Now，whentheysawwhoitwastheymerelysnarledandgrumbledangrilyforamomentandthenresumedtheirfeedingortheirnappingwhichhehadinterrupted，andhe，havinghadhislittlejoke，madehiswaytothehollowtreewherehekepthistreasureshidfromtheinquisitiveeyesandfingersofhisfellowsandthemischievouslittlemanus。
Herehewithdrewacloselyrolledhide——thehideofNumawiththeheadon；acleverbitofprimitivecuringandmounting，whichhadoncebeenthepropertyofthewitch-doctor，RabbaKega，untilTarzanhadstolenitfromthevillage。
Withthishemadehiswaybackthroughthejungletowardthevillageoftheblacks，stoppingtohuntandfeedupontheway，and，intheafternoon，evennappingforanhour，sothatitwasalreadyduskwhenheenteredthegreattreewhichoverhungthepalisadeandgavehimaviewoftheentirevillage。HesawthatNumawasstillaliveandthattheguardswereevendozingbesidethecage。
Alionisnogreatnoveltytoablackmaninthelioncountry，andthefirstkeenedgeoftheirdesiretoworrythebrutehavingwornoff，thevillagerspaidlittleornoattentiontothegreatcat，preferringnowtoawaitthegrandeventofthenight。
Norwasitlongafterdarkbeforethefestivitiescommenced。
Tothebeatingoftom-toms，alonewarrior，crouchedhalfdoubled，leapedintothefirelightinthecenterofagreatcircleofotherwarriors，behindwhomstoodorsquattedthewomenandthechildren。Thedancerwaspaintedandarmedforthehuntandhismovementsandgesturessuggestedthesearchforthespoorofgame。
Bendinglow，sometimesrestingforamomentononeknee，hesearchedthegroundforsignsofthequarry；
againhepoised，statuesque，listening。Thewarriorwasyoungandlitheandgraceful；hewasfull-muscledandarrow-straight。Thefirelightglisteneduponhisebonbodyandbroughtoutintoboldreliefthegrotesquedesignspainteduponhisface，breasts，andabdomen。
Presentlyhebentlowtotheearth，thenleapedhighinair。
Everylineoffaceandbodyshowedthathehadstruckthescent。
Immediatelyheleapedtowardthecircleofwarriorsabouthim，tellingthemofhisfindandsummoningthemtothehunt。
Itwasallinpantomime；butsotrulydonethatevenTarzancouldfollowitalltotheleastdetail。
Hesawtheotherwarriorsgrasptheirhuntingspearsandleaptotheirfeettojoininthegraceful，stealthy\"stalkingdance。\"Itwasveryinteresting；
butTarzanrealizedthatifhewastocarryhisdesigntoasuccessfulconclusionhemustactquickly。
Hehadseenthesedancesbeforeandknewthatafterthestalkwouldcomethegameatbayandthenthekill，duringwhichNumawouldbesurroundedbywarriors，andunapproachable。
Withthelion’sskinunderonearmtheape-mandroppedtothegroundinthedenseshadowsbeneaththetreeandthencircledbehindthehutsuntilhecameoutdirectlyintherearofthecage，inwhichNumapacednervouslytoandfro。Thecagewasnowunguarded，thetwowarriorshavingleftittotaketheirplacesamongtheotherdancers。
BehindthecageTarzanadjustedthelion’sskinabouthim，justashehaduponthatmemorableoccasionwhentheapesofKerchak，failingtopiercehisdisguise，hadallbutslainhim。Then，onhandsandknees，hecreptforward，emergedfrombetweenthetwohutsandstoodafewpacesbackoftheduskyaudience，whosewholeattentionwascentereduponthedancersbeforethem。
Tarzansawthattheblackshadnowworkedthemselvestoaproperpitchofnervousexcitementtoberipeforthelion。
Inamomenttheringofspectatorswouldbreakatapointnearestthecagedlionandthevictimwouldberolledintothecenterofthecircle。ItwasforthismomentthatTarzanwaited。
Atlastitcame。AsignalwasgivenbyMbonga，thechief，atwhichthewomenandchildrenimmediatelyinfrontofTarzanroseandmovedtooneside，leavingabroadpathopeningtowardthecagedlion。AtthesameinstantTarzangavevoicetothelow，couchingroarofanangrylionandslunkslowlyforwardthroughtheopenlanetowardthefrenzieddancers。
Awomansawhimfirstandscreamed。Instantlytherewasapanicintheimmediatevicinityoftheape-man。Thestronglightfromthefirefellfulluponthelionheadandtheblacksleapedtotheconclusion，asTarzanhadknowntheywould，thattheircaptivehadescapedhiscage。
Withanotherroar，Tarzanmovedforward。Thedancingwarriorspausedbutaninstant。Theyhadbeenhuntingalionsecurelyhousedwithinastrongcage，andnowthathewasatlibertyamongthem，anentirelydifferentaspectwasplaceduponthematter。Theirnerveswerenotattunedtothisemergency。Thewomenandchildrenalreadyhadfledtothequestionablesafetyofthenearesthuts，andthewarriorswerenotlonginfollowingtheirexample，sothatpresentlyTarzanwasleftinsolepossessionofthevillagestreet。
Butnotforlong。Nordidhewishtobeleftthuslongalone。Itwouldnotcomportwithhisscheme。
Presentlyaheadpeeredforthfromanear-byhut，andthenanotherandanotheruntilascoreormoreofwarriorswerelookingoutuponhim，waitingforhisnextmove——waitingfortheliontochargeortoattempttoescapefromthevillage。
Theirspearswerereadyintheirhandsagainsteitherachargeoraboltforfreedom，andthenthelionroseerectuponitshindlegs，thetawnyskindroppedfromitandtherestoodrevealedbeforetheminthefirelightthestraightyoungfigureofthewhitedevil-god。
Foraninstanttheblacksweretooastonishedtoact。
TheyfearedthisapparitionfullyasmuchastheydidNuma，yettheywouldgladlyhaveslainthethingcouldtheyquicklyenoughhavegatheredtogethertheirwits；
butfearandsuperstitionandanaturalmentaldensityheldthemparalyzedwhiletheape-manstoopedandgatheredupthelionskin。Theysawhimturnthenandwalkbackintotheshadowsatthefarendofthevillage。
Notuntilthendidtheygaincouragetopursuehim，andwhentheyhadcomeinforce，withbrandishedspearsandloudwarcries，thequarrywasgone。
NotaninstantdidTarzanpauseinthetree。Throwingtheskinoverabranchheleapedagainintothevillageupontheoppositesideofthegreatbole，anddivingintotheshadowofahut，ranquicklytowherelaythecagedlion。
Springingtothetopofthecagehepulleduponthecordwhichraisedthedoor，andamomentlateragreatlionintheprimeofhisstrengthandvigorleapedoutintothevillage。
Thewarriors，returningfromafutilesearchforTarzan，sawhimstepintothefirelight。Ah！therewasthedevil-godagain，uptohisoldtrick。DidhethinkhecouldtwicefoolthemenofMbonga，thechief，thesamewayinsoshortatime？Theywouldshowhim！
Forlongtheyhadwaitedforsuchanopportunitytoridthemselvesforeverofthisfearsomejungledemon。
Asonetheyrushedforwardwithraisedspears。
Thewomenandthechildrencamefromthehutstowitnesstheslayingofthedevil-god。Thelionturnedblazingeyesuponthemandthenswungabouttowardtheadvancingwarriors。
Withshoutsofsavagejoyandtriumphtheycametowardhim，menacinghimwiththeirspears。Thedevil-godwastheirs！
Andthen，withafrightfulroar，Numa，thelion，charged。
ThemenofMbonga，thechief，metNumawithreadyspearsandscreamsofraillery。Inasolidmassofmuscledebonytheywaitedthecomingofthedevil-god；yetbeneaththeirbraveexteriorslurkedahauntingfearthatallmightnotbequitewellwiththem——thatthisstrangecreaturecouldyetproveinvulnerabletotheirweaponsandinflictuponthemfullpunishmentfortheireffrontery。
Thecharginglionwasalltoolifelike——theysawthatinthebriefinstantofthecharge；butbeneaththetawnyhidetheyknewwashidthesoftfleshofthewhiteman，andhowcouldthatwithstandtheassaultofmanywarspears？
Intheirforefrontstoodahugeyoungwarriorinthefullarroganceofhismightandhisyouth。Afraid？Nothe！HelaughedasNumaboredownuponhim；helaughedandcouchedhisspear，settingthepointforthebroadbreast。
Andthenthelionwasuponhim。Agreatpawsweptawaytheheavywarspear，splinteringitasthehandofmanmightsplinteradrytwig。
Downwenttheblack，hisskullcrushedbyanotherblow。
Andthenthelionwasinthemidstofthewarriors，clawingandtearingtorightandleft。Notforlongdidtheystandtheirground；butadozenmenweremauledbeforetheothersmadegoodtheirescapefromthosefrightfultalonsandgleamingfangs。
Interrorthevillagersfledhitherandthither。
NohutseemedasufficientlysecureasylumwithNumarangingwithinthepalisade。Fromonetoanotherfledthefrightenedblacks，whileinthecenterofthevillageNumastoodglaringandgrowlingabovehiskills。
Atlastatribesmanflungwidethegatesofthevillageandsoughtsafetyamidthebranchesoftheforesttreesbeyond。Likesheephisfellowsfollowedhim，untilthelionandhisdeadremainedaloneinthevillage。
FromthenearertreesthemenofMbongasawthelionlowerhisgreatheadandseizeoneofhisvictimsbytheshoulderandthenwithslowandstatelytreadmovedownthevillagestreetpasttheopengatesandonintothejungle。
Theysawandshuddered，andfromanothertreeTarzanoftheApessawandsmiled。
Afullhourelapsedafterthelionhaddisappearedwithhisfeastbeforetheblacksventureddownfromthetreesandreturnedtotheirvillage。Wideeyesrolledfromsidetoside，andnakedfleshcontractedmoretothechilloffearthantothechillofthejunglenight。
\"Itwasheallthetime，\"murmuredone。\"Itwasthedevil-god。\"
\"Hechangedhimselffromaliontoaman，andbackagainintoalion，\"whisperedanother。
\"AndhedraggedMweezaintotheforestandiseatinghim，\"
saidathird，shuddering。
\"Wearenolongersafehere，\"wailedafourth。\"Letustakeourbelongingsandsearchforanothervillagesitefarfromthehauntsofthewickeddevil-god。\"
Butwithmorningcamerenewedcourage，sothattheexperiencesoftheprecedingeveninghadlittleothereffectthantoincreasetheirfearofTarzanandstrengthentheirbeliefinhissupernaturalorigin。
Andthuswaxedthefameandthepoweroftheape-maninthemysterioushauntsofthesavagejunglewhereheranged，mightiestofbeastsbecauseoftheman-mindwhichdirectedhisgiantmusclesandhisflawlesscourage。
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TarzanRescuestheMoonTHEMOONSHONEdownoutofacloudlesssky——ahuge，swollenmoonthatseemedsoclosetoearththatonemightwonderthatshedidnotbrushthecrooningtreetops。
Itwasnight，andTarzanwasabroadinthejungle——Tarzan，theape-man；mightyfighter，mightyhunter。Whyheswungthroughthedarkshadowsofthesomberforesthecouldnothavetoldyou。Itwasnotthathewashungry——hehadfedwellthisday，andinasafecacheweretheremainsofhiskill，readyagainstthecomingofanewappetite。
Perhapsitwastheveryjoyoflivingthaturgedhimfromhisarborealcouchtopithismusclesandhissensesagainstthejunglenight，andthen，too，Tarzanalwayswasgoadedbyanintensedesiretoknow。
ThejunglewhichispresidedoverbyKudu，thesun，isaverydifferentjunglefromthatofGoro，themoon。
Thediurnaljunglehasitsownaspect——itsownlightsandshades，itsownbirds，itsownblooms，itsownbeasts；
itsnoisesarethenoisesoftheday。Thelightsandshadesofthenocturnaljungleareasdifferentasonemightimaginethelightsandshadesofanotherworldtodifferfromthoseofourworld；itsbeasts，itsblooms，anditsbirdsarenotthoseofthejungleofKudu，thesun。
BecauseofthesedifferencesTarzanlovedtoinvestigatethejunglebynight。Notonlywasthelifeanotherlife；
butitwasricherinnumbersandinromance；itwasricherindangers，too，andtoTarzanoftheApesdangerwasthespiceoflife。Andthenoisesofthejunglenight——theroarofthelion，thescreamoftheleopard，thehideouslaughterofDango，thehyena，weremusictotheearsoftheape-man。
Thesoftpaddingofunseenfeet，therustlingofleavesandgrassestothepassageoffiercebeasts，thesheenofopalesqueeyesflamingthroughthedark，themillionsoundswhichproclaimedtheteeminglifethatonemighthearandscent，thoughseldomsee，constitutedtheappealofthenocturnaljungletoTarzan。
Tonighthehadswungawidecircle——towardtheeastfirstandthentowardthesouth，andnowhewasroundingbackagainintothenorth。Hiseyes，hisearsandhiskeennostrilswereeveronthealert。Mingledwiththesoundsheknew，therewerestrangesounds——weirdsoundswhichheneverhearduntilafterKuduhadsoughthislairbelowthefaredgeofthebigwater-soundswhichbelongedtoGoro，themoon——andtothemysteriousperiodofGoro’ssupremacy。
ThesesoundsoftencausedTarzanprofoundspeculation。
Theybaffledhimbecausehethoughtthatheknewhisjunglesowellthattherecouldbenothingwithinitunfamiliartohim。
Sometimeshethoughtthatascolorsandformsappearedtodifferbynightfromtheirfamiliardaylightaspects，sosoundsalteredwiththepassageofKuduandthecomingofGoro，andthesethoughtsrousedwithinhisbrainavagueconjecturethatperhapsGoroandKuduinfluencedthesechanges。
Andwhatmorenaturalthateventuallyhecametoattributetothesunandthemoonpersonalitiesasrealashisown？Thesunwasalivingcreatureandruledtheday。
Themoon，endowedwithbrainsandmiraculouspowers，ruledthenight。
Thusfunctionedtheuntrainedman-mindgropingthroughthedarknightofignoranceforanexplanationofthethingshecouldnottouchorsmellorhearandofthegreat，unknownpowersofnaturewhichhecouldnotsee。
AsTarzanswungnorthagainuponhiswidecirclethescentoftheGomanganicametohisnostrils，mixedwiththeacridodorofwoodsmoke。Theape-manmovedquicklyinthedirectionfromwhichthescentwasbornedowntohimuponthegentlenightwind。
Presentlytheruddysheenofagreatfirefilteredthroughthefoliagetohimahead，andwhenTarzancametoahaltinthetreesnearit，hesawapartyofhalfadozenblackwarriorshuddledclosetotheblaze。
ItwasevidentlyahuntingpartyfromthevillageofMbonga，thechief，caughtoutinthejungleafterdark。
Inarudecircleaboutthemtheyhadconstructedathornbomawhich，withtheaidofthefire，theyapparentlyhopedwoulddiscouragetheadvancesofthelargercarnivora。
Thathopewasnotconvictionwasevidencedbytheverypalpableterrorinwhichtheycrouched，wide-eyedandtrembling，foralreadyNumaandSaborweremoaningthroughthejungletowardthem。Therewereothercreatures，too，intheshadowsbeyondthefirelight。Tarzancouldseetheiryelloweyesflamingthere。Theblackssawthemandshivered。
Thenonearoseandgraspingaburningbranchfromthefirehurleditattheeyes，whichimmediatelydisappeared。
Theblacksatdownagain。Tarzanwatchedandsawthatitwasseveralminutesbeforetheeyesbegantoreappearintwosandfours。
ThencameNuma，thelion，andSabor，hismate。Theothereyesscatteredtorightandleftbeforethemenacinggrowlsofthegreatcats，andthenthehugeorbsoftheman-eatersflamedaloneoutofthedarkness。Someoftheblacksthrewthemselvesupontheirfacesandmoaned；
buthewhobeforehadhurledtheburningbranchnowhurledanotherstraightatthefacesofthehungrylions，andthey，too，disappearedashadthelesserlightsbeforethem。Tarzanwasmuchinterested。Hesawanewreasonforthenightlyfiresmaintainedbytheblacks——areasoninadditiontothoseconnectedwithwarmthandlightandcooking。Thebeastsofthejunglefearedfire，andsofirewas，inameasure，aprotectionfromthem。
Tarzanhimselfknewacertainaweoffire。Oncehehad，ininvestigatinganabandonedfireinthevillageoftheblacks，pickedupalivecoal。Sincethenhehadmaintainedarespectfuldistancefromsuchfiresashehadseen。
Oneexperiencehadsufficed。
Forafewminutesaftertheblackhurledthefirebrandnoeyesappeared，thoughTarzancouldhearthesoftpaddingoffeetallabouthim。Thenflashedoncemorethetwinfirespotsthatmarkedthereturnofthelordofthejungleandamomentlater，uponaslightlylowerlevel，thereappearedthoseofSabor，hismate。
Forsometimetheyremainedfixedandunwavering——aconstellationoffiercestarsinthejunglenight——thenthemalelionadvancedslowlytowardtheboma，whereallbutasingleblackstillcrouchedintremblingterror。
WhenthisloneguardiansawthatNumawasagainapproaching，hethrewanotherfirebrand，and，asbefore，NumaretreatedandwithhimSabor，thelioness；butnotsofar，thistime，norforsolong。Almostinstantlytheyturnedandbegancirclingtheboma，theireyesturningconstantlytowardthefirelight，whilelow，throatygrowlsevidencedtheirincreasingdispleasure。Beyondthelionsglowedtheflamingeyesofthelessersatellites，untiltheblackjunglewasshotallaroundtheblackmen’scampwithlittlespotsoffire。
Againandagaintheblackwarriorhurledhispunybrandsatthetwobigcats；butTarzannoticedthatNumapaidlittleornoattentiontothemafterthefirstfewretreats。
Theape-manknewbyNuma’svoicethatthelionwashungryandsurmisedthathehadmadeuphismindtofeeduponaGomangani；butwouldhedareacloserapproachtothedreadedflames？
EvenasthethoughtwaspassinginTarzan’smind，Numastoppedhisrestlesspacingandfacedtheboma。
Foramomenthestoodmotionless，exceptforthequick，nervousupcurvingofhistail，thenhewalkeddeliberatelyforward，whileSabormovedrestlesslytoandfrowherehehadlefther。Theblackmancalledtohiscomradesthatthelionwascoming，buttheyweretoofargoneinfeartodomorethanhuddleclosertogetherandmoanmoreloudlythanbefore。
Seizingablazingbranchthemancastitstraightintothefaceofthelion。Therewasanangryroar，followedbyaswiftcharge。Withasingleboundthesavagebeastclearedthebomawallas，withalmostequalagility，thewarriorcleareditupontheoppositesideand，chancingthedangerslurkinginthedarkness，boltedforthenearesttree。
Numawasoutofthebomaalmostassoonashewasinsideit；
butashewentbackoverthelowthornwall，hetookascreamingnegrowithhim。DragginghisvictimalongthegroundhewalkedbacktowardSabor，thelioness，whojoinedhim，andthetwocontinuedintotheblackness，theirsavagegrowlsminglingwiththepiercingshrieksofthedoomedandterrifiedman。
Atalittledistancefromtheblazethelionshalted，thereensuedashortsuccessionofunusuallyviciousgrowlsandroars，duringwhichthecriesandmoansoftheblackmanceased——forever。
PresentlyNumareappearedinthefirelight。Hemadeasecondtripintothebomaandtheformergrislytragedywasreenactedwithanotherhowlingvictim。
Tarzanroseandstretchedlazily。Theentertainmentwasbeginningtoborehim。Heyawnedandturneduponhiswaytowardtheclearingwherethetribewouldbesleepingintheencirclingtrees。
Yetevenwhenhehadfoundhisfamiliarcrotchandcurledhimselfforslumber，hefeltnodesiretosleep。
Foralongtimehelayawakethinkinganddreaming。
Helookedupintotheheavensandwatchedthemoonandthestars。Hewonderedwhattheywereandwhatpowerkeptthemfromfalling。Hiswasaninquisitivemind。
Alwayshehadbeenfullofquestionsconcerningallthatpassedaroundhim；butthereneverhadbeenonetoanswerhisquestions。InchildhoodhehadwantedtoKNOW，and，deniedalmostallknowledge，hestill，inmanhood，wasfilledwiththegreat，unsatisfiedcuriosityofachild。
Hewasneverquitecontentmerelytoperceivethatthingshappened——hedesiredtoknowWHYtheyhappened。
Hewantedtoknowwhatmadethingsgo。Thesecretoflifeinterestedhimimmensely。Themiracleofdeathhecouldnotquitefathom。Uponinnumerableoccasionshehadinvestigatedtheinternalmechanismofhiskills，andonceortwicehehadopenedthechestcavityofvictimsintimetoseetheheartstillpumping。
Hehadlearnedfromexperiencethataknifethrustthroughthisorganbroughtimmediatedeathninetimesoutoften，whilehemightstabanantagonistinnumerabletimesinotherplaceswithoutevendisablinghim。Andsohehadcometothinkoftheheart，or，ashecalledit，\"theredthingthatbreathes，\"astheseatandoriginoflife。
Thebrainanditsfunctioningshedidnotcomprehendatall。
Thathissenseperceptionsweretransmittedtohisbrainandtheretranslated，classified，andlabeledwassomethingquitebeyondhim。Hethoughtthathisfingersknewwhentheytouchedsomething，thathiseyesknewwhentheysaw，hisearswhentheyheard，hisnosewhenitscented。
Heconsideredhisthroat，epidermis，andthehairsofhisheadasthethreeprincipalseatsofemotion。
WhenKalahadbeenslainapeculiarchokingsensationhadpossessedhisthroat；contactwithHistah，thesnake，impartedanunpleasantsensationtotheskinofhiswholebody；
whiletheapproachofanenemymadethehairsonhisscalpstanderect。
Imagine，ifyoucan，achildfilledwiththewondersofnature，burstingwithqueriesandsurroundedonlybybeastsofthejungletowhomhisquestioningswereasstrangeasSanskritwouldhavebeen。IfheaskedGuntowhatmadeitrain，thebigoldapewouldbutgazeathimindumbastonishmentforaninstantandthenreturntohisinterestingandedifyingsearchforfleas；
andwhenhequestionedMumga，whowasveryoldandshouldhavebeenverywise，butwasn’t，astothereasonfortheclosingofcertainflowersafterKuduhaddesertedthesky，andtheopeningofothersduringthenight，hewassurprisedtodiscoverthatMumgahadnevernoticedtheseinterestingfacts，thoughshecouldtelltoaninchjustwherethefattestgrubwormshouldbehiding。
ToTarzanthesethingswerewonders。Theyappealedtohisintellectandtohisimagination。Hesawtheflowerscloseandopen；hesawcertainbloomswhichturnedtheirfacesalwaystowardthesun；hesawleaveswhichmovedwhentherewasnobreeze；hesawvinescrawllikelivingthingsupthebolesandoverthebranchesofgreattrees；
andtoTarzanoftheApestheflowersandthevinesandthetreeswerelivingcreatures。Heoftentalkedtothem，ashetalkedtoGoro，themoon，andKudu，thesun，andalwayswashedisappointedthattheydidnotreply。
Heaskedthemquestions；buttheycouldnotanswer，thoughheknewthatthewhisperingoftheleaveswasthelanguageoftheleaves——theytalkedwithoneanother。
Thewindheattributedtothetreesandgrasses。Hethoughtthattheyswayedthemselvestoandfro，creatingthewind。
Innootherwaycouldheaccountforthisphenomenon。
Therainhefinallyattributedtothestars，themoon，andthesun；buthishypothesiswasentirelyunlovelyandunpoetical。
TonightasTarzanlaythinking，theresprangtohisfertileimaginationanexplanationofthestarsandthemoon。
Hebecamequiteexcitedaboutit。Taugwassleepinginanearbycrotch。Tarzanswungoverbesidehim。
\"Taug！\"hecried。Instantlythegreatbullwasawakeandbristling，sensingdangerfromthenocturnalsummons。
\"Look，Taug！\"exclaimedTarzan，pointingtowardthestars。
\"SeetheeyesofNumaandSabor，ofSheetaandDango。
TheywaitaroundGorotoleapinuponhimfortheirkill。
SeetheeyesandthenoseandthemouthofGoro。AndthelightthatshinesuponhisfaceisthelightofthegreatfirehehasbuilttofrightenawayNumaandSaborandDangoandSheeta。
\"Allabouthimaretheeyes，Taug，youcanseethem！Buttheydonotcomeveryclosetothefire——therearefeweyesclosetoGoro。Theyfearthefire！ItisthefirethatsavesGorofromNuma。Doyouseethem，Taug？SomenightNumawillbeveryhungryandveryangry——thenhewillleapoverthethornbusheswhichencircleGoroandwewillhavenomorelightafterKuduseekshislair——thenightwillbeblackwiththeblacknessthatcomeswhenGoroislazyandsleepslateintothenight，orwhenhewandersthroughtheskiesbyday，forgettingthejungleanditspeople。\"
TauglookedstupidlyattheheavensandthenatTarzan。
Ameteorfell，blazingaflamingwaythroughthesky。
\"Look！\"criedTarzan。\"GorohasthrownaburningbranchatNuma。\"
Tauggrumbled。\"Numaisdownbelow，\"hesaid。\"Numadoesnothuntabovethetrees。\"Buthelookedcuriouslyandalittlefearfullyatthebrightstarsabovehim，asthoughhesawthemforthefirsttime，anddoubtlessitwasthefirsttimethatTaugeverhadseenthestars，thoughtheyhadbeenintheskyabovehimeverynightofhislife。ToTaugtheywereasthegorgeousjungleblooms——hecouldnoteatthemandsoheignoredthem。
Taugfidgetedandwasnervous。Foralongtimehelaysleepless，watchingthestars——theflamingeyesofthebeastsofpreysurroundingGoro，themoon——Goro，bywhoselighttheapesdancedtothebeatingoftheirearthendrums。IfGoroshouldbeeatenbyNumatherecouldbenomoreDum-Dums。Taugwasoverwhelmedbythethought。
HeglancedatTarzanhalffearfully。Whywashisfriendsodifferentfromtheothersofthetribe？NooneelsewhomTaugeverhadknownhadhadsuchqueerthoughtsasTarzan。
Theapescratchedhisheadandwondered，dimly，ifTarzanwasasafecompanion，andthenherecalledslowly，andbyalaboriousmentalprocess，thatTarzanhadservedhimbetterthananyotheroftheapes，eventhestrongandwisebullsofthetribe。
TarzanitwaswhohadfreedhimfromtheblacksattheverytimethatTaughadthoughtTarzanwantedTeeka。
ItwasTarzanwhohadsavedTaug’slittlebalufromdeath。
ItwasTarzanwhohadconceivedandcarriedouttheplantopursueTeeka’sabductorandrescuethestolenone。
TarzanhadfoughtandbledinTaug’sservicesomanytimesthatTaug，althoughonlyabrutalape，hadhadimpresseduponhismindafierceloyaltywhichnothingnowcouldswerve——hisfriendshipforTarzanhadbecomeahabit，atraditionalmost，whichwouldendurewhileTaugendured。
Henevershowedanyoutwarddemonstrationofaffection——hegrowledatTarzanashegrowledattheotherbullswhocametooclosewhilehewasfeeding——buthewouldhavediedforTarzan。HeknewitandTarzanknewit；
butofsuchthingsapesdonotspeak——theirvocabulary，forthefinerinstincts，consistingmoreofactionsthanwords。ButnowTaugwasworried，andhefellasleepagainstillthinkingofthestrangewordsofhisfellow。
Thefollowingdayhethoughtofthemagain，andwithoutanyintentionofdisloyaltyhementionedtoGuntowhatTarzanhadsuggestedabouttheeyessurroundingGoro，andthepossibilitythatsoonerorlaterNumawouldchargethemoonanddevourhim。Totheapesalllargethingsinnaturearemale，andsoGoro，beingthelargestcreatureintheheavensbynight，was，tothem，abull。
GuntobitasliverfromahornyfingerandrecalledthefactthatTarzanhadoncesaidthatthetreestalkedtooneanother，andGozanrecountedhavingseentheape-mandancingaloneinthemoonlightwithSheeta，thepanther。
TheydidnotknowthatTarzanhadropedthesavagebeastandtiedhimtoatreebeforehecametoearthandleapedaboutbeforetherearingcat，totantalizehim。
OtherstoldofseeingTarzanrideuponthebackofTantor，theelephant；ofhisbringingtheblackboy，Tibo，tothetribe，andofmysteriousthingswithwhichhecommunedinthestrangelairbythesea。Theyhadneverunderstoodhisbooks，andafterhehadshownthemtooneortwoofthetribeanddiscoveredthateventhepicturescarriednoimpressiontotheirbrains，hehaddesisted。
\"Tarzanisnotanape，\"saidGunto。\"HewillbringNumatoeatus，asheisbringinghimtoeatGoro。
Weshouldkillhim。\"
ImmediatelyTaugbristled。KillTarzan！\"FirstyouwillkillTaug，\"hesaid，andlumberedawaytosearchforfood。
Butothersjoinedtheplotters。TheythoughtofmanythingswhichTarzanhaddone——thingswhichapesdidnotdoandcouldnotunderstand。AgainGuntovoicedtheopinionthattheTarmangani，thewhiteape，shouldbeslain，andtheothers，filledwithterroraboutthestoriestheyhadheard，andthinkingTarzanwasplanningtoslayGoro，greetedtheproposalwithgrowlsofaccord。
AmongthemwasTeeka，listeningwithallherears；
buthervoicewasnotraisedinfurtheranceoftheplan。
Insteadshebristled，showingherfangs，andafterwardshewentawayinsearchofTarzan；butshecouldnotfindhim，ashewasroamingfarafieldinsearchofmeat。
ShefoundTaug，though，andtoldhimwhattheotherswereplanning，andthegreatbullstampeduponthegroundandroared。Hisbloodshoteyesblazedwithwrath，hisupperlipcurleduptoexposehisfightingfangs，andthehairuponhisspinestooderect，andthenarodentscurriedacrosstheopenandTaugsprangtoseizeit。
Inaninstantheseemedtohaveforgottenhisrageagainsttheenemiesofhisfriend；butsuchisthemindofanape。
SeveralmilesawayTarzanoftheApeslolleduponthebroadheadofTantor，theelephant。Hescratchedbeneaththegreatearswiththepointofasharpstick，andhetalkedtothehugepachydermofeverythingwhichfilledhisblack-thatchedhead。Little，ornothing，ofwhathesaiddidTantorunderstand；butTantorisagoodlistener。
Swayingfromsidetosidehestoodthereenjoyingthecompanionshipofhisfriend，thefriendheloved，andabsorbingthedelicioussensationsofthescratching。
Numa，thelion，caughtthescentofman，andwarilystalkedituntilhecamewithinsightofhispreyupontheheadofthemightytusker；thenheturned，growlingandmuttering，awayinsearchofmorepropitioushuntinggrounds。
Theelephantcaughtthescentofthelion，bornetohimbyaneddyingbreeze，andliftinghistrunktrumpetedloudly。
Tarzanstretchedbackluxuriously，lyingsupineatfulllengthalongtheroughhide。Fliesswarmedabouthisface；
butwithaleafybranchtornfromatreehelazilybrushedthemaway。
\"Tantor，\"hesaid，\"itisgoodtobealive。Itisgoodtolieinthecoolshadows。Itisgoodtolookuponthegreentreesandthebrightcolorsoftheflowers——uponeverythingwhichBulamutumumohasputhereforus。
Heisverygoodtous，Tantor；Hehasgivenyoutenderleavesandbark，andrichgrassestoeat；tomeHehasgivenBaraandHortaandPisah，thefruitsandthenutsandtheroots。
Heprovidesforeachthefoodthateachlikesbest。
AllthatHeasksisthatwebestrongenoughorcunningenoughtogoforthandtakeit。Yes，Tantor，itisgoodtolive。
Ishouldhatetodie。\"
Tantormadealittlesoundinhisthroatandcurledhistrunkupwardthathemightcaresstheape-man’scheekwiththefingeratitstip。
\"Tantor，\"saidTarzanpresently，\"turnandfeedinthedirectionofthetribeofKerchak，thegreatape，thatTarzanmayridehomeuponyourheadwithoutwalking。\"
Thetuskerturnedandmovedslowlyoffalongabroad，tree-archedtrail，pausingoccasionallytopluckatenderbranch，orstriptheediblebarkfromanadjacenttree。
Tarzansprawledfacedownwarduponthebeast’sheadandback，hislegshangingoneitherside，hisheadsupportedbyhisopenpalms，hiselbowsrestingonthebroadcranium。
Andthustheymadetheirleisurelywaytowardthegatheringplaceofthetribe。
Justbeforetheyarrivedattheclearingfromthenorththerereacheditfromthesouthanotherfigure——thatofawell-knitblackwarrior，whosteppedcautiouslythroughthejungle，everysenseuponthealertagainstthemanydangerswhichmightlurkanywherealongtheway。
Yethepassedbeneaththesouthernmostsentrythatwaspostedinagreattreecommandingthetrailfromthesouth。
TheapepermittedtheGomanganitopassunmolested，forhesawthathewasalone；butthemomentthatthewarriorhadenteredtheclearingaloud\"Kreeg-ah！\"rangoutfrombehindhim，immediatelyfollowedbyachorusofrepliesfromdifferentdirections，asthegreatbullscrashedthroughthetreesinanswertothesummonsoftheirfellow。
Theblackmanhaltedatthefirstcryandlookedabouthim。
Hecouldseenothing，butheknewthevoiceofthehairytreemenwhomheandhiskindfeared，notalonebecauseofthestrengthandferocityofthesavagebeings，butaswellthroughasuperstitiousterrorengenderedbythemanlikeappearanceoftheapes。
ButBulabantuwasnocoward。Heheardtheapesallabouthim；
heknewthatescapewasprobablyimpossible，sohestoodhisground，hisspearreadyinhishandandawarcrytremblingonhislips。Hewouldsellhislifedearly，wouldBulabantu，under-chiefofthevillageofMbonga，thechief。
TarzanandTantorwerebutashortdistanceawaywhenthefirstcryofthesentryrangoutthroughthequietjungle。
Likeaflashtheape-manleapedfromtheelephant’sbacktoanear-bytreeandwasswingingrapidlyinthedirectionoftheclearingbeforetheechoesofthefirst\"Kreeg-ah\"haddiedaway。WhenhearrivedhesawadozenbullscirclingasingleGomangani。
Withablood-curdlingscreamTarzansprangtotheattack。
Hehatedtheblacksevenmorethandidtheapes，andherewasanopportunityforakillintheopen。
WhathadtheGomanganidone？Hadheslainoneofthetribe？
Tarzanaskedthenearestape。No，theGomanganihadharmednone。Gozan，beingonwatch，hadseenhimcomingthroughtheforestandhadwarnedthetribe——thatwasall。
Theape-manpushedthroughthecircleofbulls，noneofwhichasyethadworkedhimselfintosufficientfrenzyforacharge，andcamewherehehadafullandcloseviewoftheblack。Herecognizedthemaninstantly。
Onlythenightbeforehehadseenhimfacingtheeyesinthedark，whilehisfellowsgroveledinthedirtathisfeet，tooterrifiedeventodefendthemselves。
Herewasabraveman，andTarzanhaddeepadmirationforbravery。Evenhishatredoftheblackswasnotsostrongapassionashisloveofcourage。Hewouldhavejoyedinbattlingwithablackwarrioratalmostanytime；
butthisonehedidnotwishtokill——hefelt，vaguely，thatthemanhadearnedhislifebyhisbravedefenseofitontheprecedingnight，nordidhefancytheoddsthatwerepittedagainstthelonewarrior。
Heturnedtotheapes。\"Gobacktoyourfeeding，\"
hesaid，\"andletthisGomanganigohiswayinpeace。
Hehasnotharmedus，andlastnightIsawhimfightingNumaandSaborwithfire，aloneinthejungle。Heisbrave。
Whyshouldwekillonewhoisbraveandwhohasnotattackedus？Lethimgo。\"
Theapesgrowled。Theyweredispleased。\"KilltheGomangani！\"
criedone。
\"Yes。\"roaredanother，\"killtheGomanganiandtheTarmanganiaswell。\"
\"Killthewhiteape！\"screamedGozan，\"heisnoapeatall；
butaGomanganiwithhisskinoff。\"
\"KillTarzan！\"bellowedGunto。\"Kill！Kill！Kill！\"
Thebullswerenowindeedworkingthemselvesintothefrenzyofslaughter；butagainstTarzanratherthantheblackman。
Ashaggyformchargedthroughthem，hurlingthoseitcameincontactwithtoonesideasastrongmanmightscatterchildren。ItwasTaug——great，savageTaug。
\"Whosays’killTarzan’？\"hedemanded。\"WhokillsTarzanmustkillTaug，too。WhocankillTaug？TaugwilltearyourinsidesfromyouandfeedthemtoDango。\"
\"Wecankillyouall，\"repliedGunto。\"Therearemanyofusandfewofyou，\"andhewasright。Tarzanknewthathewasright。Taugknewit；butneitherwouldadmitsuchapossibility。Itisnotthewayofbullapes。
\"IamTarzan，\"criedtheape-man。\"IamTarzan。
Mightyhunter；mightyfighter。InallthejunglenonesogreatasTarzan。\"
Then，onebyone，theopposingbullsrecountedtheirvirtuesandtheirprowess。Andallthetimethecombatantscamecloserandclosertooneanother。Thusdothebullsworkthemselvestotheproperpitchbeforeengaginginbattle。
Guntocame，stiff-legged，closetoTarzanandsniffedathim，withbaredfangs。Tarzanrumbledforthalow，menacinggrowl。
Theymightrepeatthesetacticsadozentimes；butsoonerorlateronebullwouldclosewithanotherandthenthewholehideouspackwouldbetearingandrendingattheirprey。
Bulabantu，theblackman，hadstoodwide-eyedinwonderfromthemomenthehadseenTarzanapproachingthroughtheapes。
Hehadheardmuchofthisdevil-godwhoranwiththehairytreepeople；butneverbeforehadheseenhiminfulldaylight。Heknewhimwellenoughfromthedescriptionofthosewhohadseenhimandfromtheglimpseshehadhadofthemarauderuponseveraloccasionswhentheape-manhadenteredthevillageofMbonga，thechief，bynight，intheperpetrationofoneofhisnumerousghastlyjokes。
Bulabantucouldnot，ofcourse，understandanythingwhichpassedbetweenTarzanandtheapes；buthesawthattheape-manandoneofthelargerbullswereinargumentwiththeothers。Hesawthatthesetwowerestandingwiththeirbacktowardhimandbetweenhimandthebalanceofthetribe，andheguessed，thoughitseemedimprobable，thattheymightbedefendinghim。
HeknewthatTarzanhadoncesparedthelifeofMbonga，thechief，andthathehadsuccoredTibo，andTibo’smother，Momaya。SoitwasnotimpossiblethathewouldhelpBulabantu；buthowhecouldaccomplishitBulabantucouldnotguess；norasamatteroffactcouldTarzan，fortheoddsagainsthimweretoogreat。
GuntoandtheotherswereslowlyforcingTarzanandTaugbacktowardBulabantu。Theape-manthoughtofhiswordswithTantorjustashorttimebefore:\"Yes，Tantor，itisgoodtolive。Ishouldhatetodie。\"Andnowheknewthathewasabouttodie，forthetemperofthegreatbullswasmountingrapidlyagainsthim。
Alwayshadmanyofthemhatedhim，andallweresuspiciousofhim。Theyknewhewasdifferent。Tarzanknewittoo；
buthewasgladthathewas——hewasaMAN；thathehadlearnedfromhispicture-books，andhewasveryproudofthedistinction。Presently，though，hewouldbeadeadman。
Guntowaspreparingtocharge。Tarzanknewthesigns。
HeknewthatthebalanceofthebullswouldchargewithGunto。Thenitwouldsoonbeover。Somethingmovedamongtheverdureattheoppositesideoftheclearing。
TarzansawitjustasGunto，withtheterrifyingcryofachallengingape，sprangforward。Tarzanvoicedapeculiarcallandthencrouchedtomeettheassault。
Taugcrouched，too，andBulabantu，assurednowthatthesetwowerefightinguponhisside，couchedhisspearandsprangbetweenthemtoreceivethefirstchargeoftheenemy。
Simultaneouslyahugebulkbrokeintotheclearingfromthejunglebehindthechargingbulls。
Thetrumpetingofamadtuskerroseshrillabovethecriesoftheanthropoids，asTantor，theelephant，dashedswiftlyacrosstheclearingtotheaidofhisfriend。
Guntoneverclosedupontheape-man，nordidafangenterfleshuponeitherside。TheterrificreverberationofTantor’schallengesentthebullsscurryingtothetrees，jabberingandscolding。Taugracedoffwiththem。
OnlyTarzanandBulabanturemained。Thelatterstoodhisgroundbecausehesawthatthedevil-goddidnotrun，andbecausetheblackhadthecouragetofaceacertainandhorribledeathbesideonewhohadquiteevidentlydareddeathforhim。
ButitwasasurprisedGomanganiwhosawthemightyelephantcometoasuddenhaltinfrontoftheape-manandcaresshimwithhislong，sinuoustrunk。
Tarzanturnedtowardtheblackman。\"Go！\"hesaidinthelanguageoftheapes，andpointedinthedirectionofthevillageofMbonga。Bulabantuunderstoodthegesture，ifnottheword，nordidhelosetimeinobeying。
Tarzanstoodwatchinghimuntilhehaddisappeared。
Heknewthattheapeswouldnotfollow。Thenhesaidtotheelephant:\"Pickmeup！\"andthetuskerswunghimlightlytohishead。
\"Tarzangoestohislairbythebigwater，\"shoutedtheape-mantotheapesinthetrees。\"AllofyouaremorefoolishthanManu，exceptTaugandTeeka。TaugandTeekamaycometoseeTarzan；buttheothersmustkeepaway。
TarzanisdonewiththetribeofKerchak。\"
HeproddedTantorwithacallousedtoeandthebigbeastswungoffacrosstheclearing，theapeswatchingthemuntiltheywereswallowedupbythejungle。
BeforethenightfellTaugkilledGunto，pickingaquarrelwithhimoverhisattackuponTarzan。
ForamoonthetribesawnothingofTarzanoftheApes。
Manyofthemprobablynevergavehimathought；buttherewerethosewhomissedhimmorethanTarzanimagined。
TaugandTeekaoftenwishedthathewasback，andTaugdeterminedadozentimestogoandvisitTarzaninhisseasidelair；
butfirstonethingandthenanotherinterfered。
OnenightwhenTauglaysleeplesslookingupatthestarryheavensherecalledthestrangethingsthatTarzanoncehadsuggestedtohim——thatthebrightspotsweretheeyesofthemeat-eaterswaitinginthedarkofthejungleskytoleapuponGoro，themoon，anddevourhim。
Themorehethoughtaboutthismatterthemoreperturbedhebecame。
Andthenastrangethinghappened。EvenasTauglookedatGoro，hesawaportionofoneedgedisappear，preciselyasthoughsomethingwasgnawinguponit。
LargerandlargerbecametheholeinthesideofGoro。
Withascream，Taugleapedtohisfeet。Hisfrenzied\"Kreeg-ahs！\"broughttheterrifiedtribescreamingandchatteringtowardhim。
\"Look！\"criedTaug，pointingatthemoon。\"Look！ItisasTarzansaid。NumahassprungthroughthefiresandisdevouringGoro。YoucalledTarzannamesanddrovehimfromthetribe；nowseehowwisehewas。
LetoneofyouwhohatedTarzangotoGoro’said。
SeetheeyesinthedarkjungleallaboutGoro。Heisindangerandnonecanhelphim——noneexceptTarzan。
SoonGorowillbedevouredbyNumaandweshallhavenomorelightafterKuduseekshislair。HowshallwedancetheDum-DumwithoutthelightofGoro？\"
Theapestrembledandwhimpered。Anymanifestationofthepowersofnaturealwaysfilledthemwithterror，fortheycouldnotunderstand。
\"GoandbringTarzan，\"criedone，andthentheyalltookupthecryof\"Tarzan！\"\"BringTarzan！\"\"HewillsaveGoro。\"
Butwhowastotravelthedarkjunglebynighttofetchhim？
\"Iwillgo，\"volunteeredTaug，andaninstantlaterhewasoffthroughtheStygiangloomtowardthelittleland-lockedharborbythesea。
Andasthetribewaitedtheywatchedtheslowdevouringofthemoon。AlreadyNumahadeatenoutagreatsemicircularpiece。AtthatrateGorowouldbeentirelygonebeforeKuducameagain。Theapestrembledatthethoughtofperpetualdarknessbynight。Theycouldnotsleep。
Restlesslytheymovedhereandthereamongthebranchesoftrees，watchingNumaoftheskiesathisdeadlyfeast，andlisteningforthecomingofTaugwithTarzan。
Gorowasnearlygonewhentheapesheardthesoundsoftheapproachthroughthetreesofthetwotheyawaited，andpresentlyTarzan，followedbyTaug，swungintoanearbytree。
Theape-manwastednotimeinidlewords。Inhishandwashislongbowandathisbackhungaquiverfullofarrows，poisonedarrowsthathehadstolenfromthevillageoftheblacks；justashehadstolenthebow。Upintoagreattreeheclambered，higherandhigheruntilhestoodswayinguponasmalllimbwhichbentlowbeneathhisweight。
Herehehadaclearandunobstructedviewoftheheavens。
HesawGoroandtheinroadswhichthehungryNumahadmadeintohisshiningsurface。
Raisinghisfacetothemoon，Tarzanshrilledforthhishideouschallenge。Faintlyandfromafarcametheroarofanansweringlion。Theapesshivered。
NumaoftheskieshadansweredTarzan。
Thentheape-manfittedanarrowtohisbow，anddrawingtheshaftfarback，aimeditspointattheheartofNumawherehelayintheheavensdevouringGoro。Therewasaloudtwangasthereleasedboltshotintothedarkheavens。
AgainandagaindidTarzanoftheApeslaunchhisarrowsatNuma，andallthewhiletheapesofthetribeofKerchakhuddledtogetherinterror。
AtlastcameacryfromTaug。\"Look！Look！\"hescreamed。
\"Numaiskilled。TarzanhaskilledNuma。See！GoroisemergingfromthebellyofNuma，\"and，sureenough，themoonwasgraduallyemergingfromwhateverhaddevouredher，whetheritwasNuma，thelion，ortheshadowoftheearth；
butwereyoutotrytoconvinceanapeofthetribeofKerchakthatitwasaughtbutNumawhosonearlydevouredGorothatnight，orthatanotherthanTarzanpreservedthebrilliantgodoftheirsavageandmysteriousritesfromafrightfuldeath，youwouldhavedifficulty——andafightonyourhands。
AndsoTarzanoftheApescamebacktothetribeofKerchak，andinhiscominghetookalongstridetowardthekingship，whichheultimatelywon，fornowtheapeslookeduptohimasasuperiorbeing。
InallthetribetherewasbutonewhowasatallskepticalabouttheplausibilityofTarzan’sremarkablerescueofGoro，andthatone，strangeasitmayseem，wasTarzanoftheApes。