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an answering scream； and a half…hour later the lithe form of
Sheeta bounded into view where the others of the pack were
clambering gingerly into the canoe。
The great beast； with arched back and purring like a
contented tabby； rubbed his sides against the ape…man； and then
at a word from the latter sprang lightly to his former place in
the bow of the dugout。
When all were in place it was discovered that two of the
apes of Akut were missing； and though both the king ape
and Tarzan called to them for the better part of an hour； there
was no response； and finally the boat put off without them。
As it happened that the two missing ones were the very same
who had evinced the least desire to accompany the expedition
from the island； and had suffered the most from fright during
the voyage； Tarzan was quite sure that they had absented
themselves purposely rather than again enter the canoe。
As the party were putting in for the shore shortly after
noon to search for food a slender； naked savage watched
them for a moment from behind the dense screen of verdure
which lined the river's bank； then he melted away up…stream
before any of those in the canoe discovered him。
Like a deer he bounded along the narrow trail until； filled
with the excitement of his news； he burst into a native village
several miles above the point at which Tarzan and his pack
had stopped to hunt。
〃Another white man is coming！〃 he cried to the chief
who squatted before the entrance to his circular hut。
〃Another white man； and with him are many warriors。
They come in a great war…canoe to kill and rob as did
the black…bearded one who has just left us。〃
Kaviri leaped to his feet。 He had but recently had a taste
of the white man's medicine； and his savage heart was filled
with bitterness and hate。 In another moment the rumble of
the war…drums rose from the village； calling in the hunters
from the forest and the tillers from the fields。
Seven war…canoes were launched and manned by paint…daubed；
befeathered warriors。 Long spears bristled from the rude
battle…ships； as they slid noiselessly over the bosom of the water；
propelled by giant muscles rolling beneath glistening； ebony hides。
There was no beating of tom…toms now； nor blare of native
horn； for Kaviri was a crafty warrior； and it was in his mind
to take no chances； if they could be avoided。 He would swoop
noiselessly down with his seven canoes upon the single one
of the white man； and before the guns of the latter could
inflict much damage upon his people he would have overwhelmed
the enemy by force of numbers。
Kaviri's own canoe went in advance of the others a short
distance； and as it rounded a sharp bend in the river where
the swift current bore it rapidly on its way it came suddenly
upon the thing that Kaviri sought。
So close were the two canoes to one another that the black
had only an opportunity to note the white face in the bow of
the oncoming craft before the two touched and his own men
were upon their feet； yelling like mad devils and thrusting
their long spears at the occupants of the other canoe。
But a moment later； when Kaviri was able to realize the
nature of the crew that manned the white man's dugout； he
would have given all the beads and iron wire that he
possessed to have been safely within his distant village。
Scarcely had the two craft come together than the frightful apes of
Akut rose； growling and barking； from the bottom of the
canoe； and； with long； hairy arms far outstretched； grasped
the menacing spears from the hands of Kaviri's warriors。
The blacks were overcome with terror； but there was nothing
to do other than to fight。 Now came the other war…canoes
rapidly down upon the two craft。 Their occupants were eager
to join the battle； for they thought that their foes were white
men and their native porters。
They swarmed about Tarzan's craft； but when they saw the nature
of the enemy all but one turned and paddled swiftly upriver。
That one came too close to the ape…man's craft before
its occupants realized that their fellows were pitted
against demons instead of men。 As it touched Tarzan spoke
a few low words to Sheeta and Akut； so that before the
attacking warriors could draw away there sprang upon them
with a blood…freezing scream a huge panther； and into the
other end of their canoe clambered a great ape。
At one end the panther wrought fearful havoc with his
mighty talons and long； sharp fangs； while Akut at the other
buried his yellow canines in the necks of those that came
within his reach； hurling the terror…stricken blacks overboard
as he made his way toward the centre of the canoe。
Kaviri was so busily engaged with the demons that had
entered his own craft that he could offer no assistance to his
warriors in the other。 A giant of a white devil had wrested
his spear from him as though he； the mighty Kaviri； had been
but a new…born babe。 Hairy monsters were overcoming his
fighting men； and a black chieftain like himself was fighting
shoulder to shoulder with the hideous pack that opposed him。
Kaviri battled bravely against his antagonist； for he felt
that death had already claimed him； and so the least that he
could do would be to sell his life as dearly as possible； but it
was soon evident that his best was quite futile when pitted
against the superhuman brawn and agility of the creature that
at last found his throat and bent him back into the bottom of
the canoe。
Presently Kaviri's head began to whirlobjects became
confused and dim before his eyesthere was a great pain in
his chest as he struggled for the breath of life that the thing
upon him was shutting off for ever。 Then he lost consciousness。
When he opened his eyes once more he found； much to
his surprise； that he was not dead。 He lay； securely bound；
in the bottom of his own canoe。 A great panther sat upon its
haunches； looking down upon him。
Kaviri shuddered and closed his eyes again； waiting for
the ferocious creature to spring upon him and put him out of
his misery of terror。
After a moment； no rending fangs having buried themselves
in his trembling body； he again ventured to open his eyes。
Beyond the panther kneeled the white giant who had
overcome him。
The man was wielding a paddle； while directly behind him
Kaviri saw some of his own warriors similarly engaged。
Back of them again squatted several of the hairy apes。
Tarzan； seeing that the chief had regained consciousness；
addressed him。
〃Your warriors tell me that you are the chief of a
numerous people； and that your name is Kaviri；〃 he said。
〃Yes；〃 replied the black。
〃Why did you attack me？ I came in peace。〃
〃Another white man ‘came in peace' three moons ago；〃
replied Kaviri； 〃and after we had brought him presents of a
goat and cassava and milk； he set upon us with his guns and
killed m