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Tarzan questioned the fellow closely, and by comparing his statements with those

of the young warrior he had first talked with he learned that Rokoff and his safari

were in terror-stricken retreat in the direction of the far East Coast.

Many of the Russian's porters had already deserted him. In that very village he

had hanged five for theft and attempted desertion. Judging, however, from what

the Waganwazam had learned from those of the Russian's blacks who were not

too far gone in terror of the brutal Rokoff to fear even to speak of their plans, it

was apparent that he would not travel any great distance before the last of his

porters, cooks, tent-boys, gun-bearers, askari, and even his headman, would

have turned back into the bush, leaving him to the mercy of the merciless jungle.

M'ganwazam denied that there had been any white woman or child with the party

of whites; but even as he spoke Tarzan was convinced that he lied. Several times

the ape-man approached the subject from different angles, but never was he

successful in surprising the wily cannibal into a direct contradiction of his

original statement that there had been no women or children with the party.

Tarzan demanded food of the chief, and after considerable haggling on the part of

the monarch succeeded in obtaining a meal. He then tried to draw out others of

the tribe, especially the young man whom he had captured in the bush, but

M'ganwazam's presence sealed their lips.

At last, convinced that these people knew a great deal more than they had told

him concerning the whereabouts of the Russian and the fate of Jane and the

child, Tarzan determined to remain overnight among them in the hope of

discovering something further of importance.

When he had stated his decision to the chief he was rather surprised to note the

sudden change in the fellow's attitude toward him. From apparent dislike and

suspicion M'ganwazam became a most eager and solicitous host.

Nothing would do but that the ape-man should occupy the best hut in the village,

from which M'ganwazam's oldest wife was forthwith summarily ejected, while the

chief took up his temporary abode in the hut of one of his younger consorts.

Had Tarzan chanced to recall the fact that a princely reward had been offered the

blacks if they should succeed in killing him, he might have more quickly

interpreted M'ganwazam's sudden change in front.

To have the white giant sleeping peacefully in one of his own huts would greatly

facilitate the matter of earning the reward, and so the chief was urgent in his

suggestions that Tarzan, doubtless being very much fatigued after his travels,

should retire early to the comforts of the anything but inviting palace.

The Beasts of Tarzan