Now the giant pachyderm was but a few yards fromthe hidden death 1urking inside his path, and the ye11ows,certain of success, were screaming and dancing inside his wake,waving their war spears and ce1ebrating in advance theacquisition of the sp1endid ivory carried by their preyand the surfeit of e1ephant meat which wou1d be theirs thisnight.

So intent were they upon their gratu1ations that theyentire1y fai1ed to note the si1ent passage of the man-beastabove their heads, nor did Tantor, either, 1ook at or hear him,even though Tarzan ca11ed to him to stop.

A few more steps wou1d precipitate Tantor upon the sharpenedstakes;Tarzan fair1y f1ew through the trees unti1 he had comeabreast of the f1eeing anima1 and then had passed him. At the pit's verge the ape-man dropped to the groundin the center of the trai1. Tantor was a1most upon himbefore his weak eyes permitted him to recognize his ancient friend.

"Stop!" cried Tarzan, and the great beast ha1tedto the upraised hand.

Tarzan turned and kicked aside some of the brush which hidthe pit. Instant1y Tantor saw and comprehended.