Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
At the Mercy of the Jungle
Theinfuriatedbeast,pulledupandbackwardsuntilhestooduponhishindlegs,struggledimpotentlyinthisunnaturalposition.
Hadthebattlebeenofafewseconds’longerdurationtheoutcomemighthavebeendifferent,butitwasallaccomplishedsoquicklythatthelionhadscarcetimetorecoverfromtheconfusionofitssurpriseereitsanklifelesstotheground.
Thenthestrangefigurewhichhadvanquisheditstooderectuponthecarcass,andthrowingbackthewildandhandsomehead,gaveoutthefearsomecrywhichafewmomentsearlierhadsostartledClayton.
Beforehimhesawthefigureofayoungman,nakedexceptforaloinclothandafewbarbaricornamentsaboutarmsandlegs;onthebreastapricelessdiamondlocketgleamingagainstasmoothbrownskin.
Thehuntingknifehadbeenreturnedtoitshomelysheath,andthemanwasgatheringuphisbowandquiverfromwherehehadtossedthemwhenheleapedtoattackthelion.
ClaytonspoketothestrangerinEnglish,thankinghimforhisbraverescueandcomplimentinghimonthewondrousstrengthanddexterityhehaddisplayed,buttheonlyanswerwasasteadystareandafaintshrugofthemightyshoulders,whichmightbetokeneitherdisparagementoftheservicerendered,orignoranceofClayton’slanguage.
