Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Search Party
"BEFOREtheykilledhim!Whatdoyoumean?Theyarenot—?Theyarenot—?"
ShewasthinkingofwhatClaytonhadsaidoftheforestman’sprobablerelationshiptothistribeandshecouldnotframetheawfulword.
"Yes,MissPorter,theywere—cannibals,"hesaid,almostbitterly,fortohimtoohadsuddenlycomethethoughtoftheforestman,andthestrange,unaccountablejealousyhehadfelttwodaysbeforesweptoverhimoncemore.
AndtheninsuddenbrutalitythatwasasunlikeClaytonascourteousconsiderationisunlikeanape,heblurtedout:
"Whenyourforestgodleftyouhewasdoubtlesshurryingtothefeast."
Hewassorryerethewordswerespokenthoughhedidnotknowhowcruellytheyhadcutthegirl.Hisregretwasforhisbaselessdisloyaltytoonewhohadsavedthelivesofeverymemberofhisparty,andofferedharmtonone.
Thegirl’sheadwenthigh.
"Therecouldbebutonesuitablereplytoyourassertion,Mr.Clayton,"shesaidicily,"andIregretthatIamnotaman,thatImightmakeit."Sheturnedquicklyandenteredthecabin.
ClaytonwasanEnglishman,sothegirlhadpassedquiteoutofsightbeforehededucedwhatreplyamanwouldhavemade.
"Uponmyword,"hesaidruefully,"shecalledmealiar.AndIfancyIjollywelldeservedit,"headdedthoughtfully.
