EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
Chapter Five
Lukedi, the Bagego, carried a gourd of milk to a hut in the village of his people on the lower slopes at the west end of the Wiramwazi range.
Two stalwart spearmen stood guard at the doorway of the hut. “Nyuto has sent me with milk for the prisoner,” said Lukedi. “Has his spirit returned to him?”
“Go in and see,” directed one of the sentries.
Lukedi entered the hut and in the dim light saw the figure of a giant white man sitting upon the dirt floor gazing at him. The man’s wrists were bound together behind his back and his ankles were secured with tough fiber strands.
“Here is food,” said Lukedi, setting the gourd upon the ground near the prisoner.
“How can I eat with my hands tied behind my back?” demanded Tarzan. Lukedi scratched his head. “I do not know,” he said. “Nyuto sent me with the food. He did not tell me to free your hands.”
“Cut the bond,” said Tarzan, “otherwise I cannot eat.”
One of the spearmen entered the hut. “What is he saying,” he demanded.
“He says that he cannot eat unless his hands are freed,” said Lukedi.
“Did Nyuto tell you to free his hands?” asked the spearman.
“No,” said the Lukedi.
The spearman shrugged his shoulders. “Leave the food then; that is all you were asked to do.”
Lukedi turned to leave the hut. “Wait,” said Tarzan. “Who is Nyuto?”
“He is chief of the Bagegos,” said Lukedi.
“Go to him and tell him that I wish to see him. Tell him also that I cannot eat with my hands tied behind my back.”
Lukedi was gone for half an hour. When he returned he brought an old, rusted slave chain and an ancient padlock.
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