第2章

Thisfearsomecreaturehadappearedbynightinthehutsofthevillage，killed，anddisappeared，leavingbehindhiminthehutswithhisdead，strangeandterrifyingevidencesofanuncannysenseofhumor。

Butnowhewasintheirpower！Nolongercouldheterrorizethem。Slowlytherealizationofthisdawneduponthem。Awoman，screaming，ranforwardandstrucktheape-manacrosstheface。Anotherandanotherfollowedherexample，untilTarzanoftheApeswassurroundedbyafighting，clawing，yellingmobofnatives。

AndthenMbonga，thechief，came，andlayinghisspearheavilyacrosstheshouldersofhispeople，drovethemfromtheirprey。

"Wewillsavehimuntilnight，"hesaid。

FaroutinthejungleTantor，theelephant，hisfirstpanicoffearallayed，stoodwithup-prickedearsandundulatingtrunk。Whatwaspassingthroughtheconvolutionsofhissavagebrain？CouldhebesearchingforTarzan？

Couldherecallandmeasuretheservicetheape-manhadperformedforhim？Ofthattherecanbenodoubt。

Butdidhefeelgratitude？WouldhehaveriskedhisownlifetohavesavedTarzancouldhehaveknownofthedangerwhichconfrontedhisfriend？Youwilldoubtit。

Anyoneatallfamiliarwithelephantswilldoubtit。

EnglishmenwhohavehuntedmuchwithelephantsinIndiawilltellyouthattheyneverhaveheardofaninstanceinwhichoneoftheseanimalshasgonetotheaidofamanindanger，eventhoughthemanhadoftenbefriendedit。

AndsoitistobedoubtedthatTantorwouldhaveattemptedtoovercomehisinstinctivefearoftheblackmeninanefforttosuccorTarzan。

Thescreamsoftheinfuriatedvillagerscamefaintlytohissensitiveears，andhewheeled，asthoughinterror，contemplatingflight；butsomethingstayedhim，andagainheturnedabout，raisedhistrunk，andgavevoicetoashrillcry。

Thenhestoodlistening。

InthedistantvillagewhereMbongahadrestoredquietandorder，thevoiceofTantorwasscarcelyaudibletotheblacks，buttothekeenearsofTarzanoftheApesitboreitsmessage。

Hiscaptorswereleadinghimtoahutwherehemightbeconfinedandguardedagainstthecomingofthenocturnalorgythatwouldmarkhistorture-ladendeath。HehaltedasheheardthenotesofTantor’scall，andraisinghishead，gaveventtoaterrifyingscreamthatsentcoldchillsthroughthesuperstitiousblacksandcausedthewarriorswhoguardedhimtoleapbackeventhoughtheirprisoner’sarmsweresecurelyboundbehindhim。

Withraisedspearstheyencircledhimasforamomentlongerhestoodlistening。Faintlyfromthedistancecameanother，anansweringcry，andTarzanoftheApes，satisfied，turnedandquietlypursuedhiswaytowardthehutwherehewastobeimprisoned。

Theafternoonworeon。Fromthesurroundingvillagetheape-manheardthebustleofpreparationforthefeast。

Throughthedoorwayofthehuthesawthewomenlayingthecookingfiresandfillingtheirearthencaldronswithwater；

butaboveitallhisearswerebentacrossthejungleineagerlisteningforthecomingofTantor。

EvenTarzanbuthalfbelievedthathewouldcome。

HeknewTantorevenbetterthanTantorknewhimself。

Heknewthetimidheartwhichlayinthegiantbody。

HeknewthepanicofterrorwhichthescentoftheGomanganiinspiredwithinthatsavagebreast，andasnightdrewon，hopediedwithinhisheartandinthestoiccalmofthewildbeastwhichhewas，heresignedhimselftomeetthefatewhichawaitedhim。

Allafternoonhehadbeenworking，working，workingwiththebondsthatheldhiswrists。Veryslowlytheyweregiving。

Hemightfreehishandsbeforetheycametoleadhimouttobebutchered，andifhedid——Tarzanlickedhislipsinanticipation，andsmiledacold，grimsmile。Hecouldimaginethefeelofsoftfleshbeneathhisfingersandthesinkingofhiswhiteteethintothethroatsofhisfoemen。

Hewouldletthemtastehiswrathbeforetheyoverpoweredhim！

Atlasttheycame——painted，befeatheredwarriors——evenmorehideousthannaturehadintendedthem。Theycameandpushedhimintotheopen，wherehisappearancewasgreetedbywildshoutsfromtheassembledvillagers。

Tothestaketheyledhim，andastheypushedhimroughlyagainstitpreparatorytobindinghimtheresecurelyforthedanceofdeaththatwouldpresentlyencirclehim，Tarzantensedhismightythewsandwithasingle，powerfulwrenchpartedtheloosenedthongswhichhadsecuredhishands。Likethought，forquickness，heleapedforwardamongthewarriorsnearesthim。

Ablowsentonetoearth，as，growlingandsnarling，thebeast-manleapeduponthebreastofanother。

Hisfangswereburiedinstantlyinthejugularofhisadversaryandthenahalfhundredblackmenhadleapeduponhimandbornehimtoearth。

Striking，clawing，andsnapping，theape-manfought——

foughtashisfosterpeoplehadtaughthimtofight——foughtlikeawildbeastcornered。Hisstrength，hisagility，hiscourage，andhisintelligencerenderedhimeasilyamatchforhalfadozenblackmeninahand-to-handstruggle，butnotevenTarzanoftheApescouldhopetosuccessfullycopewithhalfahundred。

Slowlytheywereoverpoweringhim，thoughascoreofthembledfromuglywounds，andtwolayverystillbeneaththetramplingfeet，andtherollingbodiesofthecontestants。

Overpowerhimtheymight，butcouldtheykeephimoverpoweredwhiletheyboundhim？Ahalfhourofdesperateendeavorconvincedthemthattheycouldnot，andsoMbonga，who，likeallgoodrulers，hadcircledinthesafetyofthebackground，calledtoonetoworkhiswayinandspearthevictim。Gradually，throughthemilling，battlingmen，thewarriorapproachedtheobjectofhisquest。

Hestoodwithpoisedspearabovehisheadwaitingfortheinstantthatwouldexposeavulnerablepartoftheape-man’sbodyandstillnotendangeroneoftheblacks。

Closerandcloserheedgedabout，followingthemovementsofthetwisting，scufflingcombatants。Thegrowlsoftheape-mansentcoldchillsupthewarrior’sspine，causinghimtogocarefullylesthemissatthefirstcastandlayhimselfopentoanattackfromthosemercilessteethandmightyhands。

Atlasthefoundanopening。Higherheraisedhisspear，tensinghismuscles，rollingbeneathhisglistening，ebonhide，andthenfromthejunglejustbeyondthepalisadecameathunderouscrashing。Thespear-handpaused，theblackcastaquickglanceinthedirectionofthedisturbance，asdidtheothersoftheblackswhowerenotoccupiedwiththesubjugationoftheape-man。

Intheglareofthefirestheysawahugebulktoppingthebarrier。Theysawthepalisadebellyandswayinward。

Theysawitburstasthoughbuiltofstraws，andaninstantlaterTantor，theelephant，thundereddownuponthem。

Torightandlefttheblacksfled，screaminginterror。

SomewhohovereduponthevergeofthestrifewithTarzanheardandmadegoodtheirescape，butahalfdozenthereweresowraptintheblood-madnessofbattlethattheyfailedtonotetheapproachofthegianttusker。

UpontheseTantorcharged，trumpetingfuriously。Abovethemhestopped，hissensitivetrunkweavingamongthem，andthere，atthebottom，hefoundTarzan，bloody，butstillbattling。

Awarriorturnedhiseyesupwardfromthemelee。

Abovehimtoweredthegiganticbulkofthepachyderm，thelittleeyesflashingwiththereflectedlightofthefires——wicked，frightful，terrifying。Thewarriorscreamed，andashescreamed，thesinuoustrunkencircledhim，liftedhimhighabovetheground，andhurledhimfarafterthefleeingcrowd。

AnotherandanotherTantorwrenchedfromthebodyoftheape-man，throwingthemtorightandtoleft，wheretheylayeithermoaningorveryquiet，asdeathcameslowlyoratonce。

AtadistanceMbongaralliedhiswarriors。Hisgreedyeyeshadnotedthegreativorytusksofthebull。

Thefirstpanicofterrorrelieved，heurgedhismenforwardtoattackwiththeirheavyelephantspears；

butastheycame，TantorswungTarzantohisbroadhead，and，wheeling，lumberedoffintothejunglethroughthegreatrenthehadmadeinthepalisade。

Elephanthuntersmayberightwhentheyaverthatthisanimalwouldnothaverenderedsuchservicetoaman，buttoTantor，Tarzanwasnotaman——hewasbutafellowjunglebeast。

AndsoitwasthatTantor，theelephant，dischargedanobligationtoTarzanoftheApes，cementingevenmorecloselythefriendshipthathadexistedbetweenthemsinceTarzanasalittle，brownboyrodeuponTantor’shugebackthroughthemoonlitjunglebeneaththeequatorialstars。

3

TheFightfortheBaluTEEKAHADBECOMEamother。TarzanoftheApeswasintenselyinterested，muchmoreso，infact，thanTaug，thefather。TarzanwasveryfondofTeeka。Eventhecaresofprospectivemotherhoodhadnotentirelyquenchedthefiresofcarefreeyouth，andTeekahadremainedagood-naturedplaymateevenatanagewhenothershesofthetribeofKerchakhadassumedthesullendignityofmaturity。

Sheyetretainedherchildishdelightintheprimitivegamesoftagandhide-and-go-seekwhichTarzan’sfertileman-mindhadevolved。

Toplaytagthroughthetreetopsisanexcitingandinspiringpastime。Tarzandelightedinit，butthebullsofhischildhoodhadlongsinceabandonedsuchchildishpractices。Teeka，though，hadbeenkeenforitalwaysuntilshortlybeforethebabycame；

butwiththeadventofherfirst-born，evenTeekachanged。

TheevidenceofthechangesurprisedandhurtTarzanimmeasurably。

OnemorninghesawTeekasquatteduponalowbranchhuggingsomethingveryclosetoherhairybreast——aweesomethingwhichsquirmedandwriggled。Tarzanapproachedfilledwiththecuriositywhichiscommontoallcreaturesendowedwithbrainswhichhaveprogressedbeyondthemicroscopicstage。

Teekarolledhereyesinhisdirectionandstrainedthesquirmingmitestillclosertoher。Tarzancamenearer。

Teekadrewawayandbaredherfangs。Tarzanwasnonplussed。

InallhisexperienceswithTeeka，neverbeforehadshebaredfangsathimotherthaninplay；buttodayshedidnotlookplayful。Tarzanranhisbrownfingersthroughhisthick，blackhair，cockedhisheadupononeside，andstared。Thenheedgedabitnearer，craninghisnecktohaveabetterlookatthethingwhichTeekacuddled。

AgainTeekadrewbackherupperlipinawarningsnarl。

Tarzanreachedforthahand，cautiously，totouchthethingwhichTeekaheld，andTeeka，withahideousgrowl，turnedsuddenlyuponhim。Herteethsankintothefleshofhisforearmbeforetheape-mancouldsnatchitaway，andshepursuedhimforashortdistanceasheretreatedincontinentlythroughthetrees；

butTeeka，carryingherbaby，couldnotovertakehim。

AtasafedistanceTarzanstoppedandturnedtoregardhiserstwhileplay-fellowinunconcealedastonishment。

WhathadhappenedtosoalterthegentleTeeka？ShehadsocoveredthethinginherarmsthatTarzanhadnotyetbeenabletorecognizeitforwhatitwas；butnow，assheturnedfromthepursuitofhim，hesawit。Throughhispainandchagrinhesmiled，forTarzanhadseenyoungapemothersbefore。Inafewdaysshewouldbelesssuspicious。

StillTarzanwashurt；itwasnotrightthatTeeka，ofallothers，shouldfearhim。Why，notfortheworldwouldheharmher，orherbalu，whichistheapewordforbaby。

Andnow，abovethepainofhisinjuredarmandthehurttohispride，roseastillstrongerdesiretocomecloseandinspectthenew-bornsonofTaug。PossiblyyouwillwonderthatTarzanoftheApes，mightyfighterthathewas，shouldhavefledbeforetheirritableattackofashe，orthatheshouldhesitatetoreturnforthesatisfactionofhiscuriositywhenwitheasehemighthavevanquishedtheweakenedmotherofthenew-borncub；butyouneednotwonder。Wereyouanape，youwouldknowthatonlyabullinthethroesofmadnesswillturnuponafemaleotherthantogentlychastiseher，withtheoccasionalexceptionoftheindividualwhomwefindexemplifiedamongourownkind，andwhodelightsinbeatinguphisbetterhalfbecauseshehappenstobesmallerandweakerthanhe。

Tarzanagaincametowardtheyoungmother——warilyandwithhislineofretreatsafelyopen。AgainTeekagrowledferociously。Tarzanexpostulated。

"TarzanoftheApeswillnotharmTeeka’sbalu，"hesaid。

"Letmeseeit。"

"Goaway！"commandedTeeka。"Goaway，orIwillkillyou。"

"Letmeseeit，"urgedTarzan。

"Goaway，"reiteratedtheshe-ape。"HerecomesTaug。

Hewillmakeyougoaway。Taugwillkillyou。ThisisTaug’sbalu。"

AsavagegrowlclosebehindhimapprisedTarzanofthenearnessofTaug，andthefactthatthebullhadheardthewarningsandthreatsofhismateandwascomingtohersuccor。

NowTaug，aswellasTeeka，hadbeenTarzan’splay-fellowwhilethebullwasstillyoungenoughtowishtoplay。

OnceTarzanhadsavedTaug’slife；butthememoryofanapeisnotoverlong，norwouldgratituderiseabovetheparentalinstinct。TarzanandTaughadoncemeasuredstrength，andTarzanhadbeenvictorious。

ThatfactTaugcouldbedependeduponstilltoremember；

butevenso，hemightreadilyfaceanotherdefeatforhisfirst-born——ifhechancedtobeinthepropermood。

Fromhishideousgrowls，whichnowroseinstrengthandvolume，heseemedtobeinquitethemood。NowTarzanfeltnofearofTaug，nordidtheunwrittenlawofthejungledemandthatheshouldfleefrombattlewithanymale，unlesshecaredtofrompurelypersonalreasons。

ButTarzanlikedTaug。Hehadnogrudgeagainsthim，andhisman-mindtoldhimwhatthemindofanapewouldneverhavededuced——thatTaug’sattitudeinnosenseindicatedhatred。Itwasbuttheinstinctiveurgeofthemaletoprotectitsoffspringanditsmate。

TarzanhadnodesiretobattlewithTaug，nordidthebloodofhisEnglishancestorsrelishthethoughtofflight，yetwhenthebullcharged，Tarzanleapednimblytooneside，andthusencouraged，Taugwheeledandrushedagainmadlytotheattack。PerhapsthememoryofapastdefeatatTarzan’shandsgoadedhim。PerhapsthefactthatTeekasattherewatchinghimarousedadesiretovanquishtheape-manbeforehereyes，forinthebreastofeveryjunglemalelurksavastegotismwhichfindsexpressionintheperformanceofdeedsofderring-dobeforeanaudienceoftheoppositesex。

Attheape-man’ssideswunghislonggrassrope——theplay-thingofyesterday，theweaponoftoday——andasTaugchargedthesecondtime，Tarzanslippedthecoilsoverhisheadanddeftlyshookouttheslidingnooseasheagainnimblyeludedtheungainlybeast。

Beforetheapecouldturnagain，Tarzanhadfledfaraloftamongthebranchesoftheupperterrace。

Taug，nowwroughttoafrenzyofrealrage，followedhim。

Teekapeeredupwardatthem。Itwasdifficulttosaywhethershewasinterested。TaugcouldnotclimbasrapidlyasTarzan，sothelatterreachedthehighlevelstowhichtheheavyapedarednotfollowbeforetheformerovertookhim。Therehehaltedandlookeddownuponhispursuer，makingfacesathimandcallinghimsuchchoicenamesasoccurredtothefertileman-brain。Then，whenhehadworkedTaugtosuchapitchoffoamingragethatthegreatbullfairlydanceduponthebendinglimbbeneathhim，Tarzan’shandshotsuddenlyoutward，awideningnoosedroppedswiftlythroughtheair，therewasaquickjerkasitsettledaboutTaug，fallingtohisknees，ajerkthattighteneditsecurelyaboutthehairylegsoftheanthropoid。

Taug，slowofwit，realizedtoolatetheintentionofhistormentor。Hescrambledtoescape，buttheape-mangavetheropeatremendousjerkthatpulledTaugfromhisperch，andamomentlater，growlinghideously，theapehungheaddownwardthirtyfeetabovetheground。

TarzansecuredtheropetoastoutlimbanddescendedtoapointclosetoTaug。

"Taug，"hesaid，"youareasstupidasButo，therhinoceros。

Nowyoumayhanghereuntilyougetalittlesenseinyourthickhead。YoumayhanghereandwatchwhileI

goandtalkwithTeeka。"

Taugblusteredandthreatened，butTarzanonlygrinnedathimashedroppedlightlytothelowerlevels。HereheagainapproachedTeekaonlytobeagaingreetedwithbaredfangsandmenacinggrowls。Hesoughttoplacateher；

heurgedhisfriendlyintentions，andcranedhisnecktohavealookatTeeka’sbalu；buttheshe-apewasnottobepersuadedthathemeantotherthanharmtoherlittleone。

Hermotherhoodwasstillsonewthatreasonwasyetsubservienttoinstinct。

RealizingthefutilityofattemptingtocatchandchastiseTarzan，Teekasoughttoescapehim。

Shedroppedtothegroundandlumberedacrossthelittleclearingaboutwhichtheapesofthetribeweredisposedinrestorinthesearchoffood，andpresentlyTarzanabandonedhisattemptstopersuadehertopermitacloseexaminationofthebalu。Theape-manwouldhavelikedtohandlethetinything。Theverysightofitawakenedinhisbreastastrangeyearning。Hewishedtocuddleandfondlethegrotesquelittleape-thing。ItwasTeeka’sbaluandTarzanhadoncelavishedhisyoungaffectionsuponTeeka。

ButnowhisattentionwasdivertedbythevoiceofTaug。

Thethreatsthathadfilledtheape’smouthhadturnedtopleas。Thetighteningnoosewasstoppingthecirculationofthebloodinhislegs——hewasbeginningtosuffer。

Severalapessatnearhimhighlyinterestedinhispredicament。

Theymadeuncomplimentaryremarksabouthim，foreachofthemhadfelttheweightofTaug’smightyhandsandthestrengthofhisgreatjaws。Theywereenjoyingrevenge。

Teeka，seeingthatTarzanhadturnedbacktowardthetrees，hadhaltedinthecenteroftheclearing，andthereshesathuggingherbaluandcastingsuspiciousglanceshereandthere。Withthecomingofthebalu，Teeka’scare-freeworldhadsuddenlybecomepeopledwithinnumerableenemies。ShesawanimplacablefoeinTarzan，alwaysheretoforeherbestfriend。EvenpooroldMumga，halfblindandalmostentirelytoothless，searchingpatientlyforgrubwormsbeneathafallenlog，representedtoheramalignantspiritthirstingforthebloodoflittlebalus。

AndwhileTeekaguardedsuspiciouslyagainstharm，wheretherewasnoharm，shefailedtonotetwobaleful，yellow-greeneyesstaringfixedlyatherfrombehindaclumpofbushesattheoppositesideoftheclearing。

Hollowfromhunger，Sheeta，thepanther，glaredgreedilyatthetemptingmeatsocloseathand，butthesightofthegreatbullsbeyondgavehimpause。

Ah，iftheshe-apewithherbaluwouldbutcomejustatriflenearer！Aquickspringandhewouldbeuponthemandawayagainwithhismeatbeforethebullscouldprevent。

Thetipofhistawnytailmovedinspasmodiclittlejerks；

hislowerjawhunglow，exposingaredtongueandyellowfangs。ButallthisTeekadidnotsee，nordidanyotheroftheapeswhowerefeedingorrestingabouther。

NordidTarzanortheapesinthetrees。

HearingtheabusewhichthebullswerepouringuponthehelplessTaug，Tarzanclamberedquicklyamongthem。

Onewasedgingcloserandleaningfaroutinanefforttoreachthedanglingape。HehadworkedhimselfintoquiteafurythroughrecollectionofthelastoccasionuponwhichTaughadmauledhim，andnowhewasbentuponrevenge。Oncehehadgraspedtheswingingape，hewouldquicklyhavedrawnhimwithinreachofhisjaws。

Tarzansawandwaswroth。Helovedafairfight，butthethingwhichthisapecontemplatedrevoltedhim。

AlreadyahairyhandhadclutchedthehelplessTaugwhen，withanangrygrowlofprotest，Tarzanleapedtothebranchattheattackingape’sside，andwithasinglemightycuff，swepthimfromhisperch。

Surprisedandenraged，thebullclutchedmadlyforsupportashetoppledsidewise，andthenwithanagilemovementsucceededinprojectinghimselftowardanotherlimbafewfeetbelow。Herehefoundahand-hold，quicklyrightedhimself，andasquicklyclamberedupwardtoberevengeduponTarzan，buttheape-manwasotherwiseengagedanddidnotwishtobeinterrupted。

HewasexplainingagaintoTaugthedepthsofthelatter’sabysmalignorance，andpointingouthowmuchgreaterandmightierwasTarzanoftheApesthanTaugoranyotherape。

IntheendhewouldreleaseTaug，butnotuntilTaugwasfullyacquaintedwithhisowninferiority。Andthenthemaddenedbullcamefrombeneath，andinstantlyTarzanwastransformedfromagood-natured，teasingyouthintoasnarling，savagebeast。Alonghisscalpthehairbristled:hisupperlipdrewbackthathisfightingfangsmightbeuncoveredandready。Hedidnotwaitforthebulltoreachhim，forsomethingintheappearanceorthevoiceoftheattackerarousedwithintheape-manafeelingofbelligerentantagonismthatwouldnotbedenied。

Withascreamthatcarriednohumannote，Tarzanleapedstraightatthethroatoftheattacker。

Theimpetuosityofthisactandtheweightandmomentumofhisbodycarriedthebullbackward，clutchingandclawingforsupport，downthroughtheleafybranchesofthetree。

Forfifteenfeetthetwofell，Tarzan’steethburiedinthejugularofhisopponent，whenastoutbranchstoppedtheirdescent。Thebullstruckfulluponthesmallofhisbackacrossthelimb，hungthereforamomentwiththeape-manstilluponhisbreast，andthentoppledovertowardtheground。

Tarzanhadfelttheinstantaneousrelaxationofthebodybeneathhimaftertheheavyimpactwiththetreelimb，andastheotherturnedcompletelyoverandstartedagainuponitsfalltowardtheground，hereachedforthahandandcaughtthebranchintimetostayhisowndescent，whiletheapedroppedlikeaplummettothefootofthetree。

Tarzanlookeddownwardforamomentuponthestillformofhislateantagonist，thenherosetohisfullheight，swelledhisdeepchest，smoteuponitwithhisclenchedfistandroaredouttheuncannychallengeofthevictoriousbullape。

EvenSheeta，thepanther，crouchedforaspringattheedgeofthelittleclearing，moveduneasilyasthemightyvoicesentitsweirdcryreverberatingthroughthejungle。

Torightandleft，nervously，glancedSheeta，asthoughassuringhimselfthatthewayofescapelayreadyathand。

"IamTarzanoftheApes，"boastedtheape-man；

"mightyhunter，mightyfighter！NoneinallthejunglesogreatasTarzan。"

ThenhemadehiswaybackinthedirectionofTaug。

Teekahadwatchedthehappeningsinthetree。Shehadevenplacedherpreciousbaluuponthesoftgrassesandcomealittlenearerthatshemightbetterwitnessallthatwaspassinginthebranchesaboveher。Inherheartofheartsdidshestillesteemthesmooth-skinnedTarzan？

Didhersavagebreastswellwithprideasshewitnessedhisvictoryovertheape？YouwillhavetoaskTeeka。

AndSheeta，thepanther，sawthattheshe-apehadlefthercubaloneamongthegrasses。Hemovedhistailagain，asthoughthisclosestapproximationoflashinginwhichhedaredindulgemightstimulatehismomentarilywanedcourage。

Thecryofthevictoriousape-manstillheldhisnervesbeneathitsspell。Itwouldbeseveralminutesbeforeheagaincouldbringhimselftothepointofchargingintoviewofthegiantanthropoids。

Andasheregatheredhisforces，TarzanreachedTaug’sside，andthenclamberinghigheruptothepointwheretheendofthegrassropewasmadefast，heunlooseditandloweredtheapeslowlydownward，swinginghiminuntiltheclutchinghandsfasteneduponalimb。

QuicklyTaugdrewhimselftoapositionofsafetyandshookoffthenoose。Inhisrage-maddenedheartwasnoroomforgratitudetotheape-man。HerecalledonlythefactthatTarzanhadlaidthispainfulindignityuponhim。

Hewouldberevenged，butjustatpresenthislegsweresonumbandhisheadsodizzythathemustpostponethegratificationofhisvengeance。

TarzanwascoilinghisropethewhilehelecturedTaugonthefutilityofpittinghispoorpowers，physicalandintellectual，againstthoseofhisbetters。

Teekahadcomeclosebeneaththetreeandwaspeeringupward。

Sheetawasworminghiswaystealthilyforward，hisbellyclosetotheground。InanothermomenthewouldbeclearoftheunderbrushandreadyfortherapidchargeandthequickretreatthatwouldendthebriefexistenceofTeeka’sbalu。

ThenTarzanchancedtolookupandacrosstheclearing。

Instantlyhisattitudeofgood-naturedbanteringandpompousboastfulnessdroppedfromhim。Silentlyandswiftlyheshotdownwardtowardtheground。Teeka，seeinghimcoming，andthinkingthathewasafterherorherbalu，bristledandpreparedtofight。ButTarzanspedbyher，andashewent，hereyesfollowedhimandshesawthecauseofhissuddendescentandhisrapidchargeacrosstheclearing。

ThereinfullsightnowwasSheeta，thepanther，stalkingslowlytowardthetiny，wrigglingbaluwhichlayamongthegrassesmanyyardsaway。

Teekagavevoicetoashrillscreamofterrorandofwarningasshedashedaftertheape-man。SheetasawTarzancoming。

Hesawtheshe-ape’scubbeforehim，andhethoughtthatthisotherwasbentuponrobbinghimofhisprey。

Withanangrygrowl，hecharged。

Taug，warnedbyTeeka’scry，camelumberingdowntoherassistance。Severalotherbulls，growlingandbarking，closedintowardtheclearing，buttheywereallmuchfartherfromthebaluandthepantherthanwasTarzanoftheApes，soitwasthatSheetaandtheape-manreachedTeeka’slittleonealmostsimultaneously；andtheretheystood，oneuponeithersideofit，baringtheirfangsandsnarlingateachotheroverthelittlecreature。

Sheetawasafraidtoseizethebalu，forthushewouldgivetheape-mananopeningforattack；andforthesamereasonTarzanhesitatedtosnatchthepanther’spreyoutofharm’sway，forhadhestoopedtoaccomplishthis，thegreatbeastwouldhavebeenuponhiminaninstant。

ThustheystoodwhileTeekacameacrosstheclearing，goingmoreslowlyasshenearedthepanther，forevenhermotherlovecouldscarceovercomeherinstinctiveterrorofthisnaturalenemyofherkind。

BehindhercameTaug，warilyandwithmanypausesandmuchbluster，andstillbehindhimcameotherbulls，snarlingferociouslyandutteringtheiruncannychallenges。

Sheeta’syellow-greeneyesglaredterriblyatTarzan，andpastTarzantheyshotbriefglancesattheapesofKerchakadvancinguponhim。Discretionpromptedhimtoturnandflee，buthungerandthecloseproximityofthetemptingmorselinthegrassbeforehimurgedhimtoremain。HereachedforthapawtowardTeeka’sbalu，andashedidso，withasavageguttural，TarzanoftheApeswasuponhim。

Thepantherrearedtomeettheape-man’sattack。

HeswungafrightfulrakingblowforTarzanthatwouldhavewipedhisfaceawayhaditlanded，butitdidnotland，forTarzanduckedbeneathitandclosed，hislongknifereadyinonestronghand——theknifeofhisdeadfather，ofthefatherheneverhadknown。

InstantlythebaluwasforgottenbySheeta，thepanther。

Henowthoughtonlyoftearingtoribbonswithhispowerfultalonsthefleshofhisantagonist，ofburyinghislong，yellowfangsinthesoft，smoothhideoftheape-man，butTarzanhadfoughtbeforewithclawedcreaturesofthejungle。

Beforenowhehadbattledwithfangedmonsters，noralwayshadhecomeawayunscathed。Heknewtheriskthatheran，butTarzanoftheApes，inuredtothesightofsufferinganddeath，shrankfromneither，forhefearedneither。

TheinstantthathedodgedbeneathSheeta’sblow，heleapedtothebeast’srearandthenfulluponthetawnyback，buryinghisteethinSheeta’sneckandthefingersofonehandinthefuratthethroat，andwiththeotherhandhedrovehisbladeintoSheeta’sside。

OverandoveruponthegrassrolledSheeta，growlingandscreaming，clawingandbiting，inamadefforttodislodgehisantagonistorgetsomeportionofhisbodywithinrangeofteethortalons。

AsTarzanleapedtoclosequarterswiththepanther，Teekahadrunquicklyinandsnatchedupherbalu。

Nowshesatuponahighbranch，safeoutofharm’sway，cuddlingthelittlethingclosetoherhairybreast，thewhilehersavagelittleeyesboreddownuponthecontestantsintheclearing，andherferociousvoiceurgedTaugandtheotherbullstoleapintothemelee。

Thusgoadedthebullscamecloser，redoublingtheirhideousclamor；butSheetawasalreadysufficientlyengaged——

hedidnotevenhearthem。Oncehesucceededinpartiallydislodgingtheape-manfromhisback，sothatTarzanswungforaninstantinfrontofthoseawfultalons，andinthebriefinstantbeforehecouldregainhisformerhold，arakingblowfromahindpawlaidopenonelegfromhiptoknee。

Itwasthesightandsmellofthisblood，possibly，whichwroughtupontheencirclingapes；butitwasTaugwhoreallywasresponsibleforthethingtheydid。

Taug，butamomentbeforefilledwithragetowardTarzanoftheApes，stoodclosetothebattlingpair，hisred-rimmed，wickedlittleeyesglaringatthem。

Whatwaspassinginhissavagebrain？Didhegloatovertheunenviablepositionofhisrecenttormentor？DidhelongtoseeSheeta’sgreatfangssinkintothesoftthroatoftheape-man？OrdidherealizethecourageousunselfishnessthathadpromptedTarzantorushtotherescueandimperilhislifeforTeeka’sbalu——forTaug’slittlebalu？Isgratitudeapossessionofmanonly，ordothelowerordersknowitalso？

WiththespillingofTarzan’sblood，Taugansweredthesequestions。Withalltheweightofhisgreatbodyheleaped，hideouslygrowling，uponSheeta。Hislongfightingfangsburiedthemselvesinthewhitethroat。

Hispowerfularmsbeatandclawedatthesoftfuruntilitflewupwardinthejunglebreeze。

AndwithTaug’sexamplebeforethemtheotherbullscharged，buryingSheetabeneathrendingfangsandfillingalltheforestwiththewilddinoftheirbattlecries。

Ah！butitwasawondrousandinspiringsight——thisbattleoftheprimordialapesandthegreat，whiteape-manwiththeirancestralfoe，Sheeta，thepanther。

Infrenziedexcitement，Teekafairlydanceduponthelimbwhichswayedbeneathhergreatweightassheurgedonthemalesofherpeople，andThaka，andMumga，andKamma，withtheothershesofthetribeofKerchak，addedtheirshrillcriesorfiercebarkingstothepandemoniumwhichnowreignedwithinthejungle。

Bittenandbiting，tearingandtorn，Sheetabattledforhislife；buttheoddswereagainsthim。EvenNuma，thelion，wouldhavehesitatedtohaveattackedanequalnumberofthegreatbullsofthetribeofKerchak，andnow，ahalfmileaway，hearingthesoundsoftheterrificbattle，thekingofbeastsroseuneasilyfromhismiddayslumberandslunkofffartherintothejungle。

PresentlySheeta’stornandbloodybodyceaseditstitanicstruggles。Itstiffenedspasmodically，twitchedandwasstill，yetthebullscontinuedtolacerateituntilthebeautifulcoatwastorntoshreds。Atlasttheydesistedfromsheerphysicalweariness，andthenfromthetangleofbloodybodiesroseacrimsongiant，straightasanarrow。

Heplacedafootuponthedeadbodyofthepanther，andliftinghisblood-stainedfacetotheblueoftheequatorialheavens，gavevoicetothehorridvictorycryofthebullape。

OnebyonehishairyfellowsofthetribeofKerchakfollowedhisexample。TheshescamedownfromtheirperchesofsafetyandstruckandreviledthedeadbodyofSheeta。

Theyoungapesrefoughtthebattleinmimicryoftheirmightyelders。

TeekawasquiteclosetoTarzan。Heturnedandsawherwiththebaluhuggedclosetoherhairybreast，andputouthishandstotakethelittleone，expectingthatTeekawouldbareherfangsandspringuponhim；butinsteadsheplacedthebaluinhisarms，andcomingnearer，lickedhisfrightfulwounds。

AndpresentlyTaug，whohadescapedwithonlyafewscratches，cameandsquattedbesideTarzanandwatchedhimasheplayedwiththelittlebalu，andatlasthetooleanedoverandhelpedTeekawiththecleansingandthehealingoftheape-man’shurts。

4

TheGodofTarzanAMONGTHEBOOKSofhisdeadfatherinthelittlecabinbytheland-lockedharbor，TarzanoftheApesfoundmanythingstopuzzlehisyounghead。Bymuchlaborandthroughthemediumofinfinitepatienceaswell，hehad，withoutassistance，discoveredthepurposeofthelittlebugswhichranriotupontheprintedpages。Hehadlearnedthatinthemanycombinationsinwhichhefoundthemtheyspokeinasilentlanguage，spokeinastrangetongue，spokeofwonderfulthingswhichalittleape-boycouldnotbyanychancefullyunderstand，arousinghiscuriosity，stimulatinghisimaginationandfillinghissoulwithamightylongingforfurtherknowledge。

Adictionaryhadprovenitselfawonderfulstorehouseofinformation，when，afterseveralyearsoftirelessendeavor，hehadsolvedthemysteryofitspurposeandthemannerofitsuse。Hehadlearnedtomakeaspeciesofgameoutofit，followingupthespoorofanewthoughtthroughthemazesofthemanydefinitionswhicheachnewwordrequiredhimtoconsult。Itwaslikefollowingaquarrythroughthejungle——itwashunting，andTarzanoftheApeswasanindefatigablehuntsman。

Therewere，ofcourse，certainwordswhicharousedhiscuriositytoagreaterextentthanothers，wordswhich，foronereasonoranother，excitedhisimagination。

Therewasone，forexample，themeaningofwhichwasratherdifficulttograsp。ItwasthewordGOD。

Tarzanfirsthadbeenattractedtoitbythefactthatitwasveryshortandthatitcommencedwithalargerg-bugthanthoseaboutit——amaleg-bugitwastoTarzan，thelower-caselettersbeingfemales。Anotherfactwhichattractedhimtothiswordwasthenumberofhe-bugswhichfiguredinitsdefinition——SupremeDeity，CreatororUpholderoftheUniverse。Thismustbeaveryimportantwordindeed，hewouldhavetolookintoit，andhedid，thoughitstillbaffledhimaftermanymonthsofthoughtandstudy。

However，Tarzancountednotimewastedwhichhedevotedtothesestrangehuntingexpeditionsintothegamepreservesofknowledge，foreachwordandeachdefinitionledonandonintostrangeplaces，intonewworldswhere，withincreasingfrequency，hemetold，familiarfaces。

Andalwaysheaddedtohisstoreofknowledge。

ButofthemeaningofGODhewasyetindoubt。

Oncehethoughthehadgraspedit——thatGodwasamightychieftain，kingofalltheMangani。Hewasnotquitesure，however，sincethatwouldmeanthatGodwasmightierthanTarzan——apointwhichTarzanoftheApes，whoacknowledgednoequalinthejungle，wasloathtoconcede。

ButinallthebookshehadtherewasnopictureofGod，thoughhefoundmuchtoconfirmhisbeliefthatGodwasagreat，anall-powerfulindividual。HesawpicturesofplaceswhereGodwasworshiped；butneveranysignofGod。

FinallyhebegantowonderifGodwerenotofadifferentformthanhe，andatlasthedeterminedtosetoutinsearchofHim。

HecommencedbyquestioningMumga，whowasveryoldandhadseenmanystrangethingsinherlonglife；butMumga，beinganape，hadafacultyforrecallingthetrivial。

ThattimewhenGuntomistookasting-bugforanediblebeetlehadmademoreimpressionuponMumgathanalltheinnumerablemanifestationsofthegreatnessofGodwhichshehadwitnessed，andwhich，ofcourse，shehadnotunderstood。

Numgo，overhearingTarzan’squestions，managedtowresthisattentionlongenoughfromthediversionoffleahuntingtoadvancethetheorythatthepowerwhichmadethelightningandtherainandthethundercamefromGoro，themoon。Heknewthis，hesaid，becausetheDum-DumalwayswasdancedinthelightofGoro。Thisreasoning，thoughentirelysatisfactorytoNumgoandMumga，failedfullytoconvinceTarzan。However，itgavehimabasisforfurtherinvestigationalonganewline。

Hewouldinvestigatethemoon。

Thatnightheclamberedtotheloftiestpinnacleofthetallestjunglegiant。Themoonwasfull，agreat，glorious，equatorialmoon。Theape-man，uprightuponaslender，swayinglimb，raisedhisbronzedfacetothesilverorb。

Nowthathehadclamberedtothehighestpointwithinhisreach，hediscovered，tohissurprise，thatGorowasasfarawayaswhenheviewedhimfromtheground。

HethoughtthatGorowasattemptingtoeludehim。

"Come，Goro！"hecried，"TarzanoftheApeswillnotharmyou！"Butstillthemoonheldaloof。

"Tellme，"hecontinued，"ifyoubethegreatkingwhosendsAra，thelightning；whomakesthegreatnoiseandthemightywinds，andsendsthewatersdownuponthejunglepeoplewhenthedaysaredarkanditiscold。

Tellme，Goro，areyouGod？"

OfcoursehedidnotpronounceGodasyouorIwouldpronounceHisname，forTarzanknewnaughtofthespokenlanguageofhisEnglishforbears；buthehadanameofhisowninventionforeachofthelittlebugswhichconstitutedthealphabet。Unliketheapeshewasnotsatisfiedmerelytohaveamentalpictureofthethingsheknew，hemusthaveaworddescriptiveofeach。Inreadinghegraspedawordinitsentirety；butwhenhespokethewordshehadlearnedfromthebooksofhisfather，hepronouncedeachaccordingtothenameshehadgiventhevariouslittlebugswhichoccurredinit，usuallygivingthegenderprefixforeach。

ThusitwasanimposingwordwhichTarzanmadeofGOD。

ThemasculineprefixoftheapesisBU，thefeminineMU；gTarzanhadnamedLA，ohepronouncedTU，anddwasMO。SothewordGodevolveditselfintoBULAMUTUMUMO，or，inEnglish，he-g-she-o-she-d。

Similarlyhehadarrivedatastrangeandwonderfulspellingofhisownname。TarzanisderivedfromthetwoapewordsTARandZAN，meaningwhiteskin。

Itwasgivenhimbyhisfostermother，Kala，thegreatshe-ape。WhenTarzanfirstputitintothewrittenlanguageofhisownpeoplehehadnotyetchanceduponeitherWHITE

orSKINinthedictionary；butinaprimerhehadseenthepictureofalittlewhiteboyandsohewrotehisnameBUMUDE-MUTOMURO，orhe-boy。

TofollowTarzan’sstrangesystemofspellingwouldbelaboriousaswellasfutile，andsoweshallinthefuture，aswehaveinthepast，adheretothemorefamiliarformsofourgrammarschoolcopybooks。ItwouldtireyoutorememberthatDOmeantb，TUo，andROy，andthattosayhe-boyyoumustprefixtheapemasculinegendersoundBUbeforetheentirewordandthefemininegendersoundMUbeforeeachofthelower-caseletterswhichgotomakeupboy——itwouldtireyouanditwouldbringmetothenineteenthholeseveralstrokesunderpar。

AndsoTarzanharanguedthemoon，andwhenGorodidnotreply，TarzanoftheApeswaxedwroth。Heswelledhisgiantchestandbaredhisfightingfangs，andhurledintotheteethofthedeadsatellitethechallengeofthebullape。

"YouarenotBulamutumumo，"hecried。"Youarenotkingofthejunglefolk。YouarenotsogreatasTarzan，mightyfighter，mightyhunter。NonethereissogreatasTarzan。IftherebeaBulamutumumo，Tarzancankillhim。

Comedown，Goro，greatcoward，andfightwithTarzan。

Tarzanwillkillyou。IamTarzan，thekiller。"

Butthemoonmadenoanswertotheboastingoftheape-man，andwhenacloudcameandobscuredherface，TarzanthoughtthatGorowasindeedafraid，andwashidingfromhim，sohecamedownoutofthetreesandawokeNumgoandtoldhimhowgreatwasTarzan——howhehadfrightenedGorooutoftheskyandmadehimtremble。

TarzanspokeofthemoonasHE，forallthingslargeoraweinspiringaremaletotheapefolk。

Numgowasnotmuchimpressed；buthewasverysleepy，sohetoldTarzantogoawayandleavehisbettersalone。

"ButwhereshallIfindGod？"insistedTarzan。"Youareveryold；ifthereisaGodyoumusthaveseenHim。

WhatdoesHelooklike？WheredoesHelive？"

"IamGod，"repliedNumgo。"Nowsleepanddisturbmenomore。"

TarzanlookedatNumgosteadilyforseveralminutes，hisshapelyheadsankjustatriflebetweenhisgreatshoulders，hissquarechinshotforwardandhisshortupperlipdrewback，exposinghiswhiteteeth。Then，withalowgrowlheleapedupontheapeandburiedhisfangsintheother’shairyshoulder，clutchingthegreatneckinhismightyfingers。Twiceheshooktheoldape，thenhereleasedhistooth-hold。

"AreyouGod？"hedemanded。

"No，"wailedNumgo。"Iamonlyapoor，oldape。

Leavemealone。GoasktheGomanganiwhereGodis。

Theyarehairlesslikeyourselfandverywise，too。

Theyshouldknow。"

TarzanreleasedNumgoandturnedaway。Thesuggestionthatheconsulttheblacksappealedtohim，andthoughhisrelationswiththepeopleofMbonga，thechief，weretheantithesisoffriendly，hecouldatleastspyuponhishatedenemiesanddiscoveriftheyhadintercoursewithGod。

SoitwasthatTarzansetforththroughthetreestowardthevillageoftheblacks，allexcitementattheprospectofdiscoveringtheSupremeBeing，theCreatorofallthings。

Ashetraveledhereviewed，mentally，hisarmament——theconditionofhishuntingknife，thenumberofhisarrows，thenewnessofthegutwhichstrunghisbow——heheftedthewarspearwhichhadoncebeentheprideofsomeblackwarriorofMbonga’stribe。

IfhemetGod，Tarzanwouldbeprepared。Onecouldnevertellwhetheragrassrope，awarspear，orapoisonedarrowwouldbemostefficaciousagainstanunfamiliarfoe。

TarzanoftheApeswasquitecontent——ifGodwishedtofight，theape-manhadnodoubtastotheoutcomeofthestruggle。

ThereweremanyquestionsTarzanwishedtoputtotheCreatoroftheUniverseandsohehopedthatGodwouldnotproveabelligerentGod；buthisexperienceoflifeandthewaysoflivingthingshadtaughthimthatanycreaturewiththemeansforoffenseanddefensewasquitelikelytoprovokeattackifinthepropermood。

ItwasdarkwhenTarzancametothevillageofMbonga。

Assilentlyasthesilentshadowsofthenighthesoughthisaccustomedplaceamongthebranchesofthegreattreewhichoverhungthepalisade。Belowhim，inthevillagestreet，hesawmenandwomen。Themenwerehideouslypainted——morehideouslythanusual。

Amongthemmovedaweirdandgrotesquefigure，atallfigurethatwentuponthetwolegsofamanandyethadtheheadofabuffalo。Ataildangledtohisanklesbehindhim，andinonehandhecarriedazebra’stailwhiletheotherclutchedabunchofsmallarrows。

Tarzanwaselectrified。CoulditbethatchancehadgivenhimthusearlyanopportunitytolookuponGod？Surelythisthingwasneithermannorbeast，sowhatcoulditbethenotherthantheCreatoroftheUniverse！Theape-manwatchedtheeverymoveofthestrangecreature。

Hesawtheblackmenandwomenfallbackatitsapproachasthoughtheystoodinterrorofitsmysteriouspowers。

Presentlyhediscoveredthatthedeitywasspeakingandthatalllistenedinsilencetohiswords。TarzanwassurethatnoneotherthanGodcouldinspiresuchaweintheheartsoftheGomangani，orstoptheirmouthssoeffectuallywithoutrecoursetoarrowsorspears。

Tarzanhadcometolookwithcontemptupontheblacks，principallybecauseoftheirgarrulity。Thesmallapestalkedagreatdealandranawayfromanenemy。Thebig，oldbullsofKerchaktalkedbutlittleandfoughtupontheslightestprovocation。Numa，thelion，wasnotgiventoloquacity，yetofallthejunglefolktherewerefewwhofoughtmoreoftenthanhe。

Tarzanwitnessedstrangethingsthatnight，noneofwhichheunderstood，and，perhapsbecausetheywerestrange，hethoughtthattheymusthavetodowiththeGodhecouldnotunderstand。Hesawthreeyouthsreceivetheirfirstwarspearsinaweirdceremonywhichthegrotesquewitch-doctorstrovesuccessfullytorenderuncannyandawesome。

Hugelyinterested，hewatchedtheslashingofthethreebrownarmsandtheexchangeofbloodwithMbonga，thechief，intheritesoftheceremonyofbloodbrotherhood。

Hesawthezebra’staildippedintoacaldronofwaterabovewhichthewitch-doctorhadmademagicalpassesthewhilehedancedandleapedaboutit，andhesawthebreastsandforeheadsofeachofthethreenovitiatessprinkledwiththecharmedliquid。Couldtheape-manhaveknownthepurposeofthisact，thatitwasintendedtorendertherecipientinvulnerabletotheattacksofhisenemiesandfearlessinthefaceofanydanger，hewoulddoubtlesshaveleapedintothevillagestreetandappropriatedthezebra’stailandaportionofthecontentsofthecaldron。

Buthedidnotknow，andsoheonlywondered，notaloneatwhathesawbutatthestrangesensationswhichplayedupanddownhisnakedspine，sensationsinduced，doubtless，bythesamehypnoticinfluencewhichheldtheblackspectatorsintenseaweuponthevergeofahystericupheaval。

ThelongerTarzanwatched，themoreconvincedhebecamethathiseyeswereuponGod，andwiththeconvictioncamedeterminationtohavewordwiththedeity。WithTarzanoftheApes，tothinkwastoact。

ThepeopleofMbongawerekeyedtothehighestpitchofhystericalexcitement。Theyneededlittletoreleasetheaccumulatedpressureofstaticnerveforcewhichtheterrorizingmummeryofthewitch-doctorhadinduced。

Alionroared，suddenlyandloud，closewithoutthepalisade。

Theblacksstartednervously，droppingintouttersilenceastheylistenedforarepetitionofthatall-too-familiarandalwaysterrorizingvoice。Eventhewitch-doctorpausedinthemidstofanintricatestep，remainingmomentarilyrigidandstatuesqueasheplumbedhiscunningmindforasuggestionashowbesthemighttakeadvantageoftheconditionofhisaudienceandthetimelyinterruption。

Alreadytheeveninghadbeenvastlyprofitabletohim。

Therewouldbethreegoatsfortheinitiationofthethreeyouthsintofull-fledgedwarriorship，andbesidesthesehehadreceivedseveralgiftsofgrainandbeads，togetherwithapieceofcopperwirefromadmiringandterrifiedmembersofhisaudience。

Numa’sroarstillreverberatedalongtautnerveswhenawoman’slaugh，shrillandpiercing，shatteredthesilenceofthevillage。ItwasthismomentthatTarzanchosetodroplightlyfromhistreeintothevillagestreet。

Fearlessamonghisbloodenemieshestood，tallerbyafullheadthanmanyofMbonga’swarriors，straightastheirstraightestarrow，muscledlikeNuma，thelion。

ForamomentTarzanstoodlookingstraightatthewitch-doctor。Everyeyewasuponhim，yetnoonehadmoved——aparalysisofterrorheldthem，tobebrokenamomentlaterastheape-man，withatossofhead，steppedstraighttowardthehideousfigurebeneaththebuffalohead。

Thenthenervesoftheblackscouldstandnomore。

Formonthstheterrorofthestrange，white，junglegodhadbeenuponthem。Theirarrowshadbeenstolenfromtheverycenterofthevillage；theirwarriorshadbeensilentlyslainuponthejungletrailsandtheirdeadbodiesdroppedmysteriouslyandbynightintothevillagestreetasfromtheheavensabove。

Oneortwotherewerewhohadglimpsedthestrangefigureofthenewdemonanditwasfromtheiroft-repeateddescriptionsthattheentirevillagenowrecognizedTarzanastheauthorofmanyoftheirills。Uponanotheroccasionandbydaylight，thewarriorswoulddoubtlesshaveleapedtoattackhim，butatnight，andthisnightofallothers，whentheywerewroughttosuchapitchofnervousdreadbytheuncannyartistryoftheirwitch-doctor，theywerehelplesswithterror。Asonemantheyturnedandfled，scatteringfortheirhuts，asTarzanadvanced。

Foramomentoneandoneonlyheldhisground。Itwasthewitch-doctor。Morethanhalfself-hypnotizedintoabeliefinhisowncharlatanryhefacedthisnewdemonwhothreatenedtounderminehisancientandlucrativeprofession。

"AreyouGod？"askedTarzan。

Thewitch-doctor，havingnoideaofthemeaningoftheother’swords，dancedafewstrangesteps，leapedhighintheair，turningcompletelyaroundandalightinginastoopingposturewithfeetfaroutspreadandheadthrustouttowardtheape-man。Thusheremainedforaninstantbeforeheutteredaloud"Boo！"whichwasevidentlyintendedtofrightenTarzanaway；butinrealityhadnosucheffect。

Tarzandidnotpause。HehadsetouttoapproachandexamineGodandnothinguponearthmightnowstayhisfeet。

Seeingthathisanticshadnopotencywiththevisitor，thewitch-doctortriedsomenewmedicine。Spittinguponthezebra’stail，whichhestillclutchedinonehand，hemadecirclesaboveitwiththearrowsintheotherhand，meanwhilebackingcautiouslyawayfromTarzanandspeakingconfidentiallytothebushyendofthetail。

Thismedicinemustbeshortmedicine，however，forthecreature，godordemon，wassteadilyclosingupthedistancewhichhadseparatedthem。Thecirclesthereforewerefewandrapid，andwhentheywerecompleted，thewitch-doctorstruckanattitudewhichwasintendedtobeaweinspiringandwavingthezebra’stailbeforehim，drewanimaginarylinebetweenhimselfandTarzan。

"Beyondthislineyoucannotpass，formymedicineisstrongmedicine，"hecried。"Stop，oryouwillfalldeadasyourfoottouchesthisspot。Mymotherwasavoodoo，myfatherwasasnake；Iliveuponlions’

heartsandtheentrailsofthepanther；Ieatyoungbabiesforbreakfastandthedemonsofthejunglearemyslaves。

Iamthemostpowerfulwitch-doctorintheworld；

Ifearnothing，forIcannotdie。I——"Buthegotnofurther；

insteadheturnedandfledasTarzanoftheApescrossedthemagicaldeadlineandstilllived。

Asthewitch-doctorran，Tarzanalmostlosthistemper。

ThiswasnowayforGodtoact，atleastnotinaccordancewiththeconceptionTarzanhadcometohaveofGod。

"Comeback！"hecried。"Comeback，God，Iwillnotharmyou。"

Butthewitch-doctorwasinfullretreatbythistime，steppinghighasheleapedovercookingpotsandthesmolderingembersofsmallfiresthathadburnedbeforethehutsofvillagers。Straightforhisownhutranthewitch-doctor，terror-spurredtounwontedspeed；

butfutilewashiseffort——theape-manboredownuponhimwiththespeedofBara，thedeer。

Justattheentrancetohishutthewitch-doctorwasoverhauled。

Aheavyhandfelluponhisshouldertodraghimback。

Itseizeduponaportionofthebuffalohide，draggingthedisguisefromhim。ItwasanakedblackmanthatTarzansawdodgeintothedarknessofthehut’sinterior。

SothiswaswhathehadthoughtwasGod！Tarzan’slipcurledinanangrysnarlasheleapedintothehutaftertheterror-strickenwitch-doctor。Intheblacknesswithinhefoundthemanhuddledatthefarsideanddraggedhimforthintothecomparativelightnessofthemoonlitnight。

Thewitch-doctorbitandscratchedinanattempttoescape；

butafewcuffsacrosstheheadbroughthimtoabetterrealizationofthefutilityofresistance。BeneaththemoonTarzanheldthecringingfigureuponitsshakingfeet。

"SoyouareGod！"hecried。"IfyoubeGod，thenTarzanisgreaterthanGod，"andsotheape-manthought。

"IamTarzan，"heshoutedintotheearoftheblack。

"Inallthejungle，oraboveit，orupontherunningwaters，orthesleepingwaters，oruponthebigwater，orthelittlewater，thereisnonesogreatasTarzan。

TarzanisgreaterthantheMangani；heisgreaterthantheGomangani。WithhisownhandshehasslainNuma，thelion，andSheeta，thepanther；thereisnonesogreatasTarzan。TarzanisgreaterthanGod。See！"andwithasuddenwrenchhetwistedtheblack’sneckuntilthefellowshriekedinpainandthenslumpedtotheearthinaswoon。

Placinghisfootupontheneckofthefallenwitch-doctor，theape-manraisedhisfacetothemoonandutteredthelong，shrillscreamofthevictoriousbullape。

Thenhestoopedandsnatchedthezebra’stailfromthenervelessfingersoftheunconsciousmanandwithoutabackwardglanceretracedhisfootstepsacrossthevillage。

Fromseveralhutdoorwaysfrightenedeyeswatchedhim。

Mbonga，thechief，wasoneofthosewhohadseenwhatpassedbeforethehutofthewitch-doctor。Mbongawasgreatlyconcerned。Wiseoldpatriarchthathewas，heneverhadmorethanhalfbelievedinwitch-doctors，atleastnotsincegreaterwisdomhadcomewithage；

butasachiefhewaswellconvincedofthepowerofthewitch-doctorasanarmofgovernment，andoftenitwasthatMbongausedthesuperstitiousfearsofhispeopletohisownendsthroughthemediumofthemedicine-man。

Mbongaandthewitch-doctorhadworkedtogetheranddividedthespoils，andnowthe"face"ofthewitch-doctorwouldbelostforeverifanysawwhatMbongahadseen；

norwouldthisgenerationagainhaveasmuchfaithinanyfuturewitch-doctor。

Mbongamustdosomethingtocounteracttheevilinfluenceoftheforestdemon’svictoryoverthewitch-doctor。Heraisedhisheavyspearandcreptsilentlyfromhishutinthewakeoftheretreatingape-man。DownthevillagestreetwalkedTarzan，asunconcernedandasdeliberateasthoughonlythefriendlyapesofKerchaksurroundedhiminsteadofavillagefullofarmedenemies。

SeemingonlywastheindifferenceofTarzan，foralertandwatchfulwaseverywell-trainedsense。

Mbonga，wilystalkerofkeen-earedjunglecreatures，movednowinuttersilence。NotevenBara，thedeer，withhisgreatearscouldhaveguessedfromanysoundthatMbongawasnear；buttheblackwasnotstalkingBara；

hewasstalkingman，andsohesoughtonlytoavoidnoise。

Closerandclosertotheslowlymovingape-manhecame。

Nowheraisedhiswarspear，throwinghisspear-handfarbackabovehisrightshoulder。OnceandforallwouldMbonga，thechief，ridhimselfandhispeopleofthemenaceofthisterrifyingenemy。Hewouldmakenopoorcast；

hewouldtakepains，andhewouldhurlhisweaponwithsuchgreatforceaswouldfinishthedemonforever。

ButMbonga，sureashethoughthimself，erredinhiscalculations。Hemightbelievethathewasstalkingaman——hedidnotknow，however，thatitwasamanwiththedelicatesenseperceptionofthelowerorders。

Tarzan，whenhehadturnedhisbackuponhisenemies，hadnotedwhatMbonganeverwouldhavethoughtofconsideringinthehuntingofman——thewind。ItwasblowinginthesamedirectionthatTarzanwasproceeding，carryingtohisdelicatenostrilstheodorswhicharosebehindhim。

ThusitwasthatTarzanknewthathewasbeingfollowed，forevenamongthemanystenchesofanAfricanvillage，theape-man’suncannyfacultywasequaltothetaskofdifferentiatingonestenchfromanotherandlocatingwithremarkableprecisionthesourcefromwhenceitcame。

Heknewthatamanwasfollowinghimandcomingcloser，andhisjudgmentwarnedhimofthepurposeofthestalker。

WhenMbonga，therefore，camewithinspearrangeoftheape-man，thelattersuddenlywheeleduponhim，sosuddenlythatthepoisedspearwasshotafractionofasecondbeforeMbongahadintended。ItwentatriflehighandTarzanstoopedtoletitpassoverhishead；

thenhesprangtowardthechief。ButMbongadidnotwaittoreceivehim。Instead，heturnedandfledforthedarkdoorwayofthenearesthut，callingashewentforhiswarriorstofalluponthestrangerandslayhim。

WellindeedmightMbongascreamforhelp，forTarzan，youngandfleet-footed，coveredthedistancebetweenthemingreatleaps，atthespeedofacharginglion。

Hewasgrowling，too，notatallunlikeNumahimself。

Mbongaheardandhisbloodrancold。Hecouldfeelthewoolstiffenuponhispateandapricklychillrunuphisspine，asthoughDeathhadcomeandrunhiscoldfingeralongMbonga’sback。

Othersheard，too，andsaw，fromthedarknessoftheirhuts——boldwarriors，hideouslypainted，graspingheavywarspearsinnervelessfingers。AgainstNuma，thelion，theywouldhavechargedfearlessly。Againstmanytimestheirownnumberofblackwarriorswouldtheyhaveracedtotheprotectionoftheirchief；butthisweirdjungledemonfilledthemwithterror。Therewasnothinghumaninthebestialgrowlsthatrumbledupfromhisdeepchest；

therewasnothinghumaninthebaredfangs，orthecatlikeleaps。

Mbonga’swarriorswereterrified——tooterrifiedtoleavetheseemingsecurityoftheirhutswhiletheywatchedthebeast-manspringfulluponthebackoftheiroldchieftain。

Mbongawentdownwithascreamofterror。Hewastoofrightenedeventoattempttodefendhimself。

Hejustlaybeneathhisantagonistinaparalysisoffear，screamingatthetopofhislungs。Tarzanhalfroseandkneeledabovetheblack。HeturnedMbongaoverandlookedhimintheface，exposingtheman’sthroat，thenhedrewhislong，keenknife，theknifethatJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，hadbroughtfromEnglandmanyyearsbefore。

HeraiseditcloseaboveMbonga’sneck。Theoldblackwhimperedwithterror。HepleadedforhislifeinatonguewhichTarzancouldnotunderstand。

Forthefirsttimetheape-manhadacloseviewofthechief。

Hesawanoldman，averyoldmanwithscrawnyneckandwrinkledface——adried，parchment-likefacewhichresembledsomeofthelittlemonkeysTarzanknewsowell。

Hesawtheterrorintheman’seyes——neverbeforehadTarzanseensuchterrorintheeyesofanyanimal，orsuchapiteousappealformercyuponthefaceofanycreature。

Somethingstayedtheape-man’shandforaninstant。

Hewonderedwhyitwasthathehesitatedtomakethekill；

neverbeforehadhethusdelayed。Theoldmanseemedtowitherandshrinktoabagofpunybonesbeneathhiseyes。

Soweakandhelplessandterror-strickenheappearedthattheape-manwasfilledwithagreatcontempt；

butanothersensationalsoclaimedhim——somethingnewtoTarzanoftheApesinrelationtoanenemy。Itwaspity——pityforapoor，frightened，oldman。

Tarzanroseandturnedaway，leavingMbonga，thechief，unharmed。

Withheadheldhightheape-manwalkedthroughthevillage，swunghimselfintothebranchesofthetreewhichoverhungthepalisadeanddisappearedfromthesightofthevillagers。

Allthewaybacktothestampinggroundoftheapes，TarzansoughtforanexplanationofthestrangepowerwhichhadstayedhishandandpreventedhimfromslayingMbonga。

Itwasasthoughsomeonegreaterthanhehadcommandedhimtosparethelifeoftheoldman。Tarzancouldnotunderstand，forhecouldconceiveofnothing，ornoone，withtheauthoritytodictatetohimwhatheshoulddo，orwhatheshouldrefrainfromdoing。

ItwaslatewhenTarzansoughtaswayingcouchamongthetreesbeneathwhichslepttheapesofKerchak，andhewasstillabsorbedinthesolutionofhisstrangeproblemwhenhefellasleep。

Thesunwaswellupintheheavenswhenheawoke。

Theapeswereastirinsearchoffood。Tarzanwatchedthemlazilyfromaboveastheyscratchedintherottingloamforbugsandbeetlesandgrubworms，orsoughtamongthebranchesofthetreesforeggsandyoungbirds，orlusciouscaterpillars。

Anorchid，danglingclosebesidehishead，openedslowly，unfoldingitsdelicatepetalstothewarmthandlightofthesunwhichbutrecentlyhadpenetratedtoitsshadyretreat。AthousandtimeshadTarzanoftheApeswitnessedthebeauteousmiracle；butnowitarousedakeenerinterest，fortheape-manwasjustcommencingtoaskhimselfquestionsaboutallthemyriadwonderswhichheretoforehehadbuttakenforgranted。

Whatmadethefloweropen？Whatmadeitgrowfromatinybudtoafull-blownbloom？Whywasitatall？Whywashe？

WheredidNuma，thelion，comefrom？Whoplantedthefirsttree？HowdidGorogetwayupintothedarknessofthenightskytocasthiswelcomelightuponthefearsomenocturnaljungle？Andthesun！Didthesunmerelyhappenthere？

Whywereallthepeoplesofthejunglenottrees？Whywerethetreesnotsomethingelse？WhywasTarzandifferentfromTaug，andTaugdifferentfromBara，thedeer，andBaradifferentfromSheeta，thepanther，andwhywasnotSheetalikeButo，therhinoceros？Whereandhow，anyway，didtheyallcomefrom——thetrees，theflowers，theinsects，thecountlesscreaturesofthejungle？

QuiteunexpectedlyanideapoppedintoTarzan’shead。

InfollowingoutthemanyramificationsofthedictionarydefinitionofGODhehadcomeuponthewordCREATE——

"tocausetocomeintoexistence；toformoutofnothing。"

Tarzanalmosthadarrivedatsomethingtangiblewhenadistantwailstartledhimfromhispreoccupationintosensibilityofthepresentandthereal。ThewailcamefromthejungleatsomelittledistancefromTarzan’sswayingcouch。Itwasthewailofatinybalu。

TarzanrecognizeditatonceasthevoiceofGazan，Teeka’sbaby。TheyhadcalleditGazanbecauseitssoft，babyhairhadbeenunusuallyred，andGAZANinthelanguageofthegreatapes，meansredskin。

Thewailwasimmediatelyfollowedbyarealscreamofterrorfromthesmalllungs。Tarzanwaselectrifiedintoinstantaction。Likeanarrowfromabowheshotthroughthetreesinthedirectionofthesound。

Aheadofhimheheardthesavagesnarlingofanadultshe-ape。ItwasTeekatotherescue。Thedangermustbeveryreal。Tarzancouldtellthatbythenoteofragemingledwithfearinthevoiceoftheshe。