their admiration and respect.

The old sheik insisted that Tarzan remain indefinitely as his
guest. He even wished to adopt him as a member of the tribe, and
there was for some time a half-formed resolution in the ape-man's
mind to accept and remain forever with these wild people, whom he
understood and who seemed to understand him. His friendship and
liking for the girl were potent factors in urging him toward an
affirmative decision.

Had she been a man, he argued, he should not have hesitated, for it
would have meant a friend after his own heart, with whom he could
ride and hunt at will; but as it was they would be hedged by the
conventionalities that are even more strictly observed by the wild
nomads of the desert than by their more civilized brothers and
sisters. And in a little while she would be married to one of these
swarthy warriors, and there would be an end to their friendship.
So he decided against the sheik's proposal, though he remained a
week as his guest.

When he left, Kadour ben Saden and fifty white-robed warriors rode
with him to Bou Saada. While they were mounting in the DOUAR of
Kadour ben Saden the morning of their departure, the girl came to
bid farewell to Tarzan.

"I have prayed that you would remain with us," she said simply,
as he leaned from his saddle to clasp her hand in farewell, "and
now I shall pray that you will return." There was an expression
of wistfulness in her beautiful eyes, and a pathetic droop at the
corners of her mouth. Tarzan was touched.