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diff --git a/old/10002-8.txt b/old/10002-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 37f8c6a..0000000 --- a/old/10002-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5690 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The House on the Borderland, by William Hope Hodgson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The House on the Borderland - -Author: William Hope Hodgson - -Release Date: November 10, 2003 [EBook #10002] -Last updated: January 19, 2009 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - - - - -THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND - -William Hope Hodgson - - -_From the Manuscript discovered in 1877 by Messrs. Tonnison and -Berreggnog in the Ruins that lie to the South of the Village of -Kraighten, in the West of Ireland. Set out here, with Notes_. - - -TO MY FATHER -_(Whose feet tread the lost aeons)_ - -Open the door, - And listen! -Only the wind's muffled roar, - And the glisten -Of tears 'round the moon. - And, in fancy, the tread -Of vanishing shoon-- - Out in the night with the Dead. - -"Hush! And hark - To the sorrowful cry -Of the wind in the dark. - Hush and hark, without murmur or sigh, - To shoon that tread the lost aeons: - To the sound that bids you to die. -Hush and hark! Hush and Hark!" - _Shoon of the Dead_ - - - - -AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUSCRIPT - -Many are the hours in which I have pondered upon the story that is set -forth in the following pages. I trust that my instincts are not awry -when they prompt me to leave the account, in simplicity, as it was -handed to me. - -And the MS. itself--You must picture me, when first it was given into my -care, turning it over, curiously, and making a swift, jerky examination. -A small book it is; but thick, and all, save the last few pages, filled -with a quaint but legible handwriting, and writ very close. I have the -queer, faint, pit-water smell of it in my nostrils now as I write, and -my fingers have subconscious memories of the soft, "cloggy" feel of the -long-damp pages. - -I read, and, in reading, lifted the Curtains of the Impossible that -blind the mind, and looked out into the unknown. Amid stiff, abrupt -sentences I wandered; and, presently, I had no fault to charge against -their abrupt tellings; for, better far than my own ambitious phrasing, -is this mutilated story capable of bringing home all that the old -Recluse, of the vanished house, had striven to tell. - -Of the simple, stiffly given account of weird and extraordinary matters, -I will say little. It lies before you. The inner story must be uncovered, -personally, by each reader, according to ability and desire. And even -should any fail to see, as now I see, the shadowed picture and conception -of that to which one may well give the accepted titles of Heaven and Hell; -yet can I promise certain thrills, merely taking the story as a story. - -WILLIAM HOPE HODGSON December 17, 1907 - - - -_I_ - -THE FINDING OF THE MANUSCRIPT - -Right away in the west of Ireland lies a tiny hamlet called Kraighten. -It is situated, alone, at the base of a low hill. Far around there -spreads a waste of bleak and totally inhospitable country; where, here -and there at great intervals, one may come upon the ruins of some long -desolate cottage--unthatched and stark. The whole land is bare and -unpeopled, the very earth scarcely covering the rock that lies beneath -it, and with which the country abounds, in places rising out of the soil -in wave-shaped ridges. - -Yet, in spite of its desolation, my friend Tonnison and I had elected to -spend our vacation there. He had stumbled on the place by mere chance -the year previously, during the course of a long walking tour, and -discovered the possibilities for the angler in a small and unnamed river -that runs past the outskirts of the little village. - -I have said that the river is without name; I may add that no map that I -have hitherto consulted has shown either village or stream. They seem -to have entirely escaped observation: indeed, they might never exist for -all that the average guide tells one. Possibly this can be partly -accounted for by the fact that the nearest railway station (Ardrahan) is -some forty miles distant. - -It was early one warm evening when my friend and I arrived in Kraighten. -We had reached Ardrahan the previous night, sleeping there in rooms -hired at the village post office, and leaving in good time on the -following morning, clinging insecurely to one of the typical -jaunting cars. - -It had taken us all day to accomplish our journey over some of the -roughest tracks imaginable, with the result that we were thoroughly -tired and somewhat bad tempered. However, the tent had to be erected and -our goods stowed away before we could think of food or rest. And so we -set to work, with the aid of our driver, and soon had the tent up upon a -small patch of ground just outside the little village, and quite near to -the river. - -Then, having stored all our belongings, we dismissed the driver, as he -had to make his way back as speedily as possible, and told him to come -across to us at the end of a fortnight. We had brought sufficient -provisions to last us for that space of time, and water we could get -from the stream. Fuel we did not need, as we had included a small -oil-stove among our outfit, and the weather was fine and warm. - -It was Tonnison's idea to camp out instead of getting lodgings in one of -the cottages. As he put it, there was no joke in sleeping in a room with -a numerous family of healthy Irish in one corner and the pigsty in the -other, while overhead a ragged colony of roosting fowls distributed -their blessings impartially, and the whole place so full of peat smoke -that it made a fellow sneeze his head off just to put it inside -the doorway. - -Tonnison had got the stove lit now and was busy cutting slices of bacon -into the frying pan; so I took the kettle and walked down to the river -for water. On the way, I had to pass close to a little group of the -village people, who eyed me curiously, but not in any unfriendly manner, -though none of them ventured a word. - -As I returned with my kettle filled, I went up to them and, after a -friendly nod, to which they replied in like manner, I asked them -casually about the fishing; but, instead of answering, they just shook -their heads silently, and stared at me. I repeated the question, -addressing more particularly a great, gaunt fellow at my elbow; yet -again I received no answer. Then the man turned to a comrade and said -something rapidly in a language that I did not understand; and, at once, -the whole crowd of them fell to jabbering in what, after a few moments, -I guessed to be pure Irish. At the same time they cast many glances in -my direction. For a minute, perhaps, they spoke among themselves thus; -then the man I had addressed faced 'round at me and said something. By -the expression of his face I guessed that he, in turn, was questioning -me; but now I had to shake my head, and indicate that I did not -comprehend what it was they wanted to know; and so we stood looking at -one another, until I heard Tonnison calling to me to hurry up with the -kettle. Then, with a smile and a nod, I left them, and all in the little -crowd smiled and nodded in return, though their faces still betrayed -their puzzlement. - -It was evident, I reflected as I went toward the tent, that the -inhabitants of these few huts in the wilderness did not know a word of -English; and when I told Tonnison, he remarked that he was aware of the -fact, and, more, that it was not at all uncommon in that part of the -country, where the people often lived and died in their isolated hamlets -without ever coming in contact with the outside world. - -"I wish we had got the driver to interpret for us before he left," I -remarked, as we sat down to our meal. "It seems so strange for the -people of this place not even to know what we've come for." - -Tonnison grunted an assent, and thereafter was silent for a while. - -Later, having satisfied our appetites somewhat, we began to talk, laying -our plans for the morrow; then, after a smoke, we closed the flap of the -tent, and prepared to turn in. - -"I suppose there's no chance of those fellows outside taking anything?" -I asked, as we rolled ourselves in our blankets. - -Tonnison said that he did not think so, at least while we were about; -and, as he went on to explain, we could lock up everything, except the -tent, in the big chest that we had brought to hold our provisions. I -agreed to this, and soon we were both asleep. - -Next morning, early, we rose and went for a swim in the river; after -which we dressed and had breakfast. Then we roused out our fishing -tackle and overhauled it, by which time, our breakfasts having settled -somewhat, we made all secure within the tent and strode off in the -direction my friend had explored on his previous visit. - -During the day we fished happily, working steadily upstream, and by -evening we had one of the prettiest creels of fish that I had seen for a -long while. Returning to the village, we made a good feed off our day's -spoil, after which, having selected a few of the finer fish for our -breakfast, we presented the remainder to the group of villagers who had -assembled at a respectful distance to watch our doings. They seemed -wonderfully grateful, and heaped mountains of what I presumed to be -Irish blessings upon our heads. - -Thus we spent several days, having splendid sport, and first-rate -appetites to do justice upon our prey. We were pleased to find how -friendly the villagers were inclined to be, and that there was no -evidence of their having ventured to meddle with our belongings during -our absences. - -It was on a Tuesday that we arrived in Kraighten, and it would be on the -Sunday following that we made a great discovery. Hitherto we had always -gone up-stream; on that day, however, we laid aside our rods, and, -taking some provisions, set off for a long ramble in the opposite -direction. The day was warm, and we trudged along leisurely enough, -stopping about mid-day to eat our lunch upon a great flat rock near the -riverbank. Afterward we sat and smoked awhile, resuming our walk only -when we were tired of inaction. - -For perhaps another hour we wandered onward, chatting quietly and -comfortably on this and that matter, and on several occasions stopping -while my companion--who is something of an artist--made rough sketches -of striking bits of the wild scenery. - -And then, without any warning whatsoever, the river we had followed so -confidently, came to an abrupt end--vanishing into the earth. - -"Good Lord!" I said, "who ever would have thought of this?" - -And I stared in amazement; then I turned to Tonnison. He was looking, -with a blank expression upon his face, at the place where the river -disappeared. - -In a moment he spoke. - -"Let us go on a bit; it may reappear again--anyhow, it is worth -investigating." - -I agreed, and we went forward once more, though rather aimlessly; for we -were not at all certain in which direction to prosecute our search. For -perhaps a mile we moved onward; then Tonnison, who had been gazing about -curiously, stopped and shaded his eyes. - -"See!" he said, after a moment, "isn't that mist or something, over -there to the right--away in a line with that great piece of rock?" And -he indicated with his hand. - -I stared, and, after a minute, seemed to see something, but could not be -certain, and said so. - -"Anyway," my friend replied, "we'll just go across and have a glance." -And he started off in the direction he had suggested, I following. -Presently, we came among bushes, and, after a time, out upon the top of -a high, boulder-strewn bank, from which we looked down into a wilderness -of bushes and trees. - -"Seems as though we had come upon an oasis in this desert of stone," -muttered Tonnison, as he gazed interestedly. Then he was silent, his -eyes fixed; and I looked also; for up from somewhere about the center of -the wooded lowland there rose high into the quiet air a great column of -hazelike spray, upon which the sun shone, causing innumerable rainbows. - -"How beautiful!" I exclaimed. - -"Yes," answered Tonnison, thoughtfully. "There must be a waterfall, or -something, over there. Perhaps it's our river come to light again. Let's -go and see." - -Down the sloping bank we made our way, and entered among the trees and -shrubberies. The bushes were matted, and the trees overhung us, so that -the place was disagreeably gloomy; though not dark enough to hide from -me the fact that many of the trees were fruit trees, and that, here and -there, one could trace indistinctly, signs of a long departed -cultivation. Thus it came to me that we were making our way through the -riot of a great and ancient garden. I said as much to Tonnison, and he -agreed that there certainly seemed reasonable grounds for my belief. - -What a wild place it was, so dismal and somber! Somehow, as we went -forward, a sense of the silent loneliness and desertion of the old -garden grew upon me, and I felt shivery. One could imagine things -lurking among the tangled bushes; while, in the very air of the place, -there seemed something uncanny. I think Tonnison was conscious of this -also, though he said nothing. - -Suddenly, we came to a halt. Through the trees there had grown upon our -ears a distant sound. Tonnison bent forward, listening. I could hear it -more plainly now; it was continuous and harsh--a sort of droning roar, -seeming to come from far away. I experienced a queer, indescribable, -little feeling of nervousness. What sort of place was it into which we -had got? I looked at my companion, to see what he thought of the matter; -and noted that there was only puzzlement in his face; and then, as I -watched his features, an expression of comprehension crept over them, -and he nodded his head. - -"That's a waterfall," he exclaimed, with conviction. "I know the sound -now." And he began to push vigorously through the bushes, in the -direction of the noise. - -As we went forward, the sound became plainer continually, showing that -we were heading straight toward it. Steadily, the roaring grew louder -and nearer, until it appeared, as I remarked to Tonnison, almost to come -from under our feet--and still we were surrounded by the trees -and shrubs. - -"Take care!" Tonnison called to me. "Look where you're going." And then, -suddenly, we came out from among the trees, on to a great open space, -where, not six paces in front of us, yawned the mouth of a tremendous -chasm, from the depths of which the noise appeared to rise, along with -the continuous, mistlike spray that we had witnessed from the top of the -distant bank. - -For quite a minute we stood in silence, staring in bewilderment at the -sight; then my friend went forward cautiously to the edge of the abyss. -I followed, and, together, we looked down through a boil of spray at a -monster cataract of frothing water that burst, spouting, from the side -of the chasm, nearly a hundred feet below. - -"Good Lord!" said Tonnison. - -I was silent, and rather awed. The sight was so unexpectedly grand and -eerie; though this latter quality came more upon me later. - -Presently, I looked up and across to the further side of the chasm. -There, I saw something towering up among the spray: it looked like a -fragment of a great ruin, and I touched Tonnison on the shoulder. He -glanced 'round, with a start, and I pointed toward the thing. His gaze -followed my finger, and his eyes lighted up with a sudden flash of -excitement, as the object came within his field of view. - -"Come along," he shouted above the uproar. "We'll have a look at it. -There's something queer about this place; I feel it in my bones." And he -started off, 'round the edge of the craterlike abyss. As we neared this -new thing, I saw that I had not been mistaken in my first impression. It -was undoubtedly a portion of some ruined building; yet now I made out -that it was not built upon the edge of the chasm itself, as I had at -first supposed; but perched almost at the extreme end of a huge spur of -rock that jutted out some fifty or sixty feet over the abyss. In fact, -the jagged mass of ruin was literally suspended in midair. - -Arriving opposite it, we walked out on to the projecting arm of rock, -and I must confess to having felt an intolerable sense of terror as I -looked down from that dizzy perch into the unknown depths below us--into -the deeps from which there rose ever the thunder of the falling water -and the shroud of rising spray. - -Reaching the ruin, we clambered 'round it cautiously, and, on the -further side, came upon a mass of fallen stones and rubble. The ruin -itself seemed to me, as I proceeded now to examine it minutely, to be a -portion of the outer wall of some prodigious structure, it was so thick -and substantially built; yet what it was doing in such a position I -could by no means conjecture. Where was the rest of the house, or -castle, or whatever there had been? - -I went back to the outer side of the wall, and thence to the edge of the -chasm, leaving Tonnison rooting systematically among the heap of stones -and rubbish on the outer side. Then I commenced to examine the surface -of the ground, near the edge of the abyss, to see whether there were not -left other remnants of the building to which the fragment of ruin -evidently belonged. But though I scrutinized the earth with the greatest -care, I could see no signs of anything to show that there had ever been -a building erected on the spot, and I grew more puzzled than ever. - -Then, I heard a cry from Tonnison; he was shouting my name, excitedly, -and without delay I hurried along the rocky promontory to the ruin. I -wondered whether he had hurt himself, and then the thought came, that -perhaps he had found something. - -I reached the crumbled wall and climbed 'round. There I found Tonnison -standing within a small excavation that he had made among the _débris_: -he was brushing the dirt from something that looked like a book, much -crumpled and dilapidated; and opening his mouth, every second or two, to -bellow my name. As soon as he saw that I had come, he handed his prize -to me, telling me to put it into my satchel so as to protect it from the -damp, while he continued his explorations. This I did, first, however, -running the pages through my fingers, and noting that they were closely -filled with neat, old-fashioned writing which was quite legible, save in -one portion, where many of the pages were almost destroyed, being -muddied and crumpled, as though the book had been doubled back at that -part. This, I found out from Tonnison, was actually as he had discovered -it, and the damage was due, probably, to the fall of masonry upon the -opened part. Curiously enough, the book was fairly dry, which I -attributed to its having been so securely buried among the ruins. - -Having put the volume away safely, I turned-to and gave Tonnison a hand -with his self-imposed task of excavating; yet, though we put in over an -hour's hard work, turning over the whole of the upheaped stones and -rubbish, we came upon nothing more than some fragments of broken wood, -that might have been parts of a desk or table; and so we gave up -searching, and went back along the rock, once more to the safety of -the land. - -The next thing we did was to make a complete tour of the tremendous -chasm, which we were able to observe was in the form of an almost -perfect circle, save for where the ruin-crowned spur of rock jutted out, -spoiling its symmetry. - -The abyss was, as Tonnison put it, like nothing so much as a gigantic -well or pit going sheer down into the bowels of the earth. - -For some time longer, we continued to stare about us, and then, noticing -that there was a clear space away to the north of the chasm, we bent our -steps in that direction. - -Here, distant from the mouth of the mighty pit by some hundreds of -yards, we came upon a great lake of silent water--silent, that is, save -in one place where there was a continuous bubbling and gurgling. - -Now, being away from the noise of the spouting cataract, we were able to -hear one another speak, without having to shout at the tops of our -voices, and I asked Tonnison what he thought of the place--I told him -that I didn't like it, and that the sooner we were out of it the better -I should be pleased. - -He nodded in reply, and glanced at the woods behind furtively. I asked -him if he had seen or heard anything. He made no answer; but stood -silent, as though listening, and I kept quiet also. - -Suddenly, he spoke. - -"Hark!" he said, sharply. I looked at him, and then away among the trees -and bushes, holding my breath involuntarily. A minute came and went in -strained silence; yet I could hear nothing, and I turned to Tonnison to -say as much; and then, even as I opened my lips to speak, there came a -strange wailing noise out of the wood on our left.... It appeared to -float through the trees, and there was a rustle of stirring leaves, and -then silence. - -All at once, Tonnison spoke, and put his hand on my shoulder. "Let us -get out of here," he said, and began to move slowly toward where the -surrounding trees and bushes seemed thinnest. As I followed him, it came -to me suddenly that the sun was low, and that there was a raw sense of -chilliness in the air. - -Tonnison said nothing further, but kept on steadily. We were among the -trees now, and I glanced around, nervously; but saw nothing, save the -quiet branches and trunks and the tangled bushes. Onward we went, and no -sound broke the silence, except the occasional snapping of a twig under -our feet, as we moved forward. Yet, in spite of the quietness, I had a -horrible feeling that we were not alone; and I kept so close to Tonnison -that twice I kicked his heels clumsily, though he said nothing. A -minute, and then another, and we reached the confines of the wood coming -out at last upon the bare rockiness of the countryside. Only then was I -able to shake off the haunting dread that had followed me among -the trees. - -Once, as we moved away, there seemed to come again a distant sound of -wailing, and I said to myself that it was the wind--yet the evening was -breathless. - -Presently, Tonnison began to talk. - -"Look you," he said with decision, "I would not spend the night in -_that_ place for all the wealth that the world holds. There is something -unholy--diabolical--about it. It came to me all in a moment, just after -you spoke. It seemed to me that the woods were full of vile -things--you know!" - -"Yes," I answered, and looked back toward the place; but it was hidden -from us by a rise in the ground. - -"There's the book," I said, and I put my hand into the satchel. - -"You've got it safely?" he questioned, with a sudden access of anxiety. - -"Yes," I replied. - -"Perhaps," he continued, "we shall learn something from it when we get -back to the tent. We had better hurry, too; we're a long way off still, -and I don't fancy, now, being caught out here in the dark." - -It was two hours later when we reached the tent; and, without delay, we -set to work to prepare a meal; for we had eaten nothing since our lunch -at midday. - -Supper over, we cleared the things out of the way, and lit our pipes. -Then Tonnison asked me to get the manuscript out of my satchel. This I -did, and then, as we could not both read from it at the same time, he -suggested that I should read the thing out loud. "And mind," he -cautioned, knowing my propensities, "don't go skipping half the book." - -Yet, had he but known what it contained, he would have realized how -needless such advice was, for once at least. And there seated in the -opening of our little tent, I began the strange tale of _The House on -the Borderland_ (for such was the title of the MS.); this is told in the -following pages. - - - -_II_ - -THE PLAIN OF SILENCE - -I am an old man. I live here in this ancient house, surrounded by huge, -unkempt gardens. - -The peasantry, who inhabit the wilderness beyond, say that I am mad. -That is because I will have nothing to do with them. I live here alone -with my old sister, who is also my housekeeper. We keep no servants--I -hate them. I have one friend, a dog; yes, I would sooner have old Pepper -than the rest of Creation together. He, at least, understands me--and -has sense enough to leave me alone when I am in my dark moods. - -I have decided to start a kind of diary; it may enable me to record -some of the thoughts and feelings that I cannot express to anyone; but, -beyond this, I am anxious to make some record of the strange things that -I have heard and seen, during many years of loneliness, in this weird -old building. - -For a couple of centuries, this house has had a reputation, a bad one, -and, until I bought it, for more than eighty years no one had lived -here; consequently, I got the old place at a ridiculously low figure. - -I am not superstitious; but I have ceased to deny that things happen -in this old house--things that I cannot explain; and, therefore, I must -needs ease my mind, by writing down an account of them, to the best of -my ability; though, should this, my diary, ever be read when I am gone, -the readers will but shake their heads, and be the more convinced that -I was mad. - -This house, how ancient it is! though its age strikes one less, -perhaps, than the quaintness of its structure, which is curious and -fantastic to the last degree. Little curved towers and pinnacles, with -outlines suggestive of leaping flames, predominate; while the body of -the building is in the form of a circle. - -I have heard that there is an old story, told amongst the country -people, to the effect that the devil built the place. However, that is -as may be. True or not, I neither know nor care, save as it may have -helped to cheapen it, ere I came. - -I must have been here some ten years before I saw sufficient to warrant -any belief in the stories, current in the neighborhood, about this -house. It is true that I had, on at least a dozen occasions, seen, -vaguely, things that puzzled me, and, perhaps, had felt more than I had -seen. Then, as the years passed, bringing age upon me, I became often -aware of something unseen, yet unmistakably present, in the empty rooms -and corridors. Still, it was as I have said many years before I saw any -real manifestations of the so-called supernatural. - -It was not Halloween. If I were telling a story for amusement's sake, I -should probably place it on that night of nights; but this is a true -record of my own experiences, and I would not put pen to paper to amuse -anyone. No. It was after midnight on the morning of the twenty-first day -of January. I was sitting reading, as is often my custom, in my study. -Pepper lay, sleeping, near my chair. - -Without warning, the flames of the two candles went low, and then -shone with a ghastly green effulgence. I looked up, quickly, and as I -did so I saw the lights sink into a dull, ruddy tint; so that the room -glowed with a strange, heavy, crimson twilight that gave the shadows -behind the chairs and tables a double depth of blackness; and wherever -the light struck, it was as though luminous blood had been splashed -over the room. - -Down on the floor, I heard a faint, frightened whimper, and something -pressed itself in between my two feet. It was Pepper, cowering under my -dressing gown. Pepper, usually as brave as a lion! - -It was this movement of the dog's, I think, that gave me the first -twinge of _real_ fear. I had been considerably startled when the lights -burnt first green and then red; but had been momentarily under the -impression that the change was due to some influx of noxious gas into -the room. Now, however, I saw that it was not so; for the candles burned -with a steady flame, and showed no signs of going out, as would have -been the case had the change been due to fumes in the atmosphere. - -I did not move. I felt distinctly frightened; but could think of -nothing better to do than wait. For perhaps a minute, I kept my glance -about the room, nervously. Then I noticed that the lights had commenced -to sink, very slowly; until presently they showed minute specks of red -fire, like the gleamings of rubies in the darkness. Still, I sat -watching; while a sort of dreamy indifference seemed to steal over me; -banishing altogether the fear that had begun to grip me. - -Away in the far end of the huge old-fashioned room, I became conscious -of a faint glow. Steadily it grew, filling the room with gleams of -quivering green light; then they sank quickly, and changed--even as the -candle flames had done--into a deep, somber crimson that strengthened, -and lit up the room with a flood of awful glory. - -The light came from the end wall, and grew ever brighter until its -intolerable glare caused my eyes acute pain, and involuntarily I closed -them. It may have been a few seconds before I was able to open them. The -first thing I noticed was that the light had decreased, greatly; so that -it no longer tried my eyes. Then, as it grew still duller, I was aware, -all at once, that, instead of looking at the redness, I was staring -through it, and through the wall beyond. - -Gradually, as I became more accustomed to the idea, I realized that I -was looking out on to a vast plain, lit with the same gloomy twilight -that pervaded the room. The immensity of this plain scarcely can be -conceived. In no part could I perceive its confines. It seemed to -broaden and spread out, so that the eye failed to perceive any -limitations. Slowly, the details of the nearer portions began to grow -clear; then, in a moment almost, the light died away, and the vision--if -vision it were--faded and was gone. - -Suddenly, I became conscious that I was no longer in the chair. -Instead, I seemed to be hovering above it, and looking down at a dim -something, huddled and silent. In a little while, a cold blast struck -me, and I was outside in the night, floating, like a bubble, up through -the darkness. As I moved, an icy coldness seemed to enfold me, so that -I shivered. - -After a time, I looked to right and left, and saw the intolerable -blackness of the night, pierced by remote gleams of fire. Onward, -outward, I drove. Once, I glanced behind, and saw the earth, a small -crescent of blue light, receding away to my left. Further off, the sun, -a splash of white flame, burned vividly against the dark. - -An indefinite period passed. Then, for the last time, I saw the -earth--an enduring globule of radiant blue, swimming in an eternity of -ether. And there I, a fragile flake of soul dust, flickered silently -across the void, from the distant blue, into the expanse of the unknown. - -A great while seemed to pass over me, and now I could nowhere see -anything. I had passed beyond the fixed stars and plunged into the huge -blackness that waits beyond. All this time I had experienced little, -save a sense of lightness and cold discomfort. Now however the atrocious -darkness seemed to creep into my soul, and I became filled with fear and -despair. What was going to become of me? Where was I going? Even as the -thoughts were formed, there grew against the impalpable blackness that -wrapped me a faint tinge of blood. It seemed extraordinarily remote, and -mistlike; yet, at once, the feeling of oppression was lightened, and I -no longer despaired. - -Slowly, the distant redness became plainer and larger; until, as I drew -nearer, it spread out into a great, somber glare--dull and tremendous. -Still, I fled onward, and, presently, I had come so close, that it -seemed to stretch beneath me, like a great ocean of somber red. I could -see little, save that it appeared to spread out interminably in all -directions. - -In a further space, I found that I was descending upon it; and, soon, I -sank into a great sea of sullen, red-hued clouds. Slowly, I emerged from -these, and there, below me, I saw the stupendous plain that I had seen -from my room in this house that stands upon the borders of the Silences. - -Presently, I landed, and stood, surrounded by a great waste of -loneliness. The place was lit with a gloomy twilight that gave an -impression of indescribable desolation. - -Afar to my right, within the sky, there burnt a gigantic ring of -dull-red fire, from the outer edge of which were projected huge, -writhing flames, darted and jagged. The interior of this ring was -black, black as the gloom of the outer night. I comprehended, at once, -that it was from this extraordinary sun that the place derived its -doleful light. - -From that strange source of light, I glanced down again to my -surroundings. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but the same flat -weariness of interminable plain. Nowhere could I descry any signs of -life; not even the ruins of some ancient habitation. - -Gradually, I found that I was being borne forward, floating across the -flat waste. For what seemed an eternity, I moved onward. I was unaware -of any great sense of impatience; though some curiosity and a vast -wonder were with me continually. Always, I saw around me the breadth of -that enormous plain; and, always, I searched for some new thing to break -its monotony; but there was no change--only loneliness, silence, -and desert. - -Presently, in a half-conscious manner, I noticed that there was a faint -mistiness, ruddy in hue, lying over its surface. Still, when I looked -more intently, I was unable to say that it was really mist; for it -appeared to blend with the plain, giving it a peculiar unrealness, and -conveying to the senses the idea of unsubstantiality. - -Gradually, I began to weary with the sameness of the thing. Yet, it was -a great time before I perceived any signs of the place, toward which I -was being conveyed. - -"At first, I saw it, far ahead, like a long hillock on the surface of -the Plain. Then, as I drew nearer, I perceived that I had been mistaken; -for, instead of a low hill, I made out, now, a chain of great mountains, -whose distant peaks towered up into the red gloom, until they were -almost lost to sight." - - - -_III_ - -THE HOUSE IN THE ARENA - -And so, after a time, I came to the mountains. Then, the course of my -journey was altered, and I began to move along their bases, until, all -at once, I saw that I had come opposite to a vast rift, opening into the -mountains. Through this, I was borne, moving at no great speed. On -either side of me, huge, scarped walls of rocklike substance rose sheer. -Far overhead, I discerned a thin ribbon of red, where the mouth of the -chasm opened, among inaccessible peaks. Within, was gloom, deep and -somber, and chilly silence. For a while, I went onward steadily, and -then, at last, I saw, ahead, a deep, red glow, that told me I was near -upon the further opening of the gorge. - -A minute came and went, and I was at the exit of the chasm, staring out -upon an enormous amphitheatre of mountains. Yet, of the mountains, and -the terrible grandeur of the place, I recked nothing; for I was -confounded with amazement to behold, at a distance of several miles and -occupying the center of the arena, a stupendous structure built -apparently of green jade. Yet, in itself, it was not the discovery of -the building that had so astonished me; but the fact, which became every -moment more apparent, that in no particular, save in color and its -enormous size, did the lonely structure vary from this house in which -I live. - -For a while, I continued to stare, fixedly. Even then, I could scarcely -believe that I saw aright. In my mind, a question formed, reiterating -incessantly: 'What does it mean?' 'What does it mean?' and I was unable -to make answer, even out of the depths of my imagination. I seemed -capable only of wonder and fear. For a time longer, I gazed, noting -continually some fresh point of resemblance that attracted me. At last, -wearied and sorely puzzled, I turned from it, to view the rest of the -strange place on to which I had intruded. - -Hitherto, I had been so engrossed in my scrutiny of the House, that I -had given only a cursory glance 'round. Now, as I looked, I began to -realize upon what sort of a place I had come. The arena, for so I have -termed it, appeared a perfect circle of about ten to twelve miles in -diameter, the House, as I have mentioned before, standing in the center. -The surface of the place, like to that of the Plain, had a peculiar, -misty appearance, that was yet not mist. - -From a rapid survey, my glance passed quickly upward along the slopes -of the circling mountains. How silent they were. I think that this same -abominable stillness was more trying to me than anything that I had so -far seen or imagined. I was looking up, now, at the great crags, -towering so loftily. Up there, the impalpable redness gave a blurred -appearance to everything. - -And then, as I peered, curiously, a new terror came to me; for away up -among the dim peaks to my right, I had descried a vast shape of -blackness, giantlike. It grew upon my sight. It had an enormous equine -head, with gigantic ears, and seemed to peer steadfastly down into the -arena. There was that about the pose that gave me the impression of an -eternal watchfulness--of having warded that dismal place, through -unknown eternities. Slowly, the monster became plainer to me; and then, -suddenly, my gaze sprang from it to something further off and higher -among the crags. For a long minute, I gazed, fearfully. I was strangely -conscious of something not altogether unfamiliar--as though something -stirred in the back of my mind. The thing was black, and had four -grotesque arms. The features showed indistinctly, 'round the neck, I -made out several light-colored objects. Slowly, the details came to me, -and I realized, coldly, that they were skulls. Further down the body was -another circling belt, showing less dark against the black trunk. Then, -even as I puzzled to know what the thing was, a memory slid into my -mind, and straightway, I knew that I was looking at a monstrous -representation of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death. - -Other remembrances of my old student days drifted into my thoughts. My -glance fell back upon the huge beast-headed Thing. Simultaneously, I -recognized it for the ancient Egyptian god Set, or Seth, the Destroyer -of Souls. With the knowledge, there came a great sweep of -questioning--'Two of the--!' I stopped, and endeavored to think. Things -beyond my imagination peered into my frightened mind. I saw, obscurely. -'The old gods of mythology!' I tried to comprehend to what it was all -pointing. My gaze dwelt, flickeringly, between the two. 'If--' - -An idea came swiftly, and I turned, and glanced rapidly upward, -searching the gloomy crags, away to my left. Something loomed out under -a great peak, a shape of greyness. I wondered I had not seen it earlier, -and then remembered I had not yet viewed that portion. I saw it more -plainly now. It was, as I have said, grey. It had a tremendous head; but -no eyes. That part of its face was blank. - -Now, I saw that there were other things up among the mountains. Further -off, reclining on a lofty ledge, I made out a livid mass, irregular and -ghoulish. It seemed without form, save for an unclean, half-animal face, -that looked out, vilely, from somewhere about its middle. And then I saw -others--there were hundreds of them. They seemed to grow out of the -shadows. Several I recognized almost immediately as mythological -deities; others were strange to me, utterly strange, beyond the power of -a human mind to conceive. - -On each side, I looked, and saw more, continually. The mountains were -full of strange things--Beast-gods, and Horrors so atrocious and bestial -that possibility and decency deny any further attempt to describe them. -And I--I was filled with a terrible sense of overwhelming horror and -fear and repugnance; yet, spite of these, I wondered exceedingly. Was -there then, after all, something in the old heathen worship, something -more than the mere deifying of men, animals, and elements? The thought -gripped me--was there? - -Later, a question repeated itself. What were they, those Beast-gods, -and the others? At first, they had appeared to me just sculptured -Monsters placed indiscriminately among the inaccessible peaks and -precipices of the surrounding mountains. Now, as I scrutinized them with -greater intentness, my mind began to reach out to fresh conclusions. -There was something about them, an indescribable sort of silent vitality -that suggested, to my broadening consciousness, a state of -life-in-death--a something that was by no means life, as we understand -it; but rather an inhuman form of existence, that well might be likened -to a deathless trance--a condition in which it was possible to imagine -their continuing, eternally. 'Immortal!' the word rose in my thoughts -unbidden; and, straightway, I grew to wondering whether this might be -the immortality of the gods. - -And then, in the midst of my wondering and musing, something happened. -Until then, I had been staying just within the shadow of the exit of the -great rift. Now, without volition on my part, I drifted out of the -semi-darkness and began to move slowly across the arena--toward the -House. At this, I gave up all thoughts of those prodigious Shapes above -me--and could only stare, frightenedly, at the tremendous structure -toward which I was being conveyed so remorselessly. Yet, though I -searched earnestly, I could discover nothing that I had not already -seen, and so became gradually calmer. - -Presently, I had reached a point more than halfway between the House -and the gorge. All around was spread the stark loneliness of the place, -and the unbroken silence. Steadily, I neared the great building. Then, -all at once, something caught my vision, something that came 'round one -of the huge buttresses of the House, and so into full view. It was a -gigantic thing, and moved with a curious lope, going almost upright, -after the manner of a man. It was quite unclothed, and had a remarkable -luminous appearance. Yet it was the face that attracted and frightened -me the most. It was the face of a swine. - -Silently, intently, I watched this horrible creature, and forgot my -fear, momentarily, in my interest in its movements. It was making its -way, cumbrously 'round the building, stopping as it came to each window -to peer in and shake at the bars, with which--as in this house--they -were protected; and whenever it came to a door, it would push at it, -fingering the fastening stealthily. Evidently, it was searching for an -ingress into the House. - -I had come now to within less than a quarter of a mile of the great -structure, and still I was compelled forward. Abruptly, the Thing turned -and gazed hideously in my direction. It opened its mouth, and, for the -first time, the stillness of that abominable place was broken, by a -deep, booming note that sent an added thrill of apprehension through me. -Then, immediately, I became aware that it was coming toward me, swiftly -and silently. In an instant, it had covered half the distance that lay -between. And still, I was borne helplessly to meet it. Only a hundred -yards, and the brutish ferocity of the giant face numbed me with a -feeling of unmitigated horror. I could have screamed, in the supremeness -of my fear; and then, in the very moment of my extremity and despair, I -became conscious that I was looking down upon the arena, from a rapidly -increasing height. I was rising, rising. In an inconceivably short -while, I had reached an altitude of many hundred feet. Beneath me, the -spot that I had just left, was occupied by the foul Swine-creature. It -had gone down on all fours and was snuffing and rooting, like a -veritable hog, at the surface of the arena. A moment and it rose to its -feet, clutching upward, with an expression of desire upon its face such -as I have never seen in this world. - -Continually, I mounted higher. A few minutes, it seemed, and I had -risen above the great mountains--floating, alone, afar in the redness. -At a tremendous distance below, the arena showed, dimly; with the mighty -House looking no larger than a tiny spot of green. The Swine-thing was -no longer visible. - -Presently, I passed over the mountains, out above the huge breadth of -the plain. Far away, on its surface, in the direction of the ring-shaped -sun, there showed a confused blur. I looked toward it, indifferently. It -reminded me, somewhat, of the first glimpse I had caught of the -mountain-amphitheatre. - -With a sense of weariness, I glanced upward at the immense ring of -fire. What a strange thing it was! Then, as I stared, out from the dark -center, there spurted a sudden flare of extraordinary vivid fire. -Compared with the size of the black center, it was as naught; yet, in -itself, stupendous. With awakened interest, I watched it carefully, -noting its strange boiling and glowing. Then, in a moment, the whole -thing grew dim and unreal, and so passed out of sight. Much amazed, I -glanced down to the Plain from which I was still rising. Thus, I -received a fresh surprise. The Plain--everything had vanished, and only -a sea of red mist was spread far below me. Gradually as I stared this -grew remote, and died away into a dim far mystery of red against an -unfathomable night. A while, and even this had gone, and I was wrapped -in an impalpable, lightless gloom. - - - -_IV_ - -THE EARTH - -Thus I was, and only the memory that I had lived through the dark, once -before, served to sustain my thoughts. A great time passed--ages. And -then a single star broke its way through the darkness. It was the first -of one of the outlying clusters of this universe. Presently, it was far -behind, and all about me shone the splendor of the countless stars. -Later, years it seemed, I saw the sun, a clot of flame. Around it, I -made out presently several remote specks of light--the planets of the -Solar system. And so I saw the earth again, blue and unbelievably -minute. It grew larger, and became defined. - -A long space of time came and went, and then at last I entered into the -shadow of the world--plunging headlong into the dim and holy earth -night. Overhead were the old constellations, and there was a crescent -moon. Then, as I neared the earth's surface, a dimness swept over me, -and I appeared to sink into a black mist. - -For a while, I knew nothing. I was unconscious. Gradually, I became -aware of a faint, distant whining. It became plainer. A desperate -feeling of agony possessed me. I struggled madly for breath, and tried -to shout. A moment, and I got my breath more easily. I was conscious -that something was licking my hand. Something damp swept across my face. -I heard a panting, and then again the whining. It seemed to come to my -ears, now, with a sense of familiarity, and I opened my eyes. All was -dark; but the feeling of oppression had left me. I was seated, and -something was whining piteously, and licking me. I felt strangely -confused, and, instinctively, tried to ward off the thing that licked. -My head was curiously vacant, and, for the moment, I seemed incapable of -action or thought. Then, things came back to me, and I called 'Pepper,' -faintly. I was answered by a joyful bark, and renewed and -frantic caresses. - -In a little while, I felt stronger, and put out my hand for the -matches. I groped about, for a few moments, blindly; then my hands lit -upon them, and I struck a light, and looked confusedly around. All about -me, I saw the old, familiar things. And there I sat, full of dazed -wonders, until the flame of the match burnt my finger, and I dropped it; -while a hasty expression of pain and anger, escaped my lips, surprising -me with the sound of my own voice. - -After a moment, I struck another match, and, stumbling across the room, -lit the candles. As I did so, I observed that they had not burned away, -but had been put out. - -As the flames shot up, I turned, and stared about the study; yet there -was nothing unusual to see; and, suddenly, a gust of irritation took me. -What had happened? I held my head, with both hands, and tried to -remember. Ah! the great, silent Plain, and the ring-shaped sun of red -fire. Where were they? Where had I seen them? How long ago? I felt dazed -and muddled. Once or twice, I walked up and down the room, unsteadily. -My memory seemed dulled, and, already, the thing I had witnessed came -back to me with an effort. - -I have a remembrance of cursing, peevishly, in my bewilderment. -Suddenly, I turned faint and giddy, and had to grasp at the table for -support. During a few moments, I held on, weakly; and then managed to -totter sideways into a chair. After a little time, I felt somewhat -better, and succeeded in reaching the cupboard where, usually, I keep -brandy and biscuits. I poured myself out a little of the stimulant, and -drank it off. Then, taking a handful of biscuits, I returned to my -chair, and began to devour them, ravenously. I was vaguely surprised at -my hunger. I felt as though I had eaten nothing for an uncountably -long while. - -As I ate, my glance roved about the room, taking in its various -details, and still searching, though almost unconsciously, for something -tangible upon which to take hold, among the invisible mysteries that -encompassed me. 'Surely,' I thought, 'there must be something--' And, in -the same instant, my gaze dwelt upon the face of the clock in the -opposite corner. Therewith, I stopped eating, and just stared. For, -though its ticking indicated most certainly that it was still going, the -hands were pointing to a little _before_ the hour of midnight; whereas -it was, as well I knew, considerably _after_ that time when I had -witnessed the first of the strange happenings I have just described. - -For perhaps a moment I was astounded and puzzled. Had the hour been the -same as when I had last seen the clock, I should have concluded that the -hands had stuck in one place, while the internal mechanism went on as -usual; but that would, in no way, account for the hands having traveled -backward. Then, even as I turned the matter over in my wearied brain, -the thought flashed upon me that it was now close upon the morning of -the twenty-second, and that I had been unconscious to the visible world -through the greater portion of the last twenty-four hours. The thought -occupied my attention for a full minute; then I commenced to eat again. -I was still very hungry. - -During breakfast, next morning, I inquired casually of my sister -regarding the date, and found my surmise correct. I had, indeed, been -absent--at least in spirit--for nearly a day and a night. - -My sister asked me no questions; for it is not by any means the first -time that I have kept to my study for a whole day, and sometimes a -couple of days at a time, when I have been particularly engrossed in my -books or work. - -And so the days pass on, and I am still filled with a wonder to know -the meaning of all that I saw on that memorable night. Yet, well I know -that my curiosity is little likely to be satisfied. - - - -_V_ - -THE THING IN THE PIT - -This house is, as I have said before, surrounded by a huge estate, and -wild and uncultivated gardens. - -Away at the back, distant some three hundred yards, is a dark, deep -ravine--spoken of as the 'Pit,' by the peasantry. At the bottom runs a -sluggish stream so overhung by trees as scarcely to be seen from above. - -In passing, I must explain that this river has a subterranean origin, -emerging suddenly at the East end of the ravine, and disappearing, as -abruptly, beneath the cliffs that form its Western extremity. - -It was some months after my vision (if vision it were) of the great -Plain that my attention was particularly attracted to the Pit. - -I happened, one day, to be walking along its Southern edge, when, -suddenly, several pieces of rock and shale were dislodged from the face -of the cliff immediately beneath me, and fell with a sullen crash -through the trees. I heard them splash in the river at the bottom; and -then silence. I should not have given this incident more than a passing -thought, had not Pepper at once begun to bark savagely; nor would he be -silent when I bade him, which is most unusual behavior on his part. - -Feeling that there must be someone or something in the Pit, I went back -to the house, quickly, for a stick. When I returned, Pepper had ceased -his barks and was growling and smelling, uneasily, along the top. - -Whistling to him to follow me, I started to descend cautiously. The -depth to the bottom of the Pit must be about a hundred and fifty feet, -and some time as well as considerable care was expended before we -reached the bottom in safety. - -Once down, Pepper and I started to explore along the banks of the -river. It was very dark there due to the overhanging trees, and I moved -warily, keeping my glance about me and my stick ready. - -Pepper was quiet now and kept close to me all the time. Thus, we -searched right up one side of the river, without hearing or seeing -anything. Then, we crossed over--by the simple method of jumping--and -commenced to beat our way back through the underbrush. - -We had accomplished perhaps half the distance, when I heard again the -sound of falling stones on the other side--the side from which we had -just come. One large rock came thundering down through the treetops, -struck the opposite bank, and bounded into the river, driving a great -jet of water right over us. At this, Pepper gave out a deep growl; then -stopped, and pricked up his ears. I listened, also. - -A second later, a loud, half-human, half-piglike squeal sounded from -among the trees, apparently about halfway up the South cliff. It was -answered by a similar note from the bottom of the Pit. At this, Pepper -gave a short, sharp bark, and, springing across the little river, -disappeared into the bushes. - -Immediately afterward, I heard his barks increase in depth and number, -and in between there sounded a noise of confused jabbering. This ceased, -and, in the succeeding silence, there rose a semi-human yell of agony. -Almost immediately, Pepper gave a long-drawn howl of pain, and then the -shrubs were violently agitated, and he came running out with his tail -down, and glancing as he ran over his shoulder. As he reached me, I saw -that he was bleeding from what appeared to be a great claw wound in the -side that had almost laid bare his ribs. - -Seeing Pepper thus mutilated, a furious feeling of anger seized me, -and, whirling my staff, I sprang across, and into the bushes from which -Pepper had emerged. As I forced my way through, I thought I heard a -sound of breathing. Next instant, I had burst into a little clear space, -just in time to see something, livid white in color, disappear among the -bushes on the opposite side. With a shout, I ran toward it; but, though -I struck and probed among the bushes with my stick, I neither saw nor -heard anything further; and so returned to Pepper. There, after bathing -his wound in the river, I bound my wetted handkerchief 'round his body; -having done which, we retreated up the ravine and into the -daylight again. - -On reaching the house, my sister inquired what had happened to Pepper, -and I told her he had been fighting with a wildcat, of which I had heard -there were several about. - -I felt it would be better not to tell her how it had really happened; -though, to be sure, I scarcely knew myself; but this I did know, that -the thing I had seen run into the bushes was no wildcat. It was much too -big, and had, so far as I had observed, a skin like a hog's, only of a -dead, unhealthy white color. And then--it had run upright, or nearly so, -upon its hind feet, with a motion somewhat resembling that of a human -being. This much I had noticed in my brief glimpse, and, truth to tell, -I felt a good deal of uneasiness, besides curiosity as I turned the -matter over in my mind. - -It was in the morning that the above incident had occurred. - -Then, it would be after dinner, as I sat reading, that, happening to -look up suddenly, I saw something peering in over the window ledge the -eyes and ears alone showing. - -'A pig, by Jove!' I said, and rose to my feet. Thus, I saw the thing -more completely; but it was no pig--God alone knows what it was. It -reminded me, vaguely, of the hideous Thing that had haunted the great -arena. It had a grotesquely human mouth and jaw; but with no chin of -which to speak. The nose was prolonged into a snout; thus it was that -with the little eyes and queer ears, gave it such an extraordinarily -swinelike appearance. Of forehead there was little, and the whole face -was of an unwholesome white color. - -For perhaps a minute, I stood looking at the thing with an ever growing -feeling of disgust, and some fear. The mouth kept jabbering, inanely, -and once emitted a half-swinish grunt. I think it was the eyes that -attracted me the most; they seemed to glow, at times, with a horribly -human intelligence, and kept flickering away from my face, over the -details of the room, as though my stare disturbed it. - -It appeared to be supporting itself by two clawlike hands upon the -windowsill. These claws, unlike the face, were of a clayey brown hue, -and bore an indistinct resemblance to human hands, in that they had four -fingers and a thumb; though these were webbed up to the first joint, -much as are a duck's. Nails it had also, but so long and powerful that -they were more like the talons of an eagle than aught else. - -As I have said, before, I felt some fear; though almost of an -impersonal kind. I may explain my feeling better by saying that it was -more a sensation of abhorrence; such as one might expect to feel, if -brought in contact with something superhumanly foul; something -unholy--belonging to some hitherto undreamt of state of existence. - -I cannot say that I grasped these various details of the brute at the -time. I think they seemed to come back to me, afterward, as though -imprinted upon my brain. I imagined more than I saw as I looked at the -thing, and the material details grew upon me later. - -For perhaps a minute I stared at the creature; then as my nerves -steadied a little I shook off the vague alarm that held me, and took a -step toward the window. Even as I did so, the thing ducked and vanished. -I rushed to the door and looked 'round hurriedly; but only the tangled -bushes and shrubs met my gaze. - -I ran back into the house, and, getting my gun, sallied out to search -through the gardens. As I went, I asked myself whether the thing I had -just seen was likely to be the same of which I had caught a glimpse in -the morning. I inclined to think it was. - -I would have taken Pepper with me; but judged it better to give his -wound a chance to heal. Besides, if the creature I had just seen was, as -I imagined, his antagonist of the morning, it was not likely that he -would be of much use. - -I began my search, systematically. I was determined, if it were -possible, to find and put an end to that swine-thing. This was, at -least, a material Horror! - -At first, I searched, cautiously; with the thought of Pepper's wound in -my mind; but, as the hours passed, and not a sign of anything living, -showed in the great, lonely gardens, I became less apprehensive. I felt -almost as though I would welcome the sight of it. Anything seemed better -than this silence, with the ever-present feeling that the creature might -be lurking in every bush I passed. Later, I grew careless of danger, to -the extent of plunging right through the bushes, probing with my gun -barrel as I went. - -At times, I shouted; but only the echoes answered back. I thought thus -perhaps to frighten or stir the creature to showing itself; but only -succeeded in bringing my sister Mary out, to know what was the matter. I -told her, that I had seen the wildcat that had wounded Pepper, and that -I was trying to hunt it out of the bushes. She seemed only half -satisfied, and went back into the house, with an expression of doubt -upon her face. I wondered whether she had seen or guessed anything. For -the rest of the afternoon, I prosecuted the search anxiously. I felt -that I should be unable to sleep, with that bestial thing haunting the -shrubberies, and yet, when evening fell, I had seen nothing. Then, as I -turned homeward, I heard a short, unintelligible noise, among the bushes -to my right. Instantly, I turned, and, aiming quickly, fired in the -direction of the sound. Immediately afterward, I heard something -scuttling away among the bushes. It moved rapidly, and in a minute had -gone out of hearing. After a few steps I ceased my pursuit, realizing -how futile it must be in the fast gathering gloom; and so, with a -curious feeling of depression, I entered the house. - -That night, after my sister had gone to bed, I went 'round to all the -windows and doors on the ground floor; and saw to it that they were -securely fastened. This precaution was scarcely necessary as regards the -windows, as all of those on the lower storey are strongly barred; but -with the doors--of which there are five--it was wisely thought, as not -one was locked. - -Having secured these, I went to my study, yet, somehow, for once, the -place jarred upon me; it seemed so huge and echoey. For some time I -tried to read; but at last finding it impossible I carried my book down -to the kitchen where a large fire was burning, and sat there. - -I dare say, I had read for a couple of hours, when, suddenly, I heard a -sound that made me lower my book, and listen, intently. It was a noise -of something rubbing and fumbling against the back door. Once the door -creaked, loudly; as though force were being applied to it. During those -few, short moments, I experienced an indescribable feeling of terror, -such as I should have believed impossible. My hands shook; a cold sweat -broke out on me, and I shivered violently. - -Gradually, I calmed. The stealthy movements outside had ceased. - -Then for an hour I sat silent and watchful. All at once the feeling of -fear took me again. I felt as I imagine an animal must, under the eye of -a snake. Yet now I could hear nothing. Still, there was no doubting that -some unexplained influence was at work. - -Gradually, imperceptibly almost, something stole on my ear--a sound -that resolved itself into a faint murmur. Quickly it developed and grew -into a muffled but hideous chorus of bestial shrieks. It appeared to -rise from the bowels of the earth. - -I heard a thud, and realized in a dull, half comprehending way that I -had dropped my book. After that, I just sat; and thus the daylight found -me, when it crept wanly in through the barred, high windows of the -great kitchen. - -With the dawning light, the feeling of stupor and fear left me; and I -came more into possession of my senses. - -Thereupon I picked up my book, and crept to the door to listen. Not a -sound broke the chilly silence. For some minutes I stood there; then, -very gradually and cautiously, I drew back the bolt and opening the door -peeped out. - -My caution was unneeded. Nothing was to be seen, save the grey vista of -dreary, tangled bushes and trees, extending to the distant plantation. - -With a shiver, I closed the door, and made my way, quietly, up to bed. - - - -_VI_ - -THE SWINE-THINGS - -It was evening, a week later. My sister sat in the garden, knitting. I -was walking up and down, reading. My gun leant up against the wall of -the house; for, since the advent of that strange thing in the gardens, I -had deemed it wise to take precautions. Yet, through the whole week, -there had been nothing to alarm me, either by sight or sound; so that I -was able to look back, calmly, to the incident; though still with a -sense of unmitigated wonder and curiosity. - -I was, as I have just said, walking up and down, and somewhat engrossed -in my book. Suddenly, I heard a crash, away in the direction of the Pit. -With a quick movement, I turned and saw a tremendous column of dust -rising high into the evening air. - -My sister had risen to her feet, with a sharp exclamation of surprise -and fright. - -Telling her to stay where she was, I snatched up my gun, and ran toward -the Pit. As I neared it, I heard a dull, rumbling sound, that grew -quickly into a roar, split with deeper crashes, and up from the Pit -drove a fresh volume of dust. - -The noise ceased, though the dust still rose, tumultuously. - -I reached the edge, and looked down; but could see nothing save a boil -of dust clouds swirling hither and thither. The air was so full of the -small particles, that they blinded and choked me; and, finally, I had to -run out from the smother, to breathe. - -Gradually, the suspended matter sank, and hung in a panoply over the -mouth of the Pit. - -I could only guess at what had happened. - -That there had been a land-slip of some kind, I had little doubt; but -the cause was beyond my knowledge; and yet, even then, I had half -imaginings; for, already, the thought had come to me, of those falling -rocks, and that Thing in the bottom of the Pit; but, in the first -minutes of confusion, I failed to reach the natural conclusion, to which -the catastrophe pointed. - -Slowly, the dust subsided, until, presently, I was able to approach the -edge, and look down. - -For a while, I peered impotently, trying to see through the reek. At -first, it was impossible to make out anything. Then, as I stared, I saw -something below, to my left, that moved. I looked intently toward it, -and, presently, made out another, and then another--three dim shapes -that appeared to be climbing up the side of the Pit. I could see them -only indistinctly. Even as I stared and wondered, I heard a rattle of -stones, somewhere to my right. I glanced across; but could see nothing. -I leant forward, and peered over, and down into the Pit, just beneath -where I stood; and saw no further than a hideous, white swine-face, that -had risen to within a couple of yards of my feet. Below it, I could make -out several others. As the Thing saw me, it gave a sudden, uncouth -squeal, which was answered from all parts of the Pit. At that, a gust of -horror and fear took me, and, bending down, I discharged my gun right -into its face. Straightway, the creature disappeared, with a clatter of -loose earth and stones. - -There was a momentary silence, to which, probably, I owe my life; for, -during it, I heard a quick patter of many feet, and, turning sharply, -saw a troop of the creatures coming toward me, at a run. Instantly, I -raised my gun and fired at the foremost, who plunged head-long, with a -hideous howling. Then, I turned to run. More than halfway from the house -to the Pit, I saw my sister--she was coming toward me. I could not see -her face, distinctly, as the dusk had fallen; but there was fear in her -voice as she called to know why I was shooting. - -'Run!' I shouted in reply. 'Run for your life!' - -Without more ado, she turned and fled--picking up her skirts with both -hands. As I followed, I gave a glance behind. The brutes were running on -their hind legs--at times dropping on all fours. - -I think it must have been the terror in my voice, that spurred Mary to -run so; for I feel convinced that she had not, as yet, seen those hell -creatures that pursued. - -On we went, my sister leading. - -Each moment, the nearing sounds of the footsteps, told me that the -brutes were gaining on us, rapidly. Fortunately, I am accustomed to -live, in some ways, an active life. As it was, the strain of the race -was beginning to tell severely upon me. - -Ahead, I could see the back door--luckily it was open. I was some -half-dozen yards behind Mary, now, and my breath was sobbing in my -throat. Then, something touched my shoulder. I wrenched my head 'round, -quickly, and saw one of those monstrous, pallid faces close to mine. One -of the creatures, having outrun its companions, had almost overtaken me. -Even as I turned, it made a fresh grab. With a sudden effort, I sprang -to one side, and, swinging my gun by the barrel, brought it crashing -down upon the foul creature's head. The Thing dropped, with an almost -human groan. - -Even this short delay had been nearly sufficient to bring the rest of -the brutes down upon me; so that, without an instant's waste of time, I -turned and ran for the door. - -Reaching it, I burst into the passage; then, turning quickly, slammed -and bolted the door, just as the first of the creatures rushed against -it, with a sudden shock. - -My sister sat, gasping, in a chair. She seemed in a fainting condition; -but I had no time then to spend on her. I had to make sure that all the -doors were fastened. Fortunately, they were. The one leading from my -study into the gardens, was the last to which I went. I had just had -time to note that it was secured, when I thought I heard a noise -outside. I stood perfectly silent, and listened. Yes! Now I could -distinctly hear a sound of whispering, and something slithered over the -panels, with a rasping, scratchy noise. Evidently, some of the brutes -were feeling with their claw-hands, about the door, to discover whether -there were any means of ingress. - -That the creatures should so soon have found the door was--to me--a -proof of their reasoning capabilities. It assured me that they must not -be regarded, by any means, as mere animals. I had felt something of this -before, when that first Thing peered in through my window. Then I had -applied the term superhuman to it, with an almost instinctive knowledge -that the creature was something different from the brute-beast. -Something beyond human; yet in no good sense; but rather as something -foul and hostile to the _great_ and _good_ in humanity. In a word, as -something intelligent, and yet inhuman. The very thought of the -creatures filled me with revulsion. - -Now, I bethought me of my sister, and, going to the cupboard, I got -out a flask of brandy, and a wine-glass. Taking these, I went down to -the kitchen, carrying a lighted candle with me. She was not sitting in -the chair, but had fallen out, and was lying upon the floor, -face downward. - -Very gently, I turned her over, and raised her head somewhat. Then, I -poured a little of the brandy between her lips. After a while, she -shivered slightly. A little later, she gave several gasps, and opened -her eyes. In a dreamy, unrealizing way, she looked at me. Then her eyes -closed, slowly, and I gave her a little more of the brandy. For, perhaps -a minute longer, she lay silent, breathing quickly. All at once, her -eyes opened again, and it seemed to me, as I looked, that the pupils -were dilated, as though fear had come with returning consciousness. -Then, with a movement so unexpected that I started backward, she sat up. -Noticing that she seemed giddy, I put out my hand to steady her. At -that, she gave a loud scream, and, scrambling to her feet, ran from -the room. - -For a moment, I stayed there--kneeling and holding the brandy flask. I -was utterly puzzled and astonished. - -Could she be afraid of me? But no! Why should she? I could only -conclude that her nerves were badly shaken, and that she was temporarily -unhinged. Upstairs, I heard a door bang, loudly, and I knew that she had -taken refuge in her room. I put the flask down on the table. My -attention was distracted by a noise in the direction of the back door. I -went toward it, and listened. It appeared to be shaken, as though some -of the creatures struggled with it, silently; but it was far too -strongly constructed and hung to be easily moved. - -Out in the gardens rose a continuous sound. It might have been -mistaken, by a casual listener, for the grunting and squealing of a herd -of pigs. But, as I stood there, it came to me that there was sense and -meaning to all those swinish noises. Gradually, I seemed able to trace -a semblance in it to human speech--glutinous and sticky, as though each -articulation were made with difficulty: yet, nevertheless, I was -becoming convinced that it was no mere medley of sounds; but a rapid -interchange of ideas. - -By this time, it had grown quite dark in the passages, and from these -came all the varied cries and groans of which an old house is so full -after nightfall. It is, no doubt, because things are then quieter, and -one has more leisure to hear. Also, there may be something in the theory -that the sudden change of temperature, at sundown, affects the structure -of the house, somewhat--causing it to contract and settle, as it were, -for the night. However, this is as may be; but, on that night in -particular, I would gladly have been quit of so many eerie noises. It -seemed to me, that each crack and creak was the coming of one of those -Things along the dark corridors; though I knew in my heart that this -could not be, for I had seen, myself, that all the doors were secure. - -Gradually, however, these sounds grew on my nerves to such an extent -that, were it only to punish my cowardice, I felt I must make the 'round -of the basement again, and, if anything were there, face it. And then, I -would go up to my study, for I knew sleep was out of the question, with -the house surrounded by creatures, half beasts, half something else, and -entirely unholy. - -Taking the kitchen lamp down from its hook, I made my way from cellar -to cellar, and room to room; through pantry and coal-hole--along -passages, and into the hundred-and-one little blind alleys and hidden -nooks that form the basement of the old house. Then, when I knew I had -been in every corner and cranny large enough to conceal aught of any -size, I made my way to the stairs. - -With my foot on the first step, I paused. It seemed to me, I heard a -movement, apparently from the buttery, which is to the left of the -staircase. It had been one of the first places I searched, and yet, I -felt certain my ears had not deceived me. My nerves were strung now, -and, with hardly any hesitation, I stepped up to the door, holding the -lamp above my head. In a glance, I saw that the place was empty, save -for the heavy, stone slabs, supported by brick pillars; and I was about -to leave it, convinced that I had been mistaken; when, in turning, my -light was flashed back from two bright spots outside the window, and -high up. For a few moments, I stood there, staring. Then they -moved--revolving slowly, and throwing out alternate scintillations of -green and red; at least, so it appeared to me. I knew then that they -were eyes. - -Slowly, I traced the shadowy outline of one of the Things. It appeared -to be holding on to the bars of the window, and its attitude suggested -climbing. I went nearer to the window, and held the light higher. There -was no need to be afraid of the creature; the bars were strong, and -there was little danger of its being able to move them. And then, -suddenly, in spite of the knowledge that the brute could not reach to -harm me, I had a return of the horrible sensation of fear, that had -assailed me on that night, a week previously. It was the same feeling of -helpless, shuddering fright. I realized, dimly, that the creature's eyes -were looking into mine with a steady, compelling stare. I tried to turn -away; but could not. I seemed, now, to see the window through a mist. -Then, I thought other eyes came and peered, and yet others; until a -whole galaxy of malignant, staring orbs seemed to hold me in thrall. - -My head began to swim, and throb violently. Then, I was aware of a -feeling of acute physical pain in my left hand. It grew more severe, and -forced, literally forced, my attention. With a tremendous effort, I -glanced down; and, with that, the spell that had held me was broken. I -realized, then, that I had, in my agitation, unconsciously caught hold -of the hot lamp-glass, and burnt my hand, badly. I looked up to the -window, again. The misty appearance had gone, and, now, I saw that it -was crowded with dozens of bestial faces. With a sudden access of rage, -I raised the lamp, and hurled it, full at the window. It struck the -glass (smashing a pane), and passed between two of the bars, out into -the garden, scattering burning oil as it went. I heard several loud -cries of pain, and, as my sight became accustomed to the dark, I -discovered that the creatures had left the window. - -Pulling myself together, I groped for the door, and, having found it, -made my way upstairs, stumbling at each step. I felt dazed, as though I -had received a blow on the head. At the same time, my hand smarted -badly, and I was full of a nervous, dull rage against those Things. - -Reaching my study, I lit the candles. As they burnt up, their rays were -reflected from the rack of firearms on the sidewall. At the sight, I -remembered that I had there a power, which, as I had proved earlier, -seemed as fatal to those monsters as to more ordinary animals; and I -determined I would take the offensive. - -First of all, I bound up my hand; for the pain was fast becoming -intolerable. After that, it seemed easier, and I crossed the room, to -the rifle stand. There, I selected a heavy rifle--an old and tried -weapon; and, having procured ammunition, I made my way up into one of -the small towers, with which the house is crowned. - -From there, I found that I could see nothing. The gardens presented a -dim blur of shadows--a little blacker, perhaps, where the trees stood. -That was all, and I knew that it was useless to shoot down into all that -darkness. The only thing to be done, was to wait for the moon to rise; -then, I might be able to do a little execution. - -In the meantime, I sat still, and kept my ears open. The gardens were -comparatively quiet now, and only an occasional grunt or squeal came up -to me. I did not like this silence; it made me wonder on what devilry -the creatures were bent. Twice, I left the tower, and took a walk -through the house; but everything was silent. - -Once, I heard a noise, from the direction of the Pit, as though more -earth had fallen. Following this, and lasting for some fifteen minutes, -there was a commotion among the denizens of the gardens. This died away, -and, after that all was again quiet. - -About an hour later, the moon's light showed above the distant horizon. -From where I sat, I could see it over the trees; but it was not until it -rose clear of them, that I could make out any of the details in the -gardens below. Even then, I could see none of the brutes; until, -happening to crane forward, I saw several of them lying prone, up -against the wall of the house. What they were doing, I could not make -out. It was, however, a chance too good to be ignored; and, taking aim, -I fired at the one directly beneath. There was a shrill scream, and, as -the smoke cleared away, I saw that it had turned on its back, and was -writhing, feebly. Then, it was quiet. The others had disappeared. - -Immediately after this, I heard a loud squeal, in the direction of the -Pit. It was answered, a hundred times, from every part of the garden. -This gave me some notion of the number of the creatures, and I began to -feel that the whole affair was becoming even more serious than I -had imagined. - -As I sat there, silent and watchful, the thought came to me--Why was -all this? What were these Things? What did it mean? Then my thoughts -flew back to that vision (though, even now, I doubt whether it was a -vision) of the Plain of Silence. What did that mean? I wondered--And -that Thing in the arena? Ugh! Lastly, I thought of the house I had seen -in that far-away place. That house, so like this in every detail of -external structure, that it might have been modeled from it; or this -from that. I had never thought of that-- - -At this moment, there came another long squeal, from the Pit, followed, -a second later, by a couple of shorter ones. At once, the garden was -filled with answering cries. I stood up, quickly, and looked over the -parapet. In the moonlight, it seemed as though the shrubberies were -alive. They tossed hither and thither, as though shaken by a strong, -irregular wind; while a continuous rustling, and a noise of scampering -feet, rose up to me. Several times, I saw the moonlight gleam on -running, white figures among the bushes, and, twice, I fired. The second -time, my shot was answered by a short squeal of pain. - -A minute later, the gardens lay silent. From the Pit, came a deep, -hoarse Babel of swine-talk. At times, angry cries smote the air, and -they would be answered by multitudinous gruntings. It occurred to me, -that they were holding some kind of a council, perhaps to discuss the -problem of entering the house. Also, I thought that they seemed much -enraged, probably by my successful shots. - -It occurred to me, that now would be a good time to make a final survey -of our defenses. This, I proceeded to do at once; visiting the whole of -the basement again, and examining each of the doors. Luckily, they are -all, like the back one, built of solid, iron-studded oak. Then, I went -upstairs to the study. I was more anxious about this door. It is, -palpably, of a more modern make than the others, and, though a stout -piece of work, it has little of their ponderous strength. - -I must explain here, that there is a small, raised lawn on this side of -the house, upon which this door opens--the windows of the study being -barred on this account. All the other entrances--excepting the great -gateway which is never opened--are in the lower storey. - - - -_VII_ - -THE ATTACK - -I spent some time, puzzling how to strengthen the study door. Finally, -I went down to the kitchen, and with some trouble, brought up several -heavy pieces of timber. These, I wedged up, slantwise, against it, from -the floor, nailing them top and bottom. For half-an-hour, I worked hard, -and, at last, got it shored to my mind. - -Then, feeling easier, I resumed my coat, which I had laid aside, and -proceeded to attend to one or two matters before returning to the tower. -It was whilst thus employed, that I heard a fumbling at the door, and -the latch was tried. Keeping silence, I waited. Soon, I heard several of -the creatures outside. They were grunting to one another, softly. Then, -for a minute, there was quietness. Suddenly, there sounded a quick, low -grunt, and the door creaked under a tremendous pressure. It would have -burst inward; but for the supports I had placed. The strain ceased, as -quickly as it had begun, and there was more talk. - -Presently, one of the Things squealed, softly, and I heard the sound -of others approaching. There was a short confabulation; then again, -silence; and I realized that they had called several more to assist. -Feeling that now was the supreme moment, I stood ready, with my rifle -presented. If the door gave, I would, at least, slay as many -as possible. - -Again came the low signal; and, once more, the door cracked, under a -huge force. For, a minute perhaps, the pressure was kept up; and I -waited, nervously; expecting each moment to see the door come down with -a crash. But no; the struts held, and the attempt proved abortive. Then -followed more of their horrible, grunting talk, and, whilst it lasted, I -thought I distinguished the noise of fresh arrivals. - -After a long discussion, during which the door was several times -shaken, they became quiet once more, and I knew that they were going to -make a third attempt to break it down. I was almost in despair. The -props had been severely tried in the two previous attacks, and I was -sorely afraid that this would prove too much for them. - -At that moment, like an inspiration, a thought flashed into my troubled -brain. Instantly, for it was no time to hesitate, I ran from the room, -and up stair after stair. This time, it was not to one of the towers, -that I went; but out on to the flat, leaded roof itself. Once there, I -raced across to the parapet, that walls it 'round, and looked down. As I -did so, I heard the short, grunted signal, and, even up there, caught -the crying of the door under the assault. - -There was not a moment to lose, and, leaning over, I aimed, quickly, -and fired. The report rang sharply, and, almost blending with it, came -the loud splud of the bullet striking its mark. From below, rose a -shrill wail; and the door ceased its groaning. Then, as I took my weight -from off the parapet, a huge piece of the stone coping slid from under -me, and fell with a crash among the disorganized throng beneath. -Several horrible shrieks quavered through the night air, and then I -heard a sound of scampering feet. Cautiously, I looked over. In the -moonlight, I could see the great copingstone, lying right across the -threshold of the door. I thought I saw something under it--several -things, white; but I could not be sure. - -And so a few minutes passed. - -As I stared, I saw something come 'round, out of the shadow of the -house. It was one of the Things. It went up to the stone, silently, and -bent down. I was unable to see what it did. In a minute it stood up. It -had something in its talons, which it put to its mouth and tore at.... - -For the moment, I did not realize. Then, slowly, I comprehended. The -Thing was stooping again. It was horrible. I started to load my rifle. -When I looked again, the monster was tugging at the stone--moving it to -one side. I leant the rifle on the coping, and pulled the trigger. The -brute collapsed, on its face, and kicked, slightly. - -Simultaneously, almost, with the report, I heard another sound--that of -breaking glass. Waiting, only to recharge my weapon, I ran from the -roof, and down the first two flights of stairs. - -Here, I paused to listen. As I did so, there came another tinkle of -falling glass. It appeared to come from the floor below. Excitedly, I -sprang down the steps, and, guided by the rattle of the window-sash, -reached the door of one of the empty bedrooms, at the back of the house. -I thrust it open. The room was but dimly illuminated by the moonlight; -most of the light being blotted out by moving figures at the window. -Even as I stood, one crawled through, into the room. Leveling my weapon, -I fired point-blank at it--filling the room with a deafening bang. When -the smoke cleared, I saw that the room was empty, and the window free. -The room was much lighter. The night air blew in, coldly, through the -shattered panes. Down below, in the night, I could hear a soft moaning, -and a confused murmur of swine-voices. - -Stepping to one side of the window, I reloaded, and then stood there, -waiting. Presently, I heard a scuffling noise. From where I stood in the -shadow, I could see, without being seen. - -Nearer came the sounds, and then I saw something come up above the -sill, and clutch at the broken window-frame. It caught a piece of the -woodwork; and, now, I could make out that it was a hand and arm. A -moment later, the face of one of the Swine-creatures rose into view. -Then, before I could use my rifle, or do anything, there came a sharp -crack--cr-ac-k; and the window-frame gave way under the weight of the -Thing. Next instant, a squashing thud, and a loud outcry, told me that -it had fallen to the ground. With a savage hope that it had been killed, -I went to the window. The moon had gone behind a cloud, so that I could -see nothing; though a steady hum of jabbering, just beneath where I -stood, indicated that there were several more of the brutes close -at hand. - -As I stood there, looking down, I marveled how it had been possible for -the creatures to climb so far; for the wall is comparatively smooth, -while the distance to the ground must be, at least, eighty feet. - -All at once, as I bent, peering, I saw something, indistinctly, that -cut the grey shadow of the house-side, with a black line. It passed the -window, to the left, at a distance of about two feet. Then, I remembered -that it was a gutter-pipe, that had been put there some years ago, to -carry off the rainwater. I had forgotten about it. I could see, now, how -the creatures had managed to reach the window. Even as the solution came -to me, I heard a faint slithering, scratching noise, and knew that -another of the brutes was coming. I waited some odd moments; then leant -out of the window and felt the pipe. To my delight, I found that it was -quite loose, and I managed, using the rifle-barrel as a crowbar, to -lever it out from the wall. I worked quickly. Then, taking hold with -both bands, I wrenched the whole concern away, and hurled it down--with -the Thing still clinging to it--into the garden. - -For a few minutes longer, I waited there, listening; but, after the -first general outcry, I heard nothing. I knew, now, that there was no -more reason to fear an attack from this quarter. I had removed the only -means of reaching the window, and, as none of the other windows had any -adjacent water pipes, to tempt the climbing powers of the monsters, I -began to feel more confident of escaping their clutches. - -Leaving the room, I made my way down to the study. I was anxious to see -how the door had withstood the test of that last assault. Entering, I -lit two of the candles, and then turned to the door. One of the large -props had been displaced, and, on that side, the door had been forced -inward some six inches. - -It was Providential that I had managed to drive the brutes away just -when I did! And that copingstone! I wondered, vaguely, how I had managed -to dislodge it. I had not noticed it loose, as I took my shot; and then, -as I stood up, it had slipped away from beneath me ... I felt that I -owed the dismissal of the attacking force, more to its timely fall than -to my rifle. Then the thought came, that I had better seize this chance -to shore up the door, again. It was evident that the creatures had not -returned since the fall of the copingstone; but who was to say how long -they would keep away? - -There and then, I set-to, at repairing the door--working hard and -anxiously. First, I went down to the basement, and, rummaging 'round, -found several pieces of heavy oak planking. With these, I returned to -the study, and, having removed the props, placed the planks up against -the door. Then, I nailed the heads of the struts to these, and, driving -them well home at the bottoms, nailed them again there. - -Thus, I made the door stronger than ever; for now it was solid with the -backing of boards, and would, I felt convinced, stand a heavier pressure -than hitherto, without giving way. - -After that, I lit the lamp which I had brought from the kitchen, and -went down to have a look at the lower windows. - -Now that I had seen an instance of the strength the creatures -possessed, I felt considerable anxiety about the windows on the ground -floor--in spite of the fact that they were so strongly barred. - -I went first to the buttery, having a vivid remembrance of my late -adventure there. The place was chilly, and the wind, soughing in through -the broken glass, produced an eerie note. Apart from the general air of -dismalness, the place was as I had left it the night before. Going up to -the window, I examined the bars, closely; noting, as I did so, their -comfortable thickness. Still, as I looked more intently, it seemed to -me, that the middle bar was bent slightly from the straight; yet it was -but trifling, and it might have been so for years. I had never, before, -noticed them particularly. - -I put my hand through the broken window, and shook the bar. It was as -firm as a rock. Perhaps the creatures had tried to 'start' it, and, -finding it beyond their power, ceased from the effort. After that, I -went 'round to each of the windows, in turn; examining them with careful -attention; but nowhere else could I trace anything to show that there -had been any tampering. Having finished my survey, I went back to the -study, and poured myself out a little brandy. Then to the tower -to watch. - - - -_VIII_ - -AFTER THE ATTACK - -It was now about three a.m., and, presently, the Eastern sky began to -pale with the coming of dawn. Gradually, the day came, and, by its -light, I scanned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any -signs of the brutes. I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the -wall, to see whether the body of the Thing I had shot the night before -was still there. It was gone. I supposed that others of the monsters had -removed it during the night. - -Then, I went down on to the roof, and crossed over to the gap from -which the coping stone had fallen. Reaching it, I looked over. Yes, -there was the stone, as I had seen it last; but there was no appearance -of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, -after its fall. Evidently, they also had been taken away. I turned, and -went down to my study. There, I sat down, wearily. I was thoroughly -tired. It was quite light now; though the sun's rays were not, as yet, -perceptibly hot. A clock chimed the hour of four. - -I awoke, with a start, and looked 'round, hurriedly. The clock in the -corner, indicated that it was three o'clock. It was already afternoon. I -must have slept for nearly eleven hours. - -With a jerky movement, I sat forward in the chair, and listened. The -house was perfectly silent. Slowly, I stood up, and yawned. I felt -desperately tired, still, and sat down again; wondering what it was that -had waked me. - -It must have been the clock striking, I concluded, presently; and was -commencing to doze off, when a sudden noise brought me back, once more, -to life. It was the sound of a step, as of a person moving cautiously -down the corridor, toward my study. In an instant, I was on my feet, and -grasping my rifle. Noiselessly, I waited. Had the creatures broken in, -whilst I slept? Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, halted -momentarily, and then continued down the passage. Silently, I tiptoed to -the doorway, and peeped out. Then, I experienced such a feeling of -relief, as must a reprieved criminal--it was my sister. She was going -toward the stairs. - -I stepped into the hall, and was about to call to her, when it occurred -to me, that it was very queer she should have crept past my door, in -that stealthy manner. I was puzzled, and, for one brief moment, the -thought occupied my mind, that it was not she, but some fresh mystery of -the house. Then, as I caught a glimpse of her old petticoat, the thought -passed as quickly as it had come, and I half laughed. There could be no -mistaking that ancient garment. Yet, I wondered what she was doing; and, -remembering her condition of mind, on the previous day, I felt that it -might be best to follow, quietly--taking care not to alarm her--and see -what she was going to do. If she behaved rationally, well and good; if -not, I should have to take steps to restrain her. I could run no -unnecessary risks, under the danger that threatened us. - -Quickly, I reached the head of the stairs, and paused a moment. Then, -I heard a sound that sent me leaping down, at a mad rate--it was the -rattle of bolts being unshot. That foolish sister of mine was actually -unbarring the back door. - -Just as her hand was on the last bolt, I reached her. She had not seen -me, and, the first thing she knew, I had hold of her arm. She glanced up -quickly, like a frightened animal, and screamed aloud. - -'Come, Mary!' I said, sternly, 'what's the meaning of this nonsense? Do -you mean to tell me you don't understand the danger, that you try to -throw our two lives away in this fashion!' - -To this, she replied nothing; only trembled, violently, gasping and -sobbing, as though in the last extremity of fear. - -Through some minutes, I reasoned with her; pointing out the need for -caution, and asking her to be brave. There was little to be afraid of -now, I explained--and, I tried to believe that I spoke the truth--but -she must be sensible, and not attempt to leave the house for a few days. - -At last, I ceased, in despair. It was no use talking to her; she was, -obviously, not quite herself for the time being. Finally, I told her she -had better go to her room, if she could not behave rationally. - -Still, she took not any notice. So, without more ado, I picked her up -in my arms, and carried her there. At first, she screamed, wildly; but -had relapsed into silent trembling, by the time I reached the stairs. - -Arriving at her room, I laid her upon the bed. She lay there quietly -enough, neither speaking nor sobbing--just shaking in a very ague of -fear. I took a rug from a chair near by, and spread it over her. I could -do nothing more for her, and so, crossed to where Pepper lay in a big -basket. My sister had taken charge of him since his wound, to nurse him, -for it had proved more severe than I had thought, and I was pleased to -note that, in spite of her state of mind, she had looked after the old -dog, carefully. Stooping, I spoke to him, and, in reply, he licked my -hand, feebly. He was too ill to do more. - -Then, going to the bed, I bent over my sister, and asked her how she -felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pained me, I had to -admit that my presence seemed to make her worse. - -And so, I left her--locking the door, and pocketing the key. It seemed -to be the only course to take. - -The rest of the day, I spent between the tower and my study. For food, -I brought up a loaf from the pantry, and on this, and some claret, I -lived for that day. - -What a long, weary day it was. If only I could have gone out into the -gardens, as is my wont, I should have been content enough; but to be -cooped in this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a -sick dog, was enough to prey upon the nerves of the hardiest. And out in -the tangled shrubberies that surrounded the house, lurked--for all I -could tell--those infernal Swine-creatures waiting their chance. Was -ever a man in such straits? - -Once, in the afternoon, and again, later, I went to visit my sister. -The second time, I found her tending Pepper; but, at my approach, she -slid over, unobtrusively, to the far corner, with a gesture that -saddened me beyond belief. Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I -would not intrude on her, unnecessarily. She would be better, I trusted, -in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; and I judged it still -needful--hard as it seemed--to keep her confined to her room. One thing -there was that I took for encouragement: she had eaten some of the food -I had taken to her, on my first visit. - -And so the day passed. - -As the evening drew on, the air grew chilly, and I began to make -preparations for passing a second night in the tower--taking up two -additional rifles, and a heavy ulster. The rifles I loaded, and laid -alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the -creatures who might show, during the night. I had plenty of ammunition, -and I thought to give the brutes such a lesson, as should show them the -uselessness of attempting to force an entrance. - -After that, I made the 'round of the house again; paying particular -attention to the props that supported the study door. Then, feeling that -I had done all that lay in my power to insure our safety, I returned to -the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the -way. Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagged his tail, in -recognition. I thought he seemed slightly better. My sister was lying on -the bed; though whether asleep or not, I was unable to tell; and thus I -left them. - -Reaching the tower, I made myself as comfortable as circumstances would -permit, and settled down to watch through the night. Gradually, darkness -fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged into shadows. -During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listening for any sound that -might help to tell me if anything were stirring down below. It was far -too dark for my eyes to be of much use. - -Slowly, the hours passed; without anything unusual happening. And the -moon rose, showing the gardens, apparently empty, and silent. And so, -through the night, without disturbance or sound. - -Toward morning, I began to grow stiff and cold, with my long vigil; -also, I was getting very uneasy, concerning the continued quietness on -the part of the creatures. I mistrusted it, and would sooner, far, have -had them attack the house, openly. Then, at least, I should have known -my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a -whole night, picturing all kinds of unknown devilment, was to jeopardize -one's sanity. Once or twice, the thought came to me, that, perhaps, they -had gone; but, in my heart, I found it impossible to believe that it -was so. - - - -_IX_ - -IN THE CELLARS - -At last, what with being tired and cold, and the uneasiness that -possessed me, I resolved to take a walk through the house; first calling -in at the study, for a glass of brandy to warm me. This, I did, and, -while there, I examined the door, carefully; but found all as I had left -it the night before. - -The day was just breaking, as I left the tower; though it was still too -dark in the house to be able to see without a light, and I took one of -the study candles with me on my 'round. By the time I had finished the -ground floor, the daylight was creeping in, wanly, through the barred -windows. My search had shown me nothing fresh. Everything appeared to be -in order, and I was on the point of extinguishing my candle, when the -thought suggested itself to me to have another glance 'round the -cellars. I had not, if I remember rightly, been into them since my hasty -search on the evening of the attack. - -For, perhaps, the half of a minute, I hesitated. I would have been very -willing to forego the task--as, indeed, I am inclined to think any man -well might--for of all the great, awe-inspiring rooms in this house, the -cellars are the hugest and weirdest. Great, gloomy caverns of places, -unlit by any ray of daylight. Yet, I would not shirk the work. I felt -that to do so would smack of sheer cowardice. Besides, as I reassured -myself, the cellars were really the most unlikely places in which to -come across anything dangerous; considering that they can be entered, -only through a heavy oaken door, the key of which, I carry always on -my person. - -It is in the smallest of these places that I keep my wine; a gloomy -hole close to the foot of the cellar stairs; and beyond which, I have -seldom proceeded. Indeed, save for the rummage 'round, already -mentioned, I doubt whether I had ever, before, been right through -the cellars. - -As I unlocked the great door, at the top of the steps, I paused, -nervously, a moment, at the strange, desolate smell that assailed my -nostrils. Then, throwing the barrel of my weapon forward, I descended, -slowly, into the darkness of the underground regions. - -Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I stood for a minute, and listened. -All was silent, save for a faint drip, drip of water, falling, -drop-by-drop, somewhere to my left. As I stood, I noticed how quietly -the candle burnt; never a flicker nor flare, so utterly windless was -the place. - -Quietly, I moved from cellar to cellar. I had but a very dim memory of -their arrangement. The impressions left by my first search were blurred. -I had recollections of a succession of great cellars, and of one, -greater than the rest, the roof of which was upheld by pillars; beyond -that my mind was hazy, and predominated by a sense of cold and darkness -and shadows. Now, however, it was different; for, although nervous, I -was sufficiently collected to be able to look about me, and note the -structure and size of the different vaults I entered. - -Of course, with the amount of light given by my candle, it was not -possible to examine each place, minutely, but I was enabled to notice, -as I went along, that the walls appeared to be built with wonderful -precision and finish; while here and there, an occasional, massive -pillar shot up to support the vaulted roof. - -Thus, I came, at last, to the great cellar that I remembered. It is -reached, through a huge, arched entrance, on which I observed strange, -fantastic carvings, which threw queer shadows under the light of my -candle. As I stood, and examined these, thoughtfully, it occurred to me -how strange it was, that I should be so little acquainted with my own -house. Yet, this may be easily understood, when one realizes the size of -this ancient pile, and the fact that only my old sister and I live in -it, occupying a few of the rooms, such as our wants decide. - -Holding the light high, I passed on into the cellar, and, keeping to -the right, paced slowly up, until I reached the further end. I walked -quietly, and looked cautiously about, as I went. But, so far as the -light showed, I saw nothing unusual. - -At the top, I turned to the left, still keeping to the wall, and so -continued, until I had traversed the whole of the vast chamber. As I -moved along, I noticed that the floor was composed of solid rock, in -places covered with a damp mould, in others bare, or almost so, save for -a thin coating of light-grey dust. - -I had halted at the doorway. Now, however, I turned, and made my way up -the center of the place; passing among the pillars, and glancing to -right and left, as I moved. About halfway up the cellar, I stubbed my -foot against something that gave out a metallic sound. Stooping quickly, -I held the candle, and saw that the object I had kicked, was a large, -metal ring. Bending lower, I cleared the dust from around it, and, -presently, discovered that it was attached to a ponderous trap door, -black with age. - -Feeling excited, and wondering to where it could lead, I laid my gun on -the floor, and, sticking the candle in the trigger guard, took the ring -in both hands, and pulled. The trap creaked loudly--the sound echoing, -vaguely, through the huge place--and opened, heavily. - -Propping the edge on my knee, I reached for the candle, and held it in -the opening, moving it to right and left; but could see nothing. I was -puzzled and surprised. There were no signs of steps, nor even the -appearance of there ever having been any. Nothing; save an empty -blackness. I might have been looking down into a bottomless, sideless -well. Then, even as I stared, full of perplexity, I seemed to hear, far -down, as though from untold depths, a faint whisper of sound. I bent my -head, quickly, more into the opening, and listened, intently. It may -have been fancy; but I could have sworn to hearing a soft titter, that -grew into a hideous, chuckling, faint and distant. Startled, I leapt -backward, letting the trap fall, with a hollow clang, that filled the -place with echoes. Even then, I seemed to hear that mocking, suggestive -laughter; but this, I knew, must be my imagination. The sound, I had -heard, was far too slight to penetrate through the cumbrous trap. - -For a full minute, I stood there, quivering--glancing, nervously, -behind and before; but the great cellar was silent as a grave, and, -gradually, I shook off the frightened sensation. With a calmer mind, I -became again curious to know into what that trap opened; but could not, -then, summon sufficient courage to make a further investigation. One -thing I felt, however, was that the trap ought to be secured. This, I -accomplished by placing upon it several large pieces of 'dressed' -stone, which I had noticed in my tour along the East wall. - -Then, after a final scrutiny of the rest of the place, I retraced my -way through the cellars, to the stairs, and so reached the daylight, -with an infinite feeling of relief, that the uncomfortable task was -accomplished. - - - -_X_ - -THE TIME OF WAITING - -The sun was now warm, and shining brightly, forming a wondrous contrast -to the dark and dismal cellars; and it was with comparatively light -feelings, that I made my way up to the tower, to survey the gardens. -There, I found everything quiet, and, after a few minutes, went down to -Mary's room. - -Here, having knocked, and received a reply, I unlocked the door. My -sister was sitting, quietly, on the bed; as though waiting. She seemed -quite herself again, and made no attempt to move away, as I approached; -yet, I observed that she scanned my face, anxiously, as though in doubt, -and but half assured in her mind that there was nothing to fear from me. - -To my questions, as to how she felt, she replied, sanely enough, that -she was hungry, and would like to go down to prepare breakfast, if I did -not mind. For a minute, I meditated whether it would be safe to let her -out. Finally, I told her she might go, on condition that she promised -not to attempt to leave the house, or meddle with any of the outer -doors. At my mention of the doors, a sudden look of fright crossed her -face; but she said nothing, save to give the required promise, and then -left the room, silently. - -Crossing the floor, I approached Pepper. He had waked as I entered; -but, beyond a slight yelp of pleasure, and a soft rapping with his tail, -had kept quiet. Now, as I patted him, he made an attempt to stand up, -and succeeded, only to fall back on his side, with a little yowl -of pain. - -I spoke to him, and bade him lie still. I was greatly delighted with -his improvement, and also with the natural kindness of my sister's -heart, in taking such good care of him, in spite of her condition of -mind. After a while, I left him, and went downstairs, to my study. - -In a little time, Mary appeared, carrying a tray on which smoked a hot -breakfast. As she entered the room, I saw her gaze fasten on the props -that supported the study door; her lips tightened, and I thought she -paled, slightly; but that was all. Putting the tray down at my elbow, -she was leaving the room, quietly, when I called her back. She came, it -seemed, a little timidly, as though startled; and I noted that her hand -clutched at her apron, nervously. - -'Come, Mary,' I said. 'Cheer up! Things look brighter. I've seen none -of the creatures since yesterday morning, early.' - -She looked at me, in a curiously puzzled manner; as though not -comprehending. Then, intelligence swept into her eyes, and fear; but she -said nothing, beyond an unintelligible murmur of acquiescence. After -that, I kept silence; it was evident that any reference to the -Swine-things, was more than her shaken nerves could bear. - -Breakfast over, I went up to the tower. Here, during the greater part -of the day, I maintained a strict watch over the gardens. Once or twice, -I went down to the basement, to see how my sister was getting along. -Each time, I found her quiet, and curiously submissive. Indeed, on the -last occasion, she even ventured to address me, on her own account, with -regard to some household matter that needed attention. Though this was -done with an almost extraordinary timidity, I hailed it with happiness, -as being the first word, voluntarily spoken, since the critical moment, -when I had caught her unbarring the back door, to go out among those -waiting brutes. I wondered whether she was aware of her attempt, and how -near a thing it had been; but refrained from questioning her, thinking -it best to let well alone. - -That night, I slept in a bed; the first time for two nights. In the -morning, I rose early, and took a walk through the house. All was as it -should be, and I went up to the tower, to have a look at the gardens. -Here, again, I found perfect quietness. - -At breakfast, when I met Mary, I was greatly pleased to see that she -had sufficiently regained command over herself, to be able to greet me -in a perfectly natural manner. She talked sensibly and quietly; only -keeping carefully from any mention of the past couple of days. In this, -I humored her, to the extent of not attempting to lead the conversation -in that direction. - -Earlier in the morning, I had been to see Pepper. He was mending, -rapidly; and bade fair to be on his legs, in earnest, in another day or -two. Before leaving the breakfast table, I made some reference to his -improvement. In the short discussion that followed, I was surprised to -gather, from my sister's remarks, that she was still under the -impression that his wound had been given by the wildcat, of my -invention. It made me feel almost ashamed of myself for deceiving her. -Yet, the lie had been told to prevent her from being frightened. And -then, I had been sure that she must have known the truth, later, when -those brutes had attacked the house. - -During the day, I kept on the alert; spending much of my time, as on -the previous day, in the tower; but not a sign could I see of the -Swine-creatures, nor hear any sound. Several times, the thought had come -to me, that the Things had, at last, left us; but, up to this time, I -had refused to entertain the idea, seriously; now, however, I began to -feel that there was reason for hope. It would soon be three days since I -had seen any of the Things; but still, I intended to use the utmost -caution. For all that I could tell, this protracted silence might be a -ruse to tempt me from the house--perhaps right into their arms. The -thought of such a contingency, was, alone, sufficient to make me -circumspect. - -So it was, that the fourth, fifth and sixth days went by, quietly, -without my making any attempt to leave the house. - -On the sixth day, I had the pleasure of seeing Pepper, once more, upon -his feet; and, though still very weak, he managed to keep me company -during the whole of that day. - - - -_XI_ - -THE SEARCHING OF THE GARDENS - -How slowly the time went; and never a thing to indicate that any of the -brutes still infested the gardens. - -It was on the ninth day that, finally, I decided to run the risk, if -any there were, and sally out. With this purpose in view, I loaded one -of the shotguns, carefully--choosing it, as being more deadly than a -rifle, at close quarters; and then, after a final scrutiny of the -grounds, from the tower, I called Pepper to follow me, and made my way -down to the basement. - -At the door, I must confess to hesitating a moment. The thought of what -might be awaiting me among the dark shrubberies, was by no means -calculated to encourage my resolution. It was but a second, though, and -then I had drawn the bolts, and was standing on the path outside -the door. - -Pepper followed, stopping at the doorstep to sniff, suspiciously; and -carrying his nose up and down the jambs, as though following a scent. -Then, suddenly, he turned, sharply, and started to run here and there, -in semicircles and circles, all around the door; finally returning to -the threshold. Here, he began again to nose about. - -Hitherto, I had stood, watching the dog; yet, all the time, with half -my gaze on the wild tangle of gardens, stretching 'round me. Now, I went -toward him, and, bending down, examined the surface of the door, where -he was smelling. I found that the wood was covered with a network of -scratches, crossing and recrossing one another, in inextricable -confusion. In addition to this, I noticed that the doorposts, -themselves, were gnawed in places. Beyond these, I could find nothing; -and so, standing up, I began to make the tour of the house wall. - -Pepper, as soon as I walked away, left the door, and ran ahead, still -nosing and sniffing as he went along. At times, he stopped to -investigate. Here, it would be a bullet-hole in the pathway, or, -perhaps, a powder stained wad. Anon, it might be a piece of torn sod, or -a disturbed patch of weedy path; but, save for such trifles, he found -nothing. I observed him, critically, as he went along, and could -discover nothing of uneasiness, in his demeanor, to indicate that he -felt the nearness of any of the creatures. By this, I was assured that -the gardens were empty, at least for the present, of those hateful -Things. Pepper could not be easily deceived, and it was a relief to feel -that he would know, and give me timely warning, if there were -any danger. - -Reaching the place where I had shot that first creature, I stopped, and -made a careful scrutiny; but could see nothing. From there, I went on to -where the great copingstone had fallen. It lay on its side, apparently -just as it had been left when I shot the brute that was moving it. A -couple of feet to the right of the nearer end, was a great dent in the -ground; showing where it had struck. The other end was still within the -indentation--half in, and half out. Going nearer, I looked at the stone, -more closely. What a huge piece of masonry it was! And that creature had -moved it, single-handed, in its attempt to reach what lay below. - -I went 'round to the further end of the stone. Here, I found that it -was possible to see under it, for a distance of nearly a couple of feet. -Still, I could see nothing of the stricken creatures, and I felt much -surprised. I had, as I have before said, guessed that the remains had -been removed; yet, I could not conceive that it had been done so -thoroughly as not to leave some certain sign, beneath the stone, -indicative of their fate. I had seen several of the brutes struck down -beneath it, with such force that they must have been literally driven -into the earth; and now, not a vestige of them was to be seen--not even -a bloodstain. - -I felt more puzzled, than ever, as I turned the matter over in my mind; -but could think of no plausible explanation; and so, finally, gave it -up, as one of the many things that were unexplainable. - -From there, I transferred my attention to the study door. I could see, -now, even more plainly, the effects of the tremendous strain, to which -it had been subjected; and I marveled how, even with the support -afforded by the props, it had withstood the attacks, so well. There were -no marks of blows--indeed, none had been given--but the door had been -literally riven from its hinges, by the application of enormous, silent -force. One thing that I observed affected me profoundly--the head of one -of the props had been driven right through a panel. This was, of itself, -sufficient to show how huge an effort the creatures had made to break -down the door, and how nearly they had succeeded. - -Leaving, I continued my tour 'round the house, finding little else of -interest; save at the back, where I came across the piece of piping I -had torn from the wall, lying among the long grass underneath the -broken window. - -Then, I returned to the house, and, having re-bolted the back door, -went up to the tower. Here, I spent the afternoon, reading, and -occasionally glancing down into the gardens. I had determined, if the -night passed quietly, to go as far as the Pit, on the morrow. Perhaps, I -should be able to learn, then, something of what had happened. The day -slipped away, and the night came, and went much as the last few -nights had gone. - -When I rose the morning had broken, fine and clear; and I determined to -put my project into action. During breakfast, I considered the matter, -carefully; after which, I went to the study for my shotgun. In addition, -I loaded, and slipped into my pocket, a small, but heavy, pistol. I -quite understood that, if there were any danger, it lay in the direction -of the Pit and I intended to be prepared. - -Leaving the study, I went down to the back door, followed by Pepper. -Once outside, I took a quick survey of the surrounding gardens, and then -set off toward the Pit. On the way, I kept a sharp outlook, holding my -gun, handily. Pepper was running ahead, I noticed, without any apparent -hesitation. From this, I augured that there was no imminent danger to be -apprehended, and I stepped out more quickly in his wake. He had reached -the top of the Pit, now, and was nosing his way along the edge. - -A minute later, I was beside him, looking down into the Pit. For a -moment, I could scarcely believe that it was the same place, so greatly -was it changed. The dark, wooded ravine of a fortnight ago, with a -foliage-hidden stream, running sluggishly, at the bottom, existed no -longer. Instead, my eyes showed me a ragged chasm, partly filled with a -gloomy lake of turbid water. All one side of the ravine was stripped of -underwood, showing the bare rock. - -A little to my left, the side of the Pit appeared to have collapsed -altogether, forming a deep V-shaped cleft in the face of the rocky -cliff. This rift ran, from the upper edge of the ravine, nearly down to -the water, and penetrated into the Pit side, to a distance of some forty -feet. Its opening was, at least, six yards across; and, from this, it -seemed to taper into about two. But, what attracted my attention, more -than even the stupendous split itself, was a great hole, some distance -down the cleft, and right in the angle of the V. It was clearly defined, -and not unlike an arched doorway in shape; though, lying as it did in -the shadow, I could not see it very distinctly. - -The opposite side of the Pit, still retained its verdure; but so torn -in places, and everywhere covered with dust and rubbish, that it was -hardly distinguishable as such. - -My first impression, that there had been a land slip, was, I began to -see, not sufficient, of itself, to account for all the changes I -witnessed. And the water--? I turned, suddenly; for I had become aware -that, somewhere to my right, there was a noise of running water. I could -see nothing; but, now that my attention had been caught, I -distinguished, easily, that it came from somewhere at the East end -of the Pit. - -Slowly, I made my way in that direction; the sound growing plainer as I -advanced, until in a little, I stood right above it. Even then, I could -not perceive the cause, until I knelt down, and thrust my head over the -cliff. Here, the noise came up to me, plainly; and I saw, below me, a -torrent of clear water, issuing from a small fissure in the Pit side, -and rushing down the rocks, into the lake beneath. A little further -along the cliff, I saw another, and, beyond that again, two smaller -ones. These, then, would help to account for the quantity of water in -the Pit; and, if the fall of rock and earth had blocked the outlet of -the stream at the bottom, there was little doubt but that it was -contributing a very large share. - -Yet, I puzzled my head to account for the generally _shaken_ appearance -of the place--these streamlets, and that huge cleft, further up the -ravine! It seemed to me, that more than the landslip was necessary to -account for these. I could imagine an earthquake, or a great -_explosion_, creating some such condition of affairs as existed; but, of -these, there had been neither. Then, I stood up, quickly, remembering -that crash, and the cloud of dust that had followed, directly, rushing -high into the air. But I shook my head, unbelievingly. No! It must have -been the noise of the falling rocks and earth, I had heard; of course, -the dust would fly, naturally. Still, in spite of my reasoning, I had an -uneasy feeling, that this theory did not satisfy my sense of the -probable; and yet, was any other, that I could suggest, likely to be -half so plausible? Pepper had been sitting on the grass, while I -conducted my examination. Now, as I turned up the North side of the -ravine, he rose and followed. - -Slowly, and keeping a careful watch in all directions, I made the -circuit of the Pit; but found little else, that I had not already seen. -From the West end, I could see the four waterfalls, uninterruptedly. -They were some considerable distance up from the surface of the -lake--about fifty feet, I calculated. - -For a little while longer, I loitered about; keeping my eyes and ears -open, but still, without seeing or hearing anything suspicious. The -whole place was wonderfully quiet; indeed, save for the continuous -murmur of the water, at the top end, no sound, of any description, broke -the silence. - -All this while, Pepper had shown no signs of uneasiness. This seemed, -to me, to indicate that, for the time being, at least, there was none of -the Swine-creatures in the vicinity. So far as I could see, his -attention appeared to have been taken, chiefly, with scratching and -sniffing among the grass at the edge of the Pit. At times, he would -leave the edge, and run along toward the house, as though following -invisible tracks; but, in all cases, returning after a few minutes. I -had little doubt but that he was really tracing out the footsteps of the -Swine-things; and the very fact that each one seemed to lead him back to -the Pit, appeared to me, a proof that the brutes had all returned whence -they came. - -At noon, I went home, for dinner. During the afternoon, I made a -partial search of the gardens, accompanied by Pepper; but, without -coming upon anything to indicate the presence of the creatures. - -Once, as we made our way through the shrubberies, Pepper rushed in -among some bushes, with a fierce yelp. At that, I jumped back, in sudden -fright, and threw my gun forward, in readiness; only to laugh, -nervously, as Pepper reappeared, chasing an unfortunate cat. Toward -evening, I gave up the search, and returned to the house. All at once, -as we were passing a great clump of bushes, on our right, Pepper -disappeared, and I could hear him sniffing and growling among them, in a -suspicious manner. With my gun barrel, I parted the intervening -shrubbery, and looked inside. There was nothing to be seen, save that -many of the branches were bent down, and broken; as though some animal -had made a lair there, at no very previous date. It was probably, I -thought, one of the places occupied by some of the Swine-creatures, on -the night of the attack. - -Next day, I resumed my search through the gardens; but without result. -By evening, I had been right through them, and now, I knew, beyond the -possibility of doubt, that there were no longer any of the Things -concealed about the place. Indeed, I have often thought since, that I -was correct in my earlier surmise, that they had left soon after -the attack. - - - -_XII_ - -THE SUBTERRANEAN PIT - -Another week came and went, during which I spent a great deal of my time -about the Pit mouth. I had come to the conclusion a few days earlier, -that the arched hole, in the angle of the great rift, was the place -through which the Swine-things had made their exit, from some unholy -place in the bowels of the world. How near the probable truth this went, -I was to learn later. - -It may be easily understood, that I was tremendously curious, though in -a frightened way, to know to what infernal place that hole led; though, -so far, the idea had not struck me, seriously, of making an -investigation. I was far too much imbued with a sense of horror of the -Swine-creatures, to think of venturing, willingly, where there was any -chance of coming into contact with them. - -Gradually, however, as time passed, this feeling grew insensibly less; -so that when, a few days later, the thought occurred to me that it might -be possible to clamber down and have a look into the hole, I was not so -exceedingly averse to it, as might have been imagined. Still, I do not -think, even then, that I really intended to try any such foolhardy -adventure. For all that I could tell, it might be certain death, to -enter that doleful looking opening. And yet, such is the pertinacity of -human curiosity, that, at last, my chief desire was but to discover what -lay beyond that gloomy entrance. - -Slowly, as the days slid by, my fear of the Swine-things became an -emotion of the past--more an unpleasant, incredible memory, than -aught else. - -Thus, a day came, when, throwing thoughts and fancies adrift, I -procured a rope from the house, and, having made it fast to a stout -tree, at the top of the rift, and some little distance back from the Pit -edge, let the other end down into the cleft, until it dangled right -across the mouth of the dark hole. - -Then, cautiously, and with many misgivings as to whether it was not a -mad act that I was attempting, I climbed slowly down, using the rope as -a support, until I reached the hole. Here, still holding on to the rope, -I stood, and peered in. All was perfectly dark, and not a sound came to -me. Yet, a moment later, it seemed that I could hear something. I held -my breath, and listened; but all was silent as the grave, and I breathed -freely once more. At the same instant, I heard the sound again. It was -like a noise of labored breathing--deep and sharp-drawn. For a short -second, I stood, petrified; not able to move. But now the sounds had -ceased again, and I could hear nothing. - -As I stood there, anxiously, my foot dislodged a pebble, which fell -inward, into the dark, with a hollow chink. At once, the noise was taken -up and repeated a score of times; each succeeding echo being fainter, -and seeming to travel away from me, as though into remote distance. -Then, as the silence fell again, I heard that stealthy breathing. For -each respiration I made, I could hear an answering breath. The sounds -appeared to be coming nearer; and then, I heard several others; but -fainter and more distant. Why I did not grip the rope, and spring up out -of danger, I cannot say. It was as though I had been paralyzed. I broke -out into a profuse sweat, and tried to moisten my lips with my tongue. -My throat had gone suddenly dry, and I coughed, huskily. It came back to -me, in a dozen, horrible, throaty tones, mockingly. I peered, -helplessly, into the gloom; but still nothing showed. I had a strange, -choky sensation, and again I coughed, dryly. Again the echo took it up, -rising and falling, grotesquely, and dying slowly into a -muffled silence. - -Then, suddenly, a thought came to me, and I held my breath. The other -breathing stopped. I breathed again, and, once more, it re-commenced. -But now, I no longer feared. I knew that the strange sounds were not -made by any lurking Swine-creature; but were simply the echo of my own -respirations. - -Yet, I had received such a fright, that I was glad to scramble up the -rift, and haul up the rope. I was far too shaken and nervous to think of -entering that dark hole then, and so returned to the house. I felt more -myself next morning; but even then, I could not summon up sufficient -courage to explore the place. - -All this time, the water in the Pit had been creeping slowly up, and -now stood but a little below the opening. At the rate at which it was -rising, it would be level with the floor in less than another week; and -I realized that, unless I carried out my investigations soon, I should -probably never do so at all; as the water would rise and rise, until the -opening, itself, was submerged. - -It may have been that this thought stirred me to act; but, whatever it -was, a couple of days later, saw me standing at the top of the cleft, -fully equipped for the task. - -This time, I was resolved to conquer my shirking, and go right through -with the matter. With this intention, I had brought, in addition to the -rope, a bundle of candles, meaning to use them as a torch; also my -double-barreled shotgun. In my belt, I had a heavy horse-pistol, loaded -with buckshot. - -As before, I fastened the rope to the tree. Then, having tied my gun -across my shoulders, with a piece of stout cord, I lowered myself over -the edge of the Pit. At this movement, Pepper, who had been eyeing my -actions, watchfully, rose to his feet, and ran to me, with a half bark, -half wail, it seemed to me, of warning. But I was resolved on my -enterprise, and bade him lie down. I would much have liked to take him -with me; but this was next to impossible, in the existing circumstances. -As my face dropped level with the Pit edge, he licked me, right across -the mouth; and then, seizing my sleeve between his teeth, began to pull -back, strongly. It was very evident that he did not want me to go. Yet, -having made up my mind, I had no intention of giving up the attempt; -and, with a sharp word to Pepper, to release me, I continued my descent, -leaving the poor old fellow at the top, barking and crying like a -forsaken pup. - -Carefully, I lowered myself from projection to projection. I knew that -a slip might mean a wetting. - -Reaching the entrance, I let go the rope, and untied the gun from my -shoulders. Then, with a last look at the sky--which I noticed was -clouding over, rapidly--I went forward a couple of paces, so as to be -shielded from the wind, and lit one of the candles. Holding it above my -head, and grasping my gun, firmly, I began to move on, slowly, throwing -my glances in all directions. - -For the first minute, I could hear the melancholy sound of Pepper's -howling, coming down to me. Gradually, as I penetrated further into the -darkness, it grew fainter; until, in a little while, I could hear -nothing. The path tended downward somewhat, and to the left. Thence it -kept on, still running to the left, until I found that it was leading me -right in the direction of the house. - -Very cautiously, I moved onward, stopping, every few steps, to listen. -I had gone, perhaps, a hundred yards, when, suddenly, it seemed to me -that I caught a faint sound, somewhere along the passage behind. With my -heart thudding heavily, I listened. The noise grew plainer, and appeared -to be approaching, rapidly. I could hear it distinctly, now. It was the -soft padding of running feet. In the first moments of fright, I stood, -irresolute; not knowing whether to go forward or backward. Then, with a -sudden realization of the best thing to do, I backed up to the rocky -wall on my right, and, holding the candle above my head, waited--gun in -hand--cursing my foolhardy curiosity, for bringing me into such -a strait. - -I had not long to wait, but a few seconds, before two eyes reflected -back from the gloom, the rays of my candle. I raised my gun, using my -right hand only, and aimed quickly. Even as I did so, something leapt -out of the darkness, with a blustering bark of joy that woke the echoes, -like thunder. It was Pepper. How he had contrived to scramble down the -cleft, I could not conceive. As I brushed my hand, nervously, over his -coat, I noticed that he was dripping; and concluded that he must have -tried to follow me, and fallen into the water; from which he would not -find it very difficult to climb. - -Having waited a minute, or so, to steady myself, I proceeded along the -way, Pepper following, quietly. I was curiously glad to have the old -fellow with me. He was company, and, somehow, with him at my heels, I -was less afraid. Also, I knew how quickly his keen ears would detect the -presence of any unwelcome creature, should there be such, amid the -darkness that wrapped us. - -For some minutes we went slowly along; the path still leading straight -toward the house. Soon, I concluded, we should be standing right beneath -it, did the path but carry far enough. I led the way, cautiously, for -another fifty yards, or so. Then, I stopped, and held the light high; -and reason enough I had to be thankful that I did so; for there, not -three paces forward, the path vanished, and, in place, showed a hollow -blackness, that sent sudden fear through me. - -Very cautiously, I crept forward, and peered down; but could see -nothing. Then, I crossed to the left of the passage, to see whether -there might be any continuation of the path. Here, right against the -wall, I found that a narrow track, some three feet wide, led onward. -Carefully, I stepped on to it; but had not gone far, before I regretted -venturing thereon. For, after a few paces, the already narrow way, -resolved itself into a mere ledge, with, on the one side the solid, -unyielding rock, towering up, in a great wall, to the unseen roof, and, -on the other, that yawning chasm. I could not help reflecting how -helpless I was, should I be attacked there, with no room to turn, and -where even the recoil of my weapon might be sufficient to drive me -headlong into the depths below. - -To my great relief, a little further on, the track suddenly broadened -out again to its original breadth. Gradually, as I went onward, I -noticed that the path trended steadily to the right, and so, after some -minutes, I discovered that I was not going forward; but simply circling -the huge abyss. I had, evidently, come to the end of the great passage. - -Five minutes later, I stood on the spot from which I had started; -having been completely 'round, what I guessed now to be a vast pit, the -mouth of which must be at least a hundred yards across. - -For some little time, I stood there, lost in perplexing thought. 'What -does it all mean?' was the cry that had begun to reiterate through -my brain. - -A sudden idea struck me, and I searched 'round for a piece of stone. -Presently, I found a bit of rock, about the size of a small loaf. -Sticking the candle upright in a crevice of the floor, I went back from -the edge, somewhat, and, taking a short run, launched the stone forward -into the chasm--my idea being to throw it far enough to keep it clear of -the sides. Then, I stooped forward, and listened; but, though I kept -perfectly quiet, for at least a full minute, no sound came back to me -from out of the dark. - -I knew, then, that the depth of the hole must be immense; for the -stone, had it struck anything, was large enough to have set the echoes -of that weird place, whispering for an indefinite period. Even as it -was, the cavern had given back the sounds of my footfalls, -multitudinously. The place was awesome, and I would willingly have -retraced my steps, and left the mysteries of its solitudes unsolved; -only, to do so, meant admitting defeat. - -Then, a thought came, to try to get a view of the abyss. It occurred to -me that, if I placed my candles 'round the edge of the hole, I should be -able to get, at least, some dim sight of the place. - -I found, on counting, that I had brought fifteen candles, in the -bundle--my first intention having been, as I have already said, to make -a torch of the lot. These, I proceeded to place 'round the Pit mouth, -with an interval of about twenty yards between each. - -Having completed the circle, I stood in the passage, and endeavored to -get an idea of how the place looked. But I discovered, immediately, that -they were totally insufficient for my purpose. They did little more than -make the gloom visible. One thing they did, however, and that was, they -confirmed my opinion of the size of the opening; and, although they -showed me nothing that I wanted to see; yet the contrast they afforded -to the heavy darkness, pleased me, curiously. It was as though fifteen -tiny stars shone through the subterranean night. - -Then, even as I stood, Pepper gave a sudden howl, that was taken up by -the echoes, and repeated with ghastly variations, dying away, slowly. -With a quick movement, I held aloft the one candle that I had kept, and -glanced down at the dog; at the same moment, I seemed to hear a noise, -like a diabolical chuckle, rise up from the hitherto, silent depths of -the Pit. I started; then, I recollected that it was, probably, the echo -of Pepper's howl. - -Pepper had moved away from me, up the passage, a few steps; he was -nosing along the rocky floor; and I thought I heard him lapping. I went -toward him, holding the candle low. As I moved, I heard my boot go sop, -sop; and the light was reflected from something that glistened, and -crept past my feet, swiftly toward the Pit. I bent lower, and looked; -then gave vent to an expression of surprise. From somewhere, higher up -the path, a stream of water was running quickly in the direction of the -great opening, and growing in size every second. - -Again, Pepper gave vent to that deep-drawn howl, and, running at me, -seized my coat, and attempted to drag me up the path toward the -entrance. With a nervous gesture, I shook him off, and crossed quickly -over to the left-hand wall. If anything were coming, I was going to have -the wall at my back. - -Then, as I stared anxiously up the pathway, my candle caught a gleam, -far up the passage. At the same moment, I became conscious of a -murmurous roar, that grew louder, and filled the whole cavern with -deafening sound. From the Pit, came a deep, hollow echo, like the sob of -a giant. Then, I had sprung to one side, on to the narrow ledge that ran -'round the abyss, and, turning, saw a great wall of foam sweep past me, -and leap tumultuously into the waiting chasm. A cloud of spray burst -over me, extinguishing my candle, and wetting me to the skin. I still -held my gun. The three nearest candles went out; but the further ones -gave only a short flicker. After the first rush, the flow of water eased -down to a steady stream, maybe a foot in depth; though I could not see -this, until I had procured one of the lighted candles, and, with it, -started to reconnoiter. Pepper had, fortunately, followed me as I leapt -for the ledge, and now, very much subdued, kept close behind. - -A short examination showed me that the water reached right across the -passage, and was running at a tremendous rate. Already, even as I stood -there, it had deepened. I could make only a guess at what had happened. -Evidently, the water in the ravine had broken into the passage, by some -means. If that were the case, it would go on increasing in volume, until -I should find it impossible to leave the place. The thought was -frightening. It was evident that I must make my exit as hurriedly -as possible. - -Taking my gun by the stock, I sounded the water. It was a little under -knee-deep. The noise it made, plunging down into the Pit, was deafening. -Then, with a call to Pepper, I stepped out into the flood, using the gun -as a staff. Instantly, the water boiled up over my knees, and nearly to -the tops of my thighs, with the speed at which it was racing. For one -short moment, I nearly lost my footing; but the thought of what lay -behind, stimulated me to a fierce endeavor, and, step-by-step, I -made headway. - -Of Pepper, I knew nothing at first. I had all I could do to keep on my -legs; and was overjoyed, when he appeared beside me. He was wading -manfully along. He is a big dog, with longish thin legs, and I suppose -the water had less grasp on them, than upon mine. Anyway, he managed a -great deal better than I did; going ahead of me, like a guide, and -wittingly--or otherwise--helping, somewhat, to break the force of the -water. On we went, step by step, struggling and gasping, until somewhere -about a hundred yards had been safely traversed. Then, whether it was -because I was taking less care, or that there was a slippery place on -the rocky floor, I cannot say; but, suddenly, I slipped, and fell on my -face. Instantly, the water leapt over me in a cataract, hurling me down, -toward that bottomless hole, at a frightful speed. Frantically I -struggled; but it was impossible to get a footing. I was helpless, -gasping and drowning. All at once, something gripped my coat, and -brought me to a standstill. It was Pepper. Missing me, he must have -raced back, through the dark turmoil, to find me, and then caught, and -held me, until I was able to get to my feet. - -I have a dim recollection of having seen, momentarily, the gleams of -several lights; but, of this, I have never been quite sure. If my -impressions are correct, I must have been washed down to the very brink -of that awful chasm, before Pepper managed to bring me to a standstill. -And the lights, of course, could only have been the distant flames of -the candles, I had left burning. But, as I have said, I am not by any -means sure. My eyes were full of water, and I had been badly shaken. - -And there was I, without my helpful gun, without light, and sadly -confused, with the water deepening; depending solely upon my old friend -Pepper, to help me out of that hellish place. - -I was facing the torrent. Naturally, it was the only way in which I -could have sustained my position a moment; for even old Pepper could not -have held me long against that terrific strain, without assistance, -however blind, from me. - -Perhaps a minute passed, during which it was touch and go with me; -then, gradually I re-commenced my tortuous way up the passage. And so -began the grimmest fight with death, from which ever I hope to emerge -victorious. Slowly, furiously, almost hopelessly, I strove; and that -faithful Pepper led me, dragged me, upward and onward, until, at last, -ahead I saw a gleam of blessed light. It was the entrance. Only a few -yards further, and I reached the opening, with the water surging and -boiling hungrily around my loins. - -And now I understood the cause of the catastrophe. It was raining -heavily, literally in torrents. The surface of the lake was level with -the bottom of the opening--nay! more than level, it was above it. -Evidently, the rain had swollen the lake, and caused this premature -rise; for, at the rate the ravine had been filling, it would not have -reached the entrance for a couple more days. - -Luckily, the rope by which I had descended, was streaming into the -opening, upon the inrushing waters. Seizing the end, I knotted it -securely 'round Pepper's body, then, summoning up the last remnant of my -strength, I commenced to swarm up the side of the cliff. I reached the -Pit edge, in the last stage of exhaustion. Yet, I had to make one more -effort, and haul Pepper into safety. - -Slowly and wearily, I hauled on the rope. Once or twice, it seemed that -I should have to give up; for Pepper is a weighty dog, and I was utterly -done. Yet, to let go, would have meant certain death to the old fellow, -and the thought spurred me to greater exertions. I have but a very hazy -remembrance of the end. I recall pulling, through moments that lagged -strangely. I have also some recollection of seeing Pepper's muzzle, -appearing over the Pit edge, after what seemed an indefinite period of -time. Then, all grew suddenly dark. - - - -_XIII_ - -THE TRAP IN THE GREAT CELLAR - -I suppose I must have swooned; for, the next thing I remember, I opened -my eyes, and all was dusk. I was lying on my back, with one leg doubled -under the other, and Pepper was licking my ears. I felt horribly stiff, -and my leg was numb, from the knee, downward. For a few minutes, I lay -thus, in a dazed condition; then, slowly, I struggled to a sitting -position, and looked about me. - -It had stopped raining, but the trees still dripped, dismally. From the -Pit, came a continuous murmur of running water. I felt cold and shivery. -My clothes were sodden, and I ached all over. Very slowly, the life came -back into my numbed leg, and, after a little, I essayed to stand up. -This, I managed, at the second attempt; but I was very tottery, and -peculiarly weak. It seemed to me, that I was going to be ill, and I made -shift to stumble my way toward the house. My steps were erratic, and my -head confused. At each step that I took, sharp pains shot through -my limbs. - -I had gone, perhaps, some thirty paces, when a cry from Pepper, drew -my attention, and I turned, stiffly, toward him. The old dog was trying -to follow me; but could come no further, owing to the rope, with which I -had hauled him up, being still tied 'round his body, the other end not -having been unfastened from the tree. For a moment, I fumbled with the -knots, weakly; but they were wet and hard, and I could do nothing. Then, -I remembered my knife, and, in a minute, the rope was cut. - -How I reached the house, I scarcely know, and, of the days that -followed, I remember still less. Of one thing, I am certain, that, had -it not been for my sister's untiring love and nursing, I had not been -writing at this moment. - -When I recovered my senses, it was to find that I had been in bed for -nearly two weeks. Yet another week passed, before I was strong enough to -totter out into the gardens. Even then, I was not able to walk so far as -the Pit. I would have liked to ask my sister, how high the water had -risen; but felt it was wiser not to mention the subject to her. Indeed, -since then, I have made a rule never to speak to her about the strange -things, that happen in this great, old house. - -It was not until a couple of days later, that I managed to get across -to the Pit. There, I found that, in my few weeks' absence, there had -been wrought a wondrous change. Instead of the three-parts filled -ravine, I looked out upon a great lake, whose placid surface, reflected -the light, coldly. The water had risen to within half a dozen feet of -the Pit edge. Only in one part was the lake disturbed, and that was -above the place where, far down under the silent waters, yawned the -entrance to the vast, underground Pit. Here, there was a continuous -bubbling; and, occasionally, a curious sort of sobbing gurgle would find -its way up from the depth. Beyond these, there was nothing to tell of -the things that were hidden beneath. As I stood there, it came to me -how wonderfully things had worked out. The entrance to the place whence -the Swine-creatures had come, was sealed up, by a power that made me -feel there was nothing more to fear from them. And yet, with the -feeling, there was a sensation that, now, I should never learn anything -further, of the place from which those dreadful Things had come. It was -completely shut off and concealed from human curiosity forever. - -Strange--in the knowledge of that underground hell-hole--how apposite -has been the naming of the Pit. One wonders how it originated, and when. -Naturally, one concludes that the shape and depth of the ravine would -suggest the name 'Pit.' Yet, is it not possible that it has, all along, -held a deeper significance, a hint--could one but have guessed--of the -greater, more stupendous Pit that lies far down in the earth, beneath -this old house? Under this house! Even now, the idea is strange and -terrible to me. For I have proved, beyond doubt, that the Pit yawns -right below the house, which is evidently supported, somewhere above the -center of it, upon a tremendous, arched roof, of solid rock. - -It happened in this wise, that, having occasion to go down to the -cellars, the thought occurred to me to pay a visit to the great vault, -where the trap is situated; and see whether everything was as I had -left it. - -Reaching the place, I walked slowly up the center, until I came to the -trap. There it was, with the stones piled upon it, just as I had seen it -last. I had a lantern with me, and the idea came to me, that now would -be a good time to investigate whatever lay under the great, oak slab. -Placing the lantern on the floor, I tumbled the stones off the trap, -and, grasping the ring, pulled the door open. As I did so, the cellar -became filled with the sound of a murmurous thunder, that rose from far -below. At the same time, a damp wind blew up into my face, bringing -with it a load of fine spray. Therewith, I dropped the trap, hurriedly, -with a half frightened feeling of wonder. - -For a moment, I stood puzzled. I was not particularly afraid. The -haunting fear of the Swine-things had left me, long ago; but I was -certainly nervous and astonished. Then, a sudden thought possessed me, -and I raised the ponderous door, with a feeling of excitement. Leaving -it standing upon its end, I seized the lantern, and, kneeling down, -thrust it into the opening. As I did so, the moist wind and spray drove -in my eyes, making me unable to see, for a few moments. Even when my -eyes were clear, I could distinguish nothing below me, save darkness, -and whirling spray. - -Seeing that it was useless to expect to make out anything, with the -light so high, I felt in my pockets for a piece of twine, with which to -lower it further into the opening. Even as I fumbled, the lantern -slipped from my fingers, and hurtled down into the darkness. For a brief -instant, I watched its fall, and saw the light shine on a tumult of -white foam, some eighty or a hundred feet below me. Then it was gone. My -sudden surmise was correct, and now, I knew the cause of the wet and -noise. The great cellar was connected with the Pit, by means of the -trap, which opened right above it; and the moisture, was the spray, -rising from the water, falling into the depths. - -In an instant, I had an explanation of certain things, that had -hitherto puzzled me. Now, I could understand why the noises--on the -first night of the invasion--had seemed to rise directly from under my -feet. And the chuckle that had sounded when first I opened the trap! -Evidently, some of the Swine-things must have been right beneath me. - -Another thought struck me. Were the creatures all drowned? Would they -drown? I remembered how unable I had been to find any traces to show -that my shooting had been really fatal. Had they life, as we understand -life, or were they ghouls? These thoughts flashed through my brain, as I -stood in the dark, searching my pockets for matches. I had the box in my -hand now, and, striking a light, I stepped to the trap door, and closed -it. Then, I piled the stones back upon it; after which, I made my way -out from the cellars. - -And so, I suppose the water goes on, thundering down into that -bottomless hell-pit. Sometimes, I have an inexplicable desire to go down -to the great cellar, open the trap, and gaze into the impenetrable, -spray-damp darkness. At times, the desire becomes almost overpowering, -in its intensity. It is not mere curiosity, that prompts me; but more as -though some unexplained influence were at work. Still, I never go; and -intend to fight down the strange longing, and crush it; even as I would -the unholy thought of self-destruction. - -This idea of some intangible force being exerted, may seem reasonless. -Yet, my instinct warns me, that it is not so. In these things, reason -seems to me less to be trusted than instinct. - -One thought there is, in closing, that impresses itself upon me, with -ever growing insistence. It is, that I live in a very strange house; a -very awful house. And I have begun to wonder whether I am doing wisely -in staying here. Yet, if I left, where could I go, and still obtain the -solitude, and the sense of her presence,[1] that alone make my old -life bearable? - - - -_XIV_ - -THE SEA OF SLEEP - -For a considerable period after the last incident which I have narrated -in my diary, I had serious thoughts of leaving this house, and might -have done so; but for the great and wonderful thing, of which I am -about to write. - -How well I was advised, in my heart, when I stayed on here--spite of -those visions and sights of unknown and unexplainable things; for, had I -not stayed, then I had not seen again the face of her I loved. Yes, -though few know it, none now save my sister Mary, I have loved and, -ah! me--lost. - -I would write down the story of those sweet, old days; but it would be -like the tearing of old wounds; yet, after that which has happened, what -need have I to care? For she has come to me out of the unknown. -Strangely, she warned me; warned me passionately against this house; -begged me to leave it; but admitted, when I questioned her, that she -could not have come to me, had I been elsewhere. Yet, in spite of this, -still she warned me, earnestly; telling me that it was a place, long -ago given over to evil, and under the power of grim laws, of which none -here have knowledge. And I--I just asked her, again, whether she would -come to me elsewhere, and she could only stand, silent. - -It was thus, that I came to the place of the Sea of Sleep--so she -termed it, in her dear speech with me. I had stayed up, in my study, -reading; and must have dozed over the book. Suddenly, I awoke and sat -upright, with a start. For a moment, I looked 'round, with a puzzled -sense of something unusual. There was a misty look about the room, -giving a curious softness to each table and chair and furnishing. - -Gradually, the mistiness increased; growing, as it were, out of -nothing. Then, slowly, a soft, white light began to glow in the room. -The flames of the candles shone through it, palely. I looked from side -to side, and found that I could still see each piece of furniture; but -in a strangely unreal way, more as though the ghost of each table and -chair had taken the place of the solid article. - -Gradually, as I looked, I saw them fade and fade; until, slowly, they -resolved into nothingness. Now, I looked again at the candles. They -shone wanly, and, even as I watched, grew more unreal, and so vanished. -The room was filled, now, with a soft, yet luminous, white twilight, -like a gentle mist of light. Beyond this, I could see nothing. Even the -walls had vanished. - -Presently, I became conscious that a faint, continuous sound, pulsed -through the silence that wrapped me. I listened intently. It grew more -distinct, until it appeared to me that I harked to the breathings of -some great sea. I cannot tell how long a space passed thus; but, after a -while, it seemed that I could see through the mistiness; and, slowly, I -became aware that I was standing upon the shore of an immense and silent -sea. This shore was smooth and long, vanishing to right and left of me, -in extreme distances. In front, swam a still immensity of sleeping -ocean. At times, it seemed to me that I caught a faint glimmer of light, -under its surface; but of this, I could not be sure. Behind me, rose up, -to an extraordinary height, gaunt, black cliffs. - -Overhead, the sky was of a uniform cold grey color--the whole place -being lit by a stupendous globe of pale fire, that swam a little above -the far horizon, and shed a foamlike light above the quiet waters. - -Beyond the gentle murmur of the sea, an intense stillness prevailed. -For a long while, I stayed there, looking out across its strangeness. -Then, as I stared, it seemed that a bubble of white foam floated up out -of the depths, and then, even now I know not how it was, I was looking -upon, nay, looking _into_ the face of Her--aye! into her face--into her -soul; and she looked back at me, with such a commingling of joy and -sadness, that I ran toward her, blindly; crying strangely to her, in a -very agony of remembrance, of terror, and of hope, to come to me. Yet, -spite of my crying, she stayed out there upon the sea, and only shook -her head, sorrowfully; but, in her eyes was the old earth-light of -tenderness, that I had come to know, before all things, ere we -were parted. - -"At her perverseness, I grew desperate, and essayed to wade out to her; -yet, though I would, I could not. Something, some invisible barrier, -held me back, and I was fain to stay where I was, and cry out to her in -the fullness of my soul, 'O, my Darling, my Darling--' but could say no -more, for very intensity. And, at that, she came over, swiftly, and -touched me, and it was as though heaven had opened. Yet, when I reached -out my hands to her, she put me from her with tenderly stern hands, and -I was abashed--" - - - -THE FRAGMENTS[2] - -(_The legible portions of the mutilated leaves_.) - -... through tears ... noise of eternity in my ears, we parted ... She -whom I love. O, my God ...! - -I was a great time dazed, and then I was alone in the blackness of the -night. I knew that I journeyed back, once more, to the known universe. -Presently, I emerged from that enormous darkness. I had come among the -stars ... vast time ... the sun, far and remote. - -I entered into the gulf that separates our system from the outer suns. -As I sped across the dividing dark, I watched, steadily, the -ever-growing brightness and size of our sun. Once, I glanced back to the -stars, and saw them shift, as it were, in my wake, against the mighty -background of night, so vast was the speed of my passing spirit. - -I drew nigher to our system, and now I could see the shine of Jupiter. -Later, I distinguished the cold, blue gleam of the earthlight.... I had -a moment of bewilderment. All about the sun there seemed to be bright, -objects, moving in rapid orbits. Inward, nigh to the savage glory of the -sun, there circled two darting points of light, and, further off, there -flew a blue, shining speck, that I knew to be the earth. It circled the -sun in a space that seemed to be no more than an earth-minute. - -... nearer with great speed. I saw the radiances of Jupiter and -Saturn, spinning, with incredible swiftness, in huge orbits. And ever I -drew more nigh, and looked out upon this strange sight--the visible -circling of the planets about the mother sun. It was as though time had -been annihilated for me; so that a year was no more to my unfleshed -spirit, than is a moment to an earth-bound soul. - -The speed of the planets, appeared to increase; and, presently, I was -watching the sun, all ringed about with hair-like circles of different -colored fire--the paths of the planets, hurtling at mighty speed, about -the central flame.... - -"... the sun grew vast, as though it leapt to meet me.... And now I was -within the circling of the outer planets, and flitting swiftly, toward -the place where the earth, glimmering through the blue splendor of its -orbit, as though a fiery mist, circled the sun at a monstrous -speed...." [3] - - - -_XV_ - -THE NOISE IN THE NIGHT - -And now, I come to the strangest of all the strange happenings that -have befallen me in this house of mysteries. It occurred quite -lately--within the month; and I have little doubt but that what I saw -was in reality the end of all things. However, to my story. - -I do not know how it is; but, up to the present, I have never been able -to write these things down, directly they happened. It is as though I -have to wait a time, recovering my just balance, and digesting--as it -were--the things I have heard or seen. No doubt, this is as it should -be; for, by waiting, I see the incidents more truly, and write of them -in a calmer and more judicial frame of mind. This by the way. - -It is now the end of November. My story relates to what happened in the -first week of the month. - -It was night, about eleven o'clock. Pepper and I kept one another -company in the study--that great, old room of mine, where I read and -work. I was reading, curiously enough, the Bible. I have begun, in these -later days, to take a growing interest in that great and ancient book. -Suddenly, a distinct tremor shook the house, and there came a faint and -distant, whirring buzz, that grew rapidly into a far, muffled screaming. -It reminded me, in a queer, gigantic way, of the noise that a clock -makes, when the catch is released, and it is allowed to run down. The -sound appeared to come from some remote height--somewhere up in the -night. There was no repetition of the shock. I looked across at Pepper. -He was sleeping peacefully. - -Gradually, the whirring noise decreased, and there came a long silence. - -All at once, a glow lit up the end window, which protrudes far out from -the side of the house, so that, from it, one may look both East and -West. I felt puzzled, and, after a moment's hesitation, walked across -the room, and pulled aside the blind. As I did so, I saw the Sun rise, -from behind the horizon. It rose with a steady, perceptible movement. I -could see it travel upward. In a minute, it seemed, it had reached the -tops of the trees, through which I had watched it. Up, up--It was broad -daylight now. Behind me, I was conscious of a sharp, mosquito-like -buzzing. I glanced 'round, and knew that it came from the clock. Even as -I looked, it marked off an hour. The minute hand was moving 'round the -dial, faster than an ordinary second-hand. The hour hand moved quickly -from space to space. I had a numb sense of astonishment. A moment later, -so it seemed, the two candles went out, almost together. I turned -swiftly back to the window; for I had seen the shadow of the -window-frames, traveling along the floor toward me, as though a great -lamp had been carried up past the window. - -I saw now, that the sun had risen high into the heavens, and was still -visibly moving. It passed above the house, with an extraordinary sailing -kind of motion. As the window came into shadow, I saw another -extraordinary thing. The fine-weather clouds were not passing, easily, -across the sky--they were scampering, as though a hundred-mile-an-hour -wind blew. As they passed, they changed their shapes a thousand times a -minute, as though writhing with a strange life; and so were gone. And, -presently, others came, and whisked away likewise. - -To the West, I saw the sun, drop with an incredible, smooth, swift -motion. Eastward, the shadows of every seen thing crept toward the -coming greyness. And the movement of the shadows was visible to me--a -stealthy, writhing creep of the shadows of the wind-stirred trees. It -was a strange sight. - -Quickly, the room began to darken. The sun slid down to the horizon, -and seemed, as it were, to disappear from my sight, almost with a jerk. -Through the greyness of the swift evening, I saw the silver crescent of -the moon, falling out of the Southern sky, toward the West. The evening -seemed to merge into an almost instant night. Above me, the many -constellations passed in a strange, 'noiseless' circling, Westward. The -moon fell through that last thousand fathoms of the night-gulf, and -there was only the starlight.... - -About this time, the buzzing in the corner ceased; telling me that the -clock had run down. A few minutes passed, and I saw the Eastward sky -lighten. A grey, sullen morning spread through all the darkness, and hid -the march of the stars. Overhead, there moved, with a heavy, everlasting -rolling, a vast, seamless sky of grey clouds--a cloud-sky that would -have seemed motionless, through all the length of an ordinary earth-day. -The sun was hidden from me; but, from moment to moment, the world would -brighten and darken, brighten and darken, beneath waves of subtle light -and shadow.... - -The light shifted ever Westward, and the night fell upon the earth. A -vast rain seemed to come with it, and a wind of a most extraordinary -loudness--as though the howling of a nightlong gale, were packed into -the space of no more than a minute. - -This noise passed, almost immediately, and the clouds broke; so that, -once more, I could see the sky. The stars were flying Westward, with -astounding speed. It came to me now, for the first time, that, though -the noise of the wind had passed, yet a constant 'blurred' sound was in -my ears. Now that I noticed it, I was aware that it had been with me all -the time. It was the world-noise. - -And then, even as I grasped at so much comprehension, there came the -Eastward light. No more than a few heartbeats, and the sun rose, -swiftly. Through the trees, I saw it, and then it was above the trees. -Up--up, it soared and all the world was light. It passed, with a swift, -steady swing to its highest altitude, and fell thence, Westward. I saw -the day roll visibly over my head. A few light clouds flittered -Northward, and vanished. The sun went down with one swift, clear plunge, -and there was about me, for a few seconds, the darker growing grey of -the gloaming. - -Southward and Westward, the moon was sinking rapidly. The night had -come, already. A minute it seemed, and the moon fell those remaining -fathoms of dark sky. Another minute, or so, and the Eastward sky glowed -with the coming dawn. The sun leapt upon me with a frightening -abruptness, and soared ever more swiftly toward the zenith. Then, -suddenly, a fresh thing came to my sight. A black thundercloud rushed up -out of the South, and seemed to leap all the arc of the sky, in a single -instant. As it came, I saw that its advancing edge flapped, like a -monstrous black cloth in the heaven, twirling and undulating rapidly, -with a horrid suggestiveness. In an instant, all the air was full of -rain, and a hundred lightning flashes seemed to flood downward, as it -were in one great shower. In the same second of time, the world-noise -was drowned in the roar of the wind, and then my ears ached, under the -stunning impact of the thunder. - -And, in the midst of this storm, the night came; and then, within the -space of another minute, the storm had passed, and there was only the -constant 'blur' of the world-noise on my hearing. Overhead, the stars -were sliding quickly Westward; and something, mayhaps the particular -speed to which they had attained, brought home to me, for the first -time, a keen realization of the knowledge that it was the world that -revolved. I seemed to see, suddenly, the world--a vast, dark -mass--revolving visibly against the stars. - -The dawn and the sun seemed to come together, so greatly had the speed -of the world-revolution increased. The sun drove up, in one long, steady -curve; passed its highest point, and swept down into the Western sky, -and disappeared. I was scarcely conscious of evening, so brief was it. -Then I was watching the flying constellations, and the Westward -hastening moon. In but a space of seconds, so it seemed, it was sliding -swiftly downward through the night-blue, and then was gone. And, almost -directly, came the morning. - -And now there seemed to come a strange acceleration. The sun made one -clean, clear sweep through the sky, and disappeared behind the Westward -horizon, and the night came and went with a like haste. - -As the succeeding day, opened and closed upon the world, I was aware of -a sweat of snow, suddenly upon the earth. The night came, and, almost -immediately, the day. In the brief leap of the sun, I saw that the snow -had vanished; and then, once more, it was night. - -Thus matters were; and, even after the many incredible things that I -have seen, I experienced all the time a most profound awe. To see the -sun rise and set, within a space of time to be measured by seconds; to -watch (after a little) the moon leap--a pale, and ever growing orb--up -into the night sky, and glide, with a strange swiftness, through the -vast arc of blue; and, presently, to see the sun follow, springing out -of the Eastern sky, as though in chase; and then again the night, with -the swift and ghostly passing of starry constellations, was all too much -to view believingly. Yet, so it was--the day slipping from dawn to dusk, -and the night sliding swiftly into day, ever rapidly and more rapidly. - -The last three passages of the sun had shown me a snow-covered earth, -which, at night, had seemed, for a few seconds, incredibly weird under -the fast-shifting light of the soaring and falling moon. Now, however, -for a little space, the sky was hidden, by a sea of swaying, -leaden-white clouds, which lightened and blackened, alternately, with -the passage of day and night. - -The clouds rippled and vanished, and there was once more before me, the -vision of the swiftly leaping sun, and nights that came and went -like shadows. - -Faster and faster, spun the world. And now each day and night was -completed within the space of but a few seconds; and still the speed -increased. - -It was a little later, that I noticed that the sun had begun to have -the suspicion of a trail of fire behind it. This was due, evidently, to -the speed at which it, apparently, traversed the heavens. And, as the -days sped, each one quicker than the last, the sun began to assume the -appearance of a vast, flaming comet[4] flaring across the sky at short, -periodic intervals. At night, the moon presented, with much greater -truth, a comet-like aspect; a pale, and singularly clear, fast traveling -shape of fire, trailing streaks of cold flame. The stars showed now, -merely as fine hairs of fire against the dark. - -Once, I turned from the window, and glanced at Pepper. In the flash of -a day, I saw that he slept, quietly, and I moved once more to -my watching. - -The sun was now bursting up from the Eastern horizon, like a stupendous -rocket, seeming to occupy no more than a second or two in hurling from -East to West. I could no longer perceive the passage of clouds across -the sky, which seemed to have darkened somewhat. The brief nights, -appeared to have lost the proper darkness of night; so that the hair-like -fire of the flying stars, showed but dimly. As the speed increased, the -sun began to sway very slowly in the sky, from South to North, and then, -slowly again, from North to South. - -So, amid a strange confusion of mind, the hours passed. - -All this while had Pepper slept. Presently, feeling lonely and -distraught, I called to him, softly; but he took no notice. Again, I -called, raising my voice slightly; still he moved not. I walked over to -where he lay, and touched him with my foot, to rouse him. At the action, -gentle though it was, he fell to pieces. That is what happened; he -literally and actually crumbled into a mouldering heap of bones -and dust. - -For the space of, perhaps a minute, I stared down at the shapeless -heap, that had once been Pepper. I stood, feeling stunned. What can have -happened? I asked myself; not at once grasping the grim significance of -that little hill of ash. Then, as I stirred the heap with my foot, it -occurred to me that this could only happen in a great space of time. -Years--and years. - -Outside, the weaving, fluttering light held the world. Inside, I stood, -trying to understand what it meant--what that little pile of dust and -dry bones, on the carpet, meant. But I could not think, coherently. - -I glanced away, 'round the room, and now, for the first time, noticed -how dusty and old the place looked. Dust and dirt everywhere; piled in -little heaps in the corners, and spread about upon the furniture. The -very carpet, itself, was invisible beneath a coating of the same, all -pervading, material. As I walked, little clouds of the stuff rose up -from under my footsteps, and assailed my nostrils, with a dry, bitter -odor that made me wheeze, huskily. - -Suddenly, as my glance fell again upon Pepper's remains, I stood still, -and gave voice to my confusion--questioning, aloud, whether the years -were, indeed, passing; whether this, which I had taken to be a form of -vision, was, in truth, a reality. I paused. A new thought had struck me. -Quickly, but with steps which, for the first time, I noticed, tottered, -I went across the room to the great pier-glass, and looked in. It was -too covered with grime, to give back any reflection, and, with trembling -hands, I began to rub off the dirt. Presently, I could see myself. The -thought that had come to me, was confirmed. Instead of the great, hale -man, who scarcely looked fifty, I was looking at a bent, decrepit man, -whose shoulders stooped, and whose face was wrinkled with the years of a -century. The hair--which a few short hours ago had been nearly coal -black--was now silvery white. Only the eyes were bright. Gradually, I -traced, in that ancient man, a faint resemblance to my self of -other days. - -I turned away, and tottered to the window. I knew, now, that I was old, -and the knowledge seemed to confirm my trembling walk. For a little -space, I stared moodily out into the blurred vista of changeful -landscape. Even in that short time, a year passed, and, with a petulant -gesture, I left the window. As I did so, I noticed that my hand shook -with the palsy of old age; and a short sob choked its way through -my lips. - -For a little while, I paced, tremulously, between the window and the -table; my gaze wandering hither and thither, uneasily. How dilapidated -the room was. Everywhere lay the thick dust--thick, sleepy, and black. -The fender was a shape of rust. The chains that held the brass -clock-weights, had rusted through long ago, and now the weights lay on -the floor beneath; themselves two cones of verdigris. - -As I glanced about, it seemed to me that I could see the very furniture -of the room rotting and decaying before my eyes. Nor was this fancy, on -my part; for, all at once, the bookshelf, along the sidewall, collapsed, -with a cracking and rending of rotten wood, precipitating its contents -upon the floor, and filling the room with a smother of dusty atoms. - -How tired I felt. As I walked, it seemed that I could hear my dry -joints, creak and crack at every step. I wondered about my sister. Was -she dead, as well as Pepper? All had happened so quickly and suddenly. -This must be, indeed, the beginning of the end of all things! It -occurred to me, to go to look for her; but I felt too weary. And then, -she had been so queer about these happenings, of late. Of late! I -repeated the words, and laughed, feebly--mirthlessly, as the realization -was borne in upon me that I spoke of a time, half a century gone. Half a -century! It might have been twice as long! - -I moved slowly to the window, and looked out once more across the -world. I can best describe the passage of day and night, at this period, -as a sort of gigantic, ponderous flicker. Moment by moment, the -acceleration of time continued; so that, at nights now, I saw the moon, -only as a swaying trail of palish fire, that varied from a mere line of -light to a nebulous path, and then dwindled again, disappearing -periodically. - -The flicker of the days and nights quickened. The days had grown -perceptibly darker, and a queer quality of dusk lay, as it were, in the -atmosphere. The nights were so much lighter, that the stars were -scarcely to be seen, saving here and there an occasional hair-like line -of fire, that seemed to sway a little, with the moon. - -Quicker, and ever quicker, ran the flicker of day and night; and, -suddenly it seemed, I was aware that the flicker had died out, and, -instead, there reigned a comparatively steady light, which was shed upon -all the world, from an eternal river of flame that swung up and down, -North and South, in stupendous, mighty swings. - -The sky was now grown very much darker, and there was in the blue of it -a heavy gloom, as though a vast blackness peered through it upon the -earth. Yet, there was in it, also, a strange and awful clearness, and -emptiness. Periodically, I had glimpses of a ghostly track of fire that -swayed thin and darkly toward the sun-stream; vanished and reappeared. -It was the scarcely visible moon-stream. - -Looking out at the landscape, I was conscious again, of a blurring sort -of 'flitter,' that came either from the light of the ponderous-swinging -sun-stream, or was the result of the incredibly rapid changes of the -earth's surface. And every few moments, so it seemed, the snow would lie -suddenly upon the world, and vanish as abruptly, as though an invisible -giant 'flitted' a white sheet off and on the earth. - -Time fled, and the weariness that was mine, grew insupportable. I -turned from the window, and walked once across the room, the heavy dust -deadening the sound of my footsteps. Each step that I took, seemed a -greater effort than the one before. An intolerable ache, knew me in -every joint and limb, as I trod my way, with a weary uncertainty. - -By the opposite wall, I came to a weak pause, and wondered, dimly, what -was my intent. I looked to my left, and saw my old chair. The thought of -sitting in it brought a faint sense of comfort to my bewildered -wretchedness. Yet, because I was so weary and old and tired, I would -scarcely brace my mind to do anything but stand, and wish myself past -those few yards. I rocked, as I stood. The floor, even, seemed a place -for rest; but the dust lay so thick and sleepy and black. I turned, with -a great effort of will, and made toward my chair. I reached it, with a -groan of thankfulness. I sat down. - -Everything about me appeared to be growing dim. It was all so strange -and unthought of. Last night, I was a comparatively strong, though -elderly man; and now, only a few hours later--! I looked at the little -dust-heap that had once been Pepper. Hours! and I laughed, a feeble, -bitter laugh; a shrill, cackling laugh, that shocked my dimming senses. - -For a while, I must have dozed. Then I opened my eyes, with a start. -Somewhere across the room, there had been a muffled noise of something -falling. I looked, and saw, vaguely, a cloud of dust hovering above a -pile of _débris_. Nearer the door, something else tumbled, with a crash. -It was one of the cupboards; but I was tired, and took little notice. I -closed my eyes, and sat there in a state of drowsy, semi-unconsciousness. -Once or twice--as though coming through thick mists--I heard noises, -faintly. Then I must have slept. - - - -_XVI_ - -THE AWAKENING - -I awoke, with a start. For a moment, I wondered where I was. Then -memory came to me.... - -The room was still lit with that strange light--half-sun, half-moon, -light. I felt refreshed, and the tired, weary ache had left me. I went -slowly across to the window, and looked out. Overhead, the river of -flame drove up and down, North and South, in a dancing semi-circle of -fire. As a mighty sleigh in the loom of time it seemed--in a sudden -fancy of mine--to be beating home the picks of the years. For, so vastly -had the passage of time been accelerated, that there was no longer any -sense of the sun passing from East to West. The only apparent movement -was the North and South beat of the sun-stream, that had become so swift -now, as to be better described as a _quiver_. - -As I peered out, there came to me a sudden, inconsequent memory of that -last journey among the Outer worlds. I remembered the sudden vision that -had come to me, as I neared the Solar System, of the fast whirling -planets about the sun--as though the governing quality of time had been -held in abeyance, and the Machine of a Universe allowed to run down an -eternity, in a few moments or hours. The memory passed, along with a, -but partially comprehended, suggestion that I had been permitted a -glimpse into further time spaces. I stared out again, seemingly, at the -quake of the sun-stream. The speed seemed to increase, even as I looked. -Several lifetimes came and went, as I watched. - -Suddenly, it struck me, with a sort of grotesque seriousness, that I -was still alive. I thought of Pepper, and wondered how it was that I had -not followed his fate. He had reached the time of his dying, and had -passed, probably through sheer length of years. And here was I, alive, -hundreds of thousands of centuries after my rightful period of years. - -For, a time, I mused, absently. 'Yesterday--' I stopped, suddenly. -Yesterday! There was no yesterday. The yesterday of which I spoke had -been swallowed up in the abyss of years, ages gone. I grew dazed with -much thinking. - -Presently, I turned from the window, and glanced 'round the room. It -seemed different--strangely, utterly different. Then, I knew what it was -that made it appear so strange. It was bare: there was not a piece of -furniture in the room; not even a solitary fitting of any sort. -Gradually, my amazement went, as I remembered, that this was but the -inevitable end of that process of decay, which I had witnessed -commencing, before my sleep. Thousands of years! Millions of years! - -Over the floor was spread a deep layer of dust, that reached half way -up to the window-seat. It had grown immeasurably, whilst I slept; and -represented the dust of untold ages. Undoubtedly, atoms of the old, -decayed furniture helped to swell its bulk; and, somewhere among it all, -mouldered the long-ago-dead Pepper. - -All at once, it occurred to me, that I had no recollection of wading -knee-deep through all that dust, after I awoke. True, an incredible age -of years had passed, since I approached the window; but that was -evidently as nothing, compared with the countless spaces of time that, I -conceived, had vanished whilst I was sleeping. I remembered now, that I -had fallen asleep, sitting in my old chair. Had it gone ...? I glanced -toward where it had stood. Of course, there was no chair to be seen. I -could not satisfy myself, whether it had disappeared, after my waking, -or before. If it had mouldered under me, surely, I should have been -waked by the collapse. Then I remembered that the thick dust, which -covered the floor, would have been sufficient to soften my fall; so that -it was quite possible, I had slept upon the dust for a million years -or more. - -As these thoughts wandered through my brain, I glanced again, casually, -to where the chair had stood. Then, for the first time, I noticed that -there were no marks, in the dust, of my footprints, between it and the -window. But then, ages of years had passed, since I had awaked--tens of -thousands of years! - -My look rested thoughtfully, again upon the place where once had stood -my chair. Suddenly, I passed from abstraction to intentness; for there, -in its standing place, I made out a long undulation, rounded off with -the heavy dust. Yet it was not so much hidden, but that I could tell -what had caused it. I knew--and shivered at the knowledge--that it was a -human body, ages-dead, lying there, beneath the place where I had slept. -It was lying on its right side, its back turned toward me. I could make -out and trace each curve and outline, softened, and moulded, as it were, -in the black dust. In a vague sort of way, I tried to account for its -presence there. Slowly, I began to grow bewildered, as the thought came -to me that it lay just about where I must have fallen when the chair -collapsed. - -Gradually, an idea began to form itself within my brain; a thought that -shook my spirit. It seemed hideous and insupportable; yet it grew upon -me, steadily, until it became a conviction. The body under that coating, -that shroud of dust, was neither more nor less than my own dead shell. I -did not attempt to prove it. I knew it now, and wondered I had not known -it all along. I was a bodiless thing. - -Awhile, I stood, trying to adjust my thoughts to this new problem. In -time--how many thousands of years, I know not--I attained to some degree -of quietude--sufficient to enable me to pay attention to what was -transpiring around me. - -Now, I saw that the elongated mound had sunk, collapsed, level with the -rest of the spreading dust. And fresh atoms, impalpable, had settled -above that mixture of grave-powder, which the aeons had ground. A long -while, I stood, turned from the window. Gradually, I grew more -collected, while the world slipped across the centuries into the future. - -Presently, I began a survey of the room. Now, I saw that time was -beginning its destructive work, even on this strange old building. That -it had stood through all the years was, it seemed to me, proof that it -was something different from any other house. I do not think, somehow, -that I had thought of its decaying. Though, why, I could not have said. -It was not until I had meditated upon the matter, for some considerable -time, that I fully realized that the extraordinary space of time through -which it had stood, was sufficient to have utterly pulverized the very -stones of which it was built, had they been taken from any earthly -quarry. Yes, it was undoubtedly mouldering now. All the plaster had gone -from the walls; even as the woodwork of the room had gone, many -ages before. - -While I stood, in contemplation, a piece of glass, from one of the -small, diamond-shaped panes, dropped, with a dull tap, amid the dust -upon the sill behind me, and crumbled into a little heap of powder. As I -turned from contemplating it, I saw light between a couple of the stones -that formed the outer wall. Evidently, the mortar was falling away.... - -After awhile, I turned once more to the window, and peered out. I -discovered, now, that the speed of time had become enormous. The lateral -quiver of the sun-stream, had grown so swift as to cause the dancing -semi-circle of flame to merge into, and disappear in, a sheet of fire -that covered half the Southern sky from East to West. - -From the sky, I glanced down to the gardens. They were just a blur of a -palish, dirty green. I had a feeling that they stood higher, than in the -old days; a feeling that they were nearer my window, as though they had -risen, bodily. Yet, they were still a long way below me; for the rock, -over the mouth of the pit, on which this house stands, arches up to a -great height. - -It was later, that I noticed a change in the constant color of the -gardens. The pale, dirty green was growing ever paler and paler, toward -white. At last, after a great space, they became greyish-white, and -stayed thus for a very long time. Finally, however, the greyness began -to fade, even as had the green, into a dead white. And this remained, -constant and unchanged. And by this I knew that, at last, snow lay upon -all the Northern world. - -And so, by millions of years, time winged onward through eternity, to -the end--the end, of which, in the old-earth days, I had thought -remotely, and in hazily speculative fashion. And now, it was approaching -in a manner of which none had ever dreamed. - -I recollect that, about this time, I began to have a lively, though -morbid, curiosity, as to what would happen when the end came--but I -seemed strangely without imaginings. - -All this while, the steady process of decay was continuing. The few -remaining pieces of glass, had long ago vanished; and, every now and -then, a soft thud, and a little cloud of rising dust, would tell of some -fragment of fallen mortar or stone. - -I looked up again, to the fiery sheet that quaked in the heavens above -me and far down into the Southern sky. As I looked, the impression was -borne in upon me, that it had lost some of its first brilliancy--that it -was duller, deeper hued. - -I glanced down, once more, to the blurred white of the worldscape. -Sometimes, my look returned to the burning sheet of dulling flame, that -was, and yet hid, the sun. At times, I glanced behind me, into the -growing dusk of the great, silent room, with its aeon-carpet of -sleeping dust.... - -So, I watched through the fleeting ages, lost in soul-wearing thoughts -and wonderings, and possessed with a new weariness. - - - -_XVII_ - -THE SLOWING ROTATION - -It might have been a million years later, that I perceived, beyond -possibility of doubt, that the fiery sheet that lit the world, was -indeed darkening. - -Another vast space went by, and the whole enormous flame had sunk to a -deep, copper color. Gradually, it darkened, from copper to copper-red, -and from this, at times, to a deep, heavy, purplish tint, with, in it, a -strange loom of blood. - -Although the light was decreasing, I could perceive no diminishment in -the apparent speed of the sun. It still spread itself in that dazzling -veil of speed. - -The world, so much of it as I could see, had assumed a dreadful shade -of gloom, as though, in very deed, the last day of the worlds -approached. - -The sun was dying; of that there could be little doubt; and still the -earth whirled onward, through space and all the aeons. At this time, I -remember, an extraordinary sense of bewilderment took me. I found -myself, later, wandering, mentally, amid an odd chaos of fragmentary -modern theories and the old Biblical story of the world's ending. - -Then, for the first time, there flashed across me, the memory that the -sun, with its system of planets, was, and had been, traveling through -space at an incredible speed. Abruptly, the question rose--_Where?_ For -a very great time, I pondered this matter; but, finally, with a certain -sense of the futility of my puzzlings, I let my thoughts wander to other -things. I grew to wondering, how much longer the house would stand. -Also, I queried, to myself, whether I should be doomed to stay, -bodiless, upon the earth, through the dark-time that I knew was coming. -From these thoughts, I fell again to speculations upon the possible -direction of the sun's journey through space.... And so another great -while passed. - -Gradually, as time fled, I began to feel the chill of a great winter. -Then, I remembered that, with the sun dying, the cold must be, -necessarily, extraordinarily intense. Slowly, slowly, as the aeons -slipped into eternity, the earth sank into a heavier and redder gloom. -The dull flame in the firmament took on a deeper tint, very somber -and turbid. - -Then, at last, it was borne upon me that there was a change. The fiery, -gloomy curtain of flame that hung quaking overhead, and down away into -the Southern sky, began to thin and contract; and, in it, as one sees -the fast vibrations of a jarred harp-string, I saw once more the -sun-stream quivering, giddily, North and South. - -Slowly, the likeness to a sheet of fire, disappeared, and I saw, -plainly, the slowing beat of the sun-stream. Yet, even then, the speed -of its swing was inconceivably swift. And all the time, the brightness -of the fiery arc grew ever duller. Underneath, the world loomed -dimly--an indistinct, ghostly region. - -Overhead, the river of flame swayed slower, and even slower; until, at -last, it swung to the North and South in great, ponderous beats, that -lasted through seconds. A long space went by, and now each sway of the -great belt lasted nigh a minute; so that, after a great while, I ceased -to distinguish it as a visible movement; and the streaming fire ran in a -steady river of dull flame, across the deadly-looking sky. - -An indefinite period passed, and it seemed that the arc of fire became -less sharply defined. It appeared to me to grow more attenuated, and I -thought blackish streaks showed, occasionally. Presently, as I watched, -the smooth onward-flow ceased; and I was able to perceive that there -came a momentary, but regular, darkening of the world. This grew until, -once more, night descended, in short, but periodic, intervals upon the -wearying earth. - -Longer and longer became the nights, and the days equaled them; so -that, at last, the day and the night grew to the duration of seconds in -length, and the sun showed, once more, like an almost invisible, -coppery-red colored ball, within the glowing mistiness of its flight. -Corresponding to the dark lines, showing at times in its trail, there -were now distinctly to be seen on the half-visible sun itself, great, -dark belts. - -Year after year flashed into the past, and the days and nights spread -into minutes. The sun had ceased to have the appearance of a tail; and -now rose and set--a tremendous globe of a glowing copper-bronze hue; in -parts ringed with blood-red bands; in others, with the dusky ones, that -I have already mentioned. These circles--both red and black--were of -varying thicknesses. For a time, I was at a loss to account for their -presence. Then it occurred to me, that it was scarcely likely that the -sun would cool evenly all over; and that these markings were due, -probably, to differences in temperature of the various areas; the red -representing those parts where the heat was still fervent, and the black -those portions which were already comparatively cool. - -It struck me, as a peculiar thing, that the sun should cool in evenly -defined rings; until I remembered that, possibly, they were but isolated -patches, to which the enormous rotatory speed of the sun had imparted a -belt-like appearance. The sun, itself, was very much greater than the sun -I had known in the old-world days; and, from this, I argued that it was -considerably nearer. - -At nights, the moon[6] still showed; but small and remote; and the -light she reflected was so dull and weak that she seemed little more -than the small, dim ghost of the olden moon, that I had known. - -Gradually, the days and nights lengthened out, until they equaled a -space somewhat less than one of the old-earth hours; the sun rising and -setting like a great, ruddy bronze disk, crossed with ink-black bars. -About this time, I found myself, able once more, to see the gardens, -with clearness. For the world had now grown very still, and changeless. -Yet, I am not correct in saying, 'gardens'; for there were no -gardens--nothing that I knew or recognized. In place thereof, I looked -out upon a vast plain, stretching away into distance. A little to my -left, there was a low range of hills. Everywhere, there was a uniform, -white covering of snow, in places rising into hummocks and ridges. - -It was only now, that I recognized how really great had been the -snowfall. In places it was vastly deep, as was witnessed by a great, -upleaping, wave-shaped hill, away to my right; though it is not -impossible, that this was due, in part, to some rise in the surface of -the ground. Strangely enough, the range of low hills to my -left--already mentioned--was not entirely covered with the universal -snow; instead, I could see their bare, dark sides showing in several -places. And everywhere and always there reigned an incredible -death-silence and desolation. The immutable, awful quiet of a -dying world. - -All this time, the days and nights were lengthening, perceptibly. -Already, each day occupied, maybe, some two hours from dawn to dusk. At -night, I had been surprised to find that there were very few stars -overhead, and these small, though of an extraordinary brightness; which -I attributed to the peculiar, but clear, blackness of the nighttime. - -Away to the North, I could discern a nebulous sort of mistiness; not -unlike, in appearance, a small portion of the Milky Way. It might have -been an extremely remote star-cluster; or--the thought came to me -suddenly--perhaps it was the sidereal universe that I had known, and now -left far behind, forever--a small, dimly glowing mist of stars, far in -the depths of space. - -Still, the days and nights lengthened, slowly. Each time, the sun rose -duller than it had set. And the dark belts increased in breadth. - -About this time, there happened a fresh thing. The sun, earth, and sky -were suddenly darkened, and, apparently, blotted out for a brief space. -I had a sense, a certain awareness (I could learn little by sight), that -the earth was enduring a very great fall of snow. Then, in an instant, -the veil that had obscured everything, vanished, and I looked out, once -more. A marvelous sight met my gaze. The hollow in which this house, -with its gardens, stands, was brimmed with snow.[7] It lipped over the -sill of my window. Everywhere, it lay, a great level stretch of white, -which caught and reflected, gloomily, the somber coppery glows of the -dying sun. The world had become a shadowless plain, from horizon -to horizon. - -I glanced up at the sun. It shone with an extraordinary, dull -clearness. I saw it, now, as one who, until then, had seen it, only -through a partially obscuring medium. All about it, the sky had become -black, with a clear, deep blackness, frightful in its nearness, and its -unmeasured deep, and its utter unfriendliness. For a great time, I -looked into it, newly, and shaken and fearful. It was so near. Had I -been a child, I might have expressed some of my sensation and distress, -by saying that the sky had lost its roof. - -Later, I turned, and peered about me, into the room. Everywhere, it was -covered with a thin shroud of the all-pervading white. I could see it -but dimly, by reason of the somber light that now lit the world. It -appeared to cling to the ruined walls; and the thick, soft dust of the -years, that covered the floor knee-deep, was nowhere visible. The snow -must have blown in through the open framework of the windows. Yet, in no -place had it drifted; but lay everywhere about the great, old room, -smooth and level. Moreover, there had been no wind these many thousand -years. But there was the snow,[8] as I have told. - -And all the earth was silent. And there was a cold, such as no living -man can ever have known. - -The earth was now illuminated, by day, with a most doleful light, -beyond my power to describe. It seemed as though I looked at the great -plain, through the medium of a bronze-tinted sea. - -It was evident that the earth's rotatory movement was departing, -steadily. - -The end came, all at once. The night had been the longest yet; and -when the dying sun showed, at last, above the world's edge, I had grown -so wearied of the dark, that I greeted it as a friend. It rose steadily, -until about twenty degrees above the horizon. Then, it stopped suddenly, -and, after a strange retrograde movement, hung motionless--a great -shield in the sky[9]. Only the circular rim of the sun showed -bright--only this, and one thin streak of light near the equator. - -Gradually, even this thread of light died out; and now, all that was -left of our great and glorious sun, was a vast dead disk, rimmed with a -thin circle of bronze-red light. - - - -_XVIII_ - -THE GREEN STAR - -The world was held in a savage gloom--cold and intolerable. Outside, -all was quiet--quiet! From the dark room behind me, came the occasional, -soft thud[10] of falling matter--fragments of rotting stone. So time -passed, and night grasped the world, wrapping it in wrappings of -impenetrable blackness. - -There was no night-sky, as we know it. Even the few straggling stars -had vanished, conclusively. I might have been in a shuttered room, -without a light; for all that I could see. Only, in the impalpableness -of gloom, opposite, burnt that vast, encircling hair of dull fire. -Beyond this, there was no ray in all the vastitude of night that -surrounded me; save that, far in the North, that soft, mistlike glow -still shone. - -Silently, years moved on. What period of time passed, I shall never -know. It seemed to me, waiting there, that eternities came and went, -stealthily; and still I watched. I could see only the glow of the sun's -edge, at times; for now, it had commenced to come and go--lighting up a -while, and again becoming extinguished. - -All at once, during one of these periods of life, a sudden flame cut -across the night--a quick glare that lit up the dead earth, shortly; -giving me a glimpse of its flat lonesomeness. The light appeared to come -from the sun--shooting out from somewhere near its center, diagonally. A -moment, I gazed, startled. Then the leaping flame sank, and the gloom -fell again. But now it was not so dark; and the sun was belted by a thin -line of vivid, white light. I stared, intently. Had a volcano broken out -on the sun? Yet, I negatived the thought, as soon as formed. I felt that -the light had been far too intensely white, and large, for such a cause. - -Another idea there was, that suggested itself to me. It was, that one -of the inner planets had fallen into the sun--becoming incandescent, -under that impact. This theory appealed to me, as being more plausible, -and accounting more satisfactorily for the extraordinary size and -brilliance of the blaze, that had lit up the dead world, so -unexpectedly. - -Full of interest and emotion, I stared, across the darkness, at that -line of white fire, cutting the night. One thing it told to me, -unmistakably: the sun was yet rotating at an enormous speed.[11] Thus, I -knew that the years were still fleeting at an incalculable rate; though -so far as the earth was concerned, life, and light, and time, were -things belonging to a period lost in the long gone ages. - -After that one burst of flame, the light had shown, only as an -encircling band of bright fire. Now, however, as I watched, it began -slowly to sink into a ruddy tint, and, later, to a dark, copper-red -color; much as the sun had done. Presently, it sank to a deeper hue; -and, in a still further space of time, it began to fluctuate; having -periods of glowing, and anon, dying. Thus, after a great while, it -disappeared. - -Long before this, the smoldering edge of the sun had deadened into -blackness. And so, in that supremely future time, the world, dark and -intensely silent, rode on its gloomy orbit around the ponderous mass of -the dead sun. - -My thoughts, at this period, can be scarcely described. At first, they -were chaotic and wanting in coherence. But, later, as the ages came and -went, my soul seemed to imbibe the very essence of the oppressive -solitude and dreariness, that held the earth. - -With this feeling, there came a wonderful clearness of thought, and I -realized, despairingly, that the world might wander for ever, through -that enormous night. For a while, the unwholesome idea filled me, with a -sensation of overbearing desolation; so that I could have cried like a -child. In time, however, this feeling grew, almost insensibly, less, and -an unreasoning hope possessed me. Patiently, I waited. - -From time to time, the noise of dropping particles, behind in the room, -came dully to my ears. Once, I heard a loud crash, and turned, -instinctively, to look; forgetting, for the moment, the impenetrable -night in which every detail was submerged. In a while, my gaze sought -the heavens; turning, unconsciously, toward the North. Yes, the nebulous -glow still showed. Indeed, I could have almost imagined that it looked -somewhat plainer. For a long time, I kept my gaze fixed upon it; -feeling, in my lonely soul, that its soft haze was, in some way, a tie -with the past. Strange, the trifles from which one can suck comfort! And -yet, had I but known--But I shall come to that in its proper time. - -For a very long space, I watched, without experiencing any of the -desire for sleep, that would so soon have visited me in the old-earth -days. How I should have welcomed it; if only to have passed the time, -away from my perplexities and thoughts. - -Several times, the comfortless sound of some great piece of masonry -falling, disturbed my meditations; and, once, it seemed I could hear -whispering in the room, behind me. Yet it was utterly useless to try to -see anything. Such blackness, as existed, scarcely can be conceived. It -was palpable, and hideously brutal to the sense; as though something -dead, pressed up against me--something soft, and icily cold. - -Under all this, there grew up within my mind, a great and overwhelming -distress of uneasiness, that left me, but to drop me into an -uncomfortable brooding. I felt that I must fight against it; and, -presently, hoping to distract my thoughts, I turned to the window, and -looked up toward the North, in search of the nebulous whiteness, which, -still, I believed to be the far and misty glowing of the universe we had -left. Even as I raised my eyes, I was thrilled with a feeling of wonder; -for, now, the hazy light had resolved into a single, great star, of -vivid green. - -As I stared, astonished, the thought flashed into my mind; that the -earth must be traveling toward the star; not away, as I had imagined. -Next, that it could not be the universe the earth had left; but, -possibly, an outlying star, belonging to some vast star-cluster, hidden -in the enormous depths of space. With a sense of commingled awe and -curiosity, I watched it, wondering what new thing was to be revealed -to me. - -For a while, vague thoughts and speculations occupied me, during which -my gaze dwelt insatiably upon that one spot of light, in the otherwise -pitlike darkness. Hope grew up within me, banishing the oppression of -despair, that had seemed to stifle me. Wherever the earth was traveling, -it was, at least, going once more toward the realms of light. Light! One -must spend an eternity wrapped in soundless night, to understand the -full horror of being without it. - -Slowly, but surely, the star grew upon my vision, until, in time, it -shone as brightly as had the planet Jupiter, in the old-earth days. With -increased size, its color became more impressive; reminding me of a huge -emerald, scintillating rays of fire across the world. - -Years fled away in silence, and the green star grew into a great splash -of flame in the sky. A little later, I saw a thing that filled me with -amazement. It was the ghostly outline of a vast crescent, in the night; -a gigantic new moon, seeming to be growing out of the surrounding gloom. -Utterly bemused, I stared at it. It appeared to be quite -close--comparatively; and I puzzled to understand how the earth had come -so near to it, without my having seen it before. - -The light, thrown by the star, grew stronger; and, presently, I was -aware that it was possible to see the earthscape again; though -indistinctly. Awhile, I stared, trying to make out whether I could -distinguish any detail of the world's surface, but I found the light -insufficient. In a little, I gave up the attempt, and glanced once more -toward the star. Even in the short space, that my attention had been -diverted, it had increased considerably, and seemed now, to my -bewildered sight, about a quarter of the size of the full moon. The -light it threw, was extraordinarily powerful; yet its color was so -abominably unfamiliar, that such of the world as I could see, showed -unreal; more as though I looked out upon a landscape of shadow, than -aught else. - -All this time, the great crescent was increasing in brightness, and -began, now, to shine with a perceptible shade of green. Steadily, the -star increased in size and brilliancy, until it showed, fully as large -as half a full moon; and, as it grew greater and brighter, so did the -vast crescent throw out more and more light, though of an ever deepening -hue of green. Under the combined blaze of their radiances, the -wilderness that stretched before me, became steadily more visible. Soon, -I seemed able to stare across the whole world, which now appeared, -beneath the strange light, terrible in its cold and awful, flat -dreariness. - -It was a little later, that my attention was drawn to the fact, that -the great star of green flame, was slowly sinking out of the North, -toward the East. At first, I could scarcely believe that I saw aright; -but soon there could be no doubt that it was so. Gradually, it sank, -and, as it fell, the vast crescent of glowing green, began to dwindle -and dwindle, until it became a mere arc of light, against the livid -colored sky. Later it vanished, disappearing in the self-same spot from -which I had seen it slowly emerge. - -By this time, the star had come to within some thirty degrees of the -hidden horizon. In size it could now have rivaled the moon at its full; -though, even yet, I could not distinguish its disk. This fact led me to -conceive that it was, still, an extraordinary distance away; and, this -being so, I knew that its size must be huge, beyond the conception of -man to understand or imagine. - -Suddenly, as I watched, the lower edge of the star vanished--cut by a -straight, dark line. A minute--or a century--passed, and it dipped -lower, until the half of it had disappeared from sight. Far away out on -the great plain, I saw a monstrous shadow blotting it out, and advancing -swiftly. Only a third of the star was visible now. Then, like a flash, -the solution of this extraordinary phenomenon revealed itself to me. The -star was sinking behind the enormous mass of the dead sun. Or rather, -the sun--obedient to its attraction--was rising toward it,[12] with the -earth following in its trail. As these thoughts expanded in my mind, the -star vanished; being completely hidden by the tremendous bulk of the -sun. Over the earth there fell, once more, the brooding night. - -With the darkness, came an intolerable feeling of loneliness and dread. -For the first time, I thought of the Pit, and its inmates. After that, -there rose in my memory the still more terrible Thing, that had haunted -the shores of the Sea of Sleep, and lurked in the shadows of this old -building. Where were they? I wondered--and shivered with miserable -thoughts. For a time, fear held me, and I prayed, wildly and -incoherently, for some ray of light with which to dispel the cold -blackness that enveloped the world. - -How long I waited, it is impossible to say--certainly for a very great -period. Then, all at once, I saw a loom of light shine out ahead. -Gradually, it became more distinct. Suddenly, a ray of vivid green, -flashed across the darkness. At the same moment, I saw a thin line of -livid flame, far in the night. An instant, it seemed, and it had grown -into a great clot of fire; beneath which, the world lay bathed in a -blaze of emerald green light. Steadily it grew, until, presently, the -whole of the green star had come into sight again. But now, it could be -scarcely called a star; for it had increased to vast proportions, being -incomparably greater than the sun had been in the olden time. - -"Then, as I stared, I became aware that I could see the edge of the -lifeless sun, glowing like a great crescent-moon. Slowly, its lighted -surface, broadened out to me, until half of its diameter was visible; -and the star began to drop away on my right. Time passed, and the earth -moved on, slowly traversing the tremendous face of the dead sun." [13] - -Gradually, as the earth traveled forward, the star fell still more to -the right; until, at last, it shone on the back of the house, sending a -flood of broken rays, in through the skeleton-like walls. Glancing -upward, I saw that much of the ceiling had vanished, enabling me to see -that the upper storeys were even more decayed. The roof had, evidently, -gone entirely; and I could see the green effulgence of the Starlight -shining in, slantingly. - - - -_XIX_ - -THE END OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM - -From the abutment, where once had been the windows, through which I had -watched that first, fatal dawn, I could see that the sun was hugely -greater, than it had been, when first the Star lit the world. So great -was it, that its lower edge seemed almost to touch the far horizon. Even -as I watched, I imagined that it drew closer. The radiance of green that -lit the frozen earth, grew steadily brighter. - -Thus, for a long space, things were. Then, on a sudden, I saw that the -sun was changing shape, and growing smaller, just as the moon would have -done in past time. In a while, only a third of the illuminated part was -turned toward the earth. The Star bore away on the left. - -Gradually, as the world moved on, the Star shone upon the front of the -house, once more; while the sun showed, only as a great bow of green -fire. An instant, it seemed, and the sun had vanished. The Star was -still fully visible. Then the earth moved into the black shadow of the -sun, and all was night--Night, black, starless, and intolerable. - -Filled with tumultuous thoughts, I watched across the night--waiting. -Years, it may have been, and then, in the dark house behind me, the -clotted stillness of the world was broken. I seemed to hear a soft -padding of many feet, and a faint, inarticulate whisper of sound, grew -on my sense. I looked 'round into the blackness, and saw a multitude of -eyes. As I stared, they increased, and appeared to come toward me. For -an instant, I stood, unable to move. Then a hideous swine-noise[14] rose -up into the night; and, at that, I leapt from the window, out on to the -frozen world. I have a confused notion of having run awhile; and, after -that, I just waited--waited. Several times, I heard shrieks; but always -as though from a distance. Except for these sounds, I had no idea of the -whereabouts of the house. Time moved onward. I was conscious of little, -save a sensation of cold and hopelessness and fear. - -An age, it seemed, and there came a glow, that told of the coming -light. It grew, tardily. Then--with a loom of unearthly glory--the first -ray from the Green Star, struck over the edge of the dark sun, and lit -the world. It fell upon a great, ruined structure, some two hundred -yards away. It was the house. Staring, I saw a fearsome sight--over its -walls crawled a legion of unholy things, almost covering the old -building, from tottering towers to base. I could see them, plainly; they -were the Swine-creatures. - -The world moved out into the light of the Star, and I saw that, now, it -seemed to stretch across a quarter of the heavens. The glory of its -livid light was so tremendous, that it appeared to fill the sky with -quivering flames. Then, I saw the sun. It was so close that half of its -diameter lay below the horizon; and, as the world circled across its -face, it seemed to tower right up into the sky, a stupendous dome of -emerald colored fire. From time to time, I glanced toward the house; but -the Swine-things seemed unaware of my proximity. - -Years appeared to pass, slowly. The earth had almost reached the center -of the sun's disk. The light from the Green _Sun_--as now it must be -called--shone through the interstices, that gapped the mouldered walls -of the old house, giving them the appearance of being wrapped in green -flames. The Swine-creatures still crawled about the walls. - -Suddenly, there rose a loud roar of swine-voices, and, up from the -center of the roofless house, shot a vast column of blood-red flame. I -saw the little, twisted towers and turrets flash into fire; yet still -preserving their twisted crookedness. The beams of the Green Sun, beat -upon the house, and intermingled with its lurid glows; so that it -appeared a blazing furnace of red and green fire. - -Fascinated, I watched, until an overwhelming sense of coming danger, -drew my attention. I glanced up, and, at once, it was borne upon me, -that the sun was closer; so close, in fact, that it seemed to overhang -the world. Then--I know not how--I was caught up into strange -heights--floating like a bubble in the awful effulgence. - -Far below me, I saw the earth, with the burning house leaping into an -ever growing mountain of flame, 'round about it, the ground appeared to -be glowing; and, in places, heavy wreaths of yellow smoke ascended from -the earth. It seemed as though the world were becoming ignited from that -one plague-spot of fire. Faintly, I could see the Swine-things. They -appeared quite unharmed. Then the ground seemed to cave in, suddenly, -and the house, with its load of foul creatures, disappeared into the -depths of the earth, sending a strange, blood colored cloud into the -heights. I remembered the hell Pit under the house. - -In a while, I looked 'round. The huge bulk of the sun, rose high above -me. The distance between it and the earth, grew rapidly less. Suddenly, -the earth appeared to shoot forward. In a moment, it had traversed the -space between it and the sun. I heard no sound; but, out from the sun's -face, gushed an ever-growing tongue of dazzling flame. It seemed to -leap, almost to the distant Green Sun--shearing through the emerald -light, a very cataract of blinding fire. It reached its limit, and sank; -and, on the sun, glowed a vast splash of burning white--the grave of -the earth. - -The sun was very close to me, now. Presently, I found that I was rising -higher; until, at last, I rode above it, in the emptiness. The Green Sun -was now so huge that its breadth seemed to fill up all the sky, ahead. I -looked down, and noted that the sun was passing directly beneath me. - -A year may have gone by--or a century--and I was left, suspended, -alone. The sun showed far in front--a black, circular mass, against the -molten splendor of the great, Green Orb. Near one edge, I observed that -a lurid glow had appeared, marking the place where the earth had fallen. -By this, I knew that the long-dead sun was still revolving, though with -great slowness. - -Afar to my right, I seemed to catch, at times, a faint glow of whitish -light. For a great time, I was uncertain whether to put this down to -fancy or not. Thus, for a while, I stared, with fresh wonderings; until, -at last, I knew that it was no imaginary thing; but a reality. It grew -brighter; and, presently, there slid out of the green, a pale globe of -softest white. It came nearer, and I saw that it was apparently -surrounded by a robe of gently glowing clouds. Time passed.... - -I glanced toward the diminishing sun. It showed, only as a dark blot on -the face of the Green Sun. As I watched, I saw it grow smaller, -steadily, as though rushing toward the superior orb, at an immense -speed. Intently, I stared. What would happen? I was conscious of -extraordinary emotions, as I realized that it would strike the Green -Sun. It grew no bigger than a pea, and I looked, with my whole soul, to -witness the final end of our System--that system which had borne the -world through so many aeons, with its multitudinous sorrows and -joys; and now-- - -Suddenly, something crossed my vision, cutting from sight all vestige -of the spectacle I watched with such soul-interest. What happened to the -dead sun, I did not see; but I have no reason--in the light of that -which I saw afterward--to disbelieve that it fell into the strange fire -of the Green Sun, and so perished. - -And then, suddenly, an extraordinary question rose in my mind, whether -this stupendous globe of green fire might not be the vast Central -Sun--the great sun, 'round which our universe and countless others -revolve. I felt confused. I thought of the probable end of the dead sun, -and another suggestion came, dumbly--Do the dead stars make the Green -Sun their grave? The idea appealed to me with no sense of grotesqueness; -but rather as something both possible and probable. - - - -_XX_ - -THE CELESTIAL GLOBES - -For a while, many thoughts crowded my mind, so that I was unable to do -aught, save stare, blindly, before me. I seemed whelmed in a sea of -doubt and wonder and sorrowful remembrance. - -It was later, that I came out of my bewilderment. I looked about, -dazedly. Thus, I saw so extraordinary a sight that, for a while, I could -scarcely believe I was not still wrapped in the visionary tumult of my -own thoughts. Out of the reigning green, had grown a boundless river of -softly shimmering globes--each one enfolded in a wondrous fleece of pure -cloud. They reached, both above and below me, to an unknown distance; -and, not only hid the shining of the Green Sun; but supplied, in place -thereof, a tender glow of light, that suffused itself around me, like -unto nothing I have ever seen, before or since. - -In a little, I noticed that there was about these spheres, a sort of -transparency, almost as though they were formed of clouded crystal, -within which burned a radiance--gentle and subdued. They moved on, past -me, continually, floating onward at no great speed; but rather as -though they had eternity before them. A great while, I watched, and -could perceive no end to them. At times, I seemed to distinguish faces, -amid the cloudiness; but strangely indistinct, as though partly real, -and partly formed of the mistiness through which they showed. - -For a long time, I waited, passively, with a sense of growing content. -I had no longer that feeling of unutterable loneliness; but felt, -rather, that I was less alone, than I had been for kalpas of years. This -feeling of contentment, increased, so that I would have been satisfied -to float in company with those celestial globules, forever. - -Ages slipped by, and I saw the shadowy faces, with increased frequency, -also with greater plainness. Whether this was due to my soul having -become more attuned to its surroundings, I cannot tell--probably it was -so. But, however this may be, I am assured now, only of the fact that I -became steadily more conscious of a new mystery about me, telling me -that I had, indeed, penetrated within the borderland of some -unthought-of region--some subtle, intangible place, or form, of -existence. - -The enormous stream of luminous spheres continued to pass me, at an -unvarying rate--countless millions; and still they came, showing no -signs of ending, nor even diminishing. - -Then, as I was borne, silently, upon the unbuoying ether, I felt a -sudden, irresistible, forward movement, toward one of the passing -globes. An instant, and I was beside it. Then, I slid through, into the -interior, without experiencing the least resistance, of any description. -For a short while, I could see nothing; and waited, curiously. - -All at once, I became aware that a sound broke the inconceivable -stillness. It was like the murmur of a great sea at calm--a sea -breathing in its sleep. Gradually, the mist that obscured my sight, -began to thin away; and so, in time, my vision dwelt once again upon the -silent surface of the Sea of Sleep. - -For a little, I gazed, and could scarcely believe I saw aright. I -glanced 'round. There was the great globe of pale fire, swimming, as I -had seen it before, a short distance above the dim horizon. To my left, -far across the sea, I discovered, presently, a faint line, as of thin -haze, which I guessed to be the shore, where my Love and I had met, -during those wonderful periods of soul-wandering, that had been granted -to me in the old earth days. - -Another, a troubled, memory came to me--of the Formless Thing that had -haunted the shores of the Sea of Sleep. The guardian of that silent, -echoless place. These, and other, details, I remembered, and knew, -without doubt that I was looking out upon that same sea. With the -assurance, I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of surprise, and -joy, and shaken expectancy, conceiving it possible that I was about to -see my Love, again. Intently, I gazed around; but could catch no sight -of her. At that, for a little, I felt hopeless. Fervently, I prayed, and -ever peered, anxiously.... How still was the sea! - -Down, far beneath me, I could see the many trails of changeful fire, -that had drawn my attention, formerly. Vaguely, I wondered what caused -them; also, I remembered that I had intended to ask my dear One about -them, as well as many other matters--and I had been forced to leave her, -before the half that I had wished to say, was said. - -My thoughts came back with a leap. I was conscious that something had -touched me. I turned quickly. God, Thou wert indeed gracious--it was -She! She looked up into my eyes, with an eager longing, and I looked -down to her, with all my soul. I should like to have held her; but the -glorious purity of her face, kept me afar. Then, out of the winding -mist, she put her dear arms. Her whisper came to me, soft as the rustle -of a passing cloud. 'Dearest!' she said. That was all; but I had heard, -and, in a moment I held her to me--as I prayed--forever. - -In a little, she spoke of many things, and I listened. Willingly, would -I have done so through all the ages that are to come. At times, I -whispered back, and my whispers brought to her spirit face, once more, -an indescribably delicate tint--the bloom of love. Later, I spoke more -freely, and to each word she listened, and made answer, delightfully; so -that, already, I was in Paradise. - -She and I; and nothing, save the silent, spacious void to see us; and -only the quiet waters of the Sea of Sleep to hear us. - -Long before, the floating multitude of cloud-enfolded spheres had -vanished into nothingness. Thus, we looked upon the face of the -slumberous deeps, and were alone. Alone, God, I would be thus alone in -the hereafter, and yet be never lonely! I had her, and, greater than -this, she had me. Aye, aeon-aged me; and on this thought, and some -others, I hope to exist through the few remaining years that may yet lie -between us. - - - -_XXI_ - -THE DARK SUN - -How long our souls lay in the arms of joy, I cannot say; but, all at -once, I was waked from my happiness, by a diminution of the pale and -gentle light that lit the Sea of Sleep. I turned toward the huge, white -orb, with a premonition of coming trouble. One side of it was curving -inward, as though a convex, black shadow were sweeping across it. My -memory went back. It was thus, that the darkness had come, before our -last parting. I turned toward my Love, inquiringly. With a sudden -knowledge of woe, I noticed how wan and unreal she had grown, even in -that brief space. Her voice seemed to come to me from a distance. The -touch of her hands was no more than the gentle pressure of a summer -wind, and grew less perceptible. - -Already, quite half of the immense globe was shrouded. A feeling of -desperation seized me. Was she about to leave me? Would she have to go, -as she had gone before? I questioned her, anxiously, frightenedly; and -she, nestling closer, explained, in that strange, faraway voice, that it -was imperative she should leave me, before the Sun of Darkness--as she -termed it--blotted out the light. At this confirmation of my fears, I -was overcome with despair; and could only look, voicelessly, across the -quiet plains of the silent sea. - -How swiftly the darkness spread across the face of the White Orb. Yet, -in reality, the time must have been long, beyond human comprehension. - -At last, only a crescent of pale fire, lit the, now dim, Sea of Sleep. -All this while, she had held me; but, with so soft a caress, that I had -been scarcely conscious of it. We waited there, together, she and I; -speechless, for very sorrow. In the dimming light, her face showed, -shadowy--blending into the dusky mistiness that encircled us. - -Then, when a thin, curved line of soft light was all that lit the sea, -she released me--pushing me from her, tenderly. Her voice sounded in my -ears, 'I may not stay longer, Dear One.' It ended in a sob. - -She seemed to float away from me, and became invisible. Her voice came -to me, out of the shadows, faintly; apparently from a great distance:-- - -'A little while--' It died away, remotely. In a breath, the Sea of -Sleep darkened into night. Far to my left, I seemed to see, for a brief -instant, a soft glow. It vanished, and, in the same moment, I became -aware that I was no longer above the still sea; but once more suspended -in infinite space, with the Green Sun--now eclipsed by a vast, dark -sphere--before me. - -Utterly bewildered, I stared, almost unseeingly, at the ring of green -flames, leaping above the dark edge. Even in the chaos of my thoughts, I -wondered, dully, at their extraordinary shapes. A multitude of questions -assailed me. I thought more of her, I had so lately seen, than of the -sight before me. My grief, and thoughts of the future, filled me. Was I -doomed to be separated from her, always? Even in the old earth-days, she -had been mine, only for a little while; then she had left me, as I -thought, forever. Since then, I had seen her but these times, upon the -Sea of Sleep. - -A feeling of fierce resentment filled me, and miserable questionings. -Why could I not have gone with my Love? What reason to keep us apart? -Why had I to wait alone, while she slumbered through the years, on the -still bosom of the Sea of Sleep? The Sea of Sleep! My thoughts turned, -inconsequently, out of their channel of bitterness, to fresh, desperate -questionings. Where was it? Where was it? I seemed to have but just -parted from my Love, upon its quiet surface, and it had gone, utterly. -It could not be far away! And the White Orb which I had seen hidden in -the shadow of the Sun of Darkness! My sight dwelt upon the Green -Sun--eclipsed. What had eclipsed it? Was there a vast, dead star -circling it? Was the _Central_ Sun--as I had come to regard it--a double -star? The thought had come, almost unbidden; yet why should it not -be so? - -My thoughts went back to the White Orb. Strange, that it should have -been--I stopped. An idea had come, suddenly. The White Orb and the Green -Sun! Were they one and the same? My imagination wandered backward, and I -remembered the luminous globe to which I had been so unaccountably -attracted. It was curious that I should have forgotten it, even -momentarily. Where were the others? I reverted again to the globe I had -entered. I thought, for a time, and matters became clearer. I conceived -that, by entering that impalpable globule, I had passed, at once, into -some further, and, until then, invisible dimension; There, the Green Sun -was still visible; but as a stupendous sphere of pale, white -light--almost as though its ghost showed, and not its material part. - -A long time, I mused on the subject. I remembered how, on entering the -sphere, I had, immediately, lost all sight of the others. For a still -further period, I continued to revolve the different details in my mind. - -In a while, my thoughts turned to other things. I came more into the -present, and began to look about me, seeingly. For the first time, I -perceived that innumerable rays, of a subtle, violet hue, pierced the -strange semi-darkness, in all directions. They radiated from the fiery -rim of the Green Sun. They seemed to grow upon my vision, so that, in a -little, I saw that they were countless. The night was filled with -them--spreading outward from the Green Sun, fan-wise. I concluded that I -was enabled to see them, by reason of the Sun's glory being cut off by -the eclipse. They reached right out into space, and vanished. - -Gradually, as I looked, I became aware that fine points of intensely -brilliant light, traversed the rays. Many of them seemed to travel from -the Green Sun, into distance. Others came out of the void, toward the -Sun; but one and all, each kept strictly to the ray in which it -traveled. Their speed was inconceivably great; and it was only when they -neared the Green Sun, or as they left it, that I could see them as -separate specks of light. Further from the sun, they became thin lines -of vivid fire within the violet. - -The discovery of these rays, and the moving sparks, interested me, -extraordinarily. To where did they lead, in such countless profusion? I -thought of the worlds in space.... And those sparks! Messengers! -Possibly, the idea was fantastic; but I was not conscious of its being -so. Messengers! Messengers from the Central Sun! - -An idea evolved itself, slowly. Was the Green Sun the abode of some -vast Intelligence? The thought was bewildering. Visions of the Unnameable -rose, vaguely. Had I, indeed, come upon the dwelling-place of the -Eternal? For a time, I repelled the thought, dumbly. It was too -stupendous. Yet.... - -Huge, vague thoughts had birth within me. I felt, suddenly, terribly -naked. And an awful Nearness, shook me. - -And Heaven ...! Was that an illusion? - -My thoughts came and went, erratically. The Sea of Sleep--and she! -Heaven.... I came back, with a bound, to the present. Somewhere, out of -the void behind me, there rushed an immense, dark body--huge and silent. -It was a dead star, hurling onward to the burying place of the stars. It -drove between me and the Central Suns--blotting them out from my vision, -and plunging me into an impenetrable night. - -An age, and I saw again the violet rays. A great while later--aeons it -must have been--a circular glow grew in the sky, ahead, and I saw the -edge of the receding star, show darkly against it. Thus, I knew that it -was nearing the Central Suns. Presently, I saw the bright ring of the -Green Sun, show plainly against the night The star had passed into the -shadow of the Dead Sun. After that, I just waited. The strange years -went slowly, and ever, I watched, intently. - -'The thing I had expected, came at last--suddenly, awfully. A vast -flare of dazzling light. A streaming burst of white flame across the -dark void. For an indefinite while, it soared outward--a gigantic -mushroom of fire. It ceased to grow. Then, as time went by, it began to -sink backward, slowly. I saw, now, that it came from a huge, glowing -spot near the center of the Dark Sun. Mighty flames, still soared -outward from this. Yet, spite of its size, the grave of the star was no -more than the shining of Jupiter upon the face of an ocean, when -compared with the inconceivable mass of the Dead Sun. - -I may remark here, once more, that no words will ever convey to the -imagination, the enormous bulk of the two Central Suns. - - - -_XXII_ - -THE DARK NEBULA - -Years melted into the past, centuries, aeons. The light of the -incandescent star, sank to a furious red. - -It was later, that I saw the dark nebula--at first, an impalpable -cloud, away to my right. It grew, steadily, to a clot of blackness in -the night. How long I watched, it is impossible to say; for time, as we -count it, was a thing of the past. It came closer, a shapeless -monstrosity of darkness--tremendous. It seemed to slip across the night, -sleepily--a very hell-fog. Slowly, it slid nearer, and passed into the -void, between me and the Central Suns. It was as though a curtain had -been drawn before my vision. A strange tremor of fear took me, and a -fresh sense of wonder. - -The green twilight that had reigned for so many millions of years, had -now given place to impenetrable gloom. Motionless, I peered about me. A -century fled, and it seemed to me that I detected occasional dull glows -of red, passing me at intervals. - -Earnestly, I gazed, and, presently, seemed to see circular masses, that -showed muddily red, within the clouded blackness. They appeared to be -growing out of the nebulous murk. Awhile, and they became plainer to my -accustomed vision. I could see them, now, with a fair amount of -distinctness--ruddy-tinged spheres, similar, in size, to the luminous -globes that I had seen, so long previously. - -They floated past me, continually. Gradually, a peculiar uneasiness -seized me. I became aware of a growing feeling of repugnance and dread. -It was directed against those passing orbs, and seemed born of intuitive -knowledge, rather than of any real cause or reason. - -Some of the passing globes were brighter than others; and, it was from -one of these, that a face looked, suddenly. A face, human in its -outline; but so tortured with woe, that I stared, aghast. I had not -thought there was such sorrow, as I saw there. I was conscious of an -added sense of pain, on perceiving that the eyes, which glared so -wildly, were sightless. A while longer, I saw it; then it had passed on, -into the surrounding gloom. After this, I saw others--all wearing that -look of hopeless sorrow; and blind. - -A long time went by, and I became aware that I was nearer to the orbs, -than I had been. At this, I grew uneasy; though I was less in fear of -those strange globules, than I had been, before seeing their sorrowful -inhabitants; for sympathy had tempered my fear. - -Later, there was no doubt but that I was being carried closer to the -red spheres, and, presently, I floated among them. In awhile, I -perceived one bearing down upon me. I was helpless to move from its -path. In a minute, it seemed, it was upon me, and I was submerged in a -deep red mist. This cleared, and I stared, confusedly, across the -immense breadth of the Plain of Silence. It appeared just as I had first -seen it. I was moving forward, steadily, across its surface. Away ahead, -shone the vast, blood-red ring [15] that lit the place. All around, was -spread the extraordinary desolation of stillness, that had so impressed -me during my previous wanderings across its starkness. - -Presently, I saw, rising up into the ruddy gloom, the distant peaks of -the mighty amphitheatre of mountains, where, untold ages before, I had -been shown my first glimpse of the terrors that underlie many things; -and where, vast and silent, watched by a thousand mute gods, stands the -replica of this house of mysteries--this house that I had seen swallowed -up in that hell-fire, ere the earth had kissed the sun, and vanished -for ever. - -Though I could see the crests of the mountain-amphitheatre, yet it was -a great while before their lower portions became visible. Possibly, this -was due to the strange, ruddy haze, that seemed to cling to the surface -of the Plain. However, be this as it may, I saw them at last. - -In a still further space of time, I had come so close to the mountains, -that they appeared to overhang me. Presently, I saw the great rift, open -before me, and I drifted into it; without volition on my part. - -Later, I came out upon the breadth of the enormous arena. There, at an -apparent distance of some five miles, stood the House, huge, monstrous -and silent--lying in the very center of that stupendous amphitheatre. So -far as I could see, it had not altered in any way; but looked as though -it were only yesterday that I had seen it. Around, the grim, dark -mountains frowned down upon me from their lofty silences. - -Far to my right, away up among inaccessible peaks, loomed the enormous -bulk of the great Beast-god. Higher, I saw the hideous form of the dread -goddess, rising up through the red gloom, thousands of fathoms above -me. To the left, I made out the monstrous Eyeless-Thing, grey and -inscrutable. Further off, reclining on its lofty ledge, the livid -Ghoul-Shape showed--a splash of sinister color, among the dark -mountains. - -Slowly, I moved out across the great arena--floating. As I went, I made -out the dim forms of many of the other lurking Horrors that peopled -those supreme heights. - -Gradually, I neared the House, and my thoughts flashed back across the -abyss of years. I remembered the dread Specter of the Place. A short -while passed, and I saw that I was being wafted directly toward the -enormous mass of that silent building. - -About this time, I became aware, in an indifferent sort of way, of a -growing sense of numbness, that robbed me of the fear, which I should -otherwise have felt, on approaching that awesome Pile. As it was, I -viewed it, calmly--much as a man views calamity through the haze of his -tobacco smoke. - -In a little while, I had come so close to the House, as to be able to -distinguish many of the details about it. The longer I looked, the more -was I confirmed in my long-ago impressions of its entire similitude to -this strange house. Save in its enormous size, I could find -nothing unlike. - -Suddenly, as I stared, a great feeling of amazement filled me. I had -come opposite to that part, where the outer door, leading into the -study, is situated. There, lying right across the threshold, lay a great -length of coping stone, identical--save in size and color--with the -piece I had dislodged in my fight with the Pit-creatures. - -I floated nearer, and my astonishment increased, as I noted that the -door was broken partly from its hinges, precisely in the manner that my -study door had been forced inward, by the assaults of the Swine-things. -The sight started a train of thoughts, and I began to trace, dimly, -that the attack on this house, might have a far deeper significance than -I had, hitherto, imagined. I remembered how, long ago, in the old -earth-days, I had half suspected that, in some unexplainable manner, -this house, in which I live, was _en rapport_--to use a recognized -term--with that other tremendous structure, away in the midst of that -incomparable Plain. - -Now, however, it began to be borne upon me, that I had but vaguely -conceived what the realization of my suspicion meant. I began to -understand, with a more than human clearness, that the attack I had -repelled, was, in some extraordinary manner, connected with an attack -upon that strange edifice. - -With a curious inconsequence, my thoughts abruptly left the matter; to -dwell, wonderingly, upon the peculiar material, out of which the House -was constructed. It was--as I have mentioned, earlier--of a deep, green -color. Yet, now that I had come so close to it, I perceived that it -fluctuated at times, though slightly--glowing and fading, much as do the -fumes of phosphorus, when rubbed upon the hand, in the dark. - -Presently, my attention was distracted from this, by coming to the -great entrance. Here, for the first time, I was afraid; for, all in a -moment, the huge doors swung back, and I drifted in between them, -helplessly. Inside, all was blackness, impalpable. In an instant, I had -crossed the threshold, and the great doors closed, silently, shutting me -in that lightless place. - -For a while, I seemed to hang, motionless; suspended amid the darkness. -Then, I became conscious that I was moving again; where, I could not -tell. Suddenly, far down beneath me, I seemed to hear a murmurous noise -of Swine-laughter. It sank away, and the succeeding silence appeared -clogged with horror. - -Then a door opened somewhere ahead; a white haze of light filtered -through, and I floated slowly into a room, that seemed strangely -familiar. All at once, there came a bewildering, screaming noise, that -deafened me. I saw a blurred vista of visions, flaming before my sight. -My senses were dazed, through the space of an eternal moment. Then, my -power of seeing, came back to me. The dizzy, hazy feeling passed, and I -saw, clearly. - - - -_XXIII_ - -PEPPER - -I was seated in my chair, back again in this old study. My glance -wandered 'round the room. For a minute, it had a strange, quivery -appearance--unreal and unsubstantial. This disappeared, and I saw that -nothing was altered in any way. I looked toward the end window--the -blind was up. - -I rose to my feet, shakily. As I did so, a slight noise, in the -direction of the door, attracted my attention. I glanced toward it. For -a short instant, it appeared to me that it was being closed, gently. I -stared, and saw that I must have been mistaken--it seemed closely shut. - -With a succession of efforts, I trod my way to the window, and looked -out. The sun was just rising, lighting up the tangled wilderness of -gardens. For, perhaps, a minute, I stood, and stared. I passed my hand, -confusedly, across my forehead. - -Presently, amid the chaos of my senses, a sudden thought came to me; I -turned, quickly, and called to Pepper. There was no answer, and I -stumbled across the room, in a quick access of fear. As I went, I tried -to frame his name; but my lips were numb. I reached the table, and -stooped down to him, with a catching at my heart. He was lying in the -shadow of the table, and I had not been able to see him, distinctly, -from the window. Now, as I stooped, I took my breath, shortly. There was -no Pepper; instead, I was reaching toward an elongated, little heap of -grey, ashlike dust.... - -I must have remained, in that half-stooped position, for some minutes. -I was dazed--stunned. Pepper had really passed into the land of shadows. - - - -_XXIV_ - -THE FOOTSTEPS IN THE GARDEN - -Pepper is dead! Even now, at times, I seem scarcely able to realize -that this is so. It is many weeks, since I came back from that strange -and terrible journey through space and time. Sometimes, in my sleep, I -dream about it, and go through, in imagination, the whole of that -fearsome happening. When I wake, my thoughts dwell upon it. That -Sun--those Suns, were they indeed the great Central Suns, 'round which -the whole universe, of the unknown heavens, revolves? Who shall say? And -the bright globules, floating forever in the light of the Green Sun! And -the Sea of Sleep on which they float! How unbelievable it all is. If it -were not for Pepper, I should, even after the many extraordinary things -that I have witnessed, be inclined to imagine that it was but a gigantic -dream. Then, there is that dreadful, dark nebula (with its multitudes of -red spheres) moving always within the shadow of the Dark Sun, sweeping -along on its stupendous orbit, wrapped eternally in gloom. And the faces -that peered out at me! God, do they, and does such a thing really -exist? ... There is still that little heap of grey ash, on my study -floor. I will not have it touched. - -At times, when I am calmer, I have wondered what became of the outer -planets of the Solar System. It has occurred to me, that they may have -broken loose from the sun's attraction, and whirled away into space. -This is, of course, only a surmise. There are so many things, about -which I wonder. - -Now that I am writing, let me record that I am certain, there is -something horrible about to happen. Last night, a thing occurred, which -has filled me with an even greater terror, than did the Pit fear. I will -write it down now, and, if anything more happens, endeavor to make a -note of it, at once. I have a feeling, that there is more in this last -affair, than in all those others. I am shaky and nervous, even now, as I -write. Somehow, I think death is not very far away. Not that I fear -death--as death is understood. Yet, there is that in the air, which bids -me fear--an intangible, cold horror. I felt it last night. It -was thus:-- - -Last night, I was sitting here in my study, writing. The door, leading -into the garden, was half open. At times, the metallic rattle of a dog's -chain, sounded faintly. It belongs to the dog I have bought, since -Pepper's death. I will not have him in the house--not after Pepper. -Still, I have felt it better to have a dog about the place. They are -wonderful creatures. - -I was much engrossed in my work, and the time passed, quickly. -Suddenly, I heard a soft noise on the path, outside in the garden--pad, -pad, pad, it went, with a stealthy, curious sound. I sat upright, with a -quick movement, and looked out through the opened door. Again the noise -came--pad, pad, pad. It appeared to be approaching. With a slight -feeling of nervousness, I stared into the gardens; but the night hid -everything. - -Then the dog gave a long howl, and I started. For a minute, perhaps, I -peered, intently; but could hear nothing. After a little, I picked up -the pen, which I had laid down, and recommenced my work. The nervous -feeling had gone; for I imagined that the sound I had heard, was nothing -more than the dog walking 'round his kennel, at the length of his chain. - -A quarter of an hour may have passed; then, all at once, the dog howled -again, and with such a plaintively sorrowful note, that I jumped to my -feet, dropping my pen, and inking the page on which I was at work. - -'Curse that dog!' I muttered, noting what I had done. Then, even as I -said the words, there sounded again that queer--pad, pad, pad. It was -horribly close--almost by the door, I thought. I knew, now, that it -could not be the dog; his chain would not allow him to come so near. - -The dog's growl came again, and I noted, subconsciously, the taint of -fear in it. - -Outside, on the windowsill, I could see Tip, my sister's pet cat. As I -looked, it sprang to its feet, its tail swelling, visibly. For an -instant it stood thus; seeming to stare, fixedly, at something, in the -direction of the door. Then, quickly, it began to back along the sill; -until, reaching the wall at the end, it could go no further. There it -stood, rigid, as though frozen in an attitude of extraordinary terror. - -Frightened, and puzzled, I seized a stick from the corner, and went -toward the door, silently; taking one of the candles with me. I had come -to within a few paces of it, when, suddenly, a peculiar sense of fear -thrilled through me--a fear, palpitant and real; whence, I knew not, nor -why. So great was the feeling of terror, that I wasted no time; but -retreated straight-way--walking backward, and keeping my gaze, -fearfully, on the door. I would have given much, to rush at it, fling it -to, and shoot the bolts; for I have had it repaired and strengthened, -so that, now, it is far stronger than ever it has been. Like Tip, I -continued my, almost unconscious, progress backward, until the wall -brought me up. At that, I started, nervously, and glanced 'round, -apprehensively. As I did so, my eyes dwelt, momentarily, on the rack of -firearms, and I took a step toward them; but stopped, with a curious -feeling that they would be needless. Outside, in the gardens, the dog -moaned, strangely. - -Suddenly, from the cat, there came a fierce, long screech. I glanced, -jerkily, in its direction--Something, luminous and ghostly, encircled -it, and grew upon my vision. It resolved into a glowing hand, -transparent, with a lambent, greenish flame flickering over it. The cat -gave a last, awful caterwaul, and I saw it smoke and blaze. My breath -came with a gasp, and I leant against the wall. Over that part of the -window there spread a smudge, green and fantastic. It hid the thing from -me, though the glare of fire shone through, dully. A stench of burning, -stole into the room. - -Pad, pad, pad--Something passed down the garden path, and a faint, -mouldy odor seemed to come in through the open door, and mingle with the -burnt smell. - -The dog had been silent for a few moments. Now, I heard him yowl, -sharply, as though in pain. Then, he was quiet, save for an occasional, -subdued whimper of fear. - -A minute went by; then the gate on the West side of the gardens, -slammed, distantly. After that, nothing; not even the dog's whine. - -I must have stood there some minutes. Then a fragment of courage stole -into my heart, and I made a frightened rush at the door, dashed it to, -and bolted it. After that, for a full half-hour, I sat, -helpless--staring before me, rigidly. - -Slowly, my life came back into me, and I made my way, shakily, -up-stairs to bed. - -That is all. - - - -_XXV_ - -THE THING FROM THE ARENA - -This morning, early, I went through the gardens; but found everything -as usual. Near the door, I examined the path, for footprints; yet, here -again, there was nothing to tell me whether, or not, I dreamed -last night. - -It was only when I came to speak to the dog, that I discovered tangible -proof, that something did happen. When I went to his kennel, he kept -inside, crouching up in one corner, and I had to coax him, to get him -out. When, finally, he consented to come, it was in a strangely cowed -and subdued manner. As I patted him, my attention was attracted to a -greenish patch, on his left flank. On examining it, I found, that the -fur and skin had been apparently, burnt off; for the flesh showed, raw -and scorched. The shape of the mark was curious, reminding me of the -imprint of a large talon or hand. - -I stood up, thoughtful. My gaze wandered toward the study window. The -rays of the rising sun, shimmered on the smoky patch in the lower -corner, causing it to fluctuate from green to red, oddly. Ah! that was -undoubtedly another proof; and, suddenly, the horrible Thing I saw last -night, rose in my mind. I looked at the dog, again. I knew the cause, -now, of that hateful looking wound on his side--I knew, also, that, what -I had seen last night, had been a real happening. And a great discomfort -filled me. Pepper! Tip! And now this poor animal ...! I glanced at the -dog again, and noticed that he was licking at his wound. - -'Poor brute!' I muttered, and bent to pat his head. At that, he got -upon his feet, nosing and licking my hand, wistfully. - -Presently, I left him, having other matters to which to attend. - -After dinner, I went to see him, again. He seemed quiet, and -disinclined to leave his kennel. From my sister, I have learnt that he -has refused all food today. She appeared a little puzzled, when she told -me; though quite unsuspicious of anything of which to be afraid. - -The day has passed, uneventfully enough. After tea, I went, again, to -have a look at the dog. He seemed moody, and somewhat restless; yet -persisted in remaining in his kennel. Before locking up, for the night, -I moved his kennel out, away from the wall, so that I shall be able to -watch it from the small window, tonight. The thought came to me, to -bring him into the house for the night; but consideration has decided -me, to let him remain out. I cannot say that the house is, in any -degree, less to be feared than the gardens. Pepper was in the house, -and yet.... - -It is now two o'clock. Since eight, I have watched the kennel, from the -small, side window in my study. Yet, nothing has occurred, and I am too -tired to watch longer. I will go to bed.... - -During the night, I was restless. This is unusual for me; but, toward -morning, I obtained a few hours' sleep. - -I rose early, and, after breakfast, visited the dog. He was quiet; but -morose, and refused to leave his kennel. I wish there was some horse -doctor near here; I would have the poor brute looked to. All day, he has -taken no food; but has shown an evident desire for water--lapping it up, -greedily. I was relieved to observe this. - -The evening has come, and I am in my study. I intend to follow my plan -of last night, and watch the kennel. The door, leading into the garden, -is bolted, securely. I am consciously glad there are bars to the -windows.... - -Night:--Midnight has gone. The dog has been silent, up to the present. -Through the side window, on my left, I can make out, dimly, the outlines -of the kennel. For the first time, the dog moves, and I hear the rattle -of his chain. I look out, quickly. As I stare, the dog moves again, -restlessly, and I see a small patch of luminous light, shine from the -interior of the kennel. It vanishes; then the dog stirs again, and, once -more, the gleam comes. I am puzzled. The dog is quiet, and I can see the -luminous thing, plainly. It shows distinctly. There is something -familiar about the shape of it. For a moment, I wonder; then it comes to -me, that it is not unlike the four fingers and thumb of a hand. Like a -hand! And I remember the contour of that fearsome wound on the dog's -side. It must be the wound I see. It is luminous at night--Why? The -minutes pass. My mind is filled with this fresh thing.... - -Suddenly, I hear a sound, out in the gardens. How it thrills through -me. It is approaching. Pad, pad, pad. A prickly sensation traverses my -spine, and seems to creep across my scalp. The dog moves in his kennel, -and whimpers, frightenedly. He must have turned 'round; for, now, I can -no longer see the outline of his shining wound. - -Outside, the gardens are silent, once more, and I listen, fearfully. A -minute passes, and another; then I hear the padding sound, again. It is -quite close, and appears to be coming down the graveled path. The noise -is curiously measured and deliberate. It ceases outside the door; and I -rise to my feet, and stand motionless. From the door, comes a slight -sound--the latch is being slowly raised. A singing noise is in my ears, -and I have a sense of pressure about the head-- - -The latch drops, with a sharp click, into the catch. The noise startles -me afresh; jarring, horribly, on my tense nerves. After that, I stand, -for a long while, amid an ever-growing quietness. All at once, my knees -begin to tremble, and I have to sit, quickly. - -An uncertain period of time passes, and, gradually, I begin to shake -off the feeling of terror, that has possessed me. Yet, still I sit. I -seem to have lost the power of movement. I am strangely tired, and -inclined to doze. My eyes open and close, and, presently, I find myself -falling asleep, and waking, in fits and starts. - -It is some time later, that I am sleepily aware that one of the candles -is guttering. When I wake again, it has gone out, and the room is very -dim, under the light of the one remaining flame. The semi-darkness -troubles me little. I have lost that awful sense of dread, and my only -desire seems to be to sleep--sleep. - -Suddenly, although there is no noise, I am awake--wide awake. I am -acutely conscious of the nearness of some mystery, of some overwhelming -Presence. The very air seems pregnant with terror. I sit huddled, and -just listen, intently. Still, there is no sound. Nature, herself, seems -dead. Then, the oppressive stillness is broken by a little eldritch -scream of wind, that sweeps 'round the house, and dies away, remotely. - -I let my gaze wander across the half-lighted room. By the great clock -in the far corner, is a dark, tall shadow. For a short instant, I stare, -frightenedly. Then, I see that it is nothing, and am, momentarily, -relieved. - -In the time that follows, the thought flashes through my brain, why -not leave this house--this house of mystery and terror? Then, as though -in answer, there sweeps up, across my sight, a vision of the wondrous -Sea of Sleep,--the Sea of Sleep where she and I have been allowed to -meet, after the years of separation and sorrow; and I know that I shall -stay on here, whatever happens. - -Through the side window, I note the somber blackness of the night. My -glance wanders away, and 'round the room; resting on one shadowy object -and another. Suddenly, I turn, and look at the window on my right; as I -do so, I breathe quickly, and bend forward, with a frightened gaze at -something outside the window, but close to the bars. I am looking at a -vast, misty swine-face, over which fluctuates a flamboyant flame, of a -greenish hue. It is the Thing from the arena. The quivering mouth seems -to drip with a continual, phosphorescent slaver. The eyes are staring -straight into the room, with an inscrutable expression. Thus, I sit -rigidly--frozen. - -The Thing has begun to move. It is turning, slowly, in my direction. -Its face is coming 'round toward me. It sees me. Two huge, inhumanly -human, eyes are looking through the dimness at me. I am cold with fear; -yet, even now, I am keenly conscious, and note, in an irrelevant way, -that the distant stars are blotted out by the mass of the giant face. - -A fresh horror has come to me. I am rising from my chair, without the -least intention. I am on my feet, and something is impelling me toward -the door that leads out into the gardens. I wish to stop; but cannot. -Some immutable power is opposed to my will, and I go slowly forward, -unwilling and resistant. My glance flies 'round the room, helplessly, -and stops at the window. The great swine-face has disappeared, and I -hear, again, that stealthy pad, pad, pad. It stops outside the -door--the door toward which I am being compelled.... - -There succeeds a short, intense silence; then there comes a sound. It -is the rattle of the latch, being slowly lifted. At that, I am filled -with desperation. I will not go forward another step. I make a vast -effort to return; but it is, as though I press back, upon an invisible -wall. I groan out loud, in the agony of my fear, and the sound of my -voice is frightening. Again comes that rattle, and I shiver, clammily. I -try--aye, fight and struggle, to hold back, _back_; but it is no use.... - -I am at the door, and, in a mechanical way, I watch my hand go forward, -to undo the topmost bolt. It does so, entirely without my volition. Even -as I reach up toward the bolt, the door is violently shaken, and I get a -sickly whiff of mouldy air, which seems to drive in through the -interstices of the doorway. I draw the bolt back, slowly, fighting, -dumbly, the while. It comes out of its socket, with a click, and I begin -to shake, aguishly. There are two more; one at the bottom of the door; -the other, a massive affair, is placed about the middle. - -For, perhaps a minute, I stand, with my arms hanging slackly, by my -sides. The influence to meddle with the fastenings of the door, seems to -have gone. All at once, there comes the sudden rattle of iron, at my -feet. I glance down, quickly, and realize, with an unspeakable terror, -that my foot is pushing back the lower bolt. An awful sense of -helplessness assails me.... The bolt comes out of its hold, with a -slight, ringing sound and I stagger on my feet, grasping at the great, -central bolt, for support. A minute passes, an eternity; then -another----My God, help me! I am being forced to work upon the last -fastening. _I will not!_ Better to die, than open to the Terror, that is -on the other side of the door. Is there no escape ...? God help me, I -have jerked the bolt half out of its socket! My lips emit a hoarse -scream of terror, the bolt is three parts drawn, now, and still my -unconscious hands work toward my doom. Only a fraction of steel, between -my soul and That. Twice, I scream out in the supreme agony of my fear; -then, with a mad effort, I tear my hands away. My eyes seem blinded. A -great blackness is falling upon me. Nature has come to my rescue. I feel -my knees giving. There is a loud, quick thudding upon the door, and I am -falling, falling.... - -I must have lain there, at least a couple of hours. As I recover, I am -aware that the other candle has burnt out, and the room is in an almost -total darkness. I cannot rise to my feet, for I am cold, and filled with -a terrible cramp. Yet my brain is clear, and there is no longer the -strain of that unholy influence. - -Cautiously, I get upon my knees, and feel for the central bolt. I find -it, and push it securely back into its socket; then the one at the -bottom of the door. By this time, I am able to rise to my feet, and so -manage to secure the fastening at the top. After that, I go down upon my -knees, again, and creep away among the furniture, in the direction of -the stairs. By doing this, I am safe from observation from the window. - -I reach the opposite door, and, as I leave the study, cast one nervous -glance over my shoulder, toward the window. Out in the night, I seem to -catch a glimpse of something impalpable; but it may be only a fancy. -Then, I am in the passage, and on the stairs. - -Reaching my bedroom, I clamber into bed, all clothed as I am, and pull -the bedclothes over me. There, after awhile, I begin to regain a little -confidence. It is impossible to sleep; but I am grateful for the added -warmth of the bedclothes. Presently, I try to think over the happenings -of the past night; but, though I cannot sleep, I find that it is -useless, to attempt consecutive thought. My brain seems curiously blank. - -Toward morning, I begin to toss, uneasily. I cannot rest, and, after -awhile, I get out of bed, and pace the floor. The wintry dawn is -beginning to creep through the windows, and shows the bare discomfort of -the old room. Strange, that, through all these years, it has never -occurred to me how dismal the place really is. And so a time passes. - -From somewhere down stairs, a sound comes up to me. I go to the bedroom -door, and listen. It is Mary, bustling about the great, old kitchen, -getting the breakfast ready. I feel little interest. I am not hungry. My -thoughts, however; continue to dwell upon her. How little the weird -happenings in this house seem to trouble her. Except in the incident of -the Pit creatures, she has seemed unconscious of anything unusual -occurring. She is old, like myself; yet how little we have to do with -one another. Is it because we have nothing in common; or only that, -being old, we care less for society, than quietness? These and other -matters pass through my mind, as I meditate; and help to distract my -attention, for a while, from the oppressive thoughts of the night. - -After a time, I go to the window, and, opening it, look out. The sun is -now above the horizon, and the air, though cold, is sweet and crisp. -Gradually, my brain clears, and a sense of security, for the time being, -comes to me. Somewhat happier, I go down stairs, and out into the -garden, to have a look at the dog. - -As I approach the kennel, I am greeted by the same mouldy stench that -assailed me at the door last night. Shaking off a momentary sense of -fear, I call to the dog; but he takes no heed, and, after calling once -more, I throw a small stone into the kennel. At this, he moves, -uneasily, and I shout his name, again; but do not go closer. Presently, -my sister comes out, and joins me, in trying to coax him from -the kennel. - -In a little the poor beast rises, and shambles out lurching queerly. In -the daylight he stands swaying from side to side, and blinking stupidly. -I look and note that the horrid wound is larger, much larger, and seems -to have a whitish, fungoid appearance. My sister moves to fondle him; -but I detain her, and explain that I think it will be better not to go -too near him for a few days; as it is impossible to tell what may be the -matter with him; and it is well to be cautious. - -A minute later, she leaves me; coming back with a basin of odd scraps -of food. This she places on the ground, near the dog, and I push it into -his reach, with the aid of a branch, broken from one of the shrubs. Yet, -though the meat should be tempting, he takes no notice of it; but -retires to his kennel. There is still water in his drinking vessel, so, -after a few moments' talk, we go back to the house. I can see that my -sister is much puzzled as to what is the matter with the animal; yet it -would be madness, even to hint the truth to her. - -The day slips away, uneventfully; and night comes on. I have determined -to repeat my experiment of last night. I cannot say that it is wisdom; -yet my mind is made up. Still, however, I have taken precautions; for I -have driven stout nails in at the back of each of the three bolts, that -secure the door, opening from the study into the gardens. This will, at -least, prevent a recurrence of the danger I ran last night. - -From ten to about two-thirty, I watch; but nothing occurs; and, -finally, I stumble off to bed, where I am soon asleep. - - - -_XXVI_ - -THE LUMINOUS SPECK - -I awake suddenly. It is still dark. I turn over, once or twice, in my -endeavors to sleep again; but I cannot sleep. My head is aching, -slightly; and, by turns I am hot and cold. In a little, I give up the -attempt, and stretch out my hand, for the matches. I will light my -candle, and read, awhile; perhaps, I shall be able to sleep, after a -time. For a few moments, I grope; then my hand touches the box; but, as -I open it, I am startled, to see a phosphorescent speck of fire, shining -amid the darkness. I put out my other hand, and touch it. It is on my -wrist. With a feeling of vague alarm, I strike a light, hurriedly, and -look; but can see nothing, save a tiny scratch. - -'Fancy!' I mutter, with a half sigh of relief. Then the match burns my -finger, and I drop it, quickly. As I fumble for another, the thing -shines out again. I know, now, that it is no fancy. This time, I light -the candle, and examine the place, more closely. There is a slight, -greenish discoloration 'round the scratch. I am puzzled and worried. -Then a thought comes to me. I remember the morning after the Thing -appeared. I remember that the dog licked my hand. It was this one, with -the scratch on it; though I have not been even conscious of the -abasement, until now. A horrible fear has come to me. It creeps into my -brain--the dog's wound, shines at night. With a dazed feeling, I sit -down on the side of the bed, and try to think; but cannot. My brain -seems numbed with the sheer horror of this new fear. - -Time moves on, unheeded. Once, I rouse up, and try to persuade myself -that I am mistaken; but it is no use. In my heart, I have no doubt. - -Hour after hour, I sit in the darkness and silence, and shiver, -hopelessly.... - -The day has come and gone, and it is night again. - -This morning, early, I shot the dog, and buried it, away among the -bushes. My sister is startled and frightened; but I am desperate. -Besides, it is better so. The foul growth had almost hidden its left -side. And I--the place on my wrist has enlarged, perceptibly. Several -times, I have caught myself muttering prayers--little things learnt as a -child. God, Almighty God, help me! I shall go mad. - -Six days, and I have eaten nothing. It is night. I am sitting in my -chair. Ah, God! I wonder have any ever felt the horror of life that I -have come to know? I am swathed in terror. I feel ever the burning of -this dread growth. It has covered all my right arm and side, and is -beginning to creep up my neck. Tomorrow, it will eat into my face. I -shall become a terrible mass of living corruption. There is no escape. -Yet, a thought has come to me, born of a sight of the gun-rack, on the -other side of the room. I have looked again--with the strangest of -feelings. The thought grows upon me. God, Thou knowest, Thou must know, -that death is better, aye, better a thousand times than This. This! -Jesus, forgive me, but I cannot live, cannot, cannot! I dare not! I am -beyond all help--there is nothing else left. It will, at least, spare -me that final horror.... - -I think I must have been dozing. I am very weak, and oh! so miserable, -so miserable and tired--tired. The rustle of the paper, tries my brain. -My hearing seems preternaturally sharp. I will sit awhile and think.... - -"Hush! I hear something, down--down in the cellars. It is a creaking -sound. My God, it is the opening of the great, oak trap. What can be -doing that? The scratching of my pen deafens me ... I must listen.... -There are steps on the stairs; strange padding steps, that come up and -nearer.... Jesus, be merciful to me, an old man. There is something -fumbling at the door-handle. O God, help me now! Jesus--The door is -opening--slowly. Somethi--" - -That is all[16] - - - -_XXVII_ - -CONCLUSION - -I put down the Manuscript, and glanced across at Tonnison: he was -sitting, staring out into the dark. I waited a minute; then I spoke. - -"Well?" I said. - -He turned, slowly, and looked at me. His thoughts seemed to have gone -out of him into a great distance. - -"Was he mad?" I asked, and indicated the MS., with a half nod. - -Tonnison stared at me, unseeingly, a moment; then, his wits came back to -him, and, suddenly, he comprehended my question. - -"No!" he said. - -I opened my lips, to offer a contradictory opinion; for my sense of the -saneness of things, would not allow me to take the story literally; then -I shut them again, without saying anything. Somehow, the certainty in -Tonnison's voice affected my doubts. I felt, all at once, less assured; -though I was by no means convinced as yet. - -After a few moments' silence, Tonnison rose, stiffly, and began to -undress. He seemed disinclined to talk; so I said nothing; but followed -his example. I was weary; though still full of the story I had -just read. - -Somehow, as I rolled into my blankets, there crept into my mind a memory -of the old gardens, as we had seen them. I remembered the odd fear that -the place had conjured up in our hearts; and it grew upon me, with -conviction, that Tonnison was right. - -It was very late when we rose--nearly midday; for the greater part of -the night had been spent in reading the MS. - -Tonnison was grumpy, and I felt out of sorts. It was a somewhat dismal -day, and there was a touch of chilliness in the air. There was no -mention of going out fishing on either of our parts. We got dinner, and, -after that, just sat and smoked in silence. - -Presently, Tonnison asked for the Manuscript: I handed it to him, and he -spent most of the afternoon in reading it through by himself. - -It was while he was thus employed, that a thought came to me:-- - -"What do you say to having another look at--?" I nodded my head down -stream. - -Tonnison looked up. "Nothing!" he said, abruptly; and, somehow, I was -less annoyed, than relieved, at his answer. - -After that, I left him alone. - -A little before teatime, he looked up at me, curiously. - -"Sorry, old chap, if I was a bit short with you just now;" (just now, -indeed! he had not spoken for the last three hours) "but I would not go -there again," and he indicated with his head, "for anything that you -could offer me. Ugh!" and he put down that history of a man's terror and -hope and despair. - -The next morning, we rose early, and went for our accustomed swim: we -had partly shaken off the depression of the previous day; and so, took -our rods when we had finished breakfast, and spent the day at our -favorite sport. - -After that day, we enjoyed our holiday to the utmost; though both of us -looked forward to the time when our driver should come; for we were -tremendously anxious to inquire of him, and through him among the people -of the tiny hamlet, whether any of them could give us information about -that strange garden, lying away by itself in the heart of an almost -unknown tract of country. - -At last, the day came, on which we expected the driver to come across -for us. He arrived early, while we were still abed; and, the first thing -we knew, he was at the opening of the tent, inquiring whether we had had -good sport. We replied in the affirmative; and then, both together, -almost in the same breath, we asked the question that was uppermost in -our minds:--Did he know anything about an old garden, and a great pit, -and a lake, situated some miles away, down the river; also, had he ever -heard of a great house thereabouts? - -No, he did not, and had not; yet, stay, he had heard a rumor, once upon -a time, of a great, old house standing alone out in the wilderness; but, -if he remembered rightly it was a place given over to the fairies; or, -if that had not been so, he was certain that there had been something -"quare" about it; and, anyway, he had heard nothing of it for a very -long while--not since he was quite a gossoon. No, he could not remember -anything particular about it; indeed, he did not know he remembered -anything "at all, at all" until we questioned him. - -"Look here," said Tonnison, finding that this was about all that he -could tell us, "just take a walk 'round the village, while we dress, and -find out something, if you can." - -With a nondescript salute, the man departed on his errand; while we made -haste to get into our clothes; after which, we began to prepare -breakfast. - -We were just sitting down to it, when he returned. - -"It's all in bed the lazy divvils is, sor," he said, with a repetition -of the salute, and an appreciative eye to the good things spread out on -our provision chest, which we utilized as a table. - -"Oh, well, sit down," replied my friend, "and have something to eat with -us." Which the man did without delay. - -After breakfast, Tonnison sent him off again on the same errand, while -we sat and smoked. He was away some three-quarters of an hour, and, when -he returned, it was evident that he had found out something. It appeared -that he had got into conversation with an ancient man of the village, -who, probably, knew more--though it was little enough--of the strange -house, than any other person living. - -The substance of this knowledge was, that, in the "ancient man's" -youth--and goodness knows how long back that was--there had stood a -great house in the center of the gardens, where now was left only that -fragment of ruin. This house had been empty for a great while; years -before his--the ancient man's--birth. It was a place shunned by the -people of the village, as it had been shunned by their fathers before -them. There were many things said about it, and all were of evil. No one -ever went near it, either by day or night. In the village it was a -synonym of all that is unholy and dreadful. - -And then, one day, a man, a stranger, had ridden through the village, -and turned off down the river, in the direction of the House, as it was -always termed by the villagers. Some hours afterward, he had ridden -back, taking the track by which he had come, toward Ardrahan. Then, for -three months or so, nothing was heard. At the end of that time, he -reappeared; but now, he was accompanied by an elderly woman, and a large -number of donkeys, laden with various articles. They had passed through -the village without stopping, and gone straight down the bank of the -river, in the direction of the House. - -Since that time, no one, save the man whom they had chartered to bring -over monthly supplies of necessaries from Ardrahan, had ever seen either -of them: and him, none had ever induced to talk; evidently, he had been -well paid for his trouble. - -The years had moved onward, uneventfully enough, in that little hamlet; -the man making his monthly journeys, regularly. - -One day, he had appeared as usual on his customary errand. He had passed -through the village without exchanging more than a surly nod with the -inhabitants and gone on toward the House. Usually, it was evening before -he made the return journey. On this occasion, however, he had reappeared -in the village, a few hours later, in an extraordinary state of -excitement, and with the astounding information, that the House had -disappeared bodily, and that a stupendous pit now yawned in the place -where it had stood. - -This news, it appears, so excited the curiosity of the villagers, that -they overcame their fears, and marched _en masse_ to the place. There, -they found everything, just as described by the carrier. - -This was all that we could learn. Of the author of the MS., who he was, -and whence he came, we shall never know. - -His identity is, as he seems to have desired, buried forever. - -That same day, we left the lonely village of Kraighten. We have never -been there since. - -Sometimes, in my dreams, I see that enormous pit, surrounded, as it is, -on all sides by wild trees and bushes. And the noise of the water rises -upward, and blends--in my sleep--with other and lower noises; while, -over all, hangs the eternal shroud of spray. - - - -Grief[17] - -Fierce hunger reigns within my breast, - I had not dreamt that this whole world, - Crushed in the hand of God, could yield -Such bitter essence of unrest, - Such pain as Sorrow now hath hurled - Out of its dreadful heart, unsealed! - -Each sobbing breath is but a cry, - My heart-strokes knells of agony, - And my whole brain has but one thought -That nevermore through life shall I - (Save in the ache of memory) - Touch hands with thee, who now art naught! - -Through the whole void of night I search, - So dumbly crying out to thee; - But thou are _not_; and night's vast throne -Becomes an all stupendous church - With star-bells knelling unto me - Who in all space am most alone! - -An hungered, to the shore I creep, - Perchance some comfort waits on me - From the old Sea's eternal heart; -But lo! from all the solemn deep, - Far voices out of mystery - Seem questioning why we are apart! - -"Where'er I go I am alone - Who once, through thee, had all the world. - My breast is one whole raging pain -For that which _was_, and now is flown - Into the Blank where life is hurled - Where all is not, nor is again!" - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] An apparently unmeaning interpolation. I can find no previous -reference in the MS. to this matter. It becomes clearer, however, in the -light of succeeding incidents.--Ed. - -[2] Here, the writing becomes undecipherable, owing to the damaged -condition of this part of the MS. Below I print such fragments as are -legible.--Ed. - -[3] NOTE.--The severest scrutiny has not enabled me to decipher more of -the damaged portion of the MS. It commences to be legible again with the -chapter entitled "The Noise in the Night."--Ed. - -[4] The Recluse uses this as an illustration, evidently in the sense of -the popular conception of a comet.--Ed. - -[5] Evidently referring to something set forth in the missing and -mutilated pages. See _Fragments, Chapter 14_--Ed. - -[6] No further mention is made of the moon. From what is said here, it -is evident that our satellite had greatly increased its distance from -the earth. Possibly, at a later age it may even have broken loose from -our attraction. I cannot but regret that no light is shed on this -point.--Ed. - -[7] Conceivably, frozen air.--Ed. - -[8] See previous footnote. This would explain the snow (?) within the -room.--Ed. - -[9] I am confounded that neither here, nor later on, does the Recluse -make any further mention of the continued north and south movement -(apparent, of course,) of the sun from solstice to solstice.--Ed. - -[10] At this time the sound-carrying atmosphere must have been either -incredibly attenuated, or--more probably--nonexistent. In the light of -this, it cannot be supposed that these, or any other, noises would have -been apparent to living ears--to hearing, as we, in the material body, -understand that sense.--Ed. - -[11] I can only suppose that the time of the earth's yearly journey had -ceased to bear its present _relative_ proportion to the period of the -sun's rotation.--Ed. - -[12] A careful reading of the MS. suggests that, either the sun is -traveling on an orbit of great eccentricity, or else that it was -approaching the green star on a lessening orbit. And at this moment, I -conceive it to be finally torn directly from its oblique course, by the -gravitational pull of the immense star.--Ed. - -[13] It will be noticed here that the earth was "_slowly_ traversing the -tremendous face of the dead sun." No explanation is given of this, and -we must conclude, either that the speed of time had slowed, or else that -the earth was actually progressing on its orbit at a rate, slow, when -measured by existing standards. A careful study of the MS. however, -leads me to conclude that the speed of time had been steadily decreasing -for a very considerable period.--Ed. - -[14] See _first footnote, Chapter 18_. - -[15] Without doubt, the flame-edged mass of the Dead Central Sun, seen -from another dimension.--Ed. - -[16] NOTE.--From the unfinished word, it is possible, on the MS., to -trace a faint line of ink, which suggests that the pen has trailed away -over the paper; possibly, through fright and weakness.--Ed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The House on the Borderland -by William Hope Hodgson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - -***** This file should be named 10002-8.txt or 10002-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/0/10002/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The House on the Borderland - -Author: William Hope Hodgson - -Release Date: November 10, 2003 [EBook #10002] -[Last updated: March 16, 2011] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - - - - - -</pre> - - - <h1 align="center">THE HOUSE ON<br /> - THE BORDERLAND</h1> - <h2 align="center">William Hope Hodgson</h2> - - <p class="c"><em> -From the Manuscript discovered in 1877 by Messrs. Tonnison and Berreggnog -in the Ruins that <br /> -lie to the South of the Village of Kraighten, in the -West of Ireland. Set out here, with Notes</em>.</p> - -<p> -<br /> -</p> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#I">I</a></td><td>THE FINDING OF THE MANUSCRIPT</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#II">II</a></td><td>THE PLAIN OF SILENCE</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#III">III</a></td><td>THE HOUSE IN THE ARENA</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#IV">IV</a></td><td>THE EARTH</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#V">V</a></td><td>THE THING IN THE PIT</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#VI">VI</a></td><td>THE SWINE-THINGS</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#VII">VII</a></td><td>THE ATTACK</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#VIII">VIII</a></td><td>AFTER THE ATTACK</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#IX">IX</a></td><td>IN THE CELLARS</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#X">X</a></td><td>THE TIME OF WAITING</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XI">XI</a></td><td>THE SEARCHING OF THE GARDENS</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XII">XII</a></td><td>THE SUBTERRANEAN PIT</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XIII">XIII</a></td><td>THE TRAP IN THE GREAT CELLAR</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XIV">XIV</a></td><td>THE SEA OF SLEEP</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XV">XV</a></td><td>THE NOISE IN THE NIGHT</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XVI">XVI</a></td><td>THE AWAKENING</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XVII">XVII</a></td><td>THE SLOWING ROTATION</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XVIII">XVIII</a></td><td>THE GREEN STAR</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XIX">XIX</a></td><td>THE END OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XX">XX</a></td><td>THE CELESTIAL GLOBES</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXI">XXI</a></td><td>THE DARK SUN</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXII">XXII</a></td><td>THE DARK NEBULA</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXIII">XXIII</a></td><td>PEPPER</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXIV">XXIV</a></td><td>THE FOOTSTEPS IN THE GARDEN</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXV">XXV</a></td><td>THE THING FROM THE ARENA</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXVI">XXVI</a></td><td>THE LUMINOUS SPECK</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#XXVII">XXVII</a></td><td>CONCLUSION</td></tr> -</table> - -<br /> -<br /> -<h2>TO MY FATHER</h2> - - - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left"><em>(Whose feet tread the lost aeons)</em></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Open the door,</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> And listen!</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Only the wind's muffled roar,</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> And the glisten</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Of tears 'round the moon.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> And, in fancy, the tread</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Of vanishing shoon—</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> Out in the night with the Dead.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> </td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">"Hush! And hark</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> To the sorrowful cry</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Of the wind in the dark.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> Hush and hark, without murmur or sigh,</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> To shoon that tread the lost aeons:</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"> To the sound that bids you to die.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Hush and hark! Hush and Hark!"</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><em>Shoon of the Dead</em></td></tr> -</table> - - -<br /> -<br /> - - -<h2>AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUSCRIPT</h2> - -<p>Many are the hours in which I have pondered upon the story that is set -forth in the following pages. I trust that my instincts are not awry -when they prompt me to leave the account, in simplicity, as it was -handed to me.</p> - -<p>And the MS. itself—You must picture me, when first it was given into my -care, turning it over, curiously, and making a swift, jerky examination. -A small book it is; but thick, and all, save the last few pages, filled -with a quaint but legible handwriting, and writ very close. I have the -queer, faint, pit-water smell of it in my nostrils now as I write, and -my fingers have subconscious memories of the soft, "cloggy" feel of the -long-damp pages.</p> - -<p>I read, and, in reading, lifted the Curtains of the Impossible that -blind the mind, and looked out into the unknown. Amid stiff, abrupt -sentences I wandered; and, presently, I had no fault to charge against -their abrupt tellings; for, better far than my own ambitious phrasing, -is this mutilated story capable of bringing home all that the old -Recluse, of the vanished house, had striven to tell.</p> - -<p>Of the simple, stiffly given account of weird and extraordinary matters, -I will say little. It lies before you. The inner story must be -uncovered, personally, by each reader, according to ability and desire. -And even should any fail to see, as now I see, the shadowed picture and -conception of that to which one may well give the accepted titles of -Heaven and Hell; yet can I promise certain thrills, merely taking the -story as a story.</p> - -<p>WILLIAM HOPE HODGSON December 17, 1907</p> - - -<a name="I"></a> -<h2>I<br /><br /> -THE FINDING OF THE MANUSCRIPT</h2> - -<p>Right away in the west of Ireland lies a tiny hamlet called Kraighten. -It is situated, alone, at the base of a low hill. Far around there -spreads a waste of bleak and totally inhospitable country; where, here -and there at great intervals, one may come upon the ruins of some long -desolate cottage—unthatched and stark. The whole land is bare and -unpeopled, the very earth scarcely covering the rock that lies beneath -it, and with which the country abounds, in places rising out of the soil -in wave-shaped ridges.</p> - -<p>Yet, in spite of its desolation, my friend Tonnison and I had elected to -spend our vacation there. He had stumbled on the place by mere chance -the year previously, during the course of a long walking tour, and -discovered the possibilities for the angler in a small and unnamed river -that runs past the outskirts of the little village.</p> - -<p>I have said that the river is without name; I may add that no map that I -have hitherto consulted has shown either village or stream. They seem -to have entirely escaped observation: indeed, they might never exist for -all that the average guide tells one. Possibly this can be partly -accounted for by the fact that the nearest railway station (Ardrahan) is -some forty miles distant.</p> - -<p>It was early one warm evening when my friend and I arrived in Kraighten. -We had reached Ardrahan the previous night, sleeping there in rooms -hired at the village post office, and leaving in good time on the -following morning, clinging insecurely to one of the typical -jaunting cars.</p> - -<p>It had taken us all day to accomplish our journey over some of the -roughest tracks imaginable, with the result that we were thoroughly -tired and somewhat bad tempered. However, the tent had to be erected and -our goods stowed away before we could think of food or rest. And so we -set to work, with the aid of our driver, and soon had the tent up upon a -small patch of ground just outside the little village, and quite near to -the river.</p> - -<p>Then, having stored all our belongings, we dismissed the driver, as he -had to make his way back as speedily as possible, and told him to come -across to us at the end of a fortnight. We had brought sufficient -provisions to last us for that space of time, and water we could get -from the stream. Fuel we did not need, as we had included a small -oil-stove among our outfit, and the weather was fine and warm.</p> - -<p>It was Tonnison's idea to camp out instead of getting lodgings in one of -the cottages. As he put it, there was no joke in sleeping in a room with -a numerous family of healthy Irish in one corner and the pigsty in the -other, while overhead a ragged colony of roosting fowls distributed -their blessings impartially, and the whole place so full of peat smoke -that it made a fellow sneeze his head off just to put it inside -the doorway.</p> - -<p>Tonnison had got the stove lit now and was busy cutting slices of bacon -into the frying pan; so I took the kettle and walked down to the river -for water. On the way, I had to pass close to a little group of the -village people, who eyed me curiously, but not in any unfriendly manner, -though none of them ventured a word.</p> - -<p>As I returned with my kettle filled, I went up to them and, after a -friendly nod, to which they replied in like manner, I asked them -casually about the fishing; but, instead of answering, they just shook -their heads silently, and stared at me. I repeated the question, -addressing more particularly a great, gaunt fellow at my elbow; yet -again I received no answer. Then the man turned to a comrade and said -something rapidly in a language that I did not understand; and, at once, -the whole crowd of them fell to jabbering in what, after a few moments, -I guessed to be pure Irish. At the same time they cast many glances in -my direction. For a minute, perhaps, they spoke among themselves thus; -then the man I had addressed faced 'round at me and said something. By -the expression of his face I guessed that he, in turn, was questioning -me; but now I had to shake my head, and indicate that I did not -comprehend what it was they wanted to know; and so we stood looking at -one another, until I heard Tonnison calling to me to hurry up with the -kettle. Then, with a smile and a nod, I left them, and all in the little -crowd smiled and nodded in return, though their faces still betrayed -their puzzlement.</p> - -<p>It was evident, I reflected as I went toward the tent, that the -inhabitants of these few huts in the wilderness did not know a word of -English; and when I told Tonnison, he remarked that he was aware of the -fact, and, more, that it was not at all uncommon in that part of the -country, where the people often lived and died in their isolated hamlets -without ever coming in contact with the outside world.</p> - -<p>"I wish we had got the driver to interpret for us before he left," I -remarked, as we sat down to our meal. "It seems so strange for the -people of this place not even to know what we've come for."</p> - -<p>Tonnison grunted an assent, and thereafter was silent for a while.</p> - -<p>Later, having satisfied our appetites somewhat, we began to talk, laying -our plans for the morrow; then, after a smoke, we closed the flap of the -tent, and prepared to turn in.</p> - -<p>"I suppose there's no chance of those fellows outside taking anything?" -I asked, as we rolled ourselves in our blankets.</p> - -<p>Tonnison said that he did not think so, at least while we were about; -and, as he went on to explain, we could lock up everything, except the -tent, in the big chest that we had brought to hold our provisions. I -agreed to this, and soon we were both asleep.</p> - -<p>Next morning, early, we rose and went for a swim in the river; after -which we dressed and had breakfast. Then we roused out our fishing -tackle and overhauled it, by which time, our breakfasts having settled -somewhat, we made all secure within the tent and strode off in the -direction my friend had explored on his previous visit.</p> - -<p>During the day we fished happily, working steadily upstream, and by -evening we had one of the prettiest creels of fish that I had seen for a -long while. Returning to the village, we made a good feed off our day's -spoil, after which, having selected a few of the finer fish for our -breakfast, we presented the remainder to the group of villagers who had -assembled at a respectful distance to watch our doings. They seemed -wonderfully grateful, and heaped mountains of what I presumed to be -Irish blessings upon our heads.</p> - -<p>Thus we spent several days, having splendid sport, and first-rate -appetites to do justice upon our prey. We were pleased to find how -friendly the villagers were inclined to be, and that there was no -evidence of their having ventured to meddle with our belongings during -our absences.</p> - -<p>It was on a Tuesday that we arrived in Kraighten, and it would be on the -Sunday following that we made a great discovery. Hitherto we had always -gone up-stream; on that day, however, we laid aside our rods, and, -taking some provisions, set off for a long ramble in the opposite -direction. The day was warm, and we trudged along leisurely enough, -stopping about mid-day to eat our lunch upon a great flat rock near the -riverbank. Afterward we sat and smoked awhile, resuming our walk only -when we were tired of inaction.</p> - -<p>For perhaps another hour we wandered onward, chatting quietly and -comfortably on this and that matter, and on several occasions stopping -while my companion—who is something of an artist—made rough sketches -of striking bits of the wild scenery.</p> - -<p>And then, without any warning whatsoever, the river we had followed so -confidently, came to an abrupt end—vanishing into the earth.</p> - -<p>"Good Lord!" I said, "who ever would have thought of this?"</p> - -<p>And I stared in amazement; then I turned to Tonnison. He was looking, -with a blank expression upon his face, at the place where the river -disappeared.</p> - -<p>In a moment he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Let us go on a bit; it may reappear again—anyhow, it is worth -investigating."</p> - -<p>I agreed, and we went forward once more, though rather aimlessly; for we -were not at all certain in which direction to prosecute our search. For -perhaps a mile we moved onward; then Tonnison, who had been gazing about -curiously, stopped and shaded his eyes.</p> - -<p>"See!" he said, after a moment, "isn't that mist or something, over -there to the right—away in a line with that great piece of rock?" And -he indicated with his hand.</p> - -<p>I stared, and, after a minute, seemed to see something, but could not be -certain, and said so.</p> - -<p>"Anyway," my friend replied, "we'll just go across and have a glance." -And he started off in the direction he had suggested, I following. -Presently, we came among bushes, and, after a time, out upon the top of -a high, boulder-strewn bank, from which we looked down into a wilderness -of bushes and trees.</p> - -<p>"Seems as though we had come upon an oasis in this desert of stone," -muttered Tonnison, as he gazed interestedly. Then he was silent, his -eyes fixed; and I looked also; for up from somewhere about the center of -the wooded lowland there rose high into the quiet air a great column of -hazelike spray, upon which the sun shone, causing innumerable rainbows.</p> - -<p>"How beautiful!" I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Tonnison, thoughtfully. "There must be a waterfall, or -something, over there. Perhaps it's our river come to light again. Let's -go and see."</p> - -<p>Down the sloping bank we made our way, and entered among the trees and -shrubberies. The bushes were matted, and the trees overhung us, so that -the place was disagreeably gloomy; though not dark enough to hide from -me the fact that many of the trees were fruit trees, and that, here and -there, one could trace indistinctly, signs of a long departed -cultivation. Thus it came to me that we were making our way through the -riot of a great and ancient garden. I said as much to Tonnison, and he -agreed that there certainly seemed reasonable grounds for my belief.</p> - -<p>What a wild place it was, so dismal and somber! Somehow, as we went -forward, a sense of the silent loneliness and desertion of the old -garden grew upon me, and I felt shivery. One could imagine things -lurking among the tangled bushes; while, in the very air of the place, -there seemed something uncanny. I think Tonnison was conscious of this -also, though he said nothing.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, we came to a halt. Through the trees there had grown upon our -ears a distant sound. Tonnison bent forward, listening. I could hear it -more plainly now; it was continuous and harsh—a sort of droning roar, -seeming to come from far away. I experienced a queer, indescribable, -little feeling of nervousness. What sort of place was it into which we -had got? I looked at my companion, to see what he thought of the matter; -and noted that there was only puzzlement in his face; and then, as I -watched his features, an expression of comprehension crept over them, -and he nodded his head.</p> - -<p>"That's a waterfall," he exclaimed, with conviction. "I know the sound -now." And he began to push vigorously through the bushes, in the -direction of the noise.</p> - -<p>As we went forward, the sound became plainer continually, showing that -we were heading straight toward it. Steadily, the roaring grew louder -and nearer, until it appeared, as I remarked to Tonnison, almost to come -from under our feet—and still we were surrounded by the trees -and shrubs.</p> - -<p>"Take care!" Tonnison called to me. "Look where you're going." And then, -suddenly, we came out from among the trees, on to a great open space, -where, not six paces in front of us, yawned the mouth of a tremendous -chasm, from the depths of which the noise appeared to rise, along with -the continuous, mistlike spray that we had witnessed from the top of the -distant bank.</p> - -<p>For quite a minute we stood in silence, staring in bewilderment at the -sight; then my friend went forward cautiously to the edge of the abyss. -I followed, and, together, we looked down through a boil of spray at a -monster cataract of frothing water that burst, spouting, from the side -of the chasm, nearly a hundred feet below.</p> - -<p>"Good Lord!" said Tonnison.</p> - -<p>I was silent, and rather awed. The sight was so unexpectedly grand and -eerie; though this latter quality came more upon me later.</p> - -<p>Presently, I looked up and across to the further side of the chasm. -There, I saw something towering up among the spray: it looked like a -fragment of a great ruin, and I touched Tonnison on the shoulder. He -glanced 'round, with a start, and I pointed toward the thing. His gaze -followed my finger, and his eyes lighted up with a sudden flash of -excitement, as the object came within his field of view.</p> - -<p>"Come along," he shouted above the uproar. "We'll have a look at it. -There's something queer about this place; I feel it in my bones." And he -started off, 'round the edge of the craterlike abyss. As we neared this -new thing, I saw that I had not been mistaken in my first impression. It -was undoubtedly a portion of some ruined building; yet now I made out -that it was not built upon the edge of the chasm itself, as I had at -first supposed; but perched almost at the extreme end of a huge spur of -rock that jutted out some fifty or sixty feet over the abyss. In fact, -the jagged mass of ruin was literally suspended in midair.</p> - -<p>Arriving opposite it, we walked out on to the projecting arm of rock, -and I must confess to having felt an intolerable sense of terror as I -looked down from that dizzy perch into the unknown depths below us—into -the deeps from which there rose ever the thunder of the falling water -and the shroud of rising spray.</p> - -<p>Reaching the ruin, we clambered 'round it cautiously, and, on the -further side, came upon a mass of fallen stones and rubble. The ruin -itself seemed to me, as I proceeded now to examine it minutely, to be a -portion of the outer wall of some prodigious structure, it was so thick -and substantially built; yet what it was doing in such a position I -could by no means conjecture. Where was the rest of the house, or -castle, or whatever there had been?</p> - -<p>I went back to the outer side of the wall, and thence to the edge of the -chasm, leaving Tonnison rooting systematically among the heap of stones -and rubbish on the outer side. Then I commenced to examine the surface -of the ground, near the edge of the abyss, to see whether there were not -left other remnants of the building to which the fragment of ruin -evidently belonged. But though I scrutinized the earth with the greatest -care, I could see no signs of anything to show that there had ever been -a building erected on the spot, and I grew more puzzled than ever.</p> - -<p>Then, I heard a cry from Tonnison; he was shouting my name, excitedly, -and without delay I hurried along the rocky promontory to the ruin. I -wondered whether he had hurt himself, and then the thought came, that -perhaps he had found something.</p> - -<p>I reached the crumbled wall and climbed 'round. There I found Tonnison -standing within a small excavation that he had made among the <em>débris</em>: -he was brushing the dirt from something that looked like a book, much -crumpled and dilapidated; and opening his mouth, every second or two, to -bellow my name. As soon as he saw that I had come, he handed his prize -to me, telling me to put it into my satchel so as to protect it from the -damp, while he continued his explorations. This I did, first, however, -running the pages through my fingers, and noting that they were closely -filled with neat, old-fashioned writing which was quite legible, save in -one portion, where many of the pages were almost destroyed, being -muddied and crumpled, as though the book had been doubled back at that -part. This, I found out from Tonnison, was actually as he had discovered -it, and the damage was due, probably, to the fall of masonry upon the -opened part. Curiously enough, the book was fairly dry, which I -attributed to its having been so securely buried among the ruins.</p> - -<p>Having put the volume away safely, I turned-to and gave Tonnison a hand -with his self-imposed task of excavating; yet, though we put in over an -hour's hard work, turning over the whole of the upheaped stones and -rubbish, we came upon nothing more than some fragments of broken wood, -that might have been parts of a desk or table; and so we gave up -searching, and went back along the rock, once more to the safety of -the land.</p> - -<p>The next thing we did was to make a complete tour of the tremendous -chasm, which we were able to observe was in the form of an almost -perfect circle, save for where the ruin-crowned spur of rock jutted out, -spoiling its symmetry.</p> - -<p>The abyss was, as Tonnison put it, like nothing so much as a gigantic -well or pit going sheer down into the bowels of the earth.</p> - -<p>For some time longer, we continued to stare about us, and then, noticing -that there was a clear space away to the north of the chasm, we bent our -steps in that direction.</p> - -<p>Here, distant from the mouth of the mighty pit by some hundreds of -yards, we came upon a great lake of silent water—silent, that is, save -in one place where there was a continuous bubbling and gurgling.</p> - -<p>Now, being away from the noise of the spouting cataract, we were able to -hear one another speak, without having to shout at the tops of our -voices, and I asked Tonnison what he thought of the place—I told him -that I didn't like it, and that the sooner we were out of it the better -I should be pleased.</p> - -<p>He nodded in reply, and glanced at the woods behind furtively. I asked -him if he had seen or heard anything. He made no answer; but stood -silent, as though listening, and I kept quiet also.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Hark!" he said, sharply. I looked at him, and then away among the trees -and bushes, holding my breath involuntarily. A minute came and went in -strained silence; yet I could hear nothing, and I turned to Tonnison to -say as much; and then, even as I opened my lips to speak, there came a -strange wailing noise out of the wood on our left.... It appeared to -float through the trees, and there was a rustle of stirring leaves, and -then silence.</p> - -<p>All at once, Tonnison spoke, and put his hand on my shoulder. "Let us -get out of here," he said, and began to move slowly toward where the -surrounding trees and bushes seemed thinnest. As I followed him, it came -to me suddenly that the sun was low, and that there was a raw sense of -chilliness in the air.</p> - -<p>Tonnison said nothing further, but kept on steadily. We were among the -trees now, and I glanced around, nervously; but saw nothing, save the -quiet branches and trunks and the tangled bushes. Onward we went, and no -sound broke the silence, except the occasional snapping of a twig under -our feet, as we moved forward. Yet, in spite of the quietness, I had a -horrible feeling that we were not alone; and I kept so close to Tonnison -that twice I kicked his heels clumsily, though he said nothing. A -minute, and then another, and we reached the confines of the wood coming -out at last upon the bare rockiness of the countryside. Only then was I -able to shake off the haunting dread that had followed me among -the trees.</p> - -<p>Once, as we moved away, there seemed to come again a distant sound of -wailing, and I said to myself that it was the wind—yet the evening was -breathless.</p> - -<p>Presently, Tonnison began to talk.</p> - -<p>"Look you," he said with decision, "I would not spend the night in -<em>that</em> place for all the wealth that the world holds. There is something -unholy—diabolical—about it. It came to me all in a moment, just after -you spoke. It seemed to me that the woods were full of vile -things—you know!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," I answered, and looked back toward the place; but it was hidden -from us by a rise in the ground.</p> - -<p>"There's the book," I said, and I put my hand into the satchel.</p> - -<p>"You've got it safely?" he questioned, with a sudden access of anxiety.</p> - -<p>"Yes," I replied.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," he continued, "we shall learn something from it when we get -back to the tent. We had better hurry, too; we're a long way off still, -and I don't fancy, now, being caught out here in the dark."</p> - -<p>It was two hours later when we reached the tent; and, without delay, we -set to work to prepare a meal; for we had eaten nothing since our lunch -at midday.</p> - -<p>Supper over, we cleared the things out of the way, and lit our pipes. -Then Tonnison asked me to get the manuscript out of my satchel. This I -did, and then, as we could not both read from it at the same time, he -suggested that I should read the thing out loud. "And mind," he -cautioned, knowing my propensities, "don't go skipping half the book."</p> - -<p>Yet, had he but known what it contained, he would have realized how -needless such advice was, for once at least. And there seated in the -opening of our little tent, I began the strange tale of <em>The House on -the Borderland</em> (for such was the title of the MS.); this is told in the -following pages.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="II"></a><h2>II<br /><br /> -THE PLAIN OF SILENCE</h2> - -<p>I am an old man. I live here in this ancient house, surrounded by huge, -unkempt gardens.</p> - -<p>The peasantry, who inhabit the wilderness beyond, say that I am mad. -That is because I will have nothing to do with them. I live here alone -with my old sister, who is also my housekeeper. We keep no servants—I -hate them. I have one friend, a dog; yes, I would sooner have old Pepper -than the rest of Creation together. He, at least, understands me—and -has sense enough to leave me alone when I am in my dark moods.</p> - -<p>I have decided to start a kind of diary; it may enable me to record -some of the thoughts and feelings that I cannot express to anyone; but, -beyond this, I am anxious to make some record of the strange things that -I have heard and seen, during many years of loneliness, in this weird -old building.</p> - -<p>For a couple of centuries, this house has had a reputation, a bad one, -and, until I bought it, for more than eighty years no one had lived -here; consequently, I got the old place at a ridiculously low figure.</p> - -<p>I am not superstitious; but I have ceased to deny that things happen -in this old house—things that I cannot explain; and, therefore, I must -needs ease my mind, by writing down an account of them, to the best of -my ability; though, should this, my diary, ever be read when I am gone, -the readers will but shake their heads, and be the more convinced that -I was mad.</p> - -<p>This house, how ancient it is! though its age strikes one less, -perhaps, than the quaintness of its structure, which is curious and -fantastic to the last degree. Little curved towers and pinnacles, with -outlines suggestive of leaping flames, predominate; while the body of -the building is in the form of a circle.</p> - -<p>I have heard that there is an old story, told amongst the country -people, to the effect that the devil built the place. However, that is -as may be. True or not, I neither know nor care, save as it may have -helped to cheapen it, ere I came.</p> - -<p>I must have been here some ten years before I saw sufficient to warrant -any belief in the stories, current in the neighborhood, about this -house. It is true that I had, on at least a dozen occasions, seen, -vaguely, things that puzzled me, and, perhaps, had felt more than I had -seen. Then, as the years passed, bringing age upon me, I became often -aware of something unseen, yet unmistakably present, in the empty rooms -and corridors. Still, it was as I have said many years before I saw any -real manifestations of the so-called supernatural.</p> - -<p>It was not Halloween. If I were telling a story for amusement's sake, I -should probably place it on that night of nights; but this is a true -record of my own experiences, and I would not put pen to paper to amuse -anyone. No. It was after midnight on the morning of the twenty-first day -of January. I was sitting reading, as is often my custom, in my study. -Pepper lay, sleeping, near my chair.</p> - -<p>Without warning, the flames of the two candles went low, and then -shone with a ghastly green effulgence. I looked up, quickly, and as I -did so I saw the lights sink into a dull, ruddy tint; so that the room -glowed with a strange, heavy, crimson twilight that gave the shadows -behind the chairs and tables a double depth of blackness; and wherever -the light struck, it was as though luminous blood had been splashed -over the room.</p> - -<p>Down on the floor, I heard a faint, frightened whimper, and something -pressed itself in between my two feet. It was Pepper, cowering under my -dressing gown. Pepper, usually as brave as a lion!</p> - -<p>It was this movement of the dog's, I think, that gave me the first -twinge of <em>real</em> fear. I had been considerably startled when the lights -burnt first green and then red; but had been momentarily under the -impression that the change was due to some influx of noxious gas into -the room. Now, however, I saw that it was not so; for the candles burned -with a steady flame, and showed no signs of going out, as would have -been the case had the change been due to fumes in the atmosphere.</p> - -<p>I did not move. I felt distinctly frightened; but could think of -nothing better to do than wait. For perhaps a minute, I kept my glance -about the room, nervously. Then I noticed that the lights had commenced -to sink, very slowly; until presently they showed minute specks of red -fire, like the gleamings of rubies in the darkness. Still, I sat -watching; while a sort of dreamy indifference seemed to steal over me; -banishing altogether the fear that had begun to grip me.</p> - -<p>Away in the far end of the huge old-fashioned room, I became conscious -of a faint glow. Steadily it grew, filling the room with gleams of -quivering green light; then they sank quickly, and changed—even as the -candle flames had done—into a deep, somber crimson that strengthened, -and lit up the room with a flood of awful glory.</p> - -<p>The light came from the end wall, and grew ever brighter until its -intolerable glare caused my eyes acute pain, and involuntarily I closed -them. It may have been a few seconds before I was able to open them. The -first thing I noticed was that the light had decreased, greatly; so that -it no longer tried my eyes. Then, as it grew still duller, I was aware, -all at once, that, instead of looking at the redness, I was staring -through it, and through the wall beyond.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as I became more accustomed to the idea, I realized that I -was looking out on to a vast plain, lit with the same gloomy twilight -that pervaded the room. The immensity of this plain scarcely can be -conceived. In no part could I perceive its confines. It seemed to -broaden and spread out, so that the eye failed to perceive any -limitations. Slowly, the details of the nearer portions began to grow -clear; then, in a moment almost, the light died away, and the vision—if -vision it were—faded and was gone.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, I became conscious that I was no longer in the chair. -Instead, I seemed to be hovering above it, and looking down at a dim -something, huddled and silent. In a little while, a cold blast struck -me, and I was outside in the night, floating, like a bubble, up through -the darkness. As I moved, an icy coldness seemed to enfold me, so that -I shivered.</p> - -<p>After a time, I looked to right and left, and saw the intolerable -blackness of the night, pierced by remote gleams of fire. Onward, -outward, I drove. Once, I glanced behind, and saw the earth, a small -crescent of blue light, receding away to my left. Further off, the sun, -a splash of white flame, burned vividly against the dark.</p> - -<p>An indefinite period passed. Then, for the last time, I saw the -earth—an enduring globule of radiant blue, swimming in an eternity of -ether. And there I, a fragile flake of soul dust, flickered silently -across the void, from the distant blue, into the expanse of the unknown.</p> - -<p>A great while seemed to pass over me, and now I could nowhere see -anything. I had passed beyond the fixed stars and plunged into the huge -blackness that waits beyond. All this time I had experienced little, -save a sense of lightness and cold discomfort. Now however the atrocious -darkness seemed to creep into my soul, and I became filled with fear and -despair. What was going to become of me? Where was I going? Even as the -thoughts were formed, there grew against the impalpable blackness that -wrapped me a faint tinge of blood. It seemed extraordinarily remote, and -mistlike; yet, at once, the feeling of oppression was lightened, and I -no longer despaired.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the distant redness became plainer and larger; until, as I drew -nearer, it spread out into a great, somber glare—dull and tremendous. -Still, I fled onward, and, presently, I had come so close, that it -seemed to stretch beneath me, like a great ocean of somber red. I could -see little, save that it appeared to spread out interminably in all -directions.</p> - -<p>In a further space, I found that I was descending upon it; and, soon, I -sank into a great sea of sullen, red-hued clouds. Slowly, I emerged from -these, and there, below me, I saw the stupendous plain that I had seen -from my room in this house that stands upon the borders of the Silences.</p> - -<p>Presently, I landed, and stood, surrounded by a great waste of -loneliness. The place was lit with a gloomy twilight that gave an -impression of indescribable desolation.</p> - -<p>Afar to my right, within the sky, there burnt a gigantic ring of -dull-red fire, from the outer edge of which were projected huge, -writhing flames, darted and jagged. The interior of this ring was -black, black as the gloom of the outer night. I comprehended, at once, -that it was from this extraordinary sun that the place derived its -doleful light.</p> - -<p>From that strange source of light, I glanced down again to my -surroundings. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but the same flat -weariness of interminable plain. Nowhere could I descry any signs of -life; not even the ruins of some ancient habitation.</p> - -<p>Gradually, I found that I was being borne forward, floating across the -flat waste. For what seemed an eternity, I moved onward. I was unaware -of any great sense of impatience; though some curiosity and a vast -wonder were with me continually. Always, I saw around me the breadth of -that enormous plain; and, always, I searched for some new thing to break -its monotony; but there was no change—only loneliness, silence, -and desert.</p> - -<p>Presently, in a half-conscious manner, I noticed that there was a faint -mistiness, ruddy in hue, lying over its surface. Still, when I looked -more intently, I was unable to say that it was really mist; for it -appeared to blend with the plain, giving it a peculiar unrealness, and -conveying to the senses the idea of unsubstantiality.</p> - -<p>Gradually, I began to weary with the sameness of the thing. Yet, it was -a great time before I perceived any signs of the place, toward which I -was being conveyed.</p> - -<p>"At first, I saw it, far ahead, like a long hillock on the surface of -the Plain. Then, as I drew nearer, I perceived that I had been mistaken; -for, instead of a low hill, I made out, now, a chain of great mountains, -whose distant peaks towered up into the red gloom, until they were -almost lost to sight."</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="III"></a><h2>III<br /><br /> -THE HOUSE IN THE ARENA</h2> - -<p>And so, after a time, I came to the mountains. Then, the course of my -journey was altered, and I began to move along their bases, until, all -at once, I saw that I had come opposite to a vast rift, opening into the -mountains. Through this, I was borne, moving at no great speed. On -either side of me, huge, scarped walls of rocklike substance rose sheer. -Far overhead, I discerned a thin ribbon of red, where the mouth of the -chasm opened, among inaccessible peaks. Within, was gloom, deep and -somber, and chilly silence. For a while, I went onward steadily, and -then, at last, I saw, ahead, a deep, red glow, that told me I was near -upon the further opening of the gorge.</p> - -<p>A minute came and went, and I was at the exit of the chasm, staring out -upon an enormous amphitheatre of mountains. Yet, of the mountains, and -the terrible grandeur of the place, I recked nothing; for I was -confounded with amazement to behold, at a distance of several miles and -occupying the center of the arena, a stupendous structure built -apparently of green jade. Yet, in itself, it was not the discovery of -the building that had so astonished me; but the fact, which became every -moment more apparent, that in no particular, save in color and its -enormous size, did the lonely structure vary from this house in which -I live.</p> - -<p>For a while, I continued to stare, fixedly. Even then, I could scarcely -believe that I saw aright. In my mind, a question formed, reiterating -incessantly: 'What does it mean?' 'What does it mean?' and I was unable -to make answer, even out of the depths of my imagination. I seemed -capable only of wonder and fear. For a time longer, I gazed, noting -continually some fresh point of resemblance that attracted me. At last, -wearied and sorely puzzled, I turned from it, to view the rest of the -strange place on to which I had intruded.</p> - -<p>Hitherto, I had been so engrossed in my scrutiny of the House, that I -had given only a cursory glance 'round. Now, as I looked, I began to -realize upon what sort of a place I had come. The arena, for so I have -termed it, appeared a perfect circle of about ten to twelve miles in -diameter, the House, as I have mentioned before, standing in the center. -The surface of the place, like to that of the Plain, had a peculiar, -misty appearance, that was yet not mist.</p> - -<p>From a rapid survey, my glance passed quickly upward along the slopes -of the circling mountains. How silent they were. I think that this same -abominable stillness was more trying to me than anything that I had so -far seen or imagined. I was looking up, now, at the great crags, -towering so loftily. Up there, the impalpable redness gave a blurred -appearance to everything.</p> - -<p>And then, as I peered, curiously, a new terror came to me; for away up -among the dim peaks to my right, I had descried a vast shape of -blackness, giantlike. It grew upon my sight. It had an enormous equine -head, with gigantic ears, and seemed to peer steadfastly down into the -arena. There was that about the pose that gave me the impression of an -eternal watchfulness—of having warded that dismal place, through -unknown eternities. Slowly, the monster became plainer to me; and then, -suddenly, my gaze sprang from it to something further off and higher -among the crags. For a long minute, I gazed, fearfully. I was strangely -conscious of something not altogether unfamiliar—as though something -stirred in the back of my mind. The thing was black, and had four -grotesque arms. The features showed indistinctly, 'round the neck, I -made out several light-colored objects. Slowly, the details came to me, -and I realized, coldly, that they were skulls. Further down the body was -another circling belt, showing less dark against the black trunk. Then, -even as I puzzled to know what the thing was, a memory slid into my -mind, and straightway, I knew that I was looking at a monstrous -representation of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death.</p> - -<p>Other remembrances of my old student days drifted into my thoughts. My -glance fell back upon the huge beast-headed Thing. Simultaneously, I -recognized it for the ancient Egyptian god Set, or Seth, the Destroyer -of Souls. With the knowledge, there came a great sweep of -questioning—'Two of the—!' I stopped, and endeavored to think. Things -beyond my imagination peered into my frightened mind. I saw, obscurely. -'The old gods of mythology!' I tried to comprehend to what it was all -pointing. My gaze dwelt, flickeringly, between the two. 'If—'</p> - -<p>An idea came swiftly, and I turned, and glanced rapidly upward, -searching the gloomy crags, away to my left. Something loomed out under -a great peak, a shape of greyness. I wondered I had not seen it earlier, -and then remembered I had not yet viewed that portion. I saw it more -plainly now. It was, as I have said, grey. It had a tremendous head; but -no eyes. That part of its face was blank.</p> - -<p>Now, I saw that there were other things up among the mountains. Further -off, reclining on a lofty ledge, I made out a livid mass, irregular and -ghoulish. It seemed without form, save for an unclean, half-animal face, -that looked out, vilely, from somewhere about its middle. And then I saw -others—there were hundreds of them. They seemed to grow out of the -shadows. Several I recognized almost immediately as mythological -deities; others were strange to me, utterly strange, beyond the power of -a human mind to conceive.</p> - -<p>On each side, I looked, and saw more, continually. The mountains were -full of strange things—Beast-gods, and Horrors so atrocious and bestial -that possibility and decency deny any further attempt to describe them. -And I—I was filled with a terrible sense of overwhelming horror and -fear and repugnance; yet, spite of these, I wondered exceedingly. Was -there then, after all, something in the old heathen worship, something -more than the mere deifying of men, animals, and elements? The thought -gripped me—was there?</p> - -<p>Later, a question repeated itself. What were they, those Beast-gods, -and the others? At first, they had appeared to me just sculptured -Monsters placed indiscriminately among the inaccessible peaks and -precipices of the surrounding mountains. Now, as I scrutinized them with -greater intentness, my mind began to reach out to fresh conclusions. -There was something about them, an indescribable sort of silent vitality -that suggested, to my broadening consciousness, a state of -life-in-death—a something that was by no means life, as we understand -it; but rather an inhuman form of existence, that well might be likened -to a deathless trance—a condition in which it was possible to imagine -their continuing, eternally. 'Immortal!' the word rose in my thoughts -unbidden; and, straightway, I grew to wondering whether this might be -the immortality of the gods.</p> - -<p>And then, in the midst of my wondering and musing, something happened. -Until then, I had been staying just within the shadow of the exit of the -great rift. Now, without volition on my part, I drifted out of the -semi-darkness and began to move slowly across the arena—toward the -House. At this, I gave up all thoughts of those prodigious Shapes above -me—and could only stare, frightenedly, at the tremendous structure -toward which I was being conveyed so remorselessly. Yet, though I -searched earnestly, I could discover nothing that I had not already -seen, and so became gradually calmer.</p> - -<p>Presently, I had reached a point more than halfway between the House -and the gorge. All around was spread the stark loneliness of the place, -and the unbroken silence. Steadily, I neared the great building. Then, -all at once, something caught my vision, something that came 'round one -of the huge buttresses of the House, and so into full view. It was a -gigantic thing, and moved with a curious lope, going almost upright, -after the manner of a man. It was quite unclothed, and had a remarkable -luminous appearance. Yet it was the face that attracted and frightened -me the most. It was the face of a swine.</p> - -<p>Silently, intently, I watched this horrible creature, and forgot my -fear, momentarily, in my interest in its movements. It was making its -way, cumbrously 'round the building, stopping as it came to each window -to peer in and shake at the bars, with which—as in this house—they -were protected; and whenever it came to a door, it would push at it, -fingering the fastening stealthily. Evidently, it was searching for an -ingress into the House.</p> - -<p>I had come now to within less than a quarter of a mile of the great -structure, and still I was compelled forward. Abruptly, the Thing turned -and gazed hideously in my direction. It opened its mouth, and, for the -first time, the stillness of that abominable place was broken, by a -deep, booming note that sent an added thrill of apprehension through me. -Then, immediately, I became aware that it was coming toward me, swiftly -and silently. In an instant, it had covered half the distance that lay -between. And still, I was borne helplessly to meet it. Only a hundred -yards, and the brutish ferocity of the giant face numbed me with a -feeling of unmitigated horror. I could have screamed, in the supremeness -of my fear; and then, in the very moment of my extremity and despair, I -became conscious that I was looking down upon the arena, from a rapidly -increasing height. I was rising, rising. In an inconceivably short -while, I had reached an altitude of many hundred feet. Beneath me, the -spot that I had just left, was occupied by the foul Swine-creature. It -had gone down on all fours and was snuffing and rooting, like a -veritable hog, at the surface of the arena. A moment and it rose to its -feet, clutching upward, with an expression of desire upon its face such -as I have never seen in this world.</p> - -<p>Continually, I mounted higher. A few minutes, it seemed, and I had -risen above the great mountains—floating, alone, afar in the redness. -At a tremendous distance below, the arena showed, dimly; with the mighty -House looking no larger than a tiny spot of green. The Swine-thing was -no longer visible.</p> - -<p>Presently, I passed over the mountains, out above the huge breadth of -the plain. Far away, on its surface, in the direction of the ring-shaped -sun, there showed a confused blur. I looked toward it, indifferently. It -reminded me, somewhat, of the first glimpse I had caught of the -mountain-amphitheatre.</p> - -<p>With a sense of weariness, I glanced upward at the immense ring of -fire. What a strange thing it was! Then, as I stared, out from the dark -center, there spurted a sudden flare of extraordinary vivid fire. -Compared with the size of the black center, it was as naught; yet, in -itself, stupendous. With awakened interest, I watched it carefully, -noting its strange boiling and glowing. Then, in a moment, the whole -thing grew dim and unreal, and so passed out of sight. Much amazed, I -glanced down to the Plain from which I was still rising. Thus, I -received a fresh surprise. The Plain—everything had vanished, and only -a sea of red mist was spread far below me. Gradually as I stared this -grew remote, and died away into a dim far mystery of red against an -unfathomable night. A while, and even this had gone, and I was wrapped -in an impalpable, lightless gloom.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="IV"></a><h2>IV<br /><br /> -THE EARTH</h2> - -<p>Thus I was, and only the memory that I had lived through the dark, once -before, served to sustain my thoughts. A great time passed—ages. And -then a single star broke its way through the darkness. It was the first -of one of the outlying clusters of this universe. Presently, it was far -behind, and all about me shone the splendor of the countless stars. -Later, years it seemed, I saw the sun, a clot of flame. Around it, I -made out presently several remote specks of light—the planets of the -Solar system. And so I saw the earth again, blue and unbelievably -minute. It grew larger, and became defined.</p> - -<p>A long space of time came and went, and then at last I entered into the -shadow of the world—plunging headlong into the dim and holy earth -night. Overhead were the old constellations, and there was a crescent -moon. Then, as I neared the earth's surface, a dimness swept over me, -and I appeared to sink into a black mist.</p> - -<p>For a while, I knew nothing. I was unconscious. Gradually, I became -aware of a faint, distant whining. It became plainer. A desperate -feeling of agony possessed me. I struggled madly for breath, and tried -to shout. A moment, and I got my breath more easily. I was conscious -that something was licking my hand. Something damp swept across my face. -I heard a panting, and then again the whining. It seemed to come to my -ears, now, with a sense of familiarity, and I opened my eyes. All was -dark; but the feeling of oppression had left me. I was seated, and -something was whining piteously, and licking me. I felt strangely -confused, and, instinctively, tried to ward off the thing that licked. -My head was curiously vacant, and, for the moment, I seemed incapable of -action or thought. Then, things came back to me, and I called 'Pepper,' -faintly. I was answered by a joyful bark, and renewed and -frantic caresses.</p> - -<p>In a little while, I felt stronger, and put out my hand for the -matches. I groped about, for a few moments, blindly; then my hands lit -upon them, and I struck a light, and looked confusedly around. All about -me, I saw the old, familiar things. And there I sat, full of dazed -wonders, until the flame of the match burnt my finger, and I dropped it; -while a hasty expression of pain and anger, escaped my lips, surprising -me with the sound of my own voice.</p> - -<p>After a moment, I struck another match, and, stumbling across the room, -lit the candles. As I did so, I observed that they had not burned away, -but had been put out.</p> - -<p>As the flames shot up, I turned, and stared about the study; yet there -was nothing unusual to see; and, suddenly, a gust of irritation took me. -What had happened? I held my head, with both hands, and tried to -remember. Ah! the great, silent Plain, and the ring-shaped sun of red -fire. Where were they? Where had I seen them? How long ago? I felt dazed -and muddled. Once or twice, I walked up and down the room, unsteadily. -My memory seemed dulled, and, already, the thing I had witnessed came -back to me with an effort.</p> - -<p>I have a remembrance of cursing, peevishly, in my bewilderment. -Suddenly, I turned faint and giddy, and had to grasp at the table for -support. During a few moments, I held on, weakly; and then managed to -totter sideways into a chair. After a little time, I felt somewhat -better, and succeeded in reaching the cupboard where, usually, I keep -brandy and biscuits. I poured myself out a little of the stimulant, and -drank it off. Then, taking a handful of biscuits, I returned to my -chair, and began to devour them, ravenously. I was vaguely surprised at -my hunger. I felt as though I had eaten nothing for an uncountably -long while.</p> - -<p>As I ate, my glance roved about the room, taking in its various -details, and still searching, though almost unconsciously, for something -tangible upon which to take hold, among the invisible mysteries that -encompassed me. 'Surely,' I thought, 'there must be something—' And, in -the same instant, my gaze dwelt upon the face of the clock in the -opposite corner. Therewith, I stopped eating, and just stared. For, -though its ticking indicated most certainly that it was still going, the -hands were pointing to a little <em>before</em> the hour of midnight; whereas -it was, as well I knew, considerably <em>after</em> that time when I had -witnessed the first of the strange happenings I have just described.</p> - -<p>For perhaps a moment I was astounded and puzzled. Had the hour been the -same as when I had last seen the clock, I should have concluded that the -hands had stuck in one place, while the internal mechanism went on as -usual; but that would, in no way, account for the hands having traveled -backward. Then, even as I turned the matter over in my wearied brain, -the thought flashed upon me that it was now close upon the morning of -the twenty-second, and that I had been unconscious to the visible world -through the greater portion of the last twenty-four hours. The thought -occupied my attention for a full minute; then I commenced to eat again. -I was still very hungry.</p> - -<p>During breakfast, next morning, I inquired casually of my sister -regarding the date, and found my surmise correct. I had, indeed, been -absent—at least in spirit—for nearly a day and a night.</p> - -<p>My sister asked me no questions; for it is not by any means the first -time that I have kept to my study for a whole day, and sometimes a -couple of days at a time, when I have been particularly engrossed in my -books or work.</p> - -<p>And so the days pass on, and I am still filled with a wonder to know -the meaning of all that I saw on that memorable night. Yet, well I know -that my curiosity is little likely to be satisfied.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="V"></a><h2>V<br /><br /> -THE THING IN THE PIT</h2> - -<p>This house is, as I have said before, surrounded by a huge estate, and -wild and uncultivated gardens.</p> - -<p>Away at the back, distant some three hundred yards, is a dark, deep -ravine—spoken of as the 'Pit,' by the peasantry. At the bottom runs a -sluggish stream so overhung by trees as scarcely to be seen from above.</p> - -<p>In passing, I must explain that this river has a subterranean origin, -emerging suddenly at the East end of the ravine, and disappearing, as -abruptly, beneath the cliffs that form its Western extremity.</p> - -<p>It was some months after my vision (if vision it were) of the great -Plain that my attention was particularly attracted to the Pit.</p> - -<p>I happened, one day, to be walking along its Southern edge, when, -suddenly, several pieces of rock and shale were dislodged from the face -of the cliff immediately beneath me, and fell with a sullen crash -through the trees. I heard them splash in the river at the bottom; and -then silence. I should not have given this incident more than a passing -thought, had not Pepper at once begun to bark savagely; nor would he be -silent when I bade him, which is most unusual behavior on his part.</p> - -<p>Feeling that there must be someone or something in the Pit, I went back -to the house, quickly, for a stick. When I returned, Pepper had ceased -his barks and was growling and smelling, uneasily, along the top.</p> - -<p>Whistling to him to follow me, I started to descend cautiously. The -depth to the bottom of the Pit must be about a hundred and fifty feet, -and some time as well as considerable care was expended before we -reached the bottom in safety.</p> - -<p>Once down, Pepper and I started to explore along the banks of the -river. It was very dark there due to the overhanging trees, and I moved -warily, keeping my glance about me and my stick ready.</p> - -<p>Pepper was quiet now and kept close to me all the time. Thus, we -searched right up one side of the river, without hearing or seeing -anything. Then, we crossed over—by the simple method of jumping—and -commenced to beat our way back through the underbrush.</p> - -<p>We had accomplished perhaps half the distance, when I heard again the -sound of falling stones on the other side—the side from which we had -just come. One large rock came thundering down through the treetops, -struck the opposite bank, and bounded into the river, driving a great -jet of water right over us. At this, Pepper gave out a deep growl; then -stopped, and pricked up his ears. I listened, also.</p> - -<p>A second later, a loud, half-human, half-piglike squeal sounded from -among the trees, apparently about halfway up the South cliff. It was -answered by a similar note from the bottom of the Pit. At this, Pepper -gave a short, sharp bark, and, springing across the little river, -disappeared into the bushes.</p> - -<p>Immediately afterward, I heard his barks increase in depth and number, -and in between there sounded a noise of confused jabbering. This ceased, -and, in the succeeding silence, there rose a semi-human yell of agony. -Almost immediately, Pepper gave a long-drawn howl of pain, and then the -shrubs were violently agitated, and he came running out with his tail -down, and glancing as he ran over his shoulder. As he reached me, I saw -that he was bleeding from what appeared to be a great claw wound in the -side that had almost laid bare his ribs.</p> - -<p>Seeing Pepper thus mutilated, a furious feeling of anger seized me, -and, whirling my staff, I sprang across, and into the bushes from which -Pepper had emerged. As I forced my way through, I thought I heard a -sound of breathing. Next instant, I had burst into a little clear space, -just in time to see something, livid white in color, disappear among the -bushes on the opposite side. With a shout, I ran toward it; but, though -I struck and probed among the bushes with my stick, I neither saw nor -heard anything further; and so returned to Pepper. There, after bathing -his wound in the river, I bound my wetted handkerchief 'round his body; -having done which, we retreated up the ravine and into the -daylight again.</p> - -<p>On reaching the house, my sister inquired what had happened to Pepper, -and I told her he had been fighting with a wildcat, of which I had heard -there were several about.</p> - -<p>I felt it would be better not to tell her how it had really happened; -though, to be sure, I scarcely knew myself; but this I did know, that -the thing I had seen run into the bushes was no wildcat. It was much too -big, and had, so far as I had observed, a skin like a hog's, only of a -dead, unhealthy white color. And then—it had run upright, or nearly so, -upon its hind feet, with a motion somewhat resembling that of a human -being. This much I had noticed in my brief glimpse, and, truth to tell, -I felt a good deal of uneasiness, besides curiosity as I turned the -matter over in my mind.</p> - -<p>It was in the morning that the above incident had occurred.</p> - -<p>Then, it would be after dinner, as I sat reading, that, happening to -look up suddenly, I saw something peering in over the window ledge the -eyes and ears alone showing.</p> - -<p>'A pig, by Jove!' I said, and rose to my feet. Thus, I saw the thing -more completely; but it was no pig—God alone knows what it was. It -reminded me, vaguely, of the hideous Thing that had haunted the great -arena. It had a grotesquely human mouth and jaw; but with no chin of -which to speak. The nose was prolonged into a snout; thus it was that -with the little eyes and queer ears, gave it such an extraordinarily -swinelike appearance. Of forehead there was little, and the whole face -was of an unwholesome white color.</p> - -<p>For perhaps a minute, I stood looking at the thing with an ever growing -feeling of disgust, and some fear. The mouth kept jabbering, inanely, -and once emitted a half-swinish grunt. I think it was the eyes that -attracted me the most; they seemed to glow, at times, with a horribly -human intelligence, and kept flickering away from my face, over the -details of the room, as though my stare disturbed it.</p> - -<p>It appeared to be supporting itself by two clawlike hands upon the -windowsill. These claws, unlike the face, were of a clayey brown hue, -and bore an indistinct resemblance to human hands, in that they had four -fingers and a thumb; though these were webbed up to the first joint, -much as are a duck's. Nails it had also, but so long and powerful that -they were more like the talons of an eagle than aught else.</p> - -<p>As I have said, before, I felt some fear; though almost of an -impersonal kind. I may explain my feeling better by saying that it was -more a sensation of abhorrence; such as one might expect to feel, if -brought in contact with something superhumanly foul; something -unholy—belonging to some hitherto undreamt of state of existence.</p> - -<p>I cannot say that I grasped these various details of the brute at the -time. I think they seemed to come back to me, afterward, as though -imprinted upon my brain. I imagined more than I saw as I looked at the -thing, and the material details grew upon me later.</p> - -<p>For perhaps a minute I stared at the creature; then as my nerves -steadied a little I shook off the vague alarm that held me, and took a -step toward the window. Even as I did so, the thing ducked and vanished. -I rushed to the door and looked 'round hurriedly; but only the tangled -bushes and shrubs met my gaze.</p> - -<p>I ran back into the house, and, getting my gun, sallied out to search -through the gardens. As I went, I asked myself whether the thing I had -just seen was likely to be the same of which I had caught a glimpse in -the morning. I inclined to think it was.</p> - -<p>I would have taken Pepper with me; but judged it better to give his -wound a chance to heal. Besides, if the creature I had just seen was, as -I imagined, his antagonist of the morning, it was not likely that he -would be of much use.</p> - -<p>I began my search, systematically. I was determined, if it were -possible, to find and put an end to that swine-thing. This was, at -least, a material Horror!</p> - -<p>At first, I searched, cautiously; with the thought of Pepper's wound in -my mind; but, as the hours passed, and not a sign of anything living, -showed in the great, lonely gardens, I became less apprehensive. I felt -almost as though I would welcome the sight of it. Anything seemed better -than this silence, with the ever-present feeling that the creature might -be lurking in every bush I passed. Later, I grew careless of danger, to -the extent of plunging right through the bushes, probing with my gun -barrel as I went.</p> - -<p>At times, I shouted; but only the echoes answered back. I thought thus -perhaps to frighten or stir the creature to showing itself; but only -succeeded in bringing my sister Mary out, to know what was the matter. I -told her, that I had seen the wildcat that had wounded Pepper, and that -I was trying to hunt it out of the bushes. She seemed only half -satisfied, and went back into the house, with an expression of doubt -upon her face. I wondered whether she had seen or guessed anything. For -the rest of the afternoon, I prosecuted the search anxiously. I felt -that I should be unable to sleep, with that bestial thing haunting the -shrubberies, and yet, when evening fell, I had seen nothing. Then, as I -turned homeward, I heard a short, unintelligible noise, among the bushes -to my right. Instantly, I turned, and, aiming quickly, fired in the -direction of the sound. Immediately afterward, I heard something -scuttling away among the bushes. It moved rapidly, and in a minute had -gone out of hearing. After a few steps I ceased my pursuit, realizing -how futile it must be in the fast gathering gloom; and so, with a -curious feeling of depression, I entered the house.</p> - -<p>That night, after my sister had gone to bed, I went 'round to all the -windows and doors on the ground floor; and saw to it that they were -securely fastened. This precaution was scarcely necessary as regards the -windows, as all of those on the lower storey are strongly barred; but -with the doors—of which there are five—it was wisely thought, as not -one was locked.</p> - -<p>Having secured these, I went to my study, yet, somehow, for once, the -place jarred upon me; it seemed so huge and echoey. For some time I -tried to read; but at last finding it impossible I carried my book down -to the kitchen where a large fire was burning, and sat there.</p> - -<p>I dare say, I had read for a couple of hours, when, suddenly, I heard a -sound that made me lower my book, and listen, intently. It was a noise -of something rubbing and fumbling against the back door. Once the door -creaked, loudly; as though force were being applied to it. During those -few, short moments, I experienced an indescribable feeling of terror, -such as I should have believed impossible. My hands shook; a cold sweat -broke out on me, and I shivered violently.</p> - -<p>Gradually, I calmed. The stealthy movements outside had ceased.</p> - -<p>Then for an hour I sat silent and watchful. All at once the feeling of -fear took me again. I felt as I imagine an animal must, under the eye of -a snake. Yet now I could hear nothing. Still, there was no doubting that -some unexplained influence was at work.</p> - -<p>Gradually, imperceptibly almost, something stole on my ear—a sound -that resolved itself into a faint murmur. Quickly it developed and grew -into a muffled but hideous chorus of bestial shrieks. It appeared to -rise from the bowels of the earth.</p> - -<p>I heard a thud, and realized in a dull, half comprehending way that I -had dropped my book. After that, I just sat; and thus the daylight found -me, when it crept wanly in through the barred, high windows of the -great kitchen.</p> - -<p>With the dawning light, the feeling of stupor and fear left me; and I -came more into possession of my senses.</p> - -<p>Thereupon I picked up my book, and crept to the door to listen. Not a -sound broke the chilly silence. For some minutes I stood there; then, -very gradually and cautiously, I drew back the bolt and opening the door -peeped out.</p> - -<p>My caution was unneeded. Nothing was to be seen, save the grey vista of -dreary, tangled bushes and trees, extending to the distant plantation.</p> - -<p>With a shiver, I closed the door, and made my way, quietly, up to bed.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="VI"></a><h2>VI<br /><br /> -THE SWINE-THINGS</h2> - -<p>It was evening, a week later. My sister sat in the garden, knitting. I -was walking up and down, reading. My gun leant up against the wall of -the house; for, since the advent of that strange thing in the gardens, I -had deemed it wise to take precautions. Yet, through the whole week, -there had been nothing to alarm me, either by sight or sound; so that I -was able to look back, calmly, to the incident; though still with a -sense of unmitigated wonder and curiosity.</p> - -<p>I was, as I have just said, walking up and down, and somewhat engrossed -in my book. Suddenly, I heard a crash, away in the direction of the Pit. -With a quick movement, I turned and saw a tremendous column of dust -rising high into the evening air.</p> - -<p>My sister had risen to her feet, with a sharp exclamation of surprise -and fright.</p> - -<p>Telling her to stay where she was, I snatched up my gun, and ran toward -the Pit. As I neared it, I heard a dull, rumbling sound, that grew -quickly into a roar, split with deeper crashes, and up from the Pit -drove a fresh volume of dust.</p> - -<p>The noise ceased, though the dust still rose, tumultuously.</p> - -<p>I reached the edge, and looked down; but could see nothing save a boil -of dust clouds swirling hither and thither. The air was so full of the -small particles, that they blinded and choked me; and, finally, I had to -run out from the smother, to breathe.</p> - -<p>Gradually, the suspended matter sank, and hung in a panoply over the -mouth of the Pit.</p> - -<p>I could only guess at what had happened.</p> - -<p>That there had been a land-slip of some kind, I had little doubt; but -the cause was beyond my knowledge; and yet, even then, I had half -imaginings; for, already, the thought had come to me, of those falling -rocks, and that Thing in the bottom of the Pit; but, in the first -minutes of confusion, I failed to reach the natural conclusion, to which -the catastrophe pointed.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the dust subsided, until, presently, I was able to approach the -edge, and look down.</p> - -<p>For a while, I peered impotently, trying to see through the reek. At -first, it was impossible to make out anything. Then, as I stared, I saw -something below, to my left, that moved. I looked intently toward it, -and, presently, made out another, and then another—three dim shapes -that appeared to be climbing up the side of the Pit. I could see them -only indistinctly. Even as I stared and wondered, I heard a rattle of -stones, somewhere to my right. I glanced across; but could see nothing. -I leant forward, and peered over, and down into the Pit, just beneath -where I stood; and saw no further than a hideous, white swine-face, that -had risen to within a couple of yards of my feet. Below it, I could make -out several others. As the Thing saw me, it gave a sudden, uncouth -squeal, which was answered from all parts of the Pit. At that, a gust of -horror and fear took me, and, bending down, I discharged my gun right -into its face. Straightway, the creature disappeared, with a clatter of -loose earth and stones.</p> - -<p>There was a momentary silence, to which, probably, I owe my life; for, -during it, I heard a quick patter of many feet, and, turning sharply, -saw a troop of the creatures coming toward me, at a run. Instantly, I -raised my gun and fired at the foremost, who plunged head-long, with a -hideous howling. Then, I turned to run. More than halfway from the house -to the Pit, I saw my sister—she was coming toward me. I could not see -her face, distinctly, as the dusk had fallen; but there was fear in her -voice as she called to know why I was shooting.</p> - -<p>'Run!' I shouted in reply. 'Run for your life!'</p> - -<p>Without more ado, she turned and fled—picking up her skirts with both -hands. As I followed, I gave a glance behind. The brutes were running on -their hind legs—at times dropping on all fours.</p> - -<p>I think it must have been the terror in my voice, that spurred Mary to -run so; for I feel convinced that she had not, as yet, seen those hell -creatures that pursued.</p> - -<p>On we went, my sister leading.</p> - -<p>Each moment, the nearing sounds of the footsteps, told me that the -brutes were gaining on us, rapidly. Fortunately, I am accustomed to -live, in some ways, an active life. As it was, the strain of the race -was beginning to tell severely upon me.</p> - -<p>Ahead, I could see the back door—luckily it was open. I was some -half-dozen yards behind Mary, now, and my breath was sobbing in my -throat. Then, something touched my shoulder. I wrenched my head 'round, -quickly, and saw one of those monstrous, pallid faces close to mine. One -of the creatures, having outrun its companions, had almost overtaken me. -Even as I turned, it made a fresh grab. With a sudden effort, I sprang -to one side, and, swinging my gun by the barrel, brought it crashing -down upon the foul creature's head. The Thing dropped, with an almost -human groan.</p> - -<p>Even this short delay had been nearly sufficient to bring the rest of -the brutes down upon me; so that, without an instant's waste of time, I -turned and ran for the door.</p> - -<p>Reaching it, I burst into the passage; then, turning quickly, slammed -and bolted the door, just as the first of the creatures rushed against -it, with a sudden shock.</p> - -<p>My sister sat, gasping, in a chair. She seemed in a fainting condition; -but I had no time then to spend on her. I had to make sure that all the -doors were fastened. Fortunately, they were. The one leading from my -study into the gardens, was the last to which I went. I had just had -time to note that it was secured, when I thought I heard a noise -outside. I stood perfectly silent, and listened. Yes! Now I could -distinctly hear a sound of whispering, and something slithered over the -panels, with a rasping, scratchy noise. Evidently, some of the brutes -were feeling with their claw-hands, about the door, to discover whether -there were any means of ingress.</p> - -<p>That the creatures should so soon have found the door was—to me—a -proof of their reasoning capabilities. It assured me that they must not -be regarded, by any means, as mere animals. I had felt something of this -before, when that first Thing peered in through my window. Then I had -applied the term superhuman to it, with an almost instinctive knowledge -that the creature was something different from the brute-beast. -Something beyond human; yet in no good sense; but rather as something -foul and hostile to the <em>great</em> and <em>good</em> in humanity. In a word, as -something intelligent, and yet inhuman. The very thought of the -creatures filled me with revulsion.</p> - -<p>Now, I bethought me of my sister, and, going to the cupboard, I got -out a flask of brandy, and a wine-glass. Taking these, I went down to -the kitchen, carrying a lighted candle with me. She was not sitting in -the chair, but had fallen out, and was lying upon the floor, -face downward.</p> - -<p>Very gently, I turned her over, and raised her head somewhat. Then, I -poured a little of the brandy between her lips. After a while, she -shivered slightly. A little later, she gave several gasps, and opened -her eyes. In a dreamy, unrealizing way, she looked at me. Then her eyes -closed, slowly, and I gave her a little more of the brandy. For, perhaps -a minute longer, she lay silent, breathing quickly. All at once, her -eyes opened again, and it seemed to me, as I looked, that the pupils -were dilated, as though fear had come with returning consciousness. -Then, with a movement so unexpected that I started backward, she sat up. -Noticing that she seemed giddy, I put out my hand to steady her. At -that, she gave a loud scream, and, scrambling to her feet, ran from -the room.</p> - -<p>For a moment, I stayed there—kneeling and holding the brandy flask. I -was utterly puzzled and astonished.</p> - -<p>Could she be afraid of me? But no! Why should she? I could only -conclude that her nerves were badly shaken, and that she was temporarily -unhinged. Upstairs, I heard a door bang, loudly, and I knew that she had -taken refuge in her room. I put the flask down on the table. My -attention was distracted by a noise in the direction of the back door. I -went toward it, and listened. It appeared to be shaken, as though some -of the creatures struggled with it, silently; but it was far too -strongly constructed and hung to be easily moved.</p> - -<p>Out in the gardens rose a continuous sound. It might have been -mistaken, by a casual listener, for the grunting and squealing of a herd -of pigs. But, as I stood there, it came to me that there was sense and -meaning to all those swinish noises. Gradually, I seemed able to trace -a semblance in it to human speech—glutinous and sticky, as though each -articulation were made with difficulty: yet, nevertheless, I was -becoming convinced that it was no mere medley of sounds; but a rapid -interchange of ideas.</p> - -<p>By this time, it had grown quite dark in the passages, and from these -came all the varied cries and groans of which an old house is so full -after nightfall. It is, no doubt, because things are then quieter, and -one has more leisure to hear. Also, there may be something in the theory -that the sudden change of temperature, at sundown, affects the structure -of the house, somewhat—causing it to contract and settle, as it were, -for the night. However, this is as may be; but, on that night in -particular, I would gladly have been quit of so many eerie noises. It -seemed to me, that each crack and creak was the coming of one of those -Things along the dark corridors; though I knew in my heart that this -could not be, for I had seen, myself, that all the doors were secure.</p> - -<p>Gradually, however, these sounds grew on my nerves to such an extent -that, were it only to punish my cowardice, I felt I must make the 'round -of the basement again, and, if anything were there, face it. And then, I -would go up to my study, for I knew sleep was out of the question, with -the house surrounded by creatures, half beasts, half something else, and -entirely unholy.</p> - -<p>Taking the kitchen lamp down from its hook, I made my way from cellar -to cellar, and room to room; through pantry and coal-hole—along -passages, and into the hundred-and-one little blind alleys and hidden -nooks that form the basement of the old house. Then, when I knew I had -been in every corner and cranny large enough to conceal aught of any -size, I made my way to the stairs.</p> - -<p>With my foot on the first step, I paused. It seemed to me, I heard a -movement, apparently from the buttery, which is to the left of the -staircase. It had been one of the first places I searched, and yet, I -felt certain my ears had not deceived me. My nerves were strung now, -and, with hardly any hesitation, I stepped up to the door, holding the -lamp above my head. In a glance, I saw that the place was empty, save -for the heavy, stone slabs, supported by brick pillars; and I was about -to leave it, convinced that I had been mistaken; when, in turning, my -light was flashed back from two bright spots outside the window, and -high up. For a few moments, I stood there, staring. Then they -moved—revolving slowly, and throwing out alternate scintillations of -green and red; at least, so it appeared to me. I knew then that they -were eyes.</p> - -<p>Slowly, I traced the shadowy outline of one of the Things. It appeared -to be holding on to the bars of the window, and its attitude suggested -climbing. I went nearer to the window, and held the light higher. There -was no need to be afraid of the creature; the bars were strong, and -there was little danger of its being able to move them. And then, -suddenly, in spite of the knowledge that the brute could not reach to -harm me, I had a return of the horrible sensation of fear, that had -assailed me on that night, a week previously. It was the same feeling of -helpless, shuddering fright. I realized, dimly, that the creature's eyes -were looking into mine with a steady, compelling stare. I tried to turn -away; but could not. I seemed, now, to see the window through a mist. -Then, I thought other eyes came and peered, and yet others; until a -whole galaxy of malignant, staring orbs seemed to hold me in thrall.</p> - -<p>My head began to swim, and throb violently. Then, I was aware of a -feeling of acute physical pain in my left hand. It grew more severe, and -forced, literally forced, my attention. With a tremendous effort, I -glanced down; and, with that, the spell that had held me was broken. I -realized, then, that I had, in my agitation, unconsciously caught hold -of the hot lamp-glass, and burnt my hand, badly. I looked up to the -window, again. The misty appearance had gone, and, now, I saw that it -was crowded with dozens of bestial faces. With a sudden access of rage, -I raised the lamp, and hurled it, full at the window. It struck the -glass (smashing a pane), and passed between two of the bars, out into -the garden, scattering burning oil as it went. I heard several loud -cries of pain, and, as my sight became accustomed to the dark, I -discovered that the creatures had left the window.</p> - -<p>Pulling myself together, I groped for the door, and, having found it, -made my way upstairs, stumbling at each step. I felt dazed, as though I -had received a blow on the head. At the same time, my hand smarted -badly, and I was full of a nervous, dull rage against those Things.</p> - -<p>Reaching my study, I lit the candles. As they burnt up, their rays were -reflected from the rack of firearms on the sidewall. At the sight, I -remembered that I had there a power, which, as I had proved earlier, -seemed as fatal to those monsters as to more ordinary animals; and I -determined I would take the offensive.</p> - -<p>First of all, I bound up my hand; for the pain was fast becoming -intolerable. After that, it seemed easier, and I crossed the room, to -the rifle stand. There, I selected a heavy rifle—an old and tried -weapon; and, having procured ammunition, I made my way up into one of -the small towers, with which the house is crowned.</p> - -<p>From there, I found that I could see nothing. The gardens presented a -dim blur of shadows—a little blacker, perhaps, where the trees stood. -That was all, and I knew that it was useless to shoot down into all that -darkness. The only thing to be done, was to wait for the moon to rise; -then, I might be able to do a little execution.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, I sat still, and kept my ears open. The gardens were -comparatively quiet now, and only an occasional grunt or squeal came up -to me. I did not like this silence; it made me wonder on what devilry -the creatures were bent. Twice, I left the tower, and took a walk -through the house; but everything was silent.</p> - -<p>Once, I heard a noise, from the direction of the Pit, as though more -earth had fallen. Following this, and lasting for some fifteen minutes, -there was a commotion among the denizens of the gardens. This died away, -and, after that all was again quiet.</p> - -<p>About an hour later, the moon's light showed above the distant horizon. -From where I sat, I could see it over the trees; but it was not until it -rose clear of them, that I could make out any of the details in the -gardens below. Even then, I could see none of the brutes; until, -happening to crane forward, I saw several of them lying prone, up -against the wall of the house. What they were doing, I could not make -out. It was, however, a chance too good to be ignored; and, taking aim, -I fired at the one directly beneath. There was a shrill scream, and, as -the smoke cleared away, I saw that it had turned on its back, and was -writhing, feebly. Then, it was quiet. The others had disappeared.</p> - -<p>Immediately after this, I heard a loud squeal, in the direction of the -Pit. It was answered, a hundred times, from every part of the garden. -This gave me some notion of the number of the creatures, and I began to -feel that the whole affair was becoming even more serious than I -had imagined.</p> - -<p>As I sat there, silent and watchful, the thought came to me—Why was -all this? What were these Things? What did it mean? Then my thoughts -flew back to that vision (though, even now, I doubt whether it was a -vision) of the Plain of Silence. What did that mean? I wondered—And -that Thing in the arena? Ugh! Lastly, I thought of the house I had seen -in that far-away place. That house, so like this in every detail of -external structure, that it might have been modeled from it; or this -from that. I had never thought of that—</p> - -<p>At this moment, there came another long squeal, from the Pit, followed, -a second later, by a couple of shorter ones. At once, the garden was -filled with answering cries. I stood up, quickly, and looked over the -parapet. In the moonlight, it seemed as though the shrubberies were -alive. They tossed hither and thither, as though shaken by a strong, -irregular wind; while a continuous rustling, and a noise of scampering -feet, rose up to me. Several times, I saw the moonlight gleam on -running, white figures among the bushes, and, twice, I fired. The second -time, my shot was answered by a short squeal of pain.</p> - -<p>A minute later, the gardens lay silent. From the Pit, came a deep, -hoarse Babel of swine-talk. At times, angry cries smote the air, and -they would be answered by multitudinous gruntings. It occurred to me, -that they were holding some kind of a council, perhaps to discuss the -problem of entering the house. Also, I thought that they seemed much -enraged, probably by my successful shots.</p> - -<p>It occurred to me, that now would be a good time to make a final survey -of our defenses. This, I proceeded to do at once; visiting the whole of -the basement again, and examining each of the doors. Luckily, they are -all, like the back one, built of solid, iron-studded oak. Then, I went -upstairs to the study. I was more anxious about this door. It is, -palpably, of a more modern make than the others, and, though a stout -piece of work, it has little of their ponderous strength.</p> - -<p>I must explain here, that there is a small, raised lawn on this side of -the house, upon which this door opens—the windows of the study being -barred on this account. All the other entrances—excepting the great -gateway which is never opened—are in the lower storey.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="VII"></a><h2>VII<br /><br /> -THE ATTACK</h2> - -<p>I spent some time, puzzling how to strengthen the study door. Finally, -I went down to the kitchen, and with some trouble, brought up several -heavy pieces of timber. These, I wedged up, slantwise, against it, from -the floor, nailing them top and bottom. For half-an-hour, I worked hard, -and, at last, got it shored to my mind.</p> - -<p>Then, feeling easier, I resumed my coat, which I had laid aside, and -proceeded to attend to one or two matters before returning to the tower. -It was whilst thus employed, that I heard a fumbling at the door, and -the latch was tried. Keeping silence, I waited. Soon, I heard several of -the creatures outside. They were grunting to one another, softly. Then, -for a minute, there was quietness. Suddenly, there sounded a quick, low -grunt, and the door creaked under a tremendous pressure. It would have -burst inward; but for the supports I had placed. The strain ceased, as -quickly as it had begun, and there was more talk.</p> - -<p>Presently, one of the Things squealed, softly, and I heard the sound -of others approaching. There was a short confabulation; then again, -silence; and I realized that they had called several more to assist. -Feeling that now was the supreme moment, I stood ready, with my rifle -presented. If the door gave, I would, at least, slay as many -as possible.</p> - -<p>Again came the low signal; and, once more, the door cracked, under a -huge force. For, a minute perhaps, the pressure was kept up; and I -waited, nervously; expecting each moment to see the door come down with -a crash. But no; the struts held, and the attempt proved abortive. Then -followed more of their horrible, grunting talk, and, whilst it lasted, I -thought I distinguished the noise of fresh arrivals.</p> - -<p>After a long discussion, during which the door was several times -shaken, they became quiet once more, and I knew that they were going to -make a third attempt to break it down. I was almost in despair. The -props had been severely tried in the two previous attacks, and I was -sorely afraid that this would prove too much for them.</p> - -<p>At that moment, like an inspiration, a thought flashed into my troubled -brain. Instantly, for it was no time to hesitate, I ran from the room, -and up stair after stair. This time, it was not to one of the towers, -that I went; but out on to the flat, leaded roof itself. Once there, I -raced across to the parapet, that walls it 'round, and looked down. As I -did so, I heard the short, grunted signal, and, even up there, caught -the crying of the door under the assault.</p> - -<p>There was not a moment to lose, and, leaning over, I aimed, quickly, -and fired. The report rang sharply, and, almost blending with it, came -the loud splud of the bullet striking its mark. From below, rose a -shrill wail; and the door ceased its groaning. Then, as I took my weight -from off the parapet, a huge piece of the stone coping slid from under -me, and fell with a crash among the disorganized throng beneath. -Several horrible shrieks quavered through the night air, and then I -heard a sound of scampering feet. Cautiously, I looked over. In the -moonlight, I could see the great copingstone, lying right across the -threshold of the door. I thought I saw something under it—several -things, white; but I could not be sure.</p> - -<p>And so a few minutes passed.</p> - -<p>As I stared, I saw something come 'round, out of the shadow of the -house. It was one of the Things. It went up to the stone, silently, and -bent down. I was unable to see what it did. In a minute it stood up. It -had something in its talons, which it put to its mouth and tore at....</p> - -<p>For the moment, I did not realize. Then, slowly, I comprehended. The -Thing was stooping again. It was horrible. I started to load my rifle. -When I looked again, the monster was tugging at the stone—moving it to -one side. I leant the rifle on the coping, and pulled the trigger. The -brute collapsed, on its face, and kicked, slightly.</p> - -<p>Simultaneously, almost, with the report, I heard another sound—that of -breaking glass. Waiting, only to recharge my weapon, I ran from the -roof, and down the first two flights of stairs.</p> - -<p>Here, I paused to listen. As I did so, there came another tinkle of -falling glass. It appeared to come from the floor below. Excitedly, I -sprang down the steps, and, guided by the rattle of the window-sash, -reached the door of one of the empty bedrooms, at the back of the house. -I thrust it open. The room was but dimly illuminated by the moonlight; -most of the light being blotted out by moving figures at the window. -Even as I stood, one crawled through, into the room. Leveling my weapon, -I fired point-blank at it—filling the room with a deafening bang. When -the smoke cleared, I saw that the room was empty, and the window free. -The room was much lighter. The night air blew in, coldly, through the -shattered panes. Down below, in the night, I could hear a soft moaning, -and a confused murmur of swine-voices.</p> - -<p>Stepping to one side of the window, I reloaded, and then stood there, -waiting. Presently, I heard a scuffling noise. From where I stood in the -shadow, I could see, without being seen.</p> - -<p>Nearer came the sounds, and then I saw something come up above the -sill, and clutch at the broken window-frame. It caught a piece of the -woodwork; and, now, I could make out that it was a hand and arm. A -moment later, the face of one of the Swine-creatures rose into view. -Then, before I could use my rifle, or do anything, there came a sharp -crack—cr-ac-k; and the window-frame gave way under the weight of the -Thing. Next instant, a squashing thud, and a loud outcry, told me that -it had fallen to the ground. With a savage hope that it had been killed, -I went to the window. The moon had gone behind a cloud, so that I could -see nothing; though a steady hum of jabbering, just beneath where I -stood, indicated that there were several more of the brutes close -at hand.</p> - -<p>As I stood there, looking down, I marveled how it had been possible for -the creatures to climb so far; for the wall is comparatively smooth, -while the distance to the ground must be, at least, eighty feet.</p> - -<p>All at once, as I bent, peering, I saw something, indistinctly, that -cut the grey shadow of the house-side, with a black line. It passed the -window, to the left, at a distance of about two feet. Then, I remembered -that it was a gutter-pipe, that had been put there some years ago, to -carry off the rainwater. I had forgotten about it. I could see, now, how -the creatures had managed to reach the window. Even as the solution came -to me, I heard a faint slithering, scratching noise, and knew that -another of the brutes was coming. I waited some odd moments; then leant -out of the window and felt the pipe. To my delight, I found that it was -quite loose, and I managed, using the rifle-barrel as a crowbar, to -lever it out from the wall. I worked quickly. Then, taking hold with -both bands, I wrenched the whole concern away, and hurled it down—with -the Thing still clinging to it—into the garden.</p> - -<p>For a few minutes longer, I waited there, listening; but, after the -first general outcry, I heard nothing. I knew, now, that there was no -more reason to fear an attack from this quarter. I had removed the only -means of reaching the window, and, as none of the other windows had any -adjacent water pipes, to tempt the climbing powers of the monsters, I -began to feel more confident of escaping their clutches.</p> - -<p>Leaving the room, I made my way down to the study. I was anxious to see -how the door had withstood the test of that last assault. Entering, I -lit two of the candles, and then turned to the door. One of the large -props had been displaced, and, on that side, the door had been forced -inward some six inches.</p> - -<p>It was Providential that I had managed to drive the brutes away just -when I did! And that copingstone! I wondered, vaguely, how I had managed -to dislodge it. I had not noticed it loose, as I took my shot; and then, -as I stood up, it had slipped away from beneath me ... I felt that I -owed the dismissal of the attacking force, more to its timely fall than -to my rifle. Then the thought came, that I had better seize this chance -to shore up the door, again. It was evident that the creatures had not -returned since the fall of the copingstone; but who was to say how long -they would keep away?</p> - -<p>There and then, I set-to, at repairing the door—working hard and -anxiously. First, I went down to the basement, and, rummaging 'round, -found several pieces of heavy oak planking. With these, I returned to -the study, and, having removed the props, placed the planks up against -the door. Then, I nailed the heads of the struts to these, and, driving -them well home at the bottoms, nailed them again there.</p> - -<p>Thus, I made the door stronger than ever; for now it was solid with the -backing of boards, and would, I felt convinced, stand a heavier pressure -than hitherto, without giving way.</p> - -<p>After that, I lit the lamp which I had brought from the kitchen, and -went down to have a look at the lower windows.</p> - -<p>Now that I had seen an instance of the strength the creatures -possessed, I felt considerable anxiety about the windows on the ground -floor—in spite of the fact that they were so strongly barred.</p> - -<p>I went first to the buttery, having a vivid remembrance of my late -adventure there. The place was chilly, and the wind, soughing in through -the broken glass, produced an eerie note. Apart from the general air of -dismalness, the place was as I had left it the night before. Going up to -the window, I examined the bars, closely; noting, as I did so, their -comfortable thickness. Still, as I looked more intently, it seemed to -me, that the middle bar was bent slightly from the straight; yet it was -but trifling, and it might have been so for years. I had never, before, -noticed them particularly.</p> - -<p>I put my hand through the broken window, and shook the bar. It was as -firm as a rock. Perhaps the creatures had tried to 'start' it, and, -finding it beyond their power, ceased from the effort. After that, I -went 'round to each of the windows, in turn; examining them with careful -attention; but nowhere else could I trace anything to show that there -had been any tampering. Having finished my survey, I went back to the -study, and poured myself out a little brandy. Then to the tower -to watch.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="VIII"></a><h2>VIII<br /><br /> -AFTER THE ATTACK</h2> - -<p>It was now about three a.m., and, presently, the Eastern sky began to -pale with the coming of dawn. Gradually, the day came, and, by its -light, I scanned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any -signs of the brutes. I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the -wall, to see whether the body of the Thing I had shot the night before -was still there. It was gone. I supposed that others of the monsters had -removed it during the night.</p> - -<p>Then, I went down on to the roof, and crossed over to the gap from -which the coping stone had fallen. Reaching it, I looked over. Yes, -there was the stone, as I had seen it last; but there was no appearance -of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, -after its fall. Evidently, they also had been taken away. I turned, and -went down to my study. There, I sat down, wearily. I was thoroughly -tired. It was quite light now; though the sun's rays were not, as yet, -perceptibly hot. A clock chimed the hour of four.</p> - -<p>I awoke, with a start, and looked 'round, hurriedly. The clock in the -corner, indicated that it was three o'clock. It was already afternoon. I -must have slept for nearly eleven hours.</p> - -<p>With a jerky movement, I sat forward in the chair, and listened. The -house was perfectly silent. Slowly, I stood up, and yawned. I felt -desperately tired, still, and sat down again; wondering what it was that -had waked me.</p> - -<p>It must have been the clock striking, I concluded, presently; and was -commencing to doze off, when a sudden noise brought me back, once more, -to life. It was the sound of a step, as of a person moving cautiously -down the corridor, toward my study. In an instant, I was on my feet, and -grasping my rifle. Noiselessly, I waited. Had the creatures broken in, -whilst I slept? Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, -halted momentarily, and then continued down the passage. Silently, I -tiptoed to the doorway, and peeped out. Then, I experienced such a -feeling of relief, as must a reprieved criminal—it was my sister. She -was going toward the stairs.</p> - -<p>I stepped into the hall, and was about to call to her, when it occurred -to me, that it was very queer she should have crept past my door, in -that stealthy manner. I was puzzled, and, for one brief moment, the -thought occupied my mind, that it was not she, but some fresh mystery of -the house. Then, as I caught a glimpse of her old petticoat, the thought -passed as quickly as it had come, and I half laughed. There could be no -mistaking that ancient garment. Yet, I wondered what she was doing; and, -remembering her condition of mind, on the previous day, I felt that it -might be best to follow, quietly—taking care not to alarm her—and see -what she was going to do. If she behaved rationally, well and good; if -not, I should have to take steps to restrain her. I could run no -unnecessary risks, under the danger that threatened us.</p> - -<p>Quickly, I reached the head of the stairs, and paused a moment. Then, -I heard a sound that sent me leaping down, at a mad rate—it was the -rattle of bolts being unshot. That foolish sister of mine was actually -unbarring the back door.</p> - -<p>Just as her hand was on the last bolt, I reached her. She had not seen -me, and, the first thing she knew, I had hold of her arm. She glanced up -quickly, like a frightened animal, and screamed aloud.</p> - -<p>'Come, Mary!' I said, sternly, 'what's the meaning of this nonsense? Do -you mean to tell me you don't understand the danger, that you try to -throw our two lives away in this fashion!'</p> - -<p>To this, she replied nothing; only trembled, violently, gasping and -sobbing, as though in the last extremity of fear.</p> - -<p>Through some minutes, I reasoned with her; pointing out the need for -caution, and asking her to be brave. There was little to be afraid of -now, I explained—and, I tried to believe that I spoke the truth—but -she must be sensible, and not attempt to leave the house for a few days.</p> - -<p>At last, I ceased, in despair. It was no use talking to her; she was, -obviously, not quite herself for the time being. Finally, I told her she -had better go to her room, if she could not behave rationally.</p> - -<p>Still, she took not any notice. So, without more ado, I picked her up -in my arms, and carried her there. At first, she screamed, wildly; but -had relapsed into silent trembling, by the time I reached the stairs.</p> - -<p>Arriving at her room, I laid her upon the bed. She lay there quietly -enough, neither speaking nor sobbing—just shaking in a very ague of -fear. I took a rug from a chair near by, and spread it over her. I could -do nothing more for her, and so, crossed to where Pepper lay in a big -basket. My sister had taken charge of him since his wound, to nurse him, -for it had proved more severe than I had thought, and I was pleased to -note that, in spite of her state of mind, she had looked after the old -dog, carefully. Stooping, I spoke to him, and, in reply, he licked my -hand, feebly. He was too ill to do more.</p> - -<p>Then, going to the bed, I bent over my sister, and asked her how she -felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pained me, I had to -admit that my presence seemed to make her worse.</p> - -<p>And so, I left her—locking the door, and pocketing the key. It seemed -to be the only course to take.</p> - -<p>The rest of the day, I spent between the tower and my study. For food, -I brought up a loaf from the pantry, and on this, and some claret, I -lived for that day.</p> - -<p>What a long, weary day it was. If only I could have gone out into the -gardens, as is my wont, I should have been content enough; but to be -cooped in this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a -sick dog, was enough to prey upon the nerves of the hardiest. And out in -the tangled shrubberies that surrounded the house, lurked—for all I -could tell—those infernal Swine-creatures waiting their chance. Was -ever a man in such straits?</p> - -<p>Once, in the afternoon, and again, later, I went to visit my sister. -The second time, I found her tending Pepper; but, at my approach, she -slid over, unobtrusively, to the far corner, with a gesture that -saddened me beyond belief. Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I -would not intrude on her, unnecessarily. She would be better, I trusted, -in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; and I judged it still -needful—hard as it seemed—to keep her confined to her room. One thing -there was that I took for encouragement: she had eaten some of the food -I had taken to her, on my first visit.</p> - -<p>And so the day passed.</p> - -<p>As the evening drew on, the air grew chilly, and I began to make -preparations for passing a second night in the tower—taking up two -additional rifles, and a heavy ulster. The rifles I loaded, and laid -alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the -creatures who might show, during the night. I had plenty of ammunition, -and I thought to give the brutes such a lesson, as should show them the -uselessness of attempting to force an entrance.</p> - -<p>After that, I made the 'round of the house again; paying particular -attention to the props that supported the study door. Then, feeling that -I had done all that lay in my power to insure our safety, I returned to -the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the -way. Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagged his tail, in -recognition. I thought he seemed slightly better. My sister was lying on -the bed; though whether asleep or not, I was unable to tell; and thus I -left them.</p> - -<p>Reaching the tower, I made myself as comfortable as circumstances would -permit, and settled down to watch through the night. Gradually, darkness -fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged into shadows. -During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listening for any sound that -might help to tell me if anything were stirring down below. It was far -too dark for my eyes to be of much use.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the hours passed; without anything unusual happening. And the -moon rose, showing the gardens, apparently empty, and silent. And so, -through the night, without disturbance or sound.</p> - -<p>Toward morning, I began to grow stiff and cold, with my long vigil; -also, I was getting very uneasy, concerning the continued quietness on -the part of the creatures. I mistrusted it, and would sooner, far, have -had them attack the house, openly. Then, at least, I should have known -my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a -whole night, picturing all kinds of unknown devilment, was to jeopardize -one's sanity. Once or twice, the thought came to me, that, perhaps, they -had gone; but, in my heart, I found it impossible to believe that it -was so.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="IX"></a><h2>IX<br /><br /> -IN THE CELLARS</h2> - -<p>At last, what with being tired and cold, and the uneasiness that -possessed me, I resolved to take a walk through the house; first calling -in at the study, for a glass of brandy to warm me. This, I did, and, -while there, I examined the door, carefully; but found all as I had left -it the night before.</p> - -<p>The day was just breaking, as I left the tower; though it was still too -dark in the house to be able to see without a light, and I took one of -the study candles with me on my 'round. By the time I had finished the -ground floor, the daylight was creeping in, wanly, through the barred -windows. My search had shown me nothing fresh. Everything appeared to be -in order, and I was on the point of extinguishing my candle, when the -thought suggested itself to me to have another glance 'round the -cellars. I had not, if I remember rightly, been into them since my hasty -search on the evening of the attack.</p> - -<p>For, perhaps, the half of a minute, I hesitated. I would have been very -willing to forego the task—as, indeed, I am inclined to think any man -well might—for of all the great, awe-inspiring rooms in this house, the -cellars are the hugest and weirdest. Great, gloomy caverns of places, -unlit by any ray of daylight. Yet, I would not shirk the work. I felt -that to do so would smack of sheer cowardice. Besides, as I reassured -myself, the cellars were really the most unlikely places in which to -come across anything dangerous; considering that they can be entered, -only through a heavy oaken door, the key of which, I carry always on -my person.</p> - -<p>It is in the smallest of these places that I keep my wine; a gloomy -hole close to the foot of the cellar stairs; and beyond which, I have -seldom proceeded. Indeed, save for the rummage 'round, already -mentioned, I doubt whether I had ever, before, been right through -the cellars.</p> - -<p>As I unlocked the great door, at the top of the steps, I paused, -nervously, a moment, at the strange, desolate smell that assailed my -nostrils. Then, throwing the barrel of my weapon forward, I descended, -slowly, into the darkness of the underground regions.</p> - -<p>Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I stood for a minute, and listened. -All was silent, save for a faint drip, drip of water, falling, -drop-by-drop, somewhere to my left. As I stood, I noticed how quietly -the candle burnt; never a flicker nor flare, so utterly windless was -the place.</p> - -<p>Quietly, I moved from cellar to cellar. I had but a very dim memory of -their arrangement. The impressions left by my first search were blurred. -I had recollections of a succession of great cellars, and of one, -greater than the rest, the roof of which was upheld by pillars; beyond -that my mind was hazy, and predominated by a sense of cold and darkness -and shadows. Now, however, it was different; for, although nervous, I -was sufficiently collected to be able to look about me, and note the -structure and size of the different vaults I entered.</p> - -<p>Of course, with the amount of light given by my candle, it was not -possible to examine each place, minutely, but I was enabled to notice, -as I went along, that the walls appeared to be built with wonderful -precision and finish; while here and there, an occasional, massive -pillar shot up to support the vaulted roof.</p> - -<p>Thus, I came, at last, to the great cellar that I remembered. It is -reached, through a huge, arched entrance, on which I observed strange, -fantastic carvings, which threw queer shadows under the light of my -candle. As I stood, and examined these, thoughtfully, it occurred to me -how strange it was, that I should be so little acquainted with my own -house. Yet, this may be easily understood, when one realizes the size of -this ancient pile, and the fact that only my old sister and I live in -it, occupying a few of the rooms, such as our wants decide.</p> - -<p>Holding the light high, I passed on into the cellar, and, keeping to -the right, paced slowly up, until I reached the further end. I walked -quietly, and looked cautiously about, as I went. But, so far as the -light showed, I saw nothing unusual.</p> - -<p>At the top, I turned to the left, still keeping to the wall, and so -continued, until I had traversed the whole of the vast chamber. As I -moved along, I noticed that the floor was composed of solid rock, in -places covered with a damp mould, in others bare, or almost so, save for -a thin coating of light-grey dust.</p> - -<p>I had halted at the doorway. Now, however, I turned, and made my way up -the center of the place; passing among the pillars, and glancing to -right and left, as I moved. About halfway up the cellar, I stubbed my -foot against something that gave out a metallic sound. Stooping quickly, -I held the candle, and saw that the object I had kicked, was a large, -metal ring. Bending lower, I cleared the dust from around it, and, -presently, discovered that it was attached to a ponderous trap door, -black with age.</p> - -<p>Feeling excited, and wondering to where it could lead, I laid my gun on -the floor, and, sticking the candle in the trigger guard, took the ring -in both hands, and pulled. The trap creaked loudly—the sound echoing, -vaguely, through the huge place—and opened, heavily.</p> - -<p>Propping the edge on my knee, I reached for the candle, and held it in -the opening, moving it to right and left; but could see nothing. I was -puzzled and surprised. There were no signs of steps, nor even the -appearance of there ever having been any. Nothing; save an empty -blackness. I might have been looking down into a bottomless, sideless -well. Then, even as I stared, full of perplexity, I seemed to hear, far -down, as though from untold depths, a faint whisper of sound. I bent my -head, quickly, more into the opening, and listened, intently. It may -have been fancy; but I could have sworn to hearing a soft titter, that -grew into a hideous, chuckling, faint and distant. Startled, I leapt -backward, letting the trap fall, with a hollow clang, that filled the -place with echoes. Even then, I seemed to hear that mocking, suggestive -laughter; but this, I knew, must be my imagination. The sound, I had -heard, was far too slight to penetrate through the cumbrous trap.</p> - -<p>For a full minute, I stood there, quivering—glancing, nervously, -behind and before; but the great cellar was silent as a grave, and, -gradually, I shook off the frightened sensation. With a calmer mind, I -became again curious to know into what that trap opened; but could not, -then, summon sufficient courage to make a further investigation. One -thing I felt, however, was that the trap ought to be secured. This, I -accomplished by placing upon it several large pieces of 'dressed' -stone, which I had noticed in my tour along the East wall.</p> - -<p>Then, after a final scrutiny of the rest of the place, I retraced my -way through the cellars, to the stairs, and so reached the daylight, -with an infinite feeling of relief, that the uncomfortable task was -accomplished.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="X"></a><h2>X<br /><br /> -THE TIME OF WAITING</h2> - -<p>The sun was now warm, and shining brightly, forming a wondrous contrast -to the dark and dismal cellars; and it was with comparatively light -feelings, that I made my way up to the tower, to survey the gardens. -There, I found everything quiet, and, after a few minutes, went down to -Mary's room.</p> - -<p>Here, having knocked, and received a reply, I unlocked the door. My -sister was sitting, quietly, on the bed; as though waiting. She seemed -quite herself again, and made no attempt to move away, as I approached; -yet, I observed that she scanned my face, anxiously, as though in doubt, -and but half assured in her mind that there was nothing to fear from me.</p> - -<p>To my questions, as to how she felt, she replied, sanely enough, that -she was hungry, and would like to go down to prepare breakfast, if I did -not mind. For a minute, I meditated whether it would be safe to let her -out. Finally, I told her she might go, on condition that she promised -not to attempt to leave the house, or meddle with any of the outer -doors. At my mention of the doors, a sudden look of fright crossed her -face; but she said nothing, save to give the required promise, and then -left the room, silently.</p> - -<p>Crossing the floor, I approached Pepper. He had waked as I entered; -but, beyond a slight yelp of pleasure, and a soft rapping with his tail, -had kept quiet. Now, as I patted him, he made an attempt to stand up, -and succeeded, only to fall back on his side, with a little yowl -of pain.</p> - -<p>I spoke to him, and bade him lie still. I was greatly delighted with -his improvement, and also with the natural kindness of my sister's -heart, in taking such good care of him, in spite of her condition of -mind. After a while, I left him, and went downstairs, to my study.</p> - -<p>In a little time, Mary appeared, carrying a tray on which smoked a hot -breakfast. As she entered the room, I saw her gaze fasten on the props -that supported the study door; her lips tightened, and I thought she -paled, slightly; but that was all. Putting the tray down at my elbow, -she was leaving the room, quietly, when I called her back. She came, it -seemed, a little timidly, as though startled; and I noted that her hand -clutched at her apron, nervously.</p> - -<p>'Come, Mary,' I said. 'Cheer up! Things look brighter. I've seen none -of the creatures since yesterday morning, early.'</p> - -<p>She looked at me, in a curiously puzzled manner; as though not -comprehending. Then, intelligence swept into her eyes, and fear; but she -said nothing, beyond an unintelligible murmur of acquiescence. After -that, I kept silence; it was evident that any reference to the -Swine-things, was more than her shaken nerves could bear.</p> - -<p>Breakfast over, I went up to the tower. Here, during the greater part -of the day, I maintained a strict watch over the gardens. Once or twice, -I went down to the basement, to see how my sister was getting along. -Each time, I found her quiet, and curiously submissive. Indeed, on the -last occasion, she even ventured to address me, on her own account, with -regard to some household matter that needed attention. Though this was -done with an almost extraordinary timidity, I hailed it with happiness, -as being the first word, voluntarily spoken, since the critical moment, -when I had caught her unbarring the back door, to go out among those -waiting brutes. I wondered whether she was aware of her attempt, and how -near a thing it had been; but refrained from questioning her, thinking -it best to let well alone.</p> - -<p>That night, I slept in a bed; the first time for two nights. In the -morning, I rose early, and took a walk through the house. All was as it -should be, and I went up to the tower, to have a look at the gardens. -Here, again, I found perfect quietness.</p> - -<p>At breakfast, when I met Mary, I was greatly pleased to see that she -had sufficiently regained command over herself, to be able to greet me -in a perfectly natural manner. She talked sensibly and quietly; only -keeping carefully from any mention of the past couple of days. In this, -I humored her, to the extent of not attempting to lead the conversation -in that direction.</p> - -<p>Earlier in the morning, I had been to see Pepper. He was mending, -rapidly; and bade fair to be on his legs, in earnest, in another day or -two. Before leaving the breakfast table, I made some reference to his -improvement. In the short discussion that followed, I was surprised to -gather, from my sister's remarks, that she was still under the -impression that his wound had been given by the wildcat, of my -invention. It made me feel almost ashamed of myself for deceiving her. -Yet, the lie had been told to prevent her from being frightened. And -then, I had been sure that she must have known the truth, later, when -those brutes had attacked the house.</p> - -<p>During the day, I kept on the alert; spending much of my time, as on -the previous day, in the tower; but not a sign could I see of the -Swine-creatures, nor hear any sound. Several times, the thought had come -to me, that the Things had, at last, left us; but, up to this time, I -had refused to entertain the idea, seriously; now, however, I began to -feel that there was reason for hope. It would soon be three days since I -had seen any of the Things; but still, I intended to use the utmost -caution. For all that I could tell, this protracted silence might be a -ruse to tempt me from the house—perhaps right into their arms. The -thought of such a contingency, was, alone, sufficient to make me -circumspect.</p> - -<p>So it was, that the fourth, fifth and sixth days went by, quietly, -without my making any attempt to leave the house.</p> - -<p>On the sixth day, I had the pleasure of seeing Pepper, once more, upon -his feet; and, though still very weak, he managed to keep me company -during the whole of that day.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XI"></a><h2>XI<br /><br /> -THE SEARCHING OF THE GARDENS</h2> - -<p>How slowly the time went; and never a thing to indicate that any of the -brutes still infested the gardens.</p> - -<p>It was on the ninth day that, finally, I decided to run the risk, if -any there were, and sally out. With this purpose in view, I loaded one -of the shotguns, carefully—choosing it, as being more deadly than a -rifle, at close quarters; and then, after a final scrutiny of the -grounds, from the tower, I called Pepper to follow me, and made my way -down to the basement.</p> - -<p>At the door, I must confess to hesitating a moment. The thought of what -might be awaiting me among the dark shrubberies, was by no means -calculated to encourage my resolution. It was but a second, though, and -then I had drawn the bolts, and was standing on the path outside -the door.</p> - -<p>Pepper followed, stopping at the doorstep to sniff, suspiciously; and -carrying his nose up and down the jambs, as though following a scent. -Then, suddenly, he turned, sharply, and started to run here and there, -in semicircles and circles, all around the door; finally returning to -the threshold. Here, he began again to nose about.</p> - -<p>Hitherto, I had stood, watching the dog; yet, all the time, with half -my gaze on the wild tangle of gardens, stretching 'round me. Now, I went -toward him, and, bending down, examined the surface of the door, where -he was smelling. I found that the wood was covered with a network of -scratches, crossing and recrossing one another, in inextricable -confusion. In addition to this, I noticed that the doorposts, -themselves, were gnawed in places. Beyond these, I could find nothing; -and so, standing up, I began to make the tour of the house wall.</p> - -<p>Pepper, as soon as I walked away, left the door, and ran ahead, still -nosing and sniffing as he went along. At times, he stopped to -investigate. Here, it would be a bullet-hole in the pathway, or, -perhaps, a powder stained wad. Anon, it might be a piece of torn sod, or -a disturbed patch of weedy path; but, save for such trifles, he found -nothing. I observed him, critically, as he went along, and could -discover nothing of uneasiness, in his demeanor, to indicate that he -felt the nearness of any of the creatures. By this, I was assured that -the gardens were empty, at least for the present, of those hateful -Things. Pepper could not be easily deceived, and it was a relief to feel -that he would know, and give me timely warning, if there were -any danger.</p> - -<p>Reaching the place where I had shot that first creature, I stopped, and -made a careful scrutiny; but could see nothing. From there, I went on to -where the great copingstone had fallen. It lay on its side, apparently -just as it had been left when I shot the brute that was moving it. A -couple of feet to the right of the nearer end, was a great dent in the -ground; showing where it had struck. The other end was still within the -indentation—half in, and half out. Going nearer, I looked at the stone, -more closely. What a huge piece of masonry it was! And that creature had -moved it, single-handed, in its attempt to reach what lay below.</p> - -<p>I went 'round to the further end of the stone. Here, I found that it -was possible to see under it, for a distance of nearly a couple of feet. -Still, I could see nothing of the stricken creatures, and I felt much -surprised. I had, as I have before said, guessed that the remains had -been removed; yet, I could not conceive that it had been done so -thoroughly as not to leave some certain sign, beneath the stone, -indicative of their fate. I had seen several of the brutes struck down -beneath it, with such force that they must have been literally driven -into the earth; and now, not a vestige of them was to be seen—not even -a bloodstain.</p> - -<p>I felt more puzzled, than ever, as I turned the matter over in my mind; -but could think of no plausible explanation; and so, finally, gave it -up, as one of the many things that were unexplainable.</p> - -<p>From there, I transferred my attention to the study door. I could see, -now, even more plainly, the effects of the tremendous strain, to which -it had been subjected; and I marveled how, even with the support -afforded by the props, it had withstood the attacks, so well. There were -no marks of blows—indeed, none had been given—but the door had been -literally riven from its hinges, by the application of enormous, silent -force. One thing that I observed affected me profoundly—the head of one -of the props had been driven right through a panel. This was, of itself, -sufficient to show how huge an effort the creatures had made to break -down the door, and how nearly they had succeeded.</p> - -<p>Leaving, I continued my tour 'round the house, finding little else of -interest; save at the back, where I came across the piece of piping I -had torn from the wall, lying among the long grass underneath the -broken window.</p> - -<p>Then, I returned to the house, and, having re-bolted the back door, -went up to the tower. Here, I spent the afternoon, reading, and -occasionally glancing down into the gardens. I had determined, if the -night passed quietly, to go as far as the Pit, on the morrow. Perhaps, I -should be able to learn, then, something of what had happened. The day -slipped away, and the night came, and went much as the last few -nights had gone.</p> - -<p>When I rose the morning had broken, fine and clear; and I determined to -put my project into action. During breakfast, I considered the matter, -carefully; after which, I went to the study for my shotgun. In addition, -I loaded, and slipped into my pocket, a small, but heavy, pistol. I -quite understood that, if there were any danger, it lay in the direction -of the Pit and I intended to be prepared.</p> - -<p>Leaving the study, I went down to the back door, followed by Pepper. -Once outside, I took a quick survey of the surrounding gardens, and then -set off toward the Pit. On the way, I kept a sharp outlook, holding my -gun, handily. Pepper was running ahead, I noticed, without any apparent -hesitation. From this, I augured that there was no imminent danger to be -apprehended, and I stepped out more quickly in his wake. He had reached -the top of the Pit, now, and was nosing his way along the edge.</p> - -<p>A minute later, I was beside him, looking down into the Pit. For a -moment, I could scarcely believe that it was the same place, so greatly -was it changed. The dark, wooded ravine of a fortnight ago, with a -foliage-hidden stream, running sluggishly, at the bottom, existed no -longer. Instead, my eyes showed me a ragged chasm, partly filled with a -gloomy lake of turbid water. All one side of the ravine was stripped of -underwood, showing the bare rock.</p> - -<p>A little to my left, the side of the Pit appeared to have collapsed -altogether, forming a deep V-shaped cleft in the face of the rocky -cliff. This rift ran, from the upper edge of the ravine, nearly down to -the water, and penetrated into the Pit side, to a distance of some forty -feet. Its opening was, at least, six yards across; and, from this, it -seemed to taper into about two. But, what attracted my attention, more -than even the stupendous split itself, was a great hole, some distance -down the cleft, and right in the angle of the V. It was clearly defined, -and not unlike an arched doorway in shape; though, lying as it did in -the shadow, I could not see it very distinctly.</p> - -<p>The opposite side of the Pit, still retained its verdure; but so torn -in places, and everywhere covered with dust and rubbish, that it was -hardly distinguishable as such.</p> - -<p>My first impression, that there had been a land slip, was, I began to -see, not sufficient, of itself, to account for all the changes I -witnessed. And the water—? I turned, suddenly; for I had become aware -that, somewhere to my right, there was a noise of running water. I could -see nothing; but, now that my attention had been caught, I -distinguished, easily, that it came from somewhere at the East end -of the Pit.</p> - -<p>Slowly, I made my way in that direction; the sound growing plainer as I -advanced, until in a little, I stood right above it. Even then, I could -not perceive the cause, until I knelt down, and thrust my head over the -cliff. Here, the noise came up to me, plainly; and I saw, below me, a -torrent of clear water, issuing from a small fissure in the Pit side, -and rushing down the rocks, into the lake beneath. A little further -along the cliff, I saw another, and, beyond that again, two smaller -ones. These, then, would help to account for the quantity of water in -the Pit; and, if the fall of rock and earth had blocked the outlet of -the stream at the bottom, there was little doubt but that it was -contributing a very large share.</p> - -<p>Yet, I puzzled my head to account for the generally <em>shaken</em> appearance -of the place—these streamlets, and that huge cleft, further up the -ravine! It seemed to me, that more than the landslip was necessary to -account for these. I could imagine an earthquake, or a great -<em>explosion</em>, creating some such condition of affairs as existed; but, of -these, there had been neither. Then, I stood up, quickly, remembering -that crash, and the cloud of dust that had followed, directly, rushing -high into the air. But I shook my head, unbelievingly. No! It must have -been the noise of the falling rocks and earth, I had heard; of course, -the dust would fly, naturally. Still, in spite of my reasoning, I had an -uneasy feeling, that this theory did not satisfy my sense of the -probable; and yet, was any other, that I could suggest, likely to be -half so plausible? Pepper had been sitting on the grass, while I -conducted my examination. Now, as I turned up the North side of the -ravine, he rose and followed.</p> - -<p>Slowly, and keeping a careful watch in all directions, I made the -circuit of the Pit; but found little else, that I had not already seen. -From the West end, I could see the four waterfalls, uninterruptedly. -They were some considerable distance up from the surface of the -lake—about fifty feet, I calculated.</p> - -<p>For a little while longer, I loitered about; keeping my eyes and ears -open, but still, without seeing or hearing anything suspicious. The -whole place was wonderfully quiet; indeed, save for the continuous -murmur of the water, at the top end, no sound, of any description, broke -the silence.</p> - -<p>All this while, Pepper had shown no signs of uneasiness. This seemed, -to me, to indicate that, for the time being, at least, there was none of -the Swine-creatures in the vicinity. So far as I could see, his -attention appeared to have been taken, chiefly, with scratching and -sniffing among the grass at the edge of the Pit. At times, he would -leave the edge, and run along toward the house, as though following -invisible tracks; but, in all cases, returning after a few minutes. I -had little doubt but that he was really tracing out the footsteps of the -Swine-things; and the very fact that each one seemed to lead him back to -the Pit, appeared to me, a proof that the brutes had all returned whence -they came.</p> - -<p>At noon, I went home, for dinner. During the afternoon, I made a -partial search of the gardens, accompanied by Pepper; but, without -coming upon anything to indicate the presence of the creatures.</p> - -<p>Once, as we made our way through the shrubberies, Pepper rushed in -among some bushes, with a fierce yelp. At that, I jumped back, in sudden -fright, and threw my gun forward, in readiness; only to laugh, -nervously, as Pepper reappeared, chasing an unfortunate cat. Toward -evening, I gave up the search, and returned to the house. All at once, -as we were passing a great clump of bushes, on our right, Pepper -disappeared, and I could hear him sniffing and growling among them, in a -suspicious manner. With my gun barrel, I parted the intervening -shrubbery, and looked inside. There was nothing to be seen, save that -many of the branches were bent down, and broken; as though some animal -had made a lair there, at no very previous date. It was probably, I -thought, one of the places occupied by some of the Swine-creatures, on -the night of the attack.</p> - -<p>Next day, I resumed my search through the gardens; but without result. -By evening, I had been right through them, and now, I knew, beyond the -possibility of doubt, that there were no longer any of the Things -concealed about the place. Indeed, I have often thought since, that I -was correct in my earlier surmise, that they had left soon after -the attack.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XII"></a><h2>XII<br /><br /> -THE SUBTERRANEAN PIT</h2> - -<p>Another week came and went, during which I spent a great deal of my time -about the Pit mouth. I had come to the conclusion a few days earlier, -that the arched hole, in the angle of the great rift, was the place -through which the Swine-things had made their exit, from some unholy -place in the bowels of the world. How near the probable truth this went, -I was to learn later.</p> - -<p>It may be easily understood, that I was tremendously curious, though in -a frightened way, to know to what infernal place that hole led; though, -so far, the idea had not struck me, seriously, of making an -investigation. I was far too much imbued with a sense of horror of the -Swine-creatures, to think of venturing, willingly, where there was any -chance of coming into contact with them.</p> - -<p>Gradually, however, as time passed, this feeling grew insensibly less; -so that when, a few days later, the thought occurred to me that it might -be possible to clamber down and have a look into the hole, I was not so -exceedingly averse to it, as might have been imagined. Still, I do not -think, even then, that I really intended to try any such foolhardy -adventure. For all that I could tell, it might be certain death, to -enter that doleful looking opening. And yet, such is the pertinacity of -human curiosity, that, at last, my chief desire was but to discover what -lay beyond that gloomy entrance.</p> - -<p>Slowly, as the days slid by, my fear of the Swine-things became an -emotion of the past—more an unpleasant, incredible memory, than -aught else.</p> - -<p>Thus, a day came, when, throwing thoughts and fancies adrift, I -procured a rope from the house, and, having made it fast to a stout -tree, at the top of the rift, and some little distance back from the Pit -edge, let the other end down into the cleft, until it dangled right -across the mouth of the dark hole.</p> - -<p>Then, cautiously, and with many misgivings as to whether it was not a -mad act that I was attempting, I climbed slowly down, using the rope as -a support, until I reached the hole. Here, still holding on to the rope, -I stood, and peered in. All was perfectly dark, and not a sound came to -me. Yet, a moment later, it seemed that I could hear something. I held -my breath, and listened; but all was silent as the grave, and I breathed -freely once more. At the same instant, I heard the sound again. It was -like a noise of labored breathing—deep and sharp-drawn. For a short -second, I stood, petrified; not able to move. But now the sounds had -ceased again, and I could hear nothing.</p> - -<p>As I stood there, anxiously, my foot dislodged a pebble, which fell -inward, into the dark, with a hollow chink. At once, the noise was taken -up and repeated a score of times; each succeeding echo being fainter, -and seeming to travel away from me, as though into remote distance. -Then, as the silence fell again, I heard that stealthy breathing. For -each respiration I made, I could hear an answering breath. The sounds -appeared to be coming nearer; and then, I heard several others; but -fainter and more distant. Why I did not grip the rope, and spring up out -of danger, I cannot say. It was as though I had been paralyzed. I broke -out into a profuse sweat, and tried to moisten my lips with my tongue. -My throat had gone suddenly dry, and I coughed, huskily. It came back to -me, in a dozen, horrible, throaty tones, mockingly. I peered, -helplessly, into the gloom; but still nothing showed. I had a strange, -choky sensation, and again I coughed, dryly. Again the echo took it up, -rising and falling, grotesquely, and dying slowly into a -muffled silence.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, a thought came to me, and I held my breath. The other -breathing stopped. I breathed again, and, once more, it re-commenced. -But now, I no longer feared. I knew that the strange sounds were not -made by any lurking Swine-creature; but were simply the echo of my own -respirations.</p> - -<p>Yet, I had received such a fright, that I was glad to scramble up the -rift, and haul up the rope. I was far too shaken and nervous to think of -entering that dark hole then, and so returned to the house. I felt more -myself next morning; but even then, I could not summon up sufficient -courage to explore the place.</p> - -<p>All this time, the water in the Pit had been creeping slowly up, and -now stood but a little below the opening. At the rate at which it was -rising, it would be level with the floor in less than another week; and -I realized that, unless I carried out my investigations soon, I should -probably never do so at all; as the water would rise and rise, until the -opening, itself, was submerged.</p> - -<p>It may have been that this thought stirred me to act; but, whatever it -was, a couple of days later, saw me standing at the top of the cleft, -fully equipped for the task.</p> - -<p>This time, I was resolved to conquer my shirking, and go right through -with the matter. With this intention, I had brought, in addition to the -rope, a bundle of candles, meaning to use them as a torch; also my -double-barreled shotgun. In my belt, I had a heavy horse-pistol, loaded -with buckshot.</p> - -<p>As before, I fastened the rope to the tree. Then, having tied my gun -across my shoulders, with a piece of stout cord, I lowered myself over -the edge of the Pit. At this movement, Pepper, who had been eyeing my -actions, watchfully, rose to his feet, and ran to me, with a half bark, -half wail, it seemed to me, of warning. But I was resolved on my -enterprise, and bade him lie down. I would much have liked to take him -with me; but this was next to impossible, in the existing circumstances. -As my face dropped level with the Pit edge, he licked me, right across -the mouth; and then, seizing my sleeve between his teeth, began to pull -back, strongly. It was very evident that he did not want me to go. Yet, -having made up my mind, I had no intention of giving up the attempt; -and, with a sharp word to Pepper, to release me, I continued my descent, -leaving the poor old fellow at the top, barking and crying like a -forsaken pup.</p> - -<p>Carefully, I lowered myself from projection to projection. I knew that -a slip might mean a wetting.</p> - -<p>Reaching the entrance, I let go the rope, and untied the gun from my -shoulders. Then, with a last look at the sky—which I noticed was -clouding over, rapidly—I went forward a couple of paces, so as to be -shielded from the wind, and lit one of the candles. Holding it above my -head, and grasping my gun, firmly, I began to move on, slowly, throwing -my glances in all directions.</p> - -<p>For the first minute, I could hear the melancholy sound of Pepper's -howling, coming down to me. Gradually, as I penetrated further into the -darkness, it grew fainter; until, in a little while, I could hear -nothing. The path tended downward somewhat, and to the left. Thence it -kept on, still running to the left, until I found that it was leading me -right in the direction of the house.</p> - -<p>Very cautiously, I moved onward, stopping, every few steps, to listen. -I had gone, perhaps, a hundred yards, when, suddenly, it seemed to me -that I caught a faint sound, somewhere along the passage behind. With my -heart thudding heavily, I listened. The noise grew plainer, and appeared -to be approaching, rapidly. I could hear it distinctly, now. It was the -soft padding of running feet. In the first moments of fright, I stood, -irresolute; not knowing whether to go forward or backward. Then, with a -sudden realization of the best thing to do, I backed up to the rocky -wall on my right, and, holding the candle above my head, waited—gun in -hand—cursing my foolhardy curiosity, for bringing me into such -a strait.</p> - -<p>I had not long to wait, but a few seconds, before two eyes reflected -back from the gloom, the rays of my candle. I raised my gun, using my -right hand only, and aimed quickly. Even as I did so, something leapt -out of the darkness, with a blustering bark of joy that woke the echoes, -like thunder. It was Pepper. How he had contrived to scramble down the -cleft, I could not conceive. As I brushed my hand, nervously, over his -coat, I noticed that he was dripping; and concluded that he must have -tried to follow me, and fallen into the water; from which he would not -find it very difficult to climb.</p> - -<p>Having waited a minute, or so, to steady myself, I proceeded along the -way, Pepper following, quietly. I was curiously glad to have the old -fellow with me. He was company, and, somehow, with him at my heels, I -was less afraid. Also, I knew how quickly his keen ears would detect the -presence of any unwelcome creature, should there be such, amid the -darkness that wrapped us.</p> - -<p>For some minutes we went slowly along; the path still leading straight -toward the house. Soon, I concluded, we should be standing right beneath -it, did the path but carry far enough. I led the way, cautiously, for -another fifty yards, or so. Then, I stopped, and held the light high; -and reason enough I had to be thankful that I did so; for there, not -three paces forward, the path vanished, and, in place, showed a hollow -blackness, that sent sudden fear through me.</p> - -<p>Very cautiously, I crept forward, and peered down; but could see -nothing. Then, I crossed to the left of the passage, to see whether -there might be any continuation of the path. Here, right against the -wall, I found that a narrow track, some three feet wide, led onward. -Carefully, I stepped on to it; but had not gone far, before I regretted -venturing thereon. For, after a few paces, the already narrow way, -resolved itself into a mere ledge, with, on the one side the solid, -unyielding rock, towering up, in a great wall, to the unseen roof, and, -on the other, that yawning chasm. I could not help reflecting how -helpless I was, should I be attacked there, with no room to turn, and -where even the recoil of my weapon might be sufficient to drive me -headlong into the depths below.</p> - -<p>To my great relief, a little further on, the track suddenly broadened -out again to its original breadth. Gradually, as I went onward, I -noticed that the path trended steadily to the right, and so, after some -minutes, I discovered that I was not going forward; but simply circling -the huge abyss. I had, evidently, come to the end of the great passage.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later, I stood on the spot from which I had started; -having been completely 'round, what I guessed now to be a vast pit, the -mouth of which must be at least a hundred yards across.</p> - -<p>For some little time, I stood there, lost in perplexing thought. 'What -does it all mean?' was the cry that had begun to reiterate through -my brain.</p> - -<p>A sudden idea struck me, and I searched 'round for a piece of stone. -Presently, I found a bit of rock, about the size of a small loaf. -Sticking the candle upright in a crevice of the floor, I went back from -the edge, somewhat, and, taking a short run, launched the stone forward -into the chasm—my idea being to throw it far enough to keep it clear of -the sides. Then, I stooped forward, and listened; but, though I kept -perfectly quiet, for at least a full minute, no sound came back to me -from out of the dark.</p> - -<p>I knew, then, that the depth of the hole must be immense; for the -stone, had it struck anything, was large enough to have set the echoes -of that weird place, whispering for an indefinite period. Even as it -was, the cavern had given back the sounds of my footfalls, -multitudinously. The place was awesome, and I would willingly have -retraced my steps, and left the mysteries of its solitudes unsolved; -only, to do so, meant admitting defeat.</p> - -<p>Then, a thought came, to try to get a view of the abyss. It occurred to -me that, if I placed my candles 'round the edge of the hole, I should be -able to get, at least, some dim sight of the place.</p> - -<p>I found, on counting, that I had brought fifteen candles, in the -bundle—my first intention having been, as I have already said, to make -a torch of the lot. These, I proceeded to place 'round the Pit mouth, -with an interval of about twenty yards between each.</p> - -<p>Having completed the circle, I stood in the passage, and endeavored to -get an idea of how the place looked. But I discovered, immediately, that -they were totally insufficient for my purpose. They did little more than -make the gloom visible. One thing they did, however, and that was, they -confirmed my opinion of the size of the opening; and, although they -showed me nothing that I wanted to see; yet the contrast they afforded -to the heavy darkness, pleased me, curiously. It was as though fifteen -tiny stars shone through the subterranean night.</p> - -<p>Then, even as I stood, Pepper gave a sudden howl, that was taken up by -the echoes, and repeated with ghastly variations, dying away, slowly. -With a quick movement, I held aloft the one candle that I had kept, and -glanced down at the dog; at the same moment, I seemed to hear a noise, -like a diabolical chuckle, rise up from the hitherto, silent depths of -the Pit. I started; then, I recollected that it was, probably, the echo -of Pepper's howl.</p> - -<p>Pepper had moved away from me, up the passage, a few steps; he was -nosing along the rocky floor; and I thought I heard him lapping. I went -toward him, holding the candle low. As I moved, I heard my boot go sop, -sop; and the light was reflected from something that glistened, and -crept past my feet, swiftly toward the Pit. I bent lower, and looked; -then gave vent to an expression of surprise. From somewhere, higher up -the path, a stream of water was running quickly in the direction of the -great opening, and growing in size every second.</p> - -<p>Again, Pepper gave vent to that deep-drawn howl, and, running at me, -seized my coat, and attempted to drag me up the path toward the -entrance. With a nervous gesture, I shook him off, and crossed quickly -over to the left-hand wall. If anything were coming, I was going to have -the wall at my back.</p> - -<p>Then, as I stared anxiously up the pathway, my candle caught a gleam, -far up the passage. At the same moment, I became conscious of a -murmurous roar, that grew louder, and filled the whole cavern with -deafening sound. From the Pit, came a deep, hollow echo, like the sob of -a giant. Then, I had sprung to one side, on to the narrow ledge that ran -'round the abyss, and, turning, saw a great wall of foam sweep past me, -and leap tumultuously into the waiting chasm. A cloud of spray burst -over me, extinguishing my candle, and wetting me to the skin. I still -held my gun. The three nearest candles went out; but the further ones -gave only a short flicker. After the first rush, the flow of water eased -down to a steady stream, maybe a foot in depth; though I could not see -this, until I had procured one of the lighted candles, and, with it, -started to reconnoiter. Pepper had, fortunately, followed me as I leapt -for the ledge, and now, very much subdued, kept close behind.</p> - -<p>A short examination showed me that the water reached right across the -passage, and was running at a tremendous rate. Already, even as I stood -there, it had deepened. I could make only a guess at what had happened. -Evidently, the water in the ravine had broken into the passage, by some -means. If that were the case, it would go on increasing in volume, until -I should find it impossible to leave the place. The thought was -frightening. It was evident that I must make my exit as hurriedly -as possible.</p> - -<p>Taking my gun by the stock, I sounded the water. It was a little under -knee-deep. The noise it made, plunging down into the Pit, was deafening. -Then, with a call to Pepper, I stepped out into the flood, using the gun -as a staff. Instantly, the water boiled up over my knees, and nearly to -the tops of my thighs, with the speed at which it was racing. For one -short moment, I nearly lost my footing; but the thought of what lay -behind, stimulated me to a fierce endeavor, and, step-by-step, I -made headway.</p> - -<p>Of Pepper, I knew nothing at first. I had all I could do to keep on my -legs; and was overjoyed, when he appeared beside me. He was wading -manfully along. He is a big dog, with longish thin legs, and I suppose -the water had less grasp on them, than upon mine. Anyway, he managed a -great deal better than I did; going ahead of me, like a guide, and -wittingly—or otherwise—helping, somewhat, to break the force of the -water. On we went, step by step, struggling and gasping, until somewhere -about a hundred yards had been safely traversed. Then, whether it was -because I was taking less care, or that there was a slippery place on -the rocky floor, I cannot say; but, suddenly, I slipped, and fell on my -face. Instantly, the water leapt over me in a cataract, hurling me down, -toward that bottomless hole, at a frightful speed. Frantically I -struggled; but it was impossible to get a footing. I was helpless, -gasping and drowning. All at once, something gripped my coat, and -brought me to a standstill. It was Pepper. Missing me, he must have -raced back, through the dark turmoil, to find me, and then caught, and -held me, until I was able to get to my feet.</p> - -<p>I have a dim recollection of having seen, momentarily, the gleams of -several lights; but, of this, I have never been quite sure. If my -impressions are correct, I must have been washed down to the very brink -of that awful chasm, before Pepper managed to bring me to a standstill. -And the lights, of course, could only have been the distant flames of -the candles, I had left burning. But, as I have said, I am not by any -means sure. My eyes were full of water, and I had been badly shaken.</p> - -<p>And there was I, without my helpful gun, without light, and sadly -confused, with the water deepening; depending solely upon my old friend -Pepper, to help me out of that hellish place.</p> - -<p>I was facing the torrent. Naturally, it was the only way in which I -could have sustained my position a moment; for even old Pepper could not -have held me long against that terrific strain, without assistance, -however blind, from me.</p> - -<p>Perhaps a minute passed, during which it was touch and go with me; -then, gradually I re-commenced my tortuous way up the passage. And so -began the grimmest fight with death, from which ever I hope to emerge -victorious. Slowly, furiously, almost hopelessly, I strove; and that -faithful Pepper led me, dragged me, upward and onward, until, at last, -ahead I saw a gleam of blessed light. It was the entrance. Only a few -yards further, and I reached the opening, with the water surging and -boiling hungrily around my loins.</p> - -<p>And now I understood the cause of the catastrophe. It was raining -heavily, literally in torrents. The surface of the lake was level with -the bottom of the opening—nay! more than level, it was above it. -Evidently, the rain had swollen the lake, and caused this premature -rise; for, at the rate the ravine had been filling, it would not have -reached the entrance for a couple more days.</p> - -<p>Luckily, the rope by which I had descended, was streaming into the -opening, upon the inrushing waters. Seizing the end, I knotted it -securely 'round Pepper's body, then, summoning up the last remnant of my -strength, I commenced to swarm up the side of the cliff. I reached the -Pit edge, in the last stage of exhaustion. Yet, I had to make one more -effort, and haul Pepper into safety.</p> - -<p>Slowly and wearily, I hauled on the rope. Once or twice, it seemed that -I should have to give up; for Pepper is a weighty dog, and I was utterly -done. Yet, to let go, would have meant certain death to the old fellow, -and the thought spurred me to greater exertions. I have but a very hazy -remembrance of the end. I recall pulling, through moments that lagged -strangely. I have also some recollection of seeing Pepper's muzzle, -appearing over the Pit edge, after what seemed an indefinite period of -time. Then, all grew suddenly dark.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XIII"></a><h2>XIII<br /><br /> -THE TRAP IN THE GREAT CELLAR</h2> - -<p>I suppose I must have swooned; for, the next thing I remember, I opened -my eyes, and all was dusk. I was lying on my back, with one leg doubled -under the other, and Pepper was licking my ears. I felt horribly stiff, -and my leg was numb, from the knee, downward. For a few minutes, I lay -thus, in a dazed condition; then, slowly, I struggled to a sitting -position, and looked about me.</p> - -<p>It had stopped raining, but the trees still dripped, dismally. From the -Pit, came a continuous murmur of running water. I felt cold and shivery. -My clothes were sodden, and I ached all over. Very slowly, the life came -back into my numbed leg, and, after a little, I essayed to stand up. -This, I managed, at the second attempt; but I was very tottery, and -peculiarly weak. It seemed to me, that I was going to be ill, and I made -shift to stumble my way toward the house. My steps were erratic, and my -head confused. At each step that I took, sharp pains shot through -my limbs.</p> - -<p>I had gone, perhaps, some thirty paces, when a cry from Pepper, drew -my attention, and I turned, stiffly, toward him. The old dog was trying -to follow me; but could come no further, owing to the rope, with which I -had hauled him up, being still tied 'round his body, the other end not -having been unfastened from the tree. For a moment, I fumbled with the -knots, weakly; but they were wet and hard, and I could do nothing. Then, -I remembered my knife, and, in a minute, the rope was cut.</p> - -<p>How I reached the house, I scarcely know, and, of the days that -followed, I remember still less. Of one thing, I am certain, that, had -it not been for my sister's untiring love and nursing, I had not been -writing at this moment.</p> - -<p>When I recovered my senses, it was to find that I had been in bed for -nearly two weeks. Yet another week passed, before I was strong enough to -totter out into the gardens. Even then, I was not able to walk so far as -the Pit. I would have liked to ask my sister, how high the water had -risen; but felt it was wiser not to mention the subject to her. Indeed, -since then, I have made a rule never to speak to her about the strange -things, that happen in this great, old house.</p> - -<p>It was not until a couple of days later, that I managed to get across -to the Pit. There, I found that, in my few weeks' absence, there had -been wrought a wondrous change. Instead of the three-parts filled -ravine, I looked out upon a great lake, whose placid surface, reflected -the light, coldly. The water had risen to within half a dozen feet of -the Pit edge. Only in one part was the lake disturbed, and that was -above the place where, far down under the silent waters, yawned the -entrance to the vast, underground Pit. Here, there was a continuous -bubbling; and, occasionally, a curious sort of sobbing gurgle would find -its way up from the depth. Beyond these, there was nothing to tell of -the things that were hidden beneath. As I stood there, it came to me -how wonderfully things had worked out. The entrance to the place whence -the Swine-creatures had come, was sealed up, by a power that made me -feel there was nothing more to fear from them. And yet, with the -feeling, there was a sensation that, now, I should never learn anything -further, of the place from which those dreadful Things had come. It was -completely shut off and concealed from human curiosity forever.</p> - -<p>Strange—in the knowledge of that underground hell-hole—how apposite -has been the naming of the Pit. One wonders how it originated, and when. -Naturally, one concludes that the shape and depth of the ravine would -suggest the name 'Pit.' Yet, is it not possible that it has, all along, -held a deeper significance, a hint—could one but have guessed—of the -greater, more stupendous Pit that lies far down in the earth, beneath -this old house? Under this house! Even now, the idea is strange and -terrible to me. For I have proved, beyond doubt, that the Pit yawns -right below the house, which is evidently supported, somewhere above the -center of it, upon a tremendous, arched roof, of solid rock.</p> - -<p>It happened in this wise, that, having occasion to go down to the -cellars, the thought occurred to me to pay a visit to the great vault, -where the trap is situated; and see whether everything was as I had -left it.</p> - -<p>Reaching the place, I walked slowly up the center, until I came to the -trap. There it was, with the stones piled upon it, just as I had seen it -last. I had a lantern with me, and the idea came to me, that now would -be a good time to investigate whatever lay under the great, oak slab. -Placing the lantern on the floor, I tumbled the stones off the trap, -and, grasping the ring, pulled the door open. As I did so, the cellar -became filled with the sound of a murmurous thunder, that rose from far -below. At the same time, a damp wind blew up into my face, bringing -with it a load of fine spray. Therewith, I dropped the trap, hurriedly, -with a half frightened feeling of wonder.</p> - -<p>For a moment, I stood puzzled. I was not particularly afraid. The -haunting fear of the Swine-things had left me, long ago; but I was -certainly nervous and astonished. Then, a sudden thought possessed me, -and I raised the ponderous door, with a feeling of excitement. Leaving -it standing upon its end, I seized the lantern, and, kneeling down, -thrust it into the opening. As I did so, the moist wind and spray drove -in my eyes, making me unable to see, for a few moments. Even when my -eyes were clear, I could distinguish nothing below me, save darkness, -and whirling spray.</p> - -<p>Seeing that it was useless to expect to make out anything, with the -light so high, I felt in my pockets for a piece of twine, with which to -lower it further into the opening. Even as I fumbled, the lantern -slipped from my fingers, and hurtled down into the darkness. For a brief -instant, I watched its fall, and saw the light shine on a tumult of -white foam, some eighty or a hundred feet below me. Then it was gone. My -sudden surmise was correct, and now, I knew the cause of the wet and -noise. The great cellar was connected with the Pit, by means of the -trap, which opened right above it; and the moisture, was the spray, -rising from the water, falling into the depths.</p> - -<p>In an instant, I had an explanation of certain things, that had -hitherto puzzled me. Now, I could understand why the noises—on the -first night of the invasion—had seemed to rise directly from under my -feet. And the chuckle that had sounded when first I opened the trap! -Evidently, some of the Swine-things must have been right beneath me.</p> - -<p>Another thought struck me. Were the creatures all drowned? Would they -drown? I remembered how unable I had been to find any traces to show -that my shooting had been really fatal. Had they life, as we understand -life, or were they ghouls? These thoughts flashed through my brain, as I -stood in the dark, searching my pockets for matches. I had the box in my -hand now, and, striking a light, I stepped to the trap door, and closed -it. Then, I piled the stones back upon it; after which, I made my way -out from the cellars.</p> - -<p>And so, I suppose the water goes on, thundering down into that -bottomless hell-pit. Sometimes, I have an inexplicable desire to go down -to the great cellar, open the trap, and gaze into the impenetrable, -spray-damp darkness. At times, the desire becomes almost overpowering, -in its intensity. It is not mere curiosity, that prompts me; but more as -though some unexplained influence were at work. Still, I never go; and -intend to fight down the strange longing, and crush it; even as I would -the unholy thought of self-destruction.</p> - -<p>This idea of some intangible force being exerted, may seem reasonless. -Yet, my instinct warns me, that it is not so. In these things, reason -seems to me less to be trusted than instinct.</p> - -<p>One thought there is, in closing, that impresses itself upon me, with -ever growing insistence. It is, that I live in a very strange house; a -very awful house. And I have begun to wonder whether I am doing wisely -in staying here. Yet, if I left, where could I go, and still obtain the -solitude, and the sense of her presence,<a name="ftntone" id="ftntone"></a><a href="#retone">[1]</a> that alone make my old -life bearable?</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XIV"></a><h2>XIV<br /><br /> -THE SEA OF SLEEP</h2> - -<p>For a considerable period after the last incident which I have narrated -in my diary, I had serious thoughts of leaving this house, and might -have done so; but for the great and wonderful thing, of which I am -about to write.</p> - -<p>How well I was advised, in my heart, when I stayed on here—spite of -those visions and sights of unknown and unexplainable things; for, had I -not stayed, then I had not seen again the face of her I loved. Yes, -though few know it, none now save my sister Mary, I have loved and, -ah! me—lost.</p> - -<p>I would write down the story of those sweet, old days; but it would be -like the tearing of old wounds; yet, after that which has happened, what -need have I to care? For she has come to me out of the unknown. -Strangely, she warned me; warned me passionately against this house; -begged me to leave it; but admitted, when I questioned her, that she -could not have come to me, had I been elsewhere. Yet, in spite of this, -still she warned me, earnestly; telling me that it was a place, long -ago given over to evil, and under the power of grim laws, of which none -here have knowledge. And I—I just asked her, again, whether she would -come to me elsewhere, and she could only stand, silent.</p> - -<p>It was thus, that I came to the place of the Sea of Sleep—so she -termed it, in her dear speech with me. I had stayed up, in my study, -reading; and must have dozed over the book. Suddenly, I awoke and sat -upright, with a start. For a moment, I looked 'round, with a puzzled -sense of something unusual. There was a misty look about the room, -giving a curious softness to each table and chair and furnishing.</p> - -<p>Gradually, the mistiness increased; growing, as it were, out of -nothing. Then, slowly, a soft, white light began to glow in the room. -The flames of the candles shone through it, palely. I looked from side -to side, and found that I could still see each piece of furniture; but -in a strangely unreal way, more as though the ghost of each table and -chair had taken the place of the solid article.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as I looked, I saw them fade and fade; until, slowly, they -resolved into nothingness. Now, I looked again at the candles. They -shone wanly, and, even as I watched, grew more unreal, and so vanished. -The room was filled, now, with a soft, yet luminous, white twilight, -like a gentle mist of light. Beyond this, I could see nothing. Even the -walls had vanished.</p> - -<p>Presently, I became conscious that a faint, continuous sound, pulsed -through the silence that wrapped me. I listened intently. It grew more -distinct, until it appeared to me that I harked to the breathings of -some great sea. I cannot tell how long a space passed thus; but, after a -while, it seemed that I could see through the mistiness; and, slowly, I -became aware that I was standing upon the shore of an immense and silent -sea. This shore was smooth and long, vanishing to right and left of me, -in extreme distances. In front, swam a still immensity of sleeping -ocean. At times, it seemed to me that I caught a faint glimmer of light, -under its surface; but of this, I could not be sure. Behind me, rose up, -to an extraordinary height, gaunt, black cliffs.</p> - -<p>Overhead, the sky was of a uniform cold grey color—the whole place -being lit by a stupendous globe of pale fire, that swam a little above -the far horizon, and shed a foamlike light above the quiet waters.</p> - -<p>Beyond the gentle murmur of the sea, an intense stillness prevailed. -For a long while, I stayed there, looking out across its strangeness. -Then, as I stared, it seemed that a bubble of white foam floated up out -of the depths, and then, even now I know not how it was, I was looking -upon, nay, looking <em>into</em> the face of Her—aye! into her face—into her -soul; and she looked back at me, with such a commingling of joy and -sadness, that I ran toward her, blindly; crying strangely to her, in a -very agony of remembrance, of terror, and of hope, to come to me. Yet, -spite of my crying, she stayed out there upon the sea, and only shook -her head, sorrowfully; but, in her eyes was the old earth-light of -tenderness, that I had come to know, before all things, ere we -were parted.</p> - -<p>"At her perverseness, I grew desperate, and essayed to wade out to her; -yet, though I would, I could not. Something, some invisible barrier, -held me back, and I was fain to stay where I was, and cry out to her in -the fullness of my soul, 'O, my Darling, my Darling—' but could say no -more, for very intensity. And, at that, she came over, swiftly, and -touched me, and it was as though heaven had opened. Yet, when I reached -out my hands to her, she put me from her with tenderly stern hands, and -I was abashed—"</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="ftntwo" id="ftntwo"></a><h2>THE FRAGMENTS<a href="#rettwo">[2]</a></h2> - -<p>(<em><strong>The legible portions of the mutilated leaves</strong></em>.)</p> - -<p>... through tears ... noise of eternity in my ears, we parted ... She -whom I love. O, my God ...!</p> - -<p>I was a great time dazed, and then I was alone in the blackness of the -night. I knew that I journeyed back, once more, to the known universe. -Presently, I emerged from that enormous darkness. I had come among the -stars ... vast time ... the sun, far and remote.</p> - -<p>I entered into the gulf that separates our system from the outer suns. -As I sped across the dividing dark, I watched, steadily, the -ever-growing brightness and size of our sun. Once, I glanced back to the -stars, and saw them shift, as it were, in my wake, against the mighty -background of night, so vast was the speed of my passing spirit.</p> - -<p>I drew nigher to our system, and now I could see the shine of Jupiter. -Later, I distinguished the cold, blue gleam of the earthlight.... I had -a moment of bewilderment. All about the sun there seemed to be bright, -objects, moving in rapid orbits. Inward, nigh to the savage glory of the -sun, there circled two darting points of light, and, further off, there -flew a blue, shining speck, that I knew to be the earth. It circled the -sun in a space that seemed to be no more than an earth-minute.</p> - -<p>... nearer with great speed. I saw the radiances of Jupiter and -Saturn, spinning, with incredible swiftness, in huge orbits. And ever I -drew more nigh, and looked out upon this strange sight—the visible -circling of the planets about the mother sun. It was as though time had -been annihilated for me; so that a year was no more to my unfleshed -spirit, than is a moment to an earth-bound soul.</p> - -<p>The speed of the planets, appeared to increase; and, presently, I was -watching the sun, all ringed about with hairlike circles of different -colored fire—the paths of the planets, hurtling at mighty speed, about -the central flame....</p> - -<p>"... the sun grew vast, as though it leapt to meet me.... And now I was -within the circling of the outer planets, and flitting swiftly, toward -the place where the earth, glimmering through the blue splendor of its -orbit, as though a fiery mist, circled the sun at a monstrous -speed...." <a name="ftnthre" id="ftnthre"></a><a href="#rethre">[3]</a></p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XV"></a><h2>XV<br /><br /> -THE NOISE IN THE NIGHT</h2> - -<p>And now, I come to the strangest of all the strange happenings that -have befallen me in this house of mysteries. It occurred quite -lately—within the month; and I have little doubt but that what I saw -was in reality the end of all things. However, to my story.</p> - -<p>I do not know how it is; but, up to the present, I have never been able -to write these things down, directly they happened. It is as though I -have to wait a time, recovering my just balance, and digesting—as it -were—the things I have heard or seen. No doubt, this is as it should -be; for, by waiting, I see the incidents more truly, and write of them -in a calmer and more judicial frame of mind. This by the way.</p> - -<p>It is now the end of November. My story relates to what happened in the -first week of the month.</p> - -<p>It was night, about eleven o'clock. Pepper and I kept one another -company in the study—that great, old room of mine, where I read and -work. I was reading, curiously enough, the Bible. I have begun, in these -later days, to take a growing interest in that great and ancient book. -Suddenly, a distinct tremor shook the house, and there came a faint and -distant, whirring buzz, that grew rapidly into a far, muffled screaming. -It reminded me, in a queer, gigantic way, of the noise that a clock -makes, when the catch is released, and it is allowed to run down. The -sound appeared to come from some remote height—somewhere up in the -night. There was no repetition of the shock. I looked across at Pepper. -He was sleeping peacefully.</p> - -<p>Gradually, the whirring noise decreased, and there came a long silence.</p> - -<p>All at once, a glow lit up the end window, which protrudes far out from -the side of the house, so that, from it, one may look both East and -West. I felt puzzled, and, after a moment's hesitation, walked across -the room, and pulled aside the blind. As I did so, I saw the Sun rise, -from behind the horizon. It rose with a steady, perceptible movement. I -could see it travel upward. In a minute, it seemed, it had reached the -tops of the trees, through which I had watched it. Up, up—It was broad -daylight now. Behind me, I was conscious of a sharp, mosquitolike -buzzing. I glanced 'round, and knew that it came from the clock. Even as -I looked, it marked off an hour. The minute hand was moving 'round the -dial, faster than an ordinary second-hand. The hour hand moved quickly -from space to space. I had a numb sense of astonishment. A moment later, -so it seemed, the two candles went out, almost together. I turned -swiftly back to the window; for I had seen the shadow of the -window-frames, traveling along the floor toward me, as though a great -lamp had been carried up past the window.</p> - -<p>I saw now, that the sun had risen high into the heavens, and was still -visibly moving. It passed above the house, with an extraordinary sailing -kind of motion. As the window came into shadow, I saw another -extraordinary thing. The fine-weather clouds were not passing, easily, -across the sky—they were scampering, as though a hundred-mile-an-hour -wind blew. As they passed, they changed their shapes a thousand times a -minute, as though writhing with a strange life; and so were gone. And, -presently, others came, and whisked away likewise.</p> - -<p>To the West, I saw the sun, drop with an incredible, smooth, swift -motion. Eastward, the shadows of every seen thing crept toward the -coming greyness. And the movement of the shadows was visible to me—a -stealthy, writhing creep of the shadows of the wind-stirred trees. It -was a strange sight.</p> - -<p>Quickly, the room began to darken. The sun slid down to the horizon, -and seemed, as it were, to disappear from my sight, almost with a jerk. -Through the greyness of the swift evening, I saw the silver crescent of -the moon, falling out of the Southern sky, toward the West. The evening -seemed to merge into an almost instant night. Above me, the many -constellations passed in a strange, 'noiseless' circling, Westward. The -moon fell through that last thousand fathoms of the night-gulf, and -there was only the starlight....</p> - -<p>About this time, the buzzing in the corner ceased; telling me that the -clock had run down. A few minutes passed, and I saw the Eastward sky -lighten. A grey, sullen morning spread through all the darkness, and hid -the march of the stars. Overhead, there moved, with a heavy, everlasting -rolling, a vast, seamless sky of grey clouds—a cloud-sky that would -have seemed motionless, through all the length of an ordinary earth-day. -The sun was hidden from me; but, from moment to moment, the world would -brighten and darken, brighten and darken, beneath waves of subtle light -and shadow....</p> - -<p>The light shifted ever Westward, and the night fell upon the earth. A -vast rain seemed to come with it, and a wind of a most extraordinary -loudness—as though the howling of a nightlong gale, were packed into -the space of no more than a minute.</p> - -<p>This noise passed, almost immediately, and the clouds broke; so that, -once more, I could see the sky. The stars were flying Westward, with -astounding speed. It came to me now, for the first time, that, though -the noise of the wind had passed, yet a constant 'blurred' sound was in -my ears. Now that I noticed it, I was aware that it had been with me all -the time. It was the world-noise.</p> - -<p>And then, even as I grasped at so much comprehension, there came the -Eastward light. No more than a few heartbeats, and the sun rose, -swiftly. Through the trees, I saw it, and then it was above the trees. -Up—up, it soared and all the world was light. It passed, with a swift, -steady swing to its highest altitude, and fell thence, Westward. I saw -the day roll visibly over my head. A few light clouds flittered -Northward, and vanished. The sun went down with one swift, clear plunge, -and there was about me, for a few seconds, the darker growing grey of -the gloaming.</p> - -<p>Southward and Westward, the moon was sinking rapidly. The night had -come, already. A minute it seemed, and the moon fell those remaining -fathoms of dark sky. Another minute, or so, and the Eastward sky glowed -with the coming dawn. The sun leapt upon me with a frightening -abruptness, and soared ever more swiftly toward the zenith. Then, -suddenly, a fresh thing came to my sight. A black thundercloud rushed up -out of the South, and seemed to leap all the arc of the sky, in a single -instant. As it came, I saw that its advancing edge flapped, like a -monstrous black cloth in the heaven, twirling and undulating rapidly, -with a horrid suggestiveness. In an instant, all the air was full of -rain, and a hundred lightning flashes seemed to flood downward, as it -were in one great shower. In the same second of time, the world-noise -was drowned in the roar of the wind, and then my ears ached, under the -stunning impact of the thunder.</p> - -<p>And, in the midst of this storm, the night came; and then, within the -space of another minute, the storm had passed, and there was only the -constant 'blur' of the world-noise on my hearing. Overhead, the stars -were sliding quickly Westward; and something, mayhaps the particular -speed to which they had attained, brought home to me, for the first -time, a keen realization of the knowledge that it was the world that -revolved. I seemed to see, suddenly, the world—a vast, dark -mass—revolving visibly against the stars.</p> - -<p>The dawn and the sun seemed to come together, so greatly had the speed -of the world-revolution increased. The sun drove up, in one long, steady -curve; passed its highest point, and swept down into the Western sky, -and disappeared. I was scarcely conscious of evening, so brief was it. -Then I was watching the flying constellations, and the Westward -hastening moon. In but a space of seconds, so it seemed, it was sliding -swiftly downward through the night-blue, and then was gone. And, almost -directly, came the morning.</p> - -<p>And now there seemed to come a strange acceleration. The sun made one -clean, clear sweep through the sky, and disappeared behind the Westward -horizon, and the night came and went with a like haste.</p> - -<p>As the succeeding day, opened and closed upon the world, I was aware of -a sweat of snow, suddenly upon the earth. The night came, and, almost -immediately, the day. In the brief leap of the sun, I saw that the snow -had vanished; and then, once more, it was night.</p> - -<p>Thus matters were; and, even after the many incredible things that I -have seen, I experienced all the time a most profound awe. To see the -sun rise and set, within a space of time to be measured by seconds; to -watch (after a little) the moon leap—a pale, and ever growing orb—up -into the night sky, and glide, with a strange swiftness, through the -vast arc of blue; and, presently, to see the sun follow, springing out -of the Eastern sky, as though in chase; and then again the night, with -the swift and ghostly passing of starry constellations, was all too much -to view believingly. Yet, so it was—the day slipping from dawn to dusk, -and the night sliding swiftly into day, ever rapidly and more rapidly.</p> - -<p>The last three passages of the sun had shown me a snow-covered earth, -which, at night, had seemed, for a few seconds, incredibly weird under -the fast-shifting light of the soaring and falling moon. Now, however, -for a little space, the sky was hidden, by a sea of swaying, -leaden-white clouds, which lightened and blackened, alternately, with -the passage of day and night.</p> - -<p>The clouds rippled and vanished, and there was once more before me, the -vision of the swiftly leaping sun, and nights that came and went -like shadows.</p> - -<p>Faster and faster, spun the world. And now each day and night was -completed within the space of but a few seconds; and still the speed -increased.</p> - -<p>It was a little later, that I noticed that the sun had begun to have -the suspicion of a trail of fire behind it. This was due, evidently, to -the speed at which it, apparently, traversed the heavens. And, as the -days sped, each one quicker than the last, the sun began to assume the -appearance of a vast, flaming comet<a name="ftntfor" id="ftntfor"></a><a href="#retfor">[4]</a> flaring across the sky at short, -periodic intervals. At night, the moon presented, with much greater -truth, a cometlike aspect; a pale, and singularly clear, fast traveling -shape of fire, trailing streaks of cold flame. The stars showed now, -merely as fine hairs of fire against the dark.</p> - -<p>Once, I turned from the window, and glanced at Pepper. In the flash of -a day, I saw that he slept, quietly, and I moved once more to -my watching.</p> - -<p>The sun was now bursting up from the Eastern horizon, like a stupendous -rocket, seeming to occupy no more than a second or two in hurling from -East to West. I could no longer perceive the passage of clouds across -the sky, which seemed to have darkened somewhat. The brief nights, -appeared to have lost the proper darkness of night; so that the hairlike -fire of the flying stars, showed but dimly. As the speed increased, the -sun began to sway very slowly in the sky, from South to North, and then, -slowly again, from North to South.</p> - -<p>So, amid a strange confusion of mind, the hours passed.</p> - -<p>All this while had Pepper slept. Presently, feeling lonely and -distraught, I called to him, softly; but he took no notice. Again, I -called, raising my voice slightly; still he moved not. I walked over to -where he lay, and touched him with my foot, to rouse him. At the action, -gentle though it was, he fell to pieces. That is what happened; he -literally and actually crumbled into a mouldering heap of bones -and dust.</p> - -<p>For the space of, perhaps a minute, I stared down at the shapeless -heap, that had once been Pepper. I stood, feeling stunned. What can have -happened? I asked myself; not at once grasping the grim significance of -that little hill of ash. Then, as I stirred the heap with my foot, it -occurred to me that this could only happen in a great space of time. -Years—and years.</p> - -<p>Outside, the weaving, fluttering light held the world. Inside, I stood, -trying to understand what it meant—what that little pile of dust and -dry bones, on the carpet, meant. But I could not think, coherently.</p> - -<p>I glanced away, 'round the room, and now, for the first time, noticed -how dusty and old the place looked. Dust and dirt everywhere; piled in -little heaps in the corners, and spread about upon the furniture. The -very carpet, itself, was invisible beneath a coating of the same, all -pervading, material. As I walked, little clouds of the stuff rose up -from under my footsteps, and assailed my nostrils, with a dry, bitter -odor that made me wheeze, huskily.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as my glance fell again upon Pepper's remains, I stood still, -and gave voice to my confusion—questioning, aloud, whether the years -were, indeed, passing; whether this, which I had taken to be a form of -vision, was, in truth, a reality. I paused. A new thought had struck me. -Quickly, but with steps which, for the first time, I noticed, tottered, -I went across the room to the great pier-glass, and looked in. It was -too covered with grime, to give back any reflection, and, with trembling -hands, I began to rub off the dirt. Presently, I could see myself. The -thought that had come to me, was confirmed. Instead of the great, hale -man, who scarcely looked fifty, I was looking at a bent, decrepit man, -whose shoulders stooped, and whose face was wrinkled with the years of a -century. The hair—which a few short hours ago had been nearly coal -black—was now silvery white. Only the eyes were bright. Gradually, I -traced, in that ancient man, a faint resemblance to my self of -other days.</p> - -<p>I turned away, and tottered to the window. I knew, now, that I was old, -and the knowledge seemed to confirm my trembling walk. For a little -space, I stared moodily out into the blurred vista of changeful -landscape. Even in that short time, a year passed, and, with a petulant -gesture, I left the window. As I did so, I noticed that my hand shook -with the palsy of old age; and a short sob choked its way through -my lips.</p> - -<p>For a little while, I paced, tremulously, between the window and the -table; my gaze wandering hither and thither, uneasily. How dilapidated -the room was. Everywhere lay the thick dust—thick, sleepy, and black. -The fender was a shape of rust. The chains that held the brass -clock-weights, had rusted through long ago, and now the weights lay on -the floor beneath; themselves two cones of verdigris.</p> - -<p>As I glanced about, it seemed to me that I could see the very furniture -of the room rotting and decaying before my eyes. Nor was this fancy, on -my part; for, all at once, the bookshelf, along the sidewall, collapsed, -with a cracking and rending of rotten wood, precipitating its contents -upon the floor, and filling the room with a smother of dusty atoms.</p> - -<p>How tired I felt. As I walked, it seemed that I could hear my dry -joints, creak and crack at every step. I wondered about my sister. Was -she dead, as well as Pepper? All had happened so quickly and suddenly. -This must be, indeed, the beginning of the end of all things! It -occurred to me, to go to look for her; but I felt too weary. And then, -she had been so queer about these happenings, of late. Of late! I -repeated the words, and laughed, feebly—mirthlessly, as the realization -was borne in upon me that I spoke of a time, half a century gone. Half a -century! It might have been twice as long!</p> - -<p>I moved slowly to the window, and looked out once more across the -world. I can best describe the passage of day and night, at this period, -as a sort of gigantic, ponderous flicker. Moment by moment, the -acceleration of time continued; so that, at nights now, I saw the moon, -only as a swaying trail of palish fire, that varied from a mere line of -light to a nebulous path, and then dwindled again, disappearing -periodically.</p> - -<p>The flicker of the days and nights quickened. The days had grown -perceptibly darker, and a queer quality of dusk lay, as it were, in the -atmosphere. The nights were so much lighter, that the stars were -scarcely to be seen, saving here and there an occasional hairlike line -of fire, that seemed to sway a little, with the moon.</p> - -<p>Quicker, and ever quicker, ran the flicker of day and night; and, -suddenly it seemed, I was aware that the flicker had died out, and, -instead, there reigned a comparatively steady light, which was shed upon -all the world, from an eternal river of flame that swung up and down, -North and South, in stupendous, mighty swings.</p> - -<p>The sky was now grown very much darker, and there was in the blue of it -a heavy gloom, as though a vast blackness peered through it upon the -earth. Yet, there was in it, also, a strange and awful clearness, and -emptiness. Periodically, I had glimpses of a ghostly track of fire that -swayed thin and darkly toward the sun-stream; vanished and reappeared. -It was the scarcely visible moon-stream.</p> - -<p>Looking out at the landscape, I was conscious again, of a blurring sort -of 'flitter,' that came either from the light of the ponderous-swinging -sun-stream, or was the result of the incredibly rapid changes of the -earth's surface. And every few moments, so it seemed, the snow would lie -suddenly upon the world, and vanish as abruptly, as though an invisible -giant 'flitted' a white sheet off and on the earth.</p> - -<p>Time fled, and the weariness that was mine, grew insupportable. I -turned from the window, and walked once across the room, the heavy dust -deadening the sound of my footsteps. Each step that I took, seemed a -greater effort than the one before. An intolerable ache, knew me in -every joint and limb, as I trod my way, with a weary uncertainty.</p> - -<p>By the opposite wall, I came to a weak pause, and wondered, dimly, what -was my intent. I looked to my left, and saw my old chair. The thought of -sitting in it brought a faint sense of comfort to my bewildered -wretchedness. Yet, because I was so weary and old and tired, I would -scarcely brace my mind to do anything but stand, and wish myself past -those few yards. I rocked, as I stood. The floor, even, seemed a place -for rest; but the dust lay so thick and sleepy and black. I turned, with -a great effort of will, and made toward my chair. I reached it, with a -groan of thankfulness. I sat down.</p> - -<p>Everything about me appeared to be growing dim. It was all so strange -and unthought of. Last night, I was a comparatively strong, though -elderly man; and now, only a few hours later—! I looked at the little -dust-heap that had once been Pepper. Hours! and I laughed, a feeble, -bitter laugh; a shrill, cackling laugh, that shocked my dimming senses.</p> - -<p>For a while, I must have dozed. Then I opened my eyes, with a start. -Somewhere across the room, there had been a muffled noise of something -falling. I looked, and saw, vaguely, a cloud of dust hovering above a -pile of <em>débris</em>. Nearer the door, something else tumbled, with a crash. -It was one of the cupboards; but I was tired, and took little notice. I -closed my eyes, and sat there in a state of drowsy, semi-unconsciousness. -Once or twice—as though coming through thick mists—I heard noises, -faintly. Then I must have slept.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XVI"></a><h2>XVI<br /><br /> -THE AWAKENING</h2> - -<p>I awoke, with a start. For a moment, I wondered where I was. Then -memory came to me....</p> - -<p>The room was still lit with that strange light—half-sun, half-moon, -light. I felt refreshed, and the tired, weary ache had left me. I went -slowly across to the window, and looked out. Overhead, the river of -flame drove up and down, North and South, in a dancing semi-circle of -fire. As a mighty sleigh in the loom of time it seemed—in a sudden -fancy of mine—to be beating home the picks of the years. For, so vastly -had the passage of time been accelerated, that there was no longer any -sense of the sun passing from East to West. The only apparent movement -was the North and South beat of the sun-stream, that had become so swift -now, as to be better described as a <em>quiver</em>.</p> - -<p>As I peered out, there came to me a sudden, inconsequent memory of that -last journey among the Outer worlds. I remembered the sudden vision that -had come to me, as I neared the Solar System, of the fast whirling -planets about the sun—as though the governing quality of time had been -held in abeyance, and the Machine of a Universe allowed to run down an -eternity, in a few moments or hours. The memory passed, along with a, -but partially comprehended, suggestion that I had been permitted a -glimpse into further time spaces. I stared out again, seemingly, at the -quake of the sun-stream. The speed seemed to increase, even as I looked. -Several lifetimes came and went, as I watched.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, it struck me, with a sort of grotesque seriousness, that I -was still alive. I thought of Pepper, and wondered how it was that I had -not followed his fate. He had reached the time of his dying, and had -passed, probably through sheer length of years. And here was I, alive, -hundreds of thousands of centuries after my rightful period of years.</p> - -<p>For, a time, I mused, absently. 'Yesterday—' I stopped, suddenly. -Yesterday! There was no yesterday. The yesterday of which I spoke had -been swallowed up in the abyss of years, ages gone. I grew dazed with -much thinking.</p> - -<p>Presently, I turned from the window, and glanced 'round the room. It -seemed different—strangely, utterly different. Then, I knew what it was -that made it appear so strange. It was bare: there was not a piece of -furniture in the room; not even a solitary fitting of any sort. -Gradually, my amazement went, as I remembered, that this was but the -inevitable end of that process of decay, which I had witnessed -commencing, before my sleep. Thousands of years! Millions of years!</p> - -<p>Over the floor was spread a deep layer of dust, that reached half way -up to the window-seat. It had grown immeasurably, whilst I slept; and -represented the dust of untold ages. Undoubtedly, atoms of the old, -decayed furniture helped to swell its bulk; and, somewhere among it all, -mouldered the long-ago-dead Pepper.</p> - -<p>All at once, it occurred to me, that I had no recollection of wading -knee-deep through all that dust, after I awoke. True, an incredible age -of years had passed, since I approached the window; but that was -evidently as nothing, compared with the countless spaces of time that, I -conceived, had vanished whilst I was sleeping. I remembered now, that I -had fallen asleep, sitting in my old chair. Had it gone ...? I glanced -toward where it had stood. Of course, there was no chair to be seen. I -could not satisfy myself, whether it had disappeared, after my waking, -or before. If it had mouldered under me, surely, I should have been -waked by the collapse. Then I remembered that the thick dust, which -covered the floor, would have been sufficient to soften my fall; so that -it was quite possible, I had slept upon the dust for a million years -or more.</p> - -<p>As these thoughts wandered through my brain, I glanced again, casually, -to where the chair had stood. Then, for the first time, I noticed that -there were no marks, in the dust, of my footprints, between it and the -window. But then, ages of years had passed, since I had awaked—tens of -thousands of years!</p> - -<p>My look rested thoughtfully, again upon the place where once had stood -my chair. Suddenly, I passed from abstraction to intentness; for there, -in its standing place, I made out a long undulation, rounded off with -the heavy dust. Yet it was not so much hidden, but that I could tell -what had caused it. I knew—and shivered at the knowledge—that it was a -human body, ages-dead, lying there, beneath the place where I had slept. -It was lying on its right side, its back turned toward me. I could make -out and trace each curve and outline, softened, and moulded, as it were, -in the black dust. In a vague sort of way, I tried to account for its -presence there. Slowly, I began to grow bewildered, as the thought came -to me that it lay just about where I must have fallen when the chair -collapsed.</p> - -<p>Gradually, an idea began to form itself within my brain; a thought that -shook my spirit. It seemed hideous and insupportable; yet it grew upon -me, steadily, until it became a conviction. The body under that coating, -that shroud of dust, was neither more nor less than my own dead shell. I -did not attempt to prove it. I knew it now, and wondered I had not known -it all along. I was a bodiless thing.</p> - -<p>Awhile, I stood, trying to adjust my thoughts to this new problem. In -time—how many thousands of years, I know not—I attained to some degree -of quietude—sufficient to enable me to pay attention to what was -transpiring around me.</p> - -<p>Now, I saw that the elongated mound had sunk, collapsed, level with the -rest of the spreading dust. And fresh atoms, impalpable, had settled -above that mixture of grave-powder, which the aeons had ground. A long -while, I stood, turned from the window. Gradually, I grew more -collected, while the world slipped across the centuries into the future.</p> - -<p>Presently, I began a survey of the room. Now, I saw that time was -beginning its destructive work, even on this strange old building. That -it had stood through all the years was, it seemed to me, proof that it -was something different from any other house. I do not think, somehow, -that I had thought of its decaying. Though, why, I could not have said. -It was not until I had meditated upon the matter, for some considerable -time, that I fully realized that the extraordinary space of time through -which it had stood, was sufficient to have utterly pulverized the very -stones of which it was built, had they been taken from any earthly -quarry. Yes, it was undoubtedly mouldering now. All the plaster had gone -from the walls; even as the woodwork of the room had gone, many -ages before.</p> - -<p>While I stood, in contemplation, a piece of glass, from one of the -small, diamond-shaped panes, dropped, with a dull tap, amid the dust -upon the sill behind me, and crumbled into a little heap of powder. As I -turned from contemplating it, I saw light between a couple of the stones -that formed the outer wall. Evidently, the mortar was falling away....</p> - -<p>After awhile, I turned once more to the window, and peered out. I -discovered, now, that the speed of time had become enormous. The lateral -quiver of the sun-stream, had grown so swift as to cause the dancing -semi-circle of flame to merge into, and disappear in, a sheet of fire -that covered half the Southern sky from East to West.</p> - -<p>From the sky, I glanced down to the gardens. They were just a blur of a -palish, dirty green. I had a feeling that they stood higher, than in the -old days; a feeling that they were nearer my window, as though they had -risen, bodily. Yet, they were still a long way below me; for the rock, -over the mouth of the pit, on which this house stands, arches up to a -great height.</p> - -<p>It was later, that I noticed a change in the constant color of the -gardens. The pale, dirty green was growing ever paler and paler, toward -white. At last, after a great space, they became greyish-white, and -stayed thus for a very long time. Finally, however, the greyness began -to fade, even as had the green, into a dead white. And this remained, -constant and unchanged. And by this I knew that, at last, snow lay upon -all the Northern world.</p> - -<p>And so, by millions of years, time winged onward through eternity, to -the end—the end, of which, in the old-earth days, I had thought -remotely, and in hazily speculative fashion. And now, it was approaching -in a manner of which none had ever dreamed.</p> - -<p>I recollect that, about this time, I began to have a lively, though -morbid, curiosity, as to what would happen when the end came—but I -seemed strangely without imaginings.</p> - -<p>All this while, the steady process of decay was continuing. The few -remaining pieces of glass, had long ago vanished; and, every now and -then, a soft thud, and a little cloud of rising dust, would tell of some -fragment of fallen mortar or stone.</p> - -<p>I looked up again, to the fiery sheet that quaked in the heavens above -me and far down into the Southern sky. As I looked, the impression was -borne in upon me, that it had lost some of its first brilliancy—that it -was duller, deeper hued.</p> - -<p>I glanced down, once more, to the blurred white of the worldscape. -Sometimes, my look returned to the burning sheet of dulling flame, that -was, and yet hid, the sun. At times, I glanced behind me, into the -growing dusk of the great, silent room, with its aeon-carpet of -sleeping dust....</p> - -<p>So, I watched through the fleeting ages, lost in soul-wearing thoughts -and wonderings, and possessed with a new weariness.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XVII"></a><h2>XVII<br /><br /> -THE SLOWING ROTATION</h2> - -<p>It might have been a million years later, that I perceived, beyond -possibility of doubt, that the fiery sheet that lit the world, was -indeed darkening.</p> - -<p>Another vast space went by, and the whole enormous flame had sunk to a -deep, copper color. Gradually, it darkened, from copper to copper-red, -and from this, at times, to a deep, heavy, purplish tint, with, in it, a -strange loom of blood.</p> - -<p>Although the light was decreasing, I could perceive no diminishment in -the apparent speed of the sun. It still spread itself in that dazzling -veil of speed.</p> - -<p>The world, so much of it as I could see, had assumed a dreadful shade -of gloom, as though, in very deed, the last day of the worlds -approached.</p> - -<p>The sun was dying; of that there could be little doubt; and still the -earth whirled onward, through space and all the aeons. At this time, I -remember, an extraordinary sense of bewilderment took me. I found -myself, later, wandering, mentally, amid an odd chaos of fragmentary -modern theories and the old Biblical story of the world's ending.</p> - -<p>Then, for the first time, there flashed across me, the memory that the -sun, with its system of planets, was, and had been, traveling through -space at an incredible speed. Abruptly, the question rose—<em>Where?</em> For -a very great time, I pondered this matter; but, finally, with a certain -sense of the futility of my puzzlings, I let my thoughts wander to other -things. I grew to wondering, how much longer the house would stand. -Also, I queried, to myself, whether I should be doomed to stay, -bodiless, upon the earth, through the dark-time that I knew was coming. -From these thoughts, I fell again to speculations upon the possible -direction of the sun's journey through space.... And so another great -while passed.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as time fled, I began to feel the chill of a great winter. -Then, I remembered that, with the sun dying, the cold must be, -necessarily, extraordinarily intense. Slowly, slowly, as the aeons -slipped into eternity, the earth sank into a heavier and redder gloom. -The dull flame in the firmament took on a deeper tint, very somber -and turbid.</p> - -<p>Then, at last, it was borne upon me that there was a change. The fiery, -gloomy curtain of flame that hung quaking overhead, and down away into -the Southern sky, began to thin and contract; and, in it, as one sees -the fast vibrations of a jarred harp-string, I saw once more the -sun-stream quivering, giddily, North and South.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the likeness to a sheet of fire, disappeared, and I saw, -plainly, the slowing beat of the sun-stream. Yet, even then, the speed -of its swing was inconceivably swift. And all the time, the brightness -of the fiery arc grew ever duller. Underneath, the world loomed -dimly—an indistinct, ghostly region.</p> - -<p>Overhead, the river of flame swayed slower, and even slower; until, at -last, it swung to the North and South in great, ponderous beats, that -lasted through seconds. A long space went by, and now each sway of the -great belt lasted nigh a minute; so that, after a great while, I ceased -to distinguish it as a visible movement; and the streaming fire ran in a -steady river of dull flame, across the deadly-looking sky.</p> - -<p>An indefinite period passed, and it seemed that the arc of fire became -less sharply defined. It appeared to me to grow more attenuated, and I -thought blackish streaks showed, occasionally. Presently, as I watched, -the smooth onward-flow ceased; and I was able to perceive that there -came a momentary, but regular, darkening of the world. This grew until, -once more, night descended, in short, but periodic, intervals upon the -wearying earth.</p> - -<p>Longer and longer became the nights, and the days equaled them; so -that, at last, the day and the night grew to the duration of seconds in -length, and the sun showed, once more, like an almost invisible, -coppery-red colored ball, within the glowing mistiness of its flight. -Corresponding to the dark lines, showing at times in its trail, there -were now distinctly to be seen on the half-visible sun itself, great, -dark belts.</p> - -<p>Year after year flashed into the past, and the days and nights spread -into minutes. The sun had ceased to have the appearance of a tail; and -now rose and set—a tremendous globe of a glowing copper-bronze hue; in -parts ringed with blood-red bands; in others, with the dusky ones, that -I have already mentioned. These circles—both red and black—were of -varying thicknesses. For a time, I was at a loss to account for their -presence. Then it occurred to me, that it was scarcely likely that the -sun would cool evenly all over; and that these markings were due, -probably, to differences in temperature of the various areas; the red -representing those parts where the heat was still fervent, and the black -those portions which were already comparatively cool.</p> - -<p>It struck me, as a peculiar thing, that the sun should cool in evenly -defined rings; until I remembered that, possibly, they were but isolated -patches, to which the enormous rotatory speed of the sun had imparted a -beltlike appearance. The sun, itself, was very much greater than the sun -I had known in the old-world days; and, from this, I argued that it was -considerably nearer.</p> - -<p>At nights, the moon<a name="ftntsix" id="ftntsix"></a><a href="#retsix">[6]</a> still showed; but small and remote; and the -light she reflected was so dull and weak that she seemed little more -than the small, dim ghost of the olden moon, that I had known.</p> - -<p>Gradually, the days and nights lengthened out, until they equaled a -space somewhat less than one of the old-earth hours; the sun rising and -setting like a great, ruddy bronze disk, crossed with ink-black bars. -About this time, I found myself, able once more, to see the gardens, -with clearness. For the world had now grown very still, and changeless. -Yet, I am not correct in saying, 'gardens'; for there were no -gardens—nothing that I knew or recognized. In place thereof, I looked -out upon a vast plain, stretching away into distance. A little to my -left, there was a low range of hills. Everywhere, there was a uniform, -white covering of snow, in places rising into hummocks and ridges.</p> - -<p>It was only now, that I recognized how really great had been the -snowfall. In places it was vastly deep, as was witnessed by a great, -upleaping, wave-shaped hill, away to my right; though it is not -impossible, that this was due, in part, to some rise in the surface of -the ground. Strangely enough, the range of low hills to my -left—already mentioned—was not entirely covered with the universal -snow; instead, I could see their bare, dark sides showing in several -places. And everywhere and always there reigned an incredible -death-silence and desolation. The immutable, awful quiet of a -dying world.</p> - -<p>All this time, the days and nights were lengthening, perceptibly. -Already, each day occupied, maybe, some two hours from dawn to dusk. At -night, I had been surprised to find that there were very few stars -overhead, and these small, though of an extraordinary brightness; which -I attributed to the peculiar, but clear, blackness of the nighttime.</p> - -<p>Away to the North, I could discern a nebulous sort of mistiness; not -unlike, in appearance, a small portion of the Milky Way. It might have -been an extremely remote star-cluster; or—the thought came to me -suddenly—perhaps it was the sidereal universe that I had known, and now -left far behind, forever—a small, dimly glowing mist of stars, far in -the depths of space.</p> - -<p>Still, the days and nights lengthened, slowly. Each time, the sun rose -duller than it had set. And the dark belts increased in breadth.</p> - -<p>About this time, there happened a fresh thing. The sun, earth, and sky -were suddenly darkened, and, apparently, blotted out for a brief space. -I had a sense, a certain awareness (I could learn little by sight), that -the earth was enduring a very great fall of snow. Then, in an instant, -the veil that had obscured everything, vanished, and I looked out, once -more. A marvelous sight met my gaze. The hollow in which this house, -with its gardens, stands, was brimmed with snow.<a name="ftntsvn" id="ftntsvn"></a><a href="#retsvn">[7]</a> It lipped over the -sill of my window. Everywhere, it lay, a great level stretch of white, -which caught and reflected, gloomily, the somber coppery glows of the -dying sun. The world had become a shadowless plain, from horizon -to horizon.</p> - -<p>I glanced up at the sun. It shone with an extraordinary, dull -clearness. I saw it, now, as one who, until then, had seen it, only -through a partially obscuring medium. All about it, the sky had become -black, with a clear, deep blackness, frightful in its nearness, and its -unmeasured deep, and its utter unfriendliness. For a great time, I -looked into it, newly, and shaken and fearful. It was so near. Had I -been a child, I might have expressed some of my sensation and distress, -by saying that the sky had lost its roof.</p> - -<p>Later, I turned, and peered about me, into the room. Everywhere, it was -covered with a thin shroud of the all-pervading white. I could see it -but dimly, by reason of the somber light that now lit the world. It -appeared to cling to the ruined walls; and the thick, soft dust of the -years, that covered the floor knee-deep, was nowhere visible. The snow -must have blown in through the open framework of the windows. Yet, in no -place had it drifted; but lay everywhere about the great, old room, -smooth and level. Moreover, there had been no wind these many thousand -years. But there was the snow,<a name="ftnteit" id="ftnteit"></a><a href="#reteit">[8]</a> as I have told.</p> - -<p>And all the earth was silent. And there was a cold, such as no living -man can ever have known.</p> - -<p>The earth was now illuminated, by day, with a most doleful light, -beyond my power to describe. It seemed as though I looked at the great -plain, through the medium of a bronze-tinted sea.</p> - -<p>It was evident that the earth's rotatory movement was departing, -steadily.</p> - -<p>The end came, all at once. The night had been the longest yet; and -when the dying sun showed, at last, above the world's edge, I had grown -so wearied of the dark, that I greeted it as a friend. It rose steadily, -until about twenty degrees above the horizon. Then, it stopped suddenly, -and, after a strange retrograde movement, hung motionless—a great -shield in the sky<a name="ftntnin" id="ftntnin"></a><a href="#retnin">[9]</a>. Only the circular rim of the sun showed -bright—only this, and one thin streak of light near the equator.</p> - -<p>Gradually, even this thread of light died out; and now, all that was -left of our great and glorious sun, was a vast dead disk, rimmed with a -thin circle of bronze-red light.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XVIII"></a><h2>XVIII<br /><br /> -THE GREEN STAR</h2> - -<p>The world was held in a savage gloom—cold and intolerable. Outside, -all was quiet—quiet! From the dark room behind me, came the occasional, -soft thud<a name="ftntten" id="ftntten"></a><a href="#retten">[10]</a> of falling matter—fragments of rotting stone. So time -passed, and night grasped the world, wrapping it in wrappings of -impenetrable blackness.</p> - -<p>There was no night-sky, as we know it. Even the few straggling stars -had vanished, conclusively. I might have been in a shuttered room, -without a light; for all that I could see. Only, in the impalpableness -of gloom, opposite, burnt that vast, encircling hair of dull fire. -Beyond this, there was no ray in all the vastitude of night that -surrounded me; save that, far in the North, that soft, mistlike glow -still shone.</p> - -<p>Silently, years moved on. What period of time passed, I shall never -know. It seemed to me, waiting there, that eternities came and went, -stealthily; and still I watched. I could see only the glow of the sun's -edge, at times; for now, it had commenced to come and go—lighting up a -while, and again becoming extinguished.</p> - -<p>All at once, during one of these periods of life, a sudden flame cut -across the night—a quick glare that lit up the dead earth, shortly; -giving me a glimpse of its flat lonesomeness. The light appeared to come -from the sun—shooting out from somewhere near its center, diagonally. A -moment, I gazed, startled. Then the leaping flame sank, and the gloom -fell again. But now it was not so dark; and the sun was belted by a thin -line of vivid, white light. I stared, intently. Had a volcano broken out -on the sun? Yet, I negatived the thought, as soon as formed. I felt that -the light had been far too intensely white, and large, for such a cause.</p> - -<p>Another idea there was, that suggested itself to me. It was, that one -of the inner planets had fallen into the sun—becoming incandescent, -under that impact. This theory appealed to me, as being more plausible, -and accounting more satisfactorily for the extraordinary size and -brilliance of the blaze, that had lit up the dead world, so -unexpectedly.</p> - -<p>Full of interest and emotion, I stared, across the darkness, at that -line of white fire, cutting the night. One thing it told to me, -unmistakably: the sun was yet rotating at an enormous speed.<a name="ftntlvn" id="ftntlvn"></a><a href="#retlvn">[11]</a> Thus, I -knew that the years were still fleeting at an incalculable rate; though -so far as the earth was concerned, life, and light, and time, were -things belonging to a period lost in the long gone ages.</p> - -<p>After that one burst of flame, the light had shown, only as an -encircling band of bright fire. Now, however, as I watched, it began -slowly to sink into a ruddy tint, and, later, to a dark, copper-red -color; much as the sun had done. Presently, it sank to a deeper hue; -and, in a still further space of time, it began to fluctuate; having -periods of glowing, and anon, dying. Thus, after a great while, it -disappeared.</p> - -<p>Long before this, the smoldering edge of the sun had deadened into -blackness. And so, in that supremely future time, the world, dark and -intensely silent, rode on its gloomy orbit around the ponderous mass of -the dead sun.</p> - -<p>My thoughts, at this period, can be scarcely described. At first, they -were chaotic and wanting in coherence. But, later, as the ages came and -went, my soul seemed to imbibe the very essence of the oppressive -solitude and dreariness, that held the earth.</p> - -<p>With this feeling, there came a wonderful clearness of thought, and I -realized, despairingly, that the world might wander for ever, through -that enormous night. For a while, the unwholesome idea filled me, with a -sensation of overbearing desolation; so that I could have cried like a -child. In time, however, this feeling grew, almost insensibly, less, and -an unreasoning hope possessed me. Patiently, I waited.</p> - -<p>From time to time, the noise of dropping particles, behind in the room, -came dully to my ears. Once, I heard a loud crash, and turned, -instinctively, to look; forgetting, for the moment, the impenetrable -night in which every detail was submerged. In a while, my gaze sought -the heavens; turning, unconsciously, toward the North. Yes, the nebulous -glow still showed. Indeed, I could have almost imagined that it looked -somewhat plainer. For a long time, I kept my gaze fixed upon it; -feeling, in my lonely soul, that its soft haze was, in some way, a tie -with the past. Strange, the trifles from which one can suck comfort! And -yet, had I but known—But I shall come to that in its proper time.</p> - -<p>For a very long space, I watched, without experiencing any of the -desire for sleep, that would so soon have visited me in the old-earth -days. How I should have welcomed it; if only to have passed the time, -away from my perplexities and thoughts.</p> - -<p>Several times, the comfortless sound of some great piece of masonry -falling, disturbed my meditations; and, once, it seemed I could hear -whispering in the room, behind me. Yet it was utterly useless to try to -see anything. Such blackness, as existed, scarcely can be conceived. It -was palpable, and hideously brutal to the sense; as though something -dead, pressed up against me—something soft, and icily cold.</p> - -<p>Under all this, there grew up within my mind, a great and overwhelming -distress of uneasiness, that left me, but to drop me into an -uncomfortable brooding. I felt that I must fight against it; and, -presently, hoping to distract my thoughts, I turned to the window, and -looked up toward the North, in search of the nebulous whiteness, which, -still, I believed to be the far and misty glowing of the universe we had -left. Even as I raised my eyes, I was thrilled with a feeling of wonder; -for, now, the hazy light had resolved into a single, great star, of -vivid green.</p> - -<p>As I stared, astonished, the thought flashed into my mind; that the -earth must be traveling toward the star; not away, as I had imagined. -Next, that it could not be the universe the earth had left; but, -possibly, an outlying star, belonging to some vast star-cluster, hidden -in the enormous depths of space. With a sense of commingled awe and -curiosity, I watched it, wondering what new thing was to be revealed -to me.</p> - -<p>For a while, vague thoughts and speculations occupied me, during which -my gaze dwelt insatiably upon that one spot of light, in the otherwise -pitlike darkness. Hope grew up within me, banishing the oppression of -despair, that had seemed to stifle me. Wherever the earth was traveling, -it was, at least, going once more toward the realms of light. Light! One -must spend an eternity wrapped in soundless night, to understand the -full horror of being without it.</p> - -<p>Slowly, but surely, the star grew upon my vision, until, in time, it -shone as brightly as had the planet Jupiter, in the old-earth days. With -increased size, its color became more impressive; reminding me of a huge -emerald, scintillating rays of fire across the world.</p> - -<p>Years fled away in silence, and the green star grew into a great splash -of flame in the sky. A little later, I saw a thing that filled me with -amazement. It was the ghostly outline of a vast crescent, in the night; -a gigantic new moon, seeming to be growing out of the surrounding gloom. -Utterly bemused, I stared at it. It appeared to be quite -close—comparatively; and I puzzled to understand how the earth had come -so near to it, without my having seen it before.</p> - -<p>The light, thrown by the star, grew stronger; and, presently, I was -aware that it was possible to see the earthscape again; though -indistinctly. Awhile, I stared, trying to make out whether I could -distinguish any detail of the world's surface, but I found the light -insufficient. In a little, I gave up the attempt, and glanced once more -toward the star. Even in the short space, that my attention had been -diverted, it had increased considerably, and seemed now, to my -bewildered sight, about a quarter of the size of the full moon. The -light it threw, was extraordinarily powerful; yet its color was so -abominably unfamiliar, that such of the world as I could see, showed -unreal; more as though I looked out upon a landscape of shadow, than -aught else.</p> - -<p>All this time, the great crescent was increasing in brightness, and -began, now, to shine with a perceptible shade of green. Steadily, the -star increased in size and brilliancy, until it showed, fully as large -as half a full moon; and, as it grew greater and brighter, so did the -vast crescent throw out more and more light, though of an ever deepening -hue of green. Under the combined blaze of their radiances, the -wilderness that stretched before me, became steadily more visible. Soon, -I seemed able to stare across the whole world, which now appeared, -beneath the strange light, terrible in its cold and awful, flat -dreariness.</p> - -<p>It was a little later, that my attention was drawn to the fact, that -the great star of green flame, was slowly sinking out of the North, -toward the East. At first, I could scarcely believe that I saw aright; -but soon there could be no doubt that it was so. Gradually, it sank, -and, as it fell, the vast crescent of glowing green, began to dwindle -and dwindle, until it became a mere arc of light, against the livid -colored sky. Later it vanished, disappearing in the self-same spot from -which I had seen it slowly emerge.</p> - -<p>By this time, the star had come to within some thirty degrees of the -hidden horizon. In size it could now have rivaled the moon at its full; -though, even yet, I could not distinguish its disk. This fact led me to -conceive that it was, still, an extraordinary distance away; and, this -being so, I knew that its size must be huge, beyond the conception of -man to understand or imagine.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as I watched, the lower edge of the star vanished—cut by a -straight, dark line. A minute—or a century—passed, and it dipped -lower, until the half of it had disappeared from sight. Far away out on -the great plain, I saw a monstrous shadow blotting it out, and advancing -swiftly. Only a third of the star was visible now. Then, like a flash, -the solution of this extraordinary phenomenon revealed itself to me. The -star was sinking behind the enormous mass of the dead sun. Or rather, -the sun—obedient to its attraction—was rising toward it,<a name="ftntwlv" id="ftntwlv"></a><a href="#retwlv">[12]</a> with the -earth following in its trail. As these thoughts expanded in my mind, the -star vanished; being completely hidden by the tremendous bulk of the -sun. Over the earth there fell, once more, the brooding night.</p> - -<p>With the darkness, came an intolerable feeling of loneliness and dread. -For the first time, I thought of the Pit, and its inmates. After that, -there rose in my memory the still more terrible Thing, that had haunted -the shores of the Sea of Sleep, and lurked in the shadows of this old -building. Where were they? I wondered—and shivered with miserable -thoughts. For a time, fear held me, and I prayed, wildly and -incoherently, for some ray of light with which to dispel the cold -blackness that enveloped the world.</p> - -<p>How long I waited, it is impossible to say—certainly for a very great -period. Then, all at once, I saw a loom of light shine out ahead. -Gradually, it became more distinct. Suddenly, a ray of vivid green, -flashed across the darkness. At the same moment, I saw a thin line of -livid flame, far in the night. An instant, it seemed, and it had grown -into a great clot of fire; beneath which, the world lay bathed in a -blaze of emerald green light. Steadily it grew, until, presently, the -whole of the green star had come into sight again. But now, it could be -scarcely called a star; for it had increased to vast proportions, being -incomparably greater than the sun had been in the olden time.</p> - -<p>"Then, as I stared, I became aware that I could see the edge of the -lifeless sun, glowing like a great crescent-moon. Slowly, its lighted -surface, broadened out to me, until half of its diameter was visible; -and the star began to drop away on my right. Time passed, and the earth -moved on, slowly traversing the tremendous face of the dead sun." <a name="ftnthrtn" id="ftnthrtn"></a><a href="#rethrtn">[13]</a></p> - -<p>Gradually, as the earth traveled forward, the star fell still more to -the right; until, at last, it shone on the back of the house, sending a -flood of broken rays, in through the skeletonlike walls. Glancing -upward, I saw that much of the ceiling had vanished, enabling me to see -that the upper storeys were even more decayed. The roof had, evidently, -gone entirely; and I could see the green effulgence of the Starlight -shining in, slantingly.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XIX"></a><h2>XIX<br /><br /> -THE END OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM</h2> - -<p>From the abutment, where once had been the windows, through which I had -watched that first, fatal dawn, I could see that the sun was hugely -greater, than it had been, when first the Star lit the world. So great -was it, that its lower edge seemed almost to touch the far horizon. Even -as I watched, I imagined that it drew closer. The radiance of green that -lit the frozen earth, grew steadily brighter.</p> - -<p>Thus, for a long space, things were. Then, on a sudden, I saw that the -sun was changing shape, and growing smaller, just as the moon would have -done in past time. In a while, only a third of the illuminated part was -turned toward the earth. The Star bore away on the left.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as the world moved on, the Star shone upon the front of the -house, once more; while the sun showed, only as a great bow of green -fire. An instant, it seemed, and the sun had vanished. The Star was -still fully visible. Then the earth moved into the black shadow of the -sun, and all was night—Night, black, starless, and intolerable.</p> - -<p>Filled with tumultuous thoughts, I watched across the night—waiting. -Years, it may have been, and then, in the dark house behind me, the -clotted stillness of the world was broken. I seemed to hear a soft -padding of many feet, and a faint, inarticulate whisper of sound, grew -on my sense. I looked 'round into the blackness, and saw a multitude of -eyes. As I stared, they increased, and appeared to come toward me. For -an instant, I stood, unable to move. Then a hideous swine-noise<a name="ftntfrtn" id="ftntfrtn"></a><a href="#retfrtn">[14]</a> rose -up into the night; and, at that, I leapt from the window, out on to the -frozen world. I have a confused notion of having run awhile; and, after -that, I just waited—waited. Several times, I heard shrieks; but always -as though from a distance. Except for these sounds, I had no idea of the -whereabouts of the house. Time moved onward. I was conscious of little, -save a sensation of cold and hopelessness and fear.</p> - -<p>An age, it seemed, and there came a glow, that told of the coming -light. It grew, tardily. Then—with a loom of unearthly glory—the first -ray from the Green Star, struck over the edge of the dark sun, and lit -the world. It fell upon a great, ruined structure, some two hundred -yards away. It was the house. Staring, I saw a fearsome sight—over its -walls crawled a legion of unholy things, almost covering the old -building, from tottering towers to base. I could see them, plainly; they -were the Swine-creatures.</p> - -<p>The world moved out into the light of the Star, and I saw that, now, it -seemed to stretch across a quarter of the heavens. The glory of its -livid light was so tremendous, that it appeared to fill the sky with -quivering flames. Then, I saw the sun. It was so close that half of its -diameter lay below the horizon; and, as the world circled across its -face, it seemed to tower right up into the sky, a stupendous dome of -emerald colored fire. From time to time, I glanced toward the house; but -the Swine-things seemed unaware of my proximity.</p> - -<p>Years appeared to pass, slowly. The earth had almost reached the center -of the sun's disk. The light from the Green <em>Sun</em>—as now it must be -called—shone through the interstices, that gapped the mouldered walls -of the old house, giving them the appearance of being wrapped in green -flames. The Swine-creatures still crawled about the walls.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, there rose a loud roar of swine-voices, and, up from the -center of the roofless house, shot a vast column of blood-red flame. I -saw the little, twisted towers and turrets flash into fire; yet still -preserving their twisted crookedness. The beams of the Green Sun, beat -upon the house, and intermingled with its lurid glows; so that it -appeared a blazing furnace of red and green fire.</p> - -<p>Fascinated, I watched, until an overwhelming sense of coming danger, -drew my attention. I glanced up, and, at once, it was borne upon me, -that the sun was closer; so close, in fact, that it seemed to overhang -the world. Then—I know not how—I was caught up into strange -heights—floating like a bubble in the awful effulgence.</p> - -<p>Far below me, I saw the earth, with the burning house leaping into an -ever growing mountain of flame, 'round about it, the ground appeared to -be glowing; and, in places, heavy wreaths of yellow smoke ascended from -the earth. It seemed as though the world were becoming ignited from that -one plague-spot of fire. Faintly, I could see the Swine-things. They -appeared quite unharmed. Then the ground seemed to cave in, suddenly, -and the house, with its load of foul creatures, disappeared into the -depths of the earth, sending a strange, blood colored cloud into the -heights. I remembered the hell Pit under the house.</p> - -<p>In a while, I looked 'round. The huge bulk of the sun, rose high above -me. The distance between it and the earth, grew rapidly less. Suddenly, -the earth appeared to shoot forward. In a moment, it had traversed the -space between it and the sun. I heard no sound; but, out from the sun's -face, gushed an ever-growing tongue of dazzling flame. It seemed to -leap, almost to the distant Green Sun—shearing through the emerald -light, a very cataract of blinding fire. It reached its limit, and sank; -and, on the sun, glowed a vast splash of burning white—the grave of -the earth.</p> - -<p>The sun was very close to me, now. Presently, I found that I was rising -higher; until, at last, I rode above it, in the emptiness. The Green Sun -was now so huge that its breadth seemed to fill up all the sky, ahead. I -looked down, and noted that the sun was passing directly beneath me.</p> - -<p>A year may have gone by—or a century—and I was left, suspended, -alone. The sun showed far in front—a black, circular mass, against the -molten splendor of the great, Green Orb. Near one edge, I observed that -a lurid glow had appeared, marking the place where the earth had fallen. -By this, I knew that the long-dead sun was still revolving, though with -great slowness.</p> - -<p>Afar to my right, I seemed to catch, at times, a faint glow of whitish -light. For a great time, I was uncertain whether to put this down to -fancy or not. Thus, for a while, I stared, with fresh wonderings; until, -at last, I knew that it was no imaginary thing; but a reality. It grew -brighter; and, presently, there slid out of the green, a pale globe of -softest white. It came nearer, and I saw that it was apparently -surrounded by a robe of gently glowing clouds. Time passed....</p> - -<p>I glanced toward the diminishing sun. It showed, only as a dark blot on -the face of the Green Sun. As I watched, I saw it grow smaller, -steadily, as though rushing toward the superior orb, at an immense -speed. Intently, I stared. What would happen? I was conscious of -extraordinary emotions, as I realized that it would strike the Green -Sun. It grew no bigger than a pea, and I looked, with my whole soul, to -witness the final end of our System—that system which had borne the -world through so many aeons, with its multitudinous sorrows and -joys; and now—</p> - -<p>Suddenly, something crossed my vision, cutting from sight all vestige -of the spectacle I watched with such soul-interest. What happened to the -dead sun, I did not see; but I have no reason—in the light of that -which I saw afterward—to disbelieve that it fell into the strange fire -of the Green Sun, and so perished.</p> - -<p>And then, suddenly, an extraordinary question rose in my mind, whether -this stupendous globe of green fire might not be the vast Central -Sun—the great sun, 'round which our universe and countless others -revolve. I felt confused. I thought of the probable end of the dead sun, -and another suggestion came, dumbly—Do the dead stars make the Green -Sun their grave? The idea appealed to me with no sense of grotesqueness; -but rather as something both possible and probable.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XX"></a><h2>XX<br /><br /> -THE CELESTIAL GLOBES</h2> - -<p>For a while, many thoughts crowded my mind, so that I was unable to do -aught, save stare, blindly, before me. I seemed whelmed in a sea of -doubt and wonder and sorrowful remembrance.</p> - -<p>It was later, that I came out of my bewilderment. I looked about, -dazedly. Thus, I saw so extraordinary a sight that, for a while, I could -scarcely believe I was not still wrapped in the visionary tumult of my -own thoughts. Out of the reigning green, had grown a boundless river of -softly shimmering globes—each one enfolded in a wondrous fleece of pure -cloud. They reached, both above and below me, to an unknown distance; -and, not only hid the shining of the Green Sun; but supplied, in place -thereof, a tender glow of light, that suffused itself around me, like -unto nothing I have ever seen, before or since.</p> - -<p>In a little, I noticed that there was about these spheres, a sort of -transparency, almost as though they were formed of clouded crystal, -within which burned a radiance—gentle and subdued. They moved on, past -me, continually, floating onward at no great speed; but rather as -though they had eternity before them. A great while, I watched, and -could perceive no end to them. At times, I seemed to distinguish faces, -amid the cloudiness; but strangely indistinct, as though partly real, -and partly formed of the mistiness through which they showed.</p> - -<p>For a long time, I waited, passively, with a sense of growing content. -I had no longer that feeling of unutterable loneliness; but felt, -rather, that I was less alone, than I had been for kalpas of years. This -feeling of contentment, increased, so that I would have been satisfied -to float in company with those celestial globules, forever.</p> - -<p>Ages slipped by, and I saw the shadowy faces, with increased frequency, -also with greater plainness. Whether this was due to my soul having -become more attuned to its surroundings, I cannot tell—probably it was -so. But, however this may be, I am assured now, only of the fact that I -became steadily more conscious of a new mystery about me, telling me -that I had, indeed, penetrated within the borderland of some -unthought-of region—some subtle, intangible place, or form, of -existence.</p> - -<p>The enormous stream of luminous spheres continued to pass me, at an -unvarying rate—countless millions; and still they came, showing no -signs of ending, nor even diminishing.</p> - -<p>Then, as I was borne, silently, upon the unbuoying ether, I felt a -sudden, irresistible, forward movement, toward one of the passing -globes. An instant, and I was beside it. Then, I slid through, into the -interior, without experiencing the least resistance, of any description. -For a short while, I could see nothing; and waited, curiously.</p> - -<p>All at once, I became aware that a sound broke the inconceivable -stillness. It was like the murmur of a great sea at calm—a sea -breathing in its sleep. Gradually, the mist that obscured my sight, -began to thin away; and so, in time, my vision dwelt once again upon the -silent surface of the Sea of Sleep.</p> - -<p>For a little, I gazed, and could scarcely believe I saw aright. I -glanced 'round. There was the great globe of pale fire, swimming, as I -had seen it before, a short distance above the dim horizon. To my left, -far across the sea, I discovered, presently, a faint line, as of thin -haze, which I guessed to be the shore, where my Love and I had met, -during those wonderful periods of soul-wandering, that had been granted -to me in the old earth days.</p> - -<p>Another, a troubled, memory came to me—of the Formless Thing that had -haunted the shores of the Sea of Sleep. The guardian of that silent, -echoless place. These, and other, details, I remembered, and knew, -without doubt that I was looking out upon that same sea. With the -assurance, I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of surprise, and -joy, and shaken expectancy, conceiving it possible that I was about to -see my Love, again. Intently, I gazed around; but could catch no sight -of her. At that, for a little, I felt hopeless. Fervently, I prayed, and -ever peered, anxiously.... How still was the sea!</p> - -<p>Down, far beneath me, I could see the many trails of changeful fire, -that had drawn my attention, formerly. Vaguely, I wondered what caused -them; also, I remembered that I had intended to ask my dear One about -them, as well as many other matters—and I had been forced to leave her, -before the half that I had wished to say, was said.</p> - -<p>My thoughts came back with a leap. I was conscious that something had -touched me. I turned quickly. God, Thou wert indeed gracious—it was -She! She looked up into my eyes, with an eager longing, and I looked -down to her, with all my soul. I should like to have held her; but the -glorious purity of her face, kept me afar. Then, out of the winding -mist, she put her dear arms. Her whisper came to me, soft as the rustle -of a passing cloud. 'Dearest!' she said. That was all; but I had heard, -and, in a moment I held her to me—as I prayed—forever.</p> - -<p>In a little, she spoke of many things, and I listened. Willingly, would -I have done so through all the ages that are to come. At times, I -whispered back, and my whispers brought to her spirit face, once more, -an indescribably delicate tint—the bloom of love. Later, I spoke more -freely, and to each word she listened, and made answer, delightfully; so -that, already, I was in Paradise.</p> - -<p>She and I; and nothing, save the silent, spacious void to see us; and -only the quiet waters of the Sea of Sleep to hear us.</p> - -<p>Long before, the floating multitude of cloud-enfolded spheres had -vanished into nothingness. Thus, we looked upon the face of the -slumberous deeps, and were alone. Alone, God, I would be thus alone in -the hereafter, and yet be never lonely! I had her, and, greater than -this, she had me. Aye, aeon-aged me; and on this thought, and some -others, I hope to exist through the few remaining years that may yet lie -between us.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXI"></a><h2>XXI<br /><br /> -THE DARK SUN</h2> - -<p>How long our souls lay in the arms of joy, I cannot say; but, all at -once, I was waked from my happiness, by a diminution of the pale and -gentle light that lit the Sea of Sleep. I turned toward the huge, white -orb, with a premonition of coming trouble. One side of it was curving -inward, as though a convex, black shadow were sweeping across it. My -memory went back. It was thus, that the darkness had come, before our -last parting. I turned toward my Love, inquiringly. With a sudden -knowledge of woe, I noticed how wan and unreal she had grown, even in -that brief space. Her voice seemed to come to me from a distance. The -touch of her hands was no more than the gentle pressure of a summer -wind, and grew less perceptible.</p> - -<p>Already, quite half of the immense globe was shrouded. A feeling of -desperation seized me. Was she about to leave me? Would she have to go, -as she had gone before? I questioned her, anxiously, frightenedly; and -she, nestling closer, explained, in that strange, faraway voice, that it -was imperative she should leave me, before the Sun of Darkness—as she -termed it—blotted out the light. At this confirmation of my fears, I -was overcome with despair; and could only look, voicelessly, across the -quiet plains of the silent sea.</p> - -<p>How swiftly the darkness spread across the face of the White Orb. Yet, -in reality, the time must have been long, beyond human comprehension.</p> - -<p>At last, only a crescent of pale fire, lit the, now dim, Sea of Sleep. -All this while, she had held me; but, with so soft a caress, that I had -been scarcely conscious of it. We waited there, together, she and I; -speechless, for very sorrow. In the dimming light, her face showed, -shadowy—blending into the dusky mistiness that encircled us.</p> - -<p>Then, when a thin, curved line of soft light was all that lit the sea, -she released me—pushing me from her, tenderly. Her voice sounded in my -ears, 'I may not stay longer, Dear One.' It ended in a sob.</p> - -<p>She seemed to float away from me, and became invisible. Her voice came -to me, out of the shadows, faintly; apparently from a great distance:—</p> - -<p>'A little while—' It died away, remotely. In a breath, the Sea of -Sleep darkened into night. Far to my left, I seemed to see, for a brief -instant, a soft glow. It vanished, and, in the same moment, I became -aware that I was no longer above the still sea; but once more suspended -in infinite space, with the Green Sun—now eclipsed by a vast, dark -sphere—before me.</p> - -<p>Utterly bewildered, I stared, almost unseeingly, at the ring of green -flames, leaping above the dark edge. Even in the chaos of my thoughts, I -wondered, dully, at their extraordinary shapes. A multitude of questions -assailed me. I thought more of her, I had so lately seen, than of the -sight before me. My grief, and thoughts of the future, filled me. Was I -doomed to be separated from her, always? Even in the old earth-days, she -had been mine, only for a little while; then she had left me, as I -thought, forever. Since then, I had seen her but these times, upon the -Sea of Sleep.</p> - -<p>A feeling of fierce resentment filled me, and miserable questionings. -Why could I not have gone with my Love? What reason to keep us apart? -Why had I to wait alone, while she slumbered through the years, on the -still bosom of the Sea of Sleep? The Sea of Sleep! My thoughts turned, -inconsequently, out of their channel of bitterness, to fresh, desperate -questionings. Where was it? Where was it? I seemed to have but just -parted from my Love, upon its quiet surface, and it had gone, utterly. -It could not be far away! And the White Orb which I had seen hidden in -the shadow of the Sun of Darkness! My sight dwelt upon the Green -Sun—eclipsed. What had eclipsed it? Was there a vast, dead star -circling it? Was the <em>Central</em> Sun—as I had come to regard it—a double -star? The thought had come, almost unbidden; yet why should it not -be so?</p> - -<p>My thoughts went back to the White Orb. Strange, that it should have -been—I stopped. An idea had come, suddenly. The White Orb and the Green -Sun! Were they one and the same? My imagination wandered backward, and I -remembered the luminous globe to which I had been so unaccountably -attracted. It was curious that I should have forgotten it, even -momentarily. Where were the others? I reverted again to the globe I had -entered. I thought, for a time, and matters became clearer. I conceived -that, by entering that impalpable globule, I had passed, at once, into -some further, and, until then, invisible dimension; There, the Green Sun -was still visible; but as a stupendous sphere of pale, white -light—almost as though its ghost showed, and not its material part.</p> - -<p>A long time, I mused on the subject. I remembered how, on entering the -sphere, I had, immediately, lost all sight of the others. For a still -further period, I continued to revolve the different details in my mind.</p> - -<p>In a while, my thoughts turned to other things. I came more into the -present, and began to look about me, seeingly. For the first time, I -perceived that innumerable rays, of a subtle, violet hue, pierced the -strange semi-darkness, in all directions. They radiated from the fiery -rim of the Green Sun. They seemed to grow upon my vision, so that, in a -little, I saw that they were countless. The night was filled with -them—spreading outward from the Green Sun, fan-wise. I concluded that I -was enabled to see them, by reason of the Sun's glory being cut off by -the eclipse. They reached right out into space, and vanished.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as I looked, I became aware that fine points of intensely -brilliant light, traversed the rays. Many of them seemed to travel from -the Green Sun, into distance. Others came out of the void, toward the -Sun; but one and all, each kept strictly to the ray in which it -traveled. Their speed was inconceivably great; and it was only when they -neared the Green Sun, or as they left it, that I could see them as -separate specks of light. Further from the sun, they became thin lines -of vivid fire within the violet.</p> - -<p>The discovery of these rays, and the moving sparks, interested me, -extraordinarily. To where did they lead, in such countless profusion? I -thought of the worlds in space.... And those sparks! Messengers! -Possibly, the idea was fantastic; but I was not conscious of its being -so. Messengers! Messengers from the Central Sun!</p> - -<p>An idea evolved itself, slowly. Was the Green Sun the abode of some -vast Intelligence? The thought was bewildering. Visions of the Unnamable -rose, vaguely. Had I, indeed, come upon the dwelling-place of the -Eternal? For a time, I repelled the thought, dumbly. It was too -stupendous. Yet....</p> - -<p>Huge, vague thoughts had birth within me. I felt, suddenly, terribly -naked. And an awful Nearness, shook me.</p> - -<p>And Heaven ...! Was that an illusion?</p> - -<p>My thoughts came and went, erratically. The Sea of Sleep—and she! -Heaven.... I came back, with a bound, to the present. Somewhere, out of -the void behind me, there rushed an immense, dark body—huge and silent. -It was a dead star, hurling onward to the burying place of the stars. It -drove between me and the Central Suns—blotting them out from my vision, -and plunging me into an impenetrable night.</p> - -<p>An age, and I saw again the violet rays. A great while later—aeons it -must have been—a circular glow grew in the sky, ahead, and I saw the -edge of the receding star, show darkly against it. Thus, I knew that it -was nearing the Central Suns. Presently, I saw the bright ring of the -Green Sun, show plainly against the night The star had passed into the -shadow of the Dead Sun. After that, I just waited. The strange years -went slowly, and ever, I watched, intently.</p> - -<p>'The thing I had expected, came at last—suddenly, awfully. A vast -flare of dazzling light. A streaming burst of white flame across the -dark void. For an indefinite while, it soared outward—a gigantic -mushroom of fire. It ceased to grow. Then, as time went by, it began to -sink backward, slowly. I saw, now, that it came from a huge, glowing -spot near the center of the Dark Sun. Mighty flames, still soared -outward from this. Yet, spite of its size, the grave of the star was no -more than the shining of Jupiter upon the face of an ocean, when -compared with the inconceivable mass of the Dead Sun.</p> - -<p>I may remark here, once more, that no words will ever convey to the -imagination, the enormous bulk of the two Central Suns.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXII"></a><h2>XXII<br /><br /> -THE DARK NEBULA</h2> - -<p>Years melted into the past, centuries, aeons. The light of the -incandescent star, sank to a furious red.</p> - -<p>It was later, that I saw the dark nebula—at first, an impalpable -cloud, away to my right. It grew, steadily, to a clot of blackness in -the night. How long I watched, it is impossible to say; for time, as we -count it, was a thing of the past. It came closer, a shapeless -monstrosity of darkness—tremendous. It seemed to slip across the night, -sleepily—a very hell-fog. Slowly, it slid nearer, and passed into the -void, between me and the Central Suns. It was as though a curtain had -been drawn before my vision. A strange tremor of fear took me, and a -fresh sense of wonder.</p> - -<p>The green twilight that had reigned for so many millions of years, had -now given place to impenetrable gloom. Motionless, I peered about me. A -century fled, and it seemed to me that I detected occasional dull glows -of red, passing me at intervals.</p> - -<p>Earnestly, I gazed, and, presently, seemed to see circular masses, that -showed muddily red, within the clouded blackness. They appeared to be -growing out of the nebulous murk. Awhile, and they became plainer to my -accustomed vision. I could see them, now, with a fair amount of -distinctness—ruddy-tinged spheres, similar, in size, to the luminous -globes that I had seen, so long previously.</p> - -<p>They floated past me, continually. Gradually, a peculiar uneasiness -seized me. I became aware of a growing feeling of repugnance and dread. -It was directed against those passing orbs, and seemed born of intuitive -knowledge, rather than of any real cause or reason.</p> - -<p>Some of the passing globes were brighter than others; and, it was from -one of these, that a face looked, suddenly. A face, human in its -outline; but so tortured with woe, that I stared, aghast. I had not -thought there was such sorrow, as I saw there. I was conscious of an -added sense of pain, on perceiving that the eyes, which glared so -wildly, were sightless. A while longer, I saw it; then it had passed on, -into the surrounding gloom. After this, I saw others—all wearing that -look of hopeless sorrow; and blind.</p> - -<p>A long time went by, and I became aware that I was nearer to the orbs, -than I had been. At this, I grew uneasy; though I was less in fear of -those strange globules, than I had been, before seeing their sorrowful -inhabitants; for sympathy had tempered my fear.</p> - -<p>Later, there was no doubt but that I was being carried closer to the -red spheres, and, presently, I floated among them. In awhile, I -perceived one bearing down upon me. I was helpless to move from its -path. In a minute, it seemed, it was upon me, and I was submerged in a -deep red mist. This cleared, and I stared, confusedly, across the -immense breadth of the Plain of Silence. It appeared just as I had first -seen it. I was moving forward, steadily, across its surface. Away ahead, -shone the vast, blood-red ring <a name="ftntfftn" id="ftntfftn"></a><a href="#retfftn">[15]</a> that lit the place. All around, was -spread the extraordinary desolation of stillness, that had so impressed -me during my previous wanderings across its starkness.</p> - -<p>Presently, I saw, rising up into the ruddy gloom, the distant peaks of -the mighty amphitheatre of mountains, where, untold ages before, I had -been shown my first glimpse of the terrors that underlie many things; -and where, vast and silent, watched by a thousand mute gods, stands the -replica of this house of mysteries—this house that I had seen swallowed -up in that hell-fire, ere the earth had kissed the sun, and vanished -for ever.</p> - -<p>Though I could see the crests of the mountain-amphitheatre, yet it was -a great while before their lower portions became visible. Possibly, this -was due to the strange, ruddy haze, that seemed to cling to the surface -of the Plain. However, be this as it may, I saw them at last.</p> - -<p>In a still further space of time, I had come so close to the mountains, -that they appeared to overhang me. Presently, I saw the great rift, open -before me, and I drifted into it; without volition on my part.</p> - -<p>Later, I came out upon the breadth of the enormous arena. There, at an -apparent distance of some five miles, stood the House, huge, monstrous -and silent—lying in the very center of that stupendous amphitheatre. So -far as I could see, it had not altered in any way; but looked as though -it were only yesterday that I had seen it. Around, the grim, dark -mountains frowned down upon me from their lofty silences.</p> - -<p>Far to my right, away up among inaccessible peaks, loomed the enormous -bulk of the great Beast-god. Higher, I saw the hideous form of the dread -goddess, rising up through the red gloom, thousands of fathoms above -me. To the left, I made out the monstrous Eyeless-Thing, grey and -inscrutable. Further off, reclining on its lofty ledge, the livid -Ghoul-Shape showed—a splash of sinister color, among the dark -mountains.</p> - -<p>Slowly, I moved out across the great arena—floating. As I went, I made -out the dim forms of many of the other lurking Horrors that peopled -those supreme heights.</p> - -<p>Gradually, I neared the House, and my thoughts flashed back across the -abyss of years. I remembered the dread Specter of the Place. A short -while passed, and I saw that I was being wafted directly toward the -enormous mass of that silent building.</p> - -<p>About this time, I became aware, in an indifferent sort of way, of a -growing sense of numbness, that robbed me of the fear, which I should -otherwise have felt, on approaching that awesome Pile. As it was, I -viewed it, calmly—much as a man views calamity through the haze of his -tobacco smoke.</p> - -<p>In a little while, I had come so close to the House, as to be able to -distinguish many of the details about it. The longer I looked, the more -was I confirmed in my long-ago impressions of its entire similitude to -this strange house. Save in its enormous size, I could find -nothing unlike.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as I stared, a great feeling of amazement filled me. I had -come opposite to that part, where the outer door, leading into the -study, is situated. There, lying right across the threshold, lay a great -length of coping stone, identical—save in size and color—with the -piece I had dislodged in my fight with the Pit-creatures.</p> - -<p>I floated nearer, and my astonishment increased, as I noted that the -door was broken partly from its hinges, precisely in the manner that my -study door had been forced inward, by the assaults of the Swine-things. -The sight started a train of thoughts, and I began to trace, dimly, -that the attack on this house, might have a far deeper significance than -I had, hitherto, imagined. I remembered how, long ago, in the old -earth-days, I had half suspected that, in some unexplainable manner, -this house, in which I live, was <em>en rapport</em>—to use a recognized -term—with that other tremendous structure, away in the midst of that -incomparable Plain.</p> - -<p>Now, however, it began to be borne upon me, that I had but vaguely -conceived what the realization of my suspicion meant. I began to -understand, with a more than human clearness, that the attack I had -repelled, was, in some extraordinary manner, connected with an attack -upon that strange edifice.</p> - -<p>With a curious inconsequence, my thoughts abruptly left the matter; to -dwell, wonderingly, upon the peculiar material, out of which the House -was constructed. It was—as I have mentioned, earlier—of a deep, green -color. Yet, now that I had come so close to it, I perceived that it -fluctuated at times, though slightly—glowing and fading, much as do the -fumes of phosphorus, when rubbed upon the hand, in the dark.</p> - -<p>Presently, my attention was distracted from this, by coming to the -great entrance. Here, for the first time, I was afraid; for, all in a -moment, the huge doors swung back, and I drifted in between them, -helplessly. Inside, all was blackness, impalpable. In an instant, I had -crossed the threshold, and the great doors closed, silently, shutting me -in that lightless place.</p> - -<p>For a while, I seemed to hang, motionless; suspended amid the darkness. -Then, I became conscious that I was moving again; where, I could not -tell. Suddenly, far down beneath me, I seemed to hear a murmurous noise -of Swine-laughter. It sank away, and the succeeding silence appeared -clogged with horror.</p> - -<p>Then a door opened somewhere ahead; a white haze of light filtered -through, and I floated slowly into a room, that seemed strangely -familiar. All at once, there came a bewildering, screaming noise, that -deafened me. I saw a blurred vista of visions, flaming before my sight. -My senses were dazed, through the space of an eternal moment. Then, my -power of seeing, came back to me. The dizzy, hazy feeling passed, and I -saw, clearly.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXIII"></a><h2>XXIII<br /><br /> -PEPPER</h2> - -<p>I was seated in my chair, back again in this old study. My glance -wandered 'round the room. For a minute, it had a strange, quivery -appearance—unreal and unsubstantial. This disappeared, and I saw that -nothing was altered in any way. I looked toward the end window—the -blind was up.</p> - -<p>I rose to my feet, shakily. As I did so, a slight noise, in the -direction of the door, attracted my attention. I glanced toward it. For -a short instant, it appeared to me that it was being closed, gently. I -stared, and saw that I must have been mistaken—it seemed closely shut.</p> - -<p>With a succession of efforts, I trod my way to the window, and looked -out. The sun was just rising, lighting up the tangled wilderness of -gardens. For, perhaps, a minute, I stood, and stared. I passed my hand, -confusedly, across my forehead.</p> - -<p>Presently, amid the chaos of my senses, a sudden thought came to me; I -turned, quickly, and called to Pepper. There was no answer, and I -stumbled across the room, in a quick access of fear. As I went, I tried -to frame his name; but my lips were numb. I reached the table, and -stooped down to him, with a catching at my heart. He was lying in the -shadow of the table, and I had not been able to see him, distinctly, -from the window. Now, as I stooped, I took my breath, shortly. There was -no Pepper; instead, I was reaching toward an elongated, little heap of -grey, ashlike dust....</p> - -<p>I must have remained, in that half-stooped position, for some minutes. -I was dazed—stunned. Pepper had really passed into the land of shadows.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXIV"></a><h2>XXIV<br /><br /> -THE FOOTSTEPS IN THE GARDEN</h2> - -<p>Pepper is dead! Even now, at times, I seem scarcely able to realize -that this is so. It is many weeks, since I came back from that strange -and terrible journey through space and time. Sometimes, in my sleep, I -dream about it, and go through, in imagination, the whole of that -fearsome happening. When I wake, my thoughts dwell upon it. That -Sun—those Suns, were they indeed the great Central Suns, 'round which -the whole universe, of the unknown heavens, revolves? Who shall say? And -the bright globules, floating forever in the light of the Green Sun! And -the Sea of Sleep on which they float! How unbelievable it all is. If it -were not for Pepper, I should, even after the many extraordinary things -that I have witnessed, be inclined to imagine that it was but a gigantic -dream. Then, there is that dreadful, dark nebula (with its multitudes of -red spheres) moving always within the shadow of the Dark Sun, sweeping -along on its stupendous orbit, wrapped eternally in gloom. And the faces -that peered out at me! God, do they, and does such a thing really -exist? ... There is still that little heap of grey ash, on my study -floor. I will not have it touched.</p> - -<p>At times, when I am calmer, I have wondered what became of the outer -planets of the Solar System. It has occurred to me, that they may have -broken loose from the sun's attraction, and whirled away into space. -This is, of course, only a surmise. There are so many things, about -which I wonder.</p> - -<p>Now that I am writing, let me record that I am certain, there is -something horrible about to happen. Last night, a thing occurred, which -has filled me with an even greater terror, than did the Pit fear. I will -write it down now, and, if anything more happens, endeavor to make a -note of it, at once. I have a feeling, that there is more in this last -affair, than in all those others. I am shaky and nervous, even now, as I -write. Somehow, I think death is not very far away. Not that I fear -death—as death is understood. Yet, there is that in the air, which bids -me fear—an intangible, cold horror. I felt it last night. It -was thus:—</p> - -<p>Last night, I was sitting here in my study, writing. The door, leading -into the garden, was half open. At times, the metallic rattle of a dog's -chain, sounded faintly. It belongs to the dog I have bought, since -Pepper's death. I will not have him in the house—not after Pepper. -Still, I have felt it better to have a dog about the place. They are -wonderful creatures.</p> - -<p>I was much engrossed in my work, and the time passed, quickly. -Suddenly, I heard a soft noise on the path, outside in the garden—pad, -pad, pad, it went, with a stealthy, curious sound. I sat upright, with a -quick movement, and looked out through the opened door. Again the noise -came—pad, pad, pad. It appeared to be approaching. With a slight -feeling of nervousness, I stared into the gardens; but the night hid -everything.</p> - -<p>Then the dog gave a long howl, and I started. For a minute, perhaps, I -peered, intently; but could hear nothing. After a little, I picked up -the pen, which I had laid down, and recommenced my work. The nervous -feeling had gone; for I imagined that the sound I had heard, was nothing -more than the dog walking 'round his kennel, at the length of his chain.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour may have passed; then, all at once, the dog howled -again, and with such a plaintively sorrowful note, that I jumped to my -feet, dropping my pen, and inking the page on which I was at work.</p> - -<p>'Curse that dog!' I muttered, noting what I had done. Then, even as I -said the words, there sounded again that queer—pad, pad, pad. It was -horribly close—almost by the door, I thought. I knew, now, that it -could not be the dog; his chain would not allow him to come so near.</p> - -<p>The dog's growl came again, and I noted, subconsciously, the taint of -fear in it.</p> - -<p>Outside, on the windowsill, I could see Tip, my sister's pet cat. As I -looked, it sprang to its feet, its tail swelling, visibly. For an -instant it stood thus; seeming to stare, fixedly, at something, in the -direction of the door. Then, quickly, it began to back along the sill; -until, reaching the wall at the end, it could go no further. There it -stood, rigid, as though frozen in an attitude of extraordinary terror.</p> - -<p>Frightened, and puzzled, I seized a stick from the corner, and went -toward the door, silently; taking one of the candles with me. I had come -to within a few paces of it, when, suddenly, a peculiar sense of fear -thrilled through me—a fear, palpitant and real; whence, I knew not, nor -why. So great was the feeling of terror, that I wasted no time; but -retreated straight-way—walking backward, and keeping my gaze, -fearfully, on the door. I would have given much, to rush at it, fling it -to, and shoot the bolts; for I have had it repaired and strengthened, -so that, now, it is far stronger than ever it has been. Like Tip, I -continued my, almost unconscious, progress backward, until the wall -brought me up. At that, I started, nervously, and glanced 'round, -apprehensively. As I did so, my eyes dwelt, momentarily, on the rack of -firearms, and I took a step toward them; but stopped, with a curious -feeling that they would be needless. Outside, in the gardens, the dog -moaned, strangely.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, from the cat, there came a fierce, long screech. I glanced, -jerkily, in its direction—Something, luminous and ghostly, encircled -it, and grew upon my vision. It resolved into a glowing hand, -transparent, with a lambent, greenish flame flickering over it. The cat -gave a last, awful caterwaul, and I saw it smoke and blaze. My breath -came with a gasp, and I leant against the wall. Over that part of the -window there spread a smudge, green and fantastic. It hid the thing from -me, though the glare of fire shone through, dully. A stench of burning, -stole into the room.</p> - -<p>Pad, pad, pad—Something passed down the garden path, and a faint, -mouldy odor seemed to come in through the open door, and mingle with the -burnt smell.</p> - -<p>The dog had been silent for a few moments. Now, I heard him yowl, -sharply, as though in pain. Then, he was quiet, save for an occasional, -subdued whimper of fear.</p> - -<p>A minute went by; then the gate on the West side of the gardens, -slammed, distantly. After that, nothing; not even the dog's whine.</p> - -<p>I must have stood there some minutes. Then a fragment of courage stole -into my heart, and I made a frightened rush at the door, dashed it to, -and bolted it. After that, for a full half-hour, I sat, -helpless—staring before me, rigidly.</p> - -<p>Slowly, my life came back into me, and I made my way, shakily, -up-stairs to bed.</p> - -<p>That is all.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXV"></a><h2>XXV<br /><br /> -THE THING FROM THE ARENA</h2> - -<p>This morning, early, I went through the gardens; but found everything -as usual. Near the door, I examined the path, for footprints; yet, here -again, there was nothing to tell me whether, or not, I dreamed -last night.</p> - -<p>It was only when I came to speak to the dog, that I discovered tangible -proof, that something did happen. When I went to his kennel, he kept -inside, crouching up in one corner, and I had to coax him, to get him -out. When, finally, he consented to come, it was in a strangely cowed -and subdued manner. As I patted him, my attention was attracted to a -greenish patch, on his left flank. On examining it, I found, that the -fur and skin had been apparently, burnt off; for the flesh showed, raw -and scorched. The shape of the mark was curious, reminding me of the -imprint of a large talon or hand.</p> - -<p>I stood up, thoughtful. My gaze wandered toward the study window. The -rays of the rising sun, shimmered on the smoky patch in the lower -corner, causing it to fluctuate from green to red, oddly. Ah! that was -undoubtedly another proof; and, suddenly, the horrible Thing I saw last -night, rose in my mind. I looked at the dog, again. I knew the cause, -now, of that hateful looking wound on his side—I knew, also, that, what -I had seen last night, had been a real happening. And a great discomfort -filled me. Pepper! Tip! And now this poor animal ...! I glanced at the -dog again, and noticed that he was licking at his wound.</p> - -<p>'Poor brute!' I muttered, and bent to pat his head. At that, he got -upon his feet, nosing and licking my hand, wistfully.</p> - -<p>Presently, I left him, having other matters to which to attend.</p> - -<p>After dinner, I went to see him, again. He seemed quiet, and -disinclined to leave his kennel. From my sister, I have learnt that he -has refused all food today. She appeared a little puzzled, when she told -me; though quite unsuspicious of anything of which to be afraid.</p> - -<p>The day has passed, uneventfully enough. After tea, I went, again, to -have a look at the dog. He seemed moody, and somewhat restless; yet -persisted in remaining in his kennel. Before locking up, for the night, -I moved his kennel out, away from the wall, so that I shall be able to -watch it from the small window, tonight. The thought came to me, to -bring him into the house for the night; but consideration has decided -me, to let him remain out. I cannot say that the house is, in any -degree, less to be feared than the gardens. Pepper was in the house, -and yet....</p> - -<p>It is now two o'clock. Since eight, I have watched the kennel, from the -small, side window in my study. Yet, nothing has occurred, and I am too -tired to watch longer. I will go to bed....</p> - -<p>During the night, I was restless. This is unusual for me; but, toward -morning, I obtained a few hours' sleep.</p> - -<p>I rose early, and, after breakfast, visited the dog. He was quiet; but -morose, and refused to leave his kennel. I wish there was some horse -doctor near here; I would have the poor brute looked to. All day, he has -taken no food; but has shown an evident desire for water—lapping it up, -greedily. I was relieved to observe this.</p> - -<p>The evening has come, and I am in my study. I intend to follow my plan -of last night, and watch the kennel. The door, leading into the garden, -is bolted, securely. I am consciously glad there are bars to the -windows....</p> - -<p>Night:—Midnight has gone. The dog has been silent, up to the present. -Through the side window, on my left, I can make out, dimly, the outlines -of the kennel. For the first time, the dog moves, and I hear the rattle -of his chain. I look out, quickly. As I stare, the dog moves again, -restlessly, and I see a small patch of luminous light, shine from the -interior of the kennel. It vanishes; then the dog stirs again, and, once -more, the gleam comes. I am puzzled. The dog is quiet, and I can see the -luminous thing, plainly. It shows distinctly. There is something -familiar about the shape of it. For a moment, I wonder; then it comes to -me, that it is not unlike the four fingers and thumb of a hand. Like a -hand! And I remember the contour of that fearsome wound on the dog's -side. It must be the wound I see. It is luminous at night—Why? The -minutes pass. My mind is filled with this fresh thing....</p> - -<p>Suddenly, I hear a sound, out in the gardens. How it thrills through -me. It is approaching. Pad, pad, pad. A prickly sensation traverses my -spine, and seems to creep across my scalp. The dog moves in his kennel, -and whimpers, frightenedly. He must have turned 'round; for, now, I can -no longer see the outline of his shining wound.</p> - -<p>Outside, the gardens are silent, once more, and I listen, fearfully. A -minute passes, and another; then I hear the padding sound, again. It is -quite close, and appears to be coming down the graveled path. The noise -is curiously measured and deliberate. It ceases outside the door; and I -rise to my feet, and stand motionless. From the door, comes a slight -sound—the latch is being slowly raised. A singing noise is in my ears, -and I have a sense of pressure about the head—</p> - -<p>The latch drops, with a sharp click, into the catch. The noise startles -me afresh; jarring, horribly, on my tense nerves. After that, I stand, -for a long while, amid an ever-growing quietness. All at once, my knees -begin to tremble, and I have to sit, quickly.</p> - -<p>An uncertain period of time passes, and, gradually, I begin to shake -off the feeling of terror, that has possessed me. Yet, still I sit. I -seem to have lost the power of movement. I am strangely tired, and -inclined to doze. My eyes open and close, and, presently, I find myself -falling asleep, and waking, in fits and starts.</p> - -<p>It is some time later, that I am sleepily aware that one of the candles -is guttering. When I wake again, it has gone out, and the room is very -dim, under the light of the one remaining flame. The semi-darkness -troubles me little. I have lost that awful sense of dread, and my only -desire seems to be to sleep—sleep.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, although there is no noise, I am awake—wide awake. I am -acutely conscious of the nearness of some mystery, of some overwhelming -Presence. The very air seems pregnant with terror. I sit huddled, and -just listen, intently. Still, there is no sound. Nature, herself, seems -dead. Then, the oppressive stillness is broken by a little eldritch -scream of wind, that sweeps 'round the house, and dies away, remotely.</p> - -<p>I let my gaze wander across the half-lighted room. By the great clock -in the far corner, is a dark, tall shadow. For a short instant, I stare, -frightenedly. Then, I see that it is nothing, and am, -momentarily, relieved.</p> - -<p>In the time that follows, the thought flashes through my brain, why -not leave this house—this house of mystery and terror? Then, as though -in answer, there sweeps up, across my sight, a vision of the wondrous -Sea of Sleep,—the Sea of Sleep where she and I have been allowed to -meet, after the years of separation and sorrow; and I know that I shall -stay on here, whatever happens.</p> - -<p>Through the side window, I note the somber blackness of the night. My -glance wanders away, and 'round the room; resting on one shadowy object -and another. Suddenly, I turn, and look at the window on my right; as I -do so, I breathe quickly, and bend forward, with a frightened gaze at -something outside the window, but close to the bars. I am looking at a -vast, misty swine-face, over which fluctuates a flamboyant flame, of a -greenish hue. It is the Thing from the arena. The quivering mouth seems -to drip with a continual, phosphorescent slaver. The eyes are staring -straight into the room, with an inscrutable expression. Thus, I sit -rigidly—frozen.</p> - -<p>The Thing has begun to move. It is turning, slowly, in my direction. -Its face is coming 'round toward me. It sees me. Two huge, inhumanly -human, eyes are looking through the dimness at me. I am cold with fear; -yet, even now, I am keenly conscious, and note, in an irrelevant way, -that the distant stars are blotted out by the mass of the giant face.</p> - -<p>A fresh horror has come to me. I am rising from my chair, without the -least intention. I am on my feet, and something is impelling me toward -the door that leads out into the gardens. I wish to stop; but cannot. -Some immutable power is opposed to my will, and I go slowly forward, -unwilling and resistant. My glance flies 'round the room, helplessly, -and stops at the window. The great swine-face has disappeared, and I -hear, again, that stealthy pad, pad, pad. It stops outside the -door—the door toward which I am being compelled....</p> - -<p>There succeeds a short, intense silence; then there comes a sound. It -is the rattle of the latch, being slowly lifted. At that, I am filled -with desperation. I will not go forward another step. I make a vast -effort to return; but it is, as though I press back, upon an invisible -wall. I groan out loud, in the agony of my fear, and the sound of my -voice is frightening. Again comes that rattle, and I shiver, clammily. I -try—aye, fight and struggle, to hold back, <em>back</em>; but it is no use....</p> - -<p>I am at the door, and, in a mechanical way, I watch my hand go forward, -to undo the topmost bolt. It does so, entirely without my volition. Even -as I reach up toward the bolt, the door is violently shaken, and I get a -sickly whiff of mouldy air, which seems to drive in through the -interstices of the doorway. I draw the bolt back, slowly, fighting, -dumbly, the while. It comes out of its socket, with a click, and I begin -to shake, aguishly. There are two more; one at the bottom of the door; -the other, a massive affair, is placed about the middle.</p> - -<p>For, perhaps a minute, I stand, with my arms hanging slackly, by my -sides. The influence to meddle with the fastenings of the door, seems to -have gone. All at once, there comes the sudden rattle of iron, at my -feet. I glance down, quickly, and realize, with an unspeakable terror, -that my foot is pushing back the lower bolt. An awful sense of -helplessness assails me.... The bolt comes out of its hold, with a -slight, ringing sound and I stagger on my feet, grasping at the great, -central bolt, for support. A minute passes, an eternity; then -another----My God, help me! I am being forced to work upon the last -fastening. <em>I will not!</em> Better to die, than open to the Terror, that is -on the other side of the door. Is there no escape ...? God help me, I -have jerked the bolt half out of its socket! My lips emit a hoarse -scream of terror, the bolt is three parts drawn, now, and still my -unconscious hands work toward my doom. Only a fraction of steel, between -my soul and That. Twice, I scream out in the supreme agony of my fear; -then, with a mad effort, I tear my hands away. My eyes seem blinded. A -great blackness is falling upon me. Nature has come to my rescue. I feel -my knees giving. There is a loud, quick thudding upon the door, and I am -falling, falling....</p> - -<p>I must have lain there, at least a couple of hours. As I recover, I am -aware that the other candle has burnt out, and the room is in an almost -total darkness. I cannot rise to my feet, for I am cold, and filled with -a terrible cramp. Yet my brain is clear, and there is no longer the -strain of that unholy influence.</p> - -<p>Cautiously, I get upon my knees, and feel for the central bolt. I find -it, and push it securely back into its socket; then the one at the -bottom of the door. By this time, I am able to rise to my feet, and so -manage to secure the fastening at the top. After that, I go down upon my -knees, again, and creep away among the furniture, in the direction of -the stairs. By doing this, I am safe from observation from the window.</p> - -<p>I reach the opposite door, and, as I leave the study, cast one nervous -glance over my shoulder, toward the window. Out in the night, I seem to -catch a glimpse of something impalpable; but it may be only a fancy. -Then, I am in the passage, and on the stairs.</p> - -<p>Reaching my bedroom, I clamber into bed, all clothed as I am, and pull -the bedclothes over me. There, after awhile, I begin to regain a little -confidence. It is impossible to sleep; but I am grateful for the added -warmth of the bedclothes. Presently, I try to think over the happenings -of the past night; but, though I cannot sleep, I find that it is -useless, to attempt consecutive thought. My brain seems curiously blank.</p> - -<p>Toward morning, I begin to toss, uneasily. I cannot rest, and, after -awhile, I get out of bed, and pace the floor. The wintry dawn is -beginning to creep through the windows, and shows the bare discomfort of -the old room. Strange, that, through all these years, it has never -occurred to me how dismal the place really is. And so a time passes.</p> - -<p>From somewhere down stairs, a sound comes up to me. I go to the bedroom -door, and listen. It is Mary, bustling about the great, old kitchen, -getting the breakfast ready. I feel little interest. I am not hungry. My -thoughts, however; continue to dwell upon her. How little the weird -happenings in this house seem to trouble her. Except in the incident of -the Pit creatures, she has seemed unconscious of anything unusual -occurring. She is old, like myself; yet how little we have to do with -one another. Is it because we have nothing in common; or only that, -being old, we care less for society, than quietness? These and other -matters pass through my mind, as I meditate; and help to distract my -attention, for a while, from the oppressive thoughts of the night.</p> - -<p>After a time, I go to the window, and, opening it, look out. The sun is -now above the horizon, and the air, though cold, is sweet and crisp. -Gradually, my brain clears, and a sense of security, for the time being, -comes to me. Somewhat happier, I go down stairs, and out into the -garden, to have a look at the dog.</p> - -<p>As I approach the kennel, I am greeted by the same mouldy stench that -assailed me at the door last night. Shaking off a momentary sense of -fear, I call to the dog; but he takes no heed, and, after calling once -more, I throw a small stone into the kennel. At this, he moves, -uneasily, and I shout his name, again; but do not go closer. Presently, -my sister comes out, and joins me, in trying to coax him from -the kennel.</p> - -<p>In a little the poor beast rises, and shambles out lurching queerly. In -the daylight he stands swaying from side to side, and blinking stupidly. -I look and note that the horrid wound is larger, much larger, and seems -to have a whitish, fungoid appearance. My sister moves to fondle him; -but I detain her, and explain that I think it will be better not to go -too near him for a few days; as it is impossible to tell what may be the -matter with him; and it is well to be cautious.</p> - -<p>A minute later, she leaves me; coming back with a basin of odd scraps -of food. This she places on the ground, near the dog, and I push it into -his reach, with the aid of a branch, broken from one of the shrubs. Yet, -though the meat should be tempting, he takes no notice of it; but -retires to his kennel. There is still water in his drinking vessel, so, -after a few moments' talk, we go back to the house. I can see that my -sister is much puzzled as to what is the matter with the animal; yet it -would be madness, even to hint the truth to her.</p> - -<p>The day slips away, uneventfully; and night comes on. I have determined -to repeat my experiment of last night. I cannot say that it is wisdom; -yet my mind is made up. Still, however, I have taken precautions; for I -have driven stout nails in at the back of each of the three bolts, that -secure the door, opening from the study into the gardens. This will, at -least, prevent a recurrence of the danger I ran last night.</p> - -<p>From ten to about two-thirty, I watch; but nothing occurs; and, -finally, I stumble off to bed, where I am soon asleep.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXVI"></a><h2>XXVI<br /><br /> -THE LUMINOUS SPECK</h2> - -<p>I awake suddenly. It is still dark. I turn over, once or twice, in my -endeavors to sleep again; but I cannot sleep. My head is aching, -slightly; and, by turns I am hot and cold. In a little, I give up the -attempt, and stretch out my hand, for the matches. I will light my -candle, and read, awhile; perhaps, I shall be able to sleep, after a -time. For a few moments, I grope; then my hand touches the box; but, as -I open it, I am startled, to see a phosphorescent speck of fire, shining -amid the darkness. I put out my other hand, and touch it. It is on my -wrist. With a feeling of vague alarm, I strike a light, hurriedly, and -look; but can see nothing, save a tiny scratch.</p> - -<p>'Fancy!' I mutter, with a half sigh of relief. Then the match burns my -finger, and I drop it, quickly. As I fumble for another, the thing -shines out again. I know, now, that it is no fancy. This time, I light -the candle, and examine the place, more closely. There is a slight, -greenish discoloration 'round the scratch. I am puzzled and worried. -Then a thought comes to me. I remember the morning after the Thing -appeared. I remember that the dog licked my hand. It was this one, with -the scratch on it; though I have not been even conscious of the -abasement, until now. A horrible fear has come to me. It creeps into my -brain—the dog's wound, shines at night. With a dazed feeling, I sit -down on the side of the bed, and try to think; but cannot. My brain -seems numbed with the sheer horror of this new fear.</p> - -<p>Time moves on, unheeded. Once, I rouse up, and try to persuade myself -that I am mistaken; but it is no use. In my heart, I have no doubt.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour, I sit in the darkness and silence, and shiver, -hopelessly....</p> - -<p>The day has come and gone, and it is night again.</p> - -<p>This morning, early, I shot the dog, and buried it, away among the -bushes. My sister is startled and frightened; but I am desperate. -Besides, it is better so. The foul growth had almost hidden its left -side. And I—the place on my wrist has enlarged, perceptibly. Several -times, I have caught myself muttering prayers—little things learnt as a -child. God, Almighty God, help me! I shall go mad.</p> - -<p>Six days, and I have eaten nothing. It is night. I am sitting in my -chair. Ah, God! I wonder have any ever felt the horror of life that I -have come to know? I am swathed in terror. I feel ever the burning of -this dread growth. It has covered all my right arm and side, and is -beginning to creep up my neck. Tomorrow, it will eat into my face. I -shall become a terrible mass of living corruption. There is no escape. -Yet, a thought has come to me, born of a sight of the gun-rack, on the -other side of the room. I have looked again—with the strangest of -feelings. The thought grows upon me. God, Thou knowest, Thou must know, -that death is better, aye, better a thousand times than This. This! -Jesus, forgive me, but I cannot live, cannot, cannot! I dare not! I am -beyond all help—there is nothing else left. It will, at least, spare -me that final horror....</p> - -<p>I think I must have been dozing. I am very weak, and oh! so miserable, -so miserable and tired—tired. The rustle of the paper, tries my brain. -My hearing seems preternaturally sharp. I will sit awhile and think....</p> - -<p>"Hush! I hear something, down—down in the cellars. It is a creaking -sound. My God, it is the opening of the great, oak trap. What can be -doing that? The scratching of my pen deafens me ... I must listen.... -There are steps on the stairs; strange padding steps, that come up and -nearer.... Jesus, be merciful to me, an old man. There is something -fumbling at the door-handle. O God, help me now! Jesus—The door is -opening—slowly. Somethi—"</p> - -<p>That is all<a name="ftntsxtn" id="ftntsxtn"></a><a href="#retsxtn">[16]</a></p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="XXVII"></a><h2>XXVII<br /><br /> -CONCLUSION</h2> - -<p>I put down the Manuscript, and glanced across at Tonnison: he was -sitting, staring out into the dark. I waited a minute; then I spoke.</p> - -<p>"Well?" I said.</p> - -<p>He turned, slowly, and looked at me. His thoughts seemed to have gone -out of him into a great distance.</p> - -<p>"Was he mad?" I asked, and indicated the MS., with a half nod.</p> - -<p>Tonnison stared at me, unseeingly, a moment; then, his wits came back to -him, and, suddenly, he comprehended my question.</p> - -<p>"No!" he said.</p> - -<p>I opened my lips, to offer a contradictory opinion; for my sense of the -saneness of things, would not allow me to take the story literally; then -I shut them again, without saying anything. Somehow, the certainty in -Tonnison's voice affected my doubts. I felt, all at once, less assured; -though I was by no means convinced as yet.</p> - -<p>After a few moments' silence, Tonnison rose, stiffly, and began to -undress. He seemed disinclined to talk; so I said nothing; but followed -his example. I was weary; though still full of the story I had -just read.</p> - -<p>Somehow, as I rolled into my blankets, there crept into my mind a memory -of the old gardens, as we had seen them. I remembered the odd fear that -the place had conjured up in our hearts; and it grew upon me, with -conviction, that Tonnison was right.</p> - -<p>It was very late when we rose—nearly midday; for the greater part of -the night had been spent in reading the MS.</p> - -<p>Tonnison was grumpy, and I felt out of sorts. It was a somewhat dismal -day, and there was a touch of chilliness in the air. There was no -mention of going out fishing on either of our parts. We got dinner, and, -after that, just sat and smoked in silence.</p> - -<p>Presently, Tonnison asked for the Manuscript: I handed it to him, and he -spent most of the afternoon in reading it through by himself.</p> - -<p>It was while he was thus employed, that a thought came to me:—</p> - -<p>"What do you say to having another look at—?" I nodded my head down -stream.</p> - -<p>Tonnison looked up. "Nothing!" he said, abruptly; and, somehow, I was -less annoyed, than relieved, at his answer.</p> - -<p>After that, I left him alone.</p> - -<p>A little before teatime, he looked up at me, curiously.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, old chap, if I was a bit short with you just now;" (just now, -indeed! he had not spoken for the last three hours) "but I would not go -there again," and he indicated with his head, "for anything that you -could offer me. Ugh!" and he put down that history of a man's terror and -hope and despair.</p> - -<p>The next morning, we rose early, and went for our accustomed swim: we -had partly shaken off the depression of the previous day; and so, took -our rods when we had finished breakfast, and spent the day at our -favorite sport.</p> - -<p>After that day, we enjoyed our holiday to the utmost; though both of us -looked forward to the time when our driver should come; for we were -tremendously anxious to inquire of him, and through him among the people -of the tiny hamlet, whether any of them could give us information about -that strange garden, lying away by itself in the heart of an almost -unknown tract of country.</p> - -<p>At last, the day came, on which we expected the driver to come across -for us. He arrived early, while we were still abed; and, the first thing -we knew, he was at the opening of the tent, inquiring whether we had had -good sport. We replied in the affirmative; and then, both together, -almost in the same breath, we asked the question that was uppermost in -our minds:—Did he know anything about an old garden, and a great pit, -and a lake, situated some miles away, down the river; also, had he ever -heard of a great house thereabouts?</p> - -<p>No, he did not, and had not; yet, stay, he had heard a rumor, once upon -a time, of a great, old house standing alone out in the wilderness; but, -if he remembered rightly it was a place given over to the fairies; or, -if that had not been so, he was certain that there had been something -"quare" about it; and, anyway, he had heard nothing of it for a very -long while—not since he was quite a gossoon. No, he could not remember -anything particular about it; indeed, he did not know he remembered -anything "at all, at all" until we questioned him.</p> - -<p>"Look here," said Tonnison, finding that this was about all that he -could tell us, "just take a walk 'round the village, while we dress, and -find out something, if you can."</p> - -<p>With a nondescript salute, the man departed on his errand; while we made -haste to get into our clothes; after which, we began to prepare -breakfast.</p> - -<p>We were just sitting down to it, when he returned.</p> - -<p>"It's all in bed the lazy divvils is, sor," he said, with a repetition -of the salute, and an appreciative eye to the good things spread out on -our provision chest, which we utilized as a table.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, sit down," replied my friend, "and have something to eat with -us." Which the man did without delay.</p> - -<p>After breakfast, Tonnison sent him off again on the same errand, while -we sat and smoked. He was away some three-quarters of an hour, and, when -he returned, it was evident that he had found out something. It appeared -that he had got into conversation with an ancient man of the village, -who, probably, knew more—though it was little enough—of the strange -house, than any other person living.</p> - -<p>The substance of this knowledge was, that, in the "ancient man's" -youth—and goodness knows how long back that was—there had stood a -great house in the center of the gardens, where now was left only that -fragment of ruin. This house had been empty for a great while; years -before his—the ancient man's—birth. It was a place shunned by the -people of the village, as it had been shunned by their fathers before -them. There were many things said about it, and all were of evil. No one -ever went near it, either by day or night. In the village it was a -synonym of all that is unholy and dreadful.</p> - -<p>And then, one day, a man, a stranger, had ridden through the village, -and turned off down the river, in the direction of the House, as it was -always termed by the villagers. Some hours afterward, he had ridden -back, taking the track by which he had come, toward Ardrahan. Then, for -three months or so, nothing was heard. At the end of that time, he -reappeared; but now, he was accompanied by an elderly woman, and a large -number of donkeys, laden with various articles. They had passed through -the village without stopping, and gone straight down the bank of the -river, in the direction of the House.</p> - -<p>Since that time, no one, save the man whom they had chartered to bring -over monthly supplies of necessaries from Ardrahan, had ever seen either -of them: and him, none had ever induced to talk; evidently, he had been -well paid for his trouble.</p> - -<p>The years had moved onward, uneventfully enough, in that little hamlet; -the man making his monthly journeys, regularly.</p> - -<p>One day, he had appeared as usual on his customary errand. He had passed -through the village without exchanging more than a surly nod with the -inhabitants and gone on toward the House. Usually, it was evening before -he made the return journey. On this occasion, however, he had reappeared -in the village, a few hours later, in an extraordinary state of -excitement, and with the astounding information, that the House had -disappeared bodily, and that a stupendous pit now yawned in the place -where it had stood.</p> - -<p>This news, it appears, so excited the curiosity of the villagers, that -they overcame their fears, and marched <em>en masse</em> to the place. There, -they found everything, just as described by the carrier.</p> - -<p>This was all that we could learn. Of the author of the MS., who he was, -and whence he came, we shall never know.</p> - -<p>His identity is, as he seems to have desired, buried forever.</p> - -<p>That same day, we left the lonely village of Kraighten. We have never -been there since.</p> - -<p>Sometimes, in my dreams, I see that enormous pit, surrounded, as it is, -on all sides by wild trees and bushes. And the noise of the water rises -upward, and blends—in my sleep—with other and lower noises; while, -over all, hangs the eternal shroud of spray.</p> - - -<br /><br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="ftntsvtn" id="ftntsvtn"></a><h2>Grief<a href="#retsvtn">[17]</a></h2> - -<p>Fierce hunger reigns within my breast, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">I had not dreamt that this whole world,</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Crushed in the hand of God, could yield</span><br /> -Such bitter essence of unrest, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">Such pain as Sorrow now hath hurled</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Out of its dreadful heart, unsealed!</span><br /> - -</p><p>Each sobbing breath is but a cry, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">My heart-strokes knells of agony,</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">And my whole brain has but one thought</span><br /> -That nevermore through life shall I -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">(Save in the ache of memory)</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Touch hands with thee, who now art naught!</span><br /> - -</p><p>Through the whole void of night I search, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">So dumbly crying out to thee;</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">But thou are <em>not</em>; and night's vast throne</span><br /> -Becomes an all stupendous church -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">With star-bells knelling unto me</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Who in all space am most alone!</span><br /> - -</p><p>An hungered, to the shore I creep, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">Perchance some comfort waits on me</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">From the old Sea's eternal heart;</span><br /> -But lo! from all the solemn deep, -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">Far voices out of mystery</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Seem questioning why we are apart!</span><br /> - -</p><p>"Where'er I go I am alone -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">Who once, through thee, had all the world.</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">My breast is one whole raging pain</span><br /> -For that which <em>was</em>, and now is flown -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 0.5em;">Into the Blank where life is hurled</span><br /> -<span style="layout-flow: horizontal; margin-left: 1em;">Where all is not, nor is again!"</span><br /> - - -<br /><br /></p><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /><br /> -<a name="FOOTNOTES:"></a><h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> - -<p><a name="retone" id="retone"></a><a href="#ftntone">[1]</a> An apparently unmeaning interpolation. I can find no previous -reference in the MS. to this matter. It becomes clearer, however, in the -light of succeeding incidents.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="rettwo" id="rettwo"></a><a href="#ftntwo">[2]</a> Here, the writing becomes undecipherable, owing to the damaged -condition of this part of the MS. Below I print such fragments as are -legible.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="rethre" id="rethre"></a><a href="#ftnthre">[3]</a> NOTE.—The severest scrutiny has not enabled me to decipher more of -the damaged portion of the MS. It commences to be legible again with the -chapter entitled "The Noise in the Night."—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retfor" id="retfor"></a><a href="#ftntfor">[4]</a> The Recluse uses this as an illustration, evidently in the sense of -the popular conception of a comet.—Ed.</p> - -<p>[5] Evidently referring to something set forth in the missing and -mutilated pages. See <em>Fragments, Chapter 14</em>—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retsix" id="retsix"></a><a href="#ftntsix">[6]</a> No further mention is made of the moon. From what is said here, it -is evident that our satellite had greatly increased its distance from -the earth. Possibly, at a later age it may even have broken loose from -our attraction. I cannot but regret that no light is shed on this -point.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retsvn" id="retsvn"></a><a href="#ftntsvn">[7]</a> Conceivably, frozen air.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="reteit" id="reteit"></a><a href="#ftnteit">[8]</a> See previous footnote. This would explain the snow (?) within the -room.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retnin" id="retnin"></a><a href="#ftntnin">[9]</a> I am confounded that neither here, nor later on, does the Recluse -make any further mention of the continued north and south movement -(apparent, of course,) of the sun from solstice to solstice.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retten" id="retten"></a><a href="#ftntten">[10]</a> At this time the sound-carrying atmosphere must have been either -incredibly attenuated, or—more probably—nonexistent. In the light of -this, it cannot be supposed that these, or any other, noises would have -been apparent to living ears—to hearing, as we, in the material body, -understand that sense.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retlvn" id="retlvn"></a><a href="#ftntlvn">[11]</a> I can only suppose that the time of the earth's yearly journey had -ceased to bear its present <em>relative</em> proportion to the period of the -sun's rotation.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retwlv" id="retwlv"></a><a href="#ftntwlv">[12]</a> A careful reading of the MS. suggests that, either the sun is -traveling on an orbit of great eccentricity, or else that it was -approaching the green star on a lessening orbit. And at this moment, I -conceive it to be finally torn directly from its oblique course, by the -gravitational pull of the immense star.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="rethrtn" id="rethrtn"></a><a href="#ftnthrtn">[13]</a> It will be noticed here that the earth was "<em>slowly</em> traversing the -tremendous face of the dead sun." No explanation is given of this, and -we must conclude, either that the speed of time had slowed, or else that -the earth was actually progressing on its orbit at a rate, slow, when -measured by existing standards. A careful study of the MS. however, -leads me to conclude that the speed of time had been steadily decreasing -for a very considerable period.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retfrtn" id="retfrtn"></a><a href="#ftntfrtn">[14]</a> See <em>first footnote, Chapter 18</em>.</p> - -<p><a name="retfftn" id="retfftn"></a><a href="#ftntfftn">[15]</a> Without doubt, the flame-edged mass of the Dead Central Sun, seen -from another dimension.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retsxtn" id="retsxtn"></a><a href="#ftntsxtn">[16]</a> NOTE.—From the unfinished word, it is possible, on the MS., to -trace a faint line of ink, which suggests that the pen has trailed away -over the paper; possibly, through fright and weakness.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="retsvtn" id="retsvtn"></a><a href="#ftntsvtn">[17]</a> These stanzas I found, in pencil, upon a piece of foolscap gummed in behind the fly-leaf of the MS. They have all the appearance of having been written at an earlier date than the Manuscript.--Ed.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The House on the Borderland -by William Hope Hodgson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - -***** This file should be named 10002-h.htm or 10002-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/0/10002/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The House on the Borderland - -Author: William Hope Hodgson - -Release Date: November 10, 2003 [EBook #10002] -Last updated: January 19, 2009 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - - - - -THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND - -William Hope Hodgson - - -_From the Manuscript discovered in 1877 by Messrs. Tonnison and -Berreggnog in the Ruins that lie to the South of the Village of -Kraighten, in the West of Ireland. Set out here, with Notes_. - - -TO MY FATHER -_(Whose feet tread the lost aeons)_ - -Open the door, - And listen! -Only the wind's muffled roar, - And the glisten -Of tears 'round the moon. - And, in fancy, the tread -Of vanishing shoon-- - Out in the night with the Dead. - -"Hush! And hark - To the sorrowful cry -Of the wind in the dark. - Hush and hark, without murmur or sigh, - To shoon that tread the lost aeons: - To the sound that bids you to die. -Hush and hark! Hush and Hark!" - _Shoon of the Dead_ - - - - -AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUSCRIPT - -Many are the hours in which I have pondered upon the story that is set -forth in the following pages. I trust that my instincts are not awry -when they prompt me to leave the account, in simplicity, as it was -handed to me. - -And the MS. itself--You must picture me, when first it was given into my -care, turning it over, curiously, and making a swift, jerky examination. -A small book it is; but thick, and all, save the last few pages, filled -with a quaint but legible handwriting, and writ very close. I have the -queer, faint, pit-water smell of it in my nostrils now as I write, and -my fingers have subconscious memories of the soft, "cloggy" feel of the -long-damp pages. - -I read, and, in reading, lifted the Curtains of the Impossible that -blind the mind, and looked out into the unknown. Amid stiff, abrupt -sentences I wandered; and, presently, I had no fault to charge against -their abrupt tellings; for, better far than my own ambitious phrasing, -is this mutilated story capable of bringing home all that the old -Recluse, of the vanished house, had striven to tell. - -Of the simple, stiffly given account of weird and extraordinary matters, -I will say little. It lies before you. The inner story must be uncovered, -personally, by each reader, according to ability and desire. And even -should any fail to see, as now I see, the shadowed picture and conception -of that to which one may well give the accepted titles of Heaven and Hell; -yet can I promise certain thrills, merely taking the story as a story. - -WILLIAM HOPE HODGSON December 17, 1907 - - - -_I_ - -THE FINDING OF THE MANUSCRIPT - -Right away in the west of Ireland lies a tiny hamlet called Kraighten. -It is situated, alone, at the base of a low hill. Far around there -spreads a waste of bleak and totally inhospitable country; where, here -and there at great intervals, one may come upon the ruins of some long -desolate cottage--unthatched and stark. The whole land is bare and -unpeopled, the very earth scarcely covering the rock that lies beneath -it, and with which the country abounds, in places rising out of the soil -in wave-shaped ridges. - -Yet, in spite of its desolation, my friend Tonnison and I had elected to -spend our vacation there. He had stumbled on the place by mere chance -the year previously, during the course of a long walking tour, and -discovered the possibilities for the angler in a small and unnamed river -that runs past the outskirts of the little village. - -I have said that the river is without name; I may add that no map that I -have hitherto consulted has shown either village or stream. They seem -to have entirely escaped observation: indeed, they might never exist for -all that the average guide tells one. Possibly this can be partly -accounted for by the fact that the nearest railway station (Ardrahan) is -some forty miles distant. - -It was early one warm evening when my friend and I arrived in Kraighten. -We had reached Ardrahan the previous night, sleeping there in rooms -hired at the village post office, and leaving in good time on the -following morning, clinging insecurely to one of the typical -jaunting cars. - -It had taken us all day to accomplish our journey over some of the -roughest tracks imaginable, with the result that we were thoroughly -tired and somewhat bad tempered. However, the tent had to be erected and -our goods stowed away before we could think of food or rest. And so we -set to work, with the aid of our driver, and soon had the tent up upon a -small patch of ground just outside the little village, and quite near to -the river. - -Then, having stored all our belongings, we dismissed the driver, as he -had to make his way back as speedily as possible, and told him to come -across to us at the end of a fortnight. We had brought sufficient -provisions to last us for that space of time, and water we could get -from the stream. Fuel we did not need, as we had included a small -oil-stove among our outfit, and the weather was fine and warm. - -It was Tonnison's idea to camp out instead of getting lodgings in one of -the cottages. As he put it, there was no joke in sleeping in a room with -a numerous family of healthy Irish in one corner and the pigsty in the -other, while overhead a ragged colony of roosting fowls distributed -their blessings impartially, and the whole place so full of peat smoke -that it made a fellow sneeze his head off just to put it inside -the doorway. - -Tonnison had got the stove lit now and was busy cutting slices of bacon -into the frying pan; so I took the kettle and walked down to the river -for water. On the way, I had to pass close to a little group of the -village people, who eyed me curiously, but not in any unfriendly manner, -though none of them ventured a word. - -As I returned with my kettle filled, I went up to them and, after a -friendly nod, to which they replied in like manner, I asked them -casually about the fishing; but, instead of answering, they just shook -their heads silently, and stared at me. I repeated the question, -addressing more particularly a great, gaunt fellow at my elbow; yet -again I received no answer. Then the man turned to a comrade and said -something rapidly in a language that I did not understand; and, at once, -the whole crowd of them fell to jabbering in what, after a few moments, -I guessed to be pure Irish. At the same time they cast many glances in -my direction. For a minute, perhaps, they spoke among themselves thus; -then the man I had addressed faced 'round at me and said something. By -the expression of his face I guessed that he, in turn, was questioning -me; but now I had to shake my head, and indicate that I did not -comprehend what it was they wanted to know; and so we stood looking at -one another, until I heard Tonnison calling to me to hurry up with the -kettle. Then, with a smile and a nod, I left them, and all in the little -crowd smiled and nodded in return, though their faces still betrayed -their puzzlement. - -It was evident, I reflected as I went toward the tent, that the -inhabitants of these few huts in the wilderness did not know a word of -English; and when I told Tonnison, he remarked that he was aware of the -fact, and, more, that it was not at all uncommon in that part of the -country, where the people often lived and died in their isolated hamlets -without ever coming in contact with the outside world. - -"I wish we had got the driver to interpret for us before he left," I -remarked, as we sat down to our meal. "It seems so strange for the -people of this place not even to know what we've come for." - -Tonnison grunted an assent, and thereafter was silent for a while. - -Later, having satisfied our appetites somewhat, we began to talk, laying -our plans for the morrow; then, after a smoke, we closed the flap of the -tent, and prepared to turn in. - -"I suppose there's no chance of those fellows outside taking anything?" -I asked, as we rolled ourselves in our blankets. - -Tonnison said that he did not think so, at least while we were about; -and, as he went on to explain, we could lock up everything, except the -tent, in the big chest that we had brought to hold our provisions. I -agreed to this, and soon we were both asleep. - -Next morning, early, we rose and went for a swim in the river; after -which we dressed and had breakfast. Then we roused out our fishing -tackle and overhauled it, by which time, our breakfasts having settled -somewhat, we made all secure within the tent and strode off in the -direction my friend had explored on his previous visit. - -During the day we fished happily, working steadily upstream, and by -evening we had one of the prettiest creels of fish that I had seen for a -long while. Returning to the village, we made a good feed off our day's -spoil, after which, having selected a few of the finer fish for our -breakfast, we presented the remainder to the group of villagers who had -assembled at a respectful distance to watch our doings. They seemed -wonderfully grateful, and heaped mountains of what I presumed to be -Irish blessings upon our heads. - -Thus we spent several days, having splendid sport, and first-rate -appetites to do justice upon our prey. We were pleased to find how -friendly the villagers were inclined to be, and that there was no -evidence of their having ventured to meddle with our belongings during -our absences. - -It was on a Tuesday that we arrived in Kraighten, and it would be on the -Sunday following that we made a great discovery. Hitherto we had always -gone up-stream; on that day, however, we laid aside our rods, and, -taking some provisions, set off for a long ramble in the opposite -direction. The day was warm, and we trudged along leisurely enough, -stopping about mid-day to eat our lunch upon a great flat rock near the -riverbank. Afterward we sat and smoked awhile, resuming our walk only -when we were tired of inaction. - -For perhaps another hour we wandered onward, chatting quietly and -comfortably on this and that matter, and on several occasions stopping -while my companion--who is something of an artist--made rough sketches -of striking bits of the wild scenery. - -And then, without any warning whatsoever, the river we had followed so -confidently, came to an abrupt end--vanishing into the earth. - -"Good Lord!" I said, "who ever would have thought of this?" - -And I stared in amazement; then I turned to Tonnison. He was looking, -with a blank expression upon his face, at the place where the river -disappeared. - -In a moment he spoke. - -"Let us go on a bit; it may reappear again--anyhow, it is worth -investigating." - -I agreed, and we went forward once more, though rather aimlessly; for we -were not at all certain in which direction to prosecute our search. For -perhaps a mile we moved onward; then Tonnison, who had been gazing about -curiously, stopped and shaded his eyes. - -"See!" he said, after a moment, "isn't that mist or something, over -there to the right--away in a line with that great piece of rock?" And -he indicated with his hand. - -I stared, and, after a minute, seemed to see something, but could not be -certain, and said so. - -"Anyway," my friend replied, "we'll just go across and have a glance." -And he started off in the direction he had suggested, I following. -Presently, we came among bushes, and, after a time, out upon the top of -a high, boulder-strewn bank, from which we looked down into a wilderness -of bushes and trees. - -"Seems as though we had come upon an oasis in this desert of stone," -muttered Tonnison, as he gazed interestedly. Then he was silent, his -eyes fixed; and I looked also; for up from somewhere about the center of -the wooded lowland there rose high into the quiet air a great column of -hazelike spray, upon which the sun shone, causing innumerable rainbows. - -"How beautiful!" I exclaimed. - -"Yes," answered Tonnison, thoughtfully. "There must be a waterfall, or -something, over there. Perhaps it's our river come to light again. Let's -go and see." - -Down the sloping bank we made our way, and entered among the trees and -shrubberies. The bushes were matted, and the trees overhung us, so that -the place was disagreeably gloomy; though not dark enough to hide from -me the fact that many of the trees were fruit trees, and that, here and -there, one could trace indistinctly, signs of a long departed -cultivation. Thus it came to me that we were making our way through the -riot of a great and ancient garden. I said as much to Tonnison, and he -agreed that there certainly seemed reasonable grounds for my belief. - -What a wild place it was, so dismal and somber! Somehow, as we went -forward, a sense of the silent loneliness and desertion of the old -garden grew upon me, and I felt shivery. One could imagine things -lurking among the tangled bushes; while, in the very air of the place, -there seemed something uncanny. I think Tonnison was conscious of this -also, though he said nothing. - -Suddenly, we came to a halt. Through the trees there had grown upon our -ears a distant sound. Tonnison bent forward, listening. I could hear it -more plainly now; it was continuous and harsh--a sort of droning roar, -seeming to come from far away. I experienced a queer, indescribable, -little feeling of nervousness. What sort of place was it into which we -had got? I looked at my companion, to see what he thought of the matter; -and noted that there was only puzzlement in his face; and then, as I -watched his features, an expression of comprehension crept over them, -and he nodded his head. - -"That's a waterfall," he exclaimed, with conviction. "I know the sound -now." And he began to push vigorously through the bushes, in the -direction of the noise. - -As we went forward, the sound became plainer continually, showing that -we were heading straight toward it. Steadily, the roaring grew louder -and nearer, until it appeared, as I remarked to Tonnison, almost to come -from under our feet--and still we were surrounded by the trees -and shrubs. - -"Take care!" Tonnison called to me. "Look where you're going." And then, -suddenly, we came out from among the trees, on to a great open space, -where, not six paces in front of us, yawned the mouth of a tremendous -chasm, from the depths of which the noise appeared to rise, along with -the continuous, mistlike spray that we had witnessed from the top of the -distant bank. - -For quite a minute we stood in silence, staring in bewilderment at the -sight; then my friend went forward cautiously to the edge of the abyss. -I followed, and, together, we looked down through a boil of spray at a -monster cataract of frothing water that burst, spouting, from the side -of the chasm, nearly a hundred feet below. - -"Good Lord!" said Tonnison. - -I was silent, and rather awed. The sight was so unexpectedly grand and -eerie; though this latter quality came more upon me later. - -Presently, I looked up and across to the further side of the chasm. -There, I saw something towering up among the spray: it looked like a -fragment of a great ruin, and I touched Tonnison on the shoulder. He -glanced 'round, with a start, and I pointed toward the thing. His gaze -followed my finger, and his eyes lighted up with a sudden flash of -excitement, as the object came within his field of view. - -"Come along," he shouted above the uproar. "We'll have a look at it. -There's something queer about this place; I feel it in my bones." And he -started off, 'round the edge of the craterlike abyss. As we neared this -new thing, I saw that I had not been mistaken in my first impression. It -was undoubtedly a portion of some ruined building; yet now I made out -that it was not built upon the edge of the chasm itself, as I had at -first supposed; but perched almost at the extreme end of a huge spur of -rock that jutted out some fifty or sixty feet over the abyss. In fact, -the jagged mass of ruin was literally suspended in midair. - -Arriving opposite it, we walked out on to the projecting arm of rock, -and I must confess to having felt an intolerable sense of terror as I -looked down from that dizzy perch into the unknown depths below us--into -the deeps from which there rose ever the thunder of the falling water -and the shroud of rising spray. - -Reaching the ruin, we clambered 'round it cautiously, and, on the -further side, came upon a mass of fallen stones and rubble. The ruin -itself seemed to me, as I proceeded now to examine it minutely, to be a -portion of the outer wall of some prodigious structure, it was so thick -and substantially built; yet what it was doing in such a position I -could by no means conjecture. Where was the rest of the house, or -castle, or whatever there had been? - -I went back to the outer side of the wall, and thence to the edge of the -chasm, leaving Tonnison rooting systematically among the heap of stones -and rubbish on the outer side. Then I commenced to examine the surface -of the ground, near the edge of the abyss, to see whether there were not -left other remnants of the building to which the fragment of ruin -evidently belonged. But though I scrutinized the earth with the greatest -care, I could see no signs of anything to show that there had ever been -a building erected on the spot, and I grew more puzzled than ever. - -Then, I heard a cry from Tonnison; he was shouting my name, excitedly, -and without delay I hurried along the rocky promontory to the ruin. I -wondered whether he had hurt himself, and then the thought came, that -perhaps he had found something. - -I reached the crumbled wall and climbed 'round. There I found Tonnison -standing within a small excavation that he had made among the _debris_: -he was brushing the dirt from something that looked like a book, much -crumpled and dilapidated; and opening his mouth, every second or two, to -bellow my name. As soon as he saw that I had come, he handed his prize -to me, telling me to put it into my satchel so as to protect it from the -damp, while he continued his explorations. This I did, first, however, -running the pages through my fingers, and noting that they were closely -filled with neat, old-fashioned writing which was quite legible, save in -one portion, where many of the pages were almost destroyed, being -muddied and crumpled, as though the book had been doubled back at that -part. This, I found out from Tonnison, was actually as he had discovered -it, and the damage was due, probably, to the fall of masonry upon the -opened part. Curiously enough, the book was fairly dry, which I -attributed to its having been so securely buried among the ruins. - -Having put the volume away safely, I turned-to and gave Tonnison a hand -with his self-imposed task of excavating; yet, though we put in over an -hour's hard work, turning over the whole of the upheaped stones and -rubbish, we came upon nothing more than some fragments of broken wood, -that might have been parts of a desk or table; and so we gave up -searching, and went back along the rock, once more to the safety of -the land. - -The next thing we did was to make a complete tour of the tremendous -chasm, which we were able to observe was in the form of an almost -perfect circle, save for where the ruin-crowned spur of rock jutted out, -spoiling its symmetry. - -The abyss was, as Tonnison put it, like nothing so much as a gigantic -well or pit going sheer down into the bowels of the earth. - -For some time longer, we continued to stare about us, and then, noticing -that there was a clear space away to the north of the chasm, we bent our -steps in that direction. - -Here, distant from the mouth of the mighty pit by some hundreds of -yards, we came upon a great lake of silent water--silent, that is, save -in one place where there was a continuous bubbling and gurgling. - -Now, being away from the noise of the spouting cataract, we were able to -hear one another speak, without having to shout at the tops of our -voices, and I asked Tonnison what he thought of the place--I told him -that I didn't like it, and that the sooner we were out of it the better -I should be pleased. - -He nodded in reply, and glanced at the woods behind furtively. I asked -him if he had seen or heard anything. He made no answer; but stood -silent, as though listening, and I kept quiet also. - -Suddenly, he spoke. - -"Hark!" he said, sharply. I looked at him, and then away among the trees -and bushes, holding my breath involuntarily. A minute came and went in -strained silence; yet I could hear nothing, and I turned to Tonnison to -say as much; and then, even as I opened my lips to speak, there came a -strange wailing noise out of the wood on our left.... It appeared to -float through the trees, and there was a rustle of stirring leaves, and -then silence. - -All at once, Tonnison spoke, and put his hand on my shoulder. "Let us -get out of here," he said, and began to move slowly toward where the -surrounding trees and bushes seemed thinnest. As I followed him, it came -to me suddenly that the sun was low, and that there was a raw sense of -chilliness in the air. - -Tonnison said nothing further, but kept on steadily. We were among the -trees now, and I glanced around, nervously; but saw nothing, save the -quiet branches and trunks and the tangled bushes. Onward we went, and no -sound broke the silence, except the occasional snapping of a twig under -our feet, as we moved forward. Yet, in spite of the quietness, I had a -horrible feeling that we were not alone; and I kept so close to Tonnison -that twice I kicked his heels clumsily, though he said nothing. A -minute, and then another, and we reached the confines of the wood coming -out at last upon the bare rockiness of the countryside. Only then was I -able to shake off the haunting dread that had followed me among -the trees. - -Once, as we moved away, there seemed to come again a distant sound of -wailing, and I said to myself that it was the wind--yet the evening was -breathless. - -Presently, Tonnison began to talk. - -"Look you," he said with decision, "I would not spend the night in -_that_ place for all the wealth that the world holds. There is something -unholy--diabolical--about it. It came to me all in a moment, just after -you spoke. It seemed to me that the woods were full of vile -things--you know!" - -"Yes," I answered, and looked back toward the place; but it was hidden -from us by a rise in the ground. - -"There's the book," I said, and I put my hand into the satchel. - -"You've got it safely?" he questioned, with a sudden access of anxiety. - -"Yes," I replied. - -"Perhaps," he continued, "we shall learn something from it when we get -back to the tent. We had better hurry, too; we're a long way off still, -and I don't fancy, now, being caught out here in the dark." - -It was two hours later when we reached the tent; and, without delay, we -set to work to prepare a meal; for we had eaten nothing since our lunch -at midday. - -Supper over, we cleared the things out of the way, and lit our pipes. -Then Tonnison asked me to get the manuscript out of my satchel. This I -did, and then, as we could not both read from it at the same time, he -suggested that I should read the thing out loud. "And mind," he -cautioned, knowing my propensities, "don't go skipping half the book." - -Yet, had he but known what it contained, he would have realized how -needless such advice was, for once at least. And there seated in the -opening of our little tent, I began the strange tale of _The House on -the Borderland_ (for such was the title of the MS.); this is told in the -following pages. - - - -_II_ - -THE PLAIN OF SILENCE - -I am an old man. I live here in this ancient house, surrounded by huge, -unkempt gardens. - -The peasantry, who inhabit the wilderness beyond, say that I am mad. -That is because I will have nothing to do with them. I live here alone -with my old sister, who is also my housekeeper. We keep no servants--I -hate them. I have one friend, a dog; yes, I would sooner have old Pepper -than the rest of Creation together. He, at least, understands me--and -has sense enough to leave me alone when I am in my dark moods. - -I have decided to start a kind of diary; it may enable me to record -some of the thoughts and feelings that I cannot express to anyone; but, -beyond this, I am anxious to make some record of the strange things that -I have heard and seen, during many years of loneliness, in this weird -old building. - -For a couple of centuries, this house has had a reputation, a bad one, -and, until I bought it, for more than eighty years no one had lived -here; consequently, I got the old place at a ridiculously low figure. - -I am not superstitious; but I have ceased to deny that things happen -in this old house--things that I cannot explain; and, therefore, I must -needs ease my mind, by writing down an account of them, to the best of -my ability; though, should this, my diary, ever be read when I am gone, -the readers will but shake their heads, and be the more convinced that -I was mad. - -This house, how ancient it is! though its age strikes one less, -perhaps, than the quaintness of its structure, which is curious and -fantastic to the last degree. Little curved towers and pinnacles, with -outlines suggestive of leaping flames, predominate; while the body of -the building is in the form of a circle. - -I have heard that there is an old story, told amongst the country -people, to the effect that the devil built the place. However, that is -as may be. True or not, I neither know nor care, save as it may have -helped to cheapen it, ere I came. - -I must have been here some ten years before I saw sufficient to warrant -any belief in the stories, current in the neighborhood, about this -house. It is true that I had, on at least a dozen occasions, seen, -vaguely, things that puzzled me, and, perhaps, had felt more than I had -seen. Then, as the years passed, bringing age upon me, I became often -aware of something unseen, yet unmistakably present, in the empty rooms -and corridors. Still, it was as I have said many years before I saw any -real manifestations of the so-called supernatural. - -It was not Halloween. If I were telling a story for amusement's sake, I -should probably place it on that night of nights; but this is a true -record of my own experiences, and I would not put pen to paper to amuse -anyone. No. It was after midnight on the morning of the twenty-first day -of January. I was sitting reading, as is often my custom, in my study. -Pepper lay, sleeping, near my chair. - -Without warning, the flames of the two candles went low, and then -shone with a ghastly green effulgence. I looked up, quickly, and as I -did so I saw the lights sink into a dull, ruddy tint; so that the room -glowed with a strange, heavy, crimson twilight that gave the shadows -behind the chairs and tables a double depth of blackness; and wherever -the light struck, it was as though luminous blood had been splashed -over the room. - -Down on the floor, I heard a faint, frightened whimper, and something -pressed itself in between my two feet. It was Pepper, cowering under my -dressing gown. Pepper, usually as brave as a lion! - -It was this movement of the dog's, I think, that gave me the first -twinge of _real_ fear. I had been considerably startled when the lights -burnt first green and then red; but had been momentarily under the -impression that the change was due to some influx of noxious gas into -the room. Now, however, I saw that it was not so; for the candles burned -with a steady flame, and showed no signs of going out, as would have -been the case had the change been due to fumes in the atmosphere. - -I did not move. I felt distinctly frightened; but could think of -nothing better to do than wait. For perhaps a minute, I kept my glance -about the room, nervously. Then I noticed that the lights had commenced -to sink, very slowly; until presently they showed minute specks of red -fire, like the gleamings of rubies in the darkness. Still, I sat -watching; while a sort of dreamy indifference seemed to steal over me; -banishing altogether the fear that had begun to grip me. - -Away in the far end of the huge old-fashioned room, I became conscious -of a faint glow. Steadily it grew, filling the room with gleams of -quivering green light; then they sank quickly, and changed--even as the -candle flames had done--into a deep, somber crimson that strengthened, -and lit up the room with a flood of awful glory. - -The light came from the end wall, and grew ever brighter until its -intolerable glare caused my eyes acute pain, and involuntarily I closed -them. It may have been a few seconds before I was able to open them. The -first thing I noticed was that the light had decreased, greatly; so that -it no longer tried my eyes. Then, as it grew still duller, I was aware, -all at once, that, instead of looking at the redness, I was staring -through it, and through the wall beyond. - -Gradually, as I became more accustomed to the idea, I realized that I -was looking out on to a vast plain, lit with the same gloomy twilight -that pervaded the room. The immensity of this plain scarcely can be -conceived. In no part could I perceive its confines. It seemed to -broaden and spread out, so that the eye failed to perceive any -limitations. Slowly, the details of the nearer portions began to grow -clear; then, in a moment almost, the light died away, and the vision--if -vision it were--faded and was gone. - -Suddenly, I became conscious that I was no longer in the chair. -Instead, I seemed to be hovering above it, and looking down at a dim -something, huddled and silent. In a little while, a cold blast struck -me, and I was outside in the night, floating, like a bubble, up through -the darkness. As I moved, an icy coldness seemed to enfold me, so that -I shivered. - -After a time, I looked to right and left, and saw the intolerable -blackness of the night, pierced by remote gleams of fire. Onward, -outward, I drove. Once, I glanced behind, and saw the earth, a small -crescent of blue light, receding away to my left. Further off, the sun, -a splash of white flame, burned vividly against the dark. - -An indefinite period passed. Then, for the last time, I saw the -earth--an enduring globule of radiant blue, swimming in an eternity of -ether. And there I, a fragile flake of soul dust, flickered silently -across the void, from the distant blue, into the expanse of the unknown. - -A great while seemed to pass over me, and now I could nowhere see -anything. I had passed beyond the fixed stars and plunged into the huge -blackness that waits beyond. All this time I had experienced little, -save a sense of lightness and cold discomfort. Now however the atrocious -darkness seemed to creep into my soul, and I became filled with fear and -despair. What was going to become of me? Where was I going? Even as the -thoughts were formed, there grew against the impalpable blackness that -wrapped me a faint tinge of blood. It seemed extraordinarily remote, and -mistlike; yet, at once, the feeling of oppression was lightened, and I -no longer despaired. - -Slowly, the distant redness became plainer and larger; until, as I drew -nearer, it spread out into a great, somber glare--dull and tremendous. -Still, I fled onward, and, presently, I had come so close, that it -seemed to stretch beneath me, like a great ocean of somber red. I could -see little, save that it appeared to spread out interminably in all -directions. - -In a further space, I found that I was descending upon it; and, soon, I -sank into a great sea of sullen, red-hued clouds. Slowly, I emerged from -these, and there, below me, I saw the stupendous plain that I had seen -from my room in this house that stands upon the borders of the Silences. - -Presently, I landed, and stood, surrounded by a great waste of -loneliness. The place was lit with a gloomy twilight that gave an -impression of indescribable desolation. - -Afar to my right, within the sky, there burnt a gigantic ring of -dull-red fire, from the outer edge of which were projected huge, -writhing flames, darted and jagged. The interior of this ring was -black, black as the gloom of the outer night. I comprehended, at once, -that it was from this extraordinary sun that the place derived its -doleful light. - -From that strange source of light, I glanced down again to my -surroundings. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but the same flat -weariness of interminable plain. Nowhere could I descry any signs of -life; not even the ruins of some ancient habitation. - -Gradually, I found that I was being borne forward, floating across the -flat waste. For what seemed an eternity, I moved onward. I was unaware -of any great sense of impatience; though some curiosity and a vast -wonder were with me continually. Always, I saw around me the breadth of -that enormous plain; and, always, I searched for some new thing to break -its monotony; but there was no change--only loneliness, silence, -and desert. - -Presently, in a half-conscious manner, I noticed that there was a faint -mistiness, ruddy in hue, lying over its surface. Still, when I looked -more intently, I was unable to say that it was really mist; for it -appeared to blend with the plain, giving it a peculiar unrealness, and -conveying to the senses the idea of unsubstantiality. - -Gradually, I began to weary with the sameness of the thing. Yet, it was -a great time before I perceived any signs of the place, toward which I -was being conveyed. - -"At first, I saw it, far ahead, like a long hillock on the surface of -the Plain. Then, as I drew nearer, I perceived that I had been mistaken; -for, instead of a low hill, I made out, now, a chain of great mountains, -whose distant peaks towered up into the red gloom, until they were -almost lost to sight." - - - -_III_ - -THE HOUSE IN THE ARENA - -And so, after a time, I came to the mountains. Then, the course of my -journey was altered, and I began to move along their bases, until, all -at once, I saw that I had come opposite to a vast rift, opening into the -mountains. Through this, I was borne, moving at no great speed. On -either side of me, huge, scarped walls of rocklike substance rose sheer. -Far overhead, I discerned a thin ribbon of red, where the mouth of the -chasm opened, among inaccessible peaks. Within, was gloom, deep and -somber, and chilly silence. For a while, I went onward steadily, and -then, at last, I saw, ahead, a deep, red glow, that told me I was near -upon the further opening of the gorge. - -A minute came and went, and I was at the exit of the chasm, staring out -upon an enormous amphitheatre of mountains. Yet, of the mountains, and -the terrible grandeur of the place, I recked nothing; for I was -confounded with amazement to behold, at a distance of several miles and -occupying the center of the arena, a stupendous structure built -apparently of green jade. Yet, in itself, it was not the discovery of -the building that had so astonished me; but the fact, which became every -moment more apparent, that in no particular, save in color and its -enormous size, did the lonely structure vary from this house in which -I live. - -For a while, I continued to stare, fixedly. Even then, I could scarcely -believe that I saw aright. In my mind, a question formed, reiterating -incessantly: 'What does it mean?' 'What does it mean?' and I was unable -to make answer, even out of the depths of my imagination. I seemed -capable only of wonder and fear. For a time longer, I gazed, noting -continually some fresh point of resemblance that attracted me. At last, -wearied and sorely puzzled, I turned from it, to view the rest of the -strange place on to which I had intruded. - -Hitherto, I had been so engrossed in my scrutiny of the House, that I -had given only a cursory glance 'round. Now, as I looked, I began to -realize upon what sort of a place I had come. The arena, for so I have -termed it, appeared a perfect circle of about ten to twelve miles in -diameter, the House, as I have mentioned before, standing in the center. -The surface of the place, like to that of the Plain, had a peculiar, -misty appearance, that was yet not mist. - -From a rapid survey, my glance passed quickly upward along the slopes -of the circling mountains. How silent they were. I think that this same -abominable stillness was more trying to me than anything that I had so -far seen or imagined. I was looking up, now, at the great crags, -towering so loftily. Up there, the impalpable redness gave a blurred -appearance to everything. - -And then, as I peered, curiously, a new terror came to me; for away up -among the dim peaks to my right, I had descried a vast shape of -blackness, giantlike. It grew upon my sight. It had an enormous equine -head, with gigantic ears, and seemed to peer steadfastly down into the -arena. There was that about the pose that gave me the impression of an -eternal watchfulness--of having warded that dismal place, through -unknown eternities. Slowly, the monster became plainer to me; and then, -suddenly, my gaze sprang from it to something further off and higher -among the crags. For a long minute, I gazed, fearfully. I was strangely -conscious of something not altogether unfamiliar--as though something -stirred in the back of my mind. The thing was black, and had four -grotesque arms. The features showed indistinctly, 'round the neck, I -made out several light-colored objects. Slowly, the details came to me, -and I realized, coldly, that they were skulls. Further down the body was -another circling belt, showing less dark against the black trunk. Then, -even as I puzzled to know what the thing was, a memory slid into my -mind, and straightway, I knew that I was looking at a monstrous -representation of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death. - -Other remembrances of my old student days drifted into my thoughts. My -glance fell back upon the huge beast-headed Thing. Simultaneously, I -recognized it for the ancient Egyptian god Set, or Seth, the Destroyer -of Souls. With the knowledge, there came a great sweep of -questioning--'Two of the--!' I stopped, and endeavored to think. Things -beyond my imagination peered into my frightened mind. I saw, obscurely. -'The old gods of mythology!' I tried to comprehend to what it was all -pointing. My gaze dwelt, flickeringly, between the two. 'If--' - -An idea came swiftly, and I turned, and glanced rapidly upward, -searching the gloomy crags, away to my left. Something loomed out under -a great peak, a shape of greyness. I wondered I had not seen it earlier, -and then remembered I had not yet viewed that portion. I saw it more -plainly now. It was, as I have said, grey. It had a tremendous head; but -no eyes. That part of its face was blank. - -Now, I saw that there were other things up among the mountains. Further -off, reclining on a lofty ledge, I made out a livid mass, irregular and -ghoulish. It seemed without form, save for an unclean, half-animal face, -that looked out, vilely, from somewhere about its middle. And then I saw -others--there were hundreds of them. They seemed to grow out of the -shadows. Several I recognized almost immediately as mythological -deities; others were strange to me, utterly strange, beyond the power of -a human mind to conceive. - -On each side, I looked, and saw more, continually. The mountains were -full of strange things--Beast-gods, and Horrors so atrocious and bestial -that possibility and decency deny any further attempt to describe them. -And I--I was filled with a terrible sense of overwhelming horror and -fear and repugnance; yet, spite of these, I wondered exceedingly. Was -there then, after all, something in the old heathen worship, something -more than the mere deifying of men, animals, and elements? The thought -gripped me--was there? - -Later, a question repeated itself. What were they, those Beast-gods, -and the others? At first, they had appeared to me just sculptured -Monsters placed indiscriminately among the inaccessible peaks and -precipices of the surrounding mountains. Now, as I scrutinized them with -greater intentness, my mind began to reach out to fresh conclusions. -There was something about them, an indescribable sort of silent vitality -that suggested, to my broadening consciousness, a state of -life-in-death--a something that was by no means life, as we understand -it; but rather an inhuman form of existence, that well might be likened -to a deathless trance--a condition in which it was possible to imagine -their continuing, eternally. 'Immortal!' the word rose in my thoughts -unbidden; and, straightway, I grew to wondering whether this might be -the immortality of the gods. - -And then, in the midst of my wondering and musing, something happened. -Until then, I had been staying just within the shadow of the exit of the -great rift. Now, without volition on my part, I drifted out of the -semi-darkness and began to move slowly across the arena--toward the -House. At this, I gave up all thoughts of those prodigious Shapes above -me--and could only stare, frightenedly, at the tremendous structure -toward which I was being conveyed so remorselessly. Yet, though I -searched earnestly, I could discover nothing that I had not already -seen, and so became gradually calmer. - -Presently, I had reached a point more than halfway between the House -and the gorge. All around was spread the stark loneliness of the place, -and the unbroken silence. Steadily, I neared the great building. Then, -all at once, something caught my vision, something that came 'round one -of the huge buttresses of the House, and so into full view. It was a -gigantic thing, and moved with a curious lope, going almost upright, -after the manner of a man. It was quite unclothed, and had a remarkable -luminous appearance. Yet it was the face that attracted and frightened -me the most. It was the face of a swine. - -Silently, intently, I watched this horrible creature, and forgot my -fear, momentarily, in my interest in its movements. It was making its -way, cumbrously 'round the building, stopping as it came to each window -to peer in and shake at the bars, with which--as in this house--they -were protected; and whenever it came to a door, it would push at it, -fingering the fastening stealthily. Evidently, it was searching for an -ingress into the House. - -I had come now to within less than a quarter of a mile of the great -structure, and still I was compelled forward. Abruptly, the Thing turned -and gazed hideously in my direction. It opened its mouth, and, for the -first time, the stillness of that abominable place was broken, by a -deep, booming note that sent an added thrill of apprehension through me. -Then, immediately, I became aware that it was coming toward me, swiftly -and silently. In an instant, it had covered half the distance that lay -between. And still, I was borne helplessly to meet it. Only a hundred -yards, and the brutish ferocity of the giant face numbed me with a -feeling of unmitigated horror. I could have screamed, in the supremeness -of my fear; and then, in the very moment of my extremity and despair, I -became conscious that I was looking down upon the arena, from a rapidly -increasing height. I was rising, rising. In an inconceivably short -while, I had reached an altitude of many hundred feet. Beneath me, the -spot that I had just left, was occupied by the foul Swine-creature. It -had gone down on all fours and was snuffing and rooting, like a -veritable hog, at the surface of the arena. A moment and it rose to its -feet, clutching upward, with an expression of desire upon its face such -as I have never seen in this world. - -Continually, I mounted higher. A few minutes, it seemed, and I had -risen above the great mountains--floating, alone, afar in the redness. -At a tremendous distance below, the arena showed, dimly; with the mighty -House looking no larger than a tiny spot of green. The Swine-thing was -no longer visible. - -Presently, I passed over the mountains, out above the huge breadth of -the plain. Far away, on its surface, in the direction of the ring-shaped -sun, there showed a confused blur. I looked toward it, indifferently. It -reminded me, somewhat, of the first glimpse I had caught of the -mountain-amphitheatre. - -With a sense of weariness, I glanced upward at the immense ring of -fire. What a strange thing it was! Then, as I stared, out from the dark -center, there spurted a sudden flare of extraordinary vivid fire. -Compared with the size of the black center, it was as naught; yet, in -itself, stupendous. With awakened interest, I watched it carefully, -noting its strange boiling and glowing. Then, in a moment, the whole -thing grew dim and unreal, and so passed out of sight. Much amazed, I -glanced down to the Plain from which I was still rising. Thus, I -received a fresh surprise. The Plain--everything had vanished, and only -a sea of red mist was spread far below me. Gradually as I stared this -grew remote, and died away into a dim far mystery of red against an -unfathomable night. A while, and even this had gone, and I was wrapped -in an impalpable, lightless gloom. - - - -_IV_ - -THE EARTH - -Thus I was, and only the memory that I had lived through the dark, once -before, served to sustain my thoughts. A great time passed--ages. And -then a single star broke its way through the darkness. It was the first -of one of the outlying clusters of this universe. Presently, it was far -behind, and all about me shone the splendor of the countless stars. -Later, years it seemed, I saw the sun, a clot of flame. Around it, I -made out presently several remote specks of light--the planets of the -Solar system. And so I saw the earth again, blue and unbelievably -minute. It grew larger, and became defined. - -A long space of time came and went, and then at last I entered into the -shadow of the world--plunging headlong into the dim and holy earth -night. Overhead were the old constellations, and there was a crescent -moon. Then, as I neared the earth's surface, a dimness swept over me, -and I appeared to sink into a black mist. - -For a while, I knew nothing. I was unconscious. Gradually, I became -aware of a faint, distant whining. It became plainer. A desperate -feeling of agony possessed me. I struggled madly for breath, and tried -to shout. A moment, and I got my breath more easily. I was conscious -that something was licking my hand. Something damp swept across my face. -I heard a panting, and then again the whining. It seemed to come to my -ears, now, with a sense of familiarity, and I opened my eyes. All was -dark; but the feeling of oppression had left me. I was seated, and -something was whining piteously, and licking me. I felt strangely -confused, and, instinctively, tried to ward off the thing that licked. -My head was curiously vacant, and, for the moment, I seemed incapable of -action or thought. Then, things came back to me, and I called 'Pepper,' -faintly. I was answered by a joyful bark, and renewed and -frantic caresses. - -In a little while, I felt stronger, and put out my hand for the -matches. I groped about, for a few moments, blindly; then my hands lit -upon them, and I struck a light, and looked confusedly around. All about -me, I saw the old, familiar things. And there I sat, full of dazed -wonders, until the flame of the match burnt my finger, and I dropped it; -while a hasty expression of pain and anger, escaped my lips, surprising -me with the sound of my own voice. - -After a moment, I struck another match, and, stumbling across the room, -lit the candles. As I did so, I observed that they had not burned away, -but had been put out. - -As the flames shot up, I turned, and stared about the study; yet there -was nothing unusual to see; and, suddenly, a gust of irritation took me. -What had happened? I held my head, with both hands, and tried to -remember. Ah! the great, silent Plain, and the ring-shaped sun of red -fire. Where were they? Where had I seen them? How long ago? I felt dazed -and muddled. Once or twice, I walked up and down the room, unsteadily. -My memory seemed dulled, and, already, the thing I had witnessed came -back to me with an effort. - -I have a remembrance of cursing, peevishly, in my bewilderment. -Suddenly, I turned faint and giddy, and had to grasp at the table for -support. During a few moments, I held on, weakly; and then managed to -totter sideways into a chair. After a little time, I felt somewhat -better, and succeeded in reaching the cupboard where, usually, I keep -brandy and biscuits. I poured myself out a little of the stimulant, and -drank it off. Then, taking a handful of biscuits, I returned to my -chair, and began to devour them, ravenously. I was vaguely surprised at -my hunger. I felt as though I had eaten nothing for an uncountably -long while. - -As I ate, my glance roved about the room, taking in its various -details, and still searching, though almost unconsciously, for something -tangible upon which to take hold, among the invisible mysteries that -encompassed me. 'Surely,' I thought, 'there must be something--' And, in -the same instant, my gaze dwelt upon the face of the clock in the -opposite corner. Therewith, I stopped eating, and just stared. For, -though its ticking indicated most certainly that it was still going, the -hands were pointing to a little _before_ the hour of midnight; whereas -it was, as well I knew, considerably _after_ that time when I had -witnessed the first of the strange happenings I have just described. - -For perhaps a moment I was astounded and puzzled. Had the hour been the -same as when I had last seen the clock, I should have concluded that the -hands had stuck in one place, while the internal mechanism went on as -usual; but that would, in no way, account for the hands having traveled -backward. Then, even as I turned the matter over in my wearied brain, -the thought flashed upon me that it was now close upon the morning of -the twenty-second, and that I had been unconscious to the visible world -through the greater portion of the last twenty-four hours. The thought -occupied my attention for a full minute; then I commenced to eat again. -I was still very hungry. - -During breakfast, next morning, I inquired casually of my sister -regarding the date, and found my surmise correct. I had, indeed, been -absent--at least in spirit--for nearly a day and a night. - -My sister asked me no questions; for it is not by any means the first -time that I have kept to my study for a whole day, and sometimes a -couple of days at a time, when I have been particularly engrossed in my -books or work. - -And so the days pass on, and I am still filled with a wonder to know -the meaning of all that I saw on that memorable night. Yet, well I know -that my curiosity is little likely to be satisfied. - - - -_V_ - -THE THING IN THE PIT - -This house is, as I have said before, surrounded by a huge estate, and -wild and uncultivated gardens. - -Away at the back, distant some three hundred yards, is a dark, deep -ravine--spoken of as the 'Pit,' by the peasantry. At the bottom runs a -sluggish stream so overhung by trees as scarcely to be seen from above. - -In passing, I must explain that this river has a subterranean origin, -emerging suddenly at the East end of the ravine, and disappearing, as -abruptly, beneath the cliffs that form its Western extremity. - -It was some months after my vision (if vision it were) of the great -Plain that my attention was particularly attracted to the Pit. - -I happened, one day, to be walking along its Southern edge, when, -suddenly, several pieces of rock and shale were dislodged from the face -of the cliff immediately beneath me, and fell with a sullen crash -through the trees. I heard them splash in the river at the bottom; and -then silence. I should not have given this incident more than a passing -thought, had not Pepper at once begun to bark savagely; nor would he be -silent when I bade him, which is most unusual behavior on his part. - -Feeling that there must be someone or something in the Pit, I went back -to the house, quickly, for a stick. When I returned, Pepper had ceased -his barks and was growling and smelling, uneasily, along the top. - -Whistling to him to follow me, I started to descend cautiously. The -depth to the bottom of the Pit must be about a hundred and fifty feet, -and some time as well as considerable care was expended before we -reached the bottom in safety. - -Once down, Pepper and I started to explore along the banks of the -river. It was very dark there due to the overhanging trees, and I moved -warily, keeping my glance about me and my stick ready. - -Pepper was quiet now and kept close to me all the time. Thus, we -searched right up one side of the river, without hearing or seeing -anything. Then, we crossed over--by the simple method of jumping--and -commenced to beat our way back through the underbrush. - -We had accomplished perhaps half the distance, when I heard again the -sound of falling stones on the other side--the side from which we had -just come. One large rock came thundering down through the treetops, -struck the opposite bank, and bounded into the river, driving a great -jet of water right over us. At this, Pepper gave out a deep growl; then -stopped, and pricked up his ears. I listened, also. - -A second later, a loud, half-human, half-piglike squeal sounded from -among the trees, apparently about halfway up the South cliff. It was -answered by a similar note from the bottom of the Pit. At this, Pepper -gave a short, sharp bark, and, springing across the little river, -disappeared into the bushes. - -Immediately afterward, I heard his barks increase in depth and number, -and in between there sounded a noise of confused jabbering. This ceased, -and, in the succeeding silence, there rose a semi-human yell of agony. -Almost immediately, Pepper gave a long-drawn howl of pain, and then the -shrubs were violently agitated, and he came running out with his tail -down, and glancing as he ran over his shoulder. As he reached me, I saw -that he was bleeding from what appeared to be a great claw wound in the -side that had almost laid bare his ribs. - -Seeing Pepper thus mutilated, a furious feeling of anger seized me, -and, whirling my staff, I sprang across, and into the bushes from which -Pepper had emerged. As I forced my way through, I thought I heard a -sound of breathing. Next instant, I had burst into a little clear space, -just in time to see something, livid white in color, disappear among the -bushes on the opposite side. With a shout, I ran toward it; but, though -I struck and probed among the bushes with my stick, I neither saw nor -heard anything further; and so returned to Pepper. There, after bathing -his wound in the river, I bound my wetted handkerchief 'round his body; -having done which, we retreated up the ravine and into the -daylight again. - -On reaching the house, my sister inquired what had happened to Pepper, -and I told her he had been fighting with a wildcat, of which I had heard -there were several about. - -I felt it would be better not to tell her how it had really happened; -though, to be sure, I scarcely knew myself; but this I did know, that -the thing I had seen run into the bushes was no wildcat. It was much too -big, and had, so far as I had observed, a skin like a hog's, only of a -dead, unhealthy white color. And then--it had run upright, or nearly so, -upon its hind feet, with a motion somewhat resembling that of a human -being. This much I had noticed in my brief glimpse, and, truth to tell, -I felt a good deal of uneasiness, besides curiosity as I turned the -matter over in my mind. - -It was in the morning that the above incident had occurred. - -Then, it would be after dinner, as I sat reading, that, happening to -look up suddenly, I saw something peering in over the window ledge the -eyes and ears alone showing. - -'A pig, by Jove!' I said, and rose to my feet. Thus, I saw the thing -more completely; but it was no pig--God alone knows what it was. It -reminded me, vaguely, of the hideous Thing that had haunted the great -arena. It had a grotesquely human mouth and jaw; but with no chin of -which to speak. The nose was prolonged into a snout; thus it was that -with the little eyes and queer ears, gave it such an extraordinarily -swinelike appearance. Of forehead there was little, and the whole face -was of an unwholesome white color. - -For perhaps a minute, I stood looking at the thing with an ever growing -feeling of disgust, and some fear. The mouth kept jabbering, inanely, -and once emitted a half-swinish grunt. I think it was the eyes that -attracted me the most; they seemed to glow, at times, with a horribly -human intelligence, and kept flickering away from my face, over the -details of the room, as though my stare disturbed it. - -It appeared to be supporting itself by two clawlike hands upon the -windowsill. These claws, unlike the face, were of a clayey brown hue, -and bore an indistinct resemblance to human hands, in that they had four -fingers and a thumb; though these were webbed up to the first joint, -much as are a duck's. Nails it had also, but so long and powerful that -they were more like the talons of an eagle than aught else. - -As I have said, before, I felt some fear; though almost of an -impersonal kind. I may explain my feeling better by saying that it was -more a sensation of abhorrence; such as one might expect to feel, if -brought in contact with something superhumanly foul; something -unholy--belonging to some hitherto undreamt of state of existence. - -I cannot say that I grasped these various details of the brute at the -time. I think they seemed to come back to me, afterward, as though -imprinted upon my brain. I imagined more than I saw as I looked at the -thing, and the material details grew upon me later. - -For perhaps a minute I stared at the creature; then as my nerves -steadied a little I shook off the vague alarm that held me, and took a -step toward the window. Even as I did so, the thing ducked and vanished. -I rushed to the door and looked 'round hurriedly; but only the tangled -bushes and shrubs met my gaze. - -I ran back into the house, and, getting my gun, sallied out to search -through the gardens. As I went, I asked myself whether the thing I had -just seen was likely to be the same of which I had caught a glimpse in -the morning. I inclined to think it was. - -I would have taken Pepper with me; but judged it better to give his -wound a chance to heal. Besides, if the creature I had just seen was, as -I imagined, his antagonist of the morning, it was not likely that he -would be of much use. - -I began my search, systematically. I was determined, if it were -possible, to find and put an end to that swine-thing. This was, at -least, a material Horror! - -At first, I searched, cautiously; with the thought of Pepper's wound in -my mind; but, as the hours passed, and not a sign of anything living, -showed in the great, lonely gardens, I became less apprehensive. I felt -almost as though I would welcome the sight of it. Anything seemed better -than this silence, with the ever-present feeling that the creature might -be lurking in every bush I passed. Later, I grew careless of danger, to -the extent of plunging right through the bushes, probing with my gun -barrel as I went. - -At times, I shouted; but only the echoes answered back. I thought thus -perhaps to frighten or stir the creature to showing itself; but only -succeeded in bringing my sister Mary out, to know what was the matter. I -told her, that I had seen the wildcat that had wounded Pepper, and that -I was trying to hunt it out of the bushes. She seemed only half -satisfied, and went back into the house, with an expression of doubt -upon her face. I wondered whether she had seen or guessed anything. For -the rest of the afternoon, I prosecuted the search anxiously. I felt -that I should be unable to sleep, with that bestial thing haunting the -shrubberies, and yet, when evening fell, I had seen nothing. Then, as I -turned homeward, I heard a short, unintelligible noise, among the bushes -to my right. Instantly, I turned, and, aiming quickly, fired in the -direction of the sound. Immediately afterward, I heard something -scuttling away among the bushes. It moved rapidly, and in a minute had -gone out of hearing. After a few steps I ceased my pursuit, realizing -how futile it must be in the fast gathering gloom; and so, with a -curious feeling of depression, I entered the house. - -That night, after my sister had gone to bed, I went 'round to all the -windows and doors on the ground floor; and saw to it that they were -securely fastened. This precaution was scarcely necessary as regards the -windows, as all of those on the lower storey are strongly barred; but -with the doors--of which there are five--it was wisely thought, as not -one was locked. - -Having secured these, I went to my study, yet, somehow, for once, the -place jarred upon me; it seemed so huge and echoey. For some time I -tried to read; but at last finding it impossible I carried my book down -to the kitchen where a large fire was burning, and sat there. - -I dare say, I had read for a couple of hours, when, suddenly, I heard a -sound that made me lower my book, and listen, intently. It was a noise -of something rubbing and fumbling against the back door. Once the door -creaked, loudly; as though force were being applied to it. During those -few, short moments, I experienced an indescribable feeling of terror, -such as I should have believed impossible. My hands shook; a cold sweat -broke out on me, and I shivered violently. - -Gradually, I calmed. The stealthy movements outside had ceased. - -Then for an hour I sat silent and watchful. All at once the feeling of -fear took me again. I felt as I imagine an animal must, under the eye of -a snake. Yet now I could hear nothing. Still, there was no doubting that -some unexplained influence was at work. - -Gradually, imperceptibly almost, something stole on my ear--a sound -that resolved itself into a faint murmur. Quickly it developed and grew -into a muffled but hideous chorus of bestial shrieks. It appeared to -rise from the bowels of the earth. - -I heard a thud, and realized in a dull, half comprehending way that I -had dropped my book. After that, I just sat; and thus the daylight found -me, when it crept wanly in through the barred, high windows of the -great kitchen. - -With the dawning light, the feeling of stupor and fear left me; and I -came more into possession of my senses. - -Thereupon I picked up my book, and crept to the door to listen. Not a -sound broke the chilly silence. For some minutes I stood there; then, -very gradually and cautiously, I drew back the bolt and opening the door -peeped out. - -My caution was unneeded. Nothing was to be seen, save the grey vista of -dreary, tangled bushes and trees, extending to the distant plantation. - -With a shiver, I closed the door, and made my way, quietly, up to bed. - - - -_VI_ - -THE SWINE-THINGS - -It was evening, a week later. My sister sat in the garden, knitting. I -was walking up and down, reading. My gun leant up against the wall of -the house; for, since the advent of that strange thing in the gardens, I -had deemed it wise to take precautions. Yet, through the whole week, -there had been nothing to alarm me, either by sight or sound; so that I -was able to look back, calmly, to the incident; though still with a -sense of unmitigated wonder and curiosity. - -I was, as I have just said, walking up and down, and somewhat engrossed -in my book. Suddenly, I heard a crash, away in the direction of the Pit. -With a quick movement, I turned and saw a tremendous column of dust -rising high into the evening air. - -My sister had risen to her feet, with a sharp exclamation of surprise -and fright. - -Telling her to stay where she was, I snatched up my gun, and ran toward -the Pit. As I neared it, I heard a dull, rumbling sound, that grew -quickly into a roar, split with deeper crashes, and up from the Pit -drove a fresh volume of dust. - -The noise ceased, though the dust still rose, tumultuously. - -I reached the edge, and looked down; but could see nothing save a boil -of dust clouds swirling hither and thither. The air was so full of the -small particles, that they blinded and choked me; and, finally, I had to -run out from the smother, to breathe. - -Gradually, the suspended matter sank, and hung in a panoply over the -mouth of the Pit. - -I could only guess at what had happened. - -That there had been a land-slip of some kind, I had little doubt; but -the cause was beyond my knowledge; and yet, even then, I had half -imaginings; for, already, the thought had come to me, of those falling -rocks, and that Thing in the bottom of the Pit; but, in the first -minutes of confusion, I failed to reach the natural conclusion, to which -the catastrophe pointed. - -Slowly, the dust subsided, until, presently, I was able to approach the -edge, and look down. - -For a while, I peered impotently, trying to see through the reek. At -first, it was impossible to make out anything. Then, as I stared, I saw -something below, to my left, that moved. I looked intently toward it, -and, presently, made out another, and then another--three dim shapes -that appeared to be climbing up the side of the Pit. I could see them -only indistinctly. Even as I stared and wondered, I heard a rattle of -stones, somewhere to my right. I glanced across; but could see nothing. -I leant forward, and peered over, and down into the Pit, just beneath -where I stood; and saw no further than a hideous, white swine-face, that -had risen to within a couple of yards of my feet. Below it, I could make -out several others. As the Thing saw me, it gave a sudden, uncouth -squeal, which was answered from all parts of the Pit. At that, a gust of -horror and fear took me, and, bending down, I discharged my gun right -into its face. Straightway, the creature disappeared, with a clatter of -loose earth and stones. - -There was a momentary silence, to which, probably, I owe my life; for, -during it, I heard a quick patter of many feet, and, turning sharply, -saw a troop of the creatures coming toward me, at a run. Instantly, I -raised my gun and fired at the foremost, who plunged head-long, with a -hideous howling. Then, I turned to run. More than halfway from the house -to the Pit, I saw my sister--she was coming toward me. I could not see -her face, distinctly, as the dusk had fallen; but there was fear in her -voice as she called to know why I was shooting. - -'Run!' I shouted in reply. 'Run for your life!' - -Without more ado, she turned and fled--picking up her skirts with both -hands. As I followed, I gave a glance behind. The brutes were running on -their hind legs--at times dropping on all fours. - -I think it must have been the terror in my voice, that spurred Mary to -run so; for I feel convinced that she had not, as yet, seen those hell -creatures that pursued. - -On we went, my sister leading. - -Each moment, the nearing sounds of the footsteps, told me that the -brutes were gaining on us, rapidly. Fortunately, I am accustomed to -live, in some ways, an active life. As it was, the strain of the race -was beginning to tell severely upon me. - -Ahead, I could see the back door--luckily it was open. I was some -half-dozen yards behind Mary, now, and my breath was sobbing in my -throat. Then, something touched my shoulder. I wrenched my head 'round, -quickly, and saw one of those monstrous, pallid faces close to mine. One -of the creatures, having outrun its companions, had almost overtaken me. -Even as I turned, it made a fresh grab. With a sudden effort, I sprang -to one side, and, swinging my gun by the barrel, brought it crashing -down upon the foul creature's head. The Thing dropped, with an almost -human groan. - -Even this short delay had been nearly sufficient to bring the rest of -the brutes down upon me; so that, without an instant's waste of time, I -turned and ran for the door. - -Reaching it, I burst into the passage; then, turning quickly, slammed -and bolted the door, just as the first of the creatures rushed against -it, with a sudden shock. - -My sister sat, gasping, in a chair. She seemed in a fainting condition; -but I had no time then to spend on her. I had to make sure that all the -doors were fastened. Fortunately, they were. The one leading from my -study into the gardens, was the last to which I went. I had just had -time to note that it was secured, when I thought I heard a noise -outside. I stood perfectly silent, and listened. Yes! Now I could -distinctly hear a sound of whispering, and something slithered over the -panels, with a rasping, scratchy noise. Evidently, some of the brutes -were feeling with their claw-hands, about the door, to discover whether -there were any means of ingress. - -That the creatures should so soon have found the door was--to me--a -proof of their reasoning capabilities. It assured me that they must not -be regarded, by any means, as mere animals. I had felt something of this -before, when that first Thing peered in through my window. Then I had -applied the term superhuman to it, with an almost instinctive knowledge -that the creature was something different from the brute-beast. -Something beyond human; yet in no good sense; but rather as something -foul and hostile to the _great_ and _good_ in humanity. In a word, as -something intelligent, and yet inhuman. The very thought of the -creatures filled me with revulsion. - -Now, I bethought me of my sister, and, going to the cupboard, I got -out a flask of brandy, and a wine-glass. Taking these, I went down to -the kitchen, carrying a lighted candle with me. She was not sitting in -the chair, but had fallen out, and was lying upon the floor, -face downward. - -Very gently, I turned her over, and raised her head somewhat. Then, I -poured a little of the brandy between her lips. After a while, she -shivered slightly. A little later, she gave several gasps, and opened -her eyes. In a dreamy, unrealizing way, she looked at me. Then her eyes -closed, slowly, and I gave her a little more of the brandy. For, perhaps -a minute longer, she lay silent, breathing quickly. All at once, her -eyes opened again, and it seemed to me, as I looked, that the pupils -were dilated, as though fear had come with returning consciousness. -Then, with a movement so unexpected that I started backward, she sat up. -Noticing that she seemed giddy, I put out my hand to steady her. At -that, she gave a loud scream, and, scrambling to her feet, ran from -the room. - -For a moment, I stayed there--kneeling and holding the brandy flask. I -was utterly puzzled and astonished. - -Could she be afraid of me? But no! Why should she? I could only -conclude that her nerves were badly shaken, and that she was temporarily -unhinged. Upstairs, I heard a door bang, loudly, and I knew that she had -taken refuge in her room. I put the flask down on the table. My -attention was distracted by a noise in the direction of the back door. I -went toward it, and listened. It appeared to be shaken, as though some -of the creatures struggled with it, silently; but it was far too -strongly constructed and hung to be easily moved. - -Out in the gardens rose a continuous sound. It might have been -mistaken, by a casual listener, for the grunting and squealing of a herd -of pigs. But, as I stood there, it came to me that there was sense and -meaning to all those swinish noises. Gradually, I seemed able to trace -a semblance in it to human speech--glutinous and sticky, as though each -articulation were made with difficulty: yet, nevertheless, I was -becoming convinced that it was no mere medley of sounds; but a rapid -interchange of ideas. - -By this time, it had grown quite dark in the passages, and from these -came all the varied cries and groans of which an old house is so full -after nightfall. It is, no doubt, because things are then quieter, and -one has more leisure to hear. Also, there may be something in the theory -that the sudden change of temperature, at sundown, affects the structure -of the house, somewhat--causing it to contract and settle, as it were, -for the night. However, this is as may be; but, on that night in -particular, I would gladly have been quit of so many eerie noises. It -seemed to me, that each crack and creak was the coming of one of those -Things along the dark corridors; though I knew in my heart that this -could not be, for I had seen, myself, that all the doors were secure. - -Gradually, however, these sounds grew on my nerves to such an extent -that, were it only to punish my cowardice, I felt I must make the 'round -of the basement again, and, if anything were there, face it. And then, I -would go up to my study, for I knew sleep was out of the question, with -the house surrounded by creatures, half beasts, half something else, and -entirely unholy. - -Taking the kitchen lamp down from its hook, I made my way from cellar -to cellar, and room to room; through pantry and coal-hole--along -passages, and into the hundred-and-one little blind alleys and hidden -nooks that form the basement of the old house. Then, when I knew I had -been in every corner and cranny large enough to conceal aught of any -size, I made my way to the stairs. - -With my foot on the first step, I paused. It seemed to me, I heard a -movement, apparently from the buttery, which is to the left of the -staircase. It had been one of the first places I searched, and yet, I -felt certain my ears had not deceived me. My nerves were strung now, -and, with hardly any hesitation, I stepped up to the door, holding the -lamp above my head. In a glance, I saw that the place was empty, save -for the heavy, stone slabs, supported by brick pillars; and I was about -to leave it, convinced that I had been mistaken; when, in turning, my -light was flashed back from two bright spots outside the window, and -high up. For a few moments, I stood there, staring. Then they -moved--revolving slowly, and throwing out alternate scintillations of -green and red; at least, so it appeared to me. I knew then that they -were eyes. - -Slowly, I traced the shadowy outline of one of the Things. It appeared -to be holding on to the bars of the window, and its attitude suggested -climbing. I went nearer to the window, and held the light higher. There -was no need to be afraid of the creature; the bars were strong, and -there was little danger of its being able to move them. And then, -suddenly, in spite of the knowledge that the brute could not reach to -harm me, I had a return of the horrible sensation of fear, that had -assailed me on that night, a week previously. It was the same feeling of -helpless, shuddering fright. I realized, dimly, that the creature's eyes -were looking into mine with a steady, compelling stare. I tried to turn -away; but could not. I seemed, now, to see the window through a mist. -Then, I thought other eyes came and peered, and yet others; until a -whole galaxy of malignant, staring orbs seemed to hold me in thrall. - -My head began to swim, and throb violently. Then, I was aware of a -feeling of acute physical pain in my left hand. It grew more severe, and -forced, literally forced, my attention. With a tremendous effort, I -glanced down; and, with that, the spell that had held me was broken. I -realized, then, that I had, in my agitation, unconsciously caught hold -of the hot lamp-glass, and burnt my hand, badly. I looked up to the -window, again. The misty appearance had gone, and, now, I saw that it -was crowded with dozens of bestial faces. With a sudden access of rage, -I raised the lamp, and hurled it, full at the window. It struck the -glass (smashing a pane), and passed between two of the bars, out into -the garden, scattering burning oil as it went. I heard several loud -cries of pain, and, as my sight became accustomed to the dark, I -discovered that the creatures had left the window. - -Pulling myself together, I groped for the door, and, having found it, -made my way upstairs, stumbling at each step. I felt dazed, as though I -had received a blow on the head. At the same time, my hand smarted -badly, and I was full of a nervous, dull rage against those Things. - -Reaching my study, I lit the candles. As they burnt up, their rays were -reflected from the rack of firearms on the sidewall. At the sight, I -remembered that I had there a power, which, as I had proved earlier, -seemed as fatal to those monsters as to more ordinary animals; and I -determined I would take the offensive. - -First of all, I bound up my hand; for the pain was fast becoming -intolerable. After that, it seemed easier, and I crossed the room, to -the rifle stand. There, I selected a heavy rifle--an old and tried -weapon; and, having procured ammunition, I made my way up into one of -the small towers, with which the house is crowned. - -From there, I found that I could see nothing. The gardens presented a -dim blur of shadows--a little blacker, perhaps, where the trees stood. -That was all, and I knew that it was useless to shoot down into all that -darkness. The only thing to be done, was to wait for the moon to rise; -then, I might be able to do a little execution. - -In the meantime, I sat still, and kept my ears open. The gardens were -comparatively quiet now, and only an occasional grunt or squeal came up -to me. I did not like this silence; it made me wonder on what devilry -the creatures were bent. Twice, I left the tower, and took a walk -through the house; but everything was silent. - -Once, I heard a noise, from the direction of the Pit, as though more -earth had fallen. Following this, and lasting for some fifteen minutes, -there was a commotion among the denizens of the gardens. This died away, -and, after that all was again quiet. - -About an hour later, the moon's light showed above the distant horizon. -From where I sat, I could see it over the trees; but it was not until it -rose clear of them, that I could make out any of the details in the -gardens below. Even then, I could see none of the brutes; until, -happening to crane forward, I saw several of them lying prone, up -against the wall of the house. What they were doing, I could not make -out. It was, however, a chance too good to be ignored; and, taking aim, -I fired at the one directly beneath. There was a shrill scream, and, as -the smoke cleared away, I saw that it had turned on its back, and was -writhing, feebly. Then, it was quiet. The others had disappeared. - -Immediately after this, I heard a loud squeal, in the direction of the -Pit. It was answered, a hundred times, from every part of the garden. -This gave me some notion of the number of the creatures, and I began to -feel that the whole affair was becoming even more serious than I -had imagined. - -As I sat there, silent and watchful, the thought came to me--Why was -all this? What were these Things? What did it mean? Then my thoughts -flew back to that vision (though, even now, I doubt whether it was a -vision) of the Plain of Silence. What did that mean? I wondered--And -that Thing in the arena? Ugh! Lastly, I thought of the house I had seen -in that far-away place. That house, so like this in every detail of -external structure, that it might have been modeled from it; or this -from that. I had never thought of that-- - -At this moment, there came another long squeal, from the Pit, followed, -a second later, by a couple of shorter ones. At once, the garden was -filled with answering cries. I stood up, quickly, and looked over the -parapet. In the moonlight, it seemed as though the shrubberies were -alive. They tossed hither and thither, as though shaken by a strong, -irregular wind; while a continuous rustling, and a noise of scampering -feet, rose up to me. Several times, I saw the moonlight gleam on -running, white figures among the bushes, and, twice, I fired. The second -time, my shot was answered by a short squeal of pain. - -A minute later, the gardens lay silent. From the Pit, came a deep, -hoarse Babel of swine-talk. At times, angry cries smote the air, and -they would be answered by multitudinous gruntings. It occurred to me, -that they were holding some kind of a council, perhaps to discuss the -problem of entering the house. Also, I thought that they seemed much -enraged, probably by my successful shots. - -It occurred to me, that now would be a good time to make a final survey -of our defenses. This, I proceeded to do at once; visiting the whole of -the basement again, and examining each of the doors. Luckily, they are -all, like the back one, built of solid, iron-studded oak. Then, I went -upstairs to the study. I was more anxious about this door. It is, -palpably, of a more modern make than the others, and, though a stout -piece of work, it has little of their ponderous strength. - -I must explain here, that there is a small, raised lawn on this side of -the house, upon which this door opens--the windows of the study being -barred on this account. All the other entrances--excepting the great -gateway which is never opened--are in the lower storey. - - - -_VII_ - -THE ATTACK - -I spent some time, puzzling how to strengthen the study door. Finally, -I went down to the kitchen, and with some trouble, brought up several -heavy pieces of timber. These, I wedged up, slantwise, against it, from -the floor, nailing them top and bottom. For half-an-hour, I worked hard, -and, at last, got it shored to my mind. - -Then, feeling easier, I resumed my coat, which I had laid aside, and -proceeded to attend to one or two matters before returning to the tower. -It was whilst thus employed, that I heard a fumbling at the door, and -the latch was tried. Keeping silence, I waited. Soon, I heard several of -the creatures outside. They were grunting to one another, softly. Then, -for a minute, there was quietness. Suddenly, there sounded a quick, low -grunt, and the door creaked under a tremendous pressure. It would have -burst inward; but for the supports I had placed. The strain ceased, as -quickly as it had begun, and there was more talk. - -Presently, one of the Things squealed, softly, and I heard the sound -of others approaching. There was a short confabulation; then again, -silence; and I realized that they had called several more to assist. -Feeling that now was the supreme moment, I stood ready, with my rifle -presented. If the door gave, I would, at least, slay as many -as possible. - -Again came the low signal; and, once more, the door cracked, under a -huge force. For, a minute perhaps, the pressure was kept up; and I -waited, nervously; expecting each moment to see the door come down with -a crash. But no; the struts held, and the attempt proved abortive. Then -followed more of their horrible, grunting talk, and, whilst it lasted, I -thought I distinguished the noise of fresh arrivals. - -After a long discussion, during which the door was several times -shaken, they became quiet once more, and I knew that they were going to -make a third attempt to break it down. I was almost in despair. The -props had been severely tried in the two previous attacks, and I was -sorely afraid that this would prove too much for them. - -At that moment, like an inspiration, a thought flashed into my troubled -brain. Instantly, for it was no time to hesitate, I ran from the room, -and up stair after stair. This time, it was not to one of the towers, -that I went; but out on to the flat, leaded roof itself. Once there, I -raced across to the parapet, that walls it 'round, and looked down. As I -did so, I heard the short, grunted signal, and, even up there, caught -the crying of the door under the assault. - -There was not a moment to lose, and, leaning over, I aimed, quickly, -and fired. The report rang sharply, and, almost blending with it, came -the loud splud of the bullet striking its mark. From below, rose a -shrill wail; and the door ceased its groaning. Then, as I took my weight -from off the parapet, a huge piece of the stone coping slid from under -me, and fell with a crash among the disorganized throng beneath. -Several horrible shrieks quavered through the night air, and then I -heard a sound of scampering feet. Cautiously, I looked over. In the -moonlight, I could see the great copingstone, lying right across the -threshold of the door. I thought I saw something under it--several -things, white; but I could not be sure. - -And so a few minutes passed. - -As I stared, I saw something come 'round, out of the shadow of the -house. It was one of the Things. It went up to the stone, silently, and -bent down. I was unable to see what it did. In a minute it stood up. It -had something in its talons, which it put to its mouth and tore at.... - -For the moment, I did not realize. Then, slowly, I comprehended. The -Thing was stooping again. It was horrible. I started to load my rifle. -When I looked again, the monster was tugging at the stone--moving it to -one side. I leant the rifle on the coping, and pulled the trigger. The -brute collapsed, on its face, and kicked, slightly. - -Simultaneously, almost, with the report, I heard another sound--that of -breaking glass. Waiting, only to recharge my weapon, I ran from the -roof, and down the first two flights of stairs. - -Here, I paused to listen. As I did so, there came another tinkle of -falling glass. It appeared to come from the floor below. Excitedly, I -sprang down the steps, and, guided by the rattle of the window-sash, -reached the door of one of the empty bedrooms, at the back of the house. -I thrust it open. The room was but dimly illuminated by the moonlight; -most of the light being blotted out by moving figures at the window. -Even as I stood, one crawled through, into the room. Leveling my weapon, -I fired point-blank at it--filling the room with a deafening bang. When -the smoke cleared, I saw that the room was empty, and the window free. -The room was much lighter. The night air blew in, coldly, through the -shattered panes. Down below, in the night, I could hear a soft moaning, -and a confused murmur of swine-voices. - -Stepping to one side of the window, I reloaded, and then stood there, -waiting. Presently, I heard a scuffling noise. From where I stood in the -shadow, I could see, without being seen. - -Nearer came the sounds, and then I saw something come up above the -sill, and clutch at the broken window-frame. It caught a piece of the -woodwork; and, now, I could make out that it was a hand and arm. A -moment later, the face of one of the Swine-creatures rose into view. -Then, before I could use my rifle, or do anything, there came a sharp -crack--cr-ac-k; and the window-frame gave way under the weight of the -Thing. Next instant, a squashing thud, and a loud outcry, told me that -it had fallen to the ground. With a savage hope that it had been killed, -I went to the window. The moon had gone behind a cloud, so that I could -see nothing; though a steady hum of jabbering, just beneath where I -stood, indicated that there were several more of the brutes close -at hand. - -As I stood there, looking down, I marveled how it had been possible for -the creatures to climb so far; for the wall is comparatively smooth, -while the distance to the ground must be, at least, eighty feet. - -All at once, as I bent, peering, I saw something, indistinctly, that -cut the grey shadow of the house-side, with a black line. It passed the -window, to the left, at a distance of about two feet. Then, I remembered -that it was a gutter-pipe, that had been put there some years ago, to -carry off the rainwater. I had forgotten about it. I could see, now, how -the creatures had managed to reach the window. Even as the solution came -to me, I heard a faint slithering, scratching noise, and knew that -another of the brutes was coming. I waited some odd moments; then leant -out of the window and felt the pipe. To my delight, I found that it was -quite loose, and I managed, using the rifle-barrel as a crowbar, to -lever it out from the wall. I worked quickly. Then, taking hold with -both bands, I wrenched the whole concern away, and hurled it down--with -the Thing still clinging to it--into the garden. - -For a few minutes longer, I waited there, listening; but, after the -first general outcry, I heard nothing. I knew, now, that there was no -more reason to fear an attack from this quarter. I had removed the only -means of reaching the window, and, as none of the other windows had any -adjacent water pipes, to tempt the climbing powers of the monsters, I -began to feel more confident of escaping their clutches. - -Leaving the room, I made my way down to the study. I was anxious to see -how the door had withstood the test of that last assault. Entering, I -lit two of the candles, and then turned to the door. One of the large -props had been displaced, and, on that side, the door had been forced -inward some six inches. - -It was Providential that I had managed to drive the brutes away just -when I did! And that copingstone! I wondered, vaguely, how I had managed -to dislodge it. I had not noticed it loose, as I took my shot; and then, -as I stood up, it had slipped away from beneath me ... I felt that I -owed the dismissal of the attacking force, more to its timely fall than -to my rifle. Then the thought came, that I had better seize this chance -to shore up the door, again. It was evident that the creatures had not -returned since the fall of the copingstone; but who was to say how long -they would keep away? - -There and then, I set-to, at repairing the door--working hard and -anxiously. First, I went down to the basement, and, rummaging 'round, -found several pieces of heavy oak planking. With these, I returned to -the study, and, having removed the props, placed the planks up against -the door. Then, I nailed the heads of the struts to these, and, driving -them well home at the bottoms, nailed them again there. - -Thus, I made the door stronger than ever; for now it was solid with the -backing of boards, and would, I felt convinced, stand a heavier pressure -than hitherto, without giving way. - -After that, I lit the lamp which I had brought from the kitchen, and -went down to have a look at the lower windows. - -Now that I had seen an instance of the strength the creatures -possessed, I felt considerable anxiety about the windows on the ground -floor--in spite of the fact that they were so strongly barred. - -I went first to the buttery, having a vivid remembrance of my late -adventure there. The place was chilly, and the wind, soughing in through -the broken glass, produced an eerie note. Apart from the general air of -dismalness, the place was as I had left it the night before. Going up to -the window, I examined the bars, closely; noting, as I did so, their -comfortable thickness. Still, as I looked more intently, it seemed to -me, that the middle bar was bent slightly from the straight; yet it was -but trifling, and it might have been so for years. I had never, before, -noticed them particularly. - -I put my hand through the broken window, and shook the bar. It was as -firm as a rock. Perhaps the creatures had tried to 'start' it, and, -finding it beyond their power, ceased from the effort. After that, I -went 'round to each of the windows, in turn; examining them with careful -attention; but nowhere else could I trace anything to show that there -had been any tampering. Having finished my survey, I went back to the -study, and poured myself out a little brandy. Then to the tower -to watch. - - - -_VIII_ - -AFTER THE ATTACK - -It was now about three a.m., and, presently, the Eastern sky began to -pale with the coming of dawn. Gradually, the day came, and, by its -light, I scanned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any -signs of the brutes. I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the -wall, to see whether the body of the Thing I had shot the night before -was still there. It was gone. I supposed that others of the monsters had -removed it during the night. - -Then, I went down on to the roof, and crossed over to the gap from -which the coping stone had fallen. Reaching it, I looked over. Yes, -there was the stone, as I had seen it last; but there was no appearance -of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, -after its fall. Evidently, they also had been taken away. I turned, and -went down to my study. There, I sat down, wearily. I was thoroughly -tired. It was quite light now; though the sun's rays were not, as yet, -perceptibly hot. A clock chimed the hour of four. - -I awoke, with a start, and looked 'round, hurriedly. The clock in the -corner, indicated that it was three o'clock. It was already afternoon. I -must have slept for nearly eleven hours. - -With a jerky movement, I sat forward in the chair, and listened. The -house was perfectly silent. Slowly, I stood up, and yawned. I felt -desperately tired, still, and sat down again; wondering what it was that -had waked me. - -It must have been the clock striking, I concluded, presently; and was -commencing to doze off, when a sudden noise brought me back, once more, -to life. It was the sound of a step, as of a person moving cautiously -down the corridor, toward my study. In an instant, I was on my feet, and -grasping my rifle. Noiselessly, I waited. Had the creatures broken in, -whilst I slept? Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, halted -momentarily, and then continued down the passage. Silently, I tiptoed to -the doorway, and peeped out. Then, I experienced such a feeling of -relief, as must a reprieved criminal--it was my sister. She was going -toward the stairs. - -I stepped into the hall, and was about to call to her, when it occurred -to me, that it was very queer she should have crept past my door, in -that stealthy manner. I was puzzled, and, for one brief moment, the -thought occupied my mind, that it was not she, but some fresh mystery of -the house. Then, as I caught a glimpse of her old petticoat, the thought -passed as quickly as it had come, and I half laughed. There could be no -mistaking that ancient garment. Yet, I wondered what she was doing; and, -remembering her condition of mind, on the previous day, I felt that it -might be best to follow, quietly--taking care not to alarm her--and see -what she was going to do. If she behaved rationally, well and good; if -not, I should have to take steps to restrain her. I could run no -unnecessary risks, under the danger that threatened us. - -Quickly, I reached the head of the stairs, and paused a moment. Then, -I heard a sound that sent me leaping down, at a mad rate--it was the -rattle of bolts being unshot. That foolish sister of mine was actually -unbarring the back door. - -Just as her hand was on the last bolt, I reached her. She had not seen -me, and, the first thing she knew, I had hold of her arm. She glanced up -quickly, like a frightened animal, and screamed aloud. - -'Come, Mary!' I said, sternly, 'what's the meaning of this nonsense? Do -you mean to tell me you don't understand the danger, that you try to -throw our two lives away in this fashion!' - -To this, she replied nothing; only trembled, violently, gasping and -sobbing, as though in the last extremity of fear. - -Through some minutes, I reasoned with her; pointing out the need for -caution, and asking her to be brave. There was little to be afraid of -now, I explained--and, I tried to believe that I spoke the truth--but -she must be sensible, and not attempt to leave the house for a few days. - -At last, I ceased, in despair. It was no use talking to her; she was, -obviously, not quite herself for the time being. Finally, I told her she -had better go to her room, if she could not behave rationally. - -Still, she took not any notice. So, without more ado, I picked her up -in my arms, and carried her there. At first, she screamed, wildly; but -had relapsed into silent trembling, by the time I reached the stairs. - -Arriving at her room, I laid her upon the bed. She lay there quietly -enough, neither speaking nor sobbing--just shaking in a very ague of -fear. I took a rug from a chair near by, and spread it over her. I could -do nothing more for her, and so, crossed to where Pepper lay in a big -basket. My sister had taken charge of him since his wound, to nurse him, -for it had proved more severe than I had thought, and I was pleased to -note that, in spite of her state of mind, she had looked after the old -dog, carefully. Stooping, I spoke to him, and, in reply, he licked my -hand, feebly. He was too ill to do more. - -Then, going to the bed, I bent over my sister, and asked her how she -felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pained me, I had to -admit that my presence seemed to make her worse. - -And so, I left her--locking the door, and pocketing the key. It seemed -to be the only course to take. - -The rest of the day, I spent between the tower and my study. For food, -I brought up a loaf from the pantry, and on this, and some claret, I -lived for that day. - -What a long, weary day it was. If only I could have gone out into the -gardens, as is my wont, I should have been content enough; but to be -cooped in this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a -sick dog, was enough to prey upon the nerves of the hardiest. And out in -the tangled shrubberies that surrounded the house, lurked--for all I -could tell--those infernal Swine-creatures waiting their chance. Was -ever a man in such straits? - -Once, in the afternoon, and again, later, I went to visit my sister. -The second time, I found her tending Pepper; but, at my approach, she -slid over, unobtrusively, to the far corner, with a gesture that -saddened me beyond belief. Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I -would not intrude on her, unnecessarily. She would be better, I trusted, -in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; and I judged it still -needful--hard as it seemed--to keep her confined to her room. One thing -there was that I took for encouragement: she had eaten some of the food -I had taken to her, on my first visit. - -And so the day passed. - -As the evening drew on, the air grew chilly, and I began to make -preparations for passing a second night in the tower--taking up two -additional rifles, and a heavy ulster. The rifles I loaded, and laid -alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the -creatures who might show, during the night. I had plenty of ammunition, -and I thought to give the brutes such a lesson, as should show them the -uselessness of attempting to force an entrance. - -After that, I made the 'round of the house again; paying particular -attention to the props that supported the study door. Then, feeling that -I had done all that lay in my power to insure our safety, I returned to -the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the -way. Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagged his tail, in -recognition. I thought he seemed slightly better. My sister was lying on -the bed; though whether asleep or not, I was unable to tell; and thus I -left them. - -Reaching the tower, I made myself as comfortable as circumstances would -permit, and settled down to watch through the night. Gradually, darkness -fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged into shadows. -During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listening for any sound that -might help to tell me if anything were stirring down below. It was far -too dark for my eyes to be of much use. - -Slowly, the hours passed; without anything unusual happening. And the -moon rose, showing the gardens, apparently empty, and silent. And so, -through the night, without disturbance or sound. - -Toward morning, I began to grow stiff and cold, with my long vigil; -also, I was getting very uneasy, concerning the continued quietness on -the part of the creatures. I mistrusted it, and would sooner, far, have -had them attack the house, openly. Then, at least, I should have known -my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a -whole night, picturing all kinds of unknown devilment, was to jeopardize -one's sanity. Once or twice, the thought came to me, that, perhaps, they -had gone; but, in my heart, I found it impossible to believe that it -was so. - - - -_IX_ - -IN THE CELLARS - -At last, what with being tired and cold, and the uneasiness that -possessed me, I resolved to take a walk through the house; first calling -in at the study, for a glass of brandy to warm me. This, I did, and, -while there, I examined the door, carefully; but found all as I had left -it the night before. - -The day was just breaking, as I left the tower; though it was still too -dark in the house to be able to see without a light, and I took one of -the study candles with me on my 'round. By the time I had finished the -ground floor, the daylight was creeping in, wanly, through the barred -windows. My search had shown me nothing fresh. Everything appeared to be -in order, and I was on the point of extinguishing my candle, when the -thought suggested itself to me to have another glance 'round the -cellars. I had not, if I remember rightly, been into them since my hasty -search on the evening of the attack. - -For, perhaps, the half of a minute, I hesitated. I would have been very -willing to forego the task--as, indeed, I am inclined to think any man -well might--for of all the great, awe-inspiring rooms in this house, the -cellars are the hugest and weirdest. Great, gloomy caverns of places, -unlit by any ray of daylight. Yet, I would not shirk the work. I felt -that to do so would smack of sheer cowardice. Besides, as I reassured -myself, the cellars were really the most unlikely places in which to -come across anything dangerous; considering that they can be entered, -only through a heavy oaken door, the key of which, I carry always on -my person. - -It is in the smallest of these places that I keep my wine; a gloomy -hole close to the foot of the cellar stairs; and beyond which, I have -seldom proceeded. Indeed, save for the rummage 'round, already -mentioned, I doubt whether I had ever, before, been right through -the cellars. - -As I unlocked the great door, at the top of the steps, I paused, -nervously, a moment, at the strange, desolate smell that assailed my -nostrils. Then, throwing the barrel of my weapon forward, I descended, -slowly, into the darkness of the underground regions. - -Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I stood for a minute, and listened. -All was silent, save for a faint drip, drip of water, falling, -drop-by-drop, somewhere to my left. As I stood, I noticed how quietly -the candle burnt; never a flicker nor flare, so utterly windless was -the place. - -Quietly, I moved from cellar to cellar. I had but a very dim memory of -their arrangement. The impressions left by my first search were blurred. -I had recollections of a succession of great cellars, and of one, -greater than the rest, the roof of which was upheld by pillars; beyond -that my mind was hazy, and predominated by a sense of cold and darkness -and shadows. Now, however, it was different; for, although nervous, I -was sufficiently collected to be able to look about me, and note the -structure and size of the different vaults I entered. - -Of course, with the amount of light given by my candle, it was not -possible to examine each place, minutely, but I was enabled to notice, -as I went along, that the walls appeared to be built with wonderful -precision and finish; while here and there, an occasional, massive -pillar shot up to support the vaulted roof. - -Thus, I came, at last, to the great cellar that I remembered. It is -reached, through a huge, arched entrance, on which I observed strange, -fantastic carvings, which threw queer shadows under the light of my -candle. As I stood, and examined these, thoughtfully, it occurred to me -how strange it was, that I should be so little acquainted with my own -house. Yet, this may be easily understood, when one realizes the size of -this ancient pile, and the fact that only my old sister and I live in -it, occupying a few of the rooms, such as our wants decide. - -Holding the light high, I passed on into the cellar, and, keeping to -the right, paced slowly up, until I reached the further end. I walked -quietly, and looked cautiously about, as I went. But, so far as the -light showed, I saw nothing unusual. - -At the top, I turned to the left, still keeping to the wall, and so -continued, until I had traversed the whole of the vast chamber. As I -moved along, I noticed that the floor was composed of solid rock, in -places covered with a damp mould, in others bare, or almost so, save for -a thin coating of light-grey dust. - -I had halted at the doorway. Now, however, I turned, and made my way up -the center of the place; passing among the pillars, and glancing to -right and left, as I moved. About halfway up the cellar, I stubbed my -foot against something that gave out a metallic sound. Stooping quickly, -I held the candle, and saw that the object I had kicked, was a large, -metal ring. Bending lower, I cleared the dust from around it, and, -presently, discovered that it was attached to a ponderous trap door, -black with age. - -Feeling excited, and wondering to where it could lead, I laid my gun on -the floor, and, sticking the candle in the trigger guard, took the ring -in both hands, and pulled. The trap creaked loudly--the sound echoing, -vaguely, through the huge place--and opened, heavily. - -Propping the edge on my knee, I reached for the candle, and held it in -the opening, moving it to right and left; but could see nothing. I was -puzzled and surprised. There were no signs of steps, nor even the -appearance of there ever having been any. Nothing; save an empty -blackness. I might have been looking down into a bottomless, sideless -well. Then, even as I stared, full of perplexity, I seemed to hear, far -down, as though from untold depths, a faint whisper of sound. I bent my -head, quickly, more into the opening, and listened, intently. It may -have been fancy; but I could have sworn to hearing a soft titter, that -grew into a hideous, chuckling, faint and distant. Startled, I leapt -backward, letting the trap fall, with a hollow clang, that filled the -place with echoes. Even then, I seemed to hear that mocking, suggestive -laughter; but this, I knew, must be my imagination. The sound, I had -heard, was far too slight to penetrate through the cumbrous trap. - -For a full minute, I stood there, quivering--glancing, nervously, -behind and before; but the great cellar was silent as a grave, and, -gradually, I shook off the frightened sensation. With a calmer mind, I -became again curious to know into what that trap opened; but could not, -then, summon sufficient courage to make a further investigation. One -thing I felt, however, was that the trap ought to be secured. This, I -accomplished by placing upon it several large pieces of 'dressed' -stone, which I had noticed in my tour along the East wall. - -Then, after a final scrutiny of the rest of the place, I retraced my -way through the cellars, to the stairs, and so reached the daylight, -with an infinite feeling of relief, that the uncomfortable task was -accomplished. - - - -_X_ - -THE TIME OF WAITING - -The sun was now warm, and shining brightly, forming a wondrous contrast -to the dark and dismal cellars; and it was with comparatively light -feelings, that I made my way up to the tower, to survey the gardens. -There, I found everything quiet, and, after a few minutes, went down to -Mary's room. - -Here, having knocked, and received a reply, I unlocked the door. My -sister was sitting, quietly, on the bed; as though waiting. She seemed -quite herself again, and made no attempt to move away, as I approached; -yet, I observed that she scanned my face, anxiously, as though in doubt, -and but half assured in her mind that there was nothing to fear from me. - -To my questions, as to how she felt, she replied, sanely enough, that -she was hungry, and would like to go down to prepare breakfast, if I did -not mind. For a minute, I meditated whether it would be safe to let her -out. Finally, I told her she might go, on condition that she promised -not to attempt to leave the house, or meddle with any of the outer -doors. At my mention of the doors, a sudden look of fright crossed her -face; but she said nothing, save to give the required promise, and then -left the room, silently. - -Crossing the floor, I approached Pepper. He had waked as I entered; -but, beyond a slight yelp of pleasure, and a soft rapping with his tail, -had kept quiet. Now, as I patted him, he made an attempt to stand up, -and succeeded, only to fall back on his side, with a little yowl -of pain. - -I spoke to him, and bade him lie still. I was greatly delighted with -his improvement, and also with the natural kindness of my sister's -heart, in taking such good care of him, in spite of her condition of -mind. After a while, I left him, and went downstairs, to my study. - -In a little time, Mary appeared, carrying a tray on which smoked a hot -breakfast. As she entered the room, I saw her gaze fasten on the props -that supported the study door; her lips tightened, and I thought she -paled, slightly; but that was all. Putting the tray down at my elbow, -she was leaving the room, quietly, when I called her back. She came, it -seemed, a little timidly, as though startled; and I noted that her hand -clutched at her apron, nervously. - -'Come, Mary,' I said. 'Cheer up! Things look brighter. I've seen none -of the creatures since yesterday morning, early.' - -She looked at me, in a curiously puzzled manner; as though not -comprehending. Then, intelligence swept into her eyes, and fear; but she -said nothing, beyond an unintelligible murmur of acquiescence. After -that, I kept silence; it was evident that any reference to the -Swine-things, was more than her shaken nerves could bear. - -Breakfast over, I went up to the tower. Here, during the greater part -of the day, I maintained a strict watch over the gardens. Once or twice, -I went down to the basement, to see how my sister was getting along. -Each time, I found her quiet, and curiously submissive. Indeed, on the -last occasion, she even ventured to address me, on her own account, with -regard to some household matter that needed attention. Though this was -done with an almost extraordinary timidity, I hailed it with happiness, -as being the first word, voluntarily spoken, since the critical moment, -when I had caught her unbarring the back door, to go out among those -waiting brutes. I wondered whether she was aware of her attempt, and how -near a thing it had been; but refrained from questioning her, thinking -it best to let well alone. - -That night, I slept in a bed; the first time for two nights. In the -morning, I rose early, and took a walk through the house. All was as it -should be, and I went up to the tower, to have a look at the gardens. -Here, again, I found perfect quietness. - -At breakfast, when I met Mary, I was greatly pleased to see that she -had sufficiently regained command over herself, to be able to greet me -in a perfectly natural manner. She talked sensibly and quietly; only -keeping carefully from any mention of the past couple of days. In this, -I humored her, to the extent of not attempting to lead the conversation -in that direction. - -Earlier in the morning, I had been to see Pepper. He was mending, -rapidly; and bade fair to be on his legs, in earnest, in another day or -two. Before leaving the breakfast table, I made some reference to his -improvement. In the short discussion that followed, I was surprised to -gather, from my sister's remarks, that she was still under the -impression that his wound had been given by the wildcat, of my -invention. It made me feel almost ashamed of myself for deceiving her. -Yet, the lie had been told to prevent her from being frightened. And -then, I had been sure that she must have known the truth, later, when -those brutes had attacked the house. - -During the day, I kept on the alert; spending much of my time, as on -the previous day, in the tower; but not a sign could I see of the -Swine-creatures, nor hear any sound. Several times, the thought had come -to me, that the Things had, at last, left us; but, up to this time, I -had refused to entertain the idea, seriously; now, however, I began to -feel that there was reason for hope. It would soon be three days since I -had seen any of the Things; but still, I intended to use the utmost -caution. For all that I could tell, this protracted silence might be a -ruse to tempt me from the house--perhaps right into their arms. The -thought of such a contingency, was, alone, sufficient to make me -circumspect. - -So it was, that the fourth, fifth and sixth days went by, quietly, -without my making any attempt to leave the house. - -On the sixth day, I had the pleasure of seeing Pepper, once more, upon -his feet; and, though still very weak, he managed to keep me company -during the whole of that day. - - - -_XI_ - -THE SEARCHING OF THE GARDENS - -How slowly the time went; and never a thing to indicate that any of the -brutes still infested the gardens. - -It was on the ninth day that, finally, I decided to run the risk, if -any there were, and sally out. With this purpose in view, I loaded one -of the shotguns, carefully--choosing it, as being more deadly than a -rifle, at close quarters; and then, after a final scrutiny of the -grounds, from the tower, I called Pepper to follow me, and made my way -down to the basement. - -At the door, I must confess to hesitating a moment. The thought of what -might be awaiting me among the dark shrubberies, was by no means -calculated to encourage my resolution. It was but a second, though, and -then I had drawn the bolts, and was standing on the path outside -the door. - -Pepper followed, stopping at the doorstep to sniff, suspiciously; and -carrying his nose up and down the jambs, as though following a scent. -Then, suddenly, he turned, sharply, and started to run here and there, -in semicircles and circles, all around the door; finally returning to -the threshold. Here, he began again to nose about. - -Hitherto, I had stood, watching the dog; yet, all the time, with half -my gaze on the wild tangle of gardens, stretching 'round me. Now, I went -toward him, and, bending down, examined the surface of the door, where -he was smelling. I found that the wood was covered with a network of -scratches, crossing and recrossing one another, in inextricable -confusion. In addition to this, I noticed that the doorposts, -themselves, were gnawed in places. Beyond these, I could find nothing; -and so, standing up, I began to make the tour of the house wall. - -Pepper, as soon as I walked away, left the door, and ran ahead, still -nosing and sniffing as he went along. At times, he stopped to -investigate. Here, it would be a bullet-hole in the pathway, or, -perhaps, a powder stained wad. Anon, it might be a piece of torn sod, or -a disturbed patch of weedy path; but, save for such trifles, he found -nothing. I observed him, critically, as he went along, and could -discover nothing of uneasiness, in his demeanor, to indicate that he -felt the nearness of any of the creatures. By this, I was assured that -the gardens were empty, at least for the present, of those hateful -Things. Pepper could not be easily deceived, and it was a relief to feel -that he would know, and give me timely warning, if there were -any danger. - -Reaching the place where I had shot that first creature, I stopped, and -made a careful scrutiny; but could see nothing. From there, I went on to -where the great copingstone had fallen. It lay on its side, apparently -just as it had been left when I shot the brute that was moving it. A -couple of feet to the right of the nearer end, was a great dent in the -ground; showing where it had struck. The other end was still within the -indentation--half in, and half out. Going nearer, I looked at the stone, -more closely. What a huge piece of masonry it was! And that creature had -moved it, single-handed, in its attempt to reach what lay below. - -I went 'round to the further end of the stone. Here, I found that it -was possible to see under it, for a distance of nearly a couple of feet. -Still, I could see nothing of the stricken creatures, and I felt much -surprised. I had, as I have before said, guessed that the remains had -been removed; yet, I could not conceive that it had been done so -thoroughly as not to leave some certain sign, beneath the stone, -indicative of their fate. I had seen several of the brutes struck down -beneath it, with such force that they must have been literally driven -into the earth; and now, not a vestige of them was to be seen--not even -a bloodstain. - -I felt more puzzled, than ever, as I turned the matter over in my mind; -but could think of no plausible explanation; and so, finally, gave it -up, as one of the many things that were unexplainable. - -From there, I transferred my attention to the study door. I could see, -now, even more plainly, the effects of the tremendous strain, to which -it had been subjected; and I marveled how, even with the support -afforded by the props, it had withstood the attacks, so well. There were -no marks of blows--indeed, none had been given--but the door had been -literally riven from its hinges, by the application of enormous, silent -force. One thing that I observed affected me profoundly--the head of one -of the props had been driven right through a panel. This was, of itself, -sufficient to show how huge an effort the creatures had made to break -down the door, and how nearly they had succeeded. - -Leaving, I continued my tour 'round the house, finding little else of -interest; save at the back, where I came across the piece of piping I -had torn from the wall, lying among the long grass underneath the -broken window. - -Then, I returned to the house, and, having re-bolted the back door, -went up to the tower. Here, I spent the afternoon, reading, and -occasionally glancing down into the gardens. I had determined, if the -night passed quietly, to go as far as the Pit, on the morrow. Perhaps, I -should be able to learn, then, something of what had happened. The day -slipped away, and the night came, and went much as the last few -nights had gone. - -When I rose the morning had broken, fine and clear; and I determined to -put my project into action. During breakfast, I considered the matter, -carefully; after which, I went to the study for my shotgun. In addition, -I loaded, and slipped into my pocket, a small, but heavy, pistol. I -quite understood that, if there were any danger, it lay in the direction -of the Pit and I intended to be prepared. - -Leaving the study, I went down to the back door, followed by Pepper. -Once outside, I took a quick survey of the surrounding gardens, and then -set off toward the Pit. On the way, I kept a sharp outlook, holding my -gun, handily. Pepper was running ahead, I noticed, without any apparent -hesitation. From this, I augured that there was no imminent danger to be -apprehended, and I stepped out more quickly in his wake. He had reached -the top of the Pit, now, and was nosing his way along the edge. - -A minute later, I was beside him, looking down into the Pit. For a -moment, I could scarcely believe that it was the same place, so greatly -was it changed. The dark, wooded ravine of a fortnight ago, with a -foliage-hidden stream, running sluggishly, at the bottom, existed no -longer. Instead, my eyes showed me a ragged chasm, partly filled with a -gloomy lake of turbid water. All one side of the ravine was stripped of -underwood, showing the bare rock. - -A little to my left, the side of the Pit appeared to have collapsed -altogether, forming a deep V-shaped cleft in the face of the rocky -cliff. This rift ran, from the upper edge of the ravine, nearly down to -the water, and penetrated into the Pit side, to a distance of some forty -feet. Its opening was, at least, six yards across; and, from this, it -seemed to taper into about two. But, what attracted my attention, more -than even the stupendous split itself, was a great hole, some distance -down the cleft, and right in the angle of the V. It was clearly defined, -and not unlike an arched doorway in shape; though, lying as it did in -the shadow, I could not see it very distinctly. - -The opposite side of the Pit, still retained its verdure; but so torn -in places, and everywhere covered with dust and rubbish, that it was -hardly distinguishable as such. - -My first impression, that there had been a land slip, was, I began to -see, not sufficient, of itself, to account for all the changes I -witnessed. And the water--? I turned, suddenly; for I had become aware -that, somewhere to my right, there was a noise of running water. I could -see nothing; but, now that my attention had been caught, I -distinguished, easily, that it came from somewhere at the East end -of the Pit. - -Slowly, I made my way in that direction; the sound growing plainer as I -advanced, until in a little, I stood right above it. Even then, I could -not perceive the cause, until I knelt down, and thrust my head over the -cliff. Here, the noise came up to me, plainly; and I saw, below me, a -torrent of clear water, issuing from a small fissure in the Pit side, -and rushing down the rocks, into the lake beneath. A little further -along the cliff, I saw another, and, beyond that again, two smaller -ones. These, then, would help to account for the quantity of water in -the Pit; and, if the fall of rock and earth had blocked the outlet of -the stream at the bottom, there was little doubt but that it was -contributing a very large share. - -Yet, I puzzled my head to account for the generally _shaken_ appearance -of the place--these streamlets, and that huge cleft, further up the -ravine! It seemed to me, that more than the landslip was necessary to -account for these. I could imagine an earthquake, or a great -_explosion_, creating some such condition of affairs as existed; but, of -these, there had been neither. Then, I stood up, quickly, remembering -that crash, and the cloud of dust that had followed, directly, rushing -high into the air. But I shook my head, unbelievingly. No! It must have -been the noise of the falling rocks and earth, I had heard; of course, -the dust would fly, naturally. Still, in spite of my reasoning, I had an -uneasy feeling, that this theory did not satisfy my sense of the -probable; and yet, was any other, that I could suggest, likely to be -half so plausible? Pepper had been sitting on the grass, while I -conducted my examination. Now, as I turned up the North side of the -ravine, he rose and followed. - -Slowly, and keeping a careful watch in all directions, I made the -circuit of the Pit; but found little else, that I had not already seen. -From the West end, I could see the four waterfalls, uninterruptedly. -They were some considerable distance up from the surface of the -lake--about fifty feet, I calculated. - -For a little while longer, I loitered about; keeping my eyes and ears -open, but still, without seeing or hearing anything suspicious. The -whole place was wonderfully quiet; indeed, save for the continuous -murmur of the water, at the top end, no sound, of any description, broke -the silence. - -All this while, Pepper had shown no signs of uneasiness. This seemed, -to me, to indicate that, for the time being, at least, there was none of -the Swine-creatures in the vicinity. So far as I could see, his -attention appeared to have been taken, chiefly, with scratching and -sniffing among the grass at the edge of the Pit. At times, he would -leave the edge, and run along toward the house, as though following -invisible tracks; but, in all cases, returning after a few minutes. I -had little doubt but that he was really tracing out the footsteps of the -Swine-things; and the very fact that each one seemed to lead him back to -the Pit, appeared to me, a proof that the brutes had all returned whence -they came. - -At noon, I went home, for dinner. During the afternoon, I made a -partial search of the gardens, accompanied by Pepper; but, without -coming upon anything to indicate the presence of the creatures. - -Once, as we made our way through the shrubberies, Pepper rushed in -among some bushes, with a fierce yelp. At that, I jumped back, in sudden -fright, and threw my gun forward, in readiness; only to laugh, -nervously, as Pepper reappeared, chasing an unfortunate cat. Toward -evening, I gave up the search, and returned to the house. All at once, -as we were passing a great clump of bushes, on our right, Pepper -disappeared, and I could hear him sniffing and growling among them, in a -suspicious manner. With my gun barrel, I parted the intervening -shrubbery, and looked inside. There was nothing to be seen, save that -many of the branches were bent down, and broken; as though some animal -had made a lair there, at no very previous date. It was probably, I -thought, one of the places occupied by some of the Swine-creatures, on -the night of the attack. - -Next day, I resumed my search through the gardens; but without result. -By evening, I had been right through them, and now, I knew, beyond the -possibility of doubt, that there were no longer any of the Things -concealed about the place. Indeed, I have often thought since, that I -was correct in my earlier surmise, that they had left soon after -the attack. - - - -_XII_ - -THE SUBTERRANEAN PIT - -Another week came and went, during which I spent a great deal of my time -about the Pit mouth. I had come to the conclusion a few days earlier, -that the arched hole, in the angle of the great rift, was the place -through which the Swine-things had made their exit, from some unholy -place in the bowels of the world. How near the probable truth this went, -I was to learn later. - -It may be easily understood, that I was tremendously curious, though in -a frightened way, to know to what infernal place that hole led; though, -so far, the idea had not struck me, seriously, of making an -investigation. I was far too much imbued with a sense of horror of the -Swine-creatures, to think of venturing, willingly, where there was any -chance of coming into contact with them. - -Gradually, however, as time passed, this feeling grew insensibly less; -so that when, a few days later, the thought occurred to me that it might -be possible to clamber down and have a look into the hole, I was not so -exceedingly averse to it, as might have been imagined. Still, I do not -think, even then, that I really intended to try any such foolhardy -adventure. For all that I could tell, it might be certain death, to -enter that doleful looking opening. And yet, such is the pertinacity of -human curiosity, that, at last, my chief desire was but to discover what -lay beyond that gloomy entrance. - -Slowly, as the days slid by, my fear of the Swine-things became an -emotion of the past--more an unpleasant, incredible memory, than -aught else. - -Thus, a day came, when, throwing thoughts and fancies adrift, I -procured a rope from the house, and, having made it fast to a stout -tree, at the top of the rift, and some little distance back from the Pit -edge, let the other end down into the cleft, until it dangled right -across the mouth of the dark hole. - -Then, cautiously, and with many misgivings as to whether it was not a -mad act that I was attempting, I climbed slowly down, using the rope as -a support, until I reached the hole. Here, still holding on to the rope, -I stood, and peered in. All was perfectly dark, and not a sound came to -me. Yet, a moment later, it seemed that I could hear something. I held -my breath, and listened; but all was silent as the grave, and I breathed -freely once more. At the same instant, I heard the sound again. It was -like a noise of labored breathing--deep and sharp-drawn. For a short -second, I stood, petrified; not able to move. But now the sounds had -ceased again, and I could hear nothing. - -As I stood there, anxiously, my foot dislodged a pebble, which fell -inward, into the dark, with a hollow chink. At once, the noise was taken -up and repeated a score of times; each succeeding echo being fainter, -and seeming to travel away from me, as though into remote distance. -Then, as the silence fell again, I heard that stealthy breathing. For -each respiration I made, I could hear an answering breath. The sounds -appeared to be coming nearer; and then, I heard several others; but -fainter and more distant. Why I did not grip the rope, and spring up out -of danger, I cannot say. It was as though I had been paralyzed. I broke -out into a profuse sweat, and tried to moisten my lips with my tongue. -My throat had gone suddenly dry, and I coughed, huskily. It came back to -me, in a dozen, horrible, throaty tones, mockingly. I peered, -helplessly, into the gloom; but still nothing showed. I had a strange, -choky sensation, and again I coughed, dryly. Again the echo took it up, -rising and falling, grotesquely, and dying slowly into a -muffled silence. - -Then, suddenly, a thought came to me, and I held my breath. The other -breathing stopped. I breathed again, and, once more, it re-commenced. -But now, I no longer feared. I knew that the strange sounds were not -made by any lurking Swine-creature; but were simply the echo of my own -respirations. - -Yet, I had received such a fright, that I was glad to scramble up the -rift, and haul up the rope. I was far too shaken and nervous to think of -entering that dark hole then, and so returned to the house. I felt more -myself next morning; but even then, I could not summon up sufficient -courage to explore the place. - -All this time, the water in the Pit had been creeping slowly up, and -now stood but a little below the opening. At the rate at which it was -rising, it would be level with the floor in less than another week; and -I realized that, unless I carried out my investigations soon, I should -probably never do so at all; as the water would rise and rise, until the -opening, itself, was submerged. - -It may have been that this thought stirred me to act; but, whatever it -was, a couple of days later, saw me standing at the top of the cleft, -fully equipped for the task. - -This time, I was resolved to conquer my shirking, and go right through -with the matter. With this intention, I had brought, in addition to the -rope, a bundle of candles, meaning to use them as a torch; also my -double-barreled shotgun. In my belt, I had a heavy horse-pistol, loaded -with buckshot. - -As before, I fastened the rope to the tree. Then, having tied my gun -across my shoulders, with a piece of stout cord, I lowered myself over -the edge of the Pit. At this movement, Pepper, who had been eyeing my -actions, watchfully, rose to his feet, and ran to me, with a half bark, -half wail, it seemed to me, of warning. But I was resolved on my -enterprise, and bade him lie down. I would much have liked to take him -with me; but this was next to impossible, in the existing circumstances. -As my face dropped level with the Pit edge, he licked me, right across -the mouth; and then, seizing my sleeve between his teeth, began to pull -back, strongly. It was very evident that he did not want me to go. Yet, -having made up my mind, I had no intention of giving up the attempt; -and, with a sharp word to Pepper, to release me, I continued my descent, -leaving the poor old fellow at the top, barking and crying like a -forsaken pup. - -Carefully, I lowered myself from projection to projection. I knew that -a slip might mean a wetting. - -Reaching the entrance, I let go the rope, and untied the gun from my -shoulders. Then, with a last look at the sky--which I noticed was -clouding over, rapidly--I went forward a couple of paces, so as to be -shielded from the wind, and lit one of the candles. Holding it above my -head, and grasping my gun, firmly, I began to move on, slowly, throwing -my glances in all directions. - -For the first minute, I could hear the melancholy sound of Pepper's -howling, coming down to me. Gradually, as I penetrated further into the -darkness, it grew fainter; until, in a little while, I could hear -nothing. The path tended downward somewhat, and to the left. Thence it -kept on, still running to the left, until I found that it was leading me -right in the direction of the house. - -Very cautiously, I moved onward, stopping, every few steps, to listen. -I had gone, perhaps, a hundred yards, when, suddenly, it seemed to me -that I caught a faint sound, somewhere along the passage behind. With my -heart thudding heavily, I listened. The noise grew plainer, and appeared -to be approaching, rapidly. I could hear it distinctly, now. It was the -soft padding of running feet. In the first moments of fright, I stood, -irresolute; not knowing whether to go forward or backward. Then, with a -sudden realization of the best thing to do, I backed up to the rocky -wall on my right, and, holding the candle above my head, waited--gun in -hand--cursing my foolhardy curiosity, for bringing me into such -a strait. - -I had not long to wait, but a few seconds, before two eyes reflected -back from the gloom, the rays of my candle. I raised my gun, using my -right hand only, and aimed quickly. Even as I did so, something leapt -out of the darkness, with a blustering bark of joy that woke the echoes, -like thunder. It was Pepper. How he had contrived to scramble down the -cleft, I could not conceive. As I brushed my hand, nervously, over his -coat, I noticed that he was dripping; and concluded that he must have -tried to follow me, and fallen into the water; from which he would not -find it very difficult to climb. - -Having waited a minute, or so, to steady myself, I proceeded along the -way, Pepper following, quietly. I was curiously glad to have the old -fellow with me. He was company, and, somehow, with him at my heels, I -was less afraid. Also, I knew how quickly his keen ears would detect the -presence of any unwelcome creature, should there be such, amid the -darkness that wrapped us. - -For some minutes we went slowly along; the path still leading straight -toward the house. Soon, I concluded, we should be standing right beneath -it, did the path but carry far enough. I led the way, cautiously, for -another fifty yards, or so. Then, I stopped, and held the light high; -and reason enough I had to be thankful that I did so; for there, not -three paces forward, the path vanished, and, in place, showed a hollow -blackness, that sent sudden fear through me. - -Very cautiously, I crept forward, and peered down; but could see -nothing. Then, I crossed to the left of the passage, to see whether -there might be any continuation of the path. Here, right against the -wall, I found that a narrow track, some three feet wide, led onward. -Carefully, I stepped on to it; but had not gone far, before I regretted -venturing thereon. For, after a few paces, the already narrow way, -resolved itself into a mere ledge, with, on the one side the solid, -unyielding rock, towering up, in a great wall, to the unseen roof, and, -on the other, that yawning chasm. I could not help reflecting how -helpless I was, should I be attacked there, with no room to turn, and -where even the recoil of my weapon might be sufficient to drive me -headlong into the depths below. - -To my great relief, a little further on, the track suddenly broadened -out again to its original breadth. Gradually, as I went onward, I -noticed that the path trended steadily to the right, and so, after some -minutes, I discovered that I was not going forward; but simply circling -the huge abyss. I had, evidently, come to the end of the great passage. - -Five minutes later, I stood on the spot from which I had started; -having been completely 'round, what I guessed now to be a vast pit, the -mouth of which must be at least a hundred yards across. - -For some little time, I stood there, lost in perplexing thought. 'What -does it all mean?' was the cry that had begun to reiterate through -my brain. - -A sudden idea struck me, and I searched 'round for a piece of stone. -Presently, I found a bit of rock, about the size of a small loaf. -Sticking the candle upright in a crevice of the floor, I went back from -the edge, somewhat, and, taking a short run, launched the stone forward -into the chasm--my idea being to throw it far enough to keep it clear of -the sides. Then, I stooped forward, and listened; but, though I kept -perfectly quiet, for at least a full minute, no sound came back to me -from out of the dark. - -I knew, then, that the depth of the hole must be immense; for the -stone, had it struck anything, was large enough to have set the echoes -of that weird place, whispering for an indefinite period. Even as it -was, the cavern had given back the sounds of my footfalls, -multitudinously. The place was awesome, and I would willingly have -retraced my steps, and left the mysteries of its solitudes unsolved; -only, to do so, meant admitting defeat. - -Then, a thought came, to try to get a view of the abyss. It occurred to -me that, if I placed my candles 'round the edge of the hole, I should be -able to get, at least, some dim sight of the place. - -I found, on counting, that I had brought fifteen candles, in the -bundle--my first intention having been, as I have already said, to make -a torch of the lot. These, I proceeded to place 'round the Pit mouth, -with an interval of about twenty yards between each. - -Having completed the circle, I stood in the passage, and endeavored to -get an idea of how the place looked. But I discovered, immediately, that -they were totally insufficient for my purpose. They did little more than -make the gloom visible. One thing they did, however, and that was, they -confirmed my opinion of the size of the opening; and, although they -showed me nothing that I wanted to see; yet the contrast they afforded -to the heavy darkness, pleased me, curiously. It was as though fifteen -tiny stars shone through the subterranean night. - -Then, even as I stood, Pepper gave a sudden howl, that was taken up by -the echoes, and repeated with ghastly variations, dying away, slowly. -With a quick movement, I held aloft the one candle that I had kept, and -glanced down at the dog; at the same moment, I seemed to hear a noise, -like a diabolical chuckle, rise up from the hitherto, silent depths of -the Pit. I started; then, I recollected that it was, probably, the echo -of Pepper's howl. - -Pepper had moved away from me, up the passage, a few steps; he was -nosing along the rocky floor; and I thought I heard him lapping. I went -toward him, holding the candle low. As I moved, I heard my boot go sop, -sop; and the light was reflected from something that glistened, and -crept past my feet, swiftly toward the Pit. I bent lower, and looked; -then gave vent to an expression of surprise. From somewhere, higher up -the path, a stream of water was running quickly in the direction of the -great opening, and growing in size every second. - -Again, Pepper gave vent to that deep-drawn howl, and, running at me, -seized my coat, and attempted to drag me up the path toward the -entrance. With a nervous gesture, I shook him off, and crossed quickly -over to the left-hand wall. If anything were coming, I was going to have -the wall at my back. - -Then, as I stared anxiously up the pathway, my candle caught a gleam, -far up the passage. At the same moment, I became conscious of a -murmurous roar, that grew louder, and filled the whole cavern with -deafening sound. From the Pit, came a deep, hollow echo, like the sob of -a giant. Then, I had sprung to one side, on to the narrow ledge that ran -'round the abyss, and, turning, saw a great wall of foam sweep past me, -and leap tumultuously into the waiting chasm. A cloud of spray burst -over me, extinguishing my candle, and wetting me to the skin. I still -held my gun. The three nearest candles went out; but the further ones -gave only a short flicker. After the first rush, the flow of water eased -down to a steady stream, maybe a foot in depth; though I could not see -this, until I had procured one of the lighted candles, and, with it, -started to reconnoiter. Pepper had, fortunately, followed me as I leapt -for the ledge, and now, very much subdued, kept close behind. - -A short examination showed me that the water reached right across the -passage, and was running at a tremendous rate. Already, even as I stood -there, it had deepened. I could make only a guess at what had happened. -Evidently, the water in the ravine had broken into the passage, by some -means. If that were the case, it would go on increasing in volume, until -I should find it impossible to leave the place. The thought was -frightening. It was evident that I must make my exit as hurriedly -as possible. - -Taking my gun by the stock, I sounded the water. It was a little under -knee-deep. The noise it made, plunging down into the Pit, was deafening. -Then, with a call to Pepper, I stepped out into the flood, using the gun -as a staff. Instantly, the water boiled up over my knees, and nearly to -the tops of my thighs, with the speed at which it was racing. For one -short moment, I nearly lost my footing; but the thought of what lay -behind, stimulated me to a fierce endeavor, and, step-by-step, I -made headway. - -Of Pepper, I knew nothing at first. I had all I could do to keep on my -legs; and was overjoyed, when he appeared beside me. He was wading -manfully along. He is a big dog, with longish thin legs, and I suppose -the water had less grasp on them, than upon mine. Anyway, he managed a -great deal better than I did; going ahead of me, like a guide, and -wittingly--or otherwise--helping, somewhat, to break the force of the -water. On we went, step by step, struggling and gasping, until somewhere -about a hundred yards had been safely traversed. Then, whether it was -because I was taking less care, or that there was a slippery place on -the rocky floor, I cannot say; but, suddenly, I slipped, and fell on my -face. Instantly, the water leapt over me in a cataract, hurling me down, -toward that bottomless hole, at a frightful speed. Frantically I -struggled; but it was impossible to get a footing. I was helpless, -gasping and drowning. All at once, something gripped my coat, and -brought me to a standstill. It was Pepper. Missing me, he must have -raced back, through the dark turmoil, to find me, and then caught, and -held me, until I was able to get to my feet. - -I have a dim recollection of having seen, momentarily, the gleams of -several lights; but, of this, I have never been quite sure. If my -impressions are correct, I must have been washed down to the very brink -of that awful chasm, before Pepper managed to bring me to a standstill. -And the lights, of course, could only have been the distant flames of -the candles, I had left burning. But, as I have said, I am not by any -means sure. My eyes were full of water, and I had been badly shaken. - -And there was I, without my helpful gun, without light, and sadly -confused, with the water deepening; depending solely upon my old friend -Pepper, to help me out of that hellish place. - -I was facing the torrent. Naturally, it was the only way in which I -could have sustained my position a moment; for even old Pepper could not -have held me long against that terrific strain, without assistance, -however blind, from me. - -Perhaps a minute passed, during which it was touch and go with me; -then, gradually I re-commenced my tortuous way up the passage. And so -began the grimmest fight with death, from which ever I hope to emerge -victorious. Slowly, furiously, almost hopelessly, I strove; and that -faithful Pepper led me, dragged me, upward and onward, until, at last, -ahead I saw a gleam of blessed light. It was the entrance. Only a few -yards further, and I reached the opening, with the water surging and -boiling hungrily around my loins. - -And now I understood the cause of the catastrophe. It was raining -heavily, literally in torrents. The surface of the lake was level with -the bottom of the opening--nay! more than level, it was above it. -Evidently, the rain had swollen the lake, and caused this premature -rise; for, at the rate the ravine had been filling, it would not have -reached the entrance for a couple more days. - -Luckily, the rope by which I had descended, was streaming into the -opening, upon the inrushing waters. Seizing the end, I knotted it -securely 'round Pepper's body, then, summoning up the last remnant of my -strength, I commenced to swarm up the side of the cliff. I reached the -Pit edge, in the last stage of exhaustion. Yet, I had to make one more -effort, and haul Pepper into safety. - -Slowly and wearily, I hauled on the rope. Once or twice, it seemed that -I should have to give up; for Pepper is a weighty dog, and I was utterly -done. Yet, to let go, would have meant certain death to the old fellow, -and the thought spurred me to greater exertions. I have but a very hazy -remembrance of the end. I recall pulling, through moments that lagged -strangely. I have also some recollection of seeing Pepper's muzzle, -appearing over the Pit edge, after what seemed an indefinite period of -time. Then, all grew suddenly dark. - - - -_XIII_ - -THE TRAP IN THE GREAT CELLAR - -I suppose I must have swooned; for, the next thing I remember, I opened -my eyes, and all was dusk. I was lying on my back, with one leg doubled -under the other, and Pepper was licking my ears. I felt horribly stiff, -and my leg was numb, from the knee, downward. For a few minutes, I lay -thus, in a dazed condition; then, slowly, I struggled to a sitting -position, and looked about me. - -It had stopped raining, but the trees still dripped, dismally. From the -Pit, came a continuous murmur of running water. I felt cold and shivery. -My clothes were sodden, and I ached all over. Very slowly, the life came -back into my numbed leg, and, after a little, I essayed to stand up. -This, I managed, at the second attempt; but I was very tottery, and -peculiarly weak. It seemed to me, that I was going to be ill, and I made -shift to stumble my way toward the house. My steps were erratic, and my -head confused. At each step that I took, sharp pains shot through -my limbs. - -I had gone, perhaps, some thirty paces, when a cry from Pepper, drew -my attention, and I turned, stiffly, toward him. The old dog was trying -to follow me; but could come no further, owing to the rope, with which I -had hauled him up, being still tied 'round his body, the other end not -having been unfastened from the tree. For a moment, I fumbled with the -knots, weakly; but they were wet and hard, and I could do nothing. Then, -I remembered my knife, and, in a minute, the rope was cut. - -How I reached the house, I scarcely know, and, of the days that -followed, I remember still less. Of one thing, I am certain, that, had -it not been for my sister's untiring love and nursing, I had not been -writing at this moment. - -When I recovered my senses, it was to find that I had been in bed for -nearly two weeks. Yet another week passed, before I was strong enough to -totter out into the gardens. Even then, I was not able to walk so far as -the Pit. I would have liked to ask my sister, how high the water had -risen; but felt it was wiser not to mention the subject to her. Indeed, -since then, I have made a rule never to speak to her about the strange -things, that happen in this great, old house. - -It was not until a couple of days later, that I managed to get across -to the Pit. There, I found that, in my few weeks' absence, there had -been wrought a wondrous change. Instead of the three-parts filled -ravine, I looked out upon a great lake, whose placid surface, reflected -the light, coldly. The water had risen to within half a dozen feet of -the Pit edge. Only in one part was the lake disturbed, and that was -above the place where, far down under the silent waters, yawned the -entrance to the vast, underground Pit. Here, there was a continuous -bubbling; and, occasionally, a curious sort of sobbing gurgle would find -its way up from the depth. Beyond these, there was nothing to tell of -the things that were hidden beneath. As I stood there, it came to me -how wonderfully things had worked out. The entrance to the place whence -the Swine-creatures had come, was sealed up, by a power that made me -feel there was nothing more to fear from them. And yet, with the -feeling, there was a sensation that, now, I should never learn anything -further, of the place from which those dreadful Things had come. It was -completely shut off and concealed from human curiosity forever. - -Strange--in the knowledge of that underground hell-hole--how apposite -has been the naming of the Pit. One wonders how it originated, and when. -Naturally, one concludes that the shape and depth of the ravine would -suggest the name 'Pit.' Yet, is it not possible that it has, all along, -held a deeper significance, a hint--could one but have guessed--of the -greater, more stupendous Pit that lies far down in the earth, beneath -this old house? Under this house! Even now, the idea is strange and -terrible to me. For I have proved, beyond doubt, that the Pit yawns -right below the house, which is evidently supported, somewhere above the -center of it, upon a tremendous, arched roof, of solid rock. - -It happened in this wise, that, having occasion to go down to the -cellars, the thought occurred to me to pay a visit to the great vault, -where the trap is situated; and see whether everything was as I had -left it. - -Reaching the place, I walked slowly up the center, until I came to the -trap. There it was, with the stones piled upon it, just as I had seen it -last. I had a lantern with me, and the idea came to me, that now would -be a good time to investigate whatever lay under the great, oak slab. -Placing the lantern on the floor, I tumbled the stones off the trap, -and, grasping the ring, pulled the door open. As I did so, the cellar -became filled with the sound of a murmurous thunder, that rose from far -below. At the same time, a damp wind blew up into my face, bringing -with it a load of fine spray. Therewith, I dropped the trap, hurriedly, -with a half frightened feeling of wonder. - -For a moment, I stood puzzled. I was not particularly afraid. The -haunting fear of the Swine-things had left me, long ago; but I was -certainly nervous and astonished. Then, a sudden thought possessed me, -and I raised the ponderous door, with a feeling of excitement. Leaving -it standing upon its end, I seized the lantern, and, kneeling down, -thrust it into the opening. As I did so, the moist wind and spray drove -in my eyes, making me unable to see, for a few moments. Even when my -eyes were clear, I could distinguish nothing below me, save darkness, -and whirling spray. - -Seeing that it was useless to expect to make out anything, with the -light so high, I felt in my pockets for a piece of twine, with which to -lower it further into the opening. Even as I fumbled, the lantern -slipped from my fingers, and hurtled down into the darkness. For a brief -instant, I watched its fall, and saw the light shine on a tumult of -white foam, some eighty or a hundred feet below me. Then it was gone. My -sudden surmise was correct, and now, I knew the cause of the wet and -noise. The great cellar was connected with the Pit, by means of the -trap, which opened right above it; and the moisture, was the spray, -rising from the water, falling into the depths. - -In an instant, I had an explanation of certain things, that had -hitherto puzzled me. Now, I could understand why the noises--on the -first night of the invasion--had seemed to rise directly from under my -feet. And the chuckle that had sounded when first I opened the trap! -Evidently, some of the Swine-things must have been right beneath me. - -Another thought struck me. Were the creatures all drowned? Would they -drown? I remembered how unable I had been to find any traces to show -that my shooting had been really fatal. Had they life, as we understand -life, or were they ghouls? These thoughts flashed through my brain, as I -stood in the dark, searching my pockets for matches. I had the box in my -hand now, and, striking a light, I stepped to the trap door, and closed -it. Then, I piled the stones back upon it; after which, I made my way -out from the cellars. - -And so, I suppose the water goes on, thundering down into that -bottomless hell-pit. Sometimes, I have an inexplicable desire to go down -to the great cellar, open the trap, and gaze into the impenetrable, -spray-damp darkness. At times, the desire becomes almost overpowering, -in its intensity. It is not mere curiosity, that prompts me; but more as -though some unexplained influence were at work. Still, I never go; and -intend to fight down the strange longing, and crush it; even as I would -the unholy thought of self-destruction. - -This idea of some intangible force being exerted, may seem reasonless. -Yet, my instinct warns me, that it is not so. In these things, reason -seems to me less to be trusted than instinct. - -One thought there is, in closing, that impresses itself upon me, with -ever growing insistence. It is, that I live in a very strange house; a -very awful house. And I have begun to wonder whether I am doing wisely -in staying here. Yet, if I left, where could I go, and still obtain the -solitude, and the sense of her presence,[1] that alone make my old -life bearable? - - - -_XIV_ - -THE SEA OF SLEEP - -For a considerable period after the last incident which I have narrated -in my diary, I had serious thoughts of leaving this house, and might -have done so; but for the great and wonderful thing, of which I am -about to write. - -How well I was advised, in my heart, when I stayed on here--spite of -those visions and sights of unknown and unexplainable things; for, had I -not stayed, then I had not seen again the face of her I loved. Yes, -though few know it, none now save my sister Mary, I have loved and, -ah! me--lost. - -I would write down the story of those sweet, old days; but it would be -like the tearing of old wounds; yet, after that which has happened, what -need have I to care? For she has come to me out of the unknown. -Strangely, she warned me; warned me passionately against this house; -begged me to leave it; but admitted, when I questioned her, that she -could not have come to me, had I been elsewhere. Yet, in spite of this, -still she warned me, earnestly; telling me that it was a place, long -ago given over to evil, and under the power of grim laws, of which none -here have knowledge. And I--I just asked her, again, whether she would -come to me elsewhere, and she could only stand, silent. - -It was thus, that I came to the place of the Sea of Sleep--so she -termed it, in her dear speech with me. I had stayed up, in my study, -reading; and must have dozed over the book. Suddenly, I awoke and sat -upright, with a start. For a moment, I looked 'round, with a puzzled -sense of something unusual. There was a misty look about the room, -giving a curious softness to each table and chair and furnishing. - -Gradually, the mistiness increased; growing, as it were, out of -nothing. Then, slowly, a soft, white light began to glow in the room. -The flames of the candles shone through it, palely. I looked from side -to side, and found that I could still see each piece of furniture; but -in a strangely unreal way, more as though the ghost of each table and -chair had taken the place of the solid article. - -Gradually, as I looked, I saw them fade and fade; until, slowly, they -resolved into nothingness. Now, I looked again at the candles. They -shone wanly, and, even as I watched, grew more unreal, and so vanished. -The room was filled, now, with a soft, yet luminous, white twilight, -like a gentle mist of light. Beyond this, I could see nothing. Even the -walls had vanished. - -Presently, I became conscious that a faint, continuous sound, pulsed -through the silence that wrapped me. I listened intently. It grew more -distinct, until it appeared to me that I harked to the breathings of -some great sea. I cannot tell how long a space passed thus; but, after a -while, it seemed that I could see through the mistiness; and, slowly, I -became aware that I was standing upon the shore of an immense and silent -sea. This shore was smooth and long, vanishing to right and left of me, -in extreme distances. In front, swam a still immensity of sleeping -ocean. At times, it seemed to me that I caught a faint glimmer of light, -under its surface; but of this, I could not be sure. Behind me, rose up, -to an extraordinary height, gaunt, black cliffs. - -Overhead, the sky was of a uniform cold grey color--the whole place -being lit by a stupendous globe of pale fire, that swam a little above -the far horizon, and shed a foamlike light above the quiet waters. - -Beyond the gentle murmur of the sea, an intense stillness prevailed. -For a long while, I stayed there, looking out across its strangeness. -Then, as I stared, it seemed that a bubble of white foam floated up out -of the depths, and then, even now I know not how it was, I was looking -upon, nay, looking _into_ the face of Her--aye! into her face--into her -soul; and she looked back at me, with such a commingling of joy and -sadness, that I ran toward her, blindly; crying strangely to her, in a -very agony of remembrance, of terror, and of hope, to come to me. Yet, -spite of my crying, she stayed out there upon the sea, and only shook -her head, sorrowfully; but, in her eyes was the old earth-light of -tenderness, that I had come to know, before all things, ere we -were parted. - -"At her perverseness, I grew desperate, and essayed to wade out to her; -yet, though I would, I could not. Something, some invisible barrier, -held me back, and I was fain to stay where I was, and cry out to her in -the fullness of my soul, 'O, my Darling, my Darling--' but could say no -more, for very intensity. And, at that, she came over, swiftly, and -touched me, and it was as though heaven had opened. Yet, when I reached -out my hands to her, she put me from her with tenderly stern hands, and -I was abashed--" - - - -THE FRAGMENTS[2] - -(_The legible portions of the mutilated leaves_.) - -... through tears ... noise of eternity in my ears, we parted ... She -whom I love. O, my God ...! - -I was a great time dazed, and then I was alone in the blackness of the -night. I knew that I journeyed back, once more, to the known universe. -Presently, I emerged from that enormous darkness. I had come among the -stars ... vast time ... the sun, far and remote. - -I entered into the gulf that separates our system from the outer suns. -As I sped across the dividing dark, I watched, steadily, the -ever-growing brightness and size of our sun. Once, I glanced back to the -stars, and saw them shift, as it were, in my wake, against the mighty -background of night, so vast was the speed of my passing spirit. - -I drew nigher to our system, and now I could see the shine of Jupiter. -Later, I distinguished the cold, blue gleam of the earthlight.... I had -a moment of bewilderment. All about the sun there seemed to be bright, -objects, moving in rapid orbits. Inward, nigh to the savage glory of the -sun, there circled two darting points of light, and, further off, there -flew a blue, shining speck, that I knew to be the earth. It circled the -sun in a space that seemed to be no more than an earth-minute. - -... nearer with great speed. I saw the radiances of Jupiter and -Saturn, spinning, with incredible swiftness, in huge orbits. And ever I -drew more nigh, and looked out upon this strange sight--the visible -circling of the planets about the mother sun. It was as though time had -been annihilated for me; so that a year was no more to my unfleshed -spirit, than is a moment to an earth-bound soul. - -The speed of the planets, appeared to increase; and, presently, I was -watching the sun, all ringed about with hair-like circles of different -colored fire--the paths of the planets, hurtling at mighty speed, about -the central flame.... - -"... the sun grew vast, as though it leapt to meet me.... And now I was -within the circling of the outer planets, and flitting swiftly, toward -the place where the earth, glimmering through the blue splendor of its -orbit, as though a fiery mist, circled the sun at a monstrous -speed...." [3] - - - -_XV_ - -THE NOISE IN THE NIGHT - -And now, I come to the strangest of all the strange happenings that -have befallen me in this house of mysteries. It occurred quite -lately--within the month; and I have little doubt but that what I saw -was in reality the end of all things. However, to my story. - -I do not know how it is; but, up to the present, I have never been able -to write these things down, directly they happened. It is as though I -have to wait a time, recovering my just balance, and digesting--as it -were--the things I have heard or seen. No doubt, this is as it should -be; for, by waiting, I see the incidents more truly, and write of them -in a calmer and more judicial frame of mind. This by the way. - -It is now the end of November. My story relates to what happened in the -first week of the month. - -It was night, about eleven o'clock. Pepper and I kept one another -company in the study--that great, old room of mine, where I read and -work. I was reading, curiously enough, the Bible. I have begun, in these -later days, to take a growing interest in that great and ancient book. -Suddenly, a distinct tremor shook the house, and there came a faint and -distant, whirring buzz, that grew rapidly into a far, muffled screaming. -It reminded me, in a queer, gigantic way, of the noise that a clock -makes, when the catch is released, and it is allowed to run down. The -sound appeared to come from some remote height--somewhere up in the -night. There was no repetition of the shock. I looked across at Pepper. -He was sleeping peacefully. - -Gradually, the whirring noise decreased, and there came a long silence. - -All at once, a glow lit up the end window, which protrudes far out from -the side of the house, so that, from it, one may look both East and -West. I felt puzzled, and, after a moment's hesitation, walked across -the room, and pulled aside the blind. As I did so, I saw the Sun rise, -from behind the horizon. It rose with a steady, perceptible movement. I -could see it travel upward. In a minute, it seemed, it had reached the -tops of the trees, through which I had watched it. Up, up--It was broad -daylight now. Behind me, I was conscious of a sharp, mosquito-like -buzzing. I glanced 'round, and knew that it came from the clock. Even as -I looked, it marked off an hour. The minute hand was moving 'round the -dial, faster than an ordinary second-hand. The hour hand moved quickly -from space to space. I had a numb sense of astonishment. A moment later, -so it seemed, the two candles went out, almost together. I turned -swiftly back to the window; for I had seen the shadow of the -window-frames, traveling along the floor toward me, as though a great -lamp had been carried up past the window. - -I saw now, that the sun had risen high into the heavens, and was still -visibly moving. It passed above the house, with an extraordinary sailing -kind of motion. As the window came into shadow, I saw another -extraordinary thing. The fine-weather clouds were not passing, easily, -across the sky--they were scampering, as though a hundred-mile-an-hour -wind blew. As they passed, they changed their shapes a thousand times a -minute, as though writhing with a strange life; and so were gone. And, -presently, others came, and whisked away likewise. - -To the West, I saw the sun, drop with an incredible, smooth, swift -motion. Eastward, the shadows of every seen thing crept toward the -coming greyness. And the movement of the shadows was visible to me--a -stealthy, writhing creep of the shadows of the wind-stirred trees. It -was a strange sight. - -Quickly, the room began to darken. The sun slid down to the horizon, -and seemed, as it were, to disappear from my sight, almost with a jerk. -Through the greyness of the swift evening, I saw the silver crescent of -the moon, falling out of the Southern sky, toward the West. The evening -seemed to merge into an almost instant night. Above me, the many -constellations passed in a strange, 'noiseless' circling, Westward. The -moon fell through that last thousand fathoms of the night-gulf, and -there was only the starlight.... - -About this time, the buzzing in the corner ceased; telling me that the -clock had run down. A few minutes passed, and I saw the Eastward sky -lighten. A grey, sullen morning spread through all the darkness, and hid -the march of the stars. Overhead, there moved, with a heavy, everlasting -rolling, a vast, seamless sky of grey clouds--a cloud-sky that would -have seemed motionless, through all the length of an ordinary earth-day. -The sun was hidden from me; but, from moment to moment, the world would -brighten and darken, brighten and darken, beneath waves of subtle light -and shadow.... - -The light shifted ever Westward, and the night fell upon the earth. A -vast rain seemed to come with it, and a wind of a most extraordinary -loudness--as though the howling of a nightlong gale, were packed into -the space of no more than a minute. - -This noise passed, almost immediately, and the clouds broke; so that, -once more, I could see the sky. The stars were flying Westward, with -astounding speed. It came to me now, for the first time, that, though -the noise of the wind had passed, yet a constant 'blurred' sound was in -my ears. Now that I noticed it, I was aware that it had been with me all -the time. It was the world-noise. - -And then, even as I grasped at so much comprehension, there came the -Eastward light. No more than a few heartbeats, and the sun rose, -swiftly. Through the trees, I saw it, and then it was above the trees. -Up--up, it soared and all the world was light. It passed, with a swift, -steady swing to its highest altitude, and fell thence, Westward. I saw -the day roll visibly over my head. A few light clouds flittered -Northward, and vanished. The sun went down with one swift, clear plunge, -and there was about me, for a few seconds, the darker growing grey of -the gloaming. - -Southward and Westward, the moon was sinking rapidly. The night had -come, already. A minute it seemed, and the moon fell those remaining -fathoms of dark sky. Another minute, or so, and the Eastward sky glowed -with the coming dawn. The sun leapt upon me with a frightening -abruptness, and soared ever more swiftly toward the zenith. Then, -suddenly, a fresh thing came to my sight. A black thundercloud rushed up -out of the South, and seemed to leap all the arc of the sky, in a single -instant. As it came, I saw that its advancing edge flapped, like a -monstrous black cloth in the heaven, twirling and undulating rapidly, -with a horrid suggestiveness. In an instant, all the air was full of -rain, and a hundred lightning flashes seemed to flood downward, as it -were in one great shower. In the same second of time, the world-noise -was drowned in the roar of the wind, and then my ears ached, under the -stunning impact of the thunder. - -And, in the midst of this storm, the night came; and then, within the -space of another minute, the storm had passed, and there was only the -constant 'blur' of the world-noise on my hearing. Overhead, the stars -were sliding quickly Westward; and something, mayhaps the particular -speed to which they had attained, brought home to me, for the first -time, a keen realization of the knowledge that it was the world that -revolved. I seemed to see, suddenly, the world--a vast, dark -mass--revolving visibly against the stars. - -The dawn and the sun seemed to come together, so greatly had the speed -of the world-revolution increased. The sun drove up, in one long, steady -curve; passed its highest point, and swept down into the Western sky, -and disappeared. I was scarcely conscious of evening, so brief was it. -Then I was watching the flying constellations, and the Westward -hastening moon. In but a space of seconds, so it seemed, it was sliding -swiftly downward through the night-blue, and then was gone. And, almost -directly, came the morning. - -And now there seemed to come a strange acceleration. The sun made one -clean, clear sweep through the sky, and disappeared behind the Westward -horizon, and the night came and went with a like haste. - -As the succeeding day, opened and closed upon the world, I was aware of -a sweat of snow, suddenly upon the earth. The night came, and, almost -immediately, the day. In the brief leap of the sun, I saw that the snow -had vanished; and then, once more, it was night. - -Thus matters were; and, even after the many incredible things that I -have seen, I experienced all the time a most profound awe. To see the -sun rise and set, within a space of time to be measured by seconds; to -watch (after a little) the moon leap--a pale, and ever growing orb--up -into the night sky, and glide, with a strange swiftness, through the -vast arc of blue; and, presently, to see the sun follow, springing out -of the Eastern sky, as though in chase; and then again the night, with -the swift and ghostly passing of starry constellations, was all too much -to view believingly. Yet, so it was--the day slipping from dawn to dusk, -and the night sliding swiftly into day, ever rapidly and more rapidly. - -The last three passages of the sun had shown me a snow-covered earth, -which, at night, had seemed, for a few seconds, incredibly weird under -the fast-shifting light of the soaring and falling moon. Now, however, -for a little space, the sky was hidden, by a sea of swaying, -leaden-white clouds, which lightened and blackened, alternately, with -the passage of day and night. - -The clouds rippled and vanished, and there was once more before me, the -vision of the swiftly leaping sun, and nights that came and went -like shadows. - -Faster and faster, spun the world. And now each day and night was -completed within the space of but a few seconds; and still the speed -increased. - -It was a little later, that I noticed that the sun had begun to have -the suspicion of a trail of fire behind it. This was due, evidently, to -the speed at which it, apparently, traversed the heavens. And, as the -days sped, each one quicker than the last, the sun began to assume the -appearance of a vast, flaming comet[4] flaring across the sky at short, -periodic intervals. At night, the moon presented, with much greater -truth, a comet-like aspect; a pale, and singularly clear, fast traveling -shape of fire, trailing streaks of cold flame. The stars showed now, -merely as fine hairs of fire against the dark. - -Once, I turned from the window, and glanced at Pepper. In the flash of -a day, I saw that he slept, quietly, and I moved once more to -my watching. - -The sun was now bursting up from the Eastern horizon, like a stupendous -rocket, seeming to occupy no more than a second or two in hurling from -East to West. I could no longer perceive the passage of clouds across -the sky, which seemed to have darkened somewhat. The brief nights, -appeared to have lost the proper darkness of night; so that the hair-like -fire of the flying stars, showed but dimly. As the speed increased, the -sun began to sway very slowly in the sky, from South to North, and then, -slowly again, from North to South. - -So, amid a strange confusion of mind, the hours passed. - -All this while had Pepper slept. Presently, feeling lonely and -distraught, I called to him, softly; but he took no notice. Again, I -called, raising my voice slightly; still he moved not. I walked over to -where he lay, and touched him with my foot, to rouse him. At the action, -gentle though it was, he fell to pieces. That is what happened; he -literally and actually crumbled into a mouldering heap of bones -and dust. - -For the space of, perhaps a minute, I stared down at the shapeless -heap, that had once been Pepper. I stood, feeling stunned. What can have -happened? I asked myself; not at once grasping the grim significance of -that little hill of ash. Then, as I stirred the heap with my foot, it -occurred to me that this could only happen in a great space of time. -Years--and years. - -Outside, the weaving, fluttering light held the world. Inside, I stood, -trying to understand what it meant--what that little pile of dust and -dry bones, on the carpet, meant. But I could not think, coherently. - -I glanced away, 'round the room, and now, for the first time, noticed -how dusty and old the place looked. Dust and dirt everywhere; piled in -little heaps in the corners, and spread about upon the furniture. The -very carpet, itself, was invisible beneath a coating of the same, all -pervading, material. As I walked, little clouds of the stuff rose up -from under my footsteps, and assailed my nostrils, with a dry, bitter -odor that made me wheeze, huskily. - -Suddenly, as my glance fell again upon Pepper's remains, I stood still, -and gave voice to my confusion--questioning, aloud, whether the years -were, indeed, passing; whether this, which I had taken to be a form of -vision, was, in truth, a reality. I paused. A new thought had struck me. -Quickly, but with steps which, for the first time, I noticed, tottered, -I went across the room to the great pier-glass, and looked in. It was -too covered with grime, to give back any reflection, and, with trembling -hands, I began to rub off the dirt. Presently, I could see myself. The -thought that had come to me, was confirmed. Instead of the great, hale -man, who scarcely looked fifty, I was looking at a bent, decrepit man, -whose shoulders stooped, and whose face was wrinkled with the years of a -century. The hair--which a few short hours ago had been nearly coal -black--was now silvery white. Only the eyes were bright. Gradually, I -traced, in that ancient man, a faint resemblance to my self of -other days. - -I turned away, and tottered to the window. I knew, now, that I was old, -and the knowledge seemed to confirm my trembling walk. For a little -space, I stared moodily out into the blurred vista of changeful -landscape. Even in that short time, a year passed, and, with a petulant -gesture, I left the window. As I did so, I noticed that my hand shook -with the palsy of old age; and a short sob choked its way through -my lips. - -For a little while, I paced, tremulously, between the window and the -table; my gaze wandering hither and thither, uneasily. How dilapidated -the room was. Everywhere lay the thick dust--thick, sleepy, and black. -The fender was a shape of rust. The chains that held the brass -clock-weights, had rusted through long ago, and now the weights lay on -the floor beneath; themselves two cones of verdigris. - -As I glanced about, it seemed to me that I could see the very furniture -of the room rotting and decaying before my eyes. Nor was this fancy, on -my part; for, all at once, the bookshelf, along the sidewall, collapsed, -with a cracking and rending of rotten wood, precipitating its contents -upon the floor, and filling the room with a smother of dusty atoms. - -How tired I felt. As I walked, it seemed that I could hear my dry -joints, creak and crack at every step. I wondered about my sister. Was -she dead, as well as Pepper? All had happened so quickly and suddenly. -This must be, indeed, the beginning of the end of all things! It -occurred to me, to go to look for her; but I felt too weary. And then, -she had been so queer about these happenings, of late. Of late! I -repeated the words, and laughed, feebly--mirthlessly, as the realization -was borne in upon me that I spoke of a time, half a century gone. Half a -century! It might have been twice as long! - -I moved slowly to the window, and looked out once more across the -world. I can best describe the passage of day and night, at this period, -as a sort of gigantic, ponderous flicker. Moment by moment, the -acceleration of time continued; so that, at nights now, I saw the moon, -only as a swaying trail of palish fire, that varied from a mere line of -light to a nebulous path, and then dwindled again, disappearing -periodically. - -The flicker of the days and nights quickened. The days had grown -perceptibly darker, and a queer quality of dusk lay, as it were, in the -atmosphere. The nights were so much lighter, that the stars were -scarcely to be seen, saving here and there an occasional hair-like line -of fire, that seemed to sway a little, with the moon. - -Quicker, and ever quicker, ran the flicker of day and night; and, -suddenly it seemed, I was aware that the flicker had died out, and, -instead, there reigned a comparatively steady light, which was shed upon -all the world, from an eternal river of flame that swung up and down, -North and South, in stupendous, mighty swings. - -The sky was now grown very much darker, and there was in the blue of it -a heavy gloom, as though a vast blackness peered through it upon the -earth. Yet, there was in it, also, a strange and awful clearness, and -emptiness. Periodically, I had glimpses of a ghostly track of fire that -swayed thin and darkly toward the sun-stream; vanished and reappeared. -It was the scarcely visible moon-stream. - -Looking out at the landscape, I was conscious again, of a blurring sort -of 'flitter,' that came either from the light of the ponderous-swinging -sun-stream, or was the result of the incredibly rapid changes of the -earth's surface. And every few moments, so it seemed, the snow would lie -suddenly upon the world, and vanish as abruptly, as though an invisible -giant 'flitted' a white sheet off and on the earth. - -Time fled, and the weariness that was mine, grew insupportable. I -turned from the window, and walked once across the room, the heavy dust -deadening the sound of my footsteps. Each step that I took, seemed a -greater effort than the one before. An intolerable ache, knew me in -every joint and limb, as I trod my way, with a weary uncertainty. - -By the opposite wall, I came to a weak pause, and wondered, dimly, what -was my intent. I looked to my left, and saw my old chair. The thought of -sitting in it brought a faint sense of comfort to my bewildered -wretchedness. Yet, because I was so weary and old and tired, I would -scarcely brace my mind to do anything but stand, and wish myself past -those few yards. I rocked, as I stood. The floor, even, seemed a place -for rest; but the dust lay so thick and sleepy and black. I turned, with -a great effort of will, and made toward my chair. I reached it, with a -groan of thankfulness. I sat down. - -Everything about me appeared to be growing dim. It was all so strange -and unthought of. Last night, I was a comparatively strong, though -elderly man; and now, only a few hours later--! I looked at the little -dust-heap that had once been Pepper. Hours! and I laughed, a feeble, -bitter laugh; a shrill, cackling laugh, that shocked my dimming senses. - -For a while, I must have dozed. Then I opened my eyes, with a start. -Somewhere across the room, there had been a muffled noise of something -falling. I looked, and saw, vaguely, a cloud of dust hovering above a -pile of _debris_. Nearer the door, something else tumbled, with a crash. -It was one of the cupboards; but I was tired, and took little notice. I -closed my eyes, and sat there in a state of drowsy, semi-unconsciousness. -Once or twice--as though coming through thick mists--I heard noises, -faintly. Then I must have slept. - - - -_XVI_ - -THE AWAKENING - -I awoke, with a start. For a moment, I wondered where I was. Then -memory came to me.... - -The room was still lit with that strange light--half-sun, half-moon, -light. I felt refreshed, and the tired, weary ache had left me. I went -slowly across to the window, and looked out. Overhead, the river of -flame drove up and down, North and South, in a dancing semi-circle of -fire. As a mighty sleigh in the loom of time it seemed--in a sudden -fancy of mine--to be beating home the picks of the years. For, so vastly -had the passage of time been accelerated, that there was no longer any -sense of the sun passing from East to West. The only apparent movement -was the North and South beat of the sun-stream, that had become so swift -now, as to be better described as a _quiver_. - -As I peered out, there came to me a sudden, inconsequent memory of that -last journey among the Outer worlds. I remembered the sudden vision that -had come to me, as I neared the Solar System, of the fast whirling -planets about the sun--as though the governing quality of time had been -held in abeyance, and the Machine of a Universe allowed to run down an -eternity, in a few moments or hours. The memory passed, along with a, -but partially comprehended, suggestion that I had been permitted a -glimpse into further time spaces. I stared out again, seemingly, at the -quake of the sun-stream. The speed seemed to increase, even as I looked. -Several lifetimes came and went, as I watched. - -Suddenly, it struck me, with a sort of grotesque seriousness, that I -was still alive. I thought of Pepper, and wondered how it was that I had -not followed his fate. He had reached the time of his dying, and had -passed, probably through sheer length of years. And here was I, alive, -hundreds of thousands of centuries after my rightful period of years. - -For, a time, I mused, absently. 'Yesterday--' I stopped, suddenly. -Yesterday! There was no yesterday. The yesterday of which I spoke had -been swallowed up in the abyss of years, ages gone. I grew dazed with -much thinking. - -Presently, I turned from the window, and glanced 'round the room. It -seemed different--strangely, utterly different. Then, I knew what it was -that made it appear so strange. It was bare: there was not a piece of -furniture in the room; not even a solitary fitting of any sort. -Gradually, my amazement went, as I remembered, that this was but the -inevitable end of that process of decay, which I had witnessed -commencing, before my sleep. Thousands of years! Millions of years! - -Over the floor was spread a deep layer of dust, that reached half way -up to the window-seat. It had grown immeasurably, whilst I slept; and -represented the dust of untold ages. Undoubtedly, atoms of the old, -decayed furniture helped to swell its bulk; and, somewhere among it all, -mouldered the long-ago-dead Pepper. - -All at once, it occurred to me, that I had no recollection of wading -knee-deep through all that dust, after I awoke. True, an incredible age -of years had passed, since I approached the window; but that was -evidently as nothing, compared with the countless spaces of time that, I -conceived, had vanished whilst I was sleeping. I remembered now, that I -had fallen asleep, sitting in my old chair. Had it gone ...? I glanced -toward where it had stood. Of course, there was no chair to be seen. I -could not satisfy myself, whether it had disappeared, after my waking, -or before. If it had mouldered under me, surely, I should have been -waked by the collapse. Then I remembered that the thick dust, which -covered the floor, would have been sufficient to soften my fall; so that -it was quite possible, I had slept upon the dust for a million years -or more. - -As these thoughts wandered through my brain, I glanced again, casually, -to where the chair had stood. Then, for the first time, I noticed that -there were no marks, in the dust, of my footprints, between it and the -window. But then, ages of years had passed, since I had awaked--tens of -thousands of years! - -My look rested thoughtfully, again upon the place where once had stood -my chair. Suddenly, I passed from abstraction to intentness; for there, -in its standing place, I made out a long undulation, rounded off with -the heavy dust. Yet it was not so much hidden, but that I could tell -what had caused it. I knew--and shivered at the knowledge--that it was a -human body, ages-dead, lying there, beneath the place where I had slept. -It was lying on its right side, its back turned toward me. I could make -out and trace each curve and outline, softened, and moulded, as it were, -in the black dust. In a vague sort of way, I tried to account for its -presence there. Slowly, I began to grow bewildered, as the thought came -to me that it lay just about where I must have fallen when the chair -collapsed. - -Gradually, an idea began to form itself within my brain; a thought that -shook my spirit. It seemed hideous and insupportable; yet it grew upon -me, steadily, until it became a conviction. The body under that coating, -that shroud of dust, was neither more nor less than my own dead shell. I -did not attempt to prove it. I knew it now, and wondered I had not known -it all along. I was a bodiless thing. - -Awhile, I stood, trying to adjust my thoughts to this new problem. In -time--how many thousands of years, I know not--I attained to some degree -of quietude--sufficient to enable me to pay attention to what was -transpiring around me. - -Now, I saw that the elongated mound had sunk, collapsed, level with the -rest of the spreading dust. And fresh atoms, impalpable, had settled -above that mixture of grave-powder, which the aeons had ground. A long -while, I stood, turned from the window. Gradually, I grew more -collected, while the world slipped across the centuries into the future. - -Presently, I began a survey of the room. Now, I saw that time was -beginning its destructive work, even on this strange old building. That -it had stood through all the years was, it seemed to me, proof that it -was something different from any other house. I do not think, somehow, -that I had thought of its decaying. Though, why, I could not have said. -It was not until I had meditated upon the matter, for some considerable -time, that I fully realized that the extraordinary space of time through -which it had stood, was sufficient to have utterly pulverized the very -stones of which it was built, had they been taken from any earthly -quarry. Yes, it was undoubtedly mouldering now. All the plaster had gone -from the walls; even as the woodwork of the room had gone, many -ages before. - -While I stood, in contemplation, a piece of glass, from one of the -small, diamond-shaped panes, dropped, with a dull tap, amid the dust -upon the sill behind me, and crumbled into a little heap of powder. As I -turned from contemplating it, I saw light between a couple of the stones -that formed the outer wall. Evidently, the mortar was falling away.... - -After awhile, I turned once more to the window, and peered out. I -discovered, now, that the speed of time had become enormous. The lateral -quiver of the sun-stream, had grown so swift as to cause the dancing -semi-circle of flame to merge into, and disappear in, a sheet of fire -that covered half the Southern sky from East to West. - -From the sky, I glanced down to the gardens. They were just a blur of a -palish, dirty green. I had a feeling that they stood higher, than in the -old days; a feeling that they were nearer my window, as though they had -risen, bodily. Yet, they were still a long way below me; for the rock, -over the mouth of the pit, on which this house stands, arches up to a -great height. - -It was later, that I noticed a change in the constant color of the -gardens. The pale, dirty green was growing ever paler and paler, toward -white. At last, after a great space, they became greyish-white, and -stayed thus for a very long time. Finally, however, the greyness began -to fade, even as had the green, into a dead white. And this remained, -constant and unchanged. And by this I knew that, at last, snow lay upon -all the Northern world. - -And so, by millions of years, time winged onward through eternity, to -the end--the end, of which, in the old-earth days, I had thought -remotely, and in hazily speculative fashion. And now, it was approaching -in a manner of which none had ever dreamed. - -I recollect that, about this time, I began to have a lively, though -morbid, curiosity, as to what would happen when the end came--but I -seemed strangely without imaginings. - -All this while, the steady process of decay was continuing. The few -remaining pieces of glass, had long ago vanished; and, every now and -then, a soft thud, and a little cloud of rising dust, would tell of some -fragment of fallen mortar or stone. - -I looked up again, to the fiery sheet that quaked in the heavens above -me and far down into the Southern sky. As I looked, the impression was -borne in upon me, that it had lost some of its first brilliancy--that it -was duller, deeper hued. - -I glanced down, once more, to the blurred white of the worldscape. -Sometimes, my look returned to the burning sheet of dulling flame, that -was, and yet hid, the sun. At times, I glanced behind me, into the -growing dusk of the great, silent room, with its aeon-carpet of -sleeping dust.... - -So, I watched through the fleeting ages, lost in soul-wearing thoughts -and wonderings, and possessed with a new weariness. - - - -_XVII_ - -THE SLOWING ROTATION - -It might have been a million years later, that I perceived, beyond -possibility of doubt, that the fiery sheet that lit the world, was -indeed darkening. - -Another vast space went by, and the whole enormous flame had sunk to a -deep, copper color. Gradually, it darkened, from copper to copper-red, -and from this, at times, to a deep, heavy, purplish tint, with, in it, a -strange loom of blood. - -Although the light was decreasing, I could perceive no diminishment in -the apparent speed of the sun. It still spread itself in that dazzling -veil of speed. - -The world, so much of it as I could see, had assumed a dreadful shade -of gloom, as though, in very deed, the last day of the worlds -approached. - -The sun was dying; of that there could be little doubt; and still the -earth whirled onward, through space and all the aeons. At this time, I -remember, an extraordinary sense of bewilderment took me. I found -myself, later, wandering, mentally, amid an odd chaos of fragmentary -modern theories and the old Biblical story of the world's ending. - -Then, for the first time, there flashed across me, the memory that the -sun, with its system of planets, was, and had been, traveling through -space at an incredible speed. Abruptly, the question rose--_Where?_ For -a very great time, I pondered this matter; but, finally, with a certain -sense of the futility of my puzzlings, I let my thoughts wander to other -things. I grew to wondering, how much longer the house would stand. -Also, I queried, to myself, whether I should be doomed to stay, -bodiless, upon the earth, through the dark-time that I knew was coming. -From these thoughts, I fell again to speculations upon the possible -direction of the sun's journey through space.... And so another great -while passed. - -Gradually, as time fled, I began to feel the chill of a great winter. -Then, I remembered that, with the sun dying, the cold must be, -necessarily, extraordinarily intense. Slowly, slowly, as the aeons -slipped into eternity, the earth sank into a heavier and redder gloom. -The dull flame in the firmament took on a deeper tint, very somber -and turbid. - -Then, at last, it was borne upon me that there was a change. The fiery, -gloomy curtain of flame that hung quaking overhead, and down away into -the Southern sky, began to thin and contract; and, in it, as one sees -the fast vibrations of a jarred harp-string, I saw once more the -sun-stream quivering, giddily, North and South. - -Slowly, the likeness to a sheet of fire, disappeared, and I saw, -plainly, the slowing beat of the sun-stream. Yet, even then, the speed -of its swing was inconceivably swift. And all the time, the brightness -of the fiery arc grew ever duller. Underneath, the world loomed -dimly--an indistinct, ghostly region. - -Overhead, the river of flame swayed slower, and even slower; until, at -last, it swung to the North and South in great, ponderous beats, that -lasted through seconds. A long space went by, and now each sway of the -great belt lasted nigh a minute; so that, after a great while, I ceased -to distinguish it as a visible movement; and the streaming fire ran in a -steady river of dull flame, across the deadly-looking sky. - -An indefinite period passed, and it seemed that the arc of fire became -less sharply defined. It appeared to me to grow more attenuated, and I -thought blackish streaks showed, occasionally. Presently, as I watched, -the smooth onward-flow ceased; and I was able to perceive that there -came a momentary, but regular, darkening of the world. This grew until, -once more, night descended, in short, but periodic, intervals upon the -wearying earth. - -Longer and longer became the nights, and the days equaled them; so -that, at last, the day and the night grew to the duration of seconds in -length, and the sun showed, once more, like an almost invisible, -coppery-red colored ball, within the glowing mistiness of its flight. -Corresponding to the dark lines, showing at times in its trail, there -were now distinctly to be seen on the half-visible sun itself, great, -dark belts. - -Year after year flashed into the past, and the days and nights spread -into minutes. The sun had ceased to have the appearance of a tail; and -now rose and set--a tremendous globe of a glowing copper-bronze hue; in -parts ringed with blood-red bands; in others, with the dusky ones, that -I have already mentioned. These circles--both red and black--were of -varying thicknesses. For a time, I was at a loss to account for their -presence. Then it occurred to me, that it was scarcely likely that the -sun would cool evenly all over; and that these markings were due, -probably, to differences in temperature of the various areas; the red -representing those parts where the heat was still fervent, and the black -those portions which were already comparatively cool. - -It struck me, as a peculiar thing, that the sun should cool in evenly -defined rings; until I remembered that, possibly, they were but isolated -patches, to which the enormous rotatory speed of the sun had imparted a -belt-like appearance. The sun, itself, was very much greater than the sun -I had known in the old-world days; and, from this, I argued that it was -considerably nearer. - -At nights, the moon[6] still showed; but small and remote; and the -light she reflected was so dull and weak that she seemed little more -than the small, dim ghost of the olden moon, that I had known. - -Gradually, the days and nights lengthened out, until they equaled a -space somewhat less than one of the old-earth hours; the sun rising and -setting like a great, ruddy bronze disk, crossed with ink-black bars. -About this time, I found myself, able once more, to see the gardens, -with clearness. For the world had now grown very still, and changeless. -Yet, I am not correct in saying, 'gardens'; for there were no -gardens--nothing that I knew or recognized. In place thereof, I looked -out upon a vast plain, stretching away into distance. A little to my -left, there was a low range of hills. Everywhere, there was a uniform, -white covering of snow, in places rising into hummocks and ridges. - -It was only now, that I recognized how really great had been the -snowfall. In places it was vastly deep, as was witnessed by a great, -upleaping, wave-shaped hill, away to my right; though it is not -impossible, that this was due, in part, to some rise in the surface of -the ground. Strangely enough, the range of low hills to my -left--already mentioned--was not entirely covered with the universal -snow; instead, I could see their bare, dark sides showing in several -places. And everywhere and always there reigned an incredible -death-silence and desolation. The immutable, awful quiet of a -dying world. - -All this time, the days and nights were lengthening, perceptibly. -Already, each day occupied, maybe, some two hours from dawn to dusk. At -night, I had been surprised to find that there were very few stars -overhead, and these small, though of an extraordinary brightness; which -I attributed to the peculiar, but clear, blackness of the nighttime. - -Away to the North, I could discern a nebulous sort of mistiness; not -unlike, in appearance, a small portion of the Milky Way. It might have -been an extremely remote star-cluster; or--the thought came to me -suddenly--perhaps it was the sidereal universe that I had known, and now -left far behind, forever--a small, dimly glowing mist of stars, far in -the depths of space. - -Still, the days and nights lengthened, slowly. Each time, the sun rose -duller than it had set. And the dark belts increased in breadth. - -About this time, there happened a fresh thing. The sun, earth, and sky -were suddenly darkened, and, apparently, blotted out for a brief space. -I had a sense, a certain awareness (I could learn little by sight), that -the earth was enduring a very great fall of snow. Then, in an instant, -the veil that had obscured everything, vanished, and I looked out, once -more. A marvelous sight met my gaze. The hollow in which this house, -with its gardens, stands, was brimmed with snow.[7] It lipped over the -sill of my window. Everywhere, it lay, a great level stretch of white, -which caught and reflected, gloomily, the somber coppery glows of the -dying sun. The world had become a shadowless plain, from horizon -to horizon. - -I glanced up at the sun. It shone with an extraordinary, dull -clearness. I saw it, now, as one who, until then, had seen it, only -through a partially obscuring medium. All about it, the sky had become -black, with a clear, deep blackness, frightful in its nearness, and its -unmeasured deep, and its utter unfriendliness. For a great time, I -looked into it, newly, and shaken and fearful. It was so near. Had I -been a child, I might have expressed some of my sensation and distress, -by saying that the sky had lost its roof. - -Later, I turned, and peered about me, into the room. Everywhere, it was -covered with a thin shroud of the all-pervading white. I could see it -but dimly, by reason of the somber light that now lit the world. It -appeared to cling to the ruined walls; and the thick, soft dust of the -years, that covered the floor knee-deep, was nowhere visible. The snow -must have blown in through the open framework of the windows. Yet, in no -place had it drifted; but lay everywhere about the great, old room, -smooth and level. Moreover, there had been no wind these many thousand -years. But there was the snow,[8] as I have told. - -And all the earth was silent. And there was a cold, such as no living -man can ever have known. - -The earth was now illuminated, by day, with a most doleful light, -beyond my power to describe. It seemed as though I looked at the great -plain, through the medium of a bronze-tinted sea. - -It was evident that the earth's rotatory movement was departing, -steadily. - -The end came, all at once. The night had been the longest yet; and -when the dying sun showed, at last, above the world's edge, I had grown -so wearied of the dark, that I greeted it as a friend. It rose steadily, -until about twenty degrees above the horizon. Then, it stopped suddenly, -and, after a strange retrograde movement, hung motionless--a great -shield in the sky[9]. Only the circular rim of the sun showed -bright--only this, and one thin streak of light near the equator. - -Gradually, even this thread of light died out; and now, all that was -left of our great and glorious sun, was a vast dead disk, rimmed with a -thin circle of bronze-red light. - - - -_XVIII_ - -THE GREEN STAR - -The world was held in a savage gloom--cold and intolerable. Outside, -all was quiet--quiet! From the dark room behind me, came the occasional, -soft thud[10] of falling matter--fragments of rotting stone. So time -passed, and night grasped the world, wrapping it in wrappings of -impenetrable blackness. - -There was no night-sky, as we know it. Even the few straggling stars -had vanished, conclusively. I might have been in a shuttered room, -without a light; for all that I could see. Only, in the impalpableness -of gloom, opposite, burnt that vast, encircling hair of dull fire. -Beyond this, there was no ray in all the vastitude of night that -surrounded me; save that, far in the North, that soft, mistlike glow -still shone. - -Silently, years moved on. What period of time passed, I shall never -know. It seemed to me, waiting there, that eternities came and went, -stealthily; and still I watched. I could see only the glow of the sun's -edge, at times; for now, it had commenced to come and go--lighting up a -while, and again becoming extinguished. - -All at once, during one of these periods of life, a sudden flame cut -across the night--a quick glare that lit up the dead earth, shortly; -giving me a glimpse of its flat lonesomeness. The light appeared to come -from the sun--shooting out from somewhere near its center, diagonally. A -moment, I gazed, startled. Then the leaping flame sank, and the gloom -fell again. But now it was not so dark; and the sun was belted by a thin -line of vivid, white light. I stared, intently. Had a volcano broken out -on the sun? Yet, I negatived the thought, as soon as formed. I felt that -the light had been far too intensely white, and large, for such a cause. - -Another idea there was, that suggested itself to me. It was, that one -of the inner planets had fallen into the sun--becoming incandescent, -under that impact. This theory appealed to me, as being more plausible, -and accounting more satisfactorily for the extraordinary size and -brilliance of the blaze, that had lit up the dead world, so -unexpectedly. - -Full of interest and emotion, I stared, across the darkness, at that -line of white fire, cutting the night. One thing it told to me, -unmistakably: the sun was yet rotating at an enormous speed.[11] Thus, I -knew that the years were still fleeting at an incalculable rate; though -so far as the earth was concerned, life, and light, and time, were -things belonging to a period lost in the long gone ages. - -After that one burst of flame, the light had shown, only as an -encircling band of bright fire. Now, however, as I watched, it began -slowly to sink into a ruddy tint, and, later, to a dark, copper-red -color; much as the sun had done. Presently, it sank to a deeper hue; -and, in a still further space of time, it began to fluctuate; having -periods of glowing, and anon, dying. Thus, after a great while, it -disappeared. - -Long before this, the smoldering edge of the sun had deadened into -blackness. And so, in that supremely future time, the world, dark and -intensely silent, rode on its gloomy orbit around the ponderous mass of -the dead sun. - -My thoughts, at this period, can be scarcely described. At first, they -were chaotic and wanting in coherence. But, later, as the ages came and -went, my soul seemed to imbibe the very essence of the oppressive -solitude and dreariness, that held the earth. - -With this feeling, there came a wonderful clearness of thought, and I -realized, despairingly, that the world might wander for ever, through -that enormous night. For a while, the unwholesome idea filled me, with a -sensation of overbearing desolation; so that I could have cried like a -child. In time, however, this feeling grew, almost insensibly, less, and -an unreasoning hope possessed me. Patiently, I waited. - -From time to time, the noise of dropping particles, behind in the room, -came dully to my ears. Once, I heard a loud crash, and turned, -instinctively, to look; forgetting, for the moment, the impenetrable -night in which every detail was submerged. In a while, my gaze sought -the heavens; turning, unconsciously, toward the North. Yes, the nebulous -glow still showed. Indeed, I could have almost imagined that it looked -somewhat plainer. For a long time, I kept my gaze fixed upon it; -feeling, in my lonely soul, that its soft haze was, in some way, a tie -with the past. Strange, the trifles from which one can suck comfort! And -yet, had I but known--But I shall come to that in its proper time. - -For a very long space, I watched, without experiencing any of the -desire for sleep, that would so soon have visited me in the old-earth -days. How I should have welcomed it; if only to have passed the time, -away from my perplexities and thoughts. - -Several times, the comfortless sound of some great piece of masonry -falling, disturbed my meditations; and, once, it seemed I could hear -whispering in the room, behind me. Yet it was utterly useless to try to -see anything. Such blackness, as existed, scarcely can be conceived. It -was palpable, and hideously brutal to the sense; as though something -dead, pressed up against me--something soft, and icily cold. - -Under all this, there grew up within my mind, a great and overwhelming -distress of uneasiness, that left me, but to drop me into an -uncomfortable brooding. I felt that I must fight against it; and, -presently, hoping to distract my thoughts, I turned to the window, and -looked up toward the North, in search of the nebulous whiteness, which, -still, I believed to be the far and misty glowing of the universe we had -left. Even as I raised my eyes, I was thrilled with a feeling of wonder; -for, now, the hazy light had resolved into a single, great star, of -vivid green. - -As I stared, astonished, the thought flashed into my mind; that the -earth must be traveling toward the star; not away, as I had imagined. -Next, that it could not be the universe the earth had left; but, -possibly, an outlying star, belonging to some vast star-cluster, hidden -in the enormous depths of space. With a sense of commingled awe and -curiosity, I watched it, wondering what new thing was to be revealed -to me. - -For a while, vague thoughts and speculations occupied me, during which -my gaze dwelt insatiably upon that one spot of light, in the otherwise -pitlike darkness. Hope grew up within me, banishing the oppression of -despair, that had seemed to stifle me. Wherever the earth was traveling, -it was, at least, going once more toward the realms of light. Light! One -must spend an eternity wrapped in soundless night, to understand the -full horror of being without it. - -Slowly, but surely, the star grew upon my vision, until, in time, it -shone as brightly as had the planet Jupiter, in the old-earth days. With -increased size, its color became more impressive; reminding me of a huge -emerald, scintillating rays of fire across the world. - -Years fled away in silence, and the green star grew into a great splash -of flame in the sky. A little later, I saw a thing that filled me with -amazement. It was the ghostly outline of a vast crescent, in the night; -a gigantic new moon, seeming to be growing out of the surrounding gloom. -Utterly bemused, I stared at it. It appeared to be quite -close--comparatively; and I puzzled to understand how the earth had come -so near to it, without my having seen it before. - -The light, thrown by the star, grew stronger; and, presently, I was -aware that it was possible to see the earthscape again; though -indistinctly. Awhile, I stared, trying to make out whether I could -distinguish any detail of the world's surface, but I found the light -insufficient. In a little, I gave up the attempt, and glanced once more -toward the star. Even in the short space, that my attention had been -diverted, it had increased considerably, and seemed now, to my -bewildered sight, about a quarter of the size of the full moon. The -light it threw, was extraordinarily powerful; yet its color was so -abominably unfamiliar, that such of the world as I could see, showed -unreal; more as though I looked out upon a landscape of shadow, than -aught else. - -All this time, the great crescent was increasing in brightness, and -began, now, to shine with a perceptible shade of green. Steadily, the -star increased in size and brilliancy, until it showed, fully as large -as half a full moon; and, as it grew greater and brighter, so did the -vast crescent throw out more and more light, though of an ever deepening -hue of green. Under the combined blaze of their radiances, the -wilderness that stretched before me, became steadily more visible. Soon, -I seemed able to stare across the whole world, which now appeared, -beneath the strange light, terrible in its cold and awful, flat -dreariness. - -It was a little later, that my attention was drawn to the fact, that -the great star of green flame, was slowly sinking out of the North, -toward the East. At first, I could scarcely believe that I saw aright; -but soon there could be no doubt that it was so. Gradually, it sank, -and, as it fell, the vast crescent of glowing green, began to dwindle -and dwindle, until it became a mere arc of light, against the livid -colored sky. Later it vanished, disappearing in the self-same spot from -which I had seen it slowly emerge. - -By this time, the star had come to within some thirty degrees of the -hidden horizon. In size it could now have rivaled the moon at its full; -though, even yet, I could not distinguish its disk. This fact led me to -conceive that it was, still, an extraordinary distance away; and, this -being so, I knew that its size must be huge, beyond the conception of -man to understand or imagine. - -Suddenly, as I watched, the lower edge of the star vanished--cut by a -straight, dark line. A minute--or a century--passed, and it dipped -lower, until the half of it had disappeared from sight. Far away out on -the great plain, I saw a monstrous shadow blotting it out, and advancing -swiftly. Only a third of the star was visible now. Then, like a flash, -the solution of this extraordinary phenomenon revealed itself to me. The -star was sinking behind the enormous mass of the dead sun. Or rather, -the sun--obedient to its attraction--was rising toward it,[12] with the -earth following in its trail. As these thoughts expanded in my mind, the -star vanished; being completely hidden by the tremendous bulk of the -sun. Over the earth there fell, once more, the brooding night. - -With the darkness, came an intolerable feeling of loneliness and dread. -For the first time, I thought of the Pit, and its inmates. After that, -there rose in my memory the still more terrible Thing, that had haunted -the shores of the Sea of Sleep, and lurked in the shadows of this old -building. Where were they? I wondered--and shivered with miserable -thoughts. For a time, fear held me, and I prayed, wildly and -incoherently, for some ray of light with which to dispel the cold -blackness that enveloped the world. - -How long I waited, it is impossible to say--certainly for a very great -period. Then, all at once, I saw a loom of light shine out ahead. -Gradually, it became more distinct. Suddenly, a ray of vivid green, -flashed across the darkness. At the same moment, I saw a thin line of -livid flame, far in the night. An instant, it seemed, and it had grown -into a great clot of fire; beneath which, the world lay bathed in a -blaze of emerald green light. Steadily it grew, until, presently, the -whole of the green star had come into sight again. But now, it could be -scarcely called a star; for it had increased to vast proportions, being -incomparably greater than the sun had been in the olden time. - -"Then, as I stared, I became aware that I could see the edge of the -lifeless sun, glowing like a great crescent-moon. Slowly, its lighted -surface, broadened out to me, until half of its diameter was visible; -and the star began to drop away on my right. Time passed, and the earth -moved on, slowly traversing the tremendous face of the dead sun." [13] - -Gradually, as the earth traveled forward, the star fell still more to -the right; until, at last, it shone on the back of the house, sending a -flood of broken rays, in through the skeleton-like walls. Glancing -upward, I saw that much of the ceiling had vanished, enabling me to see -that the upper storeys were even more decayed. The roof had, evidently, -gone entirely; and I could see the green effulgence of the Starlight -shining in, slantingly. - - - -_XIX_ - -THE END OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM - -From the abutment, where once had been the windows, through which I had -watched that first, fatal dawn, I could see that the sun was hugely -greater, than it had been, when first the Star lit the world. So great -was it, that its lower edge seemed almost to touch the far horizon. Even -as I watched, I imagined that it drew closer. The radiance of green that -lit the frozen earth, grew steadily brighter. - -Thus, for a long space, things were. Then, on a sudden, I saw that the -sun was changing shape, and growing smaller, just as the moon would have -done in past time. In a while, only a third of the illuminated part was -turned toward the earth. The Star bore away on the left. - -Gradually, as the world moved on, the Star shone upon the front of the -house, once more; while the sun showed, only as a great bow of green -fire. An instant, it seemed, and the sun had vanished. The Star was -still fully visible. Then the earth moved into the black shadow of the -sun, and all was night--Night, black, starless, and intolerable. - -Filled with tumultuous thoughts, I watched across the night--waiting. -Years, it may have been, and then, in the dark house behind me, the -clotted stillness of the world was broken. I seemed to hear a soft -padding of many feet, and a faint, inarticulate whisper of sound, grew -on my sense. I looked 'round into the blackness, and saw a multitude of -eyes. As I stared, they increased, and appeared to come toward me. For -an instant, I stood, unable to move. Then a hideous swine-noise[14] rose -up into the night; and, at that, I leapt from the window, out on to the -frozen world. I have a confused notion of having run awhile; and, after -that, I just waited--waited. Several times, I heard shrieks; but always -as though from a distance. Except for these sounds, I had no idea of the -whereabouts of the house. Time moved onward. I was conscious of little, -save a sensation of cold and hopelessness and fear. - -An age, it seemed, and there came a glow, that told of the coming -light. It grew, tardily. Then--with a loom of unearthly glory--the first -ray from the Green Star, struck over the edge of the dark sun, and lit -the world. It fell upon a great, ruined structure, some two hundred -yards away. It was the house. Staring, I saw a fearsome sight--over its -walls crawled a legion of unholy things, almost covering the old -building, from tottering towers to base. I could see them, plainly; they -were the Swine-creatures. - -The world moved out into the light of the Star, and I saw that, now, it -seemed to stretch across a quarter of the heavens. The glory of its -livid light was so tremendous, that it appeared to fill the sky with -quivering flames. Then, I saw the sun. It was so close that half of its -diameter lay below the horizon; and, as the world circled across its -face, it seemed to tower right up into the sky, a stupendous dome of -emerald colored fire. From time to time, I glanced toward the house; but -the Swine-things seemed unaware of my proximity. - -Years appeared to pass, slowly. The earth had almost reached the center -of the sun's disk. The light from the Green _Sun_--as now it must be -called--shone through the interstices, that gapped the mouldered walls -of the old house, giving them the appearance of being wrapped in green -flames. The Swine-creatures still crawled about the walls. - -Suddenly, there rose a loud roar of swine-voices, and, up from the -center of the roofless house, shot a vast column of blood-red flame. I -saw the little, twisted towers and turrets flash into fire; yet still -preserving their twisted crookedness. The beams of the Green Sun, beat -upon the house, and intermingled with its lurid glows; so that it -appeared a blazing furnace of red and green fire. - -Fascinated, I watched, until an overwhelming sense of coming danger, -drew my attention. I glanced up, and, at once, it was borne upon me, -that the sun was closer; so close, in fact, that it seemed to overhang -the world. Then--I know not how--I was caught up into strange -heights--floating like a bubble in the awful effulgence. - -Far below me, I saw the earth, with the burning house leaping into an -ever growing mountain of flame, 'round about it, the ground appeared to -be glowing; and, in places, heavy wreaths of yellow smoke ascended from -the earth. It seemed as though the world were becoming ignited from that -one plague-spot of fire. Faintly, I could see the Swine-things. They -appeared quite unharmed. Then the ground seemed to cave in, suddenly, -and the house, with its load of foul creatures, disappeared into the -depths of the earth, sending a strange, blood colored cloud into the -heights. I remembered the hell Pit under the house. - -In a while, I looked 'round. The huge bulk of the sun, rose high above -me. The distance between it and the earth, grew rapidly less. Suddenly, -the earth appeared to shoot forward. In a moment, it had traversed the -space between it and the sun. I heard no sound; but, out from the sun's -face, gushed an ever-growing tongue of dazzling flame. It seemed to -leap, almost to the distant Green Sun--shearing through the emerald -light, a very cataract of blinding fire. It reached its limit, and sank; -and, on the sun, glowed a vast splash of burning white--the grave of -the earth. - -The sun was very close to me, now. Presently, I found that I was rising -higher; until, at last, I rode above it, in the emptiness. The Green Sun -was now so huge that its breadth seemed to fill up all the sky, ahead. I -looked down, and noted that the sun was passing directly beneath me. - -A year may have gone by--or a century--and I was left, suspended, -alone. The sun showed far in front--a black, circular mass, against the -molten splendor of the great, Green Orb. Near one edge, I observed that -a lurid glow had appeared, marking the place where the earth had fallen. -By this, I knew that the long-dead sun was still revolving, though with -great slowness. - -Afar to my right, I seemed to catch, at times, a faint glow of whitish -light. For a great time, I was uncertain whether to put this down to -fancy or not. Thus, for a while, I stared, with fresh wonderings; until, -at last, I knew that it was no imaginary thing; but a reality. It grew -brighter; and, presently, there slid out of the green, a pale globe of -softest white. It came nearer, and I saw that it was apparently -surrounded by a robe of gently glowing clouds. Time passed.... - -I glanced toward the diminishing sun. It showed, only as a dark blot on -the face of the Green Sun. As I watched, I saw it grow smaller, -steadily, as though rushing toward the superior orb, at an immense -speed. Intently, I stared. What would happen? I was conscious of -extraordinary emotions, as I realized that it would strike the Green -Sun. It grew no bigger than a pea, and I looked, with my whole soul, to -witness the final end of our System--that system which had borne the -world through so many aeons, with its multitudinous sorrows and -joys; and now-- - -Suddenly, something crossed my vision, cutting from sight all vestige -of the spectacle I watched with such soul-interest. What happened to the -dead sun, I did not see; but I have no reason--in the light of that -which I saw afterward--to disbelieve that it fell into the strange fire -of the Green Sun, and so perished. - -And then, suddenly, an extraordinary question rose in my mind, whether -this stupendous globe of green fire might not be the vast Central -Sun--the great sun, 'round which our universe and countless others -revolve. I felt confused. I thought of the probable end of the dead sun, -and another suggestion came, dumbly--Do the dead stars make the Green -Sun their grave? The idea appealed to me with no sense of grotesqueness; -but rather as something both possible and probable. - - - -_XX_ - -THE CELESTIAL GLOBES - -For a while, many thoughts crowded my mind, so that I was unable to do -aught, save stare, blindly, before me. I seemed whelmed in a sea of -doubt and wonder and sorrowful remembrance. - -It was later, that I came out of my bewilderment. I looked about, -dazedly. Thus, I saw so extraordinary a sight that, for a while, I could -scarcely believe I was not still wrapped in the visionary tumult of my -own thoughts. Out of the reigning green, had grown a boundless river of -softly shimmering globes--each one enfolded in a wondrous fleece of pure -cloud. They reached, both above and below me, to an unknown distance; -and, not only hid the shining of the Green Sun; but supplied, in place -thereof, a tender glow of light, that suffused itself around me, like -unto nothing I have ever seen, before or since. - -In a little, I noticed that there was about these spheres, a sort of -transparency, almost as though they were formed of clouded crystal, -within which burned a radiance--gentle and subdued. They moved on, past -me, continually, floating onward at no great speed; but rather as -though they had eternity before them. A great while, I watched, and -could perceive no end to them. At times, I seemed to distinguish faces, -amid the cloudiness; but strangely indistinct, as though partly real, -and partly formed of the mistiness through which they showed. - -For a long time, I waited, passively, with a sense of growing content. -I had no longer that feeling of unutterable loneliness; but felt, -rather, that I was less alone, than I had been for kalpas of years. This -feeling of contentment, increased, so that I would have been satisfied -to float in company with those celestial globules, forever. - -Ages slipped by, and I saw the shadowy faces, with increased frequency, -also with greater plainness. Whether this was due to my soul having -become more attuned to its surroundings, I cannot tell--probably it was -so. But, however this may be, I am assured now, only of the fact that I -became steadily more conscious of a new mystery about me, telling me -that I had, indeed, penetrated within the borderland of some -unthought-of region--some subtle, intangible place, or form, of -existence. - -The enormous stream of luminous spheres continued to pass me, at an -unvarying rate--countless millions; and still they came, showing no -signs of ending, nor even diminishing. - -Then, as I was borne, silently, upon the unbuoying ether, I felt a -sudden, irresistible, forward movement, toward one of the passing -globes. An instant, and I was beside it. Then, I slid through, into the -interior, without experiencing the least resistance, of any description. -For a short while, I could see nothing; and waited, curiously. - -All at once, I became aware that a sound broke the inconceivable -stillness. It was like the murmur of a great sea at calm--a sea -breathing in its sleep. Gradually, the mist that obscured my sight, -began to thin away; and so, in time, my vision dwelt once again upon the -silent surface of the Sea of Sleep. - -For a little, I gazed, and could scarcely believe I saw aright. I -glanced 'round. There was the great globe of pale fire, swimming, as I -had seen it before, a short distance above the dim horizon. To my left, -far across the sea, I discovered, presently, a faint line, as of thin -haze, which I guessed to be the shore, where my Love and I had met, -during those wonderful periods of soul-wandering, that had been granted -to me in the old earth days. - -Another, a troubled, memory came to me--of the Formless Thing that had -haunted the shores of the Sea of Sleep. The guardian of that silent, -echoless place. These, and other, details, I remembered, and knew, -without doubt that I was looking out upon that same sea. With the -assurance, I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of surprise, and -joy, and shaken expectancy, conceiving it possible that I was about to -see my Love, again. Intently, I gazed around; but could catch no sight -of her. At that, for a little, I felt hopeless. Fervently, I prayed, and -ever peered, anxiously.... How still was the sea! - -Down, far beneath me, I could see the many trails of changeful fire, -that had drawn my attention, formerly. Vaguely, I wondered what caused -them; also, I remembered that I had intended to ask my dear One about -them, as well as many other matters--and I had been forced to leave her, -before the half that I had wished to say, was said. - -My thoughts came back with a leap. I was conscious that something had -touched me. I turned quickly. God, Thou wert indeed gracious--it was -She! She looked up into my eyes, with an eager longing, and I looked -down to her, with all my soul. I should like to have held her; but the -glorious purity of her face, kept me afar. Then, out of the winding -mist, she put her dear arms. Her whisper came to me, soft as the rustle -of a passing cloud. 'Dearest!' she said. That was all; but I had heard, -and, in a moment I held her to me--as I prayed--forever. - -In a little, she spoke of many things, and I listened. Willingly, would -I have done so through all the ages that are to come. At times, I -whispered back, and my whispers brought to her spirit face, once more, -an indescribably delicate tint--the bloom of love. Later, I spoke more -freely, and to each word she listened, and made answer, delightfully; so -that, already, I was in Paradise. - -She and I; and nothing, save the silent, spacious void to see us; and -only the quiet waters of the Sea of Sleep to hear us. - -Long before, the floating multitude of cloud-enfolded spheres had -vanished into nothingness. Thus, we looked upon the face of the -slumberous deeps, and were alone. Alone, God, I would be thus alone in -the hereafter, and yet be never lonely! I had her, and, greater than -this, she had me. Aye, aeon-aged me; and on this thought, and some -others, I hope to exist through the few remaining years that may yet lie -between us. - - - -_XXI_ - -THE DARK SUN - -How long our souls lay in the arms of joy, I cannot say; but, all at -once, I was waked from my happiness, by a diminution of the pale and -gentle light that lit the Sea of Sleep. I turned toward the huge, white -orb, with a premonition of coming trouble. One side of it was curving -inward, as though a convex, black shadow were sweeping across it. My -memory went back. It was thus, that the darkness had come, before our -last parting. I turned toward my Love, inquiringly. With a sudden -knowledge of woe, I noticed how wan and unreal she had grown, even in -that brief space. Her voice seemed to come to me from a distance. The -touch of her hands was no more than the gentle pressure of a summer -wind, and grew less perceptible. - -Already, quite half of the immense globe was shrouded. A feeling of -desperation seized me. Was she about to leave me? Would she have to go, -as she had gone before? I questioned her, anxiously, frightenedly; and -she, nestling closer, explained, in that strange, faraway voice, that it -was imperative she should leave me, before the Sun of Darkness--as she -termed it--blotted out the light. At this confirmation of my fears, I -was overcome with despair; and could only look, voicelessly, across the -quiet plains of the silent sea. - -How swiftly the darkness spread across the face of the White Orb. Yet, -in reality, the time must have been long, beyond human comprehension. - -At last, only a crescent of pale fire, lit the, now dim, Sea of Sleep. -All this while, she had held me; but, with so soft a caress, that I had -been scarcely conscious of it. We waited there, together, she and I; -speechless, for very sorrow. In the dimming light, her face showed, -shadowy--blending into the dusky mistiness that encircled us. - -Then, when a thin, curved line of soft light was all that lit the sea, -she released me--pushing me from her, tenderly. Her voice sounded in my -ears, 'I may not stay longer, Dear One.' It ended in a sob. - -She seemed to float away from me, and became invisible. Her voice came -to me, out of the shadows, faintly; apparently from a great distance:-- - -'A little while--' It died away, remotely. In a breath, the Sea of -Sleep darkened into night. Far to my left, I seemed to see, for a brief -instant, a soft glow. It vanished, and, in the same moment, I became -aware that I was no longer above the still sea; but once more suspended -in infinite space, with the Green Sun--now eclipsed by a vast, dark -sphere--before me. - -Utterly bewildered, I stared, almost unseeingly, at the ring of green -flames, leaping above the dark edge. Even in the chaos of my thoughts, I -wondered, dully, at their extraordinary shapes. A multitude of questions -assailed me. I thought more of her, I had so lately seen, than of the -sight before me. My grief, and thoughts of the future, filled me. Was I -doomed to be separated from her, always? Even in the old earth-days, she -had been mine, only for a little while; then she had left me, as I -thought, forever. Since then, I had seen her but these times, upon the -Sea of Sleep. - -A feeling of fierce resentment filled me, and miserable questionings. -Why could I not have gone with my Love? What reason to keep us apart? -Why had I to wait alone, while she slumbered through the years, on the -still bosom of the Sea of Sleep? The Sea of Sleep! My thoughts turned, -inconsequently, out of their channel of bitterness, to fresh, desperate -questionings. Where was it? Where was it? I seemed to have but just -parted from my Love, upon its quiet surface, and it had gone, utterly. -It could not be far away! And the White Orb which I had seen hidden in -the shadow of the Sun of Darkness! My sight dwelt upon the Green -Sun--eclipsed. What had eclipsed it? Was there a vast, dead star -circling it? Was the _Central_ Sun--as I had come to regard it--a double -star? The thought had come, almost unbidden; yet why should it not -be so? - -My thoughts went back to the White Orb. Strange, that it should have -been--I stopped. An idea had come, suddenly. The White Orb and the Green -Sun! Were they one and the same? My imagination wandered backward, and I -remembered the luminous globe to which I had been so unaccountably -attracted. It was curious that I should have forgotten it, even -momentarily. Where were the others? I reverted again to the globe I had -entered. I thought, for a time, and matters became clearer. I conceived -that, by entering that impalpable globule, I had passed, at once, into -some further, and, until then, invisible dimension; There, the Green Sun -was still visible; but as a stupendous sphere of pale, white -light--almost as though its ghost showed, and not its material part. - -A long time, I mused on the subject. I remembered how, on entering the -sphere, I had, immediately, lost all sight of the others. For a still -further period, I continued to revolve the different details in my mind. - -In a while, my thoughts turned to other things. I came more into the -present, and began to look about me, seeingly. For the first time, I -perceived that innumerable rays, of a subtle, violet hue, pierced the -strange semi-darkness, in all directions. They radiated from the fiery -rim of the Green Sun. They seemed to grow upon my vision, so that, in a -little, I saw that they were countless. The night was filled with -them--spreading outward from the Green Sun, fan-wise. I concluded that I -was enabled to see them, by reason of the Sun's glory being cut off by -the eclipse. They reached right out into space, and vanished. - -Gradually, as I looked, I became aware that fine points of intensely -brilliant light, traversed the rays. Many of them seemed to travel from -the Green Sun, into distance. Others came out of the void, toward the -Sun; but one and all, each kept strictly to the ray in which it -traveled. Their speed was inconceivably great; and it was only when they -neared the Green Sun, or as they left it, that I could see them as -separate specks of light. Further from the sun, they became thin lines -of vivid fire within the violet. - -The discovery of these rays, and the moving sparks, interested me, -extraordinarily. To where did they lead, in such countless profusion? I -thought of the worlds in space.... And those sparks! Messengers! -Possibly, the idea was fantastic; but I was not conscious of its being -so. Messengers! Messengers from the Central Sun! - -An idea evolved itself, slowly. Was the Green Sun the abode of some -vast Intelligence? The thought was bewildering. Visions of the Unnameable -rose, vaguely. Had I, indeed, come upon the dwelling-place of the -Eternal? For a time, I repelled the thought, dumbly. It was too -stupendous. Yet.... - -Huge, vague thoughts had birth within me. I felt, suddenly, terribly -naked. And an awful Nearness, shook me. - -And Heaven ...! Was that an illusion? - -My thoughts came and went, erratically. The Sea of Sleep--and she! -Heaven.... I came back, with a bound, to the present. Somewhere, out of -the void behind me, there rushed an immense, dark body--huge and silent. -It was a dead star, hurling onward to the burying place of the stars. It -drove between me and the Central Suns--blotting them out from my vision, -and plunging me into an impenetrable night. - -An age, and I saw again the violet rays. A great while later--aeons it -must have been--a circular glow grew in the sky, ahead, and I saw the -edge of the receding star, show darkly against it. Thus, I knew that it -was nearing the Central Suns. Presently, I saw the bright ring of the -Green Sun, show plainly against the night The star had passed into the -shadow of the Dead Sun. After that, I just waited. The strange years -went slowly, and ever, I watched, intently. - -'The thing I had expected, came at last--suddenly, awfully. A vast -flare of dazzling light. A streaming burst of white flame across the -dark void. For an indefinite while, it soared outward--a gigantic -mushroom of fire. It ceased to grow. Then, as time went by, it began to -sink backward, slowly. I saw, now, that it came from a huge, glowing -spot near the center of the Dark Sun. Mighty flames, still soared -outward from this. Yet, spite of its size, the grave of the star was no -more than the shining of Jupiter upon the face of an ocean, when -compared with the inconceivable mass of the Dead Sun. - -I may remark here, once more, that no words will ever convey to the -imagination, the enormous bulk of the two Central Suns. - - - -_XXII_ - -THE DARK NEBULA - -Years melted into the past, centuries, aeons. The light of the -incandescent star, sank to a furious red. - -It was later, that I saw the dark nebula--at first, an impalpable -cloud, away to my right. It grew, steadily, to a clot of blackness in -the night. How long I watched, it is impossible to say; for time, as we -count it, was a thing of the past. It came closer, a shapeless -monstrosity of darkness--tremendous. It seemed to slip across the night, -sleepily--a very hell-fog. Slowly, it slid nearer, and passed into the -void, between me and the Central Suns. It was as though a curtain had -been drawn before my vision. A strange tremor of fear took me, and a -fresh sense of wonder. - -The green twilight that had reigned for so many millions of years, had -now given place to impenetrable gloom. Motionless, I peered about me. A -century fled, and it seemed to me that I detected occasional dull glows -of red, passing me at intervals. - -Earnestly, I gazed, and, presently, seemed to see circular masses, that -showed muddily red, within the clouded blackness. They appeared to be -growing out of the nebulous murk. Awhile, and they became plainer to my -accustomed vision. I could see them, now, with a fair amount of -distinctness--ruddy-tinged spheres, similar, in size, to the luminous -globes that I had seen, so long previously. - -They floated past me, continually. Gradually, a peculiar uneasiness -seized me. I became aware of a growing feeling of repugnance and dread. -It was directed against those passing orbs, and seemed born of intuitive -knowledge, rather than of any real cause or reason. - -Some of the passing globes were brighter than others; and, it was from -one of these, that a face looked, suddenly. A face, human in its -outline; but so tortured with woe, that I stared, aghast. I had not -thought there was such sorrow, as I saw there. I was conscious of an -added sense of pain, on perceiving that the eyes, which glared so -wildly, were sightless. A while longer, I saw it; then it had passed on, -into the surrounding gloom. After this, I saw others--all wearing that -look of hopeless sorrow; and blind. - -A long time went by, and I became aware that I was nearer to the orbs, -than I had been. At this, I grew uneasy; though I was less in fear of -those strange globules, than I had been, before seeing their sorrowful -inhabitants; for sympathy had tempered my fear. - -Later, there was no doubt but that I was being carried closer to the -red spheres, and, presently, I floated among them. In awhile, I -perceived one bearing down upon me. I was helpless to move from its -path. In a minute, it seemed, it was upon me, and I was submerged in a -deep red mist. This cleared, and I stared, confusedly, across the -immense breadth of the Plain of Silence. It appeared just as I had first -seen it. I was moving forward, steadily, across its surface. Away ahead, -shone the vast, blood-red ring [15] that lit the place. All around, was -spread the extraordinary desolation of stillness, that had so impressed -me during my previous wanderings across its starkness. - -Presently, I saw, rising up into the ruddy gloom, the distant peaks of -the mighty amphitheatre of mountains, where, untold ages before, I had -been shown my first glimpse of the terrors that underlie many things; -and where, vast and silent, watched by a thousand mute gods, stands the -replica of this house of mysteries--this house that I had seen swallowed -up in that hell-fire, ere the earth had kissed the sun, and vanished -for ever. - -Though I could see the crests of the mountain-amphitheatre, yet it was -a great while before their lower portions became visible. Possibly, this -was due to the strange, ruddy haze, that seemed to cling to the surface -of the Plain. However, be this as it may, I saw them at last. - -In a still further space of time, I had come so close to the mountains, -that they appeared to overhang me. Presently, I saw the great rift, open -before me, and I drifted into it; without volition on my part. - -Later, I came out upon the breadth of the enormous arena. There, at an -apparent distance of some five miles, stood the House, huge, monstrous -and silent--lying in the very center of that stupendous amphitheatre. So -far as I could see, it had not altered in any way; but looked as though -it were only yesterday that I had seen it. Around, the grim, dark -mountains frowned down upon me from their lofty silences. - -Far to my right, away up among inaccessible peaks, loomed the enormous -bulk of the great Beast-god. Higher, I saw the hideous form of the dread -goddess, rising up through the red gloom, thousands of fathoms above -me. To the left, I made out the monstrous Eyeless-Thing, grey and -inscrutable. Further off, reclining on its lofty ledge, the livid -Ghoul-Shape showed--a splash of sinister color, among the dark -mountains. - -Slowly, I moved out across the great arena--floating. As I went, I made -out the dim forms of many of the other lurking Horrors that peopled -those supreme heights. - -Gradually, I neared the House, and my thoughts flashed back across the -abyss of years. I remembered the dread Specter of the Place. A short -while passed, and I saw that I was being wafted directly toward the -enormous mass of that silent building. - -About this time, I became aware, in an indifferent sort of way, of a -growing sense of numbness, that robbed me of the fear, which I should -otherwise have felt, on approaching that awesome Pile. As it was, I -viewed it, calmly--much as a man views calamity through the haze of his -tobacco smoke. - -In a little while, I had come so close to the House, as to be able to -distinguish many of the details about it. The longer I looked, the more -was I confirmed in my long-ago impressions of its entire similitude to -this strange house. Save in its enormous size, I could find -nothing unlike. - -Suddenly, as I stared, a great feeling of amazement filled me. I had -come opposite to that part, where the outer door, leading into the -study, is situated. There, lying right across the threshold, lay a great -length of coping stone, identical--save in size and color--with the -piece I had dislodged in my fight with the Pit-creatures. - -I floated nearer, and my astonishment increased, as I noted that the -door was broken partly from its hinges, precisely in the manner that my -study door had been forced inward, by the assaults of the Swine-things. -The sight started a train of thoughts, and I began to trace, dimly, -that the attack on this house, might have a far deeper significance than -I had, hitherto, imagined. I remembered how, long ago, in the old -earth-days, I had half suspected that, in some unexplainable manner, -this house, in which I live, was _en rapport_--to use a recognized -term--with that other tremendous structure, away in the midst of that -incomparable Plain. - -Now, however, it began to be borne upon me, that I had but vaguely -conceived what the realization of my suspicion meant. I began to -understand, with a more than human clearness, that the attack I had -repelled, was, in some extraordinary manner, connected with an attack -upon that strange edifice. - -With a curious inconsequence, my thoughts abruptly left the matter; to -dwell, wonderingly, upon the peculiar material, out of which the House -was constructed. It was--as I have mentioned, earlier--of a deep, green -color. Yet, now that I had come so close to it, I perceived that it -fluctuated at times, though slightly--glowing and fading, much as do the -fumes of phosphorus, when rubbed upon the hand, in the dark. - -Presently, my attention was distracted from this, by coming to the -great entrance. Here, for the first time, I was afraid; for, all in a -moment, the huge doors swung back, and I drifted in between them, -helplessly. Inside, all was blackness, impalpable. In an instant, I had -crossed the threshold, and the great doors closed, silently, shutting me -in that lightless place. - -For a while, I seemed to hang, motionless; suspended amid the darkness. -Then, I became conscious that I was moving again; where, I could not -tell. Suddenly, far down beneath me, I seemed to hear a murmurous noise -of Swine-laughter. It sank away, and the succeeding silence appeared -clogged with horror. - -Then a door opened somewhere ahead; a white haze of light filtered -through, and I floated slowly into a room, that seemed strangely -familiar. All at once, there came a bewildering, screaming noise, that -deafened me. I saw a blurred vista of visions, flaming before my sight. -My senses were dazed, through the space of an eternal moment. Then, my -power of seeing, came back to me. The dizzy, hazy feeling passed, and I -saw, clearly. - - - -_XXIII_ - -PEPPER - -I was seated in my chair, back again in this old study. My glance -wandered 'round the room. For a minute, it had a strange, quivery -appearance--unreal and unsubstantial. This disappeared, and I saw that -nothing was altered in any way. I looked toward the end window--the -blind was up. - -I rose to my feet, shakily. As I did so, a slight noise, in the -direction of the door, attracted my attention. I glanced toward it. For -a short instant, it appeared to me that it was being closed, gently. I -stared, and saw that I must have been mistaken--it seemed closely shut. - -With a succession of efforts, I trod my way to the window, and looked -out. The sun was just rising, lighting up the tangled wilderness of -gardens. For, perhaps, a minute, I stood, and stared. I passed my hand, -confusedly, across my forehead. - -Presently, amid the chaos of my senses, a sudden thought came to me; I -turned, quickly, and called to Pepper. There was no answer, and I -stumbled across the room, in a quick access of fear. As I went, I tried -to frame his name; but my lips were numb. I reached the table, and -stooped down to him, with a catching at my heart. He was lying in the -shadow of the table, and I had not been able to see him, distinctly, -from the window. Now, as I stooped, I took my breath, shortly. There was -no Pepper; instead, I was reaching toward an elongated, little heap of -grey, ashlike dust.... - -I must have remained, in that half-stooped position, for some minutes. -I was dazed--stunned. Pepper had really passed into the land of shadows. - - - -_XXIV_ - -THE FOOTSTEPS IN THE GARDEN - -Pepper is dead! Even now, at times, I seem scarcely able to realize -that this is so. It is many weeks, since I came back from that strange -and terrible journey through space and time. Sometimes, in my sleep, I -dream about it, and go through, in imagination, the whole of that -fearsome happening. When I wake, my thoughts dwell upon it. That -Sun--those Suns, were they indeed the great Central Suns, 'round which -the whole universe, of the unknown heavens, revolves? Who shall say? And -the bright globules, floating forever in the light of the Green Sun! And -the Sea of Sleep on which they float! How unbelievable it all is. If it -were not for Pepper, I should, even after the many extraordinary things -that I have witnessed, be inclined to imagine that it was but a gigantic -dream. Then, there is that dreadful, dark nebula (with its multitudes of -red spheres) moving always within the shadow of the Dark Sun, sweeping -along on its stupendous orbit, wrapped eternally in gloom. And the faces -that peered out at me! God, do they, and does such a thing really -exist? ... There is still that little heap of grey ash, on my study -floor. I will not have it touched. - -At times, when I am calmer, I have wondered what became of the outer -planets of the Solar System. It has occurred to me, that they may have -broken loose from the sun's attraction, and whirled away into space. -This is, of course, only a surmise. There are so many things, about -which I wonder. - -Now that I am writing, let me record that I am certain, there is -something horrible about to happen. Last night, a thing occurred, which -has filled me with an even greater terror, than did the Pit fear. I will -write it down now, and, if anything more happens, endeavor to make a -note of it, at once. I have a feeling, that there is more in this last -affair, than in all those others. I am shaky and nervous, even now, as I -write. Somehow, I think death is not very far away. Not that I fear -death--as death is understood. Yet, there is that in the air, which bids -me fear--an intangible, cold horror. I felt it last night. It -was thus:-- - -Last night, I was sitting here in my study, writing. The door, leading -into the garden, was half open. At times, the metallic rattle of a dog's -chain, sounded faintly. It belongs to the dog I have bought, since -Pepper's death. I will not have him in the house--not after Pepper. -Still, I have felt it better to have a dog about the place. They are -wonderful creatures. - -I was much engrossed in my work, and the time passed, quickly. -Suddenly, I heard a soft noise on the path, outside in the garden--pad, -pad, pad, it went, with a stealthy, curious sound. I sat upright, with a -quick movement, and looked out through the opened door. Again the noise -came--pad, pad, pad. It appeared to be approaching. With a slight -feeling of nervousness, I stared into the gardens; but the night hid -everything. - -Then the dog gave a long howl, and I started. For a minute, perhaps, I -peered, intently; but could hear nothing. After a little, I picked up -the pen, which I had laid down, and recommenced my work. The nervous -feeling had gone; for I imagined that the sound I had heard, was nothing -more than the dog walking 'round his kennel, at the length of his chain. - -A quarter of an hour may have passed; then, all at once, the dog howled -again, and with such a plaintively sorrowful note, that I jumped to my -feet, dropping my pen, and inking the page on which I was at work. - -'Curse that dog!' I muttered, noting what I had done. Then, even as I -said the words, there sounded again that queer--pad, pad, pad. It was -horribly close--almost by the door, I thought. I knew, now, that it -could not be the dog; his chain would not allow him to come so near. - -The dog's growl came again, and I noted, subconsciously, the taint of -fear in it. - -Outside, on the windowsill, I could see Tip, my sister's pet cat. As I -looked, it sprang to its feet, its tail swelling, visibly. For an -instant it stood thus; seeming to stare, fixedly, at something, in the -direction of the door. Then, quickly, it began to back along the sill; -until, reaching the wall at the end, it could go no further. There it -stood, rigid, as though frozen in an attitude of extraordinary terror. - -Frightened, and puzzled, I seized a stick from the corner, and went -toward the door, silently; taking one of the candles with me. I had come -to within a few paces of it, when, suddenly, a peculiar sense of fear -thrilled through me--a fear, palpitant and real; whence, I knew not, nor -why. So great was the feeling of terror, that I wasted no time; but -retreated straight-way--walking backward, and keeping my gaze, -fearfully, on the door. I would have given much, to rush at it, fling it -to, and shoot the bolts; for I have had it repaired and strengthened, -so that, now, it is far stronger than ever it has been. Like Tip, I -continued my, almost unconscious, progress backward, until the wall -brought me up. At that, I started, nervously, and glanced 'round, -apprehensively. As I did so, my eyes dwelt, momentarily, on the rack of -firearms, and I took a step toward them; but stopped, with a curious -feeling that they would be needless. Outside, in the gardens, the dog -moaned, strangely. - -Suddenly, from the cat, there came a fierce, long screech. I glanced, -jerkily, in its direction--Something, luminous and ghostly, encircled -it, and grew upon my vision. It resolved into a glowing hand, -transparent, with a lambent, greenish flame flickering over it. The cat -gave a last, awful caterwaul, and I saw it smoke and blaze. My breath -came with a gasp, and I leant against the wall. Over that part of the -window there spread a smudge, green and fantastic. It hid the thing from -me, though the glare of fire shone through, dully. A stench of burning, -stole into the room. - -Pad, pad, pad--Something passed down the garden path, and a faint, -mouldy odor seemed to come in through the open door, and mingle with the -burnt smell. - -The dog had been silent for a few moments. Now, I heard him yowl, -sharply, as though in pain. Then, he was quiet, save for an occasional, -subdued whimper of fear. - -A minute went by; then the gate on the West side of the gardens, -slammed, distantly. After that, nothing; not even the dog's whine. - -I must have stood there some minutes. Then a fragment of courage stole -into my heart, and I made a frightened rush at the door, dashed it to, -and bolted it. After that, for a full half-hour, I sat, -helpless--staring before me, rigidly. - -Slowly, my life came back into me, and I made my way, shakily, -up-stairs to bed. - -That is all. - - - -_XXV_ - -THE THING FROM THE ARENA - -This morning, early, I went through the gardens; but found everything -as usual. Near the door, I examined the path, for footprints; yet, here -again, there was nothing to tell me whether, or not, I dreamed -last night. - -It was only when I came to speak to the dog, that I discovered tangible -proof, that something did happen. When I went to his kennel, he kept -inside, crouching up in one corner, and I had to coax him, to get him -out. When, finally, he consented to come, it was in a strangely cowed -and subdued manner. As I patted him, my attention was attracted to a -greenish patch, on his left flank. On examining it, I found, that the -fur and skin had been apparently, burnt off; for the flesh showed, raw -and scorched. The shape of the mark was curious, reminding me of the -imprint of a large talon or hand. - -I stood up, thoughtful. My gaze wandered toward the study window. The -rays of the rising sun, shimmered on the smoky patch in the lower -corner, causing it to fluctuate from green to red, oddly. Ah! that was -undoubtedly another proof; and, suddenly, the horrible Thing I saw last -night, rose in my mind. I looked at the dog, again. I knew the cause, -now, of that hateful looking wound on his side--I knew, also, that, what -I had seen last night, had been a real happening. And a great discomfort -filled me. Pepper! Tip! And now this poor animal ...! I glanced at the -dog again, and noticed that he was licking at his wound. - -'Poor brute!' I muttered, and bent to pat his head. At that, he got -upon his feet, nosing and licking my hand, wistfully. - -Presently, I left him, having other matters to which to attend. - -After dinner, I went to see him, again. He seemed quiet, and -disinclined to leave his kennel. From my sister, I have learnt that he -has refused all food today. She appeared a little puzzled, when she told -me; though quite unsuspicious of anything of which to be afraid. - -The day has passed, uneventfully enough. After tea, I went, again, to -have a look at the dog. He seemed moody, and somewhat restless; yet -persisted in remaining in his kennel. Before locking up, for the night, -I moved his kennel out, away from the wall, so that I shall be able to -watch it from the small window, tonight. The thought came to me, to -bring him into the house for the night; but consideration has decided -me, to let him remain out. I cannot say that the house is, in any -degree, less to be feared than the gardens. Pepper was in the house, -and yet.... - -It is now two o'clock. Since eight, I have watched the kennel, from the -small, side window in my study. Yet, nothing has occurred, and I am too -tired to watch longer. I will go to bed.... - -During the night, I was restless. This is unusual for me; but, toward -morning, I obtained a few hours' sleep. - -I rose early, and, after breakfast, visited the dog. He was quiet; but -morose, and refused to leave his kennel. I wish there was some horse -doctor near here; I would have the poor brute looked to. All day, he has -taken no food; but has shown an evident desire for water--lapping it up, -greedily. I was relieved to observe this. - -The evening has come, and I am in my study. I intend to follow my plan -of last night, and watch the kennel. The door, leading into the garden, -is bolted, securely. I am consciously glad there are bars to the -windows.... - -Night:--Midnight has gone. The dog has been silent, up to the present. -Through the side window, on my left, I can make out, dimly, the outlines -of the kennel. For the first time, the dog moves, and I hear the rattle -of his chain. I look out, quickly. As I stare, the dog moves again, -restlessly, and I see a small patch of luminous light, shine from the -interior of the kennel. It vanishes; then the dog stirs again, and, once -more, the gleam comes. I am puzzled. The dog is quiet, and I can see the -luminous thing, plainly. It shows distinctly. There is something -familiar about the shape of it. For a moment, I wonder; then it comes to -me, that it is not unlike the four fingers and thumb of a hand. Like a -hand! And I remember the contour of that fearsome wound on the dog's -side. It must be the wound I see. It is luminous at night--Why? The -minutes pass. My mind is filled with this fresh thing.... - -Suddenly, I hear a sound, out in the gardens. How it thrills through -me. It is approaching. Pad, pad, pad. A prickly sensation traverses my -spine, and seems to creep across my scalp. The dog moves in his kennel, -and whimpers, frightenedly. He must have turned 'round; for, now, I can -no longer see the outline of his shining wound. - -Outside, the gardens are silent, once more, and I listen, fearfully. A -minute passes, and another; then I hear the padding sound, again. It is -quite close, and appears to be coming down the graveled path. The noise -is curiously measured and deliberate. It ceases outside the door; and I -rise to my feet, and stand motionless. From the door, comes a slight -sound--the latch is being slowly raised. A singing noise is in my ears, -and I have a sense of pressure about the head-- - -The latch drops, with a sharp click, into the catch. The noise startles -me afresh; jarring, horribly, on my tense nerves. After that, I stand, -for a long while, amid an ever-growing quietness. All at once, my knees -begin to tremble, and I have to sit, quickly. - -An uncertain period of time passes, and, gradually, I begin to shake -off the feeling of terror, that has possessed me. Yet, still I sit. I -seem to have lost the power of movement. I am strangely tired, and -inclined to doze. My eyes open and close, and, presently, I find myself -falling asleep, and waking, in fits and starts. - -It is some time later, that I am sleepily aware that one of the candles -is guttering. When I wake again, it has gone out, and the room is very -dim, under the light of the one remaining flame. The semi-darkness -troubles me little. I have lost that awful sense of dread, and my only -desire seems to be to sleep--sleep. - -Suddenly, although there is no noise, I am awake--wide awake. I am -acutely conscious of the nearness of some mystery, of some overwhelming -Presence. The very air seems pregnant with terror. I sit huddled, and -just listen, intently. Still, there is no sound. Nature, herself, seems -dead. Then, the oppressive stillness is broken by a little eldritch -scream of wind, that sweeps 'round the house, and dies away, remotely. - -I let my gaze wander across the half-lighted room. By the great clock -in the far corner, is a dark, tall shadow. For a short instant, I stare, -frightenedly. Then, I see that it is nothing, and am, momentarily, -relieved. - -In the time that follows, the thought flashes through my brain, why -not leave this house--this house of mystery and terror? Then, as though -in answer, there sweeps up, across my sight, a vision of the wondrous -Sea of Sleep,--the Sea of Sleep where she and I have been allowed to -meet, after the years of separation and sorrow; and I know that I shall -stay on here, whatever happens. - -Through the side window, I note the somber blackness of the night. My -glance wanders away, and 'round the room; resting on one shadowy object -and another. Suddenly, I turn, and look at the window on my right; as I -do so, I breathe quickly, and bend forward, with a frightened gaze at -something outside the window, but close to the bars. I am looking at a -vast, misty swine-face, over which fluctuates a flamboyant flame, of a -greenish hue. It is the Thing from the arena. The quivering mouth seems -to drip with a continual, phosphorescent slaver. The eyes are staring -straight into the room, with an inscrutable expression. Thus, I sit -rigidly--frozen. - -The Thing has begun to move. It is turning, slowly, in my direction. -Its face is coming 'round toward me. It sees me. Two huge, inhumanly -human, eyes are looking through the dimness at me. I am cold with fear; -yet, even now, I am keenly conscious, and note, in an irrelevant way, -that the distant stars are blotted out by the mass of the giant face. - -A fresh horror has come to me. I am rising from my chair, without the -least intention. I am on my feet, and something is impelling me toward -the door that leads out into the gardens. I wish to stop; but cannot. -Some immutable power is opposed to my will, and I go slowly forward, -unwilling and resistant. My glance flies 'round the room, helplessly, -and stops at the window. The great swine-face has disappeared, and I -hear, again, that stealthy pad, pad, pad. It stops outside the -door--the door toward which I am being compelled.... - -There succeeds a short, intense silence; then there comes a sound. It -is the rattle of the latch, being slowly lifted. At that, I am filled -with desperation. I will not go forward another step. I make a vast -effort to return; but it is, as though I press back, upon an invisible -wall. I groan out loud, in the agony of my fear, and the sound of my -voice is frightening. Again comes that rattle, and I shiver, clammily. I -try--aye, fight and struggle, to hold back, _back_; but it is no use.... - -I am at the door, and, in a mechanical way, I watch my hand go forward, -to undo the topmost bolt. It does so, entirely without my volition. Even -as I reach up toward the bolt, the door is violently shaken, and I get a -sickly whiff of mouldy air, which seems to drive in through the -interstices of the doorway. I draw the bolt back, slowly, fighting, -dumbly, the while. It comes out of its socket, with a click, and I begin -to shake, aguishly. There are two more; one at the bottom of the door; -the other, a massive affair, is placed about the middle. - -For, perhaps a minute, I stand, with my arms hanging slackly, by my -sides. The influence to meddle with the fastenings of the door, seems to -have gone. All at once, there comes the sudden rattle of iron, at my -feet. I glance down, quickly, and realize, with an unspeakable terror, -that my foot is pushing back the lower bolt. An awful sense of -helplessness assails me.... The bolt comes out of its hold, with a -slight, ringing sound and I stagger on my feet, grasping at the great, -central bolt, for support. A minute passes, an eternity; then -another----My God, help me! I am being forced to work upon the last -fastening. _I will not!_ Better to die, than open to the Terror, that is -on the other side of the door. Is there no escape ...? God help me, I -have jerked the bolt half out of its socket! My lips emit a hoarse -scream of terror, the bolt is three parts drawn, now, and still my -unconscious hands work toward my doom. Only a fraction of steel, between -my soul and That. Twice, I scream out in the supreme agony of my fear; -then, with a mad effort, I tear my hands away. My eyes seem blinded. A -great blackness is falling upon me. Nature has come to my rescue. I feel -my knees giving. There is a loud, quick thudding upon the door, and I am -falling, falling.... - -I must have lain there, at least a couple of hours. As I recover, I am -aware that the other candle has burnt out, and the room is in an almost -total darkness. I cannot rise to my feet, for I am cold, and filled with -a terrible cramp. Yet my brain is clear, and there is no longer the -strain of that unholy influence. - -Cautiously, I get upon my knees, and feel for the central bolt. I find -it, and push it securely back into its socket; then the one at the -bottom of the door. By this time, I am able to rise to my feet, and so -manage to secure the fastening at the top. After that, I go down upon my -knees, again, and creep away among the furniture, in the direction of -the stairs. By doing this, I am safe from observation from the window. - -I reach the opposite door, and, as I leave the study, cast one nervous -glance over my shoulder, toward the window. Out in the night, I seem to -catch a glimpse of something impalpable; but it may be only a fancy. -Then, I am in the passage, and on the stairs. - -Reaching my bedroom, I clamber into bed, all clothed as I am, and pull -the bedclothes over me. There, after awhile, I begin to regain a little -confidence. It is impossible to sleep; but I am grateful for the added -warmth of the bedclothes. Presently, I try to think over the happenings -of the past night; but, though I cannot sleep, I find that it is -useless, to attempt consecutive thought. My brain seems curiously blank. - -Toward morning, I begin to toss, uneasily. I cannot rest, and, after -awhile, I get out of bed, and pace the floor. The wintry dawn is -beginning to creep through the windows, and shows the bare discomfort of -the old room. Strange, that, through all these years, it has never -occurred to me how dismal the place really is. And so a time passes. - -From somewhere down stairs, a sound comes up to me. I go to the bedroom -door, and listen. It is Mary, bustling about the great, old kitchen, -getting the breakfast ready. I feel little interest. I am not hungry. My -thoughts, however; continue to dwell upon her. How little the weird -happenings in this house seem to trouble her. Except in the incident of -the Pit creatures, she has seemed unconscious of anything unusual -occurring. She is old, like myself; yet how little we have to do with -one another. Is it because we have nothing in common; or only that, -being old, we care less for society, than quietness? These and other -matters pass through my mind, as I meditate; and help to distract my -attention, for a while, from the oppressive thoughts of the night. - -After a time, I go to the window, and, opening it, look out. The sun is -now above the horizon, and the air, though cold, is sweet and crisp. -Gradually, my brain clears, and a sense of security, for the time being, -comes to me. Somewhat happier, I go down stairs, and out into the -garden, to have a look at the dog. - -As I approach the kennel, I am greeted by the same mouldy stench that -assailed me at the door last night. Shaking off a momentary sense of -fear, I call to the dog; but he takes no heed, and, after calling once -more, I throw a small stone into the kennel. At this, he moves, -uneasily, and I shout his name, again; but do not go closer. Presently, -my sister comes out, and joins me, in trying to coax him from -the kennel. - -In a little the poor beast rises, and shambles out lurching queerly. In -the daylight he stands swaying from side to side, and blinking stupidly. -I look and note that the horrid wound is larger, much larger, and seems -to have a whitish, fungoid appearance. My sister moves to fondle him; -but I detain her, and explain that I think it will be better not to go -too near him for a few days; as it is impossible to tell what may be the -matter with him; and it is well to be cautious. - -A minute later, she leaves me; coming back with a basin of odd scraps -of food. This she places on the ground, near the dog, and I push it into -his reach, with the aid of a branch, broken from one of the shrubs. Yet, -though the meat should be tempting, he takes no notice of it; but -retires to his kennel. There is still water in his drinking vessel, so, -after a few moments' talk, we go back to the house. I can see that my -sister is much puzzled as to what is the matter with the animal; yet it -would be madness, even to hint the truth to her. - -The day slips away, uneventfully; and night comes on. I have determined -to repeat my experiment of last night. I cannot say that it is wisdom; -yet my mind is made up. Still, however, I have taken precautions; for I -have driven stout nails in at the back of each of the three bolts, that -secure the door, opening from the study into the gardens. This will, at -least, prevent a recurrence of the danger I ran last night. - -From ten to about two-thirty, I watch; but nothing occurs; and, -finally, I stumble off to bed, where I am soon asleep. - - - -_XXVI_ - -THE LUMINOUS SPECK - -I awake suddenly. It is still dark. I turn over, once or twice, in my -endeavors to sleep again; but I cannot sleep. My head is aching, -slightly; and, by turns I am hot and cold. In a little, I give up the -attempt, and stretch out my hand, for the matches. I will light my -candle, and read, awhile; perhaps, I shall be able to sleep, after a -time. For a few moments, I grope; then my hand touches the box; but, as -I open it, I am startled, to see a phosphorescent speck of fire, shining -amid the darkness. I put out my other hand, and touch it. It is on my -wrist. With a feeling of vague alarm, I strike a light, hurriedly, and -look; but can see nothing, save a tiny scratch. - -'Fancy!' I mutter, with a half sigh of relief. Then the match burns my -finger, and I drop it, quickly. As I fumble for another, the thing -shines out again. I know, now, that it is no fancy. This time, I light -the candle, and examine the place, more closely. There is a slight, -greenish discoloration 'round the scratch. I am puzzled and worried. -Then a thought comes to me. I remember the morning after the Thing -appeared. I remember that the dog licked my hand. It was this one, with -the scratch on it; though I have not been even conscious of the -abasement, until now. A horrible fear has come to me. It creeps into my -brain--the dog's wound, shines at night. With a dazed feeling, I sit -down on the side of the bed, and try to think; but cannot. My brain -seems numbed with the sheer horror of this new fear. - -Time moves on, unheeded. Once, I rouse up, and try to persuade myself -that I am mistaken; but it is no use. In my heart, I have no doubt. - -Hour after hour, I sit in the darkness and silence, and shiver, -hopelessly.... - -The day has come and gone, and it is night again. - -This morning, early, I shot the dog, and buried it, away among the -bushes. My sister is startled and frightened; but I am desperate. -Besides, it is better so. The foul growth had almost hidden its left -side. And I--the place on my wrist has enlarged, perceptibly. Several -times, I have caught myself muttering prayers--little things learnt as a -child. God, Almighty God, help me! I shall go mad. - -Six days, and I have eaten nothing. It is night. I am sitting in my -chair. Ah, God! I wonder have any ever felt the horror of life that I -have come to know? I am swathed in terror. I feel ever the burning of -this dread growth. It has covered all my right arm and side, and is -beginning to creep up my neck. Tomorrow, it will eat into my face. I -shall become a terrible mass of living corruption. There is no escape. -Yet, a thought has come to me, born of a sight of the gun-rack, on the -other side of the room. I have looked again--with the strangest of -feelings. The thought grows upon me. God, Thou knowest, Thou must know, -that death is better, aye, better a thousand times than This. This! -Jesus, forgive me, but I cannot live, cannot, cannot! I dare not! I am -beyond all help--there is nothing else left. It will, at least, spare -me that final horror.... - -I think I must have been dozing. I am very weak, and oh! so miserable, -so miserable and tired--tired. The rustle of the paper, tries my brain. -My hearing seems preternaturally sharp. I will sit awhile and think.... - -"Hush! I hear something, down--down in the cellars. It is a creaking -sound. My God, it is the opening of the great, oak trap. What can be -doing that? The scratching of my pen deafens me ... I must listen.... -There are steps on the stairs; strange padding steps, that come up and -nearer.... Jesus, be merciful to me, an old man. There is something -fumbling at the door-handle. O God, help me now! Jesus--The door is -opening--slowly. Somethi--" - -That is all[16] - - - -_XXVII_ - -CONCLUSION - -I put down the Manuscript, and glanced across at Tonnison: he was -sitting, staring out into the dark. I waited a minute; then I spoke. - -"Well?" I said. - -He turned, slowly, and looked at me. His thoughts seemed to have gone -out of him into a great distance. - -"Was he mad?" I asked, and indicated the MS., with a half nod. - -Tonnison stared at me, unseeingly, a moment; then, his wits came back to -him, and, suddenly, he comprehended my question. - -"No!" he said. - -I opened my lips, to offer a contradictory opinion; for my sense of the -saneness of things, would not allow me to take the story literally; then -I shut them again, without saying anything. Somehow, the certainty in -Tonnison's voice affected my doubts. I felt, all at once, less assured; -though I was by no means convinced as yet. - -After a few moments' silence, Tonnison rose, stiffly, and began to -undress. He seemed disinclined to talk; so I said nothing; but followed -his example. I was weary; though still full of the story I had -just read. - -Somehow, as I rolled into my blankets, there crept into my mind a memory -of the old gardens, as we had seen them. I remembered the odd fear that -the place had conjured up in our hearts; and it grew upon me, with -conviction, that Tonnison was right. - -It was very late when we rose--nearly midday; for the greater part of -the night had been spent in reading the MS. - -Tonnison was grumpy, and I felt out of sorts. It was a somewhat dismal -day, and there was a touch of chilliness in the air. There was no -mention of going out fishing on either of our parts. We got dinner, and, -after that, just sat and smoked in silence. - -Presently, Tonnison asked for the Manuscript: I handed it to him, and he -spent most of the afternoon in reading it through by himself. - -It was while he was thus employed, that a thought came to me:-- - -"What do you say to having another look at--?" I nodded my head down -stream. - -Tonnison looked up. "Nothing!" he said, abruptly; and, somehow, I was -less annoyed, than relieved, at his answer. - -After that, I left him alone. - -A little before teatime, he looked up at me, curiously. - -"Sorry, old chap, if I was a bit short with you just now;" (just now, -indeed! he had not spoken for the last three hours) "but I would not go -there again," and he indicated with his head, "for anything that you -could offer me. Ugh!" and he put down that history of a man's terror and -hope and despair. - -The next morning, we rose early, and went for our accustomed swim: we -had partly shaken off the depression of the previous day; and so, took -our rods when we had finished breakfast, and spent the day at our -favorite sport. - -After that day, we enjoyed our holiday to the utmost; though both of us -looked forward to the time when our driver should come; for we were -tremendously anxious to inquire of him, and through him among the people -of the tiny hamlet, whether any of them could give us information about -that strange garden, lying away by itself in the heart of an almost -unknown tract of country. - -At last, the day came, on which we expected the driver to come across -for us. He arrived early, while we were still abed; and, the first thing -we knew, he was at the opening of the tent, inquiring whether we had had -good sport. We replied in the affirmative; and then, both together, -almost in the same breath, we asked the question that was uppermost in -our minds:--Did he know anything about an old garden, and a great pit, -and a lake, situated some miles away, down the river; also, had he ever -heard of a great house thereabouts? - -No, he did not, and had not; yet, stay, he had heard a rumor, once upon -a time, of a great, old house standing alone out in the wilderness; but, -if he remembered rightly it was a place given over to the fairies; or, -if that had not been so, he was certain that there had been something -"quare" about it; and, anyway, he had heard nothing of it for a very -long while--not since he was quite a gossoon. No, he could not remember -anything particular about it; indeed, he did not know he remembered -anything "at all, at all" until we questioned him. - -"Look here," said Tonnison, finding that this was about all that he -could tell us, "just take a walk 'round the village, while we dress, and -find out something, if you can." - -With a nondescript salute, the man departed on his errand; while we made -haste to get into our clothes; after which, we began to prepare -breakfast. - -We were just sitting down to it, when he returned. - -"It's all in bed the lazy divvils is, sor," he said, with a repetition -of the salute, and an appreciative eye to the good things spread out on -our provision chest, which we utilized as a table. - -"Oh, well, sit down," replied my friend, "and have something to eat with -us." Which the man did without delay. - -After breakfast, Tonnison sent him off again on the same errand, while -we sat and smoked. He was away some three-quarters of an hour, and, when -he returned, it was evident that he had found out something. It appeared -that he had got into conversation with an ancient man of the village, -who, probably, knew more--though it was little enough--of the strange -house, than any other person living. - -The substance of this knowledge was, that, in the "ancient man's" -youth--and goodness knows how long back that was--there had stood a -great house in the center of the gardens, where now was left only that -fragment of ruin. This house had been empty for a great while; years -before his--the ancient man's--birth. It was a place shunned by the -people of the village, as it had been shunned by their fathers before -them. There were many things said about it, and all were of evil. No one -ever went near it, either by day or night. In the village it was a -synonym of all that is unholy and dreadful. - -And then, one day, a man, a stranger, had ridden through the village, -and turned off down the river, in the direction of the House, as it was -always termed by the villagers. Some hours afterward, he had ridden -back, taking the track by which he had come, toward Ardrahan. Then, for -three months or so, nothing was heard. At the end of that time, he -reappeared; but now, he was accompanied by an elderly woman, and a large -number of donkeys, laden with various articles. They had passed through -the village without stopping, and gone straight down the bank of the -river, in the direction of the House. - -Since that time, no one, save the man whom they had chartered to bring -over monthly supplies of necessaries from Ardrahan, had ever seen either -of them: and him, none had ever induced to talk; evidently, he had been -well paid for his trouble. - -The years had moved onward, uneventfully enough, in that little hamlet; -the man making his monthly journeys, regularly. - -One day, he had appeared as usual on his customary errand. He had passed -through the village without exchanging more than a surly nod with the -inhabitants and gone on toward the House. Usually, it was evening before -he made the return journey. On this occasion, however, he had reappeared -in the village, a few hours later, in an extraordinary state of -excitement, and with the astounding information, that the House had -disappeared bodily, and that a stupendous pit now yawned in the place -where it had stood. - -This news, it appears, so excited the curiosity of the villagers, that -they overcame their fears, and marched _en masse_ to the place. There, -they found everything, just as described by the carrier. - -This was all that we could learn. Of the author of the MS., who he was, -and whence he came, we shall never know. - -His identity is, as he seems to have desired, buried forever. - -That same day, we left the lonely village of Kraighten. We have never -been there since. - -Sometimes, in my dreams, I see that enormous pit, surrounded, as it is, -on all sides by wild trees and bushes. And the noise of the water rises -upward, and blends--in my sleep--with other and lower noises; while, -over all, hangs the eternal shroud of spray. - - - -Grief[17] - -Fierce hunger reigns within my breast, - I had not dreamt that this whole world, - Crushed in the hand of God, could yield -Such bitter essence of unrest, - Such pain as Sorrow now hath hurled - Out of its dreadful heart, unsealed! - -Each sobbing breath is but a cry, - My heart-strokes knells of agony, - And my whole brain has but one thought -That nevermore through life shall I - (Save in the ache of memory) - Touch hands with thee, who now art naught! - -Through the whole void of night I search, - So dumbly crying out to thee; - But thou are _not_; and night's vast throne -Becomes an all stupendous church - With star-bells knelling unto me - Who in all space am most alone! - -An hungered, to the shore I creep, - Perchance some comfort waits on me - From the old Sea's eternal heart; -But lo! from all the solemn deep, - Far voices out of mystery - Seem questioning why we are apart! - -"Where'er I go I am alone - Who once, through thee, had all the world. - My breast is one whole raging pain -For that which _was_, and now is flown - Into the Blank where life is hurled - Where all is not, nor is again!" - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] An apparently unmeaning interpolation. I can find no previous -reference in the MS. to this matter. It becomes clearer, however, in the -light of succeeding incidents.--Ed. - -[2] Here, the writing becomes undecipherable, owing to the damaged -condition of this part of the MS. Below I print such fragments as are -legible.--Ed. - -[3] NOTE.--The severest scrutiny has not enabled me to decipher more of -the damaged portion of the MS. It commences to be legible again with the -chapter entitled "The Noise in the Night."--Ed. - -[4] The Recluse uses this as an illustration, evidently in the sense of -the popular conception of a comet.--Ed. - -[5] Evidently referring to something set forth in the missing and -mutilated pages. See _Fragments, Chapter 14_--Ed. - -[6] No further mention is made of the moon. From what is said here, it -is evident that our satellite had greatly increased its distance from -the earth. Possibly, at a later age it may even have broken loose from -our attraction. I cannot but regret that no light is shed on this -point.--Ed. - -[7] Conceivably, frozen air.--Ed. - -[8] See previous footnote. This would explain the snow (?) within the -room.--Ed. - -[9] I am confounded that neither here, nor later on, does the Recluse -make any further mention of the continued north and south movement -(apparent, of course,) of the sun from solstice to solstice.--Ed. - -[10] At this time the sound-carrying atmosphere must have been either -incredibly attenuated, or--more probably--nonexistent. In the light of -this, it cannot be supposed that these, or any other, noises would have -been apparent to living ears--to hearing, as we, in the material body, -understand that sense.--Ed. - -[11] I can only suppose that the time of the earth's yearly journey had -ceased to bear its present _relative_ proportion to the period of the -sun's rotation.--Ed. - -[12] A careful reading of the MS. suggests that, either the sun is -traveling on an orbit of great eccentricity, or else that it was -approaching the green star on a lessening orbit. And at this moment, I -conceive it to be finally torn directly from its oblique course, by the -gravitational pull of the immense star.--Ed. - -[13] It will be noticed here that the earth was "_slowly_ traversing the -tremendous face of the dead sun." No explanation is given of this, and -we must conclude, either that the speed of time had slowed, or else that -the earth was actually progressing on its orbit at a rate, slow, when -measured by existing standards. A careful study of the MS. however, -leads me to conclude that the speed of time had been steadily decreasing -for a very considerable period.--Ed. - -[14] See _first footnote, Chapter 18_. - -[15] Without doubt, the flame-edged mass of the Dead Central Sun, seen -from another dimension.--Ed. - -[16] NOTE.--From the unfinished word, it is possible, on the MS., to -trace a faint line of ink, which suggests that the pen has trailed away -over the paper; possibly, through fright and weakness.--Ed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The House on the Borderland -by William Hope Hodgson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND *** - -***** This file should be named 10002.txt or 10002.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/0/10002/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sjaani and PG Distributed Proofreaders - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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