The Beasts of Tarzan · Chapter
XII: A Black Scoundrel explained
Jane Clayton awakens to find Anderssen holding a baby, but she realizes it is not her own child.
What happens
Jane Clayton awakens to find Anderssen holding a baby, but she realizes it is not her own child. Despite her disappointment, she bonds with the infant. They flee through the jungle with Mosula porters, but Rokoff pursues them. The baby falls ill with fever, and the porters desert them. They seek refuge in a village, but the baby dies. As Jane mourns, Rokoff appears.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Resilience
Jane and Anderssen persist through jungle, illness, and pursuit, demonstrating endurance against overwhelming odds.
Family and Paternal Love
Jane's mother-love transfers to the foundling child; Anderssen's protective care for Jane and the baby reflects paternal devotion.
Characters to notice
- Jane Clayton
Regains consciousness and discovers the baby is not her own; bonds with the child; flees Rokoff; endures the baby's death.
- Sven Anderssen
Cares for Jane and the baby; leads the flight; shows chivalry and devotion; hides Jane when Rokoff closes in.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Pursues Jane and Anderssen; appears at the chapter's end in the village hut.
- M'ganwazam
Village chief who offers shelter and advises Jane to return to the coast.
Key passages
“When Jane Clayton regained consciousness she saw Anderssen standing over her, holding the baby in his arms.”
Jane woke up to find Anderssen holding a baby.
Opening scene establishes Jane's disorientation and the baby's presence.
“It is not mine,' she said. 'You knew that it was not mine. You are a devil like the Russian.'”
Jane accused Anderssen of deceiving her about the baby's identity.
Jane's initial shock and anger at the mistaken identity.
“She could not withstand the appeal, and with a low cry she sprang to her feet and gathered the baby to her breast.”
Jane's maternal instinct overcame her disappointment as she embraced the child.
Jane's emotional shift toward accepting the baby.
“The one bright spot in that eternity of fear and suffering was the little child whose tiny hands had long since fastened their softly groping fingers firmly about her heart.”
The baby became Jane's only comfort during her ordeal.
The child's role as a source of solace.
“The flame disclosed to Jane Clayton's horrified gaze that the baby was quite dead.”
Jane saw in the firelight that the baby had died.
The tragic climax of the baby's illness.
“With a start she raised her eyes to look into the sardonic countenance of Nikolas Rokoff.”
Jane looked up to see Rokoff's mocking face.
Rokoff's sudden appearance at the chapter's end.