Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Chapter
Tarzan Again Leads the Mangani explained
Achmet Zek and his men search for the deserting Werper, but instead recapture Jane Clayton as she attempts to escape.
What happens
Achmet Zek and his men search for the deserting Werper, but instead recapture Jane Clayton as she attempts to escape. Tarzan, having reverted to a savage state, leads a group of apes and plans to rescue Jane. After being wounded, he delays pursuit but eventually ambushes and kills three Arabs, taking their garments to disguise himself and his ape companions for a future assault on the village.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Adaptation
Jane Clayton struggles to survive in the jungle, while Tarzan adapts to leading the Mangani despite his recent civilized life.
Greed and Betrayal
Achmet Zek's greed for the jewels drives his pursuit of Werper and his harsh treatment of Jane.
Identity and Duality
Tarzan oscillates between his savage ape-man instincts and lingering memories of his civilized identity.
Characters to notice
- Achmet Zek
Leads the search for Werper, recaptures Jane Clayton, and grows increasingly furious over the loss of the jewels.
- Jane Clayton
Attempts to escape but is recaptured by Achmet Zek and bound in the hut.
- Tarzan
Reunites with the Mangani, is wounded by gunfire, delays pursuit, then ambushes and kills three Arabs to obtain disguises.
- Chulk
Accompanies Tarzan as a shaggy companion, growing weary but cajoled onward.
- Taglat
Follows Tarzan with a secret purpose, occasionally needing cajoling to continue the venture.
Key passages
“Achmet Zek with two of his followers had circled far to the south to intercept the flight of his deserting lieutenant, Werper.”
Achmet Zek and two men rode south to cut off Werper's escape.
Sets up the search for Werper.
“The woman was the prisoner he had thought safely guarded at his camp!”
Jane Clayton had escaped from the camp and was now in the clearing.
Achmet Zek's surprise at seeing Jane free.
“Turning toward the astonished apes he gave voice to a short volley of low gutturals, and without waiting to note the effect of his words upon them, wheeled and charged for the Arabs.”
Tarzan commanded the apes in their language and then ran at the Arabs.
Tarzan reasserts leadership over the Mangani.
“Tarzan of the Apes and two of his hairy henchmen pitched forward among the jungle grasses.”
Tarzan and two apes were shot and fell to the ground.
The gunfire wounds Tarzan and kills one ape.
“He would sit in apparent indifference, gazing in another direction, while the crippled creature wriggled slowly and painfully away from him, and then, just as his victim felt assured of escape, he would reach out a giant palm and slam it down upon the fugitive.”
Tarzan toyed with injured animals, letting them think they could escape before killing them.
Illustrates Tarzan's reversion to a cruel, savage mindset.