Tarzan and the Lost Empire

The disappearance of a noted archaeologist hunting the secret of the Lost Tribe of the Wiramwazi Mountains was a signal to the one man who could penetrate Africa's deepest interior--Tarzan of the Apes. For only Tarzan, the white man who had been raised by the anthropoid apes, could understand the ways of the jungle and its beasts perfectly enough to speed to the scientist's rescue.

But this time, in addition to savage tribes and vicious beasts, Tarzan uncovered a strange lost land--twin cities of Roman soldiery, outposts of a ruthless empire that had fallen fifteen hundred years before.

Tarzan's desperate struggle between ancient intrigues and modern schemers, against deadly gladiators and enraged lions, is Edgar Rice Burroughs at his very best.

Foreword: THE REAL TARZAN

Who is the real Tarzan of the Apes?

Everyone generally agrees that he's the strong man that lives in the jungle and can talk with his animal friends. But from there on, the definitions will vary. Some will swear that he lives in a tree house and is usually saying, "Me Tarzan, you Jane," while others will tell you that he has a son named Boy and a monkey called Cheetah.

In spite of what you may suppose, this is not a valid answer to the question. Tarzan does not live in a tree house, he speaks English fluently, his son's name is Korak the Killer and he calls his monkey Nkima.

The misconceptions were brought about by the Tarzan motion pictures of a few years back, and, though they have certainly spread Tarzan's fame, they have altered his character from that created by Burroughs in his books. The Tarzan novels are vividly conceived, mature, gripping stories told by a talented author.

You hold one of these novels in your hand. You will find the real Tarzan far more thrilling than his pale movie counterpart.

--CAMILLE CAZADESSUS, JR. Editor, ERB-dom, a magazine devoted to the Burroughs books.

Chapter One

Nkima danced excitedly upon the naked, brown shoulder of his master. He chattered and scolded, now looking up inquiringly into Tarzan's face and then off into the jungle.

"Something is coming, Bwana," said Muviro, sub-chief of the Waziri. "Nkima has heard it."

"And Tarzan," said the ape-man.

"The big Bwana's ears are as keen as the ears of Bara the antelope," said Muviro.

"Had they not been, Tarzan would not be here today," replied the ape-man, with a smile. "He would not have grown to manhood had not Kala, his mother, taught him to use all of the senses that Mulungu gave him."

"What comes?" asked Muviro.

"A party of men," replied Tarzan.

"Perhaps they are not friendly," suggested the black. "Shall I warn the warriors?"

Tarzan glanced about the little camp where a score of his black fighting men were busy preparing their evening meal and saw that, as was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were in order and at hand.

"No," he said. "It will, I believe, be unnecessary, as these people who are approaching do not come stealthily as enemies would, nor are their numbers so great as to cause us any apprehension."

But Nkima, a born pessimist, expected only the worst, and as the approaching party came nearer his excitement increased. He leaped from Tarzan's shoulder to the ground, jumped up and down several times and then springing back to Tarzan's side, seized his arm and attempted to drag him to his feet.

"Run, run!" he cried, in the language of the apes. "Strange Gomangani are coming. They will kill little Nkima."