Rahan. Episode Seventy Eight. By Roger Lecureux. The clan of Gentle men. A Puke (TM) Comic.

Index:
https://rumble.com/v3486cm-rahan-index-of-episodes-by-roger-lecureux..html

Rahan.

Episode Seventy Eight.

By Roger Lecureux, drawn by Andre Cheret.

The clan of Gentle men.

The territory is now ours!
Death to those who would try to take it back from us!
Warlike clamors punctuated each sentence of the harangue of Rawang-the-chief.

They did not reach Rahan who tried in vain to flush out a prey sheltered under a stump.

But the son of Crao heard other rumors, very similar ones.
It was a series of long and sad petitions.
It is when misfortune strikes them, that “Those-who-walk-upright” thus invoke the spirits!

Page Two.

Those he discovered shortly after were prostrate around an old man, a woman and an adolescent.
Why are you distressed, Brothers?
Perhaps Rahan can help you?

Rahan can do nothing for the clan of gentle men!
No one can resist Rawang-the-savage, who stole our territory.

A territory so full of game that our hunters had no need for weapons!
Their traps are enough!
But Rawang, Alas, was jealous of our happiness!

The son of Crao learned how this clan, guided by a loyal leader and the "Council of Three Voices," representing the elders, the women, and the children, led a happy and peaceful life.

Until this very morning when they were chased from their territory by the warriors of Rawang.

Page Three.

While the gentle man fled their leader had tried to parley.
Why so much hatred Rawang!
We can share game and water sources! We.

Rawang does not share!
Argh!

Rahan hates fights between "Those-Who-Walk-Upright".
But he despises cowardice!
Why did you not defend your territory, your happiness, your happy life?

What could we have done against savages?
Ours have long since lost the habit of combat!

The resignation of these men irritated the son of Crao.
The fate of your clan depends on the courage of its members and the will of the "Council of Three Voices".
Rahan, in fact, can do nothing for you!
Farewell brothers!

Page Four.

The sun was still high when he was surprised near a spring.
This water belongs to us, “Fire hair”!
Follow us!

Since Rawang killed the leader of the gentle men, he thinks he is the master, does he not?
He is the master! And he decides your fate!

A little later.
The “Fire Hair” hunter is called Rahan. Here is his weapon!
If we do not make an example, tomorrow others will come and steal our water!

The verdict of Rawang-the-savage fell from the top of the immense trunk.
Kill him! And hang his corpse at the entrance to the forest!

The first lances fluttered towards the son of Crao, who was surrounded on all sides and had no chance of escaping!
Rahan is lost! Unless, unless.

Page Five.

Rahan will not reach the territory of the shadows without his knife!
With the agility of a “Four-hands” he climbed the rungs that allowed access to the niche platform of Rawang.

As he rose, the spears became less dangerous.
He was soon beyond their reach.

But, above him, Rawang was watching for him!
You will not avoid this one "Fire Hair"!

Rahan must get up there before Rawang grabs another weapon!

Clinging to the last rungs, the son of fierce ages hoisted himself onto the platform.
Rawang emerged from his strange hut, brandishing a head breaker!

Page Six.

Rahan will not let you steal his life!
By projecting this vine lasso into the leader's legs, Rahan wanted to break the assault.

But the result was more decisive!
Argh!

Rahan has killed Rawang!
To death! To death!
A few warriors were already hoisting themselves onto nearby trunks.

They were quickly up to the son of Crao, but the latter, taking refuge in the hut of Rawang, had nothing to fear from their spears.

With this water and this meat, Rahan will be able to last several days!
But after?

The vigilance of the hunters did not relax!
And if they could not reach Rahan, he could not flee his refuge!

A long wait began.

Page Seven.

At daybreak, the son of Crao saw them scrambling around, piling up brush and branches.
A pyre! These savages have decided to burn Rahan!

Very quickly, a circle of high flames surrounded the large trunk!
Rahan, sooner or later, would perish in this inferno!
The heat was already unbearable.

Rahan could gain time by taking refuge on another trunk.
But he will not be able to stick the spear deep enough, for it to support his weight!

The flames rose higher and higher.
And while the warriors tirelessly fed the pyre.

The clan of gentle men, lying in ambush on a height, observed.
Rahan is alone!
And he dares to resist those of Rawang!

Page Eight.

Between the curls of smoke, the son of Crao could still see the other trunks.
How to stick in this spear?
Oh! Rahan knows what he has to do!

He saw himself again, leaning on his bamboo lever stuck between two branches.
Thrown into the wood, the spear would not hold!
But Stuck under the bamboo.
She will support Rahan!

Although weighed down by the long vine, the spear rose, described a curve and fell back on the nearest trunk.

Ra-ha-ha!
Rahan had aimed with remarkable skill.
The spear, locked between two rungs, held securely.

Abandoning his refuge that had been reached by the high flames, he let himself fall into the blaze and flew over it.

Page Nine.

And found himself on the ground, outside the circle of fire!
But he was not saved because the surprised warriors reacted

Once again he only had the resource of a totem trunk.

There were a few men, who climbed up behind him.
One after the other, they had to give up the game!
Argh! Argh!

Rahan knows that this path leads him nowhere!
But he will resist as long as he has a breath of life left!
Splach!
Argh!

He found himself on the top of the trunk, towering over the vociferous warriors of Rawang.
Devoured by the flames, his first refuge was nothing more than a gigantic torch.

Page Ten.

This respite that he had just won would be short-lived.
The men started a fire, underneath a new pyre!

You are as cowardly as you are cruel!
Rahan is alone. With only his knife!
And none of you dare come and confront him!

Ha-ha-ha! Fire is a much safer weapon against demons of your kind!
The flames roared below Rahan, who knew he was lost.

But that always animated the fierce will to “hold on until the last breath of life.”
Rahan can save a little more time!

Two trunks of the "Council of Three Voices" were still spared by the fire.
The jump was risky.
But he gathered himself like a beast.

Page Eleven.

And plunged into the void.
The clamors of rage from Rawang's men mixed with others that he did not hear.
Ra-ha-ha!

He missed the rung.
Another broke under his weight.
And that was the fall!

He did not hear the cries that resounded from all sides.
He did not see the meek men who, armed with simple arms.

Threw themselves on those of Rawang, and shoved them with such ardor that a stampede ensued.

The first vision that the son of fierce ages had when he regained his senses was that of serious and resolute faces.
Your example has given us confidence, Rahan!
We have chased the wild men from our territory!

Page Twelve.

The large totem trunk was still burning and would probably be consumed for several days.
What will become of the clan without our leader?

The “Council-of-Three-Voices” is he not there to guide them?
The voice of the ancients. The Women's voices. That of youth.
Which clan would not envy such a wise leadership!?

Continue to hate fighting, brothers!
Stay the clan-of-gentle-men!
But never forget that.

Gentleness and kindness do not mean weakness!
We will remember it!

The trio consulted for a moment.
And.
You can stay with us as long as you desire, Rahan!

This unanimity touched Crao's son.
Yes, he would stay for a while.
But it would only be a step in his adventurous discovery of men.