Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-09

II 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. I was
beaten about the head by their wings,
so we have had a remarkable exhibit
ton of their various methods of Of
Tense"
1T has been touch and go for our
lives said Lord John gravely, and
I could not think Of a more rotten sort
of death than to be outed by such
filthy vermin. was sorry to fire my
rife, but, by Jove, there was no great
chotce!'
I'VE should not be here If you
hadn't" said I, with conviction.
1T may do no harm" said. he.
Among these woods there must be
many loud cracks from splitting or
falling trees which would be Just like
the sound OF a gun. But now, If 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
hideous 1aws?"
That night (our third In Maple White
Land we had an experience which
left a fearful impression upon cur
minds and made Us thankful that Lord
John had worked so hard in making
our retreat impregnable. We were
all sleeping round our dying fire when
we were aroused, or, rather, 7 should
succession of the most frtghtful cries
and screams to which I have ever
listened. I know no sound to which
1 could compare this amazing tumult,
which seemed 10 come from some spot
within a few hundred yards of our
camp. 1t was as ear splitting as any
whistle of railway engine. but where
as the whistle is a 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 innumerabfa sorrows, seem
ed to he 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, a
growing. thToaty gurgIe OF merriment
which formed q grotesque accompani-
ment to the Shrek with which it 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 it shut
of Is suddenly as it began. For a 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.
we shall know in the morning"
said Lord John. 1T was close 10 US
not farther than the glade"
I'VE have been privileged to over
hear a prehistoric tragedy. the sort Of
CTama which occurred among the
reeds upon the border Of some jurassic
lagoon, when the greater dragon pin
DE4 Ei1e ltSStI dLIOIAE inc S44AACs SeiAA
Challenger, with more solemnity than
1 had ever heard in his voice. 'It 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 Il modern
rife II would be all odds on the mon
ster."
"I think I should back my little
friend" said Lord John. caressing his
express. But the beast would GER
tainlv have a good sporting chance
Summarize raised his hand
Hush" he cried. surely I hear
something"
From the utter silence there emerged
a deep, regular pat. pat. 1t was the
tread OF some animal-the rhythm OF
soft but heavy pads placed cautiously
upon the ground II stole slowly
around the camp and then halted near
our gateway. There was a low, sibi-
liant rise and fali-the breathing Of the
creature. Ou1N Jul AGCb-| ALtNSS ~
arated US from this horror OF the
night. Each Of us had seized his rife,
and Lord John had pulled out small
bush to make an embrasure in the
hedge.
BY George he whispered. II think
can see IT.
I stopped and peered over his shout
der through the gap. Yes. I could see
II too. In the deep shadow OF the
tree there was q deeper shadow yet,
black. inchoate. vague-a crouching
form full OF savage vigor and menace
II was no higher than horse but the
dim outline suggested vast bulk ana
strength. That kissing pant. as regu-
lar and full vo.umed as the exhaust or
an engine. spoke of a nlonstrous organ
ism. once as IL moved ! thought /
saw the CLINT Of two terrible greenish
ewes. There was an uneasy rustIlns'