Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 150: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Al TARZAN AND THE ANT-MEN. emerged from the hole. “ The cambon is not there,” he said. “‘ The burrow is de- serted. I found only a snake, which I killed. Go in, Oratharc, and Janzara and Talaskar will follow you. You have can- dies?” They had, and one by. one they disap- peared into ‘the gmouth of the hole, until Tarzan, who had asked to remain until last, stood alone in the gathering night, ~ gazing at the mouth of the ratel’s burrow, a smile upon his lips. It seemed ridiculous to him that Tarzan of the Apes should ever be contemplating hiding from Numa in the hole of a ratel, or, worse still, hiding from little Skree, the wildcat. And, as he stood there smiling, a bulk loomed dimly among the trees; the diadets, standing near, un- tethered, snorted and leaped away; and Tarzan wheeled to face the largest lion he’ ever had seen—a hon that towered more than twice the ape-man’s height above him. How tremendous, how awe-inspiring _ Numa appeared to one the size of a Minu- nian! | The lion crouched, its tail extended, the - Ip Moving ever so gently, but the ape-man was not deceived. He guessed what was coming, and even as the great cat sprang he turned and dove head foremost down-the. ~~hole of the ratel. Behind him rattled the loose earth pushed into the burrow’s mouth by Numa as he alighted upon the Spot where Tarzan had stood. | CHAPTER XXI. THE SON OF THE FIRST WOMAN. OR three days the six traveled toward the east and then, upon the fourth, they turned south. A great forest loomed upon the distant southern horizon, sweeping also wide upon the east. To the southwest Iay Trohanadalmakus, a good two days’ journey for their tired diadets. Tarzan often wondered what rest the little creatures obtained. At night they were turned loose to graze, but his knowledge of the habits of the carnivora assured him that the tiny antelope must spend the great- er part of each night in terrified watching or in flight, yet every morning they were 779 back at the camp awaiting the pleasure of their masters. That they did not escape, never to re- turn, is doubtless due to two principal facts. One is that they have been for ages bred in the domes of the Minunians—they know no other life than with their masters, to whom they look for food and care— and the other is the extreme kindness and affection which the Minunians accord their beautiful beasts of burden, and which have won the love and confidence of the litle animals to.such an extent that the diadet is most contented when in the company of man. | It was during the afternoon of the fourth day of their flight that Talaskar suddenly called their attention to a small cloud of dust far to their rear. For a while all six watched it intently as it increased in size and drew nearer. “It may be the long awaited pursuit,” said Zoanthrohago. , “Or sorte of my own pecnle from Tro- — hanadalmakus,” suggested Komodofloren- sal. “Whoever they are they greatly out- number us,” said Janzara, “ and.I think we should find shelter- until we know their. --identity.” “We can'reach the forest before they overtake us,” said Oratharc, “‘ and in the forest we may elude them if it is necessary to do so.” “‘T fear the forest,”’ said Janzara. “We have no alternative,” said Zoan- throhago; “ but even now I doubt that we can reach it ahead of them. Come, we must be quick!” Never before had Tarzan of the Apes cavered ground so rapidly upon the back of an animal. The diadets flew through the air in great bounds. Behind them the nucleus of the dust cloud had resolved itself into a dozen mounted warriors, against. whom their four blades would be helpless. Their one hope, therefore, lay in reaching the forest ahead oftheir pursuers, and now it appeared that they would be successful and now it appeared that they would not. The recently distant wood seemed rush- ing toward him as Tarzan watched aheasl between the tiny horns of his graceful GOMIGOOoO _? ms Se