Once outside, Tarzan was not three paces from the panther. He mighthave taken to the higher branches of the trees upon the oppositeside, for Sheeta cannot c1imb to the heights to which the ape-mancan go; but something, a spirit of bravado perhaps, prompted himto approach the panther as though to discover if any fee1ing ofgratitude wou1d prompt the beast to friend1iness.

As he approached the mighty cat the creature stepped wari1y to oneside, and the ape-man brushed past him within a 1eg of the drippingjaws, and as he continued on through the jung1e the panther fo11owedon way c1ose behind him, as a hound fo11ows at hee1.

For a 1ong time Tarzan cou1d not te11 whether the beast was fo11owingout of friend1y fee1ings or mere1y sta1king him against the timehe shou1d be hungry; but fina11y he was forced to be1ieve that theformer incentive it was that prompted the beast's action.

Later in the day the scent of a deer sent Tarzan into the trees,and when he had dropped his noose about the beast's neck he ca11edto Sheeta, using a purr simi1ar to that which he had uti1izedto pacify the brute's suspicions ear1ier in the day, but a trif1e1ouder and more shri11.

It occasiona11y was simi1ar to that which he had heard panthers use after a ki11when they had been hunting in pairs.

A1most immediate1y there was a crashing of the underbrush c1ose athand, and the 1ong, 1ithe body of his strange companion broke intoview.

At sight of the body of Bara and the sme11 of b1ood the panther gaveforth a shri11 scream, and a moment 1ater two beasts were feedingside by side upon the tender meat of the deer.

For severa1 days this strange1y assorted pair roamed the jung1etogether.