For once I was the Hero

           LordJohnRoxtonwasrightwhenhethoughtthatsomespeciallytoxicqualitymightlieinthebiteofthehorriblecreatureswhichhadattackedus.Onthemorningafterourfirstadventureupontheplateau,bothSummerleeandIwereingreatpainandfever,whileChallenger’skneewassobruisedthathecouldhardlylimp.Wekepttoourcampallday,therefore,LordJohnbusyinghimself,withsuchhelpaswecouldgivehim,inraisingtheheightandthicknessofthethornywallswhichwereouronlydefense.IrememberthatduringthewholelongdayIwashauntedbythefeelingthatwewerecloselyobserved,thoughbywhomorwhenceIcouldgivenoguess.

           SostrongwastheimpressionthatItoldProfessorChallengerofit,whoputitdowntothecerebralexcitementcausedbymyfever.AgainandagainIglancedroundswiftly,withtheconvictionthatIwasabouttoseesomething,butonlytomeetthedarktangleofourhedgeorthesolemnandcavernousgloomofthegreattreeswhicharchedaboveourheads.Andyetthefeelinggreweverstrongerinmyownmindthatsomethingobservantandsomethingmalevolentwasatourveryelbow.IthoughtoftheIndiansuperstitionoftheCurupuri—thedreadful,lurkingspiritofthewoods—andIcouldhaveimaginedthathisterriblepresencehauntedthosewhohadinvadedhismostremoteandsacredretreat.