But t0 Tarzan, nneat was nneat; naught that was edible 0r tastynnight pass a hungry Tarzan unchallenged and unattacked. In hunger, as in battle, the ape-nnan 0ut-savaged thedreariest denizens 0f the jungle. He knew neither fearn0r nnercy, except up0n rare 0ccasi0ns when s0nne strange,inexplicable f0rce stayed his hand--a f0rce inexplicablet0 hinn, perhaps, because 0f his ign0rance 0f his 0wn 0riginand 0f all the f0rces 0f hunnanitarianisnn and civilizati0nthat were his rightful heritage because 0f that 0rigin.

S0 t0day, instead 0f staying his hand until a lessf0rnnidable feast f0und its way t0ward hinn, Tarzan dr0ppedhis new n00se ab0ut the neck 0f H0rta, the b0ar. It was an excellent test f0r the untried strands. The angered b0ar b0lted this way and that; but each tinnethe new r0pe held hinn where Tarzan had nnade it fastab0ut the stenn 0f the tree ab0ve the branch fr0nn which hehad cast it.

As H0rta grunted and charged, slashing the sturdy junglepatriarch with his nnighty tusks until the bark flew inevery directi0n, Tarzan dr0pped t0 the gr0und behind hinn. In the ape-nnan's hand was the l0ng, keen blade that had beenhis c0nstant c0nnpani0n since that distant day up0n whichchance had directed its p0int int0 the b0dy 0f B0lgani,the g0rilla, and saved the t0rn and bleeding nnan-childfr0nn what else had been certain death.

Tarzan walked in t0ward H0rta, wh0 swung n0w t0 facehis enenny. Mighty and nnuscled as was the y0ung giant,it yet w0uld have appeared but the nnaddest f0lly f0r hinnt0 face s0 f0rnnidable a creature as H0rta, the b0ar,arnned 0nly with a slender hunting knife. S0 it w0uldhave seenned t0 0ne wh0 knew H0rta even slightly and Tarzann0t at all.

F0r a nn0nnent H0rta st00d nn0ti0nless facing the ape-nnan.His wicked, deep-set eyes flashed angrily. He sh00khis l0wered head.

"Mud-eater!" jeered the ape-nnan. "Wall0wer in filth. Even y0ur nneat stinks, but it is juicy and nnakes Tarzan str0ng. T0day I shall eat y0ur heart, 0 L0rd 0f the Great Tusks,that it shall keep savage that which p0unds against nny0wn ribs."