第6章

Thenthebullliftedhertohisshoulderandturnedbacktothetrailtowardthesouthfromwhencehehadcome。

UponthegroundlaythequietformoflittleGazan。

Hedidnotmoan。Hedidnotmove。Thesunroseslowlytowardmeridian。Amangything，liftingitsnosetoscentthejunglebreeze，creptthroughtheunderbrush。

ItwasDango，thehyena。Presentlyitsuglymuzzlebrokethroughsomenear-byfoliageanditscrueleyesfasteneduponGazan。

Earlythatmorning，TarzanoftheApeshadgonetothecabinbythesea，wherehepassedmanyanhouratsuchtimesasthetribewasranginginthevicinity。

Onthefloorlaytheskeletonofaman——allthatremainedoftheformerLordGreystoke——layasithadfallensometwentyyearsbeforewhenKerchak，thegreatape，hadthrownit，lifeless，there。LongsincehadthetermitesandthesmallrodentspickedcleanthesturdyEnglishbones。ForyearsTarzanhadseenitlyingthere，givingitnomoreattentionthanhegavethecountlessthousandbonesthatstrewedhisjunglehaunts。

Onthebedanother，smaller，skeletonreposedandtheyouthignoreditasheignoredtheother。Howcouldheknowthattheonehadbeenhisfather，theotherhismother？Thelittlepileofbonesintherudecradle，fashionedwithsuchlovingcarebytheformerLordGreystoke，meantnothingtohim——thatonedaythatlittleskullwastohelpprovehisrighttoaproudtitlewasasfarbeyondhiskenasthesatellitesofthesunsofOrion。

ToTarzantheywerebones——justbones。Hedidnotneedthem，fortherewasnomeatleftuponthem，andtheywerenotinhisway，forheknewnonecessityforabed，andtheskeletonuponthefloorheeasilycouldstepover。

Todayhewasrestless。Heturnedthepagesfirstofonebookandthenofanother。Heglancedatpictureswhichheknewbyheart，andtossedthebooksaside。Herummagedforthethousandthtimeinthecupboard。Hetookoutabagwhichcontainedseveralsmall，roundpiecesofmetal。

Hehadplayedwiththemmanytimesintheyearsgoneby；

butalwayshereplacedthemcarefullyinthebag，andthebaginthecupboard，upontheveryshelfwherefirsthehaddiscoveredit。Instrangewaysdidhereditymanifestitselfintheape-man。Comeofanorderlyrace，hehimselfwasorderlywithoutknowingwhy。Theapesdroppedthingswherevertheirinterestinthemwaned——inthetallgrassorfromthehigh-flungbranchesofthetrees。

Whattheydroppedtheysometimesfoundagain，byaccident；

butnotsothewaysofTarzan。Forhisfewbelongingshehadaplaceandscrupulouslyhereturnedeachthingtoitsproperplacewhenhewasdonewithit。

Theroundpiecesofmetalinthelittlebagalwaysinterestedhim。Raisedpictureswereuponeitherside，themeaningofwhichhedidnotquiteunderstand。

Thepieceswerebrightandshiny。Itamusedhimtoarrangetheminvariousfiguresuponthetable。Hundredsoftimeshadheplayedthus。Today，whilesoengaged，hedroppedalovelyyellowpiece——anEnglishsovereign——whichrolledbeneaththebedwherelayallthatwasmortaloftheoncebeautifulLadyAlice。

Truetoform，Tarzanatoncedroppedtohishandsandkneesandsearchedbeneaththebedforthelostgoldpiece。

Strangeasitmightappear，hehadneverbeforelookedbeneaththebed。Hefoundthegoldpiece，andsomethingelsehefound，too——asmallwoodenboxwithaloosecover。

Bringingthembothouthereturnedthesovereigntoitsbagandthebagtoitsshelfwithinthecupboard；

thenheinvestigatedthebox。Itcontainedaquantityofcylindricalbitsofmetal，cone-shapedatoneendandflatattheother，withaprojectingrim。

Theywereallquitegreenanddull，coatedwithyearsofverdigris。

Tarzanremovedahandfulofthemfromtheboxandexaminedthem。

Herubbedoneuponanotheranddiscoveredthatthegreencameoff，leavingashinysurfacefortwo-thirdsoftheirlengthandadullgrayoverthecone-shapedend。

Findingabitofwoodherubbedoneofthecylindersrapidlyandwasrewardedbyalustroussheenwhichpleasedhim。

Athissidehungapocketpouchtakenfromthebodyofoneofthenumerousblackwarriorshehadslain。

Intothispouchheputahandfulofthenewplaythings，thinkingtopolishthemathisleisure；thenhereplacedtheboxbeneaththebed，andfindingnothingmoretoamusehim，leftthecabinandstartedbackinthedirectionofthetribe。

Shortlybeforehereachedthemheheardagreatcommotionaheadofhim——theloudscreamsofshesandbalus，thesavage，angrybarkingandgrowlingofthegreatbulls。

Instantlyheincreasedhisspeed，forthe"Kreeg-ahs"

thatcametohisearswarnedhimthatsomethingwasamisswithhisfellows。

WhileTarzanhadbeenoccupiedwithhisowndevicesinthecabinofhisdeadsire，Taug，Teeka’smightymate，hadbeenhuntingamiletothenorthofthetribe。

Atlast，hisbellyfilled，hehadturnedlazilybacktowardtheclearingwherehehadlastseenthetribeandpresentlycommencedpassingitsmembersscatteredaloneorintwosorthrees。NowheredidheseeTeekaorGazan，andsoonhebeganinquiringoftheotherapeswheretheymightbe；

butnonehadseenthemrecently。

Nowthelowerordersarenothighlyimaginative。

Theydonot，asyouandI，paintvividmentalpicturesofthingswhichmighthaveoccurred，andsoTaugdidnotnowapprehendthatanymisfortunehadovertakenhismateandtheiroff-spring——hemerelyknewthathewishedtofindTeekathathemightliedownintheshadeandhaveherscratchhisbackwhilehisbreakfastdigested；

butthoughhecalledtoherandsearchedforherandaskedeachwhomhemet，hecouldfindnotraceofTeeka，norofGazaneither。

HewasbeginningtobecomepeevedandhadaboutmadeuphismindtochastiseTeekaforwanderingsofarafieldwhenhewantedher。Hewasmovingsouthalongagametrail，hiscallousedsolesandknucklesgivingforthnosound，whenhecameuponDangoattheoppositesideofasmallclearing。TheeaterofcarriondidnotseeTaug，forallhiseyeswereforsomethingwhichlayinthegrassbeneathatree——somethinguponwhichhewassneakingwiththecautiousstealthofhisbreed。

Taug，alwayscautioushimself，asitbehoovesonetobewhofaresupanddownthejungleanddesirestosurvive，swungnoiselesslyintoatree，wherehecouldhaveabetterviewoftheclearing。HedidnotfearDango；

buthewantedtoseewhatitwasthatDangostalked。

Inaway，possibly，hewasactuatedasmuchbycuriosityasbycaution。

AndwhenTaugreachedaplaceinthebranchesfromwhichhecouldhaveanunobstructedviewoftheclearinghesawDangoalreadysniffingatsomethingdirectlybeneathhim——somethingwhichTauginstantlyrecognizedasthelifelessformofhislittleGazan。

Withacrysofrightful，sobestial，thatitmomentarilyparalyzedthestartledDango，thegreatapelaunchedhismightybulkuponthesurprisedhyena。Withacryandasnarl，Dango，crushedtoearth，turnedtotearathisassailant；

butaseffectivelymightasparrowturnuponahawk。

Taug’sgreat，gnarledfingerscloseduponthehyena’sthroatandback，hisjawssnappedonceonthemangyneck，crushingthevertebrae，andthenhehurledthedeadbodycontemptuouslyaside。

Againheraisedhisvoiceinthecallofthebullapetoitsmate，buttherewasnoreply；thenheleaneddowntosniffatthebodyofGazan。Inthebreastofthissavage，hideousbeasttherebeataheartwhichwasmoved，howeverslightly，bythesameemotionsofpaternallovewhichaffectus。Evenhadwenoactualevidenceofthis，wemustknowitstill，sinceonlythusmightbeexplainedthesurvivalofthehumanraceinwhichthejealousyandselfishnessofthebullswould，intheearlieststagesoftherace，havewipedouttheyoungasrapidlyastheywerebroughtintotheworldhadnotGodimplantedinthesavagebosomthatpaternallovewhichevidencesitselfmoststronglyintheprotectiveinstinctofthemale。

InTaugtheprotectiveinstinctwasnotalonehighlydeveloped；

butaffectionforhisoffspringaswell，forTaugwasanunusuallyintelligentspecimenofthesegreat，manlikeapeswhichthenativesoftheGobispeakofinwhispers；

butwhichnowhitemaneverhadseen，or，ifseeing，livedtotellofuntilTarzanoftheApescameamongthem。

AndsoTaugfeltsorrowasanyotherfathermightfeelsorrowatthelossofalittlechild。ToyoulittleGazanmighthaveseemedahideousandrepulsivecreature，buttoTaugandTeekahewasasbeautifulandascuteasisyourlittleMaryorJohnnieorElizabethAnntoyou，andhewastheirfirstborn，theironlybalu，andahe——threethingswhichmightmakeayoungapetheappleofanyfondfather’seye。

ForamomentTaugsniffedatthequietlittleform。

Withhismuzzleandhistonguehesmoothedandcaressedtherumpledcoat。Fromhissavagelipsbrokealowmoan；

butquicklyupontheheelsofsorrowcametheovermasteringdesireforrevenge。

Leapingtohisfeethescreamedoutavolleyof"Kreegahs，"

punctuatedfromtimetotimebytheblood-freezingcryofanangry，challengingbull——arage-madbullwiththebloodluststronguponhim。

Answeringhiscriescamethecriesofthetribeastheyswungthroughthetreestowardhim。ItwasthesethatTarzanheardonhisreturnfromhiscabin，andinreplytothemheraisedhisownvoiceandhurriedforwardwithincreasedspeeduntilhefairlyflewthroughthemiddleterracesoftheforest。

WhenatlasthecameuponthetribehesawtheirmembersgatheredaboutTaugandsomethingwhichlayquietlyupontheground。Droppingamongthem，Tarzanapproachedthecenterofthegroup。Taugwasstiffroaringouthischallenges；butwhenhesawTarzanheceasedandstoopingpickedupGazaninhisarmsandheldhimoutforTarzantosee。Ofallthebullsofthetribe，TaugheldaffectionforTarzanonly。Tarzanhetrustedandlookeduptoasonewiserandmorecunning。

ToTarzanhecamenow——totheplaymateofhisbaludays，thecompanionofinnumerablebattlesofhismaturity。

WhenTarzansawthestillforminTaug’sarms，alowgrowlbrokefromhislips，forhetoolovedTeeka’slittlebalu。

"Whodidit？"heasked。"WhereisTeeka？"

"Idonotknow，"repliedTaug。"IfoundhimlyingherewithDangoabouttofeeduponhim；butitwasnotDangothatdidit——therearenofangmarksuponhim。"

TarzancamecloserandplacedanearagainstGazan’sbreast。

"Heisnotdead，"hesaid。"Maybehewillnotdie。"

Hepressedthroughthecrowdofapesandcircledonceaboutthem，examiningthegroundstepbystep。Suddenlyhestoppedandplacinghisnoseclosetotheearthsniffed。

Thenhesprangtohisfeet，givingapeculiarcry。

Taugandtheotherspressedforward，forthesoundtoldthemthatthehunterhadfoundthespoorofhisquarry。

"Astrangerbullhasbeenhere，"saidTarzan。"ItwashethathurtGazan。HehascarriedoffTeeka。"

Taugandtheotherbullscommencedtoroarandthreaten；

buttheydidnothing。Hadthestrangerbullbeenwithinsighttheywouldhavetornhimtopieces；butitdidnotoccurtothemtofollowhim。

"Ifthethreebullshadbeenwatchingaroundthetribethiswouldnothavehappened，"saidTarzan。"Suchthingswillhappenaslongasyoudonotkeepthethreebullswatchingforanenemy。Thejungleisfullofenemies，andyetyouletyourshesandyourbalusfeedwheretheywill，aloneandunprotected。Tarzangoesnow——hegoestofindTeekaandbringherbacktothetribe。"

Theideaappealedtotheotherbulls。"Wewillallgo，"

theycried。

"No，"saidTarzan，"youwillnotallgo。Wecannottakeshesandbaluswhenwegoouttohuntandfight。

Youmustremaintoguardthemoryouwilllosethemall。"

Theyscratchedtheirheads。Thewisdomofhisadvicewasdawninguponthem，butatfirsttheyhadbeencarriedawaybythenewidea——theideaoffollowingupanenemyoffendertowresthisprizefromhimandpunishhim。

Thecommunityinstinctwasingrainedintheircharactersthroughagesofcustom。Theydidnotknowwhytheyhadnotthoughttopursueandpunishtheoffender——theycouldnotknowthatitwasbecausetheyhadasyetnotreachedamentalplanewhichwouldpermitthemtoworkasindividuals。

Intimesofstress，thecommunityinstinctsentthemhuddlingintoacompactherdwherethegreatbulls，bytheweightoftheircombinedstrengthandferocity，couldbestprotectthemfromanenemy。Theideaofseparatingtodobattlewithafoehadnotyetoccurredtothem——itwastooforeigntocustom，tooinimicaltocommunityinterests；

buttoTarzanitwasthefirstandmostnaturalthought。

HissensestoldhimthattherewasbutasinglebullconnectedwiththeattackuponTeekaandGazan。Asingleenemydidnotrequiretheentiretribeforhispunishment。

TwoswiftbullscouldquicklyoverhaulhimandrescueTeeka。

Inthepastnooneeverhadthoughttogoforthinsearchoftheshesthatwereoccasionallystolenfromthetribe。

IfNuma，Sabor，Sheetaorawanderingbullapefromanothertribechancedtocarryoffamaidoramatronwhilenoonewaslooking，thatwastheendofit——shewasgone，thatwasall。Thebereavedhusband，ifthevictimchancedtohavebeenmated，growledaroundforadayortwoandthen，ifhewerestrongenough，tookanothermatewithinthetribe，andifnot，wanderedfarintothejungleonthechanceofstealingonefromanothercommunity。

InthepastTarzanoftheApeshadcondonedthispracticeforthereasonthathehadhadnointerestinthosewhohadbeenstolen；butTeekahadbeenhisfirstloveandTeeka’sbaluheldaplaceinhisheartsuchasabaluofhisownwouldhaveheld。

JustoncebeforehadTarzanwishedtofollowandrevenge。

ThathadbeenyearsbeforewhenKulonga，thesonofMbonga，thechief，hadslainKala。Then，single-handed，Tarzanhadpursuedandavenged。Now，thoughtoalesserdegree，hewasmovedbythesamepassion。

HeturnedtowardTaug。"LeaveGazanwithMumga，"hesaid。

"Sheisoldandherfangsarebrokenandsheisnogood；

butshecantakecareofGazanuntilwereturnwithTeeka，andifGazanisdeadwhenwecomeback，"heturnedtoaddressMumga，"Iwillkillyou，too。"

"Wherearewegoing？"askedTaug。

"WearegoingtogetTeeka，"repliedtheape-man，"andkillthebullwhohasstolenher。Come！"

Heturnedagaintothespoorofthestrangerbull，whichshowedplainlytohistrainedsenses，nordidheglancebacktonoteifTaugfollowed。ThelatterlaidGazaninMumga’sarmswithaparting:"IfhediesTarzanwillkillyou，"andhefollowedafterthebrown-skinnedfigurethatalreadywasmovingataslowtrotalongthejungletrail。

NootherbullofthetribeofKerchakwassogoodatrailerasTarzan，forhistrainedsenseswereaidedbyahighorderofintelligence。Hisjudgmenttoldhimthenaturaltrailforaquarrytofollow，sothatheneedbutnotethemostapparentmarksupontheway，andtodaythetrailofToogwasasplaintohimastypeuponaprintedpagetoyouorme。

Followingclosebehindthelithefigureoftheape-mancamethehugeandshaggybullape。Nowordspassedbetweenthem。

Theymovedassilentlyastwoshadowsamongthemyriadshadowsoftheforest。Alertashiseyesandears，wasTarzan’spatriciannose。Thespoorwasfresh，andnowthattheyhadpassedfromtherangeofthestrongapeodorofthetribehehadlittledifficultyinfollowingToogandTeekabyscentalone。Teeka’sfamiliarscentspoortoldbothTarzanandTaugthattheywereuponhertrail，andsoonthescentofToogbecameasfamiliarastheother。

Theywereprogressingrapidlywhensuddenlydensecloudsovercastthesun。Tarzanacceleratedhispace。

Nowhefairlyflewalongthejungletrail，or，whereTooghadtakentothetrees，followednimblyasasquirrelalongthebending，undulatingpathwayofthefoliagebranches，swingingfromtreetotreeasTooghadswungbeforethem；

butmorerapidlybecausetheywerenothandicappedbyaburdensuchasToog’s。

Tarzanfeltthattheymustbealmostuponthequarry，forthescentspoorwasbecomingstrongerandstronger，whenthejunglewassuddenlyshotbylividlightning，andadeafeningroarofthunderreverberatedthroughtheheavensandtheforestuntiltheearthtrembledandshook。

Thencametherain——notasitcomestousofthetemperatezones，butasamightyavalancheofwater——adelugewhichspillstonsinsteadofdropsuponthebendingforestgiantsandtheterrifiedcreatureswhichhaunttheirshade。

AndtheraindidwhatTarzanknewthatitwoulddo——itwipedthespoorofthequarryfromthefaceoftheearth。

Forahalfhourthetorrentsfell——thenthesunburstforth，jewelingtheforestwithamillionscintillantgems；

buttodaytheape-man，usuallyalerttothechangingwondersofthejungle，sawthemnot。OnlythefactthatthespoorofTeekaandherabductorwasobliteratedfoundlodgmentinhisthoughts。

Evenamongthebranchesofthetreestherearewell-worntrails，justastherearetrailsuponthesurfaceoftheground；

butinthetreestheybranchandcrossmoreoften，sincethewayismoreopenthanamongthedenseundergrowthatthesurface。Alongoneofthesewell-markedtrailsTarzanandTaugcontinuedaftertherainhadceased，becausetheape-manknewthatthiswasthemostlogicalpathforthethieftofollow；butwhentheycametoafork，theywereataloss。Heretheyhalted，whileTarzanexaminedeverybranchandleafwhichmighthavebeentouchedbythefleeingape。

Hesniffedtheboleofthetree，andwithhiskeeneyeshesoughttofinduponthebarksomesignofthewaythequarryhadtaken。Itwasslowworkandallthetime，Tarzanknew，thebullofthealientribewasforgingsteadilyawayfromthem——gainingpreciousminutesthatmightcarryhimtosafetybeforetheycouldcatchupwithhim。

Firstalongoneforkhewent，andthenanother，applyingeverytestthathiswonderfuljunglecraftwascognizantof；

butagainandagainhewasbaffled，forthescenthadbeenwashedawaybytheheavydownpour，ineveryexposedplace。

ForahalfhourTarzanandTaugsearched，untilatlast，uponthebottomofabroadleaf，Tarzan’skeennosecaughtthefainttraceofthescentspoorofToog，wheretheleafhadbrushedahairyshoulderasthegreatapepassedthroughthefoliage。

Onceagainthetwotookupthetrail，butitwasslowworknowandthereweremanydiscouragingdelayswhenthespoorseemedlostbeyondrecovery。Toyouormetherewouldhavebeennospoor，evenbeforethecomingoftherain，except，possibly，whereTooghadcometoearthandfollowedagametrail。Insuchplacestheimprintofahugehandlikefootandtheknucklesofonegreathandweresometimesplainenoughforanordinarymortaltoread。TarzanknewfromtheseandotherindicationsthattheapewasyetcarryingTeeka。

Thedepthoftheimprintofhisfeetindicatedamuchgreaterweightthanthatofanyofthelargerbulls，fortheyweremadeunderthecombinedweightofToogandTeeka，whilethefactthattheknucklesofbutonehandtouchedthegroundatanytimeshowedthattheotherhandwasoccupiedinsomeotherbusiness——thebusinessofholdingtheprisonertoahairyshoulder。Tarzancouldfollow，inshelteredplaces，thechangingoftheburdenfromoneshouldertoanother，asindicatedbythedeepeningofthefootimprintuponthesideoftheload，andthechangingoftheknuckleimprintsfromonesideofthetrailtotheother。

Therewerestretchesalongthesurfacepathswheretheapehadgoneforconsiderabledistancesentirelyerectuponhishindfeet——walkingasamanwalks；butthesamemighthavebeentrueofanyofthegreatanthropoidsofthesamespecies，for，unlikethechimpanzeeandthegorilla，theywalkwithouttheaidoftheirhandsquiteasreadilyaswith。

Itwassuchthings，however，whichhelpedtoidentifytoTarzanandtoTaugtheappearanceoftheabductor，andwithhisindividualscentcharacteristicalreadyindeliblyimpressedupontheirmemories，theywereinafarbetterpositiontoknowhimwhentheycameuponhim，evenshouldhehavedisposedofTeekabefore，thanisamodernsleuthwithhisphotographsandBertillonmeasurements，equippedtorecognizeafugitivefromcivilizedjustice。

Butwithalltheirhigh-strunganddelicatelyattunedperceptivefacultiesthetwobullsofthetribeofKerchakwereoftensorepressedtofollowthetrailatall，andatbestweresodelayedthatintheafternoonofthesecondday，theystillhadnotoverhauledthefugitive。

Thescentwasnowstrong，forithadbeenmadesincetherain，andTarzanknewthatitwouldnotbelongbeforetheycameuponthethiefandhisloot。Abovethem，astheycreptstealthilyforward，chatteredManu，themonkey，andhisthousandfellows；squawkedandscreamedthebrazen-throatedbirdsofplumage；buzzedandhummedthecountlessinsectsamidtherustlingoftheforestleaves，and，astheypassed，alittlegray-beard，squeakingandscoldinguponaswayingbranch，lookeddownandsawthem。

Instantlythescoldingandsqueakingceased，andofftorethelong-tailedmiteasthoughSheeta，thepanther，hadbeenendowedwithwingsandwasinclosepursuitofhim。

Toallappearanceshewasonlyaverymuchfrightenedlittlemonkey，fleeingforhislife——thereseemednothingsinisterabouthim。

AndwhatofTeekaduringallthistime？Wassheatlastresignedtoherfateandaccompanyinghernewmateintheproperhumilityofalovingandtractablespouse？

Asingleglanceatthepairwouldhaveansweredthesequestionstotheuttersatisfactionofthemostcaptious。

Shewastornandbleedingfrommanywounds，inflictedbythesullenTooginhisvaineffortstosubduehertohiswill，andToogtoowasdisfiguredandmutilated；butwithstubbornferocity，hestillclungtohisnowuselessprize。

Onthroughthejungleheforcedhiswayinthedirectionofthestampinggroundofhistribe。Hehopedthathiskingwouldhaveforgottenhistreason；butifnothewasstillresignedtohisfate——anyfatewouldbebetterthansufferinglongerthesolecompanionshipofthisfrightfulshe，andthen，too，hewishedtoexhibithiscaptivetohisfellows。Maybehecouldwishherontheking——itispossiblethatsuchathoughturgedhimon。

Atlasttheycameupontwobullsfeedinginaparklikegrove——abeautifulgrovedottedwithhugebouldershalfembeddedintherichloam——mutemonuments，possibly，toaforgottenagewhenmightyglaciersrolledtheirslowcoursewherenowatorridsunbeatsdownuponatropicjungle。

Thetwobullslookedup，baringlongfightingfangs，asToogappearedinthedistance。Thelatterrecognizedthetwoasfriends。"ItisToog，"hegrowled。"Tooghascomebackwithanewshe。"

Theapeswaitedhisnearerapproach。Teekaturnedasnarling，fangedfacetowardthem。Shewasnotprettytolookupon，yetthroughthebloodandhatreduponhercountenancetheyrealizedthatshewasbeautiful，andtheyenviedToog——alas！theydidnotknowTeeka。

Astheysquattedlookingatoneanotherthereracedthroughthetreestowardthemalong-tailedlittlemonkeywithgraywhiskers。Hewasaveryexcitedlittlemonkeywhenhecametoahaltuponthelimbofatreedirectlyoverhead。

"Twostrangebullscome，"hecried。OneisaMangani，theotherahideousapewithouthairuponhisbody。

TheyfollowthespoorofToog。Isawthem。"

ThefourapesturnedtheireyesbackwardalongthetrailTooghadjustcome；thentheylookedatoneanotherforaminute。"Come，"saidthelargerofToog’stwofriends，"wewillwaitforthestrangersinthethickbushesbeyondtheclearing。"

Heturnedandwaddledawayacrosstheopenplace，theothersfollowinghim。Thelittlemonkeydancedabout，allexcitement。Hischiefdiversioninlifewastobringaboutbloodyencountersbetweenthelargerdenizensoftheforest，thathemightsitinthesafetyofthetreesandwitnessthespectacles。Hewasagluttonforgore，wasthislittle，whiskered，graymonkey，solongasitwasthegoreofothers——atypicalfightfanwasthegraybeard。

Theapeshidthemselvesintheshrubberybesidethetrailalongwhichthetwostrangerbullswouldpass。

Teekatrembledwithexcitement。ShehadheardthewordsofManu，andsheknewthatthehairlessapemustbeTarzan，whiletheotherwas，doubtless，Taug。Never，inherwildesthopes，hadsheexpectedsuccorofthissort。

HeronethoughthadbeentoescapeandfindherwaybacktothetribeofKerchak；buteventhishadappearedtoherpracticallyimpossible，socloselydidToogwatchher。

AsTaugandTarzanreachedthegrovewhereTooghadcomeuponhisfriends，theapescentbecamesostrongthatbothknewthequarrywasbutashortdistanceahead。

Andsotheywentevenmorecautiously，fortheywishedtocomeuponthethieffrombehindiftheycouldandchargehimbeforehewasawareoftheirpresence。

Thatalittlegray-whiskeredmonkeyhadforestalledthemtheydidnotknow，northatthreepairsofsavageeyeswerealreadywatchingtheireverymoveandwaitingforthemtocomewithinreachofitchingpawsandslaveringjowls。

Ontheycameacrossthegrove，andastheyenteredthepathleadingintothedensejunglebeyond，asudden"Kreeg-ah！"shrilledoutclosebeforethem——a"Kreeg-ah"

inthefamiliarvoiceofTeeka。ThesmallbrainsofToogandhiscompanionshadnotbeenabletoforeseethatTeekamightbetraythem，andnowthatshehad，theywentwildwithrage。Toogstruckthesheamightyblowthatfelledher，andthenthethreerushedforthtodobattlewithTarzanandTaug。Thelittlemonkeydanceduponhisperchandscreamedwithdelight。

Andindeedhemightwellbedelighted，foritwasalovelyfight。Therewerenopreliminaries，noformalities，nointroductions——thefivebullsmerelychargedandclinched。

Theyrolledinthenarrowtrailandintothethickverdurebesideit。Theybitandclawedandscratchedandstruck，andallthewhiletheykeptupthemostfrightfulchorusofgrowlingsandbarkingsandroarings。

Infiveminutestheyweretornandbleeding，andthelittlegraybeardleapedhigh，shrillinghisprimitivebravos；

butalwayshisattitudewas"thumbsdown。"Hewantedtoseesomethingkilled。Hedidnotcarewhetheritwerefriendorfoe。Itwasbloodhewanted——bloodanddeath。

TaughadbeensetuponbyToogandanotheroftheapes，whileTarzanhadthethird——ahugebrutewiththestrengthofabuffalo。NeverbeforehadTarzan’sassailantbeheldsostrangeacreatureasthisslippery，hairlessbullwithwhichhebattled。SweatandbloodcoveredTarzan’ssleek，brownhide。Againandagainheslippedfromtheclutchesofthegreatbull，andallthewhilehestruggledtofreehishuntingknifefromthescabbardinwhichithadstuck。

Atlengthhesucceeded——abrownhandshotoutandclutchedahairythroat，anotherflewupwardclutchingthesharpblade。

Threeswift，powerfulstrokesandthebullrelaxedwithagroan，fallinglimpbeneathhisantagonist。

InstantlyTarzanbrokefromtheclutchesofthedyingbullandsprangtoTaug’sassistance。Toogsawhimcomingandwheeledtomeethim。Intheimpactofthecharge，Tarzan’sknifewaswrenchedfromhishandandthenToogclosedwithhim。Nowwasthebattleeven——twoagainsttwo——whileontheverge，Teeka，nowrecoveredfromtheblowthathadfelledher，slunkwaitingforanopportunitytoaid。ShesawTarzan’sknifeandpickeditup。

Sheneverhadusedit，butknewhowTarzanusedit。

AlwayshadshebeenafraidofthethingwhichdealtdeathtothemightiestofthejunglepeoplewiththeeasethatTantor’sgreattusksdealdeathtoTantor’senemies。

ShesawTarzan’spocketpouchtornfromhisside，andwiththecuriosityofanape，thatevendangerandexcitementcannotentirelydispel，shepickedthisup，too。

Nowthebullswerestanding——theclincheshadbeenbroken。

Bloodstreameddowntheirsides——theirfaceswerecrimsonedwithit。Littlegraybeardwassofascinatedthatatlasthehadevenforgottentoscreamanddance；butsatrigidwithdelightintheenjoymentofthespectacle。

BackacrossthegroveTarzanandTaugforcedtheiradversaries。

Teekafollowedslowly。Shescarceknewwhattodo。

Shewaslameandsoreandexhaustedfromthefrightfulordealthroughwhichshehadpassed，andshehadtheconfidenceofhersexintheprowessofhermateandtheotherbullofhertribe——theywouldnotneedthehelpofasheintheirbattlewiththesetwostrangers。

Theroarsandscreamsofthefightersreverberatedthroughthejungle，awakeningtheechoesinthedistanthills。

FromthethroatofTarzan’santagonisthadcomeascoreof"Kreeg-ahs！"andnowfrombehindcamethereplyhehadawaited。Intothegrove，barkingandgrowling，cameascoreofhugebullapes——thefightingmenofToog’stribe。

TeekasawthemfirstandscreamedawarningtoTarzanandTaug。

Thenshefledpastthefighterstowardtheoppositesideoftheclearing，fearforamomentclaimingher。

Norcanonecensureherafterthefrightfulordealfromwhichshewasstillsuffering。

Downuponthemcamethegreatapes。InamomentTarzanandTaugwouldbetorntoshredsthatwouldlaterformthePIECEDERESISTANCEofthesavageorgyofaDum-Dum。

Teekaturnedtoglanceback。Shesawtheimpendingfateofherdefendersandtheresprungtolifeinhersavagebosomthesparkofmartyrdom，thatsomecommonforbearhadtransmittedaliketoTeeka，thewildape，andthegloriouswomenofahigherorderwhohaveinviteddeathfortheirmen。Withashrillscreamsherantowardthebattlerswhowererollinginagreatmassatthefootofoneofthehugeboulderswhichdottedthegrove；

butwhatcouldshedo？Theknifesheheldshecouldnotusetoadvantagebecauseofherlesserstrength。

ShehadseenTarzanthrowmissiles，andshehadlearnedthiswithmanyotherthingsfromherchildhoodplaymate。

Shesoughtforsomethingtothrowandatlastherfingerstoucheduponthehardobjectsinthepouchthathadbeentornfromtheape-man。Tearingthereceptacleopen，shegatheredahandfulofshinycylinders——heavyfortheirsize，theyseemedtoher，andgoodmissiles。

Withallherstrengthshehurledthemattheapesbattlinginfrontofthegraniteboulder。

TheresultsurprisedTeekaquiteasmuchasitdidtheapes。

Therewasaloudexplosion，whichdeafenedthefighters，andapuffofacridsmoke。Neverbeforehadonethereheardsuchafrightfulnoise。Screamingwithterror，thestrangerbullsleapedtotheirfeetandfledbacktowardthestampinggroundoftheirtribe，whileTaugandTarzanslowlygatheredthemselvestogetherandarose，lameandbleeding，totheirfeet。They，too，wouldhavefledhadtheynotseenTeekastandingtherebeforethem，theknifeandthepocketpouchinherhands。

"Whatwasit？"askedTarzan。

Teekashookherhead。"Ihurledtheseatthestrangerbulls，"

andsheheldforthanotherhandfuloftheshinymetalcylinderswiththedullgray，cone-shapedends。

Tarzanlookedatthemandscratchedhishead。

"Whatarethey？"askedTaug。

"Idonotknow，"saidTarzan。"Ifoundthem。"

Thelittlemonkeywiththegraybeardhaltedamongthetreesamileawayandhuddled，terrified，againstabranch。

HedidnotknowthatthedeadfatherofTarzanoftheApes，reachingbackoutofthepastacrossaspanoftwentyyears，hadsavedhisson’slife。

NordidTarzan，LordGreystoke，knowiteither。

11

AJungleJokeTIMESELDOMHUNGheavilyuponTarzan’shands。Evenwherethereissamenesstherecannotbemonotonyifmostofthesamenessconsistsindodgingdeathfirstinoneformandtheninanother；orininflictingdeathuponothers。

Thereisaspicetosuchanexistence；buteventhisTarzanoftheApesvariedinactivitiesofhisowninvention。

Hewasfullgrownnow，withthegraceofaGreekgodandthethewsofabull，and，byallthetenetsofapedom，shouldhavebeensullen，morose，andbrooding；buthewasnot。Hisspiritsseemednottoageatall——hewasstillaplayfulchild，muchtothediscomfitureofhisfellow-apes。Theycouldnotunderstandhimorhisways，forwithmaturitytheyquicklyforgottheiryouthanditspastimes。

NorcouldTarzanquiteunderstandthem。Itseemedstrangetohimthatafewmoonssince，hehadropedTaugaboutanankleanddraggedhimscreamingthroughthetalljunglegrasses，andthenrolledandtumbledingood-naturedmimicbattlewhentheyoungapehadfreedhimself，andthattodaywhenhehadcomeupbehindthesameTaugandpulledhimoverbackwardupontheturf，insteadoftheplayfulyoungape，agreat，snarlingbeasthadwhirledandleapedforhisthroat。

EasilyTarzaneludedthechargeandquicklyTaug’sangervanished，thoughitwasnotreplacedwithplayfulness；yettheape-manrealizedthatTaugwasnotamusednorwasheamusing。

Thebigbullapeseemedtohavelostwhateversenseofhumorheoncemayhavepossessed。Withagruntofdisappointment，youngLordGreystoketurnedtootherfieldsofendeavor。

Astrandofblackhairfellacrossoneeye。Hebrusheditasidewiththepalmofahandandatossofhishead。

Itsuggestedsomethingtodo，sohesoughthisquiverwhichlaycachedinthehollowboleofalightning-riventree。

Removingthearrowsheturnedthequiverupsidedown，emptyinguponthegroundthecontentsofitsbottom——

hisfewtreasures。Amongthemwasaflatbitofstoneandashellwhichhehadpickedupfromthebeachnearhisfather’scabin。

Withgreatcareherubbedtheedgeoftheshellbackandforthupontheflatstoneuntilthesoftedgewasquitefineandsharp。Heworkedmuchasabarberdoeswhohonesarazor，andwitheveryevidenceofsimilarpractice；buthisproficiencywastheresultofyearsofpainstakingeffort。

Unaidedhehadworkedoutamethodofhisownforputtinganedgeupontheshell——heeventesteditwiththeballofhisthumb——andwhenitmetwithhisapprovalhegraspedawispofhairwhichfellacrosshiseyes，graspeditbetweenthethumbandfirstfingerofhislefthandandsaweduponitwiththesharpenedshelluntilitwassevered。Allaroundhisheadhewentuntilhisblackshockwasrudelybobbedwitharaggedbanginfront。

Fortheappearanceofithecarednothing；butinthematterofsafetyandcomfortitmeanteverything。

Alockofhairfallinginone’seyesatthewrongmomentmightmeanallthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath，whilestragglystrands，hangingdownone’sbackweremostuncomfortable，especiallywhenwetwithdeworrainorperspiration。

AsTarzanlaboredathistonsorialtask，hisactivemindwasbusywithmanythings。HerecalledhisrecentbattlewithBolgani，thegorilla，thewoundsofwhichwerebutjusthealed。Heponderedthestrangesleepadventuresofhisfirstdreams，andhesmiledatthepainfuloutcomeofhislastpracticaljokeuponthetribe，when，dressedinthehideofNuma，thelion，hehadcomeroaringuponthem，onlytobeleapeduponandalmostkilledbythegreatbullswhomhehadtaughthowtodefendthemselvesfromanattackoftheirancientenemy。

Hishairloppedofftohisentiresatisfaction，andseeingnopossibilityofpleasureinthecompanyofthetribe，Tarzanswungleisurelyintothetreesandsetoffinthedirectionofhiscabin；butwhenpartwaytherehisattentionwasattractedbyastrongscentspoorcomingfromthenorth。ItwasthescentoftheGomangani。

Curiosity，thatbest-developed，commonheritageofmanandape，alwayspromptedTarzantoinvestigatewheretheGomanganiwereconcerned。Therewasthataboutthemwhicharousedhisimagination。Possiblyitwasbecauseofthediversityoftheiractivitiesandinterests。

Theapeslivedtoeatandsleepandpropagate。

Thesamewastrueofalltheotherdenizensofthejungle，savetheGomangani。

Theseblackfellowsdancedandsang，scratchedaroundintheearthfromwhichtheyhadclearedthetreesandunderbrush；

theywatchedthingsgrow，andwhentheyhadripened，theycutthemdownandputtheminstraw-thatchedhuts。

Theymadebowsandspearsandarrows，poison，cookingpots，thingsofmetaltoweararoundtheirarmsandlegs。

Ifithadn’tbeenfortheirblackfaces，theirhideouslydisfiguredfeatures，andthefactthatoneofthemhadslainKala，Tarzanmighthavewishedtobeoneofthem。

Atleasthesometimesthoughtso，butalwaysatthethoughtthererosewithinhimastrangerevulsionoffeeling，whichhecouldnotinterpretorunderstand——hesimplyknewthathehatedtheGomangani，andthathewouldratherbeHistah，thesnake，thanoneofthese。

Buttheirwayswereinteresting，andTarzannevertiredofspyinguponthem。andfromthemhelearnedmuchmorethanherealized，thoughalwayshisprincipalthoughtwasofsomenewwayinwhichhecouldrendertheirlivesmiserable。

ThebaitingoftheblackswasTarzan’schiefdivertissement。

Tarzanrealizednowthattheblackswereverynearandthatthereweremanyofthem，sohewentsilentlyandwithgreatcaution。Noiselesslyhemovedthroughthelushgrassesoftheopenspaces，andwheretheforestwasdense，swungfromoneswayingbranchtoanother，orleapedlightlyovertangledmassesoffallentreeswheretherewasnowaythroughthelowerterraces，andthegroundwaschokedandimpassable。

AndsopresentlyhecamewithinsightoftheblackwarriorsofMbonga，thechief。TheywereengagedinapursuitwithwhichTarzanwasmoreorlessfamiliar，havingwatchedthematituponotheroccasions。

TheywereplacingandbaitingatrapforNuma，thelion。

Inacageuponwheelstheyweretyingakid，sofasteningitthatwhenNumaseizedtheunfortunatecreature，thedoorofthecagewoulddropbehindhim，makinghimaprisoner。

Thesethingstheblackshadlearnedintheiroldhome，beforetheyescapedthroughtheuntrackedjungletotheirnewvillage。FormerlytheyhaddweltintheBelgianCongountilthecrueltiesoftheirheartlessoppressorshaddriventhemtoseekthesafetyofunexploredsolitudesbeyondtheboundariesofLeopold’sdomain。

IntheiroldlifetheyoftenhadtrappedanimalsfortheagentsofEuropeandealers，andhadlearnedfromthemcertaintricks，suchasthisone，whichpermittedthemtocaptureevenNumawithoutinjuringhim，andtotransporthiminsafetyandwithcomparativeeasetotheirvillage。

Nolongerwasthereawhitemarketfortheirsavagewares；

buttherewasstillasufficientincentiveforthetakingofNuma——alive。Firstwasthenecessityforriddingthejungleofman-eaters，anditwasonlyafterdepredationsbythesegrimandterriblescourgesthatalionhuntwasorganized。Secondarilywastheexcuseforanorgyofcelebrationwasthehuntsuccessful，andthefactthatsuchfeteswererendereddoublypleasurablebythepresenceofalivecreaturethatmightbeputtodeathbytorture。

Tarzanhadwitnessedthesecruelritesinthepast。

BeinghimselfmoresavagethanthesavagewarriorsoftheGomangani，hewasnotsoshockedbythecrueltyofthemasheshouldhavebeen，yettheydidshockhim。

Hecouldnotunderstandthestrangefeelingofrevulsionwhichpossessedhimatsuchtimes。HehadnoloveforNuma，thelion，yethebristledwithragewhentheblacksinflicteduponhisenemysuchindignitiesandcrueltiesasonlythemindoftheonecreaturemoldedintheimageofGodcanconceive。

UpontwooccasionshehadfreedNumafromthetrapbeforetheblackshadreturnedtodiscoverthesuccessorfailureoftheirventure。Hewoulddothesametoday——thathedecidedimmediatelyherealizedthenatureoftheirintentions。

Leavingthetrapinthecenterofabroadelephanttrailnearthedrinkinghole，thewarriorsturnedbacktowardtheirvillage。Onthemorrowtheywouldcomeagain。

Tarzanlookedafterthem，uponhislipsanunconscioussneer——theheritageofunguessedcaste。Hesawthemfilealongthebroadtrail，beneaththeoverhangingverdureofleafybranchandloopedandfestoonedcreepers，brushingebonshouldersagainstgorgeousbloomswhichinscrutableNaturehasseenfittolavishmostprofuselyfarthestfromtheeyeofman。

AsTarzanwatched，throughnarrowedlids，thelastofthewarriorsdisappearbeyondaturninthetrail，hisexpressionalteredtotheurgeofanewbornthought。

Aslow，grimsmiletouchedhislips。Helookeddownuponthefrightened，bleatingkid，advertising，initsfearanditsinnocence，itspresenceanditshelplessness。

Droppingtotheground，Tarzanapproachedthetrapandentered。

Withoutdisturbingthefibercord，whichwasadjustedtodropthedooratthepropertime，heloosenedthelivingbait，tuckeditunderanarmandsteppedoutofthecage。

Withhishuntingknifehequietedthefrightenedanimal，severingitsjugular；thenhedraggedit，bleeding，alongthetraildowntothedrinkinghole，thehalfsmilepersistinguponhisordinarilygraveface。Atthewater’sedgetheape-manstoopedandwithhuntingknifeandquickstrongfingersdeftlyremovedthedeadkid’sviscera。

Scrapingaholeinthemud，heburiedthesepartswhichhedidnoteat，andswingingthebodytohisshouldertooktothetrees。

Forashortdistancehepursuedhiswayinthewakeoftheblackwarriors，comingdownpresentlytoburythemeatofhiskillwhereitwouldbesafefromthedepredationsofDango，thehyena，ortheothermeat-eatingbeastsandbirdsofthejungle。Hewashungry。Hadhebeenallbeasthewouldhaveeaten；buthisman-mindcouldentertainurgesevenmorepotentthanthoseofthebelly，andnowhewasconcernedwithanideawhichkeptasmileuponhislipsandhiseyessparklinginanticipation。

Anidea，itwas，whichpermittedhimtoforgetthathewashungry。

Themeatsafelycached，TarzantrottedalongtheelephanttrailaftertheGomangani。Twoorthreemilesfromthecageheovertookthemandthenheswungintothetreesandfollowedaboveandbehindthem——waitinghischance。

AmongtheblackswasRabbaKega，thewitch-doctor。Tarzanhatedthemall；butRabbaKegaheespeciallyhated。

Astheblacksfiledalongthewindingpath，RabbaKega，beinglazy，droppedbehind。ThisTarzannoted，anditfilledhimwithsatisfaction——hisbeingradiatedagrimandterriblecontent。Likeanangelofdeathhehoveredabovetheunsuspectingblack。

RabbaKega，knowingthatthevillagewasbutashortdistanceahead，satdowntorest。Restwell，ORabbaKega！Itisthylastopportunity。

Tarzancreptstealthilyamongthebranchesofthetreeabovethewell-fed，self-satisfiedwitch-doctor。

Hemadenonoisethatthedullearsofmancouldhearabovethesoughingofthegentlejunglebreezeamongtheundulatingfoliageoftheupperterraces，andwhenhecamecloseabovetheblackmanhehalted，wellconcealedbyleafybranchandheavycreeper。

RabbaKegasatwithhisbackagainsttheboleofatree，facingTarzan。Thepositionwasnotsuchasthewaitingbeastofpreydesired，andso，withtheinfinitepatienceofthewildhunter，theape-mancrouchedmotionlessandsilentasagravenimageuntilthefruitshouldberipefortheplucking。Apoisonousinsectbuzzedangrilyoutofspace。Itloitered，circling，closetoTarzan’sface。

Theape-mansawandrecognizedit。Thevirusofitsstingspelleddeathforlesserthingsthanhe——forhimitwouldmeandaysofanguish。Hedidnotmove。

HisglitteringeyesremainedfixeduponRabbaKegaafteracknowledgingthepresenceofthewingedtorturebyasingleglance。Heheardandfollowedthemovementsoftheinsectwithhiskeenears，andthenhefeltitalightuponhisforehead。Nomuscletwitched，forthemusclesofsuchashearetheservantsofthebrain。

Downacrosshisfacecreptthehorridthing——overnoseandlipsandchin。Uponhisthroatitpaused，andturning，retraceditssteps。TarzanwatchedRabbaKega。

Nownotevenhiseyesmoved。Somotionlesshecrouchedthatonlydeathmightcounterparthismovelessness。

Theinsectcrawledupwardoverthenut-browncheekandstoppedwithitsantennaebrushingthelashesofhislowerlid。

YouorIwouldhavestartedback，closingoureyesandstrikingatthething；butyouandIaretheslaves，notthemastersofournerves。Hadthethingcrawledupontheeyeballoftheape-man，itisbelievablethathecouldyethaveremainedwide-eyedandrigid；butitdidnot。

Foramomentitloiteredthereclosetothelowerlid，thenitroseandbuzzedaway。

DowntowardRabbaKegaitbuzzedandtheblackmanheardit，sawit，struckatit，andwasstunguponthecheekbeforehekilledit。Thenherosewithahowlofpainandanger，andasheturnedupthetrailtowardthevillageofMbonga，thechief，hisbroad，blackbackwasexposedtothesilentthingwaitingabovehim。

AndasRabbaKegaturned，alithefigureshotoutwardanddownwardfromthetreeaboveuponhisbroadshoulders。

TheimpactofthespringingcreaturecarriedRabbaKegatotheground。Hefeltstrongjawscloseuponhisneck，andwhenhetriedtoscream，steelfingersthrottledhisthroat。

Thepowerfulblackwarriorstruggledtofreehimself；

buthewasasachildinthegripofhisadversary。

PresentlyTarzanreleasedhisgripupontheother’sthroat；

buteachtimethatRabbaKegaessayedascream，thecruelfingerschokedhimpainfully。Atlastthewarriordesisted。

ThenTarzanhalfroseandkneeleduponhisvictim’sback，andwhenRabbaKegastruggledtoarise，theape-manpushedhisfacedownintothedirtofthetrail。

Withabitoftheropethathadsecuredthekid，TarzanmadeRabbaKega’swristssecurebehindhisback，thenheroseandjerkedhisprisonertohisfeet，facedhimbackalongthetrailandpushedhimonahead。

NotuntilhecametohisfeetdidRabbaKegaobtainasquarelookathisassailant。Whenhesawthatitwasthewhitedevil-godhisheartsankwithinhimandhiskneestrembled；butashewalkedalongthetrailaheadofhiscaptorandwasneitherinjurednormolestedhisspiritsslowlyrose，sothathetookheartagain。

Possiblythedevil-goddidnotintendtokillhimafterall。

HadhenothadlittleTiboinhispowerfordayswithoutharminghim，andhadhenotsparedMomaya，Tibo’smother，whenheeasilymighthaveslainher？

AndthentheycameuponthecagewhichRabbaKega，withtheotherblackwarriorsofthevillageofMbonga，thechief，hadplacedandbaitedforNuma。RabbaKegasawthatthebaitwasgone，thoughtherewasnolionwithinthecage，norwasthedoordropped。Hesawandhewasfilledwithwondernotunmixedwithapprehension。

Itenteredhisdullbrainthatinsomewaythiscombinationofcircumstanceshadaconnectionwithhispresencethereastheprisonerofthewhitedevil-god。

Norwashewrong。Tarzanpushedhimroughlyintothecage，andinanothermomentRabbaKegaunderstood。

Coldsweatbrokefromeveryporeofhisbody——hetrembledaswithague——fortheape-manwasbindinghimsecurelyintheveryspotthekidhadpreviouslyoccupied。

Thewitch-doctorpleaded，firstforhislife，andthenforadeathlesscruel；buthemightaswellhavesavedhispleasforNuma，sincealreadytheyweredirectedtowardawildbeastwhounderstoodnowordofwhathesaid。

ButhisconstantjabberingnotonlyannoyedTarzan，whoworkedinsilence，butsuggestedthatlatertheblackmightraisehisvoiceincriesforsuccor，sohesteppedoutofthecage，gatheredahandfulofgrassandasmallstickandreturning，jammedthegrassintoRabbaKega’smouth，laidthestickcrosswisebetweenhisteethandfastenedittherewiththethongfromRabbaKega’sloincloth。

Nowcouldthewitch-doctorbutrollhiseyesandsweat。

ThusTarzanlefthim。

Theape-manwentfirsttothespotwherehehadcachedthebodyofthekid。Diggingitup，heascendedintoatreeandproceededtosatisfyhishunger。Whatremainedheagainburied；thenheswungawaythroughthetreestothewaterhole，andgoingtothespotwherefresh，coldwaterbubbledfrombetweentworocks，hedrankdeeply。

Theotherbeastsmightwadeinanddrinkstagnantwater；

butnotTarzanoftheApes。Insuchmattershewasfastidious。

FromhishandshewashedeverytraceoftherepugnantscentoftheGomangani，andfromhisfacethebloodofthekid。Rising，hestretchedhimselfnotunlikesomehuge，lazycat，climbedintoanear-bytreeandfellasleep。

Whenheawokeitwasdark，thoughafaintluminositystilltingedthewesternheavens。Alionmoanedandcoughedasitstrodethroughthejungletowardwater。Itwasapproachingthedrinkinghole。Tarzangrinnedsleepily，changedhispositionandfellasleepagain。

WhentheblacksofMbonga，thechief，reachedtheirvillagetheydiscoveredthatRabbaKegawasnotamongthem。

Whenseveralhourshadelapsedtheydecidedthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim，anditwasthehopeofthemajorityofthetribethatwhateverhadhappenedtohimmightprovefatal。Theydidnotlovethewitch-doctor。Loveandfearseldomareplaymates；butawarriorisawarrior，andsoMbongaorganizedasearchingparty。Thathisowngriefwasnotunassuagablemighthavebeengatheredfromthefactthatheremainedathomeandwenttosleep。

Theyoungwarriorswhomhesentoutremainedsteadfasttotheirpurposeforfullyhalfanhour，when，unfortunatelyforRabbaKega——uponsoslightathingmaythefateofamanrest——ahoneybirdattractedtheattentionofthesearchersandledthemoffforthedeliciousstoreitpreviouslyhadmarkeddownforbetrayal，andRabbaKega’sdoomwassealed。

Whenthesearchersreturnedemptyhanded，Mbongawaswroth；

butwhenhesawthegreatstoreofhoneytheybroughtwiththemhisragesubsided。AlreadyTubuto，young，agileandevil-minded，withfacehideouslypainted，waspracticingtheblackartuponasickinfantinthefondhopeofsucceedingtotheofficeandperquisitesofRabbaKega。

Tonightthewomenoftheoldwitch-doctorwouldmoanandhowl。Tomorrowhewouldbeforgotten。Suchislife，suchisfame，suchispower——inthecenteroftheworld’shighestcivilization，orinthedepthsoftheblack，primevaljungle。Always，everywhere，manisman，norhashealteredgreatlybeneathhisveneersincehescurriedintoaholebetweentworockstoescapethetyrannosaurussixmillionyearsago。

ThemorningfollowingthedisappearanceofRabbaKega，thewarriorssetoutwithMbonga，thechief，toexaminethetraptheyhadsetforNuma。Longbeforetheyreachedthecage，theyheardtheroaringofagreatlionandguessedthattheyhadmadeasuccessfulbag，soitwaswithshoutsofjoythattheyapproachedthespotwheretheyshouldfindtheircaptive。

Yes！Therehewas，agreat，magnificentspecimen——ahuge，black-manedlion。Thewarriorswerefranticwithdelight。

Theyleapedintotheairandutteredsavagecries——hoarsevictorycries，andthentheycamecloser，andthecriesdiedupontheirlips，andtheireyeswentwidesothatthewhitesshowedallaroundtheiririses，andtheirpendulouslowerlipsdroopedwiththeirdroopingjaws。Theydrewbackinterroratthesightwithinthecage——themauledandmutilatedcorpseofwhathad，yesterday，beenRabbaKega，thewitch-doctor。

Thecapturedlionhadbeentooangryandfrightenedtofeeduponthebodyofhiskill；buthehadventeduponitmuchofhisrage，untilitwasafrightfulthingtobehold。

Fromhisperchinanear-bytreeTarzanoftheApes，LordGreystoke，lookeddownupontheblackwarriorsandgrinned。Onceagainhisself-prideinhisabilityasapracticaljokerasserteditself。IthadlaindormantforsometimefollowingthepainfulmaulinghehadreceivedthattimeheleapedamongtheapesofKerchakclothedintheskinofNuma；butthisjokewasadecidedsuccess。

Afterafewmomentsofterror，theblackscameclosertothecage，ragetakingtheplaceoffear——rageandcuriosity。

HowhadRabbaKegahappenedtobeinthecage？Wherewasthekid？Therewasnosignnorremnantoftheoriginalbait。

Theylookedcloselyandtheysaw，totheirhorror，thatthecorpseoftheirerstwhilefellowwasboundwiththeverycordwithwhichtheyhadsecuredthekid。

Whocouldhavedonethisthing？Theylookedatoneanother。

Tubutowasthefirsttospeak。Hehadcomehopefullyoutwiththeexpeditionthatmorning。SomewherehemightfindevidenceofthedeathofRabbaKega。Nowhehadfoundit，andhewasthefirsttofindanexplanation。

"Thewhitedevil-god，"hewhispered。"Itistheworkofthewhitedevil-god！"

NoonecontradictedTubuto，for，indeed，whoelsecouldithavebeenbutthegreat，hairlessapetheyallsofeared？AndsotheirhatredofTarzanincreasedagainwithanincreasedfearofhim。AndTarzansatinhistreeandhuggedhimself。

NoonetherefeltsorrowbecauseofthedeathofRabbaKega；

buteachoftheblacksexperiencedapersonalfearoftheingeniousmindwhichmightdiscoverforanyofthemadeathequallyhorribletothatwhichthewitch-doctorhadsuffered。ItwasasubduedandthoughtfulcompanywhichdraggedthecaptivelionalongthebroadelephantpathbacktothevillageofMbonga，thechief。

Anditwaswithasighofreliefthattheyfinallyrolleditintothevillageandclosedthegatesbehindthem。

Eachhadexperiencedthesensationofbeingspieduponfromthemomenttheyleftthespotwherethetraphadbeenset，thoughnonehadseenorheardaughttogivetangiblefoodtohisfears。

Atthesightofthebodywithinthecagewiththelion，thewomenandchildrenofthevillagesetupamostfrightfullamentation，workingthemselvesintoajoyoushysteriawhichfartranscendedthehappymiseryderivedbytheirmorecivilizedprototypeswhomakeabusinessofdividingtheirtimebetweenthemoviesandtheneighborhoodfuneralsoffriendsandstrangers——especiallystrangers。

Fromatreeoverhangingthepalisade，Tarzanwatchedallthatpassedwithinthevillage。Hesawthefrenziedwomentantalizingthegreatlionwithsticksandstones。

ThecrueltyoftheblackstowardacaptivealwaysinducedinTarzanafeelingofangrycontemptfortheGomangani。

Hadheattemptedtoanalyzethisfeelinghewouldhavefounditdifficult，forduringallhislifehehadbeenaccustomedtosightsofsufferingandcruelty。He，himself，wascruel。Allthebeastsofthejunglewerecruel；

butthecrueltyoftheblackswasofadifferentorder。

Itwasthecrueltyofwantontortureofthehelpless，whilethecrueltyofTarzanandtheotherbeastswasthecrueltyofnecessityorofpassion。

Perhaps，hadheknownit，hemighthavecreditedthisfeelingofrepugnanceatthesightofunnecessarysufferingtoheredity——tothegermofBritishloveoffairplaywhichhadbeenbequeathedtohimbyhisfatherandhismother；but，ofcourse，hedidnotknow，sincehestillbelievedthathismotherhadbeenKala，thegreatape。

AndjustinproportionashisangerroseagainsttheGomanganihissavagesympathywentouttoNuma，thelion，for，thoughNumawashislifetimeenemy，therewasneitherbitternessnorcontemptinTarzan’ssentimentstowardhim。

Intheape-man’smind，therefore，thedeterminationformedtothwarttheblacksandliberatethelion；

buthemustaccomplishthisinsomewaywhichwouldcausetheGomanganithegreatestchagrinanddiscomfiture。

Ashesquattedtherewatchingtheproceedingbeneathhim，hesawthewarriorsseizeuponthecageoncemoreanddragitbetweentwohuts。Tarzanknewthatitwouldremaintherenowuntilevening，andthattheblackswereplanningafeastandorgyincelebrationoftheircapture。

Whenhesawthattwowarriorswereplacedbesidethecage，andthatthesedroveoffthewomenandchildrenandyoungmenwhowouldhaveeventuallytorturedNumatodeath，heknewthatthelionwouldbesafeuntilhewasneededfortheevening’sentertainment，whenhewouldbemorecruellyandscientificallytorturedfortheedificationoftheentiretribe。

NowTarzanpreferredtobaittheblacksinastheatricamannerashisfertileimaginationcouldevolve。

Hehadsomehalf-formedconceptionoftheirsuperstitiousfearsandoftheirespecialdreadofnight，andsohedecidedtowaituntildarknessfellandtheblackspartiallyworkedtohysteriabytheirdancingandreligiousritesbeforehetookanystepstowardthefreeingofNuma。

Inthemeantime，hehoped，anideaadequatetothepossibilitiesofthevariousfactorsathandwouldoccurtohim。Norwasitlongbeforeonedid。

Hehadswungoffthroughthejungletosearchforfoodwhentheplancametohim。Atfirstitmadehimsmilealittleandthenlookdubious，forhestillretainedavividmemoryofthedireresultsthathadfollowedthecarryingoutofaverywonderfulideaalongalmostidenticallines，yethedidnotabandonhisintention，andamomentlater，foodtemporarilyforgotten，hewasswingingthroughthemiddleterracesinrapidflighttowardthestampinggroundofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。

Aswashiswont，healightedinthemidstofthelittlebandwithoutannouncinghisapproachsavebyahideousscreamjustashesprangfromabranchabovethem。

FortunatearetheapesofKerchakthattheirkindisnotsubjecttoheartfailure，forthemethodsofTarzansubjectedthemtoonesevereshockafteranother，norcouldtheyeveraccustomthemselvestotheape-man’speculiarstyleofhumor。