第1章

1Tarzan’sFirstLove2TheCaptureofTarzan3TheFightfortheBalu4TheGodofTarzan5TarzanandtheBlackBoy6TheWitch-DoctorSeeksVengeance7TheEndofBukawai8TheLion9TheNightmare10TheBattleforTeeka11AJungleJoke12TarzanRescuestheMoon1

Tarzan’sFirstLoveTEEKA，STRETCHEDATluxuriouseaseintheshadeofthetropicalforest，presented，unquestionably，amostalluringpictureofyoung，feminineloveliness。OratleastsothoughtTarzanoftheApes，whosquatteduponalow-swingingbranchinanear-bytreeandlookeddownuponher。

Justtohaveseenhimthere，lollingupontheswayingboughofthejungle-forestgiant，hisbrownskinmottledbythebrilliantequatorialsunlightwhichpercolatedthroughtheleafycanopyofgreenabovehim，hisclean-limbedbodyrelaxedingracefulease，hisshapelyheadpartlyturnedincontemplativeabsorptionandhisintelligent，grayeyesdreamilydevouringtheobjectoftheirdevotion，youwouldhavethoughthimthereincarnationofsomedemigodofold。

Youwouldnothaveguessedthatininfancyhehadsuckledatthebreastofahideous，hairyshe-ape，northatinallhisconsciouspastsincehisparentshadpassedawayinthelittlecabinbythelandlockedharboratthejungle’sverge，hehadknownnootherassociatesthanthesullenbullsandthesnarlingcowsofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。

Nor，couldyouhavereadthethoughtswhichpassedthroughthatactive，healthybrain，thelongingsanddesiresandaspirationswhichthesightofTeekainspired，wouldyouhavebeenanymoreinclinedtogivecredencetotherealityoftheoriginoftheape-man。For，fromhisthoughtsalone，youcouldneverhavegleanedthetruth——thathehadbeenborntoagentleEnglishladyorthathissirehadbeenanEnglishnoblemanoftime-honoredlineage。

LosttoTarzanoftheApeswasthetruthofhisorigin。

ThathewasJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，withaseatintheHouseofLords，hedidnotknow，nor，knowing，wouldhaveunderstood。

Yes，Teekawasindeedbeautiful！

OfcourseKalahadbeenbeautiful——one’smotherisalwaysthat——butTeekawasbeautifulinawayallherown，anindescribablesortofwaywhichTarzanwasjustbeginningtosenseinarathervagueandhazymanner。

ForyearshadTarzanandTeekabeenplay-fellows，andTeekastillcontinuedtobeplayfulwhiletheyoungbullsofherownagewererapidlybecomingsurlyandmorose。Tarzan，ifhegavethemattermuchthoughtatall，probablyreasonedthathisgrowingattachmentfortheyoungfemalecouldbeeasilyaccountedforbythefactthatoftheformerplaymatessheandhealoneretainedanydesiretofrolicasofold。

Buttoday，ashesatgazinguponher，hefoundhimselfnotingthebeautiesofTeeka’sformandfeatures——somethingheneverhaddonebefore，sincenoneofthemhadaughttodowithTeeka’sabilitytoracenimblythroughthelowerterracesoftheforestintheprimitivegamesoftagandhide-and-go-seekwhichTarzan’sfertilebrainevolved。

Tarzanscratchedhishead，runninghisfingersdeepintotheshockofblackhairwhichframedhisshapely，boyishface——hescratchedhisheadandsighed。

Teeka’snew-foundbeautybecameassuddenlyhisdespair。

Heenviedherthehandsomecoatofhairwhichcoveredherbody。Hisownsmooth，brownhidehehatedwithahatredbornofdisgustandcontempt。Yearsbackhehadharboredahopethatsomedayhe，too，wouldbeclothedinhairaswereallhisbrothersandsisters；butoflatehehadbeenforcedtoabandonthedelectabledream。

ThentherewereTeeka’sgreatteeth，notsolargeasthemales，ofcourse，butstillmighty，handsomethingsbycomparisonwithTarzan’sfeeblewhiteones。Andherbeetlingbrows，andbroad，flatnose，andhermouth！Tarzanhadoftenpracticedmakinghismouthintoalittleroundcircleandthenpuffingouthischeekswhilehewinkedhiseyesrapidly；

buthefeltthathecouldneverdoitinthesamecuteandirresistiblewayinwhichTeekadidit。

Andashewatchedherthatafternoon，andwondered，ayoungbullapewhohadbeenlazilyforagingforfoodbeneaththedamp，mattedcarpetofdecayingvegetationattherootsofanear-bytreelumberedawkwardlyinTeeka’sdirection。TheotherapesofthetribeofKerchakmovedlistlesslyaboutorlolledrestfullyinthemiddayheatoftheequatorialjungle。FromtimetotimeoneoranotherofthemhadpassedclosetoTeeka，andTarzanhadbeenuninterested。WhywasitthenthathisbrowscontractedandhismusclestensedashesawTaugpausebesidetheyoungsheandthensquatdownclosetoher？

TarzanalwayshadlikedTaug。Sincechildhoodtheyhadrompedtogether。Sidebysidetheyhadsquattednearthewater，theirquick，strongfingersreadytoleapforthandseizePisah，thefish，shouldthatwarydenizenofthecooldepthsdartsurfacewardtothelureoftheinsectsTarzantosseduponthefaceofthepool。

TogethertheyhadbaitedTublatandteasedNuma，thelion。

Why，then，shouldTarzanfeeltheriseoftheshorthairsatthenapeofhisneckmerelybecauseTaugsatclosetoTeeka？

ItistruethatTaugwasnolongerthefrolicsomeapeofyesterday。Whenhissnarling-musclesbaredhisgiantfangsnoonecouldlongerimaginethatTaugwasinasplayfulamoodaswhenheandTarzanhadrolledupontheturfinmimicbattle。TheTaugoftodaywasahuge，sullenbullape，somberandforbidding。YetheandTarzanneverhadquarreled。

Forafewminutestheyoungape-manwatchedTaugpressclosertoTeeka。Hesawtheroughcaressofthehugepawasitstrokedthesleekshoulderoftheshe，andthenTarzanoftheApesslippedcatliketothegroundandapproachedthetwo。

Ashecamehisupperlipcurledintoasnarl，exposinghisfightingfangs，andadeepgrowlrumbledfromhiscavernouschest。Tauglookedup，battinghisblood-shoteyes。

TeekahalfraisedherselfandlookedatTarzan。

Didsheguessthecauseofhisperturbation？Whomaysay？Atanyrate，shewasfeminine，andsoshereachedupandscratchedTaugbehindoneofhissmall，flatears。

Tarzansaw，andintheinstantthathesaw，Teekawasnolongerthelittleplaymateofanhourago；insteadshewasawondrousthing——themostwondrousintheworld——andapossessionforwhichTarzanwouldfighttothedeathagainstTaugoranyotherwhodaredquestionhisrightofproprietorship。

Stooped，hismusclesrigidandonegreatshoulderturnedtowardtheyoungbull，TarzanoftheApessidlednearerandnearer。Hisfacewaspartlyaverted，buthiskeengrayeyesneverleftthoseofTaug，andashecame，hisgrowlsincreasedindepthandvolume。

Taugroseuponhisshortlegs，bristling。Hisfightingfangswerebared。He，too，sidled，stiff-legged，andgrowled。

"TeekaisTarzan’s，"saidtheape-man，inthelowgutturalsofthegreatanthropoids。

"TeekaisTaug’s，"repliedthebullape。

ThakaandNumgoandGunto，disturbedbythegrowlingsofthetwoyoungbulls，lookeduphalfapathetic，halfinterested。Theyweresleepy，buttheysensedafight。

Itwouldbreakthemonotonyofthehumdrumjunglelifetheyled。

CoiledabouthisshoulderswasTarzan’slonggrassrope，inhishandwasthehuntingknifeofthelong-deadfatherhehadneverknown。InTaug’slittlebrainlayagreatrespectfortheshinybitofsharpmetalwhichtheape-boyknewsowellhowtouse。WithithadheslainTublat，hisfiercefosterfather，andBolgani，thegorilla。

Taugknewthesethings，andsohecamewarily，circlingaboutTarzaninsearchofanopening。Thelatter，madecautiousbecauseofhislesserbulkandtheinferiorityofhisnaturalarmament，followedsimilartactics。

Foratimeitseemedthatthealtercationwouldfollowthewayofthemajorityofsuchdifferencesbetweenmembersofthetribeandthatoneofthemwouldfinallyloseinterestandwanderofftoprosecutesomeotherlineofendeavor。SuchmighthavebeentheendofithadtheCASUSBELLIbeenotherthanitwas；

butTeekawasflatteredattheattentionthatwasbeingdrawntoherandbythefactthatthesetwoyoungbullswerecontemplatingbattleonheraccount。SuchathingneverbeforehadoccurredinTeeka’sbrieflife。

Shehadseenotherbullsbattlingforotherandoldershes，andinthedepthofherwildlittleheartshehadlongedforthedaywhenthejunglegrasseswouldbereddenedwiththebloodofmortalcombatforherfairsake。

Sonowshesquatteduponherhaunchesandinsultedbothheradmirersimpartially。Shehurledtauntsatthemfortheircowardice，andcalledthemvilenames，suchasHistah，thesnake，andDango，thehyena。

ShethreatenedtocallMumgatochastisethemwithastick——Mumga，whowassooldthatshecouldnolongerclimbandsotoothlessthatshewasforcedtoconfineherdietalmostexclusivelytobananasandgrub-worms。

Theapeswhowerewatchingheardandlaughed。

Taugwasinfuriated。HemadeasuddenlungeforTarzan，buttheape-boyleapednimblytooneside，eludinghim，andwiththequicknessofacatwheeledandleapedbackagaintoclosequarters。Hishuntingknifewasraisedabovehisheadashecamein，andheaimedaviciousblowatTaug’sneck。Theapewheeledtododgetheweaponsothatthekeenbladestruckhimbutaglancingblowupontheshoulder。

ThespurtofredbloodbroughtashrillcryofdelightfromTeeka。Ah，butthiswassomethingworthwhile！

Sheglancedabouttoseeifothershadwitnessedthisevidenceofherpopularity。HelenofTroywasneveronewhitmoreproudthanwasTeekaatthatmoment。

IfTeekahadnotbeensoabsorbedinherownvaingloriousnessshemighthavenotedtherustlingofleavesinthetreeaboveher——arustlingwhichwasnotcausedbyanymovementofthewind，sincetherewasnowind。

Andhadshelookedupshemighthaveseenasleekbodycrouchingalmostdirectlyoverherandwickedyelloweyesglaringhungrilydownuponher，butTeekadidnotlookup。

WithhiswoundTaughadbackedoffgrowlinghorribly。

Tarzanhadfollowedhim，screaminginsultsathim，andmenacinghimwithhisbrandishingblade。Teekamovedfrombeneaththetreeinanefforttokeepclosetotheduelists。

ThebranchaboveTeekabentandswayedatriflewiththemovementofthebodyofthewatcherstretchedalongit。

Taughadhaltednowandwaspreparingtomakeanewstand。

Hislipswerefleckedwithfoam，andsalivadrooledfromhisjowls。Hestoodwithheadloweredandarmsoutstretched，preparingforasuddenchargetoclosequarters。

Couldhebutlayhismightyhandsuponthatsoft，brownskinthebattlewouldbehis。TaugconsideredTarzan’smanneroffightingunfair。Hewouldnotclose。

Instead，heleapednimblyjustbeyondthereachofTaug’smuscularfingers。

Theape-boyhadasyetnevercometoarealtrialofstrengthwithabullape，otherthaninplay，andsohewasnotatallsurethatitwouldbesafetoputhismusclestothetestinalifeanddeathstruggle。

Notthathewasafraid，forTarzanknewnothingoffear。

Theinstinctofself-preservationgavehimcaution——thatwasall。Hetookrisksonlywhenitseemednecessary，andthenhewouldhesitateatnothing。

Hisownmethodoffightingseemedbestfittedtohisbuildandtohisarmament。Histeeth，whilestrongandsharp，were，asweaponsofoffense，pitifullyinadequatebycomparisonwiththemightyfightingfangsoftheanthropoids。

Bydancingabout，justoutofreachofanantagonist，Tarzancoulddoinfiniteinjurywithhislong，sharphuntingknife，andatthesametimeescapemanyofthepainfulanddangerouswoundswhichwouldbesuretofollowhisfallingintotheclutchesofabullape。

AndsoTaugchargedandbellowedlikeabull，andTarzanoftheApesdancedlightlytothissideandthat，hurlingjunglebillingsgateathisfoe，thewhilehenickedhimnowandagainwithhisknife。

Therewerelullsinthefightingwhenthetwowouldstandpantingforbreath，facingeachother，musteringtheirwitsandtheirforcesforanewonslaught。ItwasduringapausesuchasthisthatTaugchancedtolethiseyesrovebeyondhisfoeman。Instantlytheentireaspectoftheapealtered。Ragelefthiscountenancetobesupplantedbyanexpressionoffear。

Withacrythateveryapethererecognized，Taugturnedandfled。Noneedtoquestionhim——hiswarningproclaimedthenearpresenceoftheirancientenemy。

Tarzanstartedtoseeksafety，asdidtheothermembersofthetribe，andashedidsoheheardapanther’sscreammingledwiththefrightenedcryofashe-ape。

Taugheard，too；buthedidnotpauseinhisflight。

Withtheape-boy，however，itwasdifferent。Helookedbacktoseeifanymemberofthetribewasclosepressedbythebeastofprey，andthesightthatmethiseyesfilledthemwithanexpressionofhorror。

Teekaitwaswhocriedoutinterrorasshefledacrossalittleclearingtowardthetreesupontheoppositeside，forafterherleapedSheeta，thepanther，ineasy，gracefulbounds。Sheetaappearedtobeinnohurry。

Hismeatwasassured，sinceeventhoughtheapereachedthetreesaheadofhimshecouldnotclimbbeyondhisclutchesbeforehecouldbeuponher。

TarzansawthatTeekamustdie。HecriedtoTaugandtheotherbullstohastentoTeeka’sassistance，andatthesametimeherantowardthepursuingbeast，takingdownhisropeashecame。Tarzanknewthatoncethegreatbullswerearousednoneofthejungle，notevenNuma，thelion，wasanxioustomeasurefangswiththem，andthatifallthoseofthetribewhochancedtobepresenttodaywouldcharge，Sheeta，thegreatcat，woulddoubtlessturntailandrunforhislife。

Taugheard，asdidtheothers，butnoonecametoTarzan’sassistanceorTeeka’srescue，andSheetawasrapidlyclosingupthedistancebetweenhimselfandhisprey。

Theape-boy，leapingafterthepanther，criedaloudtothebeastinanefforttoturnitfromTeekaorotherwisedistractitsattentionuntiltheshe-apecouldgainthesafetyofthehigherbrancheswhereSheetadarednotgo。

Hecalledthepanthereveryopprobriousnamethatfelltohistongue。Hedaredhimtostopanddobattlewithhim；

butSheetaonlylopedonaftertheluscioustitbitnowalmostwithinhisreach。

Tarzanwasnotfarbehindandhewasgaining，butthedistancewassoshortthathescarcehopedtooverhaulthecarnivorebeforeithadfelledTeeka。Inhisrighthandtheboyswunghisgrassropeabovehisheadasheran。

Hehatedtochanceamiss，forthedistancewasmuchgreaterthanheeverhadcastbeforeexceptinpractice。

ItwasthefulllengthofhisgrassropewhichseparatedhimfromSheeta，andyettherewasnootherthingtodo。

Hecouldnotreachthebrute’ssidebeforeitoverhauledTeeka。

Hemustchanceathrow。

AndjustasTeekasprangforthelowerlimbofagreattree，andSheetarosebehindherinalong，sinuousleap，thecoilsoftheape-boy’sgrassropeshotswiftlythroughtheair，straighteningintoalongthinlineastheopennoosehoveredforaninstantabovethesavageheadandthesnarlingjaws。Thenitsettled——cleanandtrueaboutthetawnyneckitsettled，andTarzan，withaquicktwistofhisrope-hand，drewthenoosetaut，bracinghimselffortheshockwhenSheetashouldhavetakenuptheslack。

JustshortofTeeka’sglossyrumpthecrueltalonsrakedtheairastheropetightenedandSheetawasbroughttoasuddenstop——astopthatsnappedthebigbeastoveruponhisback。InstantlySheetawasup——withglaringeyes，andlashingtail，andgapingjaws，fromwhichissuedhideouscriesofrageanddisappointment。

Hesawtheape-boy，thecauseofhisdiscomfiture，scarcefortyfeetbeforehim，andSheetacharged。

Teekawassafenow；Tarzansawtothatbyaquickglanceintothetreewhosesafetyshehadgainednotaninstanttoosoon，andSheetawascharging。Itwasuselesstoriskhislifeinidleandunequalcombatfromwhichnogoodcouldcome；butcouldheescapeabattlewiththeenragedcat？Andifhewasforcedtofight，whatchancehadhetosurvive？Tarzanwasconstrainedtoadmitthathispositionwasaughtbutadesirableone。Thetreesweretoofartohopetoreachintimetoeludethecat。

Tarzancouldbutstandfacingthathideouscharge。

Inhisrighthandhegraspedhishuntingknife——apuny，futilethingindeedbycomparisonwiththegreatrowsofmightyteethwhichlinedSheeta’spowerfuljaws，andthesharptalonsencasedwithinhispaddedpaws；

yettheyoungLordGreystokefaceditwiththesamecourageousresignationwithwhichsomefearlessancestorwentdowntodefeatanddeathonSenlacHillbyHastings。

Fromsafetypointsinthetreesthegreatapeswatched，screaminghatredatSheetaandadviceatTarzan，fortheprogenitorsofmanhave，naturally，manyhumantraits。

Teekawasfrightened。ShescreamedatthebullstohastentoTarzan’sassistance；butthebullswereotherwiseengaged——principallyingivingadviceandmakingfaces。

Anyway，TarzanwasnotarealMangani，sowhyshouldtheyrisktheirlivesinanefforttoprotecthim？

AndnowSheetawasalmostuponthelithe，nakedbody，and——thebodywasnotthere。Quickaswasthegreatcat，theape-boywasquicker。Heleapedtoonesidealmostasthepanther’stalonswereclosinguponhim，andasSheetawenthurtlingtothegroundbeyond，Tarzanwasracingforthesafetyofthenearesttree。

Thepantherrecoveredhimselfalmostimmediatelyand，wheeling，toreafterhisprey，theape-boy’sropedraggingalongthegroundbehindhim。IndoublingbackafterTarzan，Sheetahadpassedaroundalowbush。

ItwasamerenothinginthepathofanyjunglecreatureofthesizeandweightofSheeta——providedithadnotrailingropedanglingbehind。ButSheetawashandicappedbysucharope，andasheleapedonceagainafterTarzanoftheApestheropeencircledthesmallbush，becametangledinitandbroughtthepanthertoasuddenstop。

AninstantlaterTarzanwassafeamongthehigherbranchesofasmalltreeintowhichSheetacouldnotfollowhim。

Hereheperched，hurlingtwigsandepithetsattheragingfelinebeneathhim。Theothermembersofthetribenowtookupthebombardment，usingsuchhard-shelledfruitsanddeadbranchesascamewithintheirreach，untilSheeta，goadedtofrenzyandsnappingatthegrassrope，finallysucceededinseveringitsstrands。Foramomentthepantherstoodglaringfirstatoneofhistormentorsandthenatanother，until，withafinalscreamofrage，heturnedandslunkoffintothetangledmazesofthejungle。

Ahalfhourlaterthetribewasagainupontheground，feedingasthoughnaughthadoccurredtointerruptthesomberdullnessoftheirlives。Tarzanhadrecoveredthegreaterpartofhisropeandwasbusyfashioninganewnoose，whileTeekasquattedclosebehindhim，inevidenttokenthatherchoicewasmade。

Taugeyedthemsullenly。Oncewhenhecameclose，Teekabaredherfangsandgrowledathim，andTarzanshowedhiscaninesinanuglysnarl；butTaugdidnotprovokeaquarrel。Heseemedtoacceptafterthemannerofhiskindthedecisionofthesheasanindicationthathehadbeenvanquishedinhisbattleforherfavors。

Laterintheday，hisroperepaired，Tarzantooktothetreesinsearchofgame。Morethanhisfellowsherequiredmeat，andso，whiletheyweresatisfiedwithfruitsandherbsandbeetles，whichcouldbediscoveredwithoutmucheffortupontheirpart，Tarzanspentconsiderabletimehuntingthegameanimalswhosefleshalonesatisfiedthecravingsofhisstomachandfurnishedsustenanceandstrengthtothemightythewswhich，daybyday，werebuildingbeneaththesoft，smoothtextureofhisbrownhide。

Taugsawhimdepart，andthen，quitecasually，thebigbeasthuntedcloserandclosertoTeekainhissearchforfood。

Atlasthewaswithinafewfeetofher，andwhenheshotacovertglanceatherhesawthatshewasappraisinghimandthattherewasnoevidenceofangeruponherface。

Taugexpandedhisgreatchestandrolledaboutonhisshortlegs，makingstrangegrowlingsinhisthroat。

Heraisedhislips，baringhisfangs。My，butwhatgreat，beautifulfangshehad！Teekacouldnotbutnoticethem。

ShealsolethereyesrestinadmirationuponTaug’sbeetlingbrowsandhisshort，powerfulneck。Whatabeautifulcreaturehewasindeed！

Taug，flatteredbytheunconcealedadmirationinhereyes，struttedabout，asproudandasvainasapeacock。

Presentlyhebegantoinventoryhisassets，mentally，andshortlyhefoundhimselfcomparingthemwiththoseofhisrival。

Tauggrunted，fortherewasnocomparison。HowcouldonecomparehisbeautifulcoatwiththesmoothandnakedhideousnessofTarzan’sbarehide？WhocouldseebeautyinthestingynoseoftheTarmanganiafterlookingatTaug’sbroadnostrils？AndTarzan’seyes！Hideousthings，showingwhiteaboutthem，andentirelyunrimmedwithred。

Taugknewthathisownblood-shoteyeswerebeautiful，forhehadseenthemreflectedintheglassysurfaceofmanyadrinkingpool。

ThebulldrewnearertoTeeka，finallysquattingcloseagainsther。WhenTarzanreturnedfromhishuntingashorttimelateritwastoseeTeekacontentedlyscratchingthebackofhisrival。

Tarzanwasdisgusted。NeitherTaugnorTeekasawhimasheswungthroughthetreesintotheglade。Hepausedamoment，lookingatthem；then，withasorrowfulgrimace，heturnedandfadedawayintothelabyrinthofleafyboughsandfestoonedmossoutofwhichhehadcome。

Tarzanwishedtobeasfarawayfromthecauseofhisheartacheashecould。Hewassufferingthefirstpangsofblightedlove，andhedidn’tquiteknowwhatwasthematterwithhim。

HethoughtthathewasangrywithTaug，andsohecouldn’tunderstandwhyitwasthathehadrunawayinsteadofrushingintomortalcombatwiththedestroyerofhishappiness。

HealsothoughtthathewasangrywithTeeka，yetavisionofhermanybeautiespersistedinhauntinghim，sothathecouldonlyseeherinthelightofloveasthemostdesirablethingintheworld。

Theape-boycravedaffection。Frombabyhooduntilthetimeofherdeath，whenthepoisonedarrowofKulongahadpiercedhersavageheart，KalahadrepresentedtotheEnglishboythesoleobjectoflovewhichhehadknown。

Inherwild，fiercewayKalahadlovedheradoptedson，andTarzanhadreturnedthatlove，thoughtheoutwarddemonstrationsofitwerenogreaterthanmighthavebeenexpectedfromanyotherbeastofthejungle。

Itwasnotuntilhewasbereftofherthattheboyrealizedhowdeephadbeenhisattachmentforhismother，forassuchhelookeduponher。

InTeekahehadseenwithinthepastfewhoursasubstituteforKala——someonetofightforandtohuntfor——someonetocaress；butnowhisdreamwasshattered。

Somethinghurtwithinhisbreast。Heplacedhishandoverhisheartandwonderedwhathadhappenedtohim。

VaguelyheattributedhispaintoTeeka。ThemorehethoughtofTeekaashehadlastseenher，caressingTaug，themorethethingwithinhisbreasthurthim。

Tarzanshookhisheadandgrowled；thenonandonthroughthejungleheswung，andthefartherhetraveledandthemorehethoughtuponhiswrongs，thenearerheapproachedbecominganirreclaimablemisogynist。

Twodayslaterhewasstillhuntingalone——verymoroseandveryunhappy；buthewasdeterminednevertoreturntothetribe。HecouldnotbearthethoughtofseeingTaugandTeekaalwaystogether。AsheswunguponagreatlimbNuma，thelion，andSabor，thelioness，passedbeneathhim，sidebyside，andSaborleanedagainstthelionandbitplayfullyathischeek。

Itwasahalf-caress。Tarzansighedandhurledanutatthem。

LaterhecameuponseveralofMbonga’sblackwarriors。

Hewasuponthepointofdroppinghisnooseabouttheneckofoneofthem，whowasalittledistancefromhiscompanions，whenhebecameinterestedinthethingwhichoccupiedthesavages。Theywerebuildingacageinthetrailandcoveringitwithleafybranches。

Whentheyhadcompletedtheirworkthestructurewasscarcelyvisible。

Tarzanwonderedwhatthepurposeofthethingmightbe，andwhy，whentheyhadbuiltit，theyturnedawayandstartedbackalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheirvillage。

IthadbeensometimesinceTarzanhadvisitedtheblacksandlookeddownfromtheshelterofthegreattreeswhichoverhungtheirpalisadeupontheactivitiesofhisenemies，fromamongwhomhadcometheslayerofKala。

Althoughhehatedthem，Tarzanderivedconsiderableentertainmentinwatchingthemattheirdailylifewithinthevillage，andespeciallyattheirdances，whenthefiresglaredagainsttheirnakedbodiesastheyleapedandturnedandtwistedinmimicwarfare。Itwasratherinthehopeofwitnessingsomethingofthekindthathenowfollowedthewarriorsbacktowardtheirvillage，butinthishewasdisappointed，fortherewasnodancethatnight。

Instead，fromthesafeconcealmentofhistree，Tarzansawlittlegroupsseatedabouttinyfiresdiscussingtheeventsoftheday，andinthedarkercornersofthevillagehedescriedisolatedcouplestalkingandlaughingtogether，andalwaysoneofeachcouplewasayoungmanandtheotherayoungwoman。

Tarzancockedhisheadupononesideandthought，andbeforehewenttosleepthatnight，curledinthecrotchofthegreattreeabovethevillage，Teekafilledhismind，andafterwardshefilledhisdreams——sheandtheyoungblackmenlaughingandtalkingwiththeyoungblackwomen。

Taug，huntingalone，hadwanderedsomedistancefromthebalanceofthetribe。Hewasmakinghiswayslowlyalonganelephantpathwhenhediscoveredthatitwasblockedwithundergrowth。NowTaug，comeintomaturity，wasanevil-naturedbruteofanexceedingshorttemper。

Whensomethingthwartedhim，hissoleideawastoovercomeitbybrutestrengthandferocity，andsonowwhenhefoundhiswayblocked，hetoreangrilyintotheleafyscreenandaninstantlaterfoundhimselfwithinastrangelair，hisprogresseffectuallyblocked，notwithstandinghismostviolenteffortstoforgeahead。

Bitingandstrikingatthebarrier，Taugfinallyworkedhimselfintoafrightfulrage，butalltonoavail；

andatlasthebecameconvincedthathemustturnback。

Butwhenhewouldhavedoneso，whatwashischagrintodiscoverthatanotherbarrierhaddroppedbehindhimwhilehefoughttobreakdowntheonebeforehim！Taugwastrapped。

Untilexhaustionovercamehimhefoughtfranticallyforhisfreedom；butallfornaught。

InthemorningapartyofblackssetoutfromthevillageofMbongainthedirectionofthetraptheyhadconstructedthepreviousday，whileamongthebranchesofthetreesabovethemhoveredanakedyounggiantfilledwiththecuriosityofthewildthings。Manu，themonkey，chatteredandscoldedasTarzanpassed，andthoughhewasnotafraidofthefamiliarfigureoftheape-boy，hehuggedclosertohimthelittlebrownbodyofhislife’scompanion。

Tarzanlaughedashesawit；butthelaughwasfollowedbyasuddencloudingofhisfaceandadeepsigh。

Alittlefartheron，agailyfeatheredbirdstruttedaboutbeforetheadmiringeyesofhissomber-huedmate。

ItseemedtoTarzanthateverythinginthejunglewascombiningtoremindhimthathehadlostTeeka；yeteverydayofhislifehehadseenthesesamethingsandthoughtnothingofthem。

Whentheblacksreachedthetrap，Taugsetupagreatcommotion。

Seizingthebarsofhisprison，heshookthemfrantically，andallthewhileheroaredandgrowledterrifically。

Theblackswereelated，forwhiletheyhadnotbuilttheirtrapforthishairytreeman，theyweredelightedwiththeircatch。

Tarzanprickeduphisearswhenheheardthevoiceofagreatapeand，circlingquicklyuntilhewasdownwindfromthetrap，hesniffedattheairinsearchofthescentspooroftheprisoner。NorwasitlongbeforetherecametothosedelicatenostrilsthefamiliarodorthattoldTarzantheidentityofthecaptiveasunerringlyasthoughhehadlookeduponTaugwithhiseyes。Yes，itwasTaug，andhewasalone。

Tarzangrinnedasheapproachedtodiscoverwhattheblackswoulddototheirprisoner。Doubtlesstheywouldslayhimatonce。AgainTarzangrinned。NowhecouldhaveTeekaforhisown，withnonetodisputehisrighttoher。

Ashewatched，hesawtheblackwarriorsstripthescreenfromaboutthecage，fastenropestoitanddragitawayalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheirvillage。

Tarzanwatcheduntilhisrivalpassedoutofsight，stillbeatinguponthebarsofhisprisonandgrowlingouthisangerandhisthreats。Thentheape-boyturnedandswungrapidlyoffinsearchofthetribe，andTeeka。

Once，uponthejourney，hesurprisedSheetaandhisfamilyinalittleovergrownclearing。Thegreatcatlaystretchedupontheground，whilehismate，onepawacrossherlord’ssavageface，lickedatthesoftwhitefurathisthroat。

Tarzanincreasedhisspeedthenuntilhefairlyflewthroughtheforest，norwasitlongbeforehecameuponthetribe。Hesawthembeforetheysawhim，forofallthejunglecreatures，nonepassedmorequietlythanTarzanoftheApes。HesawKammaandhermatefeedingsidebyside，theirhairybodiesrubbingagainsteachother。

AndhesawTeekafeedingbyherself。Notforlongwouldshefeedthusinloneliness，thoughtTarzan，aswithaboundhelandedamongstthem。

Therewasastartledrushandachorusofangryandfrightenedsnarls，forTarzanhadsurprisedthem；

buttherewasmore，too，thanmerenervousshocktoaccountforthebristlingneckhairwhichremainedstandinglongaftertheapeshaddiscoveredtheidentityofthenewcomer。

Tarzannoticedthisashehadnoticeditmanytimesinthepast——thatalwayshissuddencomingamongthemleftthemnervousandunstrungforaconsiderabletime，andthattheyoneandallfounditnecessarytosatisfythemselvesthathewasindeedTarzanbysmellingabouthimahalfdozenormoretimesbeforetheycalmeddown。

Pushingthroughthem，hemadehiswaytowardTeeka；

butasheapproachedhertheapedrewaway。

"Teeka，"hesaid，"itisTarzan。YoubelongtoTarzan。

Ihavecomeforyou。"

Theapedrewcloser，lookinghimovercarefully。

Finallyshesniffedathim，asthoughtomakeassurancedoublysure。

"WhereisTaug？"sheasked。

"TheGomanganihavehim，"repliedTarzan。"Theywillkillhim。"

Intheeyesoftheshe，TarzansawawistfulexpressionandatroubledlookofsorrowashetoldherofTaug’sfate；

butshecamequitecloseandsnuggledagainsthim，andTarzan，LordGreystoke，puthisarmabouther。

Ashedidsohenoticed，withastart，thestrangeincongruityofthatsmooth，brownarmagainsttheblackandhairycoatofhislady-love。HerecalledthepawofSheeta’smateacrossSheeta’sface——noincongruitythere。

HethoughtoflittleManuhugginghisshe，andhowtheoneseemedtobelongtotheother。Eventheproudmalebird，withhisgayplumage，boreacloseresemblancetohisquieterspouse，whileNuma，butforhisshaggymane，wasalmostacounterpartofSabor，thelioness。

Themalesandthefemalesdiffered，itwastrue；

butnotwithsuchdifferencesasexistedbetweenTarzanandTeeka。

Tarzanwaspuzzled。Therewassomethingwrong。HisarmdroppedfromtheshoulderofTeeka。Veryslowlyhedrewawayfromher。Shelookedathimwithherheadcockedupononeside。Tarzanrosetohisfullheightandbeatuponhisbreastwithhisfists。Heraisedhisheadtowardtheheavensandopenedhismouth。Fromthedepthsofhislungsrosethefierce，weirdchallengeofthevictoriousbullape。Thetribeturnedcuriouslytoeyehim。

Hehadkillednothing，norwasthereanyantagonisttobegoadedtomadnessbythesavagescream。No，therewasnoexcuseforit，andtheyturnedbacktotheirfeeding，butwithaneyeupontheape-manlesthebepreparingtosuddenlyrunamuck。

Astheywatchedhimtheysawhimswingintoanear-bytreeanddisappearfromsight。Thentheyforgothim，evenTeeka。

Mbonga’sblackwarriors，sweatingbeneaththeirstrenuoustask，andrestingoften，madeslowprogresstowardtheirvillage。

Alwaysthesavagebeastintheprimitivecagegrowledandroaredwhentheymovedhim。Hebeatuponthebarsandslaveredatthemouth。Hisnoisewashideous。

Theyhadalmostcompletedtheirjourneyandweremakingtheirfinalrestbeforeforgingaheadtogaintheclearinginwhichlaytheirvillage。Afewmoreminuteswouldhavetakenthemoutoftheforest，andthen，doubtless，thethingwouldnothavehappenedwhichdidhappen。

Asilentfiguremovedthroughthetreesabovethem。

Keeneyesinspectedthecageandcountedthenumberofwarriors。Analertanddaringbrainfigureduponthechancesofsuccesswhenacertainplanshouldbeputtothetest。

Tarzanwatchedtheblackslollingintheshade。

Theywereexhausted。Alreadyseveralofthemslept。

Hecreptcloser，pausingjustabovethem。Notaleafrustledbeforehisstealthyadvance。Hewaitedintheinfinitepatienceofthebeastofprey。Presentlybuttwoofthewarriorsremainedawake，andoneofthesewasdozing。

TarzanoftheApesgatheredhimself，andashedidsotheblackwhodidnotsleeparoseandpassedaroundtotherearofthecage。Theape-boyfollowedjustabovehishead。

Taugwaseyeingthewarriorandemittinglowgrowls。

Tarzanfearedthattheanthropoidwouldawakenthesleepers。

InawhisperwhichwasinaudibletotheearsoftheNegro，TarzanwhisperedTaug’sname，cautioningtheapetosilence，andTaug’sgrowlingceased。

Theblackapproachedtherearofthecageandexaminedthefasteningsofthedoor，andashestoodtherethebeastabovehimlauncheditselffromthetreefulluponhisback。Steelfingerscircledhisthroat，chokingthecrywhichsprangtothelipsoftheterrifiedman。

Strongteethfastenedthemselvesinhisshoulder，andpowerfullegswoundthemselvesabouthistorso。

Theblackinafrenzyofterrortriedtodislodgethesilentthingwhichclungtohim。Hethrewhimselftothegroundandrolledabout；butstillthosemightyfingersclosedmoreandmoretightlytheirdeadlygrip。

Theman’smouthgapedwide，hisswollentongueprotruded，hiseyesstartedfromtheirsockets；buttherelentlessfingersonlyincreasedtheirpressure。

Taugwasasilentwitnessofthestruggle。InhisfiercelittlebrainhedoubtlesswonderedwhatpurposepromptedTarzantoattacktheblack。Taughadnotforgottenhisrecentbattlewiththeape-boy，northecauseofit。

NowhesawtheformoftheGomanganisuddenlygolimp。

Therewasaconvulsiveshiverandthemanlaystill。

Tarzansprangfromhispreyandrantothedoorofthecage。

Withnimblefingersheworkedrapidlyatthethongswhichheldthedoorinplace。Taugcouldonlywatch——hecouldnothelp。PresentlyTarzanpushedthethingupacoupleoffeetandTaugcrawledout。Theapewouldhaveturneduponthesleepingblacksthathemightwreakhispentvengeance；butTarzanwouldnotpermitit。

Instead，theape-boydraggedthebodyoftheblackwithinthecageandproppeditagainstthesidebars。

Thenheloweredthedoorandmadefastthethongsastheyhadbeenbefore。

Ahappysmilelightedhisfeaturesasheworked，foroneofhisprincipaldiversionswasthebaitingoftheblacksofMbonga’svillage。Hecouldimaginetheirterrorwhentheyawokeandfoundthedeadbodyoftheircomradefastinthecagewheretheyhadleftthegreatapesafelysecuredbutafewminutesbefore。

TarzanandTaugtooktothetreestogether，theshaggycoatofthefierceapebrushingthesleekskinoftheEnglishlordlingastheypassedthroughtheprimevaljunglesidebyside。

"GobacktoTeeka，"saidTarzan。"Sheisyours。

Tarzandoesnotwanther。"

"Tarzanhasfoundanothershe？"askedTaug。

Theape-boyshrugged。

"FortheGomanganithereisanotherGomangani，"hesaid；

"forNuma，thelion，thereisSabor，thelioness；

forSheetathereisasheofhisownkind；forBara，thedeer；forManu，themonkey；forallthebeastsandthebirdsofthejungleisthereamate。OnlyforTarzanoftheApesistherenone。Taugisanape。

Teekaisanape。GobacktoTeeka。Tarzanisaman。

Hewillgoalone。"

2

TheCaptureofTarzanTHEBLACKWARRIORSlaboredinthehumidheatofthejungle’sstiflingshade。Withwarspearstheyloosenedthethick，blackloamandthedeeplayersofrottingvegetation。

Withheavy-nailedfingerstheyscoopedawaythedisintegratedearthfromthecenteroftheage-oldgametrail。Oftentheyceasedtheirlaborstosquat，restingandgossiping，withmuchlaughter，attheedgeofthepittheyweredigging。

Againstthebolesofnear-bytreesleanedtheirlong，ovalshieldsofthickbuffalohide，andthespearsofthosewhoweredoingthescooping。Sweatglistenedupontheirsmooth，ebonskins，beneathwhichrolledroundedmuscles，suppleintheperfectionofnature’suncontaminatedhealth。

Areedbuck，steppingwarilyalongthetrailtowardwater，haltedasaburstoflaughterbrokeuponhisstartledears。

Foramomenthestoodstatuesquebutforhissensitivelydilatingnostrils；thenhewheeledandflednoiselesslyfromtheterrifyingpresenceofman。

Ahundredyardsaway，deepinthetangleofimpenetrablejungle，Numa，thelion，raisedhismassivehead。Numahaddinedwelluntilalmostdaybreakandithadrequiredmuchnoisetoawakenhim。Nowheliftedhismuzzleandsniffedtheair，caughttheacridscentspoorofthereedbuckandtheheavyscentofman。ButNumawaswellfilled。

Withalow，disgustedgruntheroseandslunkaway。

Brilliantlyplumagedbirdswithraucousvoicesdartedfromtreetotree。Littlemonkeys，chatteringandscolding，swungthroughtheswayinglimbsabovetheblackwarriors。

Yettheywerealone，fortheteemingjunglewithallitsmyriadlife，liketheswarmingstreetsofagreatmetropolis，isoneoftheloneliestspotsinGod’sgreatuniverse。

Butweretheyalone？

Abovethem，lightlybalanceduponaleafytreelimb，agray-eyedyouthwatchedwitheagerintentnesstheireverymove。

Thefireofhate，restrained，smolderedbeneaththelad’sevidentdesiretoknowthepurposeoftheblackmen’slabors。

SuchaoneastheseitwaswhohadslainhisbelovedKala。

Forthemtherecouldbenaughtbutenmity，yethelikedwelltowatchthem，avidashewasforgreaterknowledgeofthewaysofman。

Hesawthepitgrowindepthuntilagreatholeyawnedthewidthofthetrail——aholewhichwasamplylargeenoughtoholdatonetimeallofthesixexcavators。

Tarzancouldnotguessthepurposeofsogreatalabor。

Andwhentheycutlongstakes，sharpenedattheirupperends，andsetthematintervalsuprightinthebottomofthepit，hiswondermentbutincreased，norwasitsatisfiedwiththeplacingofthelightcross-polesoverthepit，orthecarefularrangementofleavesandearthwhichcompletelyhidfromviewtheworktheblackmenhadperformed。

Whentheyweredonetheysurveyedtheirhandiworkwithevidentsatisfaction，andTarzansurveyedit，too。Eventohispracticedeyethereremainedscarceavestigeofevidencethattheancientgametrailhadbeentamperedwithinanyway。

Soabsorbedwastheape-maninspeculationastothepurposeofthecoveredpitthathepermittedtheblackstodepartinthedirectionoftheirvillagewithouttheusualbaitingwhichhadrenderedhimtheterrorofMbonga’speopleandhadaffordedTarzanbothavehicleofrevengeandasourceofinexhaustibledelight。

Puzzleashewould，however，hecouldnotsolvethemysteryoftheconcealedpit，forthewaysoftheblackswerestillstrangewaystoTarzan。Theyhadenteredhisjunglebutashorttimebefore——thefirstoftheirkindtoencroachupontheage-oldsupremacyofthebeastswhichlairedthere。

ToNuma，thelion，toTantor，theelephant，tothegreatapesandthelesserapes，toeachandallofthemyriadcreaturesofthissavagewild，thewaysofmanwerenew。

Theyhadmuchtolearnoftheseblack，hairlesscreaturesthatwalkederectupontheirhindpaws——andtheywerelearningitslowly，andalwaystotheirsorrow。

Shortlyaftertheblackshaddeparted，Tarzanswungeasilytothetrail。Sniffingsuspiciously，hecircledtheedgeofthepit。Squattinguponhishaunches，hescrapedawayalittleearthtoexposeoneofthecross-bars。Hesniffedatthis，touchedit，cockedhisheadupononeside，andcontemplateditgravelyforseveralminutes。Thenhecarefullyre-coveredit，arrangingtheearthasneatlyashadtheblacks。Thisdone，heswunghimselfbackamongthebranchesofthetreesandmovedoffinsearchofhishairyfellows，thegreatapesofthetribeofKerchak。

OncehecrossedthetrailofNuma，thelion，pausingforamomenttohurlasoftfruitatthesnarlingfaceofhisenemy，andtotauntandinsulthim，callinghimeaterofcarrionandbrotherofDango，thehyena。Numa，hisyellow-greeneyesroundandburningwithconcentratedhate，glaredupatthedancingfigureabovehim。Lowgrowlsvibratedhisheavyjowlsandhisgreatragetransmittedtohissinuoustailasharp，whiplikemotion；butrealizingfrompastexperiencethefutilityoflongdistanceargumentwiththeape-man，heturnedpresentlyandstruckoffintothetangledvegetationwhichhidhimfromtheviewofhistormentor。

Withafinalscreamofjungleinvectiveandanapelikegrimaceathisdepartingfoe，Tarzancontinuedalonghisway。

Anothermileandashiftingwindbroughttohiskeennostrilsafamiliar，pungentodorcloseathand，andamomentlaterthereloomedbeneathhimahuge，gray-blackbulkforgingsteadilyalongthejungletrail。

Tarzanseizedandbrokeasmalltreelimb，andatthesuddencrackingsoundtheponderousfigurehalted。

Greatearswerethrownforward，andalong，suppletrunkrosequicklytowavetoandfroinsearchofthescentofanenemy，whiletwoweak，littleeyespeeredsuspiciouslyandfutilelyaboutinquestoftheauthorofthenoisewhichhaddisturbedhispeacefulway。

Tarzanlaughedaloudandcamecloserabovetheheadofthepachyderm。

"Tantor！Tantor！"hecried。"Bara，thedeer，islessfearfulthanyou——you，Tantor，theelephant，greatestofthejunglefolkwiththestrengthofasmanyNumasasIhavetoesuponmyfeetandfingersuponmyhands。Tantor，whocanuprootgreattrees，trembleswithfearatthesoundofabrokentwig。"

Arumblingnoise，whichmighthavebeeneitherasignofcontemptorasighofrelief，wasTantor’sonlyreplyastheupliftedtrunkandearscamedownandthebeast’staildroppedtonormal；buthiseyesstillrovedaboutinsearchofTarzan。Hewasnotlongkeptinsuspense，however，astothewhereaboutsoftheape-man，forasecondlatertheyouthdroppedlightlytothebroadheadofhisoldfriend。Thenstretchinghimselfatfulllength，hedrummedwithhisbaretoesuponthethickhide，andashisfingersscratchedthemoretendersurfacesbeneaththegreatears，hetalkedtoTantorofthegossipofthejungleasthoughthegreatbeastunderstoodeverywordthathesaid。

MuchtherewaswhichTarzancouldmakeTantorunderstand，andthoughthesmalltalkofthewildwasbeyondthegreat，graydreadnaughtofthejungle，hestoodwithblinkingeyesandgentlyswayingtrunkasthoughdrinkingineverywordofitwithkeenestappreciation。

Asamatteroffactitwasthepleasant，friendlyvoiceandcaressinghandsbehindhisearswhichheenjoyed，andthecloseproximityofhimwhomhehadoftenborneuponhisbacksinceTarzan，asalittlechild，hadoncefearlesslyapproachedthegreatbull，assuminguponthepartofthepachydermthesamefriendlinesswhichfilledhisownheart。

IntheyearsoftheirassociationTarzanhaddiscoveredthathepossessedaninexplicablepowertogovernanddirecthismightyfriend。Athisbidding，Tantorwouldcomefromagreatdistance——asfarashiskeenearscoulddetecttheshrillandpiercingsummonsoftheape-man——andwhenTarzanwassquatteduponhishead，Tantorwouldlumberthroughthejungleinanydirectionwhichhisriderbadehimgo。Itwasthepoweroftheman-mindoverthatofthebruteanditwasjustaseffectiveasthoughbothfullyunderstooditsorigin，thoughneitherdid。

ForhalfanhourTarzansprawledthereuponTantor’sback。

Timehadnomeaningforeitherofthem。Life，astheysawit，consistedprincipallyinkeepingtheirstomachsfilled。

ToTarzanthiswasalessarduouslaborthantoTantor，forTarzan’sstomachwassmaller，andbeingomnivorous，foodwaslessdifficulttoobtain。Ifonesortdidnotcomereadilytohand，therewerealwaysmanyotherstosatisfyhishunger。HewaslessparticularastohisdietthanTantor，whowouldeatonlythebarkofcertaintrees，andthewoodofothers，whileathirdappealedtohimonlythroughitsleaves，andthese，perhaps，justatcertainseasonsoftheyear。

Tantormustneedsspendthebetterpartofhislifeinfillinghisimmensestomachagainsttheneedsofhismightythews。Itisthuswithallthelowerorders——theirlivesaresooccupiedeitherwithsearchingforfoodorwiththeprocessesofdigestionthattheyhavelittletimeforotherconsiderations。Doubtlessitisthishandicapwhichhaskeptthemfromadvancingasrapidlyasman，whohasmoretimetogivetothoughtuponothermatters。

However，thesequestionstroubledTarzanbutlittle，andTantornotatall。Whattheformerknewwasthathewashappyinthecompanionshipoftheelephant。

Hedidnotknowwhy。Hedidnotknowthatbecausehewasahumanbeing——anormal，healthyhumanbeing——hecravedsomelivingthinguponwhichtolavishhisaffection。

HischildhoodplaymatesamongtheapesofKerchakwerenowgreat，sullenbrutes。Theyfeltnorinspiredbutlittleaffection。TheyoungerapesTarzanstillplayedwithoccasionally。Inhissavagewayhelovedthem；

buttheywerefarfromsatisfyingorrestfulcompanions。

Tantorwasagreatmountainofcalm，ofpoise，ofstability。

Itwasrestfulandsatisfyingtosprawluponhisroughpateandpourone’svaguehopesandaspirationsintothegreatearswhichflappedponderouslytoandfroinapparentunderstanding。Ofallthejunglefolk，TantorcommandedTarzan’sgreatestlovesinceKalahadbeentakenfromhim。SometimesTarzanwonderedifTantorreciprocatedhisaffection。Itwasdifficulttoknow。

Itwasthecallofthestomach——themostcompellingandinsistentcallwhichthejungleknows——thattookTarzanfinallybacktothetreesandoffinsearchoffood，whileTantorcontinuedhisinterruptedjourneyintheoppositedirection。

Foranhourtheape-manforaged。Aloftynestyieldeditsfresh，warmharvest。Fruits，berries，andtenderplantainfoundaplaceuponhismenuintheorderthathehappeneduponthem，forhedidnotseeksuchfoods。

Meat，meat，meat！ItwasalwaysmeatthatTarzanoftheApeshunted；butsometimesmeateludedhim，astoday。

Andasheroamedthejunglehisactivemindbusieditselfnotalonewithhishunting，butwithmanyothersubjects。

Hehadahabitofrecallingoftentheeventsoftheprecedingdaysandhours。HelivedoverhisvisitwithTantor；

hecogitateduponthediggingblacksandthestrange，coveredpittheyhadleftbehindthem。Hewonderedagainandagainwhatitspurposemightbe。Hecomparedperceptionsandarrivedatjudgments。Hecomparedjudgments，reachingconclusions——notalwayscorrectones，itistrue，butatleastheusedhisbrainforthepurposeGodintendedit，whichwasthelessdifficultbecausehewasnothandicappedbythesecond-hand，andusuallyerroneous，judgmentofothers。

Andashepuzzledoverthecoveredpit，thereloomedsuddenlybeforehismentalvisionahuge，gray-blackbulkwhichlumberedponderouslyalongajungletrail。

InstantlyTarzantensedtotheshockofasuddenfear。

Decisionandactionusuallyoccurredsimultaneouslyinthelifeoftheape-man，andnowhewasawaythroughtheleafybrancheseretherealizationofthepit’spurposehadscarceformedinhismind。

Swingingfromswayinglimbtoswayinglimb，heracedthroughthemiddleterraceswherethetreesgrewclosetogether。

Againhedroppedtothegroundandsped，silentlyandlightoffoot，overthecarpetofdecayingvegetation，onlytoleapagainintothetreeswherethetangledundergrowthprecludedrapidadvanceuponthesurface。

Inhisanxietyhecastdiscretiontothewinds。

Thecautionofthebeastwaslostintheloyaltyoftheman，andsoitcamethatheenteredalargeclearing，denudedoftrees，withoutathoughtofwhatmightliethereoruponthefartheredgetodisputethewaywithhim。

Hewashalfwayacrosswhendirectlyinhispathandbutafewyardsawaythererosefromaclumpoftallgrassesahalfdozenchatteringbirds。InstantlyTarzanturnedaside，forheknewwellenoughwhatmannerofcreaturethepresenceoftheselittlesentinelsproclaimed。

SimultaneouslyButo，therhinoceros，scrambledtohisshortlegsandchargedfuriously。HaphazardchargesButo，therhinoceros。Withhisweakeyesheseesbutpoorlyevenatshortdistances，andwhetherhiserraticrushesareduetothepanicoffearasheattemptstoescape，ortotheirascibletemperwithwhichheisgenerallycredited，itisdifficulttodetermine。NoristhematteroflittlemomenttoonewhomButocharges，forifhebecaughtandtossed，thechancesarethatnaughtwillinteresthimthereafter。

AndtodayitchancedthatButoboredownstraightuponTarzan，acrossthefewyardsofknee-deepgrasswhichseparatedthem。Accidentstartedhiminthedirectionoftheape-man，andthenhisweakeyesdiscernedtheenemy，andwithaseriesofsnortshechargedstraightforhim。

Thelittlerhinobirdsflutteredandcircledabouttheirgiantward。Amongthebranchesofthetreesattheedgeoftheclearing，ascoreormoremonkeyschatteredandscoldedastheloudsnortsoftheangrybeastsentthemscurryingaffrightedlytotheupperterraces。

Tarzanaloneappearedindifferentandserene。

Directlyinthepathofthechargehestood。Therehadbeennotimetoseeksafetyinthetreesbeyondtheclearing，norhadTarzananymindtodelayhisjourneybecauseofButo。Hehadmetthestupidbeastbeforeandheldhiminfinecontempt。

AndnowButowasuponhim，themassiveheadloweredandthelong，heavyhorninclinedforthefrightfulworkforwhichnaturehaddesignedit；butashestruckupward，hisweaponrakedonlythinair，fortheape-manhadsprunglightlyaloftwithacatlikeleapthatcarriedhimabovethethreateninghorntothebroadbackoftherhinoceros。

Anotherspringandhewasonthegroundbehindthebruteandracinglikeadeerforthetrees。

Buto，angeredandmystifiedbythestrangedisappearanceofhisprey，wheeledandchargedfranticallyinanotherdirection，whichchancedtobenotthedirectionofTarzan’sflight，andsotheape-mancameinsafetytothetreesandcontinuedonhisswiftwaythroughtheforest。

SomedistanceaheadofhimTantormovedsteadilyalongthewell-wornelephanttrail，andaheadofTantoracrouching，blackwarriorlistenedintentlyinthemiddleofthepath。

Presentlyheheardthesoundforwhichhehadbeenhoping——

thecracking，snappingsoundwhichheraldedtheapproachofanelephant。

Tohisrightandleftinotherpartsofthejungleotherwarriorswerewatching。Alowsignal，passedfromonetoanother，apprisedthemostdistantthatthequarrywasafoot。Rapidlytheyconvergedtowardthetrail，takingpositionsintreesdownwindfromthepointatwhichTantormustpassthem。Silentlytheywaitedandpresentlywererewardedbythesightofamightytuskercarryinganamountofivoryinhislongtusksthatsettheirgreedyheartstopalpitating。

Nosoonerhadhepassedtheirpositionsthanthewarriorsclamberedfromtheirperches。Nolongerweretheysilent，butinsteadclappedtheirhandsandshoutedastheyreachedtheground。ForaninstantTantor，theelephant，pausedwithupraisedtrunkandtail，withgreatearsup-pricked，andthenheswungonalongthetrailatarapid，shufflingpace——straighttowardthecoveredpitwithitssharpenedstakesupstandingintheground。

Behindhimcametheyellingwarriors，urginghimonintherapidflightwhichwouldnotpermitacarefulexaminationofthegroundbeforehim。Tantor，theelephant，whocouldhaveturnedandscatteredhisadversarieswithasinglecharge，fledlikeafrighteneddeer——fledtowardahideous，torturingdeath。

AndbehindthemallcameTarzanoftheApes，racingthroughthejungleforestwiththespeedandagilityofasquirrel，forhehadheardtheshoutsofthewarriorsandhadinterpretedthemcorrectly。Onceheutteredapiercingcallthatreverberatedthroughthejungle；butTantor，inthepanicofterror，eitherfailedtohear，orhearing，darednotpausetoheed。

Nowthegiantpachydermwasbutafewyardsfromthehiddendeathlurkinginhispath，andtheblacks，certainofsuccess，werescreaminganddancinginhiswake，wavingtheirwarspearsandcelebratinginadvancetheacquisitionofthesplendidivorycarriedbytheirpreyandthesurfeitofelephantmeatwhichwouldbetheirsthisnight。

Sointentweretheyupontheirgratulationsthattheyentirelyfailedtonotethesilentpassageoftheman-beastabovetheirheads，nordidTantor，either，seeorhearhim，eventhoughTarzancalledtohimtostop。

AfewmorestepswouldprecipitateTantoruponthesharpenedstakes；

Tarzanfairlyflewthroughthetreesuntilhehadcomeabreastofthefleeinganimalandthenhadpassedhim。

Atthepit’svergetheape-mandroppedtothegroundinthecenterofthetrail。Tantorwasalmostuponhimbeforehisweakeyespermittedhimtorecognizehisoldfriend。

"Stop！"criedTarzan，andthegreatbeasthaltedtotheupraisedhand。

Tarzanturnedandkickedasidesomeofthebrushwhichhidthepit。InstantlyTantorsawandunderstood。

"Fight！"growledTarzan。"Theyarecomingbehindyou。"

ButTantor，theelephant，isahugebunchofnerves，andnowhewashalfpanic-strickenbyterror。

Beforehimyawnedthepit，howfarhedidnotknow，buttorightandleftlaytheprimevaljungleuntouchedbyman。

Withasquealthegreatbeastturnedsuddenlyatrightanglesandbursthisnoisywaythroughthesolidwallofmattedvegetationthatwouldhavestoppedanybuthim。

Tarzan，standingupontheedgeofthepit，smiledashewatchedTantor’sundignifiedflight。Soontheblackswouldcome。ItwasbestthatTarzanoftheApesfadedfromthescene。Heessayedastepfromthepit’sedge，andashethrewtheweightofhisbodyuponhisleftfoot，theearthcrumbledaway。TarzanmadeasingleHerculeanefforttothrowhimselfforward，butitwastoolate。

Backwardanddownwardhewenttowardthesharpenedstakesinthebottomofthepit。

When，amomentlater，theblackscametheysawevenfromadistancethatTantorhadeludedthem，forthesizeoftheholeinthepitcoveringwastoosmalltohaveaccommodatedthehugebulkofanelephant。

Atfirsttheythoughtthattheirpreyhadputonegreatfootthroughthetopandthen，warned，drawnback；

butwhentheyhadcometothepit’svergeandpeeredover，theireyeswentwideinastonishment，for，quietandstill，atthebottomlaythenakedfigureofawhitegiant。

Someofthemtherehadglimpsedthisforestgodbeforeandtheydrewbackinterror，awedbythepresencewhichtheyhadforsometimebelievedtopossessthemiraculouspowersofademon；butotherstherewerewhopushedforward，thinkingonlyofthecaptureofanenemy，andtheseleapedintothepitandliftedTarzanout。

Therewasnoscaruponhisbody。Noneofthesharpenedstakeshadpiercedhim——onlyaswollenspotatthebaseofthebrainindicatedthenatureofhisinjury。

Inthefallingbackwardhisheadhadstruckuponthesideofoneofthestakes，renderinghimunconscious。

Theblackswerequicktodiscoverthis，andequallyquicktobindtheirprisoner’sarmsandlegsbeforeheshouldregainconsciousness，fortheyhadlearnedtoharborawholesomerespectforthisstrangeman-beastthatconsortedwiththehairytreefolk。

Theyhadcarriedhimbutashortdistancetowardtheirvillagewhentheape-man’seyelidsquiveredandraised。

Helookedabouthimwonderinglyforamoment，andthenfullconsciousnessreturnedandherealizedtheseriousnessofhispredicament。Accustomedalmostfrombirthtorelyingsolelyuponhisownresources，hedidnotcastaboutforoutsideaidnow，butdevotedhismindtoaconsiderationofthepossibilitiesforescapewhichlaywithinhimselfandhisownpowers。

Hedidnotdaretestthestrengthofhisbondswhiletheblackswerecarryinghim，forfeartheywouldbecomeapprehensiveandaddtothem。Presentlyhiscaptorsdiscoveredthathewasconscious，andastheyhadlittlestomachforcarryingaheavymanthroughthejungleheat，theysethimuponhisfeetandforcedhimforwardamongthem，prickinghimnowandthenwiththeirspears，yetwitheverymanifestationofthesuperstitiousaweinwhichtheyheldhim。

Whentheydiscoveredthattheirproddingbroughtnooutwardevidenceofsuffering，theiraweincreased，sothattheysoondesisted，halfbelievingthatthisstrangewhitegiantwasasupernaturalbeingandsowasimmunefrompain。

Astheyapproachedtheirvillage，theyshoutedaloudthevictoriouscriesofsuccessfulwarriors，sothatbythetimetheyreachedthegate，dancingandwavingtheirspears，agreatcrowdofmen，women，andchildrenweregatheredtheretogreetthemandhearthestoryoftheiradventure。

Astheeyesofthevillagersfellupontheprisoner，theywentwild，andheavyjawsfellopeninastonishmentandincredulity。Formonthstheyhadlivedinperpetualterrorofaweird，whitedemonwhombutfewhadeverglimpsedandlivedtodescribe。Warriorshaddisappearedfromthepathsalmostwithinsightofthevillageandfromthemidstoftheircompanionsasmysteriouslyandcompletelyasthoughtheyhadbeenswallowedbytheearth，andlater，atnight，theirdeadbodieshadfallen，asfromtheheavens，intothevillagestreet。