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him in a canoe； probably the next day； and that though he
might go on ahead of them the chief was to receive them
kindly and have no fear of them； for Mugambi would see
that they did not harm the chief's people； if they were
accorded a friendly reception。
〃And now；〃 he concluded； 〃I shall lie down beneath this
tree and sleep。 I am very tired。 Permit no one to disturb me。〃
The chief offered him a hut； but Tarzan； from past experience
of native dwellings； preferred the open air； and； further；
he had plans of his own that could be better carried out
if he remained beneath the tree。 He gave as his reason a
desire to be close at hand should Sheeta return； and after this
explanation the chief was very glad to permit him to sleep
beneath the tree。
Tarzan had always found that it stood him in good stead
to leave with natives the impression that he was to some
extent possessed of more or less miraculous powers。 He might
easily have entered their village without recourse to the
gates； but he believed that a sudden and unaccountable
disappearance when he was ready to leave them would result
in a more lasting impression upon their childlike minds； and
so as soon as the village was quiet in sleep he rose； and；
leaping into the branches of the tree above him； faded silently
into the black mystery of the jungle night。
All the balance of that night the ape…man swung rapidly
through the upper and middle terraces of the forest。 When the
going was good there he preferred the upper branches of the
giant trees； for then his way was better lighted by the moon；
but so accustomed were all his senses to the grim world of
his birth that it was possible for him； even in the dense；
black shadows near the ground； to move with ease and rapidity。
You or I walking beneath the arcs of Main Street； or Broadway；
or State Street； could not have moved more surely or with
a tenth the speed of the agile ape…man through the
gloomy mazes that would have baffled us entirely。
At dawn he stopped to feed； and then he slept for several
hours； taking up the pursuit again toward noon。
Twice he came upon natives； and； though he had considerable
difficulty in approaching them； he succeeded in each
instance in quieting both their fears and bellicose intentions
toward him； and learned from them that he was upon the trail
of the Russian。
Two days later； still following up the Ugambi； he came
upon a large village。 The chief； a wicked…looking fellow with
the sharp…filed teeth that often denote the cannibal； received
him with apparent friendliness。
The ape…man was now thoroughly fatigued； and had determined
to rest for eight or ten hours that he might be fresh
and strong when he caught up with Rokoff； as he was sure
he must do within a very short time。
The chief told him that the bearded white man had left his
village only the morning before； and that doubtless he would
be able to overtake him in a short time。 The other party the
chief had not seen or heard of； so he said。
Tarzan did not like the appearance or manner of the fellow；
who seemed； though friendly enough； to harbour a certain
contempt for this half…naked white man who came with no
followers and offered no presents； but he needed the rest and
food that the village would afford him with less effort than
the jungle； and so； as he knew no fear of man； beast； or
devil； he curled himself up in the shadow of a hut and was
soon asleep。
Scarcely had he left the chief than the latter called two of
his warriors； to whom he whispered a few instructions。
A moment later the sleek； black bodies were racing along the
river path； up…stream； toward the east。
In the village the chief maintained perfect quiet。 He would
permit no one to approach the sleeping visitor； nor any
singing； nor loud talking。 He was remarkably solicitous
lest his guest be disturbed。
Three hours later several canoes came silently into view
from up the Ugambi。 They were being pushed ahead rapidly
by the brawny muscles of their black crews。 Upon the bank
before the river stood the chief； his spear raised in a
horizontal position above his head； as though in some
manner of predetermined signal to those within the boats。
And such indeed was the purpose of his attitudewhich
meant that the white stranger within his village still
slept peacefully。
In the bows of two of the canoes were the runners that the
chief had sent forth three hours earlier。 It was evident that
they had been dispatched to follow and bring back this party；
and that the signal from the bank was one that had been
determined upon before they left the village。
In a few moments the dugouts drew up to the verdure…clad bank。
The native warriors filed out； and with them a half…dozen
white men。 Sullen； ugly…looking customers they were；
and none more so than the evil…faced； black…bearded man
who commanded them。
〃Where is the white man your messengers report to be
with you？〃 he asked of the chief。
〃This way； bwana；〃 replied the native。 〃Carefully have
I kept silence in the village that he might be still asleep when
you returned。 I do not know that he is one who seeks you to
do you harm； but he questioned me closely about your coming
and your going； and his appearance is as that of the one
you described； but whom you believed safe in the country
which you called Jungle Island。
〃Had you not told me this tale I should not have recognized
him； and then he might have gone after and slain you。
If he is a friend and no enemy； then no harm has been done；
bwana； but if he proves to be an enemy； I should like very
much to have a rifle and some ammunition。〃
〃You have done well；〃 replied the white man； 〃and you
shall have the rifle and ammunition whether he be a friend
or enemy； provided that you stand with me。〃
〃I shall stand with you； bwana；〃 said the chief；
〃and now come and look upon the stranger； who sleeps
within my village。〃
So saying； he turned and led the way toward the hut； in the
shadow of which the unconscious Tarzan slept peacefully。
Behind the two men came the remaining whites and a score
of warriors； but the raised forefingers of the chief and
his companion held them all to perfect silence。
As they turned the corner of the hut； cautiously and upon
tiptoe； an ugly smile touched the lips of the white as his eyes
fell upon the giant figure of the sleeping ape…man。
The chief looked at the other inquiringly。 The latter nodded
his head； to signify that the chief had made no mistake
in his suspicions。 Then he turned to those behind him and；
pointing to the sleeping man； motioned for them to seize
and bind him。
A moment later a dozen brutes had leaped upon the surprised
Tarzan； and so quickly did they work that he was securely
bound before he could make half an effort to escape。
Then they threw him down upon his back； and