The Thing in the Forest

I strode through the undergrowth that clothed the ridge behind the house, scarcely heeding whither I went; passed on through the shadow of a thick cluster of straight-stemmed trees beyond it, and so presently found myself some way on the other side of the ridge, and descending towards a streamlet that ran through a narrow valley. I paused and listened. The distance I had come, or the intervening masses of thicket, deadened any sound that might be coming from the enclosure. The air was still. Then with a rustle a rabbit emerged, and went scampering up the slope before me. I hesitated, and sat down in the edge of the shade.

I strode through the undergrowth covering the ridge behind the house, barely noticing where I was going. I passed through the shade of a dense cluster of straight-trunked trees beyond it. Soon I found myself some way down the other side of the ridge, heading toward a stream in a narrow valley. I stopped and listened. The distance I had traveled, or the dense thickets between me and the enclosure, muffled any sounds that might be coming from it. The air was still. Then a rabbit emerged with a rustle and scampered up the slope ahead of me. I hesitated, then sat down at the edge of the shade.

The place was a pleasant one. The rivulet was hidden by the luxuriant vegetation of the banks save at one point, where I caught a triangular patch of its glittering water. On the farther side I saw through a bluish haze a tangle of trees and creepers, and above these again the luminous blue of the sky. Here and there a splash of white or crimson marked the blooming of some trailing epiphyte. I let my eyes wander over this scene for a while, and then began to turn over in my mind again the strange peculiarities of Montgomery’s man. But it was too hot to think elaborately, and presently I fell into a tranquil state midway between dozing and waking.

It was a pleasant place. Thick plants along the banks hid the stream, except for one triangular patch of glittering water. On the far side, I could see a tangle of trees and vines through a bluish haze. Above them was the bright blue sky. Here and there, a splash of white or crimson showed where a trailing epiphyte was blooming. I let my eyes wander over the scene for a while. Then I began thinking again about the strange peculiarities of Montgomery’s man. But it was too hot to think at length, and soon I drifted into a peaceful state between sleeping and waking.

From this I was aroused, after I know not how long, by a rustling amidst the greenery on the other side of the stream. For a moment I could see nothing but the waving summits of the ferns and reeds. Then suddenly upon the bank of the stream appeared something—at first I could not distinguish what it was. It bowed its round head to the water, and began to drink. Then I saw it was a man, going on all-fours like a beast. He was clothed in bluish cloth, and was of a copper-coloured hue, with black hair. It seemed that grotesque ugliness was an invariable character of these islanders. I could hear the suck of the water at his lips as he drank.

After I don't know how long, a rustling in the greenery across the stream roused me. For a moment, I could see nothing but the waving tops of the ferns and reeds. Then something suddenly appeared on the bank. At first, I couldn't tell what it was. It lowered its round head to the water and began to drink. Then I saw that it was a man, moving on all fours like an animal. He wore bluish cloth and had copper-colored skin and black hair. It seemed that all the islanders were grotesquely ugly. I could hear the water being sucked through his lips as he drank.

I leant forward to see him better, and a piece of lava, detached by my hand, went pattering down the slope. He looked up guiltily, and his eyes met mine. Forthwith he scrambled to his feet, and stood wiping his clumsy hand across his mouth and regarding me. His legs were scarcely half the length of his body. So, staring one another out of countenance, we remained for perhaps the space of a minute. Then, stopping to look back once or twice, he slunk off among the bushes to the right of me, and I heard the swish of the fronds grow faint in the distance and die away. Long after he had disappeared, I remained sitting up staring in the direction of his retreat. My drowsy tranquillity had gone.

I leaned forward to see him better, and my hand dislodged a piece of lava. It pattered down the slope. He looked up guiltily, and his eyes met mine. He immediately scrambled to his feet. He stood watching me and wiping his clumsy hand across his mouth. His legs were barely half as long as his body. We stared at each other in embarrassment for perhaps a minute. Then he slunk off into the bushes to my right, stopping once or twice to look back. I heard the swish of the fronds grow faint in the distance and die away. Long after he had disappeared, I remained sitting up, staring in the direction he had gone. My drowsy calm was gone.

I was startled by a noise behind me, and turning suddenly saw the flapping white tail of a rabbit vanishing up the slope. I jumped to my feet. The apparition of this grotesque, half-bestial creature had suddenly populated the stillness of the afternoon for me. I looked around me rather nervously, and regretted that I was unarmed. Then I thought that the man I had just seen had been clothed in bluish cloth, had not been naked as a savage would have been; and I tried to persuade myself from that fact that he was after all probably a peaceful character, that the dull ferocity of his countenance belied him.

A noise behind me startled me. I turned suddenly and saw a rabbit's white tail flapping as it disappeared up the slope. I jumped to my feet. The sight of that grotesque, half-animal creature had suddenly filled the still afternoon with life. I looked around nervously and regretted having no weapon. Then I remembered that the man I had just seen wore bluish cloth. He was not naked, as a savage would have been. I tried to convince myself that he was probably peaceful after all, despite the dull ferocity of his face.

Yet I was greatly disturbed at the apparition. I walked to the left along the slope, turning my head about and peering this way and that among the straight stems of the trees. Why should a man go on all-fours and drink with his lips? Presently I heard an animal wailing again, and taking it to be the puma, I turned about and walked in a direction diametrically opposite to the sound. This led me down to the stream, across which I stepped and pushed my way up through the undergrowth beyond.

Yet the sight disturbed me greatly. I walked left along the slope, turning my head and looking around among the straight tree trunks. Why would a man walk on all fours and drink with his lips? Soon I heard an animal wailing again. I thought it was the puma, so I turned and walked in the opposite direction. This led me down to the stream. I stepped across it and pushed my way through the undergrowth on the other side.

I was startled by a great patch of vivid scarlet on the ground, and going up to it found it to be a peculiar fungus, branched and corrugated like a foliaceous lichen, but deliquescing into slime at the touch; and then in the shadow of some luxuriant ferns I came upon an unpleasant thing,—the dead body of a rabbit covered with shining flies, but still warm and with the head torn off. I stopped aghast at the sight of the scattered blood. Here at least was one visitor to the island disposed of! There were no traces of other violence about it. It looked as though it had been suddenly snatched up and killed; and as I stared at the little furry body came the difficulty of how the thing had been done. The vague dread that had been in my mind since I had seen the inhuman face of the man at the stream grew distincter as I stood there. I began to realise the hardihood of my expedition among these unknown people. The thicket about me became altered to my imagination. Every shadow became something more than a shadow,—became an ambush; every rustle became a threat. Invisible things seemed watching me. I resolved to go back to the enclosure on the beach. I suddenly turned away and thrust myself violently, possibly even frantically, through the bushes, anxious to get a clear space about me again.

I was startled by a large patch of vivid scarlet on the ground. I went closer and found it was a strange fungus. It was branched and wrinkled like a leafy lichen, but turned to slime at a touch. Then, in the shade of some lush ferns, I came upon an unpleasant sight. It was the dead body of a rabbit, covered with shining flies. It was still warm, but its head had been torn off. I stopped in horror at the sight of the scattered blood. Here, at least, was one visitor to the island who had been disposed of! There were no other signs of violence around the rabbit. It looked as though it had been suddenly snatched up and killed. As I stared at the little furry body, I wondered how it had been done. The vague dread I had felt since seeing the inhuman face of the man at the stream grew clearer as I stood there. I began to realize how bold I had been to venture among these unknown people. In my imagination, the thicket around me changed. Every shadow became more than a shadow, an ambush. Every rustle became a threat. Invisible things seemed to be watching me. I decided to go back to the enclosure on the beach. I suddenly turned away and pushed forcefully, perhaps even frantically, through the bushes. I was anxious to have clear space around me again.

I stopped just in time to prevent myself emerging upon an open space. It was a kind of glade in the forest, made by a fall; seedlings were already starting up to struggle for the vacant space; and beyond, the dense growth of stems and twining vines and splashes of fungus and flowers closed in again. Before me, squatting together upon the fungoid ruins of a huge fallen tree and still unaware of my approach, were three grotesque human figures. One was evidently a female; the other two were men. They were naked, save for swathings of scarlet cloth about the middle; and their skins were of a dull pinkish-drab colour, such as I had seen in no savages before. They had fat, heavy, chinless faces, retreating foreheads, and a scant bristly hair upon their heads. I never saw such bestial-looking creatures.

I stopped just before stepping into an open space. It was a kind of clearing in the forest, made by a fallen tree. Seedlings were already starting to compete for the vacant space. Beyond the clearing, the dense growth of stems and twining vines closed in again, with splashes of fungus and flowers. Before me, three grotesque human figures squatted together on the fungus-covered remains of a huge fallen tree. They had not noticed me approaching. One was clearly a woman, and the other two were men. They were naked except for bands of scarlet cloth around their waists. Their skin was a dull pinkish gray, unlike any I had seen among savages before. They had fat, heavy faces with no chins, sloping foreheads, and thin, bristly hair on their heads. I had never seen such beastly-looking creatures.

They were talking, or at least one of the men was talking to the other two, and all three had been too closely interested to heed the rustling of my approach. They swayed their heads and shoulders from side to side. The speaker’s words came thick and sloppy, and though I could hear them distinctly I could not distinguish what he said. He seemed to me to be reciting some complicated gibberish. Presently his articulation became shriller, and spreading his hands he rose to his feet. At that the others began to gibber in unison, also rising to their feet, spreading their hands and swaying their bodies in rhythm with their chant. I noticed then the abnormal shortness of their legs, and their lank, clumsy feet. All three began slowly to circle round, raising and stamping their feet and waving their arms; a kind of tune crept into their rhythmic recitation, and a refrain,—“Aloola,” or “Balloola,” it sounded like. Their eyes began to sparkle, and their ugly faces to brighten, with an expression of strange pleasure. Saliva dripped from their lipless mouths.

They were talking, or at least one of the men was talking to the other two. All three were too absorbed to notice the rustling as I approached. They swayed their heads and shoulders from side to side. The speaker’s words came out thick and slurred. Though I could hear them clearly, I could not make out what he was saying. He seemed to be reciting some complicated gibberish. Soon his voice grew shriller. He spread his hands and stood up. At that, the others began to gibber together. They also stood, spreading their hands and swaying their bodies in rhythm with their chant. I noticed then that their legs were unusually short and their feet long and clumsy. All three began to circle slowly, lifting and stamping their feet and waving their arms. Their rhythmic chanting began to take on a tune, with a refrain that sounded like “Aloola,” or “Balloola.” Their eyes began to sparkle, and their ugly faces lit up with an expression of strange pleasure. Saliva dripped from their lipless mouths.

Suddenly, as I watched their grotesque and unaccountable gestures, I perceived clearly for the first time what it was that had offended me, what had given me the two inconsistent and conflicting impressions of utter strangeness and yet of the strangest familiarity. The three creatures engaged in this mysterious rite were human in shape, and yet human beings with the strangest air about them of some familiar animal. Each of these creatures, despite its human form, its rag of clothing, and the rough humanity of its bodily form, had woven into it—into its movements, into the expression of its countenance, into its whole presence—some now irresistible suggestion of a hog, a swinish taint, the unmistakable mark of the beast.

Suddenly, as I watched their grotesque, inexplicable gestures, I understood for the first time what had disturbed me. They had given me two conflicting impressions: utter strangeness and yet the strangest familiarity. The three creatures performing this mysterious ritual were human in shape. Yet each had a strange air of some familiar animal. Each creature had a human form, a rag of clothing, and a roughly human body. Yet something in its movements, its expression, and its whole presence now unmistakably suggested a hog. It was a piglike taint, the unmistakable mark of the beast.

I stood overcome by this amazing realisation and then the most horrible questionings came rushing into my mind. They began leaping in the air, first one and then the other, whooping and grunting. Then one slipped, and for a moment was on all-fours,—to recover, indeed, forthwith. But that transitory gleam of the true animalism of these monsters was enough.

I stood there, overwhelmed by this amazing realization. Then horrifying questions rushed into my mind. They began jumping into the air, first one and then the other, whooping and grunting. Then one slipped and fell onto all fours for a moment, but quickly recovered. That brief glimpse of the monsters' true animal nature was enough.

I turned as noiselessly as possible, and becoming every now and then rigid with the fear of being discovered, as a branch cracked or a leaf rustled, I pushed back into the bushes. It was long before I grew bolder, and dared to move freely. My only idea for the moment was to get away from these foul beings, and I scarcely noticed that I had emerged upon a faint pathway amidst the trees. Then suddenly traversing a little glade, I saw with an unpleasant start two clumsy legs among the trees, walking with noiseless footsteps parallel with my course, and perhaps thirty yards away from me. The head and upper part of the body were hidden by a tangle of creeper. I stopped abruptly, hoping the creature did not see me. The feet stopped as I did. So nervous was I that I controlled an impulse to headlong flight with the utmost difficulty. Then looking hard, I distinguished through the interlacing network the head and body of the brute I had seen drinking. He moved his head. There was an emerald flash in his eyes as he glanced at me from the shadow of the trees, a half-luminous colour that vanished as he turned his head again. He was motionless for a moment, and then with a noiseless tread began running through the green confusion. In another moment he had vanished behind some bushes. I could not see him, but I felt that he had stopped and was watching me again.

I turned as quietly as I could and pushed back into the bushes. Whenever a branch cracked or a leaf rustled, I froze, afraid of being discovered. It was a long time before I felt bold enough to move freely. For the moment, my only thought was to get away from these foul beings. I hardly noticed that I had come out onto a faint path among the trees. Then, as I crossed a small clearing, I saw two clumsy legs among the trees. They were walking silently in the same direction I was going, perhaps thirty yards away. The head and upper body were hidden by tangled vines. I stopped suddenly, hoping the creature had not seen me. The feet stopped when I did. I was so nervous that I could barely keep myself from running away at full speed. Then I looked closely and made out the head and body of the brute I had seen drinking. He moved his head and glanced at me from the shadow of the trees. His eyes flashed emerald, a faintly glowing color that vanished when he turned his head again. He stood still for a moment, then began running silently through the tangled greenery. A moment later, he vanished behind some bushes. I could not see him, but I felt that he had stopped and was watching me again.

What on earth was he,—man or beast? What did he want with me? I had no weapon, not even a stick. Flight would be madness. At any rate the Thing, whatever it was, lacked the courage to attack me. Setting my teeth hard, I walked straight towards him. I was anxious not to show the fear that seemed chilling my backbone. I pushed through a tangle of tall white-flowered bushes, and saw him twenty paces beyond, looking over his shoulder at me and hesitating. I advanced a step or two, looking steadfastly into his eyes.

What on earth was he, man or beast? What did he want with me? I had no weapon, not even a stick. Running away would be madness. At least the Thing, whatever it was, lacked the courage to attack me. I clenched my teeth and walked straight toward him. I was afraid, and the fear seemed to chill my spine, but I didn't want to show it. I pushed through a tangle of tall bushes with white flowers. Twenty paces beyond them, I saw him hesitating and looking over his shoulder at me. I took a step or two forward, looking steadily into his eyes.

“Who are you?” said I.

“Who are you?” I asked.

He tried to meet my gaze. “No!” he said suddenly, and turning went bounding away from me through the undergrowth. Then he turned and stared at me again. His eyes shone brightly out of the dusk under the trees.

He tried to meet my eyes. “No!” he said suddenly. He turned and bounded away from me through the undergrowth. Then he turned and stared at me again. His eyes shone brightly in the dim light under the trees.

My heart was in my mouth; but I felt my only chance was bluff, and walked steadily towards him. He turned again, and vanished into the dusk. Once more I thought I caught the glint of his eyes, and that was all.

My heart was in my throat, but I felt my only chance was to bluff. So I walked steadily toward him. He turned again and disappeared into the dim light. Once more, I thought I saw his eyes glint, and that was all.

For the first time I realised how the lateness of the hour might affect me. The sun had set some minutes since, the swift dusk of the tropics was already fading out of the eastern sky, and a pioneer moth fluttered silently by my head. Unless I would spend the night among the unknown dangers of the mysterious forest, I must hasten back to the enclosure. The thought of a return to that pain-haunted refuge was extremely disagreeable, but still more so was the idea of being overtaken in the open by darkness and all that darkness might conceal. I gave one more look into the blue shadows that had swallowed up this odd creature, and then retraced my way down the slope towards the stream, going as I judged in the direction from which I had come.

For the first time, I realized how the late hour might affect me. The sun had set a few minutes earlier. The swift tropical dusk was already fading from the eastern sky, and an early moth fluttered silently past my head. Unless I wanted to spend the night among the unknown dangers of the mysterious forest, I had to hurry back to the enclosure. The thought of returning to that refuge, haunted by pain, was deeply unpleasant. But even worse was the thought of being caught in the open by darkness and everything it might conceal. I took one more look into the blue shadows that had swallowed up the strange creature. Then I headed back down the slope toward the stream, in what I thought was the direction I had come from.

I walked eagerly, my mind confused with many things, and presently found myself in a level place among scattered trees. The colourless clearness that comes after the sunset flush was darkling; the blue sky above grew momentarily deeper, and the little stars one by one pierced the attenuated light; the interspaces of the trees, the gaps in the further vegetation, that had been hazy blue in the daylight, grew black and mysterious. I pushed on. The colour vanished from the world. The tree-tops rose against the luminous blue sky in inky silhouette, and all below that outline melted into one formless blackness. Presently the trees grew thinner, and the shrubby undergrowth more abundant. Then there was a desolate space covered with a white sand, and then another expanse of tangled bushes. I did not remember crossing the sand-opening before. I began to be tormented by a faint rustling upon my right hand. I thought at first it was fancy, for whenever I stopped there was silence, save for the evening breeze in the tree-tops. Then when I turned to hurry on again there was an echo to my footsteps.

I walked eagerly, my mind full of confused thoughts. Soon I found myself on level ground among scattered trees. The colorless clarity that follows the glow of sunset was fading. The blue sky overhead grew deeper by the moment, and little stars pierced the thinning light one by one. The spaces between the trees and the gaps in the vegetation farther away had been hazy blue in daylight. Now they grew black and mysterious. I pushed on. Color vanished from the world. The treetops stood out as inky silhouettes against the glowing blue sky. Everything below their outline melted into a single, shapeless darkness. Soon the trees grew farther apart, and the bushes beneath them grew thicker. Then I came to a desolate patch of white sand, followed by another stretch of tangled bushes. I did not remember crossing the sandy clearing before. A faint rustling to my right began to torment me. At first I thought I was imagining it. Whenever I stopped, there was silence, except for the evening breeze in the treetops. Then, when I turned to hurry on again, my footsteps were echoed.

I turned away from the thickets, keeping to the more open ground, and endeavouring by sudden turns now and then to surprise something in the act of creeping upon me. I saw nothing, and nevertheless my sense of another presence grew steadily. I increased my pace, and after some time came to a slight ridge, crossed it, and turned sharply, regarding it steadfastly from the further side. It came out black and clear-cut against the darkling sky; and presently a shapeless lump heaved up momentarily against the sky-line and vanished again. I felt assured now that my tawny-faced antagonist was stalking me once more; and coupled with that was another unpleasant realisation, that I had lost my way.

I turned away from the thickets and stayed on more open ground. Now and then, I turned suddenly, hoping to catch something creeping up on me. I saw nothing, but my sense that someone else was there kept growing. I quickened my pace and eventually came to a low ridge. I crossed it, then turned sharply and stared at it from the other side. The ridge stood out black and sharp against the darkening sky. Soon, a shapeless lump rose briefly against the skyline and vanished again. I was sure now that my tawny-faced enemy was stalking me again. I also realized, with dismay, that I had lost my way.

For a time I hurried on hopelessly perplexed, and pursued by that stealthy approach. Whatever it was, the Thing either lacked the courage to attack me, or it was waiting to take me at some disadvantage. I kept studiously to the open. At times I would turn and listen; and presently I had half persuaded myself that my pursuer had abandoned the chase, or was a mere creation of my disordered imagination. Then I heard the sound of the sea. I quickened my footsteps almost into a run, and immediately there was a stumble in my rear.

For a while I hurried on, hopelessly confused, while something crept after me. Whatever it was, the Thing either lacked the courage to attack or was waiting to catch me at a disadvantage. I carefully stayed in the open. At times I turned and listened. Before long, I had almost convinced myself that my pursuer had given up the chase, or existed only in my troubled imagination. Then I heard the sea. I quickened my pace almost to a run, and immediately heard a stumble behind me.

I turned suddenly, and stared at the uncertain trees behind me. One black shadow seemed to leap into another. I listened, rigid, and heard nothing but the creep of the blood in my ears. I thought that my nerves were unstrung, and that my imagination was tricking me, and turned resolutely towards the sound of the sea again.

I turned suddenly and stared at the indistinct trees behind me. One black shadow seemed to leap into another. I listened, frozen, and heard nothing but the slow rush of blood in my ears. I thought my nerves were frayed and my imagination was playing tricks on me. I turned firmly back toward the sound of the sea.

In a minute or so the trees grew thinner, and I emerged upon a bare, low headland running out into the sombre water. The night was calm and clear, and the reflection of the growing multitude of the stars shivered in the tranquil heaving of the sea. Some way out, the wash upon an irregular band of reef shone with a pallid light of its own. Westward I saw the zodiacal light mingling with the yellow brilliance of the evening star. The coast fell away from me to the east, and westward it was hidden by the shoulder of the cape. Then I recalled the fact that Moreau’s beach lay to the west.

After a minute or so, the trees grew thinner. I came out onto a bare, low headland jutting into the dark water. The night was calm and clear. More and more stars appeared, and their reflections trembled on the gently rolling sea. Some distance out, waves washed over an irregular band of reef, shining with a pale light of their own. To the west, I saw the zodiacal light mingling with the yellow glow of the evening star. The coast curved away to the east. To the west, it was hidden by the curve of the cape. Then I remembered that Moreau’s beach lay to the west.

A twig snapped behind me, and there was a rustle. I turned, and stood facing the dark trees. I could see nothing—or else I could see too much. Every dark form in the dimness had its ominous quality, its peculiar suggestion of alert watchfulness. So I stood for perhaps a minute, and then, with an eye to the trees still, turned westward to cross the headland; and as I moved, one among the lurking shadows moved to follow me.

A twig snapped behind me, and something rustled. I turned and faced the dark trees. I could see nothing, or perhaps I could see too much. Every dark shape in the dim light seemed ominous, as if it were watching me closely. I stood there for perhaps a minute. Then I turned west to cross the headland, still watching the trees. As I moved, one of the lurking shadows moved to follow me.

My heart beat quickly. Presently the broad sweep of a bay to the westward became visible, and I halted again. The noiseless shadow halted a dozen yards from me. A little point of light shone on the further bend of the curve, and the grey sweep of the sandy beach lay faint under the starlight. Perhaps two miles away was that little point of light. To get to the beach I should have to go through the trees where the shadows lurked, and down a bushy slope.

My heart beat quickly. Soon, I could see a wide bay to the west, and I stopped again. The silent shadow stopped twelve yards away. A small light shone on the far curve of the bay, and the gray sandy beach lay faintly visible under the starlight. The light was perhaps two miles away. To reach the beach, I would have to pass through the trees where the shadows lurked, then down a bushy slope.

I could see the Thing rather more distinctly now. It was no animal, for it stood erect. At that I opened my mouth to speak, and found a hoarse phlegm choked my voice. I tried again, and shouted, “Who is there?” There was no answer. I advanced a step. The Thing did not move, only gathered itself together. My foot struck a stone. That gave me an idea. Without taking my eyes off the black form before me, I stooped and picked up this lump of rock; but at my motion the Thing turned abruptly as a dog might have done, and slunk obliquely into the further darkness. Then I recalled a schoolboy expedient against big dogs, and twisted the rock into my handkerchief, and gave this a turn round my wrist. I heard a movement further off among the shadows, as if the Thing was in retreat. Then suddenly my tense excitement gave way; I broke into a profuse perspiration and fell a-trembling, with my adversary routed and this weapon in my hand.

I could see the Thing more clearly now. It was no animal, because it stood upright. I opened my mouth to speak, but phlegm choked my voice. I tried again and shouted, “Who is there?” There was no answer. I took a step forward. The Thing did not move, but only gathered itself together. My foot struck a stone. That gave me an idea. Without taking my eyes off the dark shape before me, I bent down and picked up the rock. But as I moved, the Thing turned suddenly, like a dog, and slipped sideways into the deeper darkness. Then I remembered a trick I had used as a schoolboy against big dogs. I wrapped the rock in my handkerchief and looped the handkerchief around my wrist. Farther off among the shadows, I heard movement, as if the Thing were retreating. Then suddenly my tense excitement gave way. With my enemy driven off and this weapon in my hand, I broke into a heavy sweat and began to tremble.

It was some time before I could summon resolution to go down through the trees and bushes upon the flank of the headland to the beach. At last I did it at a run; and as I emerged from the thicket upon the sand, I heard some other body come crashing after me. At that I completely lost my head with fear, and began running along the sand. Forthwith there came the swift patter of soft feet in pursuit. I gave a wild cry, and redoubled my pace. Some dim, black things about three or four times the size of rabbits went running or hopping up from the beach towards the bushes as I passed.

It took me some time to find the courage to go down through the trees and bushes to the beach. They covered the side of the headland. At last I ran down. As I came out of the thicket onto the sand, I heard something else crashing through the bushes behind me. I completely lost my head with fear and started running along the beach. Immediately, I heard the quick patter of soft feet chasing me. I cried out wildly and ran even faster. As I passed, some dark shapes ran or hopped up the beach toward the bushes. They were about three or four times the size of rabbits.

So long as I live, I shall remember the terror of that chase. I ran near the water’s edge, and heard every now and then the splash of the feet that gained upon me. Far away, hopelessly far, was the yellow light. All the night about us was black and still. Splash, splash, came the pursuing feet, nearer and nearer. I felt my breath going, for I was quite out of training; it whooped as I drew it, and I felt a pain like a knife at my side. I perceived the Thing would come up with me long before I reached the enclosure, and, desperate and sobbing for my breath, I wheeled round upon it and struck at it as it came up to me,—struck with all my strength. The stone came out of the sling of the handkerchief as I did so. As I turned, the Thing, which had been running on all-fours, rose to its feet, and the missile fell fair on its left temple. The skull rang loud, and the animal-man blundered into me, thrust me back with its hands, and went staggering past me to fall headlong upon the sand with its face in the water; and there it lay still.

As long as I live, I will remember the terror of that chase. I ran near the water’s edge. Every now and then, I heard the splash of feet gaining on me. The yellow light was far away, hopelessly far away. The night all around us was black and still. Splash, splash, came the pursuing feet, nearer and nearer. I was running out of breath, because I was badly out of shape. My breath whooped as I drew it, and I felt a pain like a knife in my side. I realized the Thing would catch me long before I reached the enclosure. Desperate and sobbing for breath, I spun around and struck at it as it came up to me. I struck with all my strength. As I did, the stone flew out of the handkerchief sling. When I turned, the Thing, which had been running on all fours, rose to its feet. The stone struck it squarely on the left temple. Its skull rang loudly, and the animal-man stumbled into me and pushed me back with its hands. It staggered past me and fell headfirst onto the sand, with its face in the water. There it lay still.

I could not bring myself to approach that black heap. I left it there, with the water rippling round it, under the still stars, and giving it a wide berth pursued my way towards the yellow glow of the house; and presently, with a positive effect of relief, came the pitiful moaning of the puma, the sound that had originally driven me out to explore this mysterious island. At that, though I was faint and horribly fatigued, I gathered together all my strength, and began running again towards the light. I thought I heard a voice calling me.

I could not bring myself to approach the black heap. I left it there, with water rippling around it under the still stars. Keeping well away from it, I headed toward the yellow glow of the house. Soon I heard the puma’s pitiful moaning, and the sound brought real relief. Its cries had first driven me out to explore this mysterious island. Though I was faint and horribly tired, I gathered all my strength and began running toward the light again. I thought I heard a voice calling me.