Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-31
By Edgar Rice Burroughs

belong to Tarzan. have come for
YOU"
The ape drew closer. looking him over
carefully. Finally she shifted at him.
as though to make assurance doubly
sure.
Where is Taug?" she asked. -
The Gomangani have him." replied
Iarzan. They will kill him.
In the eyes of the she, Tarzan saw
q wistful expression and troubled look
OF sorrow as he told her of Taug's fate;
but she came quite close and snurrled
against him, and Tarzan, Lord Grey =
stoke. put his arm about her
AS he did SO he noticed, with start.
the strange incongruity of that smooth,
brown arm against the black and hairy
coat of his lady love. He recalled the
paw of Sheeta's mate across Sheeta's
face--no incongruity there. He thought
OF little Manu- hugging his she, and how
the one seemed to belong to the other.
Even the proud male bird, with his
gay plumage, bore a close resemblance
to his quieter spouse. while Numa, but
for his shaggy name. was almost
counterpart of Sabor, the lioness. The
males and the females differed, it was
true; but not with such differences as
existed between Tarzan and Teeka.
Tarzan was puzzled. There was some
thing wrong. His arm dropped from
the shoulder of Teeka. Very slowly
he drew away from her She looked
at him with her head cooked upon one
side. Tarzan rose to his full height and
beat upon his breast with his fists. He
raised his head toward the heavens and
opened his mouth. From the depths Of
his lungs rose the fierce. weird chal-.
lenge OF the victorious bull ape. The
tribe turned curiously to eve him. He /,
had killed nothing nor was there any
antagonist to be goaded to madness by
the savage scream. No. there was no
excuse for it, and they turned back to
their feeding, but with an eye upon the
apeman lest he be preparing to suddenly
run amuck.
As they watched him they saw him
swing into nearby tree and disappear
from sight. Then they forgot him. even
Teeka.
Mbongas black warriors. sweating
beneath their strenuous task, and rest
ing often. made slow progress toward
their village. Always the savage beast
in the primitive cage growled and roared
when they moved him. He beat upon
the bars and slavered at the mouth.
His noise was hideous.
They haG almost completed their
journey and were making their final
rest before forging ahead to gain the
clearing in which lay their village. A
few more minutes would have taken
them out of the forest. and then. doubt
less. the thing would not have happened
which did happen.
A silent figure moved throughftbe
trees above them. Keen eyes inspected
the cage and counted the number Of
warriors AN alert and daring brain
figured upon the chances of success
when a certain plan should be put to the
test. iE5a. Ers At,
Tarzan watched the blacks lolling In
tile shade. - They were exhausted!
Already several of them slept. He
crept closer, pausing just above them.
Not leaf rustled before his stealthy
advance. He waited in the infinite
patience of the beast of prey. Presently
but two of the warriors remained
awake, and. one of these was doing.
Tarzan Of the Apes gathered himself.
and as he did SO the black who did
not sleep arose and passed around to
the rear Of the cage. The ape boy fol-
lowed just above his head. Taug was
eyeing the warrior anc emitting low
growls. Tarzan feared that the ans
thropoid would awaken the sleepers.
In whisper which was .inaudible to
the ears of the negro, Tarzan whispered
Taug's name. cautioning the ape to
silence. and Taug's growing ceased.
The black approached the rear of the
cage and examined the fastenings of the
door. and as he stood there the beast
above him launched itself from the tree
full upon his back Steel fingers circled
his throat, choking the cry which sprang
to the lips of the terrified man. Strong
teeth. fastened themselves in his
shoulder, and powerful legs wound
themselves about his torso.
The black in frenzy of terror tried
to dislodge the silent thing which clung
to him. He threw himself to the ground
and rolled about; but still those mighty
hhet'S N'ootu ugUtIV
their deadly grip.
The mans mouth gaped wide. his
swollen tongue protruded. his eyes
started from their sockets; but the re-
lentless fingers only increased their
pressure.
Taug was a silent witness of sthc
struggle. In his fierce little brain he-
doubtless wondered what purpose
prompted Tarzan to attack the black. !
Taug had not forgotten his recent battle
with the pe-boy. nor the cause of it. .
Now he saw the form of the Gomangani
suddenly 90 limp. There was con-
yulsive shiver and the man lay still.
Tarzan sprang from his prey and ran
to the door Of the cage. With nimble
fingers he worked rapidly at the thongs
which held the door in place. Taug
could only watch-he could not helm.
Presently Tarzan pushed the thing up
couple of feet and Taug crawled cut.
The ape would have turned upon the
sleeping blacks that he might wreak bis
pent vengeance; but Tarzan would not
permit it.
Instead. the ape boy dragged tbe
body of the black within the cage and
propped IT against the side bars Then
he lowered the door aud made fast the
thongs as they had been before.
A happy smile lighted his features as