The First and Only Weekly Online Fanzine Devoted to the Life and Works of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Volume 0808

ERB C.H.A.S.E.R. ENCYCLOPEDIA  A Collector's  Hypertexted and Annotated Storehouse  of Encyclopedic Resources

The ERBzin-e Comics Summaries Project

ERB SUNDAY SUMMARIES


HAROLD FOSTER'S  SUNDAY TARZAN STRIP
September 25 - November 13, 1932
INTO THE PRIMEVAL SWAMP

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It was the next moon before Tarzan's arm was well again and he was able to attempt the journey into the unknown dangers of the cave of the Gigantosaurus. Then he and Von Harben bade farewell to the apes. At the entrance of the elephants' graveyard, they saw an old pachyderm dragging himself wearily within. Like all the elephants of the African fable, knowing he was about to die, he had brought himself to his last resting place.

"This looks like a bad omen," said Von Harben.
"But we shall go on!" said Tarzan

At the entrance to the cave of the Gigantosaurus, they were attacked by two pterodactyls that issued from it uttering weird hissing cries. A short distance within the blackness of the cavern, Von Harben fired in panic at one of the flying reptiles, but Tarzan warned him to save his shot for bigger game. For more than three miles they made their way on a steep slimy slope that led downward through the darkness until at last. . . they reached a subterranean grotto of breathless beauty. Over the jagged arches of rock they clambered.

"Look!" cried Tarzan.

From the slimy depths rose the Gigantosaurus. . .  and reached its great neck out toward them.

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Suddenly the Gigantosaurus turned its head from Tarzan and Von Harben as they stood on their perilous perch in the subterranean grotto and made off into another dark cavern. Tarzan and Von Harben followed, clinging to the perilous footing at the side of the stream that ran through the cave. Then the edge of the rock that supported them ended. Tarzan went on in the water and signaled Von Harben to follow. Shoulder deep under water they followed the caverned stream. Presently they found themselves in a swampy forest. A strange barren little island jutted up from the green slime. Tarzan and Von Harben clambered up the side. Suddenly the island began to rise and Von Harben would have fallen had not Tarzan grasped him in time. Then as the great neck rose from the body, they realized they had been standing on the back of the Gigantosaurus.  As it reached out for them. . . instinctively they dove into the water.

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When Von Harben came to the surface after diving from the back of the Gigantosaurus he looked around in vain for Tarzan. Von Harben reached for his pistol as the Gigantosaurus was upon him. But the pistol was wet and would not fire. The young German was defenseless. Tarzan meanwhile had swum under the slimy water until he felt the safety of land. Then instinctively he made for the trees. Looking down he saw with horror the great gaping mouth of the monster opening as if to devour young von Harben. Then, knife in hand, Tarzan leaped. As he landed on the neck of the great monster he was plunged under water. And the next moment he was catapulted high into the air. Guided by his unerring ape-instinct, he grasped the branch of a high tree. At that moment, the monster rose to his full height and reached out.

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Swift was the Gigantosaurus but swifter was Tarzan. Like the wind he hurled himself from tree to tree. But always close behind him reached the neck of the monster. At last Tarzan found a tree of great height and swung himself to safety on the topmost branch, where the Gigantosaurus could not reach him. But then the monster hurled his prodigious weight against the tree. The tree crashed and fell under the terrific impact. Tarzan was off to another tree. But this time the monster was upon him. Tarzan leaped for the neck. He swung his body around to the back. As he plunged his knife again and again into the neck, a wild hissing sound filled the forest.

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THE KING OF THE PREHISTORIC BEASTS

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As the wild hissing sound filled the swampy forest, Von Harben shrieked in terror, then he fled panic-stricken. Tarzan clinging to the neck of the Gigantosaurus, turned and saw a monster much smaller but more terrible of aspect. It was Tyrannosaurus Rex, most frightful of prehistoric beasts. For a moment, the two monsters confronted each other. Then, as the tyrant king of the world that was sprang to the attack. . .  Tarzan put his knife between his teeth, loosed his hold upon the neck of the Gigantosaurus. . . and dove into the shallow waters of the swamp. While the fighting monsters lashed  the slimy water into foaming sea, Tarzan looked about for Von Harben. Presently he saw him lying as if dead at the cavernous entrance to the swamp. The ape-man hastened to his friend and found him still alive, but in a faint. Tyrannosaurus Ex quickly disposed of the great Gigantosaurus. Now he plunges on toward Tarzan and Von Harben. They do not see him coming. . .  can they escape?

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As Tyrannosaurus Rex advanced, Tarzan's keen eye chanced upon the partly hidden entrance to a cave. Into it he dove with the explorer under his arms. Tyrannosaurus Rex crashed against the wall as he reached for them. For a long time after Von Harben recovered from his faint, he and the ape-man remained at bay until they saw the Tyrannosaurus go off to feed upon the Gigantosaurus he had slain. When Von Harben was strong enough to go on, the ape-man started to explore the cave and came to a great open space brilliant with stalactites. Cavern after cavern beckoned as they sought the passageway back to the elephants' graveyard. The explorer's flashlight played upon Tarzan as he led the way ever upward through a low narrow tunnel. They had travelled for miles when suddenly the passageway widened and they saw light ahead. They raced in eagerness to be back once more in the elephants' graveyard, but, as they reached the open space they found themselves on the bank of a great river and the sight that met their eyes made them halt suddenly.

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As Tarzan and Von Harben emerged from the cavern, they halted suddenly, confronted by a stream alive with crocodiles. Quickly they took to the nearest tree, as the great reptiles advanced up the shore. In back of them rose endlessly great towering cliffs. So Tarzan made his plans to go forward across the crocodile-infested stream. Using fibres of the vine that grew about the tree, he lost no time in making a lasso of great strength. Then hurled it across the stream, where he snagged the limb of a tree on the opposite shore. After he had pulled the line taut Von Harben fastened it securely to the trunk. Tarzan started across the improvised bridge, swinging hand over hand. But as he neared the opposite shore, he felt the fibres that had been straining under his weight, slowly giving way. Suddenly they snapped. But Tarzan was ready. As the fibre-rope broke, he swung his body ape-like, through the air, and reached out toward a thick vine that overhung the water. As he swung up on the vine, Tarzan found himself confronted by the gleaming eyes of a great black panther.

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Tarzan was caught between the panther and the stream of crocodiles. If the beast and the ape-man clashed in battle, both would be precipitated down among the crocodiles that were waiting to devour them. from his perch in the tree on the opposite bank, Erich Von Harben took careful aim at the panther. But the pistol jammed. Rust had made it useless. Frantically, the explorer pulled in the fibre rope, with a wild hope of lassoing the panther. . .  while ape-man and beast eyed each other cautiously, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Suddenly from along the trees, a strong branch was swung out toward Tarzan. The ape-man grasped it and was pulled rapidly to shore. A strange almost naked little man confronted him. It was this man who had swung out the branch and pulled Tarzan to safety. As the ape-man turned to greet his unknown savior. . . the panther sprang!