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As the presence came within reach of him the ape-man bounded lightly to the
opposite side of the hut, his spear poised ready at his side.
"Who is it," he asked, "that creeps upon Tarzan of the Apes, like a hungry lion out
of the darkness?"
"
Silence, bwana!" replied an old cracked voice. "It is Tambudza--she whose hut
you would not take, and thus drive an old woman out into the cold night."
"
"
What does Tambudza want of Tarzan of the Apes?" asked the ape-man.
You were kind to me to whom none is now kind, and I have come to warn you in
payment of your kindness," answered the old hag.
"Warn me of what?"
"
M'ganwazam has chosen the young men who are to sleep in the hut with you,"
replied Tambudza. "I was near as he talked with them, and heard him issuing
his instructions to them. When the dance is run well into the morning they are
to come to the hut.
"If you are awake they are to pretend that they have come to sleep, but if you
sleep it is M'ganwazam's command that you be killed. If you are not then asleep
they will wait quietly beside you until you do sleep, and then they will all fall
upon you together and slay you. M'ganwazam is determined to win the reward
the white man has offered."
"
"
I had forgotten the reward," said Tarzan, half to himself, and then he added,
How may M'ganwazam hope to collect the reward now that the white men who
are my enemies have left his country and gone he knows not where?"
"Oh, they have not gone far," replied Tambudza. "M'ganwazam knows where
they camp. His runners could quickly overtake them--they move slowly."
"Where are they?" asked Tarzan.
"
Do you wish to come to them?" asked Tambudza in way of reply.
Tarzan nodded.
I cannot tell you where they lie so that you could come to the place yourself, but
"
I could lead you to them, bwana."
In their interest in the conversation neither of the speakers had noticed the little
figure which crept into the darkness of the hut behind them, nor did they see it
when it slunk noiselessly out again.
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