Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Village of Torture
Theyhurriedhimalong,thesoundsofbattlegrowingfainterandfainterastheydrewawayfromthecontestantsuntiltheresuddenlybrokeuponD’Arnot’svisionagood-sizedclearingatoneendofwhichstoodathatchedandpalisadedvillage.
Itwasnowdusk,butthewatchersatthegatesawtheapproachingtrioanddistinguishedoneasaprisonereretheyreachedtheportals.
Acrywentupwithinthepalisade.Agreatthrongofwomenandchildrenrushedouttomeettheparty.
AndthenbeganfortheFrenchofficerthemostterrifyingexperiencewhichmancanencounteruponearth—thereceptionofawhiteprisonerintoavillageofAfricancannibals.
Toaddtothefiendishnessoftheircruelsavagerywasthepoignantmemoryofstillcruelerbarbaritiespracticeduponthemandtheirsbythewhiteofficersofthatarchhypocrite,LeopoldIIofBelgium,becauseofwhoseatrocitiestheyhadfledtheCongoFreeState—apitifulremnantofwhatoncehadbeenamightytribe.
TheyfelluponD’Arnottoothandnail,beatinghimwithsticksandstonesandtearingathimwithclaw-likehands.Everyvestigeofclothingwastornfromhim,andthemercilessblowsfelluponhisbareandquiveringflesh.ButnotoncedidtheFrenchmancryoutinpain.Hebreathedasilentprayerthathebequicklydeliveredfromhistorture.
Butthedeathheprayedforwasnottobesoeasilyhad.Soonthewarriorsbeatthewomenawayfromtheirprisoner.
