FRANCIS FINDS HIS BROTHER’S WATCH.
Night had fallen this while, and the hollow in the thicket was black as
pitch. I groped my way forth, and, coming to the verge of the swamp,
searched for and found my stick that I had set up there. Hereupon I
stood and looked about me, dazed and trembling.
The air was thick and fœtid with the mist from the swamp. The heavens
were overcast with black clouds. Two shadowy night birds flew
continually in wavering and interlacing curves. A sort of rat-like
creatures scuttled in and out the woods. A loud screeching cry, having
a strange vicious note in it, thrust in every now and again upon the
continual croaking of frogs. It was borne in upon my mind, with terror,
that this was the voice of the Toad.
From the back of me came the murmuring sound of the sea. Suddenly the
moon appeared betwixt ragged clouds, casting a livid light upon the
misty surface of the morass, and vanished.
In the daytime, in the warmth and light of the sun, I cared little
for the ghostly mysteries of the island. I said that the Thing which
had frighted us on the ship--the dreadful ghostly figure--had nothing
spectral in it, but was contrived, after some wondrous manner,
by Doctor Copicus. But here, at night, in this weird and desolate
situation, my boldness proved to be but a daylight boldness.
What, I asked myself, if the Thing should arise before me here and now?
What was that screeching cry?
I took thought which way to go. It were a drear thing to cross the
morass in the dark. What then?
I must, at all adventures, act, and act quickly, or a panic terror
would come upon me.
But whilst I stood thus in doubt, the voice of the sea came to me: and,
turning that way, I thrust desperately in amongst the woods. They were
dark and dank like a cavern. Unknown creatures started at my feet,
uttering weird cries. They were full of bats, which fluttered about my
head; and something winged and heavy darted up from the undergrowth and
tore and bit at my face!
Perchance it was but a flying fox; but I screamed with fright. I tore
the thing from me, and dashed myself headlong through the thick covert.
You may call me a craven; but, on coming forth from that wood, I sobbed
like a terrified child!
I proceeded, wading and staggering through tall reeds matted with
creepers.
’Twas a desolate situation; and, as I went staggering on through the
reeds, I looked this way and that, fearful of beholding the face of
some dreadful devil.
It seemed to me, that unearthly things did peer at me upon every side.
I fought against the frenzy of my fear. Suddenly I caught the sound of
a rustling in the tall grasses at the back of me. I drew my rapier, and
stood, looking back, hearkening intently; but could hear it no more.
I strove to persuade myself that ’twas but an alarum of my fluttering
heart, and continued on my way. But presently it came again, and
louder, doubtful no longer, but a sure token that someone or something
did follow me.
At last, being able no longer to endure the suspense, I turned; and,
casting away my stick, with my drawn sword in my hand, I began to move
that way.
I had not gone a dozen paces, but I beheld the form of an Indian, who
crouched in the reeds. He had a deadly blow-pipe in his hand. I was
ready to have fallen upon him with my rapier. But, on a sudden (seeing,
I suppose, the Doctor’s mark upon me), he turned and betook himself
off, running swiftly; and so disappeared in the darkness. In the same
moment, I heard something fall amongst the reeds.
Stepping to the place, I sought for it, and found it. It was a gold
watch, and on the back thereof was graven the arms of my house; I knew
it to have been my brother’s!
Now, since it had been let slip by the Indian, he it was, in all
probability, who had murdered my brother; the sense whereof stirred a
lust of vengeance in me, supplanting my late terror, and I would have
essayed to have followed that Indian. However, I soon perceived I would
have been quite frustrate.
Accordingly, I turned and prosecuted my way, reaching the cliff at
last, and descending to the shore, by way of a gully.