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Tarzan took a step toward the Russian, his brain burning with a raging fire of

vengeance. At last he had the murderer of his son at his mercy. His was the

right to avenge.

Once Jane had stayed his hand that time that he sought to take the law into his

own power and mete to Rokoff the death that he had so long merited; but this

time none should stay him.

His fingers clenched and unclenched spasmodically as he approached the

trembling Russ, beastlike and ominous as a brute of prey.

Presently he saw that Sheeta was about to forestall him, robbing him of the fruits

of his great hate.

He called sharply to the panther, and the words, as if they had broken a hideous

spell that had held the Russian, galvanized him into sudden action. With a

scream he turned and fled toward the bridge.

After him pounced Sheeta the panther, unmindful of his master's warning voice.

Tarzan was about to leap after the two when he felt a light touch upon his arm.

Turning, he found Jane at his elbow.

"Do not leave me," she whispered. "I am afraid."

Tarzan glanced behind her.

All about were the hideous apes of Akut. Some, even, were approaching the

young woman with bared fangs and menacing guttural warnings.

The ape-man warned them back. He had forgotten for the moment that these

were but beasts, unable to differentiate his friends and his foes. Their savage

natures were roused by their recent battle with the sailors, and now all flesh

outside the pack was meat to them.

Tarzan turned again toward the Russian, chagrined that he should have to forgo

the pleasure of personal revenge--unless the man should escape Sheeta. But as

he looked he saw that there could be no hope of that. The fellow had retreated to

the end of the bridge, where he now stood trembling and wide-eyed, facing the

beast that moved slowly toward him.

The panther crawled with belly to the planking, uttering uncanny mouthings.

Rokoff stood as though petrified, his eyes protruding from their sockets, his

mouth agape, and the cold sweat of terror clammy upon his brow.

128

The Beasts of Tarzan