It might have turned itself into this thing, which ain't no

natural thing at all, just to get poor Tippet. If it had of been

a lion or something else humanlike it wouldn't look so strange;

but this here thing ain't humanlike. There ain't no such thing

an' never was."

"Bullets don't kill ghosts," said Bradley, "so this couldn't have

been a ghost. Furthermore, there are no such things. I've been

trying to place this creature. Just succeeded. It's a tyrannosaurus.

Saw picture of skeleton in magazine. There's one in New York

Natural History Museum. Seems to me it said it was found in place

called Hell Creek somewhere in western North America. Supposed to

have lived about six million years ago."

"Hell Creek's in Montana," said Sinclair. "I used to punch cows

in Wyoming, an' I've heard of Hell Creek. Do you s'pose that

there thing's six million years old?" His tone was skeptical.

"No," replied Bradley; "But it would indicate that the island

of Caprona has stood almost without change for more than six

million years."

The conversation and Bradley's assurance that the creature was

not of supernatural origin helped to raise a trifle the spirits

of the men; and then came another diversion in the form of

ravenous meat-eaters attracted to the spot by the uncanny sense

of smell which had apprised them of the presence of flesh, killed

and ready for the eating.

It was a constant battle while they dug a grave and consigned all

that was mortal of John Tippet to his last, lonely resting-place.

Nor would they leave then; but remained to fashion a rude head-

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