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。