CHAPTER 15 -The beasts of Tarzan

In Chapter 15 of “The Beasts of Tarzan,” Tarzan continues his pursuit down the Ugambi River, tracking Jane and Rokoff. He discovers signs that Jane, despite originally being ahead, is being closely followed by Rokoff. Tarzan advances swiftly, propelled by the alarming realization that Rokoff is nearing Jane. At the river, Tarzan deduces that Jane and Rokoff had departed by canoe. In a rush, and driven by a surge of hope, he sees a canoe with Rokoff at a distance. Tarzan, in a fervent dash to the river, leads the pack, stirs Mugambi, and both follow into the watery path with the primal force of survival fueling their pursuit.

Rokoff, overwhelmed by nerve-wracking fear as Tarzan dives into the river, desperately tries to flee. A perilous tussle ensues when Tarzan nearly captures the canoe but is thwarted by both Rokoff’s frantic attack and an unexpected assault from a river beast. Tarzan disappears beneath the dark waters, leaving Rokoff to flee towards perceived safety. The pace dial tones back into a sinister slow burn as Rokoff, despite his temporary escape from Tarzan, faces a relentless pursuit by the jungle’s nightmarish entities, wearing him down to a shadow of his former self.

Jane Clayton’s narrative juxtaposes with Rokoff’s desperate flight, showcasing her resilience and survival instincts. She maneuvers her canoe along the river, always on edge, yet strategic in her rest. The vast distance traveled by Jane, marked by endurance and hope, eventually brings her to an unforeseen crossroads when she encounters the Kincaid anchored in the bay.

The narrative crescendos as Jane, upon boarding the Kincaid, realizes the ship is deserted except for drunken sailors, whom she secures away. Determined, she positions herself to confront any new threats or opportunities that come aboard. The chapter closes with Jane’s tense anticipation as an approaching canoe signals the next chapter of her ordeal on these treacherous waters.

This portion of “The Beasts of Tarzan” vividly paints the grueling resilience and wild pursuits of its characters, set against the relentless and unforgiving laws of the jungle and the river that serves both as a pathway and a barrier to their fates.