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Chapter 22 · Tarzan and the Lost Empire

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  Chapter twenty two of Tarzan and the Lost Empire by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This
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  LibriVox recordings in the public domain. Tarzan and the Lost Empire, Chapter twenty
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  two. East along the Villa Mare from Castra Sanguinarius marched five thousand men.
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  The white plumes of the Wazirri k nodded at the back of Tarzan. Stalwart
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  legionaries followed Maximus Proclarus, while the black warriors of the outer villages brought up
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  the rear. Sweating slaves, dragged catapults, belsti, testudones, huge battering
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  rams, and other ancient engines of war. There were scaling ladders and wall
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  hooks, and devices for throwing fireballs into the defenses of an enemy. The
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  heavy engines had delayed the march, and Tarzan had chafed at the delay,
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  but he had to listen to Maximus Proclarus and Cassius Hasta and Cecilius Mettellus,
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  all of whom had assured him that the fort which defended the only road to
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  Castro Mari, could not be taken by assault without the aid of these mechanical
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  engines of war. Along the hot and dusty via Mare, the Wazirri swung,
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  chanting the war songs of their people. The hardened legionaries, their heavy
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  helmets dangling against their breasts from cores that passed about their necks, their packs
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  on forked sticks across their shoulders, the great oblong shields hanging in their leather
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  covers at their backs, cursed and grumbles as became veterans, while the warriors
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  from the outer villages laughed and sang and chattered as might a party of picnickers
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  as they approached the fort with its mode and embankment and palisade and towers.
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  Slaves were bearing the body of Elitis Augustus to his palace within the city,
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  and full of Aspupus, surrounded by fawning sycophants, was proclaiming himself Caesar,
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  though he trembled inwardly in contemplation of what fate might lie before him, For
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  though he was a fool, he knew that he was not popular, and
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  that many a noble patrician with a strong following had a better right to the
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  Imperial purple than he. Throughout the city of Costumi, legionary search for the
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  escaped prisoners, and especially for the black slave who had struck down Validus Augustus,
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  though they were handicapped by the fact that no one had recognized Kaboulah,
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  for there were few in the city, and certainly none in the entourage of
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  Caesar, who was familiar with the face of the black From distant Urumbi.
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  A few of the thieves and five or six gladiators who were condemned felons and
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  not freemen, had clung together in the break for freedom, and presently they
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  found themselves in hiding in a low part of the city, in a den
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  where wine could be procured, and where there were other forms of entertainment for
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  people of their class. What sort of a Caesar will this Fulvus Fupus make,
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  asked one. He will be worse than Validas Augustus, said another.
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  I have seen him in the baths where I once worked. He is vain
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  and dull and ignorant. Even the patricians hate him. They say he is
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  going to marry the daughter of Septimus Favonius. I saw her in the Colosseum
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  today, said another. I know her well by sight, for she used
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  to come to the shop of my father and make purchases. Before I was
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  sent to the dungeons. Have you ever been to the house of Septimus Favonius
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  asked another, Yes, I have said the youth twice. I took goods
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  there for her inspection, going through the forecourt and into the inner garden.
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  I know the place well. If one like her should happen to fall into
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  the hands of a few poor convicts, they might win their freedom and a
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  great ransom, suggested a low browed fellow with evil cunning eyes, and be
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  drawn asunder by wild oxen for their pains. We must die anyway if we
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  are caught. It is a good plan. They drank again for several minutes
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  in silence, evidencing that the plan was milling in their minds. The new
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  Caesar should pay an enormous ransom for his bride. The youth rose eagerly to
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  his feet. I will lead you to the home of Septimus Favonius, and
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  guarantee that they will open the gate for me and let me in, as
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  I know what to say. All I need is a bundle, and I
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  will tell the slave that it contains goods that my father wishes Favonia to inspect.
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  You are not such a fool as you look no, and I shall
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  have a large share of the ransom for my part in it, said the
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  youth. If there is any ransom, we shall share, and share alike.
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  Knight was falling as Tarzan's army halted before the defenses of Costro mare Cassius
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  Hasta, to whom the reduction of the fort had been entrusted, disposed his
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  forces and supervised the placing of his various engines of war within the city.
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  Erik von Harbin and Melius Lepis discussed the details of their plans. It was
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  the judgment of Lepus to wait until after midnight before making any move to leave
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  their hiding place. The streets will be deserted, then, said Malius Leppis,
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  except for an occasional patrol upon the principal avenue, and these may be
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  easily eluded, since the torches that they carry proclaim their approach long before there
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  is any danger of their apprehending us. I have the key to the gate
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  of my uncle's garden, which ensures that we may enter the ground silently and
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  unobserved. Perhaps you are right, said von Harbon, but I dread the
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  long waits and the thought of further inaction seems unbearable. Have patience, my
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  friend, said Malius Leppis Pulvas Phupus will be too busy with his new caesarship
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  to give heed to aught else for some time, and Favonia will be safe
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  from him, certainly for the next few hours at least. And as they
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  discussed the matter, a youth knocked upon the door of the home of Septimus
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  Favonius. Beneath the shadow of the trees along the wall, darker shadows crouched
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  a slave bearing a lamp came to the door in answer to the knocking,
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  and, speaking through a small grill, asked who was without and what the
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  nature of his business? I am the son of Tabernarius, said the youth.
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  I have brought fabrics from the shop of my father, that the daughter
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  of Septimus Favonius may inspect them. The slave hesitated. You must remember me,
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  said the youth, I have been here often. And the slave held
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  the light a little bit higher and peered through the grill. Yes, he
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  said, your face is familiar. I will go and ask my mistress if
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  she wishes to see you. Wait here. These fabrics are valuable, said
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  the youth, holding up a bundle, which he carried under his arm.
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  Let me stand just within the vestibule lest thieves set upon me and rob me
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  very well, said the slave, and opening the gate, he permitted the
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  youth to enter. Remain here until I return. As the slave disappeared into
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  the interior of the house, the son of Tabernarius turned quickly and withdrew the
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  bolt that secured the door, opening it quickly, he leaned out to voice
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  a low signal. Instantly, the denser shadows beneath the shadowy trees moved and
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  were resolved into the figures of men. Scurrying like vermin. They hurried through
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  the doorway and into the home of Septimus Favonius, and into the ante room
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  off the vestibule. The son of Tabernarius hustled them. Then he closed both
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  doors and waited presently the slave returned. The daughta of Septimus Favonius recalls,
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  having ordered no goods from Tabernarius, He said, nor does she feel in
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  any mood to inspect fabrics this night. Return them to your father and tell
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  him that when the daughter of Septimus Favonius wishes to purchase she will come herself
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  to his shop. Now this was not what the son of Tabernarius desired,
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  and he racked his crafty brain for another plan. Though to the slave he
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  appeared but a stupid youth, staring at the floor, in too much embarrassment
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  even to take his departure. Come, said the slave, approaching the door
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  and laying hold of the bolt. You must be going. Wait, whispered
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  the youth. I have a message for Favonia. I did not wish any
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  one to know it, and for that reason I spoke of bringing fabrics as
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  an excuse. Where is the message? And from whom demanded the slave suspiciously,
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  It is for her ears. Only tell her this and she will know
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  from whom it is. The slave hesitated. Fetch her here, said the
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  youth. It will be better that no other member of the household seize me.
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  The slave shook his head. I will tell her, he said,
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  for he knew that Malius Leppis and Eric van Harbin had escaped from the Colosseum,
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  and he guessed that the message might be from one of these. As
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  he hastened back to his mistress, the son of Tabernarius smiled, for though
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  he knew not enough of Favonia, to know from whom she might reasonably expect
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  a secret message. Yet he knew there were few young women who might not,
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  at least hopefully expect a clandestine communication. He had not long to wait
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  before the slave returned, and with him came Favonia. Her excitement was evident
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  as she hastened eagerly forward toward the youth. Tell me, she cried,
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  you have brought word from him. The son of Tabernarius raised a forefinger to
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  his lip to caution her to silence. No one must know that I am
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  here, he whispered, And no ears but yours may hear my message.
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  Send your slave away, you may go, said Favonia to the slave.
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  I will let the young men out when he goes. And the slave,
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  glad to be dismissed, content to be relieved a responsibility, moved silently away
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  into the shadows of a corridor, and thence into the uncharge, a limbo
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  into which past slaves and other lesser people when one has done with them.
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  Tell me, cried the girl, What where do you bring? Where is
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  he? He is here, whispered the youth, pointing to the anteroom.
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  Here, exclaimed Favonia incredulously. Yes, here, said the youth. Come
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  and he led her to the door, and as she approached it, he
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  seized her suddenly, and, clapping a hand over her mouth, dragged her
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  into the dark ante room beyond. Rough hands seized her quickly. As she
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  was gagged and bound, she heard them converse in low whispers. We will
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  separate here, said one. Two of us will take her to the place
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  we have selected. One of you will have to leave the note for Fulvasfupus,
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  so the palace guards will find it. The rest of you scatter and
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  go by different routes to the deserted house across from the Colosseum. Do you
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  know the place? I know it well? Many is the night that I
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  have slept there, very well, said the first speaker, who seemed to
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  be the leader. Now be off, We have no time to waste,
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  wait, said the son of Tabernarius. The division of the ransom has not
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  yet been decided. Without me, you could have done nothing. I should
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  have at least half shut up, or you will be lucky if you get
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  anything, growled the leader. A knife between his ribs would do him good,
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  muttered another. You will not give me what I asked, demanded the
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  youth shut up, said the leader. Come along now, men, and
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  carrying Favonia, whom they wrapped in a soiled and ragged cloak, they left
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  the home of Septimus Favonius unobserved, and as two men carried a heavy bundle
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  through the dark shadows beneath the shadowy trees, the son of Tabernarius started away.
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  In the opposite direction. A youth in soiled and ragged tunic and rough
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  sandals approached the gates of Caesar's palace. A legionary challenged him, holding him
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  at a distant with the point of his pike. What do you loitering by
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  the palace of Caesar by night? Demanded the legionary. I have a message
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  for Caesar, replied the youth. The legionary gaffawd. Will you come in?
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  Or shall I send Caesar out to you? He demanded ironically, You
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  may take the message to him yourself, soldier, replied the other. And
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  if you know what is good for you, you will not delay the seriousness
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  of the youth's voice finally compelled the attention of the legionary. Well. He
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  demanded, out with it, what message have you for Caesar? Hasten to
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  him and tell him that the daughter of Septimus Favonius has been abducted, and
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  that if he hastens, he will find her in the deserted house that stands
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  upon the corner opposite the chariot entrance to the Colosseum. Who are you,
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  demanded the legionary. Never mind, said the youth tomorrow. I shall come
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  for my reward, and he turned and sped away before the legionary could detain
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  him. At this rate, midnight will never come, said von Harbon.
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  Melius Leppus laid a hand upon the shoulder of his friend. You are impatient,
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  but remember that it will be safer for Favonia as well as for us
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  if we wait until after midnight. For the streets now must be full of
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  searchers all afternoon. We have heard soldiers passing. It is a miracle that
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  they have not searched this place. Pste cautioned von Harbon. What was that?
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  It sounded like the creaking of the gate in front of the house,
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  said Melius Leppis. They are coming, said von Harbin. The three men
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  seized the swords with which they had armed themselves after they had rushed the Colosseum,
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  guard, and following a plan they had already decided upon in the event
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  that searchers approached their hiding place, they scaled the ladder and crept out upon
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  the roof, leaving the trap door pushed slightly to one side. They listened
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  to the sounds that were now coming from below, ready to take instant action
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  should there be any indication that the searchers might mount the latter to the roof,
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  Von Harbin heard voices coming from below. Well we made it, said
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  one, and no one saw us. Here comes the others now and Von
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  Harbin heard the gate creak again on its rusty hinges. Then the door of
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  the house opened, and he heard several people enter. This is a good
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  night's work, said one. Is she alive? I cannot hear her breathe
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  Take that gag from her mouth and let her scream for help. We can
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  keep her quiet. She is worth nothing to us dead, all right,
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  take it out. Listen you. We will take the gag out of your
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  mouth, But if you scream, it will be the worse for you.
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  I shall not scream, said a woman's voice in familiar tones that said Von
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  Harbin's heart to palpitate, though he knew that it was nothing more than his
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  imagination that suggested the seeming familiarity. We shall not hurt you, said the
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  man's voice, if you keep quiet and Caesar sends the ransom. And if
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  he does not send it, asked the girl. Then perhaps your father Septimus
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  Favonius will pay the price we ask heavens, muttered Von Harbin. Did you
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  hear that Lepus I heard, replied the Roman. Then come, whispered Von
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  Harbin. Come Gabudhah favonia is below. Casting discretion to the wind, Van
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  Harbin tore the trap from the opening in the roof and dropped into the darkness
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  below, followed by Malius Leppis and Gaboolah Favogna. He cried, it is
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  I Where are you here? Cried the girl, rushing blindly in the direction
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  of her voice. Van Harbin encountered one of the abductors. The fellow grappled
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  with him, while terrified by fear that the legionaries were upon them. The
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  others bolted from the building. As they went, they left the door open,
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  and the light of a full moon dissipated the darkness of the interior,
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  revealing Van Harbin struggling with a burly fellow who had seized the other's throat and
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  was now trying to draw his dagger from its sheath. Instantly, Malius Leppis
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  and Gaboulah were upon him, and a quick thrust of the former's sword put
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  a definite period to the earthly rascality of the criminal. Free from his antagonist,
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  Van Harbin leapt to his feet and ran to Favonia, where she lay
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  upon a pile of dirty rags against the wall. Quickly he cut her bonds,
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  and soon they had her story. If you are no worse for the
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  fright, said Melius Leppis, we may thank these scoundrels for simplifying our task.
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  For here we are ready to try for our escape, a full three
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  hours earlier than we had hoped. Let us lose no time, then,
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  said Von Harbin, I shall not breathe freely until I am across the wall.
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  I believe we have little to fear now, said Melius Leppis. The
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  wall is poorly guarded. There are many places where we can scale it,
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  and I know a dozen places where we can find boats that are used by
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  the fishermen of the city. What lies beyond is upon the knees of the
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  gods. Kabulah, who had been standing in the doorway, closed the door
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  quickly and crossed to Van Harbin. Lights are coming down the Avenue Buena,
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  he said, I think many men are coming. Perhaps they are soldiers.
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  The four listened intently until they made out distinctly the measured tread of marching men.
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  Some more searchers, said Melius Leppis, when they have passed on their
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  way, it will be safe to depart. The light from the torches of
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  the legionaries approached until it shone through the cracks in the wooden blinds, but
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  it did not pass on as they had expected. Malius Leppus put an eye
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  to an opening in one of the blinds. They have halted in front of
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  the house, he said. A part of them are turning the corner,
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  but the rest are remaining. They stood in silence for what seemed a long
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  time, though it was only a few minutes, and then they heard sounds
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  coming from the garden behind the house, and the light of torches was visible
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  through the open kitchen door. We are surrounded, said Leppis. They are
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  coming in the front way. They are going to search the house. What
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  shall we do, cried Favonia. The roof is our only hope, whispered
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  Van Harbin. But even as he spoke, the sound of sandaled feet was
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  heard upon the roof, and the light of tortures shone through the open trap.
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  We are lost, said Malius Leppis. We cannot defeat an entire sentry
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  of legionaries. We can fight them, though, said Van Harbin, and
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  risks Favonia's life uselessly, said Leppis. You are right, said Van Harbin
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  sadly. And then wait, I have a plan. Come Favonia, quickly
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  lie down here upon the floor, and I'll cover you with these rags.
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  There is no reason why we should all be taken, Malius, Lepis,
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  Gabouola and I may not escape, but they will never guess that you are
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  here. And when they are gone, you can easily make your way to
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  the guard house in the colosseum, where the officer in charge will see that
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  you are given protection and an escort to you home. Let them take me,
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  said the girl. If you are to be captured, let me be
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  captured also. It will do no good, said Van Harbin. They will
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  only separate us. And if you are found here with us, it may
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  bring suspicion upon Septimus Favonius. Without further argument, she threw herself upon the
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  floor, resigned in the face of vun Harbin's argument, and he covered her
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  over with the rags that had been a beggar's bed end of Chapter twenty two.