for the dismal jungle had exercised a depressing effect upon them for many days—an effect which they had not actually realized until they had come out into the comparative open of the clearing.
'Gee!' exclaimed Doc. 'It's just like the beginning of a long vacation.'
'I know we're going to be all right now,' said Dick, and at that very instant three-score painted Bagalla warriors leapt from ambush all about them.
The four looked about in consternation. They were completely surrounded. There was no escape.
'Shall we fight?' cried Doc.
'Yes!' replied Dick. 'Bulala! Ukundo! will you fight with us? They will only kill us if they capture us.'
'We had better die fighting,' replied Ukundo.
Doc fitted an arrow to his bow and shot it at the oncoming warriors, but, sped by an unaccustomed hand, the arrow only described a graceful curve and stuck upright in the ground a few yards from Doc's feet. The Bagalla shouted in derision and rushed forward. Then Dick shot, but the string slipped from the notch in the end of the arrow and when he released the missile, it fell at his feet. But Ukundo was more adept. He drew the shaft far back, and when he let it fly, it embedded itself deeply in the breast of a shouting Bagalla. Then the Bagalla halted. They danced fiercely and shouted insults at the four.
'Why don't they shoot at us?' asked Dick.
'They want to take us alive,' said Bulala.
'In a moment they will all charge from different directions,' prophesied Ukundo. 'We shall kill some, but they will take us alive.'
Dick had thrown down his bow and stood ready with his spear. Doc followed his example. 'I never did like an old bow and arrow, anyway,' he said.
'Here they come!' warned Dick. 'Good bye, Doc!'
'Good bye, Dick!' replied his cousin.
'Don't let 'em take you alive!'
'Poor Mother!'
'Golly! Here come a million more of the beggars!' exclaimed Dick.
And sure enough, with waving plumes there came what seemed a veritable horde of mighty warriors, grim and savage, pouring out of the nearby forest.
'They are not Bagalla,' said Ukundo.
'Look!' cried Doc. 'There's a white man leading them.'
'It is Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, and his mighty Waziri!' exclaimed Ukundo.
'Tarzan?' shouted Dick. 'Yes, it is Tarzan. We are saved!'
The Bagalla, warned now by the savage war cry of the Waziri, turned in their direction. At sight of Tarzan and his warriors the ranks of the Bagalla were thrown into confusion.
They forgot their prey and thought only of escape, for well they knew the power and the wrath of Tarzan of the Apes. Like frightened rabbits they scurried for the jungle, pursued by the Waziri warriors, who showered arrows and spears among them. As they disappeared from the clearing, Tarzan approached the boys.
'I thank God that I have found you,' he said.
'I did not think you could survive the dangers of the jungle. But when I saw you make your stand against the Bagalla, I knew why you had survived. You are brave lads! In the jungle only the brave may live. I am very proud of you.'
Ukundo and Bulala had gone down on their hands and knees before the Lord of the Jungle and now Tarzan noticed them. 'Who are these?' he demanded.
'They are our very good friends,' said Doc. 'Without them we should never have escaped.'
'They shall be rewarded,' said Tarzan, 'when we reach home tomorrow. And so shall you, boys. What in all the world would you like most?'
'A whole apple pie,' said Doc.
THE END
