Theothers，steppingwarily，approachedtheirleader。
Numaselectedasleek，fatfillyandhisflamingeyesburnedgreedilyastheyfeasteduponher，forNuma，thelion，lovesscarceanythingbetterthanthemeatofPacco，perhapsbecausePaccois，ofallthegrass-eaters，themostdifficulttocatch。
Slowlythelionrose，andasherose，atwigsnappedbeneathoneofhisgreat，paddedpaws。Likeashotfromariflehechargeduponthefilly；butthesnappedtwighadbeenenoughtostartlethetimorousquarry，sothattheywereininstantflightsimultaneouslywithNuma’scharge。
Thestallionwaslast，andwithaprodigiousleap，thelioncatapultedthroughtheairtoseizehim；
butthesnappingtwighadrobbedNumaofhisdinner，thoughhismightytalonsrakedthezebra’sglossyrump，leavingfourcrimsonbarsacrossthebeautifulcoat。
ItwasanangryNumathatquittedtheriverandprowled，fierce，dangerous，andhungry，intothejungle。
Farfromparticularnowwashisappetite。EvenDango，thehyena，wouldhaveseemedatidbittothatravenousmaw。
AndinthistemperitwasthatthelioncameuponthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape。
OnedoesnotlookforNuma，thelion，thislateinthemorning。
Heshouldbelyingupasleepbesidehislastnight’skillbynow；butNumahadmadenokilllastnight。
Hewasstillhunting，hungrierthanever。
Theanthropoidswereidlingabouttheclearing，thefirstkeendesireofthemorning’shungerhavingbeensatisfied。
Numascentedthemlongbeforehesawthem。Ordinarilyhewouldhaveturnedawayinsearchofothergame，forevenNumarespectedthemightymusclesandthesharpfangsofthegreatbullsofthetribeofKerchak，buttodayhekeptonsteadilytowardthem，hisbristledsnoutwrinkledintoasavagesnarl。
Withoutaninstant’shesitation，Numachargedthemomenthereachedapointfromwheretheapeswerevisibletohim。Therewereadozenormoreofthehairy，manlikecreaturesuponthegroundinalittleglade。
Inatreeatonesidesatabrown-skinnedyouth。
HesawNuma’sswiftcharge；hesawtheapesturnandflee，hugebullstramplinguponlittlebalus；onlyasinglesheheldhergroundtomeetthecharge，ayoungsheinspiredbynewmotherhoodtothegreatsacrificethatherbalumightescape。
Tarzanleapedfromhisperch，screamingattheflyingbullsbeneathandatthosewhosquattedinthesafetyofsurroundingtrees。Hadthebullsstoodtheirground，Numawouldnothavecarriedthroughthatchargeunlessgoadedbygreatrageorthegnawingpangsofstarvation。
Eventhenhewouldnothavecomeoffunscathed。
Ifthebullsheard，theyweretooslowinresponding，forNumahadseizedthemotherapeanddraggedherintothejunglebeforethemaleshadsufficientlycollectedtheirwitsandtheircouragetorallyindefenseoftheirfellow。
Tarzan’sangryvoicearousedsimilarangerinthebreastsoftheapes。SnarlingandbarkingtheyfollowedNumaintothedenselabyrinthoffoliagewhereinhesoughttohidehimselffromthem。Theape-manwasinthelead，movingrapidlyandyetwithcaution，dependingevenmoreuponhisearsandnosethanuponhiseyesforinformationofthelion’swhereabouts。
Thespoorwaseasytofollow，forthedraggedbodyofthevictimleftaplaintrail，blood-spatteredandscentful。
EvensuchdullcreaturesasyouorImighteasilyhavefollowedit。ToTarzanandtheapesofKerchakitwasasobviousasacementsidewalk。
Tarzanknewthattheywerenearingthegreatcatevenbeforeheheardanangrygrowlofwarningjustahead。
Callingtotheapestofollowhisexample，heswungintoatreeandamomentlaterNumawassurroundedbyaringofgrowlingbeasts，welloutofreachofhisfangsandtalonsbutwithinplainsightofhim。Thecarnivorecrouchedwithhisfore-quartersupontheshe-ape。Tarzancouldseethatthelatterwasalreadydead；butsomethingwithinhimmadeitseemquitenecessarytorescuetheuselessbodyfromtheclutchesoftheenemyandtopunishhim。
HeshriekedtauntsandinsultsatNuma，andtearingdeadbranchesfromthetreeinwhichhedanced，hurledthematthelion。Theapesfollowedhisexample。
Numaroaredoutinrageandvexation。Hewashungry，butundersuchconditionshecouldnotfeed。
Theapes，iftheyhadbeenlefttothemselves，woulddoubtlesssoonhavelefttheliontopeacefulenjoymentofhisfeast，forwasnottheshedead？TheycouldnotrestorehertolifebythrowingsticksatNuma，andtheymightevennowbefeedinginquietthemselves；
butTarzanwasofadifferentmind。Numamustbepunishedanddrivenaway。HemustbetaughtthateventhoughhekilledaMangani，hewouldnotbepermittedtofeeduponhiskill。Theman-mindlookedintothefuture，whiletheapesperceivedonlytheimmediatepresent。
TheywouldbecontenttoescapetodaythemenaceofNuma，whileTarzansawthenecessity，andthemeansaswell，ofsafeguardingthedaystocome。
SoheurgedthegreatanthropoidsonuntilNumawasshoweredwithmissilesthatkepthisheaddodgingandhisvoicepealingforthitssavageprotest；
butstillheclungdesperatelytohiskill。
ThetwigsandbrancheshurledatNuma，Tarzansoonrealized，didnothurthimgreatlyevenwhentheystruckhim，anddidnotinjurehimatall，sotheape-manlookedaboutformoreeffectivemissiles，nordidhehavetolooklong。
Anout-croppingofdecomposedgranitenotfarfromNumasuggestedammunitionofamuchmorepainfulnature。
Callingtotheapestowatchhim，Tarzanslippedtothegroundandgatheredahandfulofsmallfragments。
Heknewthatwhenoncetheyhadseenhimcarryouthisideatheywouldbemuchquickertofollowhisleadthantoobeyhisinstructions，werehetocommandthemtoprocurepiecesofrockandhurlthematNuma，forTarzanwasnotthenkingoftheapesofthetribeofKerchak。
Thatcameinlateryears。Nowhewasbutayouth，thoughonewhoalreadyhadwrestedforhimselfaplaceinthecouncilsofthesavagebeastsamongwhomastrangefatehadcasthim。
Thesullenbullsoftheoldergenerationstillhatedhimasbeastshatethoseofwhomtheyaresuspicious，whosescentcharacteristicisthescentcharacteristicofanalienorderand，therefore，ofanenemyorder。
Theyoungerbulls，thosewhohadgrownupthroughchildhoodashisplaymates，wereasaccustomedtoTarzan’sscentastothatofanyothermemberofthetribe。
Theyfeltnogreatersuspicionofhimthanofanyotherbulloftheiracquaintance；yettheydidnotlovehim，fortheylovednoneoutsidethematingseason，andtheanimositiesarousedbyotherbullsduringthatseasonlastedwelloveruntilthenext。Theywereamoroseandpeevishbandatbest，thoughhereandtherewerethoseamongtheminwhomgerminatedtheprimalseedsofhumanity——reversionstotype，these，doubtless；reversionstotheancientprogenitorwhotookthefirststepoutofape-hoodtowardhumanness，whenhewalkedmoreoftenuponhishindfeetanddiscoveredotherthingsforidlehandstodo。
SonowTarzanledwherehecouldnotyetcommand。
Hehadlongsincediscoveredtheapishpropensityformimicryandlearnedtomakeuseofit。Havingfilledhisarmswithfragmentsofrottedgranite，heclamberedagainintoatree，anditpleasedhimtoseethattheapeshadfollowedhisexample。
Duringthebriefrespitewhiletheyweregatheringtheirammunition，Numahadsettledhimselftofeed；
butscarcehadhearrangedhimselfandhiskillwhenasharppieceofrockhurledbythepracticedhandoftheape-manstruckhimuponthecheek。Hissuddenroarofpainandragewassmotheredbyavolleyfromtheapes，whohadseenTarzan’sact。Numashookhismassiveheadandglaredupwardathistormentors。Forahalfhourtheypursuedhimwithrocksandbrokenbranches，andthoughhedraggedhiskillintodensestthickets，yettheyalwaysfoundawaytoreachhimwiththeirmissiles，givinghimnoopportunitytofeed，anddrivinghimonandon。
Thehairlessape-thingwiththemanscentwasworstofall，forhehadeventhetemeritytoadvanceuponthegroundtowithinafewyardsoftheLordoftheJungle，thathemightwithgreateraccuracyandforcehurlthesharpbitsofgraniteandtheheavysticksathim。TimeandagaindidNumacharge——sudden，viciouscharges——butthelithe，activetormentoralwaysmanagedtoeludehimandwithsuchinsolenteasethatthelionforgotevenhisgreathungerintheconsumingpassionofhisrage，leavinghismeatforconsiderablespacesoftimeinvaineffortstocatchhisenemy。
TheapesandTarzanpursuedthegreatbeasttoanaturalclearing，whereNumaevidentlydeterminedtomakealaststand，takinguphispositioninthecenteroftheopenspace，whichwasfarenoughfromanytreetorenderhimpracticallyimmunefromtherathererraticthrowingoftheapes，thoughTarzanstillfoundhimwithmostpersistentandaggravatingfrequency。
This，however，didnotsuittheape-man，sinceNumanowsufferedanoccasionalmissilewithnomorethanasnarl，whilehesettledhimselftopartakeofhisdelayedfeast。
Tarzanscratchedhishead，ponderingsomemoreeffectivemethodofoffense，forhehaddeterminedtopreventNumafromprofitinginanywaythroughhisattackuponthetribe。
Theman-mindreasonedagainstthefuture，whiletheshaggyapesthoughtonlyoftheirpresenthatredofthisancestralenemy。TarzanguessedthatshouldNumafinditaneasythingtosnatchamealfromthetribeofKerchak，itwouldbebutashorttimebeforetheirexistencewouldbeonelivingnightmareofhideouswatchfulnessanddread。
Numamustbetaughtthatthekillingofanapebroughtimmediatepunishmentandnorewards。Itwouldtakebutafewlessonstoinsuretheformersafetyofthetribe。
Thismustbesomeoldlionwhosefailingstrengthandagilityhadforcedhimtoanypreythathecouldcatch；
butevenasinglelion，undisputed，couldexterminatethetribe，oratleastmakeitsexistencesoprecariousandsoterrifyingthatlifewouldnolongerbeapleasantcondition。
\"LethimhuntamongtheGomangani，\"thoughtTarzan。
\"Hewillfindthemeasierprey。IwillteachferociousNumathathemaynothunttheMangani。\"
Buthowtowrestthebodyofhisvictimfromthefeedinglionwasthefirstquestiontobesolved。
AtlastTarzanhituponaplan。ToanyonebutTarzanoftheApesitmighthaveseemedratherariskyplan，andperhapsitdideventohim；butTarzanratherlikedthingsthatcontainedaconsiderableelementofdanger。
Atanyrate，IratherdoubtthatyouorIwouldhavechosenasimilarplanforfoilinganangryandahungrylion。
Tarzanrequiredassistanceintheschemehehadhituponandhisassistantmustbeequallyasbraveandalmostasactiveashe。Theape-man’seyesfelluponTaug，theplaymateofhischildhood，therivalinhisfirstloveandnow，ofallthebullsofthetribe，theonlyonethatmightbethoughttoholdinhissavagebrainanysuchfeelingtowardTarzanaswedescribeamongourselvesasfriendship。Atleast，Tarzanknew，Taugwascourageous，andhewasyoungandagileandwonderfullymuscled。
\"Taug！\"criedtheape-man。Thegreatapelookedupfromadeadlimbhewasattemptingtotearfromalightning-blastedtree。
\"GoclosetoNumaandworryhim，\"saidTarzan。\"Worryhimuntilhecharges。LeadhimawayfromthebodyofMamka。
Keephimawayaslongasyoucan。\"
Taugnodded。HewasacrosstheclearingfromTarzan。
WrestingthelimbatlastfromthetreehedroppedtothegroundandadvancedtowardNuma，growlingandbarkingouthisinsults。Theworriedlionlookedupandrosetohisfeet。
HistailwentstifflyerectandTaugturnedinflight，forheknewthatwarmingsignalofthecharge。
Frombehindthelion，TarzanranquicklytowardthecenteroftheclearingandthebodyofMamka。Numa，allhiseyesforTaug，didnotseetheape-man。Insteadheshotforwardafterthefleeingbull，whohadturnedinflightnotaninstanttoosoon，sincehereachedthenearesttreebutayardortwoaheadofthepursuingdemon。
Likeacattheheavyanthropoidscampereduptheboleofhissanctuary。Numa’stalonsmissedhimbylittlemorethaninches。
Foramomentthelionpausedbeneaththetree，glaringupattheapeandroaringuntiltheearthtrembled，thenheturnedbackagaintowardhiskill，andashedidso，histailshotoncemoretorigiderectnessandhechargedbackevenmoreferociouslythanhehadcome，forwhathesawwasthenakedman-thingrunningtowardthefarthertreeswiththebloodycarcassofhispreyacrossagiantshoulder。
Theapes，watchingthegrimracefromthesafetyofthetrees，screamedtauntsatNumaandwarningstoTarzan。
Thehighsun，hotandbrilliant，felllikeaspotlightupontheactorsinthelittleclearing，portrayingtheminglaringrelieftotheaudienceintheleafyshadowsofthesurroundingtrees。Thelight-brownbodyofthenakedyouth，allbuthiddenbytheshaggycarcassofthekilledape，theredbloodstreakinghissmoothhide，hismusclesrolling，velvety，beneath。Behindhimtheblack-manedlion，headflattened，tailextended，racing，ajunglethoroughbred，acrossthesunlitclearing。
Ah，butthiswaslife！Withdeathathisheels，Tarzanthrilledwiththejoyofsuchlivingasthis；
butwouldhereachthetreesaheadoftherampantdeathsoclosebehind？
Guntoswungfromalimbinatreebeforehim。Guntowasscreamingwarningsandadvice。
\"Catchme！\"criedTarzan，andwithhisheavyburdenleapedstraightforthebigbullhangingtherebyhishindfeetandoneforepaw。AndGuntocaughtthem——thebigape-manandthedeadweightoftheslainshe-ape——caughtthemwithonegreat，hairypawandwhirledthemupwarduntilTarzan’sfingerscloseduponanear-bybranch。
Beneath，Numaleaped；butGunto，heavyandawkwardashemayhaveappeared，wasasquickasManu，themonkey，sothatthelion’stalonsbutbarelygrazedhim，scratchingabloodystreakbeneathonehairyarm。
TarzancarriedMamka’scorpsetoahighcrotch，whereevenSheeta，thepanther，couldnotgetit。Numapacedangrilybackandforthbeneaththetree，roaringfrightfully。
Hehadbeenrobbedofhiskillandhisrevengealso。
Hewasverysavageindeed；buthisdespoilerswerewelloutofhisreach，andafterhurlingafewtauntsandmissilesathimtheyswungawaythroughthetrees，fiercelyrevilinghim。
Tarzanthoughtmuchuponthelittleadventureofthatday。
HeforesawwhatmighthappenshouldthegreatcarnivoraofthejungleturntheirseriousattentionuponthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape，butequallyhethoughtuponthewildscrambleoftheapesforsafetywhenNumafirstchargedamongthem。Thereislittlehumorinthejunglethatisnotgrimandawful。Thebeastshavelittleornoconceptionofhumor；buttheyoungEnglishmansawhumorinmanythingswhichpresentednohumorousangletohisassociates。
Sinceearliestchildhoodhehadbeenasearcherafterfun，muchtothesorrowofhisfellow-apes，andnowhesawthehumorofthefrightenedpanicoftheapesandthebaffledrageofNumaeveninthisgrimjungleadventurewhichhadrobbedMamkaoflife，andjeopardizedthatofmanymembersofthetribe。
ItwasbutafewweekslaterthatSheeta，thepanther，madeasuddenrushamongthetribeandsnatchedalittlebalufromatreewhereithadbeenhiddenwhileitsmothersoughtfood。Sheetagotawaywithhissmallprizeunmolested。
Tarzanwasverywroth。HespoketothebullsoftheeasewithwhichNumaandSheeta，inasinglemoon，hadslaintwomembersofthetribe。
\"Theywilltakeusallforfood，\"hecried。\"Wehuntaswewillthroughthejungle，payingnoheedtoapproachingenemies。EvenManu，themonkey，doesnotso。
Hekeepstwoorthreealwayswatchingforenemies。
Pacco，thezebra，andWappi，theantelope，havethoseabouttheherdwhokeepwatchwhiletheothersfeed，whilewe，thegreatMangani，letNuma，andSabor，andSheetacomewhentheywillandcarryusofftofeedtheirbalus。
\"Gr-r-rmph，\"saidNumgo。
\"Whatarewetodo？\"askedTaug。
\"We，too，shouldhavetwoorthreealwayswatchingfortheapproachofNuma，andSabor，andSheeta，\"repliedTarzan。
\"Noothersneedwefear，exceptHistah，thesnake，andifwewatchfortheotherswewillseeHistahifhecomes，thoughglidingeversosilently。\"
AndsoitwasthatthegreatapesofthetribeofKerchakpostedsentriesthereafter，whowatcheduponthreesideswhilethetribehunted，scatteredlessthanhadbeentheirwont。
ButTarzanwentabroadalone，forTarzanwasaman-thingandsoughtamusementandadventureandsuchhumorasthegrimandterriblejungleofferstothosewhoknowitanddonotfearit——aweirdhumorshotwithblazingeyesanddappledwiththecrimsonoflifeblood。Whileotherssoughtonlyfoodandlove，TarzanoftheApessoughtfoodandjoy。
OnedayhehoveredabovethepalisadedvillageofMbonga，thechief，thejetcannibalofthejungleprimeval。
Hesaw，ashehadseenmanytimesbefore，thewitch-doctor，RabbaKega，deckedoutintheheadandhideofGorgo，thebuffalo。ItamusedTarzantoseeaGomanganiparadingasGorgo；butitsuggestednothinginparticulartohimuntilhechancedtoseestretchedagainstthesideofMbonga’shuttheskinofalionwiththeheadstillon。
Thenabroadgrinwidenedthehandsomefaceofthesavagebeast-youth。
Backintothejunglehewentuntilchance，agility，strength，andcunningbackedbyhismarvelouspowersofperception，gavehimaneasymeal。IfTarzanfeltthattheworldowedhimalivinghealsorealizedthatitwasforhimtocollectit，norwasthereeverabettercollectorthanthissonofanEnglishlord，whoknewevenlessofthewaysofhisforbearsthanhedidoftheforbearsthemselves，whichwasnothing。
ItwasquitedarkwhenTarzanreturnedtothevillageofMbongaandtookhisnowpolishedperchinthetreewhichoverhangsthepalisadeupononesideofthewalledenclosure。Astherewasnothinginparticulartofeastuponinthevillagetherewaslittlelifeinthesinglestreet，foronlyanorgyoffleshandnativebeercoulddrawoutthepeopleofMbonga。
Tonighttheysatgossipingabouttheircookingfires，theoldermembersofthetribe；or，iftheywereyoung，pairedoffintheshadowscastbythepalm-thatchedhuts。
Tarzandroppedlightlyintothevillage，andsneakingstealthilyintheconcealmentofthedensershadows，approachedthehutofthechief，Mbonga。Herehefoundthatwhichhesought。Therewerewarriorsallabouthim；
buttheydidnotknowthatthefeareddevil-godslunknoiselesslysonearthem，nordidtheyseehimpossesshimselfofthatwhichhecovetedanddepartfromtheirvillageasnoiselesslyashehadcome。
Laterthatnight，asTarzancurledhimselfforsleep，helayforalongtimelookingupattheburningplanetsandthetwinklingstarsandatGorothemoon，andhesmiled。
HerecalledhowludicrousthegreatbullshadappearedintheirmadscrambleforsafetythatdaywhenNumahadchargedamongthemandseizedMamka，andyetheknewthemtobefierceandcourageous。Itwasthesuddenshockofsurprisethatalwayssentthemintoapanic；
butofthisTarzanwasnotasyetfullyaware。Thatwassomethinghewastolearninthenearfuture。
Hefellasleepwithabroadgrinuponhisface。
Manu，themonkey，awokehiminthemorningbydroppingdiscardedbeanpodsuponhisupturnedfacefromabranchashortdistanceabovehim。Tarzanlookedupandsmiled。
Hehadbeenawakenedthusbeforemanytimes。HeandManuwerefairlygoodfriends，theirfriendshipoperatinguponareciprocalbasis。SometimesManuwouldcomerunningearlyinthemorningtoawakenTarzanandtellhimthatBara，thedeer，wasfeedingcloseathand，orthatHorta，theboar，wasasleepinamudholehardby，andinreturnTarzanbrokeopentheshellsofthehardernutsandfruitsforManu，orfrightenedawayHistah，thesnake，andSheeta，thepanther。
Thesunhadbeenupforsometime，andthetribehadalreadywanderedoffinsearchoffood。Manuindicatedthedirectiontheyhadtakenwithawaveofhishandandafewpipingnotesofhissqueakylittlevoice。
\"Come，Manu，\"saidTarzan，\"andyouwillseethatwhichshallmakeyoudanceforjoyandsquealyourwrinkledlittleheadoff。Come，followTarzanoftheApes。\"
WiththathesetoffinthedirectionManuhadindicatedandabovehim，chattering，scoldingandsquealing，skippedManu，themonkey。AcrossTarzan’sshoulderswasthethinghehadstolenfromthevillageofMbonga，thechief，theeveningbefore。
ThetribewasfeedingintheforestbesidetheclearingwhereGunto，andTaug，andTarzanhadsoharassedNumaandfinallytakenawayfromhimthefruitofhiskill。
Someofthemwereintheclearingitself。Inpeaceandcontenttheyfed，forweretherenotthreesentries，eachwatchinguponadifferentsideoftheherd？Tarzanhadtaughtthemthis，andthoughhehadbeenawayforseveraldayshuntingalone，asheoftendid，orvisitingatthecabinbythesea，theyhadnotasyetforgottenhisadmonitions，andiftheycontinuedforashorttimelongertopostsentries，itwouldbecomeahabitoftheirtriballifeandthusbeperpetuatedindefinitely。
ButTarzan，whoknewthembetterthantheyknewthemselves，wasconfidentthattheyhadceasedtoplacethewatchersaboutthemthemomentthathehadleftthem，andnowheplannednotonlytohavealittlefunattheirexpensebuttoteachthemalessoninpreparedness，which，bytheway，isevenamorevitalissueinthejunglethanincivilizedplaces。
ThatyouandIexisttodaymustbeduetothepreparednessofsomeshaggyanthropoidoftheOligocene。OfcoursetheapesofKerchakwerealwaysprepared，aftertheirownway——Tarzanhadmerelysuggestedanewandadditionalsafeguard。
Guntowaspostedtodaytothenorthoftheclearing。
Hesquattedintheforkofatreefromwherehemightviewthejungleforquiteadistanceabouthim。
Itwashewhofirstdiscoveredtheenemy。Arustlingintheundergrowthattractedhisattention，andamomentlaterhehadapartialviewofashaggymaneandtawnyyellowback。Justaglimpseitwasthroughthemattedfoliagebeneathhim；butitbroughtfromGunto’sleathernlungsashrill\"Kreeg-ah！\"whichistheapeforbeware，ordanger。
Instantlythetribetookupthecryuntil\"Kreeg-ahs！\"rangthroughthejungleabouttheclearingasapesswungquicklytoplacesofsafetyamongthelowerbranchesofthetreesandthegreatbullshastenedinthedirectionofGunto。
AndthenintotheclearingstrodeNuma，thelion——majesticandmighty，andfromadeepchestissuedthemoanandthecoughandtherumblingroarthatsetstiffhairstobristlingfromshaggycraniumsdownthelengthofmightyspines。
Insidetheclearing，Numapausedandontheinstanttherefelluponhimfromthetreesnearbyashowerofbrokenrockanddeadlimbstornfromage-oldtrees。
Adozentimeshewashit，andthentheapesrandownandgatheredotherrocks，peltinghimunmercifully。
Numaturnedtoflee，buthiswaywasbarredbyafusiladeofsharp-corneredmissiles，andthen，upontheedgeoftheclearing，greatTaugmethimwithahugefragmentofrockaslargeasaman’shead，anddownwenttheLordoftheJunglebeneaththestunningblow。
WithshrieksandroarsandloudbarkingsthegreatapesofthetribeofKerchakrusheduponthefallenlion。
Sticksandstonesandyellowfangsmenacedthestillform。
Inanothermoment，beforehecouldregainconsciousness，Numawouldbebatteredandtornuntilonlyabloodymassofbrokenbonesandmattedhairremainedofwhathadoncebeenthemostdreadedofjunglecreatures。
Butevenasthesticksandstoneswereraisedabovehimandthegreatfangsbaredtotearhim，theredescendedlikeaplummetfromthetreesaboveadiminutivefigurewithlong，whitewhiskersandawrinkledface。
SquareuponthebodyofNumaitalightedandthereitdancedandscreamedandshriekedoutitschallengeagainstthebullsofKerchak。
Foraninstanttheypaused，paralyzedbythewonderofthething。ItwasManu，themonkey，Manu，thelittlecoward，andherehewasdaringtheferocityofthegreatMangani，hoppingaboutuponthecarcassofNuma，thelion，andcryingoutthattheymustnotstrikeitagain。
Andwhenthebullspaused，Manureacheddownandseizedatawnyear。Withallhislittlemighthetuggedupontheheavyheaduntilslowlyitturnedback，revealingthetousled，blackheadandclean-cutprofileofTarzanoftheApes。
Someoftheolderapeswereforfinishingwhattheyhadcommenced；
butTaug，sullen，mightyTaug，sprangquicklytotheape-man’ssideandstraddlingtheunconsciousformwarnedbackthosewhowouldhavestruckhischildhoodplaymate。
AndTeeka，hismate，cametoo，takingherplacewithbaredfangsatTaug’sside。othersfollowedtheirexample，untilatlastTarzanwassurroundedbyaringofhairychampionswhowouldpermitnoenemytoapproachhim。
ItwasasurprisedandchastenedTarzanwhoopenedhiseyestoconsciousnessafewminuteslater。
Helookedabouthimatthesurroundingapesandslowlytherereturnedtohimarealizationofwhathadoccurred。
Graduallyabroadgrinilluminatedhisfeatures。
Hisbruisesweremanyandtheyhurt；butthegoodthathadcomefromhisadventurewasworthallthatithadcost。
Hehadlearned，forinstance，thattheapesofKerchakhadheededhisteaching，andhehadlearnedthathehadgoodfriendsamongthesullenbeastswhomhehadthoughtwithoutsentiment。HehaddiscoveredthatManu，themonkey——evenlittle，cowardlyManu——hadriskedhislifeinhisdefense。
ItmadeTarzanverygladtoknowthesethings；
butattheotherlessonhehadbeentaughthereddened。
Hehadalwaysbeenajoker，theonlyjokerinthegrimandterriblecompany；butnowashelaytherehalfdeadfromhishurts，healmostsworeasolemnoathforevertoforegopracticaljoking——almost；butnotquite。
9
TheNightmareTHEBLACKSOFthevillageofMbonga，thechief，werefeasting，whileabovetheminalargetreesatTarzanoftheApes——grim，terrible，empty，andenvious。Huntinghadprovedpoorthatday，forthereareleandaysaswellasfatonesforeventhegreatestofthejunglehunters。
OftentimesTarzanwentemptyformorethanafullsun，andhehadpassedthroughentiremoonsduringwhichhehadbeenbutbarelyabletostaveoffstarvation；
butsuchtimeswereinfrequent。
Thereoncehadbeenaperiodofsicknessamongthegrass-eaterswhichhadlefttheplainsalmostbareofgameforseveralyears，andagainthegreatcatshadincreasedsorapidlyandsooverrunthecountrythattheirprey，whichwasalsoTarzan’s，hadbeenfrightenedoffforaconsiderabletime。
ButforthemostpartTarzanhadfedwellalways。
Today，though，hehadgoneempty，onemisfortunefollowinganotherasrapidlyasheraisednewquarry，sothatnow，ashesatperchedinthetreeabovethefeastingblacks，heexperiencedallthepangsoffamineandhishatredforhislifelongenemieswaxedstronginhisbreast。
Itwastantalizing，indeed，tosittherehungrywhiletheseGomanganifilledthemselvessofulloffoodthattheirstomachsseemedalmostuponthepointofbursting，andwithelephantsteaksatthat！
ItwastruethatTarzanandTantorwerethebestoffriends，andthatTarzanneveryethadtastedofthefleshoftheelephant；buttheGomanganievidentlyhadslainone，andastheywereeatingofthefleshoftheirkill，Tarzanwasassailedbynodoubtsastotheethicsofhisdoinglikewise，shouldhehavetheopportunity。
Hadheknownthattheelephanthaddiedofsicknessseveraldaysbeforetheblacksdiscoveredthecarcass，hemightnothavebeensokeentopartakeofthefeast，forTarzanoftheApeswasnocarrion-eater。Hunger，however，maybluntthemostepicureantaste，andTarzanwasnotexactlyanepicure。
Whathewasatthismomentwasaveryhungrywildbeastwhomcautionwasholdinginleash，forthegreatcookingpotinthecenterofthevillagewassurroundedbyblackwarriors，throughwhomnotevenTarzanoftheApesmighthopetopassunharmed。Itwouldbenecessary，therefore，forthewatchertoremaintherehungryuntiltheblackshadgorgedthemselvestostupor，andthen，iftheyhadleftanyscraps，tomakethebestmealhecouldfromsuch；buttotheimpatientTarzanitseemedthatthegreedyGomanganiwouldratherburstthanleavethefeastbeforethelastmorselhadbeendevoured。
Foratimetheybrokethemonotonyofeatingbyexecutingportionsofahuntingdance，amaneuverwhichsufficientlystimulateddigestiontopermitthemtofalltooncemorewithrenewedvigor；butwiththeconsumptionofappallingquantitiesofelephantmeatandnativebeertheypresentlybecametoologgyforphysicalexertionofanysort，somereachingastagewheretheynolongercouldrisefromtheground，butlayconvenientlyclosetothegreatcookingpot，stuffingthemselvesintounconsciousness。
ItwaswellpastmidnightbeforeTarzanevencouldbegintoseetheendoftheorgy。Theblackswerenowfallingasleeprapidly；butafewstillpersisted。FrombeforetheirconditionTarzanhadnodoubtbutthatheeasilycouldenterthevillageandsnatchahandfulofmeatfrombeforetheirnoses；butahandfulwasnotwhathewanted。
Nothinglessthanastomachfulwouldallaythegnawingcravingofthatgreatemptiness。Hemustthereforehaveampletimetoforageinpeace。
Atlastbutasinglewarriorremainedtruetohisideals——
anoldfellowwhoseoncewrinkledbellywasnowassmoothandastightastheheadofadrum。Withevidencesofgreatdiscomfort，andevenpain，hewouldcrawltowardthepotanddraghimselfslowlytohisknees，fromwhichpositionhecouldreachintothereceptacleandseizeapieceofmeat。Thenhewouldrolloveronhisbackwithaloudgroanandlietherewhileheslowlyforcedthefoodbetweenhisteethanddownintohisgorgedstomach。
ItwasevidenttoTarzanthattheoldfellowwouldeatuntilhedied，oruntiltherewasnomoremeat。
Theape-manshookhisheadindisgust。WhatfoulcreaturesweretheseGomangani？YetofallthejunglefolktheyaloneresembledTarzancloselyinform。
Tarzanwasaman，andthey，too，mustbesomemannerofmen，justasthelittlemonkeys，andthegreatapes，andBolgani，thegorilla，werequiteevidentlyofonegreatfamily，thoughdifferinginsizeandappearanceandcustoms。
Tarzanwasashamed，forofallthebeastsofthejungle，then，manwasthemostdisgusting——manandDango，thehyena。
OnlymanandDangoateuntiltheyswelleduplikeadeadrat。
TarzanhadseenDangoeathiswayintothecarcassofadeadelephantandthencontinuetoeatsomuchthathehadbeenunabletogetoutoftheholethroughwhichhehadentered。
Nowhecouldreadilybelievethatman，giventheopportunity，woulddothesame。Man，too，wasthemostunlovelyofcreatures——withhisskinnylegsandhisbigstomach，hisfiledteeth，andhisthick，redlips。Manwasdisgusting。
Tarzan’sgazewasriveteduponthehideousoldwarriorwallowinginfilthbeneathhim。
There！thethingwasstrugglingtoitskneestoreachforanothermorselofflesh。Itgroanedaloudinpainandyetitpersistedineating，eating，evereating。
Tarzancouldendureitnolonger——neitherhishungernorhisdisgust。Silentlyheslippedtothegroundwiththeboleofthegreattreebetweenhimselfandthefeaster。
Themanwasstillkneeling，bentalmostdoubleinagony，beforethecookingpot。Hisbackwastowardtheape-man。
SwiftlyandnoiselesslyTarzanapproachedhim。Therewasnosoundassteelfingersclosedabouttheblackthroat。
Thestrugglewasshort，forthemanwasoldandalreadyhalfstupefiedfromtheeffectsofthegorgingandthebeer。
Tarzandroppedtheinertmassandscoopedseverallargepiecesofmeatfromthecookingpot——enoughtosatisfyevenhisgreathunger——thenheraisedthebodyofthefeasterandshoveditintothevessel。Whentheotherblacksawoketheywouldhavesomethingtothinkabout！Tarzangrinned。
Asheturnedtowardthetreewithhismeat，hepickedupavesselcontainingbeerandraisedittohislips，butatthefirsttastehespatthestufffromhismouthandtossedtheprimitivetankardaside。HewasquitesurethatevenDangowoulddrawthelineatsuchfilthytastingdrinkasthat，andhiscontemptformanincreasedwiththeconviction。
Tarzanswungoffintothejunglesomehalfmileorsobeforehepausedtopartakeofhisstolenfood。
Henoticedthatitgaveforthastrangeandunpleasantodor，butassumedthatthiswasduetothefactthatithadstoodinavesselofwateraboveafire。Tarzanwas，ofcourse，unaccustomedtocookedfood。Hedidnotlikeit；
buthewasveryhungryandhadeatenaconsiderableportionofhishaulbeforeitwasreallyborneinuponhimthatthestuffwasnauseating。Itrequiredfarlessthanhehadimagineditwouldtosatisfyhisappetite。
Throwingthebalancetothegroundhecurledupinaconvenientcrotchandsoughtslumber；butslumberseemeddifficulttowoo。OrdinarilyTarzanoftheApeswasasleepasquicklyasadogafteritcurlsitselfuponahearthrugbeforearoaringblaze；buttonighthesquirmedandtwisted，foratthepitofhisstomachwasapeculiarfeelingthatresemblednothingmorecloselythananattemptuponthepartofthefragmentsofelephantmeatreposingtheretocomeoutintothenightandsearchfortheirelephant；
butTarzanwasadamant。Hegrittedhisteethandheldthemback。Hewasnottoberobbedofhismealafterwaitingsolongtoobtainit。
Hehadsucceededindozingwhentheroaringofalionawokehim。Hesatuptodiscoverthatitwasbroaddaylight。
Tarzanrubbedhiseyes。Coulditbethathehadreallyslept？Hedidnotfeelparticularlyrefreshedasheshouldhaveafteragoodsleep。Anoiseattractedhisattention，andhelookeddowntoseealionstandingatthefootofthetreegazinghungrilyathim。
Tarzanmadeafaceatthekingofbeasts，whereatNuma，greatlytotheape-man’ssurprise，startedtoclimbupintothebranchestowardhim。Now，neverbeforehadTarzanseenalionclimbatree，yet，forsomeunaccountablereason，hewasnotgreatlysurprisedthatthisparticularlionshoulddoso。
Asthelionclimbedslowlytowardhim，Tarzansoughthigherbranches；buttohischagrin，hediscoveredthatitwaswiththeutmostdifficultythathecouldclimbatall。
Againandagainheslippedback，losingallthathehadgained，whilethelionkeptsteadilyathisclimbing，comingevercloserandclosertotheape-man。Tarzancouldseethehungrylightintheyellow-greeneyes。
Hecouldseetheslaveronthedroopingjowls，andthegreatfangsagapetoseizeanddestroyhim。
Clawingdesperately，theape-manatlastsucceededingainingalittleuponhispursuer。Hereachedthemoreslenderbranchesfaraloftwherehewellknewnolioncouldfollow；
yetonandoncamedevil-facedNuma。Itwasincredible；
butitwastrue。YetwhatmostamazedTarzanwasthatthoughherealizedtheincredibilityofitall，heatthesametimeaccepteditasamatterofcourse，firstthatalionshouldclimbatallandsecondthatheshouldentertheupperterraceswhereevenSheeta，thepanther，darednotventure。
Totheverytopofatalltreetheape-manclawedhisawkwardwayandafterhimcameNuma，thelion，moaningdismally。
AtlastTarzanstoodbalancedupontheveryutmostpinnacleofaswayingbranch，highabovetheforest。Hecouldgonofarther。Belowhimthelioncamesteadilyupward，andTarzanoftheApesrealizedthatatlasttheendhadcome。
HecouldnotdobattleuponatinybranchwithNuma，thelion，especiallywithsuchaNuma，towhichswayingbranchestwohundredfeetabovethegroundprovidedassubstantialfootingasthegrounditself。
Nearerandnearercamethelion。Anothermomentandhecouldreachupwithonegreatpawanddragtheape-mandownwardtothoseawfuljaws。AwhirringnoiseabovehisheadcausedTarzantoglanceapprehensivelyupward。
Agreatbirdwascirclingcloseabovehim。Heneverhadseensolargeabirdinallhislife，yetherecognizeditimmediately，forhadhenotseenithundredsoftimesinoneofthebooksinthelittlecabinbytheland-lockedbay——themoss-growncabinthatwithitscontentswasthesoleheritageleftbyhisdeadandunknownfathertotheyoungLordGreystoke？
Inthepicture-bookthegreatbirdwasshownflyingfarabovethegroundwithasmallchildinitstalonswhile，beneath，adistractedmotherstoodwithupliftedhands。
ThelionwasalreadyreachingforthatalonedpawtoseizehimwhenthebirdswoopedandburiednolessformidabletalonsinTarzan’sback。Thepainwasnumbing；butitwaswithasenseofreliefthattheape-manfelthimselfsnatchedfromtheclutchesofNuma。
Withagreatwhirringofwingsthebirdroserapidlyuntiltheforestlayfarbelow。ItmadeTarzansickanddizzytolookdownuponitfromsogreataheight，soheclosedhiseyestightandheldhisbreath。Higherandhigherclimbedthehugebird。Tarzanopenedhiseyes。
Thejunglewassofarawaythathecouldseeonlyadim，greenblurbelowhim，butjustaboveandquiteclosewasthesun。Tarzanreachedouthishandsandwarmedthem，fortheywereverycold。Thenasuddenmadnessseizedhim。
Wherewasthebirdtakinghim？Washetosubmitthuspassivelytoafeatheredcreaturehoweverenormous？Washe，TarzanoftheApes，mightyfighter，todiewithoutstrikingablowinhisowndefense？Never！
Hesnatchedthehuntingbladefromhisgee-stringandthrustingupwarddroveitonce，twice，thriceintothebreastabovehim。Themightywingsflutteredafewmoretimes，spasmodically，thetalonsrelaxedtheirhold，andTarzanoftheApesfellhurtlingdownwardtowardthedistantjungle。
Itseemedtotheape-manthathefellformanyminutesbeforehecrashedthroughtheleafyverdureofthetreetops。
Thesmallerbranchesbrokehisfall，sothathecametorestforaninstantupontheverybranchuponwhichhehadsoughtslumberthepreviousnight。Foraninstanthetoppledthereinafranticattempttoregainhisequilibrium；
butatlastherolledoff，yet，clutchingwildly，hesucceededingraspingthebranchandhangingon。
Oncemoreheopenedhiseyes，whichhehadclosedduringthefall。Againitwasnight。Withallhisoldagilityheclamberedbacktothecrotchfromwhichhehadtoppled。
Belowhimalionroared，and，lookingdownward，Tarzancouldseetheyellow-greeneyesshininginthemoonlightastheyboredhungrilyupwardthroughthedarknessofthejunglenighttowardhim。
Theape-mangaspedforbreath。Coldsweatstoodoutfromeverypore，therewasagreatsicknessatthepitofTarzan’sstomach。TarzanoftheApeshaddreamedhisfirstdream。
ForalongtimehesatwatchingforNumatoclimbintothetreeafterhim，andlisteningforthesoundofthegreatwingsfromabove，fortoTarzanoftheApeshisdreamwasareality。
Hecouldnotbelievewhathehadseenandyet，havingseeneventheseincrediblethings，hecouldnotdisbelievetheevidenceofhisownperceptions。
NeverinallhislifehadTarzan’ssensesdeceivedhimbadly，andso，naturally，hehadgreatfaithinthem。
EachperceptionwhicheverhadbeentransmittedtoTarzan’sbrainhadbeen，withvaryingaccuracy，atrueperception。
Hecouldnotconceiveofthepossibilityofapparentlyhavingpassedthroughsuchaweirdadventureinwhichtherewasnograinoftruth。Thatastomach，disorderedbydecayedelephantflesh，alionroaringinthejungle，apicture-book，andsleepcouldhavesotrulyportrayedalltheclear-cutdetailsofwhathehadseeminglyexperiencedwasquitebeyondhisknowledge；yetheknewthatNumacouldnotclimbatree，heknewthatthereexistedinthejunglenosuchbirdashehadseen，andheknew，too，thathecouldnothavefallenatinyfractionofthedistancehehadhurtleddownward，andlived。
Tosaytheleast，hewasaverypuzzledTarzanashetriedtocomposehimselfoncemoreforslumber——averypuzzledandaverynauseatedTarzan。
Ashethoughtdeeplyuponthestrangeoccurrencesofthenight，hewitnessedanotherremarkablehappening。
Itwasindeedquitepreposterous，yethesawitallwithhisowneyes——itwasnothinglessthanHistah，thesnake，wreathinghissinuousandslimywayuptheboleofthetreebelowhim——Histah，withtheheadoftheoldmanTarzanhadshovedintothecookingpot——theheadandtheround，tight，black，distendedstomach。Astheoldman’sfrightfulface，withupturnedeyes，setandglassy，cameclosetoTarzan，thejawsopenedtoseizehim。
Theape-manstruckfuriouslyatthehideousface，andashestrucktheapparitiondisappeared。
Tarzansatstraightupuponhisbranchtremblingineverylimb，wide-eyedandpanting。Helookedallaroundhimwithhiskeen，jungle-trainedeyes，buthesawnaughtoftheoldmanwiththebodyofHistah，thesnake，butonhisnakedthightheape-mansawacaterpillar，droppedfromabranchabovehim。Withagrimaceheflickeditoffintothedarknessbeneath。
Andsothenightworeon，dreamfollowingdream，nightmarefollowingnightmare，untilthedistractedape-manstartedlikeafrighteneddeerattherustlingofthewindinthetreesabouthim，orleapedtohisfeetastheuncannylaughofahyenaburstsuddenlyuponamomentaryjunglesilence。
ButatlastthetardymorningbrokeandasickandfeverishTarzanwoundsluggishlythroughthedankandgloomymazesoftheforestinsearchofwater。Hiswholebodyseemedonfire，agreatsicknesssurgedupwardtohisthroat。
Hesawatangleofalmostimpenetrablethicket，and，likethewildbeasthewas，hecrawledintoittodiealoneandunseen，safefromtheattacksofpredatorycarnivora。
Buthedidnotdie。Foralongtimehewantedto；
butpresentlynatureandanoutragedstomachrelievedthemselvesintheirowntherapeuticmanner，theape-manbrokeintoaviolentperspirationandthenfellintoanormalanduntroubledsleepwhichpersistedwellintotheafternoon。
Whenheawokehefoundhimselfweakbutnolongersick。
Oncemorehesoughtwater，andafterdrinkingdeeply，tookhiswayslowlytowardthecabinbythesea。
Intimesoflonelinessandtroubleithadlongbeenhiscustomtoseektherethequietandrestfulnesswhichhecouldfindnowhereelse。
Asheapproachedthecabinandraisedthecrudelatchwhichhisfatherhadfashionedsomanyyearsbefore，twosmall，blood-shoteyeswatchedhimfromtheconcealingfoliageofthejunglecloseby。Frombeneathshaggy，beetlingbrowstheyglaredmaliciouslyuponhim，maliciouslyandwithakeencuriosity；thenTarzanenteredthecabinandclosedthedoorafterhim。Here，withalltheworldshutoutfromhim，hecoulddreamwithoutfearofinterruption。Hecouldcurlupandlookatthepicturesinthestrangethingswhichwerebooks，hecouldpuzzleouttheprintedwordhehadlearnedtoreadwithoutknowledgeofthespokenlanguageitrepresented，hecouldliveinawonderfulworldofwhichhehadnoknowledgebeyondthecoversofhisbelovedbooks。
NumaandSabormightprowlaboutclosetohim，theelementsmightrageinalltheirfury；buthereatleast，Tarzanmightbeentirelyoffhisguardinadelightfulrelaxationwhichgavehimallhisfacultiesfortheuninterruptedpursuitofthisgreatestofallhispleasures。
TodayheturnedtothepictureofthehugebirdwhichboreoffthelittleTarmanganiinitstalons。Tarzanpuckeredhisbrowsasheexaminedthecoloredprint。Yes，thiswastheverybirdthathadcarriedhimoffthedaybefore，fortoTarzanthedreamhadbeensogreatarealitythathestillthoughtanotherdayandanighthadpassedsincehehadlaindowninthetreetosleep。
Butthemorehethoughtuponthematterthelesspositivehewasastotheverityoftheseemingadventurethroughwhichhehadpassed，yetwheretherealhadceasedandtheunrealcommencedhewasquiteunabletodetermine。
Hadhereallythenbeentothevillageoftheblacksatall，hadhekilledtheoldGomangani，hadheeatenoftheelephantmeat，hadhebeensick？Tarzanscratchedhistousledblackheadandwondered。Itwasallverystrange，yetheknewthatheneverhadseenNumaclimbatree，orHistahwiththeheadandbellyofanoldblackmanwhomTarzanalreadyhadslain。
Finally，withasighhegaveuptryingtofathomtheunfathomable，yetinhisheartofheartsheknewthatsomethinghadcomeintohislifethatheneverbeforehadexperienced，anotherlifewhichexistedwhenhesleptandtheconsciousnessofwhichwascarriedoverintohiswakinghours。
Thenhecommencedtowonderifsomeofthesestrangecreatureswhichhemetinhissleepmightnotslayhim，foratsuchtimesTarzanoftheApesseemedtobeadifferentTarzan，sluggish，helplessandtimid——wishingtofleehisenemiesasfledBara，thedeer，mostfearfulofcreatures。
Thus，withadream，camethefirstfainttingeofaknowledgeoffear，aknowledgewhichTarzan，awake，hadneverexperienced，andperhapshewasexperiencingwhathisearlyforbearspassedthroughandtransmittedtoposterityintheformofsuperstitionfirstandreligionlater；forthey，asTarzan，hadseenthingsatnightwhichtheycouldnotexplainbythedaylightstandardsofsenseperceptionorofreason，andsohadbuiltforthemselvesaweirdexplanationwhichincludedgrotesqueshapes，possessedofstrangeanduncannypowers，towhomtheyfinallycametoattributeallthoseinexplicablephenomenaofnaturewhichwitheachrecurrencefilledthemwithawe，withwonder，orwithterror。
AndasTarzanconcentratedhismindonthelittlebugsupontheprintedpagebeforehim，theactiverecollectionofthestrangeadventurespresentlymergedintothetextofthatwhichhewasreading——astoryofBolgani，thegorilla，incaptivity。TherewasamoreorlesslifelikeillustrationofBolganiincolorsandinacage，withmanyremarkablelookingTarmanganistandingagainstarailandpeeringcuriouslyatthesnarlingbrute。
Tarzanwonderednotalittle，ashealwaysdid，attheoddandseeminglyuselessarrayofcoloredplumagewhichcoveredthebodiesoftheTarmangani。Italwayscausedhimtogrinatriflewhenhelookedatthesestrangecreatures。
Hewonderediftheysocoveredtheirbodiesfromshameoftheirhairlessnessorbecausetheythoughttheoddthingstheyworeaddedanytothebeautyoftheirappearance。
ParticularlywasTarzanamusedbythegrotesqueheaddressesofthepicturedpeople。Hewonderedhowsomeoftheshessucceededinbalancingtheirsinanuprightposition，andhecameasneartolaughingaloudasheeverhad，ashecontemplatedthefunnylittleroundthingsupontheheadsofthehes。
Slowlytheape-manpickedoutthemeaningofthevariouscombinationsoflettersontheprintedpage，andasheread，thelittlebugs，forassuchhealwaysthoughtoftheletters，commencedtorunaboutinamostconfusingmanner，blurringhisvisionandbefuddlinghisthoughts。
Twicehebrushedthebackofahandsmartlyacrosshiseyes；
butonlyforamomentcouldhebringthebugsbacktocoherentandintelligibleform。Hehadsleptillthenightbeforeandnowhewasexhaustedfromlossofsleep，fromsickness，andfromtheslightfeverhehadhad，sothatitbecamemoreandmoredifficulttofixhisattention，ortokeephiseyesopen。
Tarzanrealizedthathewasfallingasleep，andjustastherealizationwasborneinuponhimandhehaddecidedtorelinquishhimselftoaninclinationwhichhadassumedalmosttheproportionsofaphysicalpain，hewasarousedbytheopeningofthecabindoor。
TurningquicklytowardtheinterruptionTarzanwasamazed，foramoment，toseebulkinglargeinthedoorwaythehugeandhairyformofBolgani，thegorilla。
NowtherewasscarcelyadenizenofthegreatjunglewithwhomTarzanwouldrathernothavebeencoopedupinsidethesmallcabinthanBolgani，thegorilla，yethefeltnofear，eventhoughhisquickeyenotedthatBolganiwasinthethroesofthatjunglemadnesswhichseizesuponsomanyofthefiercermales。Ordinarilythehugegorillasavoidconflict，hidethemselvesfromtheotherjunglefolk，andaregenerallythebestofneighbors；
butwhentheyareattacked，orthemadnessseizesthem，thereisnojungledenizensoboldandfierceastodeliberatelyseekaquarrelwiththem。
ButforTarzantherewasnoescape。Bolganiwasgloweringathimfromred-rimmed，wickedeyes。Inamomenthewouldrushinandseizetheape-man。Tarzanreachedforthehuntingknifewherehehadlainitonthetablebesidehim；butashisfingersdidnotimmediatelylocatetheweapon，heturnedaquickglanceinsearchofit。
AshedidsohiseyesfelluponthebookhehadbeenlookingatwhichstilllayopenatthepictureofBolgani。
Tarzanfoundhisknife，buthemerelyfingereditidlyandgrinnedinthedirectionoftheadvancinggorilla。
Notagainwouldhebefooledbyemptythingswhichcamewhileheslept！Inamoment，nodoubt，BolganiwouldturnintoPamba，therat，withtheheadofTantor，theelephant。
Tarzanhadseenenoughofsuchstrangehappeningsrecentlytohavesomeideaastowhathemightexpect；
butthistimeBolganididnotalterhisformashecameslowlytowardtheyoungape-man。
Tarzanwasabitpuzzled，too，thathefeltnodesiretorushfranticallytosomeplaceofsafety，ashadbeenthesensationmostconspicuousintheotherofhisnewandremarkableadventures。Hewasjusthimselfnow，readytofight，ifnecessary；butstillsurethatnofleshandbloodgorillastoodbeforehim。
Thethingshouldbefadingawayintothinairbynow，thoughtTarzan，orchangingintosomethingelse；
yetitdidnot。Insteaditloomedclear-cutandrealasBolganihimself，themagnificentdarkcoatglisteningwithlifeandhealthinabarofsunlightwhichshotacrossthecabinthroughthehighwindowbehindtheyoungLordGreystoke。Thiswasquitethemostrealisticofhissleepadventures，thoughtTarzan，ashepassivelyawaitedthenextamusingincident。
Andthenthegorillacharged。Twomighty，callousedhandsseizedupontheape-man，greatfangswerebaredclosetohisface，ahideousgrowlburstfromthecavernousthroatandhotbreathfannedTarzan’scheek，andstillhesatgrinningattheapparition。Tarzanmightbefooledonceortwice，butnotforsomanytimesinsuccession！
HeknewthatthisBolganiwasnorealBolgani，forhadhebeenhenevercouldhavegainedentrancetothecabin，sinceonlyTarzanknewhowtooperatethelatch。
Thegorillaseemedpuzzledbythestrangepassivityofthehairlessape。Hepausedaninstantwithhisjawssnarlingclosetotheother’sthroat，thenheseemedsuddenlytocometosomedecision。Whirlingtheape-manacrossahairyshoulder，aseasilyasyouorImightliftababeinarms，Bolganiturnedanddashedoutintotheopen，racingtowardthegreattrees。
Now，indeed，wasTarzansurethatthiswasasleepadventure，andsogrinnedlargelyasthegiantgorillaborehim，unresisting，away。Presently，reasonedTarzan，hewouldawakenandfindhimselfbackinthecabinwherehehadfallenasleep。Heglancedbackatthethoughtandsawthecabindoorstandingwideopen。
Thiswouldneverdo！Alwayshadhebeencarefultocloseandlatchitagainstwildintruders。Manu，themonkey，wouldmakesadhavocthereamongTarzan’streasuresshouldhehaveaccesstotheinteriorforevenafewminutes。
ThequestionwhicharoseinTarzan’smindwasabafflingone。
Wheredidsleepadventuresendandrealitycommence？Howwashetobesurethatthecabindoorwasnotreallyopen？
Everythingabouthimappearedquitenormal——therewerenoneofthegrotesqueexaggerationsofhisformersleepadventures。
Itwouldbebetterthentobeuponthesafesideandmakesurethatthecabindoorwasclosed——itwoulddonoharmevenifallthatseemedtobehappeningwerenothappeningatall。
TarzanessayedtoslipfromBolgani’sshoulder；butthegreatbeastonlygrowledominouslyandgrippedhimtighter。
Withamightyefforttheape-manwrenchedhimselfloose，andasheslidtotheground，thedreamgorillaturnedferociouslyuponhim，seizedhimoncemoreandburiedgreatfangsinasleek，brownshoulder。
ThegrinofderisionfadedfromTarzan’slipsasthepainandthehotbloodarousedhisfightinginstincts。
Asleeporawake，thisthingwasnolongerajoke！Biting，tearing，andsnarling，thetworolledoverupontheground。
Thegorillanowwasfranticwithinsanerage。Againandagainheloosedhisholdupontheape-man’sshoulderinanattempttoseizethejugular；butTarzanoftheApeshadfoughtbeforewithcreatureswhostruckfirstforthevitalvein，andeachtimehewriggledoutofharm’swayashestrovetogethisfingersuponhisadversary’sthroat。
Atlasthesucceeded——hisgreatmusclestensedandknottedbeneathhissmoothhideasheforcedwitheveryounceofhismightystrengthtopushthehairytorsofromhim。
AndashechokedBolganiandstrainedhimaway，hisotherhandcreptslowlyupwardbetweenthemuntilthepointofthehuntingkniferestedoverthesavageheart——therewasaquickmovementofthesteel-thewedwristandthebladeplungedtoitsgoal。
Bolgani，thegorilla，voicedasinglefrightfulshriek，torehimselfloosefromthegraspoftheape-man，rosetohisfeet，staggeredafewstepsandthenplungedtoearth。
Therewereafewspasmodicmovementsofthelimbsandthebrutewasstill。
TarzanoftheApesstoodlookingdownuponhiskill，andashestoodthereheranhisfingersthroughhisthick，blackshockofhair。Presentlyhestoopedandtouchedthedeadbody。Someoftheredlife-bloodofthegorillacrimsonedhisfingers。Heraisedthemtohisnoseandsniffed。
Thenheshookhisheadandturnedtowardthecabin。
Thedoorwasstillopen。Hecloseditandfastenedthelatch。
Returningtowardthebodyofhiskillheagainpausedandscratchedhishead。
Ifthiswasasleepadventure，whatthenwasreality？Howwashetoknowtheonefromtheother？Howmuchofallthathadhappenedinhislifehadbeenrealandhowmuchunreal？
Heplacedafootupontheprostrateformandraisinghisfacetotheheavensgavevoicetothekillcryofthebullape。
Farinthedistancealionanswered。Itwasveryrealand，yet，hedidnotknow。Puzzled，heturnedawayintothejungle。
No，hedidnotknowwhatwasrealandwhatwasnot；
buttherewasonethingthathedidknow——neveragainwouldheeatofthefleshofTantor，theelephant。
10
TheBattleforTeekaTHEDAYWASperfect。Acoolbreezetemperedtheheatoftheequatorialsun。Peacehadreignedwithinthetribeforweeksandnoalienenemyhadtrespasseduponitspreservesfromwithout。Totheape-mindallthiswassufficientevidencethatthefuturewouldbeidenticalwiththeimmediatepast——thatUtopiawouldpersist。
Thesentinels，nowfromhabitbecomeafixedtribalcustom，eitherrelaxedtheirvigilanceorentirelydesertedtheirposts，asthewhimseizedthem。Thetribewasfarscatteredinsearchoffood。Thusmaypeaceandprosperityunderminethesafetyofthemostprimitivecommunityevenasitdoesthatofthemostcultured。
Eventheindividualsbecamelesswatchfulandalert，sothatonemighthavethoughtNumaandSaborandSheetaentirelydeletedfromtheschemeofthings。Theshesandthebalusroamedunguardedthroughthesullenjungle，whilethegreedymalesforagedfarafield，andthusitwasthatTeekaandGazan，herbalu，huntedupontheextremesouthernedgeofthetribewithnogreatmalenearthem。
Stillfarthersouththeremovedthroughtheforestasinisterfigure——ahugebullape，maddenedbysolitudeanddefeat。Aweekbeforehehadcontendedforthekingshipofatribefardistant，andnowbattered，andstillsore，heroamedthewildernessanoutcast。
Laterhemightreturntohisowntribeandsubmittothewillofthehairybrutehehadattemptedtodethrone；
butforthetimebeinghedarednotdoso，sincehehadsoughtnotonlythecrownbutthewives，aswell，ofhislordandmaster。Itwouldrequireanentiremoonatleasttobringforgetfulnesstohimhehadwronged，andsoToogwanderedastrangejungle，grim，terrible，hate-filled。
ItwasinthismentalstatethatToogcameunexpectedlyuponayoungshefeedingaloneinthejungle——astrangershe，litheandstrongandbeautifulbeyondcompare。
ToogcaughthisbreathandslunkquicklytoonesideofthetrailwherethedensefoliageofthetropicalunderbrushconcealedhimfromTeekawhilepermittinghimtofeasthiseyesuponherloveliness。
ButnotaloneweretheyconcernedwithTeeka——theyrovedthesurroundingjungleinsearchofthebullsandcowsandbalusofhertribe，thoughprincipallyforthebulls。
Whenonecovetsasheofanalientribeonemusttakeintoconsiderationthegreat，fierce，hairyguardianswhoseldomwanderfarfromtheirwardsandwhowillfightastrangertothedeathinprotectionofthemateoroffspringofafellow，preciselyastheywouldfightfortheirown。
Toogcouldseenosignofanyapeotherthanthestrangesheandayoungbaluplayingnearby。Hiswicked，blood-shoteyeshalfclosedastheyresteduponthecharmsoftheformer——asforthebalu，onesnapofthosegreatjawsuponthebackofitslittleneckwouldpreventitfromraisinganyunnecessaryalarm。
Toogwasafine，bigmale，resemblinginmanywaysTeeka’smate，Taug。Eachwasinhisprime，andeachwaswonderfullymuscled，perfectlyfangedandashorrifyinglyferociousasthemostexactingandparticularshecouldwish。
HadToogbeenofherowntribe，TeekamightasreadilyhaveyieldedtohimastoTaugwhenhermatingtimearrived；
butnowshewasTaug’sandnoothermalecouldclaimherwithoutfirstdefeatingTauginpersonalcombat。
AndeventhenTeekaretainedsomerightsinthematter。
Ifshedidnotfavoracorrespondent，shecouldenterthelistswithherrightfulmateanddoherparttowarddiscouraginghisadvances，apart，too，whichwouldprovenomeanassistancetoherlordandmaster，forTeeka，eventhoughherfangsweresmallerthanamale’s，couldusethemtoexcellenteffect。
JustnowTeekawasoccupiedinafascinatingsearchforbeetles，totheexclusionofallelse。ShedidnotrealizehowfarsheandGazanhadbecomeseparatedfromthebalanceofthetribe，norwereherdefensivesensesuponthealertastheyshouldhavebeen。Monthsofimmunityfromdangerundertheprotectingwatchfulnessofthesentries，whichTarzanhadtaughtthetribetopost，hadlulledthemallintoasenseofpeacefulsecuritybasedonthatfallacywhichhaswreckedmanyenlightenedcommunitiesinthepastandwillcontinuetowreckothersinthefuture——thatbecausetheyhavenotbeenattackedtheyneverwillbe。
Toog，havingsatisfiedhimselfthatonlythesheandherbaluwereintheimmediatevicinity，creptstealthilyforward。
Teeka’sbackwastowardhimwhenhefinallyrusheduponher；
buthersenseswereatlastawakenedtothepresenceofdangerandshewheeledtofacethestrangebulljustbeforehereachedher。Tooghaltedafewpacesfromher。
Hisangerhadfledbeforetheseductivefemininecharmsofthestranger。Hemadeconciliatorynoises——aspeciesofcluckingsoundwithhisbroad，flatlips——thatwere，too，notgreatlydissimilartothatwhichmightbeproducedinanosculatorysolo。
ButTeekaonlybaredherfangsandgrowled。LittleGazanstartedtoruntowardhismother，butshewarnedhimawaywithaquick\"Kreeg-ah！\"tellinghimtorunhighintoatalltree。EvidentlyTeekawasnotfavorablyimpressedbyhernewsuitor。Toogrealizedthisandalteredhismethodsaccordingly。Heswelledhisgiantchest，beatuponitwithhiscallousedknucklesandswaggeredtoandfrobeforeher。
\"IamToog，\"heboasted。\"Lookatmyfightingfangs。
Lookatmygreatarmsandmymightylegs。WithonebiteI
canslayyourbiggestbull。AlonehaveIslainSheeta。
IamToog。Toogwantsyou。\"Thenhewaitedfortheeffect，nordidhehavelongtowait。Teekaturnedwithaswiftnesswhichbeliedhergreatweightandboltedintheoppositedirection。Toog，withanangrygrowl，leapedinpursuit；butthesmaller，lighterfemalewastoofleetforhim。Hechasedherforafewyardsandthen，foamingandbarking，hehaltedandbeatuponthegroundwithhishardfists。
FromthetreeabovehimlittleGazanlookeddownandwitnessedthestrangerbull’sdiscomfiture。Beingyoung，andthinkinghimselfsafeabovethereachoftheheavymale，Gazanscreamedanill-timedinsultattheirtormentor。
Tooglookedup。Teekahadhaltedatalittledistance——shewouldnotgofarfromherbalu；thatToogquicklyrealizedandasquicklydeterminedtotakeadvantageof。HesawthatthetreeinwhichtheyoungapesquattedwasisolatedandthatGazancouldnotreachanotherwithoutcomingtoearth。Hewouldobtainthemotherthroughherloveforheryoung。
Heswunghimselfintothelowerbranchesofthetree。
LittleGazanceasedtoinsulthim；hisexpressionofdeviltrychangedtooneofapprehension，whichwasquicklyfollowedbyfearasToogcommencedtoascendtowardhim。
TeekascreamedtoGazantoclimbhigher，andthelittlefellowscamperedupwardamongthetinybrancheswhichwouldnotsupporttheweightofthegreatbull；butneverthelessToogkeptonclimbing。Teekawasnotfearful。SheknewthathecouldnotascendfarenoughtoreachGazan，soshesatatalittledistancefromthetreeandappliedjungleopprobriumtohim。Beingafemale，shewasapastmasteroftheart。
ButshedidnotknowthemalevolentcunningofToog’slittlebrain。ShetookitforgrantedthatthebullwouldclimbashighashecouldtowardGazanandthen，findingthathecouldnotreachhim，resumehispursuitofher，whichsheknewwouldproveequallyfruitless。
Sosurewassheofthesafetyofherbaluandherownabilitytotakecareofherselfthatshedidnotvoicethecryforhelpwhichwouldsoonhavebroughttheothermembersofthetribeflockingtoherside。
Toogslowlyreachedthelimittowhichhedaredriskhisgreatweighttotheslenderbranches。Gazanwasstillfifteenfeetabovehim。Thebullbracedhimselfandseizedthemainbranchinhispowerfulhands，thenhecommencedshakingitvigorously。Teekawasappalled。
Instantlysherealizedwhatthebullpurposed。
Gazanclungfaroutuponaswayinglimb。Atthefirstshakehelosthisbalance，thoughhedidnotquitefall，clingingstillwithhisfourhands；butToogredoubledhisefforts；theshakingproducedaviolentsnappingofthelimbtowhichtheyoungapeclung。Teekasawalltooplainlywhattheoutcomemustbeandforgettingherowndangerinthedepthofhermotherlove，rushedforwardtoascendthetreeandgivebattletothefearsomecreaturethatmenacedthelifeofherlittleone。
Butbeforeevershereachedthebole，Tooghadsucceeded，byviolentshakingofthebranch，toloosenGazan’shold。
Withacrythelittlefellowplungeddownthroughthefoliage，clutchingfutilelyforanewhold，andalightedwithasickeningthudathismother’sfeet，wherehelaysilentandmotionless。Moaning，Teekastoopedtoliftthestillforminherarms；butatthesameinstantToogwasuponher。
Strugglingandbitingshefoughttofreeherself；butthegiantmusclesofthegreatbullweretoomuchforherlesserstrength。
Toogstruckandchokedherrepeatedlyuntilfinally，halfunconscious，shelapsedintoquasisubmission。