He turned and ran toward it, shouting an alarm to his wife to run in and close the great door in case the ape cut off his retreat.
? ? ? ? Lady Greystoke had been sitting a little way from the cabin, and when she heard his cry she looked up to see the ape springing with almost incredible swiftness, for so large and awkward an animal, in an effort to head off Clayton.
? ? ? ? With a low cry she sprang toward the cabin, and, as she entered, gave a backward glance which filled her soul with terror, for the brute had intercepted her husband, who now stood at bay grasping his ax with both hands ready to swing it upon the infuriated animal when he should make his final charge.
? ? ? ? "Close and bolt the door, Alice," cried Clayton. "I can finish this fellow with my ax."
? ? ? ? But he knew he was facing a horrible death, and so did she.
? ? ? ? The ape was a great bull, weighing probably three hundred pounds. His nasty, close-set eyes gleamed hatred from beneath his shaggy brows, while his great canine fangs were bared in a horrid snarl as he paused a moment before his prey.
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