按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Basuli and his warriors had noted the devastation the
moment they had come in sight of the farm。 Now they
hastened on toward it talking excitedly among
themselves in animated speculation upon the cause and
meaning of the catastrophe。
When； at last they crossed the trampled garden and
stood before the charred ruins of their master's
bungalow； their greatest fears became convictions in
the light of the evidence about them。
Remnants of human dead； half devoured by prowling
hyenas and others of the carnivora which infested the
region； lay rotting upon the ground； and among the
corpses remained sufficient remnants of their clothing
and ornaments to make clear to Basuli the frightful
story of the disaster that had befallen his master's
house。
〃The Arabs；〃 he said； as his men clustered about him。
The Waziri gazed about in mute rage for several
minutes。 Everywhere they encountered only further
evidence of the ruthlessness of the cruel enemy that
had come during the Great Bwana's absence and laid
waste his property。
〃What did they with 'Lady'？〃 asked one of the blacks。
They had always called Lady Greystoke thus。
〃The women they would have taken with them；〃 said
Basuli。 〃Our women and his。〃
A giant black raised his spear above his head； and gave
voice to a savage cry of rage and hate。 The others
followed his example。 Basuli silenced them with a gesture。
〃This is no time for useless noises of the mouth；〃 he
said。 〃The Great Bwana has taught us that it is acts
by which things are done； not words。 Let us save our
breathwe shall need it all to follow up the Arabs and
slay them。 If 'Lady' and our women live the greater
the need of haste； and warriors cannot travel fast upon
empty lungs。〃
From the shelter of the reeds along the river； Werper
and Tarzan watched the blacks。 They saw them dig a
trench with their knives and fingers。 They saw them
lay their yellow burdens in it and scoop the overturned
earth back over the tops of the ingots。
Tarzan seemed little interested； after Werper had
assured him that that which they buried was not good to
eat； but Werper was intensely interested。 He would
have given much had he had his own followers with him；
that he might take away the treasure as soon as the
blacks left； for he was sure that they would leave this
scene of desolation and death as soon as possible。
The treasure buried； the blacks removed themselves a
short distance up wind from the fetid corpses； where
they made camp； that they might rest before setting out
in pursuit of the Arabs。 It was already dusk。 Werper
and Tarzan sat devouring some pieces of meat they had
brought from their last camp。 The Belgian was occupied
with his plans for the immediate future。 He was
positive that the Waziri would pursue Achmet Zek；
for he knew enough of savage warfare； and of the
characteristics of the Arabs and their degraded
followers to guess that they had carried the Waziri
women off into slavery。 This alone would assure
immediate pursuit by so warlike a people as the Waziri。
Werper felt that he should find the means and the
opportunity to push on ahead； that he might warn Achmet
Zek of the coming of Basuli； and also of the location
of the buried treasure。 What the Arab would now do
with Lady Greystoke； in view of the mental affliction
of her husband； Werper neither knew nor cared。 It was
enough that the golden treasure buried upon the site of
the burned bungalow was infinitely more valuable than
any ransom that would have occurred even to the
avaricious mind of the Arab； and if Werper could
persuade the raider to share even a portion of it with
him he would be well satisfied。
But by far the most important consideration； to Werper；
at least； was the incalculably valuable treasure in the
little leathern pouch at Tarzan's side。 If he could
but obtain possession of this！ He must！ He would！
His eyes wandered to the object of his greed。
They measured Tarzan's giant frame； and rested upon
the rounded muscles of his arms。 It was hopeless。
What could he； Werper； hope to accomplish； other than his
own death； by an attempt to wrest the gems from their
savage owner？
Disconsolate； Werper threw himself upon his side。
His head was pillowed on one arm； the other rested across
his face in such a way that his eyes were hidden from
the ape…man； though one of them was fastened upon him
from beneath the shadow of the Belgian's forearm。
For a time he lay thus； glowering at Tarzan； and
originating schemes for plundering him of his treasure
schemes that were discarded as futile as rapidly as
they were born。
Tarzan presently let his own eyes rest upon Werper。
The Belgian saw that he was being watched； and lay very
still。 After a few moments he simulated the regular
breathing of deep slumber。
Tarzan had been thinking。 He had seen the Waziri bury
their belongings。 Werper had told him that they were
hiding them lest some one find them and take them away。
This seemed to Tarzan a splendid plan for safeguarding
valuables。 Since Werper had evinced a desire to
possess his glittering pebbles； Tarzan； with the
suspicions of a savage； had guarded the baubles； of
whose worth he was entirely ignorant； as zealously as
though they spelled life or death to him。
For a long time the ape…man sat watching his companion。
At last； convinced that he slept； Tarzan withdrew his
hunting knife and commenced to dig a hole in the ground
before him。 With the blade he loosened up the earth；
and with his hands he scooped it out until he had
excavated a little cavity a few inches in diameter； and
five or six inches in depth。 Into this he placed the
pouch of jewels。 Werper almost forgot to breathe after
the fashion of a sleeper as he saw what the ape…man was
doinghe scarce repressed an ejaculation of
satisfaction。
Tarzan become suddenly rigid as his keen ears noted the
cessation of the regular inspirations and expirations
of his companion。 His narrowed eyes bored straight
down upon the Belgian。 Werper felt that he was lost
he must risk all on his ability to carry on the
deception。 He sighed； threw both arms outward； and
turned over on his back mumbling as though in the
throes of a bad dream。 A moment later he resumed the
regular breathing。
Now he could not watch Tarzan； but he was sure that the
man sat for a long time looking at him。 Then； faintly；
Werper heard the other's hands scraping dirt； and later
patting it down。 He knew then that the jewels were
buried。
It was an hour before Werper moved again； then he
rolled over facing Tarzan and opened his eyes。 The
ape…man slept。 By reaching out his hand Werper could
touch the spot where the pouch was buried。
For a long time he lay watching and listening。
He moved about； making more noise than necessary；
yet Tarzan did not awaken。 He drew the sacrificial knife
from his belt； and plunged it into the ground。
Tarzan did not move。 Cautiously the Belgian pushed the
blade downward through the loose earth above the pouch。
He felt the point touch the soft； tough fabric of the
leather。 Then he pried down upon the handle。
Slowly the little mound of loose earth rose and parted。
An instant later a corner of the pouch came into view。
Werper pulled it from its hiding place； and tucked it
in his shirt。 Then he refilled the hole and pressed
the dirt carefully down as it had been before。
Greed had prompted him to an act； the discovery of
which by his companion could lead only to the most
frightful consequences for Werper。 Already he could
almost feel those strong； white fangs burying
themselves in his neck。 He shuddered。 Far out across
the plain a leopard screamed； and in the dense reeds
behind him some great beast moved on padded feet。
Werper feared these prowlers of the night； but
infini