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the hunting roar of a wild beast. Down went the buck and Tarzan and his captive

had meat. The ape-man ate his raw, but he permitted the German to build a fire

and cook his portion.

The two lay up until late in the afternoon and then took up the journey once

again--a journey that was so frightful to Schneider because of his ignorance of its

destination that he at times groveled at Tarzan's feet begging for an explanation

and for mercy; but on and on in silence the ape-man went, prodding the failing

Hun whenever the latter faltered.

It was noon of the third day before they reached their destination. After a steep

climb and a short walk they halted at the edge of a precipitous cliff and Schneider

looked down into a narrow gulch where a single tree grew beside a tiny rivulet

and sparse grass broke from a rock-strewn soil. Tarzan motioned him over the

edge; but the German drew back in terror. The Ape-man seized him and pushed

him roughly toward the brink. "Descend," he said. It was the second time he had

spoken in three days and perhaps his very silence, ominous in itself, had done

more to arouse terror in the breast of the Boche than even the spear point, ever

ready as it always was.

Schneider looked fearfully over the edge; but was about to essay the attempt

when Tarzan halted him. "I am Lord Greystoke," he said. "It was my wife you

murdered in the Waziri country. You will understand now why I came for you.

Descend."

The German fell upon his knees. "I did not murder your wife," he cried. "Have

mercy! I did not murder your wife. I do not know anything about--"

"Descend!" snapped Tarzan, raising the point of his spear. He knew that the man

lied and was not surprised that he did. A man who would murder for no cause

would lie for less. Schneider still hesitated and pled. The ape-man jabbed him

with the spear and Schneider slid fearfully over the top and began the perilous

descent. Tarzan accompanied and assisted him over the worst places until at last

they were within a few feet of the bottom.

"Be quiet now," cautioned the ape-man. He pointed at the entrance to what

appeared to be a cave at the far end of the gulch. "There is a hungry lion in there.

If you can reach that tree before he discovers you, you will have several days

longer in which to enjoy life and then--when you are too weak to cling longer to

the branches of the tree Numa, the man-eater, will feed again for the last time."

He pushed Schneider from his foothold to the ground below. "Now run," he said.

The German trembling in terror started for the tree. He had almost reached it

when a horrid roar broke from the mouth of the cave and almost simultaneously

Tarzan the Untamed