A BLACK-MANED lion moved through the jungle night. With unconcern for all other created things he took his lordly way through the primeval forest. He was not hunting, for he made no efforts toward stealth, nor, on the other hand, did he utter any sound. He moved swiftly, though sometimes stopping with uplifted nose to the air and to listen. And thus at last he came to a high wall, along the face of which he , until the wall was broken by a half-opened , through which he passed into the enclosure.  
Before him a great building, and presently as he stood watching it and listening, there broke from the interior the thunderous roar of an angry lion.
 
He of the black mane cocked his head upon one side and moved stealthily forward.
 
At the very instant that La was about to be thrust into the clutches of Numa, Tarzan of the Apes leaped into the apartment with a loud cry that brought to pause the Gomangani that were dragging her to her , and in that brief instant of which the ape-man knew would follow his interruption the swift spear was launched. To the rage and of the Bolgani they saw it bury itself in the heart of their Emperor—the great, black-maned lion.
 
At Tarzan’s side stood the Gomangani whom he had terrified into service, and as Tarzan rushed forward toward La the black accompanied him, crying to his fellows that if they would help this stranger they might be free and escape from the Bolgani forever.
 
“You have permitted the great Emperor to be ,” he cried to the poor Gomangani who guarded Numa. “For this the Bolgani will kill you. Help to save the strange Tarmangani and his mate and you have at least a chance for life and freedom. And you,” he added, addressing the two who had been guarding La, “they will hold you responsible also—your only hope lies with us.”
 
Tarzan had reached La’s side and was dragging her up the steps of the dais where he hoped that he might make a momentary stand against the fifty Bolgani who were now rushing forward from their seats toward him.
 
“ the three who sit upon the dais,” cried Tarzan to the Gomangani, who were now evidently hesitating as to which side they would cast their lot with. “Slay them if you wish your freedom! Slay them if you wish to live!”
 
The tones of his voice, the magnetic appeal of his personality, his n............