ChapterI
ThisisthetaleofBradleyafterheleftFortDinosauruponthewestcoastofthegreatlakethatisinthecenteroftheisland。
UponthefourthdayofSeptember，1916，hesetoutwithfourcompanions，Sinclair，Brady，James，andTippet，tosearchalongthebaseofthebarriercliffsforapointatwhichtheymightbescaled。
ThroughtheheavyCaspakianair，beneaththeswollensun，thefivemenmarchednorthwestfromFortDinosaur，nowwaist-deepinlush，junglegrassesstarredwithmyriadgorgeousblooms，nowacrossopenmeadow-landandparklikeexpansesandagainplungingintodenseforestsofeucalyptusandacaciaandgiantarboreousfernswithfeatheredfrondswavinggentlyahundredfeetabovetheirheads。
Aboutthemupontheground，amongthetreesandintheairoverthemmovedandswungandsoaredthecountlessformsofCaspak’steeminglife。Alwaysweretheymenacedbysomefrightfulthingandseldomweretheirriflescool，yeteveninthebrieftimetheyhaddweltuponCapronatheyhadbecomecalloustodanger，sothattheyswungalonglaughingandchattinglikesoldiersonasummerhike。
"ThisremindsmeofSouthClarkStreet，"remarkedBrady，whohadonceservedonthetrafficsquadinChicago;andasnooneaskedhimwhy，hevolunteeredthatitwas"becauseit’snoplaceforanIrishman。"
"SouthClarkStreetandheavenhavesomethingincommon，then，"
suggestedSinclair。JamesandTippetlaughed，andthenahideousgrowlbrokefromadensethicketaheadanddivertedtheirattentiontoothermatters。
"Oneofthembehemothsof’OlyWrit，"mutteredTippetastheycametoahaltandwithgunsreadyawaitedthealmostinevitablecharge。
"Hungryloto’beggars，these，"saidBradley;"alwaystryingtoeateverythingtheysee。"
Foramomentnofurthersoundcamefromthethicket。"Hemaybefeedingnow，"suggestedBradley。"We’lltrytogoaroundhim。
Can’twasteammunition。Won’tlastforever。Followme。"Andhesetoffatrightanglestotheirformercourse，hopingtoavertacharge。Theyhadtakenadozensteps，perhaps，whenthethicketmovedtotheadvanceofthethingwithinit，theleafybranchesparted，andthehideousheadofagiganticbearemerged。
"Pickyourtrees，"whisperedBradley。"Can’twasteammunition。"
Themenlookedaboutthem。Thebeartookacoupleofstepsforward，stillgrowlingmenacingly。Hewasexposedtotheshouldersnow。Tippettookonelookatthemonsterandboltedforthenearesttree;andthenthebearcharged。HechargedstraightforTippet。Theothermenscatteredforthevarioustreestheyhadselected——allexceptBradley。HestoodwatchingTippetandthebear。Themanhadagoodstartandthetreewasnotfaraway;butthespeedoftheenormouscreaturebehindhimwassomethingtomarvelat，yetTippetwasinafairwaytomakehissanctuarywhenhisfootcaughtinatangleofrootsanddownhewent，hisrifleflyingfromhishandandfallingseveralyardsaway。InstantlyBradley’spiecewasathisshoulder，therewasasharpreportansweredbyaroarofmingledrageandpainfromthecarnivore。Tippetattemptedtoscrambletohisfeet。
"Liestill！"shoutedBradley。"Can’twasteammunition。"
Thebearhaltedinitstracks，wheeledtowardBradleyandthenbackagaintowardTippet。Againtheformer’sriflespitangrily，andthebearturnedagaininhisdirection。Bradleyshoutedloudly。"Comeon，youbehemothofHolyWrit！"hecried。"Comeon，youduffer！Can’twasteammunition。"Andashesawthebearapparentlyuponthevergeofdecidingtochargehim，heencouragedtheideabybackingrapidlyaway，knowingthatanangrybeastwillmoreoftenchargeonewhomovesthanonewholiesstill。
Andthebeardidcharge。LikeaboltoflightningheflasheddownupontheEnglishman。"Nowrun！"BradleycalledtoTippetandhimselfturnedinflighttowardanearbytree。Theothermen，nowsafelyensconceduponvariousbranches，watchedtheracewithbreathlessinterest。WouldBradleymakeit？Itseemedscarcepossible。Andifhedidn’t！Jamesgaspedatthethought。
Sixfeetattheshoulderstoodthefrightfulmountainofblood-madfleshandboneandsinewthatwasbearingdownwiththespeedofanexpresstrainupontheseeminglyslow-movingman。
Itallhappenedinafewseconds;buttheyweresecondsthatseemedlikehourstothemenwhowatched。TheysawTippetleaptohisfeetatBradley’sshoutedwarning。Theysawhimrun，stoopingtorecoverhisrifleashepassedthespotwhereithadfallen。TheysawhimglancebacktowardBradley，andthentheysawhimstopshortofthetreethatmighthavegivenhimsafetyandturnbackinthedirectionofthebear。Firingasheran，Tippetracedafterthegreatcavebear——themonstrousthingthatshouldhavebeenextinctagesbefore——ranforitandfiredevenasthebeastwasalmostuponBradley。Themeninthetreesscarcelybreathed。ItseemedtothemsuchafutilethingforTippettodo，andTippetofallmen！TheyhadneverlookeduponTippetasacoward——thereseemedtobenocowardsamongthatstrangelyassortedcompanythatFatehadgatheredtogetherfromthefourcornersoftheearth——butTippetwasconsideredacautiousman。Overcautious，somethoughthim。Howfutileheandhislittlepop-gunappearedashedashedafterthatlivingengineofdestruction！But，oh，howglorious！ItwassomesuchthoughtasthisthatranthroughBrady’smind，thougharticulateditmighthavebeenexpressedotherwise，albeitmoreforcefully。
JustthenitoccurredtoBradytofireandhe，too，openeduponthebear，butatthesameinstanttheanimalstumbledandfellforward，thoughstillgrowlingmostfearsomely。Tippetneverstoppedrunningorfiringuntilhestoodwithinafootofthebrute，whichlayalmosttouchingBradleyandwasalreadystrugglingtoregainitsfeet。Placingthemuzzleofhisgunagainstthebear’sear，Tippetpulledthetrigger。ThecreaturesanklimplytothegroundandBradleyscrambledtohisfeet。
"Goodwork，Tippet，"hesaid。"Mightilyobligedtoyou——awfulwasteofammunition，really。"
Andthentheyresumedthemarchandinfifteenminutestheencounterhadceasedeventobeatopicofconversation。
Fortwodaystheycontinuedupontheirperilousway。Alreadythecliffsloomedhighandforbiddingcloseaheadwithoutsignofbreaktoencouragehopethatsomewheretheymightbescaled。
Lateintheafternoonthepartycrossedasmallstreamofwarmwateruponthesluggishlymovingsurfaceofwhichfloatedcountlessmillionsoftinygreeneggssurroundedbyalightscumofthesamecolor，thoughofadarkershade。TheirpastexperienceofCaspakhadtaughtthemthattheymightexpecttocomeuponastagnantpoolofwarmwateriftheyfollowedthestreamtoitssource;buttheretheywerealmostcertaintofindsomeofCaspak’sgrotesque，manlikecreatures。AlreadysincetheyhaddisembarkedfromtheU-33afteritsperiloustripthroughthesubterraneanchannelbeneaththebarriercliffshadbroughtthemintotheinlandseaofCaspak，hadtheyencounteredwhathadappearedtobethreedistincttypesofthesecreatures。
Therehadbeenthepureapes——huge，gorillalikebeasts——andthosewhowalked，atriflemoreerectandhadfeatureswithjustashademoreofthehumancastaboutthem。ThenthereweremenlikeAhm，whomtheyhadcapturedandconfinedatthefort——Ahm，theclub-man。"Well-knownclub-man，"Tylerhadcalledhim。Ahmandhispeoplehadknowledgeofaspeech。Theyhadalanguage，inwhichtheywereunliketheracejustinferiortothem，andtheywalkedmuchmoreerectandwerelesshairy：butitwasprincipallythefactthattheypossessedaspokenlanguageandcarriedaweaponthatdifferentiatedthemfromtheothers。
Allofthesepeopleshadprovenbelligerentintheextreme。IncommonwiththerestofthefaunaofCapronathefirstlawofnatureastheyseemedtounderstanditwastokill——kill——kill。
AndsoitwasthatBradleyhadnodesiretofollowupthelittlestreamtowardthepoolnearwhichweresuretobethecavesofsomesavagetribe，butfortuneplayedhimanunkindtrick，forthepoolwasmuchcloserthanheimagined，itssouthernendreachingfullyamilesouthofthepointatwhichtheycrossedthestream，andsoitwasthatafterforcingtheirwaythroughatangleofjunglevegetationtheycameoutupontheedgeofthepoolwhichtheyhadwishedtoavoid。
Almostsimultaneouslythereappearedsouthofthemapartyofnakedmenarmedwithclubsandhatchets。Bothpartieshaltedastheycaughtsightofoneanother。Themenfromthefortsawbeforethemahuntingpartyevidentlyreturningtoitscavesorvillageladenwithmeat。TheywerelargemenwithfeaturescloselyresemblingthoseoftheAfricanNegrothoughtheirskinswerewhite。Shorthairgrewuponalargeportionoftheirlimbsandbodies，whichstillretainedaconsiderabletraceofapishprogenitors。Theywere，however，adistinctlyhighertypethantheBo-lu，orclub-men。
Bradleywouldhavebeengladtohaveavertedameeting;butashedesiredtoleadhispartysoutharoundtheendofthepool，andasitwashemmedinbythejungleononesideandthewaterontheother，thereseemednoescapefromanencounter。
Onthechancethathemightavoidaclash，Bradleysteppedforwardwithupraisedhand。"Wearefriends，"hecalledinthetongueofAhm，theBolu，whohadbeenheldaprisoneratthefort;"permitustopassinpeace。Wewillnotharmyou。"
Atthisthehatchet-mensetupagreatjabberingwithmuchlaughter，loudandboisterous。"No，"shoutedone，"youwillnotharmus，forweshallkillyou。Come！Wekill！Wekill！"
AndwithhideousshoutstheychargeddownupontheEuropeans。
"Sinclair，youmayfire，"saidBradleyquietly。"Pickofftheleader。Can’twasteammunition。"
TheEnglishmanraisedhispiecetohisshoulderandtookquickaimatthebreastoftheyellingsavageleapingtowardthem。
Directlybehindtheleadercameanotherhatchet-man，andwiththereportofSinclair’sriflebothwarriorslungedforwardinthetallgrass，piercedbythesamebullet。Theeffectupontherestofthebandwaselectrical。Asonemantheycametoasuddenhalt，wheeledtotheeastanddashedintothejungle，wherethemencouldhearthemforcingtheirwayinanefforttoputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenthemselvesandtheauthorsofthisnewandfrightfulnoisethatkilledwarriorsatagreatdistance。
BoththesavagesweredeadwhenBradleyapproachedtoexaminethem，andastheEuropeansgatheredaround，othereyeswerebentuponthemwithgreatercuriositythantheydisplayedforthevictimofSinclair’sbullet。Whenthepartyagaintookupthemarcharoundthesouthernendofthepooltheowneroftheeyesfollowedthem——large，roundeyes，almostexpressionlessexceptforacertaincoldcrueltywhichglintedmalignlyfromundertheirpalegrayirises。
Allunconsciousofthestalker，themencame，lateintheafternoon，toaspotwhichseemedfavorableasacampsite。
Acoldspringbubbledfromthebaseofarockyformationwhichoverhungandpartiallyencircledasmallinclosure。AtBradley’scommand，thementookupthedutiesassignedthem——gatheringwood，buildingacook-fireandpreparingtheeveningmeal。
ItwaswhiletheywerethusengagedthatBrady’sattentionwasattractedbythedismalflappingofhugewings。Heglancedup，expectingtoseeoneofthegreatflyingreptilesofabygoneage，hisriflereadyinhishand。Bradywasabraveman。Hehadgropedhiswayupnarrowtenementstairsandtakenanarmedmaniacfromadarkroomwithoutturningahair;butnowashelookedup，hewentwhiteandstaggeredback。
"Gawd！"healmostscreamed。"Whatisit？"
AttractedbyBrady’scrytheothersseizedtheirriflesastheyfollowedhiswide-eyed，frozengaze，norwasthereoneofthemthatwasnotmovedbysomespeciesofterrororawe。ThenBradyspokeagaininanalmostinaudiblevoice。"HolyMotherprotectus——it’sabanshee！"
Bradley，alwayscoolalmosttoindifferenceinthefaceofdanger，feltastrange，creepingsensationrunoverhisflesh，asslowly，notahundredfeetabovethem，thethingflappeditselfacrossthesky，itshuge，roundeyesglaringdownuponthem。
Anduntilitdisappearedoverthetopsofthetreesofanear-bywoodthefivemenstoodasthoughparalyzed，theireyesneverleavingtheweirdshape;norneveroneofthemappearingtorecallthathegraspedaloadedrifleinhishands。
Withthepassingofthething，camethereaction。Tippetsanktothegroundandburiedhisfaceinhishands。"Oh，Gord，"hemoaned。
"Tykemeawyfromthisorfulplice。"Brady，recoveredfromthefirstshock，sworeloudandluridly。Hecalleduponallthesaintstowitnessthathewasunafraidandthatanybodywithhalfaneyecouldhaveseenthatthecreaturewasnothingmorethan"oneavthimflyin’alligators"thattheyallwerefamiliarwith。
"Yes，"saidSinclairwithfinesarcasm，"we’vesawsomanyofthemwithwhiteshroudson’em。"
"Shutup，youfool！"growledBrady。"Ifyouknowsomuch，telluswhatitwasafterbein’then。"
ThenheturnedtowardBradley。"Whatwasit，sor，doyouthink？"
heasked。
Bradleyshookhishead。"Idon’tknow，"hesaid。"Itlookedlikeawingedhumanbeingclothedinaflowingwhiterobe。Itsfacewasmorehumanthanotherwise。Thatisthewayitlookedtome;
butwhatitreallywasIcan’tevenguess，forsuchacreatureisasfarbeyondmyexperienceorknowledgeasitisbeyondyours。
AllthatIamsureofisthatwhateverelseitmayhavebeen，itwasquitematerial——itwasnoghost;ratherjustanotherofthestrangeformsoflifewhichwehavemethereandwithwhichweshouldbeaccustomedbythistime。"
Tippetlookedup。Hisfacewasstillashy。"Yercawn’ttellme，"hecried。"Hiseenhit。Blime，Hiseenhit。Hitwashadeadmanflyin’throughthehair。Didn’tHisee’isheyes？
Oh，Gord！Didn’tHisee’em？"
"Itdidn’tlooklikeanybeastorreptiletome，"spokeupSinclair。
"Itwaslookin’rightdownatmewhenIlookedupandIsawitsfaceplainasIseeyours。Ithadbigroundeyesthatlookedallcoldanddead，anditscheeksweresunkenindeep，andIcouldseeitsyellowteethbehindthin，tight-drawnlips——likeamanwhohadbeendeadalongwhile，sir，"headded，turningtowardBradley。
"Yes！"Jameshadnotspokensincetheapparitionhadpassedoverthem，andnowitwasscarcespeechwhichheuttered——ratheraseriesofarticulategasps。"Yes——dead——a——long——while。It——meanssomething。
It——come——forsome——one。Forone——ofus。One——ofusisgoin’——
todie。I’mgoin’todie！"heendedinawail。
"Come！Come！"snappedBradley。"Won’tdo。Won’tdoatall。
Gettowork，allofyou。Wasteoftime。Can’twastetime。"
Hisauthoritativetonesbroughtthemallupstanding，andpresentlyeachwasoccupiedwithhisownduties;buteachworkedinsilenceandtherewasnosingingandnobanteringsuchashadmarkedthemakingofpreviouscamps。Notuntiltheyhadeatenandtoeachhadbeenissuedthelittlerationofsmokingtobaccoallowedaftereacheveningmealdidanysignofarelaxationoftautnervesappear。ItwasBradywhoshowedthefirstsignsofreturninggoodspirits。Hecommencedhumming"It’saLongWaytoTipperary"andpresentlytovoicethewords，buthewaswellintohisthirdsongbeforeanyonejoinedhim，andeventhenthereseemedadismalnoteineventhegayestoftunes。
Ahugefireblazedintheopeningoftheirrockyshelterthattheprowlingcarnivoramightbekeptatbay;andalwaysonemanstoodonguard，watchfullyalertagainstasuddenrushbysomemaddenedbeastofthejungle。Beyondthefire，yellow-greenspotsofflameappeared，movedrestlesslyabout，disappearedandreappeared，accompaniedbyahideouschorusofscreamsandgrowlsandroarsasthehungrymeat-eatershuntingthroughthenightwereattractedbythelightorthescentofpossibleprey。
Buttosuchsightsandsoundsasthesethefivemenhadbecomecallous。Theysangortalkedasunconcernedlyastheymighthavedoneinthebar-roomofsomepublichouseathome。
Sinclairwasstandingguard。TheotherswerelisteningtoBrady’sdescriptionoftrafficcongestionattheRushStreetbridgeduringtherushhouratnight。Thefirecrackledcheerily。
Theownersoftheyellow-greeneyesraisedtheirfrightfulchorustotheheavens。Conditionsseemedagaintohavereturnedtonormal。
Andthen，asthoughthehandofDeathhadreachedoutandtouchedthemall，thefivementensedintosuddenrigidity。
Abovethenocturnaldiapasonoftheteemingjunglesoundedadismalflappingofwingsandoverhead，throughthethicknight，ashadowyformpassedacrossthediffusedlightoftheflaringcamp-fire。Sinclairraisedhisrifleandfired。Aneeriewailfloateddownfromaboveandtheapparition，whateveritmighthavebeen，wasswallowedbythedarkness。Forseveralsecondsthelisteningmenheardthesoundofthosedismallyflappingwingslesseninginthedistanceuntiltheycouldnolongerbeheard。
Bradleywasthefirsttospeak。"Shouldn’thavefired，Sinclair，"hesaid;"can’twasteammunition。"Buttherewasnonoteofcensureinhistone。Itwasasthoughheunderstoodthenervousreactionthathadcompelledtheother’sact。
"Icouldn’thelpit，sir，"saidSinclair。"Lord，itwouldtakeanironmantokeepfromshootin’atthatawfulthing。Doyoubelieveinghosts，sir？"
"No，"repliedBradley。"Nosuchthings。"
"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"saidBrady。"TherewasawomanmurderedoverontheprairienearBrighton——herthroatwascutfromeartoear，and——"
"Shutup，"snappedBradley。
"MygrandaddyusedtolivedownCoppingtonwy，"saidTippet。
"Theywereaholdruinedcastleona’illnearby，handatmidnighttheyusedtoseepalebluelightsthroughthewindowsan’ear——"
"Willyoucloseyourhatch！"demandedBradley。"Youfoolswillhaveyourselvesscaredtodeathinaminute。Nowgotosleep。"
Buttherewaslittlesleepincampthatnightuntilutterexhaustionovertooktheharassedmentowardmorning;norwasthereanyreturnoftheweirdcreaturethathadsetthenervesofeachofthemonedge。
Thefollowingforenoonthepartyreachedthebaseofthebarriercliffsandfortwodaysmarchednorthwardinanefforttodiscoverabreakinthefrowningabutmentthatraiseditsrockyfacealmostperpendicularlyabovethem，yetnowherewastheretheslightestindicationthatthecliffswerescalable。
Disheartened，Bradleydeterminedtoturnbacktowardthefort，ashealreadyhadexceededthetimedecideduponbyBowenTylerandhimselffortheexpedition。Thecliffsformanymileshadbeentrendinginanortheasterlydirection，indicatingtoBradleythattheywereapproachingthenorthernextremityoftheisland。
AccordingtothebestofhiscalculationstheyhadmadesufficienteastingduringthepasttwodaystohavebroughtthemtoapointalmostdirectlynorthofFortDinosaurandasnothingcouldbegainedbyretracingtheirstepsalongthebaseofthecliffshedecidedtostrikeduesouththroughtheunexploredcountrybetweenthemandthefort。
Thatnight（September9，1916），theymadecampashortdistancefromthecliffsbesideoneofthenumerouscoolspringsthataretobefoundwithinCaspak，oftentimesclosebesidethestillmorenumerouswarmandhotspringswhichfeedthemanypools。
Aftersupperthemenlaysmokingandchattingamongthemselves。
Tippetwasonguard。Fewernightprowlersthreatenedthem，andthemenwerecommentinguponthefactthatthefarthernorththeyhadtraveledthesmallerthenumberofallspeciesofanimalsbecame，thoughitwasstillpresentinwhatwouldhaveseemedappallingplenitudeinanyotherpartoftheworld。ThediminutioninreptilianlifewasthemostnoticeablechangeinthefaunaofnorthernCaspak。Here，however，wereformstheyhadnotmetelsewhere，severalofwhichwereofgiganticproportions。
Accordingtotheircustomall，withtheexceptionofthemanonguard，soughtsleepearly，nor，oncedisposeduponthegroundforslumber，weretheylonginfindingit。ItseemedtoBradleythathehadscarcelyclosedhiseyeswhenhewasbroughttohisfeet，wideawake，byapiercingscreamwhichwaspunctuatedbythesharpreportofariflefromthedirectionofthefirewhereTippetstoodguard。Asherantowardtheman，Bradleyheardabovehimthesameuncannywailthathadseteverynerveonedgeseveralnightsbefore，andthedismalflappingofhugewings。
Hedidnotneedtolookupatthewhite-shroudedfigurewingingslowlyawayintothenighttoknowthattheirgrimvisitorhadreturned。
Themusclesofhisarm，reactingtothesightandsoundofthemenacingform，carriedhishandtothebuttofhispistol;butafterhehaddrawntheweapon，heimmediatelyreturnedittoitsholsterwithashrug。
"Whatfor？"hemuttered。"Can’twasteammunition。"ThenhewalkedquicklytowhereTippetlaysprawleduponhisface。
BythistimeJames，BradyandSinclairwereathisheels，eachwithhisrifleinreadiness。
"Ishedead，sir？"whisperedJamesasBradleykneeledbesidetheprostrateform。
BradleyturnedTippetoveronhisbackandpressedanearclosetotheother’sheart。Inamomentheraisedhishead。
"Fainted，"heannounced。"Getwater。Hurry！"ThenheloosenedTippet’sshirtatthethroatandwhenthewaterwasbrought，threwacupfulintheman’sface。SlowlyTippetregainedconsciousnessandsatup。Atfirsthelookedcuriouslyintothefacesofthemenabouthim;thenanexpressionofterroroverspreadhisfeatures。Heshotastartledglanceupintotheblackvoidaboveandthenburyinghisfaceinhisarmsbegantosoblikeachild。
"What’swrong，man？"demandedBradley。"Buckup！Can’tplaycry-baby。Wasteofenergy。Whathappened？"
"Wot’appened，sir！"wailedTippet。"Oh，Gord，sir！Hitcameback。
Hitcameforme，sir。Righthitdid，sir;stritehatme，sir;
handwithlongw’ite’andsitclawedforme。Oh，Gord！Hitalmostcaughtme，sir。Hi’mhasgoodasdead;Hi’mamarkedman;that’swotHiham。Hitwasa-goin’fortocarrymehorf，sir。"
"Stuffandnonsense，"snappedBradley。"Didyougetagoodlookatit？"
Tippetsaidthathedid——amuchbetterlookthanhewanted。
Thethinghadalmostclutchedhim，andhehadlookedstraightintoitseyes——"deadheyesinadeadface，"hehaddescribedthem。
"Wotwasitafterbein’，doyouthink？"inquiredBrady。
"HitwasDeath，"moanedTippet，shuddering，andagainapallofgloomfelluponthelittleparty。
ThefollowingdayTippetwalkedasoneinatrance。Heneverspokeexceptinreplytoadirectquestion，whichmoreoftenthannothadtoberepeatedbeforeitcouldattracthisattention。
Heinsistedthathewasalreadyadeadman，forifthethingdidn’tcomeforhimduringthedayhewouldneverlivethroughanothernightofagonizedapprehension，waitingforthefrightfulendthathewaspositivewasinstoreforhim。"I’llseetothat，"
hesaid，andtheyallknewthatTippetmeanttotakehisownlifebeforedarknesssetin。
Bradleytriedtoreasonwithhim，inhisshort，crispway，butsoonsawthefutilityofit;norcouldhetaketheman’sweaponsfromhimwithoutsubjectinghimtoalmostcertaindeathfromanyofthenumberlessdangersthatbesettheirway。
Theentirepartywasmoodyandglum。Therewasnoneofthebanteringthathadmarkedtheirintercoursebefore，eveninthefaceofblightinghardshipsandhideousdanger。Thiswasanewmenacethatthreatenedthem，somethingthattheycouldn’texplain;andso，naturally，itarousedwithinthemsuperstitiousfearwhichTippet’sattitudeonlytendedtoaugment。Toaddfurthertotheirgloom，theirwayledthroughadenseforest，where，onaccountoftheunderbrush，itwasdifficulttomakeevenamileanhour。Constantwatchfulnesswasrequiredtoavoidthemanysnakesofvariousdegreesofrepulsivenessandenormitythatinfestedthewood;andtheonlyrayofhopetheyhadtoclingtowasthattheforestwould，likethemajorityofCaspakianforests，provetobeofnoconsiderableextent。
BradleywasintheleadwhenhecamesuddenlyuponagrotesquecreatureofTitanicproportions。Crouchingamongthetrees，whichherecommencedtothinoutslightly，Bradleysawwhatappearedtobeanenormousdragondevouringthecarcassofamammoth。Fromfrightfuljawstothetipofitslongtailitwasfullyfortyfeetinlength。Itsbodywascoveredwithplatesofthickskinwhichboreastrikingresemblancetoarmor-plate。
ThecreaturesawBradleyalmostatthesameinstantthathesawitandreareduponitsenormoushindlegsuntilitsheadtoweredafulltwenty-fivefeetabovetheground。Fromthecavernousjawsissuedahissingsoundofavolumeequaltotheescapingsteamfromthesafety-valvesofhalfadozenlocomotives，andthenthecreaturecamefortheman。
"Scatter！"shoutedBradleytothosebehindhim;andallbutTippetheededthewarning。Themanstoodasthoughdazed，andwhenBradleysawtheother’sdanger，hetoostoppedandwheelingaboutsentabulletintothemassivebodyforcingitswaythroughthetreestowardhim。Theshotstruckthecreatureinthebellywheretherewasnoprotectingarmor，elicitinganewnotewhichroseinashrillwhistleandendedinawail。ItwasthenthatTippetappearedtocomeoutofhistrance，forwithacryofterrorheturnedandfledtotheleft。Bradley，seeingthathehadasgoodanopportunityastheotherstoescape，nowturnedhisattentiontoextricatinghimself;andasthewoodsseemeddenseontheright，heraninthatdirection，hopingthattheclose-setboleswouldpreventpursuitonthepartofthegreatreptile。
Thedragonpaidnofurtherattentiontohim，however，forTippet’ssuddenbreakforlibertyhadattracteditsattention;andafterTippetitwent，bowlingoversmalltrees，uprootingunderbrushandleavingawakebehinditlikethatofasmalltornado。
Bradley，themomenthehaddiscoveredthethingwaspursuingTippet，hadfollowedit。Hewasafraidtofireforfearofhittingtheman，andsoitwasthathecameuponthemattheverymomentthatthemonsterlungeditsgreatweightforwarduponthedoomedman。Thesharp，three-toedtalonsoftheforelimbsseizedpoorTippet，andBradleysawtheunfortunatefellowliftedhighabovethegroundasthecreatureagainreareduponitshindlegs，immediatelytransferringTippet’sbodytoitsgapingjaws，whichclosedwithasickening，crunchingsoundasTippet’sbonescrackedbeneaththegreatteeth。
Bradleyhalfraisedhisrifletofireagainandthenlowereditwithashakeofhishead。Tippetwasbeyondsuccor——whywasteabulletthatCaspakcouldneverreplace？Ifhecouldnowescapethefurthernoticeofthemonsteritwouldbeawiseractthantothrowhislifeawayinfutilerevenge。Hesawthatthereptilewasnotlookinginhisdirection，andsoheslippednoiselesslybehindtheboleofalargetreeandthencequietlyfadedawayinthedirectionhebelievedtheotherstohavetaken。Atwhatheconsideredasafedistancehehaltedandlookedback。Halfhiddenbytheinterveningtreeshestillcouldseethehugeheadandthemassivejawsfromwhichprotrudethelimplegsofthedeadman。
Then，asthoughstruckbythehammerofThor，thecreaturecollapsedandcrumpledtotheground。Bradley’ssinglebullet，penetratingthebodythroughthesoftskinofthebelly，hadslaintheTitan。
Afewminuteslater，Bradleyfoundtheothersoftheparty。
Thefourreturnedcautiouslytothespotwherethecreaturelayandafterconvincingthemselvesthatitwasquitedead，cameclosetoit。ItwasanarduousandgruesomejobextricatingTippet’smangledremainsfromthepowerfuljaws，themenworkingforthemostpartsilently。
"Itwastheworkofthebansheeallright，"mutteredBrady。
"ItwarnedpoorTippet，itdid。"
"Hitkilledhim，that’swothitdid，handhit’llkillsomemoreofus，"saidJames，hislowerliptrembling。
"Ifitwasaghost，"interjectedSinclair，"andIdon’tsayasitwas;butifitwas，why，itcouldtakeonanyformitwantedto。
Itmighthaveturneditselfintothisthing，whichain’tnonaturalthingatall，justtogetpoorTippet。Ifithadofbeenalionorsomethingelsehumanlikeitwouldn’tlooksostrange;
butthisherethingain’thumanlike。Thereain’tnosuchthingan’neverwas。"
"Bulletsdon’tkillghosts，"saidBradley，"sothiscouldn’thavebeenaghost。Furthermore，therearenosuchthings。I’vebeentryingtoplacethiscreature。Justsucceeded。It’satyrannosaurus。
Sawpictureofskeletoninmagazine。There’soneinNewYorkNaturalHistoryMuseum。SeemstomeitsaiditwasfoundinplacecalledHellCreeksomewhereinwesternNorthAmerica。Supposedtohavelivedaboutsixmillionyearsago。"
"HellCreek’sinMontana，"saidSinclair。"IusedtopunchcowsinWyoming，an’I’veheardofHellCreek。Doyous’posethattherething’ssixmillionyearsold？"Histonewasskeptical。
"No，"repliedBradley;"ButitwouldindicatethattheislandofCapronahasstoodalmostwithoutchangeformorethansixmillionyears。"
TheconversationandBradley’sassurancethatthecreaturewasnotofsupernaturaloriginhelpedtoraiseatriflethespiritsofthemen;andthencameanotherdiversionintheformofravenousmeat-eatersattractedtothespotbytheuncannysenseofsmellwhichhadapprisedthemofthepresenceofflesh，killedandreadyfortheeating。
ItwasaconstantbattlewhiletheydugagraveandconsignedallthatwasmortalofJohnTippettohislast，lonelyresting-place。
Norwouldtheyleavethen;butremainedtofashionarudehead-
stonefromacrumblingout-croppingofsandstoneandtogatheramassofthegorgeousflowersgrowinginsuchgreatprofusionaroundthemandheapthenew-madegravewithbrightblooms。
UpontheheadstoneSinclairscratchedinrudecharactersthewords：
HERELIESJOHNTIPPET
ENGLISHMAN
KILLEDBYTYRANNOSAURUS
10SEPT。A。D。1916
R。I。P。
andBradleyrepeatedashortprayerbeforetheylefttheircomradeforever。
Forthreedaysthepartymarchedduesouththroughforestsandmeadow-landandgreatpark-likeareaswherecountlessherbivorousanimalsgrazed——deerandantelopeandbosandthelittleecca，thesmallestspeciesofCaspakianhorse，aboutthesizeofarabbit。
Therewereotherhorsestoo;butallweresmall，thelargestbeingnotaboveeighthandsinheight。Preyingcontinuallyupontheherbivorawerethemeat-eaters，largeandsmall——wolves，hyaenadons，panthers，lions，tigers，andbearaswellasseverallargeandferociousspeciesofreptilianlife。
OnSeptembertwelfththepartyscaledalineofsandstonecliffswhichcrossedtheirroutetowardthesouth;buttheycrossedthemonlyafteranencounterwiththetribethatinhabitedthenumerouscaveswhichpittedthefaceoftheescarpment。Thatnighttheycampeduponarockyplateauwhichwassparselywoodedwithjarrah，andhereonceagaintheywerevisitedbytheweird，nocturnalapparitionthathadalreadyfilledthemwithanamelessterror。
AsonthenightofSeptemberninththefirstwarningcamefromthesentinelstandingguardoverhissleepingcompanions。
Aterror-strickencrypunctuatedbythecrackofariflebroughtBradley，SinclairandBradytotheirfeetintimetoseeJames，withclubbedrifle，battlingwithawhite-robedfigurethathoveredonwidespreadwingsonalevelwiththeEnglishman’shead。
Astheyran，shouting，forward，itwasobvioustothemthattheweirdandterribleapparitionwasattemptingtoseizeJames;butwhenitsawtheotherscomingtohisrescue，itdesisted，flappingrapidlyupwardandaway，itslong，raggedwingsgivingforththepeculiarlydismalnoteswhichalwayscharacterizedthesoundofitsflying。
Bradleyfiredatthevanishingmenaceroftheirpeaceandsafety;
butwhetherhescoredahitornot，nonecouldtell，though，followingtheshot，therewaswaftedbacktothemthesamepiercingwailthathadonotheroccasionsfrozentheirmarrow。
ThentheyturnedtowardJames，wholayfacedownwardupontheground，tremblingaswithague。Foratimehecouldnotevenspeak，butatlastregainedsufficientcomposuretotellthemhowthethingmusthaveswoopedsilentlyuponhimfromaboveandbehindasthefirstpremonitionofdangerhehadreceivedwaswhenthelong，clawlikefingershadclutchedhimbeneatheitherarm。Inthemeleehisriflehadbeendischargedandhehadbrokenawayatthesameinstantandturnedtodefendhimselfwiththebutt。Theresttheyhadseen。
FromthatinstantJameswasanabsolutelybrokenman。
Hemaintainedwithshakinglipsthathisdoomwassealed，thatthethinghadmarkedhimforitsown，andthathewasasgoodasdead，norcouldanyamountofargumentorrailleryconvincehimtothecontrary。HehadseenTippetmarkedandclaimedandnowhehadbeenmarked。Norwerehisconstantreiterationsofthisbeliefwithouteffectupontherestoftheparty。EvenBradleyfeltdepressed，thoughforthesakeoftheothershemanagedtohideitbeneathashowofconfidencehewasfarfromfeeling。
AndonthefollowingdayWilliamJameswaskilledbyasaber-toothtiger——September13，1916。BeneathajarrahtreeonthestonyplateauonthenorthernedgeoftheSto-lucountryinthelandthatTimeforgot，heliesinalonelygravemarkedbyaroughheadstone。
Southwardfromhisgravemarchedthreegrimandsilentmen。
TothebestofBradley’sreckoningtheyweresometwenty-fivemilesnorthofFortDinosaur，andthattheymightreachthefortonthefollowingday，theyploddedonuntildarknessovertookthem。
Withcomparativesafetyfifteenmilesaway，theymadecampatlast;
buttherewasnosingingnowandnojoking。Inthebottomofhishearteachprayedthattheymightcomesafelythroughjustthisnight，fortheyknewthatduringthemorrowtheywouldmakethefinalstretch，yetthenervesofeachweretautwithstrainedanticipationofwhatgruesomethingmightflapdownuponthemfromtheblacksky，markinganotherforitsown。Whowouldbethenext？
Aswastheircustom，theytookturnsatguard，eachmandoingtwohoursandthenarousingthenext。Bradyhadgoneonfromeighttoten，followedbySinclairfromtentotwelve，thenBradleyhadbeenawakened。Bradywouldstandthelastguardfromtwotofour，astheyhaddeterminedtostartthemomentthatitbecamelightenoughtoinsurecomparativesafetyuponthetrail。
ThesnappingofatwigarousedBradyoutofadeadsleep，andasheopenedhiseyes，hesawthatitwasbroaddaylightandthatattwentypacesfromhimstoodahugelion。Asthemansprangtohisfeet，hisriflereadyinhishand，Sinclairawokeandtookinthesceneinasingleswiftglance。ThefirewasoutandBradleywasnowhereinsight。Foralongmomentthelionandthemeneyedoneanother。Thelatterhadnomindtofireifthebeastmindeditsownaffairs——theywereonlytoogladtoletitgoitswayifitwould;butthelionwasofadifferentmind。
Suddenlythelongtailsnappedstifflyerect，andasthoughithadbeenattachedtotwotriggerfingersthetworiflesspokeinunison，forbothmenknewthissignalonlytoowell——theimmediateforerunnerofadeadlycharge。Asthebrute’sheadhadbeenraised，hisspinehadnotbeenvisible;andsotheydidwhattheyhadlearnedbylongexperiencewasbesttodo。Eachcoveredafrontleg，andasthetailsnappedaloft，fired。Withahideousroarthemightyflesh-eaterlurchedforwardtothegroundwithbothfrontlegsbroken。Itwasaneasyaccomplishmentintheinstantbeforethebeastcharged——after，itwouldhavebeenwell-nighanimpossiblefeat。Bradysteppedcloseinandfinishedhimwithashotinthebaseofthebrainlesthisterrificroaringsshouldattracthismateorothersoftheirkind。
Thenthetwomenturnedandlookedatoneanother。"WhereisLieutenantBradley？"askedSinclair。Theywalkedtothefire。
Onlyafewsmokingembersremained。AfewfeetawaylayBradley’srifle。Therewasnoevidenceofastruggle。ThetwomencircledaboutthecamptwiceandonthelastlapBradystoopedandpickedupanobjectwhichhadlainabouttenyardsbeyondthefire——itwasBradley’scap。Againthetwolookedquestioninglyatoneanother，andthen，simultaneously，bothpairsofeyesswungupwardandsearchedthesky。AmomentlaterBradywasexaminingthegroundaboutthespotwhereBradley’scaphadlain。Itwasoneofthoselittlebarren，sandystretchesthattheyhadfoundonlyuponthisstonyplateau。Brady’sownfootstepsshowedasplainlyasblackinkuponwhitepaper;buthiswastheonlyfootthathadmarredthesmooth，windsweptsurface——therewasnosignthatBradleyhadcrossedthespotuponthesurfaceoftheground，andyethiscaplaywelltowardthecenterofit。
Breakfastlessandwithshakennervesthetwosurvivorsplungedmadlyintothelongday’smarch。Bothwerestrong，courageous，resourcefulmen;buteachhadreachedthelimitofhumannerveenduranceandeachfeltthathewouldratherdiethanspendanothernightinthehideousopenofthatfrightfulland。
VividinthemindofeachwasapictureofBradley’send，forthoughneitherhadwitnessedthetragedy，bothcouldimaginealmostpreciselywhathadoccurred。Theydidnotdiscussit——theydidnotevenmentionit——yetalldaylongthethingwasuppermostinthemindofeachandmingledwithitasimilarpicturewithhimselfasvictimshouldtheyfailtomakeFortDinosaurbeforedark。
Andsotheyplungedforwardatrecklessspeed，theirclothes，theirhands，theirfacestornbytheretardingunderbrushthatreachedforthtohinderthem。Againandagaintheyfell;butbeittotheircreditthattheonealwayswaitedandhelpedtheotherandthatintothemindofneitherenteredthethoughtorthetemptationtodeserthiscompanion——theywouldreachtheforttogetherifbothsurvived，orneitherwouldreachit。
Theyencounteredtheusualnumberofsavagebeastsandreptiles;
buttheymetthemwithacourageousrecklessnessbornofdesperation，andbyvirtueoftheverymadnessofthechancestheytook，theycamethroughunscathedandwiththeminimumofdelay。
Shortlyafternoontheyreachedtheendoftheplateau。
Beforethemwasadropoftwohundredfeettothevalleybeneath。
Totheleft，inthedistance，theycouldseethewatersofthegreatinlandseathatcoversaconsiderableportionoftheareaofthecraterislandofCapronaandatalittlelesserdistancetothesouthofthecliffstheysawathinspiralofsmokearisingabovethetree-tops。
Thelandscapewasfamiliar——eachrecognizeditimmediatelyandknewthatthatsmokycolumnmarkedthespotwhereDinosaurhadstood。Wasthefortstillthere，ordidthesmokearisefromthesmolderingembersofthebuildingtheyhadhelpedtofashionforthehousingoftheirparty？Whocouldsay！
Thirtypreciousminutesthatseemedasmanyhourstotheimpatientmenwereconsumedinlocatingaprecariouswayfromthesummittothebaseofthecliffsthatboundedtheplateauuponthesouth，andthenonceagaintheystruckoffuponlevelgroundtowardtheirgoal。Theclosertheyapproachedthefortthegreaterbecametheirapprehensionthatallwouldnotbewell。
Theypicturedthebarracksdesertedorthesmallcompanymassacredandthebuildingsinashes。Itwasalmostinafrenzyoffearthattheybrokethroughthefinalfringeofjungleandstoodatlastuponthevergeoftheopenmeadowahalf-milefromFortDinosaur。
"Lord！"ejaculatedSinclair。"Theyarestillthere！"Andhefelltohisknees，sobbing。
Bradytrembledlikealeafashecrossedhimselfandgavesilentthanks，fortherebeforethemstoodthesturdyrampartsofDinosaurandfrominsidetheinclosureroseathinspiralofsmokethatmarkedthelocationofthecook-house。Allwaswell，then，andtheircomradeswerepreparingtheeveningmeal！
Acrosstheclearingtheyracedasthoughtheyhadnotalreadycoveredinasingledayatrackless，primevalcountrythatmighteasilyhaverequiredtwodaysbyfreshanduntiredmen。
WithinhailingdistancetheysetupsuchaloudshoutingthatpresentlyheadsappearedabovethetopoftheparapetandsoonansweringshoutswererisingfromwithinFortDinosaur。Amomentlaterthreemenissuedfromtheinclosureandcameforwardtomeetthesurvivorsandlistentothehurriedstoryoftheeleveneventfuldayssincetheyhadsetoutupontheirexpeditiontothebarriercliffs。TheyheardofthedeathsofTippetandJamesandofthedisappearanceofLieutenantBradley，andanewterrorsettleduponDinosaur。
Olson，theIrishengineer，withWhitelyandWilsonconstitutedtheremnantsofDinosaur’sdefenders，andtoBradyandSinclairtheynarratedthesalienteventsthathadtranspiredsinceBradleyandhispartyhadmarchedawayonSeptember4th。TheytoldthemoftheinfamousactofBaronFriedrichvonSchoenvortsandhisGermancrewwhohadstolentheU-33，breakingtheirparole，andsteamingawaytowardthesubterraneanopeningthroughthebarriercliffsthatcarriedthewatersoftheinlandseaintotheopenPacificbeyond;andofthecowardlyshellingofthefort。
TheytoldofthedisappearanceofMissLaRueinthenightofSeptember11th，andofthedepartureofBowenTylerinsearchofher，accompaniedonlybyhisAiredale，Nobs。ThusoftheoriginalpartyofelevenAlliesandnineGermansthathadconstitutedthecompanyoftheU-33whensheleftEnglishwatersafterhercapturebythecrewoftheEnglishtugtherewerebutfivenowtobeaccountedforatFortDinosaur。Benson，Tippet，James，andoneoftheGermanswereknowntobedead。ItwasassumedthatBradley，TylerandthegirlhadalreadysuccumbedtosomeofthesavagedenizensofCaspak，whilethefateoftheGermanswasequallyunknown，thoughitmightreadilybebelievedthattheyhadmadegoodtheirescape。TheyhadhadampletimetoprovisiontheshipandtherefiningofthecrudeoiltheyhaddiscoverednorthofthefortcouldhaveinsuredthemanamplesupplytocarrythembacktoGermany。
Chapter2
Whenbradleywentonguardatmidnight，September14th，histhoughtswerelargelyoccupiedwithrejoicingthatthenightwasalmostspentwithoutseriousmishapandthatthemorrowwoulddoubtlessseethemallsafelyreturnedtoFortDinosaur。
Thehopefulnessofhismoodwastingedwithsorrowbyrecollectionofthetwomembersofhispartywholaybackthereinthesavagewildernessandforwhomtherewouldneveragainbeahomecoming。
Nopremonitionofimpendingillcastgloomoverhisanticipationsforthecomingday，forBradleywasamanwho，whiletakingeveryprecautionagainstpossibledanger，permittednogloomyforebodingstoweighdownhisspirit。Whendangerthreatened，hewasprepared;buthewasnotforevercourtingdisaster，andsoitwasthatwhenaboutoneo’clockinthemorningofthefifteenth，heheardthedismalflappingofgiantwingsoverhead，hewasneithersurprisednorfrightenedbutidlypreparedforanattackhehadknownmightreasonablybeexpected。
Thesoundseemedtocomefromthesouth，andpresently，lowabovethetreesinthatdirection，themanmadeoutadim，shadowyformcirclingslowlyabout。Bradleywasabraveman，yetsokeenwasthefeelingofrevulsionengenderedbythesightandsoundofthatgrim，uncannyshapethathedistinctlyfeltthegoosefleshriseoverthesurfaceofhisbody，anditwaswithdifficultythatherefrainedfromfollowinganinstinctiveurgetofireuponthenocturnalintruder。Better，farbetterwouldithavebeenhadhegivenintotheinsistentdemandofhissubconsciousmentor;buthisalmostfanaticalobsessiontosaveammunitionprovednowhisundoing，forwhilehisattentionwasriveteduponthethingcirclingbeforehimandwhilehisearswerefilledwiththebeatingofitswings，thereswoopedsilentlyoutoftheblacknightbehindhimanotherweirdandghostlyshape。Withitshugewingspartlyclosedforthediveanditswhiterobeflutteringinitswake，theapparitionswoopeddownupontheEnglishman。
SogreatwastheforceoftheimpactwhenthethingstruckBradleybetweentheshouldersthatthemanwashalfstunned。
Hisrifleflewfromhisgrasp;hefeltclawliketalonsofgreatstrengthseizehimbeneathhisarmsandsweephimoffhisfeet;
andthenthethingroseswiftlywithhim，soswiftlythathiscapwasblownfromhisheadbytherushofairashewasbornerapidlyupwardintotheinkyskyandthecryofwarningtohiscompanionswasforcedbackintohislungs。
Thecreaturewheeledimmediatelytowardtheeastandwasatoncejoinedbyitsfellow，whocircledthemonceandthenfellinbehindthem。Bradleynowrealizedthestrategythatthepairhadusedtocapturehimandatonceconcludedthathewasinthepowerofreasoningbeingscloselyrelatedtothehumanraceifnotactuallyofit。
Pastexperiencesuggestedthatthegreatwingswereapartofsomeingeniousmechanicaldevice，forthelimitationsofthehumanmind，whichisalwaysloathtoacceptaughtbeyonditsownlittleexperience，wouldnotpermithimtoentertaintheideathatthecreaturesmightbenaturallywingedandatthesametimeofhumanorigin。FromhispositionBradleycouldnotseethewingsofhiscaptor，norinthedarknesshadhebeenabletoexaminethoseofthesecondcreaturecloselywhenitcircledbeforehim。Helistenedforthepuffofamotororsomeothertelltalesoundthatwouldprovethecorrectnessofhistheory。
However，hewasrewardedwithnothingmorethantheconstantflap-flap。
Presently，farbelowandahead，hesawthewatersoftheinlandsea，andamomentlaterhewasborneoverthem。ThenhiscaptordidthatwhichprovedbeyonddoubttoBradleythathewasinthehandsofhumanbeingswhohaddevisedanalmostperfectschemeofduplicating，mechanically，thewingsofabird——thethingspoketoitscompanionandinalanguagethatBradleypartiallyunderstood，sinceherecognizedwordsthathehadlearnedfromthesavageracesofCaspak。Fromthishejudgedthattheywerehuman，andbeinghuman，heknewthattheycouldhavenonaturalwings——forwhohadeverseenahumanbeingsoadorned！
Thereforetheirwingsmustbemechanical。ThusBradleyreasoned——
thusmostofusreason;notbywhatmightbepossible;butbywhathasfallenwithintherangeofourexperience。
Whatheheardthemsaywastotheeffectthathavingcoveredhalfthedistancetheburdenwouldnowbetransferredfromonetotheother。Bradleywonderedhowtheexchangewastobeaccomplished。Heknewthatthosegiantwingswouldnotpermitthecreaturestoapproachoneanothercloselyenoughtoeffectthetransferinthismanner;buthewassoontodiscoverthattheyhadothermeansofdoingit。
Hefeltthethingthatcarriedhimrisetoagreateraltitude，andbelowheglimpsedmomentarilythesecondwhite-robedfigure;
thenthecreatureabovesoundedalowcall，itwasansweredfrombelow，andinstantlyBradleyfelttheclutchingtalonsreleasehim;gaspingforbreath，hehurtleddownwardthroughspace。
Foraterrifyinginstant，pregnantwithhorror，Bradleyfell;
thensomethingswoopedforhimfrombehind，anotherpairoftalonsclutchedhimbeneaththearms，hisdownwardrushwaschecked，withinanotherhundredfeet，andclosetothesurfaceoftheseahewasagainborneupward。Asahawkdivesforasongbirdonthewing，sothisgreat，humanbirddivedforBradley。
Itwasaharrowingexperience，butsoonover，andonceagainthecaptivewasbeingcarriedswiftlytowardtheeastandwhatfatehecouldnotevenguess。
Itwasimmediatelyfollowinghistransferinmid-airthatBradleymadeouttheshadowyformofalargeislandfarahead，andnotlongafter，herealizedthatthismustbetheintendeddestinationofhiscaptors。Norwashemistaken。Threequartersofanhourfromthetimeofhisseizurehiscaptorsdroppedgentlytoearthinthestrangestcitythathumaneyehadeverrestedupon。JustabriefglimpseofhisimmediatesurroundingsvouchsafedBradleybeforehewaswhiskedintotheinteriorofoneofthebuildings;butinthatmomentaryglancehesawstrangepilesofstoneandwoodandmudfashionedintobuildingsofallconceivablesizesandshapes，sometimespiledhighontopofoneanother，sometimesstandingaloneinanopencourt-way，butusuallycrowdedandjammedtogether，sothattherewerenostreetsoralleysbetweenthemotherthanafewwhichendedalmostassoonastheybegan。Theprincipaldoorwaysappearedtobeintheroofs，anditwasthroughoneofthesethatBradleywasinductedintothedarkinteriorofalow-ceiledroom。Herehewaspushedroughlyintoacornerwherehetrippedoverathickmat，andtherehiscaptorslefthim。Heheardthemmovingaboutinthedarknessforamoment，andseveraltimeshesawtheirlargeluminouseyesglowinginthedark。Finally，thesedisappearedandsilencereigned，brokenonlybythebreathingofthecreaturewhichindicatedtotheEnglishmanthattheyweresleepingsomewhereinthesameapartment。
Itwasnowevidentthatthematuponthefloorwasintendedforsleepingpurposesandthattheroughshovethathadsenthimtoithadbeenarudeinvitationtorepose。Aftertakingstockofhimselfandfindingthathestillhadhispistolandammunition，somematches，alittletobacco，acanteenfullofwaterandarazor，Bradleymadehimselfcomfortableuponthematandwassoonasleep，knowingthatanattemptedescapeinthedarknesswithoutknowledgeofhissurroundingswouldbepredoomedtofailure。
Whenheawoke，itwasbroaddaylight，andthesightthatmethiseyesmadehimrubthemagainandagaintoassurehimselfthattheywerereallyopenandthathewasnotdreaming。Abroadshaftofmorninglightpouredthroughtheopendoorwayintheceilingoftheroomwhichwasaboutthirtyfeetsquare，orroughlysquare，beingirregularinshape，onesidecurvingoutward，anotherbeingindentedbywhatmighthavebeenthecornerofanotherbuildingjuttingintoit，anotheralcovedbythreesidesofanoctagon，whilethefourthwasserpentineincontour。Twowindowsletinmoredaylight，whiletwodoorsevidentlygaveingresstootherrooms。Thewallswerepartiallyceiledwiththinstripsofwood，nicelyfittedandfinished，partiallyplasteredandtherestcoveredwithafine，wovencloth。
Figuresofreptilesandbeastswerepaintedwithoutregardtoanyuniformschemehereandthereuponthewalls。Astrikingfeatureofthedecorationsconsistedofseveralengagedcolumnssetintothewallsatnoregularintervals，thecapitalsofeachsupportingahumanskullthecraniumofwhichtouchedtheceiling，asthoughthelatterwassupportedbythesegrimreminderseitherofdepartedrelativesorofsomehideoustribalrite——Bradleycouldnotbutwonderwhich。
Yetitwasnoneofthesethingsthatfilledhimwithgreatestwonder——no，itwasthefiguresofthetwocreaturesthathadcapturedhimandbroughthimhither。Atoneendoftheroomastoutpoleabouttwoinchesindiameterranhorizontallyfromwalltowallsomesixorsevenfeetfromthefloor，itsendssecurelysetintwoofthecolumns。Hangingbytheirkneesfromthisperch，theirheadsdownwardandtheirbodieswrappedintheirhugewings，sleptthecreaturesofthenightbefore——liketwogreat，horridbatstheyhung，asleep。
AsBradleygazedupontheminwide-eyedastonishment，hesawplainlythatallhisintelligence，allhisacquiredknowledgethroughyearsofobservationandexperienceweresetatnaughtbythesimpleevidenceofthefactthatstoodoutglaringlybeforehiseyes——thecreatures’wingswerenotmechanicaldevicesbutasnaturalappendages，growingfromtheirshoulderblades，asweretheirarmsandlegs。Hesaw，too，thatexceptfortheirwingsthepairboreastrongresemblancetohumanbeings，thoughfashionedinamostgrotesquemold。
Ashesatgazingatthem，oneofthetwoawoke，separatedhiswingstoreleasehisarmsthathadbeenfoldedacrosshisbreast，placedhishandsuponthefloor，droppedhisfeetandstooderect。
Foramomenthestretchedhisgreatwingsslowly，solemnlyblinkinghislargeroundeyes。ThenhisgazefelluponBradley。
Thethinlipsdrewbacktightlyagainstyellowteethinagrimacethatwasnothingbuthideous。Itcouldnothavebeentermedasmile，andwhatemotionitregisteredtheEnglishmanwasatalosstoguess。Noexpressionwhateveralteredthesteadygazeofthoselarge，roundeyes;therewasnocoloruponthepasty，sunkencheeks。Adeath’sheadgrimacedasthoughamanlongdeadraisedhisparchment-coveredskullfromanoldgrave。
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