 From the heart of the jungle comes a savage cry of victory. This is Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. From the black core of dark Africa, land of enchantment, mystery and violence comes one of the most colorful figures of all time. Transcribed from the immortal pen of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan, the bronzed white son of the jungle. And now in the very words of Mr. Burroughs, the story of Tarzan and the pirates of Cape Bandera. For some weeks Tarzan had been working on the small boat he kept near his seacoast cabin. The sails had been mended, the seams caulked and the deck and cabin revarnished. Now his mighty muscles bulged as he carried aboard casks of drinking water and great hampers of provisions. Suddenly his nostrils quivered and his eyes darted to the shore for the scent of a gomongani and native was mingled with the salt hair. His hand moved instinctively to his great hunting knife. But the hand relaxed and the tenseness disappeared as he recognized the poignant native who stepped from the brush onto the narrow strip of beach. Not by Nathisa. I'm out here on the dock. Go away. Yes, Nathisa. Yes, I've planned for a long time to take my tiny vessel around the Cape and up the eastern coast. Cape of good hope many moons distance. Is dangerous trip for small boat? Well, I've never been particularly noted for avoiding danger. But I think the sea will offer fewer enemies in the jungle. No, Tarzan cannot go. Not now. Oh, I suppose I can't go because I'm needed here, huh? All right, Nathisa. Tell me why you have come. What troubles are the people of Pugna now? Oogano not agree who own three-head cattle with Carrogo. Mama Nagama has much trouble with Boit Orgo who want hunt all day, not go missionary school. Suey throw mud on clean wash of Zareba. Chief say to Nathisa, get Tarzan. Bring back to settle trouble. Nathisa, your report of the terrible troubles of the Pugna tribe makes me more resolved than ever to leave on this trip. I'm afraid I've taken too much responsibility for your people. I weaken them by making all their decisions. But what they do? They will settle their own disputes. Now I know how a president feels when he leaves on a vacation or a king when he hands the reins to a prime minister. Yes, Nathisa, I'm leaving on a vacation. Tarzan, take Nathisa with him on occasion. Well, if the messenger they sent for me doesn't return, they'll surely have to settle their own problems. You take Nathisa, huh? You shall be first mate, second mate, chief cook, and crew. Nathisa, I know a lovely spot on the coast. A narrow strip of land that's completely secluded. The fish grow larger, the wild fruit richer, and the ocean bluer. For once, I shall know peace at Cape Bandara. But even as Tarzan and Nathisa sailed in the direction of the beautiful Cape, the same narrow strip of land was being discussed in a waterfront dive in Tarak, melting part of the roughest collection of semen from Singapore to Caracas. Who ever heard of sailing out of Cape Bandara? There's no trade there, Mr. Gottliff. You're so right, Captain Hill. Even the few natives who used to live there have moved to the main movement. So why should we pick that deserted place for our home port? You'll find out in good time. I'll know before I sign. What ports are called and what cargo? We'll sail any place where they'll buy merchandise without asking questions. And our cargo will consist of whatever we find in the holes of the native dowels that ply the coast. Pirating, Mr. Gottliff? Are you too relivered for that business? No. I'll do anything for money. But I'm not running a pirate ship for regular skippers' wages. You want Captain Halk, it'll be double wages and shares. Double wages and shares, it'll be for you and your crew. Can you get the men you'll need? I can pick them all up on the waterfront before nightfall. I look for only three features in a privateer. Three features? Holes in the soles of their shoes, scars on their faces, and big hands. Huh? It works out. The man has holes in his shoes, he's desperate enough to play my game. The scars prove he's been in a knife fight or two and he's been the one to walk away. And the big hands guarantee that he can throttle a man without giving him time to let out a squawk. When do we sail, Mr. Gottliff? As soon as the guns and ammunition's are brought to the dock. That'll be shortly after dark. I'll have my crew ready. Now you know why I shall let it a lonely spot like Port Bandera is a base. No one will interfere with our little game there. Heaven help anyone who tries. With a crew of cutthroats, we'll have a board. We'll continue with our story in just a moment. Many moons had passed and Tarzan and Natesa had rounded the southern tip of Africa and it progressed as far as the harbor of Tarak on the eastern coast. We head for land to hunt meat? No, Natesa. We'll trade some hides for a few supplies here and wait for our hunting until we arrive at Cape Bandera. This big harbor, many ships. What big ones with no sails? Those are steamers. They carry cargo to distant ports. And boats with strange sails? Those are the latin sails the Arabs use. And apparently none of the fleet's going out today. I don't understand the inactivity here. Many men on pier? Yes, they're just standing around talking. None of them is loading cargo. Maybe afraid of sharks. Natesa, see fins of many sharks in harbor? Yes, I see them too, but I hardly think that. Natesa, look at that lone arable on the end of the wharf. He jumped in water right near sharks. Grab the tiller, Natesa. I'm going in after him. No, Tarzan. He jumped in. You're not him. He won't stand a chance with those long arable robes. Guide our boat to the dock, Natesa. Killer shark head for Arab. It was a race as Tarzan attempted to intercept the shark as it dried a rapid before the helpless era. But despite Tarzan's powerful strokes, the shark reached its goal first. It rolled over and the jagged teeth came in quickly. But before they could sink into its victim, Tarzan's hunting knife found its mark in the killer's sleep belly. The shark leaped high into the air, its tail flailing in the water. And it goes to strike back at its attacker. The churning sea was red with blood as Tarzan wrestled the monster onto its back again and once more the knife sank into the white underbelly. Again and again and again. The shark shuddered convulsively, a thrashing of the powerful tail ceased. The shark was dead. Tarzan took a few strokes and then swam down and placed his arm around the Arab. He hoisted the inert figure onto the nearby pier. Then, grinning broadly, he clambered under the rough lune dock. They're jumping to sea! They just saved him from shock! Best roll him over on his stomach, try to pump some of the water out of him. Your fellow Arabs seem to have lost interest in you quickly. Let's see if I can return you to this world. Inhale, inhale. The teeth that tie both to Pier Tarzan. Good. Inhale, exhale. He come to life? I think so. Then perhaps he'll solve what has always been a great riddle to me. How a man can fight for survival from the time he leaves his mother's bosom and then seek to die by his own hand. You have a fine house here, Ismail bin Ahmed. Before the month is passed, it will no longer be mine, Tarzan. Oh, you've had business reverses, huh? That's why you attempt to do into your life. reverses? You speak in mild tones. Tarak is the shipping point for materials brought across the Sahara. Ivory, ostrich feathers, hides, tea, curry powder, other things. Until this week, I was the owner of four ships. And what happened? I lost them all, every one of them. And each was loaded to the gunnels with rich cargo. I wiped out the work of a lifetime. By storms? Well, but surely the captains of your ships must have had warning of their approach. The storms that have befallen the ships of Ismail and his brothers given a warning, for they are man-made. Man-made storms? Perhaps I speak too vaguely. It is the manner of the Arab. I mean that my vessels as well as those of many other small ship owners have been robbed and then sunk by pirates. Pirates in this day and age? That is why the bales of cargo are piled high on the wafts and no one dares make a move to load the ships. Those who still have ships are afraid to let them venture forth. But there must be means of combating these pirates. They have sleek motor-driven ship that easily overtakes the swiftest of our fleet. Our men are brave, but the enemy consists of huge savage men who climb aboard and strangle those who resist. It seems incredible. Sharks have fed well on the proof of the end privates in for me. But you have heard enough of Ismail bin Amid's troubles. You have saved my life. Is there some manner in which I can be of service to you? We came ashore to refill our casks with fresh water and to trade a few hides for some provisions. Your native companion can fill the casks at the clear spring in my courtyard. And it will be my pleasure to supply the provisions you need. You are most kind. I wish there were some way in which I could help you though in your trouble. Perhaps when you resume your voyage you may see the vessel of the pirates. You have always struck at night and although a few of our seamen have escaped they have been unable to give an adequate description of the pirate craft. And if you had a description? The government would send a naval police and comb the waters for it. But of course without a description... When we have start to our modest galley we will head for the sea again. But I doubt that a pirate ship will frequent the waters near such an unprofitable district as that of our destination. A quiet cove of Port Banderat. Now fasten it well around that tree. It's good to have my feet upon the earth again. Well, Lattisa, this is Port Banderat. Do you like it? Oh, it's a beautiful place. But why we anchor at Edger Beach not sail into cove? Because for the first time I've arrived to find another vessel here before me. Didn't you see that ship nestled beneath the overhanging boughs? No. Is pirate ship, maybe? No, I hardly think so. For Ben Ahmed said they used a motor-driven ship and the one moored there as an antiquated sailing vessel. Still, I thought it best to take no chances. We make camp here? We'll cash our supplies near here and then we'll walk to the anchored ship and find out whether their friends are foes. The vessel, half hidden by the overhanging trees at the edge of the cove, was as a matter of fact of Mr. Gottliff and his skipper, Captain Helk. During the past months they had reaped great profits, but even financial success does not always lead to a feeling of security. And as Helk and Gottliff stood on the deck of their moored ship, they argued the point. I still think the naval police may find us even here. In the name of heaven, Captain Helk, why should you worry? If they look for anything, it will be for a sleek motor ship and I could see we aren't rigged to use them. Look, when we sail, we're a trim speedy craft. When we're in hiding, we're a shabby old sailing vessel. Who's going to examine our rigging or inspect the fake sail with which we cover our modern hull? Well, I'd feel a lot safer if we had more fighting men. Excuses, excuses. I told you to get as many men as you needed, Captain Helk. I'd got as many as I could trust you lived up to my requirements. Who are you shouting at? A huge, powerful white man and a native. They don't let them come aboard. One of our crew might come up on deck and then... I want them on deck. They need a little help in convincing this man that he should join us. Join us? This stranger we know nothing about? He meets my requirements. He's the most powerful man I've ever seen. He has great hands, obviously. He can't afford shoes. He has a scar on his forehead. May we come aboard? Of course. I'll lower the ladder. Go below and tell the men to crouch by the companion way. What about the native? I'm only interested in the giant. We'll shanghai him and we'll feed the native to these sharks. In just a moment we will return to our story of Tarzan and the Pirates of Cape Banderra. The tone of those aboard had been friendly and so Tarzan and Atissa climbed the ladder without great suspicion. At the top of the ladder Mr. Gottliff stood in a gesture of friendship, a smile on his face. But there was no smile on the face of Captain Helk nor on the cruel faces of the burly seamen who crouched behind him in the shadow of the companion way. I remember. Keep still until Mr. Gottliff and I have worked him over to the edge of the companion way here. Right. Kellen, you and Bulla grab the native. The rest of you gang up on a white man. Right. And I want no mistakes. If you let that giant run loose around here... We got guns. I want him alive. Pinyon his arms so he can't do any damage. What about the native? I don't care what happens to the native. Quiet now. We hardly expected collars in this lonely port. We spent many months here in the past without catching sight of another human. It's a great pleasure to welcome strangers. Here. Let me give you a hand. My name is Gottliff. I am Tarzan. And my companion's name is Natissa. Welcome, Tarzan, Natissa. Jambo, why not, Gottliff? Come, I'd like you to meet our captain, Mr. Helks, one of the finest navigators on the coast. Good. There's much I have to learn about to see. All right, man. Natissa and I sailed around the Cape, but I still find... What is this? All in, man. You're not getting away. No, not through, Natissa. No, no, Natissa not. Here, the native. I've never seen such cruelty. Even without your gunfire, Natissa would have died. He couldn't swim. That's very unfortunate. You greet us with friendship, and then you commit murder. Those are harsh words for a man who's being held by six of the roughest men of Africa. We meant you know we've only boarded your ship. Why did you kill my friend? Why do you hold me captive? It's just a slight precaution. Your friend could be of no use to us, but Captain Helk here feels that you would be in addition to our crew. Is this the way in which you recruit seamen? In our business, we have to be sure of a man before we permit his arms to be free to grasp at a knife. That's your wise. But you're not free. No will you be, unless you throw your lot in with us. Retreater Cruville. Double salaries and shares. Double salaries and shares? I see. What must one do in order to earn this great amount? First, a few questions to you. How did you earn that scar on your forehead? When I was a young boy, I had a death struggle with Bolgani the gorilla. With a gorilla? I guess you can take care of yourself. How will you finance his dozen? I have seldom had use for money. But I guess you have no objection to it, eh? If I had a distaste for money, would I have traveled a great distance to join your pirate crew? He knows who we are. How did you know? A true privateer gives no information of that kind. Isn't it enough that I am as strong as three men that I have taken great pains to reach you? And that I thirst for the life of a pirate? That's good enough for me. Release a man. Welcome to our gentle crew, Tarzan. You won't find better grub and any yelling on the seventh sea. It should be good. Meat from the cattle boat, sailing from port sides, fruits and spices on their way from the Indies, delicacies from every land in the world. Have some of this wine, Tarzan. The blood of a dozen men have paid for it. I should make it taste sweeter. Oh, you're quite a joker. Incidentally, Tarzan, I'm the captain of this ship. So far I've been lenient with you, but when we put to sea, I'll have no breach of discipline. I was unaware that I had broken any rules. The crew is limited to certain parts of the ship. Your only duty is fighting. After this, I do not want to find you snooping about the engine rooms or the carpenter shop. It was just natural curiosity. It sometimes leads to unnatural deaths. But Tarzan had already completed his snooping. Now he knew the secrets of the pirate ship, the manner in which the vessel was disguised, the hiding place of much of the stolen cargo. The task remaining before him was to return to his own small vessel, make his way to Tarak, and there inform the naval police of the description and whereabouts of the ship that had been terrorizing the seas. But when, after several days, he managed to sneak ashore, the ship was gone. And even as he searched vainly for it, the missing dow made its way unsteadily to the dock at Tarak. You there, in the boat. Throw me your rope. Now, then, give me your hand. I'll help you into the dock. Oh, Santa. You look as though you've been in some sort of a drunken brawl. You shouldn't be roaming around the harbor. Please, me sick, almost drunk. Say of many days, no food or water. What's the story? What's your name? Me, Nathisa. Where are the papers for your boat? Papers? Come, come. I'm Lieutenant Kirby of the Naval Police. And we haven't time these days to fool about with those who can't keep papers in their vessels. Nathisa, not know about papers. I suppose you've stolen the boat. Please, Nathisa, not steal anything. He bring back boat belong Tarzan. Tarzan captured by Batman at Cape Bandera. Maybe our pirates. Now I've heard everything. And you come along with me. If you sober it up, we'll find out the real story about this boat and where you got it. Please, Tarzan in bad trouble. And so are you, my friend. So are you. Unable to find his boat and thus return to Tarak, Tarzan had gone back to the pirate ship. The ship made several journeys during the next few days, but the profits were not great. And the newest member of the crew was not in high favor. I can't understand it, Tarzan. Three raids you've been on and you've managed to clear things every time. If we weren't short-handed as a result of your stupidity, I'd send you over the rail right now. I'll do better tonight. What's our target? We're going to attack a port instead of a ship. And the stakes are high this time. Is it safe to attack a port? It's never safe to be a pirate. But the war for Tarak is groaning with cargo. And if they won't send it out on their ships, we'll go in and get it. And there better be no careless mistakes this time, Tarzan. If there is a mistake, we may sacrifice one of our crew. You sent for me, commander. Yes, bin Ahmed. Lieutenant Kirby here arrested a native who couldn't prove ownership of a dow. He claims you know him. Well, I assured the commander it was just a tall story, but he thought it best to check with you. What's the native's name? I just sent a turnkey to get him. What did he say his name was, Kirby? He said his name was Natesa. Natesa? He's the native that accompanied Tarzan to Cape Bandera. Yeah, that's what he said. Kirby, I told... It's my bin Ahmed. Tell him. Tell him you know Natesa. I have already told them what has happened to the man who saved my life. Tarzan captured by Batman. They think they kill me. Natesa believe a pirate. Where is their port? Was it Cape Bandera? Commander, I insist that the naval police ship proceed to Cape Bandera at once. You don't have to insist bin Ahmed. I'm quite in agreement. The two of you may come along. We're ready to leave within the hour. The ship's carpenter had skillfully removed the camouflage of the sleek pirate vessel. The dummy sails had been reefed and the great diesel motor was driving the ship toward the port of Tarak. The forward deck bristled with guns and the fierce crew stood at their stations ready to pillage the waters. We've been landing in a few minutes now. Tell him, do you mind that big forward gun? Keep a trend on the dock. Yes, sir. Murphy, you take charge of the loading. Mr. Godliff, be prepared to relay orders to the engineer and wheelman. All right. The rest of you come with me. We'll do the necessary fighting. And don't forget Tarzan. I've got my eye... What is it, Captain Hill? Both leave on the dock, stop the engines, else the lights. Lights? There. We haven't the light showing. Coming this way. Turn the cannon to the port side and train it on them. Right. As soon as they get within range, let them have it broadside. All right. Ready? Tarzan! What are you? You smell benamite. Come aboard, all of you. I will reveal much to interest you. Dead pirates, the secrets by which they operated and much of their stolen cargo. Some of my goods? Ah, yes. Much of it bears your name. Now you will have the will to live. And I? I will be contented with the comparative safety of my jungle. In just a moment, a word about our next exciting story of Tarzan. The caravan crossed the Great Libyan Desert. The camels were unloaded and the huge bales transferred to the broad backs of native quarters. Then the safari plunged into the tangled jungle. Cities were avoided and only the most remote trails were used for the cargo was worth more than money and secrecy was the byword in the story, Contraband, which we will tell in our next adventure of Tarzan. Tarzan, by creation of the famous Edgar Rice Burroughs, is produced and transcribed by Walter White Jr. Prepared for radio by Bud Lesser with original music by Albert Glasser. This is a Commodore production.