The Beasts of Tarzan · Chapter
On the Deck of the Kincaid explained
Rokoff is thrown to the deck by his own men and is killed by Sheeta the panther as Tarzan watches, torn between vengeance and protecting Jane.
What happens
Rokoff is thrown to the deck by his own men and is killed by Sheeta the panther as Tarzan watches, torn between vengeance and protecting Jane. The pack is brought aboard the Kincaid, and Tarzan learns from Jane that the dead child was not their son, giving them hope. Mugambi returns with a canoe carrying the apes and a native woman, and a confrontation with Rokoff's canoe leads to a volley of shots. The Kincaid drifts back toward Jane's enemies, and Tarzan swims into the river to intervene.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Retribution
Rokoff's death at Sheeta's jaws fulfills a long-sought vengeance, though Tarzan is ultimately denied the personal satisfaction of delivering the blow.
Savagery and Civilization
The line between human and beast blurs as Tarzan's cold smile mirrors Sheeta's savagery, while the apes' uncontrolled instincts threaten even their master's wife.
Family and Paternal Love
Tarzan's hope for his son's survival is rekindled, driving his actions and emotional state throughout the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Watches Rokoff's death with cold satisfaction, then prioritizes protecting Jane from the agitated apes.
- Jane Clayton
Turns away in horror at Rokoff's death, but informs Tarzan that the dead child was not their son, renewing their hope.
- Nikolas Rokoff
Betrayed by his men and thrown to the deck, he is killed and devoured by Sheeta.
- Sheeta
Stalks and kills Rokoff, then guards the corpse through the night, refusing to relinquish it even to Tarzan.
- Mugambi
Returns with a canoe carrying the apes and a native woman, encountering Rokoff's canoe and a volley of shots.
- Sven Anderssen
Mentioned as having assured Jane that the only child aboard the Kincaid was the one he brought to her cabin.
Key passages
“Despite his prayers and grovelling pleas, therefore, they hurled him bodily out upon the deck, delivering him to the mercy of the fearful things from which they had themselves just escaped.”
Ignoring his begging, they threw Rokoff onto the deck, leaving him to face the same horrors they had fled from.
The crew's betrayal leads directly to Rokoff's death.
“A cold smile of satisfaction touched his lips. The scar upon his forehead that had burned scarlet faded to the normal hue of his tanned skin and disappeared.”
Tarzan smiled grimly as his vengeful rage subsided, the scar on his forehead returning to its usual color.
Tarzan's physical reaction mirrors his emotional release at Rokoff's demise.
“Until positive proof of the baby's death reached them there was always that to buoy them up.”
As long as they had no definite evidence of their son's death, they could hold onto hope.
The uncertainty about their child gives Tarzan and Jane emotional strength.