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Rh to put all his communications into questions that could be answered by yes or no, the deception would be easily maintained; but under circum­stances that made this impossible some embarrass­ments might be expected to arise, and he won­dered how the resourceful Trohanadalmakusian would handle these.

"Tell him," said one of the warriors to Komo­doflorensal, "that his master, Zoanthrohago, has sent for him, and ask him if he fully understands that he is a slave and that upon his good behavior depends his comfort; yes, even his life, for Zoan­throhago has the power of life and death over him; as much so as have the royal family. If he comes docilely to his master and is obedient he will not fare ill, but if he be lazy, impudent, or threatening he may expect to taste the point of a freeman’s sword."

Komodoflorensal strung out, this time, a much longer series of senseless syllables, until he could scarce compose his features to comport with the seriousness of his mien.

"Tell them," said Tarzan, in English, which, of course, not one of them understood, "that at the first opportunity I shall break the neck of my master; that it would require but little incentive to cause me to seize one of these timbers and crack the skull of Kalfastoban and the rest of the war­riors about us; and I shall run away at the first opportunity and take you and Talaskar with me."