Now, upon
the lower slopes, it led through dense forests where the ground was
so matted with fallen trees and over-rioting vines and brush that
the way held always to the swaying branches high above the tangle;
again it skirted yawning gorges whose slippery-faced rocks gave
but momentary foothold even to the bare feet that lightly touched
them as the three leaped chamois-like from one precarious foothold
to the next. Dizzy and terrifying was the way that Om-at chose
across the summit as he led them around the shoulder of a towering
crag that rose a sheer two thousand feet of perpendicular rock above
a tumbling river. And when at last they stood upon comparatively
level ground again Om-at turned and looked at them both intently
and especially at Tarzan of the Apes.
"You will both do," he said. "You are fit companions for Om-at,
the Waz-don."
"What do you mean?" asked Tarzan.
"I brought you this way," replied the black, "to learn if either
lacked the courage to follow where Om-at led. It is here that the
young warriors of Es-sat come to prove their courage. And yet,
though we are born and raised upon cliff sides, it is considered
no disgrace to admit that Pastar-ul-ved, the Father of Mountains,
has defeated us, for of those who try it only a few succeed--the
bones of the others lie at the feet of Pastar-ul-ved.
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