tarzan and the jewels of opar()-第8章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
…the other was plunged into total forgetfulness of the past by a jagged
fragment of rock which gashed a deep cut upon his head。
24
… Page 25…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
5
The Altar of the Flaming God
It was at the moment that Tarzan turned from the closed door to
pursue his way to the outer world。 The thing came without warning。
One instant all was quiet and stabilitythe next； and the world rocked； the
tortured sides of the narrow passageway split and crumbled； great blocks
of granite； dislodged from the ceiling； tumbled into the narrow way；
choking it； and the walls bent inward upon the wreckage。 Beneath the
blow of a fragment of the roof； Tarzan staggered back against the door to
the treasure room； his weight pushed it open and his body rolled inward
upon the floor。
In the great apartment where the treasure lay less damage was wrought
by the earthquake。 A few ingots toppled from the higher tiers； a single
piece of the rocky ceiling splintered off and crashed downward to the floor；
and the walls cracked； though they did not collapse。
There was but the single shock； no other followed to complete the
damage undertaken by the first。 Werper； thrown to his length by the
suddenness and violence of the disturbance； staggered to his feet when he
found himself unhurt。 Groping his way toward the far end of the
chamber； he sought the candle which Tarzan had left stuck in its own wax
upon the protruding end of an ingot。
By striking numerous matches the Belgian at last found what he
sought； and when； a moment later； the sickly rays relieved the Stygian
darkness about him； he breathed a nervous sigh of relief； for the
impenetrable gloom had accentuated the terrors of his situation。
As they became accustomed to the light the man turned his eyes
toward the doorhis one thought now was of escape from this frightful
tomband as he did so he saw the body of the naked giant lying stretched
upon the floor just within the doorway。 Werper drew back in sudden fear
of detection； but a second glance convinced him that the Englishman was
dead。 From a great gash in the man's head a pool of blood had collected
upon the concrete floor。
Quickly； the Belgian leaped over the prostrate form of his erstwhile
25
… Page 26…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
host； and without a thought of succor for the man in whom； for aught he
knew； life still remained； he bolted for the passageway and safety。
But his renewed hopes were soon dashed。 Just beyond the doorway
he found the passage completely clogged and choked by impenetrable
masses of shattered rock。 Once more he turned and re…entered the treasure
vault。 Taking the candle from its place he commenced a systematic search
of the apartment； nor had he gone far before he discovered another door in
the opposite end of the room； a door which gave upon creaking hinges to
the weight of his body。 Beyond the door lay another narrow passageway。
Along this Werper made his way； ascending a flight of stone steps to
another corridor twenty feet above the level of the first。 The flickering
candle lighted the way before him； and a moment later he was thankful for
the possession of this crude and antiquated luminant； which； a few hours
before he might have looked upon with contempt； for it showed him； just
in time； a yawning pit； apparently terminating the tunnel he was
traversing。
Before him was a circular shaft。 He held the candle above it and
peered downward。 Below him； at a great distance； he saw the light
reflected back from the surface of a pool of water。 He had come upon a
well。 He raised the candle above his head and peered across the black void；
and there upon the opposite side he saw the continuation of the tunnel； but
how was he to span the gulf？
As he stood there measuring the distance to the opposite side and
wondering if he dared venture so great a leap； there broke suddenly upon
his startled ears a piercing scream which diminished gradually until it
ended in a series of dismal moans。 The voice seemed partly human； yet
so hideous that it might well have emanated from the tortured throat of a
lost soul； writhing in the fires of hell。
The Belgian shuddered and looked fearfully upward； for the scream
had seemed to come from above him。 As he looked he saw an opening far
overhead； and a patch of sky pinked with brilliant stars。
His half…formed intention to call for help was expunged by the
terrifying crywhere such a voice lived； no human creatures could dwell。
He dared not reveal himself to whatever inhabitants dwelt in the place
26
… Page 27…
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
above him。 He cursed himself for a fool that he had ever embarked upon
such a mission。 He wished himself safely back in the camp of Achmet
Zek； and would almost have embraced an opportunity to give himself up
to the military authorities of the Congo if by so doing he might be rescued
from the frightful predicament in which he now was。
He listened fearfully； but the cry was not repeated； and at last spurred
to desperate means； he gathered himself for the leap across the chasm。
Going back twenty paces； he took a running start； and at the edge of the
well； leaped upward and outward in an attempt to gain the opposite side。
In his hand he clutched the sputtering candle； and as he took the leap
the rush of air extinguished it。 In utter darkness he flew through space；
clutching outward for a hold should his feet miss the invisible ledge。
He struck the edge of the door of the opposite terminus of the rocky
tunnel with his knees； slipped backward； clutched desperately for a
moment； and at last hung half within and half without the opening； but he
was safe。 For several minutes he dared not move； but clung； weak and
sweating； where he lay。 At last； cautiously； he drew himself well within
the tunnel； and again he lay at full length upon the floor； fighting to regain
control of his shattered nerves。
When his knees struck the edge of the tunnel he had dropped the
candle。 Presently； hoping against hope that it had fallen upon the floor of
the passageway； rather than back into the depths of the well； he rose upon
all fours and commenced a diligent search for the little tallow cylinder；
which now seemed infinitely more precious to him than all the fabulous
wealth of the hoarded ingots of Opar。
And when； at last； he found it； he clasped it to him and sank back
sobbing and exhausted。 For many minutes he lay trembling and broken；
but finally he drew himself to a sitting posture； and taking a match from
his pocket； lighted the stump of the candle which remained to him。 With
t
