The St. Charles herald., 1921-04-02

The thing, which more nearly re-
sembled our earthly men than 1t did
the Martians had seen, held me
pinioned to the ground with one huge
foot, while 1t jabbered and gesticu-
lated at, some answering creature be-
hind me. This other, which was evi-
IDENTIFY its mate, soon came toward US.
bearing q mighty stone cudgel with
which 1t evidently intended to brain
me.
\ The creatures were about ten or
fifteen feet tall. standing erect, and
had. like the green Martiaps, an inter-
mediary set Of arms or legs. midway
between their upper and lower limbs
Their eyes were close together and
non-protruding their ears were high
set. but more Iaterally located than
those of the Martians, while their
snouts and teeth Were strikingly like
those of our African gorilla.
The cudgel was swinging in the arc
which ended upon my upturned face
when bolt of myriad-legged horror,
hurled itself through the doorway full
upon the breast of my executioner.
With a shrek of fear the ape which
held me leaped through the open win
dow, but its mate closed in terrific
death struggle with my preserver,
which was nothing less than my faith
full watch-fhing; cannot bring myself
to call so hideous creature dog.
AS quickly as possible gained my
| feet and backing against the wall
| witnessed such battle as it is vOuch-
safed few beings to see. My beast
| had an advantage in his first hold.
| having sunk his mighty fangs far into
the breast of his adversary; but the
great arms and paws of the ape. back
ed by muscles far transcending those
| of the Martian men I had seen, had
/ locked the throat of my guardian and
slowly were choking out his life. and
bending back his head and neck upon
his body, where | momentariiy ex-
/ pected the former to fall limp at the
| end of broken neck.
Back and forth upon the floor they
| rolled, neither one emitting sound
Of fear or pain. Presently saw the
great eyes of my beast bulging COM
plete!y from their sockets and blood
| flowing from its nostrils. That he
was weakening perceptibly was evil
| dent. but so also was the ape. whose
struggles were growing momentarily
less.
/ Suddenly came to myself and, with
Il Al.A ~<.c~c~. s,.c%;v,o% xrhioh cooy,,c oyor
to prompt me to mysduty. ] seized the
| cudgel, which had fallen to the floor
/ at the commencement of the battle,
and swinging 1t with all the power OF
| my earthly arms crashed 1t full upon
the head OF the ape. crushing his skull
as though it had been an egg she'll.
Scarcely had the blow descended
when was confronted with new
| danger. The apes mate, recovered
| from its first shock Of terror. had re.
turned TO the scene Of the encounter
by way Of the interior of the building.
was standing near the window
and knew that once in the street
might gain the plaza and safety
4 before the creature c0illd overtake me
at least there was chance for safety
IN flight, against almost certain death
| should remain and fight, however
desperately.
/ had turned to make for the WIN
dow. but my eyes alighting on the form
Of my erstwhile guardian threw all
thoughts OF flight to the four winds
He lay gasping upon the floor OF the
! chamber his great eyes fastened upon
me In what seemed pitiful appeal
for protection. could not withstand
thar look. nor could l. on second
thought. have deserted my rescueT
without giving as good an account 10
his behalf as he had In mine.
without more ado. therefore.
turned to meet the charge Of the In
furiated bull ape He was now toe
close upon me for the cudgel to prove
Of any effective assistance, so mere
~ threw II as heavily as could al
his advancing bulk. It struck hin
just below the knees. eliciting q how
OF pain and rage. and so throwing hin
on his balance that he Iunged full up
on me with arms wide stretched t.
ease his fail.
/ Again. as on the preceding day,
had recourse to earthly tactics. ant
swinging my right fist full upon tht
point Of his chin followed II will
| smashing left to the pit Of hi
stomach. The effect yas marvellous
<>- - Z Nvhtlvs eide sofor,y.nd after de