At his feet an opening looked out upon a green sward, and at a little distance beyond was the dense3 wall of jungle and forest.
He was very lame4 and sore and weak, and as full consciousness returned he felt the sharp torture of many cruel wounds and the dull aching of every bone and muscle in his body as a result of the hideous5 beating he had received.
Even the turning of his head caused him such excruciating agony that he lay still with closed eyes for a long time.
He tried to piece out the details of his adventure prior to the time he lost consciousness to see if they would explain his present whereabouts — he wondered if he were among friends or foes6.
At length he recollected7 the whole hideous scene at the stake, and finally recalled the strange white figure in whose arms he had sunk into oblivion.
D’Arnot wondered what fate lay in store for him now. He could neither see nor hear any signs of life about him.
The incessant8 hum of the jungle — the rustling9 of millions of leaves — the buzz of insects — the voices of the birds and monkeys seemed blended into a strangely soothing10 purr, as though he lay apart, far from the myriad11 life whose sounds came to him only as a blurred12 echo.
At length he fell into a quiet slumber13, nor did he awake again until afternoon.
Once more he experienced the strange sense of utter bewilderment that had marked his earlier awakening14, but soon he recalled the recent past, and looking through the opening at his feet he saw the figure of a man squatting15 on his haunches.
The broad, muscular back was turned toward him, but, tanned though it was, D’Arnot saw that it was the back of a white man, and he thanked God.
The Frenchman called faintly. The man turned, and rising, came toward the shelter. His face was very handsome — the handsomest, thought D’Arnot, that he had ever seen.
Stooping, he crawled into the shelter beside the wounded officer, and placed a cool hand upon his forehead.
D’Arnot spoke16 to him in French, but the man only shook his head — sadly, it seemed to the Frenchman.
Then D’Arnot tried English, but still the man shook his head. Italian, Spanish and German brought similar discouragement.
D’Arnot knew a few words of Norwegian, Russian, Greek, and also had a smattering of the language of one of the West Coast negro tribes — the man denied them all.
After examining D’Arnot’s wounds the man left the shelter and disappeared. In half an hour he was back with fruit and a hollow gourd17-like vegetable filled with water.
D’Arnot drank and ate a little. He was surprised that he had no fever. Again he tried to converse18 with his strange nurse, but the attempt was useless.
Suddenly the man hastened from the shelter only to return a few minutes later with several pieces of bark and — wonder of wonders — a lead pencil.
Squatting beside D’Arnot he wrote for a minute on the smooth inner surface of the bark; then he handed it to the Frenchman.
D’Arnot was astonished to see, in plain print-like characters, a message in English:
I am Tarzan of the Apes. Who are you? Can you read this language?
D’Arnot seized the pencil — then he stopped. This strange man wrote English — evidently he was an Englishman.
“Yes,” said D’Arnot, “I read English. I speak it also. Now we may talk. First let me thank you for all that you have done for me.”
The man only shook his head and pointed19 to the pencil and the bark.
“MON DIEU!” cried D’Arnot. “If you are English why is it then that you cannot speak English?”
And then in a flash it came to him — the man was a mute, possibly a deaf mute.
So D’Arnot wrote a message on the bark, in English.
I am Paul d’Arnot, Lieutenant20 in the navy of France. I thank you for what you have done for me. You have saved my life, and all that I have is yours. May I ask how it is that one who writes English does not speak it?
Tarzan’s reply filled D’Arnot with still greater wonder:
I speak only the language of my tribe — the great apes who were Kerchak’s; and a little of the languages of Tantor, the elephant, and Numa, the lion, and of the other folks of the jungle I understand. With a human being I have never spoken, except once with Jane Porter, by signs. This is the first time I have spoken with another of my kind through written words.
D’Arnot was mystified. It seemed incredible that there lived upon earth a full-grown man who had never spoken with a fellow man, and still more preposterous21 that such a one could read and write.
He looked again at Tarzan’s message —“except once, with Jane Porter.” That was the American girl who had been carried into the jungle by a gorilla22.
A sudden light commenced to dawn on D’Arnot — this then was the “gorilla.” He seized the pencil and wrote:
Where is Jane Porter?
And Tarzan replied, below:
Back with her people in the cabin of Tarzan of the Apes.
She is not dead then? Where was she? What happened to her?
She is not dead. She was taken by Terkoz to be his wife; but Tarzan of the Apes took her away from Terkoz and killed him before he could harm her.
None in all the jungle may face Tarzan of the Apes in battle, and live. I am Tarzan of the Apes — mighty23 fighter.
D’Arnot wrote:
I am glad she is safe. It pains me to write, I will rest a while.
And then Tarzan:
Yes, rest. When you are well I shall take you back to your people.
For many days D’Arnot lay upon his bed of soft ferns. The second day a fever had come and D’Arnot thought that it meant infection and he knew that he would die.
An idea came to him. He wondered why he had not thought of it before.
He called Tarzan and indicated by signs that he would write, and when Tarzan had fetched the bark and pencil, D’Arnot wrote:
Can you go to my people and lead them here? I will write a message that you may take to them, and they will follow you.
Tarzan shook his head and taking the bark, wrote:
I had thought of that — the first day; but I dared not. The great apes come often to this spot, and if they found you here, wounded and alone, they would kill you.
D’Arnot turned on his side and closed his eyes. He did not wish to die; but he felt that he was going, for the fever was mounting higher and higher. That night he lost consciousness.
For three days he was in delirium24, and Tarzan sat beside him and bathed his head and hands and washed his wounds.
On the fourth day the fever broke as suddenly as it had come, but it left D’Arnot a shadow of his former self, and very weak. Tarzan had to lift him that he might drink from the gourd.
The fever had not been the result of infection, as D’Arnot had thought, but one of those that commonly attack whites in the jungles of Africa, and either kill or leave them as suddenly as D’Arnot’s had left him.
Two days later, D’Arnot was tottering25 about the amphitheater, Tarzan’s strong arm about him to keep him from falling.
They sat beneath the shade of a great tree, and Tarzan found some smooth bark that they might converse.
D’Arnot wrote the first message:
What can I do to repay you for all that you have done for me?
And Tarzan, in reply:
Teach me to speak the language of men.
And so D’Arnot commenced at once, pointing out familiar objects and repeating their names in French, for he thought that it would be easier to teach this man his own language, since he understood it himself best of all.
It meant nothing to Tarzan, of course, for he could not tell one language from another, so when he pointed to the word man which he had printed upon a piece of bark he learned from D’Arnot that it was pronounced HOMME, and in the same way he was taught to pronounce ape, SINGE26 and tree, ARBRE.
He was a most eager student, and in two more days had mastered so much French that he could speak little sentences such as: “That is a tree,” “this is grass,” “I am hungry,” and the like, but D’Arnot found that it was difficult to teach him the French construction upon a foundation of English.
The Frenchman wrote little lessons for him in English and had Tarzan repeat them in French, but as a literal translation was usually very poor French Tarzan was often confused.
D’Arnot realized now that he had made a mistake, but it seemed too late to go back and do it all over again and force Tarzan to unlearn all that he had learned, especially as they were rapidly approaching a point where they would be able to converse.
On the third day after the fever broke Tarzan wrote a message asking D’Arnot if he felt strong enough to be carried back to the cabin. Tarzan was as anxious to go as D’Arnot, for he longed to see Jane again.
It had been hard for him to remain with the Frenchman all these days for that very reason, and that he had unselfishly done so spoke more glowingly of his nobility of character than even did his rescuing the French officer from Mbonga’s clutches.
D’Arnot, only too willing to attempt the journey, wrote:
But you cannot carry me all the distance through this tangled27 forest.
Tarzan laughed.
“MAIS OUI,” he said, and D’Arnot laughed aloud to hear the phrase that he used so often glide28 from Tarzan’s tongue.
So they set out, D’Arnot marveling as had Clayton and Jane at the wondrous29 strength and agility30 of the apeman.
Mid-afternoon brought them to the clearing, and as Tarzan dropped to earth from the branches of the last tree his heart leaped and bounded against his ribs31 in anticipation32 of seeing Jane so soon again.
No one was in sight outside the cabin, and D’Arnot was perplexed33 to note that neither the cruiser nor the Arrow was at anchor in the bay.
An atmosphere of loneliness pervaded34 the spot, which caught suddenly at both men as they strode toward the cabin.
Neither spoke, yet both knew before they opened the closed door what they would find beyond.
Tarzan lifted the latch35 and pushed the great door in upon its wooden hinges. It was as they had feared. The cabin was deserted36.
The men turned and looked at one another. D’Arnot knew that his people thought him dead; but Tarzan thought only of the woman who had kissed him in love and now had fled from him while he was serving one of her people.
A great bitterness rose in his heart. He would go away, far into the jungle and join his tribe. Never would he see one of his own kind again, nor could he bear the thought of returning to the cabin. He would leave that forever behind him with the great hopes he had nursed there of finding his own race and becoming a man among men.
And the Frenchman? D’Arnot? What of him? He could get along as Tarzan had. Tarzan did not want to see him more. He wanted to get away from everything that might remind him of Jane.
As Tarzan stood upon the threshold brooding, D’Arnot had entered the cabin. Many comforts he saw that had been left behind. He recognized numerous articles from the cruiser — a camp oven, some kitchen utensils37, a rifle and many rounds of ammunition38, canned foods, blankets, two chairs and a cot — and several books and periodicals, mostly American.
“They must intend returning,” thought D’Arnot.
He walked over to the table that John Clayton had built so many years before to serve as a desk, and on it he saw two notes addressed to Tarzan of the Apes.
One was in a strong masculine hand and was unsealed. The other, in a woman’s hand, was sealed.
“Here are two messages for you, Tarzan of the Apes,” cried D’Arnot, turning toward the door; but his companion was not there.
D’Arnot walked to the door and looked out. Tarzan was nowhere in sight. He called aloud but there was no response.
“MON DIEU!” exclaimed D’Arnot, “he has left me. I feel it. He has gone back into his jungle and left me here alone.”
And then he remembered the look on Tarzan’s face when they had discovered that the cabin was empty — such a look as the hunter sees in the eyes of the wounded deer he has wantonly brought down.
The man had been hard hit — D’Arnot realized it now — but why? He could not understand.
The Frenchman looked about him. The loneliness and the horror of the place commenced to get on his nerves — already weakened by the ordeal39 of suffering and sickness he had passed through.
To be left here alone beside this awful jungle — never to hear a human voice or see a human face — in constant dread40 of savage41 beasts and more terribly savage men — a prey42 to solitude43 and hopelessness. It was awful.
And far to the east Tarzan of the Apes was speeding through the middle terrace back to his tribe. Never had he traveled with such reckless speed. He felt that he was running away from himself — that by hurtling through the forest like a frightened squirrel he was escaping from his own thoughts. But no matter how fast he went he found them always with him.
He passed above the sinuous44 body of Sabor, the lioness, going in the opposite direction — toward the cabin, thought Tarzan.
What could D’Arnot do against Sabor — or if Bolgani, the gorilla, should come upon him — or Numa, the lion, or cruel Sheeta?
Tarzan paused in his flight.
“What are you, Tarzan?” he asked aloud. “An ape or a man?”
“If you are an ape you will do as the apes would do — leave one of your kind to die in the jungle if it suited your whim45 to go elsewhere.
“If you are a man, you will return to protect your kind. You will not run away from one of your own people, because one of them has run away from you.”
D’Arnot closed the cabin door. He was very nervous. Even brave men, and D’Arnot was a brave man, are sometimes frightened by solitude.
He loaded one of the rifles and placed it within easy reach. Then he went to the desk and took up the unsealed letter addressed to Tarzan.
Possibly it contained word that his people had but left the beach temporarily. He felt that it would be no breach46 of ethics47 to read this letter, so he took the enclosure from the envelope and read:
TO TARZAN OF THE APES:
We thank you for the use of your cabin, and are sorry that you did not permit us the pleasure of seeing and thanking you in person.
We have harmed nothing, but have left many things for you which may add to your comfort and safety here in your lonely home.
If you know the strange white man who saved our lives so many times, and brought us food, and if you can converse with him, thank him, also, for his kindness.
We sail within the hour, never to return; but we wish you and that other jungle friend to know that we shall always thank you for what you did for strangers on your shore, and that we should have done infinitely48 more to reward you both had you given us the opportunity.
Very respectfully,
WM. CECIL CLAYTON.
“‘Never to return,’” muttered D’Arnot, and threw himself face downward upon the cot.
An hour later he started up listening. Something was at the door trying to enter.
D’Arnot reached for the loaded rifle and placed it to his shoulder.
Dusk was falling, and the interior of the cabin was very dark; but the man could see the latch moving from its place.
He felt his hair rising upon his scalp.
Gently the door opened until a thin crack showed something standing49 just beyond.
D’Arnot sighted along the blue barrel at the crack of the door — and then he pulled the trigger.
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收听单词发音
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1
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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boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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7
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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13
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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14
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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15
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；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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16
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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gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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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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preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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gorilla
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| n.大猩猩，暴徒，打手 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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26
singe
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| v.(轻微地)烧焦；烫焦；烤焦 | |
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27
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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36
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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39
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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40
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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41
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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42
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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43
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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44
sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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45
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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46
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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47
ethics
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| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
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48
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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49
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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