Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-26
CHAPTER yIII-(Coptinued

pointed-possibly not SO much because
of the loss Of the colored pebbles as
with Numa for robbing him OF the
pleasure of revenge.
Wondering what could have become
OF his possessions the apeman turn.
ed slowly back along the trail in the
direction from which he had come. In
his mind he revolved a plan to en-.
ter and search the Arab camp, after
darkness had again fallen. Taking to
the trees, he moved directly south in
search of prey, that he might satisfy
his hunger before midday, and then
lie up for the afternoon in some spot
far from the camp, where he might
sleep without fear of discovery until
1t came time to prosecute his design.
Scarcely had he quilted the trail
when tall black warrior, moving at
a dogtrot, passed toward the east.
1t was Mugambi, searching for his
mistress. He continued along the trail,
halting to examine the body Of the
dead lion.
An expression Of puzzlement crossed
his features as he bent to search for
the wounds which had caused the
death of the jungle lord. Tarzan had
removed his arrows, but to Mugambi
the proof Of death was as strong as
though both the lighter missiles and
the spear still protruded from the car.
cass.
The black looked furtively about
him. The body was still warm and
from this fact he reasoned that the
killer was close at hand: yet no sign
of living man appeared. Mugambi
continued along the trail, but with re-
doubled caution.
All day he travelled, stopping occa-
sionally to call aloud the single word,
Lady" in the hope that at last she
might hear and respond; but IN the
end his loyal devotion brought him to
disaster.
From the northeast, for several
months, Abdul Mourak, in command
of detachment OF Abyssinian soldiers,
had been assiduously searching for the
Arab raider, Achmet Eek, who, six
months previously, had affronted the
majesty of Abdul Mourak's emperor
by conducting a slave-raid within the
boundaries of Menelik's domain.
And now it happened that Abdul
Mourak had halted for a short rest at
noon upon this very day and along
the same trail that Werper and Mu'
gambi were following toward the east
1t was shortly after the soldiers had
dismounted that the Belgian, unaware
OF their presence, rode his tired mount
almost into their midst before he had
discovered them. Instantly he was
surrounded, and a voiley of questions
hurled at him, as he was pulled from
his horse and led toward the presence
of the commander.
Failing back upon his European ma
tiopality. Werper assured Aouul
Mourak that he was Frenchman'
hunting in Africa, and that he hau
been attacked by strangers, his satari
killed or scattered, and himself escap'
ing only by miracle.
From chance remark of the AoSs'
sinIan, werper discovered the purpose
OF the expedition, and when ne real
ized that these men were the enemies
OF Achnaet Eek he took heart, and I'M
,nediateIy- blamed his predicament
upon the Arab.
Lest, however. he might again fah
into the hands Of the raider, ne as
couraged Abdul Mourak in the fur'
ther prosecution OF his pursuit, as
suring the Abyssinian that Achmet
Eek commanded a large and danger
Gus force, and also that he was march
ing rapidly toward the south.
Convinced that it would take long
time TO overhaul the raider, and that
the chances OF engagement made the
outcome extremely questionable Mou'
rak, none too unwillingly, abandoned
His plan, and gave the necessary Or
ders for his command to pitch camp
where they were, preparatory to tax
ing up the return march toward Abys'
slnia the following morning.
II was late in the afternoon that
the attention OF the camp was at
tracted toward the west By the sound
OF a powerful voice calling a single
word. repeated several times: Lady!
Iadyi Lady"
True TO their instincts OF precau'
ton, a number OF Abyssinians, acting
under orders from Abdul Mourak, ad'
yanced stealthilv through the jungle
Inward the author OF the call
half hour later they returned,
araaging Mugambl among them, The
drst person the big blacks eyes fell
npon as he was hustled into the pres
ence OF the Abyssinian officer was
Jules Frecoult, the Frenchman who
had been the guest OF his master. and
whom he last had, seen entering the
village OF Achmet Zek under clrcum'
stances which pointed his familiarity
ana friendship for the raiders.
between the disasters that had be
fasl,n his master and his masters
mouse. and the Frenchman' Mugambi
.aw sinister relationship. which
kept him from recalling 10 Werper's
Asfentlon the Identity whicn the lat,
W l.s4.,.tl., foflad "a rocoRuiEe