1Tarzan’sFirstLove2TheCaptureofTarzan3TheFightfortheBalu4TheGodofTarzan5TarzanandtheBlackBoy6TheWitch-DoctorSeeksVengeance7TheEndofBukawai8TheLion9TheNightmare10TheBattleforTeeka11AJungleJoke12TarzanRescuestheMoon1
Tarzan’sFirstLoveTEEKA，STRETCHEDATluxuriouseaseintheshadeofthetropicalforest，presented，unquestionably，amostalluringpictureofyoung，feminineloveliness。OratleastsothoughtTarzanoftheApes，whosquatteduponalow-swingingbranchinanear-bytreeandlookeddownuponher。
Justtohaveseenhimthere，lollingupontheswayingboughofthejungle-forestgiant，hisbrownskinmottledbythebrilliantequatorialsunlightwhichpercolatedthroughtheleafycanopyofgreenabovehim，hisclean-limbedbodyrelaxedingracefulease，hisshapelyheadpartlyturnedincontemplativeabsorptionandhisintelligent，grayeyesdreamilydevouringtheobjectoftheirdevotion，youwouldhavethoughthimthereincarnationofsomedemigodofold。
Youwouldnothaveguessedthatininfancyhehadsuckledatthebreastofahideous，hairyshe-ape，northatinallhisconsciouspastsincehisparentshadpassedawayinthelittlecabinbythelandlockedharboratthejungle’sverge，hehadknownnootherassociatesthanthesullenbullsandthesnarlingcowsofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。
Nor，couldyouhavereadthethoughtswhichpassedthroughthatactive，healthybrain，thelongingsanddesiresandaspirationswhichthesightofTeekainspired，wouldyouhavebeenanymoreinclinedtogivecredencetotherealityoftheoriginoftheape-man。For，fromhisthoughtsalone，youcouldneverhavegleanedthetruth——thathehadbeenborntoagentleEnglishladyorthathissirehadbeenanEnglishnoblemanoftime-honoredlineage。
LosttoTarzanoftheApeswasthetruthofhisorigin。
ThathewasJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，withaseatintheHouseofLords，hedidnotknow，nor，knowing，wouldhaveunderstood。
Yes，Teekawasindeedbeautiful！
OfcourseKalahadbeenbeautiful——one’smotherisalwaysthat——butTeekawasbeautifulinawayallherown，anindescribablesortofwaywhichTarzanwasjustbeginningtosenseinarathervagueandhazymanner。
ForyearshadTarzanandTeekabeenplay-fellows，andTeekastillcontinuedtobeplayfulwhiletheyoungbullsofherownagewererapidlybecomingsurlyandmorose。Tarzan，ifhegavethemattermuchthoughtatall，probablyreasonedthathisgrowingattachmentfortheyoungfemalecouldbeeasilyaccountedforbythefactthatoftheformerplaymatessheandhealoneretainedanydesiretofrolicasofold。
Buttoday，ashesatgazinguponher，hefoundhimselfnotingthebeautiesofTeeka’sformandfeatures——somethingheneverhaddonebefore，sincenoneofthemhadaughttodowithTeeka’sabilitytoracenimblythroughthelowerterracesoftheforestintheprimitivegamesoftagandhide-and-go-seekwhichTarzan’sfertilebrainevolved。
Tarzanscratchedhishead，runninghisfingersdeepintotheshockofblackhairwhichframedhisshapely，boyishface——hescratchedhisheadandsighed。
Teeka’snew-foundbeautybecameassuddenlyhisdespair。
Heenviedherthehandsomecoatofhairwhichcoveredherbody。Hisownsmooth，brownhidehehatedwithahatredbornofdisgustandcontempt。Yearsbackhehadharboredahopethatsomedayhe，too，wouldbeclothedinhairaswereallhisbrothersandsisters；butoflatehehadbeenforcedtoabandonthedelectabledream。
ThentherewereTeeka’sgreatteeth，notsolargeasthemales，ofcourse，butstillmighty，handsomethingsbycomparisonwithTarzan’sfeeblewhiteones。Andherbeetlingbrows，andbroad，flatnose，andhermouth！Tarzanhadoftenpracticedmakinghismouthintoalittleroundcircleandthenpuffingouthischeekswhilehewinkedhiseyesrapidly；
buthefeltthathecouldneverdoitinthesamecuteandirresistiblewayinwhichTeekadidit。
Andashewatchedherthatafternoon，andwondered，ayoungbullapewhohadbeenlazilyforagingforfoodbeneaththedamp，mattedcarpetofdecayingvegetationattherootsofanear-bytreelumberedawkwardlyinTeeka’sdirection。TheotherapesofthetribeofKerchakmovedlistlesslyaboutorlolledrestfullyinthemiddayheatoftheequatorialjungle。FromtimetotimeoneoranotherofthemhadpassedclosetoTeeka，andTarzanhadbeenuninterested。WhywasitthenthathisbrowscontractedandhismusclestensedashesawTaugpausebesidetheyoungsheandthensquatdownclosetoher？
TarzanalwayshadlikedTaug。Sincechildhoodtheyhadrompedtogether。Sidebysidetheyhadsquattednearthewater，theirquick，strongfingersreadytoleapforthandseizePisah，thefish，shouldthatwarydenizenofthecooldepthsdartsurfacewardtothelureoftheinsectsTarzantosseduponthefaceofthepool。
TogethertheyhadbaitedTublatandteasedNuma，thelion。
Why，then，shouldTarzanfeeltheriseoftheshorthairsatthenapeofhisneckmerelybecauseTaugsatclosetoTeeka？
ItistruethatTaugwasnolongerthefrolicsomeapeofyesterday。Whenhissnarling-musclesbaredhisgiantfangsnoonecouldlongerimaginethatTaugwasinasplayfulamoodaswhenheandTarzanhadrolledupontheturfinmimicbattle。TheTaugoftodaywasahuge，sullenbullape，somberandforbidding。YetheandTarzanneverhadquarreled。
Forafewminutestheyoungape-manwatchedTaugpressclosertoTeeka。Hesawtheroughcaressofthehugepawasitstrokedthesleekshoulderoftheshe，andthenTarzanoftheApesslippedcatliketothegroundandapproachedthetwo。
Ashecamehisupperlipcurledintoasnarl，exposinghisfightingfangs，andadeepgrowlrumbledfromhiscavernouschest。Tauglookedup，battinghisblood-shoteyes。
TeekahalfraisedherselfandlookedatTarzan。
Didsheguessthecauseofhisperturbation？Whomaysay？Atanyrate，shewasfeminine，andsoshereachedupandscratchedTaugbehindoneofhissmall，flatears。
Tarzansaw，andintheinstantthathesaw，Teekawasnolongerthelittleplaymateofanhourago；insteadshewasawondrousthing——themostwondrousintheworld——andapossessionforwhichTarzanwouldfighttothedeathagainstTaugoranyotherwhodaredquestionhisrightofproprietorship。
Stooped，hismusclesrigidandonegreatshoulderturnedtowardtheyoungbull，TarzanoftheApessidlednearerandnearer。Hisfacewaspartlyaverted，buthiskeengrayeyesneverleftthoseofTaug，andashecame，hisgrowlsincreasedindepthandvolume。
Taugroseuponhisshortlegs，bristling。Hisfightingfangswerebared。He，too，sidled，stiff-legged，andgrowled。
\"TeekaisTarzan’s，\"saidtheape-man，inthelowgutturalsofthegreatanthropoids。
\"TeekaisTaug’s，\"repliedthebullape。
ThakaandNumgoandGunto，disturbedbythegrowlingsofthetwoyoungbulls，lookeduphalfapathetic，halfinterested。Theyweresleepy，buttheysensedafight。
Itwouldbreakthemonotonyofthehumdrumjunglelifetheyled。
CoiledabouthisshoulderswasTarzan’slonggrassrope，inhishandwasthehuntingknifeofthelong-deadfatherhehadneverknown。InTaug’slittlebrainlayagreatrespectfortheshinybitofsharpmetalwhichtheape-boyknewsowellhowtouse。WithithadheslainTublat，hisfiercefosterfather，andBolgani，thegorilla。
Taugknewthesethings，andsohecamewarily，circlingaboutTarzaninsearchofanopening。Thelatter，madecautiousbecauseofhislesserbulkandtheinferiorityofhisnaturalarmament，followedsimilartactics。
Foratimeitseemedthatthealtercationwouldfollowthewayofthemajorityofsuchdifferencesbetweenmembersofthetribeandthatoneofthemwouldfinallyloseinterestandwanderofftoprosecutesomeotherlineofendeavor。SuchmighthavebeentheendofithadtheCASUSBELLIbeenotherthanitwas；
butTeekawasflatteredattheattentionthatwasbeingdrawntoherandbythefactthatthesetwoyoungbullswerecontemplatingbattleonheraccount。SuchathingneverbeforehadoccurredinTeeka’sbrieflife。
Shehadseenotherbullsbattlingforotherandoldershes，andinthedepthofherwildlittleheartshehadlongedforthedaywhenthejunglegrasseswouldbereddenedwiththebloodofmortalcombatforherfairsake。
Sonowshesquatteduponherhaunchesandinsultedbothheradmirersimpartially。Shehurledtauntsatthemfortheircowardice，andcalledthemvilenames，suchasHistah，thesnake，andDango，thehyena。
ShethreatenedtocallMumgatochastisethemwithastick——Mumga，whowassooldthatshecouldnolongerclimbandsotoothlessthatshewasforcedtoconfineherdietalmostexclusivelytobananasandgrub-worms。
Theapeswhowerewatchingheardandlaughed。
Taugwasinfuriated。HemadeasuddenlungeforTarzan，buttheape-boyleapednimblytooneside，eludinghim，andwiththequicknessofacatwheeledandleapedbackagaintoclosequarters。Hishuntingknifewasraisedabovehisheadashecamein，andheaimedaviciousblowatTaug’sneck。Theapewheeledtododgetheweaponsothatthekeenbladestruckhimbutaglancingblowupontheshoulder。
ThespurtofredbloodbroughtashrillcryofdelightfromTeeka。Ah，butthiswassomethingworthwhile！
Sheglancedabouttoseeifothershadwitnessedthisevidenceofherpopularity。HelenofTroywasneveronewhitmoreproudthanwasTeekaatthatmoment。
IfTeekahadnotbeensoabsorbedinherownvaingloriousnessshemighthavenotedtherustlingofleavesinthetreeaboveher——arustlingwhichwasnotcausedbyanymovementofthewind，sincetherewasnowind。
Andhadshelookedupshemighthaveseenasleekbodycrouchingalmostdirectlyoverherandwickedyelloweyesglaringhungrilydownuponher，butTeekadidnotlookup。
WithhiswoundTaughadbackedoffgrowlinghorribly。
Tarzanhadfollowedhim，screaminginsultsathim，andmenacinghimwithhisbrandishingblade。Teekamovedfrombeneaththetreeinanefforttokeepclosetotheduelists。
ThebranchaboveTeekabentandswayedatriflewiththemovementofthebodyofthewatcherstretchedalongit。
Taughadhaltednowandwaspreparingtomakeanewstand。
Hislipswerefleckedwithfoam，andsalivadrooledfromhisjowls。Hestoodwithheadloweredandarmsoutstretched，preparingforasuddenchargetoclosequarters。
Couldhebutlayhismightyhandsuponthatsoft，brownskinthebattlewouldbehis。TaugconsideredTarzan’smanneroffightingunfair。Hewouldnotclose。
Instead，heleapednimblyjustbeyondthereachofTaug’smuscularfingers。
Theape-boyhadasyetnevercometoarealtrialofstrengthwithabullape，otherthaninplay，andsohewasnotatallsurethatitwouldbesafetoputhismusclestothetestinalifeanddeathstruggle。
Notthathewasafraid，forTarzanknewnothingoffear。
Theinstinctofself-preservationgavehimcaution——thatwasall。Hetookrisksonlywhenitseemednecessary，andthenhewouldhesitateatnothing。
Hisownmethodoffightingseemedbestfittedtohisbuildandtohisarmament。Histeeth，whilestrongandsharp，were，asweaponsofoffense，pitifullyinadequatebycomparisonwiththemightyfightingfangsoftheanthropoids。
Bydancingabout，justoutofreachofanantagonist，Tarzancoulddoinfiniteinjurywithhislong，sharphuntingknife，andatthesametimeescapemanyofthepainfulanddangerouswoundswhichwouldbesuretofollowhisfallingintotheclutchesofabullape。
AndsoTaugchargedandbellowedlikeabull，andTarzanoftheApesdancedlightlytothissideandthat，hurlingjunglebillingsgateathisfoe，thewhilehenickedhimnowandagainwithhisknife。
Therewerelullsinthefightingwhenthetwowouldstandpantingforbreath，facingeachother，musteringtheirwitsandtheirforcesforanewonslaught。ItwasduringapausesuchasthisthatTaugchancedtolethiseyesrovebeyondhisfoeman。Instantlytheentireaspectoftheapealtered。Ragelefthiscountenancetobesupplantedbyanexpressionoffear。
Withacrythateveryapethererecognized，Taugturnedandfled。Noneedtoquestionhim——hiswarningproclaimedthenearpresenceoftheirancientenemy。
Tarzanstartedtoseeksafety，asdidtheothermembersofthetribe，andashedidsoheheardapanther’sscreammingledwiththefrightenedcryofashe-ape。
Taugheard，too；buthedidnotpauseinhisflight。
Withtheape-boy，however，itwasdifferent。Helookedbacktoseeifanymemberofthetribewasclosepressedbythebeastofprey，andthesightthatmethiseyesfilledthemwithanexpressionofhorror。
Teekaitwaswhocriedoutinterrorasshefledacrossalittleclearingtowardthetreesupontheoppositeside，forafterherleapedSheeta，thepanther，ineasy，gracefulbounds。Sheetaappearedtobeinnohurry。
Hismeatwasassured，sinceeventhoughtheapereachedthetreesaheadofhimshecouldnotclimbbeyondhisclutchesbeforehecouldbeuponher。
TarzansawthatTeekamustdie。HecriedtoTaugandtheotherbullstohastentoTeeka’sassistance，andatthesametimeherantowardthepursuingbeast，takingdownhisropeashecame。Tarzanknewthatoncethegreatbullswerearousednoneofthejungle，notevenNuma，thelion，wasanxioustomeasurefangswiththem，andthatifallthoseofthetribewhochancedtobepresenttodaywouldcharge，Sheeta，thegreatcat，woulddoubtlessturntailandrunforhislife。
Taugheard，asdidtheothers，butnoonecametoTarzan’sassistanceorTeeka’srescue，andSheetawasrapidlyclosingupthedistancebetweenhimselfandhisprey。
Theape-boy，leapingafterthepanther，criedaloudtothebeastinanefforttoturnitfromTeekaorotherwisedistractitsattentionuntiltheshe-apecouldgainthesafetyofthehigherbrancheswhereSheetadarednotgo。
Hecalledthepanthereveryopprobriousnamethatfelltohistongue。Hedaredhimtostopanddobattlewithhim；
butSheetaonlylopedonaftertheluscioustitbitnowalmostwithinhisreach。
Tarzanwasnotfarbehindandhewasgaining，butthedistancewassoshortthathescarcehopedtooverhaulthecarnivorebeforeithadfelledTeeka。Inhisrighthandtheboyswunghisgrassropeabovehisheadasheran。
Hehatedtochanceamiss，forthedistancewasmuchgreaterthanheeverhadcastbeforeexceptinpractice。
ItwasthefulllengthofhisgrassropewhichseparatedhimfromSheeta，andyettherewasnootherthingtodo。
Hecouldnotreachthebrute’ssidebeforeitoverhauledTeeka。
Hemustchanceathrow。
AndjustasTeekasprangforthelowerlimbofagreattree，andSheetarosebehindherinalong，sinuousleap，thecoilsoftheape-boy’sgrassropeshotswiftlythroughtheair，straighteningintoalongthinlineastheopennoosehoveredforaninstantabovethesavageheadandthesnarlingjaws。Thenitsettled——cleanandtrueaboutthetawnyneckitsettled，andTarzan，withaquicktwistofhisrope-hand，drewthenoosetaut，bracinghimselffortheshockwhenSheetashouldhavetakenuptheslack。
JustshortofTeeka’sglossyrumpthecrueltalonsrakedtheairastheropetightenedandSheetawasbroughttoasuddenstop——astopthatsnappedthebigbeastoveruponhisback。InstantlySheetawasup——withglaringeyes，andlashingtail，andgapingjaws，fromwhichissuedhideouscriesofrageanddisappointment。
Hesawtheape-boy，thecauseofhisdiscomfiture，scarcefortyfeetbeforehim，andSheetacharged。
Teekawassafenow；Tarzansawtothatbyaquickglanceintothetreewhosesafetyshehadgainednotaninstanttoosoon，andSheetawascharging。Itwasuselesstoriskhislifeinidleandunequalcombatfromwhichnogoodcouldcome；butcouldheescapeabattlewiththeenragedcat？Andifhewasforcedtofight，whatchancehadhetosurvive？Tarzanwasconstrainedtoadmitthathispositionwasaughtbutadesirableone。Thetreesweretoofartohopetoreachintimetoeludethecat。
Tarzancouldbutstandfacingthathideouscharge。
Inhisrighthandhegraspedhishuntingknife——apuny，futilethingindeedbycomparisonwiththegreatrowsofmightyteethwhichlinedSheeta’spowerfuljaws，andthesharptalonsencasedwithinhispaddedpaws；
yettheyoungLordGreystokefaceditwiththesamecourageousresignationwithwhichsomefearlessancestorwentdowntodefeatanddeathonSenlacHillbyHastings。
Fromsafetypointsinthetreesthegreatapeswatched，screaminghatredatSheetaandadviceatTarzan，fortheprogenitorsofmanhave，naturally，manyhumantraits。
Teekawasfrightened。ShescreamedatthebullstohastentoTarzan’sassistance；butthebullswereotherwiseengaged——principallyingivingadviceandmakingfaces。
Anyway，TarzanwasnotarealMangani，sowhyshouldtheyrisktheirlivesinanefforttoprotecthim？
AndnowSheetawasalmostuponthelithe，nakedbody，and——thebodywasnotthere。Quickaswasthegreatcat，theape-boywasquicker。Heleapedtoonesidealmostasthepanther’stalonswereclosinguponhim，andasSheetawenthurtlingtothegroundbeyond，Tarzanwasracingforthesafetyofthenearesttree。
Thepantherrecoveredhimselfalmostimmediatelyand，wheeling，toreafterhisprey，theape-boy’sropedraggingalongthegroundbehindhim。IndoublingbackafterTarzan，Sheetahadpassedaroundalowbush。
ItwasamerenothinginthepathofanyjunglecreatureofthesizeandweightofSheeta——providedithadnotrailingropedanglingbehind。ButSheetawashandicappedbysucharope，andasheleapedonceagainafterTarzanoftheApestheropeencircledthesmallbush，becametangledinitandbroughtthepanthertoasuddenstop。
AninstantlaterTarzanwassafeamongthehigherbranchesofasmalltreeintowhichSheetacouldnotfollowhim。
Hereheperched，hurlingtwigsandepithetsattheragingfelinebeneathhim。Theothermembersofthetribenowtookupthebombardment，usingsuchhard-shelledfruitsanddeadbranchesascamewithintheirreach，untilSheeta，goadedtofrenzyandsnappingatthegrassrope，finallysucceededinseveringitsstrands。Foramomentthepantherstoodglaringfirstatoneofhistormentorsandthenatanother，until，withafinalscreamofrage，heturnedandslunkoffintothetangledmazesofthejungle。
Ahalfhourlaterthetribewasagainupontheground，feedingasthoughnaughthadoccurredtointerruptthesomberdullnessoftheirlives。Tarzanhadrecoveredthegreaterpartofhisropeandwasbusyfashioninganewnoose，whileTeekasquattedclosebehindhim，inevidenttokenthatherchoicewasmade。
Taugeyedthemsullenly。Oncewhenhecameclose，Teekabaredherfangsandgrowledathim，andTarzanshowedhiscaninesinanuglysnarl；butTaugdidnotprovokeaquarrel。Heseemedtoacceptafterthemannerofhiskindthedecisionofthesheasanindicationthathehadbeenvanquishedinhisbattleforherfavors。
Laterintheday，hisroperepaired，Tarzantooktothetreesinsearchofgame。Morethanhisfellowsherequiredmeat，andso，whiletheyweresatisfiedwithfruitsandherbsandbeetles，whichcouldbediscoveredwithoutmucheffortupontheirpart，Tarzanspentconsiderabletimehuntingthegameanimalswhosefleshalonesatisfiedthecravingsofhisstomachandfurnishedsustenanceandstrengthtothemightythewswhich，daybyday，werebuildingbeneaththesoft，smoothtextureofhisbrownhide。
Taugsawhimdepart，andthen，quitecasually，thebigbeasthuntedcloserandclosertoTeekainhissearchforfood。
Atlasthewaswithinafewfeetofher，andwhenheshotacovertglanceatherhesawthatshewasappraisinghimandthattherewasnoevidenceofangeruponherface。
Taugexpandedhisgreatchestandrolledaboutonhisshortlegs，makingstrangegrowlingsinhisthroat。
Heraisedhislips，baringhisfangs。My，butwhatgreat，beautifulfangshehad！Teekacouldnotbutnoticethem。
ShealsolethereyesrestinadmirationuponTaug’sbeetlingbrowsandhisshort，powerfulneck。Whatabeautifulcreaturehewasindeed！
Taug，flatteredbytheunconcealedadmirationinhereyes，struttedabout，asproudandasvainasapeacock。
Presentlyhebegantoinventoryhisassets，mentally，andshortlyhefoundhimselfcomparingthemwiththoseofhisrival。
Tauggrunted，fortherewasnocomparison。HowcouldonecomparehisbeautifulcoatwiththesmoothandnakedhideousnessofTarzan’sbarehide？WhocouldseebeautyinthestingynoseoftheTarmanganiafterlookingatTaug’sbroadnostrils？AndTarzan’seyes！Hideousthings，showingwhiteaboutthem，andentirelyunrimmedwithred。
Taugknewthathisownblood-shoteyeswerebeautiful，forhehadseenthemreflectedintheglassysurfaceofmanyadrinkingpool。
ThebulldrewnearertoTeeka，finallysquattingcloseagainsther。WhenTarzanreturnedfromhishuntingashorttimelateritwastoseeTeekacontentedlyscratchingthebackofhisrival。
Tarzanwasdisgusted。NeitherTaugnorTeekasawhimasheswungthroughthetreesintotheglade。Hepausedamoment，lookingatthem；then，withasorrowfulgrimace，heturnedandfadedawayintothelabyrinthofleafyboughsandfestoonedmossoutofwhichhehadcome。
Tarzanwishedtobeasfarawayfromthecauseofhisheartacheashecould。Hewassufferingthefirstpangsofblightedlove，andhedidn’tquiteknowwhatwasthematterwithhim。
HethoughtthathewasangrywithTaug，andsohecouldn’tunderstandwhyitwasthathehadrunawayinsteadofrushingintomortalcombatwiththedestroyerofhishappiness。
HealsothoughtthathewasangrywithTeeka，yetavisionofhermanybeautiespersistedinhauntinghim，sothathecouldonlyseeherinthelightofloveasthemostdesirablethingintheworld。
Theape-boycravedaffection。Frombabyhooduntilthetimeofherdeath，whenthepoisonedarrowofKulongahadpiercedhersavageheart，KalahadrepresentedtotheEnglishboythesoleobjectoflovewhichhehadknown。
Inherwild，fiercewayKalahadlovedheradoptedson，andTarzanhadreturnedthatlove，thoughtheoutwarddemonstrationsofitwerenogreaterthanmighthavebeenexpectedfromanyotherbeastofthejungle。
Itwasnotuntilhewasbereftofherthattheboyrealizedhowdeephadbeenhisattachmentforhismother，forassuchhelookeduponher。
InTeekahehadseenwithinthepastfewhoursasubstituteforKala——someonetofightforandtohuntfor——someonetocaress；butnowhisdreamwasshattered。
Somethinghurtwithinhisbreast。Heplacedhishandoverhisheartandwonderedwhathadhappenedtohim。
VaguelyheattributedhispaintoTeeka。ThemorehethoughtofTeekaashehadlastseenher，caressingTaug，themorethethingwithinhisbreasthurthim。
Tarzanshookhisheadandgrowled；thenonandonthroughthejungleheswung，andthefartherhetraveledandthemorehethoughtuponhiswrongs，thenearerheapproachedbecominganirreclaimablemisogynist。
Twodayslaterhewasstillhuntingalone——verymoroseandveryunhappy；buthewasdeterminednevertoreturntothetribe。HecouldnotbearthethoughtofseeingTaugandTeekaalwaystogether。AsheswunguponagreatlimbNuma，thelion，andSabor，thelioness，passedbeneathhim，sidebyside，andSaborleanedagainstthelionandbitplayfullyathischeek。
Itwasahalf-caress。Tarzansighedandhurledanutatthem。
LaterhecameuponseveralofMbonga’sblackwarriors。
Hewasuponthepointofdroppinghisnooseabouttheneckofoneofthem，whowasalittledistancefromhiscompanions，whenhebecameinterestedinthethingwhichoccupiedthesavages。Theywerebuildingacageinthetrailandcoveringitwithleafybranches。
Whentheyhadcompletedtheirworkthestructurewasscarcelyvisible。
Tarzanwonderedwhatthepurposeofthethingmightbe，andwhy，whentheyhadbuiltit，theyturnedawayandstartedbackalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheirvillage。
IthadbeensometimesinceTarzanhadvisitedtheblacksandlookeddownfromtheshelterofthegreattreeswhichoverhungtheirpalisadeupontheactivitiesofhisenemies，fromamongwhomhadcometheslayerofKala。
Althoughhehatedthem，Tarzanderivedconsiderableentertainmentinwatchingthemattheirdailylifewithinthevillage，andespeciallyattheirdances，whenthefiresglaredagainsttheirnakedbodiesastheyleapedandturnedandtwistedinmimicwarfare。Itwasratherinthehopeofwitnessingsomethingofthekindthathenowfollowedthewarriorsbacktowardtheirvillage，butinthishewasdisappointed，fortherewasnodancethatnight。
Instead，fromthesafeconcealmentofhistree，Tarzansawlittlegroupsseatedabouttinyfiresdiscussingtheeventsoftheday，andinthedarkercornersofthevillagehedescriedisolatedcouplestalkingandlaughingtogether，andalwaysoneofeachcouplewasayoungmanandtheotherayoungwoman。
Tarzancockedhisheadupononesideandthought，andbeforehewenttosleepthatnight，curledinthecrotchofthegreattreeabovethevillage，Teekafilledhismind，andafterwardshefilledhisdreams——sheandtheyoungblackmenlaughingandtalkingwiththeyoungblackwomen。
Taug，huntingalone，hadwanderedsomedistancefromthebalanceofthetribe。Hewasmakinghiswayslowlyalonganelephantpathwhenhediscoveredthatitwasblockedwithundergrowth。NowTaug，comeintomaturity，wasanevil-naturedbruteofanexceedingshorttemper。
Whensomethingthwartedhim，hissoleideawastoovercomeitbybrutestrengthandferocity，andsonowwhenhefoundhiswayblocked，hetoreangrilyintotheleafyscreenandaninstantlaterfoundhimselfwithinastrangelair，hisprogresseffectuallyblocked，notwithstandinghismostviolenteffortstoforgeahead。
Bitingandstrikingatthebarrier，Taugfinallyworkedhimselfintoafrightfulrage，butalltonoavail；
andatlasthebecameconvincedthathemustturnback。
Butwhenhewouldhavedoneso，whatwashischagrintodiscoverthatanotherbarrierhaddroppedbehindhimwhilehefoughttobreakdowntheonebeforehim！Taugwastrapped。
Untilexhaustionovercamehimhefoughtfranticallyforhisfreedom；butallfornaught。
InthemorningapartyofblackssetoutfromthevillageofMbongainthedirectionofthetraptheyhadconstructedthepreviousday，whileamongthebranchesofthetreesabovethemhoveredanakedyounggiantfilledwiththecuriosityofthewildthings。Manu，themonkey，chatteredandscoldedasTarzanpassed，andthoughhewasnotafraidofthefamiliarfigureoftheape-boy，hehuggedclosertohimthelittlebrownbodyofhislife’scompanion。
Tarzanlaughedashesawit；butthelaughwasfollowedbyasuddencloudingofhisfaceandadeepsigh。
Alittlefartheron，agailyfeatheredbirdstruttedaboutbeforetheadmiringeyesofhissomber-huedmate。
ItseemedtoTarzanthateverythinginthejunglewascombiningtoremindhimthathehadlostTeeka；yeteverydayofhislifehehadseenthesesamethingsandthoughtnothingofthem。
Whentheblacksreachedthetrap，Taugsetupagreatcommotion。
Seizingthebarsofhisprison，heshookthemfrantically，andallthewhileheroaredandgrowledterrifically。
Theblackswereelated，forwhiletheyhadnotbuilttheirtrapforthishairytreeman，theyweredelightedwiththeircatch。
Tarzanprickeduphisearswhenheheardthevoiceofagreatapeand，circlingquicklyuntilhewasdownwindfromthetrap，hesniffedattheairinsearchofthescentspooroftheprisoner。NorwasitlongbeforetherecametothosedelicatenostrilsthefamiliarodorthattoldTarzantheidentityofthecaptiveasunerringlyasthoughhehadlookeduponTaugwithhiseyes。Yes，itwasTaug，andhewasalone。
Tarzangrinnedasheapproachedtodiscoverwhattheblackswoulddototheirprisoner。Doubtlesstheywouldslayhimatonce。AgainTarzangrinned。NowhecouldhaveTeekaforhisown，withnonetodisputehisrighttoher。
Ashewatched，hesawtheblackwarriorsstripthescreenfromaboutthecage，fastenropestoitanddragitawayalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheirvillage。
Tarzanwatcheduntilhisrivalpassedoutofsight，stillbeatinguponthebarsofhisprisonandgrowlingouthisangerandhisthreats。Thentheape-boyturnedandswungrapidlyoffinsearchofthetribe，andTeeka。
Once，uponthejourney，hesurprisedSheetaandhisfamilyinalittleovergrownclearing。Thegreatcatlaystretchedupontheground，whilehismate，onepawacrossherlord’ssavageface，lickedatthesoftwhitefurathisthroat。
Tarzanincreasedhisspeedthenuntilhefairlyflewthroughtheforest，norwasitlongbeforehecameuponthetribe。Hesawthembeforetheysawhim，forofallthejunglecreatures，nonepassedmorequietlythanTarzanoftheApes。HesawKammaandhermatefeedingsidebyside，theirhairybodiesrubbingagainsteachother。
AndhesawTeekafeedingbyherself。Notforlongwouldshefeedthusinloneliness，thoughtTarzan，aswithaboundhelandedamongstthem。
Therewasastartledrushandachorusofangryandfrightenedsnarls，forTarzanhadsurprisedthem；
buttherewasmore，too，thanmerenervousshocktoaccountforthebristlingneckhairwhichremainedstandinglongaftertheapeshaddiscoveredtheidentityofthenewcomer。
Tarzannoticedthisashehadnoticeditmanytimesinthepast——thatalwayshissuddencomingamongthemleftthemnervousandunstrungforaconsiderabletime，andthattheyoneandallfounditnecessarytosatisfythemselvesthathewasindeedTarzanbysmellingabouthimahalfdozenormoretimesbeforetheycalmeddown。
Pushingthroughthem，hemadehiswaytowardTeeka；
butasheapproachedhertheapedrewaway。
\"Teeka，\"hesaid，\"itisTarzan。YoubelongtoTarzan。
Ihavecomeforyou。\"
Theapedrewcloser，lookinghimovercarefully。
Finallyshesniffedathim，asthoughtomakeassurancedoublysure。
\"WhereisTaug？\"sheasked。
\"TheGomanganihavehim，\"repliedTarzan。\"Theywillkillhim。\"
Intheeyesoftheshe，TarzansawawistfulexpressionandatroubledlookofsorrowashetoldherofTaug’sfate；
butshecamequitecloseandsnuggledagainsthim，andTarzan，LordGreystoke，puthisarmabouther。
Ashedidsohenoticed，withastart，thestrangeincongruityofthatsmooth，brownarmagainsttheblackandhairycoatofhislady-love。HerecalledthepawofSheeta’smateacrossSheeta’sface——noincongruitythere。
HethoughtoflittleManuhugginghisshe，andhowtheoneseemedtobelongtotheother。Eventheproudmalebird，withhisgayplumage，boreacloseresemblancetohisquieterspouse，whileNuma，butforhisshaggymane，wasalmostacounterpartofSabor，thelioness。
Themalesandthefemalesdiffered，itwastrue；
butnotwithsuchdifferencesasexistedbetweenTarzanandTeeka。
Tarzanwaspuzzled。Therewassomethingwrong。HisarmdroppedfromtheshoulderofTeeka。Veryslowlyhedrewawayfromher。Shelookedathimwithherheadcockedupononeside。Tarzanrosetohisfullheightandbeatuponhisbreastwithhisfists。Heraisedhisheadtowardtheheavensandopenedhismouth。Fromthedepthsofhislungsrosethefierce，weirdchallengeofthevictoriousbullape。Thetribeturnedcuriouslytoeyehim。
Hehadkillednothing，norwasthereanyantagonisttobegoadedtomadnessbythesavagescream。No，therewasnoexcuseforit，andtheyturnedbacktotheirfeeding，butwithaneyeupontheape-manlesthebepreparingtosuddenlyrunamuck。
Astheywatchedhimtheysawhimswingintoanear-bytreeanddisappearfromsight。Thentheyforgothim，evenTeeka。
Mbonga’sblackwarriors，sweatingbeneaththeirstrenuoustask，andrestingoften，madeslowprogresstowardtheirvillage。
Alwaysthesavagebeastintheprimitivecagegrowledandroaredwhentheymovedhim。Hebeatuponthebarsandslaveredatthemouth。Hisnoisewashideous。
Theyhadalmostcompletedtheirjourneyandweremakingtheirfinalrestbeforeforgingaheadtogaintheclearinginwhichlaytheirvillage。Afewmoreminuteswouldhavetakenthemoutoftheforest，andthen，doubtless，thethingwouldnothavehappenedwhichdidhappen。
Asilentfiguremovedthroughthetreesabovethem。
Keeneyesinspectedthecageandcountedthenumberofwarriors。Analertanddaringbrainfigureduponthechancesofsuccesswhenacertainplanshouldbeputtothetest。
Tarzanwatchedtheblackslollingintheshade。
Theywereexhausted。Alreadyseveralofthemslept。
Hecreptcloser，pausingjustabovethem。Notaleafrustledbeforehisstealthyadvance。Hewaitedintheinfinitepatienceofthebeastofprey。Presentlybuttwoofthewarriorsremainedawake，andoneofthesewasdozing。
TarzanoftheApesgatheredhimself，andashedidsotheblackwhodidnotsleeparoseandpassedaroundtotherearofthecage。Theape-boyfollowedjustabovehishead。
Taugwaseyeingthewarriorandemittinglowgrowls。
Tarzanfearedthattheanthropoidwouldawakenthesleepers。
InawhisperwhichwasinaudibletotheearsoftheNegro，TarzanwhisperedTaug’sname，cautioningtheapetosilence，andTaug’sgrowlingceased。
Theblackapproachedtherearofthecageandexaminedthefasteningsofthedoor，andashestoodtherethebeastabovehimlauncheditselffromthetreefulluponhisback。Steelfingerscircledhisthroat，chokingthecrywhichsprangtothelipsoftheterrifiedman。
Strongteethfastenedthemselvesinhisshoulder，andpowerfullegswoundthemselvesabouthistorso。
Theblackinafrenzyofterrortriedtodislodgethesilentthingwhichclungtohim。Hethrewhimselftothegroundandrolledabout；butstillthosemightyfingersclosedmoreandmoretightlytheirdeadlygrip。
Theman’smouthgapedwide，hisswollentongueprotruded，hiseyesstartedfromtheirsockets；buttherelentlessfingersonlyincreasedtheirpressure。
Taugwasasilentwitnessofthestruggle。InhisfiercelittlebrainhedoubtlesswonderedwhatpurposepromptedTarzantoattacktheblack。Taughadnotforgottenhisrecentbattlewiththeape-boy，northecauseofit。
NowhesawtheformoftheGomanganisuddenlygolimp。
Therewasaconvulsiveshiverandthemanlaystill。
Tarzansprangfromhispreyandrantothedoorofthecage。
Withnimblefingersheworkedrapidlyatthethongswhichheldthedoorinplace。Taugcouldonlywatch——hecouldnothelp。PresentlyTarzanpushedthethingupacoupleoffeetandTaugcrawledout。Theapewouldhaveturneduponthesleepingblacksthathemightwreakhispentvengeance；butTarzanwouldnotpermitit。
Instead，theape-boydraggedthebodyoftheblackwithinthecageandproppeditagainstthesidebars。
Thenheloweredthedoorandmadefastthethongsastheyhadbeenbefore。
Ahappysmilelightedhisfeaturesasheworked，foroneofhisprincipaldiversionswasthebaitingoftheblacksofMbonga’svillage。Hecouldimaginetheirterrorwhentheyawokeandfoundthedeadbodyoftheircomradefastinthecagewheretheyhadleftthegreatapesafelysecuredbutafewminutesbefore。
TarzanandTaugtooktothetreestogether，theshaggycoatofthefierceapebrushingthesleekskinoftheEnglishlordlingastheypassedthroughtheprimevaljunglesidebyside。
\"GobacktoTeeka，\"saidTarzan。\"Sheisyours。
Tarzandoesnotwanther。\"
\"Tarzanhasfoundanothershe？\"askedTaug。
Theape-boyshrugged。
\"FortheGomanganithereisanotherGomangani，\"hesaid；
\"forNuma，thelion，thereisSabor，thelioness；
forSheetathereisasheofhisownkind；forBara，thedeer；forManu，themonkey；forallthebeastsandthebirdsofthejungleisthereamate。OnlyforTarzanoftheApesistherenone。Taugisanape。
Teekaisanape。GobacktoTeeka。Tarzanisaman。
Hewillgoalone。\"
2
TheCaptureofTarzanTHEBLACKWARRIORSlaboredinthehumidheatofthejungle’sstiflingshade。Withwarspearstheyloosenedthethick，blackloamandthedeeplayersofrottingvegetation。
Withheavy-nailedfingerstheyscoopedawaythedisintegratedearthfromthecenteroftheage-oldgametrail。Oftentheyceasedtheirlaborstosquat，restingandgossiping，withmuchlaughter，attheedgeofthepittheyweredigging。
Againstthebolesofnear-bytreesleanedtheirlong，ovalshieldsofthickbuffalohide，andthespearsofthosewhoweredoingthescooping。Sweatglistenedupontheirsmooth，ebonskins，beneathwhichrolledroundedmuscles，suppleintheperfectionofnature’suncontaminatedhealth。
Areedbuck，steppingwarilyalongthetrailtowardwater，haltedasaburstoflaughterbrokeuponhisstartledears。
Foramomenthestoodstatuesquebutforhissensitivelydilatingnostrils；thenhewheeledandflednoiselesslyfromtheterrifyingpresenceofman。
Ahundredyardsaway，deepinthetangleofimpenetrablejungle，Numa，thelion，raisedhismassivehead。Numahaddinedwelluntilalmostdaybreakandithadrequiredmuchnoisetoawakenhim。Nowheliftedhismuzzleandsniffedtheair，caughttheacridscentspoorofthereedbuckandtheheavyscentofman。ButNumawaswellfilled。
Withalow，disgustedgruntheroseandslunkaway。
Brilliantlyplumagedbirdswithraucousvoicesdartedfromtreetotree。Littlemonkeys，chatteringandscolding，swungthroughtheswayinglimbsabovetheblackwarriors。
Yettheywerealone，fortheteemingjunglewithallitsmyriadlife，liketheswarmingstreetsofagreatmetropolis，isoneoftheloneliestspotsinGod’sgreatuniverse。
Butweretheyalone？
Abovethem，lightlybalanceduponaleafytreelimb，agray-eyedyouthwatchedwitheagerintentnesstheireverymove。
Thefireofhate，restrained，smolderedbeneaththelad’sevidentdesiretoknowthepurposeoftheblackmen’slabors。
SuchaoneastheseitwaswhohadslainhisbelovedKala。
Forthemtherecouldbenaughtbutenmity，yethelikedwelltowatchthem，avidashewasforgreaterknowledgeofthewaysofman。
Hesawthepitgrowindepthuntilagreatholeyawnedthewidthofthetrail——aholewhichwasamplylargeenoughtoholdatonetimeallofthesixexcavators。
Tarzancouldnotguessthepurposeofsogreatalabor。
Andwhentheycutlongstakes，sharpenedattheirupperends，andsetthematintervalsuprightinthebottomofthepit，hiswondermentbutincreased，norwasitsatisfiedwiththeplacingofthelightcross-polesoverthepit，orthecarefularrangementofleavesandearthwhichcompletelyhidfromviewtheworktheblackmenhadperformed。
Whentheyweredonetheysurveyedtheirhandiworkwithevidentsatisfaction，andTarzansurveyedit，too。Eventohispracticedeyethereremainedscarceavestigeofevidencethattheancientgametrailhadbeentamperedwithinanyway。
Soabsorbedwastheape-maninspeculationastothepurposeofthecoveredpitthathepermittedtheblackstodepartinthedirectionoftheirvillagewithouttheusualbaitingwhichhadrenderedhimtheterrorofMbonga’speopleandhadaffordedTarzanbothavehicleofrevengeandasourceofinexhaustibledelight。
Puzzleashewould，however，hecouldnotsolvethemysteryoftheconcealedpit，forthewaysoftheblackswerestillstrangewaystoTarzan。Theyhadenteredhisjunglebutashorttimebefore——thefirstoftheirkindtoencroachupontheage-oldsupremacyofthebeastswhichlairedthere。
ToNuma，thelion，toTantor，theelephant，tothegreatapesandthelesserapes，toeachandallofthemyriadcreaturesofthissavagewild，thewaysofmanwerenew。
Theyhadmuchtolearnoftheseblack，hairlesscreaturesthatwalkederectupontheirhindpaws——andtheywerelearningitslowly，andalwaystotheirsorrow。
Shortlyaftertheblackshaddeparted，Tarzanswungeasilytothetrail。Sniffingsuspiciously，hecircledtheedgeofthepit。Squattinguponhishaunches，hescrapedawayalittleearthtoexposeoneofthecross-bars。Hesniffedatthis，touchedit，cockedhisheadupononeside，andcontemplateditgravelyforseveralminutes。Thenhecarefullyre-coveredit，arrangingtheearthasneatlyashadtheblacks。Thisdone，heswunghimselfbackamongthebranchesofthetreesandmovedoffinsearchofhishairyfellows，thegreatapesofthetribeofKerchak。
OncehecrossedthetrailofNuma，thelion，pausingforamomenttohurlasoftfruitatthesnarlingfaceofhisenemy，andtotauntandinsulthim，callinghimeaterofcarrionandbrotherofDango，thehyena。Numa，hisyellow-greeneyesroundandburningwithconcentratedhate，glaredupatthedancingfigureabovehim。Lowgrowlsvibratedhisheavyjowlsandhisgreatragetransmittedtohissinuoustailasharp，whiplikemotion；butrealizingfrompastexperiencethefutilityoflongdistanceargumentwiththeape-man，heturnedpresentlyandstruckoffintothetangledvegetationwhichhidhimfromtheviewofhistormentor。
Withafinalscreamofjungleinvectiveandanapelikegrimaceathisdepartingfoe，Tarzancontinuedalonghisway。
Anothermileandashiftingwindbroughttohiskeennostrilsafamiliar，pungentodorcloseathand，andamomentlaterthereloomedbeneathhimahuge，gray-blackbulkforgingsteadilyalongthejungletrail。
Tarzanseizedandbrokeasmalltreelimb，andatthesuddencrackingsoundtheponderousfigurehalted。
Greatearswerethrownforward，andalong，suppletrunkrosequicklytowavetoandfroinsearchofthescentofanenemy，whiletwoweak，littleeyespeeredsuspiciouslyandfutilelyaboutinquestoftheauthorofthenoisewhichhaddisturbedhispeacefulway。
Tarzanlaughedaloudandcamecloserabovetheheadofthepachyderm。
\"Tantor！Tantor！\"hecried。\"Bara，thedeer，islessfearfulthanyou——you，Tantor，theelephant，greatestofthejunglefolkwiththestrengthofasmanyNumasasIhavetoesuponmyfeetandfingersuponmyhands。Tantor，whocanuprootgreattrees，trembleswithfearatthesoundofabrokentwig。\"
Arumblingnoise，whichmighthavebeeneitherasignofcontemptorasighofrelief，wasTantor’sonlyreplyastheupliftedtrunkandearscamedownandthebeast’staildroppedtonormal；buthiseyesstillrovedaboutinsearchofTarzan。Hewasnotlongkeptinsuspense，however，astothewhereaboutsoftheape-man，forasecondlatertheyouthdroppedlightlytothebroadheadofhisoldfriend。Thenstretchinghimselfatfulllength，hedrummedwithhisbaretoesuponthethickhide，andashisfingersscratchedthemoretendersurfacesbeneaththegreatears，hetalkedtoTantorofthegossipofthejungleasthoughthegreatbeastunderstoodeverywordthathesaid。
MuchtherewaswhichTarzancouldmakeTantorunderstand，andthoughthesmalltalkofthewildwasbeyondthegreat，graydreadnaughtofthejungle，hestoodwithblinkingeyesandgentlyswayingtrunkasthoughdrinkingineverywordofitwithkeenestappreciation。
Asamatteroffactitwasthepleasant，friendlyvoiceandcaressinghandsbehindhisearswhichheenjoyed，andthecloseproximityofhimwhomhehadoftenborneuponhisbacksinceTarzan，asalittlechild，hadoncefearlesslyapproachedthegreatbull，assuminguponthepartofthepachydermthesamefriendlinesswhichfilledhisownheart。
IntheyearsoftheirassociationTarzanhaddiscoveredthathepossessedaninexplicablepowertogovernanddirecthismightyfriend。Athisbidding，Tantorwouldcomefromagreatdistance——asfarashiskeenearscoulddetecttheshrillandpiercingsummonsoftheape-man——andwhenTarzanwassquatteduponhishead，Tantorwouldlumberthroughthejungleinanydirectionwhichhisriderbadehimgo。Itwasthepoweroftheman-mindoverthatofthebruteanditwasjustaseffectiveasthoughbothfullyunderstooditsorigin，thoughneitherdid。
ForhalfanhourTarzansprawledthereuponTantor’sback。
Timehadnomeaningforeitherofthem。Life，astheysawit，consistedprincipallyinkeepingtheirstomachsfilled。
ToTarzanthiswasalessarduouslaborthantoTantor，forTarzan’sstomachwassmaller，andbeingomnivorous，foodwaslessdifficulttoobtain。Ifonesortdidnotcomereadilytohand，therewerealwaysmanyotherstosatisfyhishunger。HewaslessparticularastohisdietthanTantor，whowouldeatonlythebarkofcertaintrees，andthewoodofothers，whileathirdappealedtohimonlythroughitsleaves，andthese，perhaps，justatcertainseasonsoftheyear。
Tantormustneedsspendthebetterpartofhislifeinfillinghisimmensestomachagainsttheneedsofhismightythews。Itisthuswithallthelowerorders——theirlivesaresooccupiedeitherwithsearchingforfoodorwiththeprocessesofdigestionthattheyhavelittletimeforotherconsiderations。Doubtlessitisthishandicapwhichhaskeptthemfromadvancingasrapidlyasman，whohasmoretimetogivetothoughtuponothermatters。
However，thesequestionstroubledTarzanbutlittle，andTantornotatall。Whattheformerknewwasthathewashappyinthecompanionshipoftheelephant。
Hedidnotknowwhy。Hedidnotknowthatbecausehewasahumanbeing——anormal，healthyhumanbeing——hecravedsomelivingthinguponwhichtolavishhisaffection。
HischildhoodplaymatesamongtheapesofKerchakwerenowgreat，sullenbrutes。Theyfeltnorinspiredbutlittleaffection。TheyoungerapesTarzanstillplayedwithoccasionally。Inhissavagewayhelovedthem；
buttheywerefarfromsatisfyingorrestfulcompanions。
Tantorwasagreatmountainofcalm，ofpoise，ofstability。
Itwasrestfulandsatisfyingtosprawluponhisroughpateandpourone’svaguehopesandaspirationsintothegreatearswhichflappedponderouslytoandfroinapparentunderstanding。Ofallthejunglefolk，TantorcommandedTarzan’sgreatestlovesinceKalahadbeentakenfromhim。SometimesTarzanwonderedifTantorreciprocatedhisaffection。Itwasdifficulttoknow。
Itwasthecallofthestomach——themostcompellingandinsistentcallwhichthejungleknows——thattookTarzanfinallybacktothetreesandoffinsearchoffood，whileTantorcontinuedhisinterruptedjourneyintheoppositedirection。
Foranhourtheape-manforaged。Aloftynestyieldeditsfresh，warmharvest。Fruits，berries，andtenderplantainfoundaplaceuponhismenuintheorderthathehappeneduponthem，forhedidnotseeksuchfoods。
Meat，meat，meat！ItwasalwaysmeatthatTarzanoftheApeshunted；butsometimesmeateludedhim，astoday。
Andasheroamedthejunglehisactivemindbusieditselfnotalonewithhishunting，butwithmanyothersubjects。
Hehadahabitofrecallingoftentheeventsoftheprecedingdaysandhours。HelivedoverhisvisitwithTantor；
hecogitateduponthediggingblacksandthestrange，coveredpittheyhadleftbehindthem。Hewonderedagainandagainwhatitspurposemightbe。Hecomparedperceptionsandarrivedatjudgments。Hecomparedjudgments，reachingconclusions——notalwayscorrectones，itistrue，butatleastheusedhisbrainforthepurposeGodintendedit，whichwasthelessdifficultbecausehewasnothandicappedbythesecond-hand，andusuallyerroneous，judgmentofothers。
Andashepuzzledoverthecoveredpit，thereloomedsuddenlybeforehismentalvisionahuge，gray-blackbulkwhichlumberedponderouslyalongajungletrail。
InstantlyTarzantensedtotheshockofasuddenfear。
Decisionandactionusuallyoccurredsimultaneouslyinthelifeoftheape-man，andnowhewasawaythroughtheleafybrancheseretherealizationofthepit’spurposehadscarceformedinhismind。
Swingingfromswayinglimbtoswayinglimb，heracedthroughthemiddleterraceswherethetreesgrewclosetogether。
Againhedroppedtothegroundandsped，silentlyandlightoffoot，overthecarpetofdecayingvegetation，onlytoleapagainintothetreeswherethetangledundergrowthprecludedrapidadvanceuponthesurface。
Inhisanxietyhecastdiscretiontothewinds。
Thecautionofthebeastwaslostintheloyaltyoftheman，andsoitcamethatheenteredalargeclearing，denudedoftrees，withoutathoughtofwhatmightliethereoruponthefartheredgetodisputethewaywithhim。
Hewashalfwayacrosswhendirectlyinhispathandbutafewyardsawaythererosefromaclumpoftallgrassesahalfdozenchatteringbirds。InstantlyTarzanturnedaside，forheknewwellenoughwhatmannerofcreaturethepresenceoftheselittlesentinelsproclaimed。
SimultaneouslyButo，therhinoceros，scrambledtohisshortlegsandchargedfuriously。HaphazardchargesButo，therhinoceros。Withhisweakeyesheseesbutpoorlyevenatshortdistances，andwhetherhiserraticrushesareduetothepanicoffearasheattemptstoescape，ortotheirascibletemperwithwhichheisgenerallycredited，itisdifficulttodetermine。NoristhematteroflittlemomenttoonewhomButocharges，forifhebecaughtandtossed，thechancesarethatnaughtwillinteresthimthereafter。
AndtodayitchancedthatButoboredownstraightuponTarzan，acrossthefewyardsofknee-deepgrasswhichseparatedthem。Accidentstartedhiminthedirectionoftheape-man，andthenhisweakeyesdiscernedtheenemy，andwithaseriesofsnortshechargedstraightforhim。
Thelittlerhinobirdsflutteredandcircledabouttheirgiantward。Amongthebranchesofthetreesattheedgeoftheclearing，ascoreormoremonkeyschatteredandscoldedastheloudsnortsoftheangrybeastsentthemscurryingaffrightedlytotheupperterraces。
Tarzanaloneappearedindifferentandserene。
Directlyinthepathofthechargehestood。Therehadbeennotimetoseeksafetyinthetreesbeyondtheclearing，norhadTarzananymindtodelayhisjourneybecauseofButo。Hehadmetthestupidbeastbeforeandheldhiminfinecontempt。
AndnowButowasuponhim，themassiveheadloweredandthelong，heavyhorninclinedforthefrightfulworkforwhichnaturehaddesignedit；butashestruckupward，hisweaponrakedonlythinair，fortheape-manhadsprunglightlyaloftwithacatlikeleapthatcarriedhimabovethethreateninghorntothebroadbackoftherhinoceros。
Anotherspringandhewasonthegroundbehindthebruteandracinglikeadeerforthetrees。
Buto，angeredandmystifiedbythestrangedisappearanceofhisprey，wheeledandchargedfranticallyinanotherdirection，whichchancedtobenotthedirectionofTarzan’sflight，andsotheape-mancameinsafetytothetreesandcontinuedonhisswiftwaythroughtheforest。
SomedistanceaheadofhimTantormovedsteadilyalongthewell-wornelephanttrail，andaheadofTantoracrouching，blackwarriorlistenedintentlyinthemiddleofthepath。
Presentlyheheardthesoundforwhichhehadbeenhoping——
thecracking，snappingsoundwhichheraldedtheapproachofanelephant。
Tohisrightandleftinotherpartsofthejungleotherwarriorswerewatching。Alowsignal，passedfromonetoanother，apprisedthemostdistantthatthequarrywasafoot。Rapidlytheyconvergedtowardthetrail，takingpositionsintreesdownwindfromthepointatwhichTantormustpassthem。Silentlytheywaitedandpresentlywererewardedbythesightofamightytuskercarryinganamountofivoryinhislongtusksthatsettheirgreedyheartstopalpitating。
Nosoonerhadhepassedtheirpositionsthanthewarriorsclamberedfromtheirperches。Nolongerweretheysilent，butinsteadclappedtheirhandsandshoutedastheyreachedtheground。ForaninstantTantor，theelephant，pausedwithupraisedtrunkandtail，withgreatearsup-pricked，andthenheswungonalongthetrailatarapid，shufflingpace——straighttowardthecoveredpitwithitssharpenedstakesupstandingintheground。
Behindhimcametheyellingwarriors，urginghimonintherapidflightwhichwouldnotpermitacarefulexaminationofthegroundbeforehim。Tantor，theelephant，whocouldhaveturnedandscatteredhisadversarieswithasinglecharge，fledlikeafrighteneddeer——fledtowardahideous，torturingdeath。
AndbehindthemallcameTarzanoftheApes，racingthroughthejungleforestwiththespeedandagilityofasquirrel，forhehadheardtheshoutsofthewarriorsandhadinterpretedthemcorrectly。Onceheutteredapiercingcallthatreverberatedthroughthejungle；butTantor，inthepanicofterror，eitherfailedtohear，orhearing，darednotpausetoheed。
Nowthegiantpachydermwasbutafewyardsfromthehiddendeathlurkinginhispath，andtheblacks，certainofsuccess，werescreaminganddancinginhiswake，wavingtheirwarspearsandcelebratinginadvancetheacquisitionofthesplendidivorycarriedbytheirpreyandthesurfeitofelephantmeatwhichwouldbetheirsthisnight。
Sointentweretheyupontheirgratulationsthattheyentirelyfailedtonotethesilentpassageoftheman-beastabovetheirheads，nordidTantor，either，seeorhearhim，eventhoughTarzancalledtohimtostop。
AfewmorestepswouldprecipitateTantoruponthesharpenedstakes；
Tarzanfairlyflewthroughthetreesuntilhehadcomeabreastofthefleeinganimalandthenhadpassedhim。
Atthepit’svergetheape-mandroppedtothegroundinthecenterofthetrail。Tantorwasalmostuponhimbeforehisweakeyespermittedhimtorecognizehisoldfriend。
\"Stop！\"criedTarzan，andthegreatbeasthaltedtotheupraisedhand。
Tarzanturnedandkickedasidesomeofthebrushwhichhidthepit。InstantlyTantorsawandunderstood。
\"Fight！\"growledTarzan。\"Theyarecomingbehindyou。\"
ButTantor，theelephant，isahugebunchofnerves，andnowhewashalfpanic-strickenbyterror。
Beforehimyawnedthepit，howfarhedidnotknow，buttorightandleftlaytheprimevaljungleuntouchedbyman。
Withasquealthegreatbeastturnedsuddenlyatrightanglesandbursthisnoisywaythroughthesolidwallofmattedvegetationthatwouldhavestoppedanybuthim。
Tarzan，standingupontheedgeofthepit，smiledashewatchedTantor’sundignifiedflight。Soontheblackswouldcome。ItwasbestthatTarzanoftheApesfadedfromthescene。Heessayedastepfromthepit’sedge，andashethrewtheweightofhisbodyuponhisleftfoot，theearthcrumbledaway。TarzanmadeasingleHerculeanefforttothrowhimselfforward，butitwastoolate。
Backwardanddownwardhewenttowardthesharpenedstakesinthebottomofthepit。
When，amomentlater，theblackscametheysawevenfromadistancethatTantorhadeludedthem，forthesizeoftheholeinthepitcoveringwastoosmalltohaveaccommodatedthehugebulkofanelephant。
Atfirsttheythoughtthattheirpreyhadputonegreatfootthroughthetopandthen，warned，drawnback；
butwhentheyhadcometothepit’svergeandpeeredover，theireyeswentwideinastonishment，for，quietandstill，atthebottomlaythenakedfigureofawhitegiant。
Someofthemtherehadglimpsedthisforestgodbeforeandtheydrewbackinterror，awedbythepresencewhichtheyhadforsometimebelievedtopossessthemiraculouspowersofademon；butotherstherewerewhopushedforward，thinkingonlyofthecaptureofanenemy，andtheseleapedintothepitandliftedTarzanout。
Therewasnoscaruponhisbody。Noneofthesharpenedstakeshadpiercedhim——onlyaswollenspotatthebaseofthebrainindicatedthenatureofhisinjury。
Inthefallingbackwardhisheadhadstruckuponthesideofoneofthestakes，renderinghimunconscious。
Theblackswerequicktodiscoverthis，andequallyquicktobindtheirprisoner’sarmsandlegsbeforeheshouldregainconsciousness，fortheyhadlearnedtoharborawholesomerespectforthisstrangeman-beastthatconsortedwiththehairytreefolk。
Theyhadcarriedhimbutashortdistancetowardtheirvillagewhentheape-man’seyelidsquiveredandraised。
Helookedabouthimwonderinglyforamoment，andthenfullconsciousnessreturnedandherealizedtheseriousnessofhispredicament。Accustomedalmostfrombirthtorelyingsolelyuponhisownresources，hedidnotcastaboutforoutsideaidnow，butdevotedhismindtoaconsiderationofthepossibilitiesforescapewhichlaywithinhimselfandhisownpowers。
Hedidnotdaretestthestrengthofhisbondswhiletheblackswerecarryinghim，forfeartheywouldbecomeapprehensiveandaddtothem。Presentlyhiscaptorsdiscoveredthathewasconscious，andastheyhadlittlestomachforcarryingaheavymanthroughthejungleheat，theysethimuponhisfeetandforcedhimforwardamongthem，prickinghimnowandthenwiththeirspears，yetwitheverymanifestationofthesuperstitiousaweinwhichtheyheldhim。
Whentheydiscoveredthattheirproddingbroughtnooutwardevidenceofsuffering，theiraweincreased，sothattheysoondesisted，halfbelievingthatthisstrangewhitegiantwasasupernaturalbeingandsowasimmunefrompain。
Astheyapproachedtheirvillage，theyshoutedaloudthevictoriouscriesofsuccessfulwarriors，sothatbythetimetheyreachedthegate，dancingandwavingtheirspears，agreatcrowdofmen，women，andchildrenweregatheredtheretogreetthemandhearthestoryoftheiradventure。
Astheeyesofthevillagersfellupontheprisoner，theywentwild，andheavyjawsfellopeninastonishmentandincredulity。Formonthstheyhadlivedinperpetualterrorofaweird，whitedemonwhombutfewhadeverglimpsedandlivedtodescribe。Warriorshaddisappearedfromthepathsalmostwithinsightofthevillageandfromthemidstoftheircompanionsasmysteriouslyandcompletelyasthoughtheyhadbeenswallowedbytheearth，andlater，atnight，theirdeadbodieshadfallen，asfromtheheavens，intothevillagestreet。