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。
