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were in no danger of losing the game, they determined to save their strength.
The trail entered the woods by a narrow ravine, passed through what proved to
be but a belt of timber, and then
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A Journey in Other Worlds turned north to the right. Presently in the
semi-darkness they saw the monster's head against the sky. He was browsing
among the trees, tearing off the young branches, and the hunters succeeded in
getting within seventy-five yards before
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being discovered. Just as he began to run, the two rifles again fired, this
time at the right hind leg, which they succeeded in hamstringing. After that
the Triceratops prorsus was at their mercy, and they quickly put an end to its
suffering.
"The sun is about to rise," said Bearwarden; in a few minutes we shall have
enough light."
They cut out a dozen thick slices of tenderloin steak, and soon were broiling
and eating a substantial breakfast.
"There are not as many spectators to watch us eat here," said Cortlandt, "as
in the woods. I suggest that, after returning to camp for our blankets and
things, we steer for the Callisto, via this Triceratops, to see what creatures
have been attracted by the body."
On finishing their meal they returned to the place at which they had passed
the night. Having straightened the protection-wires, which had become twisted,
and arranged their impedimenta, they set out, and were soon once more beside
their latest victim.
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Chapter 2.9
THE HONEY OF DEATH.
At first nothing seemed to have been disturbed, when they suddenly perceived
that both forelegs were missing. On further examination they found that the
ponderous tail, seven feet in diameter, was cut through in two places, the
thicker portion having disappeared, and that the heavy bones in this extremity
of the vertebral column had been severed like straws. The cut surfaces were
but little cooler than the interior of the body, showing how recently the
mutilation had been effected.
"By all the gods!" exclaimed Bearwarden, "it is easy to see the method in
this; the hunters have again cut off only those parts that could be easily
rolled. These Jovian fellows must have weapons compared
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A Journey in Other Worlds with which the old scythe chariots would be but
toys, with which they amputate the legs of
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their victims. We must see to it that their scimitars do not come too near to
us, and I venture to hope that in our bullets they will find their match. What
say you, doctor?"
"I see no depression such as such heavy bodies would necessarily have made had
they been rolled along the ground, neither does it seem to me that these
curious tracks in the sand are those of men."
The loose earth looked as if the cross-ties of some railroad had been removed,
the space formerly occupied having been but partly filled, and these
depressions were across the probable direction of motion.
"Whatever was capable of chasing mastodons and carrying such weights," said
Ayrault, "will, I
suspect, have little to fear from us. Probably nothing short of light
artillery would leave much effect."
"I dare say," replied Bearwarden, "we had better give the unknown quantity a
wide berth, though I
would give a year's salary to see what it is like. The absence of other tracks
shows that his confreres
leave `Scissor-jaw' alone."
Keeping a sharp lookout in all directions, they
A battle royal on Jupiter.
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resumed their march along the third side of the square which was to bring them
back to the Callisto.
Their course was parallel to the stream, and on comparatively high ground.
Cortlandt's gun did good service, bringing down between fifty and sixty birds
that usually allowed them to get as near as they pleased, and often seemed
unwilling to leave their branches. By the time they were ready for luncheon
they saw it would be dark in an hour. As the rapidity of the planet's rotation
did not give them a chance to become tired, they concluded not to pitch their
camp, but to resume the march by moonlight, which would be easy in the high,
open country they were traversing.
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A Journey in Other Worlds
While in quest of fire-wood, they came upon great heaps of bones, mostly those
of birds, and were attracted by the tall, bell-shaped flowers growing [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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