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Volume 0817

ERB C.H.A.S.E.R. ENCYCLOPEDIA  A Collector's  Hypertexted and Annotated Storehouse  of Encyclopedic Resources presents  The ERBzine Comics Summaries Project

ERB SUNDAY SUMMARIES

HAROLD FOSTER'S  SUNDAY TARZAN STRIP

Tarzan, God-King of the Waioris
December 09, 1934 - May 26, 1935

The Gage of Battle ~ 34.12.09
When no space for all of them could be found in the boat, Tarzan insisted that he and the ape would remain on the perilous island. Bohgdu paid no heed. He was content to abide with his master; but Tarzan grimly watched the tiny craft disappear toward the far horizon while the two wounded boat guards swam desperately out to sea. Risking a watery grave rather than face their mighty conquerors again.

Presently Tarzan took up a bow and arrows he had seized from the warriors and searched the shore anew for another boat, but there was none. "No escape!" he said to Bohgdu. "We conquer Dester Molu -- or die!"

The great ape beat his chest and growled his eagerness for battle. As they journeyed through the trees to the village, they saw two lions asleep, gorged with human prey after their attack on the Waioris. Tarzan gazed down upon the huts within which the savages wailed, for they believed that the beasts which had escaped the menagerie ship were demons set upon them by Tarzan, the Evil One.

All through the street raged Dester Molu, vainly commanding the warriors to sally forth and hunt down their enemies. Once he fired into a hut to compel obedience. A savage screamed with pain, but none ventured forth, so great was their fear of Tarzan's "demons."

In a tree, the ape-man fingered his bow. A swift arrow could dispose of his enemy, but he disdained to slay without warning. So he called down to the god-king of the Waioris: "I challenge you to a duel to the death -- I with my bow, you with your revolver!"

Dester Molu trembled, then smiled. "I'll fight!" he cried; for his crafty mind had conceived a stratagem that would rob Tarzan of all hope of victory!
6504

The Duel ~ 34.12.16
When Dester Molu, white god of the Waioris, accepted Tarzan's challenge to a death-duel, the Ape-man swung earthward through the trees. Bohgdu, the ape, followed, but Tarzan commanded: "Stay! If I do not return, you must run away to the forest."

Now Ester called to the savages: "Come forth and behold the power of your god to destroy the evil one!"

The Waioris came warily, for they feared Tarzan. But they were eager to witness this mighty combat of supernatural titans.

"We stand at thirty paces, our weapons on the ground," Dester said to Tarzan. Then he pointed to a great ceremonial drum. "At the first beat of the drum," he continued, "we seize our weapons. At the second, we draw -- and fire!"

Tarzan took his station confidently, for his skill as an archer fully offset  the advantage of Dester's revolver. The drum boomed out. Tarzan bent over to pick up his bow and arrow, but when the treacherous Dester gripped his revolver, he fired at once without awaiting the signal. His anxiety, however, spoiled his aim. The bullet screamed past Tarzan's ear. With lightning speed, the Ape-man drew his bow to dispatch an arrow through the heart of his deceitful enemy, but Dester pressed the trigger again. A bullet splintered the bow, and Tarzan stood defenseless in the face of death!
6505

Dester's Trap ~ 34.12.23
When Tarzan stood defenseless in the face of Dester Molu's gunfire Bohgdu saw and vaguely understood. In excited fury he ripped off a bough and hurled it at his master's enemy. It fell far short, but it landed in front of Tarzan and served him as a concealing screen. When six shots had been fired, Tarzan knew Dester must reload, so he ran toward Bohgdu's tree calling to the ape. Bohgdu grasped the lowest branch and extended an arm. Tarzan leaped, and together they swung away through the trees.

All that day, while ape and ape-man remained hidden in the forest, Dester Molu was mysteriously busy. Toward dusk the fugitives started separately for the village. Tarzan instructed Bohgdu to capture a bow and arrows. Soon Bohgdu saw a stack of bows and arrows. No suspicion entered his simple mind. Swiftly he dropped earthward.  But his impact set off the trigger of Dester's trap! A bended tree was released. It whipped upright! A great net, which had been spread on the ground and attached to the tree, suddenly enveloped the ape and jerked him into the air. Bohgdu's astonished cries rang through the forest. His master heard and hurried to his aid, while Dester Molu stationed his warriors in ambush, for he knew that Tarzan would come.
6506

Futile Rescue ~ 34.12.30
As Bohgdu hung growling and helpless in the net of Dester Molu's trap a warrior drew his bow to kill him, believing the ape was a monstrous demon under the sway of Tarzan's evil magic. But Dester struck down the savage's arm, saying: "Fool, let him remain as bait to capture his master."

In truth, Tarzan already was speeding to Bohgdu, who had been his simple, faithful ally. Soon he came upon the ape. Then he caught the scent of men and he knew that warriors lurked in ambush. Silently he descended the rope by which the net was hung. With a strong thrust of his body, he set it swinging. Dester Molu and his savage soldiery rushed out in time to see the ape-man slash the rope with his knife. Bohgdu, enveloped in the net, was flung into the branches of a nearby clump of trees, as Tarzan had planed. Then by the short end of the rope, the jungle lord swung after him.

As Tarzan began swiftly to slash the net that imprisoned the ape Dester commanded his warriors to circle the tree, ready to release a hail of deadly missiles. His enemy could not escape now.

"Surrender, or we fire!" cried Dester Molu.

But the ape-man answered: "Tarzan never surrenders!"
6507

Bohgdu's Sacrifice ~ 35.01.06
When Tarzan defied the command to surrender, Dester Molu ordered his savage company to fire. Eagerly they discharged a torrent of deadly missiles, such as no creature could live through. For a moment the simple-minded Bohgdu stared uncertainly; then he swept Tarzan into his arms and raced along a bough. Swiftly the ape placed the ape-man against the trunk of the tree and covered him with his own body.

"What do you do?" Tarzan demanded.

"I shield you, master," Bohgdu answered simply. "You helped me. I help you."

The unwilling Tarzan slowly began to free himself form the powerful grip of his zealous servant. Then an arrow pierced the body of the ape. Bohgdu released his hold, and toppled backward! When the great beast fell among them the warriors ceased their fire and thronged around their victim.

"Bohgdu!" cried Tarzan. A low growl answered him -- a growl full of pain and suffering but Bohgdu still lived! Tarzan hurried downward. He saw the stout-hearted ape stagger to his feet -- to spend his final strength in valiant battle with the foe, until death should claim him! Then a warrior raised his spear to slay the wounded beast, but Tarzan plunged recklessly downward amidst his savage enemies to halt the death stroke!
6508

Take Them Alive ~ 35.01.13

Plunging amongst his enemies, Tarzan seized the spear that was aimed at Bohgdu, the wounded ape, who was his faithful ally. Before the savages could recover from their surprise, he had slain two of them with swift thrusts. And Bohgdu, with fast-ebbing strength, clutched the throat of another and strangled him.

Now many spears were raised to kill the ape-man, but Dester Molu cried, "Take him alive!" When the warriors hesitated, their white god shouted: "They who subdue the evil one shall win a place in paradise."

So the savage fighting-men rushed upon Tarzan and broke the spear from his grasp. The ape-man drew his knife and fought on, though he knew he could not conquer so vast a company. Meanwhile Bohgdu had fallen. In his eyes blazed the fierce fire of battle, but his painful wounds rendered him helpless. At last Tarzan was overwhelmed by the savage horde and a cruel laugh rattled in the throat of Dester Molu.

Then the jungle lord spoke, "Before you kill me, let me tend the wounds and relieve the suffering of that poor beast." Tarzan glanced sharply at his foe. For what dark purpose did the brutal Dester wish to preserve the lives of his enemies?
6509

Dester Molu's Fate ~ 35.01.20
Amid the wild boom of drums and the joyous shouts of the savages, Tarzan, tightly bound, was led to a hut in the village. And there the wounded Bohgdu was borne on a litter of boughs. Dester Molu gazed upon the dying beast and spoke to Tarzan.

"Heal the ape if you can. I need strong slaves for the sapphire pits. There both of you shall labor - and die!"

Tarzan ignored the threat of doom. His only concern was to soften the suffering of his faithful follower. Closely guarded, he went into the forest and gathered rare herbs, and brewed a potent medicine according to the secret lore of ancient Africa. Through long hours, the Waiori witch doctors looked with jealous awe upon the magic effect of the jungle lord's stimulating remedy. Strength returned gradually to the wounded ape. At last the mist passed from his eyes, and he beheld his master -- in chains.

Then his vision fell upon Dester Molu, who was his master's foe. Sudden rage seized the fierce and dauntless Bohgdu. He sprang violently from his pallet. His great hairy paws clutched the throat of his enemy. The man's spine snapped like a dry twig! Bohgdu released his grip and his victim fell to the ground. Dester Molu had met his just fate! The warriors gasped, then started forward now, thought Tarzan, they would claim vengeance for the death of the man who was their god!
6510

Conspiracy ~ 35.01.27
Rapidly the warrior horde encircled Tarzan and Boghdu, to avenge the death of Dester Molu, their God-King. The Ape-man seized a spear from a nearby fighting man, but he knew he could not withstand the savage onslaught. Nor could Boghdu aid him, for the giant ape staggered and fell, exhausted by his fatal attack on Dester Molu. Tarzan's anxious eyes followed him to the ground, where his glance fell upon Dester's revolver. He swooped down and clutched the glittering weapon, Tarzan detested firearms, but now he had no choice. When he raised the revolver, the savages halted suddenly and fell to their knees in fear and worship.

Then Tarzan knew that the magic "fire-thing" marked him for these people as a god, and his safety lay in nourishing that belief. With a commanding gesture, the jungle lord signaled four warriors to place the wounded Bohgdu on the litter. He staled then from the hut, toward the great house where Dester Molu had lived and ruled so cruelly. There he mounted Dester Molu's throne and thus Tarzan of the Apes became by chance the god king of the Waioris. The people assembled and paid him homage, but it was the homage of fear. And in the shadows, two medicine men far wiser than the rest, already were conspiring to destroy him!
6511

The Death Plot ~ 35.02.03
In the days that followed his ascent to Dester Molu's throne, Tarzan restored the wounded Bohgdu to health. The Waioris sang the praises of their new god-king, for they believed he had wrought a miracle. And they set before him massive trays filled with rich sapphires.

"Whence came these?" Tarzan demanded.

For answer he was escorted to the sapphire pits where Dester Molu had enslaved many men to gratify his greed for precious jewels. Tarzan commanded that the slaves be freed. And all that day the tribesmen feasted and acclaimed his mercy. But there were two who frowned . . . the witch-doctors who sought Tarzan's downfall. And now they hit upon a plan. At the height of the feast they poured a secret poison into the food of Zotar, beloved chieftain of the warriors. And as Zotar writhed in agony, the crafty witch-doctors shouted to Tarzan:

"Thou can'st cure him, for thou art a god!"

The jungle lord employed his highest skill to heal the stricken warrior but at last the secret poison claimed its victim. Then the witch-doctors shouted: "He is a false god. He could not cure Zotar. Slay him, or evil shall befall us!" A hundred fanatic warriors raised their spears.

"Halt!" the ape-man cried in desperation. "I shall give proof by a miracle." Tarzan sought thus to gain time, but he knew it was a vain respite, for no feat he could perform would satisfy the frenzied horde!
6512

Miracle of the Skies ~ 35.02.10
"Show us a miracle! Prove you are a god or we shall destroy you!" the fanatic savages shrieked.

Tarzan knew his doom was near as he prepared to fight against hopeless odds, a familiar hum reached his ears. "I shall show a miracle! he shouted. "I shall summon another god in the form of a mighty bird to witness your evil ways!"

"Behold!" he cried, pointing skyward; and the savages fell to their knees, for the miracle had come to pass.

Meanwhile, Sybil Stoneley, unaware of her part in the stirring drama below, nosed her plane downward. With a cry of delight she sighted the tiny clearing, for she had been blown from her course and her fuel was almost exhausted. As she banked the speedy machine into a tight spiral. Tarzan waved his arms to  make the Waioris believe he was directing the wheeling bird to earth. The tribesmen gazed in awe. Then fright seized them and they fled into the deep forest. Soon the bird machine settled to earth but as it landed on the rough terrain it swerved a pile of dry brush and crashed on its nose! The girl's head struck the windshield she lost consciousness. The wings containing the tanks were ripped away, and gasoline showered over the brush. As Tarzan ran forward, the fuel took fire, and quickly the wreckage was encircled by an impenetrable wall of flame!
6513

An Unexpected Foe ~ 35.02.17
When Tarzan saw the flames encircling the girl pilot, he voiced the ape-cry of distress and the faithful Bohgdu hurried to him. Shouting a command to the ape, Tarzan grasped a spear that a fleeing warrior had abandoned. With incredible speed, ape and ape-man scurried up the tree that towered above the imperiled girl. Bohgdu fastened his legs around a bough and hung downward, gripping the spear tightly in his paws, while Tarzan climbed down and clung by one hand from the end of the shaft. As Bohgdu set the spear to swinging, Tarzan reached down and hauled the unconscious girl from t he blazing furnace. And the mighty ape drew them up to safety.

On earth again, as Tarzan bore her toward a cool grove to revive her, the girl slowly opened her eyes. Alarmed to find herself in the arms of a man who appeared to be a giant savage, she leaped free. Still dazed by her injury, and believing herself in great peril, she drew her revolver and cried, "Stand back!"

The mystified Bohgdu, convinced that his master was menaced by this strange white she, sprang at her with a wild roar.

"I'll kill you both!" the girl screamed -- and her trembling forefinger pressed the trigger!"
6514

The Savage Tide ~ 35.02.24
When Bohgdu charged, believing his master was menaced, the girl fired, but the tremor of her hand thwarted her aim. Instantly Tarzan leaped forward and wrenched the revolver from her.

"You might hurt someone," he laughed. When he spoke in English, her fears deepened. He must be a renegade white, perhaps a fugitive criminal, who had sunk to savagery.

"I shall protect you," said Tarzan. "I do not require your aid," she replied haughtily.

"Return my revolver, and I can protect myself."

The ape-man ignored her scorn, for he perceived that she was a spoiled child of civilization. With a shrug he handed her the revolver. "There are primitive dangers here," he warned, "from which this civilized toy cannot protect you!"

Meanwhile, from the shadowy forest, Tarzan's savage subjects cast mystified eyes on this strange drama of the gods. Now the girl backed away, calling from between clenched teeth: "If you or that beast come near me, I'll kill you!"

Finally the Waioris were convinced that the gold haired one was an enemy of him who had proved himself their god. Determined to destroy her, they streamed from the
jungle, with the death cry on their lips. The girl saw them and knew her revolver was useless against so great a horde. She turned and fled. Tarzan cried out to halt the mad tribesmen, but his voice was lost in the din of pursuit.
6515

Jungle Maiden ~ 35.03.03
When the Waioris failed to hear his command to halt, Tarzan knew he must reach the girl before they overtook her. After a swift journey through the trees, he saw her encircled by the howling savage horde. Resolved to die fighting, the girl fired. Two warriors fell, but the others raised their spears to kill her. Then the ape-man swooped down, lifted her from the jaws of death, and ordered the bewildered tribesmen to disperse.

"Will you accept my protection now?" he asked.

"No!" she replied; for still she mistrusted this strange creature who seemed akin to beast and savage. "I can take care of myself," she insisted proudly. Tarzan shrugged and turned away.

Thus Sybil Stoneley took up her abode in the jungle; but, unknown to her, Tarzan hovered nearby to watch over her. With cool indifference he witnessed her struggles and hardships -- well-merited punishment for her foolhardy conceit. Toward nightfall, the ape-man caught the scent of a hunting lion and swung downward to her rescue.

"A lion!" he shouted, "I will take you into the trees."

"No!" she answered, for she believed this was a ruse to seize her.

As Tarzan struggled with the obstinate girl, the beast stalked into the clearing! Confidently Sybil raised her small revolver and fired. But the tiny bullet only spurred the lion to a lightning charge! And Tarzan was not wholly prepared!

6516

The Magic Glass ~ 35.03.10
"Run!" the ape-man cried as the wounded lion charged down on them, but Sybil was too terrified to move. Tarzan ran forward to meet the charge, leaped high in the air, and alighted on the back of the racing beast. But he wondered if he could kill the lion before its talons locked the girl in fatal embrace. As he turned swiftly, one arm encircled the carnivore's neck, while the other drove a knife into the tawny throat. And the best fell dead a Sybil Stoneley's feet! Humbly now she was about to speak her gratitude, but the jungle lord turned abruptly and walked away.

Thus spurned, her proud heart conceived a new hatred for this man as she returned to her labors. Now Tarzan summoned Bohgdu to watch over her while he sought the soothing peace of the deep forest. Sybil was troubled She had no means to start a fire. Then she thought of the magnifying glass she carried to read small maps.

From out the jungle, the two witch-doctors, Tarzan's bitter enemies, watched in high excitement as the magic glass focused the rays of the sun and ignited a pile of dry moss. Then one whispered:

"See! Her magic is powerful! Now I have a plan. The golden-haired one shall be the instrument of Tarzan's destruction!"
6517

Daughter of the Sun ~ 35.03.17
While Sybil Stoneley kindled a fire with the magnifying glass, the witch-doctors conspired to destroy Tarzan through her. They hastened to the treasure vaults and returned with a tray of sapphires with which to lure the girl into their power. At first she aimed her revolver at them, but their worshipful attitude convinced her of their peaceful intent. Flattered by their homage and enchanted by their gifts of rich jewels, she followed them to the village. Boghdu, whom Tarzan had ordered to guard her, was not alarmed, for he recognized no harm except physical violence. The witch-doctors went among the people saying the sun-haired one was truly divine and Tarzan was a false god. But the Waioris denied her for they had come to love and revere the powerful white giant.

"Who shall give proof!" Sybil's evil disciples declared. "Let us go to the hall of the gods. In a shaft of sunlight Sybil ignited a small heap of tinder with her magnifying glass. When the Waioris beheld this magic they cried:

"She is in truth the daughter of the sun . . . greatest of gods!"

"And Tarzan is her enemy!" the witch-doctors shouted.

Meanwhile, Tarzan sauntered toward the great hall unaware that the savages were being stirred to a fanatic frenzy against him!
6518

The Witch-Doctors' Stratagem ~ 35.03.24
While the witch-doctors, Garu and Zuto continued to inflame the people against Tarzan . . . Sybil Stoneley's heart was filled with haughty pride for she believed they were acclaiming her. At a gesture from Garu, she mounted the throne that was Tarzan's. Now she was a queen!

And Garu said to Zuto: "When Tarzan is destroyed, she too shall die! Then we shall rule again."

Tarzan heard now the shouts from the great hall, but he did not suspect that aught was amiss. Then a sentry reported his approach to Garu, who ordered the Waioris to hide in the shadows. And when Tarzan entered, the savages fell upon him with fanatic frenzy.

"He is the enemy of our goddess-queen!" the evil witch-doctors screamed.

Sybil cried out to stop them, for though she hated Tarzan, she did not wish to see him slain. By now the ape-man had been overwhelmed, and Sybil's shouts halted the spears that were raised to kill him.

"What does she say?" the savages asked the crafty Garu, who professed to understand the divine language of their goddess.

Garu answered: "The daughter of the sun demands Tarzan as a sacrafice. Tonight he shall be destroyed by fire!"
6519

TARZAN'S DOOM ~ 35.03.31 ~ #212
The howling Waioris led Tarzan from the hall and locked him in a cage to await the fiery sacrifice. Haughtily Sybil Stoneley approached him.

"Now I am ruler of the tribe," she said, "and you are in my power!"

"I trust you are satisfied ," Tarzan replied. "Tonight  they will kill me and you will be rid of me."

"Kill you?' the girl cried out in astonishment. "I want you imprisoned -- not killed. I won't allow it!"

Tarzan shrugged. "The witch-doctors have told the people that you demand me as a sacrifice."

Sybil looked about her. Already the savages were gathering faggots for the sacrificial fire. "Tell them I forbid it!" she commanded.

Knowing the hopelessness of his effort, Tarzan conveyed her command to the Waioris but they laughed: "You cannot deceive us so easily."

Sybil Stoneley stormed and fumed, because she had no power to prevent the death of Tarzan. Garu, who posed as interpreter of her divine words, assured the people that she was heaping curses on Tarzan the evil one.  Suddenly then the imperious maiden, who was goddess-queen of the Waioris, burst into womanly tears. "Forgive me," she implored.

"Ask forgiveness first of your own proud heart, which has brought us both to this circumstance," said the ape-man.

Soon twilight fell. Tarzan was bound to a tree, and the ritual drums boomed out the first weird rhythms of the dance of death!
6520

THE FALLEN GODDESS ~ 35.04.07 ~ #213
As the dance of death swung into wilder, swifter rhythms, the witch-doctors heaped faggots around Tarzan for the sacrificial fire. Sybil Stoneley was wracked by remorse, for her own proud heart had brought Tarzan to this plight. The sly Garu approached her and indicated that she, as daughter of the sun, must kindle the faggots with her magic glass. Sybil was bewildered. She could not light a fire with her magnifying glass, for now there was no sun. Defiantly she made signs that she would not perform Garu's bidding. A murmur of disapproval rose from the savage throng.

Then Garu cried out! "She has failed us. She is no goddess." And the murmur grew to a hostile clamor.
Tarzan called a warning to Sybil. "Run! They are turning against you!"

Now the Waioris moved forward to seize her. "Deceiver!" they shouted. "She shall share Tarzan's fate!"

Swiftly the girl whipped out her revolver, but the frenzied savages pressed on. Sybil turned toward Tarzan. A wild, eager light blazed in her eyes. Had she gone stark mad? She leveled the revolver at the helpless ape-man so, he thought, she would kill him to regain the favor of the Waioris!

Then Sybil Stoneley fired!
6521

TWARTED RESCUE ~ 35.04.14 ~ #214
To Tarzan's great surprise, the bullet fired by Sybil clipped the rope that bound him.

"Run!" cried Sybil. But instead, the fearless jungle lord rushed swiftly to her aid.

"Take them alive!" shouted Garu, the witch-doctor, who wished to see them die by slow torture.

Sybil stood her ground bravely and fired rapidly into the circling throng. Four savages fell. The mighty ape-man accounted for five more with a spear he had taken from a warrior. Tarzan knew they must soon be overcome. He cried the ape-call of distress, hoping that Boghdu would hear. But the powerful ape slept peacefully in the deep forest, unaware of his master's peril. Now Tarzan grasped the girl and leaped toward a branch of the tree. But an alert warrior seized his ankle. Tarzan and the girl toppled back into the midst of the foe; and presently they were overwhelmed and bound to the tree.

"I am grateful for your attempt to save me," the jungle lord said to Sybil.

"I did not do it for you," she replied, but to soothe my pride. I wanted to prove myself equal to the emergency."

"Soon it will not matter," Tarzan smiled, and even as he spoke Garu kindled the fire that was meant to consume them!
6522

AMIDST THE FLAMES ~ 35.04.21
Tiny tongues of flame raced and crackled through the faggots at the foot of the sacrificial tree. Tarzan strained at the ropes, but even his mighty strength could not sunder the fatal bonds.

Sybil Stoneley gazed calmly, even defiantly, at the mounting flames. "This is the end!" she said. Tarzan nodded.

Garu and Zuto, the witch-doctors, gazed with delight upon their murderous handiwork. Now they would rule the tribe. With bloodcurdling cries, the savages danced in frantic ecstasy to the weird, hollow rhythm of the tom toms.

Now Bohgdu the ape, aroused by the shouts, opened his sleepy eyes and beheld the forest aglow. Sensing something amiss, he hurried toward the shouts, crying out constantly to Tarzan, his master. Tarzan heard, and called out quick instructions in the language of the apes. Bohgdu swung swiftly into the tree to which Tarzan and the girl were bound. With the flames as a screen he descended and began to gnaw the rope wth his knife-edged teeth.

"Hurry!" Tarzan urged, for now the fire was almost upon him and the brave Sybil. But at that moment a dancing warrior discovered Bohgdu. He cried the alarm  and raised his spear for the thrust!
6523

THE GATHERING STORM ~ 35.04.28
The screaming warrior hurled his spear. Bohgdu dodged; and the lance buried itself in the trunk of the tree. Tarzan threw his mighty strength against the rope, which had been weakened by the ape's gnawing. It broke! He and Sybil were free!

But now the savages were surrounding them. "Take the she!" Tarzan cried to Bohgdu. The ape-man wrenched the spear from the tree and fought off the tightening circle of savages, while Bohgdu seized Sybil and leaped into a tree. Then Tarzan sprang after them, amidst a flight of wildly aimed arrows. The jungle lord took the girl from Bohgdu and they traveled all night to the farthest tip of the island.  There, in greatest haste, Tarzan and the ape gathered fallen logs and bound them together with giant vines. Just as they were ready to launch their crude raft, the cries of the pursuing Waioris pierced the forest. The fugitives paddled from shore in a hail of arrows. Tarzan tried to shield Sybil, but she disdained his protection.

"You see, we are all safe," she smiled when they were out of range of the deadly missiles. Tarzan shook his head and pointed ahead. Dark storm clouds were gathering over the perilous tropical sea.
6524

BOHGDU'S MADNESS ~ 35.05.05 ~ #217
The storm rolled swiftly over the horizon and whipped down furiously upon the frail raft of the three fugitives. Thunder crashed, lightning split the leaden skies, and mighty winds set the sea a-boiling. The puny raft was tossed dizzily from crest to trough of towering waves while Tarzan, Sybil and Bohgdu hung on desperately with aching hands.

Once Sybil lost her hold. Almost was she swept into the foaming sea. But Tarzan reached out and saved her. The ape roared in a frenzy of terror. Though he was brave in battle, fear of the storm was in the blood of his race. Through the long day and the fearsome night they were ever near to death. Then the storm began to abate.

Bohgdu, now maddened by hunger as well as terror, started to gnaw the vines that held the raft together. His master cuffed him sharply, and the reasonless ape snarled.

"Poor fellow," said Tarzan. "Anyway we shall all starve together."

Sybil smiled weakly and drew some fruit from her pockets. "I gathered it while you were building the raft," she said proudly. Half of it she divided equally and restored the rest to her pockets. Bohgdu gulped his share and cried for more. Sybil made a negative gesture. Bohgdu understood, and now his eyes blazed with murderous fury. He waited his chance. Then as Tarzan turned to tighten a vine, the mad beast sprang at Sybil and clutched her throat in his powerful paws!
6525

THE MONSTER ~ 35.05.12 ~ #218
Sybil cried out in terror as the powerful ape, driven mad bY fear and hunger, clutched her throat. But Tarzan swooped down and locked a steel-thewed arm around the thick neck of the beast.

"Let go!" he commanded. As Bohgdu slowly released his grip Tarzan, too, eased his hold. Then with a sudden wrench, Bohgdu broke away and whirled to the opposite side of the raft. There he stood beating his chest and snarling fiercely. Tarzan addressed him:

"Would you harm me, your master?" Bohgdu glared blankly. His madness had emptied his mind of everything except his overpowering sense of hunger.

"Kill him!" pleaded the terrified girl; "or he will kill us."

Tarzan shook his head sadly. "No! The madness of hunger drives men to horrible deeds. Must we expect more of this poor beast? Perhaps we can calm him."  As the ape crouched ominously, Tarzan continued: "Divide the food into two shares. You keep one; the other I shall give to Bohgdu."

At that moment the raft lurched. Sybil and Bohgdu looked out past Tarzan and cried a warning -- but too late. A great wave, stirred by a freak of the wind, washed suddenly over the raft and swept the ape-man into the sea.  And when Tarzan began to swim back to safety, a monstrous shark rose up from the depths and plunged swiftly to the attack!
6526

THE UNDERSEA BATTLE ~ 35.05.19 ~ #219
The giant shark rushed down upon the hapless ape-man, its deadly jaws agape. With jungle-born agility, Tarzan whirled form the path of the voracious monster and as it shot past, his left hand closed momentarily on a slippery fin. At the same time he drew his knife and plunged it into the old flesh of the sea-beast. But the shark lunged and shook him off; and a violent flip of its tail tossed Tarzan high into the air. As he fell back, the monster whirled again to the attack, and the ape-man landed on its head.

Then, as Tarzan drove his knife repeatedly into the tough hide, the shark plunged beneath the surface, carrying the ape-man with him. Tarzan knew that his submarine journey could not last long. Soon, he or the shark must die! But presently his jabbing blade found a vital spot; and the monster's life and strength faded swiftly. Then the conquering Tarzan sprang upward toward the surface. He drew the welcome air deep into his lungs and set out for the raft, which now was far away. He swam swiftly, fearing that he was already too late to save Sybil from he maddened Bohgdu!
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THE STRANGE WARRIOR ~ 35.05.26 ~ #220
From his conquest of the shark, Tarzan sped toward the raft, fearing for Sybil's fate at the hands of the maddened ape. But as he approached he was surprised to see Sybil safe; and the ape was peering at him anxiously across the water. Suddenly Bohgdu cried out. Tarzan turned. Three more sharks were encircling him! Now surely was he doomed. While the ape-man prepared for the hopeless battle, Bohgdu unlaced a vine from the raft and flung it to him. As the sea beasts pressed upon him, Tarzan caught the vine, and Bohgdu jerked him violently from the jaws of death. Bohgdu hauled him safely aboard. Then rubbed against him and grunted in an awkward, apish show of affection. Sybil, too, welcomed him joyously.

Then Tarzan said to her: "Bohgdu seems quite normal again."

She replied: "When he saw the first shark about to devour you, his madness vanished. Your peril shocked him back to his senses."

Tarzan smiled and ordered the remaining food to be divided between the girl and the ape. For himself he asked nothing.

After the long day, night came, and the three voyagers drifted on toward an unknown fate. At dawn, the waves cast them up on a lonely beach, and Tarzan and Bohgdu set out at once to explore for food. But as they entered a woodland, the strangest warrior they had ever seen rushed upon them, brandishing a gigantic broadsword!
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Continued in ERBzine 0818: Blood Warrior ~ The Vikings