“You have my permission most assuredly, Mrs. Graham, and it grieves me to think that I have been the cause of this disturbance of mind. When these monsters come together the battle will be fearful, and if the other ladies feel that they cannot witness it, it would be better for them to retire also, for see! other monsters are now coming, and the fight will soon commence.”
At this Nellie arose and together with her mother they entered the villa.
As Onrai had said, other black masses were now seen and the glow of red eyes shone through the semi-darkness from all directions. On came their bodies growing larger as they came nearer. Now the foremost had reached the base of the cliff and raising its huge body half out of the water, threw its ugly head back and fastened its glittering eyes on those who were watching its movements from above. The moon shone full on its long, dragon-like body and the party shuddered with horror as they recognized in it the exact counterpart of the sea-monster of the cave. After gazing on those above it for a full minute, and then realizing probably that they were out of its reach, the monster became enraged and, throwing itself back into the water beat the surface with its wing-like fins and long tail until almost lost to view in the foam thus created. But others had now come close to the rock, and as the number increased the water was blackened by their dark bodies. It was a mass of writhing, horror-depicting sea reptiles, and as they wound in and out under and over each other, their eyes glowing the while, it was enough to make the stoutest heart grow faint.
Suddenly one of them, which had been crowded close to the rocks by the great number from behind, and finding it impossible to extricate itself in any other way, dove, and piercing the body of the one next to it, held it half out of water, pinioned on its formidable horn.
“Ah, the battle has commenced,” said Onrai.
“It is fearful,” again said Enola.
“Horrible but fascinating,” said Mr. Bruce.
“This is but the beginning,” said Onrai. “In a few moments the whole seething mass will be engaged in one grand battle royal. If, Enola, you think you cannot look on this hideous spectacle, it would be better for you to retire now.”
“No,” said Enola, “I wish to see it all.”
They again turned their attention to the monsters. When the beast had been pierced by the horn of its companion, it had given out a fearful groan like that of a dying man. This seemed to be a signal, for immediately the beast began to beat the water with fins and tail, until the spray was forced upward almost splashing our friends. In fact the lake looked as if it had been struck by a hurricane so turbulent had the waters become. All this commotion was but preliminary, however, for it soon ceased, and all was perfectly quiet for a moment, when, as if moved by a common impulse the battle commenced in earnest.