Soonwetracedanarrowpaththroughthewildluxurianceoftheisland，goingnorthwestward;andpresentlyM’lingstopped，andbecamerigidwithwatchfulness。Montgomeryalmoststaggeredintohim，andthenstoppedtoo。Then，listeningintently，weheardcomingthroughthetreesthesoundofvoicesandfootstepsapproachingus。
　　"Heisdead，"saidadeep，vibratingvoice。
　　"Heisnotdead;heisnotdead，"jabberedanother。
　　"Wesaw，wesaw，"saidseveralvoices。
　　"Hullo！"suddenlyshoutedMontgomery，"Hullo，there！"
　　"Confoundyou！"saidI，andgrippedmypistol。
　　Therewasasilence，thenacrashingamongtheinterlacingvegetation，firsthere，thenthere，andthenhalf-a-dozenfacesappeared，——
　　strangefaces，litbyastrangelight。M’lingmadeagrowlingnoiseinhisthroat。IrecognisedtheApe-man：Ihadindeedalreadyidentifiedhisvoice，andtwoofthewhite-swathedbrown-featuredcreaturesIhadseeninMontgomery’sboat。
　　Withthesewerethetwodappledbrutesandthatgrey，horriblycrookedcreaturewhosaidtheLaw，withgreyhairstreamingdownitscheeks，heavygreyeyebrows，andgreylockspouringofffromacentralpartinguponitsslopingforehead，——aheavy，facelessthing，withstrangeredeyes，lookingatuscuriouslyfromamidstthegreen。
　　Foraspacenoonespoke。ThenMontgomeryhiccoughed，"Who——saidhewasdead？"
　　TheMonkey-manlookedguiltilyatthehairy-greyThing。"Heisdead，"
　　saidthismonster。"Theysaw。"
　　Therewasnothingthreateningaboutthisdetachment，atanyrate。
　　Theyseemedawestrickenandpuzzled。
　　"Whereishe？"saidMontgomery。
　　"Beyond，"andthegreycreaturepointed。
　　"IsthereaLawnow？"askedtheMonkey-man。"Isitstilltobethisandthat？Ishedeadindeed？"
　　"IsthereaLaw？"repeatedthemaninwhite。"IsthereaLaw，thouOtherwiththeWhip？"
　　"Heisdead，"saidthehairy-greyThing。Andtheyallstoodwatchingus。
　　"Prendick，"saidMontgomery，turninghisdulleyestome。
　　"He’sdead，evidently。"
　　Ihadbeenstandingbehindhimduringthiscolloquy。
　　Ibegantoseehowthingslaywiththem。IsuddenlysteppedinfrontofMontgomeryandliftedupmyvoice：——"ChildrenoftheLaw，"
　　Isaid，"heisnotdead！"M’lingturnedhissharpeyesonme。
　　"Hehaschangedhisshape;hehaschangedhisbody，"Iwenton。
　　"Foratimeyouwillnotseehim。Heis——there，"Ipointedupward，"wherehecanwatchyou。Youcannotseehim，buthecanseeyou。
　　FeartheLaw！"
　　Ilookedatthemsquarely。Theyflinched。
　　"Heisgreat，heisgood，"saidtheApe-man，peeringfearfullyupwardamongthedensetrees。
　　"AndtheotherThing？"Idemanded。
　　"TheThingthatbled，andranscreamingandsobbing，——thatisdeadtoo，"
　　saidthegreyThing，stillregardingme。
　　"That’swell，"gruntedMontgomery。
　　"TheOtherwiththeWhip——"beganthegreyThing。
　　"Well？"saidI。
　　"Saidhewasdead。"
　　ButMontgomerywasstillsoberenoughtounderstandmymotiveindenyingMoreau’sdeath。"Heisnotdead，"hesaidslowly，"notdeadatall。
　　NomoredeadthanIam。"
　　"Some，"saidI，"havebrokentheLaw：theywilldie。Somehavedied。
　　Showusnowwherehisoldbodylies，——thebodyhecastawaybecausehehadnomoreneedofit。"
　　"Itisthisway，ManwhowalkedintheSea，"saidthegreyThing。
　　Andwiththesesixcreaturesguidingus，wewentthroughthetumultoffernsandcreepersandtree-stemstowardsthenorthwest。
　　Thencameayelling，acrashingamongthebranches，andalittlepinkhomunculusrushedbyusshrieking。Immediatelyafterappearedamonsterinheadlongpursuit，blood-bedabbled，whowasamongstusalmostbeforehecouldstophiscareer。ThegreyThingleaptaside。
　　M’ling，withasnarl，flewatit，andwasstruckaside。Montgomeryfiredandmissed，bowedhishead，threwuphisarm，andturnedtorun。
　　Ifired，andtheThingstillcameon;firedagain，point-blank，intoitsuglyface。Isawitsfeaturesvanishinaflash：itsfacewasdrivenin。Yetitpassedme，grippedMontgomery，andholdinghim，fellheadlongbesidehimandpulledhimsprawlinguponitselfinitsdeath-agony。
　　IfoundmyselfalonewithM’ling，thedeadbrute，andtheprostrateman。
　　MontgomeryraisedhimselfslowlyandstaredinamuddledwayattheshatteredBeastManbesidehim。Itmorethanhalfsoberedhim。
　　Hescrambledtohisfeet。ThenIsawthegreyThingreturningcautiouslythroughthetrees。
　　"See，"saidI，pointingtothedeadbrute，"istheLawnotalive？
　　ThiscameofbreakingtheLaw。"
　　Hepeeredatthebody。"HesendstheFirethatkills，"
　　saidhe，inhisdeepvoice，repeatingpartoftheRitual。
　　Theothersgatheredroundandstaredforaspace。
　　Atlastwedrewnearthewestwardextremityoftheisland。
　　Wecameuponthegnawedandmutilatedbodyofthepuma，itsshoulder-bonesmashedbyabullet，andperhapstwentyyardsfartherfoundatlastwhatwesought。Moreaulayfacedownwardinatrampledspaceinacanebrake。Onehandwasalmostseveredatthewristandhissilveryhairwasdabbledinblood。
　　Hisheadhadbeenbatteredinbythefettersofthepuma。
　　Thebrokencanesbeneathhimweresmearedwithblood。
　　Hisrevolverwecouldnotfind。Montgomeryturnedhimover。
　　Restingatintervals，andwiththehelpofthesevenBeastPeople（forhewasaheavyman），wecarriedMoreaubacktotheenclosure。
　　Thenightwasdarkling。Twiceweheardunseencreatureshowlingandshriekingpastourlittleband，andoncethelittlepinksloth-creatureappearedandstaredatus，andvanishedagain。
　　Butwewerenotattackedagain。AtthegatesoftheenclosureourcompanyofBeastPeopleleftus，M’linggoingwiththerest。
　　Welockedourselvesin，andthentookMoreau’smangledbodyintotheyardandlaidituponapileofbrushwood。
　　Thenwewentintothelaboratoryandputanendtoallwefoundlivingthere。
　　XIX。MONTGOMERY’S"BANKHOLIDAY。"
　　WHENthiswasaccomplished，andwehadwashedandeaten，MontgomeryandIwentintomylittleroomandseriouslydiscussedourpositionforthefirsttime。Itwasthennearmidnight。
　　Hewasalmostsober，butgreatlydisturbedinhismind。
　　HehadbeenstrangelyundertheinfluenceofMoreau’spersonality：
　　IdonotthinkithadeveroccurredtohimthatMoreaucoulddie。
　　Thisdisasterwasthesuddencollapseofthehabitsthathadbecomepartofhisnatureinthetenormoremonotonousyearshehadspentontheisland。
　　Hetalkedvaguely，answeredmyquestionscrookedly，wanderedintogeneralquestions。
　　"Thissillyassofaworld，"hesaid;"whatamuddleitallis！
　　Ihaven’thadanylife。Iwonderwhenit’sgoingtobegin。
　　Sixteenyearsbeingbulliedbynursesandschoolmastersattheirownsweetwill;fiveinLondongrindinghardatmedicine，badfood，shabbylodgings，shabbyclothes，shabbyvice，ablunder，——
　　Ididn’tknowanybetter，——andhustledofftothisbeastlyisland。
　　Tenyearshere！What’sitallfor，Prendick？Arewebubblesblownbyababy？"
　　Itwashardtodealwithsuchravings。"Thethingwehavetothinkofnow，"saidI，"ishowtogetawayfromthisisland。"
　　"What’sthegoodofgettingaway？I’manoutcast。
　　WhereamItojoinon？It’sallverywellforyou，Prendick。
　　PooroldMoreau！Wecan’tleavehimheretohavehisbonespicked。
　　Asitis——Andbesides，whatwillbecomeofthedecentpartoftheBeastFolk？"
　　"Well，"saidI，"thatwilldoto-morrow。I’vebeenthinkingwemightmakethatbrushwoodintoapyreandburnhisbody——andthoseotherthings。
　　ThenwhatwillhappenwiththeBeastFolk？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Isupposethosethatweremadeofbeastsofpreywillmakesillyassesofthemselvessoonerorlater。Wecan’tmassacrethelot——canwe？Isupposethat’swhatyourhumanitywouldsuggest？
　　Butthey’llchange。Theyaresuretochange。"
　　HetalkedthusinconclusivelyuntilatlastIfeltmytempergoing。
　　"Damnation！"heexclaimedatsomepetulanceofmine;"can’tyouseeI’minaworseholethanyouare？"Andhegotup，andwentforthebrandy。
　　"Drink！"hesaidreturning，"youlogic-chopping，chalky-facedsaintofanatheist，drink！"
　　"NotI，"saidI，andsatgrimlywatchinghisfaceundertheyellowparaffineflare，ashedrankhimselfintoagarrulousmisery。
　　Ihaveamemoryofinfinitetedium。HewanderedintoamaudlindefenceoftheBeastPeopleandofM’ling。M’ling，hesaid，wastheonlythingthathadeverreallycaredforhim。
　　Andsuddenlyanideacametohim。
　　"I’mdamned！"saidhe，staggeringtohisfeetandclutchingthebrandybottle。
　　BysomeflashofintuitionIknewwhatitwasheintended。
　　"Youdon’tgivedrinktothatbeast！"Isaid，risingandfacinghim。
　　"Beast！"saidhe。"You’rethebeast。HetakeshisliquorlikeaChristian。Comeoutoftheway，Prendick！"
　　"ForGod’ssake，"saidI。
　　"Get——outoftheway！"heroared，andsuddenlywhippedouthisrevolver。
　　"Verywell，"saidI，andstoodaside，half-mindedtofalluponhimasheputhishanduponthelatch，butdeterredbythethoughtofmyuselessarm。"You’vemadeabeastofyourself，——tothebeastsyoumaygo。"
　　Heflungthedoorwayopen，andstoodhalffacingmebetweentheyellowlamp-lightandthepallidglareofthemoon;
　　hiseye-socketswereblotchesofblackunderhisstubblyeyebrows。
　　"You’reasolemnprig，Prendick，asillyass！You’realwaysfearingandfancying。We’reontheedgeofthings。I’mboundtocutmythroatto-morrow。I’mgoingtohaveadamnedBankHolidayto-night。"
　　Heturnedandwentoutintothemoonlight。"M’ling！"hecried;
　　"M’ling，oldfriend！"
　　Threedimcreaturesinthesilverylightcamealongtheedgeofthewanbeach，——oneawhite-wrappedcreature，theothertwoblotchesofblacknessfollowingit。Theyhalted，staring。
　　ThenIsawM’ling’shunchedshouldersashecameroundthecornerofthehouse。
　　"Drink！"criedMontgomery，"drink，youbrutes！Drinkandbemen！
　　Damme，I’mthecleverest。Moreauforgotthis;thisisthelasttouch。
　　Drink，Itellyou！"Andwavingthebottleinhishandhestartedoffatakindofquicktrottothewestward，M’lingranginghimselfbetweenhimandthethreedimcreatureswhofollowed。
　　Iwenttothedoorway。TheywerealreadyindistinctinthemistofthemoonlightbeforeMontgomeryhalted。IsawhimadministeradoseoftherawbrandytoM’ling，andsawthefivefiguresmeltintoonevaguepatch。
　　"Sing！"IheardMontgomeryshout，——"singalltogether，`ConfoundoldPrendick！’That’sright;nowagain，`ConfoundoldPrendick！’"
　　Theblackgroupbrokeupintofiveseparatefigures，andwoundslowlyawayfrommealongthebandofshiningbeach。
　　Eachwenthowlingathisownsweetwill，yelpinginsultsatme，orgivingwhateverotherventthisnewinspirationofbrandydemanded。
　　PresentlyIheardMontgomery’svoiceshouting，"Rightturn！"
　　andtheypassedwiththeirshoutsandhowlsintotheblacknessofthelandwardtrees。Slowly，veryslowly，theyrecededintosilence。
　　Thepeacefulsplendourofthenighthealedagain。
　　Themoonwasnowpastthemeridianandtravellingdownthewest。
　　Itwasatitsfull，andverybrightridingthroughtheemptybluesky。
　　Theshadowofthewalllay，ayardwideandofinkyblackness，atmyfeet。
　　Theeastwardseawasafeaturelessgrey，darkandmysterious;
　　andbetweentheseaandtheshadowthegreysands（ofvolcanicglassandcrystals）flashedandshonelikeabeachofdiamonds。
　　Behindmetheparaffinelampflaredhotandruddy。
　　ThenIshutthedoor，lockedit，andwentintotheenclosurewhereMoreaulaybesidehislatestvictims，——thestaghoundsandthellamaandsomeotherwretchedbrutes，——withhismassivefacecalmevenafterhisterribledeath，andwiththehardeyesopen，staringatthedeadwhitemoonabove。Isatdownupontheedgeofthesink，andwithmyeyesuponthatghastlypileofsilverylightandominousshadowsbegantoturnovermyplans。InthemorningIwouldgathersomeprovisionsinthedingey，andaftersettingfiretothepyrebeforeme，pushoutintothedesolationofthehighseaoncemore。
　　IfeltthatforMontgomerytherewasnohelp;thathewas，intruth，halfakintotheseBeastFolk，unfittedforhumankindred。
　　IdonotknowhowlongIsattherescheming。Itmusthavebeenanhourorso。ThenmyplanningwasinterruptedbythereturnofMontgomerytomyneighbourhood。Iheardayellingfrommanythroats，atumultofexultantcriespassingdowntowardsthebeach，whoopingandhowling，andexcitedshrieksthatseemedtocometoastopnearthewater’sedge。Theriotroseandfell;Iheardheavyblowsandthesplinteringsmashofwood，butitdidnottroublemethen。
　　Adiscordantchantingbegan。
　　Mythoughtswentbacktomymeansofescape。Igotup，broughtthelamp，andwentintoashedtolookatsomekegsIhadseenthere。
　　ThenIbecameinterestedinthecontentsofsomebiscuit-tins，andopenedone。Isawsomethingoutofthetailofmyeye，——aredfigure，——
　　andturnedsharply。
　　Behindmelaytheyard，vividlyblack-and-whiteinthemoonlight，andthepileofwoodandfaggotsonwhichMoreauandhismutilatedvictimslay，oneoveranother。Theyseemedtobegrippingoneanotherinonelastrevengefulgrapple。Hiswoundsgaped，blackasnight，andthebloodthathaddrippedlayinblackpatchesuponthesand。
　　ThenIsaw，withoutunderstanding，thecauseofmyphantom，——
　　aruddyglowthatcameanddancedandwentuponthewallopposite。
　　Imisinterpretedthis，fancieditwasareflectionofmyflickeringlamp，andturnedagaintothestoresintheshed。
　　Iwentonrummagingamongthem，aswellasaone-armedmancould，findingthisconvenientthingandthat，andputtingthemasideforto-morrow’slaunch。Mymovementswereslow，andthetimepassedquickly。Insensiblythedaylightcreptuponme。
　　Thechantingdieddown，givingplacetoaclamour;thenitbeganagain，andsuddenlybrokeintoatumult。Iheardcriesof，"More！more！"asoundlikequarrelling，andasuddenwildshriek。
　　Thequalityofthesoundschangedsogreatlythatitarrestedmyattention。Iwentoutintotheyardandlistened。
　　Thencuttinglikeaknifeacrosstheconfusioncamethecrackofarevolver。
　　Irushedatoncethroughmyroomtothelittledoorway。
　　AsIdidsoIheardsomeofthepacking-casesbehindmegoslidingdownandsmashtogetherwithaclatterofglassontheflooroftheshed。
　　ButIdidnotheedthese。Iflungthedooropenandlookedout。
　　Upthebeachbytheboathouseabonfirewasburning，rainingupsparksintotheindistinctnessofthedawn。Aroundthisstruggledamassofblackfigures。IheardMontgomerycallmyname。
　　Ibegantorunatoncetowardsthisfire，revolverinhand。IsawthepinktongueofMontgomery’spistollickoutonce，closetotheground。
　　Hewasdown。Ishoutedwithallmystrengthandfiredintotheair。
　　Iheardsomeonecry，"TheMaster！"Theknottedblackstrugglebrokeintoscatteringunits，thefireleaptandsankdown。
　　ThecrowdofBeastPeoplefledinsuddenpanicbeforeme，upthebeach。
　　InmyexcitementIfiredattheirretreatingbacksastheydisappearedamongthebushes。ThenIturnedtotheblackheapsupontheground。
　　Montgomerylayonhisback，withthehairy-greyBeast-mansprawlingacrosshisbody。Thebrutewasdead，butstillgrippingMontgomery’sthroatwithitscurvingclaws。
　　NearbylayM’lingonhisfaceandquitestill，hisneckbittenopenandtheupperpartofthesmashedbrandy-bottleinhishand。
　　Twootherfigureslaynearthefire，——theonemotionless，theothergroaningfitfully，everynowandthenraisingitsheadslowly，thendroppingitagain。
　　IcaughtholdofthegreymanandpulledhimoffMontgomery’sbody;
　　hisclawsdrewdownthetorncoatreluctantlyasIdraggedhimaway。
　　Montgomerywasdarkinthefaceandscarcelybreathing。Isplashedsea-wateronhisfaceandpillowedhisheadonmyrolled-upcoat。
　　M’lingwasdead。Thewoundedcreaturebythefire——itwasaWolf-brutewithabeardedgreyface——lay，Ifound，withtheforepartofitsbodyuponthestillglowingtimber。ThewretchedthingwasinjuredsodreadfullythatinmercyIblewitsbrainsoutatonce。
　　TheotherbrutewasoneoftheBull-menswathedinwhite。
　　Hetoowasdead。TherestoftheBeastPeoplehadvanishedfromthebeach。
　　IwenttoMontgomeryagainandkneltbesidehim，cursingmyignoranceofmedicine。Thefirebesidemehadsunkdown，andonlycharredbeamsoftimberglowingatthecentralendsandmixedwithagreyashofbrushwoodremained。IwonderedcasuallywhereMontgomeryhadgothiswood。ThenIsawthatthedawnwasuponus。
　　Theskyhadgrownbrighter，thesettingmoonwasbecomingpaleandopaqueintheluminousblueoftheday。Theskytotheeastwardwasrimmedwithred。
　　SuddenlyIheardathudandahissingbehindme，and，lookinground，sprangtomyfeetwithacryofhorror。Againstthewarmdawngreattumultuousmassesofblacksmokewereboilingupoutoftheenclosure，andthroughtheirstormydarknessshotflickeringthreadsofblood-redflame。Thenthethatchedroofcaught。
　　Isawthecurvingchargeoftheflamesacrosstheslopingstraw。
　　Aspurtoffirejettedfromthewindowofmyroom。
　　Iknewatoncewhathadhappened。IrememberedthecrashIhadheard。
　　WhenIhadrushedouttoMontgomery’sassistance，Ihadoverturnedthelamp。
　　Thehopelessnessofsavinganyofthecontentsoftheenclosurestaredmeintheface。Mymindcamebacktomyplanofflight，andturningswiftlyIlookedtoseewherethetwoboatslayuponthebeach。Theyweregone！Twoaxeslayuponthesandsbesideme;
　　chipsandsplinterswerescatteredbroadcast，andtheashesofthebonfirewereblackeningandsmokingunderthedawn。
　　Montgomeryhadburnttheboatstorevengehimselfuponmeandpreventourreturntomankind！
　　Asuddenconvulsionofrageshookme。Iwasalmostmovedtobatterhisfoolishheadin，ashelaytherehelplessatmyfeet。
　　Thensuddenlyhishandmoved，sofeebly，sopitifully，thatmywrathvanished。Hegroaned，andopenedhiseyesforaminute。
　　Ikneltdownbesidehimandraisedhishead。Heopenedhiseyesagain，staringsilentlyatthedawn，andthentheymetmine。
　　Thelidsfell。
　　"Sorry，"hesaidpresently，withaneffort。Heseemedtryingtothink。
　　"Thelast，"hemurmured，"thelastofthissillyuniverse。
　　Whatamess——"
　　Ilistened。Hisheadfellhelplesslytooneside。Ithoughtsomedrinkmightrevivehim;buttherewasneitherdrinknorvesselinwhichtobringdrinkathand。Heseemedsuddenlyheavier。Myheartwentcold。
　　Ibentdowntohisface，putmyhandthroughtherentinhisblouse。
　　Hewasdead;andevenashediedalineofwhiteheat，thelimbofthesun，roseeastwardbeyondtheprojectionofthebay，splashingitsradianceacrosstheskyandturningthedarkseaintoawelteringtumultofdazzlinglight。Itfelllikeagloryuponhisdeath-shrunkenface。
　　IlethisheadfallgentlyupontheroughpillowIhadmadeforhim，andstoodup。Beforemewastheglitteringdesolationofthesea，theawfulsolitudeuponwhichIhadalreadysufferedsomuch;behindmetheisland，hushedunderthedawn，itsBeastPeoplesilentandunseen。
　　Theenclosure，withallitsprovisionsandammunition，burntnoisily，withsuddengustsofflame，afitfulcrackling，andnowandthenacrash。
　　Theheavysmokedroveupthebeachawayfromme，rollinglowoverthedistanttree-topstowardsthehutsintheravine。
　　Besidemewerethecharredvestigesoftheboatsandthesefourdeadbodies。
　　ThenoutofthebushescamethreeBeastPeople，withhunchedshoulders，protrudingheads，misshapenhandsawkwardlyheld，andinquisitive，unfriendlyeyesandadvancedtowardsmewithhesitatinggestures。
　　XX。ALONEWITHTHEBEASTFOLK。
　　IFACEDthesepeople，facingmyfateinthem，single-handednow，——
　　literallysingle-handed，forIhadabrokenarm。Inmypocketwasarevolverwithtwoemptychambers。Amongthechipsscatteredaboutthebeachlaythetwoaxesthathadbeenusedtochopuptheboats。
　　Thetidewascreepinginbehindme。Therewasnothingforitbutcourage。
　　Ilookedsquarelyintothefacesoftheadvancingmonsters。
　　Theyavoidedmyeyes，andtheirquiveringnostrilsinvestigatedthebodiesthatlaybeyondmeonthebeach。Itookhalf-a-dozensteps，pickeduptheblood-stainedwhipthatlaybeneaththebodyoftheWolf-man，andcrackedit。Theystoppedandstaredatme。
　　"Salute！"saidI。"Bowdown！"
　　Theyhesitated。Onebenthisknees。Irepeatedmycommand，withmyheartinmymouth，andadvanceduponthem。Oneknelt，thentheothertwo。
　　Iturnedandwalkedtowardsthedeadbodies，keepingmyfacetowardsthethreekneelingBeastMen，verymuchasanactorpassingupthestagefacestheaudience。
　　"TheybroketheLaw，"saidI，puttingmyfootontheSayeroftheLaw。
　　"Theyhavebeenslain，——eventheSayeroftheLaw;eventheOtherwiththeWhip。GreatistheLaw！Comeandsee。"
　　"Noneescape，"saidoneofthem，advancingandpeering。
　　"Noneescape，"saidI。"ThereforehearanddoasIcommand。"
　　Theystoodup，lookingquestioninglyatoneanother。
　　"Standthere，"saidI。
　　Ipickedupthehatchetsandswungthembytheirheadsfromtheslingofmyarm;turnedMontgomeryover;pickeduphisrevolverstillloadedintwochambers，andbendingdowntorummage，foundhalf-a-dozencartridgesinhispocket。
　　"Takehim，"saidI，standingupagainandpointingwiththewhip;
　　"takehim，andcarryhimoutandcasthimintothesea。"
　　Theycameforward，evidentlystillafraidofMontgomery，butstillmoreafraidofmycrackingredwhip-lash;andaftersomefumblingandhesitation，somewhip-crackingandshouting，theyliftedhimgingerly，carriedhimdowntothebeach，andwentsplashingintothedazzlingwelterofthesea。
　　"On！"saidI，"on！Carryhimfar。"
　　Theywentinuptotheirarmpitsandstoodregardingme。
　　"Letgo，"saidI;andthebodyofMontgomeryvanishedwithasplash。
　　Somethingseemedtotightenacrossmychest。
　　"Good！"saidI，withabreakinmyvoice;andtheycameback，hurryingandfearful，tothemarginofthewater，leavinglongwakesofblackinthesilver。Atthewater’sedgetheystopped，turningandglaringintotheseaasthoughtheypresentlyexpectedMontgomerytoarisetherefromandexactvengeance。
　　"Nowthese，"saidI，pointingtotheotherbodies。
　　TheytookcarenottoapproachtheplacewheretheyhadthrownMontgomeryintothewater，butinstead，carriedthefourdeadBeastPeopleslantinglyalongthebeachforperhapsahundredyardsbeforetheywadedoutandcastthemaway。
　　AsIwatchedthemdisposingofthemangledremainsofM’ling，I
　　heardalightfootfallbehindme，andturningquicklysawthebigHyena-swineperhapsadozenyardsaway。Hisheadwasbentdown，hisbrighteyeswerefixeduponme，hisstumpyhandsclenchedandheldclosebyhisside。HestoppedinthiscrouchingattitudewhenIturned，hiseyesalittleaverted。
　　Foramomentwestoodeyetoeye。Idroppedthewhipandsnatchedatthepistolinmypocket;forImeanttokillthisbrute，themostformidableofanyleftnowupontheisland，atthefirstexcuse。
　　Itmayseemtreacherous，butsoIwasresolved。IwasfarmoreafraidofhimthanofanyothertwooftheBeastFolk。
　　HiscontinuedlifewasIknewathreatagainstmine。
　　Iwasperhapsadozensecondscollectingmyself。ThencriedI，"Salute！
　　Bowdown！"
　　Histeethflasheduponmeinasnarl。"WhoareyouthatIshould——"
　　PerhapsalittletoospasmodicallyIdrewmyrevolver，aimedquicklyandfired。Iheardhimyelp，sawhimrunsidewaysandturn，knewI
　　hadmissed，andclickedbackthecockwithmythumbforthenextshot。
　　Buthewasalreadyrunningheadlong，jumpingfromsidetoside，andIdarednotriskanothermiss。Everynowandthenhelookedbackatmeoverhisshoulder。Hewentslantingalongthebeach，andvanishedbeneaththedrivingmassesofdensesmokethatwerestillpouringoutfromtheburningenclosure。ForsometimeI
　　stoodstaringafterhim。IturnedtomythreeobedientBeastFolkagainandsignalledthemtodropthebodytheystillcarried。
　　ThenIwentbacktotheplacebythefirewherethebodieshadfallenandkickedthesanduntilallthebrownblood-stainswereabsorbedandhidden。
　　Idismissedmythreeserfswithawaveofthehand，andwentupthebeachintothethickets。Icarriedmypistolinmyhand，mywhipthrustwiththehatchetsintheslingofmyarm。
　　Iwasanxioustobealone，tothinkoutthepositioninwhichI
　　wasnowplaced。AdreadfulthingthatIwasonlybeginningtorealisewas，thatoverallthisislandtherewasnownosafeplacewhereIcouldbealoneandsecuretorestorsleep。
　　Ihadrecoveredstrengthamazinglysincemylanding，butIwasstillinclinedtobenervousandtobreakdownunderanygreatstress。
　　IfeltthatIoughttocrosstheislandandestablishmyselfwiththeBeastPeople，andmakemyselfsecureintheirconfidence。
　　Butmyheartfailedme。Iwentbacktothebeach，andturningeastwardpasttheburningenclosure，madeforapointwhereashallowspitofcoralsandranouttowardsthereef。HereIcouldsitdownandthink，mybacktotheseaandmyfaceagainstanysurprise。
　　AndthereIsat，chinonknees，thesunbeatingdownuponmyheadandunspeakabledreadinmymind，plottinghowIcouldliveonagainstthehourofmyrescue（ifeverrescuecame）。ItriedtoreviewthewholesituationascalmlyasIcould，butitwasdifficulttoclearthethingofemotion。
　　IbeganturningoverinmymindthereasonofMontgomery’sdespair。
　　"Theywillchange，"hesaid;"theyaresuretochange。"AndMoreau，whatwasitthatMoreauhadsaid？"Thestubbornbeast-fleshgrowsdaybydaybackagain。"ThenIcameroundtotheHyena-swine。I
　　feltsurethatifIdidnotkillthatbrute，hewouldkillme。
　　TheSayeroftheLawwasdead：worseluck。TheyknewnowthatweoftheWhipscouldbekilledevenastheythemselveswerekilled。
　　Weretheypeeringatmealreadyoutofthegreenmassesoffernsandpalmsoveryonder，watchinguntilIcamewithintheirspring？
　　Weretheyplottingagainstme？WhatwastheHyena-swinetellingthem？
　　Myimaginationwasrunningawaywithmeintoamorassofunsubstantialfears。
　　Mythoughtsweredisturbedbyacryingofsea-birdshurryingtowardssomeblackobjectthathadbeenstrandedbythewavesonthebeachneartheenclosure。Iknewwhatthatobjectwas，butIhadnotthehearttogobackanddrivethemoff。
　　Ibeganwalkingalongthebeachintheoppositedirection，designingtocomeroundtheeastwardcorneroftheislandandsoapproachtheravineofthehuts，withouttraversingthepossibleambuscadesofthethickets。
　　PerhapshalfamilealongthebeachIbecameawareofoneofmythreeBeastFolkadvancingoutofthelandwardbushestowardsme。IwasnowsonervouswithmyownimaginingsthatIimmediatelydrewmyrevolver。
　　Eventhepropitiatorygesturesofthecreaturefailedtodisarmme。
　　Hehesitatedasheapproached。
　　"Goaway！"criedI。
　　Therewassomethingverysuggestiveofadoginthecringingattitudeofthecreature。Itretreatedalittleway，verylikeadogbeingsenthome，andstopped，lookingatmeimploringlywithcaninebrowneyes。
　　"Goaway，"saidI。"Donotcomenearme。"
　　"MayInotcomenearyou？"itsaid。
　　"No;goaway，"Iinsisted，andsnappedmywhip。Thenputtingmywhipinmyteeth，Istoopedforastone，andwiththatthreatdrovethecreatureaway。
　　SoinsolitudeIcameroundbytheravineoftheBeastPeople，andhidingamongtheweedsandreedsthatseparatedthiscrevicefromtheseaIwatchedsuchofthemasappeared，tryingtojudgefromtheirgesturesandappearancehowthedeathofMoreauandMontgomeryandthedestructionoftheHouseofPainhadaffectedthem。Iknownowthefollyofmycowardice。
　　HadIkeptmycourageuptothelevelofthedawn，hadInotallowedittoebbawayinsolitarythought，ImighthavegraspedthevacantsceptreofMoreauandruledovertheBeastPeople。
　　AsitwasIlosttheopportunity，andsanktothepositionofamereleaderamongmyfellows。
　　Towardsnooncertainofthemcameandsquattedbaskinginthehotsand。
　　Theimperiousvoicesofhungerandthirstprevailedovermydread。
　　Icameoutofthebushes，and，revolverinhand，walkeddowntowardstheseseatedfigures。One，aWolf-woman，turnedherheadandstaredatme，andthentheothers。Noneattemptedtoriseorsaluteme。
　　Ifelttoofaintandwearytoinsist，andIletthemomentpass。
　　"Iwantfood，"saidI，almostapologetically，anddrawingnear。
　　"Thereisfoodinthehuts，"saidanOx-boar-man，drowsily，andlookingawayfromme。
　　Ipassedthem，andwentdownintotheshadowandodoursofthealmostdesertedravine。InanemptyhutIfeastedonsomespeckedandhalf-decayedfruit;andthenafterIhadproppedsomebranchesandsticksabouttheopening，andplacedmyselfwithmyfacetowardsitandmyhanduponmyrevolver，theexhaustionofthelastthirtyhoursclaimeditsown，andIfellintoalightslumber，hopingthattheflimsybarricadeIhaderectedwouldcausesufficientnoiseinitsremovaltosavemefromsurprise。
　　XXI。THEREVERSIONOFTHEBEASTFOLK。
　　INthiswayIbecameoneamongtheBeastPeopleintheIslandofDoctorMoreau。WhenIawoke，itwasdarkaboutme。Myarmachedinitsbandages。Isatup，wonderingatfirstwhereImightbe。
　　Iheardcoarsevoicestalkingoutside。ThenIsawthatmybarricadehadgone，andthattheopeningofthehutstoodclear。
　　Myrevolverwasstillinmyhand。
　　Iheardsomethingbreathing，sawsomethingcrouchedtogetherclosebesideme。Iheldmybreath，tryingtoseewhatitwas。
　　Itbegantomoveslowly，interminably。Thensomethingsoftandwarmandmoistpassedacrossmyhand。Allmymusclescontracted。Isnatchedmyhandaway。Acryofalarmbeganandwasstifledinmythroat。
　　ThenIjustrealisedwhathadhappenedsufficientlytostaymyfingersontherevolver。
　　"Whoisthat？"Isaidinahoarsewhisper，therevolverstillpointed。
　　"I——Master。"
　　"Whoareyou？"
　　"TheysaythereisnoMasternow。ButIknow，Iknow。Icarriedthebodiesintothesea，OWalkerintheSea！thebodiesofthoseyouslew。
　　Iamyourslave，Master。"
　　"AreyoutheoneImetonthebeach？"Iasked。
　　"Thesame，Master。"
　　TheThingwasevidentlyfaithfulenough，foritmighthavefallenuponmeasIslept。"Itiswell，"Isaid，extendingmyhandforanotherlickingkiss。Ibegantorealisewhatitspresencemeant，andthetideofmycourageflowed。"Wherearetheothers？"
　　Iasked。
　　"Theyaremad;theyarefools，"saidtheDog-man。"Evennowtheytalktogetherbeyondthere。Theysay，`TheMasterisdead。
　　TheOtherwiththeWhipisdead。ThatOtherwhowalkedintheSeaisasweare。WehavenoMaster，noWhips，noHouseofPain，anymore。
　　Thereisanend。WelovetheLaw，andwillkeepit;butthereisnoPain，noMaster，noWhipsforeveragain。’Sotheysay。
　　ButIknow，Master，Iknow。"
　　Ifeltinthedarkness，andpattedtheDog-man’shead。"Itiswell，"
　　Isaidagain。
　　"Presentlyyouwillslaythemall，"saidtheDog-man。
　　"Presently，"Ianswered，"Iwillslaythemall，——aftercertaindaysandcertainthingshavecometopass。Everyoneofthemsavethoseyouspare，everyoneofthemshallbeslain。"
　　"WhattheMasterwishestokill，theMasterkills，"saidtheDog-manwithacertainsatisfactioninhisvoice。
　　"Andthattheirsinsmaygrow，"Isaid，"letthemliveintheirfollyuntiltheirtimeisripe。LetthemnotknowthatIamtheMaster。"
　　"TheMaster’swillissweet，"saidtheDog-man，withthereadytactofhiscanineblood。
　　"Butonehassinned，"saidI。"HimIwillkill，wheneverImaymeethim。
　　WhenIsaytoyou，`Thatishe，’seethatyoufalluponhim。
　　AndnowIwillgotothemenandwomenwhoareassembledtogether。"
　　ForamomenttheopeningofthehutwasblackenedbytheexitoftheDog-man。ThenIfollowedandstoodup，almostintheexactspotwhereIhadbeenwhenIhadheardMoreauandhisstaghoundpursuingme。
　　Butnowitwasnight，andallthemiasmaticravineaboutmewasblack;
　　andbeyond，insteadofagreen，sunlitslope，Isawaredfire，beforewhichhunched，grotesquefiguresmovedtoandfro。
　　Fartherwerethethicktrees，abankofdarkness，fringedabovewiththeblacklaceoftheupperbranches。Themoonwasjustridingupontheedgeoftheravine，andlikeabaracrossitsfacedrovethespireofvapourthatwasforeverstreamingfromthefumarolesoftheisland。
　　"Walkbyme，"saidI，nervingmyself;andsidebysidewewalkeddownthenarrowway，takinglittleheedofthedimThingsthatpeeredatusoutofthehuts。
　　Noneaboutthefireattemptedtosaluteme。Mostofthemdisregardedme，ostentatiously。IlookedroundfortheHyena-swine，buthewasnotthere。Altogether，perhapstwentyoftheBeastFolksquatted，staringintothefireortalkingtooneanother。
　　"Heisdead，heisdead！theMasterisdead！"saidthevoiceoftheApe-mantotherightofme。"TheHouseofPain——
　　thereisnoHouseofPain！"
　　"Heisnotdead，"saidI，inaloudvoice。"Evennowhewatchesus！"
　　Thisstartledthem。Twentypairsofeyesregardedme。
　　"TheHouseofPainisgone，"saidI。"Itwillcomeagain。
　　TheMasteryoucannotsee;yetevennowhelistensamongyou。"
　　"True，true！"saidtheDog-man。
　　Theywerestaggeredatmyassurance。Ananimalmaybeferociousandcunningenough，butittakesarealmantotellalie。
　　"TheManwiththeBandagedArmspeaksastrangething，"
　　saidoneoftheBeastFolk。
　　"Itellyouitisso，"Isaid。"TheMasterandtheHouseofPainwillcomeagain。WoebetohimwhobreakstheLaw！"
　　Theylookedcuriouslyatoneanother。WithanaffectationofindifferenceIbegantochopidlyatthegroundinfrontofmewithmyhatchet。
　　Theylooked，Inoticed，atthedeepcutsImadeintheturf。
　　ThentheSatyrraisedadoubt。Iansweredhim。Thenoneofthedappledthingsobjected，andananimateddiscussionspranguproundthefire。
　　EverymomentIbegantofeelmoreconvincedofmypresentsecurity。
　　Italkednowwithoutthecatchinginmybreath，duetotheintensityofmyexcitement，thathadtroubledmeatfirst。InthecourseofaboutanhourIhadreallyconvincedseveraloftheBeastFolkofthetruthofmyassertions，andtalkedmostoftheothersintoadubiousstate。
　　IkeptasharpeyeformyenemytheHyena-swine，butheneverappeared。
　　Everynowandthenasuspiciousmovementwouldstartleme，butmyconfidencegrewrapidly。Thenasthemooncreptdownfromthezenith，onebyonethelistenersbegantoyawn（showingtheoddestteethinthelightofthesinkingfire），andfirstoneandthenanotherretiredtowardsthedensintheravine;andI，dreadingthesilenceanddarkness，wentwiththem，knowingIwassaferwithseveralofthemthanwithonealone。
　　InthismannerbeganthelongerpartofmysojournuponthisIslandofDoctorMoreau。Butfromthatnightuntiltheendcame，therewasbutonethinghappenedtotellsaveaseriesofinnumerablesmallunpleasantdetailsandthefrettingofanincessantuneasiness。
　　SothatIprefertomakenochronicleforthatgapoftime，totellonlyonecardinalincidentofthetenmonthsIspentasanintimateofthesehalf-humanisedbrutes。ThereismuchthatsticksinmymemorythatIcouldwrite，——thingsthatIwouldcheerfullygivemyrighthandtoforget;buttheydonothelpthetellingofthestory。
　　IntheretrospectitisstrangetorememberhowsoonIfellinwiththesemonsters’ways，andgainedmyconfidenceagain。
　　Ihadmyquarrelswiththemofcourse，andcouldshowsomeoftheirteeth-marksstill;buttheysoongainedawholesomerespectformytrickofthrowingstonesandforthebiteofmyhatchet。
　　AndmySaint-Bernard-man’sloyaltywasofinfiniteservicetome。
　　Ifoundtheirsimplescaleofhonourwasbasedmainlyonthecapacityforinflictingtrenchantwounds。Indeed，Imaysay——withoutvanity，Ihope——thatIheldsomethinglikepre-eminenceamongthem。
　　Oneortwo，whominarareaccessofhighspiritsIhadscarredratherbadly，boremeagrudge;butitventeditselfchieflybehindmyback，andatasafedistancefrommymissiles，ingrimaces。
　　TheHyena-swineavoidedme，andIwasalwaysonthealertforhim。
　　MyinseparableDog-manhatedanddreadedhimintensely。
　　Ireallybelievethatwasattherootofthebrute’sattachmenttome。
　　Itwassoonevidenttomethattheformermonsterhadtastedblood，andgonethewayoftheLeopard-man。Heformedalairsomewhereintheforest，andbecamesolitary。OnceItriedtoinducetheBeastFolktohunthim，butIlackedtheauthoritytomakethemco-operateforoneend。
　　AgainandagainItriedtoapproachhisdenandcomeuponhimunaware;
　　butalwayshewastooacuteforme，andsaworwindedmeandgotaway。
　　Hetoomadeeveryforestpathwaydangeroustomeandmyallywithhislurkingambuscades。TheDog-manscarcelydaredtoleavemyside。
　　InthefirstmonthorsotheBeastFolk，comparedwiththeirlattercondition，werehumanenough，andforoneortwobesidesmycaninefriendIevenconceivedafriendlytolerance。
　　Thelittlepinksloth-creaturedisplayedanoddaffectionforme，andtooktofollowingmeabout。TheMonkey-manboredme，however;
　　heassumed，onthestrengthofhisfivedigits，thathewasmyequal，andwasforeverjabberingatme，——jabberingthemostarrantnonsense。
　　Onethingabouthimentertainedmealittle：hehadafantastictrickofcoiningnewwords。Hehadanidea，Ibelieve，thattogabbleaboutnamesthatmeantnothingwastheproperuseofspeech。
　　Hecalledit"BigThinks"todistinguishitfrom"LittleThinks，"
　　thesaneevery-dayinterestsoflife。IfeverImadearemarkhedidnotunderstand，hewouldpraiseitverymuch，askmetosayitagain，learnitbyheart，andgooffrepeatingit，withawordwronghereorthere，toallthemilderoftheBeastPeople。
　　Hethoughtnothingofwhatwasplainandcomprehensible。
　　Iinventedsomeverycurious"BigThinks"forhisespecialuse。
　　IthinknowthathewasthesilliestcreatureIevermet;
　　hehaddevelopedinthemostwonderfulwaythedistinctivesillinessofmanwithoutlosingonejotofthenaturalfollyofamonkey。
　　This，Isay，wasintheearlierweeksofmysolitudeamongthesebrutes。
　　DuringthattimetheyrespectedtheusageestablishedbytheLaw，andbehavedwithgeneraldecorum。OnceIfoundanotherrabbittorntopieces，——bytheHyena-swine，Iamassured，——butthatwasall。
　　ItwasaboutMaywhenIfirstdistinctlyperceivedagrowingdifferenceintheirspeechandcarriage，agrowingcoarsenessofarticulation，agrowingdisinclinationtotalk。MyMonkey-man’sjabbermultipliedinvolumebutgrewlessandlesscomprehensible，moreandmoresimian。
　　Someoftheothersseemedaltogetherslippingtheirholduponspeech，thoughtheystillunderstoodwhatIsaidtothematthattime。
　　（Canyouimaginelanguage，onceclear-cutandexact，softeningandguttering，losingshapeandimport，becomingmerelimpsofsoundagain？）
　　Andtheywalkederectwithanincreasingdifficulty。Thoughtheyevidentlyfeltashamedofthemselves，everynowandthenIwouldcomeupononeoranotherrunningontoesandfinger-tips，andquiteunabletorecovertheverticalattitude。Theyheldthingsmoreclumsily;
　　drinkingbysuction，feedingbygnawing，grewcommonereveryday。
　　IrealisedmorekeenlythaneverwhatMoreauhadtoldmeaboutthe"stubbornbeast-flesh。"Theywerereverting，andrevertingveryrapidly。
　　Someofthem——thepioneersinthis，Inoticedwithsomesurprise，wereallfemales——begantodisregardtheinjunctionofdecency，deliberatelyforthemostpart。Othersevenattemptedpublicoutragesupontheinstitutionofmonogamy。ThetraditionoftheLawwasclearlylosingitsforce。Icannotpursuethisdisagreeablesubject。
　　MyDog-manimperceptiblyslippedbacktothedogagain;daybydayhebecamedumb，quadrupedal，hairy。Iscarcelynoticedthetransitionfromthecompaniononmyrighthandtothelurchingdogatmyside。
　　Asthecarelessnessanddisorganisationincreasedfromdaytoday，thelaneofdwellingplaces，atnotimeverysweet，becamesoloathsomethatIleftit，andgoingacrosstheislandmademyselfahovelofboughsamidtheblackruinsofMoreau’senclosure。
　　Somememoryofpain，Ifound，stillmadethatplacethesafestfromtheBeastFolk。
　　Itwouldbeimpossibletodetaileverystepofthelapsingofthesemonsters，——totellhow，daybyday，thehumansemblanceleftthem;
　　howtheygaveupbandagingsandwrappings，abandonedatlasteverystitchofclothing;howthehairbegantospreadovertheexposedlimbs;
　　howtheirforeheadsfellawayandtheirfacesprojected;
　　howthequasi-humanintimacyIhadpermittedmyselfwithsomeoftheminthefirstmonthofmylonelinessbecameashudderinghorrortorecall。
　　Thechangewasslowandinevitable。Forthemandformeitcamewithoutanydefiniteshock。Istillwentamongtheminsafety，becausenojoltinthedownwardglidehadreleasedtheincreasingchargeofexplosiveanimalismthatoustedthehumandaybyday。
　　ButIbegantofearthatsoonnowthatshockmustcome。
　　MySaint-Bernard-brutefollowedmetotheenclosureeverynight，andhisvigilanceenabledmetosleepattimesinsomethinglikepeace。
　　Thelittlepinksloth-thingbecameshyandleftme，tocrawlbacktoitsnaturallifeoncemoreamongthetree-branches。Wewereinjustthestateofequilibriumthatwouldremaininoneofthose"HappyFamily"
　　cageswhichanimal-tamersexhibit，ifthetamerweretoleaveitforever。
　　Ofcoursethesecreaturesdidnotdeclineintosuchbeastsasthereaderhasseeninzoologicalgardens，——intoordinarybears，wolves，tigers，oxen，swine，andapes。Therewasstillsomethingstrangeabouteach;ineachMoreauhadblendedthisanimalwiththat。
　　Oneperhapswasursinechiefly，anotherfelinechiefly，anotherbovinechiefly;buteachwastaintedwithothercreatures，——akindofgeneralisedanimalismappearingthroughthespecificdispositions。
　　Andthedwindlingshredsofthehumanitystillstartledmeeverynowandthen，——amomentaryrecrudescenceofspeechperhaps，anunexpecteddexterityofthefore-feet，apitifulattempttowalkerect。
　　Itoomusthaveundergonestrangechanges。Myclotheshungaboutmeasyellowrags，throughwhoserentsshowedthetannedskin。
　　Myhairgrewlong，andbecamemattedtogether。Iamtoldthatevennowmyeyeshaveastrangebrightness，aswiftalertnessofmovement。
　　AtfirstIspentthedaylighthoursonthesouthwardbeachwatchingforaship，hopingandprayingforaship。
　　Icountedonthe"Ipecacuanha"returningastheyearworeon;
　　butshenevercame。FivetimesIsawsails，andthricesmoke;
　　butnothingevertouchedtheisland。Ialwayshadabonfireready，butnodoubtthevolcanicreputationoftheislandwastakentoaccountforthat。
　　ItwasonlyaboutSeptemberorOctoberthatIbegantothinkofmakingaraft。Bythattimemyarmhadhealed，andbothmyhandswereatmyserviceagain。Atfirst，Ifoundmyhelplessnessappalling。
　　Ihadneverdoneanycarpentryorsuch-likeworkinmylife，andIspentdayafterdayinexperimentalchoppingandbindingamongthetrees。
　　Ihadnoropes，andcouldhitonnothingwherewithtomakeropes;
　　noneoftheabundantcreepersseemedlimberorstrongenough，andwithallmylitterofscientificeducationIcouldnotdeviseanywayofmakingthemso。Ispentmorethanafortnightgrubbingamongtheblackruinsoftheenclosureandonthebeachwheretheboatshadbeenburnt，lookingfornailsandotherstraypiecesofmetalthatmightproveofservice。
　　NowandthensomeBeast-creaturewouldwatchme，andgoleapingoffwhenIcalledtoit。Therecameaseasonofthunder-stormsandheavyrain，whichgreatlyretardedmywork;butatlasttheraftwascompleted。
　　Iwasdelightedwithit。Butwithacertainlackofpracticalsensewhichhasalwaysbeenmybane，Ihadmadeitamileormorefromthesea;
　　andbeforeIhaddraggeditdowntothebeachthethinghadfallentopieces。PerhapsitisaswellthatIwassavedfromlaunchingit;
　　butatthetimemymiseryatmyfailurewassoacutethatforsomedaysIsimplymopedonthebeach，andstaredatthewaterandthoughtofdeath。
　　Ididnot，however，meantodie，andanincidentoccurredthatwarnedmeunmistakablyofthefollyoflettingthedayspassso，——foreachfreshdaywasfraughtwithincreasingdangerfromtheBeastPeople。
　　Iwaslyingintheshadeoftheenclosurewall，staringouttosea，whenIwasstartledbysomethingcoldtouchingtheskinofmyheel，andstartingroundfoundthelittlepinksloth-creatureblinkingintomyface。Hehadlongsincelostspeechandactivemovement，andthelankhairofthelittlebrutegrewthickereverydayandhisstumpyclawsmoreaskew。Hemadeamoaningnoisewhenhewashehadattractedmyattention，wentalittlewaytowardsthebushesandlookedbackatme。
　　AtfirstIdidnotunderstand，butpresentlyitoccurredtomethathewishedmetofollowhim;andthisIdidatlast，——slowly，forthedaywashot。Whenwereachedthetreesheclamberedintothem，forhecouldtravelbetteramongtheirswingingcreepersthanontheground。
　　AndsuddenlyinatrampledspaceIcameuponaghastlygroup。
　　MySaint-Bernard-creaturelayontheground，dead;andnearhisbodycrouchedtheHyena-swine，grippingthequiveringfleshwithitsmisshapenclaws，gnawingatit，andsnarlingwithdelight。
　　AsIapproached，themonsterlifteditsglaringeyestomine，itslipswenttremblingbackfromitsred-stainedteeth，anditgrowledmenacingly。Itwasnotafraidandnotashamed;
　　thelastvestigeofthehumantainthadvanished。Iadvancedastepfarther，stopped，andpulledoutmyrevolver。AtlastIhadhimfacetoface。
　　Thebrutemadenosignofretreat;butitsearswentback，itshairbristled，anditsbodycrouchedtogether。
　　Iaimedbetweentheeyesandfired。AsIdidso，theThingrosestraightatmeinaleap，andIwasknockedoverlikeaninepin。
　　Itclutchedatmewithitscrippledhand，andstruckmeintheface。
　　Itsspringcarrieditoverme。Ifellunderthehindpartofitsbody;
　　butluckilyIhadhitasImeant，andithaddiedevenasitleapt。
　　Icrawledoutfromunderitsuncleanweightandstooduptrembling，staringatitsquiveringbody。Thatdangeratleastwasover;
　　butthis，Iknewwasonlythefirstoftheseriesofrelapsesthatmustcome。
　　Iburntbothofthebodiesonapyreofbrushwood;butafterthatIsawthatunlessIlefttheislandmydeathwasonlyaquestionoftime。
　　TheBeastPeoplebythattimehad，withoneortwoexceptions，lefttheravineandmadethemselveslairsaccordingtotheirtasteamongthethicketsoftheisland。Fewprowledbyday，mostofthemslept，andtheislandmighthaveseemeddesertedtoanew-comer;
　　butatnighttheairwashideouswiththeircallsandhowling。
　　Ihadhalfamindtomakeamassacreofthem;tobuildtraps，orfightthemwithmyknife。HadIpossessedsufficientcartridges，Ishouldnothavehesitatedtobeginthekilling。Therecouldnowbescarcelyascoreleftofthedangerouscarnivores;
　　thebraverofthesewerealreadydead。Afterthedeathofthispoordogofmine，mylastfriend，Itooadoptedtosomeextentthepracticeofslumberinginthedaytimeinordertobeonmyguardatnight。
　　Irebuiltmydeninthewallsoftheenclosure，withsuchanarrowopeningthatanythingattemptingtoentermustnecessarilymakeaconsiderablenoise。Thecreatureshadlosttheartoffiretoo，andrecoveredtheirfearofit。Iturnedoncemore，almostpassionatelynow，tohammeringtogetherstakesandbranchestoformaraftformyescape。
　　Ifoundathousanddifficulties。Iamanextremelyunhandyman（myschoolingwasoverbeforethedaysofSlojd）;butmostoftherequirementsofaraftImetatlastinsomeclumsy，circuitouswayorother，andthistimeItookcareofthestrength。
　　TheonlyinsurmountableobstaclewasthatIhadnovesseltocontainthewaterIshouldneedifIfloatedforthupontheseuntravelledseas。
　　Iwouldhaveeventriedpottery，buttheislandcontainednoclay。
　　Iusedtogomopingabouttheislandtryingwithallmymighttosolvethisonelastdifficulty。SometimesIwouldgivewaytowildoutburstsofrage，andhackandsplintersomeunluckytreeinmyintolerablevexation。ButIcouldthinkofnothing。
　　Andthencameaday，awonderfulday，whichIspentinecstasy。
　　Isawasailtothesouthwest，asmallsaillikethatofalittleschooner;
　　andforthwithIlitagreatpileofbrushwood，andstoodbyitintheheatofit，andtheheatofthemiddaysun，watching。AlldayI
　　watchedthatsail，eatingordrinkingnothing，sothatmyheadreeled;
　　andtheBeastscameandglaredatme，andseemedtowonder，andwentaway。Itwasstilldistantwhennightcameandswalloweditup;andallnightItoiledtokeepmyblazebrightandhigh，andtheeyesoftheBeastsshoneoutofthedarkness，marvelling。
　　Inthedawnthesailwasnearer，andIsawitwasthedirtylug-sailofasmallboat。Butitsailedstrangely。Myeyeswerewearywithwatching，andIpeeredandcouldnotbelievethem。
　　Twomenwereintheboat，sittinglowdown，——onebythebows，theotherattherudder。Theheadwasnotkepttothewind;ityawedandfellaway。
　　Asthedaygrewbrighter，Ibeganwavingthelastragofmyjackettothem;
　　buttheydidnotnoticeme，andsatstill，facingeachother。Iwenttothelowestpointofthelowheadland，andgesticulatedandshouted。
　　Therewasnoresponse，andtheboatkeptonheraimlesscourse，makingslowly，veryslowly，forthebay。Suddenlyagreatwhitebirdflewupoutoftheboat，andneitherofthemenstirrednornoticedit;
　　itcircledround，andthencamesweepingoverheadwithitsstrongwingsoutspread。
　　ThenIstoppedshouting，andsatdownontheheadlandandrestedmychinonmyhandsandstared。Slowly，slowly，theboatdrovepasttowardsthewest。Iwouldhaveswumouttoit，butsomething——acold，vaguefear——
　　keptmeback。Intheafternoonthetidestrandedtheboat，andleftitahundredyardsorsotothewestwardoftheruinsoftheenclosure。
　　Themeninitweredead，hadbeendeadsolongthattheyfelltopieceswhenItiltedtheboatonitssideanddraggedthemout。
　　Onehadashockofredhair，likethecaptainofthe"Ipecacuanha，"andadirtywhitecaplayinthebottomoftheboat。
　　AsIstoodbesidetheboat，threeoftheBeastscameslinkingoutofthebushesandsniffingtowardsme。Oneofmyspasmsofdisgustcameuponme。Ithrustthelittleboatdownthebeachandclamberedonboardher。TwoofthebruteswereWolf-beasts，andcameforwardwithquiveringnostrilsandglitteringeyes;
　　thethirdwasthehorriblenondescriptofbearandbull。
　　WhenIsawthemapproachingthosewretchedremains，heardthemsnarlingatoneanotherandcaughtthegleamoftheirteeth，afrantichorrorsucceededmyrepulsion。Iturnedmybackuponthem，struckthelugandbeganpaddlingouttosea。Icouldnotbringmyselftolookbehindme。
　　Ilay，however，betweenthereefandtheislandthatnight，andthenextmorningwentroundtothestreamandfilledtheemptykegaboardwithwater。Then，withsuchpatienceasIcouldcommand，Icollectedaquantityoffruit，andwaylaidandkilledtworabbitswithmylastthreecartridges。WhileIwasdoingthisIlefttheboatmooredtoaninwardprojectionofthereef，forfearoftheBeastPeople。
　　XXII。THEMANALONE。
　　INtheeveningIstarted，anddroveouttoseabeforeagentlewindfromthesouthwest，slowly，steadily;andtheislandgrewsmallerandsmaller，andthelankspireofsmokedwindledtoafinerandfinerlineagainstthehotsunset。Theoceanroseuparoundme，hidingthatlow，darkpatchfrommyeyes。Thedaylight，thetrailinggloryofthesun，wentstreamingoutofthesky，wasdrawnasidelikesomeluminouscurtain，andatlastIlookedintothebluegulfofimmensitywhichthesunshinehides，andsawthefloatinghostsofthestars。Theseawassilent，theskywassilent。
　　Iwasalonewiththenightandsilence。
　　SoIdriftedforthreedays，eatinganddrinkingsparingly，andmeditatinguponallthathadhappenedtome，——notdesiringverygreatlythentoseemenagain。Oneuncleanragwasaboutme，myhairablacktangle：
　　nodoubtmydiscoverersthoughtmeamadman。
　　Itisstrange，butIfeltnodesiretoreturntomankind。
　　IwasonlygladtobequitofthefoulnessoftheBeastPeople。
　　AndonthethirddayIwaspickedupbyabrigfromApiatoSanFrancisco。
　　Neitherthecaptainnorthematewouldbelievemystory，judgingthatsolitudeanddangerhadmadememad;andfearingtheiropinionmightbethatofothers，Irefrainedfromtellingmyadventurefurther，andprofessedtorecallnothingthathadhappenedtomebetweenthelossofthe"LadyVain"andthetimewhenIwaspickedupagain，——
　　thespaceofayear。
　　Ihadtoactwiththeutmostcircumspectiontosavemyselffromthesuspicionofinsanity。MymemoryoftheLaw，ofthetwodeadsailors，oftheambuscadesofthedarkness，ofthebodyinthecanebrake，hauntedme;and，unnaturalasitseems，withmyreturntomankindcame，insteadofthatconfidenceandsympathyIhadexpected，astrangeenhancementoftheuncertaintyanddreadIhadexperiencedduringmystayupontheisland。Noonewouldbelieveme;
　　IwasalmostasqueertomenasIhadbeentotheBeastPeople。
　　Imayhavecaughtsomethingofthenaturalwildnessofmycompanions。
　　Theysaythatterrorisadisease，andanyhowIcanwitnessthatforseveralyearsnowarestlessfearhasdweltinmymind，——sucharestlessfearasahalf-tamedlioncubmayfeel。
　　Mytroubletookthestrangestform。IcouldnotpersuademyselfthatthemenandwomenImetwerenotalsoanotherBeastPeople，animalshalfwroughtintotheoutwardimageofhumansouls，andthattheywouldpresentlybegintorevert，——toshowfirstthisbestialmarkandthenthat。ButIhaveconfidedmycasetoastrangelyableman，——
　　amanwhohadknownMoreau，andseemedhalftocreditmystory;
　　amentalspecialist，——andhehashelpedmemightily，thoughIdonotexpectthattheterrorofthatislandwilleveraltogetherleaveme。
　　Atmosttimesitliesfarinthebackofmymind，ameredistantcloud，amemory，andafaintdistrust;buttherearetimeswhenthelittlecloudspreadsuntilitobscuresthewholesky。ThenIlookaboutmeatmyfellow-men;andIgoinfear。Iseefaces，keenandbright;
　　othersdullordangerous;others，unsteady，insincere，——nonethathavethecalmauthorityofareasonablesoul。Ifeelasthoughtheanimalwassurgingupthroughthem;thatpresentlythedegradationoftheIslanderswillbeplayedoveragainonalargerscale。
　　Iknowthisisanillusion;thattheseseemingmenandwomenaboutmeareindeedmenandwomen，——menandwomenforever，perfectlyreasonablecreatures，fullofhumandesiresandtendersolicitude，emancipatedfrominstinctandtheslavesofnofantasticLaw，——
　　beingsaltogetherdifferentfromtheBeastFolk。YetIshrinkfromthem，fromtheircuriousglances，theirinquiriesandassistance，andlongtobeawayfromthemandalone。ForthatreasonIlivenearthebroadfreedownland，andcanescapethitherwhenthisshadowisovermysoul;andverysweetistheemptydownlandthen，underthewind-sweptsky。
　　WhenIlivedinLondonthehorrorwaswell-nighinsupportable。
　　Icouldnotgetawayfrommen：theirvoicescamethroughwindows;
　　lockeddoorswereflimsysafeguards。Iwouldgooutintothestreetstofightwithmydelusion，andprowlingwomenwouldmewafterme;
　　furtive，cravingmenglancejealouslyatme;weary，paleworkersgocoughingbymewithtiredeyesandeagerpaces，likewoundeddeerdrippingblood;oldpeople，bentanddull，passmurmuringtothemselves;and，allunheeding，araggedtailofgibingchildren。
　　ThenIwouldturnasideintosomechapel，——andeventhere，suchwasmydisturbance，itseemedthatthepreachergibbered"BigThinks，"evenastheApe-manhaddone;orintosomelibrary，andtheretheintentfacesoverthebooksseemedbutpatientcreatureswaitingforprey。Particularlynauseousweretheblank，expressionlessfacesofpeopleintrainsandomnibuses;
　　theyseemednomoremyfellow-creaturesthandeadbodieswouldbe，sothatIdidnotdaretotravelunlessIwasassuredofbeingalone。
　　AndevenitseemedthatItoowasnotareasonablecreature，butonlyananimaltormentedwithsomestrangedisorderinitsbrainwhichsentittowanderalone，likeasheepstrickenwithgid。
　　Thisisamood，however，thatcomestomenow，IthankGod，morerarely。Ihavewithdrawnmyselffromtheconfusionofcitiesandmultitudes，andspendmydayssurroundedbywisebooks，——
　　brightwindowsinthislifeofours，litbytheshiningsoulsofmen。
　　Iseefewstrangers，andhavebutasmallhousehold。
　　MydaysIdevotetoreadingandtoexperimentsinchemistry，andIspendmanyoftheclearnightsinthestudyofastronomy。
　　Thereis——thoughIdonotknowhowthereisorwhythereis——asenseofinfinitepeaceandprotectionintheglitteringhostsofheaven。
　　Thereitmustbe，Ithink，inthevastandeternallawsofmatter，andnotinthedailycaresandsinsandtroublesofmen，thatwhateverismorethananimalwithinusmustfinditssolaceanditshope。Ihope，orIcouldnotlive。
　　Andso，inhopeandsolitude，mystoryends。
　　EDWARDPRENDICK。
　　NOTE。Thesubstanceofthechapterentitled"DoctorMoreauexplains，"
　　whichcontainstheessentialideaofthestory，appearedasamiddlearticleinthe"SaturdayReview"inJanuary，1895。Thisistheonlyportionofthisstorythathasbeenpreviouslypublished，andithasbeenentirelyrecasttoadaptittothenarrativeform。