The Lamar register., 1921-07-27

began to run. The two men who had
rushed past him before he had entered
the house, and whom, save for pass
Ing thought. he had disregarded. had
become the principal danger. For he
had heard that clang before; he re-
membered Jem Smiths white horror
struck face and then his sigh OF re-
lief as the thing-whatever II was
was shut In It's cage. And now II was
out, lodging through the trees, let
loose by the two men. He heard some
thing crash into a bush on his right,
and give a snarl OF anger. Like Hash
he swerved into the underground on
the left.
Then began dreadful game. He
was still some way from the fence,
and he was hampered at every step
by the man slung over his back. He
could hear the thing blundering
about searching for him. and sudden
ly, with cold feeling Of fear, he
realized that the animal was In front
Of him-that his way to the gate was
barred. The next moment he saw
1t.
y, lhdiStihNts Al thC hhSoo,
he saw something glide between two
bushes. Then II came out into the
open, and he knew II had seen him.
though as yet he could not make ont
what 1t was.
Cautiously he lowered the million
aire to the ground. and took a step
forward. II was enough; with snarl
Of fury the crouchiny
shambled toward him. Two hairy arms
shot out toward his throat. he smelt
the brute's foetid breath, hot and loath-
some. and he realized what he was
up against. II was partially grown
gorilla.
For a full minute they fought In
silence. save for the hoarse grunts of
the animal as II tried to tear away
the mans hand from Its throat, and
then encircle him with Its powerful
arms. And with his brain cold as Ice
Hugh saw his danger and kept his
head. II couldn't 90 on; no human
being could last the pace, whatever his
strength. And there was only one
chance Of finishing 1t quickly. the pos
sibility that the grip taught him By
Olaki would serve with a monkey as II
did with q man.
He shifted his left thumb an inch
or two on the brute's throat, and the
baboon. thinking he was weakening.
by little, the fingers moved. and the
grip which had been tight before grew
tighter still. Back went Its head /;
something was swapping In its neck.
With scream OF fear and rage II
wrapped Its legs round Drummond.
squeezing and writhins. And then sud-
denly there was q tearing snap. and
the great limbs relaxed and grew
limp.
For n moment the man stood watch
ing the still Quivering brute lying at
bis feet; then, with q gasp Of utter
exhaustion. he dropped on the ground
himself. He was done-utteriy
cooked: even Peterson's voice close
behind scarcely reused him
quite one OF the most amusing en-
tertaInments I've seen for long time. "
The calm. expressiOnless voice made
him look up wearlly. and he saw that
he WAS surrounded by men. The In
evitable cigar giowed red In the dark
ness, and after a moment or two he
scrambled unsteadily to his feet.
I'D forgotten your d-d menagerie.
/ must frankly confess" he remarked.
whats the party forf" He glanced
at the men who had closed In round
him.
"A guard of honor. my young
friend" said Peterson susvely. ito lead
you To the house. l wouldn't hesitate
it's very foolish. Your friends
have gone, and. strong as you are,
don't think you can manage ten"
Hugh commenced to stroll toward
the house.
swell, don't leave the wretched
Potts lying about I1dropped him over
there"