OnJanuarytheFifth，1888——thatiselevenmonthsandfourdaysafter——
myuncle，EdwardPrendick，aprivategentleman，whocertainlywentaboardtheLadyVainatCallao，andwhohadbeenconsidereddrowned，waspickedupinlatitude5’3\"S。andlongitude101’W。inasmallopenboatofwhichthenamewasillegible，butwhichissupposedtohavebelongedtothemissingschoonerIpecacuanha。
Hegavesuchastrangeaccountofhimselfthathewassupposeddemented。
SubsequentlyheallegedthathismindwasablankfromthemomentofhisescapefromtheLadyVain。Hiscasewasdiscussedamongpsychologistsatthetimeasacuriousinstanceofthelapseofmemoryconsequentuponphysicalandmentalstress。
Thefollowingnarrativewasfoundamonghispapersbytheundersigned，hisnephewandheir，butunaccompaniedbyanydefiniterequestforpublication。
TheonlyislandknowntoexistintheregioninwhichmyunclewaspickedupisNoble’sIsle，asmallvolcanicisletanduninhabited。
Itwasvisitedin1891byH。M。S。Scorpion。Apartyofsailorsthenlanded，butfoundnothinglivingthereonexceptcertaincuriouswhitemoths，somehogsandrabbits，andsomeratherpeculiarrats。
Sothatthisnarrativeiswithoutconfirmationinitsmostessentialparticular。Withthatunderstood，thereseemsnoharminputtingthisstrangestorybeforethepublicinaccordance，asIbelieve，withmyuncle’sintentions。Thereisatleastthismuchinitsbehalf：myunclepassedoutofhumanknowledgeaboutlatitude5’S。andlongitude105’E。，andreappearedinthesamepartoftheoceanafteraspaceofelevenmonths。
Insomewayhemusthavelivedduringtheinterval。AnditseemsthataschoonercalledtheIpecacuanhawithadrunkencaptain，JohnDavies，didstartfromAfricawithapumaandcertainotheranimalsaboardinJanuary，1887，thatthevesselwaswellknownatseveralportsintheSouthPacific，andthatitfinallydisappearedfromthoseseas（withaconsiderableamountofcopraaboard），sailingtoitsunknownfatefromBaynainDecember，1887，adatethattalliesentirelywithmyuncle’sstory。
CHARLESEDWARDPRENDICK。
（TheStorywrittenbyEdwardPrendick。）
I。INTHEDINGEYOFTHE\"LADYVAIN。\"
IDOnotproposetoaddanythingtowhathasalreadybeenwrittenconcerningthelossofthe\"LadyVain。\"Aseveryoneknows，shecollidedwithaderelictwhentendaysoutfromCallao。
Thelongboat，withsevenofthecrew，waspickedupeighteendaysafterbyH。M。gunboat\"Myrtle，\"andthestoryoftheirterribleprivationshasbecomequiteaswellknownasthefarmorehorrible\"Medusa\"case。
ButIhavetoaddtothepublishedstoryofthe\"LadyVain\"
another，possiblyashorribleandfarstranger。Ithashithertobeensupposedthatthefourmenwhowereinthedingeyperished，butthisisincorrect。Ihavethebestofevidenceforthisassertion：
Iwasoneofthefourmen。
ButinthefirstplaceImuststatethatthereneverwerefourmeninthedingey，——thenumberwasthree。Constans，whowas\"seenbythecaptaintojumpintothegig，\"<1>luckilyforusandunluckilyforhimselfdidnotreachus。Hecamedownoutofthetangleofropesunderthestaysofthesmashedbowsprit，somesmallropecaughthisheelasheletgo，andhehungforamomentheaddownward，andthenfellandstruckablockorsparfloatinginthewater。
Wepulledtowardshim，buthenevercameup。
<1>DailyNews，March17，1887。
Isayluckyforushedidnotreachus，andImightalmostsayluckilyforhimself;forwehadonlyasmallbreakerofwaterandsomesoddenedship’sbiscuitswithus，sosuddenhadbeenthealarm，sounpreparedtheshipforanydisaster。
Wethoughtthepeopleonthelaunchwouldbebetterprovisioned（thoughitseemstheywerenot），andwetriedtohailthem。Theycouldnothaveheardus，andthenextmorningwhenthedrizzlecleared，——
whichwasnotuntilpastmidday，——wecouldseenothingofthem。Wecouldnotstanduptolookaboutus，becauseofthepitchingoftheboat。
ThetwoothermenwhohadescapedsofarwithmewereamannamedHelmar，apassengerlikemyself，andaseamanwhosenameIdon’tknow，——
ashortsturdyman，withastammer。
Wedriftedfamishing，and，afterourwaterhadcometoanend，tormentedbyanintolerablethirst，foreightdaysaltogether。
Aftertheseconddaytheseasubsidedslowlytoaglassycalm。Itisquiteimpossiblefortheordinaryreadertoimaginethoseeightdays。
Hehasnot，luckilyforhimself，anythinginhismemorytoimaginewith。
Afterthefirstdaywesaidlittletooneanother，andlayinourplacesintheboatandstaredatthehorizon，orwatched，witheyesthatgrewlargerandmorehaggardeveryday，themiseryandweaknessgaininguponourcompanions。Thesunbecamepitiless。
Thewaterendedonthefourthday，andwewerealreadythinkingstrangethingsandsayingthemwithoureyes;butitwas，Ithink，thesixthbeforeHelmargavevoicetothethingwehadallbeenthinking。
Irememberourvoicesweredryandthin，sothatwebenttowardsoneanotherandsparedourwords。Istoodoutagainstitwithallmymight，wasratherforscuttlingtheboatandperishingtogetheramongthesharksthatfollowedus;butwhenHelmarsaidthatifhisproposalwasacceptedweshouldhavedrink，thesailorcameroundtohim。
Iwouldnotdrawlotshowever，andinthenightthesailorwhisperedtoHelmaragainandagain，andIsatinthebowswithmyclasp-knifeinmyhand，thoughIdoubtifIhadthestuffinmetofight;
andinthemorningIagreedtoHelmar’sproposal，andwehandedhalfpencetofindtheoddman。Thelotfelluponthesailor;
buthewasthestrongestofusandwouldnotabidebyit，andattackedHelmarwithhishands。Theygrappledtogetherandalmoststoodup。
Icrawledalongtheboattothem，intendingtohelpHelmarbygraspingthesailor’sleg;butthesailorstumbledwiththeswayingoftheboat，andthetwofelluponthegunwaleandrolledoverboardtogether。
Theysanklikestones。Irememberlaughingatthat，andwonderingwhyIlaughed。Thelaughcaughtmesuddenlylikeathingfromwithout。
IlayacrossoneofthethwartsforIknownothowlong，thinkingthatifIhadthestrengthIwoulddrinksea-waterandmaddenmyselftodiequickly。AndevenasIlaythereIsaw，withnomoreinterestthanifithadbeenapicture，asailcomeuptowardsmeoverthesky-line。Mymindmusthavebeenwandering，andyetIrememberallthathappened，quitedistinctly。
Irememberhowmyheadswayedwiththeseas，andthehorizonwiththesailaboveitdancedupanddown;butIalsorememberasdistinctlythatIhadapersuasionthatIwasdead，andthatI
thoughtwhatajestitwasthattheyshouldcometoolatebysuchalittletocatchmeinmybody。
Foranendlessperiod，asitseemedtome，Ilaywithmyheadonthethwartwatchingtheschooner（shewasalittleship，schooner-riggedforeandaft）comeupoutofthesea。
Shekepttackingtoandfroinawideningcompass，forshewassailingdeadintothewind。Itneverenteredmyheadtoattempttoattractattention，andIdonotrememberanythingdistinctlyafterthesightofhersideuntilIfoundmyselfinalittlecabinaft。
There’sadimhalf-memoryofbeinglifteduptothegangway，andofabigredcountenancecoveredwithfrecklesandsurroundedwithredhairstaringatmeoverthebulwarks。Ialsohadadisconnectedimpressionofadarkface，withextraordinaryeyes，closetomine;
butthatIthoughtwasanightmare，untilImetitagain。
IfancyIrecollectsomestuffbeingpouredinbetweenmyteeth;
andthatisall。
II。THEMANWHOWASGOINGNOWHERE
THEcabininwhichIfoundmyselfwassmallandratheruntidy。
Ayoungishmanwithflaxenhair，abristlystraw-colouredmoustache，andadroppingnetherlip，wassittingandholdingmywrist。
Foraminutewestaredateachotherwithoutspeaking。
Hehadwaterygreyeyes，oddlyvoidofexpression。
Thenjustoverheadcameasoundlikeanironbedsteadbeingknockedabout，andthelowangrygrowlingofsomelargeanimal。
Atthesametimethemanspoke。Herepeatedhisquestion，——\"Howdoyoufeelnow？\"
IthinkIsaidIfeltallright。IcouldnotrecollecthowI
hadgotthere。Hemusthaveseenthequestioninmyface，formyvoicewasinaccessibletome。
\"Youwerepickedupinaboat，starving。Thenameontheboatwasthe`LadyVain，’andtherewerespotsofbloodonthegunwale。\"
Atthesametimemyeyecaughtmyhand，thinsothatitlookedlikeadirtyskin-pursefullofloosebones，andallthebusinessoftheboatcamebacktome。
\"Havesomeofthis，\"saidhe，andgavemeadoseofsomescarletstuff，iced。
Ittastedlikeblood，andmademefeelstronger。
\"Youwereinluck，\"saidhe，\"togetpickedupbyashipwithamedicalmanaboard。\"Hespokewithaslobberingarticulation，withtheghostofalisp。
\"Whatshipisthis？\"Isaidslowly，hoarsefrommylongsilence。
\"It’salittletraderfromAricaandCallao。Ineveraskedwhereshecamefrominthebeginning，——outofthelandofbornfools，Iguess。I’mapassengermyself，fromArica。
Thesillyasswhoownsher，——he’scaptaintoo，namedDavies，——
he’slosthiscertificate，orsomething。Youknowthekindofman，——
callsthethingthe`Ipecacuanha，’ofallsilly，infernalnames;
thoughwhenthere’smuchofaseawithoutanywind，shecertainlyactsaccording。\"
（Thenthenoiseoverheadbeganagain，asnarlinggrowlandthevoiceofahumanbeingtogether。Thenanothervoice，tellingsome\"Heaven-forsakenidiot\"todesist。）
\"Youwerenearlydead，\"saidmyinterlocutor。\"Itwasaverynearthing，indeed。ButI’veputsomestuffintoyounow。
Noticeyourarm’ssore？Injections。You’vebeeninsensiblefornearlythirtyhours。\"
Ithoughtslowly。（Iwasdistractednowbytheyelpingofanumberofdogs。）\"AmIeligibleforsolidfood？\"Iasked。
\"Thankstome，\"hesaid。\"Evennowthemuttonisboiling。\"
\"Yes，\"Isaidwithassurance;\"Icouldeatsomemutton。\"
\"But，\"saidhewithamomentaryhesitation，\"youknowI’mdyingtohearofhowyoucametobealoneinthatboat。Damnthathowling！\"
IthoughtIdetectedacertainsuspicioninhiseyes。
Hesuddenlyleftthecabin，andIheardhiminviolentcontroversywithsomeone，whoseemedtometotalkgibberishinresponsetohim。
Themattersoundedasthoughitendedinblows，butinthatIthoughtmyearsweremistaken。Thenheshoutedatthedogs，andreturnedtothecabin。
\"Well？\"saidheinthedoorway。\"Youwerejustbeginningtotellme。\"
Itoldhimmyname，EdwardPrendick，andhowIhadtakentoNaturalHistoryasarelieffromthedulnessofmycomfortableindependence。
Heseemedinterestedinthis。\"I’vedonesomesciencemyself。IdidmyBiologyatUniversityCollege，——gettingouttheovaryoftheearthwormandtheradulaofthesnail，andallthat。Lord！It’stenyearsago。
Butgoon！goon！tellmeabouttheboat。\"
Hewasevidentlysatisfiedwiththefranknessofmystory，whichItoldinconcisesentencesenough，forIfelthorriblyweak;
andwhenitwasfinishedherevertedatoncetothetopicofNaturalHistoryandhisownbiologicalstudies。HebegantoquestionmecloselyaboutTottenhamCourtRoadandGowerStreet。
\"IsCaplatzistillflourishing？Whatashopthatwas！\"
Hehadevidentlybeenaveryordinarymedicalstudent，anddriftedincontinentlytothetopicofthemusichalls。Hetoldmesomeanecdotes。
\"Leftitall，\"hesaid，\"tenyearsago。Howjollyitallusedtobe！
ButImadeayoungassofmyself，——playedmyselfoutbeforeIwastwenty-one。Idaresayit’salldifferentnow。ButImustlookupthatassofacook，andseewhathe’sdonetoyourmutton。\"
Thegrowlingoverheadwasrenewed，sosuddenlyandwithsomuchsavageangerthatitstartledme。\"What’sthat？\"Icalledafterhim，butthedoorhadclosed。Hecamebackagainwiththeboiledmutton，andIwassoexcitedbytheappetisingsmellofitthatIforgotthenoiseofthebeastthathadtroubledme。
AfteradayofalternatesleepandfeedingIwassofarrecoveredastobeabletogetfrommybunktothescuttle，andseethegreenseastryingtokeeppacewithus。Ijudgedtheschoonerwasrunningbeforethewind。Montgomery——thatwasthenameoftheflaxen-hairedman——
cameinagainasIstoodthere，andIaskedhimforsomeclothes。
Helentmesomeduckthingsofhisown，forthoseIhadwornintheboathadbeenthrownoverboard。Theywereratherlooseforme，forhewaslargeandlonginhislimbs。Hetoldmecasuallythatthecaptainwasthree-partsdrunkinhisowncabin。AsIassumedtheclothes，Ibeganaskinghimsomequestionsaboutthedestinationoftheship。
HesaidtheshipwasboundtoHawaii，butthatithadtolandhimfirst。
\"Where？\"saidI。
\"It’sanisland，whereIlive。SofarasIknow，ithasn’tgotaname。\"
Hestaredatmewithhisnetherlipdropping，andlookedsowilfullystupidofasuddenthatitcameintomyheadthathedesiredtoavoidmyquestions。Ihadthediscretiontoasknomore。
III。THESTRANGEFACE。
WEleftthecabinandfoundamanatthecompanionobstructingourway。Hewasstandingontheladderwithhisbacktous，peeringoverthecombingofthehatchway。Hewas，Icouldsee，amisshapenman，short，broad，andclumsy，withacrookedback，ahairyneck，andaheadsunkbetweenhisshoulders。Hewasdressedindark-blueserge，andhadpeculiarlythick，coarse，blackhair。
Iheardtheunseendogsgrowlfuriously，andforthwithheduckedback，——
comingintocontactwiththehandIputouttofendhimofffrommyself。
Heturnedwithanimalswiftness。
Insomeindefinablewaytheblackfacethusflasheduponmeshockedmeprofoundly。Itwasasingularlydeformedone。
Thefacialpartprojected，formingsomethingdimlysuggestiveofamuzzle，andthehugehalf-openmouthshowedasbigwhiteteethasIhadeverseeninahumanmouth。Hiseyeswereblood-shotattheedges，withscarcelyarimofwhiteroundthehazelpupils。
Therewasacuriousglowofexcitementinhisface。
\"Confoundyou！\"saidMontgomery。\"Whythedevildon’tyougetoutoftheway？\"
Theblack-facedmanstartedasidewithoutaword。
Iwentonupthecompanion，staringathiminstinctivelyasIdidso。Montgomerystayedatthefootforamoment。
\"Youhavenobusinesshere，youknow，\"hesaidinadeliberatetone。
\"Yourplaceisforward。\"
Theblack-facedmancowered。\"They——won’thavemeforward。\"
Hespokeslowly，withaqueer，hoarsequalityinhisvoice。
\"Won’thaveyouforward！\"saidMontgomery，inamenacingvoice。
\"ButItellyoutogo！\"Hewasonthebrinkofsayingsomethingfurther，thenlookedupatmesuddenlyandfollowedmeuptheladder。
Ihadpausedhalfwaythroughthehatchway，lookingback，stillastonishedbeyondmeasureatthegrotesqueuglinessofthisblack-facedcreature。
Ihadneverbeheldsucharepulsiveandextraordinaryfacebefore，andyet——ifthecontradictioniscredible——IexperiencedatthesametimeanoddfeelingthatinsomewayIhadalreadyencounteredexactlythefeaturesandgesturesthatnowamazedme。
AfterwardsitoccurredtomethatprobablyIhadseenhimasI
wasliftedaboard;andyetthatscarcelysatisfiedmysuspicionofapreviousacquaintance。Yethowonecouldhaveseteyesonsosingularafaceandyethaveforgottenthepreciseoccasion，passedmyimagination。
Montgomery’smovementtofollowmereleasedmyattention，andI
turnedandlookedaboutmeattheflushdeckofthelittleschooner。
IwasalreadyhalfpreparedbythesoundsIhadheardforwhatIsaw。
CertainlyIneverbeheldadecksodirty。Itwaslitteredwithscrapsofcarrot，shredsofgreenstuff，andindescribablefilth。
Fastenedbychainstothemainmastwereanumberofgrislystaghounds，whonowbeganleapingandbarkingatme，andbythemizzenahugepumawascrampedinalittleironcagefartoosmalleventogiveitturningroom。
Fartherunderthestarboardbulwarkweresomebighutchescontaininganumberofrabbits，andasolitaryllamawassqueezedinamereboxofacageforward。Thedogsweremuzzledbyleatherstraps。
Theonlyhumanbeingondeckwasagauntandsilentsailoratthewheel。
Thepatchedanddirtyspankersweretensebeforethewind，andupaloftthelittleshipseemedcarryingeverysailshehad。
Theskywasclear，thesunmidwaydownthewesternsky;
longwaves，cappedbythebreezewithfroth，wererunningwithus。
Wewentpastthesteersmantothetaffrail，andsawthewatercomefoamingunderthesternandthebubblesgodancingandvanishinginherwake。Iturnedandsurveyedtheunsavourylengthoftheship。
\"Isthisanoceanmenagerie？\"saidI。
\"Lookslikeit，\"saidMontgomery。
\"Whatarethesebeastsfor？Merchandise，curios？DoesthecaptainthinkheisgoingtosellthemsomewhereintheSouthSeas？\"
\"Itlookslikeit，doesn’tit？\"saidMontgomery，andturnedtowardsthewakeagain。
Suddenlyweheardayelpandavolleyoffuriousblasphemyfromthecompanionhatchway，andthedeformedmanwiththeblackfacecameuphurriedly。Hewasimmediatelyfollowedbyaheavyred-hairedmaninawhitecap。Atthesightoftheformerthestaghounds，whohadalltiredofbarkingatmebythistime，becamefuriouslyexcited，howlingandleapingagainsttheirchains。
Theblackhesitatedbeforethem，andthisgavethered-hairedmantimetocomeupwithhimanddeliveratremendousblowbetweentheshoulder-blades。Thepoordevilwentdownlikeafelledox，androlledinthedirtamongthefuriouslyexciteddogs。
Itwasluckyforhimthattheyweremuzzled。Thered-hairedmangaveayawpofexultationandstoodstaggering，andasitseemedtomeinseriousdangerofeithergoingbackwardsdownthecompanionhatchwayorforwardsuponhisvictim。
Sosoonasthesecondmanhadappeared，Montgomeryhadstartedforward。
\"Steadyonthere！\"hecried，inatoneofremonstrance。
Acoupleofsailorsappearedontheforecastle。Theblack-facedman，howlinginasingularvoicerolledaboutunderthefeetofthedogs。
Nooneattemptedtohelphim。Thebrutesdidtheirbesttoworryhim，buttingtheirmuzzlesathim。Therewasaquickdanceoftheirlithegrey-figuredbodiesovertheclumsy，prostratefigure。
Thesailorsforwardshouted，asthoughitwasadmirablesport。
Montgomerygaveanangryexclamation，andwentstridingdownthedeck，andIfollowedhim。Theblack-facedmanscrambledupandstaggeredforward，goingandleaningoverthebulwarkbythemainshrouds，whereheremained，pantingandglaringoverhisshoulderatthedogs。Thered-hairedmanlaughedasatisfiedlaugh。
\"Lookhere，Captain，\"saidMontgomery，withhislispalittleaccentuated，grippingtheelbowsofthered-hairedman，\"thiswon’tdo！\"
IstoodbehindMontgomery。Thecaptaincamehalfround，andregardedhimwiththedullandsolemneyesofadrunkenman。
\"Wha’won’tdo？\"hesaid，andadded，afterlookingsleepilyintoMontgomery’sfaceforaminute，\"BlastedSawbones！\"
Withasuddenmovementheshookhisarmfree，andaftertwoineffectualattemptsstuckhisfreckledfistsintohissidepockets。
\"Thatman’sapassenger，\"saidMontgomery。\"I’dadviseyoutokeepyourhandsoffhim。\"
\"Gotohell！\"saidthecaptain，loudly。Hesuddenlyturnedandstaggeredtowardstheside。\"DowhatIlikeonmyownship，\"
hesaid。
IthinkMontgomerymighthavelefthimthen，seeingthebrutewasdrunk;
butheonlyturnedashadepaler，andfollowedthecaptaintothebulwarks。
\"Lookyouhere，Captain，\"hesaid;\"thatmanofmineisnottobeill-treated。Hehasbeenhazedeversincehecameaboard。\"
Foraminute，alcoholicfumeskeptthecaptainspeechless。
\"BlastedSawbones！\"wasallheconsiderednecessary。
IcouldseethatMontgomeryhadoneofthoseslow，pertinacioustempersthatwillwarmdayafterdaytoawhiteheat，andneveragaincooltoforgiveness;andIsawtoothatthisquarrelhadbeensometimegrowing。\"Theman’sdrunk，\"saidI，perhapsofficiously;
\"you’lldonogood。\"
Montgomerygaveanuglytwisttohisdroppinglip。\"He’salwaysdrunk。
Doyouthinkthatexcuseshisassaultinghispassengers？\"
\"Myship，\"beganthecaptain，wavinghishandunsteadilytowardsthecages，\"wasacleanship。Lookatitnow！\"
Itwascertainlyanythingbutclean。\"Crew，\"continuedthecaptain，\"clean，respectablecrew。\"
\"Youagreedtotakethebeasts。\"
\"IwishI’dneverseteyesonyourinfernalisland。Whatthedevil——
wantbeastsforonanislandlikethat？Then，thatmanofyours——
understoodhewasaman。He’salunatic;andhehadn’tnobusinessaft。
Doyouthinkthewholedamnedshipbelongstoyou？\"
\"Yoursailorsbegantohazethepoordevilassoonashecameaboard。\"
\"That’sjustwhatheis——he’sadevil！anuglydevil！Mymencan’tstandhim。Ican’tstandhim。Noneofuscan’tstandhim。
Noryoueither！\"
Montgomeryturnedaway。\"Youleavethatmanalone，anyhow，\"hesaid，noddinghisheadashespoke。
Butthecaptainmeanttoquarrelnow。Heraisedhisvoice。\"IfhecomesthisendoftheshipagainI’llcuthisinsidesout，Itellyou。
Cutouthisblastedinsides！Whoareyou，totellmewhatI’mtodo？
ItellyouI’mcaptainofthisship，——captainandowner。
I’mthelawhere，Itellyou，——thelawandtheprophets。
IbargainedtotakeamanandhisattendanttoandfromArica，andbringbacksomeanimals。IneverbargainedtocarryamaddevilandasillySawbones，a——\"
Well，nevermindwhathecalledMontgomery。Isawthelattertakeastepforward，andinterposed。\"He’sdrunk，\"saidI。Thecaptainbegansomeabuseevenfoulerthanthelast。\"Shutup！\"Isaid，turningonhimsharply，forIhadseendangerinMontgomery’swhiteface。
WiththatIbroughtthedownpouronmyself。
However，Iwasgladtoavertwhatwasuncommonlynearascuffle，evenatthepriceofthecaptain’sdrunkenill-will。IdonotthinkIhaveeverheardquitesomuchvilelanguagecomeinacontinuousstreamfromanyman’slipsbefore，thoughIhavefrequentedeccentriccompanyenough。Ifoundsomeofithardtoendure，thoughIamamild-temperedman;but，certainly，whenItoldthecaptainto\"shutup\"IhadforgottenthatIwasmerelyabitofhumanflotsam，cutofffrommyresourcesandwithmyfareunpaid;amerecasualdependantonthebounty，orspeculativeenterprise，oftheship。
Heremindedmeofitwithconsiderablevigour;butatanyrateIpreventedafight。
IV。ATTHESCHOONER’SRAIL。
THATnightlandwassightedaftersundown，andtheschoonerhoveto。Montgomeryintimatedthatwashisdestination。
Itwastoofartoseeanydetails;itseemedtomethensimplyalow-lyingpatchofdimblueintheuncertainblue-greysea。
Analmostverticalstreakofsmokewentupfromitintothesky。
Thecaptainwasnotondeckwhenitwassighted。Afterhehadventedhiswrathonmehehadstaggeredbelow，andIunderstandbewenttosleeponthefloorofhisowncabin。Thematepracticallyassumedthecommand。
Hewasthegaunt，taciturnindividualwehadseenatthewheel。
ApparentlyhewasinaneviltemperwithMontgomery。Hetooknottheslightestnoticeofeitherofus。Wedinedwithhiminasulkysilence，afterafewineffectualeffortsonmyparttotalk。
Itstruckmetoothatthemenregardedmycompanionandhisanimalsinasingularlyunfriendlymanner。IfoundMontgomeryveryreticentabouthispurposewiththesecreatures，andabouthisdestination;
andthoughIwassensibleofagrowingcuriosityastoboth，Ididnotpresshim。
Weremainedtalkingonthequarterdeckuntiltheskywasthickwithstars。Exceptforanoccasionalsoundintheyellow-litforecastleandamovementoftheanimalsnowandthen，thenightwasverystill。
Thepumalaycrouchedtogether，watchinguswithshiningeyes，ablackheapinthecornerofitscage。Montgomeryproducedsomecigars。
HetalkedtomeofLondoninatoneofhalf-painfulreminiscence，askingallkindsofquestionsaboutchangesthathadtakenplace。
Hespokelikeamanwhohadlovedhislifethere，andhadbeensuddenlyandirrevocablycutofffromit。IgossipedaswellasI
couldofthisandthat。Allthetimethestrangenessofhimwasshapingitselfinmymind;andasItalkedIpeeredathisodd，pallidfaceinthedimlightofthebinnaclelanternbehindme。ThenI
lookedoutatthedarklingsea，whereinthedimnesshislittleislandwashidden。
Thisman，itseemedtome，hadcomeoutofImmensitymerelytosavemylife。To-morrowhewoulddropovertheside，andvanishagainoutofmyexistence。Evenhaditbeenundercommonplacecircumstances，itwouldhavemademeatriflethoughtful;butinthefirstplacewasthesingularityofaneducatedmanlivingonthisunknownlittleisland，andcoupledwiththattheextraordinarynatureofhisluggage。
Ifoundmyselfrepeatingthecaptain’squestion，Whatdidhewantwiththebeasts？Why，too，hadhepretendedtheywerenothiswhenI
hadremarkedaboutthematfirst？Then，again，inhispersonalattendanttherewasabizarrequalitywhichhadimpressedmeprofoundly。
Thesecircumstancesthrewahazeofmysteryroundtheman。Theylaidholdofmyimagination，andhamperedmytongue。
TowardsmidnightourtalkofLondondiedaway，andwestoodsidebysideleaningoverthebulwarksandstaringdreamilyoverthesilent，starlitsea，eachpursuinghisownthoughts。
Itwastheatmosphereforsentiment，andIbeganuponmygratitude。
\"IfImaysayit，\"saidI，afteratime，\"youhavesavedmylife。\"
\"Chance，\"heanswered。\"Justchance。\"
\"Iprefertomakemythankstotheaccessibleagent。\"
\"Thanknoone。Youhadtheneed，andIhadtheknowledge;
andIinjectedandfedyoumuchasImighthavecollectedaspecimen。
Iwasboredandwantedsomethingtodo。IfI’dbeenjadedthatday，orhadn’tlikedyourface，well——it’sacuriousquestionwhereyouwouldhavebeennow！\"
Thisdampedmymoodalittle。\"Atanyrate，\"Ibegan。
\"It’schance，Itellyou，\"heinterrupted，\"aseverythingisinaman’slife。Onlytheasseswon’tseeit！WhyamIherenow，anoutcastfromcivilisation，insteadofbeingahappymanenjoyingallthepleasuresofLondon？Simplybecauseelevenyearsago——
Ilostmyheadfortenminutesonafoggynight。\"
Hestopped。\"Yes？\"saidI。
\"That’sall。\"
Werelapsedintosilence。Presentlyhelaughed。
\"There’ssomethinginthisstarlightthatloosensone’stongue。
I’manass，andyetsomehowIwouldliketotellyou。\"
\"Whateveryoutellme，youmayrelyuponmykeepingtomyself——
ifthat’sit。\"
Hewasonthepointofbeginning，andthenshookhishead，doubtfully。
\"Don’t，\"saidI。\"Itisallthesametome。Afterall，itisbettertokeepyoursecret。There’snothinggainedbutalittlereliefifIrespectyourconfidence。IfIdon’t——well？\"
Hegruntedundecidedly。IfeltIhadhimatadisadvantage，hadcaughthiminthemoodofindiscretion;andtotellthetruthIwasnotcurioustolearnwhatmighthavedrivenayoungmedicalstudentoutofLondon。
Ihaveanimagination。Ishruggedmyshouldersandturnedaway。
Overthetaffrailleantasilentblackfigure，watchingthestars。
ItwasMontgomery’sstrangeattendant。Itlookedoveritsshoulderquicklywithmymovement，thenlookedawayagain。
Itmayseemalittlethingtoyou，perhaps，butitcamelikeasuddenblowtome。Theonlylightnearuswasalanternatthewheel。
Thecreature’sfacewasturnedforonebriefinstantoutofthedimnessofthesterntowardsthisillumination，andIsawthattheeyesthatglancedatmeshonewithapale-greenlight。Ididnotknowthenthatareddishluminosity，atleast，isnotuncommoninhumaneyes。
Thethingcametomeasstarkinhumanity。Thatblackfigurewithitseyesoffirestruckdownthroughallmyadultthoughtsandfeelings，andforamomenttheforgottenhorrorsofchildhoodcamebacktomymind。
Thentheeffectpassedasithadcome。Anuncouthblackfigureofaman，afigureofnoparticularimport，hungoverthetaffrailagainstthestarlight，andIfoundMontgomerywasspeakingtome。
\"I’mthinkingofturningin，then，\"saidhe，\"ifyou’vehadenoughofthis。\"
Iansweredhimincongruously。Wewentbelow，andhewishedmegood-nightatthedoorofmycabin。
ThatnightIhadsomeveryunpleasantdreams。Thewaningmoonroselate。Itslightstruckaghostlywhitebeamacrossmycabin，andmadeanominousshapeontheplankingbymybunk。
Thenthestaghoundswoke，andbeganhowlingandbaying;
sothatIdreamtfitfully，andscarcelysleptuntiltheapproachofdawn。
V。THEMANWHOHADNOWHERETOGO。
INtheearlymorning（itwasthesecondmorningaftermyrecovery，andIbelievethefourthafterIwaspickedup），Iawokethroughanavenueoftumultuousdreams，——dreamsofgunsandhowlingmobs，——andbecamesensibleofahoarseshoutingaboveme。Irubbedmyeyesandlaylisteningtothenoise，doubtfulforalittlewhileofmywhereabouts。
Thencameasuddenpatteringofbarefeet，thesoundofheavyobjectsbeingthrownabout，aviolentcreakingandtherattlingofchains。
Iheardtheswishofthewaterastheshipwassuddenlybroughtround，andafoamyyellow-greenwaveflewacrossthelittleroundwindowandleftitstreaming。Ijumpedintomyclothesandwentondeck。
AsIcameuptheladderIsawagainsttheflushedsky——forthesunwasjustrising——thebroadbackandredhairofthecaptain，andoverhisshoulderthepumaspinningfromatackleriggedontothemizzenspanker-boom。
Thepoorbruteseemedhorriblyscared，andcrouchedinthebottomofitslittlecage。
\"Overboardwith’em！\"bawledthecaptain。\"Overboardwith’em！
We’llhaveacleanshipsoonofthewholebilin’of’em。\"
Hestoodinmyway，sothatIhadperforcetotaphisshouldertocomeondeck。Hecameroundwithastart，andstaggeredbackafewpacestostareatme。Itneedednoexperteyetotellthatthemanwasstilldrunk。
\"Hullo！\"saidhe，stupidly;andthenwithalightcomingintohiseyes，\"Why，it’sMister——Mister？\"
\"Prendick，\"saidI。
\"Pendickbedamned！\"saidhe。\"Shut-up，——that’syourname。
MisterShut-up。\"
Itwasnogoodansweringthebrute;butIcertainlydidnotexpecthisnextmove。HeheldouthishandtothegangwaybywhichMontgomerystoodtalkingtoamassivegrey-hairedmanindirty-blueflannels，whohadapparentlyjustcomeaboard。
\"Thatway，MisterBlastedShut-up！thatway！\"roaredthecaptain。
Montgomeryandhiscompanionturnedashespoke。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"Isaid。
\"Thatway，MisterBlastedShut-up，——that’swhatImean！
Overboard，MisterShut-up，——andsharp！We’recleaningtheshipout，——
cleaningthewholeblessedshipout;andoverboardyougo！\"
Istaredathimdumfounded。ThenitoccurredtomethatitwasexactlythethingIwanted。Thelostprospectofajourneyassolepassengerwiththisquarrelsomesotwasnotonetomournover。
IturnedtowardsMontgomery。
\"Can’thaveyou，\"saidMontgomery’scompanion，concisely。
\"Youcan’thaveme！\"saidI，aghast。HehadthesquarestandmostresolutefaceIeverseteyesupon。
\"Lookhere，\"Ibegan，turningtothecaptain。
\"Overboard！\"saidthecaptain。\"Thisshipaintforbeastsandcannibalsandworsethanbeasts，anymore。Overboardyougo，MisterShut-up。Iftheycan’thaveyou，yougoesoverboard。
But，anyhow，yougo——withyourfriends。I’vedonewiththisblessedislandforevermore，amen！I’vehadenoughofit。\"
\"But，Montgomery，\"Iappealed。
Hedistortedhislowerlip，andnoddedhisheadhopelesslyatthegrey-hairedmanbesidehim，toindicatehispowerlessnesstohelpme。
\"I’llseetoyou，presently，\"saidthecaptain。
Thenbeganacuriousthree-corneredaltercation。
AlternatelyIappealedtooneandanotherofthethreemen，——
firsttothegrey-hairedmantoletmeland，andthentothedrunkencaptaintokeepmeaboard。Ievenbawledentreatiestothesailors。
Montgomerysaidneveraword，onlyshookhishead。
\"You’regoingoverboard，Itellyou，\"wasthecaptain’srefrain。
\"Lawbedamned！I’mkinghere。\"AtlastImustconfessmyvoicesuddenlybrokeinthemiddleofavigorousthreat。
Ifeltagustofhystericalpetulance，andwentaftandstareddismallyatnothing。
Meanwhilethesailorsprogressedrapidlywiththetaskofunshippingthepackagesandcagedanimals。Alargelaunch，withtwostandinglugs，layundertheleaoftheschooner;
andintothisthestrangeassortmentofgoodswereswung。
Ididnotthenseethehandsfromtheislandthatwerereceivingthepackages，forthehullofthelaunchwashiddenfrommebythesideoftheschooner。NeitherMontgomerynorhiscompaniontooktheslightestnoticeofme，butbusiedthemselvesinassistinganddirectingthefourorfivesailorswhowereunloadingthegoods。
Thecaptainwentforwardinterferingratherthanassisting。
Iwasalternatelydespairfulanddesperate。OnceortwiceasIstoodwaitingthereforthingstoaccomplishthemselves，Icouldnotresistanimpulsetolaughatmymiserablequandary。
Ifeltallthewretchederforthelackofabreakfast。
Hungerandalackofblood-corpusclestakeallthemanhoodfromaman。
IperceivedprettyclearlythatIhadnotthestaminaeithertoresistwhatthecaptainchosetodotoexpelme，ortoforcemyselfuponMontgomeryandhiscompanion。
SoIwaitedpassivelyuponfate;andtheworkoftransferringMontgomery’spossessionstothelaunchwentonasifIdidnotexist。
Presentlythatworkwasfinished，andthencameastruggle。
Iwashauled，resistingweaklyenough，tothegangway。
EventhenInoticedtheoddnessofthebrownfacesofthemenwhowerewithMontgomeryinthelaunch;butthelaunchwasnowfullyladen，andwasshovedoffhastily。Abroadeninggapofgreenwaterappearedunderme，andIpushedbackwithallmystrengthtoavoidfallingheadlong。Thehandsinthelaunchshoutedderisively，andIheardMontgomerycurseatthem;andthenthecaptain，themate，andoneoftheseamenhelpinghim，ranmeafttowardsthestern。
Thedingeyofthe\"LadyVain\"hadbeentowingbehind;itwashalffullofwater，hadnooars，andwasquiteunvictualled。
Irefusedtogoaboardher，andflungmyselffulllengthonthedeck。
Intheend，theyswungmeintoherbyarope（fortheyhadnosternladder），andthentheycutmeadrift。Idriftedslowlyfromtheschooner。InakindofstuporIwatchedallhandstaketotherigging，andslowlybutsurelyshecameroundtothewind;
thesailsfluttered，andthenbelliedoutasthewindcameintothem。
Istaredatherweather-beatensideheelingsteeplytowardsme;
andthenshepassedoutofmyrangeofview。
Ididnotturnmyheadtofollowher。AtfirstIcouldscarcelybelievewhathadhappened。Icrouchedinthebottomofthedingey，stunned，andstaringblanklyatthevacant，oilysea。ThenIrealizedthatIwasinthatlittlehellofmineagain，nowhalfswamped;
andlookingbackoverthegunwale，Isawtheschoonerstandingawayfromme，withthered-hairedcaptainmockingatmeoverthetaffrail，andturningtowardstheislandsawthelaunchgrowingsmallerassheapproachedthebeach。
Abruptlythecrueltyofthisdesertionbecamecleartome。
IhadnomeansofreachingthelandunlessIshouldchancetodriftthere。
Iwasstillweak，youmustremember，frommyexposureintheboat;
Iwasemptyandveryfaint，orIshouldhavehadmoreheart。
ButasitwasIsuddenlybegantosobandweep，asIhadneverdonesinceIwasalittlechild。Thetearsrandownmyface。InapassionofdespairIstruckwithmyfistsatthewaterinthebottomoftheboat，andkickedsavagelyatthegunwale。IprayedaloudforGodtoletmedie。
VI。THEEVIL-LOOKINGBOATMEN。
BUTtheislanders，seeingthatIwasreallyadrift，tookpityonme。
Idriftedveryslowlytotheeastward，approachingtheislandslantingly;
andpresentlyIsaw，withhystericalrelief，thelaunchcomeroundandreturntowardsme。Shewasheavilyladen，andIcouldmakeoutasshedrewnearerMontgomery’swhite-haired，broad-shoulderedcompanionsittingcrampedupwiththedogsandseveralpacking-casesinthesternsheets。
Thisindividualstaredfixedlyatmewithoutmovingorspeaking。
Theblack-facedcripplewasglaringatmeasfixedlyinthebowsnearthepuma。Therewerethreeothermenbesides，——threestrangebrutish-lookingfellows，atwhomthestaghoundsweresnarlingsavagely。
Montgomery，whowassteering，broughttheboatbyme，andrising，caughtandfastenedmypaintertothetillertotowme，fortherewasnoroomaboard。
Ihadrecoveredfrommyhystericalphasebythistimeandansweredhishail，asheapproached，bravelyenough。
Itoldhimthedingeywasnearlyswamped，andhereachedmeapiggin。
Iwasjerkedbackastheropetightenedbetweentheboats。
ForsometimeIwasbusybaling。
ItwasnotuntilIhadgotthewaterunder（forthewaterinthedingeyhadbeenshipped;theboatwasperfectlysound）
thatIhadleisuretolookatthepeopleinthelaunchagain。
Thewhite-hairedmanIfoundwasstillregardingmesteadfastly，butwithanexpression，asInowfancied，ofsomeperplexity。
Whenmyeyesmethis，helookeddownatthestaghoundthatsatbetweenhisknees。Hewasapowerfully-builtman，asIhavesaid，withafineforeheadandratherheavyfeatures;buthiseyeshadthatodddroopingoftheskinabovethelidswhichoftencomeswithadvancingyears，andthefallofhisheavymouthatthecornersgavehimanexpressionofpugnaciousresolution。
HetalkedtoMontgomeryinatonetoolowformetohear。
Fromhimmyeyestravelledtohisthreemen;andastrangecrewtheywere。
Isawonlytheirfaces，yettherewassomethingintheirfaces——
Iknewnotwhat——thatgavemeaqueerspasmofdisgust。
Ilookedsteadilyatthem，andtheimpressiondidnotpass，thoughIfailedtoseewhathadoccasionedit。Theyseemedtomethentobebrownmen;buttheirlimbswereoddlyswathedinsomethin，dirty，whitestuffdowneventothefingersandfeet：
Ihaveneverseenmensowrappedupbefore，andwomensoonlyintheEast。
Theyworeturbanstoo，andthereunderpeeredouttheirelfinfacesatme，——faceswithprotrudinglower-jawsandbrighteyes。
Theyhadlankblackhair，almostlikehorsehair，andseemedastheysattoexceedinstatureanyraceofmenIhaveseen。
Thewhite-hairedman，whoIknewwasagoodsixfeetinheight，sataheadbelowanyoneofthethree。Ifoundafterwardsthatreallynoneweretallerthanmyself;buttheirbodieswereabnormallylong，andthethigh-partofthelegshortandcuriouslytwisted。
Atanyrate，theywereanamazinglyuglygang，andovertheheadsofthemundertheforwardlugpeeredtheblackfaceofthemanwhoseeyeswereluminousinthedark。AsIstaredatthem，theymetmygaze;
andthenfirstoneandthenanotherturnedawayfrommydirectstare，andlookedatmeinanodd，furtivemanner。ItoccurredtomethatI
wasperhapsannoyingthem，andIturnedmyattentiontotheislandwewereapproaching。
Itwaslow，andcoveredwiththickvegetation，——chieflyakindofpalm，thatwasnewtome。Fromonepointathinwhitethreadofvapourroseslantinglytoanimmenseheight，andthenfrayedoutlikeadownfeather。
Wewerenowwithintheembraceofabroadbayflankedoneitherhandbyalowpromontory。Thebeachwasofdull-greysand，andslopedsteeplyuptoaridge，perhapssixtyorseventyfeetabovethesea-level，andirregularlysetwithtreesandundergrowth。
Halfwayupwasasquareenclosureofsomegreyishstone，whichIfoundsubsequentlywasbuiltpartlyofcoralandpartlyofpumiceouslava。
Twothatchedroofspeepedfromwithinthisenclosure。
Amanstoodawaitingusatthewater’sedge。IfanciedwhilewewerestillfaroffthatIsawsomeotherandverygrotesque-lookingcreaturesscuttleintothebushesupontheslope;butIsawnothingoftheseaswedrewnearer。Thismanwasofamoderatesize，andwithablacknegroidface。Hehadalarge，almostlipless，mouth，extraordinarylankarms，longthinfeet，andbow-legs，andstoodwithhisheavyfacethrustforwardstaringatus。
HewasdressedlikeMontgomeryandhiswhite-hairedcompanion，injacketandtrousersofblueserge。Aswecamestillnearer，thisindividualbegantoruntoandfroonthebeach，makingthemostgrotesquemovements。
AtawordofcommandfromMontgomery，thefourmeninthelaunchsprangup，andwithsingularlyawkwardgesturesstruckthelugs。
Montgomerysteeredusroundandintoanarrowlittledockexcavatedinthebeach。Thenthemanonthebeachhastenedtowardsus。
Thisdock，asIcallit，wasreallyamereditchjustlongenoughatthisphaseofthetidetotakethelongboat。
Iheardthebowsgroundinthesand，stavedthedingeyofftherudderofthebigboatwithmypiggin，andfreeingthepainter，landed。
Thethreemuffledmen，withtheclumsiestmovements，scrambledoutuponthesand，andforthwithsettolandingthecargo，assistedbythemanonthebeach。Iwasstruckespeciallybythecuriousmovementsofthelegsofthethreeswathedandbandagedboatmen，——
notstifftheywere，butdistortedinsomeoddway，almostasiftheywerejointedinthewrongplace。Thedogswerestillsnarling，andstrainedattheirchainsafterthesemen，asthewhite-hairedmanlandedwiththem。Thethreebigfellowsspoketooneanotherinoddgutturaltones，andthemanwhohadwaitedforusonthebeachbeganchatteringtothemexcitedly——aforeignlanguage，asIfancied——astheylaidhandsonsomebalespilednearthestern。
SomewhereIhadheardsuchavoicebefore，andIcouldnotthinkwhere。
Thewhite-hairedmanstood，holdinginatumultofsixdogs，andbawlingordersovertheirdin。Montgomery，havingunshippedtherudder，landedlikewise，andallsettoworkatunloading。Iwastoofaint，whatwithmylongfastandthesunbeatingdownonmybarehead，toofferanyassistance。
Presentlythewhite-hairedmanseemedtorecollectmypresence，andcameuptome。
\"Youlook，\"saidhe，\"asthoughyouhadscarcelybreakfasted。\"
Hislittleeyeswereabrilliantblackunderhisheavybrows。
\"Imustapologiseforthat。Nowyouareourguest，wemustmakeyoucomfortable，——thoughyouareuninvited，youknow。\"
Helookedkeenlyintomyface。\"Montgomerysaysyouareaneducatedman，Mr。Prendick;saysyouknowsomethingofscience。MayIaskwhatthatsignifies？\"
ItoldhimIhadspentsomeyearsattheRoyalCollegeofScience，andhaddonesomeresearchesinbiologyunderHuxley。Heraisedhiseyebrowsslightlyatthat。
\"Thataltersthecasealittle，Mr。Prendick，\"hesaid，withatriflemorerespectinhismanner。\"Asithappens，wearebiologistshere。Thisisabiologicalstation——ofasort。\"
Hiseyerestedonthemeninwhitewhowerebusilyhaulingthepuma，onrollers，towardsthewalledyard。\"IandMontgomery，atleast，\"
headded。Then，\"Whenyouwillbeabletogetaway，Ican’tsay。
We’reoffthetracktoanywhere。Weseeashiponceinatwelve-monthorso。\"
Heleftmeabruptly，andwentupthebeachpastthisgroup，andI
thinkenteredtheenclosure。TheothertwomenwerewithMontgomery，erectingapileofsmallerpackagesonalow-wheeledtruck。
Thellamawasstillonthelaunchwiththerabbithutches;
thestaghoundswerestilllashedtothethwarts。
Thepileofthingscompleted，allthreemenlaidholdofthetruckandbeganshovingtheton-weightorsouponitafterthepuma。
PresentlyMontgomeryleftthem，andcomingbacktomeheldouthishand。
\"I’mglad，\"saidhe，\"formyownpart。Thatcaptainwasasillyass。
He’dhavemadethingslivelyforyou。\"
\"ltwasyou，\"saidI，\"thatsavedmeagain\"。
\"Thatdepends。You’llfindthisislandaninfernallyrumplace，Ipromiseyou。I’dwatchmygoingscarefully，ifIwereyou。
He——\"Hehesitated，andseemedtoalterhismindaboutwhatwasonhislips。\"Iwishyou’dhelpmewiththeserabbits，\"
hesaid。
Hisprocedurewiththerabbitswassingular。Iwadedinwithhim，andhelpedhimlugoneofthehutchesashore。
Nosoonerwasthatdonethanheopenedthedoorofit，andtiltingthethingononeendturneditslivingcontentsoutontheground。
Theyfellinastrugglingheaponeonthetopoftheother。
Heclappedhishands，andforthwiththeywentoffwiththathoppingrunoftheirs，fifteenortwentyofthemIshouldthink，upthebeach。
\"Increaseandmultiply，myfriends，\"saidMontgomery。
\"Replenishtheisland。Hithertowe’vehadacertainlackofmeathere。\"
AsIwatchedthemdisappearing，thewhite-hairedmanreturnedwithabrandy-flaskandsomebiscuits。\"Somethingtogoonwith，Prendick，\"
saidhe，inafarmorefamiliartonethanbefore。Imadenoado，butsettoworkonthebiscuitsatonce，whilethewhite-hairedmanhelpedMontgomerytoreleaseaboutascoremoreoftherabbits。
Threebighutches，however，wentuptothehousewiththepuma。
ThebrandyIdidnottouch，forIhavebeenanabstainerfrommybirth。
VII。\"THELOCKEDDOOR。\"
THEreaderwillperhapsunderstandthatatfirsteverythingwassostrangeaboutme，andmypositionwastheoutcomeofsuchunexpectedadventures，thatIhadnodiscernmentoftherelativestrangenessofthisorthatthing。Ifollowedthellamaupthebeach，andwasovertakenbyMontgomery，whoaskedmenottoenterthestoneenclosure。
Inoticedthenthatthepumainitscageandthepileofpackageshadbeenplacedoutsidetheentrancetothisquadrangle。
Iturnedandsawthatthelaunchhadnowbeenunloaded，runoutagain，andwasbeingbeached，andthewhite-hairedmanwaswalkingtowardsus。
HeaddressedMontgomery。
\"Andnowcomestheproblemofthisuninvitedguest。Whatarewetodowithhim？\"
\"Heknowssomethingofscience，\"saidMontgomery。
\"I’mitchingtogettoworkagain——withthisnewstuff，\"
saidthewhite-hairedman，nodddingtowardstheenclosure。
Hiseyesgrewbrighter。
\"Idaresayyouare，\"saidMontgomery，inanythingbutacordialtone。
\"Wecan’tsendhimoverthere，andwecan’tsparethetimetobuildhimanewshanty;andwecertainlycan’ttakehimintoourconfidencejustyet。\"
\"I’minyourhands，\"saidI。Ihadnoideaofwhathemeantby\"overthere。\"
\"I’vebeenthinkingofthesamethings，\"Montgomeryanswered。
\"There’smyroomwiththeouterdoor——\"
\"That’sit，\"saidtheelderman，promptly，lookingatMontgomery;
andallthreeofuswenttowardstheenclosure。\"I’msorrytomakeamystery，Mr。Prendick;butyou’llrememberyou’reuninvited。
Ourlittleestablishmentherecontainsasecretorso，isakindofBlue-Beard’schamber，infact。Nothingverydreadful，really，toasaneman;butjustnow，aswedon’tknowyou——\"
\"Decidedly，\"saidI，\"Ishouldbeafooltotakeoffenceatanywantofconfidence。\"
Hetwistedhisheavymouthintoafaintsmile——hewasoneofthosesaturninepeoplewhosmilewiththecornersofthemouthdown，——
andbowedhisacknowledgmentofmycomplaisance。Themainentrancetotheenclosurewepassed;itwasaheavywoodengate，framedinironandlocked，withthecargoofthelaunchpiledoutsideit，andatthecornerwecametoasmalldoorwayIhadnotpreviouslyobserved。
Thewhite-hairedmanproducedabundleofkeysfromthepocketofhisgreasybluejacket，openedthisdoor，andentered。
Hiskeys，andtheelaboratelocking-upoftheplaceevenwhileitwasstillunderhiseye，struckmeaspeculiar。Ifollowedhim，andfoundmyselfinasmallapartment，plainlybutnotuncomfortablyfurnishedandwithitsinnerdoor，whichwasslightlyajar，openingintoapavedcourtyard。ThisinnerdoorMontgomeryatonceclosed。
Ahammockwasslungacrossthedarkercorneroftheroom，andasmallunglazedwindowdefendedbyanironbarlookedouttowardsthesea。
Thisthewhite-hairedmantoldmewastobemyapartment;
andtheinnerdoor，which\"forfearofaccidents，\"hesaid，hewouldlockontheotherside，wasmylimitinward。
Hecalledmyattentiontoaconvenientdeck-chairbeforethewindow，andtoanarrayofoldbooks，chiefly，Ifound，surgicalworksandeditionsoftheLatinandGreekclassics（languagesI
cannotreadwithanycomfort），onashelfnearthehammock。
Helefttheroombytheouterdoor，asiftoavoidopeningtheinneroneagain。
\"Weusuallyhaveourmealsinhere，\"saidMontgomery，andthen，asifindoubt，wentoutaftertheother。\"Moreau！\"Iheardhimcall，andforthemomentIdonotthinkInoticed。
ThenasIhandledthebooksontheshelfitcameupinconsciousness：
WherehadIheardthenameofMoreaubefore？Isatdownbeforethewindow，tookoutthebiscuitsthatstillremainedtome，andatethemwithanexcellentappetite。Moreau！
ThroughthewindowIsawoneofthoseunaccountablemeninwhite，luggingapacking-casealongthebeach。Presentlythewindow-framehidhim。
ThenIheardakeyinsertedandturnedinthelockbehindme。
AfteralittlewhileIheardthroughthelockeddoorthenoiseofthestaghounds，thathadnowbeenbroughtupfromthebeach。
Theywerenotbarking，butsniffingandgrowlinginacuriousfashion。
Icouldheartherapidpatteroftheirfeet，andMontgomery’svoicesoothingthem。
Iwasverymuchimpressedbytheelaboratesecrecyofthesetwomenregardingthecontentsoftheplace，andforsometimeIwasthinkingofthatandoftheunaccountablefamiliarityofthenameofMoreau;
butsooddisthehumanmemorythatIcouldnotthenrecallthatwell-knownnameinitsproperconnection。Fromthatmythoughtswenttotheindefinablequeernessofthedeformedmanonthebeach。
Ineversawsuchagait，suchoddmotionsashepulledatthebox。
Irecalledthatnoneofthesemenhadspokentome，thoughmostofthemIhadfoundlookingatmeatonetimeoranotherinapeculiarlyfurtivemanner，quiteunlikethefrankstareofyourunsophisticatedsavage。Indeed，theyhadallseemedremarkablytaciturn，andwhentheydidspeak，endowedwithveryuncannyvoices。
Whatwaswrongwiththem？ThenIrecalledtheeyesofMontgomery’sungainlyattendant。
JustasIwasthinkingofhimhecamein。Hewasnowdressedinwhite，andcarriedalittletraywithsomecoffeeandboiledvegetablesthereon。
Icouldhardlyrepressashudderingrecoilashecame，bendingamiably，andplacedthetraybeforemeonthetable。Thenastonishmentparalysedme。UnderhisstringyblacklocksIsawhisear;
itjumpeduponmesuddenlyclosetomyface。Themanhadpointedears，coveredwithafinebrownfur！
\"Yourbreakfast，sair，\"hesaid。
Istaredathisfacewithoutattemptingtoanswerhim。Heturnedandwenttowardsthedoor，regardingmeoddlyoverhisshoulder。
Ifollowedhimoutwithmyeyes;andasIdidso，bysomeoddtrickofunconsciouscerebration，therecamesurgingintomyheadthephrase，\"TheMoreauHollows\"——wasit？\"TheMoreau——\"Ah！Itsentmymemorybacktenyears。\"TheMoreauHorrors！\"Thephrasedriftedlooseinmymindforamoment，andthenIsawitinredletteringonalittlebuff-colouredpamphlet，toreadwhichmadeoneshiverandcreep。
ThenIremembereddistinctlyallaboutit。Thatlong-forgottenpamphletcamebackwithstartlingvividnesstomymind。
Ihadbeenamereladthen，andMoreauwas，Isuppose，aboutfifty，——
aprominentandmasterfulphysiologist，well-knowninscientificcirclesforhisextraordinaryimaginationandhisbrutaldirectnessindiscussion。
WasthisthesameMoreau？Hehadpublishedsomeveryastonishingfactsinconnectionwiththetransfusionofblood，andinadditionwasknowntobedoingvaluableworkonmorbidgrowths。
Thensuddenlyhiscareerwasclosed。HehadtoleaveEngland。
Ajournalistobtainedaccesstohislaboratoryinthecapacityoflaboratory-assistant，withthedeliberateintentionofmakingsensationalexposures;andbythehelpofashockingaccident（ifitwasanaccident），hisgruesomepamphletbecamenotorious。
Onthedayofitspublicationawretcheddog，flayedandotherwisemutilated，escapedfromMoreau’shouse。Itwasinthesillyseason，andaprominenteditor，acousinofthetemporarylaboratory-assistant，appealedtotheconscienceofthenation。
Itwasnotthefirsttimethatconsciencehasturnedagainstthemethodsofresearch。Thedoctorwassimplyhowledoutofthecountry。
Itmaybethathedeservedtobe;butIstillthinkthatthetepidsupportofhisfellow-investigatorsandhisdesertionbythegreatbodyofscientificworkerswasashamefulthing。Yetsomeofhisexperiments，bythejournalist’saccount，werewantonlycruel。
Hemightperhapshavepurchasedhissocialpeacebyabandoninghisinvestigations;butheapparentlypreferredthelatter，asmostmenwouldwhohaveoncefallenundertheovermasteringspellofresearch。
Hewasunmarried，andhadindeednothingbuthisowninteresttoconsider。
Ifeltconvincedthatthismustbethesameman。Everythingpointedtoit。Itdawneduponmetowhatendthepumaandtheotheranimals——
whichhadnowbeenbroughtwithotherluggageintotheenclosurebehindthehouse——weredestined;andacuriousfaintodour，thehalitusofsomethingfamiliar，anodourthathadbeeninthebackgroundofmyconsciousnesshitherto，suddenlycameforwardintotheforefrontofmythoughts。Itwastheantisepticodourofthedissecting-room。Iheardthepumagrowlingthroughthewall，andoneofthedogsyelpedasthoughithadbeenstruck。
Yetsurely，andespeciallytoanotherscientificman，therewasnothingsohorribleinvivisectionastoaccountforthissecrecy;
andbysomeoddleapinmythoughtsthepointedearsandluminouseyesofMontgomery’sattendantcamebackagainbeforemewiththesharpestdefinition。Istaredbeforemeoutatthegreensea，frothingunderafresheningbreeze，andlettheseandotherstrangememoriesofthelastfewdayschaseoneanotherthroughmymind。
Whatcoulditallmean？Alockedenclosureonalonelyisland，anotoriousvivisector，andthesecrippledanddistortedmen？
VIII。THECRYINGOFTHEPUMA。
MONTGOMERYinterruptedmytangleofmystificationandsuspicionaboutoneo’clock，andhisgrotesqueattendantfollowedhimwithatraybearingbread，someherbsandothereatables，aflaskofwhiskey，ajugofwater，andthreeglassesandknives。
Iglancedaskanceatthisstrangecreature，andfoundhimwatchingmewithhisqueer，restlesseyes。Montgomerysaidhewouldlunchwithme，butthatMoreauwastoopreoccupiedwithsomeworktocome。
\"Moreau！\"saidI。\"Iknowthatname。\"
\"Thedevilyoudo！\"saidhe。\"WhatanassIwastomentionittoyou！
Imighthavethought。Anyhow，itwillgiveyouaninklingofour——mysteries。Whiskey？\"
\"No，thanks;I’manabstainer。\"
\"IwishI’dbeen。Butit’snouselockingthedoorafterthesteedisstolen。Itwasthatinfernalstuffwhichledtomycominghere，——that，andafoggynight。
Ithoughtmyselfinluckatthetime，whenMoreauofferedtogetmeoff。
It’squeer——\"
\"Montgomery，\"saidI，suddenly，astheouterdoorclosed，\"whyhasyourmanpointedears？\"
\"Damn！\"hesaid，overhisfirstmouthfuloffood。Hestaredatmeforamoment，andthenrepeated，\"Pointedears？\"
\"Littlepointstothem，\"saidI，ascalmlyaspossible，withacatchinmybreath;\"andafineblackfurattheedges？\"
Hehelpedhimselftowhiskeyandwaterwithgreatdeliberation。
\"Iwasundertheimpression——thathishaircoveredhisears。\"
\"Isawthemashestoopedbymetoputthatcoffeeyousenttomeonthetable。Andhiseyesshineinthedark。\"
BythistimeMontgomeryhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseofmyquestion。
\"Ialwaysthought，\"hesaiddeliberately，withacertainaccentuationofhisflavouringoflisp，\"thattherewassomethingthematterwithhisears，fromthewayhecoveredthem。
Whatweretheylike？\"
Iwaspersuadedfromhismannerthatthisignorancewasapretence。
Still，IcouldhardlytellthemanthatIthoughthimaliar。
\"Pointed，\"Isaid;\"rathersmallandfurry，——distinctlyfurry。
ButthewholemanisoneofthestrangestbeingsIeverseteyeson。\"
Asharp，hoarsecryofanimalpaincamefromtheenclosurebehindus。
Itsdepthandvolumetestifiedtothepuma。IsawMontgomerywince。
\"Yes？\"hesaid。
\"Wheredidyoupickupthecreature？\"
\"SanFrancisco。He’sanuglybrute，Iadmit。Half-witted，youknow。
Can’trememberwherehecamefrom。ButI’musedtohim，youknow。
Webothare。Howdoeshestrikeyou？\"
\"He’sunnatural，\"Isaid。\"There’ssomethingabouthim——
don’tthinkmefanciful，butitgivesmeanastylittlesensation，atighteningofmymuscles，whenhecomesnearme。It’satouch——
ofthediabolical，infact。\"
MontgomeryhadstoppedeatingwhileItoldhimthis。\"Rum！\"hesaid。
\"Ican’tseeit。\"Heresumedhismeal。\"Ihadnoideaofit，\"
hesaid，andmasticated。\"Thecrewoftheschoonermusthavefeltitthesame。Madeadeadsetatthepoordevil。Yousawthecaptain？\"
Suddenlythepumahowledagain，thistimemorepainfully。
Montgomerysworeunderhisbreath。Ihadhalfamindtoattackhimaboutthemenonthebeach。Thenthepoorbrutewithingaveventtoaseriesofshort，sharpcries。
\"Yourmenonthebeach，\"saidI;\"whatracearethey？\"
\"Excellentfellows，aren’tthey？\"saidhe，absentmindedly，knittinghisbrowsastheanimalyelledoutsharply。
Isaidnomore。Therewasanotheroutcryworsethantheformer。
Helookedatmewithhisdullgreyeyes，andthentooksomemorewhiskey。Hetriedtodrawmeintoadiscussionaboutalcohol，professingtohavesavedmylifewithit。HeseemedanxioustolaystressonthefactthatIowedmylifetohim。Iansweredhimdistractedly。
Presentlyourmealcametoanend;themisshapenmonsterwiththepointedearsclearedtheremainsaway，andMontgomeryleftmealoneintheroomagain。Allthetimehehadbeeninastateofill-concealedirritationatthenoiseofthevivisectedpuma。
Hehadspokenofhisoddwantofnerve，andleftmetotheobviousapplication。
Ifoundmyselfthatthecriesweresingularlyirritating，andtheygrewindepthandintensityastheafternoonworeon。
Theywerepainfulatfirst，buttheirconstantresurgenceatlastaltogetherupsetmybalance。IflungasideacribofHoraceI
hadbeenreading，andbegantoclenchmyfists，tobitemylips，andtopacetheroom。PresentlyIgottostoppingmyearswithmyfingers。
Theemotionalappealofthoseyellsgrewuponmesteadily，grewatlasttosuchanexquisiteexpressionofsufferingthatI
couldstanditinthatconfinedroomnolonger。Isteppedoutofthedoorintotheslumberousheatofthelateafternoon，andwalkingpastthemainentrance——lockedagain，Inoticed——
turnedthecornerofthewallThecryingsoundedevenlouderoutofdoors。Itwasasifallthepainintheworldhadfoundavoice。YethadIknownsuchpainwasinthenextroom，andhaditbeendumb，Ibelieve——Ihavethoughtsince——
Icouldhavestooditwellenough。Itiswhensufferingfindsavoiceandsetsournervesquiveringthatthispitycomestroublingus。
Butinspiteofthebrilliantsunlightandthegreenfansofthetreeswavinginthesoothingsea-breeze，theworldwasaconfusion，blurredwithdriftingblackandredphantasms，untilIwasoutofearshotofthehouseinthechequeredwall。
IX。THETHINGINTHEFOREST。