第5章

Theothers，steppingwarily，approachedtheirleader。

Numaselectedasleek，fatfillyandhisflamingeyesburnedgreedilyastheyfeasteduponher，forNuma，thelion，lovesscarceanythingbetterthanthemeatofPacco，perhapsbecausePaccois，ofallthegrass-eaters，themostdifficulttocatch。

Slowlythelionrose，andasherose，atwigsnappedbeneathoneofhisgreat，paddedpaws。Likeashotfromariflehechargeduponthefilly；butthesnappedtwighadbeenenoughtostartlethetimorousquarry，sothattheywereininstantflightsimultaneouslywithNuma’scharge。

Thestallionwaslast，andwithaprodigiousleap，thelioncatapultedthroughtheairtoseizehim；

butthesnappingtwighadrobbedNumaofhisdinner，thoughhismightytalonsrakedthezebra’sglossyrump，leavingfourcrimsonbarsacrossthebeautifulcoat。

ItwasanangryNumathatquittedtheriverandprowled，fierce，dangerous，andhungry，intothejungle。

Farfromparticularnowwashisappetite。EvenDango，thehyena，wouldhaveseemedatidbittothatravenousmaw。

AndinthistemperitwasthatthelioncameuponthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。

OnedoesnotlookforNuma，thelion，thislateinthemorning。

Heshouldbelyingupasleepbesidehislastnight’skillbynow；butNumahadmadenokilllastnight。

Hewasstillhunting，hungrierthanever。

Theanthropoidswereidlingabouttheclearing，thefirstkeendesireofthemorning’shungerhavingbeensatisfied。

Numascentedthemlongbeforehesawthem。Ordinarilyhewouldhaveturnedawayinsearchofothergame，forevenNumarespectedthemightymusclesandthesharpfangsofthegreatbullsofthetribeofKerchak，buttodayhekeptonsteadilytowardthem，hisbristledsnoutwrinkledintoasavagesnarl。

Withoutaninstant’shesitation，Numachargedthemomenthereachedapointfromwheretheapeswerevisibletohim。Therewereadozenormoreofthehairy，manlikecreaturesuponthegroundinalittleglade。

Inatreeatonesidesatabrown-skinnedyouth。

HesawNuma’sswiftcharge；hesawtheapesturnandflee，hugebullstramplinguponlittlebalus；onlyasinglesheheldhergroundtomeetthecharge，ayoungsheinspiredbynewmotherhoodtothegreatsacrificethatherbalumightescape。

Tarzanleapedfromhisperch，screamingattheflyingbullsbeneathandatthosewhosquattedinthesafetyofsurroundingtrees。Hadthebullsstoodtheirground，Numawouldnothavecarriedthroughthatchargeunlessgoadedbygreatrageorthegnawingpangsofstarvation。

Eventhenhewouldnothavecomeoffunscathed。

Ifthebullsheard，theyweretooslowinresponding，forNumahadseizedthemotherapeanddraggedherintothejunglebeforethemaleshadsufficientlycollectedtheirwitsandtheircouragetorallyindefenseoftheirfellow。

Tarzan’sangryvoicearousedsimilarangerinthebreastsoftheapes。SnarlingandbarkingtheyfollowedNumaintothedenselabyrinthoffoliagewhereinhesoughttohidehimselffromthem。Theape-manwasinthelead，movingrapidlyandyetwithcaution，dependingevenmoreuponhisearsandnosethanuponhiseyesforinformationofthelion’swhereabouts。

Thespoorwaseasytofollow，forthedraggedbodyofthevictimleftaplaintrail，blood-spatteredandscentful。

EvensuchdullcreaturesasyouorImighteasilyhavefollowedit。ToTarzanandtheapesofKerchakitwasasobviousasacementsidewalk。

Tarzanknewthattheywerenearingthegreatcatevenbeforeheheardanangrygrowlofwarningjustahead。

Callingtotheapestofollowhisexample，heswungintoatreeandamomentlaterNumawassurroundedbyaringofgrowlingbeasts，welloutofreachofhisfangsandtalonsbutwithinplainsightofhim。Thecarnivorecrouchedwithhisfore-quartersupontheshe-ape。Tarzancouldseethatthelatterwasalreadydead；butsomethingwithinhimmadeitseemquitenecessarytorescuetheuselessbodyfromtheclutchesoftheenemyandtopunishhim。

HeshriekedtauntsandinsultsatNuma，andtearingdeadbranchesfromthetreeinwhichhedanced，hurledthematthelion。Theapesfollowedhisexample。

Numaroaredoutinrageandvexation。Hewashungry，butundersuchconditionshecouldnotfeed。

Theapes，iftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves，woulddoubtlesssoonhavelefttheliontopeacefulenjoymentofhisfeast，forwasnottheshedead？TheycouldnotrestorehertolifebythrowingsticksatNuma，andtheymightevennowbefeedinginquietthemselves；

butTarzanwasofadifferentmind。Numamustbepunishedanddrivenaway。HemustbetaughtthateventhoughhekilledaMangani，hewouldnotbepermittedtofeeduponhiskill。Theman-mindlookedintothefuture，whiletheapesperceivedonlytheimmediatepresent。

TheywouldbecontenttoescapetodaythemenaceofNuma，whileTarzansawthenecessity，andthemeansaswell，ofsafeguardingthedaystocome。

SoheurgedthegreatanthropoidsonuntilNumawasshoweredwithmissilesthatkepthisheaddodgingandhisvoicepealingforthitssavageprotest；

butstillheclungdesperatelytohiskill。

ThetwigsandbrancheshurledatNuma，Tarzansoonrealized，didnothurthimgreatlyevenwhentheystruckhim，anddidnotinjurehimatall，sotheape-manlookedaboutformoreeffectivemissiles，nordidhehavetolooklong。

Anout-croppingofdecomposedgranitenotfarfromNumasuggestedammunitionofamuchmorepainfulnature。

Callingtotheapestowatchhim，Tarzanslippedtothegroundandgatheredahandfulofsmallfragments。

Heknewthatwhenoncetheyhadseenhimcarryouthisideatheywouldbemuchquickertofollowhisleadthantoobeyhisinstructions，werehetocommandthemtoprocurepiecesofrockandhurlthematNuma，forTarzanwasnotthenkingoftheapesofthetribeofKerchak。

Thatcameinlateryears。Nowhewasbutayouth，thoughonewhoalreadyhadwrestedforhimselfaplaceinthecouncilsofthesavagebeastsamongwhomastrangefatehadcasthim。

Thesullenbullsoftheoldergenerationstillhatedhimasbeastshatethoseofwhomtheyaresuspicious，whosescentcharacteristicisthescentcharacteristicofanalienorderand，therefore，ofanenemyorder。

Theyoungerbulls，thosewhohadgrownupthroughchildhoodashisplaymates，wereasaccustomedtoTarzan’sscentastothatofanyothermemberofthetribe。

Theyfeltnogreatersuspicionofhimthanofanyotherbulloftheiracquaintance；yettheydidnotlovehim，fortheylovednoneoutsidethematingseason，andtheanimositiesarousedbyotherbullsduringthatseasonlastedwelloveruntilthenext。Theywereamoroseandpeevishbandatbest，thoughhereandtherewerethoseamongtheminwhomgerminatedtheprimalseedsofhumanity——reversionstotype，these，doubtless；reversionstotheancientprogenitorwhotookthefirststepoutofape-hoodtowardhumanness，whenhewalkedmoreoftenuponhishindfeetanddiscoveredotherthingsforidlehandstodo。

SonowTarzanledwherehecouldnotyetcommand。

Hehadlongsincediscoveredtheapishpropensityformimicryandlearnedtomakeuseofit。Havingfilledhisarmswithfragmentsofrottedgranite，heclamberedagainintoatree，anditpleasedhimtoseethattheapeshadfollowedhisexample。

Duringthebriefrespitewhiletheyweregatheringtheirammunition，Numahadsettledhimselftofeed；

butscarcehadhearrangedhimselfandhiskillwhenasharppieceofrockhurledbythepracticedhandoftheape-manstruckhimuponthecheek。Hissuddenroarofpainandragewassmotheredbyavolleyfromtheapes，whohadseenTarzan’sact。Numashookhismassiveheadandglaredupwardathistormentors。Forahalfhourtheypursuedhimwithrocksandbrokenbranches，andthoughhedraggedhiskillintodensestthickets，yettheyalwaysfoundawaytoreachhimwiththeirmissiles，givinghimnoopportunitytofeed，anddrivinghimonandon。

Thehairlessape-thingwiththemanscentwasworstofall，forhehadeventhetemeritytoadvanceuponthegroundtowithinafewyardsoftheLordoftheJungle，thathemightwithgreateraccuracyandforcehurlthesharpbitsofgraniteandtheheavysticksathim。TimeandagaindidNumacharge——sudden，viciouscharges——butthelithe，activetormentoralwaysmanagedtoeludehimandwithsuchinsolenteasethatthelionforgotevenhisgreathungerintheconsumingpassionofhisrage，leavinghismeatforconsiderablespacesoftimeinvaineffortstocatchhisenemy。

TheapesandTarzanpursuedthegreatbeasttoanaturalclearing，whereNumaevidentlydeterminedtomakealaststand，takinguphispositioninthecenteroftheopenspace，whichwasfarenoughfromanytreetorenderhimpracticallyimmunefromtherathererraticthrowingoftheapes，thoughTarzanstillfoundhimwithmostpersistentandaggravatingfrequency。

This，however，didnotsuittheape-man，sinceNumanowsufferedanoccasionalmissilewithnomorethanasnarl，whilehesettledhimselftopartakeofhisdelayedfeast。

Tarzanscratchedhishead，ponderingsomemoreeffectivemethodofoffense，forhehaddeterminedtopreventNumafromprofitinginanywaythroughhisattackuponthetribe。

Theman-mindreasonedagainstthefuture，whiletheshaggyapesthoughtonlyoftheirpresenthatredofthisancestralenemy。TarzanguessedthatshouldNumafinditaneasythingtosnatchamealfromthetribeofKerchak，itwouldbebutashorttimebeforetheirexistencewouldbeonelivingnightmareofhideouswatchfulnessanddread。

Numamustbetaughtthatthekillingofanapebroughtimmediatepunishmentandnorewards。Itwouldtakebutafewlessonstoinsuretheformersafetyofthetribe。

Thismustbesomeoldlionwhosefailingstrengthandagilityhadforcedhimtoanypreythathecouldcatch；

butevenasinglelion，undisputed，couldexterminatethetribe，oratleastmakeitsexistencesoprecariousandsoterrifyingthatlifewouldnolongerbeapleasantcondition。

"LethimhuntamongtheGomangani，"thoughtTarzan。

"Hewillfindthemeasierprey。IwillteachferociousNumathathemaynothunttheMangani。"

Buthowtowrestthebodyofhisvictimfromthefeedinglionwasthefirstquestiontobesolved。

AtlastTarzanhituponaplan。ToanyonebutTarzanoftheApesitmighthaveseemedratherariskyplan，andperhapsitdideventohim；butTarzanratherlikedthingsthatcontainedaconsiderableelementofdanger。

Atanyrate，IratherdoubtthatyouorIwouldhavechosenasimilarplanforfoilinganangryandahungrylion。

Tarzanrequiredassistanceintheschemehehadhituponandhisassistantmustbeequallyasbraveandalmostasactiveashe。Theape-man’seyesfelluponTaug，theplaymateofhischildhood，therivalinhisfirstloveandnow，ofallthebullsofthetribe，theonlyonethatmightbethoughttoholdinhissavagebrainanysuchfeelingtowardTarzanaswedescribeamongourselvesasfriendship。Atleast，Tarzanknew，Taugwascourageous，andhewasyoungandagileandwonderfullymuscled。

"Taug！"criedtheape-man。Thegreatapelookedupfromadeadlimbhewasattemptingtotearfromalightning-blastedtree。

"GoclosetoNumaandworryhim，"saidTarzan。"Worryhimuntilhecharges。LeadhimawayfromthebodyofMamka。

Keephimawayaslongasyoucan。"

Taugnodded。HewasacrosstheclearingfromTarzan。

WrestingthelimbatlastfromthetreehedroppedtothegroundandadvancedtowardNuma，growlingandbarkingouthisinsults。Theworriedlionlookedupandrosetohisfeet。

HistailwentstifflyerectandTaugturnedinflight，forheknewthatwarmingsignalofthecharge。

Frombehindthelion，TarzanranquicklytowardthecenteroftheclearingandthebodyofMamka。Numa，allhiseyesforTaug，didnotseetheape-man。Insteadheshotforwardafterthefleeingbull，whohadturnedinflightnotaninstanttoosoon，sincehereachedthenearesttreebutayardortwoaheadofthepursuingdemon。

Likeacattheheavyanthropoidscampereduptheboleofhissanctuary。Numa’stalonsmissedhimbylittlemorethaninches。

Foramomentthelionpausedbeneaththetree，glaringupattheapeandroaringuntiltheearthtrembled，thenheturnedbackagaintowardhiskill，andashedidso，histailshotoncemoretorigiderectnessandhechargedbackevenmoreferociouslythanhehadcome，forwhathesawwasthenakedman-thingrunningtowardthefarthertreeswiththebloodycarcassofhispreyacrossagiantshoulder。

Theapes，watchingthegrimracefromthesafetyofthetrees，screamedtauntsatNumaandwarningstoTarzan。

Thehighsun，hotandbrilliant，felllikeaspotlightupontheactorsinthelittleclearing，portrayingtheminglaringrelieftotheaudienceintheleafyshadowsofthesurroundingtrees。Thelight-brownbodyofthenakedyouth，allbuthiddenbytheshaggycarcassofthekilledape，theredbloodstreakinghissmoothhide，hismusclesrolling，velvety，beneath。Behindhimtheblack-manedlion，headflattened，tailextended，racing，ajunglethoroughbred，acrossthesunlitclearing。

Ah，butthiswaslife！Withdeathathisheels，Tarzanthrilledwiththejoyofsuchlivingasthis；

butwouldhereachthetreesaheadoftherampantdeathsoclosebehind？

Guntoswungfromalimbinatreebeforehim。Guntowasscreamingwarningsandadvice。

"Catchme！"criedTarzan，andwithhisheavyburdenleapedstraightforthebigbullhangingtherebyhishindfeetandoneforepaw。AndGuntocaughtthem——thebigape-manandthedeadweightoftheslainshe-ape——caughtthemwithonegreat，hairypawandwhirledthemupwarduntilTarzan’sfingerscloseduponanear-bybranch。

Beneath，Numaleaped；butGunto，heavyandawkwardashemayhaveappeared，wasasquickasManu，themonkey，sothatthelion’stalonsbutbarelygrazedhim，scratchingabloodystreakbeneathonehairyarm。

TarzancarriedMamka’scorpsetoahighcrotch，whereevenSheeta，thepanther，couldnotgetit。Numapacedangrilybackandforthbeneaththetree，roaringfrightfully。

Hehadbeenrobbedofhiskillandhisrevengealso。

Hewasverysavageindeed；buthisdespoilerswerewelloutofhisreach，andafterhurlingafewtauntsandmissilesathimtheyswungawaythroughthetrees，fiercelyrevilinghim。

Tarzanthoughtmuchuponthelittleadventureofthatday。

HeforesawwhatmighthappenshouldthegreatcarnivoraofthejungleturntheirseriousattentionuponthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape，butequallyhethoughtuponthewildscrambleoftheapesforsafetywhenNumafirstchargedamongthem。Thereislittlehumorinthejunglethatisnotgrimandawful。Thebeastshavelittleornoconceptionofhumor；buttheyoungEnglishmansawhumorinmanythingswhichpresentednohumorousangletohisassociates。

Sinceearliestchildhoodhehadbeenasearcherafterfun，muchtothesorrowofhisfellow-apes，andnowhesawthehumorofthefrightenedpanicoftheapesandthebaffledrageofNumaeveninthisgrimjungleadventurewhichhadrobbedMamkaoflife，andjeopardizedthatofmanymembersofthetribe。

ItwasbutafewweekslaterthatSheeta，thepanther，madeasuddenrushamongthetribeandsnatchedalittlebalufromatreewhereithadbeenhiddenwhileitsmothersoughtfood。Sheetagotawaywithhissmallprizeunmolested。

Tarzanwasverywroth。HespoketothebullsoftheeasewithwhichNumaandSheeta，inasinglemoon，hadslaintwomembersofthetribe。

"Theywilltakeusallforfood，"hecried。"Wehuntaswewillthroughthejungle，payingnoheedtoapproachingenemies。EvenManu，themonkey，doesnotso。

Hekeepstwoorthreealwayswatchingforenemies。

Pacco，thezebra，andWappi，theantelope，havethoseabouttheherdwhokeepwatchwhiletheothersfeed，whilewe，thegreatMangani，letNuma，andSabor，andSheetacomewhentheywillandcarryusofftofeedtheirbalus。

"Gr-r-rmph，"saidNumgo。

"Whatarewetodo？"askedTaug。

"We，too，shouldhavetwoorthreealwayswatchingfortheapproachofNuma，andSabor，andSheeta，"repliedTarzan。

"Noothersneedwefear，exceptHistah，thesnake，andifwewatchfortheotherswewillseeHistahifhecomes，thoughglidingeversosilently。"

AndsoitwasthatthegreatapesofthetribeofKerchakpostedsentriesthereafter，whowatcheduponthreesideswhilethetribehunted，scatteredlessthanhadbeentheirwont。

ButTarzanwentabroadalone，forTarzanwasaman-thingandsoughtamusementandadventureandsuchhumorasthegrimandterriblejungleofferstothosewhoknowitanddonotfearit——aweirdhumorshotwithblazingeyesanddappledwiththecrimsonoflifeblood。Whileotherssoughtonlyfoodandlove，TarzanoftheApessoughtfoodandjoy。

OnedayhehoveredabovethepalisadedvillageofMbonga，thechief，thejetcannibalofthejungleprimeval。

Hesaw，ashehadseenmanytimesbefore，thewitch-doctor，RabbaKega，deckedoutintheheadandhideofGorgo，thebuffalo。ItamusedTarzantoseeaGomanganiparadingasGorgo；butitsuggestednothinginparticulartohimuntilhechancedtoseestretchedagainstthesideofMbonga’shuttheskinofalionwiththeheadstillon。

Thenabroadgrinwidenedthehandsomefaceofthesavagebeast-youth。

Backintothejunglehewentuntilchance，agility，strength，andcunningbackedbyhismarvelouspowersofperception，gavehimaneasymeal。IfTarzanfeltthattheworldowedhimalivinghealsorealizedthatitwasforhimtocollectit，norwasthereeverabettercollectorthanthissonofanEnglishlord，whoknewevenlessofthewaysofhisforbearsthanhedidoftheforbearsthemselves，whichwasnothing。

ItwasquitedarkwhenTarzanreturnedtothevillageofMbongaandtookhisnowpolishedperchinthetreewhichoverhangsthepalisadeupononesideofthewalledenclosure。Astherewasnothinginparticulartofeastuponinthevillagetherewaslittlelifeinthesinglestreet，foronlyanorgyoffleshandnativebeercoulddrawoutthepeopleofMbonga。

Tonighttheysatgossipingabouttheircookingfires，theoldermembersofthetribe；or，iftheywereyoung，pairedoffintheshadowscastbythepalm-thatchedhuts。

Tarzandroppedlightlyintothevillage，andsneakingstealthilyintheconcealmentofthedensershadows，approachedthehutofthechief，Mbonga。Herehefoundthatwhichhesought。Therewerewarriorsallabouthim；

buttheydidnotknowthatthefeareddevil-godslunknoiselesslysonearthem，nordidtheyseehimpossesshimselfofthatwhichhecovetedanddepartfromtheirvillageasnoiselesslyashehadcome。

Laterthatnight，asTarzancurledhimselfforsleep，helayforalongtimelookingupattheburningplanetsandthetwinklingstarsandatGorothemoon，andhesmiled。

HerecalledhowludicrousthegreatbullshadappearedintheirmadscrambleforsafetythatdaywhenNumahadchargedamongthemandseizedMamka，andyetheknewthemtobefierceandcourageous。Itwasthesuddenshockofsurprisethatalwayssentthemintoapanic；

butofthisTarzanwasnotasyetfullyaware。Thatwassomethinghewastolearninthenearfuture。

Hefellasleepwithabroadgrinuponhisface。

Manu，themonkey，awokehiminthemorningbydroppingdiscardedbeanpodsuponhisupturnedfacefromabranchashortdistanceabovehim。Tarzanlookedupandsmiled。

Hehadbeenawakenedthusbeforemanytimes。HeandManuwerefairlygoodfriends，theirfriendshipoperatinguponareciprocalbasis。SometimesManuwouldcomerunningearlyinthemorningtoawakenTarzanandtellhimthatBara，thedeer，wasfeedingcloseathand，orthatHorta，theboar，wasasleepinamudholehardby，andinreturnTarzanbrokeopentheshellsofthehardernutsandfruitsforManu，orfrightenedawayHistah，thesnake，andSheeta，thepanther。

Thesunhadbeenupforsometime，andthetribehadalreadywanderedoffinsearchoffood。Manuindicatedthedirectiontheyhadtakenwithawaveofhishandandafewpipingnotesofhissqueakylittlevoice。

"Come，Manu，"saidTarzan，"andyouwillseethatwhichshallmakeyoudanceforjoyandsquealyourwrinkledlittleheadoff。Come，followTarzanoftheApes。"

WiththathesetoffinthedirectionManuhadindicatedandabovehim，chattering，scoldingandsquealing，skippedManu，themonkey。AcrossTarzan’sshoulderswasthethinghehadstolenfromthevillageofMbonga，thechief，theeveningbefore。

ThetribewasfeedingintheforestbesidetheclearingwhereGunto，andTaug，andTarzanhadsoharassedNumaandfinallytakenawayfromhimthefruitofhiskill。

Someofthemwereintheclearingitself。Inpeaceandcontenttheyfed，forweretherenotthreesentries，eachwatchinguponadifferentsideoftheherd？Tarzanhadtaughtthemthis，andthoughhehadbeenawayforseveraldayshuntingalone，asheoftendid，orvisitingatthecabinbythesea，theyhadnotasyetforgottenhisadmonitions，andiftheycontinuedforashorttimelongertopostsentries，itwouldbecomeahabitoftheirtriballifeandthusbeperpetuatedindefinitely。

ButTarzan，whoknewthembetterthantheyknewthemselves，wasconfidentthattheyhadceasedtoplacethewatchersaboutthemthemomentthathehadleftthem，andnowheplannednotonlytohavealittlefunattheirexpensebuttoteachthemalessoninpreparedness，which，bytheway，isevenamorevitalissueinthejunglethanincivilizedplaces。

ThatyouandIexisttodaymustbeduetothepreparednessofsomeshaggyanthropoidoftheOligocene。OfcoursetheapesofKerchakwerealwaysprepared，aftertheirownway——Tarzanhadmerelysuggestedanewandadditionalsafeguard。

Guntowaspostedtodaytothenorthoftheclearing。

Hesquattedintheforkofatreefromwherehemightviewthejungleforquiteadistanceabouthim。

Itwashewhofirstdiscoveredtheenemy。Arustlingintheundergrowthattractedhisattention，andamomentlaterhehadapartialviewofashaggymaneandtawnyyellowback。Justaglimpseitwasthroughthemattedfoliagebeneathhim；butitbroughtfromGunto’sleathernlungsashrill"Kreeg-ah！"whichistheapeforbeware，ordanger。

Instantlythetribetookupthecryuntil"Kreeg-ahs！"rangthroughthejungleabouttheclearingasapesswungquicklytoplacesofsafetyamongthelowerbranchesofthetreesandthegreatbullshastenedinthedirectionofGunto。

AndthenintotheclearingstrodeNuma，thelion——majesticandmighty，andfromadeepchestissuedthemoanandthecoughandtherumblingroarthatsetstiffhairstobristlingfromshaggycraniumsdownthelengthofmightyspines。

Insidetheclearing，Numapausedandontheinstanttherefelluponhimfromthetreesnearbyashowerofbrokenrockanddeadlimbstornfromage-oldtrees。

Adozentimeshewashit，andthentheapesrandownandgatheredotherrocks，peltinghimunmercifully。

Numaturnedtoflee，buthiswaywasbarredbyafusiladeofsharp-corneredmissiles，andthen，upontheedgeoftheclearing，greatTaugmethimwithahugefragmentofrockaslargeasaman’shead，anddownwenttheLordoftheJunglebeneaththestunningblow。

WithshrieksandroarsandloudbarkingsthegreatapesofthetribeofKerchakrusheduponthefallenlion。

Sticksandstonesandyellowfangsmenacedthestillform。

Inanothermoment，beforehecouldregainconsciousness，Numawouldbebatteredandtornuntilonlyabloodymassofbrokenbonesandmattedhairremainedofwhathadoncebeenthemostdreadedofjunglecreatures。

Butevenasthesticksandstoneswereraisedabovehimandthegreatfangsbaredtotearhim，theredescendedlikeaplummetfromthetreesaboveadiminutivefigurewithlong，whitewhiskersandawrinkledface。

SquareuponthebodyofNumaitalightedandthereitdancedandscreamedandshriekedoutitschallengeagainstthebullsofKerchak。

Foraninstanttheypaused，paralyzedbythewonderofthething。ItwasManu，themonkey，Manu，thelittlecoward，andherehewasdaringtheferocityofthegreatMangani，hoppingaboutuponthecarcassofNuma，thelion，andcryingoutthattheymustnotstrikeitagain。

Andwhenthebullspaused，Manureacheddownandseizedatawnyear。Withallhislittlemighthetuggedupontheheavyheaduntilslowlyitturnedback，revealingthetousled，blackheadandclean-cutprofileofTarzanoftheApes。

Someoftheolderapeswereforfinishingwhattheyhadcommenced；

butTaug，sullen，mightyTaug，sprangquicklytotheape-man’ssideandstraddlingtheunconsciousformwarnedbackthosewhowouldhavestruckhischildhoodplaymate。

AndTeeka，hismate，cametoo，takingherplacewithbaredfangsatTaug’sside。othersfollowedtheirexample，untilatlastTarzanwassurroundedbyaringofhairychampionswhowouldpermitnoenemytoapproachhim。

ItwasasurprisedandchastenedTarzanwhoopenedhiseyestoconsciousnessafewminuteslater。

Helookedabouthimatthesurroundingapesandslowlytherereturnedtohimarealizationofwhathadoccurred。

Graduallyabroadgrinilluminatedhisfeatures。

Hisbruisesweremanyandtheyhurt；butthegoodthathadcomefromhisadventurewasworthallthatithadcost。

Hehadlearned，forinstance，thattheapesofKerchakhadheededhisteaching，andhehadlearnedthathehadgoodfriendsamongthesullenbeastswhomhehadthoughtwithoutsentiment。HehaddiscoveredthatManu，themonkey——evenlittle，cowardlyManu——hadriskedhislifeinhisdefense。

ItmadeTarzanverygladtoknowthesethings；

butattheotherlessonhehadbeentaughthereddened。

Hehadalwaysbeenajoker，theonlyjokerinthegrimandterriblecompany；butnowashelaytherehalfdeadfromhishurts，healmostsworeasolemnoathforevertoforegopracticaljoking——almost；butnotquite。

9

TheNightmareTHEBLACKSOFthevillageofMbonga，thechief，werefeasting，whileabovetheminalargetreesatTarzanoftheApes——grim，terrible，empty，andenvious。Huntinghadprovedpoorthatday，forthereareleandaysaswellasfatonesforeventhegreatestofthejunglehunters。

OftentimesTarzanwentemptyformorethanafullsun，andhehadpassedthroughentiremoonsduringwhichhehadbeenbutbarelyabletostaveoffstarvation；

butsuchtimeswereinfrequent。

Thereoncehadbeenaperiodofsicknessamongthegrass-eaterswhichhadlefttheplainsalmostbareofgameforseveralyears，andagainthegreatcatshadincreasedsorapidlyandsooverrunthecountrythattheirprey，whichwasalsoTarzan’s，hadbeenfrightenedoffforaconsiderabletime。

ButforthemostpartTarzanhadfedwellalways。

Today，though，hehadgoneempty，onemisfortunefollowinganotherasrapidlyasheraisednewquarry，sothatnow，ashesatperchedinthetreeabovethefeastingblacks，heexperiencedallthepangsoffamineandhishatredforhislifelongenemieswaxedstronginhisbreast。

Itwastantalizing，indeed，tosittherehungrywhiletheseGomanganifilledthemselvessofulloffoodthattheirstomachsseemedalmostuponthepointofbursting，andwithelephantsteaksatthat！

ItwastruethatTarzanandTantorwerethebestoffriends，andthatTarzanneveryethadtastedofthefleshoftheelephant；buttheGomanganievidentlyhadslainone，andastheywereeatingofthefleshoftheirkill，Tarzanwasassailedbynodoubtsastotheethicsofhisdoinglikewise，shouldhehavetheopportunity。

Hadheknownthattheelephanthaddiedofsicknessseveraldaysbeforetheblacksdiscoveredthecarcass，hemightnothavebeensokeentopartakeofthefeast，forTarzanoftheApeswasnocarrion-eater。Hunger，however，maybluntthemostepicureantaste，andTarzanwasnotexactlyanepicure。

Whathewasatthismomentwasaveryhungrywildbeastwhomcautionwasholdinginleash，forthegreatcookingpotinthecenterofthevillagewassurroundedbyblackwarriors，throughwhomnotevenTarzanoftheApesmighthopetopassunharmed。Itwouldbenecessary，therefore，forthewatchertoremaintherehungryuntiltheblackshadgorgedthemselvestostupor，andthen，iftheyhadleftanyscraps，tomakethebestmealhecouldfromsuch；buttotheimpatientTarzanitseemedthatthegreedyGomanganiwouldratherburstthanleavethefeastbeforethelastmorselhadbeendevoured。

Foratimetheybrokethemonotonyofeatingbyexecutingportionsofahuntingdance，amaneuverwhichsufficientlystimulateddigestiontopermitthemtofalltooncemorewithrenewedvigor；butwiththeconsumptionofappallingquantitiesofelephantmeatandnativebeertheypresentlybecametoologgyforphysicalexertionofanysort，somereachingastagewheretheynolongercouldrisefromtheground，butlayconvenientlyclosetothegreatcookingpot，stuffingthemselvesintounconsciousness。

ItwaswellpastmidnightbeforeTarzanevencouldbegintoseetheendoftheorgy。Theblackswerenowfallingasleeprapidly；butafewstillpersisted。FrombeforetheirconditionTarzanhadnodoubtbutthatheeasilycouldenterthevillageandsnatchahandfulofmeatfrombeforetheirnoses；butahandfulwasnotwhathewanted。

Nothinglessthanastomachfulwouldallaythegnawingcravingofthatgreatemptiness。Hemustthereforehaveampletimetoforageinpeace。

Atlastbutasinglewarriorremainedtruetohisideals——

anoldfellowwhoseoncewrinkledbellywasnowassmoothandastightastheheadofadrum。Withevidencesofgreatdiscomfort，andevenpain，hewouldcrawltowardthepotanddraghimselfslowlytohisknees，fromwhichpositionhecouldreachintothereceptacleandseizeapieceofmeat。Thenhewouldrolloveronhisbackwithaloudgroanandlietherewhileheslowlyforcedthefoodbetweenhisteethanddownintohisgorgedstomach。

ItwasevidenttoTarzanthattheoldfellowwouldeatuntilhedied，oruntiltherewasnomoremeat。

Theape-manshookhisheadindisgust。WhatfoulcreaturesweretheseGomangani？YetofallthejunglefolktheyaloneresembledTarzancloselyinform。

Tarzanwasaman，andthey，too，mustbesomemannerofmen，justasthelittlemonkeys，andthegreatapes，andBolgani，thegorilla，werequiteevidentlyofonegreatfamily，thoughdifferinginsizeandappearanceandcustoms。

Tarzanwasashamed，forofallthebeastsofthejungle，then，manwasthemostdisgusting——manandDango，thehyena。

OnlymanandDangoateuntiltheyswelleduplikeadeadrat。

TarzanhadseenDangoeathiswayintothecarcassofadeadelephantandthencontinuetoeatsomuchthathehadbeenunabletogetoutoftheholethroughwhichhehadentered。

Nowhecouldreadilybelievethatman，giventheopportunity，woulddothesame。Man，too，wasthemostunlovelyofcreatures——withhisskinnylegsandhisbigstomach，hisfiledteeth，andhisthick，redlips。Manwasdisgusting。

Tarzan’sgazewasriveteduponthehideousoldwarriorwallowinginfilthbeneathhim。

There！thethingwasstrugglingtoitskneestoreachforanothermorselofflesh。Itgroanedaloudinpainandyetitpersistedineating，eating，evereating。

Tarzancouldendureitnolonger——neitherhishungernorhisdisgust。Silentlyheslippedtothegroundwiththeboleofthegreattreebetweenhimselfandthefeaster。

Themanwasstillkneeling，bentalmostdoubleinagony，beforethecookingpot。Hisbackwastowardtheape-man。

SwiftlyandnoiselesslyTarzanapproachedhim。Therewasnosoundassteelfingersclosedabouttheblackthroat。

Thestrugglewasshort，forthemanwasoldandalreadyhalfstupefiedfromtheeffectsofthegorgingandthebeer。

Tarzandroppedtheinertmassandscoopedseverallargepiecesofmeatfromthecookingpot——enoughtosatisfyevenhisgreathunger——thenheraisedthebodyofthefeasterandshoveditintothevessel。Whentheotherblacksawoketheywouldhavesomethingtothinkabout！Tarzangrinned。

Asheturnedtowardthetreewithhismeat，hepickedupavesselcontainingbeerandraisedittohislips，butatthefirsttastehespatthestufffromhismouthandtossedtheprimitivetankardaside。HewasquitesurethatevenDangowoulddrawthelineatsuchfilthytastingdrinkasthat，andhiscontemptformanincreasedwiththeconviction。

Tarzanswungoffintothejunglesomehalfmileorsobeforehepausedtopartakeofhisstolenfood。

Henoticedthatitgaveforthastrangeandunpleasantodor，butassumedthatthiswasduetothefactthatithadstoodinavesselofwateraboveafire。Tarzanwas，ofcourse，unaccustomedtocookedfood。Hedidnotlikeit；

buthewasveryhungryandhadeatenaconsiderableportionofhishaulbeforeitwasreallyborneinuponhimthatthestuffwasnauseating。Itrequiredfarlessthanhehadimagineditwouldtosatisfyhisappetite。

Throwingthebalancetothegroundhecurledupinaconvenientcrotchandsoughtslumber；butslumberseemeddifficulttowoo。OrdinarilyTarzanoftheApeswasasleepasquicklyasadogafteritcurlsitselfuponahearthrugbeforearoaringblaze；buttonighthesquirmedandtwisted，foratthepitofhisstomachwasapeculiarfeelingthatresemblednothingmorecloselythananattemptuponthepartofthefragmentsofelephantmeatreposingtheretocomeoutintothenightandsearchfortheirelephant；

butTarzanwasadamant。Hegrittedhisteethandheldthemback。Hewasnottoberobbedofhismealafterwaitingsolongtoobtainit。

Hehadsucceededindozingwhentheroaringofalionawokehim。Hesatuptodiscoverthatitwasbroaddaylight。

Tarzanrubbedhiseyes。Coulditbethathehadreallyslept？Hedidnotfeelparticularlyrefreshedasheshouldhaveafteragoodsleep。Anoiseattractedhisattention，andhelookeddowntoseealionstandingatthefootofthetreegazinghungrilyathim。

Tarzanmadeafaceatthekingofbeasts，whereatNuma，greatlytotheape-man’ssurprise，startedtoclimbupintothebranchestowardhim。Now，neverbeforehadTarzanseenalionclimbatree，yet，forsomeunaccountablereason，hewasnotgreatlysurprisedthatthisparticularlionshoulddoso。

Asthelionclimbedslowlytowardhim，Tarzansoughthigherbranches；buttohischagrin，hediscoveredthatitwaswiththeutmostdifficultythathecouldclimbatall。

Againandagainheslippedback，losingallthathehadgained，whilethelionkeptsteadilyathisclimbing，comingevercloserandclosertotheape-man。Tarzancouldseethehungrylightintheyellow-greeneyes。

Hecouldseetheslaveronthedroopingjowls，andthegreatfangsagapetoseizeanddestroyhim。

Clawingdesperately，theape-manatlastsucceededingainingalittleuponhispursuer。Hereachedthemoreslenderbranchesfaraloftwherehewellknewnolioncouldfollow；

yetonandoncamedevil-facedNuma。Itwasincredible；

butitwastrue。YetwhatmostamazedTarzanwasthatthoughherealizedtheincredibilityofitall，heatthesametimeaccepteditasamatterofcourse，firstthatalionshouldclimbatallandsecondthatheshouldentertheupperterraceswhereevenSheeta，thepanther，darednotventure。

Totheverytopofatalltreetheape-manclawedhisawkwardwayandafterhimcameNuma，thelion，moaningdismally。

AtlastTarzanstoodbalancedupontheveryutmostpinnacleofaswayingbranch，highabovetheforest。Hecouldgonofarther。Belowhimthelioncamesteadilyupward，andTarzanoftheApesrealizedthatatlasttheendhadcome。

HecouldnotdobattleuponatinybranchwithNuma，thelion，especiallywithsuchaNuma，towhichswayingbranchestwohundredfeetabovethegroundprovidedassubstantialfootingasthegrounditself。

Nearerandnearercamethelion。Anothermomentandhecouldreachupwithonegreatpawanddragtheape-mandownwardtothoseawfuljaws。AwhirringnoiseabovehisheadcausedTarzantoglanceapprehensivelyupward。

Agreatbirdwascirclingcloseabovehim。Heneverhadseensolargeabirdinallhislife，yetherecognizeditimmediately，forhadhenotseenithundredsoftimesinoneofthebooksinthelittlecabinbytheland-lockedbay——themoss-growncabinthatwithitscontentswasthesoleheritageleftbyhisdeadandunknownfathertotheyoungLordGreystoke？

Inthepicture-bookthegreatbirdwasshownflyingfarabovethegroundwithasmallchildinitstalonswhile，beneath，adistractedmotherstoodwithupliftedhands。

ThelionwasalreadyreachingforthatalonedpawtoseizehimwhenthebirdswoopedandburiednolessformidabletalonsinTarzan’sback。Thepainwasnumbing；butitwaswithasenseofreliefthattheape-manfelthimselfsnatchedfromtheclutchesofNuma。

Withagreatwhirringofwingsthebirdroserapidlyuntiltheforestlayfarbelow。ItmadeTarzansickanddizzytolookdownuponitfromsogreataheight，soheclosedhiseyestightandheldhisbreath。Higherandhigherclimbedthehugebird。Tarzanopenedhiseyes。

Thejunglewassofarawaythathecouldseeonlyadim，greenblurbelowhim，butjustaboveandquiteclosewasthesun。Tarzanreachedouthishandsandwarmedthem，fortheywereverycold。Thenasuddenmadnessseizedhim。

Wherewasthebirdtakinghim？Washetosubmitthuspassivelytoafeatheredcreaturehoweverenormous？Washe，TarzanoftheApes，mightyfighter，todiewithoutstrikingablowinhisowndefense？Never！

Hesnatchedthehuntingbladefromhisgee-stringandthrustingupwarddroveitonce，twice，thriceintothebreastabovehim。Themightywingsflutteredafewmoretimes，spasmodically，thetalonsrelaxedtheirhold，andTarzanoftheApesfellhurtlingdownwardtowardthedistantjungle。

Itseemedtotheape-manthathefellformanyminutesbeforehecrashedthroughtheleafyverdureofthetreetops。

Thesmallerbranchesbrokehisfall，sothathecametorestforaninstantupontheverybranchuponwhichhehadsoughtslumberthepreviousnight。Foraninstanthetoppledthereinafranticattempttoregainhisequilibrium；

butatlastherolledoff，yet，clutchingwildly，hesucceededingraspingthebranchandhangingon。

Oncemoreheopenedhiseyes，whichhehadclosedduringthefall。Againitwasnight。Withallhisoldagilityheclamberedbacktothecrotchfromwhichhehadtoppled。

Belowhimalionroared，and，lookingdownward，Tarzancouldseetheyellow-greeneyesshininginthemoonlightastheyboredhungrilyupwardthroughthedarknessofthejunglenighttowardhim。

Theape-mangaspedforbreath。Coldsweatstoodoutfromeverypore，therewasagreatsicknessatthepitofTarzan’sstomach。TarzanoftheApeshaddreamedhisfirstdream。

ForalongtimehesatwatchingforNumatoclimbintothetreeafterhim，andlisteningforthesoundofthegreatwingsfromabove，fortoTarzanoftheApeshisdreamwasareality。

Hecouldnotbelievewhathehadseenandyet，havingseeneventheseincrediblethings，hecouldnotdisbelievetheevidenceofhisownperceptions。

NeverinallhislifehadTarzan’ssensesdeceivedhimbadly，andso，naturally，hehadgreatfaithinthem。

EachperceptionwhicheverhadbeentransmittedtoTarzan’sbrainhadbeen，withvaryingaccuracy，atrueperception。

Hecouldnotconceiveofthepossibilityofapparentlyhavingpassedthroughsuchaweirdadventureinwhichtherewasnograinoftruth。Thatastomach，disorderedbydecayedelephantflesh，alionroaringinthejungle，apicture-book，andsleepcouldhavesotrulyportrayedalltheclear-cutdetailsofwhathehadseeminglyexperiencedwasquitebeyondhisknowledge；yetheknewthatNumacouldnotclimbatree，heknewthatthereexistedinthejunglenosuchbirdashehadseen，andheknew，too，thathecouldnothavefallenatinyfractionofthedistancehehadhurtleddownward，andlived。

Tosaytheleast，hewasaverypuzzledTarzanashetriedtocomposehimselfoncemoreforslumber——averypuzzledandaverynauseatedTarzan。

Ashethoughtdeeplyuponthestrangeoccurrencesofthenight，hewitnessedanotherremarkablehappening。

Itwasindeedquitepreposterous，yethesawitallwithhisowneyes——itwasnothinglessthanHistah，thesnake，wreathinghissinuousandslimywayuptheboleofthetreebelowhim——Histah，withtheheadoftheoldmanTarzanhadshovedintothecookingpot——theheadandtheround，tight，black，distendedstomach。Astheoldman’sfrightfulface，withupturnedeyes，setandglassy，cameclosetoTarzan，thejawsopenedtoseizehim。

Theape-manstruckfuriouslyatthehideousface，andashestrucktheapparitiondisappeared。

Tarzansatstraightupuponhisbranchtremblingineverylimb，wide-eyedandpanting。Helookedallaroundhimwithhiskeen，jungle-trainedeyes，buthesawnaughtoftheoldmanwiththebodyofHistah，thesnake，butonhisnakedthightheape-mansawacaterpillar，droppedfromabranchabovehim。Withagrimaceheflickeditoffintothedarknessbeneath。

Andsothenightworeon，dreamfollowingdream，nightmarefollowingnightmare，untilthedistractedape-manstartedlikeafrighteneddeerattherustlingofthewindinthetreesabouthim，orleapedtohisfeetastheuncannylaughofahyenaburstsuddenlyuponamomentaryjunglesilence。

ButatlastthetardymorningbrokeandasickandfeverishTarzanwoundsluggishlythroughthedankandgloomymazesoftheforestinsearchofwater。Hiswholebodyseemedonfire，agreatsicknesssurgedupwardtohisthroat。

Hesawatangleofalmostimpenetrablethicket，and，likethewildbeasthewas，hecrawledintoittodiealoneandunseen，safefromtheattacksofpredatorycarnivora。

Buthedidnotdie。Foralongtimehewantedto；

butpresentlynatureandanoutragedstomachrelievedthemselvesintheirowntherapeuticmanner，theape-manbrokeintoaviolentperspirationandthenfellintoanormalanduntroubledsleepwhichpersistedwellintotheafternoon。

Whenheawokehefoundhimselfweakbutnolongersick。

Oncemorehesoughtwater，andafterdrinkingdeeply，tookhiswayslowlytowardthecabinbythesea。

Intimesoflonelinessandtroubleithadlongbeenhiscustomtoseektherethequietandrestfulnesswhichhecouldfindnowhereelse。

Asheapproachedthecabinandraisedthecrudelatchwhichhisfatherhadfashionedsomanyyearsbefore，twosmall，blood-shoteyeswatchedhimfromtheconcealingfoliageofthejunglecloseby。Frombeneathshaggy，beetlingbrowstheyglaredmaliciouslyuponhim，maliciouslyandwithakeencuriosity；thenTarzanenteredthecabinandclosedthedoorafterhim。Here，withalltheworldshutoutfromhim，hecoulddreamwithoutfearofinterruption。Hecouldcurlupandlookatthepicturesinthestrangethingswhichwerebooks，hecouldpuzzleouttheprintedwordhehadlearnedtoreadwithoutknowledgeofthespokenlanguageitrepresented，hecouldliveinawonderfulworldofwhichhehadnoknowledgebeyondthecoversofhisbelovedbooks。

NumaandSabormightprowlaboutclosetohim，theelementsmightrageinalltheirfury；buthereatleast，Tarzanmightbeentirelyoffhisguardinadelightfulrelaxationwhichgavehimallhisfacultiesfortheuninterruptedpursuitofthisgreatestofallhispleasures。

TodayheturnedtothepictureofthehugebirdwhichboreoffthelittleTarmanganiinitstalons。Tarzanpuckeredhisbrowsasheexaminedthecoloredprint。Yes，thiswastheverybirdthathadcarriedhimoffthedaybefore，fortoTarzanthedreamhadbeensogreatarealitythathestillthoughtanotherdayandanighthadpassedsincehehadlaindowninthetreetosleep。

Butthemorehethoughtuponthematterthelesspositivehewasastotheverityoftheseemingadventurethroughwhichhehadpassed，yetwheretherealhadceasedandtheunrealcommencedhewasquiteunabletodetermine。

Hadhereallythenbeentothevillageoftheblacksatall，hadhekilledtheoldGomangani，hadheeatenoftheelephantmeat，hadhebeensick？Tarzanscratchedhistousledblackheadandwondered。Itwasallverystrange，yetheknewthatheneverhadseenNumaclimbatree，orHistahwiththeheadandbellyofanoldblackmanwhomTarzanalreadyhadslain。

Finally，withasighhegaveuptryingtofathomtheunfathomable，yetinhisheartofheartsheknewthatsomethinghadcomeintohislifethatheneverbeforehadexperienced，anotherlifewhichexistedwhenhesleptandtheconsciousnessofwhichwascarriedoverintohiswakinghours。

Thenhecommencedtowonderifsomeofthesestrangecreatureswhichhemetinhissleepmightnotslayhim，foratsuchtimesTarzanoftheApesseemedtobeadifferentTarzan，sluggish，helplessandtimid——wishingtofleehisenemiesasfledBara，thedeer，mostfearfulofcreatures。

Thus，withadream，camethefirstfainttingeofaknowledgeoffear，aknowledgewhichTarzan，awake，hadneverexperienced，andperhapshewasexperiencingwhathisearlyforbearspassedthroughandtransmittedtoposterityintheformofsuperstitionfirstandreligionlater；forthey，asTarzan，hadseenthingsatnightwhichtheycouldnotexplainbythedaylightstandardsofsenseperceptionorofreason，andsohadbuiltforthemselvesaweirdexplanationwhichincludedgrotesqueshapes，possessedofstrangeanduncannypowers，towhomtheyfinallycametoattributeallthoseinexplicablephenomenaofnaturewhichwitheachrecurrencefilledthemwithawe，withwonder，orwithterror。

AndasTarzanconcentratedhismindonthelittlebugsupontheprintedpagebeforehim，theactiverecollectionofthestrangeadventurespresentlymergedintothetextofthatwhichhewasreading——astoryofBolgani，thegorilla，incaptivity。TherewasamoreorlesslifelikeillustrationofBolganiincolorsandinacage，withmanyremarkablelookingTarmanganistandingagainstarailandpeeringcuriouslyatthesnarlingbrute。

Tarzanwonderednotalittle，ashealwaysdid，attheoddandseeminglyuselessarrayofcoloredplumagewhichcoveredthebodiesoftheTarmangani。Italwayscausedhimtogrinatriflewhenhelookedatthesestrangecreatures。

Hewonderediftheysocoveredtheirbodiesfromshameoftheirhairlessnessorbecausetheythoughttheoddthingstheyworeaddedanytothebeautyoftheirappearance。

ParticularlywasTarzanamusedbythegrotesqueheaddressesofthepicturedpeople。Hewonderedhowsomeoftheshessucceededinbalancingtheirsinanuprightposition，andhecameasneartolaughingaloudasheeverhad，ashecontemplatedthefunnylittleroundthingsupontheheadsofthehes。

Slowlytheape-manpickedoutthemeaningofthevariouscombinationsoflettersontheprintedpage，andasheread，thelittlebugs，forassuchhealwaysthoughtoftheletters，commencedtorunaboutinamostconfusingmanner，blurringhisvisionandbefuddlinghisthoughts。

Twicehebrushedthebackofahandsmartlyacrosshiseyes；

butonlyforamomentcouldhebringthebugsbacktocoherentandintelligibleform。Hehadsleptillthenightbeforeandnowhewasexhaustedfromlossofsleep，fromsickness，andfromtheslightfeverhehadhad，sothatitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttofixhisattention，ortokeephiseyesopen。

Tarzanrealizedthathewasfallingasleep，andjustastherealizationwasborneinuponhimandhehaddecidedtorelinquishhimselftoaninclinationwhichhadassumedalmosttheproportionsofaphysicalpain，hewasarousedbytheopeningofthecabindoor。

TurningquicklytowardtheinterruptionTarzanwasamazed，foramoment，toseebulkinglargeinthedoorwaythehugeandhairyformofBolgani，thegorilla。

NowtherewasscarcelyadenizenofthegreatjunglewithwhomTarzanwouldrathernothavebeencoopedupinsidethesmallcabinthanBolgani，thegorilla，yethefeltnofear，eventhoughhisquickeyenotedthatBolganiwasinthethroesofthatjunglemadnesswhichseizesuponsomanyofthefiercermales。Ordinarilythehugegorillasavoidconflict，hidethemselvesfromtheotherjunglefolk，andaregenerallythebestofneighbors；

butwhentheyareattacked，orthemadnessseizesthem，thereisnojungledenizensoboldandfierceastodeliberatelyseekaquarrelwiththem。

ButforTarzantherewasnoescape。Bolganiwasgloweringathimfromred-rimmed，wickedeyes。Inamomenthewouldrushinandseizetheape-man。Tarzanreachedforthehuntingknifewherehehadlainitonthetablebesidehim；butashisfingersdidnotimmediatelylocatetheweapon，heturnedaquickglanceinsearchofit。

AshedidsohiseyesfelluponthebookhehadbeenlookingatwhichstilllayopenatthepictureofBolgani。

Tarzanfoundhisknife，buthemerelyfingereditidlyandgrinnedinthedirectionoftheadvancinggorilla。

Notagainwouldhebefooledbyemptythingswhichcamewhileheslept！Inamoment，nodoubt，BolganiwouldturnintoPamba，therat，withtheheadofTantor，theelephant。

Tarzanhadseenenoughofsuchstrangehappeningsrecentlytohavesomeideaastowhathemightexpect；

butthistimeBolganididnotalterhisformashecameslowlytowardtheyoungape-man。

Tarzanwasabitpuzzled，too，thathefeltnodesiretorushfranticallytosomeplaceofsafety，ashadbeenthesensationmostconspicuousintheotherofhisnewandremarkableadventures。Hewasjusthimselfnow，readytofight，ifnecessary；butstillsurethatnofleshandbloodgorillastoodbeforehim。

Thethingshouldbefadingawayintothinairbynow，thoughtTarzan，orchangingintosomethingelse；

yetitdidnot。Insteaditloomedclear-cutandrealasBolganihimself，themagnificentdarkcoatglisteningwithlifeandhealthinabarofsunlightwhichshotacrossthecabinthroughthehighwindowbehindtheyoungLordGreystoke。Thiswasquitethemostrealisticofhissleepadventures，thoughtTarzan，ashepassivelyawaitedthenextamusingincident。

Andthenthegorillacharged。Twomighty，callousedhandsseizedupontheape-man，greatfangswerebaredclosetohisface，ahideousgrowlburstfromthecavernousthroatandhotbreathfannedTarzan’scheek，andstillhesatgrinningattheapparition。Tarzanmightbefooledonceortwice，butnotforsomanytimesinsuccession！

HeknewthatthisBolganiwasnorealBolgani，forhadhebeenhenevercouldhavegainedentrancetothecabin，sinceonlyTarzanknewhowtooperatethelatch。

Thegorillaseemedpuzzledbythestrangepassivityofthehairlessape。Hepausedaninstantwithhisjawssnarlingclosetotheother’sthroat，thenheseemedsuddenlytocometosomedecision。Whirlingtheape-manacrossahairyshoulder，aseasilyasyouorImightliftababeinarms，Bolganiturnedanddashedoutintotheopen，racingtowardthegreattrees。

Now，indeed，wasTarzansurethatthiswasasleepadventure，andsogrinnedlargelyasthegiantgorillaborehim，unresisting，away。Presently，reasonedTarzan，hewouldawakenandfindhimselfbackinthecabinwherehehadfallenasleep。Heglancedbackatthethoughtandsawthecabindoorstandingwideopen。

Thiswouldneverdo！Alwayshadhebeencarefultocloseandlatchitagainstwildintruders。Manu，themonkey，wouldmakesadhavocthereamongTarzan’streasuresshouldhehaveaccesstotheinteriorforevenafewminutes。

ThequestionwhicharoseinTarzan’smindwasabafflingone。

Wheredidsleepadventuresendandrealitycommence？Howwashetobesurethatthecabindoorwasnotreallyopen？

Everythingabouthimappearedquitenormal——therewerenoneofthegrotesqueexaggerationsofhisformersleepadventures。

Itwouldbebetterthentobeuponthesafesideandmakesurethatthecabindoorwasclosed——itwoulddonoharmevenifallthatseemedtobehappeningwerenothappeningatall。

TarzanessayedtoslipfromBolgani’sshoulder；butthegreatbeastonlygrowledominouslyandgrippedhimtighter。

Withamightyefforttheape-manwrenchedhimselfloose，andasheslidtotheground，thedreamgorillaturnedferociouslyuponhim，seizedhimoncemoreandburiedgreatfangsinasleek，brownshoulder。

ThegrinofderisionfadedfromTarzan’slipsasthepainandthehotbloodarousedhisfightinginstincts。

Asleeporawake，thisthingwasnolongerajoke！Biting，tearing，andsnarling，thetworolledoverupontheground。

Thegorillanowwasfranticwithinsanerage。Againandagainheloosedhisholdupontheape-man’sshoulderinanattempttoseizethejugular；butTarzanoftheApeshadfoughtbeforewithcreatureswhostruckfirstforthevitalvein，andeachtimehewriggledoutofharm’swayashestrovetogethisfingersuponhisadversary’sthroat。

Atlasthesucceeded——hisgreatmusclestensedandknottedbeneathhissmoothhideasheforcedwitheveryounceofhismightystrengthtopushthehairytorsofromhim。

AndashechokedBolganiandstrainedhimaway，hisotherhandcreptslowlyupwardbetweenthemuntilthepointofthehuntingkniferestedoverthesavageheart——therewasaquickmovementofthesteel-thewedwristandthebladeplungedtoitsgoal。

Bolgani，thegorilla，voicedasinglefrightfulshriek，torehimselfloosefromthegraspoftheape-man，rosetohisfeet，staggeredafewstepsandthenplungedtoearth。

Therewereafewspasmodicmovementsofthelimbsandthebrutewasstill。

TarzanoftheApesstoodlookingdownuponhiskill，andashestoodthereheranhisfingersthroughhisthick，blackshockofhair。Presentlyhestoopedandtouchedthedeadbody。Someoftheredlife-bloodofthegorillacrimsonedhisfingers。Heraisedthemtohisnoseandsniffed。

Thenheshookhisheadandturnedtowardthecabin。

Thedoorwasstillopen。Hecloseditandfastenedthelatch。

Returningtowardthebodyofhiskillheagainpausedandscratchedhishead。

Ifthiswasasleepadventure，whatthenwasreality？Howwashetoknowtheonefromtheother？Howmuchofallthathadhappenedinhislifehadbeenrealandhowmuchunreal？

Heplacedafootupontheprostrateformandraisinghisfacetotheheavensgavevoicetothekillcryofthebullape。

Farinthedistancealionanswered。Itwasveryrealand，yet，hedidnotknow。Puzzled，heturnedawayintothejungle。

No，hedidnotknowwhatwasrealandwhatwasnot；

buttherewasonethingthathedidknow——neveragainwouldheeatofthefleshofTantor，theelephant。

10

TheBattleforTeekaTHEDAYWASperfect。Acoolbreezetemperedtheheatoftheequatorialsun。Peacehadreignedwithinthetribeforweeksandnoalienenemyhadtrespasseduponitspreservesfromwithout。Totheape-mindallthiswassufficientevidencethatthefuturewouldbeidenticalwiththeimmediatepast——thatUtopiawouldpersist。

Thesentinels，nowfromhabitbecomeafixedtribalcustom，eitherrelaxedtheirvigilanceorentirelydesertedtheirposts，asthewhimseizedthem。Thetribewasfarscatteredinsearchoffood。Thusmaypeaceandprosperityunderminethesafetyofthemostprimitivecommunityevenasitdoesthatofthemostcultured。

Eventheindividualsbecamelesswatchfulandalert，sothatonemighthavethoughtNumaandSaborandSheetaentirelydeletedfromtheschemeofthings。Theshesandthebalusroamedunguardedthroughthesullenjungle，whilethegreedymalesforagedfarafield，andthusitwasthatTeekaandGazan，herbalu，huntedupontheextremesouthernedgeofthetribewithnogreatmalenearthem。

Stillfarthersouththeremovedthroughtheforestasinisterfigure——ahugebullape，maddenedbysolitudeanddefeat。Aweekbeforehehadcontendedforthekingshipofatribefardistant，andnowbattered，andstillsore，heroamedthewildernessanoutcast。

Laterhemightreturntohisowntribeandsubmittothewillofthehairybrutehehadattemptedtodethrone；

butforthetimebeinghedarednotdoso，sincehehadsoughtnotonlythecrownbutthewives，aswell，ofhislordandmaster。Itwouldrequireanentiremoonatleasttobringforgetfulnesstohimhehadwronged，andsoToogwanderedastrangejungle，grim，terrible，hate-filled。

ItwasinthismentalstatethatToogcameunexpectedlyuponayoungshefeedingaloneinthejungle——astrangershe，litheandstrongandbeautifulbeyondcompare。

ToogcaughthisbreathandslunkquicklytoonesideofthetrailwherethedensefoliageofthetropicalunderbrushconcealedhimfromTeekawhilepermittinghimtofeasthiseyesuponherloveliness。

ButnotaloneweretheyconcernedwithTeeka——theyrovedthesurroundingjungleinsearchofthebullsandcowsandbalusofhertribe，thoughprincipallyforthebulls。

Whenonecovetsasheofanalientribeonemusttakeintoconsiderationthegreat，fierce，hairyguardianswhoseldomwanderfarfromtheirwardsandwhowillfightastrangertothedeathinprotectionofthemateoroffspringofafellow，preciselyastheywouldfightfortheirown。

Toogcouldseenosignofanyapeotherthanthestrangesheandayoungbaluplayingnearby。Hiswicked，blood-shoteyeshalfclosedastheyresteduponthecharmsoftheformer——asforthebalu，onesnapofthosegreatjawsuponthebackofitslittleneckwouldpreventitfromraisinganyunnecessaryalarm。

Toogwasafine，bigmale，resemblinginmanywaysTeeka’smate，Taug。Eachwasinhisprime，andeachwaswonderfullymuscled，perfectlyfangedandashorrifyinglyferociousasthemostexactingandparticularshecouldwish。

HadToogbeenofherowntribe，TeekamightasreadilyhaveyieldedtohimastoTaugwhenhermatingtimearrived；

butnowshewasTaug’sandnoothermalecouldclaimherwithoutfirstdefeatingTauginpersonalcombat。

AndeventhenTeekaretainedsomerightsinthematter。

Ifshedidnotfavoracorrespondent，shecouldenterthelistswithherrightfulmateanddoherparttowarddiscouraginghisadvances，apart，too，whichwouldprovenomeanassistancetoherlordandmaster，forTeeka，eventhoughherfangsweresmallerthanamale’s，couldusethemtoexcellenteffect。

JustnowTeekawasoccupiedinafascinatingsearchforbeetles，totheexclusionofallelse。ShedidnotrealizehowfarsheandGazanhadbecomeseparatedfromthebalanceofthetribe，norwereherdefensivesensesuponthealertastheyshouldhavebeen。Monthsofimmunityfromdangerundertheprotectingwatchfulnessofthesentries，whichTarzanhadtaughtthetribetopost，hadlulledthemallintoasenseofpeacefulsecuritybasedonthatfallacywhichhaswreckedmanyenlightenedcommunitiesinthepastandwillcontinuetowreckothersinthefuture——thatbecausetheyhavenotbeenattackedtheyneverwillbe。

Toog，havingsatisfiedhimselfthatonlythesheandherbaluwereintheimmediatevicinity，creptstealthilyforward。

Teeka’sbackwastowardhimwhenhefinallyrusheduponher；

buthersenseswereatlastawakenedtothepresenceofdangerandshewheeledtofacethestrangebulljustbeforehereachedher。Tooghaltedafewpacesfromher。

Hisangerhadfledbeforetheseductivefemininecharmsofthestranger。Hemadeconciliatorynoises——aspeciesofcluckingsoundwithhisbroad，flatlips——thatwere，too，notgreatlydissimilartothatwhichmightbeproducedinanosculatorysolo。

ButTeekaonlybaredherfangsandgrowled。LittleGazanstartedtoruntowardhismother，butshewarnedhimawaywithaquick"Kreeg-ah！"tellinghimtorunhighintoatalltree。EvidentlyTeekawasnotfavorablyimpressedbyhernewsuitor。Toogrealizedthisandalteredhismethodsaccordingly。Heswelledhisgiantchest，beatuponitwithhiscallousedknucklesandswaggeredtoandfrobeforeher。

"IamToog，"heboasted。"Lookatmyfightingfangs。

Lookatmygreatarmsandmymightylegs。WithonebiteI

canslayyourbiggestbull。AlonehaveIslainSheeta。

IamToog。Toogwantsyou。"Thenhewaitedfortheeffect，nordidhehavelongtowait。Teekaturnedwithaswiftnesswhichbeliedhergreatweightandboltedintheoppositedirection。Toog，withanangrygrowl，leapedinpursuit；butthesmaller，lighterfemalewastoofleetforhim。Hechasedherforafewyardsandthen，foamingandbarking，hehaltedandbeatuponthegroundwithhishardfists。

FromthetreeabovehimlittleGazanlookeddownandwitnessedthestrangerbull’sdiscomfiture。Beingyoung，andthinkinghimselfsafeabovethereachoftheheavymale，Gazanscreamedanill-timedinsultattheirtormentor。

Tooglookedup。Teekahadhaltedatalittledistance——shewouldnotgofarfromherbalu；thatToogquicklyrealizedandasquicklydeterminedtotakeadvantageof。HesawthatthetreeinwhichtheyoungapesquattedwasisolatedandthatGazancouldnotreachanotherwithoutcomingtoearth。Hewouldobtainthemotherthroughherloveforheryoung。

Heswunghimselfintothelowerbranchesofthetree。

LittleGazanceasedtoinsulthim；hisexpressionofdeviltrychangedtooneofapprehension，whichwasquicklyfollowedbyfearasToogcommencedtoascendtowardhim。

TeekascreamedtoGazantoclimbhigher，andthelittlefellowscamperedupwardamongthetinybrancheswhichwouldnotsupporttheweightofthegreatbull；butneverthelessToogkeptonclimbing。Teekawasnotfearful。SheknewthathecouldnotascendfarenoughtoreachGazan，soshesatatalittledistancefromthetreeandappliedjungleopprobriumtohim。Beingafemale，shewasapastmasteroftheart。

ButshedidnotknowthemalevolentcunningofToog’slittlebrain。ShetookitforgrantedthatthebullwouldclimbashighashecouldtowardGazanandthen，findingthathecouldnotreachhim，resumehispursuitofher，whichsheknewwouldproveequallyfruitless。

Sosurewassheofthesafetyofherbaluandherownabilitytotakecareofherselfthatshedidnotvoicethecryforhelpwhichwouldsoonhavebroughttheothermembersofthetribeflockingtoherside。

Toogslowlyreachedthelimittowhichhedaredriskhisgreatweighttotheslenderbranches。Gazanwasstillfifteenfeetabovehim。Thebullbracedhimselfandseizedthemainbranchinhispowerfulhands，thenhecommencedshakingitvigorously。Teekawasappalled。

Instantlysherealizedwhatthebullpurposed。

Gazanclungfaroutuponaswayinglimb。Atthefirstshakehelosthisbalance，thoughhedidnotquitefall，clingingstillwithhisfourhands；butToogredoubledhisefforts；theshakingproducedaviolentsnappingofthelimbtowhichtheyoungapeclung。Teekasawalltooplainlywhattheoutcomemustbeandforgettingherowndangerinthedepthofhermotherlove，rushedforwardtoascendthetreeandgivebattletothefearsomecreaturethatmenacedthelifeofherlittleone。

Butbeforeevershereachedthebole，Tooghadsucceeded，byviolentshakingofthebranch，toloosenGazan’shold。

Withacrythelittlefellowplungeddownthroughthefoliage，clutchingfutilelyforanewhold，andalightedwithasickeningthudathismother’sfeet，wherehelaysilentandmotionless。Moaning，Teekastoopedtoliftthestillforminherarms；butatthesameinstantToogwasuponher。

Strugglingandbitingshefoughttofreeherself；butthegiantmusclesofthegreatbullweretoomuchforherlesserstrength。

Toogstruckandchokedherrepeatedlyuntilfinally，halfunconscious，shelapsedintoquasisubmission。