Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1920 — TARZAN AND THE Jewels of Opar [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TARZAN AND THE Jewels of Opar

By EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS

"ShiV Temaa**

QwnWMrACLM«ani>o> ' SYNOPSIS CHAPTER 1.-Hiding in th* fungi* after killing his C*P^ a te to t fit of broodtag mndn— , Lieut. Albert Werper, BHgtan officer, ta captured by Achmet Zek, Areb Have raider, who aparea his Ilf* and ■roßoeee to bln a scheme to kidnap Jane. ertfLoTTaman (Lord Omyatoke) aadlg her into slavery. Warper accepts. CHAPTER n. roetag as Jules Fraeoult, French traveler. Warper Is hoeplt*Wg received by the Grerstokea. He reams hl* host is in financial straits and plana an expedition to. the treasure vaults of Opar to procure gold. Werper informs Achmet Bek of the opportunity to setae Lady Greystoke, and follows Taman to team the secret of Oner CHAPTER HL—Spying on Taman. Wmper sees him kid hls black, with fold from the •treasure chamber of the Bun Worshipera A convulsion of Nature causes the collapse of the vault imprisoning both man. ——~’ CHAPTER IV.—Werper recovers from th* shock and finding Tarsan apparently dead he leave* him. Seeking a way to safety Werper is seised by priests of the naming Ged, a degenerate race. He is about to be offered up as a sacrifice when the ceremonies are Interrupted by the appearance of a hunger-maddened Mon. CHAPTER V.—Believing Tarsan dead his black follower* return home with the gold. Achmet Zek, acting on Warper's Information, has attacked th* Greystok* home, burned It, and carried off Lady Greystoke. Mugambi, Tarsan’s lieutenant, is severely wounded but recovers ana follows the raider*. CtLAPTKK V*.—ijord Greystoke recover* consciousness, but the accident has destroyed hl* memory and he 1* again Tarsan of the Ape*. ths sceae of his misfortune he find* himself in the jewel room of Opar. He fill* his pouch with th* "pretty pebbles.” Reaching the sacrificial chamber he 1s recognised by La. high priestess, whom he had known in previous years. He slays the Hon and releases Werper. The tatter sees the jewels and covets them.

CHAPTER VII. The Theft of the Jewels. For two days Werper sought for the party that had accompanied him from the camp to the barrier cliffs; but not until late In the afternoon of the second day did he And clew to Its whereabouts, and then in such gruesome form that he was totally unnerved by the sight. In an open glade be came upon the bodies of of the blacks, terribly mutilated, nor did it require considerable deductive power to explain their murder. Of the little party only these three had not been slaves. The others, evidently tempted to hope for freedom from their cruel Arab master, had taken advantage of their separation from the main camp, to slay the three representatives of the hated power which held them in slavery, and vanish into the jungle. Tarzan showed -not the slightest surprise or interest in the discovery. Inherent in him was a calloused familiarity with violent death. The refinements of his recent civilization expunged by the force of the sad calamity which had befallen him, left only the primitive sensibilities which his childhood’s training had imprinted indelibly upon the fabric of his mind. Again, that night.. as the two sat before their camp fire, Tarzan played with his shining baubles. Werper asked him what they were and where he had found them. The ape-man replied that they were gay-colored stones, with which he purposed fashioning a necklace, and that he had found them far beneath the sacrificial court of the temple of the Flaming God. —— :—_

Werper was relieved to find that Tarran had no conception of the value of the gems. Possibly the man would give them to him for the asking. Werper reached out his band toward the little pile that Tarzan had arranged upon a piece of fiat wood before him. “Let me see them,** said the Belgian. Tarzan placed a large palm over his treasure. He bared his fighting fangs and growled. Werper withdrew his hand more quickly than he had advanced it Tarzan resumed bls playing with the gems and his conversation with Werper as though nothing unusual had occurred. He had but exhibited the beast’s jealous protective instinct for a possession. When he killed he shared the meat with Warper; but had Werper ever, by accident, laid a hand upon Tarzan’s share, * he Would have aroused the same savage and resentful warning. From that occurrence dated the beginning of a great fear in the breast of• the Belgian for his savage companion. He had never understood the transformation that had been wrought in Tarzan by the blow upon bls head, other than to attribute it to a form of awwwxriw That Tarzan had once been, in truth, a savage. Jungle beast, 3 Werner had not known, and so, of comae, be coo l * l n« giym that the num had reverted to the state in which hta childhood and young manWerper STIn the Englishman a dangerood maniac, whom the slightMt untoward accident might turn up« him with rending fangs.

Werper'sEranF from 'attempting the journey through the Jungle. Tarzan constituted a protection that was by no means despicable, even in the face of the larger carnivora, as Werper had reason to acknowledge from the evidence he had witnessed in the Oparian temple. Achmet Zek should know nothing of the Jewels —these would be sot Werper alone, and as soon as he could encompass his design he would reach the coast and take passage for America, where he could conceal himself beneath the veil of a new identity and enjoy to some measure the fruits of his theft. It was upon the third day of their progress from Opar that the keen ears of Tarzan caught the sound of men behind them. Werper heard nothing above the humming of the jungle insects and the chattering life of the lesser monkeys and the birds. For a time Tarzan stood in statuesque silence, listening, his sensitive nostrils dilating as he assayed each passing breeze. Then he withdrew Werper Into the concealment of thick brash and waited. Presently along the game trail that Werper and Tarzan had been following there came In sight a sleek black warrior, alert and watchful. In single file behind him there followed, one after another, near fifty others, each burdened with two dull yellow Ingots lashed upon his back. Werper recognized the party immediately as that which had accompanied Tarzan on his Journey to Opar. He glanced at the ape-man; but in the savage, watchful eyes he saw no recognition of Basuli and those other loyal Wazlri. When all had passed Tarzan rose and emerged from concealment. He turned to Werper. ‘•We will follow and slay them,” he said. “Why?” asked the Belgian. “They are black,” explained Tarsan. “It was a black who killed Kala. They are the enemies of the Manganls.” Werper did not relish the idea of engaging in a _battle with Basuli and his fierce fighting men. And, again, he had welcomed the sight of them returning toward the Greystoke bun-

galow, for he had begun to have doubts as to bls ability to retrace his steps to the Waziri country. Tarzan, be knew, had not the remotest Idea of whither they were going. By keeping at a safe distance behind the laden warriors would have no difficulty in following them home. He argued with th® ape-man, therefore, against the latter’s desire to exterminate the blacks, and at last he prevailed upon Tarzan to follow them In peace, saying he was sure they would lead them out of the forest into a rich country, teeming with game. It was many marches from Opar to the Waziri country; but at last came the hour when Tarzan and the Belgian, following the trail of the warriort, topped the last rise, and saw before them the broad Waziri plain, the.winding river and the distant forests to the north and west A mile or more ahead of them the line of warriors was creeping like a giant caterpillar through the tall grasses of the plain. Tarzan looked out across the familiar vista with no faintest gleam of recognition in his eyes. He did not look in the direction of his bungalow. Werper, however, did. A puzzled expression en tered the Belgian’s eyes. He shaded them with his palms and gazed long and earnestly toward the spot where the bungalow had stood. He could not credit the testimony of his eyes—there was no bungalow—no barns—no outhouses. The corrals, the haystacks —all were gone. What could it mean? And then slowly there filtered into ' Weeper's consciousness an explana ' tion of the havoc that had been wrought in that peaceful * valley since last his eyes rested upon it—Achmet Zek had been there! _ r Basuli and his warriors had noted the devastation the moment they had come jn right Se farm. Now they J hastened on toward it talking excitedly among themselves in animated speculation upon the cause and meaning of the catastrophe. When at last they crossed the tram pled garden and stood before the charred ruins of their master’s bungalow, their greatest fears became convictions in the .light of the evb

“'Hie Arahs.^Basuli said, as hla men clustered about him, / Tin* Wazlri gazed aboUi In mute rnge for several minute*. Everywhere they encountered only further evidence of the ruthlewnesH of the cruel enemy that had come during the Great I Bwana’s absence and la hl waste his property. j "What did they do with ‘Lady?* ” ( asked one of the blacks. They had a 1 ways called Lady Grey jitoke thuZ "The women they would have taken with them,” s lt id Basuli. “Our women . and his.” I A giant black raised his spcn- , above his head and gave voice to a ( savage cry of rage ami hate. The others followed his example. Basul’ silenced them with a gesture. | “This is no time for useless noises of the mouth.” he said. “The Great ■ Bwana has taught US that it Is acts , by which things are done, not words. Let us save our breath—we shall * need it all to follow up the Arabs and slay them. If ’Lady’ and our 1 women live the greater the need of haste, and warriors cannot travel I fast upon empty lungs.” ] From the shelter of the reeds along 1 the river Werper and Tarzan watched I the blacks. They saw them dig a trench with their knives and fingers They saw them lay their yellow burdens in it and scoop the overturned

earth back over the tops-of the ingots Tarzan seemed Httle interested after Werper had assured him that that which they burled was not food to eat, but Werper was intensely Interested. The treasure burled, the hlacks removed themselves a short distance up wind from the fetid corpses, where they made’ camp, that they migfiT res 4 before setting out in pursuit of the , Arabs. It was already dusk. Werper | and Tarzan sat devouring some pieces • of meat they had brought from their ' last damp. The Belgian was occupied • with his plans for the immediate fu- ' tore. He was positive that the Wa- J zirl would pursue Achmet Zek, for he i knew enough of savage warfare, and of the characteristics of the Arabs i and their degraded followers to guess , that they had carried the Waziri 1 women off into slavery. This alone would assure Immediate pursuit by so warlike a people as the Waziri. Werper felt that he should find the means and the opiortunity to push on ahead, that he might warn Achmet Zek of the coming of Basuli. and also of the location of the buried treasure. | What the Arab would now do with ! Lady Greystoke, in view of the mental affliction of her husband. Werper neither knew nor cared. It was enough that the golden treasure buried I upon the site of the burned bungalow was ble than any ransom that would have occurred even to the avaricious mind of the Arab, and If” Werper could persuade the.raider to share even a portion of it with him he would be well satisfied. But by far the most important consideration, to Werner, at least, was the Incalculably valuable treasure in the little leathern pouch at Tarzan’s

side. If he could but obtain possession of this! He must! He would! His eyes wandered to the object of his greed. They measured Tarzan’s giant frame and rested upon the rounded muscles of his arms. It was hopeless. -What could lie, Werner, hope to accomplish, other than his own death, by an attempt to wrest the gems from their savage owner? Disconsolate, Werper threw himself upon his side. His head was pillowed Ou one arm. the other rested across his face in such a way that his eye* were hidden from the apeman, though one of them was fastened upon him from beneath the shadow of the Belgian’s forearm. ' Tarzan presently let his own eyes rest upon Werper. The Belgian saw that he was being watched, and lay very still. After a few moments he simulated the regular breathing of deep slumber. Tarzan had been thinking. He had seen the Waziri bury their belongings. Werper had told him that they were hiding them lest someone find them and take them away. This seemed to Tarzan a splendid plan for safeguarding valuables. Since Werper had evinced a desire to possess his glittering pebbles Tarzan, with the suspicions of a savage, had guarded the baubles, ■of whose worth he was entirely ignorant, as zealously as though they spelled life or death to him. For a long time the ape-man sat watching his companion. At last, convinced that he slept. Tarzan withdrew his hunting knife and commenced to dig a hole In the'ground before him. With the blade he loosened up the earth, and with his -hands he scooped it out until he had excavated a little cavity a few Inches in diameter, and five or six Inches in depth. Into this he placed the pouch of jewels. Werper almost forgot to breathe after the fashion of a sleeper as he sawwhat the ape-man was doing—he scarce repressed an ejaculation of satisfaction. ’ Tarzan l»eeHme suddenly rigid as his keen ears noted the cessation of the regular inspirations and expirations of his companion. His narrowed eyes bored straight down .upon the Belgian. Werper felt that he was lost- —he must risk all on his ability to carry on the deception. He sighed, threw both arme outward, and turned over on Whitt mumbiing as though In the throes of a bad dream. A mo ment later he resumed the regular breathing. Now he could not watch Tarzan, but he was sure that the man sat for a long time looking at him. Then, faintly. Warper heard $e other’s hands scraping dirt, and later patting it down. He knew then that the Jewels

were buried. It was an hour before Werper moved again, then he rolled over facing zan and opened his eyes. The apeman slept. By reaching out his band Werper could touch the spot where the pouch was buried. ~ : For a long time he lay watching and listening. He moved about, making more noise Shan necessary, yet Tarzan did not awaken. He drew the sacrificial knife from his belt and plunged it into the ground. Tarzan did not move. Cautiously the pushed the blade downward through the low earth above the pouch. He felt the point touch the soft, tough fabric of the leather. Then he pried down upon the handle. Slowly the little mound of loose earth rose and parted. An instant later a corner of the pouch came into view. Werper pulled it from Its hiding place and tucked it in his shirt. Then he refilled the hole and pressed the dirt carefully dewn as h had been before. Greed had prompted him to act. the discovery of which by his companion could lead only to the most frightful consequences for Werper. Already he could almost feel those strong, white fangs burying themselves in his neck. Ho shuddered. Far out across the plain a leopard screamed, and in the dense reeds behind him some beast moved on padded feet. Werper feared these prowlers of the night; but infinitely more he feared the jus'? wrath of the human beast sleeping at his side. With utmost caution the Belgian arose. Tarzan did not move. Werper t*>k a few steps toward the plain and the distant forest to the northwest, then he paused and fingered the hilt of the long knife in his belt. He turned and looked down Upon the steeper. “Why not?” he mused. “Then 1 should be safe.” He returned and bent above the apeman. Clutched tightly in his hand was the sacrificial knife of the high priestess of the Flaming God! (TO BE CONTINUED.)

Werper Recognized the Party Immediately.