Thenalookofhopelessmiserysuffusedhereyes——
　　tearswelledintothem，andwithalittlecryshesanktothecoldfloor，justasaswarmoffrightfulmendashedpasthertoleapupontheape—man。
　　ButTarzanoftheApeswasnottherewhentheyreachedouttoseizehim。Withalightboundhehaddisappearedintothepassageleadingtothepitsbelow，andwhenhispursuerscamemorecautiouslyaftertheyfoundthechamberempty，theybutlaughedandjabberedtooneanother，fortheyknewthattherewasnoexitfromthepitsotherthantheonethroughwhichhehadentered。Ifhecameoutatallhemustcomethisway，andtheywouldwaitandwatchforhimabove。
　　AndsoTarzanoftheApes，carryingtheunconsciousJanePorter，camethroughthepitsofOparbeneaththetempleofTheFlamingGodwithoutpursuit。ButwhenthemenofOparhadtalkedfurtheraboutthematter，theyrecalledtomindthatthisverymanhadescapedoncebeforeintothepits，and，thoughtheyhadwatchedtheentrancehehadnotcomeforth;andyettodayhehadcomeuponthemfromtheoutside。Theywouldagainsendfiftymenoutintothevalleytofindandcapturethisdesecrateroftheirtemple。
　　AfterTarzanreachedtheshaftbeyondthebrokenwall，hefeltsopositiveofthesuccessfulissueofhisflightthathestoppedtoreplacethetumbledstones，forhewasnotanxiousthatanyoftheinmatesshoulddiscoverthisforgottenpassage，andthroughitcomeuponthetreasurechamber。
　　ItwasinhismindtoreturnagaintoOparandbearawayastillgreaterfortunethanhehadalreadyburiedintheamphitheateroftheapes。
　　Onthroughthepassagewayshetrotted，pastthefirstdoorandthroughthetreasurevault;pasttheseconddoorandintothelong，straighttunnelthatledtotheloftyhiddenexitbeyondthecity。JanePorterwasstillunconscious。
　　Atthecrestofthegreatbowlderhehaltedtocastabackwardglancetowardthecity。ComingacrosstheplainhesawabandofthehideousmenofOpar。Foramomenthehesitated。Shouldhedescendandmakearaceforthedistantcliffs，orshouldhehidehereuntilnight？Andthenaglanceatthegirl’swhitefacedeterminedhim。Hecouldnotkeepherhereandpermitherenemiestogetbetweenthemandliberty。
　　Foraughtheknewtheymighthavebeenfollowedthroughthetunnels，andtohavefoesbeforeandbehindwouldresultinalmostcertaincapture，sincehecouldnotfighthiswaythroughtheenemyburdenedashewaswiththeunconsciousgirl。
　　TodescendthesteepfaceofthebowlderwithJanePorterwasnoeasytask，butbybindingheracrosshisshoulderswiththegrassropehesucceededinreachingthegroundinsafetybeforetheOpariansarrivedatthegreatrock。
　　Asthedescenthadbeenmadeuponthesideawayfromthecity，thesearchingpartysawnothingofit，nordidtheydreamthattheirpreywassoclosebeforethem。
　　BykeepingtheKOPJEbetweenthemandtheirpursuers，TarzanoftheApesmanagedtocovernearlyamilebeforethemenofOparroundedthegranitesentinelandsawthefugitivebeforethem。Withloudcriesofsavagedelight，theybrokeintoamadrun，thinkingdoubtlessthattheywouldsoonoverhaultheburdenedrunner;buttheybothunderestimatedthepowersoftheape—manandoverestimatedthepossibilitiesoftheirownshort，crookedlegs。
　　Bymaintaininganeasytrot，Tarzankeptthedistancebetweenthemalwaysthesame。Occasionallyhewouldglanceatthefacesonearhisown。Haditnotbeenforthefaintbeatingoftheheartpressedsocloseagainsthisown，hewouldnothaveknownthatshewasalive，sowhiteanddrawnwasthepoor，tiredface。
　　Andthustheycametotheflat—toppedmountainandthebarriercliffs。DuringthelastmileTarzanhadlethimselfout，runninglikeadeerthathemighthaveampletimetodescendthefaceofthecliffsbeforetheOparianscouldreachthesummitandhurlrocksdownuponthem。Andsoitwasthathewashalfamiledownthemountainsideerethefiercelittlemencamepantingtotheedge。
　　Withcriesofrageanddisappointmenttheyrangedalongtheclifftopshakingtheircudgels，anddancingupanddowninaperfectpassionofanger。Butthistimetheydidnotpursuebeyondtheboundaryoftheirowncountry。
　　Whetheritwasbecausetheyrecalledthefutilityoftheirformerlongandirksomesearch，orafterwitnessingtheeasewithwhichtheape—manswungalongbeforethem，andthelastburstofspeed，theyrealizedtheutterhopelessnessoffurtherpursuit，itisdifficulttosay;butasTarzanreachedthewoodsthatbeganatthebaseofthefoothillswhichskirtedthebarriercliffstheyturnedtheirfacesoncemoretowardOpar。
　　Justwithintheforest’sedge，wherehecouldyetwatchtheclifftops，Tarzanlaidhisburdenuponthegrass，andgoingtothenear—byrivuletbroughtwaterwithwhichhebathedherfaceandhands;buteventhisdidnotreviveher，and，greatlyworried，hegatheredthegirlintohisstrongarmsoncemoreandhurriedontowardthewest。
　　LateintheafternoonJanePorterregainedconsciousness。
　　Shedidnotopenhereyesatonce——shewastryingtorecallthescenesthatshehadlastwitnessed。Ah，sherememberednow。
　　Thealtar，theterriblepriestess，thedescendingknife。
　　Shegavealittleshudder，forshethoughtthateitherthiswasdeathorthattheknifehadburieditselfinherheartandshewasexperiencingthebriefdeliriumprecedingdeath。
　　Andwhenfinallyshemusteredcouragetoopenhereyes，thesightthatmetthemconfirmedherfears，forshesawthatshewasbeingbornethroughaleafyparadiseinthearmsofherdeadlove。"Ifthisbedeath，"shemurmured，"thankGodthatIamdead。"
　　"Youspoke，Jane！"criedTarzan。"Youareregainingconsciousness！"
　　"Yes，TarzanoftheApes，"shereplied，andforthefirsttimeinmonthsasmileofpeaceandhappinesslightedherface。
　　"ThankGod！"criedtheape—man，comingtothegroundinalittlegrassyclearingbesidethestream。"Iwasintime，afterall。"
　　"Intime？Whatdoyoumean？"shequestioned。
　　"Intimetosaveyoufromdeathuponthealtar，dear，"
　　hereplied。"Doyounotremember？"
　　"Savemefromdeath？"sheasked，inapuzzledtone。
　　"Arewenotbothdead，myTarzan？"
　　Hehadplacedheruponthegrassbynow，herbackrestingagainstthestemofahugetree。Atherquestionhesteppedbackwherehecouldthebetterseeherface。
　　"Dead！"herepeated，andthenhelaughed。"Youarenot，Jane;andifyouwillreturntothecityofOparandaskthemwhodwelltheretheywilltellyouthatIwasnotdeadafewshorthoursago。No，dear，wearebothverymuchalive。"
　　"ButbothHazelandMonsieurThurantoldmethatyouhadfallenintotheoceanmanymilesfromland，"sheurged，asthoughtryingtoconvincehimthathemustindeedbedead。"Theysaidthattherewasnoquestionbutthatitmusthavebeenyou，andlessthatyoucouldhavesurvivedorbeenpickedup。"
　　"HowcanIconvinceyouthatIamnospirit？"heasked，withalaugh。"ItwasIwhomthedelightfulMonsieurThuranpushedoverboard，butIdidnotdrown——Iwilltellyouallaboutitafterawhile——andhereIamverymuchthesamewildmanyoufirstknew，JanePorter。"
　　Thegirlroseslowlytoherfeetandcametowardhim。
　　"Icannotevenyetbelieveit，"shemurmured。"ItcannotbethatsuchhappinesscanbetrueafterallthehideousthingsthatIhavepassedthroughtheseawfulmonthssincetheLADYALICEwentdown。"
　　Shecameclosetohimandlaidahand，softandtrembling，uponhisarm。
　　"ItmustbethatIamdreaming，andthatIshallawakeninamomenttoseethatawfulknifedescendingtowardmyheart——kissme，dear，justoncebeforeIlosemydreamforever。"
　　TarzanoftheApesneedednosecondinvitation。Hetookthegirlhelovedinhisstrongarms，andkissedhernotonce，butahundredtimes，untilshelaytherepantingforbreath;
　　yetwhenhestoppedsheputherarmsabouthisneckanddrewhislipsdowntohersoncemore。
　　"AmIaliveandareality，oramIbutadream？"heasked。
　　"Ifyouarenotalive，myman，"sheanswered，"IpraythatImaydiethusbeforeIawakentotheterriblerealitiesofmylastwakingmoments。"
　　Forawhilebothweresilent——gazingintoeachothers’
　　eyesasthougheachstillquestionedtherealityofthewonderfulhappinessthathadcometothem。Thepast，withallitshideousdisappointmentsandhorrors，wasforgotten——thefuturedidnotbelongtothem;butthepresent——ah，itwastheirs;nonecouldtakeitfromthem。Itwasthegirlwhofirstbrokethesweetsilence。
　　"Wherearewegoing，dear？"sheasked。"Whatarewegoingtodo？"
　　"Wherewouldyoulikebesttogo？"heasked。"Whatwouldyoulikebesttodo？"
　　"Togowhereyougo，myman;todowhateverseemsbesttoyou，"sheanswered。
　　"ButClayton？"heasked。Foramomenthehadforgottenthatthereexistedupontheearthotherthantheytwo。
　　"Wehaveforgottenyourhusband。"
　　"Iamnotmarried，TarzanoftheApes，"shecried。
　　"NoramIlongerpromisedinmarriage。ThedaybeforethoseawfulcreaturescapturedmeIspoketoMr。Claytonofmyloveforyou，andheunderstoodthenthatIcouldnotkeepthewickedpromisethatIhadmade。Itwasafterwehadbeenmiraculouslysavedfromanattackinglion。"Shepausedsuddenlyandlookedupathim，aquestioninglightinhereyes。
　　"TarzanoftheApes，"shecried，"itwasyouwhodidthatthing？Itcouldhavebeennoother。"
　　Hedroppedhiseyes，forhewasashamed。
　　"Howcouldyouhavegoneawayandleftme？"shecriedreproachfully。
　　"Don’t，Jane！"hepleaded。"Pleasedon’t！YoucannotknowhowIhavesufferedsinceforthecrueltyofthatact，orhowIsufferedthen，firstinjealousrage，andtheninbitterresentmentagainstthefatethatIhadnotdeserved。
　　Iwentbacktotheapesafterthat，Jane，intendingneveragaintoseeahumanbeing。"Hetoldherthenofhislifesincehehadreturnedtothejungle——ofhowhehaddroppedlikeaplummetfromacivilizedParisiantoasavageWaziriwarrior，andfromtherebacktothebrutethathehadbeenraised。
　　Sheaskedhimmanyquestions，andatlastfearfullyofthethingsthatMonsieurThuranhadtoldher——ofthewomaninParis。
　　Henarratedeverydetailofhiscivilizedlifetoher，omittingnothing，forhefeltnoshame，sincehisheartalwayshadbeentruetoher。Whenhehadfinishedhesatlookingather，asthoughwaitingforherjudgment，andhissentence。
　　"Iknewthathewasnotspeakingthetruth，"shesaid。
　　"Oh，whatahorriblecreatureheis！"
　　"Youarenotangrywithme，then？"heasked。
　　Andherreply，thoughapparentlymostirrelevant，wastrulyfeminine。
　　"IsOlgadeCoudeverybeautiful？"sheasked。
　　AndTarzanlaughedandkissedheragain。"Notone—tenthsobeautifulasyou，dear，"hesaid。
　　Shegaveacontentedlittlesigh，andletherheadrestagainsthisshoulder。Heknewthathewasforgiven。
　　ThatnightTarzanbuiltasnuglittlebowerhighamongtheswayingbranchesofagianttree，andtherethetiredgirlslept，whileinacrotchbeneathhertheape—mancurled，ready，eveninsleep，toprotecther。
　　Ittookthemmanydaystomakethelongjourneytothecoast。Wherethewaywaseasytheywalkedhandinhandbeneaththearchingboughsofthemightyforest，asmightinafar—gonepasthavewalkedtheirprimevalforbears。
　　Whentheunderbrushwastangledhetookherinhisgreatarms，andboreherlightlythroughthetrees，andthedayswerealltooshort，fortheywereveryhappy。HaditnotbeenfortheiranxietytoreachandsuccorClaytontheywouldhavedrawnoutthesweetpleasureofthatwonderfuljourneyindefinitely。
　　OnthelastdaybeforetheyreachedthecoastTarzancaughtthescentofmenaheadofthem——thescentofblackmen。
　　Hetoldthegirl，andcautionedhertomaintainsilence。
　　"Therearefewfriendsinthejungle，"heremarkeddryly。
　　Inhalfanhourtheycamestealthilyuponasmallpartyofblackwarriorsfilingtowardthewest。AsTarzansawthemhegaveacryofdelight——itwasabandofhisownWaziri。
　　Busuliwasthere，andotherswhohadaccompaniedhimtoOpar。
　　Atsightofhimtheydancedandcriedoutinexuberantjoy。
　　Forweekstheyhadbeensearchingforhim，theytoldhim。
　　Theblacksexhibitedconsiderablewondermentatthepresenceofthewhitegirlwithhim，andwhentheyfoundthatshewastobehiswomantheyviedwithoneanothertodoherhonor。WiththehappyWazirilaughinganddancingaboutthemtheycametotherudeshelterbytheshore。
　　Therewasnosignoflife，andnoresponsetotheircalls。
　　Tarzanclamberedquicklytotheinteriorofthelittletreehut，onlytoemergeamomentlaterwithanemptytin。
　　ThrowingitdowntoBusuli，hetoldhimtofetchwater，andthenhebeckonedJanePortertocomeup。
　　TogethertheyleanedovertheemaciatedthingthatoncehadbeenanEnglishnobleman。Tearscametothegirl’seyesasshesawthepoor，sunkencheeksandholloweyes，andthelinesofsufferingupontheonceyoungandhandsomeface。
　　"Hestilllives，"saidTarzan。"Wewilldoallthatcanbedoneforhim，butIfearthatwearetoolate。"
　　WhenBusulihadbroughtthewaterTarzanforcedafewdropsbetweenthecrackedandswollenlips。Hewettedthehotforeheadandbathedthepitifullimbs。
　　PresentlyClaytonopenedhiseyes。Afaint，shadowysmilelightedhiscountenanceashesawthegirlleaningoverhim。
　　AtsightofTarzantheexpressionchangedtooneofwonderment。
　　"It’sallright，oldfellow，"saidtheape—man。"We’vefoundyouintime。Everythingwillbeallrightnow，andwe’llhaveyouonyourfeetagainbeforeyouknowit。"
　　TheEnglishmanshookhisheadweakly。"It’stoolate，"
　　hewhispered。"Butit’sjustaswell。I’dratherdie。"
　　"WhereisMonsieurThuran？"askedthegirl。
　　"Heleftmeafterthefevergotbad。Heisadevil。
　　WhenIbeggedforthewaterthatIwastooweaktogethedrankbeforeme，threwtherestout，andlaughedinmyface。"
　　Atthethoughtofitthemanwassuddenlyanimatedbyasparkofvitality。Heraisedhimselfupononeelbow。"Yes，"healmostshouted;"Iwilllive。Iwilllivelongenoughtofindandkillthatbeast！"Butthebriefeffortlefthimweakerthanbefore，andhesankbackagainupontherottinggrassesthat，withhisoldulster，hadbeenthebedofJanePorter。
　　"Don’tworryaboutThuran，"saidTarzanoftheApes，layingareassuringhandonClayton’sforehead。"Hebelongstome，andIshallgethimintheend，neverfear。"
　　ForalongtimeClaytonlayverystill。SeveraltimesTarzanhadtoputhisearquiteclosetothesunkenchesttocatchthefaintbeatingofthewornoutheart。
　　Towardeveninghearousedagainforabriefmoment。
　　"Jane，"hewhispered。Thegirlbentherheadclosertocatchthefaintmessage。"Ihavewrongedyou——andhim，"henoddedweaklytowardtheape—man。"Ilovedyouso——itisapoorexcusetoofferforinjuringyou;butIcouldnotbeartothinkofgivingyouup。Idonotaskyourforgiveness。IonlywishtodonowthethingIshouldhavedoneoverayearago。"
　　Hefumbledinthepocketoftheulsterbeneathhimforsomethingthathehaddiscoveredtherewhilehelaybetweentheparoxysmsoffever。Presentlyhefoundit——acrumpledbitofyellowpaper。Hehandedittothegirl，andasshetookithisarmfelllimplyacrosshischest，hisheaddroppedback，andwithalittlegasphestiffenedandwasstill。ThenTarzanoftheApesdrewafoldoftheulsteracrosstheupturnedface。
　　Foramomenttheyremainedkneelingthere，thegirl’slipsmovinginsilentprayer，andastheyroseandstoodoneithersideofthenowpeacefulform，tearscametotheape—
　　man’seyes，forthroughtheanguishthathisownhearthadsufferedhehadlearnedcompassionforthesufferingofothers。
　　Throughherowntearsthegirlreadthemessageuponthebitoffadedyellowpaper，andasshereadhereyeswentverywide。Twiceshereadthosestartlingwordsbeforeshecouldfullycomprehendtheirmeaning。
　　FingerprintsproveyouGreystoke。Congratulations。
　　D’ARNOT。
　　ShehandedthepapertoTarzan。"Andhehasknownitallthistime，"shesaid，"anddidnottellyou？"
　　"Iknewitfirst，Jane，"repliedtheman。"Ididnotknowthatheknewitatall。Imusthavedroppedthismessagethatnightinthewaitingroom。ItwastherethatIreceivedit。"
　　"Andafterwardyoutoldusthatyourmotherwasashe—ape，andthatyouhadneverknownyourfather？"sheaskedincredulously。
　　"Thetitleandtheestatesmeantnothingtomewithoutyou，dear，"hereplied。"AndifIhadtakenthemawayfromhimIshouldhavebeenrobbingthewomanIlove——
　　don’tyouunderstand，Jane？"Itwasasthoughheattemptedtoexcuseafault。
　　Sheextendedherarmstowardhimacrossthebodyofthedeadman，andtookhishandsinhers。
　　"AndIwouldhavethrownawayalovelikethat！"shesaid。
　　Chapter26
　　ThePassingoftheApe—ManThenextmorningtheysetoutupontheshortjourneytoTarzan’scabin。FourWaziriborethebodyofthedeadEnglishman。
　　Ithadbeentheape—man’ssuggestionthatClaytonbeburiedbesidetheformerLordGreystokeneartheedgeofthejungleagainstthecabinthattheoldermanhadbuilt。
　　JanePorterwasgladthatitwastobeso，andinherheartofheartsshewonderedatthemarvelousfinenessofcharacterofthiswondrousman，who，thoughraisedbybrutesandamongbrutes，hadthetruechivalryandtendernesswhichonlyassociateswiththerefinementsofthehighestcivilization。
　　TheyhadproceededsomethreemilesofthefivethathadseparatedthemfromTarzan’sownbeachwhentheWaziriwhowereaheadstoppedsuddenly，pointinginamazementatastrangefigureapproachingthemalongthebeach。
　　Itwasamanwithashinysilkhat，whowalkedslowlywithbenthead，andhandsclaspedbehindhimunderneaththetailsofhislong，blackcoat。
　　AtsightofhimJanePorterutteredalittlecryofsurpriseandjoy，andranquicklyaheadtomeethim。Atthesoundofhervoicetheoldmanlookedup，andwhenhesawwhoitwasconfrontinghimhe，too，criedoutinreliefandhappiness。
　　AsProfessorArchimedesQ。Porterfoldedhisdaughterinhisarmstearsstreameddownhisseamedoldface，anditwasseveralminutesbeforehecouldcontrolhimselfsufficientlytospeak。
　　WhenamomentlaterherecognizedTarzanitwaswithdifficultythattheycouldconvincehimthathissorrowhadnotunbalancedhismind，forwiththeothermembersofthepartyhehadbeensothoroughlyconvincedthattheape—manwasdeaditwasaproblemtoreconciletheconvictionwiththeverylifelikeappearanceofJane’s"forestgod。"TheoldmanwasdeeplytouchedatthenewsofClayton’sdeath。
　　"Icannotunderstandit，"hesaid。"MonsieurThuranassuredusthatClaytonpassedawaymanydaysago。"
　　"Thuraniswithyou？"askedTarzan。
　　"Yes;hebutrecentlyfoundusandledustoyourcabin。
　　Wewerecampedbutashortdistancenorthofit。Blessme，buthewillbedelightedtoseeyouboth。"
　　"Andsurprised，"commentedTarzan。
　　Ashorttimelaterthestrangepartycametotheclearinginwhichstoodtheape—man’scabin。Itwasfilledwithpeoplecomingandgoing，andalmostthefirstwhomTarzansawwasD’Arnot。
　　"Paul！"hecried。"Inthenameofsanitywhatareyoudoinghere？Orareweallinsane？"
　　Itwasquicklyexplained，however，asweremanyotherseeminglystrangethings。D’Arnot’sshiphadbeencruisingalongthecoast，onpatrolduty，whenatthelieutenant’ssuggestiontheyhadanchoredoffthelittlelandlockedharbortohaveanotherlookatthecabinandthejungleinwhichmanyoftheofficersandmenhadtakenpartinexcitingadventurestwoyearsbefore。OnlandingtheyhadfoundLordTennington’sparty，andarrangementswerebeingmadetotakethemallonboardthefollowingmorning，andcarrythembacktocivilization。
　　HazelStrongandhermother，Esmeralda，andMr。SamuelT。PhilanderwerealmostovercomebyhappinessatJanePorter’ssafereturn。Herescapeseemedtothemlittleshortofmiraculous，anditwastheconsensusofopinionthatitcouldhavebeenachievedbynoothermanthanTarzanoftheApes。Theyloadedtheuncomfortableape—manwitheulogiesandattentionsuntilhewishedhimselfbackintheamphitheateroftheapes。
　　AllwereinterestedinhissavageWaziri，andmanywerethegiftstheblackmenreceivedfromthesefriendsoftheirking，butwhentheylearnedthathemightsailawayfromthemuponthegreatcanoethatlayatanchoramileoffshoretheybecameverysad。
　　AsyetthenewcomershadseennothingofLordTenningtonandMonsieurThuran。Theyhadgoneoutforfreshmeatearlyintheday，andhadnotyetreturned。
　　"Howsurprisedthisman，whosenameyousayisRokoff，willbetoseeyou，"saidJanePortertoTarzan。
　　"Hissurprisewillbeshort—lived，"repliedtheape—mangrimly，andtherewasthatinhistonethatmadeherlookupintohisfaceinalarm。Whatshereadthereevidentlyconfirmedherfears，forsheputherhanduponhisarm，andpleadedwithhimtoleavetheRussiantothelawsofFrance。
　　"Intheheartofthejungle，dear，"shesaid，"withnootherformofrightorjusticetoappealtootherthanyourownmightymuscles，youwouldbewarrantedinexecutinguponthismanthesentencehedeserves;butwiththestrongarmofacivilizedgovernmentatyourdisposalitwouldbemurdertokillhimnow。Evenyourfriendswouldhavetosubmittoyourarrest，orifyouresisteditwouldplungeusallintomiseryandunhappinessagain。Icannotbeartoloseyouagain，myTarzan。PromisemethatyouwillbutturnhimovertoCaptainDufranne，andletthelawtakeitscourse——thebeastisnotworthriskingourhappinessfor。"
　　Hesawthewisdomofherappeal，andpromised。AhalfhourlaterRokoffandTenningtonemergedfromthejungle。
　　Theywerewalkingsidebyside。Tenningtonwasthefirsttonotethepresenceofstrangersinthecamp。Hesawtheblackwarriorspalaveringwiththesailorsfromthecruiser，andthenhesawalithe，browngianttalkingwithLieutenantD’ArnotandCaptainDufranne。
　　"Whoisthat，Iwonder，"saidTenningtontoRokoff，andastheRussianraisedhiseyesandmetthoseoftheape—manfulluponhim，hestaggeredandwentwhite。
　　"SAPRISTI！"hecried，andbeforeTenningtonrealizedwhatheintendedhehadthrownhisguntohisshoulder，andaimingpoint—blankatTarzanpulledthetrigger。ButtheEnglishmanwasclosetohim——soclosethathishandreachedtheleveledbarrelafractionofasecondbeforethehammerfelluponthecartridge，andthebulletthatwasintendedforTarzan’sheartwhirredharmlesslyabovehishead。
　　BeforetheRussiancouldfireagaintheape—manwasuponhimandhadwrestedthefirearmfromhisgrasp。
　　CaptainDufranne，LieutenantD’Arnot，andadozensailorshadrushedupatthesoundoftheshot，andnowTarzanturnedtheRussianovertothemwithoutaword。HehadexplainedthemattertotheFrenchcommanderbeforeRokoffarrived，andtheofficergaveimmediateorderstoplacetheRussianinironsandconfinehimonboardthecruiser。
　　JustbeforetheguardescortedtheprisonerintothesmallboatthatwastotransporthimtohistemporaryprisonTarzanaskedpermissiontosearchhim，andtohisdelightfoundthestolenpapersconcealeduponhisperson。
　　TheshothadbroughtJanePorterandtheothersfromthecabin，andamomentaftertheexcitementhaddieddownshegreetedthesurprisedLordTennington。TarzanjoinedthemafterhehadtakenthepapersfromRokoff，and，asheapproached，JanePorterintroducedhimtoTennington。
　　"JohnClayton，LordGreystoke，mylord，"shesaid。
　　TheEnglishmanlookedhisastonishmentinspiteofhismostherculeaneffortstoappearcourteous，anditrequiredmanyrepetitionsofthestrangestoryoftheape—manastoldbyhimself，JanePorter，andLieutenantD’ArnottoconvinceLordTenningtonthattheywerenotallquitemad。
　　AtsunsettheyburiedWilliamCecilClaytonbesidethejunglegravesofhisuncleandhisaunt，theformerLordandLadyGreystoke。AnditwasatTarzan’srequestthatthreevolleyswerefiredoverthelastrestingplaceof"abraveman，whomethisdeathbravely。"
　　ProfessorPorter，whoinhisyoungerdayshadbeenordainedaminister，conductedthesimpleservicesforthedead。
　　Aboutthegrave，withbowedheads，stoodasstrangeacompanyofmournersasthesuneverlookeddownupon。
　　TherewereFrenchofficersandsailors，twoEnglishlords，Americans，andascoreofsavageAfricanbraves。
　　FollowingthefuneralTarzanaskedCaptainDufrannetodelaythesailingofthecruiseracoupleofdayswhilehewentinlandafewmilestofetchhis"belongings，"andtheofficergladlygrantedthefavor。
　　LatethenextafternoonTarzanandhisWazirireturnedwiththefirstloadof"belongings，"andwhenthepartysawtheancientingotsofvirgingoldtheyswarmedupontheape—
　　manwithathousandquestions;buthewassmilinglyobduratetotheirappeals——hedeclinedtogivethemtheslightestclewastothesourceofhisimmensetreasure。"ThereareathousandthatIleftbehind，"heexplained，"foreveryonethatIbroughtaway，andwhenthesearespentImaywishtoreturnformore。"
　　Thenextdayhereturnedtocampwiththebalanceofhisingots，andwhentheywerestoredonboardthecruiserCaptainDufrannesaidhefeltlikethecommanderofanold—
　　timeSpanishgalleonreturningfromthetreasurecitiesoftheAztecs。"Idon’tknowwhatminutemycrewwillcutmythroat，andtakeovertheship，"headded。
　　Thenextmorning，astheywerepreparingtoembarkuponthecruiser，TarzanventuredasuggestiontoJanePorter。
　　"Wildbeastsaresupposedtobedevoidofsentiment，"hesaid，"butneverthelessIshouldliketobemarriedinthecabinwhereIwasborn，besidethegravesofmymotherandmyfather，andsurroundedbythesavagejunglethatalwayshasbeenmyhome。"
　　"Woulditbequiteregular，dear？"sheasked。"ForifitwouldIknowofnootherplaceinwhichIshouldratherbemarriedtomyforestgodthanbeneaththeshadeofhisprimevalforest。"
　　Andwhentheyspokeofittotheotherstheywereassuredthatitwouldbequiteregular，andamostsplendidterminationofaremarkableromance。SotheentirepartyassembledwithinthelittlecabinandaboutthedoortowitnessthesecondceremonythatProfessorPorterwastosolemnizewithinthreedays。
　　D’Arnotwastobebestman，andHazelStrongbridesmaid，untilTenningtonupsetallthearrangementsbyanotherofhismarvelous"ideas。"
　　"IfMrs。Strongisagreeable，"hesaid，takingthebridesmaid’shandinhis，"HazelandIthinkitwouldberippingtomakeitadoublewedding。"
　　Thenextdaytheysailed，andasthecruisersteamedslowlyouttoseaatallman，immaculateinwhiteflannel，andagracefulgirlleanedagainstherrailtowatchtherecedingshorelineuponwhichdancedtwentynaked，blackwarriorsoftheWaziri，wavingtheirwarspearsabovetheirsavageheads，andshoutingfarewellstotheirdepartingking。
　　"IshouldhatetothinkthatIamlookinguponthejungleforthelasttime，dear，"hesaid，"wereitnotthatIknowthatIamgoingtoanewworldofhappinesswithyouforever，"
　　and，bendingdown，TarzanoftheApeskissedhismateuponherlips。