a journey in other worlds-第29章
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picture of the huge monsters they had seen that day； or of the
still more to be dreaded terror these had borne witness to。 Thus
night closes the activities of the day； and in its serene
grandeur the soul has time to think。 While they thought；
however； drowsiness overcame them； and in a little while all were
asleep。
The double line of protection…wires encircled them like a silent
guard； while the methodical ticking of the alarm…clock that was
to wake them at the approach of danger； and register the hour of
interruption； formed a curious contrast to the irregular cries of
the night…hawks in the distance。 Time and again some huge
iguanodon or a hipsohopus would pass； shaking the ground with its
tread； but so implicit was the travellers' trust in the vigilance
of their mechanical and tireless watch； that they slept on as
calmly and unconcernedly as though they had been in their beds at
home； while the tick was as constant and regular as a sentry's
march。 The wires of course did not protect them from creatures
having wings； and they ran some risk of a visitation from the
blood…sucking bats。 The far…away volcanoes occasionally sent up
sheets of flame； which in the distance were like summer
lightning； the torrents of lava and crashes that had sounded so
thunderous when near； were now like the murmur of the ocean's ebb
tide； lulling the terrestrials to deeper sleep。 The pale moons
were at intervals momentarily obscured by the rushing clouds in
the upper air； only to reappear soon afterwards as serene as
before。 All Nature seemed at rest。
Shortly before dawn there was an unusually heavy step。 A moment
later the ever…vigilant batteries poured forth their current； and
the clang of the alarm…bell made the still night ring。 In an
instant the three men were awake； each resting on one knee； with
their backs towards the centre and their polished barrels raised。
It was not long before they perceived the intruder by the
moonlight。 A huge monster of the Triceratops prorsus species had
entered the camp。 It was shaped something like an elephant； but
had ten or twelve times the bulk； being over forty feet in
length； not including the long； thick tail。 The head carried two
huge horns on the forehead and one on the nose。
〃A plague on my shot…gun！〃 said Cortlandt。 〃Had I known how much
of this kind of game we should see； I too should have brought a
rifle。〃
The monster was entangled in the wires； and in another second
would have stepped on the batteries that were still causing the
bell to ring。
〃Aim for the heart；〃 said Bearwarden to Ayrault。 〃When you show
me his ribs； I will follow you in the hole。〃
Ayrault instantly fired for a point just back of the left
foreleg。 The explosion had the same effect as on the mastodon；
removing a half…barrel of hide； etc； and the next second
Bearwarden sent a bullet less than an inch from where Ayrault's
had stopped。 Before the colossus could turn； each had caused
several explosions in close proximity to the first。 The creature
was of course terribly wounded； and several ribs were cracked；
but no ball had gone through。 With a roar it made straight for
the woods； and with surprising agility； running fully as fast as
an elephant。 Bearwarden and Ayrault kept up a rapid fire at the
left hind leg； and soon completely disabled it。 The dinosaur；
however； supported itself with its huge tail； and continued to
make good time。 Knowing they could not give it a fatal wound at
the intervening distance； in the uncertain light； they stopped
firing and set out in pursuit。 Cortlandt paused to stop the bell
that still rang； and then put his best foot foremost in regaining
his friends。 For half a mile they hurried along； until； seeing
by the quantity of blood on the ground that they were in no
danger of losing the game； they determined to save their
strength。 The trail entered the woods by a narrow ravine； passed
through what proved to be but a belt of timber； and then turned
north to the right。 Presently in the semi…darkness they saw the
monster's head against the sky。 He was browsing among the trees；
tearing off the young branches； and the hunters succeeded in
getting within seventy…five yards before being discovered。 Just
as he began to run； the two rifles again fired； this time at the
right hind leg； which they succeeded in hamstringing。 After that
the Triceratops prorsus was at their mercy； and they quickly put
an end to its suffering。
〃The sun is about to rise；〃 said Bearwarden； 〃in a few minutes we
shall have enough light。〃
They cut out a dozen thick slices of tenderloin steak； and soon
were broiling and eating a substantial breakfast。
〃There are not as many spectators to watch us eat here；〃 said
Cortlandt； 〃as in the woods。 I suggest that； after returning to
camp for our blankets and things； we steer for the Callisto； via
this Triceratops； to see what creatures have been attracted by
the body。〃
On finishing their meal they returned to the place at which they
had passed the night。 Having straightened the protection…wires；
which had become twisted； and arranged their impedimenta； they
set out； and were soon once more beside their latest victim。
CHAPTER IX。
THE HONEY OF DEATH。
At first nothing seemed to have been disturbed； when they
suddenly perceived that both forelegs were missing。 On further
examination they found that the ponderous tail； seven feet in
diameter； was cut through in two places； the thicker portion
having disappeared； and that the heavy bones in this extremity of
the vertebral column had been severed like straws。 The cut
surfaces were but little cooler than the interior of the body；
showing how recently the mutilation had been effected。
〃By all the gods！〃 exclaimed Bearwarden； 〃it is easy to see the
method in this； the hunters have again cut off only those parts
that could be easily rolled。 These Jovian fellows must have
weapons compared with which the old scythe chariots would be but
toys； with which they amputate the legs of their victims。 We
must see to it that their scimitars do not come too near to us；
and I venture to hope that in our bullets they will find their
match。 What say you； doctor？〃
〃I see no depression such as such heavy bodies would necessarily
have made had they been rolled along the ground； neither does it
seem to me that these curious tracks in the sand are those of
men。〃
The loose earth looked as if the cross…ties of some railroad had
been removed； the space formerly occupied having been but partly
filled； and these depressions were across the probable direction
of motion。
〃Whatever was capable of chasing mastodons and carrying such
weights；〃 said Ayrault； 〃will； I suspect； have little to fear
from us。 Probably nothing short of light artillery would leave
much effect。〃
〃I dare say；〃 replied Bearwarden； 〃we had better give the unknown
quantity a wide berth； though I would give a year's salary to see
what it is like。 The absence of other tracks shows that his
confreres leave 'Scissor… jaw' alone。〃
Keeping a sharp lookout in all directions； they resumed their
march along the third side of the square which was to bring them
back to the Callisto。 Their course was parallel to the stream；
and on comparatively high ground。 Cortlandt's gun did good
service； bringing down between fifty and sixty birds that usually
allowed them to get as near as they pleased； and often seemed
unwilling to leave their branches。 By the time they were ready
for luncheon they saw it would be dark in an hour。 As the
rapidity of the planet's rotation did not give them a chance to
become tired； they concluded not to pitch their camp； but to
resume the march by moonlight； which would be easy in the high；
open country they were traversing。
While in quest of fire…wood； they came upon great heaps of bones；
mostly those of birds； and were attracted by the tall；
bell…shaped flowers growing luxuriantly in their midst。 These
exhaled a most delicious perfume； and at the centre of each
flower was a viscous liquid； the colour
