第4章

Todayhelookedforwardtosomeslightrelieffromthemonotonyofhisexistenceinsuchexcitementashemightderivefrombaitingtheblacks。

Itwasnotyetdarkwhenhereachedthevillageandtookhisplaceinthegreattreeoverhangingthepalisade。

Frombeneathcameagreatwailingoutofthedepthsofanear-byhut。ThenoisefelldisagreeablyuponTarzan’sears——itjarredandgrated。Hedidnotlikeit，sohedecidedtogoawayforawhileinthehopesthatitmightcease；butthoughhewasgoneforacoupleofhoursthewailingstillcontinuedwhenhereturned。

Withtheintentionofputtingaviolentterminationtotheannoyingsound，Tarzanslippedsilentlyfromthetreeintotheshadowsbeneath。Creepingstealthilyandkeepingwellinthecoverofotherhuts，heapproachedthatfromwhichrosethesoundsoflamentation。Afireburnedbrightlybeforethedoorwayasitdidbeforeotherdoorwaysinthevillage。

Afewfemalessquattedabout，occasionallyaddingtheirownmournfulhowlingstothoseofthemasterartistwithin。

Theape-mansmiledaslowsmileashethoughtoftheconsternationwhichwouldfollowthequickleapthatwouldcarryhimamongthefemalesandintothefulllightofthefire。

Thenhewoulddartintothehutduringtheexcitement，throttlethechiefscreamer，andbegoneintothejunglebeforetheblackscouldgathertheirscatterednervesforanassault。

ManytimeshadTarzanbehavedsimilarlyinthevillageofMbonga，thechief。Hismysteriousandunexpectedappearancesalwaysfilledthebreastsofthepoor，superstitiousblackswiththepanicofterror；never，itseemed，couldtheyaccustomthemselvestothesightofhim。Itwasthisterrorwhichlenttotheadventuresthespiceofinterestandamusementwhichthehumanmindoftheape-mancraved。Merelytokillwasnotinitselfsufficient。Accustomedtothesightofdeath，Tarzanfoundnogreatpleasureinit。LongsincehadheavengedthedeathofKala，butintheaccomplishmentofit，hehadlearnedtheexcitementandthepleasuretobederivedfromthebaitingoftheblacks。Ofthishenevertired。

Itwasjustashewasabouttospringforwardwithasavageroarthatafigureappearedinthedoorwayofthehut。

Itwasthefigureofthewailerwhomhehadcometostill，thefigureofayoungwomanwithawoodenskewerthroughthesplitseptumofhernose，withaheavymetalornamentdependingfromherlowerlip，whichithaddraggeddowntohideousandrepulsivedeformity，withstrangetattooinguponforehead，cheeks，andbreasts，andawonderfulcoiffurebuiltupwithmudandwire。

Asuddenflareofthefirethrewthegrotesquefigureintohighrelief，andTarzanrecognizedherasMomaya，themotherofTibo。ThefirealsothrewoutafitfulflamewhichcarriedtotheshadowswhereTarzanlurked，pickingouthislightbrownbodyfromthesurroundingdarkness。

Momayasawhimandknewhim。Withacry，sheleapedforwardandTarzancametomeether。Theotherwomen，turning，sawhim，too；buttheydidnotcometowardhim。

Insteadtheyroseasone，shriekedasone，fledasone。

MomayathrewherselfatTarzan’sfeet，raisingsupplicatinghandstowardhimandpouringforthfromhermutilatedlipsaperfectcataractofwords，notoneofwhichtheape-mancomprehended。Foramomenthelookeddownupontheupturned，frightfulfaceofthewoman。

Hehadcometoslay，butthatoverwhelmingtorrentofspeechfilledhimwithconsternationandwithawe。

Heglancedabouthimapprehensively，thenbackatthewoman。

Arevulsionoffeelingseizedhim。HecouldnotkilllittleTibo’smother，norcouldhestandandfacethisverbalgeyser。Withaquickgestureofimpatienceatthespoilingofhisevening’sentertainment，hewheeledandleapedawayintothedarkness。Amomentlaterhewasswingingthroughtheblackjunglenight，thecriesandlamentationsofMomayagrowingfainterinthedistance。

Itwaswithasighofreliefthathefinallyreachedapointfromwhichhecouldnolongerhearthem，andfindingacomfortablecrotchhighamongthetrees，composedhimselfforanightofdreamlessslumber，whileaprowlinglionmoanedandcoughedbeneathhim，andinfar-offEnglandtheotherLordGreystoke，withtheassistanceofavalet，disrobedandcrawledbetweenspotlesssheets，swearingirritablyasacatmeowedbeneathhiswindow。

AsTarzanfollowedthefreshspoorofHorta，theboar，thefollowingmorning，hecameuponthetracksoftwoGomangani，alargeoneandasmallone。Theape-man，accustomedashewastoquestioningcloselyallthatfelltohisperceptions，pausedtoreadthestorywritteninthesoftmudofthegametrail。YouorIwouldhaveseenlittleofinterestthere，evenif，bychance，wecouldhaveseenaught。

Perhapshadonebeentheretopointthemouttous，wemighthavenotedindentationsinthemud，buttherewerecountlessindentations，oneoverlappinganotherintoaconfusionthatwouldhavebeenentirelymeaninglesstous。

ToTarzaneachtolditsownstory。Tantor，theelephant，hadpassedthatwayasrecentlyasthreesunssince。

Numahadhuntedherethenightjustgone，andHorta，theboar，hadwalkedslowlyalongthetrailwithinanhour；

butwhatheldTarzan’sattentionwasthespoortaleoftheGomangani。Ittoldhimthatthedaybeforeanoldmanhadgonetowardthenorthincompanywithalittleboy，andthatwiththemhadbeentwohyenas。

Tarzanscratchedhisheadinpuzzledincredulity。

Hecouldseebytheoverlappingofthefootprintsthatthebeastshadnotbeenfollowingthetwo，forsometimesonewasaheadofthemandonebehind，andagainbothwereinadvance，orbothwereintherear。Itwasverystrangeandquiteinexplicable，especiallywherethespoorshowedwherethehyenasinthewiderportionsofthepathhadwalkedoneoneithersideofthehumanpair，quiteclosetothem。

ThenTarzanreadinthespoorofthesmallerGomanganiashrinkingterrorofthebeastthatbrushedhisside，butinthatoftheoldmanwasnosignoffear。

AtfirstTarzanhadbeensolelyoccupiedbytheremarkablejuxtapositionofthespoorofDangoandGomangani，butnowhiskeeneyescaughtsomethinginthespoorofthelittleGomanganiwhichbroughthimtoasuddenstop。

Itwasasthough，findingaletterintheroad，yousuddenlyhaddiscoveredinitthefamiliarhandwritingofafriend。

"Go-bu-balu！"exclaimedtheape-man，andatoncememoryflasheduponthescreenofrecollectionthesupplicatingattitudeofMomayaasshehadhurledherselfbeforehiminthevillageofMbongathenightbefore。

Instantlyallwasexplained——thewailingandlamentation，thepleadingoftheblackmother，thesympathetichowlingoftheshesaboutthefire。LittleGo-bu-baluhadbeenstolenagain，andthistimebyanotherthanTarzan。

DoubtlessthemotherhadthoughtthathewasagaininthepowerofTarzanoftheApes，andshehadbeenbeseechinghimtoreturnherbalutoher。

Yes，itwasallquiteplainnow；butwhocouldhavestolenGo-bu-baluthistime？Tarzanwondered，andhewondered，too，aboutthepresenceofDango。Hewouldinvestigate。

Thespoorwasadayoldanditrantowardthenorth。

Tarzansetouttofollowit。Inplacesitwastotallyobliteratedbythepassageofmanybeasts，andwherethewaywasrocky，evenTarzanoftheApeswasalmostbaffled；

buttherewasstillthefainteffluviumwhichclungtothehumanspoor，appreciableonlytosuchhighlytrainedperceptivepowersaswereTarzan’s。

IthadallhappenedtolittleTiboverysuddenlyandunexpectedlywithinthebriefspanoftwosuns。FirsthadcomeBukawai，thewitch-doctor——Bukawai，theunclean——withtheraggedbitoffleshwhichstillclungtohisrottingface。

HehadcomealoneandbydaytotheplaceattheriverwhereMomayawentdailytowashherbodyandthatofTibo，herlittleboy。HehadsteppedoutfrombehindagreatbushquiteclosetoMomaya，frighteninglittleTibosothatheranscreamingtohismother’sprotectingarms。

ButMomaya，thoughstartled，hadwheeledtofacethefearsomethingwithallthesavageferocityofashe-tigeratbay。Whenshesawwhoitwas，shebreathedasighofpartialrelief，thoughshestillclungtightlytoTibo。

"Ihavecome，"saidBukawaiwithoutpreliminary，"forthethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthebitofcopperwireaslongasatallman’sarm。"

"Ihavenogoatsforyou，"snappedMomaya，"norasleepingmat，noranywire。Yourmedicinewasnevermade。ThewhitejunglegodgavemebackmyTibo。Youhadnothingtodowithit。"

"ButIdid，"mumbledBukawaithroughhisfleshlessjaws。

"ItwasIwhocommandedthewhitejunglegodtogivebackyourTibo。"

Momayalaughedinhisface。"Speakeroflies，"shecried，"gobacktoyourfouldenandyourhyenas。Gobackandhideyourstinkingfaceinthebellyofthemountain，lestthesun，seeingit，coverhisfacewithablackcloud。"

"Ihavecome，"reiteratedBukawai，"forthethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthebitofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarm，whichyouweretopaymeforthereturnofyourTibo。"

"Itwastobethelengthofaman’sforearm，"correctedMomaya，"butyoushallhavenothing，oldthief。YouwouldnotmakemedicineuntilIhadbroughtthepaymentinadvance，andwhenIwasreturningtomyvillagethegreat，whitejunglegodgavemebackmyTibo——gavehimtomeoutofthejawsofNuma。Hismedicineistruemedicine——yoursistheweakmedicineofanoldmanwithaholeinhisface。"

"Ihavecome，"repeatedBukawaipatiently，"forthethreefat——"ButMomayahadnotwaitedtohearmoreofwhatshealreadyknewbyheart。ClaspingTiboclosetoherside，shewashurryingawaytowardthepalisadedvillageofMbonga，thechief。

Andthenextday，whenMomayawasworkingintheplantainfieldwithothersofthewomenofthetribe，andlittleTibohadbeenplayingattheedgeofthejungle，castingasmallspearinanticipationofthedistantdaywhenheshouldbeafull-fledgedwarrior，Bukawaihadcomeagain。

Tibohadseenasquirrelscamperinguptheboleofagreattree。Hischildishmindhadtransformeditintothemenacingfigureofahostilewarrior。LittleTibohadraisedhistinyspear，hisheartfilledwiththesavagebloodlustofhisrace，ashepicturedthenight’sorgywhenheshoulddanceaboutthecorpseofhishumankillasthewomenofhistribepreparedthemeatforthefeasttofollow。

Butwhenhecastthespear，hemissedbothsquirrelandtree，losinghismissilefaramongthetangledundergrowthofthejungle。However，itcouldbebutafewstepswithintheforbiddenlabyrinth。Thewomenwereallaboutinthefield。Therewerewarriorsonguardwithineasyhail，andsolittleTiboboldlyventuredintothedarkplace。

Justbehindthescreenofcreepersandmattedfoliagelurkedthreehorridfigures——anold，oldman，blackasthepit，withafacehalfeatenawaybyleprosy，hissharp-filedteeth，theteethofacannibal，showingyellowandrepulsivethroughthegreatgapingholewherehismouthandnosehadbeen。Andbesidehim，equallyhideous，stoodtwopowerfulhyenas——carrion-eatersconsortingwithcarrion。

Tibodidnotseethemuntil，headdown，hehadforcedhiswaythroughthethicklygrowingvinesinsearchofhislittlespear，andthenitwastoolate。AshelookedupintothefaceofBukawai，theoldwitch-doctorseizedhim，mufflinghisscreamswithapalmacrosshismouth。

Tibostruggledfutilely。

Amomentlaterhewasbeinghustledawaythroughthedarkandterriblejungle，thefrightfuloldmanstillmufflinghisscreams，andthetwohideoushyenaspacingnowoneitherside，nowbefore，nowbehind，alwaysprowling，alwaysgrowling，snapping，snarling，or，worstofall，laughinghideously。

TolittleTibo，whowithinhisbriefexistencehadpassedthroughsuchexperiencesasaregiventofewtopassthroughinalifetime，thenorthwardjourneywasanightmareofterror。Hethoughtnowofthetimethathehadbeenwiththegreat，whitejunglegod，andheprayedwithallhislittlesoulthathemightbebackagainwiththewhite-skinnedgiantwhoconsortedwiththehairytreemen。

Terror-strickenhehadbeenthen，buthissurroundingshadbeennothingbycomparisonwiththosewhichhenowendured。

TheoldmanseldomaddressedTibo，thoughhekeptupanalmostcontinuousmumblingthroughoutthelongday。

Tibocaughtrepeatedreferencestofatgoats，sleepingmats，andpiecesofcopperwire。"Tenfatgoats，tenfatgoats，"

theoldNegrowouldcroonoverandoveragain。BythislittleTiboguessedthatthepriceofhisransomhadrisen。

Tenfatgoats？Wherewouldhismothergettenfatgoats，orthinones，either，forthatmatter，tobuybackjustapoorlittleboy？Mbongawouldneverletherhavethem，andTiboknewthathisfatherneverhadownedmorethanthreegoatsatthesametimeinallhislife。Tenfatgoats！Tibosniffled。Theputridoldmanwouldkillhimandeathim，forthegoatswouldneverbeforthcoming。

Bukawaiwouldthrowhisbonestothehyenas。Thelittleblackboyshudderedandbecamesoweakthathealmostfellinhistracks。Bukawaicuffedhimonanearandjerkedhimalong。

AfterwhatseemedaneternitytoTibo，theyarrivedatthemouthofacavebetweentworockyhills。Theopeningwaslowandnarrow。Afewsaplingsboundtogetherwithstripsofrawhidecloseditagainststraybeasts。

BukawairemovedtheprimitivedoorandpushedTibowithin。

Thehyenas，snarling，rushedpasthimandwerelosttoviewintheblacknessoftheinterior。BukawaireplacedthesaplingsandseizingTiboroughlybythearm，draggedhimalonganarrow，rockypassage。Thefloorwascomparativelysmooth，forthedirtwhichlaythickuponithadbeentroddenandtrampedbymanyfeetuntilfewinequalitiesremained。

Thepassagewastortuous，andasitwasverydarkandthewallsroughandrocky，Tibowasscratchedandbruisedfromthemanybumpshereceived。Bukawaiwalkedasrapidlythroughthewindinggalleryasonewouldtraverseafamiliarlanebydaylight。Hekneweverytwistandturnasamotherknowsthefaceofherchild，andheseemedtobeinahurry。HejerkedpoorlittleTibopossiblyatriflemoreruthlesslythannecessaryevenatthepaceBukawaiset；buttheoldwitch-doctor，anoutcastfromthesocietyofman，diseased，shunned，hated，feared，wasfarfrompossessinganangelictemper。

Naturehadgivenhimfewofthekindliercharacteristicsofman，andthesefewFatehaderadicatedentirely。

Shrewd，cunning，cruel，vindictive，wasBukawai，thewitch-doctor。

Frightfultaleswerewhisperedofthecrueltorturesheinflicteduponhisvictims。Childrenwerefrightenedintoobediencebythethreatofhisname。OftenhadTibobeenthusfrightened，andnowhewasreapingagrislyharvestofterrorfromtheseedshismotherhadinnocentlysown。

Thedarkness，thepresenceofthedreadedwitch-doctor，thepainofthecontusions，withahauntingpremonitionofthefuture，andthefearofthehyenascombinedtoalmostparalyzethechild。HestumbledandreeleduntilBukawaiwasdraggingratherthanleadinghim。

PresentlyTibosawafaintlightnessaheadofthem，andamomentlatertheyemergedintoaroughlycircularchambertowhichalittledaylightfilteredthroughariftintherockyceiling。Thehyenaswerethereaheadofthem，waiting。AsBukawaienteredwithTibo，thebeastsslunktowardthem，baringyellowfangs。

Theywerehungry。TowardTibotheycame，andonesnappedathisnakedlegs。Bukawaiseizedastickfromthefloorofthechamberandstruckaviciousblowatthebeast，atthesametimemumblingforthavolleyofexecrations。

Thehyenadodgedandrantothesideofthechamber，wherehestoodgrowling。Bukawaitookasteptowardthecreature，whichbristledwithrageathisapproach。Fearandhatredshotfromitsevileyes，but，fortunatelyforBukawai，fearpredominated。

Seeingthathewasunnoticed，thesecondbeastmadeashort，quickrushforTibo。Thechildscreamedanddartedafterthewitch-doctor，whonowturnedhisattentiontothesecondhyena。Thisonehereachedwithhisheavystick，strikingitrepeatedlyanddrivingittothewall。

Therethetwocarrion-eaterscommencedtocirclethechamberwhilethehumancarrion，theirmaster，nowinaperfectfrenzyofdemoniacalrage，rantoandfroinanefforttointerceptthem，strikingoutwithhiscudgelandlashingthemwithhistongue，callingdownuponthemthecursesofwhatevergodsanddemonshecouldsummontomemory，anddescribinginluridfigurestheignominyoftheirancestors。

Severaltimesoneortheotherofthebeastswouldturntomakeastandagainstthewitch-doctor，andthenTibowouldholdhisbreathinagonizedterror，forneverinhisbrieflifehadheseensuchfrightfulhatreddepicteduponthecountenanceofmanorbeast；butalwaysfearovercametherageofthesavagecreatures，sothattheyresumedtheirflight，snarlingandbare-fanged，justatthemomentthatTibowascertaintheywouldspringatBukawai’sthroat。

Atlastthewitch-doctortiredofthefutilechase。

Withasnarlquiteasbestialasthoseofthebeast，heturnedtowardTibo。"Igotocollectthetenfatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthetwopiecesofcopperwirethatyourmotherwillpayforthemedicineIshallmaketobringyoubacktoher，"hesaid。"Youwillstayhere。

There，"andhepointedtowardthepassagewhichtheyhadfollowedtothechamber，"Iwillleavethehyenas。

Ifyoutrytoescape，theywilleatyou。"

Hecastasidethestickandcalledtothebeasts。

Theycame，snarlingandslinking，theirtailsbetweentheirlegs。Bukawailedthemtothepassageanddrovethemintoit。Thenhedraggedarudelatticeintoplacebeforetheopeningafterhe，himself，hadleftthechamber。"Thiswillkeepthemfromyou，"hesaid。

"IfIdonotgetthetenfatgoatsandtheotherthings，theyshallatleasthaveafewbonesafterIamthrough。"

Andhelefttheboytothinkoverthemeaningofhisall-too-suggestivewords。

Whenhewasgone，Tibothrewhimselfupontheearthfloorandbrokeintochildishsobsofterrorandloneliness。

HeknewthathismotherhadnotenfatgoatstogiveandthatwhenBukawaireturned，littleTibowouldbekilledandeaten。Howlonghelaytherehedidnotknow，butpresentlyhewasarousedbythegrowlingofthehyenas。Theyhadreturnedthroughthepassageandwereglaringathimfrombeyondthelattice。Hecouldseetheiryelloweyesblazingthroughthedarkness。

Theyrearedupandclawedatthebarrier。Tiboshiveredandwithdrewtotheoppositesideofthechamber。Hesawthelatticesagandswaytotheattacksofthebeasts。

Momentarilyheexpectedthatitwouldfallinward，lettingthecreaturesuponhim。

Wearilythehorror-riddenhoursdraggedtheirslowway。

Nightcame，andforatimeTiboslept，butitseemedthatthehungrybeastsneverslept。Alwaystheystoodjustbeyondthelatticegrowlingtheirhideousgrowlsorlaughingtheirhideouslaughs。Throughthenarrowriftintherockyroofabovehim，Tibocouldseeafewstars，andoncethemooncrossed。Atlastdaylightcameagain。

Tibowasveryhungryandthirsty，forhehadnoteatensincethemorningbefore，andonlyonceuponthelongmarchhadhebeenpermittedtodrink，butevenhungerandthirstwerealmostforgottenintheterrorofhisposition。

Itwasafterdaylightthatthechilddiscoveredasecondopeninginthewallsofthesubterraneanchamber，almostoppositethatatwhichthehyenasstillstoodglaringhungrilyathim。Itwasonlyanarrowslitintherockywall。Itmightleadinbutafewfeet，oritmightleadtofreedom！Tiboapproacheditandlookedwithin。Hecouldseenothing。Heextendedhisarmintotheblackness，buthedarednotventurefarther。

Bukawaineverwouldhaveleftopenawayofescape，Tiboreasoned，sothispassagemustleadeithernowhereortosomestillmorehideousdanger。

Totheboy’sfearoftheactualdangerswhichmenacedhim——Bukawaiandthetwohyenas——hissuperstitionaddedcountlessothersquitetoohorribleeventoname，forinthelivesoftheblacks，throughtheshadowsofthejungledayandtheblackhorrorsofthejunglenight，flitstrange，fantasticshapespeoplingthealreadyhideouslypeopledforestswithmenacingfigures，asthoughthelionandtheleopard，thesnakeandthehyena，andthecountlesspoisonousinsectswerenotquitesufficienttostriketerrortotheheartsofthepoor，simplecreatureswhoselotiscastinearth’smostfearsomespot。

AndsoitwasthatlittleTibocringednotonlyfromrealmenacesbutfromimaginaryones。Hewasafraideventoventureuponaroadthatmightleadtoescape，lestBukawaihadsettowatchitsomefrightfuldemonofthejungle。

Buttherealmenacessuddenlydrovetheimaginaryonesfromtheboy’smind，forwiththecomingofdaylightthehalf-famishedhyenasrenewedtheireffortstobreakdownthefrailbarrierwhichkeptthemfromtheirprey。

Rearingupontheirhindfeettheyclawedandstruckatthelattice。WithwideeyesTibosawitsagandrock。

Notforlong，heknew，coulditwithstandtheassaultsofthesetwopowerfulanddeterminedbrutes。Alreadyonecornerhadbeenforcedpasttherockyprotuberanceoftheentrancewaywhichhadhelditinplace。Ashaggyforearmprotrudedintothechamber。Tibotrembledaswithague，forheknewthattheendwasnear。

Backingagainstthefartherwallhestoodflattenedoutasfarfromthebeastsashecouldget。Hesawthelatticegivestillmore。Hesawasavage，snarlingheadforcedpastit，andgrinningjawssnappingandgapingtowardhim。

Inanotherinstantthepitifulfabricwouldfallinward，andthetwowouldbeuponhim，rendinghisfleshfromhisbones，gnawingthebonesthemselves，fightingforpossessionofhisentrails。

***

BukawaicameuponMomayaoutsidethepalisadeofMbonga，thechief。Atsightofhimthewomandrewbackinrevulsion，thensheflewathim，toothandnail；butBukawaithreateningherwithaspearheldheratasafedistance。

"Whereismybaby？"shecried。"WhereismylittleTibo？"

Bukawaiopenedhiseyesinwell-simulatedamazement。

"Yourbaby！"heexclaimed。"WhatshouldIknowofhim，otherthanthatIrescuedhimfromthewhitegodofthejungleandhavenotyetreceivedmypay。

Icomeforthegoatsandthesleepingmatandthepieceofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertothetipsofhisfingers。""Offalofahyena！"

shriekedMomaya。"Mychildhasbeenstolen，andyou，rottingfragmentofaman，havetakenhim。ReturnhimtomeorIshalltearyoureyesfromyourheadandfeedyourhearttothewildhogs。"

Bukawaishruggedhisshoulders。"WhatdoIknowaboutyourchild？"heasked。"Ihavenottakenhim。Ifheisstolenagain，whatshouldBukawaiknowofthematter？DidBukawaistealhimbefore？No，thewhitejunglegodstolehim，andifhestolehimoncehewouldstealhimagain。

Itisnothingtome。IreturnedhimtoyoubeforeandI

havecomeformypay。Ifheisgoneandyouwouldhavehimreturned，Bukawaiwillreturnhim——fortenfatgoats，anewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertothetipsofhisfingers，andBukawaiwillsaynothingmoreaboutthegoatsandthesleepingmatandthecopperwirewhichyouweretopayforthefirstmedicine。"

"Tenfatgoats！"screamedMomaya。"Icouldnotpayyoutenfatgoatsinasmanyyears。Tenfatgoats，indeed！"

"Tenfatgoats，"repeatedBukawai。"Tenfatgoats，thenewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthof——"

Momayastoppedhimwithanimpatientgesture。

"Wait！shecried。"Ihavenogoats。Youwasteyourbreath。

StayherewhileIgotomyman。Hehasbutthreegoats，yetsomethingmaybedone。Wait！"

Bukawaisatdownbeneathatree。Hefeltquitecontent，forheknewthatheshouldhaveeitherpaymentorrevenge。

Hedidnotfearharmatthehandsofthesepeopleofanothertribe，althoughhewellknewthattheymustfearandhatehim。Hisleprosyalonewouldpreventtheirlayinghandsuponhim，whilehisreputationasawitch-doctorrenderedhimdoublyimmunefromattack。

HewasplanninguponcompellingthemtodrivethetengoatstothemouthofhiscavewhenMomayareturned。

Withherwerethreewarriors——Mbonga，thechief，RabbaKega，thevillagewitch-doctor，andIbeto，Tibo’sfather。

Theywerenotprettymenevenunderordinarycircumstances，andnow，withtheirfacesmarkedbyanger，theywellmighthaveinspiredterrorintheheartofanyone；

butifBukawaifeltanyfear，hedidnotbetrayit。

Insteadhegreetedthemwithaninsolentstare，intendedtoawethem，astheycameandsquattedinasemi-circlebeforehim。

"WhereisIbeto’sson？"askedMbonga。

"HowshouldIknow？"returnedBukawai。"Doubtlessthewhitedevil-godhashim。IfIampaidIwillmakestrongmedicineandthenweshallknowwhereisIbeto’sson，andshallgethimbackagain。Itwasmymedicinewhichgothimbackthelasttime，forwhichIgotnopay。"

"Ihavemyownwitch-doctortomakemedicine，"

repliedMbongawithdignity。

Bukawaisneeredandrosetohisfeet。"Verywell，"

hesaid，"lethimmakehismedicineandseeifhecanbringIbeto’ssonback。"Hetookafewstepsawayfromthem，andthenheturnedangrilyback。

"Hismedicinewillnotbringthechildback——thatIknow，andIalsoknowthatwhenyoufindhimitwillbetoolateforanymedicinetobringhimback，forhewillbedead。

ThishaveIjustfoundout，theghostofmyfather’ssisterbutnowcametomeandtoldme。"

NowMbongaandRabbaKegamightnottakemuchstockintheirownmagic，andtheymightevenbeskepticalastothemagicofanother；buttherewasalwaysachanceofSOMETHINGbeinginit，especiallyifitwerenottheirown。WasitnotwellknownthatoldBukawaihadspeechwiththedemonsthemselvesandthattwoevenlivedwithhimintheformsofhyenas！Stilltheymustnotaccedetoohastily。Therewasthepricetobeconsidered，andMbongahadnointentionofpartinglightlywithtengoatstoobtainthereturnofasinglelittleboywhomightdieofsmallpoxlongbeforehereachedawarrior’sestate。

"Wait，"saidMbonga。"Letusseesomeofyourmagic，thatwemayknowifitbegoodmagic。Thenwecantalkaboutpayment。RabbaKegawillmakesomemagic，too。

Wewillseewhomakesthebestmagic。Sitdown，Bukawai。"

"Thepaymentwillbetengoats——fatgoats——anewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertotheendsofhisfingers，anditwillbemadeinadvance，thegoatsbeingdriventomycave。ThenwillImakethemedicine，andontheseconddaytheboywillbereturnedtohismother。

Itcannotbedonemorequicklythanthatbecauseittakestimetomakesuchstrongmedicine。"

"Makeussomemedicinenow，"saidMbonga。"Letusseewhatsortofmedicineyoumake。"

"Bringmefire，"repliedBukawai，"andIwillmakeyoualittlemagic。"

Momayawasdispatchedforthefire，andwhileshewasawayMbongadickeredwithBukawaiabouttheprice。Tengoats，hesaid，wasahighpriceforanable-bodiedwarrior。

HealsocalledBukawai’sattentiontothefactthathe，Mbonga，wasverypoor，thathispeoplewereverypoor，andthattengoatswereatleasteighttoomany，tosaynothingofanewsleepingmatandthecopperwire；

butBukawaiwasadamant。Hismedicinewasveryexpensiveandhewouldhavetogiveatleastfivegoatstothegodswhohelpedhimmakeit。TheywerestillarguingwhenMomayareturnedwiththefire。

Bukawaiplacedalittleonthegroundbeforehim，tookapinchofpowderfromapouchathissideandsprinkleditontheembers。Acloudofsmokerosewithapuff。

Bukawaiclosedhiseyesandrockedbackandforth。

Thenhemadeafewpassesintheairandpretendedtoswoon。Mbongaandtheothersweremuchimpressed。

RabbaKegagrewnervous。Hesawhisreputationwaning。

TherewassomefireleftinthevesselwhichMomayahadbrought。Heseizedthevessel，droppedahandfulofdryleavesintoitwhilenoonewaswatchingandthenutteredafrightfulscreamwhichdrewtheattentionofBukawai’saudiencetohim。ItalsobroughtBukawaiquitemiraculouslyoutofhisswoon，butwhentheoldwitch-doctorsawthereasonforthedisturbancehequicklyrelapsedintounconsciousnessbeforeanyonediscoveredhisFAUX

PAS。

RabbaKega，seeingthathehadtheattentionofMbonga，Ibeto，andMomaya，blewsuddenlyintothevessel，withtheresultthattheleavescommencedtosmolder，andsmokeissuedfromthemouthofthereceptacle。

RabbaKegawascarefultoholditsothatnonemightseethedryleaves。Theireyesopenedwideatthisremarkabledemonstrationofthevillagewitch-doctor’spowers。

Thelatter，greatlyelated，lethimselfout。Heshouted，jumpedupanddown，andmadefrightfulgrimaces；thenheputhisfacecloseoverthemouthofthevesselandappearedtobecommuningwiththespiritswithin。

ItwaswhilehewasthusengagedthatBukawaicameoutofhistrance，hiscuriosityfinallyhavinggottenthebetterofhim。Noonewaspayinghimtheslightestattention。

Heblinkedhisoneeyeangrily，thenhe，too，letoutaloudroar，andwhenhewassurethatMbongahadturnedtowardhim，hestiffenedrigidlyandmadespasmodicmovementswithhisarmsandlegs。

"Iseehim！"hecried。"Heisfaraway。Thewhitedevil-goddidnotgethim。Heisaloneandingreatdanger；

but，"headded，"ifthetenfatgoatsandtheotherthingsarepaidtomequicklythereisyettimetosavehim。"

RabbaKegahadpausedtolisten。Mbongalookedtowardhim。

Thechiefwasinaquandary。Hedidnotknowwhichmedicinewasthebetter。"Whatdoesyourmagictellyou？"

heaskedofRabbaKega。

"I，too，seehim，"screamedRabbaKega；"butheisnotwhereBukawaisaysheis。Heisdeadatthebottomoftheriver。"

AtthisMomayacommencedtohowlloudly。

Tarzanhadfollowedthespooroftheoldman，thetwohyenas，andthelittleblackboytothemouthofthecaveintherockycanonbetweenthetwohills。

HerehepausedamomentbeforethesaplingbarrierwhichBukawaihadsetup，listeningtothesnarlsandgrowlswhichcamefaintlyfromthefarrecessesofthecavern。

Presently，mingledwiththebeastlycries，therecamefaintlytothekeenearsoftheape-man，theagonizedmoanofachild。NolongerdidTarzanhesitate。

Hurlingthedooraside，hesprangintothedarkopening。

Narrowandblackwasthecorridor；butlonguseofhiseyesintheStygianblacknessofthejunglenightshadgiventotheape-mansomethingofthenocturnalvisionarypowersofthewildthingswithwhichhehadconsortedsincebabyhood。

Hemovedrapidlyandyetwithcaution，fortheplacewasdark，unfamiliarandwinding。Asheadvanced，heheardmoreandmoreloudlythesavagesnarlsofthetwohyenas，mingledwiththescrapingandscratchingoftheirpawsuponwood。Themoansofachildgrewinvolume，andTarzanrecognizedinthemthevoiceofthelittleblackboyheoncehadsoughttoadoptashisbalu。

Therewasnohysteriaintheape-man’sadvance。

Tooaccustomedwashetothepassingoflifeinthejungletobegreatlywroughtevenbythedeathofonewhomheknew；butthelustforbattlespurredhimon。

Hewasonlyawildbeastatheartandhiswildbeast’sheartbeathighinanticipationofconflict。

Intherockychamberofthehill’scenter，littleTibocrouchedlowagainstthewallasfarfromthehunger-crazedbeastsashecoulddraghimself。Hesawthelatticegivingtothefranticclawingofthehyenas。Heknewthatinafewminuteshislittlelifewouldflickerouthorriblybeneaththerending，yellowfangsoftheseloathsomecreatures。

Beneaththebuffetingsofthepowerfulbodies，thelatticesaggedinward，until，withacrashitgaveway，lettingthecarnivorainupontheboy。

Tibocastoneaffrightedglancetowardthem，thenclosedhiseyesandburiedhisfaceinhisarms，sobbingpiteously。

Foramomentthehyenaspaused，cautionandcowardiceholdingthemfromtheirprey。Theystoodthusglaringatthelad，thenslowly，stealthily，crouching，theycrepttowardhim。

ItwasthusthatTarzancameuponthem，burstingintothechamberswiftlyandsilently；butnotsosilentlythatthekeen-earedbeastsdidnotnotehiscoming。

WithangrygrowlstheyturnedfromTiboupontheape-man，as，withasmileuponhislips，herantowardthem。

Foraninstantoneoftheanimalsstooditsground；

buttheape-mandidnotdeigneventodrawhishuntingknifeagainstdespisedDango。Rushinginuponthebrutehegraspeditbythescruffoftheneck，justasitattemptedtododgepasthim，andhurleditacrossthecavernafteritsfellowwhichalreadywasslinkingintothecorridor，bentuponescape。

ThenTarzanpickedTibofromthefloor，andwhenthechildfelthumanhandsuponhiminsteadofthepawsandfangsofthehyenas，herolledhiseyesupwardinsurpriseandincredulity，andastheyfelluponTarzan，sobsofreliefbrokefromthechildishlipsandhishandsclutchedathisdelivererasthoughthewhitedevil-godwasnotthemostfearedofjunglecreatures。

WhenTarzancametothecavemouththehyenaswerenowhereinsight，andafterpermittingTibotoquenchhisthirstinthespringwhichrosenearby，heliftedtheboytohisshouldersandsetofftowardthejungleatarapidtrot，determinedtostilltheannoyinghowlingsofMomayaasquicklyaspossible，forheshrewdlyhadguessedthattheabsenceofherbaluwasthecauseofherlamentation。

"Heisnotdeadatthebottomoftheriver，"criedBukawai。

"Whatdoesthisfellowknowaboutmakingmagic？Whoishe，anyway，thathedaresayBukawai’smagicisnotgoodmagic？BukawaiseesMomaya’sson。Heisfarawayandaloneandingreatdanger。Hastenthenwiththetenfatgoats，the——"

Buthegotnofurther。Therewasasuddeninterruptionfromabove，fromthebranchesoftheverytreebeneathwhichtheysquatted，andasthefiveblackslookeduptheyalmostswoonedinfrightastheysawthegreat，whitedevil-godlookingdownuponthem；butbeforetheycouldfleetheysawanotherface，thatofthelostlittleTibo，andhisfacewaslaughingandveryhappy。

AndthenTarzandroppedfearlesslyamongthem，theboystilluponhisback，anddepositedhimbeforehismother。

Momaya，Ibeto，RabbaKega，andMbongawereallcrowdingaroundtheladtryingtoquestionhimatthesametime。

SuddenlyMomayaturnedferociouslytofalluponBukawai，fortheboyhadtoldherallthathehadsufferedatthehandsofthecrueloldman；butBukawaiwasnolongerthere——hehadrequirednorecoursetoblackarttoassurehimthatthevicinityofMomayawouldbenohealthfulplaceforhimafterTibohadtoldhisstory，andnowhewasrunningthroughthejungleasfastashisoldlegswouldcarryhimtowardthedistantlairwhereheknewnoblackwoulddarepursuehim。

Tarzan，too，hadvanished，ashehadawayofdoing，tothemystificationoftheblacks。ThenMomaya’seyeslighteduponRabbaKega。Thevillagewitch-doctorsawsomethinginthoseeyesofherswhichbodednogoodtohim，andbackedaway。

"SomyTiboisdeadatthebottomoftheriver，ishe？"

thewomanshrieked。"Andhe’sfarawayandaloneandingreatdanger，ishe？Magic！"ThescornwhichMomayacrowdedintothatsinglewordwouldhavedonecredittoaThespianofthefirstmagnitude。"Magic，indeed！"shescreamed。

"Momayawillshowyousomemagicofherown，"andwiththatsheseizeduponabrokenlimbandstruckRabbaKegaacrossthehead。Withahowlofpain，themanturnedandfled，Momayapursuinghimandbeatinghimacrosstheshoulders，throughthegatewayandupthelengthofthevillagestreet，totheintenseamusementofthewarriors，thewomen，andthechildrenwhoweresofortunateastowitnessthespectacle，foroneandallfearedRabbaKega，andtofearistohate。

Thusitwasthattohishostofpassiveenemies，TarzanoftheApesaddedthatdaytwoactivefoes，bothofwhomremainedawakelongintothenightplanningmeansofrevengeuponthewhitedevil-godwhohadbroughtthemintoridiculeanddisrepute，butwiththeirmostmalevolentschemingswasmingledaveinofrealfearandawethatwouldnotdown。

YoungLordGreystokedidnotknowthattheyplannedagainsthim，nor，knowing，wouldhavecared。Hesleptaswellthatnightashedidonanyothernight，andthoughtherewasnoroofabovehim，andnodoorstolockagainstintruders，hesleptmuchbetterthanhisnoblerelativeinEngland，whohadeatenaltogethertoomuchlobsteranddranktoomuchwineatdinnerthatnight。

7

TheEndofBukawaiWHENTARZANOFtheApeswasstillbutaboyhehadlearned，amongotherthings，tofashionpliantropesoffibrousjunglegrass。StrongandtoughweretheropesofTarzan，thelittleTarmangani。Tublat，hisfosterfather，wouldhavetoldyouthismuchandmore。HadyoutemptedhimwithahandfuloffatcaterpillarsheevenmighthavesufficientlyunbendedtonarratetoyouafewstoriesofthemanyindignitieswhichTarzanhadheapeduponhimbymeansofhishatedrope；butthenTublatalwaysworkedhimselfintosuchafrightfulragewhenhedevotedanyconsiderablethoughteithertotheropeortoTarzan，thatitmightnothaveprovedcomfortableforyoutohaveremainedcloseenoughtohimtohearwhathehadtosay。

SooftenhadthatsnakelikenoosesettledunexpectedlyoverTublat’shead，sooftenhadhebeenjerkedridiculouslyandpainfullyfromhisfeetwhenhewasleastlookingforsuchanoccurrence，thatthereislittlewonderhefoundscantspaceinhissavageheartforloveofhiswhite-skinnedfosterchild，ortheinventionsthereof。

Therehadbeenothertimes，too，whenTublathadswunghelplesslyinmidair，thenoosetighteningabouthisneck，deathstaringhimintheface，andlittleTarzandancinguponanear-bylimb，tauntinghimandmakingunseemlygrimaces。

Thentherehadbeenanotheroccasioninwhichtheropehadfiguredprominently——anoccasion，andtheonlyoneconnectedwiththerope，whichTublatrecalledwithpleasure。Tarzan，asactiveinbrainashewasinbody，wasalwaysinventingnewwaysinwhichtoplay。

Itwasthroughthemediumofplaythathelearnedmuchduringhischildhood。Thisdayhelearnedsomething，andthathedidnotlosehislifeinthelearningofit，wasamatterofgreatsurprisetoTarzan，andtheflyintheointment，toTublat。

Theman-childhad，inthrowinghisnooseataplaymateinatreeabovehim，caughtaprojectingbranchinstead。

Whenhetriedtoshakeitlooseitbutdrewthetighter。

ThenTarzanstartedtoclimbtheropetoremoveitfromthebranch。Whenhewaspartwayupafrolicsomeplaymateseizedthatpartoftheropewhichlayuponthegroundandranoffwithitasfarashecouldgo。

WhenTarzanscreamedathimtodesist，theyoungapereleasedtheropealittleandthendrewittightagain。

TheresultwastoimpartaswingingmotiontoTarzan’sbodywhichtheape-boysuddenlyrealizedwasanewandpleasurableformofplay。HeurgedtheapetocontinueuntilTarzanwasswingingtoandfroasfarastheshortlengthofropewouldpermit，butthedistancewasnotgreatenough，and，too，hewasnotfarenoughabovethegroundtogivethenecessarythrillswhichaddsogreatlytothepastimesoftheyoung。

Soheclamberedtothebranchwherethenoosewascaughtandafterremovingitcarriedtheropefaraloftandoutuponalongandpowerfulbranch。Hereheagainmadeitfast，andtakingthelooseendinhishand，clamberedquicklydownamongthebranchesasfarastheropewouldpermithimtogo；thenheswungoutupontheendofit，hislithe，youngbodyturningandtwisting——ahumanbobuponapendulumofgrass——thirtyfeetabovetheground。

Ah，howdelectable！Thiswasindeedanewplayofthefirstmagnitude。Tarzanwasentranced。Soonhediscoveredthatbywrigglinghisbodyinjusttherightwayatthepropertimehecoulddiminishoracceleratehisoscillation，and，beingaboy，hechose，naturally，toaccelerate。

Presentlyhewasswingingfarandwide，whilebelowhim，theapesofthetribeofKerchaklookedoninmildamaze。

HaditbeenyouorIswingingthereattheendofthatgrassrope，thethingwhichpresentlyhappenedwouldnothavehappened，forwecouldnothavehungonsolongastohavemadeitpossible；butTarzanwasquiteasmuchathomeswingingbyhishandsashewasstandinguponhisfeet，or，atleast，almost。Atanyratehefeltnofatiguelongafterthetimethatanordinarymortalwouldhavebeennumbwiththestrainofthephysicalexertion。

Andthiswashisundoing。

Tublatwaswatchinghimaswereothersofthetribe。

Ofallthecreaturesofthewild，therewasnoneTublatsocordiallyhatedashedidthishideous，hairless，white-skinned，caricatureofanape。ButforTarzan’snimbleness，andthezealouswatchfulnessofsavageKala’smotherlove，Tublatwouldlongsincehaveridhimselfofthisstainuponhisfamilyescutcheon。SolonghaditbeensinceTarzanbecameamemberofthetribe，thatTublathadforgottenthecircumstancessurroundingtheentranceofthejunglewaifintohisfamily，withtheresultthathenowimaginedthatTarzanwashisownoffspring，addinggreatlytohischagrin。

WideandfarswungTarzanoftheApes，untilatlast，ashereachedthehighestpointofthearctherope，whichrapidlyhadfrayedontheroughbarkofthetreelimb，partedsuddenly。Thewatchingapessawthesmooth，brownbodyshootoutward，anddown，plummet-like。Tublatleapedhighintheair，emittingwhatinahumanbeingwouldhavebeenanexclamationofdelight。ThiswouldbetheendofTarzanandmostofTublat’stroubles。

Fromnowonhecouldleadhislifeinpeaceandsecurity。

Tarzanfellquitefortyfeet，alightingonhisbackinathickbush。

Kalawasthefirsttoreachhisside——ferocious，hideous，lovingKala。Shehadseenthelifecrushedfromherownbaluinjustsuchafallyearsbefore。Wasshetolosethisonetoointhesameway？Tarzanwaslyingquitestillwhenshefoundhim，embeddeddeeplyinthebush。

IttookKalaseveralminutestodisentanglehimanddraghimforth；buthewasnotkilled。Hewasnotevenbadlyinjured。Thebushhadbrokentheforceofthefall。

Acutuponthebackofhisheadshowedwherehehadstruckthetoughstemoftheshrubandexplainedhisunconsciousness。

Inafewminuteshewasasactiveasever。Tublatwasfurious。

Inhisragehesnappedatafellow-apewithoutfirstdiscoveringtheidentityofhisvictim，andwasbadlymauledforhisilltemper，havingchosentoventhisspiteuponahuskyandbelligerentyoungbullinthefullprimeofhisvigor。

ButTarzanhadlearnedsomethingnew。Hehadlearnedthatcontinuedfrictionwouldwearthroughthestrandsofhisrope，thoughitwasmanyyearsbeforethisknowledgedidmoreforhimthanmerelytokeephimfromswingingtoolongatatime，ortoofarabovethegroundattheendofhisrope。

Thedaycame，however，whentheverythingthathadonceallbutkilledhimprovedthemeansofsavinghislife。

Hewasnolongerachild，butamightyjunglemale。

Therewasnonenowtowatchoverhim，solicitously，nordidheneedsuch。Kalawasdead。Dead，too，wasTublat，andthoughwithKalapassedtheonecreaturethateverreallyhadlovedhim，therewerestillmanywhohatedhimafterTublatdeparteduntothearmsofhisfathers。

Itwasnotthathewasmorecruelormoresavagethantheythattheyhatedhim，forthoughhewasbothcruelandsavageaswerethebeasts，hisfellows，yettoowasheoftentender，whichtheyneverwere。No，thethingwhichbroughtTarzanmostintodisreputewiththosewhodidnotlikehim，wasthepossessionandpracticeofacharacteristicwhichtheyhadnotandcouldnotunderstand——thehumansenseofhumor。InTarzanitwasatriflebroad，perhaps，manifestingitselfinroughandpainfulpracticaljokesuponhisfriendsandcruelbaitingofhisenemies。

ButtoneitherofthesedidheowetheenmityofBukawai，thewitch-doctor，whodweltinthecavebetweenthetwohillsfartothenorthofthevillageofMbonga，thechief。

BukawaiwasjealousofTarzan，andBukawaiitwaswhocamenearprovingtheundoingoftheape-man。FormonthsBukawaihadnursedhishatredwhilerevengeseemedremoteindeed，sinceTarzanoftheApesfrequentedanotherpartofthejungle，milesawayfromthelairofBukawai。

Onlyoncehadtheblackwitch-doctorseenthedevil-god，ashewasmostoftencalledamongtheblacks，anduponthatoccasionTarzanhadrobbedhimofafatfee，atthesametimeputtingthelieinthemouthofBukawai，andmakinghismedicineseempoormedicine。AllthisBukawainevercouldforgive，thoughitseemedunlikelythattheopportunitywouldcometoberevenged。

Yetitdidcome，andquiteunexpectedly。Tarzanwashuntingfartothenorth。Hehadwanderedawayfromthetribe，ashedidmoreandmoreoftenasheapproachedmaturity，tohuntaloneforafewdays。Asachildhehadenjoyedrompingandplayingwiththeyoungapes，hiscompanions；

butnowtheseplay-fellowsofhishadgrowntosurly，loweringbulls，ortotouchy，suspiciousmothers，jealouslyguardinghelplessbalus。SoTarzanfoundinhisownman-mindagreaterandatruercompanionshipthananyoralloftheapesofKerchakcouldaffordhim。

Thisday，asTarzanhunted，theskyslowlybecameovercast。

Tornclouds，whippedtoraggedstreamers，fledlowabovethetreetops。TheyremindedTarzanoffrightenedantelopefleeingthechargeofahungrylion。Butthoughthelightcloudsracedsoswiftly，thejunglewasmotionless。

Notaleafquiveredandthesilencewasagreat，deadweight——insupportable。Eventheinsectsseemedstilledbyapprehensionofsomefrightfulthingimpending，andthelargerthingsweresoundless。Suchaforest，suchajunglemighthavestoodthereinthebeginningofthatunthinkablyfar-goneagebeforeGodpeopledtheworldwithlife，whentherewerenosoundsbecausetherewerenoearstohear。

Andoveralllayasickly，pallidocherlightthroughwhichthescourgedcloudsraced。Tarzanhadseenalltheseconditionsmanytimesbefore，yethenevercouldescapeastrangefeelingateachrecurrenceofthem。

Heknewnofear，butinthefaceofNature’smanifestationsofhercruel，immeasurablepowers，hefeltverysmall——verysmallandverylonely。

Nowheheardalowmoaning，faraway。"Thelionsseektheirprey，"hemurmuredtohimself，lookinguponceagainattheswift-flyingclouds。Themoaningrosetoagreatvolumeofsound。"Theycome！"saidTarzanoftheApes，andsoughttheshelterofathicklyfoliagedtree。

QuitesuddenlythetreesbenttheirtopssimultaneouslyasthoughGodhadstretchedahandfromtheheavensandpressedHisflatpalmdownupontheworld。"Theypass！"

whisperedTarzan。"Thelionspass。"Thencameavividflashoflightning，followedbydeafeningthunder。

"Thelionshavesprung，"criedTarzan，"andnowtheyroarabovethebodiesoftheirkills。"

Thetreeswerewavingwildlyinalldirectionsnow，aperfectlydemoniacalwindthreshedthejunglepitilessly。

Inthemidstofittheraincame——notasitcomesuponusofthenorthlands，butinasudden，choking，blindingdeluge。

"Thebloodofthekill，"thoughtTarzan，huddlinghimselfclosertotheboleofthegreattreebeneathwhichhestood。

Hewasclosetotheedgeofthejungle，andatalittledistancehehadseentwohillsbeforethestormbroke；

butnowhecouldseenothing。Itamusedhimtolookoutintothebeatingrain，searchingforthetwohillsandimaginingthatthetorrentsfromabovehadwashedthemaway，yetheknewthatpresentlytherainwouldcease，thesuncomeoutagainandallbeasitwasbefore，exceptwhereafewbrancheshadfallenandhereandtheresomeoldandrottedpatriarchhadcrashedbacktoenrichthesoiluponwhichhehadfattedfor，maybe，centuries。Allabouthimbranchesandleavesfilledtheairorfelltoearth，tornawaybythestrengthofthetornadoandtheweightofthewateruponthem。Agauntcorpsetoppledandfellafewyardsaway；butTarzanwasprotectedfromallthesedangersbythewide-spreadingbranchesofthesturdyyounggiantbeneathwhichhisjunglecrafthadguidedhim。

Heretherewasbutasingledanger，andthataremoteone。

Yetitcame。Withoutwarningthetreeabovehimwasrivenbylightning，andwhentherainceasedandthesuncameoutTarzanlaystretchedashehadfallen，uponhisfaceamidstthewreckageofthejunglegiantthatshouldhaveshieldedhim。

Bukawaicametotheentranceofhiscaveaftertherainandthestormhadpassedandlookedoutuponthescene。

FromhisoneeyeBukawaicouldsee；buthadhehadadozeneyeshecouldhavefoundnobeautyinthefreshsweetnessoftherevivifiedjungle，fortosuchthings，inthechemistryoftemperament，hisbrainfailedtoreact；nor，evenhadhehadanose，whichhehadnotforyears，couldhehavefoundenjoymentorsweetnessintheclean-washedair。

Ateithersideoftheleperstoodhissoleandconstantcompanions，thetwohyenas，sniffingtheair。

Presentlyoneofthemutteredalowgrowlandwithflattenedheadstarted，sneakingandwary，towardthejungle。

Theotherfollowed。Bukawai，hiscuriosityaroused，trailedafterthem，inhishandaheavyknob-stick。

ThehyenashaltedafewyardsfromtheprostrateTarzan，sniffingandgrowling。ThencameBukawai，andatfirsthecouldnotbelievethewitnessofhisowneyes；butwhenhedidandsawthatitwasindeedthedevil-godhisrageknewnobounds，forhethoughthimdeadandhimselfcheatedoftherevengehehadsolongdreamedupon。

Thehyenasapproachedtheape-manwithbaredfangs。

Bukawai，withaninarticulatescream，rusheduponthem，strikingcruelandheavyblowswithhisknob-stick，fortheremightstillbelifeintheapparentlylifelessform。

Thebeasts，snappingandsnarling，halfturnedupontheirmasterandtheirtormentor，butlongfearstillheldthemfromhisputridthroat。Theyslunkawayafewyardsandsquattedupontheirhaunches，hatredandbaffledhungergleamingfromtheirsavageeyes。

Bukawaistoopedandplacedhisearabovetheape-man’sheart。

Itstillbeat。Aswellashissloughedfeaturescouldregisterpleasuretheydidso；butitwasnotaprettysight。

Attheape-man’ssidelayhislong，grassrope。

QuicklyBukawaiboundthelimparmsbehindhisprisoner’sback，thenheraisedhimtooneofhisshoulders，for，thoughBukawaiwasoldanddiseased，hewasstillastrongman。

Thehyenasfellinbehindasthewitch-doctorsetofftowardthecave，andthroughthelongblackcorridorstheyfollowedasBukawaiborehisvictimintothebowelsofthehills。Throughsubterraneanchambers，connectedbywindingpassageways，Bukawaistaggeredwithhisload。

Atasuddenturningofthecorridor，daylightfloodedthemandBukawaisteppedoutintoasmall，circularbasininthehill，apparentlythecraterofanancientvolcano，oneofthosewhichneverreachedthedignityofamountainandarelittlemorethanlava-rimmedpitsclosedtotheearth’ssurface。

Steepwallsrimmedthecavity。TheonlyexitwasthroughthepassagewaybywhichBukawaihadentered。

Afewstuntedtreesgrewupontherockyfloor。Ahundredfeetabovecouldbeseentheraggedlipsofthiscold，deadmouthofhell。

BukawaiproppedTarzanagainstatreeandboundhimtherewithhisowngrassrope，leavinghishandsfreebutsecuringtheknotsinsuchawaythattheape-mancouldnotreachthem。

Thehyenasslunktoandfro，growling。Bukawaihatedthemandtheyhatedhim。Heknewthattheybutwaitedforthetimewhenheshouldbehelpless，orwhentheirhatredshouldrisetosuchaheightastosubmergetheircringingfearofhim。

Inhisownheartwasnotalittlefearoftheserepulsivecreatures，andbecauseofthatfear，Bukawaialwayskeptthebeastswellfed，oftenhuntingforthemwhentheirownforagesforfoodfailed，buteverwashecrueltothemwiththecrueltyofalittlebrain，diseased，bestial，primitive。

Hehadhadthemsincetheywerepuppies。Theyhadknownnootherlifethanthatwithhim，andthoughtheywentabroadtohunt，alwaystheyreturned。OflateBukawaihadcometobelievethattheyreturnednotsomuchfromhabitasfromafiendishpatiencewhichwouldsubmittoeveryindignityandpainratherthanforegothefinalvengeance，andBukawaineededbutlittleimaginationtopicturewhatthatvengeancewouldbe。

Todayhewouldseeforhimselfwhathisendwouldbe；

butanothershouldimpersonateBukawai。

WhenhehadtrussedTarzansecurely，Bukawaiwentbackintothecorridor，drivingthehyenasaheadofhim，andpullingacrosstheopeningalatticeoflacedbranches，whichshutthepitfromthecaveduringthenightthatBukawaimightsleepinsecurity，forthenthehyenaswerepennedinthecraterthattheymightnotsneakuponasleepingBukawaiinthedarkness。

Bukawaireturnedtotheoutercavemouth，filledavesselwithwateratthespringwhichroseinthelittlecanoncloseathandandreturnedtowardthepit。ThehyenasstoodbeforethelatticelookinghungrilytowardTarzan。

Theyhadbeenfedinthismannerbefore。

Withhiswater，thewitch-doctorapproachedTarzanandthrewaportionofthecontentsofthevesselintheape-man’sface。

Therewasflutteringoftheeyelids，andatthesecondapplicationTarzanopenedhiseyesandlookedabout。

"Devil-god，"criedBukawai，"Iamthegreatwitch-doctor。

Mymedicineisstrong。Yoursisweak。Ifitisnot，whydoyoustaytiedherelikeagoatthatisbaitforlions？"

Tarzanunderstoodnothingthewitch-doctorsaid，thereforehedidnotreply，butonlystaredstraightatBukawaiwithcoldandlevelgaze。Thehyenascreptupbehindhim。

Heheardthemgrowl；buthedidnoteventurnhishead。

Hewasabeastwithaman’sbrain。Thebeastinhimrefusedtoshowfearinthefaceofadeathwhichtheman-mindalreadyadmittedtobeinevitable。

Bukawai，notyetreadytogivehisvictimtothebeasts，rusheduponthehyenaswithhisknob-stick。Therewasashortscrimmageinwhichthebrutescameoffsecondbest，astheyalwaysdid。Tarzanwatchedit。

Hesawandrealizedthehatredwhichexistedbetweenthetwoanimalsandthehideoussemblanceofaman。

Withthehyenassubdued，BukawaireturnedtothebaitingofTarzan；butfindingthattheape-manunderstoodnothinghesaid，thewitch-doctorfinallydesisted。

Thenhewithdrewintothecorridorandpulledthelatticeworkbarrieracrosstheopening。Hewentbackintothecaveandgotasleepingmat，whichhebroughttotheopening，thathemightliedownandwatchthespectacleofhisrevengeincomfort。

Thehyenasweresneakingfurtivelyaroundtheape-man。

Tarzanstrainedathisbondsforamoment，butsoonrealizedthattheropehehadbraidedtoholdNuma，thelion，wouldholdhimquiteassuccessfully。

Hedidnotwishtodie；buthecouldlookdeathinthefacenowashehadmanytimesbeforewithoutaquaver。

Ashepulledupontheropehefeltitrubagainstthesmalltreeaboutwhichitwaspassed。Likeaflashofthecinematographuponthescreen，apicturewasflashedbeforehismind’seyefromthestorehouseofhismemory。

Hesawalithe，boyishfigureswinginghighabovethegroundattheendofarope。Hesawmanyapeswatchingfrombelow，andthenhesawtheropepartandtheboyhurtledownwardtowardtheground。Tarzansmiled。

Immediatelyhecommencedtodrawtheroperapidlybackandforthacrossthetreetrunk。

Thehyenas，gainingcourage，camecloser。Theysniffedathislegs；butwhenhestruckatthemwithhisfreearmstheyslunkoff。Heknewthatwiththegrowthofhungertheywouldattack。Coolly，methodically，withouthaste，Tarzandrewtheropebackandforthagainsttheroughtrunkofthesmalltree。

IntheentrancetothecavernBukawaifellasleep。

Hethoughtitwouldbesometimebeforethebeastsgainedsufficientcourageorhungertoattackthecaptive。

Theirgrowlsandthecriesofthevictimwouldawakenhim。

Inthemeantimehemightaswellrest，andhedid。

Thusthedayworeon，forthehyenaswerenotfamished，andtheropewithwhichTarzanwasboundwasastrongeronethanthatofhisboyhood，whichhadpartedsoquicklytothechafingoftheroughtreebark。Yet，allthewhilehungerwasgrowinguponthebeastsandthestrandsofthegrassropewerewearingthinnerandthinner。

Bukawaislept。

Itwaslateafternoonbeforeoneofthebeasts，irritatedbythegnawingofappetite，madeaquick，growlingdashattheape-man。ThenoiseawokeBukawai。

Hesatupquicklyandwatchedwhatwentonwithinthecrater。Hesawthehungryhyenachargetheman，leapingfortheunprotectedthroat。HesawTarzanreachoutandseizethegrowlinganimal，andthenhesawthesecondbeastspringforthedevil-god’sshoulder。

Therewasamightyheaveofthegreat，smooth-skinnedbody。

Roundedmusclesshotintogreat，tensedpilesbeneaththebrownhide——theape-mansurgedforwardwithallhisweightandallhisgreatstrength——thebondsparted，andthethreewererollinguponthefloorofthecratersnarling，snapping，andrending。

Bukawaileapedtohisfeet。Coulditbethatthedevil-godwastoprevailagainsthisservants？Impossible！Thecreaturewasunarmed，andhewasdownwithtwohyenasontopofhim；butBukawaididnotknowTarzan。

Theape-manfastenedhisfingersuponthethroatofoneofthehyenasandrosetooneknee，thoughtheotherbeasttoreathimfranticallyinanefforttopullhimdown。

WithasinglehandTarzanheldtheone，andwiththeotherhandhereachedforthandpulledtowardhimthesecondbeast。

AndthenBukawai，seeingthebattlegoingagainsthisforces，rushedforwardfromthecavernbrandishinghisknob-stick。

Tarzansawhimcoming，andrisingnowtobothfeet，ahyenaineachhand，hehurledoneofthefoamingbeastsstraightatthewitch-doctor’shead。Downwentthetwoinasnarling，bitingheap。Tarzantossedthesecondhyenaacrossthecrater，whilethefirstgnawedattherottingfaceofitsmaster；butthisdidnotsuittheape-man。

Withakickhesentthebeasthowlingafteritscompanion，andspringingtothesideoftheprostratewitch-doctor，draggedhimtohisfeet。

Bukawai，stillconscious，sawdeath，immediateandterrible，inthecoldeyesofhiscaptor，soheturneduponTarzanwithteethandnails。Theape-manshudderedattheproximityofthatrawfacetohis。Thehyenashadhadenoughanddisappearedthroughthesmallapertureleadingintothecave。TarzanhadlittledifficultyinoverpoweringandbindingBukawai。Thenheledhimtotheverytreetowhichhehadbeenbound；butinbindingBukawai，Tarzansawtoitthatescapeafterthesamefashionthathehadescapedwouldbeoutofthequestion；thenhelefthim。

Ashepassedthroughthewindingcorridorsandthesubterraneanapartments，Tarzansawnothingofthehyenas。

"Theywillreturn，"hesaidtohimself。

InthecraterbetweenthetoweringwallsBukawai，coldwithterror，trembled，trembledaswithague。

"Theywillreturn！"hecried，hisvoicerisingtoafright-filledshriek。

Andtheydid。

8

TheLionNUMA，THELION，crouchedbehindathornbushclosebesidethedrinkingpoolwheretherivereddiedjustbelowthebend。

Therewasafordthereandoneitherbankawell-worntrail，broadenedfaroutattheriver’sbrim，where，forcountlesscenturies，thewildthingsofthejungleandoftheplainsbeyondhadcomedowntodrink，thecarnivorawithboldandfearlessmajesty，theherbivoratimorous，hesitating，fearful。

Numa，thelion，washungry，hewasveryhungry，andsohewasquitesilentnow。Onhiswaytothedrinkingplacehehadmoanedoftenandroarednotalittle；butashenearedthespotwherehewouldlieinwaitforBara，thedeer，orHorta，theboar，orsomeotherofthemanyluscious-fleshedcreatureswhocamehithertodrink，hewassilent。Itwasagrim，aterriblesilence，shotthroughwithyellow-greenlightofferociouseyes，punctuatedwithundulatingtremorsofsinuoustail。

ItwasPacco，thezebra，whocamefirst，andNuma，thelion，couldscarcerestrainaroarofanger，forofalltheplainspeople，nonearemorewarythanPacco，thezebra。

Behindtheblack-stripedstallioncameaherdofthirtyorfortyoftheplumpandviciouslittlehorselikebeasts。

Ashenearedtheriver，theleaderpausedoften，cockinghisearsandraisinghismuzzletosniffthegentlebreezeforthetell-talescentspoorofthedreadflesh-eaters。

Numashifteduneasily，drawinghishindquartersfarbeneathhistawnybody，gatheringhimselfforthesuddenchargeandthesavageassault。Hiseyesshothungryfire。

Hisgreatmusclesquiveredtotheexcitementofthemoment。

Paccocamealittlenearer，halted，snorted，andwheeled。

Therewasapatteringofscurryinghoofsandtheherdwasgone；

butNuma，thelion，movednot。HewasfamiliarwiththewaysofPacco，thezebra。Heknewthathewouldreturn，thoughmanytimeshemightwheelandflybeforehesummonedthecouragetoleadhisharemandhisoffspringtothewater。TherewasthechancethatPaccomightbefrightenedoffentirely。Numahadseenthishappenbefore，andsohebecamealmostrigidlesthebetheonetosendthemgalloping，waterless，backtotheplain。

AgainandagaincamePaccoandhisfamily，andagainandagaindidtheyturnandflee；buteachtimetheycameclosertotheriver，untilatlasttheplumpstalliondippedhisvelvetmuzzledaintilyintothewater。