The sun sank lower and lower, yet there was no sign of returning
SPAHIS. At last the valley was submerged in shadow Tarzan was too
proud to go back to camp until he had given the detachment ample
time to return to the valley, which he thought was to have been
their rendezvous. With the closing in of night he felt safer from
attack, for he was at home in the dark. He knew that none might
approach him so cautiously as to elude those alert and sensitive
ears of his; then there were his eyes, too, for he could see well
at night; and his nose, if they came toward him from up-wind, would
apprise him of the approach of an enemy while they were still a
great way off.

So he felt that he was in little danger, and thus lulled to a sense
of security he fell asleep, with his back against the tree.

He must have slept for several hours, for when he was suddenly
awakened by the frightened snorting and plunging of his horse the
moon was shining full upon the little valley, and there, not ten
paces before him, stood the grim cause of the terror of his mount.

Superb, majestic, his graceful tail extended and quivering, and his
two eyes of fire riveted full upon his prey, stood Numa EL ADREA,
the black lion. A little thrill of joy tingled through Tarzan's
nerves. It was like meeting an old friend after years of separation.
For a moment he sat rigid to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of
this lord of the wilderness.

But now Numa was crouching for the spring. Very slowly Tarzan raised
his gun to his shoulder. He had never killed a large animal with
a gun in all his life--heretofore he had depended upon his spear,