Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Height of Civilization
"Onlyafoolperformsanyactwithoutreason."
"Fivethousandfrancsisareason,"saidtheother."Iwageryouthatamountyoucannotbringbackalionfromthejungleundertheconditionswehavenamed—nakedandarmedonlywithaknifeandapieceofrope."
TarzanglancedtowardD’Arnotandnoddedhishead.
"Makeittenthousand,"saidD’Arnot.
"Done,"repliedtheother.
Tarzanarose.
"Ishallhavetoleavemyclothesattheedgeofthesettlement,sothatifIdonotreturnbeforedaylightIshallhavesomethingtowearthroughthestreets."
"Youarenotgoingnow,"exclaimedthewagerer—"atnight?"
"Whynot?"askedTarzan."Numawalksabroadatnight—itwillbeeasiertofindhim."
"No,"saidtheother,"Idonotwantyourblooduponmyhands.Itwillbefoolhardyenoughifyougoforthbyday."
"Ishallgonow,"repliedTarzan,andwenttohisroomforhisknifeandrope.
Themenaccompaniedhimtotheedgeofthejungle,wherehelefthisclothesinasmallstorehouse.
Butwhenhewouldhaveenteredtheblacknessoftheundergrowththeytriedtodissuadehim;andthewagererwasmostinsistentofallthatheabandonhisfoolhardyventure.
