great ape was bending over the prostrate form of the woman Tarzan
sought. The beast was tearing at the bonds that confined her ankles
and wrists, pulling and gnawing upon the cords.

The course the ape-man was taking would carry him but a short
distance to the right of them, and though he could not have seen
them the wind was bearing down from them to him, carrying their
scent spoor strongly toward him.

A moment more and Jane Clayton's safety might have been assured, even
though Numa, the lion, was already gathering himself in preparation
for a charge; but Fate, already all too cruel, now outdid herself--the
wind veered suddenly for a few moments, the scent spoor that would
have led the ape-man to the girl's side was wafted in the opposite
direction; Tarzan passed within fifty yards of the tragedy that
was being enacted in the glade, and the opportunity was gone beyond
recall.





18

The Fight For the Treasure




It was morning before Tarzan could bring himself to a realization