Chapter 16 – Tarzan Again Leads the Mangani unfolds with Tarzan leading a pursuit to save Jane Clayton and retrieve the stolen jewels. The plot intensifies as Achmet Zek, the ruthless leader of the raiders, organizes his men to capture Werper, his deserter lieutenant, and sets out to form a vast hunting circle. Their objective is clear: to track their prey to the center of the circle, but the tension heightens when, during a brief rest, Achmet Zek is alerted by a noise. To his surprise, he finds Jane, who was believed to be securely held, attempting to flee. She crosses a clearing, only to be chased by a group of anthropoid apes. Before she can escape, Achmet Zek and his men capture her again. However, Tarzan, with the aid of the great apes, charges into the fray to rescue Jane. In the ensuing chaos, the Arabs manage to shoot Tarzan and two apes, capturing Jane and leaving a wounded but determined Tarzan behind.

As Tarzan regains consciousness, his desire to rescue Jane fuels his next course of action. He sets out to track the Arabs back to their camp with the help of Taglat and Chulk, two of the great apes. While Tarzan’s motivations are rooted in his instinctive attraction to Jane, and a deep-seated need to protect her, his memory loss from an earlier injury still clouds his true sense of self. Tarzan, though still struggling with fragments of his past, operates on his primal instincts, determined to rescue Jane from her captors. On the other hand, Taglat, who harbors sinister intentions toward Jane, joins the mission for different reasons, keeping his darker motives hidden from Tarzan. The tension builds as their individual motivations set the stage for conflict within the group, hinting at the complexities of their journey.

The journey to the Arab camp is not without its challenges, especially for Tarzan, who, despite his amnesia, relies on his exceptional abilities and strategic mind to navigate the dense jungle. The trio of Tarzan, Taglat, and Chulk face many obstacles along the way, highlighting Tarzan’s patience and adaptability in the face of adversity. His leadership skills are evident as he carefully plans their approach to the camp. Tarzan uses his intellect to overcome their limitations, demonstrating his capacity for strategic thinking, even in his reverted state. The group quietly watches the camp from a distance, carefully observing the movements of the Arabs before making their next move. As a master of surprise, Tarzan devises a plan to infiltrate the camp by using garments stolen from the Arabs’ scouts, blending into the environment. This approach allows them to stay undetected, building anticipation for the next phase of their daring rescue mission.

As the chapter draws to a close, Tarzan, Taglat, and Chulk prepare for the final phase of their mission under the cover of darkness. The suspense builds as Tarzan’s transition from a civilized man of London back to his primal jungle roots is highlighted. His leadership and adaptability are shown in full force as he embraces the jungle once more, stepping into a world where survival is paramount, and trust must be earned. The inner conflict that Tarzan faces regarding his true identity adds complexity to the narrative, as he struggles with the duality of his nature. Despite his confusion and lost memories, his dedication to saving Jane remains unwavering. The chapter sets the stage for the upcoming confrontation with Achmet Zek, as Tarzan’s resolve to rescue Jane strengthens. It is clear that his journey will be fraught with danger and internal conflict, with his survival instincts guiding him as he strives to reclaim his humanity and fulfill his mission.