The Island of Dr Moreau by H.G. Wells

Author:H.G. Wells
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2010-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

XIII

A PARLEY

I turned again and went on down towards the sea. I found the hot stream broadened out to a shallow weedy sand, in which an abundance of crabs, and long-bodied, many-legged creatures started from my footfall. I walked to the very edge of the salt water, and then I felt I was safe. I turned and stared – arms akimbo – at the thick green behind me, into which the steamy ravine cut like a smoking gash. But as I say, I was too full of excitement, and – a true saying, though those who have never known danger may doubt it – too desperate to die.

Then it came into my head that there was one chance before me yet. While Moreau and Montgomery and their bestial rabble chased me through the island, might I not go round the beach until I came to their enclosure? – make a flank march upon them, in fact, and then with a rock lugged out of their loosely built wall perhaps smash in the lock of the smaller door and see what I could find – knife, pistol, or what-not – to fight them with when they returned? It was at any rate a chance of getting a price for my life.

So I turned to the westward and walked along by the water’s edge. The setting sun flashed his blinding heat into my eyes. The slight Pacific tide was running in with a gentle ripple.

Presently the shore fell away southward and the sun came round upon my right hand. Then suddenly, far in front of me, I saw first one and then several figures emerging from the bushes – Moreau with his grey staghound, then Montgomery, and two others. At that I stopped.

They saw me and began gesticulating and advancing. I stood watching them approach. The two Beast Men came running forward to cut me off from the undergrowth inland. Montgomery came running also, but straight towards me. Moreau followed slower with the dog.

At last I roused myself from inaction, and turning seaward walked straight into the water. The water was very shallow at first. I was thirty yards out before the waves reached to my waist. Dimly I could see the intertidal creatures darting away from my feet.

‘What are you doing, man?’ cried Montgomery.

I turned, standing waist-deep, and stared at them.

Montgomery stood panting at the margin of the water. His face was bright red with exertion, his long flaxen hair blown about his head, and his dropping nether lip showed his irregular teeth. Moreau was just coming up, his face pale and firm, and the dog at his hand barked at me. Both men had heavy whips. Further up the beach stared the Beast Men.

‘What am I doing? – I am going to drown myself,’ said I.

Montgomery and Moreau looked at one another. ‘Why?’ asked Moreau.

‘Because that is better than being tortured by you.’

‘I told you so,’ said Montgomery, and Moreau said something in a low tone.

‘What makes you think I shall torture you?’ asked Moreau.

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