He regretted the gay life of Brussels as he never had regretted the sins which had snatched him from that gayest of capitals, and as the days passed he came to center his resentment10 upon the representative in Congo land of the authority which had exiled him—his captain and immediate11 superior.
This officer was a cold, taciturn man, inspiring little love in those directly beneath him, yet respected and feared by the black soldiers of his little command.
Werper was accustomed to sit for hours glaring at his superior as the two sat upon the veranda12 of their common quarters, smoking their evening cigarets13 in a silence which neither seemed desirous of breaking. The senseless hatred of the lieutenant grew at last into a form of mania15. The captain's natural taciturnity he distorted into a studied attempt to insult him because of his past shortcomings. He imagined that his superior held him in contempt, and so he chafed16 and fumed17 inwardly until one evening his madness became suddenly homicidal. He fingered the butt18 of the revolver at his hip19, his eyes narrowed and his brows contracted. At last he spoke20.
"You have insulted me for the last time!" he cried, springing to his feet. "I am an officer and a gentleman, and I shall put up with it no longer without an accounting21 from you, you pig."
The captain, an expression of surprise upon his features, turned toward his junior. He had seen men before with the jungle madness upon them—the madness of solitude22 and unrestrained brooding, and perhaps a touch of fever.
He rose and extended his hand to lay it upon the other's shoulder. Quiet words of counsel were upon his lips; but they were never spoken. Werper construed23 his superior's action into an attempt to close with him. His revolver was on a level with the captain's heart, and the latter had taken but a step when Werper pulled the trigger. Without a moan the man sank to the rough planking of the veranda, and as he fell the mists that had clouded Werper's brain lifted, so that he saw himself and the deed that he had done in the same light that those who must judge him would see them.
He heard excited exclamations24 from the quarters of the soldiers and he heard men running in his direction. They would seize him, and if they didn't kill him they would take him down the Congo to a point where a properly ordered military tribunal would do so just as effectively, though in a more regular manner.
Werper had no desire to die. Never before had he so yearned25 for life as in this moment that he had so effectively forfeited26 his right to live. The men were nearing him. What was he to do? He glanced about as though searching for the tangible27 form of a legitimate28 excuse for his crime; but he could find only the body of the man he had so causelessly shot down.
In despair, he turned and fled from the oncoming soldiery. Across the compound he ran, his revolver still clutched tightly in his hand. At the gates a sentry29 halted him. Werper did not pause to parley30 or to exert the influence of his commission—he merely raised his weapon and shot down the innocent black. A moment later the fugitive31 had torn open the gates and vanished into the blackness of the jungle, but not before he had transferred the rifle and ammunition32 belts of the dead sentry to his own person.
All that night Werper fled farther and farther into the heart of the wilderness33. Now and again the voice of a lion brought him to a listening halt; but with cocked and ready rifle he pushed ahead again, more fearful of the human huntsmen in his rear than of the wild carnivora ahead.
Dawn came at last, but still the man plodded34 on. All sense of hunger and fatigue35 were lost in the terrors of contemplated36 capture. He could think only of escape. He dared not pause to rest or eat until there was no further danger from pursuit, and so he staggered on until at last he fell and could rise no more. How long he had fled he did not know, or try to know. When he could flee no longer the knowledge that he had reached his limit was hidden from him in the unconsciousness of utter exhaustion37.
And thus it was that Achmet Zek, the Arab, found him. Achmet's followers38 were for running a spear through the body of their hereditary39 enemy; but Achmet would have it otherwise. First he would question the Belgian. It were easier to question a man first and kill him afterward40, than kill him first and then question him.
So he had Lieutenant Albert Werper carried to his own tent, and there slaves administered wine and food in small quantities until at last the prisoner regained41 consciousness. As he opened his eyes he saw the faces of strange black men about him, and just outside the tent the figure of an Arab. Nowhere was the uniform of his soldiers to be seen.
The Arab turned and seeing the open eyes of the prisoner upon him, entered the tent.
"I am Achmet Zek," he announced. "Who are you, and what were you doing in my country? Where are your soldiers?"
Achmet Zek! Werper's eyes went wide, and his heart sank. He was in the clutches of the most notorious of cut-throats—a hater of all Europeans, especially those who wore the uniform of Belgium. For years the military forces of Belgian Congo had waged a fruitless war upon this man and his followers—a war in which quarter had never been asked nor expected by either side.
But presently in the very hatred of the man for Belgians, Werper saw a faint ray of hope for himself. He, too, was an outcast and an outlaw42. So far, at least, they possessed43 a common interest, and Werper decided44 to play upon it for all that it might yield.
"I have heard of you," he replied, "and was searching for you. My people have turned against me. I hate them. Even now their soldiers are searching for me, to kill me. I knew that you would protect me from them, for you, too, hate them. In return I will take service with you. I am a trained soldier. I can fight, and your enemies are my enemies."
Achmet Zek eyed the European in silence. In his mind he revolved45 many thoughts, chief among which was that the unbeliever lied. Of course there was the chance that he did not lie, and if he told the truth then his proposition was one well worthy46 of consideration, since fighting men were never over plentiful—especially white men with the training and knowledge of military matters that a European officer must possess.
Achmet Zek scowled47 and Werper's heart sank; but Werper did not know Achmet Zek, who was quite apt to scowl48 where another would smile, and smile where another would scowl.
"And if you have lied to me," said Achmet Zek, "I will kill you at any time. What return, other than your life, do you expect for your services?"
"My keep only, at first," replied Werper. "Later, if I am worth more, we can easily reach an understanding." Werper's only desire at the moment was to preserve his life. And so the agreement was reached and Lieutenant Albert Werper became a member of the ivory and slave raiding band of the notorious Achmet Zek.
For months the renegade Belgian rode with the savage49 raider. He fought with a savage abandon, and a vicious cruelty fully50 equal to that of his fellow desperadoes. Achmet Zek watched his recruit with eagle eye, and with a growing satisfaction which finally found expression in a greater confidence in the man, and resulted in an increased independence of action for Werper.
Achmet Zek took the Belgian into his confidence to a great extent, and at last unfolded to him a pet scheme which the Arab had long fostered, but which he never had found an opportunity to effect. With the aid of a European, however, the thing might be easily accomplished51. He sounded Werper.
"You have heard of the man men call Tarzan?" he asked.
Werper nodded. "I have heard of him; but I do not know him."
"But for him we might carry on our 'trading' in safety and with great profit," continued the Arab. "For years he has fought us, driving us from the richest part of the country, harassing52 us, and arming the natives that they may repel53 us when we come to 'trade.' He is very rich. If we could find some way to make him pay us many pieces of gold we should not only be avenged54 upon him; but repaid for much that he has prevented us from winning from the natives under his protection."
"And you have a plan to make him pay?" he asked.
"He has a wife," replied Achmet Zek, "whom men say is very beautiful. She would bring a great price farther north, if we found it too difficult to collect ransom55 money from this Tarzan."
Werper bent56 his head in thought. Achmet Zek stood awaiting his reply. What good remained in Albert Werper revolted at the thought of selling a white woman into the slavery and degradation of a Moslem57 harem. He looked up at Achmet Zek. He saw the Arab's eyes narrow, and he guessed that the other had sensed his antagonism58 to the plan. What would it mean to Werper to refuse? His life lay in the hands of this semi-barbarian, who esteemed59 the life of an unbeliever less highly than that of a dog. Werper loved life. What was this woman to him, anyway? She was a European, doubtless, a member of organized society. He was an outcast. The hand of every white man was against him. She was his natural enemy, and if he refused to lend himself to her undoing60, Achmet Zek would have him killed.
"You hesitate," murmured the Arab.
"I was but weighing the chances of success," lied Werper, "and my reward. As a European I can gain admittance to their home and table. You have no other with you who could do so much. The risk will be great. I should be well paid, Achmet Zek."
A smile of relief passed over the raider's face.
"Well said, Werper," and Achmet Zek slapped his lieutenant upon the shoulder. "You should be well paid and you shall. Now let us sit together and plan how best the thing may be done," and the two men squatted61 upon a soft rug beneath the faded silks of Achmet's once gorgeous tent, and talked together in low voices well into the night. Both were tall and bearded, and the exposure to sun and wind had given an almost Arab hue62 to the European's complexion63. In every detail of dress, too, he copied the fashions of his chief, so that outwardly he was as much an Arab as the other. It was late when he arose and retired64 to his own tent.
The following day Werper spent in overhauling65 his Belgian uniform, removing from it every vestige66 of evidence that might indicate its military purposes. From a heterogeneous67 collection of loot, Achmet Zek procured68 a pith helmet and a European saddle, and from his black slaves and followers a party of porters, askaris and tent boys to make up a modest safari69 for a big game hunter. At the head of this party Werper set out from camp.
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1
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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10
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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cigarets
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| 纸烟，香烟( cigaret的名词复数 ) | |
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cigaret
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| n.（cigarette）香烟，纸烟，卷烟 | |
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mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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16
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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17
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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18
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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19
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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21
accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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23
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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24
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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25
yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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28
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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31
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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32
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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33
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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34
plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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36
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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38
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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39
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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40
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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41
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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42
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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43
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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44
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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45
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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46
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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47
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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49
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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50
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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51
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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52
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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53
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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54
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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55
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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56
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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57
Moslem
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| n.回教徒，穆罕默德信徒；adj.回教徒的，回教的 | |
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antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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59
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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60
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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61
squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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62
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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65
overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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66
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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67
heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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68
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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69
safari
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| n.远征旅行(探险、考察)；探险队，狩猎队 | |
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