"Well, take Phorsie out there, my friend, and you'll see a king crowned."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I don't intend taking him out of here until I have some assurance that his promises will be carried out." He turned to Phoros. "What can you suggest? Will the guard obey you?"
"I don't know. They're afraid of her. Everybody's afraid of her, and Dyaus knows they have reason."
"We seem to be getting nowhere with great facility," commented Wood.
Tarzan crossed to Phoros and removed his bonds. "Come to the door," he directed, "and explain my proposition to your wife."
Phoros approached the door. "Listen, dear," he said ingratiatingly.
"Listen nothing, you beast, you murderer," she screamed back at him. "Just let me get my hands on you-that's all I ask."
"But darling, I was drunk. I didn't mean to do it. Listen to reason. Let me take these people out of the country with an escort of warriors and they won't kill me."
"Don't 'darling' me, you, you-"
"But, my own little Menofra, listen to reason. Send for Kandos, and let us all talk it over."
"Go in there, you cowards, and drag them out," Menofra shouted to the guardsmen.
"Stay out there!" screamed Phoros. "I am king. Those are the king's commands."
"I'm queen," yelled Menofra. "I tell you to go in and rescue the king."
"I'm all right," shouted Phoros. "I don't want to be rescued."
"I think," said the officer of the guard, "that the best thing to do is summon Kandos. This is no matter for a simple officer of the guard to decide."
"That's right," encouraged the king; "send for Kandos"
They heard the officer dispatch a warrior to summon Kandos, and they heard the queen grumbling and scolding and threatening.
Wood stepped to the door. "Menofra!" he called. "I have an idea that perhaps you hadn't thought of. Let Phoros accompany us to the border; then when he comes back you'll have him. That will save a lot of trouble for all concerned."
Phoros looked troubled. He hadn't thought of that either. Menofra did not answer immediately; then she said, "He might trick me in some way."
"How can he trick you?" demanded Wood.
"I don't know, but he'd find a way. He has been tricking people all his life."
"He couldn't. You'd have the army. What could he do?"
"Well, perhaps it's worth thinking about," admitted the queen; "but I don't know that I could wait. I'd like to get my hands on him right now. Did you see what he did to me?"
"Yes. It was terrible," sympathized Wood.
It was not long before the warrior returned with Kandos. Menofra greeted him with a volley of vituperation as soon as he came in sight, and it was some time before he could quiet her and get the story. Then he led her away where none could overhear, and they whispered together for sometime. When they had finished, Kandos approached the door.
"It is all arranged," he announced. "The queen has given her permission. The party will start shortly after sunrise. It is still dark, and the trail is not safe by night. Just as soon as you and the escort have had your breakfasts you may go in peace. Have we your promise that you will not harm the king."
"You have," said Tarzan.
"Very well," said Kandos. "I am going now to arrange for the escort."
"And don't forget our breakfasts!" called Wood.
"I most certainly will not," promised Kandos.
Chapter 23. Sentenced
STANLEY WOOD WAS in high spirits. "It commences to look as though our troubles were about over," he said. He laid a hand on Gonfala's tenderly. "You've been through a lot, but I can promise you that when we get to civilization you'll be able to understand for the first time in your life what perfect peace and security mean."
"Yes," said Tarzan, "the perfect peace and security of automobile accidents, railroad wrecks, aeroplane crashes, robbers, kidnapers, war, and pestilence."
Wood laughed. "But no lions, leopards, buffaloes, wild elephants, snakes, nor tsetse flies, not to mention shiftas and cannibals."
"I think," said Gonfala, "that neither one of you paints a very pretty picture. You make one almost afraid of life. But after all it is not so much peace and security that I want as freedom. You know, all my life I have been a prisoner except for the few short weeks after you took me away from the Kaji and before Spike and Troll got me. Perhaps you can imagine then how much I want freedom, no matter how many dangers I have to take along with it. It seems the most wonderful thing in the world."
"It is," said Tarzan.
"Well, love has its points, too," suggested Wood.
"Yes," agreed Gonfala, "but not without freedom."
"You're going to have them both," Wood promised.
"With limitations, you'll find, Gonfala," warned Tarzan with a smile.
"Just now I'm interested in food," said Gonfala.
"And I think it's coming." Wood nodded toward the door. Some one was fumbling with the key. Presently the door opened far enough to permit two pots to be shoved inside the room; then it was closed with a bang.
"They are taking no chances," commented Wood as he crossed the room and carried the two vessels back to his companions. One contained a thick stew; the other, water.
"What, no hardware?" inquired Wood.
"Hardware? What is that?" asked Gonfala; "something to eat?"
"Something to eat with-forks, spoons. No forks, no spoons, no Emily Post-how embarrassing!"
"Here," said Tarzan, and handed his hunting knife to Gonfala. They took turns spearing morsels of meat with it and drinking the juice and the water directly from the pots, sharing the food with Phoros.
"Not half bad," commented Wood. "What is it, Phoros?"
"Young wether. There is nothing tastier. I am surprised that Menofra did not send us old elephant hide to chew on. Perhaps she is relenting." Then he shook his head. "No, Menofra never relents-at least not where I am concerned. That woman is so ornery she thinks indigestion is an indulgence."
"My!" said Gonfala, drowsily. "I am so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open."
"Same here," said Wood.
Phoros looked at the others and yawned. Tarzan stood up and shook himself.
"You, too?" asked Photos.
The ape-man nodded. Phoros' lids drooped. "The old she-devil," he muttered. "We've all been drugged-maybe poisoned."
Tarzan watched his companions fall into a stupor one by one. He tried to fight off the effects of the drug. He wondered if any of them would awaken again; then he sagged to one knee and rolled over on the floor, unconscious.
* * *
The room was decorated with barbaric splendor. Mounted heads of animals and men adorned the walls. There were crude murals done in colors that had faded into softness, refined by age. Skins of animals and rugs of wool covered the floor, the benches, and a couch on which Menofra lay, her body raised on one elbow, her bandaged head supported by one huge palm. Four warriors stood by the only door; at Menofra's feet lay Gonfala and Wood, still unconscious; at her side stood Kandos; at the foot of the couch, bound and unconscious, lay Phoros.
"You sent the wild-man to the slave pen as I directed?" asked Menofra.
Kandos nodded. "Yes, queen; and because he seemed so strong I had him chained to a stanchion."
"That is well," said Menofra. "Even a fool does the right thing occasionally."
"Thank you, queen," said Kandos.
"Don't thank me; you make me sick. You are a liar and a cheat and a traitor. Phoros befriended you, yet you turned against him. How much more quickly would you turn against me who has never befriended you and whom you hate! But you won't, because you are a coward; and don't even think of it. If I ever get the idea for a moment that you might be thinking of turning against me I'll have your head hanging on this wall in no time. The man is coming to."