e this
thing has scales, like those of a brontosaurus, which was really a land
animal. This must be a cross between the two that through the process of
evolution has been developed. Anyway it is the last of the species and
it has come here--to die."

"Like us it has followed the water and come here to die," said Thalma as
she also leveled glasses.

For several minutes they watched the swaying head which every little
while twisted from side to side, as the blazing eyes seemed to be
searching for prey, while a whitish saliva dripped from the jaws. The
body of the beast, which they knew to be enormous, was hidden beneath
the water, but the agitation on the surface showed that powerful feet
and legs were stirring.

"Yes, it has come here to die," repeated Omega, "to fight for the last
drop of earth's water. It now has possession of the lake, and unless we
kill it, it will kill us or drive us away."

Almost with the words Omega seized an atomic gun and pointed it at the
brute's head. But before he could sight the weapon and pull the trigger
the monster, as though sensing danger, suddenly jerked down its head and
a moment later it had disappeared beneath the surface.

"It has gone!" cried Thalma. She was trembling as with a chill, and her
eyes were wide with terror.

"It will appear again," said Omega, "and then we will kill it, for the
water belongs to man. Doubtless that huge beast is all that remains of
life on earth save ourselves. To-night while you sleep here in the ship,
I will take a gun, take position behind a rock on the shore of the lake
and watch for its appearance. I think shortly after nightfall when the
rocks are cool it leaves the water and comes on land in a vain search
for food, for beyond a doubt it has devoured everything in the lake,
save marine mosses and the like. Yet as it has survived all contemporary
life except man, it may live for centuries unless we destroy it."

"But there are not centuries of water out there," Thalma said. "As to
your hunting this monster alone, I will not hear of it. I shall go with
you. Together we will destroy this menace of our new home."

* * * * *

All Omega's eloquence could not dissuade her. So, after the sun had set
and the dry cold had chilled the hot rocks, they set out along the shore
of the lake and looked eagerly out over the still water for a sight of
their enemy. Nothing disturbed the silvery surface of the water.
Crouchi