uard over Jane
Porter and Clayton, when news reached him that altered all his plans
and sent him dashing madly toward the east in reckless disregard of
accident and death.

Before Tarzan had returned to the tribe, a certain young bull, not
being able to secure a mate from among his own people, had, according
to custom, fared forth through the wild jungle, like some knight-errant
of old, to win a fair lady from some neighboring community.

He had but just returned with his bride, and was narrating his
adventures quickly before he should forget them. Among other things he
told of seeing a great tribe of strange-looking apes.

"They were all hairy-faced bulls but one," he said, "and that one was a
she, lighter in color even than this stranger," and he chucked a thumb
at Tarzan.

The ape-man was all attention in an instant. He asked questions as
rapidly as the slow-witted anthropoid could answer them.

"Were the bulls short, with crooked legs?"

"They were."

"Did they wear the skins of Numa and Sheeta about their loins, and
carry sticks and knives?"

"They did."

"And were there many yellow rings about their arms and legs?"

"Yes."

"And the she one--was she small and slender, and very white?"

"Yes."

"Did she seem to be one of the tribe, or was she a prisoner?"

"They dragged her along--sometimes by an arm--sometimes by the long
hair that grew upon her head; and always they kicked and beat her. Oh,
but it was great fun to watch them."

"God!" muttered Tarzan.

"Where were they when you saw them, and which way were they going?"
continued the ape-man.

"They were beside the second water back there," and he pointed to the
south. "When they passed me they were going toward the morning, upward
along the edge of the water."

"When was this?" asked Tarzan.

"Half a moon since."

Without another word the ape-man sprang into the trees and fled like a
disembodied spirit eastward in the direction of the forgotten city of
Opar.

Chapter 24

How Tarzan Came Again to Opar

When Clayton returned to the shelter and found Jane Porter was missing,
he became frantic with fear and grief. He found Monsieur Thuran quite
rational, the fever having left him with the surprising suddenness
which is one of its peculiarities. The Russian, weak and exhausted,
still lay upon his bed of grasses within the shelter.

When Clayton asked him about the girl he seemed surprised to know that
she was not there.