Thosearetrivialcasesofalteration。Surgerycandobetterthingsthanthat。Thereisbuildingupaswellasbreakingdownandchanging。
Youhaveheard，perhaps，ofacommonsurgicaloperationresortedtoincaseswherethenosehasbeendestroyed：aflapofskiniscutfromtheforehead，turneddownonthenose，andhealsinthenewposition。
Thisisakindofgraftinginanewpositionofpartofananimaluponitself。Graftingoffreshlyobtainedmaterialfromanotheranimalisalsopossible，——thecaseofteeth，forexample。
Thegraftingofskinandboneisdonetofacilitatehealing：
thesurgeonplacesinthemiddleofthewoundpiecesofskinsnippedfromanotheranimal，orfragmentsofbonefromavictimfreshlykilled。
Hunter’scock-spur——possiblyyouhaveheardofthat——flourishedonthebull’sneck;andtherhinocerosratsoftheAlgerianzouavesarealsotobethoughtof，——monstersmanufacturedbytransferringaslipfromthetailofanordinaryrattoitssnout，andallowingittohealinthatposition。"
"Monstersmanufactured！"saidI。"Thenyoumeantotellme——"
"Yes。Thesecreaturesyouhaveseenareanimalscarvenandwroughtintonewshapes。Tothat，tothestudyoftheplasticityoflivingforms，mylifehasbeendevoted。Ihavestudiedforyears，gaininginknowledgeasIgo。Iseeyoulookhorrified，andyetI
amtellingyounothingnew。Italllayinthesurfaceofpracticalanatomyyearsago，butnoonehadthetemeritytotouchit。
ItisnotsimplytheoutwardformofananimalwhichIcanchange。
Thephysiology，thechemicalrhythmofthecreature，mayalsobemadetoundergoanenduringmodification，——ofwhichvaccinationandothermethodsofinoculationwithlivingordeadmatterareexamplesthatwill，nodoubt，befamiliartoyou。Asimilaroperationisthetransfusionofblood，——withwhichsubject，indeed，Ibegan。
Theseareallfamiliarcases。Lessso，andprobablyfarmoreextensive，weretheoperationsofthosemediaevalpractitionerswhomadedwarfsandbeggar-cripples，show-monsters，——somevestigesofwhoseartstillremaininthepreliminarymanipulationoftheyoungmountebankorcontortionist。VictorHugogivesanaccountofthemin`L’HommequiRit。’——Butperhapsmymeaninggrowsplainnow。
Youbegintoseethatitisapossiblethingtotransplanttissuefromonepartofananimaltoanother，orfromoneanimaltoanother;
toalteritschemicalreactionsandmethodsofgrowth;tomodifythearticulationsofitslimbs;and，indeed，tochangeitinitsmostintimatestructure。
"Andyetthisextraordinarybranchofknowledgehasneverbeensoughtasanend，andsystematically，bymoderninvestigatorsuntilItookitup！
Someofsuchthingshavebeenhituponinthelastresortofsurgery;
mostofthekindredevidencethatwillrecurtoyourmindhasbeendemonstratedasitwerebyaccident，——bytyrants，bycriminals，bythebreedersofhorsesanddogs，byallkindsofuntrainedclumsy-handedmenworkingfortheirownimmediateends。
Iwasthefirstmantotakeupthisquestionarmedwithantisepticsurgery，andwithareallyscientificknowledgeofthelawsofgrowth。
Yetonewouldimagineitmusthavebeenpractisedinsecretbefore。
SuchcreaturesastheSiameseTwins——AndinthevaultsoftheInquisition。Nodoubttheirchiefaimwasartistictorture，butsomeatleastoftheinquisitorsmusthavehadatouchofscientificcuriosity。"
"But，"saidI，"thesethings——theseanimalstalk！"
Hesaidthatwasso，andproceededtopointoutthatthepossibilityofvivisectiondoesnotstopatamerephysicalmetamorphosis。
Apigmaybeeducated。Thementalstructureisevenlessdeterminatethanthebodily。Inourgrowingscienceofhypnotismwefindthepromiseofapossibilityofsupersedingoldinherentinstinctsbynewsuggestions，graftinguponorreplacingtheinheritedfixedideas。
Verymuchindeedofwhatwecallmoraleducation，hesaid，issuchanartificialmodificationandperversionofinstinct;
pugnacityistrainedintocourageousself-sacrifice，andsuppressedsexualityintoreligiousemotion。Andthegreatdifferencebetweenmanandmonkeyisinthelarynx，hecontinued，——
intheincapacitytoframedelicatelydifferentsound-symbolsbywhichthoughtcouldbesustained。InthisIfailedtoagreewithhim，butwithacertainincivilityhedeclinedtonoticemyobjection。
Herepeatedthatthethingwasso，andcontinuedhisaccountofhiswork。
Iaskedhimwhyhehadtakenthehumanformasamodel。
Thereseemedtomethen，andtherestillseemstomenow，astrangewickednessforthatchoice。
Heconfessedthathehadchosenthatformbychance。"Imightjustaswellhaveworkedtoformsheepintollamasandllamasintosheep。
Isupposethereissomethinginthehumanformthatappealstotheartisticturnmorepowerfullythananyanimalshapecan。
ButI’venotconfinedmyselftoman-making。Onceortwice——"Hewassilent，foraminuteperhaps。"Theseyears！Howtheyhaveslippedby！
AndhereIhavewastedadaysavingyourlife，andamnowwastinganhourexplainingmyself！"
"But，"saidI，"Istilldonotunderstand。Whereisyourjustificationforinflictingallthispain？Theonlythingthatcouldexcusevivisectiontomewouldbesomeapplication——"
"Precisely，"saidhe。"But，yousee，Iamdifferentlyconstituted。
Weareondifferentplatforms。Youareamaterialist。"
"Iamnotamaterialist，"Ibeganhotly。
"Inmyview——inmyview。Foritisjustthisquestionofpainthatpartsus。Solongasvisibleoraudiblepainturnsyousick;
solongasyourownpainsdriveyou;solongaspainunderliesyourpropositionsaboutsin，——solong，Itellyou，youareananimal，thinkingalittlelessobscurelywhatananimalfeels。
Thispain——"
Igaveanimpatientshrugatsuchsophistry。
"Oh，butitissuchalittlething！Amindtrulyopenedtowhatsciencehastoteachmustseethatitisalittlething。
Itmaybethatsaveinthislittleplanet，thisspeckofcosmicdust，invisiblelongbeforetheneareststarcouldbeattained——itmaybe，Isay，thatnowhereelsedoesthisthingcalledpainoccur。
Butthelawswefeelourwaytowards——Why，evenonthisearth，evenamonglivingthings，whatpainisthere？"
Ashespokehedrewalittlepenknifefromhispocket，openedthesmallerblade，andmovedhischairsothatIcouldseehisthigh。
Then，choosingtheplacedeliberately，hedrovethebladeintohislegandwithdrewit。
"Nodoubt，"hesaid，"youhaveseenthatbefore。Itdoesnothurtapin-prick。Butwhatdoesitshow？Thecapacityforpainisnotneededinthemuscle，anditisnotplacedthere，——isbutlittleneededintheskin，andonlyhereandthereoverthethighisaspotcapableoffeelingpain。Painissimplyourintrinsicmedicaladvisertowarnusandstimulateus。Notalllivingfleshispainful;norisallnerve，notevenallsensorynerve。
There’snotintofpain，realpain，inthesensationsoftheopticnerve。
Ifyouwoundtheopticnerve，youmerelyseeflashesoflight，——
justasdiseaseoftheauditorynervemerelymeansahumminginourears。Plantsdonotfeelpain，northeloweranimals;
it’spossiblethatsuchanimalsasthestarfishandcrayfishdonotfeelpainatall。Thenwithmen，themoreintelligenttheybecome，themoreintelligentlytheywillseeaftertheirownwelfare，andthelesstheywillneedthegoadtokeepthemoutofdanger。
Ineveryetheardofauselessthingthatwasnotgroundoutofexistencebyevolutionsoonerorlater。Didyou？Andpaingetsneedless。
"ThenIamareligiousman，Prendick，aseverysanemanmustbe。
Itmaybe，Ifancy，thatIhaveseenmoreofthewaysofthisworld’sMakerthanyou，——forIhavesoughthislaws，inmyway，allmylife，whileyou，Iunderstand，havebeencollectingbutterflies。
AndItellyou，pleasureandpainhavenothingtodowithheavenorhell。
Pleasureandpain——bah！Whatisyourtheologian’secstasybutMahomet’shouriinthedark？Thisstorewhichmenandwomensetonpleasureandpain，Prendick，isthemarkofthebeastuponthem，——
themarkofthebeastfromwhichtheycame！Pain，painandpleasure，theyareforusonlysolongaswewriggleinthedust。
"Yousee，Iwentonwiththisresearchjustthewayitledme。
ThatistheonlywayIeverheardoftrueresearchgoing。
Iaskedaquestion，devisedsomemethodofobtainingananswer，andgotafreshquestion。Wasthispossibleorthatpossible？
Youcannotimaginewhatthismeanstoaninvestigator，whatanintellectualpassiongrowsuponhim！Youcannotimaginethestrange，colourlessdelightoftheseintellectualdesires！
Thethingbeforeyouisnolongerananimal，afellow-creature，butaproblem！Sympatheticpain，——allIknowofitIrememberasathingIusedtosufferfromyearsago。Iwanted——itwastheonethingIwanted——tofindouttheextremelimitofplasticityinalivingshape。"
"But，"saidI，"thethingisanabomination——"
"TothisdayIhavenevertroubledabouttheethicsofthematter，"
hecontinued。"ThestudyofNaturemakesamanatlastasremorse-lessasNature。Ihavegoneon，notheedinganythingbutthequestionI
waspursuing;andthematerialhas——drippedintothehutsyonder。
Itisreallyelevenyearssincewecamehere，IandMontgomeryandsixKanakas。Irememberthegreenstillnessoftheislandandtheemptyoceanaboutus，asthoughitwasyesterday。
Theplaceseemedwaitingforme。
"Thestoreswerelandedandthehousewasbuilt。TheKanakasfoundedsomehutsneartheravine。IwenttoworkhereuponwhatIhadbroughtwithme。Thereweresomedisagreeablethingshappenedatfirst。
Ibeganwithasheep，andkilleditafteradayandahalfbyaslipofthescalpel。Itookanothersheep，andmadeathingofpainandfearandleftitbounduptoheal。ItlookedquitehumantomewhenI
hadfinishedit;butwhenIwenttoitIwasdiscontentedwithit。
Itrememberedme，andwasterrifiedbeyondimagination;andithadnomorethanthewitsofasheep。ThemoreIlookedatittheclumsieritseemed，untilatlastIputthemonsteroutofitsmisery。
Theseanimalswithoutcourage，thesefear-haunted，pain-driventhings，withoutasparkofpugnaciousenergytofacetorment，——theyarenogoodforman-making。
"ThenItookagorillaIhad;anduponthat，workingwithinfinitecareandmasteringdifficultyafterdifficulty，Imademyfirstman。
Alltheweek，nightandday，Imouldedhim。Withhimitwaschieflythebrainthatneededmoulding;muchhadtobeadded，muchchanged。
IthoughthimafairspecimenofthenegroidtypewhenIhadfinishedhim，andhelaybandaged，bound，andmotionlessbeforeme。
ItwasonlywhenhislifewasassuredthatIlefthimandcameintothisroomagain，andfoundMontgomerymuchasyouare。
Hehadheardsomeofthecriesasthethinggrewhuman，——
crieslikethosethatdisturbedyouso。Ididn’ttakehimcompletelyintomyconfidenceatfirst。AndtheKanakastoo，hadrealisedsomethingofit。Theywerescaredoutoftheirwitsbythesightofme。IgotMontgomeryovertome——inaway;
butIandhehadthehardestjobtopreventtheKanakasdeserting。
Finallytheydid;andsowelosttheyacht。Ispentmanydayseducatingthebrute，——altogetherIhadhimforthreeorfourmonths。
ItaughthimtherudimentsofEnglish;gavehimideasofcounting;
evenmadethethingreadthealphabet。Butatthathewasslow，thoughI’vemetwithidiotsslower。Hebeganwithacleansheet，mentally;hadnomemoriesleftinhismindofwhathehadbeen。
Whenhisscarswerequitehealed，andhewasnolongeranythingbutpainfulandstiff，andabletoconversealittle，ItookhimyonderandintroducedhimtotheKanakasasaninterestingstowaway。
"Theywerehorriblyafraidofhimatfirst，somehow，——whichoffendedmerather，forIwasconceitedabouthim;buthiswaysseemedsomild，andhewassoabject，thatafteratimetheyreceivedhimandtookhiseducationinhand。Hewasquicktolearn，veryimitativeandadaptive，andbuilthimselfahovelratherbetter，itseemedtome，thantheirownshanties。Therewasoneamongtheboysabitofamissionary，andhetaughtthethingtoread，oratleasttopickoutletters，andgavehimsomerudimentaryideasofmorality;butitseemsthebeast’shabitswerenotallthatisdesirable。
"Irestedfromworkforsomedaysafterthis，andwasinamindtowriteanaccountofthewholeaffairtowakeupEnglishphysiology。
ThenIcameuponthecreaturesquattingupinatreeandgibberingattwooftheKanakaswhohadbeenteasinghim。Ithreatenedhim，toldhimtheinhumanityofsuchaproceeding，arousedhissenseofshame，andcamehomeresolvedtodobetterbeforeItookmyworkbacktoEngland。
Ihavebeendoingbetter。Butsomehowthethingsdriftbackagain：
thestubbornbeast-fleshgrowsdaybydaybackagain。
ButImeantodobetterthingsstill。Imeantoconquerthat。
Thispuma——
"Butthat’sthestory。AlltheKanakaboysaredeadnow;
onefelloverboardofthelaunch，andonediedofawoundedheelthathepoisonedinsomewaywithplant-juice。Threewentawayintheyacht，andIsupposeandhopeweredrowned。
Theotherone——waskilled。Well，Ihavereplacedthem。
Montgomerywentonmuchasyouaredisposedtodoatfirst，andthen——
"Whatbecameoftheotherone？"saidI，sharply，——"theotherKanakawhowaskilled？"
"Thefactis，afterIhadmadeanumberofhumancreaturesImadeaThing。"Hehesitated。
"Yes，"saidI。
"Itwaskilled。""Idon’tunderstand，"saidI;doyoumeantosay——"
"ItkilledtheKanakas——yes。Itkilledseveralotherthingsthatitcaught。Wechaseditforacoupleofdays。Itonlygotloosebyaccident——Inevermeantittogetaway。Itwasn’tfinished。
Itwaspurelyanexperiment。Itwasalimblessthing，withahorribleface，thatwrithedalongthegroundinaserpentinefashion。
Itwasimmenselystrong，andininfuriatingpain。Itlurkedinthewoodsforsomedays，untilwehuntedit;andthenitwriggledintothenorthernpartoftheisland，andwedividedthepartytocloseinuponit。Montgomeryinsisteduponcomingwithme。
Themanhadarifle;andwhenhisbodywasfound，oneofthebarrelswascurvedintotheshapeofanSandverynearlybittenthrough。
Montgomeryshotthething。AfterthatIstucktotheidealofhumanity——
exceptforlittlethings。"
Hebecamesilent。Isatinsilencewatchinghisface。
"Sofortwentyyearsaltogether——countingnineyearsinEngland——
Ihavebeengoingon;andthereisstillsomethingineverythingIdothatdefeatsme，makesmedissatisfied，challengesmetofurthereffort。
SometimesIriseabovemylevel，sometimesIfallbelowit;butalwaysIfallshortofthethingsIdream。ThehumanshapeIcangetnow，almostwithease，sothatitislitheandgraceful，orthickandstrong;
butoftenthereistroublewiththehandsandtheclaws，——painfulthings，thatIdarenotshapetoofreely。Butitisinthesubtlegraftingandreshapingonemustneedsdotothebrainthatmytroublelies。
Theintelligenceisoftenoddlylow，withunaccountableblankends，unexpectedgaps。AndleastsatisfactoryofallissomethingthatI
cannottouch，somewhere——Icannotdeterminewhere——intheseatoftheemotions。Cravings，instincts，desiresthatharmhumanity，astrangehiddenreservoirtoburstforthsuddenlyandinundatethewholebeingofthecreaturewithanger，hate，orfear。
Thesecreaturesofmineseemedstrangeanduncannytoyousosoonasyoubegantoobservethem;buttome，justafterImakethem，theyseemtobeindisputablyhumanbeings。It’safterwards，asI
observethem，thatthepersuasionfades。Firstoneanimaltrait，thenanother，creepstothesurfaceandstaresoutatme。
ButIwillconqueryet！EachtimeIdipalivingcreatureintothebathofburningpain，Isay，`ThistimeIwillburnoutalltheanimal;
thistimeIwillmakearationalcreatureofmyown！’Afterall，whatistenyears？Menhavebeenahundredthousandinthemaking。"
Hethoughtdarkly。"ButIamdrawingnearthefastness。
Thispumaofmine——"Afterasilence，"Andtheyrevert。
Assoonasmyhandistakenfromthemthebeastbeginstocreepback，beginstoassertitselfagain。"Anotherlongsilence。
"Thenyoutakethethingsyoumakeintothosedens？"saidI。
"Theygo。IturnthemoutwhenIbegintofeelthebeastinthem，andpresentlytheywanderthere。Theyalldreadthishouseandme。
Thereisakindoftravestyofhumanityoverthere。Montgomeryknowsaboutit，forheinterferesintheiraffairs。Hehastrainedoneortwoofthemtoourservice。He’sashamedofit，butIbelievehehalflikessomeofthosebeasts。It’shisbusiness，notmine。
Theyonlysickenmewithasenseoffailure。Itakenointerestinthem。
IfancytheyfollowinthelinestheKanakamissionarymarkedout，andhaveakindofmockeryofarationallife，poorbeasts！
There’ssomethingtheycalltheLaw。Singhymnsabout`allthine。’
Theybuildthemselvestheirdens，gatherfruit，andpullherbs——
marryeven。ButIcanseethroughitall，seeintotheirverysouls，andseetherenothingbutthesoulsofbeasts，beaststhatperish，angerandtheluststoliveandgratifythemselves。——Yetthey’reodd;
complex，likeeverythingelsealive。Thereisakindofupwardstrivinginthem，partvanity，partwastesexualemotion，partwastecuriosity。Itonlymocksme。Ihavesomehopeofthispuma。
Ihaveworkedhardatherheadandbrain——"Andnow，"saidhe，standingupafteralonggapofsilence，duringwhichwehadeachpursuedourownthoughts，"whatdoyouthink？Areyouinfearofmestill？"
Ilookedathim，andsawbutawhite-faced，white-hairedman，withcalmeyes。Saveforhisserenity，thetouchalmostofbeautythatresultedfromhissettranquillityandhismagnificentbuild，hemighthavepassedmusteramongahundredothercomfortableoldgentlemen。
ThenIshivered。Bywayofanswertohissecondquestion，Ihandedhimarevolverwitheitherhand。
"Keepthem，"hesaid，andsnatchedatayawn。Hestoodup，staredatmeforamoment，andsmiled。"Youhavehadtwoeventfuldays，"
saidhe。"Ishouldadvisesomesleep。I’mgladit’sallclear。
Good-night。"Hethoughtmeoverforamoment，thenwentoutbytheinnerdoor。
Iimmediatelyturnedthekeyintheouterone。Isatdownagain;
satforatimeinakindofstagnantmood，soweary，emotionally，mentally，andphysically，thatIcouldnotthinkbeyondthepointatwhichhehadleftme。Theblackwindowstaredatmelikeaneye。
AtlastwithaneffortIputoutthelightandgotintothehammock。
VerysoonIwasasleep。
XV。CONCERNINGTHEBEASTFOLK。
IWOKEearly。Moreau’sexplanationstoodbeforemymind，clearanddefinite，fromthemomentofmyawakening。Igotoutofthehammockandwenttothedoortoassuremyselfthatthekeywasturned。ThenItriedthewindow-bar，andfounditfirmlyfixed。
Thattheseman-likecreatureswereintruthonlybestialmonsters，meregrotesquetravestiesofmen，filledmewithavagueuncertaintyoftheirpossibilitieswhichwasfarworsethananydefinitefear。
Atappingcameatthedoor，andIheardtheglutinousaccentsofM’lingspeaking。Ipocketedoneoftherevolvers（keepingonehanduponit），andopenedtohim。
"Good-morning，sair，"hesaid，bringingin，inadditiontothecustomaryherb-breakfast，anill-cookedrabbit。Montgomeryfollowedhim。
Hisrovingeyecaughtthepositionofmyarmandhesmiledaskew。
Thepumawasrestingtohealthatday;butMoreau，whowassingularlysolitaryinhishabits，didnotjoinus。ItalkedwithMontgomerytoclearmyideasofthewayinwhichtheBeastFolklived。
Inparticular，IwasurgenttoknowhowtheseinhumanmonsterswerekeptfromfallinguponMoreauandMontgomeryandfromrendingoneanother。
HeexplainedtomethatthecomparativesafetyofMoreauandhimselfwasduetothelimitedmentalscopeofthesemonsters。
Inspiteoftheirincreasedintelligenceandthetendencyoftheiranimalinstinctstoreawaken，theyhadcertainfixedideasimplantedbyMoreauintheirminds，whichabsolutelyboundedtheirimaginations。
Theywerereallyhypnotised;hadbeentoldthatcertainthingswereimpossible，andthatcertainthingswerenottobedone，andtheseprohibitionswerewovenintothetextureoftheirmindsbeyondanypossibilityofdisobedienceordispute。
Certainmatters，however，inwhicholdinstinctwasatwarwithMoreau’sconvenience，wereinalessstablecondition。
AseriesofpropositionscalledtheLaw（Ibadalreadyheardthemrecited）
battledintheirmindswiththedeep-seated，ever-rebelliouscravingsoftheiranimalnatures。ThisLawtheywereeverrepeating，Ifound，andeverbreaking。BothMontgomeryandMoreaudisplayedparticularsolicitudetokeepthemignorantofthetasteofblood;
theyfearedtheinevitablesuggestionsofthatflavour。
MontgomerytoldmethattheLaw，especiallyamongthefelineBeastPeople，becameoddlyweakenedaboutnightfall;thatthentheanimalwasatitsstrongest;thataspiritofadventuresprangupinthematthedusk，whentheywoulddarethingstheyneverseemedtodreamaboutbyday。
TothatIowedmystalkingbytheLeopard-man，onthenightofmyarrival。
ButduringtheseearlierdaysofmystaytheybroketheLawonlyfurtivelyandafterdark;inthedaylighttherewasageneralatmosphereofrespectforitsmultifariousprohibitions。
AndhereperhapsImaygiveafewgeneralfactsabouttheislandandtheBeastPeople。Theisland，whichwasofirregularoutlineandlaylowuponthewidesea，hadatotalarea，Isuppose，ofsevenoreightsquaremiles。<2>Itwasvolcanicinorigin，andwasnowfringedonthreesidesbycoralreefs;somefumarolestothenorthward，andahotspring，weretheonlyvestigesoftheforcesthathadlongsinceoriginatedit。Nowandthenafaintquiverofearthquakewouldbesensible，andsometimestheascentofthespireofsmokewouldberenderedtumultuousbygustsofsteam;
butthatwasall。Thepopulationoftheisland，Montgomeryinformedme，nownumberedrathermorethansixtyofthesestrangecreationsofMoreau’sart，notcountingthesmallermonstrositieswhichlivedintheundergrowthandwerewithouthumanform。
Altogetherhehadmadenearlyahundredandtwenty;butmanyhaddied，andothers——likethewrithingFootlessThingofwhichhehadtoldme——
hadcomebyviolentends。Inanswertomyquestion，Montgomerysaidthattheyactuallyboreoffspring，butthatthesegenerallydied。
Whentheylived，Moreautookthemandstampedthehumanformuponthem。
Therewasnoevidenceoftheinheritanceoftheiracquiredhumancharacteristics。Thefemaleswerelessnumerousthanthemales，andliabletomuchfurtivepersecutioninspiteofthemonogamytheLawenjoined。
<2>ThisdescriptioncorrespondsineveryrespecttoNoble’sIsle。
——C。E。P。
ItwouldbeimpossibleformetodescribetheseBeastPeopleindetail;
myeyehashadnotrainingindetails，andunhappilyIcannotsketch。
Moststriking，perhaps，intheirgeneralappearancewasthedisproportionbetweenthelegsofthesecreaturesandthelengthoftheirbodies;andyet——sorelativeisourideaofgrace——
myeyebecamehabituatedtotheirforms，andatlastIevenfellinwiththeirpersuasionthatmyownlongthighswereungainly。
Anotherpointwastheforwardcarriageoftheheadandtheclumsyandinhumancurvatureofthespine。EventheApe-manlackedthatinwardsinuouscurveofthebackwhichmakesthehumanfiguresograceful。Mosthadtheirshouldershunchedclumsily，andtheirshortforearmshungweaklyattheirsides。Fewofthemwereconspicuouslyhairy，atleastuntiltheendofmytimeupontheisland。
Thenextmostobviousdeformitywasintheirfaces，almostallofwhichwereprognathous，malformedabouttheears，withlargeandprotuberantnoses，veryfurryorverybristlyhair，andoftenstrangely-colouredorstrangely-placedeyes。
Nonecouldlaugh，thoughtheApe-manhadachatteringtitter。
Beyondthesegeneralcharacterstheirheadshadlittleincommon;
eachpreservedthequalityofitsparticularspecies：
thehumanmarkdistortedbutdidnothidetheleopard，theox，orthesow，orotheranimaloranimals，fromwhichthecreaturehadbeenmoulded。Thevoices，too，variedexceedingly。
Thehandswerealwaysmalformed;andthoughsomesurprisedmebytheirunexpectedhumanappearance，almostallweredeficientinthenumberofthedigits，clumsyaboutthefinger-nails，andlackinganytactilesensibility。
ThetwomostformidableAnimalMenweremyLeopard-manandacreaturemadeofhyenaandswine。Largerthanthesewerethethreebull-creatureswhopulledintheboat。Thencamethesilvery-hairy-man，whowasalsotheSayeroftheLaw，M’ling，andasatyr-likecreatureofapeandgoat。
TherewerethreeSwine-menandaSwine-woman，amare-rhinoceros-creature，andseveralotherfemaleswhosesourcesIdidnotascertain。
Therewereseveralwolf-creatures，abear-bull，andaSaint-Bernard-man。I
havealreadydescribedtheApe-man，andtherewasaparticularlyhateful（andevil-smelling）oldwomanmadeofvixenandbear，whomIhatedfromthebeginning。ShewassaidtobeapassionatevotaryoftheLaw。
Smallercreatureswerecertaindappledyouthsandmylittlesloth-creature。Butenoughofthiscatalogue。
AtfirstIhadashiveringhorrorofthebrutes，feltalltookeenlythattheywerestillbrutes;butinsensiblyIbecamealittlehabituatedtotheideaofthem，andmoreoverIwasaffectedbyMontgomery’sattitudetowardsthem。Hehadbeenwiththemsolongthathehadcometoregardthemasalmostnormalhumanbeings。
HisLondondaysseemedaglorious，impossiblepasttohim。
OnlyonceinayearorsodidhegotoAricatodealwithMoreau’sagent，atraderinanimalsthere。HehardlymetthefinesttypeofmankindinthatseafaringvillageofSpanishmongrels。
Themenaboard-ship，hetoldme，seemedatfirstjustasstrangetohimastheBeastMenseemedtome，——unnaturallylongintheleg，flatintheface，prominentintheforehead，suspicious，dangerous，andcold-hearted。Infact，hedidnotlikemen：hishearthadwarmedtome，hethought，becausehehadsavedmylife。
Ifanciedeventhenthathehadasneakingkindnessforsomeofthesemetamorphosedbrutes，avicioussympathywithsomeoftheirways，butthatheattemptedtoveilitfrommeatfirst。
M’ling，theblack-facedman，Montgomery’sattendant，thefirstoftheBeastFolkIhadencountered，didnotlivewiththeothersacrosstheisland，butinasmallkennelatthebackoftheenclosure。
ThecreaturewasscarcelysointelligentastheApe-man，butfarmoredocile，andthemosthuman-lookingofalltheBeastFolk;
andMontgomeryhadtrainedittopreparefood，andindeedtodischargeallthetrivialdomesticofficesthatwererequired。
ItwasacomplextrophyofMoreau’shorribleskill，——abear，taintedwithdogandox，andoneofthemostelaboratelymadeofallhiscreatures。
IttreatedMontgomerywithastrangetendernessanddevotion。
Sometimeshewouldnoticeit，patit，callithalf-mocking，half-jocularnames，andsomakeitcaperwithextraordinarydelight;sometimeshewouldill-treatit，especiallyafterhehadbeenatthewhiskey，kickingit，beatingit，peltingitwithstonesorlightedfusees。
Butwhetherhetreateditwellorill，itlovednothingsomuchastobenearhim。
IsayIbecamehabituatedtotheBeastPeople，thatathousandthingswhichhadseemedunnaturalandrepulsivespeedilybecamenaturalandordinarytome。Isupposeeverythinginexistencetakesitscolourfromtheaveragehueofoursurroundings。
MontgomeryandMoreauweretoopeculiarandindividualtokeepmygeneralimpressionsofhumanitywelldefined。
Iwouldseeoneoftheclumsybovine-creatureswhoworkedthelaunchtreadingheavilythroughtheundergrowth，andfindmyselfasking，tryinghardtorecall，howhedifferedfromsomereallyhumanyokeltrudginghomefromhismechanicallabours;orIwouldmeettheFox-bearwoman’svulpine，shiftyface，strangelyhumaninitsspeculativecunning，andevenimagineIhadmetitbeforeinsomecitybyway。
Yeteverynowandthenthebeastwouldflashoutuponmebeyonddoubtordenial。Anugly-lookingman，ahunch-backedhumansavagetoallappearance，squattingintheapertureofoneofthedens，wouldstretchhisarmsandyawn，showingwithstartlingsuddennessscissor-edgedincisorsandsabre-likecanines，keenandbrilliantasknives。Orinsomenarrowpathway，glancingwithatransitorydaringintotheeyesofsomelithe，white-swathedfemalefigure，Iwouldsuddenlysee（withaspasmodicrevulsion）thatshehadslit-likepupils，orglancingdownnotethecurvingnailwithwhichsheheldhershapelesswrapabouther。Itisacuriousthing，bythebye，forwhichIamquiteunabletoaccount，thattheseweirdcreatures——
thefemales，Imean——hadintheearlierdaysofmystayaninstinctivesenseoftheirownrepulsiveclumsiness，anddisplayedinconsequenceamorethanhumanregardforthedecencyanddecorumofextensivecostume。
XVI。HOWTHEBEASTFOLKTASTEBLOOD。
MYinexperienceasawriterbetraysme，andIwanderfromthethreadofmystory。
AfterIhadbreakfastedwithMontgomery，hetookmeacrosstheislandtoseethefumaroleandthesourceofthehotspringintowhosescaldingwatersIhadblunderedonthepreviousday。
Bothofuscarriedwhipsandloadedrevolvers。Whilegoingthroughaleafyjungleonourroadthither，weheardarabbitsquealing。
Westoppedandlistened，butweheardnomore;andpresentlywewentonourway，andtheincidentdroppedoutofourminds。
Montgomerycalledmyattentiontocertainlittlepinkanimalswithlonghind-legs，thatwentleapingthroughtheundergrowth。
HetoldmetheywerecreaturesmadeoftheoffspringoftheBeastPeople，thatMoreauhadinvented。Hehadfanciedtheymightserveformeat，butarabbit-likehabitofdevouringtheiryounghaddefeatedthisintention。Ihadalreadyencounteredsomeofthesecreatures，——
onceduringmymoonlightflightfromtheLeopard-man，andonceduringmypursuitbyMoreauonthepreviousday。
Bychance，onehoppingtoavoidusleaptintotheholecausedbytheuprootingofawind-blowntree;beforeitcouldextricateitselfwemanagedtocatchit。Itspatlikeacat，scratchedandkickedvigorouslywithitshind-legs，andmadeanattempttobite;
butitsteethweretoofeebletoinflictmorethanapainlesspinch。
Itseemedtomeratheraprettylittlecreature;andasMontgomerystatedthatitneverdestroyedtheturfbyburrowing，andwasverycleanlyinitshabits，Ishouldimagineitmightproveaconvenientsubstituteforthecommonrabbitingentlemen’sparks。
Wealsosawonourwaythetrunkofatreebarkedinlongstripsandsplintereddeeply。Montgomerycalledmyattentiontothis。
"Nottoclawbarkoftrees，thatistheLaw，"hesaid。
"Muchsomeofthemcareforit！"Itwasafterthis，Ithink，thatwemettheSatyrandtheApe-man。TheSatyrwasagleamofclassicalmemoryonthepartofMoreau，——hisfaceovineinexpression，likethecoarserHebrewtype;hisvoiceaharshbleat，hisnetherextremitiesSatanic。
Hewasgnawingthehuskofapod-likefruitashepassedus。
BothofthemsalutedMontgomery。
"Hail，"saidthey，"totheOtherwiththeWhip！"
"There’saThirdwithaWhipnow，"saidMontgomery。"Soyou’dbettermind！"
"Washenotmade？"saidtheApe-man。"Hesaid——hesaidhewasmade。"
TheSatyr-manlookedcuriouslyatme。"TheThirdwiththeWhip，hethatwalksweepingintothesea，hasathinwhiteface。"
"Hehasathinlongwhip，"saidMontgomery。
"Yesterdayhebledandwept，"saidtheSatyr。"Youneverbleednorweep。
TheMasterdoesnotbleedorweep。"
"Ollendorffianbeggar！"saidMontgomery，"you’llbleedandweepifyoudon’tlookout！"
"Hehasfivefingers，heisafive-manlikeme，"saidtheApe-man。
"Comealong，Prendick，"saidMontgomery，takingmyarm;andIwentonwithhim。
TheSatyrandtheApe-manstoodwatchingusandmakingotherremarkstoeachother。
"Hesaysnothing，"saidtheSatyr。"Menhavevoices。"
"Yesterdayheaskedmeofthingstoeat，"saidtheApe-man。"Hedidnotknow。"
Thentheyspokeinaudiblethings，andIheardtheSatyrlaughing。
Itwasonourwaybackthatwecameuponthedeadrabbit。
Theredbodyofthewretchedlittlebeastwasrenttopieces，manyoftheribsstrippedwhite，andthebackboneindisputablygnawed。
AtthatMontgomerystopped。"GoodGod！"saidhe，stoopingdown，andpickingupsomeofthecrushedvertebraetoexaminethemmoreclosely。
"GoodGod！"herepeated，"whatcanthismean？"
"Somecarnivoreofyourshasremembereditsoldhabits，"
Isaidafterapause。"Thisbackbonehasbeenbittenthrough。"
Hestoodstaring，withhisfacewhiteandhislippulledaskew。
"Idon’tlikethis，"hesaidslowly。
"Isawsomethingofthesamekind，"saidI，"thefirstdayIcamehere。"
"Thedevilyoudid！Whatwasit？"
"Arabbitwithitsheadtwistedoff。"
"Thedayyoucamehere？"
"ThedayIcamehere。Intheundergrowthatthebackoftheenclosure，whenIwentoutintheevening。Theheadwascompletelywrungoff。"
Hegavealong，lowwhistle。
"Andwhatismore，Ihaveanideawhichofyourbrutesdidthething。
It’sonlyasuspicion，youknow。BeforeIcameontherabbitIsawoneofyourmonstersdrinkinginthestream。"
"Suckinghisdrink？"
"Yes。"
"’Nottosuckyourdrink;thatistheLaw。’MuchthebrutescarefortheLaw，eh？whenMoreau’snotabout！"
"Itwasthebrutewhochasedme。"
"Ofcourse，"saidMontgomery;"it’sjustthewaywithcarnivores。
Afterakill，theydrink。It’sthetasteofblood，youknow。——
Whatwasthebrutelike？"hecontinued。"Wouldyouknowhimagain？"
Heglancedaboutus，standingastrideoverthemessofdeadrabbit，hiseyesrovingamongtheshadowsandscreensofgreenery，thelurking-placesandambuscadesoftheforestthatboundedusin。
"Thetasteofblood，"hesaidagain。
Hetookouthisrevolver，examinedthecartridgesinitandreplacedit。
Thenhebegantopullathisdroppinglip。
"IthinkIshouldknowthebruteagain，"Isaid。"Istunnedhim。
Heoughttohaveahandsomebruiseontheforeheadofhim。"
"Butthenwehavetoprovethathekilledtherabbit，"saidMontgomery。
"IwishI’dneverbroughtthethingshere。"
Ishouldhavegoneon，buthestayedtherethinkingoverthemangledrabbitinapuzzle-headedway。Asitwas，Iwenttosuchadistancethattherabbit’sremainswerehidden。
"Comeon！"Isaid。
Presentlyhewokeupandcametowardsme。"Yousee，"hesaid，almostinawhisper，"theyareallsupposedtohaveafixedideaagainsteatinganythingthatrunsonland。IfsomebrutehasbyanyaccidenttastedbloodHewentonsomewayinsilence。
"Iwonderwhatcanhavehappened，"hesaidtohimself。
Then，afterapauseagain："Ididafoolishthingtheotherday。
Thatservantofmine——Ishowedhimhowtoskinandcookarabbit。
It’sodd——Isawhimlickinghishands——Itneveroccurredtome。"Then："Wemustputastoptothis。ImusttellMoreau。"
Hecouldthinkofnothingelseonourhomewardjourney。
MoreautookthematterevenmoreseriouslythanMontgomery，andI
needscarcelysaythatIwasaffectedbytheirevidentconsternation。
"Wemustmakeanexample，"saidMoreau。"I’venodoubtinmyownmindthattheLeopard-manwasthesinner。Buthowcanweproveit？
Iwish，Montgomery，youhadkeptyourtasteformeatinhand，andgonewithouttheseexcitingnovelties。Wemayfindourselvesinamessyet，throughit。"
"Iwasasillyass，"saidMontgomery。"Butthething’sdonenow;
andyousaidImighthavethem，youknow。"
"Wemustseetothethingatonce，"saidMoreau。"Isupposeifanythingshouldturnup，M’lingcantakecareofhimself？"
"I’mnotsosureofM’ling，"saidMontgomery。"IthinkIoughttoknowhim。"
Intheafternoon，Moreau，Montgomery，myself，andM’lingwentacrosstheislandtothehutsintheravine。Wethreewerearmed;
M’lingcarriedthelittlehatchetheusedinchoppingfirewood，andsomecoilsofwire。Moreauhadahugecowherd’shornslungoverhisshoulder。
"YouwillseeagatheringoftheBeastPeople，"saidMontgomery。
"Itisaprettysight！"
Moreausaidnotawordontheway，buttheexpressionofhisheavy，white-fringedfacewasgrimlyset。
Wecrossedtheravinedownwhichsmokedthestreamofhotwater，andfollowedthewindingpathwaythroughthecanebrakesuntilwereachedawideareacoveredoverwithathick，powderyyellowsubstancewhichIbelievewassulphur。
Abovetheshoulderofaweedybanktheseaglittered。Wecametoakindofshallownaturalamphitheatre，andherethefourofushalted。
ThenMoreausoundedthehorn，andbrokethesleepingstillnessofthetropicalafternoon。Hemusthavehadstronglungs。
Thehootingnoteroseandroseamidstitsechoes，toatlastanear-penetratingintensity。
"Ah！"saidMoreau，lettingthecurvedinstrumentfalltohissideagain。
Immediatelytherewasacrashingthroughtheyellowcanes，andasoundofvoicesfromthedensegreenjunglethatmarkedthemorassthroughwhichIhadrunonthepreviousday。
ThenatthreeorfourpointsontheedgeofthesulphurousareaappearedthegrotesqueformsoftheBeastPeoplehurryingtowardsus。
Icouldnothelpacreepinghorror，asIperceivedfirstoneandthenanothertrotoutfromthetreesorreedsandcomeshamblingalongoverthehotdust。ButMoreauandMontgomerystoodcalmlyenough;
and，perforce，Istuckbesidethem。
FirsttoarrivewastheSatyr，strangelyunrealforallthathecastashadowandtossedthedustwithhishoofs。Afterhimfromthebrakecameamonstrouslout，athingofhorseandrhinoceros，chewingastrawasitcame;thenappearedtheSwine-womanandtwoWolf-women;thentheFox-bearwitch，withherredeyesinherpeakedredface，andthenothers，——allhurryingeagerly。
AstheycameforwardtheybegantocringetowardsMoreauandchant，quiteregardlessofoneanother，fragmentsofthelatterhalfofthelitanyoftheLaw，——"HisistheHandthatwounds;
HisistheHandthatheals，"andsoforth。Assoonastheyhadapproachedwithinadistanceofperhapsthirtyyardstheyhalted，andbowingonkneesandelbowsbeganflingingthewhitedustupontheirheads。
Imaginethesceneifyoucan！Wethreeblue-cladmen，withourmisshapenblack-facedattendant，standinginawideexpanseofsunlityellowdustundertheblazingbluesky，andsurroundedbythiscircleofcrouchingandgesticulatingmonstrosities，——
somealmosthumansaveintheirsubtleexpressionandgestures，somelikecripples，somesostrangelydistortedastoresemblenothingbutthedenizensofourwildestdreams;and，beyond，thereedylinesofacanebrakeinonedirection，adensetangleofpalm-treesontheother，separatingusfromtheravinewiththehuts，andtothenorththehazyhorizonofthePacificOcean。
"Sixty-two，sixty-three，"countedMoreau。"Therearefourmore。"
"IdonotseetheLeopard-man，"saidI。
PresentlyMoreausoundedthegreathornagain，andatthesoundofitalltheBeastPeoplewrithedandgrovelledinthedust。
Then，slinkingoutofthecanebrake，stoopingnearthegroundandtryingtojointhedust-throwingcirclebehindMoreau’sback，cametheLeopard-man。ThelastoftheBeastPeopletoarrivewasthelittleApe-man。Theearlieranimals，hotandwearywiththeirgrovelling，shotviciousglancesathim。
"Cease！"saidMoreau，inhisfirm，loudvoice;andtheBeastPeoplesatbackupontheirhamsandrestedfromtheirworshipping。
"WhereistheSayeroftheLaw？"saidMoreau，andthehairy-greymonsterbowedhisfaceinthedust。
"Saythewords！"saidMoreau。
Forthwithallinthekneelingassembly，swayingfromsidetosideanddashingupthesulphurwiththeirhands，——firsttherighthandandapuffofdust，andthentheleft，——beganoncemoretochanttheirstrangelitany。Whentheyreached，"NottoeatFleshorFowl，thatistheLaw，"Moreauhelduphislankwhitehand。
"Stop！"hecried，andtherefellabsolutesilenceuponthemall。
Ithinktheyallknewanddreadedwhatwascoming。
Ilookedroundattheirstrangefaces。WhenIsawtheirwincingattitudesandthefurtivedreadintheirbrighteyes，IwonderedthatIhadeverbelievedthemtobemen。
"ThatLawhasbeenbroken！"saidMoreau。
"Noneescape，"fromthefacelesscreaturewiththesilveryhair。
"Noneescape，"repeatedthekneelingcircleofBeastPeople。
"Whoishe？"criedMoreau，andlookedroundattheirfaces，crackinghiswhip。IfanciedtheHyena-swinelookeddejected，sotoodidtheLeopard-man。Moreaustopped，facingthiscreature，whocringedtowardshimwiththememoryanddreadofinfinitetorment。
"Whoishe？"repeatedMoreau，inavoiceofthunder。
"EvilishewhobreakstheLaw，"chantedtheSayeroftheLaw。
MoreaulookedintotheeyesoftheLeopard-man，andseemedtobedraggingtheverysouloutofthecreature。
"WhobreakstheLaw——"saidMoreau，takinghiseyesoffhisvictim，andturningtowardsus（itseemedtometherewasatouchofexultationinhisvoice）。
"GoesbacktotheHouseofPain，"theyallclamoured，——"goesbacktotheHouseofPain，OMaster！"
"BacktotheHouseofPain，——backtotheHouseofPain，"
gabbledtheApe-man，asthoughtheideawassweettohim。
"Doyouhear？"saidMoreau，turningbacktothecriminal，"myfriend——Hullo！"
FortheLeopard-man，releasedfromMoreau’seye，hadrisenstraightfromhisknees，andnow，witheyesaflameandhishugefelinetusksflashingoutfromunderhiscurlinglips，leapttowardshistormentor。
Iamconvincedthatonlythemadnessofunendurablefearcouldhavepromptedthisattack。Thewholecircleofthreescoremonstersseemedtoriseaboutus。Idrewmyrevolver。Thetwofigurescollided。
IsawMoreaureelingbackfromtheLeopard-man’sblow。Therewasafuriousyellingandhowlingallaboutus。Everyonewasmovingrapidly。
ForamomentIthoughtitwasageneralrevolt。ThefuriousfaceoftheLeopard-manflashedbymine，withM’lingcloseinpursuit。
IsawtheyelloweyesoftheHyena-swineblazingwithexcitement，hisattitudeasifhewerehalfresolvedtoattackme。
TheSatyr，too，glaredatmeovertheHyena-swine’shunchedshoulders。
IheardthecrackofMoreau’spistol，andsawthepinkflashdartacrossthetumult。Thewholecrowdseemedtoswingroundinthedirectionoftheglintoffire，andItoowasswungroundbythemagnetismofthemovement。InanothersecondIwasrunning，oneofatumultuousshoutingcrowd，inpursuitoftheescapingLeopard-man。
ThatisallIcantelldefinitely。IsawtheLeopard-manstrikeMoreau，andtheneverythingspunaboutmeuntilIwasrunningheadlong。
M’lingwasahead，closeinpursuitofthefugitive。Behind，theirtonguesalreadylollingout，rantheWolf-womeningreatleapingstrides。
TheSwinefolkfollowed，squealingwithexcitement，andthetwoBull-menintheirswathingsofwhite。ThencameMoreauinaclusteroftheBeastPeople，hiswide-brimmedstrawhatblownoff，hisrevolverinhand，andhislankwhitehairstreamingout。
TheHyena-swineranbesideme，keepingpacewithmeandglancingfurtivelyatmeoutofhisfelineeyes，andtheotherscamepatteringandshoutingbehindus。
TheLeopard-manwentburstinghiswaythroughthelongcanes，whichsprangbackashepassed，andrattledinM’ling’sface。
Weothersintherearfoundatrampledpathforuswhenwereachedthebrake。Thechaselaythroughthebrakeforperhapsaquarterofamile，andthenplungedintoadensethicket，whichretardedourmovementsexceedingly，thoughwewentthroughitinacrowdtogether，——
frondsflickingintoourfaces，ropycreeperscatchingusunderthechinorgrippingourankles，thornyplantshookingintoandtearingclothandfleshtogether。
"Hehasgoneonall-foursthroughthis，"pantedMoreau，nowjustaheadofme。
"Noneescape，"saidtheWolf-bear，laughingintomyfacewiththeexultationofhunting。Weburstoutagainamongrocks，andsawthequarryaheadrunninglightlyonall-foursandsnarlingatusoverhisshoulder。AtthattheWolfFolkhowledwithdelight。
TheThingwasstillclothed，andatadistanceitsfacestillseemedhuman;
butthecarriageofitsfourlimbswasfeline，andthefurtivedroopofitsshoulderwasdistinctlythatofahuntedanimal。
Itleaptoversomethornyyellow-floweringbushes，andwashidden。
M’lingwashalfwayacrossthespace。
Mostofusnowhadlostthefirstspeedofthechase，andhadfallenintoalongerandsteadierstride。Isawaswetraversedtheopenthatthepursuitwasnowspreadingfromacolumnintoaline。
TheHyena-swinestillranclosetome，watchingmeasitran，everynowandthenpuckeringitsmuzzlewithasnarlinglaugh。
AttheedgeoftherockstheLeopard-man，realisingthathewasmakingfortheprojectingcapeuponwhichhehadstalkedmeonthenightofmyarrival，haddoubledintheundergrowth;
butMontgomeryhadseenthemanoeuvre，andturnedhimagain。
So，panting，tumblingagainstrocks，tornbybrambles，impededbyfernsandreeds，IhelpedtopursuetheLeopard-manwhohadbrokentheLaw，andtheHyena-swineran，laughingsavagely，bymyside。
Istaggeredon，myheadreelingandmyheartbeatingagainstmyribs，tiredalmosttodeath，andyetnotdaringtolosesightofthechaselestIshouldbeleftalonewiththishorriblecompanion。
Istaggeredoninspiteofinfinitefatigueandthedenseheatofthetropicalafternoon。
Atlastthefuryofthehuntslackened。Wehadpinnedthewretchedbruteintoacorneroftheisland。Moreau，whipinhand，marshalledusallintoanirregularline，andweadvancednowslowly，shoutingtooneanotherasweadvancedandtighteningthecordonaboutourvictim。
HelurkednoiselessandinvisibleinthebushesthroughwhichI
hadrunfromhimduringthatmidnightpursuit。
"Steady！"criedMoreau，"steady！"astheendsofthelinecreptroundthetangleofundergrowthandhemmedthebrutein。
"Warearush！"camethevoiceofMontgomeryfrombeyondthethicket。
Iwasontheslopeabovethebushes;MontgomeryandMoreaubeatalongthebeachbeneath。Slowlywepushedinamongthefrettednetworkofbranchesandleaves。Thequarrywassilent。
"BacktotheHouseofPain，theHouseofPain，theHouseofPain！"
yelpedthevoiceoftheApe-man，sometwentyyardstotheright。
WhenIheardthat，Iforgavethepoorwretchallthefearhehadinspiredinme。IheardthetwigssnapandtheboughsswishasidebeforetheheavytreadoftheHorse-rhinocerosuponmyright。
Thensuddenlythroughapolygonofgreen，inthehalfdarknessundertheluxuriantgrowth，Isawthecreaturewewerehunting。
Ihalted。Hewascrouchedtogetherintothesmallestpossiblecompass，hisluminousgreeneyesturnedoverhisshoulderregardingme。
Itmayseemastrangecontradictioninme，——Icannotexplainthefact，——
butnow，seeingthecreaturethereinaperfectlyanimalattitude，withthelightgleaminginitseyesanditsimperfectlyhumanfacedistortedwithterror，Irealisedagainthefactofitshumanity。
Inanothermomentotherofitspursuerswouldseeit，anditwouldbeoverpoweredandcaptured，toexperienceoncemorethehorribletorturesoftheenclosure。AbruptlyIslippedoutmyrevolver，aimedbetweenitsterror-struckeyes，andfired。
AsIdidso，theHyena-swinesawtheThing，andflungitselfuponitwithaneagercry，thrustingthirstyteethintoitsneck。
AllaboutmethegreenmassesofthethicketwereswayingandcrackingastheBeastPeoplecamerushingtogether。Onefaceandthenanotherappeared。
"Don’tkillit，Prendick！"criedMoreau。"Don’tkillit！"
andIsawhimstoopingashepushedthroughunderthefrondsofthebigferns。
InanothermomenthehadbeatenofftheHyena-swinewiththehandleofhiswhip，andheandMontgomerywerekeepingawaytheexcitedcarnivorousBeastPeople，andparticularlyM’ling，fromthestillquiveringbody。
Thehairy-greyThingcamesniffingatthecorpseundermyarm。
Theotheranimals，intheiranimalardour，jostledmetogetanearerview。
"Confoundyou，Prendick！"saidMoreau。"Iwantedhim。"
"I’msorry，"saidI，thoughIwasnot。"Itwastheimpulseofthemoment。"Ifeltsickwithexertionandexcitement。
Turning，IpushedmywayoutofthecrowdingBeastPeopleandwentonaloneuptheslopetowardsthehigherpartoftheheadland。
UndertheshouteddirectionsofMoreauIheardthethreewhite-swathedBull-menbegindraggingthevictimdowntowardsthewater。
Itwaseasynowformetobealone。TheBeastPeoplemanifestedaquitehumancuriosityaboutthedeadbody，andfolloweditinathickknot，sniffingandgrowlingatitastheBull-mendraggeditdownthebeach。
Iwenttotheheadlandandwatchedthebull-men，blackagainsttheeveningskyastheycarriedtheweighteddeadbodyouttosea;
andlikeawaveacrossmymindcametherealisationoftheunspeakableaimlessnessofthingsupontheisland。UponthebeachamongtherocksbeneathmeweretheApe-man，theHyena-swine，andseveralotheroftheBeastPeople，standingaboutMontgomeryandMoreau。
Theywereallstillintenselyexcited，andalloverflowingwithnoisyexpressionsoftheirloyaltytotheLaw;yetIfeltanabsoluteassuranceinmyownmindthattheHyena-swinewasimplicatedintherabbit-killing。Astrangepersuasioncameuponme，that，saveforthegrossnessoftheline，thegrotesquenessoftheforms，Ihadherebeforemethewholebalanceofhumanlifeinminiature，thewholeinterplayofinstinct，reason，andfateinitssimplestform。
TheLeopard-manhadhappenedtogounder：thatwasallthedifference。
Poorbrute！
Poorbrutes！IbegantoseethevileraspectofMoreau’scruelty。
IhadnotthoughtbeforeofthepainandtroublethatcametothesepoorvictimsaftertheyhadpassedfromMoreau’shands。
Ihadshiveredonlyatthedaysofactualtormentintheenclosure。
Butnowthatseemedtomethelesserpart。Before，theyhadbeenbeasts，theirinstinctsfitlyadaptedtotheirsurroundings，andhappyaslivingthingsmaybe。Nowtheystumbledintheshacklesofhumanity，livedinafearthatneverdied，frettedbyalawtheycouldnotunderstand;theirmock-humanexistence，beguninanagony，wasonelonginternalstruggle，onelongdreadofMoreau——andforwhat？
Itwasthewantonnessofitthatstirredme。
HadMoreauhadanyintelligibleobject，Icouldhavesympathisedatleastalittlewithhim。Iamnotsosqueamishaboutpainasthat。
Icouldhaveforgivenhimalittleeven，hadhismotivebeenonlyhate。
Buthewassoirresponsible，soutterlycareless！Hiscuriosity，hismad，aimlessinvestigations，drovehimon;andtheThingswerethrownouttoliveayearorso，tostruggleandblunderandsuffer，andatlasttodiepainfully。Theywerewretchedinthemselves;
theoldanimalhatemovedthemtotroubleoneanother;theLawheldthembackfromabriefhotstruggleandadecisiveendtotheirnaturalanimosities。
InthosedaysmyfearoftheBeastPeoplewentthewayofmypersonalfearforMoreau。Ifellindeedintoamorbidstate，deepandenduring，andalientofear，whichhasleftpermanentscarsuponmymind。
ImustconfessthatIlostfaithinthesanityoftheworldwhenIsawitsufferingthepainfuldisorderofthisisland。
AblindFate，avastpitilessMechanism，seemedtocutandshapethefabricofexistenceandI，Moreau（byhispassionforresearch），Montgomery（byhispassionfordrink），theBeastPeoplewiththeirinstinctsandmentalrestrictions，weretornandcrushed，ruthlessly，inevitably，amidtheinfinitecomplexityofitsincessantwheels。Butthisconditiondidnotcomeallatonce：
IthinkindeedthatIanticipatealittleinspeakingofitnow。
XVII。ACATASTROPHE。
SCARCELYsixweekspassedbeforeIhadlosteveryfeelingbutdislikeandabhorrenceforthisinfamousexperimentofMoreau’s。
MyoneideawastogetawayfromthesehorriblecaricaturesofmyMaker’simage，backtothesweetandwholesomeintercourseofmen。
Myfellow-creatures，fromwhomIwasthusseparated，begantoassumeidyllicvirtueandbeautyinmymemory。MyfirstfriendshipwithMontgomerydidnotincrease。Hislongseparationfromhumanity，hissecretviceofdrunkenness，hisevidentsympathywiththeBeastPeople，taintedhimtome。SeveraltimesIlethimgoaloneamongthem。
Iavoidedintercoursewiththemineverypossibleway。
Ispentanincreasingproportionofmytimeuponthebeach，lookingforsomeliberatingsailthatneverappeared，——untilonedaytherefelluponusanappallingdisaster，whichputanaltogetherdifferentaspectuponmystrangesurroundings。
Itwasaboutsevenoreightweeksaftermylanding，——rathermore，Ithink，thoughIhadnottroubledtokeepaccountofthetime，——
whenthiscatastropheoccurred。Ithappenedintheearlymorning——
Ishouldthinkaboutsix。Ihadrisenandbreakfastedearly，havingbeenarousedbythenoiseofthreeBeastMencarryingwoodintotheenclosure。
AfterbreakfastIwenttotheopengatewayoftheenclosure，andstoodtheresmokingacigaretteandenjoyingthefreshnessoftheearlymorning。Moreaupresentlycameroundthecorneroftheenclosureandgreetedme。Hepassedbyme，andIheardhimbehindmeunlockandenterhislaboratory。SoinduratedwasI
atthattimetotheabominationoftheplace，thatIheardwithoutatouchofemotionthepumavictimbeginanotherdayoftorture。
Itmetitspersecutorwithashriek，almostexactlylikethatofanangryvirago。
Thensuddenlysomethinghappened，——Idonotknowwhat，tothisday。Iheardashort，sharpcrybehindme，afall，andturningsawanawfulfacerushinguponme，——nothuman，notanimal，buthellish，brown，seamedwithredbranchingscars，reddropsstartingoutuponit，andthelidlesseyesablaze。
Ithrewupmyarmtodefendmyselffromtheblowthatflungmeheadlongwithabrokenforearm;andthegreatmonster，swathedinlintandwithred-stainedbandagesflutteringaboutit，leaptovermeandpassed。Irolledoverandoverdownthebeach，triedtositup，andcollapseduponmybrokenarm。ThenMoreauappeared，hismassivewhitefaceallthemoreterribleforthebloodthattrickledfromhisforehead。Hecarriedarevolverinonehand。
Hescarcelyglancedatme，butrushedoffatonceinpursuitofthepuma。
Itriedtheotherarmandsatup。Themuffledfigureinfrontraningreatstridingleapsalongthebeach，andMoreaufollowedher。
Sheturnedherheadandsawhim，thendoublingabruptlymadeforthebushes。Shegaineduponhimateverystride。Isawherplungeintothem，andMoreau，runningslantinglytointercepther，firedandmissedasshedisappeared。Thenhetoovanishedinthegreenconfusion。Istaredafterthem，andthenthepaininmyarmflamedup，andwithagroanIstaggeredtomyfeet。
Montgomeryappearedinthedoorway，dressed，andwithhisrevolverinhishand。
"GreatGod，Prendick！"hesaid，notnoticingthatIwashurt，"thatbrute’sloose！Torethefetteroutofthewall！
Haveyouseenthem？"Thensharply，seeingIgrippedmyarm，"What’sthematter？"
"Iwasstandinginthedoorway，"saidI。
Hecameforwardandtookmyarm。"Bloodonthesleeve，"
saidhe，androlledbacktheflannel。Hepocketedhisweapon，feltmyarmaboutpainfully，andledmeinside。"Yourarmisbroken，"hesaid，andthen，"Tellmeexactlyhowithappened——
whathappened？"
ItoldhimwhatIhadseen;toldhiminbrokensentences，withgaspsofpainbetweenthem，andverydexterouslyandswiftlyheboundmyarmmeanwhile。Heslungitfrommyshoulder，stoodbackandlookedatme。
"You’lldo，"hesaid。"Andnow？"
Hethought。Thenhewentoutandlockedthegatesoftheenclosure。
Hewasabsentsometime。
Iwaschieflyconcernedaboutmyarm。Theincidentseemedmerelyonemoreofmanyhorriblethings。Isatdowninthedeckchair，andImustadmitsworeheartilyattheisland。ThefirstdullfeelingofinjuryinmyarmhadalreadygivenwaytoaburningpainwhenMontgomeryreappeared。Hisfacewasratherpale，andheshowedmoreofhislowergumsthanever。
"Icanneitherseenorhearanythingofhim，"hesaid。
"I’vebeenthinkinghemaywantmyhelp。"Hestaredatmewithhisexpressionlesseyes。"Thatwasastrongbrute，"hesaid。
"Itsimplywrencheditsfetteroutofthewall。"Hewenttothewindow，thentothedoor，andthereturnedtome。"Ishallgoafterhim，"
hesaid。"There’sanotherrevolverIcanleavewithyou。
Totellyouthetruth，Ifeelanxioussomehow。"
Heobtainedtheweapon，andputitreadytomyhandonthetable;
thenwentout，leavingarestlesscontagionintheair。
Ididnotsitlongafterheleft，buttooktherevolverinhandandwenttothedoorway。
Themorningwasasstillasdeath。Notawhisperofwindwasstirring;
theseawaslikepolishedglass，theskyempty，thebeachdesolate。
Inmyhalf-excited，half-feverishstate，thisstillnessofthingsoppressedme。Itriedtowhistle，andthetunediedaway。
Isworeagain，——thesecondtimethatmorning。ThenIwenttothecorneroftheenclosureandstaredinlandatthegreenbushthathadswallowedupMoreauandMontgomery。Whenwouldtheyreturn，andhow？
ThenfarawayupthebeachalittlegreyBeastManappeared，randowntothewater’sedgeandbegansplashingabout。
Istrolledbacktothedoorway，thentothecorneragain，andsobeganpacingtoandfrolikeasentineluponduty。
OnceIwasarrestedbythedistantvoiceofMontgomerybawling，"Coo-ee——Moreau！"Myarmbecamelesspainful，butveryhot。
Igotfeverishandthirsty。Myshadowgrewshorter。
Iwatchedthedistantfigureuntilitwentawayagain。WouldMoreauandMontgomeryneverreturn？Threesea-birdsbeganfightingforsomestrandedtreasure。
ThenfromfarawaybehindtheenclosureIheardapistol-shot。A
longsilence，andthencameanother。Thenayellingcrynearer，andanotherdismalgapofsilence。Myunfortunateimaginationsettoworktotormentme。Thensuddenlyashotcloseby。
Iwenttothecorner，startled，andsawMontgomery，——hisfacescarlet，hishairdisordered，andthekneeofhistrouserstorn。
Hisfaceexpressedprofoundconsternation。BehindhimslouchedtheBeastMan，M’ling，androundM’ling’sjawsweresomequeerdarkstains。
"Hashecome？"saidMontgomery。
"Moreau？"saidI。"No。"
"MyGod！"Themanwaspanting，almostsobbing。"Gobackin，"hesaid，takingmyarm。"They’remad。They’reallrushingaboutmad。Whatcanhavehappened？Idon’tknow。I’lltellyou，whenmybreathcomes。
Where’ssomebrandy？"
Montgomerylimpedbeforemeintotheroomandsatdowninthedeckchair。
M’lingflunghimselfdownjustoutsidethedoorwayandbeganpantinglikeadog。IgotMontgomerysomebrandy-and-water。Hesatstaringinfrontofhimatnothing，recoveringhisbreath。
Aftersomeminuteshebegantotellmewhathadhappened。
Hehadfollowedtheirtrackforsomeway。Itwasplainenoughatfirstonaccountofthecrushedandbrokenbushes，whiteragstornfromthepuma’sbandages，andoccasionalsmearsofbloodontheleavesoftheshrubsandundergrowth。Helostthetrack，however，onthestonygroundbeyondthestreamwhereIhadseentheBeastMandrinking，andwentwanderingaimlesslywestwardshoutingMoreau’sname。
ThenM’linghadcometohimcarryingalighthatchet。M’linghadseennothingofthepumaaffair;hadbeenfellingwood，andheardhimcalling。
Theywentonshoutingtogether。TwoBeastMencamecrouchingandpeeringatthemthroughtheundergrowth，withgesturesandafurtivecarriagethatalarmedMontgomerybytheirstrangeness。
Hehailedthem，andtheyfledguiltily。Hestoppedshoutingafterthat，andafterwanderingsometimefartherinanundecidedway，determinedtovisitthehuts。
Hefoundtheravinedeserted。
Growingmorealarmedeveryminute，hebegantoretracehissteps。
ThenitwasheencounteredthetwoSwine-menIhadseendancingonthenightofmyarrival;blood-stainedtheywereaboutthemouth，andintenselyexcited。Theycamecrashingthroughtheferns，andstoppedwithfiercefaceswhentheysawhim。Hecrackedhiswhipinsometrepidation，andforthwiththeyrushedathim。NeverbeforehadaBeastMandaredtodothat。Oneheshotthroughthehead;
M’lingflunghimselfupontheother，andthetworolledgrappling。
M’linggothisbruteunderandwithhisteethinitsthroat，andMontgomeryshotthattooasitstruggledinM’ling’sgrip。
HehadsomedifficultyininducingM’lingtocomeonwithhim。
Thencetheyhadhurriedbacktome。Ontheway，M’linghadsuddenlyrushedintoathicketanddrivenoutanunder-sizedOcelot-man，alsoblood-stained，andlamethroughawoundinthefoot。
Thisbrutehadrunalittlewayandthenturnedsavagelyatbay，andMontgomery——withacertainwantonness，Ithought——hadshothim。
"Whatdoesitallmean？"saidI。
Heshookhishead，andturnedoncemoretothebrandy。
XVIII。THEFINDINGOFMOREAU。
WHENIsawMontgomeryswallowathirddoseofbrandy，Itookituponmyselftointerfere。Hewasalreadymorethanhalffuddled。
ItoldhimthatsomeseriousthingmusthavehappenedtoMoreaubythistime，orhewouldhavereturnedbeforethis，andthatitbehovedustoascertainwhatthatcatastrophewas。
Montgomeryraisedsomefeebleobjections，andatlastagreed。
Wehadsomefood，andthenallthreeofusstarted。
Itispossiblyduetothetensionofmymind，atthetime，butevennowthatstartintothehotstillnessofthetropicalafternoonisasingularlyvividimpression。M’lingwentfirst，hisshoulderhunched，hisstrangeblackheadmovingwithquickstartsashepeeredfirstonthissideofthewayandthenonthat。
Hewasunarmed;hisaxehehaddroppedwhenheencounteredtheSwine-man。Teethwerehisweapons，whenitcametofighting。
Montgomeryfollowedwithstumblingfootsteps，hishandsinhispockets，hisfacedowncast;hewasinastateofmuddledsullennesswithmeonaccountofthebrandy。Myleftarmwasinasling（itwasluckyitwasmyleft），andIcarriedmyrevolverinmyright。
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