New-York tribune., 1905-02-19
SUNDAY MAGAZINE for FEBRUARY 1905
IT TIT +, LYNN G ID L A Il Ill
(CorhuueR RhomPa

functional disorder?
Absolutely none, sir" replied the
physician promptly. " should estimate
your temperament to be an unusually
calm and rational one"
Then shall proceed" said Professor
Ravenden, and turning to his manuscript
he read:
Report on certain events noted by Willis
Ravenden, F. r. S., ScD., at Montauk
Point, Long Island, the evening OF
September IS, 1902.
On the evening named had set forth from
Third House with the purpose of seeking
specimen of the catOcala, a moth which pre-
viously had noted in that locality. Besides
my capturing net, can of mOlasses and rum
for an insect lure. and the poison jar, carried,
in pursuance of general agreement, thirty
two-caber revolver Passing around the
south end of the lake, selected for my opera
tions a patch of Qnercns iHcifoLtd several
hundred feet beyond the western shore and
perhaps a mile distant from my point OF
departure, and smeared the leaves with the
adhesive mixture. Some success was re-
warding my efforts, among other captives being
fine specimens of the ChstOcdntPd pa regdfS and
the Dryoca,n pa i'm periaIis when cloud-bank
obscured the moon, and the wind which had
been blowing lightly from the north became
capricious and gusty. Conditions such as
these are unfavorable to the pursuit of the
nocturnal Lepid0 bterq. Moreover, the dark
ness was becoming very dense. Hastily clos
ing and packing my net, | set out for home.
As nearly as | can estimate it then was about
ten o'clock p. NJ.
Owing to the darkness and the irregularity
of the ground my progress was difficult When
almost had reached, as | estimated the shore
1 1 I'll q
my feet, a strange sound which appeared to
come from above and a trifle to the northwest
of me attracted my attention. 1t suggested
the presence of some winged creature, although
it resembled rather a cracking than beating
or Tapping of piniOns. 1t seemed to differ
from the strange Creaking which | once before,
on the evening of September TO- had noted,
when riding homeward from Montauk Light
house, and which | at once recalled. Some
what alarmed | drew my revolver and cooked
it. At this moment the wind, which had been
dead from the north, veered in a sharp gust to
the northwest. A rushing noise from the
blackness above seemed to be drawing near
me at high speed, and as | braced myself for
some assault object which believe to have
been very large struck the ground with great
violence a few rods as | judged, to the west
of me and came bounding over the earth in
my direction. At the same time | discerned
a family perceptible oily odor.
For a moment | was paralyzed with alarm.
make no concealment or palliation of the
emotion. AS it seemed without volition, |
then eaped backward, and ran toward the
end of the lake. Thus | avoided the ad-
vancing object, but only to run into further
danger (if danger there was) for | heard an
other cracking noise of passage, and this
time dmly saw IN the void above great body
pass swiftly above my head. OF the dimen-
sons or shape of this phenomenon | can give
no accurate description, but it seemed larger
and of more solid bulk than any bird known
to me as inhabiting this locality, and its move
ment suggested rather skimming progress.
borne by the wind, than measured flight.
Throwing myself upon the ground to avoid it's
notice remained until heavy splash told of
its having reached the lake. Then | rose and
With my first exhaustion of breath came
reason. / turned and while one hardly can
answer for his own performances, | intended
to return and investigate, for shame burned
hot within me. Indeed i already had re-
traced my steps for perhaps hundred feet
when there burst upon me a rain-squall
furious that lost my way completely and was
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