The Outpost of the World

           WiththereportofhisgunD’Arnotsawthedoorflyopenandthefigureofamanpitchheadlongwithinontothecabinfloor.

           TheFrenchmaninhispanicraisedhisguntofireagainintotheprostrateform,butsuddenlyinthehalfduskoftheopendoorhesawthatthemanwaswhiteandinanotherinstantrealizedthathehadshothisfriendandprotector,TarzanoftheApes.

           WithacryofanguishD’Arnotsprangtotheape-man’sside,andkneeling,liftedthelatter’sheadinhisarms—callingTarzan’snamealoud.

           Therewasnoresponse,andthenD’Arnotplacedhisearabovetheman’sheart.Tohisjoyhehearditssteadybeatingbeneath.

           CarefullyheliftedTarzantothecot,andthen,afterclosingandboltingthedoor,helightedoneofthelampsandexaminedthewound.

           Thebullethadstruckaglancingblowupontheskull.Therewasanuglyfleshwound,butnosignsofafractureoftheskull.

           D’Arnotbreathedasighofrelief,andwentaboutbathingthebloodfromTarzan’sface.

           Soonthecoolwaterrevivedhim,andpresentlyheopenedhiseyestolookinquestioningsurpriseatD’Arnot.

           Thelatterhadboundthewoundwithpiecesofcloth,andashesawthatTarzanhadregainedconsciousnesshearoseandgoingtothetablewroteamessage,whichhehandedtotheape-man,explainingtheterriblemistakehehadmadeandhowthankfulhewasthatthewoundwasnotmoreserious.