Tarzan of the Apes | Page 7

occasionally, the shrill scream of
a panther.
The woman shrank closer to the man in terror-stricken anticipation of
the horrors lying in wait for them in the awful blackness of the nights to
come, when they should be alone upon that wild and lonely shore.
Later in the evening Black Michael joined them long enough to instruct
them to make their preparations for landing on the morrow. They tried
to persuade him to take them to some more hospitable coast near
enough to civilization so that they might hope to fall into friendly hands.
But no pleas, or threats, or promises of reward could move him.
"I am the only man aboard who would not rather see ye both safely
dead, and, while I know that's the sensible way to make sure of our own
necks, yet Black Michael's not the man to forget a favor. Ye saved my
life once, and in return I'm goin' to spare yours, but that's all I can do.
"The men won't stand for any more, and if we don't get ye landed pretty
quick they may even change their minds about giving ye that much
show. I'll put all yer stuff ashore with ye as well as cookin' utensils an'
some old sails for tents, an' enough grub to last ye until ye can find fruit
and game.
"With yer guns for protection, ye ought to be able to live here easy

enough until help comes. When I get safely hid away I'll see to it that
the British gover'ment learns about where ye be; for the life of me I
couldn't tell 'em exactly where, for I don't know myself. But they'll find
ye all right."
After he had left them they went silently below, each wrapped in
gloomy forebodings.
Clayton did not believe that Black Michael had the slightest intention
of notifying the British government of their whereabouts, nor was he
any too sure but that some treachery was contemplated for the
following day when they should be on shore with the sailors who
would have to accompany them with their belongings.
Once out of Black Michael's sight any of the men might strike them
down, and still leave Black Michael's conscience clear.
And even should they escape that fate was it not but to be faced with
far graver dangers? Alone, he might hope to survive for years; for he
was a strong, athletic man.
But what of Alice, and that other little life so soon to be launched
amidst the hardships and grave dangers of a primeval world?
The man shuddered as he meditated upon the awful gravity, the fearful
helplessness, of their situation. But it was a merciful Providence which
prevented him from foreseeing the hideous reality which awaited them
in the grim depths of that gloomy wood.
Early next morning their numerous chests and boxes were hoisted on
deck and lowered to waiting small boats for transportation to shore.
There was a great quantity and variety of stuff, as the Claytons had
expected a possible five to eight years' residence in their new home.
Thus, in addition to the many necessities they had brought, there were
also many luxuries.
Black Michael was determined that nothing belonging to the Claytons

should be left on board. Whether out of compassion for them, or in
furtherance of his own self-interests, it would be difficult to say.
There was no question but that the presence of property of a missing
British official upon a suspicious vessel would have been a difficult
thing to explain in any civilized port in the world.
So zealous was he in his efforts to carry out his intentions that he
insisted upon the return of Clayton's revolvers to him by the sailors in
whose possession they were.
Into the small boats were also loaded salt meats and biscuit, with a
small supply of potatoes and beans, matches, and cooking vessels, a
chest of tools, and the old sails which Black Michael had promised
them.
As though himself fearing the very thing which Clayton had suspected,
Black Michael accompanied them to shore, and was the last to leave
them when the small boats, having filled the ship's casks with fresh
water, were pushed out toward the waiting Fuwalda.
As the boats moved slowly over the smooth waters of the bay, Clayton
and his wife stood silently watching their departure--in the breasts of
both a feeling of impending disaster and utter hopelessness.
And behind them, over the edge of a low ridge, other eyes
watched--close set, wicked eyes, gleaming beneath shaggy brows.
As the Fuwalda passed through the narrow entrance to the harbor and
out of sight behind a projecting point, Lady Alice threw her arms about
Clayton's neck and burst into uncontrolled sobs.
Bravely had she faced the dangers