It was a trick; it permitted him to escape the overenthusiastic embrace of Mrs. Kri-Kri, who, lying there unsuspectingly, yielding entirely to that unexpected titillation, examined her lover, appearing to take great interest in his anatomy. Meanwhile, the doctor, with his free hand, had been able to reach Kri-Kri’s skin, and rapidly wrapped it around the she-ape’s head.
The scientist fled.
During the time he had been living in the cave he had familiarized himself with all its meanders. He did not have too much trouble, therefore, in escaping the widow’s lustful moans. After a hectic but fruitless pursuit, she found herself back and the entrance to the cave. With the fickleness of her race, she forgot her momentary good fortune and, taking hold of the liana-rope, launched herself outside.
Unfortunately for her, she found herself face to face with Ouha, who, coming to visit his friend and professor, was disagreeably surprised to see that an intruder had penetrated his home. Without any further explanation, he inflicted a correction upon her such as none of her former husbands had yet administered.
LXIV. Discord Between Allies
That exercise had put Ouha in a good mood, in contrast to Goldry, who was upset by the violation of his domicile and his person. The Orang, increasingly obsessed by the idea of conquering Riddle-Temple, would have liked Abraham to tell him how to do that in a rapid fashion, with the certainty of success.
Goldry hesitated over collaborating with his pupil’s plans, and tried to make him understand the reasons. Although all his sympathies were for his ape brothers, he could not forget that he was a human, and, moreover, an American citizen, and that he could not betray his friends and compatriots. Finally, he complained bitterly of the lack of confidence that had caused Ouha to conceal Mabel’s presence until now.
Ouha seemed unimpressed by these reasons, and, displaying his scepter-cum-club, designated it as the decisive argument.
Abraham understood that it was necessary to temporize, and signified that it was necessary to discuss the matter with Mabel.
Ouha reflected for a while, then made signs to the doctor telling him to put on the ape-skin again and follow him.
LXV. Ouha, Mabel and the Doctor
An hour later, Ouha took the doctor into his harem. Mabel was on a fresh bed of leaves, asleep. When Ouha came in, she woke up, and seemed astonished to see him in the company of another orang. The latter, moreover, advanced deliberately and offered her his hand.
“Hello, Mabel.”
The American woman started.
“Yes, it’s me, Goldry, your old godfather, whom this rascal has been keeping prisoner for four months, without having told him that you were in his power.”
Mabel blushed violently, and gathered a shred of clothing around her.
“Bah!” said Abraham, philosophically. “We’re not in a drawing-room, and if I took off this ape-skin, which is a trifle large for me, I’d be even more scantily dressed than you.”
Mabel was choked by shame, still unable to say a word.
Ouha considered them both with a suspicious eye.
“Calm down, my dear child,” said the doctor, in a voice that he tried to render more inexpressive. “That perspicacious orang is watching us, and I know that he’s got his mind fixed on conquest, first of Riddle-Temple. What do you think of that project? What line of conduct should we take? Ought we to aid him against your father or…?”
“My father!” cried Mabel. “He survived that terrible catastrophe, then?”
“Yes, he’s alive—Archibald too, and Gorden, and others.”
“Ah! So much the better—my greatest remorse was...” She stopped, having been about to say: being the wife of his murderer.
Abraham understood, and made an approving gesture.
“Chimène loves the Cid who has killed Don Diegue.19 Your father is alive, Mabel, and your love doesn’t have that Spanish spice. But quickly, where were we? If you wish, we can be free tomorrow, even though that would disrupt my plans. Certain events that have occurred today have decided me. Whatever I thought, we aren’t made to live with apes...”
A growl from Ouha cut him off.
“I believe that fellow understands American. In brief, do we go, yes or no?”
“Since my father’s alive, I’ll go.”
“Then all’s working out for the best. I’ll hasten to warn my friends. We’ll arrange to draw the orangs away while we come to get you. We have a safe refuge, Mabel, and...”
Ouha intervened again; with a profusion of gestures he made it understood that it was time to talk business, and for him to have a voice in the discussion. What did Mabel say? Was she ready? Now it was him, Ouha, who was waiting. She had suggested ideas of conquest to him; he wanted to begin with Riddle-Temple. For him, the title of father had no more meaning than that of godfather, which Goldry attributed to himself. He, Ouha, wanted his wife to live in a more comfortable environment than the cave in which they had lived until now. He, Ouha, thought that he deserved something better. What did the two of them propose? What did he have to do to be sure of success?”
Having pretended to reach an understanding with Mabel, Abraham sketched out a plan.
“Ouha knows the way, since he’s already made the journey twice. It remains to convene the council, to decide the means of mounting a campaign that will be rather a long one, and gather provisions. As for weapons, the orangs know no others but their clubs, which simplifies the question. The difficulty will be making the orangs understand the necessity of carrying packages of food, although, given their habit of imitation, they will all take up their burdens the moment they see the chiefs bearing them...
“So, tomorrow, council meeting. Immediately afterwards, assembly, parceling of food, and departure the day after tomorrow for the river, the burned woods, and the forest. Perhaps it’s the most dangerous route, but it’s the shortest.”
Ouha nodded his head, making it understood that he would convene the council for form’s sake, because he was the master, and leave tomorrow morning.
Goldry exchanged a glance with Mabel. Would he have the time, between now and then, to warn his friends? Ouha signed to him to follow him.
“Where?” asked Abraham.
“To the council,” said the autocrat—and he dragged the doctor away, leaving Mabel alarmed by the rapidity of the master’s actions.
LXVI. Our Lady of Lust and Victory
Left alone, Mabel called Rava and told her what was going on. The young woman raised her eyes to the heavens and, crossing her arms over her bosom, thanked Buddha for having watched over her and not having abandoned her to the power of the apes. As for Dilou, who happened to be absent, it was agreed that they would not warn her until the last moment, and only then if they were certain that she would not betray them.
When the two orangs, the King of the Apes and Goldry, the doctor disguised as an ape, reached the council’s meeting-place, it was already gathered, for Ouha had taken that precaution in advance. He took his place on his tree-trunk and opened the session.
Briefly, he recalled the origin of Ouha’s monarchy. He alone had been able to unite and gather what remained on the island of the once-powerful Harr-ha nation, which internal disputes had reduced to what was united under his scepter. If, instead of tearing one another apart, the Orangs had fought energetically against the invasion of Humans, they would still be the masters of the island, for he, Ouha affirmed that the Harr-ha race had once ruled the world.
What should they do now? Should they remain penned in the mountains until the humans, still increasing in number, came to expel them?
“Expel us!” he concluded, with a fine oratorical gesture. “Where will we go, since this is our last refuge? They will destroy us, to the last ape. Ought we to wait for that catastrophe or should we avoid it by attacking first? The white men are still not very numerous on the island, and they alone are redoubtable. The yellow men are only too glad to be our servants; we shall take their women and reduce the males to servit
ude. What do we have to lose? Nothing, since we do not even have the certainty of conserving our meager independence. What do we have to gain? Everything: terrain cultivated by yellow men, whose fruits we shall be able to harvest; white and yellow women; comfortable shelters; and, finally, the assurance of an easy life without fatigue. However, I respect the free will of all, and I only intend to take volunteers. The tremulous can stay here with the old men, women and children—but those who remain will have no right to the booty and will have none of the favors I grant to those who obey me.”
There was a silence. An old man, the sage Nhen-Nhen, got up.
“Great king, your wishes are commands. However, permit an old ape...”
“Don’t bother,” Ouha interrupted. “My wishes take precedence over all arguments. We leave tomorrow morning. Let everyone gather his weapons and whatever food he can carry. We have to cross a region devastated by our last enemies. It’s wise to take food, at least for a few days.”
The sage Nhen-Nhen got up again to ask: “Is the White Witch marching with you?”
“My wife, the Great White Spirit, will march with me at your head. She will assure us of victory.”
Enthusiastic cheers resounded from all directions.
“Go on, go on,” muttered Abraham. “Tomorrow, Our Lady of Lust and Victory, Mabel, will be safe, and you’ll wait for her for a long time.”
On that, amid political rejoicing, like a Roman Caesar ordering bread and circuses, Ouha ordered a large distributions of bananas and durians, of which the orangutans were very fond.
LXVII. A Desperate Hour
Afterwards, Ouha, the despot, dragged the doctor back to his abode again. Goldry tried to insist of returning to his own cave, but Ouha would not hear of it, and imprisoned him in his harem.
“All is lost,” said Abraham. “I can’t warn my friends, and that brute wants to set out on campaign before dawn. He’s definitely not stupid enough. I disown him; he’s not my pupil.”
“It’s my fault,” said Mabel. “If I hadn’t suggested these ideas of conquest, he wouldn’t have thought of them by himself.”
“What can we do?” groaned Abraham. “What can we do? Let’s see—he’s gone, doubtless to organize the recruitment of his army. What if I tried to get out?”
He headed for the cave entrance and darted a glance outside. Four orangs armed with massive cudgels were mounting guard. The doctor tried to open negotiations but the only response was a blow that nearly broke his arm.
Abraham beat a retreat and said to Mabel: Does he suspect our intention to flee? For want of speech, these animals have presentiments that don’t deceive them.”
Mabel did not seem distressed by the impossibility of flight. Dilou, in order to emphasize her evident displeasure at Abraham’s presence, went out to chat to the sentinels, who were flattered by that mark of attention.
The doctor, content to be alone with Mabel and Rava, said: “That Dilou doesn’t inspire me with confidence. She’s capable of betraying us.”
“No,” said Rava. “She’d be delighted to remain Ouha’s sole favorite.”
“What can we do? What can we do, Mabel?”
“Wait. Ouha won’t let you sleep here.”
LXVIII. The Deserted House
At sunset, Ouha came back, satisfied. He had convinced three hundred orangs to make the expedition he desired, and had left them full of enthusiasm, under the command of his lieutenant, Ko-Zu.
Complete silence reigned in the grottoes. A strange anxiety gripped his bosom; he ran into the harem.
There was no one there.
Having looked everywhere, he let himself fall on to the ground and roared, so violently that Dilou came running, amazed to see the king alone in the cave.
After a few moments, Dilou approached meekly and attempted to calm his dolor with tender caresses. They awoke in the master, who was sobbing like a child, the memory of other caresses; he seized the unfortunate girl and threw her against the wall, fracturing her skull.
Ouha trampled her cadaver furiously, and then, impelled by a sudden hope, ran outside.
LXIX. A Wordless Rescue
The eight adventurers of the rescue party had waited for Goldry in vain at the rendezvous he had arranged. After an hour, Gorden and Archibald, accompanied by the two Malays, Eg Merh and To Wang, went to Ouha’s cave, carrying ropes and levers of sturdy wood.
Archibald lent the others his back, and the three men went into the grotto from which they could see what was happening in Mabel’s residence. At the moment when they started listening, Ouha came in with the doctor. They therefore heard the conversation of Mabel and Abraham, and the explanation of Ouha’s plans. When the king of the apes went out, dragging the doctor with him, they consulted as to the course of action to take.
Having examined the place, they judged that it would take at least two hours to make an opening big enough to let the prisoners through. They set to work immediately, attacking the rock at the place where it seemed most friable. Fortunately, the found a surface that was conveniently cracked; by introducing the blade of a knife into the cracks, they are able to detach fist-sized pieces, without producing the slightest sound.
When Goldry and Ouha came back again, only a thin layer remained to be removed. As soon as Ouha had gone, they broke away the rest and threw ropes down into the grotto. The prisoners had only to put their feet into a loop fashioned at each extremity, as if into a stirrup, and then hold on to the rope. The four men lifted them up like feathers, in less than five minutes.
From the interior of the royal cavern, the primitive window, high up and set back, could not be seen. Without a word, the rescuers pushed the three refugees ahead of them and got them down on the other side; having remained on top, Gorden detached the moorings and rejoined his companions with a bound. Then Mabel and Rava threw themselves into the arms of their friends and embraced them, weeping. The males were no less emotional. Even Goldry was glad to return to humanity.
The Malays, being less demonstrative, were the first to give the signal to retreat, drawing Rava away. The whites followed.
Two hours later, they were all reunited, and Mabel was in her father’s arms, in the diamond cathedral.
LXX. The Rainy Season
Mr. Smith did not take long to perceive his daughter’s physical modifications. She had changed a great deal since he had lost her; her figure was no longer as slim; her shoulders and bosom had developed; her skin, formerly so pale, was bronzed. Her gait and gestures now had a primitive abruptness. She hesitated and searched for words. Nevertheless, she was overjoyed to see her father again.
Smith, fearful of a few replies that might be embarrassing for the young woman, refrained from interrogating her, and limited himself to talking to her about Riddle-Temple, how happy he would be to be reunited with her there, and telling her the story of their search and the fortunate discovery of the caves of the ancient mountainous massif.
Mabel retreated into an almost absolute mutism. It was only after a few days, in the presence of the delicate attentions with which her companions surrounded her, that she began to come back to herself. Finally, she took part, at least by means of a few bursts of laughter, in the enthusiastic conversations of the doctor, who never wearied of expressing eulogies to his friend Ouha—of whom, however, he added, “he had seen enough.”
Mabel, who had lived in the midst of the great apes, taking part in their hunting and their battles, had even more to say than the doctor, but she kept quiet, revisiting intimate memories beneath her helmet of golden undulations, while the scientist, with his habitual thoughtlessness, exalted the qualities of his prodigious pupil.
They remained in the caves for a week, making preparations for the return. The rainy season had arrived and the river, considerably swollen, promised an easier return. They set about constructing a raft larger and more solid than the first, adding to it a detachable mast, at the foot of which was a straw tent woven by Rava and her brother, intended for the two women
.
While this work was going on, Gorden and Archibald returned to the large cave of diamonds they called Mabel Grotto and, having climbed to the top of the crevice, had witnessed the departure of the Harr-haian army.
Ouha, recovered from his stupor, sometimes marched at the head and sometimes on the flank, urging his troops on; he had imagined that the fugitives must be ahead of them and hoped to catch up with them, or to get to Riddle-Temple before them.
The two men saw him cross the river and go into the burned forest; evidently, the army was following the itinerary of the previous campaign.
Two days after the army had gone into the burned forest, however, the sky darkened. In spite of his intelligence, the sagacity of the Orangutan monarch was at fault; he had not been able to record the meteorological changes of the rainy season in his memory. Even though he had suffered them every year, every year they took him by surprise, and it was under heavy rains that the most urgent reparations were made.
Every year, Ouha gave shelter in his grottoes to those of his subjects whose huts had become colanders. Every year, the great apes huddled in the shelter of their roofs of foliage, shivering in the dampness of the forest. That lasted two months, and then ordinary life resumed—and, with their customary insouciance, the apes let the next season come without having bee able to prepare for it. Ouha had been the first to try to maintain the habitations of his subjects in good condition; he knew that the period of downpours would come back eventually, but he did not know how to calculate and anticipate that epoch.
“That’s a lucky break for us,” said Gorden to Archibald, while they were both in their belvedere. “The rain will catch them in the heart of the virgin forest, and three-quarters of the army will stay there.”
Ouha, King of the Apes Page 19