In a peaceful jungle, a tribe of apes enjoys a period of tranquility, unaware of the lurking dangers. Teeka, a female ape, and her young offspring Gazan venture far from their group in search of food. Meanwhile, Toog, a powerful outcast bull ape, spies Teeka and becomes infatuated with her. Seizing the opportunity, he attacks, causing Gazan to fall from a tree and become unconscious. Toog captures Teeka, dragging her away as Gazan lies motionless on the ground. Taug, Teeka's mate, returns from hunting to find Gazan injured and Dango the hyena about to feast on him. In a fit of rage, Taug kills Dango and discovers Gazan is still alive. He calls for Teeka but receives no response. Tarzan, the ape-man, hears the commotion and rushes to the scene, quickly deducing that a stranger bull has abducted Teeka. He decides to pursue the captor, insisting that Taug stay behind to protect the tribe. Tarzan and Taug follow Toog's trail, but a torrential rain washes away the scent. After a frustrating search, they finally pick up the trail again and continue their pursuit. Meanwhile, Teeka endures Toog's brutal attempts to subdue her, suffering injuries as she resists. Toog, hoping to return to his tribe with Teeka, encounters two of his fellow bulls who are intrigued by his captive. As Tarzan and Taug close in, a little monkey alerts Toog's friends to their approach. Teeka, realizing her rescuers are near, cries out, prompting Toog to strike her in anger. A fierce battle ensues between the two tribes, with Tarzan and Taug fighting against Toog and his allies. In the chaos, Tarzan struggles to free his knife while Teeka, seizing the opportunity, picks up Tarzan's pouch and hurls the metal cylinders inside at the combatants. The cylinders explode, startling the opposing bulls and causing them to flee. Tarzan and Taug, though injured, regroup and are astonished by Teeka's unexpected aid. They are left to ponder the mysterious objects that saved them, unaware of their true origin. The story highlights themes of loyalty, the instinct for survival, and the bond between parent and child, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that tests the strength and cunning of both the apes and their human ally.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1916 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action