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。