, 1916-11-16

ne6r me then, for some instinct OF
fear, or II may have been some faint
rustic of leaves, made me glance up
ward. Out of the thick green foliage
which hung low over my head I'VE
long, muscular arms covered with red
dish hair were slowly descending. An
other instant and the great, stealthy
hands would have been round my
throat | spTang backward; but, quick
as | was. those hands were quicker
still. Through my sudden spring they
missed Il fatal grip, but one of them
caught the back Of my neck and the
other one my face. L threw my hands
up to protect my throat, and the next
mOment the huge paw had slid down
my face and closed over them. l was
lifted from the ground, and l felt an
intOlerable pressure forcing my head
back and back until the strain upon
the cervical spine was more than 1
could bear. My senses swan, but l
still tore at the hand and forced it
out from my chin. Looking up 1 saw
a frightful face with cold, memorable
light blue Dyes looking down into mine.
There was something hypnotic in those
terrible ewes. | could struggle no
longer. As the creature felt me grow
limp In his grasp two white CANNES
cleaned for n momen at each side OF
the vile mouth, and the grip frightened
still more upon my chin. forcing it al
ways upward and back. A thin, oval
tinted mist formed before my eyes and
little silvcry bells tinkled in my ears.
null .vL7 r,v.nr 7 I,,r,1 tH- a.,~I- "a
n rifle and was feebly aware of the
shock as ] was dropped TO the earth,
where l lay without sense or motion.
l awoke to find myself on my back
upon the grass In our lair within the
thicket. Some one had brought the
water from the brook, and Lord John
was s%prinliling my head with it. while
Challenger and Summerlee were prop
ping me up. with concern in their
faces. For n moment ! had a glimpse
Of the human spirits behind their scien-
fife masks. 1t was really shock rath-
er than any injury which had pros
trated me. and In half an hour, in spite
of achina head md stiff neck. l was
sitting up and ready for anything.
But you've had the escape of your
life, young fellah my lad said Lord
ROXtOn. when l heard you cry and
ran forward and saw your head twist
ed half of and your stohwassers kick
in in the mir | thought we were one
short. l missed the beast in my furry,
but he dropped you all right and was
Off like a s'reuk BY George! l wish
l had fifty men with rifles. I'd clear
out the whole Internal gang of them
and leave this country a bit cleaner
than we found it."
1t was clear now that the ape man
had in some way marked us down and
that we were watched on every side.
We had not SO much to fear from them
during the day, but they would be very
likely 10 rush us by night. SO the soon
er we got away from their %neiGhbor-
hoo the better. On three sides Of US
was absolute forest, and there we
might find ourselves i'll an ambush.
But on the fourth side-that which
sloped down in the direction OF the
lakc-there was only low scrub. with
scattered trees and occasional open
glades. II was. in fact. the route
which ! had myself taken in my soil
tary journey, and it led us straight for
the Indian caves. This, then, must
for every reason be our road.
1t IA in the early afternoon that VT
started upon our journey. One Indian.
a chief, walked at our head as guide.
but refused Indignantly to carry any
burden. Behind him came the two
surviving Indians with our scauty pos
sessions upon their backs. We four
white men walled in the rear with ii
tles loaded and ready. As we started
there broke from the thick silent woods
behind u Il sudden great ululatlon of
the ape men, which may have been a
cheer of triumph at our departure or II
Jeer of contempt at our flight. Look
ing back we saw only the dense screen
Of trees, but that long drawn yell told
Ills how many Of our enemies lurked
among them. We saw no sign of pur-
suit, however, and soon we had got
into more open country and beyond
their power.
In the late afternoon we reached the
margin of the lake, and as We emery
ed from the bush aud saw the sheet
Of water stretching before US our ns-
tive friends set up a shrill cry of joy
and pointed eagerly in front Of them.
1t was indeed Il wonderful sight which
lay before us. Sweeping over the
grassy surface was Il great hotiilla OF
canoes coming straight for the shore
upon which we stood. They were some
miles u when we first saw them.
but they shot forward with great
swtftness and were soon so near that
the rowers could distinguish u Der
sons. Instantly u t]hunderOus shout OF