Contents

CHAPTER

PAGE

1BelgianandArab2OntheRoadtoOpar3TheCalloftheJungle4ProphecyandFulfillment5TheAltaroftheFlamingGod6TheArabRaid7TheJewel—RoomofOpar8TheEscapefromOpar9TheTheftoftheJewels10AchmetZekSeestheJewels11TarzanBecomesaBeastAgain12LaSeeksVengeance13CondemnedtoTortureandDeath14APriestessButYetaWoman15TheFlightofWerper16TarzanAgainLeadstheMangani17TheDeadlyPerilofJaneClayton18TheFightFortheTreasure19JaneClaytonandTheBeastsoftheJungle20JaneClaytonAgainaPrisoner21TheFlighttotheJungle22TarzanRecoversHisReason23ANightofTerror24HomeTarzanandtheJewelsofOparbyEdgarRiceBurroughs1

BelgianandArabLieutenantAlbertWerperhadonlytheprestigeofthenamehehaddishonoredtothankforhisnarrowescapefrombeingcashiered。Atfirsthehadbeenhumblythankful，too，thattheyhadsenthimtothisGodforsakenCongopostinsteadofcourt—martialinghim，ashehadsojustlydeserved；

butnowsixmonthsofthemonotony，thefrightfulisolationandthelonelinesshadwroughtachange。Theyoungmanbroodedcontinuallyoverhisfate。Hisdayswerefilledwithmorbidself—pity，whicheventuallyengenderedinhisweakandvacillatingmindahatredforthosewhohadsenthimhere——

fortheverymenhehadatfirstinwardlythankedforsavinghimfromtheignominyofdegradation。

HeregrettedthegaylifeofBrusselsasheneverhadregrettedthesinswhichhadsnatchedhimfromthatgayestofcapitals，andasthedayspassedhecametocenterhisresentmentupontherepresentativeinCongolandoftheauthoritywhichhadexiledhim——hiscaptainandimmediatesuperior。

Thisofficerwasacold，taciturnman，inspiringlittleloveinthosedirectlybeneathhim，yetrespectedandfearedbytheblacksoldiersofhislittlecommand。

Werperwasaccustomedtositforhoursglaringathissuperiorasthetwosatupontheverandaoftheircommonquarters，smokingtheireveningcigaretsinasilencewhichneitherseemeddesirousofbreaking。

Thesenselesshatredofthelieutenantgrewatlastintoaformofmania。Thecaptain’snaturaltaciturnityhedistortedintoastudiedattempttoinsulthimbecauseofhispastshortcomings。Heimaginedthathissuperiorheldhimincontempt，andsohechafedandfumedinwardlyuntiloneeveninghismadnessbecamesuddenlyhomicidal。Hefingeredthebuttoftherevolverathiship，hiseyesnarrowedandhisbrowscontracted。Atlasthespoke。

"Youhaveinsultedmeforthelasttime！"hecried，springingtohisfeet。"Iamanofficerandagentleman，andIshallputupwithitnolongerwithoutanaccountingfromyou，youpig。"

Thecaptain，anexpressionofsurpriseuponhisfeatures，turnedtowardhisjunior。Hehadseenmenbeforewiththejunglemadnessuponthem——themadnessofsolitudeandunrestrainedbrooding，andperhapsatouchoffever。

Heroseandextendedhishandtolayitupontheother’sshoulder。Quietwordsofcounselwereuponhislips；buttheywereneverspoken。Werperconstruedhissuperior’sactionintoanattempttoclosewithhim。

Hisrevolverwasonalevelwiththecaptain’sheart，andthelatterhadtakenbutastepwhenWerperpulledthetrigger。Withoutamoanthemansanktotheroughplankingoftheveranda，andashefellthemiststhathadcloudedWerper’sbrainlifted，sothathesawhimselfandthedeedthathehaddoneinthesamelightthatthosewhomustjudgehimwouldseethem。

Heheardexcitedexclamationsfromthequartersofthesoldiersandheheardmenrunninginhisdirection。

Theywouldseizehim，andiftheydidn’tkillhimtheywouldtakehimdowntheCongotoapointwhereaproperlyorderedmilitarytribunalwoulddosojustaseffectively，thoughinamoreregularmanner。

Werperhadnodesiretodie。Neverbeforehadhesoyearnedforlifeasinthismomentthathehadsoeffectivelyforfeitedhisrighttolive。Themenwerenearinghim。Whatwashetodo？Heglancedaboutasthoughsearchingforthetangibleformofalegitimateexcuseforhiscrime；buthecouldfindonlythebodyofthemanhehadsocauselesslyshotdown。

Indespair，heturnedandfledfromtheoncomingsoldiery。Acrossthecompoundheran，hisrevolverstillclutchedtightlyinhishand。Atthegatesasentryhaltedhim。Werperdidnotpausetoparleyortoexerttheinfluenceofhiscommission——hemerelyraisedhisweaponandshotdowntheinnocentblack。A

momentlaterthefugitivehadtornopenthegatesandvanishedintotheblacknessofthejungle，butnotbeforehehadtransferredtherifleandammunitionbeltsofthedeadsentrytohisownperson。

AllthatnightWerperfledfartherandfartherintotheheartofthewilderness。Nowandagainthevoiceofalionbroughthimtoalisteninghalt；butwithcockedandreadyriflehepushedaheadagain，morefearfulofthehumanhuntsmeninhisrearthanofthewildcarnivoraahead。

Dawncameatlast，butstillthemanploddedon。

Allsenseofhungerandfatiguewerelostintheterrorsofcontemplatedcapture。Hecouldthinkonlyofescape。

Hedarednotpausetorestoreatuntiltherewasnofurtherdangerfrompursuit，andsohestaggeredonuntilatlasthefellandcouldrisenomore。Howlonghehadfledhedidnotknow，ortrytoknow。Whenhecouldfleenolongertheknowledgethathehadreachedhislimitwashiddenfromhimintheunconsciousnessofutterexhaustion。

AndthusitwasthatAchmetZek，theArab，foundhim。

Achmet’sfollowerswereforrunningaspearthroughthebodyoftheirhereditaryenemy；butAchmetwouldhaveitotherwise。FirsthewouldquestiontheBelgian。

Itwereeasiertoquestionamanfirstandkillhimafterward，thankillhimfirstandthenquestionhim。

SohehadLieutenantAlbertWerpercarriedtohisowntent，andthereslavesadministeredwineandfoodinsmallquantitiesuntilatlasttheprisonerregainedconsciousness。Asheopenedhiseyeshesawthefacesofstrangeblackmenabouthim，andjustoutsidethetentthefigureofanArab。Nowherewastheuniformofhissoldierstobeseen。

TheArabturnedandseeingtheopeneyesoftheprisoneruponhim，enteredthetent。

"IamAchmetZek，"heannounced。"Whoareyou，andwhatwereyoudoinginmycountry？Whereareyoursoldiers？"

AchmetZek！Werper’seyeswentwide，andhisheartsank。Hewasintheclutchesofthemostnotoriousofcut—throats——ahaterofallEuropeans，especiallythosewhoworetheuniformofBelgium。ForyearsthemilitaryforcesofBelgianCongohadwagedafruitlesswaruponthismanandhisfollowers——awarinwhichquarterhadneverbeenaskednorexpectedbyeitherside。

ButpresentlyintheveryhatredofthemanforBelgians，Werpersawafaintrayofhopeforhimself。

He，too，wasanoutcastandanoutlaw。Sofar，atleast，theypossessedacommoninterest，andWerperdecidedtoplayuponitforallthatitmightyield。

"Ihaveheardofyou，"hereplied，"andwassearchingforyou。Mypeoplehaveturnedagainstme。Ihatethem。Evennowtheirsoldiersaresearchingforme，tokillme。Iknewthatyouwouldprotectmefromthem，foryou，too，hatethem。InreturnIwilltakeservicewithyou。Iamatrainedsoldier。Icanfight，andyourenemiesaremyenemies。"

AchmetZekeyedtheEuropeaninsilence。Inhismindherevolvedmanythoughts，chiefamongwhichwasthattheunbelieverlied。Ofcoursetherewasthechancethathedidnotlie，andifhetoldthetruththenhispropositionwasonewellworthyofconsideration，sincefightingmenwereneveroverplentiful——especiallywhitemenwiththetrainingandknowledgeofmilitarymattersthataEuropeanofficermustpossess。

AchmetZekscowledandWerper’sheartsank；butWerperdidnotknowAchmetZek，whowasquiteapttoscowlwhereanotherwouldsmile，andsmilewhereanotherwouldscowl。

"Andifyouhaveliedtome，"saidAchmetZek，"Iwillkillyouatanytime。Whatreturn，otherthanyourlife，doyouexpectforyourservices？"

"Mykeeponly，atfirst，"repliedWerper。"Later，ifI

amworthmore，wecaneasilyreachanunderstanding。"

Werper’sonlydesireatthemomentwastopreservehislife。AndsotheagreementwasreachedandLieutenantAlbertWerperbecameamemberoftheivoryandslaveraidingbandofthenotoriousAchmetZek。

FormonthstherenegadeBelgianrodewiththesavageraider。Hefoughtwithasavageabandon，andaviciouscrueltyfullyequaltothatofhisfellowdesperadoes。

AchmetZekwatchedhisrecruitwitheagleeye，andwithagrowingsatisfactionwhichfinallyfoundexpressioninagreaterconfidenceintheman，andresultedinanincreasedindependenceofactionforWerper。

AchmetZektooktheBelgianintohisconfidencetoagreatextent，andatlastunfoldedtohimapetschemewhichtheArabhadlongfostered，butwhichheneverhadfoundanopportunitytoeffect。WiththeaidofaEuropean，however，thethingmightbeeasilyaccomplished。HesoundedWerper。

"YouhaveheardofthemanmencallTarzan？"heasked。

Werpernodded。"Ihaveheardofhim；butIdonotknowhim。"

"Butforhimwemightcarryonour’trading’insafetyandwithgreatprofit，"continuedtheArab。"Foryearshehasfoughtus，drivingusfromtherichestpartofthecountry，harassingus，andarmingthenativesthattheymayrepeluswhenwecometo’trade。’Heisveryrich。Ifwecouldfindsomewaytomakehimpayusmanypiecesofgoldweshouldnotonlybeavengeduponhim；butrepaidformuchthathehaspreventedusfromwinningfromthenativesunderhisprotection。"

Werperwithdrewacigaretfromajeweledcaseandlightedit。

"Andyouhaveaplantomakehimpay？"heasked。

"Hehasawife，"repliedAchmetZek，"whommensayisverybeautiful。Shewouldbringagreatpricefarthernorth，ifwefoundittoodifficulttocollectransommoneyfromthisTarzan。"

Werperbenthisheadinthought。AchmetZekstoodawaitinghisreply。WhatgoodremainedinAlbertWerperrevoltedatthethoughtofsellingawhitewomanintotheslaveryanddegradationofaMoslemharem。

HelookedupatAchmetZek。HesawtheArab’seyesnarrow，andheguessedthattheotherhadsensedhisantagonismtotheplan。WhatwoulditmeantoWerpertorefuse？Hislifelayinthehandsofthissemi—barbarian，whoesteemedthelifeofanunbelieverlesshighlythanthatofadog。Werperlovedlife。Whatwasthiswomantohim，anyway？ShewasaEuropean，doubtless，amemberoforganizedsociety。Hewasanoutcast。Thehandofeverywhitemanwasagainsthim。

Shewashisnaturalenemy，andifherefusedtolendhimselftoherundoing，AchmetZekwouldhavehimkilled。

"Youhesitate，"murmuredtheArab。

"Iwasbutweighingthechancesofsuccess，"liedWerper，"andmyreward。AsaEuropeanIcangainadmittancetotheirhomeandtable。Youhavenootherwithyouwhocoulddosomuch。Theriskwillbegreat。

Ishouldbewellpaid，AchmetZek。"

Asmileofreliefpassedovertheraider’sface。

"Wellsaid，Werper，"andAchmetZekslappedhislieutenantupontheshoulder。"Youshouldbewellpaidandyoushall。Nowletussittogetherandplanhowbestthethingmaybedone，"andthetwomensquatteduponasoftrugbeneaththefadedsilksofAchmet’soncegorgeoustent，andtalkedtogetherinlowvoiceswellintothenight。Bothweretallandbearded，andtheexposuretosunandwindhadgivenanalmostArabhuetotheEuropean’scomplexion。Ineverydetailofdress，too，hecopiedthefashionsofhischief，sothatoutwardlyhewasasmuchanArabastheother。

Itwaslatewhenhearoseandretiredtohisowntent。

ThefollowingdayWerperspentinoverhaulinghisBelgianuniform，removingfromiteveryvestigeofevidencethatmightindicateitsmilitarypurposes。

Fromaheterogeneouscollectionofloot，AchmetZekprocuredapithhelmetandaEuropeansaddle，andfromhisblackslavesandfollowersapartyofporters，askarisandtentboystomakeupamodestsafariforabiggamehunter。AttheheadofthispartyWerpersetoutfromcamp。

2

OntheRoadToOparItwastwoweekslaterthatJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，ridinginfromatourofinspectionofhisvastAfricanestate，glimpsedtheheadofacolumnofmencrossingtheplainthatlaybetweenhisbungalowandtheforesttothenorthandwest。

Hereinedinhishorseandwatchedthelittlepartyasitemergedfromaconcealingswale。Hiskeeneyescaughtthereflectionofthesunuponthewhitehelmetofamountedman，andwiththeconvictionthatawanderingEuropeanhunterwasseekinghishospitality，hewheeledhismountandrodeslowlyforwardtomeetthenewcomer。

Ahalfhourlaterhewasmountingthestepsleadingtotheverandaofhisbungalow，andintroducingM。JulesFrecoulttoLadyGreystoke。

"Iwascompletelylost，"M。Frecoultwasexplaining。

"Myheadmanhadneverbeforebeeninthispartofthecountryandtheguideswhoweretohaveaccompaniedmefromthelastvillagewepassedknewevenlessofthecountrythanwe。Theyfinallydesertedustwodayssince。Iamveryfortunateindeedtohavestumbledsoprovidentiallyuponsuccor。IdonotknowwhatI

shouldhavedone，hadInotfoundyou。"

ItwasdecidedthatFrecoultandhispartyshouldremainseveraldays，oruntiltheywerethoroughlyrested，whenLordGreystokewouldfurnishguidestoleadthemsafelybackintocountrywithwhichFrecoult’sheadmanwassupposedlyfamiliar。

InhisguiseofaFrenchgentlemanofleisure，WerperfoundlittledifficultyindeceivinghishostandiningratiatinghimselfwithbothTarzanandJaneClayton；

butthelongerheremainedthelesshopefulhebecameofaneasyaccomplishmentofhisdesigns。

LadyGreystokeneverrodealoneatanygreatdistancefromthebungalow，andthesavageloyaltyoftheferociousWaziriwarriorswhoformedagreatpartofTarzan’sfollowersseemedtoprecludethepossibilityofasuccessfulattemptatforcibleabduction，orofthebriberyoftheWazirithemselves。

Aweekpassed，andWerperwasnonearerthefulfillmentofhisplan，insofarashecouldjudge，thanuponthedayofhisarrival，butatthatverymomentsomethingoccurredwhichgavehimrenewedhopeandsethisminduponanevengreaterrewardthanawoman’sransom。

Arunnerhadarrivedatthebungalowwiththeweeklymail，andLordGreystokehadspenttheafternooninhisstudyreadingandansweringletters。Atdinnerheseemeddistraught，andearlyintheeveningheexcusedhimselfandretired，LadyGreystokefollowinghimverysoonafter。Werper，sittingupontheveranda，couldheartheirvoicesinearnestdiscussion，andhavingrealizedthatsomethingofunusualmomentwasafoot，hequietlyrosefromhischair，andkeepingwellintheshadowoftheshrubberygrowingprofuselyaboutthebungalow，madehissilentwaytoapointbeneaththewindowoftheroominwhichhishostandhostessslept。

Herehelistened，andnotwithoutresult，foralmostthefirstwordsheoverheardfilledhimwithexcitement。LadyGreystokewasspeakingasWerpercamewithinhearing。

"Ialwaysfearedforthestabilityofthecompany，"shewassaying；"butitseemsincrediblethattheyshouldhavefailedforsoenormousasum——unlesstherehasbeensomedishonestmanipulation。"

"ThatiswhatIsuspect，"repliedTarzan；"butwhateverthecause，thefactremainsthatIhavelosteverything，andthereisnothingforitbuttoreturntoOparandgetmore。"

"Oh，John，"criedLadyGreystoke，andWerpercouldfeeltheshudderthroughhervoice，"istherenootherway？

Icannotbeartothinkofyoureturningtothatfrightfulcity。IwouldratherliveinpovertyalwaysthantohaveyouriskthehideousdangersofOpar。"

"Youneedhavenofear，"repliedTarzan，laughing。

"Iamprettywellabletotakecareofmyself，andwereInot，theWaziriwhowillaccompanymewillseethatnoharmbefallsme。"

"TheyranawayfromOparonce，andleftyoutoyourfate，"sheremindedhim。

"Theywillnotdoitagain，"heanswered。"Theywereverymuchashamedofthemselves，andwerecomingbackwhenImetthem。"

"Buttheremustbesomeotherway，"insistedthewoman。

"Thereisnootherwayhalfsoeasytoobtainanotherfortune，astogotothetreasurevaultsofOparandbringitaway，"hereplied。"Ishallbeverycareful，Jane，andthechancesarethattheinhabitantsofOparwillneverknowthatIhavebeenthereagainanddespoiledthemofanotherportionofthetreasure，theveryexistenceofwhichtheyareasignorantofastheywouldbeofitsvalue。"

ThefinalityinhistoneseemedtoassureLadyGreystokethatfurtherargumentwasfutile，andsosheabandonedthesubject。

Werperremained，listening，forashorttime，andthen，confidentthathehadoverheardallthatwasnecessaryandfearingdiscovery，returnedtotheveranda，wherehesmokednumerouscigaretsinrapidsuccessionbeforeretiring。

Thefollowingmorningatbreakfast，Werperannouncedhisintentionofmakinganearlydeparture，andaskedTarzan’spermissiontohuntbiggameintheWaziricountryonhiswayout——permissionwhichLordGreystokereadilygranted。

TheBelgianconsumedtwodaysincompletinghispreparations，butfinallygotawaywithhissafari，accompaniedbyasingleWaziriguidewhomLordGreystokehadloanedhim。ThepartymadebutasingleshortmarchwhenWerpersimulatedillness，andannouncedhisintentionofremainingwherehewasuntilhehadfullyrecovered。AstheyhadgonebutashortdistancefromtheGreystokebungalow，WerperdismissedtheWaziriguide，tellingthewarriorthathewouldsendforhimwhenhewasabletoproceed。TheWazirigone，theBelgiansummonedoneofAchmetZek’strustedblackstohistent，anddispatchedhimtowatchforthedepartureofTarzan，returningimmediatelytoadviseWerperoftheeventandthedirectiontakenbytheEnglishman。

TheBelgiandidnothavelongtowait，forthefollowingdayhisemissaryreturnedwithwordthatTarzanandapartyoffiftyWaziriwarriorshadsetouttowardthesoutheastearlyinthemorning。

Werpercalledhisheadmantohim，afterwritingalonglettertoAchmetZek。Thisletterhehandedtotheheadman。

"SendarunneratoncetoAchmetZekwiththis，"heinstructedtheheadman。"Remainhereincampawaitingfurtherinstructionsfromhimorfromme。IfanycomefromthebungalowoftheEnglishman，tellthemthatI

amveryillwithinmytentandcanseenoone。Now，givemesixportersandsixaskaris——thestrongestandbravestofthesafari——andIwillmarchaftertheEnglishmananddiscoverwherehisgoldishidden。"

AndsoitwasthatasTarzan，strippedtotheloinclothandarmedaftertheprimitivefashionhebestloved，ledhisloyalWaziritowardthedeadcityofOpar，Werper，therenegade，hauntedhistrailthroughthelong，hotdays，andcampedclosebehindhimbynight。

Andastheymarched，AchmetZekrodewithhisentirefollowingsouthwardtowardtheGreystokefarm。

ToTarzanoftheApestheexpeditionwasinthenatureofaholidayouting。HiscivilizationwasatbestbutanoutwardveneerwhichhegladlypeeledoffwithhisuncomfortableEuropeanclotheswheneveranyreasonablepretextpresenteditself。Itwasawoman’slovewhichkeptTarzaneventothesemblanceofcivilization——aconditionforwhichfamiliarityhadbredcontempt。Hehatedtheshamsandthehypocrisiesofitandwiththeclearvisionofanunspoiledmindhehadpenetratedtotherottencoreoftheheartofthething——thecowardlygreedforpeaceandeaseandthesafe—guardingofpropertyrights。Thatthefinethingsoflife——art，musicandliterature——hadthrivenuponsuchenervatingidealshestrenuouslydenied，insisting，rather，thattheyhadenduredinspiteofcivilization。

"Showmethefat，opulentcoward，"hewaswonttosay，"whoeveroriginatedabeautifulideal。Intheclashofarms，inthebattleforsurvival，amidhungeranddeathanddanger，inthefaceofGodasmanifestedinthedisplayofNature’smostterrificforces，isbornallthatisfinestandbestinthehumanheartandmind。"

AndsoTarzanalwayscamebacktoNatureinthespiritofaloverkeepingalongdeferredtrystafteraperiodbehindprisonwalls。HisWaziri，atmarrow，weremorecivilizedthanhe。TheycookedtheirmeatbeforetheyateitandtheyshunnedmanyarticlesoffoodasuncleanthatTarzanhadeatenwithgustoallhislifeandsoinsidiousisthevirusofhypocrisythateventhestalwartape—manhesitatedtogivereintohisnaturallongingsbeforethem。Heateburntfleshwhenhewouldhavepreferreditrawandunspoiled，andhebroughtdowngamewitharroworspearwhenhewouldfarratherhaveleapeduponitfromambushandsunkhisstrongteethinitsjugular；butatlastthecallofthemilkofthesavagemotherthathadsuckledhimininfancyrosetoaninsistentdemand——hecravedthehotbloodofafreshkillandhismusclesyearnedtopitthemselvesagainstthesavagejungleinthebattleforexistencethathadbeenhissolebirthrightforthefirsttwentyyearsofhislife。

3

TheCalloftheJungleMovedbythesevagueyetall—powerfulurgingstheape—manlayawakeonenightinthelittlethornbomathatprotected，inaway，hispartyfromthedepredationsofthegreatcarnivoraofthejungle。Asinglewarriorstoodsleepyguardbesidethefirethatyelloweyesoutofthedarknessbeyondthecampmadeimperative。

ThemoansandthecoughingofthebigcatsmingledwiththemyriadnoisesofthelesserdenizensofthejungletofanthesavageflameinthebreastofthissavageEnglishlord。Hetosseduponhisbedofgrasses，sleepless，foranhourandthenherose，noiselessasawraith，andwhiletheWaziri’sbackwasturned，vaultedthebomawallinthefaceoftheflamingeyes，swungsilentlyintoagreattreeandwasgone。

Foratimeinsheerexuberanceofanimalspiritheracedswiftlythroughthemiddleterrace，swingingperilouslyacrosswidespansfromonejunglegianttothenext，andthenheclamberedupwardtotheswaying，lesserboughsoftheupperterracewherethemoonshonefulluponhimandtheairwasstirredbylittlebreezesanddeathlurkedreadyineachfrailbranch。HerehepausedandraisedhisfacetoGoro，themoon。

Withupliftedarmhestood，thecryofthebullapequiveringuponhislips，yetheremainedsilentlesthearousehisfaithfulWaziriwhowerealltoofamiliarwiththehideouschallengeoftheirmaster。

Andthenhewentonmoreslowlyandwithgreaterstealthandcaution，fornowTarzanoftheApeswasseekingakill。Downtothegroundhecameintheutterblacknessoftheclose—setbolesandtheoverhangingverdureofthejungle。Hestoopedfromtimetotimeandputhisnoseclosetoearth。HesoughtandfoundawidegametrailandatlasthisnostrilswererewardedwiththescentofthefreshspoorofBara，thedeer。Tarzan’smouthwateredandalowgrowlescapedhispatricianlips。Sloughedfromhimwasthelastvestigeofartificialcaste——onceagainhewastheprimevalhunter——thefirstman——thehighestcastetypeofthehumanrace。Upwindhefollowedtheelusivespoorwithasenseofperceptionsotranscendingthatofordinarymanastobeinconceivabletous。ThroughcountercurrentsoftheheavystenchofmeateatershetracedthetrailofBara；thesweetandcloyingstinkofHorta，theboar，couldnotdrownhisquarry’sscent——

thepermeating，mellowmuskofthedeer’sfoot。

PresentlythebodyscentofthedeertoldTarzanthathispreywascloseathand。Itsenthimintothetreesagain——intothelowerterracewherehecouldwatchthegroundbelowandcatchwithearsandnosethefirstintimationofactualcontactwithhisquarry。Norwasitlongbeforetheape—mancameuponBarastandingalertattheedgeofamoon—bathedclearing。

NoiselesslyTarzancreptthroughthetreesuntilhewasdirectlyoverthedeer。Intheape—man’srighthandwasthelonghuntingknifeofhisfatherandinhisheartthebloodlustofthecarnivore。JustforaninstanthepoisedabovetheunsuspectingBaraandthenhelaunchedhimselfdownwarduponthesleekback。Theimpactofhisweightcarriedthedeertoitskneesandbeforetheanimalcouldregainitsfeettheknifehadfounditsheart。AsTarzanroseuponthebodyofhiskilltoscreamforthhishideousvictorycryintothefaceofthemoonthewindcarriedtohisnostrilssomethingwhichfrozehimtostatuesqueimmobilityandsilence。HissavageeyesblazedintothedirectionfromwhichthewindhadbornedownthewarningtohimandamomentlaterthegrassesatonesideoftheclearingpartedandNuma，thelion，strodemajesticallyintoview。Hisyellow—greeneyeswerefasteneduponTarzanashehaltedjustwithintheclearingandglaredenviouslyatthesuccessfulhunter，forNumahadhadnoluckthisnight。

Fromthelipsoftheape—manbrokearumblinggrowlofwarning。Numaansweredbuthedidnotadvance。

Insteadhestoodwavinghistailgentlytoandfro，andpresentlyTarzansquatteduponhiskillandcutagenerousportionfromahindquarter。Numaeyedhimwithgrowingresentmentandrageas，betweenmouthfuls，theape—mangrowledouthissavagewarnings。NowthisparticularlionhadneverbeforecomeincontactwithTarzanoftheApesandhewasmuchmystified。Herewastheappearanceandthescentofaman—thingandNumahadtastedofhumanfleshandlearnedthatthoughnotthemostpalatableitwascertainlybyfartheeasiesttosecure，yettherewasthatinthebestialgrowlsofthestrangecreaturewhichremindedhimofformidableantagonistsandgavehimpause，whilehishungerandtheodorofthehotfleshofBaragoadedhimalmosttomadness。AlwaysTarzanwatchedhim，guessingwhatwaspassinginthelittlebrainofthecarnivoreandwellitwasthathedidwatchhim，foratlastNumacouldstanditnolonger。Histailshotsuddenlyerectandatthesameinstantthewaryape—man，knowingalltoowellwhatthesignalportended，graspedtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterbetweenhisteethandleapedintoanearbytreeasNumachargedhimwithallthespeedandasufficientsemblanceoftheweightofanexpresstrain。

Tarzan’sretreatwasnoindicationthathefeltfear。

Junglelifeisorderedalongdifferentlinesthanoursanddifferentstandardsprevail。HadTarzanbeenfamishedhewould，doubtless，havestoodhisgroundandmetthelion’scharge。Hehaddonethethingbeforeuponmorethanoneoccasion，justasinthepasthehadchargedlionshimself；buttonighthewasfarfromfamishedandinthehindquarterhehadcarriedoffwithhimwasmorerawfleshthanhecouldeat；yetitwaswithnoequanimitythathelookeddownuponNumarendingthefleshofTarzan’skill。ThepresumptionofthisstrangeNumamustbepunished！AndforthwithTarzansetouttomakelifemiserableforthebigcat。

Closebyweremanytreesbearinglarge，hardfruitsandtooneofthesetheape—manswungwiththeagilityofasquirrel。ThencommencedabombardmentwhichbroughtforthearthshakingroarsfromNuma。Oneafteranotherasrapidlyashecouldgatherandhurlthem，Tarzanpeltedthehardfruitdownuponthelion。Itwasimpossibleforthetawnycattoeatunderthathailofmissiles——hecouldbutroarandgrowlanddodgeandeventuallyhewasdrivenawayentirelyfromthecarcassofBara，thedeer。Hewentroaringandresentful；butintheverycenteroftheclearinghisvoicewassuddenlyhushedandTarzansawthegreatheadlowerandflattenout，thebodycrouchandthelongtailquiver，asthebeastslunkcautiouslytowardthetreesupontheoppositeside。

ImmediatelyTarzanwasalert。Heliftedhisheadandsniffedtheslow，junglebreeze。WhatwasitthathadattractedNuma’sattentionandtakenhimsoft—footedandsilentawayfromthesceneofhisdiscomfiture？

JustastheliondisappearedamongthetreesbeyondtheclearingTarzancaughtuponthedown—comingwindtheexplanationofhisnewinterest——thescentspoorofmanwaswaftedstronglytothesensitivenostrils。Cachingtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterinthecrotchofatreetheape—manwipedhisgreasypalmsuponhisnakedthighsandswungoffinpursuitofNuma。A

broad，well—beatenelephantpathledintotheforestfromtheclearing。ParalleltothisslunkNuma，whileabovehimTarzanmovedthroughthetrees，theshadowofawraith。ThesavagecatandthesavagemansawNuma’squarryalmostsimultaneously，thoughbothhadknownbeforeitcamewithinthevisionoftheireyesthatitwasablackman。TheirsensitivenostrilshadtoldthemthismuchandTarzan’shadtoldhimthatthescentspoorwasthatofastranger——oldandamale，forraceandsexandageeachhasitsowndistinctivescent。

Itwasanoldmanthatmadehiswayalonethroughthegloomyjungle，awrinkled，driedup，littleoldmanhideouslyscarredandtattooedandstrangelygarbed，withtheskinofahyenaabouthisshouldersandthedriedheadmounteduponhisgreypate。Tarzanrecognizedtheear—marksofthewitch—doctorandawaitedNuma’schargewithafeelingofpleasurableanticipation，fortheape—manhadnoloveforwitch—doctors；butintheinstantthatNumadidcharge，thewhitemansuddenlyrecalledthatthelionhadstolenhiskillafewminutesbeforeandthatrevengeissweet。

ThefirstintimationtheblackmanhadthathewasindangerwasthecrashoftwigsasNumachargedthroughthebushesintothegametrailnottwentyyardsbehindhim。Thenheturnedtoseeahuge，black—manedlionracingtowardhimandevenasheturned，Numaseizedhim。Atthesameinstanttheape—mandroppedfromanoverhanginglimbfulluponthelion’sbackandashealightedheplungedhisknifeintothetawnysidebehindtheleftshoulder，tangledthefingersofhisrighthandinthelongmane，buriedhisteethinNuma’sneckandwoundhispowerfullegsaboutthebeast’storso。Witharoarofpainandrage，Numarearedupandfellbackwardupontheape—man；butstillthemightyman—thingclungtohisholdandrepeatedlythelongknifeplungedrapidlyintohisside。OverandoverrolledNuma，thelion，clawingandbitingattheair，roaringandgrowlinghorriblyinsavageattempttoreachthethinguponitsback。MorethanoncewasTarzanalmostbrushedfromhishold。HewasbatteredandbruisedandcoveredwithbloodfromNumaanddirtfromthetrail，yetnotforaninstantdidhelessentheferocityofhismadattacknorhisgrimholduponthebackofhisantagonist。Tohaveloosenedforaninstanthisgripthere，wouldhavebeentobringhimwithinreachofthosetearingtalonsorrendingfangs，andhaveendedforeverthegrimcareerofthisjungle—bredEnglishlord。Wherehehadfallenbeneaththespringofthelionthewitch—doctorlay，tornandbleeding，unabletodraghimselfawayandwatchedtheterrificbattlebetweenthesetwolordsofthejungle。

Hissunkeneyesglitteredandhiswrinkledlipsmovedovertoothlessgumsashemumbledweirdincantationstothedemonsofhiscult。

Foratimehefeltnodoubtastotheoutcome——thestrangewhitemanmustcertainlysuccumbtoterribleSimba——whoeverheardofalonemanarmedonlywithaknifeslayingsomightyabeast！Yetpresentlytheoldblackman’seyeswentwiderandhecommencedtohavehisdoubtsandmisgivings。WhatwonderfulsortofcreaturewasthisthatbattledwithSimbaandheldhisowndespitethemightymusclesofthekingofbeastsandslowlytheredawnedinthosesunkeneyes，gleamingsobrightlyfromthescarredandwrinkledface，thelightofadawningrecollection。Gropinglybackwardintothepastreachedthefingersofmemory，untilatlasttheyseizeduponafaintpicture，fadedandyellowwiththepassingyears。Itwasthepictureofalithe，white—skinnedyouthswingingthroughthetreesincompanywithabandofhugeapes，andtheoldeyesblinkedandagreatfearcameintothem——thesuperstitiousfearofonewhobelievesinghostsandspiritsanddemons。

Andcamethetimeoncemorewhenthewitch—doctornolongerdoubtedtheoutcomeoftheduel，yethisfirstjudgmentwasreversed，fornowheknewthatthejunglegodwouldslaySimbaandtheoldblackwasevenmoreterrifiedofhisownimpendingfateatthehandsofthevictorthanhehadbeenbythesureandsuddendeathwhichthetriumphantlionwouldhavemetedouttohim。

Hesawthelionweakenfromlossofblood。Hesawthemightylimbstrembleandstaggerandatlasthesawthebeastsinkdowntorisenomore。Hesawtheforestgodordemonrisefromthevanquishedfoe，andplacingafootuponthestillquiveringcarcass，raisehisfacetothemoonandbayoutahideouscrythatfrozetheebbingbloodintheveinsofthewitch—doctor。

4

ProphecyandFulfillmentThenTarzanturnedhisattentiontotheman。HehadnotslainNumatosavetheNegro——hehadmerelydoneitinrevengeuponthelion；butnowthathesawtheoldmanlyinghelplessanddyingbeforehimsomethingakintopitytouchedhissavageheart。Inhisyouthhewouldhaveslainthewitch—doctorwithouttheslightestcompunction；butcivilizationhadhaditssofteningeffectuponhimevenasitdoesuponthenationsandraceswhichittouches，thoughithadnotyetgonefarenoughwithTarzantorenderhimeithercowardlyoreffeminate。Hesawanoldmansufferinganddying，andhestoopedandfeltofhiswoundsandstanchedtheflowofblood。

"Whoareyou？"askedtheoldmaninatremblingvoice。

"IamTarzan——TarzanoftheApes，"repliedtheape—manandnotwithoutagreatertouchofpridethanhewouldhavesaid，"IamJohnClayton，LordGreystoke。"

Thewitch—doctorshookconvulsivelyandclosedhiseyes。Whenheopenedthemagaintherewasinthemaresignationtowhateverhorriblefateawaitedhimatthehandsofthisfeareddemonofthewoods。"Whydoyounotkillme？"heasked。

"WhyshouldIkillyou？"inquiredTarzan。

"Youhavenotharmedme，andanywayyouarealreadydying。

Numa，thelion，haskilledyou。"

"Youwouldnotkillme？"Surpriseandincredulitywereinthetonesofthequaveringoldvoice。

"IwouldsaveyouifIcould，"repliedTarzan，"butthatcannotbedone。WhydidyouthinkIwouldkillyou？"

Foramomenttheoldmanwassilent。Whenhespokeitwasevidentlyaftersomelittleefforttomusterhiscourage。"Iknewyouofold，"hesaid，"whenyourangedthejungleinthecountryofMbonga，thechief。

Iwasalreadyawitch—doctorwhenyouslewKulongaandtheothers，andwhenyourobbedourhutsandourpoisonpot。AtfirstIdidnotrememberyou；butatlastI

did——thewhite—skinnedapethatlivedwiththehairyapesandmadelifemiserableinthevillageofMbonga，thechief——theforestgod——theMunango—Keewatiforwhomwesetfoodoutsideourgatesandwhocameandateit。

TellmebeforeIdie——areyoumanordevil？"

Tarzanlaughed。"Iamaman，"hesaid。

Theoldfellowsighedandshookhishead。"YouhavetriedtosavemefromSimba，"hesaid。"ForthatI

shallrewardyou。Iamagreatwitch—doctor。Listentome，whiteman！Iseebaddaysaheadofyou。ItiswritinmyownbloodwhichIhavesmeareduponmypalm。

Agodgreatereventhanyouwillriseupandstrikeyoudown。Turnback，Munango—Keewati！Turnbackbeforeitistoolate。Dangerliesaheadofyouanddangerlurksbehind；butgreateristhedangerbefore。Isee——"

Hepausedanddrewalong，gaspingbreath。Thenhecrumpledintoalittle，wrinkledheapanddied。

Tarzanwonderedwhatelsehehadseen。

Itwasverylatewhentheape—manre—enteredthebomaandlaydownamonghisblackwarriors。Nonehadseenhimgoandnonesawhimreturn。Hethoughtaboutthewarningoftheoldwitch—doctorbeforehefellasleepandhethoughtofitagainafterheawoke；buthedidnotturnbackforhewasunafraid，thoughhadheknownwhatlayinstoreforonehelovedmostinalltheworldhewouldhaveflownthroughthetreestohersideandallowedthegoldofOpartoremainforeverhiddeninitsforgottenstorehouse。

Behindhimthatmorninganotherwhitemanponderedsomethinghehadheardduringthenightandverynearlydidhegiveuphisprojectandturnbackuponhistrail。ItwasWerper，themurderer，whointhestillofthenighthadheardfarawayuponthetrailaheadofhimasoundthathadfilledhiscowardlysoulwithterror——asoundsuchasheneverbeforehadheardinallhislife，nordreamedthatsuchafrightfulthingcouldemanatefromthelungsofaGod—createdcreature。

HehadheardthevictorycryofthebullapeasTarzanhadscreameditforthintothefaceofGoro，themoon，andhehadtrembledthenandhiddenhisface；andnowinthebroadlightofanewdayhetrembledagainasherecalledit，andwouldhaveturnedbackfromthenamelessdangertheechoofthatfrightfulsoundseemedtoportend，hadhenotstoodinevengreaterfearofAchmetZek，hismaster。

AndsoTarzanoftheApesforgedsteadilyaheadtowardOpar’sruinedrampartsandbehindhimslunkWerper，jackal—like，andonlyGodknewwhatlayinstoreforeach。

Attheedgeofthedesolatevalley，overlookingthegoldendomesandminaretsofOpar，Tarzanhalted。

Bynighthewouldgoalonetothetreasurevault，reconnoitering，forhehaddeterminedthatcautionshouldmarkhiseverymoveuponthisexpedition。

Withthecomingofnighthesetforth，andWerper，whohadscaledthecliffsalonebehindtheape—man’sparty，andhiddenthroughthedayamongtheroughbouldersofthemountaintop，slunkstealthilyafterhim。Theboulder—strewnplainbetweenthevalley’sedgeandthemightygranitekopje，outsidethecity’swalls，wherelaytheentrancetothepassage—wayleadingtothetreasurevault，gavetheBelgianamplecoverashefollowedTarzantowardOpar。

Hesawthegiantape—manswinghimselfnimblyupthefaceofthegreatrock。Werper，clawingfearfullyduringtheperilousascent，sweatinginterror，almostpalsiedbyfear，butspurredonbyavarice，followingupward，untilatlasthestooduponthesummitoftherockyhill。

Tarzanwasnowhereinsight。ForatimeWerperhidbehindoneofthelesserbouldersthatwerescatteredoverthetopofthehill，but，seeingorhearingnothingoftheEnglishman，hecreptfromhisplaceofconcealmenttoundertakeasystematicsearchofhissurroundings，inthehopethathemightdiscoverthelocationofthetreasureinampletimetomakehisescapebeforeTarzanreturned，foritwastheBelgian’sdesiremerelytolocatethegold，that，afterTarzanhaddeparted，hemightcomeinsafetywithhisfollowersandcarryawayasmuchashecouldtransport。

Hefoundthenarrowcleftleadingdownwardintotheheartofthekopjealongwell—worn，granitesteps。Headvancedquitetothedarkmouthofthetunnelintowhichtherunwaydisappeared；butherehehalted，fearingtoenter，lesthemeetTarzanreturning。

Theape—man，faraheadofhim，gropedhiswayalongtherockypassage，untilhecametotheancientwoodendoor。Amomentlaterhestoodwithinthetreasurechamber，where，agessince，long—deadhandshadrangedtheloftyrowsofpreciousingotsfortherulersofthatgreatcontinentwhichnowliessubmergedbeneaththewatersoftheAtlantic。

Nosoundbrokethestillnessofthesubterraneanvault。

Therewasnoevidencethatanotherhaddiscoveredtheforgottenwealthsincelasttheape—manhadvisiteditshidingplace。

Satisfied，Tarzanturnedandretracedhisstepstowardthesummitofthekopje。Werper，fromtheconcealmentofajutting，graniteshoulder，watchedhimpassupfromtheshadowsofthestairwayandadvancetowardtheedgeofthehillwhichfacedtherimofthevalleywheretheWaziriawaitedthesignaloftheirmaster。

ThenWerper，slippingstealthilyfromhishidingplace，droppedintothesomberdarknessoftheentranceanddisappeared。

Tarzan，haltinguponthekopje’sedge，raisedhisvoiceinthethunderousroarofalion。Twice，atregularintervals，herepeatedthecall，standinginattentivesilenceforseveralminutesaftertheechoesofthethirdcallhaddiedaway。Andthen，fromfaracrossthevalley，faintly，cameanansweringroar——once，twice，thrice。Basuli，theWazirichieftain，hadheardandreplied。

Tarzanagainmadehiswaytowardthetreasurevault，knowingthatinafewhourshisblackswouldbewithhim，readytobearawayanotherfortuneinthestrangelyshaped，goldeningotsofOpar。Inthemeantimehewouldcarryasmuchofthepreciousmetaltothesummitofthekopjeashecould。

SixtripshemadeinthefivehoursbeforeBasulireachedthekopje，andattheendofthattimehehadtransportedforty—eightingotstotheedgeofthegreatboulder，carryinguponeachtripaloadwhichmightwellhavestaggeredtwoordinarymen，yethisgiantframeshowednoevidenceoffatigue，ashehelpedtoraisehisebonwarriorstothehilltopwiththeropethathadbeenbroughtforthepurpose。

Sixtimeshehadreturnedtothetreasurechamber，andsixtimesWerper，theBelgian，hadcoweredintheblackshadowsatthefarendofthelongvault。Onceagaincametheape—man，andthistimetherecamewithhimfiftyfightingmen，turningportersforloveoftheonlycreatureintheworldwhomightcommandoftheirfierceandhaughtynaturessuchmenialservice。Fifty—twomoreingotspassedoutofthevaults，makingthetotalofonehundredwhichTarzanintendedtakingawaywithhim。

AsthelastoftheWazirifiledfromthechamber，Tarzanturnedbackforalastglimpseofthefabulouswealthuponwhichhistwoinroadshadmadenoappreciableimpression。Beforeheextinguishedthesinglecandlehehadbroughtwithhimforthepurpose，andtheflickeringlightofwhichhadcastthefirstalleviatingraysintotheimpenetrabledarknessoftheburiedchamber，thatithadknownforthecountlessagessinceithadlainforgottenofman，Tarzan’smindrevertedtothatfirstoccasionuponwhichhehadenteredthetreasurevault，cominguponitbychanceashefledfromthepitsbeneaththetemple，wherehehadbeenhiddenbyLa，theHighPriestessoftheSunWorshipers。

Herecalledthescenewithinthetemplewhenhehadlainstretcheduponthesacrificialaltar，whileLa，withhigh—raiseddagger，stoodabovehim，andtherowsofpriestsandpriestessesawaited，intheecstatichysteriaoffanaticism，thefirstgushoftheirvictim’swarmblood，thattheymightfilltheirgoldengobletsanddrinktothegloryoftheirFlamingGod。

ThebrutalandbloodyinterruptionbyTha，themadpriest，passedvividlybeforetheape—man’srecollectiveeyes，theflightofthevotariesbeforetheinsanebloodlustofthehideouscreature，thebrutalattackuponLa，andhisownpartofthegrimtragedywhenhehadbattledwiththeinfuriatedOparianandlefthimdeadatthefeetofthepriestesshewouldhaveprofaned。

ThisandmuchmorepassedthroughTarzan’smemoryashestoodgazingatthelongtiersofdull—yellowmetal。

HewonderedifLastillruledthetemplesoftheruinedcitywhosecrumblingwallsroseupontheveryfoundationsabouthim。Hadshefinallybeenforcedintoaunionwithoneofhergrotesquepriests？

Itseemedahideousfate，indeed，foronesobeautiful。

Withashakeofhishead，Tarzansteppedtotheflickeringcandle，extinguisheditsfeebleraysandturnedtowardtheexit。

Behindhimthespywaitedforhimtobegone。Hehadlearnedthesecretforwhichhehadcome，andnowhecouldreturnathisleisuretohiswaitingfollowers，bringthemtothetreasurevaultandcarryawayallthegoldthattheycouldstaggerunder。

TheWazirihadreachedtheouterendofthetunnel，andwerewindingupwardtowardthefreshairandthewelcomestarlightofthekopje’ssummit，beforeTarzanshookoffthedetaininghandofreverieandstartedslowlyafterthem。

Onceagain，and，hethought，forthelasttime，heclosedthemassivedoorofthetreasureroom。InthedarknessbehindhimWerperroseandstretchedhiscrampedmuscles。Hestretchedforthahandandlovinglycaressedagoldeningotonthenearesttier。

Heraiseditfromitsimmemorialrestingplaceandweigheditinhishands。Heclutchedittohisbosominanecstasyofavarice。

Tarzandreamedofthehappyhomecomingwhichlaybeforehim，ofdeararmsabouthisneck，andasoftcheekpressedtohis；butthererosetodispelthatdreamthememoryoftheoldwitch—doctorandhiswarning。

Andthen，inthespanofafewbriefseconds，thehopesofboththesemenwereshattered。Theoneforgotevenhisgreedinthepanicofterror——theotherwasplungedintototalforgetfulnessofthepastbyajaggedfragmentofrockwhichgashedadeepcutuponhishead。

5

TheAltaroftheFlamingGodItwasatthemomentthatTarzanturnedfromthecloseddoortopursuehiswaytotheouterworld。Thethingcamewithoutwarning。Oneinstantallwasquietandstability——thenext，andtheworldrocked，thetorturedsidesofthenarrowpassagewaysplitandcrumbled，greatblocksofgranite，dislodgedfromtheceiling，tumbledintothenarrowway，chokingit，andthewallsbentinwarduponthewreckage。Beneaththeblowofafragmentoftheroof，Tarzanstaggeredbackagainstthedoortothetreasureroom，hisweightpusheditopenandhisbodyrolledinwarduponthefloor。

Inthegreatapartmentwherethetreasurelaylessdamagewaswroughtbytheearthquake。Afewingotstoppledfromthehighertiers，asinglepieceoftherockyceilingsplinteredoffandcrasheddownwardtothefloor，andthewallscracked，thoughtheydidnotcollapse。

Therewasbutthesingleshock，nootherfollowedtocompletethedamageundertakenbythefirst。Werper，throwntohislengthbythesuddennessandviolenceofthedisturbance，staggeredtohisfeetwhenhefoundhimselfunhurt。Gropinghiswaytowardthefarendofthechamber，hesoughtthecandlewhichTarzanhadleftstuckinitsownwaxupontheprotrudingendofaningot。

BystrikingnumerousmatchestheBelgianatlastfoundwhathesought，andwhen，amomentlater，thesicklyraysrelievedtheStygiandarknessabouthim，hebreathedanervoussighofrelief，fortheimpenetrablegloomhadaccentuatedtheterrorsofhissituation。

Astheybecameaccustomedtothelightthemanturnedhiseyestowardthedoor——hisonethoughtnowwasofescapefromthisfrightfultomb——andashedidsohesawthebodyofthenakedgiantlyingstretcheduponthefloorjustwithinthedoorway。Werperdrewbackinsuddenfearofdetection；butasecondglanceconvincedhimthattheEnglishmanwasdead。Fromagreatgashintheman’sheadapoolofbloodhadcollectedupontheconcretefloor。

Quickly，theBelgianleapedovertheprostrateformofhiserstwhilehost，andwithoutathoughtofsuccorforthemaninwhom，foraughtheknew，lifestillremained，heboltedforthepassagewayandsafety。

Buthisrenewedhopesweresoondashed。Justbeyondthedoorwayhefoundthepassagecompletelycloggedandchokedbyimpenetrablemassesofshatteredrock。

Oncemoreheturnedandre—enteredthetreasurevault。

Takingthecandlefromitsplacehecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，norhadhegonefarbeforehediscoveredanotherdoorintheoppositeendoftheroom，adoorwhichgaveuponcreakinghingestotheweightofhisbody。Beyondthedoorlayanothernarrowpassageway。AlongthisWerpermadehisway，ascendingaflightofstonestepstoanothercorridortwentyfeetabovethelevelofthefirst。Theflickeringcandlelightedthewaybeforehim，andamomentlaterhewasthankfulforthepossessionofthiscrudeandantiquatedluminant，which，afewhoursbeforehemighthavelookeduponwithcontempt，foritshowedhim，justintime，ayawningpit，apparentlyterminatingthetunnelhewastraversing。

Beforehimwasacircularshaft。Heheldthecandleaboveitandpeereddownward。Belowhim，atagreatdistance，hesawthelightreflectedbackfromthesurfaceofapoolofwater。Hehadcomeuponawell。

Heraisedthecandleabovehisheadandpeeredacrosstheblackvoid，andthereupontheoppositesidehesawthecontinuationofthetunnel；buthowwashetospanthegulf？

Ashestoodtheremeasuringthedistancetotheoppositesideandwonderingifhedaredventuresogreataleap，therebrokesuddenlyuponhisstartledearsapiercingscreamwhichdiminishedgraduallyuntilitendedinaseriesofdismalmoans。Thevoiceseemedpartlyhuman，yetsohideousthatitmightwellhaveemanatedfromthetorturedthroatofalostsoul，writhinginthefiresofhell。

TheBelgianshudderedandlookedfearfullyupward，forthescreamhadseemedtocomefromabovehim。

Ashelookedhesawanopeningfaroverhead，andapatchofskypinkedwithbrilliantstars。

Hishalf—formedintentiontocallforhelpwasexpungedbytheterrifyingcry——wheresuchavoicelived，nohumancreaturescoulddwell。Hedarednotrevealhimselftowhateverinhabitantsdweltintheplaceabovehim。Hecursedhimselfforafoolthathehadeverembarkeduponsuchamission。HewishedhimselfsafelybackinthecampofAchmetZek，andwouldalmosthaveembracedanopportunitytogivehimselfuptothemilitaryauthoritiesoftheCongoifbysodoinghemightberescuedfromthefrightfulpredicamentinwhichhenowwas。

Helistenedfearfully，butthecrywasnotrepeated，andatlastspurredtodesperatemeans，hegatheredhimselffortheleapacrossthechasm。Goingbacktwentypaces，hetookarunningstart，andattheedgeofthewell，leapedupwardandoutwardinanattempttogaintheoppositeside。

Inhishandheclutchedthesputteringcandle，andashetooktheleaptherushofairextinguishedit。

Inutterdarknessheflewthroughspace，clutchingoutwardforaholdshouldhisfeetmisstheinvisibleledge。

Hestrucktheedgeofthedooroftheoppositeterminusoftherockytunnelwithhisknees，slippedbackward，clutcheddesperatelyforamoment，andatlasthunghalfwithinandhalfwithouttheopening；buthewassafe。

Forseveralminuteshedarednotmove；butclung，weakandsweating，wherehelay。Atlast，cautiously，hedrewhimselfwellwithinthetunnel，andagainhelayatfulllengthuponthefloor，fightingtoregaincontrolofhisshatterednerves。

Whenhiskneesstrucktheedgeofthetunnelhehaddroppedthecandle。Presently，hopingagainsthopethatithadfallenuponthefloorofthepassageway，ratherthanbackintothedepthsofthewell，heroseuponallfoursandcommencedadiligentsearchforthelittletallowcylinder，whichnowseemedinfinitelymoreprecioustohimthanallthefabulouswealthofthehoardedingotsofOpar。

Andwhen，atlast，hefoundit，heclaspedittohimandsankbacksobbingandexhausted。Formanyminuteshelaytremblingandbroken；butfinallyhedrewhimselftoasittingposture，andtakingamatchfromhispocket，lightedthestumpofthecandlewhichremainedtohim。Withthelighthefounditeasiertoregaincontrolofhisnerves，andpresentlyhewasagainmakinghiswayalongthetunnelinsearchofanavenueofescape。Thehorridcrythathadcomedowntohimfromabovethroughtheancientwell—shaftstillhauntedhim，sothathetrembledinterrorateventhesoundsofhisowncautiousadvance。

Hehadgoneforwardbutashortdistance，when，tohischagrin，awallofmasonrybarredhisfartherprogress，closingthetunnelcompletelyfromtoptobottomandfromsidetoside。Whatcoulditmean？Werperwasaneducatedandintelligentman。Hismilitarytraininghadtaughthimtousehismindforthepurposeforwhichitwasintended。Ablindtunnelsuchasthiswassenseless。Itmustcontinuebeyondthewall。Someone，atsometimeinthepast，hadhaditblockedforanunknownpurposeofhisown。Themanfelltoexaminingthemasonrybythelightofhiscandle。Tohisdelighthediscoveredthatthethinblocksofhewnstoneofwhichitwasconstructedwerefittedinlooselywithoutmortarorcement。Hetuggedupononeofthem，andtohisjoyfoundthatitwaseasilyremovable。Oneafteranotherhepulledouttheblocksuntilhehadopenedanaperturelargeenoughtoadmithisbody，thenhecrawledthroughintoalarge，lowchamber。Acrossthisanotherdoorbarredhisway；butthis，too，gavebeforehisefforts，foritwasnotbarred。Along，darkcorridorshowedbeforehim，butbeforehehadfolloweditfar，hiscandleburneddownuntilitscorchedhisfingers。Withanoathhedroppedittothefloor，whereitsputteredforamomentandwentout。

Nowhewasintotaldarkness，andagainterrorrodeheavilyastridehisneck。Whatfurtherpitfallsanddangerslayaheadhecouldnotguess；butthathewasasfaraseverfromlibertyhewasquitewillingtobelieve，sodepressingisutterabsenceoflighttooneinunfamiliarsurroundings。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读