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Robbie. “She’s a friend—more like a sister! And to me family is important.”
    Robbie tried to pull away from Clark’s grip, but it was too strong.
    â€œReally? If family’s so important then I don’t suppose you mind bein’ deported back to the States where they will ask some really probin’ questions into your family life.” Clark didn’t know the details of why Robbie had fled, but had his suspicions. He released Robbie’s arm, satisfied his message was getting through. “Not to mention what Tafari would do to any of us if we go bargin’ in there accusin’ them of kidnappin’. We have to handle this carefully. Tell me this is gettin’ through to you.”
    Robbie looked around. Everybody was staring at them.
    â€œI get it,” muttered Robbie.
    â€œI wanna see her back as much as you. I’ve known her since she was a pikkie . Archie’s my best mate. If you care about any of us, you’ll do as I say.”
    Robbie nodded, but refused to look Clark in the eye.
    â€œGood. Now let’s sort this mess out.”
    He headed back to Archie’s shack. Robbie called after him, not too loud as he had no desire to gain any more attention.
    â€œClark. If it was me out there . . . would you do the same thing?”
    Clark nodded. “Archie would have the sense to calm me down. We’d do exactly the same thing.”
    Robbie nodded thoughtfully then smiled. His mind was made up.
    As soon as he could slip away unnoticed he would search for Jane alone.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    Jane’s stomach rumbled so loudly it got the attention of a young blackback that had clambered up the trail and lain next to the aircraft to bathe in the sun. The gorilla made low grumbling noises in return and rolled onto its chest to study Jane. One hand cradled its chin, the other idly scratched his prominent sagittal crest that made the top of his head appear almost egg-shaped.
    The ape grumbled again and Jane felt he was waiting for an answer. She imitated the noise as best she could. It seemed to satisfy the animal, which rolled over, picking at some vine leaves. A smaller gorilla bounded onto his chest and the two began hooting as they tickled one another in a play-fight.
    Despite the playful behavior, Jane was all too aware she was in the presence of wild animals and was too petrified to move. Tarzan had disappeared without a word after he had eaten. The sight of him eating the pig raw got Jane’s imagination running wild. Was he some kind of cannibal? Had he eaten the aircraft’s crew? And was she next on the menu?
    She tried to blank that thought. Tarzan had attacked the lioness . . . what kind of maniac attacks a lion with his bare hands?
    No. He’d attacked the lioness to save her and had brought her back here to tend to her wounds. She had no reason to be afraid of him; she just had to convince herself of that. But the image of Tarzan kneeling over the pig, his mouth and hands covered in fresh blood, refused to budge from her mind.
    Since Tarzan had shouted at the silverback, Kerchak, there had been no more hostile behavior toward her. Kerchak had moved further up the slope and sat with a small group of females.
    Tana kept close, and Jane got the impression the ape was making sure she didn’t get into any trouble. Karnath soon tired and fell asleep in his mother’s arms. Jane was surprised to feel a pang of jealousy at the close family bond.
    Without a watch Jane couldn’t tell how much time had passed. The sun had definitely moved from over one peak to another, but it could have taken ten minutes or three hours. Her stomach continued to growl, and the apes sauntered around her as if she had always been a permanent fixture.
    She began to feel an overwhelming sense of abandonment. Why hadn’t anybody come looking for her? Then again, maybe they had. Even she didn’t know where here was and her initial