Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar

第7章

Satisfied，atlast，thatnoonehadseenhim，hestoopedandraisedthebottomofthetentwall，backedinanddraggedthethingthathadbeenMohammedBeydafterhim。Tothesleepingrugsofthedeadraiderhedrewthecorpse，thenhefumbledaboutinthedarknessuntilhehadfoundMohammedBeyd’srevolver。Withtheweaponinhishandhereturnedtothesideofthedeadman，kneeledbesidethebedding，andinsertedhisrighthandwiththeweaponbeneaththerugs，piledanumberofthicknessesofthecloselywovenfabricoverandabouttherevolverwithhislefthand。Thenhepulledthetrigger，andatthesametimehecoughed。

Themuffledreportcouldnothavebeenheardabovethesoundofhiscoughbyonedirectlyoutsidethetent。

Werperwassatisfied。Agrimsmiletouchedhislipsashewithdrewtheweaponfromtherugsandplaceditcarefullyintherighthandofthedeadman，fixingthreeofthefingersaroundthegripandtheindexfingerinsidethetriggerguard。

Amomentlongerhetarriedtorearrangethedisorderedrugs，andthenheleftashehadentered，fasteningdowntherearwallofthetentasithadbeenbeforehehadraisedit。

Goingtothetentoftheprisonerheremovedtherealsotheevidencethatsomeonemighthavecomeorgonebeneaththerearwall。Thenhereturnedtohisowntent，entered，fasteneddownthecanvas，andcrawledintohisblankets。

ThefollowingmorninghewasawakenedbytheexcitedvoiceofMohammedBeyd’sslavecallingtohimattheentranceofhistent。

"Quick！Quick！"criedtheblackinafrightenedtone。

"Come！MohammedBeydisdeadinhistent——deadbyhisownhand。"

Werpersatupquicklyinhisblanketsatthefirstalarm，astartledexpressionuponhiscountenance；butatthelastwordsoftheblackasighofreliefescapedhislipsandaslightsmilereplacedthetenselinesuponhisface。

"Icome，"hecalledtotheslave，anddrawingonhisboots，roseandwentoutofhistent。

ExcitedArabsandblackswererunningfromallpartsofthecamptowardthesilkententofMohammedBeyd，andwhenWerperenteredhefoundanumberoftheraiderscrowdedaboutthecorpse，nowcoldandstiff。

Shoulderinghiswayamongthem，theBelgianhaltedbesidethedeadbodyoftheraider。Helookeddowninsilenceforamomentuponthestillface，thenhewheeledupontheArabs。

"Whohasdonethisthing？"hecried。Histonewasbothmenacingandaccusing。"WhohasmurderedMohammedBeyd？"

Asuddenchorusofvoicesaroseintumultuousprotest。

"MohammedBeydwasnotmurdered，"theycried。"Hediedbyhisownhand。This，andAllah，areourwitnesses，"

andtheypointedtoarevolverinthedeadman’shand。

ForatimeWerperpretendedtobeskeptical；butatlastpermittedhimselftobeconvincedthatMohammedBeydhadindeedkilledhimselfinremorseforthedeathofthewhitewomanhehad，allunknowntohisfollowers，lovedsodevotedly。

Werperhimselfwrappedtheblanketsofthedeadmanaboutthecorpse，takingcaretofoldinwardthescorchedandbullet—tornfabricthathadmuffledthereportoftheweaponhehadfiredthenightbefore。

Thensixhuskyblackscarriedthebodyoutintotheclearingwherethecampstood，anddepositeditinashallowgrave。Asthelooseearthfelluponthesilentformbeneaththetell—taleblankets，AlbertWerperheavedanothersighofrelief——hisplanhadworkedoutevenbetterthanhehaddaredhope。

WithAchmetZekandMohammedBeydbothdead，theraiderswerewithoutaleader，andafterabriefconferencetheydecidedtoreturnintothenorthonvisitstothevarioustribestowhichtheybelonged，Werper，afterlearningthedirectiontheyintendedtaking，announcedthatforhispart，hewasgoingeasttothecoast，andastheyknewofnothinghepossessedwhichanyofthemcoveted，theysignifiedtheirwillingnessthatheshouldgohisway。

Astheyrodeoff，hesathishorseinthecenteroftheclearingwatchingthemdisappearonebyoneintothejungle，andthankedhisGodthathehadatlastescapedtheirvillainousclutches。

Whenhecouldnolongerhearanysoundofthem，heturnedtotherightandrodeintotheforesttowardthetreewherehehadhiddenLadyGreystoke，anddrawingreinbeneathit，calledupinagayandhopefulvoiceapleasant，"Goodmorning！"

Therewasnoreply，andthoughhiseyessearchedthethickfoliageabovehim，hecouldseenosignofthegirl。Dismounting，hequicklyclimbedintothetree，wherehecouldobtainaviewofallitsbranches。Thetreewasempty——JaneClaytonhadvanishedduringthesilentwatchesofthejunglenight。

TarzanRecoversHisReasonAsTarzanletthepebblesfromtherecoveredpouchrunthroughhisfingers，histhoughtsreturnedtothepileofyellowingotsaboutwhichtheArabsandtheAbyssinianshadwagedtheirrelentlessbattle。

Whatwasthereincommonbetweenthatpileofdirtymetalandthebeautiful，sparklingpebblesthathadformerlybeeninhispouch？Whatwasthemetal？

Fromwhencehaditcome？Whatwasthattantalizinghalf—convictionwhichseemedtodemandtherecognitionofhismemorythattheyellowpileforwhichthesemenhadfoughtanddiedhadbeenintimatelyconnectedwithhispast——thatithadbeenhis？

Whathadbeenhispast？Heshookhishead。Vaguelythememoryofhisapishchildhoodpassedslowlyinreview——

thencameastrangelytangledmassoffaces，figuresandeventswhichseemedtohavenorelationtoTarzanoftheApes，andyetwhichwere，evenintheirfragmentaryform，familiar。

Slowlyandpainfully，recollectionwasattemptingtoreassertitself，thehurtbrainwasmending，asthecauseofitsrecentfailuretofunctionwasbeingslowlyabsorbedorremovedbythehealingprocessesofperfectcirculation。

Thepeoplewhonowpassedbeforehismind’seyeforthefirsttimeinweeksworefamiliarfaces；butyethecouldneitherplacetheminthenichestheyhadoncefilledinhispastlife，norcallthembyname。Onewasafairshe，anditwasherfacewhichmostoftenmovedthroughthetangledrecollectionsofhisconvalescingbrain。Whowasshe？WhathadshebeentoTarzanoftheApes？HeseemedtoseeherabouttheveryspotuponwhichthepileofgoldhadbeenunearthedbytheAbyssinians；butthesurroundingswerevastlydifferentfromthosewhichnowobtained。

Therewasabuilding——thereweremanybuildings——andtherewerehedges，fences，andflowers。Tarzanpuckeredhisbrowinpuzzledstudyofthewonderfulproblem。Foraninstantheseemedtograspthewholeofatrueexplanation，andthen，justassuccesswaswithinhisgrasp，thepicturefadedintoajunglescenewhereanaked，whiteyouthdancedincompanywithabandofhairy，primordialape—things。

Tarzanshookhisheadandsighed。Whywasitthathecouldnotrecollect？Atleasthewassurethatinsomewaythepileofgold，theplacewhereitlay，thesubtlearomaoftheelusiveshehehadbeenpursuing，thememoryfigureofthewhitewoman，andhehimself，wereinextricablyconnectedbythetiesofaforgottenpast。

Ifthewomanbelongedthere，whatbetterplacetosearchorawaitherthantheveryspotwhichhisbrokenrecollectionsseemedtoassigntoher？Itwasworthtrying。Tarzanslippedthethongoftheemptypouchoverhisshoulderandstartedoffthroughthetreesinthedirectionoftheplain。

AttheoutskirtsoftheforesthemettheArabsreturninginsearchofAchmetZek。Hiding，heletthempass，andthenresumedhiswaytowardthecharredruinsofthehomehehadbeenalmostuponthepointofrecallingtohismemory。

Hisjourneyacrosstheplainwasinterruptedbythediscoveryofasmallherdofantelopeinalittleswale，wherethecoverandthewindwerewellcombinedtomakestalkingeasy。Afatyearlingrewardedahalfhourofstealthycreepingandasudden，savagerush，anditwaslateintheafternoonwhentheape—mansettledhimselfuponhishaunchesbesidehiskilltoenjoythefruitsofhisskill，hiscunning，andhisprowess。

Hishungersatisfied，thirstnextclaimedhisattention。Theriverluredhimbytheshortestpathtowarditsrefreshingwaters，andwhenhehaddrunk，nightalreadyhadfallenandhewassomehalfmileormoredownstreamfromthepointwherehehadseenthepileofyellowingots，andwherehehopedtomeetthememorywoman，orfindsomeclewtoherwhereaboutsorheridentity。

Tothejunglebred，timeisusuallyamatterofsmallmoment，andhaste，exceptwhenengenderedbyterror，byrage，orbyhunger，isdistasteful。Todaywasgone。

Thereforetomorrow，ofwhichtherewasaninfiniteprocession，wouldansweradmirablyforTarzan’sfurtherquest。And，besides，theape—manwastiredandwouldsleep。

Atreeaffordedhimthesafety，seclusionandcomfortsofawell—appointedbedchamber，andtothechorusofthehuntersandthehuntedofthewildriverbankhesoondroppedoffintodeepslumber。

Morningfoundhimbothhungryandthirstyagain，anddroppingfromhistreehemadehiswaytothedrinkingplaceattheriver’sedge。TherehefoundNuma，thelion，aheadofhim。Thebigfellowwaslappingthewatergreedily，andattheapproachofTarzanalongthetrailinhisrear，heraisedhishead，andturninghisgazebackwardacrosshismanedshouldersglaredattheintruder。Alowgrowlofwarningrumbledfromhisthroat；butTarzan，guessingthatthebeasthadbutjustquittedhiskillandwaswellfilled，merelymadeaslightdetourandcontinuedtotheriver，wherehestoppedafewyardsabovethetawnycat，anddroppinguponhishandsandkneesplungedhisfaceintothecoolwater。Foramomentthelioncontinuedtoeyetheman；

thenheresumedhisdrinking，andmanandbeastquenchedtheirthirstsidebysideeachapparentlyobliviousoftheother’spresence。

Numawasthefirsttofinish。Raisinghishead，hegazedacrosstheriverforafewminuteswiththatstonyfixityofattentionwhichisacharacteristicofhiskind。Butfortherufflingofhisblackmanetothetouchofthepassingbreezehemighthavebeenwroughtfromgoldenbronze，somotionless，sostatuesquehispose。

Adeepsighfromthecavernouslungsdispelledtheillusion。Themightyheadswungslowlyarounduntiltheyelloweyesrestedupontheman。Thebristledlipcurvedupward，exposingyellowfangs。Anotherwarninggrowlvibratedtheheavyjowls，andthekingofbeaststurnedmajesticallyaboutandpacedslowlyupthetrailintothedensereeds。

TarzanoftheApesdrankon，butfromthecornersofhisgrayeyeshewatchedthegreatbrute’severymoveuntilhehaddisappearedfromview，and，after，hiskeenearsmarkedthemovementsofthecarnivore。

Aplungeintheriverwasfollowedbyascantbreakfastofeggswhichchancediscoveredtohim，andthenhesetoffuprivertowardtheruinsofthebungalowwherethegoldeningotshadmarkedthecenterofyesterday’sbattle。

Andwhenhecameuponthespot，greatwashissurpriseandconsternation，fortheyellowmetalhaddisappeared。Theearth，trampledbythefeetofhorsesandmen，gavenoclew。Itwasasthoughtheingotshadevaporatedintothinair。

Theape—manwasatalosstoknowwheretoturnorwhatnexttodo。Therewasnosignofanyspoorwhichmightdenotethattheshehadbeenhere。Themetalwasgone，andiftherewasanyconnectionbetweenthesheandthemetalitseemeduselesstowaitforhernowthatthelatterhadbeenremovedelsewhere。

Everythingseemedtoeludehim——theprettypebbles，theyellowmetal，theshe，hismemory。Tarzanwasdisgusted。HewouldgobackintothejungleandlookforChulk，andsoheturnedhisstepsoncemoretowardtheforest。Hemovedrapidly，swingingacrosstheplaininalong，easytrot，andattheedgeoftheforest，takingtothetreeswiththeagilityandspeedofasmallmonkey。

Hisdirectionwasaimless——hemerelyracedonandonthroughthejungle，thejoyofunfetteredactionhisprincipalurge，withthehopeofstumblinguponsomeclewtoChulkortheshe，asecondaryincentive。

Fortwodaysheroamedabout，killing，eating，drinkingandsleepingwhereverinclinationandthemeanstoindulgeitoccurredsimultaneously。Itwasuponthemorningofthethirddaythatthescentspoorofhorseandmanwerewaftedfaintlytohisnostrils。Instantlyhealteredhiscoursetoglidesilentlythroughthebranchesinthedirectionfromwhichthescentcame。

Itwasnotlongbeforehecameuponasolitaryhorsemanridingtowardtheeast。Instantlyhiseyesconfirmedwhathisnosehadpreviouslysuspected——theriderwashewhohadstolenhisprettypebbles。Thelightofrageflaredsuddenlyinthegrayeyesastheape—mandroppedloweramongthebranchesuntilhemovedalmostdirectlyabovetheunconsciousWerper。

Therewasaquickleap，andtheBelgianfeltaheavybodyhurtleontotherumpofhisterror—strickenmount。

Thehorse，snorting，leapedforward。Giantarmsencircledtherider，andinthetwinklingofaneyehewasdraggedfromhissaddletofindhimselflyinginthenarrowtrailwithanaked，whitegiantkneelinguponhisbreast。

RecognitioncametoWerperwiththefirstglanceathiscaptor’sface，andapalloroffearoverspreadhisfeatures。Strongfingerswereathisthroat，fingersofsteel。Hetriedtocryout，topleadforhislife；

butthecruelfingersdeniedhimspeech，astheywereassurelydenyinghimlife。

"Theprettypebbles？"criedthemanuponhisbreast。

"Whatdidyouwiththeprettypebbles——withTarzan’sprettypebbles？"

Thefingersrelaxedtopermitareply。ForsometimeWerpercouldonlychokeandcough——atlastheregainedthepowersofspeech。

"AchmetZek，theArab，stolethemfromme，"hecried；

"hemademegiveupthepouchandthepebbles。"

"Isawallthat，"repliedTarzan；"butthepebblesinthepouchwerenotthepebblesofTarzan——theywereonlysuchpebblesasfillthebottomsoftherivers，andtheshelvingbanksbesidethem。EventheArabwouldnothavethem，forhethrewthemawayinangerwhenhehadlookeduponthem。ItismyprettypebblesthatIwant——wherearethey？"

"Idonotknow，Idonotknow，"criedWerper。"IgavethemtoAchmetZekorhewouldhavekilledme。Afewminuteslaterhefollowedmealongthetrailtoslayme，althoughhehadpromisedtomolestmenofurther，andIshotandkilledhim；butthepouchwasnotuponhispersonandthoughIsearchedaboutthejungleforsometimeIcouldnotfindit。"

"Ifoundit，Itellyou，"growledTarzan，"andIalsofoundthepebbleswhichAchmetZekhadthrownawayindisgust。TheywerenotTarzan’spebbles。Youhavehiddenthem！TellmewheretheyareorIwillkillyou，"andthebrownfingersoftheape—manclosedalittletighteruponthethroatofhisvictim。

Werperstruggledtofreehimself。"MyGod，LordGreystoke，"hemanagedtoscream，"wouldyoucommitmurderforahandfulofstones？"

Thefingersathisthroatrelaxed，apuzzled，far—awayexpressionsoftenedthegrayeyes。

"LordGreystoke！"repeatedtheape—man。"LordGreystoke！WhoisLordGreystoke？WherehaveIheardthatnamebefore？"

"Whyman，youareLordGreystoke，"criedtheBelgian。

"YouwereinjuredbyafallingrockwhentheearthquakeshatteredthepassagetotheundergroundchambertowhichyouandyourblackWazirihadcometofetchgoldeningotsbacktoyourbungalow。Theblowshatteredyourmemory。YouareJohnClayton，LordGreystoke——don’tyouremember？"

"JohnClayton，LordGreystoke！"repeatedTarzan。Thenforamomenthewassilent。Presentlyhishandwentfalteringlytohisforehead，anexpressionofwondermentfilledhiseyes——ofwondermentandsuddenunderstanding。Theforgottennamehadreawakenedthereturningmemorythathadbeenstrugglingtoreassertitself。Theape—manrelinquishedhisgraspuponthethroatoftheBelgian，andleapedtohisfeet。

"God！"hecried，andthen，"Jane！"SuddenlyheturnedtowardWerper。"Mywife？"heasked。"Whathasbecomeofher？Thefarmisinruins。Youknow。Youhavehadsomethingtodowithallthis。YoufollowedmetoOpar，youstolethejewelswhichIthoughtbutprettypebbles。Youareacrook！Donottrytotellmethatyouarenot。"

"Heisworsethanacrook，"saidaquietvoiceclosebehindthem。

Tarzanturnedinastonishmenttoseeatallmaninuniformstandinginthetrailafewpacesfromhim。

BackofthemanwereanumberofblacksoldiersintheuniformoftheCongoFreeState。

"Heisamurderer，Monsieur，"continuedtheofficer。

"Ihavefollowedhimforalongtimetotakehimbacktostandtrialforthekillingofhissuperiorofficer。"

Werperwasuponhisfeetnow，gazing，whiteandtrembling，atthefatewhichhadovertakenhimeveninthefastnessofthelabyrinthinejungle。Instinctivelyheturnedtoflee；butTarzanoftheApesreachedoutastronghandandgraspedhimbytheshoulder。

"Wait！"saidtheape—mantohiscaptive。"Thisgentlemanwishesyou，andsodoI。WhenIamthroughwithyou，hemayhaveyou。Tellmewhathasbecomeofmywife。"

TheBelgianofficereyedthealmostnaked，whitegiantwithcuriosity。Henotedthestrangecontrastofprimitiveweaponsandapparel，andtheeasy，fluentFrenchwhichthemanspoke。Theformerdenotedthelowest，thelatterthehighesttypeofculture。Hecouldnotquitedeterminethesocialstatusofthisstrangecreature；butheknewthathedidnotrelishtheeasyassurancewithwhichthefellowpresumedtodictatewhenhemighttakepossessionoftheprisoner。

"Pardonme，"hesaid，steppingforwardandplacinghishandonWerper’sothershoulder；"butthisgentlemanismyprisoner。Hemustcomewithme。"

"WhenIamthroughwithhim，"repliedTarzan，quietly。

Theofficerturnedandbeckonedtothesoldiersstandinginthetrailbehindhim。Acompanyofuniformedblackssteppedquicklyforwardandpushingpastthethree，surroundedtheape—manandhiscaptive。

"Boththelawandthepowertoenforceitareuponmyside，"announcedtheofficer。"Letushavenotrouble。

Ifyouhaveagrievanceagainstthismanyoumayreturnwithmeandenteryourchargeregularlybeforeanauthorizedtribunal。"

"Yourlegalrightsarenotabovesuspicion，myfriend，"

repliedTarzan，"andyourpowertoenforceyourcommandsareonlyapparent——notreal。YouhavepresumedtoenterBritishterritorywithanarmedforce。Whereisyourauthorityforthisinvasion？

Wherearetheextraditionpaperswhichwarrantthearrestofthisman？AndwhatassurancehaveyouthatI

cannotbringanarmedforceaboutyouthatwillpreventyourreturntotheCongoFreeState？"

TheBelgianlosthistemper。"Ihavenodispositiontoarguewithanakedsavage，"hecried。"Unlessyouwishtobehurtyouwillnotinterferewithme。Taketheprisoner，Sergeant！"

WerperraisedhislipsclosetoTarzan’sear。"Keepmefromthem，andIcanshowyoutheveryspotwhereIsawyourwifelastnight，"hewhispered。"Shecannotbefarfromhereatthisveryminute。"

Thesoldiers，followingthesignalfromtheirsergeant，closedintoseizeWerper。TarzangrabbedtheBelgianaboutthewaist，andbearinghimbeneathhisarmashemighthaveborneasackofflour，leapedforwardinanattempttobreakthroughthecordon。Hisrightfistcaughtthenearestsoldieruponthejawandsenthimhurtlingbackwarduponhisfellows。Clubbedriflesweretornfromthehandsofthosewhobarredhisway，andrightandlefttheblacksoldiersstumbledasideinthefaceoftheape—man’ssavagebreakforliberty。

Socompletelydidtheblackssurroundthetwothattheydarednotfireforfearofhittingoneoftheirownnumber，andTarzanwasalreadythroughthemanduponthepointofdodgingintotheconcealingmazesofthejunglewhenonewhohadsneakeduponhimfrombehindstruckhimaheavyblowupontheheadwitharifle。

Inaninstanttheape—manwasdownandadozenblacksoldierswereuponhisback。Whenheregainedconsciousnesshefoundhimselfsecurelybound，aswasWerperalso。TheBelgianofficer，successhavingcrownedhisefforts，wasingoodhumor，andinclinedtochaffhisprisonersabouttheeasewithwhichtheyhadbeencaptured；butfromTarzanoftheApesheelicitednoresponse。Werper，however，wasvolubleinhisprotests。HeexplainedthatTarzanwasanEnglishlord；buttheofficeronlylaughedattheassertion，andadvisedhisprisonertosavehisbreathforhisdefenseincourt。

AssoonasTarzanregainedhissensesanditwasfoundthathewasnotseriouslyinjured，theprisonerswerehastenedintolineandthereturnmarchtowardtheCongoFreeStateboundarycommenced。

Towardeveningthecolumnhaltedbesideastream，madecampandpreparedtheeveningmeal。Fromthethickfoliageofthenearbyjungleapairoffierceeyeswatchedtheactivitiesoftheuniformedblackswithsilentintensityandcuriosity。Frombeneathbeetlingbrowsthecreaturesawthebomaconstructed，thefiresbuilt，andthesupperprepared。

TarzanandWerperhadbeenlyingboundbehindasmallpileofknapsacksfromthetimethatthecompanyhadhalted；butwiththepreparationofthemealcompleted，theirguardorderedthemtoriseandcomeforwardtooneofthefireswheretheirhandswouldbeunfetteredthattheymighteat。

Asthegiantape—manrose，astartledexpressionofrecognitionenteredtheeyesofthewatcherinthejungle，andalowgutturalbrokefromthesavagelips。

InstantlyTarzanwasalert，buttheansweringgrowldieduponhislips，suppressedbythefearthatitmightarousethesuspicionsofthesoldiers。

Suddenlyaninspirationcametohim。HeturnedtowardWerper。

"Iamgoingtospeaktoyouinaloudvoiceandinatonguewhichyoudonotunderstand。AppeartolistenintentlytowhatIsay，andoccasionallymumblesomethingasthoughreplyinginthesamelanguage——ourescapemayhingeuponthesuccessofyourefforts。"

Werpernoddedinassentandunderstanding，andimmediatelytherebrokefromthelipsofhiscompanionastrangejargonwhichmighthavebeencomparedwithequalproprietytothebarkingandgrowlingofadogandthechatteringofmonkeys。

Thenearersoldierslookedinsurpriseattheape—man。

Someofthemlaughed，whileothersdrewawayinevidentsuperstitiousfear。TheofficerapproachedtheprisonerswhileTarzanwasstilljabbering，andhaltedbehindthem，listeninginperplexedinterest。WhenWerpermumbledsomeridiculousjargoninreplyhiscuriositybrokebounds，andhesteppedforward，demandingtoknowwhatlanguageitwasthattheyspoke。

Tarzanhadgaugedthemeasureoftheman’sculturefromthenatureandqualityofhisconversationduringthemarch，andherestedthesuccessofhisreplyupontheestimatehehadmade。

"Greek，"heexplained。

"Oh，IthoughtitwasGreek，"repliedtheofficer；"butithasbeensomanyyearssinceIstudieditthatIwasnotsure。Infuture，however，IwillthankyoutospeakinalanguagewhichIammorefamiliarwith。"

Werperturnedhisheadtohideagrin，whisperingtoTarzan："ItwasGreektohimallright——andtome，too。"

Butoneoftheblacksoldiersmumbledinalowvoicetoacompanion："Ihaveheardthosesoundsbefore——onceatnightwhenIwaslostinthejungle，Iheardthehairymenofthetreestalkingamongthemselves，andtheirwordswerelikethewordsofthiswhiteman。Iwishthatwehadnotfoundhim。Heisnotamanatall——heisabadspirit，andweshallhavebadluckifwedonotlethimgo，"andthefellowrolledhiseyesfearfullytowardthejungle。

Hiscompanionlaughednervously，andmovedaway，torepeattheconversation，withvariationsandexaggerations，toothersoftheblacksoldiery，sothatitwasnotlongbeforeafrightfultaleofblackmagicandsuddendeathwaswovenaboutthegiantprisoner，andhadgonetheroundsofthecamp。

Anddeepinthegloomyjungleamidstthedarkeningshadowsofthefallingnightahairy，manlikecreatureswungswiftlysouthwarduponsomesecretmissionofhisown。

ANightofTerrorToJaneClayton，waitinginthetreewhereWerperhadplacedher，itseemedthatthelongnightwouldneverend，yetenditdidatlast，andwithinanhourofthecomingofdawnherspiritsleapedwithrenewedhopeatsightofasolitaryhorsemanapproachingalongthetrail。

Theflowingburnoose，withitsloosehood，hidboththefaceandthefigureoftherider；butthatitwasM。

Frecoultthegirlwellknew，sincehehadbeengarbedasanArab，andhealonemightbeexpectedtoseekherhidingplace。

Thatwhichshesawrelievedthestrainofthelongnightvigil；buttherewasmuchthatshedidnotsee。

Shedidnotseetheblackfacebeneaththewhitehood，northefileofebonhorsemenbeyondthetrail’sbendridingslowlyinthewakeoftheirleader。Thesethingsshedidnotseeatfirst，andsosheleaneddownwardtowardtheapproachingrider，acryofwelcomeforminginherthroat。

Atthefirstwordthemanlookedup，reiningininsurprise，andasshesawtheblackfaceofAbdulMourak，theAbyssinian，sheshrankbackinterroramongthebranches；butitwastoolate。Themanhadseenher，andnowhecalledtohertodescend。Atfirstsherefused；butwhenadozenblackcavalrymendrewupbehindtheirleader，andatAbdulMourak’scommandoneofthemstartedtoclimbthetreeafterhersherealizedthatresistancewasfutile，andcameslowlydowntostanduponthegroundbeforethisnewcaptorandpleadhercauseinthenameofjusticeandhumanity。

Angeredbyrecentdefeat，andbythelossofthegold，thejewels，andhisprisoners，AbdulMourakwasinnomoodtobeinfluencedbyanyappealtothosesoftersentimentstowhich，asamatteroffact，hewasalmostastrangerevenunderthemostfavourableconditions。

HelookedfordegradationandpossibledeathinpunishmentforhisfailuresandhismisfortuneswhenheshouldhavereturnedtohisnativelandandmadehisreporttoMenelek；butanacceptablegiftmighttemperthewrathoftheemperor，andsurelythisfairflowerofanotherraceshouldbegratefullyreceivedbytheblackruler！

WhenJaneClaytonhadconcludedherappeal，AbdulMourakrepliedbrieflythathewouldpromiseherprotection；butthathemusttakehertohisemperor。

Thegirldidnotneedaskhimwhy，andonceagainhopediedwithinherbreast。Resignedlyshepermittedherselftobeliftedtoaseatbehindoneofthetroopers，andagain，undernewmasters，herjourneywasresumedtowardwhatshenowbegantobelievewasherinevitablefate。

AbdulMourak，bereftofhisguidesbythebattlehehadwagedagainsttheraiders，andhimselfunfamiliarwiththecountry，hadwanderedfarfromthetrailheshouldhavefollowed，andasaresulthadmadebutlittleprogresstowardthenorthsincethebeginningofhisflight。Todayhewasbeatingtowardthewestinthehopeofcominguponavillagewherehemightobtainguides；butnightfoundhimstillasfarfromarealizationofhishopesashadtherisingsun。

Itwasadispiritedcompanywhichwentintocamp，waterlessandhungry，inthedensejungle。Attractedbythehorses，lionsroaredabouttheboma，andtotheirhideousdinwasaddedtheshrillneighsoftheterror—strickenbeaststheyhunted。Therewaslittlesleepformanorbeast，andthesentriesweredoubledthattheremightbeenoughondutybothtoguardagainstthesuddenchargeofanoverbold，oroverhungrylion，andtokeepthefireblazingwhichwasanevenmoreeffectualbarrieragainstthemthanthethornyboma。

Itwaswellpastmidnight，andasyetJaneClayton，notwithstandingthatshehadpassedasleeplessnightthenightbefore，hadscarcelymorethandozed。A

senseofimpendingdangerseemedtohanglikeablackpalloverthecamp。Theveterantroopersoftheblackemperorwerenervousandillatease。AbdulMouraklefthisblanketsadozentimestopacerestlesslybackandforthbetweenthetetheredhorsesandthecracklingfire。Thegirlcouldseehisgreatframesilhouettedagainsttheluridglareoftheflames，andsheguessedfromthequick，nervousmovementsofthemanthathewasafraid。

Theroaringofthelionsroseinsuddenfuryuntiltheearthtrembledtothehideouschorus。Thehorsesshrilledtheirneighsofterrorastheylaybackupontheirhalterropesintheirmadendeavorstobreakloose。Atrooper，braverthanhisfellows，leapedamongthekicking，plunging，fear—maddenedbeastsinafutileattempttoquietthem。Alion，large，andfierce，andcourageous，leapedalmosttotheboma，fullinthebrightlightfromthefire。Asentryraisedhispieceandfired，andthelittleleadenpelletunstopperedthevialsofhellupontheterror—strickencamp。

Theshotploughedadeepandpainfulfurrowinthelion’sside，arousingallthebestialfuryofthelittlebrain；butabatingnotawhitthepowerandvigorofthegreatbody。

Unwounded，thebomaandtheflamesmighthaveturnedhimback；butnowthepainandtheragewipedcautionfromhismind，andwithaloud，andangryroarhetoppedthebarrierwithaneasyleapandwasamongthehorses。

Whathadbeenpandemoniumbeforebecamenowanindescribabletumultofhideoussound。Thestrickenhorseuponwhichthelionleapedshriekedoutitsterroranditsagony。Severalaboutitbroketheirtethersandplungedmadlyaboutthecamp。Menleapedfromtheirblanketsandwithgunsreadyrantowardthepicketline，andthenfromthejunglebeyondthebomaadozenlions，emboldenedbytheexampleoftheirfellowchargedfearlesslyuponthecamp。

Singlyandintwosandthreestheyleapedtheboma，untilthelittleenclosurewasfilledwithcursingmenandscreaminghorsesbattlingfortheirliveswiththegreen—eyeddevilsofthejungle。

Withthechargeofthefirstlion，JaneClaytonhadscrambledtoherfeet，andnowshestoodhorror—struckatthesceneofsavageslaughterthatswirledandeddiedabouther。Onceaboltinghorseknockedherdown，andamomentlateralion，leapinginpursuitofanotherterror—strickenanimal，brushedhersocloselythatshewasagainthrownfromherfeet。

Amidstthecrackingoftheriflesandthegrowlsofthecarnivorarosethedeathscreamsofstrickenmenandhorsesastheyweredraggeddownbytheblood—madcats。

Theleapingcarnivoraandtheplunginghorses，preventedanyconcertedactionbytheAbyssinians——itwaseverymanforhimself——andinthemelee，thedefenselesswomanwaseitherforgottenorignoredbyherblackcaptors。Ascoreoftimeswasherlifemenacedbycharginglions，byplunginghorses，orbythewildlyfiredbulletsofthefrightenedtroopers，yettherewasnochanceofescape，fornowwiththefiendishcunningoftheirkind，thetawnyhunterscommencedtocircleabouttheirprey，hemmingthemwithinaringofmighty，yellowfangs，andsharp，longtalons。Againandagainanindividuallionwoulddashsuddenlyamongthefrightenedmenandhorses，andoccasionallyahorse，goadedtofrenzybypainorterror，succeededinracingsafelythroughthecirclinglions，leapingtheboma，andescapingintothejungle；

butforthemenandthewomannosuchescapewaspossible。

Ahorse，struckbyastraybullet，fellbesideJaneClayton，alionleapedacrosstheexpiringbeastfulluponthebreastofablacktrooperjustbeyond。Themanclubbedhisrifleandstruckfutilelyatthebroadhead，andthenhewasdownandthecarnivorewasstandingabovehim。

Shriekingouthisterror，thesoldierclawedwithpunyfingersattheshaggybreastinvainendeavortopushawaythegrinningjaws。Thelionloweredhishead，thegapingfangsclosedwithasinglesickeningcrunchuponthefear—distortedface，andturningstrodebackacrossthebodyofthedeadhorsedragginghislimpandbloodyburdenwithhim。

Wide—eyedthegirlstoodwatching。Shesawthecarnivorestepuponthecorpse，stumblingly，asthegrislythingswungbetweenitsforepaws，andhereyesremainedfixedinfascinationwhilethebeastpassedwithinafewpacesofher。

Theinterferenceofthebodyseemedtoenragethelion。

Heshooktheinanimateclayvenomously。Hegrowledandroaredhideouslyatthedead，insensatething，andthenhedroppeditandraisedhisheadtolookaboutinsearchofsomelivingvictimuponwhichtowreakhisilltemper。Hisyelloweyesfastenedthemselvesbalefullyuponthefigureofthegirl，thebristlinglipsraised，disclosingthegrinningfangs。Aterrificroarbrokefromthesavagethroat，andthegreatbeastcrouchedtospringuponthisnewandhelplessvictim。

QuiethadfallenearlyuponthecampwhereTarzanandWerperlaysecurelybound。Twonervoussentriespacedtheirbeats，theireyesrollingoftentowardtheimpenetrableshadowsofthegloomyjungle。Theotherssleptortriedtosleep——allbuttheape—man。Silentlyandpowerfullyhestrainedatthebondswhichfetteredhiswrists。

Themusclesknottedbeneaththesmooth，brownskinofhisarmsandshoulders，theveinsstoodoutuponhistemplesfromtheforceofhisexertions——astrandparted，anotherandanother，andonehandwasfree。

Thenfromthejunglecamealowguttural，andtheape—manbecamesuddenlyasilent，rigidstatue，withearsandnostrilsstrainingtospantheblackvoidwherehiseyesightcouldnotreach。

Againcametheuncannysoundfromthethickverdurebeyondthecamp。Asentryhaltedabruptly，straininghiseyesintothegloom。Thekinkywooluponhisheadstiffenedandraised。Hecalledtohiscomradeinahoarsewhisper。

"Didyouhearit？"heasked。

Theothercamecloser，trembling。

"Hearwhat？"

Againwastheweirdsoundrepeated，followedalmostimmediatelybyasimilarandansweringsoundfromthecamp。Thesentriesdrewclosetogether，watchingtheblackspotfromwhichthevoiceseemedtocome。

Treesoverhungthebomaatthispointwhichwasupontheoppositesideofthecampfromthem。Theydarednotapproach。Theirterrorevenpreventedthemfromarousingtheirfellows——theycouldonlystandinfrozenfearandwatchforthefearsomeapparitiontheymomentarilyexpectedtoseeleapfromthejungle。

Norhadtheylongtowait。Adim，bulkyformdroppedlightlyfromthebranchesofatreeintothecamp。Atsightofitoneofthesentriesrecoveredcommandofhismusclesandhisvoice。Screamingloudlytoawakenthesleepingcamp，heleapedtowardtheflickeringwatchfireandthrewamassofbrushuponit。

Thewhiteofficerandtheblacksoldierssprangfromtheirblankets。Theflamesleapedhighupontherejuvenatedfire，lightingtheentirecamp，andtheawakenedmenshrankbackinsuperstitiousterrorfromthesightthatmettheirfrightenedandastonishedvision。

Adozenhugeandhairyformsloomedlargebeneaththetreesatthefarsideoftheenclosure。Thewhitegiant，onehandfreed，hadstruggledtohiskneesandwascallingtothefrightful，nocturnalvisitorsinahideousmedleyofbestialgutturals，barkingsandgrowlings。

Werperhadmanagedtositup。He，too，sawthesavagefacesoftheapproachinganthropoidsandscarcelyknewwhethertoberelievedorterror—stricken。

Growling，thegreatapesleapedforwardtowardTarzanandWerper。Chulkledthem。TheBelgianofficercalledtohismentofireupontheintruders；buttheNegroesheldback，filledastheywerewithsuperstitiousterrorofthehairytreemen，andwiththeconvictionthatthewhitegiantwhocouldthussummonthebeastsofthejungletohisaidwasmorethanhuman。

Drawinghisownweapon，theofficerfired，andTarzanfearingtheeffectofthenoiseuponhisreallytimidfriendscalledtothemtohastenandfulfillhiscommands。

Acoupleoftheapesturnedandfledatthesoundofthefirearm；butChulkandahalfdozenotherswaddledrapidlyforward，and，followingtheape—man’sdirections，seizedbothhimandWerperandborethemofftowardthejungle。

Bydintofthreats，reproachesandprofanitytheBelgianofficersucceededinpersuadinghistremblingcommandtofireavolleyaftertheretreatingapes。A

ragged，stragglingvolleyitwas，butatleastoneofitsbulletsfoundamark，forasthejungleclosedaboutthehairyrescuers，Chulk，whoboreWerperacrossonebroadshoulder，staggeredandfell。

Inaninstanthewasupagain；buttheBelgianguessedfromhisunsteadygaitthathewashardhit。Helaggedfarbehindtheothers，anditwasseveralminutesaftertheyhadhaltedatTarzan’scommandbeforehecameslowlyuptothem，reelingfromsidetoside，andatlastfallingagainbeneaththeweightofhisburdenandtheshockofhiswound。

AsChulkwentdownhedroppedWerper，sothatthelatterfellfacedownwardwiththebodyoftheapelyinghalfacrosshim。InthispositiontheBelgianfeltsomethingrestingagainsthishands，whichwerestillboundathisback——somethingthatwasnotapartofthehairybodyoftheape。

Mechanicallytheman’sfingersfeltoftheobjectrestingalmostintheirgrasp——itwasasoftpouch，filledwithsmall，hardparticles。Werpergaspedinwondermentasrecognitionfilteredthroughtheincredulityofhismind。Itwasimpossible，andyet——

itwastrue！

Feverishlyhestrovetoremovethepouchfromtheapeandtransferittohisownpossession；buttherestrictedradiustowhichhisbondsheldhishandspreventedthis，thoughhedidsucceedintuckingthepouchwithitspreciouscontentsinsidethewaistbandofhistrousers。

Tarzan，sittingatashortdistance，wasbusywiththeremainingknotsofthecordswhichboundhim。

Presentlyheflungasidethelastofthemandrosetohisfeet。ApproachingWerperhekneltbesidehim。Foramomentheexaminedtheape。

"Quitedead，"heannounced。"Itistoobad——hewasasplendidcreature，"andthenheturnedtotheworkofliberatingtheBelgian。

Hefreedhishandsfirst，andthencommencedupontheknotsathisankles。

"Icandotherest，"saidtheBelgian。"Ihaveasmallpocketknifewhichtheyoverlookedwhentheysearchedme，"andinthiswayhesucceededinriddinghimselfoftheape—man’sattentionsthathemightfindandopenhislittleknifeandcutthethongwhichfastenedthepouchaboutChulk’sshoulder，andtransferitfromhiswaistbandtothebreastofhisshirt。ThenheroseandapproachedTarzan。

Onceagainhadavariceclaimedhim。ForgottenwerethegoodintentionswhichtheconfidenceofJaneClaytoninhishonorhadawakened。Whatshehaddone，thelittlepouchhadundone。Howithadcomeuponthepersonofthegreatape，Werpercouldnotimagine，unlessithadbeenthattheanthropoidhadwitnessedhisfightwithAchmetZek，seentheArabwiththepouchandtakenitawayfromhim；butthatthispouchcontainedthejewelsofOpar，Werperwaspositive，andthatwasallthatinterestedhimgreatly。

"Now，"saidtheape—man，"keepyourpromisetome。

Leadmetothespotwhereyoulastsawmywife。"

Itwasslowworkpushingthroughthejungleinthedeadofnightbehindtheslow—movingBelgian。Theape—manchafedatthedelay，buttheEuropeancouldnotswingthroughthetreesascouldhismoreagileandmuscularcompanions，andsothespeedofallwaslimitedtothatoftheslowest。

Theapestrailedoutbehindthetwowhitemenforamatterofafewmiles；butpresentlytheirinterestlagged，theforemostofthemhaltedinalittlegladeandtheothersstoppedathisside。Theretheysatpeeringfrombeneaththeirshaggybrowsatthefiguresofthetwomenforgingsteadilyahead，untilthelatterdisappearedintheleafytrailbeyondtheclearing。

Thenanapesoughtacomfortablecouchbeneathatree，andonebyonetheothersfollowedhisexample，sothatWerperandTarzancontinuedtheirjourneyalone；norwasthelattereithersurprisedorconcerned。

Thetwohadgonebutashortdistancebeyondthegladewheretheapeshaddesertedthem，whentheroaringofdistantlionsfellupontheirears。Theape—manpaidnoattentiontothefamiliarsoundsuntilthecrackofariflecamefaintlyfromthesamedirection，andwhenthiswasfollowedbytheshrillneighingofhorses，andanalmostcontinuousfusilladeofshotsintermingledwithincreasedandsavageroaringofalargetroopoflions，hebecameimmediatelyconcerned。

"Someoneishavingtroubleoverthere，"hesaid，turningtowardWerper。"I’llhavetogotothem——theymaybefriends。"

"Yourwifemightbeamongthem，"suggestedtheBelgian，forsincehehadagaincomeintopossessionofthepouchhehadbecomefearfulandsuspiciousoftheape—man，andinhismindhadconstantlyrevolvedmanyplansforeludingthisgiantEnglishman，whowasatoncehissaviorandhiscaptor。

AtthesuggestionTarzanstartedasthoughstruckwithawhip。

"God！"hecried，"shemightbe，andthelionsareattackingthem——theyareinthecamp。Icantellfromthescreamsofthehorses——andthere！thatwasthecryofamaninhisdeathagonies。Stayhereman——Iwillcomebackforyou。Imustgofirsttothem，"andswingingintoatreethelithefigureswungrapidlyoffintothenightwiththespeedandsilenceofadisembodiedspirit。

ForamomentWerperstoodwheretheape—manhadlefthim。Thenacunningsmilecrossedhislips。"Stayhere？"heaskedhimself。"Stayhereandwaituntilyoureturntofindandtakethesejewelsfromme？NotI，myfriend，notI，"andturningabruptlyeastwardAlbertWerperpassedthroughthefoliageofahangingvineandoutofthesightofhisfellow—man——forever。

HomeAsTarzanoftheApeshurtledthroughthetreesthediscordantsoundsofthebattlebetweentheAbyssiniansandthelionssmotemoreandmoredistinctlyuponhissensitiveears，redoublinghisassurancethattheplightofthehumanelementoftheconflictwascriticalindeed。

Atlasttheglareofthecampfireshoneplainlythroughtheinterveningtrees，andamomentlaterthegiantfigureoftheape—manpauseduponanoverhangingboughtolookdownuponthebloodysceneofcarnagebelow。

Hisquickeyetookinthewholescenewithasinglecomprehendingglanceandstoppeduponthefigureofawomanstandingfacingagreatlionacrossthecarcassofahorse。

ThecarnivorewascrouchingtospringasTarzandiscoveredthetragictableau。Numawasalmostbeneaththebranchuponwhichtheape—manstood，nakedandunarmed。Therewasnotevenaninstant’shesitationuponthepartofthelatter——itwasasthoughhehadnotevenpausedinhisswiftprogressthroughthetrees，solightning—likehissurveyandcomprehensionofthescenebelowhim——soinstantaneoushisconsequentaction。

SohopelesshadseemedhersituationtoherthatJaneClaytonbutstoodinlethargicapathyawaitingtheimpactofthehugebodythatwouldhurlhertotheground——awaitingthemomentaryagonythatcrueltalonsandgrislyfangsmayinflictbeforethecomingofthemercifuloblivionwhichwouldendhersorrowandhersuffering。

Whatusetoattemptescape？Aswellfacethehideousendastobedraggeddownfrombehindinfutileflight。

Shedidnotevenclosehereyestoshutoutthefrightfulaspectofthatsnarlingface，andsoitwasthatasshesawthelionpreparingtochargeshesaw，too，abronzedandmightyfigureleapfromanoverhangingtreeattheinstantthatNumaroseinhisspring。

Widewenthereyesinwonderandincredulity，asshebeheldthisseemingapparitionrisenfromthedead。

Thelionwasforgotten——herownperil——everythingsavethewondrousmiracleofthisstrangerecrudescence。

Withpartedlips，withpalmstightpressedagainstherheavingbosom，thegirlleanedforward，large—eyed，enthralledbythevisionofherdeadmate。

Shesawthesinewyformleaptotheshoulderofthelion，hurtlingagainsttheleapingbeastlikeahuge，animatebatteringram。Shesawthecarnivorebrushedasideashewasalmostuponher，andintheinstantsherealizedthatnosubstancelesswraithcouldthusturnthechargeofamaddenedlionwithbruteforcegreaterthanthebrute’s。

Tarzan，herTarzan，lived！Acryofunspeakablegladnessbrokefromherlips，onlytodieinterrorasshesawtheutterdefenselessnessofhermate，andrealizedthatthelionhadrecoveredhimselfandwasturninguponTarzaninmadlustforvengeance。

Attheape—man’sfeetlaythediscardedrifleofthedeadAbyssinianwhosemutilatedcorpsesprawledwhereNumahadabandonedit。Thequickglancewhichhadsweptthegroundforsomeweaponofdefensediscoveredit，andasthelionreareduponhishindlegstoseizetherashman—thingwhohaddaredinterposeitspunystrengthbetweenNumaandhisprey，theheavystockwhirredthroughtheairandsplintereduponthebroadforehead。

NotasanordinarymortalmightstrikeablowdidTarzanoftheApesstrike；butwiththemaddenedfrenzyofawildbeastbackedbythesteelthewswhichhiswild，arborealboyhoodhadbequeathedhim。Whentheblowendedthesplinteredstockwasdriventhroughthesplinteredskullintothesavagebrain，andtheheavyironbarrelwasbentintoarudeV。

Intheinstantthatthelionsank，lifeless，totheground，JaneClaytonthrewherselfintotheeagerarmsofherhusband。Forabriefinstanthestrainedherdearformtohisbreast，andthenaglanceabouthimawakenedtheape—mantothedangerswhichstillsurroundedthem。

Uponeveryhandthelionswerestillleapinguponnewvictims。Fear—maddenedhorsesstillmenacedthemwiththeirerraticboltingfromonesideoftheenclosuretotheother。Bulletsfromthegunsofthedefenderswhoremainedalivebutaddedtotheperilsoftheirsituation。

Toremainwastocourtdeath。TarzanseizedJaneClaytonandliftedhertoabroadshoulder。Theblackswhohadwitnessedhisadventlookedoninamazementastheysawthenakedgiantleapeasilyintothebranchesofthetreefromwhencehehaddroppedsouncannilyuponthescene，andvanishashehadcome，bearingawaytheirprisonerwithhim。

Theyweretoowelloccupiedinself—defensetoattempttohalthim，norcouldtheyhavedonesootherthanbythewastingofapreciousbulletwhichmightbeneededthenextinstanttoturnthechargeofasavagefoe。

Andso，unmolested，TarzanpassedfromthecampoftheAbyssinians，fromwhichthedinofconflictfollowedhimdeepintothejungleuntildistancegraduallyobliterateditentirely。

BacktothespotwherehehadleftWerperwenttheape—man，joyinhisheartnow，wherefearandsorrowhadsorecentlyreigned；andinhismindadeterminationtoforgivetheBelgianandaidhiminmakinggoodhisescape。Butwhenhecametotheplace，Werperwasgone，andthoughTarzancalledaloudmanytimeshereceivednoreply。Convincedthatthemanhadpurposelyeludedhimforreasonsofhisown，JohnClaytonfeltthathewasundernoobligationstoexposehiswifetofurtherdangeranddiscomfortintheprosecutionofamorethoroughsearchforthemissingBelgian。

"Hehasacknowledgedhisguiltbyhisflight，Jane，"hesaid。"Wewilllethimgotolieinthebedthathehasmadeforhimself。"

Straightashomingpigeons，thetwomadetheirwaytowardtheruinanddesolationthathadoncebeenthecenteroftheirhappylives，andwhichwassoontoberestoredbythewillingblackhandsoflaughinglaborers，madehappyagainbythereturnofthemasterandmistresswhomtheyhadmournedasdead。

PastthevillageofAchmetZektheirwayledthem，andtheretheyfoundbutthecharredremainsofthepalisadeandthenativehuts，stillsmoking，asmuteevidenceofthewrathandvengeanceofapowerfulenemy。

"TheWaziri，"commentedTarzanwithagrimsmile。

"Godblessthem！"criedJaneClayton。

"Theycannotbefaraheadofus，"saidTarzan，"Basuliandtheothers。ThegoldisgoneandthejewelsofOpar，Jane；butwehaveeachotherandtheWaziri——andwehaveloveandloyaltyandfriendship。Andwhataregoldandjewelstothese？"

"IfonlypoorMugambilived，"shereplied，"andthoseotherbravefellowswhosacrificedtheirlivesinvainendeavortoprotectme！"

Inthesilenceofmingledjoyandsorrowtheypassedalongthroughthefamiliarjungle，andastheafternoonwaswaningtherecamefaintlytotheearsoftheape—manthemurmuringcadenceofdistantvoices。

"WearenearingtheWaziri，Jane，"hesaid。"Icanhearthemaheadofus。Theyaregoingintocampforthenight，Iimagine。"

AhalfhourlaterthetwocameuponahordeofebonwarriorswhichBasulihadcollectedforhiswarofvengeanceupontheraiders。WiththemwerethecapturedwomenofthetribewhomtheyhadfoundinthevillageofAchmetZek，andtall，evenamongthegiantWaziri，loomedafamiliarblackformatthesideofBasuli。ItwasMugambi，whomJanehadthoughtdeadamidstthecharredruinsofthebungalow。

Ah，suchareunion！Longintothenightthedancingandthesingingandthelaughterawoketheechoesofthesomberwood。Againandagainwerethestoriesoftheirvariousadventuresretold。Againandonceagaintheyfoughttheirbattleswithsavagebeastandsavageman，anddawnwasalreadybreakingwhenBasuli，forthefortiethtime，narratedhowheandahandfulofhiswarriorshadwatchedthebattleforthegoldeningotswhichtheAbyssiniansofAbdulMourakhadwagedagainsttheArabraidersofAchmetZek，andhow，whenthevictorshadriddenawaytheyhadsneakedoutoftheriverreedsandstolenawaywiththepreciousingotstohidethemwherenorobbereyeevercoulddiscoverthem。

PiecedoutfromthefragmentsoftheirvariousexperienceswiththeBelgianthetruthconcerningthemalignactivitiesofAlbertWerperbecameapparent。

OnlyLadyGreystokefoundaughttopraiseintheconductoftheman，anditwasdifficultevenforhertoreconcilehismanyheinousactswiththisoneevidenceofchivalryandhonor。

"Deepinthesoulofeveryman，"saidTarzan，"mustlurkthegermofrighteousness。Itwasyourownvirtue，Jane，rathereventhanyourhelplessnesswhichawakenedforaninstantthelatentdecencyofthisdegradedman。Inthatoneactheretrievedhimself，andwhenheiscalledtofacehisMakermayitoutweighinthebalance，allthesinshehascommitted。"

AndJaneClaytonbreathedafervent，"Amen！"

Monthshadpassed。ThelaboroftheWaziriandthegoldofOparhadrebuiltandrefurnishedthewastedhomesteadoftheGreystokes。OncemorethesimplelifeofthegreatAfricanfarmwentonasithadbeforethecomingoftheBelgianandtheArab。Forgottenwerethesorrowsanddangersofyesterday。

ForthefirsttimeinmonthsLordGreystokefeltthathemightindulgeinaholiday，andsoagreathuntwasorganizedthatthefaithfullaborersmightfeastincelebrationofthecompletionoftheirwork。

Initselfthehuntwasasuccess，andtendaysafteritsinauguration，awell—ladensafaritookupitsreturnmarchtowardtheWaziriplain。LordandLadyGreystokewithBasuliandMugambirodetogetherattheheadofthecolumn，laughingandtalkingtogetherinthateasyfamiliaritywhichcommoninterestsandmutualrespectbreedbetweenhonestandintelligentmenofanyraces。

JaneClayton’shorseshiedsuddenlyatanobjecthalfhiddeninthelonggrassesofanopenspaceinthejungle。Tarzan’skeeneyessoughtquicklyforanexplanationoftheanimal’saction。

"Whathavewehere？"hecried，swingingfromhissaddle，andamomentlaterthefourweregroupedaboutahumanskullandalittlelitterofwhitenedhumanbones。

Tarzanstoopedandliftedaleathernpouchfromthegrislyrelicsofaman。Thehardoutlinesofthecontentsbroughtanexclamationofsurprisetohislips。

"ThejewelsofOpar！"hecried，holdingthepouchaloft，"and，"pointingtothebonesathisfeet，"allthatremainsofWerper，theBelgian。"

Mugambilaughed。"Lookwithin，Bwana，"hecried，"andyouwillseewhatarethejewelsofOpar——youwillseewhattheBelgiangavehislifefor，"andtheblacklaughedaloud。

"Whydoyoulaugh？"askedTarzan。

"Because，"repliedMugambi，"IfilledtheBelgian’spouchwithrivergravelbeforeIescapedthecampoftheAbyssinianswhoseprisonerswewere。IlefttheBelgianonlyworthlessstones，whileIbroughtawaywithmethejewelshehadstolenfromyou。ThattheywereafterwardstolenfrommewhileIsleptinthejungleismyshameandmydisgrace；butatleasttheBelgianlostthem——openhispouchandyouwillsee。"

Tarzanuntiedthethongwhichheldthemouthoftheleathernbagclosed，andpermittedthecontentstotrickleslowlyforthintohisopenpalm。Mugambi’seyeswentwideatthesight，andtheothersutteredexclamationsofsurpriseandincredulity，forfromtherustyandweatherwornpouchranastreamofbrilliant，scintillatinggems。

"ThejewelsofOpar！"criedTarzan。"ButhowdidWerpercomebythemagain？"

Nonecouldanswer，forbothChulkandWerperweredead，andnootherknew。

"Poordevil！"saidtheape—man，asheswungbackintohissaddle。"Evenindeathhehasmaderestitution——

lethissinsliewithhisbones。"