Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar

第4章

Tarzanlookedupintoherface。"Tantoriscoming，"

hesaid。"Ithoughtthathewouldrescueme；butIknownowfromhisvoicethathewillslaymeandyouandallthatfallinhispath，searchingoutwiththecunningofSheeta，thepanther，thosewhowouldhidefromhim，forTantorismadwiththemadnessoflove。"

LaknewonlytoowelltheinsaneferocityofabullelephantinMUST。SheknewthatTarzanhadnotexaggerated。Sheknewthatthedevilinthecunning，cruelbrainofthegreatbeastmightsendithitherandthitherhuntingthroughtheforestforthosewhoescapeditsfirstcharge，orthebeastmightpassonwithoutreturning——noonemightguesswhich。

"Icannotloveyou，La，"saidTarzaninalowvoice。

"Idonotknowwhy，foryouareverybeautiful。

IcouldnotgobackandliveinOpar——Iwhohavethewholebroadjungleformyrange。No，IcannotloveyoubutIcannotseeyoudiebeneaththegoringtusksofmadTantor。Cutmybondsbeforeitistoolate。

Alreadyheisalmostuponus。CutthemandImayyetsaveyou。"

Alittlespiralofcurlingsmokerosefromonecornerofthepyre——theflameslickedupward，crackling。

LastoodtherelikeabeautifulstatueofdespairgazingatTarzanandatthespreadingflames。Inamomenttheywouldreachoutandgrasphim。Fromthetangledforestcamethesoundofcrackinglimbsandcrashingtrunks——Tantorwascomingdownuponthem，ahugeJuggernautofthejungle。Thepriestswerebecominguneasy。TheycastapprehensiveglancesinthedirectionoftheapproachingelephantandthenbackatLa。

"Fly！"shecommandedthemandthenshestoopedandcutthebondssecuringherprisoner’sfeetandhands。

InaninstantTarzanwasupontheground。Thepriestsscreamedouttheirrageanddisappointment。HewiththetorchtookamenacingsteptowardLaandtheape—man。

"Traitor！"Heshriekedatthewoman。"Forthisyoutooshalldie！"RaisinghisbludgeonherushedupontheHighPriestess；butTarzanwastherebeforeher。

Leapingintoclosequarterstheape—manseizedtheupraisedweaponandwrencheditfromthehandsofthefrenziedfanaticandthenthepriestcloseduponhimwithtoothandnail。Seizingthestocky，stuntedbodyinhismightyhandsTarzanraisedthecreaturehighabovehishead，hurlinghimathisfellowswhowerenowgatheredreadytobeardownupontheirerstwhilecaptive。Lastoodproudlywithreadyknifebehindtheape—man。Nofaintsignoffearmarkedherperfectbrow——onlyhaughtydisdainforherpriestsandadmirationforthemanshelovedsohopelesslyfilledherthoughts。

Suddenlyuponthissceneburstthemadbull——ahugetusker，hislittleeyesinflamedwithinsanerage。

Thepriestsstoodforaninstantparalyzedwithterror；

butTarzanturnedandgatheringLainhisarmsracedforthenearesttree。Tantorboredownuponhimtrumpetingshrilly。

Laclungwithbothwhitearmsabouttheape—man’sneck。

Shefelthimleapintotheairandmarveledathisstrengthandhisabilityas，burdenedwithherweight，heswungnimblyintothelowerbranchesofalargetreeandquicklyboreherupwardbeyondreachofthesinuoustrunkofthepachyderm。

Momentarilybaffledhere，thehugeelephantwheeledandboredownuponthehaplesspriestswhohadnowscattered，terror—stricken，ineverydirection。

Thenearesthegoredandthrewhighamongthebranchesofatree。Oneheseizedinthecoilsofhistrunkandbrokeuponahugebole，droppingthemangledpulptocharge，trumpeting，afteranother。Twohetrampledbeneathhishugefeetandbythentheothershaddisappearedintothejungle。NowTantorturnedhisattentiononcemoretoTarzanforoneofthesymptomsofmadnessisarevulsionofaffection——objectsofsanelovebecometheobjectsofinsanehatred。Peculiarintheunwrittenannalsofthejunglewastheproverbiallovethathadexistedbetweentheape—manandthetribeofTantor。NoelephantinallthejunglewouldharmtheTarmangani——thewhite—ape；butwiththemadnessofMUSTuponhimthegreatbullsoughttodestroyhislong—timeplay—fellow。

BacktothetreewhereLaandTarzanperchedcameTantor，theelephant。Herearedupwithhisforefeetagainsttheboleandreachedhightowardthemwithhislongtrunk；butTarzanhadforeseenthisandclamberedbeyondthebull’slongestreach。Failurebuttendedtofurtherenragethemadcreature。Hebellowedandtrumpetedandscreameduntiltheearthshooktothemightyvolumeofhisnoise。Heputhisheadagainstthetreeandpushedandthetreebentbeforehismightystrength；yetstillitheld。

TheactionsofTarzanwerepeculiarintheextreme。

HadNuma，orSabor，orSheeta，oranyotherbeastofthejunglebeenseekingtodestroyhim，theape—manwouldhavedancedabouthurlingmissilesandinvectivesathisassailant。Hewouldhaveinsultedandtauntedthem，revilinginthejungleBillingsgateheknewsowell；butnowhesatsilentoutofTantor’sreachanduponhishandsomefacewasanexpressionofdeepsorrowandpity，forofallthejunglefolkTarzanlovedTantorthebest。Couldhehaveslainhimhewouldnothavethoughtofdoingso。Hisoneideawastoescape，forheknewthatwiththepassingoftheMUST

Tantorwouldbesaneagainandthatoncemorehemightstretchatfulllengthuponthatmightybackandmakefoolishspeechintothosegreat，flappingears。

Findingthatthetreewouldnotfalltohispushing，Tantorwasbutenragedthemore。Helookedupatthetwoperchedhighabovehim，hisred—rimmedeyesblazingwithinsanehatred，andthenhewoundhistrunkabouttheboleofthetree，spreadhisgiantfeetwideapartandtuggedtouprootthejunglegiant。AhugecreaturewasTantor，anenormousbullinthefullprimeofallhisstupendousstrength。Mightilyhestroveuntilpresently，toTarzan’sconsternation，thegreattreegaveslowlyattheroots。Thegroundroseinlittlemoundsandridgesaboutthebaseofthebole，thetreetilted——inanothermomentitwouldbeuprootedandfall。

Theape—manwhirledLatohisbackandjustasthetreeinclinedslowlyinitsfirstmovementoutoftheperpendicular，beforethesuddenrushofitsfinalcollapse，heswungtothebranchesofalesserneighbor。Itwasalongandperilousleap。Laclosedhereyesandshuddered；butwhensheopenedthemagainshefoundherselfsafeandTarzanwhirlingonwardthroughtheforest。Behindthemtheuprootedtreecrashedheavilytotheground，carryingwithitthelessertreesinitspathandthenTantor，realizingthathispreyhadescapedhim，setuponcemorehishideoustrumpetingandfollowedatarapidchargeupontheirtrail。

APriestessButYetaWomanAtfirstLaclosedhereyesandclungtoTarzaninterror，thoughshemadenooutcry；butpresentlyshegainedsufficientcouragetolookabouther，tolookdownatthegroundbeneathandeventokeephereyesopenduringthewide，perilousswingsfromtreetotree，andthentherecameoverherasenseofsafetybecauseofherconfidenceintheperfectphysicalcreatureinwhosestrengthandnerveandagilityherfatelay。Oncesheraisedhereyestotheburningsunandmurmuredaprayerofthankstoherpagangodthatshehadnotbeenpermittedtodestroythisgodlikeman，andherlonglasheswerewetwithtears。AstrangeanomalywasLaofOpar——acreatureofcircumstancetornbyconflictingemotions。Nowthecruelandbloodthirstycreatureofaheartlessgodandagainameltingwomanfilledwithcompassionandtenderness。

Sometimestheincarnationofjealousyandrevengeandsometimesasobbingmaiden，generousandforgiving；atonceavirginandawanton；butalways——awoman。

SuchwasLa。

ShepressedhercheekclosetoTarzan’sshoulder。

Slowlysheturnedherheaduntilherhotlipswerepressedagainsthisflesh。Shelovedhimandwouldgladlyhavediedforhim；yetwithinanhourshehadbeenreadytoplungeaknifeintohisheartandmightagainwithinthecominghour。

AhaplesspriestseekingshelterinthejunglechancedtoshowhimselftoenragedTantor。Thegreatbeastturnedtooneside，boredownuponthecrooked，littleman，snuffedhimoutandthen，divertedfromhiscourse，blunderedawaytowardthesouth。Inafewminuteseventhenoiseofhistrumpetingwaslostinthedistance。

TarzandroppedtothegroundandLaslippedtoherfeetfromhisback。"Callyourpeopletogether，"saidTarzan。

"Theywillkillme，"repliedLa。

"Theywillnotkillyou，"contradictedtheape—man。

"NoonewillkillyouwhileTarzanoftheApesishere。

Callthemandwewilltalkwiththem。"

Laraisedhervoiceinaweird，flutelikecallthatcarriedfarintothejungleoneveryside。FromnearandfarcameansweringshoutsinthebarkingtonesoftheOparianpriests："Wecome！Wecome！"Againandagain，LarepeatedhersummonsuntilsinglyandinpairsthegreaterportionofherfollowingapproachedandhaltedashortdistanceawayfromtheHighPriestessandhersavior。Theycamewithscowlingbrowsandthreateningmien。WhenallhadcomeTarzanaddressedthem。

"YourLaissafe，"saidtheape—man。"Hadsheslainmeshewouldnowherselfbedeadandmanymoreofyou；butshesparedmethatImightsaveher。GoyourwaywithherbacktoOpar，andTarzanwillgohiswayintothejungle。LettherebepeacealwaysbetweenTarzanandLa。Whatisyouranswer？"

Thepriestsgrumbledandshooktheirheads。TheyspoketogetherandLaandTarzancouldseethattheywerenotfavorablyinclinedtowardtheproposition。TheydidnotwishtotakeLabackandtheydidwishtocompletethesacrificeofTarzantotheFlamingGod。Atlasttheape—manbecameimpatient。

"Youwillobeythecommandsofyourqueen，"hesaid，"andgobacktoOparwithherorTarzanoftheApeswillcalltogethertheothercreaturesofthejungleandslayyouall。LasavedmethatImightsaveyouandher。IhaveservedyoubetteralivethanIcouldhavedead。IfyouarenotallfoolsyouwillletmegomywayinpeaceandyouwillreturntoOparwithLa。

Iknownotwherethesacredknifeis；butyoucanfashionanother。HadInottakenitfromLayouwouldhaveslainmeandnowyourgodmustbegladthatItookitsinceIhavesavedhispriestessfromlove—madTantor。

WillyougobacktoOparwithLa，promisingthatnoharmshallbefallher？"

Thepriestsgatheredtogetherinalittleknotarguinganddiscussing。Theypoundedupontheirbreastswiththeirfists；theyraisedtheirhandsandeyestotheirfierygod；theygrowledandbarkedamongthemselvesuntilitbecameevidenttoTarzanthatoneoftheirnumberwaspreventingtheacceptanceofhisproposal。

ThiswastheHighPriestwhoseheartwasfilledwithjealousragebecauseLaopenlyacknowledgedherloveforthestranger，whenbytheworldlycustomsoftheircultsheshouldhavebelongedtohim。Seeminglytherewastobenosolutionoftheproblemuntilanotherprieststeppedforthand，raisinghishand，addressedLa。

"Cadj，theHighPriest，"heannounced，"wouldsacrificeyoubothtotheFlamingGod；butallofusexceptCadjwouldgladlyreturntoOparwithourqueen。"

"Youaremanyagainstone，"spokeupTarzan。

"Whyshouldyounothaveyourwill？GoyourwaywithLatoOparandifCadjinterferesslayhim。"

ThepriestsofOparwelcomedthissuggestionwithloudcriesofapproval。Tothemitappearednothingshortofdivineinspiration。Theinfluenceofagesofunquestioningobediencetohighpriestshadmadeitseemimpossibletothemtoquestionhisauthority；butwhentheyrealizedthattheycouldforcehimtotheirwilltheywereashappyaschildrenwithnewtoys。

TheyrushedforwardandseizedCadj。Theytalkedinloudmenacingtonesintohisear。Theythreatenedhimwithbludgeonandknifeuntilatlastheacquiescedintheirdemands，thoughsullenly，andthenTarzansteppedclosebeforeCadj。

"Priest，"hesaid，"LagoesbacktohertempleundertheprotectionofherpriestsandthethreatofTarzanoftheApesthatwhoeverharmshershalldie。TarzanwillgoagaintoOparbeforethenextrainsandifharmhasbefallenLa，woebetideCadj，theHighPriest。"

SullenlyCadjpromisednottoharmhisqueen。

"Protecther，"criedTarzantotheotherOparians。

"ProtecthersothatwhenTarzancomesagainhewillfindLatheretogreethim。"

"Lawillbetheretogreetthee，"exclaimedtheHighPriestess，"andLawillwait，longing，alwayslonging，untilyoucomeagain。Oh，tellmethatyouwillcome！"

"Whoknows？"askedtheape—manasheswungquicklyintothetreesandracedofftowardtheeast。

ForamomentLastoodlookingafterhim，thenherheaddrooped，asighescapedherlipsandlikeanoldwomanshetookupthemarchtowarddistantOpar。

ThroughthetreesracedTarzanoftheApesuntilthedarknessofnighthadsettleduponthejungle，thenhelaydownandslept，withnothoughtbeyondthemorrowandwithevenLabuttheshadowofamemorywithinhisconsciousness。

ButafewmarchestothenorthLadyGreystokelookedforwardtothedaywhenhermightylordandmastershoulddiscoverthecrimeofAchmetZek，andbespeedingtorescueandavenge，andevenasshepicturedthecomingofJohnClayton，theobjectofherthoughtssquattedalmostnaked，besideafallenlog，beneathwhichhewassearchingwithgrimyfingersforachancebeetleoralusciousgrub。

TwodayselapsedfollowingthetheftofthejewelsbeforeTarzangavethemathought。Then，astheychancedtoenterhismind，heconceivedadesiretoplaywiththemagain，and，havingnothingbettertodothansatisfythefirstwhimwhichpossessedhim，heroseandstartedacrosstheplainfromtheforestinwhichhehadspenttheprecedingday。

Thoughnomarkshowedwherethegemshadbeenburied，andthoughthespotresembledthebalanceofanunbrokenstretchseveralmilesinlength，wherethereedsterminatedattheedgeofthemeadowland，yettheape—manmovedwithunerringprecisiondirectlytotheplacewherehehadhidhistreasure。

Withhishuntingknifeheupturnedthelooseearth，beneathwhichthepouchshouldbe；but，thoughheexcavatedtoagreaterdistancethanthedepthoftheoriginalholetherewasnosignofpouchorjewels。

Tarzan’sbrowcloudedashediscoveredthathehadbeendespoiled。Littleornoreasoningwasrequiredtoconvincehimoftheidentityoftheguiltyparty，andwiththesameceleritythathadmarkedhisdecisiontounearththejewels，hesetoutuponthetrailofthethief。

Thoughthespoorwastwodaysold，andpracticallyobliteratedinmanyplaces，Tarzanfolloweditwithcomparativeease。Awhitemancouldnothavefollowedittwentypacestwelvehoursafterithadbeenmade，ablackmanwouldhavelostitwithinthefirstmile；butTarzanoftheApeshadbeenforcedinchildhoodtodevelopsensesthatanordinarymortalscarceeveruses。

Wemaynotethegarlicandwhiskyonthebreathofafellowstraphanger，orthecheapperfumeemanatingfromthepersonofthewondrousladysittinginfrontofus，anddeplorethefactofoursensitivenoses；

but，asamatteroffact，wecannotsmellatall，ourolfactoryorgansarepracticallyatrophied，bycomparisonwiththedevelopmentofthesenseamongthebeastsofthewild。

Whereafootisplacedaneffluviumremainsforaconsiderabletime。Itisbeyondtherangeofoursensibilities；buttoacreatureofthelowerorders，especiallytothehuntersandthehunted，asinterestingandofttimesmorelucidthanistheprintedpagetous。

NorwasTarzandependentaloneuponhissenseofsmell。

Visionandhearinghadbeenbroughttoamarvelousstateofdevelopmentbythenecessitiesofhisearlylife，wheresurvivalitselfdependedalmostdailyupontheexerciseofthekeenestvigilanceandtheconstantuseofallhisfaculties。

AndsohefollowedtheoldtrailoftheBelgianthroughtheforestandtowardthenorth；butbecauseoftheageofthetrailhewasconstrainedtoafarfromrapidprogress。ThemanhefollowedwastwodaysaheadofhimwhenTarzantookupthepursuit，andeachdayhegainedupontheape—man。Thelatter，however，feltnottheslightestdoubtastotheoutcome。Somedayhewouldoverhaulhisquarry——hecouldbidehistimeinpeaceuntilthatdaydawned。Doggedlyhefollowedthefaintspoor，pausingbydayonlytokillandeat，andatnightonlytosleepandrefreshhimself。

Occasionallyhepassedpartiesofsavagewarriors；butthesehegaveawideberth，forhewashuntingwithapurposethatwasnottobedistractedbytheminoraccidentsofthetrail。

ThesepartieswereofthecollectinghordesoftheWaziriandtheirallieswhichBasulihadscatteredhismessengersbroadcasttosummon。TheyweremarchingtoacommonrendezvousinpreparationforanassaultuponthestrongholdofAchmetZek；buttoTarzantheywereenemies——heretainednoconsciousmemoryofanyfriendshipfortheblackmen。

ItwasnightwhenhehaltedoutsidethepalisadedvillageoftheArabraider。Perchedinthebranchesofagreattreehegazeddownuponthelifewithintheenclosure。Tothisplacehadthespoorledhim。Hisquarrymustbewithin；buthowwashetofindhimamongsomanyhuts？Tarzan，althoughcognizantofhismightypowers，realizedalsohislimitations。Heknewthathecouldnotsuccessfullycopewithgreatnumbersinopenbattle。Hemustresorttothestealthandtrickeryofthewildbeast，ifheweretosucceed。

Sittinginthesafetyofhistree，munchinguponthelegboneofHorta，theboar，Tarzanwaitedafavorableopportunitytoenterthevillage。Forawhilehegnawedatthebulging，roundendsofthelargebone，splinteringoffsmallpiecesbetweenhisstrongjaws，andsuckingatthedeliciousmarrowwithin；butallthetimehecastrepeatedglancesintothevillage。Hesawwhite—robedfigures，andhalf—nakedblacks；butnotoncedidheseeonewhoresembledthestealerofthegems。

Patientlyhewaiteduntilthestreetsweredesertedbyallsavethesentriesatthegates，thenhedroppedlightlytotheground，circledtotheoppositesideofthevillageandapproachedthepalisade。

Athissidehungalong，rawhiderope——anaturalandmoredependableevolutionfromthegrassropeofhischildhood。Looseningthis，hespreadthenooseuponthegroundbehindhim，andwithaquickmovementofhiswristtossedthecoilsoveroneofthesharpenedprojectionsofthesummitofthepalisade。

Drawingthenoosetaut，hetestedthesolidityofitshold。Satisfied，theape—manrannimblyuptheverticalwall，aidedbytheropewhichheclutchedinbothhands。Onceatthetopitrequiredbutamomenttogatherthedanglingropeoncemoreintoitscoils，makeitfastagainathiswaist，takeaquickglancedownwardwithinthepalisade，and，assuredthatnoonelurkeddirectlybeneathhim，dropsoftlytotheground。

Nowhewaswithinthevillage。Beforehimstretchedaseriesoftentsandnativehuts。Thebusinessofexploringeachofthemwouldbefraughtwithdanger；

butdangerwasonlyanaturalfactorofeachday’slife——itneverappalledTarzan。Thechancesappealedtohim——thechancesoflifeanddeath，withhisprowessandhisfacultiespittedagainstthoseofaworthyantagonist。

Itwasnotnecessarythatheentereachhabitation——

throughadoor，awindoworanopenchink，hisnosetoldhimwhetherornothispreylaywithin。Forsometimehefoundonedisappointmentfollowingupontheheelsofanotherinquicksuccession。NospooroftheBelgianwasdiscernible。Butatlasthecametoatentwherethesmellofthethiefwasstrong。Tarzanlistened，hisearclosetothecanvasattherear，butnosoundcamefromwithin。

Atlasthecutoneofthepinropes，raisedthebottomofthecanvas，andintrudedhisheadwithintheinterior。Allwasquietanddark。Tarzancrawledcautiouslywithin——thescentoftheBelgianwasstrong；

butitwasnotlivescent。Evenbeforehehadexaminedtheinteriorminutely，Tarzanknewthatnoonewaswithinit。

Inonecornerhefoundapileofblanketsandclothingscatteredabout；butnopouchofprettypebbles。

Acarefulexaminationofthebalanceofthetentrevealednothingmore，atleastnothingtoindicatethepresenceofthejewels；butatthesidewheretheblanketsandclothinglay，theape—mandiscoveredthatthetentwallhadbeenloosenedatthebottom，andpresentlyhesensedthattheBelgianhadrecentlypassedoutofthetentbythisavenue。

Tarzanwasnotlonginfollowingthewaythathispreyhadfled。Thespoorledalwaysintheshadowandattherearofthehutsandtentsofthevillage——itwasquiteevidenttoTarzanthattheBelgianhadgonealoneandsecretlyuponhismission。Evidentlyhefearedtheinhabitantsofthevillage，oratleasthisworkhadbeenofsuchanaturethathedarednotriskdetection。

Atthebackofanativehutthespoorledthroughasmallholerecentlycutinthebrushwallandintothedarkinteriorbeyond。Fearlessly，Tarzanfollowedthetrail。Onhandsandknees，hecrawledthroughthesmallaperture。Withinthehuthisnostrilswereassailedbymanyodors；butclearanddistinctamongthemwasonethathalfarousedalatentmemoryofthepast——itwasthefaintanddelicateodorofawoman。

Withthecognizanceofitthereroseinthebreastoftheape—manastrangeuneasiness——theresultofanirresistibleforcewhichhewasdestinedtobecomeacquaintedwithanew——theinstinctwhichdrawsthemaletohismate。

InthesamehutwasthescentspooroftheBelgian，too，andasboththeseassailedthenostrilsoftheape—man，minglingonewiththeother，ajealousrageleapedandburnedwithinhim，thoughhismemoryheldbeforethemirrorofrecollectionnoimageoftheshetowhichhehadattachedhisdesire。

Likethetenthehadinvestigated，thehut，too，wasempty，andaftersatisfyinghimselfthathisstolenpouchwassecretednowherewithin，heleft，ashehadentered，bytheholeintherearwall。

HerehetookupthespooroftheBelgian，followeditacrosstheclearing，overthepalisade，andoutintothedarkjunglebeyond。

TheFlightofWerperAfterWerperhadarrangedthedummyinhisbed，andsneakedoutintothedarknessofthevillagebeneaththerearwallofhistent，hehadgonedirectlytothehutinwhichJaneClaytonwasheldcaptive。

Beforethedoorwaysquattedablacksentry。Werperapproachedhimboldly，spokeafewwordsinhisear，handedhimapackageoftobacco，andpassedintothehut。TheblackgrinnedandwinkedastheEuropeandisappearedwithinthedarknessoftheinterior。

TheBelgian，beingoneofAchmetZek’sprincipallieutenants，mightnaturallygowherehewishedwithinorwithoutthevillage，andsothesentryhadnotquestionedhisrighttoenterthehutwiththewhite，womanprisoner。

Within，WerpercalledinFrenchandinalowwhisper：

"LadyGreystoke！ItisI，M。Frecoult。Whereareyou？"

Buttherewasnoresponse。Hastilythemanfeltaroundtheinterior，gropingblindlythroughthedarknesswithoutstretchedhands。Therewasnoonewithin！

Werper’sastonishmentsurpassedwords。Hewasonthepointofsteppingwithouttoquestionthesentry，whenhiseyes，becomingaccustomedtothedark，discoveredablotchoflesserblacknessnearthebaseoftherearwallofthehut。Examinationrevealedthefactthattheblotchwasanopeningcutinthewall。Itwaslargeenoughtopermitthepassageofhisbody，andassuredashewasthatLadyGreystokehadpassedoutthroughtheapertureinanattempttoescapethevillage，helostnotimeinavailinghimselfofthesameavenue；

butneitherdidhelosetimeinafruitlesssearchforJaneClayton。

Hisownlifedependeduponthechanceofhiseluding，oroutdistancingAchmetZek，whenthatworthyshouldhavediscoveredthathehadescaped。HisoriginalplanhadcontemplatedconnivanceintheescapeofLadyGreystokefortwoverygoodandsufficientreasons。

ThefirstwasthatbysavingherhewouldwinthegratitudeoftheEnglish，andthuslessenthechanceofhisextraditionshouldhisidentityandhiscrimeagainsthissuperiorofficerbechargedagainsthim。

Thesecondreasonwasbaseduponthefactthatonlyonedirectionofescapewassafelyopentohim。HecouldnottraveltothewestbecauseoftheBelgianpossessionswhichlaybetweenhimandtheAtlantic。

Thesouthwasclosedtohimbythefearedpresenceofthesavageape—manhehadrobbed。TothenorthlaythefriendsandalliesofAchmetZek。Onlytowardtheeast，throughBritishEastAfrica，layreasonableassuranceoffreedom。

AccompaniedbyatitledEnglishwomanwhomhehadrescuedfromafrightfulfate，andhisidentityvouchedforbyherasthatofaFrenchmanbythenameofFrecoult，hehadlookedforward，andnotwithoutreason，totheactiveassistanceoftheBritishfromthemomentthathecameincontactwiththeirfirstoutpost。

ButnowthatLadyGreystokehaddisappeared，thoughhestilllookedtowardtheeastforhope，hischanceswerelessened，andanother，subsidiarydesigncompletelydashed。FromthemomentthathehadfirstlaideyesuponJaneClaytonhehadnursedwithinhisbreastasecretpassionforthebeautifulAmericanwifeoftheEnglishlord，andwhenAchmetZek’sdiscoveryofthejewelshadnecessitatedflight，theBelgianhaddreamed，inhisplanning，ofafutureinwhichhemightconvinceLadyGreystokethatherhusbandwasdead，andbyplayinguponhergratitudewinherforhimself。

Atthatpartofthevillagefarthestfromthegates，Werperdiscoveredthattwoorthreelongpoles，takenfromanearbypilewhichhadbeencollectedfortheconstructionofhuts，hadbeenleanedagainstthetopofthepalisade，formingaprecarious，thoughnotimpossibleavenueofescape。

Rightly，heinferredthatthushadLadyGreystokefoundthemeanstoscalethewall，nordidheloseevenamomentinfollowingherlead。Onceinthejunglehestruckoutdirectlyeastward。

Afewmilessouthofhim，JaneClaytonlaypantingamongthebranchesofatreeinwhichshehadtakenrefugefromaprowlingandhungrylioness。

Herescapefromthevillagehadbeenmucheasierthanshehadanticipated。Theknifewhichshehadusedtocutherwaythroughthebrushwallofthehuttofreedomshehadfoundstickinginthewallofherprison，doubtlesslefttherebyaccidentwhenaformertenanthadvacatedthepremises。

Tocrosstherearofthevillage，keepingalwaysinthedensestshadows，hadrequiredbutafewmoments，andthefortunatecircumstanceofthediscoveryofthehutpoleslyingsonearthepalisadehadsolvedforhertheproblemofthepassageofthehighwall。

Foranhourshehadfollowedtheoldgametrailtowardthesouth，untiltherefelluponhertrainedhearingthestealthypaddingofastalkingbeastbehindher。

Thenearesttreegaveherinstantsanctuary，forshewastoowiseinthewaysofthejungletochancehersafetyforamomentafterdiscoveringthatshewasbeinghunted。

Werper，withbettersuccess，traveledslowlyonwarduntildawn，when，tohischagrin，hediscoveredamountedArabuponhistrail。ItwasoneofAchmetZek’sminions，manyofwhomwerescatteredinalldirectionsthroughtheforest，searchingforthefugitiveBelgian。

JaneClayton’sescapehadnotyetbeendiscoveredwhenAchmetZekandhissearcherssetforthtooverhaulWerper。TheonlymanwhohadseentheBelgianafterhisdeparturefromhistentwastheblacksentrybeforethedoorwayofLadyGreystoke’sprisonhut，andhehadbeensilencedbythediscoveryofthedeadbodyofthemanwhohadrelievedhim，thesentrythatMugambihaddispatched。

ThebribetakernaturallyinferredthatWerperhadslainhisfellowanddarednotadmitthathehadpermittedhimtoenterthehut，fearingashedid，theangerofAchmetZek。So，aschancedirectedthatheshouldbetheonetodiscoverthebodyofthesentrywhenthefirstalarmhadbeengivenfollowingAchmetZek’sdiscoverythatWerperhadoutwittedhim，thecraftyblackhaddraggedthedeadbodytotheinteriorofanearbytent，andhimselfresumedhisstationbeforethedoorwayofthehutinwhichhestillbelievedthewomantobe。

WiththediscoveryoftheArabclosebehindhim，theBelgianhidinthefoliageofaleafybush。Herethetrailranstraightforaconsiderabledistance，anddowntheshadyforestaisle，beneaththeoverarchingbranchesofthetrees，rodethewhite—robedfigureofthepursuer。

Nearerandnearerhecame。Werpercrouchedclosertothegroundbehindtheleavesofhishidingplace。

Acrossthetrailavinemoved。Werper’seyesinstantlycentereduponthespot。Therewasnowindtostirthefoliageinthedepthsofthejungle。Againthevinemoved。InthemindoftheBelgianonlythepresenceofasinisterandmalevolentforcecouldaccountforthephenomenon。

Theman’seyesboredsteadilyintothescreenofleavesupontheoppositesideofthetrail。Graduallyaformtookshapebeyondthem——atawnyform，grimandterrible，withyellow—greeneyesglaringfearsomelyacrossthenarrowtrailstraightintohis。

Werpercouldhavescreamedinfright，butupthetrailwascomingthemessengerofanotherdeath，equallysureandnolessterrible。Heremainedsilent，almostparalyzedbyfear。TheArabapproached。AcrossthetrailfromWerperthelioncrouchedforthespring，whensuddenlyhisattentionwasattractedtowardthehorseman。

TheBelgiansawthemassiveheadturninthedirectionoftheraiderandhisheartallbutceaseditsbeatingasheawaitedtheresultofthisinterruption。Atawalkthehorsemanapproached。Wouldthenervousanimalherodetakefrightattheodorofthecarnivore，and，bolting，leaveWerperstilltothemerciesofthekingofbeasts？

Butheseemedunmindfulofthenearpresenceofthegreatcat。Onhecame，hisneckarched，champingatthebitbetweenhisteeth。TheBelgianturnedhiseyesagaintowardthelion。Thebeast’swholeattentionnowseemedriveteduponthehorseman。Theywereabreastthelionnow，andstillthebrutedidnotspring。

Couldhebebutwaitingforthemtopassbeforereturninghisattentiontotheoriginalprey？Werpershudderedandhalfrose。Atthesameinstantthelionsprangfromhisplaceofconcealment，fulluponthemountedman。Thehorse，withashrillneighofterror，shranksidewaysalmostupontheBelgian，theliondraggedthehelplessArabfromhissaddle，andthehorseleapedbackintothetrailandfledawaytowardthewest。

Buthedidnotfleealone。Asthefrightenedbeasthadpressedinuponhim，Werperhadnotbeenslowtonotethequicklyemptiedsaddleandtheopportunityitpresented。ScarcelyhadtheliondraggedtheArabdownfromoneside，thantheBelgian，seizingthepommelofthesaddleandthehorse’smane，leapeduponthehorse’sbackfromtheother。

Ahalfhourlateranakedgiant，swingingeasilythroughthelowerbranchesofthetrees，paused，andwithraisedhead，anddilatingnostrilssniffedthemorningair。Thesmellofbloodfellstronguponhissenses，andmingledwithitwasthescentofNuma，thelion。Thegiantcockedhisheadupononesideandlistened。

Fromashortdistanceupthetrailcametheunmistakablenoisesofthegreedyfeedingofalion。

Thecrunchingofbones，thegulpingofgreatpieces，thecontentedgrowling，allattestedthenearnessofthekingattable。

Tarzanapproachedthespot，stillkeepingtothebranchesofthetrees。Hemadenoefforttoconcealhisapproach，andpresentlyhehadevidencethatNumahadheardhim，fromtheominous，rumblingwarningthatbrokefromathicketbesidethetrail。

HaltinguponalowbranchjustabovethelionTarzanlookeddownuponthegrislyscene。Couldthisunrecognizablethingbethemanhehadbeentrailing？

Theape—manwondered。FromtimetotimehehaddescendedtothetrailandverifiedhisjudgmentbytheevidenceofhisscentthattheBelgianhadfollowedthisgametrailtowardtheeast。

Nowheproceededbeyondthelionandhisfeast，againdescendedandexaminedthegroundwithhisnose。

Therewasnoscentspoorhereofthemanhehadbeentrailing。Tarzanreturnedtothetree。Withkeeneyeshesearchedthegroundaboutthemutilatedcorpseforasignofthemissingpouchofprettypebbles；butnaughtcouldheseeofit。

HescoldedNumaandtriedtodrivethegreatbeastaway；butonlyangrygrowlsrewardedhisefforts。

Hetoresmallbranchesfromanearbylimbandhurledthemathisancientenemy。Numalookedupwithbaredfangs，grinninghideously，buthedidnotrisefromhiskill。

ThenTarzanfittedanarrowtohisbow，anddrawingtheslimshaftfarbackletdrivewithalltheforceofthetoughwoodthatonlyhecouldbend。Asthearrowsankdeeplyintohisside，Numaleapedtohisfeetwitharoarofmingledrageandpain。Heleapedfutilelyatthegrinningape—man，toreattheprotrudingendoftheshaft，andthen，springingintothetrail，pacedbackandforthbeneathhistormentor。AgainTarzanloosedaswiftbolt。Thistimethemissile，aimedwithcare，lodgedinthelion’sspine。Thegreatcreaturehaltedinitstracks，andlurchedawkwardlyforwarduponitsface，paralyzed。

Tarzandroppedtothetrail，ranquicklytothebeast’sside，anddrovehisspeardeepintothefierceheart，thenafterrecoveringhisarrowsturnedhisattentiontothemutilatedremainsoftheanimal’spreyinthenearbythicket。

Thefacewasgone。TheArabgarmentsarousednodoubtastotheman’sidentity，sincehehadtrailedhimintotheArabcampandoutagain，wherehemighteasilyhaveacquiredtheapparel。SosurewasTarzanthatthebodywasthatofhewhohadrobbedhimthathemadenoefforttoverifyhisdeductionsbyscentamongtheconglomerateodorsofthegreatcarnivoreandthefreshbloodofthevictim。

Heconfinedhisattentionstoacarefulsearchforthepouch，butnowhereuponoraboutthecorpsewasanysignofthemissingarticleoritscontents。Theape—manwasdisappointed——possiblynotsomuchbecauseofthelossofthecoloredpebblesaswithNumaforrobbinghimofthepleasuresofrevenge。

Wonderingwhatcouldhavebecomeofhispossessions，theape—manturnedslowlybackalongthetrailinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome。InhismindherevolvedaplantoenterandsearchtheArabcamp，afterdarknesshadagainfallen。Takingtothetrees，hemoveddirectlysouthinsearchofprey，thathemightsatisfyhishungerbeforemidday，andthenlieupfortheafternooninsomespotfarfromthecamp，wherehemightsleepwithoutfearofdiscoveryuntilitcametimetoprosecutehisdesign。

Scarcelyhadhequittedthetrailwhenatall，blackwarrior，movingatadoggedtrot，passedtowardtheeast。ItwasMugambi，searchingforhismistress。

Hecontinuedalongthetrail，haltingtoexaminethebodyofthedeadlion。Anexpressionofpuzzlementcrossedhisfeaturesashebenttosearchforthewoundswhichhadcausedthedeathofthejunglelord。Tarzanhadremovedhisarrows，buttoMugambitheproofofdeathwasasstrongasthoughboththelightermissilesandthespearstillprotrudedfromthecarcass。

Theblacklookedfurtivelyabouthim。Thebodywasstillwarm，andfromthisfacthereasonedthatthekillerwascloseathand，yetnosignoflivingmanappeared。Mugambishookhishead，andcontinuedalongthetrail，butwithredoubledcaution。

Alldayhetraveled，stoppingoccasionallytocallaloudthesingleword，"Lady，"inthehopethatatlastshemighthearandrespond；butintheendhisloyaldevotionbroughthimtodisaster。

Fromthenortheast，forseveralmonths，AbdulMourak，incommandofadetachmentofAbyssiniansoldiers，hadbeenassiduouslysearchingfortheArabraider，AchmetZek，who，sixmonthspreviously，hadaffrontedthemajestyofAbdulMourak’semperorbyconductingaslaveraidwithintheboundariesofMenelek’sdomain。

AndnowithappenedthatAbdulMourakhadhaltedforashortrestatnoonuponthisverydayandalongthesametrailthatWerperandMugambiwerefollowingtowardtheeast。

ItwasshortlyafterthesoldiershaddismountedthattheBelgian，unawareoftheirpresence，rodehistiredmountalmostintotheirmidst，beforehehaddiscoveredthem。Instantlyhewassurrounded，andavolleyofquestionshurledathim，ashewaspulledfromhishorseandledtowardthepresenceofthecommander。

FallingbackuponhisEuropeannationality，WerperassuredAbdulMourakthathewasaFrenchman，huntinginAfrica，andthathehadbeenattackedbystrangers，hissafarikilledorscattered，andhimselfescapingonlybyamiracle。

FromachanceremarkoftheAbyssinian，Werperdiscoveredthepurposeoftheexpedition，andwhenherealizedthatthesemenweretheenemiesofAchmetZek，hetookheart，andimmediatelyblamedhispredicamentupontheArab。

Lest，however，hemightagainfallintothehandsoftheraider，hediscouragedAbdulMourakinthefurtherprosecutionofhispursuit，assuringtheAbyssinianthatAchmetZekcommandedalargeanddangerousforce，andalsothathewasmarchingrapidlytowardthesouth。

Convincedthatitwouldtakealongtimetooverhaultheraider，andthatthechancesofengagementmadetheoutcomeextremelyquestionable，Mourak，nonetoounwillingly，abandonedhisplanandgavethenecessaryordersforhiscommandtopitchcampwheretheywere，preparatorytotakingupthereturnmarchtowardAbyssiniathefollowingmorning。

Itwaslateintheafternoonthattheattentionofthecampwasattractedtowardthewestbythesoundofapowerfulvoicecallingasingleword，repeatedseveraltimes："Lady！Lady！Lady！"

Truetotheirinstinctsofprecaution，anumberofAbyssinians，actingunderordersfromAbdulMourak，advancedstealthilythroughthejungletowardtheauthorofthecall。

Ahalfhourlatertheyreturned，draggingMugambiamongthem。Thefirstpersonthebigblack’seyesfelluponashewashustledintothepresenceoftheAbyssinianofficer，wasM。JulesFrecoult，theFrenchmanwhohadbeentheguestofhismasterandwhomhelasthadseenenteringthevillageofAchmetZekundercircumstanceswhichpointedtohisfamiliarityandfriendshipfortheraiders。

Betweenthedisastersthathadbefallenhismasterandhismaster’shouse，andtheFrenchman，Mugambisawasinisterrelationship，whichkepthimfromrecallingtoWerper’sattentiontheidentitywhichthelatterevidentlyfailedtorecognize。

Pleadingthathewasbutaharmlesshunterfromatribefarthersouth，Mugambibeggedtobeallowedtogouponhisway；butAbdulMourak，admiringthewarrior’ssplendidphysique，decidedtotakehimbacktoAdisAbebaandpresenthimtoMenelek。AfewmomentslaterMugambiandWerperweremarchedawayunderguard，andtheBelgianlearnedforthefirsttime，thathetoowasaprisonerratherthanaguest。Invainheprotestedagainstsuchtreatment，untilastrappingsoldierstruckhimacrossthemouthandthreatenedtoshoothimifhedidnotdesist。

Mugambitookthematterlesstoheart，forhehadnottheslightestdoubtbutthatduringthecourseofthejourneyhewouldfindampleopportunitytoeludethevigilanceofhisguardsandmakegoodhisescape。

Withthisideaalwaysuppermostinhismind，hecourtedthegoodopinionoftheAbyssinians，askedthemmanyquestionsabouttheiremperorandtheircountry，andevincedagrowingdesiretoreachtheirdestination，thathemightenjoyallthegoodthingswhichtheyassuredhimthecityofAdisAbebacontained。Thushedisarmedtheirsuspicions，andeachdayfoundaslightrelaxationoftheirwatchfulnessoverhim。

BytakingadvantageofthefactthatheandWerperalwayswerekepttogether，MugambisoughttolearnwhattheotherknewofthewhereaboutsofTarzan，ortheauthorshipoftheraiduponthebungalow，aswellasthefateofLadyGreystoke；butashewasconfinedtotheaccidentsofconversationforthisinformation，notdaringtoacquaintWerperwithhistrueidentity，andasWerperwasequallyanxioustoconcealfromtheworldhispartinthedestructionofhishost’shomeandhappiness，Mugambilearnednothing——atleastinthisway。

Buttherecameatimewhenhelearnedaverysurprisingthing，byaccident。

Thepartyhadcampedearlyintheafternoonofasultryday，uponthebanksofaclearandbeautifulstream。

Thebottomoftheriverwasgravelly，therewasnoindicationofcrocodiles，thosemenacestopromiscuousbathingintheriversofcertainportionsofthedarkcontinent，andsotheAbyssinianstookadvantageoftheopportunitytoperformlong—deferred，andmuchneeded，ablutions。

AsWerper，who，withMugambi，hadbeengivenpermissiontoenterthewater，removedhisclothing，theblacknotedthecarewithwhichheunfastenedsomethingwhichcircledhiswaist，andwhichhetookoffwithhisshirt，keepingthelatteralwaysaroundandconcealingtheobjectofhissuspicioussolicitude。

Itwasthisverycarefulnesswhichattractedtheblack’sattentiontothething，arousinganaturalcuriosityinthewarrior’smind，andsoitchancedthatwhentheBelgian，inthenervousnessofovercaution，fumbledthehiddenarticleanddroppedit，Mugambisawitasitfellupontheground，spillingaportionofitscontentsonthesward。

NowMugambihadbeentoLondonwithhismaster。

Hewasnottheunsophisticatedsavagethathisapparelproclaimedhim。Hehadmingledwiththecosmopolitanhordesofthegreatestcityintheworld；hehadvisitedmuseumsandinspectedshopwindows；and，besides，hewasashrewdandintelligentman。

TheinstantthatthejewelsofOparrolled，scintillating，beforehisastonishedeyes，herecognizedthemforwhattheywere；butherecognizedsomethingelse，too，thatinterestedhimfarmoredeeplythanthevalueofthestones。Athousandtimeshehadseentheleathernpouchwhichdangledathismaster’sside，whenTarzanoftheApeshad，inaspiritofplayandadventure，electedtoreturnforafewhourstotheprimitivemannersandcustomsofhisboyhood，andsurroundedbyhisnakedwarriorshuntthelionandtheleopard，thebuffaloandtheelephantafterthemannerhelovedbest。

WerpersawthatMugambihadseenthepouchandthestones。Hastilyhegatheredupthepreciousgemsandreturnedthemtotheircontainer，whileMugambi，assuminganairofindifference，strolleddowntotheriverforhisbath。

ThefollowingmorningAbdulMourakwasenragedandchagrinedtodiscoverthatthishuge，blackprisonerhadescapedduringthenight，whileWerperwasterrifiedforthesamereason，untilhistremblingfingersdiscoveredthepouchstillinitsplacebeneathhisshirt，andwithinitthehardoutlinesofitscontents。

TarzanAgainLeadstheManganiAchmetZekwithtwoofhisfollowershadcircledfartothesouthtointercepttheflightofhisdesertinglieutenant，Werper。Othershadspreadoutinvariousdirections，sothatavastcirclehadbeenformedbythemduringthenight，andnowtheywerebeatingintowardthecenter。

Achmetandthetwowithhimhaltedforashortrestjustbeforenoon。Theysquattedbeneaththetreesuponthesouthernedgeofaclearing。Thechiefoftheraiderswasinillhumor。Tohavebeenoutwittedbyanunbelieverwasbadenough；buttohave，atthesametime，lostthejewelsuponwhichhehadsethisavariciousheartwasaltogethertoomuch——Allahmust，indeedbeangrywithhisservant。

Well，hestillhadthewoman。Shewouldbringafairpriceinthenorth，andtherewas，too，theburiedtreasurebesidetheruinsoftheEnglishman’shouse。

AslightnoiseinthejungleupontheoppositesideoftheclearingbroughtAchmetZektoimmediateandalertattention。Hegatheredhisrifleinreadinessforinstantuse，atthesametimemotioninghisfollowerstosilenceandconcealment。Crouchingbehindthebushesthethreewaited，theireyesfasteneduponthefarsideoftheopenspace。

Presentlythefoliagepartedandawoman’sfaceappeared，glancingfearfullyfromsidetoside。

Amomentlater，evidentlysatisfiedthatnoimmediatedangerlurkedbeforeher，shesteppedoutintotheclearinginfullviewoftheArab。

AchmetZekcaughthisbreathwithamutteredexclamationofincredulityandanimprecation。

Thewomanwastheprisonerhehadthoughtsafelyguardedathiscamp！

Apparentlyshewasalone，butAchmetZekwaitedthathemightmakesureofitbeforeseizingher。SlowlyJaneClaytonstartedacrosstheclearing。Twicealreadysinceshehadquittedthevillageoftheraidershadshebarelyescapedthefangsofcarnivora，andonceshehadalmoststumbledintothepathofoneofthesearchers。Thoughshewasalmostdespairingofeverreachingsafetyshestillwasdeterminedtofighton，untildeathorsuccessterminatedherendeavors。

AstheArabswatchedherfromthesafetyoftheirconcealment，andAchmetZeknotedwithsatisfactionthatshewaswalkingdirectlyintohisclutches，anotherpairofeyeslookeddownupontheentirescenefromthefoliageofanadjacenttree。

Puzzled，troubledeyestheywere，foralltheirgrayandsavageglint，fortheirownerwasstrugglingwithanintangiblesuggestionofthefamiliarityofthefaceandfigureofthewomanbelowhim。

AsuddencrashingofthebushesatthepointfromwhichJaneClaytonhademergedintotheclearingbroughthertoasuddenstopandattractedtheattentionoftheArabsandthewatcherinthetreetothesamepoint。

Thewomanwheeledabouttoseewhatnewdangermenacedherfrombehind，andasshedidsoagreat，anthropoidapewaddledintoview。Behindhimcameanotherandanother；butLadyGreystokedidnotwaittolearnhowmanymoreofthehideouscreaturesweresocloseuponhertrail。

Withasmotheredscreamsherushedtowardtheoppositejungle，andasshereachedthebushesthere，AchmetZekandhistwohenchmenroseupandseizedher。Atthesameinstantanaked，browngiantdroppedfromthebranchesofatreeattherightoftheclearing。

Turningtowardtheastonishedapeshegavevoicetoashortvolleyoflowgutturals，andwithoutwaitingtonotetheeffectofhiswordsuponthem，wheeledandchargedfortheArabs。

AchmetZekwasdraggingJaneClaytontowardhistetheredhorse。Histwomenwerehastilyunfasteningallthreemounts。Thewoman，strugglingtoescapetheArab，turnedandsawtheape—manrunningtowardher。

Agladlightofhopeilluminatedherface。

"John！"shecried。"ThankGodthatyouhavecomeintime。"

BehindTarzancamethegreatapes，wondering，butobedienttohissummons。TheArabssawthattheywouldnothavetimetomountandmaketheirescapebeforethebeastsandthemanwereuponthem。AchmetZekrecognizedthelatterastheredoubtableenemyofsuchashe，andhesaw，too，inthecircumstanceanopportunitytoridhimselfforeverofthemenaceoftheape—man’spresence。

Callingtohismentofollowhisexampleheraisedhisrifleandleveledituponthecharginggiant。Hisfollowers，actingwithnolessalacritythanhimself，firedalmostsimultaneously，andwiththereportsoftherifles，TarzanoftheApesandtwoofhishairyhenchmenpitchedforwardamongthejunglegrasses。

Thenoiseoftherifleshotsbroughtthebalanceoftheapestoawonderingpause，and，takingadvantageoftheirmomentarydistraction，AchmetZekandhisfellowsleapedtotheirhorses’backsandgallopedawaywiththenowhopelessandgrief—strickenwoman。

Backtothevillagetheyrode，andonceagainLadyGreystokefoundherselfincarceratedinthefilthy，littlehutfromwhichshehadthoughttohaveescapedforgood。Butthistimeshewasnotonlyguardedbyanadditionalsentry，butboundaswell。

SinglyandintwosthesearcherswhohadriddenoutwithAchmetZekuponthetrailoftheBelgian，returnedemptyhanded。Withthereportofeachtheraider’srageandchagrinincreased，untilhewasinsuchatransportofferociousangerthatnonedaredapproachhim。Threateningandcursing，AchmetZekpacedupanddownthefloorofhissilkentent；buthistemperservedhimnaught——Werperwasgoneandwithhimthefortuneinscintillatinggemswhichhadarousedthecupidityofhischiefandplacedthesentenceofdeathupontheheadofthelieutenant。

WiththeescapeoftheArabsthegreatapeshadturnedtheirattentiontotheirfallencomrades。Onewasdead，butanotherandthegreatwhiteapestillbreathed。Thehairymonstersgatheredaboutthesetwo，grumblingandmutteringafterthefashionoftheirkind。

Tarzanwasthefirsttoregainconsciousness。Sittingup，helookedabouthim。Bloodwasflowingfromawoundinhisshoulder。Theshockhadthrownhimdownanddazedhim；buthewasfarfromdead。Risingslowlytohisfeethelethiseyeswandertowardthespotwherelasthehadseentheshe，whohadarousedwithinhissavagebreastsuchstrangeemotions。

"Whereisshe？"heasked。

"TheTarmanganitookheraway，"repliedoneoftheapes。

"WhoareyouwhospeakthelanguageoftheMangani？"

"IamTarzan，"repliedtheape—man；"mightyhunter，greatestoffighters。WhenIroar，thejungleissilentandtrembleswithterror。IamTarzanoftheApes。Ihavebeenaway；butnowIhavecomebacktomypeople。"

"Yes，"spokeupanoldape，"heisTarzan。Iknowhim。

Itiswellthathehascomeback。Nowweshallhavegoodhunting。"

Theotherapescamecloserandsniffedattheape—man。

Tarzanstoodverystill，hisfangshalfbared，andhismusclestenseandreadyforaction；buttherewasnonetheretoquestionhisrighttobewiththem，andpresently，theinspectionsatisfactorilyconcluded，theapesagainreturnedtheirattentiontotheothersurvivor。

Hetoowasbutslightlywounded，abullet，grazinghisskull，havingstunnedhim，sothatwhenheregainedconsciousnesshewasapparentlyasfitasever。

TheapestoldTarzanthattheyhadbeentravelingtowardtheeastwhenthescentspooroftheshehadattractedthemandtheyhadstalkedher。Nowtheywishedtocontinueupontheirinterruptedmarch；butTarzanpreferredtofollowtheArabsandtakethewomanfromthem。AfteraconsiderableargumentitwasdecidedthattheyshouldfirsthunttowardtheeastforafewdaysandthenreturnandsearchfortheArabs，andastimeisoflittlemomenttotheapefolk，Tarzanaccededtotheirdemands，he，himself，havingrevertedtoamentalstatebutlittlesuperiortotheirown。

AnothercircumstancewhichdecidedhimtopostponepursuitoftheArabswasthepainfulnessofhiswound。

ItwouldbebettertowaituntilthathadhealedbeforehepittedhimselfagainagainstthegunsoftheTarmangani。

Andso，asJaneClaytonwaspushedintoherprisonhutandherhandsandfeetsecurelybound，hernaturalprotectorroamedofftowardtheeastincompanywithascoreofhairymonsters，withwhomherubbedshouldersasfamiliarlyasafewmonthsbeforehehadmingledwithhisimmaculatefellow—membersofoneofLondon’smostselectandexclusiveclubs。

Butallthetimetherelurkedinthebackofhisinjuredbrainatroublesomeconvictionthathehadnobusinesswherehewas——thatheshouldbe，forsomeunaccountablereason，elsewhereandamonganothersortofcreature。Also，therewasthecompellingurgetobeuponthescentoftheArabs，undertakingtherescueofthewomanwhohadappealedsostronglytohissavagesentiments；thoughthethought—wordwhichnaturallyoccurredtohiminthecontemplationoftheventure，was"capture，"ratherthan"rescue。"

Tohimshewasasanyotherjungleshe，andhehadsethisheartuponherashismate。Foraninstant，ashehadapproachedclosertoherintheclearingwheretheArabshadseizedher，thesubtlearomawhichhadfirstarousedhisdesiresinthehutthathadimprisonedherhadfallenuponhisnostrils，andtoldhimthathehadfoundthecreatureforwhomhehaddevelopedsosuddenandinexplicableapassion。