Tarzan did not like being laughed at, neither did he relish the
terms applied to him by the Arab, but he showed no sign of anger as
he arose from his seat upon the bench. A half smile played about
his lips, but of a sudden a mighty fist shot into the face of the
scowling Arab, and back of it were the terrible muscles of the
ape-man.

At the instant that the man fell a half dozen fierce plainsmen
sprang into the room from where they had apparently been waiting
for their cue in the street before the cafe. With cries of "Kill
the unbeliever!" and "Down with the dog of a Christian!" they made
straight for Tarzan. A number of the younger Arabs in the audience
sprang to their feet to join in the assault upon the unarmed white
man. Tarzan and Abdul were rushed back toward the end of the room
by the very force of numbers opposing them. The young Arab remained
loyal to his master, and with drawn knife fought at his side.

With tremendous blows the ape-man felled all who came within reach
of his powerful hands. He fought quietly and without a word, upon
his lips the same half smile they had worn as he rose to strike down
the man who had insulted him. It seemed impossible that either he
or Abdul could survive the sea of wicked-looking swords and knives
that surrounded them, but the very numbers of their assailants
proved the best bulwark of their safety. So closely packed was the
howling, cursing mob that no weapon could be wielded to advantage,
and none of the Arabs dared use a firearm for fear of wounding one
of his compatriots.

Finally Tarzan succeeded in seizing one of the most persistent of
his attackers. With a quick wrench he disarmed the fellow, and