"Those Were the Real Conquests"

We had imagined that our pursuers, the ape-men, knew nothing of our brush-wood hiding-place, but we were soon to find out our mistake. There was no sound in the woods—not a leaf moved upon the trees, and all was peace around us—but we should have been warned by our first experience how cunningly and how patiently these creatures can watch and wait until their chance comes. Whatever fate may be mine through life, I am very sure that I shall never be nearer death than I was that morning. But I will tell you the thing in its due order.

We thought our pursuers, the ape-men, knew nothing about our hiding place in the brush, but we soon discovered our mistake. There was no sound in the woods. Not a leaf moved on the trees, and all was peaceful around us. But our first encounter should have warned us how cunningly and patiently these creatures can watch and wait for their chance. Whatever happens to me in life, I am sure I will never come closer to death than I did that morning. But I will tell the story in order.

We all awoke exhausted after the terrific emotions and scanty food of yesterday. Summerlee was still so weak that it was an effort for him to stand; but the old man was full of a sort of surly courage which would never admit defeat. A council was held, and it was agreed that we should wait quietly for an hour or two where we were, have our much-needed breakfast, and then make our way across the plateau and round the central lake to the caves where my observations had shown that the Indians lived. We relied upon the fact that we could count upon the good word of those whom we had rescued to ensure a warm welcome from their fellows. Then, with our mission accomplished and possessing a fuller knowledge of the secrets of Maple White Land, we should turn our whole thoughts to the vital problem of our escape and return. Even Challenger was ready to admit that we should then have done all for which we had come, and that our first duty from that time onwards was to carry back to civilization the amazing discoveries we had made.

We all woke up exhausted after yesterday’s intense emotions and meager food. Summerlee was still so weak that he could barely stand. But the old man had a kind of gruff courage that would never admit defeat. We held a council and agreed to wait quietly where we were for an hour or two. We would eat our much-needed breakfast, then cross the plateau and go around the central lake. There we would reach the caves where my observations had shown that the Indians lived. We trusted that those we had rescued would speak well of us and ensure a warm welcome from their people. Then, with our mission accomplished and a fuller knowledge of the secrets of Maple White Land, we would focus entirely on the vital problem of escaping and returning home. Even Challenger was ready to admit that we would have done everything we had come to do. From then on, our first duty would be to carry our amazing discoveries back to civilization.

We were able now to take a more leisurely view of the Indians whom we had rescued. They were small men, wiry, active, and well-built, with lank black hair tied up in a bunch behind their heads with a leathern thong, and leathern also were their loin-clothes. Their faces were hairless, well formed, and good-humored. The lobes of their ears, hanging ragged and bloody, showed that they had been pierced for some ornaments which their captors had torn out. Their speech, though unintelligible to us, was fluent among themselves, and as they pointed to each other and uttered the word "Accala" many times over, we gathered that this was the name of the nation. Occasionally, with faces which were convulsed with fear and hatred, they shook their clenched hands at the woods round and cried: "Doda! Doda!" which was surely their term for their enemies.

We could now take a more leisurely look at the Indians we had rescued. They were small, wiry, active, and well-built men. Their straight black hair was tied in a bunch behind their heads with a leather thong. Their loincloths were also made of leather. Their faces were hairless, well formed, and good-humored. Their earlobes hung ragged and bloody, showing where their captors had torn out ornaments. We could not understand their speech, though they spoke fluently among themselves. They pointed to one another and repeated the word "Accala", so we understood it to be the name of their nation. From time to time, their faces twisted with fear and hatred. They shook their clenched fists at the surrounding woods and cried: "Doda! Doda!" This was surely their word for their enemies.

"What do you make of them, Challenger?" asked Lord John. "One thing is very clear to me, and that is that the little chap with the front of his head shaved is a chief among them."

"What do you make of them, Challenger?" asked Lord John. "One thing is clear to me. The little fellow with the front of his head shaved is a chief among them."

It was indeed evident that this man stood apart from the others, and that they never ventured to address him without every sign of deep respect. He seemed to be the youngest of them all, and yet, so proud and high was his spirit that, upon Challenger laying his great hand upon his head, he started like a spurred horse and, with a quick flash of his dark eyes, moved further away from the Professor. Then, placing his hand upon his breast and holding himself with great dignity, he uttered the word "Maretas" several times. The Professor, unabashed, seized the nearest Indian by the shoulder and proceeded to lecture upon him as if he were a potted specimen in a class-room.

It was clear that this man stood apart from the others. They never dared address him without showing him deep respect. He seemed to be the youngest of them all. Yet he was so proud and spirited that he startled like a spurred horse when Challenger laid his great hand on his head. With a quick flash of his dark eyes, he moved away from the Professor. Then he placed his hand on his chest and, holding himself with great dignity, said "Maretas" several times. The Professor, undeterred, seized the nearest Indian by the shoulder. He proceeded to lecture on him as if he were a potted specimen in a classroom.

"The type of these people," said he in his sonorous fashion, "whether judged by cranial capacity, facial angle, or any other test, cannot be regarded as a low one; on the contrary, we must place it as considerably higher in the scale than many South American tribes which I can mention. On no possible supposition can we explain the evolution of such a race in this place. For that matter, so great a gap separates these ape-men from the primitive animals which have survived upon this plateau, that it is inadmissible to think that they could have developed where we find them."

"These people," he said in his resonant voice, "cannot be ranked low, whether judged by skull capacity, facial angle, or any other test. On the contrary, we must rank them considerably higher than many South American tribes I could name. There is no possible explanation for how such a race could have evolved here. Moreover, a vast gap separates these ape-men from the primitive animals that have survived on this plateau. It is impossible to think that they could have developed where we find them."

"Then where the dooce did they drop from?" asked Lord John.

"Then where on earth did they drop from?" asked Lord John.

"A question which will, no doubt, be eagerly discussed in every scientific society in Europe and America," the Professor answered. "My own reading of the situation for what it is worth—" he inflated his chest enormously and looked insolently around him at the words—"is that evolution has advanced under the peculiar conditions of this country up to the vertebrate stage, the old types surviving and living on in company with the newer ones. Thus we find such modern creatures as the tapir—an animal with quite a respectable length of pedigree—the great deer, and the ant-eater in the companionship of reptilian forms of jurassic type. So much is clear. And now come the ape-men and the Indian. What is the scientific mind to think of their presence? I can only account for it by an invasion from outside. It is probable that there existed an anthropoid ape in South America, who in past ages found his way to this place, and that he developed into the creatures we have seen, some of which"—here he looked hard at me—"were of an appearance and shape which, if it had been accompanied by corresponding intelligence, would, I do not hesitate to say, have reflected credit upon any living race. As to the Indians I cannot doubt that they are more recent immigrants from below. Under the stress of famine or of conquest they have made their way up here. Faced by ferocious creatures which they had never before seen, they took refuge in the caves which our young friend has described, but they have no doubt had a bitter fight to hold their own against wild beasts, and especially against the ape-men who would regard them as intruders, and wage a merciless war upon them with a cunning which the larger beasts would lack. Hence the fact that their numbers appear to be limited. Well, gentlemen, have I read you the riddle aright, or is there any point which you would query?"

“A question that scientific societies across Europe and America will no doubt discuss eagerly,” the Professor answered. “My own interpretation of the situation, for what it is worth,” he puffed out his chest enormously and looked insolently around him, “is that evolution has progressed to the vertebrate stage under the unusual conditions of this country. The old types have survived and live alongside the newer ones. So we find modern creatures such as the tapir, an animal with a quite respectable ancestry, the great deer, and the ant-eater living alongside Jurassic reptiles. That much is clear. “Now we come to the ape-men and the Indian. What is the scientific mind to make of their presence? I can explain it only as an invasion from outside. An anthropoid ape probably once existed in South America. In ages past, it found its way here and developed into the creatures we have seen. Some of them,” he looked hard at me, “had an appearance and build that, if matched by intelligence, would, I do not hesitate to say, have been a credit to any living race. “As for the Indians, I have no doubt that they came more recently from below. Driven by famine or conquest, they made their way up here. Faced with ferocious creatures they had never seen before, they took refuge in the caves our young friend described. But they have no doubt fought a bitter battle to survive against wild beasts, especially the ape-men. The ape-men would see them as intruders and wage a merciless war against them, with a cunning the larger beasts would lack. That is why their numbers appear to be small. “Well, gentlemen, have I solved the riddle correctly, or is there any point you would question?”

Professor Summerlee for once was too depressed to argue, though he shook his head violently as a token of general disagreement. Lord John merely scratched his scanty locks with the remark that he couldn't put up a fight as he wasn't in the same weight or class. For my own part I performed my usual role of bringing things down to a strictly prosaic and practical level by the remark that one of the Indians was missing.

For once, Professor Summerlee was too depressed to argue. Still, he shook his head vigorously to show his general disagreement. Lord John simply scratched his thinning hair. He said he couldn't put up a fight because he wasn't in the same weight or class. As usual, I brought things down to a strictly practical, everyday level. I pointed out that one of the Indians was missing.

"He has gone to fetch some water," said Lord Roxton. "We fitted him up with an empty beef tin and he is off."

"He has gone to get some water," said Lord Roxton. "We gave him an empty beef tin, and he went off."

"To the old camp?" I asked.

"To the old camp?" I asked.

"No, to the brook. It's among the trees there. It can't be more than a couple of hundred yards. But the beggar is certainly taking his time."

"No, to the stream. It's among the trees there. It can't be more than a couple of hundred yards away. But the fellow is certainly taking his time."

"I'll go and look after him," said I. I picked up my rifle and strolled in the direction of the brook, leaving my friends to lay out the scanty breakfast. It may seem to you rash that even for so short a distance I should quit the shelter of our friendly thicket, but you will remember that we were many miles from Ape-town, that so far as we knew the creatures had not discovered our retreat, and that in any case with a rifle in my hands I had no fear of them. I had not yet learned their cunning or their strength.

"I'll go and look after him," I said. I picked up my rifle and walked toward the brook, leaving my friends to lay out our meager breakfast. It may seem reckless to leave the shelter of our protective thicket, even for such a short distance. But remember that we were many miles from Ape-town. As far as we knew, the creatures had not discovered our hiding place. In any case, with a rifle in my hands, I had no fear of them. I had not yet learned how cunning or strong they were.

I could hear the murmur of our brook somewhere ahead of me, but there was a tangle of trees and brushwood between me and it. I was making my way through this at a point which was just out of sight of my companions, when, under one of the trees, I noticed something red huddled among the bushes. As I approached it, I was shocked to see that it was the dead body of the missing Indian. He lay upon his side, his limbs drawn up, and his head screwed round at a most unnatural angle, so that he seemed to be looking straight over his own shoulder. I gave a cry to warn my friends that something was amiss, and running forwards I stooped over the body. Surely my guardian angel was very near me then, for some instinct of fear, or it may have been some faint rustle of leaves, made me glance upwards. Out of the thick green foliage which hung low over my head, two long muscular arms covered with reddish hair were slowly descending. Another instant and the great stealthy hands would have been round my throat. I sprang backwards, but quick as I was, those hands were quicker still. Through my sudden spring they missed a fatal grip, but one of them caught the back of my neck and the other one my face. I threw my hands up to protect my throat, and the next moment the huge paw had slid down my face and closed over them. I was lifted lightly from the ground, and I felt an intolerable pressure forcing my head back and back until the strain upon the cervical spine was more than I could bear. My senses swam, but I still tore at the hand and forced it out from my chin. Looking up I saw a frightful face with cold inexorable light blue eyes looking down into mine. There was something hypnotic in those terrible eyes. I could struggle no longer. As the creature felt me grow limp in his grasp, two white canines gleamed for a moment at each side of the vile mouth, and the grip tightened still more upon my chin, forcing it always upwards and back. A thin, oval-tinted mist formed before my eyes and little silvery bells tinkled in my ears. Dully and far off I heard the crack of a rifle and was feebly aware of the shock as I was dropped to the earth, where I lay without sense or motion.

I could hear the murmur of our brook somewhere ahead, but tangled trees and brush lay between us. I was making my way through them, just out of my companions’ sight. Then I noticed something red, huddled among the bushes under a tree. As I approached, I was shocked to see the dead body of the missing Indian. He lay on his side, his limbs drawn up. His head was twisted at a horribly unnatural angle, so that he seemed to be looking straight over his shoulder. I cried out to warn my friends that something was wrong, then ran forward and bent over the body. Surely my guardian angel was very close to me then. Some instinct of fear, or perhaps a faint rustle of leaves, made me glance up. Two long, muscular arms covered in reddish hair were slowly descending from the thick green foliage above my head. Another instant and the great, stealthy hands would have been around my throat. I sprang back, but quick as I was, those hands were quicker still. My sudden leap kept them from getting a fatal grip. But one caught the back of my neck and the other caught my face. I threw up my hands to protect my throat. The next moment, the huge paw slid down my face and closed over them. I was lifted easily off the ground. I felt unbearable pressure forcing my head farther and farther back. At last the strain on my neck was more than I could bear. My senses reeled, but I kept tearing at the hand and forced it away from my chin. Looking up, I saw a frightful face with cold, merciless light blue eyes staring down into mine. There was something hypnotic about those terrible eyes. I could struggle no longer. As the creature felt me go limp in his grasp, two white canine teeth gleamed at the corners of his vile mouth. His grip tightened still more on my chin, forcing it upward and back. A thin, oval-tinted mist formed before my eyes, and little silver bells tinkled in my ears. Faintly, as if from far away, I heard a rifle crack. I was dimly aware of the impact as I was dropped to the ground. There I lay, unconscious and motionless.

I awoke to find myself on my back upon the grass in our lair within the thicket. Someone had brought the water from the brook, and Lord John was sprinkling my head with it, while Challenger and Summerlee were propping me up, with concern in their faces. For a moment I had a glimpse of the human spirits behind their scientific masks. It was really shock, rather than any injury, which had prostrated me, and in half-an-hour, in spite of aching head and stiff neck, I was sitting up and ready for anything.

I woke to find myself lying on my back on the grass in our hiding place in the thicket. Someone had brought water from the brook, and Lord John was sprinkling it on my head. Challenger and Summerlee were holding me up, with concern on their faces. For a moment, I glimpsed the human beings behind their scientific masks. It was shock, rather than injury, that had brought me down. Half an hour later, despite an aching head and stiff neck, I was sitting up and ready for anything.

"But you've had the escape of your life, young fellah my lad," said Lord Roxton. "When I heard your cry and ran forward, and saw your head twisted half-off and your stohwassers kickin' in the air, I thought we were one short. I missed the beast in my flurry, but he dropped you all right and was off like a streak. By George! I wish I had fifty men with rifles. I'd clear out the whole infernal gang of them and leave this country a bit cleaner than we found it."

"But you had the escape of your life, young fellow," said Lord Roxton. "I heard you cry out and ran forward. Your head was twisted half off, and your boots were kicking in the air. I thought we'd lost you. I missed the beast in my panic, but he dropped you and ran off like a flash. By George! I wish I had fifty men with rifles. I'd wipe out the whole infernal gang and leave this country a bit cleaner than we found it."

It was clear now that the ape-men had in some way marked us down, and that we were watched on every side. We had not so much to fear from them during the day, but they would be very likely to rush us by night; so the sooner we got away from their neighborhood the better. On three sides of us was absolute forest, and there we might find ourselves in an ambush. But on the fourth side—that which sloped down in the direction of the lake—there was only low scrub, with scattered trees and occasional open glades. It was, in fact, the route which I had myself taken in my solitary journey, and it led us straight for the Indian caves. This then must for every reason be our road.

It was clear now that the ape-men had somehow targeted us and were watching us from every side. We had less to fear from them during the day, but they would very likely attack us at night. So the sooner we got away from their neighborhood, the better. Dense forest surrounded us on three sides, and we might be ambushed there. But the fourth side sloped down toward the lake. There, we could see only low scrub, scattered trees, and occasional open clearings. In fact, it was the route I had taken on my solo journey, and it led straight to the Indian caves. For every reason, then, we had to take that route.

One great regret we had, and that was to leave our old camp behind us, not only for the sake of the stores which remained there, but even more because we were losing touch with Zambo, our link with the outside world. However, we had a fair supply of cartridges and all our guns, so, for a time at least, we could look after ourselves, and we hoped soon to have a chance of returning and restoring our communications with our negro. He had faithfully promised to stay where he was, and we had not a doubt that he would be as good as his word.

We had one great regret: leaving our old camp behind. It was not just because of the supplies still there. Even more, we regretted losing contact with Zambo, our link to the outside world. However, we had a good supply of cartridges and all our guns. So, at least for a while, we could look after ourselves. We hoped to have a chance to return soon and restore communication with our Black companion. He had faithfully promised to stay where he was, and we had no doubt he would keep his word.

It was in the early afternoon that we started upon our journey. The young chief walked at our head as our guide, but refused indignantly to carry any burden. Behind him came the two surviving Indians with our scanty possessions upon their backs. We four white men walked in the rear with rifles loaded and ready. As we started there broke from the thick silent woods behind us a sudden great ululation of the ape-men, which may have been a cheer of triumph at our departure or a jeer of contempt at our flight. Looking back we saw only the dense screen of trees, but that long-drawn yell told us how many of our enemies lurked among them. We saw no sign of pursuit, however, and soon we had got into more open country and beyond their power.

We set out on our journey in the early afternoon. The young chief led us as our guide, but indignantly refused to carry anything. Behind him came the two surviving Indians, carrying our few possessions on their backs. We four white men walked at the rear, our rifles loaded and ready. As we set out, a loud, sudden howl of ape-men came from the thick, silent woods behind us. It may have been a cheer of triumph at our departure or a jeer of contempt at our flight. Looking back, we saw only a dense screen of trees. But the long, drawn-out yell told us how many of our enemies were hiding among them. We saw no sign of pursuit, however. Soon we reached more open country, beyond their power.

As I tramped along, the rearmost of the four, I could not help smiling at the appearance of my three companions in front. Was this the luxurious Lord John Roxton who had sat that evening in the Albany amidst his Persian rugs and his pictures in the pink radiance of the tinted lights? And was this the imposing Professor who had swelled behind the great desk in his massive study at Enmore Park? And, finally, could this be the austere and prim figure which had risen before the meeting at the Zoological Institute? No three tramps that one could have met in a Surrey lane could have looked more hopeless and bedraggled. We had, it is true, been only a week or so upon the top of the plateau, but all our spare clothing was in our camp below, and the one week had been a severe one upon us all, though least to me who had not to endure the handling of the ape-men. My three friends had all lost their hats, and had now bound handkerchiefs round their heads, their clothes hung in ribbons about them, and their unshaven grimy faces were hardly to be recognized. Both Summerlee and Challenger were limping heavily, while I still dragged my feet from weakness after the shock of the morning, and my neck was as stiff as a board from the murderous grip that held it. We were indeed a sorry crew, and I did not wonder to see our Indian companions glance back at us occasionally with horror and amazement on their faces.

As I trudged along at the back of our group of four, I could not help smiling at my three companions. Was this the luxurious Lord John Roxton who had sat that evening in the Albany? He had been surrounded by Persian rugs and pictures, bathed in the pink glow of tinted lights. And was this the imposing Professor who had filled the space behind the great desk in his massive study at Enmore Park? Finally, could this be the stern, prim figure who had risen to speak at the meeting at the Zoological Institute? No three tramps one might meet in a Surrey lane could have looked more hopeless and bedraggled. It was true that we had been on top of the plateau for only a week or so. But all our spare clothing was in our camp below, and the week had been hard on us all. It had been least hard on me, though, because I had not suffered at the hands of the ape-men. All three of my friends had lost their hats and tied handkerchiefs around their heads. Their clothes hung in ribbons, and their unshaven, grimy faces were hardly recognizable. Both Summerlee and Challenger were limping badly. I was still dragging my feet, weak from the shock of that morning. My neck was as stiff as a board from the murderous grip that had held it. We were indeed a sorry crew. I was not surprised when our Indian companions occasionally looked back at us with horror and amazement on their faces.

In the late afternoon we reached the margin of the lake, and as we emerged from the bush and saw the sheet of water stretching before us our native friends set up a shrill cry of joy and pointed eagerly in front of them. It was indeed a wonderful sight which lay before us. Sweeping over the glassy surface was a great flotilla of canoes coming straight for the shore upon which we stood. They were some miles out when we first saw them, but they shot forward with great swiftness, and were soon so near that the rowers could distinguish our persons. Instantly a thunderous shout of delight burst from them, and we saw them rise from their seats, waving their paddles and spears madly in the air. Then bending to their work once more, they flew across the intervening water, beached their boats upon the sloping sand, and rushed up to us, prostrating themselves with loud cries of greeting before the young chief. Finally one of them, an elderly man, with a necklace and bracelet of great lustrous glass beads and the skin of some beautiful mottled amber-colored animal slung over his shoulders, ran forward and embraced most tenderly the youth whom we had saved. He then looked at us and asked some questions, after which he stepped up with much dignity and embraced us also each in turn. Then, at his order, the whole tribe lay down upon the ground before us in homage. Personally I felt shy and uncomfortable at this obsequious adoration, and I read the same feeling in the faces of Roxton and Summerlee, but Challenger expanded like a flower in the sun.

Late in the afternoon, we reached the edge of the lake. As we came out of the brush, we saw the water stretching before us. Our native friends gave a shrill cry of joy and pointed eagerly ahead. It was a wonderful sight. A great fleet of canoes was sweeping across the glassy water, heading straight for the shore where we stood. The canoes were several miles out when we first saw them, but they moved swiftly. Soon they were close enough for the rowers to recognize us. At once, a thunderous shout of delight rose from them. They stood up, waving their paddles and spears wildly in the air. Then they bent to their work again and flew across the remaining water. They beached their canoes on the sloping sand and rushed up to us. They threw themselves down before the young chief, shouting their greetings. At last, an elderly man ran forward and embraced the young man we had saved with great tenderness. He wore a necklace and bracelet of large, shining glass beads. The skin of a beautiful mottled, amber-colored animal was draped over his shoulders. He looked at us and asked some questions. Then he stepped forward with great dignity and embraced each of us in turn. At his command, the whole tribe lay down on the ground before us in homage. I felt shy and uncomfortable at this worshipful display, and I could see that Roxton and Summerlee felt the same. But Challenger opened up like a flower in the sun.

"They may be undeveloped types," said he, stroking his beard and looking round at them, "but their deportment in the presence of their superiors might be a lesson to some of our more advanced Europeans. Strange how correct are the instincts of the natural man!"

"They may be less developed," he said, stroking his beard and looking around at them. "But the way they behave in the presence of their superiors could teach some of our more advanced Europeans a lesson. How strange that the instincts of natural man are so sound!"

It was clear that the natives had come out upon the war-path, for every man carried his spear—a long bamboo tipped with bone—his bow and arrows, and some sort of club or stone battle-axe slung at his side. Their dark, angry glances at the woods from which we had come, and the frequent repetition of the word "Doda," made it clear enough that this was a rescue party who had set forth to save or revenge the old chief's son, for such we gathered that the youth must be. A council was now held by the whole tribe squatting in a circle, whilst we sat near on a slab of basalt and watched their proceedings. Two or three warriors spoke, and finally our young friend made a spirited harangue with such eloquent features and gestures that we could understand it all as clearly as if we had known his language.

It was clear that the natives had come out ready for war. Every man carried a spear made of long bamboo tipped with bone, a bow and arrows, and a club or stone battle-axe slung at his side. They cast dark, angry glances at the woods we had come from and repeatedly said "Doda." It was clear enough that they were a rescue party, sent to save or avenge the old chief's son. We gathered that the young man must be his son. The whole tribe now held a council, squatting in a circle. We sat nearby on a slab of basalt and watched them. Two or three warriors spoke, and finally our young friend gave a passionate speech. His expressions and gestures were so clear that we could understand it all as if we had known his language.

"What is the use of returning?" he said. "Sooner or later the thing must be done. Your comrades have been murdered. What if I have returned safe? These others have been done to death. There is no safety for any of us. We are assembled now and ready." Then he pointed to us. "These strange men are our friends. They are great fighters, and they hate the ape-men even as we do. They command," here he pointed up to heaven, "the thunder and the lightning. When shall we have such a chance again? Let us go forward, and either die now or live for the future in safety. How else shall we go back unashamed to our women?"

"What is the point of going back?" he said. "Sooner or later we must do this. Your comrades have been murdered. What does it matter if I returned safely? The others have been killed. None of us is safe. We are all here now and ready." Then he pointed to us. "These strange men are our friends. They are great fighters, and they hate the ape-men just as we do." Here he pointed up to the sky. "They command thunder and lightning. When will we have another chance like this? Let us go forward. We will either die now or live safely in the future. How else can we go back to our women without shame?"

The little red warriors hung upon the words of the speaker, and when he had finished they burst into a roar of applause, waving their rude weapons in the air. The old chief stepped forward to us, and asked us some questions, pointing at the same time to the woods. Lord John made a sign to him that he should wait for an answer and then he turned to us.

The small red warriors listened eagerly to the speaker. When he finished, they burst into a roar of applause, waving their crude weapons in the air. The old chief stepped forward and asked us some questions, pointing toward the woods as he spoke. Lord John signaled for him to wait for an answer, then turned to us.

"Well, it's up to you to say what you will do," said he; "for my part I have a score to settle with these monkey-folk, and if it ends by wiping them off the face of the earth I don't see that the earth need fret about it. I'm goin' with our little red pals and I mean to see them through the scrap. What do you say, young fellah?"

"Well, it's up to you to decide what you'll do," he said. "As for me, I have a score to settle with these monkey-folk. If it ends with wiping them off the face of the earth, I don't think the earth will mind. I'm going with our little red pals, and I mean to see them through the fight. What do you say, young fellow?"

"Of course I will come."

"Of course I'll come."

"And you, Challenger?"

"And you, Challenger?"

"I will assuredly co-operate."

"I will certainly cooperate."

"And you, Summerlee?"

"And you, Summerlee?"

"We seem to be drifting very far from the object of this expedition, Lord John. I assure you that I little thought when I left my professional chair in London that it was for the purpose of heading a raid of savages upon a colony of anthropoid apes."

"We seem to be straying far from the purpose of this expedition, Lord John. When I left my professorship in London, I certainly never expected to lead a raid by savages on a colony of apes."

"To such base uses do we come," said Lord John, smiling. "But we are up against it, so what's the decision?"

"We've come down to doing humble work," said Lord John, smiling. "But we're in a tight spot, so what's the decision?"

"It seems a most questionable step," said Summerlee, argumentative to the last, "but if you are all going, I hardly see how I can remain behind."

"This seems like a very questionable move," said Summerlee, still arguing to the end. "But if you are all going, I hardly see how I can stay behind."

"Then it is settled," said Lord John, and turning to the chief he nodded and slapped his rifle.

"Then it's settled," said Lord John. He turned to the chief, nodded, and slapped his rifle.

The old fellow clasped our hands, each in turn, while his men cheered louder than ever. It was too late to advance that night, so the Indians settled down into a rude bivouac. On all sides their fires began to glimmer and smoke. Some of them who had disappeared into the jungle came back presently driving a young iguanodon before them. Like the others, it had a daub of asphalt upon its shoulder, and it was only when we saw one of the natives step forward with the air of an owner and give his consent to the beast's slaughter that we understood at last that these great creatures were as much private property as a herd of cattle, and that these symbols which had so perplexed us were nothing more than the marks of the owner. Helpless, torpid, and vegetarian, with great limbs but a minute brain, they could be rounded up and driven by a child. In a few minutes the huge beast had been cut up and slabs of him were hanging over a dozen camp fires, together with great scaly ganoid fish which had been speared in the lake.

The old man clasped each of our hands in turn, while his men cheered louder than ever. It was too late to move on that night, so the Indians settled into a rough camp. All around us, their fires began to glow and smoke. Some who had gone into the jungle soon returned, driving a young iguanodon before them. Like the others, it had a smear of asphalt on its shoulder. One of the natives stepped forward like an owner and gave permission for the animal to be killed. Only then did we understand that these great creatures were private property, just like a herd of cattle. The symbols that had puzzled us so much were simply their owners’ marks. Helpless, sluggish, and vegetarian, with huge limbs but tiny brains, the creatures could be rounded up and driven by a child. Within minutes, the huge animal had been cut up. Slabs of its meat hung over a dozen campfires, alongside great scaly ganoid fish that had been speared in the lake.

Summerlee had lain down and slept upon the sand, but we others roamed round the edge of the water, seeking to learn something more of this strange country. Twice we found pits of blue clay, such as we had already seen in the swamp of the pterodactyls. These were old volcanic vents, and for some reason excited the greatest interest in Lord John. What attracted Challenger, on the other hand, was a bubbling, gurgling mud geyser, where some strange gas formed great bursting bubbles upon the surface. He thrust a hollow reed into it and cried out with delight like a schoolboy then he was able, on touching it with a lighted match, to cause a sharp explosion and a blue flame at the far end of the tube. Still more pleased was he when, inverting a leathern pouch over the end of the reed, and so filling it with the gas, he was able to send it soaring up into the air.

Summerlee had lain down and fallen asleep on the sand. The rest of us wandered along the water’s edge, hoping to learn more about this strange country. Twice we found pits of blue clay, like those we had seen in the pterodactyl swamp. These were old volcanic vents, and for some reason they fascinated Lord John. Challenger, on the other hand, was drawn to a bubbling, gurgling mud geyser. There, a strange gas formed large bubbles that burst on the surface. He pushed a hollow reed into the geyser. Then he touched a lit match to it, causing a sharp explosion and a blue flame at the far end of the reed. He cried out with delight like a schoolboy. He was even more pleased when he turned a leather pouch over the end of the reed and filled it with gas. He was able to send the pouch soaring into the air.

"An inflammable gas, and one markedly lighter than the atmosphere. I should say beyond doubt that it contained a considerable proportion of free hydrogen. The resources of G. E. C. are not yet exhausted, my young friend. I may yet show you how a great mind molds all Nature to its use." He swelled with some secret purpose, but would say no more.

“A flammable gas, and much lighter than air. I have no doubt that it contained a large amount of free hydrogen. G. E. C. has not yet exhausted his resources, my young friend. I may yet show you how a great mind can bend all of Nature to its use.” He swelled with some secret purpose, but would say no more.

There was nothing which we could see upon the shore which seemed to me so wonderful as the great sheet of water before us. Our numbers and our noise had frightened all living creatures away, and save for a few pterodactyls, which soared round high above our heads while they waited for the carrion, all was still around the camp. But it was different out upon the rose-tinted waters of the central lake. It boiled and heaved with strange life. Great slate-colored backs and high serrated dorsal fins shot up with a fringe of silver, and then rolled down into the depths again. The sand-banks far out were spotted with uncouth crawling forms, huge turtles, strange saurians, and one great flat creature like a writhing, palpitating mat of black greasy leather, which flopped its way slowly to the lake. Here and there high serpent heads projected out of the water, cutting swiftly through it with a little collar of foam in front, and a long swirling wake behind, rising and falling in graceful, swan-like undulations as they went. It was not until one of these creatures wriggled on to a sand-bank within a few hundred yards of us, and exposed a barrel-shaped body and huge flippers behind the long serpent neck, that Challenger, and Summerlee, who had joined us, broke out into their duet of wonder and admiration.

Nothing we could see on the shore seemed as wonderful to me as the great expanse of water before us. Our numbers and noise had frightened all the living creatures away. All was still around the camp, except for a few pterodactyls soaring high above us as they waited for carrion. But the rose-colored waters of the central lake were different. They boiled and churned with strange life. Great slate-colored backs and high, jagged dorsal fins shot up in sprays of silver, then rolled back into the depths. Far out, the sandbanks were dotted with awkward crawling creatures. There were huge turtles, strange saurians, and one great flat creature like a writhing, throbbing mat of greasy black leather. It flopped slowly toward the lake. Here and there, serpent heads rose high out of the water. They cut swiftly through it, with a small collar of foam in front and a long, swirling wake behind. As they went, they rose and fell in graceful, swanlike waves. Then one of the creatures wriggled onto a sandbank within a few hundred yards of us. Behind its long serpent neck, it revealed a barrel-shaped body and huge flippers. Only then did Challenger and Summerlee, who had joined us, burst into a duet of wonder and admiration.

"Plesiosaurus! A fresh-water plesiosaurus!" cried Summerlee. "That I should have lived to see such a sight! We are blessed, my dear Challenger, above all zoologists since the world began!"

"Plesiosaurus! A freshwater plesiosaurus!" cried Summerlee. "I can't believe I've lived to see this! My dear Challenger, we are more fortunate than any zoologists since the world began!"

It was not until the night had fallen, and the fires of our savage allies glowed red in the shadows, that our two men of science could be dragged away from the fascinations of that primeval lake. Even in the darkness as we lay upon the strand, we heard from time to time the snort and plunge of the huge creatures who lived therein.

Night had fallen, and the fires of our savage allies glowed red in the shadows. Only then could our two scientists be dragged away from the fascinating ancient lake. Even in the darkness, as we lay on the shore, we sometimes heard the huge creatures in the lake snorting and plunging.

At earliest dawn our camp was astir and an hour later we had started upon our memorable expedition. Often in my dreams have I thought that I might live to be a war correspondent. In what wildest one could I have conceived the nature of the campaign which it should be my lot to report! Here then is my first despatch from a field of battle:

Our camp was awake at first light. An hour later, we set out on our memorable expedition. I had often dreamed that I might live to become a war correspondent. But even in my wildest dreams, how could I have imagined the campaign I would be reporting on? Here, then, is my first dispatch from a battlefield:

Our numbers had been reinforced during the night by a fresh batch of natives from the caves, and we may have been four or five hundred strong when we made our advance. A fringe of scouts was thrown out in front, and behind them the whole force in a solid column made their way up the long slope of the bush country until we were near the edge of the forest. Here they spread out into a long straggling line of spearmen and bowmen. Roxton and Summerlee took their position upon the right flank, while Challenger and I were on the left. It was a host of the stone age that we were accompanying to battle—we with the last word of the gunsmith's art from St. James' Street and the Strand.

During the night, another group of natives from the caves joined us. We may have been four or five hundred strong when we advanced. Scouts went ahead, and the whole force followed in a solid column. We climbed the long slope through the bush country until we neared the edge of the forest. There, the spearmen and bowmen spread out into a long, ragged line. Roxton and Summerlee took their positions on the right flank, while Challenger and I took the left. We were accompanying a Stone Age army into battle, while carrying the latest guns from St. James' Street and the Strand.

We had not long to wait for our enemy. A wild shrill clamor rose from the edge of the wood and suddenly a body of ape-men rushed out with clubs and stones, and made for the center of the Indian line. It was a valiant move but a foolish one, for the great bandy-legged creatures were slow of foot, while their opponents were as active as cats. It was horrible to see the fierce brutes with foaming mouths and glaring eyes, rushing and grasping, but forever missing their elusive enemies, while arrow after arrow buried itself in their hides. One great fellow ran past me roaring with pain, with a dozen darts sticking from his chest and ribs. In mercy I put a bullet through his skull, and he fell sprawling among the aloes. But this was the only shot fired, for the attack had been on the center of the line, and the Indians there had needed no help of ours in repulsing it. Of all the ape-men who had rushed out into the open, I do not think that one got back to cover.

We did not have long to wait for our enemy. A wild, shrill uproar rose from the edge of the woods. Suddenly, a group of ape-men rushed out with clubs and stones and headed for the center of the Indian line. It was a brave move, but a foolish one. The huge, bowlegged creatures were slow on their feet, while their opponents were as agile as cats. It was horrible to see the fierce brutes rushing and grabbing with foaming mouths and glaring eyes. They kept missing their elusive enemies, while arrow after arrow sank into their hides. One huge fellow ran past me, roaring with pain, with a dozen darts sticking out of his chest and ribs. Out of mercy, I put a bullet through his skull, and he fell sprawled among the aloes. But this was the only shot fired. The attack had been aimed at the center of the line, and the Indians there had needed no help from us to drive it back. Of all the ape-men who had rushed into the open, I do not think one got back to cover.

But the matter was more deadly when we came among the trees. For an hour or more after we entered the wood, there was a desperate struggle in which for a time we hardly held our own. Springing out from among the scrub the ape-men with huge clubs broke in upon the Indians and often felled three or four of them before they could be speared. Their frightful blows shattered everything upon which they fell. One of them knocked Summerlee's rifle to matchwood and the next would have crushed his skull had an Indian not stabbed the beast to the heart. Other ape-men in the trees above us hurled down stones and logs of wood, occasionally dropping bodily on to our ranks and fighting furiously until they were felled. Once our allies broke under the pressure, and had it not been for the execution done by our rifles they would certainly have taken to their heels. But they were gallantly rallied by their old chief and came on with such a rush that the ape-men began in turn to give way. Summerlee was weaponless, but I was emptying my magazine as quick as I could fire, and on the further flank we heard the continuous cracking of our companion's rifles.

But the fighting grew more deadly when we reached the trees. For more than an hour after we entered the woods, we fought desperately. For a time, we could barely hold our ground. Ape-men sprang from the brush and attacked the Indians with huge clubs. They often struck down three or four Indians before they could be speared. Their terrible blows shattered everything they hit. One ape-man smashed Summerlee's rifle to splinters. His next blow would have crushed Summerlee's skull if an Indian had not stabbed the beast through the heart. Other ape-men in the trees above hurled stones and logs down at us. Some even dropped into our ranks and fought furiously until they were struck down. At one point, our allies broke under the pressure. They would certainly have fled if our rifles had not done such deadly work. But their old chief bravely rallied them. They charged forward so fiercely that the ape-men began to give way in turn. Summerlee had no weapon, but I was emptying my magazine as fast as I could fire. On the far flank, we heard the constant crack of our companions' rifles.

Then in a moment came the panic and the collapse. Screaming and howling, the great creatures rushed away in all directions through the brushwood, while our allies yelled in their savage delight, following swiftly after their flying enemies. All the feuds of countless generations, all the hatreds and cruelties of their narrow history, all the memories of ill-usage and persecution were to be purged that day. At last man was to be supreme and the man-beast to find forever his allotted place. Fly as they would the fugitives were too slow to escape from the active savages, and from every side in the tangled woods we heard the exultant yells, the twanging of bows, and the crash and thud as ape-men were brought down from their hiding-places in the trees.

Then, in a moment, panic struck and their resistance collapsed. Screaming and howling, the great creatures fled through the brush in every direction. Our allies yelled in savage delight and quickly chased after their fleeing enemies. All the feuds of countless generations, all the hatred and cruelty of their limited history, and all the memories of mistreatment and persecution would be swept away that day. At last, man would be supreme, and the man-beast would find his assigned place forever. However hard they ran, the fugitives were too slow to escape the agile savages. From every side in the tangled woods, we heard triumphant yells and the twang of bows. We heard crashes and thuds as ape-men were brought down from their hiding places in the trees.

I was following the others, when I found that Lord John and Challenger had come across to join us.

I was following the others when I saw that Lord John and Challenger had come over to join us.

"It's over," said Lord John. "I think we can leave the tidying up to them. Perhaps the less we see of it the better we shall sleep."

"It's over," said Lord John. "I think we can leave the cleanup to them. Perhaps the less we see of it, the better we'll sleep."

Challenger's eyes were shining with the lust of slaughter.

Challenger's eyes shone with a desire to kill.

"We have been privileged," he cried, strutting about like a gamecock, "to be present at one of the typical decisive battles of history—the battles which have determined the fate of the world. What, my friends, is the conquest of one nation by another? It is meaningless. Each produces the same result. But those fierce fights, when in the dawn of the ages the cave-dwellers held their own against the tiger folk, or the elephants first found that they had a master, those were the real conquests—the victories that count. By this strange turn of fate we have seen and helped to decide even such a contest. Now upon this plateau the future must ever be for man."

"We have had the privilege," he cried, strutting about like a fighting rooster, "of witnessing a decisive battle of history. It was one of those battles that have determined the fate of the world. What, my friends, does one nation's conquest of another mean? Nothing. Each conquest produces the same result. But think of those fierce fights at the dawn of time. Cave-dwellers held their ground against the tiger folk, and elephants first discovered they had a master. Those were the real conquests, the victories that count. By a strange turn of fate, we have witnessed and helped decide just such a contest. From now on, the future of this plateau must always belong to man."

It needed a robust faith in the end to justify such tragic means. As we advanced together through the woods we found the ape-men lying thick, transfixed with spears or arrows. Here and there a little group of shattered Indians marked where one of the anthropoids had turned to bay, and sold his life dearly. Always in front of us we heard the yelling and roaring which showed the direction of the pursuit. The ape-men had been driven back to their city, they had made a last stand there, once again they had been broken, and now we were in time to see the final fearful scene of all. Some eighty or a hundred males, the last survivors, had been driven across that same little clearing which led to the edge of the cliff, the scene of our own exploit two days before. As we arrived the Indians, a semicircle of spearmen, had closed in on them, and in a minute it was over, Thirty or forty died where they stood. The others, screaming and clawing, were thrust over the precipice, and went hurtling down, as their prisoners had of old, on to the sharp bamboos six hundred feet below. It was as Challenger had said, and the reign of man was assured forever in Maple White Land. The males were exterminated, Ape Town was destroyed, the females and young were driven away to live in bondage, and the long rivalry of untold centuries had reached its bloody end.

It took a strong faith in the outcome to justify such tragic means. As we moved together through the woods, we found the ape-men lying everywhere, pierced by spears or arrows. Here and there, a small group of broken Indian bodies showed where an ape-man had turned to fight and killed dearly before dying. Ahead of us, we could always hear the yelling and roaring that told us which way the pursuit was going. The ape-men had been driven back to their city and had made a last stand there. Once again, they had been defeated. Now we arrived in time to see the final, terrifying scene. Some eighty or a hundred males, the last survivors, had been driven across the same small clearing toward the cliff edge. It was where we had carried out our own exploit two days before. As we arrived, the Indians had closed in on them in a semicircle of spearmen. Within a minute, it was over. Thirty or forty died where they stood. The others, screaming and clawing, were pushed over the cliff. They plunged onto the sharp bamboos six hundred feet below, just as their prisoners had in the past. It was as Challenger had said, and the rule of man was assured forever in Maple White Land. The males were exterminated, Ape Town was destroyed, and the females and young were driven away to live in bondage. The long rivalry of countless centuries had reached its bloody end.

For us the victory brought much advantage. Once again we were able to visit our camp and get at our stores. Once more also we were able to communicate with Zambo, who had been terrified by the spectacle from afar of an avalanche of apes falling from the edge of the cliff.

The victory brought us many advantages. We could visit our camp again and reach our supplies. We could also communicate with Zambo again. He had been terrified to see an avalanche of apes falling from the cliff’s edge in the distance.

"Come away, Massas, come away!" he cried, his eyes starting from his head. "The debbil get you sure if you stay up there."

"Come away, Masters, come away!" he cried, his eyes bulging. "The devil get you sure if you stay up there."

"It is the voice of sanity!" said Summerlee with conviction. "We have had adventures enough and they are neither suitable to our character or our position. I hold you to your word, Challenger. From now onwards you devote your energies to getting us out of this horrible country and back once more to civilization."

"That's the voice of reason!" said Summerlee firmly. "We've had enough adventures. They don't suit our character or our position. I expect you to keep your word, Challenger. From now on, put your energy into getting us out of this horrible country and back to civilization."