Alone with the Beast Folk.

           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.