This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ...put myself into a thorough fright. The uncertainty in which I was as to the form and size of the animal conduced to my greater terror. We had not seen our purchase as yet, and knew nothing of its strength or ferocity. The night was as black as a night should be under such awful circumstances. I opened my curtains and ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ...put myself into a thorough fright. The uncertainty in which I was as to the form and size of the animal conduced to my greater terror. We had not seen our purchase as yet, and knew nothing of its strength or ferocity. The night was as black as a night should be under such awful circumstances. I opened my curtains and looked out. A faint streak of light appeared between the folding doors opening from my room into the verandah, and I knew the wood had shrunk from the bolt and would not hold. "By heavens, the doors are opening I" It was no trick of imagination--the light streak widened slowly--slowly. I do not wish the worst enemy I shall ever have such moments as mine were then. The wall behind my bed was covered with swords and knives. I slipped out an arm to reach a weapon. Something hairy swept the back of my hand, and for a moment I felt sick with terror. Then I remembered the long scalps hanging from my parang ilang, and put out my arm again, keeping my eyes fixed upon the fissure between the doors. Nothing but swords--swords--when I would have given worlds to. clutch the handle of the smallest bowie-knife. At length my fingers encountered the rough buckhorn, and I disengaged it from the wall with a "clang." The same moment the crevice of light began to close, and I recovered M 162 INEXPLICABLE SOUNDS. my presence of mind, groped my way to the doors, and propped a chair against them to give warning, by its fall, of any new incursion. I then found my way into Arthur's room, which lay behind, and roused him from tranquil slumbers by the awful intelligence that the mias was playing old gooseberry in the verandah, if she had not already penetrated into the house. At first he seemed inclined to laugh heartily; but alarm is very infectious, ...
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