TARZAN AND THE LOST EMPIRE
“Nyuto says that we may chain him to the center pole and then cut the bonds that secure his hands,” he said to the guard.
The three men entered the hut where Lukedi passed one end of the chain around the center pole, pulling it through a ring on the other end; the free end he then passed around Tarzan’s neck, securing it there with the old slave padlock. “Cut the bonds that hold his wrists,” said Lukedi to one of the spearmen.
“Do it yourself,” retorted the warrior. “Nyuto sent you to do it. He did not tell me to cut the bonds."
Lukedi hesitated. It was apparent that he was afraid. “We will stand ready with our spears,” said the guardsman; “then he cannot harm you.”
“I shall not harm him,” said Tarzan. “Who are you anyway and who do you think I am?”
One of the guardsmen laughed. “He asked who we are as though he did not know!”
“We know who you are, all right,” said the other warrior.
“I am Tarzan of the Apes,” said the prisoner, “and I have no quarrel with the Bagegos.”
The guardsman who had last spoken laughed again derisively. “That may be your name,” he said. “You men of The Lost Tribe have strange names. Perhaps you have no quarrel with the Bagegos, but the Bagegos have a quarrel with you,” and still laughing he left the hut followed by his companion, but the youth Lukedi remained, apparently fascinated by the prisoner at whom he stood staring as he might have stared at a deity.
Tarzan reached for the gourd and drank the milk it contained, and never once did Lukedi take his eyes from him.
“What is your name?” asked Tarzan.
“Lukedi,” replied the youth.
“And you have never heard of Tarzan of the Apes?”
“No,” replied the youth.
“Who do you think I am?” demanded the ape-man.
“We know that you belong to The Lost Tribe.”
“But I thought the members of The Lost Tribe were supposed to be the spirits of the dead,” said Tarzan.
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