 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 sun of the jungle. And now in the very words of Mr. Burroughs, the story of Trouble-Off-San Lorenca. Perhaps it is difficult for those who have never visited exotic ports like Casablanca, Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis to picture Becarrata. But Becarrata is much like those other ports, except that it's a trifle dirtier, a bit more sinister, a little more completely steeped in the dark mystery of Africa. At one end of its narrow winding principal street is the Café du Diable, the Café of the Devil. It presumably gets its name from the painted figures on its walls, but many claim it has been named for its owner, a small, goatee, Monsieur Andre Develo. Andre, look where it just walked in. Mmm, extremely pretty. Maybe another entertainer looking for a job. You're a fool. Did you ever see an entertainer who dressed immorally? She's a small town girl who has perhaps come over here to serve as a missionary. Shall I go over and see what she wants? No, just understand their being uncomfortable. By the time she works up enough courage to walk over here, it would be easier to say no to whatever request she makes. Oh, look, she's leaving. Perhaps she's afraid of all the replicating devils that the ones painted on the walls. Mademoiselle, Miss? Yes? You're looking for someone? There is something I can do for you? I think maybe I made a mistake. This couldn't be the place. You're frightened. There's no need to be afraid of Andre Develo. You are, Mr. Develo? Then this is the right place. I'm Della Carter, Simon Carter's granddaughter. He wrote that you were his friend. Yes, he's a friend of Simon Carter's, all right. I can speak to the young lady without your help. Of course, Andre, of course. Such a dear friend of Simon Carter. What do you mean by that? To be truthful, my dear Miss Carter, I'm just a trifle, shall we say, angry with your grandfather. For several weeks I permitted him to occupy a room back of the café without charge. Yes, he wrote that you were very good to him. He left for the Congo. I financed his expedition. It's been four years now and he's never repaid the money advanced. Nor did he ever send me my share of the gold. He was so sure of finding it. But, Mr. Develo, something's happened to him. I know it. Many times things happen to white men who go into the jungle in quest of gold. Gold they never find. But grandfather did find gold, a fortune, I guess. What? About a year ago. It was after that that something happened to him. Oh, he's in terrible trouble someplace. Come into my office, my dear. I want you to tell me all about it. If your grandfather's in some kind of trouble, Andre Develo will help him. He said you were his friend. Maybe I am his friend. So he found gold. Grandfather was always the character in the family, wandering all over the face of the earth and having all sorts of strange experiences. I see, Develo. Well, dad and mother passed away about six years ago. After that, grandfather and I lived together in a tiny cottage. Oh, lovely. It was nice. But all we had to live on was my small salary as a lower great teacher. Grandfather wasn't content to let me support him. I guess he's still great for adventure. So he came to Africa to find a fortune and gold. Yes. First I had his letter from here, the one in which he mentioned you. Then there was a long silence. And at last a letter came saying that he was on his way home. That all the wealth he had accumulated during the years was mine. That he was bringing it to me. So he didn't intend to give me my share? Oh, I'm sure he would have sent it to you. He was very honest. Well, he didn't come home with the gold anyway, I assume. No. I never saw or heard from him after that. Six months ago I quit my job. I decided then to come to Africa and find him. Or at least learn what had happened to him. I can understand your feeling, my dear Della. Andre Devereux will help you in your mission. You and I will find out what has happened to your grandfather. And who can tell, we may also recover the fortune he discovered in the Congo. In just a moment we shall find out what happens to Della Carter and Monsieur Andre Devereux when they enter the jungle and meet Tarzan. In civilization it is difficult to learn about matters that transpired four years ago. In the jungle it is almost impossible. But Della Carter was determined to find out what had happened to her beloved grandfather. And Andre Devereux had a driving will to get the wealth that Simon Carter had mentioned in his letter. And so the two led their safari deep into the Congo jungle where the old man had last been seen. Their trail led them eventually to the sea coast cabin of the Lord of the Jungle. Does this be it? Yes, this must be the cabin the native mentioned. A bus! We will stop here then. Don't hear anyone inside. It looks deserted all right. But if this tip doesn't pay off I don't know where we can go from here. Grandfather's last letter was postmarked Cape Town. Perhaps if we headed in that direction. It might have been carried thousands of miles before it reached the Cape Town post office. And our small safari could never get that far. No, I suppose not. But where else can we head next? We can head back to Becurata. I've been a fool to invest further money in a lost cause. I financed your grandfather's expedition. And now I've borne the expenses of this ridiculous safari. But we must go on. Grandfather may be dying. Maybe he's been captured by cannibals or... Oh, please, Audrey, let's... I'm going back to Becurata. You're coming with me. You learn the money I've spent on this foolishness. Andre Devereux does not make bad investments. And there will be more slaps unless you listen. And there will be no more slaps. Do not be afraid, young lady. I thought you were some huge animal. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I am Tarzan. Ah, we have been looking for you. I am Andre Devereux of Becurata. And this is Delacata, an American girl. Why did you slap her? It was just a slight misunderstanding, that's all. A Latin temper in flame, but the jungle eats. Actually, we are genuinely fond of each other. Am I right, my cheries? Yes, yes, I guess so. I overheard your slight misunderstanding. I was in a tree almost directly overhead. You see, I have grown unused to civilize people, and I plan to remain in hiding until you've gone away. What made you decide to come down? I have always reacted strongly to man's cruelties and woman's tears. I don't usually cry. It's just that we've come so far, and every lead we follow doesn't come to nothing. From my hiding place in the trees, I heard that you searched for your grandfather. From a distance from here, we met a native who told us about how you'd saved a man from a wild boar. From the native's description, we thought that the man you saved might have been my grandfather. His name is Simon Carter. Do you know him? Yes, I know Simon Carter. When did you see him last? It was more than a year ago. Where did he go when he left here? Only the jungle can answer that. Did he have gold with him? Did he mention a fortune? I am a man of the jungle, Andre Devereux. I have not tried to disguise my actions or my feelings. I do not like you. I do not like this cross-examination. Still, because of this girl, you are invited to come inside my cabin. I will tell you what I know of Simon Carter. Then you don't actually know whether he'd found the gold before he arrived here. I have told you all I know. He'd been in the jungle for several years before our paths crossed, and he had gone through many horrible ordeals. Yes, yes, yes. Go on. He rested here for several weeks and then left. Did he have any large sacks or boxes with him? Only a humble carpet bag and a few crude mining tools. The carpet bag? Was it heavy? Every other than it would have been had it contained only clothing. Yes, it was heavy, but I did not look inside. If it contained gold, that was Simon Carter's business, not mine. And that is the last question I shall answer. I only meant to... I shall prepare food for you, the young lady and your bearers, and then you must leave. And Miss Carter... Miss Carter! Gone. She must have... I didn't hear her leave. If she's wandered beyond the edge of the clearing, she... No mother lion preparing for a feast! Tarzan dashed from the cabin, crossed the narrow clearing in a few great leaps, and hurtled himself into the middle level of jungle growth, traveling in the direction from which Nooma's roar and the cry of the girl had come. He moved with incredible speed, and although Della had wandered far from the cabin, Tarzan's overhead flight brought him quickly to the place where she stood with her back to a huge rock, facing an enormous, angry lion. And even as Tarzan looked down, the huge lion, tired of toying with its prey, crouched low, its muscular haunches quivered, and it leaped. But Tarzan was already hurtling through space, his great knife flashing in the air as he dove with the lion. Man and beast were one for a moment, an indistinguishable mass, and then as the lion shuddered convulsively, Tarzan got to his feet and placed one foot on the dying animal. Just as you did my grandfather's... You... You were very foolish to leave the cabin. I couldn't stand listening to Andre any longer. When we left Becorrata, I thought he was being kind that he wanted to come with me, so that he could help in case grandfather was in some kind of trouble, but not... Andre Devereux was neither a safe nor a suitable companion for you on a long and dangerous safari. I know. I think I'm more afraid of him than I was of that line, but well, I have to go on. And I shall come with you. You're not afraid of me, are you? Of course not. I think you'd inspire confidence and trust in anyone. Thank you. If you along, I'm sure we'll find my grandfather. They'd never call this a city back home. Well, this is an African city, although Lagos doesn't compare with some of our great cities, of course. This office we search for, is this it we're coming to? Yes, if Simon Carter sailed from Lagos and every report seems to indicate that he did, they'd know all about it here. The Zabin Navigation Company is the only one operating ocean-going ships out of this port. There isn't much to look at this navigation office. Is there something I can do for you? You are, Mr. Zabin? Yes, what do you want? We seek information, Mr. Zabin. Ah, a savage dressed in a leopard skin. Perhaps you'd like to know when the next of my ships is to sail into your jungle. We're trying to find out something about a traveler who may have sailed on one of your vessels. Oh? As closely as we can determine, it was about six months ago. They describe him perfectly in the last native village we passed, and it was only a few miles from here. What is the name of the man you want to find out about? Simon Carter. My grandfather. Do you have any records of his sailing? Yes, I remember him. He arrived at the dock only a few moments before the pride of Lagos sailed. Despite the heavy carpet bag he carried, he ran the entire length of the dock. The carpet bag. Did he sail on the pride of Lagos? Yes, and he carried six other passengers and quite a valuable cargo. Not valuable enough, however, to make salvage operations worthwhile. Salvage operations? The ship went down off the island of San Lorenca. All aboard were lost. English coming out in this boat? Grandfather's dead. We know that now. Yes, and he won't have any more use for the treasure he had in that carpet bag. Bring the boat around a little. The reefs are dangerous here. I know these waters. Tarzan, I really don't want you to dive down to try to recover the treasure. It isn't that important. It is to me. If Tarzan doesn't get it, I'll hire a professional diver. I'll find that carpet bag and the wealthy tools. You see, Dela, if we abandon our search, your friend Andre here will continue without us. For the investment of a few mining tools, you'll get all of the treasure your grandfather intended you to have. But deep sea diving is dangerous. I've always heard that. I know you're strong. Look, right below us. The Oliver ship. I hope the anchor will keep us from drifting too far. The water is so clear. I can almost make out the name on the prowl. I can see the name. It's the pride of Lagos, all right. I've never seen such clear water. The ship must be 100 feet down. More than that, I think. 200 feet wide. You can never descend to that depth without a diving suit. I can try. No, Tarzan. It isn't worth risking. Look at him. Go down. As though he were made of rock. Sometimes Tarzan seems so gentle. With that knot held between his teeth, he seems a complete savage. Do you think he can reach the sunken ship? I hope so. You'll see the expense of a diver. They get a lot of money. I can hardly see him now. The water's suddenly cloudy. Something seems to be stirring up the mud on the bottom. I can make Tarzan out now. He's about half way down. Look, Andre. Look, an octopus. It must be 25 feet across. He's got Tarzan. It is the end of the jungle man. In just a moment, we shall continue with our exciting story of Tarzan. Two of the octopus's thick, slimy tentacles are already wrapped around Tarzan's body. They're suckers holding him in like a steel grip. The other undulating arms gradually move closer. Within a few seconds, they too would encircle the jungle man, squeezing out his life. And the huge devil fish had still another weapon, the poison that would paralyze its victim. Now the water was suddenly cloudy with the poison, but Tarzan fought to overcome it. He struggled upward, gasping for breath. His knife arm struggled free, and one of the tentacles was severed. As they reached the surface, the knife descended again, and the water was red with blood. Now Tarzan was almost unconscious from the poison. But years of jungle training made him strike out with his knife again, and again, and again. The suckers relaxed now. The remaining tentacles began to lose their strength. Tarzan grasped the side of the boat and pulled himself onto the deck. If he'd been killed, it would have been on my conscience all my life. It was unfortunate he's encountering the octopus. If it hadn't been for that, we might have had the treasure by this time. I don't care now if we never get it. If you would sign away any rights in your legacy, perhaps... She's signing nothing. All right. Then as soon as you have regained your breath... I'm not going down again. I won't let him. Perhaps you're right, my dear. Suppose you remain here and take care of Tarzan. I will go ashore on the dinghy. Maybe I can find a diver. He can divide the expense equally from our respective shares of the treasure. All right. But do you think you'll find a deep-sea diver on a tiny native island like San Lorenca? I took the precaution of making inquiries on the mainland. I understand there is a diver there. One with whom I believe I can make a satisfactory arrangement. By your accent, I would judge that you are far from home. I ain't asking you no questions. I don't want you to ask me none, see? But certain things I must know. Your name for one thing. Just call me Tex. May we? That's enough of a name. And you are an experienced diver? I was one of the top divers in the States until... Well, never mind that. I'm a top-flight diver, and I got all the equipment. But I warn you, I'll come high. I will pay you double your established rates, provided you will play ball. I believe that is your American expression for it. I get you. But I'm a diver, not no trigger man. If I wanted a certain man shot, it would not be necessary to engage you for the job. I carry a gun, and I know how to use it. No. I have a war-enliberate plan of which you shall be apart. Okay. But I want my money first. All right. I should give you your regular wages now. Later, when the treasure is all mine, you shall get the rest. Now, here comes Andre. I guess he got his diver. There's another figure in the boat, too. Would the diving suit protect him from another octopus? No, but I doubt that another will enter these waters while the scent of the dead octopus remains. Oh, there! Catch the line! Go ahead. Try it. Merci. Climb aboard, thanks. Thanks. Here you are, Mr. Devereux. Where's your hand? Tex, this is Delacarte. Hello, this is Tex. I'm glad to know you, Tex. Pleasure's mine, man. And this is Tarzan, the gentleman I was telling you about. Let me see you, pardoner. I'll help you with your heavy equipment here. Well, handle the gentle, pal. That stuff can mean the difference between life and death. In my racket, you learn a lot about both. Tex is coming up now. You gotta keep reeling in that arrow as if it ever gets fouled. He's finished. I've been careful. I'm pouring him up. He has a treasure? He's been down long enough to have a dozen treasures. Let me haul him up. I can't go quickly enough. But he must have a treasure. Help me, Tarzan. But he's said to bring him up slowly. I can't wait. He's too exciting. He's almost at the surface now. How far down did the dial say he'd gone? About 120 feet. If the water wasn't so clear... He's reached the side of the boat. Help me lift him up. There's nothing in his hands. There you are, Tex. Now I'll unfasten your helmet. You... you brought me up pretty fast. What did you find? I... I went through most of the cabins. I found the old man you described. You found him? He was in his bunk, ma'am. I'm sure he didn't know I hit him. I don't think he even knew a moment's pain. It ain't a bad way to go. Never mind that. The carpet bag. Did you find it? I've seen it all right, but it was lodged under a heavy timber. Too heavy for me to let go. What's wrong? A little case of the bands, I reckon, ma'am. It comes from being hauled up too fast. Next time we will raise you to the surface more slowly. There won't be no next time, partner. When you caught a case of the bands, you might as well risk another dive for a spell. A tassan? Perhaps Tex could tell you how to use the diving equipment. All right, I'll try. No, Tarzan, please don't! Now we've gone this far. We might as well complete our job. I can tell you exactly where that carpet bag is, Tarzan. With your muscles, you shouldn't have no trouble getting... no trouble at all. Can you see him, Tex? Nope. Not today. Water's a little clouded this morning. He's been down there an awful long time. He's very strong. Nothing will happen to him. You sure he's all right, ma'am? It seems to me you've recovered from your bends awfully quickly. What do you mean by crack like that? Tex, he's signaling with the lines. How many pulls? Speak English. Three times, he jerks the lines. He wants to come up. If only there was some way of knowing whether he found the treasure. Why aren't you holding him up? I'd give my right arm for a telephone assistant to him. If you had thrust-glass equipment, Tex would be able to... Shut up and turn off the compressor. You're shutting off his air. And you don't intend to pull him up until after he's dead. Keep quiet or we'll finish you off, too. Oh, no, you won't. Turn that compressor on again. My gun! You stole it out of my cabin! That's right. Now start the compressor and begin holding Tarzan up right away. We ain't doing nothing of the kind, ma'am. I'll fix you, you son of a... Get the compressor going and hold Tarzan to the surface. You must try. Remember only that you saved my life. I still can't get over how you managed to work the lines and haul me to the surface. I didn't know I had that much strength either. Are you sure you're all right? Oh, I'm fine. I'm awfully glad to get out of that weighted suit. Well, sir, you see what's in the carpet bag? Yes. Pretty badly rested. There it is. What are those things? Native jewelry, most. Not worth much, I'm afraid. That package there wrapped in oil skin. Perhaps it contains the wealth he wrote of. It's a book of quotations and a letter to me. Look. Let's see. To my granddaughter, Dela Carter, I leave the accumulation of a lifetime. A few gold dollars, some interesting native jewelry and a wealth of wisdom which is contained in this collection of quotations. And this is what two men died for. Boiled down, it all amounts to a simple homily. Do not search the world for riches, for a man's treasures are on his own hearth. This is the wisdom I have accumulated during a lifetime and this wealth of knowledge I leave to you. In just a moment, a word about our next story of Tarzan. In Africa, is there a land more foreboding than Egypt? Bordered by the Blue Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Great Libyan Desert and the inscrutable Sudan, it defies the advance of civilization. And those who ignore the warning of her gods are doomed. In our next story, we relate how Tarzan incurs the curse of the pharaohs. Tarzan, the transcribed creation of the famous Edgar Rice Burroughs, is produced by Walter White Jr., prepared for radio by Bud Lesser with original music by Albert Glasser. This is a Commodore production.