第18章
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。