The Argosy, March 1907 — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

ting the sun on hot days, and so further carrying out the illusion. “I even had a little stream of water flowing through my jungle, and this I warmed so it would bring luxuriant vegetation on the banks. I made all the plants grow very fast and thick by spe- cial fertilization. ‘Now, having the environment, I pro- ceeded to diet my mosquitoes. I gradu- ally left off giving them the juice from raw beef, and offered them fruit, grain, and hay. At first they did not like it, but they soon took to it. ‘“T was delighted to find that my mos- quitoes were gaining in size. ‘The first thing that really encouraged me was, one “day, when having an insect as large as a Newfoundland dog I noticed that the mosquito was growing ears exactly like an elephant’s. ‘Then I knew my experi- ment was a success and that all I needed was time. “T continued the elephant diet. My insects were now beasts, except that they had the wings of the mosquitoes. ~ At last, after six months of labor, special feeding and expansion of growth by cer- tain means I attained®what you see be- fore you now, the only living specimen of an Elesketer.” | The professor allowed his chest to ex- pand with pride as he spoke, and he led Adams a little closer to the queer beast. The Elesketer regarded his creator with the eyes, small, like those of an elephant, yet which bulged out as do the orbs on a mosquito, lending to the beast an uncanny look. It swayed on its legs and curled its bill-trunk up to- ward its mouth, which it “stuffed with hay from a pile in front of it. The wings kept up a constant buzzing. “T. hope your Elesketer never gets loose,” said Adams with a_ shudder, “Think what havoc would be caused if mosquitoes like that were flying around. And I hope you don’t intend to breed a race of these horrible animals, or insects, or whatever they are.’ ‘They partake of the nature of both, ss explained the professor. “ But have no fear, I only raised this one as a speci- men. I can readily understand it would not be nice to wake up and find one of them buzzing in your bed-room. ‘““T would like to call your attention THE ARGOSY. Y a 7 AS to the trunk or bill,’”’ went on the profes- sor, approaching still closer to the ani- mal. ‘As you see, friend Adams, it partakes of the characteristics of both the proboscis of the elephant and the bill of the’ mosquito. It has a sharp horny point capable of penetrating the _ thickest skin or hide covering, and at the same time the elongation and muscu- lar structure of the, trunk enables the member to be swung freely, so that my Elesketer can draw blood from his vic- tim around a corner if need be, a wise provision of nature to _ protect the creature in case of an attack.” | “Tt’s a mean advantage to take, though,”’ observed Adams. “ Think of having a brute like that bite you from around’ a corner and not being able to tackle him.”’ : “Oh, --well,”’ sai ‘the professor, ‘“ the animal must have some margin of safety, you know. Again you will notice——” But just then there was some commo- tion in a corner of the big space, and with a shrill trumpet of terror the Ele- sketer strained at the chains which bound it. “Look out!” cried Adams. “ It’s trying to get at us!”’ ‘“ Nonsense,” replied the professor, though he was a little startled at the. happening. “The animal is as .gentle as a mud-turtle.”’ “ But something is the matter,” in- sisted Adams. | And, to judge from the actions of the beast, there was. It flapped its wings with redoubled energy and the power it brought to bear in pulling on the chains made the links creak. “It wants its freedom,” said the pro- fessor in as calm a voice as he could command under the circumstances. ‘‘ The instincts of nature are hard -to chain. Bred even in the peacefulness of this ) artificial tropical forest the Ele- sketer ”? - ‘“Let’s get out of here, professor,” cried Adams, seizing the scientist by the arm. ‘ We’ll both be killed!” There was another rustling in the hay that was piled in one corner of the big room, and a small mouse ran into view. At the sight of the tiny beast the pon- derous Elesketer fairly trembled with what seemed to be fear. GomiGcboo <S_ Con