e temporary fascination of a lovable woman? And have I lived
to see the reincarnated soul of the bravest and noblest man that ever
breathed, bound within the flesh of a wretched coward incapable of
living for any greater purpose than his own self-gratification? Am I to
understand that one who is controlled by the spirit of my everlasting
associate, intends betraying nature's trust by shirking the
responsibilities of manhood, because he lacks the courage to live? Will
there be promulgated among the records of time an account of my immortal
partner having deserted his post of duty by sneaking out of the world
before his allotted time? Would this being, who is blessed with physical
strength and a well-balanced brain, allow himself to sink to the level
of a craven suicide, because he cannot secure something beyond his
reach? Does he think that nature brought him into existence for no other
purpose than to feed his own petty desires? Would he deliberately die
like a useless poltroon, and leave the world in its present state of
savagery and wretchedness, without even attempting to be of service to
humanity in the very work it requires the most?"

"Stop! Enough!" cried I. "You have wounded my feelings to the very core.
I'll admit that I am weak in this instance. Very weak indeed. But this
is the first time that my courage has ever been assailed by anyone, and
to have you above all persons, openly insinuate that I am a coward is
far worse than having inflicted upon me the cruelest tortures of the
Ape-man's prospective hell. I am only an Apeman, but as I said before, I
love you beyond all power of expression. You no doubt, cannot understand
my puny feelings any more than I can fully comprehend your lofty ideals
or the full meaning of your higher knowledge of things. The very
greatest hardship for me to undergo would be to live after you have
passed away. But, if by the promise of so doing I can gain your respect
and one encouraging look or word of approval, I will not only rescind
the text of my previous statement and live, but I swear to you in the
name of the Creator of the law which governs all things, that I shall
strictly follow to the letter any instructions you may wish to offer
concerning my future movements, no matter what they might be. So make my
task a hard one, for the courage you so unfeelingly attacked must be
tested to its full limits. I am ready to obey your commands."

Having thus addressed Arletta, I straighte