Острів доктора Моро
The Thing in the Forest.
Ididnotremembercrossingthesand-openingbefore.Ibegantobetormentedbyafaintrustlinguponmyrighthand.Ithoughtatfirstitwasfancy,forwheneverIstoppedtherewassilence,savefortheeveningbreezeinthetree-tops.ThenwhenIturnedtohurryonagaintherewasanechotomyfootsteps.
Iturnedawayfromthethickets,keepingtothemoreopenground,andendeavouringbysuddenturnsnowandthentosurprisesomethingintheactofcreepinguponme.Isawnothing,andneverthelessmysenseofanotherpresencegrewsteadily.Iincreasedmypace,andaftersometimecametoaslightridge,crossedit,andturnedsharply,regardingitsteadfastlyfromthefurtherside.Itcameoutblackandclear-cutagainstthedarklingsky;andpresentlyashapelesslumpheavedupmomentarilyagainstthesky-lineandvanishedagain.Ifeltassurednowthatmytawny-facedantagonistwasstalkingmeoncemore;andcoupledwiththatwasanotherunpleasantrealisation,thatIhadlostmyway.
ForatimeIhurriedonhopelesslyperplexed,andpursuedbythatstealthyapproach.Whateveritwas,theThingeitherlackedthecouragetoattackme,oritwaswaitingtotakemeatsomedisadvantage.Ikeptstudiouslytotheopen.AttimesIwouldturnandlisten;andpresentlyIhadhalfpersuadedmyselfthatmypursuerhadabandonedthechase,orwasamerecreationofmydisorderedimagination.ThenIheardthesoundofthesea.Iquickenedmyfootstepsalmostintoarun,andimmediatelytherewasastumbleinmyrear.
