nd had
warned the tribe--that was all. The ape-man pushed through the circle
of bulls, none of which as yet had worked himself into sufficient
frenzy for a charge, and came where he had a full and close view of the
black. He recognized the man instantly. Only the night before he had
seen him facing the eyes in the dark, while his fellows groveled in the
dirt at his feet, too terrified even to defend themselves. Here was a
brave man, and Tarzan had deep admiration for bravery. Even his hatred
of the blacks was not so strong a passion as his love of courage. He
would have joyed in battling with a black warrior at almost any time;
but this one he did not wish to kill--he felt, vaguely, that the man
had earned his life by his brave defense of it on the preceding night,
nor did he fancy the odds that were pitted against the lone warrior.

He turned to the apes. "Go back to your feeding," he said, "and let
this Gomangani go his way in peace. He has not harmed us, and last
night I saw him fighting Numa and Sabor with fire, alone in the jungle.
He is brave. Why should we kill one who is brave and who has not
attacked us? Let him go."

The apes growled. They were displeased. "Kill the Gomangani!" cried
one.

"Yes." roared another, "kill the Gomangani and the Tarmangani as well."

"Kill the white ape!" screamed Gozan, "he is no ape at all; but a
Gomangani with his skin off."

"Kill Tarzan!" bellowed Gunto. "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The bulls were now indeed working themselves into the frenzy of
slaughter; but against Tarzan rather than the black man. A shaggy form
charged through them, hurling those it came in contact with to one side
as a strong man might scatter children. It was Taug--great, savage
Taug.

"Who says 'kill Tarzan'?" he demanded. "Who kills Tarzan must kill
Taug, too. Who can kill Taug? Taug will tear your insides from you and
feed them to Dango."

"We can kill you all," replied Gunto. "There are many of us and few of
you," and he was right. Tarzan knew that he was right. Taug knew it;
but neither would admit such a possibility. It is not the way of bull
apes.

"I am Tarzan," cried the ape-man. "I am Tarzan. Mighty hunter; mighty
fighter. In all the jungle none so great as Tarzan."

Then, one by one, the opposing bulls recounted their virtues and their
prowess. And all the time the combatants came closer and closer to one
another. Thus do the bulls work themselves to the proper pitc