the monster men(魔鬼一样的人)-第41节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
thought that he might sleep filled her with dread； yet she would not call to
him again； since she knew that he needed his rest even more than she。
And all the night Bulan stood close beside the woman he had learned to
love stood almost naked in the chill night air and the cold rain； lest some
savage man or beast creep out of the darkness after her while he slept。
142
… Page 143…
THE MONSTER MEN
The next day with its night； and the next； and the next were but
repetitions of the first。 It had become an agony of suffering for the man
to fight off sleep longer。 The girl read part of the truth in his heavy eyes
and worn face； and tried to force him to take needed rest； but she did not
guess that he had not slept for four days and nights。
At last abused Nature succumbed to the terrific strain that had been put
upon her； and the giant constitution of the man went down before the cold
and the wet； weakened and impoverished by loss of sleep and insufficient
food； for through the last two days he had been able to find but little； and
that little he had given to the girl； telling her that he had eaten his fill while
he gathered hers。
It was on the fifth morning； when Virginia awoke； that she found
Bulan rolling and tossing upon the wet ground before her shelter； delirious
with fever。 At the sight of the mighty figure reduced to pitiable
inefficiency and weakness； despite the knowledge that her protector could
no longer protect； the fear of the jungle faded from the heart of the young
girlshe was no more a weak and trembling daughter of an effete
civilization。 Instead she was a lioness； watching over and protecting her
sick mate。 The analogy did not occur to her； but something else did as
she saw the flushed face and fever wracked body of the man whose appeal
to her she would have thought purely physical had she given the subject
any analytic consideration； and as a realization of his utter helplessness
came to her she bent over him and kissed first his forehead and then his
lips。
〃What a noble and unselfish love yours has been；〃 she murmured。
〃You have even tried to hide it that my position might be the easier to bear；
and now that it may be too late I learn that I love youthat I have always
loved you。 Oh； Bulan； my Bulan； what a cruel fate that permitted us to
find one another only to die together！〃
143
… Page 144…
THE MONSTER MEN
16 SING SPEAKS
For a week Professor Maxon with von Horn and Sing sought for
Virginia。 They could get no help from the natives of the long…house； who
feared the vengeance of Muda Saffir should he learn that they had aided
the white men upon his trail。
And always as the three hunted through the jungle and up and down
the river there lurked ever near a handful of the men of the tribe of the two
whom von Horn had murdered； waiting for the chance that would give
them revenge and the heads of the three they followed。 They feared the
guns of the white men too much to venture an open attack； and at night the
quarry never abated their watchfulness； so that days dragged on； and still
the three continued their hopeless quest unconscious of the relentless foe
that dogged their footsteps。
Von Horn was always searching for an opportunity to enlist the aid of
the friendly natives in an effort to regain the chest； but so far he had found
none who would agree to accompany him even in consideration of a large
share of the booty。 It was the treasure alone which kept him to the search
for Virginia Maxon； and he made it a point to direct the hunt always in the
vicinity of the spot where it was buried； for a great fear consumed him that
Ninaka might return and claim it before he had a chance to make away
with it。
Three times during the week they returned and slept at the long…house；
hoping each time to learn that the natives had received some news of her
they sought； through the wonderful channels of communication that
seemed always open across the trackless jungle and up and down the
savage； lonely rivers。
For two days Bulan lay raving in the delirium of fever； while the
delicate girl； unused to hardship and exposure； watched over him and
nursed him with the loving tenderness and care of a young mother with
her first born。
For the most part the young giant's ravings were inarticulate； but now
and then Virginia heard her name linked with words of reverence and
144
… Page 145…
THE MONSTER MEN
worship。 The man fought again the recent battles he had passed through；
and again suffered the long night watches beside the sleeping girl who
filled his heart。 Then it was that she learned the truth of his self…
sacrificing devotion。 The thing that puzzled her most was the repetition of
a number and a name which ran through all his delirium 〃Nine ninety
nine Priscilla。〃
She could make neither head nor tail of it； nor was there another word
to give a clue to its meaning； so at last from constant repetition it became a
commonplace and she gave it no further thought。
The girl had given up hope that Bulan ever could recover； so weak and
emaciated had he become； and when the fever finally left him quite
suddenly she was positive that it was the beginning of the end。 It was on
the morning of the seventh day since they had commenced their
wandering in search of the long…house that； as she sat watching him； she
saw his eyes resting upon her face with a look of recognition。
Gently she took his hand； and at the act he smiled at her very weakly。
〃You are better； Bulan；〃 she said。 〃You have been very sick； but now
you shall soon be well again。〃
She did not believe her own words； yet the mere saying of them gave
her renewed hope。
〃Yes；〃 replied the man。 〃I shall soon be well again。 How long have I
been like this？〃
〃For two days；〃 she replied。
〃And you have watched over me alone in the jungle for two days？〃 he
asked incredulously。
〃Had it been for life；〃 she said in a low voice； 〃it would scarce have
repaid the debt I owe you。〃
For a long time he lay looking up into her eyes longingly； wistfully。
〃I wish that it had been for life；〃 he said。
At first she did not quite realize what he meant； but presently the tired
and hopeless expression of his eyes brought to her a sudden knowledge of
his meaning。
〃Oh； Bulan；〃 she cried； 〃you must not say that。 Why should you wish
to die？〃
145
… Page 146…
THE MONSTER MEN
〃Because I love you； Virginia；〃 he replied。 〃And because； when you
know what I am； you will hate and loathe me。〃
On the girl's lips was an avowal of her own love； but as she bent closer
to whisper the words in his ear there came the sound of men crashing
through the jungle； and as she turned to face the peril that she thought
approaching； von Horn sprang into view； while directly behind him came
her father and Sing Lee。
Bulan saw them at the same instant； and as Virginia ran forward to
greet her father he staggered weakly to his feet。 Von Horn was the first to
see the young giant； and with an oath sprang toward him； drawing his
revolver as he came。
〃You beast；〃 he cried。 〃We have caught you at last。〃
At the words Virginia turned back toward Bulan with a little scream of
warning and of horror。 Professor Maxon was behind her。
〃Shoot the monster； von Horn；〃 he ordered。 〃Do not let him escape。〃
Bulan drew himself to his full height； and though he wavered from
weakness； yet he towered mighty and magnificent above the evil faced
man who menaced him。
〃Shoot！〃 he said calmly。 〃Death cannot come too soon now。〃
At the same instant von Horn pulled the trigger。 The giant's head fell
back； h
