, 1916-09-12

VI IL an lAt #N'tN vi nv ail
its st%upendous indictment of high
heaven, its innumerable sorrows. seem
I'd to b. centered and condensed into
that one dreadful, agonized cry. And
then under this high pitched. ringing
sound there was another, more inter
mittent, n low, deep chested laugh, a
growing, throaty gurgle of merriment
which formed n grotesque accompani-
ment to the shrek with which It vas
blended. For three or four minutes
on end the fearsome duet continued.
while all the foliage rustled with the
rising of startled birds. Then 1t shut
Off as suddenly as 1t began. For n long
time we sat In Mortified silence. Then
Lord John threw a 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 u heads.
what was it," | whispered.
I'VE shall know In the morning."
said Lord John. at was close to us
not farther than the glade
1--WE nave been privileged to over
hear a prehistoric tragedy, the sort of
drama which occurred among the
reeds upon the border Of some iurassic
lagoon. when the greater dragon pin
ned the lesser among the slime" said
Challenger, with more solemnity than
| had ever heard In his voice. at was
surely well for man that he came late
in the order of creation. There We're
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 a modern
rifle It would be all odds on the mon
ster."
81 think | should back my little
friend" said Lord John, %caresslng his
express. But the beast would GER
tainly have a good sporting chance"
Summarize raised his hand.
"Hush!" he cried. Surely l hear
something"
From the utter silence there emerged
a deep, regular pat, pat. 1t was the
tread OF some animal-the rhythm of
soft nut heavy pads placed cautiously
upon the ground. 1t stole slowly
around the camp and then halted near
gateway. There was a low, sibl-
liant rise and fall-the breathing OF the
creature. Only our feeble hedge sep
arated us from this horror Of the
night. Each of us had seized his rifle,
and Lord John had pulled out a small
bush to make an embrasure in the
hedge.
by George he whispered. "I think
| can see IT,"
] stopped and peered over his shout
der through the gap. Yes, l could see
II too. In the deep shadow of the
tree there was IA deeper shadow yet,
black, mchoate, vague-a crouching
form full OF savage vigor and menace
II was no higher than a horse, but the
dim outline suggested vast bulk and
strength. That kissing pant. as regu-
lar and full volumed as the exhaust of
an engine, spoke of n monstrous organ.
ism. Once as 1t moved l thought |
saw the CLINT Of two terrible greenlsh
eyes. There was al uneasy rustling.
as If It were crawling slowly forward.
~ believe 1t Is going to spring." said
l. cooking my rifle.
Don't fire, don't fire. whispered
Lord John. 1.-THE crash of a gun in this
silent night would be heard for miles.
Keep 1t as n last card"
"If it gets Owe the hedge we're
done" said Summerlee, and his voice
cracked into n nervous laugh as he
spoke.
mo. 1t must not get over" cried Lord
John, but hold your fire to the last.
Perhaps | can make something of the
fellow. I'll chance It. anyhow"
1t was as brave an act as ever l saw
"A man do. He stopped to the fire. pick.
FL up II blazing branch n slipped In
an instant through n sallypOrt which
he had made in our gateway. The
thing moved forward with n dreadful
snarl. Lord John never hesitated: but.
running toward 1t with n quick, light
step, he dashed the flaming wood Into
the brute's face. For one moment |
had II vision of II horrible mask like n
giant toad's. Of a warty. leprous skin
and Of Il loose mouth all beslabbered
with fresh blood, The next, there was
a crash in the underwood and IL
dreadful visitor was gone.
Il thought he wouldn't face the fire"
said Lord John, laughing, as he came
back and threw his branch among the
fagots.
You should not have taken such a
risk!' we all cried.
'"rhere was nothing else to be done
II he had got among us we should have
shot each other in trying to down him.
On the other hand, If We had fired
through the hedge and wounded him
he would soon have been on the top Of
uB, to say nothing Of giving ourselves