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apes； if they be not in one of their occasional fits of bestial
rageand he growled back at the truculent young bulls； baring
his canine teeth even as they。 Thus easily he fell back into
the way of his early life； nor did it seem that he had
ever tasted association with creatures of his own kind。
For the better part of a week he roamed the jungle with
his new friends； partly because of a desire for companionship
and partially through a well…laid plan to impress himself
indelibly upon their memories； which at best are none too long；
for Tarzan from past experience knew that it might serve him
in good stead to have a tribe of these powerful and terrible
beasts at his call。
When he was convinced that he had succeeded to some extent
in fixing his identity upon them he decided to again take up
his exploration。 To this end he set out toward the north
early one day； and； keeping parallel with the shore；
travelled rapidly until almost nightfall。
When the sun rose the next morning he saw that it lay almost
directly to his right as he stood upon the beach instead
of straight out across the water as heretofore； and so he
reasoned that the shore line had trended toward the west。
All the second day he continued his rapid course； and when
Tarzan of the Apes sought speed； he passed through the middle
terrace of the forest with the rapidity of a squirrel。
That night the sun set straight out across the water opposite
the land； and then the ape…man guessed at last the truth that
he had been suspecting。
Rokoff had set him ashore upon an island。
He might have known it！ If there was any plan that would
render his position more harrowing he should have known
that such would be the one adopted by the Russian； and what
could be more terrible than to leave him to a lifetime of
suspense upon an uninhabited island？
Rokoff doubtless had sailed directly to the mainland； where
it would be a comparatively easy thing for him to find the
means of delivering the infant Jack into the hands of the cruel
and savage foster…parents； who； as his note had threatened；
would have the upbringing of the child。
Tarzan shuddered as he thought of the cruel suffering the
little one must endure in such a life； even though he might
fall into the hands of individuals whose intentions toward
him were of the kindest。 The ape…man had had sufficient
experience with the lower savages of Africa to know that even
there may be found the cruder virtues of charity and humanity；
but their lives were at best but a series of terrible privations；
dangers； and sufferings。
Then there was the horrid after…fate that awaited the child
as he grew to manhood。 The horrible practices that would
form a part of his life…training would alone be sufficient
to bar him forever from association with those of his own race
and station in life。
A cannibal！ His little boy a savage man…eater！ It was too
horrible to contemplate。
The filed teeth； the slit nose； the little face painted hideously。
Tarzan groaned。 Could he but feel the throat of the Russ fiend
beneath his steel fingers！
And Jane！
What tortures of doubt and fear and uncertainty she must
be suffering。 He felt that his position was infinitely less
terrible than hers； for he at least knew that one of his
loved ones was safe at home； while she had no idea of the
whereabouts of either her husband or her son。
It is well for Tarzan that he did not guess the truth； for the
knowledge would have but added a hundredfold to his suffering。
As he moved slowly through the jungle his mind absorbed
by his gloomy thoughts； there presently came to his ears a
strange scratching sound which he could not translate。
Cautiously he moved in the direction from which it emanated；
presently coming upon a huge panther pinned beneath a fallen tree。
As Tarzan approached； the beast turned； snarling； toward him；
struggling to extricate itself； but one great limb across
its back and the smaller entangling branches pinioning its
legs prevented it from moving but a few inches in any direction。
The ape…man stood before the helpless cat fitting an arrow
to his bow that he might dispatch the beast that otherwise
must die of starvation； but even as he drew back the shaft a
sudden whim stayed his hand。
Why rob the poor creature of life and liberty； when it would
be so easy a thing to restore both to it！ He was sure from
the fact that the panther moved all its limbs in its futile
struggle for freedom that its spine was uninjured； and for
the same reason he knew that none of its limbs were broken。
Relaxing his bowstring； he returned the arrow to the quiver and；
throwing the bow about his shoulder； stepped closer to
the pinioned beast。
On his lips was the soothing； purring sound that the great
cats themselves made when contented and happy。 It was the
nearest approach to a friendly advance that Tarzan could
make in the language of Sheeta。
The panther ceased his snarling and eyed the ape…man closely。
To lift the tree's great weight from the animal it was
necessary to come within reach of those long； strong talons；
and when the tree had been removed the man would be totally
at the mercy of the savage beast； but to Tarzan of the Apes
fear was a thing unknown。
Having decided； he acted promptly。
Unhesitatingly； he stepped into the tangle of branches close to the
panther's side； still voicing his friendly and conciliatory purr。
The cat turned his head toward the man； eyeing him steadilyquestioningly。
The long fangs were bared； but more in preparedness than threat。
Tarzan put a broad shoulder beneath the bole of the tree；
and as he did so his bare leg pressed against the cat's silken side；
so close was the man to the great beast。
Slowly Tarzan extended his giant thews。
The great tree with its entangling branches rose gradually
from the panther； who； feeling the encumbering weight diminish；
quickly crawled from beneath。 Tarzan let the tree fall back to earth；
and the two beasts turned to look upon one another。
A grim smile lay upon the ape…man's lips； for he knew that he had
taken his life in his hands to free this savage jungle fellow；
nor would it have surprised him had the cat sprung upon him
the instant that it had been released。
But it did not do so。 Instead； it stood a few paces from the tree
watching the ape…man clamber out of the maze of fallen branches。
Once outside； Tarzan was not three paces from the panther。
He might have taken to the higher branches of the trees
upon the opposite side； for Sheeta cannot climb to the heights
to which the ape…man can go； but something； a spirit of bravado
perhaps； prompted him to approach the panther as though to
discover if any feeling of gratitude would prompt the beast
to friendliness。
As he approached the mighty cat the creature stepped
warily to one side；