The Beasts of Tarzan · Chapter
VI: A Hideous Crew explained
Tarzan, Mugambi, Akut, Sheeta, and the apes set out by canoe from the island, enduring a tense voyage as the apes panic at sea.
What happens
Tarzan, Mugambi, Akut, Sheeta, and the apes set out by canoe from the island, enduring a tense voyage as the apes panic at sea. After landing on the mainland coast, Tarzan and Sheeta hunt a bull buffalo together, feasting and sleeping side by side. The next day, they encounter Chief Kaviri, who initially attacked them due to a previous betrayal by a white man with a black beard. Kaviri reveals that another party—a white man, woman, and child—passed upriver three days ahead of the bearded villain, pursued by him. Tarzan realizes the child is likely his son Jack, and that Rokoff is chasing them. Tarzan arranges for paddlers from Kaviri's village, but the terrified villagers flee into the jungle, leaving only Kaviri. Tarzan then uses his pack to round them up.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Resilience
Tarzan and Sheeta hunt a buffalo together, demonstrating adaptability and cooperation in the wild.
Savagery and Civilization
The contrast between the 'hideous crew' of apes and panther and the civilized pursuit of justice and family is central to the chapter.
Family and Paternal Love
Tarzan's determination to find his son Jack drives his actions and his interrogation of Kaviri.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Leads the canoe voyage, hunts with Sheeta, interrogates Kaviri, and learns of a white man, woman, and child ahead—likely his son Jack.
- Mugambi
Paddles the canoe, builds a fire on shore, and remains with Kaviri while Tarzan rounds up villagers.
- Akut
Helps control the panicked apes during the voyage and assists in managing the pack.
- Sheeta
Crouches in the canoe bow, hunts with Tarzan, and sleeps curled up with him after the kill.
- Kaviri
Chief attacked by Tarzan's party; reveals information about the bearded white man and the party with a child.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Referred to as the 'very bad white man' with a black beard, pursuing the party with the child.
Key passages
“The war-canoe with its savage load moved slowly toward the break in the reef through which it must pass to gain the open sea.”
The canoe carrying the wild group crept toward the gap in the reef leading to the open ocean.
Opening scene of the chapter, setting the voyage in motion.
“Side by side they walked when there was room for two abreast. At other times in single file, first one and then the other in advance.”
Tarzan and Sheeta moved together through the jungle, alternating positions when the path narrowed.
Describes their cooperative hunting style.
“A white man, woman, and child! Tarzan was puzzled. The child must be his little Jack; but who could the woman be—and the man?”
Tarzan was confused by the report of a white man, woman, and child, realizing the child was likely his son Jack, but wondering about the others.
Tarzan's internal realization about the party ahead.