They came slowly, one considerably ahead of the others.

Two or three times they stopped and appeared to be consulting, and then again moved slowly forward straight toward the plateau.
When the leading man was nearly within gunshot, the captain's face began to burn, and his pulses to throb hard and fast.
"The sooner I pick off the head one," he thought, "the better chance I have at the others." He brought his gun to his shoulder, and was slowly lowering the barrel to the line of aim, when suddenly something like a great black beast rushed past him, pushing up his arm and nearly toppling him over.

It came from the cave, and in a second it was out on the plateau.

Then it gave a leap upward, and rushed down toward the sea.

Utterly astounded, the captain steadied himself and turned to Maka.
"What was that ?" he exclaimed.
The African was on his feet, his body bent forward, his eyes peering out into the distance.
"Mok!" said he.