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It is useless to remain aboard her longer," remarked the ape-man to the mate.

There is no telling but there may be other explosions, and as we cannot hope to

save her, the safest thing which we can do is to take to the boats without further

loss of time and make land."

Nor was there other alternative. Only the sailors could bring away any

belongings, for the fire, which had not yet reached the forecastle, had consumed

all in the vicinity of the cabin which the explosion had not destroyed.

Two boats were lowered, and as there was no sea the landing was made with

infinite ease. Eager and anxious, the beasts of Tarzan sniffed the familiar air of

their native island as the small boats drew in toward the beach, and scarce had

their keels grated upon the sand than Sheeta and the apes of Akut were over the

bows and racing swiftly toward the jungle. A half-sad smile curved the lips of the

ape-man as he watched them go.

"Good-bye, my friends," he murmured. "You have been good and faithful allies,

and I shall miss you."

They will return, will they not, dear?" asked Jane Clayton, at his side.

They may and they may not," replied the ape-man. "They have been ill at ease

since they were forced to accept so many human beings into their confidence.

Mugambi and I alone affected them less, for he and I are, at best, but half

human. You, however, and the members of the crew are far too civilized for my

beasts--it is you whom they are fleeing. Doubtless they feel that they cannot

trust themselves in the close vicinity of so much perfectly good food without the

danger that they may help themselves to a mouthful some time by mistake."

Jane laughed. "I think they are just trying to escape you," she retorted. "You are

always making them stop something which they see no reason why they should

not do. Like little children they are doubtless delighted at this opportunity to flee

from the zone of parental discipline. If they come back, though, I hope they won't

come by night."

Or come hungry, eh?" laughed Tarzan.

For two hours after landing the little party stood watching the burning ship which

they had abandoned. Then there came faintly to them from across the water the

sound of a second explosion. The Kincaid settled rapidly almost immediately

thereafter, and sank within a few minutes.

The cause of the second explosion was less a mystery than that of the first, the

mate attributing it to the bursting of the boilers when the flames had finally

143

The Beasts of Tarzan