It is late, replied La, and men are not permitted
in thispart of the temple. Does Manu not know his cousin and his friend? We can die
but once, replied Tarzan, and that once wemust die.
They were practically hairless, except forscraggy,
reddish brown locks upon their heads. Look, cried Dooth, the Flaming God is
angry.
We well know the trail to the summit, but that is
as far asI have ever been before.
He was not dead when Cadj sent us away, volunteered
Dooth.
The knifeis at your hip, the sacrifice lies before
you. Cadj and his peopleawait within the outer wall to slay you.
Forseveral minutes she paced to and fro in deep
thought, andthen, suddenly, she halted before Cadj. She knew all toowell the temper
of her people and the treachery of the HighPriest, Cadj. Standing waist deep in the
pool she looked up at the littlemonkey questioningly.
It is Manu, Tarzan, continued the little monkey,
who hascome to tell you not to go to Opar.
Afterward she had bowed to the frightfulfate that
had placed her in the arms of Cadj.
Oah, who was presentwhen her sister returned, bit
her lips, for great was herdisappointment. Too often already have you attempted to
thwart thewill of your queen.
We can die but once, replied Tarzan, and that once
wemust die.
Cadj and the others watched her closely now as she
crossedto the side of Tarzan. The eye of the FlamingGod looks down upon you, High
Priestess of Opar.
Again and again he called Tarzan by name. Tonight
she was faced with a problem that she felt almostbeyond her powers of solution. He
is not dead, he whispered; perhaps he only sleeps.
From the center of the bottom of each huttrailed
another lighter rope.
Drag him forth where the eye of the Flaming God may
restupon him, cried Cadj. For some time I have been almost positive that we are
beingwatched.
Deep in her heartsmoldered the tires of her great
love for Tarzan.
We can die but once, replied Tarzan, and that once
wemust die. She had no intention of sacrificing Tarzan, butthis, of course, the
sister of Oah did not know. Tarzan, he cried, in the language that was common to
both. But her fate, hervery life, perhaps, depended upon her future treatment ofthe
prisoner.
How do you know it was Tarzan of the Apes? It is
only forme to serve, as those would do better to serve who now plotagainst
you.
Butit was some time before the girl could muster up
her courageor find a proper opening.
He says that he comes in the service of La, who is
in greatdanger, replied the girl.
I was right, he said, there is someone, or
something, notfar off. They weredetermined to do away with me, that Oah might be
HighPriestess and Cadj king of Opar.
Nor can I catch any well-definedscent spoor, yet I
am positive that someone is following us.