Tarzanbecomesuddenlyrigidashiskeenearsnotedthecessationoftheregularinspirationsandexpirationsofhiscompanion。HisnarrowedeyesboredstraightdownupontheBelgian。Werperfeltthathewaslost——

hemustriskallonhisabilitytocarryonthedeception。Hesighed，threwbotharmsoutward，andturnedoveronhisbackmumblingasthoughinthethroesofabaddream。Amomentlaterheresumedtheregularbreathing。

NowhecouldnotwatchTarzan，buthewassurethatthemansatforalongtimelookingathim。Then，faintly，Werperheardtheother’shandsscrapingdirt，andlaterpattingitdown。Heknewthenthatthejewelswereburied。

ItwasanhourbeforeWerpermovedagain，thenherolledoverfacingTarzanandopenedhiseyes。Theape—manslept。ByreachingouthishandWerpercouldtouchthespotwherethepouchwasburied。

Foralongtimehelaywatchingandlistening。

Hemovedabout，makingmorenoisethannecessary，yetTarzandidnotawaken。Hedrewthesacrificialknifefromhisbelt，andplungeditintotheground。

Tarzandidnotmove。CautiouslytheBelgianpushedthebladedownwardthroughthelooseearthabovethepouch。

Hefeltthepointtouchthesoft，toughfabricoftheleather。Thenheprieddownuponthehandle。

Slowlythelittlemoundoflooseearthroseandparted。

Aninstantlateracornerofthepouchcameintoview。

Werperpulleditfromitshidingplace，andtuckeditinhisshirt。Thenherefilledtheholeandpressedthedirtcarefullydownasithadbeenbefore。

Greedhadpromptedhimtoanact，thediscoveryofwhichbyhiscompanioncouldleadonlytothemostfrightfulconsequencesforWerper。Alreadyhecouldalmostfeelthosestrong，whitefangsburyingthemselvesinhisneck。Heshuddered。Faroutacrosstheplainaleopardscreamed，andinthedensereedsbehindhimsomegreatbeastmovedonpaddedfeet。

Werperfearedtheseprowlersofthenight；butinfinitelymorehefearedthejustwrathofthehumanbeastsleepingathisside。WithutmostcautiontheBelgianarose。Tarzandidnotmove。Werpertookafewstepstowardtheplainandthedistantforesttothenorthwest，thenhepausedandfingeredthehiltofthelongknifeinhisbelt。Heturnedandlookeddownuponthesleeper。

"Whynot？"hemused。"ThenIshouldbesafe。"

Hereturnedandbentabovetheape—man。ClutchedtightlyinhishandwasthesacrificialknifeoftheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGod！

10

AchmetZekSeestheJewelsMugambi，weakandsuffering，haddraggedhispainfulwayalongthetrailoftheretreatingraiders。

Hecouldmovebutslowly，restingoften；butsavagehatredandanequallysavagedesireforvengeancekepthimtohistask。Asthedayspassedhiswoundshealedandhisstrengthreturned，untilatlasthisgiantframehadregainedallofitsformermightypowers。Nowhewentmorerapidly；butthemountedArabshadcoveredagreatdistancewhilethewoundedblackhadbeenpainfullycrawlingafterthem。

Theyhadreachedtheirfortifiedcamp，andthereAchmetZekawaitedthereturnofhislieutenant，AlbertWerper。Duringthelong，roughjourney，JaneClaytonhadsufferedmoreinanticipationofherimpendingfatethanfromthehardshipsoftheroad。

AchmetZekhadnotdeignedtoacquaintherwithhisintentionsregardingherfuture。Sheprayedthatshehadbeencapturedinthehopeofransom，forifsuchshouldprovethecase，nogreatharmwouldbefallheratthehandsoftheArabs；buttherewasthechance，thehorridchance，thatanotherfateawaitedher。

Shehadheardofmanywomen，amongwhomwerewhitewomen，whohadbeensoldbyoutlawssuchasAchmetZekintotheslaveryofblackharems，ortakenfarthernorthintothealmostequallyhideousexistenceofsomeTurkishseraglio。

JaneClaytonwasofsternerstuffthanthatwhichbendsinspinelessterrorbeforedanger。Untilhopeprovedfutileshewouldnotgiveitup；nordidsheentertainthoughtsofself—destructiononlyasafinalescapefromdishonor。SolongasTarzanlivedtherewaseveryreasontoexpectsuccor。Nomannorbeastwhoroamedthesavagecontinentcouldboastthecunningandthepowersofherlordandmaster。Toher，hewaslittleshortofomnipotentinhisnativeworld——thisworldofsavagebeastsandsavagemen。Tarzanwouldcome，andshewouldberescuedandavenged，ofthatshewascertain。ShecountedthedaysthatmustelapsebeforehewouldreturnfromOparanddiscoverwhathadtranspiredduringhisabsence。AfterthatitwouldbebutashorttimebeforehehadsurroundedtheArabstrongholdandpunishedthemotleycrewofwrongdoerswhoinhabitedit。

Thathecouldfindhershehadnoslightestdoubt。

Nospoor，howeverfaint，couldeludethekeenvigilanceofhissenses。Tohim，thetrailoftheraiderswouldbeasplainastheprintedpageofanopenbooktoher。

Andwhileshehoped，therecamethroughthedarkjungleanother。Terrifiedbynightandbyday，cameAlbertWerper。Adozentimeshehadescapedtheclawsandfangsofthegiantcarnivoraonlybywhatseemedamiracletohim。ArmedwithnothingmorethantheknifehehadbroughtwithhimfromOpar，hehadmadehiswaythroughassavageacountryasyetexistsuponthefaceoftheglobe。

Bynighthehadsleptintrees。Bydayhehadstumbledfearfullyon，oftentakingrefugeamongthebrancheswhensightorsoundofsomegreatcatwarnedhimfromdanger。Butatlasthehadcomewithinsightofthepalisadebehindwhichwerehisfiercecompanions。

AtalmostthesametimeMugambicameoutofthejunglebeforethewalledvillage。Ashestoodintheshadowofagreattree，reconnoitering，hesawaman，raggedanddisheveled，emergefromthejunglealmostathiselbow。InstantlyherecognizedthenewcomerashewhohadbeenaguestofhismasterbeforethelatterhaddepartedforOpar。

TheblackwasuponthepointofhailingtheBelgianwhensomethingstayedhim。Hesawthewhitemanwalkingconfidentlyacrosstheclearingtowardthevillagegate。NosanemanthusapproachedavillageinthispartofAfricaunlesshewassureofafriendlywelcome。Mugambiwaited。Hissuspicionswerearoused。

HeheardWerperhalloo；hesawthegatesswingopen，andhewitnessedthesurprisedandfriendlywelcomethatwasaccordedtheerstwhileguestofLordandLadyGreystoke。AlightbrokeupontheunderstandingofMugambi。Thiswhitemanhadbeenatraitorandaspy。

ItwastohimtheyowedtheraidduringtheabsenceoftheGreatBwana。TohishatefortheArabs，Mugambiaddedastillgreaterhateforthewhitespy。

WithinthevillageWerperpassedhurriedlytowardthesilkententofAchmetZek。TheArabaroseashislieutenantentered。HisfaceshowedsurpriseasheviewedthetatteredappareloftheBelgian。

"Whathashappened？"heasked。

Werpernarratedall，savethelittlematterofthepouchofgemswhichwerenowtightlystrappedabouthiswaist，beneathhisclothing。TheArab’seyesnarrowedgreedilyashishenchmandescribedthetreasurethattheWazirihadburiedbesidetheruinsoftheGreystokebungalow。

"Itwillbeasimplematternowtoreturnandgetit，"

saidAchmetZek。"FirstwewillawaitthecomingoftherashWaziri，andafterwehaveslainthemwemaytakeourtimetothetreasure——nonewilldisturbitwhereitlies，forweshallleavenonealivewhoknowsofitsexistence。

"Andthewoman？"askedWerper。

"Ishallsellherinthenorth，"repliedtheraider。

"Itistheonlyway，now。Sheshouldbringagoodprice。"

TheBelgiannodded。Hewasthinkingrapidly。IfhecouldpersuadeAchmetZektosendhimincommandofthepartywhichtookLadyGreystokenorthitwouldgivehimtheopportunityhecravedtomakehisescapefromhischief。Hewouldforegoashareofthegold，ifhecouldbutgetawayunscathedwiththejewels。

HeknewAchmetZekwellenoughbythistimetoknowthatnomemberofhisbandeverwasvoluntarilyreleasedfromtheserviceofAchmetZek。Mostofthefewwhodesertedwererecaptured。MorethanoncehadWerperlistenedtotheiragonizedscreamsastheyweretorturedbeforebeingputtodeath。TheBelgianhadnowishtotaketheslightestchanceofrecapture。

"Whowillgonorthwiththewoman，"heasked，"whilewearereturningforthegoldthattheWaziriburiedbythebungalowoftheEnglishman？"

AchmetZekthoughtforamoment。Theburiedgoldwasofmuchgreatervaluethanthepricethewomanwouldbring。Itwasnecessarytoridhimselfofherasquicklyaspossibleanditwasalsowelltoobtainthegoldwiththeleastpossibledelay。Ofallhisfollowers，theBelgianwasthemostlogicallieutenanttointrustwiththecommandofoneoftheparties。AnArab，asfamiliarwiththetrailsandtribesasAchmetZekhimself，mightcollectthewoman’spriceandmakegoodhisescapeintothefarnorth。Werper，ontheotherhand，couldscarcemakehisescapealonethroughacountryhostiletoEuropeanswhilethemenhewouldsendwiththeBelgiancouldbecarefullyselectedwithaviewtopreventingWerperfrompersuadinganyconsiderableportionofhiscommandtoaccompanyhimshouldhecontemplatedesertionofhischief。

AtlasttheArabspoke："Itisnotnecessarythatwebothreturnforthegold。Youshallgonorthwiththewoman，carryingalettertoafriendofminewhoisalwaysintouchwiththebestmarketsforsuchmerchandise，whileIreturnforthegold。Wecanmeetagainherewhenourbusinessisconcluded。"

Werpercouldscarcedisguisethejoywithwhichhereceivedthiswelcomedecision。AndthathedidentirelydisguiseitfromthekeenandsuspiciouseyesofAchmetZekisopentoquestion。However，thedecisionreached，theArabandhislieutenantdiscussedthedetailsoftheirforthcomingventuresforashorttimefurther，whenWerpermadehisexcusesandreturnedtohisowntentforthecomfortsandluxuryofalong—desiredbathandshave。

Havingbathed，theBelgiantiedasmallhandmirrortoacordsewntotherearwallofhistent，placedarudechairbesideanequallyrudetablethatstoodbesidetheglass，andproceededtoremovetheroughstubblefromhisface。

Inthecatalogofmasculinepleasuresthereisscarceonewhichimpartsafeelingofgreatercomfortandrefreshmentthanfollowsacleanshave，andnow，withwearinesstemporarilybanished，AlbertWerpersprawledinhisricketychairtoenjoyafinalcigaretbeforeretiring。Histhumbs，tuckedinhisbeltinlazysupportoftheweightofhisarms，touchedthebeltwhichheldthejewelpouchabouthiswaist。Hetingledwithexcitementashelethisminddwelluponthevalueofthetreasure，which，unknowntoallsavehimself，layhiddenbeneathhisclothing。

WhatwouldAchmetZeksay，ifheknew？Werpergrinned。

Howtheoldrascal’seyeswouldpopcouldhebuthaveaglimpseofthosescintillatingbeauties！Werperhadneveryethadanopportunitytofeasthiseyesforanygreatlengthoftimeuponthem。Hehadnotevencountedthem——onlyroughlyhadheguessedattheirvalue。

Heunfastenedthebeltanddrewthepouchfromitshidingplace。Hewasalone。Thebalanceofthecamp，savethesentries，hadretired——nonewouldentertheBelgian’stent。Hefingeredthepouch，feelingouttheshapesandsizesoftheprecious，littlenoduleswithin。Heheftedthebag，firstinonepalm，thenintheother，andatlasthewheeledhischairslowlyaroundbeforethetable，andintheraysofhissmalllamplettheglitteringgemsrolloutupontheroughwood。

Therefulgentraystransformedtheinteriorofthesoiledandsqualidcanvastothesplendorofapalaceintheeyesofthedreamingman。Hesawthegildedhallsofpleasurethatwouldopentheirportalstothepossessorofthewealthwhichlayscattereduponthisstainedanddentedtabletop。Hedreamedofjoysandluxuriesandpowerwhichalwayshadbeenbeyondhisgrasp，andashedreamedhisgazeliftedfromthetable，asthegazeofadreamerwill，toafardistantgoalabovethemeanhorizonofterrestrialcommonplaceness。

Unseeing，hiseyesrestedupontheshavingmirrorwhichstillhunguponthetentwallabovethetable；buthissightwasfocusedfarbeyond。Andthenareflectionmovedwithinthepolishedsurfaceofthetinyglass，theman’seyesshotbackoutofspacetothemirror’sface，andinithesawreflectedthegrimvisageofAchmetZek，framedintheflapsofthetentdoorwaybehindhim。

Werperstifledagaspofdismay。Withrareself—possessionhelethisgazedrop，withoutappearingtohavehalteduponthemirroruntilitrestedagainuponthegems。Withouthaste，hereplacedtheminthepouch，tuckedthelatterintohisshirt，selectedacigaretfromhiscase，lighteditandrose。Yawning，andstretchinghisarmsabovehishead，heturnedslowlytowardtheoppositeendofthetent。ThefaceofAchmetZekhaddisappearedfromtheopening。

TosaythatAlbertWerperwasterrifiedwouldbeputtingitmildly。Herealizedthathenotonlyhadsacrificedhistreasure；buthislifeaswell。

AchmetZekwouldneverpermitthewealththathehaddiscoveredtoslipthroughhisfingers，norwouldheforgivetheduplicityofalieutenantwhohadgainedpossessionofsuchatreasurewithoutofferingtoshareitwithhischief。

SlowlytheBelgianpreparedforbed。Ifhewerebeingwatched，hecouldnotknow；butifsothewatchersawnoindicationofthenervousexcitementwhichtheEuropeanstrovetoconceal。Whenreadyforhisblankets，themancrossedtothelittletableandextinguishedthelight。

Itwastwohourslaterthattheflapsatthefrontofthetentseparatedsilentlyandgaveentrancetoadark—robedfigure，whichpassednoiselesslyfromthedarknesswithouttothedarknesswithin。Cautiouslytheprowlercrossedtheinterior。Inonehandwasalongknife。Hecameatlasttothepileofblanketsspreaduponseveralrugsclosetooneofthetentwalls。

Lightly，hisfingerssoughtandfoundthebulkbeneaththeblankets——thebulkthatshouldbeAlbertWerper。

Theytracedoutthefigureofaman，andthenanarmshotupward，poisedforaninstantanddescended。

Againandagainitroseandfell，andeachtimethelongbladeoftheknifeburieditselfinthethingbeneaththeblankets。Buttherewasaninitiallifelessnessinthesilentbulkthatgavetheassassinmomentarywonder。Feverishlyhethrewbackthecoverlets，andsearchedwithnervoushandsforthepouchofjewelswhichheexpectedtofindconcealeduponhisvictim’sbody。

Aninstantlaterherosewithacurseuponhislips。

ItwasAchmetZek，andhecursedbecausehehaddiscoveredbeneaththeblanketsofhislieutenantonlyapileofdiscardedclothingarrangedintheformandsemblanceofasleepingman——AlbertWerperhadfled。

Outintothevillageranthechief，callinginangrytonestothesleepyArabs，whotumbledfromtheirtentsinanswertohisvoice。ButthoughtheysearchedthevillageagainandagaintheyfoundnotraceoftheBelgian。Foamingwithanger，AchmetZekcalledhisfollowerstohorse，andthoughthenightwaspitchyblacktheysetouttoscourtheadjoiningforestfortheirquarry。

Astheygallopedfromtheopengates，Mugambi，hidinginanearbybush，slipped，unseen，withinthepalisade。

Ascoreofblackscrowdedabouttheentrancetowatchthesearchersdepart，andasthelastofthempassedoutofthevillagetheblacksseizedtheportalsanddrewthemto，andMugambilentahandintheworkasthoughthebestofhislifehadbeenspentamongtheraiders。

Inthedarknesshepassed，unchallenged，asoneoftheirnumber，andastheyreturnedfromthegatestotheirrespectivetentsandhuts，Mugambimeltedintotheshadowsanddisappeared。

Foranhourhecreptaboutintherearofthevarioushutsandtentsinanefforttolocatethatinwhichhismaster’smatewasimprisoned。Onetherewaswhichhewasreasonablyassuredcontainedher，foritwastheonlyhutbeforethedoorofwhichasentryhadbeenposted。Mugambiwascrouchingintheshadowofthisstructure，justaroundthecornerfromtheunsuspectingguard，whenanotherapproachedtorelievehiscomrade。

"Theprisonerissafewithin？"askedthenewcomer。

"Sheis，"repliedtheother，"fornonehaspassedthisdoorwaysinceIcame。"

Thenewsentrysquattedbesidethedoor，whilehewhomhehadrelievedmadehiswaytohisownhut。Mugambislunkclosertothecornerofthebuilding。Inonepowerfulhandhegrippedaheavyknob—stick。Nosignofelationdisturbedhisphlegmaticcalm，yetinwardlyhewasarousedtojoybytheproofhehadjustheardthat"Lady"reallywaswithin。

Thesentry’sbackwastowardthecornerofthehutwhichhidthegiantblack。Thefellowdidnotseethehugeformwhichsilentlyloomedbehindhim。Theknob—stickswungupwardinacurve，anddownwardagain。

Therewasthesoundofadullthud，thecrushingofheavybone，andthesentryslumpedintoasilent，inanimatelumpofclay。

AmomentlaterMugambiwassearchingtheinteriorofthehut。Atfirstslowly，calling，"Lady！"inalowwhisper，andfinallywithalmostfrantichaste，untilthetruthpresentlydawneduponhim——thehutwasempty！

11

TarzanBecomesaBeastAgainForamomentWerperhadstoodabovethesleepingape—man，hismurderousknifepoisedforthefatalthrust；

butfearstayedhishand。Whatifthefirstblowshouldfailtodrivethepointtohisvictim’sheart？

Werpershudderedincontemplationofthedisastrousconsequencestohimself。Awakened，andevenwithafewmomentsofliferemaining，thegiantcouldliterallytearhisassailanttopiecesshouldhechoose，andtheBelgianhadnodoubtbutthatTarzanwouldsochoose。

Againcamethesoftsoundofpaddedfootstepsinthereeds——closerthistime。Werperabandonedhisdesign。

Beforehimstretchedthewideplainandescape。

Thejewelswereinhispossession。ToremainlongerwastoriskdeathatthehandsofTarzan，orthejawsofthehuntercreepingevernearer。Turning，heslunkawaythroughthenight，towardthedistantforest。

Tarzanslepton。Wherewerethoseuncanny，guardianpowersthathadformerlyrenderedhimimmunefromthedangersofsurprise？Couldthisdullsleeperbethealert，sensitiveTarzanofold？

Perhapstheblowuponhisheadhadnumbedhissenses，temporarily——whomaysay？Closercreptthestealthycreaturethroughthereeds。Therustlingcurtainofvegetationpartedafewpacesfromwherethesleeperlay，andthemassiveheadofalionappeared。Thebeastsurveyedtheape—manintentlyforamoment，thenhecrouched，hishindfeetdrawnwellbeneathhim，histaillashingfromsidetoside。

Itwasthebeatingofthebeast’stailagainstthereedswhichawakenedTarzan。Junglefolkdonotawakenslowly——instantly，fullconsciousnessandfullcommandoftheireveryfacultyreturnstothemfromthedepthofprofoundslumber。

EvenasTarzanopenedhiseyeshewasuponhisfeet，hisspeargraspedfirmlyinhishandandreadyforattack。AgainwasheTarzanoftheApes，sentient，vigilant，ready。

Notwolionshaveidenticalcharacteristics，nordoesthesamelioninvariablyactsimilarlyunderlikecircumstances。Whetheritwassurprise，fearorcautionwhichpromptedthelioncrouchingreadytospringupontheman，isimmaterial——thefactremainsthathedidnotcarryouthisoriginaldesign，hedidnotspringatthemanatall，but，instead，wheeledandsprangbackintothereedsasTarzanaroseandconfrontedhim。

Theape—manshruggedhisbroadshouldersandlookedaboutforhiscompanion。Werperwasnowheretobeseen。AtfirstTarzansuspectedthatthemanhadbeenseizedanddraggedoffbyanotherlion，butuponexaminationofthegroundhesoondiscoveredthattheBelgianhadgoneawayaloneoutintotheplain。

Foramomenthewaspuzzled；butpresentlycametotheconclusionthatWerperhadbeenfrightenedbytheapproachofthelion，andhadsneakedoffinterror。

AsneertouchedTarzan’slipsasheponderedtheman’sact——thedesertionofacomradeintimeofdanger，andwithoutwarning。Well，ifthatwasthesortofcreatureWerperwas，Tarzanwishednothingmoreofhim。

Hehadgone，andforalltheape—mancared，hemightremainaway——Tarzanwouldnotsearchforhim。

Ahundredyardsfromwherehestoodgrewalargetree，aloneupontheedgeofthereedyjungle。Tarzanmadehiswaytoit，clamberedintoit，andfindingacomfortablecrotchamongitsbranches，reposedhimselfforuninterruptedsleepuntilmorning。

AndwhenmorningcameTarzansleptonlongafterthesunhadrisen。Hismind，revertedtotheprimitive，wasuntroubledbyanymoreseriousobligationsthanthoseofprovidingsustenance，andsafeguardinghislife。

Therefore，therewasnothingtoawakenforuntildangerthreatened，orthepangsofhungerassailed。

Itwasthelatterwhicheventuallyarousedhim。

Openinghiseyes，hestretchedhisgiantthews，yawned，roseandgazedabouthimthroughtheleafyfoliageofhisretreat。AcrossthewastedmeadowlandsandfieldsofJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，TarzanoftheApeslooked，asastranger，uponthemovingfiguresofBasuliandhisbravesastheypreparedtheirmorningmealandmadereadytosetoutupontheexpeditionwhichBasulihadplannedafterdiscoveringthehavocanddisasterwhichhadbefallentheestateofhisdeadmaster。

Theape—maneyedtheblackswithcuriosity。

Inthebackofhisbrainloiteredafleetingsenseoffamiliaritywithallthathesaw，yethecouldnotconnectanyofthevariousformsoflife，animateandinanimate，whichhadfallenwithintherangeofhisvisionsincehehademergedfromthedarknessofthepitsofOpar，withanyparticulareventofthepast。

Hazilyherecalledagrimandhideousform，hairy，ferocious。Avaguetendernessdominatedhissavagesentimentsasthisphantommemorystruggledforrecognition。Hismindhadrevertedtohischildhooddays——itwasthefigureofthegiantshe—ape，Kala，thathesaw；butonlyhalfrecognized。Hesaw，too，othergrotesque，manlikeforms。TheywereofTerkoz，Tublat，Kerchak，andasmaller，lessferociousfigure，thatwasNeeta，thelittleplaymateofhisboyhood。

Slowly，veryslowly，asthesevisionsofthepastanimatedhislethargicmemory，hecametorecognizethem。Theytookdefiniteshapeandform，adjustingthemselvesnicelytothevariousincidentsofhislifewithwhichtheyhadbeenintimatelyconnected。Hisboyhoodamongtheapesspreaditselfinaslowpanoramabeforehim，andasitunfoldeditinducedwithinhimamightylongingforthecompanionshipoftheshaggy，low—browedbrutesofhispast。

Hewatchedtheblacksscattertheircookfireanddepart；butthoughthefaceofeachofthemhadbutrecentlybeenasfamiliartohimashisown，theyawakenedwithinhimnorecollectionswhatsoever。

Whentheyhadgone，hedescendedfromthetreeandsoughtfood。Outupontheplaingrazednumerousherdsofwildruminants。Towardasleek，fatbunchofzebrahewormedhisstealthyway。Nointricateprocessofreasoningcausedhimtocirclewidelyuntilhewasdownwindfromhisprey——heactedinstinctively。Hetookadvantageofeveryformofcoverashecrawleduponallfoursandoftenflatuponhisstomachtowardthem。

Aplumpyoungmareandafatstalliongrazednearesttohimashenearedtheherd。Againitwasinstinctwhichselectedtheformerforhismeat。Alowbushgrewbutafewyardsfromtheunsuspectingtwo。Theape—manreacheditsshelter。Hegatheredhisspearfirmlyinhisgrasp。Cautiouslyhedrewhisfeetbeneathhim。

Inasingleswiftmoveheroseandcasthisheavyweaponatthemare’sside。Nordidhewaittonotetheeffectofhisassault，butleapedcat—likeafterhisspear，hishuntingknifeinhishand。

Foraninstantthetwoanimalsstoodmotionless。

Thetearingofthecruelbarbintohersidebroughtasuddenscreamofpainandfrightfromthemare，andthentheybothwheeledandbrokeforsafety；butTarzanoftheApes，foradistanceofafewyards，couldequalthespeedofeventhese，andthefirststrideofthemarefoundheroverhauled，withasavagebeastathershoulder。Sheturned，bitingandkickingatherfoe。

Hermatehesitatedforaninstant，asthoughabouttorushtoherassistance；butabackwardglancerevealedtohimtheflyingheelsofthebalanceoftheherd，andwithasnortandashakeofhisheadhewheeledanddashedaway。

Clingingwithonehandtotheshortmaneofhisquarry，Tarzanstruckagainandagainwithhisknifeattheunprotectedheart。Theresulthad，fromthefirst，beeninevitable。Themarefoughtbravely，buthopelessly，andpresentlysanktotheearth，herheartpierced。Theape—manplacedafootuponhercarcassandraisedhisvoiceinthevictorycalloftheMangani。Inthedistance，Basulihaltedasthefaintnotesofthehideousscreambrokeuponhisears。

"Thegreatapes，"hesaidtohiscompanion。"IthasbeenlongsinceIhaveheardtheminthecountryoftheWaziri。Whatcouldhavebroughtthemback？"

Tarzangraspedhiskillanddraggedittothepartialseclusionofthebushwhichhadhiddenhisownnearapproach，andtherehesquatteduponit，cutahugehunkoffleshfromtheloinandproceededtosatisfyhishungerwiththewarmanddrippingmeat。

Attractedbytheshrillscreamsofthemare，apairofhyenasslunkpresentlyintoview。Theytrottedtoapointafewyardsfromthegorgingape—man，andhalted。

Tarzanlookedup，baredhisfightingfangsandgrowled。

Thehyenasreturnedthecompliment，andwithdrewacoupleofpaces。Theymadenomovetoattack；butcontinuedtositatarespectfuldistanceuntilTarzanhadconcludedhismeal。Aftertheape—manhadcutafewstripsfromthecarcasstocarrywithhim，hewalkedslowlyoffinthedirectionoftherivertoquenchhisthirst。Hiswaylaydirectlytowardthehyenas，nordidhealterhiscoursebecauseofthem。

WithallthelordlymajestyofNuma，thelion，hestrodestraighttowardthegrowlingbeasts。Foramomenttheyheldtheirground，bristlinganddefiant；

butonlyforamoment，andthenslunkawaytoonesidewhiletheindifferentape—manpassedthemonhislordlyway。Amomentlatertheyweretearingattheremainsofthezebra。

BacktothereedswentTarzan，andthroughthemtowardtheriver。Aherdofbuffalo，startledbyhisapproach，rosereadytochargeortofly。Agreatbullpawedthegroundandbellowedashisbloodshoteyesdiscoveredtheintruder；buttheape—manpassedacrosstheirfrontasthoughignorantoftheirexistence。

Thebull’sbellowinglessenedtoalowrumbling，heturnedandscrapedahordeoffliesfromhissidewithhismuzzle，castafinalglanceattheape—manandresumedhisfeeding。HisnumerousfamilyeitherfollowedhisexampleorstoodgazingafterTarzaninmild—eyedcuriosity，untiltheoppositereedsswallowedhimfromview。

Attheriver，Tarzandrankhisfillandbathed。Duringtheheatofthedayhelayupundertheshadeofatreeneartheruinsofhisburnedbarns。Hiseyeswanderedoutacrosstheplaintowardtheforest，andalongingforthepleasuresofitsmysteriousdepthspossessedhisthoughtsforaconsiderabletime。Withthenextsunhewouldcrosstheopenandentertheforest！Therewasnohurry——therelaybeforehimanendlessvistaoftomorrowswithnaughttofillthembutthesatisfyingoftheappetitesandcapricesofthemoment。

Theape—man’smindwasuntroubledbyregretforthepast，oraspirationforthefuture。Hecouldlieatfulllengthalongaswayingbranch，stretchinghisgiantlimbs，andluxuriatingintheblessedpeaceofutterthoughtlessness，withoutanapprehensionoraworrytosaphisnervousenergyandrobhimofhispeaceofmind。Recallingonlydimlyanyotherexistence，theape—manwashappy。LordGreystokehadceasedtoexist。

ForseveralhoursTarzanlolleduponhisswaying，leafycouchuntilonceagainhungerandthirstsuggestedanexcursion。Stretchinglazilyhedroppedtothegroundandmovedslowlytowardtheriver。Thegametraildownwhichhewalkedhadbecomebyagesofuseadeep，narrowtrench，itswallstoppedoneithersidebyimpenetrablethicketanddense—growingtreescloselyinterwovenwiththick—stemmedcreepersandlesservinesinextricablymattedintotwosolidrampartsofvegetation。Tarzanhadalmostreachedthepointwherethetraildebouchedupontheopenriverbottomwhenhesawafamilyoflionsapproachingalongthepathfromthedirectionoftheriver。Theape—mancountedseven——

amaleandtwolionesses，fullgrown，andfouryounglionsaslargeandquiteasformidableastheirparents。Tarzanhalted，growling，andthelionspaused，thegreatmaleintheleadbaringhisfangsandrumblingforthawarningroar。Inhishandtheape—manheldhisheavyspear；buthehadnointentionofpittinghispunyweaponagainstsevenlions；yethestoodtheregrowlingandroaringandthelionsdidlikewise。Itwaspurelyanexhibitionofjunglebluff。

Eachwastryingtofrightenofftheother。Neitherwishedtoturnbackandgiveway，nordideitheratfirstdesiretoprecipitateanencounter。ThelionswerefedsufficientlysoasnottobegoadedbypangsofhungerandasforTarzanheseldomatethemeatofthecarnivores；butapointofethicswasatstakeandneithersidewishedtobackdown。Sotheystoodtherefacingoneanother，makingallsortsofhideousnoisesthewhiletheyhurledjungleinvectivebackandforth。

Howlongthisbloodlessduelwouldhavepersisteditisdifficulttosay，thougheventuallyTarzanwouldhavebeenforcedtoyieldtosuperiornumbers。

Therecame，however，aninterruptionwhichputanendtothedeadlockanditcamefromTarzan’srear。Heandthelionshadbeenmakingsomuchnoisethatneithercouldhearanythingabovetheirconcertedbedlam，andsoitwasthatTarzandidnothearthegreatbulkbearingdownuponhimfrombehinduntilaninstantbeforeitwasuponhim，andthenheturnedtoseeButo，therhinoceros，hislittle，pigeyesblazing，chargingmadlytowardhimandalreadysoclosethatescapeseemedimpossible；yetsoperfectlyweremindandmusclescoordinatedinthisunspoiled，primitivemanthatalmostsimultaneouslywiththesenseperceptionofthethreateneddangerhewheeledandhurledhisspearatButo’schest。Itwasaheavyspearshodwithiron，andbehinditwerethegiantmusclesoftheape—man，whilecomingtomeetitwastheenormousweightofButoandthemomentumofhisrapidrush。AllthathappenedintheinstantthatTarzanturnedtomeetthechargeoftheirasciblerhinocerosmighttakelongtotell，andyetwouldhavetaxedtheswiftestlenstorecord。

Ashisspearlefthishandtheape—manwaslookingdownuponthemightyhornloweredtotosshim，soclosewasButotohim。Thespearenteredtherhinoceros’neckatitsjunctionwiththeleftshoulderandpassedalmostentirelythroughthebeast’sbody，andattheinstantthathelaunchedit，TarzanleapedstraightintotheairalightinguponButo’sbackbutescapingthemightyhorn。

ThenButoespiedthelionsandboremadlydownuponthemwhileTarzanoftheApesleapednimblyintothetangledcreepersatonesideofthetrail。ThefirstlionmetButo’schargeandwastossedhighoverthebackofthemaddenedbrute，tornanddying，andthenthesixremaininglionswereupontherhinoceros，rendingandtearingthewhiletheywerebeinggoredortrampled。FromthesafetyofhisperchTarzanwatchedtheroyalbattlewiththekeenestinterest，forthemoreintelligentofthejunglefolkareinterestedinsuchencounters。Theyaretothemwhattheracetrackandtheprizering，thetheaterandthemoviesaretous。Theyseethemoften；butalwaystheyenjoythemfornotwoarepreciselyalike。

ForatimeitseemedtoTarzanthatButo，therhinoceros，wouldprovevictorinthegorybattle。

Alreadyhadheaccountedforfourofthesevenlionsandbadlywoundedthethreeremainingwheninamomentarylullintheencounterhesanklimplytohiskneesandrolledoveruponhisside。Tarzan’sspearhaddoneitswork。Itwastheman—madeweaponwhichkilledthegreatbeastthatmighteasilyhavesurvivedtheassaultofsevenmightylions，forTarzan’sspearhadpiercedthegreatlungs，andButo，withvictoryalmostinsight，succumbedtointernalhemorrhage。

ThenTarzancamedownfromhissanctuaryandasthewoundedlions，growling，draggedthemselvesaway，theape—mancuthisspearfromthebodyofButo，hackedoffasteakandvanishedintothejungle。Theepisodewasover。Ithadbeenallintheday’swork——somethingwhichyouandImighttalkaboutforalifetimeTarzandismissedfromhismindthemomentthatthescenepassedfromhissight。

12

LaSeeksVengeanceSwingingbackthroughthejungleinawidecircletheape—mancametotheriveratanotherpoint，drankandtooktothetreesagainandwhilehehunted，allobliviousofhispastandcarelessofhisfuture，therecamethroughthedarkjunglesandtheopen，parklikeplacesandacrossthewidemeadows，wheregrazedthecountlessherbivoraofthemysteriouscontinent，aweirdandterriblecaravaninsearchofhim。Therewerefiftyfrightfulmenwithhairybodiesandgnarledandcrookedlegs。Theywerearmedwithknivesandgreatbludgeonsandattheirheadmarchedanalmostnakedwoman，beautifulbeyondcompare。ItwasLaofOpar，HighPriestessoftheFlamingGod，andfiftyofherhorridpriestssearchingforthepurloinerofthesacredsacrificialknife。

NeverbeforehadLapassedbeyondthecrumblingouterwallsofOpar；butneverbeforehadneedbeensoinsistent。Thesacredknifewasgone！Handeddownthroughcountlessagesithadcometoherasaheritageandaninsigniaofherreligiousofficeandregalauthorityfromsomelong—deadprogenitoroflostandforgottenAtlantis。ThelossofthecrownjewelsortheGreatSealofEnglandcouldhavebroughtnogreaterconsternationtoaBritishkingthandidthepilferingofthesacredknifebringtoLa，theOparian，QueenandHighPriestessofthedegradedremnantsoftheoldestcivilizationuponearth。WhenAtlantis，withallhermightycitiesandhercultivatedfieldsandhergreatcommerceandcultureandrichessankintothesealongagessince，shetookwithherallbutahandfulofhercolonistsworkingthevastgoldminesofCentralAfrica。FromtheseandtheirdegradedslavesandalaterintermixtureofthebloodoftheanthropoidssprungthegnarledmenofOpar；butbysomequeerfreakoffate，aidedbynaturalselection，theoldAtlanteanstrainhadremainedpureandundegradedinthefemalesdescendedfromasingleprincessoftheroyalhouseofAtlantiswhohadbeeninOparatthetimeofthegreatcatastrophe。SuchwasLa。

Burningwithwhite—hotangerwastheHighPriestess，herheartaseething，moltenmassofhatredforTarzanoftheApes。Thezealofthereligiousfanaticwhosealtarhasbeendesecratedwastriplyenhancedbytherageofawomanscorned。Twicehadshethrownherheartatthefeetofthegodlikeape—manandtwicehadshebeenrepulsed。Laknewthatshewasbeautiful——andshewasbeautiful，notbythestandardsofprehistoricAtlantisalone，butbythoseofmoderntimeswasLaphysicallyacreatureofperfection。BeforeTarzancamethatfirsttimetoOpar，Lahadneverseenahumanmaleotherthanthegrotesqueandknottedmenofherclan。Withoneoftheseshemustmatesoonerorlaterthatthedirectlineofhighpriestessesmightnotbebroken，unlessFateshouldbringothermentoOpar。

BeforeTarzancameuponhisfirstvisit，Lahadhadnothoughtthatsuchmenasheexisted，forsheknewonlyherhideouslittlepriestsandthebullsofthetribeofgreatanthropoidsthathaddweltfromtimeimmemorialinandaboutOpar，untiltheyhadcometobelookeduponalmostasequalsbytheOparians。AmongthelegendsofOparweretalesofgodlikemenoftheoldentimeandofblackmenwhohadcomemorerecently；

buttheselatterhadbeenenemieswhokilledandrobbed。And，too，theselegendsalwaysheldforththehopethatsomedaythatnamelesscontinentfromwhichtheirracehadsprung，wouldriseoncemoreoutoftheseaandwithslavesatthelongsweepswouldsendhercarven，gold—pickedgalleysforthtosuccorthelong—exiledcolonists。

ThecomingofTarzanhadarousedwithinLa’sbreastthewildhopethatatlastthefulfillmentofthisancientprophecywasathand；butmorestronglystillhaditarousedthehotfiresofloveinaheartthatneverotherwisewouldhaveknownthemeaningofthatall—consumingpassion，forsuchawondrouscreatureasLacouldneverhavefeltloveforanyoftherepulsivepriestsofOpar。Custom，dutyandreligiouszealmighthavecommandedtheunion；buttherecouldhavebeennoloveonLa’spart。Shehadgrowntoyoungwomanhoodacoldandheartlesscreature，daughterofathousandothercold，heartless，beautifulwomenwhohadneverknownlove。Andsowhenlovecametoheritliberatedallthepentpassionsofathousandgenerations，transformingLaintoapulsing，throbbingvolcanoofdesire，andwithdesirethwartedthisgreatforceofloveandgentlenessandsacrificewastransmutedbyitsownfiresintooneofhatredandrevenge。

ItwasinastateofmindsuperinducedbytheseconditionsthatLaledforthherjabberingcompanytoretrievethesacredemblemofherhighofficeandwreakvengeanceupontheauthorofherwrongs。ToWerpershegavelittlethought。ThefactthattheknifehadbeeninhishandwhenitdepartedfromOparbroughtdownnothoughtsofvengeanceuponhishead。Ofcourse，heshouldbeslainwhencaptured；buthisdeathwouldgiveLanopleasure——shelookedforthatinthecontemplateddeathagoniesofTarzan。Heshouldbetortured。

Hisshouldbeaslowandfrightfuldeath。Hispunishmentshouldbeadequatetotheimmensityofhiscrime。

HehadwrestedthesacredknifefromLa；hehadlainsacreligioushandsupontheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGod；hehaddesecratedthealtarandthetemple。Forthesethingsheshoulddie；buthehadscornedtheloveofLa，thewoman，andforthisheshoulddiehorriblywithgreatanguish。

ThemarchofLaandherpriestswasnotwithoutitsadventures。Unusedwerethesetothewaysofthejungle，sinceseldomdidanyventureforthfrombehindOpar’scrumblingwalls，yettheirverynumbersprotectedthemandsotheycamewithoutfatalitiesfaralongthetrailofTarzanandWerper。Threegreatapesaccompaniedthemandtothesewasdelegatedthebusinessoftrackingthequarry，afeatbeyondthesensesoftheOparians。Lacommanded。Shearrangedtheorderofmarch，sheselectedthecamps，shesetthehourforhaltingandthehourforresumingandthoughshewasinexperiencedinsuchmatters，hernativeintelligencewassofarabovethatofthemenortheapesthatshedidbetterthantheycouldhavedone。

Shewasahardtaskmaster，too，forshelookeddownwithloathingandcontemptuponthemisshapencreaturesamongstwhichcruelFatehadthrownherandtosomeextentventeduponthemherdissatisfactionandherthwartedlove。Shemadethembuildherastrongprotectionandsheltereachnightandkeepagreatfireburningbeforeitfromdusktodawn。Whenshetiredofwalkingtheywereforcedtocarryheruponanimprovisedlitter，nordidonedaretoquestionherauthorityorherrighttosuchservices。Infacttheydidnotquestioneither。Tothemshewasagoddessandeachlovedherandeachhopedthathewouldbechosenashermate，sotheyslavedforherandborethestinginglashofherdispleasureandthehabituallyhaughtydisdainofhermannerwithoutamurmur。

Formanydaystheymarched，theapesfollowingthetraileasilyandgoingalittledistanceaheadofthebodyofthecaravanthattheymightwarntheothersofimpendingdanger。Itwasduringanoondayhaltwhileallwerelyingrestingafteratiresomemarchthatoneoftheapesrosesuddenlyandsniffedthebreeze。Inalowgutturalhecautionedtheotherstosilenceandamomentlaterwasswingingquietlyupwindintothejungle。Laandthepriestsgatheredsilentlytogether，thehideouslittlemenfingeringtheirknivesandbludgeons，andawaitedthereturnoftheshaggyanthropoid。

Norhadtheylongtowaitbeforetheysawhimemergefromaleafythicketandapproachthem。StraighttoLahecameandinthelanguageofthegreatapeswhichwasalsothelanguageofdecadentOparheaddressedher。

"ThegreatTarmanganiliesasleepthere，"hesaid，pointinginthedirectionfromwhichhehadjustcome。

"Comeandwecankillhim。"

"Donotkillhim，"commandedLaincoldtones。

"BringthegreatTarmanganitomealiveandunhurt。

ThevengeanceisLa’s。Go；butmakenosound！"andshewavedherhandstoincludeallherfollowers。

Cautiouslytheweirdpartycreptthroughthejungleinthewakeofthegreatapeuntilatlasthehaltedthemwitharaisedhandandpointedupwardandalittleahead。Theretheysawthegiantformoftheape—manstretchedalongalowboughandeveninsleeponehandgraspedastoutlimbandonestrong，brownlegreachedoutandoverlappedanother。AteaselayTarzanoftheApes，sleepingheavilyuponafullstomachanddreamingofNuma，thelion，andHorta，theboar，andothercreaturesofthejungle。Nointimationofdangerassailedthedormantfacultiesoftheape—man——hesawnocrouchinghairyfiguresuponthegroundbeneathhimnorthethreeapesthatswungquietlyintothetreebesidehim。

ThefirstintimationofdangerthatcametoTarzanwastheimpactofthreebodiesasthethreeapesleapeduponhimandhurledhimtotheground，wherehealightedhalfstunnedbeneaththeircombinedweightandwasimmediatelysetuponbythefiftyhairymenorasmanyofthemascouldswarmuponhisperson。Instantlytheape—manbecamethecenterofawhirling，striking，bitingmaelstromofhorror。Hefoughtnoblybuttheoddsagainsthimweretoogreat。Slowlytheyovercamehimthoughtherewasscarceoneofthemthatdidnotfeeltheweightofhismightyfistortherendingofhisfangs。

13

CondemnedToTortureandDeathLahadfollowedhercompanyandwhenshesawthemclawingandbitingatTarzan，sheraisedhervoiceandcautionedthemnottokillhim。Shesawthathewasweakeningandthatsoonthegreaternumberswouldprevailoverhim，norhadshelongtowaitbeforethemightyjunglecreaturelayhelplessandboundatherfeet。

"Bringhimtotheplaceatwhichwestopped，"shecommandedandtheycarriedTarzanbacktothelittleclearingandthrewhimdownbeneathatree。

"Buildmeashelter！"orderedLa。"WeshallstopheretonightandtomorrowinthefaceoftheFlamingGod，Lawillofferuptheheartofthisdefilerofthetemple。

Whereisthesacredknife？Whotookitfromhim？"

ButnoonehadseenitandeachwaspositiveinhisassurancethatthesacrificialweaponhadnotbeenuponTarzan’spersonwhentheycapturedhim。Theape—manlookeduponthemenacingcreatureswhichsurroundedhimandsnarledhisdefiance。HelookeduponLaandsmiled。Inthefaceofdeathhewasunafraid。

"Whereistheknife？"Laaskedhim。

"Idonotknow，"repliedTarzan。"Themantookitwithhimwhenheslippedawayduringthenight。SinceyouaresodesirousforitsreturnIwouldlookforhimandgetitbackforyou，didyounotholdmeprisoner；butnowthatIamtodieIcannotgetitback。Ofwhatgoodwasyourknife，anyway？Youcanmakeanother。

Didyoufollowusallthiswayfornothingmorethanaknife？LetmegoandfindhimandIwillbringitbacktoyou。"

Lalaughedabitterlaugh，forinherheartsheknewthatTarzan’ssinwasgreaterthanthepurloiningofthesacrificialknifeofOpar；yetasshelookedathimlyingboundandhelplessbeforeher，tearsrosetohereyessothatshehadtoturnawaytohidethem；butsheremainedinflexibleinherdeterminationtomakehimpayinfrightfulsufferingandineventualdeathfordaringtospurntheloveofLa。

WhentheshelterwascompletedLahadTarzantransferredtoit。"AllnightIshalltorturehim，"

shemutteredtoherpriests，"andatthefirststreakofdawnyoumaypreparetheflamingaltaruponwhichhisheartshallbeoffereduptotheFlamingGod。

Gatherwoodwellfilledwithpitch，layitintheformandsizeofthealtaratOparinthecenteroftheclearingthattheFlamingGodmaylookdownuponourhandiworkandbepleased。"

DuringthebalanceofthedaythepriestsofOparwerebusyerectinganaltarinthecenteroftheclearing，andwhiletheyworkedtheychantedweirdhymnsintheancienttongueofthatlostcontinentthatliesatthebottomoftheAtlantic。Theyknewnotthemeaningsofthewordstheymouthed；theybutrepeatedtheritualthathadbeenhandeddownfrompreceptortoneophytesincethatlong—gonedaywhentheancestorsofthePiltdownmanstillswungbytheirtailsinthehumidjunglesthatareEnglandnow。

Andintheshelterofthehut，Lapacedtoandfrobesidethestoicape—man。ResignedtohisfatewasTarzan。Nohopeofsuccorgleamedthroughthedeadblackofthedeathsentencehangingoverhim。Heknewthathisgiantmusclescouldnotpartthemanystrandsthatboundhiswristsandankles，forhehadstrainedoften，butineffectuallyforrelease。Hehadnohopeofoutsidehelpandonlyenemiessurroundedhimwithinthecamp，andyethesmiledatLaasshepacednervouslybackandforththelengthoftheshelter。

AndLa？Shefingeredherknifeandlookeddownuponhercaptive。Sheglaredandmutteredbutshedidnotstrike。"Tonight！"shethought。"Tonight，whenitisdarkIwilltorturehim。"Shelookeduponhisperfect，godlikefigureanduponhishandsome，smilingfaceandthenshesteeledherheartagainbythoughtsofherlovespurned；byreligiousthoughtsthatdamnedtheinfidelwhohaddesecratedtheholyofholies；whohadtakenfromtheblood—stainedaltarofOpartheofferingtotheFlamingGod——andnotoncebutthrice。

ThreetimeshadTarzancheatedthegodofherfathers。

AtthethoughtLapausedandkneltathisside。Inherhandwasasharpknife。Sheplaceditspointagainsttheape—man’ssideandpresseduponthehilt；butTarzanonlysmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。

Howbeautifulhewas！Labentlowoverhim，lookingintohiseyes。Howperfectwashisfigure。Shecompareditwiththoseoftheknurledandknottedmenfromwhomshemustchooseamate，andLashudderedatthethought。Duskcameandafterduskcamenight。

Agreatfireblazedwithinthelittlethornbomaaboutthecamp。Theflamesplayeduponthenewaltarerectedinthecenteroftheclearing，arousinginthemindoftheHighPriestessoftheFlamingGodapictureoftheeventofthecomingdawn。Shesawthisgiantandperfectformwrithingamidtheflamesoftheburningpyre。Shesawthosesmilinglips，burnedandblackened，fallingawayfromthestrong，whiteteeth。

ShesawtheshockofblackhairtousleduponTarzan’swell—shapedheaddisappearinaspurtofflame。Shesawtheseandmanyotherfrightfulpicturesasshestoodwithclosedeyesandclenchedfistsabovetheobjectofherhate——ah！wasithatethatLaofOparfelt？

Thedarknessofthejunglenighthadsettleddownuponthecamp，relievedonlybythefitfulflaringsofthefirethatwaskeptuptowarnofftheman—eaters。

Tarzanlayquietlyinhisbonds。Hesufferedfromthirstandfromthecuttingofthetightstrandsabouthiswristsandankles；buthemadenocomplaint。

AjunglebeastwasTarzanwiththestoicismofthebeastandtheintelligenceofman。Heknewthathisdoomwassealed——thatnosupplicationswouldavailtotempertheseverityofhisendandsohewastednobreathinpleadings；butwaitedpatientlyinthefirmconvictionthathissufferingscouldnotendureforever。

InthedarknessLastoopedabovehim。Inherhandwasasharpknifeandinhermindthedeterminationtoinitiatehistorturewithoutfurtherdelay。TheknifewaspressedagainsthissideandLa’sfacewasclosetohiswhenasuddenburstofflamefromnewbranchesthrownuponthefirewithout，lighteduptheinterioroftheshelter。ClosebeneathherlipsLasawtheperfectfeaturesoftheforestgodandintoherwoman’sheartwelledallthegreatloveshehadfeltforTarzansincefirstshehadseenhim，andalltheaccumulatedpassionoftheyearsthatshehaddreamedofhim。

Daggerinhand，La，theHighPriestess，toweredabovethehelplesscreaturethathaddaredtoviolatethesanctuaryofherdeity。Thereshouldbenotorture——

thereshouldbeinstantdeath。Nolongershouldthedefilerofthetemplepollutethesightofthelordgodalmighty。Asinglestrokeoftheheavybladeandthenthecorpsetotheflamingpyrewithout。Theknifearmstiffenedreadyforthedownwardplunge，andthenLa，thewoman，collapsedweaklyuponthebodyofthemansheloved。

Sheranherhandsinmutecaressoverhisnakedflesh；

shecoveredhisforehead，hiseyes，hislipswithhotkisses；shecoveredhimwithherbodyasthoughtoprotecthimfromthehideousfateshehadordainedforhim，andintrembling，piteoustonesshebeggedhimforhislove。Forhoursthefrenzyofherpassionpossessedtheburninghand—maidenoftheFlamingGod，untilatlastsleepoverpoweredherandshelapsedintounconsciousnessbesidethemanshehadsworntotortureandtoslay。AndTarzan，untroubledbythoughtsofthefuture，sleptpeacefullyinLa’sembrace。

AtthefirsthintofdawnthechantingofthepriestsofOparbroughtTarzantowakefulness。Initiatedinlowandsubduedtones，thesoundsoonroseinvolumetotheopendiapasonofbarbaricbloodlust。Lastirred。

HerperfectarmpressedTarzanclosertoher——asmilepartedherlipsandthensheawoke，andslowlythesmilefadedandhereyeswentwideinhorrorasthesignificanceofthedeathchantimpingeduponherunderstanding。

"Loveme，Tarzan！"shecried。"Loveme，andyoushallbesaved。"

Tarzan’sbondshurthim。Hewassufferingthetorturesoflong—restrictedcirculation。WithanangrygrowlherolledoverwithhisbacktowardLa。Thatwasheranswer！TheHighPriestessleapedtoherfeet。Ahotflushofshamemantledhercheekandthenshewentdeadwhiteandsteppedtotheshelter’sentrance。

"Come，PriestsoftheFlamingGod！"shecried，"andmakereadythesacrifice。"

Thewarpedthingsadvancedandenteredtheshelter。

TheylaidhandsuponTarzanandborehimforth，andastheychantedtheykepttimewiththeircrookedbodies，swayingtoandfrototherhythmoftheirsongofbloodanddeath。BehindthemcameLa，swayingtoo；butnotinunisonwiththechantedcadence。WhiteanddrawnwasthefaceoftheHighPriestess——whiteanddrawnwithunrequitedloveandhideousterrorofthemomentstocome。YetsterninherresolvewasLa。Theinfidelshoulddie！Thescornerofherloveshouldpaythepriceuponthefieryaltar。Shesawthemlaytheperfectbodythereupontheroughbranches。ShesawtheHighPriest，hetowhomcustomwoulduniteher——

bent，crooked，gnarled，stunted，hideous——advancewiththeflamingtorchandstandawaitinghercommandtoapplyittothefaggotssurroundingthesacrificialpyre。Hishairy，bestialfacewasdistortedinayellow—fangedgrinofanticipatoryenjoyment。Hishandswerecuppedtoreceivethelifebloodofthevictim——therednectarthatatOparwouldhavefilledthegoldensacrificialgoblets。

Laapproachedwithupraisedknife，herfaceturnedtowardtherisingsunanduponherlipsaprayertotheburningdeityofherpeople。TheHighPriestlookedquestioninglytowardher——thebrandwasburningclosetohishandandthefaggotslaytemptinglynear。

Tarzanclosedhiseyesandawaitedtheend。Heknewthathewouldsuffer，forherecalledthefaintmemoriesofpastburns。Heknewthathewouldsufferanddie；buthedidnotflinch。Deathisnogreatadventuretothejunglebredwhowalkhand—in—handwiththegrimspecterbydayandliedownathissidebynightthroughalltheyearsoftheirlives。Itisdoubtfulthattheape—manevenspeculateduponwhatcameafterdeath。Asamatteroffactashisendapproached，hismindwasoccupiedbythoughtsoftheprettypebbleshehadlost，yethiseveryfacultystillwasopentowhatpassedaroundhim。

HefeltLaleanoverhimandheopenedhiseyes。

Hesawherwhite，drawnfaceandhesawtearsblindinghereyes。"Tarzan，myTarzan！"shemoaned，"tellmethatyouloveme——thatyouwillreturntoOparwithme——andyoushalllive。EveninthefaceoftheangerofmypeopleIwillsaveyou。ThislastchanceIgiveyou。

Whatisyouranswer？"

AtthelastmomentthewomaninLahadtriumphedovertheHighPriestessofacruelcult。Shesawuponthealtartheonlycreaturethateverhadarousedthefiresoflovewithinhervirginbreast；shesawthebeast—facedfanaticwhowouldonedaybehermate，unlessshefoundanotherlessrepulsive，standingwiththeburningtorchreadytoignitethepyre；yetwithallhermadpassionfortheape—manshewouldgivethewordtoapplytheflameifTarzan’sfinalanswerwasunsatisfactory。Withheavingbosomsheleanedcloseabovehim。"Yesorno？"shewhispered。

Throughthejungle，outofthedistance，camefaintlyasoundthatbroughtasuddenlightofhopetoTarzan’seyes。HeraisedhisvoiceinaweirdscreamthatsentLabackfromhimasteportwo。Theimpatientpriestgrumbledandswitchedthetorchfromonehandtotheotheratthesametimeholdingitclosertothetinderatthebaseofthepyre。

"Youranswer！"insistedLa。"WhatisyouranswertotheloveofLaofOpar？"

ClosercamethesoundthathadattractedTarzan’sattentionandnowtheothersheardit——theshrilltrumpetingofanelephant。AsLalookedwide—eyedintoTarzan’sface，theretoreadherfateforhappinessorheartbreak，shesawanexpressionofconcernshadowhisfeatures。Now，forthefirsttime，sheguessedthemeaningofTarzan’sshrillscream——hehadsummonedTantor，theelephant，tohisrescue！La’sbrowscontractedinasavagescowl。"YourefuseLa！"

shecried。"Thendie！Thetorch！"shecommanded，turningtowardthepriest。

【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