The Glasgow courier., 1915-08-27
And SO he did.

vegetation and was ascending q gentle
rise that terminated In low volcanic
GINS when there came down upon the
oreeze to his alert nostrils the strong
scent Of %. There was little or no
cover now. other than the rank jungle
grass that Overgrew the slope and an
occasional lofty fern. rearing its tuft
cd pinnacle hundred feet above the
ground. but M was in no way desir.
Gus OF cover. Cover that would pro
tect him from the view Of 90 would
hide 90 from him.
lie was not afraid that the saber
toothed tiger would run away from
hlm-that was not Oo's way. but he
did not Wish to come unexpectedly
upon the animal in the thick grass
He had approached to within hun
dred yards Of the cliffs now, and the
scent Of 90 had become as a stencil
IN the sensitive n0strils Of the cave
man. Just ahead be could see the
openings to several caves in the face
OF the rocky barrier. and in one Of
these be knew must lie the lair OF his
quarry.
Fifty yards from the clin the grasses
ceased except for scattered tufts that
had found foothold among the broken
rocks that strewed the ground. and as
M emerged into this clear space he
oreathed a sigh Of relief, for during.
the past fifty yards considerable Dor.
ton OF the way had been through a
matted jungle that rose above his
head. To have met 90 there would
nave meant almost certain death.
Now. as be bent his eyes toward the
nearby cave mouths be discovered
one before which was strewn such an
array Of gigantic bones that he need.
ed no other evidence US to the identity
of its occupant Here indeed laired
no lesser creature than the awesoIhe
20. the gigantic. saber toothed tiger Of
antiquity.
Even as NJ looked there came a low
and ominous growl from the dark
mouth Of the foul cavern, and then in
the blackness beyond the entrance M
saw two naming blotches Of yellow
glaring out upon him.
A moment later the mighty beast It,
self sauntered majestically into the
sunlight. There it stood. lashing its
long tail from side to side, glaring
with unblinking eyes straight at the
rash man thing who dared venture
thus near its abode of death.
The huge body. fully as large as that
of full grown bull, was beautifully
marked with black stripes upon a
vivid yellow ground. while the belly
and breast were of the purest white.
AS NJ advanced the great upper lip
curled back, revealing in all their ter
rible ferocity the. eighteen inch curved
fangs that armed either side of the up.
per jaw. and from the cavernous throat
came a fearsome scream of rage that
brought frightened silence upon the
jungle for miles round.
The hunter loosened the stone knife
at his waist and transferred it to his
mouth. where he held 1t firmly. ready
for instant use. between his strong.
white teeth. In his left hand be car.
ried his stone tipped spear and in his
right the heavy stone Ratchet that was
so effective both at a distance and at
close range.
90 was creeping upon him now. The
grinning Jaws dripped saliva. The
yellow-green eyes cleaned bloodthirst.
lily. Could it be possible that this
fragile pygmy dreamed of meeting in
hand to hand combat the terror Of a
world. the scourge Of the jungle. the
hunter of men and Of mammoths?
"For Nat-ul." murmured M, for 90
was about to spring.
AS the mighty hurtling mass Of bone
and muscle. claws and fangs shot
through the air the man swung his
tiny stone Ratchet with all the power
behind his giant muscles. timing it's
release SO nicely that It caught 90 in
midleap squarely between the eyes
with the terrific force of a powder
sped projectile.
Then Nu. catlike as 90 himself. leap.
ed agilely to one side as the huge
bulk of the beast dashed. sprawling. to
the ground at the spot where the man
had stood.
Scarce had the beast struck the
earth than the cave man. knowing that
his puny weapon could at best but mo.
mentartly stun the monster. drove his
heavy spear deep into the glossy side
just behind the giant shoulder.
Already 90 regained his feet, roar.
ing and screaming in pain and rage.
The air vibrated and the earth trem.
bled to his hideous shrieks.
For miles around the savage deni-
zens Of the savage jungle bristled in
terror. sinking further into the depths
Of their dank and gloomy haunts. cast.
Ing afrighted glances rearward IN the
direction OF that awesome sound
With gaping jaws and widespread
talons the tiger lunged toward its rash
tormentor. who stood gripping the haft
of his primitive weapon. AS the beast
turned the spear turned also. and M
was whipped about as q leaf at the
extremity Of a gale tossed branch.
Striking and cavortin0 futilolv thu