The Delta independent., 1916-07-07


huge wings had no space for their
sweep beneath the branches. AS we
limped homeward, sadly mauled and
discounted. we saw them for long
time flying mt great height against
the deep blue sky above our heads.
soaring round and round. no bigger
than wood pigeons. with their eyes no
doubt still following our progress. At
last, however, as we reached the thick.
er woods they gave up the chase. and
we saw them no more.
"a most interesting and convincing
experience" said Challenger as we
halted beside the brook and he bathed
a swollen knee. 1--WE are exception
ally well informed. Summerlee. as to
the habits Of the enraged pterodactyl."
Summerlee was wiping the blood
from a cut IN his forehead. while was
tying up nasty stab in the muscle of
the neck. Lord John had the shoulder
of his coat torn away. but the crea-
lures teeth had only grazed the flesh
1T is worth noting" Challenger con
tinued. that our young friend has re-
ceived an undoubted stab while Lord
Johns coat could only have been torn
by bite. In my own case. l was
beaten about the head by their wings.
so we have had a remarkable exhibit
don OF their various methods of Of
fense
1T has been touch and go for our
lives said Lord John gravely. "and
l could not think Of a more rotten sort
Of death than to be outed by such
filthy vermin. l was sorry to fire my
rifle, but, by Jove. there was no great
choicev'
I'VE should not be here II you
hadn't" said l. with conviction.
1T may do no HARM" said he.
"AmcnE these woods there must be
many loud cracks from splitting or
falling trees which would be just like
the sound Of gun. But now. II you
are of my opinion. We have had thrills
enough for one day and had best get
back to the surgical box at the camp
for some carbolic. Who knows what
venom these beasts may have In their
hldeous jawsT"
That night (our third in Maple White
Landl we had an experience which
left a fearful impression upon our
minds and made us thankful that Lord
John had worked so hard In making
our retreat impregnable. We We're
all sleeping round our dying fire when
we were aroused. or, rather. | should
say. shot out OF our slumbers. by
succession of the most frightful cries
and screams to which | have ever
listened. / know no sound to which
| could compare this amazing tumult.
which seemed to come from some spot
within few hundred yards OF our
camp. It was as ear splitting ns any
whistle Of railway engine, but where
as the whistle is clear. mechanical.
sharp edged sound this was far deep
er In volume and vibrant with the ut
termost strain OF agony and horror
We clapped our hands to our ears to
shut out that nerve shaking appeal.
A cold sweat broke out over my body.
and my heart turned sick at the misery
of 1t. All the woes OF tortured life, all
its stupendous Indictment OF high
heaven, its innumerable sorrows, seem
ed to be centered and condensed into
that one dreadful. agonized cry. And
then under this high pitched, ringing
sound there was another, more inter
mittent, a low. deep chested laugh, O
growing. throaty gurgle OF merriment
which formed n grotesque accompani-
ment to the shrek with which II was
blended. For three or four minutes
on end the fearsOme duet continued.
while all the foliage rustled with the
rising of startled birds. Then II shut
on as suddenly as 1t began. For long
time we sat In Mortified silence. Then
Lord John threw bundle of twigs
upon the fire. and their red glare lit
up the intent faces OF my companions
and fickered over the great boughs
above our heads.
What was It ?" whispered.
I'VE shall know In the morning."
said Lord John. ut wns close to us
not farther than the glade"
I'VE have been privileged to over
hear prehistoric tragedy. the sort OF
drama which occurred among the
reeds upon the border Of some jurassic
lagoon. when the greater dragon pin
ned the lesser among the slime said
Challenger. with more solemnity than
I had overheard In his voice ut was
surely well for man that he came late
In the order of creation. There were
powers abroad in earlier days which
no courage and no mechanism OF his
could have met. What could his sling.
his throwing stick or his arrow avail
him against such forces as have been
loose tonight? Even with modern
rifle 1t would be all odds on the mon
ster."
81 think | should back my little
friend" said Lord John. caressing his
express. But the beast would Ger
faInly hive q good anorfinp CHANGE"