The vitality and life tenacity of a lion are astounding; but even that mighty frame could not for long withstand the lethal wounds its adversary had inflicted, and presently it slumped to earth and, with a little quiver, died. Then the ape-man leaped to his feet. With one foot upon the carcass of his kill, Tarzan of the Apes raised his face to the leafy canopy of the Cathnean forest and from his great chest rolled the hideous victory cry of the bull ape which has killed.
As the uncanny challenge reverberated down the forest aisles, Pindes and the two keepers looked questioningly at one another and laid their hands upon their sword hilts.
"In the name of Thoos! what was that?" demanded one of the keepers.
"By the mane of Thoos! I never heard a sound so horrible before," answered his companion, looking fearfully in the direction from which those weird notes had come.
"Silence!" admonished Pindes. "Do you want the thing to creep upon us unheard because of your jabbering!"
"What was it, master?" asked one of the men in a whisper.
"It may have been the death cry of the stranger," suggested Pindes, voicing the hope that was in his heart.
"It sounded not like a death cry, master," replied the black; "there was a note of strength and elation in it and none of weakness and defeat."
"Silence, fool!" grumbled Pindes.
At a little distance, Gemnon and Xerstle heard, too. "What was that?" demanded the latter.