ell, yes, but those cursed reptiles seem to be nailing me down to the
rock with their wills. May I ask if you had any special object in view
in waking them up?"

"I assure you the danger is quite real, Maskull. Instead of talking
and asking questions, you had much better see what you can do with your
will."

"I seem to have no will, unfortunately."

Oceaxe was seized with a paroxysm of laughter, but it was still rich and
beautiful. "It's obvious you aren't a very heroic protector, Maskull. It
seems I must play the man, and you the woman. I expected better things
of your big body. Why, my husband would send those creatures dancing all
around the sky, by way of a joke, before disposing of them. Now watch
me.. Two of the three I'll kill; the third we will ride home on. Which
one shall we keep?"

The shrowks continued their slow, wobbling flight toward them. Their
bodies were of huge size. They produced in Maskull the same sensation of
loathing as insects did. He instinctively understood that as they hunted
with their wills, there was no necessity for them to possess a swift
motion.

"Choose which you please," he said shortly. "They are equally
objectionable to me."

"Then I'll choose the leader, as it is presumably the most energetic
animal. Watch now."

She stood upright, and her sorb suddenly blazed with fire. Maskull felt
something snap inside his brain. His limbs were free once more. The
two monsters in the rear staggered and darted head foremost toward the
earth, one after the other. He watched them crash on the ground, and
then lie motionless. The leader still came toward them, but he fancied
that its flight was altered in character; it was no longer menacing, but
tame and unwilling.

Oceaxe guided it with her will to the mainland shore opposite their
island rock. Its vast bulk lay there extended, awaiting her pleasure.
They immediately crossed the water.

Maskull viewed the shrowk at close quarters. It was about thirty feet
long. Its bright-coloured skin was shining, slippery, and leathery;
a mane of black hair covered its long neck. Its face was awesome
and unnatural, with its carnivorous eyes, frightful stiletto, and
blood-sucking cavity. There were true fins on its back and tail.

"Have you a good seat?" asked Oceaxe, patting the creature's flank. "As
I have to steer, let me jump on first."

She pulled up her gown, then climbed up and sat astride the animal's
back, just behind the mane, which she c