Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян
The Fear-Phantom
Tarzanknewnothingofpoison,buthisshrewdreasoningtoldhimthatitwasthisdeadlystuffthatkilled,andnotthelittlearrow,whichwasmerelythemessengerthatcarrieditintothebodyofitsvictim.
Howheshouldliketohavemoreofthoselittledeath-dealingslivers.Ifthewomanwouldonlyleaveherworkforaninstanthecoulddropdown,gatherupahandful,andbebackinthetreeagainbeforeshedrewthreebreaths.
Ashewastryingtothinkoutsomeplantodistractherattentionheheardawildcryfromacrosstheclearing.HelookedandsawablackwarriorstandingbeneaththeverytreeinwhichhehadkilledthemurdererofKalaanhourbefore.
Thefellowwasshoutingandwavinghisspearabovehishead.Nowandagainhewouldpointtosomethingonthegroundbeforehim.
Thevillagewasinanuproarinstantly.Armedmenrushedfromtheinteriorofmanyahutandracedmadlyacrosstheclearingtowardtheexcitedsentry.Afterthemtroopedtheoldmen,andthewomenandchildrenuntil,inamoment,thevillagewasdeserted.
TarzanoftheApesknewthattheyhadfoundthebodyofhisvictim,butthatinterestedhimfarlessthanthefactthatnooneremainedinthevillagetopreventhistakingasupplyofthearrowswhichlaybelowhim.
Quicklyandnoiselesslyhedroppedtothegroundbesidethecauldronofpoison.Foramomenthestoodmotionless,hisquick,brighteyesscanningtheinteriorofthepalisade.