Slowlyhegropedhiswayalong，feelingwithhishandsuponthetunnel’swalls，andcautiouslywithhisfeetaheadofhimuponthefloorbeforehecouldtakeasingleforwardstep。Howlonghecreptonthushecouldnotguess；butatlast，feelingthatthetunnel’slengthwasinterminable，andexhaustedbyhisefforts，byterror，andlossofsleep，hedeterminedtoliedownandrestbeforeproceedingfarther。
　　Whenheawoketherewasnochangeinthesurroundingblackness。Hemighthavesleptasecondoraday——hecouldnotknow；butthathehadsleptforsometimewasattestedbythefactthathefeltrefreshedandhungry。
　　Againhecommencedhisgropingadvance；butthistimehehadgonebutashortdistancewhenheemergedintoaroom，whichwaslightedthroughanopeningintheceiling，fromwhichaflightofconcretestepsleddownwardtothefloorofthechamber。
　　Abovehim，throughtheaperture，Werpercouldseesunlightglancingfrommassivecolumns，whichweretwinedaboutbyclingingvines。Helistened；butheheardnosoundotherthanthesoughingofthewindthroughleafybranches，thehoarsecriesofbirds，andthechatteringofmonkeys。
　　Boldlyheascendedthestairway，tofindhimselfinacircularcourt。Justbeforehimstoodastonealtar，stainedwithrusty—browndiscolorations。AtthetimeWerpergavenothoughttoanexplanationofthesestains——latertheiroriginbecamealltoohideouslyapparenttohim。
　　Besidetheopeninginthefloor，justbehindthealtar，throughwhichhehadenteredthecourtfromthesubterraneanchamberbelow，theBelgiandiscoveredseveraldoorsleadingfromtheenclosureuponthelevelofthefloor。Above，andcirclingthecourtyard，wasaseriesofopenbalconies。Monkeysscamperedaboutthedesertedruins，andgailyplumagedbirdsflittedinandoutamongthecolumnsandthegalleriesfarabove；butnosignofhumanpresencewasdiscernible。Werperfeltrelieved。Hesighed，asthoughagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromhisshoulders。Hetookasteptowardoneoftheexits，andthenhehalted，wide—eyedinastonishmentandterror，foralmostatthesameinstantadozendoorsopenedinthecourtyardwallandahordeoffrightfulmenrushedinuponhim。
　　TheywerethepriestsoftheFlamingGodofOpar——thesame，shaggy，knotted，hideouslittlemenwhohaddraggedJaneClaytontothesacrificialaltaratthisveryspotyearsbefore。Theirlongarms，theirshortandcrookedlegs，theirclose—set，evileyes，andtheirlow，recedingforeheadsgavethemabestialappearancethatsentaqualmofparalyzingfrightthroughtheshakennervesoftheBelgian。
　　Withascreamheturnedtofleebackintothelesserterrorsofthegloomycorridorsandapartmentsfromwhichhehadjustemerged，butthefrightfulmenanticipatedhisintentions。Theyblockedtheway；
　　theyseizedhim，andthoughhefell，grovelinguponhiskneesbeforethem，beggingforhislife，theyboundhimandhurledhimtotheflooroftheinnertemple。
　　TherestwasbutarepetitionofwhatTarzanandJaneClaytonhadpassedthrough。Thepriestessescame，andwiththemLa，theHighPriestess。Werperwasraisedandlaidacrossthealtar。ColdsweatexudedfromhiseveryporeasLaraisedthecruel，sacrificialknifeabovehim。Thedeathchantfelluponhistorturedears。Hisstaringeyeswanderedtothegoldengobletsfromwhichthehideousvotarieswouldsoonquenchtheirinhumanthirstinhisown，warmlife—blood。
　　Hewishedthathemightbegrantedthebriefrespiteofunconsciousnessbeforethefinalplungeofthekeenblade——andthentherewasafrightfulroarthatsoundedalmostinhisears。TheHighPriestessloweredherdagger。Hereyeswentwideinhorror。Thepriestesses，hervotaresses，screamedandfledmadlytowardtheexits。Thepriestsroaredouttheirrageandterroraccordingtothetemperoftheircourage。
　　Werperstrainedhisneckabouttocatchasightofthecauseoftheirpanic，andwhen，atlasthesawit，hetoowentcoldindread，forwhathiseyesbeheldwasthefigureofahugelionstandinginthecenterofthetemple，andalreadyasinglevictimlaymangledbeneathhiscruelpaws。
　　Againthelordofthewildernessroared，turninghisbalefulgazeuponthealtar。Lastaggeredforward，reeled，andfellacrossWerperinaswoon。
　　6
　　TheArabRaidAftertheirfirstterrorhadsubsidedsubsequenttotheshockoftheearthquake，BasuliandhiswarriorshastenedbackintothepassagewayinsearchofTarzanandtwooftheirownnumberwhowerealsomissing。
　　Theyfoundthewayblockedbyjammedanddistortedrock。Fortwodaystheylaboredtotearawaythroughtotheirimprisonedfriends；butwhen，afterHerculeanefforts，theyhadunearthedbutafewyardsofthechokedpassage，anddiscoveredthemangledremainsofoneoftheirfellowstheywereforcedtotheconclusionthatTarzanandthesecondWazirialsolaydeadbeneaththerockmassfartherin，beyondhumanaid，andnolongersusceptibleofit。
　　Againandagainastheylaboredtheycalledaloudthenamesoftheirmasterandtheircomrade；butnoansweringcallrewardedtheirlisteningears。Atlasttheygaveupthesearch。Tearfullytheycastalastlookattheshatteredtomboftheirmaster，shoulderedtheheavyburdenofgoldthatwouldatleastfurnishcomfort，ifnothappiness，totheirbereavedandbelovedmistress，andmadetheirmournfulwaybackacrossthedesolatevalleyofOpar，anddownwardthroughtheforestsbeyondtowardthedistantbungalow。
　　Andastheymarchedwhatsorryfatewasalreadydrawingdownuponthatpeaceful，happyhome！
　　FromthenorthcameAchmetZek，ridingtothesummonsofhislieutenant’sletter。WithhimcamehishordeofrenegadeArabs，outlawedmarauders，these，andequallydegradedblacks，garneredfromthemoredebasedandignoranttribesofsavagecannibalsthroughwhosecountriestheraiderpassedtoandfrowithperfectimpunity。
　　Mugambi，theebonHercules，whohadsharedthedangersandvicissitudesofhisbelovedBwana，fromJungleIsland，almosttotheheadwatersoftheUgambi，wasthefirsttonotetheboldapproachofthesinistercaravan。
　　HeitwaswhomTarzanhadleftinchargeofthewarriorswhoremainedtoguardLadyGreystoke，norcouldabraverormoreloyalguardianhavebeenfoundinanyclimeoruponanysoil。Agiantinstature，asavage，fearlesswarrior，thehugeblackpossessedalsosoulandjudgmentinproportiontohisbulkandhisferocity。
　　Notoncesincehismasterhaddepartedhadhebeenbeyondsightorsoundofthebungalow，exceptwhenLadyGreystokechosetocanteracrossthebroadplain，orrelievethemonotonyofherlonelinessbyabriefhuntingexcursion。OnsuchoccasionsMugambi，mounteduponawiryArab，hadriddencloseatherhorse’sheels。
　　Theraiderswerestillalongwayoffwhenthewarrior’skeeneyesdiscoveredthem。Foratimehestoodscrutinizingtheadvancingpartyinsilence，thenheturnedandranrapidlyinthedirectionofthenativehutswhichlayafewhundredyardsbelowthebungalow。
　　Herehecalledouttothelollingwarriors。Heissuedordersrapidly。Incompliancewiththemthemenseizedupontheirweaponsandtheirshields。Somerantocallintheworkersfromthefieldsandtowarnthetendersoftheflocksandherds。ThemajorityfollowedMugambibacktowardthebungalow。
　　Thedustoftheraiderswasstillalongdistanceaway。
　　Mugambicouldnotknowpositivelythatithidanenemy；
　　buthehadspentalifetimeofsavagelifeinsavageAfrica，andhehadseenpartiesbeforecomethusunheralded。Sometimestheyhadcomeinpeaceandsometimestheyhadcomeinwar——onecouldnevertell。
　　Itwaswelltobeprepared。Mugambididnotlikethehastewithwhichthestrangersadvanced。
　　TheGreystokebungalowwasnotwelladaptedfordefense。Nopalisadesurroundedit，for，situatedasitwas，intheheartofloyalWaziri，itsmasterhadanticipatednopossibilityofanattackinforcebyanyenemy。Heavy，woodenshuttersthereweretoclosethewindowaperturesagainsthostilearrows，andtheseMugambiwasengagedinloweringwhenLadyGreystokeappearedupontheveranda。
　　"Why，Mugambi！"sheexclaimed。"Whathashappened？
　　Whyareyouloweringtheshutters？"
　　Mugambipointedoutacrosstheplaintowhereawhite—robedforceofmountedmenwasnowdistinctlyvisible。
　　"Arabs，"heexplained。"TheycomefornogoodpurposeintheabsenceoftheGreatBwana。"
　　Beyondtheneatlawnandthefloweringshrubs，JaneClaytonsawtheglisteningbodiesofherWaziri。
　　Thesunglancedfromthetipsoftheirmetal—shodspears，pickedoutthegorgeouscolorsinthefeathersoftheirwarbonnets，andreflectedthehigh—lightsfromtheglossyskinsoftheirbroadshouldersandhighcheekbones。
　　JaneClaytonsurveyedthemwithunmixedfeelingsofprideandaffection。Whatharmcouldbefallherwithsuchasthesetoprotecther？
　　Theraidershadhaltednow，ahundredyardsoutupontheplain。Mugambihadhasteneddowntojoinhiswarriors。Headvancedafewyardsbeforethemandraisinghisvoicehailedthestrangers。AchmetZeksatstraightinhissaddlebeforehishenchmen。
　　"Arab！"criedMugambi。"Whatdoyouhere？"
　　"Wecomeinpeace，"AchmetZekcalledback。
　　"Thenturnandgoinpeace，"repliedMugambi。
　　"Wedonotwantyouhere。TherecanbenopeacebetweenArabandWaziri。"
　　Mugambi，althoughnotborninWaziri，hadbeenadoptedintothetribe，whichnowcontainednomembermorejealousofitstraditionsanditsprowessthanhe。
　　AchmetZekdrewtoonesideofhishorde，speakingtohismeninalowvoice。Amomentlater，withoutwarning，araggedvolleywaspouredintotheranksoftheWaziri。Acoupleofwarriorsfell，theotherswereforchargingtheattackers；butMugambiwasacautiousaswellasabraveleader。Heknewthefutilityofchargingmountedmenarmedwithmuskets。Hewithdrewhisforcebehindtheshrubberyofthegarden。Somehedispatchedtovariousotherpartsofthegroundssurroundingthebungalow。Halfadozenhesenttothebungalowitselfwithinstructionstokeeptheirmistresswithindoors，andtoprotectherwiththeirlives。
　　Adoptingthetacticsofthedesertfightersfromwhichhehadsprung，AchmetZekledhisfollowersatagallopinalong，thinline，describingagreatcirclewhichdrewcloserandcloserintowardthedefenders。
　　AtthatpartofthecircleclosesttotheWaziri，aconstantfusilladeofshotswaspouredintothebushesbehindwhichtheblackwarriorshadconcealedthemselves。Thelatter，ontheirpart，loosedtheirslimshaftsatthenearestoftheenemy。
　　TheWaziri，justlyfamedfortheirarchery，foundnocausetoblushfortheirperformancethatday。
　　Timeandagainsomeswarthyhorsemanthrewhandsabovehisheadandtoppledfromhissaddle，piercedbyadeadlyarrow；butthecontestwasuneven。TheArabsoutnumberedtheWaziri；theirbulletspenetratedtheshrubberyandfoundmarksthattheArabriflemenhadnotevenseen；andthenAchmetZekcircledinwardahalfmileabovethebungalow，toredownasectionofthefence，andledhismarauderswithinthegrounds。
　　Acrossthefieldstheychargedatamadrun。Notagaindidtheypausetolowerfences，instead，theydrovetheirwildmountsstraightforthem，clearingtheobstaclesaslightlyaswingedgulls。
　　Mugambisawthemcoming，and，callingthoseofhiswarriorswhoremained，ranforthebungalowandthelaststand。UpontheverandaLadyGreystokestood，rifleinhand。Morethanasingleraiderhadaccountedtohersteadynervesandcoolaimforhisoutlawry；
　　morethanasingleponyraced，riderless，inthewakeofthecharginghorde。
　　Mugambipushedhismistressbackintothegreatersecurityoftheinterior，andwithhisdepletedforcepreparedtomakealaststandagainstthefoe。
　　OncametheArabs，shoutingandwavingtheirlonggunsabovetheirheads。Pasttheverandatheyraced，pouringadeadlyfireintothekneelingWaziriwhodischargedtheirvolleyofarrowsfrombehindtheirlong，ovalshields——shieldswelladapted，perhaps，tostopahostilearrow，ordeflectaspear；butfutile，quite，beforetheleadenmissilesoftheriflemen。
　　Frombeneaththehalf—raisedshuttersofthebungalowotherbowmendideffectiveserviceingreatersecurity，andafterthefirstassault，Mugambiwithdrewhisentireforcewithinthebuilding。
　　AgainandagaintheArabscharged，atlastformingastationarycircleaboutthelittlefortress，andoutsidetheeffectiverangeofthedefenders’arrows。
　　Fromtheirnewpositiontheyfiredatwillatthewindows。OnebyonetheWazirifell。Fewerandfewerwerethearrowsthatrepliedtothegunsoftheraiders，andatlastAchmetZekfeltsafeinorderinganassault。
　　Firingastheyran，thebloodthirstyhorderacedfortheveranda。Adozenofthemfelltothearrowsofthedefenders；butthemajorityreachedthedoor。
　　Heavygunbuttsfelluponit。ThecrashofsplinteredwoodmingledwiththereportofarifleasJaneClaytonfiredthroughthepanelsupontherelentlessfoe。
　　Uponbothsidesofthedoormenfell；butatlastthefrailbarriergavetotheviciousassaultsofthemaddenedattackers；itcrumpledinwardandadozenswarthymurderersleapedintotheliving—room。
　　AtthefarendstoodJaneClaytonsurroundedbytheremnantofherdevotedguardians。Thefloorwascoveredbythebodiesofthosewhoalreadyhadgivenuptheirlivesinherdefense。IntheforefrontofherprotectorsstoodthegiantMugambi。TheArabsraisedtheirriflestopourinthelastvolleythatwouldeffectuallyendallresistance；butAchmetZekroaredoutawarningorderthatstayedtheirtriggerfingers。
　　"Firenotuponthewoman！"hecried。"Whoharmsher，dies。Takethewomanalive！"
　　TheArabsrushedacrosstheroom；theWazirimetthemwiththeirheavyspears。Swordsflashed，long—barreledpistolsroaredouttheirsullendeathdooms。MugambilaunchedhisspearatthenearestoftheenemywithaforcethatdrovetheheavyshaftcompletelythroughtheArab’sbody，thenheseizedapistolfromanother，andgraspingitbythebarrelbrainedallwhoforcedtheirwaytoonearhismistress。
　　Emulatinghisexamplethefewwarriorswhoremainedtohimfoughtlikedemons；butonebyonetheyfell，untilonlyMugambiremainedtodefendthelifeandhonoroftheape—man’smate。
　　FromacrosstheroomAchmetZekwatchedtheunequalstruggleandurgedonhisminions。Inhishandswasajeweledmusket。Slowlyheraisedittohisshoulder，waitinguntilanothermoveshouldplaceMugambiathismercywithoutendangeringthelivesofthewomanoranyofhisownfollowers。
　　Atlastthemomentcame，andAchmetZekpulledthetrigger。WithoutasoundthebraveMugambisanktotheflooratthefeetofJaneClayton。
　　Aninstantlatershewassurroundedanddisarmed。
　　Withoutawordtheydraggedherfromthebungalow。
　　AgiantNegroliftedhertothepommelofhissaddle，andwhiletheraiderssearchedthebungalowandouthousesforplunderherodewithherbeyondthegatesandwaitedthecomingofhismaster。
　　JaneClaytonsawtheraidersleadthehorsesfromthecorral，anddrivetheherdsinfromthefields。
　　ShesawherhomeplunderedofallthatrepresentedintrinsicworthintheeyesoftheArabs，andthenshesawthetorchapplied，andtheflameslickupwhatremained。
　　Andatlast，whentheraidersassembledaftergluttingtheirfuryandtheiravarice，androdeawaywithhertowardthenorth，shesawthesmokeandtheflamesrisingfarintotheheavensuntilthewindingofthetrailintothethickforestshidthesadviewfromhereyes。
　　Astheflamesatetheirwayintotheliving—room，reachingoutforkedtonguestolickupthebodiesofthedead，oneofthatgruesomecompanywhosebloodywelteringshadlongsincebeenstilled，movedagain。
　　Itwasahugeblackwhorolledoveruponhissideandopenedblood—shot，sufferingeyes。Mugambi，whomtheArabshadleftfordead，stilllived。Thehotflameswerealmostuponhimasheraisedhimselfpainfullyuponhishandsandkneesandcrawledslowlytowardthedoorway。
　　Againandagainhesankweaklytothefloor；buteachtimeheroseagainandcontinuedhispitifulwaytowardsafety。Afterwhatseemedtohimaninterminabletime，duringwhichtheflameshadbecomeaveritablefieryfurnaceatthefarsideoftheroom，thegreatblackmanagedtoreachtheveranda，rolldownthesteps，andcrawloffintothecoolsafetyofsomenearbyshrubbery。
　　Allnighthelaythere，alternatelyunconsciousandpainfullysentient；andinthelatterstatewatchingwithsavagehatredtheluridflameswhichstillrosefromburningcribandhaycock。Aprowlinglionroaredcloseathand；butthegiantblackwasunafraid。Therewasplaceforbutasinglethoughtinhissavagemind——
　　revenge！revenge！revenge！
　　7
　　TheJewel—RoomofOparForsometimeTarzanlaywherehehadfallenuponthefloorofthetreasurechamberbeneaththeruinedwallsofOpar。Helayasonedead；buthewasnotdead。
　　Atlengthhestirred。Hiseyesopenedupontheutterdarknessoftheroom。Heraisedhishandtohisheadandbroughtitawaystickywithclottedblood。Hesniffedathisfingers，asawildbeastmightsniffatthelife—blooduponawoundedpaw。
　　Slowlyherosetoasittingposture——listening。
　　Nosoundreachedtotheburieddepthsofhissepulcher。
　　Hestaggeredtohisfeet，andgropedhiswayaboutamongthetiersofingots。Whatwashe？Wherewashe？
　　Hisheadached；butotherwisehefeltnoilleffectsfromtheblowthathadfelledhim。Theaccidenthedidnotrecall，nordidherecallaughtofwhathadleduptoit。
　　Helethishandsgropeunfamiliarlyoverhislimbs，historso，andhishead。Hefeltofthequiverathisback，theknifeinhisloincloth。Somethingstruggledforrecognitionwithinhisbrain。Ah！hehadit。
　　Therewassomethingmissing。Hecrawledaboutuponthefloor，feelingwithhishandsforthethingthatinstinctwarnedhimwasgone。Atlasthefoundit——theheavywarspearthatinpastyearshadformedsoimportantafeatureofhisdailylife，almostofhisveryexistence，soinseparablyhaditbeenconnectedwithhiseveryactionsincethelong—gonedaythathehadwrestedhisfirstspearfromthebodyofablackvictimofhissavagetraining。
　　Tarzanwassurethattherewasanotherandmorelovelyworldthanthatwhichwasconfinedtothedarknessofthefourstonewallssurroundinghim。Hecontinuedhissearchandatlastfoundthedoorwayleadinginwardbeneaththecityandthetemple。Thishefollowed，mostincautiously。Hecametothestonestepsleadingupwardtothehigherlevel。Heascendedthemandcontinuedonwardtowardthewell。
　　Nothingspurredhishurtmemorytoarecollectionofpastfamiliaritywithhissurroundings。Heblunderedonthroughthedarknessasthoughheweretraversinganopenplainunderthebrillianceofanoondaysun，andsuddenlytherehappenedthatwhichhadtohappenunderthecircumstancesofhisrashadvance。
　　Hereachedthebrinkofthewell，steppedoutwardintospace，lungedforward，andshotdownwardintotheinkydepthsbelow。Stillclutchinghisspear，hestruckthewater，andsankbeneathitssurface，plumbingthedepths。
　　Thefallhadnotinjuredhim，andwhenherosetothesurface，heshookthewaterfromhiseyes，andfoundthathecouldsee。Daylightwasfilteringintothewellfromtheorificefarabovehishead。Itilluminedtheinnerwallsfaintly。Tarzangazedabouthim。
　　Onthelevelwiththesurfaceofthewaterhesawalargeopeninginthedarkandslimywall。Heswamtoit，anddrewhimselfoutuponthewetfloorofatunnel。
　　Alongthishepassed；butnowhewentwarily，forTarzanoftheApeswaslearning。Theunexpectedpithadtaughthimcareinthetraversingofdarkpassageways——heneedednosecondlesson。
　　Foralongdistancethepassagewentstraightasanarrow。Thefloorwasslippery，asthoughattimestherisingwatersofthewelloverflowedandfloodedit。
　　This，initself，retardedTarzan’space，foritwaswithdifficultythathekepthisfooting。
　　Thefootofastairwayendedthepassage。Upthishemadehisway。Itturnedbackandforthmanytimes，leading，atlast，intoasmall，circularchamber，thegloomofwhichwasrelievedbyafaintlightwhichfoundingressthroughatubularshaftseveralfeetindiameterwhichrosefromthecenteroftheroom’sceiling，upwardtoadistanceofahundredfeetormore，whereitterminatedinastonegratingthroughwhichTarzancouldseeablueandsun—litsky。
　　Curiositypromptedtheape—mantoinvestigatehissurroundings。Severalmetal—bound，copper—studdedchestsconstitutedthesolefurnitureoftheroundroom。Tarzanlethishandsrunoverthese。Hefeltofthecopperstuds，hepulleduponthehinges，andatlast，bychance，heraisedthecoverofone。
　　Anexclamationofdelightbrokefromhislipsatsightoftheprettycontents。Gleamingandglisteninginthesubduedlightofthechamber，layagreattrayfullofbrilliantstones。Tarzan，revertedtotheprimitivebyhisaccident，hadnoconceptionofthefabulousvalueofhisfind。Tohimtheywerebutprettypebbles。
　　Heplungedhishandsintothemandletthepricelessgemsfilterthroughhisfingers。Hewenttoothersofthechests，onlytofindstillfurtherstoresofpreciousstones。Nearlyallwerecut，andfromthesehegatheredahandfulandfilledthepouchwhichdangledathisside——theuncutstoneshetossedbackintothechests。
　　Unwittingly，theape—manhadstumbledupontheforgottenjewel—roomofOpar。ForagesithadlainburiedbeneaththetempleoftheFlamingGod，midwayofoneofthemanyinkypassageswhichthesuperstitiousdescendantsoftheancientSunWorshipershadeitherdarednotorcarednottoexplore。
　　Tiringatlastofthisdiversion，Tarzantookuphiswayalongthecorridorwhichledupwardfromthejewel—roombyasteepincline。Windingandtwisting，butalwaystendingupward，thetunnelledhimnearerandnearertothesurface，endingfinallyinalow—ceiledroom，lighterthananythathehadasyetdiscovered。
　　Abovehimanopeningintheceilingattheupperendofaflightofconcretestepsrevealedabrilliantsunlitscene。Tarzanviewedthevine—coveredcolumnsinmildwonderment。Hepuckeredhisbrowsinanattempttorecallsomerecollectionofsimilarthings。Hewasnotsureofhimself。Therewasatantalizingsuggestionalwayspresentinhismindthatsomethingwaseludinghim——thatheshouldknowmanythingswhichhedidnotknow。
　　Hisearnestcogitationwasrudelyinterruptedbyathunderousroarfromtheopeningabovehim。Followingtheroarcamethecriesandscreamsofmenandwomen。
　　Tarzangraspedhisspearmorefirmlyandascendedthesteps。Astrangesightmethiseyesasheemergedfromthesemi—darknessofthecellartothebrilliantlightofthetemple。
　　Thecreatureshesawbeforehimherecognizedforwhattheywere——menandwomen，andahugelion。Themenandwomenwerescuttlingforthesafetyoftheexits。
　　Thelionstooduponthebodyofonewhohadbeenlessfortunatethantheothers。Hewasinthecenterofthetemple。
　　DirectlybeforeTarzan，awomanstoodbesideablockofstone。Uponthetopofthestonelaystretchedaman，andastheape—manwatchedthescene，hesawthelionglareterriblyatthetwowhoremainedwithinthetemple。Anotherthunderousroarbrokefromthesavagethroat，thewomanscreamedandswoonedacrossthebodyofthemanstretchedprostrateuponthestonealtarbeforeher。
　　Thelionadvancedafewstepsandcrouched。Thetipofhissinuoustailtwitchednervously。Hewasuponthepointofchargingwhenhiseyeswereattractedtowardtheape—man。
　　Werper，helplessuponthealtar，sawthegreatcarnivorepreparingtoleapuponhim。Hesawthesuddenchangeinthebeast’sexpressionashiseyeswanderedtosomethingbeyondthealtarandoutoftheBelgian’sview。Hesawtheformidablecreaturerisetoastandingposition。AfiguredartedpastWerper。
　　Hesawamightyarmupraised，andastoutspearshootforwardtowardthelion，toburyitselfinthebroadchest。
　　Hesawthelionsnappingandtearingattheweapon’sshaft，andhesaw，wonderofwonders，thenakedgiantwhohadhurledthemissilecharginguponthegreatbeast，onlyalongknifereadytomeetthoseferociousfangsandtalons。
　　Thelionreareduptomeetthisnewenemy。Thebeastwasgrowlingfrightfully，andthenuponthestartledearsoftheBelgian，brokeasimilarsavagegrowlfromthelipsofthemanrushinguponthebeast。
　　Byaquicksidestep，Tarzaneludedthefirstswingingclutchofthelion’spaws。Dartingtothebeast’sside，heleapeduponthetawnyback。Hisarmsencircledthemanedneck，histeethsankdeepintothebrute’sflesh。Roaring，leaping，rollingandstruggling，thegiantcatattemptedtodislodgethissavageenemy，andallthewhileonegreat，brownfistwasdrivingalongkeenbladerepeatedlyintothebeast’sside。
　　Duringthebattle，Laregainedconsciousness。
　　Spellbound，shestoodabovehervictimwatchingthespectacle。Itseemedincrediblethatahumanbeingcouldbestthekingofbeastsinpersonalencounterandyetbeforeherveryeyestherewastakingplacejustsuchanimprobability。
　　AtlastTarzan’sknifefoundthegreatheart，andwithafinal，spasmodicstrugglethelionrolledoveruponthemarblefloor，dead。Leapingtohisfeettheconquerorplacedafootuponthecarcassofhiskill，raisedhisfacetowardtheheavens，andgavevoicetosohideousacrythatbothLaandWerpertrembledasitreverberatedthroughthetemple。
　　Thentheape—manturned，andWerperrecognizedhimasthemanhehadleftfordeadinthetreasureroom。
　　8
　　TheEscapefromOparWerperwasastounded。CouldthiscreaturebethesamedignifiedEnglishmanwhohadentertainedhimsograciouslyinhisluxuriousAfricanhome？Couldthiswildbeast，withblazingeyes，andbloodycountenance，beatthesametimeaman？Couldthehorrid，victorycryhehadbutjustheardhavebeenformedinhumanthroat？
　　Tarzanwaseyeingthemanandthewoman，apuzzledexpressioninhiseyes，buttherewasnofaintesttingeofrecognition。Itwasasthoughhehaddiscoveredsomenewspeciesoflivingcreatureandwasmarvelingathisfind。
　　Lawasstudyingtheape—man’sfeatures。Slowlyherlargeeyesopenedverywide。
　　"Tarzan！"sheexclaimed，andthen，inthevernacularofthegreatapeswhichconstantassociationwiththeanthropoidshadrenderedthecommonlanguageoftheOparians："Youhavecomebacktome！Lahasignoredthemandatesofherreligion，waiting，alwayswaitingforTarzan——forherTarzan。Shehastakennomate，forinalltheworldtherewasbutonewithwhomLawouldmate。Andnowyouhavecomeback！Tellme，OTarzan，thatitisformeyouhavereturned。"
　　Werperlistenedtotheunintelligiblejargon。
　　HelookedfromLatoTarzan。Wouldthelatterunderstandthisstrangetongue？TotheBelgian’ssurprise，theEnglishmanansweredinalanguageevidentlyidenticaltohers。
　　"Tarzan，"herepeated，musingly。"Tarzan。Thenamesoundsfamiliar。"
　　"Itisyourname——youareTarzan，"criedLa。
　　"IamTarzan？"Theape—manshrugged。"Well，itisagoodname——Iknownoother，soIwillkeepit；butIdonotknowyou。Ididnotcomehitherforyou。WhyI
　　came，Idonotknowatall；neitherdoIknowfromwhenceIcame。Canyoutellme？"
　　Lashookherhead。"Ineverknew，"shereplied。
　　TarzanturnedtowardWerperandputthesamequestiontohim；butinthelanguageofthegreatapes。
　　TheBelgianshookhishead。
　　"Idonotunderstandthatlanguage，"hesaidinFrench。
　　Withouteffort，andapparentlywithoutrealizingthathemadethechange，TarzanrepeatedhisquestioninFrench。WerpersuddenlycametoafullrealizationofthemagnitudeoftheinjuryofwhichTarzanwasavictim。Themanhadlosthismemory——nolongercouldherecollectpastevents。TheBelgianwasuponthepointofenlighteninghim，whenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatbykeepingTarzaninignorance，foratimeatleast，ofhistrueidentity，itmightbepossibletoturntheape—man’smisfortunetohisownadvantage。
　　"Icannottellyoufromwhenceyoucame，"hesaid；
　　"butthisIcantellyou——ifwedonotgetoutofthishorribleplaceweshallbothbeslainuponthisbloodyaltar。Thewomanwasabouttoplungeherknifeintomyheartwhenthelioninterruptedthefiendishritual。Come！
　　Beforetheyrecoverfromtheirfrightandreassemble，letusfindawayoutoftheirdamnabletemple。"
　　TarzanturnedagaintowardLa。
　　"Why，"heasked，"wouldyouhavekilledthisman？
　　Areyouhungry？"
　　TheHighPriestesscriedoutindisgust。
　　"Didheattempttokillyou？"continuedTarzan。
　　Thewomanshookherhead。
　　"Thenwhyshouldyouhavewishedtokillhim？"Tarzanwasdeterminedtogettothebottomofthething。
　　Laraisedherslenderarmandpointedtowardthesun。
　　"WewereofferinguphissoulasagifttotheFlamingGod，"shesaid。
　　Tarzanlookedpuzzled。Hewasagainanape，andapesdonotunderstandsuchmattersassoulsandFlamingGods。
　　"Doyouwishtodie？"heaskedWerper。
　　TheBelgianassuredhim，withtearsinhiseyes，thathedidnotwishtodie。
　　"Verywellthen，youshallnot，"saidTarzan。"Come！
　　Wewillgo。ThisSHEwouldkillyouandkeepmeforherself。ItisnoplaceanywayforaMangani。
　　Ishouldsoondie，shutupbehindthesestonewalls。"
　　HeturnedtowardLa。"Wearegoingnow，"hesaid。
　　Thewomanrushedforwardandseizedtheape—man’shandsinhers。
　　"Donotleaveme！"shecried。"Stay，andyoushallbeHighPriest。Lalovesyou。AllOparshallbeyours。
　　Slavesshallwaituponyou。Stay，TarzanoftheApes，andletloverewardyou。"
　　Theape—manpushedthekneelingwomanaside。"Tarzandoesnotdesireyou，"hesaid，simply，andsteppingtoWerper’ssidehecuttheBelgian’sbondsandmotionedhimtofollow。
　　Panting——herfaceconvulsedwithrage，Lasprangtoherfeet。
　　"Stay，youshall！"shescreamed。"Lawillhaveyou——ifshecannothaveyoualive，shewillhaveyoudead，"andraisingherfacetothesunshegavevoicetothesamehideousshriekthatWerperhadheardoncebeforeandTarzanmanytimes。
　　Inanswertohercryababelofvoicesbrokefromthesurroundingchambersandcorridors。
　　"Come，GuardianPriests！"shecried。"Theinfidelshaveprofanedtheholiestoftheholies。Come！Striketerrortotheirhearts；defendLaandheraltar；washcleanthetemplewiththebloodofthepolluters。"
　　Tarzanunderstood，thoughWerperdidnot。TheformerglancedattheBelgianandsawthathewasunarmed。
　　SteppingquicklytoLa’ssidetheape—manseizedherinhisstrongarmsandthoughshefoughtwithallthemadsavageryofademon，hesoondisarmedher，handingherlong，sacrificialknifetoWerper。
　　"Youwillneedthis，"hesaid，andthenfromeachdoorwayahordeofthemonstrous，littlemenofOparstreamedintothetemple。
　　Theywerearmedwithbludgeonsandknives，andfortifiedintheircouragebyfanaticalhateandfrenzy。Werperwasterrified。Tarzanstoodeyeingthefoeinprouddisdain。Slowlyheadvancedtowardtheexithehadchosentoutilizeinmakinghiswayfromthetemple。Aburlypriestbarredhisway。Behindthefirstwasascoreofothers。Tarzanswunghisheavyspear，clublike，downupontheskullofthepriest。
　　Thefellowcollapsed，hisheadcrushed。
　　AgainandagaintheweaponfellasTarzanmadehiswayslowlytowardthedoorway。Werperpressedclosebehind，castingbackwardglancestowardtheshrieking，dancingmobmenacingtheirrear。Heheldthesacrificialknifereadytostrikewhoevermightcomewithinitsreach；butnonecame。Foratimehewonderedthattheyshouldsobravelybattlewiththegiantape—man，yethesitatetorushuponhim，whowasrelativelysoweak。Hadtheydonesoheknewthathemusthavefallenatthefirstcharge。Tarzanhadreachedthedoorwayoverthecorpsesofallthathadstoodtodisputehisway，beforeWerperguessedatthereasonforhisimmunity。Thepriestsfearedthesacrificialknife！WillinglywouldtheyfacedeathandwelcomeitifitcamewhiletheydefendedtheirHighPriestessandheraltar；butevidentlythereweredeaths，anddeaths。Somestrangesuperstitionmustsurroundthatpolishedblade，thatnoOpariancaredtochanceadeaththrustfromit，yetgladlyrushedtotheslaughteroftheape—man’sflayingspear。
　　Onceoutsidethetemplecourt，WerpercommunicatedhisdiscoverytoTarzan。Theape—mangrinned，andletWerpergobeforehim，brandishingthejeweledandholyweapon。Likeleavesbeforeagale，theOpariansscatteredinalldirectionsandTarzanandtheBelgianfoundaclearpassagethroughthecorridorsandchambersoftheancienttemple。
　　TheBelgian’seyeswentwideastheypassedthroughtheroomofthesevenpillarsofsolidgold。Withill—concealedavaricehelookedupontheage—old，goldentabletssetinthewallsofnearlyeveryroomanddownthesidesofmanyofthecorridors。Totheape—manallthiswealthappearedtomeannothing。
　　Onthetwowent，chanceleadingthemtowardthebroadavenuewhichlaybetweenthestatelypilesofthehalf—ruinededificesandtheinnerwallofthecity。
　　Greatapesjabberedatthemandmenacedthem；butTarzanansweredthemaftertheirownkind，givingbacktauntfortaunt，insultforinsult，challengeforchallenge。
　　Werpersawahairybullswingdownfromabrokencolumnandadvance，stiff—leggedandbristling，towardthenakedgiant。Theyellowfangswerebared，angrysnarlsandbarkingsrumbledthreateninglythroughthethickandhanginglips。
　　TheBelgianwatchedhiscompanion。Tohishorror，hesawthemanstoopuntilhisclosedknucklesresteduponthegroundasdidthoseoftheanthropoid。Hesawhimcircle，stiff—leggedaboutthecirclingape。Heheardthesamebestialbarkingsandgrowlingsissuefromthehumanthroatthatwerecomingfromthemouthofthebrute。Hadhiseyesbeenclosedhecouldnothaveknownbutthattwogiantapeswerebridlingforcombat。
　　Buttherewasnobattle。Itendedasthemajorityofsuchjungleencountersend——oneoftheboastersloseshisnerve，andbecomessuddenlyinterestedinablowingleaf，abeetle，ortheliceuponhishairystomach。
　　Inthisinstanceitwastheanthropoidthatretiredinstiffdignitytoinspectanunhappycaterpillar，whichhepresentlydevoured。ForamomentTarzanseemedinclinedtopursuetheargument。Heswaggeredtruculently，stuckouthischest，roaredandadvancedclosertothebull。ItwaswithdifficultythatWerperfinallypersuadedhimtoleavewellenoughaloneandcontinuehiswayfromtheancientcityoftheSunWorshipers。
　　Thetwosearchedfornearlyanhourbeforetheyfoundthenarrowexitthroughtheinnerwall。Fromtherethewell—worntrailledthembeyondtheouterfortificationtothedesolatevalleyofOpar。
　　Tarzanhadnoidea，insofarasWerpercoulddiscover，astowherehewasorwhencehecame。Hewanderedaimlesslyabout，searchingforfood，whichhediscoveredbeneathsmallrocks，orhidingintheshadeofthescantbrushwhichdottedtheground。
　　TheBelgianwashorrifiedbythehideousmenuofhiscompanion。Beetles，rodentsandcaterpillarsweredevouredwithseemingrelish。Tarzanwasindeedanapeagain。
　　AtlastWerpersucceededinleadinghiscompaniontowardthedistanthillswhichmarkthenorthwesternboundaryofthevalley，andtogetherthetwosetoutinthedirectionoftheGreystokebungalow。
　　WhatpurposepromptedtheBelgianinleadingthevictimofhistreacheryandgreedbacktowardhisformerhomeitisdifficulttoguess，unlessitwasthatwithoutTarzantherecouldbenoransomforTarzan’swife。
　　Thatnighttheycampedinthevalleybeyondthehills，andastheysatbeforealittlefirewherecookedawildpigthathadfallentooneofTarzan’sarrows，thelattersatlostinspeculation。Heseemedcontinuallytobetryingtograspsomementalimagewhichasconstantlyeludedhim。
　　Atlastheopenedtheleathernpouchwhichhungathisside。Fromithepouredintothepalmofhishandaquantityofglitteringgems。Thefirelightplayinguponthemconjuredamultitudeofscintillatingrays，andasthewideeyesoftheBelgianlookedoninraptfascination，theman’sexpressionatlastacknowledgedatangiblepurposeincourtingthesocietyoftheape—man。
　　9
　　TheTheftoftheJewelsFortwodaysWerpersoughtforthepartythathadaccompaniedhimfromthecamptothebarriercliffs；
　　butnotuntillateintheafternoonoftheseconddaydidhefindclewtoitswhereabouts，andtheninsuchgruesomeformthathewastotallyunnervedbythesight。
　　Inanopengladehecameuponthebodiesofthreeoftheblacks，terriblymutilated，nordiditrequireconsiderabledeductivepowertoexplaintheirmurder。
　　Ofthelittlepartyonlythesethreehadnotbeenslaves。Theothers，evidentlytemptedtohopeforfreedomfromtheircruelArabmaster，hadtakenadvantageoftheirseparationfromthemaincamp，toslaythethreerepresentativesofthehatedpowerwhichheldtheminslavery，andvanishintothejungle。
　　ColdsweatexudedfromWerper’sforeheadashecontemplatedthefatewhichchancehadpermittedhimtoescape，forhadhebeenpresentwhentheconspiracyborefruit，he，too，musthavebeenofthegarnered。
　　Tarzanshowednottheslightestsurpriseorinterestinthediscovery。Inherentinhimwasacallousedfamiliaritywithviolentdeath。Therefinementsofhisrecentcivilizationexpungedbytheforceofthesadcalamitywhichhadbefallenhim，leftonlytheprimitivesensibilitieswhichhischildhood’straininghadimprintedindeliblyuponthefabricofhismind。
　　ThetrainingofKala，theexamplesandpreceptsofKerchak，ofTublat，andofTerkoznowformedthebasisofhiseverythoughtandaction。HeretainedamechanicalknowledgeofFrenchandEnglishspeech。
　　WerperhadspokentohiminFrench，andTarzanhadrepliedinthesametonguewithoutconsciousrealizationthathehaddepartedfromtheanthropoidalspeechinwhichhehadaddressedLa。HadWerperusedEnglish，theresultwouldhavebeenthesame。
　　Again，thatnight，asthetwosatbeforetheircampfire，Tarzanplayedwithhisshiningbaubles。Werperaskedhimwhattheywereandwherehehadfoundthem。
　　Theape—manrepliedthattheyweregay—coloredstones，withwhichhepurposedfashioninganecklace，andthathehadfoundthemfarbeneaththesacrificialcourtofthetempleoftheFlamingGod。
　　WerperwasrelievedtofindthatTarzanhadnoconceptionofthevalueofthegems。ThiswouldmakeiteasierfortheBelgiantoobtainpossessionofthem。
　　Possiblythemanwouldgivethemtohimfortheasking。
　　WerperreachedouthishandtowardthelittlepilethatTarzanhadarrangeduponapieceofflatwoodbeforehim。
　　"Letmeseethem，"saidtheBelgian。
　　Tarzanplacedalargepalmoverhistreasure。Hebaredhisfightingfangs，andgrowled。Werperwithdrewhishandmorequicklythanhehadadvancedit。Tarzanresumedhisplayingwiththegems，andhisconversationwithWerperasthoughnothingunusualhadoccurred。
　　Hehadbutexhibitedthebeast’sjealousprotectiveinstinctforapossession。WhenhekilledhesharedthemeatwithWerper；buthadWerperever，byaccident，laidahanduponTarzan’sshare，hewouldhavearousedthesamesavage，andresentfulwarning。
　　FromthatoccurrencedatedthebeginningofagreatfearinthebreastoftheBelgianforhissavagecompanion。HehadneverunderstoodthetransformationthathadbeenwroughtinTarzanbytheblowuponhishead，otherthantoattributeittoaformofamnesia。
　　ThatTarzanhadoncebeen，intruth，asavage，junglebeast，Werperhadnotknown，andso，ofcourse，hecouldnotguessthatthemanhadrevertedtothestateinwhichhischildhoodandyoungmanhoodhadbeenspent。
　　NowWerpersawintheEnglishmanadangerousmaniac，whomtheslightestuntowardaccidentmightturnuponhimwithrendingfangs。NotforamomentdidWerperattempttodeludehimselfintothebeliefthathecoulddefendhimselfsuccessfullyagainstanattackbytheape—man。Hisonehopelayineludinghim，andmakingforthefardistantcampofAchmetZekasrapidlyashecould；butarmedonlywiththesacrificialknife，Werpershrankfromattemptingthejourneythroughthejungle。Tarzanconstitutedaprotectionthatwasbynomeansdespicable，eveninthefaceofthelargercarnivora，asWerperhadreasontoacknowledgefromtheevidencehehadwitnessedintheOpariantemple。
　　Too，Werperhadhiscovetoussoulsetuponthepouchofgems，andsohewastornbetweenthevariousemotionsofavariceandfear。Butavariceitwasthatburnedmoststronglyinhisbreast，totheendthathedaredthedangersandsufferedtheterrorsofconstantassociationwithhimhethoughtamadman，ratherthangiveupthehopeofobtainingpossessionofthefortunewhichthecontentsofthelittlepouchrepresented。
　　AchmetZekshouldknownothingofthese——thesewouldbeforWerperalone，andsosoonashecouldencompasshisdesignhewouldreachthecoastandtakepassageforAmerica，wherehecouldconcealhimselfbeneaththeveilofanewidentityandenjoytosomemeasurethefruitsofhistheft。Hehaditallplannedout，didLieutenantAlbertWerper，livinginanticipationtheluxuriouslifeoftheidlerich。HeevenfoundhimselfregrettingthatAmericawassoprovincial，andthatnowhereinthenewworldwasacitythatmightcomparewithhisbelovedBrussels。
　　ItwasuponthethirddayoftheirprogressfromOparthatthekeenearsofTarzancaughtthesoundofmenbehindthem。Werperheardnothingabovethehummingofthejungleinsects，andthechatteringlifeofthelessermonkeysandthebirds。
　　ForatimeTarzanstoodinstatuesquesilence，listening，hissensitivenostrilsdilatingasheassayedeachpassingbreeze。ThenhewithdrewWerperintotheconcealmentofthickbrush，andwaited。
　　Presently，alongthegametrailthatWerperandTarzanhadbeenfollowing，therecameinsightasleek，blackwarrior，alertandwatchful。
　　Insinglefilebehindhim，therefollowed，oneafteranother，nearfiftyothers，eachburdenedwithtwodull—yellowingotslasheduponhisback。WerperrecognizedthepartyimmediatelyasthatwhichhadaccompaniedTarzanonhisjourneytoOpar。Heglancedattheape—man；butinthesavage，watchfuleyeshesawnorecognitionofBasuliandthoseotherloyalWaziri。
　　Whenallhadpassed，Tarzanroseandemergedfromconcealment。Helookeddownthetrailinthedirectionthepartyhadgone。ThenheturnedtoWerper。
　　"Wewillfollowandslaythem，"hesaid。
　　"Why？"askedtheBelgian。
　　"Theyareblack，"explainedTarzan。"ItwasablackwhokilledKala。TheyaretheenemiesoftheManganis。"
　　WerperdidnotrelishtheideaofengaginginabattlewithBasuliandhisfiercefightingmen。And，again，hehadwelcomedthesightofthemreturningtowardtheGreystokebungalow，forhehadbeguntohavedoubtsastohisabilitytoretracehisstepstotheWaziricountry。Tarzan，heknew，hadnottheremotestideaofwhithertheyweregoing。Bykeepingatasafedistancebehindtheladenwarriors，theywouldhavenodifficultyinfollowingthemhome。Onceatthebungalow，WerperknewthewaytothecampofAchmetZek。TherewasstillanotherreasonwhyhedidnotwishtointerferewiththeWaziri——theywerebearingthegreatburdenoftreasureinthedirectionhewisheditborne。Thefarthertheytookit，thelessthedistancethatheandAchmetZekwouldhavetotransportit。
　　Hearguedwiththeape—mantherefore，againstthelatter’sdesiretoexterminatetheblacks，andatlastheprevaileduponTarzantofollowtheminpeace，sayingthathewassuretheywouldleadthemoutoftheforestintoarichcountry，teemingwithgame。
　　ItwasmanymarchesfromOpartotheWaziricountry；
　　butatlastcamethehourwhenTarzanandtheBelgian，followingthetrailofthewarriors，toppedthelastrise，andsawbeforethemthebroadWaziriplain，thewindingriver，andthedistantforeststothenorthandwest。
　　Amileormoreaheadofthem，thelineofwarriorswascreepinglikeagiantcaterpillarthroughthetallgrassesoftheplain。Beyond，grazingherdsofzebra，hartebeest，andtopidottedthelevellandscape，whileclosertotheriverabullbuffalo，hisheadandshouldersprotrudingfromthereedswatchedtheadvancingblacksforamoment，onlytoturnatlastanddisappearintothesafetyofhisdankandgloomyretreat。
　　Tarzanlookedoutacrossthefamiliarvistawithnofaintestgleamofrecognitioninhiseyes。Hesawthegameanimals，andhismouthwatered；buthedidnotlookinthedirectionofhisbungalow。Werper，however，did。ApuzzledexpressionenteredtheBelgian’seyes。Heshadedthemwithhispalmsandgazedlongandearnestlytowardthespotwherethebungalowhadstood。Hecouldnotcreditthetestimonyofhiseyes——therewasnobungalow——nobarns——noout—houses。Thecorrals，thehaystacks——allweregone。
　　Whatcoulditmean？
　　Andthen，slowlytherefilteredintoWerper’sconsciousnessanexplanationofthehavocthathadbeenwroughtinthatpeacefulvalleysincelasthiseyeshadresteduponit——AchmetZekhadbeenthere！
　　Basuliandhiswarriorshadnotedthedevastationthemomenttheyhadcomeinsightofthefarm。Nowtheyhastenedontowardittalkingexcitedlyamongthemselvesinanimatedspeculationuponthecauseandmeaningofthecatastrophe。
　　When，atlasttheycrossedthetrampledgardenandstoodbeforethecharredruinsoftheirmaster’sbungalow，theirgreatestfearsbecameconvictionsinthelightoftheevidenceaboutthem。
　　Remnantsofhumandead，halfdevouredbyprowlinghyenasandothersofthecarnivorawhichinfestedtheregion，layrottingupontheground，andamongthecorpsesremainedsufficientremnantsoftheirclothingandornamentstomakecleartoBasulithefrightfulstoryofthedisasterthathadbefallenhismaster’shouse。
　　"TheArabs，"hesaid，ashismenclusteredabouthim。
　　TheWazirigazedaboutinmuterageforseveralminutes。EverywheretheyencounteredonlyfurtherevidenceoftheruthlessnessofthecruelenemythathadcomeduringtheGreatBwana’sabsenceandlaidwastehisproperty。
　　"Whatdidtheywith’Lady’？"askedoneoftheblacks。
　　TheyhadalwayscalledLadyGreystokethus。
　　"Thewomentheywouldhavetakenwiththem，"saidBasuli。"Ourwomenandhis。"
　　Agiantblackraisedhisspearabovehishead，andgavevoicetoasavagecryofrageandhate。Theothersfollowedhisexample。Basulisilencedthemwithagesture。
　　"Thisisnotimeforuselessnoisesofthemouth，"hesaid。"TheGreatBwanahastaughtusthatitisactsbywhichthingsaredone，notwords。Letussaveourbreath——weshallneeditalltofollowuptheArabsandslaythem。If’Lady’andourwomenlivethegreatertheneedofhaste，andwarriorscannottravelfastuponemptylungs。"
　　Fromtheshelterofthereedsalongtheriver，WerperandTarzanwatchedtheblacks。Theysawthemdigatrenchwiththeirknivesandfingers。Theysawthemlaytheiryellowburdensinitandscooptheoverturnedearthbackoverthetopsoftheingots。
　　Tarzanseemedlittleinterested，afterWerperhadassuredhimthatthatwhichtheyburiedwasnotgoodtoeat；butWerperwasintenselyinterested。Hewouldhavegivenmuchhadhehadhisownfollowerswithhim，thathemighttakeawaythetreasureassoonastheblacksleft，forhewassurethattheywouldleavethissceneofdesolationanddeathassoonaspossible。
　　Thetreasureburied，theblacksremovedthemselvesashortdistanceupwindfromthefetidcorpses，wheretheymadecamp，thattheymightrestbeforesettingoutinpursuitoftheArabs。Itwasalreadydusk。WerperandTarzansatdevouringsomepiecesofmeattheyhadbroughtfromtheirlastcamp。TheBelgianwasoccupiedwithhisplansfortheimmediatefuture。HewaspositivethattheWaziriwouldpursueAchmetZek，forheknewenoughofsavagewarfare，andofthecharacteristicsoftheArabsandtheirdegradedfollowerstoguessthattheyhadcarriedtheWaziriwomenoffintoslavery。ThisalonewouldassureimmediatepursuitbysowarlikeapeopleastheWaziri。
　　Werperfeltthatheshouldfindthemeansandtheopportunitytopushonahead，thathemightwarnAchmetZekofthecomingofBasuli，andalsoofthelocationoftheburiedtreasure。WhattheArabwouldnowdowithLadyGreystoke，inviewofthementalafflictionofherhusband，Werperneitherknewnorcared。ItwasenoughthatthegoldentreasureburieduponthesiteoftheburnedbungalowwasinfinitelymorevaluablethananyransomthatwouldhaveoccurredeventotheavariciousmindoftheArab，andifWerpercouldpersuadetheraidertoshareevenaportionofitwithhimhewouldbewellsatisfied。
　　Butbyfarthemostimportantconsideration，toWerper，atleast，wastheincalculablyvaluabletreasureinthelittleleathernpouchatTarzan’sside。Ifhecouldbutobtainpossessionofthis！Hemust！Hewould！
　　Hiseyeswanderedtotheobjectofhisgreed。
　　TheymeasuredTarzan’sgiantframe，andrestedupontheroundedmusclesofhisarms。Itwashopeless。
　　Whatcouldhe，Werper，hopetoaccomplish，otherthanhisowndeath，byanattempttowrestthegemsfromtheirsavageowner？
　　Disconsolate，Werperthrewhimselfuponhisside。
　　Hisheadwaspillowedononearm，theotherrestedacrosshisfaceinsuchawaythathiseyeswerehiddenfromtheape—man，thoughoneofthemwasfasteneduponhimfrombeneaththeshadowoftheBelgian’sforearm。
　　Foratimehelaythus，gloweringatTarzan，andoriginatingschemesforplunderinghimofhistreasure——
　　schemesthatwerediscardedasfutileasrapidlyastheywereborn。
　　TarzanpresentlylethisowneyesrestuponWerper。
　　TheBelgiansawthathewasbeingwatched，andlayverystill。Afterafewmomentshesimulatedtheregularbreathingofdeepslumber。
　　Tarzanhadbeenthinking。HehadseentheWaziriburytheirbelongings。Werperhadtoldhimthattheywerehidingthemlestsomeonefindthemandtakethemaway。
　　ThisseemedtoTarzanasplendidplanforsafeguardingvaluables。SinceWerperhadevincedadesiretopossesshisglitteringpebbles，Tarzan，withthesuspicionsofasavage，hadguardedthebaubles，ofwhoseworthhewasentirelyignorant，aszealouslyasthoughtheyspelledlifeordeathtohim。
　　Foralongtimetheape—mansatwatchinghiscompanion。
　　Atlast，convincedthatheslept，Tarzanwithdrewhishuntingknifeandcommencedtodigaholeinthegroundbeforehim。Withthebladehelooseneduptheearth，andwithhishandshescoopeditoutuntilhehadexcavatedalittlecavityafewinchesindiameter，andfiveorsixinchesindepth。Intothisheplacedthepouchofjewels。Werperalmostforgottobreatheafterthefashionofasleeperashesawwhattheape—manwasdoing——hescarcerepressedanejaculationofsatisfaction。