But，alas，theycame。Weheardthemcomingdownthetrench，andIbadeMaryhideinacorner，lestshebediscoveredandpunished。Therewasnaughtelseshecoulddo，andsoshecrawledawayintotheStygianblacknessbehindme。
Presentlytwowarriorsentered。Theleaderexhibitedauniquemethodofdiscoveringmywhereaboutsinthedarkness。
Headvancedslowly，kickingoutviciouslybeforehim。
Finallyhekickedmeintheface。ThenheknewwhereIwas。
AmomentlaterIhadbeenjerkedroughlytomyfeet。Oneofthefellowsstoppedandseveredthebondsthatheldmyankles。Icouldscarcelystandalone。Thetwopulledandhauledmethroughthelowdoorwayandalongthetrench。A
partyoffortyorfiftywarriorswereawaitingusatthebrinkoftheexcavationsomehundredyardsfromthehut。
Handswereloweredtous，andweweredraggedtothesurface。Thencommencedalongmarch。Westumbledthroughtheunderbrushwetwithdew，ourwaylightedbyascoreoftorchbearerswhosurroundedus。Butthetorcheswerenottolighttheway——thatwasbutincidental。TheywerecarriedtokeepoffthehugeCarnivorathatmoanedandcoughedandroaredaboutus。
Thenoiseswerehideous。Thewholecountryseemedalivewithlions。Yellow-greeneyesblazedwickedlyatusfromoutthesurroundingdarkness。Myescortcarriedlong，heavyspears。Thesetheykepteverpointedtowardthebeastofprey，andIlearnedfromsnatchesoftheconversationI
overheardthatoccasionallytheremightbealionwhowouldbraveeventheterrorsoffiretoleapinuponhumanprey。
Itwasforsuchthatthespearswerealwayscouched。
Butnothingofthesortoccurredduringthishideousdeathmarch，andwiththefirstpaleheraldingofdawnwereachedourgoal——anopenplaceinthemidstofatangledwildwood。
HereroseincrumblinggrandeurthefirstevidencesIhadseenoftheancientcivilizationwhichoncehadgracedfairAlbion——asingle，time-wornarchofmasonry。
"TheentrancetotheCampoftheLions！"murmuredoneofthepartyinavoicehuskywithawe。
Herethepartyknelt，whileBuckinghamrecitedaweird，prayer-likechant。Itwasratherlong，andIrecallonlyaportionofit，whichran，ifmymemoryservesme，somewhatasfollows：
LordofGrabritin，weFallonourkneestothee，Thisgifttobring。Greatestofkingsarethou！Totheewehumblybow！Peacetoourcampallow。Godsavethee，king！
Thenthepartyrose，anddraggingmetothecrumblingarch，mademefasttoahuge，corroded，copperringwhichwasdanglingfromaneyeboltimbeddedinthemasonry。
Noneofthem，notevenBuckingham，seemedtofeelanypersonalanimositytowardme。Theywerenaturallyroughandbrutal，asprimitivemenaresupposedtohavebeensincethedawnofhumanity，buttheydidnotgooutoftheirwaytomaltreatme。
Withthecomingofdawnthenumberoflionsaboutusseemedtohavegreatlydiminished——atleasttheymadelessnoise——
andasBuckinghamandhispartydisappearedintothewoods，leavingmealonetomyterriblefate，Icouldhearthegrumblingsandgrowlingsofthebeastsdiminishingwiththesoundofthechant，whichthepartystillcontinued。ItappearedthatthelionshadfailedtonotethatIhadbeenleftfortheirbreakfast，andhadfollowedoffaftertheirworshippersinstead。
ButIknewthereprievewouldbebutforashorttime，andthoughIhadnowishtodie，ImustconfessthatIratherwishedtheordealoverandthepeaceofoblivionuponme。
Thevoicesofthemenandthelionsrecededinthedistance，untilfinallyquietreignedaboutme，brokenonlybythesweetvoicesofbirdsandthesighingofthesummerwindinthetrees。
Itseemedimpossibletobelievethatinthispeacefulwoodlandsettingthefrightfulthingwastooccurwhichmustcomewiththepassingofthenextlionwhochancedwithinsightorsmellofthecrumblingarch。
Istrovetotearmyselfloosefrommybonds，butsucceededonlyintighteningthemaboutmyarms。ThenIremainedpassiveforalongtime，lettingthescenesofmylifetimepassinreviewbeforemymind’seye。
Itriedtoimaginetheastonishment，incredulity，andhorrorwithwhichmyfamilyandfriendswouldbeoverwhelmedif，foraninstant，spacecouldbeannihilatedandtheycouldseemeatthegatesofLondon。
ThegatesofLondon！Wherewasthemultitudehurryingtothemartsoftradeafteranightofpleasureorrest？Wherewastheclangoftramcargongs，thescreechofmotorhorns，thevastmurmurofadensethrong？
Wherewerethey？AndasIaskedthequestionalone，gauntlionstrodefromthetangledjungleuponthefarsideoftheclearing。MajesticallyandnoiselesslyuponhispaddedfeetthekingofbeastsmovedslowlytowardthegatesofLondonandtowardme。
WasIafraid？IfearthatIwasalmostafraid。IknowthatIthoughtthatfearwascomingtome，andsoIstraightenedupandsquaredmyshouldersandlookedthelionstraightintheeyes——andwaited。
Itisnotanicewaytodie——alone，withone’shandsfastbound，beneaththefangsandtalonsofabeastofprey。No，itisnotanicewaytodie，notaprettyway。
ThelionwashalfwayacrosstheclearingwhenIheardaslightsoundbehindme。Thegreatcatstoppedinhistracks。Helashedhistailagainsthissidesnow，insteadofsimplytwitchingitstip，andhislowmoanbecameathunderousroar。
AsIcranedmynecktocatchaglimpseofthethingthathadarousedthefuryofthebeastbeforeme，itsprangthroughthearchedgatewayandwasatmyside——withpartedlipsandheavingbosomanddisheveledhair——abronzedandlovelyvisiontoeyesthathadneverharboredhopeofrescue。
ItwasVictory，andinherarmssheclutchedmyrifleandrevolver。Alongknifewasinthedoeskinbeltthatsupportedthedoeskinskirttightlyaboutherlithelimbs。
Shedroppedmyweaponsatmyfeet，and，snatchingtheknifefromitsrestingplace，severedthebondsthatheldme。I
wasfree，andthelionwaspreparingtocharge。
"Run！"Icriedtothegirl，asIbentandseizedmyrifle。
Butsheonlystoodthereatmyside，herbaredbladereadyinherhand。
Thelionwasboundingtowardusnowinprodigiousleaps。I
raisedtherifleandfired。Itwasaluckyshot，forIhadnotimetoaimcarefully，andwhenthebeastcrumpledandrolled，lifeless，totheground，IwentuponmykneesandgavethankstotheGodofmyancestors。
And，stilluponmyknees，Iturned，andtakingthegirl’shandinmine，Ikissedit。Shesmiledatthat，andlaidherotherhanduponmyhead。
"Youhavestrangecustomsinyourcountry，"shesaid。
IcouldnotbutsmileatthatwhenIthoughthowstrangeitwouldseemtomycountrymencouldtheybutseemekneelingthereonthesiteofLondon，kissingthehandofEngland’squeen。
"Andnow，"Isaid，asIrose，"youmustreturntothesafetyofyourcamp。Iwillgowithyouuntilyouarenearenoughtocontinuealoneinsafety。ThenIshalltrytoreturntomycomrades。"
"Iwillnotreturntothecamp，"shereplied。
"Butwhatshallyoudo？"Iasked。
"Idonotknow。OnlyIshallnevergobackwhileBuckinghamlives。Ishouldratherdiethangobacktohim。Marycametome，aftertheyhadtakenyoufromthecamp，andtoldme。
Ifoundyourstrangeweaponsandfollowedwiththem。Ittookmealittlelonger，foroftenIhadtohideinthetreesthatthelionsmightnotgetme，butIcameintime，andnowyouarefreetogobacktoyourfriends。"
"Andleaveyouhere？"Iexclaimed。
Shenodded，butIcouldseethroughallherbravefrontthatshewasfrightenedatthethought。Icouldnotleaveher，ofcourse，butwhatintheworldIwastodo，cumberedwiththecareofayoungwoman，andaqueenatthat，Iwasatalosstoknow。Ipointedoutthatphaseofittoher，butsheonlyshruggedhershapelyshouldersandpointedtoherknife。
Itwasevidentthatshefeltentirelycompetenttoprotectherself。
Aswestoodthereweheardthesoundofvoices。Theywerecomingfromtheforestthroughwhichwehadpassedwhenwehadcomefromcamp。
"Theyaresearchingforme，"saidthegirl。"Whereshallwehide？"
Ididn’trelishhiding。ButwhenIthoughtoftheinnumerabledangerswhichsurroundedusandthecomparativelysmallamountofammunitionthatIhadwithme，IhesitatedtoprovokeabattlewithBuckinghamandhiswarriorswhen，byflight，Icouldavoidthemandpreservemycartridgesagainstemergencieswhichcouldnotbeescaped。
"Wouldtheyfollowusthere？"Iasked，pointingthroughthearchwayintotheCampoftheLions。
"Never，"shereplied，"for，inthefirstplace，theywouldknowthatwewouldnotdaregothere，andinthesecondtheythemselveswouldnotdare。"
"ThenweshalltakerefugeintheCampoftheLions，"I
said。
Sheshudderedanddrewclosertome。
"Youdare？"sheasked。
"Whynot？"Ireturned。"WeshallbesafefromBuckingham，andyouhaveseen，forthesecondtimeintwodays，thatlionsareharmlessbeforemyweapons。Then，too，Icanfindmyfriendseasiestinthisdirection，fortheRiverThamesrunsthroughthisplaceyoucalltheCampoftheLions，anditisfartherdowntheThamesthatmyfriendsareawaitingme。Doyounotdarecomewithme？"
"Idarefollowwhereveryoulead，"sheansweredsimply。
AndsoIturnedandpassedbeneaththegreatarchintothecityofLondon。
5
Asweentereddeeperintowhathadoncebeenthecity，theevidencesofman’spastoccupancybecamemorefrequent。Foramilefromthearchtherewasonlyariotofweedsandundergrowthandtreescoveringsmallmoundsandlittlehillocksthat，Iwassure，wereformedoftheruinsofstatelybuildingsofthedeadpast。
Butpresentlywecameuponadistrictwhereshatteredwallsstillraisedtheircrumblingtopsinsadsilenceabovethegrass-grownsepulchersoftheirfallenfellows。Softenedandmellowedbyancientivystoodthesesentinelsofsorrow，theirscarredfacesstillrevealingtherentsandgashesofshrapnelandofbomb。
Contrarytoourexpectations，wefoundlittleindicationthatlionsinanygreatnumberslairedinthispartofancientLondon。Well-wornpathways，moldedbypaddedpaws，ledthroughthecavernouswindowsordoorwaysofafewoftheruinswepassed，andoncewesawthesavagefaceofagreat，black-manedlionscowlingdownuponusfromashatteredstonebalcony。
WefolloweddownthebankoftheThamesafterwecameuponit。Iwasanxioustolookwithmyowneyesuponthefamousbridge，andIguessed，too，thattheriverwouldleadmeintothepartofLondonwherestoodWestminsterAbbeyandtheTower。
Realizingthatthesectionthroughwhichwehadbeenpassingwasdoubtlessoutlying，andthereforenotsobuiltupwithlargestructuresasthemorecentrallylocatedpartoftheoldtown，IfeltsurethatfartherdowntheriverIshouldfindtheruinslarger。Thebridgewouldbethereinpart，atleast，andsowouldremainthewallsofmanyofthegreatedificesofthepast。TherewouldbenosuchcompleteruinoflargestructuresasIhadseenamongthesmallerbuildings。
ButwhenIhadcometothatpartofthecitywhichIjudgedtohavecontainedtherelicsIsoughtIfoundhavocthathadbeenwroughtthereevengreaterthanelsewhere。
AtonepointuponthebosomoftheThamesthererisesafewfeetabovethewaterasingle，disintegratingmoundofmasonry。Oppositeit，uponeitherbankoftheriver，aretumbledpilesofruinsovergrownwithvegetation。
These，Iamforcedtobelieve，areallthatremainofLondonBridge，fornowhereelsealongtheriveristhereanyotherslightestsignofpierorabutment。
Roundingthebaseofalargepileofgrass-covereddebris，wecamesuddenlyuponthebestpreservedruinwehadyetdiscovered。Theentirelowerstoryandpartofthesecondstoryofwhatmustoncehavebeenasplendidpublicbuildingrosefromagreatknollofshrubberyandtrees，whileivy，thickandluxuriant，clamberedupwardtothesummitofthebrokenwalls。
Inmanyplacesthegraystonewasstillexposed，itssmoothlychiseledfacepittedwiththescarsofbattle。Themassiveportalyawned，somberandsorrowful，beforeus，givingaglimpseofmarblehallswithin。
Thetemptationtoenterwastoogreat。Iwishedtoexploretheinteriorofthisoneremainingmonumentofcivilizationnowdeadbeyondrecall。Throughthissameportal，withintheseverymarblehalls，hadGrayandChamberlinandKitchenerandShaw，perhaps，comeandgonewiththeothergreatonesofthepast。
ItookVictory’shandinmine。
"Come！"Isaid。"Idonotknowthenamebywhichthisgreatpilewasknown，northepurposesitfulfilled。Itmayhavebeenthepalaceofyoursires，Victory。Fromsomegreatthronewithin，yourforebearsmayhavedirectedthedestiniesofhalftheworld。Come！"
Imustconfesstoafeelingofaweasweenteredtherotundaofthegreatbuilding。Piecesofmassivefurnitureofanotherdaystillstoodwheremanhadplacedthemcenturiesago。Theywerelitteredwithdustandbrokenstoneandplaster，but，otherwise，soperfectwastheirpreservationI
couldhardlybelievethattwocenturieshadrolledbysincehumaneyeswerelastsetuponthem。
Throughonegreatroomafteranotherwewandered，handinhand，whileVictoryaskedmanyquestionsandforthefirsttimeIbegantorealizesomethingofthemagnificenceandpoweroftheracefromwhoseloinsshehadsprung。
Splendidtapestries，nowmildewedandrotting，hunguponthewalls。Thereweremuralpaintings，too，depictinggreathistoriceventsofthepast。ForthefirsttimeVictorysawthelikenessofahorse，andshewasmuchaffectedbyahugeoilwhichdepictedsomeancientcavalrychargeagainstabatteryoffieldguns。
Inotherpicturesthereweresteamships，battleships，submarines，andquaintlookingrailwaytrains——allsmallandantiquatedinappearancetome，butwonderfultoVictory。
Shetoldmethatshewouldliketoremainfortherestofherlifewhereshecouldlookatthosepicturesdaily。
Fromroomtoroomwepasseduntilpresentlyweemergedintoamightychamber，darkandgloomy，foritshighandnarrowwindowswerechokedandcloggedbyivy。Alongonepaneledwallwegroped，oureyesslowlybecomingaccustomedtothedarkness。Arankandpungentodorpervadedtheatmosphere。
Wehadmadeourwayabouthalfthedistanceacrossoneendofthegreatapartmentwhenalowgrowlfromthefarendbroughtustoastartledhalt。
Strainingmyeyesthroughthegloom，Imadeoutaraiseddaisattheextremeoppositeendofthehall。Uponthedaisstoodtwogreatchairs，highbackedandwithgreatarms。
ThethroneofEngland！Butwhatwerethosestrangeformsaboutit？
Victorygavemyhandaquick，excitedlittlesqueeze。
"Thelions！"shewhispered。
Yes，lionsindeed！Sprawledaboutthedaiswereadozenhugeforms，whileupontheseatofoneofthethronesasmallcublaycurledinslumber。
Aswestoodthereforamoment，spellboundbythesightofthosefearsomecreaturesoccupyingtheverythronesofthesovereignsofEngland，thelowgrowlwasrepeated，andagreatmaleroseslowlytohisfeet。
Hisdevilisheyesboredstraightthroughthesemi-darknesstowardus。Hehaddiscoveredtheinterloper。Whatrighthadmanwithinthispalaceofthebeasts？Againheopenedhisgiantjaws，andthistimethererumbledforthawarningroar。
Instantlyeightortenoftheotherbeastsleapedtotheirfeet。Alreadythegreatfellowwhohadspieduswasadvancingslowlyinourdirection。Iheldmyrifleready，buthowfutileitappearedinthefaceofthissavagehorde。
Theforemostbeastbrokeintoaslowtrot，andathisheelscametheothers。Allwereroaringnow，andthedinoftheirgreatvoicesreverberatingthroughthehallsandcorridorsofthepalaceformedthemostfrightfulchorusofthunderoussavageryimaginabletothemindofman。
Andthentheleadercharged，anduponthehideouspandemoniumbrokethesharpcrackofmyrifle，once，twice，thrice。Threelionsrolled，strugglingandbiting，tothefloor。Victoryseizedmyarm，withaquick，"Thisway！
Hereisadoor，"andamomentlaterwewereinatinyantechamberatthefootofanarrowstonestaircase。
Upthiswebacked，Victoryjustbehindme，asthefirstoftheremaininglionsleapedfromthethroneroomandsprangforthestairs。AgainIfired，butothersoftheferociousbeastsleapedovertheirfallenfellowsandpursuedus。
Thestairswereverynarrow——thatwasallthatsavedus——forasIbackedslowlyupward，butasinglelioncouldattackmeatatime，andthecarcassesofthoseIslewimpededtherushesoftheothers。
Atlastwereachedthetop。Therewasalongcorridorfromwhichopenedmanydoorways。One，directlybehindus，wastightclosed。Ifwecouldopenitandpassintothechamberbehindwemightfindarespitefromattack。
Theremaininglionswereroaringhorribly。Isawonesneakingveryslowlyupthestairstowardus。
"Trythatdoor，"IcalledtoVictory。"Seeifitwillopen。"
Sheranuptoitandpushed。
"Turntheknob！"Icried，seeingthatshedidnotknowhowtoopenadoor，butneitherdidsheknowwhatImeantbyknob。
IputabulletinthespineoftheapproachinglionandleapedtoVictory’sside。Thedoorresistedmyfirsteffortstoswingitinward。Rustedhingesandswollenwoodheldittightlyclosed。Butatlastitgave，andjustasanotherlionmountedtothetopofthestairwayitswungin，andIpushedVictoryacrossthethreshold。
ThenIturnedtomeettherenewedattackofthesavagefoe。
Onelionfellinhistracks，anotherstumbledtomyveryfeet，andthenIleapedwithinandslammedtheportalto。
Aquickglanceshowedmethatthiswastheonlydoortothesmallapartmentinwhichwehadfoundsanctuary，and，withasighofrelief，Ileanedforamomentagainstthepanelsofthestoutbarrierthatseparatedusfromtherampingdemonswithout。
Acrosstheroom，betweentwowindows，stoodaflat-toppeddesk。Alittlepileofwhiteandbrownlayuponitclosetotheoppositeedge。AfteramomentofrestIcrossedtheroomtoinvestigate。Thewhitewasthebleachedhumanbones——theskull，collarbones，arms，andafewoftheupperribsofaman。Thebrownwasthedustofadecayedmilitarycapandblouse。Inachairbeforethedeskwereotherbones，whilemorestillstrewedthefloorbeneaththedeskandaboutthechair。Amanhaddiedsittingtherewithhisfaceburiedinhisarms——twohundredyearsago。
Beneaththedeskwereapairofspurredmilitaryboots，greenandrottenwithdecay。Inthemwerethelegbonesofaman。Amongthetinybonesofthehandswasanancientfountainpen，asgood，apparently，asthedayitwasmade，andametalcoveredmemorandabook，closedoverthebonesofanindexfinger。
Itwasagruesomesight——apitifulsight——thisloneinhabitantofmightyLondon。
Ipickedupthemetalcoveredmemorandabook。Itspageswererottenandstucktogether。Onlyhereandtherewasasentenceorapartofasentencelegible。ThefirstthatI
couldreadwasnearthemiddleofthelittlevolume：
"HismajestyleftforTunbridgeWellstoday，he……jestywasstricken……terday。Godgiveshedoesnotdie……
ammilitarygovernorofLon……"
Andfartheron：
"Itisawful……hundreddeathstoday……worsethanthebombardm……"
NearertheendIpickedoutthefollowing：
"Ipromisedhismaj……ewillfindmeherewhenheret……alone。"
Themostlegiblepassagewasonthenextpage：
"ThankGodwedrovethemout。Thereisnotasingle……
manonBritishsoiltoday;butatwhatawfulcost。ItriedtopersuadeSirPhilliptourgethepeopletoremain。ButtheyaremadwithfearoftheDeath，andrageatourenemies。Hetellsmethatthecoastcitiesarepacked……
waitingtobetakenacross。WhatwillbecomeofEngland，withnonelefttorebuildhershatteredcities！"
Andthelastentry：
"……alone。Onlythewildbeasts……Alionisroaringnowbeneaththepalacewindows。IthinkthepeoplefearedthebeastsevenmorethantheydidtheDeath。Buttheyaregone，allgone，andtowhat？Howmuchbetterconditionswilltheyfindonthecontinent？Allgone——onlyIremain。I
promisedhismajesty，andwhenhereturnshewillfindthatIwastruetomytrust，forIshallbeawaitinghim。GodsavetheKing！"
Thatwasall。Thisbraveandforevernamelessofficerdiednoblyathispost——truetohiscountryandhisking。ItwastheDeath，nodoubt，thattookhim。
Someoftheentrieshadbeendated。FromthefewlegiblelettersandfigureswhichremainedIjudgetheendcamesometimeinAugust，1937，butofthatIamnotatallcertain。
Thediaryhasclearedupatleastonemysterythathadpuzzledmenotalittle，andnowIamsurprisedthatIhadnotguesseditssolutionmyself——thepresenceofAfricanandAsiaticbeastsinEngland。
Acclimatedbyyearsofconfinementinthezoologicalgardens，theywerefittedtoresumeinEnglandthewildexistenceforwhichnaturehadintendedthem，andoncefree，hadevidentlybredprolifically，inmarkedcontrasttothecaptiveexoticsoftwentiethcenturyPan-America，whichhadgraduallybecomefeweruntilextinctionoccurredsometimeduringthetwenty-firstcentury。
Thepalace，ifsuchitwas，laynotfarfromthebanksoftheThames。Theroominwhichwewereimprisonedoverlookedtheriver，andIdeterminedtoattempttoescapeinthisdirection。
Todescendthroughthepalacewasoutofthequestion，butoutsidewecoulddiscovernolions。Thestemsoftheivywhichclamberedupwardpastthewindowoftheroomwereaslargearoundasmyarm。Iknewthattheywouldsupportourweight，andaswecouldgainnothingbyremaininglongerinthepalace，Idecidedtodescendbywayoftheivyandfollowalongdowntheriverinthedirectionofthelaunch。
NaturallyIwasmuchhandicappedbythepresenceofthegirl。ButIcouldnotabandonher，thoughIhadnoideawhatIshoulddowithherafterrejoiningmycompanions。
ThatshewouldproveaburdenandanembarrassmentIwascertain，butshehadmadeitequallyplaintomethatshewouldneverreturntoherpeopletomatewithBuckingham。
Iowedmylifetoher，and，allotherconsiderationsaside，thatwassufficientdemanduponmygratitudeandmyhonortonecessitatemysufferingeveryinconvenienceinherservice。
Too，shewasqueenofEngland。But，byfarthemostpotentargumentinherfavor，shewasawomanindistress——andayoungandverybeautifulone。
Andso，thoughIwishedathousandtimesthatshewasbackinhercamp，Ineverletherguessit，butdidallthatlaywithinmypowertoserveandprotecther。IthankGodnowthatIdidso。
Withthelionsstillpaddingbackandforthbeyondthecloseddoor，VictoryandIcrossedtheroomtooneofthewindows。Ihadoutlinedmyplantoher，andshehadassuredmethatshecoulddescendtheivywithoutassistance。Infact，shesmiledatrifleatmyquestion。
Swingingmyselfoutward，Ibeganthedescent，andhadcometowithinafewfeetoftheground，beingjustoppositeanarrowwindow，whenIwasstartledbyasavagegrowlalmostinmyear，andthenagreattalonedpawdartedfromtheaperturetoseizeme，andIsawthesnarlingfaceofalionwithintheembrasure。
Releasingmyholdupontheivy，Idroppedthere-mainingdistancetotheground，savedfromlacerationonlybecausethelion’spawstruckthethickstemofivy。
Thecreaturewasmakingafrightfulracketnow，leapingbackandforthfromtheflooratthebroadwindowledge，tearingatthemasonrywithhisclawsinvainattemptstoreachme。
Buttheopeningwastoonarrow，andthemasonrytoosolid。
Victoryhadcommencedthedescent，butIcalledtohertostopjustabovethewindow，and，asthelionreappeared，growlingandsnarling，Iputa。33bulletinhisface，andatthesamemomentVictoryslippedquicklypasthim，droppingintomyupraisedarmsthatwereawaitingher。
Theroaringofthebeaststhathaddiscoveredus，togetherwiththereportofmyrifle，hadsetthebalanceofthefierceinmatesofthepalaceintothemostfrightfuluproarIhaveeverheard。
Ifearedthatitwouldnotbelongbeforeintelligenceorinstinctwoulddrawthemfromtheinteriorsandsetthemuponourtrail，theriver。Norhadwemuchmorethanreacheditwhenalionboundedaroundthecorneroftheedificewehadjustquittedandstoodlookingaboutasthoughinsearchofus。
Following，cameothers，whileVictoryandIcrouchedinhidingbehindaclumpofbushesclosetothebankoftheriver。Thebeastssniffedaboutthegroundforawhile，buttheydidnotchancetogonearthespotwherewehadstoodbeneaththewindowthathadgivenusescape。
Presentlyablack-manedmaleraisedhishead，and，withcockedearsandglaringeyes，gazedstraightatthebushbehindwhichwelay。Icouldhaveswornthathehaddiscoveredus，andwhenhetookafewshortandstatelystepsinourdirectionIraisedmyrifleandcoveredhim。
But，afteralong，tensemomenthelookedaway，andturnedtoglareinanotherdirection。
Ibreathedasighofrelief，andsodidVictory。Icouldfeelherbodyquiverasshelaypressedclosetome，ourcheeksalmosttouchingaswebothpeeredthroughthesamesmallopeninginthefoliage。
Iturnedtogiveherareassuringsmileasthelionindicatedthathehadnotseenus，andasIdidsoshe，too，turnedherfacetowardmine，forthesamepurpose，doubtless。Anyway，asourheadsturnedsimultaneously，ourlipsbrushedtogether。AstartledexpressioncameintoVictory’seyesasshedrewbackinevidentconfusion。
Asforme，thestrangestsensationthatIhaveeverexperiencedclaimedmeforaninstant。Apeculiar，tinglingthrillranthroughmyveins，andmyheadswam。Icouldnotaccountforit。
Naturally，beinganavalofficerandconsequentlyinthebestsocietyofthefederation，Ihaveseenmuchofwomen。
Withothers，Ihavelaughedattheassertionsofthesavantsthatmodernmanisacoldandpassionlesscreationincomparisonwiththemalesofformerages——inaword，thatlove，astheonegrandpassion，hadceasedtoexist。
Idonotknow，now，butthattheyweremorenearlyrightthanwehaveguessed，atleastinsofarasmoderncivilizedwomanisconcerned。Ihavekissedmanywomen——youngandbeautifulandmiddleagedandold，andmanythatIhadnobusinesskissing——butneverbeforehadIexperiencedthatremarkableandaltogetherdelightfulthrillthatfollowedtheaccidentalbrushingofmylipsagainstthelipsofVictory。
Theoccurrenceinterestedme，andIwastemptedtoexperimentfurther。ButwhenIwouldhaveessayeditanothernewandentirelyunaccountableforcerestrainedme。
ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfeltembarrassmentinthepresenceofawoman。
WhatfurthermighthavedevelopedIcannotsay，foratthatmomentaperfectshe-devilofalioness，withkeenereyesthanherlordandmaster，discoveredus。Shecametrottingtowardourplaceofconcealment，growlingandbaringheryellowfangs。
Iwaitedforaninstant，hopingthatImightbemistaken，andthatshewouldturnoffinsomeotherdirection。Butno——sheincreasedhertrottoagallop，andthenIfiredather，butthebullet，thoughitstruckherfullinthebreast，didn’tstopher。
Screamingwithpainandrage，thecreaturefairlyflewtowardus。Behindhercameotherlions。Ourcaselookedhopeless。Wewereuponthebrinkoftheriver。Thereseemednoavenueofescape，andIknewthatevenmymodernautomaticriflewasinadequateinthefaceofsomanyofthesefiercebeasts。
Toremainwherewewerewouldhavebeensuicidal。Wewerebothstandingnow，Victorykeepingherplacebravelyatmyside，whenIreachedtheonlydecisionopentome。
Seizingthegirl’shand，Iturned，justasthelionesscrashedintotheoppositesideofthebushes，and，draggingVictoryafterme，leapedovertheedgeofthebankintotheriver。
Ididnotknowthatlionsarenotfondofwater，nordidI
knowifVictorycouldswim，butdeath，immediateandterrible，staredusinthefaceifweremained，andsoI
tookthechance。
Atthispointthecurrentranclosetotheshore，sothatwewereimmediatelyindeepwater，and，tomyintensesatisfaction，Victorystruckoutwithastrong，overhandstrokeandsetallmyfearsonheraccountatrest。
Butmyreliefwasshort-lived。Thatlioness，asIhavesaidbefore，wasaveritabledevil。Shestoodforamomentglaringatus，thenlikeashotshesprangintotheriverandswamswiftlyafterus。
Victorywasalengthaheadofme。
"Swimfortheothershore！"Icalledtoher。
Iwasmuchimpededbymyrifle，havingtoswimwithonehandwhileIclungtomypreciousweaponwiththeother。Thegirlhadseenthelionesstaketothewater，andshehadalsoseenthatIwasswimmingmuchmoreslowlythanshe，andwhatdidshedo？Shestartedtodropbacktomyside。
"Goon！"Icried。"Makefortheothershore，andthenfollowdownuntilyoufindmyfriends。TellthemthatI
sentyou，andwithordersthattheyaretoprotectyou。Goon！Goon！"
Butsheonlywaiteduntilwewereagainswimmingsidebyside，andIsawthatshehaddrawnherlongknife，andwasholdingitbetweenherteeth。
"DoasItellyou！"Isaidtohersharply，butsheshookherhead。
Thelionesswasoverhaulingusrapidly。Shewasswimmingsilently，herchinjusttouchingthewater，butbloodwasstreamingfrombetweenherlips。Itwasevidentthatherlungswerepierced。
Shewasalmostuponme。Isawthatinamomentshewouldtakemeunderherforepaws，orseizemeinthosegreatjaws。
Ifeltthatmytimehadcome，butImeanttodiefighting。
AndsoIturned，and，treadingwater，raisedmyrifleabovemyheadandawaitedher。
Victory，animatedbyabraverynolessferociousthanthatofthedumbbeastassailingus，swamstraightforme。ItallhappenedsoswiftlythatIcannotrecallthedetailsofthekaleidoscopicactionwhichensued。IknewthatIrosehighoutofthewater，and，withclubbedrifle，dealttheanimalaterrificblowupontheskull，thatIsawVictory，herlongbladeflashinginherhand，close，striking，uponthebeast，thatagreatpawfelluponhershoulder，andthatIwassweptbeneaththesurfaceofthewaterlikeastrawbeforetheprowofafreighter。
Stillclingingtomyrifle，Iroseagain，toseethelionessstrugglinginherdeaththroesbutanarm’slengthfromme。
ScarcelyhadIrisenthanthebeastturneduponherside，struggledfranticallyforaninstant，andthensank。
6
Victorywasnowhereinsight。Alone，IfloateduponthebosomoftheThames。InthatbriefinstantIbelievethatI
sufferedmorementalanguishthanIhavecrowdedintoallthebalanceofmylifebeforeorsince。Afewhoursbefore，IhadbeenwishingthatImightberidofher，andnowthatshewasgoneIwouldhavegivenmylifetohaveherbackagain。
WearilyIturnedtoswimaboutthespotwhereshehaddisappeared，hopingthatshemightriseonceatleast，andI
wouldbegiventheopportunitytosaveher，and，asI
turned，thewaterboiledbeforemyfaceandherheadshotupbeforeme。Iwasonthepointofstrikingouttoseizeher，whenahappysmileilluminedherfeatures。
"Youarenotdead！"shecried。"Ihavebeensearchingthebottomforyou。Iwassurethattheblowshegaveyoumusthavedisabledyou，"andsheglancedaboutforthelioness。
"Shehasgone？"sheasked。
"Dead，"Ireplied。
"Theblowyoustruckherwiththethingyoucallriflestunnedher，"sheexplained，"andthenIswamincloseenoughtogetmyknifeintoherheart。"
Ah，suchagirl！IcouldnotbutwonderwhatoneofourownPan-Americanwomenwouldhavedoneunderlikecircumstances。
Butthen，ofcourse，theyhavenotbeentrainedbysternnecessitytocopewiththeemergenciesanddangersofsavageprimevallife。
Alongthebankwehadjustquitted，ascoreoflionspacedtoandfro，growlingmenacingly。Wecouldnotreturn，andwestruckoutfortheoppositeshore。Iamastrongswimmer，andhadnodoubtastomyabilitytocrosstheriver，butIwasnotsosureaboutVictory，soIswamclosebehindher，tobereadytogiveherassistanceshouldsheneedit。
Shedidnot，however，reachingtheoppositebankasfresh，apparently，aswhensheenteredthewater。Victoryisawonder。Eachdaythatweweretogetherbroughtnewproofsofit。Norwasithercourageorvitalityonlywhichamazedme。Shehadaheadonthoseshapelyshouldersofhers，anddignity！My，butshecouldberegalwhenshechose！
Shetoldmethatthelionswerefeweruponthissideoftheriver，butthatthereweremanywolves，runningingreatpackslaterintheyear。Nowtheywerenorthsomewhere，andweshouldhavelittletofearfromthem，thoughwemightmeetwithafew。
Myfirstconcernwastotakemyweaponsapartanddrythem，whichwasratherdifficultinthefaceofthefactthateveryragaboutmewasdrenched。Butfinally，thankstothesunandmuchrubbing，Isucceeded，thoughIhadnooiltolubricatethem。
WeatesomewildberriesandrootsthatVictoryfound，andthenwesetoffagaindowntheriver，keepinganeyeopenforgameononesideandthelaunchontheother，forI
thoughtthatDelcarte，whowouldbethenaturalleaderduringmyabsence，mightrunuptheThamesinsearchofme。
Thebalanceofthatdaywesoughtinvainforgameorforthelaunch，andwhennightcamewelaydown，ourstomachsempty，tosleepbeneaththestars。Wewereentirelyunprotectedfromattackfromwildbeasts，andforthisreasonIremainedawakemostofthenight，onguard。Butnothingapproachedus，thoughIcouldhearthelionsroaringacrosstheriver，andonceIthoughtIheardthehowlofabeastnorthofus——itmighthavebeenawolf。
Altogether，itwasamostunpleasantnight，andIdeterminedthenthatifwewereforcedtosleepoutagainthatIshouldprovidesomesortofshelterwhichwouldprotectusfromattackwhileweslept。
TowardmorningIdozed，andthesunwaswellupwhenVictoryarousedmebygentlyshakingmyshoulder。
"Antelope！"shewhisperedinmyear，and，asIraisedmyhead，shepointedup-river。Crawlingtomyknees，Ilookedinthedirectionsheindicated，toseeabuckstandinguponalittleknollsometwohundredyardsfromus。Therewasgoodcoverbetweentheanimalandme，andso，thoughImighthavehithimattwohundredyards，Ipreferredtocrawlclosertohimandmakesureofthemeatwebothsocraved。
Ihadcoveredaboutfiftyyardsofthedistance，andthebeastwasstillfeedingpeacefully，soIthoughtthatI
wouldmakeevensurerofahitbygoingaheadanotherfiftyyards，whentheanimalsuddenlyraisedhisheadandlookedaway，up-river。HiswholeattitudeproclaimedthathewasstartledbysomethingbeyondhimthatIcouldnotsee。
RealizingthathemightbreakandrunandthatIshouldthenprobablymisshimentirely，Iraisedmyrifletomyshoulder。ButevenasIdidsotheanimalleapedintotheair，andsimultaneouslytherewasasoundofashotfrombeyondtheknoll。
ForaninstantIwasdumbfounded。Hadthereportcomefromdown-river，Ishouldhaveinstantlythoughtthatoneofmyownmenhadfired。Butcomingfromup-riveritpuzzledmeconsiderably。WhocouldtherebewithfirearmsinprimitiveEnglandotherthanweoftheColdwater？
Victorywasdirectlybehindme，andImotionedforhertoliedown，asIdid，behindthebushfromwhichIhadbeenuponthepointoffiringattheantelope。Wecouldseethatthebuckwasquitedead，andfromourhidingplacewewaitedtodiscovertheidentityofhisslayerwhenthelattershouldapproachandclaimhiskill。
Wehadnotlongtowait，andwhenIsawtheheadandshouldersofamanappearabovethecrestoftheknoll，I
sprangtomyfeet，withaheartfeltcryofjoy，foritwasDelcarte。
Atthesoundofmyvoice，Delcartehalfraisedhisrifleinreadinessfortheattackofanenemy，butamomentlaterherecognizedme，andwascomingrapidlytomeetus。BehindhimwasSnider。Theybothwereastoundedtoseemeuponthenorthbankoftheriver，andmuchmoresoatthesightofmycompanion。
ThenIintroducedthemtoVictory，andtoldthemthatshewasqueenofEngland。Theythought，atfirst，thatIwasjoking。ButwhenIhadrecountedmyadventuresandtheyrealizedthatIwasinearnest，theybelievedme。
TheytoldmethattheyhadfollowedmeinshorewhenIhadnotreturnedfromthehunt，thattheyhadmetthemenoftheelephantcountry，andhadhadashortandone-sidedbattlewiththefellows。Andthatafterwardtheyhadreturnedtothelaunchwithaprisoner，fromwhomtheyhadlearnedthatIhadprobablybeencapturedbythemenofthelioncountry。
Withtheprisonerasaguidetheyhadsetoffup-riverinsearchofme，buthadbeenmuchdelayedbymotortrouble，andhadfinallycampedafterdarkahalfmileabovethespotwhereVictoryandIhadspentthenight。Theymusthavepassedusinthedark，andwhyIdidnothearthesoundofthepropellerIdonotknow，unlessitpassedmeatatimewhenthelionsweremakinganunusuallyearsplittingdinupontheoppositeside。
Takingtheantelopewithus，weallreturnedtothelaunch，wherewefoundTaylorasdelightedtoseemealiveagainasDelcartehadbeen。IcannotsaytruthfullythatSniderevincedmuchenthusiasmatmyrescue。
Taylorhadfoundtheingredientsforchemicalfuel，andthedistillingofthemhad，withthemotortrouble，accountedfortheirdelayinsettingoutafterme。
TheprisonerthatDelcarteandSniderhadtakenwasapowerfulyoungfellowfromtheelephantcountry。
Notwithstandingthefactthattheyhadallassuredhimtothecontrary，hestillcouldnotbelievethatwewouldnotkillhim。
HeassuredusthathisnamewasThirty-six，and，ashecouldnotcountaboveten，Iamsurethathehadnoconceptionofthecorrectmeaningoftheword，andthatitmayhavebeenhandeddowntohimeitherfromthemilitarynumberofanancestorwhohadservedintheEnglishranksduringtheGreatWar，orthatoriginallyitwasthenumberofsomefamousregimentwithwhichaforbearfought。
Nowthatwewerereunited，weheldacounciltodeterminewhatcourseweshouldpursueintheimmediatefuture。
SniderwasstillforsettingouttoseaandreturningtoPan-America，butthebetterjudgmentofDelcarteandTaylorridiculedthesuggestion——weshouldnothavelivedafortnight。
ToremaininEngland，constantlymenacedbywildbeastsandmenequallyaswild，seemedaboutasbad。IsuggestedthatwecrosstheChannelandascertainifwecouldnotdiscoveramoreenlightenedandcivilizedpeopleuponthecontinent。
IwassurethatsometraceoftheancientcultureandgreatnessofEuropemustremain。Germany，probably，wouldbemuchasitwasduringthetwentiethcentury，for，incommonwithmostPan-Americans，IwaspositivethatGermanyhadbeenvictoriousintheGreatWar。
Sniderdemurredatthesuggestion。Hesaidthatitwasbadenoughtohavecomethisfar。Hedidnotwanttomakeitworsebygoingtothecontinent。TheoutcomeofitwasthatIfinallylostmypatience，andtoldhimthatfromthenonhewoulddowhatIthoughtbest——thatIproposedtoassumecommandoftheparty，andthattheymightallconsiderthemselvesundermyorders，asmuchsoasthoughwewerestillaboardtheColdwaterandinPan-Americanwaters。
DelcarteandTaylorimmediatelyassuredmethattheyhadnotforaninstantassumedanythingdifferent，andthattheywereasreadytofollowandobeymehereastheywouldbeupontheothersideofthirty。
Snidersaidnothing，butheworeasullenscowl。AndI
wishedthen，asIhadbefore，andasIdidtoamuchgreaterextentlater，thatfatehadnotdecreedthatheshouldhavechancedtobeamemberofthelaunch’spartyuponthatmemorabledaywhenlastwequittedtheColdwater。
Victory，whowasgivenavoiceinourcouncils，wasallforgoingtothecontinent，oranywhereelse，infact，whereshemightseenewsightsandexperiencenewadventures。
"AfterwardwecancomebacktoGrabritin，"shesaid，"andifBuckinghamisnotdeadandwecancatchhimawayfromhismenandkillhim，thenIcanreturntomypeople，andwecanallliveinpeaceandhappiness。"
ShespokeofkillingBuckinghamwithnogreaterconcernthanonemightevinceinthecontemplateddestructionofasheep;
yetshewasneithercruelnorvindictive。Infact，Victoryisaverysweetandwomanlywoman。Buthumanlifeisofsmallaccountbeyondthirty——alegacyfromthebloodydayswhenthousandsofmenperishedinthetrenchesbetweentherisingandthesettingofasun，whentheylaidthemlengthwiseinthesesametrenchesandsprinkleddirtoverthem，whentheGermanscordedtheircorpseslikewoodandsetfiretothem，whenwomenandchildrenandoldmenwerebutchered，andgreatpassengershipsweretorpedoedwithoutwarning。
Thirty-six，finallyassuredthatwedidnotintendslayinghim，wasaskeentoaccompanyusaswasVictory。
Thecrossingtothecontinentwasuneventful，itsmonotonybeingrelieved，however，bythechildishdelightofVictoryandThirty-sixinthenovelexperienceofridingsafelyuponthebosomofthewater，andofbeingsofarfromland。
WiththepossibleexceptionofSnider，thelittlepartyappearedinthebestofspirits，laughingandjoking，orinterestedlydiscussingthepossibilitieswhichthefutureheldforus：whatweshouldfinduponthecontinent，andwhethertheinhabitantswouldbecivilizedorbarbarianpeoples。
Victoryaskedmetoexplainthedifferencebetweenthetwo，andwhenIhadtriedtodosoasclearlyaspossible，shebrokeintoagaylittlelaugh。
"Oh，"shecried，"thenIamabarbarian！"
Icouldnotbutlaugh，too，asIadmittedthatshewas，indeed，abarbarian。Shewasnotoffended，takingthematterasahugejoke。Butsometimethereaftershesatinsilence，apparentlydeepinthought。Finallyshelookedupatme，herstrongwhiteteethgleamingbehindhersmilinglips。
"Shouldyoutakethatthingyoucall’razor，’"shesaid，"andcutthehairfromthefaceofThirty-six，andexchangegarmentswithhim，youwouldbethebarbarianandThirty-sixthecivilizedman。Thereisnootherdifferencebetweenyou，exceptyourweapons。Clotheyouinawolfskin，giveyouaknifeandaspear，andsetyoudowninthewoodsofGrabritin——ofwhatservicewouldyourcivilizationbetoyou？"
DelcarteandTaylorsmiledatherreply，butThirty-sixandSniderlaugheduproariously。IwasnotsurprisedatThirty-
six，butIthoughtthatSniderlaughedlouderthantheoccasionwarranted。Asamatteroffact，Snider，itseemedtome，wastakingadvantageofeveryopportunity，howeverslight，toshowinsubordination，andIdeterminedthenthatatthefirstrealbreachofdisciplineIshouldtakeactionthatwouldremindSnider，everafter，thatIwasstillhiscommandingofficer。
IcouldnothelpbutnoticethathiseyesweremuchuponVictory，andIdidnotlikeit，forIknewthetypeofmanhewas。ButasitwouldnotbenecessaryevertoleavethegirlalonewithhimIfeltnoapprehensionforhersafety。
AftertheincidentofthediscussionofbarbariansIthoughtthatVictory’smannertowardmechangedperceptibly。Sheheldalooffromme，andwhenSnidertookhisturnatthewheel，satbesidehim，uponthepretextthatshewishedtolearnhowtosteerthelaunch。Iwonderedifshehadguessedtheman’santipathyforme，andwasseekinghiscompanysolelyforthepurposeofpiquingme。
Sniderwas，too，takingfulladvantageofhisopportunity。
Oftenheleanedtowardthegirltowhisperinherear，andhelaughedmuch，whichwasunusualwithSnider。
Ofcourse，itwasnothingatalltome;yet，forsomeunaccountablereason，thesightofthetwoofthemsittingtheresoclosetooneanotherandseemingtobeenjoyingeachother’ssocietytosuchadegreeirritatedmetremendously，andputmeinsuchabadhumorthatItooknopleasurewhatsoeverinthelastfewhoursofthecrossing。
WeaimedtolandnearthesiteofancientOstend。Butwhenwenearedthecoastwediscoverednoindicationofanyhumanhabitationswhatever，letaloneacity。Afterwehadlanded，wefoundthesamehowlingwildernessaboutusthatwehaddiscoveredontheBritishIsle。TherewasnoslightestindicationthatcivilizedmanhadeversetafootuponthatportionofthecontinentofEurope。
AlthoughIhadfearedasmuch，sinceourexperienceinEngland，Icouldnotbutowntoafeelingofmarkeddisappointment，andtothegravestfearsofthefuture，whichinducedamentaldepressionthatwasinnowaydissipatedbythecontinuedfamiliaritybetweenVictoryandSnider。
IwasangrywithmyselfthatIpermittedthatmattertoaffectmeasithad。IdidnotwishtoadmittomyselfthatIwasangrywiththisunculturedlittlesavage，thatitmadetheslightestdifferencetomewhatshedidorwhatshedidnotdo，orthatIcouldsolowermyselfastofeelpersonalenmitytowardsacommonsailor。Andyet，tobehonest，I
wasdoingboth。
FindingnothingtodetainusaboutthespotwhereOstendoncehadstood，wesetoutupthecoastinsearchofthemouthoftheRiverRhine，whichIpurposedascendinginsearchofcivilizedman。ItwasmyintentiontoexploretheRhineasfarupasthelaunchwouldtakeus。IfwefoundnocivilizationtherewewouldreturntotheNorthSea，continueupthecoasttotheElbe，andfollowthatriverandthecanalsofBerlin。Here，atleast，Iwassurethatweshouldfindwhatwesought——and，ifnot，thenallEuropehadrevertedtobarbarism。
Theweatherremainedfine，andwemadeexcellentprogress，buteverywherealongtheRhinewemetwiththesamedisappointment——nosignofcivilizedman，infact，nosignofmanatall。
IwasnotenjoyingtheexplorationofmodernEuropeasIhadanticipated——Iwasunhappy。Victoryseemedchanged，too。I
hadenjoyedhercompanyatfirst，butsincethetripacrosstheChannelIhadheldalooffromher。
Herchinwasintheairmostofthetime，andyetIratherthinkthatsheregrettedherfriendlinesswithSnider，forI
noticedthatsheavoidedhimentirely。He，onthecontrary，emboldenedbyherformerfriendliness，soughteveryopportunitytobenearher。Ishouldhavelikednothingbetterthanareasonablygoodexcusetopunchhishead;yet，paradoxically，Iwasashamedofmyselfforharboringhimanyillwill。Irealizedthattherewassomethingthematterwithme，butIdidnotknowwhatitwas。
Mattersremainedthusforseveraldays，andwecontinuedourjourneyuptheRhine。AtCologne，Ihadhopedtofindsomereassuringindications，buttherewasnoCologne。Andastherehadbeennoothercitiesalongtheriveruptothatpoint，thedevastationwasinfinitelygreaterthantimealonecouldhavewrought。Greatguns，bombs，andminesmusthaveleveledeverybuildingthatmanhadraised，andthennature，unhindered，hadcoveredtheghastlyevidenceofhumandepravitywithherbeauteousmantleofverdure。
Splendidtreesrearedtheirstatelytopswheresplendidcathedralsoncehadrearedtheirdomes，andsweetwildflowersblossomedinsimpleserenityinsoilthatoncewasdrenchedwithhumanblood。
Naturehadreclaimedwhatmanhadoncestolenfromheranddefiled。AherdofzebrasgrazedwhereoncetheGermankaisermayhavereviewedhistroops。Ananteloperestedpeacefullyinabedofdaisieswhere，perhaps，twohundredyearsagoabiggunbelcheditsterror-ladenmessagesofdeath，ofhate，ofdestructionagainsttheworksofmanandGodalike。
Wewereinneedoffreshmeat，yetIhesitatedtoshatterthequietandpeacefulserenityoftheviewwiththecrackofarifleandthedeathofoneofthosebeautifulcreaturesbeforeus。Butithadtobedone——wemusteat。IlefttheworktoDelcarte，however，andinamomentwehadtwoantelopeandthelandscapetoourselves。
Aftereating，weboardedthelaunchandcontinueduptheriver。Fortwodayswepassedthroughaprimevalwilderness。Intheafternoonoftheseconddaywelandeduponthewestbankoftheriver，and，leavingSniderandThirty-sixtoguardVictoryandthelaunch，Delcarte，Taylor，andIsetoutaftergame。
Wetrampedawayfromtheriverforupwardsofanhourbeforediscoveringanything，andthenonlyasmallreddeer，whichTaylorbroughtdownwithaneatshotoftwohundredyards。
Itwasgettingtoolatetoproceedfarther，soweriggedasling，andthetwomencarriedthedeerbacktowardthelaunchwhileIwalkedahundredyardsahead，inthehopeofbaggingsomethingfurtherforourlarder。
Wehadcoveredabouthalfthedistancetotheriver，whenI
suddenlycamefacetofacewithaman。HewasasprimitiveanduncouthinappearanceastheGrabritins——ashaggy，unkemptsavage，clothedinashirtofskincuredwiththeheadon，thelattersurmountinghisownheadtoformabonnet，andgivingtohimamostfearfulandferociousaspect。
Thefellowwasarmedwithalongspearandaclub，thelatterdanglingdownhisbackfromaleathernthongabouthisneck。Hisfeetwereincasedinhidesandals。
Atsightofme，hehaltedforaninstant，thenturnedanddoveintotheforest，and，thoughIcalledreassuringlytohiminEnglishhedidnotreturnnordidIagainseehim。
Thesightofthewildmanraisedmyhopesoncemorethatelsewherewemightfindmeninahigherstateofcivilization——itwasthesocietyofcivilizedmanthatI
craved——andso，withalighterheart，Icontinuedontowardtheriverandthelaunch。
IwasstillsomedistanceaheadofDelcarteandTaylor，whenIcameinsightoftheRhineagain。ButIcametothewater’sedgebeforeInoticedthatanythingwasamisswiththepartywehadleftthereafewhoursbefore。
Myfirstintimationofdisasterwastheabsenceofthelaunchfromitsformermoorings。Andthen，amomentlater——
Idiscoveredthebodyofamanlyinguponthebank。Runningtowardit，IsawthatitwasThirty-six，andasIstoppedandraisedtheGrabritin’sheadinmyarms，Iheardafaintmoanbreakfromhislips。Hewasnotdead，butthathewasbadlyinjuredwasalltooevident。
DelcarteandTaylorcameupamomentlater，andthethreeofusworkedoverthefellow，hopingtorevivehimthathemighttelluswhathadhappened，andwhathadbecomeoftheothers。MyfirstthoughtwaspromptedbythesightIhadrecentlyhadofthesavagenative。Thelittlepartyhadevidentlybeensurprised，andintheattackThirty-sixhadbeenwoundedandtheotherstakenprisoners。Thethoughtwasalmostlikeaphysicalblowintheface——itstunnedme。
Victoryinthehandsoftheseabysmalbrutes！Itwasfrightful。IalmostshookpoorThirty-sixinmyeffortstorevivehim。
Iexplainedmytheorytotheothers，andthenDelcarteshattereditbyasinglemovementofthehand。Hedrewasidethelion’sskinthatcoveredhalfoftheGrabritin’sbreast，revealinganeat，roundholeinThirty-six’schest——
aholethatcouldhavebeenmadebynootherweaponthanarifle。
"Snider！"Iexclaimed。Delcartenodded。Ataboutthesametimetheeyelidsofthewoundedmanfluttered，andraised。
Helookedupatus，andveryslowlythelightofconsciousnessreturnedtohiseyes。
"Whathappened，Thirty-six？"Iaskedhim。
Hetriedtoreply，buttheeffortcausedhimtocough，bringingaboutahemorrhageofthelungsandagainhefellbackexhausted。Forseverallongminuteshelayasonedead，theninanalmostinaudiblewhisperhespoke。
"Snider——"Hepaused，triedtospeakagain，raisedahand，andpointeddown-river。"They——went——back，"andthenheshudderedconvulsivelyanddied。
Noneofusvoicedhisbelief。ButIthinktheywereallalike：VictoryandSniderhadstolenthelaunch，anddesertedus。