Azurma stood as though petrified, her face the color of ashes.
With rapid strides the many-legged creature neared her.
When it had approached to within ten feet of her she seemed to regain her senses.
Uttering a wild shriek, she started to flee from the spot with all her might.
An ominous hiss came from the picuasus, as Azurma called it, and the horrible thing increased its speed.
Straight for the river the girl ran, and it was evident that rather than be torn to pieces by the underground denizen she would throw herself into the rushing water.
When within ten yards of the water’s edge Azurma stumbled and fell, and the next instant the picuasus stretched forth its long tentacles to seize her.
But they did not reach. At that moment the report of a rifle rang out, and it tumbled to the ground in a heap.
Azurma was saved!