Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Chapter
VI: The Arab Raid explained
Basuli and his warriors, after laboring to rescue Tarzan from a collapsed passage, conclude he is dead and return to the Greystoke bungalow with gold.
What happens
Basuli and his warriors, after laboring to rescue Tarzan from a collapsed passage, conclude he is dead and return to the Greystoke bungalow with gold. Meanwhile, Achmet Zek leads a raid on the estate. Mugambi organizes the Waziri defense, but the Arabs overwhelm them. Jane Clayton is captured, the bungalow is plundered and burned, and Mugambi, left for dead, survives and vows revenge.
Themes in this chapter
Colonialism and Otherness
The Arab raid on the Greystoke estate exemplifies the violent clash between European settlers and Arab marauders in Africa, highlighting themes of invasion and otherness.
Survival and Adaptation
Mugambi's survival against the odds and his adaptation to the aftermath of the raid underscore the theme of resilience in the face of overwhelming force.
Vengeance and Justice
Mugambi's burning desire for revenge after the raid sets the stage for a personal quest for justice against the raiders.
Characters to notice
- Jane Clayton
Defends the bungalow with a rifle, is captured by the raiders, and taken north.
- Mugambi
Leads the defense of the bungalow, fights bravely, is shot by Achmet Zek, but survives the fire and swears revenge.
- Achmet Zek
Leads the Arab raid, orders the woman taken alive, shoots Mugambi, and plunders the estate.
- Basuli
Leads the Waziri search for Tarzan after the earthquake, concludes he is dead, and returns to the bungalow.
- Tarzan
Presumed dead after being trapped in the earthquake-collapsed passage; his absence leaves the estate vulnerable.
Key passages
“After their first terror had subsided subsequent to the shock of the earthquake, Basuli and his warriors hastened back into the passageway in search of Tarzan and two of their own number who were also missing.”
Once the initial panic from the earthquake faded, Basuli and his men rushed back into the tunnel to find Tarzan and two missing Waziri.
Describes the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and the search for Tarzan.
“Mugambi, the ebon Hercules, who had shared the dangers and vicissitudes of his beloved Bwana, from Jungle Island, almost to the head waters of the Ugambi, was the first to note the bold approach of the sinister caravan.”
Mugambi, a powerful black warrior who had accompanied Tarzan on many adventures, was the first to spot the threatening caravan approaching.
Introduces Mugambi's role as a loyal and vigilant guardian.
“Without a sound the brave Mugambi sank to the floor at the feet of Jane Clayton. An instant later she was surrounded and disarmed.”
Mugambi fell silently at Jane's feet after being shot, and she was immediately captured and disarmed.
Climax of the defense; Mugambi's fall leads to Jane's capture.