ou owe me common civility in return? I'd fawn like a
dog for a kindly look!... But don't you provoke me too far--don't think,
because maybe I can't meet your eye, I couldn't crush you--or have
others do it! You and your damned follower!... Oh, that would give me
ease!"

Natalie's breath came like a frightened bird's. Flight she realized
was dangerous--but it was as dangerous to stay; and how could she stay
listening to such impieties! Nick Grylls's own bulk cut off her retreat
in the direction of the settlement--but somewhere in the other direction
was Garth. She sized up the man in a darting glance; his swollen bulk
promised shortness of breath.

He made a move toward her. "What's to prevent me from taking you now?"
he muttered.

Natalie, turning, fled along the path; running like a bird with
incredibly swift, short steps.

Nick Grylls plunged after her, passion lending his great bulk lightness
and speed. The path, which is used for tracking boats up-stream, skirted
the extreme edge of a high-cut-bank bordering the river. On the one hand
a single false step would have precipitated them to the beach twenty-five
feet below; on the other hand the branches of an impenetrable undergrowth
scourged their faces as they ran. Here and there the rain had worn deep
fissures, across which leaped the nymph Natalie, with the panting Silenus
close at her heels. She was running desperately over unfamiliar ground,
knowing nothing of what lay ahead. She got away quicker than he; but he
gained on her. The pursuer always has the advantage, in that he can
measure his distance; and the quarry must make the pace.

The scene flashed past her like the half-sensed panorama of a hideous
dream. She dared not look over her shoulder, but she could hear his
heavy steps falling closer and closer. "He can run faster than I," she
thought; and a dreadful sinking clutched her heart. She hazarded a
fearful glance at the water below. The man's fingers clawed at her back.
In another instant she would have leapt over; but she felt the ground
tremble and give under her feet. She staggered, and with a desperate
leap, gained a firm foothold beyond. Behind her, with a rumble and a
hissing roar a great section of the bank half slid, half fell to the
river beach beneath, carrying down bushes, trees, stones--and her
pursuer.

She ran on without a backward look. In her thankful heart she could now
spare a glance of pity for the half-crazed man; but it did not