登陆注册
15320300000020

第20章

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 Waziri.

When all had passed, Tarzan rose and emerged from concealment.He looked down the trail in the direction the party had gone.Then he turned to Werper.

"We will follow and slay them," he said.

"Why?" asked the Belgian.

"They are black," explained Tarzan."It was a black who killed Kala.They are the enemies of the Manganis."

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 bungalow, for he had begun to have doubts as to his ability to retrace his steps to the Waziri country.Tarzan, he knew, had not the remotest idea of whither they were going.By keeping at a safe distance behind the laden warriors, they would have no difficulty in following them home.Once at the bungalow, Werper knew the way to the camp of Achmet Zek.There was still another reason why he did not wish to interfere with the Waziri--they were bearing the great burden of treasure in the direction he wished it borne.The farther they took it, the less the distance that he and Achmet Zek would have to transport it.

He argued with the 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 that 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 warriors, 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.Beyond, grazing herds of zebra, hartebeest, and topi dotted the level landscape, while closer to the river a bull buffalo, his head and shoulders protruding from the reeds watched the advancing blacks for a moment, only to turn at last and disappear into the safety of his dank and gloomy retreat.

Tarzan looked out across the familiar vista with no faintest gleam of recognition in his eyes.He saw the game animals, and his mouth watered; but he did not look in the direction of his bungalow.Werper, however, did.A puzzled expression entered 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 out- houses.The corrals, the hay stacks--all were gone.

What could it mean?

And then, slowly there filtered into Werper's consciousness an explanation of the havoc that had been wrought in that peaceful valley since last his eyes had rested upon it--Achmet Zek had been there!

Basuli and his warriors had noted the devastation the moment they had come in sight of the farm.Now they 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 trampled garden and stood before the charred ruins of their master's bungalow, their greatest fears became convictions in the light of the evidence about them.

Remnants of human dead, half devoured by prowling hyenas and others of the carnivora which infested the region, lay rotting upon the ground, and among the corpses remained sufficient remnants of their clothing and ornaments to make clear to Basuli the frightful story of the disaster that had befallen his master's house.

"The Arabs," he said, as his men clustered about him.

The Waziri gazed about in mute rage for several minutes.Everywhere they encountered only further evidence of the ruthlessness of the cruel enemy that had come during the Great Bwana's absence and laid waste his property.

"What did they with 'Lady'?" asked one of the blacks.

They had always called Lady Greystoke thus.

"The women they would have taken with them," said Basuli."Our women and his."

A giant black raised his spear above his head, and gave voice to a savage cry of rage and hate.The others followed his example.Basuli 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 women live the greater the need of haste, and warriors cannot travel fast upon empty lungs."

From the shelter of the reeds along the river, Werper and Tarzan watched 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 little interested, after Werper had assured him that that which they buried was not good to eat; but Werper was intensely interested.He would have given much had he had his own followers with him, that he might take away the treasure as soon as the blacks left, for he was sure that they would leave this scene of desolation and death as soon as possible.

同类推荐
  • 蚁术诗选

    蚁术诗选

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 江西舆地图说

    江西舆地图说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 唐三藏西游厄释传

    唐三藏西游厄释传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 妇科心法要诀

    妇科心法要诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 王常宗集

    王常宗集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 最初的我

    最初的我

    吴远,意外获得战族绝学随后与诸神厮杀走上巅峰,单挑至高神,独闯洛神塔,各种位面强者的乱入,无限轮回,从我开始!
  • 君来一场巅峰之时

    君来一场巅峰之时

    从小被家人视为掌上明珠的许依然在十九岁时不顾家庭反对,毅然选择跟她相爱的童侨在一起。两年之后,许依然的父亲意外死亡,许氏企业从此败落。母亲承受不住丈夫的突然去世和债主的逼债而服毒自杀。本是温馨快乐的家庭一下子坍塌了,而正处于万分悲伤的许依然却发现童侨已经有了新欢准备出国订婚。雪上加霜的悲痛让她不得不卸掉自己公主外衣,从小娇生惯养思想单纯的她为了生活为了复仇而被逼上小姐与明星之路。凭借她出众的美丽与魅力,三年之后眼看她就能够万丈光芒,众星拱月时,童侨却又出现了,告诉她,他爱她,舍不得再让她受到任何的伤害。继而依然又该如何去面对她逃不过的真心与当初的背叛仇恨,还有这三年来她所受的屈辱与悲痛……《君来一场巅峰之时》将会为读者们讲述一个徘徊在爱与恨、善与恶、悲与欢边缘的人,为爱情亲情友情尝尽了人间所有的苦果,最终能否得到自己的幸福的故事。
  • 星痕骑士

    星痕骑士

    在圣骑大陆星痕被视为恶魔的诅咒,但也代表着未来和希望,就在一个孤儿身上出现了星痕,而这名孤儿因为不会控制星痕的力量而暴走死亡,穿越而来的少年借助了这位少年的身体复活,在大陆纵横,详细情形请看本文。PS本人一次写,不好处请勿喷,还请大家见谅。
  • 吞天仙王

    吞天仙王

    玄界,万族林立,百朝争霸。人人以实力为尊灵界,至上栖息,仙古遗种。血脉之力可破虚空。仙界,缥缈不可寻,抬手间日月陨落,扭转乾坤。大劫将至,群魔乱舞,边荒少年偶得仙古吞天雀遗骸,为拯救双亲陷入洪荒大战,吞天地本源,练大道宝术,征战三界,成就不朽功业!大千世界,万道争锋,吾乃吞天仙王!新书期间:求收藏!求收藏!求收藏!用心写,每天万字更新!!!
  • 巫道阴阳

    巫道阴阳

    被美女老板租回家做男友,却遇上了阴婚复仇。从此我开启了另外一段人生。继承巫道血脉,追寻爷爷死因,我沿着一个又一个鬼怪秘辛,揭开的却是商周时期鲜血斑斑的阴谋……
  • 闪电十一人之弑神者

    闪电十一人之弑神者

    在去看足球比赛的途中,因赶时间而闯红灯的阿盛,被一辆车给撞倒了,然而却因此来到了一个充满热血足球的世界,这就是闪电十一人。
  • 爱为亦心一意

    爱为亦心一意

    --无论岁月多老,我依旧愿意相信童话会有美好的结局。”怎么样,是不是喜欢上我了?””嗯。””好啊,我也很喜欢你!“没有美丽的告白我也会喜欢你。..........”白头偕老哪有那么容易?“”有什么不容易?我就要守着你。”悠长的岁月,有你就够了。..........”为什么?为什么你不肯把他让给我?“”爱不是成全,我又不是圣母,凭什么把他让给你?”爱很简单,只要你一心一意对我,我愿意陪你白头到老。
  • 紫瞳蓝梦

    紫瞳蓝梦

    那一抹眼中闪过的忧伤,蓝紫的双色瞳。一座冰山为她而融化,一轮明月为她而照亮,一对妖花为她而倾城。谁能抚慰她的心痕,打开她的心扉。她又该如何抉择?
  • 梦幻西游之前世恋

    梦幻西游之前世恋

    五百年前,烽火连年。相见,相识,相恋,在这乱世之中看尽世态炎凉。来世,我定和你在那樱花下,与你一夜白头,细数流年,从此永不分离。
  • 你是唯一的存在

    你是唯一的存在

    岳凡看着我,扭头看看周围,仰头思考一阵,大概沉默了两分钟,或者更长……“我喜欢你~”岳凡冷不丁来了一句晴天霹雳的话。他低头认真的注视着我。“你没搞错吧,我是男生!你TMD觉得逗着我好玩是吗?”我很生气的喊。真想给他一个耳光!更没想到人生第一被表白竟然是这样一个场景,而且还是个只见过两面的男生,真是啼笑皆非。“我没逗你,是真的!”岳凡忧伤的看着我。啪————我一个耳光扇过去,岳凡半个脸都红了。我不想听他说什么不着边的话,更不想再看到他,我转身向宿舍楼跑去。