The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-12-25
B L r R o L G H S

At last he saw it. the thing the
little monkeys SO feared-the man
brute of which the Claytons had
caught occasional feeting glimpses.
Ii was approaching through the
jungle in a semi-erect position. now
and then placing the backs of its
closed fists upon the ground-a
great anthropoid ape and, as it ad-
vanced, it emitted deep cultural
/ growls and an occasional low bark
ing sound.
Clayton was at some distance from
the cabin. having some to fell a par
ticularly perfect tree, for his build
ing operations. Grown careless from
months Of continued safety, during
which time they had seen no danger
Gus animals during the daylight
hours. he had left his rifles and re-
/ volvers all within the little cabin,
and now that he saw the great ape
/ crashing through the underbrush
directly toward him. and from a di-
! rection which practically cut him off
from escape. ne felt a vague little
SILVER play up and down his spine.
He knew that. armed only with an
AK. his chances with his ferdn.ous
monster were small indeed-and
Alice: O God. he thought. what will
/ become Of Alice?
There was yet a slight chance Of
/ reaching the cabin. He turned and
ran toward it. shouting an alarm
TO his wife to run in and close the
D IN III OH off
retreat
Lady Greystoke had been sitting
a little way from the cabin, and
when she heard his cry she looked
up to see the ape swinging with al
most incredible swiftness, for so
+ large and awkward an animal IN
an effort 10 head off Clayton.
/ With a low cry she spraug toward
the cabin. and. as she entered. gave
backward glance which filled her
soul with terror, for the brute had
intercepted her husband, who now
stood Mt bay grasping his axe with
both hands ready to swing IL upon
the Infatuated animal when he
should make his final charge.
/ Close and bolt the door. Alice"
cried Clayton. I can finish this
fellow with my ak"
! But he knew he was facing a hor-
rihle death. and so did she
+ The ape was a great bull. weigh
ing probably three hundred pounds
His nasty, closest eyes cleaned
hatred from beneath his shaggy eye
/ brOws. while his great canine faugs
+ We're barred in a horrid snarl as he
/ paused a moment before his prey
/ over the brute's shoulder Clayton
/ could see the doorway of his cabin.
/ not twenty PAGES distant. and
/ great wave of horror and fear swept
over him as he saw mis- young wife
/ emerge. armed with one Of his
rifles.
She had always been afraid Of
+ firearms. and would never touch
/ them. but now rushed toward the
ape with the fearlessuess Of a lion.
ess protecting its young.
/ Back, Alice" shouted Clayton.
for Gods sake. go back"
/ But she would not heed. and Just
then the ape charged. so that Clay
ton could say no more.
The man swung his AK with all
his mighty strength. but the power
ful brute seized It In those terrible
hands. and tearing it from Clayton
grasp hurled II far to one side.
With an ugly snarl he closed upon
his defenseless victim. but ere his
fangs had reached the throat they
thirsted for. there was a sharp re
port and q bullet entered the apes
back between his shoulders.
Throwing Clayton to the ground
the beast turned upon his new
enemy. There before him stood the
terrified girl vainly trying to fire
another bullet into the animals
I body; but she did not understand
the mechanism of the nrearm, and
the hammer fell futilely upon an
empty cartridge.
Screaming with rage and pain. the
ape flew at the delicate woman, who
went down beneath hiY to merciful
Inconsistencies.
Almost simultaneously CLAYTON re
gained his feet. and without thought
of the utter hopelessness OF it. he
rushed forward TO drag the ape
from his wife's PROSTATE form.
With little or no effort he
succeeded. and the great bulk rolled
inertly upon the turf before him
the ape was dead. The bullet had
done its work
a hasty examination of his wife
revealed no marks upon her. and
Clayton decided that the huge brute
had died the instant he had sprung
toward Alice
Gently he lifted his wife's still IN
conscious form. and bore her to
the little cabin, but it was fully two
hours before she regained con-
seriousness.
Her first words filed Clayton with
vague apprehension. For some time
after regaining her senses. Alice
gazed wonderingly about the inter
Tor of the little cabin, and then, with
a satisfied sigh, said:
20, John. It is SO good 10 be really
home! l have had an awful dream.
dear L thought we were no longer
in London, but in some horrible
place where great beasts attacked
us"
There. there. Alice" he said.
stroking her forehead. TRY to sleep
again, and do not worry your head
about bad dreams
That night a little son was born
in the tiny cabin beside the primeval
forest, while a leopard screamed be
fore the door, and the deep notes Of
a lions roar sounded from beyond
the ridge.