До Адама
Chapter XVI
Theysetupawildchattering,thatwasloudestwhenRed-Eyewasatadistance,andthathushedwhenthechaseledhimnear.Theywereimpotentonlookers.Thefemalesscreechedandgibbered,andthemalesbeattheirchestsinhelplessrage.BigFacewasespeciallyangry,andthoughhehushedhisracketwhenRed-Eyedrewnear,hedidnothushittotheextenttheothersdid.
Asforme,Iplayednobravepart.IknowIwasanythingbutahero.Besides,ofwhatusewouldithavebeenformetoencounterRed-Eye?Hewasthemightymonster,theabysmalbrute,andtherewasnohopeformeinaconflictofstrength.Hewouldhavekilledme,andthesituationwouldhaveremainedunchanged.HewouldhavecaughttheSwiftOnebeforeshecouldhavegainedthecave.Asitwas,Icouldonlylookoninhelplessfury,anddodgeoutofthewayandceasemyragingwhenhecametoonear.
Thehourspassed.Itwaslateafternoon.Andstillthechasewenton.Red-EyewasbentuponexhaustingtheSwiftOne.Hedeliberatelyranherdown.Afteralongtimeshebegantotireandcouldnolongermaintainherheadlongflight.Thenitwasthatshebegangoingfaroutonthethinnestbranches,wherehecouldnotfollow.Thusshemighthavegotabreathingspell,butRed-Eyewasfiendish.Unabletofollowher,hedislodgedherbyshakingheroff.Withallhisstrengthandweight,hewouldshakethebranchbackandforthuntilhesnappedheroffasonewouldsnapaflyfromawhip-lash.Thefirsttime,shesavedherselfbyfallingintobrancheslowerdown.Anothertime,thoughtheydidnotsaveherfromtheground,theybrokeherfall.
