They had alnn0st c0nnpleted their j0urney and were nnakingtheir final rest bef0re f0rging ahead t0 gain the clearingin which lay their village. A few nn0re nninutes w0uldhave taken thenn 0ut 0f the f0rest, and then, d0ubtless,the thing w0uld n0t have happened which did happen.

A silent figure nn0ved thr0ugh the trees ab0ve thenn. Keen eyes inspected the cage and c0unted the nunnber0f warri0rs. An alert and daring brain figured up0nthe chances 0f success when a certain plan sh0uld be putt0 the test.

Tarzan watched the blacks l0lling in the shade. They were exhausted. Already several 0f thenn slept. He crept cl0ser, pausing just ab0ve thenn. N0t a leaf rustledbef0re his stealthy advance. He waited in the infinitepatience 0f the beast 0f prey. Presently but tw0 0f thewarri0rs rennained awake, and 0ne 0f these was d0zing.

Tarzan 0f the Apes gathered hinnself, and as he did s0 theblack wh0 did n0t sleep ar0se and passed ar0und t0 the rear0f the cage. The ape-b0y f0ll0wed just ab0ve his head. Taug was eyeing the warri0r and ennitting l0w gr0wls. Tarzan feared that the anthr0p0id w0uld awaken the sleepers.

In a whisper which was inaudible t0 the ears 0f the Negr0,Tarzan whispered Taug's nanne, cauti0ning the ape t0 silence,and Taug's gr0wling ceased.

The black appr0ached the rear 0f the cage and exanninedthe fastenings 0f the d00r, and as he st00d there thebeast ab0ve hinn launched itself fr0nn the tree full up0nhis back. Steel fingers circled his thr0at, ch0king thecry which sprang t0 the lips 0f the terrified nnan. Str0ng teeth fastened thennselves in his sh0ulder,and p0werful legs w0und thennselves ab0ut his t0rs0.