Tarzanbecomesuddenlyrigidashiskeenearsnotedthecessationoftheregularinspirationsandexpirationsofhiscompanion。HisnarrowedeyesboredstraightdownupontheBelgian。Werperfeltthathewaslost——
hemustriskallonhisabilitytocarryonthedeception。Hesighed，threwbotharmsoutward，andturnedoveronhisbackmumblingasthoughinthethroesofabaddream。Amomentlaterheresumedtheregularbreathing。
NowhecouldnotwatchTarzan，buthewassurethatthemansatforalongtimelookingathim。Then，faintly，Werperheardtheother’shandsscrapingdirt，andlaterpattingitdown。Heknewthenthatthejewelswereburied。
ItwasanhourbeforeWerpermovedagain，thenherolledoverfacingTarzanandopenedhiseyes。Theape—manslept。ByreachingouthishandWerpercouldtouchthespotwherethepouchwasburied。
Foralongtimehelaywatchingandlistening。
Hemovedabout，makingmorenoisethannecessary，yetTarzandidnotawaken。Hedrewthesacrificialknifefromhisbelt，andplungeditintotheground。
Tarzandidnotmove。CautiouslytheBelgianpushedthebladedownwardthroughthelooseearthabovethepouch。
Hefeltthepointtouchthesoft，toughfabricoftheleather。Thenheprieddownuponthehandle。
Slowlythelittlemoundoflooseearthroseandparted。
Aninstantlateracornerofthepouchcameintoview。
Werperpulleditfromitshidingplace，andtuckeditinhisshirt。Thenherefilledtheholeandpressedthedirtcarefullydownasithadbeenbefore。
Greedhadpromptedhimtoanact，thediscoveryofwhichbyhiscompanioncouldleadonlytothemostfrightfulconsequencesforWerper。Alreadyhecouldalmostfeelthosestrong，whitefangsburyingthemselvesinhisneck。Heshuddered。Faroutacrosstheplainaleopardscreamed，andinthedensereedsbehindhimsomegreatbeastmovedonpaddedfeet。
Werperfearedtheseprowlersofthenight；butinfinitelymorehefearedthejustwrathofthehumanbeastsleepingathisside。WithutmostcautiontheBelgianarose。Tarzandidnotmove。Werpertookafewstepstowardtheplainandthedistantforesttothenorthwest，thenhepausedandfingeredthehiltofthelongknifeinhisbelt。Heturnedandlookeddownuponthesleeper。
"Whynot？"hemused。"ThenIshouldbesafe。"
Hereturnedandbentabovetheape—man。ClutchedtightlyinhishandwasthesacrificialknifeoftheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGod！
10
AchmetZekSeestheJewelsMugambi，weakandsuffering，haddraggedhispainfulwayalongthetrailoftheretreatingraiders。
Hecouldmovebutslowly，restingoften；butsavagehatredandanequallysavagedesireforvengeancekepthimtohistask。Asthedayspassedhiswoundshealedandhisstrengthreturned，untilatlasthisgiantframehadregainedallofitsformermightypowers。Nowhewentmorerapidly；butthemountedArabshadcoveredagreatdistancewhilethewoundedblackhadbeenpainfullycrawlingafterthem。
Theyhadreachedtheirfortifiedcamp，andthereAchmetZekawaitedthereturnofhislieutenant，AlbertWerper。Duringthelong，roughjourney，JaneClaytonhadsufferedmoreinanticipationofherimpendingfatethanfromthehardshipsoftheroad。
AchmetZekhadnotdeignedtoacquaintherwithhisintentionsregardingherfuture。Sheprayedthatshehadbeencapturedinthehopeofransom，forifsuchshouldprovethecase，nogreatharmwouldbefallheratthehandsoftheArabs；buttherewasthechance，thehorridchance，thatanotherfateawaitedher。
Shehadheardofmanywomen，amongwhomwerewhitewomen，whohadbeensoldbyoutlawssuchasAchmetZekintotheslaveryofblackharems，ortakenfarthernorthintothealmostequallyhideousexistenceofsomeTurkishseraglio。
JaneClaytonwasofsternerstuffthanthatwhichbendsinspinelessterrorbeforedanger。Untilhopeprovedfutileshewouldnotgiveitup；nordidsheentertainthoughtsofself—destructiononlyasafinalescapefromdishonor。SolongasTarzanlivedtherewaseveryreasontoexpectsuccor。Nomannorbeastwhoroamedthesavagecontinentcouldboastthecunningandthepowersofherlordandmaster。Toher，hewaslittleshortofomnipotentinhisnativeworld——thisworldofsavagebeastsandsavagemen。Tarzanwouldcome，andshewouldberescuedandavenged，ofthatshewascertain。ShecountedthedaysthatmustelapsebeforehewouldreturnfromOparanddiscoverwhathadtranspiredduringhisabsence。AfterthatitwouldbebutashorttimebeforehehadsurroundedtheArabstrongholdandpunishedthemotleycrewofwrongdoerswhoinhabitedit。
Thathecouldfindhershehadnoslightestdoubt。
Nospoor，howeverfaint，couldeludethekeenvigilanceofhissenses。Tohim，thetrailoftheraiderswouldbeasplainastheprintedpageofanopenbooktoher。
Andwhileshehoped，therecamethroughthedarkjungleanother。Terrifiedbynightandbyday，cameAlbertWerper。Adozentimeshehadescapedtheclawsandfangsofthegiantcarnivoraonlybywhatseemedamiracletohim。ArmedwithnothingmorethantheknifehehadbroughtwithhimfromOpar，hehadmadehiswaythroughassavageacountryasyetexistsuponthefaceoftheglobe。
Bynighthehadsleptintrees。Bydayhehadstumbledfearfullyon，oftentakingrefugeamongthebrancheswhensightorsoundofsomegreatcatwarnedhimfromdanger。Butatlasthehadcomewithinsightofthepalisadebehindwhichwerehisfiercecompanions。
AtalmostthesametimeMugambicameoutofthejunglebeforethewalledvillage。Ashestoodintheshadowofagreattree，reconnoitering，hesawaman，raggedanddisheveled，emergefromthejunglealmostathiselbow。InstantlyherecognizedthenewcomerashewhohadbeenaguestofhismasterbeforethelatterhaddepartedforOpar。
TheblackwasuponthepointofhailingtheBelgianwhensomethingstayedhim。Hesawthewhitemanwalkingconfidentlyacrosstheclearingtowardthevillagegate。NosanemanthusapproachedavillageinthispartofAfricaunlesshewassureofafriendlywelcome。Mugambiwaited。Hissuspicionswerearoused。
HeheardWerperhalloo；hesawthegatesswingopen，andhewitnessedthesurprisedandfriendlywelcomethatwasaccordedtheerstwhileguestofLordandLadyGreystoke。AlightbrokeupontheunderstandingofMugambi。Thiswhitemanhadbeenatraitorandaspy。
ItwastohimtheyowedtheraidduringtheabsenceoftheGreatBwana。TohishatefortheArabs，Mugambiaddedastillgreaterhateforthewhitespy。
WithinthevillageWerperpassedhurriedlytowardthesilkententofAchmetZek。TheArabaroseashislieutenantentered。HisfaceshowedsurpriseasheviewedthetatteredappareloftheBelgian。
"Whathashappened？"heasked。
Werpernarratedall，savethelittlematterofthepouchofgemswhichwerenowtightlystrappedabouthiswaist，beneathhisclothing。TheArab’seyesnarrowedgreedilyashishenchmandescribedthetreasurethattheWazirihadburiedbesidetheruinsoftheGreystokebungalow。
"Itwillbeasimplematternowtoreturnandgetit，"
saidAchmetZek。"FirstwewillawaitthecomingoftherashWaziri，andafterwehaveslainthemwemaytakeourtimetothetreasure——nonewilldisturbitwhereitlies，forweshallleavenonealivewhoknowsofitsexistence。
"Andthewoman？"askedWerper。
"Ishallsellherinthenorth，"repliedtheraider。
"Itistheonlyway，now。Sheshouldbringagoodprice。"
TheBelgiannodded。Hewasthinkingrapidly。IfhecouldpersuadeAchmetZektosendhimincommandofthepartywhichtookLadyGreystokenorthitwouldgivehimtheopportunityhecravedtomakehisescapefromhischief。Hewouldforegoashareofthegold，ifhecouldbutgetawayunscathedwiththejewels。
HeknewAchmetZekwellenoughbythistimetoknowthatnomemberofhisbandeverwasvoluntarilyreleasedfromtheserviceofAchmetZek。Mostofthefewwhodesertedwererecaptured。MorethanoncehadWerperlistenedtotheiragonizedscreamsastheyweretorturedbeforebeingputtodeath。TheBelgianhadnowishtotaketheslightestchanceofrecapture。
"Whowillgonorthwiththewoman，"heasked，"whilewearereturningforthegoldthattheWaziriburiedbythebungalowoftheEnglishman？"
AchmetZekthoughtforamoment。Theburiedgoldwasofmuchgreatervaluethanthepricethewomanwouldbring。Itwasnecessarytoridhimselfofherasquicklyaspossibleanditwasalsowelltoobtainthegoldwiththeleastpossibledelay。Ofallhisfollowers，theBelgianwasthemostlogicallieutenanttointrustwiththecommandofoneoftheparties。AnArab，asfamiliarwiththetrailsandtribesasAchmetZekhimself，mightcollectthewoman’spriceandmakegoodhisescapeintothefarnorth。Werper，ontheotherhand，couldscarcemakehisescapealonethroughacountryhostiletoEuropeanswhilethemenhewouldsendwiththeBelgiancouldbecarefullyselectedwithaviewtopreventingWerperfrompersuadinganyconsiderableportionofhiscommandtoaccompanyhimshouldhecontemplatedesertionofhischief。
AtlasttheArabspoke："Itisnotnecessarythatwebothreturnforthegold。Youshallgonorthwiththewoman，carryingalettertoafriendofminewhoisalwaysintouchwiththebestmarketsforsuchmerchandise，whileIreturnforthegold。Wecanmeetagainherewhenourbusinessisconcluded。"
Werpercouldscarcedisguisethejoywithwhichhereceivedthiswelcomedecision。AndthathedidentirelydisguiseitfromthekeenandsuspiciouseyesofAchmetZekisopentoquestion。However，thedecisionreached，theArabandhislieutenantdiscussedthedetailsoftheirforthcomingventuresforashorttimefurther，whenWerpermadehisexcusesandreturnedtohisowntentforthecomfortsandluxuryofalong—desiredbathandshave。
Havingbathed，theBelgiantiedasmallhandmirrortoacordsewntotherearwallofhistent，placedarudechairbesideanequallyrudetablethatstoodbesidetheglass，andproceededtoremovetheroughstubblefromhisface。
Inthecatalogofmasculinepleasuresthereisscarceonewhichimpartsafeelingofgreatercomfortandrefreshmentthanfollowsacleanshave，andnow，withwearinesstemporarilybanished，AlbertWerpersprawledinhisricketychairtoenjoyafinalcigaretbeforeretiring。Histhumbs，tuckedinhisbeltinlazysupportoftheweightofhisarms，touchedthebeltwhichheldthejewelpouchabouthiswaist。Hetingledwithexcitementashelethisminddwelluponthevalueofthetreasure，which，unknowntoallsavehimself，layhiddenbeneathhisclothing。
WhatwouldAchmetZeksay，ifheknew？Werpergrinned。
Howtheoldrascal’seyeswouldpopcouldhebuthaveaglimpseofthosescintillatingbeauties！Werperhadneveryethadanopportunitytofeasthiseyesforanygreatlengthoftimeuponthem。Hehadnotevencountedthem——onlyroughlyhadheguessedattheirvalue。
Heunfastenedthebeltanddrewthepouchfromitshidingplace。Hewasalone。Thebalanceofthecamp，savethesentries，hadretired——nonewouldentertheBelgian’stent。Hefingeredthepouch，feelingouttheshapesandsizesoftheprecious，littlenoduleswithin。Heheftedthebag，firstinonepalm，thenintheother，andatlasthewheeledhischairslowlyaroundbeforethetable，andintheraysofhissmalllamplettheglitteringgemsrolloutupontheroughwood。
Therefulgentraystransformedtheinteriorofthesoiledandsqualidcanvastothesplendorofapalaceintheeyesofthedreamingman。Hesawthegildedhallsofpleasurethatwouldopentheirportalstothepossessorofthewealthwhichlayscattereduponthisstainedanddentedtabletop。Hedreamedofjoysandluxuriesandpowerwhichalwayshadbeenbeyondhisgrasp，andashedreamedhisgazeliftedfromthetable，asthegazeofadreamerwill，toafardistantgoalabovethemeanhorizonofterrestrialcommonplaceness。
Unseeing，hiseyesrestedupontheshavingmirrorwhichstillhunguponthetentwallabovethetable；buthissightwasfocusedfarbeyond。Andthenareflectionmovedwithinthepolishedsurfaceofthetinyglass，theman’seyesshotbackoutofspacetothemirror’sface，andinithesawreflectedthegrimvisageofAchmetZek，framedintheflapsofthetentdoorwaybehindhim。
Werperstifledagaspofdismay。Withrareself—possessionhelethisgazedrop，withoutappearingtohavehalteduponthemirroruntilitrestedagainuponthegems。Withouthaste，hereplacedtheminthepouch，tuckedthelatterintohisshirt，selectedacigaretfromhiscase，lighteditandrose。Yawning，andstretchinghisarmsabovehishead，heturnedslowlytowardtheoppositeendofthetent。ThefaceofAchmetZekhaddisappearedfromtheopening。
TosaythatAlbertWerperwasterrifiedwouldbeputtingitmildly。Herealizedthathenotonlyhadsacrificedhistreasure；buthislifeaswell。
AchmetZekwouldneverpermitthewealththathehaddiscoveredtoslipthroughhisfingers，norwouldheforgivetheduplicityofalieutenantwhohadgainedpossessionofsuchatreasurewithoutofferingtoshareitwithhischief。
SlowlytheBelgianpreparedforbed。Ifhewerebeingwatched，hecouldnotknow；butifsothewatchersawnoindicationofthenervousexcitementwhichtheEuropeanstrovetoconceal。Whenreadyforhisblankets，themancrossedtothelittletableandextinguishedthelight。
Itwastwohourslaterthattheflapsatthefrontofthetentseparatedsilentlyandgaveentrancetoadark—robedfigure，whichpassednoiselesslyfromthedarknesswithouttothedarknesswithin。Cautiouslytheprowlercrossedtheinterior。Inonehandwasalongknife。Hecameatlasttothepileofblanketsspreaduponseveralrugsclosetooneofthetentwalls。
Lightly，hisfingerssoughtandfoundthebulkbeneaththeblankets——thebulkthatshouldbeAlbertWerper。
Theytracedoutthefigureofaman，andthenanarmshotupward，poisedforaninstantanddescended。
Againandagainitroseandfell，andeachtimethelongbladeoftheknifeburieditselfinthethingbeneaththeblankets。Buttherewasaninitiallifelessnessinthesilentbulkthatgavetheassassinmomentarywonder。Feverishlyhethrewbackthecoverlets，andsearchedwithnervoushandsforthepouchofjewelswhichheexpectedtofindconcealeduponhisvictim’sbody。
Aninstantlaterherosewithacurseuponhislips。
ItwasAchmetZek，andhecursedbecausehehaddiscoveredbeneaththeblanketsofhislieutenantonlyapileofdiscardedclothingarrangedintheformandsemblanceofasleepingman——AlbertWerperhadfled。
Outintothevillageranthechief，callinginangrytonestothesleepyArabs，whotumbledfromtheirtentsinanswertohisvoice。ButthoughtheysearchedthevillageagainandagaintheyfoundnotraceoftheBelgian。Foamingwithanger，AchmetZekcalledhisfollowerstohorse，andthoughthenightwaspitchyblacktheysetouttoscourtheadjoiningforestfortheirquarry。
Astheygallopedfromtheopengates，Mugambi，hidinginanearbybush，slipped，unseen，withinthepalisade。
Ascoreofblackscrowdedabouttheentrancetowatchthesearchersdepart，andasthelastofthempassedoutofthevillagetheblacksseizedtheportalsanddrewthemto，andMugambilentahandintheworkasthoughthebestofhislifehadbeenspentamongtheraiders。
Inthedarknesshepassed，unchallenged，asoneoftheirnumber，andastheyreturnedfromthegatestotheirrespectivetentsandhuts，Mugambimeltedintotheshadowsanddisappeared。
Foranhourhecreptaboutintherearofthevarioushutsandtentsinanefforttolocatethatinwhichhismaster’smatewasimprisoned。Onetherewaswhichhewasreasonablyassuredcontainedher，foritwastheonlyhutbeforethedoorofwhichasentryhadbeenposted。Mugambiwascrouchingintheshadowofthisstructure，justaroundthecornerfromtheunsuspectingguard，whenanotherapproachedtorelievehiscomrade。
"Theprisonerissafewithin？"askedthenewcomer。
"Sheis，"repliedtheother，"fornonehaspassedthisdoorwaysinceIcame。"
Thenewsentrysquattedbesidethedoor，whilehewhomhehadrelievedmadehiswaytohisownhut。Mugambislunkclosertothecornerofthebuilding。Inonepowerfulhandhegrippedaheavyknob—stick。Nosignofelationdisturbedhisphlegmaticcalm，yetinwardlyhewasarousedtojoybytheproofhehadjustheardthat"Lady"reallywaswithin。
Thesentry’sbackwastowardthecornerofthehutwhichhidthegiantblack。Thefellowdidnotseethehugeformwhichsilentlyloomedbehindhim。Theknob—stickswungupwardinacurve，anddownwardagain。
Therewasthesoundofadullthud，thecrushingofheavybone，andthesentryslumpedintoasilent，inanimatelumpofclay。
AmomentlaterMugambiwassearchingtheinteriorofthehut。Atfirstslowly，calling，"Lady！"inalowwhisper，andfinallywithalmostfrantichaste，untilthetruthpresentlydawneduponhim——thehutwasempty！
11
TarzanBecomesaBeastAgainForamomentWerperhadstoodabovethesleepingape—man，hismurderousknifepoisedforthefatalthrust；
butfearstayedhishand。Whatifthefirstblowshouldfailtodrivethepointtohisvictim’sheart？
Werpershudderedincontemplationofthedisastrousconsequencestohimself。Awakened，andevenwithafewmomentsofliferemaining，thegiantcouldliterallytearhisassailanttopiecesshouldhechoose，andtheBelgianhadnodoubtbutthatTarzanwouldsochoose。
Againcamethesoftsoundofpaddedfootstepsinthereeds——closerthistime。Werperabandonedhisdesign。
Beforehimstretchedthewideplainandescape。
Thejewelswereinhispossession。ToremainlongerwastoriskdeathatthehandsofTarzan，orthejawsofthehuntercreepingevernearer。Turning，heslunkawaythroughthenight，towardthedistantforest。
Tarzanslepton。Wherewerethoseuncanny，guardianpowersthathadformerlyrenderedhimimmunefromthedangersofsurprise？Couldthisdullsleeperbethealert，sensitiveTarzanofold？
Perhapstheblowuponhisheadhadnumbedhissenses，temporarily——whomaysay？Closercreptthestealthycreaturethroughthereeds。Therustlingcurtainofvegetationpartedafewpacesfromwherethesleeperlay，andthemassiveheadofalionappeared。Thebeastsurveyedtheape—manintentlyforamoment，thenhecrouched，hishindfeetdrawnwellbeneathhim，histaillashingfromsidetoside。
Itwasthebeatingofthebeast’stailagainstthereedswhichawakenedTarzan。Junglefolkdonotawakenslowly——instantly，fullconsciousnessandfullcommandoftheireveryfacultyreturnstothemfromthedepthofprofoundslumber。
EvenasTarzanopenedhiseyeshewasuponhisfeet，hisspeargraspedfirmlyinhishandandreadyforattack。AgainwasheTarzanoftheApes，sentient，vigilant，ready。
Notwolionshaveidenticalcharacteristics，nordoesthesamelioninvariablyactsimilarlyunderlikecircumstances。Whetheritwassurprise，fearorcautionwhichpromptedthelioncrouchingreadytospringupontheman，isimmaterial——thefactremainsthathedidnotcarryouthisoriginaldesign，hedidnotspringatthemanatall，but，instead，wheeledandsprangbackintothereedsasTarzanaroseandconfrontedhim。
Theape—manshruggedhisbroadshouldersandlookedaboutforhiscompanion。Werperwasnowheretobeseen。AtfirstTarzansuspectedthatthemanhadbeenseizedanddraggedoffbyanotherlion，butuponexaminationofthegroundhesoondiscoveredthattheBelgianhadgoneawayaloneoutintotheplain。
Foramomenthewaspuzzled；butpresentlycametotheconclusionthatWerperhadbeenfrightenedbytheapproachofthelion，andhadsneakedoffinterror。
AsneertouchedTarzan’slipsasheponderedtheman’sact——thedesertionofacomradeintimeofdanger，andwithoutwarning。Well，ifthatwasthesortofcreatureWerperwas，Tarzanwishednothingmoreofhim。
Hehadgone，andforalltheape—mancared，hemightremainaway——Tarzanwouldnotsearchforhim。
Ahundredyardsfromwherehestoodgrewalargetree，aloneupontheedgeofthereedyjungle。Tarzanmadehiswaytoit，clamberedintoit，andfindingacomfortablecrotchamongitsbranches，reposedhimselfforuninterruptedsleepuntilmorning。
AndwhenmorningcameTarzansleptonlongafterthesunhadrisen。Hismind，revertedtotheprimitive，wasuntroubledbyanymoreseriousobligationsthanthoseofprovidingsustenance，andsafeguardinghislife。
Therefore，therewasnothingtoawakenforuntildangerthreatened，orthepangsofhungerassailed。
Itwasthelatterwhicheventuallyarousedhim。
Openinghiseyes，hestretchedhisgiantthews，yawned，roseandgazedabouthimthroughtheleafyfoliageofhisretreat。AcrossthewastedmeadowlandsandfieldsofJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，TarzanoftheApeslooked，asastranger，uponthemovingfiguresofBasuliandhisbravesastheypreparedtheirmorningmealandmadereadytosetoutupontheexpeditionwhichBasulihadplannedafterdiscoveringthehavocanddisasterwhichhadbefallentheestateofhisdeadmaster。
Theape—maneyedtheblackswithcuriosity。
Inthebackofhisbrainloiteredafleetingsenseoffamiliaritywithallthathesaw，yethecouldnotconnectanyofthevariousformsoflife，animateandinanimate，whichhadfallenwithintherangeofhisvisionsincehehademergedfromthedarknessofthepitsofOpar，withanyparticulareventofthepast。
Hazilyherecalledagrimandhideousform，hairy，ferocious。Avaguetendernessdominatedhissavagesentimentsasthisphantommemorystruggledforrecognition。Hismindhadrevertedtohischildhooddays——itwasthefigureofthegiantshe—ape，Kala，thathesaw；butonlyhalfrecognized。Hesaw，too，othergrotesque，manlikeforms。TheywereofTerkoz，Tublat，Kerchak，andasmaller，lessferociousfigure，thatwasNeeta，thelittleplaymateofhisboyhood。
Slowly，veryslowly，asthesevisionsofthepastanimatedhislethargicmemory，hecametorecognizethem。Theytookdefiniteshapeandform，adjustingthemselvesnicelytothevariousincidentsofhislifewithwhichtheyhadbeenintimatelyconnected。Hisboyhoodamongtheapesspreaditselfinaslowpanoramabeforehim，andasitunfoldeditinducedwithinhimamightylongingforthecompanionshipoftheshaggy，low—browedbrutesofhispast。
Hewatchedtheblacksscattertheircookfireanddepart；butthoughthefaceofeachofthemhadbutrecentlybeenasfamiliartohimashisown，theyawakenedwithinhimnorecollectionswhatsoever。
Whentheyhadgone，hedescendedfromthetreeandsoughtfood。Outupontheplaingrazednumerousherdsofwildruminants。Towardasleek，fatbunchofzebrahewormedhisstealthyway。Nointricateprocessofreasoningcausedhimtocirclewidelyuntilhewasdownwindfromhisprey——heactedinstinctively。Hetookadvantageofeveryformofcoverashecrawleduponallfoursandoftenflatuponhisstomachtowardthem。
Aplumpyoungmareandafatstalliongrazednearesttohimashenearedtheherd。Againitwasinstinctwhichselectedtheformerforhismeat。Alowbushgrewbutafewyardsfromtheunsuspectingtwo。Theape—manreacheditsshelter。Hegatheredhisspearfirmlyinhisgrasp。Cautiouslyhedrewhisfeetbeneathhim。
Inasingleswiftmoveheroseandcasthisheavyweaponatthemare’sside。Nordidhewaittonotetheeffectofhisassault，butleapedcat—likeafterhisspear，hishuntingknifeinhishand。
Foraninstantthetwoanimalsstoodmotionless。
Thetearingofthecruelbarbintohersidebroughtasuddenscreamofpainandfrightfromthemare，andthentheybothwheeledandbrokeforsafety；butTarzanoftheApes，foradistanceofafewyards，couldequalthespeedofeventhese，andthefirststrideofthemarefoundheroverhauled，withasavagebeastathershoulder。Sheturned，bitingandkickingatherfoe。
Hermatehesitatedforaninstant，asthoughabouttorushtoherassistance；butabackwardglancerevealedtohimtheflyingheelsofthebalanceoftheherd，andwithasnortandashakeofhisheadhewheeledanddashedaway。
Clingingwithonehandtotheshortmaneofhisquarry，Tarzanstruckagainandagainwithhisknifeattheunprotectedheart。Theresulthad，fromthefirst，beeninevitable。Themarefoughtbravely，buthopelessly，andpresentlysanktotheearth，herheartpierced。Theape—manplacedafootuponhercarcassandraisedhisvoiceinthevictorycalloftheMangani。Inthedistance，Basulihaltedasthefaintnotesofthehideousscreambrokeuponhisears。
"Thegreatapes，"hesaidtohiscompanion。"IthasbeenlongsinceIhaveheardtheminthecountryoftheWaziri。Whatcouldhavebroughtthemback？"
Tarzangraspedhiskillanddraggedittothepartialseclusionofthebushwhichhadhiddenhisownnearapproach，andtherehesquatteduponit，cutahugehunkoffleshfromtheloinandproceededtosatisfyhishungerwiththewarmanddrippingmeat。
Attractedbytheshrillscreamsofthemare，apairofhyenasslunkpresentlyintoview。Theytrottedtoapointafewyardsfromthegorgingape—man，andhalted。
Tarzanlookedup，baredhisfightingfangsandgrowled。
Thehyenasreturnedthecompliment，andwithdrewacoupleofpaces。Theymadenomovetoattack；butcontinuedtositatarespectfuldistanceuntilTarzanhadconcludedhismeal。Aftertheape—manhadcutafewstripsfromthecarcasstocarrywithhim，hewalkedslowlyoffinthedirectionoftherivertoquenchhisthirst。Hiswaylaydirectlytowardthehyenas，nordidhealterhiscoursebecauseofthem。
WithallthelordlymajestyofNuma，thelion，hestrodestraighttowardthegrowlingbeasts。Foramomenttheyheldtheirground，bristlinganddefiant；
butonlyforamoment，andthenslunkawaytoonesidewhiletheindifferentape—manpassedthemonhislordlyway。Amomentlatertheyweretearingattheremainsofthezebra。
BacktothereedswentTarzan，andthroughthemtowardtheriver。Aherdofbuffalo，startledbyhisapproach，rosereadytochargeortofly。Agreatbullpawedthegroundandbellowedashisbloodshoteyesdiscoveredtheintruder；buttheape—manpassedacrosstheirfrontasthoughignorantoftheirexistence。
Thebull’sbellowinglessenedtoalowrumbling，heturnedandscrapedahordeoffliesfromhissidewithhismuzzle，castafinalglanceattheape—manandresumedhisfeeding。HisnumerousfamilyeitherfollowedhisexampleorstoodgazingafterTarzaninmild—eyedcuriosity，untiltheoppositereedsswallowedhimfromview。
Attheriver，Tarzandrankhisfillandbathed。Duringtheheatofthedayhelayupundertheshadeofatreeneartheruinsofhisburnedbarns。Hiseyeswanderedoutacrosstheplaintowardtheforest，andalongingforthepleasuresofitsmysteriousdepthspossessedhisthoughtsforaconsiderabletime。Withthenextsunhewouldcrosstheopenandentertheforest！Therewasnohurry——therelaybeforehimanendlessvistaoftomorrowswithnaughttofillthembutthesatisfyingoftheappetitesandcapricesofthemoment。
Theape—man’smindwasuntroubledbyregretforthepast，oraspirationforthefuture。Hecouldlieatfulllengthalongaswayingbranch，stretchinghisgiantlimbs，andluxuriatingintheblessedpeaceofutterthoughtlessness，withoutanapprehensionoraworrytosaphisnervousenergyandrobhimofhispeaceofmind。Recallingonlydimlyanyotherexistence，theape—manwashappy。LordGreystokehadceasedtoexist。
ForseveralhoursTarzanlolleduponhisswaying，leafycouchuntilonceagainhungerandthirstsuggestedanexcursion。Stretchinglazilyhedroppedtothegroundandmovedslowlytowardtheriver。Thegametraildownwhichhewalkedhadbecomebyagesofuseadeep，narrowtrench，itswallstoppedoneithersidebyimpenetrablethicketanddense—growingtreescloselyinterwovenwiththick—stemmedcreepersandlesservinesinextricablymattedintotwosolidrampartsofvegetation。Tarzanhadalmostreachedthepointwherethetraildebouchedupontheopenriverbottomwhenhesawafamilyoflionsapproachingalongthepathfromthedirectionoftheriver。Theape—mancountedseven——
amaleandtwolionesses，fullgrown，andfouryounglionsaslargeandquiteasformidableastheirparents。Tarzanhalted，growling，andthelionspaused，thegreatmaleintheleadbaringhisfangsandrumblingforthawarningroar。Inhishandtheape—manheldhisheavyspear；buthehadnointentionofpittinghispunyweaponagainstsevenlions；yethestoodtheregrowlingandroaringandthelionsdidlikewise。Itwaspurelyanexhibitionofjunglebluff。
Eachwastryingtofrightenofftheother。Neitherwishedtoturnbackandgiveway，nordideitheratfirstdesiretoprecipitateanencounter。ThelionswerefedsufficientlysoasnottobegoadedbypangsofhungerandasforTarzanheseldomatethemeatofthecarnivores；butapointofethicswasatstakeandneithersidewishedtobackdown。Sotheystoodtherefacingoneanother，makingallsortsofhideousnoisesthewhiletheyhurledjungleinvectivebackandforth。
Howlongthisbloodlessduelwouldhavepersisteditisdifficulttosay，thougheventuallyTarzanwouldhavebeenforcedtoyieldtosuperiornumbers。
Therecame，however，aninterruptionwhichputanendtothedeadlockanditcamefromTarzan’srear。Heandthelionshadbeenmakingsomuchnoisethatneithercouldhearanythingabovetheirconcertedbedlam，andsoitwasthatTarzandidnothearthegreatbulkbearingdownuponhimfrombehinduntilaninstantbeforeitwasuponhim，andthenheturnedtoseeButo，therhinoceros，hislittle，pigeyesblazing，chargingmadlytowardhimandalreadysoclosethatescapeseemedimpossible；yetsoperfectlyweremindandmusclescoordinatedinthisunspoiled，primitivemanthatalmostsimultaneouslywiththesenseperceptionofthethreateneddangerhewheeledandhurledhisspearatButo’schest。Itwasaheavyspearshodwithiron，andbehinditwerethegiantmusclesoftheape—man，whilecomingtomeetitwastheenormousweightofButoandthemomentumofhisrapidrush。AllthathappenedintheinstantthatTarzanturnedtomeetthechargeoftheirasciblerhinocerosmighttakelongtotell，andyetwouldhavetaxedtheswiftestlenstorecord。
Ashisspearlefthishandtheape—manwaslookingdownuponthemightyhornloweredtotosshim，soclosewasButotohim。Thespearenteredtherhinoceros’neckatitsjunctionwiththeleftshoulderandpassedalmostentirelythroughthebeast’sbody，andattheinstantthathelaunchedit，TarzanleapedstraightintotheairalightinguponButo’sbackbutescapingthemightyhorn。
ThenButoespiedthelionsandboremadlydownuponthemwhileTarzanoftheApesleapednimblyintothetangledcreepersatonesideofthetrail。ThefirstlionmetButo’schargeandwastossedhighoverthebackofthemaddenedbrute，tornanddying，andthenthesixremaininglionswereupontherhinoceros，rendingandtearingthewhiletheywerebeinggoredortrampled。FromthesafetyofhisperchTarzanwatchedtheroyalbattlewiththekeenestinterest，forthemoreintelligentofthejunglefolkareinterestedinsuchencounters。Theyaretothemwhattheracetrackandtheprizering，thetheaterandthemoviesaretous。Theyseethemoften；butalwaystheyenjoythemfornotwoarepreciselyalike。
ForatimeitseemedtoTarzanthatButo，therhinoceros，wouldprovevictorinthegorybattle。
Alreadyhadheaccountedforfourofthesevenlionsandbadlywoundedthethreeremainingwheninamomentarylullintheencounterhesanklimplytohiskneesandrolledoveruponhisside。Tarzan’sspearhaddoneitswork。Itwastheman—madeweaponwhichkilledthegreatbeastthatmighteasilyhavesurvivedtheassaultofsevenmightylions，forTarzan’sspearhadpiercedthegreatlungs，andButo，withvictoryalmostinsight，succumbedtointernalhemorrhage。
ThenTarzancamedownfromhissanctuaryandasthewoundedlions，growling，draggedthemselvesaway，theape—mancuthisspearfromthebodyofButo，hackedoffasteakandvanishedintothejungle。Theepisodewasover。Ithadbeenallintheday’swork——somethingwhichyouandImighttalkaboutforalifetimeTarzandismissedfromhismindthemomentthatthescenepassedfromhissight。
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LaSeeksVengeanceSwingingbackthroughthejungleinawidecircletheape—mancametotheriveratanotherpoint，drankandtooktothetreesagainandwhilehehunted，allobliviousofhispastandcarelessofhisfuture，therecamethroughthedarkjunglesandtheopen，parklikeplacesandacrossthewidemeadows，wheregrazedthecountlessherbivoraofthemysteriouscontinent，aweirdandterriblecaravaninsearchofhim。Therewerefiftyfrightfulmenwithhairybodiesandgnarledandcrookedlegs。Theywerearmedwithknivesandgreatbludgeonsandattheirheadmarchedanalmostnakedwoman，beautifulbeyondcompare。ItwasLaofOpar，HighPriestessoftheFlamingGod，andfiftyofherhorridpriestssearchingforthepurloinerofthesacredsacrificialknife。
NeverbeforehadLapassedbeyondthecrumblingouterwallsofOpar；butneverbeforehadneedbeensoinsistent。Thesacredknifewasgone！Handeddownthroughcountlessagesithadcometoherasaheritageandaninsigniaofherreligiousofficeandregalauthorityfromsomelong—deadprogenitoroflostandforgottenAtlantis。ThelossofthecrownjewelsortheGreatSealofEnglandcouldhavebroughtnogreaterconsternationtoaBritishkingthandidthepilferingofthesacredknifebringtoLa，theOparian，QueenandHighPriestessofthedegradedremnantsoftheoldestcivilizationuponearth。WhenAtlantis，withallhermightycitiesandhercultivatedfieldsandhergreatcommerceandcultureandrichessankintothesealongagessince，shetookwithherallbutahandfulofhercolonistsworkingthevastgoldminesofCentralAfrica。FromtheseandtheirdegradedslavesandalaterintermixtureofthebloodoftheanthropoidssprungthegnarledmenofOpar；butbysomequeerfreakoffate，aidedbynaturalselection，theoldAtlanteanstrainhadremainedpureandundegradedinthefemalesdescendedfromasingleprincessoftheroyalhouseofAtlantiswhohadbeeninOparatthetimeofthegreatcatastrophe。SuchwasLa。
Burningwithwhite—hotangerwastheHighPriestess，herheartaseething，moltenmassofhatredforTarzanoftheApes。Thezealofthereligiousfanaticwhosealtarhasbeendesecratedwastriplyenhancedbytherageofawomanscorned。Twicehadshethrownherheartatthefeetofthegodlikeape—manandtwicehadshebeenrepulsed。Laknewthatshewasbeautiful——andshewasbeautiful，notbythestandardsofprehistoricAtlantisalone，butbythoseofmoderntimeswasLaphysicallyacreatureofperfection。BeforeTarzancamethatfirsttimetoOpar，Lahadneverseenahumanmaleotherthanthegrotesqueandknottedmenofherclan。Withoneoftheseshemustmatesoonerorlaterthatthedirectlineofhighpriestessesmightnotbebroken，unlessFateshouldbringothermentoOpar。
BeforeTarzancameuponhisfirstvisit，Lahadhadnothoughtthatsuchmenasheexisted，forsheknewonlyherhideouslittlepriestsandthebullsofthetribeofgreatanthropoidsthathaddweltfromtimeimmemorialinandaboutOpar，untiltheyhadcometobelookeduponalmostasequalsbytheOparians。AmongthelegendsofOparweretalesofgodlikemenoftheoldentimeandofblackmenwhohadcomemorerecently；
buttheselatterhadbeenenemieswhokilledandrobbed。And，too，theselegendsalwaysheldforththehopethatsomedaythatnamelesscontinentfromwhichtheirracehadsprung，wouldriseoncemoreoutoftheseaandwithslavesatthelongsweepswouldsendhercarven，gold—pickedgalleysforthtosuccorthelong—exiledcolonists。
ThecomingofTarzanhadarousedwithinLa’sbreastthewildhopethatatlastthefulfillmentofthisancientprophecywasathand；butmorestronglystillhaditarousedthehotfiresofloveinaheartthatneverotherwisewouldhaveknownthemeaningofthatall—consumingpassion，forsuchawondrouscreatureasLacouldneverhavefeltloveforanyoftherepulsivepriestsofOpar。Custom，dutyandreligiouszealmighthavecommandedtheunion；buttherecouldhavebeennoloveonLa’spart。Shehadgrowntoyoungwomanhoodacoldandheartlesscreature，daughterofathousandothercold，heartless，beautifulwomenwhohadneverknownlove。Andsowhenlovecametoheritliberatedallthepentpassionsofathousandgenerations，transformingLaintoapulsing，throbbingvolcanoofdesire，andwithdesirethwartedthisgreatforceofloveandgentlenessandsacrificewastransmutedbyitsownfiresintooneofhatredandrevenge。
ItwasinastateofmindsuperinducedbytheseconditionsthatLaledforthherjabberingcompanytoretrievethesacredemblemofherhighofficeandwreakvengeanceupontheauthorofherwrongs。ToWerpershegavelittlethought。ThefactthattheknifehadbeeninhishandwhenitdepartedfromOparbroughtdownnothoughtsofvengeanceuponhishead。Ofcourse，heshouldbeslainwhencaptured；buthisdeathwouldgiveLanopleasure——shelookedforthatinthecontemplateddeathagoniesofTarzan。Heshouldbetortured。
Hisshouldbeaslowandfrightfuldeath。Hispunishmentshouldbeadequatetotheimmensityofhiscrime。
HehadwrestedthesacredknifefromLa；hehadlainsacreligioushandsupontheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGod；hehaddesecratedthealtarandthetemple。Forthesethingsheshoulddie；buthehadscornedtheloveofLa，thewoman，andforthisheshoulddiehorriblywithgreatanguish。
ThemarchofLaandherpriestswasnotwithoutitsadventures。Unusedwerethesetothewaysofthejungle，sinceseldomdidanyventureforthfrombehindOpar’scrumblingwalls，yettheirverynumbersprotectedthemandsotheycamewithoutfatalitiesfaralongthetrailofTarzanandWerper。Threegreatapesaccompaniedthemandtothesewasdelegatedthebusinessoftrackingthequarry，afeatbeyondthesensesoftheOparians。Lacommanded。Shearrangedtheorderofmarch，sheselectedthecamps，shesetthehourforhaltingandthehourforresumingandthoughshewasinexperiencedinsuchmatters，hernativeintelligencewassofarabovethatofthemenortheapesthatshedidbetterthantheycouldhavedone。
Shewasahardtaskmaster，too，forshelookeddownwithloathingandcontemptuponthemisshapencreaturesamongstwhichcruelFatehadthrownherandtosomeextentventeduponthemherdissatisfactionandherthwartedlove。Shemadethembuildherastrongprotectionandsheltereachnightandkeepagreatfireburningbeforeitfromdusktodawn。Whenshetiredofwalkingtheywereforcedtocarryheruponanimprovisedlitter，nordidonedaretoquestionherauthorityorherrighttosuchservices。Infacttheydidnotquestioneither。Tothemshewasagoddessandeachlovedherandeachhopedthathewouldbechosenashermate，sotheyslavedforherandborethestinginglashofherdispleasureandthehabituallyhaughtydisdainofhermannerwithoutamurmur。
Formanydaystheymarched，theapesfollowingthetraileasilyandgoingalittledistanceaheadofthebodyofthecaravanthattheymightwarntheothersofimpendingdanger。Itwasduringanoondayhaltwhileallwerelyingrestingafteratiresomemarchthatoneoftheapesrosesuddenlyandsniffedthebreeze。Inalowgutturalhecautionedtheotherstosilenceandamomentlaterwasswingingquietlyupwindintothejungle。Laandthepriestsgatheredsilentlytogether，thehideouslittlemenfingeringtheirknivesandbludgeons，andawaitedthereturnoftheshaggyanthropoid。
Norhadtheylongtowaitbeforetheysawhimemergefromaleafythicketandapproachthem。StraighttoLahecameandinthelanguageofthegreatapeswhichwasalsothelanguageofdecadentOparheaddressedher。
"ThegreatTarmanganiliesasleepthere，"hesaid，pointinginthedirectionfromwhichhehadjustcome。
"Comeandwecankillhim。"
"Donotkillhim，"commandedLaincoldtones。
"BringthegreatTarmanganitomealiveandunhurt。
ThevengeanceisLa’s。Go；butmakenosound！"andshewavedherhandstoincludeallherfollowers。
Cautiouslytheweirdpartycreptthroughthejungleinthewakeofthegreatapeuntilatlasthehaltedthemwitharaisedhandandpointedupwardandalittleahead。Theretheysawthegiantformoftheape—manstretchedalongalowboughandeveninsleeponehandgraspedastoutlimbandonestrong，brownlegreachedoutandoverlappedanother。AteaselayTarzanoftheApes，sleepingheavilyuponafullstomachanddreamingofNuma，thelion，andHorta，theboar，andothercreaturesofthejungle。Nointimationofdangerassailedthedormantfacultiesoftheape—man——hesawnocrouchinghairyfiguresuponthegroundbeneathhimnorthethreeapesthatswungquietlyintothetreebesidehim。
ThefirstintimationofdangerthatcametoTarzanwastheimpactofthreebodiesasthethreeapesleapeduponhimandhurledhimtotheground，wherehealightedhalfstunnedbeneaththeircombinedweightandwasimmediatelysetuponbythefiftyhairymenorasmanyofthemascouldswarmuponhisperson。Instantlytheape—manbecamethecenterofawhirling，striking，bitingmaelstromofhorror。Hefoughtnoblybuttheoddsagainsthimweretoogreat。Slowlytheyovercamehimthoughtherewasscarceoneofthemthatdidnotfeeltheweightofhismightyfistortherendingofhisfangs。
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CondemnedToTortureandDeathLahadfollowedhercompanyandwhenshesawthemclawingandbitingatTarzan，sheraisedhervoiceandcautionedthemnottokillhim。Shesawthathewasweakeningandthatsoonthegreaternumberswouldprevailoverhim，norhadshelongtowaitbeforethemightyjunglecreaturelayhelplessandboundatherfeet。
"Bringhimtotheplaceatwhichwestopped，"shecommandedandtheycarriedTarzanbacktothelittleclearingandthrewhimdownbeneathatree。
"Buildmeashelter！"orderedLa。"WeshallstopheretonightandtomorrowinthefaceoftheFlamingGod，Lawillofferuptheheartofthisdefilerofthetemple。
Whereisthesacredknife？Whotookitfromhim？"
ButnoonehadseenitandeachwaspositiveinhisassurancethatthesacrificialweaponhadnotbeenuponTarzan’spersonwhentheycapturedhim。Theape—manlookeduponthemenacingcreatureswhichsurroundedhimandsnarledhisdefiance。HelookeduponLaandsmiled。Inthefaceofdeathhewasunafraid。
"Whereistheknife？"Laaskedhim。
"Idonotknow，"repliedTarzan。"Themantookitwithhimwhenheslippedawayduringthenight。SinceyouaresodesirousforitsreturnIwouldlookforhimandgetitbackforyou，didyounotholdmeprisoner；butnowthatIamtodieIcannotgetitback。Ofwhatgoodwasyourknife，anyway？Youcanmakeanother。
Didyoufollowusallthiswayfornothingmorethanaknife？LetmegoandfindhimandIwillbringitbacktoyou。"
Lalaughedabitterlaugh，forinherheartsheknewthatTarzan’ssinwasgreaterthanthepurloiningofthesacrificialknifeofOpar；yetasshelookedathimlyingboundandhelplessbeforeher，tearsrosetohereyessothatshehadtoturnawaytohidethem；butsheremainedinflexibleinherdeterminationtomakehimpayinfrightfulsufferingandineventualdeathfordaringtospurntheloveofLa。
WhentheshelterwascompletedLahadTarzantransferredtoit。"AllnightIshalltorturehim，"
shemutteredtoherpriests，"andatthefirststreakofdawnyoumaypreparetheflamingaltaruponwhichhisheartshallbeoffereduptotheFlamingGod。
Gatherwoodwellfilledwithpitch，layitintheformandsizeofthealtaratOparinthecenteroftheclearingthattheFlamingGodmaylookdownuponourhandiworkandbepleased。"
DuringthebalanceofthedaythepriestsofOparwerebusyerectinganaltarinthecenteroftheclearing，andwhiletheyworkedtheychantedweirdhymnsintheancienttongueofthatlostcontinentthatliesatthebottomoftheAtlantic。Theyknewnotthemeaningsofthewordstheymouthed；theybutrepeatedtheritualthathadbeenhandeddownfrompreceptortoneophytesincethatlong—gonedaywhentheancestorsofthePiltdownmanstillswungbytheirtailsinthehumidjunglesthatareEnglandnow。
Andintheshelterofthehut，Lapacedtoandfrobesidethestoicape—man。ResignedtohisfatewasTarzan。Nohopeofsuccorgleamedthroughthedeadblackofthedeathsentencehangingoverhim。Heknewthathisgiantmusclescouldnotpartthemanystrandsthatboundhiswristsandankles，forhehadstrainedoften，butineffectuallyforrelease。Hehadnohopeofoutsidehelpandonlyenemiessurroundedhimwithinthecamp，andyethesmiledatLaasshepacednervouslybackandforththelengthoftheshelter。
AndLa？Shefingeredherknifeandlookeddownuponhercaptive。Sheglaredandmutteredbutshedidnotstrike。"Tonight！"shethought。"Tonight，whenitisdarkIwilltorturehim。"Shelookeduponhisperfect，godlikefigureanduponhishandsome，smilingfaceandthenshesteeledherheartagainbythoughtsofherlovespurned；byreligiousthoughtsthatdamnedtheinfidelwhohaddesecratedtheholyofholies；whohadtakenfromtheblood—stainedaltarofOpartheofferingtotheFlamingGod——andnotoncebutthrice。
ThreetimeshadTarzancheatedthegodofherfathers。
AtthethoughtLapausedandkneltathisside。Inherhandwasasharpknife。Sheplaceditspointagainsttheape—man’ssideandpresseduponthehilt；butTarzanonlysmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。
Howbeautifulhewas！Labentlowoverhim，lookingintohiseyes。Howperfectwashisfigure。Shecompareditwiththoseoftheknurledandknottedmenfromwhomshemustchooseamate，andLashudderedatthethought。Duskcameandafterduskcamenight。
Agreatfireblazedwithinthelittlethornbomaaboutthecamp。Theflamesplayeduponthenewaltarerectedinthecenteroftheclearing，arousinginthemindoftheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGodapictureoftheeventofthecomingdawn。Shesawthisgiantandperfectformwrithingamidtheflamesoftheburningpyre。Shesawthosesmilinglips，burnedandblackened，fallingawayfromthestrong，whiteteeth。
ShesawtheshockofblackhairtousleduponTarzan’swell—shapedheaddisappearinaspurtofflame。Shesawtheseandmanyotherfrightfulpicturesasshestoodwithclosedeyesandclenchedfistsabovetheobjectofherhate——ah！wasithatethatLaofOparfelt？
Thedarknessofthejunglenighthadsettleddownuponthecamp，relievedonlybythefitfulflaringsofthefirethatwaskeptuptowarnofftheman—eaters。
Tarzanlayquietlyinhisbonds。Hesufferedfromthirstandfromthecuttingofthetightstrandsabouthiswristsandankles；buthemadenocomplaint。
AjunglebeastwasTarzanwiththestoicismofthebeastandtheintelligenceofman。Heknewthathisdoomwassealed——thatnosupplicationswouldavailtotempertheseverityofhisendandsohewastednobreathinpleadings；butwaitedpatientlyinthefirmconvictionthathissufferingscouldnotendureforever。
InthedarknessLastoopedabovehim。Inherhandwasasharpknifeandinhermindthedeterminationtoinitiatehistorturewithoutfurtherdelay。TheknifewaspressedagainsthissideandLa’sfacewasclosetohiswhenasuddenburstofflamefromnewbranchesthrownuponthefirewithout，lighteduptheinterioroftheshelter。ClosebeneathherlipsLasawtheperfectfeaturesoftheforestgodandintoherwoman’sheartwelledallthegreatloveshehadfeltforTarzansincefirstshehadseenhim，andalltheaccumulatedpassionoftheyearsthatshehaddreamedofhim。
Daggerinhand，La，theHighPriestess，toweredabovethehelplesscreaturethathaddaredtoviolatethesanctuaryofherdeity。Thereshouldbenotorture——
thereshouldbeinstantdeath。Nolongershouldthedefilerofthetemplepollutethesightofthelordgodalmighty。Asinglestrokeoftheheavybladeandthenthecorpsetotheflamingpyrewithout。Theknifearmstiffenedreadyforthedownwardplunge，andthenLa，thewoman，collapsedweaklyuponthebodyofthemansheloved。
Sheranherhandsinmutecaressoverhisnakedflesh；
shecoveredhisforehead，hiseyes，hislipswithhotkisses；shecoveredhimwithherbodyasthoughtoprotecthimfromthehideousfateshehadordainedforhim，andintrembling，piteoustonesshebeggedhimforhislove。Forhoursthefrenzyofherpassionpossessedtheburninghand—maidenoftheFlamingGod，untilatlastsleepoverpoweredherandshelapsedintounconsciousnessbesidethemanshehadsworntotortureandtoslay。AndTarzan，untroubledbythoughtsofthefuture，sleptpeacefullyinLa’sembrace。
AtthefirsthintofdawnthechantingofthepriestsofOparbroughtTarzantowakefulness。Initiatedinlowandsubduedtones，thesoundsoonroseinvolumetotheopendiapasonofbarbaricbloodlust。Lastirred。
HerperfectarmpressedTarzanclosertoher——asmilepartedherlipsandthensheawoke，andslowlythesmilefadedandhereyeswentwideinhorrorasthesignificanceofthedeathchantimpingeduponherunderstanding。
"Loveme，Tarzan！"shecried。"Loveme，andyoushallbesaved。"
Tarzan’sbondshurthim。Hewassufferingthetorturesoflong—restrictedcirculation。WithanangrygrowlherolledoverwithhisbacktowardLa。Thatwasheranswer！TheHighPriestessleapedtoherfeet。Ahotflushofshamemantledhercheekandthenshewentdeadwhiteandsteppedtotheshelter’sentrance。
"Come，PriestsoftheFlamingGod！"shecried，"andmakereadythesacrifice。"
Thewarpedthingsadvancedandenteredtheshelter。
TheylaidhandsuponTarzanandborehimforth，andastheychantedtheykepttimewiththeircrookedbodies，swayingtoandfrototherhythmoftheirsongofbloodanddeath。BehindthemcameLa，swayingtoo；butnotinunisonwiththechantedcadence。WhiteanddrawnwasthefaceoftheHighPriestess——whiteanddrawnwithunrequitedloveandhideousterrorofthemomentstocome。YetsterninherresolvewasLa。Theinfidelshoulddie！Thescornerofherloveshouldpaythepriceuponthefieryaltar。Shesawthemlaytheperfectbodythereupontheroughbranches。ShesawtheHighPriest，hetowhomcustomwoulduniteher——
bent，crooked，gnarled，stunted，hideous——advancewiththeflamingtorchandstandawaitinghercommandtoapplyittothefaggotssurroundingthesacrificialpyre。Hishairy，bestialfacewasdistortedinayellow—fangedgrinofanticipatoryenjoyment。Hishandswerecuppedtoreceivethelifebloodofthevictim——therednectarthatatOparwouldhavefilledthegoldensacrificialgoblets。
Laapproachedwithupraisedknife，herfaceturnedtowardtherisingsunanduponherlipsaprayertotheburningdeityofherpeople。TheHighPriestlookedquestioninglytowardher——thebrandwasburningclosetohishandandthefaggotslaytemptinglynear。
Tarzanclosedhiseyesandawaitedtheend。Heknewthathewouldsuffer，forherecalledthefaintmemoriesofpastburns。Heknewthathewouldsufferanddie；buthedidnotflinch。Deathisnogreatadventuretothejunglebredwhowalkhand—in—handwiththegrimspecterbydayandliedownathissidebynightthroughalltheyearsoftheirlives。Itisdoubtfulthattheape—manevenspeculateduponwhatcameafterdeath。Asamatteroffactashisendapproached，hismindwasoccupiedbythoughtsoftheprettypebbleshehadlost，yethiseveryfacultystillwasopentowhatpassedaroundhim。
HefeltLaleanoverhimandheopenedhiseyes。
Hesawherwhite，drawnfaceandhesawtearsblindinghereyes。"Tarzan，myTarzan！"shemoaned，"tellmethatyouloveme——thatyouwillreturntoOparwithme——andyoushalllive。EveninthefaceoftheangerofmypeopleIwillsaveyou。ThislastchanceIgiveyou。
Whatisyouranswer？"
AtthelastmomentthewomaninLahadtriumphedovertheHighPriestessofacruelcult。Shesawuponthealtartheonlycreaturethateverhadarousedthefiresoflovewithinhervirginbreast；shesawthebeast—facedfanaticwhowouldonedaybehermate，unlessshefoundanotherlessrepulsive，standingwiththeburningtorchreadytoignitethepyre；yetwithallhermadpassionfortheape—manshewouldgivethewordtoapplytheflameifTarzan’sfinalanswerwasunsatisfactory。Withheavingbosomsheleanedcloseabovehim。"Yesorno？"shewhispered。
Throughthejungle，outofthedistance，camefaintlyasoundthatbroughtasuddenlightofhopetoTarzan’seyes。HeraisedhisvoiceinaweirdscreamthatsentLabackfromhimasteportwo。Theimpatientpriestgrumbledandswitchedthetorchfromonehandtotheotheratthesametimeholdingitclosertothetinderatthebaseofthepyre。
"Youranswer！"insistedLa。"WhatisyouranswertotheloveofLaofOpar？"
ClosercamethesoundthathadattractedTarzan’sattentionandnowtheothersheardit——theshrilltrumpetingofanelephant。AsLalookedwide—eyedintoTarzan’sface，theretoreadherfateforhappinessorheartbreak，shesawanexpressionofconcernshadowhisfeatures。Now，forthefirsttime，sheguessedthemeaningofTarzan’sshrillscream——hehadsummonedTantor，theelephant，tohisrescue！La’sbrowscontractedinasavagescowl。"YourefuseLa！"
shecried。"Thendie！Thetorch！"shecommanded，turningtowardthepriest。