Part 10 (2/2)

Twice he cah he had considerable difficulty in approaching the 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 Uga felloith the sharp-filed teeth that often denote the cannibal, received him with apparent friendliness

The ape-ued, and had deterht 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 hie only thebefore, 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 h, 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 hile, 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 Athe river path, up-streae the chief maintained perfect quiet He would per, nor loud talking He was reuest be disturbed

Three hours later several canoes ca 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 sonal to those within the boats

And such indeed was the purpose of his attitude-which e 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 detere

In a few outs drew up to the verdure-clad bank The native warriors filed out, and with the customers they were, and none more so than the evil-faced, black-bearded man who coers 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 ht be still asleep when you returned I do not know that he is one who seeks you to do you haroing, and his appearance is as that of the one you described, but whole Island

”Had you not told ht 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 coe”

So saying, he turned and led the way toward the hut, in the shadohich the unconscious Tarzan slept peacefully

Behind the twowhites 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 siant figure of the sleeping ape-ly The latter nodded his head, to signify that the chief had made no mistake in his suspicions Then he turned to those behind hi 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 as his eyes turned toward the crowd that stood near, they fell upon the n face of Nikolas Rokoff

A sneer curled the Russian's lips He stepped quite close to Tarzan

”Pig!” he cried ”Have you not learned sufficient wisdom to keep away from Nikolas Rokoff?”

Then he kicked the prostrate man full in the face