The Tarzan Twins

Os Gêmeos 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 Tarzan Twins, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1927.

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 1927.

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 2023.

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 Tarzan Twins

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1927

Primeiro editor: Voland

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

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

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

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

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

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

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

Como usar as notas

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

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

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

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

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

Como usar o glossário

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

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

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

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

Sobre este livro

The Tarzan Twins é uma coleção de duas novelas de Edgar Rice Burroughs voltada para o público jovem. A história segue dois garotos, Dick e Doc, primos idênticos que são chamados de Gêmeos Tarzan. Eles viajam para a África para visitar Tarzan, o lendário homem-macaco, e se envolvem em aventuras na selva. Na primeira parte, os gêmeos chegam à propriedade de Tarzan e são apresentados às maravilhas da natureza africana. Rapidamente fazem amizade com Tarzan e sua família, incluindo sua esposa Jane e seu filho Korak. O conflito central surge quando os gêmeos são capturados por uma tribo hostil de canibais, forçando Tarzan a realizar um resgate. A segunda parte, ambientada imediatamente após a primeira, apresenta Jad-bal-ja, o Leão Dourado, uma fera majestosa que Tarzan domou. Os gêmeos acompanham Tarzan em uma jornada até a cidade perdida de Opar, onde encontram ruínas antigas, tesouros escondidos e adversários perigosos. O tom é aventureiro e leve, adequado para jovens leitores, com ênfase na amizade, coragem e nas maravilhas da selva. O cenário é a selva africana e a casa de Tarzan, com descrições vívidas da vida selvagem e paisagens. A progressão vai do deslumbramento inicial dos gêmeos pela África à sua participação ativa em escapadas emocionantes, culminando em um confronto climático que testa sua inteligência e bravura. A narrativa mantém um senso de maravilha e excitação, típico das histórias de Tarzan de Burroughs, sendo acessível a um público mais jovem.

Sobre o autor

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

Nota editorial

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

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

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

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção A Selva de Burroughs

Tarzan of the Apes

The Return Of Tarzan

The Beasts Of Tarzan

The Son Of Tarzan

Tarzan and the Jewels Of Opar

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan

Tarzan The Untamed

Tarzan The Terrible

Tarzan and the Golden Lion

Tarzan and the Ant Men

Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan — ESL Easy Read

Tarzan and the City of Gold

Tarzan and the Lion Man

Tarzan and the Lost Empire

Tarzan at the Earth's Core

Tarzan the Invincible

Tarzan Triumphant

The Tarzan Twins

V21 Popup Test

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Reading Comprehension B1

1 - Introducing the Tarzan Twins

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

Introducing the Tarzan Twins

Pt/En The Tarzan Twins were born on the same day, which is normal for twins. They looked very similar, but not exactly the same. For example, Dick had very black hair, but Doc's hair was light brown like molasses candy. Their noses, eyes, chins, and mouths were alike. Doc's eyes and mouth seemed to smile and twinkle a little more than Dick's, but inside, they were very similar.

Pt/En However, the boys broke a big rule for twins. Dick was born in England, and Doc was born in America. This fact makes it seem like they were not twins at all, right from the start of their story.

Pt/En People wondered why they looked so much alike and why everyone called them the Tarzan Twins. The simple answer is that their mothers were twin sisters. Because the mothers looked very, very alike, and each boy looked like his own mother, the boys ended up looking very much like each other.

Pt/En Their mothers were American. One mother married an American and stayed in America; she was Doc's mother. The other mother married an Englishman and moved to England; she was Dick's mother. When the boys were old enough for school, their parents decided they should study in both America and England. But their plans did not include Africa. Fate, however, had other ideas and planned for them to learn more in the jungles of Africa than in any school.

Pt/En When Dick and Doc were fourteen, they went to a good school in England with many important boys. The other students saw how much they looked alike and started calling them "The Twins." Later, they found out that Dick's father was related to Lord Greystoke, who was famously known as Tarzan of the Apes. Because of this connection, the boys began to call Dick and Doc "The Tarzan Twins." This is how they got their nickname.

Pt/En The great apes used the word 'tar' for white and 'go' for black. So, Doc, who had light hair, was called Tarzan-tar. Dick, with black hair, was called Tarzan-go. At first, this was okay. But other boys made fun of them because they were not good at climbing trees or sports. So, Dick and Doc decided to try harder and become like their names suggested.

Pt/En When boys decide to do something, they can achieve a lot. Soon, Dick and Doc became very good at sports and climbing trees. They were as strong as apes and as active as monkeys. Their schoolwork might have suffered a little, but their bodies became very fit.

Pt/En Then, Dick received a surprising letter from his mother. Tarzan of the Apes had invited them to visit his large estate in Africa for two months! The boys were so excited that they talked all night and failed their classes the next day.

Pt/En The boys talked until three o'clock the next morning.

Pt/En Later, there was disappointment because Dick's father, an army officer, could not get time off work. Dick's mother would not travel without him. After many letters and calls between England, America, and Africa, and the boys' strong requests, a decision was made. The boys would travel by themselves. Tarzan of the Apes promised to meet them at the end of the train line with fifty of his warriors to ensure they traveled safely through wild Africa to his home. This is where our story begins.

Chapter One

Pt/En A train moved slowly through green mountains and across a grassy plain with trees. Two excited boys watched from the train window. They were determined to see everything because they knew there would be many interesting things.

Pt/En Dick said tiredly that he wanted to know where the animals were. He had not seen anything since they started their journey.

Pt/En Doc replied that Africa was like small circuses. He said they often advertised many wild animals, but only had a few, like a thin lion and old elephants.

Pt/En Dick sighed and asked if they would like to see a real lion, elephant, or something similar.

Pt/En Suddenly, Doc exclaimed, telling the other boy to look. He asked if he could see them.

Pt/En A small group of springbok ran quickly and beautifully across the open land. The small animals sometimes jumped high in the air. After the animals disappeared, the boys waited and watched again.

Pt/En Dick said he wished the animals had been lions.

Pt/En The train left the open country and entered a large, dark, and mysterious forest. Tall trees covered with vines grew from thick plants along the side of the track. This green wall hid everything beyond it and made people imagine wild animals moving silently behind it. There were no signs of life, and the forest seemed dead.

Pt/En As the hours passed, the boring journey made the boys feel tired.

Pt/En Doc said he was tired of looking at trees and wanted to show Dick some magic tricks.

Pt/En A man took a silver coin, a shilling, from his pocket. He showed it to the people and said it was real. He told them to look closely.

Pt/En He covered the coin with his other hand. He clasped his hands together, blew on them, and raised them up. He said some magic words, and then opened his hands. The coin was gone.

Pt/En Dick clapped his hands and shouted "Hurray!". He often did this because he liked to be part of the audience.

Pt/En Doc took the coin from Dick's ear, making it seem like magic. Then he put a small piece of pencil into his closed fist. He said magic words, and the pencil disappeared.

Pt/En Dick shouted "Hurray!" again and clapped his hands. Both boys started to laugh.

Pt/En Doc practiced magic tricks for an hour. Dick watched him and pretended to be very interested. They did this because they did not want to look at the many silent trees outside the windows.

Pt/En Suddenly, the boring journey stopped. Something surprising happened. The train brakes made a loud noise. Their train carriage jumped up, moved violently, and shook, throwing both boys to the floor. Just when they thought it would fall over, the train stopped suddenly, as if it had hit a tree.

Pt/En Something surprising happened.

Pt/En The boys stood up and looked out the windows. Then they quickly left the train car. Outside, they saw other passengers getting off the train and asking many questions. Dick and Doc soon learned that the train had hit a broken rail and gone off the track. They were told it would take many hours before the train could move again.

Pt/En For a short time, the boys looked at the damaged train cars with the other passengers. But soon they became bored and looked towards the jungle. Looking at the jungle from the ground was very different from seeing it through the train windows. It seemed more interesting and mysterious.

Pt/En Dick wondered what it was like inside.

Pt/En Doc said it looked spooky.

Pt/En Dick wanted to go in and see.

Pt/En Doc agreed that he also wanted to go in.

Pt/En He explained that there was no danger because they had not seen anything that could harm them since arriving in Africa.

Pt/En They said they would not go very far inside.

Pt/En Dick asked them to come along.

Pt/En A man's voice called out, asking where the boys were going.

Pt/En They turned and saw one of the train guards who happened to be walking by.

Pt/En Doc answered that they were going nowhere.

Pt/En A man warned them not to go into the jungle. He told them they would get lost very quickly.

Pt/En Dick thought the man was wrong and that they were not foolish enough to get lost.

Pt/En Because someone had told them not to go into the jungle, they wanted to go even more. However, there were many people on their side of the train, so they thought someone else would stop them if they tried to go in while others could see.

Pt/En They walked slowly to the back of the train and went to the other side. Nobody was there. In front of them, it looked like an opening in the plants that blocked the way to the jungle. Dick looked around quickly, but no one was watching.

Pt/En Dick suggested that they should go and look inside quickly.

Pt/En They found a narrow path that turned right after a few steps. The boys looked back and could not see the train or the people, but they could still hear voices. Ahead, the path turned left. They walked a little to look around the corner, but there was another turn. The path wound between large trees and was quiet, dark, and gloomy.

Pt/En Doc suggested that they should not go too far into the path.

Pt/En Dick wanted to go a little farther. He said they could return to the train if needed and hoped they might find a native village.

Pt/En Someone asked what if the people there were cannibals.

Pt/En The other boy replied that there were no cannibals anymore and asked if he was afraid.

Pt/En Doc said that he was not afraid, trying to sound brave.

Pt/En Dick told Doc to follow him, and Dick led the way on a small path into the deep, dark jungle.

Pt/En A brightly colored bird flew above them, surprising them because the forest had seemed so quiet. Soon, the small path led them to a wide, clear trail.

Pt/En Doc exclaimed that he liked the wider trail better, saying he could hardly breathe on the narrow path.

Pt/En Dick whispered to look at something and pointed.

Pt/En Doc saw a small monkey watching them from a tree. Soon, other monkeys joined it. As the boys walked closer, the monkeys moved away, still making noise. Dick and Doc wanted to see them better, so they followed. More and more monkeys appeared, running and jumping through the trees, making excited sounds.

Pt/En Dick said that if his cousin, Tarzan of the Apes, was there, he would understand what the monkeys were saying.

Pt/En Doc suggested they ask Tarzan to teach them how to understand the monkeys.

Pt/En The speaker thought it would be fun to talk to animals like Tarzan. They wished they could get closer to the monkeys.

Pt/En The boys continued walking, completely focused on the monkeys' playful actions. They forgot about everything else, enjoying the experience of seeing many real monkeys living naturally in the jungle. The monkeys they saw in zoos seemed boring and sad compared to these.

Pt/En The boys were very interested in the monkeys and did not notice other small paths. They also did not see a path that joined the main trail from their left while they were watching the monkeys in the trees on their right.

Pt/En The boys were not thinking about the train because they were busy with the monkeys. But then, Dick felt that his conscience told him it was time to go back. He looked at his watch.

Pt/En Dick said that they should look at the time and start going back.

Pt/En Doc also looked at his watch and agreed that they should go back because it was almost dinner time. He asked Dick how far they thought they had walked.

Pt/En Dick replied that they had not come very far, but he did not sound very sure.

Pt/En Doc said that he thought it would be nice there at night.

Pt/En At that moment, a terrible sound came from the jungle. It started like a cough and became a loud roar that shook the ground. The small monkeys quickly disappeared, and a frightening silence fell over the dark forest.

Pt/En The boys stood close together, looking scared towards the sound. They were brave, but even brave people are afraid when such a noise is heard in the African night. So, they turned and ran away from the loud roar.

Pt/En While still running, they reached a place where the path split into two. They had passed this spot before without paying attention. They were confused and stopped for a moment. But they were young and confident, so they quickly ran again, taking the wrong path.

Chapter Two

Pt/En Numa the lion was walking through the old jungle. He was not very hungry because he had eaten the night before. But he decided to walk for a few hours to find new food before he felt hungry. He walked openly on the familiar path, as he was the king of the animals and no one could challenge him.

Pt/En He wondered if there was anyone he should be afraid of.

Pt/En Numa, the lion, stopped suddenly because he smelled something in the air. It was the smell of man. This smell made Numa hate and also feel a little afraid. But Numa, as the king of the jungle, could not admit he was afraid.

Pt/En But this smell was different from other man-smells Numa knew. It was not like the smell of the gomangani (black people) or the mangani (great apes). Numa was sure it was a man, but he moved more carefully now and was silent, not roaring like he did when he was angry.

Pt/En When Numa reached the place where the boys had turned back, he stopped and smelled the air. His tail moved nervously. Then he began to run along the boys' trail, watching and listening carefully. Numa, the lion, followed the smell of his prey.

Original English Text

1 - Introducing the Tarzan Twins

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

Introducing the Tarzan Twins

PT The Tarzan Twins, like all well-behaved twins, were born on the same day and, although they were not as "alike as two peas," still they resembled one another quite closely enough to fulfil that particular requirement of twinship; but even there they commenced breaking the rules that have been governing twins during the past several millions of years, for Dick had a shock of the blackest sort of black hair, while Doc's hair was the sunny hue of molasses candy. Their noses were alike, their blue eyes were alike; alike were their chins and their mouths. Perhaps Doc's eyes twinkled more and his mouth smiled more than Dick's for Dick did much of his twinkling and smiling inside and inside the boys were very much alike, indeed.

PT But in one respect they shattered every rule that has been laid down for twins from the very beginning of time, for Dick had been born in England and Doc in America; a fact which upsets everything right at the beginning of the story and proves, without any shadow of a doubt, that they were not twins at all.

PT Why then did they look so much alike and why did everyone call them the Tarzan Twins? One could almost start a guessing contest with a conundrum like this, but the trouble is that no one would guess the correct solution, though the answer is quite simple. Dick's mother and Doc's mother were sisters—twin sisters—and they looked so much alike that they looked more alike than two peas, and as each boy resembled his mother—the result was—they resembled each other.

PT Their mothers were American girls. One of them married an American and stayed at home—that was Doc's mother; and the other married an Englishman and sailed away to live on another continent in another hemisphere—and she was Dick's mother. When the boys were old enough to go away to school their parents had a brilliant idea, which was that the boys should receive half of their education in America and half in England. And this story will prove that the best laid plans of mice and mothers sometimes go wrong, for no one planned that the boys should get any of their education in Africa, whereas, as a matter of fact, Fate was arranging that they should learn more in the jungles of the Dark Continent than was ever between the covers of any school book.

PT When they were fourteen years old, Dick and Doc were attending an excellent English school where there were a great many future dukes and earls and arch-bishops and lord mayors, who, when they saw how much Dick and Doc resembled one another, called them "The Twins." Later, when they learned that Dick's father was distantly related to Lord Greystoke, who is famous all over the world as Tarzan of the Apes, the boys commenced to call Dick and Doc, "The Tarzan Twins"—so that is how the nickname grew and became attached to them.

PT As everyone knows tar means white in the language of the great apes, and go means black, so Doc, with his light hair, was known as Tarzan-tar and Dick, whose hair was black, was called Tarzan-go. It was all right to be called Tarzan-tar and Tarzan-go, until the other boys began to make fun of them because they could climb trees no better than many another boy and, while they were fair in athletic sports, they did not excel. It was right there and then that Dick and Doc decided that they would live up to their new names, for they did not enjoy being laughed at and made fun of, any more than any other normal, red-blooded boy does.

PT It is simply staggering to discover what a boy can accomplish if he makes up his mind to it and so it was not long before Dick and Doc did excel in nearly all athletic sports and when it came to climbing trees—well, Tarzan himself would have had no reason to be ashamed of them. Though their scholastic standing may have suffered a little in the following months of athletic effort, their muscles did not, and as vacation time approached, Dick and Doc had become as hard as nails and as active as a couple of manus, which you will know, if your education has not been neglected, is the ape-word for monkeys.

PT Then it was that the big surprise came in a letter that Dick received from his mother. Tarzan of the Apes had invited them all to visit him and spend two months on his great African estate! The boys were so excited that they talked until three o'clock the next morning and flunked in all their classes that day.

PT The boys talked until three o'clock the next morning.

PT The disappointment that followed later when it was learned that Dick's father, who was an army officer, could not get leave of absence and Dick's mother would not go without him; the letters and cablegrams that were exchanged between England and America, and England and Africa; the frantic appeals of the boys to their parents are interesting only in the result they effected; which was that the boys were to go by themselves, Tarzan of the Apes having promised to meet them at the end of the railway with fifty of his own Waziri warriors, thus assuring their safe passage through savage Africa to the far-away home of the ape-man. And this brings us to the beginning of our story.

Chapter One

PT A train wound slowly through mountains whose rugged slopes were green with verdure and out across a rolling, grassy veldt, tree dotted. From a carriage window, two boys, eager-eyed, excited, kept constant vigil. If there was anything to be seen they were determined not to miss it, and they knew that there should be many things to see.

PT "I'd like to know where all the animals are," said Dick, wearily. "I haven't seen a blamed thing since we started."

PT "Africa's just like all the one horse circuses," replied Doc. "They advertise the greatest collection of wild animals in captivity and when you get there all they have is a mangy lion and a couple of motheaten elephants."

PT "Golly! Wouldn't you like to see a real lion, or an elephant, or something?" sighed Dick.

PT "Look! Look!" exclaimed Doc suddenly. "There! There! See 'em?"

PT In the distance a small herd of springbok ran swiftly and gracefully across the veldt, the dainty little animals occasionally leaping high into the air. As the animals disappeared the boys again relapsed into attitudes of watchful waiting.

PT "I wish they'd been lions," said Dick.

PT The train, deserting the open country, entered a great forest, dark, gloomy, mysterious. Mighty trees, festooned with vines, rose from a tangle of riotous undergrowth along the right-of-way, hiding everything that lay beyond that impenetrable wall of flower-starred green,—a wall that added to the mystery of all that imagination could picture of the savage life moving silently behind it. There was no sign of life. The forest seemed like a dead thing.

PT The monotony of it, as the hours passed, weighed heavily upon the boys.

PT "Say," said Doc, "I'm getting tired of looking at trees. I'm going to practice some of my magic tricks. Look at this one, Dick."

PT He drew a silver coin from his pocket, a shilling, and held it upon his open palm. "Ladies and gentlemen!" he declaimed. "We have here an ordinary silver shilling, worth twelve pence. Step right up and examine it, feel of it, bite it! You see that it is gen-u-ine. You will note that I have no accomplices. Now, ladies and gentlemen, watch me closely!"

PT He placed his other palm over the coin, hiding it, clasped his hands, blew upon them, raised them above his head. "Abacadabra! Allo, presto, change cars and be gone! Now you see it, now you don't!" He opened his hands and held them palms up. The coin had vanished.

PT "Hurray!" shouted Dick, clapping his hands, as he had done a hundred times before, for Dick was always the audience.

PT Doc bowed very low, reached out and took the coin from Dick's ear, or so he made it appear. Then into one clenched fist, between the thumb and first finger, he inserted the stub of a lead pencil, shoving it down until it was out of sight. "Abacadabra! Allo! Presto! Change cars and be gone! Now you see it, now you don't!" Doc opened his hand and the pencil was gone.

PT "Hurray!" shouted Dick, clapping his hands, and both boys broke into laughter.

PT For an hour Doc practiced the several sleight of hand tricks he had mastered and Dick pretended to be an enthusiastic audience; anything was better than looking out of the windows at the endless row of silent trees.

PT Then, quite suddenly and without the slightest warning, the monotony was broken. Something happened. Something startling happened. There was a grinding of brakes. The railway carriage in which they rode seemed to leap into the air; it lurched and rocked and bumped, throwing both boys to the floor, and then, just as they were sure it was going to overturn, it came to a sudden stop, quite as though it had run into one of those great, silent trees.

PT Something happened.

PT The boys scrambled to their feet and looked out of the windows; then they hastened to get out of the car and when they reached the ground outside they saw excited passengers pouring from the train, asking excited questions, getting in everyone's way. It did not take Dick and Doc long to learn that the train, striking a defective rail, had run off the track and that it would be many hours before the journey could be resumed.

PT For a while they stood about with the other passengers idly looking at the derailed carriages but this diversion soon palled and they turned their attention toward the jungle. Standing quietly upon the ground and looking at it was quite different from viewing it through the windows of a moving train. It became at once more interesting and more mysterious.

PT "I wonder what it is like in there," remarked Dick.

PT "It looks spooky," said Doc.

PT "I'd like to go in and see," said Dick.

PT "So would I," said Doc.

PT "There isn't any danger—we haven't seen a thing that could hurt a flea since we landed in Africa."

PT "And we wouldn't go in very far."

PT "Come on," said Dick.

PT "Hi, there!" called a man's voice. "Where you boys goin'?"

PT They turned to see one of the train guards who chanced to be passing.

PT "Nowhere," said Doc.

PT "Well whatever you do, don't go into the jungle," cautioned the man, moving on toward the head of the train. "You'd be lost in no time."

PT "Lost!" scoffed Dick. "He must think we're a couple of zanies."

PT Now that someone had told them that they must not go into the jungle, they wanted to go much more than they had before, but as there were many people upon this side of the train, they were quite sure that someone else would stop them, should they attempt to enter the jungle in plain view of passengers and train crew.

PT Slowly they sauntered to the rear end of the train and passed around it onto the opposite side. There was no one here and right in front of them was what appeared to be an opening through the tangled vegetation that elsewhere seemed to block the way into that mysterious hinterland that lay beyond the solid ranks of guardian trees. Dick glanced quickly up and down the train. There was no one in sight.

PT "Come on," he said, "let's just take a little peek."

PT It was only a step to the opening, which proved to be a narrow path that turned abruptly to the right after they had followed it a few paces. The boys stopped and looked back. The right-of-way, the train, the passengers—all were as completely hidden from view as though they had been miles and miles away, but they could still hear the hum of voices. Ahead the little path turned toward the left and the boys advanced, just to look around the turn; but beyond the turn was another. The path was a very winding one, turning and twisting its way among the boles of huge trees; it was quiet and dark and gloomy.

PT "Perhaps we'd better not go in too far," suggested Doc.

PT "Oh, let's go a little way farther," urged Dick. "We can always turn around and follow the path back to the train. Maybe we'll come to a native village. Gee! wouldn't that be great?"

PT "Suppose they were cannibals?"

PT "Oh, shucks! There aren't any cannibals any more. You afraid?"

PT "Who me? Of course I'm not afraid," said Doc, valiantly.

PT "All right then, come ahead," and Dick led the way along the little path that bored into the depths of the mighty, frowning jungle.

PT A bird with brilliant plumage flew just above them, giving them a little start, so silent and deserted the forest had seemed, and a moment later the little path led them into a wide, well-beaten trail.

PT "Golly!" exclaimed Doc, "this is more like it. Say, I could scarcely breathe in that little path."

PT "Sst! Look!" whispered Dick, pointing.

PT Doc looked and saw a little monkey solemnly surveying them from the branch of a nearby tree. Presently it began to chatter and a moment later it was joined by a second and then a third little monkey. As the boys approached the monkeys retreated, still chattering and scolding. They were cute little fellows and Dick and Doc followed in an effort to get closer, and, all the time, more and more monkeys appeared. They ran through the trees, jumping from branch to branch; skipping about, jabbering excitedly.

PT "If my cousin, Tarzan of the Apes, were here, he'd know just what they were saying," said Dick.

PT "Let's get him to teach us," suggested Doc.

PT "Wouldn't it be fun to be able to talk to the animals, the way he does? Gee! I wish they'd let us get a little closer."

PT On and on the boys went, their whole attention absorbed by the antics of the little monkeys; forgetting time and distance, trains, passengers; forgetting all the world in this wonderful experience of seeing hundreds of real, live monkeys living their own natural life in the jungle, just as their forefathers had lived for ages and ages. How tame and uninteresting and pathetic seemed the poor little monkeys that they had seen in zoos.

PT The boys passed several little trails running into the bigger one, but so wholly was their attention held by the antics of their new friends that they did not notice these, nor did they note a branch of the big trail that came in behind them from their left while they were watching some of the monkeys in the trees at their right.

PT Perhaps they were not very far from the train. They did not think about it at once, for their minds were occupied with more interesting things than trains. Presently, however, as they followed the winding of the broad game trail, laughing at the antics of the monkeys and trying to make friends with them, a still, small voice seemed to whisper something into the ear of Dick. It was that old spoil-sport, Conscience, and what it said was: "Better start back! Better start back!" Dick glanced at his watch.

PT "Gee!" he exclaimed. "Look what time it is! We'd better start back."

PT And then Doc looked at his watch. "Golly!" he cried; "I'll say we ought to start back, it's almost dinner time. How far do you suppose we've come?"

PT "Oh, not very far," replied Dick, but his tone was not very positive.

PT "Say, I'll bet it would be great in here at night," cried Doc.

PT Just at that instant, from the heart of the jungle, a sound broke the peace of the forest—a terrible sound that started with a coughing noise and grew in volume until it became a terrific roar that made the ground tremble. Instantly the little monkeys disappeared as though by magic and a silence, more fearful than the awful voice, settled upon the dark and gloomy wood.

PT Instinctively the boys drew close together, looking fearfully in the direction from which that fearsome sound had come. They were brave boys; but brave men tremble when that voice breaks the silence of an African night. Little wonder, then, that they turned and fled into the direction from which they had come, away from the author of that rumbling roar.

PT And, still running, they came to the fork in the trail, the fork that they had passed, careless and unheeding, a short time before. Here they were bewildered and here they hesitated. But only for a moment. They were young and possessed all the assurance of youth, so off they went again running swiftly along the wrong trail.

Chapter Two

PT Numa, the lion, hunted through the jungle primeval. He was not ravenously hungry, as only the night before he had finished devouring the kill he had made two days ago. However, it would do no harm to rove the jungle for a few hours and mark down a new prey even before the pangs of hunger became sharp. As he moved majestically along the familiar game trail, he made no effort to hide his presence, for was he not the king of beasts? Who was there to dispute his supreme power?

PT Of whom need he be afraid?

PT Perhaps these very thoughts were in the mind of Numa, when, borne upon the air that moved down the tunnel-like trail, a scent filled his nostrils that brought him to a sudden stop. It was the scent that ever aroused hatred in the heart of Numa—it was the scent of man! Perhaps it aroused hatred because of the fact that it engendered a little fear as well, though fear was something that the king could not admit.

PT But there was something strange, something a little different in this scent than in anything he had ever noticed in the scent spoor of the gomangani. It differed from the scent spoor of the negro quite as much as their scent differed from that of the mangani, or great apes. He was sure then that it was neither gomangani, the black man or (great black ape), or mangani, whose odor was wafted down to him; but of one thing Numa was certain, the odor was that of man, and so he moved along the trail, but more carefully now, his great, padded feet making no sound. Once, in the freshness of his first anger, he had roared forth his challenge; now he was silent.

PT When he came to the spot where the boys had stopped before they turned back, he paused and sniffed the air, his tail moving nervously from side to side; then he started at a trot along their trail, head flattened and every sense alert. The great muscles moving in supple waves beneath his tawny hide, his tufted tail held just above the ground, his black mane rippling in the gentle breeze, Numa, the lion, followed the scent spoor of his prey.

Versão em Português

1 - Apresentando os Gêmeos de Tarzan

1 - Capítulo Um

2 - Capítulo Dois

Apresentando os Gêmeos de Tarzan

En Os gêmeos Tarzan nasceram no mesmo dia, como é comum para gêmeos. Embora não fossem exatamente idênticos, eles se pareciam bastante. Por exemplo, Dick tinha cabelo muito preto, enquanto o cabelo de Doc era de uma cor ensolarada como caramelo de melaço. Seus narizes, olhos azuis, queixos e bocas eram os mesmos. No entanto, os olhos de Doc brilhavam mais e sua boca sorria mais do que os de Dick, porque as expressões de Dick eram mais internas. Mas por dentro, os meninos eram verdadeiramente parecidos.

En De certa forma, os meninos quebraram todas as regras estabelecidas para gêmeos: Dick nasceu na Inglaterra e Doc na América. Esse fato imediatamente complica a história e demonstra claramente que eles não eram gêmeos de forma alguma.

En A razão para a impressionante semelhança e o apelido de Gêmeos Tarzan é simples. Suas mães eram irmãs gêmeas que se pareciam extremamente. Como cada menino puxou para sua própria mãe, os dois meninos acabaram se parecendo muito um com o outro.

En Ambos os meninos tinham mães americanas. A mãe do Doc casou-se com um americano e permaneceu nos Estados Unidos, enquanto a mãe do Dick casou-se com um inglês e mudou-se com ele para a Inglaterra. Quando os meninos tiveram idade suficiente para o internato, seus pais criaram um plano inteligente: cada menino passaria metade de sua educação na América e metade na Inglaterra. No entanto, como a história mostrará, mesmo as melhores intenções podem dar errado — ninguém havia planejado que os meninos recebessem qualquer educação na África, mas o destino estava silenciosamente preparando-os para aprender mais nas selvas daquele continente do que qualquer livro didático poderia ensinar.

En Aos catorze anos, Dick e Doc frequentavam uma prestigiada escola inglesa onde estudavam muitos futuros duques, condes e outras personalidades. Seus colegas notaram o quanto eles se pareciam e começaram a chamá-los de Os Gêmeos. Mais tarde, quando se soube que o pai de Dick era parente distante de Lord Greystoke, famoso em todo o mundo como Tarzan dos Macacos, os meninos passaram a se referir a eles como Os Gêmeos Tarzan. Foi assim que seu apelido surgiu e permaneceu.

En Na linguagem dos grandes macacos, 'tar' significava branco e 'go' significava preto, então Doc, que tinha cabelo claro, ficou conhecido como Tarzan-tar, e Dick, com seu cabelo preto, foi chamado de Tarzan-go. No começo, os meninos gostavam desses nomes, mas logo outras crianças começaram a zombar deles porque eles não conseguiam subir em árvores muito bem e, embora fossem razoáveis nos esportes, não se destacavam. Incapazes de suportar serem ridicularizados mais do que qualquer garoto normal e animado suportaria, Dick e Doc decidiram viver à altura de seus novos nomes.

En É surpreendente o que um garoto pode alcançar quando decide, e assim não demorou muito para que Dick e Doc se tornassem excelentes em quase todas as atividades atléticas. Quando se tratava de subir em árvores, nem o próprio Tarzan teria motivos para se envergonhar deles. Embora seu desempenho acadêmico possa ter sofrido um pouco nos meses seguintes de esforço atlético, seus músculos certamente não sofreram. Quando as férias se aproximaram, os garotos se tornaram tão duros quanto pregos e tão ágeis quanto 'manus' — a palavra dos símios para macacos.

En Então veio uma grande surpresa na forma de uma carta que Dick recebeu de sua mãe. Tarzan dos Macacos os havia convidado a visitá-lo e passar dois meses em sua vasta propriedade africana. Os garotos ficaram tão empolgados que ficaram conversando até as três da manhã e, como resultado, foram reprovados em todas as suas aulas no dia seguinte.

En Os meninos conversaram até as três horas da manhã seguinte.

En Logo veio a decepção quando se soube que o pai de Dick, um oficial do exército, não conseguiu obter licença, e a mãe de Dick se recusou a viajar sem ele. Numerosas cartas e telegramas foram trocados entre Inglaterra, América e África, e os meninos fizeram apelos desesperados aos pais. No final, decidiu-se que os meninos iriam sozinhos, com Tarzan dos Macacos tendo prometido encontrá-los no final da linha ferroviária com cinquenta de seus próprios guerreiros Waziri, garantindo assim sua passagem segura pela África selvagem até a distante casa do homem-macaco. E assim chegamos ao início da nossa história.

Capítulo Um

En Um trem serpenteava lentamente por montanhas verdes e através de uma planície gramada e salpicada de árvores. De uma janela do vagão, dois meninos animados observavam, determinados a não perder nada.

En Dick disse cansado que desejava saber onde estavam os animais, pois não tinha visto nada desde o início da viagem.

En Doc respondeu que a África se assemelhava a pequenos circos que anunciam uma grande coleção de animais selvagens, mas na chegada oferecem apenas um leão sarnento e alguns elefantes surrados.

En Dick suspirou e se perguntou em voz alta se algum dia veriam um leão de verdade, um elefante ou algo do tipo.

En De repente, Doc exclamou, instando o outro a olhar e perguntando se ele conseguia vê-los.

En Ao longe, uma pequena manada de springboks moveu-se rápida e graciosamente pelo veld, ocasionalmente saltando alto no ar. Depois que desapareceram, os meninos voltaram à sua espera vigilante.

En Dick expressou o desejo de que os animais tivessem sido leões.

En O trem deixou o campo aberto e entrou em uma vasta e misteriosa floresta escura. Árvores imponentes cobertas de vinhas erguiam-se de uma vegetação rasteira emaranhada ao longo dos trilhos, escondendo tudo além daquela parede verde impenetrável. Isso aumentava o mistério da vida selvagem que poderia se mover silenciosamente atrás dela. Não havia sinal de vida; a floresta parecia sem vida.

En À medida que as horas passavam, a monotonia pesava muito sobre os meninos.

En Doc disse que estava cansado de olhar para as árvores e queria praticar alguns truques de mágica, então pediu para Dick observar.

En Ele tirou um xelim de prata do bolso e o segurou, anunciando que era uma moeda de prata comum no valor de doze pence. Convidou a multidão a examiná-la e assegurou que era genuína, acrescentando que não tinha cúmplices. Em seguida, pediu que o observassem atentamente.

En Ele cobriu a moeda com a outra mão, juntou as mãos, soprou nelas e as ergueu acima da cabeça enquanto recitava algumas palavras mágicas. Quando abriu as mãos, a moeda havia desaparecido.

En Dick bateu palmas e gritou de empolgação, como sempre fazia ao assistir a uma apresentação.

En Doc fez uma reverência e fingiu tirar a moeda da orelha de Dick. Então, empurrou um pedaço de lápis no punho fechado até que desaparecesse, recitou palavras mágicas e abriu a mão para revelar que o lápis havia sumido.

En Dick bateu palmas e vibrou novamente, e os dois garotos caíram na gargalhada.

En Doc passou uma hora praticando truques de prestidigitação que havia aprendido, enquanto Dick fingia ser uma plateia entusiasmada. Qualquer coisa era melhor do que ficar olhando pelas janelas para a linha interminável de árvores silenciosas.

En Então, sem qualquer aviso, a monotonia foi quebrada por algo surpreendente. Houve um rangido de freios. A carruagem ferroviária pareceu saltar no ar, balançando e chacoalhando e batendo, jogando os dois meninos no chão. Exatamente quando eles pensaram que iria tombar, ela parou abruptamente, como se tivesse colidido com uma daquelas grandes árvores silenciosas.

En Algo aconteceu.

En Os meninos se levantaram rapidamente e olharam pelas janelas. Em seguida, apressaram-se para sair do vagão. Lá fora, viram passageiros agitados saindo do trem, fazendo perguntas animadas e atrapalhando todo mundo. Não demorou muito para eles descobrirem que o trem havia batido em um trilho defeituoso e saído dos trilhos, e que levaria muitas horas até que a viagem pudesse continuar.

En Por um tempo, eles ficaram com os outros passageiros, olhando distraidamente para os vagões descarrilados, mas essa distração logo perdeu o encanto, e eles voltaram a atenção para a selva. Ficar parado no chão e olhar para ela era bem diferente de vê-la através das janelas de um trem em movimento. Ela se tornou ao mesmo tempo mais interessante e mais misteriosa.

En Dick expressou curiosidade sobre como poderia ser o interior.

En Doc comentou que parecia assustador.

En Dick expressou o desejo de entrar e ver por si mesmo.

En Doc concordou que também gostaria de fazer isso.

En Ele argumentou que não havia perigo, pois não tinham encontrado nada prejudicial desde sua chegada à África.

En Eles concordaram que não se aventurariam muito fundo.

En Dick os incentivou a prosseguir.

En A voz de um homem os chamou, perguntando para onde os meninos estavam indo.

En Virando-se, eles notaram um guarda de trem que estava passando.

En Doc respondeu que eles não estavam indo a lugar nenhum.

En O homem os aconselhou a não entrar na selva em hipótese alguma, alertando que eles se perderiam rapidamente, e então continuou andando em direção à frente do trem.

En Dick expressou incredulidade, sugerindo que o homem pensava que eles eram tolos.

En A proibição os deixou ainda mais ansiosos para entrar na selva, mas como muitas pessoas estavam no lado do trem onde eles estavam, eles esperavam ser impedidos se tentassem entrar abertamente.

En Eles caminharam até a parte de trás do trem e contornaram para o outro lado, onde não havia ninguém. Diante deles havia uma abertura na vegetação densa, que em outros lugares formava uma barreira para a terra misteriosa além das árvores. Dick verificou ambas as extremidades do trem e não viu ninguém.

En Ele sugeriu que eles dessem uma olhada rápida lá dentro.

En A apenas um passo da abertura, eles encontraram um caminho estreito que virava bruscamente à direita após alguns passos. Os meninos pararam e olharam para trás. A ferrovia, o trem e os passageiros estavam completamente escondidos, como se estivessem a quilômetros de distância, embora ainda pudessem ouvir o murmúrio de vozes. À frente, o caminho virava à esquerda. Eles avançaram para ver além da curva, mas havia outra curva adiante. O caminho serpenteava e torcia entre os troncos de árvores enormes. Estava silencioso, escuro e sombrio.

En Doc sugeriu que talvez eles não devessem ir muito longe no caminho.

En Dick incentivou-os a ir um pouco mais longe, argumentando que eles sempre poderiam voltar e seguir o caminho de volta ao trem. Ele esperava que eles pudessem encontrar uma vila nativa, o que ele achava que seria maravilhoso.

En Alguém perguntou e se as pessoas de lá fossem canibais.

En O outro respondeu que canibais não existiam mais e perguntou se ele estava com medo.

En Doc insistiu que não estava com medo, falando com coragem forçada.

En Dick concordou e liderou o caminho por uma trilha estreita que mergulhava na densa e ameaçadora selva.

En Um pássaro de cores brilhantes voou sobre eles, assustando-os com sua presença repentina na floresta silenciosa. Pouco depois, o caminho estreito se abriu em uma trilha larga e bem usada.

En Doc exclamou aliviado que a trilha aberta era muito melhor, alegando que mal conseguia respirar no caminho apertado.

En Dick fez sinal para ele se calar e apontou urgentemente, sussurrando para Doc olhar.

En Doc observou um pequeno macaco sentado em um galho, observando-os com uma expressão séria. Logo ele começou a tagarelar, e mais dois macacos se juntaram a ele. Enquanto os meninos se aproximavam, os macacos recuavam, ainda fazendo barulho. Fascinados pelas criaturas brincalhonas, Dick e Doc continuaram a seguir. Mais macacos continuavam aparecendo, pulando de galho em galho e tagarelando animadamente.

En Dick comentou que, se seu primo Tarzan dos Macacos estivesse ali, ele saberia exatamente o que os macacos estavam dizendo.

En Doc sugeriu que eles pedissem a Tarzan para ensiná-los a entender os macacos.

En Um dos meninos expressou que seria maravilhoso conversar com os animais como Tarzan fazia, e desejou que os macacos os deixassem se aproximar mais.

En Os meninos continuaram andando, completamente cativados pelas travessuras dos macacos. Perderam a noção do tempo e da distância, esquecendo-se do trem e dos passageiros. Foi uma experiência extraordinária ver tantos macacos vivendo livremente na selva, assim como seus ancestrais haviam feito por séculos. Comparados a estes, os macacos do zoológico pareciam mansos e desinteressantes.

En Os meninos passaram por várias trilhas pequenas que se juntavam à trilha principal, mas estavam tão cativados pelo comportamento brincalhão dos macacos que não notaram essas trilhas laterais. Eles também não conseguiram ver um ramo da trilha principal que vinha da esquerda enquanto observavam os macacos nas árvores à sua direita.

En Eles talvez não estivessem muito longe do trem, mas por um tempo não pensaram nisso porque suas mentes estavam ocupadas com coisas mais interessantes. Enquanto seguiam a trilha sinuosa da caça, rindo dos macacos e tentando fazer amizade com eles, Dick sentiu uma voz interior calma — sua consciência — dizendo-lhe que era hora de voltar. Ele olhou para o relógio.

En Ele exclamou surpreso e os instou a olhar a hora, dizendo que deveriam voltar.

En Doc então olhou para o relógio e exclamou que eles definitivamente deveriam voltar porque já era quase hora do jantar. Ele perguntou a Dick até onde ele achava que tinham ido.

En Dick respondeu que não tinham ido muito longe, mas seu tom era incerto.

En Doc exclamou que apostava que seria maravilhoso lá à noite.

En Naquele exato momento, um som terrível emergiu do coração da selva. Começou como uma tosse e inchou até se tornar um rugido tremendo que fez o chão tremer. Os macaquinhos desapareceram instantaneamente, e um silêncio mais assustador do que o próprio rugido se instalou sobre a floresta escura.

En Os meninos instintivamente se amontoaram, olhando com medo na direção da fonte daquele barulho aterrorizante. Embora fossem corajosos, até homens valentes tremem quando aquela voz rompe o silêncio de uma noite africana. Portanto, não foi surpresa que eles se viraram e correram de volta pelo caminho por onde vieram, fugindo da origem daquele rugido estrondoso.

En Ainda correndo, eles chegaram à bifurcação no caminho, a mesma bifurcação por onde tinham passado descuidadamente antes. Ficaram confusos e hesitaram, mas apenas por um momento. Sendo jovens e cheios de confiança, partiram novamente rapidamente, correndo velozmente pela trilha incorreta.

Capítulo Dois

En Numa, o leão, vagava pela selva primitiva. Não estava com muita fome, pois só na noite anterior terminara de devorar a presa que matara dois dias antes. Ainda assim, não faria mal perambular pela selva por algumas horas e identificar uma nova vítima antes mesmo de sua fome se aguçar. Enquanto se movia majestosamente pela trilha familiar de caça, não fazia nenhuma tentativa de esconder sua presença, pois era o rei dos animais, e quem ousaria desafiar sua autoridade suprema?

En Ele se perguntou se havia alguém de quem ele tivesse que ter medo.

En Talvez pensamentos semelhantes tenham ocorrido a Numa, o leão, quando um odor no ar em movimento o fez parar de repente. Era o odor que sempre despertava ódio nele — o odor do homem. Pode ter despertado ódio em parte porque também provocava um pouco de medo, embora o rei não pudesse admitir o medo.

En Mas este cheiro era estranho e levemente diferente de qualquer um que ele havia notado no rastro dos gomangani (homens negros) ou dos mangani (grandes macacos). Ele tinha certeza de que não era nenhum desses; ainda assim, era o cheiro de homem, então ele seguiu pela trilha mais cuidadosamente, seus pés almofadados silenciosos. Onde antes ele havia rugido de raiva, agora ele estava quieto.

En Quando ele chegou ao local onde os meninos haviam voltado, fez uma pausa, cheirou e mexeu o rabo nervosamente; então começou a trotar ao longo da trilha deles, com a cabeça baixa e os sentidos aguçados. Com grandes músculos ondulando sob sua pele amarelada e sua juba negra fluindo, Numa, o leão, seguiu o cheiro.

Introducing the Tarzan Twins

Português

Os gêmeos Tarzan nasceram no mesmo dia, como é comum para gêmeos. Embora não fossem exatamente idênticos, eles se pareciam bastante. Por exemplo, Dick tinha cabelo muito preto, enquanto o cabelo de Doc era de uma cor ensolarada como caramelo de melaço. Seus narizes, olhos azuis, queixos e bocas eram os mesmos. No entanto, os olhos de Doc brilhavam mais e sua boca sorria mais do que os de Dick, porque as expressões de Dick eram mais internas. Mas por dentro, os meninos eram verdadeiramente parecidos.

Original English

The Tarzan Twins, like all well-behaved twins, were born on the same day and, although they were not as "alike as two peas," still they resembled one another quite closely enough to fulfil that particular requirement of twinship; but even there they commenced breaking the rules that have been governing twins during the past several millions of years, for Dick had a shock of the blackest sort of black hair, while Doc's hair was the sunny hue of molasses candy. Their noses were alike, their blue eyes were alike; alike were their chins and their mouths. Perhaps Doc's eyes twinkled more and his mouth smiled more than Dick's for Dick did much of his twinkling and smiling inside and inside the boys were very much alike, indeed.

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Português

De certa forma, os meninos quebraram todas as regras estabelecidas para gêmeos: Dick nasceu na Inglaterra e Doc na América. Esse fato imediatamente complica a história e demonstra claramente que eles não eram gêmeos de forma alguma.

Original English

But in one respect they shattered every rule that has been laid down for twins from the very beginning of time, for Dick had been born in England and Doc in America; a fact which upsets everything right at the beginning of the story and proves, without any shadow of a doubt, that they were not twins at all.

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Português

A razão para a impressionante semelhança e o apelido de Gêmeos Tarzan é simples. Suas mães eram irmãs gêmeas que se pareciam extremamente. Como cada menino puxou para sua própria mãe, os dois meninos acabaram se parecendo muito um com o outro.

Original English

Why then did they look so much alike and why did everyone call them the Tarzan Twins? One could almost start a guessing contest with a conundrum like this, but the trouble is that no one would guess the correct solution, though the answer is quite simple. Dick's mother and Doc's mother were sisters—twin sisters—and they looked so much alike that they looked more alike than two peas, and as each boy resembled his mother—the result was—they resembled each other.

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Português

Ambos os meninos tinham mães americanas. A mãe do Doc casou-se com um americano e permaneceu nos Estados Unidos, enquanto a mãe do Dick casou-se com um inglês e mudou-se com ele para a Inglaterra. Quando os meninos tiveram idade suficiente para o internato, seus pais criaram um plano inteligente: cada menino passaria metade de sua educação na América e metade na Inglaterra. No entanto, como a história mostrará, mesmo as melhores intenções podem dar errado — ninguém havia planejado que os meninos recebessem qualquer educação na África, mas o destino estava silenciosamente preparando-os para aprender mais nas selvas daquele continente do que qualquer livro didático poderia ensinar.

Original English

Their mothers were American girls. One of them married an American and stayed at home—that was Doc's mother; and the other married an Englishman and sailed away to live on another continent in another hemisphere—and she was Dick's mother. When the boys were old enough to go away to school their parents had a brilliant idea, which was that the boys should receive half of their education in America and half in England. And this story will prove that the best laid plans of mice and mothers sometimes go wrong, for no one planned that the boys should get any of their education in Africa, whereas, as a matter of fact, Fate was arranging that they should learn more in the jungles of the Dark Continent than was ever between the covers of any school book.

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Português

Aos catorze anos, Dick e Doc frequentavam uma prestigiada escola inglesa onde estudavam muitos futuros duques, condes e outras personalidades. Seus colegas notaram o quanto eles se pareciam e começaram a chamá-los de Os Gêmeos. Mais tarde, quando se soube que o pai de Dick era parente distante de Lord Greystoke, famoso em todo o mundo como Tarzan dos Macacos, os meninos passaram a se referir a eles como Os Gêmeos Tarzan. Foi assim que seu apelido surgiu e permaneceu.

Original English

When they were fourteen years old, Dick and Doc were attending an excellent English school where there were a great many future dukes and earls and arch-bishops and lord mayors, who, when they saw how much Dick and Doc resembled one another, called them "The Twins." Later, when they learned that Dick's father was distantly related to Lord Greystoke, who is famous all over the world as Tarzan of the Apes, the boys commenced to call Dick and Doc, "The Tarzan Twins"—so that is how the nickname grew and became attached to them.

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Português

Na linguagem dos grandes macacos, 'tar' significava branco e 'go' significava preto, então Doc, que tinha cabelo claro, ficou conhecido como Tarzan-tar, e Dick, com seu cabelo preto, foi chamado de Tarzan-go. No começo, os meninos gostavam desses nomes, mas logo outras crianças começaram a zombar deles porque eles não conseguiam subir em árvores muito bem e, embora fossem razoáveis nos esportes, não se destacavam. Incapazes de suportar serem ridicularizados mais do que qualquer garoto normal e animado suportaria, Dick e Doc decidiram viver à altura de seus novos nomes.

Original English

As everyone knows tar means white in the language of the great apes, and go means black, so Doc, with his light hair, was known as Tarzan-tar and Dick, whose hair was black, was called Tarzan-go. It was all right to be called Tarzan-tar and Tarzan-go, until the other boys began to make fun of them because they could climb trees no better than many another boy and, while they were fair in athletic sports, they did not excel. It was right there and then that Dick and Doc decided that they would live up to their new names, for they did not enjoy being laughed at and made fun of, any more than any other normal, red-blooded boy does.

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Português

É surpreendente o que um garoto pode alcançar quando decide, e assim não demorou muito para que Dick e Doc se tornassem excelentes em quase todas as atividades atléticas. Quando se tratava de subir em árvores, nem o próprio Tarzan teria motivos para se envergonhar deles. Embora seu desempenho acadêmico possa ter sofrido um pouco nos meses seguintes de esforço atlético, seus músculos certamente não sofreram. Quando as férias se aproximaram, os garotos se tornaram tão duros quanto pregos e tão ágeis quanto 'manus' — a palavra dos símios para macacos.

Original English

It is simply staggering to discover what a boy can accomplish if he makes up his mind to it and so it was not long before Dick and Doc did excel in nearly all athletic sports and when it came to climbing trees—well, Tarzan himself would have had no reason to be ashamed of them. Though their scholastic standing may have suffered a little in the following months of athletic effort, their muscles did not, and as vacation time approached, Dick and Doc had become as hard as nails and as active as a couple of manus, which you will know, if your education has not been neglected, is the ape-word for monkeys.

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Português

Então veio uma grande surpresa na forma de uma carta que Dick recebeu de sua mãe. Tarzan dos Macacos os havia convidado a visitá-lo e passar dois meses em sua vasta propriedade africana. Os garotos ficaram tão empolgados que ficaram conversando até as três da manhã e, como resultado, foram reprovados em todas as suas aulas no dia seguinte.

Original English

Then it was that the big surprise came in a letter that Dick received from his mother. Tarzan of the Apes had invited them all to visit him and spend two months on his great African estate! The boys were so excited that they talked until three o'clock the next morning and flunked in all their classes that day.

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Português

Os meninos conversaram até as três horas da manhã seguinte.

Original English

The boys talked until three o'clock the next morning.

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Português

Logo veio a decepção quando se soube que o pai de Dick, um oficial do exército, não conseguiu obter licença, e a mãe de Dick se recusou a viajar sem ele. Numerosas cartas e telegramas foram trocados entre Inglaterra, América e África, e os meninos fizeram apelos desesperados aos pais. No final, decidiu-se que os meninos iriam sozinhos, com Tarzan dos Macacos tendo prometido encontrá-los no final da linha ferroviária com cinquenta de seus próprios guerreiros Waziri, garantindo assim sua passagem segura pela África selvagem até a distante casa do homem-macaco. E assim chegamos ao início da nossa história.

Original English

The disappointment that followed later when it was learned that Dick's father, who was an army officer, could not get leave of absence and Dick's mother would not go without him; the letters and cablegrams that were exchanged between England and America, and England and Africa; the frantic appeals of the boys to their parents are interesting only in the result they effected; which was that the boys were to go by themselves, Tarzan of the Apes having promised to meet them at the end of the railway with fifty of his own Waziri warriors, thus assuring their safe passage through savage Africa to the far-away home of the ape-man. And this brings us to the beginning of our story.

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Chapter One

Português

Um trem serpenteava lentamente por montanhas verdes e através de uma planície gramada e salpicada de árvores. De uma janela do vagão, dois meninos animados observavam, determinados a não perder nada.

Original English

A train wound slowly through mountains whose rugged slopes were green with verdure and out across a rolling, grassy veldt, tree dotted. From a carriage window, two boys, eager-eyed, excited, kept constant vigil. If there was anything to be seen they were determined not to miss it, and they knew that there should be many things to see.

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Português

Dick disse cansado que desejava saber onde estavam os animais, pois não tinha visto nada desde o início da viagem.

Original English

"I'd like to know where all the animals are," said Dick, wearily. "I haven't seen a blamed thing since we started."

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Português

Doc respondeu que a África se assemelhava a pequenos circos que anunciam uma grande coleção de animais selvagens, mas na chegada oferecem apenas um leão sarnento e alguns elefantes surrados.

Original English

"Africa's just like all the one horse circuses," replied Doc. "They advertise the greatest collection of wild animals in captivity and when you get there all they have is a mangy lion and a couple of motheaten elephants."

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Português

Dick suspirou e se perguntou em voz alta se algum dia veriam um leão de verdade, um elefante ou algo do tipo.

Original English

"Golly! Wouldn't you like to see a real lion, or an elephant, or something?" sighed Dick.

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Português

De repente, Doc exclamou, instando o outro a olhar e perguntando se ele conseguia vê-los.

Original English

"Look! Look!" exclaimed Doc suddenly. "There! There! See 'em?"

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Português

Ao longe, uma pequena manada de springboks moveu-se rápida e graciosamente pelo veld, ocasionalmente saltando alto no ar. Depois que desapareceram, os meninos voltaram à sua espera vigilante.

Original English

In the distance a small herd of springbok ran swiftly and gracefully across the veldt, the dainty little animals occasionally leaping high into the air. As the animals disappeared the boys again relapsed into attitudes of watchful waiting.

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Português

Dick expressou o desejo de que os animais tivessem sido leões.

Original English

"I wish they'd been lions," said Dick.

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Português

O trem deixou o campo aberto e entrou em uma vasta e misteriosa floresta escura. Árvores imponentes cobertas de vinhas erguiam-se de uma vegetação rasteira emaranhada ao longo dos trilhos, escondendo tudo além daquela parede verde impenetrável. Isso aumentava o mistério da vida selvagem que poderia se mover silenciosamente atrás dela. Não havia sinal de vida; a floresta parecia sem vida.

Original English

The train, deserting the open country, entered a great forest, dark, gloomy, mysterious. Mighty trees, festooned with vines, rose from a tangle of riotous undergrowth along the right-of-way, hiding everything that lay beyond that impenetrable wall of flower-starred green,—a wall that added to the mystery of all that imagination could picture of the savage life moving silently behind it. There was no sign of life. The forest seemed like a dead thing.

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Português

À medida que as horas passavam, a monotonia pesava muito sobre os meninos.

Original English

The monotony of it, as the hours passed, weighed heavily upon the boys.

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Português

Doc disse que estava cansado de olhar para as árvores e queria praticar alguns truques de mágica, então pediu para Dick observar.

Original English

"Say," said Doc, "I'm getting tired of looking at trees. I'm going to practice some of my magic tricks. Look at this one, Dick."

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Português

Ele tirou um xelim de prata do bolso e o segurou, anunciando que era uma moeda de prata comum no valor de doze pence. Convidou a multidão a examiná-la e assegurou que era genuína, acrescentando que não tinha cúmplices. Em seguida, pediu que o observassem atentamente.

Original English

He drew a silver coin from his pocket, a shilling, and held it upon his open palm. "Ladies and gentlemen!" he declaimed. "We have here an ordinary silver shilling, worth twelve pence. Step right up and examine it, feel of it, bite it! You see that it is gen-u-ine. You will note that I have no accomplices. Now, ladies and gentlemen, watch me closely!"

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Português

Ele cobriu a moeda com a outra mão, juntou as mãos, soprou nelas e as ergueu acima da cabeça enquanto recitava algumas palavras mágicas. Quando abriu as mãos, a moeda havia desaparecido.

Original English

He placed his other palm over the coin, hiding it, clasped his hands, blew upon them, raised them above his head. "Abacadabra! Allo, presto, change cars and be gone! Now you see it, now you don't!" He opened his hands and held them palms up. The coin had vanished.

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Português

Dick bateu palmas e gritou de empolgação, como sempre fazia ao assistir a uma apresentação.

Original English

"Hurray!" shouted Dick, clapping his hands, as he had done a hundred times before, for Dick was always the audience.

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Português

Doc fez uma reverência e fingiu tirar a moeda da orelha de Dick. Então, empurrou um pedaço de lápis no punho fechado até que desaparecesse, recitou palavras mágicas e abriu a mão para revelar que o lápis havia sumido.

Original English

Doc bowed very low, reached out and took the coin from Dick's ear, or so he made it appear. Then into one clenched fist, between the thumb and first finger, he inserted the stub of a lead pencil, shoving it down until it was out of sight. "Abacadabra! Allo! Presto! Change cars and be gone! Now you see it, now you don't!" Doc opened his hand and the pencil was gone.

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Português

Dick bateu palmas e vibrou novamente, e os dois garotos caíram na gargalhada.

Original English

"Hurray!" shouted Dick, clapping his hands, and both boys broke into laughter.

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Português

Doc passou uma hora praticando truques de prestidigitação que havia aprendido, enquanto Dick fingia ser uma plateia entusiasmada. Qualquer coisa era melhor do que ficar olhando pelas janelas para a linha interminável de árvores silenciosas.

Original English

For an hour Doc practiced the several sleight of hand tricks he had mastered and Dick pretended to be an enthusiastic audience; anything was better than looking out of the windows at the endless row of silent trees.

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Português

Então, sem qualquer aviso, a monotonia foi quebrada por algo surpreendente. Houve um rangido de freios. A carruagem ferroviária pareceu saltar no ar, balançando e chacoalhando e batendo, jogando os dois meninos no chão. Exatamente quando eles pensaram que iria tombar, ela parou abruptamente, como se tivesse colidido com uma daquelas grandes árvores silenciosas.

Original English

Then, quite suddenly and without the slightest warning, the monotony was broken. Something happened. Something startling happened. There was a grinding of brakes. The railway carriage in which they rode seemed to leap into the air; it lurched and rocked and bumped, throwing both boys to the floor, and then, just as they were sure it was going to overturn, it came to a sudden stop, quite as though it had run into one of those great, silent trees.

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Português

Algo aconteceu.

Original English

Something happened.

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Português

Os meninos se levantaram rapidamente e olharam pelas janelas. Em seguida, apressaram-se para sair do vagão. Lá fora, viram passageiros agitados saindo do trem, fazendo perguntas animadas e atrapalhando todo mundo. Não demorou muito para eles descobrirem que o trem havia batido em um trilho defeituoso e saído dos trilhos, e que levaria muitas horas até que a viagem pudesse continuar.

Original English

The boys scrambled to their feet and looked out of the windows; then they hastened to get out of the car and when they reached the ground outside they saw excited passengers pouring from the train, asking excited questions, getting in everyone's way. It did not take Dick and Doc long to learn that the train, striking a defective rail, had run off the track and that it would be many hours before the journey could be resumed.

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Português

Por um tempo, eles ficaram com os outros passageiros, olhando distraidamente para os vagões descarrilados, mas essa distração logo perdeu o encanto, e eles voltaram a atenção para a selva. Ficar parado no chão e olhar para ela era bem diferente de vê-la através das janelas de um trem em movimento. Ela se tornou ao mesmo tempo mais interessante e mais misteriosa.

Original English

For a while they stood about with the other passengers idly looking at the derailed carriages but this diversion soon palled and they turned their attention toward the jungle. Standing quietly upon the ground and looking at it was quite different from viewing it through the windows of a moving train. It became at once more interesting and more mysterious.

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Português

Dick expressou curiosidade sobre como poderia ser o interior.

Original English

"I wonder what it is like in there," remarked Dick.

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Português

Doc comentou que parecia assustador.

Original English

"It looks spooky," said Doc.

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Português

Dick expressou o desejo de entrar e ver por si mesmo.

Original English

"I'd like to go in and see," said Dick.

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Português

Doc concordou que também gostaria de fazer isso.

Original English

"So would I," said Doc.

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Português

Ele argumentou que não havia perigo, pois não tinham encontrado nada prejudicial desde sua chegada à África.

Original English

"There isn't any danger—we haven't seen a thing that could hurt a flea since we landed in Africa."

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Português

Eles concordaram que não se aventurariam muito fundo.

Original English

"And we wouldn't go in very far."

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Português

Dick os incentivou a prosseguir.

Original English

"Come on," said Dick.

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Português

A voz de um homem os chamou, perguntando para onde os meninos estavam indo.

Original English

"Hi, there!" called a man's voice. "Where you boys goin'?"

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Português

Virando-se, eles notaram um guarda de trem que estava passando.

Original English

They turned to see one of the train guards who chanced to be passing.

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Português

Doc respondeu que eles não estavam indo a lugar nenhum.

Original English

"Nowhere," said Doc.

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Português

O homem os aconselhou a não entrar na selva em hipótese alguma, alertando que eles se perderiam rapidamente, e então continuou andando em direção à frente do trem.

Original English

"Well whatever you do, don't go into the jungle," cautioned the man, moving on toward the head of the train. "You'd be lost in no time."

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Português

Dick expressou incredulidade, sugerindo que o homem pensava que eles eram tolos.

Original English

"Lost!" scoffed Dick. "He must think we're a couple of zanies."

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Português

A proibição os deixou ainda mais ansiosos para entrar na selva, mas como muitas pessoas estavam no lado do trem onde eles estavam, eles esperavam ser impedidos se tentassem entrar abertamente.

Original English

Now that someone had told them that they must not go into the jungle, they wanted to go much more than they had before, but as there were many people upon this side of the train, they were quite sure that someone else would stop them, should they attempt to enter the jungle in plain view of passengers and train crew.

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Português

Eles caminharam até a parte de trás do trem e contornaram para o outro lado, onde não havia ninguém. Diante deles havia uma abertura na vegetação densa, que em outros lugares formava uma barreira para a terra misteriosa além das árvores. Dick verificou ambas as extremidades do trem e não viu ninguém.

Original English

Slowly they sauntered to the rear end of the train and passed around it onto the opposite side. There was no one here and right in front of them was what appeared to be an opening through the tangled vegetation that elsewhere seemed to block the way into that mysterious hinterland that lay beyond the solid ranks of guardian trees. Dick glanced quickly up and down the train. There was no one in sight.

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Português

Ele sugeriu que eles dessem uma olhada rápida lá dentro.

Original English

"Come on," he said, "let's just take a little peek."

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Português

A apenas um passo da abertura, eles encontraram um caminho estreito que virava bruscamente à direita após alguns passos. Os meninos pararam e olharam para trás. A ferrovia, o trem e os passageiros estavam completamente escondidos, como se estivessem a quilômetros de distância, embora ainda pudessem ouvir o murmúrio de vozes. À frente, o caminho virava à esquerda. Eles avançaram para ver além da curva, mas havia outra curva adiante. O caminho serpenteava e torcia entre os troncos de árvores enormes. Estava silencioso, escuro e sombrio.

Original English

It was only a step to the opening, which proved to be a narrow path that turned abruptly to the right after they had followed it a few paces. The boys stopped and looked back. The right-of-way, the train, the passengers—all were as completely hidden from view as though they had been miles and miles away, but they could still hear the hum of voices. Ahead the little path turned toward the left and the boys advanced, just to look around the turn; but beyond the turn was another. The path was a very winding one, turning and twisting its way among the boles of huge trees; it was quiet and dark and gloomy.

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Português

Doc sugeriu que talvez eles não devessem ir muito longe no caminho.

Original English

"Perhaps we'd better not go in too far," suggested Doc.

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Português

Dick incentivou-os a ir um pouco mais longe, argumentando que eles sempre poderiam voltar e seguir o caminho de volta ao trem. Ele esperava que eles pudessem encontrar uma vila nativa, o que ele achava que seria maravilhoso.

Original English

"Oh, let's go a little way farther," urged Dick. "We can always turn around and follow the path back to the train. Maybe we'll come to a native village. Gee! wouldn't that be great?"

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Português

Alguém perguntou e se as pessoas de lá fossem canibais.

Original English

"Suppose they were cannibals?"

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Português

O outro respondeu que canibais não existiam mais e perguntou se ele estava com medo.

Original English

"Oh, shucks! There aren't any cannibals any more. You afraid?"

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Português

Doc insistiu que não estava com medo, falando com coragem forçada.

Original English

"Who me? Of course I'm not afraid," said Doc, valiantly.

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Português

Dick concordou e liderou o caminho por uma trilha estreita que mergulhava na densa e ameaçadora selva.

Original English

"All right then, come ahead," and Dick led the way along the little path that bored into the depths of the mighty, frowning jungle.

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Português

Um pássaro de cores brilhantes voou sobre eles, assustando-os com sua presença repentina na floresta silenciosa. Pouco depois, o caminho estreito se abriu em uma trilha larga e bem usada.

Original English

A bird with brilliant plumage flew just above them, giving them a little start, so silent and deserted the forest had seemed, and a moment later the little path led them into a wide, well-beaten trail.

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Português

Doc exclamou aliviado que a trilha aberta era muito melhor, alegando que mal conseguia respirar no caminho apertado.

Original English

"Golly!" exclaimed Doc, "this is more like it. Say, I could scarcely breathe in that little path."

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Português

Dick fez sinal para ele se calar e apontou urgentemente, sussurrando para Doc olhar.

Original English

"Sst! Look!" whispered Dick, pointing.

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Português

Doc observou um pequeno macaco sentado em um galho, observando-os com uma expressão séria. Logo ele começou a tagarelar, e mais dois macacos se juntaram a ele. Enquanto os meninos se aproximavam, os macacos recuavam, ainda fazendo barulho. Fascinados pelas criaturas brincalhonas, Dick e Doc continuaram a seguir. Mais macacos continuavam aparecendo, pulando de galho em galho e tagarelando animadamente.

Original English

Doc looked and saw a little monkey solemnly surveying them from the branch of a nearby tree. Presently it began to chatter and a moment later it was joined by a second and then a third little monkey. As the boys approached the monkeys retreated, still chattering and scolding. They were cute little fellows and Dick and Doc followed in an effort to get closer, and, all the time, more and more monkeys appeared. They ran through the trees, jumping from branch to branch; skipping about, jabbering excitedly.

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Português

Dick comentou que, se seu primo Tarzan dos Macacos estivesse ali, ele saberia exatamente o que os macacos estavam dizendo.

Original English

"If my cousin, Tarzan of the Apes, were here, he'd know just what they were saying," said Dick.

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Português

Doc sugeriu que eles pedissem a Tarzan para ensiná-los a entender os macacos.

Original English

"Let's get him to teach us," suggested Doc.

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Português

Um dos meninos expressou que seria maravilhoso conversar com os animais como Tarzan fazia, e desejou que os macacos os deixassem se aproximar mais.

Original English

"Wouldn't it be fun to be able to talk to the animals, the way he does? Gee! I wish they'd let us get a little closer."

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Português

Os meninos continuaram andando, completamente cativados pelas travessuras dos macacos. Perderam a noção do tempo e da distância, esquecendo-se do trem e dos passageiros. Foi uma experiência extraordinária ver tantos macacos vivendo livremente na selva, assim como seus ancestrais haviam feito por séculos. Comparados a estes, os macacos do zoológico pareciam mansos e desinteressantes.

Original English

On and on the boys went, their whole attention absorbed by the antics of the little monkeys; forgetting time and distance, trains, passengers; forgetting all the world in this wonderful experience of seeing hundreds of real, live monkeys living their own natural life in the jungle, just as their forefathers had lived for ages and ages. How tame and uninteresting and pathetic seemed the poor little monkeys that they had seen in zoos.

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Português

Os meninos passaram por várias trilhas pequenas que se juntavam à trilha principal, mas estavam tão cativados pelo comportamento brincalhão dos macacos que não notaram essas trilhas laterais. Eles também não conseguiram ver um ramo da trilha principal que vinha da esquerda enquanto observavam os macacos nas árvores à sua direita.

Original English

The boys passed several little trails running into the bigger one, but so wholly was their attention held by the antics of their new friends that they did not notice these, nor did they note a branch of the big trail that came in behind them from their left while they were watching some of the monkeys in the trees at their right.

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Português

Eles talvez não estivessem muito longe do trem, mas por um tempo não pensaram nisso porque suas mentes estavam ocupadas com coisas mais interessantes. Enquanto seguiam a trilha sinuosa da caça, rindo dos macacos e tentando fazer amizade com eles, Dick sentiu uma voz interior calma — sua consciência — dizendo-lhe que era hora de voltar. Ele olhou para o relógio.

Original English

Perhaps they were not very far from the train. They did not think about it at once, for their minds were occupied with more interesting things than trains. Presently, however, as they followed the winding of the broad game trail, laughing at the antics of the monkeys and trying to make friends with them, a still, small voice seemed to whisper something into the ear of Dick. It was that old spoil-sport, Conscience, and what it said was: "Better start back! Better start back!" Dick glanced at his watch.

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Português

Ele exclamou surpreso e os instou a olhar a hora, dizendo que deveriam voltar.

Original English

"Gee!" he exclaimed. "Look what time it is! We'd better start back."

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Português

Doc então olhou para o relógio e exclamou que eles definitivamente deveriam voltar porque já era quase hora do jantar. Ele perguntou a Dick até onde ele achava que tinham ido.

Original English

And then Doc looked at his watch. "Golly!" he cried; "I'll say we ought to start back, it's almost dinner time. How far do you suppose we've come?"

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Português

Dick respondeu que não tinham ido muito longe, mas seu tom era incerto.

Original English

"Oh, not very far," replied Dick, but his tone was not very positive.

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Português

Doc exclamou que apostava que seria maravilhoso lá à noite.

Original English

"Say, I'll bet it would be great in here at night," cried Doc.

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Português

Naquele exato momento, um som terrível emergiu do coração da selva. Começou como uma tosse e inchou até se tornar um rugido tremendo que fez o chão tremer. Os macaquinhos desapareceram instantaneamente, e um silêncio mais assustador do que o próprio rugido se instalou sobre a floresta escura.

Original English

Just at that instant, from the heart of the jungle, a sound broke the peace of the forest—a terrible sound that started with a coughing noise and grew in volume until it became a terrific roar that made the ground tremble. Instantly the little monkeys disappeared as though by magic and a silence, more fearful than the awful voice, settled upon the dark and gloomy wood.

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Português

Os meninos instintivamente se amontoaram, olhando com medo na direção da fonte daquele barulho aterrorizante. Embora fossem corajosos, até homens valentes tremem quando aquela voz rompe o silêncio de uma noite africana. Portanto, não foi surpresa que eles se viraram e correram de volta pelo caminho por onde vieram, fugindo da origem daquele rugido estrondoso.

Original English

Instinctively the boys drew close together, looking fearfully in the direction from which that fearsome sound had come. They were brave boys; but brave men tremble when that voice breaks the silence of an African night. Little wonder, then, that they turned and fled into the direction from which they had come, away from the author of that rumbling roar.

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Português

Ainda correndo, eles chegaram à bifurcação no caminho, a mesma bifurcação por onde tinham passado descuidadamente antes. Ficaram confusos e hesitaram, mas apenas por um momento. Sendo jovens e cheios de confiança, partiram novamente rapidamente, correndo velozmente pela trilha incorreta.

Original English

And, still running, they came to the fork in the trail, the fork that they had passed, careless and unheeding, a short time before. Here they were bewildered and here they hesitated. But only for a moment. They were young and possessed all the assurance of youth, so off they went again running swiftly along the wrong trail.

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Chapter Two

Português

Numa, o leão, vagava pela selva primitiva. Não estava com muita fome, pois só na noite anterior terminara de devorar a presa que matara dois dias antes. Ainda assim, não faria mal perambular pela selva por algumas horas e identificar uma nova vítima antes mesmo de sua fome se aguçar. Enquanto se movia majestosamente pela trilha familiar de caça, não fazia nenhuma tentativa de esconder sua presença, pois era o rei dos animais, e quem ousaria desafiar sua autoridade suprema?

Original English

Numa, the lion, hunted through the jungle primeval. He was not ravenously hungry, as only the night before he had finished devouring the kill he had made two days ago. However, it would do no harm to rove the jungle for a few hours and mark down a new prey even before the pangs of hunger became sharp. As he moved majestically along the familiar game trail, he made no effort to hide his presence, for was he not the king of beasts? Who was there to dispute his supreme power?

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Português

Ele se perguntou se havia alguém de quem ele tivesse que ter medo.

Original English

Of whom need he be afraid?

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Português

Talvez pensamentos semelhantes tenham ocorrido a Numa, o leão, quando um odor no ar em movimento o fez parar de repente. Era o odor que sempre despertava ódio nele — o odor do homem. Pode ter despertado ódio em parte porque também provocava um pouco de medo, embora o rei não pudesse admitir o medo.

Original English

Perhaps these very thoughts were in the mind of Numa, when, borne upon the air that moved down the tunnel-like trail, a scent filled his nostrils that brought him to a sudden stop. It was the scent that ever aroused hatred in the heart of Numa—it was the scent of man! Perhaps it aroused hatred because of the fact that it engendered a little fear as well, though fear was something that the king could not admit.

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Português

Mas este cheiro era estranho e levemente diferente de qualquer um que ele havia notado no rastro dos gomangani (homens negros) ou dos mangani (grandes macacos). Ele tinha certeza de que não era nenhum desses; ainda assim, era o cheiro de homem, então ele seguiu pela trilha mais cuidadosamente, seus pés almofadados silenciosos. Onde antes ele havia rugido de raiva, agora ele estava quieto.

Original English

But there was something strange, something a little different in this scent than in anything he had ever noticed in the scent spoor of the gomangani. It differed from the scent spoor of the negro quite as much as their scent differed from that of the mangani, or great apes. He was sure then that it was neither gomangani, the black man or (great black ape), or mangani, whose odor was wafted down to him; but of one thing Numa was certain, the odor was that of man, and so he moved along the trail, but more carefully now, his great, padded feet making no sound. Once, in the freshness of his first anger, he had roared forth his challenge; now he was silent.

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Português

Quando ele chegou ao local onde os meninos haviam voltado, fez uma pausa, cheirou e mexeu o rabo nervosamente; então começou a trotar ao longo da trilha deles, com a cabeça baixa e os sentidos aguçados. Com grandes músculos ondulando sob sua pele amarelada e sua juba negra fluindo, Numa, o leão, seguiu o cheiro.

Original English

When he came to the spot where the boys had stopped before they turned back, he paused and sniffed the air, his tail moving nervously from side to side; then he started at a trot along their trail, head flattened and every sense alert. The great muscles moving in supple waves beneath his tawny hide, his tufted tail held just above the ground, his black mane rippling in the gentle breeze, Numa, the lion, followed the scent spoor of his prey.

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Glossary: New Words

Words introduced by the simplified reading. Each entry shows up to five real sentences from this book; every Back to B1 link opens the exact sentence in the simplified version.

achieve əˈtʃiːv (1)

Português: alcançar

Simple English: To successfully do or finish something.

Example: She worked hard to achieve her goal.

Uses in this book:

1. When boys decide to do something, they can achieve a lot. Back to B1

actions ˈækʃənz (1)

Português: ações

Simple English: Things that someone does.

Example: His actions woke up Kwamudi.

Uses in this book:

1. The boys continued walking, completely focused on the monkeys' playful actions. Back to B1

anymore ˌɛniˈmɔːr (2)

Português: mais

Simple English: No longer; not now.

Example: I don't live there anymore.

Uses in this book:

1. The other boy replied that there were no cannibals anymore and asked if he was afraid. Back to B1

2. Dick said he did not think there were any cannibals anymore.

arriving əˈraɪvɪŋ (2)

Português: chegando

Simple English: To come to a place.

Example: The prisoner was arriving in the village.

Uses in this book:

1. He explained that there was no danger because they had not seen anything that could harm them since arriving in Africa. Back to B1

2. Dick was surprised and said that many more enemies were arriving.

brightly ˈbraɪtli (1)

Português: brilhantemente

Simple English: With a lot of light or color.

Example: The stars shone brightly in the sky.

Uses in this book:

1. A brightly colored bird flew above them, surprising them because the forest had seemed so quiet. Back to B1

brown braʊn (2)

Português: marrom

Simple English: a color like dark orange or red

Example: The brown dog is very friendly.

Uses in this book:

1. For example, Dick had very black hair, but Doc's hair was light brown like molasses candy. Back to B1

2. Their faces were brown from the sun but turned pale with fear.

clapped klæpt (3)

Português: bateu palmas

Simple English: Hit hands together to show approval.

Example: They clapped after the performance.

Uses in this book:

1. Dick clapped his hands and shouted "Hurray!". Back to B1

2. Dick shouted "Hurray!" again and clapped his hands. Back to B1

3. Doc clapped his hands together and blew on them, then raised them over his head.

clear /klɪr/ (3)

Português: claro; desobstruído; limpar

Simple English: To remove unwanted objects or items from a place.

Example: Please clear your desk before the meeting starts.

Uses in this book:

1. Soon, the small path led them to a wide, clear trail. Back to B1

2. It was clear that whatever it was wanted to stay hidden because it was moving very quietly.

3. As the youth came nearer, part of the shadow became clear.

compared kəmˈpɛrd (2)

Português: comparado

Simple English: looked at two things to find differences or similarities

Example: He compared the prices before buying.

Uses in this book:

1. The monkeys they saw in zoos seemed boring and sad compared to these. Back to B1

2. Dick asked what it was not too bad compared to.

confused /kənˈfjuːzd/ (3)

Português: confuso; confundido; baralhado

Simple English: Feeling uncertain because something is unclear or hard understand.

Example: He felt confused after reading the instructions multiple times without clarity.

Uses in this book:

1. They were confused and stopped for a moment. Back to B1

2. He pointed to Dick, then to himself, and walked around looking confused.

3. When the Bagalla saw Tarzan and his warriors, they became confused.

connection /kəˈnɛkʃən/ (1)

Português: conexão; ligação; relação

Simple English: Transport taken after another to continue a journey smoothly.

Example: We have a connection in Paris before reaching Rome.

Uses in this book:

1. Because of this connection, the boys began to call Dick and Doc "The Tarzan Twins." This is how they got their nickname. Back to B1

corner ˈkɔːrnər (1)

Português: esquina

Simple English: The place where two sides meet.

Example: They looked around the corner but saw another turn.

Uses in this book:

1. They walked a little to look around the corner, but there was another turn. Back to B1

cough kɒf (1)

Português: tosse

Simple English: a sudden noise from the throat to clear it

Example: D'Arnot made a small cough.

Uses in this book:

1. It started like a cough and became a loud roar that shook the ground. Back to B1

damaged ˈdæmɪdʒd (2)

Português: danificado

Simple English: broken or harmed

Example: The damaged car needs repairs.

Uses in this book:

1. For a short time, the boys looked at the damaged train cars with the other passengers. Back to B1

2. The women had strange, damaged faces and ears, and their teeth were filed to sharp points, like Zopinga's.

decide dɪˈsaɪd (1)

Português: decidir

Simple English: To choose something after thinking.

Example: They decided how many people would go.

Uses in this book:

1. When boys decide to do something, they can achieve a lot. Back to B1

decision dɪˈsɪʒən (1)

Português: decisão

Simple English: A choice made after thinking.

Example: A decision was made after many letters and calls.

Uses in this book:

1. After many letters and calls between England, America, and Africa, and the boys' strong requests, a decision was made. Back to B1

deep /diːp/ (3)

Português: profundo; fundo; funda

Simple English: (Of a color) showing darkness and intensity.

Example: He chose a deep green for his bedroom walls to create a cozy feel.

Uses in this book:

1. Dick told Doc to follow him, and Dick led the way on a small path into the deep, dark jungle. Back to B1

2. Finally, they were so tired that they fell into a sleep that was not deep.

3. Soon, they were sure they heard a very loud, deep sound coming from the dark jungle.

ensure /ɛnˈʃʊr/ (1)

Português: garantir; assegurar; certifique

Simple English: To guarantee that something will take place or be true.

Example: We need to ensure that all safety protocols are followed during the event.

Uses in this book:

1. Tarzan of the Apes promised to meet them at the end of the train line with fifty of his warriors to ensure they traveled safely through wild Africa to his home. Back to B1

focused ˈfoʊkəst (1)

Português: concentrados

Simple English: giving full attention to something

Example: She was focused on her homework.

Uses in this book:

1. The boys continued walking, completely focused on the monkeys' playful actions. Back to B1

foolish ˈfuːlɪʃ (2)

Português: tolo

Simple English: Not smart or showing bad judgment.

Example: It was foolish to forget his homework.

Uses in this book:

1. Dick thought the man was wrong and that they were not foolish enough to get lost. Back to B1

2. The speaker said they were not foolish, just sensible.

group ɡruːp (4)

Português: grupo

Simple English: several people or things together

Example: A group of friends went to the park.

Uses in this book:

1. A small group of springbok ran quickly and beautifully across the open land. Back to B1

2. The group of four went quickly into the very dark place outside.

3. Ukundo, who was very skilled in the jungle, led the small group.

4. Indeed, a very large group of strong, fierce warriors with waving feathers came out of the forest.

Hate /heɪt/ (1)

Português: odeio; odiar; ódio

Simple English: Strong dislike or aversion toward someone or something.

Example: I hate it when it rains on the weekend.

Uses in this book:

1. This smell made Numa hate and also feel a little afraid. Back to B1

imagine ɪˈmædʒɪn (1)

Português: imaginar

Simple English: To think about a picture or idea in your mind.

Example: Fahd began to imagine a life of luxury.

Uses in this book:

1. This green wall hid everything beyond it and made people imagine wild animals moving silently behind it. Back to B1

important ɪmˈpɔːrtənt (7)

Português: importante

Simple English: Something that matters a lot.

Example: Other animals were not important to him.

Uses in this book:

1. When Dick and Doc were fourteen, they went to a good school in England with many important boys. Back to B1

2. He thought learning the language was important.

3. Doc liked Bulala's idea and told him to say that he was going to make some very important medicine.

4. One important thing they understood better was their idea of Black people.

5. He spoke in English, and even though no one understood him, it made his words seem more important.

main meɪn (3)

Português: principal

Simple English: the most important or biggest

Example: They followed the main road to get there.

Uses in this book:

1. They also did not see a path that joined the main trail from their left while they were watching the monkeys in the trees on their right. Back to B1

2. They did not want to eat caterpillars, which seemed to be a main food for the monkeys.

3. He said the main celebration would be the following night.

okay oʊˈkeɪ (4)

Português: tudo bem

Simple English: Everything is all right.

Example: Is everything okay with the car?

Uses in this book:

1. At first, this was okay. Back to B1

2. Doc asked Dick if he was okay.

3. Dick replied that he was fine and asked Doc if he was okay too.

4. Dick said he knew they would be okay.

plants plænts (4)

Português: plantas

Simple English: living things like trees and flowers

Example: The garden has many different plants.

Uses in this book:

1. Tall trees covered with vines grew from thick plants along the side of the track. Back to B1

2. In front of them, it looked like an opening in the plants that blocked the way to the jungle. Back to B1

3. Just before the boys appeared, the warrior stepped behind the green jungle plants.

4. He often took shortcuts and found paths through thick plants by crawling.

playful ˈpleɪfəl (1)

Português: brincalhão

Simple English: Full of fun and games.

Example: The puppy was very playful with the children.

Uses in this book:

1. The boys continued walking, completely focused on the monkeys' playful actions. Back to B1

return rɪˈtɜrn (5)

Português: voltar

Simple English: To go back to a place.

Example: He said they could return to the train if needed.

Uses in this book:

1. He said they could return to the train if needed and hoped they might find a native village. Back to B1

2. Dick told Bulala to say they were on a train, got lost in the jungle, and wanted to return to the railway.

3. Afterwards, Bulala said that the chief wanted their clothes but would give them other clothes in return.

4. Someone said they would return very soon.

5. Someone said it was good, but warned that if they did not return quickly, the "big medicine" would be angry and might do something bad to them.

sad sæd (5)

Português: triste

Simple English: feeling unhappy or sorrowful

Example: She was sad after hearing the bad news.

Uses in this book:

1. The monkeys they saw in zoos seemed boring and sad compared to these. Back to B1

2. The boys continued walking quietly, thinking sad thoughts.

3. Watching the fierce people, they felt sad and worried, even though they tried not to.

4. They felt happier because the dark jungle had made them feel sad for many days.

5. They only realized how sad they were when they reached the open space.

scared skɛərd (8)

Português: com medo

Simple English: Feeling afraid or frightened.

Example: The man felt scared and helpless when he thought about their serious situation.

Uses in this book:

1. The boys stood close together, looking scared towards the sound. Back to B1

2. He explained that he would be less scared if he knew it was a lion, but he was very afraid because he did not know what it was.

3. But when people whispered that Galla Galla was very curious to know if the powerful magic was really in Paabu's head, Paabu became very scared.

4. Doc was very scared and said that they would kill him.

5. He added that if Intamo thought they ate the poisoned food but did not die, he would be scared and find another way to kill them unless their medicine was very strong.

schoolwork ˈskulˌwɜrk (1)

Português: trabalho escolar

Simple English: Homework or tasks done for school.

Example: Their schoolwork might have suffered a little.

Uses in this book:

1. Their schoolwork might have suffered a little, but their bodies became very fit. Back to B1

similar ˈsɪmɪlər (4)

Português: semelhante

Simple English: Almost the same but not exactly.

Example: They looked very similar.

Uses in this book:

1. They looked very similar, but not exactly the same. Back to B1

2. Doc's eyes and mouth seemed to smile and twinkle a little more than Dick's, but inside, they were very similar. Back to B1

3. Dick sighed and asked if they would like to see a real lion, elephant, or something similar. Back to B1

4. Dick suggested, weakly, that they might be lions or something similar.

split /splɪt/ (1)

Português: dividir; divisão; rachar

Simple English: To divide into parts or separate sections or groups.

Example: We need to split the group into smaller teams for the project.

Uses in this book:

1. While still running, they reached a place where the path split into two. Back to B1

students ˈstjuːdənts (1)

Português: estudantes

Simple English: people who learn at school or university

Example: The students asked many questions during the lesson.

Uses in this book:

1. The other students saw how much they looked alike and started calling them "The Twins." Later, they found out that Dick's father was related to Lord Greystoke, who was famously known as Tarzan of the Apes. Back to B1

study ˈstʌdi (1)

Português: estudar

Simple English: To learn about a subject carefully.

Example: She wants to study the stars.

Uses in this book:

1. When the boys were old enough for school, their parents decided they should study in both America and England. Back to B1

Tall tɔl (2)

Português: alto

Simple English: Higher than normal in height.

Example: Tall trees covered with vines grew.

Uses in this book:

1. Tall trees covered with vines grew from thick plants along the side of the track. Back to B1

2. Even though he was a grown man, he was only as tall as the twins' shoulders.

thin θɪn (1)

Português: magro

Simple English: Having little fat or not thick.

Example: They had a thin lion and old elephants.

Uses in this book:

1. He said they often advertised many wild animals, but only had a few, like a thin lion and old elephants. Back to B1

twinkle ˈtwɪŋkəl (1)

Português: brilhar

Simple English: To shine with a small, quick light.

Example: His eyes seemed to smile and twinkle.

Uses in this book:

1. Doc's eyes and mouth seemed to smile and twinkle a little more than Dick's, but inside, they were very similar. Back to B1