Part 1: The Journey to Africa
Chapter 13
"Friends Turn Traitors"
It seemed to happen so fast that Jane, Archimedes and Clayton had to leave the gorilla nest so quickly. But, it was uncalled for Clayton to unleash his frustration upon Jane for making them stay another day; however, Clayton had bigger plans in mind. First of all, he had to get Jane, Archimedes, the crew and especially Tarzan out of the way. It seemed at first Tarzan was already gone, but he knew that Tarzan would be back if the gorillas were harmed. So to do that, he had both his rifle reloaded and his machete sharpened. Plus, he had all his men sharpen their weapons as well.
The next morning, he seemed to continue hiding his intentions as the rowboat from the ship arrived to collect him and the others from the jungle. Jane emerged onto the beach wearing her yellow shirt and green skirt, purple stockings and gray ankle boots with her hair back in its elegant bun. Her shirt had its collar on and a purple necktie was on as well. She wanted to wear her yellow dress, but thanks to Tarzan's gorilla and elephant friend, it was ruined and she couldn't do so.
"My, don't you look nice Miss Porter," said Clayton. "I wanted to apologize for my outburst last night. I'll make it up to you."
But, Jane didn't listen to what he said. All she and her father wanted to do was to get back to England and terminate their alliance with Clayton. They had been searching for Gorillas for many days and years in the jungles of Africa and were now looking forward to getting home to Cherry Tree Lane and English civilization. However, just as they were about to shove off, a figure wearing a bluish black suit emerged from the trees.
"Tarzan!" Jane cried. "You are coming with us?"
Tarzan nodded at Jane and followed her to the rowboat as they rowed back towards the ship. Tarzan was excited to being with Jane in England, but he couldn't help but feel that he was leaving his home behind. By the time they got closer and closer to the ship, Clayton grew more and more smug as he was closer and closer to achieving his goal of getting his hands on the gorillas.
A little while later, the boat arrived at the ship and Jane began to get Tarzan excited about the journey back to England.
"Oh, Tarzan, you can't imagine what's in store for you!" Jane said excitedly as Clayton climbed up onto the ship. "You're going to see the world and everyone's going to want to meet you! Kings and scientists and famous writers..."
"Yes," added Archimedes as he climbed onto the ship. "Darwin, and Kipling. King George!"
"And I haven't met him," said Jane. "But I've heard he's awfully nice."
"And I'll be with Jane?" asked Tarzan softly.
"Um, yes. With Jane," she chuckled nervously and nearly lost her balance on a wet patch of the boat.
"Oh, slippery," she chuckled and Tarzan helped her climb onto the ship.
But, when Jane got to the top, a big, hulking man grabbed her and put his hand on her mouth. Jane struggled to get loose, but the more she tried, the stronger the man held her. She could see that several crew members had been tied up and her father and Captain Gerard were been dragged to the brig of the ship.
"Clayton," she said angrily. "What's going on here?"
"So sorry, Miss Porter," he said mockingly. "But we don't want any of you to be in the way when I achieved my ultimate conquest."
"Conquest?" demanded Jane as she struggled. "What conquest?"
"Why, your boyfriend's ape family is going to make us plenty rich," replied Clayton smugly. "But, of course, I can't have you or your father and the ape man be in the way."
"Clayton, when we get back to England I will make sure you are brought before the law," said Jane defiantly, a look of anger in her eyes. But, Clayton had bigger plans in mind and took out his machete and placed it against Jane's throat.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Miss Porter," he chuckled evilly. "When I'm done with you, I am going to cut off those clothes you are wearing and make you my trophy."
Jane growled as Clayton beckoned the man to drag her to the brig with the others just as Tarzan climbed onto the ship and saw the very same activity as Jane did when she first climbed on.
"Tarzan!" she called and the hulking man, trying to keep Jane quiet, got his hand bitten by Jane as she called Tarzan again, trying to get him out of the same predicament as her. But, Tarzan could not hear her and thus was subjected to the same cruelty as Jane.
The men threw Jane and Archimedes into the brig with Captain Gerard and several of his officers. Jane was thrown into the brig in a not so lady like manner and nearly hurt herself in the process.
"Jane!" cried Archimedes, running to his daughter. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Daddy," replied Jane, as she got to her feet. "Clayton is not going to get away with this!"
"I'm afraid he might have," said Archimedes. "He has taken over the ship and the gorillas are going to be easy prey for him and those men and there is nothing we can do about it."
Just then, Tarzan joined the group in the brig and from the moment the door to the brig was closed, he tried desperately to get free, but Jane knew that it was useless.
"Tarzan, it's no use! Don't!" said Jane and she ran over to stop him only to have Tarzan quickly turn to her with a look of anger deep in his face.
"Clayton," he snarled.
"Yes, Clayton," said Jane angrily. "Clayton betrayed us all. I'm so sorry, Tarzan."
Now, Tarzan was beginning to fill with remorse as he lowered his head down in shame. For he knew that his gorilla family was easy prey for Clayton and his men and that there was nothing he could do about it.
"No, I did this," said Tarzan sadly. "I betrayed my family. Kerchak was right."
Jane was now beginning to realize that Kerchak was the name of the silverback gorilla who nearly attacked her on the day she met Tarzan. Now, she was realizing that Kerchak was also the leader of Tarzan's family of gorillas and that it explained why he was being so defiant and stern about it."
"Oh, those magnificent creatures," moaned Archimedes. "shivering in cages! What is this world coming to?!"
He banged his fists into the side of the brig and suddenly the ship made a sudden jerk to the left and everyone was pushed over to the other side of the ship.
"Oh, by jove," said Archimedes surprisingly. "Don't know my own strength!"
Suddenly, the boat jerked again to the other side and everyone went through the same ride only this time it was to the right.
"What was that?" Jane wondered to herself and it didn't take long for her to find her answer as a large elephant's foot broke through the door of the brig.
"Goodness," said Archimedes completely unaware of the creature that freed them all. "That sounded just like an elephant."
"Tantor," said Tarzan and the elephant trumpeted as everyone got out of the brig. Tarzan was then greeted by one of his gorilla friends who had accompanied the elephant to rescue them.
"Professor," said Captain Gerard. "I will radio the royal navy about our situation with Clayton! What are you planning to do?"
"We have to stop Clayton," cried Jane, taking off her high collar and purple necktie. "Call for some help, Captain!"
"Yes, Miss Porter," replied Captain Gerard as the rescue party jumped off the ship and headed back into the waters.
Now, the race to stop Clayton and his men was about to begin…
