Thisfearsomecreaturehadappearedbynightinthehutsofthevillage，killed，anddisappeared，leavingbehindhiminthehutswithhisdead，strangeandterrifyingevidencesofanuncannysenseofhumor。
Butnowhewasintheirpower！Nolongercouldheterrorizethem。Slowlytherealizationofthisdawneduponthem。Awoman，screaming，ranforwardandstrucktheape-manacrosstheface。Anotherandanotherfollowedherexample，untilTarzanoftheApeswassurroundedbyafighting，clawing，yellingmobofnatives。
AndthenMbonga，thechief，came，andlayinghisspearheavilyacrosstheshouldersofhispeople，drovethemfromtheirprey。
\"Wewillsavehimuntilnight，\"hesaid。
FaroutinthejungleTantor，theelephant，hisfirstpanicoffearallayed，stoodwithup-prickedearsandundulatingtrunk。Whatwaspassingthroughtheconvolutionsofhissavagebrain？CouldhebesearchingforTarzan？
Couldherecallandmeasuretheservicetheape-manhadperformedforhim？Ofthattherecanbenodoubt。
Butdidhefeelgratitude？WouldhehaveriskedhisownlifetohavesavedTarzancouldhehaveknownofthedangerwhichconfrontedhisfriend？Youwilldoubtit。
Anyoneatallfamiliarwithelephantswilldoubtit。
EnglishmenwhohavehuntedmuchwithelephantsinIndiawilltellyouthattheyneverhaveheardofaninstanceinwhichoneoftheseanimalshasgonetotheaidofamanindanger，eventhoughthemanhadoftenbefriendedit。
AndsoitistobedoubtedthatTantorwouldhaveattemptedtoovercomehisinstinctivefearoftheblackmeninanefforttosuccorTarzan。
Thescreamsoftheinfuriatedvillagerscamefaintlytohissensitiveears，andhewheeled，asthoughinterror，contemplatingflight；butsomethingstayedhim，andagainheturnedabout，raisedhistrunk，andgavevoicetoashrillcry。
Thenhestoodlistening。
InthedistantvillagewhereMbongahadrestoredquietandorder，thevoiceofTantorwasscarcelyaudibletotheblacks，buttothekeenearsofTarzanoftheApesitboreitsmessage。
Hiscaptorswereleadinghimtoahutwherehemightbeconfinedandguardedagainstthecomingofthenocturnalorgythatwouldmarkhistorture-ladendeath。HehaltedasheheardthenotesofTantor’scall，andraisinghishead，gaveventtoaterrifyingscreamthatsentcoldchillsthroughthesuperstitiousblacksandcausedthewarriorswhoguardedhimtoleapbackeventhoughtheirprisoner’sarmsweresecurelyboundbehindhim。
Withraisedspearstheyencircledhimasforamomentlongerhestoodlistening。Faintlyfromthedistancecameanother，anansweringcry，andTarzanoftheApes，satisfied，turnedandquietlypursuedhiswaytowardthehutwherehewastobeimprisoned。
Theafternoonworeon。Fromthesurroundingvillagetheape-manheardthebustleofpreparationforthefeast。
Throughthedoorwayofthehuthesawthewomenlayingthecookingfiresandfillingtheirearthencaldronswithwater；
butaboveitallhisearswerebentacrossthejungleineagerlisteningforthecomingofTantor。
EvenTarzanbuthalfbelievedthathewouldcome。
HeknewTantorevenbetterthanTantorknewhimself。
Heknewthetimidheartwhichlayinthegiantbody。
HeknewthepanicofterrorwhichthescentoftheGomanganiinspiredwithinthatsavagebreast，andasnightdrewon，hopediedwithinhisheartandinthestoiccalmofthewildbeastwhichhewas，heresignedhimselftomeetthefatewhichawaitedhim。
Allafternoonhehadbeenworking，working，workingwiththebondsthatheldhiswrists。Veryslowlytheyweregiving。
Hemightfreehishandsbeforetheycametoleadhimouttobebutchered，andifhedid——Tarzanlickedhislipsinanticipation，andsmiledacold，grimsmile。Hecouldimaginethefeelofsoftfleshbeneathhisfingersandthesinkingofhiswhiteteethintothethroatsofhisfoemen。
Hewouldletthemtastehiswrathbeforetheyoverpoweredhim！
Atlasttheycame——painted，befeatheredwarriors——evenmorehideousthannaturehadintendedthem。Theycameandpushedhimintotheopen，wherehisappearancewasgreetedbywildshoutsfromtheassembledvillagers。
Tothestaketheyledhim，andastheypushedhimroughlyagainstitpreparatorytobindinghimtheresecurelyforthedanceofdeaththatwouldpresentlyencirclehim，Tarzantensedhismightythewsandwithasingle，powerfulwrenchpartedtheloosenedthongswhichhadsecuredhishands。Likethought，forquickness，heleapedforwardamongthewarriorsnearesthim。
Ablowsentonetoearth，as，growlingandsnarling，thebeast-manleapeduponthebreastofanother。
Hisfangswereburiedinstantlyinthejugularofhisadversaryandthenahalfhundredblackmenhadleapeduponhimandbornehimtoearth。
Striking，clawing，andsnapping，theape-manfought——
foughtashisfosterpeoplehadtaughthimtofight——foughtlikeawildbeastcornered。Hisstrength，hisagility，hiscourage，andhisintelligencerenderedhimeasilyamatchforhalfadozenblackmeninahand-to-handstruggle，butnotevenTarzanoftheApescouldhopetosuccessfullycopewithhalfahundred。
Slowlytheywereoverpoweringhim，thoughascoreofthembledfromuglywounds，andtwolayverystillbeneaththetramplingfeet，andtherollingbodiesofthecontestants。
Overpowerhimtheymight，butcouldtheykeephimoverpoweredwhiletheyboundhim？Ahalfhourofdesperateendeavorconvincedthemthattheycouldnot，andsoMbonga，who，likeallgoodrulers，hadcircledinthesafetyofthebackground，calledtoonetoworkhiswayinandspearthevictim。Gradually，throughthemilling，battlingmen，thewarriorapproachedtheobjectofhisquest。
Hestoodwithpoisedspearabovehisheadwaitingfortheinstantthatwouldexposeavulnerablepartoftheape-man’sbodyandstillnotendangeroneoftheblacks。
Closerandcloserheedgedabout，followingthemovementsofthetwisting，scufflingcombatants。Thegrowlsoftheape-mansentcoldchillsupthewarrior’sspine，causinghimtogocarefullylesthemissatthefirstcastandlayhimselfopentoanattackfromthosemercilessteethandmightyhands。
Atlasthefoundanopening。Higherheraisedhisspear，tensinghismuscles，rollingbeneathhisglistening，ebonhide，andthenfromthejunglejustbeyondthepalisadecameathunderouscrashing。Thespear-handpaused，theblackcastaquickglanceinthedirectionofthedisturbance，asdidtheothersoftheblackswhowerenotoccupiedwiththesubjugationoftheape-man。
Intheglareofthefirestheysawahugebulktoppingthebarrier。Theysawthepalisadebellyandswayinward。
Theysawitburstasthoughbuiltofstraws，andaninstantlaterTantor，theelephant，thundereddownuponthem。
Torightandlefttheblacksfled，screaminginterror。
SomewhohovereduponthevergeofthestrifewithTarzanheardandmadegoodtheirescape，butahalfdozenthereweresowraptintheblood-madnessofbattlethattheyfailedtonotetheapproachofthegianttusker。
UpontheseTantorcharged，trumpetingfuriously。Abovethemhestopped，hissensitivetrunkweavingamongthem，andthere，atthebottom，hefoundTarzan，bloody，butstillbattling。
Awarriorturnedhiseyesupwardfromthemelee。
Abovehimtoweredthegiganticbulkofthepachyderm，thelittleeyesflashingwiththereflectedlightofthefires——wicked，frightful，terrifying。Thewarriorscreamed，andashescreamed，thesinuoustrunkencircledhim，liftedhimhighabovetheground，andhurledhimfarafterthefleeingcrowd。
AnotherandanotherTantorwrenchedfromthebodyoftheape-man，throwingthemtorightandtoleft，wheretheylayeithermoaningorveryquiet，asdeathcameslowlyoratonce。
AtadistanceMbongaralliedhiswarriors。Hisgreedyeyeshadnotedthegreativorytusksofthebull。
Thefirstpanicofterrorrelieved，heurgedhismenforwardtoattackwiththeirheavyelephantspears；
butastheycame，TantorswungTarzantohisbroadhead，and，wheeling，lumberedoffintothejunglethroughthegreatrenthehadmadeinthepalisade。
Elephanthuntersmayberightwhentheyaverthatthisanimalwouldnothaverenderedsuchservicetoaman，buttoTantor，Tarzanwasnotaman——hewasbutafellowjunglebeast。
AndsoitwasthatTantor，theelephant，dischargedanobligationtoTarzanoftheApes，cementingevenmorecloselythefriendshipthathadexistedbetweenthemsinceTarzanasalittle，brownboyrodeuponTantor’shugebackthroughthemoonlitjunglebeneaththeequatorialstars。
3
TheFightfortheBaluTEEKAHADBECOMEamother。TarzanoftheApeswasintenselyinterested，muchmoreso，infact，thanTaug，thefather。TarzanwasveryfondofTeeka。Eventhecaresofprospectivemotherhoodhadnotentirelyquenchedthefiresofcarefreeyouth，andTeekahadremainedagood-naturedplaymateevenatanagewhenothershesofthetribeofKerchakhadassumedthesullendignityofmaturity。
Sheyetretainedherchildishdelightintheprimitivegamesoftagandhide-and-go-seekwhichTarzan’sfertileman-mindhadevolved。
Toplaytagthroughthetreetopsisanexcitingandinspiringpastime。Tarzandelightedinit，butthebullsofhischildhoodhadlongsinceabandonedsuchchildishpractices。Teeka，though，hadbeenkeenforitalwaysuntilshortlybeforethebabycame；
butwiththeadventofherfirst-born，evenTeekachanged。
TheevidenceofthechangesurprisedandhurtTarzanimmeasurably。
OnemorninghesawTeekasquatteduponalowbranchhuggingsomethingveryclosetoherhairybreast——aweesomethingwhichsquirmedandwriggled。Tarzanapproachedfilledwiththecuriositywhichiscommontoallcreaturesendowedwithbrainswhichhaveprogressedbeyondthemicroscopicstage。
Teekarolledhereyesinhisdirectionandstrainedthesquirmingmitestillclosertoher。Tarzancamenearer。
Teekadrewawayandbaredherfangs。Tarzanwasnonplussed。
InallhisexperienceswithTeeka，neverbeforehadshebaredfangsathimotherthaninplay；buttodayshedidnotlookplayful。Tarzanranhisbrownfingersthroughhisthick，blackhair，cockedhisheadupononeside，andstared。Thenheedgedabitnearer，craninghisnecktohaveabetterlookatthethingwhichTeekacuddled。
AgainTeekadrewbackherupperlipinawarningsnarl。
Tarzanreachedforthahand，cautiously，totouchthethingwhichTeekaheld，andTeeka，withahideousgrowl，turnedsuddenlyuponhim。Herteethsankintothefleshofhisforearmbeforetheape-mancouldsnatchitaway，andshepursuedhimforashortdistanceasheretreatedincontinentlythroughthetrees；
butTeeka，carryingherbaby，couldnotovertakehim。
AtasafedistanceTarzanstoppedandturnedtoregardhiserstwhileplay-fellowinunconcealedastonishment。
WhathadhappenedtosoalterthegentleTeeka？ShehadsocoveredthethinginherarmsthatTarzanhadnotyetbeenabletorecognizeitforwhatitwas；butnow，assheturnedfromthepursuitofhim，hesawit。Throughhispainandchagrinhesmiled，forTarzanhadseenyoungapemothersbefore。Inafewdaysshewouldbelesssuspicious。
StillTarzanwashurt；itwasnotrightthatTeeka，ofallothers，shouldfearhim。Why，notfortheworldwouldheharmher，orherbalu，whichistheapewordforbaby。
Andnow，abovethepainofhisinjuredarmandthehurttohispride，roseastillstrongerdesiretocomecloseandinspectthenew-bornsonofTaug。PossiblyyouwillwonderthatTarzanoftheApes，mightyfighterthathewas，shouldhavefledbeforetheirritableattackofashe，orthatheshouldhesitatetoreturnforthesatisfactionofhiscuriositywhenwitheasehemighthavevanquishedtheweakenedmotherofthenew-borncub；butyouneednotwonder。Wereyouanape，youwouldknowthatonlyabullinthethroesofmadnesswillturnuponafemaleotherthantogentlychastiseher，withtheoccasionalexceptionoftheindividualwhomwefindexemplifiedamongourownkind，andwhodelightsinbeatinguphisbetterhalfbecauseshehappenstobesmallerandweakerthanhe。
Tarzanagaincametowardtheyoungmother——warilyandwithhislineofretreatsafelyopen。AgainTeekagrowledferociously。Tarzanexpostulated。
\"TarzanoftheApeswillnotharmTeeka’sbalu，\"hesaid。
\"Letmeseeit。\"
\"Goaway！\"commandedTeeka。\"Goaway，orIwillkillyou。\"
\"Letmeseeit，\"urgedTarzan。
\"Goaway，\"reiteratedtheshe-ape。\"HerecomesTaug。
Hewillmakeyougoaway。Taugwillkillyou。ThisisTaug’sbalu。\"
AsavagegrowlclosebehindhimapprisedTarzanofthenearnessofTaug，andthefactthatthebullhadheardthewarningsandthreatsofhismateandwascomingtohersuccor。
NowTaug，aswellasTeeka，hadbeenTarzan’splay-fellowwhilethebullwasstillyoungenoughtowishtoplay。
OnceTarzanhadsavedTaug’slife；butthememoryofanapeisnotoverlong，norwouldgratituderiseabovetheparentalinstinct。TarzanandTaughadoncemeasuredstrength，andTarzanhadbeenvictorious。
ThatfactTaugcouldbedependeduponstilltoremember；
butevenso，hemightreadilyfaceanotherdefeatforhisfirst-born——ifhechancedtobeinthepropermood。
Fromhishideousgrowls，whichnowroseinstrengthandvolume，heseemedtobeinquitethemood。NowTarzanfeltnofearofTaug，nordidtheunwrittenlawofthejungledemandthatheshouldfleefrombattlewithanymale，unlesshecaredtofrompurelypersonalreasons。
ButTarzanlikedTaug。Hehadnogrudgeagainsthim，andhisman-mindtoldhimwhatthemindofanapewouldneverhavededuced——thatTaug’sattitudeinnosenseindicatedhatred。Itwasbuttheinstinctiveurgeofthemaletoprotectitsoffspringanditsmate。
TarzanhadnodesiretobattlewithTaug，nordidthebloodofhisEnglishancestorsrelishthethoughtofflight，yetwhenthebullcharged，Tarzanleapednimblytooneside，andthusencouraged，Taugwheeledandrushedagainmadlytotheattack。PerhapsthememoryofapastdefeatatTarzan’shandsgoadedhim。PerhapsthefactthatTeekasattherewatchinghimarousedadesiretovanquishtheape-manbeforehereyes，forinthebreastofeveryjunglemalelurksavastegotismwhichfindsexpressionintheperformanceofdeedsofderring-dobeforeanaudienceoftheoppositesex。
Attheape-man’ssideswunghislonggrassrope——theplay-thingofyesterday，theweaponoftoday——andasTaugchargedthesecondtime，Tarzanslippedthecoilsoverhisheadanddeftlyshookouttheslidingnooseasheagainnimblyeludedtheungainlybeast。
Beforetheapecouldturnagain，Tarzanhadfledfaraloftamongthebranchesoftheupperterrace。
Taug，nowwroughttoafrenzyofrealrage，followedhim。
Teekapeeredupwardatthem。Itwasdifficulttosaywhethershewasinterested。TaugcouldnotclimbasrapidlyasTarzan，sothelatterreachedthehighlevelstowhichtheheavyapedarednotfollowbeforetheformerovertookhim。Therehehaltedandlookeddownuponhispursuer，makingfacesathimandcallinghimsuchchoicenamesasoccurredtothefertileman-brain。Then，whenhehadworkedTaugtosuchapitchoffoamingragethatthegreatbullfairlydanceduponthebendinglimbbeneathhim，Tarzan’shandshotsuddenlyoutward，awideningnoosedroppedswiftlythroughtheair，therewasaquickjerkasitsettledaboutTaug，fallingtohisknees，ajerkthattighteneditsecurelyaboutthehairylegsoftheanthropoid。
Taug，slowofwit，realizedtoolatetheintentionofhistormentor。Hescrambledtoescape，buttheape-mangavetheropeatremendousjerkthatpulledTaugfromhisperch，andamomentlater，growlinghideously，theapehungheaddownwardthirtyfeetabovetheground。
TarzansecuredtheropetoastoutlimbanddescendedtoapointclosetoTaug。
\"Taug，\"hesaid，\"youareasstupidasButo，therhinoceros。
Nowyoumayhanghereuntilyougetalittlesenseinyourthickhead。YoumayhanghereandwatchwhileI
goandtalkwithTeeka。\"
Taugblusteredandthreatened，butTarzanonlygrinnedathimashedroppedlightlytothelowerlevels。HereheagainapproachedTeekaonlytobeagaingreetedwithbaredfangsandmenacinggrowls。Hesoughttoplacateher；
heurgedhisfriendlyintentions，andcranedhisnecktohavealookatTeeka’sbalu；buttheshe-apewasnottobepersuadedthathemeantotherthanharmtoherlittleone。
Hermotherhoodwasstillsonewthatreasonwasyetsubservienttoinstinct。
RealizingthefutilityofattemptingtocatchandchastiseTarzan，Teekasoughttoescapehim。
Shedroppedtothegroundandlumberedacrossthelittleclearingaboutwhichtheapesofthetribeweredisposedinrestorinthesearchoffood，andpresentlyTarzanabandonedhisattemptstopersuadehertopermitacloseexaminationofthebalu。Theape-manwouldhavelikedtohandlethetinything。Theverysightofitawakenedinhisbreastastrangeyearning。Hewishedtocuddleandfondlethegrotesquelittleape-thing。ItwasTeeka’sbaluandTarzanhadoncelavishedhisyoungaffectionsuponTeeka。
ButnowhisattentionwasdivertedbythevoiceofTaug。
Thethreatsthathadfilledtheape’smouthhadturnedtopleas。Thetighteningnoosewasstoppingthecirculationofthebloodinhislegs——hewasbeginningtosuffer。
Severalapessatnearhimhighlyinterestedinhispredicament。
Theymadeuncomplimentaryremarksabouthim，foreachofthemhadfelttheweightofTaug’smightyhandsandthestrengthofhisgreatjaws。Theywereenjoyingrevenge。
Teeka，seeingthatTarzanhadturnedbacktowardthetrees，hadhaltedinthecenteroftheclearing，andthereshesathuggingherbaluandcastingsuspiciousglanceshereandthere。Withthecomingofthebalu，Teeka’scare-freeworldhadsuddenlybecomepeopledwithinnumerableenemies。ShesawanimplacablefoeinTarzan，alwaysheretoforeherbestfriend。EvenpooroldMumga，halfblindandalmostentirelytoothless，searchingpatientlyforgrubwormsbeneathafallenlog，representedtoheramalignantspiritthirstingforthebloodoflittlebalus。
AndwhileTeekaguardedsuspiciouslyagainstharm，wheretherewasnoharm，shefailedtonotetwobaleful，yellow-greeneyesstaringfixedlyatherfrombehindaclumpofbushesattheoppositesideoftheclearing。
Hollowfromhunger，Sheeta，thepanther，glaredgreedilyatthetemptingmeatsocloseathand，butthesightofthegreatbullsbeyondgavehimpause。
Ah，iftheshe-apewithherbaluwouldbutcomejustatriflenearer！Aquickspringandhewouldbeuponthemandawayagainwithhismeatbeforethebullscouldprevent。
Thetipofhistawnytailmovedinspasmodiclittlejerks；
hislowerjawhunglow，exposingaredtongueandyellowfangs。ButallthisTeekadidnotsee，nordidanyotheroftheapeswhowerefeedingorrestingabouther。
NordidTarzanortheapesinthetrees。
HearingtheabusewhichthebullswerepouringuponthehelplessTaug，Tarzanclamberedquicklyamongthem。
Onewasedgingcloserandleaningfaroutinanefforttoreachthedanglingape。HehadworkedhimselfintoquiteafurythroughrecollectionofthelastoccasionuponwhichTaughadmauledhim，andnowhewasbentuponrevenge。Oncehehadgraspedtheswingingape，hewouldquicklyhavedrawnhimwithinreachofhisjaws。
Tarzansawandwaswroth。Helovedafairfight，butthethingwhichthisapecontemplatedrevoltedhim。
AlreadyahairyhandhadclutchedthehelplessTaugwhen，withanangrygrowlofprotest，Tarzanleapedtothebranchattheattackingape’sside，andwithasinglemightycuff，swepthimfromhisperch。
Surprisedandenraged，thebullclutchedmadlyforsupportashetoppledsidewise，andthenwithanagilemovementsucceededinprojectinghimselftowardanotherlimbafewfeetbelow。Herehefoundahand-hold，quicklyrightedhimself，andasquicklyclamberedupwardtoberevengeduponTarzan，buttheape-manwasotherwiseengagedanddidnotwishtobeinterrupted。
HewasexplainingagaintoTaugthedepthsofthelatter’sabysmalignorance，andpointingouthowmuchgreaterandmightierwasTarzanoftheApesthanTaugoranyotherape。
IntheendhewouldreleaseTaug，butnotuntilTaugwasfullyacquaintedwithhisowninferiority。Andthenthemaddenedbullcamefrombeneath，andinstantlyTarzanwastransformedfromagood-natured，teasingyouthintoasnarling，savagebeast。Alonghisscalpthehairbristled:hisupperlipdrewbackthathisfightingfangsmightbeuncoveredandready。Hedidnotwaitforthebulltoreachhim，forsomethingintheappearanceorthevoiceoftheattackerarousedwithintheape-manafeelingofbelligerentantagonismthatwouldnotbedenied。
Withascreamthatcarriednohumannote，Tarzanleapedstraightatthethroatoftheattacker。
Theimpetuosityofthisactandtheweightandmomentumofhisbodycarriedthebullbackward，clutchingandclawingforsupport，downthroughtheleafybranchesofthetree。
Forfifteenfeetthetwofell，Tarzan’steethburiedinthejugularofhisopponent，whenastoutbranchstoppedtheirdescent。Thebullstruckfulluponthesmallofhisbackacrossthelimb，hungthereforamomentwiththeape-manstilluponhisbreast，andthentoppledovertowardtheground。
Tarzanhadfelttheinstantaneousrelaxationofthebodybeneathhimaftertheheavyimpactwiththetreelimb，andastheotherturnedcompletelyoverandstartedagainuponitsfalltowardtheground，hereachedforthahandandcaughtthebranchintimetostayhisowndescent，whiletheapedroppedlikeaplummettothefootofthetree。
Tarzanlookeddownwardforamomentuponthestillformofhislateantagonist，thenherosetohisfullheight，swelledhisdeepchest，smoteuponitwithhisclenchedfistandroaredouttheuncannychallengeofthevictoriousbullape。
EvenSheeta，thepanther，crouchedforaspringattheedgeofthelittleclearing，moveduneasilyasthemightyvoicesentitsweirdcryreverberatingthroughthejungle。
Torightandleft，nervously，glancedSheeta，asthoughassuringhimselfthatthewayofescapelayreadyathand。
\"IamTarzanoftheApes，\"boastedtheape-man；
\"mightyhunter，mightyfighter！NoneinallthejunglesogreatasTarzan。\"
ThenhemadehiswaybackinthedirectionofTaug。
Teekahadwatchedthehappeningsinthetree。Shehadevenplacedherpreciousbaluuponthesoftgrassesandcomealittlenearerthatshemightbetterwitnessallthatwaspassinginthebranchesaboveher。Inherheartofheartsdidshestillesteemthesmooth-skinnedTarzan？
Didhersavagebreastswellwithprideasshewitnessedhisvictoryovertheape？YouwillhavetoaskTeeka。
AndSheeta，thepanther，sawthattheshe-apehadlefthercubaloneamongthegrasses。Hemovedhistailagain，asthoughthisclosestapproximationoflashinginwhichhedaredindulgemightstimulatehismomentarilywanedcourage。
Thecryofthevictoriousape-manstillheldhisnervesbeneathitsspell。Itwouldbeseveralminutesbeforeheagaincouldbringhimselftothepointofchargingintoviewofthegiantanthropoids。
Andasheregatheredhisforces，TarzanreachedTaug’sside，andthenclamberinghigheruptothepointwheretheendofthegrassropewasmadefast，heunlooseditandloweredtheapeslowlydownward，swinginghiminuntiltheclutchinghandsfasteneduponalimb。
QuicklyTaugdrewhimselftoapositionofsafetyandshookoffthenoose。Inhisrage-maddenedheartwasnoroomforgratitudetotheape-man。HerecalledonlythefactthatTarzanhadlaidthispainfulindignityuponhim。
Hewouldberevenged，butjustatpresenthislegsweresonumbandhisheadsodizzythathemustpostponethegratificationofhisvengeance。
TarzanwascoilinghisropethewhilehelecturedTaugonthefutilityofpittinghispoorpowers，physicalandintellectual，againstthoseofhisbetters。
Teekahadcomeclosebeneaththetreeandwaspeeringupward。
Sheetawasworminghiswaystealthilyforward，hisbellyclosetotheground。InanothermomenthewouldbeclearoftheunderbrushandreadyfortherapidchargeandthequickretreatthatwouldendthebriefexistenceofTeeka’sbalu。
ThenTarzanchancedtolookupandacrosstheclearing。
Instantlyhisattitudeofgood-naturedbanteringandpompousboastfulnessdroppedfromhim。Silentlyandswiftlyheshotdownwardtowardtheground。Teeka，seeinghimcoming，andthinkingthathewasafterherorherbalu，bristledandpreparedtofight。ButTarzanspedbyher，andashewent，hereyesfollowedhimandshesawthecauseofhissuddendescentandhisrapidchargeacrosstheclearing。
ThereinfullsightnowwasSheeta，thepanther，stalkingslowlytowardthetiny，wrigglingbaluwhichlayamongthegrassesmanyyardsaway。
Teekagavevoicetoashrillscreamofterrorandofwarningasshedashedaftertheape-man。SheetasawTarzancoming。
Hesawtheshe-ape’scubbeforehim，andhethoughtthatthisotherwasbentuponrobbinghimofhisprey。
Withanangrygrowl，hecharged。
Taug，warnedbyTeeka’scry，camelumberingdowntoherassistance。Severalotherbulls，growlingandbarking，closedintowardtheclearing，buttheywereallmuchfartherfromthebaluandthepantherthanwasTarzanoftheApes，soitwasthatSheetaandtheape-manreachedTeeka’slittleonealmostsimultaneously；andtheretheystood，oneuponeithersideofit，baringtheirfangsandsnarlingateachotheroverthelittlecreature。
Sheetawasafraidtoseizethebalu，forthushewouldgivetheape-mananopeningforattack；andforthesamereasonTarzanhesitatedtosnatchthepanther’spreyoutofharm’sway，forhadhestoopedtoaccomplishthis，thegreatbeastwouldhavebeenuponhiminaninstant。
ThustheystoodwhileTeekacameacrosstheclearing，goingmoreslowlyasshenearedthepanther，forevenhermotherlovecouldscarceovercomeherinstinctiveterrorofthisnaturalenemyofherkind。
BehindhercameTaug，warilyandwithmanypausesandmuchbluster，andstillbehindhimcameotherbulls，snarlingferociouslyandutteringtheiruncannychallenges。
Sheeta’syellow-greeneyesglaredterriblyatTarzan，andpastTarzantheyshotbriefglancesattheapesofKerchakadvancinguponhim。Discretionpromptedhimtoturnandflee，buthungerandthecloseproximityofthetemptingmorselinthegrassbeforehimurgedhimtoremain。HereachedforthapawtowardTeeka’sbalu，andashedidso，withasavageguttural，TarzanoftheApeswasuponhim。
Thepantherrearedtomeettheape-man’sattack。
HeswungafrightfulrakingblowforTarzanthatwouldhavewipedhisfaceawayhaditlanded，butitdidnotland，forTarzanduckedbeneathitandclosed，hislongknifereadyinonestronghand——theknifeofhisdeadfather，ofthefatherheneverhadknown。
InstantlythebaluwasforgottenbySheeta，thepanther。
Henowthoughtonlyoftearingtoribbonswithhispowerfultalonsthefleshofhisantagonist，ofburyinghislong，yellowfangsinthesoft，smoothhideoftheape-man，butTarzanhadfoughtbeforewithclawedcreaturesofthejungle。
Beforenowhehadbattledwithfangedmonsters，noralwayshadhecomeawayunscathed。Heknewtheriskthatheran，butTarzanoftheApes，inuredtothesightofsufferinganddeath，shrankfromneither，forhefearedneither。
TheinstantthathedodgedbeneathSheeta’sblow，heleapedtothebeast’srearandthenfulluponthetawnyback，buryinghisteethinSheeta’sneckandthefingersofonehandinthefuratthethroat，andwiththeotherhandhedrovehisbladeintoSheeta’sside。
OverandoveruponthegrassrolledSheeta，growlingandscreaming，clawingandbiting，inamadefforttodislodgehisantagonistorgetsomeportionofhisbodywithinrangeofteethortalons。
AsTarzanleapedtoclosequarterswiththepanther，Teekahadrunquicklyinandsnatchedupherbalu。
Nowshesatuponahighbranch，safeoutofharm’sway，cuddlingthelittlethingclosetoherhairybreast，thewhilehersavagelittleeyesboreddownuponthecontestantsintheclearing，andherferociousvoiceurgedTaugandtheotherbullstoleapintothemelee。
Thusgoadedthebullscamecloser，redoublingtheirhideousclamor；butSheetawasalreadysufficientlyengaged——
hedidnotevenhearthem。Oncehesucceededinpartiallydislodgingtheape-manfromhisback，sothatTarzanswungforaninstantinfrontofthoseawfultalons，andinthebriefinstantbeforehecouldregainhisformerhold，arakingblowfromahindpawlaidopenonelegfromhiptoknee。
Itwasthesightandsmellofthisblood，possibly，whichwroughtupontheencirclingapes；butitwasTaugwhoreallywasresponsibleforthethingtheydid。
Taug，butamomentbeforefilledwithragetowardTarzanoftheApes，stoodclosetothebattlingpair，hisred-rimmed，wickedlittleeyesglaringatthem。
Whatwaspassinginhissavagebrain？Didhegloatovertheunenviablepositionofhisrecenttormentor？DidhelongtoseeSheeta’sgreatfangssinkintothesoftthroatoftheape-man？OrdidherealizethecourageousunselfishnessthathadpromptedTarzantorushtotherescueandimperilhislifeforTeeka’sbalu——forTaug’slittlebalu？Isgratitudeapossessionofmanonly，ordothelowerordersknowitalso？
WiththespillingofTarzan’sblood，Taugansweredthesequestions。Withalltheweightofhisgreatbodyheleaped，hideouslygrowling，uponSheeta。Hislongfightingfangsburiedthemselvesinthewhitethroat。
Hispowerfularmsbeatandclawedatthesoftfuruntilitflewupwardinthejunglebreeze。
AndwithTaug’sexamplebeforethemtheotherbullscharged，buryingSheetabeneathrendingfangsandfillingalltheforestwiththewilddinoftheirbattlecries。
Ah！butitwasawondrousandinspiringsight——thisbattleoftheprimordialapesandthegreat，whiteape-manwiththeirancestralfoe，Sheeta，thepanther。
Infrenziedexcitement，Teekafairlydanceduponthelimbwhichswayedbeneathhergreatweightassheurgedonthemalesofherpeople，andThaka，andMumga，andKamma，withtheothershesofthetribeofKerchak，addedtheirshrillcriesorfiercebarkingstothepandemoniumwhichnowreignedwithinthejungle。
Bittenandbiting，tearingandtorn，Sheetabattledforhislife；buttheoddswereagainsthim。EvenNuma，thelion，wouldhavehesitatedtohaveattackedanequalnumberofthegreatbullsofthetribeofKerchak，andnow，ahalfmileaway，hearingthesoundsoftheterrificbattle，thekingofbeastsroseuneasilyfromhismiddayslumberandslunkofffartherintothejungle。
PresentlySheeta’stornandbloodybodyceaseditstitanicstruggles。Itstiffenedspasmodically，twitchedandwasstill，yetthebullscontinuedtolacerateituntilthebeautifulcoatwastorntoshreds。Atlasttheydesistedfromsheerphysicalweariness，andthenfromthetangleofbloodybodiesroseacrimsongiant，straightasanarrow。
Heplacedafootuponthedeadbodyofthepanther，andliftinghisblood-stainedfacetotheblueoftheequatorialheavens，gavevoicetothehorridvictorycryofthebullape。
OnebyonehishairyfellowsofthetribeofKerchakfollowedhisexample。TheshescamedownfromtheirperchesofsafetyandstruckandreviledthedeadbodyofSheeta。
Theyoungapesrefoughtthebattleinmimicryoftheirmightyelders。
TeekawasquiteclosetoTarzan。Heturnedandsawherwiththebaluhuggedclosetoherhairybreast，andputouthishandstotakethelittleone，expectingthatTeekawouldbareherfangsandspringuponhim；butinsteadsheplacedthebaluinhisarms，andcomingnearer，lickedhisfrightfulwounds。
AndpresentlyTaug，whohadescapedwithonlyafewscratches，cameandsquattedbesideTarzanandwatchedhimasheplayedwiththelittlebalu，andatlasthetooleanedoverandhelpedTeekawiththecleansingandthehealingoftheape-man’shurts。
4
TheGodofTarzanAMONGTHEBOOKSofhisdeadfatherinthelittlecabinbytheland-lockedharbor，TarzanoftheApesfoundmanythingstopuzzlehisyounghead。Bymuchlaborandthroughthemediumofinfinitepatienceaswell，hehad，withoutassistance，discoveredthepurposeofthelittlebugswhichranriotupontheprintedpages。Hehadlearnedthatinthemanycombinationsinwhichhefoundthemtheyspokeinasilentlanguage，spokeinastrangetongue，spokeofwonderfulthingswhichalittleape-boycouldnotbyanychancefullyunderstand，arousinghiscuriosity，stimulatinghisimaginationandfillinghissoulwithamightylongingforfurtherknowledge。
Adictionaryhadprovenitselfawonderfulstorehouseofinformation，when，afterseveralyearsoftirelessendeavor，hehadsolvedthemysteryofitspurposeandthemannerofitsuse。Hehadlearnedtomakeaspeciesofgameoutofit，followingupthespoorofanewthoughtthroughthemazesofthemanydefinitionswhicheachnewwordrequiredhimtoconsult。Itwaslikefollowingaquarrythroughthejungle——itwashunting，andTarzanoftheApeswasanindefatigablehuntsman。
Therewere，ofcourse，certainwordswhicharousedhiscuriositytoagreaterextentthanothers，wordswhich，foronereasonoranother，excitedhisimagination。
Therewasone，forexample，themeaningofwhichwasratherdifficulttograsp。ItwasthewordGOD。
Tarzanfirsthadbeenattractedtoitbythefactthatitwasveryshortandthatitcommencedwithalargerg-bugthanthoseaboutit——amaleg-bugitwastoTarzan，thelower-caselettersbeingfemales。Anotherfactwhichattractedhimtothiswordwasthenumberofhe-bugswhichfiguredinitsdefinition——SupremeDeity，CreatororUpholderoftheUniverse。Thismustbeaveryimportantwordindeed，hewouldhavetolookintoit，andhedid，thoughitstillbaffledhimaftermanymonthsofthoughtandstudy。
However，Tarzancountednotimewastedwhichhedevotedtothesestrangehuntingexpeditionsintothegamepreservesofknowledge，foreachwordandeachdefinitionledonandonintostrangeplaces，intonewworldswhere，withincreasingfrequency，hemetold，familiarfaces。
Andalwaysheaddedtohisstoreofknowledge。
ButofthemeaningofGODhewasyetindoubt。
Oncehethoughthehadgraspedit——thatGodwasamightychieftain，kingofalltheMangani。Hewasnotquitesure，however，sincethatwouldmeanthatGodwasmightierthanTarzan——apointwhichTarzanoftheApes，whoacknowledgednoequalinthejungle，wasloathtoconcede。
ButinallthebookshehadtherewasnopictureofGod，thoughhefoundmuchtoconfirmhisbeliefthatGodwasagreat，anall-powerfulindividual。HesawpicturesofplaceswhereGodwasworshiped；butneveranysignofGod。
FinallyhebegantowonderifGodwerenotofadifferentformthanhe，andatlasthedeterminedtosetoutinsearchofHim。
HecommencedbyquestioningMumga，whowasveryoldandhadseenmanystrangethingsinherlonglife；butMumga，beinganape，hadafacultyforrecallingthetrivial。
ThattimewhenGuntomistookasting-bugforanediblebeetlehadmademoreimpressionuponMumgathanalltheinnumerablemanifestationsofthegreatnessofGodwhichshehadwitnessed，andwhich，ofcourse，shehadnotunderstood。
Numgo，overhearingTarzan’squestions，managedtowresthisattentionlongenoughfromthediversionoffleahuntingtoadvancethetheorythatthepowerwhichmadethelightningandtherainandthethundercamefromGoro，themoon。Heknewthis，hesaid，becausetheDum-DumalwayswasdancedinthelightofGoro。Thisreasoning，thoughentirelysatisfactorytoNumgoandMumga，failedfullytoconvinceTarzan。However，itgavehimabasisforfurtherinvestigationalonganewline。
Hewouldinvestigatethemoon。
Thatnightheclamberedtotheloftiestpinnacleofthetallestjunglegiant。Themoonwasfull，agreat，glorious，equatorialmoon。Theape-man，uprightuponaslender，swayinglimb，raisedhisbronzedfacetothesilverorb。
Nowthathehadclamberedtothehighestpointwithinhisreach，hediscovered，tohissurprise，thatGorowasasfarawayaswhenheviewedhimfromtheground。
HethoughtthatGorowasattemptingtoeludehim。
\"Come，Goro！\"hecried，\"TarzanoftheApeswillnotharmyou！\"Butstillthemoonheldaloof。
\"Tellme，\"hecontinued，\"ifyoubethegreatkingwhosendsAra，thelightning；whomakesthegreatnoiseandthemightywinds，andsendsthewatersdownuponthejunglepeoplewhenthedaysaredarkanditiscold。
Tellme，Goro，areyouGod？\"
OfcoursehedidnotpronounceGodasyouorIwouldpronounceHisname，forTarzanknewnaughtofthespokenlanguageofhisEnglishforbears；buthehadanameofhisowninventionforeachofthelittlebugswhichconstitutedthealphabet。Unliketheapeshewasnotsatisfiedmerelytohaveamentalpictureofthethingsheknew，hemusthaveaworddescriptiveofeach。Inreadinghegraspedawordinitsentirety；butwhenhespokethewordshehadlearnedfromthebooksofhisfather，hepronouncedeachaccordingtothenameshehadgiventhevariouslittlebugswhichoccurredinit，usuallygivingthegenderprefixforeach。
ThusitwasanimposingwordwhichTarzanmadeofGOD。
ThemasculineprefixoftheapesisBU，thefeminineMU；gTarzanhadnamedLA，ohepronouncedTU，anddwasMO。SothewordGodevolveditselfintoBULAMUTUMUMO，or，inEnglish，he-g-she-o-she-d。
Similarlyhehadarrivedatastrangeandwonderfulspellingofhisownname。TarzanisderivedfromthetwoapewordsTARandZAN，meaningwhiteskin。
Itwasgivenhimbyhisfostermother，Kala，thegreatshe-ape。WhenTarzanfirstputitintothewrittenlanguageofhisownpeoplehehadnotyetchanceduponeitherWHITE
orSKINinthedictionary；butinaprimerhehadseenthepictureofalittlewhiteboyandsohewrotehisnameBUMUDE-MUTOMURO，orhe-boy。
TofollowTarzan’sstrangesystemofspellingwouldbelaboriousaswellasfutile，andsoweshallinthefuture，aswehaveinthepast，adheretothemorefamiliarformsofourgrammarschoolcopybooks。ItwouldtireyoutorememberthatDOmeantb，TUo，andROy，andthattosayhe-boyyoumustprefixtheapemasculinegendersoundBUbeforetheentirewordandthefemininegendersoundMUbeforeeachofthelower-caseletterswhichgotomakeupboy——itwouldtireyouanditwouldbringmetothenineteenthholeseveralstrokesunderpar。
AndsoTarzanharanguedthemoon，andwhenGorodidnotreply，TarzanoftheApeswaxedwroth。Heswelledhisgiantchestandbaredhisfightingfangs，andhurledintotheteethofthedeadsatellitethechallengeofthebullape。
\"YouarenotBulamutumumo，\"hecried。\"Youarenotkingofthejunglefolk。YouarenotsogreatasTarzan，mightyfighter，mightyhunter。NonethereissogreatasTarzan。IftherebeaBulamutumumo，Tarzancankillhim。
Comedown，Goro，greatcoward，andfightwithTarzan。
Tarzanwillkillyou。IamTarzan，thekiller。\"
Butthemoonmadenoanswertotheboastingoftheape-man，andwhenacloudcameandobscuredherface，TarzanthoughtthatGorowasindeedafraid，andwashidingfromhim，sohecamedownoutofthetreesandawokeNumgoandtoldhimhowgreatwasTarzan——howhehadfrightenedGorooutoftheskyandmadehimtremble。
TarzanspokeofthemoonasHE，forallthingslargeoraweinspiringaremaletotheapefolk。
Numgowasnotmuchimpressed；buthewasverysleepy，sohetoldTarzantogoawayandleavehisbettersalone。
\"ButwhereshallIfindGod？\"insistedTarzan。\"Youareveryold；ifthereisaGodyoumusthaveseenHim。
WhatdoesHelooklike？WheredoesHelive？\"
\"IamGod，\"repliedNumgo。\"Nowsleepanddisturbmenomore。\"
TarzanlookedatNumgosteadilyforseveralminutes，hisshapelyheadsankjustatriflebetweenhisgreatshoulders，hissquarechinshotforwardandhisshortupperlipdrewback，exposinghiswhiteteeth。Then，withalowgrowlheleapedupontheapeandburiedhisfangsintheother’shairyshoulder，clutchingthegreatneckinhismightyfingers。Twiceheshooktheoldape，thenhereleasedhistooth-hold。
\"AreyouGod？\"hedemanded。
\"No，\"wailedNumgo。\"Iamonlyapoor，oldape。
Leavemealone。GoasktheGomanganiwhereGodis。
Theyarehairlesslikeyourselfandverywise，too。
Theyshouldknow。\"
TarzanreleasedNumgoandturnedaway。Thesuggestionthatheconsulttheblacksappealedtohim，andthoughhisrelationswiththepeopleofMbonga，thechief，weretheantithesisoffriendly，hecouldatleastspyuponhishatedenemiesanddiscoveriftheyhadintercoursewithGod。
SoitwasthatTarzansetforththroughthetreestowardthevillageoftheblacks，allexcitementattheprospectofdiscoveringtheSupremeBeing，theCreatorofallthings。
Ashetraveledhereviewed，mentally，hisarmament——theconditionofhishuntingknife，thenumberofhisarrows，thenewnessofthegutwhichstrunghisbow——heheftedthewarspearwhichhadoncebeentheprideofsomeblackwarriorofMbonga’stribe。
IfhemetGod，Tarzanwouldbeprepared。Onecouldnevertellwhetheragrassrope，awarspear，orapoisonedarrowwouldbemostefficaciousagainstanunfamiliarfoe。
TarzanoftheApeswasquitecontent——ifGodwishedtofight，theape-manhadnodoubtastotheoutcomeofthestruggle。
ThereweremanyquestionsTarzanwishedtoputtotheCreatoroftheUniverseandsohehopedthatGodwouldnotproveabelligerentGod；buthisexperienceoflifeandthewaysoflivingthingshadtaughthimthatanycreaturewiththemeansforoffenseanddefensewasquitelikelytoprovokeattackifinthepropermood。
ItwasdarkwhenTarzancametothevillageofMbonga。
Assilentlyasthesilentshadowsofthenighthesoughthisaccustomedplaceamongthebranchesofthegreattreewhichoverhungthepalisade。Belowhim，inthevillagestreet，hesawmenandwomen。Themenwerehideouslypainted——morehideouslythanusual。
Amongthemmovedaweirdandgrotesquefigure，atallfigurethatwentuponthetwolegsofamanandyethadtheheadofabuffalo。Ataildangledtohisanklesbehindhim，andinonehandhecarriedazebra’stailwhiletheotherclutchedabunchofsmallarrows。
Tarzanwaselectrified。CoulditbethatchancehadgivenhimthusearlyanopportunitytolookuponGod？Surelythisthingwasneithermannorbeast，sowhatcoulditbethenotherthantheCreatoroftheUniverse！Theape-manwatchedtheeverymoveofthestrangecreature。
Hesawtheblackmenandwomenfallbackatitsapproachasthoughtheystoodinterrorofitsmysteriouspowers。
Presentlyhediscoveredthatthedeitywasspeakingandthatalllistenedinsilencetohiswords。TarzanwassurethatnoneotherthanGodcouldinspiresuchaweintheheartsoftheGomangani，orstoptheirmouthssoeffectuallywithoutrecoursetoarrowsorspears。
Tarzanhadcometolookwithcontemptupontheblacks，principallybecauseoftheirgarrulity。Thesmallapestalkedagreatdealandranawayfromanenemy。Thebig，oldbullsofKerchaktalkedbutlittleandfoughtupontheslightestprovocation。Numa，thelion，wasnotgiventoloquacity，yetofallthejunglefolktherewerefewwhofoughtmoreoftenthanhe。
Tarzanwitnessedstrangethingsthatnight，noneofwhichheunderstood，and，perhapsbecausetheywerestrange，hethoughtthattheymusthavetodowiththeGodhecouldnotunderstand。Hesawthreeyouthsreceivetheirfirstwarspearsinaweirdceremonywhichthegrotesquewitch-doctorstrovesuccessfullytorenderuncannyandawesome。
Hugelyinterested，hewatchedtheslashingofthethreebrownarmsandtheexchangeofbloodwithMbonga，thechief，intheritesoftheceremonyofbloodbrotherhood。
Hesawthezebra’staildippedintoacaldronofwaterabovewhichthewitch-doctorhadmademagicalpassesthewhilehedancedandleapedaboutit，andhesawthebreastsandforeheadsofeachofthethreenovitiatessprinkledwiththecharmedliquid。Couldtheape-manhaveknownthepurposeofthisact，thatitwasintendedtorendertherecipientinvulnerabletotheattacksofhisenemiesandfearlessinthefaceofanydanger，hewoulddoubtlesshaveleapedintothevillagestreetandappropriatedthezebra’stailandaportionofthecontentsofthecaldron。
Buthedidnotknow，andsoheonlywondered，notaloneatwhathesawbutatthestrangesensationswhichplayedupanddownhisnakedspine，sensationsinduced，doubtless，bythesamehypnoticinfluencewhichheldtheblackspectatorsintenseaweuponthevergeofahystericupheaval。
ThelongerTarzanwatched，themoreconvincedhebecamethathiseyeswereuponGod，andwiththeconvictioncamedeterminationtohavewordwiththedeity。WithTarzanoftheApes，tothinkwastoact。
ThepeopleofMbongawerekeyedtothehighestpitchofhystericalexcitement。Theyneededlittletoreleasetheaccumulatedpressureofstaticnerveforcewhichtheterrorizingmummeryofthewitch-doctorhadinduced。
Alionroared，suddenlyandloud，closewithoutthepalisade。
Theblacksstartednervously，droppingintouttersilenceastheylistenedforarepetitionofthatall-too-familiarandalwaysterrorizingvoice。Eventhewitch-doctorpausedinthemidstofanintricatestep，remainingmomentarilyrigidandstatuesqueasheplumbedhiscunningmindforasuggestionashowbesthemighttakeadvantageoftheconditionofhisaudienceandthetimelyinterruption。
Alreadytheeveninghadbeenvastlyprofitabletohim。
Therewouldbethreegoatsfortheinitiationofthethreeyouthsintofull-fledgedwarriorship，andbesidesthesehehadreceivedseveralgiftsofgrainandbeads，togetherwithapieceofcopperwirefromadmiringandterrifiedmembersofhisaudience。
Numa’sroarstillreverberatedalongtautnerveswhenawoman’slaugh，shrillandpiercing，shatteredthesilenceofthevillage。ItwasthismomentthatTarzanchosetodroplightlyfromhistreeintothevillagestreet。
Fearlessamonghisbloodenemieshestood，tallerbyafullheadthanmanyofMbonga’swarriors，straightastheirstraightestarrow，muscledlikeNuma，thelion。
ForamomentTarzanstoodlookingstraightatthewitch-doctor。Everyeyewasuponhim，yetnoonehadmoved——aparalysisofterrorheldthem，tobebrokenamomentlaterastheape-man，withatossofhead，steppedstraighttowardthehideousfigurebeneaththebuffalohead。
Thenthenervesoftheblackscouldstandnomore。
Formonthstheterrorofthestrange，white，junglegodhadbeenuponthem。Theirarrowshadbeenstolenfromtheverycenterofthevillage；theirwarriorshadbeensilentlyslainuponthejungletrailsandtheirdeadbodiesdroppedmysteriouslyandbynightintothevillagestreetasfromtheheavensabove。
Oneortwotherewerewhohadglimpsedthestrangefigureofthenewdemonanditwasfromtheiroft-repeateddescriptionsthattheentirevillagenowrecognizedTarzanastheauthorofmanyoftheirills。Uponanotheroccasionandbydaylight，thewarriorswoulddoubtlesshaveleapedtoattackhim，butatnight，andthisnightofallothers，whentheywerewroughttosuchapitchofnervousdreadbytheuncannyartistryoftheirwitch-doctor，theywerehelplesswithterror。Asonemantheyturnedandfled，scatteringfortheirhuts，asTarzanadvanced。
Foramomentoneandoneonlyheldhisground。Itwasthewitch-doctor。Morethanhalfself-hypnotizedintoabeliefinhisowncharlatanryhefacedthisnewdemonwhothreatenedtounderminehisancientandlucrativeprofession。
\"AreyouGod？\"askedTarzan。
Thewitch-doctor，havingnoideaofthemeaningoftheother’swords，dancedafewstrangesteps，leapedhighintheair，turningcompletelyaroundandalightinginastoopingposturewithfeetfaroutspreadandheadthrustouttowardtheape-man。Thusheremainedforaninstantbeforeheutteredaloud\"Boo！\"whichwasevidentlyintendedtofrightenTarzanaway；butinrealityhadnosucheffect。
Tarzandidnotpause。HehadsetouttoapproachandexamineGodandnothinguponearthmightnowstayhisfeet。
Seeingthathisanticshadnopotencywiththevisitor，thewitch-doctortriedsomenewmedicine。Spittinguponthezebra’stail，whichhestillclutchedinonehand，hemadecirclesaboveitwiththearrowsintheotherhand，meanwhilebackingcautiouslyawayfromTarzanandspeakingconfidentiallytothebushyendofthetail。
Thismedicinemustbeshortmedicine，however，forthecreature，godordemon，wassteadilyclosingupthedistancewhichhadseparatedthem。Thecirclesthereforewerefewandrapid，andwhentheywerecompleted，thewitch-doctorstruckanattitudewhichwasintendedtobeaweinspiringandwavingthezebra’stailbeforehim，drewanimaginarylinebetweenhimselfandTarzan。
\"Beyondthislineyoucannotpass，formymedicineisstrongmedicine，\"hecried。\"Stop，oryouwillfalldeadasyourfoottouchesthisspot。Mymotherwasavoodoo，myfatherwasasnake；Iliveuponlions’
heartsandtheentrailsofthepanther；Ieatyoungbabiesforbreakfastandthedemonsofthejunglearemyslaves。
Iamthemostpowerfulwitch-doctorintheworld；
Ifearnothing，forIcannotdie。I——\"Buthegotnofurther；
insteadheturnedandfledasTarzanoftheApescrossedthemagicaldeadlineandstilllived。
Asthewitch-doctorran，Tarzanalmostlosthistemper。
ThiswasnowayforGodtoact，atleastnotinaccordancewiththeconceptionTarzanhadcometohaveofGod。
\"Comeback！\"hecried。\"Comeback，God，Iwillnotharmyou。\"
Butthewitch-doctorwasinfullretreatbythistime，steppinghighasheleapedovercookingpotsandthesmolderingembersofsmallfiresthathadburnedbeforethehutsofvillagers。Straightforhisownhutranthewitch-doctor，terror-spurredtounwontedspeed；
butfutilewashiseffort——theape-manboredownuponhimwiththespeedofBara，thedeer。
Justattheentrancetohishutthewitch-doctorwasoverhauled。
Aheavyhandfelluponhisshouldertodraghimback。
Itseizeduponaportionofthebuffalohide，draggingthedisguisefromhim。ItwasanakedblackmanthatTarzansawdodgeintothedarknessofthehut’sinterior。
SothiswaswhathehadthoughtwasGod！Tarzan’slipcurledinanangrysnarlasheleapedintothehutaftertheterror-strickenwitch-doctor。Intheblacknesswithinhefoundthemanhuddledatthefarsideanddraggedhimforthintothecomparativelightnessofthemoonlitnight。
Thewitch-doctorbitandscratchedinanattempttoescape；
butafewcuffsacrosstheheadbroughthimtoabetterrealizationofthefutilityofresistance。BeneaththemoonTarzanheldthecringingfigureuponitsshakingfeet。
\"SoyouareGod！\"hecried。\"IfyoubeGod，thenTarzanisgreaterthanGod，\"andsotheape-manthought。
\"IamTarzan，\"heshoutedintotheearoftheblack。
\"Inallthejungle，oraboveit，orupontherunningwaters，orthesleepingwaters，oruponthebigwater，orthelittlewater，thereisnonesogreatasTarzan。
TarzanisgreaterthantheMangani；heisgreaterthantheGomangani。WithhisownhandshehasslainNuma，thelion，andSheeta，thepanther；thereisnonesogreatasTarzan。TarzanisgreaterthanGod。See！\"andwithasuddenwrenchhetwistedtheblack’sneckuntilthefellowshriekedinpainandthenslumpedtotheearthinaswoon。
Placinghisfootupontheneckofthefallenwitch-doctor，theape-manraisedhisfacetothemoonandutteredthelong，shrillscreamofthevictoriousbullape。
Thenhestoopedandsnatchedthezebra’stailfromthenervelessfingersoftheunconsciousmanandwithoutabackwardglanceretracedhisfootstepsacrossthevillage。
Fromseveralhutdoorwaysfrightenedeyeswatchedhim。
Mbonga，thechief，wasoneofthosewhohadseenwhatpassedbeforethehutofthewitch-doctor。Mbongawasgreatlyconcerned。Wiseoldpatriarchthathewas，heneverhadmorethanhalfbelievedinwitch-doctors，atleastnotsincegreaterwisdomhadcomewithage；
butasachiefhewaswellconvincedofthepowerofthewitch-doctorasanarmofgovernment，andoftenitwasthatMbongausedthesuperstitiousfearsofhispeopletohisownendsthroughthemediumofthemedicine-man。
Mbongaandthewitch-doctorhadworkedtogetheranddividedthespoils，andnowthe\"face\"ofthewitch-doctorwouldbelostforeverifanysawwhatMbongahadseen；
norwouldthisgenerationagainhaveasmuchfaithinanyfuturewitch-doctor。
Mbongamustdosomethingtocounteracttheevilinfluenceoftheforestdemon’svictoryoverthewitch-doctor。Heraisedhisheavyspearandcreptsilentlyfromhishutinthewakeoftheretreatingape-man。DownthevillagestreetwalkedTarzan，asunconcernedandasdeliberateasthoughonlythefriendlyapesofKerchaksurroundedhiminsteadofavillagefullofarmedenemies。
SeemingonlywastheindifferenceofTarzan，foralertandwatchfulwaseverywell-trainedsense。
Mbonga，wilystalkerofkeen-earedjunglecreatures，movednowinuttersilence。NotevenBara，thedeer，withhisgreatearscouldhaveguessedfromanysoundthatMbongawasnear；buttheblackwasnotstalkingBara；
hewasstalkingman，andsohesoughtonlytoavoidnoise。
Closerandclosertotheslowlymovingape-manhecame。
Nowheraisedhiswarspear，throwinghisspear-handfarbackabovehisrightshoulder。OnceandforallwouldMbonga，thechief，ridhimselfandhispeopleofthemenaceofthisterrifyingenemy。Hewouldmakenopoorcast；
hewouldtakepains，andhewouldhurlhisweaponwithsuchgreatforceaswouldfinishthedemonforever。
ButMbonga，sureashethoughthimself，erredinhiscalculations。Hemightbelievethathewasstalkingaman——hedidnotknow，however，thatitwasamanwiththedelicatesenseperceptionofthelowerorders。
Tarzan，whenhehadturnedhisbackuponhisenemies，hadnotedwhatMbonganeverwouldhavethoughtofconsideringinthehuntingofman——thewind。ItwasblowinginthesamedirectionthatTarzanwasproceeding，carryingtohisdelicatenostrilstheodorswhicharosebehindhim。
ThusitwasthatTarzanknewthathewasbeingfollowed，forevenamongthemanystenchesofanAfricanvillage，theape-man’suncannyfacultywasequaltothetaskofdifferentiatingonestenchfromanotherandlocatingwithremarkableprecisionthesourcefromwhenceitcame。
Heknewthatamanwasfollowinghimandcomingcloser，andhisjudgmentwarnedhimofthepurposeofthestalker。
WhenMbonga，therefore，camewithinspearrangeoftheape-man，thelattersuddenlywheeleduponhim，sosuddenlythatthepoisedspearwasshotafractionofasecondbeforeMbongahadintended。ItwentatriflehighandTarzanstoopedtoletitpassoverhishead；
thenhesprangtowardthechief。ButMbongadidnotwaittoreceivehim。Instead，heturnedandfledforthedarkdoorwayofthenearesthut，callingashewentforhiswarriorstofalluponthestrangerandslayhim。
WellindeedmightMbongascreamforhelp，forTarzan，youngandfleet-footed，coveredthedistancebetweenthemingreatleaps，atthespeedofacharginglion。
Hewasgrowling，too，notatallunlikeNumahimself。
Mbongaheardandhisbloodrancold。Hecouldfeelthewoolstiffenuponhispateandapricklychillrunuphisspine，asthoughDeathhadcomeandrunhiscoldfingeralongMbonga’sback。
Othersheard，too，andsaw，fromthedarknessoftheirhuts——boldwarriors，hideouslypainted，graspingheavywarspearsinnervelessfingers。AgainstNuma，thelion，theywouldhavechargedfearlessly。Againstmanytimestheirownnumberofblackwarriorswouldtheyhaveracedtotheprotectionoftheirchief；butthisweirdjungledemonfilledthemwithterror。Therewasnothinghumaninthebestialgrowlsthatrumbledupfromhisdeepchest；
therewasnothinghumaninthebaredfangs，orthecatlikeleaps。
Mbonga’swarriorswereterrified——tooterrifiedtoleavetheseemingsecurityoftheirhutswhiletheywatchedthebeast-manspringfulluponthebackoftheiroldchieftain。
Mbongawentdownwithascreamofterror。Hewastoofrightenedeventoattempttodefendhimself。
Hejustlaybeneathhisantagonistinaparalysisoffear，screamingatthetopofhislungs。Tarzanhalfroseandkneeledabovetheblack。HeturnedMbongaoverandlookedhimintheface，exposingtheman’sthroat，thenhedrewhislong，keenknife，theknifethatJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，hadbroughtfromEnglandmanyyearsbefore。
HeraiseditcloseaboveMbonga’sneck。Theoldblackwhimperedwithterror。HepleadedforhislifeinatonguewhichTarzancouldnotunderstand。
Forthefirsttimetheape-manhadacloseviewofthechief。
Hesawanoldman，averyoldmanwithscrawnyneckandwrinkledface——adried，parchment-likefacewhichresembledsomeofthelittlemonkeysTarzanknewsowell。
Hesawtheterrorintheman’seyes——neverbeforehadTarzanseensuchterrorintheeyesofanyanimal，orsuchapiteousappealformercyuponthefaceofanycreature。
Somethingstayedtheape-man’shandforaninstant。
Hewonderedwhyitwasthathehesitatedtomakethekill；
neverbeforehadhethusdelayed。Theoldmanseemedtowitherandshrinktoabagofpunybonesbeneathhiseyes。
Soweakandhelplessandterror-strickenheappearedthattheape-manwasfilledwithagreatcontempt；
butanothersensationalsoclaimedhim——somethingnewtoTarzanoftheApesinrelationtoanenemy。Itwaspity——pityforapoor，frightened，oldman。
Tarzanroseandturnedaway，leavingMbonga，thechief，unharmed。
Withheadheldhightheape-manwalkedthroughthevillage，swunghimselfintothebranchesofthetreewhichoverhungthepalisadeanddisappearedfromthesightofthevillagers。
Allthewaybacktothestampinggroundoftheapes，TarzansoughtforanexplanationofthestrangepowerwhichhadstayedhishandandpreventedhimfromslayingMbonga。
Itwasasthoughsomeonegreaterthanhehadcommandedhimtosparethelifeoftheoldman。Tarzancouldnotunderstand，forhecouldconceiveofnothing，ornoone，withtheauthoritytodictatetohimwhatheshoulddo，orwhatheshouldrefrainfromdoing。
ItwaslatewhenTarzansoughtaswayingcouchamongthetreesbeneathwhichslepttheapesofKerchak，andhewasstillabsorbedinthesolutionofhisstrangeproblemwhenhefellasleep。
Thesunwaswellupintheheavenswhenheawoke。
Theapeswereastirinsearchoffood。Tarzanwatchedthemlazilyfromaboveastheyscratchedintherottingloamforbugsandbeetlesandgrubworms，orsoughtamongthebranchesofthetreesforeggsandyoungbirds，orlusciouscaterpillars。
Anorchid，danglingclosebesidehishead，openedslowly，unfoldingitsdelicatepetalstothewarmthandlightofthesunwhichbutrecentlyhadpenetratedtoitsshadyretreat。AthousandtimeshadTarzanoftheApeswitnessedthebeauteousmiracle；butnowitarousedakeenerinterest，fortheape-manwasjustcommencingtoaskhimselfquestionsaboutallthemyriadwonderswhichheretoforehehadbuttakenforgranted。
Whatmadethefloweropen？Whatmadeitgrowfromatinybudtoafull-blownbloom？Whywasitatall？Whywashe？
WheredidNuma，thelion，comefrom？Whoplantedthefirsttree？HowdidGorogetwayupintothedarknessofthenightskytocasthiswelcomelightuponthefearsomenocturnaljungle？Andthesun！Didthesunmerelyhappenthere？
Whywereallthepeoplesofthejunglenottrees？Whywerethetreesnotsomethingelse？WhywasTarzandifferentfromTaug，andTaugdifferentfromBara，thedeer，andBaradifferentfromSheeta，thepanther，andwhywasnotSheetalikeButo，therhinoceros？Whereandhow，anyway，didtheyallcomefrom——thetrees，theflowers，theinsects，thecountlesscreaturesofthejungle？
QuiteunexpectedlyanideapoppedintoTarzan’shead。
InfollowingoutthemanyramificationsofthedictionarydefinitionofGODhehadcomeuponthewordCREATE——
\"tocausetocomeintoexistence；toformoutofnothing。\"
Tarzanalmosthadarrivedatsomethingtangiblewhenadistantwailstartledhimfromhispreoccupationintosensibilityofthepresentandthereal。ThewailcamefromthejungleatsomelittledistancefromTarzan’sswayingcouch。Itwasthewailofatinybalu。
TarzanrecognizeditatonceasthevoiceofGazan，Teeka’sbaby。TheyhadcalleditGazanbecauseitssoft，babyhairhadbeenunusuallyred，andGAZANinthelanguageofthegreatapes，meansredskin。
Thewailwasimmediatelyfollowedbyarealscreamofterrorfromthesmalllungs。Tarzanwaselectrifiedintoinstantaction。Likeanarrowfromabowheshotthroughthetreesinthedirectionofthesound。
Aheadofhimheheardthesavagesnarlingofanadultshe-ape。ItwasTeekatotherescue。Thedangermustbeveryreal。Tarzancouldtellthatbythenoteofragemingledwithfearinthevoiceoftheshe。