[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

the directors of the adjacent zoological garden.
 Quite right, Professor, agreed Mr. Philander,  and the sooner it is done the better. Let us start now.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Seizing the professor by the arm, Mr. Philander set off in the direction that would put the greatest
distance between themselves and the lion.
They had proceeded but a short distance when a backward glance revealed to the horrified gaze of Mr.
Philander that the lion was following them. He tightened his grip upon the protesting professor and
increased his speed.
 As I was saying, Mr. Philander, repeated Professor Porter.
Mr. Philander took another hasty glance rearward. The lion also had quickened his gait, and was
doggedly maintaining an unvarying distance behind them.
 He is following us! gasped Mr. Philander, breaking into a run.
 Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, remonstrated the professor,  this unseemly haste is most unbecoming to men of
letters. What will our friends think of us, who may chance to be upon the street and witness our frivolous
antics? Pray let us proceed with more decorum.
Mr. Philander stole another observation astern.
The lion was bounding along in easy leaps scarce five paces behind.
Mr. Philander dropped the professor's arm, and broke into a mad orgy of speed that would have done
credit to any varsity track team.
 As I was saying, Mr. Philander-- screamed Professor Porter, as, metaphorically speaking, he himself
 threw her into high. He, too, had caught a fleeting backward glimpse of cruel yellow eyes and half open
mouth within startling proximity of his person.
With streaming coat tails and shiny silk hat Professor Archimedes Q. Porter fled through the moonlight
close upon the heels of Mr. Samuel T. Philander.
Before them a point of the jungle ran out toward a narrow promontory, and it was for the heaven of the
trees he saw there that Mr. Samuel T. Philander directed his prodigious leaps and bounds; while from the
shadows of this same spot peered two keen eyes in interested appreciation of the race.
It was Tarzan of the Apes who watched, with face a-grin, this odd game of follow-the-leader.
He knew the two men were safe enough from attack in so far as the lion was concerned. The very fact
that Numa had foregone such easy prey at all convinced the wise forest craft of Tarzan that Numa's belly
already was full.
The lion might stalk them until hungry again; but the chances were that if not angered he would soon tire
of the sport, and slink away to his jungle lair.
Really, the one great danger was that one of the men might stumble and fall, and then the yellow devil
would be upon him in a moment and the joy of the kill would be too great a temptation to withstand.
So Tarzan swung quickly to a lower limb in line with the approaching fugitives; and as Mr. Samuel T.
Philander came panting and blowing beneath him, already too spent to struggle up to the safety of the
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
limb, Tarzan reached down and, grasping him by the collar of his coat, yanked him to the limb by his
side.
Another moment brought the professor within the sphere of the friendly grip, and he, too, was drawn
upward to safety just as the baffled Numa, with a roar, leaped to recover his vanishing quarry.
For a moment the two men clung panting to the great branch, while Tarzan squatted with his back to the
stem of the tree, watching them with mingled curiosity and amusement.
It was the professor who first broke the silence.
 I am deeply pained, Mr. Philander, that you should have evinced such a paucity of manly courage in the
presence of one of the lower orders, and by your crass timidity have caused me to exert myself to such
an unaccustomed degree in order that I might resume my discourse. As I was saying, Mr. Philander,
when you interrupted me, the Moors--
 Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, broke in Mr. Philander, in icy tones,  the time has arrived when
patience becomes a crime and mayhem appears garbed in the mantle of virtue. You have accused me of
cowardice. You have insinuated that you ran only to overtake me, not to escape the clutches of the lion.
Have a care, Professor Archimedes Q. Porter! I am a desperate man. Goaded by long-suffering patience
the worm will turn.
 Tut, tut, Mr. Philander, tut, tut! cautioned Professor Porter;  you forget yourself.
 I forget nothing as yet, Professor Archimedes Q. Porter; but, believe me, sir, I am tottering on the verge
of forgetfulness as to your exalted position in the world of science, and your gray hairs. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]