Chapter 16

How the Beast Folk Taste Blood

18 min

My inexperience as a writer betrays me, and I wander from the thread of my story.

My inexperience as a writer shows, and I lose track of my story.

After I had breakfasted with Montgomery, he took me across the island to see the fumarole and the source of the hot spring into whose scalding waters I had blundered on the previous day. Both of us carried whips and loaded revolvers. While going through a leafy jungle on our road thither, we heard a rabbit squealing. We stopped and listened, but we heard no more; and presently we went on our way, and the incident dropped out of our minds. Montgomery called my attention to certain little pink animals with long hind-legs, that went leaping through the undergrowth. He told me they were creatures made of the offspring of the Beast People, that Moreau had invented. He had fancied they might serve for meat, but a rabbit-like habit of devouring their young had defeated this intention. I had already encountered some of these creatures,—once during my moonlight flight from the Leopard-man, and once during my pursuit by Moreau on the previous day. By chance, one hopping to avoid us leapt into the hole caused by the uprooting of a wind-blown tree; before it could extricate itself we managed to catch it. It spat like a cat, scratched and kicked vigorously with its hind-legs, and made an attempt to bite; but its teeth were too feeble to inflict more than a painless pinch. It seemed to me rather a pretty little creature; and as Montgomery stated that it never destroyed the turf by burrowing, and was very cleanly in its habits, I should imagine it might prove a convenient substitute for the common rabbit in gentlemen’s parks.

After breakfast with Montgomery, he took me across the island to see the fumarole and the source of the hot spring. I had stumbled into its scalding water the day before. We both carried whips and loaded revolvers. On our way through a leafy jungle, we heard a rabbit squealing. We stopped and listened, but heard nothing more. Soon we went on, and the incident slipped from our minds. Montgomery drew my attention to some small pink animals with long hind legs, leaping through the undergrowth. He told me they were creatures Moreau had created from the offspring of the Beast People. Moreau had hoped they might provide meat, but they ate their young like rabbits, which had ruined his plan. I had already come across some of these creatures. I had seen them once during my moonlit flight from the Leopard-man, and once while Moreau pursued me the day before. By chance, one of them hopped away from us and jumped into a hole left by a windblown tree. Before it could get out, we managed to catch it. It spat like a cat, scratched, kicked hard with its hind legs, and tried to bite. But its teeth were too weak to give more than a painless pinch. I thought it was a rather pretty little creature. Montgomery said it never damaged the turf by burrowing and was very clean in its habits. So I imagined it might make a convenient substitute for the common rabbit in gentlemen's parks.

We also saw on our way the trunk of a tree barked in long strips and splintered deeply. Montgomery called my attention to this. “Not to claw bark of trees, that is the Law,” he said. “Much some of them care for it!” It was after this, I think, that we met the Satyr and the Ape-man. The Satyr was a gleam of classical memory on the part of Moreau,—his face ovine in expression, like the coarser Hebrew type; his voice a harsh bleat, his nether extremities Satanic. He was gnawing the husk of a pod-like fruit as he passed us. Both of them saluted Montgomery.

On our way, we also saw a tree trunk with its bark torn off in long strips and the wood deeply splintered. Montgomery pointed it out to me. “Not to claw bark of trees, that is the Law,” he said. “Some of them really care about it!” After that, I think, we met the Satyr and the Ape-man. The Satyr was a flash of classical memory on Moreau’s part. His face had a sheep-like expression, like the coarser Jewish type. His voice was a harsh bleat, and his lower limbs were Satanic. He was chewing the husk of a pod-like fruit as he passed us. Both of them greeted Montgomery.

“Hail,” said they, “to the Other with the Whip!”

“Greetings,” they said, “to the Other with the Whip!”

“There’s a Third with a Whip now,” said Montgomery. “So you’d better mind!”

“There’s a Third with a Whip now,” said Montgomery. “So you’d better behave!”

“Was he not made?” said the Ape-man. “He said—he said he was made.”

“Wasn't he made?” said the Ape-man. “He said, he said he was made.”

The Satyr-man looked curiously at me. “The Third with the Whip, he that walks weeping into the sea, has a thin white face.”

The Satyr-man looked at me curiously. “The Third with the Whip has a thin white face. He walks into the sea, weeping.”

“He has a thin long whip,” said Montgomery.

“He has a long, thin whip,” said Montgomery.

“Yesterday he bled and wept,” said the Satyr. “You never bleed nor weep. The Master does not bleed or weep.”

“Yesterday he bled and cried,” said the Satyr. “You never bleed or cry. The Master does not bleed or cry.”

“Ollendorffian beggar!” said Montgomery, “you’ll bleed and weep if you don’t look out!”

“Ollendorffian fool!” said Montgomery. “You’ll bleed and cry if you don’t watch out!”

“He has five fingers, he is a five-man like me,” said the Ape-man.

“He has five fingers. He is a five-man like me,” said the Ape-man.

“Come along, Prendick,” said Montgomery, taking my arm; and I went on with him.

“Come on, Prendick,” said Montgomery, taking my arm. I went with him.

The Satyr and the Ape-man stood watching us and making other remarks to each other.

The Satyr and the Ape-man stood watching us and making more comments to each other.

“He says nothing,” said the Satyr. “Men have voices.”

“Yesterday he asked me of things to eat,” said the Ape-man. “He did not know.”

“Yesterday he asked me about things to eat,” said the Ape-man. “He did not know.”

Then they spoke inaudible things, and I heard the Satyr laughing.

Then they said things I couldn't hear, and I heard the Satyr laughing.

It was on our way back that we came upon the dead rabbit. The red body of the wretched little beast was rent to pieces, many of the ribs stripped white, and the backbone indisputably gnawed.

On our way back, we came upon the dead rabbit. The poor little creature’s red body was torn to pieces. Many of its ribs were stripped white, and its backbone had clearly been gnawed.

At that Montgomery stopped. “Good God!” said he, stooping down, and picking up some of the crushed vertebrae to examine them more closely. “Good God!” he repeated, “what can this mean?”

At that, Montgomery stopped. “Good God!” he said, bending down and picking up some of the crushed vertebrae for a closer look. “Good God!” he repeated. “What can this mean?”

“Some carnivore of yours has remembered its old habits,” I said after a pause. “This backbone has been bitten through.”

“One of your meat-eaters has returned to its old habits,” I said after a pause. “This backbone has been bitten through.”

He stood staring, with his face white and his lip pulled askew. “I don’t like this,” he said slowly.

He stood staring, his face pale and his lip twisted to one side. “I don’t like this,” he said slowly.

“I saw something of the same kind,” said I, “the first day I came here.”

“I saw something similar,” I said, “the first day I came here.”

“The devil you did! What was it?”

“You did? What the devil was it?”

“A rabbit with its head twisted off.”

“The day you came here?”

“The day I came here. In the undergrowth at the back of the enclosure, when I went out in the evening. The head was completely wrung off.”

“The day I came here. In the bushes behind the enclosure, when I went out in the evening. The head was completely twisted off.”

He gave a long, low whistle.

“And what is more, I have an idea which of your brutes did the thing. It’s only a suspicion, you know. Before I came on the rabbit I saw one of your monsters drinking in the stream.”

“And what’s more, I think I know which of your brutes did it. It’s only a suspicion, you know. Before I found the rabbit, I saw one of your monsters drinking from the stream.”

“Sucking his drink?”

“Yes.”

“‘Not to suck your drink; that is the Law.’ Much the brutes care for the Law, eh? when Moreau’s not about!”

“‘Do not suck your drink. That is the Law.’ The brutes really care about the Law, don't they? When Moreau's not around!”

“It was the brute who chased me.”

“Of course,” said Montgomery; “it’s just the way with carnivores. After a kill, they drink. It’s the taste of blood, you know.—What was the brute like?” he continued. “Would you know him again?” He glanced about us, standing astride over the mess of dead rabbit, his eyes roving among the shadows and screens of greenery, the lurking-places and ambuscades of the forest that bounded us in. “The taste of blood,” he said again.

“Of course,” said Montgomery. “That’s just how carnivores are. After a kill, they drink. It’s the taste of blood, you know. What did the brute look like?” he continued. “Would you recognize him again?” He stood over the remains of the dead rabbit, with one foot on either side. He glanced around us, his eyes searching the shadows and dense greenery. The forest surrounded us, full of places to hide and lie in wait. “The taste of blood,” he said again.

He took out his revolver, examined the cartridges in it and replaced it. Then he began to pull at his dropping lip.

He took out his revolver, checked the cartridges, and put it back. Then he began to tug at his drooping lip.

“I think I should know the brute again,” I said. “I stunned him. He ought to have a handsome bruise on the forehead of him.”

“I think I’d recognize the brute again,” I said. “I stunned him. He should have a good bruise on his forehead.”

“But then we have to prove that he killed the rabbit,” said Montgomery. “I wish I’d never brought the things here.”

I should have gone on, but he stayed there thinking over the mangled rabbit in a puzzle-headed way. As it was, I went to such a distance that the rabbit’s remains were hidden.

I would have kept going, but he stayed there, thinking about the mangled rabbit with a puzzled look. So I went far enough away that the rabbit’s remains were out of sight.

“Come on!” I said.

Presently he woke up and came towards me. “You see,” he said, almost in a whisper, “they are all supposed to have a fixed idea against eating anything that runs on land. If some brute has by any accident tasted blood—”

Soon he woke up and came toward me. “You see,” he said, almost whispering, “they are all supposed to have a fixed belief against eating anything that runs on land. If some brute has accidentally tasted blood...”

We went on some way in silence. “I wonder what can have happened,” he said to himself. Then, after a pause again: “I did a foolish thing the other day. That servant of mine—I showed him how to skin and cook a rabbit. It’s odd—I saw him licking his hands—It never occurred to me.”

We walked on in silence for a while. “I wonder what could have happened,” he said to himself. After another pause, he said, “I did something foolish the other day. I showed my servant how to skin and cook a rabbit. It’s odd. I saw him licking his hands. It never occurred to me.”

Then: “We must put a stop to this. I must tell Moreau.”

Then: “We have to stop this. I have to tell Moreau.”

He could think of nothing else on our homeward journey.

He could think of nothing else on our journey home.

Moreau took the matter even more seriously than Montgomery, and I need scarcely say that I was affected by their evident consternation.

Moreau took the matter even more seriously than Montgomery. Needless to say, their obvious alarm affected me too.

“We must make an example,” said Moreau. “I’ve no doubt in my own mind that the Leopard-man was the sinner. But how can we prove it? I wish, Montgomery, you had kept your taste for meat in hand, and gone without these exciting novelties. We may find ourselves in a mess yet, through it.”

“We must make an example of someone,” said Moreau. “I have no doubt that the Leopard-man was the culprit. But how can we prove it? Montgomery, I wish you had controlled your appetite for meat and gone without these exciting new treats. We may still find ourselves in a mess because of them.”

“I was a silly ass,” said Montgomery. “But the thing’s done now; and you said I might have them, you know.”

“I was an idiot,” said Montgomery. “But it’s done now. And you said I could have them, you know.”

“We must see to the thing at once,” said Moreau. “I suppose if anything should turn up, M’ling can take care of himself?”

“We must take care of this right away,” said Moreau. “I suppose M’ling can take care of himself if anything comes up?”

“I’m not so sure of M’ling,” said Montgomery. “I think I ought to know him.”

“I’m not so sure about M’ling,” said Montgomery. “I think I should know him.”

In the afternoon, Moreau, Montgomery, myself, and M’ling went across the island to the huts in the ravine. We three were armed; M’ling carried the little hatchet he used in chopping firewood, and some coils of wire. Moreau had a huge cowherd’s horn slung over his shoulder.

That afternoon, Moreau, Montgomery, M’ling, and I crossed the island to the huts in the ravine. The three of us were armed. M’ling carried the small hatchet he used to chop firewood, along with some coils of wire. Moreau had a huge cowherd’s horn slung over his shoulder.

“You will see a gathering of the Beast People,” said Montgomery. “It is a pretty sight!”

“You’ll see a gathering of the Beast People,” said Montgomery. “It’s a pretty sight!”

Moreau said not a word on the way, but the expression of his heavy, white-fringed face was grimly set.

Moreau said nothing on the way, but his heavy face, framed by white hair, wore a grim expression.

We crossed the ravine down which smoked the stream of hot water, and followed the winding pathway through the canebrakes until we reached a wide area covered over with a thick, powdery yellow substance which I believe was sulphur. Above the shoulder of a weedy bank the sea glittered. We came to a kind of shallow natural amphitheatre, and here the four of us halted. Then Moreau sounded the horn, and broke the sleeping stillness of the tropical afternoon. He must have had strong lungs. The hooting note rose and rose amidst its echoes, to at last an ear-penetrating intensity.

We crossed the ravine, where a stream of hot water gave off steam. We followed the winding path through the cane thickets until we reached a wide area covered with a thick, powdery yellow substance. I believe it was sulfur. The sea glittered above the slope of a weed-covered bank. We came to a shallow natural amphitheater, and the four of us stopped there. Then Moreau sounded the horn, breaking the sleepy stillness of the tropical afternoon. He must have had strong lungs. The hooting sound grew louder and louder amid its echoes, until it was piercing.

“Ah!” said Moreau, letting the curved instrument fall to his side again.

“Ah!” said Moreau, lowering the curved instrument to his side again.

Immediately there was a crashing through the yellow canes, and a sound of voices from the dense green jungle that marked the morass through which I had run on the previous day. Then at three or four points on the edge of the sulphurous area appeared the grotesque forms of the Beast People hurrying towards us. I could not help a creeping horror, as I perceived first one and then another trot out from the trees or reeds and come shambling along over the hot dust. But Moreau and Montgomery stood calmly enough; and, perforce, I stuck beside them.

At once, there was a crashing sound in the yellow canes. Voices came from the dense green jungle that marked the swamp I had run through the day before. Then the grotesque forms of the Beast People appeared at three or four points along the edge of the sulfurous area. They hurried toward us. I felt a creeping horror as I saw them emerge one after another from the trees or reeds. They trotted out and shuffled across the hot dust. But Moreau and Montgomery stood calmly, and I had no choice but to stay beside them.

First to arrive was the Satyr, strangely unreal for all that he cast a shadow and tossed the dust with his hoofs. After him from the brake came a monstrous lout, a thing of horse and rhinoceros, chewing a straw as it came; then appeared the Swine-woman and two Wolf-women; then the Fox-bear witch, with her red eyes in her peaked red face, and then others,—all hurrying eagerly. As they came forward they began to cringe towards Moreau and chant, quite regardless of one another, fragments of the latter half of the litany of the Law,—“His is the Hand that wounds; His is the Hand that heals,” and so forth. As soon as they had approached within a distance of perhaps thirty yards they halted, and bowing on knees and elbows began flinging the white dust upon their heads.

The Satyr arrived first. He seemed strangely unreal, even though he cast a shadow and kicked up dust with his hoofs. After him, a monstrous brute came out of the thicket, part horse and part rhinoceros, chewing a straw as it walked. Then came the Swine-woman and two Wolf-women. Next was the Fox-bear witch, with red eyes in her pointed red face. Others followed, all hurrying eagerly. As they came forward, they began to cower before Moreau. Each chanted fragments from the second half of the litany of the Law, without regard for the others: “His is the Hand that wounds; His is the Hand that heals,” and so on. When they were perhaps thirty yards away, they stopped. They bowed on their knees and elbows and began throwing the white dust on their heads.

Imagine the scene if you can! We three blue-clad men, with our misshapen black-faced attendant, standing in a wide expanse of sunlit yellow dust under the blazing blue sky, and surrounded by this circle of crouching and gesticulating monstrosities,—some almost human save in their subtle expression and gestures, some like cripples, some so strangely distorted as to resemble nothing but the denizens of our wildest dreams; and, beyond, the reedy lines of a canebrake in one direction, a dense tangle of palm-trees on the other, separating us from the ravine with the huts, and to the north the hazy horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

Imagine the scene if you can! The three of us stood in a wide stretch of sunlit yellow dust under the blazing blue sky. We wore blue, and our misshapen, black-faced attendant stood with us. A circle of crouching, gesturing monsters surrounded us. Some were almost human, except for subtle differences in their expressions and gestures. Some looked like people with disabilities. Others were so strangely distorted that they resembled nothing but the creatures of our wildest dreams. Beyond them, tall reeds formed a canebrake in one direction. In the other, a dense tangle of palm trees separated us from the ravine with the huts. To the north lay the hazy horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

“Sixty-two, sixty-three,” counted Moreau. “There are four more.”

“Sixty-two, sixty-three,” Moreau counted. “There are four more.”

“I do not see the Leopard-man,” said I.

“I don't see the Leopard-man,” I said.

Presently Moreau sounded the great horn again, and at the sound of it all the Beast People writhed and grovelled in the dust. Then, slinking out of the canebrake, stooping near the ground and trying to join the dust-throwing circle behind Moreau’s back, came the Leopard-man. The last of the Beast People to arrive was the little Ape-man. The earlier animals, hot and weary with their grovelling, shot vicious glances at him.

Soon Moreau sounded the great horn again. At its sound, all the Beast People writhed and grovelled in the dust. Then the Leopard-man slunk out of the cane thicket, crouching close to the ground. He tried to join the circle throwing dust behind Moreau’s back. The little Ape-man was the last of the Beast People to arrive. The animals who had arrived earlier were hot and tired from grovelling, and they shot him vicious glances.

“Cease!” said Moreau, in his firm, loud voice; and the Beast People sat back upon their hams and rested from their worshipping.

“Stop!” Moreau said in a firm, loud voice. The Beast People sat back on their haunches and stopped worshipping.

“Where is the Sayer of the Law?” said Moreau, and the hairy-grey monster bowed his face in the dust.

“Where is the Sayer of the Law?” Moreau asked. The hairy gray monster bowed his face to the dust.

“Say the words!” said Moreau.

Forthwith all in the kneeling assembly, swaying from side to side and dashing up the sulphur with their hands,—first the right hand and a puff of dust, and then the left,—began once more to chant their strange litany. When they reached, “Not to eat Flesh or Fish, that is the Law,” Moreau held up his lank white hand.

At once, everyone in the kneeling assembly began chanting their strange litany again. They swayed from side to side, kicking up sulphur dust with their hands, first the right, then the left. When they reached, “Not to eat Flesh or Fish, that is the Law,” Moreau held up his long, thin white hand.

“Stop!” he cried, and there fell absolute silence upon them all.

“Stop!” he cried, and they all fell completely silent.

I think they all knew and dreaded what was coming. I looked round at their strange faces. When I saw their wincing attitudes and the furtive dread in their bright eyes, I wondered that I had ever believed them to be men.

I think they all knew and feared what was coming. I looked around at their strange faces. They were cowering, and their bright eyes showed a hidden fear. Seeing them, I wondered how I had ever believed they were men.

“That Law has been broken!” said Moreau.

“None escape,” from the faceless creature with the silvery hair. “None escape,” repeated the kneeling circle of Beast People.

“None escape,” said the faceless creature with silvery hair. “None escape,” repeated the kneeling circle of Beast People.

“Who is he?” cried Moreau, and looked round at their faces, cracking his whip. I fancied the Hyena-swine looked dejected, so too did the Leopard-man. Moreau stopped, facing this creature, who cringed towards him with the memory and dread of infinite torment.

“Who is he?” cried Moreau, looking around at their faces and cracking his whip. I thought the Hyena-swine looked dejected, and so did the Leopard-man. Moreau stopped and faced the Leopard-man. The creature cringed before him, remembering and fearing endless torment.

“Who is he?” repeated Moreau, in a voice of thunder.

“Who is he?” Moreau repeated in a thunderous voice.

“Evil is he who breaks the Law,” chanted the Sayer of the Law.

“Anyone who breaks the Law is evil,” chanted the Sayer of the Law.

Moreau looked into the eyes of the Leopard-man, and seemed to be dragging the very soul out of the creature.

Moreau looked into the Leopard-man's eyes and seemed to be pulling the very soul out of him.

“Who breaks the Law—” said Moreau, taking his eyes off his victim, and turning towards us (it seemed to me there was a touch of exultation in his voice).

“Who breaks the Law,” said Moreau, looking away from his victim and turning toward us. I thought I heard a touch of triumph in his voice.

“Goes back to the House of Pain,” they all clamoured,—“goes back to the House of Pain, O Master!”

“Goes back to the House of Pain,” they all shouted, “goes back to the House of Pain, Master!”

“Back to the House of Pain,—back to the House of Pain,” gabbled the Ape-man, as though the idea was sweet to him.

“Back to the House of Pain, back to the House of Pain,” the Ape-man chattered, as if the idea pleased him.

“Do you hear?” said Moreau, turning back to the criminal, “my friend—Hullo!”

“Do you hear?” Moreau said, turning back to the criminal. “My friend, hello!”

For the Leopard-man, released from Moreau’s eye, had risen straight from his knees, and now, with eyes aflame and his huge feline tusks flashing out from under his curling lips, leapt towards his tormentor. I am convinced that only the madness of unendurable fear could have prompted this attack. The whole circle of threescore monsters seemed to rise about us. I drew my revolver. The two figures collided. I saw Moreau reeling back from the Leopard-man’s blow. There was a furious yelling and howling all about us. Every one was moving rapidly. For a moment I thought it was a general revolt. The furious face of the Leopard-man flashed by mine, with M’ling close in pursuit. I saw the yellow eyes of the Hyena-swine blazing with excitement, his attitude as if he were half resolved to attack me. The Satyr, too, glared at me over the Hyena-swine’s hunched shoulders. I heard the crack of Moreau’s pistol, and saw the pink flash dart across the tumult. The whole crowd seemed to swing round in the direction of the glint of fire, and I too was swung round by the magnetism of the movement. In another second I was running, one of a tumultuous shouting crowd, in pursuit of the escaping Leopard-man.

For the Leopard-man, released from Moreau’s gaze, had risen straight from his knees. His eyes were blazing, and his huge feline tusks flashed beneath his curled lips. Now he leapt at his tormentor. I am convinced that only the madness of unbearable fear could have driven him to attack. The whole circle of sixty monsters seemed to rise around us. I drew my revolver. The two figures collided, and I saw Moreau stagger back from the Leopard-man’s blow. Furious yelling and howling broke out all around us. Everyone was moving rapidly. For a moment I thought it was a general revolt. The Leopard-man’s furious face flashed past mine, with M’ling close behind. I saw the Hyena-swine’s yellow eyes blazing with excitement. He looked as if he were half ready to attack me. The Satyr, too, glared at me over the Hyena-swine’s hunched shoulders. I heard the crack of Moreau’s pistol and saw its pink flash cut across the chaos. The whole crowd seemed to turn toward the flash. I was swept around too, drawn by the movement. A second later, I was running with the shouting, chaotic crowd, chasing the escaping Leopard-man.

That is all I can tell definitely. I saw the Leopard-man strike Moreau, and then everything spun about me until I was running headlong. M’ling was ahead, close in pursuit of the fugitive. Behind, their tongues already lolling out, ran the Wolf-women in great leaping strides. The Swine folk followed, squealing with excitement, and the two Bull-men in their swathings of white. Then came Moreau in a cluster of the Beast People, his wide-brimmed straw hat blown off, his revolver in hand, and his lank white hair streaming out. The Hyena-swine ran beside me, keeping pace with me and glancing furtively at me out of his feline eyes, and the others came pattering and shouting behind us.

That is all I can say for certain. I saw the Leopard-man strike Moreau. Then everything spun around me, and I found myself running headlong. M’ling was ahead, close behind the fugitive. Behind him, the Wolf-women ran in great leaps, their tongues already hanging out. The Swine folk followed, squealing with excitement, along with the two Bull-men wrapped in white. Then came Moreau, surrounded by a group of the Beast People. His wide-brimmed straw hat had blown off, his revolver was in his hand, and his long white hair streamed behind him. The Hyena-swine ran beside me, keeping pace and glancing at me secretly with his catlike eyes. The others came pattering and shouting behind us.

The Leopard-man went bursting his way through the long canes, which sprang back as he passed, and rattled in M’ling’s face. We others in the rear found a trampled path for us when we reached the brake. The chase lay through the brake for perhaps a quarter of a mile, and then plunged into a dense thicket, which retarded our movements exceedingly, though we went through it in a crowd together,—fronds flicking into our faces, ropy creepers catching us under the chin or gripping our ankles, thorny plants hooking into and tearing cloth and flesh together.

The Leopard-man burst through the tall canes, which sprang back behind him and rattled against M’ling’s face. When the rest of us reached the cane thicket, we found a trampled path. We chased him through the canes for perhaps a quarter of a mile, then plunged into dense undergrowth. It slowed us down considerably, though we pushed through it together in a crowd. Fronds whipped our faces, and ropelike vines caught under our chins or gripped our ankles. Thorny plants snagged and tore both our clothes and our flesh.

“He has gone on all-fours through this,” panted Moreau, now just ahead of me.

“He went through this on all fours,” Moreau panted, just ahead of me.

“None escape,” said the Wolf-bear, laughing into my face with the exultation of hunting. We burst out again among rocks, and saw the quarry ahead running lightly on all-fours and snarling at us over his shoulder. At that the Wolf Folk howled with delight. The Thing was still clothed, and at a distance its face still seemed human; but the carriage of its four limbs was feline, and the furtive droop of its shoulder was distinctly that of a hunted animal. It leapt over some thorny yellow-flowering bushes, and was hidden. M’ling was halfway across the space.

“None escape,” said the Wolf-bear, laughing in my face with the thrill of the hunt. We burst out among the rocks again. Ahead, we saw our quarry running lightly on all fours and snarling at us over his shoulder. The Wolf Folk howled with delight. The Thing was still clothed, and from a distance its face still looked human. But its four limbs moved like a cat’s, and its hunched shoulders were unmistakably those of a hunted animal. It leapt over some thorny bushes with yellow flowers and disappeared from sight. M’ling was halfway across the open space.

Most of us now had lost the first speed of the chase, and had fallen into a longer and steadier stride. I saw as we traversed the open that the pursuit was now spreading from a column into a line. The Hyena-swine still ran close to me, watching me as it ran, every now and then puckering its muzzle with a snarling laugh. At the edge of the rocks the Leopard-man, realising that he was making for the projecting cape upon which he had stalked me on the night of my arrival, had doubled in the undergrowth; but Montgomery had seen the manoeuvre, and turned him again. So, panting, tumbling against rocks, torn by brambles, impeded by ferns and reeds, I helped to pursue the Leopard-man who had broken the Law, and the Hyena-swine ran, laughing savagely, by my side. I staggered on, my head reeling and my heart beating against my ribs, tired almost to death, and yet not daring to lose sight of the chase lest I should be left alone with this horrible companion. I staggered on in spite of infinite fatigue and the dense heat of the tropical afternoon.

Most of us had lost our initial speed and settled into a longer, steadier stride. As we crossed the open ground, I saw the pursuers spreading from a column into a line. The Hyena-swine still ran close beside me, watching me as it ran. Now and then it wrinkled its muzzle in a snarling laugh. At the edge of the rocks, the Leopard-man doubled back through the undergrowth. He had realized he was heading for the jutting cape where he had stalked me on my first night. But Montgomery saw the maneuver and turned him back again. So I helped chase the Leopard-man who had broken the Law. I panted, stumbled against rocks, and was torn by brambles and slowed by ferns and reeds. The Hyena-swine ran beside me, laughing savagely. I staggered on, my head spinning and my heart pounding against my ribs. I was almost dead with exhaustion, yet I did not dare lose sight of the chase. I was afraid of being left alone with this horrible companion. I staggered on despite my overwhelming fatigue and the thick heat of the tropical afternoon.

At last the fury of the hunt slackened. We had pinned the wretched brute into a corner of the island. Moreau, whip in hand, marshalled us all into an irregular line, and we advanced now slowly, shouting to one another as we advanced and tightening the cordon about our victim. He lurked noiseless and invisible in the bushes through which I had run from him during that midnight pursuit.

At last, the fury of the hunt began to fade. We had trapped the wretched brute in a corner of the island. Moreau, whip in hand, arranged us all in a rough line. We slowly advanced, shouting to one another and closing in around our victim. He hid silently, out of sight, in the bushes where I had run from him during that midnight chase.

“Steady!” cried Moreau, “steady!” as the ends of the line crept round the tangle of undergrowth and hemmed the brute in.

“Steady!” Moreau shouted. “Steady!” The ends of the line crept around the tangled undergrowth, closing in on the brute.

“Ware a rush!” came the voice of Montgomery from beyond the thicket.

“Watch out for a charge!” Montgomery called from beyond the thicket.

I was on the slope above the bushes; Montgomery and Moreau beat along the beach beneath. Slowly we pushed in among the fretted network of branches and leaves. The quarry was silent.

I was on the slope above the bushes. Montgomery and Moreau searched along the beach below. Slowly, we pushed into the tangled branches and leaves. The creature we were hunting was silent.

“Back to the House of Pain, the House of Pain, the House of Pain!” yelped the voice of the Ape-man, some twenty yards to the right.

“Back to the House of Pain, the House of Pain, the House of Pain!” yelped the Ape-man, about twenty yards to the right.

When I heard that, I forgave the poor wretch all the fear he had inspired in me. I heard the twigs snap and the boughs swish aside before the heavy tread of the Horse-rhinoceros upon my right. Then suddenly through a polygon of green, in the half darkness under the luxuriant growth, I saw the creature we were hunting. I halted. He was crouched together into the smallest possible compass, his luminous green eyes turned over his shoulder regarding me.

When I heard that, I forgave the poor wretch for all the fear he had caused me. To my right, twigs snapped and branches swished aside under the heavy tread of the Horse-rhinoceros. Then I suddenly saw the creature we were hunting through a roughly shaped opening in the greenery. He was in the half-darkness beneath the thick growth. I stopped. He was crouched as small as he could, looking at me over his shoulder with glowing green eyes.

It may seem a strange contradiction in me,—I cannot explain the fact,—but now, seeing the creature there in a perfectly animal attitude, with the light gleaming in its eyes and its imperfectly human face distorted with terror, I realised again the fact of its humanity. In another moment other of its pursuers would see it, and it would be overpowered and captured, to experience once more the horrible tortures of the enclosure. Abruptly I slipped out my revolver, aimed between its terror-struck eyes, and fired. As I did so, the Hyena-swine saw the Thing, and flung itself upon it with an eager cry, thrusting thirsty teeth into its neck. All about me the green masses of the thicket were swaying and cracking as the Beast People came rushing together. One face and then another appeared.

This may seem like a strange contradiction in me. I cannot explain it. But now, seeing the creature there in a completely animal pose, I realized again that it was human. Light gleamed in its eyes, and its imperfectly human face was twisted with terror. In another moment, others pursuing it would see it, overpower it, and capture it. Then it would suffer the horrible tortures of the enclosure once more. Suddenly, I pulled out my revolver, aimed between its terrified eyes, and fired. As I fired, the Hyena-swine saw the Thing and threw itself upon it with an eager cry. It sank its thirsty teeth into the Thing's neck. All around me, the green masses of the thicket swayed and cracked as the Beast People came rushing together. One face appeared, then another.

“Don’t kill it, Prendick!” cried Moreau. “Don’t kill it!” and I saw him stooping as he pushed through under the fronds of the big ferns.

“Don’t kill it, Prendick!” Moreau cried. “Don’t kill it!” I saw him duck as he pushed under the leaves of the large ferns.

In another moment he had beaten off the Hyena-swine with the handle of his whip, and he and Montgomery were keeping away the excited carnivorous Beast People, and particularly M’ling, from the still quivering body. The hairy-grey Thing came sniffing at the corpse under my arm. The other animals, in their animal ardour, jostled me to get a nearer view.

A moment later, he had beaten off the Hyena-swine with the handle of his whip. He and Montgomery were keeping the excited, meat-eating Beast People away from the still-twitching body, especially M’ling. The hairy-grey Thing came up under my arm and sniffed at the corpse. The other animals, eager as animals are, jostled me to get a closer look.

“Confound you, Prendick!” said Moreau. “I wanted him.”

“Blast you, Prendick!” said Moreau. “I wanted him.”

“I’m sorry,” said I, though I was not. “It was the impulse of the moment.” I felt sick with exertion and excitement. Turning, I pushed my way out of the crowding Beast People and went on alone up the slope towards the higher part of the headland. Under the shouted directions of Moreau I heard the three white-swathed Bull-men begin dragging the victim down towards the water.

“I’m sorry,” I said, though I wasn’t. “I acted on impulse.” I felt sick from exertion and excitement. I turned, pushed my way through the crowd of Beast People, and continued alone up the slope toward the higher part of the headland. I heard Moreau shout directions to the three Bull-men wrapped in white. They began dragging the victim down toward the water.

It was easy now for me to be alone. The Beast People manifested a quite human curiosity about the dead body, and followed it in a thick knot, sniffing and growling at it as the Bull-men dragged it down the beach. I went to the headland and watched the bull-men, black against the evening sky as they carried the weighted dead body out to sea; and like a wave across my mind came the realisation of the unspeakable aimlessness of things upon the island. Upon the beach among the rocks beneath me were the Ape-man, the Hyena-swine, and several other of the Beast People, standing about Montgomery and Moreau. They were all still intensely excited, and all overflowing with noisy expressions of their loyalty to the Law; yet I felt an absolute assurance in my own mind that the Hyena-swine was implicated in the rabbit-killing. A strange persuasion came upon me, that, save for the grossness of the line, the grotesqueness of the forms, I had here before me the whole balance of human life in miniature, the whole interplay of instinct, reason, and fate in its simplest form. The Leopard-man had happened to go under: that was all the difference. Poor brute!

It was easy for me to be alone now. The Beast People showed a very human curiosity about the dead body. They followed it in a tight crowd, sniffing and growling at it as the Bull-men dragged it down the beach. I went to the headland and watched the Bull-men carry the weighted body out to sea. They stood out black against the evening sky. Then, like a wave, the realization swept over me that everything on the island was unspeakably pointless. On the beach among the rocks below me, the Ape-man, the Hyena-swine, and several other Beast People stood around Montgomery and Moreau. They were all still intensely excited, and all loudly proclaimed their loyalty to the Law. Yet I felt absolutely sure that the Hyena-swine was involved in killing the rabbit. A strange conviction came over me. Apart from the crude outlines and grotesque shapes, I saw the whole balance of human life before me in miniature. Here was the whole interplay of instinct, reason, and fate in its simplest form. The Leopard-man had happened to be the one who fell. That was the only difference. Poor brute!

Poor brutes! I began to see the viler aspect of Moreau’s cruelty. I had not thought before of the pain and trouble that came to these poor victims after they had passed from Moreau’s hands. I had shivered only at the days of actual torment in the enclosure. But now that seemed to me the lesser part. Before, they had been beasts, their instincts fitly adapted to their surroundings, and happy as living things may be. Now they stumbled in the shackles of humanity, lived in a fear that never died, fretted by a law they could not understand; their mock-human existence, begun in an agony, was one long internal struggle, one long dread of Moreau—and for what? It was the wantonness of it that stirred me.

Poor creatures! I began to see a more terrible side of Moreau’s cruelty. I had not thought about the pain and trouble these poor victims suffered after leaving Moreau’s hands. I had shuddered only at their days of actual torment in the enclosure. But now that seemed the lesser part. Before, they had been animals, their instincts well suited to their surroundings, and as happy as living things can be. Now they stumbled under the chains of humanity. They lived in constant fear, tormented by a law they could not understand. Their imitation of human life had begun in agony. It was one long inner struggle, one long dread of Moreau. And for what? It was the sheer cruelty of doing it for no reason that stirred me.

Had Moreau had any intelligible object, I could have sympathised at least a little with him. I am not so squeamish about pain as that. I could have forgiven him a little even, had his motive been only hate. But he was so irresponsible, so utterly careless! His curiosity, his mad, aimless investigations, drove him on; and the Things were thrown out to live a year or so, to struggle and blunder and suffer, and at last to die painfully. They were wretched in themselves; the old animal hate moved them to trouble one another; the Law held them back from a brief hot struggle and a decisive end to their natural animosities.

If Moreau had had any understandable goal, I could have sympathized with him at least a little. I am not that squeamish about pain. I could even have forgiven him a little if his only motive had been hate. But he was so irresponsible, so utterly careless! His curiosity and his mad, aimless experiments drove him on. Then the Things were thrown out to live for a year or so, struggling, stumbling, and suffering. In the end, they died in pain. They were miserable in themselves, and their old animal hatred drove them to torment one another. But the Law kept them from settling their natural hostilities in a brief, fierce fight.

In those days my fear of the Beast People went the way of my personal fear for Moreau. I fell indeed into a morbid state, deep and enduring, and alien to fear, which has left permanent scars upon my mind. I must confess that I lost faith in the sanity of the world when I saw it suffering the painful disorder of this island. A blind Fate, a vast pitiless mechanism, seemed to cut and shape the fabric of existence and I, Moreau (by his passion for research), Montgomery (by his passion for drink), the Beast People with their instincts and mental restrictions, were torn and crushed, ruthlessly, inevitably, amid the infinite complexity of its incessant wheels. But this condition did not come all at once: I think indeed that I anticipate a little in speaking of it now.

In those days, my fear of the Beast People faded, just as my personal fear of Moreau had. I fell into a dark state of mind, deep and lasting, that had nothing to do with fear. It left permanent scars on my mind. I must confess that I lost faith in the sanity of the world when I saw it suffering the painful disorder of this island. A blind Fate, a vast, merciless machine, seemed to cut and shape the fabric of existence. Its endlessly turning wheels were infinitely complex. Among them, we were torn apart and crushed, ruthlessly and inevitably. There was I, Moreau with his passion for research, and Montgomery with his passion for drink. There were also the Beast People, with their instincts and the limits of their minds. But this state did not come over me all at once. I think I am getting a little ahead of myself by speaking of it now.