The noise ceased, though the dust still rose, tumultuously.

I reached the edge, and looked down; but could see nothing save a boil of dust clouds swirling hither and thither.  The air was so full of the small particles, that they blinded and choked me; and, finally, I had to run out from the smother, to breathe.

Gradually, the suspended matter sank, and hung in a panoply over the mouth of the Pit.

I could only guess at what had happened.

That there had been a land-slip of some kind, I had little doubt; but the cause was beyond my knowledge; and yet, even then, I had half imaginings; for, already, the thought had come to me, of those falling rocks, and that Thing in the bottom of the Pit; but, in the first minutes of confusion, I failed to reach the natural conclusion, to which the catastrophe pointed.

Slowly, the dust subsided, until, presently, I was able to approach the edge, and look down.

For a while, I peered impotently, trying to see through the reek.  At first, it was impossible to make out anything.  Then, as I stared, I saw something below, to my left, that moved.  I looked intently toward it, and, presently, made out another, and then another—­three dim shapes that appeared to be climbing up the side of the Pit.  I could see them only indistinctly.  Even as I stared and wondered, I heard a rattle of stones, somewhere to my right.  I glanced across; but could see nothing.  I leant forward, and peered over, and down into the Pit, just beneath where I stood; and saw no further than a hideous, white swine-face, that had risen to within a couple of yards of my feet.  Below it, I could make out several others.  As the Thing saw me, it gave a sudden, uncouth squeal, which was answered from all parts of the Pit.  At that, a gust of horror and fear took me, and, bending down, I discharged my gun right into its face.  Straightway, the creature disappeared, with a clatter of loose earth and stones.

There was a momentary silence, to which, probably, I owe my life; for, during it, I heard a quick patter of many feet, and, turning sharply, saw a troop of the creatures coming toward me, at a run.  Instantly, I raised my gun and fired at the foremost, who plunged head-long, with a hideous howling.  Then, I turned to run.  More than halfway from the house to the Pit, I saw my sister—­she was coming toward me.  I could not see her face, distinctly, as the dusk had fallen; but there was fear in her voice as she called to know why I was shooting.

‘Run!’ I shouted in reply.  ‘Run for your life!’

Without more ado, she turned and fled—­picking up her skirts with both hands.  As I followed, I gave a glance behind.  The brutes were running on their hind legs—­at times dropping on all fours.

I think it must have been the terror in my voice, that spurred Mary to run so; for I feel convinced that she had not, as yet, seen those hell creatures that pursued.