第5章

Thematterofthepouchofjewelsalsooccupiedhisthoughtstosomeextent，sothathefoundadoubleurgeforhisreturntothecampoftheraiders。Hewouldobtainpossessionofbothhisprettypebblesandtheshe。Thenhewouldreturntothegreatapeswithhisnewmateandhisbaubles，andleadinghishairycompanionsintoafarwildernessbeyondthekenofman，liveouthislife，huntingandbattlingamongthelowerordersaftertheonlymannerwhichhenowrecollected。

Hespoketohisfellow—apesuponthematter，inanattempttopersuadethemtoaccompanyhim；butallexceptTaglatandChulkrefused。Thelatterwasyoungandstrong，endowedwithagreaterintelligencethanhisfellows，andthereforethepossessorofbetterdevelopedpowersofimagination。Tohimtheexpeditionsavoredofadventure，andsoappealed，strongly。WithTaglattherewasanotherincentive——asecretandsinisterincentive，which，hadTarzanoftheApeshadknowledgeofit，wouldhavesenthimattheother’sthroatinjealousrage。

Taglatwasnolongeryoung；buthewasstillaformidablebeast，mightilymuscled，cruel，and，becauseofhisgreaterexperience，craftyandcunning。

Too，hewasofgiantproportions，theveryweightofhishugebulkservingofttimestodiscountinhisfavorthesuperioragilityofayoungerantagonist。

Hewasofamoroseandsullendispositionthatmarkedhimevenamonghisfrowningfellows，wheresuchcharacteristicsaretheruleratherthantheexception，and，thoughTarzandidnotguessit，hehatedtheape—manwithaferocitythathewasabletohideonlybecausethedominantspiritofthenoblercreaturehadinspiredwithinhimaspeciesofdreadwhichwasaspowerfulasitwasinexplicabletohim。

Thesetwo，then，weretobeTarzan’scompanionsuponhisreturntothevillageofAchmetZek。Astheysetoff，thebalanceofthetribevouchsafedthembutapartingstare，andthenresumedtheseriousbusinessoffeeding。

Tarzanfounddifficultyinkeepingthemindsofhisfellowssetuponthepurposeoftheiradventure，forthemindofanapelacksthepoweroflong—sustainedconcentration。Tosetoutuponalongjourney，withadefinitedestinationinview，isonething，torememberthatpurposeandkeepituppermostinone’smindcontinuallyisquiteanother。Therearesomanythingstodistractone’sattentionalongtheway。

Chulkwas，atfirst，forrushingrapidlyaheadasthoughthevillageoftheraiderslaybutanhour’smarchbeforetheminsteadofseveraldays；butwithinafewminutesafallentreeattractedhisattentionwithitssuggestionofrichandsucculentforagebeneath，andwhenTarzan，missinghim，returnedinsearch，hefoundChulksquattingbesidetherottingbole，frombeneathwhichhewasassiduouslyengagedindiggingoutthegrubsandbeetles，whosekindformaconsiderableproportionofthedietoftheapes。

UnlessTarzandesiredtofighttherewasnothingtodobutwaituntilChulkhadexhaustedthestorehouse，andthishedid，onlytodiscoverthatTaglatwasnowmissing。Afteraconsiderablesearch，hefoundthatworthygentlemancontemplatingthesufferingsofaninjuredrodenthehadpouncedupon。Hewouldsitinapparentindifference，gazinginanotherdirection，whilethecrippledcreature，wriggledslowlyandpainfullyawayfromhim，andthen，justashisvictimfeltassuredofescape，hewouldreachoutagiantpalmandslamitdownuponthefugitive。Againandagainherepeatedthisoperation，until，tiringofthesport，heendedthesufferingsofhisplaythingbydevouringit。

SuchweretheexasperatingcausesofdelaywhichretardedTarzan’sreturnjourneytowardthevillageofAchmetZek；buttheape—manwaspatient，forinhismindwasaplanwhichnecessitatedthepresenceofChulkandTaglatwhenheshouldhavearrivedathisdestination。

Itwasnotalwaysaneasythingtomaintaininthevacillatingmindsoftheanthropoidsasustainedinterestintheirventure。Chulkwaswearyingofthecontinuedmarchingandtheinfrequencyandshortdurationoftherests。HewouldgladlyhaveabandonedthissearchforadventurehadnotTarzancontinuallyfilledhismindwithalluringpicturesofthegreatstoresoffoodwhichweretobefoundinthevillageofTarmangani。

Taglatnursedhissecretpurposetobetteradvantagethanmighthavebeenexpectedofanape，yetthereweretimeswhenhe，too，wouldhaveabandonedtheadventurehadnotTarzancajoledhimon。

Itwasmid—afternoonofasultry，tropicaldaywhenthekeensensesofthethreewarnedthemoftheproximityoftheArabcamp。Stealthilytheyapproached，keepingtothedensetangleofgrowingthingswhichmadeconcealmenteasytotheiruncannyjunglecraft。

Firstcamethegiantape—man，hissmooth，brownskinglisteningwiththesweatofexertionintheclose，hotconfinesofthejungle。BehindhimcreptChulkandTaglat，grotesqueandshaggycaricaturesoftheirgodlikeleader。

Silentlytheymadetheirwaytotheedgeoftheclearingwhichsurroundedthepalisade，andheretheyclamberedintothelowerbranchesofalargetreeoverlookingthevillageoccupiedbytheenemy，thebettertospyuponhisgoingsandcomings。

Ahorseman，whiteburnoosed，rodeoutthroughthegatewayofthevillage。Tarzan，whisperingtoChulkandTaglattoremainwheretheywere，swung，monkey—like，throughthetreesinthedirectionofthetrailtheArabwasriding。Fromonejunglegianttothenexthespedwiththerapidityofasquirrelandthesilenceofaghost。

TheArabrodeslowlyonward，unconsciousofthedangerhoveringinthetreesbehindhim。Theape—manmadeaslightdetourandincreasedhisspeeduntilhehadreachedapointuponthetrailinadvanceofthehorseman。Herehehalteduponaleafyboughwhichoverhungthenarrow，jungletrail。Oncamethevictim，hummingawildairofthegreatdesertlandofthenorth。Abovehimpoisedthesavagebrutethatwastodaybentuponthedestructionofahumanlife——thesamecreaturewhoafewmonthsbefore，hadoccupiedhisseatintheHouseofLordsatLondon，arespectedanddistinguishedmemberofthataugustbody。

TheArabpassedbeneaththeoverhangingbough，therewasaslightrustlingoftheleavesabove，thehorsesnortedandplungedasabrown—skinnedcreaturedroppeduponitsrump。ApairofmightyarmsencircledtheArabandhewasdraggedfromhissaddletothetrail。

Tenminuteslatertheape—man，carryingtheoutergarmentsofanArabbundledbeneathanarm，rejoinedhiscompanions。Heexhibitedhistrophiestothem，explaininginlowgutturalsthedetailsofhisexploit。

ChulkandTaglatfingeredthefabrics，smelledofthem，and，placingthemtotheirears，triedtolistentothem。

ThenTarzanledthembackthroughthejungletothetrail，wherethethreehidthemselvesandwaited。

NorhadtheylongtowaitbeforetwoofAchmetZek’sblacks，clothedinhabilimentssimilartotheirmaster’s，camedownthetrailonfoot，returningtothecamp。

Onemomenttheywerelaughingandtalkingtogether——thenexttheylaystretchedindeathuponthetrail，threemightyenginesofdestructionbendingoverthem。

Tarzanremovedtheiroutergarmentsashehadremovedthoseofhisfirstvictim，andagainretiredwithChulkandTaglattothegreaterseclusionofthetreetheyhadfirstselected。

Heretheape—manarrangedthegarmentsuponhisshaggyfellowsandhimself，until，atadistance，itmighthaveappearedthatthreewhite—robedArabssquattedsilentlyamongthebranchesoftheforest。

Untildarktheyremainedwheretheywere，forfromhispointofvantage，Tarzancouldviewtheenclosurewithinthepalisade。Hemarkedthepositionofthehutinwhichhehadfirstdiscoveredthescentspooroftheshehesought。Hesawthetwosentriesstandingbeforeitsdoorway，andhelocatedthehabitationofAchmetZek，wheresomethingtoldhimhewouldmostlikelyfindthemissingpouchandpebbles。

ChulkandTaglatwere，atfirst，greatlyinterestedintheirwonderfulraiment。Theyfingeredthefabric，smelledofit，andregardedeachotherintentlywitheverymarkofsatisfactionandpride。Chulk，ahumoristinhisway，stretchedforthalongandhairyarm，andgraspingthehoodofTaglat’sburnoosepulleditdownoverthelatter’seyes，extinguishinghim，snuffer—like，asitwere。

Theolderape，pessimisticbynature，recognizednosuchthingashumor。Creatureslaidtheirpawsuponhimforbuttwothings——tosearchforfleasandtoattack。ThepullingoftheTarmangani—scentedthingabouthisheadandeyescouldnotbefortheperformanceoftheformeract；thereforeitmustbethelatter。Hewasattacked！Chulkhadattackedhim。

Withasnarlhewasattheother’sthroat，notevenwaitingtoliftthewoolenveilwhichobscuredhisvision。Tarzanleapeduponthetwo，andswayingandtopplingupontheirinsecureperchthethreegreatbeaststussledandsnappedatoneanotheruntiltheape—manfinallysucceededinseparatingtheenragedanthropoids。

Anapologyisunknowntothesesavageprogenitorsofman，andexplanationalaboriousandusuallyfutileprocess，Tarzanbridgedthedangerousgulfbydistractingtheirattentionfromtheiraltercationtoaconsiderationoftheirplansfortheimmediatefuture。

Accustomedtofrequentargumentsinwhichmorehairthanbloodiswasted，theapesspeedilyforgetsuchtrivialencounters，andpresentlyChulkandTaglatwereagainsquattingincloseproximitytoeachotherandpeacefulrepose，awaitingthemomentwhentheape—manshouldleadthemintothevillageoftheTarmangani。

Itwaslongafterdarknesshadfallen，thatTarzanledhiscompanionsfromtheirhidingplaceinthetreetothegroundandaroundthepalisadetothefarsideofthevillage。

Gatheringtheskirtsofhisburnoose，beneathonearm，thathislegsmighthavefreeaction，theape—mantookashortrunningstart，andscrambledtothetopofthebarrier。Fearinglesttheapesshouldrendtheirgarmentstoshredsinasimilarattempt，hehaddirectedthemtowaitbelowforhim，andhimselfsecurelypercheduponthesummitofthepalisadeheunslunghisspearandloweredoneendofittoChulk。

Theapeseizedit，andwhileTarzanheldtightlytotheupperend，theanthropoidclimbedquicklyuptheshaftuntilwithonepawhegraspedthetopofthewall。

ToscramblethentoTarzan’ssidewastheworkofbutaninstant。InlikemannerTaglatwasconductedtotheirsides，andamomentlaterthethreedroppedsilentlywithintheenclosure。

TarzanledthemfirsttotherearofthehutinwhichJaneClaytonwasconfined，where，throughtheroughlyrepairedapertureinthewall，hesoughtwithhissensitivenostrilsforproofthattheshehehadcomeforwaswithin。

ChulkandTaglat，theirhairyfacespressedclosetothatofthepatrician，sniffedwithhim。Eachcaughtthescentspoorofthewomanwithin，andeachreactedaccordingtohistemperamentandhishabitsofthought。

ItleftChulkindifferent。TheshewasforTarzan——allthathedesiredwastoburyhissnoutinthefoodstuffsoftheTarmangani。Hehadcometoeathisfillwithoutlabor——Tarzanhadtoldhimthatthatshouldbehisreward，andhewassatisfied。

ButTaglat’swicked，bloodshoteyes，narrowedtotherealizationofthenearingfulfillmentofhiscarefullynursedplan。ItistruethatsometimesduringtheseveraldaysthathadelapsedsincetheyhadsetoutupontheirexpeditionithadbeendifficultforTaglattoholdhisideauppermostinhismind，andonseveraloccasionshehadcompletelyforgottenit，untilTarzan，byachanceword，hadrecalledittohim，but，foranape，Taglathaddonewell。

Now，helickedhischops，andhemadeasickening，suckingnoisewithhisflabbylipsashedrewinhisbreath。

Satisfiedthattheshewaswherehehadhopedtofindher，TarzanledhisapestowardthetentofAchmetZek。

ApassingArabandtwoslavessawthem，butthenightwasdarkandthewhiteburnooseshidthehairylimbsoftheapesandthegiantfigureoftheirleader，sothatthethree，bysquattingdownasthoughinconversation，werepassedby，unsuspected。Totherearofthetenttheymadetheirway。Within，AchmetZekconversedwithseveralofhislieutenants。Without，Tarzanlistened。

17

TheDeadlyPerilofJaneClaytonLieutenantAlbertWerper，terrifiedbycontemplationofthefatewhichmightawaithimatAdisAbeba，castaboutforsomeschemeofescape，butaftertheblackMugambihadeludedtheirvigilancetheAbyssiniansredoubledtheirprecautionstopreventWerperfollowingtheleadoftheNegro。

ForsometimeWerperentertainedtheideaofbribingAbdulMourakwithaportionofthecontentsofthepouch；butfearingthatthemanwoulddemandallthegemsasthepriceofliberty，theBelgian，influencedbyavarice，soughtanotheravenuefromhisdilemma。

Itwasthenthattheredawneduponhimthepossibilityofthesuccessofadifferentcoursewhichwouldstillleavehiminpossessionofthejewels，whileatthesametimesatisfyingthegreedoftheAbyssinianwiththeconvictionthathehadobtainedallthatWerperhadtooffer。

AndsoitwasthatadayorsoafterMugambihaddisappeared，WerperaskedforanaudiencewithAbdulMourak。AstheBelgianenteredthepresenceofhiscaptorthescowluponthefeaturesofthelatterbodedillforanyhopewhichWerpermightentertain，stillhefortifiedhimselfbyrecallingthecommonweaknessofmankind，whichpermitsthemostinflexibleofnaturestobendtotheconsumingdesireforwealth。

AbdulMourakeyedhim，frowningly。"Whatdoyouwantnow？"heasked。

"Myliberty，"repliedWerper。

TheAbyssiniansneered。"Andyoudisturbedmethustotellmewhatanyfoolmightknow，"hesaid。

"Icanpayforit，"saidWerper。

AbdulMouraklaughedloudly。"Payforit？"hecried。

"Whatwith——theragsthatyouhaveuponyourback？

Or，perhapsyouareconcealingbeneathyourcoatathousandpoundsofivory。Getout！Youareafool。DonotbothermeagainorIshallhaveyouwhipped。"

ButWerperpersisted。Hislibertyandperhapshislifedependeduponhissuccess。

"Listentome，"hepleaded。"IfIcangiveyouasmuchgoldastenmenmaycarrywillyoupromisethatIshallbeconductedinsafetytothenearestEnglishcommissioner？"

"Asmuchgoldastenmenmaycarry！"repeatedAbdulMourak。"Youarecrazy。Wherehaveyousomuchgoldasthat？"

"Iknowwhereitishid，"saidWerper。"Promise，andI

willleadyoutoit——iftenloadsisenough？"

AbdulMourakhadceasedtolaugh。HewaseyeingtheBelgianintently。Thefellowseemedsaneenough——yettenloadsofgold！Itwaspreposterous。TheAbyssinianthoughtinsilenceforamoment。

"Well，andifIpromise，"hesaid。"Howfaristhisgold？"

"Alongweek’smarchtothesouth，"repliedWerper。

"Andifwedonotfinditwhereyousayitis，doyourealizewhatyourpunishmentwillbe？"

"IfitisnotthereIwillforfeitmylife，"repliedtheBelgian。"Iknowitisthere，forIsawitburiedwithmyowneyes。Andmore——therearenotonlytenloads，butasmanyasfiftymenmaycarry。ItisallyoursifyouwillpromisetoseemesafelydeliveredintotheprotectionoftheEnglish。"

"Youwillstakeyourlifeagainstthefindingofthegold？"askedAbdul。

Werperassentedwithanod。

"Verywell，"saidtheAbyssinian，"Ipromise，andeveniftherebebutfiveloadsyoushallhaveyourfreedom；

butuntilthegoldisinmypossessionyouremainaprisoner。"

"Iamsatisfied，"saidWerper。"Tomorrowwestart？"

AbdulMouraknodded，andtheBelgianreturnedtohisguards。ThefollowingdaytheAbyssiniansoldiersweresurprisedtoreceiveanorderwhichturnedtheirfacesfromthenortheasttothesouth。AndsoithappenedthatupontheverynightthatTarzanandthetwoapesenteredthevillageoftheraiders，theAbyssinianscampedbutafewmilestotheeastofthesamespot。

WhileWerperdreamedoffreedomandtheunmolestedenjoymentofthefortuneinhisstolenpouch，andAbdulMouraklayawakeingreedycontemplationofthefiftyloadsofgoldwhichlaybutafewdaysfarthertothesouthofhim，AchmetZekgaveorderstohislieutenantsthattheyshouldprepareaforceoffightingmenandcarrierstoproceedtotheruinsoftheEnglishman’sDOUARonthemorrowandbringbackthefabulousfortunewhichhisrenegadelieutenanthadtoldhimwasburiedthere。

Andashedeliveredhisinstructionstothosewithin，asilentlistenercrouchedwithouthistent，waitingforthetimewhenhemightenterinsafetyandprosecutehissearchforthemissingpouchandtheprettypebblesthathadcaughthisfancy。

AtlasttheswarthycompanionsofAchmetZekquittedhistent，andtheleaderwentwiththemtosmokeapipewithoneoftheirnumber，leavinghisownsilkenhabitationunguarded。Scarcelyhadtheylefttheinteriorwhenaknifebladewasthrustthroughthefabricoftherearwall，somesixfeetabovetheground，andaswiftdownwardstrokeopenedanentrancetothosewhowaitedbeyond。

Throughtheopeningsteppedtheape—man，andclosebehindhimcamethehugeChulk；butTaglatdidnotfollowthem。Insteadheturnedandslunkthroughthedarknesstowardthehutwheretheshewhohadarrestedhisbrutishinterestlaysecurelybound。Beforethedoorwaythesentriessatupontheirhaunches，conversinginmonotones。Within，theyoungwomanlayuponafilthysleepingmat，resigned，throughutterhopelessnesstowhateverfatelayinstoreforheruntiltheopportunityarrivedwhichwouldpermithertofreeherselfbytheonlymeanswhichnowseemedevenremotelypossible——thehithertodetestedactofself—destruction。

Creepingsilentlytowardthesentries，awhite—burnoosedfigureapproachedtheshadowsatoneendofthehut。

Themeagerintellectofthecreaturedeniedittheadvantageitmighthavetakenofitsdisguise。

Whereitcouldhavewalkedboldlytotheverysidesofthesentries，itchoserathertosneakuponthem，unseen，fromtherear。

Itcametothecornerofthehutandpeeredaround。

Thesentrieswerebutafewpacesaway；buttheapedidnotdareexposehimself，evenforaninstant，tothosefearedandhatedthunder—stickswhichtheTarmanganiknewsowellhowtouse，iftherewereanotherandsafermethodofattack。

Taglatwishedthattherewasatreenearbyfromtheover—hangingbranchesofwhichhemightspringuponhisunsuspectingprey；but，thoughtherewasnotree，theideagavebirthtoaplan。Theeavesofthehutwerejustabovetheheadsofthesentries——fromthemhecouldleapupontheTarmangani，unseen。Aquicksnapofthosemightyjawswoulddisposeofoneofthembeforetheotherrealizedthattheywereattacked，andthesecondwouldfallaneasypreytothestrength，agilityandferocityofasecondquickcharge。

Taglatwithdrewafewpacestotherearofthehut，gatheredhimselffortheeffort，ranquicklyforwardandleapedhighintotheair。Hestrucktheroofdirectlyabovetherearwallofthehut，andthestructure，reinforcedbythewallbeneath，heldhisenormousweightforaninstant，thenhemovedforwardastep，theroofsagged，thethatchingpartedandthegreatanthropoidshotthroughintotheinterior。

Thesentries，hearingthecrashingoftheroofpoles，leapedtotheirfeetandrushedintothehut。JaneClaytontriedtorollasideasthegreatformlituponthefloorsoclosetoherthatonefootpinnedherclothingtotheground。

Theape，feelingthemovementbesidehim，reacheddownandgatheredthegirlinthehollowofonemightyarm。

TheburnoosecoveredthehairybodysothatJaneClaytonbelievedthatahumanarmsupportedher，andfromtheextremityofhopelessnessagreathopesprangintoherbreastthatatlastshewasinthekeepingofarescuer。

Thetwosentrieswerenowwithinthehut，buthesitatingbecauseofdoubtastothenatureofthecauseofthedisturbance。Theireyes，notyetaccustomedtothedarknessoftheinterior，toldthemnothing，nordidtheyhearanysound，fortheapestoodsilentlyawaitingtheirattack。

Seeingthattheystoodwithoutadvancing，andrealizingthat，handicappedashewasbytheweightoftheshe，hecouldputupbutapoorbattle，Taglatelectedtoriskasuddenbreakforliberty。Loweringhishead，hechargedstraightforthetwosentrieswhoblockedthedoorway。Theimpactofhismightyshouldersbowledthemoverupontheirbacks，andbeforetheycouldscrambletotheirfeet，theapewasgone，dartingintheshadowsofthehutstowardthepalisadeatthefarendofthevillage。

ThespeedandstrengthofherrescuerfilledJaneClaytonwithwonder。CoulditbethatTarzanhadsurvivedthebulletoftheArab？Whoelseinallthejunglecouldbeartheweightofagrownwomanaslightlyashewhoheldher？Shespokehisname；buttherewasnoresponse。Stillshedidnotgiveuphope。

Atthepalisadethebeastdidnotevenhesitate。

Asinglemightyleapcarriedittothetop，whereitpoisedbutforaninstantbeforedroppingtothegroundupontheoppositeside。Nowthegirlwasalmostpositivethatshewassafeinthearmsofherhusband，andwhentheapetooktothetreesandboreherswiftlyintothejungle，asTarzanhaddoneatothertimesinthepast，beliefbecameconviction。

Inalittlemoonlitglade，amileorsofromthecampoftheraiders，herrescuerhaltedanddroppedhertotheground。Hisroughnesssurprisedher，butstillshehadnodoubts。Againshecalledhimbyname，andatthesameinstanttheape，frettingundertherestraintsoftheunaccustomedgarmentsoftheTarmangani，toretheburnoosefromhim，revealingtotheeyesofthehorror—struckwomanthehideousfaceandhairyformofagiantanthropoid。

Withapiteouswailofterror，JaneClaytonswooned，while，fromtheconcealmentofanearbybush，Numa，thelion，eyedthepairhungrilyandlickedhischops。

Tarzan，enteringthetentofAchmetZek，searchedtheinteriorthoroughly。Hetorethebedtopiecesandscatteredthecontentsofboxandbagaboutthefloor。

Heinvestigatedwhateverhiseyesdiscovered，nordidthosekeenorgansoverlookasinglearticlewithinthehabitationoftheraiderchief；butnopouchorprettypebblesrewardedhisthoroughness。

SatisfiedatlastthathisbelongingswerenotinthepossessionofAchmetZek，unlesstheywereonthepersonofthechiefhimself，Tarzandecidedtosecurethepersonoftheshebeforefurtherprosecutinghissearchforthepouch。

MotioningforChulktofollowhim，hepassedoutofthetentbythesamewaythathehadenteredit，andwalkingboldlythroughthevillage，madedirectlyforthehutwhereJaneClaytonhadbeenimprisoned。

HenotedwithsurprisetheabsenceofTaglat，whomhehadexpectedtofindawaitinghimoutsidethetentofAchmetZek；but，accustomedashewastotheunreliabilityofapes，hegavenoseriousattentiontothepresentdefectionofhissurlycompanion。SolongasTaglatdidnotcauseinterferencewithhisplans，Tarzanwasindifferenttohisabsence。

Asheapproachedthehut，theape—mannoticedthatacrowdhadcollectedabouttheentrance。Hecouldseethatthemenwhocomposeditweremuchexcited，andfearinglestChulk’sdisguiseshouldproveinadequatetotheconcealmentofhistrueidentityinthefaceofsomanyobservers，hecommandedtheapetobetakehimselftothefarendofthevillage，andthereawaithim。

AsChulkwaddledoff，keepingtotheshadows，Tarzanadvancedboldlytowardtheexcitedgroupbeforethedoorwayofthehut。HemingledwiththeblacksandtheArabsinanendeavortolearnthecauseofthecommotion，inhisinterestforgettingthathealoneoftheassemblagecarriedaspear，abowandarrows，andthusmightbecomeanobjectofsuspiciousattention。

Shoulderinghiswaythroughthecrowdheapproachedthedoorway，andhadalmostreacheditwhenoneoftheArabslaidahanduponhisshoulder，crying："Whoisthis？"atthesametimesnatchingbackthehoodfromtheape—man’sface。

TarzanoftheApesinallhissavagelifehadneverbeenaccustomedtopauseinargumentwithanantagonist。Theprimitiveinstinctofself—preservationacknowledgesmanyartsandwiles；butargumentisnotoneofthem，nordidhenowwasteprecioustimeinanattempttoconvincetheraidersthathewasnotawolfinsheep’sclothing。Insteadhehadhisunmaskerbythethroateretheman’swordshadscarcequittedhislips，andhurlinghimfromsidetosidebrushedawaythosewhowouldhaveswarmeduponhim。

UsingtheArabasaweapon，Tarzanforcedhiswayquicklytothedoorway，andamomentlaterwaswithinthehut。Ahastyexaminationrevealedthefactthatitwasempty，andhissenseofsmelldiscovered，too，thescentspoorofTaglat，theape。Tarzanutteredalow，ominousgrowl。Thosewhowerepressingforwardatthedoorwaytoseizehim，fellbackasthesavagenotesofthebestialchallengesmoteupontheirears。Theylookedatoneanotherinsurpriseandconsternation。

Amanhadenteredthehutalone，andyetwiththeirownearstheyhadheardthevoiceofawildbeastwithin。

Whatcoulditmean？Hadalionoraleopardsoughtsanctuaryintheinterior，unbeknowntothesentries？

Tarzan’squickeyesdiscoveredtheopeningintheroof，throughwhichTaglathadfallen。Heguessedthattheapehadeithercomeorgonebywayofthebreak，andwhiletheArabshesitatedwithout，hesprang，catlike，fortheopening，graspedthetopofthewallandclamberedoutupontheroof，droppinginstantlytothegroundattherearofthehut。

WhentheArabsfinallymusteredcouragetoenterthehut，afterfiringseveralvolleysthroughthewalls，theyfoundtheinteriordeserted。AtthesametimeTarzan，atthefarendofthevillage，soughtforChulk；buttheapewasnowheretobefound。

Robbedofhisshe，desertedbyhiscompanions，andasmuchinignoranceaseverastothewhereaboutsofhispouchandpebbles，itwasanangryTarzanwhoclimbedthepalisadeandvanishedintothedarknessofthejungle。

Forthepresenthemustgiveupthesearchforhispouch，sinceitwouldbeparamounttoself—destructiontoentertheArabcampnowwhileallitsinhabitantswerearousedanduponthealert。

Inhisescapefromthevillage，theape—manhadlostthespoorofthefleeingTaglat，andnowhecircledwidelythroughtheforestinanendeavortoagainpickitup。

ChulkhadremainedathispostuntilthecriesandshotsoftheArabshadfilledhissimplesoulwithterror，foraboveallthingstheapefolkfearthethunder—sticksoftheTarmangani；thenhehadclamberednimblyoverthepalisade，tearinghisburnooseintheeffort，andfledintothedepthsofthejungle，grumblingandscoldingashewent。

Tarzan，roamingthejungleinsearchofthetrailofTaglatandtheshe，traveledswiftly。InalittlemoonlitgladeaheadofhimthegreatapewasbendingovertheprostrateformofthewomanTarzansought。

Thebeastwastearingatthebondsthatconfinedheranklesandwrists，pullingandgnawinguponthecords。

Thecoursetheape—manwastakingwouldcarryhimbutashortdistancetotherightofthem，andthoughhecouldnothaveseenthemthewindwasbearingdownfromthemtohim，carryingtheirscentspoorstronglytowardhim。

AmomentmoreandJaneClayton’ssafetymighthavebeenassured，eventhoughNuma，thelion，wasalreadygatheringhimselfinpreparationforacharge；butFate，alreadyalltoocruel，nowoutdidherself——thewindveeredsuddenlyforafewmoments，thescentspoorthatwouldhaveledtheape—mantothegirl’ssidewaswaftedintheoppositedirection；Tarzanpassedwithinfiftyyardsofthetragedythatwasbeingenactedintheglade，andtheopportunitywasgonebeyondrecall。

18

TheFightFortheTreasureItwasmorningbeforeTarzancouldbringhimselftoarealizationofthepossibilityoffailureofhisquest，andeventhenhewouldonlyadmitthatsuccesswasbutdelayed。Hewouldeatandsleep，andthensetforthagain。Thejunglewaswide；butwidetooweretheexperienceandcunningofTarzan。Taglatmighttravelfar；butTarzanwouldfindhimintheend，thoughhehadtosearcheverytreeinthemightyforest。

Soliloquizingthus，theape—manfollowedthespoorofBara，thedeer，theunfortunateuponwhichhehaddecidedtosatisfyhishunger。Forhalfanhourthetrailledtheape—mantowardtheeastalongawell—markedgamepath，whensuddenly，tothestalker’sastonishment，thequarrybrokeintosight，racingmadlybackalongthenarrowwaystraighttowardthehunter。

Tarzan，whohadbeenfollowingalongthetrail，leapedsoquicklytotheconcealingverdureatthesidethatthedeerwasstillunawareofthepresenceofanenemyinthisdirection，andwhiletheanimalwasstillsomedistanceaway，theape—manswungintothelowerbranchesofthetreewhichoverhungthetrail。Therehecrouched，asavagebeastofprey，awaitingthecomingofitsvictim。

Whathadfrightenedthedeerintosofranticaretreat，Tarzandidnotknow——Numa，thelion，perhaps，orSheeta，thepanther；butwhatsoeveritwasmatteredlittletoTarzanoftheApes——hewasreadyandwillingtodefendhiskillagainstanyotherdenizenofthejungle。Ifhewereunabletodoitbymeansofphysicalprowess，hehadathiscommandanotherandagreaterpower——hisshrewdintelligence。

Andso，oncametherunningdeer，straightintothejawsofdeath。Theape—manturnedsothathisbackwastowardtheapproachinganimal。Hepoisedwithbentkneesuponthegentlyswayinglimbabovethetrail，timingwithkeenearsthenearinghoofbeatsoffrightenedBara。

Inamomentthevictimflashedbeneaththelimbandatthesameinstanttheape—manabovesprangoutanddownuponitsback。Theweightoftheman’sbodycarriedthedeertotheground。Itstumbledforwardonceinafutileefforttorise，andthenmightymusclesdraggeditsheadfarback，gavetheneckaviciouswrench，andBarawasdead。

Quickhadbeenthekilling，andequallyquickweretheape—man’ssubsequentactions，forwhomightknowwhatmannerofkillerpursuedBara，orhowcloseathandhemightbe？ScarcehadtheneckofthevictimsnappedthanthecarcasswashangingoveroneofTarzan’sbroadshoulders，andaninstantlatertheape—manwasperchedoncemoreamongthelowerbranchesofatreeabovethetrail，hiskeen，grayeyesscanningthepathwaydownwhichthedeerhadfled。

NorwasitlongbeforethecauseofBara’sfrightbecameevidenttoTarzan，forpresentlycametheunmistakablesoundsofapproachinghorsemen。Dragginghiskillafterhimtheape—manascendedtothemiddleterrace，andsettlinghimselfcomfortablyinthecrotchofatreewherehecouldstillviewthetrailbeneath，cutajuicysteakfromthedeer’sloin，andburyinghisstrong，whiteteethinthehotfleshproceededtoenjoythefruitsofhisprowessandhiscunning。

Nordidheneglectthetrailbeneathwhilehesatisfiedhishunger。Hissharpeyessawthemuzzleoftheleadinghorseasitcameintoviewaroundabendinthetortuoustrail，andonebyonetheyscrutinizedtheridersastheypassedbeneathhiminsinglefile。

AmongthemcameonewhomTarzanrecognized，butsoschooledwastheape—maninthecontrolofhisemotionsthatnoslightestchangeofexpression，muchlessanyhystericaldemonstrationthatmighthaverevealedhispresence，betrayedthefactofhisinwardexcitement。

Beneathhim，asunconsciousofhispresenceasweretheAbyssiniansbeforeandbehindhim，rodeAlbertWerper，whiletheape—manscrutinizedtheBelgianforsomesignofthepouchwhichhehadstolen。

AstheAbyssiniansrodetowardthesouth，agiantfigurehoveredeverupontheirtrail——ahuge，almostnakedwhiteman，whocarriedthebloodycarcassofadeeruponhisshoulders，forTarzanknewthathemightnothaveanotheropportunitytohuntforsometimeifheweretofollowtheBelgian。

Toendeavortosnatchhimfromthemidstofthearmedhorsemen，notevenTarzanwouldattemptotherthaninthelastextremity，forthewayofthewildisthewayofcautionandcunning，unlesstheybearousedtorashnessbypainoranger。

SotheAbyssiniansandtheBelgianmarchedsouthwardandTarzanoftheApesswungsilentlyafterthemthroughtheswayingbranchesofthemiddleterrace。

Atwodays’marchbroughtthemtoalevelplainbeyondwhichlaymountains——aplainwhichTarzanrememberedandwhicharousedwithinhimvaguehalfmemoriesandstrangelongings。Outupontheplainthehorsemenrode，andatasafedistancebehindthemcrepttheape—man，takingadvantageofsuchcoverasthegroundafforded。

BesideacharredpileoftimberstheAbyssinianshalted，andTarzan，sneakingcloseandconcealinghimselfinnearbyshrubbery，watchedtheminwonderment。Hesawthemdigginguptheearth，andhewonderediftheyhadhiddenmeatthereinthepastandnowhadcomeforit。Thenherecalledhowhehadburiedhisprettypebbles，andthesuggestionthathadcausedhimtodoit。Theywerediggingforthethingstheblackshadburiedhere！

Presentlyhesawthemuncoveradirty，yellowobject，andhewitnessedthejoyofWerperandofAbdulMourakasthegrimyobjectwasexposedtoview。Onebyonetheyunearthedmanysimilarpieces，allofthesameuniform，dirtyyellow，untilapileofthemlayupontheground，apilewhichAbdulMourakfondledandpettedinanecstasyofgreed。

Somethingstirredintheape—man’smindashelookedlonguponthegoldeningots。Wherehadheseensuchbefore？Whatwerethey？WhydidtheseTarmanganicovetthemsogreatly？Towhomdidtheybelong？

Herecalledtheblackmenwhohadburiedthem。

Thethingsmustbetheirs。WerperwasstealingthemashehadstolenTarzan’spouchofpebbles。Theape—man’seyesblazedinanger。Hewouldliketofindtheblackmenandleadthemagainstthesethieves。Hewonderedwheretheirvillagemightbe。

Asallthesethingsranthroughtheactivemind，apartyofmenmovedoutoftheforestattheedgeoftheplainandadvancedtowardtheruinsoftheburnedbungalow。

AbdulMourak，alwayswatchful，wasthefirsttoseethem，butalreadytheywerehalfwayacrosstheopen。

Hecalledtohismentomountandholdthemselvesinreadiness，forintheheartofAfricawhomayknowwhetherastrangehostbefriendorfoe？

Werper，swingingintohissaddle，fastenedhiseyesuponthenewcomers，then，whiteandtremblingheturnedtowardAbdulMourak。

"ItisAchmetZekandhisraiders，"hewhispered。

"Theyarecomeforthegold。"

ItmusthavebeenataboutthesameinstantthatAchmetZekdiscoveredthepileofyellowingotsandrealizedtheactualityofwhathehadalreadyfearedsincefirsthiseyeshadalighteduponthepartybesidetheruinsoftheEnglishman’sbungalow。Someonehadforestalledhim——anotherhadcomeforthetreasureaheadofhim。

TheArabwascrazedbyrage。Recentlyeverythinghadgoneagainsthim。Hehadlostthejewels，theBelgian，andforthesecondtimehehadlosttheEnglishwoman。

Nowsomeonehadcometorobhimofthistreasurewhichhehadthoughtassafefromdisturbancehereasthoughitneverhadbeenmined。

Hecarednotwhomthethievesmightbe。Theywouldnotgiveupthegoldwithoutabattle，ofthathewascertain，andwithawildwhoopandacommandtohisfollowers，AchmetZekputspurstohishorseanddasheddownupontheAbyssinians，andafterhim，wavingtheirlonggunsabovetheirheads，yellingandcursing，camehismotleyhordeofcut—throatfollowers。

ThemenofAbdulMourakmetthemwithavolleywhichemptiedafewsaddles，andthentheraiderswereamongthem，andsword，pistolandmusket，eachwasdoingitsmosthideousandbloodywork。

AchmetZek，spyingWerperatthefirstcharge，boredownupontheBelgian，andthelatter，terrifiedbycontemplationofthefatehedeserved，turnedhishorse’sheadanddashedmadlyawayinanefforttoescape。Shoutingtoalieutenanttotakecommand，andurginghimuponpainofdeathtodispatchtheAbyssiniansandbringthegoldbacktohiscamp，AchmetZeksetoffacrosstheplaininpursuitoftheBelgian，hiswickednatureunabletoforegothepleasuresofrevenge，evenattheriskofsacrificingthetreasure。

Asthepursuedandthepursuerracedmadlytowardthedistantforestthebattlebehindthemragedwithbloodysavageness。NoquarterwasaskedorgivenbyeithertheferociousAbyssiniansorthemurderouscut—throatsofAchmetZek。

FromtheconcealmentoftheshrubberyTarzanwatchedthesanguinaryconflictwhichsoeffectuallysurroundedhimthathefoundnoloop—holethroughwhichhemightescapetofollowWerperandtheArabchief。

TheAbyssinianswereformedinacirclewhichincludedTarzan’sposition，andaroundandintothemgallopedtheyellingraiders，nowdartingaway，nowchargingintodeliverthrustsandcutswiththeircurvedswords。

NumericallythemenofAchmetZekweresuperior，andslowlybutsurelythesoldiersofMenelekwerebeingexterminated。ToTarzantheresultwasimmaterial。

Hewatchedwithbutasinglepurpose——toescapetheringofblood—madfightersandbeawayaftertheBelgianandhispouch。

WhenhehadfirstdiscoveredWerperuponthetrailwherehehadslainBara，hehadthoughtthathiseyesmustbeplayinghimfalse，socertainhadhebeenthatthethiefhadbeenslainanddevouredbyNuma；butafterfollowingthedetachmentfortwodays，withhiskeeneyesalwaysupontheBelgian，henolongerdoubtedtheidentityoftheman，thoughhewasputtoittoexplaintheidentityofthemutilatedcorpsehehadsupposedwasthemanhesought。

Ashecrouchedinhidingamongtheunkemptshrubberywhichsoshortawhilesincehadbeenthedelightandprideofthewifehenolongerrecalled，anArabandanAbyssinianwheeledtheirmountsclosetohispositionastheyslashedateachotherwiththeirswords。

StepbysteptheArabbeatbackhisadversaryuntilthelatter’shorseallbuttrodupontheape—man，andthenaviciouscutclovetheblackwarrior’sskull，andthecorpsetoppledbackwardalmostuponTarzan。

AstheAbyssiniantumbledfromhissaddlethepossibilityofescapewhichwasrepresentedbytheriderlesshorseelectrifiedtheape—mantoinstantaction。Beforethefrightenedbeastcouldgatherhimselfforflightanakedgiantwasastridehisback。

Astronghandhadgraspedhisbridlerein，andthesurprisedArabdiscoveredanewfoeinthesaddleofhim，whomhehadslain。

Butthisenemywieldednosword，andhisspearandbowremaineduponhisback。TheArab，recoveredfromhisfirstsurprise，dashedinwithraisedswordtoannihilatethispresumptuousstranger。Heaimedamightyblowattheape—man’shead，ablowwhichswungharmlesslythroughthinairasTarzanduckedfromitspath，andthentheArabfelttheother’shorsebrushinghisleg，agreatarmshotoutandencircledhiswaist，andbeforehecouldrecoverhimselfhewasdraggedfromhissaddle，andformingashieldforhisantagonistwasborneatamadrunstraightthroughtheencirclingranksofhisfellows。

Justbeyondthemhewastossedasideupontheground，andthelasthesawofhisstrangefoemanthelatterwasgallopingoffacrosstheplaininthedirectionoftheforestatitsfartheredge。

ForanotherhourthebattleragednordiditceaseuntilthelastoftheAbyssinianslaydeadupontheground，orhadgallopedofftowardthenorthinflight。

Butahandfulofmenescaped，amongthemAbdulMourak。

ThevictoriousraiderscollectedaboutthepileofgoldeningotswhichtheAbyssinianshaduncovered，andthereawaitedthereturnoftheirleader。Theirexultationwasslightlytemperedbytheglimpsetheyhadhadofthestrangeapparitionofthenakedwhitemangallopingawayuponthehorseofoneoftheirfoemenandcarryingacompanionwhowasnowamongthemexpatiatinguponthesuperhumanstrengthoftheape—man。

NoneofthemtherebutwasfamiliarwiththenameandfameofTarzanoftheApes，andthefactthattheyhadrecognizedthewhitegiantastheferociousenemyofthewrongdoersofthejungle，addedtotheirterror，fortheyhadbeenassuredthatTarzanwasdead。

Naturallysuperstitious，theyfullybelievedthattheyhadseenthedisembodiedspiritofthedeadman，andnowtheycastfearfulglancesabouttheminexpectationoftheghost’searlyreturntothesceneoftheruintheyhadinflicteduponhimduringtheirrecentraiduponhishome，anddiscussedinaffrightedwhisperstheprobablenatureofthevengeancewhichthespiritwouldinflictuponthemshouldhereturntofindtheminpossessionofhisgold。

Astheyconversedtheirterrorgrew，whilefromtheconcealmentofthereedsalongtheriverbelowthemasmallpartyofnaked，blackwarriorswatchedtheireverymove。Fromtheheightsbeyondtherivertheseblackmenhadheardthenoiseoftheconflict，andcreepingwarilydowntothestreamhadfordeditandadvancedthroughthereedsuntiltheywereinapositiontowatcheverymoveofthecombatants。

ForahalfhourtheraidersawaitedAchmetZek’sreturn，theirfearoftheearlierreturnoftheghostofTarzanconstantlyunderminingtheirloyaltytoandfearoftheirchief。FinallyoneamongthemvoicedthedesiresofallwhenheannouncedthatheintendedridingforthtowardtheforestinsearchofAchmetZek。

Instantlyeverymanofthemsprangtohismount。

"Thegoldwillbesafehere，"criedone。"WehavekilledtheAbyssiniansandtherearenootherstocarryitaway。LetusrideinsearchofAchmetZek！"

Andamomentlater，amidstacloudofdust，theraidersweregallopingmadlyacrosstheplain，andoutfromtheconcealmentofthereedsalongtheriver，creptapartyofblackwarriorstowardthespotwherethegoldeningotsofOparlaypiledontheground。

WerperhadstillbeeninadvanceofAchmetZekwhenhereachedtheforest；butthelatter，bettermounted，wasgaininguponhim。RidingwiththerecklesscourageofdesperationtheBelgianurgedhismounttogreaterspeedevenwithinthenarrowconfinesofthewinding，gametrailthatthebeastwasfollowing。

BehindhimhecouldhearthevoiceofAchmetZekcryingtohimtohalt；butWerperonlydugthespursdeeperintothebleedingsidesofhispantingmount。Twohundredyardswithintheforestabrokenbranchlayacrossthetrail。Itwasasmallthingthatahorsemightordinarilytakeinhisnaturalstridewithoutnoticingitspresence；butWerper’shorsewasjaded，hisfeetwereheavywithweariness，andasthebranchcaughtbetweenhisfrontlegshestumbled，wasunabletorecoverhimself，andwentdown，sprawlinginthetrail。

Werper，goingoverhishead，rolledafewyardsfartheron，scrambledtohisfeetandranback。Seizingthereinshetuggedtodragthebeasttohisfeet；buttheanimalwouldnotorcouldnotrise，andastheBelgiancursedandstruckathim，AchmetZekappearedinview。

InstantlytheBelgianceasedhiseffortswiththedyinganimalathisfeet，andseizinghisrifle，droppedbehindthehorseandfiredattheoncomingArab。

Hisbullet，goinglow，struckAchmetZek’shorseinthebreast，bringinghimdownahundredyardsfromwhereWerperlaypreparingtofireasecondshot。

TheArab，whohadgonedownwithhismount，wasstandingastridehim，andseeingtheBelgian’sstrategicpositionbehindhisfallenhorse，lostnotimeintakingupasimilaronebehindhisown。

Andtherethetwolay，alternatelyfiringatandcursingeachother，whilefrombehindtheArab，TarzanoftheApesapproachedtotheedgeoftheforest。Hereheheardtheoccasionalshotsoftheduelists，andchoosingthesaferandswifteravenueoftheforestbranchestotheuncertaintransportationaffordedbyahalf—brokenAbyssinianpony，tooktothetrees。

Keepingtoonesideofthetrail，theape—mancamepresentlytoapointwherehecouldlookdownincomparativesafetyuponthefighters。Firstoneandthentheotherwouldpartiallyraisehimselfabovehisbreastworkofhorseflesh，firehisweaponandimmediatelydropflatbehindhisshelter，wherehewouldreloadandrepeattheactamomentlater。

Werperhadbutlittleammunition，havingbeenhastilyarmedbyAbdulMourakfromthebodyofoneofthefirstoftheAbyssinianswhohadfalleninthefightaboutthepileofingots，andnowherealizedthatsoonhewouldhaveusedhislastbullet，andbeatthemercyoftheArab——amercywithwhichhewaswellacquainted。

Facingbothdeathanddespoilmentofhistreasure，theBelgiancastaboutforsomeplanofescape，andtheonlyonethatappealedtohimascontainingevenaremotepossibilityofsuccesshingeduponthechanceofbribingAchmetZek。

Werperhadfiredallbutasinglecartridge，when，duringalullinthefighting，hecalledaloudtohisopponent。

"AchmetZek，"hecried，"Allahaloneknowswhichoneofusmayleaveourbonestorotwhereheliesuponthistrailtodayifwekeepupourfoolishbattle。YouwishthecontentsofthepouchIwearaboutmywaist，andI

wishmylifeandmylibertyevenmorethanIdothejewels。Letuseach，then，takethatwhichhemostdesiresandgoourseparatewaysinpeace。Iwilllaythepouchuponthecarcassofmyhorse，whereyoumayseeit，andyou，inturn，willlayyourgunuponyourhorse，withbutttowardme。ThenIwillgoaway，leavingthepouchtoyou，andyouwillletmegoinsafety。Iwantonlymylife，andmyfreedom。"

TheArabthoughtinsilenceforamoment。Thenhespoke。Hisreplywasinfluencedbythefactthathehadexpendedhislastshot。

"Goyourway，then，"hegrowled，"leavingthepouchinplainsightbehindyou。See，Ilaymygunthus，withthebutttowardyou。Go。"

Werperremovedthepouchfromabouthiswaist。

Sorrowfullyandaffectionatelyhelethisfingerspressthehardoutlinesofthecontents。Ah，ifhecouldextractalittlehandfulofthepreciousstones！ButAchmetZekwasstandingnow，hiseagleeyescommandingaplainviewoftheBelgianandhiseveryact。

RegretfullyWerperlaidthepouch，itscontentsundisturbed，uponthebodyofhishorse，rose，andtakinghisriflewithhim，backedslowlydownthetrailuntilaturnhidhimfromtheviewofthewatchfulArab。

EventhenAchmetZekdidnotadvance，fearfulashewasofsomesuchtreacheryashehimselfmighthavebeenguiltyofunderlikecircumstances；norwerehissuspicionsgroundless，fortheBelgian，nosoonerhadhepassedoutoftherangeoftheArab’svision，haltedbehindtheboleofatree，wherehestillcommandedanunobstructedviewofhisdeadhorseandthepouch，andraisinghisriflecoveredthespotwheretheother’sbodymustappearwhenhecameforwardtoseizethetreasure。

ButAchmetZekwasnofooltoexposehimselftotheblackenedhonorofathiefandamurderer。Takinghislonggunwithhim，heleftthetrail，enteringtherankandtangledvegetationwhichwalledit，andcrawlingslowlyforwardonhandsandkneesheparalleledthetrail；butneverforaninstantwashisbodyexposedtotherifleofthehiddenassassin。

ThusAchmetZekadvanceduntilhehadcomeoppositethedeadhorseofhisenemy。Thepouchlaythereinfullview，whileashortdistancealongthetrail，Werperwaitedingrowingimpatienceandnervousness，wonderingwhytheArabdidnotcometoclaimhisreward。

Presentlyhesawthemuzzleofarifleappearsuddenlyandmysteriouslyafewinchesabovethepouch，andbeforehecouldrealizethecunningtrickthattheArabhadplayeduponhimthesightoftheweaponwasadroitlyhookedintotherawhidethongwhichformedthecarryingstrapofthepouch，andthelatterwasdrawnquicklyfromhisviewintothedensefoliageatthetrail’sside。

Notforaninstanthadtheraiderexposedasquareinchofhisbody，andWerperdarednotfirehisoneremainingshotunlesseverychanceofasuccessfulhitwasinhisfavor。

Chucklingtohimself，AchmetZekwithdrewafewpacesfartherintothejungle，forhewasaspositivethatWerperwaswaitingnearbyforachancetopothimasthoughhiseyeshadpenetratedthejungletreestothefigureofthehidingBelgian，fingeringhisriflebehindtheboleofthebuttressedgiant。

Werperdidnotdareadvance——hiscupiditywouldnotpermithimtodepart，andsohestoodthere，hisriflereadyinhishands，hiseyeswatchingthetrailbeforehimwithcatlikeintensity。

Buttherewasanotherwhohadseenthepouchandrecognizedit，whodidadvancewithAchmetZek，hoveringabovehim，assilentandassureasdeathitself，andastheArab，findingalittlespotlessovergrownwithbushesthanhehadyetencountered，preparedtogloathiseyesuponthecontentsofthepouch，Tarzanpauseddirectlyabovehim，intentuponthesameobject。

Wettinghisthinlipswithhistongue，AchmetZekloosenedthetiestringswhichclosedthemouthofthepouch，andcuppingoneclaw—likehandpouredforthaportionofthecontentsintohispalm。

Asinglelookhetookatthestoneslyinginhishand。

Hiseyesnarrowed，acursebrokefromhislips，andhehurledthesmallobjectsupontheground，disdainfully。

Quicklyheemptiedthebalanceofthecontentsuntilhehadscannedeachseparatestone，andashedumpedthemalluponthegroundandstampeduponthemhisragegrewuntilthemusclesofhisfaceworkedindemon—likefury，andhisfingersclencheduntilhisnailsbitintotheflesh。

Above，Tarzanwatchedinwonderment。Hehadbeencurioustodiscoverwhatallthepow—wowabouthispouchhadmeant。HewantedtoseewhattheArabwoulddoaftertheotherhadgoneaway，leavingthepouchbehindhim，and，havingsatisfiedhiscuriosity，hewouldthenhavepounceduponAchmetZekandtakenthepouchandhisprettypebblesawayfromhim，fordidtheynotbelongtoTarzan？

HesawtheArabnowthrowasidetheemptypouch，andgraspinghislonggunbythebarrel，clublike，sneakstealthilythroughthejunglebesidethetrailalongwhichWerperhadgone。

Asthemandisappearedfromhisview，Tarzandroppedtothegroundandcommencedgatheringupthespilledcontentsofthepouch，andthemomentthatheobtainedhisfirstnearviewofthescatteredpebblesheunderstoodtherageoftheArab，forinsteadoftheglitteringandscintillatinggemswhichhadfirstcaughtandheldtheattentionoftheape—man，thepouchnowcontainedbutacollectionofordinaryriverpebbles。

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JaneClaytonandtheBeastsoftheJungleMugambi，afterhissuccessfulbreakforliberty，hadfallenuponhardtimes。Hiswayhadledhimthroughacountrywithwhichhewasunfamiliar，ajunglecountryinwhichhecouldfindnowater，andbutlittlefood，sothatafterseveraldaysofwanderinghefoundhimselfsoreducedinstrengththathecouldbarelydraghimselfalong。

Itwaswithgrowingdifficultythathefoundthestrengthnecessarytoconstructashelterbynightwhereinhemightbereasonablysafefromthelargecarnivora，andbydayhestillfurtherexhaustedhisstrengthindiggingforedibleroots，andsearchingforwater。

Afewstagnantpoolsatconsiderabledistancesapartsavedhimfromdeathbythirst；buthiswasapitiablestatewhenfinallyhestumbledbyaccidentuponalargeriverinacountrywherefruitwasabundant，andsmallgamewhichhemightbagbymeansofacombinationofstealth，cunning，andacrudeknob—stickwhichhehadfashionedfromafallenlimb。

RealizingthathestillhadalongmarchaheadofhimbeforehecouldreacheventheoutskirtsoftheWaziricountry，Mugambiwiselydecidedtoremainwherehewasuntilhehadrecuperatedhisstrengthandhealth。A

fewdays’restwouldaccomplishwondersforhim，heknew，andhecouldillaffordtosacrificehischancesforasafereturnbysettingforthhandicappedbyweakness。

Andsoitwasthatheconstructedasubstantialthornboma，andriggedathatchedshelterwithinit，wherehemightsleepbynightinsecurity，andfromwhichhesalliedforthbydaytohuntthefleshwhichalonecouldreturntohisgiantthewstheirnormalprowess。