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It was an unhappy Korak 
who wandered aimlessly through the jungle 
the day following his inhospitable reception 
by the great apes.

As the leopard leaped for the great ape 
Meriem gasped in surprise and horror - 
not for the impending fate of the anthroid, 
but at the act of the youth 
who but an instant before 
had angrily struck his strange companion; 
for scarce had the carnivore burst into view
than with drawn knife the youth had leaped 
far out above him, so that as 
Sheeta was almost in the act of sinking fangs 
and talons in Akut's broad back 
the Killer landed full upon the leopard's shoulders.

Korak, 
returning from the hunt, 
heard the jabbering of 
the excited monkeys.

Two tall, 
bearded white men
moved cautiously 
through the jungle 
from their camp 
beside a great river.

Meriem, 
again bound 
and under heavy guard
in Kovudoo's own hut, 
saw the night pass
and the new day come 
without bringing
the momentarily looked for 
return of Korak.

With wide eyes fixed upon him,
like a trapped creature 
horrified beneath the mesmeric gaze 
of a great serpent, 
the girl watched 
the approach of the man.

And out in the jungle, 
far away, 
Korak, 
covered with wounds, 
stiff with clotted blood, 
burning with 
rage and sorrow, 
swung back upon 
the trail of 
the great baboons.

To Meriem,
in her new home,
the days passed quickly.

Meriem returned slowly 
toward the tree
in which she had 
left her skirt, 
her shoes and her stockings.

Meriem and Bwana 
were sitting on 
the verandah together 
the following day 
when a horseman appeared 
in the distance 
riding across the plain 
toward the bungalow.

Behind them 
Korak emerged 
from the jungle 
and recovered his spear 
from Numa's side.

Volume 0488

BILL HILLMAN
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