Classic Audiobook Collection - The Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs ~ Full Audiobook [adventure]

Episode Date: July 22, 2025

The Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs audiobook. Genre: adventure When fourteen-year-old cousins Dick and Doc discover that one of them is distantly related to the legendary Lord Greystoke, they earn a new nickname at school: the Tarzan Twins. Now they have the chance of a lifetime - a holiday on Tarzan's African estate. But before they can even reach their hero, disaster strikes. A rail mishap and a wrong turn plunge the boys into the vast, unforgiving jungle, where every mile is a lesson and every shadow could mean danger. Separated from safety and armed with little more than grit and quick thinking, the Twins must survive hostile terrain, wild beasts, and a deadly human threat when they fall into the hands of a brutal tribe. Their ordeal becomes more than a test of endurance: it is a chance to prove they can live up to the name they have claimed. As the boys fight to escape and find their way back, the jungle draws them into a larger mystery tied to ancient ruins, strange foes, and an innocent captive whose fate may depend on two determined boys - and the sudden appearance of the ape-man himself. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 00 (00:05:34) Chapter 01 (00:17:00) Chapter 02 (00:28:32) Chapter 03 (00:37:59) Chapter 04 (00:46:50) Chapter 05 (00:55:02) Chapter 06 (01:05:13) Chapter 07 (01:17:26) Chapter 08 (01:28:12) Chapter 09 (01:30:26) Chapter 10 (01:38:41) Chapter 11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Introducing the Tarzan Twins. The Tarzan Twins, like all well-behaved twins, were born on the same day, and although they were not as alike as two peas, still they resembled one another quite closely enough to fulfill that particular requirement of twinship. But even there they had commenced breaking the rules that have been governing twins during the past several millions of years. For Dick had a shock of the blackest sort of blackest sort of black hair, while Doc's hair was the sunny hue of molasses candy. Their noses were alike,

their blue eyes were alike, alike were their chins and their mouths. Perhaps Doc's eyes twinkled more, and his mouth smiled more than Dick's, for Dick did much of the twinkling and smiling inside, and inside the boys were very much alike indeed. But in one respect, they shattered every rule that has been laid down for twins from the very beginning of time, for Dick had been born in England and Doc in America, a fact which upsets everything right at the beginning of the story and proves without any shadow of a doubt that they were not twins at all. Why then did they look so much alike, and why did everyone call them the Tarzan twins? One could almost start a guessing contest with a conundrum like this, but the trouble is that no one would guess the

correct solution, though the answer is quite simple. Dick's mother and Doc's mother were sisters, twin sisters, and they looked so much alike that they looked more alike than two peas, and as each boy resembled his mother, the result was they resembled each other. Their mothers were American girls, one of them married an American, and stayed at home. That was Doc's mother, and the other married an Englishman, and sailed away to live on another continent, in another hemisphere, and she was Dick's mother. When the boys were old enough to go away to school, their parents had a brilliant idea. which was that the boys should receive half of their education in America and half in England,

and this story will prove that the best-laid plans of mice and mothers sometimes go wrong. For no one planned that the boys should get any of their education in Africa, whereas, as a matter of fact, fate was arranging that they should learn more in the jungles of the dark continent than was ever between the covers of any schoolbook. When they were 14 years old, Dick and Doc were attending an excellent, English school, where there were a great many future dukes and earls and archbishops and Lord Mayors, who, when they saw how much Dick and Doc resembled one another, called them the twins. Later, when they learned that Dick's father, who distantly related to Lord

Greystoke, who was famous all over the world as Tarzan of the Apes, the boys commenced to call Dick and Doc the Tarzan twins. So that is how the nickname grew and became attached to them. As everyone knows, tar means white in the language of the great apes, and Goe means black, so Doc, with his light hair, was known as Tarzan Tar, and Dick, whose hair was black, was called Tarzan Go. It was all right to be called Tarzan Tar and Tarzan Go, until the other boys began to make fun of them, because they could climb trees no better than many another boy, and while they were fair in athletic sports, they did not excel. It was right there and then that did. Dick and Doc decided that they would live up to their new names, for they did not enjoy being laughed at and made fun of any more than any other normal red-blooded boy does.

It is simply staggering to discover what a boy can accomplish if he makes up his mind to it, and so it was not long before Dick and Doc did excel in nearly all athletic sports, and when it came to climbing trees, well, Tarzan himself would have had no reason to be ashamed of them. Though their scholastic standing May have suffered a little In the following months of athletic effort Their muscles did not And as vacation time approached Dick and Doc had become as hard as nails And as active as a couple of manus

Which you will know If your education has not been neglected Is the ape word for monkeys Then it was that the big surprise Came in a letter that Dick received from his mother Tarzan of the apes Had invited them all to visit him and spend two months on his great African estate.

The boys were so excited that they talked until three o'clock the next morning and flunked in all their classes that day. The disappointment that followed later when it was learned that Dick's father, who was an army officer, could not get leave of absence, and Dick's mother would not go without him, the letters and cablegrams that were exchanged between England and America and England and Africa. The frantic appeals of the boys to their parents are interesting only in the result.

they affected, which was that the boys were to go by themselves. Tarzan of the apes having promised to meet them at the end of the railway with 50 of his own Waziri warriors, thus assuring their safe passage through Savage Africa to the faraway home of the ape-man. And this brings us to the beginning of our story. End of introduction. Chapter 1 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This Librevox, recording is in the public domain. Read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 1

A train wound slowly through the mountains, whose rugged slopes were green with verdure, and out across a rolling grassy veldt, tree dotted. From a carriage window, two boys, eager-eyed, excited, kept constant vigil. If there was anything to be seen, they were determined not to miss it, and they knew that there should be many things to see. "'I'd like to know where all the animals are,' said Dick, warily. "'I haven't seen a blamed thing since we started.' "'Africa's just like all the one-horse circuses,' replied Doc.

"'They advertise the greatest collection of wild animals in captivity, "'and when you get there all they have is a mangy lion "'and a couple of moth-eaten elephants.' "'Golly, wouldn't you like to see a real lion or an elephant or something?' sighed Dick. "'Look, look!' exclaimed Doc suddenly. There, there, see them? In the distance, a small herd of Springbok ran swiftly and gracefully across the veld. The dainty little animals occasionally leaping high into the air.

As the animals disappeared, the boys again relapsed into attitudes of watchful waiting. I wish they'd been lions, said Dick. The train, deserting the open country, entered a great forest, dark, gloomy, mysterious. Mighty trees festooned with vines rose from a tangle of riotous undergrowth along the right of way, hiding everything that lay beyond that impenetrable wall of flower starred green, a wall that added to the mystery of all that imagination could picture of the savage life moving silently behind it. There was no sign of life. The forest seemed like a dead thing. The monotony of it, as the hours passed, weighed heavily upon the boys. Say, said Doc, I'm getting tired of looking

at trees. I'm going to practice some of my magic tricks. Look at this one, Dick. He drew a silver coin from his pocket, a shilling, and held it upon his open palm. Ladies and gentlemen, he declaimed, we have here an ordinary silver shilling worth twelve pence. Step right up and examine it. Feel it, bite it. You see that it is genuine. You will note that I have no accomplices. Now, ladies and gentlemen, watch me closely. He placed his other palm over the coin, hiding it, clasped his hands, blew upon them, raised them above his head. Abra-cadabra, alo-presto, change cars and be gone. Now you see it, now you don't.

He opened his hands and held them palms up. The coin had vanished. Hooray! shouted Dick, clapping his hands, as he had done a hundred times before, for Dick was always the audience. Doc bowed very low, reached out and took the coin from Dick's ear, or so he made it appear. Then into one clenched fist between the thumb and first finger, he inserted the stub of a lead pencil, shoving it down until it was out of sight. Abra-cadabra, aloe presto, change cars, and be gone. Now you see it, now you don't. Doc opened his hand, and the pencil was gone. Hooray! shouted Dick, clapping his hands, and both boys broke into laughter. For an hour, Doc practiced the several slate of hand

tricks he had mastered, and Dick pretended to be an enthusiastic audience. Anything was better than looking out of the windows at the endless row of silent trees. Then quite suddenly, and without the slightest warning, the monotony was broken. Something happened. Something startling happened. There was a grinding of brakes. The railway carriage in which they rode seemed to leap into the air. It lurched and rocked and bumped, throwing both boys to the floor, and then, just as they were sure it was going to overturn, it came to a sudden stop,

quite as though it had run into one of those great silent trees. The boys scrambled to their feet and looked out of the windows. Then they hastened to get out of the car, and when they reached the ground outside, they saw excited passengers pouring from the train, asking excited questions, getting in everyone's way. It did not take Dick and Doc long to learn that the train, striking a defective rail, had run off the track,

and then it would be many hours before the journey could be resumed. For a while, they stood about with the other passengers, idly looking at the derailed carriages, But this diversion soon palled, and they turned their attention toward the jungle. Standing quietly upon the ground, and looking at it was quite different from viewing it through the windows of a moving train. It became at once more interesting and more mysterious. I wonder what it is like in there, remarked Dick. It looks spooky, said Doc.

I'd like to go in and see, said Dick. So would I, said Doc. There isn't any danger. we haven't seen a thing that could hurt a flee since we landed in Africa. And we wouldn't go in very far. Come on, said Dick. Hi there, called the man's voice. Where are you boys going?

They turned to see one of the train guards who chanced to be passing. Nowhere, said Doc. Well, whatever you do, don't go into the jungle. Cautioned the man, moving on toward the head of the train. You'd be lost in no time. Lost, scoffed Dick. He must think where it comes. couple of zanes. Now that someone had told them that they must not go into the jungle, they

wanted to go much more than they had before. But as there were many people upon this side of the train, they were quite sure that someone else would stop them should they attempt to enter the jungle in plain view of passengers and train crew. Slowly they sauntered to the rear end of the train, and passed around it onto the opposite side. There was no one here, and right in front of them was what appeared to be an opening through the tangled vegetation that elsewhere seemed to block the way into that mysterious hinterland that lay beyond the solid ranks of guardian trees. Dick glanced quickly up and down the train. There was no one in sight. Come on, he said, let's just take a little peek. It was only a step to the opening, which proved to be a narrow path that turned abruptly to the

right after they had followed it a few paces. The boys stopped and looked back. The right of way, the train, the passengers. All were as completely hidden from view as though they had been miles and miles away. But they could still hear the hum of voices. Ahead the little path turned toward the left, and the boys advanced, just to look around the turn. But beyond the turn was another. The path was a very winding one, turning and twisting its way among the bowls of huge trees. It was quiet and dark and gloomy. Perhaps we'd better not go in too far, suggested. to Doc. Oh, let's go a little way further, urged Dick.

We can always turn around and follow the path back to the train. Maybe we'll come to a native village. Gee, wouldn't that be great? Suppose they were cannibals. Oh, shucks, there aren't any cannibals anymore. Are you afraid? Who, me? Of course I'm not afraid, said Doc valiantly.

All right, then, come ahead. And Dick led the way along the little path that bored into the depths of the mighty frowning jungle. A bird with brilliant plumage flew just above them, giving them a little start, so silent and deserted the forest had seemed, and a moment later the little path led them into a wide, well-beaten trail. Golly, exclaimed Doc, this is more like it. Say I could scarcely breathe in that little path. Shh, look, whispered Dick, pointing. Doc looked and saw a little monkey solemnly surveying them from the branch of a nearby tree. Presently, it began to to chatter and a moment later it was joined by a second and then a third little monkey.

As the boys approached, the monkeys retreated, still chattering and scolding. They were cute little fellows, and Dick and Doc followed, in an effort to get closer, and all the time more and more monkeys appeared. They ran through the trees, jumping from branch to branch, skipping about, jabbering excitedly. If my cousin Tarzan and the Apes were here, he'd know just what they were saying, said Dick. "'Let's get him to teach us,' suggested Doc. "'Wouldn't it be fun to be able to talk to the animals the way he does? "'Gee, I wish they'd let us get a little closer.'

"'On and on the boys went. "'Their whole attention absorbed by the antics of the little monkeys, "'forgetting time and distance, "'train's passengers, "'forgetting all the world in this wonderful experience "'of seeing hundreds of real-life monkeys "'living their own natural life in the jungle, "'just as their forefathers had lived for ages and ages,

How tame and uninteresting and pathetic seemed the poor little monkeys that they had seen in zoos. The boys passed several little trains running into the bigger one, but so wholly was their attention held by the antics of their new friends that they did not notice these, nor did they notice a branch of the big trail that came in behind them from their left while they were watching some of the monkeys in the trees at their right. Perhaps they were not very far from the train.

They did not think about it at once, for their minds were occupied with more interesting things than trains. Presently, however, as they followed the winding of the broad game trail, laughing at the antics of the monkeys and trying to make friends with them, a still, small voice seemed to whisper something into the ear of Dick. It was that old spoil-sport conscience, and what it said was, Better start back, better start back!

Dick glanced at his watch. Gee, he exclaimed, Look what time it is, we'd better start back. And then Doc looked at his watch. Golly, he cried. I'll say we ought to start back. It's almost dinner time. How far do you suppose we've come?

Oh, not very far, replied Dick, but his tone was not very positive. Say, I'll bet it would be great in here at night, cried Doc. Just at that instant, from the heart of the jungle, a sound broke the piece of the forest. A terrible sound that started with a coughing noise and grew in volume until it became a horrific roar that made the ground tremble. Instantly the little monkeys disappeared as though by magic and a silence, more fearful than the awful voice settled upon the dark and gloomy wood. Instinctively the boys drew close together,

looking fearfully in the direction from which that fearsome sound had come. They were brave boys, but brave men tremble when that voice breaks the silence of an African night. Little wonder then that they turned and fled into the direction from which they had come, away from the author of that rumbling roar. And still running, they came to the fork in the trail, the fork that they had passed, careless and unheeding, a short time before.

Here they were bewildered, and here they hesitated, but only for a moment. They were young and possessed all the assurance of youth, so off they went again, running swiftly along the wrong trail. End of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 of the... The Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 2 Numa, the Lion, hunted through the jungle primeval. He was not ravenously hungry, as only the night before he had finished devouring the kill he had made two days ago. However, it would do no harm to rove the jungle for a few hours and mark down a new prey, even before the pangs of hunger became sharp. As he moved majestically along the familiar game trail,

he made no effort to hide his presence, for was he not the king of beasts? Who was there to dispute his supreme power? Of whom need he be afraid? Perhaps these very thoughts were in the mind of Numa, when, born upon the air that moved down the tunnel-like trail, a scent filled his nostrils that brought him to a sudden stop. It was the scent that ever aroused hatred in the heart of Numa.

it was the scent of man. Perhaps it aroused hatred because of the fact that it engendered a little fear as well, though fear was something that the king could not admit. But there was something strange, something a little different in this scent than in anything he had ever noticed in the scent spore of the gomangani. It differed from the scent spore of the negro quite as much as their scent differed from that of the mangani, or great apes. He was sure then that it was. neither Gomangani, the black man, or great black ape, or Mangani, whose odor was wafted down

to him. But of one thing Numa was certain, the odor was that of man, and so he moved along the trail. But more carefully now, his great padded feet, making no sound. Once in the freshness of his first anger, he had roared forth his challenge. Now he was silent. When he came to the spot where the boys had stopped before they turned back. He paused and sniffed the air, his tail moving nervously from side to side. Then he started at a trot along their trail, head flattened, and every scintz alert. The great muscles moving in supple waves beneath his tawny hide, his tufted tail held just above the ground, his black mane rippling in the gentle breeze. Numa, the lion, followed the scent spore of his prey. Dick and Doc were used.

to long cross-country runs, for many were the paper chases in which they had taken part, and now they were glad that they had developed their muscles and their lungs in clean outdoor exercise, for though they had run now for long distance, they were neither tired nor out of breath. However, they slowed down to a walk as each was already troubled with the same doubt. It was Doc who first voiced it. "'I didn't think we'd come this far,' he said. "'Do you suppose we passed the little path, to the railway without seeing it?

I don't know, replied Dick, but it certainly seems as though we had come back a whole lot further than we went in. But then, of course, you said it would be great to spend the night in here, he added. Well, it would, insisted Doc, but it wouldn't be very nice to have the train go off and leave us here forever, and that's just what it may do if we don't get back to it pretty soon. Let's go on a little way, then if we don't find the past, we'll turn around and go back and try the other fork of the trail.

What do you suppose made that noise? asked Dick presently as they walked along, peering anxiously into the dense wall of jungle for the opening that they hoped would lead them back to the train. It was the first time that neither of them had mentioned the cause of their fright, partly because they had been too busy, running, and partly because each of them was a little ashamed of his headlong flight. Sounded like a lion. said Doc. That's what I thought, said Dick. Why didn't you wait and see then? demanded his cousin.

On the train this morning, you said you'd like to see a real lion. I didn't see you waiting, Dick shot back. I guess you were afraid all right. I never saw anyone run so fast in my life. I had to, to keep up with you, replied Doc. Anyhow, I hadn't lost a lion. Who wants an old lion anyway? I guess you don't, Frady Cat. Frady Cat, nothing, replied Doc. I'm not afraid of any old lion.

All you got to do is look them right in the eye and... And what? And they put their tail between their legs and beat it. An umbrella's a good thing to frighten the lion with, offered Dick. Say, look at that big rock! exclaimed Doc, pointing to a vine-covered rocky outcropping, around which the trail disappeared just ahead. We didn't pass anything like that when we came in. No, admitted Dick.

We didn't. That means that we are sure enough on the wrong trail. Let's turn around and go back to the other fork. Together they turned to retrace their steps. Before them, the trail ran quite straight for almost 100 yards, and there, just at the end of it, a great black-mained lion emerged into full view. Dick and Doc stood frozen in their tracks,

and the lion stopped, too, and surveyed them. It seemed a very long time to the boys that they stood there, but it really could have been only a moment. Then the lion opened his mouth in the most terrific roar those boys had ever heard in all their lives, and still roaring moved toward them. Quick, the trees, whispered Dick,

as though fearful that the lion would overhear him. As the boys sprang for the nearest tree, Numa broke into a trot. It was then that Doc caught his toe beneath a root and fell headlong to the ground, The lion seemed very near, yet Dick turned back and seizing Doc helped him to his feet. An instant later, as the lion charged in real earnest, at a terrific speed, the boys were clambering swiftly into the lower branches of a great tree that overspread the trail.

Roring angrily, Numa sprang into the air, his mighty talons unsheathed to seize and drag them down. He missed them, but by a margin so narrow that one of his claws touched the heel of Dick's shoe. With an agility, far beyond their own dreams, Dick and Doc climbed high above the menace of the angry beast of prey, finally, seating themselves upon a limb that projected above the trail. Beneath them, the lion stood glaring up, with round, yellow-green-blazing eyes. He was growling angrily, exposing yellow fangs that made them shudder. Why didn't you look him in the eye? demanded Dick.

I was going to, but he wouldn't stand still, replied. Doc. Why didn't you bring an umbrella? Numa, nervous, irritable, did not relish the idea of losing his supper now that he had discovered a quarry of two young and tender, Tarman Ghani. For if there is anything that Numa relishes, even before old age has reduced him to a diet of human flesh, it is the young of the man tribe. Therefore, as long as

they were in sight, he did not give up hope. Seldom did Numa, the lion, have reason to envy his cousin Shita, the Panther. But this was most certainly such an occasion, for could he have climbed with the agility of Sheeta, the prey would soon have been his. Not being able to climb into the tree after his supper, he did the next best thing, which was to lie down and wait for it to descend. Of course, if Numa had had the brains of a man, he would have known that the boys would not come down while he lay there waiting for them. Perhaps he hoped that they would fall asleep and tumble out of the tree. And it may be that after a while he really did reason the thing out almost as.

a man would have reasoned it. For after half an hour of waiting, he arose and strode majestically back along the trail in the direction from which he had come. But just around the first turn he halted, wheeled about, and lay down just out of sight of his intended victims. "'I believe he's gone,' whispered Dick. "'Let's wait a few minutes, and then climb down and see if we can find the path. It can't be so very far from here.'

"'If we wait very long, it will be dark,' said. said Doc. Do you suppose they could hear us if we yelled? asked Dick. If they did hear us and came in, the lion might get them. I never thought of that. No, we mustn't yell. Dick scratched his head and thought. There must be some way out of this, he continued. We can't stay here forever, even if you do think it would be nice to spend the night in the jungle.

If we climb down, we may run right into that old lion, then we haven't got an umbrella or anything, said Doc, grinning. I've got it. it, cried Dick. I've got it. Why didn't we think of it before? Think of what? Why, swinging through the trees like Tarzan. He didn't come down to the ground when a lion was after him. If he didn't want to, he just swung through the trees. Why can't we swing through the trees right back to the train? Gee! exclaimed Doc. That's a great idea. I'll bet they'll be surprised when we come swinging through the trees and drop right down in front of them. And I guess their eyes won't stick out like

two peeled onions or anything when we tell him we were chased by a lion, added Dick. Come on, Den, which way is the train? This way, and Dick led off at right angles to the trail, working his way carefully along the limb of the tree, seeking, carefully, foothold below, and henhold above. I don't call that swinging, said Doc. Well, Smarty, let's see you swing. You're Tarzan's cousin, if you can't do it, how do you expect me to? Well, explained Dick, I've got to practice a little bit, haven't I?

You don't expect a fellow to do it the first thing off without a little practice, do you? But at the moment, Doc was too busy warming his way gingerly after Dick to think up a suitable reply. From one tree to another, they made their way, and as they progressed they soon became more sure of themselves, and their pace increased accordingly. By chance, Dick had started in the right direction. The train lay directly ahead of them, though further away than either would have imagined. but following a straight line through the trees of a dense forest where there are no landmarks to guide one and where the sun is not visible as a beacon of safety is a thing not easily done. It was not at all strange, therefore, that within the first hundred yards, Dick had so altered his original course that the boys were moving at a right angle to the proper direction,

and within the next hundred had turned almost completely back, and were swinging directly away from the railway. A few minutes later they crossed the wide game trail they had so recently left, but so thick was the foliage beneath them that they did not see the trail at all, and they were still bravely traveling their perilous path when the sudden tropical night shut down upon the jungle, engulfing them in its black folds. Below them a lion roared.

Out of the black void rose the weird scream of a panther. Something moved in the trees above them. The nightlife of the jungle was awakening with its sounds of stealthily moving bodies, with its terrifying noises, with its awful silences. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs This Libervox recording is in the public domain Read by Ben Tucker

Chapter 3 A new day burst gorgeously into life A brilliant sun shone down upon the leafy canopy of green That roofed the great forest But far beneath all was dark and gloomy still A sleek black warrior moved silently along a jungle trail. On his back he carried a small oval shield,

his bow and his quiver filled with arrows. Braclets of iron and of copper encircled his arms. Through the septum of his nose, which had been pierced to receive it, was a cylindrical piece of wood, six or eight inches in length. From the lobes of his ears depended heavy ornaments. Necklaces encircled his ebbin throat, and there were many metal bands and anklets upon his legs. His hair was plastered thick,

with mud into which he had stuck several gaudy feathers. His teeth were filed to sharp points. In one hand he bore a light hunting spear. He was Zopinga, a Mughala of the Bagala tribe, that was all powerful in Ugala. The dismal forest country they claimed is theirs. Thus early in the morning Zopinga was making the round of the snares he had set the previous day. In the crotch of a mighty jungle giant, two boys, chilled, miserable, awoke from a fitful slumming. all night they had huddled close together for such warmth as they might lend each other but they had been very cold they had slept little the mysterious voices of the jungle night the consciousness of the nearby presence of creatures they could not see had driven sleep from their eyes until finally overcome by utter exhaustion they had sunk into an unconsciousness that could scarcely be called sleep and even from this the cold and discomfort around them shortly after daybreak

"'Golly,' said Dick. "'I sure am cold.' "'You haven't got anything on me,' replied Doc. "'It must be great in the jungle at night,' said Dick, with a sickly grin. "'It wasn't so bad,' insisted Doc bravely. "'So bad as what?' asked Dick. "'I'll bet you none of the other boys ever stayed out in a tree all night, with lions and panthers and tigers prowling all around in the jungle below.

"'Just wait till we get home and tell them. "'Gee, I'll bet they'll be sore to think they weren't along.' "'There aren't any tigers in Africa,' corrected Dick. "'And anyone who wants to stay out in the jungle all night can have my place. "'I wish I were home in my own bed. That's what I wish.' "'Cry, baby.' "'I am not. I just have some sense, that's all. It's cold here, and I'm hungry.' "'So am I,' admitted Doc.

"'Let's build a fire and get warm and cook breakfast.' "'How are you going to build a fire?' And what are you going to cook for breakfast? You're going to say, Abra-cadabra alo-presto, change cars, and then pick a gas range out of my ear? And if you could, what would you cook on it? Ham and eggs and waffles?

I wouldn't do, because we haven't any of the maple syrup you're always talking about, and cook forgot the marmalade. You'd think you're funny, snap doc. But I'll show you, I'll build a fire all right. Where are your matches? I don't need any matches. How are you going to build a fire without matches?

"'That's easy. All you got to do is rub two sticks together.' Dick was interested. "'That's right,' he said. "'Come on, let's go down and get a fire started. "'Golly, but wouldn't it be great to be warm again?' "'I wouldn't care if I got on fire,' said Doc. "'Only I'm so cold I don't think I'd burn.' "'We could melt, and that's better than staying frozen.'

"'Do you suppose it's safe to go down?' inquired Doc. "'Do you suppose that old lion has gone home?' "'We could stay close to a tree and one of us could watch all the time,' suggested Dick. "'All right, here goes. Gee, but I'm stiff. "'Hoof, my joints need oiling.' Once at the bottom of the tree, Doc collected a little pile of twigs, and taking two of the larger ones, he commenced, rubbing them together vigorously,

while Dick watched and listened, ready to sound the alarm at the first sign of danger. Doc rubbed and rubbed and rubbed. "'What's the matter with your old fire?' demanded Dick. "'I don't know,' said Doc. "'All the books I've ever read about savages and desert islands and people like that tell how they build their fires by rubbing two sticks together.' "'Maybe you are rubbing fast enough,' suggested Dick. "'I'm rubbing as fast as I can. Maybe you think this is fun.

Well, it isn't. It's hard work.' He kept on rubbing and rubbing for several minutes. Finally he stopped, exhausted. "'What you're stomping for?' demanded Dick. "'The old sticks won't burn,' replied Doc, disgustedly. "'In any way, I've rubbed so fast that I've got warm.' Satisfied that there was something wrong with their fire-making, they decided to warm themselves by exercise,

knowing that a good brisk run would set the blood to tingling in their veins, but then the question arose as to the direction in which they should run, as well as a place where they might find room in which to run. The tangled undergrowth grew close around to them, Nothing could run in that. They had no idea where the trail was. There was nothing left, therefore, but the trees, and so they clambered back to the lower branches,

and with stiff fingers and numb joints, started once more in the direction they thought would lead them to the railway. As they moved forward, they commenced to feel the reviving influence of renewed warmth in life, but as they forgot the cold, they became more conscious of their hunger, and now thirst was added to their discomfort. They heard the sounds of the smaller life of the jungle,

and occasionally caught fleeting glimpses of beautifully colored birds. A small monkey came and ran along their heads, and as chattering attracted others until soon there were many monkeys around them. They did not seem very much afraid of the boys, nor were they unfriendly. They were merely curious, and they were always eating, a fact which drove the boys nearly crazy with hunger. They watched carefully to discover what the monkeys ate, for they knew that what the monkeys ate with safety they might eat.

But when they discovered that the bill of fare appeared to consist quite largely of caterpillars, they changed their minds. After a while, they saw one of the monkeys gather fruit from a tree and eat it with great relish, and they lost no time in clambering up into the branches of that same tree and searching for more of the fruit. It did not taste very good, but it was food and stopped the gnawing pangs of hunger, and its juices helped to satisfy their thirst. When they had eaten, they continued their search for the railway, and found it easier to travel through the tree. though they were as yet far from perfect at it. The food had given them renewed hope, and they were quite sure now that they would soon reach the twin bands of steel.

That would mean rescue, for even if their train had left, there would be other trains along, which would surely stop at sight of two white boys. They might not have felt so much confidence had they dreamed that they were traveling deeper and deeper into the forest, directly away from the railway. Dick, who was in the lead, suddenly voiced an exclamation of satisfaction

of satisfaction and relief. Here's the old trail, he cried. Now we can make some time. Gee, but it's good to get your old feet on the ground again, said Doc as the two boys stood again on solid footing. Come on, now let's beat it. With brisk steps, they set off along the game trail that ran in the same general direction they had been traveling,

positive now that they were on the right road. Doc, his spirits rising to the occasion, broke into a gay whistle. Ahead of them, Zopinga came to an abrupt. halt. For an instant he stood, listening intently. Then he dropped to his hands and knees and placed his ear against the ground, and remained there for a moment motionless. When he arose, he still remained in a listening attitude, straining every faculty to interpret the sounds that were approaching him along the trail. Just before the boys came into sight, the savage warrior

stepped into the green wall of the jungle trail. The leaves and branches dropped back, forming an impenetrable screen behind which Zopinga waited. The boys came confidently on, while Zopinga adjusted his shield upon his left forearm and took a new grip upon his light hunting spear. The warrior did not see the boys until they were almost opposite him, but when he did, the grasp of his spear hand released, and a look of relief and satisfaction overspread his black and evil countenance, for he saw that he had nothing to fear from two unarmed white boys, He waited until a turn in the trail took them from his view, then stepped out into the trail and followed them.

Zopinga was greatly elated. What matter now that his snares had failed to entrap a single victim? Had they all been filled, the reward would not have equaled this windfall that had come to him without the slightest effort upon his part. The victims of his snares he would have had to carry home. But this new whory walked upon their own legs, and most accommodatingly were headed directly for the village. of the Bagala. End of chapter three. Chapter 4 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 4. We must be pretty near the train by this time, said Dick. Unless... Unless what? amended Doc. We might not be on the right trail, suggested the other. We might be lost after all.

Gee, don't see. say that, Dick. If we're lost now, we'll never find our way out. We'll have to stay in this jungle until we... Until we won. I don't like to say it. You mean until we die? Doc nodded his head, and the boys moved on in silence, each intent upon his own gloomy thoughts. Behind them, just out of sight came the black warrior Zopinga. Presently, Doc stopped. Dick, he cried. Do you smell something? Dick sniffed the air. Smells like smoke, he said. It is smoke, exclaimed Doc.

And I can smell food cooking, too. We're saved, Dick. We're saved. It's the train. Come on. And both boys broke into a run. A hundred yards of brisk running brought them to a sudden stop. Before them lay a clearing in the forest at the trails end. In the center of the clearing was a palisade of poles surrounded by an enclosure. Above the top of the palisade they could see the cone-shaped roofs of grass-thatched huts, and through the open gates that faced them, they could see the huts themselves, and half-naked black people moving about.

Outside the palisade, some women were hoeing in a little patch of cultivated ground. Dick and Doc took one look at the scene before them, before they faced one another in silent consternation. So different from what they had expected had been this outcome of their hopes that both boys were shocked into utter speechless for a moment. It was Doc, as usual, who first regained control of his tongue. We're lost after all, he said. What are we going to do?

Maybe they're friendly natives, suggested Dick. Maybe they're cannibals, suggested Doc. I don't believe there are any cannibals anymore, said Dick. I don't intend to take any chances on that. There may be. Let's sneak back the way we came then, whispered Dick. They haven't seen us yet. Simultaneously, the two boys turned to retrace their steps, and there, blocking the trail they had just trod, stood a huge black warrior, scowling savagely at them.

In his hand was a sharp spear. "'Golly!' exclaimed Dick. "'Gee!' ejaculated Doc. "'What shall we do?' "'We ought to be nice to him,' said Dick. "'Good morning,' said Doc politely with a smile that was nothing, if not strained. "'Nice morning, isn't it?' "'Sopinga, who had stood silent thus far,

"'now broke into a torrent of words, "'not one of which the boys understood. "'When he had ceased, he again stood immovable. "'Well,' remarked Dick casually, "'I guess we'd better be getting along back to the train. "'Come on, Doc,' and he started to move along the trail past Zopinga. "'Instantly the sharp point of the spear was at the pit of his stomach.' Dick stopped. Zopinga pointed toward the village with his left hand and prodded Dick with his spear.

I guess he's inviting us to lunch, suggested Doc. Whatever he's inviting us to do, I guess we'd better do it, said Dick. Reluctantly the two boys turned toward the village. Behind them walked to Zopinga, proudly hurting his captives in the direction of the gates. At the sight of them, the women and children working in the fields, clustered about, jabbering. excitedly. The women were hideous creatures whose ears and lower lips were horribly disfigured, the lobes of the former having evidently been pierced during their youth to receive heavy ornaments, which had stretched the flesh until the lower part of the ear touched the shoulder, while their teeth, like those of Zopinga, were filed to sharp points. Though fortunately for the peace

of mind of Dick and Doc, neither boy understood the significance of this. Some of the children threw stones and sticks at the boys, and each time a hit was scored, Zopinga and and the women and all the children laughed uproariously. Encouraged and emboldened by this applause, one of the older children, a particularly hideous boy, rushed at Doc from the rear and swung a blow at his head with a heavy stick. Dick, while attempting to ward off the missiles that were reigned upon him, had fallen a few steps behind Doc,

which proved a very fortunate circumstance for his cousin, as the black boy would have cracked Doc's skull if the blow had landed squarely upon its target. Even as the little fiend was in the act of swinging the cudgel, Dick leaped in front of him and seized his wrist with his left hand, dealt the youth a blow in the face with his right fist that sent him sprawling upon his back. Doc turned just in time to witness Dick's act, though he did not fully realize how close and how grave had been his peril, and the two boys instinctively drew together,

back to back for mutual protection, as each was confident that Dick's attack upon the black youth would bring down the wrath of all the others upon them. Good old Dick, whispered Doc. "'I suppose we're in for it now,' said Dick, gloomily. "'But I had to do it. He'd have killed you.' "'We couldn't be in for anything worse than we were getting before,' Doc reminded him. "'Look at him now. I think it did them good.'

For an instant the blacks were so surprised that they forgot to throw anything at the boys. Then they commenced to laugh and jeer at the discomfited youth, sitting on the ground nursing a bloody nose, and while they were occupied by this new diversion, Zopinga, heard the boys into the village. and hurried them into the presence of a very fat negro who sat in conversation with several other warriors beneath the shade of a large tree. This guy must be the chief, said Doc. I wish we could talk to him, said Dick. Maybe he'd send us back to the railroad if we could explain that that was where we want to go.

I'll try, said Doc. Perhaps he may understand English. Say, big boy, he cried, addressing the fact negro. Do you savvy, English? English. The black looked up at Doc and addressed him in one of the innumerable Bantu dialects, but the American boy only shook his head. Nothing doing along that line, Uncle Tom, said Doc with a sigh and then brightening,

Hey, parley vu sanglays. Notwithstanding the bumps and bruises that he was nursing, Dick was unable to restrain his laughter. What's so funny? demanded Doc. What's so funny? You're French. Doc grinned. I must be improving, he said. No one ever recognized my French as French before.

Your French there doesn't recognize it even a speech. Why don't you try making signs? I'd never thought of that. Good old Dick. Every once in a while he shows a gleam of intelligence. Here goes. Watch me. Rain cloud. He waved his hand at the Negro to attract the tension.

Then he pointed off in the general direction that he thought the railroad lay after which he said, chew-choo, several times. Then he pointed first at Dick, and then at himself, walked around in a small circle looking bewilderedly from one direction to another. Stopping in front of the black, he pointed at him, then at Dick, then at himself. And finally, out through the forest toward an imaginary railway, and again said,

Chee-choo, chew, chew! The negro considered him a moment through red-rimmed, bleary eyes. Then he turned toward his fellows, jerked a grimy thumb in the direction of Doc, tapped his forehead significantly with a forefinger and issued a few curt instructions to Zopinga, who stepped forward and pushed the boys roughly along the village street toward its far end.

I guess he understood your sign language all right, said Dick. What makes you think so? demanded Doc. Why, he thinks you're crazy and he's not far off. Is that so? Zopinga halted before a grass hut shaped like a beehive, with a single opening about two and a half or three feet high, On either side of which squatted a warrior, armed as was their captor. Zupinga motioned for the boys to enter,

and as they dropped upon their hands and knees to crawl into the dark interior, he accelerated their speed with the soul of a calloused foot, and sent them one by one into darkness that was only a bit less thick than the foul stench which pervaded the noisome den. End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Wright. boroughs. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 5

Crouching close together, Dick and Doc sat in silence upon the filthy floor of the hut. They could hear Zopinga talking to the guards at the entrance, and after he had gone away, they could still hear the guards conversing. It was most aggravating to be unable to understand a word of what was said, nor to gain a single clue to the nature of the people into whose power an unkind fate had delivered them, nor any hint of the intentions of their captors toward them, for they were both now convinced that they were indeed captives. Presently, Doc put his lips close to Dick's ear. Do you hear anything? he whispered. Dick nodded.

It sounds like something breathing over there, he said. It is, Doc's voice trembled just a little. I can see something over against that wall. Their eyes were becoming accustomed to the gloom of the interior, and slowly things were taking form within. Dick strained his eyes in the direction of the sound. I see it. There are two of them. Do you suppose they're men or... Or what? asked Doc. Lions or something, suggested Dick weakly.

Doc felt in his pants pocket and brought out a knife, but his fingers were trembling so that he had difficulty in opening the blade. "'It's getting up,' he whispered. They sat with their eyes riveted upon the dark bulk that moved against the back wall of the hut. It seemed very large, and entirely ominous, though as yet it had taken on no definite form that they might recognize. "'It's—it's—' "'Cumming tortoise,' chattered Doc.

"'I wish it was a lion. "'I wouldn't be as scared if I knew it was a lion as I am not knowing what it is. "'Gosh, it might be anything.' "'Here comes the other one,' announced Dick. "'Say, I believe they're men. "'I'm getting so I can see better in this old hole. "'Yes, they are men.' "'Then they must be prisoners, too,' said Doc.

"'Just the same, you better get your knife out, too,' said Dick. "'I've had mine out. "'I was just going to tell you to get yours out.' "'They sat very still as the two forms crept toward them on all fours, and presently they saw that one was a very large negro, and the other, either a very small one or a child. Tell him to keep away, or we'll stick him with our knives, said Doc. They wouldn't understand if we did tell him, replied Dick.

And then, in pigeon English that they could barely understand, one of the blacks announced that he spoke excellent English. Gee! exclaimed Doc with a sigh of relief. I could almost kiss him. The boys asked questions that the black understood only with the greatest difficulty, and equally arduous were their efforts to translate his replies. But at length, they had found a medium of communication, however weak and uncertain, and they were slowly coming to a realization of the predicament in which their foolhardy venture into the jungle had placed them. What are they going to do with us in here? asked Dick. Make us fat, explained the black.

"'Make us fat? What for?' demanded Doc. "'Gee, I'm too fat already.' "'Make us fat to eat,' explained the negro. "'Golly!' cried Dick. "'They're cannibals. Is that what he means?' "'Yes, bad men, cannibals.' The black shook his head. The boys were silent for a long time.

Their thoughts were far away, far across continents and oceans to distant homes, to mothers, to all the loving and beloved friends they were never to see again. And to think that no one will ever know what became of us, said Dick solemnly. Golly, it's awful, Doc. It hasn't happened yet, Dick, replied his cousin, and it's up to us to see that it doesn't happen. There must be some way to escape. Anyway, we mustn't give up, not until they begin to ask which is preferred, dark meat or light.

Dick grinned. You bet we won't give up, Doc, old boy. We'll learn all we can from this fellow so that when the time comes, we'll have a better chance of making our getaway. The first thing to do is to try to learn the language. If we only knew what they were talking about, that might help us. And anyway, if we do escape, we'll be better off if we know how to inquire our way. Yes, we might meet a traffic cop. Don't be an idiot.

Dick turned to the black squatting beside them. What's your name? he asked. "'Bolala,' replied the Black, "'and then he explained that he had been a cook, "'or safari for a white man who was hunting big game, "'but that something had gone wrong "'and he had run away to go back to his home "'and had been captured by these people

"'whom he had described as the Bagala tribe. "'Do you speak the same language as these Bagala?' "'demanded Doc. "'We understand each other,' replied Bilala. "'Will you teach us your language?' "'Belala was greatly pleased with the idea and set out at once upon the role of tutor, and never in the world had a tutor such eager pupils, and never had Dick and Doc applied themselves so diligently to the acquisition of useful knowledge.

Say, said Doc, this language is a cinch. If you learn it as well as you did French, said Dick, you ought to be able to understand yourself in about a hundred years, even if nobody else can understand you. Is that so? demanded Doc. Well, you're not so good yourself. As the boy's eyes had become more and more accustomed to the dim light of the interior of the hut, they had discovered the scant furnishings, the filth, and their fellow prisoners. Balala was evidently a densely ignorant but happy-natured West Coast black,

while the other, whom Balala referred to as Okhundu, was a pygmy, and though a full-grown man came barely to the shoulders of the twins. When Okhundu discovered that Balala was attempting to teach the boys his language, he developed a great interest in the experiment. and as he was much brighter than Bilala, it was more often his own dialect that the boys learned than that of the tribe to which Bilala had belonged. As for the furnishings of the hut,

they consisted of several filthy sleeping mats that must have been discarded by their original owners as absolutely impossible for human use. And when anything becomes too filthy for a native African, its condition must be beyond words. Okundu generously dragged two of them into place for the boys. But when they examined them, they both drew away. If it weren't for the guards outside, I'd lead mine out and tie it to a tree, said Doc.

Afraid it would run away? asked Dick. No, I'd be afraid it would crawl back in here with us. At dusk, some food was brought them. Hideously repulsive, malodorous, stuff that neither of the boys could touch to their lips, half-starved though they were. But Bolala and a kundu were not so particular, and gobbled down their own portions and the boys, as well, to the accompaniment of sounds that reminded dock of feeding time at the hoghouse on his

grandfather's farm. With the coming of night, there came also the night noises of the village in the jungle. Through the aperture in the base of the hut that served both as door and window, the boys saw fires twinkling in the village, snatches of conversation came to them, and the sound of laughter. They saw figures moving about the fires, and caught glimpses of savage dancers and heard the sound of tom-toms. But the heat from the blazing fires did not enter the cold damp hut, nor did the laughter warm their hearts. They crept close together for warmth, and at last fell asleep, hungry, cold, and exhausted. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

This Librevox Recordings in the public domain read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 6 When they awoke it was still dark and much colder. The village fires had died away or had been banked for the night. All was silence. Yet the boys were conscious that they had been awakened by a noise, as though the echo still lingered in their ears. Presently they were sure of it,

a thunderous sound that rolled in mighty volume out of the dark jungle and made the earth tremble. "'Are you awake?' whispered Doc. "'Yes. Did you hear that?' It's a lion. Do you suppose he's in the village? He sounds awful close.

Numa was not in the village. He roared with his nose close to the palisade, voicing his anger at the stout barrier that kept him from the tender flesh within. Golly, said Dick, it wouldn't do us much good if we did escape. It would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Do you mean you'd rather stay here and be eaten by cannibals than try to escape? demanded Doc.

No, I don't mean anything of the kind. I just think we haven't much chance of getting out of this mess one way or the other. But I sure would rather try to get out of it than just sit still and wait to be eaten, like Balala and Okhundu are doing. Have you any scheme, Doc, for getting away? Not yet. From what I could understand of Balala's gibberish, I guess they won't eat us for a while.

He seems to think that they will wait until we are fattened up a bit. But from something else he says, said, it is just possible that they are saving us for a big feast that they have invited a lot of other villages to attend. Anyway, if we can have a few days to get a line on the habits and customs of the village, we will be in a better position to pick out the best plan and the best time for making our getaway. Gee, but it's cold.

I didn't know anyone could be so cold and hungry and live, said Dick. Neither did I. It's no use trying to get to sleep again. I'm going to get up and move around. Maybe that'll make us warm. But all it did was to awaken Bolala and Okundu, who were not angry at all at being awakened and only laughed when the boys told them how cold they were. Bolala assured them that one was always cold at night, and as he and Okandu were practically naked, the twins felt a little bit ashamed of their grumbling. Daylight came at last, and with the rising sun came warmth and renewed vitality. The boys felt almost cheerful, and now they were so hungry that they knew they would eat whatever their captors set before them. them, however vile it might appear. But nothing was brought them. In fact, it was almost noon before

any attention was paid them, and then a warrior came and ordered all four of them out of the hut. With their guards, they were herded toward the chief's hut in the center of the village. Here they found many warriors lined up before the bleary-eyed old cannibal. The chief looked them all over, then addressed the twins. He wants to know what you were doing in his country, interpreted Balala. Tell him we were passing through. threw on the train, and that we wandered into the jungle and got lost, said Dick. Tell him we want to go back to the railway, and that if he will take us, our fathers will pay him a big reward.

Balala explained all this to the chief, and there followed a lengthy discussion between the chief and his warriors, at the end of which Balala again interpreted. Chief Gala Gala says he will take you back after a while. He wants you to stay here a few days. Then he will take you back. Also, he wants all your clothes. He said you must take them off and give them to him as presents if you want him to take you back to your people. But we'll freeze, expostulated Doc.

You had better give them to him, for he will take them anyway, advice Bilala. Doc turned and looked at Dick. What are we going to do about it? he asked. Tell him we'll freeze at night without our clothes, Bilala, cried Dick. Balala and the Gala Gala held a lengthy discourse at the end of which the former announced that the chief insisted upon having their clothes, but would furnish them with other apparel to take its place. Well, tell him to trot it out, snapped Doc.

Again, there was much haggling, but finally the chief sent one of his warriors to bring a handful of filthy calico rags, which he threw at the feet of the two boys. Doc started to argue the question, but Balala's counsel, combined with the menacing attitude of Gala-gala, convinced the twins that they could do nothing but comply with the commands of their captor.

"'I'm going to take the things out of my pockets,' said Doc. "'They'll probably swipe everything we've got, "'but if possible we ought to try to save our knives,' suggested Dick. "'And sure enough, the first thing that came out of Dick's pocket, "'which happened to be a fountain pin, Gala-gala, held out his hand to receive. "'A lot of good it'll do the old robber,' growled Dick. "'He wants to know what it is,' said Bolala. "'Tell him it's a bottle with something good to drink in it.

Snap Doc. Here, I'll show him how to get it out. Look, ye old tar, baby. And Doc stepped forward and removed the cap from the pinpoint. Tell him, he explained to Balala, to put the shiny end in his mouth, and then pull up this little lever here that'll squirt the nice drink into his tummy.

Gala Gala did as Bilala directed. A peculiar expression overspread his evil face, and then he commenced to spit, to the great astonishment not only of himself, but of the assembled warriors. for Gala Gala was undeniably spitting blue. The effect upon him was astonishing and rather terrifying. He leaped about like a madman,

emitting strange noises which were interspersed with remarks that the boys were positive were not at all nice. But the remarkable part of the performance was that he vented all his rage upon Bolala, striking and kicking the poor fellow unmercifully. Tell him it won't hurt him, yelled Dick, fearful now of the results of Doc's joke. Tell him white men drink it to make them strong,

and when Balala had succeeded in transmitting this information to Gala Gala, the chief immediately calmed down and apparently was well pleased, though for a long time thereafter he continued to spit blue. The boys had now emptied their pockets, but each clung to his knife, attempting to hide it from the eyes of the greedy Gala Gala. The attempt was vain. A filthy pinkish palm was extended toward Doc who needed no one to interpret the cannibal's demands and to Gimmy, Gimmy, Gimmy!

It was then that an idea came to Doc that was little short, of inspiration. His eyes snapped and sparkled. Why not? he demanded aloud. Why not what? asked Dick. Watch me, cried Doc. Gala Gala was becoming insistent. He was demanding in peremptory tones that Doc deliver the knife forthwith, but Doc did nothing of the kind. Instead, he held up his left palm outstretched for silence. Then he opened his right hand, exposing to view of all the coveted knife.

Tell them, he said to Balala, to what? watch me closely, and I will show them a trick they never saw before. Big medicine? asked Balala. Doc seized upon the words. Big medicine, he cried. That's the idea, Balala. Tell him I'm going to make some big medicine with a capital B. Even Gala Gala seemed impressed as the white boy covered the knife with his left palm. Doc clasped his hands and blew upon them. Then he raised them above his head. Abra-cadabra, he shouted. "'Allo, presto, change cars, and begone.

"'Now you see it, now you don't!' "'He opened his hands and held them palms up. "'The knife had vanished.' "'The chief was greatly puzzled. "'He looked all about for the knife, "'and when he came close to dock, "'the latter reached suddenly toward him "'and apparently extracted the missing article

"'from Gala Gala's left ear. "'This was evidently too much for the savage old cannibal. "'He leaped backward so quickly "'that he stumbled and fell sprawling "'over the stool upon which he had been sitting. "'The blow to the blow to the blow his dignity had a bad effect upon his temper, none too good at best. He came to his feet, fairly bubbling with rage and angrily demanded that the boys removed their clothing and donned

the rags that had been brought them. "'Hang on to your knife as long as you can,' admonished Doc. "'I think I can save them both when I get my new minus fours wrapped around me. How do you put this stuff on anyway?' "'Ask Balala,' advised Dick. And that worthy showed the boys how to wrap the cloth about their hips and carry the end between their legs, so that a little apron fell down in front and another behind. All this time the two boys had managed to conceal their knives, but at last, Gala Gala again demanded them. Doc was desperate.

We mustn't give them up, Dick, he said. They're the only useful things we have. By Jiminy Crickets, I won't give them up, he turned to Balala. Tell that fat boy that if anyone takes this medicine away from us, it will kill him, but that if he doesn't want us to keep them, we will send them away. Watch. He exposed his own knife and repeated the mystic signs and words that he had used before, and the knife was gone. Then he took Dick's knife

and did the same things. Gala Gala shook his head. He wants to know where they are, said Bilala. Doc looked about in an effort to game time while he conjured some reply that would put an end to Gala Gala's search for the knives. His eyes fell upon the same youth who had attempted to brain him the previous day, while Zopinga

had been escorting them into the village. Doc never could account for the idea that popped into his head as he beheld again the hideous features of the young imp who had come so near killing him. But he always admitted that it was a good idea, for him and Dick, if not for the black youth. He stepped suddenly close to the youth and pointed into his ear. Tell Gala Gala, he said to Bilala,

that our big medicine has hidden itself inside this fellow's head and that it won't come out until we are with our own people. End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This Librevox recordings in the public domain, read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 7 The hot days and the cold nights dragged on. The food, poor and distasteful as it was, the boys learned to eat.

They could not understand why it did not kill them, for they were sure that it contained all the germs that had ever been discovered with several millions that had not. The hideous nights, made unbearable by cold and vermin, seemed eternities of suffering. Yet the boys lived on, lived and learned. They learned the language of Okandu, learned to speak in a dialect that all could understand,

learned to understand that of their captors, the bagala. Many other things they came to understand during the days of their captivity, not the least of which was a new conception of the Negro. To Doc, whose experience with colored people had been limited to a few worthless specimens of their captivity, northern states, it came as a revelation. Even among the warriors of the cannibal Bagala, he encountered individuals who possessed great natural dignity, poise, and evident strength of character. Balala, a typical West Coast black, densely ignorant and superstitious, had nevertheless

a heart of gold that revealed itself in his loyalty and generosity, while little Okundu, the pygmy, perhaps among the lowest in the social scale of all African peoples, proved a staunch friend and a good comrade. To his natural shrewdness was added an almost uncanny knowledge of the jungle and the jungle's people, both beast and human. The tales he told the boys shortened many a wary hour. After the first week of their captivity, the boys had managed to get a message to Chief Gala Gala through Balala and Zopinga, explaining to him that being unaccustomed to breathing

the close air of a hut and living always without sunshine, they would surely die. They asked to be given more freedom and exercise, pointing out that there was little likelihood of their being able to escape, since they were unfamiliar with the jungle and would not know in what direction to go should they be able to leave the village. But upon one point they were very careful not to commit themselves. They did not promise not to try to escape. And as a result of their plea, Gala Gala gave all the prisoners the freedom of the village during the daytime.

placing the guards at the village gates instead of at the doorway of the hut in which they had been confined, and at night there were no guards at all, since the village gates were then closed and locked, and the dangers of the jungle were sufficient to keep anyone from attempting to escape. The boys had really had little hope that their request would be granted, and there is little likelihood that it would have been but for the shrewdness of Vukundu, who had accurately gauged the impression Doc's wizardry had made upon Gala Gala, measuring it, doubtless by the awe that it had created in his own superstitious mind. It was due to Okundu, therefore, that Balala did not transmit the message in the form of a request.

Instead, Zopinga had carried a demand to his chief, backed by a threat that the white boy witch doctor would lose some very much more terrible medicine upon him if he refused to permit them the freedom of the village. And Okundu had been careful to ensure that the demand included both Balala and himself. Influenced by their fear of Doc's magic, the villagers treated the boys with more respect than they would have ordinarily been accorded, and there was one youth in particular who gave them a very wide birth, keeping as far from them as possible. This was Pabu, the youth within whose thick skull it was popularly believed repose the big medicine of the white boy witch doctor. Since the moment that Doc had made the two knives disappear within Pabu's left ear, that unhappy individual had been the object of much suspiciously. observation upon the part of all the villagers.

At first he had enjoyed this unusual celebrity and had strutted about with great pompousness, but when it had been whispered that Gala Gala was becoming consumed with curiosity to learn if the big medicine was indeed inside Pabu's head, the youth had filled with a great terror that kept him almost continuously in the seclusion and dirt of his father's hut, for he knew of but one way in which Gala Gala could definitely learn if the big medicine was actually within his skull, and Pabu knew Gala Gala well enough to know that, whenever the spirit chanced to move him, he would not hesitate to make a thorough investigation, no matter how painful or how fatal to Pabu.

One day as the boys were lying in the shade, beside their hut, Gala Gala approached them. With him was an evil-faced individual whom the boys recognized as Entamo, the witch-doctor of the Bagala, a Mughala of great power whose influence over Gala Bagala made him in many ways virtually chief of the Bagala. His wrinkled face was seamed and lined by age and vicious thoughts, and clouded by a perpetual scowl, a fit setting for his bloodshot eyes and his sharp, filed cannibal teeth. As the two approached the boys,

and Tammu excitedly urged something upon the chief, but he ceased speaking as they came with an earshot of Dick and Doc, as though fearful that they might overhear and understand. However, Gala Gala, stopping in front of his two young captives, let the cat out of the bag. "'In Tommel say your medicine no good,' he announced. "'Let him make better medicine,' retorted Doc in halting and faulty by Gala. "'In Tamo say your medicine not in Pabu's head,' continued Gala-gala. "'I say it is. Didn't you see me put it in there?'

"'We find out,' announced the chief. you find out, demanded Dick, and then, as a sudden thought, popped into his head. Gali, you don't mean— "'How you find out what's in a nut?' retorted Gala, Gala. "'You crack it!' "'But you'd kill him!' cried Doc, horror-stricken. "'And if we do not find the big medicine there, we kill you,' said Intamo, who would have liked nothing better than to get rid of the white boy whose big medicine

had had a bad effect upon Intamo's reputation as a witch doctor, since he had been unable to duplicate Doc's exhibition of wizardry. You come now, he continued. We find out. And accompanied by Gala Gala and the boys, Entamo led the way toward the center of the village where, in an open space before the chief's hut, all the ceremonies of the tribe were conducted.

While Pabu was being searched out and dragged, resisting and screaming to be sacrificed upon the altar of ignorant, and superstition. Word ran rapidly through the village that a bit of delicious entertainment was about to be staged, and there resulted a rush for grandstand seats. A ring of savage warriors kept a circular place cleared, in the center of this clearing stood Gala Gala and Intamo. To them, Pabu was dragged. Dick and Doc stood shoulder to shoulder in the front rank of spectators. Their tanned faces blanched with horror. Two warriors held the half-fainting Pabu while Intamo armed with a knob Carrie made mystical passes in the air and mumbled a weird incantation that was supposed to weaken

the strength of the white boy's big medicine in the event that it should actually be found within the unfortunate pabu's head golly whispered dick can't we do something to stop them before entombo breaks that boy's head open with his club makes me feel like a murderer groaned doc you will be a murderer almost if they go through with this thing said dick but if you tell him the truth they'll kill us when they don't find the knives inside his cocoa they'll kill us anyway replied doc then you better tell him advised dick there's no use letting him kill that poor kid i've got it cried doc for the love of mike quick slip me your knife don't let anyone see it here that's it now watch my smoke slipping Dick's knife inside his loincloth beside his own,

Doc stepped forward into the circle. Wait! he commanded, advancing toward Intamo, but addressing Gala Gala. You need not kill Pabu. I can prove that the big medicine that belongs to my friend and the big medicine that belongs to me are both inside Pabu's head. I am a great witch doctor and do not have to crack Pabu's skull open

to get the medicine out the way Intamu does. See? And before Intamo could prevent, Doc stepped close to the unfortunate victim of Entamo's jealousy and Gala Gala's curiosity, and with two swift movements of his right hand appeared to withdraw the knives from Pabu's ear. Turning, he exhibited them upon the palm of his open hand to Gala Gala and the assembled Bagala. Perhaps Doc's bagala had been lame and halting, but there was no one there who did not perfectly understand the wondrous powers of his great magic, nor fail to see that his medicine was much stronger than that of Intamo,

for it is very true that we are all convinced by what we think we see, quite as surely as by what we actually do see. Gala Gala was nonplussed, Entamo was furious. Being an unscrupulous old Fakir himself, he was convinced that Doc had done no more than play a clever trick upon them all, a trick by which he, for one, did not intend to be fooled. But now he knew that Doc had done, had beaten him at his own game, and perhaps in the bottom of his ignorant, savage brain there was enough natural superstition to have convinced him that perhaps, after all, here was a real genuine witch-doctor who commanded demons and controlled their supernatural powers.

His fear and hatred of Doc were increased a hundredfold by the happenings of the past few minutes, and within his evil heart there crystallized the determination to rid himself as quickly as possible of this dangerous competitor. Had he known what was coming, he would have used his knob-carry to that end upon the instant, for Doc had been smitten by another of those brilliant ideas that had made him famous and feared at school as a practical joker, though it is only fair to record that his jokes had always been harmless and good-natured ones until he had met in Tommo. He wheeled suddenly toward that portion of the ring where the greatest throng was gathered and held the two knives out upon his open palm. "'Ladies and gentlemen,' he cried,

"'we have here two ordinary pocket knives.' The fact that he spoke English and that none of his auditors understood him but added to the impressiveness of his words, since all the tribe was quite convinced that he was about to make big medicine. "'Step right up and examine them, fill them, bite them.' Some of his hearers began to show evidences

of growing nervousness. "'You see that they are genuine. You will note that I have no accomplices. Now, ladies and gentlemen, watch me closely. As upon the other occasions, he placed his left palm over the knives, clasped his hands, blew upon them, raised them above his head. Abra-cadabra! He screamed with such sudden shrillness that his audience fell back in terror. Hello, presto! Change cars and be gone!

He turned slowly about until he had located the exact position of Entamo. And then before the unsuspecting witch, Doctor could guess his purpose, Doc sprang quickly to his side and placed. placed both palms over the old villain's ear. Now you see him, now you don't, he concluded, and turned with outspread empty palms toward Gala-Gala. He stood thus in impressive silence for several seconds, while the true meaning of what he had done sank into the muddy brains of his audience. Then he addressed Gala-gala. You saw me take the big medicine from the head of Pabu and place it on the head of Intamo, he said in the language of the chief. If you want to make sure that it is in Entamo's head, it may be that he will loan you his war club.

End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 8. Later that same afternoon, while Dick and Doc were chatting beside their hut with Bolala and Okundo, they heard a great racket at the village gates. The other from all directions were running men, women, and children, and presently the prisoner saw a great company of strange natives surging into the compound.

They were greeted with laughter and shouting that proclaimed them to be friends of the villagers. The guests are coming to the feast, said Ucundu grimly, and thereafter the four sat in moody silence, each wrapped in his own thoughts. The actuality of their fate had never seemed more than a bad dream to the boys, but now, at last, it was born into them as something very rich. real, and very terrible, and very close. They could see the hideous painted faces of the newcomers and the grinning mouths that exposed the yellow teeth, filed to sharp points. They saw some of the villagers point them out, and scores of greedy eyes directed upon them. "'I remember,' said Dick, how he used to stand outside the confectioner's shop looking at the

goodies in the window. Those bounders remind me of it. "'I suppose we look like the original candy kids,' sighed Doc. Presently four or five warriors came and seized Balala. They dragged him to a small hut near the chiefs, and there they bound him hand and foot and threw him inside. "'Poor Balala!' whispered Doc. "'He was a good friend,' said Dick. "'Oh, isn't there anything we can do?'

Doc shook his head and looked inquiringly at Akundu, but Akundu only sat staring at the ground. "'Ucondu,' snapped Dick. The pygmy looked up. "'What?' he asked. "'Can't we escape Okundu?' "'He'd make big medicine,' said Okundu, jerking a thumb at Doc.

"'If he cannot escape, how can port Okundu who cannot make any medicine?' "'My medicine is white man's medicine,' said Doc. "'It cannot show me my way through the jungle. "'If I got out of the village, I should be lost, "'and the lions would get me.' "'If you can get out of the village and take Okhundu with you, he will take you through the jungle to his own people.

Ocundu knows the jungle, but he is afraid at night. At night the jungle is full of demons. If you can get out in daytime, Ocundu will go with you and show you the way. But you cannot get out while it is light, for the bagu will see you. At night we should be killed and eaten by the demons. It cannot be done. Thus spoke Akundu, the pygny, who knew the jungle better than any man. It was several minutes before Doc replied, for he was thinking very, very much. very hard indeed. Presently he looked quickly up at Akundu. "'Akundu,' he cried.

"'If it is only the demons you fear, there's nothing to prevent our trying to escape at night, for I can make medicine that will protect us from them.' Akundu shook his head. "'I do not know,' he said doubtingly. "'You have seen me make stronger medicine than Entamo can make,' urged Adok. Do you not believe me when I say I can make medicine that will keep every demon of the jungle from harming us?' are you sure demanded akundu didn't we spend a night in the jungle before we reached the village asked dick not one single little bit of a demon bothered us you ought to have seen him run the minute they laid their eyes on dock akundu's eyes grew very wide as he looked with awe at doc the medicine of the white boy witch-doctor must be very strong he said it is admitted doc i'll give you my word that not a demon will hurt you while i am along

But if we stay here, Gala Gala will eat you. Well, you come with us. A Kundu glanced at the hut in which lay the unhappy Balala. Yes, he said. Ocundo will go with you. Good old Ocundoo, cried Dick, and then in a whisper, We'll have to go tonight because tomorrow it may be too late for poor Balala. Bilala?

questioned Okundu. Balala is already as good as dead. You think they'll kill him tonight? demanded Dick. Akundu shrugged his shoulders. Perhaps. But we must save him if we can, insisted Dick. We cannot, said Okundu.

We can try, said Doc. Yes, we can try, agreed Okundu, without enthusiasm, for Akundu was a fatalist, believing as many primitive people do, that whatever is about to happen must happen, and that it is useless to struggle against it. Perhaps that is why neither he nor belies. Bilala had given any serious thought to the matter of escape, being content to assume that if fate had ordained that they were to be eaten by the bagala, they would be eaten by the bagala, and that

was all there was to it. But Dick and Doc were not fatalists. They knew that their own wit and ability and courage had a great deal more to do with guiding their destinies than did any legendary lady called fate. To them, fate was just a silly bogey, like the demons of Okundo, and so they planned and schemed against the time when conditions might be right for them to attempt to make a break for liberty. Their difficulties were greatly increased because of Balala, but not once did either of them think of abandoning this good friend without making an attempt to rescue him, even though failure to do

so might almost certainly result in preventing their own escape. As night fell, the boys could see the villagers and their guests, assembling for the evening meal. Pots were being brought forth and filled with water that was set to boil over numerous fires. There was a great deal of loud talk and laughter. The captives wondered if the pots of boiling water were waiting to receive Balala and how soon it would be before their turn would come, and as they sat there, watching the fierce and terrible savages, their minds could not but be filled with gloomy thoughts and dire forebodings.

Try though they would to cast them out. For some time they had sat in silence, when their attention was attracted by a rustling sound as of a body brushing against the side of their grass-walled hut. They were sitting just outside the entrance. Someone, or something, was approaching from behind the hut, keeping close to the outside wall which was in dense shadow. Dick and Doc drew their knives and waited.

Who or what could it be? Whoever, or whatever it was, it was quite evident that it did not wish anyone to know that it was there. The stealthiness of its approach made that quite plain. Slowly Dick rose to his feet, his knife ready, in his hand, and Doc placed himself at Dick's side. O'cundoo, unarmed, stood at Dix's left. Thus the three waited intense silence

while the stealthy sounds approached along the side of the hut, through the inky darkness of the shadows cast by the glaring campfires of the village. Demon, whispered Ocundu. Leave him to me, then, said Doc. But if it's a lion, you can have it. Not a lion, said Okundu. "'Demon or man!' "'Presently, a low, sh!' sounded from the shadows.

"'Who are you?' demanded Dick. "'What do you want?' asked Doc. "'I am Pabu,' whispered a voice, very low. "'I come to warn you.' "'Come closer,' said Doc. "'We are alone.' A part of the shadow resolved itself into the youth as he came nearer and crouched low against the side of the hut.

"'You'll save my life today,' he said, addressing Doc. So I come to warn you, and Tamo has put poison in food for you. I saw him. Pabu hates in Tamo. That is all. I go. Wait, urged Doc. What are they going to do with Balala? Pabu grinned. Eat him, of course, he said. When? Tomorrow night. Next night they eat Akundu. I think they are afraid of your medicine. They may not eat you unless a tamo is able to kill you with poison. They couldn't eat us then, said Dick, because the poison would kill them.

No, contradicted Pabu. And Tammu take care of that, and Tammu make good poison, and as soon as you die, he cut out all your insides. There will be no poison in your flesh if he thinks you eat the poison food, and then you do not die. He will be afraid, but he will find another way to kill you unless your medicine is very strong. That is why Pabu come to warn you, so that makes strong medicine.

He started away. Wait, said Dick again. Have they killed Bilala yet? No. When will they kill him? Tomorrow. Will you do something for me? Ask Doc.

What? Demanded Pabu. Bring us some weapons. Four knives, four spears, four bows, and some arrows. Will you do that for me, Pabu? I am afraid. Gala Gala would kill me, and Tammu would kill me,

if he knew I'd come here and speak with you. They will never know, insisted Doc. I am afraid. said Pabu. Now I go. Look, whispered Doc. He drew his pocket knife from his loincloth. See this?

And he held the big medicine close to Pabu's face. The youth drew back in terror. Do not put it in my head, he whimpered. I will not put it in your head, Pabu, Doc assured him, because I am your friend. But I will give it to you if you will bring us the weapons. How would you like to own this big medicine that is stronger than any medicine that Entamo can make. You could be a great witch doctor if you own this, Pabu.

What do you say? It will not hurt me, asked Pabu fearfully. It will not hurt you if I tell it not to, replied Doc. If I give it to you, then it will be yours, and so cannot hurt you unless you make it. Very well, said Pabu. I will bring you the weapons. When? demanded Doc.

Very soon. Good, if you're not back very soon, the big medicine will be angry. And then I don't know what it might do to you. Hurry! Pabu vanished among the shadows, and the three sat down to wait and plan. At least they had taken the first step, but they were still inside the village,

surrounded by cruel and savage captors. While they waited, a man came, bringing them food. He was not one who had brought them food before, and they guessed that he had been sent by Entamo. As soon as he had gone, they dug a hole in the ground, and buried all the food. Then they relapsed into silent, anxious waiting. End of Chapter 8

Chapter 9 Of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs The Sliberovox recording is in the public domain. Read by Ben Tucker Chapter 9 Far away at the edge of the jungle 50 Ebon warriors were camped in a grassy clearing. They were fine stalwart men with regular features

and strong white teeth. One of them was strumming upon a crude, strained instrument, while two of his fellows were dancing in the firelight that gleamed back from the glossy velvet of their skin. Their weapons, laid aside, were within easy reach, and many of them still wore the plumed headdress of their tribe. Their stern faces were lighted by smiles, for this was their hour of relaxation,

following a hard day of fruitless search. A giant white man, swinging through the trees, approached the camp of the fifty warriors. He was naked but for a leopard skin, and armed only with a long rope and a hunting knife. Through the darkness of the jungle he moved with perfect sureness and in utter silence. Numa, the hunting lion, downwind from him, caught his scent and growled. It was a scent that Numa knew well and feared.

It was not alone the scent of man. It was the scent of the man. Presently he dropped lightly to the ground beside the camp. Instantly the warriors were upon their feet, their weapons ready in their hands. It is I, my children. said the man. It is I, Tarzan of the Apes. The warriors tossed aside their weapons.

Welcome Big Buanna, welcome Tarzan, they called. What luck Moviro, demanded the ape man. Non-master, replied a mighty black. We have searched in all directions, but we have seen no spore of the white boys. Nor I, said Tarzan. I am half convinced that the Mughala whom we questioned a week ago lied to us when he said that they had come to his village, and that Gala Gala, their chief,

had sent them on towards my country with some friendly Carindo traders. Tomorrow we shall set out for the village of Gala Gala. End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burrows. This Liber Vox recording is in the public domain, read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 10

The twins in Akundo had not long to wait before Pugnard Pabu returned, as he had promised, bringing weapons to them. His terror was quite real when he received Doc's pocket-knife and payment of his services, but his ambition to become a great witch-doctor overcame his fears, and it was a proud, though frightened Pabu, who sneaked away in the darkness, clutching the big medicine tightly in one grimy paw. About the village fires the boys could see the natives eating and drinking, while Intamo, clothed in all hideous and grotesque finery of his profession,

danced weirdly in the firelight, sprinkling powder in the various cooking pots, and making strange passes above them, with a stick to which was fastened the brush from the tail of a buffalo. Ukundo told them that Intamo was making medicine to frighten the demons away from the pots in which Bolala would be cooked on the morrow,

and that the real festivities would not commence until the following night. There was little dancing in the village that night, and after Entamo had completed his ceremony, the blacks commenced to retire to their huts, and soon the village street was deserted. All the fires were banked with the exception of one. The village was quite dark. The moment was approaching when the boys could make their long-deferred attempt to escape. In low whispers they had been discussing their plans with a condo all the evening.

Now it was only a matter of waiting until they felt sure that the entire village was asleep. They had distributed the weapons brought them by Pabu, and the feeling of them in their hands seemed to impart a new courage, and almost to ensure the success of their venture. "'Golly,' said Dick presently, "'don't you suppose they're asleep yet?' "'Better wait a little longer,' counseled Doc. "'This is our only chance, and we just can't fail.'

At that moment they saw a figure emerge from one of the huts and come toward them. "'There,' said Doc, "'what did I tell you?' The figure approached at a brisk walk, and the three hid their weapons as best they could, putting them on the ground and squatting in front of them, but keeping them within reach, for there was something sinister about this silent figure advancing through the sleeping village. The sickly light of a single dying campfire dimly outlined the approaching figure,

which the waiting captives could see was that of a large warrior in whose right hand swung a short, heavy knob-carry. What could it be? What was his mission in the dead of night? He was almost upon them before he perceived them, huddled just outside the entrance of their hut. His surprise at seeing them there was evident, for he stopped suddenly with an angry grunt. Why are you not in your hut? He demanded in a hoarse whisper. Which is the white boy witch, doctor? I would speak with him. It was Entamo. The three recognized him simultaneously and knew why he had come, and why he carried the knob carry.

I am he, replied Doc. What do you want of me? The only answer that Entombo made was to leap forward with raised bludgeon. With a cry of horror, Dick jumped to his feet and sprang between Entamo and his intended victim. With a short spear grasped in both hands and held horizontally before him and above his head, he sought to break the force of Entamo's wicked blow. The knob carry crashed upon the stout wood of the spear halved and glanced to one side, but Entamo with the sweep of a mighty arm, brushed the latter side and swung his club again. It was at this instant that a small panther-like figure,

springing with the agility and ferocity of one of the great jungle cats launched itself full upon the breast of Entamo, hurling the witch-doctor to the ground. Twice a muscular arm rose and fell, twice a dull blade gleamed for an instant in the fitful firelight. Then, Okundo arose from the prostrate form, but Intamo lay very still where he had fallen. Good old Ocundo, whispered Dick in a broken voice that choked with a sob, for he knew that Doc had been very near to death. Each of you has saved my life, said Doc. And, oh gee, I don't know what to say. Don't say anything, advised Dick. Anyway, we aren't out of this mess yet.

Now we better go, said Ocundo. Have you made strong medicine against the jungle demons? Very strong. replied Doc. You've seen that my medicine is stronger than Entamos, for he came here to kill me, and instead it was he who was killed. Yes, admitted Okundo.

I saw. As they had previously planned, three crept stealthily along the rear of the village huts, keeping close to the palisade. Dick led, Okundu followed, and then Doc. They had to move very silently, lest they awakened some of the numerous village curs,

whose yapping might easily arouse the entire village. And so they move forward. very slowly, often just a few yards at a time, when they would lie quietly for several minutes. It was slow, nerve-wracking work. The hut in which Balala was confined seemed miles away, though in fact it was but a few hundred feet. At last, however, after what seemed in eternity, they reached it, and while the boys waited behind the hut, Okundo crept to the front and crawled inside. Again there was a long, long wait. The interminable minutes dragged slowly by, not a sound

came to their ears from the interior of the hot for what seemed ages, and then, at last, they heard a faint rustling within. A few minutes later, Okondo, and Balala crept to their sides. Balala was almost overcome by emotion, so certain had he been that nothing could save him from the horrible fate that awaited him on the morrow. But his words of gratitude were silenced, and a moment later the four were creeping toward the village gates.

Here they met their serious obstacle. The gates were secured by chance, through which was fastened an old-time padlock, such as slavers once used to secure the chains to the necks of their poor victims. For a moment it seemed that they were doomed to failure at the very outset of their attempted break for liberty. But as the boys were examining the fastenings, Doc almost gave vent to a cry of relief. He had discovered that, with true native shiftlessness, the bagala had fastened the end of one of the stout chains to a post of the palisade with a bit of grass rope, and as a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, this proved a very weak chain indeed. A single stroke of Doc's knife severed the rope, and the chain clattered to the ground.

An occurrence that almost proved their undoing, for the noise startled a nearby cur into a frenzy of barking that was quickly taken up by every other dog in the village, until it seemed that a thousand dogs were yapping at the top of their lungs. And then the gates stuck as the four put their combined weight against them in an effort to swing them open. Dick glanced over his shoulder and saw a warrior emerging from a hut. The fellow, voicing a loud cry of warning, came running toward them, and in an instant the village was swarming with fierce blacks, all running with brandished spears. In a frenzy of hopelessness, the four prisoners hurled themselves upon the sagging barrier,

and this time the gates gave way in the quartet plunged into the outer darkness. To cover the distance across the clearing into the black shadows of the jungle required but a few seconds, for their feet were winged by terror of the hideous death clutching so close behind to drag them back into its awful embrace. A few feet beyond the village gates, the Bagala halted. They had no medicine to safeguard them against the malign influences of the demons of the darkness and the jungle. There they stood, shouting threats and insults at the four fugitives who stumbled along the crooked jungle trail. But words could neither harm them nor bring them back, and presently, Gala Gala led his people back into the village and closed the gates.

Tomorrow, he said, when the light first comes faintly through the forest, we will go forth and bring them back, for they will not go far tonight, where the lions hunt, and the Panthers lie in wait above the trail. End of Chapter 10. Chapter 11 of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burrows. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Ben Tucker. Chapter 11. Ocundo, Master of Junglecraft, led the little party by ways that no other might have found. He did not always follow the well-beaten trails, but seemed to know by instinct where shortcuts might be taken,

and where one, by crawling upon all fours, might find a way through what seemed an impenetrable mass of tangled vegetation. For half an hour they moved along in silence. Then Ocundo stopped. Lion, he whispered. He is coming. Take to the trees. Dick and Doc could see nothing, could hear nothing. They had been following each other by the not always simple expedient of actually touching the one ahead. If they lost touch, they were as good as lost until they again made contact. Now they saw no trees.

They knew there were trees all about them, but they could see none. The blackness was everywhere. Darkness was absolute. They stood up and groped about. Hurry, warned a condo. Here he comes. They heard a crashing in the underbrush. Doc's fingers came into contact with the bowl of a great tree.

Here, Dick, he whispered. Here's a tree, this way, he felt Dick touch him. The noise in the underbrush seemed very close. Climb, said Dick. I found the tree. Hurry up. Doc attempted to scramble up the giant trunk, but he could not span it with his arms, nor could Dick. They reached through the darkness searching for a branch but found none.

A horrid growl sounded almost. in their ears. Dick realized that the beast was upon him, and in the instant he obeyed the first impulse that seized him. He wheeled about, facing the animal he could not see, and holding his spear in both hands, thrust it violently outward in the direction of that blood-curdling growl. At the same instant he felt a heavy body strike the weapon. He was hurled to the ground, and a great weight hurtled against him. A thunderous, deafening roar shook the earth as the lion lunged into the thicket just beyond him, where there followed such a tumult as might have been made by a dozen lions fighting over their kill.

Dick, called Doc. Are you all right? Yes, are you? You bet. Hurry! I found a way up this tree. Here. Over here!

Dick groped his way to Doc, who had discovered a smaller tree growing near the huge one. They had been unable to climb. And soon the two boys were perched high above the angry lion thrashing about in the underbrush, and emitting terrific roars and growls. By shouting, they soon located Ukando and Balala in nearby trees, but they could not see them. And after a short discussion, it was decided that they remain where they were until morning, when they could get an early start and hasten on towards the country of Okundo,

who promised that all of them would receive a warm and hospitable welcome. Presently the lion ceased its noise and the boys tried to settle themselves with some degree of safety and comfort, that they might snatch a brief sleep, for they knew that they had a day ahead of them, that would tax to the utmost their weakened bodies, unfitted by weeks of captivity in the vile food. Dick was concerned about his spear,

which had been knocked from his grasp when the lion sprang against him. And at last morning came, and with the first peep of dawn, Okundo urged them to descend and continue their flight, assuring them that the bagala would be certain to trail them, at least to the limits of Ugala. Dick and Doc scrambled down to search for Dick's spear. The first thing their eyes fell upon was the dead body of a great black-mained lion from the chest of which protruded the missing weapon. Gee! exclaimed Doc.

You killed him, Dick! You killed a lion! Okundo and Balala joined them, and many were the congratulations heaped upon the astonished Dick. A hasty examination revealed what seemed the only explanation of the surprising event. In leaping for Dick, the lion must have misjudged the disjudged the dissonish. in the darkness and jumped too high. Dick's spear, thrust outward by chance, had been held at precisely the right angle, and the lion had impaled itself upon the point, which at first entered its lungs, after which the lion in its mad efforts to dislodge the weapon, had turned the point into its own heart.

"'Golly!' exclaimed Dick. "'I'd like to take it along, just the head even.' "'Cut off its tail,' suggested Doc. "'That's about all of it you'll feel like carrying after an hour. so. And so Dick took the tail as the trophy of his first big game, and the four resumed their flight, already tired and hungry before the day fully dawned. Their progress was slow because the boys could not travel fast. Their bare feet were sore and bleeding, and the naked flesh of their bodies was torn and scratched by the cruel thorns that seemed to reach out to seize them.

At noon they reached an open stretch of country where traveling was easier and their spirits were refreshed, for the dismal jungle had exercised a depressing effect upon them for many days, an effect which they had not actually realized until they had come out into the comparative open of the clearing. Gee! exclaimed Doc. It's just like the beginning of a long vacation. I know we're going to be all right now, said Dick, and at that very instant, three-score-painted Bagala warriors leapt from ambush all about them. The four looked about in consternation. They were completely surrounded.

There was no escape. Shall we fight? cried Doc. Yes, replied Dick. Bolala, Okundo, will you fight with us? They will only kill us if they capture us. We had better die fighting, replied Okundo. Doc fitted an arrow to his bow and shot it at the oncoming warriors,

but sped by an unaccustomed hand, the arrow only described a graceful curve and stuck upright in the ground a few yards from Doc's feet. The Bagala shouted in derision and rushed forward. Then Dick shot, but the string slipped from the notch in the end of the arrow, and when he released the missile, it fell at his feet. But Akundo was more adept. He drew the shaft far back, and when he let it fly, it embedded itself deeply in the breast of a shouting bagala.

Then the Bagala halted. They danced fiercely and shouted insults at the fore. Why don't they shoot us? asked Dick. They want to take us alive, said B'uola. "'In a moment they will all charge from different directions,' prophesied Okundo. "'We shall kill some, but they will take us alive.' Dick had thrown down his bow and stood ready with his spear. Doc followed his example.

"'I never did like an old bow and arrow anyway,' he said. "'Here they come,' warned Dick. "'Goodbye, Doc.' "'Goodbye, Dick,' replied his cousin. "'Don't let them take you alive. "'Poor mother!' "'Golly, here comes a million more of the beggars,' exclaimed Dick. "'And sure enough, with waving plumes,

"'there came what seemed a veritable horde of mighty warriors, "'grim and savage, pouring out of the nearby forest.' "'They are not Bagala,' said Okundo. "'Look!' cried Doc. "'There's a white man leading them.' "'It is Tarzan, Lord of the jungle, and his mighty waziri,' exclaimed Akundo. "'Tarzan!' shouted Dick. "'Yes, it is Tarzan.'

We are saved! The Bagala warned now by the savage war cry of the Waziri turned in their direction. At sight of Tarzan and his warriors, the ranks of the Bagala were thrown into confusion. They forgot their prey and thought only of escape, for well they knew the power and the wrath of Tarzan of the apes. Like frightened rabbits they scurried for the jungle, pursued by the Waziri warriors who showered arrows and spears among them. As they disappeared from the clearing, Tarzan approached the buoy.

I thank God that I have found you, he said. I did not think you could survive the dangers of the jungle, but when I saw you make your stand against the Bagala, I knew why you had survived. You're brave lads. In the jungle only the brave may live. I am very proud of you. Okundo and Balala had gone down on their hands and knees before the lord of the jungle,

and now Tarzan noticed them. Who are these? he demanded. They are our very good friends, said Doc. Without them we should never have escaped. They shall be rewarded, said Tarzan, when we reach home tomorrow. And so shall you, boys. What in all the world would you like most? A whole apple pie, said Doc. End of Chapter 11.

End of the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs.