rode south through the pass below Bou Saada, bound for their home
in the far wilderness. The sheik had urged Tarzan to accompany
him, and the girl had added her entreaties to those of her father;
but, though he could not explain it to them, Tarzan's duties loomed
particularly large after the happenings of the past few days, so
that he could not think of leaving his post for an instant. But
he promised to come later if it lay within his power to do so, and
they had to content themselves with that assurance.

During these two days Tarzan had spent practically all his time
with Kadour ben Saden and his daughter. He was keenly interested
in this race of stern and dignified warriors, and embraced the
opportunity which their friendship offered to learn what he could
of their lives and customs. He even commenced to acquire the
rudiments of their language under the pleasant tutorage of the
brown-eyed girl. It was with real regret that he saw them depart,
and he sat his horse at the opening to the pass, as far as which
he had accompanied them, gazing after the little party as long as
he could catch a glimpse of them.

Here were people after his own heart! Their wild, rough lives,
filled with danger and hardship, appealed to this half-savage
man as nothing had appealed to him in the midst of the effeminate
civilization of the great cities he had visited. Here was a life
that excelled even that of the jungle, for here he might have the
society of men--real men whom he could honor and respect, and yet
be near to the wild nature that he loved. In his head revolved an
idea that when he had completed his mission he would resign and
return to live for the remainder of his life with the tribe of
Kadour ben Saden.