Runningalongbendinglimbs，swingingfromonetreetoanother，theape-manracedthroughthemiddleterracestowardthesoundswhichnowhadriseninvolumetodeafeningproportions。FromalldirectionstheapesofKerchakwerehurryinginresponsetotheappealinthetonesofthebaluanditsmother，andastheycame，theirroarsreverberatedthroughtheforest。
ButTarzan，swifterthanhisheavyfellows，distancedthemall。
Itwashewhowasfirstuponthescene。Whathesawsentacoldchillthroughhisgiantframe，fortheenemywasthemosthatedandloathedofallthejunglecreatures。
TwinedinagreattreewasHistah，thesnake——huge，ponderous，slimy——andinthefoldsofitsdeadlyembracewasTeeka’slittlebalu，Gazan。NothinginthejungleinspiredwithinthebreastofTarzansonearasemblancetofearasdidthehideousHistah。Theapes，too，loathedtheterrifyingreptileandfearedhimevenmorethantheydidSheeta，thepanther，orNuma，thelion。OfalltheirenemiestherewasnonetheygaveawiderberththantheygaveHistah，thesnake。
TarzanknewthatTeekawaspeculiarlyfearfulofthissilent，repulsivefoe，andasthescenebrokeuponhisvision，itwastheactionofTeekawhichfilledhimwiththegreatestwonder，foratthemomentthathesawher，theshe-apeleapedupontheglisteningbodyofthesnake，andasthemightyfoldsencircledheraswellasheroffspring，shemadenoefforttoescape，butinsteadgraspedthewrithingbodyinafutileefforttotearitfromherscreamingbalu。