The Horibs were moving almost directly up wind so that Tarzan knew that
the authors of the familiar odors that he had sensed were somewhere
ahead of them. He thought quickly now, but not without weighing
carefully the plan that had leaped to his mind the instant that
that familiar scent spoor had impinged upon his nostrils. His major
consideration was for the safety of the girl, but in order to rescue
her he must protect himself. He felt that it would be impossible for
them both to escape simultaneously, but there was another way now--a
way which seemed to offer excellent possibilities for success. Behind
him, upon the Gorobor, and so close that their bodies touched, sat a
huge Horib. In one hand he carried a lance, but the other hand was
free. Tarzan must move so quickly that the fellow could not touch him
with his free hand before he was out of reach. To do this would require
agility of an almost superhuman nature, but there are few creatures
who can compare in this respect with the ape-man. Low above them swung
the branches of the dismal forest; Tarzan waited, watching for the
opportunity he sought. Presently he saw it--a sturdy branch with ample
head room above it--a doorway in the ceiling of somber foliage. He
leaned forward, his hands resting lightly upon the neck of the Gorobor.
They were almost beneath the branch he had selected when he sprang
lightly to his feet and almost in the same movement sprang upward into
the tree. So quickly had he accomplished the feat that he was gone
before the Horib that had been guarding him realized it. When he did
it was too late--the prisoner had gone. With others, who had seen the
escape, he raised a cry of warning to those ahead, but neither by sight
nor sound could they locate the fugitive, for Tarzan travelled through
the upper terrace and all the foliage beneath hid him from the eyes of
his enemies.
Jana, who had been riding a little in the rear of Tarzan, saw his
escape and her heart sank for in the presence of the Horibs The Red
Flower of Zoram had come as near to experiencing fear as she ever
had in her life. She had derived a certain sense of comfort from the
presence of Tarzan and now that he was gone she felt very much alone.
She did not blame him for escaping when he had the opportunity, but she
was sure in her own heart that Jason would not thus have deserted her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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