Fortenminutestheygropedslowlyalongawindingpassage，untilatlengththeycametoacloseddoor。Hereheheardherfumblingwithakey，andpresentlycamethesoundofametalboltgratingagainstmetal。Thedoorswunginonscrapinghinges，andtheyentered。
　　"Youwillbesafehereuntiltomorrownight，"shesaid。
　　Thenshewentout，and，closingthedoor，lockeditbehindher。
　　WhereTarzanstooditwasdarkasErebus。Notevenhistrainedeyescouldpenetratetheutterblackness。
　　Cautiouslyhemovedforwarduntilhisout—stretchedhandtouchedawall，thenveryslowlyhetraveledaroundthefourwallsofthechamber。
　　Apparentlyitwasabouttwentyfeetsquare。Thefloorwasofconcrete，thewallsofthedrymasonrythatmarkedthemethodofconstructionaboveground。Smallpiecesofgraniteofvarioussizeswereingeniouslylaidtogetherwithoutmortartoconstructtheseancientfoundations。
　　ThefirsttimearoundthewallsTarzanthoughthedetectedastrangephenomenonforaroomwithnowindowsbutasingledoor。Againhecreptcarefullyaroundclosetothewall。No，hecouldnotbemistaken！Hepausedbeforethecenterofthewalloppositethedoor。Foramomenthestoodquitemotionless，thenhemovedafewfeettooneside。
　　Againhereturned，onlytomoveafewfeettotheotherside。
　　Oncemorehemadetheentirecircuitoftheroom，feelingcarefullyeveryfootofthewalls。Finallyhestoppedagainbeforetheparticularsectionthathadarousedhiscuriosity。
　　Therewasnodoubtofit！Adistinctdraftoffreshairwasblowingintothechamberthroughtheintersectionofthemasonryatthatparticularpoint——andnowhereelse。
　　Tarzantestedseveralpiecesofthegranitewhichmadeupthewallatthisspot，andfinallywasrewardedbyfindingonewhichliftedoutreadily。Itwasabouttenincheswide，withafacesomethreebysixinchesshowingwithinthechamber。
　　Onebyonetheape—manliftedoutsimilarlyshapedstones。
　　Thewallatthispointwasconstructedentirely，itseemed，ofthesealmostperfectslabs。Inashorttimehehadremovedsomedozen，whenhereachedintotestthenextlayerofmasonry。Tohissurprise，hefeltnothingbehindthemasonryhehadremovedasfarashislongarmcouldreach。
　　Itwasamatterofbutafewminutestoremoveenoughofthewalltopermithisbodytopassthroughtheaperture。
　　Directlyaheadofhimhethoughthediscernedafaintglow——scarcelymorethanalessimpenetrabledarkness。
　　Cautiouslyhemovedforwardonhandsandknees，untilataboutfifteenfeet，ortheaveragethicknessofthefoundationwalls，thefloorendedabruptlyinasuddendrop。Asfaroutashecouldreachhefeltnothing，norcouldhefindthebottomoftheblackabyssthatyawnedbeforehim，though，clingingtotheedgeofthefloor，heloweredhisbodyintothedarknesstoitsfulllength。
　　Finallyitoccurredtohimtolookup，andthereabovehimhesawthrougharoundopeningatinycircularpatchofstarrysky。Feelingupalongthesidesoftheshaftasfarashecouldreach，theape—mandiscoveredthatsomuchofthewallashecouldfeelconvergedtowardthecenteroftheshaftasitrose。Thisfactprecludedpossibilityofescapeinthatdirection。
　　Ashesatspeculatingonthenatureandusesofthisstrangepassageanditsterminalshaft，themoontoppedtheopeningabove，lettingafloodofsoft，silverylightintotheshadowyplace。InstantlythenatureoftheshaftbecameapparenttoTarzan，forfarbelowhimhesawtheshimmeringsurfaceofwater。Hehadcomeuponanancientwell——butwhatwasthepurposeoftheconnectionbetweenthewellandthedungeoninwhichhehadbeenhidden？
　　Asthemooncrossedtheopeningoftheshaftitslightfloodedthewholeinterior，andthenTarzansawdirectlyacrossfromhimanotheropeningintheoppositewall。
　　Hewonderedifthismightnotbethemouthofapassageleadingtopossibleescape。Itwouldbeworthinvestigating，atleast，andthishedeterminedtodo。
　　Quicklyreturningtothewallhehaddemolishedtoexplorewhatlaybeyondit，hecarriedthestonesintothepassagewayandreplacedthemfromthatside。Thedeepdepositofdustwhichhehadnoticedupontheblocksashehadfirstremovedthemfromthewallhadconvincedhimthatevenifthepresentoccupantsoftheancientpilehadknowledgeofthishiddenpassagetheyhadmadenouseofitforperhapsgenerations。
　　Thewallreplaced，Tarzanturnedtotheshaft，whichwassomefifteenfeetwideatthispoint。Toleapacrosstheinterveningspacewasasmallmattertotheape—man，andamomentlaterhewasproceedingalonganarrowtunnel，movingcautiouslyforfearofbeingprecipitatedintoanothershaftsuchashehadjustcrossed。
　　HehadadvancedsomehundredfeetwhenhecametoaflightofstepsleadingdownwardintoStygiangloom。
　　Sometwentyfeetbelow，thelevelfloorofthetunnelrecommenced，andshortlyafterwardhisprogresswasstoppedbyaheavywoodendoorwhichwassecuredbymassivewoodenbarsuponthesideofTarzan’sapproach。Thisfactsuggestedtotheape—manthathemightsurelybeinapassagewayleadingtotheouterworld，forthebolts，barringprogressfromtheoppositeside，tendedtosubstantiatethishypothesis，unlessitweremerelyaprisontowhichitled。
　　Alongthetopsofthebarsweredeeplayersofdust——afurtherindicationthatthepassagehadlainlongunused。Ashepushedthemassiveobstacleaside，itsgreathingesshriekedoutinweirdprotestagainstthisunaccustomeddisturbance。
　　ForamomentTarzanpausedtolistenforanyresponsivenotewhichmightindicatethattheunusualnightnoisehadalarmedtheinmatesofthetemple;butasheheardnothingheadvancedbeyondthedoorway。
　　Carefullyfeelingabout，hefoundhimselfwithinalargechamber，alongthewallsofwhich，anddownthelengthofthefloor，werepiledmanytiersofmetalingotsofanoddthoughuniformshape。Tohisgropinghandstheyfeltnotunlikedouble—headedbootjacks。Theingotswerequiteheavy，andbutfortheenormousnumberofthemhewouldhavebeenpositivethattheyweregold;butthethoughtofthefabulouswealththesethousandsofpoundsofmetalwouldhaverepresentedweretheyinrealitygold，almostconvincedhimthattheymustbeofsomebasermetal。
　　Atthefarendofthechamberhediscoveredanotherbarreddoor，andagainthebarsupontheinsiderenewedthehopethathewastraversinganancientandforgottenpassagewaytoliberty。Beyondthedoorthepassageranstraightasawarspear，anditsoonbecameevidenttotheape—manthatithadalreadyledhimbeyondtheouterwallsofthetemple。Ifhebutknewthedirectionitwasleadinghim！Iftowardthewest，thenhemustalsobebeyondthecity’souterwalls。
　　Withincreasinghopesheforgedaheadasrapidlyashedared，untilattheendofhalfanhourhecametoanotherflightofstepsleadingupward。Atthebottomthisflightwasofconcrete，butasheascendedhisnakedfeetfeltasuddenchangeinthesubstancetheyweretreading。
　　Thestepsofconcretehadgivenplacetostepsofgranite。
　　Feelingwithhishands，theape—mandiscoveredthattheselatterwereevidentlyhewedfromrock，fortherewasnocracktoindicateajoint。
　　Forahundredfeetthestepswoundspirallyup，untilatasuddenturningTarzancameintoanarrowcleftbetweentworockywalls。Abovehimshonethestarrysky，andbeforehimasteepinclinereplacedthestepsthathadterminatedatitsfoot。UpthispathwayTarzanhastened，andatitsupperendcameoutupontheroughtopofahugegranitebowlder。
　　AmileawaylaytheruinedcityofOpar，itsdomesandturretsbathedinthesoftlightoftheequatorialmoon。
　　Tarzandroppedhiseyestotheingothehadbroughtawaywithhim。Foramomentheexamineditbythemoon’sbrightrays，thenheraisedhisheadtolookoutupontheancientpilesofcrumblinggrandeurinthedistance。
　　"Opar，"hemused，"Opar，theenchantedcityofadeadandforgottenpast。Thecityofthebeautiesandthebeasts。
　　Cityofhorrorsanddeath;but——cityoffabulousriches。"
　　Theingotwasofvirgingold。
　　ThebowlderonwhichTarzanfoundhimselflaywelloutintheplainbetweenthecityandthedistantcliffsheandhisblackwarriorshadscaledthemorningprevious。Todescenditsroughandprecipitousfacewasataskofinfinitelaborandconsiderableperileventotheape—man;butatlasthefeltthesoftsoilofthevalleybeneathhisfeet，andwithoutabackwardglanceatOparheturnedhisfacetowardtheguardiancliffs，andatarapidtrotsetoffacrossthevalley。
　　Thesunwasjustrisingashegainedthesummitoftheflatmountainatthevalley’swesternboundary。Farbeneathhimhesawsmokearisingabovethetree—topsoftheforestatthebaseofthefoothills。
　　"Man，"hemurmured。"Andtherewerefiftywhowentforthtotrackmedown。Canitbethey？"
　　Swiftlyhedescendedthefaceofthecliff，and，droppingintoanarrowravinewhichleddowntothefarforest，hehastenedonwardinthedirectionofthesmoke。Strikingtheforest’sedgeaboutaquarterofamilefromthepointatwhichtheslendercolumnaroseintothestillair，hetooktothetrees。CautiouslyheapproacheduntiltheresuddenlyburstuponhisviewarudeBOMA，inthecenterofwhich，squattedabouttheirtinyfires，sathisfiftyblackWaziri。
　　Hecalledtothemintheirowntongue:
　　"Arise，mychildren，andgreetthyking！"
　　Withexclamationsofsurpriseandfearthewarriorsleapedtotheirfeet，scarcelyknowingwhethertofleeornot。
　　ThenTarzandroppedlightlyfromanoverhangingbranchintotheirmidst。Whentheyrealizedthatitwasindeedtheirchiefintheflesh，andnomaterializedspirit，theywentmadwithjoy。
　　"Wewerecowards，oh，Waziri，"criedBusuli。"Weranawayandleftyoutoyourfate;butwhenourpanicwasoverwesworetoreturnandsaveyou，oratleasttakerevengeuponyourmurderers。Wewerebutnowpreparingtoscaletheheightsoncemoreandcrossthedesolatevalleytotheterriblecity。"
　　"Haveyouseenfiftyfrightfulmenpassdownfromthecliffsintothisforest，mychildren？"askedTarzan。
　　"Yes，Waziri，"repliedBusuli。"Theypasseduslateyesterday，aswewereabouttoturnbackafteryou。Theyhadnowoodcraft。
　　Weheardthemcomingforamilebeforewesawthem，andaswehadotherbusinessinhandwewithdrewintotheforestandletthempass。Theywerewaddlingrapidlyalonguponshortlegs，andnowandthenonewouldgouponallfourslikeBolgani，thegorilla。Theywereindeedfiftyfrightfulmen，Waziri。"
　　WhenTarzanhadrelatedhisadventuresandtoldthemoftheyellowmetalhehadfound，notonedemurredwhenheoutlinedaplantoreturnbynightandbringawaywhattheycouldcarryofthevasttreasure;andsoitwasthatasduskfellacrossthedesolatevalleyofOparfiftyebonwarriorstrailedatasmarttrotoverthedryanddustygroundtowardthegiantbowlderthatloomedbeforethecity。
　　Ifithadseemedadifficulttasktodescendthefaceofthebowlder，Tarzansoonfoundthatitwouldbenexttoimpossibletogethisfiftywarriorstothesummit。Finallythefeatwasaccomplishedbydintofherculeaneffortsuponthepartoftheape—man。Tenspearswerefastenedendtoend，andwithoneendofthisremarkablechainattachedtohiswaist，Tarzanatlastsucceededinreachingthesummit。
　　Oncethere，hedrewuponeofhisblacks，andinthiswaytheentirepartywasfinallylandedinsafetyuponthebowlder’stop。ImmediatelyTarzanledthemtothetreasurechamber，wheretoeachwasallottedaloadoftwoingots，foreachabouteightypounds。
　　Bymidnighttheentirepartystoodoncemoreatthefootofthebowlder，butwiththeirheavyloadsitwasmid—
　　forenooneretheyreachedthesummitofthecliffs。
　　Fromthereonthehomewardjourneywasslow，astheseproudfightingmenwereunaccustomedtothedutiesofporters。
　　Buttheyboretheirburdensuncomplainingly，andattheendofthirtydaysenteredtheirowncountry。
　　Here，insteadofcontinuingontowardthenorthwestandtheirvillage，Tarzanguidedthemalmostdirectlywest，untilonthemorningofthethirty—thirddayhebadethembreakcampandreturntotheirownvillage，leavingthegoldwheretheyhadstackeditthepreviousnight。
　　"Andyou，Waziri？"theyasked。
　　"Ishallremainhereforafewdays，mychildren，"hereplied。
　　"Nowhastenbacktothywivesandchildren。"
　　WhentheyhadgoneTarzangathereduptwooftheingotsand，springingintoatree，ranlightlyabovethetangledandimpenetrablemassofundergrowthforacoupleofhundredyards，toemergesuddenlyuponacircularclearingaboutwhichthegiantsofthejungleforesttoweredlikeaguardianhost。
　　Inthecenterofthisnaturalamphitheater，wasalittleflat—toppedmoundofhardearth。
　　HundredsoftimesbeforehadTarzanbeentothissecludedspot，whichwassodenselysurroundedbythornbushesandtangledvinesandcreepersofhugegirththatnotevenSheeta，theleopard，couldwormhissinuouswaywithin，norTantor，withhisgiantstrength，forcethebarrierswhichprotectedthecouncilchamberofthegreatapesfromallbuttheharmlessdenizensofthesavagejungle。
　　FiftytripsTarzanmadebeforehehaddepositedalltheingotswithintheprecinctsoftheamphitheater。Thenfromthehollowofanancient，lightning—blastedtreeheproducedtheveryspadewithwhichhehaduncoveredthechestofProfessorArchimedesQ。Porterwhichhehadonce，apelike，buriedinthisselfsamespot。Withthishedugalongtrench，intowhichhelaidthefortunethathisblackshadcarriedfromtheforgottentreasurevaultsofthecityofOpar。
　　Thatnighthesleptwithintheamphitheater，andearlythenextmorningsetouttorevisithiscabinbeforereturningtohisWaziri。Findingthingsashehadleftthem，hewentforthintothejungletohunt，intendingtobringhispreytothecabinwherehemightfeastincomfort，spendingthenightuponacomfortablecouch。
　　Forfivemilestowardthesouthheroamed，towardthebanksofafair—sizedriverthatflowedintotheseaaboutsixmilesfromhiscabin。Hehadgoneinlandabouthalfamilewhentherecamesuddenlytohistrainednostrilstheonescentthatsetsthewholesavagejungleaquiver——Tarzansmelledman。
　　Thewindwasblowingofftheocean，soTarzanknewthattheauthorsofthescentwerewestofhim。MixedwiththemanscentwasthescentofNuma。Manandlion。
　　"Ihadbetterhasten，"thoughttheape—man，forhehadrecognizedthescentofwhites。"Numamaybea—hunting。"
　　Whenhecamethroughthetreestotheedgeofthejunglehesawawomankneelinginprayer，andbeforeherstoodawild，primitive—lookingwhiteman，hisfaceburiedinhisarms。
　　Behindthemanamangylionwasadvancingslowlytowardthiseasyprey。Theman’sfacewasaverted;thewoman’sbowedinprayer。Hecouldnotseethefeaturesofeither。
　　AlreadyNumawasabouttospring。Therewasnotasecondtospare。Tarzancouldnotevenunslinghisbowandfitanarrowintimetosendoneofhisdeadlypoisonedshaftsintotheyellowhide。Hewastoofarawaytoreachthebeastintimewithhisknife。Therewasbutasinglehope——alonealternative。Andwiththequicknessofthoughttheape—manacted。
　　Abrawnyarmflewback——forthebriefestfractionofaninstantahugespearpoisedabovethegiant’sshoulder——andthenthemightyarmshotout，andswiftdeathtorethroughtheinterveningleavestoburyitselfintheheartoftheleapinglion。Withoutasoundherolledoverattheveryfeetofhisintendedvictims——dead。
　　Foramomentneitherthemannorthewomanmoved。Thenthelatteropenedhereyestolookwithwonderuponthedeadbeastbehindhercompanion。AsthatbeautifulheadwentupTarzanoftheApesgaveagaspofincredulousastonishment。
　　Washemad？Itcouldnotbethewomanheloved！
　　But，indeed，itwasnoneother。
　　Andthewomanrose，andthemantookherinhisarmstokissher，andofasuddentheape—mansawredthroughabloodymistofmurder，andtheoldscaruponhisforeheadburnedscarletagainsthisbrownhide。
　　Therewasaterribleexpressionuponhissavagefaceashefittedapoisonedshafttohisbow。Anuglylightgleamedinthosegrayeyesashesightedfullatthebackoftheunsuspectingmanbeneathhim。
　　Foraninstantheglancedalongthepolishedshaft，drawingthebowstringfarback，thatthearrowmightpiercethroughtheheartforwhichitwasaimed。
　　Buthedidnotreleasethefatalmessenger。Slowlythepointofthearrowdrooped;thescaruponthebrownforeheadfaded;thebowstringrelaxed;andTarzanoftheApes，withbowedhead，turnedsadlyintothejungletowardthevillageoftheWaziri。
　　Chapter23
　　TheFiftyFrightfulMenForseverallongminutesJanePorterandWilliamCecilClaytonstoodsilentlylookingatthedeadbodyofthebeastwhosepreytheyhadsonarrowlyescapedbecoming。
　　Thegirlwasthefirsttospeakagainafterheroutbreakofimpulsiveavowal。
　　"Whocouldithavebeen？"shewhispered。
　　"Godknows！"wastheman’sonlyreply。
　　"Ifitisafriend，whydoeshenotshowhimself？"
　　continuedJane。"Wouldn’titbewelltocallouttohim，andatleastthankhim？"
　　MechanicallyClaytondidherbidding，buttherewasnoresponse。
　　JanePortershuddered。"Themysteriousjungle，"shemurmured。
　　"Theterriblejungle。Itrenderseventhemanifestationsoffriendshipterrifying。"
　　"Wehadbestreturntotheshelter，"saidClayton。"Youwillbeatleastalittlesaferthere。Iamnoprotectionwhatever，"headdedbitterly。
　　"Donotsaythat，William，"shehastenedtourge，acutelysorryforthewoundherwordshadcaused。"Youhavedonethebestyoucould。Youhavebeennoble，andself—
　　sacrificing，andbrave。Itisnofaultofyoursthatyouarenotasuperman。ThereisonlyoneothermanIhaveeverknownwhocouldhavedonemorethanyou。Mywordswereillchosenintheexcitementofthereaction——Ididnotwishtowoundyou。AllthatIwishisthatwemaybothunderstandonceandforallthatIcannevermarryyou——thatsuchamarriagewouldbewicked。"
　　"IthinkIunderstand，"hereplied。"Letusnotspeakofitagain——atleastuntilwearebackincivilization。"
　　ThenextdayThuranwasworse。Almostconstantlyhewasinastateofdelirium。Theycoulddonothingtorelievehim，norwasClaytonover—anxioustoattemptanything。Onthegirl’saccounthefearedtheRussian——inthebottomofhishearthehopedthemanwoulddie。Thethoughtthatsomethingmightbefallhimthatwouldleaveherentirelyatthemercyofthisbeastcausedhimgreateranxietythantheprobabilitythatalmostcertaindeathawaitedhershouldshebeleftentirelyaloneupontheoutskirtsofthecruelforest。
　　TheEnglishmanhadextractedtheheavyspearfromthebodyofthelion，sothatwhenhewentintotheforesttohuntthatmorninghehadafeelingofmuchgreatersecuritythanatanytimesincetheyhadbeencastuponthesavageshore。
　　Theresultwasthathepenetratedfartherfromtheshelterthaneverbefore。
　　Toescapeasfaraspossiblefromthemadravingsofthefever—strickenRussian，JanePorterhaddescendedfromthesheltertothefootofthetree——shedarednotventurefarther。
　　Here，besidethecrudeladderClaytonhadconstructedforher，shesatlookingouttosea，inthealwayssurvivinghopethatavesselmightbesighted。
　　Herbackwastowardthejungle，andsoshedidnotseethegrassespart，orthesavagefacethatpeeredfrombetween。
　　Little，bloodshot，close—seteyesscannedherintently，rovingfromtimetotimeabouttheopenbeachforindicationsofthepresenceofothersthanherself。Presentlyanotherheadappeared，andthenanotherandanother。Themaninthesheltercommencedtoraveagain，andtheheadsdisappearedassilentlyandassuddenlyastheyhadcome。
　　Butsoontheywerethrustforthoncemore，asthegirlgavenosignofperturbationatthecontinuedwailingofthemanabove。
　　Onebyonegrotesqueformsemergedfromthejungletocreepstealthilyupontheunsuspectingwoman。Afaintrustlingofthegrassesattractedherattention。Sheturned，andatthesightthatconfrontedherstaggeredtoherfeetwithalittleshriekoffear。Thentheycloseduponherwitharush。Liftingherbodilyinhislong，gorilla—likearms，oneofthecreaturesturnedandboreherintothejungle。
　　Afilthypawcoveredhermouthtostifleherscreams。
　　Addedtotheweeksoftortureshehadalreadyundergone，theshockwasmorethanshecouldwithstand。Shatterednervescollapsed，andshelostconsciousness。
　　Whensheregainedhersensesshefoundherselfinthethickoftheprimevalforest。Itwasnight。Ahugefireburnedbrightlyinthelittleclearinginwhichshelay。Aboutitsquattedfiftyfrightfulmen。Theirheadsandfaceswerecoveredwithmattedhair。Theirlongarmsresteduponthebentkneesoftheirshort，crookedlegs。Theyweregnawing，likebeasts，uponuncleanfood。Apotboiledupontheedgeofthefire，andoutofitoneofthecreatureswouldoccasionallydragahunkofmeatwithasharpenedstick。
　　Whentheydiscoveredthattheircaptivehadregainedconsciousness，apieceofthisrepulsivestewwastossedtoherfromthefoulhandofanearbyfeaster。Itrolledclosetoherside，butsheonlyclosedhereyesasaqualmofnauseasurgedthroughher。
　　Formanydaystheytraveledthroughthedenseforest。Thegirl，footsoreandexhausted，washalfdragged，halfpushedthroughthelong，hot，tediousdays。Occasionally，whenshewouldstumbleandfall，shewascuffedandkickedbythenearestofthefrightfulmen。Longbeforetheyreachedtheirjourney’sendhershoeshadbeendiscarded——thesolesentirelygone。Herclothesweretorntomereshredsandtatters，andthroughthepitifulragsheroncewhiteandtenderskinshowedrawandbleedingfromcontactwiththethousandpitilessthornsandbramblesthroughwhichshehadbeendragged。
　　Thelasttwodaysofthejourneyfoundherinsuchutterexhaustionthatnoamountofkickingandabusecouldforcehertoherpoor，bleedingfeet。Outragednaturehadreachedthelimitofendurance，andthegirlwasphysicallypowerlesstoraiseherselfeventoherknees。
　　Asthebeastssurroundedher，chatteringthreateninglythewhiletheygoadedherwiththeircudgelsandbeatandkickedherwiththeirfistsandfeet，shelaywithclosedeyes，prayingforthemercifuldeaththatsheknewalonecouldgivehersurceasefromsuffering;butitdidnotcome，andpresentlythefiftyfrightfulmenrealizedthattheirvictimwasnolongerabletowalk，andsotheypickedherupandcarriedherthebalanceofthejourney。
　　Lateoneafternoonshesawtheruinedwallsofamightycityloomingbeforethem，butsoweakandsickwasshethatitinspirednotthefaintestshadowofinterest。
　　Wherevertheywerebearingher，therecouldbebutoneendtohercaptivityamongthesefiercehalfbrutes。
　　Atlasttheypassedthroughtwogreatwallsandcametotheruinedcitywithin。Intoacrumblingpiletheyboreher，andhereshewassurroundedbyhundredsmoreofthesamecreaturesthathadbroughther;butamongthemwerefemaleswholookedlesshorrible。Atsightofthemthefirstfainthopethatshehadentertainedcametomitigatehermisery。Butitwasshort—lived，forthewomenofferedhernosympathy，though，ontheotherhand，neitherdidtheyabuseher。
　　Aftershehadbeeninspectedtotheentiresatisfactionoftheinmatesofthebuildingshewasbornetoadarkchamberinthevaultsbeneath，andhereuponthebarefloorshewasleft，withametalbowlofwaterandanotheroffood。
　　Foraweekshesawonlysomeofthewomenwhosedutyitwastobringherfoodandwater。Slowlyherstrengthwasreturning——soonshewouldbeinfitconditiontoofferasasacrificetoTheFlamingGod。Fortunateindeeditwasthatshecouldnotknowthefateforwhichshewasdestined。
　　AsTarzanoftheApesmovedslowlythroughthejungleaftercastingthespearthatsavedClaytonandJanePorterfromthefangsofNuma，hismindwasfilledwithallthesorrowthatbelongstoafreshlyopenedheartwound。
　　Hewasgladthathehadstayedhishandintimetopreventtheconsummationofthethingthatinthefirstmadwaveofjealouswrathhehadcontemplated。OnlythefractionofasecondhadstoodbetweenClaytonanddeathatthehandsoftheape—man。IntheshortmomentthathadelapsedafterhehadrecognizedthegirlandhercompanionandtherelaxingofthetautmusclesthatheldthepoisonedshaftdirectedattheEnglishman’sheart，Tarzanhadbeenswayedbytheswiftandsavageimpulsesofbrutelife。
　　Hehadseenthewomanhecraved——hiswoman——hismate——inthearmsofanother。Therehadbeenbutonecourseopentohim，accordingtothefiercejunglecodethatguidedhiminthisotherexistence;butjustbeforeithadbecometoolatethesoftersentimentsofhisinherentchivalryhadrisenabovetheflamingfiresofhispassionandsavedhim。
　　Athousandtimeshegavethanksthattheyhadtriumphedbeforehisfingershadreleasedthatpolishedarrow。
　　AshecontemplatedhisreturntotheWaziritheideabecamerepugnant。Hedidnotwishtoseeahumanbeingagain。
　　Atleasthewouldrangealonethroughthejungleforatime，untilthesharpedgeofhissorrowhadbecomeblunted。Likehisfellowbeasts，hepreferredtosufferinsilenceandalone。
　　Thatnighthesleptagainintheamphitheateroftheapes，andforseveraldayshehuntedfromthere，returningatnight。
　　Ontheafternoonofthethirddayhereturnedearly。
　　Hehadlainstretcheduponthesoftgrassofthecircularclearingforbutafewmomentswhenheheardfartothesouthafamiliarsound。Itwasthepassingthroughthejungleofabandofgreatapes——hecouldnotmistakethat。
　　Forseveralminuteshelaylistening。Theywerecominginthedirectionoftheamphitheater。
　　Tarzanaroselazilyandstretchedhimself。Hiskeenearsfollowedeverymovementoftheadvancingtribe。Theywereupwind，andpresentlyhecaughttheirscent，thoughhehadnotneededthisaddedevidencetoassurehimthathewasright。
　　AstheycameclosertotheamphitheaterTarzanoftheApesmeltedintothebranchesupontheothersideofthearena。
　　Therehewaitedtoinspectthenewcomers。Norhadhelongtowait。
　　Presentlyafierce，hairyfaceappearedamongthelowerbranchesoppositehim。Thecruellittleeyestookintheclearingataglance，thentherewasachatteredreportreturnedtothosebehind。Tarzancouldhearthewords。
　　Thescoutwastellingtheothermembersofthetribethatthecoastwasclearandthattheymightentertheamphitheaterinsafety。
　　Firsttheleaderdroppedlightlyuponthesoftcarpetofthegrassyfloor，andthen，onebyone，nearlyahundredanthropoidsfollowedhim。Therewerethehugeadultsandseveralyoung。Afewnursingbabesclungclosetotheshaggynecksoftheirsavagemothers。
　　Tarzanrecognizedmanymembersofthetribe。Itwasthesameintowhichhehadcomeasatinybabe。Manyoftheadultshadbeenlittleapesduringhisboyhood。Hehadfrolickedandplayedaboutthisveryjunglewiththemduringtheirbriefchildhood。Hewonderediftheywouldrememberhim——thememoryofsomeapesisnotoverlong，andtwoyearsmaybeaneternitytothem。
　　Fromthetalkwhichheoverheardhelearnedthattheyhadcometochooseanewking——theirlatechiefhadfallenahundredfeetbeneathabrokenlimbtoanuntimelyend。
　　Tarzanwalkedtotheendofanoverhanginglimbinplainviewofthem。Thequickeyesofafemalecaughtsightofhimfirst。Withabarkinggutturalshecalledtheattentionoftheothers。Severalhugebullsstooderecttogetabetterviewoftheintruder。Withbaredfangsandbristlingneckstheyadvancedslowlytowardhim，withdeep—throated，ominousgrowls。
　　"Karnath，IamTarzanoftheApes，"saidtheape—maninthevernacularofthetribe。"Yourememberme。TogetherweteasedNumawhenwewerestilllittleapes，throwingsticksandnutsathimfromthesafetyofhighbranches。"
　　Thebrutehehadaddressedstoppedwithalookofhalf—
　　comprehending，dullwondermentuponhissavageface。
　　"AndMagor，"continuedTarzan，addressinganother，"doyounotrecallyourformerking——hewhoslewthemightyKerchak？
　　Lookatme！AmInotthesameTarzan——mightyhunter——invinciblefighter——thatyouallknewformanyseasons？"
　　Theapesallcrowdedforwardnow，butmoreincuriositythanthreatening。Theymutteredamongthemselvesforafewmoments。
　　"Whatdoyouwantamongusnow？"askedKarnath。