, 1916-09-12

~
tips OF the wings Of those nearest to us
nearly touched ouT faces. We beat at
them with the stocks of our guns, but
there was nothing solid Oh vulnerable
to strike. Then suddenly ~ut of the
whizzlng, slate colored circle n long
neck shot ont and a fierce beak mnde
IA thrust at us. Another and another
followed. Summerlee gave a cry and
put his hand to his face, from which
the blood was streaming. l felt II prod
at the back of my neck and turned dk-
zy with the shock. Challenger fell,
and as stopped TO pick him NJ | was
again struck from behind and dropped
on the top of him. At the same instant
i heard the crash Of Lord Johns ele-
phant gun and, looking up. saw II of
In creatures with Il broker wing strug.
CLING upon the ground, splitting and
gurgling at us with a wide opened beak
and bloodshot, goggled eyes, like some
devil in II medieval picture. Its com
rades had flown higher at the sudden
sound and were circling above us.
Nov" cried Lord John. NOW for
our livesr'
We staggered through the brush
wood II even as we reached the trees
the harpies were on IA Again. Sum
merlee was knocked down. but We took
him up and rushed among the trunks.
Once there we were safe, for those
huge wings had no space for their
sweep beneath the branches. As we
limped homeward. sadly mauled and
discounted, we saw them for IA long
time flying Mt n r1gft height against
the deep blue skA above our heads
soaring round and round, no bigger
than wood pigeons. with heir eyes no
doubt still following our progress. At
last, however. ms we reached the thick
er woods they gaNs up the chase. and
we saw theV2 20 nore.
"A msSt Interesting and convincing
experioSce,' said Challenger as we
halted beside the brook and he bathed
a swollen knee. 1--WE are exception.
ally well informed. Summcrlee. as to
the hahbsE Of the enraged pterodnctyl,'
SumtAsrSo was wipAUE the blood
from a ed I'm bis forehead. while | wa
tying up II nasty stab In the muscle of
the neck Lord John had the shoulder
of his cont torn away. but the crea
lures teeth had only graEed the flesh.
at is worth noting" Challenger CON
tnued, that our young friend has re
celved M %unduubted stab. while Lord
Johns coa could Only have beem torn
by II bite. In my " case. was
beaten about the head by their wings.
so we have had a remarkable exhibit
ttOn of their various methods of of
Tense"
at 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 vermLu. | was sorry to fire my
rifle, but, By Jove, there was no great
choiceI'
1--WE should not be here If you
hadn't" said |, with conviction.
ut may do no harm" sald he.
"Among these woods there must be
many loud cracks from splitting or
falling trees which would he Just like
the sound of n 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 cnrbolir. Who knows what
venom these beasts may have In their
hideous jawsf"
That night Cour third In Maple White
Land we had an experience which
left n fearful Impression upon our
minds and made US thankful that Lord
John had worked so hard in making
our retreat impregnable. We were
all sleeping round u dying fire when
we were aroused, or, rather. | should
say, shot out OF our slumbrrs, by Il
succession Of the most frlghtful cries
and screams to which | have ever
listened. ] know no sound to which
i could compare this amazing tumult,
which seemed to come from some spot
within II few hundred yards OF our
camp. II was as ear splitting as any
whistle Of IA railway engine, but where.
as the whistle IL n clear, mechanical.
sharp edged sound this was far deep
er In volume aud vibrant with the ut
termost strain of agony and horror