Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Call of the Primitive
Amongtheofficersinthelastboatstoputofffromthecruiserwasthecommanderofthevessel;andwhenhehadheardthestoryofJane’sabduction,hegenerouslycalledforvolunteerstoaccompanyProfessorPorterandClaytonintheirsearch.
NotanofficeroramanwasthereofthosebraveandsympatheticFrenchmenwhodidnotquicklybegleavetobeoneoftheexpedition.
Thecommanderselectedtwentymenandtwoofficers,LieutenantD’ArnotandLieutenantCharpentier.Aboatwasdispatchedtothecruiserforprovisions,ammunition,andcarbines;themenwerealreadyarmedwithrevolvers.
Then,toClayton’sinquiriesastohowtheyhadhappenedtoanchoroffshoreandfireasignalgun,thecommander,CaptainDufranne,explainedthatamonthbeforetheyhadsightedtheArrowbearingsouthwestunderconsiderablecanvas,andthatwhentheyhadsignaledhertocomeaboutshehadbutcrowdedonmoresail.
Theyhadkeptherhull-upuntilsunset,firingseveralshotsafterher,butthenextmorningshewasnowheretobeseen.Theyhadthencontinuedtocruiseupanddownthecoastforseveralweeks,andhadaboutforgottentheincidentoftherecentchase,when,earlyonemorningafewdaysbeforethelookouthaddescribedavessellaboringinthetroughofaheavyseaandevidentlyentirelyoutofcontrol.
Astheysteamednearertothederelicttheyweresurprisedtonotethatitwasthesamevesselthathadrunfromthemafewweeksearlier.
