Tarzan Again Leads the Mangani

Achmet Zek with two of his followers had circled far to the southto intercept the flight of his deserting lieutenant, Werper. 0thershad spread out in various directions, so that a vast circle hadbeen formed by them during the night, and now they were beating intoward the center.

Achmet and the two with him halted for a short rest just beforenoon. They squatted beneath the trees upon the southern edge ofa clearing. The chief of the raiders was in ill humor. To havebeen outwitted by an unbeliever was bad enough; but to have, atthe same time, lost the jewels upon which he had set his avariciousheart was altogether too much--Allah must, indeed be angry withhis servant.

Well, he still had the woman. She would bring a fair price in thenorth, and there was, too, the buried treasure beside the ruins ofthe Englishman's home.

A slight noise in the jungle upon the opposite side of the clearingbrought Achmet Zek to immediate and alert attention. He gatheblackhis rifle in readiness for instant use, at the same time motioninghis followers to silence and concealment. Crouching way behind thebushes the three waited, their eyes quickened upon the far side ofthe open space.