Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Apes
Hewanted,very,verymuch,tofeelhisteethsinkintotheneckofthequeeranimalthathehadlearnedtohateandfear,andbecauseofthis,hecameoftenwithhistribetoreconnoiter,waitingforatimewhenthewhiteapeshouldbeoffhisguard.
Oflatetheyhadquitattacking,orevenshowingthemselves;foreverytimetheyhaddonesointhepastthelittlestickhadroaredoutitsterriblemessageofdeathtosomememberofthetribe.
Todaytherewasnosignofthemanabout,andfromwheretheywatchedtheycouldseethatthecabindoorwasopen.Slowly,cautiously,andnoiselesslytheycreptthroughthejungletowardthelittlecabin.
Therewerenogrowls,nofiercescreamsofrage—thelittleblackstickhadtaughtthemtocomequietlylesttheyawakenit.
On,ontheycameuntilKerchakhimselfslunkstealthilytotheverydoorandpeeredwithin.Behindhimweretwomales,andthenKala,closelystrainingthelittledeadformtoherbreast.
Insidethedentheysawthestrangewhiteapelyinghalfacrossatable,hisheadburiedinhisarms;andonthebedlayafigurecoveredbyasailcloth,whilefromatinyrusticcradlecametheplaintivewailingofababe.
NoiselesslyKerchakentered,crouchingforthecharge;andthenJohnClaytonrosewithasuddenstartandfacedthem.
