Thenthebullliftedhertohisshoulderandturnedbacktothetrailtowardthesouthfromwhencehehadcome。
UponthegroundlaythequietformoflittleGazan。
Hedidnotmoan。Hedidnotmove。Thesunroseslowlytowardmeridian。Amangything，liftingitsnosetoscentthejunglebreeze，creptthroughtheunderbrush。
ItwasDango，thehyena。Presentlyitsuglymuzzlebrokethroughsomenear-byfoliageanditscrueleyesfasteneduponGazan。
Earlythatmorning，TarzanoftheApeshadgonetothecabinbythesea，wherehepassedmanyanhouratsuchtimesasthetribewasranginginthevicinity。
Onthefloorlaytheskeletonofaman——allthatremainedoftheformerLordGreystoke——layasithadfallensometwentyyearsbeforewhenKerchak，thegreatape，hadthrownit，lifeless，there。LongsincehadthetermitesandthesmallrodentspickedcleanthesturdyEnglishbones。ForyearsTarzanhadseenitlyingthere，givingitnomoreattentionthanhegavethecountlessthousandbonesthatstrewedhisjunglehaunts。
Onthebedanother，smaller，skeletonreposedandtheyouthignoreditasheignoredtheother。Howcouldheknowthattheonehadbeenhisfather，theotherhismother？Thelittlepileofbonesintherudecradle，fashionedwithsuchlovingcarebytheformerLordGreystoke，meantnothingtohim——thatonedaythatlittleskullwastohelpprovehisrighttoaproudtitlewasasfarbeyondhiskenasthesatellitesofthesunsofOrion。
ToTarzantheywerebones——justbones。Hedidnotneedthem，fortherewasnomeatleftuponthem，andtheywerenotinhisway，forheknewnonecessityforabed，andtheskeletonuponthefloorheeasilycouldstepover。
Todayhewasrestless。Heturnedthepagesfirstofonebookandthenofanother。Heglancedatpictureswhichheknewbyheart，andtossedthebooksaside。Herummagedforthethousandthtimeinthecupboard。Hetookoutabagwhichcontainedseveralsmall，roundpiecesofmetal。
Hehadplayedwiththemmanytimesintheyearsgoneby；
butalwayshereplacedthemcarefullyinthebag，andthebaginthecupboard，upontheveryshelfwherefirsthehaddiscoveredit。Instrangewaysdidhereditymanifestitselfintheape-man。Comeofanorderlyrace，hehimselfwasorderlywithoutknowingwhy。Theapesdroppedthingswherevertheirinterestinthemwaned——inthetallgrassorfromthehigh-flungbranchesofthetrees。
Whattheydroppedtheysometimesfoundagain，byaccident；
butnotsothewaysofTarzan。Forhisfewbelongingshehadaplaceandscrupulouslyhereturnedeachthingtoitsproperplacewhenhewasdonewithit。
Theroundpiecesofmetalinthelittlebagalwaysinterestedhim。Raisedpictureswereuponeitherside，themeaningofwhichhedidnotquiteunderstand。
Thepieceswerebrightandshiny。Itamusedhimtoarrangetheminvariousfiguresuponthetable。Hundredsoftimeshadheplayedthus。Today，whilesoengaged，hedroppedalovelyyellowpiece——anEnglishsovereign——whichrolledbeneaththebedwherelayallthatwasmortaloftheoncebeautifulLadyAlice。
Truetoform，Tarzanatoncedroppedtohishandsandkneesandsearchedbeneaththebedforthelostgoldpiece。
Strangeasitmightappear，hehadneverbeforelookedbeneaththebed。Hefoundthegoldpiece，andsomethingelsehefound，too——asmallwoodenboxwithaloosecover。
Bringingthembothouthereturnedthesovereigntoitsbagandthebagtoitsshelfwithinthecupboard；
thenheinvestigatedthebox。Itcontainedaquantityofcylindricalbitsofmetal，cone-shapedatoneendandflatattheother，withaprojectingrim。
Theywereallquitegreenanddull，coatedwithyearsofverdigris。
Tarzanremovedahandfulofthemfromtheboxandexaminedthem。
Herubbedoneuponanotheranddiscoveredthatthegreencameoff，leavingashinysurfacefortwo-thirdsoftheirlengthandadullgrayoverthecone-shapedend。
Findingabitofwoodherubbedoneofthecylindersrapidlyandwasrewardedbyalustroussheenwhichpleasedhim。
Athissidehungapocketpouchtakenfromthebodyofoneofthenumerousblackwarriorshehadslain。
Intothispouchheputahandfulofthenewplaythings，thinkingtopolishthemathisleisure；thenhereplacedtheboxbeneaththebed，andfindingnothingmoretoamusehim，leftthecabinandstartedbackinthedirectionofthetribe。
Shortlybeforehereachedthemheheardagreatcommotionaheadofhim——theloudscreamsofshesandbalus，thesavage，angrybarkingandgrowlingofthegreatbulls。
Instantlyheincreasedhisspeed，forthe"Kreeg-ahs"
thatcametohisearswarnedhimthatsomethingwasamisswithhisfellows。
WhileTarzanhadbeenoccupiedwithhisowndevicesinthecabinofhisdeadsire，Taug，Teeka’smightymate，hadbeenhuntingamiletothenorthofthetribe。
Atlast，hisbellyfilled，hehadturnedlazilybacktowardtheclearingwherehehadlastseenthetribeandpresentlycommencedpassingitsmembersscatteredaloneorintwosorthrees。NowheredidheseeTeekaorGazan，andsoonhebeganinquiringoftheotherapeswheretheymightbe；
butnonehadseenthemrecently。
Nowthelowerordersarenothighlyimaginative。
Theydonot，asyouandI，paintvividmentalpicturesofthingswhichmighthaveoccurred，andsoTaugdidnotnowapprehendthatanymisfortunehadovertakenhismateandtheiroff-spring——hemerelyknewthathewishedtofindTeekathathemightliedownintheshadeandhaveherscratchhisbackwhilehisbreakfastdigested；
butthoughhecalledtoherandsearchedforherandaskedeachwhomhemet，hecouldfindnotraceofTeeka，norofGazaneither。
HewasbeginningtobecomepeevedandhadaboutmadeuphismindtochastiseTeekaforwanderingsofarafieldwhenhewantedher。Hewasmovingsouthalongagametrail，hiscallousedsolesandknucklesgivingforthnosound，whenhecameuponDangoattheoppositesideofasmallclearing。TheeaterofcarriondidnotseeTaug，forallhiseyeswereforsomethingwhichlayinthegrassbeneathatree——somethinguponwhichhewassneakingwiththecautiousstealthofhisbreed。
Taug，alwayscautioushimself，asitbehoovesonetobewhofaresupanddownthejungleanddesirestosurvive，swungnoiselesslyintoatree，wherehecouldhaveabetterviewoftheclearing。HedidnotfearDango；
buthewantedtoseewhatitwasthatDangostalked。
Inaway，possibly，hewasactuatedasmuchbycuriosityasbycaution。
AndwhenTaugreachedaplaceinthebranchesfromwhichhecouldhaveanunobstructedviewoftheclearinghesawDangoalreadysniffingatsomethingdirectlybeneathhim——somethingwhichTauginstantlyrecognizedasthelifelessformofhislittleGazan。
Withacrysofrightful，sobestial，thatitmomentarilyparalyzedthestartledDango，thegreatapelaunchedhismightybulkuponthesurprisedhyena。Withacryandasnarl，Dango，crushedtoearth，turnedtotearathisassailant；
butaseffectivelymightasparrowturnuponahawk。
Taug’sgreat，gnarledfingerscloseduponthehyena’sthroatandback，hisjawssnappedonceonthemangyneck，crushingthevertebrae，andthenhehurledthedeadbodycontemptuouslyaside。
Againheraisedhisvoiceinthecallofthebullapetoitsmate，buttherewasnoreply；thenheleaneddowntosniffatthebodyofGazan。Inthebreastofthissavage，hideousbeasttherebeataheartwhichwasmoved，howeverslightly，bythesameemotionsofpaternallovewhichaffectus。Evenhadwenoactualevidenceofthis，wemustknowitstill，sinceonlythusmightbeexplainedthesurvivalofthehumanraceinwhichthejealousyandselfishnessofthebullswould，intheearlieststagesoftherace，havewipedouttheyoungasrapidlyastheywerebroughtintotheworldhadnotGodimplantedinthesavagebosomthatpaternallovewhichevidencesitselfmoststronglyintheprotectiveinstinctofthemale。
InTaugtheprotectiveinstinctwasnotalonehighlydeveloped；
butaffectionforhisoffspringaswell，forTaugwasanunusuallyintelligentspecimenofthesegreat，manlikeapeswhichthenativesoftheGobispeakofinwhispers；
butwhichnowhitemaneverhadseen，or，ifseeing，livedtotellofuntilTarzanoftheApescameamongthem。
AndsoTaugfeltsorrowasanyotherfathermightfeelsorrowatthelossofalittlechild。ToyoulittleGazanmighthaveseemedahideousandrepulsivecreature，buttoTaugandTeekahewasasbeautifulandascuteasisyourlittleMaryorJohnnieorElizabethAnntoyou，andhewastheirfirstborn，theironlybalu，andahe——threethingswhichmightmakeayoungapetheappleofanyfondfather’seye。
ForamomentTaugsniffedatthequietlittleform。
Withhismuzzleandhistonguehesmoothedandcaressedtherumpledcoat。Fromhissavagelipsbrokealowmoan；
butquicklyupontheheelsofsorrowcametheovermasteringdesireforrevenge。
Leapingtohisfeethescreamedoutavolleyof"Kreegahs，"
punctuatedfromtimetotimebytheblood-freezingcryofanangry，challengingbull——arage-madbullwiththebloodluststronguponhim。
Answeringhiscriescamethecriesofthetribeastheyswungthroughthetreestowardhim。ItwasthesethatTarzanheardonhisreturnfromhiscabin，andinreplytothemheraisedhisownvoiceandhurriedforwardwithincreasedspeeduntilhefairlyflewthroughthemiddleterracesoftheforest。
WhenatlasthecameuponthetribehesawtheirmembersgatheredaboutTaugandsomethingwhichlayquietlyupontheground。Droppingamongthem，Tarzanapproachedthecenterofthegroup。Taugwasstiffroaringouthischallenges；butwhenhesawTarzanheceasedandstoopingpickedupGazaninhisarmsandheldhimoutforTarzantosee。Ofallthebullsofthetribe，TaugheldaffectionforTarzanonly。Tarzanhetrustedandlookeduptoasonewiserandmorecunning。
ToTarzanhecamenow——totheplaymateofhisbaludays，thecompanionofinnumerablebattlesofhismaturity。
WhenTarzansawthestillforminTaug’sarms，alowgrowlbrokefromhislips，forhetoolovedTeeka’slittlebalu。
"Whodidit？"heasked。"WhereisTeeka？"
"Idonotknow，"repliedTaug。"IfoundhimlyingherewithDangoabouttofeeduponhim；butitwasnotDangothatdidit——therearenofangmarksuponhim。"
TarzancamecloserandplacedanearagainstGazan’sbreast。
"Heisnotdead，"hesaid。"Maybehewillnotdie。"
Hepressedthroughthecrowdofapesandcircledonceaboutthem，examiningthegroundstepbystep。Suddenlyhestoppedandplacinghisnoseclosetotheearthsniffed。
Thenhesprangtohisfeet，givingapeculiarcry。
Taugandtheotherspressedforward，forthesoundtoldthemthatthehunterhadfoundthespoorofhisquarry。
"Astrangerbullhasbeenhere，"saidTarzan。"ItwashethathurtGazan。HehascarriedoffTeeka。"
Taugandtheotherbullscommencedtoroarandthreaten；
buttheydidnothing。Hadthestrangerbullbeenwithinsighttheywouldhavetornhimtopieces；butitdidnotoccurtothemtofollowhim。
"Ifthethreebullshadbeenwatchingaroundthetribethiswouldnothavehappened，"saidTarzan。"Suchthingswillhappenaslongasyoudonotkeepthethreebullswatchingforanenemy。Thejungleisfullofenemies，andyetyouletyourshesandyourbalusfeedwheretheywill，aloneandunprotected。Tarzangoesnow——hegoestofindTeekaandbringherbacktothetribe。"
Theideaappealedtotheotherbulls。"Wewillallgo，"
theycried。
"No，"saidTarzan，"youwillnotallgo。Wecannottakeshesandbaluswhenwegoouttohuntandfight。
Youmustremaintoguardthemoryouwilllosethemall。"
Theyscratchedtheirheads。Thewisdomofhisadvicewasdawninguponthem，butatfirsttheyhadbeencarriedawaybythenewidea——theideaoffollowingupanenemyoffendertowresthisprizefromhimandpunishhim。
Thecommunityinstinctwasingrainedintheircharactersthroughagesofcustom。Theydidnotknowwhytheyhadnotthoughttopursueandpunishtheoffender——theycouldnotknowthatitwasbecausetheyhadasyetnotreachedamentalplanewhichwouldpermitthemtoworkasindividuals。
Intimesofstress，thecommunityinstinctsentthemhuddlingintoacompactherdwherethegreatbulls，bytheweightoftheircombinedstrengthandferocity，couldbestprotectthemfromanenemy。Theideaofseparatingtodobattlewithafoehadnotyetoccurredtothem——itwastooforeigntocustom，tooinimicaltocommunityinterests；
buttoTarzanitwasthefirstandmostnaturalthought。
HissensestoldhimthattherewasbutasinglebullconnectedwiththeattackuponTeekaandGazan。Asingleenemydidnotrequiretheentiretribeforhispunishment。
TwoswiftbullscouldquicklyoverhaulhimandrescueTeeka。
Inthepastnooneeverhadthoughttogoforthinsearchoftheshesthatwereoccasionallystolenfromthetribe。
IfNuma，Sabor，Sheetaorawanderingbullapefromanothertribechancedtocarryoffamaidoramatronwhilenoonewaslooking，thatwastheendofit——shewasgone，thatwasall。Thebereavedhusband，ifthevictimchancedtohavebeenmated，growledaroundforadayortwoandthen，ifhewerestrongenough，tookanothermatewithinthetribe，andifnot，wanderedfarintothejungleonthechanceofstealingonefromanothercommunity。
InthepastTarzanoftheApeshadcondonedthispracticeforthereasonthathehadhadnointerestinthosewhohadbeenstolen；butTeekahadbeenhisfirstloveandTeeka’sbaluheldaplaceinhisheartsuchasabaluofhisownwouldhaveheld。
JustoncebeforehadTarzanwishedtofollowandrevenge。
ThathadbeenyearsbeforewhenKulonga，thesonofMbonga，thechief，hadslainKala。Then，single-handed，Tarzanhadpursuedandavenged。Now，thoughtoalesserdegree，hewasmovedbythesamepassion。
HeturnedtowardTaug。"LeaveGazanwithMumga，"hesaid。
"Sheisoldandherfangsarebrokenandsheisnogood；
butshecantakecareofGazanuntilwereturnwithTeeka，andifGazanisdeadwhenwecomeback，"heturnedtoaddressMumga，"Iwillkillyou，too。"
"Wherearewegoing？"askedTaug。
"WearegoingtogetTeeka，"repliedtheape-man，"andkillthebullwhohasstolenher。Come！"
Heturnedagaintothespoorofthestrangerbull，whichshowedplainlytohistrainedsenses，nordidheglancebacktonoteifTaugfollowed。ThelatterlaidGazaninMumga’sarmswithaparting:"IfhediesTarzanwillkillyou，"andhefollowedafterthebrown-skinnedfigurethatalreadywasmovingataslowtrotalongthejungletrail。
NootherbullofthetribeofKerchakwassogoodatrailerasTarzan，forhistrainedsenseswereaidedbyahighorderofintelligence。Hisjudgmenttoldhimthenaturaltrailforaquarrytofollow，sothatheneedbutnotethemostapparentmarksupontheway，andtodaythetrailofToogwasasplaintohimastypeuponaprintedpagetoyouorme。
Followingclosebehindthelithefigureoftheape-mancamethehugeandshaggybullape。Nowordspassedbetweenthem。
Theymovedassilentlyastwoshadowsamongthemyriadshadowsoftheforest。Alertashiseyesandears，wasTarzan’spatriciannose。Thespoorwasfresh，andnowthattheyhadpassedfromtherangeofthestrongapeodorofthetribehehadlittledifficultyinfollowingToogandTeekabyscentalone。Teeka’sfamiliarscentspoortoldbothTarzanandTaugthattheywereuponhertrail，andsoonthescentofToogbecameasfamiliarastheother。
Theywereprogressingrapidlywhensuddenlydensecloudsovercastthesun。Tarzanacceleratedhispace。
Nowhefairlyflewalongthejungletrail，or，whereTooghadtakentothetrees，followednimblyasasquirrelalongthebending，undulatingpathwayofthefoliagebranches，swingingfromtreetotreeasTooghadswungbeforethem；
butmorerapidlybecausetheywerenothandicappedbyaburdensuchasToog’s。
Tarzanfeltthattheymustbealmostuponthequarry，forthescentspoorwasbecomingstrongerandstronger，whenthejunglewassuddenlyshotbylividlightning，andadeafeningroarofthunderreverberatedthroughtheheavensandtheforestuntiltheearthtrembledandshook。
Thencametherain——notasitcomestousofthetemperatezones，butasamightyavalancheofwater——adelugewhichspillstonsinsteadofdropsuponthebendingforestgiantsandtheterrifiedcreatureswhichhaunttheirshade。
AndtheraindidwhatTarzanknewthatitwoulddo——itwipedthespoorofthequarryfromthefaceoftheearth。
Forahalfhourthetorrentsfell——thenthesunburstforth，jewelingtheforestwithamillionscintillantgems；
buttodaytheape-man，usuallyalerttothechangingwondersofthejungle，sawthemnot。OnlythefactthatthespoorofTeekaandherabductorwasobliteratedfoundlodgmentinhisthoughts。
Evenamongthebranchesofthetreestherearewell-worntrails，justastherearetrailsuponthesurfaceoftheground；
butinthetreestheybranchandcrossmoreoften，sincethewayismoreopenthanamongthedenseundergrowthatthesurface。Alongoneofthesewell-markedtrailsTarzanandTaugcontinuedaftertherainhadceased，becausetheape-manknewthatthiswasthemostlogicalpathforthethieftofollow；butwhentheycametoafork，theywereataloss。Heretheyhalted，whileTarzanexaminedeverybranchandleafwhichmighthavebeentouchedbythefleeingape。
Hesniffedtheboleofthetree，andwithhiskeeneyeshesoughttofinduponthebarksomesignofthewaythequarryhadtaken。Itwasslowworkandallthetime，Tarzanknew，thebullofthealientribewasforgingsteadilyawayfromthem——gainingpreciousminutesthatmightcarryhimtosafetybeforetheycouldcatchupwithhim。
Firstalongoneforkhewent，andthenanother，applyingeverytestthathiswonderfuljunglecraftwascognizantof；
butagainandagainhewasbaffled，forthescenthadbeenwashedawaybytheheavydownpour，ineveryexposedplace。
ForahalfhourTarzanandTaugsearched，untilatlast，uponthebottomofabroadleaf，Tarzan’skeennosecaughtthefainttraceofthescentspoorofToog，wheretheleafhadbrushedahairyshoulderasthegreatapepassedthroughthefoliage。
Onceagainthetwotookupthetrail，butitwasslowworknowandthereweremanydiscouragingdelayswhenthespoorseemedlostbeyondrecovery。Toyouormetherewouldhavebeennospoor，evenbeforethecomingoftherain，except，possibly，whereTooghadcometoearthandfollowedagametrail。Insuchplacestheimprintofahugehandlikefootandtheknucklesofonegreathandweresometimesplainenoughforanordinarymortaltoread。TarzanknewfromtheseandotherindicationsthattheapewasyetcarryingTeeka。
Thedepthoftheimprintofhisfeetindicatedamuchgreaterweightthanthatofanyofthelargerbulls，fortheyweremadeunderthecombinedweightofToogandTeeka，whilethefactthattheknucklesofbutonehandtouchedthegroundatanytimeshowedthattheotherhandwasoccupiedinsomeotherbusiness——thebusinessofholdingtheprisonertoahairyshoulder。Tarzancouldfollow，inshelteredplaces，thechangingoftheburdenfromoneshouldertoanother，asindicatedbythedeepeningofthefootimprintuponthesideoftheload，andthechangingoftheknuckleimprintsfromonesideofthetrailtotheother。
Therewerestretchesalongthesurfacepathswheretheapehadgoneforconsiderabledistancesentirelyerectuponhishindfeet——walkingasamanwalks；butthesamemighthavebeentrueofanyofthegreatanthropoidsofthesamespecies，for，unlikethechimpanzeeandthegorilla，theywalkwithouttheaidoftheirhandsquiteasreadilyaswith。
Itwassuchthings，however，whichhelpedtoidentifytoTarzanandtoTaugtheappearanceoftheabductor，andwithhisindividualscentcharacteristicalreadyindeliblyimpressedupontheirmemories，theywereinafarbetterpositiontoknowhimwhentheycameuponhim，evenshouldhehavedisposedofTeekabefore，thanisamodernsleuthwithhisphotographsandBertillonmeasurements，equippedtorecognizeafugitivefromcivilizedjustice。
Butwithalltheirhigh-strunganddelicatelyattunedperceptivefacultiesthetwobullsofthetribeofKerchakwereoftensorepressedtofollowthetrailatall，andatbestweresodelayedthatintheafternoonofthesecondday，theystillhadnotoverhauledthefugitive。
Thescentwasnowstrong，forithadbeenmadesincetherain，andTarzanknewthatitwouldnotbelongbeforetheycameuponthethiefandhisloot。Abovethem，astheycreptstealthilyforward，chatteredManu，themonkey，andhisthousandfellows；squawkedandscreamedthebrazen-throatedbirdsofplumage；buzzedandhummedthecountlessinsectsamidtherustlingoftheforestleaves，and，astheypassed，alittlegray-beard，squeakingandscoldinguponaswayingbranch，lookeddownandsawthem。
Instantlythescoldingandsqueakingceased，andofftorethelong-tailedmiteasthoughSheeta，thepanther，hadbeenendowedwithwingsandwasinclosepursuitofhim。
Toallappearanceshewasonlyaverymuchfrightenedlittlemonkey，fleeingforhislife——thereseemednothingsinisterabouthim。
AndwhatofTeekaduringallthistime？Wassheatlastresignedtoherfateandaccompanyinghernewmateintheproperhumilityofalovingandtractablespouse？
Asingleglanceatthepairwouldhaveansweredthesequestionstotheuttersatisfactionofthemostcaptious。
Shewastornandbleedingfrommanywounds，inflictedbythesullenTooginhisvaineffortstosubduehertohiswill，andToogtoowasdisfiguredandmutilated；butwithstubbornferocity，hestillclungtohisnowuselessprize。
Onthroughthejungleheforcedhiswayinthedirectionofthestampinggroundofhistribe。Hehopedthathiskingwouldhaveforgottenhistreason；butifnothewasstillresignedtohisfate——anyfatewouldbebetterthansufferinglongerthesolecompanionshipofthisfrightfulshe，andthen，too，hewishedtoexhibithiscaptivetohisfellows。Maybehecouldwishherontheking——itispossiblethatsuchathoughturgedhimon。
Atlasttheycameupontwobullsfeedinginaparklikegrove——abeautifulgrovedottedwithhugebouldershalfembeddedintherichloam——mutemonuments，possibly，toaforgottenagewhenmightyglaciersrolledtheirslowcoursewherenowatorridsunbeatsdownuponatropicjungle。
Thetwobullslookedup，baringlongfightingfangs，asToogappearedinthedistance。Thelatterrecognizedthetwoasfriends。"ItisToog，"hegrowled。"Tooghascomebackwithanewshe。"
Theapeswaitedhisnearerapproach。Teekaturnedasnarling，fangedfacetowardthem。Shewasnotprettytolookupon，yetthroughthebloodandhatreduponhercountenancetheyrealizedthatshewasbeautiful，andtheyenviedToog——alas！theydidnotknowTeeka。
Astheysquattedlookingatoneanotherthereracedthroughthetreestowardthemalong-tailedlittlemonkeywithgraywhiskers。Hewasaveryexcitedlittlemonkeywhenhecametoahaltuponthelimbofatreedirectlyoverhead。
"Twostrangebullscome，"hecried。OneisaMangani，theotherahideousapewithouthairuponhisbody。
TheyfollowthespoorofToog。Isawthem。"
ThefourapesturnedtheireyesbackwardalongthetrailTooghadjustcome；thentheylookedatoneanotherforaminute。"Come，"saidthelargerofToog’stwofriends，"wewillwaitforthestrangersinthethickbushesbeyondtheclearing。"
Heturnedandwaddledawayacrosstheopenplace，theothersfollowinghim。Thelittlemonkeydancedabout，allexcitement。Hischiefdiversioninlifewastobringaboutbloodyencountersbetweenthelargerdenizensoftheforest，thathemightsitinthesafetyofthetreesandwitnessthespectacles。Hewasagluttonforgore，wasthislittle，whiskered，graymonkey，solongasitwasthegoreofothers——atypicalfightfanwasthegraybeard。
Theapeshidthemselvesintheshrubberybesidethetrailalongwhichthetwostrangerbullswouldpass。
Teekatrembledwithexcitement。ShehadheardthewordsofManu，andsheknewthatthehairlessapemustbeTarzan，whiletheotherwas，doubtless，Taug。Never，inherwildesthopes，hadsheexpectedsuccorofthissort。
HeronethoughthadbeentoescapeandfindherwaybacktothetribeofKerchak；buteventhishadappearedtoherpracticallyimpossible，socloselydidToogwatchher。
AsTaugandTarzanreachedthegrovewhereTooghadcomeuponhisfriends，theapescentbecamesostrongthatbothknewthequarrywasbutashortdistanceahead。
Andsotheywentevenmorecautiously，fortheywishedtocomeuponthethieffrombehindiftheycouldandchargehimbeforehewasawareoftheirpresence。
Thatalittlegray-whiskeredmonkeyhadforestalledthemtheydidnotknow，northatthreepairsofsavageeyeswerealreadywatchingtheireverymoveandwaitingforthemtocomewithinreachofitchingpawsandslaveringjowls。
Ontheycameacrossthegrove，andastheyenteredthepathleadingintothedensejunglebeyond，asudden"Kreeg-ah！"shrilledoutclosebeforethem——a"Kreeg-ah"
inthefamiliarvoiceofTeeka。ThesmallbrainsofToogandhiscompanionshadnotbeenabletoforeseethatTeekamightbetraythem，andnowthatshehad，theywentwildwithrage。Toogstruckthesheamightyblowthatfelledher，andthenthethreerushedforthtodobattlewithTarzanandTaug。Thelittlemonkeydanceduponhisperchandscreamedwithdelight。
Andindeedhemightwellbedelighted，foritwasalovelyfight。Therewerenopreliminaries，noformalities，nointroductions——thefivebullsmerelychargedandclinched。
Theyrolledinthenarrowtrailandintothethickverdurebesideit。Theybitandclawedandscratchedandstruck，andallthewhiletheykeptupthemostfrightfulchorusofgrowlingsandbarkingsandroarings。
Infiveminutestheyweretornandbleeding，andthelittlegraybeardleapedhigh，shrillinghisprimitivebravos；
butalwayshisattitudewas"thumbsdown。"Hewantedtoseesomethingkilled。Hedidnotcarewhetheritwerefriendorfoe。Itwasbloodhewanted——bloodanddeath。
TaughadbeensetuponbyToogandanotheroftheapes，whileTarzanhadthethird——ahugebrutewiththestrengthofabuffalo。NeverbeforehadTarzan’sassailantbeheldsostrangeacreatureasthisslippery，hairlessbullwithwhichhebattled。SweatandbloodcoveredTarzan’ssleek，brownhide。Againandagainheslippedfromtheclutchesofthegreatbull，andallthewhilehestruggledtofreehishuntingknifefromthescabbardinwhichithadstuck。
Atlengthhesucceeded——abrownhandshotoutandclutchedahairythroat，anotherflewupwardclutchingthesharpblade。
Threeswift，powerfulstrokesandthebullrelaxedwithagroan，fallinglimpbeneathhisantagonist。
InstantlyTarzanbrokefromtheclutchesofthedyingbullandsprangtoTaug’sassistance。Toogsawhimcomingandwheeledtomeethim。Intheimpactofthecharge，Tarzan’sknifewaswrenchedfromhishandandthenToogclosedwithhim。Nowwasthebattleeven——twoagainsttwo——whileontheverge，Teeka，nowrecoveredfromtheblowthathadfelledher，slunkwaitingforanopportunitytoaid。ShesawTarzan’sknifeandpickeditup。
Sheneverhadusedit，butknewhowTarzanusedit。
AlwayshadshebeenafraidofthethingwhichdealtdeathtothemightiestofthejunglepeoplewiththeeasethatTantor’sgreattusksdealdeathtoTantor’senemies。
ShesawTarzan’spocketpouchtornfromhisside，andwiththecuriosityofanape，thatevendangerandexcitementcannotentirelydispel，shepickedthisup，too。
Nowthebullswerestanding——theclincheshadbeenbroken。
Bloodstreameddowntheirsides——theirfaceswerecrimsonedwithit。Littlegraybeardwassofascinatedthatatlasthehadevenforgottentoscreamanddance；butsatrigidwithdelightintheenjoymentofthespectacle。
BackacrossthegroveTarzanandTaugforcedtheiradversaries。
Teekafollowedslowly。Shescarceknewwhattodo。
Shewaslameandsoreandexhaustedfromthefrightfulordealthroughwhichshehadpassed，andshehadtheconfidenceofhersexintheprowessofhermateandtheotherbullofhertribe——theywouldnotneedthehelpofasheintheirbattlewiththesetwostrangers。
Theroarsandscreamsofthefightersreverberatedthroughthejungle，awakeningtheechoesinthedistanthills。
FromthethroatofTarzan’santagonisthadcomeascoreof"Kreeg-ahs！"andnowfrombehindcamethereplyhehadawaited。Intothegrove，barkingandgrowling，cameascoreofhugebullapes——thefightingmenofToog’stribe。
TeekasawthemfirstandscreamedawarningtoTarzanandTaug。
Thenshefledpastthefighterstowardtheoppositesideoftheclearing，fearforamomentclaimingher。
Norcanonecensureherafterthefrightfulordealfromwhichshewasstillsuffering。
Downuponthemcamethegreatapes。InamomentTarzanandTaugwouldbetorntoshredsthatwouldlaterformthePIECEDERESISTANCEofthesavageorgyofaDum-Dum。
Teekaturnedtoglanceback。Shesawtheimpendingfateofherdefendersandtheresprungtolifeinhersavagebosomthesparkofmartyrdom，thatsomecommonforbearhadtransmittedaliketoTeeka，thewildape，andthegloriouswomenofahigherorderwhohaveinviteddeathfortheirmen。Withashrillscreamsherantowardthebattlerswhowererollinginagreatmassatthefootofoneofthehugeboulderswhichdottedthegrove；
butwhatcouldshedo？Theknifesheheldshecouldnotusetoadvantagebecauseofherlesserstrength。
ShehadseenTarzanthrowmissiles，andshehadlearnedthiswithmanyotherthingsfromherchildhoodplaymate。
Shesoughtforsomethingtothrowandatlastherfingerstoucheduponthehardobjectsinthepouchthathadbeentornfromtheape-man。Tearingthereceptacleopen，shegatheredahandfulofshinycylinders——heavyfortheirsize，theyseemedtoher，andgoodmissiles。
Withallherstrengthshehurledthemattheapesbattlinginfrontofthegraniteboulder。
TheresultsurprisedTeekaquiteasmuchasitdidtheapes。
Therewasaloudexplosion，whichdeafenedthefighters，andapuffofacridsmoke。Neverbeforehadonethereheardsuchafrightfulnoise。Screamingwithterror，thestrangerbullsleapedtotheirfeetandfledbacktowardthestampinggroundoftheirtribe，whileTaugandTarzanslowlygatheredthemselvestogetherandarose，lameandbleeding，totheirfeet。They，too，wouldhavefledhadtheynotseenTeekastandingtherebeforethem，theknifeandthepocketpouchinherhands。
"Whatwasit？"askedTarzan。
Teekashookherhead。"Ihurledtheseatthestrangerbulls，"
andsheheldforthanotherhandfuloftheshinymetalcylinderswiththedullgray，cone-shapedends。
Tarzanlookedatthemandscratchedhishead。
"Whatarethey？"askedTaug。
"Idonotknow，"saidTarzan。"Ifoundthem。"
Thelittlemonkeywiththegraybeardhaltedamongthetreesamileawayandhuddled，terrified，againstabranch。
HedidnotknowthatthedeadfatherofTarzanoftheApes，reachingbackoutofthepastacrossaspanoftwentyyears，hadsavedhisson’slife。
NordidTarzan，LordGreystoke，knowiteither。
11
AJungleJokeTIMESELDOMHUNGheavilyuponTarzan’shands。Evenwherethereissamenesstherecannotbemonotonyifmostofthesamenessconsistsindodgingdeathfirstinoneformandtheninanother；orininflictingdeathuponothers。
Thereisaspicetosuchanexistence；buteventhisTarzanoftheApesvariedinactivitiesofhisowninvention。
Hewasfullgrownnow，withthegraceofaGreekgodandthethewsofabull，and，byallthetenetsofapedom，shouldhavebeensullen，morose，andbrooding；buthewasnot。Hisspiritsseemednottoageatall——hewasstillaplayfulchild，muchtothediscomfitureofhisfellow-apes。Theycouldnotunderstandhimorhisways，forwithmaturitytheyquicklyforgottheiryouthanditspastimes。
NorcouldTarzanquiteunderstandthem。Itseemedstrangetohimthatafewmoonssince，hehadropedTaugaboutanankleanddraggedhimscreamingthroughthetalljunglegrasses，andthenrolledandtumbledingood-naturedmimicbattlewhentheyoungapehadfreedhimself，andthattodaywhenhehadcomeupbehindthesameTaugandpulledhimoverbackwardupontheturf，insteadoftheplayfulyoungape，agreat，snarlingbeasthadwhirledandleapedforhisthroat。
EasilyTarzaneludedthechargeandquicklyTaug’sangervanished，thoughitwasnotreplacedwithplayfulness；yettheape-manrealizedthatTaugwasnotamusednorwasheamusing。
Thebigbullapeseemedtohavelostwhateversenseofhumorheoncemayhavepossessed。Withagruntofdisappointment，youngLordGreystoketurnedtootherfieldsofendeavor。
Astrandofblackhairfellacrossoneeye。Hebrusheditasidewiththepalmofahandandatossofhishead。
Itsuggestedsomethingtodo，sohesoughthisquiverwhichlaycachedinthehollowboleofalightning-riventree。
Removingthearrowsheturnedthequiverupsidedown，emptyinguponthegroundthecontentsofitsbottom——
hisfewtreasures。Amongthemwasaflatbitofstoneandashellwhichhehadpickedupfromthebeachnearhisfather’scabin。
Withgreatcareherubbedtheedgeoftheshellbackandforthupontheflatstoneuntilthesoftedgewasquitefineandsharp。Heworkedmuchasabarberdoeswhohonesarazor，andwitheveryevidenceofsimilarpractice；buthisproficiencywastheresultofyearsofpainstakingeffort。
Unaidedhehadworkedoutamethodofhisownforputtinganedgeupontheshell——heeventesteditwiththeballofhisthumb——andwhenitmetwithhisapprovalhegraspedawispofhairwhichfellacrosshiseyes，graspeditbetweenthethumbandfirstfingerofhislefthandandsaweduponitwiththesharpenedshelluntilitwassevered。Allaroundhisheadhewentuntilhisblackshockwasrudelybobbedwitharaggedbanginfront。
Fortheappearanceofithecarednothing；butinthematterofsafetyandcomfortitmeanteverything。
Alockofhairfallinginone’seyesatthewrongmomentmightmeanallthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath，whilestragglystrands，hangingdownone’sbackweremostuncomfortable，especiallywhenwetwithdeworrainorperspiration。
AsTarzanlaboredathistonsorialtask，hisactivemindwasbusywithmanythings。HerecalledhisrecentbattlewithBolgani，thegorilla，thewoundsofwhichwerebutjusthealed。Heponderedthestrangesleepadventuresofhisfirstdreams，andhesmiledatthepainfuloutcomeofhislastpracticaljokeuponthetribe，when，dressedinthehideofNuma，thelion，hehadcomeroaringuponthem，onlytobeleapeduponandalmostkilledbythegreatbullswhomhehadtaughthowtodefendthemselvesfromanattackoftheirancientenemy。
Hishairloppedofftohisentiresatisfaction，andseeingnopossibilityofpleasureinthecompanyofthetribe，Tarzanswungleisurelyintothetreesandsetoffinthedirectionofhiscabin；butwhenpartwaytherehisattentionwasattractedbyastrongscentspoorcomingfromthenorth。ItwasthescentoftheGomangani。
Curiosity，thatbest-developed，commonheritageofmanandape，alwayspromptedTarzantoinvestigatewheretheGomanganiwereconcerned。Therewasthataboutthemwhicharousedhisimagination。Possiblyitwasbecauseofthediversityoftheiractivitiesandinterests。
Theapeslivedtoeatandsleepandpropagate。
Thesamewastrueofalltheotherdenizensofthejungle，savetheGomangani。
Theseblackfellowsdancedandsang，scratchedaroundintheearthfromwhichtheyhadclearedthetreesandunderbrush；
theywatchedthingsgrow，andwhentheyhadripened，theycutthemdownandputtheminstraw-thatchedhuts。
Theymadebowsandspearsandarrows，poison，cookingpots，thingsofmetaltoweararoundtheirarmsandlegs。
Ifithadn’tbeenfortheirblackfaces，theirhideouslydisfiguredfeatures，andthefactthatoneofthemhadslainKala，Tarzanmighthavewishedtobeoneofthem。
Atleasthesometimesthoughtso，butalwaysatthethoughtthererosewithinhimastrangerevulsionoffeeling，whichhecouldnotinterpretorunderstand——hesimplyknewthathehatedtheGomangani，andthathewouldratherbeHistah，thesnake，thanoneofthese。
Buttheirwayswereinteresting，andTarzannevertiredofspyinguponthem。andfromthemhelearnedmuchmorethanherealized，thoughalwayshisprincipalthoughtwasofsomenewwayinwhichhecouldrendertheirlivesmiserable。
ThebaitingoftheblackswasTarzan’schiefdivertissement。
Tarzanrealizednowthattheblackswereverynearandthatthereweremanyofthem，sohewentsilentlyandwithgreatcaution。Noiselesslyhemovedthroughthelushgrassesoftheopenspaces，andwheretheforestwasdense，swungfromoneswayingbranchtoanother，orleapedlightlyovertangledmassesoffallentreeswheretherewasnowaythroughthelowerterraces，andthegroundwaschokedandimpassable。
AndsopresentlyhecamewithinsightoftheblackwarriorsofMbonga，thechief。TheywereengagedinapursuitwithwhichTarzanwasmoreorlessfamiliar，havingwatchedthematituponotheroccasions。
TheywereplacingandbaitingatrapforNuma，thelion。
Inacageuponwheelstheyweretyingakid，sofasteningitthatwhenNumaseizedtheunfortunatecreature，thedoorofthecagewoulddropbehindhim，makinghimaprisoner。
Thesethingstheblackshadlearnedintheiroldhome，beforetheyescapedthroughtheuntrackedjungletotheirnewvillage。FormerlytheyhaddweltintheBelgianCongountilthecrueltiesoftheirheartlessoppressorshaddriventhemtoseekthesafetyofunexploredsolitudesbeyondtheboundariesofLeopold’sdomain。
IntheiroldlifetheyoftenhadtrappedanimalsfortheagentsofEuropeandealers，andhadlearnedfromthemcertaintricks，suchasthisone，whichpermittedthemtocaptureevenNumawithoutinjuringhim，andtotransporthiminsafetyandwithcomparativeeasetotheirvillage。
Nolongerwasthereawhitemarketfortheirsavagewares；
buttherewasstillasufficientincentiveforthetakingofNuma——alive。Firstwasthenecessityforriddingthejungleofman-eaters，anditwasonlyafterdepredationsbythesegrimandterriblescourgesthatalionhuntwasorganized。Secondarilywastheexcuseforanorgyofcelebrationwasthehuntsuccessful，andthefactthatsuchfeteswererendereddoublypleasurablebythepresenceofalivecreaturethatmightbeputtodeathbytorture。
Tarzanhadwitnessedthesecruelritesinthepast。
BeinghimselfmoresavagethanthesavagewarriorsoftheGomangani，hewasnotsoshockedbythecrueltyofthemasheshouldhavebeen，yettheydidshockhim。
Hecouldnotunderstandthestrangefeelingofrevulsionwhichpossessedhimatsuchtimes。HehadnoloveforNuma，thelion，yethebristledwithragewhentheblacksinflicteduponhisenemysuchindignitiesandcrueltiesasonlythemindoftheonecreaturemoldedintheimageofGodcanconceive。
UpontwooccasionshehadfreedNumafromthetrapbeforetheblackshadreturnedtodiscoverthesuccessorfailureoftheirventure。Hewoulddothesametoday——thathedecidedimmediatelyherealizedthenatureoftheirintentions。
Leavingthetrapinthecenterofabroadelephanttrailnearthedrinkinghole，thewarriorsturnedbacktowardtheirvillage。Onthemorrowtheywouldcomeagain。
Tarzanlookedafterthem，uponhislipsanunconscioussneer——theheritageofunguessedcaste。Hesawthemfilealongthebroadtrail，beneaththeoverhangingverdureofleafybranchandloopedandfestoonedcreepers，brushingebonshouldersagainstgorgeousbloomswhichinscrutableNaturehasseenfittolavishmostprofuselyfarthestfromtheeyeofman。
AsTarzanwatched，throughnarrowedlids，thelastofthewarriorsdisappearbeyondaturninthetrail，hisexpressionalteredtotheurgeofanewbornthought。
Aslow，grimsmiletouchedhislips。Helookeddownuponthefrightened，bleatingkid，advertising，initsfearanditsinnocence，itspresenceanditshelplessness。
Droppingtotheground，Tarzanapproachedthetrapandentered。
Withoutdisturbingthefibercord，whichwasadjustedtodropthedooratthepropertime，heloosenedthelivingbait，tuckeditunderanarmandsteppedoutofthecage。
Withhishuntingknifehequietedthefrightenedanimal，severingitsjugular；thenhedraggedit，bleeding，alongthetraildowntothedrinkinghole，thehalfsmilepersistinguponhisordinarilygraveface。Atthewater’sedgetheape-manstoopedandwithhuntingknifeandquickstrongfingersdeftlyremovedthedeadkid’sviscera。
Scrapingaholeinthemud，heburiedthesepartswhichhedidnoteat，andswingingthebodytohisshouldertooktothetrees。
Forashortdistancehepursuedhiswayinthewakeoftheblackwarriors，comingdownpresentlytoburythemeatofhiskillwhereitwouldbesafefromthedepredationsofDango，thehyena，ortheothermeat-eatingbeastsandbirdsofthejungle。Hewashungry。Hadhebeenallbeasthewouldhaveeaten；buthisman-mindcouldentertainurgesevenmorepotentthanthoseofthebelly，andnowhewasconcernedwithanideawhichkeptasmileuponhislipsandhiseyessparklinginanticipation。
Anidea，itwas，whichpermittedhimtoforgetthathewashungry。
Themeatsafelycached，TarzantrottedalongtheelephanttrailaftertheGomangani。Twoorthreemilesfromthecageheovertookthemandthenheswungintothetreesandfollowedaboveandbehindthem——waitinghischance。
AmongtheblackswasRabbaKega，thewitch-doctor。Tarzanhatedthemall；butRabbaKegaheespeciallyhated。
Astheblacksfiledalongthewindingpath，RabbaKega，beinglazy，droppedbehind。ThisTarzannoted，anditfilledhimwithsatisfaction——hisbeingradiatedagrimandterriblecontent。Likeanangelofdeathhehoveredabovetheunsuspectingblack。
RabbaKega，knowingthatthevillagewasbutashortdistanceahead，satdowntorest。Restwell，ORabbaKega！Itisthylastopportunity。
Tarzancreptstealthilyamongthebranchesofthetreeabovethewell-fed，self-satisfiedwitch-doctor。
Hemadenonoisethatthedullearsofmancouldhearabovethesoughingofthegentlejunglebreezeamongtheundulatingfoliageoftheupperterraces，andwhenhecamecloseabovetheblackmanhehalted，wellconcealedbyleafybranchandheavycreeper。
RabbaKegasatwithhisbackagainsttheboleofatree，facingTarzan。Thepositionwasnotsuchasthewaitingbeastofpreydesired，andso，withtheinfinitepatienceofthewildhunter，theape-mancrouchedmotionlessandsilentasagravenimageuntilthefruitshouldberipefortheplucking。Apoisonousinsectbuzzedangrilyoutofspace。Itloitered，circling，closetoTarzan’sface。
Theape-mansawandrecognizedit。Thevirusofitsstingspelleddeathforlesserthingsthanhe——forhimitwouldmeandaysofanguish。Hedidnotmove。
HisglitteringeyesremainedfixeduponRabbaKegaafteracknowledgingthepresenceofthewingedtorturebyasingleglance。Heheardandfollowedthemovementsoftheinsectwithhiskeenears，andthenhefeltitalightuponhisforehead。Nomuscletwitched，forthemusclesofsuchashearetheservantsofthebrain。
Downacrosshisfacecreptthehorridthing——overnoseandlipsandchin。Uponhisthroatitpaused，andturning，retraceditssteps。TarzanwatchedRabbaKega。
Nownotevenhiseyesmoved。Somotionlesshecrouchedthatonlydeathmightcounterparthismovelessness。
Theinsectcrawledupwardoverthenut-browncheekandstoppedwithitsantennaebrushingthelashesofhislowerlid。
YouorIwouldhavestartedback，closingoureyesandstrikingatthething；butyouandIaretheslaves，notthemastersofournerves。Hadthethingcrawledupontheeyeballoftheape-man，itisbelievablethathecouldyethaveremainedwide-eyedandrigid；butitdidnot。
Foramomentitloiteredthereclosetothelowerlid，thenitroseandbuzzedaway。
DowntowardRabbaKegaitbuzzedandtheblackmanheardit，sawit，struckatit，andwasstunguponthecheekbeforehekilledit。Thenherosewithahowlofpainandanger，andasheturnedupthetrailtowardthevillageofMbonga，thechief，hisbroad，blackbackwasexposedtothesilentthingwaitingabovehim。
AndasRabbaKegaturned，alithefigureshotoutwardanddownwardfromthetreeaboveuponhisbroadshoulders。
TheimpactofthespringingcreaturecarriedRabbaKegatotheground。Hefeltstrongjawscloseuponhisneck，andwhenhetriedtoscream，steelfingersthrottledhisthroat。
Thepowerfulblackwarriorstruggledtofreehimself；
buthewasasachildinthegripofhisadversary。
PresentlyTarzanreleasedhisgripupontheother’sthroat；
buteachtimethatRabbaKegaessayedascream，thecruelfingerschokedhimpainfully。Atlastthewarriordesisted。
ThenTarzanhalfroseandkneeleduponhisvictim’sback，andwhenRabbaKegastruggledtoarise，theape-manpushedhisfacedownintothedirtofthetrail。
Withabitoftheropethathadsecuredthekid，TarzanmadeRabbaKega’swristssecurebehindhisback，thenheroseandjerkedhisprisonertohisfeet，facedhimbackalongthetrailandpushedhimonahead。
NotuntilhecametohisfeetdidRabbaKegaobtainasquarelookathisassailant。Whenhesawthatitwasthewhitedevil-godhisheartsankwithinhimandhiskneestrembled；butashewalkedalongthetrailaheadofhiscaptorandwasneitherinjurednormolestedhisspiritsslowlyrose，sothathetookheartagain。
Possiblythedevil-goddidnotintendtokillhimafterall。
HadhenothadlittleTiboinhispowerfordayswithoutharminghim，andhadhenotsparedMomaya，Tibo’smother，whenheeasilymighthaveslainher？
AndthentheycameuponthecagewhichRabbaKega，withtheotherblackwarriorsofthevillageofMbonga，thechief，hadplacedandbaitedforNuma。RabbaKegasawthatthebaitwasgone，thoughtherewasnolionwithinthecage，norwasthedoordropped。Hesawandhewasfilledwithwondernotunmixedwithapprehension。
Itenteredhisdullbrainthatinsomewaythiscombinationofcircumstanceshadaconnectionwithhispresencethereastheprisonerofthewhitedevil-god。
Norwashewrong。Tarzanpushedhimroughlyintothecage，andinanothermomentRabbaKegaunderstood。
Coldsweatbrokefromeveryporeofhisbody——hetrembledaswithague——fortheape-manwasbindinghimsecurelyintheveryspotthekidhadpreviouslyoccupied。
Thewitch-doctorpleaded，firstforhislife，andthenforadeathlesscruel；buthemightaswellhavesavedhispleasforNuma，sincealreadytheyweredirectedtowardawildbeastwhounderstoodnowordofwhathesaid。
ButhisconstantjabberingnotonlyannoyedTarzan，whoworkedinsilence，butsuggestedthatlatertheblackmightraisehisvoiceincriesforsuccor，sohesteppedoutofthecage，gatheredahandfulofgrassandasmallstickandreturning，jammedthegrassintoRabbaKega’smouth，laidthestickcrosswisebetweenhisteethandfastenedittherewiththethongfromRabbaKega’sloincloth。
Nowcouldthewitch-doctorbutrollhiseyesandsweat。
ThusTarzanlefthim。
Theape-manwentfirsttothespotwherehehadcachedthebodyofthekid。Diggingitup，heascendedintoatreeandproceededtosatisfyhishunger。Whatremainedheagainburied；thenheswungawaythroughthetreestothewaterhole，andgoingtothespotwherefresh，coldwaterbubbledfrombetweentworocks，hedrankdeeply。
Theotherbeastsmightwadeinanddrinkstagnantwater；
butnotTarzanoftheApes。Insuchmattershewasfastidious。
FromhishandshewashedeverytraceoftherepugnantscentoftheGomangani，andfromhisfacethebloodofthekid。Rising，hestretchedhimselfnotunlikesomehuge，lazycat，climbedintoanear-bytreeandfellasleep。
Whenheawokeitwasdark，thoughafaintluminositystilltingedthewesternheavens。Alionmoanedandcoughedasitstrodethroughthejungletowardwater。Itwasapproachingthedrinkinghole。Tarzangrinnedsleepily，changedhispositionandfellasleepagain。
WhentheblacksofMbonga，thechief，reachedtheirvillagetheydiscoveredthatRabbaKegawasnotamongthem。
Whenseveralhourshadelapsedtheydecidedthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim，anditwasthehopeofthemajorityofthetribethatwhateverhadhappenedtohimmightprovefatal。Theydidnotlovethewitch-doctor。Loveandfearseldomareplaymates；butawarriorisawarrior，andsoMbongaorganizedasearchingparty。Thathisowngriefwasnotunassuagablemighthavebeengatheredfromthefactthatheremainedathomeandwenttosleep。
Theyoungwarriorswhomhesentoutremainedsteadfasttotheirpurposeforfullyhalfanhour，when，unfortunatelyforRabbaKega——uponsoslightathingmaythefateofamanrest——ahoneybirdattractedtheattentionofthesearchersandledthemoffforthedeliciousstoreitpreviouslyhadmarkeddownforbetrayal，andRabbaKega’sdoomwassealed。
Whenthesearchersreturnedemptyhanded，Mbongawaswroth；
butwhenhesawthegreatstoreofhoneytheybroughtwiththemhisragesubsided。AlreadyTubuto，young，agileandevil-minded，withfacehideouslypainted，waspracticingtheblackartuponasickinfantinthefondhopeofsucceedingtotheofficeandperquisitesofRabbaKega。
Tonightthewomenoftheoldwitch-doctorwouldmoanandhowl。Tomorrowhewouldbeforgotten。Suchislife，suchisfame，suchispower——inthecenteroftheworld’shighestcivilization，orinthedepthsoftheblack，primevaljungle。Always，everywhere，manisman，norhashealteredgreatlybeneathhisveneersincehescurriedintoaholebetweentworockstoescapethetyrannosaurussixmillionyearsago。
ThemorningfollowingthedisappearanceofRabbaKega，thewarriorssetoutwithMbonga，thechief，toexaminethetraptheyhadsetforNuma。Longbeforetheyreachedthecage，theyheardtheroaringofagreatlionandguessedthattheyhadmadeasuccessfulbag，soitwaswithshoutsofjoythattheyapproachedthespotwheretheyshouldfindtheircaptive。
Yes！Therehewas，agreat，magnificentspecimen——ahuge，black-manedlion。Thewarriorswerefranticwithdelight。
Theyleapedintotheairandutteredsavagecries——hoarsevictorycries，andthentheycamecloser，andthecriesdiedupontheirlips，andtheireyeswentwidesothatthewhitesshowedallaroundtheiririses，andtheirpendulouslowerlipsdroopedwiththeirdroopingjaws。Theydrewbackinterroratthesightwithinthecage——themauledandmutilatedcorpseofwhathad，yesterday，beenRabbaKega，thewitch-doctor。
Thecapturedlionhadbeentooangryandfrightenedtofeeduponthebodyofhiskill；buthehadventeduponitmuchofhisrage，untilitwasafrightfulthingtobehold。
Fromhisperchinanear-bytreeTarzanoftheApes，LordGreystoke，lookeddownupontheblackwarriorsandgrinned。Onceagainhisself-prideinhisabilityasapracticaljokerasserteditself。IthadlaindormantforsometimefollowingthepainfulmaulinghehadreceivedthattimeheleapedamongtheapesofKerchakclothedintheskinofNuma；butthisjokewasadecidedsuccess。
Afterafewmomentsofterror，theblackscameclosertothecage，ragetakingtheplaceoffear——rageandcuriosity。
HowhadRabbaKegahappenedtobeinthecage？Wherewasthekid？Therewasnosignnorremnantoftheoriginalbait。
Theylookedcloselyandtheysaw，totheirhorror，thatthecorpseoftheirerstwhilefellowwasboundwiththeverycordwithwhichtheyhadsecuredthekid。
Whocouldhavedonethisthing？Theylookedatoneanother。
Tubutowasthefirsttospeak。Hehadcomehopefullyoutwiththeexpeditionthatmorning。SomewherehemightfindevidenceofthedeathofRabbaKega。Nowhehadfoundit，andhewasthefirsttofindanexplanation。
"Thewhitedevil-god，"hewhispered。"Itistheworkofthewhitedevil-god！"
NoonecontradictedTubuto，for，indeed，whoelsecouldithavebeenbutthegreat，hairlessapetheyallsofeared？AndsotheirhatredofTarzanincreasedagainwithanincreasedfearofhim。AndTarzansatinhistreeandhuggedhimself。
NoonetherefeltsorrowbecauseofthedeathofRabbaKega；
buteachoftheblacksexperiencedapersonalfearoftheingeniousmindwhichmightdiscoverforanyofthemadeathequallyhorribletothatwhichthewitch-doctorhadsuffered。ItwasasubduedandthoughtfulcompanywhichdraggedthecaptivelionalongthebroadelephantpathbacktothevillageofMbonga，thechief。
Anditwaswithasighofreliefthattheyfinallyrolleditintothevillageandclosedthegatesbehindthem。
Eachhadexperiencedthesensationofbeingspieduponfromthemomenttheyleftthespotwherethetraphadbeenset，thoughnonehadseenorheardaughttogivetangiblefoodtohisfears。
Atthesightofthebodywithinthecagewiththelion，thewomenandchildrenofthevillagesetupamostfrightfullamentation，workingthemselvesintoajoyoushysteriawhichfartranscendedthehappymiseryderivedbytheirmorecivilizedprototypeswhomakeabusinessofdividingtheirtimebetweenthemoviesandtheneighborhoodfuneralsoffriendsandstrangers——especiallystrangers。
Fromatreeoverhangingthepalisade，Tarzanwatchedallthatpassedwithinthevillage。Hesawthefrenziedwomentantalizingthegreatlionwithsticksandstones。
ThecrueltyoftheblackstowardacaptivealwaysinducedinTarzanafeelingofangrycontemptfortheGomangani。
Hadheattemptedtoanalyzethisfeelinghewouldhavefounditdifficult，forduringallhislifehehadbeenaccustomedtosightsofsufferingandcruelty。He，himself，wascruel。Allthebeastsofthejunglewerecruel；
butthecrueltyoftheblackswasofadifferentorder。
Itwasthecrueltyofwantontortureofthehelpless，whilethecrueltyofTarzanandtheotherbeastswasthecrueltyofnecessityorofpassion。
Perhaps，hadheknownit，hemighthavecreditedthisfeelingofrepugnanceatthesightofunnecessarysufferingtoheredity——tothegermofBritishloveoffairplaywhichhadbeenbequeathedtohimbyhisfatherandhismother；but，ofcourse，hedidnotknow，sincehestillbelievedthathismotherhadbeenKala，thegreatape。
AndjustinproportionashisangerroseagainsttheGomanganihissavagesympathywentouttoNuma，thelion，for，thoughNumawashislifetimeenemy，therewasneitherbitternessnorcontemptinTarzan’ssentimentstowardhim。
Intheape-man’smind，therefore，thedeterminationformedtothwarttheblacksandliberatethelion；
buthemustaccomplishthisinsomewaywhichwouldcausetheGomanganithegreatestchagrinanddiscomfiture。
Ashesquattedtherewatchingtheproceedingbeneathhim，hesawthewarriorsseizeuponthecageoncemoreanddragitbetweentwohuts。Tarzanknewthatitwouldremaintherenowuntilevening，andthattheblackswereplanningafeastandorgyincelebrationoftheircapture。
Whenhesawthattwowarriorswereplacedbesidethecage，andthatthesedroveoffthewomenandchildrenandyoungmenwhowouldhaveeventuallytorturedNumatodeath，heknewthatthelionwouldbesafeuntilhewasneededfortheevening’sentertainment，whenhewouldbemorecruellyandscientificallytorturedfortheedificationoftheentiretribe。
NowTarzanpreferredtobaittheblacksinastheatricamannerashisfertileimaginationcouldevolve。
Hehadsomehalf-formedconceptionoftheirsuperstitiousfearsandoftheirespecialdreadofnight，andsohedecidedtowaituntildarknessfellandtheblackspartiallyworkedtohysteriabytheirdancingandreligiousritesbeforehetookanystepstowardthefreeingofNuma。
Inthemeantime，hehoped，anideaadequatetothepossibilitiesofthevariousfactorsathandwouldoccurtohim。Norwasitlongbeforeonedid。
Hehadswungoffthroughthejungletosearchforfoodwhentheplancametohim。Atfirstitmadehimsmilealittleandthenlookdubious，forhestillretainedavividmemoryofthedireresultsthathadfollowedthecarryingoutofaverywonderfulideaalongalmostidenticallines，yethedidnotabandonhisintention，andamomentlater，foodtemporarilyforgotten，hewasswingingthroughthemiddleterracesinrapidflighttowardthestampinggroundofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。
Aswashiswont，healightedinthemidstofthelittlebandwithoutannouncinghisapproachsavebyahideousscreamjustashesprangfromabranchabovethem。
FortunatearetheapesofKerchakthattheirkindisnotsubjecttoheartfailure，forthemethodsofTarzansubjectedthemtoonesevereshockafteranother，norcouldtheyeveraccustomthemselvestotheape-man’speculiarstyleofhumor。