Contents
CHAPTER
PAGE
1BelgianandArab2OntheRoadtoOpar3TheCalloftheJungle4ProphecyandFulfillment5TheAltaroftheFlamingGod6TheArabRaid7TheJewel—RoomofOpar8TheEscapefromOpar9TheTheftoftheJewels10AchmetZekSeestheJewels11TarzanBecomesaBeastAgain12LaSeeksVengeance13CondemnedtoTortureandDeath14APriestessButYetaWoman15TheFlightofWerper16TarzanAgainLeadstheMangani17TheDeadlyPerilofJaneClayton18TheFightFortheTreasure19JaneClaytonandTheBeastsoftheJungle20JaneClaytonAgainaPrisoner21TheFlighttotheJungle22TarzanRecoversHisReason23ANightofTerror24HomeTarzanandtheJewelsofOparbyEdgarRiceBurroughs1
BelgianandArabLieutenantAlbertWerperhadonlytheprestigeofthenamehehaddishonoredtothankforhisnarrowescapefrombeingcashiered。Atfirsthehadbeenhumblythankful，too，thattheyhadsenthimtothisGodforsakenCongopostinsteadofcourt—martialinghim，ashehadsojustlydeserved；
butnowsixmonthsofthemonotony，thefrightfulisolationandthelonelinesshadwroughtachange。Theyoungmanbroodedcontinuallyoverhisfate。Hisdayswerefilledwithmorbidself—pity，whicheventuallyengenderedinhisweakandvacillatingmindahatredforthosewhohadsenthimhere——
fortheverymenhehadatfirstinwardlythankedforsavinghimfromtheignominyofdegradation。
HeregrettedthegaylifeofBrusselsasheneverhadregrettedthesinswhichhadsnatchedhimfromthatgayestofcapitals，andasthedayspassedhecametocenterhisresentmentupontherepresentativeinCongolandoftheauthoritywhichhadexiledhim——hiscaptainandimmediatesuperior。
Thisofficerwasacold，taciturnman，inspiringlittleloveinthosedirectlybeneathhim，yetrespectedandfearedbytheblacksoldiersofhislittlecommand。
Werperwasaccustomedtositforhoursglaringathissuperiorasthetwosatupontheverandaoftheircommonquarters，smokingtheireveningcigaretsinasilencewhichneitherseemeddesirousofbreaking。
Thesenselesshatredofthelieutenantgrewatlastintoaformofmania。Thecaptain’snaturaltaciturnityhedistortedintoastudiedattempttoinsulthimbecauseofhispastshortcomings。Heimaginedthathissuperiorheldhimincontempt，andsohechafedandfumedinwardlyuntiloneeveninghismadnessbecamesuddenlyhomicidal。Hefingeredthebuttoftherevolverathiship，hiseyesnarrowedandhisbrowscontracted。Atlasthespoke。
"Youhaveinsultedmeforthelasttime！"hecried，springingtohisfeet。"Iamanofficerandagentleman，andIshallputupwithitnolongerwithoutanaccountingfromyou，youpig。"
Thecaptain，anexpressionofsurpriseuponhisfeatures，turnedtowardhisjunior。Hehadseenmenbeforewiththejunglemadnessuponthem——themadnessofsolitudeandunrestrainedbrooding，andperhapsatouchoffever。
Heroseandextendedhishandtolayitupontheother’sshoulder。Quietwordsofcounselwereuponhislips；buttheywereneverspoken。Werperconstruedhissuperior’sactionintoanattempttoclosewithhim。
Hisrevolverwasonalevelwiththecaptain’sheart，andthelatterhadtakenbutastepwhenWerperpulledthetrigger。Withoutamoanthemansanktotheroughplankingoftheveranda，andashefellthemiststhathadcloudedWerper’sbrainlifted，sothathesawhimselfandthedeedthathehaddoneinthesamelightthatthosewhomustjudgehimwouldseethem。
Heheardexcitedexclamationsfromthequartersofthesoldiersandheheardmenrunninginhisdirection。
Theywouldseizehim，andiftheydidn’tkillhimtheywouldtakehimdowntheCongotoapointwhereaproperlyorderedmilitarytribunalwoulddosojustaseffectively，thoughinamoreregularmanner。
Werperhadnodesiretodie。Neverbeforehadhesoyearnedforlifeasinthismomentthathehadsoeffectivelyforfeitedhisrighttolive。Themenwerenearinghim。Whatwashetodo？Heglancedaboutasthoughsearchingforthetangibleformofalegitimateexcuseforhiscrime；buthecouldfindonlythebodyofthemanhehadsocauselesslyshotdown。
Indespair，heturnedandfledfromtheoncomingsoldiery。Acrossthecompoundheran，hisrevolverstillclutchedtightlyinhishand。Atthegatesasentryhaltedhim。Werperdidnotpausetoparleyortoexerttheinfluenceofhiscommission——hemerelyraisedhisweaponandshotdowntheinnocentblack。A
momentlaterthefugitivehadtornopenthegatesandvanishedintotheblacknessofthejungle，butnotbeforehehadtransferredtherifleandammunitionbeltsofthedeadsentrytohisownperson。
AllthatnightWerperfledfartherandfartherintotheheartofthewilderness。Nowandagainthevoiceofalionbroughthimtoalisteninghalt；butwithcockedandreadyriflehepushedaheadagain，morefearfulofthehumanhuntsmeninhisrearthanofthewildcarnivoraahead。
Dawncameatlast，butstillthemanploddedon。
Allsenseofhungerandfatiguewerelostintheterrorsofcontemplatedcapture。Hecouldthinkonlyofescape。
Hedarednotpausetorestoreatuntiltherewasnofurtherdangerfrompursuit，andsohestaggeredonuntilatlasthefellandcouldrisenomore。Howlonghehadfledhedidnotknow，ortrytoknow。Whenhecouldfleenolongertheknowledgethathehadreachedhislimitwashiddenfromhimintheunconsciousnessofutterexhaustion。
AndthusitwasthatAchmetZek，theArab，foundhim。
Achmet’sfollowerswereforrunningaspearthroughthebodyoftheirhereditaryenemy；butAchmetwouldhaveitotherwise。FirsthewouldquestiontheBelgian。
Itwereeasiertoquestionamanfirstandkillhimafterward，thankillhimfirstandthenquestionhim。
SohehadLieutenantAlbertWerpercarriedtohisowntent，andthereslavesadministeredwineandfoodinsmallquantitiesuntilatlasttheprisonerregainedconsciousness。Asheopenedhiseyeshesawthefacesofstrangeblackmenabouthim，andjustoutsidethetentthefigureofanArab。Nowherewastheuniformofhissoldierstobeseen。
TheArabturnedandseeingtheopeneyesoftheprisoneruponhim，enteredthetent。
"IamAchmetZek，"heannounced。"Whoareyou，andwhatwereyoudoinginmycountry？Whereareyoursoldiers？"
AchmetZek！Werper’seyeswentwide，andhisheartsank。Hewasintheclutchesofthemostnotoriousofcut—throats——ahaterofallEuropeans，especiallythosewhoworetheuniformofBelgium。ForyearsthemilitaryforcesofBelgianCongohadwagedafruitlesswaruponthismanandhisfollowers——awarinwhichquarterhadneverbeenaskednorexpectedbyeitherside。
ButpresentlyintheveryhatredofthemanforBelgians，Werpersawafaintrayofhopeforhimself。
He，too，wasanoutcastandanoutlaw。Sofar，atleast，theypossessedacommoninterest，andWerperdecidedtoplayuponitforallthatitmightyield。
"Ihaveheardofyou，"hereplied，"andwassearchingforyou。Mypeoplehaveturnedagainstme。Ihatethem。Evennowtheirsoldiersaresearchingforme，tokillme。Iknewthatyouwouldprotectmefromthem，foryou，too，hatethem。InreturnIwilltakeservicewithyou。Iamatrainedsoldier。Icanfight，andyourenemiesaremyenemies。"
AchmetZekeyedtheEuropeaninsilence。Inhismindherevolvedmanythoughts，chiefamongwhichwasthattheunbelieverlied。Ofcoursetherewasthechancethathedidnotlie，andifhetoldthetruththenhispropositionwasonewellworthyofconsideration，sincefightingmenwereneveroverplentiful——especiallywhitemenwiththetrainingandknowledgeofmilitarymattersthataEuropeanofficermustpossess。
AchmetZekscowledandWerper’sheartsank；butWerperdidnotknowAchmetZek，whowasquiteapttoscowlwhereanotherwouldsmile，andsmilewhereanotherwouldscowl。
"Andifyouhaveliedtome，"saidAchmetZek，"Iwillkillyouatanytime。Whatreturn，otherthanyourlife，doyouexpectforyourservices？"
"Mykeeponly，atfirst，"repliedWerper。"Later，ifI
amworthmore，wecaneasilyreachanunderstanding。"
Werper’sonlydesireatthemomentwastopreservehislife。AndsotheagreementwasreachedandLieutenantAlbertWerperbecameamemberoftheivoryandslaveraidingbandofthenotoriousAchmetZek。
FormonthstherenegadeBelgianrodewiththesavageraider。Hefoughtwithasavageabandon，andaviciouscrueltyfullyequaltothatofhisfellowdesperadoes。
AchmetZekwatchedhisrecruitwitheagleeye，andwithagrowingsatisfactionwhichfinallyfoundexpressioninagreaterconfidenceintheman，andresultedinanincreasedindependenceofactionforWerper。
AchmetZektooktheBelgianintohisconfidencetoagreatextent，andatlastunfoldedtohimapetschemewhichtheArabhadlongfostered，butwhichheneverhadfoundanopportunitytoeffect。WiththeaidofaEuropean，however，thethingmightbeeasilyaccomplished。HesoundedWerper。
"YouhaveheardofthemanmencallTarzan？"heasked。
Werpernodded。"Ihaveheardofhim；butIdonotknowhim。"
"Butforhimwemightcarryonour’trading’insafetyandwithgreatprofit，"continuedtheArab。"Foryearshehasfoughtus，drivingusfromtherichestpartofthecountry，harassingus，andarmingthenativesthattheymayrepeluswhenwecometo’trade。’Heisveryrich。Ifwecouldfindsomewaytomakehimpayusmanypiecesofgoldweshouldnotonlybeavengeduponhim；butrepaidformuchthathehaspreventedusfromwinningfromthenativesunderhisprotection。"
Werperwithdrewacigaretfromajeweledcaseandlightedit。
"Andyouhaveaplantomakehimpay？"heasked。
"Hehasawife，"repliedAchmetZek，"whommensayisverybeautiful。Shewouldbringagreatpricefarthernorth，ifwefoundittoodifficulttocollectransommoneyfromthisTarzan。"
Werperbenthisheadinthought。AchmetZekstoodawaitinghisreply。WhatgoodremainedinAlbertWerperrevoltedatthethoughtofsellingawhitewomanintotheslaveryanddegradationofaMoslemharem。
HelookedupatAchmetZek。HesawtheArab’seyesnarrow，andheguessedthattheotherhadsensedhisantagonismtotheplan。WhatwoulditmeantoWerpertorefuse？Hislifelayinthehandsofthissemi—barbarian，whoesteemedthelifeofanunbelieverlesshighlythanthatofadog。Werperlovedlife。Whatwasthiswomantohim，anyway？ShewasaEuropean，doubtless，amemberoforganizedsociety。Hewasanoutcast。Thehandofeverywhitemanwasagainsthim。
Shewashisnaturalenemy，andifherefusedtolendhimselftoherundoing，AchmetZekwouldhavehimkilled。
"Youhesitate，"murmuredtheArab。
"Iwasbutweighingthechancesofsuccess，"liedWerper，"andmyreward。AsaEuropeanIcangainadmittancetotheirhomeandtable。Youhavenootherwithyouwhocoulddosomuch。Theriskwillbegreat。
Ishouldbewellpaid，AchmetZek。"
Asmileofreliefpassedovertheraider’sface。
"Wellsaid，Werper，"andAchmetZekslappedhislieutenantupontheshoulder。"Youshouldbewellpaidandyoushall。Nowletussittogetherandplanhowbestthethingmaybedone，"andthetwomensquatteduponasoftrugbeneaththefadedsilksofAchmet’soncegorgeoustent，andtalkedtogetherinlowvoiceswellintothenight。Bothweretallandbearded，andtheexposuretosunandwindhadgivenanalmostArabhuetotheEuropean’scomplexion。Ineverydetailofdress，too，hecopiedthefashionsofhischief，sothatoutwardlyhewasasmuchanArabastheother。
Itwaslatewhenhearoseandretiredtohisowntent。
ThefollowingdayWerperspentinoverhaulinghisBelgianuniform，removingfromiteveryvestigeofevidencethatmightindicateitsmilitarypurposes。
Fromaheterogeneouscollectionofloot，AchmetZekprocuredapithhelmetandaEuropeansaddle，andfromhisblackslavesandfollowersapartyofporters，askarisandtentboystomakeupamodestsafariforabiggamehunter。AttheheadofthispartyWerpersetoutfromcamp。
2
OntheRoadToOparItwastwoweekslaterthatJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，ridinginfromatourofinspectionofhisvastAfricanestate，glimpsedtheheadofacolumnofmencrossingtheplainthatlaybetweenhisbungalowandtheforesttothenorthandwest。
Hereinedinhishorseandwatchedthelittlepartyasitemergedfromaconcealingswale。Hiskeeneyescaughtthereflectionofthesunuponthewhitehelmetofamountedman，andwiththeconvictionthatawanderingEuropeanhunterwasseekinghishospitality，hewheeledhismountandrodeslowlyforwardtomeetthenewcomer。
Ahalfhourlaterhewasmountingthestepsleadingtotheverandaofhisbungalow，andintroducingM。JulesFrecoulttoLadyGreystoke。
"Iwascompletelylost，"M。Frecoultwasexplaining。
"Myheadmanhadneverbeforebeeninthispartofthecountryandtheguideswhoweretohaveaccompaniedmefromthelastvillagewepassedknewevenlessofthecountrythanwe。Theyfinallydesertedustwodayssince。Iamveryfortunateindeedtohavestumbledsoprovidentiallyuponsuccor。IdonotknowwhatI
shouldhavedone，hadInotfoundyou。"
ItwasdecidedthatFrecoultandhispartyshouldremainseveraldays，oruntiltheywerethoroughlyrested，whenLordGreystokewouldfurnishguidestoleadthemsafelybackintocountrywithwhichFrecoult’sheadmanwassupposedlyfamiliar。
InhisguiseofaFrenchgentlemanofleisure，WerperfoundlittledifficultyindeceivinghishostandiningratiatinghimselfwithbothTarzanandJaneClayton；
butthelongerheremainedthelesshopefulhebecameofaneasyaccomplishmentofhisdesigns。
LadyGreystokeneverrodealoneatanygreatdistancefromthebungalow，andthesavageloyaltyoftheferociousWaziriwarriorswhoformedagreatpartofTarzan’sfollowersseemedtoprecludethepossibilityofasuccessfulattemptatforcibleabduction，orofthebriberyoftheWazirithemselves。
Aweekpassed，andWerperwasnonearerthefulfillmentofhisplan，insofarashecouldjudge，thanuponthedayofhisarrival，butatthatverymomentsomethingoccurredwhichgavehimrenewedhopeandsethisminduponanevengreaterrewardthanawoman’sransom。
Arunnerhadarrivedatthebungalowwiththeweeklymail，andLordGreystokehadspenttheafternooninhisstudyreadingandansweringletters。Atdinnerheseemeddistraught，andearlyintheeveningheexcusedhimselfandretired，LadyGreystokefollowinghimverysoonafter。Werper，sittingupontheveranda，couldheartheirvoicesinearnestdiscussion，andhavingrealizedthatsomethingofunusualmomentwasafoot，hequietlyrosefromhischair，andkeepingwellintheshadowoftheshrubberygrowingprofuselyaboutthebungalow，madehissilentwaytoapointbeneaththewindowoftheroominwhichhishostandhostessslept。
Herehelistened，andnotwithoutresult，foralmostthefirstwordsheoverheardfilledhimwithexcitement。LadyGreystokewasspeakingasWerpercamewithinhearing。
"Ialwaysfearedforthestabilityofthecompany，"shewassaying；"butitseemsincrediblethattheyshouldhavefailedforsoenormousasum——unlesstherehasbeensomedishonestmanipulation。"
"ThatiswhatIsuspect，"repliedTarzan；"butwhateverthecause，thefactremainsthatIhavelosteverything，andthereisnothingforitbuttoreturntoOparandgetmore。"
"Oh，John，"criedLadyGreystoke，andWerpercouldfeeltheshudderthroughhervoice，"istherenootherway？
Icannotbeartothinkofyoureturningtothatfrightfulcity。IwouldratherliveinpovertyalwaysthantohaveyouriskthehideousdangersofOpar。"
"Youneedhavenofear，"repliedTarzan，laughing。
"Iamprettywellabletotakecareofmyself，andwereInot，theWaziriwhowillaccompanymewillseethatnoharmbefallsme。"
"TheyranawayfromOparonce，andleftyoutoyourfate，"sheremindedhim。
"Theywillnotdoitagain，"heanswered。"Theywereverymuchashamedofthemselves，andwerecomingbackwhenImetthem。"
"Buttheremustbesomeotherway，"insistedthewoman。
"Thereisnootherwayhalfsoeasytoobtainanotherfortune，astogotothetreasurevaultsofOparandbringitaway，"hereplied。"Ishallbeverycareful，Jane，andthechancesarethattheinhabitantsofOparwillneverknowthatIhavebeenthereagainanddespoiledthemofanotherportionofthetreasure，theveryexistenceofwhichtheyareasignorantofastheywouldbeofitsvalue。"
ThefinalityinhistoneseemedtoassureLadyGreystokethatfurtherargumentwasfutile，andsosheabandonedthesubject。
Werperremained，listening，forashorttime，andthen，confidentthathehadoverheardallthatwasnecessaryandfearingdiscovery，returnedtotheveranda，wherehesmokednumerouscigaretsinrapidsuccessionbeforeretiring。
Thefollowingmorningatbreakfast，Werperannouncedhisintentionofmakinganearlydeparture，andaskedTarzan’spermissiontohuntbiggameintheWaziricountryonhiswayout——permissionwhichLordGreystokereadilygranted。
TheBelgianconsumedtwodaysincompletinghispreparations，butfinallygotawaywithhissafari，accompaniedbyasingleWaziriguidewhomLordGreystokehadloanedhim。ThepartymadebutasingleshortmarchwhenWerpersimulatedillness，andannouncedhisintentionofremainingwherehewasuntilhehadfullyrecovered。AstheyhadgonebutashortdistancefromtheGreystokebungalow，WerperdismissedtheWaziriguide，tellingthewarriorthathewouldsendforhimwhenhewasabletoproceed。TheWazirigone，theBelgiansummonedoneofAchmetZek’strustedblackstohistent，anddispatchedhimtowatchforthedepartureofTarzan，returningimmediatelytoadviseWerperoftheeventandthedirectiontakenbytheEnglishman。
TheBelgiandidnothavelongtowait，forthefollowingdayhisemissaryreturnedwithwordthatTarzanandapartyoffiftyWaziriwarriorshadsetouttowardthesoutheastearlyinthemorning。
Werpercalledhisheadmantohim，afterwritingalonglettertoAchmetZek。Thisletterhehandedtotheheadman。
"SendarunneratoncetoAchmetZekwiththis，"heinstructedtheheadman。"Remainhereincampawaitingfurtherinstructionsfromhimorfromme。IfanycomefromthebungalowoftheEnglishman，tellthemthatI
amveryillwithinmytentandcanseenoone。Now，givemesixportersandsixaskaris——thestrongestandbravestofthesafari——andIwillmarchaftertheEnglishmananddiscoverwherehisgoldishidden。"
AndsoitwasthatasTarzan，strippedtotheloinclothandarmedaftertheprimitivefashionhebestloved，ledhisloyalWaziritowardthedeadcityofOpar，Werper，therenegade，hauntedhistrailthroughthelong，hotdays，andcampedclosebehindhimbynight。
Andastheymarched，AchmetZekrodewithhisentirefollowingsouthwardtowardtheGreystokefarm。
ToTarzanoftheApestheexpeditionwasinthenatureofaholidayouting。HiscivilizationwasatbestbutanoutwardveneerwhichhegladlypeeledoffwithhisuncomfortableEuropeanclotheswheneveranyreasonablepretextpresenteditself。Itwasawoman’slovewhichkeptTarzaneventothesemblanceofcivilization——aconditionforwhichfamiliarityhadbredcontempt。Hehatedtheshamsandthehypocrisiesofitandwiththeclearvisionofanunspoiledmindhehadpenetratedtotherottencoreoftheheartofthething——thecowardlygreedforpeaceandeaseandthesafe—guardingofpropertyrights。Thatthefinethingsoflife——art，musicandliterature——hadthrivenuponsuchenervatingidealshestrenuouslydenied，insisting，rather，thattheyhadenduredinspiteofcivilization。
"Showmethefat，opulentcoward，"hewaswonttosay，"whoeveroriginatedabeautifulideal。Intheclashofarms，inthebattleforsurvival，amidhungeranddeathanddanger，inthefaceofGodasmanifestedinthedisplayofNature’smostterrificforces，isbornallthatisfinestandbestinthehumanheartandmind。"
AndsoTarzanalwayscamebacktoNatureinthespiritofaloverkeepingalongdeferredtrystafteraperiodbehindprisonwalls。HisWaziri，atmarrow，weremorecivilizedthanhe。TheycookedtheirmeatbeforetheyateitandtheyshunnedmanyarticlesoffoodasuncleanthatTarzanhadeatenwithgustoallhislifeandsoinsidiousisthevirusofhypocrisythateventhestalwartape—manhesitatedtogivereintohisnaturallongingsbeforethem。Heateburntfleshwhenhewouldhavepreferreditrawandunspoiled，andhebroughtdowngamewitharroworspearwhenhewouldfarratherhaveleapeduponitfromambushandsunkhisstrongteethinitsjugular；butatlastthecallofthemilkofthesavagemotherthathadsuckledhimininfancyrosetoaninsistentdemand——hecravedthehotbloodofafreshkillandhismusclesyearnedtopitthemselvesagainstthesavagejungleinthebattleforexistencethathadbeenhissolebirthrightforthefirsttwentyyearsofhislife。
3
TheCalloftheJungleMovedbythesevagueyetall—powerfulurgingstheape—manlayawakeonenightinthelittlethornbomathatprotected，inaway，hispartyfromthedepredationsofthegreatcarnivoraofthejungle。Asinglewarriorstoodsleepyguardbesidethefirethatyelloweyesoutofthedarknessbeyondthecampmadeimperative。
ThemoansandthecoughingofthebigcatsmingledwiththemyriadnoisesofthelesserdenizensofthejungletofanthesavageflameinthebreastofthissavageEnglishlord。Hetosseduponhisbedofgrasses，sleepless，foranhourandthenherose，noiselessasawraith，andwhiletheWaziri’sbackwasturned，vaultedthebomawallinthefaceoftheflamingeyes，swungsilentlyintoagreattreeandwasgone。
Foratimeinsheerexuberanceofanimalspiritheracedswiftlythroughthemiddleterrace，swingingperilouslyacrosswidespansfromonejunglegianttothenext，andthenheclamberedupwardtotheswaying，lesserboughsoftheupperterracewherethemoonshonefulluponhimandtheairwasstirredbylittlebreezesanddeathlurkedreadyineachfrailbranch。HerehepausedandraisedhisfacetoGoro，themoon。
Withupliftedarmhestood，thecryofthebullapequiveringuponhislips，yetheremainedsilentlesthearousehisfaithfulWaziriwhowerealltoofamiliarwiththehideouschallengeoftheirmaster。
Andthenhewentonmoreslowlyandwithgreaterstealthandcaution，fornowTarzanoftheApeswasseekingakill。Downtothegroundhecameintheutterblacknessoftheclose—setbolesandtheoverhangingverdureofthejungle。Hestoopedfromtimetotimeandputhisnoseclosetoearth。HesoughtandfoundawidegametrailandatlasthisnostrilswererewardedwiththescentofthefreshspoorofBara，thedeer。Tarzan’smouthwateredandalowgrowlescapedhispatricianlips。Sloughedfromhimwasthelastvestigeofartificialcaste——onceagainhewastheprimevalhunter——thefirstman——thehighestcastetypeofthehumanrace。Upwindhefollowedtheelusivespoorwithasenseofperceptionsotranscendingthatofordinarymanastobeinconceivabletous。ThroughcountercurrentsoftheheavystenchofmeateatershetracedthetrailofBara；thesweetandcloyingstinkofHorta，theboar，couldnotdrownhisquarry’sscent——
thepermeating，mellowmuskofthedeer’sfoot。
PresentlythebodyscentofthedeertoldTarzanthathispreywascloseathand。Itsenthimintothetreesagain——intothelowerterracewherehecouldwatchthegroundbelowandcatchwithearsandnosethefirstintimationofactualcontactwithhisquarry。Norwasitlongbeforetheape—mancameuponBarastandingalertattheedgeofamoon—bathedclearing。
NoiselesslyTarzancreptthroughthetreesuntilhewasdirectlyoverthedeer。Intheape—man’srighthandwasthelonghuntingknifeofhisfatherandinhisheartthebloodlustofthecarnivore。JustforaninstanthepoisedabovetheunsuspectingBaraandthenhelaunchedhimselfdownwarduponthesleekback。Theimpactofhisweightcarriedthedeertoitskneesandbeforetheanimalcouldregainitsfeettheknifehadfounditsheart。AsTarzanroseuponthebodyofhiskilltoscreamforthhishideousvictorycryintothefaceofthemoonthewindcarriedtohisnostrilssomethingwhichfrozehimtostatuesqueimmobilityandsilence。HissavageeyesblazedintothedirectionfromwhichthewindhadbornedownthewarningtohimandamomentlaterthegrassesatonesideoftheclearingpartedandNuma，thelion，strodemajesticallyintoview。Hisyellow—greeneyeswerefasteneduponTarzanashehaltedjustwithintheclearingandglaredenviouslyatthesuccessfulhunter，forNumahadhadnoluckthisnight。
Fromthelipsoftheape—manbrokearumblinggrowlofwarning。Numaansweredbuthedidnotadvance。
Insteadhestoodwavinghistailgentlytoandfro，andpresentlyTarzansquatteduponhiskillandcutagenerousportionfromahindquarter。Numaeyedhimwithgrowingresentmentandrageas，betweenmouthfuls，theape—mangrowledouthissavagewarnings。NowthisparticularlionhadneverbeforecomeincontactwithTarzanoftheApesandhewasmuchmystified。Herewastheappearanceandthescentofaman—thingandNumahadtastedofhumanfleshandlearnedthatthoughnotthemostpalatableitwascertainlybyfartheeasiesttosecure，yettherewasthatinthebestialgrowlsofthestrangecreaturewhichremindedhimofformidableantagonistsandgavehimpause，whilehishungerandtheodorofthehotfleshofBaragoadedhimalmosttomadness。AlwaysTarzanwatchedhim，guessingwhatwaspassinginthelittlebrainofthecarnivoreandwellitwasthathedidwatchhim，foratlastNumacouldstanditnolonger。Histailshotsuddenlyerectandatthesameinstantthewaryape—man，knowingalltoowellwhatthesignalportended，graspedtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterbetweenhisteethandleapedintoanearbytreeasNumachargedhimwithallthespeedandasufficientsemblanceoftheweightofanexpresstrain。
Tarzan’sretreatwasnoindicationthathefeltfear。
Junglelifeisorderedalongdifferentlinesthanoursanddifferentstandardsprevail。HadTarzanbeenfamishedhewould，doubtless，havestoodhisgroundandmetthelion’scharge。Hehaddonethethingbeforeuponmorethanoneoccasion，justasinthepasthehadchargedlionshimself；buttonighthewasfarfromfamishedandinthehindquarterhehadcarriedoffwithhimwasmorerawfleshthanhecouldeat；yetitwaswithnoequanimitythathelookeddownuponNumarendingthefleshofTarzan’skill。ThepresumptionofthisstrangeNumamustbepunished！AndforthwithTarzansetouttomakelifemiserableforthebigcat。
Closebyweremanytreesbearinglarge，hardfruitsandtooneofthesetheape—manswungwiththeagilityofasquirrel。ThencommencedabombardmentwhichbroughtforthearthshakingroarsfromNuma。Oneafteranotherasrapidlyashecouldgatherandhurlthem，Tarzanpeltedthehardfruitdownuponthelion。Itwasimpossibleforthetawnycattoeatunderthathailofmissiles——hecouldbutroarandgrowlanddodgeandeventuallyhewasdrivenawayentirelyfromthecarcassofBara，thedeer。Hewentroaringandresentful；butintheverycenteroftheclearinghisvoicewassuddenlyhushedandTarzansawthegreatheadlowerandflattenout，thebodycrouchandthelongtailquiver，asthebeastslunkcautiouslytowardthetreesupontheoppositeside。
ImmediatelyTarzanwasalert。Heliftedhisheadandsniffedtheslow，junglebreeze。WhatwasitthathadattractedNuma’sattentionandtakenhimsoft—footedandsilentawayfromthesceneofhisdiscomfiture？
JustastheliondisappearedamongthetreesbeyondtheclearingTarzancaughtuponthedown—comingwindtheexplanationofhisnewinterest——thescentspoorofmanwaswaftedstronglytothesensitivenostrils。Cachingtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterinthecrotchofatreetheape—manwipedhisgreasypalmsuponhisnakedthighsandswungoffinpursuitofNuma。A
broad，well—beatenelephantpathledintotheforestfromtheclearing。ParalleltothisslunkNuma，whileabovehimTarzanmovedthroughthetrees，theshadowofawraith。ThesavagecatandthesavagemansawNuma’squarryalmostsimultaneously，thoughbothhadknownbeforeitcamewithinthevisionoftheireyesthatitwasablackman。TheirsensitivenostrilshadtoldthemthismuchandTarzan’shadtoldhimthatthescentspoorwasthatofastranger——oldandamale，forraceandsexandageeachhasitsowndistinctivescent。
Itwasanoldmanthatmadehiswayalonethroughthegloomyjungle，awrinkled，driedup，littleoldmanhideouslyscarredandtattooedandstrangelygarbed，withtheskinofahyenaabouthisshouldersandthedriedheadmounteduponhisgreypate。Tarzanrecognizedtheear—marksofthewitch—doctorandawaitedNuma’schargewithafeelingofpleasurableanticipation，fortheape—manhadnoloveforwitch—doctors；butintheinstantthatNumadidcharge，thewhitemansuddenlyrecalledthatthelionhadstolenhiskillafewminutesbeforeandthatrevengeissweet。
ThefirstintimationtheblackmanhadthathewasindangerwasthecrashoftwigsasNumachargedthroughthebushesintothegametrailnottwentyyardsbehindhim。Thenheturnedtoseeahuge，black—manedlionracingtowardhimandevenasheturned，Numaseizedhim。Atthesameinstanttheape—mandroppedfromanoverhanginglimbfulluponthelion’sbackandashealightedheplungedhisknifeintothetawnysidebehindtheleftshoulder，tangledthefingersofhisrighthandinthelongmane，buriedhisteethinNuma’sneckandwoundhispowerfullegsaboutthebeast’storso。Witharoarofpainandrage，Numarearedupandfellbackwardupontheape—man；butstillthemightyman—thingclungtohisholdandrepeatedlythelongknifeplungedrapidlyintohisside。OverandoverrolledNuma，thelion，clawingandbitingattheair，roaringandgrowlinghorriblyinsavageattempttoreachthethinguponitsback。MorethanoncewasTarzanalmostbrushedfromhishold。HewasbatteredandbruisedandcoveredwithbloodfromNumaanddirtfromthetrail，yetnotforaninstantdidhelessentheferocityofhismadattacknorhisgrimholduponthebackofhisantagonist。Tohaveloosenedforaninstanthisgripthere，wouldhavebeentobringhimwithinreachofthosetearingtalonsorrendingfangs，andhaveendedforeverthegrimcareerofthisjungle—bredEnglishlord。Wherehehadfallenbeneaththespringofthelionthewitch—doctorlay，tornandbleeding，unabletodraghimselfawayandwatchedtheterrificbattlebetweenthesetwolordsofthejungle。
Hissunkeneyesglitteredandhiswrinkledlipsmovedovertoothlessgumsashemumbledweirdincantationstothedemonsofhiscult。
Foratimehefeltnodoubtastotheoutcome——thestrangewhitemanmustcertainlysuccumbtoterribleSimba——whoeverheardofalonemanarmedonlywithaknifeslayingsomightyabeast！Yetpresentlytheoldblackman’seyeswentwiderandhecommencedtohavehisdoubtsandmisgivings。WhatwonderfulsortofcreaturewasthisthatbattledwithSimbaandheldhisowndespitethemightymusclesofthekingofbeastsandslowlytheredawnedinthosesunkeneyes，gleamingsobrightlyfromthescarredandwrinkledface，thelightofadawningrecollection。Gropinglybackwardintothepastreachedthefingersofmemory，untilatlasttheyseizeduponafaintpicture，fadedandyellowwiththepassingyears。Itwasthepictureofalithe，white—skinnedyouthswingingthroughthetreesincompanywithabandofhugeapes，andtheoldeyesblinkedandagreatfearcameintothem——thesuperstitiousfearofonewhobelievesinghostsandspiritsanddemons。
Andcamethetimeoncemorewhenthewitch—doctornolongerdoubtedtheoutcomeoftheduel，yethisfirstjudgmentwasreversed，fornowheknewthatthejunglegodwouldslaySimbaandtheoldblackwasevenmoreterrifiedofhisownimpendingfateatthehandsofthevictorthanhehadbeenbythesureandsuddendeathwhichthetriumphantlionwouldhavemetedouttohim。
Hesawthelionweakenfromlossofblood。Hesawthemightylimbstrembleandstaggerandatlasthesawthebeastsinkdowntorisenomore。Hesawtheforestgodordemonrisefromthevanquishedfoe，andplacingafootuponthestillquiveringcarcass，raisehisfacetothemoonandbayoutahideouscrythatfrozetheebbingbloodintheveinsofthewitch—doctor。
4
ProphecyandFulfillmentThenTarzanturnedhisattentiontotheman。HehadnotslainNumatosavetheNegro——hehadmerelydoneitinrevengeuponthelion；butnowthathesawtheoldmanlyinghelplessanddyingbeforehimsomethingakintopitytouchedhissavageheart。Inhisyouthhewouldhaveslainthewitch—doctorwithouttheslightestcompunction；butcivilizationhadhaditssofteningeffectuponhimevenasitdoesuponthenationsandraceswhichittouches，thoughithadnotyetgonefarenoughwithTarzantorenderhimeithercowardlyoreffeminate。Hesawanoldmansufferinganddying，andhestoopedandfeltofhiswoundsandstanchedtheflowofblood。
"Whoareyou？"askedtheoldmaninatremblingvoice。
"IamTarzan——TarzanoftheApes，"repliedtheape—manandnotwithoutagreatertouchofpridethanhewouldhavesaid，"IamJohnClayton，LordGreystoke。"
Thewitch—doctorshookconvulsivelyandclosedhiseyes。Whenheopenedthemagaintherewasinthemaresignationtowhateverhorriblefateawaitedhimatthehandsofthisfeareddemonofthewoods。"Whydoyounotkillme？"heasked。
"WhyshouldIkillyou？"inquiredTarzan。
"Youhavenotharmedme，andanywayyouarealreadydying。
Numa，thelion，haskilledyou。"
"Youwouldnotkillme？"Surpriseandincredulitywereinthetonesofthequaveringoldvoice。
"IwouldsaveyouifIcould，"repliedTarzan，"butthatcannotbedone。WhydidyouthinkIwouldkillyou？"
Foramomenttheoldmanwassilent。Whenhespokeitwasevidentlyaftersomelittleefforttomusterhiscourage。"Iknewyouofold，"hesaid，"whenyourangedthejungleinthecountryofMbonga，thechief。
Iwasalreadyawitch—doctorwhenyouslewKulongaandtheothers，andwhenyourobbedourhutsandourpoisonpot。AtfirstIdidnotrememberyou；butatlastI
did——thewhite—skinnedapethatlivedwiththehairyapesandmadelifemiserableinthevillageofMbonga，thechief——theforestgod——theMunango—Keewatiforwhomwesetfoodoutsideourgatesandwhocameandateit。
TellmebeforeIdie——areyoumanordevil？"
Tarzanlaughed。"Iamaman，"hesaid。
Theoldfellowsighedandshookhishead。"YouhavetriedtosavemefromSimba，"hesaid。"ForthatI
shallrewardyou。Iamagreatwitch—doctor。Listentome，whiteman！Iseebaddaysaheadofyou。ItiswritinmyownbloodwhichIhavesmeareduponmypalm。
Agodgreatereventhanyouwillriseupandstrikeyoudown。Turnback，Munango—Keewati！Turnbackbeforeitistoolate。Dangerliesaheadofyouanddangerlurksbehind；butgreateristhedangerbefore。Isee——"
Hepausedanddrewalong，gaspingbreath。Thenhecrumpledintoalittle，wrinkledheapanddied。
Tarzanwonderedwhatelsehehadseen。
Itwasverylatewhentheape—manre—enteredthebomaandlaydownamonghisblackwarriors。Nonehadseenhimgoandnonesawhimreturn。Hethoughtaboutthewarningoftheoldwitch—doctorbeforehefellasleepandhethoughtofitagainafterheawoke；buthedidnotturnbackforhewasunafraid，thoughhadheknownwhatlayinstoreforonehelovedmostinalltheworldhewouldhaveflownthroughthetreestohersideandallowedthegoldofOpartoremainforeverhiddeninitsforgottenstorehouse。
Behindhimthatmorninganotherwhitemanponderedsomethinghehadheardduringthenightandverynearlydidhegiveuphisprojectandturnbackuponhistrail。ItwasWerper，themurderer，whointhestillofthenighthadheardfarawayuponthetrailaheadofhimasoundthathadfilledhiscowardlysoulwithterror——asoundsuchasheneverbeforehadheardinallhislife，nordreamedthatsuchafrightfulthingcouldemanatefromthelungsofaGod—createdcreature。
HehadheardthevictorycryofthebullapeasTarzanhadscreameditforthintothefaceofGoro，themoon，andhehadtrembledthenandhiddenhisface；andnowinthebroadlightofanewdayhetrembledagainasherecalledit，andwouldhaveturnedbackfromthenamelessdangertheechoofthatfrightfulsoundseemedtoportend，hadhenotstoodinevengreaterfearofAchmetZek，hismaster。
AndsoTarzanoftheApesforgedsteadilyaheadtowardOpar’sruinedrampartsandbehindhimslunkWerper，jackal—like，andonlyGodknewwhatlayinstoreforeach。
Attheedgeofthedesolatevalley，overlookingthegoldendomesandminaretsofOpar，Tarzanhalted。
Bynighthewouldgoalonetothetreasurevault，reconnoitering，forhehaddeterminedthatcautionshouldmarkhiseverymoveuponthisexpedition。
Withthecomingofnighthesetforth，andWerper，whohadscaledthecliffsalonebehindtheape—man’sparty，andhiddenthroughthedayamongtheroughbouldersofthemountaintop，slunkstealthilyafterhim。Theboulder—strewnplainbetweenthevalley’sedgeandthemightygranitekopje，outsidethecity’swalls，wherelaytheentrancetothepassage—wayleadingtothetreasurevault，gavetheBelgianamplecoverashefollowedTarzantowardOpar。
Hesawthegiantape—manswinghimselfnimblyupthefaceofthegreatrock。Werper，clawingfearfullyduringtheperilousascent，sweatinginterror，almostpalsiedbyfear，butspurredonbyavarice，followingupward，untilatlasthestooduponthesummitoftherockyhill。
Tarzanwasnowhereinsight。ForatimeWerperhidbehindoneofthelesserbouldersthatwerescatteredoverthetopofthehill，but，seeingorhearingnothingoftheEnglishman，hecreptfromhisplaceofconcealmenttoundertakeasystematicsearchofhissurroundings，inthehopethathemightdiscoverthelocationofthetreasureinampletimetomakehisescapebeforeTarzanreturned，foritwastheBelgian’sdesiremerelytolocatethegold，that，afterTarzanhaddeparted，hemightcomeinsafetywithhisfollowersandcarryawayasmuchashecouldtransport。
Hefoundthenarrowcleftleadingdownwardintotheheartofthekopjealongwell—worn，granitesteps。Headvancedquitetothedarkmouthofthetunnelintowhichtherunwaydisappeared；butherehehalted，fearingtoenter，lesthemeetTarzanreturning。
Theape—man，faraheadofhim，gropedhiswayalongtherockypassage，untilhecametotheancientwoodendoor。Amomentlaterhestoodwithinthetreasurechamber，where，agessince，long—deadhandshadrangedtheloftyrowsofpreciousingotsfortherulersofthatgreatcontinentwhichnowliessubmergedbeneaththewatersoftheAtlantic。
Nosoundbrokethestillnessofthesubterraneanvault。
Therewasnoevidencethatanotherhaddiscoveredtheforgottenwealthsincelasttheape—manhadvisiteditshidingplace。
Satisfied，Tarzanturnedandretracedhisstepstowardthesummitofthekopje。Werper，fromtheconcealmentofajutting，graniteshoulder，watchedhimpassupfromtheshadowsofthestairwayandadvancetowardtheedgeofthehillwhichfacedtherimofthevalleywheretheWaziriawaitedthesignaloftheirmaster。
ThenWerper，slippingstealthilyfromhishidingplace，droppedintothesomberdarknessoftheentranceanddisappeared。
Tarzan，haltinguponthekopje’sedge，raisedhisvoiceinthethunderousroarofalion。Twice，atregularintervals，herepeatedthecall，standinginattentivesilenceforseveralminutesaftertheechoesofthethirdcallhaddiedaway。Andthen，fromfaracrossthevalley，faintly，cameanansweringroar——once，twice，thrice。Basuli，theWazirichieftain，hadheardandreplied。
Tarzanagainmadehiswaytowardthetreasurevault，knowingthatinafewhourshisblackswouldbewithhim，readytobearawayanotherfortuneinthestrangelyshaped，goldeningotsofOpar。Inthemeantimehewouldcarryasmuchofthepreciousmetaltothesummitofthekopjeashecould。
SixtripshemadeinthefivehoursbeforeBasulireachedthekopje，andattheendofthattimehehadtransportedforty—eightingotstotheedgeofthegreatboulder，carryinguponeachtripaloadwhichmightwellhavestaggeredtwoordinarymen，yethisgiantframeshowednoevidenceoffatigue，ashehelpedtoraisehisebonwarriorstothehilltopwiththeropethathadbeenbroughtforthepurpose。
Sixtimeshehadreturnedtothetreasurechamber，andsixtimesWerper，theBelgian，hadcoweredintheblackshadowsatthefarendofthelongvault。Onceagaincametheape—man，andthistimetherecamewithhimfiftyfightingmen，turningportersforloveoftheonlycreatureintheworldwhomightcommandoftheirfierceandhaughtynaturessuchmenialservice。Fifty—twomoreingotspassedoutofthevaults，makingthetotalofonehundredwhichTarzanintendedtakingawaywithhim。
AsthelastoftheWazirifiledfromthechamber，Tarzanturnedbackforalastglimpseofthefabulouswealthuponwhichhistwoinroadshadmadenoappreciableimpression。Beforeheextinguishedthesinglecandlehehadbroughtwithhimforthepurpose，andtheflickeringlightofwhichhadcastthefirstalleviatingraysintotheimpenetrabledarknessoftheburiedchamber，thatithadknownforthecountlessagessinceithadlainforgottenofman，Tarzan’smindrevertedtothatfirstoccasionuponwhichhehadenteredthetreasurevault，cominguponitbychanceashefledfromthepitsbeneaththetemple，wherehehadbeenhiddenbyLa，theHighPriestessoftheSunWorshipers。
Herecalledthescenewithinthetemplewhenhehadlainstretcheduponthesacrificialaltar，whileLa，withhigh—raiseddagger，stoodabovehim，andtherowsofpriestsandpriestessesawaited，intheecstatichysteriaoffanaticism，thefirstgushoftheirvictim’swarmblood，thattheymightfilltheirgoldengobletsanddrinktothegloryoftheirFlamingGod。
ThebrutalandbloodyinterruptionbyTha，themadpriest，passedvividlybeforetheape—man’srecollectiveeyes，theflightofthevotariesbeforetheinsanebloodlustofthehideouscreature，thebrutalattackuponLa，andhisownpartofthegrimtragedywhenhehadbattledwiththeinfuriatedOparianandlefthimdeadatthefeetofthepriestesshewouldhaveprofaned。
ThisandmuchmorepassedthroughTarzan’smemoryashestoodgazingatthelongtiersofdull—yellowmetal。
HewonderedifLastillruledthetemplesoftheruinedcitywhosecrumblingwallsroseupontheveryfoundationsabouthim。Hadshefinallybeenforcedintoaunionwithoneofhergrotesquepriests？
Itseemedahideousfate，indeed，foronesobeautiful。
Withashakeofhishead，Tarzansteppedtotheflickeringcandle，extinguisheditsfeebleraysandturnedtowardtheexit。
Behindhimthespywaitedforhimtobegone。Hehadlearnedthesecretforwhichhehadcome，andnowhecouldreturnathisleisuretohiswaitingfollowers，bringthemtothetreasurevaultandcarryawayallthegoldthattheycouldstaggerunder。
TheWazirihadreachedtheouterendofthetunnel，andwerewindingupwardtowardthefreshairandthewelcomestarlightofthekopje’ssummit，beforeTarzanshookoffthedetaininghandofreverieandstartedslowlyafterthem。
Onceagain，and，hethought，forthelasttime，heclosedthemassivedoorofthetreasureroom。InthedarknessbehindhimWerperroseandstretchedhiscrampedmuscles。Hestretchedforthahandandlovinglycaressedagoldeningotonthenearesttier。
Heraiseditfromitsimmemorialrestingplaceandweigheditinhishands。Heclutchedittohisbosominanecstasyofavarice。
Tarzandreamedofthehappyhomecomingwhichlaybeforehim，ofdeararmsabouthisneck，andasoftcheekpressedtohis；butthererosetodispelthatdreamthememoryoftheoldwitch—doctorandhiswarning。
Andthen，inthespanofafewbriefseconds，thehopesofboththesemenwereshattered。Theoneforgotevenhisgreedinthepanicofterror——theotherwasplungedintototalforgetfulnessofthepastbyajaggedfragmentofrockwhichgashedadeepcutuponhishead。
5
TheAltaroftheFlamingGodItwasatthemomentthatTarzanturnedfromthecloseddoortopursuehiswaytotheouterworld。Thethingcamewithoutwarning。Oneinstantallwasquietandstability——thenext，andtheworldrocked，thetorturedsidesofthenarrowpassagewaysplitandcrumbled，greatblocksofgranite，dislodgedfromtheceiling，tumbledintothenarrowway，chokingit，andthewallsbentinwarduponthewreckage。Beneaththeblowofafragmentoftheroof，Tarzanstaggeredbackagainstthedoortothetreasureroom，hisweightpusheditopenandhisbodyrolledinwarduponthefloor。
Inthegreatapartmentwherethetreasurelaylessdamagewaswroughtbytheearthquake。Afewingotstoppledfromthehighertiers，asinglepieceoftherockyceilingsplinteredoffandcrasheddownwardtothefloor，andthewallscracked，thoughtheydidnotcollapse。
Therewasbutthesingleshock，nootherfollowedtocompletethedamageundertakenbythefirst。Werper，throwntohislengthbythesuddennessandviolenceofthedisturbance，staggeredtohisfeetwhenhefoundhimselfunhurt。Gropinghiswaytowardthefarendofthechamber，hesoughtthecandlewhichTarzanhadleftstuckinitsownwaxupontheprotrudingendofaningot。
BystrikingnumerousmatchestheBelgianatlastfoundwhathesought，andwhen，amomentlater，thesicklyraysrelievedtheStygiandarknessabouthim，hebreathedanervoussighofrelief，fortheimpenetrablegloomhadaccentuatedtheterrorsofhissituation。
Astheybecameaccustomedtothelightthemanturnedhiseyestowardthedoor——hisonethoughtnowwasofescapefromthisfrightfultomb——andashedidsohesawthebodyofthenakedgiantlyingstretcheduponthefloorjustwithinthedoorway。Werperdrewbackinsuddenfearofdetection；butasecondglanceconvincedhimthattheEnglishmanwasdead。Fromagreatgashintheman’sheadapoolofbloodhadcollectedupontheconcretefloor。
Quickly，theBelgianleapedovertheprostrateformofhiserstwhilehost，andwithoutathoughtofsuccorforthemaninwhom，foraughtheknew，lifestillremained，heboltedforthepassagewayandsafety。
Buthisrenewedhopesweresoondashed。Justbeyondthedoorwayhefoundthepassagecompletelycloggedandchokedbyimpenetrablemassesofshatteredrock。
Oncemoreheturnedandre—enteredthetreasurevault。
Takingthecandlefromitsplacehecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，norhadhegonefarbeforehediscoveredanotherdoorintheoppositeendoftheroom，adoorwhichgaveuponcreakinghingestotheweightofhisbody。Beyondthedoorlayanothernarrowpassageway。AlongthisWerpermadehisway，ascendingaflightofstonestepstoanothercorridortwentyfeetabovethelevelofthefirst。Theflickeringcandlelightedthewaybeforehim，andamomentlaterhewasthankfulforthepossessionofthiscrudeandantiquatedluminant，which，afewhoursbeforehemighthavelookeduponwithcontempt，foritshowedhim，justintime，ayawningpit，apparentlyterminatingthetunnelhewastraversing。
Beforehimwasacircularshaft。Heheldthecandleaboveitandpeereddownward。Belowhim，atagreatdistance，hesawthelightreflectedbackfromthesurfaceofapoolofwater。Hehadcomeuponawell。
Heraisedthecandleabovehisheadandpeeredacrosstheblackvoid，andthereupontheoppositesidehesawthecontinuationofthetunnel；buthowwashetospanthegulf？
Ashestoodtheremeasuringthedistancetotheoppositesideandwonderingifhedaredventuresogreataleap，therebrokesuddenlyuponhisstartledearsapiercingscreamwhichdiminishedgraduallyuntilitendedinaseriesofdismalmoans。Thevoiceseemedpartlyhuman，yetsohideousthatitmightwellhaveemanatedfromthetorturedthroatofalostsoul，writhinginthefiresofhell。
TheBelgianshudderedandlookedfearfullyupward，forthescreamhadseemedtocomefromabovehim。
Ashelookedhesawanopeningfaroverhead，andapatchofskypinkedwithbrilliantstars。
Hishalf—formedintentiontocallforhelpwasexpungedbytheterrifyingcry——wheresuchavoicelived，nohumancreaturescoulddwell。Hedarednotrevealhimselftowhateverinhabitantsdweltintheplaceabovehim。Hecursedhimselfforafoolthathehadeverembarkeduponsuchamission。HewishedhimselfsafelybackinthecampofAchmetZek，andwouldalmosthaveembracedanopportunitytogivehimselfuptothemilitaryauthoritiesoftheCongoifbysodoinghemightberescuedfromthefrightfulpredicamentinwhichhenowwas。
Helistenedfearfully，butthecrywasnotrepeated，andatlastspurredtodesperatemeans，hegatheredhimselffortheleapacrossthechasm。Goingbacktwentypaces，hetookarunningstart，andattheedgeofthewell，leapedupwardandoutwardinanattempttogaintheoppositeside。
Inhishandheclutchedthesputteringcandle，andashetooktheleaptherushofairextinguishedit。
Inutterdarknessheflewthroughspace，clutchingoutwardforaholdshouldhisfeetmisstheinvisibleledge。
Hestrucktheedgeofthedooroftheoppositeterminusoftherockytunnelwithhisknees，slippedbackward，clutcheddesperatelyforamoment，andatlasthunghalfwithinandhalfwithouttheopening；buthewassafe。
Forseveralminuteshedarednotmove；butclung，weakandsweating，wherehelay。Atlast，cautiously，hedrewhimselfwellwithinthetunnel，andagainhelayatfulllengthuponthefloor，fightingtoregaincontrolofhisshatterednerves。
Whenhiskneesstrucktheedgeofthetunnelhehaddroppedthecandle。Presently，hopingagainsthopethatithadfallenuponthefloorofthepassageway，ratherthanbackintothedepthsofthewell，heroseuponallfoursandcommencedadiligentsearchforthelittletallowcylinder，whichnowseemedinfinitelymoreprecioustohimthanallthefabulouswealthofthehoardedingotsofOpar。
Andwhen，atlast，hefoundit，heclaspedittohimandsankbacksobbingandexhausted。Formanyminuteshelaytremblingandbroken；butfinallyhedrewhimselftoasittingposture，andtakingamatchfromhispocket，lightedthestumpofthecandlewhichremainedtohim。Withthelighthefounditeasiertoregaincontrolofhisnerves，andpresentlyhewasagainmakinghiswayalongthetunnelinsearchofanavenueofescape。Thehorridcrythathadcomedowntohimfromabovethroughtheancientwell—shaftstillhauntedhim，sothathetrembledinterrorateventhesoundsofhisowncautiousadvance。
Hehadgoneforwardbutashortdistance，when，tohischagrin，awallofmasonrybarredhisfartherprogress，closingthetunnelcompletelyfromtoptobottomandfromsidetoside。Whatcoulditmean？Werperwasaneducatedandintelligentman。Hismilitarytraininghadtaughthimtousehismindforthepurposeforwhichitwasintended。Ablindtunnelsuchasthiswassenseless。Itmustcontinuebeyondthewall。Someone，atsometimeinthepast，hadhaditblockedforanunknownpurposeofhisown。Themanfelltoexaminingthemasonrybythelightofhiscandle。Tohisdelighthediscoveredthatthethinblocksofhewnstoneofwhichitwasconstructedwerefittedinlooselywithoutmortarorcement。Hetuggedupononeofthem，andtohisjoyfoundthatitwaseasilyremovable。Oneafteranotherhepulledouttheblocksuntilhehadopenedanaperturelargeenoughtoadmithisbody，thenhecrawledthroughintoalarge，lowchamber。Acrossthisanotherdoorbarredhisway；butthis，too，gavebeforehisefforts，foritwasnotbarred。Along，darkcorridorshowedbeforehim，butbeforehehadfolloweditfar，hiscandleburneddownuntilitscorchedhisfingers。Withanoathhedroppedittothefloor，whereitsputteredforamomentandwentout。
Nowhewasintotaldarkness，andagainterrorrodeheavilyastridehisneck。Whatfurtherpitfallsanddangerslayaheadhecouldnotguess；butthathewasasfaraseverfromlibertyhewasquitewillingtobelieve，sodepressingisutterabsenceoflighttooneinunfamiliarsurroundings。