THE SENTRY
We now came to a place at which another trench extended on the right
hand, at right angles to the one we followed, and striking upward toward
the mountainside that now rose above us with an abruptness that appeared
unscalable. Looking up the straight line of the trench we could not see
the defile by which those heights were entered, nor was it easy to
imagine that this bleak forbidding precipice was only the first of a
wilderness of loftier ridges, from the top of which it would appear
almost as low and flat as the plain around us.
We watched the long column of our companions as it proceeded up the
narrow trench, at the end of which we saw it emerging on the open
hillside, where it must have been visible for many miles to any watchers
on the plains below. Then we turned, not without a feeling of loneliness
which increased the intimacy of our companionship, and went on at a
gentle walk--for the time at our disposal required no haste--in the
direction which had been indicated.
Yet the leisured pace had a consequence which might have been
disastrous, and the exact result of which I am still unable to
determine.
We were engaged in a pleasant intercourse, in which I was realising that
the apparent apathy of my companion’s mind in regard to the issue of an
expedition for which her Leaders were responsible, which had previously
surprised me, did not preclude a keen adventurous delight in an
enterprise which had now been entrusted to our own initiative, when I
was conscious of a shadow that fell for a moment across the floor of the
trench before me, into which the midday sun shone directly downward.
Looking up sharply, I caught sight of an egg-shaped body and two
jovially derisive eyes that withdrew at the instant of their detection.
Instant also was my thought of the consequences if the news of our
coming should go before us, and with that thought I loosed my
companion’s hand, and jumped for the side of the trench. The abundant
vitality which that grasp supplied me lasted long enough after I had
loosed my hold to enable me to grip the edge of the ground two feet
above my head, and swing myself on to the surface.
Rising here, I confronted the detected spy not ten feet distant, gazing
at me with a glance of humorous contempt, from which doubt and even
consternation were not entirely absent. Its body was less round than
that of the panther’s victim, being like an egg balanced on two legs,
with the thicker end in front, from which the twinkling eyes looked out,
with the long trunk curled beneath them.
I realised suddenly that I was not beyond reach of this weapon, and that
I was likely to be swept back into the trench with little ceremony, even
if no worse befell me. But the next moment I was aware that my companion
was beside me.
Whatever brain was in that blue-black body, or courage for the facing of
meaner things, it had no will to meet its new antagonist. Nor did the
order which she gave it to avoid us even disturb the quietness of the
mind that formed it. Accustomed for so long to an unquestioned supremacy
over all the creatures that the oceans held, it could not occur to her
as a possibility that such a one could resist her will, or disturb her
serenity.
Fear was in the cowed but cunning eyes as it moved backward, but when it
had retreated for fifty yards or more it suddenly threw up its trunk in
a defiant gesture, as of one released from a reluctant hypnotism, and
commenced a rapid run toward the farther end of the valley.
As it did this, I realised that I was losing it, and that our lives and
the success of our enterprise were at issue.
I unslung the axe from my back, and started in pursuit. But my feet sank
deeply in the soft herbage, and I found that speed was impossible. At
times, too, the ground itself gave way beneath me, and I stumbled
forward with difficulty. Struggle as I might, I saw that the distance
was increasing continually.
My companion’s mind called me to return, but I would not heed it.
Then I saw that she also was running, but far out on the left as though
she were leaving me.
I was still wallowing forward in a stubborn stupidity when I realised
her purpose. She was endeavouring to cut it off, and, running far more
swiftly and lightly than either of us, she was soon in a position to do
so.
But having gained the advantage, she appeared content to hold it, not
closing in, but edging the chase continually toward the higher ground.
I did not understand her purpose till I found myself running upon the
hard surface of the hillside, and gaining at every stride. The chased
beast knew it also, and turned to face me.
My hunting instinct was roused now, to reinforce my judgment of a
compelling necessity, and I was determined to kill it. But I had
sufficient caution to pause outside the range of the sweeping trunk that
threatened me.
It did not throw itself on its back, as I expected from the conflict
which I had witnessed previously, and I began to realise that it had
been running not so much to avoid me, as to carry the news to its
masters. It might be in awe of my companion’s mind, but toward myself it
very certainly had no such feeling.
I became aware that it was advancing upon me.
My companion had paused at a distance, and made no motion to assist me
further.
The trunk was waving now within three feet of my face. I swung the axe
as it was raised to strike. The sharp blade grazed the tip, and it
winced back swiftly.
For some moments we faced each other silently, neither willing to
retreat, nor to come within range of the confronting danger. I was on
the point of springing in, and risking all on one stroke, when the
memory of how the blue-black body had punctured where the claws tore,
suggested that I could throw the axe with sufficient force to disable
it.
But the throwing of axes is an occupation in which I was quite
unpractised. Trying to fling it over the trunk that waved and feinted
before me, and with sufficient force to effect my purpose, I misjudged
entirely, so that it skimmed the smooth back only, and fell ten or
twelve feet behind it.
Reckless, I ran forward to recover the weapon. My antagonist might
easily have struck me off my feet as I did so, but it had turned also
with the same object.
Not having to turn, I was a second quicker. I stooped for the axe with
the consciousness that my opponent was already upon me, and as I seized
it I threw it desperately backward.
The next moment I was struck to the ground. I felt the clothes tearing
from my back, and turning round I tried to come to grips with the trunk
which would otherwise beat the life from my body. As I did so I was
conscious that the attack had ceased.
I looked up, and saw my companion standing above us. My antagonist cowed
away from her with terrified eyes. The axe I had thrown had stuck into
its back, and remained there.
Very quietly she took the haft and drew it out. As she did this a
fountain of thin red blood, such as I had seen before, shot up and
sparkled in the sunlight.
I rose up, and we stood side by side looking at the creature that made
no more resistance, but lay dying before us.
She handed me the axe in silence.
A moment after, she gave me her hand again, and we returned to the
trench together. But though I tried to speak, her mind would not answer.
She had closed it against me, and for many hours we continued thus, her
mind a blank wall of negation at the advances I made continually.