to Opar with her or Tarzan of the Apes will call together the
other creatures of the jungle and slay you all. La saved me that
I might save you and her. I have served you better alive than I
could have dead. If you are not all fools you will let me go my
way in peace and you will return to Opar with La. I know not where
the sacred knife is; but you can fashion another. Had I not taken
it from La you would have slain me and now your god must be glad
that I took it since I have saved his priestess from love-mad
Tantor. Will you go back to Opar with La, promising that no harm
shall befall her?"

The priests gathered together in a little knot arguing and discussing.
They pounded upon their breasts with their fists; they raised their
hands and eyes to their fiery god; they growled and barked among
themselves until it became evident to Tarzan that one of their number
was preventing the acceptance of his proposal. This was the High
Priest whose heart was filled with jealous rage because La openly
acknowledged her love for the stranger, when by the worldly customs
of their cult she should have belonged to him. Seemingly there
was to be no solution of the problem until another priest stepped
forth and, raising his hand, addressed La.

"Cadj, the High Priest," he announced, "would sacrifice you both
to the Flaming God; but all of us except Cadj would gladly return
to Opar with our queen."

"You are many against one," spoke up Tarzan. "Why should you not
have your will? Go your way with La to Opar and if Cadj interferes
slay him."