Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Jungle Toll
Whilehewaitedhepassedthetimeprintingamessagetoher;whetherheintendedgivingittoherhehimselfcouldnothavetold,buthetookinfinitepleasureinseeinghisthoughtsexpressedinprint—inwhichhewasnotsouncivilizedafterall.Hewrote:
IamTarzanoftheApes.Iwantyou.Iamyours.Youaremine.Weliveheretogetheralwaysinmyhouse.Iwillbringyouthebestoffruits,thetenderestdeer,thefinestmeatsthatroamthejungle.Iwillhuntforyou.Iamthegreatestofthejunglefighters.Iwillfightforyou.Iamthemightiestofthejunglefighters.YouareJanePorter,Isawitinyourletter.WhenyouseethisyouwillknowthatitisforyouandthatTarzanoftheApeslovesyou.
Ashestood,straightasayoungIndian,bythedoor,waitingafterhehadfinishedthemessage,therecametohiskeenearsafamiliarsound.Itwasthepassingofagreatapethroughthelowerbranchesoftheforest.
Foraninstanthelistenedintently,andthenfromthejunglecametheagonizedscreamofawoman,andTarzanoftheApes,droppinghisfirstloveletterupontheground,shotlikeapantherintotheforest.
Clayton,also,heardthescream,andProfessorPorterandMr.Philander,andinafewminutestheycamepantingtothecabin,callingouttoeachotheravolleyofexcitedquestionsastheyapproached.Aglancewithinconfirmedtheirworstfears.
JaneandEsmeraldawerenotthere.
