The Tree-top Hunter

           ThemorningaftertheDum-Dumthetribestartedslowlybackthroughtheforesttowardthecoast.

           ThebodyofTublatlaywhereithadfallen,forthepeopleofKerchakdonoteattheirowndead.

           Themarchwasbutaleisurelysearchforfood.Cabbagepalmandgrayplum,pisangandscitaminetheyfoundinabundance,withwildpineapple,andoccasionallysmallmammals,birds,eggs,reptiles,andinsects.Thenutstheycrackedbetweentheirpowerfuljaws,or,iftoohard,brokebypoundingbetweenstones.

           OnceoldSabor,crossingtheirpath,sentthemscurryingtothesafetyofthehigherbranches,forifsherespectedtheirnumberandtheirsharpfangs,theyontheirpartheldhercruelandmightyferocityinequalesteem.

           Uponalow-hangingbranchsatTarzandirectlyabovethemajestic,supplebodyasitforgedsilentlythroughthethickjungle.Hehurledapineappleattheancientenemyofhispeople.Thegreatbeaststoppedand,turning,eyedthetauntingfigureaboveher.

           Withanangrylashofhertailshebaredheryellowfangs,curlinghergreatlipsinahideoussnarlthatwrinkledherbristlingsnoutinserriedridgesandclosedherwickedeyestotwonarrowslitsofrageandhatred.

           Withback-laidearsshelookedstraightintotheeyesofTarzanoftheApesandsoundedherfierce,shrillchallenge.Andfromthesafetyofhisoverhanginglimbtheape-childsentbackthefearsomeanswerofhiskind.