Tarzan and the Golden Lion · Chapter
The Spoor of Revenge explained
Tarzan returns from Opar with a sack of diamonds and Jad-bal-ja, the golden lion.
What happens
Tarzan returns from Opar with a sack of diamonds and Jad-bal-ja, the golden lion. He discovers the spoor of his Waziri and Jane, but upon meeting Usula learns that Jane has been killed by Luvini. Vowing revenge, he sends the Waziri home and sets out to find Luvini. Meanwhile, the conspirators—Peebles, Throck, Kraski, and Bluber—are lost and terrified in the jungle, attacked by pygmies. Tarzan and Jad-bal-ja rescue them, and Tarzan questions them about Luvini. Kraski claims ignorance of Jane's fate and says Luvini deserted them. Tarzan agrees to guide them toward the coast, offering protection for the night.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Justice
Tarzan's sole focus after learning of Jane's death is to find and kill Luvini, stating 'when next you see Tarzan of the Apes you will know that Luvini is dead.'
Loyalty and Betrayal
Luvini betrays the conspirators and is implicated in Jane's death; the Waziri offer their lives out of loyalty to Tarzan.
Savagery and Civilization
The contrast between Tarzan's jungle skills and the helplessness of the London conspirators, who are terrified of the wild and rely on Tarzan for survival.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Returns from Opar with diamonds and Jad-bal-ja; learns of Jane's death from Usula; vows revenge on Luvini; rescues the conspirators from pygmies and agrees to guide them.
- Jad-bal-ja
Travels with Tarzan, hunts together, and helps rescue the conspirators; Tarzan trusts him to guard the camp.
- Usula
Leads the Waziri searching for Tarzan; reports Jane's death and offers his life; Tarzan forgives him and sends the Waziri home.
- Carl Kraski
One of the lost conspirators; claims ignorance of Jane's fate; says Luvini deserted them; accepts Tarzan's help.
- Adolph Bluber
Terrified of the jungle and Jad-bal-ja; offers money for safety; complains about his ruined suit.
- John Peebles
Lost with the conspirators; argues with Kraski about direction; rescued by Tarzan.
Key passages
“The Waziri returned and told her that I was missing, and now she has set out with them to search for me.”
Tarzan realizes Jane has gone looking for him after the Waziri reported him missing.
Tarzan deduces Jane's actions from the spoor.
“Where is Luvini?”
Tarzan asks Usula for Luvini's location.
Tarzan's immediate question after learning of Jane's death.
“It is Tarzan and the golden lion.”
Tarzan announces himself and Jad-bal-ja to the pygmies.
Tarzan's arrival scares off the pygmies.