The Argosy — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 337 A sudden cry from the Greek brought him back in a hurry to the top of the island. His companions were staring out on the lake, and Canaris was pointing with a trembling hand at some unseen object. ‘‘ What is the matter?’’ cried Guy. ‘‘ What do you see?”’ Hush,”’ said the colonel, holding up a warning finger. “ Something is moving out on the lake. Do you hear it splashing in the water? ”’ As yet nothing could be seen, but,the noise was very plain and distinct, a steady swish ! swish ! not unlike the beating of a little steamer. A chilling fear grew on them as they listened to this strange, mysterious sound. ‘‘ Whatever it is, it is moving in a circle round the island,’’ said Guy, ‘‘and keeping an equal distance from the shore.’’ “You are right, Chutney,’’ said the colonel, after a pause. ‘‘ The sound was on our left a moment ago. Now it is on our right.’’ The Greek was correct. ‘The surface of the lake was violently agitated, though not a breath of air was stirring, and a steady flow of ripples was breaking on the sandy beach like tiny ocean waves. The unknown navigator, whoever it was, had nearly completed the cir- cuit of the island now, and was very near the spot where they had first heard it. ‘It must be a serpent,’’ cried Guy. ‘‘ Heaven grant that it doesn’t approach the island.’’ He hurriedly picked up the torch and ran with it to the shore. /The radius of light thus thrown over the water illumined a space twenty yards ahead, and revealed a long, dark object moving in graceful undulations over the surface. It was beyond doubt a huge serpent, and as though an- gered by the light, the monster suddenly changed its course, and with a _ terrific splash headed directly for the shore. ‘The huge head was in plain view, and the eyes flashed back fire from the reflected glare of the torch. For an instant all seemed paralyzed with horror, and no one moved. Chutney was the first to recover himself. ‘We must kill him before he reaches the island,’’ he cried, staggering back a pace or two. ‘‘Get the.guns. Quick! quick! or it will be too late |” . He turned to flee across the island toward the canoe, but as he gained the ridge a cry of horror broke from his lips, and as his companions hurriedly reached the spot a single glance showed them what was the matter. The canoe was no longer on the shore. The swell caused by the approach of the serpent had washed it from its slight support, and now it was twenty yards distant, and drifting farther and farther away with every second. ‘The guns! The guns!’’ shrieked Chutney. ‘‘ They are all in the boat. We are left at the mercy of the serpent. Sir Arthur! Sir Arthur !”’ he shouted with all his might, but no response came from the sleeping man, and the canoe continued to recede into the gloom. At this terrible moment it was Forbes who brought a ray of hope into their despair. (J) Gomicbdooks (S@)