The Pellucidarians, never before having seen human beings of the rich,
deep, black color of the Waziri and assuming that all strangers were
enemies, apprehended only the worst and were about to make a concerted
effort to escape their captors, while Muviro, believing that these
men might have some sinister connection with the disappearance of his
master, was determined to hold and question them; nor would he have
hesitated to kill them had they resisted him. It was, therefore, a
relief to both parties when Tarzan, Jason and Jana appeared, and the
Waziri saw their Big Bwana greet one of their captives with every
indication of friendship.
Thoar was even more surprised to find Tarzan alive than Jason had been,
and when he saw Jana the natural reserve which ordinarily marked his
bearing was dissipated by the joy and relief which he felt in finding
her safe and well; nor any less surprised and happy was Jana as she
rushed forward and threw herself into her brother's arms.
His breast filled with emotion such as he had never experienced before,
Jason Gridley stood apart, a silent witness of this loving reunion,
and then, probably for the first time, there came to him an acute
realization of the fact that the sentiment which he entertained for
this little barbarian was nothing less than love.
It galled him even to admit it to himself and he felt that he was
contemptible to harbor jealousy of Thoar, not only because Thoar was
his friend, but because he was only a primitive savage, while he, Jason
Gridley, was the product of ages of culture and civilization.
Thoar, Lajo and the other two Korsars were naturally delighted when
they found that the strange warriors whom they had looked upon as
enemies were suddenly transformed into friends and allies, and when
they heard the story of the battle with the Horibs they knew that the
greatest danger which threatened them was now greatly minimized because
of the presence of these warriors armed with death-dealing weapons that
made the ancient arquebuses of the Korsars appear as inadequate as
sling shots, and that escape from this horrible country was as good as
accomplished.
Resting after their recent exertion, each party briefly narrated the
recent adventures that had befallen them and attempts were made to
formulate plans for the future, but here difficulties arose. Thoar
wished to return to Zoram with Jana. Tarzan, Jason and the Waziri
desired only to find the other members of their expedition; while Lajo
and his two fellows were principally concerned with getting back to
their ship.
Tarzan and Jason, realizing that it might not be expedient to acquaint
the Korsars with the real purpose of their presence in Pellucidar and
finding that the men were familiar with the story of Tanar, gave them
to believe that they were merely searching for Sari in order to pay a
friendly visit to Tanar and his people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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