4 – Prophecy and Fulfillment

In “Prophecy and Fulfillment,” the chapter from “Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar,” Tarzan exhibits a mixture of savage instinct and a softening influence of civilization. Upon defeating Numa, the lion, not to save the dying Negro witch-doctor but out of revenge, Tarzan experiences a rare touch of pity. He tends to the old man, revealing himself as Tarzan of the Apes, a title he bears with pride. The witch-doctor, recognizing Tarzan as the feared “forest god,” predicts dire times ahead for him, advising him to retreat from the looming dangers. Despite this prophetic warning, Tarzan’s lack of fear propels him forward.

Later, Tarzan returns to his encampment amongst his warriors, contemplating the witch-doctor’s prophecy. Unbeknownst to him, Werper, a murderer fearing his own master, Achmet Zek, more than the jungle’s unknown perils, follows Tarzan in the hope of discovering and stealing the treasures of Opar without confronting the mighty Tarzan.

As Tarzan approaches Opar, he plans to scope out the treasure vaults under the cover of darkness. Werper, in his greed-driven pursuit, trails stealthily behind Tarzan, aiming only to locate the treasure for a future theft. Tarzan effortlessly enters the treasure chamber, reminiscing about his past confrontations and the unchanged vast wealth inside. After several trips transporting ingots and reflecting on his past adventures, including a concerning thought about La’s fate, he decides it’s time to rally his Waziri warriors to move the treasure.

Back in the treasure vault, Werper hides, waiting for an opportunity to ascertain the treasure’s location undetected. After Tarzan and his warriors carry a significant portion of the treasure away, the ape-man pauses for a moment of reflection before leaving, unaware of Werper’s scheming presence.

As Tarzan signals his warriors to join him, he remains oblivious to the immediate dangers, focusing instead on the task at hand—transferring the gold. The chapter concludes with a heavy sense of foreshadowing and anticipation as both Tarzan and Werper continue their respective pursuits, each driven by vastly different motives—Tarzan by a sense of adventure and duty to his people, and Werper by avarice and fear.