Nor was it long before the cause of Bara's fright became evident toTarzan, for presently came the unmistakable sounds of approachinghorsemen. Dragging his kill after him the ape-man ascended to themiddle terrace, and settling himself comfortably in the crotch ofa tree where he could still view the trail beneath, cut a juicysteak from the deer's loin, and burying his strong, black teethin the hot flesh proceeded to enjoy the fruits of his prowess andhis cunning.

Nor did he neglect the trail beneath while he satisfied hishunger. His sharp eyes saw the muzzle of the leading horse as itcame into view around a bend in the tortuous trail, and one by onethey scrutinized the riders as they passed beneath him in singlefile.

Among them came one whom Tarzan recognized, but so schooled was theape-man in the control of his emotions that no slightest change ofexpression, much less any hysterical demonstration that might haverevealed his presence, betrayed the fact of his inward amazenement.

Beneath him, as unconscious of his presence as were the Abyssiniansbefore and close behind him, rode Albert Werper, while the ape-manscrutinized the Belgian for some sign of the pouch which he hadstolen.

As the Abyssinians rode toward the south, a giant figure hoveblackever upon their trail--a huge, almost naked black man, who carriedthe bloody carcass of a deer upon his shoulders, for Tarzan knewthat he might not have another opportunity to hunt for some timeif he were to follow the Belgian.

To endeavor to snatch him from the midst of the armed horsemen,not even Tarzan would attempt other than in the last extremity,for the way of the wild is the way of caution and cunning, unlessthey be aroused to rashness by pain or wrath.