tarzan the terrible-第34章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


across　the　portage　and　out　upon　the　waters　of　Jad…in…lul。

The　morning　sun　was　just　touching　the　white　domes　of　Tu…lur　when　Mo…sar's　paddlers　brought　their　canoes　against　the　shore　at　the　city's　edge。　Safe　once　more　behind　his　own　walls　and　protected　by　many　warriors；　the　courage　of　the　chief　returned　sufficiently　at　least　to　permit　him　to　dispatch　three　canoes　in　search　of　Jane　Clayton；　and　also　to　go　as　far　as　A…lur　if　possible　to　learn　what　had　delayed　Bu…lot；　whose　failure　to　reach　the　canoes　with　the　balance　of　the　party　at　the　time　of　the　flight　from　the　northern　city　had　in　no　way　delayed　Mo…sar's　departure；　his　own　safety　being　of　far　greater　moment　than　that　of　his　son。

As　the　three　canoes　reached　the　portage　on　their　return　journey　the　warriors　who　were　dragging　them　from　the　water　were　suddenly　startled　by　the　appearance　of　two　priests；　carrying　a　light　canoe　in　the　direction　of　Jad…in…lul。　At　first　they　thought　them　the　advance　guard　of　a　larger　force　of　Lu…don's　followers；　although　the　correctness　of　such　a　theory　was　belied　by　their　knowledge　that　priests　never　accepted　the　risks　or　perils　of　a　warrior's　vocation；　nor　even　fought　until　driven　into　a　corner　and　forced　to　do　so。　Secretly　the　warriors　of　Pal…ul…don　held　the　emasculated　priesthood　in　contempt　and　so　instead　of　immediately　taking　up　the　offensive　as　they　would　have　had　the　two　men　been　warriors　from　A…lur　instead　of　priests；　they　waited　to　question　them。

At　sight　of　the　warriors　the　priests　made　the　sign　of　peace　and　upon　being　asked　if　they　were　alone　they　answered　in　the　affirmative。

The　leader　of　Mo…sar's　warriors　permitted　them　to　approach。　〃What　do　you　here；〃　he　asked；　〃in　the　country　of　Mo…sar；　so　far　from　your　own　city？〃

〃We　carry　a　message　from　Lu…don；　the　high　priest；　to　Mo…sar；〃　explained　one。

〃Is　it　a　message　of　peace　or　of　war？〃　asked　the　warrior。

〃It　is　an　offer　of　peace；〃　replied　the　priest。

〃And　Lu…don　is　sending　no　warriors　behind　you？〃　queried　the　fighting　man。

〃We　are　alone；〃　the　priest　assured　him。　〃None　in　A…lur　save　Lu…don　knows　that　we　have　come　upon　this　errand。〃

〃Then　go　your　way；〃　said　the　warrior。

〃Who　is　that？〃　asked　one　of　the　priests　suddenly；　pointing　toward　the　upper　end　of　the　lake　at　the　point　where　the　river　from　Jad…bal…lul　entered　it。

All　eyes　turned　in　the　direction　that　he　had　indicated　to　see　a　lone　warrior　paddling　rapidly　into　Jad…in…lul；　the　prow　of　his　canoe　pointing　toward　Tu…lur。　The　warriors　and　the　priests　drew　into　the　concealment　of　the　bushes　on　either　side　of　the　portage。

〃It　is　the　terrible　man　who　called　himself　the　Dor…ul…Otho；〃　whispered　one　of　the　priests。　〃I　would　know　that　figure　among　a　great　multitude　as　far　as　I　could　see　it。〃

〃You　are　right；　priest；〃　cried　one　of　the　warriors　who　had　seen　Tarzan　the　day　that　he　had　first　entered　Ko…tan's　palace。　〃It　is　indeed　he　who　has　been　rightly　called　Tarzan…jad…guru。〃

〃Hasten　priests；〃　cried　the　leader　of　the　party。　〃You　are　two　paddles　in　a　light　canoe。　Easily　can　you　reach　Tu…lur　ahead　of　him　and　warn　Mo…sar　of　his　coming；　for　he　has　but　only　entered　the　lake。〃

For　a　moment　the　priests　demurred　for　they　had　no　stomach　for　an　encounter　with　this　terrible　man；　but　the　warrior　insisted　and　even　went　so　far　as　to　threaten　them。　Their　canoe　was　taken　from　them　and　pushed　into　the　lake　and　they　were　all　but　lifted　bodily　from　their　feet　and　put　aboard　it。　Still　protesting　they　were　shoved　out　upon　the　water　where　they　were　immediately　in　full　view　of　the　lone　paddler　above　them。　Now　there　was　no　alternative。　The　city　of　Tu…lur　offered　the　only　safety　and　bending　to　their　paddles　the　two　priests　sent　their　craft　swiftly　in　the　direction　of　the　city。

The　warriors　withdrew　again　to　the　concealment　of　the　foliage。　If　Tarzan　had　seen　them　and　should　come　hither　to　investigate　there　were　thirty　of　them　against　one　and　naturally　they　had　no　fear　of　the　outcome；　but　they　did　not　consider　it　necessary　to　go　out　upon　the　lake　to　meet　him　since　they　had　been　sent　to　look　for　the　escaped　prisoner　and　not　to　intercept　the　strange　warrior；　the　stories　of　whose　ferocity　and　prowess　doubtless　helped　them　to　arrive　at　their　decision　to　provoke　no　uncalled…for　quarrel　with　him。

If　he　had　seen　them　he　gave　no　sign；　but　continued　paddling　steadily　and　strongly　toward　the　city；　nor　did　he　increase　his　speed　as　the　two　priests　shot　out　in　full　view。　The　moment　the　priests'　canoe　touched　the　shore　by　the　city　its　occupants　leaped　out　and　hurried　swiftly　toward　the　palace　gate；　casting　affrighted　glances　behind　them。　They　sought　immediate　audience　with　Mo…sar；　after　warning　the　warriors　on　guard　that　Tarzan　was　approaching。

They　were　conducted　at　once　to　the　chief；　whose　court　was　a　smaller　replica　of　that　of　the　king　of　A…lur。　〃We　come　from　Lu…don；　the　high　priest；〃　explained　the　spokesman。　〃He　wishes　the　friendship　of　Mo…sar；　who　has　always　been　his　friend。　Ja…don　is　gathering　warriors　to　make　himself　king。　Throughout　the　villages　of　the　Ho…don　are　thousands　who　will　obey　the　commands　of　Lu…don；　the　high　priest。　Only　with　Lu…don's　assistance　can　Mo…sar　become　king；　and　the　message　from　Lu…don　is　that　if　Mo…sar　would　retain　the　friendship　of　Lu…don　he　must　return　immediately　the　woman　he　took　from　the　quarters　of　the　Princess　O…lo…a。〃

At　this　juncture　a　warrior　entered。　His　excitement　was　evident。　〃The　Dor…ul…Otho　has　come　to　Tu…lur　and　demands　to　see　Mo…sar　at　once；〃　he　said。

〃The　Dor…ul…Otho！〃　exclaimed　Mo…sar。

〃That　is　the　message　he　sent；〃　replied　the　warrior；　〃and　indeed　he　is　not　as　are　the　people　of　Pal…ul…don。　He　is；　we　think；　the　same　of　whom　the　warriors　that　returned　from　A…lur　today　told　us　and　whom　some　call　Tarzan…jad…guru　and　some　Dor…ul…Otho。　But　indeed　only　the　son　of　god　would　dare　come　thus　alone　to　a　strange　city；　so　it　must　be　that　he　speaks　the　truth。〃

Mo…sar；　his　heart　filled　with　terror　and　indecision；　turned　questioningly　toward　the　priests。

〃Receive　him　graciously；　Mo…sar；〃　counseled　he　who　had　spoken　before；　his　advice　prompted　by　the　petty　shrewdness　of　his　defective　brain　which；　under　the　added　influence　of　Lu…don's　tutorage　leaned　always　toward　duplicity。　〃Receive　him　graciously　and　when　he　is　quite　convinced　of　your　friendship　he　will　be　off　his　guard；　and　then　you　may　do　with　him　as　you　will。　But　if　possible；　Mo…sar；　and　you　would　win　the　undying　gratitude　of　Lu…don；　the　high…priest；　save　him　alive　for　my　master。〃

Mo…sar　nodded　understandingly　and　turning　to　the　warrior　commanded　that　he　conduct　the　visitor　to　him。

〃We　must　not　be　seen　by　the　creature；〃　said　one　of　the　priests。　〃Give　us　your　answer　to　Lu…don；　Mo…sar；　and　we　will　go　our　way。〃

〃Tell　Lu…don；〃　replied　the　chief；　〃that　the　woman　would　have　been　lost　to　him　entirely　had　it　not　been　for　me。　I　sought　to　bring　her　to　Tu…lur　that　I　might　save　her　for　him　from　the　clutches　of　Ja…don；　but　during　the　night　she　escaped。　Tell　Lu…don　that　I　have　sent　thirty　warriors　to　search　for　her。　It　is　strange　you　did　not　see　them　as　you　came。〃

〃We　did；〃　replied　the　priests；　〃but　they　told　us　nothing　of　the　purpose　of　their　journey。〃

〃It　is　as　I　have　told　you；〃　said　Mo…sar；　〃and　if　they　find　her；　assure　your　master　that　she　will　be　kept　unharmed　in　Tu…lur　for　him。　Also　tell　him　that　I　will　send　my　warriors　to　join　with　his　against　Ja…don　whenever　he　sends　word　that　he　wants　them。　Now　go；　for　Tarzan…jad…guru　will　soon　be　here。〃

He　signaled　to　a　slave。　〃Lead　the　priests　to　the　temple；〃　he　commanded；　〃and　ask　the　high　priest　of　Tu…lur　to　see　that　they　are　fed　and　permitted　to　return　to　A…lur　when　they　will。〃

The　two　priests　were　conducted　from　the　apartment　by　the　slave　through　a　doorway　other　than　that　at　which　they　had　entered；　and　a　moment　later　Tarzan…jad…guru　strode　into　the　presence　of　Mo…sar；　ahead　of　the　warrior　whose　duty　it　had　been　to　conduct　and　announce　him。　The　ape…man　made　no　sign　of　greeting　or　of　peace　but　strode　directly　toward　the　chief　who；　only　by　the　exertion　of　his　utmost　powers　of　will；　hid　the　terror　that　was　in　his　heart　at　sight　of　the　giant　figure　and　the　scowling　face。

〃I　am　the　Dor…ul…Otho；〃　said　the　ape…man　in　level　tones　that　carried　to　the　mind　of　Mo…sar　a　suggestion　of　cold　steel；　〃I　am　Dor…ul…Otho；　and　I　come　to　Tu…lur　for　the　woman　you　stole　from　the　apartments　of　O…lo…a；　the　princess。〃

The　very　boldness　of　Tarzan's　entry　into　this　hostile　city　had　had　the　effect　of　giving　him　a　great　moral　advantage　over　Mo…sar　and　the　savage　warriors　who　stood　upon　either　side　of　the　chief。　Truly　it　seemed　to　them　that　no　other　than　the　son　of　Jad…ben…Otho　would　dare　so　heroic　an　act。　Would　any　mortal　warrior　act　thus　boldly；　and　alone　enter　the　presence　of　a　powerful　chief　and；　in　the　midst　of　a　score　of　warriors；　arrogantly　demand　an　accounting？　No；　it　was　beyond　reason。　Mo…sar　was　faltering　in　his　decision　to　betray　the　stranger　by　seeming　friendliness。　He　even　paled　to　a　sudden　thoughtJad…ben…Otho　knew　everything；　even　our　inmost　thoughts。　Was　it　not　therefore　possible　that　this　creature；　if　after　all　it　should　prove　true　that　he　was　the　Dor…ul…Otho；　might　even　now　be　reading　the　wicked　design　that　the　priests　had　implanted　in　the　brain　of　Mo…sar　and　which　he　had　entertained　so　favorably？　The　chief　squirmed　and　fidgeted　upon　the　bench　of　hewn　rock　that　was　his　throne。

〃Quick；〃　snapped　the　ape…man；　〃Where　is　she？〃

〃She　is　not　here；〃　cried　Mo…sar。

〃You　lie；〃　replied　Tarzan。

〃As　Jad…ben…Otho　is　my　witness；　she　is　not　in　Tu…lur；〃　insisted　the　chief。　〃You　may　search　the　palace　and　the　temple　and　the　entire　city　but　you　will　not　find　her；　for　she　is　not　here。〃

〃Where　is　she；　then？〃　demanded　the　ape…man。　〃You　took　her　from　the　palace　at　A…lur。　If　she　is　not　here；　where　is　she？　Tell　me　not　that　harm　has　befallen　her；〃　and　he　took　a　sudden　threatening　step　toward　Mo…sar；　that　sent　the　chief　shrinking　back　in　terror。

〃Wait；〃　he　cried；　〃if　you　are　indeed　the　Dor…ul…Otho　you　will　know　that　I　speak　the　truth。　I　took　her　from　the　palace　of　Ko…tan　to　save　her　for　Lu…don；　the　high　priest；　lest　with　Ko…tan　dead　Ja…don　seize　her。　But　during　the　night　she　escaped　from　me　between　here　and　A…lur；　and　I　have　but　just　sent　three　canoes　full…manned　in　search　of　her。〃

Something　in　the　chief's　tone　and　manner　assured　the　ape…man　that　he　spoke　in　part　the　truth；　and　that　once　again　he　had　braved　incalculable　dangers　and　suffered　loss　of　time　futilely。

〃What　wanted　the　priests　of　Lu…don　that　preceded　me　here？〃　demanded　Tarzan　chancing　a　shrewd　guess　that　the　two　he　had　seen　paddling　so　frantically　to　avoid　a　meeting　with　him　had　indeed　come　from　the　high　priest　at　A…lur。

〃They　came　upon　an　errand　similar　to　yours；〃　replied　Mo…sar；　〃to　demand　the　return　of　the　woman　whom　Lu…don　thought　I　had　stolen　from　him；　thus　wronging　me　as　deeply；　O　Dor…ul…Otho；　as　have　you。〃

〃I　would　question　the　priests；〃　said　Tarzan。　〃Bring　them　hither。〃　His　peremptory　and　arrogant　manner　left　Mo…sar　in　doubt　as　to　whether　to　be　more　incensed；　or　terrified；　but　ever　as　is　the　way　with　such　as　he；　he　concluded　that　the　first　consideration　was　his　own　safety。　If　he　could　transfer　the　attention　and　the　wrath　of　this　terrible　man　from　himself　to　Lu…don's　priests　it　would　more　than　satisfy　him　and　if　they　should　conspire　to　harm　him；　then