www.freeclassicebooks.com

Chapter 7 - Betrayed

The two savages, Kaviri and Mugambi, squatting before the entrance to Kaviri's

hut, looked at one another--Kaviri with ill-concealed alarm.

What is it?" he whispered.

It is Bwana Tarzan and his people," replied Mugambi. "But what they are doing

I know not, unless it be that they are devouring your people who ran away."

Kaviri shuddered and rolled his eyes fearfully toward the jungle. In all his long

life in the savage forest he had never heard such an awful, fearsome din.

Closer and closer came the sounds, and now with them were mingled the terrified

shrieks of women and children and of men. For twenty long minutes the blood-

curdling cries continued, until they seemed but a stone's throw from the palisade.

Kaviri rose to flee, but Mugambi seized and held him, for such had been the

command of Tarzan.

A moment later a horde of terrified natives burst from the jungle, racing toward

the shelter of their huts. Like frightened sheep they ran, and behind them,

driving them as sheep might be driven, came Tarzan and Sheeta and the hideous

apes of Akut.

Presently Tarzan stood before Kaviri, the old quiet smile upon his lips.

"Your people have returned, my brother," he said, "and now you may select those

who are to accompany me and paddle my canoe."

Tremblingly Kaviri tottered to his feet, calling to his people to come from their

huts; but none responded to his summons.

Tell them," suggested Tarzan, "that if they do not come I shall send my people in

after them."

Kaviri did as he was bid, and in an instant the entire population of the village

came forth, their wide and frightened eyes rolling from one to another of the

savage creatures that wandered about the village street.

Quickly Kaviri designated a dozen warriors to accompany Tarzan. The poor

fellows went almost white with terror at the prospect of close contact with the

panther and the apes in the narrow confines of the canoes; but when Kaviri

explained to them that there was no escape--that Bwana Tarzan would pursue

The Beasts of Tarzan