Tarzan and the Golden Lion · Chapter
Mad Treachery explained
The conspirators discover that Tarzan has recovered from their drugging, killed Esteban Miranda (who was impersonating him), and reclaimed the gold with his Waziri.
What happens
The conspirators discover that Tarzan has recovered from their drugging, killed Esteban Miranda (who was impersonating him), and reclaimed the gold with his Waziri. Faced with total loss, Kraski proposes a new scheme to raid Arab slave traders for ivory, using Owaza's knowledge and the promise of freedom to turn the slaves against their masters.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Deception
Esteban's impersonation of Tarzan is exposed and punished, while the conspirators' schemes rely on deception and false promises.
Revenge and Justice
Tarzan exacts revenge on the impostor and reclaims the stolen gold, delivering a warning to the conspirators.
Loyalty and Betrayal
The Waziri remain fiercely loyal to Tarzan, while the conspirators betray each other with threats and blame.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Tarzan confronts the conspirators' camp, reclaims the gold, and delivers a warning; he is also believed to have killed the impostor Esteban.
- Esteban Miranda
Esteban is killed by Tarzan after impersonating him; his body is taken to be fed to lions.
- Flora Hawkes
Flora deduces Tarzan's actions, counsels retreat, and is the first to realize the danger of remaining in Africa.
- Carl Kraski
Kraski proposes a new plan to raid Arab slavers for ivory, having learned from Owaza about their camp and the potential to turn the slaves.
- Adolph Bluber
Bluber laments the loss of the gold and his expensive suit, showing his greed and frustration.
- Dick Throck
Throck angrily blames Bluber and Esteban for the failure, threatening violence.
Key passages
“The creature who presumes to pose as Tarzan I have slain, and his body I shall take away with me and feed to the lions.”
Tarzan announces that he has killed the impostor and will dispose of the body.
Tarzan's warning to the conspirators, delivered through the askari.
“It is all clear to me. Tarzan recovered from the effects of the drug we administered. Then he followed us with his Waziri, caught Esteban and killed him and, finding the camp, has taken the gold away.”
Flora explains that Tarzan survived the drugging, tracked them, killed Esteban, and reclaimed the gold.
Flora's deduction of the events that transpired while they were hunting.
“There are other things in Africa besides the gold of Opar, and when we leave the country there is no reason why we shouldn't take something with us that will repay us for our time and investment.”
Kraski suggests they can still profit from Africa by stealing ivory from Arab slavers.
Kraski's proposal to salvage the expedition by raiding slave traders.