the monster men(魔鬼一样的人)-第24章
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then I am glad that my soul is after my own choosingI would not care for
one like theirs。〃
The sudden equatorial dawn found the man still musing。 The storm
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THE MONSTER MEN
had ceased and as the daylight brought the surroundings to view Number
Thirteen became aware that he was not alone in the campong。 All about
him lay the eleven terrible men whom he had driven from the bungalow
the previous night。 The sight of them brought a realization of new
responsibilities。 To leave them here in the campong would mean the
immediate death of Professor Maxon and the Chinaman。 To turn them
into the jungle might mean a similar fate for Virginia Maxon were she
wandering about in search of the encampment Number Thirteen could
not believe that she was dead。 It seemed too monstrous to believe that he
should never see her again； and he knew so little of death that it was
impossible for him to realize that that beautiful creature ever could cease
to be filled with the vivacity of life。
The young man had determined to leave the camp himself partly on
account of the cruel words Professor Maxon had hurled at him the night
before； but principally in order that he might search for the lost girl。 Of
course he had not the remotest idea where to look for her； but as von Horn
had explained that they were upon a small island he felt reasonably sure
that he should find her in time。
As he looked at the sleeping monsters near him he determined that the
only solution of his problem was to take them all with him。 Number
Twelve lay closest to him； and stepping to his side he nudged him with the
butt of the bull whip he still carried。 The creature opened his dull eyes。
〃Get up；〃 said Number Thirteen。
Number Twelve rose； looking askance at the bull whip。
〃We are not wanted here；〃 said Number Thirteen。 〃I am going away
and you are all going with me。 We shall find a place where we may live
in peace and freedom。 Are you not tired of always being penned up？〃
〃Yes；〃 replied Number Twelve； still looking at the whip。
〃You need not fear the whip；〃 said the young man。 〃I shall not use it on
those who make no trouble。 Wake the others and tell them what I have said。
All must come with methose who refuse shall feel the whip。〃
Number Twelve did as he was bid。 The creatures mumbled among
themselves for a few minutes。 Finally Number Thirteen cracked his long
whip to attract their attention。
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THE MONSTER MEN
〃Come！〃 he said。
Nine of them shuffled after him as he turned toward the outer gate
only Number Ten and Number Three held back。 The young man walked
quickly to where they stood eyeing him sullenly。 The others halted to
watchready to spring upon their new master should the tide of the
impending battle turn against him。 The two mutineers backed away
snarling； their hideous features distorted in rage。
〃Come！〃 repeated Number Thirteen。
〃We will stay here；〃 growled Number Ten。 〃We have not yet finished
with Maxon。〃
A loop in the butt of the bull whip was about the young man's wrist。
Dropping the weapon from his hand it still dangled by the loop。 At the
same instant he launched himself at the throat of Number Ten； for he
realized that a decisive victory now without the aid of the weapon they all
feared would make the balance of his work easier。
The brute met the charge with lowered head and outstretched hands；
and in another second they were locked in a clinch； tearing at one another
like two great gorillas。 For a moment Number Three stood watching the
battle； and then he too sprang in to aid his fellow mutineer。 Number
Thirteen was striking heavy blows with his giant hands upon the face and
head of his antagonist； while the long； uneven fangs of the latter had found
his breast and neck a half dozen times。 Blood covered them both。
Number Three threw his enormous weight into the conflict with the frenzy
of a mad bull。
Again and again he got a hold upon the young giant's throat only to be
shaken loose by the mighty muscles。 The excitement of the conflict was
telling upon the malformed minds of the spectators。 Presently one who
was almost brainless； acting upon the impulse of suggestion； leaped in
among the fighters； striking and biting at Number Thirteen。 It was all that
was neededanother second found the whole monstrous crew upon the
single man。
His mighty strength availed him but little in the unequal conflict
eleven to one were too great odds even for those powerful thews。 His
great advantage lay in his superior intelligence； but even this seemed futile
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in the face of the enormous weight of numbers that opposed him。 Time
and again he had almost shaken himself free only to fall once more
dragged down by hairy arms about his legs。
Hither and thither about the campong the battle raged until the fighting
mass rolled against the palisade； and here； at last； with his back to the
structure； Number Thirteen regained his feet； and with the heavy stock of
the bull whip beat off； for a moment； those nearest him。 All were winded；
but when those who were left of the eleven original antagonists drew back
to regain their breath； the young giant gave them no respite； but leaped
among them with the long lash they had such good reason to hate and fear。
The result was as his higher intelligence had foreseen the creatures
scattered to escape the fury of the lash and a moment later he had them at
his mercy。 About the campong lay four who had felt the full force of his
heavy fist； while not one but bore some mark of the battle。
Not a moment did he give them to recuperate after he had scattered
them before he rounded them up once more near the outer gatebut now
they were docile and submissive。 In pairs he ordered them to lift their
unconscious comrades to their shoulders and bear them into the jungle； for
Number Thirteen was setting out into the world with his grim tribe in
search of his lady love。
Once well within the jungle they halted to eat of the more familiar fruit
which had always formed the greater bulk of their sustenance。 Thus
refreshed； they set out once more after the leader who wandered aimlessly
beneath the shade of the tall jungle trees amidst the gorgeous tropic
blooms and gay； songless birds and of the twelve only the leader saw the
beauties that surrounded them or felt the strange； mysterious influence of
the untracked world they trod。 Chance took them toward the west until
presently they emerged upon the harbor's edge； where from the matted
jungle they overlooked for the first time the waters of the little bay and the
broader expanse of strait beyond； until their eyes rested at last upon the
blurred lines of distant Borneo。
