Slowlyhegropedhiswayalong，feelingwithhishandsuponthetunnel’swalls，andcautiouslywithhisfeetaheadofhimuponthefloorbeforehecouldtakeasingleforwardstep。Howlonghecreptonthushecouldnotguess；butatlast，feelingthatthetunnel’slengthwasinterminable，andexhaustedbyhisefforts，byterror，andlossofsleep，hedeterminedtoliedownandrestbeforeproceedingfarther。

Whenheawoketherewasnochangeinthesurroundingblackness。Hemighthavesleptasecondoraday——hecouldnotknow；butthathehadsleptforsometimewasattestedbythefactthathefeltrefreshedandhungry。

Againhecommencedhisgropingadvance；butthistimehehadgonebutashortdistancewhenheemergedintoaroom，whichwaslightedthroughanopeningintheceiling，fromwhichaflightofconcretestepsleddownwardtothefloorofthechamber。

Abovehim，throughtheaperture，Werpercouldseesunlightglancingfrommassivecolumns，whichweretwinedaboutbyclingingvines。Helistened；butheheardnosoundotherthanthesoughingofthewindthroughleafybranches，thehoarsecriesofbirds，andthechatteringofmonkeys。

Boldlyheascendedthestairway，tofindhimselfinacircularcourt。Justbeforehimstoodastonealtar，stainedwithrusty—browndiscolorations。AtthetimeWerpergavenothoughttoanexplanationofthesestains——latertheiroriginbecamealltoohideouslyapparenttohim。

Besidetheopeninginthefloor，justbehindthealtar，throughwhichhehadenteredthecourtfromthesubterraneanchamberbelow，theBelgiandiscoveredseveraldoorsleadingfromtheenclosureuponthelevelofthefloor。Above，andcirclingthecourtyard，wasaseriesofopenbalconies。Monkeysscamperedaboutthedesertedruins，andgailyplumagedbirdsflittedinandoutamongthecolumnsandthegalleriesfarabove；butnosignofhumanpresencewasdiscernible。Werperfeltrelieved。Hesighed，asthoughagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromhisshoulders。Hetookasteptowardoneoftheexits，andthenhehalted，wide—eyedinastonishmentandterror，foralmostatthesameinstantadozendoorsopenedinthecourtyardwallandahordeoffrightfulmenrushedinuponhim。

TheywerethepriestsoftheFlamingGodofOpar——thesame，shaggy，knotted，hideouslittlemenwhohaddraggedJaneClaytontothesacrificialaltaratthisveryspotyearsbefore。Theirlongarms，theirshortandcrookedlegs，theirclose—set，evileyes，andtheirlow，recedingforeheadsgavethemabestialappearancethatsentaqualmofparalyzingfrightthroughtheshakennervesoftheBelgian。

Withascreamheturnedtofleebackintothelesserterrorsofthegloomycorridorsandapartmentsfromwhichhehadjustemerged，butthefrightfulmenanticipatedhisintentions。Theyblockedtheway；

theyseizedhim，andthoughhefell，grovelinguponhiskneesbeforethem，beggingforhislife，theyboundhimandhurledhimtotheflooroftheinnertemple。

TherestwasbutarepetitionofwhatTarzanandJaneClaytonhadpassedthrough。Thepriestessescame，andwiththemLa，theHighPriestess。Werperwasraisedandlaidacrossthealtar。ColdsweatexudedfromhiseveryporeasLaraisedthecruel，sacrificialknifeabovehim。Thedeathchantfelluponhistorturedears。Hisstaringeyeswanderedtothegoldengobletsfromwhichthehideousvotarieswouldsoonquenchtheirinhumanthirstinhisown，warmlife—blood。

Hewishedthathemightbegrantedthebriefrespiteofunconsciousnessbeforethefinalplungeofthekeenblade——andthentherewasafrightfulroarthatsoundedalmostinhisears。TheHighPriestessloweredherdagger。Hereyeswentwideinhorror。Thepriestesses，hervotaresses，screamedandfledmadlytowardtheexits。Thepriestsroaredouttheirrageandterroraccordingtothetemperoftheircourage。

Werperstrainedhisneckabouttocatchasightofthecauseoftheirpanic，andwhen，atlasthesawit，hetoowentcoldindread，forwhathiseyesbeheldwasthefigureofahugelionstandinginthecenterofthetemple，andalreadyasinglevictimlaymangledbeneathhiscruelpaws。

Againthelordofthewildernessroared，turninghisbalefulgazeuponthealtar。Lastaggeredforward，reeled，andfellacrossWerperinaswoon。

6

TheArabRaidAftertheirfirstterrorhadsubsidedsubsequenttotheshockoftheearthquake，BasuliandhiswarriorshastenedbackintothepassagewayinsearchofTarzanandtwooftheirownnumberwhowerealsomissing。

Theyfoundthewayblockedbyjammedanddistortedrock。Fortwodaystheylaboredtotearawaythroughtotheirimprisonedfriends；butwhen，afterHerculeanefforts，theyhadunearthedbutafewyardsofthechokedpassage，anddiscoveredthemangledremainsofoneoftheirfellowstheywereforcedtotheconclusionthatTarzanandthesecondWazirialsolaydeadbeneaththerockmassfartherin，beyondhumanaid，andnolongersusceptibleofit。

Againandagainastheylaboredtheycalledaloudthenamesoftheirmasterandtheircomrade；butnoansweringcallrewardedtheirlisteningears。Atlasttheygaveupthesearch。Tearfullytheycastalastlookattheshatteredtomboftheirmaster，shoulderedtheheavyburdenofgoldthatwouldatleastfurnishcomfort，ifnothappiness，totheirbereavedandbelovedmistress，andmadetheirmournfulwaybackacrossthedesolatevalleyofOpar，anddownwardthroughtheforestsbeyondtowardthedistantbungalow。

Andastheymarchedwhatsorryfatewasalreadydrawingdownuponthatpeaceful，happyhome！

FromthenorthcameAchmetZek，ridingtothesummonsofhislieutenant’sletter。WithhimcamehishordeofrenegadeArabs，outlawedmarauders，these，andequallydegradedblacks，garneredfromthemoredebasedandignoranttribesofsavagecannibalsthroughwhosecountriestheraiderpassedtoandfrowithperfectimpunity。

Mugambi，theebonHercules，whohadsharedthedangersandvicissitudesofhisbelovedBwana，fromJungleIsland，almosttotheheadwatersoftheUgambi，wasthefirsttonotetheboldapproachofthesinistercaravan。

HeitwaswhomTarzanhadleftinchargeofthewarriorswhoremainedtoguardLadyGreystoke，norcouldabraverormoreloyalguardianhavebeenfoundinanyclimeoruponanysoil。Agiantinstature，asavage，fearlesswarrior，thehugeblackpossessedalsosoulandjudgmentinproportiontohisbulkandhisferocity。

Notoncesincehismasterhaddepartedhadhebeenbeyondsightorsoundofthebungalow，exceptwhenLadyGreystokechosetocanteracrossthebroadplain，orrelievethemonotonyofherlonelinessbyabriefhuntingexcursion。OnsuchoccasionsMugambi，mounteduponawiryArab，hadriddencloseatherhorse’sheels。

Theraiderswerestillalongwayoffwhenthewarrior’skeeneyesdiscoveredthem。Foratimehestoodscrutinizingtheadvancingpartyinsilence，thenheturnedandranrapidlyinthedirectionofthenativehutswhichlayafewhundredyardsbelowthebungalow。

Herehecalledouttothelollingwarriors。Heissuedordersrapidly。Incompliancewiththemthemenseizedupontheirweaponsandtheirshields。Somerantocallintheworkersfromthefieldsandtowarnthetendersoftheflocksandherds。ThemajorityfollowedMugambibacktowardthebungalow。

Thedustoftheraiderswasstillalongdistanceaway。

Mugambicouldnotknowpositivelythatithidanenemy；

buthehadspentalifetimeofsavagelifeinsavageAfrica，andhehadseenpartiesbeforecomethusunheralded。Sometimestheyhadcomeinpeaceandsometimestheyhadcomeinwar——onecouldnevertell。

Itwaswelltobeprepared。Mugambididnotlikethehastewithwhichthestrangersadvanced。

TheGreystokebungalowwasnotwelladaptedfordefense。Nopalisadesurroundedit，for，situatedasitwas，intheheartofloyalWaziri，itsmasterhadanticipatednopossibilityofanattackinforcebyanyenemy。Heavy，woodenshuttersthereweretoclosethewindowaperturesagainsthostilearrows，andtheseMugambiwasengagedinloweringwhenLadyGreystokeappearedupontheveranda。

"Why，Mugambi！"sheexclaimed。"Whathashappened？

Whyareyouloweringtheshutters？"

Mugambipointedoutacrosstheplaintowhereawhite—robedforceofmountedmenwasnowdistinctlyvisible。

"Arabs，"heexplained。"TheycomefornogoodpurposeintheabsenceoftheGreatBwana。"

Beyondtheneatlawnandthefloweringshrubs，JaneClaytonsawtheglisteningbodiesofherWaziri。

Thesunglancedfromthetipsoftheirmetal—shodspears，pickedoutthegorgeouscolorsinthefeathersoftheirwarbonnets，andreflectedthehigh—lightsfromtheglossyskinsoftheirbroadshouldersandhighcheekbones。

JaneClaytonsurveyedthemwithunmixedfeelingsofprideandaffection。Whatharmcouldbefallherwithsuchasthesetoprotecther？

Theraidershadhaltednow，ahundredyardsoutupontheplain。Mugambihadhasteneddowntojoinhiswarriors。Headvancedafewyardsbeforethemandraisinghisvoicehailedthestrangers。AchmetZeksatstraightinhissaddlebeforehishenchmen。

"Arab！"criedMugambi。"Whatdoyouhere？"

"Wecomeinpeace，"AchmetZekcalledback。

"Thenturnandgoinpeace，"repliedMugambi。

"Wedonotwantyouhere。TherecanbenopeacebetweenArabandWaziri。"

Mugambi，althoughnotborninWaziri，hadbeenadoptedintothetribe，whichnowcontainednomembermorejealousofitstraditionsanditsprowessthanhe。

AchmetZekdrewtoonesideofhishorde，speakingtohismeninalowvoice。Amomentlater，withoutwarning，araggedvolleywaspouredintotheranksoftheWaziri。Acoupleofwarriorsfell，theotherswereforchargingtheattackers；butMugambiwasacautiousaswellasabraveleader。Heknewthefutilityofchargingmountedmenarmedwithmuskets。Hewithdrewhisforcebehindtheshrubberyofthegarden。Somehedispatchedtovariousotherpartsofthegroundssurroundingthebungalow。Halfadozenhesenttothebungalowitselfwithinstructionstokeeptheirmistresswithindoors，andtoprotectherwiththeirlives。

Adoptingthetacticsofthedesertfightersfromwhichhehadsprung，AchmetZekledhisfollowersatagallopinalong，thinline，describingagreatcirclewhichdrewcloserandcloserintowardthedefenders。

AtthatpartofthecircleclosesttotheWaziri，aconstantfusilladeofshotswaspouredintothebushesbehindwhichtheblackwarriorshadconcealedthemselves。Thelatter，ontheirpart，loosedtheirslimshaftsatthenearestoftheenemy。

TheWaziri，justlyfamedfortheirarchery，foundnocausetoblushfortheirperformancethatday。

Timeandagainsomeswarthyhorsemanthrewhandsabovehisheadandtoppledfromhissaddle，piercedbyadeadlyarrow；butthecontestwasuneven。TheArabsoutnumberedtheWaziri；theirbulletspenetratedtheshrubberyandfoundmarksthattheArabriflemenhadnotevenseen；andthenAchmetZekcircledinwardahalfmileabovethebungalow，toredownasectionofthefence，andledhismarauderswithinthegrounds。

Acrossthefieldstheychargedatamadrun。Notagaindidtheypausetolowerfences，instead，theydrovetheirwildmountsstraightforthem，clearingtheobstaclesaslightlyaswingedgulls。

Mugambisawthemcoming，and，callingthoseofhiswarriorswhoremained，ranforthebungalowandthelaststand。UpontheverandaLadyGreystokestood，rifleinhand。Morethanasingleraiderhadaccountedtohersteadynervesandcoolaimforhisoutlawry；

morethanasingleponyraced，riderless，inthewakeofthecharginghorde。

Mugambipushedhismistressbackintothegreatersecurityoftheinterior，andwithhisdepletedforcepreparedtomakealaststandagainstthefoe。

OncametheArabs，shoutingandwavingtheirlonggunsabovetheirheads。Pasttheverandatheyraced，pouringadeadlyfireintothekneelingWaziriwhodischargedtheirvolleyofarrowsfrombehindtheirlong，ovalshields——shieldswelladapted，perhaps，tostopahostilearrow，ordeflectaspear；butfutile，quite，beforetheleadenmissilesoftheriflemen。

Frombeneaththehalf—raisedshuttersofthebungalowotherbowmendideffectiveserviceingreatersecurity，andafterthefirstassault，Mugambiwithdrewhisentireforcewithinthebuilding。

AgainandagaintheArabscharged，atlastformingastationarycircleaboutthelittlefortress，andoutsidetheeffectiverangeofthedefenders’arrows。

Fromtheirnewpositiontheyfiredatwillatthewindows。OnebyonetheWazirifell。Fewerandfewerwerethearrowsthatrepliedtothegunsoftheraiders，andatlastAchmetZekfeltsafeinorderinganassault。

Firingastheyran，thebloodthirstyhorderacedfortheveranda。Adozenofthemfelltothearrowsofthedefenders；butthemajorityreachedthedoor。

Heavygunbuttsfelluponit。ThecrashofsplinteredwoodmingledwiththereportofarifleasJaneClaytonfiredthroughthepanelsupontherelentlessfoe。

Uponbothsidesofthedoormenfell；butatlastthefrailbarriergavetotheviciousassaultsofthemaddenedattackers；itcrumpledinwardandadozenswarthymurderersleapedintotheliving—room。

AtthefarendstoodJaneClaytonsurroundedbytheremnantofherdevotedguardians。Thefloorwascoveredbythebodiesofthosewhoalreadyhadgivenuptheirlivesinherdefense。IntheforefrontofherprotectorsstoodthegiantMugambi。TheArabsraisedtheirriflestopourinthelastvolleythatwouldeffectuallyendallresistance；butAchmetZekroaredoutawarningorderthatstayedtheirtriggerfingers。

"Firenotuponthewoman！"hecried。"Whoharmsher，dies。Takethewomanalive！"

TheArabsrushedacrosstheroom；theWazirimetthemwiththeirheavyspears。Swordsflashed，long—barreledpistolsroaredouttheirsullendeathdooms。MugambilaunchedhisspearatthenearestoftheenemywithaforcethatdrovetheheavyshaftcompletelythroughtheArab’sbody，thenheseizedapistolfromanother，andgraspingitbythebarrelbrainedallwhoforcedtheirwaytoonearhismistress。

Emulatinghisexamplethefewwarriorswhoremainedtohimfoughtlikedemons；butonebyonetheyfell，untilonlyMugambiremainedtodefendthelifeandhonoroftheape—man’smate。

FromacrosstheroomAchmetZekwatchedtheunequalstruggleandurgedonhisminions。Inhishandswasajeweledmusket。Slowlyheraisedittohisshoulder，waitinguntilanothermoveshouldplaceMugambiathismercywithoutendangeringthelivesofthewomanoranyofhisownfollowers。

Atlastthemomentcame，andAchmetZekpulledthetrigger。WithoutasoundthebraveMugambisanktotheflooratthefeetofJaneClayton。

Aninstantlatershewassurroundedanddisarmed。

Withoutawordtheydraggedherfromthebungalow。

AgiantNegroliftedhertothepommelofhissaddle，andwhiletheraiderssearchedthebungalowandouthousesforplunderherodewithherbeyondthegatesandwaitedthecomingofhismaster。

JaneClaytonsawtheraidersleadthehorsesfromthecorral，anddrivetheherdsinfromthefields。

ShesawherhomeplunderedofallthatrepresentedintrinsicworthintheeyesoftheArabs，andthenshesawthetorchapplied，andtheflameslickupwhatremained。

Andatlast，whentheraidersassembledaftergluttingtheirfuryandtheiravarice，androdeawaywithhertowardthenorth，shesawthesmokeandtheflamesrisingfarintotheheavensuntilthewindingofthetrailintothethickforestshidthesadviewfromhereyes。

Astheflamesatetheirwayintotheliving—room，reachingoutforkedtonguestolickupthebodiesofthedead，oneofthatgruesomecompanywhosebloodywelteringshadlongsincebeenstilled，movedagain。

Itwasahugeblackwhorolledoveruponhissideandopenedblood—shot，sufferingeyes。Mugambi，whomtheArabshadleftfordead，stilllived。Thehotflameswerealmostuponhimasheraisedhimselfpainfullyuponhishandsandkneesandcrawledslowlytowardthedoorway。

Againandagainhesankweaklytothefloor；buteachtimeheroseagainandcontinuedhispitifulwaytowardsafety。Afterwhatseemedtohimaninterminabletime，duringwhichtheflameshadbecomeaveritablefieryfurnaceatthefarsideoftheroom，thegreatblackmanagedtoreachtheveranda，rolldownthesteps，andcrawloffintothecoolsafetyofsomenearbyshrubbery。

Allnighthelaythere，alternatelyunconsciousandpainfullysentient；andinthelatterstatewatchingwithsavagehatredtheluridflameswhichstillrosefromburningcribandhaycock。Aprowlinglionroaredcloseathand；butthegiantblackwasunafraid。Therewasplaceforbutasinglethoughtinhissavagemind——

revenge！revenge！revenge！

7

TheJewel—RoomofOparForsometimeTarzanlaywherehehadfallenuponthefloorofthetreasurechamberbeneaththeruinedwallsofOpar。Helayasonedead；buthewasnotdead。

Atlengthhestirred。Hiseyesopenedupontheutterdarknessoftheroom。Heraisedhishandtohisheadandbroughtitawaystickywithclottedblood。Hesniffedathisfingers，asawildbeastmightsniffatthelife—blooduponawoundedpaw。

Slowlyherosetoasittingposture——listening。

Nosoundreachedtotheburieddepthsofhissepulcher。

Hestaggeredtohisfeet，andgropedhiswayaboutamongthetiersofingots。Whatwashe？Wherewashe？

Hisheadached；butotherwisehefeltnoilleffectsfromtheblowthathadfelledhim。Theaccidenthedidnotrecall，nordidherecallaughtofwhathadleduptoit。

Helethishandsgropeunfamiliarlyoverhislimbs，historso，andhishead。Hefeltofthequiverathisback，theknifeinhisloincloth。Somethingstruggledforrecognitionwithinhisbrain。Ah！hehadit。

Therewassomethingmissing。Hecrawledaboutuponthefloor，feelingwithhishandsforthethingthatinstinctwarnedhimwasgone。Atlasthefoundit——theheavywarspearthatinpastyearshadformedsoimportantafeatureofhisdailylife，almostofhisveryexistence，soinseparablyhaditbeenconnectedwithhiseveryactionsincethelong—gonedaythathehadwrestedhisfirstspearfromthebodyofablackvictimofhissavagetraining。

Tarzanwassurethattherewasanotherandmorelovelyworldthanthatwhichwasconfinedtothedarknessofthefourstonewallssurroundinghim。Hecontinuedhissearchandatlastfoundthedoorwayleadinginwardbeneaththecityandthetemple。Thishefollowed，mostincautiously。Hecametothestonestepsleadingupwardtothehigherlevel。Heascendedthemandcontinuedonwardtowardthewell。

Nothingspurredhishurtmemorytoarecollectionofpastfamiliaritywithhissurroundings。Heblunderedonthroughthedarknessasthoughheweretraversinganopenplainunderthebrillianceofanoondaysun，andsuddenlytherehappenedthatwhichhadtohappenunderthecircumstancesofhisrashadvance。

Hereachedthebrinkofthewell，steppedoutwardintospace，lungedforward，andshotdownwardintotheinkydepthsbelow。Stillclutchinghisspear，hestruckthewater，andsankbeneathitssurface，plumbingthedepths。

Thefallhadnotinjuredhim，andwhenherosetothesurface，heshookthewaterfromhiseyes，andfoundthathecouldsee。Daylightwasfilteringintothewellfromtheorificefarabovehishead。Itilluminedtheinnerwallsfaintly。Tarzangazedabouthim。

Onthelevelwiththesurfaceofthewaterhesawalargeopeninginthedarkandslimywall。Heswamtoit，anddrewhimselfoutuponthewetfloorofatunnel。

Alongthishepassed；butnowhewentwarily，forTarzanoftheApeswaslearning。Theunexpectedpithadtaughthimcareinthetraversingofdarkpassageways——heneedednosecondlesson。

Foralongdistancethepassagewentstraightasanarrow。Thefloorwasslippery，asthoughattimestherisingwatersofthewelloverflowedandfloodedit。

This，initself，retardedTarzan’space，foritwaswithdifficultythathekepthisfooting。

Thefootofastairwayendedthepassage。Upthishemadehisway。Itturnedbackandforthmanytimes，leading，atlast，intoasmall，circularchamber，thegloomofwhichwasrelievedbyafaintlightwhichfoundingressthroughatubularshaftseveralfeetindiameterwhichrosefromthecenteroftheroom’sceiling，upwardtoadistanceofahundredfeetormore，whereitterminatedinastonegratingthroughwhichTarzancouldseeablueandsun—litsky。

Curiositypromptedtheape—mantoinvestigatehissurroundings。Severalmetal—bound，copper—studdedchestsconstitutedthesolefurnitureoftheroundroom。Tarzanlethishandsrunoverthese。Hefeltofthecopperstuds，hepulleduponthehinges，andatlast，bychance，heraisedthecoverofone。

Anexclamationofdelightbrokefromhislipsatsightoftheprettycontents。Gleamingandglisteninginthesubduedlightofthechamber，layagreattrayfullofbrilliantstones。Tarzan，revertedtotheprimitivebyhisaccident，hadnoconceptionofthefabulousvalueofhisfind。Tohimtheywerebutprettypebbles。

Heplungedhishandsintothemandletthepricelessgemsfilterthroughhisfingers。Hewenttoothersofthechests，onlytofindstillfurtherstoresofpreciousstones。Nearlyallwerecut，andfromthesehegatheredahandfulandfilledthepouchwhichdangledathisside——theuncutstoneshetossedbackintothechests。

Unwittingly，theape—manhadstumbledupontheforgottenjewel—roomofOpar。ForagesithadlainburiedbeneaththetempleoftheFlamingGod，midwayofoneofthemanyinkypassageswhichthesuperstitiousdescendantsoftheancientSunWorshipershadeitherdarednotorcarednottoexplore。

Tiringatlastofthisdiversion，Tarzantookuphiswayalongthecorridorwhichledupwardfromthejewel—roombyasteepincline。Windingandtwisting，butalwaystendingupward，thetunnelledhimnearerandnearertothesurface，endingfinallyinalow—ceiledroom，lighterthananythathehadasyetdiscovered。

Abovehimanopeningintheceilingattheupperendofaflightofconcretestepsrevealedabrilliantsunlitscene。Tarzanviewedthevine—coveredcolumnsinmildwonderment。Hepuckeredhisbrowsinanattempttorecallsomerecollectionofsimilarthings。Hewasnotsureofhimself。Therewasatantalizingsuggestionalwayspresentinhismindthatsomethingwaseludinghim——thatheshouldknowmanythingswhichhedidnotknow。

Hisearnestcogitationwasrudelyinterruptedbyathunderousroarfromtheopeningabovehim。Followingtheroarcamethecriesandscreamsofmenandwomen。

Tarzangraspedhisspearmorefirmlyandascendedthesteps。Astrangesightmethiseyesasheemergedfromthesemi—darknessofthecellartothebrilliantlightofthetemple。

Thecreatureshesawbeforehimherecognizedforwhattheywere——menandwomen，andahugelion。Themenandwomenwerescuttlingforthesafetyoftheexits。

Thelionstooduponthebodyofonewhohadbeenlessfortunatethantheothers。Hewasinthecenterofthetemple。

DirectlybeforeTarzan，awomanstoodbesideablockofstone。Uponthetopofthestonelaystretchedaman，andastheape—manwatchedthescene，hesawthelionglareterriblyatthetwowhoremainedwithinthetemple。Anotherthunderousroarbrokefromthesavagethroat，thewomanscreamedandswoonedacrossthebodyofthemanstretchedprostrateuponthestonealtarbeforeher。

Thelionadvancedafewstepsandcrouched。Thetipofhissinuoustailtwitchednervously。Hewasuponthepointofchargingwhenhiseyeswereattractedtowardtheape—man。

Werper，helplessuponthealtar，sawthegreatcarnivorepreparingtoleapuponhim。Hesawthesuddenchangeinthebeast’sexpressionashiseyeswanderedtosomethingbeyondthealtarandoutoftheBelgian’sview。Hesawtheformidablecreaturerisetoastandingposition。AfiguredartedpastWerper。

Hesawamightyarmupraised，andastoutspearshootforwardtowardthelion，toburyitselfinthebroadchest。

Hesawthelionsnappingandtearingattheweapon’sshaft，andhesaw，wonderofwonders，thenakedgiantwhohadhurledthemissilecharginguponthegreatbeast，onlyalongknifereadytomeetthoseferociousfangsandtalons。

Thelionreareduptomeetthisnewenemy。Thebeastwasgrowlingfrightfully，andthenuponthestartledearsoftheBelgian，brokeasimilarsavagegrowlfromthelipsofthemanrushinguponthebeast。

Byaquicksidestep，Tarzaneludedthefirstswingingclutchofthelion’spaws。Dartingtothebeast’sside，heleapeduponthetawnyback。Hisarmsencircledthemanedneck，histeethsankdeepintothebrute’sflesh。Roaring，leaping，rollingandstruggling，thegiantcatattemptedtodislodgethissavageenemy，andallthewhileonegreat，brownfistwasdrivingalongkeenbladerepeatedlyintothebeast’sside。

Duringthebattle，Laregainedconsciousness。

Spellbound，shestoodabovehervictimwatchingthespectacle。Itseemedincrediblethatahumanbeingcouldbestthekingofbeastsinpersonalencounterandyetbeforeherveryeyestherewastakingplacejustsuchanimprobability。

AtlastTarzan’sknifefoundthegreatheart，andwithafinal，spasmodicstrugglethelionrolledoveruponthemarblefloor，dead。Leapingtohisfeettheconquerorplacedafootuponthecarcassofhiskill，raisedhisfacetowardtheheavens，andgavevoicetosohideousacrythatbothLaandWerpertrembledasitreverberatedthroughthetemple。

Thentheape—manturned，andWerperrecognizedhimasthemanhehadleftfordeadinthetreasureroom。

8

TheEscapefromOparWerperwasastounded。CouldthiscreaturebethesamedignifiedEnglishmanwhohadentertainedhimsograciouslyinhisluxuriousAfricanhome？Couldthiswildbeast，withblazingeyes，andbloodycountenance，beatthesametimeaman？Couldthehorrid，victorycryhehadbutjustheardhavebeenformedinhumanthroat？

Tarzanwaseyeingthemanandthewoman，apuzzledexpressioninhiseyes，buttherewasnofaintesttingeofrecognition。Itwasasthoughhehaddiscoveredsomenewspeciesoflivingcreatureandwasmarvelingathisfind。

Lawasstudyingtheape—man’sfeatures。Slowlyherlargeeyesopenedverywide。

"Tarzan！"sheexclaimed，andthen，inthevernacularofthegreatapeswhichconstantassociationwiththeanthropoidshadrenderedthecommonlanguageoftheOparians："Youhavecomebacktome！Lahasignoredthemandatesofherreligion，waiting，alwayswaitingforTarzan——forherTarzan。Shehastakennomate，forinalltheworldtherewasbutonewithwhomLawouldmate。Andnowyouhavecomeback！Tellme，OTarzan，thatitisformeyouhavereturned。"

Werperlistenedtotheunintelligiblejargon。

HelookedfromLatoTarzan。Wouldthelatterunderstandthisstrangetongue？TotheBelgian’ssurprise，theEnglishmanansweredinalanguageevidentlyidenticaltohers。

"Tarzan，"herepeated，musingly。"Tarzan。Thenamesoundsfamiliar。"

"Itisyourname——youareTarzan，"criedLa。

"IamTarzan？"Theape—manshrugged。"Well，itisagoodname——Iknownoother，soIwillkeepit；butIdonotknowyou。Ididnotcomehitherforyou。WhyI

came，Idonotknowatall；neitherdoIknowfromwhenceIcame。Canyoutellme？"

Lashookherhead。"Ineverknew，"shereplied。

TarzanturnedtowardWerperandputthesamequestiontohim；butinthelanguageofthegreatapes。

TheBelgianshookhishead。

"Idonotunderstandthatlanguage，"hesaidinFrench。

Withouteffort，andapparentlywithoutrealizingthathemadethechange，TarzanrepeatedhisquestioninFrench。WerpersuddenlycametoafullrealizationofthemagnitudeoftheinjuryofwhichTarzanwasavictim。Themanhadlosthismemory——nolongercouldherecollectpastevents。TheBelgianwasuponthepointofenlighteninghim，whenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatbykeepingTarzaninignorance，foratimeatleast，ofhistrueidentity，itmightbepossibletoturntheape—man’smisfortunetohisownadvantage。

"Icannottellyoufromwhenceyoucame，"hesaid；

"butthisIcantellyou——ifwedonotgetoutofthishorribleplaceweshallbothbeslainuponthisbloodyaltar。Thewomanwasabouttoplungeherknifeintomyheartwhenthelioninterruptedthefiendishritual。Come！

Beforetheyrecoverfromtheirfrightandreassemble，letusfindawayoutoftheirdamnabletemple。"

TarzanturnedagaintowardLa。

"Why，"heasked，"wouldyouhavekilledthisman？

Areyouhungry？"

TheHighPriestesscriedoutindisgust。

"Didheattempttokillyou？"continuedTarzan。

Thewomanshookherhead。

"Thenwhyshouldyouhavewishedtokillhim？"Tarzanwasdeterminedtogettothebottomofthething。

Laraisedherslenderarmandpointedtowardthesun。

"WewereofferinguphissoulasagifttotheFlamingGod，"shesaid。

Tarzanlookedpuzzled。Hewasagainanape，andapesdonotunderstandsuchmattersassoulsandFlamingGods。

"Doyouwishtodie？"heaskedWerper。

TheBelgianassuredhim，withtearsinhiseyes，thathedidnotwishtodie。

"Verywellthen，youshallnot，"saidTarzan。"Come！

Wewillgo。ThisSHEwouldkillyouandkeepmeforherself。ItisnoplaceanywayforaMangani。

Ishouldsoondie，shutupbehindthesestonewalls。"

HeturnedtowardLa。"Wearegoingnow，"hesaid。

Thewomanrushedforwardandseizedtheape—man’shandsinhers。

"Donotleaveme！"shecried。"Stay，andyoushallbeHighPriest。Lalovesyou。AllOparshallbeyours。

Slavesshallwaituponyou。Stay，TarzanoftheApes，andletloverewardyou。"

Theape—manpushedthekneelingwomanaside。"Tarzandoesnotdesireyou，"hesaid，simply，andsteppingtoWerper’ssidehecuttheBelgian’sbondsandmotionedhimtofollow。

Panting——herfaceconvulsedwithrage，Lasprangtoherfeet。

"Stay，youshall！"shescreamed。"Lawillhaveyou——ifshecannothaveyoualive，shewillhaveyoudead，"andraisingherfacetothesunshegavevoicetothesamehideousshriekthatWerperhadheardoncebeforeandTarzanmanytimes。

Inanswertohercryababelofvoicesbrokefromthesurroundingchambersandcorridors。

"Come，GuardianPriests！"shecried。"Theinfidelshaveprofanedtheholiestoftheholies。Come！Striketerrortotheirhearts；defendLaandheraltar；washcleanthetemplewiththebloodofthepolluters。"

Tarzanunderstood，thoughWerperdidnot。TheformerglancedattheBelgianandsawthathewasunarmed。

SteppingquicklytoLa’ssidetheape—manseizedherinhisstrongarmsandthoughshefoughtwithallthemadsavageryofademon，hesoondisarmedher，handingherlong，sacrificialknifetoWerper。

"Youwillneedthis，"hesaid，andthenfromeachdoorwayahordeofthemonstrous，littlemenofOparstreamedintothetemple。

Theywerearmedwithbludgeonsandknives，andfortifiedintheircouragebyfanaticalhateandfrenzy。Werperwasterrified。Tarzanstoodeyeingthefoeinprouddisdain。Slowlyheadvancedtowardtheexithehadchosentoutilizeinmakinghiswayfromthetemple。Aburlypriestbarredhisway。Behindthefirstwasascoreofothers。Tarzanswunghisheavyspear，clublike，downupontheskullofthepriest。

Thefellowcollapsed，hisheadcrushed。

AgainandagaintheweaponfellasTarzanmadehiswayslowlytowardthedoorway。Werperpressedclosebehind，castingbackwardglancestowardtheshrieking，dancingmobmenacingtheirrear。Heheldthesacrificialknifereadytostrikewhoevermightcomewithinitsreach；butnonecame。Foratimehewonderedthattheyshouldsobravelybattlewiththegiantape—man，yethesitatetorushuponhim，whowasrelativelysoweak。Hadtheydonesoheknewthathemusthavefallenatthefirstcharge。Tarzanhadreachedthedoorwayoverthecorpsesofallthathadstoodtodisputehisway，beforeWerperguessedatthereasonforhisimmunity。Thepriestsfearedthesacrificialknife！WillinglywouldtheyfacedeathandwelcomeitifitcamewhiletheydefendedtheirHighPriestessandheraltar；butevidentlythereweredeaths，anddeaths。Somestrangesuperstitionmustsurroundthatpolishedblade，thatnoOpariancaredtochanceadeaththrustfromit，yetgladlyrushedtotheslaughteroftheape—man’sflayingspear。

Onceoutsidethetemplecourt，WerpercommunicatedhisdiscoverytoTarzan。Theape—mangrinned，andletWerpergobeforehim，brandishingthejeweledandholyweapon。Likeleavesbeforeagale，theOpariansscatteredinalldirectionsandTarzanandtheBelgianfoundaclearpassagethroughthecorridorsandchambersoftheancienttemple。

TheBelgian’seyeswentwideastheypassedthroughtheroomofthesevenpillarsofsolidgold。Withill—concealedavaricehelookedupontheage—old，goldentabletssetinthewallsofnearlyeveryroomanddownthesidesofmanyofthecorridors。Totheape—manallthiswealthappearedtomeannothing。

Onthetwowent，chanceleadingthemtowardthebroadavenuewhichlaybetweenthestatelypilesofthehalf—ruinededificesandtheinnerwallofthecity。

Greatapesjabberedatthemandmenacedthem；butTarzanansweredthemaftertheirownkind，givingbacktauntfortaunt，insultforinsult，challengeforchallenge。

Werpersawahairybullswingdownfromabrokencolumnandadvance，stiff—leggedandbristling，towardthenakedgiant。Theyellowfangswerebared，angrysnarlsandbarkingsrumbledthreateninglythroughthethickandhanginglips。

TheBelgianwatchedhiscompanion。Tohishorror，hesawthemanstoopuntilhisclosedknucklesresteduponthegroundasdidthoseoftheanthropoid。Hesawhimcircle，stiff—leggedaboutthecirclingape。Heheardthesamebestialbarkingsandgrowlingsissuefromthehumanthroatthatwerecomingfromthemouthofthebrute。Hadhiseyesbeenclosedhecouldnothaveknownbutthattwogiantapeswerebridlingforcombat。

Buttherewasnobattle。Itendedasthemajorityofsuchjungleencountersend——oneoftheboastersloseshisnerve，andbecomessuddenlyinterestedinablowingleaf，abeetle，ortheliceuponhishairystomach。

Inthisinstanceitwastheanthropoidthatretiredinstiffdignitytoinspectanunhappycaterpillar，whichhepresentlydevoured。ForamomentTarzanseemedinclinedtopursuetheargument。Heswaggeredtruculently，stuckouthischest，roaredandadvancedclosertothebull。ItwaswithdifficultythatWerperfinallypersuadedhimtoleavewellenoughaloneandcontinuehiswayfromtheancientcityoftheSunWorshipers。

Thetwosearchedfornearlyanhourbeforetheyfoundthenarrowexitthroughtheinnerwall。Fromtherethewell—worntrailledthembeyondtheouterfortificationtothedesolatevalleyofOpar。

Tarzanhadnoidea，insofarasWerpercoulddiscover，astowherehewasorwhencehecame。Hewanderedaimlesslyabout，searchingforfood，whichhediscoveredbeneathsmallrocks，orhidingintheshadeofthescantbrushwhichdottedtheground。

TheBelgianwashorrifiedbythehideousmenuofhiscompanion。Beetles，rodentsandcaterpillarsweredevouredwithseemingrelish。Tarzanwasindeedanapeagain。

AtlastWerpersucceededinleadinghiscompaniontowardthedistanthillswhichmarkthenorthwesternboundaryofthevalley，andtogetherthetwosetoutinthedirectionoftheGreystokebungalow。

WhatpurposepromptedtheBelgianinleadingthevictimofhistreacheryandgreedbacktowardhisformerhomeitisdifficulttoguess，unlessitwasthatwithoutTarzantherecouldbenoransomforTarzan’swife。

Thatnighttheycampedinthevalleybeyondthehills，andastheysatbeforealittlefirewherecookedawildpigthathadfallentooneofTarzan’sarrows，thelattersatlostinspeculation。Heseemedcontinuallytobetryingtograspsomementalimagewhichasconstantlyeludedhim。

Atlastheopenedtheleathernpouchwhichhungathisside。Fromithepouredintothepalmofhishandaquantityofglitteringgems。Thefirelightplayinguponthemconjuredamultitudeofscintillatingrays，andasthewideeyesoftheBelgianlookedoninraptfascination，theman’sexpressionatlastacknowledgedatangiblepurposeincourtingthesocietyoftheape—man。

9

TheTheftoftheJewelsFortwodaysWerpersoughtforthepartythathadaccompaniedhimfromthecamptothebarriercliffs；

butnotuntillateintheafternoonoftheseconddaydidhefindclewtoitswhereabouts，andtheninsuchgruesomeformthathewastotallyunnervedbythesight。

Inanopengladehecameuponthebodiesofthreeoftheblacks，terriblymutilated，nordiditrequireconsiderabledeductivepowertoexplaintheirmurder。

Ofthelittlepartyonlythesethreehadnotbeenslaves。Theothers，evidentlytemptedtohopeforfreedomfromtheircruelArabmaster，hadtakenadvantageoftheirseparationfromthemaincamp，toslaythethreerepresentativesofthehatedpowerwhichheldtheminslavery，andvanishintothejungle。

ColdsweatexudedfromWerper’sforeheadashecontemplatedthefatewhichchancehadpermittedhimtoescape，forhadhebeenpresentwhentheconspiracyborefruit，he，too，musthavebeenofthegarnered。

Tarzanshowednottheslightestsurpriseorinterestinthediscovery。Inherentinhimwasacallousedfamiliaritywithviolentdeath。Therefinementsofhisrecentcivilizationexpungedbytheforceofthesadcalamitywhichhadbefallenhim，leftonlytheprimitivesensibilitieswhichhischildhood’straininghadimprintedindeliblyuponthefabricofhismind。

ThetrainingofKala，theexamplesandpreceptsofKerchak，ofTublat，andofTerkoznowformedthebasisofhiseverythoughtandaction。HeretainedamechanicalknowledgeofFrenchandEnglishspeech。

WerperhadspokentohiminFrench，andTarzanhadrepliedinthesametonguewithoutconsciousrealizationthathehaddepartedfromtheanthropoidalspeechinwhichhehadaddressedLa。HadWerperusedEnglish，theresultwouldhavebeenthesame。

Again，thatnight，asthetwosatbeforetheircampfire，Tarzanplayedwithhisshiningbaubles。Werperaskedhimwhattheywereandwherehehadfoundthem。

Theape—manrepliedthattheyweregay—coloredstones，withwhichhepurposedfashioninganecklace，andthathehadfoundthemfarbeneaththesacrificialcourtofthetempleoftheFlamingGod。

WerperwasrelievedtofindthatTarzanhadnoconceptionofthevalueofthegems。ThiswouldmakeiteasierfortheBelgiantoobtainpossessionofthem。

Possiblythemanwouldgivethemtohimfortheasking。

WerperreachedouthishandtowardthelittlepilethatTarzanhadarrangeduponapieceofflatwoodbeforehim。

"Letmeseethem，"saidtheBelgian。

Tarzanplacedalargepalmoverhistreasure。Hebaredhisfightingfangs，andgrowled。Werperwithdrewhishandmorequicklythanhehadadvancedit。Tarzanresumedhisplayingwiththegems，andhisconversationwithWerperasthoughnothingunusualhadoccurred。

Hehadbutexhibitedthebeast’sjealousprotectiveinstinctforapossession。WhenhekilledhesharedthemeatwithWerper；buthadWerperever，byaccident，laidahanduponTarzan’sshare，hewouldhavearousedthesamesavage，andresentfulwarning。

FromthatoccurrencedatedthebeginningofagreatfearinthebreastoftheBelgianforhissavagecompanion。HehadneverunderstoodthetransformationthathadbeenwroughtinTarzanbytheblowuponhishead，otherthantoattributeittoaformofamnesia。

ThatTarzanhadoncebeen，intruth，asavage，junglebeast，Werperhadnotknown，andso，ofcourse，hecouldnotguessthatthemanhadrevertedtothestateinwhichhischildhoodandyoungmanhoodhadbeenspent。

NowWerpersawintheEnglishmanadangerousmaniac，whomtheslightestuntowardaccidentmightturnuponhimwithrendingfangs。NotforamomentdidWerperattempttodeludehimselfintothebeliefthathecoulddefendhimselfsuccessfullyagainstanattackbytheape—man。Hisonehopelayineludinghim，andmakingforthefardistantcampofAchmetZekasrapidlyashecould；butarmedonlywiththesacrificialknife，Werpershrankfromattemptingthejourneythroughthejungle。Tarzanconstitutedaprotectionthatwasbynomeansdespicable，eveninthefaceofthelargercarnivora，asWerperhadreasontoacknowledgefromtheevidencehehadwitnessedintheOpariantemple。

Too，Werperhadhiscovetoussoulsetuponthepouchofgems，andsohewastornbetweenthevariousemotionsofavariceandfear。Butavariceitwasthatburnedmoststronglyinhisbreast，totheendthathedaredthedangersandsufferedtheterrorsofconstantassociationwithhimhethoughtamadman，ratherthangiveupthehopeofobtainingpossessionofthefortunewhichthecontentsofthelittlepouchrepresented。

AchmetZekshouldknownothingofthese——thesewouldbeforWerperalone，andsosoonashecouldencompasshisdesignhewouldreachthecoastandtakepassageforAmerica，wherehecouldconcealhimselfbeneaththeveilofanewidentityandenjoytosomemeasurethefruitsofhistheft。Hehaditallplannedout，didLieutenantAlbertWerper，livinginanticipationtheluxuriouslifeoftheidlerich。HeevenfoundhimselfregrettingthatAmericawassoprovincial，andthatnowhereinthenewworldwasacitythatmightcomparewithhisbelovedBrussels。

ItwasuponthethirddayoftheirprogressfromOparthatthekeenearsofTarzancaughtthesoundofmenbehindthem。Werperheardnothingabovethehummingofthejungleinsects，andthechatteringlifeofthelessermonkeysandthebirds。

ForatimeTarzanstoodinstatuesquesilence，listening，hissensitivenostrilsdilatingasheassayedeachpassingbreeze。ThenhewithdrewWerperintotheconcealmentofthickbrush，andwaited。

Presently，alongthegametrailthatWerperandTarzanhadbeenfollowing，therecameinsightasleek，blackwarrior，alertandwatchful。

Insinglefilebehindhim，therefollowed，oneafteranother，nearfiftyothers，eachburdenedwithtwodull—yellowingotslasheduponhisback。WerperrecognizedthepartyimmediatelyasthatwhichhadaccompaniedTarzanonhisjourneytoOpar。Heglancedattheape—man；butinthesavage，watchfuleyeshesawnorecognitionofBasuliandthoseotherloyalWaziri。

Whenallhadpassed，Tarzanroseandemergedfromconcealment。Helookeddownthetrailinthedirectionthepartyhadgone。ThenheturnedtoWerper。

"Wewillfollowandslaythem，"hesaid。

"Why？"askedtheBelgian。

"Theyareblack，"explainedTarzan。"ItwasablackwhokilledKala。TheyaretheenemiesoftheManganis。"

WerperdidnotrelishtheideaofengaginginabattlewithBasuliandhisfiercefightingmen。And，again，hehadwelcomedthesightofthemreturningtowardtheGreystokebungalow，forhehadbeguntohavedoubtsastohisabilitytoretracehisstepstotheWaziricountry。Tarzan，heknew，hadnottheremotestideaofwhithertheyweregoing。Bykeepingatasafedistancebehindtheladenwarriors，theywouldhavenodifficultyinfollowingthemhome。Onceatthebungalow，WerperknewthewaytothecampofAchmetZek。TherewasstillanotherreasonwhyhedidnotwishtointerferewiththeWaziri——theywerebearingthegreatburdenoftreasureinthedirectionhewisheditborne。Thefarthertheytookit，thelessthedistancethatheandAchmetZekwouldhavetotransportit。

Hearguedwiththeape—mantherefore，againstthelatter’sdesiretoexterminatetheblacks，andatlastheprevaileduponTarzantofollowtheminpeace，sayingthathewassuretheywouldleadthemoutoftheforestintoarichcountry，teemingwithgame。

ItwasmanymarchesfromOpartotheWaziricountry；

butatlastcamethehourwhenTarzanandtheBelgian，followingthetrailofthewarriors，toppedthelastrise，andsawbeforethemthebroadWaziriplain，thewindingriver，andthedistantforeststothenorthandwest。

Amileormoreaheadofthem，thelineofwarriorswascreepinglikeagiantcaterpillarthroughthetallgrassesoftheplain。Beyond，grazingherdsofzebra，hartebeest，andtopidottedthelevellandscape，whileclosertotheriverabullbuffalo，hisheadandshouldersprotrudingfromthereedswatchedtheadvancingblacksforamoment，onlytoturnatlastanddisappearintothesafetyofhisdankandgloomyretreat。

Tarzanlookedoutacrossthefamiliarvistawithnofaintestgleamofrecognitioninhiseyes。Hesawthegameanimals，andhismouthwatered；buthedidnotlookinthedirectionofhisbungalow。Werper，however，did。ApuzzledexpressionenteredtheBelgian’seyes。Heshadedthemwithhispalmsandgazedlongandearnestlytowardthespotwherethebungalowhadstood。Hecouldnotcreditthetestimonyofhiseyes——therewasnobungalow——nobarns——noout—houses。Thecorrals，thehaystacks——allweregone。

Whatcoulditmean？

Andthen，slowlytherefilteredintoWerper’sconsciousnessanexplanationofthehavocthathadbeenwroughtinthatpeacefulvalleysincelasthiseyeshadresteduponit——AchmetZekhadbeenthere！

Basuliandhiswarriorshadnotedthedevastationthemomenttheyhadcomeinsightofthefarm。Nowtheyhastenedontowardittalkingexcitedlyamongthemselvesinanimatedspeculationuponthecauseandmeaningofthecatastrophe。

When，atlasttheycrossedthetrampledgardenandstoodbeforethecharredruinsoftheirmaster’sbungalow，theirgreatestfearsbecameconvictionsinthelightoftheevidenceaboutthem。

Remnantsofhumandead，halfdevouredbyprowlinghyenasandothersofthecarnivorawhichinfestedtheregion，layrottingupontheground，andamongthecorpsesremainedsufficientremnantsoftheirclothingandornamentstomakecleartoBasulithefrightfulstoryofthedisasterthathadbefallenhismaster’shouse。

"TheArabs，"hesaid，ashismenclusteredabouthim。

TheWazirigazedaboutinmuterageforseveralminutes。EverywheretheyencounteredonlyfurtherevidenceoftheruthlessnessofthecruelenemythathadcomeduringtheGreatBwana’sabsenceandlaidwastehisproperty。

"Whatdidtheywith’Lady’？"askedoneoftheblacks。

TheyhadalwayscalledLadyGreystokethus。

"Thewomentheywouldhavetakenwiththem，"saidBasuli。"Ourwomenandhis。"

Agiantblackraisedhisspearabovehishead，andgavevoicetoasavagecryofrageandhate。Theothersfollowedhisexample。Basulisilencedthemwithagesture。

"Thisisnotimeforuselessnoisesofthemouth，"hesaid。"TheGreatBwanahastaughtusthatitisactsbywhichthingsaredone，notwords。Letussaveourbreath——weshallneeditalltofollowuptheArabsandslaythem。If’Lady’andourwomenlivethegreatertheneedofhaste，andwarriorscannottravelfastuponemptylungs。"

Fromtheshelterofthereedsalongtheriver，WerperandTarzanwatchedtheblacks。Theysawthemdigatrenchwiththeirknivesandfingers。Theysawthemlaytheiryellowburdensinitandscooptheoverturnedearthbackoverthetopsoftheingots。

Tarzanseemedlittleinterested，afterWerperhadassuredhimthatthatwhichtheyburiedwasnotgoodtoeat；butWerperwasintenselyinterested。Hewouldhavegivenmuchhadhehadhisownfollowerswithhim，thathemighttakeawaythetreasureassoonastheblacksleft，forhewassurethattheywouldleavethissceneofdesolationanddeathassoonaspossible。

Thetreasureburied，theblacksremovedthemselvesashortdistanceupwindfromthefetidcorpses，wheretheymadecamp，thattheymightrestbeforesettingoutinpursuitoftheArabs。Itwasalreadydusk。WerperandTarzansatdevouringsomepiecesofmeattheyhadbroughtfromtheirlastcamp。TheBelgianwasoccupiedwithhisplansfortheimmediatefuture。HewaspositivethattheWaziriwouldpursueAchmetZek，forheknewenoughofsavagewarfare，andofthecharacteristicsoftheArabsandtheirdegradedfollowerstoguessthattheyhadcarriedtheWaziriwomenoffintoslavery。ThisalonewouldassureimmediatepursuitbysowarlikeapeopleastheWaziri。

Werperfeltthatheshouldfindthemeansandtheopportunitytopushonahead，thathemightwarnAchmetZekofthecomingofBasuli，andalsoofthelocationoftheburiedtreasure。WhattheArabwouldnowdowithLadyGreystoke，inviewofthementalafflictionofherhusband，Werperneitherknewnorcared。ItwasenoughthatthegoldentreasureburieduponthesiteoftheburnedbungalowwasinfinitelymorevaluablethananyransomthatwouldhaveoccurredeventotheavariciousmindoftheArab，andifWerpercouldpersuadetheraidertoshareevenaportionofitwithhimhewouldbewellsatisfied。

Butbyfarthemostimportantconsideration，toWerper，atleast，wastheincalculablyvaluabletreasureinthelittleleathernpouchatTarzan’sside。Ifhecouldbutobtainpossessionofthis！Hemust！Hewould！

Hiseyeswanderedtotheobjectofhisgreed。

TheymeasuredTarzan’sgiantframe，andrestedupontheroundedmusclesofhisarms。Itwashopeless。

Whatcouldhe，Werper，hopetoaccomplish，otherthanhisowndeath，byanattempttowrestthegemsfromtheirsavageowner？

Disconsolate，Werperthrewhimselfuponhisside。

Hisheadwaspillowedononearm，theotherrestedacrosshisfaceinsuchawaythathiseyeswerehiddenfromtheape—man，thoughoneofthemwasfasteneduponhimfrombeneaththeshadowoftheBelgian’sforearm。

Foratimehelaythus，gloweringatTarzan，andoriginatingschemesforplunderinghimofhistreasure——

schemesthatwerediscardedasfutileasrapidlyastheywereborn。

TarzanpresentlylethisowneyesrestuponWerper。

TheBelgiansawthathewasbeingwatched，andlayverystill。Afterafewmomentshesimulatedtheregularbreathingofdeepslumber。

Tarzanhadbeenthinking。HehadseentheWaziriburytheirbelongings。Werperhadtoldhimthattheywerehidingthemlestsomeonefindthemandtakethemaway。

ThisseemedtoTarzanasplendidplanforsafeguardingvaluables。SinceWerperhadevincedadesiretopossesshisglitteringpebbles，Tarzan，withthesuspicionsofasavage，hadguardedthebaubles，ofwhoseworthhewasentirelyignorant，aszealouslyasthoughtheyspelledlifeordeathtohim。

Foralongtimetheape—mansatwatchinghiscompanion。

Atlast，convincedthatheslept，Tarzanwithdrewhishuntingknifeandcommencedtodigaholeinthegroundbeforehim。Withthebladehelooseneduptheearth，andwithhishandshescoopeditoutuntilhehadexcavatedalittlecavityafewinchesindiameter，andfiveorsixinchesindepth。Intothisheplacedthepouchofjewels。Werperalmostforgottobreatheafterthefashionofasleeperashesawwhattheape—manwasdoing——hescarcerepressedanejaculationofsatisfaction。

【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