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This information could mean but one thing, and that they must break camp and

fly onward regardless of the baby's condition. Jane Clayton knew the traits of

the Russian well enough to be positive that he would separate her from the child

the moment that he recaptured them, and she knew that separation would mean

the immediate death of the baby.

As they stumbled forward through the tangled vegetation along an old and almost

overgrown game trail the Mosula porters deserted them one by one.

The men had been staunch enough in their devotion and loyalty as long as they

were in no danger of being overtaken by the Russian and his party. They had

heard, however, so much of the atrocious disposition of Rokoff that they had

grown to hold him in mortal terror, and now that they knew he was close upon

them their timid hearts would fortify them no longer, and as quickly as possible

they deserted the three whites.

Yet on and on went Anderssen and the girl. The Swede went ahead, to hew a way

through the brush where the path was entirely overgrown, so that on this march

it was necessary that the young woman carry the child.

All day they marched. Late in the afternoon they realized that they had failed.

Close behind them they heard the noise of a large safari advancing along the trail

which they had cleared for their pursuers.

When it became quite evident that they must be overtaken in a short time

Anderssen hid Jane behind a large tree, covering her and the child with brush.

"There is a village about a mile farther on," he said to her. "The Mosula told me

its location before they deserted us. Ay try to lead the Russian off your trail,

then you go on to the village. Ay tank the chief ban friendly to white men--the

Mosula tal me he ban. Anyhow, that was all we can do.

"After while you get chief to tak you down by the Mosula village at the sea again,

an' after a while a ship is sure to put into the mouth of the Ugambi. Then you be

all right. Gude-by an' gude luck to you, lady!"

"But where are you going, Sven?" asked Jane. "Why can't you hide here and go

back to the sea with me?"

"Ay gotta tal the Russian you ban dead, so that he don't luke for you no more,"

and Anderssen grinned.

"Why can't you join me then after you have told him that?" insisted the girl.

Anderssen shook his head.

The Beasts of Tarzan