Beneath the shadows of the trees loomed a great bulk
that the ape-man instantly recognized.
"What is it?" whispered Jane.
"A gryf," replied the ape-man, "and we have met him in the worst
place that we could possibly have found. There is not a large tree
within a quarter of a mile, other than those among which he stands.
Come, we shall have to go back, Jane; I cannot risk it with you
along. The best we can do is to pray that he does not discover us."
"And if he does?"
"Then I shall have to risk it."
"Risk what?"
"The chance that I can subdue him as I subdued one of his fellows,"
replied Tarzan. "I told you--you recall?"
"Yes, but I did not picture so huge a creature. Why, John, he is
as big as a battleship."
The ape-man laughed. "Not quite, though I'll admit he looks quite
as formidable as one when he charges."
They were moving away slowly so as not to attract the attention of
the beast.
"I believe we're going to make it," whispered the woman, her voice
tense with suppressed excitement. A low rumble rolled like distant
thunder from the wood. Tarzan shook his head.
"'The big show is about to commence in the main tent,'" he quoted,
grinning. He caught the woman suddenly to his breast and kissed
her. "One can never tell, Jane," he said. "We'll do our best--that
is all we can do.
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