Joined now by Basuli, and the three Waziri, Tarzani turned to Lyta. “Lead him back through the tunnels for his men.” Pointing out across the clearing, where the first rays of the sun were glistening on the bloodied bodies of the snake-people, and of Kuchek the ill-minded great ape, Tarzan continued, “Your enemy is vanquished. You may live now in peace, and allow the beasts and men of my world to live in peace also.”

  But Lyta, standing regally beside him, looked across the clearing and saw her defeated sister, standing mutely between two tall Waziri. “Tarzan,” the lovely blonde girl asked, “may give my sister sanctuary? She cannot live in your world. I know she has caused many deaths, and given you much heartache, but she is not an evil woman. It was the man, the Belgian who corrupted her. Surely now, she has learned her lesson. Surely now, she will be true to her own kind.”

  Tarzan looked down at the beautiful woman. “You indeed have the heart of an angel. You are right. She is helpless now. Defenseless. It would not be just to kill such a woman. Nor would it be fair to force her to live in a strange world. If you and your people want her, she is yours.”

  Lyta flung him a quick glance of appreciation. As she walked across the clearing, Jane began to stir within the arms of Tarzan. With a glad cry, as her eyes opened to focus upon his beloved face, she threw her arms about him in an eager embrace. Out in the clearing, Lyta too had put her arms about her fallen sister. The two women walked, hand and hand back into the caves. Narda faced Tarzan in abject humility. He spoke. “Your sister has chosen to forgive you, Narda. Now, go with her, and live happily with your people. Never again listen to the wiles of an evil man. Never again turn your back upon your own kind.”

  “Yes, Tarzan.” Narda said no more. Slowly the two women started up the tunnel toward the cliffside fortress, followed by Basuli, in search of his faithful warriors.

  “Straight as an arrow from a bow went Tarzan and Jane to their compound in the Jungles. In a silence composed of both joy and woe for the fallen friends, they passed through the familiar jungle, listening with great appreciation to the once deadened noises of the day— the screaming of the great cats, the chattering of the monkeys, the contented hum of the insects.

  Two days later, there was left a small pile of the glowing dirt of light beside their bungalow. With it, a note from Lyta and Narda. “In gratitude. The evil man felt this was a great fortune. Perhaps it is. If so, this much is yours—and more whenever you might wish it.”

  Tarzan read it in astonishment. “It’s radium, Tarzan,” Jane told him, repeating her conversation with the poor dead American. “It harmed so many. Let us give it to the research people, that it may possibly save some lives in the future.”

  “We shall do it, Jane.”

  The two walked, hand and hand, down the steps of their bungalow, and over to the ever-bickering number one wife of Basuli. Tarzan and his mate were at home. At long last, truly at home.

 

 

  Unknown, Barton Werper - [New Tarzan 03]

 

 

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