第7章

Now，whentheysawwhoitwastheymerelysnarledandgrumbledangrilyforamomentandthenresumedtheirfeedingortheirnappingwhichhehadinterrupted，andhe，havinghadhislittlejoke，madehiswaytothehollowtreewherehekepthistreasureshidfromtheinquisitiveeyesandfingersofhisfellowsandthemischievouslittlemanus。

Herehewithdrewacloselyrolledhide——thehideofNumawiththeheadon；acleverbitofprimitivecuringandmounting，whichhadoncebeenthepropertyofthewitch-doctor，RabbaKega，untilTarzanhadstolenitfromthevillage。

Withthishemadehiswaybackthroughthejungletowardthevillageoftheblacks，stoppingtohuntandfeedupontheway，and，intheafternoon，evennappingforanhour，sothatitwasalreadyduskwhenheenteredthegreattreewhichoverhungthepalisadeandgavehimaviewoftheentirevillage。HesawthatNumawasstillaliveandthattheguardswereevendozingbesidethecage。

Alionisnogreatnoveltytoablackmaninthelioncountry，andthefirstkeenedgeoftheirdesiretoworrythebrutehavingwornoff，thevillagerspaidlittleornoattentiontothegreatcat，preferringnowtoawaitthegrandeventofthenight。

Norwasitlongafterdarkbeforethefestivitiescommenced。

Tothebeatingoftom-toms，alonewarrior，crouchedhalfdoubled，leapedintothefirelightinthecenterofagreatcircleofotherwarriors，behindwhomstoodorsquattedthewomenandthechildren。Thedancerwaspaintedandarmedforthehuntandhismovementsandgesturessuggestedthesearchforthespoorofgame。

Bendinglow，sometimesrestingforamomentononeknee，hesearchedthegroundforsignsofthequarry；

againhepoised，statuesque，listening。Thewarriorwasyoungandlitheandgraceful；hewasfull-muscledandarrow-straight。Thefirelightglisteneduponhisebonbodyandbroughtoutintoboldreliefthegrotesquedesignspainteduponhisface，breasts，andabdomen。

Presentlyhebentlowtotheearth，thenleapedhighinair。

Everylineoffaceandbodyshowedthathehadstruckthescent。

Immediatelyheleapedtowardthecircleofwarriorsabouthim，tellingthemofhisfindandsummoningthemtothehunt。

Itwasallinpantomime；butsotrulydonethatevenTarzancouldfollowitalltotheleastdetail。

Hesawtheotherwarriorsgrasptheirhuntingspearsandleaptotheirfeettojoininthegraceful，stealthy"stalkingdance。"Itwasveryinteresting；

butTarzanrealizedthatifhewastocarryhisdesigntoasuccessfulconclusionhemustactquickly。

Hehadseenthesedancesbeforeandknewthatafterthestalkwouldcomethegameatbayandthenthekill，duringwhichNumawouldbesurroundedbywarriors，andunapproachable。

Withthelion’sskinunderonearmtheape-mandroppedtothegroundinthedenseshadowsbeneaththetreeandthencircledbehindthehutsuntilhecameoutdirectlyintherearofthecage，inwhichNumapacednervouslytoandfro。Thecagewasnowunguarded，thetwowarriorshavingleftittotaketheirplacesamongtheotherdancers。

BehindthecageTarzanadjustedthelion’sskinabouthim，justashehaduponthatmemorableoccasionwhentheapesofKerchak，failingtopiercehisdisguise，hadallbutslainhim。Then，onhandsandknees，hecreptforward，emergedfrombetweenthetwohutsandstoodafewpacesbackoftheduskyaudience，whosewholeattentionwascentereduponthedancersbeforethem。

Tarzansawthattheblackshadnowworkedthemselvestoaproperpitchofnervousexcitementtoberipeforthelion。

Inamomenttheringofspectatorswouldbreakatapointnearestthecagedlionandthevictimwouldberolledintothecenterofthecircle。ItwasforthismomentthatTarzanwaited。

Atlastitcame。AsignalwasgivenbyMbonga，thechief，atwhichthewomenandchildrenimmediatelyinfrontofTarzanroseandmovedtooneside，leavingabroadpathopeningtowardthecagedlion。AtthesameinstantTarzangavevoicetothelow，couchingroarofanangrylionandslunkslowlyforwardthroughtheopenlanetowardthefrenzieddancers。

Awomansawhimfirstandscreamed。Instantlytherewasapanicintheimmediatevicinityoftheape-man。Thestronglightfromthefirefellfulluponthelionheadandtheblacksleapedtotheconclusion，asTarzanhadknowntheywould，thattheircaptivehadescapedhiscage。

Withanotherroar，Tarzanmovedforward。Thedancingwarriorspausedbutaninstant。Theyhadbeenhuntingalionsecurelyhousedwithinastrongcage，andnowthathewasatlibertyamongthem，anentirelydifferentaspectwasplaceduponthematter。Theirnerveswerenotattunedtothisemergency。Thewomenandchildrenalreadyhadfledtothequestionablesafetyofthenearesthuts，andthewarriorswerenotlonginfollowingtheirexample，sothatpresentlyTarzanwasleftinsolepossessionofthevillagestreet。

Butnotforlong。Nordidhewishtobeleftthuslongalone。Itwouldnotcomportwithhisscheme。

Presentlyaheadpeeredforthfromanear-byhut，andthenanotherandanotheruntilascoreormoreofwarriorswerelookingoutuponhim，waitingforhisnextmove——waitingfortheliontochargeortoattempttoescapefromthevillage。

Theirspearswerereadyintheirhandsagainsteitherachargeoraboltforfreedom，andthenthelionroseerectuponitshindlegs，thetawnyskindroppedfromitandtherestoodrevealedbeforetheminthefirelightthestraightyoungfigureofthewhitedevil-god。

Foraninstanttheblacksweretooastonishedtoact。

TheyfearedthisapparitionfullyasmuchastheydidNuma，yettheywouldgladlyhaveslainthethingcouldtheyquicklyenoughhavegatheredtogethertheirwits；

butfearandsuperstitionandanaturalmentaldensityheldthemparalyzedwhiletheape-manstoopedandgatheredupthelionskin。Theysawhimturnthenandwalkbackintotheshadowsatthefarendofthevillage。

Notuntilthendidtheygaincouragetopursuehim，andwhentheyhadcomeinforce，withbrandishedspearsandloudwarcries，thequarrywasgone。

NotaninstantdidTarzanpauseinthetree。Throwingtheskinoverabranchheleapedagainintothevillageupontheoppositesideofthegreatbole，anddivingintotheshadowofahut，ranquicklytowherelaythecagedlion。

Springingtothetopofthecagehepulleduponthecordwhichraisedthedoor，andamomentlateragreatlionintheprimeofhisstrengthandvigorleapedoutintothevillage。

Thewarriors，returningfromafutilesearchforTarzan，sawhimstepintothefirelight。Ah！therewasthedevil-godagain，uptohisoldtrick。DidhethinkhecouldtwicefoolthemenofMbonga，thechief，thesamewayinsoshortatime？Theywouldshowhim！

Forlongtheyhadwaitedforsuchanopportunitytoridthemselvesforeverofthisfearsomejungledemon。

Asonetheyrushedforwardwithraisedspears。

Thewomenandthechildrencamefromthehutstowitnesstheslayingofthedevil-god。Thelionturnedblazingeyesuponthemandthenswungabouttowardtheadvancingwarriors。

Withshoutsofsavagejoyandtriumphtheycametowardhim，menacinghimwiththeirspears。Thedevil-godwastheirs！

Andthen，withafrightfulroar，Numa，thelion，charged。

ThemenofMbonga，thechief，metNumawithreadyspearsandscreamsofraillery。Inasolidmassofmuscledebonytheywaitedthecomingofthedevil-god；yetbeneaththeirbraveexteriorslurkedahauntingfearthatallmightnotbequitewellwiththem——thatthisstrangecreaturecouldyetproveinvulnerabletotheirweaponsandinflictuponthemfullpunishmentfortheireffrontery。

Thecharginglionwasalltoolifelike——theysawthatinthebriefinstantofthecharge；butbeneaththetawnyhidetheyknewwashidthesoftfleshofthewhiteman，andhowcouldthatwithstandtheassaultofmanywarspears？

Intheirforefrontstoodahugeyoungwarriorinthefullarroganceofhismightandhisyouth。Afraid？Nothe！HelaughedasNumaboredownuponhim；helaughedandcouchedhisspear，settingthepointforthebroadbreast。

Andthenthelionwasuponhim。Agreatpawsweptawaytheheavywarspear，splinteringitasthehandofmanmightsplinteradrytwig。

Downwenttheblack，hisskullcrushedbyanotherblow。

Andthenthelionwasinthemidstofthewarriors，clawingandtearingtorightandleft。Notforlongdidtheystandtheirground；butadozenmenweremauledbeforetheothersmadegoodtheirescapefromthosefrightfultalonsandgleamingfangs。

Interrorthevillagersfledhitherandthither。

NohutseemedasufficientlysecureasylumwithNumarangingwithinthepalisade。Fromonetoanotherfledthefrightenedblacks，whileinthecenterofthevillageNumastoodglaringandgrowlingabovehiskills。

Atlastatribesmanflungwidethegatesofthevillageandsoughtsafetyamidthebranchesoftheforesttreesbeyond。Likesheephisfellowsfollowedhim，untilthelionandhisdeadremainedaloneinthevillage。

FromthenearertreesthemenofMbongasawthelionlowerhisgreatheadandseizeoneofhisvictimsbytheshoulderandthenwithslowandstatelytreadmovedownthevillagestreetpasttheopengatesandonintothejungle。

Theysawandshuddered，andfromanothertreeTarzanoftheApessawandsmiled。

Afullhourelapsedafterthelionhaddisappearedwithhisfeastbeforetheblacksventureddownfromthetreesandreturnedtotheirvillage。Wideeyesrolledfromsidetoside，andnakedfleshcontractedmoretothechilloffearthantothechillofthejunglenight。

"Itwasheallthetime，"murmuredone。"Itwasthedevil-god。"

"Hechangedhimselffromaliontoaman，andbackagainintoalion，"whisperedanother。

"AndhedraggedMweezaintotheforestandiseatinghim，"

saidathird，shuddering。

"Wearenolongersafehere，"wailedafourth。"Letustakeourbelongingsandsearchforanothervillagesitefarfromthehauntsofthewickeddevil-god。"

Butwithmorningcamerenewedcourage，sothattheexperiencesoftheprecedingeveninghadlittleothereffectthantoincreasetheirfearofTarzanandstrengthentheirbeliefinhissupernaturalorigin。

Andthuswaxedthefameandthepoweroftheape-maninthemysterioushauntsofthesavagejunglewhereheranged，mightiestofbeastsbecauseoftheman-mindwhichdirectedhisgiantmusclesandhisflawlesscourage。

12

TarzanRescuestheMoonTHEMOONSHONEdownoutofacloudlesssky——ahuge，swollenmoonthatseemedsoclosetoearththatonemightwonderthatshedidnotbrushthecrooningtreetops。

Itwasnight，andTarzanwasabroadinthejungle——Tarzan，theape-man；mightyfighter，mightyhunter。Whyheswungthroughthedarkshadowsofthesomberforesthecouldnothavetoldyou。Itwasnotthathewashungry——hehadfedwellthisday，andinasafecacheweretheremainsofhiskill，readyagainstthecomingofanewappetite。

Perhapsitwastheveryjoyoflivingthaturgedhimfromhisarborealcouchtopithismusclesandhissensesagainstthejunglenight，andthen，too，Tarzanalwayswasgoadedbyanintensedesiretoknow。

ThejunglewhichispresidedoverbyKudu，thesun，isaverydifferentjunglefromthatofGoro，themoon。

Thediurnaljunglehasitsownaspect——itsownlightsandshades，itsownbirds，itsownblooms，itsownbeasts；

itsnoisesarethenoisesoftheday。Thelightsandshadesofthenocturnaljungleareasdifferentasonemightimaginethelightsandshadesofanotherworldtodifferfromthoseofourworld；itsbeasts，itsblooms，anditsbirdsarenotthoseofthejungleofKudu，thesun。

BecauseofthesedifferencesTarzanlovedtoinvestigatethejunglebynight。Notonlywasthelifeanotherlife；

butitwasricherinnumbersandinromance；itwasricherindangers，too，andtoTarzanoftheApesdangerwasthespiceoflife。Andthenoisesofthejunglenight——theroarofthelion，thescreamoftheleopard，thehideouslaughterofDango，thehyena，weremusictotheearsoftheape-man。

Thesoftpaddingofunseenfeet，therustlingofleavesandgrassestothepassageoffiercebeasts，thesheenofopalesqueeyesflamingthroughthedark，themillionsoundswhichproclaimedtheteeminglifethatonemighthearandscent，thoughseldomsee，constitutedtheappealofthenocturnaljungletoTarzan。

Tonighthehadswungawidecircle——towardtheeastfirstandthentowardthesouth，andnowhewasroundingbackagainintothenorth。Hiseyes，hisearsandhiskeennostrilswereeveronthealert。Mingledwiththesoundsheknew，therewerestrangesounds——weirdsoundswhichheneverhearduntilafterKuduhadsoughthislairbelowthefaredgeofthebigwater-soundswhichbelongedtoGoro，themoon——andtothemysteriousperiodofGoro’ssupremacy。

ThesesoundsoftencausedTarzanprofoundspeculation。

Theybaffledhimbecausehethoughtthatheknewhisjunglesowellthattherecouldbenothingwithinitunfamiliartohim。

Sometimeshethoughtthatascolorsandformsappearedtodifferbynightfromtheirfamiliardaylightaspects，sosoundsalteredwiththepassageofKuduandthecomingofGoro，andthesethoughtsrousedwithinhisbrainavagueconjecturethatperhapsGoroandKuduinfluencedthesechanges。

Andwhatmorenaturalthateventuallyhecametoattributetothesunandthemoonpersonalitiesasrealashisown？Thesunwasalivingcreatureandruledtheday。

Themoon，endowedwithbrainsandmiraculouspowers，ruledthenight。

Thusfunctionedtheuntrainedman-mindgropingthroughthedarknightofignoranceforanexplanationofthethingshecouldnottouchorsmellorhearandofthegreat，unknownpowersofnaturewhichhecouldnotsee。

AsTarzanswungnorthagainuponhiswidecirclethescentoftheGomanganicametohisnostrils，mixedwiththeacridodorofwoodsmoke。Theape-manmovedquicklyinthedirectionfromwhichthescentwasbornedowntohimuponthegentlenightwind。

Presentlytheruddysheenofagreatfirefilteredthroughthefoliagetohimahead，andwhenTarzancametoahaltinthetreesnearit，hesawapartyofhalfadozenblackwarriorshuddledclosetotheblaze。

ItwasevidentlyahuntingpartyfromthevillageofMbonga，thechief，caughtoutinthejungleafterdark。

Inarudecircleaboutthemtheyhadconstructedathornbomawhich，withtheaidofthefire，theyapparentlyhopedwoulddiscouragetheadvancesofthelargercarnivora。

Thathopewasnotconvictionwasevidencedbytheverypalpableterrorinwhichtheycrouched，wide-eyedandtrembling，foralreadyNumaandSaborweremoaningthroughthejungletowardthem。Therewereothercreatures，too，intheshadowsbeyondthefirelight。Tarzancouldseetheiryelloweyesflamingthere。Theblackssawthemandshivered。

Thenonearoseandgraspingaburningbranchfromthefirehurleditattheeyes，whichimmediatelydisappeared。

Theblacksatdownagain。Tarzanwatchedandsawthatitwasseveralminutesbeforetheeyesbegantoreappearintwosandfours。

ThencameNuma，thelion，andSabor，hismate。Theothereyesscatteredtorightandleftbeforethemenacinggrowlsofthegreatcats，andthenthehugeorbsoftheman-eatersflamedaloneoutofthedarkness。Someoftheblacksthrewthemselvesupontheirfacesandmoaned；

buthewhobeforehadhurledtheburningbranchnowhurledanotherstraightatthefacesofthehungrylions，andthey，too，disappearedashadthelesserlightsbeforethem。Tarzanwasmuchinterested。Hesawanewreasonforthenightlyfiresmaintainedbytheblacks——areasoninadditiontothoseconnectedwithwarmthandlightandcooking。Thebeastsofthejunglefearedfire，andsofirewas，inameasure，aprotectionfromthem。

Tarzanhimselfknewacertainaweoffire。Oncehehad，ininvestigatinganabandonedfireinthevillageoftheblacks，pickedupalivecoal。Sincethenhehadmaintainedarespectfuldistancefromsuchfiresashehadseen。

Oneexperiencehadsufficed。

Forafewminutesaftertheblackhurledthefirebrandnoeyesappeared，thoughTarzancouldhearthesoftpaddingoffeetallabouthim。Thenflashedoncemorethetwinfirespotsthatmarkedthereturnofthelordofthejungleandamomentlater，uponaslightlylowerlevel，thereappearedthoseofSabor，hismate。

Forsometimetheyremainedfixedandunwavering——aconstellationoffiercestarsinthejunglenight——thenthemalelionadvancedslowlytowardtheboma，whereallbutasingleblackstillcrouchedintremblingterror。

WhenthisloneguardiansawthatNumawasagainapproaching，hethrewanotherfirebrand，and，asbefore，NumaretreatedandwithhimSabor，thelioness；butnotsofar，thistime，norforsolong。Almostinstantlytheyturnedandbegancirclingtheboma，theireyesturningconstantlytowardthefirelight，whilelow，throatygrowlsevidencedtheirincreasingdispleasure。Beyondthelionsglowedtheflamingeyesofthelessersatellites，untiltheblackjunglewasshotallaroundtheblackmen’scampwithlittlespotsoffire。

Againandagaintheblackwarriorhurledhispunybrandsatthetwobigcats；butTarzannoticedthatNumapaidlittleornoattentiontothemafterthefirstfewretreats。

Theape-manknewbyNuma’svoicethatthelionwashungryandsurmisedthathehadmadeuphismindtofeeduponaGomangani；butwouldhedareacloserapproachtothedreadedflames？

EvenasthethoughtwaspassinginTarzan’smind，Numastoppedhisrestlesspacingandfacedtheboma。

Foramomenthestoodmotionless，exceptforthequick，nervousupcurvingofhistail，thenhewalkeddeliberatelyforward，whileSabormovedrestlesslytoandfrowherehehadlefther。Theblackmancalledtohiscomradesthatthelionwascoming，buttheyweretoofargoneinfeartodomorethanhuddleclosertogetherandmoanmoreloudlythanbefore。

Seizingablazingbranchthemancastitstraightintothefaceofthelion。Therewasanangryroar，followedbyaswiftcharge。Withasingleboundthesavagebeastclearedthebomawallas，withalmostequalagility，thewarriorcleareditupontheoppositesideand，chancingthedangerslurkinginthedarkness，boltedforthenearesttree。

Numawasoutofthebomaalmostassoonashewasinsideit；

butashewentbackoverthelowthornwall，hetookascreamingnegrowithhim。DragginghisvictimalongthegroundhewalkedbacktowardSabor，thelioness，whojoinedhim，andthetwocontinuedintotheblackness，theirsavagegrowlsminglingwiththepiercingshrieksofthedoomedandterrifiedman。

Atalittledistancefromtheblazethelionshalted，thereensuedashortsuccessionofunusuallyviciousgrowlsandroars，duringwhichthecriesandmoansoftheblackmanceased——forever。

PresentlyNumareappearedinthefirelight。Hemadeasecondtripintothebomaandtheformergrislytragedywasreenactedwithanotherhowlingvictim。

Tarzanroseandstretchedlazily。Theentertainmentwasbeginningtoborehim。Heyawnedandturneduponhiswaytowardtheclearingwherethetribewouldbesleepingintheencirclingtrees。

Yetevenwhenhehadfoundhisfamiliarcrotchandcurledhimselfforslumber，hefeltnodesiretosleep。

Foralongtimehelayawakethinkinganddreaming。

Helookedupintotheheavensandwatchedthemoonandthestars。Hewonderedwhattheywereandwhatpowerkeptthemfromfalling。Hiswasaninquisitivemind。

Alwayshehadbeenfullofquestionsconcerningallthatpassedaroundhim；butthereneverhadbeenonetoanswerhisquestions。InchildhoodhehadwantedtoKNOW，and，deniedalmostallknowledge，hestill，inmanhood，wasfilledwiththegreat，unsatisfiedcuriosityofachild。

Hewasneverquitecontentmerelytoperceivethatthingshappened——hedesiredtoknowWHYtheyhappened。

Hewantedtoknowwhatmadethingsgo。Thesecretoflifeinterestedhimimmensely。Themiracleofdeathhecouldnotquitefathom。Uponinnumerableoccasionshehadinvestigatedtheinternalmechanismofhiskills，andonceortwicehehadopenedthechestcavityofvictimsintimetoseetheheartstillpumping。

Hehadlearnedfromexperiencethataknifethrustthroughthisorganbroughtimmediatedeathninetimesoutoften，whilehemightstabanantagonistinnumerabletimesinotherplaceswithoutevendisablinghim。Andsohehadcometothinkoftheheart，or，ashecalledit，"theredthingthatbreathes，"astheseatandoriginoflife。

Thebrainanditsfunctioningshedidnotcomprehendatall。

Thathissenseperceptionsweretransmittedtohisbrainandtheretranslated，classified，andlabeledwassomethingquitebeyondhim。Hethoughtthathisfingersknewwhentheytouchedsomething，thathiseyesknewwhentheysaw，hisearswhentheyheard，hisnosewhenitscented。

Heconsideredhisthroat，epidermis，andthehairsofhisheadasthethreeprincipalseatsofemotion。

WhenKalahadbeenslainapeculiarchokingsensationhadpossessedhisthroat；contactwithHistah，thesnake，impartedanunpleasantsensationtotheskinofhiswholebody；

whiletheapproachofanenemymadethehairsonhisscalpstanderect。

Imagine，ifyoucan，achildfilledwiththewondersofnature，burstingwithqueriesandsurroundedonlybybeastsofthejungletowhomhisquestioningswereasstrangeasSanskritwouldhavebeen。IfheaskedGuntowhatmadeitrain，thebigoldapewouldbutgazeathimindumbastonishmentforaninstantandthenreturntohisinterestingandedifyingsearchforfleas；

andwhenhequestionedMumga，whowasveryoldandshouldhavebeenverywise，butwasn’t，astothereasonfortheclosingofcertainflowersafterKuduhaddesertedthesky，andtheopeningofothersduringthenight，hewassurprisedtodiscoverthatMumgahadnevernoticedtheseinterestingfacts，thoughshecouldtelltoaninchjustwherethefattestgrubwormshouldbehiding。

ToTarzanthesethingswerewonders。Theyappealedtohisintellectandtohisimagination。Hesawtheflowerscloseandopen；hesawcertainbloomswhichturnedtheirfacesalwaystowardthesun；hesawleaveswhichmovedwhentherewasnobreeze；hesawvinescrawllikelivingthingsupthebolesandoverthebranchesofgreattrees；

andtoTarzanoftheApestheflowersandthevinesandthetreeswerelivingcreatures。Heoftentalkedtothem，ashetalkedtoGoro，themoon，andKudu，thesun，andalwayswashedisappointedthattheydidnotreply。

Heaskedthemquestions；buttheycouldnotanswer，thoughheknewthatthewhisperingoftheleaveswasthelanguageoftheleaves——theytalkedwithoneanother。

Thewindheattributedtothetreesandgrasses。Hethoughtthattheyswayedthemselvestoandfro，creatingthewind。

Innootherwaycouldheaccountforthisphenomenon。

Therainhefinallyattributedtothestars，themoon，andthesun；buthishypothesiswasentirelyunlovelyandunpoetical。

TonightasTarzanlaythinking，theresprangtohisfertileimaginationanexplanationofthestarsandthemoon。

Hebecamequiteexcitedaboutit。Taugwassleepinginanearbycrotch。Tarzanswungoverbesidehim。

"Taug！"hecried。Instantlythegreatbullwasawakeandbristling，sensingdangerfromthenocturnalsummons。

"Look，Taug！"exclaimedTarzan，pointingtowardthestars。

"SeetheeyesofNumaandSabor，ofSheetaandDango。

TheywaitaroundGorotoleapinuponhimfortheirkill。

SeetheeyesandthenoseandthemouthofGoro。AndthelightthatshinesuponhisfaceisthelightofthegreatfirehehasbuilttofrightenawayNumaandSaborandDangoandSheeta。

"Allabouthimaretheeyes，Taug，youcanseethem！Buttheydonotcomeveryclosetothefire——therearefeweyesclosetoGoro。Theyfearthefire！ItisthefirethatsavesGorofromNuma。Doyouseethem，Taug？SomenightNumawillbeveryhungryandveryangry——thenhewillleapoverthethornbusheswhichencircleGoroandwewillhavenomorelightafterKuduseekshislair——thenightwillbeblackwiththeblacknessthatcomeswhenGoroislazyandsleepslateintothenight，orwhenhewandersthroughtheskiesbyday，forgettingthejungleanditspeople。"

TauglookedstupidlyattheheavensandthenatTarzan。

Ameteorfell，blazingaflamingwaythroughthesky。

"Look！"criedTarzan。"GorohasthrownaburningbranchatNuma。"

Tauggrumbled。"Numaisdownbelow，"hesaid。"Numadoesnothuntabovethetrees。"Buthelookedcuriouslyandalittlefearfullyatthebrightstarsabovehim，asthoughhesawthemforthefirsttime，anddoubtlessitwasthefirsttimethatTaugeverhadseenthestars，thoughtheyhadbeenintheskyabovehimeverynightofhislife。ToTaugtheywereasthegorgeousjungleblooms——hecouldnoteatthemandsoheignoredthem。

Taugfidgetedandwasnervous。Foralongtimehelaysleepless，watchingthestars——theflamingeyesofthebeastsofpreysurroundingGoro，themoon——Goro，bywhoselighttheapesdancedtothebeatingoftheirearthendrums。IfGoroshouldbeeatenbyNumatherecouldbenomoreDum-Dums。Taugwasoverwhelmedbythethought。

HeglancedatTarzanhalffearfully。Whywashisfriendsodifferentfromtheothersofthetribe？NooneelsewhomTaugeverhadknownhadhadsuchqueerthoughtsasTarzan。

Theapescratchedhisheadandwondered，dimly，ifTarzanwasasafecompanion，andthenherecalledslowly，andbyalaboriousmentalprocess，thatTarzanhadservedhimbetterthananyotheroftheapes，eventhestrongandwisebullsofthetribe。

TarzanitwaswhohadfreedhimfromtheblacksattheverytimethatTaughadthoughtTarzanwantedTeeka。

ItwasTarzanwhohadsavedTaug’slittlebalufromdeath。

ItwasTarzanwhohadconceivedandcarriedouttheplantopursueTeeka’sabductorandrescuethestolenone。

TarzanhadfoughtandbledinTaug’sservicesomanytimesthatTaug，althoughonlyabrutalape，hadhadimpresseduponhismindafierceloyaltywhichnothingnowcouldswerve——hisfriendshipforTarzanhadbecomeahabit，atraditionalmost，whichwouldendurewhileTaugendured。

Henevershowedanyoutwarddemonstrationofaffection——hegrowledatTarzanashegrowledattheotherbullswhocametooclosewhilehewasfeeding——buthewouldhavediedforTarzan。HeknewitandTarzanknewit；

butofsuchthingsapesdonotspeak——theirvocabulary，forthefinerinstincts，consistingmoreofactionsthanwords。ButnowTaugwasworried，andhefellasleepagainstillthinkingofthestrangewordsofhisfellow。

Thefollowingdayhethoughtofthemagain，andwithoutanyintentionofdisloyaltyhementionedtoGuntowhatTarzanhadsuggestedabouttheeyessurroundingGoro，andthepossibilitythatsoonerorlaterNumawouldchargethemoonanddevourhim。Totheapesalllargethingsinnaturearemale，andsoGoro，beingthelargestcreatureintheheavensbynight，was，tothem，abull。

GuntobitasliverfromahornyfingerandrecalledthefactthatTarzanhadoncesaidthatthetreestalkedtooneanother，andGozanrecountedhavingseentheape-mandancingaloneinthemoonlightwithSheeta，thepanther。

TheydidnotknowthatTarzanhadropedthesavagebeastandtiedhimtoatreebeforehecametoearthandleapedaboutbeforetherearingcat，totantalizehim。

OtherstoldofseeingTarzanrideuponthebackofTantor，theelephant；ofhisbringingtheblackboy，Tibo，tothetribe，andofmysteriousthingswithwhichhecommunedinthestrangelairbythesea。Theyhadneverunderstoodhisbooks，andafterhehadshownthemtooneortwoofthetribeanddiscoveredthateventhepicturescarriednoimpressiontotheirbrains，hehaddesisted。

"Tarzanisnotanape，"saidGunto。"HewillbringNumatoeatus，asheisbringinghimtoeatGoro。

Weshouldkillhim。"

ImmediatelyTaugbristled。KillTarzan！"FirstyouwillkillTaug，"hesaid，andlumberedawaytosearchforfood。

Butothersjoinedtheplotters。TheythoughtofmanythingswhichTarzanhaddone——thingswhichapesdidnotdoandcouldnotunderstand。AgainGuntovoicedtheopinionthattheTarmangani，thewhiteape，shouldbeslain，andtheothers，filledwithterroraboutthestoriestheyhadheard，andthinkingTarzanwasplanningtoslayGoro，greetedtheproposalwithgrowlsofaccord。

AmongthemwasTeeka，listeningwithallherears；

buthervoicewasnotraisedinfurtheranceoftheplan。

Insteadshebristled，showingherfangs，andafterwardshewentawayinsearchofTarzan；butshecouldnotfindhim，ashewasroamingfarafieldinsearchofmeat。

ShefoundTaug，though，andtoldhimwhattheotherswereplanning，andthegreatbullstampeduponthegroundandroared。Hisbloodshoteyesblazedwithwrath，hisupperlipcurleduptoexposehisfightingfangs，andthehairuponhisspinestooderect，andthenarodentscurriedacrosstheopenandTaugsprangtoseizeit。

Inaninstantheseemedtohaveforgottenhisrageagainsttheenemiesofhisfriend；butsuchisthemindofanape。

SeveralmilesawayTarzanoftheApeslolleduponthebroadheadofTantor，theelephant。Hescratchedbeneaththegreatearswiththepointofasharpstick，andhetalkedtothehugepachydermofeverythingwhichfilledhisblack-thatchedhead。Little，ornothing，ofwhathesaiddidTantorunderstand；butTantorisagoodlistener。

Swayingfromsidetosidehestoodthereenjoyingthecompanionshipofhisfriend，thefriendheloved，andabsorbingthedelicioussensationsofthescratching。

Numa，thelion，caughtthescentofman，andwarilystalkedituntilhecamewithinsightofhispreyupontheheadofthemightytusker；thenheturned，growlingandmuttering，awayinsearchofmorepropitioushuntinggrounds。

Theelephantcaughtthescentofthelion，bornetohimbyaneddyingbreeze，andliftinghistrunktrumpetedloudly。

Tarzanstretchedbackluxuriously，lyingsupineatfulllengthalongtheroughhide。Fliesswarmedabouthisface；

butwithaleafybranchtornfromatreehelazilybrushedthemaway。

"Tantor，"hesaid，"itisgoodtobealive。Itisgoodtolieinthecoolshadows。Itisgoodtolookuponthegreentreesandthebrightcolorsoftheflowers——uponeverythingwhichBulamutumumohasputhereforus。

Heisverygoodtous，Tantor；Hehasgivenyoutenderleavesandbark，andrichgrassestoeat；tomeHehasgivenBaraandHortaandPisah，thefruitsandthenutsandtheroots。

Heprovidesforeachthefoodthateachlikesbest。

AllthatHeasksisthatwebestrongenoughorcunningenoughtogoforthandtakeit。Yes，Tantor，itisgoodtolive。

Ishouldhatetodie。"

Tantormadealittlesoundinhisthroatandcurledhistrunkupwardthathemightcaresstheape-man’scheekwiththefingeratitstip。

"Tantor，"saidTarzanpresently，"turnandfeedinthedirectionofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape，thatTarzanmayridehomeuponyourheadwithoutwalking。"

Thetuskerturnedandmovedslowlyoffalongabroad，tree-archedtrail，pausingoccasionallytopluckatenderbranch，orstriptheediblebarkfromanadjacenttree。

Tarzansprawledfacedownwarduponthebeast’sheadandback，hislegshangingoneitherside，hisheadsupportedbyhisopenpalms，hiselbowsrestingonthebroadcranium。

Andthustheymadetheirleisurelywaytowardthegatheringplaceofthetribe。

Justbeforetheyarrivedattheclearingfromthenorththerereacheditfromthesouthanotherfigure——thatofawell-knitblackwarrior，whosteppedcautiouslythroughthejungle，everysenseuponthealertagainstthemanydangerswhichmightlurkanywherealongtheway。

Yethepassedbeneaththesouthernmostsentrythatwaspostedinagreattreecommandingthetrailfromthesouth。

TheapepermittedtheGomanganitopassunmolested，forhesawthathewasalone；butthemomentthatthewarriorhadenteredtheclearingaloud"Kreeg-ah！"rangoutfrombehindhim，immediatelyfollowedbyachorusofrepliesfromdifferentdirections，asthegreatbullscrashedthroughthetreesinanswertothesummonsoftheirfellow。

Theblackmanhaltedatthefirstcryandlookedabouthim。

Hecouldseenothing，butheknewthevoiceofthehairytreemenwhomheandhiskindfeared，notalonebecauseofthestrengthandferocityofthesavagebeings，butaswellthroughasuperstitiousterrorengenderedbythemanlikeappearanceoftheapes。

ButBulabantuwasnocoward。Heheardtheapesallabouthim；

heknewthatescapewasprobablyimpossible，sohestoodhisground，hisspearreadyinhishandandawarcrytremblingonhislips。Hewouldsellhislifedearly，wouldBulabantu，under-chiefofthevillageofMbonga，thechief。

TarzanandTantorwerebutashortdistanceawaywhenthefirstcryofthesentryrangoutthroughthequietjungle。

Likeaflashtheape-manleapedfromtheelephant’sbacktoanear-bytreeandwasswingingrapidlyinthedirectionoftheclearingbeforetheechoesofthefirst"Kreeg-ah"haddiedaway。WhenhearrivedhesawadozenbullscirclingasingleGomangani。

Withablood-curdlingscreamTarzansprangtotheattack。

Hehatedtheblacksevenmorethandidtheapes，andherewasanopportunityforakillintheopen。

WhathadtheGomanganidone？Hadheslainoneofthetribe？

Tarzanaskedthenearestape。No，theGomanganihadharmednone。Gozan，beingonwatch，hadseenhimcomingthroughtheforestandhadwarnedthetribe——thatwasall。

Theape-manpushedthroughthecircleofbulls，noneofwhichasyethadworkedhimselfintosufficientfrenzyforacharge，andcamewherehehadafullandcloseviewoftheblack。Herecognizedthemaninstantly。

Onlythenightbeforehehadseenhimfacingtheeyesinthedark，whilehisfellowsgroveledinthedirtathisfeet，tooterrifiedeventodefendthemselves。

Herewasabraveman，andTarzanhaddeepadmirationforbravery。Evenhishatredoftheblackswasnotsostrongapassionashisloveofcourage。Hewouldhavejoyedinbattlingwithablackwarrioratalmostanytime；

butthisonehedidnotwishtokill——hefelt，vaguely，thatthemanhadearnedhislifebyhisbravedefenseofitontheprecedingnight，nordidhefancytheoddsthatwerepittedagainstthelonewarrior。

Heturnedtotheapes。"Gobacktoyourfeeding，"

hesaid，"andletthisGomanganigohiswayinpeace。

Hehasnotharmedus，andlastnightIsawhimfightingNumaandSaborwithfire，aloneinthejungle。Heisbrave。

Whyshouldwekillonewhoisbraveandwhohasnotattackedus？Lethimgo。"

Theapesgrowled。Theyweredispleased。"KilltheGomangani！"

criedone。

"Yes。"roaredanother，"killtheGomanganiandtheTarmanganiaswell。"

"Killthewhiteape！"screamedGozan，"heisnoapeatall；

butaGomanganiwithhisskinoff。"

"KillTarzan！"bellowedGunto。"Kill！Kill！Kill！"

Thebullswerenowindeedworkingthemselvesintothefrenzyofslaughter；butagainstTarzanratherthantheblackman。

Ashaggyformchargedthroughthem，hurlingthoseitcameincontactwithtoonesideasastrongmanmightscatterchildren。ItwasTaug——great，savageTaug。

"Whosays’killTarzan’？"hedemanded。"WhokillsTarzanmustkillTaug，too。WhocankillTaug？TaugwilltearyourinsidesfromyouandfeedthemtoDango。"

"Wecankillyouall，"repliedGunto。"Therearemanyofusandfewofyou，"andhewasright。Tarzanknewthathewasright。Taugknewit；butneitherwouldadmitsuchapossibility。Itisnotthewayofbullapes。

"IamTarzan，"criedtheape-man。"IamTarzan。

Mightyhunter；mightyfighter。InallthejunglenonesogreatasTarzan。"

Then，onebyone，theopposingbullsrecountedtheirvirtuesandtheirprowess。Andallthetimethecombatantscamecloserandclosertooneanother。Thusdothebullsworkthemselvestotheproperpitchbeforeengaginginbattle。

Guntocame，stiff-legged，closetoTarzanandsniffedathim，withbaredfangs。Tarzanrumbledforthalow，menacinggrowl。

Theymightrepeatthesetacticsadozentimes；butsoonerorlateronebullwouldclosewithanotherandthenthewholehideouspackwouldbetearingandrendingattheirprey。

Bulabantu，theblackman，hadstoodwide-eyedinwonderfromthemomenthehadseenTarzanapproachingthroughtheapes。

Hehadheardmuchofthisdevil-godwhoranwiththehairytreepeople；butneverbeforehadheseenhiminfulldaylight。Heknewhimwellenoughfromthedescriptionofthosewhohadseenhimandfromtheglimpseshehadhadofthemarauderuponseveraloccasionswhentheape-manhadenteredthevillageofMbonga，thechief，bynight，intheperpetrationofoneofhisnumerousghastlyjokes。

Bulabantucouldnot，ofcourse，understandanythingwhichpassedbetweenTarzanandtheapes；buthesawthattheape-manandoneofthelargerbullswereinargumentwiththeothers。Hesawthatthesetwowerestandingwiththeirbacktowardhimandbetweenhimandthebalanceofthetribe，andheguessed，thoughitseemedimprobable，thattheymightbedefendinghim。

HeknewthatTarzanhadoncesparedthelifeofMbonga，thechief，andthathehadsuccoredTibo，andTibo’smother，Momaya。SoitwasnotimpossiblethathewouldhelpBulabantu；buthowhecouldaccomplishitBulabantucouldnotguess；norasamatteroffactcouldTarzan，fortheoddsagainsthimweretoogreat。

GuntoandtheotherswereslowlyforcingTarzanandTaugbacktowardBulabantu。Theape-manthoughtofhiswordswithTantorjustashorttimebefore:"Yes，Tantor，itisgoodtolive。Ishouldhatetodie。"Andnowheknewthathewasabouttodie，forthetemperofthegreatbullswasmountingrapidlyagainsthim。

Alwayshadmanyofthemhatedhim，andallweresuspiciousofhim。Theyknewhewasdifferent。Tarzanknewittoo；

buthewasgladthathewas——hewasaMAN；thathehadlearnedfromhispicture-books，andhewasveryproudofthedistinction。Presently，though，hewouldbeadeadman。

Guntowaspreparingtocharge。Tarzanknewthesigns。

HeknewthatthebalanceofthebullswouldchargewithGunto。Thenitwouldsoonbeover。Somethingmovedamongtheverdureattheoppositesideoftheclearing。

TarzansawitjustasGunto，withtheterrifyingcryofachallengingape，sprangforward。Tarzanvoicedapeculiarcallandthencrouchedtomeettheassault。

Taugcrouched，too，andBulabantu，assurednowthatthesetwowerefightinguponhisside，couchedhisspearandsprangbetweenthemtoreceivethefirstchargeoftheenemy。

Simultaneouslyahugebulkbrokeintotheclearingfromthejunglebehindthechargingbulls。

Thetrumpetingofamadtuskerroseshrillabovethecriesoftheanthropoids，asTantor，theelephant，dashedswiftlyacrosstheclearingtotheaidofhisfriend。

Guntoneverclosedupontheape-man，nordidafangenterfleshuponeitherside。TheterrificreverberationofTantor’schallengesentthebullsscurryingtothetrees，jabberingandscolding。Taugracedoffwiththem。

OnlyTarzanandBulabanturemained。Thelatterstoodhisgroundbecausehesawthatthedevil-goddidnotrun，andbecausetheblackhadthecouragetofaceacertainandhorribledeathbesideonewhohadquiteevidentlydareddeathforhim。

ButitwasasurprisedGomanganiwhosawthemightyelephantcometoasuddenhaltinfrontoftheape-manandcaresshimwithhislong，sinuoustrunk。

Tarzanturnedtowardtheblackman。"Go！"hesaidinthelanguageoftheapes，andpointedinthedirectionofthevillageofMbonga。Bulabantuunderstoodthegesture，ifnottheword，nordidhelosetimeinobeying。

Tarzanstoodwatchinghimuntilhehaddisappeared。

Heknewthattheapeswouldnotfollow。Thenhesaidtotheelephant:"Pickmeup！"andthetuskerswunghimlightlytohishead。

"Tarzangoestohislairbythebigwater，"shoutedtheape-mantotheapesinthetrees。"AllofyouaremorefoolishthanManu，exceptTaugandTeeka。TaugandTeekamaycometoseeTarzan；buttheothersmustkeepaway。

TarzanisdonewiththetribeofKerchak。"

HeproddedTantorwithacallousedtoeandthebigbeastswungoffacrosstheclearing，theapeswatchingthemuntiltheywereswallowedupbythejungle。

BeforethenightfellTaugkilledGunto，pickingaquarrelwithhimoverhisattackuponTarzan。

ForamoonthetribesawnothingofTarzanoftheApes。

Manyofthemprobablynevergavehimathought；buttherewerethosewhomissedhimmorethanTarzanimagined。

TaugandTeekaoftenwishedthathewasback，andTaugdeterminedadozentimestogoandvisitTarzaninhisseasidelair；

butfirstonethingandthenanotherinterfered。

OnenightwhenTauglaysleeplesslookingupatthestarryheavensherecalledthestrangethingsthatTarzanoncehadsuggestedtohim——thatthebrightspotsweretheeyesofthemeat-eaterswaitinginthedarkofthejungleskytoleapuponGoro，themoon，anddevourhim。

Themorehethoughtaboutthismatterthemoreperturbedhebecame。

Andthenastrangethinghappened。EvenasTauglookedatGoro，hesawaportionofoneedgedisappear，preciselyasthoughsomethingwasgnawinguponit。

LargerandlargerbecametheholeinthesideofGoro。

Withascream，Taugleapedtohisfeet。Hisfrenzied"Kreeg-ahs！"broughttheterrifiedtribescreamingandchatteringtowardhim。

"Look！"criedTaug，pointingatthemoon。"Look！ItisasTarzansaid。NumahassprungthroughthefiresandisdevouringGoro。YoucalledTarzannamesanddrovehimfromthetribe；nowseehowwisehewas。

LetoneofyouwhohatedTarzangotoGoro’said。

SeetheeyesinthedarkjungleallaboutGoro。Heisindangerandnonecanhelphim——noneexceptTarzan。

SoonGorowillbedevouredbyNumaandweshallhavenomorelightafterKuduseekshislair。HowshallwedancetheDum-DumwithoutthelightofGoro？"

Theapestrembledandwhimpered。Anymanifestationofthepowersofnaturealwaysfilledthemwithterror，fortheycouldnotunderstand。

"GoandbringTarzan，"criedone，andthentheyalltookupthecryof"Tarzan！""BringTarzan！""HewillsaveGoro。"

Butwhowastotravelthedarkjunglebynighttofetchhim？

"Iwillgo，"volunteeredTaug，andaninstantlaterhewasoffthroughtheStygiangloomtowardthelittleland-lockedharborbythesea。

Andasthetribewaitedtheywatchedtheslowdevouringofthemoon。AlreadyNumahadeatenoutagreatsemicircularpiece。AtthatrateGorowouldbeentirelygonebeforeKuducameagain。Theapestrembledatthethoughtofperpetualdarknessbynight。Theycouldnotsleep。

Restlesslytheymovedhereandthereamongthebranchesoftrees，watchingNumaoftheskiesathisdeadlyfeast，andlisteningforthecomingofTaugwithTarzan。

Gorowasnearlygonewhentheapesheardthesoundsoftheapproachthroughthetreesofthetwotheyawaited，andpresentlyTarzan，followedbyTaug，swungintoanearbytree。

Theape-manwastednotimeinidlewords。Inhishandwashislongbowandathisbackhungaquiverfullofarrows，poisonedarrowsthathehadstolenfromthevillageoftheblacks；justashehadstolenthebow。Upintoagreattreeheclambered，higherandhigheruntilhestoodswayinguponasmalllimbwhichbentlowbeneathhisweight。

Herehehadaclearandunobstructedviewoftheheavens。

HesawGoroandtheinroadswhichthehungryNumahadmadeintohisshiningsurface。

Raisinghisfacetothemoon，Tarzanshrilledforthhishideouschallenge。Faintlyandfromafarcametheroarofanansweringlion。Theapesshivered。

NumaoftheskieshadansweredTarzan。

Thentheape-manfittedanarrowtohisbow，anddrawingtheshaftfarback，aimeditspointattheheartofNumawherehelayintheheavensdevouringGoro。Therewasaloudtwangasthereleasedboltshotintothedarkheavens。

AgainandagaindidTarzanoftheApeslaunchhisarrowsatNuma，andallthewhiletheapesofthetribeofKerchakhuddledtogetherinterror。

AtlastcameacryfromTaug。"Look！Look！"hescreamed。

"Numaiskilled。TarzanhaskilledNuma。See！GoroisemergingfromthebellyofNuma，"and，sureenough，themoonwasgraduallyemergingfromwhateverhaddevouredher，whetheritwasNuma，thelion，ortheshadowoftheearth；

butwereyoutotrytoconvinceanapeofthetribeofKerchakthatitwasaughtbutNumawhosonearlydevouredGorothatnight，orthatanotherthanTarzanpreservedthebrilliantgodoftheirsavageandmysteriousritesfromafrightfuldeath，youwouldhavedifficulty——andafightonyourhands。

AndsoTarzanoftheApescamebacktothetribeofKerchak，andinhiscominghetookalongstridetowardthekingship，whichheultimatelywon，fornowtheapeslookeduptohimasasuperiorbeing。

InallthetribetherewasbutonewhowasatallskepticalabouttheplausibilityofTarzan’sremarkablerescueofGoro，andthatone，strangeasitmayseem，wasTarzanoftheApes。