The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 48: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Wreck of the South Pole. AI sire, I explained, was not from a wish to taste monkey flesh, but to tame the animal. My host replied: “You have asked me to do an almost impossible thing. The monkey is one of the most intelligent of the lower animals. At first, centuries ago, our records tell us many of them were caught, but after a time they began to com- bat our will power with their own, and now have become almost impervious to our efforts. However, I will make a trial. In fact, it would be quite a triumph over the lower animals if I could secure one, and so | am very glad to make the attempt, knowing there will be no disgrace in failure.” This speech greatly interested me, and I asked: ‘Are there any other animals which thus combat your superior intelligence ?” “Yes,” replied my host, “there are several. One species of bear has developed its will power until it is rare that we ever ensnare one. However, they have become so much under cur influence that there is no danger from them. While we cznnot compel one in the wild state to come to us, yet the mental force has proven so great that if one meets us face to face we are able to exert enough influence to keep it from harming us.”’ With this he stopped talking and concentrated all his efforts upon one sprightly little monkey which he pointed out skipping from branch to branch over our heads and chattering as if all the gossip of a sewing society had to be retailed before we got away. ‘Please note that one,” my host said, “for while I can- CoOnnicloool S (SO)