Tarzan and the Lost Empire

Edgar Rice Burroughs

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

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Copyright

Fonte original — domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de Tarzan and the Lost Empire, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, publicado originalmente em 1928.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1928.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 2024.

Brasil

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950)

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Edgar Rice Burroughs faleceu em 1950.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: Tarzan and the Lost Empire

Autor: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Primeira publicação: 1928

Primeiro editor: Metropolitan Newspaper Services

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

Cada livro desta coleção é apresentado em um nível de leitura simplificada, de acordo com o CEFR — Quadro Europeu Comum de Referência para Línguas.

A2 — Básico: indicado para leitores que já compreendem frases simples, vocabulário frequente e textos curtos sobre situações do cotidiano.

B1 — Intermediário: indicado para leitores que conseguem compreender as ideias principais de textos claros e acompanhar uma narrativa com vocabulário e estruturas de dificuldade moderada.

B2 — Intermediário avançado: indicado para leitores que já conseguem compreender textos mais complexos, acompanhar descrições detalhadas e reconhecer uma variedade maior de vocabulário e estruturas gramaticais.

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

Assim, você pode começar a lê-lo mesmo sem dominar completamente o inglês. O texto foi simplificado para facilitar a compreensão, preservando a história, os personagens e os acontecimentos principais da obra original.

Como usar as notas

No texto de leitura simplificada, cada parágrafo possui um link Pt/En. Esse link abre uma nota com a tradução em português do texto simplificado e o trecho correspondente no texto original em inglês.

No texto original em inglês, o link PT leva diretamente ao parágrafo correspondente na versão em português. Na tradução portuguesa, o link En retorna ao parágrafo correspondente no texto original.

A tradução para o português é feita a partir do texto em inglês simplificado, e não diretamente do texto original. O objetivo é ajudar você a compreender com precisão a frase simplificada que está estudando naquele momento.

O texto original em inglês é apresentado separadamente para a etapa seguinte do aprendizado, quando você já estiver preparado para ler e comparar a obra em sua forma original.

Cada nota contém links que permitem retornar exatamente ao parágrafo que você estava lendo.

Sobre este livro

No décimo segundo romance da série Tarzan, de Edgar Rice Burroughs, o homem-macaco embarca em uma jornada perigosa no interior da África após saber de uma misteriosa civilização perdida. Quando um arqueólogo alemão, Dr. von Harben, desaparece enquanto procura os vestígios de uma antiga colônia romana, Tarzan parte para encontrá-lo. Acompanhado por um guia nativo, Tarzan descobre um vale oculto onde os descendentes de legionários romanos preservaram sua cultura por séculos. Este império perdido, conhecido como Castrum Mare, é governado por um imperador tirânico e dividido por intrigas políticas. Tarzan precisa navegar pela política traiçoeira dessa sociedade arcaica, enfrentando combates de gladiadores, traições e a ameaça de uma revolta de escravos. A história mistura aventura com elementos de fantasia histórica, enquanto Tarzan usa seus instintos primais e porte nobre para desafiar os governantes opressores do império. O tom é acelerado e cheio de ação, com as descrições vívidas características de Burroughs de paisagens selvagens e ruínas antigas. Personagens-chave incluem a bela escrava, o imperador maquiavélico e o leal cientista alemão. O conflito central opõe o senso de justiça de Tarzan às tradições brutais do império, levando a uma luta culminante pela liberdade.

Nota editorial

A tradução para o português e a versão Reading Comprehension B1 foram geradas com apoio de inteligência artificial e submetidas a revisão editorial.

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

MicMac from Las Vegas LLC
Contato: admin@micmacfromlasvegas.com

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção A Selva de Burroughs

Tarzan of the Apes

The Return Of Tarzan

The Beasts Of Tarzan

The Son Of Tarzan

Tarzan and the Jewels Of Opar

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan

Tarzan The Untamed

Tarzan The Terrible

Tarzan and the Golden Lion

Tarzan and the Ant Men

Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

Jungle Tales Of Tarzan — ESL Easy Read

Tarzan and the City of Gold

Tarzan and the Lion Man

Tarzan and the Lost Empire

Tarzan at the Earth's Core

Tarzan the Invincible

Tarzan Triumphant

The Tarzan Twins

V21 Popup Test

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www.micmacfromlasvegas.com

Reading Comprehension B1

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

3 - Chapter Three

4 - Chapter Four

Chapter One

Pt/En Nkima, Tarzan's monkey, danced happily on his master's bare shoulder. He made sounds and looked curiously at Tarzan's face, then towards the jungle.

Pt/En Muviro, a leader of the Waziri, told Tarzan that something was coming. He said that Nkima had heard it.

Pt/En Tarzan confirmed that he had also heard it.

Pt/En Muviro commented that Tarzan's hearing was as good as that of an antelope.

Pt/En Tarzan replied with a smile that if his hearing had not been so good, he would not be alive today. He added that his mother, Kala, had taught him to use all his senses to survive.

Pt/En Muviro asked what was coming.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that a group of men was coming.

Pt/En The African suggested that the men might not be friendly. He asked if he should warn the warriors.

Pt/En Tarzan looked around the small camp. About twenty of his warriors were preparing their evening meal. As was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were ready.

Pt/En Tarzan said no, he did not think it would be necessary. He explained that the approaching people were not moving secretly like enemies, and their numbers were not large enough to worry them.

Pt/En Nkima was always worried about bad things. As the group of people got closer, he became more excited. He jumped off Tarzan's shoulder, then jumped up and down on the ground. He jumped back to Tarzan, grabbed his arm, and tried to pull him up.

Pt/En Nkima shouted in the language of apes. He said that strange Gomangani were coming and that they would kill him.

Pt/En Tarzan told Nkima not to be afraid. He said that he and Muviro would protect Nkima from the strangers.

Pt/En Nkima said he could smell a strange Tarmangani and that a Tarmangani was with the group. He explained that Tarmangani were worse than Gomangani because they used guns, which killed everything. Nkima did not like Tarmangani and was afraid.

Pt/En The other jungle animals did not think of Tarzan as a Tarmangani or a white man. They saw him as part of the jungle, like them. They thought of him as a great ape.

Pt/En Everyone in the camp could easily hear the strangers coming. The Waziri warriors looked into the jungle where the sounds were coming from, and then at Tarzan and Muviro. But when they saw their leaders were calm, they continued cooking quietly.

Pt/En A tall warrior was the first person from the group to be seen near the camp. He stopped when he saw the Waziri, and a moment later, a white man with a beard stopped next to him.

Pt/En The white man looked at the camp for a moment. Then he walked forward and made a sign of peace. About a dozen more warriors followed him out of the jungle. Most of them carried things, and only a few had guns.

Pt/En Tarzan and the Waziri knew immediately that the group was small and not dangerous. Even Nkima, who had climbed a nearby tree for safety, showed he was not afraid by running back to Tarzan's shoulder.

Pt/En Tarzan told the approaching stranger, who had a beard, that he was Doctor von Harben. Tarzan said he had almost not recognized him at first.

Pt/En Von Harben greeted Tarzan and said that God had been kind to him. He explained that he was on his way to see Tarzan and had found him two days earlier than he expected.

Pt/En Tarzan explained that they were hunting an animal that killed their cattle. He said it had entered their kraal many nights recently and killed their best animals. He thought the animal was very clever, perhaps an old lion, to trick him for so long.

Pt/En Tarzan asked the Doctor why he was in Tarzan's country. He hoped it was just a friendly visit and that his friend was not in trouble, but he thought the Doctor looked worried.

Pt/En Von Harben replied that he also wished it was only a friendly visit. However, he admitted he was there to ask for Tarzan's help because he was in serious trouble.

Pt/En Tarzan asked if Arabs had come again to take slaves or steal ivory. He also asked if the leopard men were attacking his people on the jungle paths at night.

Pt/En The visitor said he was not there for the usual reasons. He explained that he had come for a personal matter concerning his son, Erich, whom Tarzan had never met.

Pt/En Tarzan replied that the guest and his men should make camp there because they looked tired and hungry. He offered his evening meal and said that while they ate, the guest could explain how he could help.

Pt/En While Tarzan's warriors helped the visitor's men set up camp, the doctor and Tarzan sat on the ground and ate the simple food prepared by Tarzan's cook.

Pt/En Tarzan saw that his guest was worried about the reason he had come. So, Tarzan asked the visitor to continue his story before they finished eating.

Pt/En The visitor, von Harben, began by explaining that Erich was his only son. He said Erich had finished university with honors four years ago. Since then, Erich had studied archaeology and ancient languages at universities in Europe. His hobby was climbing mountains, and he had climbed many important peaks in the Alps during summer holidays.

Pt/En A few months ago, a man visited me at the mission. He quickly became interested in learning the different Bantu languages spoken by the tribes in our area and nearby.

Pt/En While talking to the local people, he heard the old story about the Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi Mountains, which everyone knows. He started to believe, like many others, that this story might be true. He thought that if he could find this tribe, he might discover people from an ancient lost tribe mentioned in the Bible.

Pt/En Tarzan said that he knew the legend well. Because the story was so strong and the native people told it with many details, he wanted to investigate it himself. However, he had never needed to go near the Wiramwazi Mountains before.

Pt/En The doctor admitted that he also had wanted to investigate the legend many times. He had spoken twice with men from the Bagego tribe, who live on the Wiramwazi Mountains. Both men told him that a tribe of white people lived deep in the mountains. They said their tribe had traded with these people for a very long time and that they had often seen members of the Lost Tribe during peaceful trade and also during attacks.

Pt/En So, when Erich suggested an expedition to the Wiramwazi Mountains, the doctor encouraged him. He thought Erich was well-suited for the adventure. Erich knew Bantu languages and had brief but useful experience with the natives. He also had significant experience as a mountain climber, which the doctor felt would be very helpful.

Pt/En The speaker thought the man was perfect to lead the expedition. He was sad he could not go himself because it was not possible then. He helped the man prepare everything for the trip, like food and equipment.

Pt/En The expedition had not been gone long enough to return. However, some members of the group came back to their villages. When the speaker tried to talk to them, they avoided him. But he heard rumors that made him worry about his son. So, he decided to start a rescue mission. He could only find a few men in his area who were brave enough to go with him to the Wiramwazi Mountains. These mountains were believed to be dangerous, with evil spirits and a tribe of ghosts. The speaker realized that the men who left the first expedition had scared people in the area.

Pt/En Because of the situation, the speaker had to find help somewhere else. He decided to ask Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, for help. Now, the speaker explained, the listener knows why he is here.

Pt/En After the doctor finished speaking, Tarzan told him that he would help.

Pt/En Von Harben was happy and said he knew Tarzan would help. He guessed Tarzan had about twenty men and he had fourteen. Von Harben suggested his men could carry things, and Tarzan's men, known as the best fighters in Africa, could be guards. He believed that with Tarzan leading them, they could quickly find the trail. Even though their group was small, they could go anywhere.

Pt/En Tarzan shook his head and told the doctor that he would go alone. He explained that he could travel faster and understand the jungle better by himself. He also said that the jungle people considered him one of them and did not run away from him as they would from other men.

Pt/En Von Harben told Tarzan that he knew best. He said he wanted to go with Tarzan and help, but he would accept Tarzan's decision.

Pt/En Tarzan instructed the doctor to return to his mission and wait there for news from him.

Pt/En Von Harben asked if Tarzan planned to leave for the Wiramwazi Mountains in the morning.

Pt/En The ape-man replied that he would leave immediately.

Pt/En Von Harben objected, saying that it was already dark.

Pt/En The other person explained that there was a full moon and they wanted to use it, adding that they could rest during the heat of the day. He then called Muviro and instructed him to return home with the warriors and keep all the Waziri fighters ready in case they were needed.

Pt/En Muviro replied, asking how long they should wait for a message before searching for him in the Wiramwazi Mountains.

Pt/En He said he would take Nkima and send Nkima back to guide them if he needed them.

Pt/En Muviro replied that the Waziri fighting men would be ready, with their weapons prepared day and night and war-paint ready.

Pt/En Tarzan put his bow and arrows on his back. He carried his grass rope over his shoulder and under his arm. His father's hunting knife was at his hip. He took his short spear and stood for a moment, looking up and smelling the air. The firelight shone on his brown skin.

Pt/En He stood like that for a moment, paying attention to everything. Then he called to Nkima, using the language of the ape people. As the small monkey came to him, Tarzan of the Apes left without saying goodbye. He moved quietly into the jungle. His easy walk, his silent steps, and his noble appearance made von Harben think of a strong jungle animal, Numa the lion, the king of animals.

Chapter Two

Pt/En ERICH VON HARBEN got out of his tent on the side of the Wiramwazi Mountains. He looked at an empty camp.

Pt/En When he first woke up, the strange quiet made him feel that something bad would happen. This feeling grew when he called for his servant, Gabula, several times, but no one answered.

Pt/En For many weeks, as the group traveled closer to the feared Wiramwazi Mountains, his men had been leaving, a few at a time. The night before, they had made camp on the mountain. Only a few scared people were left from the original group. Now, even these people, who were afraid during the night because they did not understand and believed in old stories, had let fear take the place of loyalty. They had run away from the invisible dangers of the mountains, leaving their master alone with the spirits of the dead.

Pt/En A quick look around the camp showed that the men had taken everything from von Harben. All his supplies were gone. His helpers had left with his rifles and all his bullets, except for one Luger pistol and its bullets that were in the tent with him.

Pt/En Erich von Harben had met these local people before. He understood their beliefs, which were based on old superstitions. These beliefs had caused them to do this cruel and disloyal thing. Because he knew them well, he did not blame them as much as someone else might have.

Pt/En When they started the journey, they knew where they were going. They felt brave because they were far from the Wiramwazi. But as they got closer each day, their courage decreased. Now, very close to terrible dangers that people cannot imagine, they had lost all control and had run away quickly.

Pt/En It might have seemed very bad that they took his food, rifles, and bullets. But von Harben understood that they truly believed he had no chance to live and that he would die very soon. They thought his death was certain.

Pt/En He knew they thought it was a waste of food to leave it for him, as he was as good as dead. They would need the food for their trip back home. Also, they believed normal weapons were useless against the ghosts of Wiramwazi. So, it was not worth wasting good rifles and bullets that von Harben could not use against spirits.

Pt/En Von Harben watched his men go down the mountain into the forest. He thought about following them, but he wasn't sure if he could catch them. If he didn't, he would be alone and in danger in the jungle.

Pt/En He looked up at the high mountains. He had traveled far to reach his goal, which was beyond the mountains, and he did not want to give up. He believed that in a month he could explore the mountains and find out if the legend of The Lost Tribe was true. He thought he might find old ruins or burial mounds, but he did not believe the tribe could still exist, only that there might be old signs of them.

Pt/En The young man quickly decided what to do. He went back to his tent and packed a few things he needed into a bag. He put on his belt with ammunition and went outside again. He decided to walk up towards the mountains.

Pt/En Besides his Luger pistol, Von Harben had a hunting knife. He used it to cut a strong stick from a small tree on the mountain. He thought this stick might be useful for climbing later.

Pt/En He drank cold, clean water from a small mountain stream. He kept his pistol ready, hoping to shoot some small animals for food. Soon, a hare ran out, and he shot it with his Luger. Von Harben was happy that he had practiced shooting well.

Pt/En He built a fire and cooked the hare. Then he lit his pipe and relaxed while he smoked and made plans. He was not easily discouraged by problems. He decided to stay calm and save his strength for the hard days he expected.

Pt/En He climbed all day, taking the longer, safer path when possible and resting often. By night, he was high on the tallest ridge. He knew more mountains were ahead.

Pt/En He slept wrapped in a blanket. The sounds of the jungle, like jackals and a distant lion, were quieted by the distance.

Pt/En He woke up to a leopard's scream nearby on the mountain. He knew this animal was dangerous and regretted not having his rifle.

Pt/En He was not scared, as the leopard probably was not hunting him. But to be safe, he started a fire with wood he had collected. The fire felt warm because the night was cold.

Pt/En He thought he heard an animal in the dark, but he didn't see any eyes and the sound stopped. Then he slept. When he woke up, it was daytime and only the ashes of the fire were left.

Pt/En Von Harben was cold and had no breakfast. He continued climbing. His stomach was empty, so he looked for food. The climb was not difficult for him. He was excited about what he might find on the top of the next hill.

Pt/En Explorers always want to see what is on the other side of the next hill. They wonder about new things and secrets. Von Harben knew that he would probably just see another hill, but he still hoped for something exciting. His imagination made him believe he would find wonderful things.

Pt/En Von Harben was very excited when he reached the top of the hill. He saw a wide, flat area with small, windswept trees. In the distance, he saw the next hill, but it was not clear because of the haze. He wondered what was between him and the far hills. He felt his heart beat faster thinking about the new places he could explore. The land looked very different from what he expected.

Pt/En Von Harben walked north across the flat land. He forgot he was hungry or alone. The land was rocky, dry, and not very interesting. After walking for a mile, he started to worry. He thought that if the land stayed the same all the way to the distant hills, it would not be interesting or have any food.

Pt/En Tarzan was thinking, and it made him feel sad. Then he noticed something strange about the land ahead. It looked unreal, as if the distant hills were rising from nothing. He felt like he was looking across a dry sea. Suddenly, he stopped. The flat land ended at his feet, and below him was a huge canyon that stretched to the distant hills. It was similar to a famous canyon made by the Colorado River.

Pt/En This canyon was different. Its walls looked old and worn by water. Strange rock shapes, like towers and spires, pointed up from below. They were close to the canyon walls. Beyond them, he could see the wide canyon floor. From his high position, it looked as flat as a table. Tarzan was amazed by the view and looked at the whole scene slowly.

Pt/En The floor of the canyon was about a mile below him. The far wall was many miles away to the north. The canyon also extended very far to the east and west. He could see the eastern wall, but not the western one. The floor looked like it was about twenty-five to thirty miles wide. Near the east end, there was a large lake or marsh. He saw water channels with reeds and an island. Three streams flowed into the lake, and he thought he saw a road in the distance. To the west, the canyon was full of trees, and he saw animals moving between the forest and the lake.

Pt/En Seeing this place made Tarzan very excited. He thought this must be the secret place of the Lost Tribe. He understood how the high cliffs and the local people's beliefs had protected this secret.

Pt/En The cliffs looked very steep and impossible to climb down. However, Tarzan knew he had to find a way to get into the beautiful valley below.

Pt/En He walked slowly along the edge, looking for a place to climb down. It was almost dark, and he had not found any easy way. The canyon walls were very steep, rising at least a thousand feet above any possible place for a person to stand.

Pt/En The sun had set when he found a narrow crack in the rock wall. Some rocks had fallen into it, making it possible to go down a little way from the top. But it was getting dark, and he could not see how far this difficult path went down.

Pt/En He saw that below him, the cliffs went down in steps for about a thousand feet. He thought that if the crack went down to the next step, the rest of the way would be easier. The cliffs were more broken at the bottom of the first steep drop, which might offer ways for an experienced climber to get down.

Pt/En He was hungry and cold. He sat and looked into the dark space below. As it became darker, he saw a light far below, then another, and another. He became more excited because he knew the lights meant people were there. He saw many lights on the lake, and many lights where he thought an island was.

Pt/En He wondered what kind of people were there. Would they be friendly or not? Were they just another African tribe? Or could the old story be true, that white men from The Lost Tribe lived far below and were cooking their food over those mysterious fires?

Pt/En Von Harben listened carefully. He thought he heard a quiet sound from the dark place below. He was sure it was the voices of men.

Pt/En Then, a beast screamed from the valley, followed by a loud roar like far-away thunder. Von Harben was very tired. The sounds made him feel sleepy, and he found some rest from the cold and hunger.

Pt/En When morning came, he collected wood from small trees and made a fire to get warm. He had no food. He had not seen any animals nearby since he arrived at the top of the mountain, only far below in the green valley.

Pt/En He knew he needed food soon. Food was only a mile away in one direction. He thought about walking around the canyon to find an easier way down, but it would take a very long journey. He could go back, and he was sure he could find game before he became too weak. However, he did not want to turn back. The idea of failing was not important to him.

Pt/En After warming himself, he looked at the crack in the ground in the daylight. It went down for many feet but then disappeared. He was not sure if it ended because it was not straight up and down, but tilted a little.

Pt/En He could see parts of the crack where it was possible to go down. But he knew it would be very hard to climb back up. He understood that if he went to the bottom and could not return, he would be trapped and might not be able to get out.

Pt/En Even though he felt strong, he knew his strength was getting weaker. He realized it would get weaker faster the longer he tried hard to climb down the cliff without eating to get energy back.

Pt/En For Erich von Harben, the next step seemed very dangerous. Others would think climbing these tall cliffs was crazy. But von Harben had climbed mountains before and always found a way. He decided to try climbing down into the unknown. Just as he was about to lower himself over the edge, he heard footsteps. He turned quickly and took out his gun.

Chapter Three

Pt/En Little Nkima ran quickly through the trees. He jumped down to Tarzan of the Apes, who was resting on a large branch after eating. Tarzan was lying down with his back against the tree trunk.

Pt/En Nkima shouted loudly that people were coming. He said, "Gomangani! Gomangani! They are coming!"

Pt/En Tarzan asked for quiet. He told the other person that they were more annoying than all the Gomangani in the jungle.

Pt/En The monkey cried that they would kill little Nkima. He explained that they were strange Gomangani and that no Tarmangani were present.

Pt/En Tarzan said that Nkima thought everything wanted to kill him, but he had lived for many years and was still alive.

Pt/En The monkey shouted that Sabor, Shetta, and Numa, the Gomangani, and Histah the snake had all wanted to eat Nkima. That was why he was afraid.

Pt/En The ape-man told Nkima not to be afraid, and promised that Tarzan would not let anyone hurt him.

Pt/En Nkima urged Tarzan to go and see the Gomangani. He said that Nkima did not like them and wanted Tarzan to kill them.

Pt/En Tarzan slowly stood up and said he would go. He told Nkima that the monkey could come with him or stay hidden in the high places.

Pt/En The little monkey Nkima said he was not afraid. He claimed he would go and fight the Gomangani with Tarzan of the Apes. Then, Nkima jumped onto Tarzan's back and held him tightly. From there, Nkima looked ahead nervously.

Pt/En Tarzan moved quickly and quietly through the trees towards where Nkima had seen the Gomangani. Soon, he saw about twenty natives walking on the jungle path below. Some of them had rifles, and all carried bags. Tarzan knew these bags were part of a white man's equipment.

Pt/En Tarzan called out to the men. They were surprised and stopped, looking up at him with fear.

Pt/En Tarzan told the people not to be afraid and introduced himself as Tarzan of the Apes. He then landed near them. At the same time, Nkima, who had been on Tarzan's shoulders, jumped off and quickly climbed a high tree. From the branch, Nkima made noises, seeming to forget that he had been boasting earlier.

Pt/En Tarzan asked where their master was.

Pt/En The Africans looked unhappy and did not answer.

Pt/En Tarzan asked again about the Bwana, von Harben.

Pt/En A tall man standing nearby seemed nervous. He said quietly that the Bwana was dead.

Pt/En Tarzan asked how the person had died.

Pt/En The man paused before answering. He finally said that a male elephant, which the person had wounded, had killed him.

Pt/En Tarzan then asked where the body was.

Pt/En The man replied that they could not find the body.

Pt/En The ape-man demanded to know how they knew it was a bull elephant that killed him if they could not find the body.

Pt/En One person said they did not know what happened. They explained that the man had left the camp and had not returned.

Pt/En The tall man said that an elephant was nearby, and they believed it had killed the man.

Pt/En Tarzan told them that they were not telling the truth.

Pt/En A third person stated they would tell the truth. They claimed that their leader had gone up the Wiramwazi hills, and angry spirits had taken him away.

Pt/En Tarzan said he would tell the truth. He accused them of leaving their master alone in the forest and running away.

Pt/En A man told Tarzan that they were afraid. He explained that they had warned the person not to climb the Wiramwazi slopes and had asked him to return. However, the person did not listen, and the man said that spirits of the dead took him away.

Pt/En Tarzan asked how long ago that had happened.

Pt/En The man replied that it was six, seven, or perhaps ten days ago, but he could not remember exactly.

Pt/En Tarzan then asked where the person was when they last saw him.

Pt/En The men described the place of their last camp on the Wiramwazi slopes as best as they could.

Pt/En Tarzan told the unhappy people to return to their villages. He said he would find them later and punish them if their leader was dead. Then, Tarzan swung into the trees and went towards the Wiramwazi. His monkey, Nkima, followed him quickly.

Pt/En From talking to the men who left von Harben's group, Tarzan believed that the young man had been left behind unfairly. He thought von Harben was probably trying to follow the deserters alone.

Pt/En Tarzan did not know Erich von Harben. He did not think von Harben would go alone into the dangerous, unknown jungle. Tarzan believed von Harben would try to catch up with his men quickly. Because of this, Tarzan followed the path of the safari, expecting to meet von Harben soon.

Pt/En This plan made Tarzan slower. However, he still moved much faster than the natives. He reached the area of the Wiramwazi jungle three days after he spoke with the remaining members of von Harben's safari.

Pt/En It was very hard to find where von Harben had been left by his men. A strong rain and wind had washed away the path. Finally, Tarzan found the tent, which had fallen down. But he could not find any signs of von Harben's path.

Pt/En Tarzan looked for the white man and his group in the jungle, but found no signs. He thought that if the man was not dead, he must be alone in the difficult Wiramwazi mountains, and could be alive or dead.

Pt/En Tarzan asked Nkima if they would find the man. He said that people sometimes compare searching for something difficult to finding a needle in a haystack.

Pt/En Nkima wanted to go home because it was warm there. He said the wind was blowing and it was too cold in the mountains for the little monkey.

Pt/En Tarzan told Nkima that they had to go to the mountains anyway.

Pt/En Nkima looked up at the high, rocky mountains. He said he was afraid because panthers like Sheeta live in such places.

Pt/En Tarzan climbed diagonally towards the west, hoping to find von Harben's trail. He was moving in the opposite direction from the man he was looking for. If he did not find von Harben at the summit, he planned to turn east and search at a higher level. The climb became steeper and more difficult. Near the western end of the mountain, he reached a very steep wall. He walked carefully along the base of this wall, stepping over loose rocks that had fallen from above. Bushes and small trees grew from the forest below up to the bottom of this steep cliff.

Pt/En The ape-man was very focused on climbing safely and searching for von Harben's tracks. He did not notice a group of warriors watching him from below, hidden by trees. His monkey companion, Nkima, was also only paying attention to the difficult path. Nkima did not like the wind. He smelled the tracks of Sheeta the panther and worried about the few small trees on the path. He also saw ledges above them where Sheeta might jump from, making the path very frightening for him.

Pt/En They reached a very dangerous part of the mountainside. A sheer cliff was on their right. On their left, the mountain dropped away steeply. Tarzan had to press his body against the cliff face to find his footing on the narrow ledge of loose stones. Ahead, the cliff jutted out. Tarzan thought the path might be easier beyond this corner. However, he knew he would have to turn back if it became even more difficult.

Pt/En As Tarzan turned at the narrowest point, a stone moved under his foot. He lost his balance for a moment. At the same time, Nkima thought Tarzan was falling. Nkima shrieked and jumped from Tarzan's shoulder. This jump gave Tarzan's body the extra push needed to make him fall completely.

Pt/En The mountainside below was steep, but not straight down. If Nkima had not pushed him outwards, Tarzan would have only slid a short distance before stopping himself. But because of the push, he fell headfirst down the slope. He rolled over the loose rocks for a short distance. His fall was stopped by one of the many small, tough trees growing on the windy slope.

Pt/En Nkima was very scared. He ran to his master and tried to wake him by shouting and pulling. But the ape-man did not move. A small amount of blood was coming from a cut on his head.

Pt/En While Nkima was sad, warriors who had been watching from below quickly climbed up the mountain towards Nkima and his master.

Chapter Four

Pt/En Erich von Harben turned around because he heard something. He saw a Black man with a rifle walking towards him.

Pt/En The white man, Erich von Harben, said "Gabula!" and lowered his gun. He asked Gabula what he was doing there.

Pt/En The warrior, Gabula, told his master that he could not leave him. He said he could not leave him to die alone from the spirits on the mountains.

Pt/En Von Harben looked at Gabula with disbelief. He asked Gabula if he was afraid that others would kill him too, if he believed what he had said.

Pt/En Gabula replied that he expected to die. He said he could not understand why Von Harben had not been killed earlier and that they would both surely be killed that night.

Pt/En Von Harben asked Gabula why he had followed him.

Pt/En Gabula replied that Von Harben and his father had been kind to him. He explained that when others spoke, they made him afraid, and when they ran away, he went with them, but he had returned because he felt he had no other choice.

Pt/En Von Harben agreed with Gabula, saying that neither of them had any other choice, based on how they saw things. He added that others saw things differently and chose to act differently.

Pt/En The man proudly said that Gabula was different from the other people. He explained that Gabula was a Batoro.

Pt/En Von Harben told Gabula that he was a brave warrior. Von Harben explained that he did not believe in spirits, so he was not afraid. However, he knew that Gabula and his people believed in spirits, so it was brave for Gabula to return. Von Harben said he would not stop Gabula and that Gabula could go back with the others.

Pt/En Gabula asked eagerly if the Bwana (the white man) was going back. Gabula said that would be good and that he would go back with him.

Pt/En Von Harben replied that he was not going back. He pointed over the edge and said he was going down into the canyon.

Pt/En Gabula looked down into the canyon. His eyes became wide and his lips parted in surprise and wonder.

Pt/En The speaker told Bwana that it would be impossible for a person to go down the very steep cliffs. There were no places to hold or step. He also said that anyone who reached the bottom would surely die because he believed it was the Land of The Lost Tribe, where dead spirits lived inside the Wiramwazi.

Pt/En Von Harben told Gabula that he did not need to come with him and that Gabula should go back to his people.

Pt/En The Negro asked von Harben how he was going to get down there.

Pt/En Von Harben replied that he did not know exactly how, where, or when he would go down. He said he was going to descend as far as he could along a fissure and might find a way down there, or he might not.

Pt/En Gabula asked what would happen if there was no place to stand beyond the fissure.

Pt/En He said that he needed to find a place to stand.

Pt/En Gabula shook his head and asked Bwana how he would get out if he reached the bottom alive and there were no spirits or the spirits did not kill him.

Pt/En Von Harben shrugged and smiled. He then said goodbye to Gabula, calling him a brave man.

Pt/En Gabula did not take his master's hand. He simply said that he was going with him.

Pt/En Von Harben asked if Gabula still wanted to go, even knowing that they might not be able to return if they reached the bottom alive.

Pt/En The person agreed.

Pt/En Von Harben asked Gabula why he wanted to stay with him. He said that Gabula seemed afraid and wanted to go back to his village, and that he had already given him permission to leave.

Pt/En Gabula replied that he had promised to help von Harben and that he was a Batoro.

Pt/En Von Harben said he was thankful that Gabula was a Batoro. He explained that he would need help to get to the bottom of the canyon, and that they had to go there or they would starve.

Pt/En Gabula said he had brought food. He explained that he knew von Harben might be hungry and had brought some of his favorite food. He then showed several bars of chocolate and some concentrated food that von Harben had packed for emergencies.

Pt/En Von Harben was very hungry, and the food Gabula gave him was like a gift from heaven. After eating, he felt stronger and more hopeful. He happily began to go down into the canyon.

Pt/En Gabula's family had lived in the jungle for many years. He was very scared of the deep, frightening canyon his master, von Harben, was leading him into. But because he had promised to be loyal, he followed von Harben without showing his real fear.

Pt/En Going down into the crack in the rock was not as hard as it looked. There were many rocks to step on, and they only needed help in a few places. Von Harben was glad that Gabula had returned to help him.

Pt/En When they reached the bottom, they were at the opening of the canyon, far below the top. Von Harben had been worried about this point because the conditions there might stop their journey. He could not see what was beyond this spot.

Pt/En Von Harben moved over the rocks to the edge of the crack. He saw a steep drop of a hundred feet to the next level. He felt sad because he thought going back up would be too difficult for them. They had needed a lot of help to get down in some places.

Pt/En They could not climb up, and they were in danger of starving if they stayed. So, Von Harben lay on his stomach at the edge of the crack. He told Gabula to hold his ankles tightly. Then, Von Harben moved forward to look down the cliff to the next terrace.

Pt/En A short distance from where he was, Von Harben saw that the crack opened again towards the bottom of the cliff. The reason it was blocked where they were was a large piece of rock that had become stuck tightly between the sides of the crack, completely stopping it.

Pt/En The crack had become narrower since they entered it from the top. Directly below the rock that blocked it, it was only about two or three feet wide. It stayed this width for the rest of the way, about a hundred feet, down to the flatter ground below.

Pt/En Von Harben knew that if he and Gabula could get into this crack, they could use its sides to help them climb down safely. But he wondered how they could climb over the rock that blocked the crack and get back into it, several feet lower down, with the things they had.

Pt/En Von Harben lowered his walking stick over the edge of the blocking rock. When he stretched his arms out fully, the end of the stick was far below the level of the rock he was lying on. He thought that a person hanging from the stick might be able to swing into the crack, but this would require a very difficult acrobatic move that neither he nor Gabula could do.

Pt/En Von Harben thought a rope would help them, but they did not have one. He looked closely at the crack in the rock and saw he needed to find another way. However, he did not know where to look for a solution.

Pt/En Gabula stayed in the crack, very afraid of what von Harben's attempt to explore suggested. Just looking over the edge of the rock made Gabula feel cold and almost unable to move. He was so scared that he trembled at the idea of having to go over the edge with von Harben, but he would have followed him if he had gone.

Pt/En The white man thought for a long time. He looked carefully at the crack and the large rock that was stuck tightly in it. He believed that if they could move this rock, they could continue to the next level. But he knew only a strong explosion could move the heavy stone. Behind the rock were smaller pieces of stone, and looking at them again gave him an idea.

Pt/En Von Harben asked Gabula to help him throw some rocks out. He explained that this was their only chance to escape the difficult situation he had gotten them into.

Pt/En Gabula agreed and started working with von Harben. He did not understand why they were picking up heavy stones and pushing them over the edge of the large rock that blocked the crack.

Pt/En He heard the rocks fall and hit the ground below. This interested him a lot. He worked quickly to move bigger stones. He enjoyed the loud sound the rocks made when they fell.

Pt/En After a few minutes, von Harben said that they might succeed. However, he worried that moving the rocks might cause bigger rocks above to fall. If that happened, the mystery of The Lost Tribe would not be interesting anymore.

Pt/En Gabula agreed and lifted a large rock. He began to roll it towards the edge. He then shouted to von Harben, pointing to the place where the rock had been.

Pt/En Von Harben looked and saw a hole. It was about the size of a man's head and led into the fissure below them.

Pt/En The white man cried out to Gabula, telling him to thank Nsenene, the grasshopper, if that was his clan's totem. He said that this hole was a way to safety.

Pt/En The two men quickly started to make the hole larger. They removed more pieces that had been stuck there for a long time. As these pieces fell down onto the rocks, a tall warrior on a boat on the lake below looked up. He then called to his friends.

Pt/En They could clearly hear the falling pieces hitting the rocks at the bottom of the opening. Because they had good eyesight, they could also see many of the bigger pieces that von Harben and Gabula were throwing down.

Pt/En The warrior said that the great wall was falling.

Pt/En Another person replied that it was only a few small stones and that it was not important.

Pt/En The first speaker said that such things only happen after rain. He explained that this was how it was foretold that the great wall would fall.

Pt/En One person thought a demon might live in the big crack in the wall. The other person said they should quickly go and tell their leaders.

Pt/En The first speaker suggested they should wait and watch. He said if they told the leaders that only a few rocks had fallen, the leaders would likely laugh at them.

Pt/En Von Harben and Gabula made the opening bigger so a person could fit through. Von Harben could see the rough sides of the crack going down to the next level, and he knew they would soon reach it.

Pt/En Von Harben told Gabula they would go down one by one, and he would go first because he was used to climbing. He asked Gabula to watch carefully and copy him. He explained it was easy and safe if Gabula kept his back against one wall and his feet against the other. He warned that their skin might get scraped on the rough walls, but they would get down safely if they went slowly.

Pt/En Gabula agreed, telling Von Harben to go first. He said he thought he could do it if he saw Von Harben do it first.

Pt/En Von Harben went down through an opening. He held himself steady on the walls of the crack and began to move down slowly. A few minutes later, Gabula saw his master at the bottom. Gabula followed him without waiting, even though he was very worried. When Gabula reached Von Harben, he sighed loudly with relief, and Von Harben laughed.

Pt/En A warrior in a boat said that Von Harben looked like a demon when he came out of the crack.

Pt/En From their boat, hidden by tall plants, the watchers could see the area at the bottom of the crack. They saw Von Harben come out, and then Gabula appeared a few moments later.

Pt/En One of the men said that they should hurry to tell their leaders.

Pt/En The first speaker disagreed. He said that even if the two men looked like demons, they also looked like humans. He thought they should wait to find out who they were and why they were there before leaving.

Pt/En They went down for about a thousand feet. The path was rough but not very hard, going east towards the bottom of the canyon. Sometimes, large rocks blocked their view of the lake and the canyon. They had trouble finding a path around these rocks. Usually, the easiest way down was between these big rocks. When the valley was hidden from them, they were also hidden from people watching from the lake.

Pt/En About a third of the way down, von Harben reached the edge of a narrow gorge. The bottom was full of green plants, showing there was a lot of water. Von Harben led the way down into the gorge. At the bottom, he found a spring with a small stream flowing down. They drank water there and rested. Then, they followed the stream downwards, and there were no difficult obstacles.

Pt/En For a long time, they were between the walls of the narrow gorge. The trees along the stream also limited their view. They could not see the lake or the bottom of the canyon. Finally, the gorge opened onto lower ground. Von Harben stopped, looking with wonder at the view. Below them, another stream joined the one they had followed. This made a small river that flowed quickly down towards bright green fields. The river wound through these fields towards a large swamp that covered much of the valley.

Pt/En The lake was covered with a feathery green plant. Because of this, von Harben could not tell how big the lake was. The green of the plant and the green of the fields looked the same. However, he could see some areas of open water. These looked like paths or channels going in different directions through the swamp.

Pt/En Von Harben and Gabula looked out over this new and strange world. The warriors in the boat watched them carefully. The strangers were too far away to be seen clearly, but their leader told the warriors that von Harben and Gabula were not demons.

Pt/En One of the men asked how he knew the others were not demons.

Pt/En The other man replied that he could see they were men.

Pt/En The man who doubted insisted that demons are very wise and powerful, and can change into any shape, like birds, animals, or men.

Pt/En The leader said that demons are not stupid. He explained that if a demon wanted to climb down the wall, it would not choose the difficult way; it would fly down as a bird.

Pt/En The doubter thought about this and realized it was a strong argument. He could not think of a good answer, so he suggested they should go and tell their masters about what they saw.

Pt/En The leader refused. He said they would wait until the others came nearer. He explained that it would be better if they could capture them and take them to their masters.

Pt/En When von Harben took his first steps onto the grassy area, he discovered it was a dangerous swamp. It was very difficult for them to get out of it.

Pt/En Von Harben returned to solid ground. He looked for another way to reach firmer land in the canyon. However, he saw that the swamp reached the bottom of the cliffs on both sides of the river. Even though these cliffs were not as high as the ones far above, they were still impossible to climb.

Pt/En He thought he might find solid ground to the west by going back up the gorge. But he was not sure. He and Gabula were very tired from their difficult journey down. So, he preferred to find an easier way to the lake shore if possible.

Pt/En He noticed that the river was not fast here, but the current was strong enough. This suggested that the river bottom might be clear of mud. If the water was not too deep, they could use the river to reach the lake.

Pt/En He wanted to see if his idea would work. He went into the water, holding one end of his long stick, and Gabula held the other. He discovered the water was up to his waist and the ground below was strong and firm.

Pt/En He told Gabula to come, saying that he thought this was the way to the lake.

Pt/En As Gabula followed him into the water, the boat with the warriors moved quietly through the water plants. They used silent paddles to go quickly towards the place where the stream met the lake.

Pt/En As von Harben and Gabula moved down the stream, the water did not get much deeper. They sometimes fell into deeper parts and had to swim. In other places, the water was only as high as their knees. They continued this way to the lake. Tall plants blocked their view of the lake's edge.

Pt/En Von Harben thought that there might not be solid ground along the edge of the lake. However, he believed the roots of the tall plants would hold them. He was sure they would find solid ground at the west end of the lake because he had seen higher land there when they were coming down the cliff.

Pt/En They moved forward carefully. They reached the first group of papyrus plants. Just when von Harben was about to step onto the roots, a canoe came quickly from behind the plants. Warriors in the canoe pointed their weapons at the two men.

Original English Text

1 - Chapter One

2 - Chapter Two

3 - Chapter Three

4 - Chapter Four

Chapter One

PT NKIMA danced excitedly upon the naked, brown shoulder of his master. He chattered and scolded, now looking up inquiringly into Tarzan's face and then off into the jungle.

PT "Something is coming, Bwana,"said Muviro, sub-chief of the Waziri."Nkima has heard it."

PT "And Tarzan,"said the ape-man.

PT "The big Bwana's ears are as keen as the ears of Bara the antelope,"said Muviro.

PT "Had they not been, Tarzan would not be here today,"replied the ape-man, with a smile."He would not have grown to manhood had not Kala, his mother, taught him to use all of the senses that Mulungu gave him."

PT "What comes?"asked Muviro.

PT "A party of men,"replied Tarzan.

PT "Perhaps they are not friendly,"suggested the African."Shall I warn the warriors?"

PT Tarzan glanced about the little camp where a score of his fighting men were busy preparing their evening meal and saw that, as was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were in order and at hand.

PT "No,"he said."It will, I believe, be unnecessary, as these people who are approaching do not come stealthily as enemies would, nor are their numbers so great as to cause us any apprehension."

PT But Nkima, a born pessimist, expected only the worst, and as the approaching party came nearer his excitement increased. He leaped from Tarzan's shoulder to the ground, jumped up and down several times and then, springing back to Tarzan's side, seized his arm and attempted to drag him to his feet.

PT "Run, run!"he cried, in the language of the apes."Strange Gomangani are coming. They will kill little Nkima."

PT "Do not be afraid, Nkima,"said the ape-man."Tarzan and Muviro will not let the strangers hurt you."

PT "I smell a strange Tarmangani,"chattered Nkima."There is a Tarmangani with them. The Tarmangani are worse than the Gomangani. They come with thundersticks and kill little Nkima and all his brothers and sisters. They kill the Mangani. They kill the Gomangani. They kill everything with their thundersticks. Nkima does not like the Tarmangani. Nkima is afraid."

PT To Nkima, as to the other denizens of the jungle, Tarzan was no Tarmangani, no white man. He was of the jungle. He was one of them, and if they thought of him as being anything other than just Tarzan it was as a Mangani, a great ape, that they classified him.

PT The advance of the strangers was now plainly audible to everyone in the camp. The Waziri warriors glanced into the jungle in the direction from which the sounds were coming and then back to Tarzan and Muviro, but when they saw that their leaders were not concerned they went quietly on with their cooking.

PT A tall Negro warrior was the first of the party to come within sight of the camp. When he saw the Waziri he halted and an instant later a bearded white man stopped beside him.

PT For an instant the white man surveyed the camp and then he came forward, making the sign of peace. Out of the jungle a dozen or more warriors followed him. Most of them were porters, there being but three or four rifles in evidence.

PT Tarzan and the Waziri realized at once that it was a small and harmless party, and even Nkima, who had retreated to the safety of a near-by tree, showed his contempt by scampering fearlessly back to climb to the shoulder of his master.

PT "Doctor von Harben!"exclaimed Tarzan, as the bearded stranger approached."I scarcely recognized you at first."

PT "God has been kind to me, Tarzan of the Apes,"said von Harben, extending his hand."I was on my way to see you and I have found you a full two days march sooner than I expected."

PT "We are after a cattle-killer,"explained Tarzan."He has come into our kraal several nights of late and killed some of our best cattle, but he is very cunning. I think he must be an old lion to outwit Tarzan for so long.

PT "But what brings you into Tarzan's country, Doctor? I hope it is only a neighborly visit and that no trouble has come to my good friend, though your appearance belies my hope."

PT "I, too, wish that it were nothing more than a friendly call,"said von Harben,"but as a matter of fact I am here to seek your help because I am in trouble--very serious trouble, I fear."

PT "Do not tell me that the Arabs have come down again to take slaves or to steal ivory, or is it that the leopard men are waylaying your people upon the jungle trails at night?"

PT "No, it is neither the one nor the other. I have come to see you upon a more personal matter. It is about my son, Erich. You have never met him."

PT "No,"said Tarzan;"but you are tired and hungry. Let your men make camp here. My evening meal is ready; while you and I eat you shall tell me how Tarzan may serve you."

PT As the Waziri, at Tarzan's command, assisted von Harben's men in making their camp, the doctor and the ape-man sat cross-legged upon the ground and ate the rough fare that Tarzan's Waziri cook had prepared.

PT Tarzan saw that his guest's mind was filled with the trouble that had brought him in search of the ape-man, and so he did not wait until they had finished the meal to reopen the subject, but urged von Harben to continue his story at once.

PT "I wish to preface the real object of my visit with a few words of explanation,"commenced von Harben."Erich is my only son. Four years ago, at the age of nineteen, he completed his university course with honors and received his first degree. Since then he has spent the greater part of his time in pursuing his studies in various European universities, where he has specialized in archaeology and the study of dead languages. His one hobby, outside of his chosen field, has been mountain climbing and during succeeding summer vacations he scaled every important Alpine peak.

PT "A few months ago he came here to visit me at the mission and immediately became interested in the study of the various Bantu dialects that are in use by the several tribes in our district and those adjacent thereto.

PT "While pursuing his investigation among the natives he ran across that old legend of The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi Mountains, with which we are all so familiar. Immediately his mind became imbued, as have the minds of so many others, with the belief that this fable might have originated in fact and that if he could trace it down he might possibly find descendants of one of the lost tribes of Biblical history."

PT "I know the legend well,"said Tarzan,"and because it is so persistent and the details of its narration by the natives so circumstantial, I have thought that I should like to investigate it myself, but in the past no necessity has arisen to take me close to the Wiramwazi Mountains."

PT "I must confess,"continued the doctor,"that I also have had the same urge many times. I have upon two occasions talked with men of the Bagego tribe that live upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi Mountains and in both instances I have been assured that a tribe of white men dwells somewhere in the depths of that great mountain range. Both of these men told me that their tribe has carried on trade with these people from time immemorial and each assured me that he had often seen members of The Lost Tribe both upon occasions of peaceful trading and during the warlike raids that the mountaineers occasionally launched upon the Bagego.

PT "The result was that when Erich suggested an expedition to the Wiramwazi I rather encouraged him, since he was well fitted to undertake the adventure. His knowledge of Bantu and his intensive, even though brief, experience among the natives gave him an advantage that few scholars otherwise equipped by education to profit by such an expedition would have, while his considerable experience as a mountain climber would, I felt, stand him in good stead during such an adventure.

PT "On the whole I felt that he was an ideal man to lead such an expedition, and my only regret was that I could not accompany him, but this was impossible at the time. I assisted him in every way possible in the organization of his safari and in equipping and provisioning it.

PT "He has not been gone a sufficient length of time to accomplish any considerable investigation and return to the mission, but recently a few of the members of his safari were reported to me as having returned to their villages. When I sought to interview them they avoided me, but rumors reached me that convinced me that all was not well with my son. I therefore determined to organize a relief expedition, but in all my district I could find only these few men who dared accompany me to the Wiramwazi Mountains, which, their legends assure them, are inhabited by malign spirits--for, as you know, they consider The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi to be a band of bloodthirsty ghosts. It became evident to me that the deserters of Erich's safari had spread terror through the district.

PT "Under the circumstances I was compelled to look elsewhere for help and naturally I turned, in my perplexity, to Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. Now you know why I am here."

PT "I will help you, Doctor,"said Tarzan, after the other had concluded.

PT "Good!"exclaimed von Harben;"but I knew that you would. You have about twenty men here, I should judge, and I have about fourteen. My men can act as carriers, while yours, who are acknowledged to be the finest fighting men in Africa, can serve as askaris. With you to guide us we can soon pick up the trail and with such a force, small though it be, there is no country that we cannot penetrate."

PT Tarzan shook his head."No, Doctor,"he said,"I shall go alone. That is always my way. Alone I may travel much more rapidly and when I am alone the jungle holds no secrets from me--I shall be able to obtain more information along the way than would be possible were I accompanied by others. You know the jungle people consider me as one of themselves. They do not run away from me as they would from you and other men."

PT "You know best,"said von Harben."I should like to accompany you. I should like to feel that I am doing my share, but if you say no I can only abide by your decision."

PT "Return to your mission, Doctor, and wait there until you hear from me."

PT "And in the morning you leave for the Wiramwazi Mountains?"asked von Harben.

PT "I leave at once,"said the ape-man.

PT "But it is already dark,"objected von Harben.

PT "There is a full moon and I wish to take advantage of it,"explained the other."I can lie up in the heat of the day for what rest I need."He turned and called Muviro to him."Return home with my warriors, Muviro,"he instructed,"and hold every fighting man of the Waziri in readiness in the event that I find it necessary to send for you."

PT "Yes, Bwana,"replied Muviro;"and how long shall we wait for a message before we set out for the Wiramwazi Mountains in search of you?"

PT "I shall take Nkima with me and if I need you I shall send him back to fetch and to guide you."

PT "Yes, Bwana,"replied Muviro."They will be in readiness--all the fighting men of the Waziri. Their weapons will be at hand by day and by night and fresh war-paint will be ready in every pot."

PT Tarzan swung his bow and his quiver of arrows across his back. Over his left shoulder and under his right arm lay the coils of his grass rope and at his hip dangled the hunting-knife of his long-dead sire. He picked up his short spear and stood for a moment with head up, sniffing the breeze. The firelight played upon his bronzed skin.

PT For a moment he stood thus, every sense alert. Then he called to Nkima in the tongue of the ape folk and as the little monkey scampered toward him, Tarzan of the Apes turned without a word of farewell and moved silently off into the jungle, his lithe carriage, his noiseless tread, his majestic mien suggesting to the mind of von Harben a personification of another mighty jungle animal, Numa the lion, king of beasts.

Chapter Two

PT ERICH VON HARBEN stepped from his tent upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi Mountains to look upon a deserted camp.

PT When he had first awakened, the unusual quiet of his surroundings had aroused within him a presentiment of ill, which was augmented when repeated calls for his body-servant, Gabula, elicited no response.

PT For weeks, as the safari had been approaching the precincts of the feared Wiramwazi, his men had been deserting by twos and threes until the preceding evening when they had made this camp well upon the mountain slopes only a terrified remnant of the original safari had remained with him. Now even these, overcome during the night by the terrors of ignorance and superstition, had permitted fear to supplant loyalty and had fled from the impending and invisible terrors of this frowning range, leaving their master alone with the bloodthirsty spirits of the dead.

PT A hasty survey of the camp site revealed that the men had stripped von Harben of everything. All of his supplies were gone and his gun carriers had decamped with his rifles and all of his ammunition, with the exception of a single Luger pistol and its belt of ammunition that had been in the tent with him.

PT Erich von Harben had had sufficient experience with these natives to understand fairly well the mental processes based upon their deep-rooted superstition that had led them to this seemingly inhuman and disloyal act and so he did not place so much blame upon them as might another less familiar with them.

PT While they had known their destination when they embarked upon the undertaking, their courage had been high in direct proportion to the great distance that they had been from the Wiramwazi, but in proportion as the distance lessened with each day's march their courage had lessened until now upon the very threshold of horrors beyond the ken of human minds the last vestige of self-control had deserted them and they had fled precipitately.

PT That they had taken his provisions, his rifles and his ammunition might have seemed the depth of baseness had von Harben not realized the sincerity of their belief that there could be no possible hope for him and that his immediate death was a foregone conclusion.

PT He knew that they had reasoned that under the circumstances it would be a waste of food to leave it behind for a man who was already as good as dead when they would need it for their return journey to their villages, and likewise, as the weapons of mortal man could avail nothing against the ghosts of Wiramwazi, it would have beeen a needless extravagance to have surrendered fine rifles and quantities of ammunition that von Harben could not use against his enemies of the spirit world.

PT Von Harben stood for some time looking down the mountain slope toward the forest, somewhere in the depths of which his men were hastening toward their own country. That he might overtake them was a possibility, but by no means a certainty, and if he did not he would be no better off alone in the jungle than he would be on the slopes of the Wiramwazi.

PT He faced about and looked up toward the rugged heights above him. He had come a long way to reach his goal, which now lay somewhere just beyond that serrated skyline, and he was of no mind to turn back now in defeat. A day or a week in these rugged mountains might reveal the secret of The Lost Tribe of legend, and surely a month would be sufficient to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the story had no basis in fact, for von Harben believed that in a month he could fairly well explore such portions of the range as might naturally lend themselves to human habitation, where he hoped at best to find relics of the fabled tribe in the form of ruins or burial mounds. For to a man of von Harben's training and intelligence there could be no thought that The Lost Tribe of legend, if it had ever existed, could be anything more than a vague memory surrounding a few moldy artifacts and some crumbling bones.

PT It did not take the young man long to reach a decision and presently he turned back to his tent and, entering it, packed a few necessities that had been left to him in a light haversack, strapped his ammunition belt about him, and stepped forth once more to turn his face upward toward the mystery of the Wiramwazi.

PT In addition to his Luger, von Harben carried a hunting-knife and with this he presently cut a stout staff from one of the small trees that grew sparsely upon the mountainside against the time when he might find an alpenstock indispensable.

PT A mountain rill furnished him pure, cold water to quench his thirst, and he carried his pistol cocked, hoping that he might bag some small game to satisfy his hunger. Nor had he gone far before a hare broke cover, and as it rolled over to the crack of the Luger, von Harben gave thanks that he had devoted much time to perfecting himself in the use of small arms.

PT On the spot he built a fire and grilled the hare, after which he lit his pipe and lay at ease while he smoked and planned. His was not a temperament to be depressed or discouraged by seeming reverses, and he was determined not to be hurried by excitement, but to conserve his strength at all times during the strenuous days that he felt must lie ahead of him.

PT All day he climbed, choosing the long way when it seemed safer, exercising all the lore of mountain-climbing that he had accumulated, and resting often. Night overtook him well up toward the summit of the highest ridge that had been visible from the base of the range. What lay behind, he could not even guess, but experience suggested that he would find other ridges and frowning peaks before him.

PT He had brought a blanket with him from the last camp and in this he rolled up on the ground. From below there came the noises of the jungle subdued by distance--the yapping of jackals and faintly from afar the roaring of a lion.

PT Toward morning he was awakened by the scream of a leopard, not from the jungle far below, but somewhere upon the mountain slopes near by. He knew that this savage night prowler constituted a real menace, perhaps the greatest he would have to face, and he regretted the loss of his heavy rifle.

PT He was not afraid, for he knew that after all there was little likelihood that the leopard was hunting him or that it would attack him, but there was always that chance and so to guard against it he started a fire of dry wood that he had gathered for the purpose the night before. He found the warmth of the blaze welcome, for the night had grown cold, and he sat for some time warming himself.

PT Once he thought he heard an animal moving in the darkness beyond the range of the firelight, but he saw no shining eyes and the sound was not repeated. And then he must have slept, for the next thing that he knew it was daylight and only embers remained to mark where the beast fire had blazed.

PT Cold and without breakfast, von Harben continued the ascent from his cheerless camp, his eyes, under the constant urging of his stomach, always alert for food. The terrain offered few obstacles to an experienced mountain climber, and he even forgot his hunger in the thrill of expectancy with which he anticipated the possibilities hidden by the ridge whose summit now lay but a short distance ahead of him.

PT It is the summit of the next ridge that ever lures the explorer onward. What new sights lie just beyond? What mysteries will its achievement unveil to the eager eyes of the adventurer? Judgment and experience joined forces to assure him that when his eyes surmounted the ridge ahead they would be rewarded with nothing more startling than another similar ridge to be negotiated; yet there was always that other hope hanging like a shining beacon just below the next horizon, above which the rays of its hidden light served to illuminate the figments of his desire, and his imagination transformed the figments into realities.

PT Von Harben, sane and phlegmatic as he was, was now keyed to the highest pitch of excitement as he at last scaled the final barrier and stood upon the crest of the ridge. Before him stretched a rolling plateau, dotted with stunted wind-swept trees, and in the distance lay the next ridge that he had anticipated, but indistinct and impurpled by the haze of distance. What lay between him and those far hills? His pulse quickened at the thought of the possibilities for exploration and discovery that lay before him, for the terrain that he looked upon was entirely different from what he had anticipated. No lofty peaks were visible except in the far distance, and between him and them there must lie intriguing ravines and valleys--virgin fields at the feet of the explorer.

PT Eagerly, entirely forgetful of his hunger or his solitude, von Harben moved northward across the plateau. The land was gently rolling, rock-strewn, sterile, and uninteresting, and when he had covered a mile of it he commenced to have misgivings, for if it continued on without change to the dim hills in the distance, as it now seemed was quite likely the case, it could offer him neither interest nor sustenance.

PT As these thoughts were commencing to oppress him, he became suddenly conscious of a vague change in the appearance of the terrain ahead. It was only an impression of unreality. The hills far away before him seemed to rise out of a great void, and it was as though between him and them there existed nothing. He might have been looking across an inland sea to distant, hazy shores--a waterless sea, for nowhere was there any suggestion of water--and then suddenly he came to a halt, startled, amazed. The lolling plateau ceased abruptly at his feet, and below him, stretching far to the distant hills, lay a great abyss--a mighty canyon similar to that which has made the gorge of the Colorado world-famous.

PT But here there was a marked difference. There were indications of erosion. The grim walls were scarred and water-worn. Towers and turrets and minarets, carved from the native granite, pointed upward from below, but they clung close to the canyon's wall, and just beyond them he could see the broad expanse of the floor of the canyon, which from his great height above it appeared as level as a billiard table. The scene held him in a hypnosis of wonderment and admiration as, at first swiftly and then slowly, his eyes encompassed the whole astounding scene.

PT Perhaps a mile below him lay the floor of the sunken canyon, the further wall of which he could but vaguely estimate to be somewhere between fifteen and twenty miles to the north, and this he realized was the lesser dimension of the canyon. Upon his right, to the east, and upon his left, to the west, he could see that the canyon extended to considerable distances--just how far he could not guess. He thought that to the east he could trace the wall that hemmed it upon that side, but from where he stood the entire extent of the canyon to the west was not visible, yet he knew that the floor that was visible to him must stretch fully twenty-five or thirty miles from east to west Almost below him was a large lake or marsh that seemed to occupy the greater part of the east end of the canyon. He could see lanes of water winding through what appeared to be great growths of reeds and, nearer the northern shore, a large island. Three streams, winding ribbons far below, emptied into the lake, and in the far distance was another ribbon that might be a road. To the west the canyon was heavily wooded, and between the forest and the lake he saw moving figures of what he thought to be grazing game.

PT The sight below him aroused the enthusiasm of the explorer to its highest pitch. Here, doubtless, lay the secret of The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi and how well Nature had guarded this secret with stupendous barrier cliffs, aided by the superstitions of the ignorant inhabitants of the outer slopes, was now easily understandable.

PT As far as he could see, the cliffs seemed sheer and impossible of descent, and yet he knew that he must find a way--that he would find a way down into that valley of enchantment.

PT Moving slowly along the rim he sought some foothold, however slight, where Nature had lowered her guard, but it was almost night and he had covered but a short distance before he found even a suggestion of hope that the canyon was hemmed at any point by other than unbroken cliffs, whose perpendicular faces rose at their lowest point fully a thousand feet above any possible foothold for a human being.

PT The sun had already set when he discovered a narrow fissure in the granite wall. Crumbled fragments of the mother rock had fallen into and partially filled it so that near the surface, at least, it offered a means of descent below the level of the cliff top, but in the gathering darkness he could not determine how far downward this rough and precarious pathway led.

PT He could see that below him the cliffs rose in terraced battlements to within a thousand feet of where he stood, and if the narrow fissure extended to the next terrace below him, he felt that the obstacles thereafter would present fewer difficulties than those that had baffled him up to the present time--for while he would still have some four thousand feet to descend, the formation of the cliffs was much more broken at the foot of the first sheer drop and consequently might be expected to offer some avenues of descent of which an experienced mountain climber could take advantage.

PT Hungry and cold, he sat beneath the descending night, gazing down into the blackening void below. Presently, as the darkness deepened, he saw a light twinkling far below and then another and another and with each his excitement rose, for he knew that they marked the presence of man. In many places upon the marsh-like lake he saw the fires twinkling, and at a point which he took to mark the site of the island there were many lights.

PT What sort of men were they who tended these fires? Would he find them friendly or hostile? Were they but another tribe of Africans, or could it be that the old legend was based upon truth and that far below him white men of The Lost Tribe cooked their evening meals above those tantalizing fires of mystery?

PT What was that? Von Harben strained his ears to catch the faint suggestion of a sound that arose out of the shadowy abyss below--a faint, thin sound that barely reached his ears, but he was sure that he could not be mistaken--the sound was the voices of men.

PT And now from out of the valley came the scream of a beast and again a roar that rumbled upward like distant thunder. To the music of these sounds, von Harben finally succumbed to exhaustion; sleep for the moment offering him relief from cold and hunger.

PT When morning came he gathered wood from the stunted trees near by and built a fire to warm himself. He had no food, nor all the previous day since he had reached the summit had he seen any sign of a living creature other than the game a mile beneath him on the verdant meadows of the canyon bottom.

PT He knew that he must have food and have it soon and food lay but a mile away in one direction. If he sought to circle the canyon in search of an easier avenue of descent, he knew that he might not find one in the hundred miles or more that he must travel. Of course he might turn back. He was sure that he could reach the base of the outer slopes of the Wiramwazi, where he knew that game might be found before exhaustion overcame him, but he had no mind to turn back and the thought of failure was only a vague suggestion that scarcely ever rose above the threshold of his conscious mind.

PT Having warmed himself before the fire, he turned to examine the fissure by the full light of day. As he stood upon its brink he could see that it extended downward for several hundred feet, but there it disappeared. However, he was by no means sure that it ended, since it was not a vertical cleft, but tilted slightly from the perpendicular.

PT From where he stood he could see that there were places in the fissure where descent would be just possible, though it might be very difficult to reascend. He knew, therefore, that should he reach the bottom of the fissure and find that further descent was impossible he would be caught in a trap from which there might be no escape.

PT Although he felt as fit and strong as ever, he realized perfectly that the contrary was the fact and that his strength must be ebbing and that it would continue to ebb still more rapidly the longer that he was forced to expend it in arduous efforts to descend the cliff and without any possibility of rebuilding it with food.

PT Even to Erich von Harben, young, self-confident and enthusiastic, his next step seemed little better than suicidal. To another the mere idea of attempting the descent of these towering cliffs would have seemed madness, but in other mountains von Harben had always found a way, and with this thin thread upon which to hang his hopes he faced the descent into the unknown. Now he was just about to lower himself over the edge of the fissure when he heard the sounds of footsteps behind him. Wheeling quickly, he drew his Luger.

Chapter Three

PT LITTLE NKIMA came racing through the tree tops, jabbering excitedly, and dropped to the knee of Tarzan of the Apes where the latter lay stretched upon the great branch of a jungle giant, his back against the rough bole, where he was lying up after making a kill and feeding.

PT "Gomangani! Gomangani!"shrilled Nkima."They come! They come!"

PT "Peace,"said Tarzan."You are a greater nuisance than all the Gomangani in the jungle."

PT "They will kill little Nkima,"cried the monkey."They are strange Gomangani, and there are no Tarmangani among them."

PT "Nkima thinks everything wants to kill him,"said Tarzan,"and yet he has lived many years and is not dead yet."

PT "Sabor and Shetta and Numa, the Gomangani, had Histah the snake like to eat poor little Nkima,"walled the monkey."That is why he is afraid."

PT "Do not fear, Nkima,"said the ape-man."Tarzan will let no one hurt you."

PT "Go and see the Gomangani,"urged Nkima."Go and kill them. Nkima does not like the Gomangani."

PT Tarzan arose leisurely."I go,"he said."Nkima may come or he may hide in the upper terraces."

PT "Nkima is not afraid,"blustered the little monkey."He will go and fight the Gomangani with Tarzan of the Apes,"and he leaped to the back of the ape-man and clung there with his arms about the bronzed throat, from which point of vantage he peered fearfully ahead, first over the top of one broad shoulder and then over the top of the other.

PT Tarzan swung swiftly and quietly through the trees toward a point where Nkima had discovered the Gomangani, and presently he saw below him some score of natives straggling along the jungle trail. A few of them were armed with rifles and all carried packs of various sizes--such packs as Tarzan knew must belong to the equipment of a white man.

PT The Lord of the Jungle hailed them and, startled, the men halted, looking up fearfully.

PT "I am Tarzan of the Apes. Do not be afraid,"Tarzan reassured them, and simultaneously he dropped lightly to the trail among them, but as he did so Nkima leaped frantically from his shoulders and scampered swiftly to a high branch far above, where he sat chattering and scolding, entirely forgetful of his vain boasting of a few moments before.

PT "Where is your master?"demanded Tarzan.

PT The Africans looked sullenly at the ground, but did not reply.

PT "Where is the Bwana, von Harben?"Tarzan insisted.

PT A tall man standing near fidgeted uneasily."He is dead,"he mumbled.

PT "How did he die?"asked Tarzan.

PT Again the man hesitated before replying."A bull elephant that he had wounded killed him,"he said at last.

PT "Where is his body?"

PT "We could not find it."

PT "Then how do you know that he was killed by a bull elephant?"demanded the ape-man.

PT "We do not know,"another spoke up."He went away from camp and did not return."

PT "There was an elephant about and we thought that it had killed him,"said the tall man.

PT "You are not speaking true words,"said Tarzan.

PT "I shall tell you the truth,"said a third."Our Bwana ascended the slopes of the Wiramwazi and the spirits of the dead being angry seized him and carried him away."

PT "I shall tell you the truth,"said Tarzan."You have deserted your master and run away, leaving him alone in the forest."

PT "We were afraid,"the man replied."We warned him not to ascend the slopes of the Wiramwazi. We begged him to turn back. He would not listen to us, and the spirits of the dead carried him away."

PT "How long ago was that?"asked the ape-man.

PT "Six, seven, perhaps ten marchings. I do not remember."

PT "Where was he when you last saw him?"

PT As accurately as they could the men described the location of their last camp upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi.

PT "Go your way back to your own villages in the Urambi country. I shall know where to find you if I want you. If your Bwana is dead, you shall be punished,"and swinging into the branches of the lower terrace, Tarzan disappeared from the sight of the unhappy natives in the direction of the Wiramwazi, while Nkima, screaming shrilly, raced through the trees to overtake him.

PT From his conversation with the deserting members of von Harben's safari, Tarzan was convinced that the young man had been traitorously abandoned and that in all likelihood he was making his way alone back upon the trail of the deserters.

PT Not knowing Erich von Harben, Tarzan could not have guessed that the young man would push on alone into the unknown and forbidding depths of the Wiramwazi, but assumed on the contrary that he would adopt the more prudent alternative and seek to overtake his men as rapidly as possible. Believing this, the ape-man followed back along the trail of the safari, expecting momentarily to meet von Harben.

PT This plan greatly reduced his speed, but even so he traveled with so much greater rapidity than the natives that he came to the slopes of the Wiramwazi upon the third day after he had interviewed the remnants of von Harben's safari.

PT It was with great difficulty that he finally located the point at which von Harben had been abandoned by his men, as a heavy rain and wind-storm had obliterated the trail, but at last he stumbled upon the tent, which had blown down, but nowhere could he see any signs of von Harben's trail.

PT Not having come upon any signs of the white man in the jungle or any indication that he had followed his fleeing safari, Tarzan was forced to the conclusion that if von Harben was not indeed dead he must have faced the dangers of the unknown alone and now be either dead or alive somewhere within the mysterious fastnesses of the Wiramwazi.

PT "Nkima,"said the ape-man,"the Tarmangani have a saying that when it is futile to search for a thing, it is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Do you believe, Nkima, that in this great mountain range we shall find our needle?"

PT "Let us go home,"said Nkima,"where it is warm. Here the wind blows and up there it is colder. It is no place for little Manu, the monkey."

PT "Nevertheless, Nkima, there is where we are going."

PT The monkey looked up toward the frowning heights above."Little Nkima is afraid,"he said."It is in such places that Sheeta, the panther, lairs."

PT Ascending diagonally and in a westerly direction in the hope of crossing von Harben's trail, Tarzan moved constantly in the opposite direction from that taken by the man he sought. It was his intention, however, when he reached the summit, if he had in the meantime found no trace of von Harben, to turn directly eastward and search at a higher altitude in the opposite direction. As he proceeded, the slope became steeper and more rugged until at one point near the western end of the mountain mass he encountered an almost perpendicular barrier high up on the mountainside along the base of which he picked his precarious way among loose boulders that had fallen from above. Underbrush and stunted trees extended at different points from the forest below quite up to the base of the vertical escarpment.

PT So engrossed was the ape-man in the dangerous business of picking his way along the mountainside that he gave little heed to anything beyond the necessities of the trail and his constant search for the spoor of von Harben, and so he did not see the little group of warriors that were gazing up at him from the shelter of a clump of trees far down the slope, nor did Nkima, usually as alert as his master, have eyes or ears for anything beyond the immediate exigencies of the trail. Nkima was unhappy. The wind blew and Nkima did not like the wind. All about him he smelled the spoor of Sheeta, the panther, while he considered the paucity and stunted nature of the few trees along the way that his master had chosen. From time to time he noted, with sinking heart, ledges just above them from which Sheeta might spring down upon them; and the way was a way of terror for little Nkima.

PT Now they had come to a particularly precarious point upon the mountainside. A sheer cliff rose above them on their right and at their left the mountainside fell away so steeply that as Tarzan advanced his body was pressed closely against the granite face of the cliff as he sought a foothold upon the ledge of loose rubble. Just ahead of them the cliff shouldered out boldly against the distant skies. Perhaps beyond that clear-cut corner the going might be better. If it should develop that it was worse, Tarzan realized that he must turn back.

PT At the turn where the footing was narrowest a stone gave beneath Tarzan's foot, throwing him off his balance for an instant and at that same instant Nkima, thinking that Tarzan was falling, shrieked and leaped from his shoulder, giving the ape-man's body just the impetus that was required to overbalance it entirely.

PT The mountainside below was steep, though not perpendicular, and if Nkima had not pushed the ape-man outward he doubtless would have slid but a short distance before being able to stay his fall, but as it was he lunged headforemost down the embankment, rolling and tumbling for a short distance over the loose rock until his body was brought to a stop by one of the many stunted trees that clung tenaciously to the wind-swept slope.

PT Terrified, Nkima scampered to his master's side. He screamed and chattered in his ear and pulled and tugged upon him in an effort to raise him, but the ape-man lay motionless, a tiny stream of blood trickling from a cut on his temple into his shock of black hair.

PT As Nkima mourned, the warriors, who had been watching them from below, clambered quickly up the mountainside toward him and his helpless master.

Chapter Four

PT As Erich von Harben turned to face the thing that he had heard approaching behind him, he saw a Negro armed with a rifle coming toward him.

PT "Gabula!"exclaimed the white man, lowering his weapon."What are you doing here?"

PT "Bwana,"said the warrior,"I could not desert you. I could not leave you to die alone at the hands of the spirits that dwell upon these mountains."

PT Von Harben eyed him incredulously."But if you believe that, Gabula, are you not afraid that they will kill you, too?"

PT "I expect to die, Bwana,"replied Gabula."I cannot understand why you were not killed the first night or the second night. We shall both surely be killed tonight."

PT "And yet you followed me! Why?"

PT "You have been kind to me, Bwana,"replied the man."Your father has been kind to me. When the others talked they filled me with fear and when they ran away I went with them, but I have come back. There was nothing else that I could do, was there?"

PT "No, Gabula. For you or for me there would have been nothing else to do, as we see such things, but as the others saw them they found another thing to do and they did it."

PT "Gabula is not as the others,"said the man, proudly."Gabula is a Batoro."

PT "Gabula is a brave warrior,"said von Harben."I do not believe in spirits and so there was no reason why I should be afraid, but you and all your people do believe in them and so it was a very brave thing for you to come back, but I shall not hold you. You may return, Gabula, with the others."

PT "Yes?"Gabula exclaimed eagerly."The Bwana is going back? That will be good. Gabula will go back with him."

PT "No, I am going down into that canyon,"said von Harben, pointing over the rim.

PT Gabula looked down, surprise and wonder reflected by his wide eyes and parted lips.

PT "But, Bwana, even if a human being could find a way down these steep cliffs, where there is no place for either hand or foot, he would surely be killed the moment he reached the bottom, for this indeed must be the Land of The Lost Tribe where the spirits of the dead live in the heart of the Wiramwazi."

PT "You do not need to come with me, Gabula,"said von Harben."Go back to your people."

PT "How are you going to get down there?"demanded the Negro.

PT "I do not know just how, or where, or when. Now I am going to descend as far along this fissure as I can go. Perhaps I shall find my way down here, perhaps not."

PT "But suppose there is no foothold beyond the fissure?"asked Gabula.

PT "I shall have to find footing."

PT Gabula shook his head."And if you reach the bottom, Bwana, and you are right about the spirits and there are none or they do not kill you, how will you get out again?"

PT Von Harben shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Then he extended his hand."Goodby, Gabula,"he said."You are a brave man."

PT Gabula did not take the offered hand of his master."I am going with you,"he said, simply.

PT "Even though you realize that should we reach the bottom alive we may never be able to return?"

PT "Yes."

PT "I cannot understand you, Gabula. You are afraid and I know that you wish to return to the village of your people. Then why do you insist on coming with me when I give you leave to return home?"

PT "I have sworn to serve you, Bwana, and I am a Batoro,"replied Gabula.

PT "And I can only thank the Lord that you are a Batoro,"said von Harben,"for the Lord knows that I shall need help before I reach the bottom of this canyon, and we must reach it, Gabula, unless we are content to die by starvation."

PT "I have brought food,"said Gabula."I knew that you might be hungry and I brought some of the food that you like,"and, unrolling the small pack that he carried, he displayed several bars of chocolate and a few packages of concentrated food that von Harben had included among his supplies in the event of an emergency.

PT To the famished von Harben, the food was like manna to the Israelites, and he lost no time in taking advantage of Gabula's thoughtfulness. The sharp edge of his hunger removed, von Harben experienced a feeling of renewed strength and hopefulness, and it was with a light heart and a buoyant optimism that he commenced the descent into the canyon.

PT Gabula's ancestry, stretching back through countless generations of jungle-dwelling people, left him appalled as he contemplated the frightful abyss into which his master was leading him, but so deeply had he involved himself by his protestations of loyalty and tribal pride that he followed von Harben with no outward show of the real terror that was consuming him.

PT The descent through the fissure was less difficult than it had appeared from above. The tumbled rocks that had partially filled it gave more than sufficient footing and in only a few places was assistance required, and it was at these times that von Harben realized how fortunate for him had been Gabula's return.

PT When at last they reached the bottom of the cleft they found themselves, at its outer opening, flush with the face of the cliff and several hundred feet below the rim. This was the point beyond which von Harben had been unable to see and which he had been approaching with deep anxiety, since there was every likelihood that the conditions here might put a period to their further descent along this route.

PT Creeping over the loose rubble in the bottom of the fissure to its outer edge, von Harben discovered a sheer drop of a hundred feet to the level of the next terrace and his heart sank. To return the way they had come was, he feared, a feat beyond their strength and ingenuity, for there had been places down which one had lowered the other only with the greatest difficulty, which would be practically unscalable on the return journey.

PT It being impossible to ascend and as starvation surely faced them where they were, there was but one alternative. Von Harben lay upon his belly, his eyes at the outer edge of the fissure, and, instructing Gabula to hold tightly to his ankles, he wormed himself forward until he could scan the entire face of the cliff below him to the level of the next terrace.

PT A few feet from the level on which he lay he saw that the fissure lay open again to the base of the cliff, its stoppage at the point where they were having been caused by a large fragment of rock that had wedged securely between the sides of the fissure, entirely choking it at this point.

PT The fissure, which had narrowed considerably since they had entered it at the summit, was not more than two or three feet wide directly beneath the rock on which he lay and extended with little variation at this width the remaining hundred feet to the comparatively level ground below.

PT If he and Gabula could but get into this crevice he knew that they could easily brace themselves against its sides in such a way as to descend safely the remaining distance, but how with the means at hand were they to climb over the edge of the rock that blocked the fissure and crawl back into the fissure again several feet farther down?

PT Von Harben lowered his crude alpenstock over the edge of the rock fragment. When he extended his arms at full length the tip of the rod fell considerably below the bottom of the rock on which he lay. A man hanging at the end of the alpenstock might conceivably swing into the fissure, but h would necessitate a feat of acrobatics far beyond the powers of either himself or Gabula.

PT A rope would have solved their problem, but they had no rope. With a sigh, von Harben drew back when his examination of the fissure convinced him that he must find another way, but he was totally at a loss to imagine in what direction to look for a solution.

PT Gabula crouched back in the fissure, terrified by the anticipation of what von Harben's attempted exploration had suggested. The very thought of even looking out over the edge of that rock beyond the face of the cliff left Gabula cold and half paralyzed, while the thought that he might have to follow von Harben bodily over the edge threw the Negro into a fit of trembling; yet had von Harben gone over the edge Gabula would have followed him.

PT The white man sat for a long time buried in thought. Time and again his eyes examined every detail of the formation of the fissure within the range of his vision. Again and again they returned to the huge fragment upon which they sat, which was securely wedged between the fissure's sides. With this out of the way he felt that they could make unimpeded progress to the next terrace, but he knew that nothing short of a charge of dynamite could budge the heavy granite slab. Directly behind it were loose fragments of various sizes, and as his eyes returned to them once again he was struck with the possibility that they suggested.

PT "Come, Gabula,"he said."Help me throw out some of these rocks. This seems to be our only possible hope of escaping from the trap that I have got us into."

PT "Yes, Bwana,"replied Gabula, and fell to work beside von Harben, though he could not understand why they should be picking up these stones, some of which were very heavy, and pushing them out over the edge of the flat fragment that clogged the fissure.

PT He heard them crash heavily where they struck the rocks below and this interested and fascinated him to such an extent that he worked feverishly to loosen the larger blocks of stone for the added pleasure he derived from hearing the loud noise that they made when they struck.

PT "It begins to look,"said von Harben, after a few minutes,"as though we may be going to succeed, unless by removing these rocks here we cause some of those above to slide down and thus loosen the whole mass above us--in which event, Gabula, the mystery of The Lost Tribe will cease to interest us longer."

PT "Yes, Bwana,"said Gabula, and lifting an unusually large rock he started to roll it toward the edge of the fissure."Look! Look, Bwana!"he exclaimed, pointing at the place where the rock had lain.

PT Von Harben looked and saw an opening about the size of a man's head extending into the fissure beneath them.

PT "Thank Nsenene, the grasshopper, Gabula,"cried the white man,"if that is the totem of your clan--for here indeed is a way to salvation."

PT Hurriedly the two men set to work to enlarge the hole by throwing out other fragments that had long been wedged in together to close the fissure at this point, and as the fragments clattered down upon the rocks below, a tall, straight warrior standing in the bow of a dugout upon the marshy lake far below looked up and called the attention of his comrades.

PT They could plainly hear the reverberations of the falling fragments as they struck the rocks at the foot of the fissure and, keen-eyed, they could see many of the larger pieces that von Harben and Gabula tossed downward.

PT "The great wall is falling,"said the warrior.

PT "A few pebbles,"said another."It is nothing."

PT "Such things do not happen except after rains,"said the first speaker."It is thus that it is prophesied that the great wall will fall."

PT "Perhaps it is a demon who lives in the great rift in the wall,"said another."Let us hasten and tell the masters."

PT "Let us wait and watch,"said the first speaker,"until we have something to tell them. If we went and told them that a few rocks had fallen from the great wall they would only laugh at us."

PT Von Harben and Gabula had increased the size of the opening until it was large enough to permit the passage of a man's body. Through it the white man could see the rough sides of the fissure extending to the level of the next terrace and knew that the next stage of the descent was already as good as an accomplished fact.

PT "We shall descend one at a time, Gabula,"said von Harben."I shall go first, for I am accustomed to this sort of climbing. Watch carefully so that you may descend exactly as I do. It is easy and there is no danger. Be sure that you keep your back braced against one wall and your feet against the other. We shall lose some hide in the descent, for the walls are rough, but we shall get down safely enough if we take it slowly."

PT "Yes, Bwana. You go first,"said Gabula."If I see you do it then, perhaps, I can do it."

PT Von Harben lowered himself through the aperture, braced himself securely against the opposite walls of the fissure, and started slowly downward. A few minutes later Gabula saw his master standing safely at the bottom, and though his heart was in his mouth the Negro followed without hesitation, but when he stood at last beside von Harben he breathed such a loud sigh of relief that von Harben was forced to laugh aloud.

PT "It is the demon himself,"said the warrior in the dugout, as von Harben had stepped from the fissure.

PT From where the dugout of the watchers floated, half concealed by lofty papyrus, the terrace at the base of the fissure was just visible. They saw von Harben emerge and a few moments later the figure of Gabula.

PT "Now, indeed,"said one of the men,"we should hasten and tell the masters."

PT "No,"said the first speaker."Those two may be demons, but they look like men and we shall wait until we know what they are and why they are here before we go away."

PT For a thousand feet the descent from the base of the fissure was far from difficult, a rough slope leading in an easterly direction down toward the canyon bottom. During the descent their view of the lake and of the canyon was often completely shut off by masses of weather-worn granite around which they sometimes had difficulty in finding a way. As a rule the easiest descent lay between these towering fragments of the main body of the cliff, and at such times as the valley was hidden from them so were they hidden from the watchers on the lake.

PT A third of the way down the escarpment von Harben came to the verge of a narrow gorge, the bottom of which was densely banked with green, the foliage of trees growing luxuriantly, pointing unquestionably to the presence of water in abundance. Leading the way, von Harben descended into the gorge, at the bottom of which he found a spring from which a little stream trickled downward. Here they quenched their thirst and rested. Then, following the stream down-ward, they discovered no obstacles that might not be easily surmounted.

PT For a long time, hemmed in by the walls of the narrow gorge and their view further circumscribed by the forest-like growth along the banks of the stream, they had no sight of the lake or the canyon bottom, but, finally, when the gorge debouched upon the lower slopes von Harben halted in admiration of the landscape spread out before him. Directly below, another stream entered that along which they had descended, forming a little river that dropped steeply to what appeared to be vivid green meadow land through which it wound tortuously to the great swamp that extended out across the valley for perhaps ten miles.

PT So choked was the lake with some feathery-tipped aquatic plant that von Harben could only guess as to its extent, since the green of the water plant and the green of the surrounding meadows blended into one another, but here and there he saw signs of open water that appeared like winding lanes or passages leading in all directions throughout the marsh.

PT As von Harben and Gabula stood looking out across this (to them) new and mysterious world, the warriors in the dugout watched them attentively. The strangers were still so far away that the men were unable to identify them, but their leader assured them that these two were no demons.

PT "How do you know that they are not demons?"demanded one of these fellows.

PT "I can see that they are men,"replied the other.

PT "Demons are very wise and very powerful,"insisted the doubter."They may take any form they choose. They might come as birds or animals or men."

PT "They are not fools,"snapped the leader."If a demon wished to descend the great wall he would not choose the hardest way. He would take the form of a bird and fly down."

PT The other scratched his head in perplexity, for he realized that here was an argument that would be difficult to controvert. For want of anything better to say, he suggested that they go at once and report the matter to their masters.

PT "No,"said the leader."We shall remain here until they come closer. It will be better for us if we can take them with us and show them to our masters."

PT The first few steps that von Harben took onto the grassy meadow land revealed the fact that it was a dangerous swamp from which only with the greatest difficulty were they able to extricate themselves.

PT Floundering back to solid ground, von Harben reconnoitered in search of some other avenue to more solid ground on the floor of the canyon, but he found that upon both sides of the river the swamp extended to the foot of the lowest terrace of the cliff, and low as these were in comparison to their lofty fellows towering far above them, they were still impassable barriers.

PT Possibly by reascending the gorge he might find an avenue to more solid ground toward the west, but as he had no actual assurance of this and as both he and Gabula were well-nigh exhausted from the physical strain of the descent, he preferred to find an easier way to the lake shore if it were possible.

PT He saw that while the river at this point was not swift, the current was rapid enough to suggest that the bottom might be sufficiently free from mud to make it possible for them to utilize it as an avenue to the lake, if it were not too deep.

PT To test the feasibility of the idea, be lowered himself into the water, holding to one end of his alpenstock, while Gabula seized the other. He found that the water came to his waist-line and that the bottom was firm and solid.

PT "Come on, Gabula. This is our way to the lake, I guess,"he said.

PT As Gabula slipped into the water behind his master, the dugout containing the warriors pushed silently along the watery lane among the papyrus and with silent paddles was urged swiftly toward the mouth of the stream where it emptied into the lake.

PT As von Harben and Gabula descended the stream they found that the depth of the water did not greatly increase. Once or twice they stumbled into deeper holes and were forced to swim, but in other places the water shallowed until it was only to their knees, and thus they made their way down to the lake at the verge of which their view was shut off by clumps of papyrus rising twelve or fifteen feet above the surface of the water.

PT "It begins to look,"said von Harben,"as though there is no solid ground along the shore line, but the roots of the papyus will hold us and if we can make our way to the west end of the lake I am sure that we shall find solid ground, for I am positive that I saw higher land there as we were descending the cliff."

PT Feeling their way cautiously along, they came at last to the first clump of papyrus and just as von Harben was about to clamber to the solid footing of the roots, a canoe shot from behind the mass of floating plants and the two men found themselves covered by the weapons of a boatload of warriors.

Versão em Português

1 - Capítulo Um

2 - Capítulo Dois

3 - Capítulo Três

4 - Capítulo Quatro

Capítulo Um

En Nkima, o macaco de Tarzan, dançava descontroladamente no ombro nu e moreno de seu mestre. Ele tagarelava e reclamava, olhando interrogativamente para o rosto de Tarzan, e então fitava a selva.

En Muviro, o subchefe dos Waziri, informou a Tarzan que algo estava se aproximando. Ele explicou que Nkima o havia detectado.

En Tarzan, o homem-macaco, reconheceu que também o ouvira.

En Muviro comentou que a audição do grande Bwana era tão aguçada quanto a de Bara, o antílope.

En Tarzan respondeu com um sorriso que, se seus ouvidos não fossem tão apurados, ele não estaria vivo. Ele explicou que nunca teria chegado à idade adulta sem sua mãe Kala, que lhe ensinara a usar todos os sentidos que Mulungu lhe dera.

En Muviro perguntou o que estava se aproximando.

En Tarzan respondeu que um grupo de homens estava vindo.

En O africano especulou que os homens poderiam ser hostis e perguntou se deveria alertar os guerreiros.

En Tarzan examinou o pequeno acampamento onde aproximadamente vinte de seus guerreiros estavam ocupados com sua refeição noturna. De acordo com a tradição waziri, suas armas estavam arrumadas e ao alcance.

En Tarzan recusou, afirmando que o aviso era provavelmente desnecessário. Ele observou que o grupo que se aproximava não se movia com a furtividade de inimigos, nem seus números eram significativos o suficiente para causar preocupação.

En Nkima, que era naturalmente pessimista, antecipou o pior resultado à medida que o grupo se aproximava, e sua agitação aumentou. Ele pulou do ombro de Tarzan, saltou freneticamente, depois voltou para Tarzan, agarrou seu braço e tentou puxá-lo para cima.

En Na língua dos macacos, ele gritou para correr, avisando que estranhos Gomangani estavam se aproximando e iriam matá-lo.

En O homem-macaco disse a Nkima para não ter medo, assegurando-lhe que Tarzan e Muviro o protegeriam do perigo.

En Nkima tagarelou que sentia o cheiro de um estranho Tarmangani no grupo, e que os Tarmangani eram piores que os Gomangani porque carregavam armas e matavam tudo — seus irmãos, os Mangani, os Gomangani. Ele expressou seu medo e desgosto pelos Tarmangani.

En Para Nkima e as outras criaturas da selva, Tarzan não era um Tarmangani ou um homem branco; ele pertencia à selva e era um deles. Se eles o consideravam algo diferente de simplesmente Tarzan, era como um Mangani, um grande macaco.

En O som dos estranhos que se aproximavam agora era fácil de ouvir para todos no acampamento. Os guerreiros Waziri olharam em direção à selva de onde vinha o barulho, depois olharam para Tarzan e Muviro. No entanto, vendo que seus líderes estavam calmos, continuaram a cozinhar sem preocupação.

En O primeiro membro do grupo a ser visto perto do acampamento foi um guerreiro alto. Ele parou quando notou os Waziri, e um momento depois, um homem branco de barba parou ao lado dele.

En O homem branco examinou o acampamento por um momento, depois avançou, fazendo um sinal de paz. Cerca de uma dúzia de guerreiros saíram da selva atrás dele. A maioria eram carregadores; apenas três ou quatro carregavam rifles.

En Tarzan e os Waziri entenderam imediatamente que o grupo era pequeno e não representava ameaça. Até Nkima, que havia se refugiado em uma árvore próxima por segurança, mostrou seu desdém correndo de volta sem medo e subindo no ombro de seu mestre.

En Quando o estranho barbudo se aproximou, Tarzan exclamou que era o Doutor von Harben, acrescentando que quase não o havia reconhecido a princípio.

En Von Harben estendeu a mão e disse a Tarzan que a sorte estava do seu lado, pois ele havia encontrado Tarzan dois dias antes do que esperava durante sua jornada para visitá-lo.

En Tarzan explicou que estavam caçando um predador que vinha matando o gado deles. Ele havia entrado no cercado várias noites recentemente e abatido os melhores animais. Tarzan admitiu que a fera era extremamente astuta, talvez um leão velho, por ter escapado de Tarzan por tanto tempo.

En Tarzan perguntou ao Doutor o que o havia trazido ao seu território. Ele expressou esperança de que fosse apenas uma visita amigável e que nenhum infortúnio tivesse acontecido ao seu amigo, mas observou que a aparência preocupada do Doutor sugeria o contrário.

En Von Harben respondeu que também desejava que sua visita fosse apenas social, mas na verdade ele tinha vindo pedir a ajuda de Tarzan, pois estava enfrentando o que temia ser um problema muito grave.

En Tarzan perguntou se os árabes haviam novamente descido para capturar escravos ou roubar marfim, ou se os homens-leopardo estavam emboscando seu povo nos caminhos da selva após o anoitecer.

En O visitante esclareceu que seu propósito não era nenhum dos sugeridos; ele viera por um assunto pessoal relativo a seu filho, Erich, a quem Tarzan nunca havia conhecido.

En Tarzan respondeu que seu hóspede e seus homens deveriam acampar ali, pois pareciam cansados e com fome. Ele ofereceu sua refeição noturna, sugerindo que durante o jantar o visitante poderia explicar como Tarzan poderia ajudá-lo.

En Enquanto os Waziri ajudavam os homens de von Harben a montar o acampamento, Tarzan e o doutor sentaram-se de pernas cruzadas no chão, comendo a refeição simples preparada pelo cozinheiro de Tarzan.

En Percebendo que seu hóspede estava preocupado com o assunto que o trouxera, Tarzan o incentivou a continuar sua história sem esperar o fim da refeição.

En Von Harben começou explicando que desejava anteceder seu verdadeiro propósito com alguns antecedentes. Erich, seu único filho, havia se formado com honras quatro anos atrás, aos dezenove anos. Desde então, ele estudara arqueologia e línguas antigas em várias universidades europeias. Seu principal hobby era escalada de montanhas, e ele escalara todos os principais picos alpinos durante as férias de verão.

En Alguns meses antes, um homem o visitara na missão e rapidamente desenvolveu interesse em estudar os vários dialetos bantos falados pelas tribos locais e as vizinhas.

En Enquanto realizava sua pesquisa entre os nativos, ele encontrou a antiga lenda da Tribo Perdida das Montanhas Wiramwazi, que todos conheciam bem. Logo se convenceu, como muitos antes dele, de que a história poderia ter uma base factual e que rastreá-la poderia levar a descendentes de uma das tribos perdidas mencionadas na Bíblia.

En Tarzan disse que conhecia bem a lenda e, por ser tão persistente e os nativos a contarem com tantos detalhes, ele frequentemente pensara em investigá-la ele mesmo. No entanto, até agora, nunca tivera motivo para se aproximar das Montanhas Wiramwazi.

En O médico admitiu que também sentira frequentemente o mesmo desejo. Ele conversara duas vezes com homens da tribo Bagego, que viviam nas encostas das Montanhas Wiramwazi, e ambos garantiram que uma tribo de pessoas brancas vivia nas profundezas da cordilheira. Segundo eles, sua tribo comercializava com essas pessoas há séculos, e eles frequentemente viam membros da Tribo Perdida tanto durante o comércio pacífico quanto durante os ataques bélicos que os montanheses às vezes faziam contra os Bagego.

En Então, quando Erich propôs uma expedição aos Wiramwazi, o médico o encorajou, pois ele era adequado para a aventura. Seu conhecimento do banto e sua experiência intensiva, embora breve, com os nativos lhe deram vantagens que poucos estudiosos com educação equivalente teriam, e sua considerável habilidade como alpinista, o médico achava, seria útil em tal expedição.

En O orador considerou o homem perfeitamente adequado para comandar a expedição. Sua única decepção foi não poder acompanhá-lo, pois isso não era viável na época. Ele ajudou o homem a organizar seu safári, prestando assistência com equipamentos e suprimentos.

En A expedição não tinha estado ausente tempo suficiente para qualquer exploração significativa e retorno. No entanto, alguns membros de seu safári teriam voltado para suas aldeias. Quando o orador tentou interrogá-los, eles o evitaram. Rumores chegaram até ele que o convenceram de que seu filho estava com problemas. Assim, ele decidiu organizar uma equipe de resgate, mas em todo o seu distrito só conseguiu encontrar alguns homens corajosos o suficiente para acompanhá-lo até as Montanhas Wiramwazi, que as lendas locais diziam ser assombradas por espíritos malignos. Acreditava-se que a Tribo Perdida dos Wiramwazi era um grupo de fantasmas sanguinários. Ele percebeu que os homens que desertaram do safári de Erich haviam espalhado medo por toda a área.

En Dada a situação, ele não teve escolha senão buscar ajuda em outro lugar, e em sua confusão naturalmente recorreu a Tarzan, Senhor da Selva. Ele concluiu que sua presença ali estava agora explicada.

En Assim que o outro homem terminou de falar, Tarzan afirmou que ajudaria o Doutor.

En Von Harben expressou sua satisfação, dizendo que esperava a decisão de Tarzan. Estimou que Tarzan tinha cerca de vinte homens e ele próprio tinha catorze. Propôs que seus próprios homens servissem como carregadores enquanto os guerreiros de Tarzan, conhecidos como os melhores lutadores da África, atuassem como askaris (soldados). Com Tarzan os guiando, eles poderiam encontrar rapidamente a trilha. Apesar do pequeno tamanho de sua força combinada, eles seriam capazes de ir a qualquer lugar.

En Tarzan recusou a oferta do médico, explicando que iria sozinho. Ele afirmou que viajava mais rapidamente sozinho e que a selva revelava seus segredos apenas a ele na solidão. Sem companheiros, ele poderia reunir mais informações porque o povo da selva o via como um deles e não fugia dele como fariam com outros.

En Von Harben reconheceu que Tarzan sabia o que era melhor, expressando o desejo de se juntar a ele e contribuir, mas aceitando que cumpriria a recusa de Tarzan.

En Tarzan instruiu o médico a voltar para sua missão e esperar ali até receber mais notícias.

En Von Harben perguntou se Tarzan partiria para as Montanhas Wiramwazi pela manhã.

En O homem-macaco respondeu que partiria imediatamente.

En Von Harben objetou, observando que já estava escuro.

En O outro explicou que havia lua cheia e que pretendia aproveitá-la, acrescentando que poderia descansar durante o calor do dia. Ele então chamou Muviro e instruiu-o a voltar para casa com os guerreiros e manter todos os homens de combate Waziri preparados caso precisasse enviar buscá-los.

En Muviro concordou e então perguntou quanto tempo deveriam esperar por uma mensagem antes de partirem para as Montanhas Wiramwazi para procurá-lo.

En Ele disse que levaria Nkima e o enviaria de volta para buscar e guiá-los se precisasse da ajuda deles.

En Muviro confirmou que os homens de combate Waziri estariam prontos, com suas armas à mão dia e noite e tinta de guerra fresca preparada em cada pote.

En Tarzan colocou seu arco e aljava de flechas nas costas. Sobre o ombro esquerdo e sob o braço direito carregava as voltas de sua corda de grama, e a faca de caça de seu pai pendia em seu quadril. Pegando sua lança curta, ele ficou imóvel por um momento, erguendo a cabeça para sentir a brisa. A luz do fogo brincava sobre sua pele bronzeada.

En Ele ficou ali por um momento, todos os sentidos alertas. Então chamou Nkima na língua dos símios, e enquanto o pequeno macaco corria em sua direção, Tarzan se virou sem se despedir e se moveu silenciosamente para a selva. Sua forma ágil, passo silencioso e porte majestoso lembraram von Harben de outra grande criatura da selva, Numa, o leão, rei dos animais.

Capítulo Dois

En ERICH VON HARBEN saiu de sua tenda nas encostas das Montanhas Wiramwazi e viu um acampamento desertado.

En Quando ele acordou pela primeira vez, a calma incomum ao seu redor lhe deu uma sensação de pavor, que só aumentou quando seus repetidos chamados por seu servo, Gabula, ficaram sem resposta.

En Por semanas, enquanto o safari se aproximava do temido Wiramwazi, seus homens estavam desertando em pequenos números. Na noite anterior, apenas alguns poucos assustados permaneciam com ele. Durante a noite, até mesmo esses últimos homens, dominados pela ignorância e superstição, deixaram o medo vencer a lealdade e fugiram dos terrores invisíveis das montanhas, deixando seu mestre sozinho com os espíritos sanguinários dos mortos.

En Uma inspeção rápida do acampamento revelou que os homens haviam levado tudo de von Harben. Todos os seus suprimentos tinham sumido, e seus carregadores de armas haviam fugido com seus rifles e munição, deixando apenas uma única pistola Luger com seu cinto de munição que estava na tenda com ele.

En Erich von Harben tinha experiência suficiente com esses nativos para compreender os processos mentais impulsionados por suas superstições profundamente enraizadas, que os levaram a um comportamento aparentemente desumano e desleal. Assim, ele não os culpou tanto quanto alguém menos familiarizado com eles poderia ter feito.

En Embora soubessem seu destino desde o início, sua coragem havia sido alta na proporção da grande distância dos Wiramwazi. No entanto, à medida que a distância diminuía a cada dia, sua coragem diminuía até que, no limiar de horrores inimagináveis, os últimos vestígios de autocontrole os abandonaram e eles fugiram em pânico.

En O fato de terem levado seus mantimentos, rifles e munição poderia ter parecido o auge da baixeza se von Harben não tivesse percebido que eles realmente acreditavam que não havia esperança para ele e que sua morte imediata era inevitável.

En Ele entendeu que eles haviam raciocinado que seria um desperdício de comida deixá-la para um homem já praticamente morto, especialmente quando precisariam dela para a viagem de volta. Da mesma forma, já que armas mortais eram inúteis contra os fantasmas de Wiramwazi, parecia um luxo sem sentido deixar para trás bons rifles e munição que von Harben não poderia usar contra seus inimigos espirituais.

En Von Harben ficou por um momento, olhando a encosta da montanha em direção à floresta, onde seus homens estavam se apressando para voltar à sua terra natal. Ele considerou a possibilidade de alcançá-los, mas estava longe de ser certo; e mesmo que falhasse, não estaria mais seguro sozinho na selva do que nas encostas do Wiramwazi.

En Ele se virou e olhou para as alturas escarpadas acima. Ele havia viajado um longo caminho para alcançar seu objetivo, que se encontrava em algum lugar além daquela linha do horizonte recortada, e não estava disposto a desistir agora, derrotado. Pensou que um dia ou uma semana naquelas montanhas poderia revelar o segredo da lendária Tribo Perdida; certamente um mês seria suficiente para determinar se a história tinha algum fundamento real. Von Harben acreditava que nesse tempo poderia explorar razoavelmente partes da cordilheira que pudessem abrigar habitação humana e, na melhor das hipóteses, esperava encontrar relíquias como ruínas ou montes funerários. Para um homem de sua formação e inteligência, era impossível imaginar que a Tribo Perdida, se alguma vez existiu, pudesse ser algo mais que uma vaga lembrança em torno de alguns artefatos mofados e ossos em ruínas.

En O jovem rapidamente tomou sua decisão. Ele voltou para sua tenda, arrumou alguns itens essenciais em uma mochila leve, prendeu seu cinto de munição e saiu novamente, voltando seu olhar para cima em direção ao mistério do Wiramwazi.

En Além de sua pistola Luger, von Harben carregava uma faca de caça. Com ela, ele cortou um bastão resistente de uma das pequenas árvores que cresciam esparsamente na encosta da montanha, em preparação para quando ele pudesse precisar de um alpenstock.

En Um riacho de montanha lhe fornecia água pura e fria para beber, e ele mantinha sua pistola engatilhada, na esperança de abater alguma caça pequena para se alimentar. Ele não havia ido muito longe quando uma lebre saiu de seu esconderijo; ela caiu ao estampido da Luger, e von Harben ficou grato por ter passado muito tempo aperfeiçoando sua habilidade com armas de fogo pequenas.

En Ele fez uma fogueira e cozinhou a lebre. Depois acendeu o cachimbo e relaxou, fumando e planejando. Ele não era do tipo que se desanimava com contratempos. Ele decidiu manter a calma e poupar energia para os dias difíceis que viriam.

En Ele escalou o dia todo, escolhendo o caminho mais longo quando parecia mais seguro, usando todo o seu conhecimento de escalada e descansando com frequência. À noite, ele estava no alto do cume mais alto que tinha visto da base. Ele não conseguia adivinhar o que viria pela frente, mas sua experiência lhe dizia que haveria mais cumes e picos.

En Ele havia trazido um cobertor do último acampamento e se enrolou nele no chão. Lá de baixo, os sons da selva chegavam até ele, suavizados pela distância — o latido de chacais e, ao longe, o rugido de um leão.

En Perto do amanhecer, ele foi acordado pelo grito de um leopardo, não da selva abaixo, mas de algum lugar nas encostas próximas da montanha. Ele sabia que esse perigoso caçador noturno era uma ameaça real, talvez a maior que enfrentaria, e lamentou não ter seu rifle pesado.

En Ele não estava com medo, pois sabia que o leopardo provavelmente não o caçava e era improvável que atacasse, mas ainda havia uma chance, então ele fez uma fogueira com lenha seca que havia coletado na noite anterior. O calor foi bem-vindo porque a noite tinha ficado fria, e ele se sentou por um tempo se aquecendo.

En Ele pensou ter ouvido um animal se movendo no escuro além da luz da fogueira, mas não viu olhos brilhantes, e o som não se repetiu. Então ele deve ter adormecido, porque quando acordou já era dia, com apenas cinzas onde o fogo estivera.

En Com frio e fome, sem ter tomado café da manhã, von Harben continuou a escalada. Seus olhos, impulsionados pelo estômago vazio, procuravam constantemente por comida. O terreno apresentava poucas dificuldades para um escalador experiente, e ele até esqueceu a fome na empolgação de imaginar o que a crista adiante poderia revelar.

En É sempre a próxima crista que atrai o explorador adiante. Que novas visões estão logo além? Que mistérios sua conquista revelará? A razão e a experiência diziam a ele que, quando chegasse ao topo, provavelmente veria apenas outra crista a cruzar. No entanto, a esperança permanecia, como uma luz brilhante logo abaixo do horizonte, iluminando seus desejos e transformando sua imaginação em realidades aparentes.

En Embora normalmente calmo e prático, von Harben estava agora intensamente animado ao finalmente escalar a última barreira e ficar no topo da crista. Diante dele se estendia um planalto ondulado salpicado de árvores atrofiadas e varridas pelo vento. Ao longe, ele viu a próxima crista que esperava, mas estava nebulosa e púrpura devido à distância. O que haveria entre elas? Seu pulso acelerou ao pensar em desfiladeiros e vales desconhecidos, território virgem para um explorador.

En Ansiosamente, esquecendo sua fome e solidão, von Harben caminhou para o norte através do planalto. A terra era suavemente ondulada, rochosa, estéril e desinteressante. Depois de percorrer uma milha, ele começou a ter dúvidas, pois se continuasse assim até as colinas distantes, não ofereceria nem interesse nem comida.

En Tarzan começou a se sentir sobrecarregado por seus pensamentos quando notou uma mudança estranha na paisagem à frente. As colinas ao longe pareciam surgir do nada, como se houvesse um vazio entre elas e ele. Sentiu como se estivesse olhando através de um mar interior seco. Então ele parou, sobressaltado. O planalto terminava abruptamente a seus pés, e abaixo jazia um grande abismo semelhante ao famoso desfiladeiro do Colorado.

En Este desfiladeiro, no entanto, era muito diferente. Suas paredes mostravam claros sinais de erosão, marcadas e desgastadas pela água. Torres, torreões e minaretes esculpidos em granito erguiam-se de baixo, mas permaneciam próximos às paredes. Além deles, ele podia ver o amplo fundo do desfiladeiro, que de sua altura parecia perfeitamente plano. A visão o manteve em estado de admiração enquanto ele absorvia lentamente toda a cena.

En O fundo do desfiladeiro ficava cerca de um quilômetro e meio abaixo dele. A parede distante estava talvez a vinte e quatro a trinta e dois quilômetros ao norte, e o desfiladeiro se estendia muito a leste e oeste. Ele conseguia ver a parede leste, mas não toda a extensão oeste. O fundo visível parecia se estender por quarenta a quarenta e oito quilômetros de leste a oeste. Abaixo, havia um grande lago ou pântano com cursos d'água sinuosos através de juncos, e uma grande ilha perto da margem norte. Três riachos desaguavam no lago, e ao longe ele viu outra faixa que poderia ser uma estrada. A oeste, o desfiladeiro era densamente arborizado, e entre a floresta e o lago ele viu figuras em movimento que pensou serem animais pastando.

En A visão abaixo encheu o explorador de intenso entusiasmo. Ele sentiu certeza de que ali estava o segredo da Tribo Perdida dos Wiramwazi, e agora entendia como a natureza o havia guardado com enormes penhascos de barreira e as superstições do povo ignorante nas encostas externas.

En Até onde ele podia ver, os penhascos pareciam verticais e impossíveis de descer. No entanto, ele sabia que precisava encontrar um caminho para descer até aquele vale encantador.

En Ele se moveu lentamente ao longo da borda, procurando qualquer possível apoio onde o penhasco pudesse ser menos íngreme. A noite estava caindo, e ele havia feito pouco progresso antes de começar a duvidar que o desfiladeiro pudesse ser descido em qualquer lugar, exceto por penhascos verticais que se elevavam a mil pés acima de qualquer apoio possível.

En Após o pôr do sol, ele descobriu uma fenda estreita na parede de granito. Pedaços quebrados de rocha haviam caído nela, preenchendo parcialmente a abertura, de modo que perto do topo parecia possível descer um pouco abaixo da borda do penhasco. No entanto, na escuridão crescente, ele não conseguia ver até onde esse caminho áspero e perigoso continuava descendo.

En Ele observou que abaixo dele os penhascos formavam saliências em terraço a mil pés de sua posição. Ele raciocinou que, se a fenda estreita continuasse até o próximo nível, a descida restante apresentaria menos desafios, porque a formação rochosa estava mais fraturada na base do primeiro declive íngreme, potencialmente fornecendo rotas que um escalador experiente poderia usar.

En Com fome e frio, ele se sentou sob o céu escurecendo, olhando para o vazio negro. À medida que a escuridão aumentava, ele notou uma luz lá embaixo, depois outra, e outra. Sua excitação cresceu porque ele percebeu que elas indicavam presença humana. Através do lago pantanoso ele viu muitas fogueiras, e inúmeras luzes agrupadas onde ele acreditava que uma ilha estava localizada.

En Ele se perguntava que tipo de pessoas estavam cuidando daquelas fogueiras. Seriam amigáveis ou hostis? Eram apenas mais uma tribo africana, ou poderia a antiga lenda ser verdadeira — que bem abaixo dele, homens brancos da Tribo Perdida estavam cozinhando suas refeições noturnas sobre aquelas chamas misteriosas e sedutoras?

En Von Harben ouviu atentamente, esforçando-se para identificar um som fraco das profundezas escuras abaixo. Ele tinha certeza de que não estava enganado; eram as vozes de homens.

En Do vale veio o grito de uma fera e um rugido que subiu como um trovão distante. Embalado por esses sons, von Harben finalmente cedeu ao cansaço, encontrando alívio temporário do frio e da fome no sono.

En Ao amanhecer, ele juntou lenha das árvores atrofiadas e fez uma fogueira para se aquecer. Não tinha comida e, desde que chegara ao topo no dia anterior, não vira nenhuma criatura viva, exceto a caça muito abaixo nos prados verdes do desfiladeiro.

En Ele sabia que precisava de comida em breve, e ela estava a apenas uma milha de distância. Se tentasse contornar o desfiladeiro para encontrar uma descida mais fácil, talvez não encontrasse nenhuma por cem milhas ou mais. Poderia voltar e alcançar a base das encostas externas, onde a caça era abundante, mas não tinha intenção de recuar; o pensamento de fracasso nunca realmente ultrapassou o limiar de sua mente consciente.

En Depois de se aquecer junto ao fogo, ele examinou a fissura à luz plena do dia. Da borda, ele podia ver que ela se estendia para baixo por várias centenas de pés, depois desaparecia. No entanto, ele não tinha certeza de que terminava, pois não era uma fenda vertical, mas inclinada ligeiramente da perpendicular.

En Do seu ponto de observação, ele podia ver que algumas partes da fenda poderiam permitir a descida, embora subir de volta fosse extremamente desafiador. Ele percebeu que, se chegasse ao fundo e não encontrasse caminho para prosseguir, ficaria preso com pouca chance de escapar.

En Apesar de se sentir tão forte quanto sempre, ele entendia plenamente que a realidade era diferente: sua força estava diminuindo, e diminuiria ainda mais rápido quanto mais ele se esforçasse na descida extenuante do penhasco, sem chance de recuperar energia comendo.

En Mesmo para o jovem, confiante e entusiasmado Erich von Harben, seu próximo passo parecia quase suicida. Para qualquer outra pessoa, a mera ideia de descer aqueles penhascos imponentes teria sido loucura, mas von Harben sempre encontrara um caminho em outras montanhas. Com essa pequena esperança, ele se preparou para descer ao desconhecido. Assim que começou a se abaixar sobre a borda da fenda, ouviu passos atrás de si. Ele girou e sacou sua Luger.

Capítulo Três

En O pequeno Nkima correu pelas copas das árvores, tagarelando animadamente, e caiu sobre o joelho de Tarzan dos Macacos. Tarzan estava esticado em um enorme galho de uma árvore gigante da selva, com as costas apoiadas no tronco áspero, descansando após ter matado e comido.

En Nkima gritou que pessoas estavam vindo, berrando a palavra para "homens negros" e repetindo que eles estavam se aproximando.

En Tarzan disse à pessoa para ficar quieta, dizendo que ela era mais irritante do que todos os Gomangani na selva.

En O macaco gritou que eles matariam o pequeno Nkima, explicando que aqueles eram Gomangani estranhos e não havia Tarmangani entre eles.

En Tarzan comentou que Nkima achava que tudo queria matá-lo, mas ele tinha vivido muitos anos e ainda estava vivo.

En O macaco lamentou que Sabor, Shetta, Numa, os Gomangani e Histah, a cobra, todos tinham desejo de comer o pobre pequeno Nkima, e era por isso que ele estava com medo.

En O homem-macaco disse a Nkima para não ter medo, prometendo que Tarzan não deixaria ninguém machucá-lo.

En Nkima instou Tarzan a ir ver os Gomangani, insistindo que ele não gostava deles e queria que Tarzan os matasse.

En Tarzan levantou-se lentamente e disse que iria. Ele disse a Nkima que o macaco poderia vir com ele ou ficar escondido nos galhos mais altos.

En O pequeno macaco Nkima se gabou de que não tinha medo e que lutaria contra os Gomangani ao lado de Tarzan. Então ele pulou nas costas do homem-macaco, agarrando-se firmemente ao redor de seu pescoço e espiando nervosamente à frente por cima dos ombros de Tarzan.

En Tarzan moveu-se rápida e silenciosamente pelas árvores em direção ao local onde Nkima havia encontrado os Gomangani. Lá embaixo, ele viu cerca de vinte nativos espalhados pela trilha da selva; alguns carregavam rifles, e todos carregavam mochilas que Tarzan reconheceu como pertencentes ao equipamento de um homem branco.

En O Senhor da Selva chamou por eles. Assustados, os homens pararam e olharam para cima com medo.

En Tarzan se apresentou e disse a eles que não tivessem medo. Ele pulou no meio deles, mas Nkima, o macaco, saltou de seus ombros e subiu bem alto em uma árvore, onde tagarelou com raiva, esquecendo sua ostentação anterior.

En Tarzan perguntou onde estava o mestre deles.

En Os africanos olharam para o chão melancolicamente e permaneceram em silêncio.

En Tarzan insistiu em saber o paradeiro do Bwana, von Harben.

En Um homem alto por perto mexeu-se nervosamente e murmurou que o Bwana estava morto.

En Tarzan perguntou como o homem havia morrido.

En O homem hesitou mais uma vez antes de finalmente explicar que o caçador havia sido morto por um elefante macho que ele havia ferido.

En Tarzan então perguntou onde o corpo estava localizado.

En O homem respondeu que eles não haviam conseguido encontrá-lo.

En O homem-macaco exigiu saber como eles poderiam ter certeza de que foi um elefante macho que o matou se não haviam localizado o corpo.

En Outra pessoa falou, dizendo que não sabia o que havia acontecido. Ele explicou que o homem havia saído do acampamento e não havia retornado.

En O homem alto mencionou que um elefante havia estado por perto, e eles presumiram que ele havia matado o homem.

En Tarzan os acusou de não estarem dizendo a verdade.

En Um terceiro homem disse que contaria a verdade. Ele afirmou que seu líder havia subido as encostas do Wiramwazi, e os espíritos irados dos mortos o haviam agarrado e levado embora.

En Tarzan disse que contaria a verdade. Ele os acusou de abandonar seu mestre e fugir, deixando-o sozinho na floresta.

En Um homem respondeu que eles estavam com medo. Ele explicou que eles tinham avisado a pessoa para não subir as encostas do Wiramwazi e tinham implorado para que ele voltasse, mas ele não quis ouvir, e os espíritos dos mortos o levaram.

En Tarzan perguntou há quanto tempo isso tinha ocorrido.

En O homem respondeu que havia sido há seis, sete ou talvez dez dias, mas ele não conseguia se lembrar exatamente.

En Tarzan então perguntou onde a pessoa estava quando eles o viram pela última vez.

En Os homens descreveram a localização de seu último acampamento nas encostas do Wiramwazi com a maior precisão possível.

En Tarzan ordenou que os nativos retornassem às suas aldeias no país de Urambi, dizendo que saberia onde encontrá-los se necessário e que seriam punidos se seu mestre estivesse morto. Então ele subiu nos galhos da plataforma inferior e desapareceu da vista deles, dirigindo-se para o Wiramwazi, enquanto Nkima gritava e corria pelas árvores para alcançá-lo.

En A partir de sua conversa com os homens que haviam abandonado o safari de von Harben, Tarzan ficou convencido de que o jovem havia sido traiçoeiramente deixado para trás e que provavelmente estava voltando sozinho pela trilha dos desertores.

En Como Tarzan não conhecia Erich von Harben, ele não podia imaginar que o jovem continuaria sozinho para as profundezas desconhecidas do Wiramwazi. Em vez disso, ele supôs que von Harben tomaria o caminho mais seguro e tentaria alcançar seus homens rapidamente. Acreditando nisso, Tarzan seguiu de volta pela trilha do safari, esperando encontrar von Harben a qualquer momento.

En Essa abordagem reduziu muito sua velocidade, mas mesmo assim ele se movia muito mais rápido que os nativos. Ele chegou às encostas do Wiramwazi no terceiro dia após ter falado com os membros restantes do safari de von Harben.

En Foi com grande dificuldade que ele finalmente localizou o local onde von Harben havia sido abandonado por seus homens, porque uma forte chuva e vento haviam apagado a trilha. No final, ele se deparou com a tenda, que havia caído, mas não conseguiu encontrar nenhum vestígio do caminho de von Harben.

En Tarzan não encontrou nenhum vestígio do homem branco ou de seu safári na selva. Ele concluiu que, se von Harben não estava morto, devia ter se aventurado sozinho nos perigos desconhecidos do Wiramwazi, e poderia estar vivo ou morto naquela região misteriosa.

En Tarzan comentou com Nkima que os Tarmangani têm um ditado sobre procurar uma agulha num palheiro quando uma tarefa é inútil. Ele perguntou a Nkima se ele achava que encontrariam sua agulha naquela vasta cordilheira.

En Nkima expressou o desejo de voltar para casa, para o calor, reclamando que o vento estava soprando e que estava mais frio lá em cima. Ele disse que as montanhas não eram lugar para um macaquinho como ele.

En Tarzan afirmou firmemente que eles iriam para lá de qualquer forma.

En O macaco olhou para as alturas ameaçadoras acima e admitiu que estava com medo, observando que tais lugares eram onde Sheeta, a pantera, fazia sua toca.

En Tarzan escalou diagonalmente em direção ao oeste, na esperança de cruzar a trilha de von Harben. Ele se movia na direção oposta à do homem que procurava, mas planejava virar para leste e procurar em uma altitude mais alta se não encontrasse nenhum vestígio no topo. À medida que subia, a encosta tornava-se mais íngreme e acidentada. Perto da extremidade oeste da montanha, ele encontrou uma barreira quase vertical no alto da montanha. Ele seguiu seu caminho precário ao longo da base entre pedras soltas, com arbustos e árvores atrofiadas se estendendo da floresta abaixo até o penhasco.

En Tão absorto estava o homem-macaco na tarefa perigosa de abrir caminho pela encosta da montanha que prestou pouca atenção a qualquer coisa além da trilha e sua busca constante pelo rastro de von Harben. Ele não viu o grupo de guerreiros que o observava do abrigo de árvores bem abaixo na encosta. Nkima, geralmente tão alerta quanto seu mestre, também estava preocupado com os perigos imediatos. O vento soprava e Nkima não gostava. Ele sentia o cheiro do rastro de Sheeta, a pantera, por toda parte e notava a escassez e a natureza atrofiada das árvores ao longo do caminho. Ele observou saliências acima delas de onde Sheeta poderia saltar, tornando o caminho um terror para o pequeno Nkima.

En Eles chegaram a um ponto particularmente precário na encosta da montanha. Um penhasco íngreme se erguia acima deles à direita, e à esquerda a encosta caía tão abruptamente que Tarzan pressionou o corpo contra a face de granito enquanto procurava apoio na saliência de entulho solto. Pouco adiante, o penhasco se projetava audaciosamente contra o céu distante. Talvez além daquela curva nítida o caminho fosse melhor. Se fosse pior, Tarzan percebeu que teria que voltar.

En Na curva, onde o apoio era mais estreito, uma pedra cedeu sob o pé de Tarzan, fazendo-o perder o equilíbrio por um instante. Naquele mesmo momento, Nkima, pensando que Tarzan estava caindo, gritou e saltou de seu ombro, dando ao corpo do homem-macaco o impulso extra necessário para desequilibrá-lo completamente.

En A encosta abaixo era íngreme, embora não vertical. Se Nkima não tivesse empurrado o homem-macaco para fora, ele provavelmente teria deslizado apenas uma curta distância antes de parar a queda. Mas, como foi, ele mergulhou de cabeça para baixo no barranco, rolando e caindo sobre rochas soltas até que seu corpo foi parado por uma das muitas árvores atrofiadas que se agarravam tenazmente à encosta varrida pelo vento.

En Nkima, aterrorizado, correu para o lado de seu mestre. Ele guinchava e puxava desesperadamente, tentando acordar Tarzan, mas o homem-macaco permaneceu imóvel. Um fino fio de sangue escorria de um corte em sua têmpora e se misturava com seu cabelo preto.

En Enquanto Nkima sofria, os guerreiros que estavam observando de baixo escalaram rapidamente a encosta da montanha em direção a ele e seu mestre inconsciente.

Capítulo Quatro

En Erich von Harben virou-se para encarar o som de alguém se aproximando por trás. Ele viu um homem negro carregando um rifle vindo em sua direção.

En Erich von Harben exclamou o nome de Gabula e baixou sua arma, perguntando o que ele estava fazendo ali.

En O guerreiro explicou que não podia abandonar seu mestre. Ele disse que não podia deixá-lo morrer sozinho nas mãos dos espíritos que habitavam aquelas montanhas.

En Von Harben olhou para Gabula com incredulidade. Ele perguntou a Gabula se, dada essa crença, ele não tinha medo de que eles também o matassem.

En Gabula respondeu que esperava morrer. Ele afirmou que não conseguia entender por que Von Harben não havia sido morto nas noites anteriores, e que ambos certamente seriam mortos naquela noite.

En Von Harben perguntou por que Gabula o havia seguido, apesar do perigo.

En Gabula respondeu que Von Harben e seu pai haviam sido bondosos com ele. Ele explicou que quando os outros falavam, eles o enchiam de medo, e ele havia fugido com eles, mas havia retornado porque sentia que não havia outra escolha.

En Von Harben concordou, dizendo que para ambos não havia alternativa, dada a perspectiva deles, mas outros viam de forma diferente e escolheram um curso de ação diferente.

En O homem afirmou orgulhosamente que Gabula era diferente dos outros; Gabula era um Batoro.

En Von Harben disse a Gabula que ele era um guerreiro corajoso. Ele próprio não acreditava em espíritos e, portanto, não tinha motivo para ter medo, mas como Gabula e seu povo acreditavam neles, foi realmente corajoso da parte de Gabula voltar. Von Harben disse que não o reteria e que Gabula poderia retornar com os outros.

En Gabula exclamou ansiosamente, perguntando se o Bwana estava voltando. Ele disse que isso seria bom e que voltaria com ele.

En Von Harben respondeu que não ia voltar; em vez disso, ia descer para aquele desfiladeiro, apontando sobre a borda.

En Gabula olhou para baixo, seus olhos arregalados e lábios entreabertos refletindo surpresa e admiração.

En O orador argumentou que, mesmo que alguém conseguisse encontrar um caminho para descer os penhascos íngremes, que não ofereciam apoios para mãos ou pés, seria morto imediatamente ao chegar ao fundo. Ele acreditava que este lugar devia ser a Terra da Tribo Perdida, onde os espíritos dos mortos habitam no coração dos Wiramwazi.

En Von Harben disse a Gabula que ele não precisava acompanhá-lo e instruiu-o a voltar para seu povo.

En O negro exigiu saber como von Harben planejava descer até lá.

En Von Harben respondeu que não sabia exatamente como, onde ou quando desceria. Ele pretendia ir o mais longe possível ao longo da fissura e poderia ou não encontrar um caminho para descer a partir dali.

En Gabula perguntou o que aconteceria se não houvesse apoio para os pés além da fissura.

En Ele percebeu que precisaria garantir um ponto de apoio.

En Gabula balançou a cabeça e questionou como seu mestre escaparia se chegasse ao fundo em segurança e os espíritos se mostrassem inofensivos ou inexistentes.

En Von Harben deu de ombros e sorriu, então estendeu a mão. Ele se despediu de Gabula, reconhecendo sua coragem.

En Gabula recusou o aperto de mão e declarou simplesmente que o acompanharia.

En Von Harben insistiu, salientando que mesmo que sobrevivessem à descida, talvez nunca encontrassem um caminho de volta.

En Ele respondeu afirmativamente.

En Von Harben expressou confusão com a insistência de Gabula em acompanhá-lo, apesar de estar com medo e ter permissão para voltar à sua aldeia.

En Gabula afirmou que, como Batoro, havia jurado servir von Harben.

En Von Harben expressou gratidão pela lealdade de Gabula, observando que precisaria de ajuda para descer o desfiladeiro a fim de evitar a fome.

En Gabula havia trazido comida, incluindo chocolate e rações concentradas de emergência, porque antecipou a fome de von Harben.

En Para o faminto von Harben, a comida foi um alívio bem-vindo. Depois de satisfazer sua fome, ele se sentiu mais forte e mais esperançoso. Com o coração leve, ele começou a descer no desfiladeiro.

En Os ancestrais de Gabula viveram na selva por gerações, e o desfiladeiro profundo o aterrorizava. No entanto, por causa de sua lealdade e orgulho, ele seguiu von Harben sem demonstrar seu medo.

En A descida pela fenda foi mais fácil do que o esperado. As rochas espalhadas forneciam boa sustentação, e eles só precisaram de ajuda em alguns lugares. Von Harben ficou grato pelo retorno de Gabula.

En Quando chegaram ao fundo da fenda, estavam nivelados com a face do penhasco, centenas de metros abaixo da borda. Von Harben estava ansioso em relação a esse ponto, incerto sobre o que viria adiante.

En Von Harben rastejou até a borda e viu uma queda de cem pés até o próximo terraço. Seu coração afundou. Voltar pelo caminho que vieram parecia impossível, já que algumas seções haviam sido muito difíceis de descer e provavelmente impossíveis de subir de volta.

En Como não podiam subir e morreriam de fome onde estavam, eles tinham apenas uma escolha. Von Harben deitou-se de barriga na borda da fenda. Ele disse a Gabula para segurar seus tornozelos firmemente, então rastejou para frente até conseguir ver a face do penhasco até o próximo terraço.

En A uma curta distância de onde ele estava deitado, ele viu que a fenda se abria novamente em direção à base do penhasco. O bloqueio onde estavam foi causado por um grande pedaço de rocha que ficou preso firmemente entre os lados, bloqueando-a completamente.

En A fenda havia se estreitado muito desde que entraram pelo topo. Diretamente abaixo da rocha onde ele estava, tinha apenas dois ou três pés de largura, e manteve essa largura pelos cem pés restantes até o chão mais plano abaixo.

En Ele sabia que se ele e Gabula conseguissem entrar naquela fenda, poderiam usar seus lados para descerem com segurança. Mas ele se perguntava como, com o que tinham, poderiam escalar a rocha bloqueadora e voltar para a fenda alguns pés mais abaixo.

En Von Harben baixou seu bastão de caminhada sobre a borda da rocha. Quando ele esticou os braços completamente, a ponta do bastão estava muito abaixo do nível da rocha em que estava deitado. Ele pensou que uma pessoa pendurada no bastão poderia balançar para dentro da fenda, mas isso exigiria habilidades acrobáticas muito além do que ele ou Gabula poderiam fazer.

En Von Harben suspirou depois de examinar a fenda; ele percebeu que uma corda teria sido útil, mas não tinham nenhuma. Ele concluiu que precisava encontrar outro caminho, mas não fazia ideia por onde começar.

En Gabula se agachou de volta na fenda, aterrorizado com as implicações da exploração de von Harben. O simples pensamento de olhar para fora da borda o deixava frio e paralisado, e a ideia de seguir von Harben para fora da borda o fazia tremer. No entanto, se von Harben tivesse ido, Gabula o teria seguido.

En O homem branco ficou sentado pensativo por muito tempo, examinando repetidamente cada detalhe da fenda à sua vista. Seu olhar voltava constantemente ao grande fragmento preso entre as paredes no qual estavam sentados. Ele sentiu que, se pudessem removê-lo, poderiam prosseguir sem impedimentos para o próximo terraço, mas sabia que apenas dinamite poderia mover a pesada laje. Atrás dela havia pedras soltas, e ao olhar para elas novamente, uma possibilidade lhe ocorreu.

En Ele chamou Gabula, pedindo ajuda para jogar algumas pedras para fora, explicando que esta parecia ser sua única chance de escapar da armadilha em que os havia metido.

En Gabula concordou e começou a trabalhar ao lado de von Harben, embora não entendesse por que estavam pegando pedras pesadas e empurrando-as para fora da borda da rocha plana que bloqueava a fenda.

En Ele ouviu os estrondos pesados quando as pedras atingiram o chão abaixo. Isso o fascinou tanto que ele trabalhou energicamente para deslocar pedras maiores, simplesmente pelo prazer adicional dos barulhos altos que elas faziam ao impactar.

En Von Harben observou que parecia que eles poderiam ter sucesso, mas advertiu que, ao remover essas pedras, poderiam fazer com que outras acima deslizassem, potencialmente soltando toda a massa acima. Nesse caso, o mistério da Tribo Perdida não os preocuparia mais.

En Gabula concordou e, levantando uma pedra excepcionalmente grande, começou a rolá-la em direção à borda da fissura. De repente, ele apontou e gritou, direcionando a atenção deles para o local onde a pedra havia estado.

En Von Harben olhou e viu uma abertura do tamanho da cabeça de um homem que levava para a fissura abaixo.

En O homem branco chamou Gabula, dizendo-lhe para agradecer a Nsenene, o gafanhoto, se esse fosse o totem de seu clã, pois este buraco era verdadeiramente um caminho para a segurança.

En Os dois homens trabalharam apressadamente para ampliar o buraco, removendo outros fragmentos que há muito estavam encaixados para selar a fissura. Enquanto os pedaços caíam com barulho sobre as rochas abaixo, um guerreiro alto e ereto, em pé na proa de uma canoa escavada no lago pantanoso muito abaixo, olhou para cima e chamou a atenção de seus companheiros.

En Eles podiam ouvir claramente as reverberações dos fragmentos caindo batendo nas rochas na base da fissura e, sendo de olhos aguçados, podiam ver muitos dos pedaços maiores que von Harben e Gabula jogavam para baixo.

En O guerreiro declarou que o grande muro estava caindo.

En Outro respondeu que eram apenas alguns seixos, nada significativo.

En O primeiro orador insistiu que tais eventos só ocorrem após chuvas, e que era exatamente assim que a profecia dizia que o grande muro cairia.

En Outro sugeriu que talvez um demônio vivesse na grande fissura na parede, e instou que se apressassem para informar seus mestres.

En O primeiro falante propôs que esperassem e observassem até terem algo substancial para relatar. Ele argumentou que se fossem aos mestres apenas com a notícia de algumas pedras caídas, seriam ridicularizados.

En Von Harben e Gabula haviam alargado a abertura para que um homem pudesse passar. Através dela, Von Harben podia ver as paredes ásperas da fissura se estendendo até o próximo terraço, e percebeu que a próxima parte da descida estava essencialmente completa.

En Von Harben instruiu Gabula de que desceriam um de cada vez, e que ele iria primeiro por ser experiente em tal escalada. Disse a Gabula para observar atentamente e imitar seus movimentos. Assegurou a Gabula que era fácil e seguro, aconselhando-o a manter as costas contra uma parede e os pés contra a outra. Avisou que as paredes ásperas poderiam raspar a pele, mas que desceriam em segurança se prosseguissem devagar.

En Gabula concordou, dizendo a Von Harben para ir primeiro. Ele expressou que, ao observar Von Harben, poderia ser capaz de realizar a descida sozinho.

En Von Harben desceu pela abertura, apoiando-se nas paredes da fenda, e iniciou uma descida lenta. Após alguns minutos, Gabula viu seu mestre em segurança no fundo. Embora extremamente nervoso, Gabula seguiu sem demora. Quando finalmente alcançou von Harben, soltou um suspiro de alívio tão alto que von Harben riu alto.

En Quando von Harben saiu da fenda, o guerreiro no barco exclamou que o próprio demônio havia aparecido.

En De seu barco, escondido por altos papiros, os observadores mal podiam ver o terraço na base da fenda. Eles observaram von Harben sair e, pouco depois, Gabula apareceu.

En Um dos homens disse que eles deveriam se apressar para informar seus líderes.

En O primeiro orador discordou. Ele disse que, embora os estranhos pudessem ser demônios, eles pareciam homens, então deveriam esperar para descobrir quem eram e por que tinham vindo antes de partir.

En A descida a partir da base da fenda não foi muito difícil nos primeiros trezentos metros. Eles seguiram uma encosta íngreme e irregular em direção ao leste, descendo até o fundo do desfiladeiro. Frequentemente, grandes massas de granito desgastado pelo tempo bloqueavam a vista do lago e do desfiladeiro, dificultando a localização de um caminho. Normalmente, a rota mais fácil ficava entre esses enormes fragmentos de rocha. Quando o vale estava escondido deles, eles também ficavam escondidos dos observadores no lago.

En Cerca de um terço do caminho descendo a escarpa, von Harben chegou à borda de um desfiladeiro estreito. Seu fundo era coberto por uma vegetação espessa, indicando abundância de água. Ele liderou a descida até o desfiladeiro, onde encontraram uma nascente com um pequeno riacho que descia. Eles beberam e descansaram ali. Em seguida, seguindo o riacho para baixo, não encontraram obstáculos difíceis de superar.

En Por muito tempo, as paredes do desfiladeiro estreito e a floresta densa ao longo do riacho bloquearam a vista do lago e do fundo do desfiladeiro. Eventualmente, o desfiladeiro se abriu para as encostas mais baixas, e von Harben parou para admirar a paisagem. Logo abaixo, outro riacho se juntava ao que eles haviam seguido, formando um pequeno rio que descia abruptamente em direção a prados verdes e vivos. O rio serpenteava pelos prados até um grande pântano que se estendia pelo vale por cerca de dezesseis quilômetros.

En O lago estava tão coberto por uma planta aquática plumosa que von Harben só podia adivinhar seu tamanho. O verde da planta se misturava com o verde dos prados ao redor. No entanto, ele ocasionalmente via manchas de água aberta que pareciam caminhos sinuosos ou passagens levando em todas as direções através do pântano.

En Enquanto von Harben e Gabula estavam olhando para este novo e misterioso mundo, os guerreiros na canoa os observavam atentamente. Os estranhos ainda estavam muito longe para serem identificados, mas seu líder assegurou aos homens que aqueles dois não eram demônios.

En Um dos homens exigiu saber como ele poderia ter certeza de que eles não eram demônios.

En O outro homem respondeu que podia ver que eles eram homens.

En O duvidoso insistiu que os demônios eram extremamente sábios e poderosos, e podiam assumir qualquer forma que escolhessem, aparecendo como pássaros, animais ou homens.

En O líder retrucou que os demônios não eram tolos. Se um demônio desejasse descer a grande muralha, não escolheria o caminho mais difícil; em vez disso, assumiria a forma de um pássaro e voaria para baixo.

En O outro homem coçou a cabeça confuso, percebendo que o argumento era difícil de refutar. Incapaz de pensar em uma resposta melhor, sugeriu que fossem imediatamente e relatassem o assunto aos seus mestres.

En O líder recusou, explicando que eles esperariam até que os outros se aproximassem mais. Ele observou que capturá-los e apresentá-los aos seus mestres seria vantajoso.

En Os primeiros passos de von Harben no prado gramado mostraram que era um pântano traiçoeiro, e eles só escaparam com grande esforço.

En Depois de lutar para voltar ao chão firme, von Harben procurou outra rota para terra firme no desfiladeiro. No entanto, ele descobriu que, em ambos os lados do rio, o pântano alcançava a base do terraço mais baixo do penhasco. Embora esses terraços fossem mais baixos do que os penhascos imponentes acima, eles permaneciam obstáculos intransponíveis.

En Era possível que subir de volta pelo desfiladeiro pudesse levar a um caminho para um terreno mais firme no oeste, mas ele não tinha certeza. Como tanto ele quanto Gabula estavam quase exaustos da descida, ele optou por procurar uma rota mais fácil para a margem do lago, se disponível.

En Ele observou que, embora o rio não fosse rápido aqui, a corrente era forte o suficiente para indicar que o fundo poderia estar livre de lama. Se a água não fosse muito profunda, eles poderiam usar o rio como um caminho para o lago.

En Para testar se seu plano funcionaria, ele se abaixou na água, segurando uma extremidade de seu alpenstock enquanto Gabula segurava a outra. Ele descobriu que a água chegava à sua cintura e o fundo era firme e sólido.

En Ele disse a Gabula para segui-lo, acrescentando que acreditava que esse caminho levava ao lago.

En Enquanto Gabula entrava na água atrás de seu mestre, a canoa com os guerreiros se movia silenciosamente entre os papiros, impulsionada por remos silenciosos, acelerando em direção à foz do riacho onde desaguava no lago.

En Enquanto von Harben e Gabula desciam o riacho, viram que a água não ficava muito mais profunda. Algumas vezes caíram em buracos mais fundos e tiveram que nadar, mas em outros lugares a água ficava rasa, chegando apenas aos joelhos. Dessa forma, chegaram ao lago, onde altas plantas de papiro, de doze a quinze pés de altura, bloqueavam sua visão.

En Von Harben disse que parecia não haver terra firme ao longo da margem, mas as raízes do papiro os sustentariam. Ele estava confiante de que, se conseguissem chegar ao extremo oeste do lago, encontrariam solo firme, pois tinha certeza de ter visto terras mais altas ali enquanto descia o penhasco.

En Eles avançaram cautelosamente até alcançarem o primeiro aglomerado de papiros. Quando von Harben estava prestes a subir nas raízes firmes, uma canoa surgiu de repente por trás da vegetação flutuante, e os dois homens se viram diante de uma embarcação cheia de guerreiros, todos com as armas apontadas para eles.

Chapter One

Português

Nkima, o macaco de Tarzan, dançava descontroladamente no ombro nu e moreno de seu mestre. Ele tagarelava e reclamava, olhando interrogativamente para o rosto de Tarzan, e então fitava a selva.

Original English

NKIMA danced excitedly upon the naked, brown shoulder of his master. He chattered and scolded, now looking up inquiringly into Tarzan's face and then off into the jungle.

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Português

Muviro, o subchefe dos Waziri, informou a Tarzan que algo estava se aproximando. Ele explicou que Nkima o havia detectado.

Original English

"Something is coming, Bwana,"said Muviro, sub-chief of the Waziri."Nkima has heard it."

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Português

Tarzan, o homem-macaco, reconheceu que também o ouvira.

Original English

"And Tarzan,"said the ape-man.

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Português

Muviro comentou que a audição do grande Bwana era tão aguçada quanto a de Bara, o antílope.

Original English

"The big Bwana's ears are as keen as the ears of Bara the antelope,"said Muviro.

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Português

Tarzan respondeu com um sorriso que, se seus ouvidos não fossem tão apurados, ele não estaria vivo. Ele explicou que nunca teria chegado à idade adulta sem sua mãe Kala, que lhe ensinara a usar todos os sentidos que Mulungu lhe dera.

Original English

"Had they not been, Tarzan would not be here today,"replied the ape-man, with a smile."He would not have grown to manhood had not Kala, his mother, taught him to use all of the senses that Mulungu gave him."

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Português

Muviro perguntou o que estava se aproximando.

Original English

"What comes?"asked Muviro.

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que um grupo de homens estava vindo.

Original English

"A party of men,"replied Tarzan.

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Português

O africano especulou que os homens poderiam ser hostis e perguntou se deveria alertar os guerreiros.

Original English

"Perhaps they are not friendly,"suggested the African."Shall I warn the warriors?"

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Português

Tarzan examinou o pequeno acampamento onde aproximadamente vinte de seus guerreiros estavam ocupados com sua refeição noturna. De acordo com a tradição waziri, suas armas estavam arrumadas e ao alcance.

Original English

Tarzan glanced about the little camp where a score of his fighting men were busy preparing their evening meal and saw that, as was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were in order and at hand.

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Português

Tarzan recusou, afirmando que o aviso era provavelmente desnecessário. Ele observou que o grupo que se aproximava não se movia com a furtividade de inimigos, nem seus números eram significativos o suficiente para causar preocupação.

Original English

"No,"he said."It will, I believe, be unnecessary, as these people who are approaching do not come stealthily as enemies would, nor are their numbers so great as to cause us any apprehension."

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Português

Nkima, que era naturalmente pessimista, antecipou o pior resultado à medida que o grupo se aproximava, e sua agitação aumentou. Ele pulou do ombro de Tarzan, saltou freneticamente, depois voltou para Tarzan, agarrou seu braço e tentou puxá-lo para cima.

Original English

But Nkima, a born pessimist, expected only the worst, and as the approaching party came nearer his excitement increased. He leaped from Tarzan's shoulder to the ground, jumped up and down several times and then, springing back to Tarzan's side, seized his arm and attempted to drag him to his feet.

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Português

Na língua dos macacos, ele gritou para correr, avisando que estranhos Gomangani estavam se aproximando e iriam matá-lo.

Original English

"Run, run!"he cried, in the language of the apes."Strange Gomangani are coming. They will kill little Nkima."

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Português

O homem-macaco disse a Nkima para não ter medo, assegurando-lhe que Tarzan e Muviro o protegeriam do perigo.

Original English

"Do not be afraid, Nkima,"said the ape-man."Tarzan and Muviro will not let the strangers hurt you."

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Português

Nkima tagarelou que sentia o cheiro de um estranho Tarmangani no grupo, e que os Tarmangani eram piores que os Gomangani porque carregavam armas e matavam tudo — seus irmãos, os Mangani, os Gomangani. Ele expressou seu medo e desgosto pelos Tarmangani.

Original English

"I smell a strange Tarmangani,"chattered Nkima."There is a Tarmangani with them. The Tarmangani are worse than the Gomangani. They come with thundersticks and kill little Nkima and all his brothers and sisters. They kill the Mangani. They kill the Gomangani. They kill everything with their thundersticks. Nkima does not like the Tarmangani. Nkima is afraid."

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Português

Para Nkima e as outras criaturas da selva, Tarzan não era um Tarmangani ou um homem branco; ele pertencia à selva e era um deles. Se eles o consideravam algo diferente de simplesmente Tarzan, era como um Mangani, um grande macaco.

Original English

To Nkima, as to the other denizens of the jungle, Tarzan was no Tarmangani, no white man. He was of the jungle. He was one of them, and if they thought of him as being anything other than just Tarzan it was as a Mangani, a great ape, that they classified him.

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Português

O som dos estranhos que se aproximavam agora era fácil de ouvir para todos no acampamento. Os guerreiros Waziri olharam em direção à selva de onde vinha o barulho, depois olharam para Tarzan e Muviro. No entanto, vendo que seus líderes estavam calmos, continuaram a cozinhar sem preocupação.

Original English

The advance of the strangers was now plainly audible to everyone in the camp. The Waziri warriors glanced into the jungle in the direction from which the sounds were coming and then back to Tarzan and Muviro, but when they saw that their leaders were not concerned they went quietly on with their cooking.

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Português

O primeiro membro do grupo a ser visto perto do acampamento foi um guerreiro alto. Ele parou quando notou os Waziri, e um momento depois, um homem branco de barba parou ao lado dele.

Original English

A tall Negro warrior was the first of the party to come within sight of the camp. When he saw the Waziri he halted and an instant later a bearded white man stopped beside him.

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Português

O homem branco examinou o acampamento por um momento, depois avançou, fazendo um sinal de paz. Cerca de uma dúzia de guerreiros saíram da selva atrás dele. A maioria eram carregadores; apenas três ou quatro carregavam rifles.

Original English

For an instant the white man surveyed the camp and then he came forward, making the sign of peace. Out of the jungle a dozen or more warriors followed him. Most of them were porters, there being but three or four rifles in evidence.

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Português

Tarzan e os Waziri entenderam imediatamente que o grupo era pequeno e não representava ameaça. Até Nkima, que havia se refugiado em uma árvore próxima por segurança, mostrou seu desdém correndo de volta sem medo e subindo no ombro de seu mestre.

Original English

Tarzan and the Waziri realized at once that it was a small and harmless party, and even Nkima, who had retreated to the safety of a near-by tree, showed his contempt by scampering fearlessly back to climb to the shoulder of his master.

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Português

Quando o estranho barbudo se aproximou, Tarzan exclamou que era o Doutor von Harben, acrescentando que quase não o havia reconhecido a princípio.

Original English

"Doctor von Harben!"exclaimed Tarzan, as the bearded stranger approached."I scarcely recognized you at first."

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Português

Von Harben estendeu a mão e disse a Tarzan que a sorte estava do seu lado, pois ele havia encontrado Tarzan dois dias antes do que esperava durante sua jornada para visitá-lo.

Original English

"God has been kind to me, Tarzan of the Apes,"said von Harben, extending his hand."I was on my way to see you and I have found you a full two days march sooner than I expected."

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Português

Tarzan explicou que estavam caçando um predador que vinha matando o gado deles. Ele havia entrado no cercado várias noites recentemente e abatido os melhores animais. Tarzan admitiu que a fera era extremamente astuta, talvez um leão velho, por ter escapado de Tarzan por tanto tempo.

Original English

"We are after a cattle-killer,"explained Tarzan."He has come into our kraal several nights of late and killed some of our best cattle, but he is very cunning. I think he must be an old lion to outwit Tarzan for so long.

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Português

Tarzan perguntou ao Doutor o que o havia trazido ao seu território. Ele expressou esperança de que fosse apenas uma visita amigável e que nenhum infortúnio tivesse acontecido ao seu amigo, mas observou que a aparência preocupada do Doutor sugeria o contrário.

Original English

"But what brings you into Tarzan's country, Doctor? I hope it is only a neighborly visit and that no trouble has come to my good friend, though your appearance belies my hope."

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Português

Von Harben respondeu que também desejava que sua visita fosse apenas social, mas na verdade ele tinha vindo pedir a ajuda de Tarzan, pois estava enfrentando o que temia ser um problema muito grave.

Original English

"I, too, wish that it were nothing more than a friendly call,"said von Harben,"but as a matter of fact I am here to seek your help because I am in trouble--very serious trouble, I fear."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou se os árabes haviam novamente descido para capturar escravos ou roubar marfim, ou se os homens-leopardo estavam emboscando seu povo nos caminhos da selva após o anoitecer.

Original English

"Do not tell me that the Arabs have come down again to take slaves or to steal ivory, or is it that the leopard men are waylaying your people upon the jungle trails at night?"

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Português

O visitante esclareceu que seu propósito não era nenhum dos sugeridos; ele viera por um assunto pessoal relativo a seu filho, Erich, a quem Tarzan nunca havia conhecido.

Original English

"No, it is neither the one nor the other. I have come to see you upon a more personal matter. It is about my son, Erich. You have never met him."

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Português

Tarzan respondeu que seu hóspede e seus homens deveriam acampar ali, pois pareciam cansados e com fome. Ele ofereceu sua refeição noturna, sugerindo que durante o jantar o visitante poderia explicar como Tarzan poderia ajudá-lo.

Original English

"No,"said Tarzan;"but you are tired and hungry. Let your men make camp here. My evening meal is ready; while you and I eat you shall tell me how Tarzan may serve you."

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Português

Enquanto os Waziri ajudavam os homens de von Harben a montar o acampamento, Tarzan e o doutor sentaram-se de pernas cruzadas no chão, comendo a refeição simples preparada pelo cozinheiro de Tarzan.

Original English

As the Waziri, at Tarzan's command, assisted von Harben's men in making their camp, the doctor and the ape-man sat cross-legged upon the ground and ate the rough fare that Tarzan's Waziri cook had prepared.

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Português

Percebendo que seu hóspede estava preocupado com o assunto que o trouxera, Tarzan o incentivou a continuar sua história sem esperar o fim da refeição.

Original English

Tarzan saw that his guest's mind was filled with the trouble that had brought him in search of the ape-man, and so he did not wait until they had finished the meal to reopen the subject, but urged von Harben to continue his story at once.

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Português

Von Harben começou explicando que desejava anteceder seu verdadeiro propósito com alguns antecedentes. Erich, seu único filho, havia se formado com honras quatro anos atrás, aos dezenove anos. Desde então, ele estudara arqueologia e línguas antigas em várias universidades europeias. Seu principal hobby era escalada de montanhas, e ele escalara todos os principais picos alpinos durante as férias de verão.

Original English

"I wish to preface the real object of my visit with a few words of explanation,"commenced von Harben."Erich is my only son. Four years ago, at the age of nineteen, he completed his university course with honors and received his first degree. Since then he has spent the greater part of his time in pursuing his studies in various European universities, where he has specialized in archaeology and the study of dead languages. His one hobby, outside of his chosen field, has been mountain climbing and during succeeding summer vacations he scaled every important Alpine peak.

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Português

Alguns meses antes, um homem o visitara na missão e rapidamente desenvolveu interesse em estudar os vários dialetos bantos falados pelas tribos locais e as vizinhas.

Original English

"A few months ago he came here to visit me at the mission and immediately became interested in the study of the various Bantu dialects that are in use by the several tribes in our district and those adjacent thereto.

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Português

Enquanto realizava sua pesquisa entre os nativos, ele encontrou a antiga lenda da Tribo Perdida das Montanhas Wiramwazi, que todos conheciam bem. Logo se convenceu, como muitos antes dele, de que a história poderia ter uma base factual e que rastreá-la poderia levar a descendentes de uma das tribos perdidas mencionadas na Bíblia.

Original English

"While pursuing his investigation among the natives he ran across that old legend of The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi Mountains, with which we are all so familiar. Immediately his mind became imbued, as have the minds of so many others, with the belief that this fable might have originated in fact and that if he could trace it down he might possibly find descendants of one of the lost tribes of Biblical history."

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Português

Tarzan disse que conhecia bem a lenda e, por ser tão persistente e os nativos a contarem com tantos detalhes, ele frequentemente pensara em investigá-la ele mesmo. No entanto, até agora, nunca tivera motivo para se aproximar das Montanhas Wiramwazi.

Original English

"I know the legend well,"said Tarzan,"and because it is so persistent and the details of its narration by the natives so circumstantial, I have thought that I should like to investigate it myself, but in the past no necessity has arisen to take me close to the Wiramwazi Mountains."

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Português

O médico admitiu que também sentira frequentemente o mesmo desejo. Ele conversara duas vezes com homens da tribo Bagego, que viviam nas encostas das Montanhas Wiramwazi, e ambos garantiram que uma tribo de pessoas brancas vivia nas profundezas da cordilheira. Segundo eles, sua tribo comercializava com essas pessoas há séculos, e eles frequentemente viam membros da Tribo Perdida tanto durante o comércio pacífico quanto durante os ataques bélicos que os montanheses às vezes faziam contra os Bagego.

Original English

"I must confess,"continued the doctor,"that I also have had the same urge many times. I have upon two occasions talked with men of the Bagego tribe that live upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi Mountains and in both instances I have been assured that a tribe of white men dwells somewhere in the depths of that great mountain range. Both of these men told me that their tribe has carried on trade with these people from time immemorial and each assured me that he had often seen members of The Lost Tribe both upon occasions of peaceful trading and during the warlike raids that the mountaineers occasionally launched upon the Bagego.

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Português

Então, quando Erich propôs uma expedição aos Wiramwazi, o médico o encorajou, pois ele era adequado para a aventura. Seu conhecimento do banto e sua experiência intensiva, embora breve, com os nativos lhe deram vantagens que poucos estudiosos com educação equivalente teriam, e sua considerável habilidade como alpinista, o médico achava, seria útil em tal expedição.

Original English

"The result was that when Erich suggested an expedition to the Wiramwazi I rather encouraged him, since he was well fitted to undertake the adventure. His knowledge of Bantu and his intensive, even though brief, experience among the natives gave him an advantage that few scholars otherwise equipped by education to profit by such an expedition would have, while his considerable experience as a mountain climber would, I felt, stand him in good stead during such an adventure.

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Português

O orador considerou o homem perfeitamente adequado para comandar a expedição. Sua única decepção foi não poder acompanhá-lo, pois isso não era viável na época. Ele ajudou o homem a organizar seu safári, prestando assistência com equipamentos e suprimentos.

Original English

"On the whole I felt that he was an ideal man to lead such an expedition, and my only regret was that I could not accompany him, but this was impossible at the time. I assisted him in every way possible in the organization of his safari and in equipping and provisioning it.

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Português

A expedição não tinha estado ausente tempo suficiente para qualquer exploração significativa e retorno. No entanto, alguns membros de seu safári teriam voltado para suas aldeias. Quando o orador tentou interrogá-los, eles o evitaram. Rumores chegaram até ele que o convenceram de que seu filho estava com problemas. Assim, ele decidiu organizar uma equipe de resgate, mas em todo o seu distrito só conseguiu encontrar alguns homens corajosos o suficiente para acompanhá-lo até as Montanhas Wiramwazi, que as lendas locais diziam ser assombradas por espíritos malignos. Acreditava-se que a Tribo Perdida dos Wiramwazi era um grupo de fantasmas sanguinários. Ele percebeu que os homens que desertaram do safári de Erich haviam espalhado medo por toda a área.

Original English

"He has not been gone a sufficient length of time to accomplish any considerable investigation and return to the mission, but recently a few of the members of his safari were reported to me as having returned to their villages. When I sought to interview them they avoided me, but rumors reached me that convinced me that all was not well with my son. I therefore determined to organize a relief expedition, but in all my district I could find only these few men who dared accompany me to the Wiramwazi Mountains, which, their legends assure them, are inhabited by malign spirits--for, as you know, they consider The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi to be a band of bloodthirsty ghosts. It became evident to me that the deserters of Erich's safari had spread terror through the district.

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Português

Dada a situação, ele não teve escolha senão buscar ajuda em outro lugar, e em sua confusão naturalmente recorreu a Tarzan, Senhor da Selva. Ele concluiu que sua presença ali estava agora explicada.

Original English

"Under the circumstances I was compelled to look elsewhere for help and naturally I turned, in my perplexity, to Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. Now you know why I am here."

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Português

Assim que o outro homem terminou de falar, Tarzan afirmou que ajudaria o Doutor.

Original English

"I will help you, Doctor,"said Tarzan, after the other had concluded.

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Português

Von Harben expressou sua satisfação, dizendo que esperava a decisão de Tarzan. Estimou que Tarzan tinha cerca de vinte homens e ele próprio tinha catorze. Propôs que seus próprios homens servissem como carregadores enquanto os guerreiros de Tarzan, conhecidos como os melhores lutadores da África, atuassem como askaris (soldados). Com Tarzan os guiando, eles poderiam encontrar rapidamente a trilha. Apesar do pequeno tamanho de sua força combinada, eles seriam capazes de ir a qualquer lugar.

Original English

"Good!"exclaimed von Harben;"but I knew that you would. You have about twenty men here, I should judge, and I have about fourteen. My men can act as carriers, while yours, who are acknowledged to be the finest fighting men in Africa, can serve as askaris. With you to guide us we can soon pick up the trail and with such a force, small though it be, there is no country that we cannot penetrate."

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Português

Tarzan recusou a oferta do médico, explicando que iria sozinho. Ele afirmou que viajava mais rapidamente sozinho e que a selva revelava seus segredos apenas a ele na solidão. Sem companheiros, ele poderia reunir mais informações porque o povo da selva o via como um deles e não fugia dele como fariam com outros.

Original English

Tarzan shook his head."No, Doctor,"he said,"I shall go alone. That is always my way. Alone I may travel much more rapidly and when I am alone the jungle holds no secrets from me--I shall be able to obtain more information along the way than would be possible were I accompanied by others. You know the jungle people consider me as one of themselves. They do not run away from me as they would from you and other men."

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Português

Von Harben reconheceu que Tarzan sabia o que era melhor, expressando o desejo de se juntar a ele e contribuir, mas aceitando que cumpriria a recusa de Tarzan.

Original English

"You know best,"said von Harben."I should like to accompany you. I should like to feel that I am doing my share, but if you say no I can only abide by your decision."

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Português

Tarzan instruiu o médico a voltar para sua missão e esperar ali até receber mais notícias.

Original English

"Return to your mission, Doctor, and wait there until you hear from me."

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Português

Von Harben perguntou se Tarzan partiria para as Montanhas Wiramwazi pela manhã.

Original English

"And in the morning you leave for the Wiramwazi Mountains?"asked von Harben.

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Português

O homem-macaco respondeu que partiria imediatamente.

Original English

"I leave at once,"said the ape-man.

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Português

Von Harben objetou, observando que já estava escuro.

Original English

"But it is already dark,"objected von Harben.

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Português

O outro explicou que havia lua cheia e que pretendia aproveitá-la, acrescentando que poderia descansar durante o calor do dia. Ele então chamou Muviro e instruiu-o a voltar para casa com os guerreiros e manter todos os homens de combate Waziri preparados caso precisasse enviar buscá-los.

Original English

"There is a full moon and I wish to take advantage of it,"explained the other."I can lie up in the heat of the day for what rest I need."He turned and called Muviro to him."Return home with my warriors, Muviro,"he instructed,"and hold every fighting man of the Waziri in readiness in the event that I find it necessary to send for you."

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Português

Muviro concordou e então perguntou quanto tempo deveriam esperar por uma mensagem antes de partirem para as Montanhas Wiramwazi para procurá-lo.

Original English

"Yes, Bwana,"replied Muviro;"and how long shall we wait for a message before we set out for the Wiramwazi Mountains in search of you?"

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Português

Ele disse que levaria Nkima e o enviaria de volta para buscar e guiá-los se precisasse da ajuda deles.

Original English

"I shall take Nkima with me and if I need you I shall send him back to fetch and to guide you."

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Português

Muviro confirmou que os homens de combate Waziri estariam prontos, com suas armas à mão dia e noite e tinta de guerra fresca preparada em cada pote.

Original English

"Yes, Bwana,"replied Muviro."They will be in readiness--all the fighting men of the Waziri. Their weapons will be at hand by day and by night and fresh war-paint will be ready in every pot."

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Português

Tarzan colocou seu arco e aljava de flechas nas costas. Sobre o ombro esquerdo e sob o braço direito carregava as voltas de sua corda de grama, e a faca de caça de seu pai pendia em seu quadril. Pegando sua lança curta, ele ficou imóvel por um momento, erguendo a cabeça para sentir a brisa. A luz do fogo brincava sobre sua pele bronzeada.

Original English

Tarzan swung his bow and his quiver of arrows across his back. Over his left shoulder and under his right arm lay the coils of his grass rope and at his hip dangled the hunting-knife of his long-dead sire. He picked up his short spear and stood for a moment with head up, sniffing the breeze. The firelight played upon his bronzed skin.

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Português

Ele ficou ali por um momento, todos os sentidos alertas. Então chamou Nkima na língua dos símios, e enquanto o pequeno macaco corria em sua direção, Tarzan se virou sem se despedir e se moveu silenciosamente para a selva. Sua forma ágil, passo silencioso e porte majestoso lembraram von Harben de outra grande criatura da selva, Numa, o leão, rei dos animais.

Original English

For a moment he stood thus, every sense alert. Then he called to Nkima in the tongue of the ape folk and as the little monkey scampered toward him, Tarzan of the Apes turned without a word of farewell and moved silently off into the jungle, his lithe carriage, his noiseless tread, his majestic mien suggesting to the mind of von Harben a personification of another mighty jungle animal, Numa the lion, king of beasts.

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Chapter Two

Português

ERICH VON HARBEN saiu de sua tenda nas encostas das Montanhas Wiramwazi e viu um acampamento desertado.

Original English

ERICH VON HARBEN stepped from his tent upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi Mountains to look upon a deserted camp.

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Português

Quando ele acordou pela primeira vez, a calma incomum ao seu redor lhe deu uma sensação de pavor, que só aumentou quando seus repetidos chamados por seu servo, Gabula, ficaram sem resposta.

Original English

When he had first awakened, the unusual quiet of his surroundings had aroused within him a presentiment of ill, which was augmented when repeated calls for his body-servant, Gabula, elicited no response.

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Português

Por semanas, enquanto o safari se aproximava do temido Wiramwazi, seus homens estavam desertando em pequenos números. Na noite anterior, apenas alguns poucos assustados permaneciam com ele. Durante a noite, até mesmo esses últimos homens, dominados pela ignorância e superstição, deixaram o medo vencer a lealdade e fugiram dos terrores invisíveis das montanhas, deixando seu mestre sozinho com os espíritos sanguinários dos mortos.

Original English

For weeks, as the safari had been approaching the precincts of the feared Wiramwazi, his men had been deserting by twos and threes until the preceding evening when they had made this camp well upon the mountain slopes only a terrified remnant of the original safari had remained with him. Now even these, overcome during the night by the terrors of ignorance and superstition, had permitted fear to supplant loyalty and had fled from the impending and invisible terrors of this frowning range, leaving their master alone with the bloodthirsty spirits of the dead.

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Português

Uma inspeção rápida do acampamento revelou que os homens haviam levado tudo de von Harben. Todos os seus suprimentos tinham sumido, e seus carregadores de armas haviam fugido com seus rifles e munição, deixando apenas uma única pistola Luger com seu cinto de munição que estava na tenda com ele.

Original English

A hasty survey of the camp site revealed that the men had stripped von Harben of everything. All of his supplies were gone and his gun carriers had decamped with his rifles and all of his ammunition, with the exception of a single Luger pistol and its belt of ammunition that had been in the tent with him.

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Português

Erich von Harben tinha experiência suficiente com esses nativos para compreender os processos mentais impulsionados por suas superstições profundamente enraizadas, que os levaram a um comportamento aparentemente desumano e desleal. Assim, ele não os culpou tanto quanto alguém menos familiarizado com eles poderia ter feito.

Original English

Erich von Harben had had sufficient experience with these natives to understand fairly well the mental processes based upon their deep-rooted superstition that had led them to this seemingly inhuman and disloyal act and so he did not place so much blame upon them as might another less familiar with them.

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Português

Embora soubessem seu destino desde o início, sua coragem havia sido alta na proporção da grande distância dos Wiramwazi. No entanto, à medida que a distância diminuía a cada dia, sua coragem diminuía até que, no limiar de horrores inimagináveis, os últimos vestígios de autocontrole os abandonaram e eles fugiram em pânico.

Original English

While they had known their destination when they embarked upon the undertaking, their courage had been high in direct proportion to the great distance that they had been from the Wiramwazi, but in proportion as the distance lessened with each day's march their courage had lessened until now upon the very threshold of horrors beyond the ken of human minds the last vestige of self-control had deserted them and they had fled precipitately.

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Português

O fato de terem levado seus mantimentos, rifles e munição poderia ter parecido o auge da baixeza se von Harben não tivesse percebido que eles realmente acreditavam que não havia esperança para ele e que sua morte imediata era inevitável.

Original English

That they had taken his provisions, his rifles and his ammunition might have seemed the depth of baseness had von Harben not realized the sincerity of their belief that there could be no possible hope for him and that his immediate death was a foregone conclusion.

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Português

Ele entendeu que eles haviam raciocinado que seria um desperdício de comida deixá-la para um homem já praticamente morto, especialmente quando precisariam dela para a viagem de volta. Da mesma forma, já que armas mortais eram inúteis contra os fantasmas de Wiramwazi, parecia um luxo sem sentido deixar para trás bons rifles e munição que von Harben não poderia usar contra seus inimigos espirituais.

Original English

He knew that they had reasoned that under the circumstances it would be a waste of food to leave it behind for a man who was already as good as dead when they would need it for their return journey to their villages, and likewise, as the weapons of mortal man could avail nothing against the ghosts of Wiramwazi, it would have beeen a needless extravagance to have surrendered fine rifles and quantities of ammunition that von Harben could not use against his enemies of the spirit world.

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Português

Von Harben ficou por um momento, olhando a encosta da montanha em direção à floresta, onde seus homens estavam se apressando para voltar à sua terra natal. Ele considerou a possibilidade de alcançá-los, mas estava longe de ser certo; e mesmo que falhasse, não estaria mais seguro sozinho na selva do que nas encostas do Wiramwazi.

Original English

Von Harben stood for some time looking down the mountain slope toward the forest, somewhere in the depths of which his men were hastening toward their own country. That he might overtake them was a possibility, but by no means a certainty, and if he did not he would be no better off alone in the jungle than he would be on the slopes of the Wiramwazi.

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Português

Ele se virou e olhou para as alturas escarpadas acima. Ele havia viajado um longo caminho para alcançar seu objetivo, que se encontrava em algum lugar além daquela linha do horizonte recortada, e não estava disposto a desistir agora, derrotado. Pensou que um dia ou uma semana naquelas montanhas poderia revelar o segredo da lendária Tribo Perdida; certamente um mês seria suficiente para determinar se a história tinha algum fundamento real. Von Harben acreditava que nesse tempo poderia explorar razoavelmente partes da cordilheira que pudessem abrigar habitação humana e, na melhor das hipóteses, esperava encontrar relíquias como ruínas ou montes funerários. Para um homem de sua formação e inteligência, era impossível imaginar que a Tribo Perdida, se alguma vez existiu, pudesse ser algo mais que uma vaga lembrança em torno de alguns artefatos mofados e ossos em ruínas.

Original English

He faced about and looked up toward the rugged heights above him. He had come a long way to reach his goal, which now lay somewhere just beyond that serrated skyline, and he was of no mind to turn back now in defeat. A day or a week in these rugged mountains might reveal the secret of The Lost Tribe of legend, and surely a month would be sufficient to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the story had no basis in fact, for von Harben believed that in a month he could fairly well explore such portions of the range as might naturally lend themselves to human habitation, where he hoped at best to find relics of the fabled tribe in the form of ruins or burial mounds. For to a man of von Harben's training and intelligence there could be no thought that The Lost Tribe of legend, if it had ever existed, could be anything more than a vague memory surrounding a few moldy artifacts and some crumbling bones.

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Português

O jovem rapidamente tomou sua decisão. Ele voltou para sua tenda, arrumou alguns itens essenciais em uma mochila leve, prendeu seu cinto de munição e saiu novamente, voltando seu olhar para cima em direção ao mistério do Wiramwazi.

Original English

It did not take the young man long to reach a decision and presently he turned back to his tent and, entering it, packed a few necessities that had been left to him in a light haversack, strapped his ammunition belt about him, and stepped forth once more to turn his face upward toward the mystery of the Wiramwazi.

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Português

Além de sua pistola Luger, von Harben carregava uma faca de caça. Com ela, ele cortou um bastão resistente de uma das pequenas árvores que cresciam esparsamente na encosta da montanha, em preparação para quando ele pudesse precisar de um alpenstock.

Original English

In addition to his Luger, von Harben carried a hunting-knife and with this he presently cut a stout staff from one of the small trees that grew sparsely upon the mountainside against the time when he might find an alpenstock indispensable.

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Português

Um riacho de montanha lhe fornecia água pura e fria para beber, e ele mantinha sua pistola engatilhada, na esperança de abater alguma caça pequena para se alimentar. Ele não havia ido muito longe quando uma lebre saiu de seu esconderijo; ela caiu ao estampido da Luger, e von Harben ficou grato por ter passado muito tempo aperfeiçoando sua habilidade com armas de fogo pequenas.

Original English

A mountain rill furnished him pure, cold water to quench his thirst, and he carried his pistol cocked, hoping that he might bag some small game to satisfy his hunger. Nor had he gone far before a hare broke cover, and as it rolled over to the crack of the Luger, von Harben gave thanks that he had devoted much time to perfecting himself in the use of small arms.

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Português

Ele fez uma fogueira e cozinhou a lebre. Depois acendeu o cachimbo e relaxou, fumando e planejando. Ele não era do tipo que se desanimava com contratempos. Ele decidiu manter a calma e poupar energia para os dias difíceis que viriam.

Original English

On the spot he built a fire and grilled the hare, after which he lit his pipe and lay at ease while he smoked and planned. His was not a temperament to be depressed or discouraged by seeming reverses, and he was determined not to be hurried by excitement, but to conserve his strength at all times during the strenuous days that he felt must lie ahead of him.

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Português

Ele escalou o dia todo, escolhendo o caminho mais longo quando parecia mais seguro, usando todo o seu conhecimento de escalada e descansando com frequência. À noite, ele estava no alto do cume mais alto que tinha visto da base. Ele não conseguia adivinhar o que viria pela frente, mas sua experiência lhe dizia que haveria mais cumes e picos.

Original English

All day he climbed, choosing the long way when it seemed safer, exercising all the lore of mountain-climbing that he had accumulated, and resting often. Night overtook him well up toward the summit of the highest ridge that had been visible from the base of the range. What lay behind, he could not even guess, but experience suggested that he would find other ridges and frowning peaks before him.

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Português

Ele havia trazido um cobertor do último acampamento e se enrolou nele no chão. Lá de baixo, os sons da selva chegavam até ele, suavizados pela distância — o latido de chacais e, ao longe, o rugido de um leão.

Original English

He had brought a blanket with him from the last camp and in this he rolled up on the ground. From below there came the noises of the jungle subdued by distance--the yapping of jackals and faintly from afar the roaring of a lion.

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Português

Perto do amanhecer, ele foi acordado pelo grito de um leopardo, não da selva abaixo, mas de algum lugar nas encostas próximas da montanha. Ele sabia que esse perigoso caçador noturno era uma ameaça real, talvez a maior que enfrentaria, e lamentou não ter seu rifle pesado.

Original English

Toward morning he was awakened by the scream of a leopard, not from the jungle far below, but somewhere upon the mountain slopes near by. He knew that this savage night prowler constituted a real menace, perhaps the greatest he would have to face, and he regretted the loss of his heavy rifle.

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Português

Ele não estava com medo, pois sabia que o leopardo provavelmente não o caçava e era improvável que atacasse, mas ainda havia uma chance, então ele fez uma fogueira com lenha seca que havia coletado na noite anterior. O calor foi bem-vindo porque a noite tinha ficado fria, e ele se sentou por um tempo se aquecendo.

Original English

He was not afraid, for he knew that after all there was little likelihood that the leopard was hunting him or that it would attack him, but there was always that chance and so to guard against it he started a fire of dry wood that he had gathered for the purpose the night before. He found the warmth of the blaze welcome, for the night had grown cold, and he sat for some time warming himself.

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Português

Ele pensou ter ouvido um animal se movendo no escuro além da luz da fogueira, mas não viu olhos brilhantes, e o som não se repetiu. Então ele deve ter adormecido, porque quando acordou já era dia, com apenas cinzas onde o fogo estivera.

Original English

Once he thought he heard an animal moving in the darkness beyond the range of the firelight, but he saw no shining eyes and the sound was not repeated. And then he must have slept, for the next thing that he knew it was daylight and only embers remained to mark where the beast fire had blazed.

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Português

Com frio e fome, sem ter tomado café da manhã, von Harben continuou a escalada. Seus olhos, impulsionados pelo estômago vazio, procuravam constantemente por comida. O terreno apresentava poucas dificuldades para um escalador experiente, e ele até esqueceu a fome na empolgação de imaginar o que a crista adiante poderia revelar.

Original English

Cold and without breakfast, von Harben continued the ascent from his cheerless camp, his eyes, under the constant urging of his stomach, always alert for food. The terrain offered few obstacles to an experienced mountain climber, and he even forgot his hunger in the thrill of expectancy with which he anticipated the possibilities hidden by the ridge whose summit now lay but a short distance ahead of him.

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Português

É sempre a próxima crista que atrai o explorador adiante. Que novas visões estão logo além? Que mistérios sua conquista revelará? A razão e a experiência diziam a ele que, quando chegasse ao topo, provavelmente veria apenas outra crista a cruzar. No entanto, a esperança permanecia, como uma luz brilhante logo abaixo do horizonte, iluminando seus desejos e transformando sua imaginação em realidades aparentes.

Original English

It is the summit of the next ridge that ever lures the explorer onward. What new sights lie just beyond? What mysteries will its achievement unveil to the eager eyes of the adventurer? Judgment and experience joined forces to assure him that when his eyes surmounted the ridge ahead they would be rewarded with nothing more startling than another similar ridge to be negotiated; yet there was always that other hope hanging like a shining beacon just below the next horizon, above which the rays of its hidden light served to illuminate the figments of his desire, and his imagination transformed the figments into realities.

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Português

Embora normalmente calmo e prático, von Harben estava agora intensamente animado ao finalmente escalar a última barreira e ficar no topo da crista. Diante dele se estendia um planalto ondulado salpicado de árvores atrofiadas e varridas pelo vento. Ao longe, ele viu a próxima crista que esperava, mas estava nebulosa e púrpura devido à distância. O que haveria entre elas? Seu pulso acelerou ao pensar em desfiladeiros e vales desconhecidos, território virgem para um explorador.

Original English

Von Harben, sane and phlegmatic as he was, was now keyed to the highest pitch of excitement as he at last scaled the final barrier and stood upon the crest of the ridge. Before him stretched a rolling plateau, dotted with stunted wind-swept trees, and in the distance lay the next ridge that he had anticipated, but indistinct and impurpled by the haze of distance. What lay between him and those far hills? His pulse quickened at the thought of the possibilities for exploration and discovery that lay before him, for the terrain that he looked upon was entirely different from what he had anticipated. No lofty peaks were visible except in the far distance, and between him and them there must lie intriguing ravines and valleys--virgin fields at the feet of the explorer.

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Português

Ansiosamente, esquecendo sua fome e solidão, von Harben caminhou para o norte através do planalto. A terra era suavemente ondulada, rochosa, estéril e desinteressante. Depois de percorrer uma milha, ele começou a ter dúvidas, pois se continuasse assim até as colinas distantes, não ofereceria nem interesse nem comida.

Original English

Eagerly, entirely forgetful of his hunger or his solitude, von Harben moved northward across the plateau. The land was gently rolling, rock-strewn, sterile, and uninteresting, and when he had covered a mile of it he commenced to have misgivings, for if it continued on without change to the dim hills in the distance, as it now seemed was quite likely the case, it could offer him neither interest nor sustenance.

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Português

Tarzan começou a se sentir sobrecarregado por seus pensamentos quando notou uma mudança estranha na paisagem à frente. As colinas ao longe pareciam surgir do nada, como se houvesse um vazio entre elas e ele. Sentiu como se estivesse olhando através de um mar interior seco. Então ele parou, sobressaltado. O planalto terminava abruptamente a seus pés, e abaixo jazia um grande abismo semelhante ao famoso desfiladeiro do Colorado.

Original English

As these thoughts were commencing to oppress him, he became suddenly conscious of a vague change in the appearance of the terrain ahead. It was only an impression of unreality. The hills far away before him seemed to rise out of a great void, and it was as though between him and them there existed nothing. He might have been looking across an inland sea to distant, hazy shores--a waterless sea, for nowhere was there any suggestion of water--and then suddenly he came to a halt, startled, amazed. The lolling plateau ceased abruptly at his feet, and below him, stretching far to the distant hills, lay a great abyss--a mighty canyon similar to that which has made the gorge of the Colorado world-famous.

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Português

Este desfiladeiro, no entanto, era muito diferente. Suas paredes mostravam claros sinais de erosão, marcadas e desgastadas pela água. Torres, torreões e minaretes esculpidos em granito erguiam-se de baixo, mas permaneciam próximos às paredes. Além deles, ele podia ver o amplo fundo do desfiladeiro, que de sua altura parecia perfeitamente plano. A visão o manteve em estado de admiração enquanto ele absorvia lentamente toda a cena.

Original English

But here there was a marked difference. There were indications of erosion. The grim walls were scarred and water-worn. Towers and turrets and minarets, carved from the native granite, pointed upward from below, but they clung close to the canyon's wall, and just beyond them he could see the broad expanse of the floor of the canyon, which from his great height above it appeared as level as a billiard table. The scene held him in a hypnosis of wonderment and admiration as, at first swiftly and then slowly, his eyes encompassed the whole astounding scene.

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Português

O fundo do desfiladeiro ficava cerca de um quilômetro e meio abaixo dele. A parede distante estava talvez a vinte e quatro a trinta e dois quilômetros ao norte, e o desfiladeiro se estendia muito a leste e oeste. Ele conseguia ver a parede leste, mas não toda a extensão oeste. O fundo visível parecia se estender por quarenta a quarenta e oito quilômetros de leste a oeste. Abaixo, havia um grande lago ou pântano com cursos d'água sinuosos através de juncos, e uma grande ilha perto da margem norte. Três riachos desaguavam no lago, e ao longe ele viu outra faixa que poderia ser uma estrada. A oeste, o desfiladeiro era densamente arborizado, e entre a floresta e o lago ele viu figuras em movimento que pensou serem animais pastando.

Original English

Perhaps a mile below him lay the floor of the sunken canyon, the further wall of which he could but vaguely estimate to be somewhere between fifteen and twenty miles to the north, and this he realized was the lesser dimension of the canyon. Upon his right, to the east, and upon his left, to the west, he could see that the canyon extended to considerable distances--just how far he could not guess. He thought that to the east he could trace the wall that hemmed it upon that side, but from where he stood the entire extent of the canyon to the west was not visible, yet he knew that the floor that was visible to him must stretch fully twenty-five or thirty miles from east to west Almost below him was a large lake or marsh that seemed to occupy the greater part of the east end of the canyon. He could see lanes of water winding through what appeared to be great growths of reeds and, nearer the northern shore, a large island. Three streams, winding ribbons far below, emptied into the lake, and in the far distance was another ribbon that might be a road. To the west the canyon was heavily wooded, and between the forest and the lake he saw moving figures of what he thought to be grazing game.

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Português

A visão abaixo encheu o explorador de intenso entusiasmo. Ele sentiu certeza de que ali estava o segredo da Tribo Perdida dos Wiramwazi, e agora entendia como a natureza o havia guardado com enormes penhascos de barreira e as superstições do povo ignorante nas encostas externas.

Original English

The sight below him aroused the enthusiasm of the explorer to its highest pitch. Here, doubtless, lay the secret of The Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi and how well Nature had guarded this secret with stupendous barrier cliffs, aided by the superstitions of the ignorant inhabitants of the outer slopes, was now easily understandable.

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Português

Até onde ele podia ver, os penhascos pareciam verticais e impossíveis de descer. No entanto, ele sabia que precisava encontrar um caminho para descer até aquele vale encantador.

Original English

As far as he could see, the cliffs seemed sheer and impossible of descent, and yet he knew that he must find a way--that he would find a way down into that valley of enchantment.

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Português

Ele se moveu lentamente ao longo da borda, procurando qualquer possível apoio onde o penhasco pudesse ser menos íngreme. A noite estava caindo, e ele havia feito pouco progresso antes de começar a duvidar que o desfiladeiro pudesse ser descido em qualquer lugar, exceto por penhascos verticais que se elevavam a mil pés acima de qualquer apoio possível.

Original English

Moving slowly along the rim he sought some foothold, however slight, where Nature had lowered her guard, but it was almost night and he had covered but a short distance before he found even a suggestion of hope that the canyon was hemmed at any point by other than unbroken cliffs, whose perpendicular faces rose at their lowest point fully a thousand feet above any possible foothold for a human being.

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Português

Após o pôr do sol, ele descobriu uma fenda estreita na parede de granito. Pedaços quebrados de rocha haviam caído nela, preenchendo parcialmente a abertura, de modo que perto do topo parecia possível descer um pouco abaixo da borda do penhasco. No entanto, na escuridão crescente, ele não conseguia ver até onde esse caminho áspero e perigoso continuava descendo.

Original English

The sun had already set when he discovered a narrow fissure in the granite wall. Crumbled fragments of the mother rock had fallen into and partially filled it so that near the surface, at least, it offered a means of descent below the level of the cliff top, but in the gathering darkness he could not determine how far downward this rough and precarious pathway led.

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Português

Ele observou que abaixo dele os penhascos formavam saliências em terraço a mil pés de sua posição. Ele raciocinou que, se a fenda estreita continuasse até o próximo nível, a descida restante apresentaria menos desafios, porque a formação rochosa estava mais fraturada na base do primeiro declive íngreme, potencialmente fornecendo rotas que um escalador experiente poderia usar.

Original English

He could see that below him the cliffs rose in terraced battlements to within a thousand feet of where he stood, and if the narrow fissure extended to the next terrace below him, he felt that the obstacles thereafter would present fewer difficulties than those that had baffled him up to the present time--for while he would still have some four thousand feet to descend, the formation of the cliffs was much more broken at the foot of the first sheer drop and consequently might be expected to offer some avenues of descent of which an experienced mountain climber could take advantage.

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Português

Com fome e frio, ele se sentou sob o céu escurecendo, olhando para o vazio negro. À medida que a escuridão aumentava, ele notou uma luz lá embaixo, depois outra, e outra. Sua excitação cresceu porque ele percebeu que elas indicavam presença humana. Através do lago pantanoso ele viu muitas fogueiras, e inúmeras luzes agrupadas onde ele acreditava que uma ilha estava localizada.

Original English

Hungry and cold, he sat beneath the descending night, gazing down into the blackening void below. Presently, as the darkness deepened, he saw a light twinkling far below and then another and another and with each his excitement rose, for he knew that they marked the presence of man. In many places upon the marsh-like lake he saw the fires twinkling, and at a point which he took to mark the site of the island there were many lights.

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Português

Ele se perguntava que tipo de pessoas estavam cuidando daquelas fogueiras. Seriam amigáveis ou hostis? Eram apenas mais uma tribo africana, ou poderia a antiga lenda ser verdadeira — que bem abaixo dele, homens brancos da Tribo Perdida estavam cozinhando suas refeições noturnas sobre aquelas chamas misteriosas e sedutoras?

Original English

What sort of men were they who tended these fires? Would he find them friendly or hostile? Were they but another tribe of Africans, or could it be that the old legend was based upon truth and that far below him white men of The Lost Tribe cooked their evening meals above those tantalizing fires of mystery?

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Português

Von Harben ouviu atentamente, esforçando-se para identificar um som fraco das profundezas escuras abaixo. Ele tinha certeza de que não estava enganado; eram as vozes de homens.

Original English

What was that? Von Harben strained his ears to catch the faint suggestion of a sound that arose out of the shadowy abyss below--a faint, thin sound that barely reached his ears, but he was sure that he could not be mistaken--the sound was the voices of men.

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Português

Do vale veio o grito de uma fera e um rugido que subiu como um trovão distante. Embalado por esses sons, von Harben finalmente cedeu ao cansaço, encontrando alívio temporário do frio e da fome no sono.

Original English

And now from out of the valley came the scream of a beast and again a roar that rumbled upward like distant thunder. To the music of these sounds, von Harben finally succumbed to exhaustion; sleep for the moment offering him relief from cold and hunger.

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Português

Ao amanhecer, ele juntou lenha das árvores atrofiadas e fez uma fogueira para se aquecer. Não tinha comida e, desde que chegara ao topo no dia anterior, não vira nenhuma criatura viva, exceto a caça muito abaixo nos prados verdes do desfiladeiro.

Original English

When morning came he gathered wood from the stunted trees near by and built a fire to warm himself. He had no food, nor all the previous day since he had reached the summit had he seen any sign of a living creature other than the game a mile beneath him on the verdant meadows of the canyon bottom.

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Português

Ele sabia que precisava de comida em breve, e ela estava a apenas uma milha de distância. Se tentasse contornar o desfiladeiro para encontrar uma descida mais fácil, talvez não encontrasse nenhuma por cem milhas ou mais. Poderia voltar e alcançar a base das encostas externas, onde a caça era abundante, mas não tinha intenção de recuar; o pensamento de fracasso nunca realmente ultrapassou o limiar de sua mente consciente.

Original English

He knew that he must have food and have it soon and food lay but a mile away in one direction. If he sought to circle the canyon in search of an easier avenue of descent, he knew that he might not find one in the hundred miles or more that he must travel. Of course he might turn back. He was sure that he could reach the base of the outer slopes of the Wiramwazi, where he knew that game might be found before exhaustion overcame him, but he had no mind to turn back and the thought of failure was only a vague suggestion that scarcely ever rose above the threshold of his conscious mind.

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Português

Depois de se aquecer junto ao fogo, ele examinou a fissura à luz plena do dia. Da borda, ele podia ver que ela se estendia para baixo por várias centenas de pés, depois desaparecia. No entanto, ele não tinha certeza de que terminava, pois não era uma fenda vertical, mas inclinada ligeiramente da perpendicular.

Original English

Having warmed himself before the fire, he turned to examine the fissure by the full light of day. As he stood upon its brink he could see that it extended downward for several hundred feet, but there it disappeared. However, he was by no means sure that it ended, since it was not a vertical cleft, but tilted slightly from the perpendicular.

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Português

Do seu ponto de observação, ele podia ver que algumas partes da fenda poderiam permitir a descida, embora subir de volta fosse extremamente desafiador. Ele percebeu que, se chegasse ao fundo e não encontrasse caminho para prosseguir, ficaria preso com pouca chance de escapar.

Original English

From where he stood he could see that there were places in the fissure where descent would be just possible, though it might be very difficult to reascend. He knew, therefore, that should he reach the bottom of the fissure and find that further descent was impossible he would be caught in a trap from which there might be no escape.

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Português

Apesar de se sentir tão forte quanto sempre, ele entendia plenamente que a realidade era diferente: sua força estava diminuindo, e diminuiria ainda mais rápido quanto mais ele se esforçasse na descida extenuante do penhasco, sem chance de recuperar energia comendo.

Original English

Although he felt as fit and strong as ever, he realized perfectly that the contrary was the fact and that his strength must be ebbing and that it would continue to ebb still more rapidly the longer that he was forced to expend it in arduous efforts to descend the cliff and without any possibility of rebuilding it with food.

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Português

Mesmo para o jovem, confiante e entusiasmado Erich von Harben, seu próximo passo parecia quase suicida. Para qualquer outra pessoa, a mera ideia de descer aqueles penhascos imponentes teria sido loucura, mas von Harben sempre encontrara um caminho em outras montanhas. Com essa pequena esperança, ele se preparou para descer ao desconhecido. Assim que começou a se abaixar sobre a borda da fenda, ouviu passos atrás de si. Ele girou e sacou sua Luger.

Original English

Even to Erich von Harben, young, self-confident and enthusiastic, his next step seemed little better than suicidal. To another the mere idea of attempting the descent of these towering cliffs would have seemed madness, but in other mountains von Harben had always found a way, and with this thin thread upon which to hang his hopes he faced the descent into the unknown. Now he was just about to lower himself over the edge of the fissure when he heard the sounds of footsteps behind him. Wheeling quickly, he drew his Luger.

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Chapter Three

Português

O pequeno Nkima correu pelas copas das árvores, tagarelando animadamente, e caiu sobre o joelho de Tarzan dos Macacos. Tarzan estava esticado em um enorme galho de uma árvore gigante da selva, com as costas apoiadas no tronco áspero, descansando após ter matado e comido.

Original English

LITTLE NKIMA came racing through the tree tops, jabbering excitedly, and dropped to the knee of Tarzan of the Apes where the latter lay stretched upon the great branch of a jungle giant, his back against the rough bole, where he was lying up after making a kill and feeding.

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Português

Nkima gritou que pessoas estavam vindo, berrando a palavra para "homens negros" e repetindo que eles estavam se aproximando.

Original English

"Gomangani! Gomangani!"shrilled Nkima."They come! They come!"

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Português

Tarzan disse à pessoa para ficar quieta, dizendo que ela era mais irritante do que todos os Gomangani na selva.

Original English

"Peace,"said Tarzan."You are a greater nuisance than all the Gomangani in the jungle."

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Português

O macaco gritou que eles matariam o pequeno Nkima, explicando que aqueles eram Gomangani estranhos e não havia Tarmangani entre eles.

Original English

"They will kill little Nkima,"cried the monkey."They are strange Gomangani, and there are no Tarmangani among them."

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Português

Tarzan comentou que Nkima achava que tudo queria matá-lo, mas ele tinha vivido muitos anos e ainda estava vivo.

Original English

"Nkima thinks everything wants to kill him,"said Tarzan,"and yet he has lived many years and is not dead yet."

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Português

O macaco lamentou que Sabor, Shetta, Numa, os Gomangani e Histah, a cobra, todos tinham desejo de comer o pobre pequeno Nkima, e era por isso que ele estava com medo.

Original English

"Sabor and Shetta and Numa, the Gomangani, had Histah the snake like to eat poor little Nkima,"walled the monkey."That is why he is afraid."

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Português

O homem-macaco disse a Nkima para não ter medo, prometendo que Tarzan não deixaria ninguém machucá-lo.

Original English

"Do not fear, Nkima,"said the ape-man."Tarzan will let no one hurt you."

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Português

Nkima instou Tarzan a ir ver os Gomangani, insistindo que ele não gostava deles e queria que Tarzan os matasse.

Original English

"Go and see the Gomangani,"urged Nkima."Go and kill them. Nkima does not like the Gomangani."

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Português

Tarzan levantou-se lentamente e disse que iria. Ele disse a Nkima que o macaco poderia vir com ele ou ficar escondido nos galhos mais altos.

Original English

Tarzan arose leisurely."I go,"he said."Nkima may come or he may hide in the upper terraces."

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Português

O pequeno macaco Nkima se gabou de que não tinha medo e que lutaria contra os Gomangani ao lado de Tarzan. Então ele pulou nas costas do homem-macaco, agarrando-se firmemente ao redor de seu pescoço e espiando nervosamente à frente por cima dos ombros de Tarzan.

Original English

"Nkima is not afraid,"blustered the little monkey."He will go and fight the Gomangani with Tarzan of the Apes,"and he leaped to the back of the ape-man and clung there with his arms about the bronzed throat, from which point of vantage he peered fearfully ahead, first over the top of one broad shoulder and then over the top of the other.

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Português

Tarzan moveu-se rápida e silenciosamente pelas árvores em direção ao local onde Nkima havia encontrado os Gomangani. Lá embaixo, ele viu cerca de vinte nativos espalhados pela trilha da selva; alguns carregavam rifles, e todos carregavam mochilas que Tarzan reconheceu como pertencentes ao equipamento de um homem branco.

Original English

Tarzan swung swiftly and quietly through the trees toward a point where Nkima had discovered the Gomangani, and presently he saw below him some score of natives straggling along the jungle trail. A few of them were armed with rifles and all carried packs of various sizes--such packs as Tarzan knew must belong to the equipment of a white man.

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Português

O Senhor da Selva chamou por eles. Assustados, os homens pararam e olharam para cima com medo.

Original English

The Lord of the Jungle hailed them and, startled, the men halted, looking up fearfully.

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Português

Tarzan se apresentou e disse a eles que não tivessem medo. Ele pulou no meio deles, mas Nkima, o macaco, saltou de seus ombros e subiu bem alto em uma árvore, onde tagarelou com raiva, esquecendo sua ostentação anterior.

Original English

"I am Tarzan of the Apes. Do not be afraid,"Tarzan reassured them, and simultaneously he dropped lightly to the trail among them, but as he did so Nkima leaped frantically from his shoulders and scampered swiftly to a high branch far above, where he sat chattering and scolding, entirely forgetful of his vain boasting of a few moments before.

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Português

Tarzan perguntou onde estava o mestre deles.

Original English

"Where is your master?"demanded Tarzan.

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Português

Os africanos olharam para o chão melancolicamente e permaneceram em silêncio.

Original English

The Africans looked sullenly at the ground, but did not reply.

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Português

Tarzan insistiu em saber o paradeiro do Bwana, von Harben.

Original English

"Where is the Bwana, von Harben?"Tarzan insisted.

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Português

Um homem alto por perto mexeu-se nervosamente e murmurou que o Bwana estava morto.

Original English

A tall man standing near fidgeted uneasily."He is dead,"he mumbled.

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Português

Tarzan perguntou como o homem havia morrido.

Original English

"How did he die?"asked Tarzan.

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Português

O homem hesitou mais uma vez antes de finalmente explicar que o caçador havia sido morto por um elefante macho que ele havia ferido.

Original English

Again the man hesitated before replying."A bull elephant that he had wounded killed him,"he said at last.

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Português

Tarzan então perguntou onde o corpo estava localizado.

Original English

"Where is his body?"

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Português

O homem respondeu que eles não haviam conseguido encontrá-lo.

Original English

"We could not find it."

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Português

O homem-macaco exigiu saber como eles poderiam ter certeza de que foi um elefante macho que o matou se não haviam localizado o corpo.

Original English

"Then how do you know that he was killed by a bull elephant?"demanded the ape-man.

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Português

Outra pessoa falou, dizendo que não sabia o que havia acontecido. Ele explicou que o homem havia saído do acampamento e não havia retornado.

Original English

"We do not know,"another spoke up."He went away from camp and did not return."

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Português

O homem alto mencionou que um elefante havia estado por perto, e eles presumiram que ele havia matado o homem.

Original English

"There was an elephant about and we thought that it had killed him,"said the tall man.

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Português

Tarzan os acusou de não estarem dizendo a verdade.

Original English

"You are not speaking true words,"said Tarzan.

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Português

Um terceiro homem disse que contaria a verdade. Ele afirmou que seu líder havia subido as encostas do Wiramwazi, e os espíritos irados dos mortos o haviam agarrado e levado embora.

Original English

"I shall tell you the truth,"said a third."Our Bwana ascended the slopes of the Wiramwazi and the spirits of the dead being angry seized him and carried him away."

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Português

Tarzan disse que contaria a verdade. Ele os acusou de abandonar seu mestre e fugir, deixando-o sozinho na floresta.

Original English

"I shall tell you the truth,"said Tarzan."You have deserted your master and run away, leaving him alone in the forest."

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Português

Um homem respondeu que eles estavam com medo. Ele explicou que eles tinham avisado a pessoa para não subir as encostas do Wiramwazi e tinham implorado para que ele voltasse, mas ele não quis ouvir, e os espíritos dos mortos o levaram.

Original English

"We were afraid,"the man replied."We warned him not to ascend the slopes of the Wiramwazi. We begged him to turn back. He would not listen to us, and the spirits of the dead carried him away."

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Português

Tarzan perguntou há quanto tempo isso tinha ocorrido.

Original English

"How long ago was that?"asked the ape-man.

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Português

O homem respondeu que havia sido há seis, sete ou talvez dez dias, mas ele não conseguia se lembrar exatamente.

Original English

"Six, seven, perhaps ten marchings. I do not remember."

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Português

Tarzan então perguntou onde a pessoa estava quando eles o viram pela última vez.

Original English

"Where was he when you last saw him?"

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Português

Os homens descreveram a localização de seu último acampamento nas encostas do Wiramwazi com a maior precisão possível.

Original English

As accurately as they could the men described the location of their last camp upon the slopes of the Wiramwazi.

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Português

Tarzan ordenou que os nativos retornassem às suas aldeias no país de Urambi, dizendo que saberia onde encontrá-los se necessário e que seriam punidos se seu mestre estivesse morto. Então ele subiu nos galhos da plataforma inferior e desapareceu da vista deles, dirigindo-se para o Wiramwazi, enquanto Nkima gritava e corria pelas árvores para alcançá-lo.

Original English

"Go your way back to your own villages in the Urambi country. I shall know where to find you if I want you. If your Bwana is dead, you shall be punished,"and swinging into the branches of the lower terrace, Tarzan disappeared from the sight of the unhappy natives in the direction of the Wiramwazi, while Nkima, screaming shrilly, raced through the trees to overtake him.

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Português

A partir de sua conversa com os homens que haviam abandonado o safari de von Harben, Tarzan ficou convencido de que o jovem havia sido traiçoeiramente deixado para trás e que provavelmente estava voltando sozinho pela trilha dos desertores.

Original English

From his conversation with the deserting members of von Harben's safari, Tarzan was convinced that the young man had been traitorously abandoned and that in all likelihood he was making his way alone back upon the trail of the deserters.

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Português

Como Tarzan não conhecia Erich von Harben, ele não podia imaginar que o jovem continuaria sozinho para as profundezas desconhecidas do Wiramwazi. Em vez disso, ele supôs que von Harben tomaria o caminho mais seguro e tentaria alcançar seus homens rapidamente. Acreditando nisso, Tarzan seguiu de volta pela trilha do safari, esperando encontrar von Harben a qualquer momento.

Original English

Not knowing Erich von Harben, Tarzan could not have guessed that the young man would push on alone into the unknown and forbidding depths of the Wiramwazi, but assumed on the contrary that he would adopt the more prudent alternative and seek to overtake his men as rapidly as possible. Believing this, the ape-man followed back along the trail of the safari, expecting momentarily to meet von Harben.

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Português

Essa abordagem reduziu muito sua velocidade, mas mesmo assim ele se movia muito mais rápido que os nativos. Ele chegou às encostas do Wiramwazi no terceiro dia após ter falado com os membros restantes do safari de von Harben.

Original English

This plan greatly reduced his speed, but even so he traveled with so much greater rapidity than the natives that he came to the slopes of the Wiramwazi upon the third day after he had interviewed the remnants of von Harben's safari.

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Português

Foi com grande dificuldade que ele finalmente localizou o local onde von Harben havia sido abandonado por seus homens, porque uma forte chuva e vento haviam apagado a trilha. No final, ele se deparou com a tenda, que havia caído, mas não conseguiu encontrar nenhum vestígio do caminho de von Harben.

Original English

It was with great difficulty that he finally located the point at which von Harben had been abandoned by his men, as a heavy rain and wind-storm had obliterated the trail, but at last he stumbled upon the tent, which had blown down, but nowhere could he see any signs of von Harben's trail.

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Português

Tarzan não encontrou nenhum vestígio do homem branco ou de seu safári na selva. Ele concluiu que, se von Harben não estava morto, devia ter se aventurado sozinho nos perigos desconhecidos do Wiramwazi, e poderia estar vivo ou morto naquela região misteriosa.

Original English

Not having come upon any signs of the white man in the jungle or any indication that he had followed his fleeing safari, Tarzan was forced to the conclusion that if von Harben was not indeed dead he must have faced the dangers of the unknown alone and now be either dead or alive somewhere within the mysterious fastnesses of the Wiramwazi.

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Português

Tarzan comentou com Nkima que os Tarmangani têm um ditado sobre procurar uma agulha num palheiro quando uma tarefa é inútil. Ele perguntou a Nkima se ele achava que encontrariam sua agulha naquela vasta cordilheira.

Original English

"Nkima,"said the ape-man,"the Tarmangani have a saying that when it is futile to search for a thing, it is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Do you believe, Nkima, that in this great mountain range we shall find our needle?"

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Português

Nkima expressou o desejo de voltar para casa, para o calor, reclamando que o vento estava soprando e que estava mais frio lá em cima. Ele disse que as montanhas não eram lugar para um macaquinho como ele.

Original English

"Let us go home,"said Nkima,"where it is warm. Here the wind blows and up there it is colder. It is no place for little Manu, the monkey."

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Português

Tarzan afirmou firmemente que eles iriam para lá de qualquer forma.

Original English

"Nevertheless, Nkima, there is where we are going."

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Português

O macaco olhou para as alturas ameaçadoras acima e admitiu que estava com medo, observando que tais lugares eram onde Sheeta, a pantera, fazia sua toca.

Original English

The monkey looked up toward the frowning heights above."Little Nkima is afraid,"he said."It is in such places that Sheeta, the panther, lairs."

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Português

Tarzan escalou diagonalmente em direção ao oeste, na esperança de cruzar a trilha de von Harben. Ele se movia na direção oposta à do homem que procurava, mas planejava virar para leste e procurar em uma altitude mais alta se não encontrasse nenhum vestígio no topo. À medida que subia, a encosta tornava-se mais íngreme e acidentada. Perto da extremidade oeste da montanha, ele encontrou uma barreira quase vertical no alto da montanha. Ele seguiu seu caminho precário ao longo da base entre pedras soltas, com arbustos e árvores atrofiadas se estendendo da floresta abaixo até o penhasco.

Original English

Ascending diagonally and in a westerly direction in the hope of crossing von Harben's trail, Tarzan moved constantly in the opposite direction from that taken by the man he sought. It was his intention, however, when he reached the summit, if he had in the meantime found no trace of von Harben, to turn directly eastward and search at a higher altitude in the opposite direction. As he proceeded, the slope became steeper and more rugged until at one point near the western end of the mountain mass he encountered an almost perpendicular barrier high up on the mountainside along the base of which he picked his precarious way among loose boulders that had fallen from above. Underbrush and stunted trees extended at different points from the forest below quite up to the base of the vertical escarpment.

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Português

Tão absorto estava o homem-macaco na tarefa perigosa de abrir caminho pela encosta da montanha que prestou pouca atenção a qualquer coisa além da trilha e sua busca constante pelo rastro de von Harben. Ele não viu o grupo de guerreiros que o observava do abrigo de árvores bem abaixo na encosta. Nkima, geralmente tão alerta quanto seu mestre, também estava preocupado com os perigos imediatos. O vento soprava e Nkima não gostava. Ele sentia o cheiro do rastro de Sheeta, a pantera, por toda parte e notava a escassez e a natureza atrofiada das árvores ao longo do caminho. Ele observou saliências acima delas de onde Sheeta poderia saltar, tornando o caminho um terror para o pequeno Nkima.

Original English

So engrossed was the ape-man in the dangerous business of picking his way along the mountainside that he gave little heed to anything beyond the necessities of the trail and his constant search for the spoor of von Harben, and so he did not see the little group of warriors that were gazing up at him from the shelter of a clump of trees far down the slope, nor did Nkima, usually as alert as his master, have eyes or ears for anything beyond the immediate exigencies of the trail. Nkima was unhappy. The wind blew and Nkima did not like the wind. All about him he smelled the spoor of Sheeta, the panther, while he considered the paucity and stunted nature of the few trees along the way that his master had chosen. From time to time he noted, with sinking heart, ledges just above them from which Sheeta might spring down upon them; and the way was a way of terror for little Nkima.

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Português

Eles chegaram a um ponto particularmente precário na encosta da montanha. Um penhasco íngreme se erguia acima deles à direita, e à esquerda a encosta caía tão abruptamente que Tarzan pressionou o corpo contra a face de granito enquanto procurava apoio na saliência de entulho solto. Pouco adiante, o penhasco se projetava audaciosamente contra o céu distante. Talvez além daquela curva nítida o caminho fosse melhor. Se fosse pior, Tarzan percebeu que teria que voltar.

Original English

Now they had come to a particularly precarious point upon the mountainside. A sheer cliff rose above them on their right and at their left the mountainside fell away so steeply that as Tarzan advanced his body was pressed closely against the granite face of the cliff as he sought a foothold upon the ledge of loose rubble. Just ahead of them the cliff shouldered out boldly against the distant skies. Perhaps beyond that clear-cut corner the going might be better. If it should develop that it was worse, Tarzan realized that he must turn back.

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Português

Na curva, onde o apoio era mais estreito, uma pedra cedeu sob o pé de Tarzan, fazendo-o perder o equilíbrio por um instante. Naquele mesmo momento, Nkima, pensando que Tarzan estava caindo, gritou e saltou de seu ombro, dando ao corpo do homem-macaco o impulso extra necessário para desequilibrá-lo completamente.

Original English

At the turn where the footing was narrowest a stone gave beneath Tarzan's foot, throwing him off his balance for an instant and at that same instant Nkima, thinking that Tarzan was falling, shrieked and leaped from his shoulder, giving the ape-man's body just the impetus that was required to overbalance it entirely.

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Português

A encosta abaixo era íngreme, embora não vertical. Se Nkima não tivesse empurrado o homem-macaco para fora, ele provavelmente teria deslizado apenas uma curta distância antes de parar a queda. Mas, como foi, ele mergulhou de cabeça para baixo no barranco, rolando e caindo sobre rochas soltas até que seu corpo foi parado por uma das muitas árvores atrofiadas que se agarravam tenazmente à encosta varrida pelo vento.

Original English

The mountainside below was steep, though not perpendicular, and if Nkima had not pushed the ape-man outward he doubtless would have slid but a short distance before being able to stay his fall, but as it was he lunged headforemost down the embankment, rolling and tumbling for a short distance over the loose rock until his body was brought to a stop by one of the many stunted trees that clung tenaciously to the wind-swept slope.

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Português

Nkima, aterrorizado, correu para o lado de seu mestre. Ele guinchava e puxava desesperadamente, tentando acordar Tarzan, mas o homem-macaco permaneceu imóvel. Um fino fio de sangue escorria de um corte em sua têmpora e se misturava com seu cabelo preto.

Original English

Terrified, Nkima scampered to his master's side. He screamed and chattered in his ear and pulled and tugged upon him in an effort to raise him, but the ape-man lay motionless, a tiny stream of blood trickling from a cut on his temple into his shock of black hair.

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Português

Enquanto Nkima sofria, os guerreiros que estavam observando de baixo escalaram rapidamente a encosta da montanha em direção a ele e seu mestre inconsciente.

Original English

As Nkima mourned, the warriors, who had been watching them from below, clambered quickly up the mountainside toward him and his helpless master.

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Chapter Four

Português

Erich von Harben virou-se para encarar o som de alguém se aproximando por trás. Ele viu um homem negro carregando um rifle vindo em sua direção.

Original English

As Erich von Harben turned to face the thing that he had heard approaching behind him, he saw a Negro armed with a rifle coming toward him.

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Português

Erich von Harben exclamou o nome de Gabula e baixou sua arma, perguntando o que ele estava fazendo ali.

Original English

"Gabula!"exclaimed the white man, lowering his weapon."What are you doing here?"

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Português

O guerreiro explicou que não podia abandonar seu mestre. Ele disse que não podia deixá-lo morrer sozinho nas mãos dos espíritos que habitavam aquelas montanhas.

Original English

"Bwana,"said the warrior,"I could not desert you. I could not leave you to die alone at the hands of the spirits that dwell upon these mountains."

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Português

Von Harben olhou para Gabula com incredulidade. Ele perguntou a Gabula se, dada essa crença, ele não tinha medo de que eles também o matassem.

Original English

Von Harben eyed him incredulously."But if you believe that, Gabula, are you not afraid that they will kill you, too?"

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Português

Gabula respondeu que esperava morrer. Ele afirmou que não conseguia entender por que Von Harben não havia sido morto nas noites anteriores, e que ambos certamente seriam mortos naquela noite.

Original English

"I expect to die, Bwana,"replied Gabula."I cannot understand why you were not killed the first night or the second night. We shall both surely be killed tonight."

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Português

Von Harben perguntou por que Gabula o havia seguido, apesar do perigo.

Original English

"And yet you followed me! Why?"

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Português

Gabula respondeu que Von Harben e seu pai haviam sido bondosos com ele. Ele explicou que quando os outros falavam, eles o enchiam de medo, e ele havia fugido com eles, mas havia retornado porque sentia que não havia outra escolha.

Original English

"You have been kind to me, Bwana,"replied the man."Your father has been kind to me. When the others talked they filled me with fear and when they ran away I went with them, but I have come back. There was nothing else that I could do, was there?"

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Português

Von Harben concordou, dizendo que para ambos não havia alternativa, dada a perspectiva deles, mas outros viam de forma diferente e escolheram um curso de ação diferente.

Original English

"No, Gabula. For you or for me there would have been nothing else to do, as we see such things, but as the others saw them they found another thing to do and they did it."

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Português

O homem afirmou orgulhosamente que Gabula era diferente dos outros; Gabula era um Batoro.

Original English

"Gabula is not as the others,"said the man, proudly."Gabula is a Batoro."

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Português

Von Harben disse a Gabula que ele era um guerreiro corajoso. Ele próprio não acreditava em espíritos e, portanto, não tinha motivo para ter medo, mas como Gabula e seu povo acreditavam neles, foi realmente corajoso da parte de Gabula voltar. Von Harben disse que não o reteria e que Gabula poderia retornar com os outros.

Original English

"Gabula is a brave warrior,"said von Harben."I do not believe in spirits and so there was no reason why I should be afraid, but you and all your people do believe in them and so it was a very brave thing for you to come back, but I shall not hold you. You may return, Gabula, with the others."

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Português

Gabula exclamou ansiosamente, perguntando se o Bwana estava voltando. Ele disse que isso seria bom e que voltaria com ele.

Original English

"Yes?"Gabula exclaimed eagerly."The Bwana is going back? That will be good. Gabula will go back with him."

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Português

Von Harben respondeu que não ia voltar; em vez disso, ia descer para aquele desfiladeiro, apontando sobre a borda.

Original English

"No, I am going down into that canyon,"said von Harben, pointing over the rim.

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Português

Gabula olhou para baixo, seus olhos arregalados e lábios entreabertos refletindo surpresa e admiração.

Original English

Gabula looked down, surprise and wonder reflected by his wide eyes and parted lips.

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Português

O orador argumentou que, mesmo que alguém conseguisse encontrar um caminho para descer os penhascos íngremes, que não ofereciam apoios para mãos ou pés, seria morto imediatamente ao chegar ao fundo. Ele acreditava que este lugar devia ser a Terra da Tribo Perdida, onde os espíritos dos mortos habitam no coração dos Wiramwazi.

Original English

"But, Bwana, even if a human being could find a way down these steep cliffs, where there is no place for either hand or foot, he would surely be killed the moment he reached the bottom, for this indeed must be the Land of The Lost Tribe where the spirits of the dead live in the heart of the Wiramwazi."

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Português

Von Harben disse a Gabula que ele não precisava acompanhá-lo e instruiu-o a voltar para seu povo.

Original English

"You do not need to come with me, Gabula,"said von Harben."Go back to your people."

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Português

O negro exigiu saber como von Harben planejava descer até lá.

Original English

"How are you going to get down there?"demanded the Negro.

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Português

Von Harben respondeu que não sabia exatamente como, onde ou quando desceria. Ele pretendia ir o mais longe possível ao longo da fissura e poderia ou não encontrar um caminho para descer a partir dali.

Original English

"I do not know just how, or where, or when. Now I am going to descend as far along this fissure as I can go. Perhaps I shall find my way down here, perhaps not."

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Português

Gabula perguntou o que aconteceria se não houvesse apoio para os pés além da fissura.

Original English

"But suppose there is no foothold beyond the fissure?"asked Gabula.

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Português

Ele percebeu que precisaria garantir um ponto de apoio.

Original English

"I shall have to find footing."

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Português

Gabula balançou a cabeça e questionou como seu mestre escaparia se chegasse ao fundo em segurança e os espíritos se mostrassem inofensivos ou inexistentes.

Original English

Gabula shook his head."And if you reach the bottom, Bwana, and you are right about the spirits and there are none or they do not kill you, how will you get out again?"

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Português

Von Harben deu de ombros e sorriu, então estendeu a mão. Ele se despediu de Gabula, reconhecendo sua coragem.

Original English

Von Harben shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Then he extended his hand."Goodby, Gabula,"he said."You are a brave man."

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Português

Gabula recusou o aperto de mão e declarou simplesmente que o acompanharia.

Original English

Gabula did not take the offered hand of his master."I am going with you,"he said, simply.

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Português

Von Harben insistiu, salientando que mesmo que sobrevivessem à descida, talvez nunca encontrassem um caminho de volta.

Original English

"Even though you realize that should we reach the bottom alive we may never be able to return?"

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Português

Ele respondeu afirmativamente.

Original English

"Yes."

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Português

Von Harben expressou confusão com a insistência de Gabula em acompanhá-lo, apesar de estar com medo e ter permissão para voltar à sua aldeia.

Original English

"I cannot understand you, Gabula. You are afraid and I know that you wish to return to the village of your people. Then why do you insist on coming with me when I give you leave to return home?"

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Português

Gabula afirmou que, como Batoro, havia jurado servir von Harben.

Original English

"I have sworn to serve you, Bwana, and I am a Batoro,"replied Gabula.

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Português

Von Harben expressou gratidão pela lealdade de Gabula, observando que precisaria de ajuda para descer o desfiladeiro a fim de evitar a fome.

Original English

"And I can only thank the Lord that you are a Batoro,"said von Harben,"for the Lord knows that I shall need help before I reach the bottom of this canyon, and we must reach it, Gabula, unless we are content to die by starvation."

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Português

Gabula havia trazido comida, incluindo chocolate e rações concentradas de emergência, porque antecipou a fome de von Harben.

Original English

"I have brought food,"said Gabula."I knew that you might be hungry and I brought some of the food that you like,"and, unrolling the small pack that he carried, he displayed several bars of chocolate and a few packages of concentrated food that von Harben had included among his supplies in the event of an emergency.

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Português

Para o faminto von Harben, a comida foi um alívio bem-vindo. Depois de satisfazer sua fome, ele se sentiu mais forte e mais esperançoso. Com o coração leve, ele começou a descer no desfiladeiro.

Original English

To the famished von Harben, the food was like manna to the Israelites, and he lost no time in taking advantage of Gabula's thoughtfulness. The sharp edge of his hunger removed, von Harben experienced a feeling of renewed strength and hopefulness, and it was with a light heart and a buoyant optimism that he commenced the descent into the canyon.

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Português

Os ancestrais de Gabula viveram na selva por gerações, e o desfiladeiro profundo o aterrorizava. No entanto, por causa de sua lealdade e orgulho, ele seguiu von Harben sem demonstrar seu medo.

Original English

Gabula's ancestry, stretching back through countless generations of jungle-dwelling people, left him appalled as he contemplated the frightful abyss into which his master was leading him, but so deeply had he involved himself by his protestations of loyalty and tribal pride that he followed von Harben with no outward show of the real terror that was consuming him.

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Português

A descida pela fenda foi mais fácil do que o esperado. As rochas espalhadas forneciam boa sustentação, e eles só precisaram de ajuda em alguns lugares. Von Harben ficou grato pelo retorno de Gabula.

Original English

The descent through the fissure was less difficult than it had appeared from above. The tumbled rocks that had partially filled it gave more than sufficient footing and in only a few places was assistance required, and it was at these times that von Harben realized how fortunate for him had been Gabula's return.

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Português

Quando chegaram ao fundo da fenda, estavam nivelados com a face do penhasco, centenas de metros abaixo da borda. Von Harben estava ansioso em relação a esse ponto, incerto sobre o que viria adiante.

Original English

When at last they reached the bottom of the cleft they found themselves, at its outer opening, flush with the face of the cliff and several hundred feet below the rim. This was the point beyond which von Harben had been unable to see and which he had been approaching with deep anxiety, since there was every likelihood that the conditions here might put a period to their further descent along this route.

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Português

Von Harben rastejou até a borda e viu uma queda de cem pés até o próximo terraço. Seu coração afundou. Voltar pelo caminho que vieram parecia impossível, já que algumas seções haviam sido muito difíceis de descer e provavelmente impossíveis de subir de volta.

Original English

Creeping over the loose rubble in the bottom of the fissure to its outer edge, von Harben discovered a sheer drop of a hundred feet to the level of the next terrace and his heart sank. To return the way they had come was, he feared, a feat beyond their strength and ingenuity, for there had been places down which one had lowered the other only with the greatest difficulty, which would be practically unscalable on the return journey.

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Português

Como não podiam subir e morreriam de fome onde estavam, eles tinham apenas uma escolha. Von Harben deitou-se de barriga na borda da fenda. Ele disse a Gabula para segurar seus tornozelos firmemente, então rastejou para frente até conseguir ver a face do penhasco até o próximo terraço.

Original English

It being impossible to ascend and as starvation surely faced them where they were, there was but one alternative. Von Harben lay upon his belly, his eyes at the outer edge of the fissure, and, instructing Gabula to hold tightly to his ankles, he wormed himself forward until he could scan the entire face of the cliff below him to the level of the next terrace.

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Português

A uma curta distância de onde ele estava deitado, ele viu que a fenda se abria novamente em direção à base do penhasco. O bloqueio onde estavam foi causado por um grande pedaço de rocha que ficou preso firmemente entre os lados, bloqueando-a completamente.

Original English

A few feet from the level on which he lay he saw that the fissure lay open again to the base of the cliff, its stoppage at the point where they were having been caused by a large fragment of rock that had wedged securely between the sides of the fissure, entirely choking it at this point.

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Português

A fenda havia se estreitado muito desde que entraram pelo topo. Diretamente abaixo da rocha onde ele estava, tinha apenas dois ou três pés de largura, e manteve essa largura pelos cem pés restantes até o chão mais plano abaixo.

Original English

The fissure, which had narrowed considerably since they had entered it at the summit, was not more than two or three feet wide directly beneath the rock on which he lay and extended with little variation at this width the remaining hundred feet to the comparatively level ground below.

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Português

Ele sabia que se ele e Gabula conseguissem entrar naquela fenda, poderiam usar seus lados para descerem com segurança. Mas ele se perguntava como, com o que tinham, poderiam escalar a rocha bloqueadora e voltar para a fenda alguns pés mais abaixo.

Original English

If he and Gabula could but get into this crevice he knew that they could easily brace themselves against its sides in such a way as to descend safely the remaining distance, but how with the means at hand were they to climb over the edge of the rock that blocked the fissure and crawl back into the fissure again several feet farther down?

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Português

Von Harben baixou seu bastão de caminhada sobre a borda da rocha. Quando ele esticou os braços completamente, a ponta do bastão estava muito abaixo do nível da rocha em que estava deitado. Ele pensou que uma pessoa pendurada no bastão poderia balançar para dentro da fenda, mas isso exigiria habilidades acrobáticas muito além do que ele ou Gabula poderiam fazer.

Original English

Von Harben lowered his crude alpenstock over the edge of the rock fragment. When he extended his arms at full length the tip of the rod fell considerably below the bottom of the rock on which he lay. A man hanging at the end of the alpenstock might conceivably swing into the fissure, but h would necessitate a feat of acrobatics far beyond the powers of either himself or Gabula.

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Português

Von Harben suspirou depois de examinar a fenda; ele percebeu que uma corda teria sido útil, mas não tinham nenhuma. Ele concluiu que precisava encontrar outro caminho, mas não fazia ideia por onde começar.

Original English

A rope would have solved their problem, but they had no rope. With a sigh, von Harben drew back when his examination of the fissure convinced him that he must find another way, but he was totally at a loss to imagine in what direction to look for a solution.

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Português

Gabula se agachou de volta na fenda, aterrorizado com as implicações da exploração de von Harben. O simples pensamento de olhar para fora da borda o deixava frio e paralisado, e a ideia de seguir von Harben para fora da borda o fazia tremer. No entanto, se von Harben tivesse ido, Gabula o teria seguido.

Original English

Gabula crouched back in the fissure, terrified by the anticipation of what von Harben's attempted exploration had suggested. The very thought of even looking out over the edge of that rock beyond the face of the cliff left Gabula cold and half paralyzed, while the thought that he might have to follow von Harben bodily over the edge threw the Negro into a fit of trembling; yet had von Harben gone over the edge Gabula would have followed him.

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Português

O homem branco ficou sentado pensativo por muito tempo, examinando repetidamente cada detalhe da fenda à sua vista. Seu olhar voltava constantemente ao grande fragmento preso entre as paredes no qual estavam sentados. Ele sentiu que, se pudessem removê-lo, poderiam prosseguir sem impedimentos para o próximo terraço, mas sabia que apenas dinamite poderia mover a pesada laje. Atrás dela havia pedras soltas, e ao olhar para elas novamente, uma possibilidade lhe ocorreu.

Original English

The white man sat for a long time buried in thought. Time and again his eyes examined every detail of the formation of the fissure within the range of his vision. Again and again they returned to the huge fragment upon which they sat, which was securely wedged between the fissure's sides. With this out of the way he felt that they could make unimpeded progress to the next terrace, but he knew that nothing short of a charge of dynamite could budge the heavy granite slab. Directly behind it were loose fragments of various sizes, and as his eyes returned to them once again he was struck with the possibility that they suggested.

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Português

Ele chamou Gabula, pedindo ajuda para jogar algumas pedras para fora, explicando que esta parecia ser sua única chance de escapar da armadilha em que os havia metido.

Original English

"Come, Gabula,"he said."Help me throw out some of these rocks. This seems to be our only possible hope of escaping from the trap that I have got us into."

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Português

Gabula concordou e começou a trabalhar ao lado de von Harben, embora não entendesse por que estavam pegando pedras pesadas e empurrando-as para fora da borda da rocha plana que bloqueava a fenda.

Original English

"Yes, Bwana,"replied Gabula, and fell to work beside von Harben, though he could not understand why they should be picking up these stones, some of which were very heavy, and pushing them out over the edge of the flat fragment that clogged the fissure.

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Português

Ele ouviu os estrondos pesados quando as pedras atingiram o chão abaixo. Isso o fascinou tanto que ele trabalhou energicamente para deslocar pedras maiores, simplesmente pelo prazer adicional dos barulhos altos que elas faziam ao impactar.

Original English

He heard them crash heavily where they struck the rocks below and this interested and fascinated him to such an extent that he worked feverishly to loosen the larger blocks of stone for the added pleasure he derived from hearing the loud noise that they made when they struck.

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Português

Von Harben observou que parecia que eles poderiam ter sucesso, mas advertiu que, ao remover essas pedras, poderiam fazer com que outras acima deslizassem, potencialmente soltando toda a massa acima. Nesse caso, o mistério da Tribo Perdida não os preocuparia mais.

Original English

"It begins to look,"said von Harben, after a few minutes,"as though we may be going to succeed, unless by removing these rocks here we cause some of those above to slide down and thus loosen the whole mass above us--in which event, Gabula, the mystery of The Lost Tribe will cease to interest us longer."

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Português

Gabula concordou e, levantando uma pedra excepcionalmente grande, começou a rolá-la em direção à borda da fissura. De repente, ele apontou e gritou, direcionando a atenção deles para o local onde a pedra havia estado.

Original English

"Yes, Bwana,"said Gabula, and lifting an unusually large rock he started to roll it toward the edge of the fissure."Look! Look, Bwana!"he exclaimed, pointing at the place where the rock had lain.

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Português

Von Harben olhou e viu uma abertura do tamanho da cabeça de um homem que levava para a fissura abaixo.

Original English

Von Harben looked and saw an opening about the size of a man's head extending into the fissure beneath them.

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Português

O homem branco chamou Gabula, dizendo-lhe para agradecer a Nsenene, o gafanhoto, se esse fosse o totem de seu clã, pois este buraco era verdadeiramente um caminho para a segurança.

Original English

"Thank Nsenene, the grasshopper, Gabula,"cried the white man,"if that is the totem of your clan--for here indeed is a way to salvation."

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Português

Os dois homens trabalharam apressadamente para ampliar o buraco, removendo outros fragmentos que há muito estavam encaixados para selar a fissura. Enquanto os pedaços caíam com barulho sobre as rochas abaixo, um guerreiro alto e ereto, em pé na proa de uma canoa escavada no lago pantanoso muito abaixo, olhou para cima e chamou a atenção de seus companheiros.

Original English

Hurriedly the two men set to work to enlarge the hole by throwing out other fragments that had long been wedged in together to close the fissure at this point, and as the fragments clattered down upon the rocks below, a tall, straight warrior standing in the bow of a dugout upon the marshy lake far below looked up and called the attention of his comrades.

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Português

Eles podiam ouvir claramente as reverberações dos fragmentos caindo batendo nas rochas na base da fissura e, sendo de olhos aguçados, podiam ver muitos dos pedaços maiores que von Harben e Gabula jogavam para baixo.

Original English

They could plainly hear the reverberations of the falling fragments as they struck the rocks at the foot of the fissure and, keen-eyed, they could see many of the larger pieces that von Harben and Gabula tossed downward.

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Português

O guerreiro declarou que o grande muro estava caindo.

Original English

"The great wall is falling,"said the warrior.

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Português

Outro respondeu que eram apenas alguns seixos, nada significativo.

Original English

"A few pebbles,"said another."It is nothing."

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Português

O primeiro orador insistiu que tais eventos só ocorrem após chuvas, e que era exatamente assim que a profecia dizia que o grande muro cairia.

Original English

"Such things do not happen except after rains,"said the first speaker."It is thus that it is prophesied that the great wall will fall."

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Português

Outro sugeriu que talvez um demônio vivesse na grande fissura na parede, e instou que se apressassem para informar seus mestres.

Original English

"Perhaps it is a demon who lives in the great rift in the wall,"said another."Let us hasten and tell the masters."

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Português

O primeiro falante propôs que esperassem e observassem até terem algo substancial para relatar. Ele argumentou que se fossem aos mestres apenas com a notícia de algumas pedras caídas, seriam ridicularizados.

Original English

"Let us wait and watch,"said the first speaker,"until we have something to tell them. If we went and told them that a few rocks had fallen from the great wall they would only laugh at us."

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Português

Von Harben e Gabula haviam alargado a abertura para que um homem pudesse passar. Através dela, Von Harben podia ver as paredes ásperas da fissura se estendendo até o próximo terraço, e percebeu que a próxima parte da descida estava essencialmente completa.

Original English

Von Harben and Gabula had increased the size of the opening until it was large enough to permit the passage of a man's body. Through it the white man could see the rough sides of the fissure extending to the level of the next terrace and knew that the next stage of the descent was already as good as an accomplished fact.

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Português

Von Harben instruiu Gabula de que desceriam um de cada vez, e que ele iria primeiro por ser experiente em tal escalada. Disse a Gabula para observar atentamente e imitar seus movimentos. Assegurou a Gabula que era fácil e seguro, aconselhando-o a manter as costas contra uma parede e os pés contra a outra. Avisou que as paredes ásperas poderiam raspar a pele, mas que desceriam em segurança se prosseguissem devagar.

Original English

"We shall descend one at a time, Gabula,"said von Harben."I shall go first, for I am accustomed to this sort of climbing. Watch carefully so that you may descend exactly as I do. It is easy and there is no danger. Be sure that you keep your back braced against one wall and your feet against the other. We shall lose some hide in the descent, for the walls are rough, but we shall get down safely enough if we take it slowly."

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Português

Gabula concordou, dizendo a Von Harben para ir primeiro. Ele expressou que, ao observar Von Harben, poderia ser capaz de realizar a descida sozinho.

Original English

"Yes, Bwana. You go first,"said Gabula."If I see you do it then, perhaps, I can do it."

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Português

Von Harben desceu pela abertura, apoiando-se nas paredes da fenda, e iniciou uma descida lenta. Após alguns minutos, Gabula viu seu mestre em segurança no fundo. Embora extremamente nervoso, Gabula seguiu sem demora. Quando finalmente alcançou von Harben, soltou um suspiro de alívio tão alto que von Harben riu alto.

Original English

Von Harben lowered himself through the aperture, braced himself securely against the opposite walls of the fissure, and started slowly downward. A few minutes later Gabula saw his master standing safely at the bottom, and though his heart was in his mouth the Negro followed without hesitation, but when he stood at last beside von Harben he breathed such a loud sigh of relief that von Harben was forced to laugh aloud.

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Português

Quando von Harben saiu da fenda, o guerreiro no barco exclamou que o próprio demônio havia aparecido.

Original English

"It is the demon himself,"said the warrior in the dugout, as von Harben had stepped from the fissure.

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Português

De seu barco, escondido por altos papiros, os observadores mal podiam ver o terraço na base da fenda. Eles observaram von Harben sair e, pouco depois, Gabula apareceu.

Original English

From where the dugout of the watchers floated, half concealed by lofty papyrus, the terrace at the base of the fissure was just visible. They saw von Harben emerge and a few moments later the figure of Gabula.

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Português

Um dos homens disse que eles deveriam se apressar para informar seus líderes.

Original English

"Now, indeed,"said one of the men,"we should hasten and tell the masters."

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Português

O primeiro orador discordou. Ele disse que, embora os estranhos pudessem ser demônios, eles pareciam homens, então deveriam esperar para descobrir quem eram e por que tinham vindo antes de partir.

Original English

"No,"said the first speaker."Those two may be demons, but they look like men and we shall wait until we know what they are and why they are here before we go away."

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Português

A descida a partir da base da fenda não foi muito difícil nos primeiros trezentos metros. Eles seguiram uma encosta íngreme e irregular em direção ao leste, descendo até o fundo do desfiladeiro. Frequentemente, grandes massas de granito desgastado pelo tempo bloqueavam a vista do lago e do desfiladeiro, dificultando a localização de um caminho. Normalmente, a rota mais fácil ficava entre esses enormes fragmentos de rocha. Quando o vale estava escondido deles, eles também ficavam escondidos dos observadores no lago.

Original English

For a thousand feet the descent from the base of the fissure was far from difficult, a rough slope leading in an easterly direction down toward the canyon bottom. During the descent their view of the lake and of the canyon was often completely shut off by masses of weather-worn granite around which they sometimes had difficulty in finding a way. As a rule the easiest descent lay between these towering fragments of the main body of the cliff, and at such times as the valley was hidden from them so were they hidden from the watchers on the lake.

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Português

Cerca de um terço do caminho descendo a escarpa, von Harben chegou à borda de um desfiladeiro estreito. Seu fundo era coberto por uma vegetação espessa, indicando abundância de água. Ele liderou a descida até o desfiladeiro, onde encontraram uma nascente com um pequeno riacho que descia. Eles beberam e descansaram ali. Em seguida, seguindo o riacho para baixo, não encontraram obstáculos difíceis de superar.

Original English

A third of the way down the escarpment von Harben came to the verge of a narrow gorge, the bottom of which was densely banked with green, the foliage of trees growing luxuriantly, pointing unquestionably to the presence of water in abundance. Leading the way, von Harben descended into the gorge, at the bottom of which he found a spring from which a little stream trickled downward. Here they quenched their thirst and rested. Then, following the stream down-ward, they discovered no obstacles that might not be easily surmounted.

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Português

Por muito tempo, as paredes do desfiladeiro estreito e a floresta densa ao longo do riacho bloquearam a vista do lago e do fundo do desfiladeiro. Eventualmente, o desfiladeiro se abriu para as encostas mais baixas, e von Harben parou para admirar a paisagem. Logo abaixo, outro riacho se juntava ao que eles haviam seguido, formando um pequeno rio que descia abruptamente em direção a prados verdes e vivos. O rio serpenteava pelos prados até um grande pântano que se estendia pelo vale por cerca de dezesseis quilômetros.

Original English

For a long time, hemmed in by the walls of the narrow gorge and their view further circumscribed by the forest-like growth along the banks of the stream, they had no sight of the lake or the canyon bottom, but, finally, when the gorge debouched upon the lower slopes von Harben halted in admiration of the landscape spread out before him. Directly below, another stream entered that along which they had descended, forming a little river that dropped steeply to what appeared to be vivid green meadow land through which it wound tortuously to the great swamp that extended out across the valley for perhaps ten miles.

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Português

O lago estava tão coberto por uma planta aquática plumosa que von Harben só podia adivinhar seu tamanho. O verde da planta se misturava com o verde dos prados ao redor. No entanto, ele ocasionalmente via manchas de água aberta que pareciam caminhos sinuosos ou passagens levando em todas as direções através do pântano.

Original English

So choked was the lake with some feathery-tipped aquatic plant that von Harben could only guess as to its extent, since the green of the water plant and the green of the surrounding meadows blended into one another, but here and there he saw signs of open water that appeared like winding lanes or passages leading in all directions throughout the marsh.

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Português

Enquanto von Harben e Gabula estavam olhando para este novo e misterioso mundo, os guerreiros na canoa os observavam atentamente. Os estranhos ainda estavam muito longe para serem identificados, mas seu líder assegurou aos homens que aqueles dois não eram demônios.

Original English

As von Harben and Gabula stood looking out across this (to them) new and mysterious world, the warriors in the dugout watched them attentively. The strangers were still so far away that the men were unable to identify them, but their leader assured them that these two were no demons.

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Português

Um dos homens exigiu saber como ele poderia ter certeza de que eles não eram demônios.

Original English

"How do you know that they are not demons?"demanded one of these fellows.

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Português

O outro homem respondeu que podia ver que eles eram homens.

Original English

"I can see that they are men,"replied the other.

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Português

O duvidoso insistiu que os demônios eram extremamente sábios e poderosos, e podiam assumir qualquer forma que escolhessem, aparecendo como pássaros, animais ou homens.

Original English

"Demons are very wise and very powerful,"insisted the doubter."They may take any form they choose. They might come as birds or animals or men."

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Português

O líder retrucou que os demônios não eram tolos. Se um demônio desejasse descer a grande muralha, não escolheria o caminho mais difícil; em vez disso, assumiria a forma de um pássaro e voaria para baixo.

Original English

"They are not fools,"snapped the leader."If a demon wished to descend the great wall he would not choose the hardest way. He would take the form of a bird and fly down."

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Português

O outro homem coçou a cabeça confuso, percebendo que o argumento era difícil de refutar. Incapaz de pensar em uma resposta melhor, sugeriu que fossem imediatamente e relatassem o assunto aos seus mestres.

Original English

The other scratched his head in perplexity, for he realized that here was an argument that would be difficult to controvert. For want of anything better to say, he suggested that they go at once and report the matter to their masters.

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Português

O líder recusou, explicando que eles esperariam até que os outros se aproximassem mais. Ele observou que capturá-los e apresentá-los aos seus mestres seria vantajoso.

Original English

"No,"said the leader."We shall remain here until they come closer. It will be better for us if we can take them with us and show them to our masters."

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Português

Os primeiros passos de von Harben no prado gramado mostraram que era um pântano traiçoeiro, e eles só escaparam com grande esforço.

Original English

The first few steps that von Harben took onto the grassy meadow land revealed the fact that it was a dangerous swamp from which only with the greatest difficulty were they able to extricate themselves.

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Português

Depois de lutar para voltar ao chão firme, von Harben procurou outra rota para terra firme no desfiladeiro. No entanto, ele descobriu que, em ambos os lados do rio, o pântano alcançava a base do terraço mais baixo do penhasco. Embora esses terraços fossem mais baixos do que os penhascos imponentes acima, eles permaneciam obstáculos intransponíveis.

Original English

Floundering back to solid ground, von Harben reconnoitered in search of some other avenue to more solid ground on the floor of the canyon, but he found that upon both sides of the river the swamp extended to the foot of the lowest terrace of the cliff, and low as these were in comparison to their lofty fellows towering far above them, they were still impassable barriers.

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Português

Era possível que subir de volta pelo desfiladeiro pudesse levar a um caminho para um terreno mais firme no oeste, mas ele não tinha certeza. Como tanto ele quanto Gabula estavam quase exaustos da descida, ele optou por procurar uma rota mais fácil para a margem do lago, se disponível.

Original English

Possibly by reascending the gorge he might find an avenue to more solid ground toward the west, but as he had no actual assurance of this and as both he and Gabula were well-nigh exhausted from the physical strain of the descent, he preferred to find an easier way to the lake shore if it were possible.

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Português

Ele observou que, embora o rio não fosse rápido aqui, a corrente era forte o suficiente para indicar que o fundo poderia estar livre de lama. Se a água não fosse muito profunda, eles poderiam usar o rio como um caminho para o lago.

Original English

He saw that while the river at this point was not swift, the current was rapid enough to suggest that the bottom might be sufficiently free from mud to make it possible for them to utilize it as an avenue to the lake, if it were not too deep.

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Português

Para testar se seu plano funcionaria, ele se abaixou na água, segurando uma extremidade de seu alpenstock enquanto Gabula segurava a outra. Ele descobriu que a água chegava à sua cintura e o fundo era firme e sólido.

Original English

To test the feasibility of the idea, be lowered himself into the water, holding to one end of his alpenstock, while Gabula seized the other. He found that the water came to his waist-line and that the bottom was firm and solid.

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Português

Ele disse a Gabula para segui-lo, acrescentando que acreditava que esse caminho levava ao lago.

Original English

"Come on, Gabula. This is our way to the lake, I guess,"he said.

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Português

Enquanto Gabula entrava na água atrás de seu mestre, a canoa com os guerreiros se movia silenciosamente entre os papiros, impulsionada por remos silenciosos, acelerando em direção à foz do riacho onde desaguava no lago.

Original English

As Gabula slipped into the water behind his master, the dugout containing the warriors pushed silently along the watery lane among the papyrus and with silent paddles was urged swiftly toward the mouth of the stream where it emptied into the lake.

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Português

Enquanto von Harben e Gabula desciam o riacho, viram que a água não ficava muito mais profunda. Algumas vezes caíram em buracos mais fundos e tiveram que nadar, mas em outros lugares a água ficava rasa, chegando apenas aos joelhos. Dessa forma, chegaram ao lago, onde altas plantas de papiro, de doze a quinze pés de altura, bloqueavam sua visão.

Original English

As von Harben and Gabula descended the stream they found that the depth of the water did not greatly increase. Once or twice they stumbled into deeper holes and were forced to swim, but in other places the water shallowed until it was only to their knees, and thus they made their way down to the lake at the verge of which their view was shut off by clumps of papyrus rising twelve or fifteen feet above the surface of the water.

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Português

Von Harben disse que parecia não haver terra firme ao longo da margem, mas as raízes do papiro os sustentariam. Ele estava confiante de que, se conseguissem chegar ao extremo oeste do lago, encontrariam solo firme, pois tinha certeza de ter visto terras mais altas ali enquanto descia o penhasco.

Original English

"It begins to look,"said von Harben,"as though there is no solid ground along the shore line, but the roots of the papyus will hold us and if we can make our way to the west end of the lake I am sure that we shall find solid ground, for I am positive that I saw higher land there as we were descending the cliff."

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Português

Eles avançaram cautelosamente até alcançarem o primeiro aglomerado de papiros. Quando von Harben estava prestes a subir nas raízes firmes, uma canoa surgiu de repente por trás da vegetação flutuante, e os dois homens se viram diante de uma embarcação cheia de guerreiros, todos com as armas apontadas para eles.

Original English

Feeling their way cautiously along, they came at last to the first clump of papyrus and just as von Harben was about to clamber to the solid footing of the roots, a canoe shot from behind the mass of floating plants and the two men found themselves covered by the weapons of a boatload of warriors.

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