"Hurry!" admonished Tarzan, "or it will be too late, and no one can help you."
For just an instant longer the black hesitated; then he leaped for a low-hanging branch and swung himself up into the tree as Tarzan came down to meet him.
"They will come soon and stone us both down," he said. There was no hope in his voice nor any fear, only dumb apathy.
XV
THE PLOT THAT FAILED
Through the trees toward the east the ape-man carried the Galla slave who was to have been the victim of Xerstle's day of sport. At first the man had demurred; but as the growling of the hunting lions had increased in volume, denoting their close approach, he had resigned himself to what he may have considered the lesser of two evils.
Swiftly, the giant of the jungle bore the Galla toward the east where, beyond the forest, loomed the mountains that hemmed Onthar upon that side. For a mile he carried him through the trees and then swung lightly to the ground.
"If the lions ever pick up your trail now," he said, "it will not be until long after you have reached the mountains and safety. But do not delay—go now."
The black fell upon his knees and took the hand of his savior in his own. "I am Hafim," he said. "If I could serve you, I would die for you. Who are you?"
"I am Tarzan of the Apes. Now go your way and lose no time."