Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Light of Knowledge
Todayitwasthekillingofagiantape,amemberofanothertribe,andasthepeopleofKerchakenteredthearenatwomightybullswereseenbearingthebodyofthevanquishedbetweenthem.
Theylaidtheirburdenbeforetheearthendrumandthensquattedtherebesideitasguards,whiletheothermembersofthecommunitycurledthemselvesingrassynookstosleepuntiltherisingmoonshouldgivethesignalforthecommencementoftheirsavageorgy.
Forhoursabsolutequietreignedinthelittleclearing,exceptasitwasbrokenbythediscordantnotesofbrilliantlyfeatheredparrots,orthescreechingandtwitteringofthethousandjunglebirdsflittingceaselesslyamongstthevividorchidsandflamboyantblossomswhichfestoonedthemyriad,moss-coveredbranchesoftheforestkings.
Atlengthasdarknesssettleduponthejungletheapescommencedtobestirthemselves,andsoontheyformedagreatcircleabouttheearthendrum.Thefemalesandyoungsquattedinathinlineattheouterperipheryofthecircle,whilejustinfrontofthemrangedtheadultmales.Beforethedrumsatthreeoldfemales,eacharmedwithaknottedbranchfifteenoreighteeninchesinlength.
Slowlyandsoftlytheybegantappingupontheresoundingsurfaceofthedrumasthefirstfaintraysoftheascendingmoonsilveredtheencirclingtreetops.
