en warriors, they would
have no difficulty in following them home. Once at the bungalow,
Werper knew the way to the camp of Achmet Zek. There was still another
reason why he did not wish to interfere with the Waziri--they were
bearing the great burden of treasure in the direction he wished it
borne. The farther they took it, the less the distance that he and
Achmet Zek would have to transport it.

He argued with the ape-man therefore, against the latter's desire to
exterminate the blacks, and at last he prevailed upon Tarzan to follow
them in peace, saying that he was sure they would lead them out of the
forest into a rich country, teeming with game.

It was many marches from Opar to the Waziri country; but at last came
the hour when Tarzan and the Belgian, following the trail of the
warriors, topped the last rise, and saw before them the broad Waziri
plain, the winding river, and the distant forests to the north and west.

A mile or more ahead of them, the line of warriors was creeping like a
giant caterpillar through the tall grasses of the plain. Beyond,
grazing herds of zebra, hartebeest, and topi dotted the level
landscape, while closer to the river a bull buffalo, his head and
shoulders protruding from the reeds watched the advancing blacks for a
moment, only to turn at last and disappear into the safety of his dank
and gloomy retreat.

Tarzan looked out across the familiar vista with no faintest gleam of
recognition in his eyes. He saw the game animals, and his mouth
watered; but he did not look in the direction of his bungalow. Werper,
however, did. A puzzled expression entered the Belgian's eyes. He
shaded them with his palms and gazed long and earnestly toward the spot
where the bungalow had stood. He could not credit the testimony of his
eyes--there was no bungalow--no barns--no out-houses. The corrals, the
hay stacks--all were gone. What could it mean?

And then, slowly there filtered into Werper's consciousness an
explanation of the havoc that had been wrought in that peaceful valley
since last his eyes had rested upon it--Achmet Zek had been there!

Basuli and his warriors had noted the devastation the moment they had
come in sight of the farm. Now they hastened on toward it talking
excitedly among themselves in animated speculation upon the cause and
meaning of the catastrophe.

When, at last they crossed the trampled garden and stood before the
charred ruins of their master's bungalow