had declared that man could not exist upon the plateau, since with his feeble weapons he could not hold his own against the monsters who roamed over it.  But now it was clear enough how it could be done.  In their narrow-mouthed caves the natives, whoever they might be, had refuges into which the huge saurians could not penetrate, while with their developed brains they were capable of setting such traps, covered with branches, across the paths which marked the run of the animals as would destroy them in spite of all their strength and activity.  Man was always the master.

The sloping wall of the pit was not difficult for an active man to climb, but I hesitated long before I trusted myself within reach of the dreadful creature which had so nearly destroyed me.  How did I know that he was not lurking in the nearest clump of bushes, waiting for my reappearance?  I took heart, however, as I recalled a conversation between Challenger and Summerlee upon the habits of the great saurians.  Both were agreed that the monsters were practically brainless, that there was no room for reason in their tiny cranial cavities, and that if they have disappeared from the rest of the world it was assuredly on account of their own stupidity, which made it impossible for them to adapt themselves to changing conditions.

To lie in wait for me now would mean that the creature had appreciated what had happened to me, and this in turn would argue some power connecting cause and effect.  Surely it was more likely that a brainless creature, acting solely by vague predatory instinct, would give up the chase when I disappeared, and, after a pause of astonishment, would wander away in search of some other prey?  I clambered to the edge of the pit and looked over.  The stars were fading, the sky was whitening, and the cold wind of morning blew pleasantly upon my face.  I could see or hear nothing of my enemy.  Slowly I climbed out and sat for a while upon the ground, ready to spring back into my refuge if any danger should appear.  Then, reassured by the absolute stillness and by the growing light, I took my courage in both hands and stole back along the path which I had come.  Some distance down it I picked up my gun, and shortly afterwards struck the brook which was my guide.  So, with many a frightened backward glance, I made for home.

And suddenly there came something to remind me of my absent companions.  In the clear, still morning air there sounded far away the sharp, hard note of a single rifle-shot.  I paused and listened, but there was nothing more.  For a moment I was shocked at the thought that some sudden danger might have befallen them.  But then a simpler and more natural explanation came to my mind.  It was now broad daylight.  No doubt my absence had been noticed.  They had imagined, that I was lost in the woods, and had fired this shot to guide me home.  It is true that we had made a strict resolution against firing, but if it seemed to them that I might be in danger they would not hesitate.  It was for me now to hurry on as fast as possible, and so to reassure them.