"But I thought the members of The Lost Tribe were supposed to be the spirits of the dead," said Tarzan. "That we do not know," replied Lukedi. "Some think one way, some another; but you know, for you are one of them." "I am not one of them," said Tarzan. "I come from a country farther south, but I have heard of the Bagegos and I have heard of The Lost Tribe." "I do not believe you," said Lukedi. "I speak the truth," said Tarzan. Lukedi scratched his head. "Perhaps you do," he said. "You do not wear clothes like the members of The Lost Tribe, and the weapons that we found with you are different." "You have seen members of The Lost Tribe?" asked Tarzan. "Many times," replied Lukedi. "Once a year they come out of the bowels of the Wiramwazi and trade with us. They bring dried fish, snails, and iron and take in exchange salt, goats, and cows." "If they come and trade with you peacefully, why do you make me a prisoner if you think I am one of them?" demanded Tarzan. "Since the beginning we have been at war with the members of The Lost Tribe," replied Lukedi. "It is true that once a year we trade with them, but they are always our enemies." "Why is that?" demanded the ape-man. "Because at other times we cannot tell when they will come with many warriors and capture men, women, and children whom they take away with them into the Wiramwazi. None ever returns. We do not know what becomes of them. Perhaps they are eaten." "What will your chief, Nyuto, do with me?" asked Tarzan. "I do not know," said Lukedi. "They are discussing the question now. They all wish to put you to death, but there are some who believe that this would arouse the anger of the ghosts of all the dead Bagegos." "Why should the ghosts of your dead wish to protect me?" demanded Tarzan. "There are many who think that you members of The Lost Tribe are the ghosts of our dead," replied Lukedi. "What do you think, Lukedi?" asked the ape-man. "When I look at you I think that you are a man of flesh and blood the same as I, and so I think that perhaps you are telling me the truth when you say that you are not a member of The Lost Tribe, because I am sure that they are all ghosts." "But when they come to trade with you and when they come to fight with you, can you not tell whether they are flesh and blood or not?" "They are very powerful," said Lukedi. "They might come in the form of men in the flesh or they might come as snakes or lions. That is why we are not sure." "And what do you think the council will decide to do with me?" asked Tarzan. "I think that there is no doubt but that they will burn you alive, for thus both you and your spirit will be destroyed so that it cannot come back to haunt and annoy us." "Have you seen or heard of another white man recently?" asked Tarzan.