tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第38节
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thorny enclosure； Mugambi was wont to stretch himself in the shade of his
shelter during the heat of the day； and sleep in peaceful security until the
declining sun carried with it the enervating temperature of midday。
Watching from above； Chulk saw the black warrior stretched thus in
the unconsciousness of sleep one sultry afternoon。 Creeping out upon an
overhanging branch the anthropoid dropped to the ground within the boma。
He approached the sleeper upon padded feet which gave forth no sound；
and with an uncanny woodcraft that rustled not a leaf or a grass blade。
Pausing beside the man； the ape bent over and examined his
belongings。 Great as was the strength of Chulk there lay in the back of
his little brain a something which deterred him from arousing the man to
combata sense that is inherent in all the lower orders； a strange fear of
man； that rules even the most powerful of the jungle creatures at times。
To remove Mugambi's loin cloth without awakening him would be
impossible； and the only detachable things were the knob…stick and the
pouch； which had fallen from the black's shoulder as he rolled in sleep。
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Seizing these two articles； as better than nothing at all； Chulk retreated
with haste； and every indication of nervous terror； to the safety of the tree
from which he had dropped； and； still haunted by that indefinable terror
which the close proximity of man awakened in his breast； fled
precipitately through the jungle。 Aroused by attack； or supported by the
presence of another of his kind； Chulk could have braved the presence of a
score of human beings； but aloneah； that was a different matteralone；
and unenraged。
It was some time after Mugambi awoke that he missed the pouch。
Instantly he was all excitement。 What could have become of it？ It had
been at his side when he lay down to sleepof that he was certain； for had
he not pushed it from beneath him when its bulging bulk； pressing against
his ribs； caused him discomfort？ Yes； it had been there when he lay
down to sleep。 How then had it vanished？
Mugambi's savage imagination was filled with visions of the spirits of
departed friends and enemies； for only to the machinations of such as
these could he attribute the disappearance of his pouch and knob…stick in
the first excitement of the discovery of their loss； but later and more
careful investigation； such as his woodcraft made possible； revealed
indisputable evidence of a more material explanation than his excited
fancy and superstition had at first led him to accept。
In the trampled turf beside him was the faint impress of huge； manlike
feet。 Mugambi raised his brows as the truth dawned upon him。 Hastily
leaving the boma he searched in all directions about the enclosure for
some farther sign of the tell…tale spoor。 He climbed trees and sought for
evidence of the direction of the thief's flight； but the faint signs left by a
wary ape who elects to travel through the trees eluded the woodcraft of
Mugambi。 Tarzan might have followed them； but no ordinary mortal
could perceive them； or perceiving； translate。
The black； now strengthened and refreshed by his rest； felt ready to set
out again for Waziri； and finding himself another knob…stick； turned his
back upon the river and plunged into the mazes of the jungle。
As Taglat struggled with the bonds which secured the ankles and
wrists of his captive； the great lion that eyed the two from behind a nearby
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clump of bushes wormed closer to his intended prey。
The ape's back was toward the lion。 He did not see the broad head；
fringed by its rough mane； protruding through the leafy wall。 He could
not know that the powerful hind paws were gathering close beneath the
tawny belly preparatory to a sudden spring； and his first intimation of
impending danger was the thunderous and triumphant roar which the
charging lion could no longer suppress。
Scarce pausing for a backward glance； Taglat abandoned the
unconscious woman and fled in the opposite direction from the horrid
sound which had broken in so unexpected and terrifying a manner upon
his startled ears； but the warning had come too late to save him； and the
lion； in his second bound； alighted full upon the broad shoulders of the
anthropoid。
As the great bull went down there was awakened in him to the full all
the cunning； all the ferocity； all the physical prowess which obey the
mightiest of the fundamental laws of nature； the law of self…preservation；
and turning upon his back he closed with the carnivore in a death struggle
so fearless and abandoned； that for a moment the great Numa himself may
have trembled for the outcome。
Seizing the lion by the mane； Taglat buried his yellowed fangs deep in
the monster's throat； growling hideously through the muffled gag of blood
and hair。 Mixed with the ape's voice the lion's roars of rage and pain
reverberated through the jungle； till the lesser creatures of the wild；
startled from their peaceful pursuits； scurried fearfully away。
Rolling over and over upon the turf the two battled with demoniac fury；
until the colossal cat； by doubling his hind paws far up beneath his belly
sank his talons deep into Taglat's chest； then； ripping downward with all
his strength； Numa accomplished his design； and the disemboweled
anthropoid； with a last spasmodic struggle； relaxed in limp and bloody
dissolution beneath his titanic adversary。
Scrambling to his feet； Numa looked about quickly in all directions； as
though seeking to detect the possible presence of other foes； but only the
still and unconscious form of the girl； lying a few paces from him met his
gaze； and with an angry growl he placed a forepaw upon the body of his
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kill and raising his head gave voice to his savage victory cry。
For another moment he stood with fierce eyes roving to and fro about
the clearing。 At last they halted for a second time upon the girl。 A low
growl rumbled from the lion's throat。 His lower jaw rose and fell； and
the slaver drooled and dripped upon the dead face of Taglat。
Like two yellow…green augurs； wide and unblinking； the terrible eyes
remained fixed upon Jane Clayton。 The erect and majestic pose of the
great frame shrank suddenly into a sinister crouch as； slowly and gently as
one who treads on eggs； the devil…faced cat crept forward toward the girl。
Beneficent Fate maintained her in happy unconsciousness of the dread
presence sneaking stealthily upon her。 She did not know when the lion
paused at her side。 She did not hear the sniffing of his nostrils as he
smelled about her。 She did not feel the heat of the fetid breath upon her
face； nor the dripping of the saliva from the frightful jaws half opened so
close above her。
Finally the lion lifted a forepaw and turned the body of the girl half
over； then he stood again eyeing her as though still undetermined whether
life was extinct or not。 Some noise or odor from the nearby jungle
attracted his attention for a moment。 His eyes did not again return to
Jane Clayton； and presently he left her； walked over to the remains of
Taglat； and crouching down upon his kill with his back toward the girl；
proceeded to devour the ape。
It was upon this scene that Jane Clayton at last opened her eyes。
Inured to danger； she maintained her self…possession in the face of the
startling surprise which her new…f
