tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第9节
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swoon。
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
6
The Arab Raid
After their first terror had subsided subsequent to the shock of the
earthquake； Basuli and his warriors hastened back into the passageway in
search of Tarzan and two of their own number who were also missing。
They found the way blocked by jammed and distorted rock。 For two
days they labored to tear a way through to their imprisoned friends； but
when； after Herculean efforts； they had unearthed but a few yards of the
choked passage； and discovered the mangled remains of one of their
fellows they were forced to the conclusion that Tarzan and the second
Waziri also lay dead beneath the rock mass farther in； beyond human aid；
and no longer susceptible of it。
Again and again as they labored they called aloud the names of their
master and their comrade； but no answering call rewarded their listening
ears。 At last they gave up the search。 Tearfully they cast a last look at
the shattered tomb of their master； shouldered the heavy burden of gold
that would at least furnish comfort； if not happiness； to their bereaved and
beloved mistress； and made their mournful way back across the desolate
valley of Opar； and downward through the forests beyond toward the
distant bungalow。
And as they marched what sorry fate was already drawing down upon
that peaceful； happy home！
From the north came Achmet Zek； riding to the summons of his
lieutenant's letter。 With him came his horde of renegade Arabs； outlawed
marauders； these； and equally degraded blacks； garnered from the more
debased and ignorant tribes of savage cannibals through whose countries
the raider passed to and fro with perfect impunity。
Mugambi； the ebon Hercules； who had shared the dangers and
vicissitudes of his beloved Bwana； from Jungle Island； almost to the
headwaters of the Ugambi； was the first to note the bold approach of the
sinister caravan。
He it was whom Tarzan had left in charge of the warriors who
remained to guard Lady Greystoke； nor could a braver or more loyal
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
guardian have been found in any clime or upon any soil。 A giant in
stature； a savage； fearless warrior； the huge black possessed also soul and
judgment in proportion to his bulk and his ferocity。
Not once since his master had departed had he been beyond sight or
sound of the bungalow； except when Lady Greystoke chose to canter
across the broad plain； or relieve the monotony of her loneliness by a brief
hunting excursion。 On such occasions Mugambi； mounted upon a wiry
Arab； had ridden close at her horse's heels。
The raiders were still a long way off when the warrior's keen eyes
discovered them。 For a time he stood scrutinizing the advancing party in
silence； then he turned and ran rapidly in the direction of the native huts
which lay a few hundred yards below the bungalow。
Here he called out to the lolling warriors。 He issued orders rapidly。
In compliance with them the men seized upon their weapons and their
shields。 Some ran to call in the workers from the fields and to warn the
tenders of the flocks and herds。 The majority followed Mugambi back
toward the bungalow。
The dust of the raiders was still a long distance away。 Mugambi could
not know positively that it hid an enemy； but he had spent a lifetime of
savage life in savage Africa； and he had seen parties before come thus
unheralded。 Sometimes they had come in peace and sometimes they had
come in warone could never tell。 It was well to be prepared。 Mugambi
did not like the haste with which the strangers advanced。
The Greystoke bungalow was not well adapted for defense。 No
palisade surrounded it； for； situated as it was； in the heart of loyal Waziri；
its master had anticipated no possibility of an attack in force by any enemy。
Heavy； wooden shutters there were to close the window apertures against
hostile arrows； and these Mugambi was engaged in lowering when Lady
Greystoke appeared upon the veranda。
〃Why； Mugambi！〃 she exclaimed。 〃What has happened？ Why are
you lowering the shutters？〃
Mugambi pointed out across the plain to where a white…robed force of
mounted men was now distinctly visible。
〃Arabs；〃 he explained。 〃They come for no good purpose in the
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
absence of the Great Bwana。〃
Beyond the neat lawn and the flowering shrubs； Jane Clayton saw the
glistening bodies of her Waziri。 The sun glanced from the tips of their
metal…shod spears； picked out the gorgeous colors in the feathers of their
war bonnets； and reflected the high…lights from the glossy skins of their
broad shoulders and high cheek bones。
Jane Clayton surveyed them with unmixed feelings of pride and
affection。 What harm could befall her with such as these to protect her？
The raiders had halted now； a hundred yards out upon the plain。
Mugambi had hastened down to join his warriors。 He advanced a few
yards before them and raising his voice hailed the strangers。 Achmet Zek
sat straight in his saddle before his henchmen。
〃Arab！〃 cried Mugambi。 〃What do you here？〃
〃We come in peace；〃 Achmet Zek called back。
〃Then turn and go in peace；〃 replied Mugambi。 〃We do not want you
here。 There can be no peace between Arab and Waziri。〃
Mugambi； although not born in Waziri； had been adopted into the tribe；
which now contained no member more jealous of its traditions and its
prowess than he。
Achmet Zek drew to one side of his horde； speaking to his men in a
low voice。 A moment later； without warning； a ragged volley was poured
into the ranks of the Waziri。 A couple of warriors fell； the others were for
charging the attackers； but Mugambi was a cautious as well as a brave
leader。 He knew the futility of charging mounted men armed with
muskets。 He withdrew his force behind the shrubbery of the garden。
Some he dispatched to various other parts of the grounds surrounding the
bungalow。 Half a dozen he sent to the bungalow itself with instructions
to keep their mistress within doors； and to protect her with their lives。
Adopting the tactics of the desert fighters from which he had sprung；
Achmet Zek led his followers at a gallop in a long； thin line； describing a
great circle which drew closer and closer in toward the defenders。
At that part of the circle closest to the Waziri； a constant fusillade of
shots was poured into the bushes behind which the black warriors had
concealed themselves。 The latter； on their part； loosed their slim shafts at
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the nearest of the enemy。
The Waziri； justly famed for their archery； found no cause to blush for
their performance that day。 Time and again some swarthy horseman threw
hands above his head and toppled from his saddle； pierced by a deadly
arrow； but the contest was uneven。 The Arabs outnumbered the Waziri；
their bullets penetrated the shrubbery and found marks that the Arab
riflemen had not even seen； and then Achmet Zek circled inward a half
mile above the bungalow； tore down a section of the fence； and led his
marauders within the grounds。
Across the fields they charged at a mad run。 Not again did they
pause to lower fences； instead； they drove their wild mounts straight for
them； clearing the obstacles as lightly as winged gulls。
Mugambi saw them coming； and
