Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 120: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

278 but little different from those of your own country.” She shook her head. ‘‘ It cannot be, for me,’ she said. ‘* My father is of far Man- dalamakus. My mother was stolen from him only a couple of moons before I was born in this horrid chamber far from the air and sunlight that my mother never tired of telling me about.” “ And your mother?” asked Tarzan. “ Is she here?”’ The girl shook her head sadly. “ They came for her over twenty moons since and took her away. I do not know what be- came of her.” “And these others, they never betray you?” he inquired. ‘Never! Whatever slave betrayed an- other would be torn to pieces by his fel- lows. But come, you must be hungry,” and she offered him of the flesh she had been cooking. Tarzan would have preferred his meat raw, but he did not wish to offend her and so he thanked her and ate that which she offered him, squatting on his haunches across the brazier from her. “Tt is strange that he does not come,” she remarked, referring to Eight Hundred Cubed Plus Nineteen. ‘‘ Never before has he been so late.” A brawny slave, who had approached from behind her, had halted and was look- ing scowlingly at Tarzan. “ Perhaps this is he,” said Tarzan to the girl, indicating the man with a gesture. Talaskar turned quickly, an almost hap- py light in her eyes, but when she saw who it was that stood behind her she rose quickly and stepped back, her expression altered to one of disgust. “No,” she said, ‘‘ it is not he.” “You are cooking for him?’”’ demanded the fellow, pointing at Tarzan. “ But you would not cook for me,” he accused, not waiting for a reply to his question, the an- swer to which was all too obvious. ‘‘ Who is he that you should cook for him? Is he better than I? You will cook for me, also.” “There are plenty to cook for you, Car- aftap,” replied Talaskar, “and I do not wish to, Go to some other woman. Until ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, there are too many men we are permitted to choose those whom we shall cook for. I do not choose to cook for you.” “If you know what is well for you you will cook for me,” growled the man. ‘“ You will be my mate, too. I have a right to you, because I have asked you many times be- fore these others came. Rather than let them have you I will tell the Vental to- morrow the truth about you and he will take you away. Have you ever seen Kal; fastoban?” The girl shuddered. “I will see that Kalfastoban gets you,” continued Caraftap. ‘“ They will not per- mit you to remain here when they find that you refuse to produce more slaves.” ‘““{ should prefer Kalfastoban to you,” sneered the girl, “ but neither one nor the other shall have me.” “Do not be too sure of that,” he cried, and stepping forward, quickly, seized her by the arm before she could elude him. Dragging her toward him the man at- tempted to kiss her—but he did not suc- ceed. Steel fingers closed upon his shoulder, he was torn roughly from his prey and hurled ruthlessly a dozen paces, stumbling and fall- ing to the floor. Between him and the girl stood the gray eyed stranger with the shock of black hair. Almost roaring in his rage, Caraftap scrambled to his feet and charged Tarzan— charged as a mad bull charges, with low- ered head and blood-shot eyes. “For this you shall die,” he screamed. CHAPTER XII. CARAFTAP THE BULLY. HE son of the First Woman strode proudly through the forest. He car- ried a spear, jauntily, and there was a bow and arrows slung to his back. Behind him came ten other males of his species, similarly armed, and each walked as if he owned the earth he trod. Toward them along the trail, although still beyond their sight, or hearing, or smell, came a woman of their kind. She, too, walked with fearless step. Presently her (E(0) oNOOLKS AMIUCE (F@