Edgar Rice Burroughs
English
The story begins with the escape of Nikolas Rokoff from a French prison, posing a threat to John Clayton, also known as Tarzan, and his family. Tarzan, concerned for his wife Jane and infant son Jack, rushes back to London. Meanwhile, Rokoff and his associate, Alexis Paulvitch, plot to kidnap Jack. Jane receives a telegram confirming Jack's abduction, orchestrated by a new houseman named Carl. Jane's swift investigation reveals that Carl handed Jack to a stranger in a taxicab after the nurse tried to intervene. Meanwhile, a mysterious informant contacts Tarzan, offering information about Jack's whereabouts in exchange for immunity. Tarzan meets the informant, revealed to be Paulvitch, at a Dover pub. Paulvitch leads Tarzan to a steamer, the Kincaid, where he claims Jack is held. Tarzan boards the ship, only to be trapped in a cell. Unbeknownst to Tarzan, Jane, driven by her own suspicions and a desperate need to find her son, follows Tarzan to Dover and boards the Kincaid herself. She too is captured, finding herself imprisoned by Rokoff, who reveals his cruel intentions. Tarzan, imprisoned on the Kincaid, learns the ship is moving. Jane, meanwhile, endures days of confinement, receiving food from a repulsive cook named Sven Anderssen, and dealing with Rokoff's demands for a large sum of money. Tarzan, unaware of Jane's proximity, endures his own imprisonment. Eventually, Rokoff releases Tarzan onto an island, believing him dead, and reveals through a note that Jack has been taken to be raised by cannibals. On the island, Tarzan confronts a bull-ape, Molak, and kills him, asserting his dominance over the ape tribe. He then befriends Sheeta, the panther, and forms an alliance with Akut, the ape king, and Mugambi, a native warrior. Tarzan leads his unconventional troop to seek Rokoff and rescue his son. Their journey involves navigating the Ugambi River, encountering hostile natives, and engaging in fierce battles. Tarzan's group, including Sheeta, Akut, and Mugambi, battles Rokoff's men and hostile tribes. They rescue Jane, who had been captured by Rokoff. It is revealed that the baby found with Jane was not their son, Jack, but another child. Tarzan learns that Rokoff took his son to be raised by cannibals. The pursuit of Rokoff continues, leading them through treacherous jungles and tribal conflicts. Rokoff's attempts to thwart Tarzan are repeatedly foiled, and he eventually perishes at the jaws of Sheeta. Tarzan and Jane, reunited, manage to escape the island with the Kincaid, only for the ship to be destroyed by a bomb. They are rescued and eventually learn that their son, Jack, was safely returned to them earlier, having been switched at the last moment.
