"For Once I Was the Hero"

Lord John Roxton was right when he thought that some specially toxic quality might lie in the bite of the horrible creatures which had attacked us. On the morning after our first adventure upon the plateau, both Summerlee and I were in great pain and fever, while Challenger's knee was so bruised that he could hardly limp. We kept to our camp all day, therefore, Lord John busying himself, with such help as we could give him, in raising the height and thickness of the thorny walls which were our only defense. I remember that during the whole long day I was haunted by the feeling that we were closely observed, though by whom or whence I could give no guess.

Lord John Roxton was right to think that the bites of the horrible creatures that attacked us might be especially poisonous. The morning after our first adventure on the plateau, Summerlee and I were both in great pain and feverish. Challenger's knee was so badly bruised that he could hardly limp. So we stayed in camp all day. Lord John worked to make the thorny walls higher and thicker, with what help we could give him. The walls were our only defense. I remember feeling haunted throughout that long day by the sense that we were being watched closely. But I could not guess who was watching us or from where.

So strong was the impression that I told Professor Challenger of it, who put it down to the cerebral excitement caused by my fever. Again and again I glanced round swiftly, with the conviction that I was about to see something, but only to meet the dark tangle of our hedge or the solemn and cavernous gloom of the great trees which arched above our heads. And yet the feeling grew ever stronger in my own mind that something observant and something malevolent was at our very elbow. I thought of the Indian superstition of the Curupuri—the dreadful, lurking spirit of the woods—and I could have imagined that his terrible presence haunted those who had invaded his most remote and sacred retreat.

The impression was so strong that I told Professor Challenger about it. He blamed it on the excitement in my brain caused by my fever. Again and again, I looked around quickly, certain I was about to see something. But I saw only the dark tangle of our hedge or the solemn, cavernous darkness of the great trees arching overhead. Yet I felt more and more certain that something watchful and malevolent was right beside us. I thought of the Indian superstition about the Curupuri, the dreadful spirit that lurks in the woods. I could imagine its terrible presence haunting those who had invaded its most remote and sacred refuge.

That night (our third in Maple White Land) we had an experience which left a fearful impression upon our minds, and made us thankful that Lord John had worked so hard in making our retreat impregnable. We were all sleeping round our dying fire when we were aroused—or, rather, I should say, shot out of our slumbers—by a succession of the most frightful cries and screams to which I have ever listened. I know no sound to which I could compare this amazing tumult, which seemed to come from some spot within a few hundred yards of our camp. It was as ear-splitting as any whistle of a railway-engine; but whereas the whistle is a clear, mechanical, sharp-edged sound, this was far deeper in volume and vibrant with the uttermost strain of agony and horror. We clapped our hands to our ears to shut out that nerve-shaking appeal. A cold sweat broke out over my body, and my heart turned sick at the misery of it. All the woes of tortured life, all its stupendous indictment of high heaven, its innumerable sorrows, seemed to be centered and condensed into that one dreadful, agonized cry. And then, under this high-pitched, ringing sound there was another, more intermittent, a low, deep-chested laugh, a growling, throaty gurgle of merriment which formed a grotesque accompaniment to the shriek with which it was blended. For three or four minutes on end the fearsome duet continued, while all the foliage rustled with the rising of startled birds. Then it shut off as suddenly as it began. For a long time we sat in horrified silence. Then Lord John threw a bundle of twigs upon the fire, and their red glare lit up the intent faces of my companions and flickered over the great boughs above our heads.

That night, our third in Maple White Land, we had a terrifying experience. It left us thankful that Lord John had worked so hard to make our shelter impossible to break into. We were all sleeping around our dying fire when we were awakened. Rather, we were shot out of sleep by the most dreadful cries and screams I have ever heard. I know of nothing to compare with that astonishing noise. It seemed to come from somewhere within a few hundred yards of our camp. It was as piercing as a railway engine’s whistle. But a whistle has a clear, sharp, mechanical sound. This was much deeper and shook with the utmost agony and horror. We clapped our hands over our ears to shut out that nerve-shaking cry. A cold sweat broke out over my body, and the misery of it made me feel sick. All the suffering of tortured life seemed to be concentrated in that one dreadful, agonized cry. So did all its countless sorrows and its immense accusation against heaven. Beneath that high, ringing sound was another, more broken one: a low, deep-chested laugh. It was a growling, throaty gurgle of amusement, a grotesque accompaniment to the shriek it mingled with. The fearsome duet continued for three or four minutes without stopping. All the while, the leaves rustled as startled birds took flight. Then the sounds stopped as suddenly as they had begun. We sat in horrified silence for a long time. Then Lord John threw a bundle of twigs onto the fire. Their red glow lit up my companions’ intent faces and flickered over the great branches above our heads.

"What was it?" I whispered.

"What was it?" I whispered.

"We shall know in the morning," said Lord John. "It was close to us—not farther than the glade."

"We'll know in the morning," said Lord John. "It was close to us, no farther away than the glade."

"We have been privileged to overhear a prehistoric tragedy, the sort of drama which occurred among the reeds upon the border of some Jurassic lagoon, when the greater dragon pinned the lesser among the slime," said Challenger, with more solemnity than I had ever heard in his voice. "It was surely well for man that he came late in the order of creation. There were powers abroad in earlier days which no courage and no mechanism of his could have met. What could his sling, his throwing-stick, or his arrow avail him against such forces as have been loose to-night? Even with a modern rifle it would be all odds on the monster."

"We have had the privilege of overhearing a prehistoric tragedy. It was the kind of drama that took place among the reeds at the edge of a Jurassic lagoon. There, a larger dragon might pin a smaller one in the slime," said Challenger, more solemnly than I had ever heard him speak. "Surely it was fortunate that man came late in the order of creation. In earlier days, there were forces that no human courage or weapon could have stood against. What good would a sling, a throwing-stick, or an arrow have done against the forces that were loose tonight? Even with a modern rifle, a man would have the odds against him."

"I think I should back my little friend," said Lord John, caressing his Express. "But the beast would certainly have a good sporting chance."

"I think I'd bet on my little friend," said Lord John, stroking his Express rifle. "But the beast would certainly have a fair chance."

Summerlee raised his hand.

Summerlee raised his hand.

"Hush!" he cried. "Surely I hear something?"

"Quiet!" he cried. "I think I hear something?"

From the utter silence there emerged a deep, regular pat-pat. It was the tread of some animal—the rhythm of soft but heavy pads placed cautiously upon the ground. It stole slowly round the camp, and then halted near our gateway. There was a low, sibilant rise and fall—the breathing of the creature. Only our feeble hedge separated us from this horror of the night. Each of us had seized his rifle, and Lord John had pulled out a small bush to make an embrasure in the hedge.

Out of the complete silence came a deep, steady pat-pat. It was an animal walking, its soft but heavy paws landing carefully on the ground. It moved slowly around the camp, then stopped near our gateway. We heard the creature breathing, a low, hissing sound that rose and fell. Only our flimsy hedge separated us from this horror of the night. Each of us had grabbed his rifle, and Lord John had pulled out a small bush to make an opening in the hedge.

"By George!" he whispered. "I think I can see it!"

“Wow!” he whispered. “I think I can see it!”

I stooped and peered over his shoulder through the gap. Yes, I could see it, too. In the deep shadow of the tree there was a deeper shadow yet, black, inchoate, vague—a crouching form full of savage vigor and menace. It was no higher than a horse, but the dim outline suggested vast bulk and strength. That hissing pant, as regular and full-volumed as the exhaust of an engine, spoke of a monstrous organism. Once, as it moved, I thought I saw the glint of two terrible, greenish eyes. There was an uneasy rustling, as if it were crawling slowly forward.

I bent down and looked over his shoulder through the gap. Yes, I could see it, too. In the deep shadow of the tree, there was an even darker shadow. It was black and indistinct, a crouching form full of fierce energy and menace. It was no taller than a horse, but its faint outline suggested enormous size and strength. Its hissing breaths were as steady and loud as an engine’s exhaust. They told of a monstrous creature. Once, as it moved, I thought I saw two terrible, greenish eyes gleaming. There was an unsettling rustling, as if it were crawling slowly forward.

"I believe it is going to spring!" said I, cocking my rifle.

"I think it's going to jump!" I said, cocking my rifle.

"Don't fire! Don't fire!" whispered Lord John. "The crash of a gun in this silent night would be heard for miles. Keep it as a last card."

"Don't fire! Don't fire!" whispered Lord John. "A gunshot would be heard for miles on this silent night. Save it as a last resort."

"If it gets over the hedge we're done," said Summerlee, and his voice crackled into a nervous laugh as he spoke.

"If it gets over the hedge, we're done," said Summerlee. His voice broke into a nervous laugh as he spoke.

"No, it must not get over," cried Lord John; "but hold your fire to the last. Perhaps I can make something of the fellow. I'll chance it, anyhow."

"No, it must not get over," cried Lord John. "But don't fire until the last moment. Perhaps I can do something with the fellow. I'll take the chance anyway."

It was as brave an act as ever I saw a man do. He stooped to the fire, picked up a blazing branch, and slipped in an instant through a sallyport which he had made in our gateway. The thing moved forward with a dreadful snarl. Lord John never hesitated, but, running towards it with a quick, light step, he dashed the flaming wood into the brute's face. For one moment I had a vision of a horrible mask like a giant toad's, of a warty, leprous skin, and of a loose mouth all beslobbered with fresh blood. The next, there was a crash in the underwood and our dreadful visitor was gone.

It was as brave an act as I had ever seen a man perform. He bent down to the fire and picked up a burning branch. In an instant, he slipped through a small opening he had made in our gateway. The creature moved forward with a dreadful snarl. Lord John did not hesitate. He ran toward it with quick, light steps and thrust the burning branch into its face. For one moment, I glimpsed a horrible face like a giant toad’s, with warty, leprous skin and a loose mouth smeared with fresh blood. The next moment, there was a crash in the undergrowth, and our dreadful visitor was gone.

"I thought he wouldn't face the fire," said Lord John, laughing, as he came back and threw his branch among the faggots.

"I thought he wouldn't face the fire," said Lord John, laughing as he came back and threw his branch onto the pile of firewood.

"You should not have taken such a risk!" we all cried.

"You shouldn't have taken such a risk!" we all cried.

"There was nothin' else to be done. If he had got among us we should have shot each other in tryin' to down him. On the other hand, if we had fired through the hedge and wounded him he would soon have been on the top of us—to say nothin' of giving ourselves away. On the whole, I think that we are jolly well out of it. What was he, then?"

"There was nothing else to do. If he had got among us, we would have shot each other trying to bring him down. On the other hand, if we had fired through the hedge and wounded him, he would soon have been on top of us. And firing would have given us away. All in all, I think we are jolly lucky to have escaped. What was he, then?"

Our learned men looked at each other with some hesitation.

Our scholars looked at each other with some hesitation.

"Personally, I am unable to classify the creature with any certainty," said Summerlee, lighting his pipe from the fire.

"Personally, I can't say for sure how to classify the creature," said Summerlee, lighting his pipe from the fire.

"In refusing to commit yourself you are but showing a proper scientific reserve," said Challenger, with massive condescension. "I am not myself prepared to go farther than to say in general terms that we have almost certainly been in contact to-night with some form of carnivorous dinosaur. I have already expressed my anticipation that something of the sort might exist upon this plateau."

"By refusing to commit yourself, you are showing proper scientific caution," said Challenger, with great condescension. "For my part, I am only prepared to say that we almost certainly encountered some kind of meat-eating dinosaur tonight. I have already said that I expected something like that might exist on this plateau."

"We have to bear in mind," remarked Summerlee, "that there are many prehistoric forms which have never come down to us. It would be rash to suppose that we can give a name to all that we are likely to meet."

“We must remember,” said Summerlee, “that many prehistoric forms have not survived to the present day. It would be rash to assume we can name everything we might encounter.”

"Exactly. A rough classification may be the best that we can attempt. To-morrow some further evidence may help us to an identification. Meantime we can only renew our interrupted slumbers."

"Exactly. A rough classification may be the best we can manage. Tomorrow, more evidence may help us identify it. For now, we can only go back to sleep."

"But not without a sentinel," said Lord John, with decision. "We can't afford to take chances in a country like this. Two-hour spells in the future, for each of us."

"But not without a guard," said Lord John firmly. "We can't afford to take chances in a country like this. From now on, each of us will stand guard for two hours at a time."

"Then I'll just finish my pipe in starting the first one," said Professor Summerlee; and from that time onwards we never trusted ourselves again without a watchman.

"Then I'll finish my pipe while I take the first watch," said Professor Summerlee. From then on, we never again felt safe without a watchman.

In the morning it was not long before we discovered the source of the hideous uproar which had aroused us in the night. The iguanodon glade was the scene of a horrible butchery. From the pools of blood and the enormous lumps of flesh scattered in every direction over the green sward we imagined at first that a number of animals had been killed, but on examining the remains more closely we discovered that all this carnage came from one of these unwieldy monsters, which had been literally torn to pieces by some creature not larger, perhaps, but far more ferocious, than itself.

In the morning, we soon discovered the source of the hideous uproar that had woken us in the night. The iguanodon glade was the scene of a horrible slaughter. Pools of blood and enormous chunks of flesh were scattered across the grass in every direction. At first, we thought several animals had been killed. But when we examined the remains more closely, we found that all the carnage came from one of these clumsy monsters. Some creature had literally torn it to pieces. Perhaps the creature was no larger than the iguanodon, but it was far more ferocious.

Our two professors sat in absorbed argument, examining piece after piece, which showed the marks of savage teeth and of enormous claws.

Our two professors sat arguing intently as they examined each piece. The pieces bore marks from savage teeth and enormous claws.

"Our judgment must still be in abeyance," said Professor Challenger, with a huge slab of whitish-colored flesh across his knee. "The indications would be consistent with the presence of a saber-toothed tiger, such as are still found among the breccia of our caverns; but the creature actually seen was undoubtedly of a larger and more reptilian character. Personally, I should pronounce for allosaurus."

"We must reserve judgment for now," said Professor Challenger, with a huge slab of whitish flesh across his knee. "The signs would be consistent with a saber-toothed tiger. Remains of such tigers are still found in the breccia of our caverns. But the creature actually seen was undoubtedly larger and more reptilian. Personally, I would say it was an allosaurus."

"Or megalosaurus," said Summerlee.

"Or megalosaurus," said Summerlee.

"Exactly. Any one of the larger carnivorous dinosaurs would meet the case. Among them are to be found all the most terrible types of animal life that have ever cursed the earth or blessed a museum." He laughed sonorously at his own conceit, for, though he had little sense of humor, the crudest pleasantry from his own lips moved him always to roars of appreciation.

"Exactly. Any of the larger meat-eating dinosaurs would fit the bill. Among them are all the most terrible types of animal life that have ever cursed the earth or blessed a museum." He laughed loudly at his own clever remark. Although he had little sense of humor, even his crudest jokes always made him roar with delight.

"The less noise the better," said Lord Roxton, curtly. "We don't know who or what may be near us. If this fellah comes back for his breakfast and catches us here we won't have so much to laugh at. By the way, what is this mark upon the iguanodon's hide?"

"The less noise, the better," said Lord Roxton sharply. "We don't know who or what may be near us. If this fellow comes back for his breakfast and catches us here, we won't have so much to laugh about. By the way, what is this mark on the iguanodon's skin?"

On the dull, scaly, slate-colored skin somewhere above the shoulder, there was a singular black circle of some substance which looked like asphalt. None of us could suggest what it meant, though Summerlee was of opinion that he had seen something similar upon one of the young ones two days before. Challenger said nothing, but looked pompous and puffy, as if he could if he would, so that finally Lord John asked his opinion direct.

Somewhere above the shoulder, on the dull, scaly, slate-colored skin, was a strange black circle of something that looked like asphalt. None of us could suggest what it meant. But Summerlee thought he had seen something similar on one of the young ones two days earlier. Challenger said nothing, but looked pompous and puffed up, as if he could explain it if he wanted to. Finally, Lord John asked him directly for his opinion.

"If your lordship will graciously permit me to open my mouth, I shall be happy to express my sentiments," said he, with elaborate sarcasm. "I am not in the habit of being taken to task in the fashion which seems to be customary with your lordship. I was not aware that it was necessary to ask your permission before smiling at a harmless pleasantry."

"If your lordship will kindly allow me to speak, I'll be happy to share my thoughts," he said with elaborate sarcasm. "I'm not used to being scolded in the way your lordship seems to think is normal. I didn't know I needed your permission to smile at a harmless joke."

It was not until he had received his apology that our touchy friend would suffer himself to be appeased. When at last his ruffled feelings were at ease, he addressed us at some length from his seat upon a fallen tree, speaking, as his habit was, as if he were imparting most precious information to a class of a thousand.

Our touchy friend refused to calm down until he received his apology. Once his feelings were soothed, he spoke to us at length from his seat on a fallen tree. As usual, he spoke as if he were sharing precious information with a class of a thousand students.

"With regard to the marking," said he, "I am inclined to agree with my friend and colleague, Professor Summerlee, that the stains are from asphalt. As this plateau is, in its very nature, highly volcanic, and as asphalt is a substance which one associates with Plutonic forces, I cannot doubt that it exists in the free liquid state, and that the creatures may have come in contact with it. A much more important problem is the question as to the existence of the carnivorous monster which has left its traces in this glade. We know roughly that this plateau is not larger than an average English county. Within this confined space a certain number of creatures, mostly types which have passed away in the world below, have lived together for innumerable years. Now, it is very clear to me that in so long a period one would have expected that the carnivorous creatures, multiplying unchecked, would have exhausted their food supply and have been compelled to either modify their flesh-eating habits or die of hunger. This we see has not been so. We can only imagine, therefore, that the balance of Nature is preserved by some check which limits the numbers of these ferocious creatures. One of the many interesting problems, therefore, which await our solution is to discover what that check may be and how it operates. I venture to trust that we may have some future opportunity for the closer study of the carnivorous dinosaurs."

“As for the marking,” he said, “I am inclined to agree with my friend and colleague, Professor Summerlee. The stains are from asphalt. This plateau is highly volcanic by nature, and asphalt is associated with forces beneath the earth. So I cannot doubt that it exists here in liquid form and that the creatures may have come into contact with it. “A much more important question concerns the carnivorous monster that has left its traces in this glade. We know roughly that this plateau is no larger than an average English county. A number of creatures have lived together in this confined space for countless years. Most are types that have died out in the world below. “Now, it is quite clear to me what one would have expected over such a long period. The carnivorous creatures, multiplying unchecked, would have exhausted their food supply. They would then have been forced to change their flesh-eating habits or die of hunger. We can see that this has not happened. So we can only imagine that some check limits the number of these ferocious creatures and preserves the balance of Nature. “One of the many interesting problems awaiting our solution is to discover what that check is and how it works. I hope we may have a future opportunity to study the carnivorous dinosaurs more closely.”

"And I venture to trust we may not," I observed.

"And I hope we may not," I said.

The Professor only raised his great eyebrows, as the schoolmaster meets the irrelevant observation of the naughty boy.

The Professor only raised his great eyebrows, like a teacher hearing a naughty boy’s irrelevant remark.

"Perhaps Professor Summerlee may have an observation to make," he said, and the two savants ascended together into some rarefied scientific atmosphere, where the possibilities of a modification of the birth-rate were weighed against the decline of the food supply as a check in the struggle for existence.

"Perhaps Professor Summerlee has something to say," he said. The two scientists then rose together into the thin air of scientific debate. They weighed a possible change in the birth rate against a declining food supply as a limit in the struggle for existence.

That morning we mapped out a small portion of the plateau, avoiding the swamp of the pterodactyls, and keeping to the east of our brook instead of to the west. In that direction the country was still thickly wooded, with so much undergrowth that our progress was very slow.

That morning we mapped a small part of the plateau, avoiding the pterodactyl swamp. We stayed east of our brook instead of going west. The land to the east was still densely wooded, and thick undergrowth made our progress very slow.

I have dwelt up to now upon the terrors of Maple White Land; but there was another side to the subject, for all that morning we wandered among lovely flowers—mostly, as I observed, white or yellow in color, these being, as our professors explained, the primitive flower-shades. In many places the ground was absolutely covered with them, and as we walked ankle-deep on that wonderful yielding carpet, the scent was almost intoxicating in its sweetness and intensity. The homely English bee buzzed everywhere around us. Many of the trees under which we passed had their branches bowed down with fruit, some of which were of familiar sorts, while other varieties were new. By observing which of them were pecked by the birds we avoided all danger of poison and added a delicious variety to our food reserve. In the jungle which we traversed were numerous hard-trodden paths made by the wild beasts, and in the more marshy places we saw a profusion of strange footmarks, including many of the iguanodon. Once in a grove we observed several of these great creatures grazing, and Lord John, with his glass, was able to report that they also were spotted with asphalt, though in a different place to the one which we had examined in the morning. What this phenomenon meant we could not imagine.

So far, I have described the terrors of Maple White Land. But there was another side to it. All that morning we wandered among lovely flowers. Most were white or yellow, which our professors explained were the earliest flower colors. In many places the ground was completely covered with them. We walked ankle-deep on that wonderful, springy carpet. Their scent was so sweet and strong that it was almost intoxicating. Familiar English bees buzzed all around us. Many trees we passed beneath had branches weighed down with fruit. Some of the fruit was familiar, while other kinds were new to us. We looked for fruit that birds had pecked, and this kept us safe from poison. It also added a delicious variety to our food supply. In the jungle we crossed, there were many hard-trodden paths made by wild beasts. In the marshier places we saw a great many strange footprints, including many made by iguanodons. Once, in a grove, we saw several of these great creatures grazing. Lord John looked through his field glasses and reported that they too were spotted with asphalt. But their spots were in a different place from those on the creature we had examined that morning. We could not imagine what this meant.

We saw many small animals, such as porcupines, a scaly ant-eater, and a wild pig, piebald in color and with long curved tusks. Once, through a break in the trees, we saw a clear shoulder of green hill some distance away, and across this a large dun-colored animal was traveling at a considerable pace. It passed so swiftly that we were unable to say what it was; but if it were a deer, as was claimed by Lord John, it must have been as large as those monstrous Irish elk which are still dug up from time to time in the bogs of my native land.

We saw many small animals, including porcupines, a scaly anteater, and a wild pig with patches of color and long, curved tusks. Once, through a gap in the trees, we saw a clear slope on a green hill some distance away. A large, dull brown animal was moving quickly across it. It passed so quickly that we could not tell what it was. But Lord John claimed it was a deer. If he was right, it must have been as large as the huge Irish elk still dug up from time to time in the bogs of my native land.

Ever since the mysterious visit which had been paid to our camp we always returned to it with some misgivings. However, on this occasion we found everything in order.

Ever since the mysterious visit to our camp, we had always felt uneasy about returning. However, this time we found everything in order.

That evening we had a grand discussion upon our present situation and future plans, which I must describe at some length, as it led to a new departure by which we were enabled to gain a more complete knowledge of Maple White Land than might have come in many weeks of exploring. It was Summerlee who opened the debate. All day he had been querulous in manner, and now some remark of Lord John's as to what we should do on the morrow brought all his bitterness to a head.

That evening we had a long discussion about our situation and future plans. I must describe it in some detail because it led us to try something new. This gave us a fuller knowledge of Maple White Land than we might have gained in many weeks of exploring. Summerlee started the discussion. He had been irritable all day, and a remark by Lord John about what we should do tomorrow finally brought all his bitterness to the surface.

"What we ought to be doing to-day, to-morrow, and all the time," said he, "is finding some way out of the trap into which we have fallen. You are all turning your brains towards getting into this country. I say that we should be scheming how to get out of it."

"What we should be doing today, tomorrow, and all the time," he said, "is finding a way out of the trap we have fallen into. You are all thinking about how to get into this country. I say we should be planning how to get out of it."

"I am surprised, sir," boomed Challenger, stroking his majestic beard, "that any man of science should commit himself to so ignoble a sentiment. You are in a land which offers such an inducement to the ambitious naturalist as none ever has since the world began, and you suggest leaving it before we have acquired more than the most superficial knowledge of it or of its contents. I expected better things of you, Professor Summerlee."

"I am surprised, sir," boomed Challenger, stroking his majestic beard, "that any scientist would express such a shameful opinion. This land offers an ambitious naturalist an opportunity unlike any since the world began. Yet you suggest leaving before we have gained more than a superficial knowledge of the land or what it contains. I expected better of you, Professor Summerlee."

"You must remember," said Summerlee, sourly, "that I have a large class in London who are at present at the mercy of an extremely inefficient locum tenens. This makes my situation different from yours, Professor Challenger, since, so far as I know, you have never been entrusted with any responsible educational work."

"You must remember," said Summerlee sourly, "that I have a large class in London. They are currently at the mercy of a very incompetent substitute teacher. That makes my situation different from yours, Professor Challenger. As far as I know, you have never been trusted with any responsible teaching work."

"Quite so," said Challenger. "I have felt it to be a sacrilege to divert a brain which is capable of the highest original research to any lesser object. That is why I have sternly set my face against any proffered scholastic appointment."

"Exactly," said Challenger. "I have felt that it would be a sacrilege to divert a brain capable of the greatest original research to any lesser purpose. That is why I have firmly refused every teaching position offered to me."

"For example?" asked Summerlee, with a sneer; but Lord John hastened to change the conversation.

"For example?" Summerlee asked with a sneer. But Lord John quickly changed the subject.

"I must say," said he, "that I think it would be a mighty poor thing to go back to London before I know a great deal more of this place than I do at present."

"I have to say," he said, "I think it would be a real shame to go back to London before I know much more about this place."

"I could never dare to walk into the back office of my paper and face old McArdle," said I. (You will excuse the frankness of this report, will you not, sir?) "He'd never forgive me for leaving such unexhausted copy behind me. Besides, so far as I can see it is not worth discussing, since we can't get down, even if we wanted."

"I could never face old McArdle in the back office of my newspaper," I said. (You'll excuse my frankness in this report, won't you, sir?) "He'd never forgive me for leaving behind so much material still to report. Besides, as far as I can see, there's no point discussing it. We can't get down, even if we want to."

"Our young friend makes up for many obvious mental lacunae by some measure of primitive common sense," remarked Challenger. "The interests of his deplorable profession are immaterial to us; but, as he observes, we cannot get down in any case, so it is a waste of energy to discuss it."

"Our young friend makes up for many obvious gaps in his thinking with some basic common sense," remarked Challenger. "The interests of his terrible profession don't matter to us. But as he points out, we can't get down anyway, so discussing it is a waste of energy."

"It is a waste of energy to do anything else," growled Summerlee from behind his pipe. "Let me remind you that we came here upon a perfectly definite mission, entrusted to us at the meeting of the Zoological Institute in London. That mission was to test the truth of Professor Challenger's statements. Those statements, as I am bound to admit, we are now in a position to endorse. Our ostensible work is therefore done. As to the detail which remains to be worked out upon this plateau, it is so enormous that only a large expedition, with a very special equipment, could hope to cope with it. Should we attempt to do so ourselves, the only possible result must be that we shall never return with the important contribution to science which we have already gained. Professor Challenger has devised means for getting us on to this plateau when it appeared to be inaccessible; I think that we should now call upon him to use the same ingenuity in getting us back to the world from which we came."

"It is a waste of energy to do anything else," growled Summerlee from behind his pipe. "Let me remind you that we came here on a very specific mission. It was given to us at the meeting of the Zoological Institute in London. Our mission was to test the truth of Professor Challenger's claims. I must admit that we can now confirm them. So our stated work is done. As for the details still to be investigated on this plateau, the task is enormous. Only a large expedition with very specialized equipment could hope to tackle it. If we tried to do it ourselves, we could only fail to return with our important contribution to science. Professor Challenger found a way to get us onto this plateau when it seemed impossible to reach. I think we should now ask him to use the same ingenuity to get us back to our world."

I confess that as Summerlee stated his view it struck me as altogether reasonable. Even Challenger was affected by the consideration that his enemies would never stand confuted if the confirmation of his statements should never reach those who had doubted them.

I admit that Summerlee's view struck me as entirely reasonable. Even Challenger was affected by the thought that his enemies would never be proved wrong if those who doubted him never received confirmation of his claims.

"The problem of the descent is at first sight a formidable one," said he, "and yet I cannot doubt that the intellect can solve it. I am prepared to agree with our colleague that a protracted stay in Maple White Land is at present inadvisable, and that the question of our return will soon have to be faced. I absolutely refuse to leave, however, until we have made at least a superficial examination of this country, and are able to take back with us something in the nature of a chart."

"Getting down looks difficult at first," he said. "Yet I have no doubt that we can find a solution. I agree with our colleague that a long stay in Maple White Land is unwise for now. We will soon have to decide how to return. However, I absolutely refuse to leave until we have at least briefly explored this country and can take back a rough map."

Professor Summerlee gave a snort of impatience.

Professor Summerlee snorted impatiently.

"We have spent two long days in exploration," said he, "and we are no wiser as to the actual geography of the place than when we started. It is clear that it is all thickly wooded, and it would take months to penetrate it and to learn the relations of one part to another. If there were some central peak it would be different, but it all slopes downwards, so far as we can see. The farther we go the less likely it is that we will get any general view."

"We have spent two long days exploring," he said, "and we know no more about the geography of this place than when we started. Clearly, the whole place is thickly wooded. It would take months to get through it and learn how its different parts connect. If there were a central peak, it would be different. But as far as we can see, the land slopes downward everywhere. The farther we go, the less likely we are to get a view of the whole place."

It was at that moment that I had my inspiration. My eyes chanced to light upon the enormous gnarled trunk of the gingko tree which cast its huge branches over us. Surely, if its bole exceeded that of all others, its height must do the same. If the rim of the plateau was indeed the highest point, then why should this mighty tree not prove to be a watchtower which commanded the whole country? Now, ever since I ran wild as a lad in Ireland I have been a bold and skilled tree-climber. My comrades might be my masters on the rocks, but I knew that I would be supreme among those branches. Could I only get my legs on to the lowest of the giant off-shoots, then it would be strange indeed if I could not make my way to the top. My comrades were delighted at my idea.

At that moment, I had an idea. My eyes happened to fall on the enormous, twisted trunk of the gingko tree. Its huge branches spread out over us. Surely, if its trunk was bigger than all the others, it must also be taller. If the rim of the plateau was indeed the highest point, why couldn’t this mighty tree serve as a watchtower? From there, I might be able to see the whole country. Ever since I ran wild as a boy in Ireland, I have been a bold and skilled tree climber. My companions might be better than me on the rocks, but I knew I would be unmatched among those branches. If I could just get my legs onto the lowest of the giant branches, I was sure I could reach the top. My companions were delighted with my idea.

"Our young friend," said Challenger, bunching up the red apples of his cheeks, "is capable of acrobatic exertions which would be impossible to a man of a more solid, though possibly of a more commanding, appearance. I applaud his resolution."

"Our young friend," said Challenger, bunching up his round, red cheeks, "can perform acrobatic feats that would be impossible for a more solidly built man. Though such a man might look more commanding, perhaps. I applaud his determination."

"By George, young fellah, you've put your hand on it!" said Lord John, clapping me on the back. "How we never came to think of it before I can't imagine! There's not more than an hour of daylight left, but if you take your notebook you may be able to get some rough sketch of the place. If we put these three ammunition cases under the branch, I will soon hoist you on to it."

"By George, young fellow, you've got it!" said Lord John, clapping me on the back. "I can't imagine why we never thought of it before! There's less than an hour of daylight left. But if you take your notebook, you may be able to make a rough sketch of the place. If we put these three ammunition cases under the branch, I can quickly lift you onto it."

He stood on the boxes while I faced the trunk, and was gently raising me when Challenger sprang forward and gave me such a thrust with his huge hand that he fairly shot me into the tree. With both arms clasping the branch, I scrambled hard with my feet until I had worked, first my body, and then my knees, onto it. There were three excellent off-shoots, like huge rungs of a ladder, above my head, and a tangle of convenient branches beyond, so that I clambered onwards with such speed that I soon lost sight of the ground and had nothing but foliage beneath me. Now and then I encountered a check, and once I had to shin up a creeper for eight or ten feet, but I made excellent progress, and the booming of Challenger's voice seemed to be a great distance beneath me. The tree was, however, enormous, and, looking upwards, I could see no thinning of the leaves above my head. There was some thick, bush-like clump which seemed to be a parasite upon a branch up which I was swarming. I leaned my head round it in order to see what was beyond, and I nearly fell out of the tree in my surprise and horror at what I saw.

He stood on the boxes while I faced the trunk. He was gently lifting me when Challenger sprang forward and shoved me with his huge hand. He practically shot me into the tree. I clasped the branch with both arms and scrambled hard with my feet. First I got my body onto it, then my knees. Above my head were three excellent offshoots, like the huge rungs of a ladder. Beyond them was a tangle of convenient branches. I climbed so quickly that I soon lost sight of the ground, with nothing but leaves beneath me. Now and then something held me up. Once I had to climb a vine for eight or ten feet. But I made excellent progress, and Challenger's booming voice seemed a great distance below me. The tree was enormous, though, and the leaves above me showed no sign of thinning. A thick, bushy clump seemed to be growing as a parasite on a branch I was climbing. I leaned my head around it to see what was beyond. What I saw surprised and horrified me so much that I nearly fell out of the tree.

A face was gazing into mine—at the distance of only a foot or two. The creature that owned it had been crouching behind the parasite, and had looked round it at the same instant that I did. It was a human face—or at least it was far more human than any monkey's that I have ever seen. It was long, whitish, and blotched with pimples, the nose flattened, and the lower jaw projecting, with a bristle of coarse whiskers round the chin. The eyes, which were under thick and heavy brows, were bestial and ferocious, and as it opened its mouth to snarl what sounded like a curse at me I observed that it had curved, sharp canine teeth. For an instant I read hatred and menace in the evil eyes. Then, as quick as a flash, came an expression of overpowering fear. There was a crash of broken boughs as it dived wildly down into the tangle of green. I caught a glimpse of a hairy body like that of a reddish pig, and then it was gone amid a swirl of leaves and branches.

A face was staring into mine from only a foot or two away. The creature had been crouching behind the parasite. It had looked around it at the same moment I did. Its face was human, or at least far more human than any monkey’s I have ever seen. It was long, pale, and covered with pimples. The nose was flat, and the lower jaw stuck out. Coarse whiskers bristled around its chin. Its eyes, beneath thick, heavy brows, were savage and fierce. It opened its mouth and snarled what sounded like a curse at me. I saw that it had curved, sharp canine teeth. For a moment, I saw hatred and menace in its evil eyes. Then, in a flash, its expression changed to one of overwhelming fear. Branches crashed and broke as it plunged wildly down into the tangle of greenery. I caught a glimpse of a hairy body like that of a reddish pig. Then it was gone in a swirl of leaves and branches.

"What's the matter?" shouted Roxton from below. "Anything wrong with you?"

"What's the matter?" Roxton shouted from below. "Is anything wrong with you?"

"Did you see it?" I cried, with my arms round the branch and all my nerves tingling.

"Did you see it?" I cried, my arms wrapped around the branch and all my nerves tingling.

"We heard a row, as if your foot had slipped. What was it?"

"We heard a noise, as if your foot had slipped. What was it?"

I was so shocked at the sudden and strange appearance of this ape-man that I hesitated whether I should not climb down again and tell my experience to my companions. But I was already so far up the great tree that it seemed a humiliation to return without having carried out my mission.

The sudden, strange appearance of this ape-man shocked me. I hesitated, wondering whether to climb down and tell my companions what had happened. But I was already so far up the great tree that returning without completing my mission seemed humiliating.

After a long pause, therefore, to recover my breath and my courage, I continued my ascent. Once I put my weight upon a rotten branch and swung for a few seconds by my hands, but in the main it was all easy climbing. Gradually the leaves thinned around me, and I was aware, from the wind upon my face, that I had topped all the trees of the forest. I was determined, however, not to look about me before I had reached the very highest point, so I scrambled on until I had got so far that the topmost branch was bending beneath my weight. There I settled into a convenient fork, and, balancing myself securely, I found myself looking down at a most wonderful panorama of this strange country in which we found ourselves.

After a long pause to catch my breath and regain my courage, I continued climbing. Once, I put my weight on a rotten branch and hung by my hands for a few seconds. But for the most part, the climb was easy. Gradually, the leaves thinned around me. I felt the wind on my face and knew I had climbed above all the trees in the forest. However, I was determined not to look around until I reached the very highest point. So I scrambled on until the topmost branch bent beneath my weight. There, I settled into a convenient fork and balanced myself securely. I found myself looking down at a wonderful panorama of the strange country we were in.

The sun was just above the western sky-line, and the evening was a particularly bright and clear one, so that the whole extent of the plateau was visible beneath me. It was, as seen from this height, of an oval contour, with a breadth of about thirty miles and a width of twenty. Its general shape was that of a shallow funnel, all the sides sloping down to a considerable lake in the center. This lake may have been ten miles in circumference, and lay very green and beautiful in the evening light, with a thick fringe of reeds at its edges, and with its surface broken by several yellow sandbanks, which gleamed golden in the mellow sunshine. A number of long dark objects, which were too large for alligators and too long for canoes, lay upon the edges of these patches of sand. With my glass I could clearly see that they were alive, but what their nature might be I could not imagine.

The sun was just above the western horizon. The evening was especially bright and clear, so I could see the whole plateau below me. From this height, it looked oval, about thirty miles long and twenty miles wide. It was shaped like a shallow funnel, with all sides sloping down to a large lake in the center. The lake may have been ten miles around. It looked green and beautiful in the evening light, with thick reeds around its edges. Several yellow sandbanks broke the surface, gleaming golden in the soft sunshine. A number of long, dark objects lay along the edges of these sandbanks. They were too large to be alligators and too long to be canoes. Through my binoculars, I could see clearly that they were alive, but I could not imagine what they were.

From the side of the plateau on which we were, slopes of woodland, with occasional glades, stretched down for five or six miles to the central lake. I could see at my very feet the glade of the iguanodons, and farther off was a round opening in the trees which marked the swamp of the pterodactyls. On the side facing me, however, the plateau presented a very different aspect. There the basalt cliffs of the outside were reproduced upon the inside, forming an escarpment about two hundred feet high, with a woody slope beneath it. Along the base of these red cliffs, some distance above the ground, I could see a number of dark holes through the glass, which I conjectured to be the mouths of caves. At the opening of one of these something white was shimmering, but I was unable to make out what it was. I sat charting the country until the sun had set and it was so dark that I could no longer distinguish details. Then I climbed down to my companions waiting for me so eagerly at the bottom of the great tree. For once I was the hero of the expedition. Alone I had thought of it, and alone I had done it; and here was the chart which would save us a month's blind groping among unknown dangers. Each of them shook me solemnly by the hand.

From our side of the plateau, wooded slopes with occasional clearings stretched five or six miles down to the central lake. I could see the iguanodons' clearing right at my feet. Farther away, a round opening in the trees marked the pterodactyls' swamp. The opposite side of the plateau looked very different. There, basalt cliffs like those on the outside rose along the inner edge. They formed a steep wall about two hundred feet high, with a wooded slope below. Through my telescope, I could see several dark holes near the base of the red cliffs, some distance above the ground. I guessed they were cave entrances. Something white shimmered at the entrance to one of them, but I could not make out what it was. I sat mapping the land until the sun had set and it was too dark to see any details. Then I climbed down to my companions, who were waiting eagerly at the bottom of the great tree. For once, I was the hero of the expedition. I alone had thought of it, and I alone had done it. Here was the map that would save us a month of blindly groping among unknown dangers. Each of them solemnly shook my hand.

But before they discussed the details of my map I had to tell them of my encounter with the ape-man among the branches.

But before they went over the details of my map, I had to tell them about meeting the ape-man among the branches.

"He has been there all the time," said I.

"He has been there all the time," I said.

"How do you know that?" asked Lord John.

"How do you know that?" asked Lord John.

"Because I have never been without that feeling that something malevolent was watching us. I mentioned it to you, Professor Challenger."

"Because I've always had the feeling that something evil was watching us. I mentioned it to you, Professor Challenger."

"Our young friend certainly said something of the kind. He is also the one among us who is endowed with that Celtic temperament which would make him sensitive to such impressions."

"Our young friend certainly said something like that. He is also the one among us whose Celtic temperament makes him sensitive to such impressions."

"The whole theory of telepathy——" began Summerlee, filling his pipe.

"The whole theory of telepathy..." Summerlee began, filling his pipe.

"Is too vast to be now discussed," said Challenger, with decision. "Tell me, now," he added, with the air of a bishop addressing a Sunday-school, "did you happen to observe whether the creature could cross its thumb over its palm?"

"Is too vast to discuss now," Challenger said firmly. He added, like a bishop addressing a Sunday school, "Tell me, did you happen to notice whether the creature could cross its thumb over its palm?"

"No, indeed."

"No, not at all."

"Had it a tail?"

"Did it have a tail?"

"No."

"No."

"Was the foot prehensile?"

"Could the foot grasp things?"

"I do not think it could have made off so fast among the branches if it could not get a grip with its feet."

"I don't think it could have moved so fast through the branches if it couldn't grip them with its feet."

"In South America there are, if my memory serves me—you will check the observation, Professor Summerlee—some thirty-six species of monkeys, but the anthropoid ape is unknown. It is clear, however, that he exists in this country, and that he is not the hairy, gorilla-like variety, which is never seen out of Africa or the East." (I was inclined to interpolate, as I looked at him, that I had seen his first cousin in Kensington.) "This is a whiskered and colorless type, the latter characteristic pointing to the fact that he spends his days in arboreal seclusion. The question which we have to face is whether he approaches more closely to the ape or the man. In the latter case, he may well approximate to what the vulgar have called the 'missing link.' The solution of this problem is our immediate duty."

“In South America, if I remember correctly, there are about thirty-six species of monkeys. Professor Summerlee, you will check that observation. But there are no great apes. Clearly, however, a great ape does exist in this country. It is not the hairy, gorilla-like variety, which is never seen outside Africa or the East.” (Looking at him, I was tempted to add that I had seen his first cousin in Kensington.) “This type has whiskers and no coloring. Its lack of color suggests that it spends its days hidden away in the trees. The question we must face is whether it is closer to an ape or a man. If it is closer to a man, it may be close to what ordinary people have called the ‘missing link.’ Our immediate duty is to solve this problem.”

"It is nothing of the sort," said Summerlee, abruptly. "Now that, through the intelligence and activity of Mr. Malone" (I cannot help quoting the words), "we have got our chart, our one and only immediate duty is to get ourselves safe and sound out of this awful place."

"That's not true at all," Summerlee said abruptly. "Thanks to the intelligence and energy of Mr. Malone, we now have our map." (I can't help quoting his words.) "Our one immediate duty is to get out of this awful place safe and sound."

"The flesh-pots of civilization," groaned Challenger.

"The comforts of civilization," groaned Challenger.

"The ink-pots of civilization, sir. It is our task to put on record what we have seen, and to leave the further exploration to others. You all agreed as much before Mr. Malone got us the chart."

"The ink-pots of civilization, sir. Our job is to record what we have seen and leave further exploration to others. You all agreed to that before Mr. Malone got us the chart."

"Well," said Challenger, "I admit that my mind will be more at ease when I am assured that the result of our expedition has been conveyed to our friends. How we are to get down from this place I have not as yet an idea. I have never yet encountered any problem, however, which my inventive brain was unable to solve, and I promise you that to-morrow I will turn my attention to the question of our descent." And so the matter was allowed to rest.

"Well," said Challenger, "I admit I will feel more at ease once I know our friends have heard the results of our expedition. I have no idea yet how we will get down from this place. But I have never encountered a problem that my inventive brain could not solve. I promise you that tomorrow I will turn my attention to getting us down." And so the matter was left there.

But that evening, by the light of the fire and of a single candle, the first map of the lost world was elaborated. Every detail which I had roughly noted from my watch-tower was drawn out in its relative place. Challenger's pencil hovered over the great blank which marked the lake.

But that evening, by the light of the fire and a single candle, the first map of the lost world was drawn. Every detail I had roughly noted from my watchtower was placed in its proper position. Challenger's pencil hovered over the large blank space that marked the lake.

"What shall we call it?" he asked.

"What should we call it?" he asked.

"Why should you not take the chance of perpetuating your own name?" said Summerlee, with his usual touch of acidity.

"Why not take the chance to make your own name live on?" said Summerlee, with his usual hint of bitterness.

"I trust, sir, that my name will have other and more personal claims upon posterity," said Challenger, severely. "Any ignoramus can hand down his worthless memory by imposing it upon a mountain or a river. I need no such monument."

"I hope, sir, that future generations will remember my name for other, more personal reasons," said Challenger sternly. "Any fool can preserve his worthless memory by naming a mountain or a river after himself. I need no such monument."

Summerlee, with a twisted smile, was about to make some fresh assault when Lord John hastened to intervene.

Summerlee smiled wryly and was about to launch another attack when Lord John quickly stepped in.

"It's up to you, young fellah, to name the lake," said he. "You saw it first, and, by George, if you choose to put 'Lake Malone' on it, no one has a better right."

"It's up to you to name the lake, young fellow," he said. "You saw it first, and, by George, if you choose to call it 'Lake Malone,' no one has a better right."

"By all means. Let our young friend give it a name," said Challenger.

"Of course. Let our young friend name it," said Challenger.

"Then," said I, blushing, I dare say, as I said it, "let it be named Lake Gladys."

"Then," I said, probably blushing as I spoke, "let's name it Lake Gladys."

"Don't you think the Central Lake would be more descriptive?" remarked Summerlee.

"Don't you think the Central Lake would be more descriptive?" asked Summerlee.

"I should prefer Lake Gladys."

"I'd prefer Lake Gladys."

Challenger looked at me sympathetically, and shook his great head in mock disapproval. "Boys will be boys," said he. "Lake Gladys let it be."

Challenger looked at me sympathetically and shook his great head in mock disapproval. "Boys will be boys," he said. "Let it be Lake Gladys."