he black who did
not sleep arose and passed around to the rear of the cage. The ape-boy
followed just above his head. Taug was eyeing the warrior and emitting
low growls. Tarzan feared that the anthropoid would awaken the
sleepers.

In a whisper which was inaudible to the ears of the Negro, Tarzan
whispered Taug's name, cautioning the ape to silence, and Taug's
growling ceased.

The black approached the rear of the cage and examined the fastenings
of the door, and as he stood there the beast above him launched itself
from the tree full upon his back. Steel fingers circled his throat,
choking the cry which sprang to the lips of the terrified man. Strong
teeth fastened themselves in his shoulder, and powerful legs wound
themselves about his torso.

The black in a frenzy of terror tried to dislodge the silent thing
which clung to him. He threw himself to the ground and rolled about;
but still those mighty fingers closed more and more tightly their
deadly grip.

The man's mouth gaped wide, his swollen tongue protruded, his eyes
started from their sockets; but the relentless fingers only increased
their pressure.

Taug was a silent witness of the struggle. In his fierce little brain
he doubtless wondered what purpose prompted Tarzan to attack the black.
Taug had not forgotten his recent battle with the ape-boy, nor the
cause of it. Now he saw the form of the Gomangani suddenly go limp.
There was a convulsive shiver and the man lay still.

Tarzan sprang from his prey and ran to the door of the cage. With
nimble fingers he worked rapidly at the thongs which held the door in
place. Taug could only watch--he could not help. Presently Tarzan
pushed the thing up a couple of feet and Taug crawled out. The ape
would have turned upon the sleeping blacks that he might wreak his pent
vengeance; but Tarzan would not permit it.

Instead, the ape-boy dragged the body of the black within the cage and
propped it against the side bars. Then he lowered the door and made
fast the thongs as they had been before.

A happy smile lighted his features as he worked, for one of his
principal diversions was the baiting of the blacks of Mbonga's village.
He could imagine their terror when they awoke and found the dead body
of their comrade fast in the cage where they had left the great ape
safely secured but a few minutes before.

Tarzan and Taug took to the trees together, the shaggy coat of the
fierce ape brushing the sleek