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Volume 0804
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A Collector's
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HAROLD FOSTER'S SUNDAY TARZAN STRIP
December 27, 1931 - April 17, 1932
HULVIA, THE BEAUTIFUL
TARZAN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS ~ 31.12.27
The last Christmas before Tarzan was born had been celebrated by Lord and Lady Greystoke with a big dance at their country estate in England. When next Christmas dawned, they were marooned on the African coast in the cabin that Lord Greystoke had built as protection against savage beasts. For weeks before Christmas Lord Greystoke had prepared to bring a feeling of England's yuletide into the jungle. . . Now he was carving a toy for his infant son. On Christmas morning, Lady Greystoke awoke to find in the hut a tree that her husband had decorated with brilliant tropical flowers. Lord Greystoke was offering his gift to the baby Tarzan."Merry Christmas!" cried Lady Greystoke, swinging her boy into the air. "God bless us every one!"
"Look! He swings like a monkey!" said Lord Greystoke.
"And walks like a man!" said his mother, as the baby toddled toward her, taking his first steps.
Unmindful of the menace of Numa, the lion, who was stalking prey outside of the hut. . .
...or of the great ape Kerchak, who had approached even to the window. . . Tarzan's parents forgot all other Christmases in the joy and pride of this one when their baby boy, who was to grow up with the apes, had taken his first step.
TARZAN AND THE FOX ~ 32.01.03
A hunting party had gathered at the Greystoke estate in England, and now they were waiting for their host to start."You look marvelous, John!" said Lady Greystoke when her husband finally appeared in the hunting clothes that she had persuaded him to buy.
"I feel silly," he said. "To think that I, Tarzan of the apes. . ."
"You are Tarzan no longer," she reminded him. "You have come into your birthright as Lord Greystoke. For my sake, John. . . " And she stopped his protest with a kiss.
For the sake of the wife he loved, Tarzan had been trying to adapt himself to the life of an English country gentleman, but, now that he was off on the hunt, something of the exhilaration of his jungle days swept through him. Even at their own sports Tarzan excelled the products of an effete civilization. Leading the field, Tarzan at last sighted the fox on the distant horizon with the pack of hounds in full cry after him. The little animal was at bay when Tarzan galloped up. But Tarzan was no "sportsman." He killed in the jungle for meat or to save a life. When he saw the little hunted fox, he felt closer to him than to the hunters with whom he had gone hunting. To the fox he talked, using the language of the apes. The fox did not understand the words; but he understood that Tarzan was his friend, and gradually the little, frightened, hunted thing sought the shelter of the Ape-Man's arms. As other hunters arrived, Tarzan turned on them fiercely, growling like a beast himself.
"The hunt is off!" he said. "The fox is my little brother."
It was incidents like this that made Lady Greystoke realize that Tarzan belonged in Africa. . . Free once more to indulge the wild joy of life with his brothers, the apes.
THE DANCE OF VICTORY! ~ 32.01.10
A sudden forest fire sweeps through the jungle, driving frightened beasts before it. Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, finds himself in the fiery path. Ahead of the flames races Tarzan. Deep in the jungle lies a small pool of water. Panthers who lurk in the vicinity, creep near to drink. A lone antelope, thirsty after its long run from the jungle fire, approaches the water pool. A panther lifts its head and snarls, and . . . Tarzan sees the defenseless antelope and the panthers at the water pool. The ape man leaps, determined to save the antelope, and to drive the panthers from the precious water. Tarzan strikes! The ape tribe and the panthers struggle in grim fury. Led by Tarzan, the ape horde wins the water pool. The victory inspires the ape man. Again he is the leader of a victorious ape horde. Refreshed by the water he leads the apes in a wild dance of victory.
ABOARD A SLAVE SHIP ~ 32.01.17
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, swings through the trees of the forest, suddenly he halts. He has seen a strange ship at anchor. . . and . . . men of the jungle being led into a life of torture by Moorish slavers. Swiftly the ape man quits the shelter of the jungle, dives into the sea, and swims toward the sinister craft. Unobserved by the crew of the slaver, Tarzan reaches the stern of the ship. Up a dangling rope he goes, hand over hand. The men of the jungle struggle against their iron bars."Our cages are full." Tarzan hears the men of the crew say. "Soon we will sail for Ishkib and the slave market."
The blocks rattle, the sails go up, the ship moves, and a cargo of helpless humanity is being borne away. As the ship leaves the coast, Tarzan creeps below deck on his errand of mercy. Swiftly he overpowers the guard. He takes the keys and . . . liberates the jungle men! They swarm behind the ape man as he leads them towards the deck and freedom. The blacks attack the crew and dive overboard.
"Get up!" says Tarzan, "You are free again to roam the jungle!"
THE BABY OF THE APES! ~ 32.01.24
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, watches the ape tribe as its members cross a jungle stream. Among the apes is Mala, carrying her baby in her arms. In crossing the vines over the stream she treads on the ape ahead of her. He turns, snarling, and in her fright Mala drops her babu. The baby ape strikes the water, uttering weird cries of fright. . . and the ape man, who has seen the accident, dives! Gimla, the crocodile, and Tarzan race through the water for the drowning child ape. The ape man reaches the babu and races for the shore. In the race for life with the crocodile, the ape man outdistances his attacker. Memories of his youth stir the ape man as he looks at the ape baby in his arms. But the ape child stares at the unknown man in great terror. When the ape man's arms relax, the babu, frightened at this, attempts to escape. The panther sees the defenseless baby ape. He poises for his spring. But the keen eyes of the ape man see the panther, and he leaps into the path of the attack. The panther falls before the Lord of the Jungle. Tarzan catches the balu and takes it to its mother."Here, Mala," he tells the ape mother, "In the future guard over it well, as Kala, my ape mother, guarded over me."
THE BLACK PIT! ~ 32.01.31
Members of a pigmy tribe seek Tarzan in the jungle. They ask his aid against a fierce tribe of warrior blacks. "Unless you help us," they say, "our tribe soon will be no more." They rush to the Lord of the Jungle for protection. A lookout for the warrior tribe sees Tarzan as he leads the pigmies through the jungle. The signal drum booms through the forest, reporting the advance of Tarzan. Summoned by the drum, the warriors of the black tribe seek their tiny enemies, hoping to crush them in a surprise attack. Realizing that he and his allies are badly outnumbered, Tarzan puts the pigmies to work digging a deep pit and, when it is completed, he cunningly conceals the opening by grass, boughs, and underbrush. Bidding the pigmies wait on the other side of the trap, Tarzan advances into the enemy territory. The black warriors greet him with howls of rage. Pretending to retreat, Tarzan draws the black warriors behind him. With a mighty jump, the ape man clears the hidden pit. The black warriors rush headlong into the trap. The pigmies return to their village in safety. The pigmies shower the ape man with thanks, but he waves them aside, for it is only just for the strong to protect the weak.
HULVIA THE BEAUTIFUL ~ THE BLONDE PRINCESS ~ 32.02.07
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, chances on the tracks of Sheeta, the panther. He follows. Warriors of the Al-Alba tribe hunt man or beasts. Tarzan, passing below in the trail of the panther, is trapped by the black warriors. The warriors tie Tarzan and hurry him toward the village. Reaching the village, the ape man is brought before the Council of Older Men. They ask this question, "Shall we put him to death?""Death!" cry the Older Men, and the ape man quivers as he watches the dance which proclaims the savages to be cannibals. A short distance from where the savages dance their dance sits Hulvia, a strange woman form an unknown tribe, whom the Al-Alba tribe have selected as their High Priestess. She thinks of the day when her father's vessel was wrecked on the African coast. She believes that everyone aboard the ship perished except herself. Bound and helpless, the ape man is prepared to meet his death. The warriors advance to give the death blows when with fierce suddenness the blonde woman goes to Tarzan's aid. She frees the ape man. In a language Tarzan could not understand, the blonde woman issues sharp commands. The blacks cower before her. Mystified at her presence, Tarzan follows her.
THE STORY OF HULVIA ~ 32.02.14
She was born aboard her father's ship, while a wild storm raged in the Arctic. That night her mother died. She grew up with the ship as her schoolroom, her Viking father as her companion and an honest compass as her guide. One night in a Portuguese port, a trio of Mediterranean seamen attacked her father. Hulvia, now grown to young womanhood, came to the cafe, seeking him. At a word from her, the sailors stopped their attack. Men feared her and instinctively obeyed her. Only one of the crew ever dared to make love to her."Prove yourself a hero first," she told him. "None but a hero may marry Hulvia."
When his first chance came in a sailor's brawl, the young suitor failed miserably. Hulvia developed a great contempt for men. After her father's ship was wrecked on the African coast, her proud fearlessness made even the cruel Al-Alba savages pause. But that night, the witch doctor of the tribe called for her death.
"You little rat!" cried Hulvia as he touched her. And she tossed him over the tribal fire into the midst of his savage tribesmen.
"And so they turned to me and hailed me as a goddess," Hulvia explained as she told Tarzan her story. "But I am just an ordinary woman. And at last," she said, "I have found a hero worthy of my love."
THE TEST OF A HERO ~ 31.02.21
As Tarzan swung off through the trees, Hulvia, the High Priestess, recoiled as if struck by a blow. Then she retired to her temple. When she returned she carried a letter in one hand and an amulet in the other. She called Mumkimvro, swiftest of her messengers, and commanded him to trail the ape man.As Tarzan sped through the jungle, a little steamer tugged slowly up to the farthest trading post on the Gumwi River. Michael Barry, a veteran trader, had brought his nephew, Tom, across the Atlantic on adventure bent. But now they were three months out and not even a storm had marred the calm of the trip.
"I'd find more excitement any night on Broadway," Tom said.
"Wait until you meet Tarzan," Michael Barry advised.
The meeting place was the last outpost of the trading company. But Tarzan had not appeared a full day after the Barrys had arrived. "I doubt if there is a Tarzan," said Tom.
But at that moment, the ape-man swung down from the trees above them. At dinner Michael Barry told of his nephew's disappointment in Africa. "After being a football hero," said Michael, "Tom finds nothing exciting."
"Adventure is to the adventurous," said Tarzan. Just then the black Mumkimvro arrived, bearing the letter and amulet that Hulvia has given him to deliver. After Tarzan had read the letter, he looked appraisingly at young Tom Barry.
In the night the young man awoke in terror to find himself staring into the bloodshot eyes of Gumba, the great mad ape. They fought all over the cabin, the blood-curdling battle cries of the beast arousing the whole ship. Tarzan was the first to arrive, but Tom had already conquered the mad ape.
The next morning Tarzan handed Tom a letter to read. It said: To Tarzan of the Apes, greetings. If you ever find a man who is a man, a fit mate for Hulvia, High Priestess of the Al-Alba, send him to her with this amulet.
"You may have the amulet if you want it, Tom," said Tarzan.
FOR LOVE OF AN UNKNOWN WOMAN ~ 32.02.28
I'm sailing today, Tom," said Michael Barry to his nephew, "And remember no boat hits this port for another six months. But if you must have adventure, go to it. Only don't bring any heathen goddess h home as your wife. Think what mother Barry would say."In spite of warnings, Tom Barry set off alone, bearing the amulet that Tarzan had given him in proof that he was a hero worthy of Hulvia, high priestess of Al-Alba. But Tarzan had no mind to let the young adventurer brave the perils of the jungle alone. As Tom Barry, holding to a compass course, penetrated the unknown wilderness, Tarzan followed through the branches of the trees above. At night, after Tom had pitched his lone camp, green eyes gleamed through the jungle darkness. At last sleep came to Tom, and as he slept, the moon rose. In the moonlight, Sheeta, the panther, advanced close to him, stretching out a tentative paw. But as Sheeta prepared to spring, Tarzan, watching above, drew his bow. The next morning, Tom Barry awoke to find to his horror a panther by his side. When he saw the arrows in the beast's body, he thought his life had been saved by a miracle, and he uttered a prayer of thanks. Three days and three nights he journeyed before he came to the outposts of the Al-Albas. And there a black warrior waited. As the black threw the noose, young Barry ducked and caught the fibre rope in his free hand. He swung the black down from the trees.
"I am the bearer of the amulet of the High Priestess, Hulvia," said Barry. "Conduct me to her." Of this the black understood no word but he bowed low before the amulet of the high priestess.
Tarzan watched from the trees, as Tom was led to the door of the temple, there to face the test of love or death.
THE AMULET OF LOVE ~ 32.03.06
Hulvia was a hard woman. Even as a girl at sea, she had watched with cool aloofness when her father let two sailors fight it out at point of a gun. With the same indifferent attitude, she had for a year now observed the dreadful rites of the Al-Alba tribe. When Tom Barry, bearing her amulet of love, was brought before her, she gave no sign of recognition. Long she meditated while he stood unflinchingly."Put him under guard," she at length commanded. "I shall consult the oracles."
At night, dismissing the guards, she visited him to tell him that the amulet meant the love it promised. Long they talked, and as they talked, Wambo the witch doctor listened. He understood no words, but ever anxious for revenge upon Hulvia, he waited. At dawn he saw her in young Barry's arms. Then he called the elder warriors together and told what he had seen. "Death to the stranger!" they voted.
Hulvia had always imperiously braved the threats of the tribe. But now, sitting in high council, when she vetoed the order of death for Tom Barry they rose against her. The attack was so sudden that neither Hulvia nor Tom was prepared to meet it.
"I have come to the end of the world to die happy, now that I have found love," said Tom.
Then came Tarzan!
A WOUNDED GODDESS ~ 32.03.13
The sudden ferocity of Tarzan's attack scattered the savages and the ape-man cut the bonds that held the prisoners. Hulvia and Tom Barry seized the weapons that the savages had dropped in panic."Follow me!" cried Tarzan, and he led the way to the jungle.
"Hold on! Hulvia's wounded!" Barry shouted.
Tarzan took her and swung with her high into a tree. Barry clambered up after them.
"We're followed," said Tarzan. "Hold her and bind her wounds while I fight them off."
But the savages refused to attack. Time was on their side. They were content to wait for darkness. And then . . .
It was now after sunset. Tom Barry was murmuring to Hulvia, "Don't you think Mrs. Barry sounds like a grand old name?" When Usha, the wind brought a familiar scent to the keen nostrils of Tarzan.
As the cry of a bull ape rang through the forest even the black savages shuddered. But the moment had come for their night attack. "Kill!" cried the witch doctor.
Then, in response to Tarzan's call, through the trees came the great apes!
A LOST LEADER ~ 32.03.20
After their retreat from the ferocity of Tarzan and the apes, the warriors of Al-Alba sought a scapegoat for their failure and turned upon the witch doctor."Go, Mumkimvro," the chief elder commanded. "Find the high priestess. The gods are angry with us for turning against her. Return to her her sceptre and give her the magic balm for her wounds.
But Hulvia had given up hope of life. "I have only one wish before I die," she told Tarzan, "and that is to see once more the sea to which I belong."
In a litter they bore her through the jungle until at length they came to the last outpost of the old trading company at the head of the Gumwi River. At the sight of the habitations of man, the apes grew restless and afraid, and Tarzan sent them back into the wilds form which they had come.
And there Mumkimvro found the high priestess, abed at the company shack. She accepted the magic balm but rejected the sceptre. "Return to your people," she commanded. "They shall see me no more."
Down the river toward the sea, Tarzan and Tom Barry took Hulvia, who had been high priestess of the Al-Alba tribe. As they reached the seashore Hulvia rose and walked over the sands, exultant. Whether it was the sea air or the magic of the balm, the daughter of the Vikings was well again. Tarzan conducted her and Barry to an old French mission. And there, in the little chapel, they were made man and wife.
Meanwhile, the misfortunes of the Al-Alba tribe had convinced them they could not survive without their "White Priestess." And the warriors with spear on high, swore an oath that, though every warrior died, Hulvia must be captured and returned to the tribe.
THE PERILOUS HONEYMOON ~ 32.03.27
Hulvia had insisted upon a honeymoon at sea and Tarzan gave the only boat available in those parts to her and Tom as a wedding gift. There were repairs to be mad, and Hulvia, born to the sea, superintended the job. While they worked, a black of the Al-Albas spied upon them. Then he hastened back to the tribe to report the lost high priestess had been found. Tarzan, meanwhile, had returned to the apes. One day he saw the Al-Albas on march. Suspecting them, he followed. At the head of the Gumwi River, the Al-Albas took to their canoes. The honeymoon sloop was at last ready and Tom and Hulvia set sail, preparing to cross the Atlantic in the frail craft. But as the moon rose; the sloop was becalmed a mile off the coast. That night Tarzan and the apes arrived at the sea shore. As bridegroom and bride dream love's dream at sea, canoes, manned by the blacks prepared to die rather than yield their lost priestess, approach the sloop.
BY THE LIGHT OF THE RISING SUN ~ 32.04.03
Tarzan now saw clearly the menace that confronted the couple in the sloop and commandeering the mission motor boat, he sped with his fierce horde to the rescue. The bride and the bridegroom were entranced. . . The Al-Albas, hunting for their lost priestess Hulvia, had reached their prey. In a moment, she was in the arms of one of the savages, while Tom was swiftly put out of action. Through the night the Al-Albas sped with her. . . clouds, covering the moon, hid their escape. When Tarzan arrived at the sloop, Tom, still stunned could give no word of the capture of his bride. As the moon broke through the clouds, Tarzan saw the Al-Albas in the far distance.It was dawn as Tarzan's boat came within hail of the fast canoes, and then, in the language of the Al-Albas, he cried, "Arise, Goddess!"
As Hulvia stood up, the rays of the rising sun made an aureole about her. The blacks knelt in involuntary worship. "What is your wish, All Highest?" they demanded.
"My wish," she said, "is that you bring me my husband, whom you shall make your king."
THE COMING OF KARBA ~ 32.04.10
When Hulvia called upon the blacks to accept her husband, Tom Barry, as their king, they shouted their protest. In swift rage, the Norse girl struck right and left at the rebels. The witch doctor, always Hulvia's enemy, crept toward her. Wounded the white priestess fell overboard as she struggled to extract the spear thrown by the savage. Tarzan and Tom Barry raced the motorboat to the rescue. As the rescuers dove, the savages in the canoe turned to attack Hulvia's enemy. Tarzan was first to reach the drowning woman. Swiftly Karba, the shark, advanced. Seeing Karba advance, Tarzan wrenched the spear from Hulvia's shoulder and plunged it into the gaping mouth. As Tarzan lifted Hulvia into the motorboat, the Al-Albas prepared to attack.
THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN BARRY ~ 32.04.17
Captain John Barry's trading steamer was making its return trip up the Gumwi River. Tarzan, at the wheel, was racing full speed ahead in the little motor boat... while Tom Barry held in his arms the bride he had taken from the savages -- Hulvia, the White Priestess of the Al-Albas. Swift are the Al-Alba canoes and they were rapidly closing up the distance that separated them from the priestess they had sworn to recapture... when, around a bend in the river, Tarzan sighted Captain Barry's boat. As the captain hailed them from the deck, a mysterious woman wearing a black mask stood at his side. Tom Barry swung aboard with his bride in his arms, but the joy of reunion with his uncle was cut short as the Al-Albas were upon them. There was no time to prepare a defense. The savages swarmed to the deck of Captain Barry's boat. As Tarzan leaped to the defense of Hulvia, the woman in the black mask was below deck unlocking the door of a cage. At her command, two ferocious lions leaped forward.
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