Tarzan and the Golden Lion · Chapter
The Golden Ingots explained
Esteban Miranda, impersonating Tarzan, struggles to maintain his deception among the Waziri.
What happens
Esteban Miranda, impersonating Tarzan, struggles to maintain his deception among the Waziri. After a humiliating encounter with a rhinoceros reveals his cowardice, he orders the Waziri to bury the gold and then dismisses them, claiming he will punish the intruders alone. He then returns to his own camp, where he is met with suspicion and indifference. Secretly, he has moved the golden ingots to a new hiding place, planning to retrieve them later with Flora Hawkes.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Deception
Esteban's impersonation of Tarzan is increasingly untenable as his cowardice and lack of skill betray him to the Waziri.
Loyalty and Betrayal
The Waziri's loyalty to Tarzan is tested by Esteban's behavior, while Owaza contemplates betraying Esteban for the gold.
Mastery and Obedience
Esteban commands the Waziri's obedience through his assumed identity, but their respect wanes as he fails to act like their true master.
Characters to notice
- Esteban Miranda
Impersonates Tarzan among the Waziri, but his cowardice and poor judgment strain the deception. He secretly moves the golden ingots and returns to his own camp.
- Usula
A Waziri warrior who is skeptical of Esteban's behavior, noting that the injury seems to have affected his master's heart, not just his head.
- Owaza
A wily black who helps Esteban move the gold and begins to contemplate stealing it for himself.
- Flora Hawkes
Shows indifference to Esteban's return, though he hopes to persuade her to desert the others and recover the hidden gold.
- Carl Kraski
One of the white conspirators; expresses surprise that Esteban survived Tarzan's capture.
- John Peebles
Mocks Esteban's survival skills, suggesting he would starve alone in the jungle.
Key passages
“I am not Tarzan of the Apes,” said Esteban. “It was Tarzan of the Apes who was poisoned in our camp by the others.”
Esteban admits to Owaza that he is not Tarzan, revealing that the real Tarzan was drugged and left for dead by the conspirators.
Esteban confesses his true identity to gain Owaza's trust.
“The Bwana speaks words of wisdom,” replied the wily black.”
Owaza agrees with Esteban's plan to move the gold secretly, but his agreement is laced with cunning.
Owaza's response hints at his own treacherous intentions.
“How can we return home to the Lady Jane and tell her that we left you injured and alone to face the rifles of the white men and their askari?”
Usula protests Esteban's order to leave, fearing the shame of reporting to Jane that they abandoned their injured master.
The Waziri's loyalty to Tarzan and concern for his reputation with Jane is evident.
“The blow was upon your head , Bwana,” said Usula, “and your faithful Waziri thought that it was the heart of their master that knew no fear.””
Usula implies that Esteban's cowardice stems from a failure of character, not just a head injury.
Usula's remark underscores the Waziri's disappointment in Esteban's behavior.
