But when he would have entered the blackness of the
undergrowth they tried to dissuade him; and the wagerer was
most insistent of all that he abandon his foolhardy venture.
"I will accede that you have won," he said, "and the ten
thousand francs are yours if you will but give up this
foolish attempt, which can only end in your death."
Tarzan laughed, and in another moment the jungle had
swallowed him.
The men stood silent for some moments and then slowly
turned and walked back to the hotel veranda.
Tarzan had no sooner entered the jungle than he took to
the trees, and it was with a feeling of exultant freedom that
he swung once more through the forest branches.
This was life! Ah, how he loved it! Civilization held nothing
like this in its narrow and circumscribed sphere, hemmed
in by restrictions and conventionalities. Even clothes were a
hindrance and a nuisance.
At last he was free. He had not realized what a prisoner he
had been.
How easy it would be to circle back to the coast, and then
make toward the south and his own jungle and cabin.
Now he caught the scent of Numa, for he was traveling up
wind. Presently his quick ears detected the familiar sound of
padded feet and the brushing of a huge, fur-clad body
through the undergrowth.
Tarzan came quietly above the unsuspecting beast and silently
stalked him until he came into a little patch of moonlight.
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