White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-09


merlee was knocked down. but we took
Once there we We're safe. for those
huge wings had no space for their
sweep beneath the branches. As we
nmped homeward, sadly mauled and
discounted. we saw them for a loDg
time flying at a 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 bafhed
a swollen knee. I'VE are exceptions
ally well informed. Summerlee, as to
the habits of the enraged p~terodactyl.'
Summerlee was wiping the blood
from a cut in his forehead, while | was
tying up a nasty stab in the muscle of
the neck. Lord John had the shoulder
of his coat forn away. but the crea-
lures teeth had only grazed the flesh.
ut is worth noting" Challenger con
tinued. that our young friend has re-
eeived an undoubted stab, while Lord
Johns coat could only have been torn
by a bite. In my own case, | was
beaten about the head by their wings,
so we have had a remarkable exhibit
ton of their various methods Of Of
Tense"
at has been touch and 90 for Cur
lives" said Lord John gravely. and
! 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 vas no great
! ehoicei'
I'VE should moi be here IL you
hadn't said |. with conviction.
"It 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, II you
are of my opinion, we have had thrills
I CIfVukn " jill oay Ii hoo btbt ~
back to the surgical box at the camp
for some carbolic. Who knows what
venom these beasts may ha We in their
hideous jaws?'
That night tour third In Maple White
Land 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 were
all sleeping round our dying fire when
we were aroused. or. rather. | should
say, shot out of our slumbers. by a
succession of the most frightful cries
and screams to which l have ever
listened. know no sound to which
/ could compare this amazing tumult.
which seemed 10 come from some spot
within 4 few hundred yards of our
camp. ID was as a splitting as any
whistle of a 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 It. All the woes OF tortured life. all
M stupendeus Indictment Of high
heaven. ITS innumerable sOFrows, seem
ed to be conferred and condensed into
that one dreadful. agonized cry. And
then under this high pitched. ringing
sound there was another, more inter
miftent, a low, deep chested laugh, a
growing, thrcaty gurgle Of merriment
which formed n grotesque a~ccompani-
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 1t shut
or as suddenly as ii began. For long
time we sat In Mortified silence. Then
Lord John threw n bundle of twigs
upon the fire. and their red glare Lit
up the intent faces of my companions
and 1ickered over the great boughs
above our heads.
What was ity' | whispered.
1--WE shall know I'm the morning"
said Lord John. 1t was close to us
Hot farther than the glade"
I'VE have been privileged to over
hear a prehistoric tragedy, the sort Of
drama which occurred anon 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
l had ever heard In his voice. ut was
surely well for man that he came late
I'm the order of creation. There were
powers abroad in earlier days which
no courage and ne 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 1t would be all odds on the o
ster."
II think | should back my little
friend" said Lord John. %caressing his
express. but the beast would GER
tainly have a good sporting chance"