Todayhelookedforwardtosomeslightrelieffromthemonotonyofhisexistenceinsuchexcitementashemightderivefrombaitingtheblacks。
Itwasnotyetdarkwhenhereachedthevillageandtookhisplaceinthegreattreeoverhangingthepalisade。
Frombeneathcameagreatwailingoutofthedepthsofanear-byhut。ThenoisefelldisagreeablyuponTarzan’sears——itjarredandgrated。Hedidnotlikeit，sohedecidedtogoawayforawhileinthehopesthatitmightcease；butthoughhewasgoneforacoupleofhoursthewailingstillcontinuedwhenhereturned。
Withtheintentionofputtingaviolentterminationtotheannoyingsound，Tarzanslippedsilentlyfromthetreeintotheshadowsbeneath。Creepingstealthilyandkeepingwellinthecoverofotherhuts，heapproachedthatfromwhichrosethesoundsoflamentation。Afireburnedbrightlybeforethedoorwayasitdidbeforeotherdoorwaysinthevillage。
Afewfemalessquattedabout，occasionallyaddingtheirownmournfulhowlingstothoseofthemasterartistwithin。
Theape-mansmiledaslowsmileashethoughtoftheconsternationwhichwouldfollowthequickleapthatwouldcarryhimamongthefemalesandintothefulllightofthefire。
Thenhewoulddartintothehutduringtheexcitement，throttlethechiefscreamer，andbegoneintothejunglebeforetheblackscouldgathertheirscatterednervesforanassault。
ManytimeshadTarzanbehavedsimilarlyinthevillageofMbonga，thechief。Hismysteriousandunexpectedappearancesalwaysfilledthebreastsofthepoor，superstitiousblackswiththepanicofterror；never，itseemed，couldtheyaccustomthemselvestothesightofhim。Itwasthisterrorwhichlenttotheadventuresthespiceofinterestandamusementwhichthehumanmindoftheape-mancraved。Merelytokillwasnotinitselfsufficient。Accustomedtothesightofdeath，Tarzanfoundnogreatpleasureinit。LongsincehadheavengedthedeathofKala，butintheaccomplishmentofit，hehadlearnedtheexcitementandthepleasuretobederivedfromthebaitingoftheblacks。Ofthishenevertired。
Itwasjustashewasabouttospringforwardwithasavageroarthatafigureappearedinthedoorwayofthehut。
Itwasthefigureofthewailerwhomhehadcometostill，thefigureofayoungwomanwithawoodenskewerthroughthesplitseptumofhernose，withaheavymetalornamentdependingfromherlowerlip，whichithaddraggeddowntohideousandrepulsivedeformity，withstrangetattooinguponforehead，cheeks，andbreasts，andawonderfulcoiffurebuiltupwithmudandwire。
Asuddenflareofthefirethrewthegrotesquefigureintohighrelief，andTarzanrecognizedherasMomaya，themotherofTibo。ThefirealsothrewoutafitfulflamewhichcarriedtotheshadowswhereTarzanlurked，pickingouthislightbrownbodyfromthesurroundingdarkness。
Momayasawhimandknewhim。Withacry，sheleapedforwardandTarzancametomeether。Theotherwomen，turning，sawhim，too；buttheydidnotcometowardhim。
Insteadtheyroseasone，shriekedasone，fledasone。
MomayathrewherselfatTarzan’sfeet，raisingsupplicatinghandstowardhimandpouringforthfromhermutilatedlipsaperfectcataractofwords，notoneofwhichtheape-mancomprehended。Foramomenthelookeddownupontheupturned，frightfulfaceofthewoman。
Hehadcometoslay，butthatoverwhelmingtorrentofspeechfilledhimwithconsternationandwithawe。
Heglancedabouthimapprehensively，thenbackatthewoman。
Arevulsionoffeelingseizedhim。HecouldnotkilllittleTibo’smother，norcouldhestandandfacethisverbalgeyser。Withaquickgestureofimpatienceatthespoilingofhisevening’sentertainment，hewheeledandleapedawayintothedarkness。Amomentlaterhewasswingingthroughtheblackjunglenight，thecriesandlamentationsofMomayagrowingfainterinthedistance。
Itwaswithasighofreliefthathefinallyreachedapointfromwhichhecouldnolongerhearthem，andfindingacomfortablecrotchhighamongthetrees，composedhimselfforanightofdreamlessslumber，whileaprowlinglionmoanedandcoughedbeneathhim，andinfar-offEnglandtheotherLordGreystoke，withtheassistanceofavalet，disrobedandcrawledbetweenspotlesssheets，swearingirritablyasacatmeowedbeneathhiswindow。
AsTarzanfollowedthefreshspoorofHorta，theboar，thefollowingmorning，hecameuponthetracksoftwoGomangani，alargeoneandasmallone。Theape-man，accustomedashewastoquestioningcloselyallthatfelltohisperceptions，pausedtoreadthestorywritteninthesoftmudofthegametrail。YouorIwouldhaveseenlittleofinterestthere，evenif，bychance，wecouldhaveseenaught。
Perhapshadonebeentheretopointthemouttous，wemighthavenotedindentationsinthemud，buttherewerecountlessindentations，oneoverlappinganotherintoaconfusionthatwouldhavebeenentirelymeaninglesstous。
ToTarzaneachtolditsownstory。Tantor，theelephant，hadpassedthatwayasrecentlyasthreesunssince。
Numahadhuntedherethenightjustgone，andHorta，theboar，hadwalkedslowlyalongthetrailwithinanhour；
butwhatheldTarzan’sattentionwasthespoortaleoftheGomangani。Ittoldhimthatthedaybeforeanoldmanhadgonetowardthenorthincompanywithalittleboy，andthatwiththemhadbeentwohyenas。
Tarzanscratchedhisheadinpuzzledincredulity。
Hecouldseebytheoverlappingofthefootprintsthatthebeastshadnotbeenfollowingthetwo，forsometimesonewasaheadofthemandonebehind，andagainbothwereinadvance，orbothwereintherear。Itwasverystrangeandquiteinexplicable，especiallywherethespoorshowedwherethehyenasinthewiderportionsofthepathhadwalkedoneoneithersideofthehumanpair，quiteclosetothem。
ThenTarzanreadinthespoorofthesmallerGomanganiashrinkingterrorofthebeastthatbrushedhisside，butinthatoftheoldmanwasnosignoffear。
AtfirstTarzanhadbeensolelyoccupiedbytheremarkablejuxtapositionofthespoorofDangoandGomangani，butnowhiskeeneyescaughtsomethinginthespoorofthelittleGomanganiwhichbroughthimtoasuddenstop。
Itwasasthough，findingaletterintheroad，yousuddenlyhaddiscoveredinitthefamiliarhandwritingofafriend。
"Go-bu-balu！"exclaimedtheape-man，andatoncememoryflasheduponthescreenofrecollectionthesupplicatingattitudeofMomayaasshehadhurledherselfbeforehiminthevillageofMbongathenightbefore。
Instantlyallwasexplained——thewailingandlamentation，thepleadingoftheblackmother，thesympathetichowlingoftheshesaboutthefire。LittleGo-bu-baluhadbeenstolenagain，andthistimebyanotherthanTarzan。
DoubtlessthemotherhadthoughtthathewasagaininthepowerofTarzanoftheApes，andshehadbeenbeseechinghimtoreturnherbalutoher。
Yes，itwasallquiteplainnow；butwhocouldhavestolenGo-bu-baluthistime？Tarzanwondered，andhewondered，too，aboutthepresenceofDango。Hewouldinvestigate。
Thespoorwasadayoldanditrantowardthenorth。
Tarzansetouttofollowit。Inplacesitwastotallyobliteratedbythepassageofmanybeasts，andwherethewaywasrocky，evenTarzanoftheApeswasalmostbaffled；
buttherewasstillthefainteffluviumwhichclungtothehumanspoor，appreciableonlytosuchhighlytrainedperceptivepowersaswereTarzan’s。
IthadallhappenedtolittleTiboverysuddenlyandunexpectedlywithinthebriefspanoftwosuns。FirsthadcomeBukawai，thewitch-doctor——Bukawai，theunclean——withtheraggedbitoffleshwhichstillclungtohisrottingface。
HehadcomealoneandbydaytotheplaceattheriverwhereMomayawentdailytowashherbodyandthatofTibo，herlittleboy。HehadsteppedoutfrombehindagreatbushquiteclosetoMomaya，frighteninglittleTibosothatheranscreamingtohismother’sprotectingarms。
ButMomaya，thoughstartled，hadwheeledtofacethefearsomethingwithallthesavageferocityofashe-tigeratbay。Whenshesawwhoitwas，shebreathedasighofpartialrelief，thoughshestillclungtightlytoTibo。
"Ihavecome，"saidBukawaiwithoutpreliminary，"forthethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthebitofcopperwireaslongasatallman’sarm。"
"Ihavenogoatsforyou，"snappedMomaya，"norasleepingmat，noranywire。Yourmedicinewasnevermade。ThewhitejunglegodgavemebackmyTibo。Youhadnothingtodowithit。"
"ButIdid，"mumbledBukawaithroughhisfleshlessjaws。
"ItwasIwhocommandedthewhitejunglegodtogivebackyourTibo。"
Momayalaughedinhisface。"Speakeroflies，"shecried，"gobacktoyourfouldenandyourhyenas。Gobackandhideyourstinkingfaceinthebellyofthemountain，lestthesun，seeingit，coverhisfacewithablackcloud。"
"Ihavecome，"reiteratedBukawai，"forthethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthebitofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarm，whichyouweretopaymeforthereturnofyourTibo。"
"Itwastobethelengthofaman’sforearm，"correctedMomaya，"butyoushallhavenothing，oldthief。YouwouldnotmakemedicineuntilIhadbroughtthepaymentinadvance，andwhenIwasreturningtomyvillagethegreat，whitejunglegodgavemebackmyTibo——gavehimtomeoutofthejawsofNuma。Hismedicineistruemedicine——yoursistheweakmedicineofanoldmanwithaholeinhisface。"
"Ihavecome，"repeatedBukawaipatiently，"forthethreefat——"ButMomayahadnotwaitedtohearmoreofwhatshealreadyknewbyheart。ClaspingTiboclosetoherside，shewashurryingawaytowardthepalisadedvillageofMbonga，thechief。
Andthenextday，whenMomayawasworkingintheplantainfieldwithothersofthewomenofthetribe，andlittleTibohadbeenplayingattheedgeofthejungle，castingasmallspearinanticipationofthedistantdaywhenheshouldbeafull-fledgedwarrior，Bukawaihadcomeagain。
Tibohadseenasquirrelscamperinguptheboleofagreattree。Hischildishmindhadtransformeditintothemenacingfigureofahostilewarrior。LittleTibohadraisedhistinyspear，hisheartfilledwiththesavagebloodlustofhisrace，ashepicturedthenight’sorgywhenheshoulddanceaboutthecorpseofhishumankillasthewomenofhistribepreparedthemeatforthefeasttofollow。
Butwhenhecastthespear，hemissedbothsquirrelandtree，losinghismissilefaramongthetangledundergrowthofthejungle。However，itcouldbebutafewstepswithintheforbiddenlabyrinth。Thewomenwereallaboutinthefield。Therewerewarriorsonguardwithineasyhail，andsolittleTiboboldlyventuredintothedarkplace。
Justbehindthescreenofcreepersandmattedfoliagelurkedthreehorridfigures——anold，oldman，blackasthepit，withafacehalfeatenawaybyleprosy，hissharp-filedteeth，theteethofacannibal，showingyellowandrepulsivethroughthegreatgapingholewherehismouthandnosehadbeen。Andbesidehim，equallyhideous，stoodtwopowerfulhyenas——carrion-eatersconsortingwithcarrion。
Tibodidnotseethemuntil，headdown，hehadforcedhiswaythroughthethicklygrowingvinesinsearchofhislittlespear，andthenitwastoolate。AshelookedupintothefaceofBukawai，theoldwitch-doctorseizedhim，mufflinghisscreamswithapalmacrosshismouth。
Tibostruggledfutilely。
Amomentlaterhewasbeinghustledawaythroughthedarkandterriblejungle，thefrightfuloldmanstillmufflinghisscreams，andthetwohideoushyenaspacingnowoneitherside，nowbefore，nowbehind，alwaysprowling，alwaysgrowling，snapping，snarling，or，worstofall，laughinghideously。
TolittleTibo，whowithinhisbriefexistencehadpassedthroughsuchexperiencesasaregiventofewtopassthroughinalifetime，thenorthwardjourneywasanightmareofterror。Hethoughtnowofthetimethathehadbeenwiththegreat，whitejunglegod，andheprayedwithallhislittlesoulthathemightbebackagainwiththewhite-skinnedgiantwhoconsortedwiththehairytreemen。
Terror-strickenhehadbeenthen，buthissurroundingshadbeennothingbycomparisonwiththosewhichhenowendured。
TheoldmanseldomaddressedTibo，thoughhekeptupanalmostcontinuousmumblingthroughoutthelongday。
Tibocaughtrepeatedreferencestofatgoats，sleepingmats，andpiecesofcopperwire。"Tenfatgoats，tenfatgoats，"
theoldNegrowouldcroonoverandoveragain。BythislittleTiboguessedthatthepriceofhisransomhadrisen。
Tenfatgoats？Wherewouldhismothergettenfatgoats，orthinones，either，forthatmatter，tobuybackjustapoorlittleboy？Mbongawouldneverletherhavethem，andTiboknewthathisfatherneverhadownedmorethanthreegoatsatthesametimeinallhislife。Tenfatgoats！Tibosniffled。Theputridoldmanwouldkillhimandeathim，forthegoatswouldneverbeforthcoming。
Bukawaiwouldthrowhisbonestothehyenas。Thelittleblackboyshudderedandbecamesoweakthathealmostfellinhistracks。Bukawaicuffedhimonanearandjerkedhimalong。
AfterwhatseemedaneternitytoTibo，theyarrivedatthemouthofacavebetweentworockyhills。Theopeningwaslowandnarrow。Afewsaplingsboundtogetherwithstripsofrawhidecloseditagainststraybeasts。
BukawairemovedtheprimitivedoorandpushedTibowithin。
Thehyenas，snarling，rushedpasthimandwerelosttoviewintheblacknessoftheinterior。BukawaireplacedthesaplingsandseizingTiboroughlybythearm，draggedhimalonganarrow，rockypassage。Thefloorwascomparativelysmooth，forthedirtwhichlaythickuponithadbeentroddenandtrampedbymanyfeetuntilfewinequalitiesremained。
Thepassagewastortuous，andasitwasverydarkandthewallsroughandrocky，Tibowasscratchedandbruisedfromthemanybumpshereceived。Bukawaiwalkedasrapidlythroughthewindinggalleryasonewouldtraverseafamiliarlanebydaylight。Hekneweverytwistandturnasamotherknowsthefaceofherchild，andheseemedtobeinahurry。HejerkedpoorlittleTibopossiblyatriflemoreruthlesslythannecessaryevenatthepaceBukawaiset；buttheoldwitch-doctor，anoutcastfromthesocietyofman，diseased，shunned，hated，feared，wasfarfrompossessinganangelictemper。
Naturehadgivenhimfewofthekindliercharacteristicsofman，andthesefewFatehaderadicatedentirely。
Shrewd，cunning，cruel，vindictive，wasBukawai，thewitch-doctor。
Frightfultaleswerewhisperedofthecrueltorturesheinflicteduponhisvictims。Childrenwerefrightenedintoobediencebythethreatofhisname。OftenhadTibobeenthusfrightened，andnowhewasreapingagrislyharvestofterrorfromtheseedshismotherhadinnocentlysown。
Thedarkness，thepresenceofthedreadedwitch-doctor，thepainofthecontusions，withahauntingpremonitionofthefuture，andthefearofthehyenascombinedtoalmostparalyzethechild。HestumbledandreeleduntilBukawaiwasdraggingratherthanleadinghim。
PresentlyTibosawafaintlightnessaheadofthem，andamomentlatertheyemergedintoaroughlycircularchambertowhichalittledaylightfilteredthroughariftintherockyceiling。Thehyenaswerethereaheadofthem，waiting。AsBukawaienteredwithTibo，thebeastsslunktowardthem，baringyellowfangs。
Theywerehungry。TowardTibotheycame，andonesnappedathisnakedlegs。Bukawaiseizedastickfromthefloorofthechamberandstruckaviciousblowatthebeast，atthesametimemumblingforthavolleyofexecrations。
Thehyenadodgedandrantothesideofthechamber，wherehestoodgrowling。Bukawaitookasteptowardthecreature，whichbristledwithrageathisapproach。Fearandhatredshotfromitsevileyes，but，fortunatelyforBukawai，fearpredominated。
Seeingthathewasunnoticed，thesecondbeastmadeashort，quickrushforTibo。Thechildscreamedanddartedafterthewitch-doctor，whonowturnedhisattentiontothesecondhyena。Thisonehereachedwithhisheavystick，strikingitrepeatedlyanddrivingittothewall。
Therethetwocarrion-eaterscommencedtocirclethechamberwhilethehumancarrion，theirmaster，nowinaperfectfrenzyofdemoniacalrage，rantoandfroinanefforttointerceptthem，strikingoutwithhiscudgelandlashingthemwithhistongue，callingdownuponthemthecursesofwhatevergodsanddemonshecouldsummontomemory，anddescribinginluridfigurestheignominyoftheirancestors。
Severaltimesoneortheotherofthebeastswouldturntomakeastandagainstthewitch-doctor，andthenTibowouldholdhisbreathinagonizedterror，forneverinhisbrieflifehadheseensuchfrightfulhatreddepicteduponthecountenanceofmanorbeast；butalwaysfearovercametherageofthesavagecreatures，sothattheyresumedtheirflight，snarlingandbare-fanged，justatthemomentthatTibowascertaintheywouldspringatBukawai’sthroat。
Atlastthewitch-doctortiredofthefutilechase。
Withasnarlquiteasbestialasthoseofthebeast，heturnedtowardTibo。"Igotocollectthetenfatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthetwopiecesofcopperwirethatyourmotherwillpayforthemedicineIshallmaketobringyoubacktoher，"hesaid。"Youwillstayhere。
There，"andhepointedtowardthepassagewhichtheyhadfollowedtothechamber，"Iwillleavethehyenas。
Ifyoutrytoescape，theywilleatyou。"
Hecastasidethestickandcalledtothebeasts。
Theycame，snarlingandslinking，theirtailsbetweentheirlegs。Bukawailedthemtothepassageanddrovethemintoit。Thenhedraggedarudelatticeintoplacebeforetheopeningafterhe，himself，hadleftthechamber。"Thiswillkeepthemfromyou，"hesaid。
"IfIdonotgetthetenfatgoatsandtheotherthings，theyshallatleasthaveafewbonesafterIamthrough。"
Andhelefttheboytothinkoverthemeaningofhisall-too-suggestivewords。
Whenhewasgone，Tibothrewhimselfupontheearthfloorandbrokeintochildishsobsofterrorandloneliness。
HeknewthathismotherhadnotenfatgoatstogiveandthatwhenBukawaireturned，littleTibowouldbekilledandeaten。Howlonghelaytherehedidnotknow，butpresentlyhewasarousedbythegrowlingofthehyenas。Theyhadreturnedthroughthepassageandwereglaringathimfrombeyondthelattice。Hecouldseetheiryelloweyesblazingthroughthedarkness。
Theyrearedupandclawedatthebarrier。Tiboshiveredandwithdrewtotheoppositesideofthechamber。Hesawthelatticesagandswaytotheattacksofthebeasts。
Momentarilyheexpectedthatitwouldfallinward，lettingthecreaturesuponhim。
Wearilythehorror-riddenhoursdraggedtheirslowway。
Nightcame，andforatimeTiboslept，butitseemedthatthehungrybeastsneverslept。Alwaystheystoodjustbeyondthelatticegrowlingtheirhideousgrowlsorlaughingtheirhideouslaughs。Throughthenarrowriftintherockyroofabovehim，Tibocouldseeafewstars，andoncethemooncrossed。Atlastdaylightcameagain。
Tibowasveryhungryandthirsty，forhehadnoteatensincethemorningbefore，andonlyonceuponthelongmarchhadhebeenpermittedtodrink，butevenhungerandthirstwerealmostforgottenintheterrorofhisposition。
Itwasafterdaylightthatthechilddiscoveredasecondopeninginthewallsofthesubterraneanchamber，almostoppositethatatwhichthehyenasstillstoodglaringhungrilyathim。Itwasonlyanarrowslitintherockywall。Itmightleadinbutafewfeet，oritmightleadtofreedom！Tiboapproacheditandlookedwithin。Hecouldseenothing。Heextendedhisarmintotheblackness，buthedarednotventurefarther。
Bukawaineverwouldhaveleftopenawayofescape，Tiboreasoned，sothispassagemustleadeithernowhereortosomestillmorehideousdanger。
Totheboy’sfearoftheactualdangerswhichmenacedhim——Bukawaiandthetwohyenas——hissuperstitionaddedcountlessothersquitetoohorribleeventoname，forinthelivesoftheblacks，throughtheshadowsofthejungledayandtheblackhorrorsofthejunglenight，flitstrange，fantasticshapespeoplingthealreadyhideouslypeopledforestswithmenacingfigures，asthoughthelionandtheleopard，thesnakeandthehyena，andthecountlesspoisonousinsectswerenotquitesufficienttostriketerrortotheheartsofthepoor，simplecreatureswhoselotiscastinearth’smostfearsomespot。
AndsoitwasthatlittleTibocringednotonlyfromrealmenacesbutfromimaginaryones。Hewasafraideventoventureuponaroadthatmightleadtoescape，lestBukawaihadsettowatchitsomefrightfuldemonofthejungle。
Buttherealmenacessuddenlydrovetheimaginaryonesfromtheboy’smind，forwiththecomingofdaylightthehalf-famishedhyenasrenewedtheireffortstobreakdownthefrailbarrierwhichkeptthemfromtheirprey。
Rearingupontheirhindfeettheyclawedandstruckatthelattice。WithwideeyesTibosawitsagandrock。
Notforlong，heknew，coulditwithstandtheassaultsofthesetwopowerfulanddeterminedbrutes。Alreadyonecornerhadbeenforcedpasttherockyprotuberanceoftheentrancewaywhichhadhelditinplace。Ashaggyforearmprotrudedintothechamber。Tibotrembledaswithague，forheknewthattheendwasnear。
Backingagainstthefartherwallhestoodflattenedoutasfarfromthebeastsashecouldget。Hesawthelatticegivestillmore。Hesawasavage，snarlingheadforcedpastit，andgrinningjawssnappingandgapingtowardhim。
Inanotherinstantthepitifulfabricwouldfallinward，andthetwowouldbeuponhim，rendinghisfleshfromhisbones，gnawingthebonesthemselves，fightingforpossessionofhisentrails。
***
BukawaicameuponMomayaoutsidethepalisadeofMbonga，thechief。Atsightofhimthewomandrewbackinrevulsion，thensheflewathim，toothandnail；butBukawaithreateningherwithaspearheldheratasafedistance。
"Whereismybaby？"shecried。"WhereismylittleTibo？"
Bukawaiopenedhiseyesinwell-simulatedamazement。
"Yourbaby！"heexclaimed。"WhatshouldIknowofhim，otherthanthatIrescuedhimfromthewhitegodofthejungleandhavenotyetreceivedmypay。
Icomeforthegoatsandthesleepingmatandthepieceofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertothetipsofhisfingers。""Offalofahyena！"
shriekedMomaya。"Mychildhasbeenstolen，andyou，rottingfragmentofaman，havetakenhim。ReturnhimtomeorIshalltearyoureyesfromyourheadandfeedyourhearttothewildhogs。"
Bukawaishruggedhisshoulders。"WhatdoIknowaboutyourchild？"heasked。"Ihavenottakenhim。Ifheisstolenagain，whatshouldBukawaiknowofthematter？DidBukawaistealhimbefore？No，thewhitejunglegodstolehim，andifhestolehimoncehewouldstealhimagain。
Itisnothingtome。IreturnedhimtoyoubeforeandI
havecomeformypay。Ifheisgoneandyouwouldhavehimreturned，Bukawaiwillreturnhim——fortenfatgoats，anewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertothetipsofhisfingers，andBukawaiwillsaynothingmoreaboutthegoatsandthesleepingmatandthecopperwirewhichyouweretopayforthefirstmedicine。"
"Tenfatgoats！"screamedMomaya。"Icouldnotpayyoutenfatgoatsinasmanyyears。Tenfatgoats，indeed！"
"Tenfatgoats，"repeatedBukawai。"Tenfatgoats，thenewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthof——"
Momayastoppedhimwithanimpatientgesture。
"Wait！shecried。"Ihavenogoats。Youwasteyourbreath。
StayherewhileIgotomyman。Hehasbutthreegoats，yetsomethingmaybedone。Wait！"
Bukawaisatdownbeneathatree。Hefeltquitecontent，forheknewthatheshouldhaveeitherpaymentorrevenge。
Hedidnotfearharmatthehandsofthesepeopleofanothertribe，althoughhewellknewthattheymustfearandhatehim。Hisleprosyalonewouldpreventtheirlayinghandsuponhim，whilehisreputationasawitch-doctorrenderedhimdoublyimmunefromattack。
HewasplanninguponcompellingthemtodrivethetengoatstothemouthofhiscavewhenMomayareturned。
Withherwerethreewarriors——Mbonga，thechief，RabbaKega，thevillagewitch-doctor，andIbeto，Tibo’sfather。
Theywerenotprettymenevenunderordinarycircumstances，andnow，withtheirfacesmarkedbyanger，theywellmighthaveinspiredterrorintheheartofanyone；
butifBukawaifeltanyfear，hedidnotbetrayit。
Insteadhegreetedthemwithaninsolentstare，intendedtoawethem，astheycameandsquattedinasemi-circlebeforehim。
"WhereisIbeto’sson？"askedMbonga。
"HowshouldIknow？"returnedBukawai。"Doubtlessthewhitedevil-godhashim。IfIampaidIwillmakestrongmedicineandthenweshallknowwhereisIbeto’sson，andshallgethimbackagain。Itwasmymedicinewhichgothimbackthelasttime，forwhichIgotnopay。"
"Ihavemyownwitch-doctortomakemedicine，"
repliedMbongawithdignity。
Bukawaisneeredandrosetohisfeet。"Verywell，"
hesaid，"lethimmakehismedicineandseeifhecanbringIbeto’ssonback。"Hetookafewstepsawayfromthem，andthenheturnedangrilyback。
"Hismedicinewillnotbringthechildback——thatIknow，andIalsoknowthatwhenyoufindhimitwillbetoolateforanymedicinetobringhimback，forhewillbedead。
ThishaveIjustfoundout，theghostofmyfather’ssisterbutnowcametomeandtoldme。"
NowMbongaandRabbaKegamightnottakemuchstockintheirownmagic，andtheymightevenbeskepticalastothemagicofanother；buttherewasalwaysachanceofSOMETHINGbeinginit，especiallyifitwerenottheirown。WasitnotwellknownthatoldBukawaihadspeechwiththedemonsthemselvesandthattwoevenlivedwithhimintheformsofhyenas！Stilltheymustnotaccedetoohastily。Therewasthepricetobeconsidered，andMbongahadnointentionofpartinglightlywithtengoatstoobtainthereturnofasinglelittleboywhomightdieofsmallpoxlongbeforehereachedawarrior’sestate。
"Wait，"saidMbonga。"Letusseesomeofyourmagic，thatwemayknowifitbegoodmagic。Thenwecantalkaboutpayment。RabbaKegawillmakesomemagic，too。
Wewillseewhomakesthebestmagic。Sitdown，Bukawai。"
"Thepaymentwillbetengoats——fatgoats——anewsleepingmatandtwopiecesofcopperwirethelengthofatallman’sarmfromtheshouldertotheendsofhisfingers，anditwillbemadeinadvance，thegoatsbeingdriventomycave。ThenwillImakethemedicine，andontheseconddaytheboywillbereturnedtohismother。
Itcannotbedonemorequicklythanthatbecauseittakestimetomakesuchstrongmedicine。"
"Makeussomemedicinenow，"saidMbonga。"Letusseewhatsortofmedicineyoumake。"
"Bringmefire，"repliedBukawai，"andIwillmakeyoualittlemagic。"
Momayawasdispatchedforthefire，andwhileshewasawayMbongadickeredwithBukawaiabouttheprice。Tengoats，hesaid，wasahighpriceforanable-bodiedwarrior。
HealsocalledBukawai’sattentiontothefactthathe，Mbonga，wasverypoor，thathispeoplewereverypoor，andthattengoatswereatleasteighttoomany，tosaynothingofanewsleepingmatandthecopperwire；
butBukawaiwasadamant。Hismedicinewasveryexpensiveandhewouldhavetogiveatleastfivegoatstothegodswhohelpedhimmakeit。TheywerestillarguingwhenMomayareturnedwiththefire。
Bukawaiplacedalittleonthegroundbeforehim，tookapinchofpowderfromapouchathissideandsprinkleditontheembers。Acloudofsmokerosewithapuff。
Bukawaiclosedhiseyesandrockedbackandforth。
Thenhemadeafewpassesintheairandpretendedtoswoon。Mbongaandtheothersweremuchimpressed。
RabbaKegagrewnervous。Hesawhisreputationwaning。
TherewassomefireleftinthevesselwhichMomayahadbrought。Heseizedthevessel，droppedahandfulofdryleavesintoitwhilenoonewaswatchingandthenutteredafrightfulscreamwhichdrewtheattentionofBukawai’saudiencetohim。ItalsobroughtBukawaiquitemiraculouslyoutofhisswoon，butwhentheoldwitch-doctorsawthereasonforthedisturbancehequicklyrelapsedintounconsciousnessbeforeanyonediscoveredhisFAUX
PAS。
RabbaKega，seeingthathehadtheattentionofMbonga，Ibeto，andMomaya，blewsuddenlyintothevessel，withtheresultthattheleavescommencedtosmolder，andsmokeissuedfromthemouthofthereceptacle。
RabbaKegawascarefultoholditsothatnonemightseethedryleaves。Theireyesopenedwideatthisremarkabledemonstrationofthevillagewitch-doctor’spowers。
Thelatter，greatlyelated，lethimselfout。Heshouted，jumpedupanddown，andmadefrightfulgrimaces；thenheputhisfacecloseoverthemouthofthevesselandappearedtobecommuningwiththespiritswithin。
ItwaswhilehewasthusengagedthatBukawaicameoutofhistrance，hiscuriosityfinallyhavinggottenthebetterofhim。Noonewaspayinghimtheslightestattention。
Heblinkedhisoneeyeangrily，thenhe，too，letoutaloudroar，andwhenhewassurethatMbongahadturnedtowardhim，hestiffenedrigidlyandmadespasmodicmovementswithhisarmsandlegs。
"Iseehim！"hecried。"Heisfaraway。Thewhitedevil-goddidnotgethim。Heisaloneandingreatdanger；
but，"headded，"ifthetenfatgoatsandtheotherthingsarepaidtomequicklythereisyettimetosavehim。"
RabbaKegahadpausedtolisten。Mbongalookedtowardhim。
Thechiefwasinaquandary。Hedidnotknowwhichmedicinewasthebetter。"Whatdoesyourmagictellyou？"
heaskedofRabbaKega。
"I，too，seehim，"screamedRabbaKega；"butheisnotwhereBukawaisaysheis。Heisdeadatthebottomoftheriver。"
AtthisMomayacommencedtohowlloudly。
Tarzanhadfollowedthespooroftheoldman，thetwohyenas，andthelittleblackboytothemouthofthecaveintherockycanonbetweenthetwohills。
HerehepausedamomentbeforethesaplingbarrierwhichBukawaihadsetup，listeningtothesnarlsandgrowlswhichcamefaintlyfromthefarrecessesofthecavern。
Presently，mingledwiththebeastlycries，therecamefaintlytothekeenearsoftheape-man，theagonizedmoanofachild。NolongerdidTarzanhesitate。
Hurlingthedooraside，hesprangintothedarkopening。
Narrowandblackwasthecorridor；butlonguseofhiseyesintheStygianblacknessofthejunglenightshadgiventotheape-mansomethingofthenocturnalvisionarypowersofthewildthingswithwhichhehadconsortedsincebabyhood。
Hemovedrapidlyandyetwithcaution，fortheplacewasdark，unfamiliarandwinding。Asheadvanced，heheardmoreandmoreloudlythesavagesnarlsofthetwohyenas，mingledwiththescrapingandscratchingoftheirpawsuponwood。Themoansofachildgrewinvolume，andTarzanrecognizedinthemthevoiceofthelittleblackboyheoncehadsoughttoadoptashisbalu。
Therewasnohysteriaintheape-man’sadvance。
Tooaccustomedwashetothepassingoflifeinthejungletobegreatlywroughtevenbythedeathofonewhomheknew；butthelustforbattlespurredhimon。
Hewasonlyawildbeastatheartandhiswildbeast’sheartbeathighinanticipationofconflict。
Intherockychamberofthehill’scenter，littleTibocrouchedlowagainstthewallasfarfromthehunger-crazedbeastsashecoulddraghimself。Hesawthelatticegivingtothefranticclawingofthehyenas。Heknewthatinafewminuteshislittlelifewouldflickerouthorriblybeneaththerending，yellowfangsoftheseloathsomecreatures。
Beneaththebuffetingsofthepowerfulbodies，thelatticesaggedinward，until，withacrashitgaveway，lettingthecarnivorainupontheboy。
Tibocastoneaffrightedglancetowardthem，thenclosedhiseyesandburiedhisfaceinhisarms，sobbingpiteously。
Foramomentthehyenaspaused，cautionandcowardiceholdingthemfromtheirprey。Theystoodthusglaringatthelad，thenslowly，stealthily，crouching，theycrepttowardhim。
ItwasthusthatTarzancameuponthem，burstingintothechamberswiftlyandsilently；butnotsosilentlythatthekeen-earedbeastsdidnotnotehiscoming。
WithangrygrowlstheyturnedfromTiboupontheape-man，as，withasmileuponhislips，herantowardthem。
Foraninstantoneoftheanimalsstooditsground；
buttheape-mandidnotdeigneventodrawhishuntingknifeagainstdespisedDango。Rushinginuponthebrutehegraspeditbythescruffoftheneck，justasitattemptedtododgepasthim，andhurleditacrossthecavernafteritsfellowwhichalreadywasslinkingintothecorridor，bentuponescape。
ThenTarzanpickedTibofromthefloor，andwhenthechildfelthumanhandsuponhiminsteadofthepawsandfangsofthehyenas，herolledhiseyesupwardinsurpriseandincredulity，andastheyfelluponTarzan，sobsofreliefbrokefromthechildishlipsandhishandsclutchedathisdelivererasthoughthewhitedevil-godwasnotthemostfearedofjunglecreatures。
WhenTarzancametothecavemouththehyenaswerenowhereinsight，andafterpermittingTibotoquenchhisthirstinthespringwhichrosenearby，heliftedtheboytohisshouldersandsetofftowardthejungleatarapidtrot，determinedtostilltheannoyinghowlingsofMomayaasquicklyaspossible，forheshrewdlyhadguessedthattheabsenceofherbaluwasthecauseofherlamentation。
"Heisnotdeadatthebottomoftheriver，"criedBukawai。
"Whatdoesthisfellowknowaboutmakingmagic？Whoishe，anyway，thathedaresayBukawai’smagicisnotgoodmagic？BukawaiseesMomaya’sson。Heisfarawayandaloneandingreatdanger。Hastenthenwiththetenfatgoats，the——"
Buthegotnofurther。Therewasasuddeninterruptionfromabove，fromthebranchesoftheverytreebeneathwhichtheysquatted，andasthefiveblackslookeduptheyalmostswoonedinfrightastheysawthegreat，whitedevil-godlookingdownuponthem；butbeforetheycouldfleetheysawanotherface，thatofthelostlittleTibo，andhisfacewaslaughingandveryhappy。
AndthenTarzandroppedfearlesslyamongthem，theboystilluponhisback，anddepositedhimbeforehismother。
Momaya，Ibeto，RabbaKega，andMbongawereallcrowdingaroundtheladtryingtoquestionhimatthesametime。
SuddenlyMomayaturnedferociouslytofalluponBukawai，fortheboyhadtoldherallthathehadsufferedatthehandsofthecrueloldman；butBukawaiwasnolongerthere——hehadrequirednorecoursetoblackarttoassurehimthatthevicinityofMomayawouldbenohealthfulplaceforhimafterTibohadtoldhisstory，andnowhewasrunningthroughthejungleasfastashisoldlegswouldcarryhimtowardthedistantlairwhereheknewnoblackwoulddarepursuehim。
Tarzan，too，hadvanished，ashehadawayofdoing，tothemystificationoftheblacks。ThenMomaya’seyeslighteduponRabbaKega。Thevillagewitch-doctorsawsomethinginthoseeyesofherswhichbodednogoodtohim，andbackedaway。
"SomyTiboisdeadatthebottomoftheriver，ishe？"
thewomanshrieked。"Andhe’sfarawayandaloneandingreatdanger，ishe？Magic！"ThescornwhichMomayacrowdedintothatsinglewordwouldhavedonecredittoaThespianofthefirstmagnitude。"Magic，indeed！"shescreamed。
"Momayawillshowyousomemagicofherown，"andwiththatsheseizeduponabrokenlimbandstruckRabbaKegaacrossthehead。Withahowlofpain，themanturnedandfled，Momayapursuinghimandbeatinghimacrosstheshoulders，throughthegatewayandupthelengthofthevillagestreet，totheintenseamusementofthewarriors，thewomen，andthechildrenwhoweresofortunateastowitnessthespectacle，foroneandallfearedRabbaKega，andtofearistohate。
Thusitwasthattohishostofpassiveenemies，TarzanoftheApesaddedthatdaytwoactivefoes，bothofwhomremainedawakelongintothenightplanningmeansofrevengeuponthewhitedevil-godwhohadbroughtthemintoridiculeanddisrepute，butwiththeirmostmalevolentschemingswasmingledaveinofrealfearandawethatwouldnotdown。
YoungLordGreystokedidnotknowthattheyplannedagainsthim，nor，knowing，wouldhavecared。Hesleptaswellthatnightashedidonanyothernight，andthoughtherewasnoroofabovehim，andnodoorstolockagainstintruders，hesleptmuchbetterthanhisnoblerelativeinEngland，whohadeatenaltogethertoomuchlobsteranddranktoomuchwineatdinnerthatnight。
7
TheEndofBukawaiWHENTARZANOFtheApeswasstillbutaboyhehadlearned，amongotherthings，tofashionpliantropesoffibrousjunglegrass。StrongandtoughweretheropesofTarzan，thelittleTarmangani。Tublat，hisfosterfather，wouldhavetoldyouthismuchandmore。HadyoutemptedhimwithahandfuloffatcaterpillarsheevenmighthavesufficientlyunbendedtonarratetoyouafewstoriesofthemanyindignitieswhichTarzanhadheapeduponhimbymeansofhishatedrope；butthenTublatalwaysworkedhimselfintosuchafrightfulragewhenhedevotedanyconsiderablethoughteithertotheropeortoTarzan，thatitmightnothaveprovedcomfortableforyoutohaveremainedcloseenoughtohimtohearwhathehadtosay。
SooftenhadthatsnakelikenoosesettledunexpectedlyoverTublat’shead，sooftenhadhebeenjerkedridiculouslyandpainfullyfromhisfeetwhenhewasleastlookingforsuchanoccurrence，thatthereislittlewonderhefoundscantspaceinhissavageheartforloveofhiswhite-skinnedfosterchild，ortheinventionsthereof。
Therehadbeenothertimes，too，whenTublathadswunghelplesslyinmidair，thenoosetighteningabouthisneck，deathstaringhimintheface，andlittleTarzandancinguponanear-bylimb，tauntinghimandmakingunseemlygrimaces。
Thentherehadbeenanotheroccasioninwhichtheropehadfiguredprominently——anoccasion，andtheonlyoneconnectedwiththerope，whichTublatrecalledwithpleasure。Tarzan，asactiveinbrainashewasinbody，wasalwaysinventingnewwaysinwhichtoplay。
Itwasthroughthemediumofplaythathelearnedmuchduringhischildhood。Thisdayhelearnedsomething，andthathedidnotlosehislifeinthelearningofit，wasamatterofgreatsurprisetoTarzan，andtheflyintheointment，toTublat。
Theman-childhad，inthrowinghisnooseataplaymateinatreeabovehim，caughtaprojectingbranchinstead。
Whenhetriedtoshakeitlooseitbutdrewthetighter。
ThenTarzanstartedtoclimbtheropetoremoveitfromthebranch。Whenhewaspartwayupafrolicsomeplaymateseizedthatpartoftheropewhichlayuponthegroundandranoffwithitasfarashecouldgo。
WhenTarzanscreamedathimtodesist，theyoungapereleasedtheropealittleandthendrewittightagain。
TheresultwastoimpartaswingingmotiontoTarzan’sbodywhichtheape-boysuddenlyrealizedwasanewandpleasurableformofplay。HeurgedtheapetocontinueuntilTarzanwasswingingtoandfroasfarastheshortlengthofropewouldpermit，butthedistancewasnotgreatenough，and，too，hewasnotfarenoughabovethegroundtogivethenecessarythrillswhichaddsogreatlytothepastimesoftheyoung。
Soheclamberedtothebranchwherethenoosewascaughtandafterremovingitcarriedtheropefaraloftandoutuponalongandpowerfulbranch。Hereheagainmadeitfast，andtakingthelooseendinhishand，clamberedquicklydownamongthebranchesasfarastheropewouldpermithimtogo；thenheswungoutupontheendofit，hislithe，youngbodyturningandtwisting——ahumanbobuponapendulumofgrass——thirtyfeetabovetheground。
Ah，howdelectable！Thiswasindeedanewplayofthefirstmagnitude。Tarzanwasentranced。Soonhediscoveredthatbywrigglinghisbodyinjusttherightwayatthepropertimehecoulddiminishoracceleratehisoscillation，and，beingaboy，hechose，naturally，toaccelerate。
Presentlyhewasswingingfarandwide，whilebelowhim，theapesofthetribeofKerchaklookedoninmildamaze。
HaditbeenyouorIswingingthereattheendofthatgrassrope，thethingwhichpresentlyhappenedwouldnothavehappened，forwecouldnothavehungonsolongastohavemadeitpossible；butTarzanwasquiteasmuchathomeswingingbyhishandsashewasstandinguponhisfeet，or，atleast，almost。Atanyratehefeltnofatiguelongafterthetimethatanordinarymortalwouldhavebeennumbwiththestrainofthephysicalexertion。
Andthiswashisundoing。
Tublatwaswatchinghimaswereothersofthetribe。
Ofallthecreaturesofthewild，therewasnoneTublatsocordiallyhatedashedidthishideous，hairless，white-skinned，caricatureofanape。ButforTarzan’snimbleness，andthezealouswatchfulnessofsavageKala’smotherlove，Tublatwouldlongsincehaveridhimselfofthisstainuponhisfamilyescutcheon。SolonghaditbeensinceTarzanbecameamemberofthetribe，thatTublathadforgottenthecircumstancessurroundingtheentranceofthejunglewaifintohisfamily，withtheresultthathenowimaginedthatTarzanwashisownoffspring，addinggreatlytohischagrin。
WideandfarswungTarzanoftheApes，untilatlast，ashereachedthehighestpointofthearctherope，whichrapidlyhadfrayedontheroughbarkofthetreelimb，partedsuddenly。Thewatchingapessawthesmooth，brownbodyshootoutward，anddown，plummet-like。Tublatleapedhighintheair，emittingwhatinahumanbeingwouldhavebeenanexclamationofdelight。ThiswouldbetheendofTarzanandmostofTublat’stroubles。
Fromnowonhecouldleadhislifeinpeaceandsecurity。
Tarzanfellquitefortyfeet，alightingonhisbackinathickbush。
Kalawasthefirsttoreachhisside——ferocious，hideous，lovingKala。Shehadseenthelifecrushedfromherownbaluinjustsuchafallyearsbefore。Wasshetolosethisonetoointhesameway？Tarzanwaslyingquitestillwhenshefoundhim，embeddeddeeplyinthebush。
IttookKalaseveralminutestodisentanglehimanddraghimforth；buthewasnotkilled。Hewasnotevenbadlyinjured。Thebushhadbrokentheforceofthefall。
Acutuponthebackofhisheadshowedwherehehadstruckthetoughstemoftheshrubandexplainedhisunconsciousness。
Inafewminuteshewasasactiveasever。Tublatwasfurious。
Inhisragehesnappedatafellow-apewithoutfirstdiscoveringtheidentityofhisvictim，andwasbadlymauledforhisilltemper，havingchosentoventhisspiteuponahuskyandbelligerentyoungbullinthefullprimeofhisvigor。
ButTarzanhadlearnedsomethingnew。Hehadlearnedthatcontinuedfrictionwouldwearthroughthestrandsofhisrope，thoughitwasmanyyearsbeforethisknowledgedidmoreforhimthanmerelytokeephimfromswingingtoolongatatime，ortoofarabovethegroundattheendofhisrope。
Thedaycame，however，whentheverythingthathadonceallbutkilledhimprovedthemeansofsavinghislife。
Hewasnolongerachild，butamightyjunglemale。
Therewasnonenowtowatchoverhim，solicitously，nordidheneedsuch。Kalawasdead。Dead，too，wasTublat，andthoughwithKalapassedtheonecreaturethateverreallyhadlovedhim，therewerestillmanywhohatedhimafterTublatdeparteduntothearmsofhisfathers。
Itwasnotthathewasmorecruelormoresavagethantheythattheyhatedhim，forthoughhewasbothcruelandsavageaswerethebeasts，hisfellows，yettoowasheoftentender，whichtheyneverwere。No，thethingwhichbroughtTarzanmostintodisreputewiththosewhodidnotlikehim，wasthepossessionandpracticeofacharacteristicwhichtheyhadnotandcouldnotunderstand——thehumansenseofhumor。InTarzanitwasatriflebroad，perhaps，manifestingitselfinroughandpainfulpracticaljokesuponhisfriendsandcruelbaitingofhisenemies。
ButtoneitherofthesedidheowetheenmityofBukawai，thewitch-doctor，whodweltinthecavebetweenthetwohillsfartothenorthofthevillageofMbonga，thechief。
BukawaiwasjealousofTarzan，andBukawaiitwaswhocamenearprovingtheundoingoftheape-man。FormonthsBukawaihadnursedhishatredwhilerevengeseemedremoteindeed，sinceTarzanoftheApesfrequentedanotherpartofthejungle，milesawayfromthelairofBukawai。
Onlyoncehadtheblackwitch-doctorseenthedevil-god，ashewasmostoftencalledamongtheblacks，anduponthatoccasionTarzanhadrobbedhimofafatfee，atthesametimeputtingthelieinthemouthofBukawai，andmakinghismedicineseempoormedicine。AllthisBukawainevercouldforgive，thoughitseemedunlikelythattheopportunitywouldcometoberevenged。
Yetitdidcome，andquiteunexpectedly。Tarzanwashuntingfartothenorth。Hehadwanderedawayfromthetribe，ashedidmoreandmoreoftenasheapproachedmaturity，tohuntaloneforafewdays。Asachildhehadenjoyedrompingandplayingwiththeyoungapes，hiscompanions；
butnowtheseplay-fellowsofhishadgrowntosurly，loweringbulls，ortotouchy，suspiciousmothers，jealouslyguardinghelplessbalus。SoTarzanfoundinhisownman-mindagreaterandatruercompanionshipthananyoralloftheapesofKerchakcouldaffordhim。
Thisday，asTarzanhunted，theskyslowlybecameovercast。
Tornclouds，whippedtoraggedstreamers，fledlowabovethetreetops。TheyremindedTarzanoffrightenedantelopefleeingthechargeofahungrylion。Butthoughthelightcloudsracedsoswiftly，thejunglewasmotionless。
Notaleafquiveredandthesilencewasagreat，deadweight——insupportable。Eventheinsectsseemedstilledbyapprehensionofsomefrightfulthingimpending，andthelargerthingsweresoundless。Suchaforest，suchajunglemighthavestoodthereinthebeginningofthatunthinkablyfar-goneagebeforeGodpeopledtheworldwithlife，whentherewerenosoundsbecausetherewerenoearstohear。
Andoveralllayasickly，pallidocherlightthroughwhichthescourgedcloudsraced。Tarzanhadseenalltheseconditionsmanytimesbefore，yethenevercouldescapeastrangefeelingateachrecurrenceofthem。
Heknewnofear，butinthefaceofNature’smanifestationsofhercruel，immeasurablepowers，hefeltverysmall——verysmallandverylonely。
Nowheheardalowmoaning，faraway。"Thelionsseektheirprey，"hemurmuredtohimself，lookinguponceagainattheswift-flyingclouds。Themoaningrosetoagreatvolumeofsound。"Theycome！"saidTarzanoftheApes，andsoughttheshelterofathicklyfoliagedtree。
QuitesuddenlythetreesbenttheirtopssimultaneouslyasthoughGodhadstretchedahandfromtheheavensandpressedHisflatpalmdownupontheworld。"Theypass！"
whisperedTarzan。"Thelionspass。"Thencameavividflashoflightning，followedbydeafeningthunder。
"Thelionshavesprung，"criedTarzan，"andnowtheyroarabovethebodiesoftheirkills。"
Thetreeswerewavingwildlyinalldirectionsnow，aperfectlydemoniacalwindthreshedthejunglepitilessly。
Inthemidstofittheraincame——notasitcomesuponusofthenorthlands，butinasudden，choking，blindingdeluge。
"Thebloodofthekill，"thoughtTarzan，huddlinghimselfclosertotheboleofthegreattreebeneathwhichhestood。
Hewasclosetotheedgeofthejungle，andatalittledistancehehadseentwohillsbeforethestormbroke；
butnowhecouldseenothing。Itamusedhimtolookoutintothebeatingrain，searchingforthetwohillsandimaginingthatthetorrentsfromabovehadwashedthemaway，yetheknewthatpresentlytherainwouldcease，thesuncomeoutagainandallbeasitwasbefore，exceptwhereafewbrancheshadfallenandhereandtheresomeoldandrottedpatriarchhadcrashedbacktoenrichthesoiluponwhichhehadfattedfor，maybe，centuries。Allabouthimbranchesandleavesfilledtheairorfelltoearth，tornawaybythestrengthofthetornadoandtheweightofthewateruponthem。Agauntcorpsetoppledandfellafewyardsaway；butTarzanwasprotectedfromallthesedangersbythewide-spreadingbranchesofthesturdyyounggiantbeneathwhichhisjunglecrafthadguidedhim。
Heretherewasbutasingledanger，andthataremoteone。
Yetitcame。Withoutwarningthetreeabovehimwasrivenbylightning，andwhentherainceasedandthesuncameoutTarzanlaystretchedashehadfallen，uponhisfaceamidstthewreckageofthejunglegiantthatshouldhaveshieldedhim。
Bukawaicametotheentranceofhiscaveaftertherainandthestormhadpassedandlookedoutuponthescene。
FromhisoneeyeBukawaicouldsee；buthadhehadadozeneyeshecouldhavefoundnobeautyinthefreshsweetnessoftherevivifiedjungle，fortosuchthings，inthechemistryoftemperament，hisbrainfailedtoreact；nor，evenhadhehadanose，whichhehadnotforyears，couldhehavefoundenjoymentorsweetnessintheclean-washedair。
Ateithersideoftheleperstoodhissoleandconstantcompanions，thetwohyenas，sniffingtheair。
Presentlyoneofthemutteredalowgrowlandwithflattenedheadstarted，sneakingandwary，towardthejungle。
Theotherfollowed。Bukawai，hiscuriosityaroused，trailedafterthem，inhishandaheavyknob-stick。
ThehyenashaltedafewyardsfromtheprostrateTarzan，sniffingandgrowling。ThencameBukawai，andatfirsthecouldnotbelievethewitnessofhisowneyes；butwhenhedidandsawthatitwasindeedthedevil-godhisrageknewnobounds，forhethoughthimdeadandhimselfcheatedoftherevengehehadsolongdreamedupon。
Thehyenasapproachedtheape-manwithbaredfangs。
Bukawai，withaninarticulatescream，rusheduponthem，strikingcruelandheavyblowswithhisknob-stick，fortheremightstillbelifeintheapparentlylifelessform。
Thebeasts，snappingandsnarling，halfturnedupontheirmasterandtheirtormentor，butlongfearstillheldthemfromhisputridthroat。Theyslunkawayafewyardsandsquattedupontheirhaunches，hatredandbaffledhungergleamingfromtheirsavageeyes。
Bukawaistoopedandplacedhisearabovetheape-man’sheart。
Itstillbeat。Aswellashissloughedfeaturescouldregisterpleasuretheydidso；butitwasnotaprettysight。
Attheape-man’ssidelayhislong，grassrope。
QuicklyBukawaiboundthelimparmsbehindhisprisoner’sback，thenheraisedhimtooneofhisshoulders，for，thoughBukawaiwasoldanddiseased，hewasstillastrongman。
Thehyenasfellinbehindasthewitch-doctorsetofftowardthecave，andthroughthelongblackcorridorstheyfollowedasBukawaiborehisvictimintothebowelsofthehills。Throughsubterraneanchambers，connectedbywindingpassageways，Bukawaistaggeredwithhisload。
Atasuddenturningofthecorridor，daylightfloodedthemandBukawaisteppedoutintoasmall，circularbasininthehill，apparentlythecraterofanancientvolcano，oneofthosewhichneverreachedthedignityofamountainandarelittlemorethanlava-rimmedpitsclosedtotheearth’ssurface。
Steepwallsrimmedthecavity。TheonlyexitwasthroughthepassagewaybywhichBukawaihadentered。
Afewstuntedtreesgrewupontherockyfloor。Ahundredfeetabovecouldbeseentheraggedlipsofthiscold，deadmouthofhell。
BukawaiproppedTarzanagainstatreeandboundhimtherewithhisowngrassrope，leavinghishandsfreebutsecuringtheknotsinsuchawaythattheape-mancouldnotreachthem。
Thehyenasslunktoandfro，growling。Bukawaihatedthemandtheyhatedhim。Heknewthattheybutwaitedforthetimewhenheshouldbehelpless，orwhentheirhatredshouldrisetosuchaheightastosubmergetheircringingfearofhim。
Inhisownheartwasnotalittlefearoftheserepulsivecreatures，andbecauseofthatfear，Bukawaialwayskeptthebeastswellfed，oftenhuntingforthemwhentheirownforagesforfoodfailed，buteverwashecrueltothemwiththecrueltyofalittlebrain，diseased，bestial，primitive。
Hehadhadthemsincetheywerepuppies。Theyhadknownnootherlifethanthatwithhim，andthoughtheywentabroadtohunt，alwaystheyreturned。OflateBukawaihadcometobelievethattheyreturnednotsomuchfromhabitasfromafiendishpatiencewhichwouldsubmittoeveryindignityandpainratherthanforegothefinalvengeance，andBukawaineededbutlittleimaginationtopicturewhatthatvengeancewouldbe。
Todayhewouldseeforhimselfwhathisendwouldbe；
butanothershouldimpersonateBukawai。
WhenhehadtrussedTarzansecurely，Bukawaiwentbackintothecorridor，drivingthehyenasaheadofhim，andpullingacrosstheopeningalatticeoflacedbranches，whichshutthepitfromthecaveduringthenightthatBukawaimightsleepinsecurity，forthenthehyenaswerepennedinthecraterthattheymightnotsneakuponasleepingBukawaiinthedarkness。
Bukawaireturnedtotheoutercavemouth，filledavesselwithwateratthespringwhichroseinthelittlecanoncloseathandandreturnedtowardthepit。ThehyenasstoodbeforethelatticelookinghungrilytowardTarzan。
Theyhadbeenfedinthismannerbefore。
Withhiswater，thewitch-doctorapproachedTarzanandthrewaportionofthecontentsofthevesselintheape-man’sface。
Therewasflutteringoftheeyelids，andatthesecondapplicationTarzanopenedhiseyesandlookedabout。
"Devil-god，"criedBukawai，"Iamthegreatwitch-doctor。
Mymedicineisstrong。Yoursisweak。Ifitisnot，whydoyoustaytiedherelikeagoatthatisbaitforlions？"
Tarzanunderstoodnothingthewitch-doctorsaid，thereforehedidnotreply，butonlystaredstraightatBukawaiwithcoldandlevelgaze。Thehyenascreptupbehindhim。
Heheardthemgrowl；buthedidnoteventurnhishead。
Hewasabeastwithaman’sbrain。Thebeastinhimrefusedtoshowfearinthefaceofadeathwhichtheman-mindalreadyadmittedtobeinevitable。
Bukawai，notyetreadytogivehisvictimtothebeasts，rusheduponthehyenaswithhisknob-stick。Therewasashortscrimmageinwhichthebrutescameoffsecondbest，astheyalwaysdid。Tarzanwatchedit。
Hesawandrealizedthehatredwhichexistedbetweenthetwoanimalsandthehideoussemblanceofaman。
Withthehyenassubdued，BukawaireturnedtothebaitingofTarzan；butfindingthattheape-manunderstoodnothinghesaid，thewitch-doctorfinallydesisted。
Thenhewithdrewintothecorridorandpulledthelatticeworkbarrieracrosstheopening。Hewentbackintothecaveandgotasleepingmat，whichhebroughttotheopening，thathemightliedownandwatchthespectacleofhisrevengeincomfort。
Thehyenasweresneakingfurtivelyaroundtheape-man。
Tarzanstrainedathisbondsforamoment，butsoonrealizedthattheropehehadbraidedtoholdNuma，thelion，wouldholdhimquiteassuccessfully。
Hedidnotwishtodie；buthecouldlookdeathinthefacenowashehadmanytimesbeforewithoutaquaver。
Ashepulledupontheropehefeltitrubagainstthesmalltreeaboutwhichitwaspassed。Likeaflashofthecinematographuponthescreen，apicturewasflashedbeforehismind’seyefromthestorehouseofhismemory。
Hesawalithe，boyishfigureswinginghighabovethegroundattheendofarope。Hesawmanyapeswatchingfrombelow，andthenhesawtheropepartandtheboyhurtledownwardtowardtheground。Tarzansmiled。
Immediatelyhecommencedtodrawtheroperapidlybackandforthacrossthetreetrunk。
Thehyenas，gainingcourage，camecloser。Theysniffedathislegs；butwhenhestruckatthemwithhisfreearmstheyslunkoff。Heknewthatwiththegrowthofhungertheywouldattack。Coolly，methodically，withouthaste，Tarzandrewtheropebackandforthagainsttheroughtrunkofthesmalltree。
IntheentrancetothecavernBukawaifellasleep。
Hethoughtitwouldbesometimebeforethebeastsgainedsufficientcourageorhungertoattackthecaptive。
Theirgrowlsandthecriesofthevictimwouldawakenhim。
Inthemeantimehemightaswellrest，andhedid。
Thusthedayworeon，forthehyenaswerenotfamished，andtheropewithwhichTarzanwasboundwasastrongeronethanthatofhisboyhood，whichhadpartedsoquicklytothechafingoftheroughtreebark。Yet，allthewhilehungerwasgrowinguponthebeastsandthestrandsofthegrassropewerewearingthinnerandthinner。
Bukawaislept。
Itwaslateafternoonbeforeoneofthebeasts，irritatedbythegnawingofappetite，madeaquick，growlingdashattheape-man。ThenoiseawokeBukawai。
Hesatupquicklyandwatchedwhatwentonwithinthecrater。Hesawthehungryhyenachargetheman，leapingfortheunprotectedthroat。HesawTarzanreachoutandseizethegrowlinganimal，andthenhesawthesecondbeastspringforthedevil-god’sshoulder。
Therewasamightyheaveofthegreat，smooth-skinnedbody。
Roundedmusclesshotintogreat，tensedpilesbeneaththebrownhide——theape-mansurgedforwardwithallhisweightandallhisgreatstrength——thebondsparted，andthethreewererollinguponthefloorofthecratersnarling，snapping，andrending。
Bukawaileapedtohisfeet。Coulditbethatthedevil-godwastoprevailagainsthisservants？Impossible！Thecreaturewasunarmed，andhewasdownwithtwohyenasontopofhim；butBukawaididnotknowTarzan。
Theape-manfastenedhisfingersuponthethroatofoneofthehyenasandrosetooneknee，thoughtheotherbeasttoreathimfranticallyinanefforttopullhimdown。
WithasinglehandTarzanheldtheone，andwiththeotherhandhereachedforthandpulledtowardhimthesecondbeast。
AndthenBukawai，seeingthebattlegoingagainsthisforces，rushedforwardfromthecavernbrandishinghisknob-stick。
Tarzansawhimcoming，andrisingnowtobothfeet，ahyenaineachhand，hehurledoneofthefoamingbeastsstraightatthewitch-doctor’shead。Downwentthetwoinasnarling，bitingheap。Tarzantossedthesecondhyenaacrossthecrater，whilethefirstgnawedattherottingfaceofitsmaster；butthisdidnotsuittheape-man。
Withakickhesentthebeasthowlingafteritscompanion，andspringingtothesideoftheprostratewitch-doctor，draggedhimtohisfeet。
Bukawai，stillconscious，sawdeath，immediateandterrible，inthecoldeyesofhiscaptor，soheturneduponTarzanwithteethandnails。Theape-manshudderedattheproximityofthatrawfacetohis。Thehyenashadhadenoughanddisappearedthroughthesmallapertureleadingintothecave。TarzanhadlittledifficultyinoverpoweringandbindingBukawai。Thenheledhimtotheverytreetowhichhehadbeenbound；butinbindingBukawai，Tarzansawtoitthatescapeafterthesamefashionthathehadescapedwouldbeoutofthequestion；thenhelefthim。
Ashepassedthroughthewindingcorridorsandthesubterraneanapartments，Tarzansawnothingofthehyenas。
"Theywillreturn，"hesaidtohimself。
InthecraterbetweenthetoweringwallsBukawai，coldwithterror，trembled，trembledaswithague。
"Theywillreturn！"hecried，hisvoicerisingtoafright-filledshriek。
Andtheydid。
8
TheLionNUMA，THELION，crouchedbehindathornbushclosebesidethedrinkingpoolwheretherivereddiedjustbelowthebend。
Therewasafordthereandoneitherbankawell-worntrail，broadenedfaroutattheriver’sbrim，where，forcountlesscenturies，thewildthingsofthejungleandoftheplainsbeyondhadcomedowntodrink，thecarnivorawithboldandfearlessmajesty，theherbivoratimorous，hesitating，fearful。
Numa，thelion，washungry，hewasveryhungry，andsohewasquitesilentnow。Onhiswaytothedrinkingplacehehadmoanedoftenandroarednotalittle；butashenearedthespotwherehewouldlieinwaitforBara，thedeer，orHorta，theboar，orsomeotherofthemanyluscious-fleshedcreatureswhocamehithertodrink，hewassilent。Itwasagrim，aterriblesilence，shotthroughwithyellow-greenlightofferociouseyes，punctuatedwithundulatingtremorsofsinuoustail。
ItwasPacco，thezebra，whocamefirst，andNuma，thelion，couldscarcerestrainaroarofanger，forofalltheplainspeople，nonearemorewarythanPacco，thezebra。
Behindtheblack-stripedstallioncameaherdofthirtyorfortyoftheplumpandviciouslittlehorselikebeasts。
Ashenearedtheriver，theleaderpausedoften，cockinghisearsandraisinghismuzzletosniffthegentlebreezeforthetell-talescentspoorofthedreadflesh-eaters。
Numashifteduneasily，drawinghishindquartersfarbeneathhistawnybody，gatheringhimselfforthesuddenchargeandthesavageassault。Hiseyesshothungryfire。
Hisgreatmusclesquiveredtotheexcitementofthemoment。
Paccocamealittlenearer，halted，snorted，andwheeled。
Therewasapatteringofscurryinghoofsandtheherdwasgone；
butNuma，thelion，movednot。HewasfamiliarwiththewaysofPacco，thezebra。Heknewthathewouldreturn，thoughmanytimeshemightwheelandflybeforehesummonedthecouragetoleadhisharemandhisoffspringtothewater。TherewasthechancethatPaccomightbefrightenedoffentirely。Numahadseenthishappenbefore，andsohebecamealmostrigidlesthebetheonetosendthemgalloping，waterless，backtotheplain。
AgainandagaincamePaccoandhisfamily，andagainandagaindidtheyturnandflee；buteachtimetheycameclosertotheriver，untilatlasttheplumpstalliondippedhisvelvetmuzzledaintilyintothewater。