Hefeltquitesurethatthesacrificewouldgoonfromthepointwhereithadbeeninterruptedifthehighpriestesshadherway，thoughhewasequallypositivethattheywouldfindTarzanoftheApesunboundandwithalongdaggerinhishandamuchlesstractablevictimthanTarzandisarmedandbound。
　　Thegirlstoodlookingathimforalongmomentbeforeshespoke。
　　"Youareaverywonderfulman，"shesaid。"YouaresuchamanasIhaveseeninmydaydreamseversinceI
　　wasalittlegirl。YouaresuchamanasIimaginetheforbearsofmypeoplemusthavebeen——thegreatraceofpeoplewhobuiltthismightycityintheheartofasavageworldthattheymightwrestfromthebowelsoftheearththefabulouswealthforwhichtheyhadsacrificedtheirfar—distantcivilization。
　　"Icannotunderstandwhyyoucametomyrescueinthefirstplace，andnowIcannotunderstandwhy，havingmewithinyourpower，youdonotwishtoberevengeduponmeforhavingsentencedyoutodeath——forhavingalmostputyoutodeathwithmyownhand。"
　　"Ipresume，"repliedtheape—man，"thatyoubutfollowedtheteachingsofyourreligion。IcannotblameYOUforthat，nomatterwhatImaythinkofyourcreed。Butwhoareyou——whatpeoplehaveIfallenamong？"
　　"IamLa，highpriestessoftheTempleoftheSun，inthecityofOpar。Wearedescendantsofapeoplewhocametothissavageworldmorethantenthousandyearsagoinsearchofgold。Theircitiesstretchedfromagreatseaundertherisingsuntoagreatseaintowhichthesundescendsatnighttocoolhisflamingbrow。Theywereveryrichandverypowerful，buttheylivedonlyafewmonthsoftheyearintheirmagnificentpalaceshere;therestofthetimetheyspentintheirnativeland，far，fartothenorth。
　　"Manyshipswentbackandforthbetweenthisnewworldandtheold。Duringtherainyseasontherewerebutfewoftheinhabitantsremainedhere，onlythosewhosuperintendedtheworkingoftheminesbytheblackslaves，andthemerchantswhohadtostaytosupplytheirwants，andthesoldierswhoguardedthecitiesandthemines。
　　"Itwasatoneofthesetimesthatthegreatcalamityoccurred。
　　Whenthetimecamefortheteemingthousandstoreturnnonecame。
　　Forweeksthepeoplewaited。Thentheysentoutagreatgalleytolearnwhynoonecamefromthemothercountry，butthoughtheysailedaboutformanymonths，theywereunabletofindanytraceofthemightylandthathadforcountlessagesbornetheirancientcivilization——ithadsunkintothesea。
　　"Fromthatdaydatedthedownfallofmypeople。
　　Disheartenedandunhappy，theysoonbecameapreytotheblackhordesofthenorthandtheblackhordesofthesouth。
　　Onebyonethecitiesweredesertedorovercome。Thelastremnantwasfinallyforcedtotakeshelterwithinthismightymountainfortress。Slowlywehavedwindledinpower，incivilization，inintellect，innumbers，untilnowwearenomorethanasmalltribeofsavageapes。
　　"Infact，theapeslivewithus，andhaveformanyages。
　　Wecallthemthefirstmen——wespeaktheirlanguagequiteasmuchaswedoourown;onlyintheritualsofthetempledowemakeanyattempttoretainourmothertongue。Intimeitwillbeforgotten，andwewillspeakonlythelanguageoftheapes;intimewewillnolongerbanishthoseofourpeoplewhomatewithapes，andsointimeweshalldescendtotheverybeastsfromwhichagesagoourprogenitorsmayhavesprung。"
　　"Butwhyareyoumorehumanthantheothers？"askedtheman。
　　"Forsomereasonthewomenhavenotrevertedtosavagerysorapidlyasthemen。Itmaybebecauseonlythelowertypesofmenremainedhereatthetimeofthegreatcatastrophe，whilethetempleswerefilledwiththenoblestdaughtersoftherace。Mystrainhasremainedclearerthantherestbecauseforcountlessagesmyforemotherswerehighpriestesses——thesacredofficedescendsfrommothertodaughter。Ourhusbandsarechosenforusfromthenoblestintheland。Themostperfectman，mentallyandphysically，isselectedtobethehusbandofthehighpriestess。"
　　"FromwhatIsawofthegentlemenabove，"saidTarzan，withagrin，"thereshouldbelittletroubleinchoosingfromamongthem。"
　　Thegirllookedathimquizzicallyforamoment。
　　"Donotbesacrilegious，"shesaid。"Theyareveryholymen——theyarepriests。"
　　"Thenthereareotherswhoarebettertolookupon？"heasked。
　　"Theothersareallmoreuglythanthepriests，"shereplied。
　　Tarzanshudderedatherfate，foreveninthedimlightofthevaulthewasimpressedbyherbeauty。
　　"Buthowaboutmyself？"heaskedsuddenly。"Areyougoingtoleadmetoliberty？"
　　"YouhavebeenchosenbyTheFlamingGodashisown，"
　　sheansweredsolemnly。"NotevenIhavethepowertosaveyou——shouldtheyfindyouagain。ButIdonotintendthattheyshallfindyou。Youriskedyourlifetosavemine。
　　Imaydonolessforyou。Itwillbenoeasymatter——itmayrequiredays;butintheendIthinkthatIcanleadyoubeyondthewalls。Come，theywilllookhereformepresently，andiftheyfindustogetherweshallbothbelost——theywouldkillmedidtheythinkthatIhadprovedfalsetomygod。"
　　"Youmustnottaketherisk，then，"hesaidquickly。"Iwillreturntothetemple，andifIcanfightmywaytofreedomtherewillbenosuspicionthrownuponyou。"
　　Butshewouldnothaveitso，andfinallypersuadedhimtofollowher，sayingthattheyhadalreadyremainedinthevaulttoolongtopreventsuspicionfromfallinguponhereveniftheyreturnedtothetemple。
　　"Iwillhideyou，andthenreturnalone，"shesaid，"tellingthemthatIwaslongunconsciousafteryoukilledTha，andthatIdonotknowwhitheryouescaped。"
　　Andsosheledhimthroughwindingcorridorsofgloom，untilfinallytheycametoasmallchamberintowhichalittlelightfilteredthroughastonegratingintheceiling。
　　"ThisistheChamberoftheDead，"shesaid。"Nonewillthinkofsearchinghereforyou——theywouldnotdare。Iwillreturnafteritisdark。BythattimeImayhavefoundaplantoeffectyourescape。"
　　Shewasgone，andTarzanoftheApeswasleftaloneintheChamberoftheDead，beneaththelong—deadcityofOpar。
　　Chapter21
　　TheCastawaysClaytondreamedthathewasdrinkinghisfillofwater，pure，delightfuldraftsoffreshwater。Withastarthegainedconsciousnesstofindhimselfwetthroughbytorrentsofrainthatwerefallinguponhisbodyandhisupturnedface。Aheavytropicalshowerwasbeatingdownuponthem。Heopenedhismouthanddrank。Presentlyhewassorevivedandstrengthenedthathewasenabledtoraisehimselfuponhishands。AcrosshislegslayMonsieurThuran。AfewfeetaftJanePorterwashuddledinapitifullittleheapinthebottomoftheboat——shewasquitestill。Claytonknewthatshewasdead。
　　AfterinfinitelaborhereleasedhimselffromThuran’spinioningbody，andwithrenewedstrengthcrawledtowardthegirl。
　　Heraisedherheadfromtheroughboardsoftheboat’sbottom。
　　Theremightbelifeinthatpoor，starvedframeevenyet。
　　Hecouldnotquiteabandonallhope，andsoheseizedawater—soakedragandsqueezedthepreciousdropsbetweentheswollenlipsofthehideousthingthathadbutafewshortdaysbeforeglowedwiththeresplendentlifeofhappyyouthandgloriousbeauty。
　　Forsometimetherewasnosignofreturninganimation，butatlasthiseffortswererewardedbyaslighttremorofthehalf—closedlids。Hechafedthethinhands，andforcedafewmoredropsofwaterintotheparchedthroat。Thegirlopenedhereyes，lookingupathimforalongtimebeforeshecouldrecallhersurroundings。
　　"Water？"shewhispered。"Arewesaved？"
　　"Itisraining，"heexplained。"Wemayatleastdrink。
　　Alreadyithasrevivedusboth。"
　　"MonsieurThuran？"sheasked。"Hedidnotkillyou。Ishedead？"
　　"Idonotknow，"repliedClayton。"Ifhelivesandthisrainreviveshim——"Buthestoppedthere，rememberingtoolatethathemustnotaddfurthertothehorrorswhichthegirlalreadyhadendured。
　　Butsheguessedwhathewouldhavesaid。
　　"Whereishe？"sheasked。
　　ClaytonnoddedhisheadtowardtheprostrateformoftheRussian。Foratimeneitherspoke。
　　"IwillseeifIcanrevivehim，"saidClaytonatlength。
　　"No，"shewhispered，extendingadetaininghandtowardhim。
　　"Donotdothat——hewillkillyouwhenthewaterhasgivenhimstrength。Ifheisdying，lethimdie。Donotleavemealoneinthisboatwiththatbeast。"
　　Claytonhesitated。HishonordemandedthatheattempttoreviveThuran，andtherewasthepossibility，too，thattheRussianwasbeyondhumanaid。Itwasnotdishonorabletohopeso。Ashesatfightingouthisbattlehepresentlyraisedhiseyesfromthebodyoftheman，andastheypassedabovethegunwaleoftheboathestaggeredweaklytohisfeetwithalittlecryofjoy。
　　"Land，Jane！"healmostshoutedthroughhiscrackedlips。
　　"ThankGod，land！"
　　Thegirllooked，too，andthere，notahundredyardsaway，shesawayellowbeach，and，beyond，theluxuriousfoliageofatropicaljungle。
　　"Nowyoumayrevivehim，"saidJanePorter，forshe，too，hadbeenhauntedwiththepangsofconsciencewhichhadresultedfromherdecisiontopreventClaytonfromofferingsuccortotheircompanion。
　　ItrequiredthebetterpartofhalfanhourbeforetheRussianevincedsufficientsymptomsofreturningconsciousnesstoopenhiseyes，anditwassometimelaterbeforetheycouldbringhimtoarealizationoftheirgoodfortune。
　　Bythistimetheboatwasscrapinggentlyuponthesandybottom。
　　Betweentherefreshingwaterthathehaddrunkandthestimulusofrenewedhope，Claytonfoundstrengthtostaggerthroughtheshallowwatertotheshorewithalinemadefasttotheboat’sbow。Thishefastenedtoasmalltreewhichgrewatthetopofalowbank，forthetidewasatflood，andhefearedthattheboatmightcarrythemallouttoseaagainwiththeebb，sinceitwasquitelikelythatitwouldbebeyondhisstrengthtogetJanePortertotheshoreforseveralhours。
　　Nexthemanagedtostaggerandcrawltowardthenear—
　　byjungle，wherehehadseenevidencesofprofusionoftropicalfruit。HisformerexperienceinthejungleofTarzanoftheApeshadtaughthimwhichofthemanygrowingthingswereedible，andafternearlyanhourofabsencehereturnedtothebeachwithalittlearmfuloffood。
　　Therainhadceased，andthehotsunwasbeatingdownsomercilesslyuponherthatJanePorterinsistedonmakinganimmediateattempttogaintheland。StillfurtherinvigoratedbythefoodClaytonhadbrought，thethreewereabletoreachthehalfshadeofthesmalltreetowhichtheirboatwasmoored。
　　Here，thoroughlyexhausted，theythrewthemselvesdowntorest，sleepinguntildark。
　　Foramonththeyliveduponthebeachincomparativesafety。
　　Astheirstrengthreturnedthetwomenconstructedarudeshelterinthebranchesofatree，highenoughfromthegroundtoinsuresafetyfromthelargerbeastsofprey。
　　Bydaytheygatheredfruitsandtrappedsmallrodents;atnighttheylaycoweringwithintheirfrailshelterwhilesavagedenizensofthejunglemadehideousthehoursofdarkness。
　　Theysleptuponlittersofjunglegrasses，andforcoveringatnightJanePorterhadonlyanoldulsterthatbelongedtoClayton，thesamegarmentthathehadwornuponthatmemorabletriptotheWisconsinwoods。Claytonhaderectedafrailpartitionofboughstodividetheirarborealshelterintotworooms——oneforthegirlandtheotherforMonsieurThuranandhimself。
　　FromthefirsttheRussianhadexhibitedeverytraitofhistruecharacter——selfishness，boorishness，arrogance，cowardice，andlust。TwicehadheandClaytoncometoblowsbecauseofThuran’sattitudetowardthegirl。
　　Claytondarednotleaveheralonewithhimforaninstant。
　　TheexistenceoftheEnglishmanandhisfianceewasonecontinualnightmareofhorror，andyettheylivedoninhopeofultimaterescue。
　　JanePorter’sthoughtsoftenrevertedtoherotherexperienceonthissavageshore。Ah，iftheinvincibleforestgodofthatdeadpastwerebutwiththemnow。Nolongerwouldtherebeaughttofearfromprowlingbeasts，orfromthebestialRussian。ShecouldnotwellrefrainfromcomparingthescantprotectionaffordedherbyClaytonwithwhatshemighthaveexpectedhadTarzanoftheApesbeenforasingleinstantconfrontedbythesinisterandmenacingattitudeofMonsieurThuran。Once，whenClaytonhadgonetothelittlestreamforwater，andThuranhadspokencoarselytoher，shevoicedherthoughts。
　　"Itiswellforyou，MonsieurThuran，"shesaid，"thatthepoorMonsieurTarzanwhowaslostfromtheshipthatbroughtyouandMissStrongtoCapeTownisnotherenow。"
　　"Youknewthepig？"askedThuran，withasneer。
　　"Iknewtheman，"shereplied。"Theonlyrealman，I
　　think，thatIhaveeverknown。"
　　TherewassomethinginhertoneofvoicethatledtheRussiantoattributetoheradeeperfeelingforhisenemythanfriendship，andhegraspedatthesuggestiontobefurtherrevengeduponthemanwhomhesupposeddeadbybesmirchinghismemorytothegirl。
　　"Hewasworsethanapig，"hecried。"Hewasapoltroonandacoward。Tosavehimselffromtherighteouswrathofthehusbandofawomanhehadwronged，heperjuredhissoulinanattempttoplacetheblameentirelyuponher。
　　Notsucceedinginthis，heranawayfromFrancetoescapemeetingthehusbanduponthefieldofhonor。ThatiswhyhewasonboardtheshipthatboreMissStrongandmyselftoCapeTown。IknowwhereofIspeak，forthewomaninthecaseismysister。SomethingmoreIknowthatIhavenevertoldanother——yourbraveMonsieurTarzanleapedoverboardinanagonyoffearbecauseIrecognizedhim，andinsistedthathemakereparationtomethefollowingmorning——wecouldhavefoughtwithknivesinmystateroom。"
　　JanePorterlaughed。"YoudonotforamomentimaginethatonewhohasknownbothMonsieurTarzanandyoucouldeverbelievesuchanimpossibletale？"
　　"Thenwhydidhetravelunderanassumedname？"askedMonsieurThuran。
　　"Idonotbelieveyou，"shecried，butneverthelesstheseedofsuspicionwassown，forsheknewthatHazelStronghadknownherforestgodonlyasJohnCaldwell，ofLondon。
　　Ascantfivemilesnorthoftheirrudeshelter，allunknowntothem，andpracticallyasremoteasthoughseparatedbythousandsofmilesofimpenetrablejungle，laythesnuglittlecabinofTarzanoftheApes。Whilefartherupthecoast，afewmilesbeyondthecabin，incrudebutwell—builtshelters，livedalittlepartyofeighteensouls——theoccupantsofthethreeboatsfromtheLADYALICEfromwhichClayton’sboathadbecomeseparated。
　　Overasmoothseatheyhadrowedtothemainlandinlessthanthreedays。Noneofthehorrorsofshipwreckhadbeentheirs，andthoughdepressedbysorrow，andsufferingfromtheshockofthecatastropheandtheunaccustomedhardshipsoftheirnewexistencetherewasnonemuchtheworsefortheexperience。
　　Allwerebuoyedbythehopethatthefourthboathadbeenpickedup，andthatathoroughsearchofthecoastwouldbequicklymade。AsallthefirearmsandammunitionontheyachthadbeenplacedinLordTennington’sboat，thepartywaswellequippedfordefense，andforhuntingthelargergameforfood。
　　ProfessorArchimedesQ。Porterwastheironlyimmediateanxiety。
　　Fullyassuredinhisownmindthathisdaughterhadbeenpickedupbyapassingsteamer，hegaveoverthelastvestigeofapprehensionconcerningherwelfare，anddevotedhisgiantintellectsolelytotheconsiderationofthosemomentousandabstrusescientificproblemswhichheconsideredtheonlyproperfoodforthoughtinoneofhiserudition。Hismindappearedblanktotheinfluenceofallextraneousmatters。
　　"Never，"saidtheexhaustedMr。SamuelT。Philander，toLordTennington，"neverhasProfessorPorterbeenmoredifficult——er——Imightsay，impossible。Why，onlythismorning，afterIhadbeenforcedtorelinquishmysurveillanceforabriefhalfhourhewasentirelymissinguponmyreturn。
　　And，blessme，sir，wheredoyouimagineIdiscoveredhim？
　　Ahalfmileoutintheocean，sir，inoneofthelifeboats，rowingawayfordearlife。Idonotknowhowheattainedeventhatmagnificentdistancefromshore，forhehadbutasingleoar，withwhichhewasblissfullyrowingaboutincircles。
　　"Whenoneofthesailorshadtakenmeouttohiminanotherboattheprofessorbecamequiteindignantatmysuggestionthatwereturnatoncetoland。`Why，Mr。Philander，’
　　hesaid，`Iamsurprisedthatyou，sir，amanoflettersyourself，shouldhavethetemeritysotointerrupttheprogressofscience。IhadaboutdeducedfromcertainastronomicphenomenaIhavehadunderminuteobservationduringthepastseveraltropicnightsanentirelynewnebularhypothesiswhichwillunquestionablystartlethescientificworld。IwishtoconsultaveryexcellentmonographonLaplace’shypothesis，whichIunderstandisinacertainprivatecollectioninNewYorkCity。Yourinterference，Mr。Philander，willresultinanirreparabledelay，forIwasjustrowingovertoobtainthispamphlet。’AnditwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatI
　　persuadedhimtoreturntoshore，withoutresortingtoforce，"
　　concludedMr。Philander。
　　MissStrongandhermotherwereverybraveunderthestrainofalmostconstantapprehensionoftheattacksofsavagebeasts。NorweretheyquiteabletoacceptsoreadilyastheothersthetheorythatJane，Clayton，andMonsieurThuranhadbeenpickedupsafely。
　　JanePorter’sEsmeraldawasinaconstantstateoftearsatthecruelfatewhichhadseparatedherfromher"po，li’lehoney。"
　　LordTennington’sgreat—heartedgoodnatureneverdesertedhimforamoment。Hewasstillthejovialhost，seekingalwaysforthecomfortandpleasureofhisguests。Withthemenofhisyachtheremainedthejustbutfirmcommander——therewasneveranymorequestioninthejunglethantherehadbeenonboardtheLADYALICEastowhowasthefinalauthorityinallquestionsofimportance，andinallemergenciesrequiringcoolandintelligentleadership。
　　Couldthiswell—organizedandcomparativelysecurepartyofcastawayshaveseentheragged，fear—hauntedtrioafewmilessouthofthemtheywouldscarcelyhaverecognizedinthemtheformerlyimmaculatemembersofthelittlecompanythathadlaughedandplayedupontheLADYALICE。
　　ClaytonandMonsieurThuranwerealmostnaked，sotornhadtheirclothesbeenbythethornbushesandtangledvegetationofthemattedjunglethroughwhichtheyhadbeencompelledtoforcetheirwayinsearchoftheirevermoredifficultfoodsupply。
　　JanePorterhadofcoursenotbeensubjectedtothesestrenuousexpeditions，butherapparelwas，nevertheless，inasadstateofdisrepair。
　　Clayton，forlackofanybetteroccupation，hadcarefullysavedtheskinofeveryanimaltheyhadkilled。Bystretchingthemuponthestemsoftrees，anddiligentlyscrapingthem，hehadmanagedtosavetheminafaircondition，andnowthathisclotheswerethreateningtocoverhisnakednessnolonger，hecommencedtofashionarudegarmentofthem，usingasharpthornforaneedle，andbitsoftoughgrassandanimaltendonsinlieuofthread。
　　Theresultwhencompletedwasasleevelessgarmentwhichfellnearlytohisknees。Asitwasmadeupofnumeroussmallpeltsofdifferentspeciesofrodents，itpresentedaratherstrangeandwonderfulappearance，which，togetherwiththevilestenchwhichpermeatedit，rendereditanythingotherthanadesirableadditiontoawardrobe。Butthetimecamewhenforthesakeofdecencyhewascompelledtodonit，andeventhemiseryoftheirconditioncouldnotpreventJanePorterfromlaughingheartilyatsightofhim。
　　Later，Thuranalsofounditnecessarytoconstructasimilarprimitivegarment，sothat，withtheirbarelegsandheavilybeardedfaces，theylookednotunlikereincarnationsoftwoprehistoricprogenitorsofthehumanrace。Thuranactedlikeone。
　　Nearlytwomonthsofthisexistencehadpassedwhenthefirstgreatcalamitybefellthem。Itwasprefacedbyanadventurewhichcamenearterminatingabruptlythesufferingsoftwoofthem——terminatingtheminthegrimandhorriblemannerofthejungle，forever。
　　Thuran，downwithanattackofjunglefever，layintheshelteramongthebranchesoftheirtreeofrefuge。
　　Claytonhadbeenintothejungleafewhundredyardsinsearchoffood。AshereturnedJanePorterwalkedtomeethim。Behindtheman，cunningandcrafty，creptanoldandmangylion。Forthreedayshisancientthewsandsinewshadprovedinsufficientforthetaskofprovidinghiscavernousbellywithmeat。Formonthshehadeatenlessandlessfrequently，andfartherandfartherhadheroamedfromhisaccustomedhauntsinsearchofeasierprey。Atlasthehadfoundnature’sweakestandmostdefenselesscreature——inamomentmoreNumawoulddine。
　　Clayton，allunconsciousofthelurkingdeathbehindhim，strodeoutintotheopentowardJane。Hehadreachedherside，ahundredfeetfromthetanglededgeofjunglewhenpasthisshoulderthegirlsawthetawnyheadandthewickedyelloweyesasthegrassesparted，andthehugebeast，nosetoground，steppedsoftlyintoview。
　　Sofrozenwithhorrorwasshethatshecouldutternosound，butthefixedandterrifiedgazeofherfear—widenedeyesspokeasplainlytoClaytonaswords。Aquickglancebehindhimrevealedthehopelessnessoftheirsituation。
　　Thelionwasscarcethirtypacesfromthem，andtheywereequallyasfarfromtheshelter。Themanwasarmedwithastoutstick——asefficaciousagainstahungrylion，herealized，asatoypop—gunchargedwithatetheredcork。
　　Numa，ravenouswithhunger，hadlongsincelearnedthefutilityofroaringandmoaningashesearchedforprey，butnowthatitwasassurelyhisasthoughalreadyhehadfeltthesoftfleshbeneathhisstillmightypaw，heopenedhishugejaws，andgaveventtohislong—pentrageinaseriesofdeafeningroarsthatmadetheairtremble。
　　"Run，Jane！"criedClayton。"Quick！Runfortheshelter！"
　　Butherparalyzedmusclesrefusedtorespond，andshestoodmuteandrigid，staringwithghastlycountenanceatthelivingdeathcreepingtowardthem。
　　Thuran，atthesoundofthatawfulroar，hadcometotheopeningoftheshelter，andashesawthetableaubelowhimhehoppedupanddown，shriekingtotheminRussian。
　　"Run！Run！"hecried。"Run，orIshallbeleftallaloneinthishorribleplace，"andthenhebrokedownandcommencedtoweep。
　　Foramomentthisnewvoicedistractedtheattentionofthelion，whohaltedtocastaninquiringglanceinthedirectionofthetree。Claytoncouldendurethestrainnolonger。
　　Turninghisbackuponthebeast，heburiedhisheadinhisarmsandwaited。
　　Thegirllookedathiminhorror。Whydidhenotdosomething？Ifhemustdie，whynotdielikeaman——bravely;
　　beatingatthatterriblefacewithhispunystick，nomatterhowfutileitmightbe。WouldTarzanoftheApeshavedonethus？
　　Wouldhenotatleasthavegonedowntohisdeathfightingheroicallytothelast？
　　Nowthelionwascrouchingforthespringthatwouldendtheiryounglivesbeneathcruel，rending，yellowfangs。
　　JanePortersanktoherkneesinprayer，closinghereyestoshutoutthelasthideousinstant。Thuran，weakfromfever，fainted。
　　Secondsdraggedintominutes，longminutesintoaneternity，andyetthebeastdidnotspring。Claytonwasalmostunconsciousfromtheprolongedagonyoffright——hiskneestrembled——amomentmoreandhewouldcollapse。
　　JanePortercouldendureitnolonger。Sheopenedhereyes。
　　Couldshebedreaming？
　　"William，"shewhispered;"look！"
　　Claytonmasteredhimselfsufficientlytoraisehisheadandturntowardthelion。Anejaculationofsurpriseburstfromhislips。Attheirveryfeetthebeastlaycrumpledindeath。
　　Aheavywarspearprotrudedfromthetawnyhide。Ithadenteredthegreatbackabovetherightshoulder，and，passingentirelythroughthebody，hadpiercedthesavageheart。
　　JanePorterhadrisentoherfeet;asClaytonturnedbacktohershestaggeredinweakness。Heputouthisarmstosaveherfromfalling，andthendrewherclosetohim——pressingherheadagainsthisshoulder，hestoopedtokissherinthanksgiving。
　　Gentlythegirlpushedhimaway。
　　"Pleasedonotdothat，William，"shesaid。"Ihavelivedathousandyearsinthepastbriefmoments。Ihavelearnedinthefaceofdeathhowtolive。Idonotwishtohurtyoumorethanisnecessary;butIcannolongerbeartoliveouttheimpossiblepositionIhaveattemptedbecauseofafalsesenseofloyaltytoanimpulsivepromiseImadeyou。
　　"Thelastfewsecondsofmylifehavetaughtmethatitwouldbehideoustoattemptfurthertodeceivemyselfandyou，ortoentertainforaninstantlongerthepossibilityofeverbecomingyourwife，shouldweregaincivilization。"
　　"Why，Jane，"hecried，"whatdoyoumean？Whathasourprovidentialrescuetodowithalteringyourfeelingstowardme？
　　Youarebutunstrung——tomorrowyouwillbeyourselfagain。"
　　"IammorenearlymyselfthisminutethanIhavebeenforoverayear，"shereplied。"Thethingthathasjusthappenedhasagainforcedtomymemorythefactthatthebravestmanthateverlivedhonoredmewithhislove。UntilitwastoolateIdidnotrealizethatIreturnedit，andsoIsenthimaway。
　　Heisdeadnow，andIshallnevermarry。Icertainlycouldnotwedanotherlessbravethanhewithoutharboringconstantlyafeelingofcontemptfortherelativecowardiceofmyhusband。
　　Doyouunderstandme？"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，withbowedhead，hisfacemantlingwiththeflushofshame。
　　Anditwasthenextdaythatthegreatcalamitybefell。
　　Chapter22
　　TheTreasureVaultsofOparItwasquitedarkbeforeLa，thehighpriestess，returnedtotheChamberoftheDeadwithfoodanddrinkforTarzan。
　　Sheborenolight，feelingwithherhandsalongthecrumblingwallsuntilshegainedthechamber。Throughthestonegratingabove，atropicmoonserveddimlytoilluminatetheinterior。
　　Tarzan，crouchingintheshadowsatthefarsideoftheroomasthefirstsoundofapproachingfootstepsreachedhim，cameforthtomeetthegirlasherecognizedthatitwasshe。
　　"Theyarefurious，"wereherfirstwords。"Neverbeforehasahumansacrificeescapedthealtar。Alreadyfiftyhavegoneforthtotrackyoudown。Theyhavesearchedthetemple——allsavethissingleroom。"
　　"Whydotheyfeartocomehere？"heasked。
　　"ItistheChamberoftheDead。Herethedeadreturntoworship。
　　Seethisancientaltar？Itisherethatthedeadsacrificetheliving——iftheyfindavictimhere。Thatisthereasonourpeopleshunthischamber。Wereonetoenterheknowsthatthewaitingdeadwouldseizehimfortheirsacrifice。"
　　"Butyou？"heasked。
　　"Iamhighpriestess——Ialoneamsafefromthedead。
　　ItisIwhoatrareintervalsbringthemahumansacrificefromtheworldabove。Ialonemayenterhereinsafety。"
　　"Whyhavetheynotseizedme？"heasked，humoringhergrotesquebelief。
　　Shelookedathimquizzicallyforamoment。Thenshereplied:
　　"Itisthedutyofahighpriestesstoinstruct，tointerpret——
　　accordingtothecreedthatothers，wiserthanherself，havelaiddown;butthereisnothinginthecreedwhichsaysthatshemustbelieve。Themoreoneknowsofone’sreligionthelessonebelieves——noonelivingknowsmoreofminethanI。"
　　"Thenyouronlyfearinaidingmetoescapeisthatyourfellowmortalsmaydiscoveryourduplicity？"
　　"Thatisall——thedeadaredead;theycannotharm——orhelp。
　　Wemustthereforedependentirelyuponourselves，andthesoonerweactthebetteritwillbe。Ihaddifficultyineludingtheirvigilancebutnowinbringingyouthismorseloffood。Toattempttorepeatthethingdailywouldbetheheightoffolly。Come，letusseehowfarwemaygotowardlibertybeforeImustreturn。"
　　Sheledhimbacktothechamberbeneaththealtarroom。
　　Heresheturnedintooneoftheseveralcorridorsleadingfromit。InthedarknessTarzancouldnotseewhichone。