By constant playing and experimenting with these he learned
to tie rude knots, and make sliding nooses; and with these he
and the younger apes amused themselves. What Tarzan did they
tried to do also, but he alone originated and became proficient.
One day while playing thus Tarzan had thrown his rope at
one of his fleeing companions, retaining the other end in his
grasp. By accident the noose fell squarely about the running
ape's neck, bringing him to a sudden and surprising halt.
Ah, here was a new game, a fine game, thought Tarzan, and
immediately he attempted to repeat the trick. And thus, by
painstaking and continued practice, he learned the art of roping.
Now, indeed, was the life of Tublat a living nightmare. In
sleep, upon the march, night or day, he never knew when
that quiet noose would slip about his neck and nearly choke
the life out of him.
Kala punished, Tublat swore dire vengeance, and old Kerchak
took notice and warned and threatened; but all to no avail.
Tarzan defied them all, and the thin, strong noose continued
to settle about Tublat's neck whenever he least expected it.
The other apes derived unlimited amusement from Tublat's
discomfiture, for Broken Nose was a disagreeable old fellow,
whom no one liked, anyway.
In Tarzan's clever little mind many thoughts revolved, and
back of these was his divine power of reason.
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