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Suddenly there broke above the turmoil behind them the clear strains of a bugle.

Otobu increased his pace. "Hurry, Master," he cried, "it is worse than I had

thought."

What do you mean?" asked Tarzan.

For some reason the king's guard and the king's lions are being called out. I fear,

O Bwana, that we cannot escape them. But why they should be called out for us

I do not know."

But if Otobu did not know, Tarzan at least guessed that they had found the body

of the king's son. Once again the notes of the bugle rose high and clear upon the

night air. "Calling more lions?" asked Tarzan.

"No, Master," replied Otobu. "It is the parrots they are calling."

They moved on rapidly in silence for a few minutes when their attention was

attracted by the flapping of the wings of a bird above them. They looked up to

discover a parrot circling about over their heads.

Here are the parrots, Otobu," said Tarzan with a grin. "Do they expect to kill us

with parrots?"

The Negro moaned as the bird darted suddenly ahead of them toward the city

wall. "Now indeed are we lost, Master," cried the black. "The bird that found us

has flown to the gate to warn the guard."

"Come, Otobu, what are you talking about?" exclaimed Tarzan irritably. "Have

you lived among these lunatics so long that you are yourself mad?"

"No, Master," replied Otobu. "I am not mad. You do not know them. These terrible

birds are like human beings without hearts or souls. They speak the language of

the people of this city of Xuja. They are demons, Master, and when in sufficient

numbers they might even attack and kill us."

"How far are we from the gate?" asked Tarzan.

"We are not very far," replied the Negro. "Beyond this next turn we will see it a few

paces ahead of us. But the bird has reached it before us and by now they are

summoning the guard," the truth of which statement was almost immediately

indicated by sounds of many voices raised evidently in commands just ahead of

them, while from behind came increased evidence of approaching pursuit--loud

screams and the roars of lions.

A few steps ahead a narrow alley opened from the east into the thoroughfare they

were following and as they approached it there emerged from its dark shadows

230

Tarzan the Untamed