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。
