Chapter 7

"Jane Meets the Leopard Cub"

Following her time at Dumont's, Jane returned to the treehouse now better rested and looking forward to her friends' arrival in two days. She was hoping that this time, their picnic would not be interrupted by French soldiers armed with rifles and swords. Little did she know however that Queen La was setting a trap for her and that trap was in the form of a small leopard cub that she had taken from the den where La was now presiding over. Approaching the treehouse, Jane was just about to climb into the boat to bring herself up when she heard a low growling sound from behind her practice area.

"What is that?" she murmured to herself as she stepped out of the boat and approached the source of the sound coming from behind the tree. Jane turned to find the leopard cub who looked up at her with innocent eyes. "Oh, hello, what are you doing here?"

But, the cub didn't respond as it just sat there and gazed up at Jane. Jane knew that Tarzan despised leopards and after all, his family was killed by one when he was just a baby. But at the same time, she felt a sudden urge deep inside her that this cub was lost and that she needed to take care of it. However, Jane felt her urge at the moment to send the cub away.

"Now, look, I know you are cute and everything, but you shouldn't be here," Jane said firmly as the cub got up and rubbed itself against Jane's long green skirt. "So go on, go back to your family. Go on, shoo."

Jane then looked away from the cub and was just about to leave when she felt a sharp tug and let out a loud gasp when she found the cub had her skirt in its mouth.

"Now, that's mine so give it back," she grunted, trying to keep the cub from ripping her skirt off and exposing her bloomers. "It's not yours to chew."

Jane managed to pull the skirt out of the cub's mouth and was going to try to send away again, when the cub just sat there again staring at her.

"Oh, I can't stay mad at you," she sighed, picking the cub up in her hands. "You're just a leopard cub and you are all alone. Perhaps, you could stay here until we find your family. I just couldn't leave you out to fend for yourself now, can't I?"

So, Jane still held the leopard cub in her hands as she got in the boat and climbed up to the treehouse. As she climbed, Jane was beginning to think back to the moment when Nala had spoken to her about one day proving to Tarzan that she could defend herself. She had also mentioned about sharing the traits of self-defense to whatever child she would produce. Jane felt that this was the time to do so, but it would not be easy considering the fact that Tarzan was not going to allow a leopard cub to stay in the treehouse.

Meanwhile, Tarzan and the Wazaris had brought a weakened, but defiant Muviro back to the Wazari village where the treacherous ex-Wazari was brought before Keewazi and was undergoing some tough questioning, while being flanked by two other warriors on either side of him.

"Do you understand why you are here, Muviro?" snarled Keewazi, pointing his staff at Muviro's neck. "We are searching for Queen La and we need to know where she is. So, where is she?"

But, the ex-Wazari was not going to go down quietly as the elder Wazari chief, scowled at him before swinging his spear and striking Muviro in the face, bringing him down on one knee.

"If you answer me, then I will not use my staff on you," snapped Keewazi, as Muviro was hauled back onto his feet. "A fellow warrior was killed by a jungle cat and it could have been possessed by La, so tell us where she is hiding."

This made the ex-Wazari chuckle to himself, knowing that La is probably somewhere where the Wazari's could not touch her. Of course, this annoyed Keewazi, but allowed for Muviro to talk.

"Why are you wasting your time in asking me?" mocked Muviro, not realizing the severity of his actions. "She is probably somewhere where you cannot touch her. La is a free spirit and will remain so. If you hunt her, I will protect her. Kill me and my spirit will join her."

Keewazi knew that his patience with Muviro was clearly running out and he felt like killing him right then and there. It had been a long time since a Wazari was executed and Keewazi was soon not to have any choice whatsoever.

"So you are not going to reveal to us where La is hiding, Muviro?" he asked, pointing his staff at him again. "Tell us and we may let you live to see another day. This is your last chance."

But, Muviro stayed silent and allowed himself to accept his fate, if it meant protecting the Wazari that he loved.

"Never," he growled and Keewazi closed his eyes and flipped his staff around to show the sharp pointed end and taking an enormous gulp he stuck his staff into Muviro's chest as he coughed up the blood that was in his body and with blood splirting out of his mouth, fell on his side and died right then and there.

"You should have told us where she was, Muviro," said Keewazi mournfully, full of regret for having to kill a Wazari. "Now, you pay with your life."

Just outside the tent, Tarzan and Basuli could hear the gurgled sounds of Muviro's life being taken from him and wondered what had just happened.

"He should have listened, Tarzan," sighed Basuli, trying to look away. "My father would have spared his life."

"Muviro wasn't going to say anything, no matter how hard your father would have tried," said Tarzan. "We go after La alone, you and me, together as friends."

Basuli was hesitant for a moment, but then placed his hand with Tarzan's in a handshake. From here on in, Tarzan and Basuli were going to join forces.

Meanwhile, Simba had left the village and was continuing the search for La alone, when he heard a pair of loud roars and standing in front of him were two panthers.

Who these panthers were would soon be answered in due time.