of putting a thin edge upon his primitive hunting-knife.

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Português

Ele não tentou terminar tudo de uma vez. Primeiro, fez um fio cortante com cerca de cinco centímetros de comprimento. Usando isso, ele moldou um arco flexível, um cabo para a faca, um porrete forte e muitas flechas.

Original English

He did not attempt to accomplish the feat all in one sitting. At first he was content to achieve a cutting edge of a couple of inches, with which he cut a long, pliable bow, a handle for his knife, a stout cudgel, and a goodly supply of arrows.

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Português

Ele escondeu esses itens em uma árvore alta ao lado de um pequeno riacho. Ali também construiu uma plataforma com um telhado feito de folhas de palmeira.

Original English

These he cached in a tall tree beside a little stream, and here also he constructed a platform with a roof of palm-leaves above it.

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Português

Quando terminou todas essas tarefas, a escuridão estava caindo. Tarzan sentiu muita fome.

Original English

When all these things had been finished it was growing dusk, and Tarzan felt a strong desire to eat.

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Português

Durante sua breve incursão na floresta, ele observou um bebedouro muito usado a uma curta distância rio acima de sua árvore. A lama pisoteada em ambas as margens indicava que muitos animais diferentes vinham beber ali. O homem-macaco faminto seguiu silenciosamente até esse local.

Original English

He had noted during the brief incursion he had made into the forest that a short distance up-stream from his tree there was a much-used watering place, where, from the trampled mud of either bank, it was evident beasts of all sorts and in great numbers came to drink. To this spot the hungry ape-man made his silent way.

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Português

Ele se movia pelos galhos mais altos das árvores com a graça e facilidade de um macaco. Ele teria ficado feliz em retornar à vida livre de sua infância, não fosse o pesado sofrimento em seu coração.

Original English

Through the upper terrace of the tree-tops he swung with the grace and ease of a monkey. But for the heavy burden upon his heart he would have been happy in this return to the old free life of his boyhood.

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Português

Mesmo com esse fardo, ele naturalmente retomou os hábitos de sua vida inicial, que eram mais parte dele do que a fina camada de civilização que ele havia adquirido ao longo dos últimos três anos com homens brancos do mundo exterior. Essa camada apenas escondia a selvageria da besta que Tarzan dos Macacos havia sido um dia.

Original English

Yet even with that burden he fell into the little habits and manners of his early life that were in reality more a part of him than the thin veneer of civilization that the past three years of his association with the white men of the outer world had spread lightly over him -- a veneer that only hid the crudities of the beast that Tarzan of the Apes had been.

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Português

Se seus colegas membros da Câmara dos Lordes pudessem tê-lo visto naquele momento, eles teriam ficado profundamente chocados.

Original English

Could his fellow-peers of the House of Lords have seen him then they would have held up their noble hands in holy horror.

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Português

Ele se agachou silenciosamente nos galhos mais baixos de uma grande árvore que se debruçava sobre o caminho. Seus olhos aguçados e ouvidos sensíveis se concentraram na selva distante, de onde ele sabia que seu jantar logo apareceria.

Original English

Silently he crouched in the lower branches of a great forest giant that overhung the trail, his keen eyes and sensitive ears strained into the distant jungle, from which he knew his dinner would presently emerge.

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Português

Ele não teve que esperar muito.

Original English

Nor had he long to wait.

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Português

Ele tinha acabado de se acomodar em uma posição confortável, com suas pernas musculosas dobradas sob ele como uma pantera se preparando para atacar, quando Bara, o veado, veio graciosamente até a água para beber.

Original English

Scarce had he settled himself to a comfortable position, his lithe, muscular legs drawn well up beneath him as the panther draws his hindquarters in preparation for the spring, than Bara, the deer, came daintily down to drink.

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Português

Mas algo mais se aproximava atrás do veado. Bara não conseguia ver nem sentir o cheiro do outro animal, mas Tarzan, de seu esconderijo elevado, podia ver claramente seus movimentos.

Original English

But more than Bara was coming. Behind the graceful buck came another which the deer could neither see nor scent, but whose movements were apparent to Tarzan of the Apes because of the elevated position of the ape-man's ambush.

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Português

Ele ainda não sabia exatamente o que estava se movendo tão silenciosamente pela selva a algumas centenas de metros atrás do veado, mas tinha certeza de que era um grande predador caçando Bara pelo mesmo motivo pelo qual ele estava esperando — ele pensou que poderia ser Numa, o leão, ou Sheeta, a pantera.

Original English

He knew not yet exactly the nature of the thing that moved so stealthily through the jungle a few hundred yards behind the deer; but he was convinced that it was some great beast of prey stalking Bara for the selfsame purpose as that which prompted him to await the fleet animal. Numa, perhaps, or Sheeta, the panther.

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Português

De qualquer forma, Tarzan percebeu que sua refeição escaparia a menos que Bara se movesse mais rapidamente em direção à travessia.

Original English

In any event, Tarzan could see his repast slipping from his grasp unless Bara moved more rapidly toward the ford than at present.

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Português

Enquanto esses pensamentos ocupavam sua mente, o cervo deve ter ouvido algum barulho do perseguidor atrás dele. De repente, ele parou, tremendo, por um momento, e então rapidamente saltou em direção ao rio e a Tarzan. Sua intenção era atravessar o vau raso e escapar do outro lado.

Original English

Even as these thoughts passed through his mind some noise of the stalker in his rear must have come to the buck, for with a sudden start he paused for an instant, trembling, in his tracks, and then with a swift bound dashed straight for the river and Tarzan. It was his intention to flee through the shallow ford and escape upon the opposite side of the river.

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Português

Numa estava a apenas cerca de cem jardas atrás dele.

Original English

Not a hundred yards behind him came Numa.

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Português

Tarzan podia ver Numa claramente agora. Abaixo do homem-macaco, o cervo Bara estava prestes a passar. Tarzan se perguntou se Numa conseguiria pegá-lo. Mas mesmo enquanto se perguntava, o faminto homem-macaco saltou de seu poleiro para as costas do cervo assustado.

Original English

Tarzan could see him quite plainly now. Below the ape-man Bara was about to pass. Could he do it? But even as he asked himself the question the hungry man launched himself from his perch full upon the back of the startled buck.

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Português

Em outro momento, Numa estaria sobre ambos. Se Tarzan quisesse comer naquela noite—ou jamais—ele precisava agir rápido.

Original English

In another instant Numa would be upon them both, so if the ape-man were to dine that night, or ever again, he must act quickly.

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Português

Assim que tocou a pele lisa do cervo—o impacto o jogou de joelhos—ele agarrou um chifre em cada mão. Com um único e rápido movimento, virou o pescoço do animal completamente até sentir as vértebras quebrarem sob seu aperto.

Original English

Scarcely had he touched the sleek hide of the deer with a momentum that sent the animal to its knees than he had grasped a horn in either hand, and with a single quick wrench twisted the animal's neck completely round, until he felt the vertebrae snap beneath his grip.

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Português

Um leão rugiu com raiva bem atrás dele. Tarzan balançou o veado sobre o ombro, segurou uma de suas patas dianteiras com os dentes fortes e saltou em direção ao galho mais baixo e pendente acima dele.

Original English

The lion was roaring in rage close behind him as he swung the deer across his shoulder, and, grasping a foreleg between his strong teeth, leaped for the nearest of the lower branches that swung above his head.

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Português

Ele agarrou o galho com as duas mãos. Assim que Numa avançou, Tarzan puxou a si mesmo e sua presa para cima, escapando das garras afiadas do animal.

Original English

With both hands he grasped the limb, and, at the instant that Numa sprang, drew himself and his prey out of reach of the animal's cruel talons.

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Português

Ele ouviu um baque abaixo quando o leão frustrado caiu de volta ao chão. Então Tarzan dos Macacos moveu sua refeição para um galho mais alto e seguro. Sorrindo, ele olhou para baixo nos olhos amarelos brilhantes da fera que o encarava de baixo. Com palavras de zombaria, ele exibiu a carne macia que havia tirado do leão.

Original English

There was a thud below him as the baffled cat fell back to earth, and then Tarzan of the Apes, drawing his dinner farther up to the safety of a higher limb, looked down with grinning face into the gleaming yellow eyes of the other wild beast that glared up at him from beneath, and with taunting insults flaunted the tender carcass of his kill in the face of him whom he had cheated of it.

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Português

Usando sua faca de pedra áspera, ele cortou um pedaço suculento de carne do lombo do veado. Enquanto o grande leão andava de um lado para o outro e rosnava abaixo dele, Lorde Greystoke satisfez sua fome selvagem. Ele pensou que nenhuma refeição nos melhores clubes de Londres tinha sido tão saborosa.

Original English

With his crude stone knife he cut a juicy steak from the hindquarters, and while the great lion paced, growling, back and forth below him, Lord Greystoke filled his savage belly, nor ever in the choicest of his exclusive London clubs had a meal tasted more palatable.

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Português

O sangue quente de sua presa cobriu suas mãos e rosto, e o cheiro encheu seu nariz — o aroma que os comedores de carne selvagens mais amam.

Original English

The warm blood of his kill smeared his hands and face and filled his nostrils with the scent that the savage carnivora love best.

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Português

Depois de terminar sua refeição, ele deixou a carcaça restante em uma forquilha alta da árvore onde havia comido. Com Numa o seguindo abaixo, ainda ansioso por vingança, ele voltou para seu abrigo no topo da árvore e dormiu até tarde na manhã seguinte.

Original English

And when he had finished he left the balance of the carcass in a high fork of the tree where he had dined, and with Numa trailing below him, still keen for revenge, he made his way back to his tree-top shelter, where he slept until the sun was high the following morning.

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