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The baby was awake！ Now she might feast her eyes upon him。
Quickly she snatched the blanket from before the infant's
face； Anderssen was looking at her as she did so。
He saw her stagger to her feet； holding the baby at arm's
length from her； her eyes glued in horror upon the little
chubby face and twinkling eyes。
Then he heard her piteous cry as her knees gave beneath
her； and she sank to the ground in a swoon。
Chapter 10
The Swede
As the warriors； clustered thick about Tarzan and Sheeta；
realized that it was a flesh…and…blood panther that had
interrupted their dance of death； they took heart a trifle；
for in the face of all those circling spears even the
mighty Sheeta would be doomed。
Rokoff was urging the chief to have his spearmen launch
their missiles； and the black was upon the instant of issuing
the command； when his eyes strayed beyond Tarzan；
following the gaze of the ape…man。
With a yell of terror the chief turned and fled toward the
village gate； and as his people looked to see the cause of his
fright； they too took to their heelsfor there； lumbering down
upon them； their huge forms exaggerated by the play of
moonlight and camp fire； came the hideous apes of Akut。
The instant the natives turned to flee the ape…man's savage
cry rang out above the shrieks of the blacks； and in answer
to it Sheeta and the apes leaped growling after the fugitives。
Some of the warriors turned to battle with their enraged
antagonists； but before the fiendish ferocity of the fierce beasts
they went down to bloody death。
Others were dragged down in their flight； and it was not
until the village was empty and the last of the blacks had
disappeared into the bush that Tarzan was able to recall his
savage pack to his side。 Then it was that he discovered to his
chagrin that he could not make one of them； not even the
comparatively intelligent Akut； understand that he wished to
be freed from the bonds that held him to the stake。
In time； of course； the idea would filter through their thick
skulls； but in the meanwhile many things might happenthe
blacks might return in force to regain their village； the whites
might readily pick them all off with their rifles from the
surrounding trees； he might even starve to death before the dull…
witted apes realized that he wished them to gnaw through his bonds。
As for Sheetathe great cat understood even less than the
apes； but yet Tarzan could not but marvel at the remarkable
characteristics this beast had evidenced。 That it felt real
affection for him there seemed little doubt； for now that the
blacks were disposed of it walked slowly back and forth
about the stake； rubbing its sides against the ape…man's legs
and purring like a contented tabby。 That it had gone of its
own volition to bring the balance of the pack to his rescue；
Tarzan could not doubt。 His Sheeta was indeed a jewel among beasts。
Mugambi's absence worried the ape…man not a little。
He attempted to learn from Akut what had become of the black；
fearing that the beasts； freed from the restraint of Tarzan's
presence； might have fallen upon the man and devoured him；
but to all his questions the great ape but pointed back in the
direction from which they had come out of the jungle。
The night passed with Tarzan still fast bound to the stake；
and shortly after dawn his fears were realized in the discovery
of naked black figures moving stealthily just within the edge of
the jungle about the village。 The blacks were returning。
With daylight their courage would be equal to the demands
of a charge upon the handful of beasts that had routed them
from their rightful abodes。 The result of the encounter seemed
foregone if the savages could curb their superstitious terror；
for against their overwhelming numbers； their long spears
and poisoned arrows； the panther and the apes could not be
expected to survive a really determined attack。
That the blacks were preparing for a charge became apparent
a few moments later； when they commenced to show
themselves in force upon the edge of the clearing； dancing
and jumping about as they waved their spears and shouted
taunts and fierce warcries toward the village。
These manoeuvres Tarzan knew would continue until the blacks
had worked themselves into a state of hysterical courage
sufficient to sustain them for a short charge toward the
village； and even though he doubted that they would reach it
at the first attempt； he believed that at the second or the third
they would swarm through the gateway； when the outcome
could not be aught than the extermination of Tarzan's bold；
but unarmed and undisciplined； defenders。
Even as he had guessed； the first charge carried the howling
warriors but a short distance into the opena shrill； weird
challenge from the ape…man being all that was necessary to
send them scurrying back to the bush。 For half an hour they
pranced and yelled their courage to the sticking…point； and
again essayed a charge。
This time they came quite to the village gate； but when
Sheeta and the hideous apes leaped among them they turned
screaming in terror； and again fled to the jungle。
Again was the dancing and shouting repeated。 This time
Tarzan felt no doubt they would enter the village and
complete the work that a handful of determined white men would
have carried to a successful conclusion at the first attempt。
To have rescue come so close only to be thwarted because
he could not make his poor； savage friends understand
precisely what he wanted of them was most irritating； but he
could not find it in his heart to place blame upon them。
They had done their best； and now he was sure they would doubtless
remain to die with him in a fruitless effort to defend him。
The blacks were already preparing for the charge。 A few
individuals had advanced a short distance toward the village
and were exhorting the others to follow them。 In a moment
the whole savage horde would be racing across the clearing。
Tarzan thought only of the little child somewhere in this
cruel； relentless wilderness。 His heart ached for the son that
he might no longer seek to savethat and the realization of
Jane's suffering were all that weighed upon his brave spirit
in these that he thought his last moments of life。 Succour； all
that he could hope for； had come to him in the instant of his
extremityand failed。 There was nothing further for which
to hope。
The blacks were half…way across the clearing when Tarzan's
attention was attracted by the actions of one of the apes。
The beast was glaring toward one of the huts。 Tarzan followed
his gaze。 To his infinite relief and delight he saw the
stalwart form of Mugambi racing toward him。
The huge black was panting heavily as though from strenuous
physical exertion and nervous excitement。 He rushed
to Tarzan's side