Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Chapter
X: Achmet Zek Sees the Jewels explained
Mugambi, recovering from his wounds, tracks the Arab raiders to their fortified camp.
What happens
Mugambi, recovering from his wounds, tracks the Arab raiders to their fortified camp. Meanwhile, Jane Clayton endures captivity, hoping for Tarzan's rescue. Albert Werper returns to the camp after his harrowing journey from Opar, secretly carrying a pouch of stolen jewels. While admiring the gems in his tent, he is spotted in a mirror by Achmet Zek, who later attempts to murder him for the treasure. Werper escapes, having left a decoy in his bed. Achmet Zek and his men ride out in pursuit, allowing Mugambi to slip into the village. He finds the hut where Jane was held, but it is empty.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Betrayal
Werper's secret hoarding of the jewels and Achmet Zek's murderous attempt to seize them highlight the corrosive power of greed and the ease with which trust is broken among the raiders.
Survival and Adaptation
Mugambi's recovery and relentless tracking, Werper's desperate jungle journey, and Jane's resilient hope all underscore the theme of survival against harsh odds.
Vengeance and Justice
Mugambi's pursuit is fueled by a desire for vengeance against the raiders, and Jane's faith in Tarzan's coming rescue reflects an expectation of justice.
Characters to notice
- Mugambi
Weak and wounded at first, he recovers his strength and tracks the raiders to their camp, driven by hatred and vengeance. He slips into the village during the commotion and searches for Jane.
- Jane Clayton
Held captive by Achmet Zek, she endures the journey and hopes for rescue by Tarzan, trusting in his ability to find her. She is later discovered missing from the hut.
- Albert Werper
Returns to the Arab camp ragged and disheveled after escaping the jungle. He secretly possesses the jewels from Opar, but is discovered by Achmet Zek and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by fleeing into the night.
- Achmet Zek
The Arab chief awaits Werper's return, discovers the jewels in a mirror reflection, attempts to murder Werper for the treasure, and then leads a pursuit when Werper escapes.
Key passages
“Mugambi, weak and suffering, had dragged his painful way along the trail of the retreating raiders. He could move but slowly, resting often; but savage hatred and an equally savage desire for vengeance kept him to his task.”
Despite his injuries, Mugambi crawled after the raiders, driven by a fierce need for revenge.
Establishes Mugambi's determination and physical ordeal.
“Jane Clayton was of sterner stuff than that which bends in spineless terror before danger. Until hope proved futile she would not give it up; nor did she entertain thoughts of self-destruction only as a final escape from dishonor.”
Jane was brave and refused to abandon hope, considering suicide only as a last resort to avoid dishonor.
Highlights Jane's resilience and moral strength.
“Werper had never yet had an opportunity to feast his eyes for any great length of time upon them. He had not even counted them—only roughly had he guessed at their value.”
Werper had barely looked at the jewels and had only a rough idea of their worth.
Shows Werper's greed and the allure of the treasure.
“The refulgent rays transformed the interior of the soiled and squalid canvas to the splendor of a palace in the eyes of the dreaming man.”
The glittering gems made the dirty tent seem like a magnificent palace to Werper.
Emphasizes the transformative power of wealth in Werper's imagination.
“It was Achmet Zek, and he cursed because he had discovered beneath the blankets of his lieutenant only a pile of discarded clothing arranged in the form and semblance of a sleeping man—Albert Werper had fled.”
Achmet Zek found only a dummy made of clothes in Werper's bed, realizing Werper had escaped.
Climax of the attempted murder and Werper's clever escape.
