ISTRODEthroughtheundergrowththatclothedtheridgebehindthehouse，scarcelyheedingwhitherIwent;passedonthroughtheshadowofathickclusterofstraight-stemmedtreesbeyondit，andsopresentlyfoundmyselfsomewayontheothersideoftheridge，anddescendingtowardsastreamletthatranthroughanarrowvalley。Ipausedandlistened。
ThedistanceIhadcome，ortheinterveningmassesofthicket，deadenedanysoundthatmightbecomingfromtheenclosure。
Theairwasstill。Thenwitharustlearabbitemerged，andwentscamperinguptheslopebeforeme。Ihesitated，andsatdownintheedgeoftheshade。
Theplacewasapleasantone。Therivuletwashiddenbytheluxuriantvegetationofthebankssaveatonepoint，whereIcaughtatriangularpatchofitsglitteringwater。
OnthefarthersideIsawthroughabluishhazeatangleoftreesandcreepers，andabovetheseagaintheluminousblueofthesky。
Hereandthereasplashofwhiteorcrimsonmarkedthebloomingofsometrailingepiphyte。Iletmyeyeswanderoverthissceneforawhile，andthenbegantoturnoverinmymindagainthestrangepeculiaritiesofMontgomery’sman。Butitwastoohottothinkelaborately，andpresentlyIfellintoatranquilstatemidwaybetweendozingandwaking。
FromthisIwasaroused，afterIknownothowlong，byarustlingamidstthegreeneryontheothersideofthestream。
ForamomentIcouldseenothingbutthewavingsummitsofthefernsandreeds。ThensuddenlyuponthebankofthestreamappearedSomething——atfirstIcouldnotdistinguishwhatitwas。
Itboweditsroundheadtothewater，andbegantodrink。
ThenIsawitwasaman，goingonall-fourslikeabeast。Hewasclothedinbluishcloth，andwasofacopper-colouredhue，withblackhair。
Itseemedthatgrotesqueuglinesswasaninvariablecharacteroftheseislanders。Icouldhearthesuckofthewaterathislipsashedrank。
Ileantforwardtoseehimbetter，andapieceoflava，detachedbymyhand，wentpatteringdowntheslope。Helookedupguiltily，andhiseyesmetmine。Forthwithhescrambledtohisfeet，andstoodwipinghisclumsyhandacrosshismouthandregardingme。
Hislegswerescarcelyhalfthelengthofhisbody。
So，staringoneanotheroutofcountenance，weremainedforperhapsthespaceofaminute。Then，stoppingtolookbackonceortwice，heslunkoffamongthebushestotherightofme，andIheardtheswishofthefrondsgrowfaintinthedistanceanddieaway。
Longafterhehaddisappeared，Iremainedsittingupstaringinthedirectionofhisretreat。Mydrowsytranquillityhadgone。
Iwasstartledbyanoisebehindme，andturningsuddenlysawtheflappingwhitetailofarabbitvanishinguptheslope。
Ijumpedtomyfeet。Theapparitionofthisgrotesque，half-bestialcreaturehadsuddenlypopulatedthestillnessoftheafternoonforme。
Ilookedaroundmerathernervously，andregrettedthatIwasunarmed。
ThenIthoughtthatthemanIhadjustseenhadbeenclothedinbluishcloth，hadnotbeennakedasasavagewouldhavebeen;
andItriedtopersuademyselffromthatfactthathewasafterallprobablyapeacefulcharacter，thatthedullferocityofhiscountenancebeliedhim。
YetIwasgreatlydisturbedattheapparition。Iwalkedtotheleftalongtheslope，turningmyheadaboutandpeeringthiswayandthatamongthestraightstemsofthetrees。
Whyshouldamangoonall-foursanddrinkwithhislips？PresentlyI
heardananimalwailingagain，andtakingittobethepuma，Iturnedaboutandwalkedinadirectiondiametricallyoppositetothesound。
Thisledmedowntothestream，acrosswhichIsteppedandpushedmywayupthroughtheundergrowthbeyond。
Iwasstartledbyagreatpatchofvividscarletontheground，andgoinguptoitfoundittobeapeculiarfungus，branchedandcorrugatedlikeafoliaceouslichen，butdeliquescingintoslimeatthetouch;andthenintheshadowofsomeluxuriantfernsI
cameuponanunpleasantthing，——thedeadbodyofarabbitcoveredwithshiningflies，butstillwarmandwiththeheadtornoff。
Istoppedaghastatthesightofthescatteredblood。
Hereatleastwasonevisitortotheislanddisposedof！
Therewerenotracesofotherviolenceaboutit。Itlookedasthoughithadbeensuddenlysnatchedupandkilled;andasIstaredatthelittlefurrybodycamethedifficultyofhowthethinghadbeendone。
ThevaguedreadthathadbeeninmymindsinceIhadseentheinhumanfaceofthemanatthestreamgrewdistincterasIstoodthere。
Ibegantorealisethehardihoodofmyexpeditionamongtheseunknownpeople。Thethicketaboutmebecamealteredtomyimagination。
Everyshadowbecamesomethingmorethanashadow，——becameanambush;
everyrustlebecameathreat。Invisiblethingsseemedwatchingme。
Iresolvedtogobacktotheenclosureonthebeach。Isuddenlyturnedawayandthrustmyselfviolently，possiblyevenfrantically，throughthebushes，anxioustogetaclearspaceaboutmeagain。
Istoppedjustintimetopreventmyselfemerginguponanopenspace。
Itwasakindofgladeintheforest，madebyafall;seedlingswerealreadystartinguptostruggleforthevacantspace;andbeyond，thedensegrowthofstemsandtwiningvinesandsplashesoffungusandflowersclosedinagain。Beforeme，squattingtogetheruponthefungoidruinsofahugefallentreeandstillunawareofmyapproach，werethreegrotesquehumanfigures。Onewasevidentlyafemale;
theothertwoweremen。Theywerenaked，saveforswathingsofscarletclothaboutthemiddle;andtheirskinswereofadullpinkish-drabcolour，suchasIhadseeninnosavagesbefore。
Theyhadfat，heavy，chinlessfaces，retreatingforeheads，andascantbristlyhairupontheirheads。Ineversawsuchbestial-lookingcreatures。
Theyweretalking，oratleastoneofthemenwastalkingtotheothertwo，andallthreehadbeentoocloselyinterestedtoheedtherustlingofmyapproach。Theyswayedtheirheadsandshouldersfromsidetoside。
Thespeaker’swordscamethickandsloppy，andthoughIcouldhearthemdistinctlyIcouldnotdistinguishwhathesaid。
Heseemedtometoberecitingsomecomplicatedgibberish。
Presentlyhisarticulationbecameshriller，andspreadinghishandsherosetohisfeet。Atthattheothersbegantogibberinunison，alsorisingtotheirfeet，spreadingtheirhandsandswayingtheirbodiesinrhythmwiththeirchant。Inoticedthentheabnormalshortnessoftheirlegs，andtheirlank，clumsyfeet。Allthreebeganslowlytocircleround，raisingandstampingtheirfeetandwavingtheirarms;akindoftunecreptintotheirrhythmicrecitation，andarefrain，——"Aloola，"or"Balloola，"itsoundedlike。
Theireyesbegantosparkle，andtheiruglyfacestobrighten，withanexpressionofstrangepleasure。Salivadrippedfromtheirliplessmouths。
Suddenly，asIwatchedtheirgrotesqueandunaccountablegestures，Iperceivedclearlyforthefirsttimewhatitwasthathadoffendedme，whathadgivenmethetwoinconsistentandconflictingimpressionsofutterstrangenessandyetofthestrangestfamiliarity。
Thethreecreaturesengagedinthismysteriousritewerehumaninshape，andyethumanbeingswiththestrangestairaboutthemofsomefamiliaranimal。Eachofthesecreatures，despiteitshumanform，itsragofclothing，andtheroughhumanityofitsbodilyform，hadwovenintoit——intoitsmovements，intotheexpressionofitscountenance，intoitswholepresence——somenowirresistiblesuggestionofahog，aswinishtaint，theunmistakablemarkofthebeast。
Istoodovercomebythisamazingrealisationandthenthemosthorriblequestioningscamerushingintomymind。Theybeganleapingintheair，firstoneandthentheother，whoopingandgrunting。Thenoneslipped，andforamomentwasonall-fours，——torecover，indeed，forthwith。
Butthattransitorygleamofthetrueanimalismofthesemonsterswasenough。
Iturnedasnoiselesslyaspossible，andbecomingeverynowandthenrigidwiththefearofbeingdiscovered，asabranchcrackedoraleafrustled，Ipushedbackintothebushes。
ItwaslongbeforeIgrewbolder，anddaredtomovefreely。
Myonlyideaforthemomentwastogetawayfromthesefoulbeings，andI
scarcelynoticedthatIhademergeduponafaintpathwayamidstthetrees。
Thensuddenlytraversingalittleglade，Isawwithanunpleasantstarttwoclumsylegsamongthetrees，walkingwithnoiselessfootstepsparallelwithmycourse，andperhapsthirtyyardsawayfromme。
Theheadandupperpartofthebodywerehiddenbyatangleofcreeper。
Istoppedabruptly，hopingthecreaturedidnotseeme。
ThefeetstoppedasIdid。SonervouswasIthatIcontrolledanimpulsetoheadlongflightwiththeutmostdifficulty。
Thenlookinghard，IdistinguishedthroughtheinterlacingnetworktheheadandbodyofthebruteIhadseendrinking。Hemovedhishead。
Therewasanemeraldflashinhiseyesasheglancedatmefromtheshadowofthetrees，ahalf-luminouscolourthatvanishedasheturnedhisheadagain。Hewasmotionlessforamoment，andthenwithanoiselesstreadbeganrunningthroughthegreenconfusion。
Inanothermomenthehadvanishedbehindsomebushes。
Icouldnotseehim，butIfeltthathehadstoppedandwaswatchingmeagain。
Whatonearthwashe，——manorbeast？Whatdidhewantwithme？
Ihadnoweapon，notevenastick。Flightwouldbemadness。
AtanyratetheThing，whateveritwas，lackedthecouragetoattackme。
Settingmyteethhard，Iwalkedstraighttowardshim。
Iwasanxiousnottoshowthefearthatseemedchillingmybackbone。
Ipushedthroughatangleoftallwhite-floweredbushes，andsawhimtwentypacesbeyond，lookingoverhisshoulderatmeandhesitating。Iadvancedasteportwo，lookingsteadfastlyintohiseyes。
"Whoareyou？"saidI。
Hetriedtomeetmygaze。"No！"hesaidsuddenly，andturningwentboundingawayfrommethroughtheundergrowth。Thenheturnedandstaredatmeagain。Hiseyesshonebrightlyoutoftheduskunderthetrees。
Myheartwasinmymouth;butIfeltmyonlychancewasbluff，andwalkedsteadilytowardshim。Heturnedagain，andvanishedintothedusk。OncemoreIthoughtIcaughttheglintofhiseyes，andthatwasall。
ForthefirsttimeIrealisedhowthelatenessofthehourmightaffectme。Thesunhadsetsomeminutessince，theswiftduskofthetropicswasalreadyfadingoutoftheeasternsky，andapioneermothflutteredsilentlybymyhead。UnlessIwouldspendthenightamongtheunknowndangersofthemysteriousforest，Imusthastenbacktotheenclosure。Thethoughtofareturntothatpain-hauntedrefugewasextremelydisagreeable，butstillmoresowastheideaofbeingovertakenintheopenbydarknessandallthatdarknessmightconceal。Igaveonemorelookintotheblueshadowsthathadswallowedupthisoddcreature，andthenretracedmywaydowntheslopetowardsthestream，goingasIjudgedinthedirectionfromwhichIhadcome。
Iwalkedeagerly，mymindconfusedwithmanythings，andpresentlyfoundmyselfinalevelplaceamongscatteredtrees。
Thecolourlessclearnessthatcomesafterthesunsetflushwasdarkling;theblueskyabovegrewmomentarilydeeper，andthelittlestarsonebyonepiercedtheattenuatedlight;
theinterspacesofthetrees，thegapsinthefurthervegetation，thathadbeenhazyblueinthedaylight，grewblackandmysterious。
Ipushedon。Thecolourvanishedfromtheworld。
Thetree-topsroseagainsttheluminousblueskyininkysilhouette，andallbelowthatoutlinemeltedintooneformlessblackness。
Presentlythetreesgrewthinner，andtheshrubbyundergrowthmoreabundant。Thentherewasadesolatespacecoveredwithawhitesand，andthenanotherexpanseoftangledbushes。
Ididnotremembercrossingthesand-openingbefore。
Ibegantobetormentedbyafaintrustlinguponmyrighthand。
Ithoughtatfirstitwasfancy，forwheneverIstoppedtherewassilence，savefortheeveningbreezeinthetree-tops。
ThenwhenIturnedtohurryonagaintherewasanechotomyfootsteps。
Iturnedawayfromthethickets，keepingtothemoreopenground，andendeavouringbysuddenturnsnowandthentosurprisesomethingintheactofcreepinguponme。Isawnothing，andneverthelessmysenseofanotherpresencegrewsteadily。Iincreasedmypace，andaftersometimecametoaslightridge，crossedit，andturnedsharply，regardingitsteadfastlyfromthefurtherside。Itcameoutblackandclear-cutagainstthedarklingsky;andpresentlyashapelesslumpheavedupmomentarilyagainstthesky-lineandvanishedagain。
Ifeltassurednowthatmytawny-facedantagonistwasstalkingmeoncemore;andcoupledwiththatwasanotherunpleasantrealisation，thatIhadlostmyway。
ForatimeIhurriedonhopelesslyperplexed，andpursuedbythatstealthyapproach。Whateveritwas，theThingeitherlackedthecouragetoattackme，oritwaswaitingtotakemeatsomedisadvantage。
Ikeptstudiouslytotheopen。AttimesIwouldturnandlisten;
andpresentlyIhadhalfpersuadedmyselfthatmypursuerhadabandonedthechase，orwasamerecreationofmydisorderedimagination。
ThenIheardthesoundofthesea。Iquickenedmyfootstepsalmostintoarun，andimmediatelytherewasastumbleinmyrear。
Iturnedsuddenly，andstaredattheuncertaintreesbehindme。
Oneblackshadowseemedtoleapintoanother。Ilistened，rigid，andheardnothingbutthecreepofthebloodinmyears。
Ithoughtthatmynerveswereunstrung，andthatmyimaginationwastrickingme，andturnedresolutelytowardsthesoundoftheseaagain。
Inaminuteorsothetreesgrewthinner，andIemergeduponabare，lowheadlandrunningoutintothesombrewater。
Thenightwascalmandclear，andthereflectionofthegrowingmultitudeofthestarsshiveredinthetranquilheavingofthesea。
Somewayout，thewashuponanirregularbandofreefshonewithapallidlightofitsown。WestwardIsawthezodiacallightminglingwiththeyellowbrillianceoftheeveningstar。
Thecoastfellawayfrommetotheeast，andwestwarditwashiddenbytheshoulderofthecape。ThenIrecalledthefactthatMoreau’sbeachlaytothewest。
Atwigsnappedbehindme，andtherewasarustle。Iturned，andstoodfacingthedarktrees。Icouldseenothing——orelseIcouldseetoomuch。
Everydarkforminthedimnesshaditsominousquality，itspeculiarsuggestionofalertwatchfulness。SoIstoodforperhapsaminute，andthen，withaneyetothetreesstill，turnedwestwardtocrosstheheadland;andasImoved，oneamongthelurkingshadowsmovedtofollowme。
Myheartbeatquickly。Presentlythebroadsweepofabaytothewestwardbecamevisible，andIhaltedagain。
Thenoiselessshadowhaltedadozenyardsfromme。
Alittlepointoflightshoneonthefurtherbendofthecurve，andthegreysweepofthesandybeachlayfaintunderthestarlight。
Perhapstwomilesawaywasthatlittlepointoflight。
TogettothebeachIshouldhavetogothroughthetreeswheretheshadowslurked，anddownabushyslope。
IcouldseetheThingrathermoredistinctlynow。Itwasnoanimal，foritstooderect。AtthatIopenedmymouthtospeak，andfoundahoarsephlegmchokedmyvoice。Itriedagain，andshouted，"Whoisthere？"Therewasnoanswer。Iadvancedastep。
TheThingdidnotmove，onlygathereditselftogether。Myfootstruckastone。Thatgavemeanidea。Withouttakingmyeyesofftheblackformbeforeme，Istoopedandpickedupthislumpofrock;
butatmymotiontheThingturnedabruptlyasadogmighthavedone，andslunkobliquelyintothefurtherdarkness。ThenIrecalledaschoolboyexpedientagainstbigdogs，andtwistedtherockintomyhandkerchief，andgavethisaturnroundmywrist。Iheardamovementfurtheroffamongtheshadows，asiftheThingwasinretreat。
Thensuddenlymytenseexcitementgaveway;Ibrokeintoaprofuseperspirationandfella-trembling，withmyadversaryroutedandthisweaponinmyhand。
ItwassometimebeforeIcouldsummonresolutiontogodownthroughthetreesandbushesupontheflankoftheheadlandtothebeach。
AtlastIdiditatarun;andasIemergedfromthethicketuponthesand，Iheardsomeotherbodycomecrashingafterme。
AtthatIcompletelylostmyheadwithfear，andbeganrunningalongthesand。Forthwiththerecametheswiftpatterofsoftfeetinpursuit。Igaveawildcry，andredoubledmypace。
Somedim，blackthingsaboutthreeorfourtimesthesizeofrabbitswentrunningorhoppingupfromthebeachtowardsthebushesasIpassed。
SolongasIlive，Ishallremembertheterrorofthatchase。
Irannearthewater’sedge，andheardeverynowandthenthesplashofthefeetthatgaineduponme。Faraway，hopelesslyfar，wastheyellowlight。Allthenightaboutuswasblackandstill。
Splash，splash，camethepursuingfeet，nearerandnearer。
Ifeltmybreathgoing，forIwasquiteoutoftraining;itwhoopedasIdrewit，andIfeltapainlikeaknifeatmyside。IperceivedtheThingwouldcomeupwithmelongbeforeIreachedtheenclosure，and，desperateandsobbingformybreath，Iwheeledrounduponitandstruckatitasitcameuptome，——struckwithallmystrength。
ThestonecameoutoftheslingofthehandkerchiefasIdidso。
AsIturned，theThing，whichhadbeenrunningonall-fours，rosetoitsfeet，andthemissilefellfaironitslefttemple。
Theskullrangloud，andtheanimal-manblunderedintome，thrustmebackwithitshands，andwentstaggeringpastmetofallheadlonguponthesandwithitsfaceinthewater;andthereitlaystill。
Icouldnotbringmyselftoapproachthatblackheap。Ileftitthere，withthewaterripplingroundit，underthestillstars，andgivingitawideberthpursuedmywaytowardstheyellowglowofthehouse;andpresently，withapositiveeffectofrelief，camethepitifulmoaningofthepuma，thesoundthathadoriginallydrivenmeouttoexplorethismysteriousisland。
Atthat，thoughIwasfaintandhorriblyfatigued，Igatheredtogetherallmystrength，andbeganrunningagaintowardsthelight。
IthoughtIheardavoicecallingme。
X。THECRYINGOFTHEMAN。
ASIdrewnearthehouseIsawthatthelightshonefromtheopendoorofmyroom;andthenIheardcomingfromoutofthedarknessatthesideofthatorangeoblongoflight，thevoiceofMontgomeryshouting，"Prendick！"Icontinuedrunning。
PresentlyIheardhimagain。Irepliedbyafeeble"Hullo！"
andinanothermomenthadstaggereduptohim。
"Wherehaveyoubeen？"saidhe，holdingmeatarm’slength，sothatthelightfromthedoorfellonmyface。"Wehavebothbeensobusythatweforgotyouuntilabouthalfanhourago。"
Heledmeintotheroomandsetmedowninthedeckchair。
ForawhileIwasblindedbythelight。"Wedidnotthinkyouwouldstarttoexplorethisislandofourswithouttellingus，"hesaid;andthen，"Iwasafraid——But——what——Hullo！"
Mylastremainingstrengthslippedfromme，andmyheadfellforwardonmychest。Ithinkhefoundacertainsatisfactioningivingmebrandy。
"ForGod’ssake，"saidI，"fastenthatdoor。"
"You’vebeenmeetingsomeofourcuriosities，eh？"saidhe。
Helockedthedoorandturnedtomeagain。Heaskedmenoquestions，butgavemesomemorebrandyandwaterandpressedmetoeat。
Iwasinastateofcollapse。Hesaidsomethingvagueabouthisforgettingtowarnme，andaskedmebrieflywhenIleftthehouseandwhatIhadseen。
Iansweredhimasbriefly，infragmentarysentences。"Tellmewhatitallmeans，"saidI，inastateborderingonhysterics。
"It’snothingsoverydreadful，"saidhe。"ButIthinkyouhavehadaboutenoughforoneday。"Thepumasuddenlygaveasharpyellofpain。Atthathesworeunderhisbreath。
"I’mdamned，"saidhe，"ifthisplaceisnotasbadasGowerStreet，withitscats。"
"Montgomery，"saidI，"whatwasthatthingthatcameafterme？
Wasitabeastorwasitaman？"
"Ifyoudon’tsleepto-night，"hesaid，"you’llbeoffyourheadto-morrow。"
Istoodupinfrontofhim。"Whatwasthatthingthatcameafterme？"
Iasked。
Helookedmesquarelyintheeyes，andtwistedhismouthaskew。
Hiseyes，whichhadseemedanimatedaminutebefore，wentdull。
"Fromyouraccount，"saidhe，"I’mthinkingitwasabogle。"
Ifeltagustofintenseirritation，whichpassedasquicklyasitcame。
Iflungmyselfintothechairagain，andpressedmyhandsonmyforehead。
Thepumabeganoncemore。
Montgomerycameroundbehindmeandputhishandonmyshoulder。
"Lookhere，Prendick，"hesaid，"Ihadnobusinesstoletyoudriftoutintothissillyislandofours。Butit’snotsobadasyoufeel，man。Yournervesareworkedtorags。
Letmegiveyousomethingthatwillmakeyousleep。That——willkeeponforhoursyet。Youmustsimplygettosleep，orIwon’tanswerforit。"
Ididnotreply。Ibowedforward，andcoveredmyfacewithmyhands。
Presentlyhereturnedwithasmallmeasurecontainingadarkliquid。
Thishegaveme。Itookitunresistingly，andhehelpedmeintothehammock。
WhenIawoke，itwasbroadday。ForalittlewhileIlayflat，staringattheroofaboveme。Therafters，Iobserved，weremadeoutofthetimbersofaship。ThenIturnedmyhead，andsawamealpreparedformeonthetable。IperceivedthatIwashungry，andpreparedtoclamberoutofthehammock，which，verypolitelyanticipatingmyintention，twistedroundanddepositedmeuponall-foursonthefloor。
Igotupandsatdownbeforethefood。Ihadaheavyfeelinginmyhead，andonlythevaguestmemoryatfirstofthethingsthathadhappenedovernight。Themorningbreezeblewverypleasantlythroughtheunglazedwindow，andthatandthefoodcontributedtothesenseofanimalcomfortwhichIexperienced。
Presentlythedoorbehindme——thedoorinwardtowardstheyardoftheenclosure——opened。IturnedandsawMontgomery’sface。
"Allright，"saidhe。"I’mfrightfullybusy。"Andheshutthedoor。
AfterwardsIdiscoveredthatheforgottore-lockit。
ThenIrecalledtheexpressionofhisfacethepreviousnight，andwiththatthememoryofallIhadexperiencedreconstructeditselfbeforeme。Evenasthatfearcamebacktomecameacryfromwithin;butthistimeitwasnotthecryofapuma。
Iputdownthemouthfulthathesitateduponmylips，andlistened。
Silence，saveforthewhisperofthemorningbreeze。Ibegantothinkmyearshaddeceivedme。
AfteralongpauseIresumedmymeal，butwithmyearsstillvigilant。
PresentlyIheardsomethingelse，veryfaintandlow。
Isatasiffrozeninmyattitude。Thoughitwasfaintandlow，itmovedmemoreprofoundlythanallthatIhadhithertoheardoftheabominationsbehindthewall。Therewasnomistakethistimeinthequalityofthedim，brokensounds;nodoubtatalloftheirsource。
Foritwasgroaning，brokenbysobsandgaspsofanguish。
Itwasnobrutethistime;itwasahumanbeingintorment！
AsIrealisedthisIrose，andinthreestepshadcrossedtheroom，seizedthehandleofthedoorintotheyard，andflungitopenbeforeme。
"Prendick，man！Stop！"criedMontgomery，intervening。
Astartleddeerhoundyelpedandsnarled。Therewasblood，Isaw，inthesink，——brown，andsomescarlet——andIsmeltthepeculiarsmellofcarbolicacid。Thenthroughanopendoorwaybeyond，inthedimlightoftheshadow，Isawsomethingboundpainfullyuponaframework，scarred，red，andbandaged;andthenblottingthisoutappearedthefaceofoldMoreau，whiteandterrible。
Inamomenthehadgrippedmebytheshoulderwithahandthatwassmearedred，hadtwistedmeoffmyfeet，andflungmeheadlongbackintomyownroom。HeliftedmeasthoughIwasalittlechild。
Ifellatfulllengthuponthefloor，andthedoorslammedandshutoutthepassionateintensityofhisface。
ThenIheardthekeyturninthelock，andMontgomery’svoiceinexpostulation。
"Ruintheworkofalifetime，"IheardMoreausay。
"Hedoesnotunderstand，"saidMontgomery。andotherthingsthatwereinaudible。
"Ican’tsparethetimeyet，"saidMoreau。
TherestIdidnothear。Ipickedmyselfupandstoodtrembling，mymindachaosofthemosthorriblemisgivings。Coulditbepossible，Ithought，thatsuchathingasthevivisectionofmenwascarriedonhere？Thequestionshotlikelightningacrossatumultuoussky;
andsuddenlythecloudedhorrorofmymindcondensedintoavividrealisationofmyowndanger。
XI。THEHUNTINGOFTHEMAN。
ITcamebeforemymindwithanunreasonablehopeofescapethattheouterdoorofmyroomwasstillopentome。Iwasconvincednow，absolutelyassured，thatMoreauhadbeenvivisectingahumanbeing。
AllthetimesinceIhadheardhisname，Ihadbeentryingtolinkinmymindinsomewaythegrotesqueanimalismoftheislanderswithhisabominations;andnowIthoughtIsawitall。
Thememoryofhisworkonthetransfusionofbloodrecurredtome。
ThesecreaturesIhadseenwerethevictimsofsomehideousexperiment。
Thesesickeningscoundrelshadmerelyintendedtokeepmeback，tofoolmewiththeirdisplayofconfidence，andpresentlytofalluponmewithafatemorehorriblethandeath，——withtorture;
andaftertorturethemosthideousdegradationitispossibletoconceive，——tosendmeoffalostsoul，abeast，totherestoftheirComusrout。
Ilookedroundforsomeweapon。Nothing。ThenwithaninspirationI
turnedoverthedeckchair，putmyfootonthesideofit，andtoreawaythesiderail。Ithappenedthatanailcameawaywiththewood，andprojecting，gaveatouchofdangertoanotherwisepettyweapon。
Iheardastepoutside，andincontinentlyflungopenthedoorandfoundMontgomerywithinayardofit。Hemeanttolocktheouterdoor！
Iraisedthisnailedstickofmineandcutathisface;
buthesprangback。Ihesitatedamoment，thenturnedandfled，roundthecornerofthehouse。"Prendick，man！"Iheardhisastonishedcry，"don’tbeasillyass，man！"
Anotherminute，thoughtI，andhewouldhavehadmelockedin，andasreadyasahospitalrabbitformyfate。Heemergedbehindthecorner，forIheardhimshout，"Prendick！"Thenhebegantorunafterme，shoutingthingsasheran。Thistimerunningblindly，Iwentnortheastwardinadirectionatrightanglestomypreviousexpedition。Once，asIwentrunningheadlongupthebeach，Iglancedovermyshoulderandsawhisattendantwithhim。
Iranfuriouslyuptheslope，overit，thenturningeastwardalongarockyvalleyfringedoneithersidewithjungleIranforperhapsamilealtogether，mycheststraining，myheartbeatinginmyears;
andthenhearingnothingofMontgomeryorhisman，andfeelinguponthevergeofexhaustion，IdoubledsharplybacktowardsthebeachasIjudged，andlaydownintheshelterofacanebrake。
ThereIremainedforalongtime，toofearfultomove，andindeedtoofearfuleventoplanacourseofaction。Thewildsceneaboutmelaysleepingsilentlyunderthesun，andtheonlysoundnearmewasthethinhumofsomesmallgnatsthathaddiscoveredme。PresentlyI
becameawareofadrowsybreathingsound，thesoughingoftheseauponthebeach。
AfteraboutanhourIheardMontgomeryshoutingmyname，farawaytothenorth。Thatsetmethinkingofmyplanofaction。
AsIinterpreteditthen，thisislandwasinhabitedonlybythesetwovivisectorsandtheiranimalisedvictims。Someofthesenodoubttheycouldpressintotheirserviceagainstmeifneedarose。
IknewbothMoreauandMontgomerycarriedrevolvers;and，saveforafeeblebarofdealspikedwithasmallnail，themerestmockeryofamace，Iwasunarmed。
SoIlaystillthere，untilIbegantothinkoffoodanddrink;
andatthatthoughttherealhopelessnessofmypositioncamehometome。
Iknewnowayofgettinganythingtoeat。Iwastooignorantofbotanytodiscoveranyresortofrootorfruitthatmightlieaboutme;
Ihadnomeansoftrappingthefewrabbitsupontheisland。
ItgrewblankerthemoreIturnedtheprospectover。Atlastinthedesperationofmyposition，mymindturnedtotheanimalmenI
hadencountered。ItriedtofindsomehopeinwhatIrememberedofthem。
InturnIrecalledeachoneIhadseen，andtriedtodrawsomeauguryofassistancefrommymemory。
ThensuddenlyIheardastaghoundbay，andatthatrealisedanewdanger。
Itooklittletimetothink，ortheywouldhavecaughtmethen，butsnatchingupmynailedstick，rushedheadlongfrommyhiding-placetowardsthesoundofthesea。Irememberagrowthofthornyplants，withspinesthatstabbedlikepen-knives。Iemergedbleedingandwithtornclothesuponthelipofalongcreekopeningnorthward。
Iwentstraightintothewaterwithoutaminute’shesitation，wadingupthecreek，andpresentlyfindingmyselfkneedeepinalittlestream。
Iscrambledoutatlastonthewestwardbank，andwithmyheartbeatingloudlyinmyears，creptintoatangleoffernstoawaittheissue。
Iheardthedog（therewasonlyone）drawnearer，andyelpwhenitcametothethorns。ThenIheardnomore，andpresentlybegantothinkI
hadescaped。
Theminutespassed;thesilencelengthenedout，andatlastafteranhourofsecuritymycouragebegantoreturntome。
BythistimeIwasnolongerverymuchterrifiedorverymiserable。
Ihad，asitwere，passedthelimitofterroranddespair。
Ifeltnowthatmylifewaspracticallylost，andthatpersuasionmademecapableofdaringanything。IhadevenacertainwishtoencounterMoreaufacetoface;andasIhadwadedintothewater，IrememberedthatifIweretoohardpressedatleastonepathofescapefromtormentstilllayopentome，——theycouldnotverywellpreventmydrowningmyself。Ihadhalfamindtodrownmyselfthen;butanoddwishtoseethewholeadventureout，aqueer，impersonal，spectacularinterestinmyself，restrainedme。
Istretchedmylimbs，soreandpainfulfromthepricksofthespinyplants，andstaredaroundmeatthetrees;and，sosuddenlythatitseemedtojumpoutofthegreentraceryaboutit，myeyeslituponablackfacewatchingme。Isawthatitwasthesimiancreaturewhohadmetthelaunchuponthebeach。Hewasclingingtotheobliquestemofapalm-tree。Igrippedmystick，andstoodupfacinghim。
Hebeganchattering。"You，you，you，"wasallIcoulddistinguishatfirst。Suddenlyhedroppedfromthetree，andinanothermomentwasholdingthefrondsapartandstaringcuriouslyatme。
IdidnotfeelthesamerepugnancetowardsthiscreaturewhichI
hadexperiencedinmyencounterswiththeotherBeastMen。
"You，hesaid，"intheboat。"Hewasaman，then，——atleastasmuchofamanasMontgomery’sattendant，——forhecouldtalk。
"Yes，"Isaid，"Icameintheboat。Fromtheship。"
"Oh！"hesaid，andhisbright，restlesseyestravelledoverme，tomyhands，tothestickIcarried，tomyfeet，tothetatteredplacesinmycoat，andthecutsandscratchesIhadreceivedfromthethorns。
Heseemedpuzzledatsomething。Hiseyescamebacktomyhands。
Heheldhisownhandoutandcountedhisdigitsslowly，"One，two，three，four，five——eigh？"
Ididnotgrasphismeaningthen;afterwardsIwastofindthatagreatproportionoftheseBeastPeoplehadmalformedhands，lackingsometimeseventhreedigits。Butguessingthiswasinsomewayagreeting，Ididthesamethingbywayofreply。
Hegrinnedwithimmensesatisfaction。Thenhisswiftrovingglancewentroundagain;hemadeaswiftmovement——andvanished。
Thefernfrondshehadstoodbetweencameswishingtogether，Ipushedoutofthebrakeafterhim，andwasastonishedtofindhimswingingcheerfullybyonelankarmfromaropeofcreeperthatloopeddownfromthefoliageoverhead。Hisbackwastome。
"Hullo！"saidI。
Hecamedownwithatwistingjump，andstoodfacingme。
"Isay，"saidI，"wherecanIgetsomethingtoeat？"
"Eat！"hesaid。"EatMan’sfood，now。"Andhiseyewentbacktotheswingofropes。"Atthehuts。"
"Butwherearethehuts？"
"Oh！"
"I’mnew，youknow。"
Atthatheswunground，andsetoffataquickwalk。
Allhismotionswerecuriouslyrapid。"Comealong，"saidhe。
Iwentwithhimtoseetheadventureout。IguessedthehutsweresomeroughshelterwhereheandsomemoreoftheseBeastPeoplelived。
Imightperhapsfindthemfriendly，findsomehandleintheirmindstotakeholdof。Ididnotknowhowfartheyhadforgottentheirhumanheritage。
Myape-likecompaniontrottedalongbymyside，withhishandshangingdownandhisjawthrustforward。Iwonderedwhatmemoryhemighthaveinhim。"Howlonghaveyoubeenonthisisland？"
saidI。
"Howlong？"heasked;andafterhavingthequestionrepeated，heheldupthreefingers。
Thecreaturewaslittlebetterthananidiot。Itriedtomakeoutwhathemeantbythat，anditseemsIboredhim。
Afteranotherquestionortwohesuddenlyleftmysideandwentleapingatsomefruitthathungfromatree。Hepulleddownahandfulofpricklyhusksandwentoneatingthecontents。
Inotedthiswithsatisfaction，forhereatleastwasahintforfeeding。
Itriedhimwithsomeotherquestions，buthischattering，promptresponseswereasoftenasnotquiteatcrosspurposeswithmyquestion。
Somefewwereappropriate，othersquiteparrot-like。
IwassointentuponthesepeculiaritiesthatIscarcelynoticedthepathwefollowed。Presentlywecametotrees，allcharredandbrown，andsotoabareplacecoveredwithayellow-whiteincrustation，acrosswhichadriftingsmoke，pungentinwhiffstonoseandeyes，wentdrifting。Onourright，overashoulderofbarerock，Isawthelevelblueofthesea。Thepathcoileddownabruptlyintoanarrowravinebetweentwotumbledandknottymassesofblackishscoria。
Intothisweplunged。
Itwasextremelydark，thispassage，aftertheblindingsunlightreflectedfromthesulphurousground。Itswallsgrewsteep，andapproachedeachother。Blotchesofgreenandcrimsondriftedacrossmyeyes。
Myconductorstoppedsuddenly。"Home！"saidhe，andIstoodinafloorofachasmthatwasatfirstabsolutelydarktome。
Iheardsomestrangenoises，andthrusttheknucklesofmylefthandintomyeyes。Ibecameawareofadisagreeableodor，likethatofamonkey’scageill-cleaned。Beyond，therockopenedagainuponagradualslopeofsunlitgreenery，andoneitherhandthelightsmotedownthroughnarrowwaysintothecentralgloom。
XII。THESAYERSOFTHELAW。
THENsomethingcoldtouchedmyhand。Istartedviolently，andsawclosetomeadimpinkishthing，lookingmorelikeaflayedchildthananythingelseintheworld。Thecreaturehadexactlythemildbutrepulsivefeaturesofasloth，thesamelowforeheadandslowgestures。
Asthefirstshockofthechangeoflightpassed，Isawaboutmemoredistinctly。Thelittlesloth-likecreaturewasstandingandstaringatme。Myconductorhadvanished。Theplacewasanarrowpassagebetweenhighwallsoflava，acrackintheknottedrock，andoneithersideinterwovenheapsofsea-mat，palm-fans，andreedsleaningagainsttherockformedroughandimpenetrablydarkdens。
Thewindingwayuptheravinebetweenthesewasscarcelythreeyardswide，andwasdisfiguredbylumpsofdecayingfruit-pulpandotherrefuse，whichaccountedforthedisagreeablestenchoftheplace。
Thelittlepinksloth-creaturewasstillblinkingatmewhenmyApe-manreappearedattheapertureofthenearestofthesedens，andbeckonedmein。Ashedidsoaslouchingmonsterwriggledoutofoneoftheplaces，furtherupthisstrangestreet，andstoodupinfeaturelesssilhouetteagainstthebrightgreenbeyond，staringatme。
Ihesitated，havinghalfamindtoboltthewayIhadcome;andthen，determinedtogothroughwiththeadventure，Igrippedmynailedstickaboutthemiddleandcrawledintothelittleevil-smellinglean-toaftermyconductor。
Itwasasemi-circularspace，shapedlikethehalfofabee-hive;
andagainsttherockywallthatformedtheinnersideofitwasapileofvariegatedfruits，cocoa-nutsamongothers。Someroughvesselsoflavaandwoodstoodaboutthefloor，andoneonaroughstool。
Therewasnofire。Inthedarkestcornerofthehutsatashapelessmassofdarknessthatgrunted"Hey！"asIcamein，andmyApe-manstoodinthedimlightofthedoorwayandheldoutasplitcocoa-nuttomeasIcrawledintotheothercornerandsquatteddown。
Itookit，andbegangnawingit，asserenelyaspossible，inspiteofacertaintrepidationandthenearlyintolerableclosenessoftheden。
Thelittlepinksloth-creaturestoodintheapertureofthehut，andsomethingelsewithadrabfaceandbrighteyescamestaringoveritsshoulder。
"Hey！"cameoutofthelumpofmysteryopposite。"Itisaman。"
"Itisaman，"gabbledmyconductor，"aman，aman，afive-man，likeme。"
"Shutup！"saidthevoicefromthedark，andgrunted。
Ignawedmycocoa-nutamidanimpressivestillness。
Ipeeredhardintotheblackness，butcoulddistinguishnothing。
"Itisaman，"thevoicerepeated。"Hecomestolivewithus？"
Itwasathickvoice，withsomethinginit——akindofwhistlingovertone——
thatstruckmeaspeculiar;buttheEnglishaccentwasstrangelygood。
TheApe-manlookedatmeasthoughheexpectedsomething。
Iperceivedthepausewasinterrogative。"Hecomestolivewithyou，"
Isaid。
"Itisaman。HemustlearntheLaw。"
Ibegantodistinguishnowadeeperblacknessintheblack，avagueoutlineofahunched-upfigure。ThenInoticedtheopeningoftheplacewasdarkenedbytwomoreblackheads。
Myhandtightenedonmystick。
Thethinginthedarkrepeatedinaloudertone，"Saythewords。"
Ihadmisseditslastremark。"Nottogoonall-fours;thatistheLaw，"
itrepeatedinakindofsing-song。
Iwaspuzzled。
"Saythewords，"saidtheApe-man，repeating，andthefiguresinthedoorwayechoedthis，withathreatinthetoneoftheirvoices。
IrealisedthatIhadtorepeatthisidioticformula;andthenbegantheinsanestceremony。Thevoiceinthedarkbeganintoningamadlitany，linebyline，andIandtheresttorepeatit。
Astheydidso，theyswayedfromsidetosideintheoddestway，andbeattheirhandsupontheirknees;andIfollowedtheirexample。
IcouldhaveimaginedIwasalreadydeadandinanotherworld。
Thatdarkhut，thesegrotesquedimfigures，justfleckedhereandtherebyaglimmeroflight，andallofthemswayinginunisonandchanting，"Nottogoonall-fours;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？
"NottosuckupDrink;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？
"NottoeatFishorFlesh;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？
"NottoclawtheBarkofTrees;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？
"NottochaseotherMen;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？"
Andsofromtheprohibitionoftheseactsoffolly，ontotheprohibitionofwhatIthoughtthenwerethemaddest，mostimpossible，andmostindecentthingsonecouldwellimagine。
Akindofrhythmicfervourfellonallofus;wegabbledandswayedfasterandfaster，repeatingthisamazingLaw。
Superficiallythecontagionofthesebruteswasuponme，butdeepdownwithinmethelaughteranddisguststruggledtogether。
Weranthroughalonglistofprohibitions，andthenthechantswungroundtoanewformula。
"HisistheHouseofPain。
"HisistheHandthatmakes。
"HisistheHandthatwounds。
"HisistheHandthatheals。"
Andsoonforanotherlongseries，mostlyquiteincomprehensiblegibberishtomeaboutHim，whoeverhemightbe。Icouldhavefancieditwasadream，butneverbeforehaveIheardchantinginadream。
"Hisisthelightningflash，"wesang。"Hisisthedeep，saltsea。"
AhorriblefancycameintomyheadthatMoreau，afteranimalisingthesemen，hadinfectedtheirdwarfedbrainswithakindofdeificationofhimself。However，Iwastookeenlyawareofwhiteteethandstrongclawsaboutmetostopmychantingonthataccount。
"Hisarethestarsinthesky。"
Atlastthatsongended。IsawtheApe-man’sfaceshiningwithperspiration;andmyeyesbeingnowaccustomedtothedarkness，Isawmoredistinctlythefigureinthecornerfromwhichthevoicecame。
Itwasthesizeofaman，butitseemedcoveredwithadullgreyhairalmostlikeaSkye-terrier。Whatwasit？Whatweretheyall？
Imagineyourselfsurroundedbyallthemosthorriblecripplesandmaniacsitispossibletoconceive，andyoumayunderstandalittleofmyfeelingswiththesegrotesquecaricaturesofhumanityaboutme。
"Heisafive-man，afive-man，afive-man——likeme，"saidtheApe-man。
Iheldoutmyhands。Thegreycreatureinthecornerleantforward。
"Nottorunonall-fours;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？"
hesaid。
Heputoutastrangelydistortedtalonandgrippedmyfingers。
Thethingwasalmostlikethehoofofadeerproducedintoclaws。
Icouldhaveyelledwithsurpriseandpain。Hisfacecameforwardandpeeredatmynails，cameforwardintothelightoftheopeningofthehutandIsawwithaquiveringdisgustthatitwaslikethefaceofneithermannorbeast，butamereshockofgreyhair，withthreeshadowyover-archingstomarktheeyesandmouth。
"Hehaslittlenails，"saidthisgrislycreatureinhishairybeard。
"Itiswell。"
Hethrewmyhanddown，andinstinctivelyIgrippedmystick。
"Eatrootsandherbs;itisHiswill，"saidtheApe-man。
"IamtheSayeroftheLaw，"saidthegreyfigure。"HerecomeallthatbenewtolearntheLaw。IsitinthedarknessandsaytheLaw。"
"Itisevenso，"saidoneofthebeastsinthedoorway。
"EvilarethepunishmentsofthosewhobreaktheLaw。
Noneescape。"
"Noneescape，"saidtheBeastFolk，glancingfurtivelyatoneanother。
"None，none，"saidtheApe-man，——"noneescape。See！Ididalittlething，awrongthing，once。Ijabbered，jabbered，stoppedtalking。
Nonecouldunderstand。Iamburnt，brandedinthehand。Heisgreat。
Heisgood！"
"Noneescape，"saidthegreycreatureinthecorner。
"Noneescape，"saidtheBeastPeople，lookingaskanceatoneanother。
"Foreveryonethewantthatisbad，"saidthegreySayeroftheLaw。
"Whatyouwillwantwedonotknow;weshallknow。Somewanttofollowthingsthatmove，towatchandslinkandwaitandspring;
tokillandbite，bitedeepandrich，suckingtheblood。
Itisbad。`NottochaseotherMen;thatistheLaw。
ArewenotMen？NottoeatFleshorFish;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？’"
"Noneescape，"saidadappledbrutestandinginthedoorway。
"Foreveryonethewantisbad，"saidthegreySayeroftheLaw。
"Somewanttogotearingwithteethandhandsintotherootsofthings，snuffingintotheearth。Itisbad。"
"Noneescape，"saidthemeninthedoor。
"Somegoclawingtrees;somegoscratchingatthegravesofthedead;
somegofightingwithforeheadsorfeetorclaws;somebitesuddenly，nonegivingoccasion;someloveuncleanness。"
"Noneescape，"saidtheApe-man，scratchinghiscalf。
"Noneescape，"saidthelittlepinksloth-creature。
"Punishmentissharpandsure。ThereforelearntheLaw。
Saythewords。"
AndincontinentlyhebeganagainthestrangelitanyoftheLaw，andagainIandallthesecreaturesbegansingingandswaying。
Myheadreeledwiththisjabberingandtheclosestenchoftheplace;
butIkepton，trustingtofindpresentlysomechanceofanewdevelopment。
"Nottogoonall-fours;thatistheLaw。ArewenotMen？"
WeweremakingsuchanoisethatInoticednothingofatumultoutside，untilsomeone，whoIthinkwasoneofthetwoSwineMenI
hadseen，thrusthisheadoverthelittlepinksloth-creatureandshoutedsomethingexcitedly，somethingthatIdidnotcatch。
Incontinentlythoseattheopeningofthehutvanished;myApe-manrushedout;thethingthathadsatinthedarkfollowedhim（Ionlyobservedthatitwasbigandclumsy，andcoveredwithsilveryhair），andIwasleftalone。ThenbeforeIreachedtheapertureIheardtheyelpofastaghound。
InanothermomentIwasstandingoutsidethehovel，mychair-railinmyhand，everymuscleofmequivering。BeforemeweretheclumsybacksofperhapsascoreoftheseBeastPeople，theirmisshapenheadshalfhiddenbytheirshoulder-blades。Theyweregesticulatingexcitedly。
Otherhalf-animalfacesglaredinterrogationoutofthehovels。
Lookinginthedirectioninwhichtheyfaced，IsawcomingthroughthehazeunderthetreesbeyondtheendofthepassageofdensthedarkfigureandawfulwhitefaceofMoreau。Hewasholdingtheleapingstaghoundback，andclosebehindhimcameMontgomeryrevolverinhand。
ForamomentIstoodhorror-struck。Iturnedandsawthepassagebehindmeblockedbyanotherheavybrute，withahugegreyfaceandtwinklinglittleeyes，advancingtowardsme。
Ilookedroundandsawtotherightofmeandahalf-dozenyardsinfrontofmeanarrowgapinthewallofrockthroughwhicharayoflightslantedintotheshadows。
"Stop！"criedMoreauasIstrodetowardsthis，andthen，"Holdhim！"
Atthat，firstonefaceturnedtowardsmeandthenothers。
Theirbestialmindswerehappilyslow。IdashedmyshoulderintoaclumsymonsterwhowasturningtoseewhatMoreaumeant，andflunghimforwardintoanother。Ifelthishandsflyround，clutchingatmeandmissingme。Thelittlepinksloth-creaturedashedatme，andIgasheddownitsuglyfacewiththenailinmystickandinanotherminutewasscramblingupasteepsidepathway，akindofslopingchimney，outoftheravine。
Iheardahowlbehindme，andcriesof"Catchhim！""Holdhim！"
andthegrey-facedcreatureappearedbehindmeandjammedhishugebulkintothecleft。"Goon！goon！"theyhowled。
IclamberedupthenarrowcleftintherockandcameoutuponthesulphuronthewestwardsideofthevillageoftheBeastMen。
Thatgapwasaltogetherfortunateforme，forthenarrowchimney，slantingobliquelyupward，musthaveimpededthenearerpursuers。
Iranoverthewhitespaceanddownasteepslope，throughascatteredgrowthoftrees，andcametoalow-lyingstretchoftallreeds，throughwhichIpushedintoadark，thickundergrowththatblackandsucculentunderfoot。
AsIplungedintothereeds，myforemostpursuersemergedfromthegap。
Ibrokemywaythroughthisundergrowthforsomeminutes。
Theairbehindmeandaboutmewassoonfullofthreateningcries。
Iheardthetumultofmypursuersinthegapuptheslope，thenthecrashingofthereeds，andeverynowandthenthecracklingcrashofabranch。Someofthecreaturesroaredlikeexcitedbeastsofprey。
Thestaghoundyelpedtotheleft。IheardMoreauandMontgomeryshoutinginthesamedirection。Iturnedsharplytotheright。ItseemedtomeeventhenthatIheardMontgomeryshoutingformetorunformylife。
Presentlythegroundgaverichandoozyundermyfeet;butIwasdesperateandwentheadlongintoit，struggledthroughkneedeep，andsocametoawindingpathamongtallcanes。Thenoiseofmypursuerspassedawaytomyleft。Inoneplacethreestrange，pink，hoppinganimals，aboutthesizeofcats，boltedbeforemyfootsteps。
Thispathwayranuphill，acrossanotheropenspacecoveredwithwhiteincrustation，andplungedintoacanebrakeagain。
Thensuddenlyitturnedparallelwiththeedgeofasteep-walledgap，whichcamewithoutwarning，liketheha-haofanEnglishpark，——
turnedwithanunexpectedabruptness。Iwasstillrunningwithallmymight，andIneversawthisdropuntilIwasflyingheadlongthroughtheair。
Ifellonmyforearmsandhead，amongthorns，androsewithatornearandbleedingface。Ihadfallenintoaprecipitousravine，rockyandthorny，fullofahazymistwhichdriftedaboutmeinwisps，andwithanarrowstreamletfromwhichthismistcamemeanderingdownthecentre。Iwasastonishedatthisthinfoginthefullblazeofdaylight;butIhadnotimetostandwonderingthen。
Iturnedtomyright，down-stream，hopingtocometotheseainthatdirection，andsohavemywayopentodrownmyself。
ItwasonlylaterIfoundthatIhaddroppedmynailedstickinmyfall。
Presentlytheravinegrewnarrowerforaspace，andcarelesslyIsteppedintothestream。Ijumpedoutagainprettyquickly，forthewaterwasalmostboiling。Inoticedtootherewasathinsulphurousscumdriftinguponitscoilingwater。Almostimmediatelycameaturnintheravine，andtheindistinctbluehorizon。
Thenearerseawasflashingthesunfromamyriadfacets。
Isawmydeathbeforeme;butIwashotandpanting，withthewarmbloodoozingoutonmyfaceandrunningpleasantlythroughmyveins。
Ifeltmorethanatouchofexultationtoo，athavingdistancedmypursuers。Itwasnotinmethentogooutanddrownmyselfyet。
IstaredbackthewayIhadcome。
Ilistened。Saveforthehumofthegnatsandthechirpofsomesmallinsectsthathoppedamongthethorns，theairwasabsolutelystill。
Thencametheyelpofadog，veryfaint，andachatteringandgibbering，thesnapofawhip，andvoices。Theygrewlouder，thenfainteragain。
Thenoiserecededupthestreamandfadedaway。Forawhilethechasewasover;butIknewnowhowmuchhopeofhelpformelayintheBeastPeople。
XIII。APARLEY。
ITURNEDagainandwentondowntowardsthesea。Ifoundthehotstreambroadenedouttoashallow，weedysand，inwhichanabundanceofcrabsandlong-bodied，many-leggedcreaturesstartedfrommyfootfall。
Iwalkedtotheveryedgeofthesaltwater，andthenIfeltIwassafe。
Iturnedandstared，armsakimbo，atthethickgreenbehindme，intowhichthesteamyravinecutlikeasmokinggash。
But，asIsay，Iwastoofullofexcitementand（atruesaying，thoughthosewhohaveneverknowndangermaydoubtit）toodesperatetodie。
Thenitcameintomyheadthattherewasonechancebeforemeyet。
WhileMoreauandMontgomeryandtheirbestialrabblechasedmethroughtheisland，mightInotgoroundthebeachuntilIcametotheirenclosure，——makeaflankmarchuponthem，infact，andthenwitharockluggedoutoftheirloosely-builtwall，perhaps，smashinthelockofthesmallerdoorandseewhatIcouldfind（knife，pistol，orwhatnot）tofightthemwithwhentheyreturned？
Itwasatanyratesomethingtotry。
SoIturnedtothewestwardandwalkedalongbythewater’sedge。
Thesettingsunflashedhisblindingheatintomyeyes。
TheslightPacifictidewasrunninginwithagentleripple。
Presentlytheshorefellawaysouthward，andthesuncamerounduponmyrighthand。Thensuddenly，farinfrontofme，Isawfirstoneandthenseveralfiguresemergingfromthebushes，——
Moreau，withhisgreystaghound，thenMontgomery，andtwoothers。
AtthatIstopped。
Theysawme，andbegangesticulatingandadvancing。Istoodwatchingthemapproach。ThetwoBeastMencamerunningforwardtocutmeofffromtheundergrowth，inland。Montgomerycame，runningalso，butstraighttowardsme。Moreaufollowedslowerwiththedog。
AtlastIrousedmyselffrommyinaction，andturningseawardwalkedstraightintothewater。Thewaterwasveryshallowatfirst。
Iwasthirtyyardsoutbeforethewavesreachedtomywaist。
DimlyIcouldseetheintertidalcreaturesdartingawayfrommyfeet。
"Whatareyoudoing，man？"criedMontgomery。
Iturned，standingwaistdeep，andstaredatthem。
Montgomerystoodpantingatthemarginofthewater。Hisfacewasbright-redwithexertion，hislongflaxenhairblownabouthishead，andhisdroppingnetherlipshowedhisirregularteeth。
Moreauwasjustcomingup，hisfacepaleandfirm，andthedogathishandbarkedatme。Bothmenhadheavywhips。FartherupthebeachstaredtheBeastMen。
"WhatamIdoing？Iamgoingtodrownmyself，"saidI。
MontgomeryandMoreaulookedateachother。"Why？"askedMoreau。
"Becausethatisbetterthanbeingtorturedbyyou。"
"Itoldyouso，"saidMontgomery，andMoreausaidsomethinginalowtone。
"WhatmakesyouthinkIshalltortureyou？"askedMoreau。
"WhatIsaw，"Isaid。"Andthose——yonder。"
"Hush！"saidMoreau，andhelduphishand。
"Iwillnot，"saidI。"Theyweremen：whataretheynow？
Iatleastwillnotbelikethem。"
Ilookedpastmyinterlocutors。UpthebeachwereM’ling，Montgomery’sattendant，andoneofthewhite-swathedbrutesfromtheboat。
Fartherup，intheshadowofthetrees，IsawmylittleApe-man，andbehindhimsomeotherdimfigures。
"Whoarethesecreatures？"saidI，pointingtothemandraisingmyvoicemoreandmorethatitmightreachthem。"Theyweremen，menlikeyourselves，whomyouhaveinfectedwithsomebestialtaint，——
menwhomyouhaveenslaved，andwhomyoustillfear。
"Youwholisten，"Icried，pointingnowtoMoreauandshoutingpasthimtotheBeastMen，——"Youwholisten！Doyounotseethesemenstillfearyou，goindreadofyou？Why，then，doyoufearthem？
Youaremany——"
"ForGod’ssake，"criedMontgomery，"stopthat，Prendick！"
"Prendick！"criedMoreau。
Theybothshoutedtogether，asiftodrownmyvoice;andbehindthemloweredthestaringfacesoftheBeastMen，wondering，theirdeformedhandshangingdown，theirshouldershunchedup。
Theyseemed，asIfancied，tobetryingtounderstandme，toremember，Ithought，somethingoftheirhumanpast。
Iwentonshouting，Iscarcelyrememberwhat，——thatMoreauandMontgomerycouldbekilled，thattheywerenottobefeared：
thatwastheburdenofwhatIputintotheheadsoftheBeastPeople。
Isawthegreen-eyedmaninthedarkrags，whohadmetmeontheeveningofmyarrival，comeoutfromamongthetrees，andothersfollowedhim，tohearmebetter。AtlastforwantofbreathIpaused。
"Listentomeforamoment，"saidthesteadyvoiceofMoreau;
"andthensaywhatyouwill。"
"Well？"saidI。
Hecoughed，thought，thenshouted："Latin，Prendick！badLatin，schoolboyLatin;buttryandunderstand。Hinonsunthomines;
suntanimaliaquinoshabemus——vivisected。Ahumanisingprocess。
Iwillexplain。Comeashore。"
Ilaughed。"Aprettystory，"saidI。"Theytalk，buildhouses。
Theyweremen。It’slikelyI’llcomeashore。"
"Thewaterjustbeyondwhereyoustandisdeep——andfullofsharks。"
"That’smyway，"saidI。"Shortandsharp。Presently。"
"Waitaminute。"Hetooksomethingoutofhispocketthatflashedbackthesun，anddroppedtheobjectathisfeet。"That’saloadedrevolver，"
saidhe。"Montgomeryherewilldothesame。Nowwearegoingupthebeachuntilyouaresatisfiedthedistanceissafe。
Thencomeandtaketherevolvers。"
"NotI！Youhaveathirdbetweenyou。"
"Iwantyoutothinkoverthings，Prendick。Inthefirstplace，Ineveraskedyoutocomeuponthisisland。Ifwevivisectedmen，weshouldimportmen，notbeasts。Inthenext，wehadyoudruggedlastnight，hadwewantedtoworkyouanymischief;
andinthenext，nowyourfirstpanicisoverandyoucanthinkalittle，isMontgomeryherequiteuptothecharacteryougivehim？
Wehavechasedyouforyourgood。Becausethisislandisfullofinimicalphenomena。Besides，whyshouldwewanttoshootyouwhenyouhavejustofferedtodrownyourself？"
"Whydidyouset——yourpeopleontomewhenIwasinthehut？"
"Wefeltsureofcatchingyou，andbringingyououtofdanger。
Afterwardswedrewawayfromthescent，foryourgood。"
Imused。Itseemedjustpossible。ThenIrememberedsomethingagain。
"ButIsaw，"saidI，"intheenclosure——"
"Thatwasthepuma。"
"Lookhere，Prendick，"saidMontgomery，"you’reasillyass！
Comeoutofthewaterandtaketheserevolvers，andtalk。
Wecan’tdoanythingmorethanwecoulddonow。"
Iwillconfessthatthen，andindeedalways，IdistrustedanddreadedMoreau;butMontgomerywasamanIfeltIunderstood。
"Goupthebeach，"saidI，afterthinking，andadded，"holdingyourhandsup。"
"Can’tdothat，"saidMontgomery，withanexplanatorynodoverhisshoulder。"Undignified。"
"Gouptothetrees，then，"saidI，"asyouplease。"
"It’sadamnedsillyceremony，"saidMontgomery。
Bothturnedandfacedthesixorsevengrotesquecreatures，whostoodthereinthesunlight，solid，castingshadows，moving，andyetsoincrediblyunreal。Montgomerycrackedhiswhipatthem，andforthwiththeyallturnedandfledhelter-skelterintothetrees;
andwhenMontgomeryandMoreauwereatadistanceIjudgedsufficient，Iwadedashore，andpickedupandexaminedtherevolvers。
Tosatisfymyselfagainstthesubtlesttrickery，Idischargedoneataroundlumpoflava，andhadthesatisfactionofseeingthestonepulverisedandthebeachsplashedwithlead。StillIhesitatedforamoment。
"I’lltaketherisk，"saidI，atlast;andwitharevolverineachhandIwalkedupthebeachtowardsthem。
"That’sbetter，"saidMoreau，withoutaffectation。"Asitis，youhavewastedthebestpartofmydaywithyourconfoundedimagination。"
Andwithatouchofcontemptwhichhumiliatedme，heandMontgomeryturnedandwentoninsilencebeforeme。
TheknotofBeastMen，stillwondering，stoodbackamongthetrees。
Ipassedthemasserenelyaspossible。Onestartedtofollowme，butretreatedagainwhenMontgomerycrackedhiswhip。Thereststoodsilent——watching。Theymayoncehavebeenanimals;butIneverbeforesawananimaltryingtothink。
XIV。DOCTORMOREAUEXPLAINS。
"ANDnow，Prendick，Iwillexplain，"saidDoctorMoreau，sosoonaswehadeatenanddrunk。"ImustconfessthatyouarethemostdictatorialguestIeverentertained。
IwarnyouthatthisisthelastIshalldotoobligeyou。
Thenextthingyouthreatentocommitsuicideabout，Ishan’tdo，——
evenatsomepersonalinconvenience。"
Hesatinmydeckchair，acigarhalfconsumedinhiswhite，dexterous-lookingfingers。Thelightoftheswinginglampfellonhiswhitehair;hestaredthroughthelittlewindowoutatthestarlight。
Isatasfarawayfromhimaspossible，thetablebetweenusandtherevolverstohand。Montgomerywasnotpresent。
Ididnotcaretobewiththetwooftheminsuchalittleroom。
"Youadmitthatthevivisectedhumanbeing，asyoucalledit，is，afterall，onlythepuma？"saidMoreau。Hehadmademevisitthathorrorintheinnerroom，toassuremyselfofitsinhumanity。
"Itisthepuma，"Isaid，"stillalive，butsocutandmutilatedasIprayImayneverseelivingfleshagain。Ofallvile——"
"Nevermindthat，"saidMoreau;"atleast，sparemethoseyouthfulhorrors。Montgomeryusedtobejustthesame。
Youadmitthatitisthepuma。Nowbequiet，whileIreeloffmyphysiologicallecturetoyou。"
Andforthwith，beginninginthetoneofamansupremelybored，butpresentlywarmingalittle，heexplainedhisworktome。
Hewasverysimpleandconvincing。Nowandthentherewasatouchofsarcasminhisvoice。PresentlyIfoundmyselfhotwithshameatourmutualpositions。
ThecreaturesIhadseenwerenotmen，hadneverbeenmen。
Theywereanimals，humanisedanimals，——triumphsofvivisection。
"Youforgetallthataskilledvivisectorcandowithlivingthings，"
saidMoreau。"Formyownpart，I’mpuzzledwhythethingsIhavedoneherehavenotbeendonebefore。Smallefforts，ofcourse，havebeenmade，——amputation，tongue-cutting，excisions。
Ofcourseyouknowasquintmaybeinducedorcuredbysurgery？
Theninthecaseofexcisionsyouhaveallkindsofsecondarychanges，pigmentarydisturbances，modificationsofthepassions，alterationsinthesecretionoffattytissue。Ihavenodoubtyouhaveheardofthesethings？"
"Ofcourse，"saidI。"Butthesefoulcreaturesofyours——"
"Allingoodtime，"saidhe，wavinghishandatme;"Iamonlybeginning。
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