Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Terror of Blue John Gap
AndthensuddenlyIheardit!Fromfarawaydownthetunnelcamethosemuffledsteps,sosoftandyetsoponderous.Iheardalsotherattleofstonesastheygavewayunderthatgianttread.Theydrewnearer.Theywerecloseuponme.Iheardthecrashingofthebushesroundtheentrance,andthendimlythroughthedarknessIwasconsciousoftheloomofsomeenormousshape,somemonstrousinchoatecreature,passingswiftlyandverysilentlyoutfromthetunnel.Iwasparalysedwithfearandamazement.LongasIhadwaited,nowthatithadactuallycomeIwasunpreparedfortheshock.Ilaymotionlessandbreathless,whilstthegreatdarkmasswhiskedbymeandwasswallowedupinthenight.
ButnowInervedmyselfforitsreturn.Nosoundcamefromthesleepingcountrysidetotellofthehorrorwhichwasloose.InnowaycouldIjudgehowfaroffitwas,whatitwasdoing,orwhenitmightbeback.Butnotasecondtimeshouldmynervefailme,notasecondtimeshoulditpassunchallenged.IsworeitbetweenmyclenchedteethasIlaidmycockedrifleacrosstherock.
Andyetitnearlyhappened.Therewasnowarningofapproachnowasthecreaturepassedoverthegrass.Suddenly,likeadark,driftingshadow,thehugebulkloomeduponcemorebeforeme,makingfortheentranceofthecave.Againcamethatparalysisofvolitionwhichheldmycrookedforefingerimpotentuponthetrigger.ButwithadesperateeffortIshookitoff.Evenasthebrushwoodrustled,andthemonstrousbeastblendedwiththeshadowoftheGap,Ifiredattheretreatingform.
