Runningalongbendinglimbs，swingingfromonetreetoanother，theape-manracedthroughthemiddleterracestowardthesoundswhichnowhadriseninvolumetodeafeningproportions。FromalldirectionstheapesofKerchakwerehurryinginresponsetotheappealinthetonesofthebaluanditsmother，andastheycame，theirroarsreverberatedthroughtheforest。
ButTarzan，swifterthanhisheavyfellows，distancedthemall。
Itwashewhowasfirstuponthescene。Whathesawsentacoldchillthroughhisgiantframe，fortheenemywasthemosthatedandloathedofallthejunglecreatures。
TwinedinagreattreewasHistah，thesnake——huge，ponderous，slimy——andinthefoldsofitsdeadlyembracewasTeeka’slittlebalu，Gazan。NothinginthejungleinspiredwithinthebreastofTarzansonearasemblancetofearasdidthehideousHistah。Theapes，too，loathedtheterrifyingreptileandfearedhimevenmorethantheydidSheeta，thepanther，orNuma，thelion。OfalltheirenemiestherewasnonetheygaveawiderberththantheygaveHistah，thesnake。
TarzanknewthatTeekawaspeculiarlyfearfulofthissilent，repulsivefoe，andasthescenebrokeuponhisvision，itwastheactionofTeekawhichfilledhimwiththegreatestwonder，foratthemomentthathesawher，theshe-apeleapedupontheglisteningbodyofthesnake，andasthemightyfoldsencircledheraswellasheroffspring，shemadenoefforttoescape，butinsteadgraspedthewrithingbodyinafutileefforttotearitfromherscreamingbalu。
Tarzanknewalltoowellhowdeep-rootedwasTeeka’sterrorofHistah。Hescarcecouldbelievethetestimonyofhisowneyesthen，whentheytoldhimthatshehadvoluntarilyrushedintothatdeadlyembrace。NorwasTeeka’sinnatedreadofthemonstermuchgreaterthanTarzan’sown。
Never，willingly，hadhetouchedasnake。Why，hecouldnotsay，forhewouldadmitfearofnothing；norwasitfear，butratheraninherentrepulsionbequeathedtohimbymanygenerationsofcivilizedancestors，andbackofthem，perhaps，bycountlessmyriadsofsuchasTeeka，inthebreastsofeachofwhichhadlurkedthesamenamelessterroroftheslimyreptile。
YetTarzandidnothesitatemorethanhadTeeka，butleapeduponHistahwithallthespeedandimpetuositythathewouldhaveshownhadhebeenspringinguponBara，thedeer，tomakeakillforfood。Thusbesetthesnakewrithedandtwistedhorribly；butnotforaninstantdiditlooseitsholduponanyofitsintendedvictims，forithadincludedtheape-maninitscoldembracetheminutethathehadfallenuponit。
Stillclingingtothetree，themightyreptileheldthethreeasthoughtheyhadbeenwithoutweight，thewhileitsoughttocrushthelifefromthem。
Tarzanhaddrawnhisknifeandthishenowplungedrapidlyintothebodyoftheenemy；buttheencirclingfoldspromisedtosaphislifebeforehehadinflictedadeathwounduponthesnake。Yetonhefought，noroncedidheseektoescapethehorriddeaththatconfrontedhim——hissoleaimwastoslayHistahandthusfreeTeekaandherbalu。
Thegreat，wide-gapingjawsofthesnaketurnedandhoveredabovehim。Theelasticmaw，whichcouldaccommodatearabbitorahornedbuckwithequalfacility，yawnedforhim；
butHistah，inturninghisattentionupontheape-man，broughthisheadwithinreachofTarzan’sblade。Instantlyabrownhandleapedforthandseizedthemottledneck，andanotherdrovetheheavyhuntingknifetothehiltintothelittlebrain。
ConvulsivelyHistahshudderedandrelaxed，tensedandrelaxedagain，whippingandstrikingwithhisgreatbody；
butnolongersentientorsensible。Histahwasdead，butinhisdeaththroeshemighteasilydispatchadozenapesormen。
QuicklyTarzanseizedTeekaanddraggedherfromtheloosenedembrace，droppinghertothegroundbeneath，thenheextricatedthebaluandtossedittoitsmother。
StillHistahwhippedabout，clingingtotheape-man；
butafteradozeneffortsTarzansucceededinwrigglingfreeandleapingtothegroundoutofrangeofthemightybatteringofthedyingsnake。
Acircleofapessurroundedthesceneofthebattle；
butthemomentthatTarzanbrokesafelyfromtheenemytheyturnedsilentlyawaytoresumetheirinterruptedfeeding，andTeekaturnedwiththem，apparentlyforgetfulofallbutherbaluandthefactthatwhentheinterruptionhadoccurredshejusthaddiscoveredaningeniouslyhiddennestcontainingthreeperfectlygoodeggs。
Tarzan，equallyindifferenttoabattlethatwasover，merelycastapartingglanceatthestillwrithingbodyofHistahandwanderedofftowardthelittlepoolwhichservedtowaterthetribeatthispoint。
Strangely，hedidnotgivethevictorycryoverthevanquishedHistah。Why，hecouldnothavetoldyou，otherthanthattohimHistahwasnotananimal。
Hedifferedinsomepeculiarwayfromtheotherdenizensofthejungle。Tarzanonlyknewthathehatedhim。
AtthepoolTarzandrankhisfillandlaystretcheduponthesoftgrassbeneaththeshadeofatree。
HismindrevertedtothebattlewithHistah，thesnake。
ItseemedstrangetohimthatTeekashouldhaveplacedherselfwithinthefoldsofthehorridmonster。
Whyhadshedoneit？Why，indeed，hadhe？Teekadidnotbelongtohim，nordidTeeka’sbalu。TheywerebothTaug’s。Whythenhadhedonethisthing？Histahwasnotfoodforhimwhenhewasdead。ThereseemedtoTarzan，nowthathegavethematterthought，noreasonintheworldwhyheshouldhavedonethethinghedid，andpresentlyitoccurredtohimthathehadactedalmostinvoluntarily，justashehadactedwhenhehadreleasedtheoldGomanganithepreviousevening。
Whatmadehimdosuchthings？Somebodymorepowerfulthanhemustforcehimtoactattimes。\"All-powerful，\"thoughtTarzan。
\"ThelittlebugssaythatGodisall-powerful。ItmustbethatGodmademedothesethings，forIneverdidthembymyself。ItwasGodwhomadeTeekarushuponHistah。
TeekawouldnevergonearHistahofherownvolition。
ItwasGodwhoheldmyknifefromthethroatoftheoldGomangani。Godaccomplishesstrangethingsforheis’all-powerful。’IcannotseeHim；butIknowthatitmustbeGodwhodoesthesethings。NoMangani，noGomangani，noTarmanganicoulddothem。\"
Andtheflowers——whomadethemgrow？Ah，nowitwasallexplained——theflowers，thetrees，themoon，thesun，himself，everylivingcreatureinthejungle——theywereallmadebyGodoutofnothing。
AndwhatwasGod？WhatdidGodlooklike？Ofthathehadnoconception；buthewassurethateverythingthatwasgoodcamefromGod。Hisgoodactinrefrainingfromslayingthepoor，defenselessoldGomangani；Teeka’slovethathadhurledherintotheembraceofdeath；hisownloyaltytoTeekawhichhadjeopardizedhislifethatshemightlive。
Theflowersandthetreesweregoodandbeautiful。
Godhadmadethem。Hemadetheothercreatures，too，thateachmighthavefooduponwhichtolive。
HehadmadeSheeta，thepanther，withhisbeautifulcoat；
andNuma，thelion，withhisnobleheadandhisshaggymane。
HehadmadeBara，thedeer，lovelyandgraceful。
Yes，TarzanhadfoundGod，andhespentthewholedayinattributingtoHimallofthegoodandbeautifulthingsofnature；buttherewasonethingwhichtroubledhim。
Hecouldnotquitereconcileittohisconceptionofhisnew-foundGod。
WhomadeHistah，thesnake？
5
TarzanandtheBlackBoyTARZANOFTHEApessatatthefootofagreattreebraidinganewgrassrope。Besidehimlaythefrayedremnantsoftheoldone，tornandseveredbythefangsandtalonsofSheeta，thepanther。Onlyhalftheoriginalropewasthere，thebalancehavingbeencarriedoffbytheangrycatasheboundedawaythroughthejunglewiththenoosestillabouthissavageneckandthelooseenddraggingamongtheunderbrush。
TarzansmiledasherecalledSheeta’sgreatrage，hisfranticeffortstofreehimselffromtheentanglingstrands，hisuncannyscreamsthatwereparthate，partanger，partterror。Hesmiledinretrospectionatthediscomfitureofhisenemy，andinanticipationofanotherdayasheaddedanextrastrandtohisnewrope。
Thiswouldbethestrongest，theheaviestropethatTarzanoftheApeseverhadfashioned。VisionsofNuma，thelion，strainingfutilelyinitsembracethrilledtheape-man。Hewasquitecontent，forhishandsandhisbrainwerebusy。
Content，too，werehisfellowsofthetribeofKerchak，searchingforfoodintheclearingandthesurroundingtreesabouthim。Noperplexingthoughtsofthefutureburdenedtheirminds，andonlyoccasionally，dimlyaroserecollectionsofthenearpast。Theywerestimulatedtoaspeciesofbrutalcontentbythedelectablebusinessoffillingtheirbellies。Afterwardtheywouldsleep——itwastheirlife，andtheyenjoyeditasweenjoyours，youandI——asTarzanenjoyedhis。Possiblytheyenjoyedtheirsmorethanweenjoyours，forwhoshallsaythatthebeastsofthejungledonotbetterfulfillthepurposesforwhichtheyarecreatedthandoesmanwithhismanyexcursionsintostrangefieldsandhiscontraventionsofthelawsofnature？Andwhatgivesgreatercontentandgreaterhappinessthanthefulfillingofadestiny？
AsTarzanworked，Gazan，Teeka’slittlebalu，playedabouthimwhileTeekasoughtfoodupontheoppositesideoftheclearing。NomoredidTeeka，themother，orTaug，thesullensire，harborsuspicionsofTarzan’sintentionstowardtheirfirst-born。HadhenotcourteddeathtosavetheirGazanfromthefangsandtalonsofSheeta？DidhenotfondleandcuddlethelittleonewithevenasgreatashowofaffectionasTeekaherselfdisplayed？TheirfearswereallayedandTarzannowfoundhimselfoftenintheroleofnursemaidtoatinyanthropoid——anavocationwhichhefoundbynomeansirksome，sinceGazanwasanever-failingfountofsurprisesandentertainment。
Justnowtheapelingwasdevelopingthosearborealtendencieswhichweretostandhiminsuchgoodsteadduringtheyearsofhisyouth，whenrapidflightintotheupperterraceswasoffarmoreimportanceandvaluethanhisundevelopedmusclesanduntriedfightingfangs。
BackingofffifteenortwentyfeetfromtheboleofthetreebeneaththebranchesofwhichTarzanworkeduponhisrope，Gazanscamperedquicklyforward，scramblingnimblyupwardtothelowerlimbs。Herehewouldsquatforamomentortwo，quiteproudofhisachievement，thenclambertothegroundagainandrepeat。Sometimes，quiteofteninfact，forhewasanape，hisattentionwasdistractedbyotherthings，abeetle，acaterpillar，atinyfieldmouse，andoffhewouldgoinpursuit；thecaterpillarshealwayscaught，andsometimesthebeetles；butthefieldmice，never。
NowhediscoveredthetailoftheropeuponwhichTarzanwasworking。Graspingitinonesmallhandhebouncedaway，foralltheworldlikeananimatedrubberball，snatchingitfromtheape-man’shandandrunningoffacrosstheclearing。
Tarzanleapedtohisfeetandwasinpursuitinaninstant，notraceofangeronhisfaceorinhisvoiceashecalledtotheroguishlittlebalutodrophisrope。
StraighttowardhismotherracedGazan，andafterhimcameTarzan。Teekalookedupfromherfeeding，andinthefirstinstantthatsherealizedthatGazanwasfleeingandthatanotherwasinpursuit，shebaredherfangsandbristled；
butwhenshesawthatthepursuerwasTarzansheturnedbacktothebusinessthathadbeenoccupyingherattention。
Atherveryfeettheape-manoverhauledthebaluand，thoughtheyoungstersquealedandfoughtwhenTarzanseizedhim，Teekaonlyglancedcasuallyintheirdirection。
Nolongerdidshefearharmtoherfirst-bornatthehandsoftheape-man。HadhenotsavedGazanontwooccasions？
Rescuinghisrope，Tarzanreturnedtohistreeandresumedhislabor；butthereafteritwasnecessarytowatchcarefullytheplayfulbalu，whowasnowpossessedtostealitwheneverhethoughthisgreat，smooth-skinnedcousinwasmomentarilyoffhisguard。
ButevenunderthishandicapTarzanfinallycompletedtherope，along，pliantweapon，strongerthananyheeverhadmadebefore。ThediscardedpieceofhisformeronehegavetoGazanforaplaything，forTarzanhaditinhismindtoinstructTeeka’sbaluafterideasofhisownwhentheyoungstershouldbeoldandstrongenoughtoprofitbyhisprecepts。Atpresentthelittleape’sinnateaptitudeformimicrywouldbesufficienttofamiliarizehimwithTarzan’swaysandweapons，andsotheape-manswungoffintothejungle，hisnewropecoiledoveroneshoulder，whilelittleGazanhoppedabouttheclearingdraggingtheoldoneafterhiminchildishglee。
AsTarzantraveled，dividinghisquestforfoodwithoneforasufficientlynoblequarrywhereupontotesthisnewweapon，hismindoftenwasuponGazan。Theape-manhadrealizedadeepaffectionforTeeka’sbalualmostfromthefirst，partlybecausethechildbelongedtoTeeka，hisfirstlove，andpartlyforthelittleape’sownsake，andTarzan’shumanlongingforsomesentientcreatureuponwhichtoexpendthosenaturalaffectionsofthesoulwhichareinherenttoallnormalmembersoftheGENUS
HOMO。TarzanenviedTeeka。ItwastruethatGazanevidencedaconsiderablereciprocationofTarzan’sfondnessforhim，evenpreferringhimtohisownsurlysire；
buttoTeekathelittleoneturnedwheninpainorterror，whentiredorhungry。ThenitwasthatTarzanfeltquitealoneintheworldandlongeddesperatelyforonewhoshouldturnfirsttohimforsuccorandprotection。
TaughadTeeka；TeekahadGazan；andnearlyeveryotherbullandcowofthetribeofKerchakhadoneormoretoloveandbywhomtobeloved。OfcourseTarzancouldscarcelyformulatethethoughtinpreciselythisway——heonlyknewthathecravedsomethingwhichwasdeniedhim；
somethingwhichseemedtoberepresentedbythoserelationswhichexistedbetweenTeekaandherbalu，andsoheenviedTeekaandlongedforabaluofhisown。
HesawSheetaandhismatewiththeirlittlefamilyofthree；
anddeeperinlandtowardtherockyhills，whereonemightlieupduringtheheatoftheday，inthedenseshadeofatangledthicketcloseunderthecoolfaceofanoverhangingrock，TarzanhadfoundthelairofNuma，thelion，andofSabor，thelioness。Herehehadwatchedthemwiththeirlittlebalus——playfulcreatures，spottedleopard-like。AndhehadseentheyoungfawnwithBara，thedeer，andwithButo，therhinoceros，itsungainlylittleone。Eachofthecreaturesofthejunglehaditsown——exceptTarzan。
Itmadetheape-mansadtothinkuponthisthing，sadandlonely；butpresentlythescentofgameclearedhisyoungmindofallotherconsiderations，ascatlikehecrawledfaroutuponabendinglimbabovethegametrailwhichleddowntotheancientwateringplaceofthewildthingsofthiswildworld。
Howmanythousandsoftimeshadthisgreat，oldlimbbenttothesavageformofsomeblood-thirstyhunterinthelongyearsthatithadspreaditsleafybranchesabovethedeep-wornjunglepath！Tarzan，theape-man，Sheeta，thepanther，andHistah，thesnake，itknewwell。
Theyhadwornsmooththebarkuponitsuppersurface。
TodayitwasHorta，theboar，whichcamedowntowardthewatcherintheoldtree——Horta，theboar，whoseformidabletusksanddiabolicaltemperpreservedhimfromallbutthemostferociousormostfamishedofthelargestcarnivora。
ButtoTarzan，meatwasmeat；naughtthatwasedibleortastymightpassahungryTarzanunchallengedandunattacked。
Inhunger，asinbattle，theape-manout-savagedthedreariestdenizensofthejungle。Heknewneitherfearnormercy，exceptuponrareoccasionswhensomestrange，inexplicableforcestayedhishand——aforceinexplicabletohim，perhaps，becauseofhisignoranceofhisownoriginandofalltheforcesofhumanitarianismandcivilizationthatwerehisrightfulheritagebecauseofthatorigin。
Sotoday，insteadofstayinghishanduntilalessformidablefeastfounditswaytowardhim，TarzandroppedhisnewnooseabouttheneckofHorta，theboar。
Itwasanexcellenttestfortheuntriedstrands。
Theangeredboarboltedthiswayandthat；buteachtimethenewropeheldhimwhereTarzanhadmadeitfastaboutthestemofthetreeabovethebranchfromwhichhehadcastit。
AsHortagruntedandcharged，slashingthesturdyjunglepatriarchwithhismightytusksuntilthebarkflewineverydirection，Tarzandroppedtothegroundbehindhim。
Intheape-man’shandwasthelong，keenbladethathadbeenhisconstantcompanionsincethatdistantdayuponwhichchancehaddirecteditspointintothebodyofBolgani，thegorilla，andsavedthetornandbleedingman-childfromwhatelsehadbeencertaindeath。
TarzanwalkedintowardHorta，whoswungnowtofacehisenemy。Mightyandmuscledaswastheyounggiant，ityetwouldhaveappearedbutthemaddestfollyforhimtofacesoformidableacreatureasHorta，theboar，armedonlywithaslenderhuntingknife。SoitwouldhaveseemedtoonewhoknewHortaevenslightlyandTarzannotatall。
ForamomentHortastoodmotionlessfacingtheape-man。
Hiswicked，deep-seteyesflashedangrily。Heshookhisloweredhead。
\"Mud-eater！\"jeeredtheape-man。\"Wallowerinfilth。
Evenyourmeatstinks，butitisjuicyandmakesTarzanstrong。
TodayIshalleatyourheart，OLordoftheGreatTusks，thatitshallkeepsavagethatwhichpoundsagainstmyownribs。\"
Horta，understandingnothingofwhatTarzansaid，wasnonethelessenragedbecauseofthat。Hesawonlyanakedman-thing，hairlessandfutile，pittinghispunyfangsandsoftmusclesagainsthisownindomitablesavagery，andhecharged。
TarzanoftheApeswaiteduntiltheupcutofawickedtuskwouldhavelaidopenhisthigh，thenhemoved——justtheleastbittooneside；butsoquicklythatlightningwasasluggardbycomparison，andashemoved，hestoopedlowandwithallthegreatpowerofhisrightarmdrovethelongbladeofhisfather’shuntingknifestraightintotheheartofHorta，theboar。Aquickleapcarriedhimfromthezoneofthecreature’sdeaththroes，andamomentlaterthehotanddrippingheartofHortawasinhisgrasp。
Hishungersatisfied，Tarzandidnotseekalying-upplaceforsleep，aswassometimeshisway，butcontinuedonthroughthejunglemoreinsearchofadventurethanoffood，fortodayhewasrestless。AndsoitcamethatheturnedhisfootstepstowardthevillageofMbonga，theblackchief，whosepeopleTarzanhadbaitedremorselesslysincethatdayuponwhichKulonga，thechief’sson，hadslainKala。
Ariverwindsclosebesidethevillageoftheblackmen。
TarzanreacheditssidealittlebelowtheclearingwheresquatthethatchedhutsoftheNegroes。Theriverlifewaseverfascinatingtotheape-man。HefoundpleasureinwatchingtheungainlyanticsofDuro，thehippopotamus，andkeensportintormentingthesluggishcrocodile，Gimla，ashebaskedinthesun。Then，too，thereweretheshesandthebalusoftheblackmenoftheGomanganitofrightenastheysquattedbytheriver，thesheswiththeirmeagerwashing，thebaluswiththeirprimitivetoys。
Thisdayhecameuponawomanandherchildfartherdownstreamthanusual。Theformerwassearchingforaspeciesofshellfishwhichwastobefoundinthemudclosetotheriverbank。Shewasayoungblackwomanofaboutthirty。Herteethwerefiledtosharppoints，forherpeopleatethefleshofman。Herunderlipwasslitthatitmightsupportarudependantofcopperwhichshehadwornforsomanyyearsthattheliphadbeendraggeddownwardtoprodigiouslengths，exposingtheteethandgumsofherlowerjaw。Hernose，too，wasslit，andthroughtheslitwasawoodenskewer。Metalornamentsdangledfromherears，anduponherforeheadandcheeks；
uponherchinandthebridgeofhernoseweretattooingsincolorsthatweremellowednowbyage。Shewasnakedexceptforagirdleofgrassesaboutherwaist。
AltogethershewasverybeautifulinherownestimationandevenintheestimationofthemenofMbonga’stribe，thoughshewasofanotherpeople——atrophyofwarseizedinhermaidenhoodbyoneofMbonga’sfightingmen。
Herchildwasaboyoften，lithe，straightand，forablack，handsome。Tarzanlookeduponthetwofromtheconcealingfoliageofanear-bybush。Hewasabouttoleapforthbeforethemwithaterrifyingscream，thathemightenjoythespectacleoftheirterrorandtheirincontinentflight；butofasuddenanewwhimseizedhim。
Herewasabalufashionedashehimselfwasfashioned。
Ofcoursethisone’sskinwasblack；butwhatofit？
Tarzanhadneverseenawhiteman。Insofarasheknew，hewasthesolerepresentativeofthatstrangeformoflifeupontheearth。TheblackboyshouldmakeanexcellentbaluforTarzan，sincehehadnoneofhisown。
Hewouldtendhimcarefully，feedhimwell，protecthimasonlyTarzanoftheApescouldprotecthisown，andteachhimoutofhishalfhuman，halfbestiallorethesecretsofthejunglefromitsrottingsurfacevegetationtothehightossedpinnaclesoftheforest’supperterraces。
***
Tarzanuncoiledhisrope，andshookoutthenoose。
Thetwobeforehim，allignorantofthenearpresenceofthatterrifyingform，continuedpreoccupiedinthesearchforshellfish，pokingaboutinthemudwithshortsticks。
Tarzansteppedfromthejunglebehindthem；hisnooselayopenuponthegroundbesidehim。Therewasaquickmovementoftherightarmandthenooserosegracefullyintotheair，hoveredaninstantabovetheheadoftheunsuspectingyouth，thensettled。Asitencompassedhisbodybelowtheshoulders，Tarzangaveaquickjerkthattighteneditabouttheboy’sarms，pinioningthemtohissides。Ascreamofterrorbrokefromthelad’slips，andashismotherturned，affrightedathiscry，shesawhimbeingdraggedquicklytowardagreatwhitegiantwhostoodjustbeneaththeshadeofanear-bytree，scarcelyadozenlongpacesfromher。
Withasavagecryofterrorandrage，thewomanleapedfearlesslytowardtheape-man。InhermienTarzansawdeterminationandcouragewhichwouldshrinknotevenfromdeathitself。
Shewasveryhideousandfrightfulevenwhenherfacewasinrepose；butconvulsedbypassion，herexpressionbecameterrifyinglyfiendish。Eventheape-mandrewback，butmoreinrevulsionthanfear——fearheknewnot。
Bitingandkickingwastheblackshe’sbaluasTarzantuckedhimbeneathhisarmandvanishedintothebrancheshanginglowabovehim，justastheinfuriatedmotherdashedforwardtoseizeanddobattlewithhim。Andashemeltedawayintothedepthofthejunglewithhisstillstrugglingprize，hemeditateduponthepossibilitieswhichmightlieintheprowessoftheGomanganiwerethehesasformidableastheshes。
Onceatasafedistancefromthedespoiledmotherandoutofearshotofherscreamsandmenaces，Tarzanpausedtoinspecthisprize，nowsothoroughlyterrorizedthathehadceasedhisstrugglesandhisoutcries。
Thefrightenedchildrolledhiseyesfearfullytowardhiscaptor，untilthewhitesshowedgleamingallabouttheirises。
\"IamTarzan，\"saidtheape-man，inthevernacularoftheanthropoids。\"Iwillnotharmyou。YouaretobeTarzan’sbalu。Tarzanwillprotectyou。Hewillfeedyou。
ThebestinthejungleshallbeforTarzan’sbalu，forTarzanisamightyhunter。Noneneedyoufear，notevenNuma，thelion，forTarzanisamightyfighter。
NonesogreatasTarzan，sonofKala。Donotfear。\"
Butthechildonlywhimperedandtrembled，forhedidnotunderstandthetongueofthegreatapes，andthevoiceofTarzansoundedtohimlikethebarkingandgrowlingofabeast。Then，too，hehadheardstoriesofthisbad，whiteforestgod。ItwashewhohadslainKulongaandothersofthewarriorsofMbonga，thechief。
Itwashewhoenteredthevillagestealthily，bymagic，inthedarknessofthenight，tostealarrowsandpoison，andfrightenthewomenandthechildrenandeventhegreatwarriors。Doubtlessthiswickedgodfeduponlittleboys。Hadhismothernotsaidasmuchwhenhewasnaughtyandshethreatenedtogivehimtothewhitegodofthejungleifhewerenotgood？LittleblackTiboshookaswithague。
\"Areyoucold，Go-bu-balu？\"askedTarzan，usingthesimianequivalentofblackhe-babyinlieuofabettername。
\"Thesunishot；whydoyoushiver？\"
Tibocouldnotunderstand；buthecriedforhismammaandbeggedthegreat，whitegodtolethimgo，promisingalwaystobeagoodboythereafterifhispleaweregranted。
Tarzanshookhishead。Notawordcouldheunderstand。
Thiswouldneverdo！HemustteachGo-bu-balualanguagewhichsoundedliketalk。ItwasquitecertaintoTarzanthatGo-bu-balu’sspeechwasnottalkatall。Itsoundedquiteassenselessasthechatteringofthesillybirds。
Itwouldbebest，thoughttheape-man，quicklytogethimamongthetribeofKerchakwherehewouldheartheManganitalkingamongthemselves。Thushewouldsoonlearnanintelligibleformofspeech。
Tarzanrosetohisfeetupontheswayingbranchwherehehadhaltedfarabovetheground，andmotionedtothechildtofollowhim；butTiboonlyclungtightlytotheboleofthetreeandwept。Beingaboy，andanativeAfrican，hehad，ofcourse，climbedintotreesmanytimesbeforethis；
buttheideaofracingoffthroughtheforest，leapingfromonebranchtoanother，ashiscaptor，tohishorror，haddonewhenhehadcarriedTiboawayfromhismother，filledhischildishheartwithterror。
Tarzansighed。Hisnewlyacquiredbaluhadmuchindeedtolearn。Itwaspitifulthatabaluofhissizeandstrengthshouldbesobackward。HetriedtocoaxTibotofollowhim；
butthechilddarednot，soTarzanpickedhimupandcarriedhimuponhisback。Tibonolongerscratchedorbit。
Escapeseemedimpossible。Evennow，werehesetupontheground，thechancewasremote，heknew，thathecouldfindhiswaybacktothevillageofMbonga，thechief。
Evenifhecould，therewerethelionsandtheleopardsandthehyenas，anyoneofwhich，asTibowaswellaware，wasparticularlyfondofthemeatoflittleblackboys。
Sofartheterriblewhitegodofthejunglehadofferedhimnoharm。Hecouldnotexpecteventhismuchconsiderationfromthefrightful，green-eyedman-eaters。
Itwouldbethelesseroftwoevils，then，toletthewhitegodcarryhimawaywithoutscratchingandbiting，ashehaddoneatfirst。
AsTarzanswungrapidlythroughthetrees，littleTiboclosedhiseyesinterrorratherthanlooklongerdownintothefrightfulabyssesbeneath。NeverbeforeinallhislifehadTibobeensofrightened，yetasthewhitegiantspedonwithhimthroughtheforesttherestoleoverthechildaninexplicablesensationofsecurityashesawhowtrueweretheleapsoftheape-man，howunerringhisgraspupontheswayinglimbswhichgavehimhand-hold，andthen，too，therewassafetyinthemiddleterracesoftheforest，farabovethereachofthedreadedlions。
AndsoTarzancametotheclearingwherethetribefed，droppingamongthemwithhisnewbaluclingingtightlytohisshoulders。HewasfairlyinthemidstofthembeforeTibospiedasingleoneofthegreathairyforms，orbeforetheapesrealizedthatTarzanwasnotalone。
WhentheysawthelittleGomanganipercheduponhisbacksomeofthemcameforwardincuriositywithupcurledlipsandsnarlingmien。
AnhourbeforelittleTibowouldhavesaidthatheknewtheuttermostdepthsoffear；butnow，ashesawthesefearsomebeastssurroundinghim，herealizedthatallthathadgonebeforewasasnothingbycomparison。
Whydidthegreatwhitegiantstandtheresounconcernedly？
Whydidhenotfleebeforethesehorrid，hairy，treemenfelluponthembothandtorethemtopieces？AndthentherecametoTiboanumbingrecollection。Itwasnoneotherthanthestoryhehadheardpassedfrommouthtomouth，fearfully，bythepeopleofMbonga，thechief，thatthisgreatwhitedemonofthejunglewasnaughtotherthanahairlessape，forhadnothebeenseenincompanywiththese？
Tibocouldonlystareinwide-eyedhorrorattheapproachingapes。Hesawtheirbeetlingbrows，theirgreatfangs，theirwickedeyes。Henotedtheirmightymusclesrollingbeneaththeirshaggyhides。
Theireveryattitudeandexpressionwasamenace。
Tarzansawthis，too。HedrewTiboaroundinfrontofhim。
\"ThisisTarzan’sGo-bu-balu，\"hesaid。\"Donotharmhim，orTarzanwillkillyou，\"andhebaredhisownfangsintheteethofthenearestape。
\"ItisaGomangani，\"repliedtheape。\"Letmekillit。
ItisaGomangani。TheGomanganiareourenemies。
Letmekillit。\"
\"Goaway，\"snarledTarzan。\"Itellyou，Gunto，itisTarzan’sbalu。GoawayorTarzanwillkillyou，\"
andtheape-mantookasteptowardtheadvancingape。
Thelattersidledoff，quitestiffandhaughty，afterthemannerofadogwhichmeetsanotherandistooproudtofightandtoofearfultoturnhisbackandrun。
NextcameTeeka，promptedbycuriosity。AthersideskippedlittleGazan。Theywerefilledwithwonderliketheothers；butTeekadidnotbareherfangs。
Tarzansawthisandmotionedthatsheapproach。
\"Tarzanhasabalunow，\"hesaid。\"HeandTeeka’sbalucanplaytogether。\"
\"ItisaGomangani，\"repliedTeeka。\"Itwillkillmybalu。
Takeitaway，Tarzan。\"
Tarzanlaughed。\"ItcouldnotharmPamba，therat，\"
hesaid。\"Itisbutalittlebaluandveryfrightened。
LetGazanplaywithit。\"
Teekastillwasfearful，forwithalltheirmightyferocitythegreatanthropoidsaretimid；butatlast，assuredbyhergreatconfidenceinTarzan，shepushedGazanforwardtowardthelittleblackboy。Thesmallape，guidedbyinstinct，drewbacktowarditsmother，baringitssmallfangsandscreaminginmingledfearandrage。
Tibo，too，showednosignsofdesiringacloseracquaintancewithGazan，soTarzangaveuphiseffortsforthetime。
Duringtheweekwhichfollowed，Tarzanfoundhistimemuchoccupied。Hisbaluwasagreaterresponsibilitythanhehadcountedupon。Notforamomentdidhedareleaveit，sinceofallthetribe，TeekaalonecouldhavebeendependedupontorefrainfromslayingthehaplessblackhaditnotbeenforTarzan’sconstantwatchfulness。
Whentheape-manhunted，hemustcarryGo-bu-baluaboutwithhim。Itwasirksome，andthenthelittleblackseemedsostupidandfearfultoTarzan。Itwasquitehelplessagainsteventhelesserofthejunglecreatures。
Tarzanwonderedhowithadsurvivedatall。Hetriedtoteachit，andfoundarayofhopeinthefactthatGo-bu-baluhadmasteredafewwordsofthelanguageoftheanthropoids，andthathecouldnowclingtoahigh-tossedbranchwithoutscreaminginfear；buttherewassomethingaboutthechildwhichworriedTarzan。
Heoftenhadwatchedtheblackswithintheirvillage。
Hehadseenthechildrenplaying，andalwaystherehadbeenmuchlaughter；butlittleGo-bu-baluneverlaughed。
ItwastruethatTarzanhimselfneverlaughed。Uponoccasionhesmiled，grimly，buttolaughterhewasastranger。
Theblack，however，shouldhavelaughed，reasonedtheape-man。
ItwasthewayoftheGomangani。
Also，hesawthatthelittlefellowoftenrefusedfoodandwasgrowingthinnerdaybyday。Attimeshesurprisedtheboysobbingsoftlytohimself。Tarzantriedtocomforthim，evenasfierceKalahadcomfortedTarzanwhentheape-manwasabalu，butalltonoavail。
Go-bu-balumerelynolongerfearedTarzan——thatwasall。
Hefearedeveryotherlivingthingwithinthejungle。
Hefearedthejungledayswiththeirlongexcursionsthroughthedizzytreetops。Hefearedthejunglenightswiththeirswaying，perilouscouchesfarabovetheground，andthegruntingandcoughingofthegreatcarnivoraprowlingbeneathhim。
Tarzandidnotknowwhattodo。HisheritageofEnglishbloodrendereditadifficultthingeventoconsiderasurrenderofhisproject，thoughhewasforcedtoadmittohimselfthathisbaluwasnotallthathehadhoped。
Thoughhewasfaithfultohisself-imposedtask，andevenfoundthathehadgrowntolikeGo-bu-balu，hecouldnotdeceivehimselfintobelievingthathefeltforitthatfierceheatofpassionateaffectionwhichTeekarevealedforGazan，andwhichtheblackmotherhadshownforGo-bu-balu。
ThelittleblackboyfromcringingterroratthesightofTarzanpassedbydegreesintotrustfulnessandadmiration。
Onlykindnesshadheeverreceivedatthehandsofthegreatwhitedevil-god，yethehadseenwithwhatferocityhiskindlycaptorcoulddealwithothers。Hehadseenhimleapuponacertainhe-apewhichpersistedinattemptingtoseizeandslayGo-bu-balu。Hehadseenthestrong，whiteteethoftheape-manfastenedintheneckofhisadversary，andthemightymusclestensedinbattle。
Hehadheardthesavage，bestialsnarlsandroarsofcombat，andhehadrealizedwithashudderthathecouldnotdifferentiatebetweenthoseofhisguardianandthoseofthehairyape。
HehadseenTarzanbringdownabuck，justasNuma，thelion，mighthavedone，leapinguponitsbackandfasteninghisfangsinthecreature’sneck。Tibohadshudderedatthesight，buthehadthrilled，too，andforthefirsttimethereenteredhisdull，Negroidmindavaguedesiretoemulatehissavagefosterparent。ButTibo，thelittleblackboy，lackedthedivinesparkwhichhadpermittedTarzan，thewhiteboy，tobenefitbyhistraininginthewaysofthefiercejungle。Inimaginationhewaswanting，andimaginationisbutanothernameforsuper-intelligence。
Imaginationitiswhichbuildsbridges，andcities，andempires。Thebeastsknowitnot，theblacksonlyalittle，whiletooneinahundredthousandofearth’sdominantraceitisgivenasagiftfromheaventhatmanmaynotperishfromtheearth。
WhileTarzanponderedhisproblemconcerningthefutureofhisbalu，Fatewasarrangingtotakethematteroutofhishands。Momaya，Tibo’smother，grief-strickenatthelossofherboy，hadconsultedthetribalwitch-doctor，buttonoavail。Themedicinehemadewasnotgoodmedicine，forthoughMomayapaidhimtwogoatsforit，itdidnotbringbackTibo，norevenindicatewhereshemightsearchforhimwithreasonableassuranceoffindinghim。
Momaya，beingofashorttemperandofanotherpeople，hadlittlerespectforthewitch-doctorofherhusband’stribe，andso，whenhesuggestedthatafurtherpaymentoftwomorefatgoatswoulddoubtlessenablehimtomakestrongermedicine，shepromptlyloosedhershrewishtongueuponhim，andwithsuchgoodeffectthathewasgladtotakehimselfoffwithhiszebra’stailandhispotofmagic。
WhenhehadgoneandMomayahadsucceededinpartiallysubduingheranger，shegaveherselfovertothought，asshesooftenhaddonesincetheabductionofherTibo，inthehopethatshefinallymightdiscoversomefeasiblemeansoflocatinghim，oratleastassuringherselfastowhetherhewerealiveordead。
ItwasknowntotheblacksthatTarzandidnoteatthefleshofman，forhehadslainmorethanoneoftheirnumber，yetnevertastedthefleshofany。Too，thebodiesalwayshadbeenfound，sometimesdroppingasthoughfromthecloudstoalightinthecenterofthevillage。
AsTibo’sbodyhadnotbeenfound，Momayaarguedthathestilllived，butwhere？
ThenitwasthattherecametohermindarecollectionofBukawai，theunclean，whodweltinacaveinthehillsidetothenorth，andwhoitwaswellknownentertaineddevilsinhisevillair。Few，ifany，hadthetemeritytovisitoldBukawai，firstlybecauseoffearofhisblackmagicandthetwohyenaswhodweltwithhimandwerecommonlyknowntobedevilsmasquerading，andsecondlybecauseoftheloathsomediseasewhichhadcausedBukawaitobeanoutcast——adiseasewhichwasslowlyeatingawayhisface。
NowitwasthatMomayareasonedshrewdlythatifanymightknowthewhereaboutsofherTibo，itwouldbeBukawai，whowasinfriendlyintercoursewithgodsanddemons，sinceademonoragoditwaswhohadstolenherbaby；
butevenhergreatmotherlovewassorelytaxedtofindthecouragetosendherforthintotheblackjungletowardthedistanthillsandtheuncannyabodeofBukawai，theunclean，andhisdevils。
Motherlove，however，isoneofthehumanpassionswhichcloselyapproximatestothedignityofanirresistibleforce。Itdrivesthefrailfleshofweakwomentodeedsofheroicmeasure。Momayawasneitherfrailnorweak，physically，butshewasawoman，anignorant，superstitious，Africansavage。Shebelievedindevils，inblackmagic，andinwitchcraft。ToMomaya，thejunglewasinhabitedbyfarmoreterrifyingthingsthanlionsandleopards——horrifying，namelessthingswhichpossessedthepowerofwreakingfrightfulharmundervariousinnocentguises。
Fromoneofthewarriorsofthevillage，whomsheknewtohaveoncestumbleduponthelairofBukawai，themotherofTibolearnedhowshemightfindit——nearaspringofwaterwhichroseinasmallrockycanonbetweentwohills，theeasternmostofwhichwaseasilyrecognizablebecauseofahugegraniteboulderwhichresteduponitssummit。
Thewesterlyhillwaslowerthanitscompanion，andwasquitebareofvegetationexceptforasinglemimosatreewhichgrewjustalittlebelowitssummit。
Thesetwohills，themanassuredher，couldbeseenforsomedistancebeforeshereachedthem，andtogetherformedanexcellentguidetoherdestination。
Hewarnedher，however，toabandonsofoolishanddangerousanadventure，emphasizingwhatshealreadyquitewellknew，thatifsheescapedharmatthehandsofBukawaiandhisdemons，thechanceswerethatshewouldnotbesofortunatewiththegreatcarnivoraofthejunglethroughwhichshemustpassgoingandreturning。
ThewarriorevenwenttoMomaya’shusband，who，inturn，havinglittleauthorityoverthevixenishladyofhischoice，wenttoMbonga，thechief。ThelattersummonedMomaya，threateningherwiththedirestpunishmentshouldsheventureforthuponsounholyanexcursion。Theoldchief’sinterestinthematterwasduesolelytothatage-oldalliancewhichexistsbetweenchurchandstate。
Thelocalwitch-doctor，knowinghisownmedicinebetterthananyotherknewit，wasjealousofallotherpretenderstoaccomplishmentsintheblackart。
HelonghadheardofthepowerofBukawai，andfearedlest，shouldhesucceedinrecoveringMomaya’slostchild，muchofthetribalpatronageandconsequentfeeswouldbedivertedtotheuncleanone。AsMbongareceived，aschief，acertainproportionofthewitch-doctor’sfeesandcouldexpectnothingfromBukawai，hisheartandsoulwere，quitenaturally，wrappedupintheorthodoxchurch。
ButifMomayacouldviewwithintrepidheartanexcursionintothejungleandavisittothefear-hauntedabodeofBukawai，shewasnotlikelytobedeterredbythreatsoffuturepunishmentatthehandsofoldMbonga，whomshesecretlydespised。Yetsheappearedtoaccedetohisinjunctions，returningtoherhutinsilence。
Shewouldhavepreferredstartinguponherquestbyday-light，butthiswasnowoutofthequestion，sinceshemustcarryfoodandaweaponofsomesort——thingswhichshenevercouldpassoutofthevillagewithbydaywithoutbeingsubjectedtocuriousquestioningthatsurelywouldcomeimmediatelytotheearsofMbonga。
SoMomayabidedhertimeuntilnight，andjustbeforethegatesofthevillagewereclosed，sheslippedthroughintothedarknessandthejungle。Shewasmuchfrightened，butshesetherfaceresolutelytowardthenorth，andthoughshepausedoftentolisten，breathlessly，forthehugecatswhich，here，werehergreatestterror，sheneverthelesscontinuedherwaystaunchlyforseveralhours，untilalowmoanalittletoherrightandbehindherbroughthertoasuddenstop。
Withpalpitatingheartthewomanstood，scarcedaringtobreathe，andthen，veryfaintlybutunmistakabletoherkeenears，camethestealthycrunchingoftwigsandgrassesbeneathpaddedfeet。
AllaboutMomayagrewthegianttreesofthetropicaljungle，festoonedwithhangingvinesandmosses。Sheseizeduponthenearestandstartedtoclamber，apelike，tothebranchesabove。Asshedidso，therewasasuddenrushofagreatbodybehindher，amenacingroarthatcausedtheearthtotremble，andsomethingcrashedintotheverycreeperstowhichshewasclinging——butbelowher。
Momayadrewherselftosafetyamongtheleafybranchesandthankedtheforesightwhichhadpromptedhertobringalongthedriedhumanearwhichhungfromacordaboutherneck。
Shealwayshadknownthatthatearwasgoodmedicine。
Ithadbeengivenher，whenagirl，bythewitch-doctorofhertowntribe，andwasnothinglikethepoor，weakmedicineofMbonga’switch-doctor。
AllnightMomayaclungtoherperch，foralthoughthelionsoughtotherpreyafterashorttime，shedarednotdescendintothedarknessagain，forfearshemightencounterhimoranotherofhiskind；butatdaylightsheclambereddownandresumedherway。
TarzanoftheApes，findingthathisbaluneverceasedtogiveevidenceofterrorinthepresenceoftheapesofthetribe，andalsothatmostoftheadultapeswereaconstantmenacetoGo-bu-balu’slife，sothatTarzandarednotleavehimalonewiththem，tooktohuntingwiththelittleblackboyfartherandfartherfromthestampinggroundsoftheanthropoids。
Littlebylittlehisabsencesfromthetribegrewinlengthashewanderedfartherawayfromthem，untilfinallyhefoundhimselfagreaterdistancetothenorththanheeverbeforehadhunted，andwithwaterandamplegameandfruit，hefeltnotatallinclinedtoreturntothetribe。
LittleGo-bu-balugaveevidencesofagreaterinterestinlife，aninterestwhichvariedindirectproportiontothedistancehewasfromtheapesofKerchak。
HenowtrottedalongbehindTarzanwhentheape-manwentupontheground，andinthetreesheevendidhisbesttofollowhismightyfosterparent。Theboywasstillsadandlonely。Histhin，littlebodyhadgrownsteadilythinnersincehehadcomeamongtheapes，forwhile，asayoungcannibal，hewasnotoverniceinthematterofdiet，hefounditnotalwaystohistastetostomachtheweirdthingswhichtickledthepalatesofepicuresamongtheapes。
Hislargeeyeswereverylargeindeednow，hischeekssunken，andeveryribofhisemaciatedbodyplainlydiscernibletowhomsoevershouldcaretocountthem。Constantterror，perhaps，hadhadasmuchtodowithhisphysicalconditionashadimproperfood。Tarzannoticedthechangeandwasworried。
Hehadhopedtoseehisbaluwaxsturdyandstrong。
Hisdisappointmentwasgreat。InonlyonerespectdidGo-bu-baluseemtoprogress——hereadilywasmasteringthelanguageoftheapes。EvennowheandTarzancouldconverseinafairlysatisfactorymannerbysupplementingthemeagerapespeechwithsigns；butforthemostpart，Go-bu-baluwassilentotherthantoanswerquestionsputtohim。Hisgreatsorrowwasyettoonewandtoopoignanttobelaidasideevenmomentarily。AlwayshepinedforMomaya——shrewish，hideous，repulsive，perhaps，shewouldhavebeentoyouorme，buttoTiboshewasmamma，thepersonificationofthatonegreatlovewhichknowsnoselfishnessandwhichdoesnotconsumeitselfinitsownfires。
Asthetwohunted，orratherasTarzanhuntedandGo-bu-balutaggedalonginhiswake，theape-mannoticedmanythingsandthoughtmuch。OncetheycameuponSabormoaninginthetallgrasses。Aboutherrompedandplayedtwolittleballsoffur，buthereyeswereforonewhichlaybetweenhergreatforepawsanddidnotromp，onewhoneverwouldrompagain。
Tarzanreadarighttheanguishandthesufferingofthehugemothercat。Hehadbeenmindedtobaither。Itwastodothisthathehadsneakedsilentlythroughthetreesuntilhehadcomealmostaboveher，butsomethingheldtheape-manashesawthelionessgrievingoverherdeadcub。
WiththeacquisitionofGo-bu-balu，Tarzanhadcometorealizetheresponsibilitiesandsorrowsofparentage，withoutitsjoys。HisheartwentouttoSaborasitmightnothavedoneafewweeksbefore。Ashewatchedher，thererosequiteunbiddenbeforehimavisionofMomaya，theskewerthroughtheseptumofhernose，herpendulousunderlipsaggingbeneaththeweightwhichdraggeditdown。
Tarzansawnotherunloveliness；hesawonlythesameanguishthatwasSabor’s，andhewinced。ThatstrangefunctioningofthemindwhichsometimesiscalledassociationofideassnappedTeekaandGazanbeforetheape-man’smentalvision。
WhatifoneshouldcomeandtakeGazanfromTeeka。
TarzanutteredalowandominousgrowlasthoughGazanwerehisown。Go-bu-baluglancedhereandthereapprehensively，thinkingthatTarzanhadespiedanenemy。Saborsprangsuddenlytoherfeet，heryellow-greeneyesblazing，hertaillashingasshecockedherears，andraisinghermuzzle，sniffedtheairforpossibledanger。
Thetwolittlecubs，whichhadbeenplaying，scamperedquicklytoher，andstandingbeneathher，peeredoutfrombetweenherforelegs，theirbigearsupstanding，theirlittleheadscockedfirstupononesideandthenupontheother。
Withashakeofhisblackshock，Tarzanturnedawayandresumedhishuntinginanotherdirection；butalldaythereroseoneafteranother，abovethethresholdofhisobjectivemind，memoryportraitsofSabor，ofMomaya，andofTeeka——alioness，acannibal，andashe-ape，yettotheape-mantheywereidenticalthroughmotherhood。
ItwasnoonofthethirddaywhenMomayacamewithinsightofthecaveofBukawai，theunclean。Theoldwitch-doctorhadriggedaframeworkofinterlacedboughstoclosethemouthofthecavefrompredatorybeasts。
Thiswasnowsettooneside，andtheblackcavernbeyondyawnedmysteriousandrepellent。Momayashiveredasfromacoldwindoftherainyseason。Nosignoflifeappearedaboutthecave，yetMomayaexperiencedthatuncannysensationasofunseeneyesregardinghermalevolently。
Againsheshuddered。Shetriedtoforceherunwillingfeetonwardtowardthecave，whenfromitsdepthsissuedanuncannysoundthatwasneitherbrutenorhuman，aweirdsoundthatwasakintomirthlesslaughter。
Withastifledscream，Momayaturnedandfledintothejungle。
Forahundredyardssheranbeforeshecouldcontrolherterror，andthenshepaused，listening。Wasallherlabor，werealltheterrorsanddangersthroughwhichshehadpassedtogofornaught？Shetriedtosteelherselftoreturntothecave，butagainfrightovercameher。
Saddened，disheartened，sheturnedslowlyuponthebacktrailtowardthevillageofMbonga。Heryoungshouldersnowweredroopedlikethoseofanoldwomanwhobearsagreatburdenofmanyyearswiththeiraccumulatedpainsandsorrows，andshewalkedwithtiredfeetandahaltingstep。
ThespringofyouthwasgonefromMomaya。
Foranotherhundredyardsshedraggedherwearyway，herbrainhalfparalyzedfromdumbterrorandsuffering，andthentherecametoherthememoryofalittlebabethatsuckledatherbreast，andofaslimboywhoromped，laughing，abouther，andtheywerebothTibo——herTibo！
Hershouldersstraightened。Sheshookhersavagehead，andsheturnedaboutandwalkedboldlybacktothemouthofthecaveofBukawai，theunclean——ofBukawai，thewitch-doctor。
Again，fromtheinteriorofthecavecamethehideouslaughterthatwasnotlaughter。ThistimeMomayarecognizeditforwhatitwas，thestrangecryofahyena。
Nomoredidsheshudder，butsheheldherspearreadyandcalledaloudtoBukawaitocomeout。
InsteadofBukawaicametherepulsiveheadofahyena。
Momayapokedatitwithherspear，andtheugly，sullenbrutedrewbackwithanangrygrowl。AgainMomayacalledBukawaibyname，andthistimetherecameananswerinmumblingtonesthatwerescarcemorehumanthanthoseofthebeast。
\"WhocomestoBukawai？\"queriedthevoice。
\"ItisMomaya，\"repliedthewoman；\"MomayafromthevillageofMbonga，thechief。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwantgoodmedicine，bettermedicinethanMbonga’switch-doctorcanmake，\"repliedMomaya。\"Thegreat，white，junglegodhasstolenmyTibo，andIwantmedicinetobringhimback，ortofindwhereheishiddenthatImaygoandgethim。\"
\"WhoisTibo？\"askedBukawai。
Momayatoldhim。
\"Bukawai’smedicineisverystrong，\"saidthevoice。
\"FivegoatsandanewsleepingmatarescarceenoughinexchangeforBukawai’smedicine。\"
\"Twogoatsareenough，\"saidMomaya，forthespiritofbarterisstronginthebreastsoftheblacks。
ThepleasureofhagglingoverthepricewasasufficientlypotentluretodrawBukawaitothemouthofthecave。
Momayawassorrywhenshesawhimthathehadnotremainedwithin。Therearesomethingstoohorrible，toohideous，toorepulsivefordescription——Bukawai’sfacewasofthese。WhenMomayasawhimsheunderstoodwhyitwasthathewasalmostinarticulate。
Besidehimweretwohyenas，whichrumorhadsaidwerehisonlyandconstantcompanions。Theymadeanexcellenttrio——themostrepulsiveofbeastswiththemostrepulsiveofhumans。
\"Fivegoatsandanewsleepingmat，\"mumbledBukawai。
\"Twofatgoatsandasleepingmat。\"Momayaraisedherbid；
butBukawaiwasobdurate。Hestuckforthefivegoatsandthesleepingmatforamatterofhalfanhour，whilethehyenassniffedandgrowledandlaughedhideously。
MomayawasdeterminedtogiveallthatBukawaiaskedifshecoulddonobetter，buthagglingissecondnaturetoblackbarterers，andintheenditpartlyrepaidher，foracompromisefinallywasreachedwhichincludedthreefatgoats，anewsleepingmat，andapieceofcopperwire。
\"Comebacktonight，\"saidBukawai，\"whenthemoonistwohoursinthesky。ThenwillImakethestrongmedicinewhichshallbringTibobacktoyou。Bringwithyouthethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthepieceofcopperwirethelengthofalargeman’sforearm。\"
\"Icannotbringthem，\"saidMomaya。\"Youwillhavetocomeafterthem。WhenyouhaverestoredTibotome，youshallhavethemallatthevillageofMbonga。
Bukawaishookhishead。
\"Iwillmakenomedicine，\"hesaid，\"untilIhavethegoatsandthematandthecopperwire。\"
Momayapleadedandthreatened，butalltonoavail。
Finally，sheturnedawayandstartedoffthroughthejungletowardthevillageofMbonga。HowshecouldgetthreegoatsandasleepingmatoutofthevillageandthroughthejungletothecaveofBukawai，shedidnotknow，butthatshewoulddoitsomehowshewasquitepositive——shewoulddoitordie。Tibomustberestoredtoher。
TarzancominglazilythroughthejunglewithlittleGo-bu-balu，caughtthescentofBara，thedeer。TarzanhungeredforthefleshofBara。Naughttickledhispalatesogreatly；
buttostalkBarawithGo-bu-baluathisheels，wasoutofthequestion，sohehidthechildinthecrotchofatreewherethethickfoliagescreenedhimfromview，andsetoffswiftlyandsilentlyuponthespoorofBara。
TiboalonewasmoreterrifiedthanTiboevenamongtheapes。
Realandapparentdangersarelessdisconcertingthanthosewhichweimagine，andonlythegodsofhispeopleknewhowmuchTiboimagined。
Hehadbeenbutashorttimeinhishidingplacewhenheheardsomethingapproachingthroughthejungle。
HecrouchedclosertothelimbuponwhichhelayandprayedthatTarzanwouldreturnquickly。Hiswideeyessearchedthejungleinthedirectionofthemovingcreature。
Whatifitwasaleopardthathadcaughthisscent！Itwouldbeuponhiminaminute。HottearsflowedfromthelargeeyesoflittleTibo。Thecurtainofjunglefoliagerustledcloseathand。Thethingwasbutafewpacesfromhistree！
Hiseyesfairlypoppedfromhisblackfaceashewatchedfortheappearanceofthedreadcreaturewhichpresentlywouldthrustasnarlingcountenancefrombetweenthevinesandcreepers。
Andthenthecurtainpartedandawomansteppedintofullview。Withagaspingcry，Tibotumbledfromhisperchandracedtowardher。Momayasuddenlystartedbackandraisedherspear，butasecondlatershecastitasideandcaughtthethinbodyinherstrongarms。
Crushingittoher，shecriedandlaughedallatoneandthesametime，andhottearsofjoy，mingledwiththetearsofTibo，trickleddownthecreasebetweenhernakedbreasts。
Disturbedbythenoisesocloseathand，therearosefromhissleepinanear-bythicketNuma，thelion。
Helookedthroughthetangledunderbrushandsawtheblackwomanandheryoung。Helickedhischopsandmeasuredthedistancebetweenthemandhimself。
Ashortchargeandalongleapwouldcarryhimuponthem。
Heflickedtheendofhistailandsighed。
Avagrantbreeze，swirlingsuddenlyinthewrongdirection，carriedthescentofTarzantothesensitivenostrilsofBara，thedeer。Therewasastartledtensingofmusclesandcockingofears，asuddendash，andTarzan’smeatwasgone。Theape-manangrilyshookhisheadandturnedbacktowardthespotwherehehadleftGo-bu-balu。Hecamesoftly，aswashisway。Beforehereachedthespotheheardstrangesounds——thesoundofawomanlaughingandofawomanweeping，andthetwowhichseemedtocomefromonethroatweremingledwiththeconvulsivesobbingofachild。Tarzanhastened，andwhenTarzanhastened，onlythebirdsandthewindwentfaster。
AndasTarzanapproachedthesounds，heheardanother，adeepsigh。Momayadidnothearit，nordidTibo；
buttheearsofTarzanwereastheearsofBara，thedeer。
Heheardthesigh，andheknew，soheunloosedtheheavyspearwhichdangledathisback。Evenashespedthroughthebranchesofthetrees，withthesameeasethatyouorImighttakeoutapockethandkerchiefaswestrollednonchalantlydownalazycountrylane，TarzanoftheApestookthespearfromitsthongthatitmightbereadyagainstanyemergency。
Numa，thelion，didnotrushmadlytoattack。
Hereasonedagain，andreasontoldhimthatalreadythepreywashis，sohepushedhisgreatbulkthroughthefoliageandstoodeyeinghismeatwithbaleful，glaringeyes。
Momayasawhimandshrieked，drawingTiboclosertoherbreast。
Tohavefoundherchildandtolosehim，allinamoment！
Sheraisedherspear，throwingherhandfarbackofhershoulder。Numaroaredandsteppedslowlyforward。
Momayacastherweapon。Itgrazedthetawnyshoulder，inflictingafleshwoundwhicharousedalltheterrificbestialityofthecarnivore，andthelioncharged。
Momayatriedtoclosehereyes，butcouldnot。Shesawtheflashingswiftnessofthehuge，oncomingdeath，andthenshesawsomethingelse。Shesawamighty，nakedwhitemandropasfromtheheavensintothepathofthecharginglion。Shesawthemusclesofagreatarmflashinthelightoftheequatorialsunasitfiltered，dappling，throughthefoliageabove。Shesawaheavyhuntingspearhurtlethroughtheairtomeetthelioninmidleap。
Numabroughtupuponhishaunches，roaringterriblyandstrikingatthespearwhichprotrudedfromhisbreast。Hisgreatblowsbentandtwistedtheweapon。Tarzan，crouchingandwithhuntingknifeinhand，circledwarilyaboutthefrenziedcat。
Momaya，wide-eyed，stoodrootedtothespot，watching，fascinated。
InsuddenfuryNumahurledhimselftowardtheape-man，butthewirycreatureeludedtheblunderingcharge，side-steppingquicklyonlytorushinuponhisfoe。
Twicethehuntingbladeflashedintheair。TwiceitfelluponthebackofNuma，alreadyweakeningfromthespearpointsonearhisheart。Thesecondstrokeofthebladepiercedfarintothebeast’sspine，andwithalastconvulsivesweepofthefore-paws，inavainattempttoreachhistormentor，Numasprawledupontheground，paralyzedanddying。
Bukawai，fearfullestheshouldloseanyrecompense，followedMomayawiththeintentionofpersuadinghertopartwithherornamentsofcopperandironagainstherreturnwiththepriceofthemedicine——topay，asitwere，foranoptiononhisservicesasonepaysaretainingfeetoanattorney，for，likeanattorney，Bukawaiknewthevalueofhismedicineandthatitwaswelltocollectasmuchaspossibleinadvance。
Thewitch-doctorcameuponthesceneasTarzanleapedtomeetthelion’scharge。Hesawitallandmarveled，guessingimmediatelythatthismustbethestrangewhitedemonconcerningwhomhehadheardvaguerumorsbeforeMomayacametohim。
Momaya，nowthatthelionwaspastharmingherorhers，gazedwithnewterroruponTarzan。ItwashewhohadstolenherTibo。Doubtlesshewouldattempttostealhimagain。
Momayahuggedtheboyclosetoher。ShewasdeterminedtodiethistimeratherthansufferTibotobetakenfromheragain。
Tarzaneyedtheminsilence。Thesightoftheboyclinging，sobbing，tohismotherarousedwithinhissavagebreastamelancholyloneliness。TherewasnonethustoclingtoTarzan，whoyearnedsofortheloveofsomeone，ofsomething。
AtlastTibolookedup，becauseofthequietthathadfallenuponthejungle，andsawTarzan。Hedidnotshrink。
\"Tarzan，\"hesaid，inthespeechofthegreatapesofthetribeofKerchak，\"donottakemefromMomaya，mymother。
Donottakemeagaintothelairofthehairy，treemen，forIfearTaugandGuntoandtheothers。LetmestaywithMomaya，OTarzan，GodoftheJungle！LetmestaywithMomaya，mymother，andtotheendofourdayswewillblessyouandputfoodbeforethegatesofthevillageofMbongathatyoumayneverhunger。\"
Tarzansighed。
\"Go，\"hesaid，\"backtothevillageofMbonga，andTarzanwillfollowtoseethatnoharmbefallsyou。\"
Tibotranslatedthewordstohismother，andthetwoturnedtheirbacksupontheape-manandstartedofftowardhome。
IntheheartofMomayawasagreatfearandagreatexultation，forneverbeforehadshewalkedwithGod，andneverhadshebeensohappy。ShestrainedlittleTibotoher，strokinghisthincheek。Tarzansawandsighedagain。
\"ForTeekathereisTeeka’sbalu，\"hesoliloquized；
\"forSabortherearebalus，andfortheshe-Gomangani，andforBara，andforManu，andevenforPamba，therat；
butforTarzantherecanbenone——neitherashenorabalu。
TarzanoftheApesisaman，anditmustbethatmanwalksalone。\"
Bukawaisawthemgo，andhemumbledthroughhisrottingface，swearingagreatoaththathewouldyethavethethreefatgoats，thenewsleepingmat，andthebitofcopperwire。
6
TheWitch-DoctorSeeksVengeanceLORDGREYSTOKEwashunting，or，tobemoreaccurate，hewasshootingpheasantsatChamston-Hedding。LordGreystokewasimmaculatelyandappropriatelygarbed——totheminutestdetailhewasvogue。Tobesure，hewasamongtheforwardguns，notbeingconsideredasportingshot，butwhathelackedinskillhemorethanmadeupinappearance。Attheendofthedayhewould，doubtless，havemanybirdstohiscredit，sincehehadtwogunsandasmartloader——manymorebirdsthanhecouldeatinayear，evenhadhebeenhungry，whichhewasnot，havingbutjustarisenfromthebreakfasttable。
Thebeaters——thereweretwenty-threeofthem，inwhitesmocks——hadbutjustdriventhebirdsintoapatchofgorse，andwerenowcirclingtotheoppositesidethattheymightdrivedowntowardtheguns。LordGreystokewasquiteasexcitedasheeverpermittedhimselftobecome。
Therewasanexhilarationinthesportthatwouldnotbedenied。Hefelthisbloodtinglingthroughhisveinsasthebeatersapproachedcloserandclosertothebirds。
InavagueandstupidsortofwayLordGreystokefelt，ashealwaysfeltuponsuchoccasions，thathewasexperiencingasensationsomewhatakintoareversiontoaprehistorictype——thatthebloodofanancientforbearwascoursinghotthroughhim，ahairy，half-nakedforbearwhohadlivedbythehunt。
AndfarawayinamattedequatorialjungleanotherLordGreystoke，therealLordGreystoke，hunted。Bythestandardswhichheknew，he，too，wasvogue——utterlyvogue，aswastheprimalancestorbeforethefirsteviction。
Thedaybeingsultry，theleopardskinhadbeenleftbehind。
TherealLordGreystokehadnottwoguns，tobesure，norevenone，neitherdidhehaveasmartloader；buthepossessedsomethinginfinitelymoreefficaciousthanguns，orloaders，oreventwenty-threebeatersinwhitesmocks——hepossessedanappetite，anuncannywoodcraft，andmusclesthatwereassteelsprings。
Laterthatday，inEngland，aLordGreystokeatebountifullyofthingshehadnotkilled，andhedrankotherthingswhichwereuncorkedtotheaccompanimentofmuchnoise。
Hepattedhislipswithsnowylinentoremovethefainttracesofhisrepast，quiteignorantofthefactthathewasanimpostorandthattherightfulownerofhisnobletitlewaseventhenfinishinghisowndinnerinfar-offAfrica。
Hewasnotusingsnowylinen，though。Insteadhedrewthebackofabrownforearmandhandacrosshismouthandwipedhisbloodyfingersuponhisthighs。Thenhemovedslowlythroughthejungletothedrinkingplace，where，uponallfours，hedrankasdrankhisfellows，theotherbeastsofthejungle。
Ashequenchedhisthirst，anotherdenizenofthegloomyforestapproachedthestreamalongthepathbehindhim。
ItwasNuma，thelion，tawnyofbodyandblackofmane，scowlingandsinister，rumblingoutlow，coughingroars。
TarzanoftheApesheardhimlongbeforehecamewithinsight，buttheape-manwentonwithhisdrinkinguntilhehadhadhisfill；thenhearose，slowly，withtheeasygraceofacreatureofthewildsandallthequietdignitythatwashisbirthright。
Numahaltedashesawthemanstandingattheveryspotwherethekingwoulddrink。Hisjawswereparted，andhiscrueleyesgleamed。Hegrowledandadvancedslowly。
Themangrowled，too，backingslowlytooneside，andwatching，notthelion’sface，butitstail。
Shouldthatcommencetomovefromsidetosideinquick，nervousjerks，itwouldbewelltobeuponthealert，andshoulditrisesuddenlyerect，straightandstiff，thenonemightpreparetofightorflee；butitdidneither，soTarzanmerelybackedawayandthelioncamedownanddrankscarcefiftyfeetfromwherethemanstood。
Tomorrowtheymightbeatoneanother’sthroats，buttodaythereexistedoneofthosestrangeandinexplicabletruceswhichsooftenareseenamongthesavageonesofthejungle。
BeforeNumahadfinisheddrinking，Tarzanhadreturnedintotheforest，andwasswingingawayinthedirectionofthevillageofMbonga，theblackchief。
Ithadbeenatleastamoonsincetheape-manhadcalledupontheGomangani。NotsincehehadrestoredlittleTibotohisgrief-strickenmotherhadthewhimseizedhimtodoso。
TheincidentoftheadoptedbaluwasaclosedonetoTarzan。
HehadsoughttofindsomethinguponwhichtolavishsuchanaffectionasTeekalavisheduponherbalu，butashortexperienceofthelittleblackboyhadmadeitquiteplaintotheape-manthatnosuchsentimentcouldexistbetweenthem。
ThefactthathehadforatimetreatedthelittleblackashemighthavetreatedarealbaluofhisownhadinnowayalteredthevengefulsentimentswithwhichheconsideredthemurderersofKala。TheGomanganiwerehisdeadlyenemies，norcouldtheyeverbeaughtelse。