CHAPTER 1 -The beasts of Tarzan

In the opening chapter of “The Beasts of Tarzan”, the narrative thrusts John Clayton, Lord Greystoke—formerly Tarzan of the Apes—into a sinister plot brewed by his old nemesis, Nikolas Rokoff. The story unfolds in Lieutenant Paul D’Arnot’s Paris apartment, where Tarzan and D’Arnot learn of Rokoff’s escape from prison. Subsequently, Tarzan, who had brought his family to London to escape the rainy season in Uziri, decides to return to them, fearing Rokoff might harm his wife, Jane, or their son, Jack, to enact revenge.

Simultaneously, in a secluded cottage on the outskirts of London, Rokoff and his associate Alexis plot to kidnap Tarzan’s family as part of a deeper scheme for revenge and profit. A message soon disrupts the tranquility of Tarzan’s London home, informing him that Jack has been kidnapped, prompting a frantic return to rescue his child. Jane recounts the episode of Jack’s kidnapping—how a new houseman, Carl, tricked the nanny, leading to the baby’s abduction via a taxicab orchestrated by Rokoff and his associates.

Tarzan receives a mysterious call offering information on his son’s whereabouts in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Fearing a trap but desperate to find his son, Tarzan heads to Dover to meet the informant, secretly followed by Jane, who decides to act despite the potential danger. Once in Dover, Tarzan is led to believe Jack is aboard a steamer, but as he follows the informant’s instructions, he realizes too late that he has walked into a trap, becoming a prisoner aboard the ship himself.

This chapter is a tense setup for the ensuing adventure, illustrating Tarzan’s unwavering resolve amidst betrayal and his innate connection to his jungle-honed instincts. It adeptly positions family loyalty against a backdrop of sinister machinations, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of survival and vengeance.