OnJanuarytheFifth，1888——thatiselevenmonthsandfourdaysafter——
myuncle，EdwardPrendick，aprivategentleman，whocertainlywentaboardtheLadyVainatCallao，andwhohadbeenconsidereddrowned，waspickedupinlatitude5’3"S。andlongitude101’W。inasmallopenboatofwhichthenamewasillegible，butwhichissupposedtohavebelongedtothemissingschoonerIpecacuanha。
Hegavesuchastrangeaccountofhimselfthathewassupposeddemented。
SubsequentlyheallegedthathismindwasablankfromthemomentofhisescapefromtheLadyVain。Hiscasewasdiscussedamongpsychologistsatthetimeasacuriousinstanceofthelapseofmemoryconsequentuponphysicalandmentalstress。
Thefollowingnarrativewasfoundamonghispapersbytheundersigned，hisnephewandheir，butunaccompaniedbyanydefiniterequestforpublication。
TheonlyislandknowntoexistintheregioninwhichmyunclewaspickedupisNoble’sIsle，asmallvolcanicisletanduninhabited。
Itwasvisitedin1891byH。M。S。Scorpion。Apartyofsailorsthenlanded，butfoundnothinglivingthereonexceptcertaincuriouswhitemoths，somehogsandrabbits，andsomeratherpeculiarrats。
Sothatthisnarrativeiswithoutconfirmationinitsmostessentialparticular。Withthatunderstood，thereseemsnoharminputtingthisstrangestorybeforethepublicinaccordance，asIbelieve，withmyuncle’sintentions。Thereisatleastthismuchinitsbehalf：myunclepassedoutofhumanknowledgeaboutlatitude5’S。andlongitude105’E。，andreappearedinthesamepartoftheoceanafteraspaceofelevenmonths。
Insomewayhemusthavelivedduringtheinterval。AnditseemsthataschoonercalledtheIpecacuanhawithadrunkencaptain，JohnDavies，didstartfromAfricawithapumaandcertainotheranimalsaboardinJanuary，1887，thatthevesselwaswellknownatseveralportsintheSouthPacific，andthatitfinallydisappearedfromthoseseas（withaconsiderableamountofcopraaboard），sailingtoitsunknownfatefromBaynainDecember，1887，adatethattalliesentirelywithmyuncle’sstory。
CHARLESEDWARDPRENDICK。
（TheStorywrittenbyEdwardPrendick。）
I。INTHEDINGEYOFTHE"LADYVAIN。"
IDOnotproposetoaddanythingtowhathasalreadybeenwrittenconcerningthelossofthe"LadyVain。"Aseveryoneknows，shecollidedwithaderelictwhentendaysoutfromCallao。
Thelongboat，withsevenofthecrew，waspickedupeighteendaysafterbyH。M。gunboat"Myrtle，"andthestoryoftheirterribleprivationshasbecomequiteaswellknownasthefarmorehorrible"Medusa"case。
ButIhavetoaddtothepublishedstoryofthe"LadyVain"
another，possiblyashorribleandfarstranger。Ithashithertobeensupposedthatthefourmenwhowereinthedingeyperished，butthisisincorrect。Ihavethebestofevidenceforthisassertion：
Iwasoneofthefourmen。
ButinthefirstplaceImuststatethatthereneverwerefourmeninthedingey，——thenumberwasthree。Constans，whowas"seenbythecaptaintojumpintothegig，"<1>luckilyforusandunluckilyforhimselfdidnotreachus。Hecamedownoutofthetangleofropesunderthestaysofthesmashedbowsprit，somesmallropecaughthisheelasheletgo，andhehungforamomentheaddownward，andthenfellandstruckablockorsparfloatinginthewater。
Wepulledtowardshim，buthenevercameup。
<1>DailyNews，March17，1887。
Isayluckyforushedidnotreachus，andImightalmostsayluckilyforhimself;forwehadonlyasmallbreakerofwaterandsomesoddenedship’sbiscuitswithus，sosuddenhadbeenthealarm，sounpreparedtheshipforanydisaster。
Wethoughtthepeopleonthelaunchwouldbebetterprovisioned（thoughitseemstheywerenot），andwetriedtohailthem。Theycouldnothaveheardus，andthenextmorningwhenthedrizzlecleared，——
whichwasnotuntilpastmidday，——wecouldseenothingofthem。Wecouldnotstanduptolookaboutus，becauseofthepitchingoftheboat。
ThetwoothermenwhohadescapedsofarwithmewereamannamedHelmar，apassengerlikemyself，andaseamanwhosenameIdon’tknow，——
ashortsturdyman，withastammer。
Wedriftedfamishing，and，afterourwaterhadcometoanend，tormentedbyanintolerablethirst，foreightdaysaltogether。
Aftertheseconddaytheseasubsidedslowlytoaglassycalm。Itisquiteimpossiblefortheordinaryreadertoimaginethoseeightdays。
Hehasnot，luckilyforhimself，anythinginhismemorytoimaginewith。
Afterthefirstdaywesaidlittletooneanother，andlayinourplacesintheboatandstaredatthehorizon，orwatched，witheyesthatgrewlargerandmorehaggardeveryday，themiseryandweaknessgaininguponourcompanions。Thesunbecamepitiless。
Thewaterendedonthefourthday，andwewerealreadythinkingstrangethingsandsayingthemwithoureyes;butitwas，Ithink，thesixthbeforeHelmargavevoicetothethingwehadallbeenthinking。
Irememberourvoicesweredryandthin，sothatwebenttowardsoneanotherandsparedourwords。Istoodoutagainstitwithallmymight，wasratherforscuttlingtheboatandperishingtogetheramongthesharksthatfollowedus;butwhenHelmarsaidthatifhisproposalwasacceptedweshouldhavedrink，thesailorcameroundtohim。
Iwouldnotdrawlotshowever，andinthenightthesailorwhisperedtoHelmaragainandagain，andIsatinthebowswithmyclasp-knifeinmyhand，thoughIdoubtifIhadthestuffinmetofight;
andinthemorningIagreedtoHelmar’sproposal，andwehandedhalfpencetofindtheoddman。Thelotfelluponthesailor;
buthewasthestrongestofusandwouldnotabidebyit，andattackedHelmarwithhishands。Theygrappledtogetherandalmoststoodup。
Icrawledalongtheboattothem，intendingtohelpHelmarbygraspingthesailor’sleg;butthesailorstumbledwiththeswayingoftheboat，andthetwofelluponthegunwaleandrolledoverboardtogether。
Theysanklikestones。Irememberlaughingatthat，andwonderingwhyIlaughed。Thelaughcaughtmesuddenlylikeathingfromwithout。
IlayacrossoneofthethwartsforIknownothowlong，thinkingthatifIhadthestrengthIwoulddrinksea-waterandmaddenmyselftodiequickly。AndevenasIlaythereIsaw，withnomoreinterestthanifithadbeenapicture，asailcomeuptowardsmeoverthesky-line。Mymindmusthavebeenwandering，andyetIrememberallthathappened，quitedistinctly。
Irememberhowmyheadswayedwiththeseas，andthehorizonwiththesailaboveitdancedupanddown;butIalsorememberasdistinctlythatIhadapersuasionthatIwasdead，andthatI
thoughtwhatajestitwasthattheyshouldcometoolatebysuchalittletocatchmeinmybody。
Foranendlessperiod，asitseemedtome，Ilaywithmyheadonthethwartwatchingtheschooner（shewasalittleship，schooner-riggedforeandaft）comeupoutofthesea。
Shekepttackingtoandfroinawideningcompass，forshewassailingdeadintothewind。Itneverenteredmyheadtoattempttoattractattention，andIdonotrememberanythingdistinctlyafterthesightofhersideuntilIfoundmyselfinalittlecabinaft。
There’sadimhalf-memoryofbeinglifteduptothegangway，andofabigredcountenancecoveredwithfrecklesandsurroundedwithredhairstaringatmeoverthebulwarks。Ialsohadadisconnectedimpressionofadarkface，withextraordinaryeyes，closetomine;
butthatIthoughtwasanightmare，untilImetitagain。
IfancyIrecollectsomestuffbeingpouredinbetweenmyteeth;
andthatisall。
II。THEMANWHOWASGOINGNOWHERE
THEcabininwhichIfoundmyselfwassmallandratheruntidy。
Ayoungishmanwithflaxenhair，abristlystraw-colouredmoustache，andadroppingnetherlip，wassittingandholdingmywrist。
Foraminutewestaredateachotherwithoutspeaking。
Hehadwaterygreyeyes，oddlyvoidofexpression。
Thenjustoverheadcameasoundlikeanironbedsteadbeingknockedabout，andthelowangrygrowlingofsomelargeanimal。
Atthesametimethemanspoke。Herepeatedhisquestion，——"Howdoyoufeelnow？"
IthinkIsaidIfeltallright。IcouldnotrecollecthowI
hadgotthere。Hemusthaveseenthequestioninmyface，formyvoicewasinaccessibletome。
"Youwerepickedupinaboat，starving。Thenameontheboatwasthe`LadyVain，’andtherewerespotsofbloodonthegunwale。"
Atthesametimemyeyecaughtmyhand，thinsothatitlookedlikeadirtyskin-pursefullofloosebones，andallthebusinessoftheboatcamebacktome。
"Havesomeofthis，"saidhe，andgavemeadoseofsomescarletstuff，iced。
Ittastedlikeblood，andmademefeelstronger。
"Youwereinluck，"saidhe，"togetpickedupbyashipwithamedicalmanaboard。"Hespokewithaslobberingarticulation，withtheghostofalisp。
"Whatshipisthis？"Isaidslowly，hoarsefrommylongsilence。
"It’salittletraderfromAricaandCallao。Ineveraskedwhereshecamefrominthebeginning，——outofthelandofbornfools，Iguess。I’mapassengermyself，fromArica。
Thesillyasswhoownsher，——he’scaptaintoo，namedDavies，——
he’slosthiscertificate，orsomething。Youknowthekindofman，——
callsthethingthe`Ipecacuanha，’ofallsilly，infernalnames;
thoughwhenthere’smuchofaseawithoutanywind，shecertainlyactsaccording。"
（Thenthenoiseoverheadbeganagain，asnarlinggrowlandthevoiceofahumanbeingtogether。Thenanothervoice，tellingsome"Heaven-forsakenidiot"todesist。）
"Youwerenearlydead，"saidmyinterlocutor。"Itwasaverynearthing，indeed。ButI’veputsomestuffintoyounow。
Noticeyourarm’ssore？Injections。You’vebeeninsensiblefornearlythirtyhours。"
Ithoughtslowly。（Iwasdistractednowbytheyelpingofanumberofdogs。）"AmIeligibleforsolidfood？"Iasked。
"Thankstome，"hesaid。"Evennowthemuttonisboiling。"
"Yes，"Isaidwithassurance;"Icouldeatsomemutton。"
"But，"saidhewithamomentaryhesitation，"youknowI’mdyingtohearofhowyoucametobealoneinthatboat。Damnthathowling！"
IthoughtIdetectedacertainsuspicioninhiseyes。
Hesuddenlyleftthecabin，andIheardhiminviolentcontroversywithsomeone，whoseemedtometotalkgibberishinresponsetohim。
Themattersoundedasthoughitendedinblows，butinthatIthoughtmyearsweremistaken。Thenheshoutedatthedogs，andreturnedtothecabin。
"Well？"saidheinthedoorway。"Youwerejustbeginningtotellme。"
Itoldhimmyname，EdwardPrendick，andhowIhadtakentoNaturalHistoryasarelieffromthedulnessofmycomfortableindependence。
Heseemedinterestedinthis。"I’vedonesomesciencemyself。IdidmyBiologyatUniversityCollege，——gettingouttheovaryoftheearthwormandtheradulaofthesnail，andallthat。Lord！It’stenyearsago。
Butgoon！goon！tellmeabouttheboat。"
Hewasevidentlysatisfiedwiththefranknessofmystory，whichItoldinconcisesentencesenough，forIfelthorriblyweak;
andwhenitwasfinishedherevertedatoncetothetopicofNaturalHistoryandhisownbiologicalstudies。HebegantoquestionmecloselyaboutTottenhamCourtRoadandGowerStreet。
"IsCaplatzistillflourishing？Whatashopthatwas！"
Hehadevidentlybeenaveryordinarymedicalstudent，anddriftedincontinentlytothetopicofthemusichalls。Hetoldmesomeanecdotes。
"Leftitall，"hesaid，"tenyearsago。Howjollyitallusedtobe！
ButImadeayoungassofmyself，——playedmyselfoutbeforeIwastwenty-one。Idaresayit’salldifferentnow。ButImustlookupthatassofacook，andseewhathe’sdonetoyourmutton。"
Thegrowlingoverheadwasrenewed，sosuddenlyandwithsomuchsavageangerthatitstartledme。"What’sthat？"Icalledafterhim，butthedoorhadclosed。Hecamebackagainwiththeboiledmutton，andIwassoexcitedbytheappetisingsmellofitthatIforgotthenoiseofthebeastthathadtroubledme。
AfteradayofalternatesleepandfeedingIwassofarrecoveredastobeabletogetfrommybunktothescuttle，andseethegreenseastryingtokeeppacewithus。Ijudgedtheschoonerwasrunningbeforethewind。Montgomery——thatwasthenameoftheflaxen-hairedman——
cameinagainasIstoodthere，andIaskedhimforsomeclothes。
Helentmesomeduckthingsofhisown，forthoseIhadwornintheboathadbeenthrownoverboard。Theywereratherlooseforme，forhewaslargeandlonginhislimbs。Hetoldmecasuallythatthecaptainwasthree-partsdrunkinhisowncabin。AsIassumedtheclothes，Ibeganaskinghimsomequestionsaboutthedestinationoftheship。
HesaidtheshipwasboundtoHawaii，butthatithadtolandhimfirst。
"Where？"saidI。
"It’sanisland，whereIlive。SofarasIknow，ithasn’tgotaname。"
Hestaredatmewithhisnetherlipdropping，andlookedsowilfullystupidofasuddenthatitcameintomyheadthathedesiredtoavoidmyquestions。Ihadthediscretiontoasknomore。
III。THESTRANGEFACE。
WEleftthecabinandfoundamanatthecompanionobstructingourway。Hewasstandingontheladderwithhisbacktous，peeringoverthecombingofthehatchway。Hewas，Icouldsee，amisshapenman，short，broad，andclumsy，withacrookedback，ahairyneck，andaheadsunkbetweenhisshoulders。Hewasdressedindark-blueserge，andhadpeculiarlythick，coarse，blackhair。
Iheardtheunseendogsgrowlfuriously，andforthwithheduckedback，——
comingintocontactwiththehandIputouttofendhimofffrommyself。
Heturnedwithanimalswiftness。
Insomeindefinablewaytheblackfacethusflasheduponmeshockedmeprofoundly。Itwasasingularlydeformedone。
Thefacialpartprojected，formingsomethingdimlysuggestiveofamuzzle，andthehugehalf-openmouthshowedasbigwhiteteethasIhadeverseeninahumanmouth。Hiseyeswereblood-shotattheedges，withscarcelyarimofwhiteroundthehazelpupils。
Therewasacuriousglowofexcitementinhisface。
"Confoundyou！"saidMontgomery。"Whythedevildon’tyougetoutoftheway？"
Theblack-facedmanstartedasidewithoutaword。
Iwentonupthecompanion，staringathiminstinctivelyasIdidso。Montgomerystayedatthefootforamoment。
"Youhavenobusinesshere，youknow，"hesaidinadeliberatetone。
"Yourplaceisforward。"
Theblack-facedmancowered。"They——won’thavemeforward。"
Hespokeslowly，withaqueer，hoarsequalityinhisvoice。
"Won’thaveyouforward！"saidMontgomery，inamenacingvoice。
"ButItellyoutogo！"Hewasonthebrinkofsayingsomethingfurther，thenlookedupatmesuddenlyandfollowedmeuptheladder。
Ihadpausedhalfwaythroughthehatchway，lookingback，stillastonishedbeyondmeasureatthegrotesqueuglinessofthisblack-facedcreature。
Ihadneverbeheldsucharepulsiveandextraordinaryfacebefore，andyet——ifthecontradictioniscredible——IexperiencedatthesametimeanoddfeelingthatinsomewayIhadalreadyencounteredexactlythefeaturesandgesturesthatnowamazedme。
AfterwardsitoccurredtomethatprobablyIhadseenhimasI
wasliftedaboard;andyetthatscarcelysatisfiedmysuspicionofapreviousacquaintance。Yethowonecouldhaveseteyesonsosingularafaceandyethaveforgottenthepreciseoccasion，passedmyimagination。
Montgomery’smovementtofollowmereleasedmyattention，andI
turnedandlookedaboutmeattheflushdeckofthelittleschooner。
IwasalreadyhalfpreparedbythesoundsIhadheardforwhatIsaw。
CertainlyIneverbeheldadecksodirty。Itwaslitteredwithscrapsofcarrot，shredsofgreenstuff，andindescribablefilth。
Fastenedbychainstothemainmastwereanumberofgrislystaghounds，whonowbeganleapingandbarkingatme，andbythemizzenahugepumawascrampedinalittleironcagefartoosmalleventogiveitturningroom。
Fartherunderthestarboardbulwarkweresomebighutchescontaininganumberofrabbits，andasolitaryllamawassqueezedinamereboxofacageforward。Thedogsweremuzzledbyleatherstraps。
Theonlyhumanbeingondeckwasagauntandsilentsailoratthewheel。
Thepatchedanddirtyspankersweretensebeforethewind，andupaloftthelittleshipseemedcarryingeverysailshehad。
Theskywasclear，thesunmidwaydownthewesternsky;
longwaves，cappedbythebreezewithfroth，wererunningwithus。
Wewentpastthesteersmantothetaffrail，andsawthewatercomefoamingunderthesternandthebubblesgodancingandvanishinginherwake。Iturnedandsurveyedtheunsavourylengthoftheship。
"Isthisanoceanmenagerie？"saidI。
"Lookslikeit，"saidMontgomery。
"Whatarethesebeastsfor？Merchandise，curios？DoesthecaptainthinkheisgoingtosellthemsomewhereintheSouthSeas？"
"Itlookslikeit，doesn’tit？"saidMontgomery，andturnedtowardsthewakeagain。
Suddenlyweheardayelpandavolleyoffuriousblasphemyfromthecompanionhatchway，andthedeformedmanwiththeblackfacecameuphurriedly。Hewasimmediatelyfollowedbyaheavyred-hairedmaninawhitecap。Atthesightoftheformerthestaghounds，whohadalltiredofbarkingatmebythistime，becamefuriouslyexcited，howlingandleapingagainsttheirchains。
Theblackhesitatedbeforethem，andthisgavethered-hairedmantimetocomeupwithhimanddeliveratremendousblowbetweentheshoulder-blades。Thepoordevilwentdownlikeafelledox，androlledinthedirtamongthefuriouslyexciteddogs。
Itwasluckyforhimthattheyweremuzzled。Thered-hairedmangaveayawpofexultationandstoodstaggering，andasitseemedtomeinseriousdangerofeithergoingbackwardsdownthecompanionhatchwayorforwardsuponhisvictim。
Sosoonasthesecondmanhadappeared，Montgomeryhadstartedforward。
"Steadyonthere！"hecried，inatoneofremonstrance。
Acoupleofsailorsappearedontheforecastle。Theblack-facedman，howlinginasingularvoicerolledaboutunderthefeetofthedogs。
Nooneattemptedtohelphim。Thebrutesdidtheirbesttoworryhim，buttingtheirmuzzlesathim。Therewasaquickdanceoftheirlithegrey-figuredbodiesovertheclumsy，prostratefigure。
Thesailorsforwardshouted，asthoughitwasadmirablesport。
Montgomerygaveanangryexclamation，andwentstridingdownthedeck，andIfollowedhim。Theblack-facedmanscrambledupandstaggeredforward，goingandleaningoverthebulwarkbythemainshrouds，whereheremained，pantingandglaringoverhisshoulderatthedogs。Thered-hairedmanlaughedasatisfiedlaugh。
"Lookhere，Captain，"saidMontgomery，withhislispalittleaccentuated，grippingtheelbowsofthered-hairedman，"thiswon’tdo！"
IstoodbehindMontgomery。Thecaptaincamehalfround，andregardedhimwiththedullandsolemneyesofadrunkenman。
"Wha’won’tdo？"hesaid，andadded，afterlookingsleepilyintoMontgomery’sfaceforaminute，"BlastedSawbones！"
Withasuddenmovementheshookhisarmfree，andaftertwoineffectualattemptsstuckhisfreckledfistsintohissidepockets。
"Thatman’sapassenger，"saidMontgomery。"I’dadviseyoutokeepyourhandsoffhim。"
"Gotohell！"saidthecaptain，loudly。Hesuddenlyturnedandstaggeredtowardstheside。"DowhatIlikeonmyownship，"
hesaid。
IthinkMontgomerymighthavelefthimthen，seeingthebrutewasdrunk;
butheonlyturnedashadepaler，andfollowedthecaptaintothebulwarks。
"Lookyouhere，Captain，"hesaid;"thatmanofmineisnottobeill-treated。Hehasbeenhazedeversincehecameaboard。"
Foraminute，alcoholicfumeskeptthecaptainspeechless。
"BlastedSawbones！"wasallheconsiderednecessary。
IcouldseethatMontgomeryhadoneofthoseslow，pertinacioustempersthatwillwarmdayafterdaytoawhiteheat，andneveragaincooltoforgiveness;andIsawtoothatthisquarrelhadbeensometimegrowing。"Theman’sdrunk，"saidI，perhapsofficiously;
"you’lldonogood。"
Montgomerygaveanuglytwisttohisdroppinglip。"He’salwaysdrunk。
Doyouthinkthatexcuseshisassaultinghispassengers？"
"Myship，"beganthecaptain，wavinghishandunsteadilytowardsthecages，"wasacleanship。Lookatitnow！"
Itwascertainlyanythingbutclean。"Crew，"continuedthecaptain，"clean，respectablecrew。"
"Youagreedtotakethebeasts。"
"IwishI’dneverseteyesonyourinfernalisland。Whatthedevil——
wantbeastsforonanislandlikethat？Then，thatmanofyours——
understoodhewasaman。He’salunatic;andhehadn’tnobusinessaft。
Doyouthinkthewholedamnedshipbelongstoyou？"
"Yoursailorsbegantohazethepoordevilassoonashecameaboard。"
"That’sjustwhatheis——he’sadevil！anuglydevil！Mymencan’tstandhim。Ican’tstandhim。Noneofuscan’tstandhim。
Noryoueither！"
Montgomeryturnedaway。"Youleavethatmanalone，anyhow，"hesaid，noddinghisheadashespoke。
Butthecaptainmeanttoquarrelnow。Heraisedhisvoice。"IfhecomesthisendoftheshipagainI’llcuthisinsidesout，Itellyou。
Cutouthisblastedinsides！Whoareyou，totellmewhatI’mtodo？
ItellyouI’mcaptainofthisship，——captainandowner。
I’mthelawhere，Itellyou，——thelawandtheprophets。
IbargainedtotakeamanandhisattendanttoandfromArica，andbringbacksomeanimals。IneverbargainedtocarryamaddevilandasillySawbones，a——"
Well，nevermindwhathecalledMontgomery。Isawthelattertakeastepforward，andinterposed。"He’sdrunk，"saidI。Thecaptainbegansomeabuseevenfoulerthanthelast。"Shutup！"Isaid，turningonhimsharply，forIhadseendangerinMontgomery’swhiteface。
WiththatIbroughtthedownpouronmyself。
However，Iwasgladtoavertwhatwasuncommonlynearascuffle，evenatthepriceofthecaptain’sdrunkenill-will。IdonotthinkIhaveeverheardquitesomuchvilelanguagecomeinacontinuousstreamfromanyman’slipsbefore，thoughIhavefrequentedeccentriccompanyenough。Ifoundsomeofithardtoendure，thoughIamamild-temperedman;but，certainly，whenItoldthecaptainto"shutup"IhadforgottenthatIwasmerelyabitofhumanflotsam，cutofffrommyresourcesandwithmyfareunpaid;amerecasualdependantonthebounty，orspeculativeenterprise，oftheship。
Heremindedmeofitwithconsiderablevigour;butatanyrateIpreventedafight。
IV。ATTHESCHOONER’SRAIL。
THATnightlandwassightedaftersundown，andtheschoonerhoveto。Montgomeryintimatedthatwashisdestination。
Itwastoofartoseeanydetails;itseemedtomethensimplyalow-lyingpatchofdimblueintheuncertainblue-greysea。
Analmostverticalstreakofsmokewentupfromitintothesky。
Thecaptainwasnotondeckwhenitwassighted。Afterhehadventedhiswrathonmehehadstaggeredbelow，andIunderstandbewenttosleeponthefloorofhisowncabin。Thematepracticallyassumedthecommand。
Hewasthegaunt，taciturnindividualwehadseenatthewheel。
ApparentlyhewasinaneviltemperwithMontgomery。Hetooknottheslightestnoticeofeitherofus。Wedinedwithhiminasulkysilence，afterafewineffectualeffortsonmyparttotalk。
Itstruckmetoothatthemenregardedmycompanionandhisanimalsinasingularlyunfriendlymanner。IfoundMontgomeryveryreticentabouthispurposewiththesecreatures，andabouthisdestination;
andthoughIwassensibleofagrowingcuriosityastoboth，Ididnotpresshim。
Weremainedtalkingonthequarterdeckuntiltheskywasthickwithstars。Exceptforanoccasionalsoundintheyellow-litforecastleandamovementoftheanimalsnowandthen，thenightwasverystill。
Thepumalaycrouchedtogether，watchinguswithshiningeyes，ablackheapinthecornerofitscage。Montgomeryproducedsomecigars。
HetalkedtomeofLondoninatoneofhalf-painfulreminiscence，askingallkindsofquestionsaboutchangesthathadtakenplace。
Hespokelikeamanwhohadlovedhislifethere，andhadbeensuddenlyandirrevocablycutofffromit。IgossipedaswellasI
couldofthisandthat。Allthetimethestrangenessofhimwasshapingitselfinmymind;andasItalkedIpeeredathisodd，pallidfaceinthedimlightofthebinnaclelanternbehindme。ThenI
lookedoutatthedarklingsea，whereinthedimnesshislittleislandwashidden。
Thisman，itseemedtome，hadcomeoutofImmensitymerelytosavemylife。To-morrowhewoulddropovertheside，andvanishagainoutofmyexistence。Evenhaditbeenundercommonplacecircumstances，itwouldhavemademeatriflethoughtful;butinthefirstplacewasthesingularityofaneducatedmanlivingonthisunknownlittleisland，andcoupledwiththattheextraordinarynatureofhisluggage。
Ifoundmyselfrepeatingthecaptain’squestion，Whatdidhewantwiththebeasts？Why，too，hadhepretendedtheywerenothiswhenI
hadremarkedaboutthematfirst？Then，again，inhispersonalattendanttherewasabizarrequalitywhichhadimpressedmeprofoundly。
Thesecircumstancesthrewahazeofmysteryroundtheman。Theylaidholdofmyimagination，andhamperedmytongue。
TowardsmidnightourtalkofLondondiedaway，andwestoodsidebysideleaningoverthebulwarksandstaringdreamilyoverthesilent，starlitsea，eachpursuinghisownthoughts。
Itwastheatmosphereforsentiment，andIbeganuponmygratitude。
"IfImaysayit，"saidI，afteratime，"youhavesavedmylife。"
"Chance，"heanswered。"Justchance。"
"Iprefertomakemythankstotheaccessibleagent。"
"Thanknoone。Youhadtheneed，andIhadtheknowledge;
andIinjectedandfedyoumuchasImighthavecollectedaspecimen。
Iwasboredandwantedsomethingtodo。IfI’dbeenjadedthatday，orhadn’tlikedyourface，well——it’sacuriousquestionwhereyouwouldhavebeennow！"
Thisdampedmymoodalittle。"Atanyrate，"Ibegan。
"It’schance，Itellyou，"heinterrupted，"aseverythingisinaman’slife。Onlytheasseswon’tseeit！WhyamIherenow，anoutcastfromcivilisation，insteadofbeingahappymanenjoyingallthepleasuresofLondon？Simplybecauseelevenyearsago——
Ilostmyheadfortenminutesonafoggynight。"
Hestopped。"Yes？"saidI。
"That’sall。"
Werelapsedintosilence。Presentlyhelaughed。
"There’ssomethinginthisstarlightthatloosensone’stongue。
I’manass，andyetsomehowIwouldliketotellyou。"
"Whateveryoutellme，youmayrelyuponmykeepingtomyself——
ifthat’sit。"
Hewasonthepointofbeginning，andthenshookhishead，doubtfully。
"Don’t，"saidI。"Itisallthesametome。Afterall，itisbettertokeepyoursecret。There’snothinggainedbutalittlereliefifIrespectyourconfidence。IfIdon’t——well？"
Hegruntedundecidedly。IfeltIhadhimatadisadvantage，hadcaughthiminthemoodofindiscretion;andtotellthetruthIwasnotcurioustolearnwhatmighthavedrivenayoungmedicalstudentoutofLondon。
Ihaveanimagination。Ishruggedmyshouldersandturnedaway。
Overthetaffrailleantasilentblackfigure，watchingthestars。
ItwasMontgomery’sstrangeattendant。Itlookedoveritsshoulderquicklywithmymovement，thenlookedawayagain。
Itmayseemalittlethingtoyou，perhaps，butitcamelikeasuddenblowtome。Theonlylightnearuswasalanternatthewheel。
Thecreature’sfacewasturnedforonebriefinstantoutofthedimnessofthesterntowardsthisillumination，andIsawthattheeyesthatglancedatmeshonewithapale-greenlight。Ididnotknowthenthatareddishluminosity，atleast，isnotuncommoninhumaneyes。
Thethingcametomeasstarkinhumanity。Thatblackfigurewithitseyesoffirestruckdownthroughallmyadultthoughtsandfeelings，andforamomenttheforgottenhorrorsofchildhoodcamebacktomymind。
Thentheeffectpassedasithadcome。Anuncouthblackfigureofaman，afigureofnoparticularimport，hungoverthetaffrailagainstthestarlight，andIfoundMontgomerywasspeakingtome。
"I’mthinkingofturningin，then，"saidhe，"ifyou’vehadenoughofthis。"
Iansweredhimincongruously。Wewentbelow，andhewishedmegood-nightatthedoorofmycabin。
ThatnightIhadsomeveryunpleasantdreams。Thewaningmoonroselate。Itslightstruckaghostlywhitebeamacrossmycabin，andmadeanominousshapeontheplankingbymybunk。
Thenthestaghoundswoke，andbeganhowlingandbaying;
sothatIdreamtfitfully，andscarcelysleptuntiltheapproachofdawn。
V。THEMANWHOHADNOWHERETOGO。
INtheearlymorning（itwasthesecondmorningaftermyrecovery，andIbelievethefourthafterIwaspickedup），Iawokethroughanavenueoftumultuousdreams，——dreamsofgunsandhowlingmobs，——andbecamesensibleofahoarseshoutingaboveme。Irubbedmyeyesandlaylisteningtothenoise，doubtfulforalittlewhileofmywhereabouts。
Thencameasuddenpatteringofbarefeet，thesoundofheavyobjectsbeingthrownabout，aviolentcreakingandtherattlingofchains。
Iheardtheswishofthewaterastheshipwassuddenlybroughtround，andafoamyyellow-greenwaveflewacrossthelittleroundwindowandleftitstreaming。Ijumpedintomyclothesandwentondeck。
AsIcameuptheladderIsawagainsttheflushedsky——forthesunwasjustrising——thebroadbackandredhairofthecaptain，andoverhisshoulderthepumaspinningfromatackleriggedontothemizzenspanker-boom。
Thepoorbruteseemedhorriblyscared，andcrouchedinthebottomofitslittlecage。
"Overboardwith’em！"bawledthecaptain。"Overboardwith’em！
We’llhaveacleanshipsoonofthewholebilin’of’em。"
Hestoodinmyway，sothatIhadperforcetotaphisshouldertocomeondeck。Hecameroundwithastart，andstaggeredbackafewpacestostareatme。Itneedednoexperteyetotellthatthemanwasstilldrunk。
"Hullo！"saidhe，stupidly;andthenwithalightcomingintohiseyes，"Why，it’sMister——Mister？"
"Prendick，"saidI。
"Pendickbedamned！"saidhe。"Shut-up，——that’syourname。
MisterShut-up。"
Itwasnogoodansweringthebrute;butIcertainlydidnotexpecthisnextmove。HeheldouthishandtothegangwaybywhichMontgomerystoodtalkingtoamassivegrey-hairedmanindirty-blueflannels，whohadapparentlyjustcomeaboard。
"Thatway，MisterBlastedShut-up！thatway！"roaredthecaptain。
Montgomeryandhiscompanionturnedashespoke。
"Whatdoyoumean？"Isaid。
"Thatway，MisterBlastedShut-up，——that’swhatImean！
Overboard，MisterShut-up，——andsharp！We’recleaningtheshipout，——
cleaningthewholeblessedshipout;andoverboardyougo！"
Istaredathimdumfounded。ThenitoccurredtomethatitwasexactlythethingIwanted。Thelostprospectofajourneyassolepassengerwiththisquarrelsomesotwasnotonetomournover。
IturnedtowardsMontgomery。
"Can’thaveyou，"saidMontgomery’scompanion，concisely。
"Youcan’thaveme！"saidI，aghast。HehadthesquarestandmostresolutefaceIeverseteyesupon。
"Lookhere，"Ibegan，turningtothecaptain。
"Overboard！"saidthecaptain。"Thisshipaintforbeastsandcannibalsandworsethanbeasts，anymore。Overboardyougo，MisterShut-up。Iftheycan’thaveyou，yougoesoverboard。
But，anyhow，yougo——withyourfriends。I’vedonewiththisblessedislandforevermore，amen！I’vehadenoughofit。"
"But，Montgomery，"Iappealed。
Hedistortedhislowerlip，andnoddedhisheadhopelesslyatthegrey-hairedmanbesidehim，toindicatehispowerlessnesstohelpme。
"I’llseetoyou，presently，"saidthecaptain。
Thenbeganacuriousthree-corneredaltercation。
AlternatelyIappealedtooneandanotherofthethreemen，——
firsttothegrey-hairedmantoletmeland，andthentothedrunkencaptaintokeepmeaboard。Ievenbawledentreatiestothesailors。
Montgomerysaidneveraword，onlyshookhishead。
"You’regoingoverboard，Itellyou，"wasthecaptain’srefrain。
"Lawbedamned！I’mkinghere。"AtlastImustconfessmyvoicesuddenlybrokeinthemiddleofavigorousthreat。
Ifeltagustofhystericalpetulance，andwentaftandstareddismallyatnothing。
Meanwhilethesailorsprogressedrapidlywiththetaskofunshippingthepackagesandcagedanimals。Alargelaunch，withtwostandinglugs，layundertheleaoftheschooner;
andintothisthestrangeassortmentofgoodswereswung。
Ididnotthenseethehandsfromtheislandthatwerereceivingthepackages，forthehullofthelaunchwashiddenfrommebythesideoftheschooner。NeitherMontgomerynorhiscompaniontooktheslightestnoticeofme，butbusiedthemselvesinassistinganddirectingthefourorfivesailorswhowereunloadingthegoods。
Thecaptainwentforwardinterferingratherthanassisting。
Iwasalternatelydespairfulanddesperate。OnceortwiceasIstoodwaitingthereforthingstoaccomplishthemselves，Icouldnotresistanimpulsetolaughatmymiserablequandary。
Ifeltallthewretchederforthelackofabreakfast。
Hungerandalackofblood-corpusclestakeallthemanhoodfromaman。
IperceivedprettyclearlythatIhadnotthestaminaeithertoresistwhatthecaptainchosetodotoexpelme，ortoforcemyselfuponMontgomeryandhiscompanion。
SoIwaitedpassivelyuponfate;andtheworkoftransferringMontgomery’spossessionstothelaunchwentonasifIdidnotexist。
Presentlythatworkwasfinished，andthencameastruggle。
Iwashauled，resistingweaklyenough，tothegangway。
EventhenInoticedtheoddnessofthebrownfacesofthemenwhowerewithMontgomeryinthelaunch;butthelaunchwasnowfullyladen，andwasshovedoffhastily。Abroadeninggapofgreenwaterappearedunderme，andIpushedbackwithallmystrengthtoavoidfallingheadlong。Thehandsinthelaunchshoutedderisively，andIheardMontgomerycurseatthem;andthenthecaptain，themate，andoneoftheseamenhelpinghim，ranmeafttowardsthestern。
Thedingeyofthe"LadyVain"hadbeentowingbehind;itwashalffullofwater，hadnooars，andwasquiteunvictualled。
Irefusedtogoaboardher，andflungmyselffulllengthonthedeck。
Intheend，theyswungmeintoherbyarope（fortheyhadnosternladder），andthentheycutmeadrift。Idriftedslowlyfromtheschooner。InakindofstuporIwatchedallhandstaketotherigging，andslowlybutsurelyshecameroundtothewind;
thesailsfluttered，andthenbelliedoutasthewindcameintothem。
Istaredatherweather-beatensideheelingsteeplytowardsme;
andthenshepassedoutofmyrangeofview。
Ididnotturnmyheadtofollowher。AtfirstIcouldscarcelybelievewhathadhappened。Icrouchedinthebottomofthedingey，stunned，andstaringblanklyatthevacant，oilysea。ThenIrealizedthatIwasinthatlittlehellofmineagain，nowhalfswamped;
andlookingbackoverthegunwale，Isawtheschoonerstandingawayfromme，withthered-hairedcaptainmockingatmeoverthetaffrail，andturningtowardstheislandsawthelaunchgrowingsmallerassheapproachedthebeach。
Abruptlythecrueltyofthisdesertionbecamecleartome。
IhadnomeansofreachingthelandunlessIshouldchancetodriftthere。
Iwasstillweak，youmustremember，frommyexposureintheboat;
Iwasemptyandveryfaint，orIshouldhavehadmoreheart。
ButasitwasIsuddenlybegantosobandweep，asIhadneverdonesinceIwasalittlechild。Thetearsrandownmyface。InapassionofdespairIstruckwithmyfistsatthewaterinthebottomoftheboat，andkickedsavagelyatthegunwale。IprayedaloudforGodtoletmedie。
VI。THEEVIL-LOOKINGBOATMEN。
BUTtheislanders，seeingthatIwasreallyadrift，tookpityonme。
Idriftedveryslowlytotheeastward，approachingtheislandslantingly;
andpresentlyIsaw，withhystericalrelief，thelaunchcomeroundandreturntowardsme。Shewasheavilyladen，andIcouldmakeoutasshedrewnearerMontgomery’swhite-haired，broad-shoulderedcompanionsittingcrampedupwiththedogsandseveralpacking-casesinthesternsheets。
Thisindividualstaredfixedlyatmewithoutmovingorspeaking。
Theblack-facedcripplewasglaringatmeasfixedlyinthebowsnearthepuma。Therewerethreeothermenbesides，——threestrangebrutish-lookingfellows，atwhomthestaghoundsweresnarlingsavagely。
Montgomery，whowassteering，broughttheboatbyme，andrising，caughtandfastenedmypaintertothetillertotowme，fortherewasnoroomaboard。
Ihadrecoveredfrommyhystericalphasebythistimeandansweredhishail，asheapproached，bravelyenough。
Itoldhimthedingeywasnearlyswamped，andhereachedmeapiggin。
Iwasjerkedbackastheropetightenedbetweentheboats。
ForsometimeIwasbusybaling。
ItwasnotuntilIhadgotthewaterunder（forthewaterinthedingeyhadbeenshipped;theboatwasperfectlysound）
thatIhadleisuretolookatthepeopleinthelaunchagain。
Thewhite-hairedmanIfoundwasstillregardingmesteadfastly，butwithanexpression，asInowfancied，ofsomeperplexity。
Whenmyeyesmethis，helookeddownatthestaghoundthatsatbetweenhisknees。Hewasapowerfully-builtman，asIhavesaid，withafineforeheadandratherheavyfeatures;buthiseyeshadthatodddroopingoftheskinabovethelidswhichoftencomeswithadvancingyears，andthefallofhisheavymouthatthecornersgavehimanexpressionofpugnaciousresolution。
HetalkedtoMontgomeryinatonetoolowformetohear。
Fromhimmyeyestravelledtohisthreemen;andastrangecrewtheywere。
Isawonlytheirfaces，yettherewassomethingintheirfaces——
Iknewnotwhat——thatgavemeaqueerspasmofdisgust。
Ilookedsteadilyatthem，andtheimpressiondidnotpass，thoughIfailedtoseewhathadoccasionedit。Theyseemedtomethentobebrownmen;buttheirlimbswereoddlyswathedinsomethin，dirty，whitestuffdowneventothefingersandfeet：
Ihaveneverseenmensowrappedupbefore，andwomensoonlyintheEast。
Theyworeturbanstoo，andthereunderpeeredouttheirelfinfacesatme，——faceswithprotrudinglower-jawsandbrighteyes。
Theyhadlankblackhair，almostlikehorsehair，andseemedastheysattoexceedinstatureanyraceofmenIhaveseen。
Thewhite-hairedman，whoIknewwasagoodsixfeetinheight，sataheadbelowanyoneofthethree。Ifoundafterwardsthatreallynoneweretallerthanmyself;buttheirbodieswereabnormallylong，andthethigh-partofthelegshortandcuriouslytwisted。
Atanyrate，theywereanamazinglyuglygang，andovertheheadsofthemundertheforwardlugpeeredtheblackfaceofthemanwhoseeyeswereluminousinthedark。AsIstaredatthem，theymetmygaze;
andthenfirstoneandthenanotherturnedawayfrommydirectstare，andlookedatmeinanodd，furtivemanner。ItoccurredtomethatI
wasperhapsannoyingthem，andIturnedmyattentiontotheislandwewereapproaching。
Itwaslow，andcoveredwiththickvegetation，——chieflyakindofpalm，thatwasnewtome。Fromonepointathinwhitethreadofvapourroseslantinglytoanimmenseheight，andthenfrayedoutlikeadownfeather。
Wewerenowwithintheembraceofabroadbayflankedoneitherhandbyalowpromontory。Thebeachwasofdull-greysand，andslopedsteeplyuptoaridge，perhapssixtyorseventyfeetabovethesea-level，andirregularlysetwithtreesandundergrowth。
Halfwayupwasasquareenclosureofsomegreyishstone，whichIfoundsubsequentlywasbuiltpartlyofcoralandpartlyofpumiceouslava。
Twothatchedroofspeepedfromwithinthisenclosure。
Amanstoodawaitingusatthewater’sedge。IfanciedwhilewewerestillfaroffthatIsawsomeotherandverygrotesque-lookingcreaturesscuttleintothebushesupontheslope;butIsawnothingoftheseaswedrewnearer。Thismanwasofamoderatesize，andwithablacknegroidface。Hehadalarge，almostlipless，mouth，extraordinarylankarms，longthinfeet，andbow-legs，andstoodwithhisheavyfacethrustforwardstaringatus。
HewasdressedlikeMontgomeryandhiswhite-hairedcompanion，injacketandtrousersofblueserge。Aswecamestillnearer，thisindividualbegantoruntoandfroonthebeach，makingthemostgrotesquemovements。
AtawordofcommandfromMontgomery，thefourmeninthelaunchsprangup，andwithsingularlyawkwardgesturesstruckthelugs。
Montgomerysteeredusroundandintoanarrowlittledockexcavatedinthebeach。Thenthemanonthebeachhastenedtowardsus。
Thisdock，asIcallit，wasreallyamereditchjustlongenoughatthisphaseofthetidetotakethelongboat。
Iheardthebowsgroundinthesand，stavedthedingeyofftherudderofthebigboatwithmypiggin，andfreeingthepainter，landed。
Thethreemuffledmen，withtheclumsiestmovements，scrambledoutuponthesand，andforthwithsettolandingthecargo，assistedbythemanonthebeach。Iwasstruckespeciallybythecuriousmovementsofthelegsofthethreeswathedandbandagedboatmen，——
notstifftheywere，butdistortedinsomeoddway，almostasiftheywerejointedinthewrongplace。Thedogswerestillsnarling，andstrainedattheirchainsafterthesemen，asthewhite-hairedmanlandedwiththem。Thethreebigfellowsspoketooneanotherinoddgutturaltones，andthemanwhohadwaitedforusonthebeachbeganchatteringtothemexcitedly——aforeignlanguage，asIfancied——astheylaidhandsonsomebalespilednearthestern。
SomewhereIhadheardsuchavoicebefore，andIcouldnotthinkwhere。
Thewhite-hairedmanstood，holdinginatumultofsixdogs，andbawlingordersovertheirdin。Montgomery，havingunshippedtherudder，landedlikewise，andallsettoworkatunloading。Iwastoofaint，whatwithmylongfastandthesunbeatingdownonmybarehead，toofferanyassistance。
Presentlythewhite-hairedmanseemedtorecollectmypresence，andcameuptome。
"Youlook，"saidhe，"asthoughyouhadscarcelybreakfasted。"
Hislittleeyeswereabrilliantblackunderhisheavybrows。
"Imustapologiseforthat。Nowyouareourguest，wemustmakeyoucomfortable，——thoughyouareuninvited，youknow。"
Helookedkeenlyintomyface。"Montgomerysaysyouareaneducatedman，Mr。Prendick;saysyouknowsomethingofscience。MayIaskwhatthatsignifies？"
ItoldhimIhadspentsomeyearsattheRoyalCollegeofScience，andhaddonesomeresearchesinbiologyunderHuxley。Heraisedhiseyebrowsslightlyatthat。
"Thataltersthecasealittle，Mr。Prendick，"hesaid，withatriflemorerespectinhismanner。"Asithappens，wearebiologistshere。Thisisabiologicalstation——ofasort。"
Hiseyerestedonthemeninwhitewhowerebusilyhaulingthepuma，onrollers，towardsthewalledyard。"IandMontgomery，atleast，"
headded。Then，"Whenyouwillbeabletogetaway，Ican’tsay。
We’reoffthetracktoanywhere。Weseeashiponceinatwelve-monthorso。"
Heleftmeabruptly，andwentupthebeachpastthisgroup，andI
thinkenteredtheenclosure。TheothertwomenwerewithMontgomery，erectingapileofsmallerpackagesonalow-wheeledtruck。
Thellamawasstillonthelaunchwiththerabbithutches;
thestaghoundswerestilllashedtothethwarts。
Thepileofthingscompleted，allthreemenlaidholdofthetruckandbeganshovingtheton-weightorsouponitafterthepuma。
PresentlyMontgomeryleftthem，andcomingbacktomeheldouthishand。
"I’mglad，"saidhe，"formyownpart。Thatcaptainwasasillyass。
He’dhavemadethingslivelyforyou。"
"ltwasyou，"saidI，"thatsavedmeagain"。
"Thatdepends。You’llfindthisislandaninfernallyrumplace，Ipromiseyou。I’dwatchmygoingscarefully，ifIwereyou。
He——"Hehesitated，andseemedtoalterhismindaboutwhatwasonhislips。"Iwishyou’dhelpmewiththeserabbits，"
hesaid。
Hisprocedurewiththerabbitswassingular。Iwadedinwithhim，andhelpedhimlugoneofthehutchesashore。
Nosoonerwasthatdonethanheopenedthedoorofit，andtiltingthethingononeendturneditslivingcontentsoutontheground。
Theyfellinastrugglingheaponeonthetopoftheother。
Heclappedhishands，andforthwiththeywentoffwiththathoppingrunoftheirs，fifteenortwentyofthemIshouldthink，upthebeach。
"Increaseandmultiply，myfriends，"saidMontgomery。
"Replenishtheisland。Hithertowe’vehadacertainlackofmeathere。"
AsIwatchedthemdisappearing，thewhite-hairedmanreturnedwithabrandy-flaskandsomebiscuits。"Somethingtogoonwith，Prendick，"
saidhe，inafarmorefamiliartonethanbefore。Imadenoado，butsettoworkonthebiscuitsatonce，whilethewhite-hairedmanhelpedMontgomerytoreleaseaboutascoremoreoftherabbits。
Threebighutches，however，wentuptothehousewiththepuma。
ThebrandyIdidnottouch，forIhavebeenanabstainerfrommybirth。
VII。"THELOCKEDDOOR。"
THEreaderwillperhapsunderstandthatatfirsteverythingwassostrangeaboutme，andmypositionwastheoutcomeofsuchunexpectedadventures，thatIhadnodiscernmentoftherelativestrangenessofthisorthatthing。Ifollowedthellamaupthebeach，andwasovertakenbyMontgomery，whoaskedmenottoenterthestoneenclosure。
Inoticedthenthatthepumainitscageandthepileofpackageshadbeenplacedoutsidetheentrancetothisquadrangle。
Iturnedandsawthatthelaunchhadnowbeenunloaded，runoutagain，andwasbeingbeached，andthewhite-hairedmanwaswalkingtowardsus。
HeaddressedMontgomery。
"Andnowcomestheproblemofthisuninvitedguest。Whatarewetodowithhim？"
"Heknowssomethingofscience，"saidMontgomery。
"I’mitchingtogettoworkagain——withthisnewstuff，"
saidthewhite-hairedman，nodddingtowardstheenclosure。
Hiseyesgrewbrighter。
"Idaresayyouare，"saidMontgomery，inanythingbutacordialtone。
"Wecan’tsendhimoverthere，andwecan’tsparethetimetobuildhimanewshanty;andwecertainlycan’ttakehimintoourconfidencejustyet。"
"I’minyourhands，"saidI。Ihadnoideaofwhathemeantby"overthere。"
"I’vebeenthinkingofthesamethings，"Montgomeryanswered。
"There’smyroomwiththeouterdoor——"
"That’sit，"saidtheelderman，promptly，lookingatMontgomery;
andallthreeofuswenttowardstheenclosure。"I’msorrytomakeamystery，Mr。Prendick;butyou’llrememberyou’reuninvited。
Ourlittleestablishmentherecontainsasecretorso，isakindofBlue-Beard’schamber，infact。Nothingverydreadful，really，toasaneman;butjustnow，aswedon’tknowyou——"
"Decidedly，"saidI，"Ishouldbeafooltotakeoffenceatanywantofconfidence。"
Hetwistedhisheavymouthintoafaintsmile——hewasoneofthosesaturninepeoplewhosmilewiththecornersofthemouthdown，——
andbowedhisacknowledgmentofmycomplaisance。Themainentrancetotheenclosurewepassed;itwasaheavywoodengate，framedinironandlocked，withthecargoofthelaunchpiledoutsideit，andatthecornerwecametoasmalldoorwayIhadnotpreviouslyobserved。
Thewhite-hairedmanproducedabundleofkeysfromthepocketofhisgreasybluejacket，openedthisdoor，andentered。
Hiskeys，andtheelaboratelocking-upoftheplaceevenwhileitwasstillunderhiseye，struckmeaspeculiar。Ifollowedhim，andfoundmyselfinasmallapartment，plainlybutnotuncomfortablyfurnishedandwithitsinnerdoor，whichwasslightlyajar，openingintoapavedcourtyard。ThisinnerdoorMontgomeryatonceclosed。
Ahammockwasslungacrossthedarkercorneroftheroom，andasmallunglazedwindowdefendedbyanironbarlookedouttowardsthesea。
Thisthewhite-hairedmantoldmewastobemyapartment;
andtheinnerdoor，which"forfearofaccidents，"hesaid，hewouldlockontheotherside，wasmylimitinward。
Hecalledmyattentiontoaconvenientdeck-chairbeforethewindow，andtoanarrayofoldbooks，chiefly，Ifound，surgicalworksandeditionsoftheLatinandGreekclassics（languagesI
cannotreadwithanycomfort），onashelfnearthehammock。
Helefttheroombytheouterdoor，asiftoavoidopeningtheinneroneagain。
"Weusuallyhaveourmealsinhere，"saidMontgomery，andthen，asifindoubt，wentoutaftertheother。"Moreau！"Iheardhimcall，andforthemomentIdonotthinkInoticed。
ThenasIhandledthebooksontheshelfitcameupinconsciousness：
WherehadIheardthenameofMoreaubefore？Isatdownbeforethewindow，tookoutthebiscuitsthatstillremainedtome，andatethemwithanexcellentappetite。Moreau！
ThroughthewindowIsawoneofthoseunaccountablemeninwhite，luggingapacking-casealongthebeach。Presentlythewindow-framehidhim。
ThenIheardakeyinsertedandturnedinthelockbehindme。
AfteralittlewhileIheardthroughthelockeddoorthenoiseofthestaghounds，thathadnowbeenbroughtupfromthebeach。
Theywerenotbarking，butsniffingandgrowlinginacuriousfashion。
Icouldheartherapidpatteroftheirfeet，andMontgomery’svoicesoothingthem。
Iwasverymuchimpressedbytheelaboratesecrecyofthesetwomenregardingthecontentsoftheplace，andforsometimeIwasthinkingofthatandoftheunaccountablefamiliarityofthenameofMoreau;
butsooddisthehumanmemorythatIcouldnotthenrecallthatwell-knownnameinitsproperconnection。Fromthatmythoughtswenttotheindefinablequeernessofthedeformedmanonthebeach。
Ineversawsuchagait，suchoddmotionsashepulledatthebox。
Irecalledthatnoneofthesemenhadspokentome，thoughmostofthemIhadfoundlookingatmeatonetimeoranotherinapeculiarlyfurtivemanner，quiteunlikethefrankstareofyourunsophisticatedsavage。Indeed，theyhadallseemedremarkablytaciturn，andwhentheydidspeak，endowedwithveryuncannyvoices。
Whatwaswrongwiththem？ThenIrecalledtheeyesofMontgomery’sungainlyattendant。
JustasIwasthinkingofhimhecamein。Hewasnowdressedinwhite，andcarriedalittletraywithsomecoffeeandboiledvegetablesthereon。
Icouldhardlyrepressashudderingrecoilashecame，bendingamiably，andplacedthetraybeforemeonthetable。Thenastonishmentparalysedme。UnderhisstringyblacklocksIsawhisear;
itjumpeduponmesuddenlyclosetomyface。Themanhadpointedears，coveredwithafinebrownfur！
"Yourbreakfast，sair，"hesaid。
Istaredathisfacewithoutattemptingtoanswerhim。Heturnedandwenttowardsthedoor，regardingmeoddlyoverhisshoulder。
Ifollowedhimoutwithmyeyes;andasIdidso，bysomeoddtrickofunconsciouscerebration，therecamesurgingintomyheadthephrase，"TheMoreauHollows"——wasit？"TheMoreau——"Ah！Itsentmymemorybacktenyears。"TheMoreauHorrors！"Thephrasedriftedlooseinmymindforamoment，andthenIsawitinredletteringonalittlebuff-colouredpamphlet，toreadwhichmadeoneshiverandcreep。
ThenIremembereddistinctlyallaboutit。Thatlong-forgottenpamphletcamebackwithstartlingvividnesstomymind。
Ihadbeenamereladthen，andMoreauwas，Isuppose，aboutfifty，——
aprominentandmasterfulphysiologist，well-knowninscientificcirclesforhisextraordinaryimaginationandhisbrutaldirectnessindiscussion。
WasthisthesameMoreau？Hehadpublishedsomeveryastonishingfactsinconnectionwiththetransfusionofblood，andinadditionwasknowntobedoingvaluableworkonmorbidgrowths。
Thensuddenlyhiscareerwasclosed。HehadtoleaveEngland。
Ajournalistobtainedaccesstohislaboratoryinthecapacityoflaboratory-assistant，withthedeliberateintentionofmakingsensationalexposures;andbythehelpofashockingaccident（ifitwasanaccident），hisgruesomepamphletbecamenotorious。
Onthedayofitspublicationawretcheddog，flayedandotherwisemutilated，escapedfromMoreau’shouse。Itwasinthesillyseason，andaprominenteditor，acousinofthetemporarylaboratory-assistant，appealedtotheconscienceofthenation。
Itwasnotthefirsttimethatconsciencehasturnedagainstthemethodsofresearch。Thedoctorwassimplyhowledoutofthecountry。
Itmaybethathedeservedtobe;butIstillthinkthatthetepidsupportofhisfellow-investigatorsandhisdesertionbythegreatbodyofscientificworkerswasashamefulthing。Yetsomeofhisexperiments，bythejournalist’saccount，werewantonlycruel。
Hemightperhapshavepurchasedhissocialpeacebyabandoninghisinvestigations;butheapparentlypreferredthelatter，asmostmenwouldwhohaveoncefallenundertheovermasteringspellofresearch。
Hewasunmarried，andhadindeednothingbuthisowninteresttoconsider。
Ifeltconvincedthatthismustbethesameman。Everythingpointedtoit。Itdawneduponmetowhatendthepumaandtheotheranimals——
whichhadnowbeenbroughtwithotherluggageintotheenclosurebehindthehouse——weredestined;andacuriousfaintodour，thehalitusofsomethingfamiliar，anodourthathadbeeninthebackgroundofmyconsciousnesshitherto，suddenlycameforwardintotheforefrontofmythoughts。Itwastheantisepticodourofthedissecting-room。Iheardthepumagrowlingthroughthewall，andoneofthedogsyelpedasthoughithadbeenstruck。
Yetsurely，andespeciallytoanotherscientificman，therewasnothingsohorribleinvivisectionastoaccountforthissecrecy;
andbysomeoddleapinmythoughtsthepointedearsandluminouseyesofMontgomery’sattendantcamebackagainbeforemewiththesharpestdefinition。Istaredbeforemeoutatthegreensea，frothingunderafresheningbreeze，andlettheseandotherstrangememoriesofthelastfewdayschaseoneanotherthroughmymind。
Whatcoulditallmean？Alockedenclosureonalonelyisland，anotoriousvivisector，andthesecrippledanddistortedmen？
VIII。THECRYINGOFTHEPUMA。
MONTGOMERYinterruptedmytangleofmystificationandsuspicionaboutoneo’clock，andhisgrotesqueattendantfollowedhimwithatraybearingbread，someherbsandothereatables，aflaskofwhiskey，ajugofwater，andthreeglassesandknives。
Iglancedaskanceatthisstrangecreature，andfoundhimwatchingmewithhisqueer，restlesseyes。Montgomerysaidhewouldlunchwithme，butthatMoreauwastoopreoccupiedwithsomeworktocome。
"Moreau！"saidI。"Iknowthatname。"
"Thedevilyoudo！"saidhe。"WhatanassIwastomentionittoyou！
Imighthavethought。Anyhow，itwillgiveyouaninklingofour——mysteries。Whiskey？"
"No，thanks;I’manabstainer。"
"IwishI’dbeen。Butit’snouselockingthedoorafterthesteedisstolen。Itwasthatinfernalstuffwhichledtomycominghere，——that，andafoggynight。
Ithoughtmyselfinluckatthetime，whenMoreauofferedtogetmeoff。
It’squeer——"
"Montgomery，"saidI，suddenly，astheouterdoorclosed，"whyhasyourmanpointedears？"
"Damn！"hesaid，overhisfirstmouthfuloffood。Hestaredatmeforamoment，andthenrepeated，"Pointedears？"
"Littlepointstothem，"saidI，ascalmlyaspossible，withacatchinmybreath;"andafineblackfurattheedges？"
Hehelpedhimselftowhiskeyandwaterwithgreatdeliberation。
"Iwasundertheimpression——thathishaircoveredhisears。"
"Isawthemashestoopedbymetoputthatcoffeeyousenttomeonthetable。Andhiseyesshineinthedark。"
BythistimeMontgomeryhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseofmyquestion。
"Ialwaysthought，"hesaiddeliberately，withacertainaccentuationofhisflavouringoflisp，"thattherewassomethingthematterwithhisears，fromthewayhecoveredthem。
Whatweretheylike？"
Iwaspersuadedfromhismannerthatthisignorancewasapretence。
Still，IcouldhardlytellthemanthatIthoughthimaliar。
"Pointed，"Isaid;"rathersmallandfurry，——distinctlyfurry。
ButthewholemanisoneofthestrangestbeingsIeverseteyeson。"
Asharp，hoarsecryofanimalpaincamefromtheenclosurebehindus。
Itsdepthandvolumetestifiedtothepuma。IsawMontgomerywince。
"Yes？"hesaid。
"Wheredidyoupickupthecreature？"
"SanFrancisco。He’sanuglybrute，Iadmit。Half-witted，youknow。
Can’trememberwherehecamefrom。ButI’musedtohim，youknow。
Webothare。Howdoeshestrikeyou？"
"He’sunnatural，"Isaid。"There’ssomethingabouthim——
don’tthinkmefanciful，butitgivesmeanastylittlesensation，atighteningofmymuscles，whenhecomesnearme。It’satouch——
ofthediabolical，infact。"
MontgomeryhadstoppedeatingwhileItoldhimthis。"Rum！"hesaid。
"Ican’tseeit。"Heresumedhismeal。"Ihadnoideaofit，"
hesaid，andmasticated。"Thecrewoftheschoonermusthavefeltitthesame。Madeadeadsetatthepoordevil。Yousawthecaptain？"
Suddenlythepumahowledagain，thistimemorepainfully。
Montgomerysworeunderhisbreath。Ihadhalfamindtoattackhimaboutthemenonthebeach。Thenthepoorbrutewithingaveventtoaseriesofshort，sharpcries。
"Yourmenonthebeach，"saidI;"whatracearethey？"
"Excellentfellows，aren’tthey？"saidhe，absentmindedly，knittinghisbrowsastheanimalyelledoutsharply。
Isaidnomore。Therewasanotheroutcryworsethantheformer。
Helookedatmewithhisdullgreyeyes，andthentooksomemorewhiskey。Hetriedtodrawmeintoadiscussionaboutalcohol，professingtohavesavedmylifewithit。HeseemedanxioustolaystressonthefactthatIowedmylifetohim。Iansweredhimdistractedly。
Presentlyourmealcametoanend;themisshapenmonsterwiththepointedearsclearedtheremainsaway，andMontgomeryleftmealoneintheroomagain。Allthetimehehadbeeninastateofill-concealedirritationatthenoiseofthevivisectedpuma。
Hehadspokenofhisoddwantofnerve，andleftmetotheobviousapplication。
Ifoundmyselfthatthecriesweresingularlyirritating，andtheygrewindepthandintensityastheafternoonworeon。
Theywerepainfulatfirst，buttheirconstantresurgenceatlastaltogetherupsetmybalance。IflungasideacribofHoraceI
hadbeenreading，andbegantoclenchmyfists，tobitemylips，andtopacetheroom。PresentlyIgottostoppingmyearswithmyfingers。
Theemotionalappealofthoseyellsgrewuponmesteadily，grewatlasttosuchanexquisiteexpressionofsufferingthatI
couldstanditinthatconfinedroomnolonger。Isteppedoutofthedoorintotheslumberousheatofthelateafternoon，andwalkingpastthemainentrance——lockedagain，Inoticed——
turnedthecornerofthewallThecryingsoundedevenlouderoutofdoors。Itwasasifallthepainintheworldhadfoundavoice。YethadIknownsuchpainwasinthenextroom，andhaditbeendumb，Ibelieve——Ihavethoughtsince——
Icouldhavestooditwellenough。Itiswhensufferingfindsavoiceandsetsournervesquiveringthatthispitycomestroublingus。
Butinspiteofthebrilliantsunlightandthegreenfansofthetreeswavinginthesoothingsea-breeze，theworldwasaconfusion，blurredwithdriftingblackandredphantasms，untilIwasoutofearshotofthehouseinthechequeredwall。
IX。THETHINGINTHEFOREST。
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